If you don't like gore: scroll down until you see this marker once more.

The sound of hooves on a wooden floor brought Celestia out of her half asleep state. She perked her head up, but her lack of sight instantly negated the action. There wasn't much point of looking to see who was approaching if she couldn't see.

"Do you think you can keep some soup down?" Asked Red Hoof.

"What?" She responded lamely.

"Do you think you can eat something and not throw it back up?" He reiterated.

"Oh... I... yes."

"Sit up." Said the voice of White Dust, whom Celestia had not expected to be with Red Hoof.

She complied, doing her best to sit herself up on the couch so that her back legs could serve as a table. An object was placed on her legs, after feeling it with her right hoof Celestia established that it was a tray, resting on said tray was a bowl of warm soup. She put both hooves at the sides of the bowl and carefully lifted it to her lips, struggling to not drop it from the excruciating pain in her left leg.

She took a small sip of the hot soup, after establishing that the soup was cool enough to eat she tilted her head back and drank nearly all of the meal in three large gulps. She took a moment to breathe and finished off the last of her delicious meal. Carefully lowering the empty bowl back to its tray, Celestia was happy to have eaten something Her last meal had been almost an entire day ago.

"I think that's the easiest meal we've ever given you." Red Hoof spoke.

"I'm hungry,"

"I can see that. I suppose it would take twice the calories to keep a pony twice the size full. It's a wonder you haven't died from starvation yet, you've been through so much strenuous activity and eaten so little."

"Other ponies have always cri... criti..." Celestia stumbled.

"Criticized?" Corrected Red Hoof.

"Yes... criticized h-how much I ate, saying that it was because of how extra... extravagantly I lived. They... they... never realized that it's because I'm so tall." She explained, seeming to be not all there.

"Are you having problems speaking?"

"My jaw is broken."

"No, I meant are you having troubles forming sentences?"

"I-I have to think a little longer."

Celestia heard Red Hoof make a small 'Hm.' noise as he stepped away from her and walked into the kitchen, standing beside White Dust who was busy cleaning dishes.

"I'm extremely worried about her mental health. She's having problems speaking and is having troubles understanding speech. There's a chance you damaged more than her Occipital cortex." He spoke softly to ensure Celestia wouldn't overhear, pushing his glasses up with a hoof.

"You feel sorry for her, don't you?" White Dust whispered.

Red sighed.

"Yes, I do. Even after she stabbed me, I feel bad for her."

"We need to have Star Yield restore our Auras. He told us that she would have an effect on us."

"You're right. He said that supplies would be sent soon, right?" Red Hoof responded quietly.

"Yeah. Friday... I think. When they get here I'll ask if he can make his way up here. It'll probably take him a while to get here, so we've got to remain strong until he gets here." White concluded.

"You said 'we' when you were talking about Star Yield restoring our Auras. You feel bad for her, too, don't you?" Red Hoof retraced, thinking a little on what White had said.

"A little bit. The whole brain damage thing... I don't like it."

"Then don't hit her head anymore." Red Hoof said firmly, walking out of the kitchen.

A few moments after his departure from the kitchen the front door of the home opened as the Light Blue Stallion stepped inside. The only sign that it was, in fact, the Light Blue Stallion was his muzzle, the only part of him that wasn't covered in some sort of clothing. He wore a heavy coat, thick canvas pants that were held up by a system of suspension straps, equally thick boots, hat, goggles, and a sort of backpack. Instead of a bag, it was a metal frame used for hauling cargo, on said frame was a tall stack of chopped wood, the stack of around 15 logs being held with a strap.

"Oh, good. We were just about to run out of firewood." The White Stallion said.

"That's why I made sure to get plenty. Here, help me unload this."

White Dust lifted the stack of wood from Shield Arc's, the Light Blue Stallion, back and set it down near the fireplace. Arc looked over at Celestia lying on the couch, she looked half asleep.

"Why is she up here?" He asked, taking off his hat and goggles.

"She's recovering, I guess."

"Recovering from what? Did the poor little princess get stabbed too many times?" He asked, looking over at Celestia who now had an angry look on her face.

"No, head trauma and blindness."

Shield Arc's face went blank.

"Blindness?"

"Cortical Blindness. White hit her head too hard." Red Hoof said, entering from the other room.

"So you brought her up here? Who cares if she can't see, she'll be easier to deal with."

"The reason she's up here is because she had 2 seizures and a brain hemorrhage, as a result I had to drill a hole in the back of her head to drain the blood and relieve the pressure." The Pony with the Glasses explained, slightly troubled by Shield's lack of sensitivity.

"I still don't see why we shouldn't throw her back in the cell."

Red Hoof sighed.

"There's too much risk of infection in the cell, at this point I don't want to risk anything." He explained.

"How is that cell any dirtier than it is up here? The only thing down there is dried blood."

"Dried blood can cause many problems!" Complained Red, his words seeming more like an excuse to Shield.

"What happen to you two? I was gone for a day and now you're all soft? White Dust, you used to be meaner to her than I, and now you're letting her sit up here all cozy on the couch?" Shield said, Celestia catching on every one of his words.

"Keep it down, will you? I will admit that I feel slightly sorry for her, but Star warned us about this. She's got the 'passive ability' to wear down the Aura, it's happened before." White Dust whispered.

"Well then, tear down her 'passive ability'."

Shield Arc walked out of the kitchen, a few small puddles of water left from the ice and snow caked onto his boots. There was a moment of silence as both Red Hoof and White Dust thought about what Shield said.

"He's right. We should put her back down in that cell." White said quietly after a moment's time.

"Then stop waiting and do it. The only reason you're hesitating is because you know it'll upset her." Red Hoof mumbled.

The White Stallion walked from the kitchen and took Celestia's back legs with his magic, throwing her to the floor with a thud.

"Please don't put me back down there." She pleaded quietly.

"Shut your mouth. You knew this was coming." White spoke as he dragged Celestia across the living room and down the hallway.

He opened the wooden door to the basement and levitated Celestia's large body off of the floor. Once at the bottom of the stairs White pushed open the unlocked cell door with his hoof and threw Celestia inside, a loud grunt escaping her as she landed on the cell floor.

"The only reason you're putting me down here is because you don't want that other pony to think you're weak." Celestia spoke.

"Remember what happen all those other times you didn't hold your tongue?" White asked, kneeling down to get on Celestia's level.

"He's right to say that you're weak. I'm not the weak one. Both of us know that." She responded quietly, a small smile dawning on her bruised and cut face.

"You're horribly mistaken, then. You once ruled this entire nation, now the only thing you rule is where you lie down." White Dust mocked.

Celestia chuckled.

"You would be dead if y-you were in my spot. I would like to see you try to find a bathroom w-with no vision and a broken leg." She said.

"I'm glad you're proud of yourself."

White Dust turned away from Celestia and began walking for the exit, Red Hoof following. Half way up the stairs Red Hoof stopped and turned around.

"You left the light on." He said to White Dust.

"What does it matter? She can't see." White responded, continuing up the stairs.

Celestia was extremely happy that the White Stallion hadn't hit her anymore. Every inch of her body was in a constant state of burning pain, her legs and face felt as if they were constantly being gripped by some razor coated clamp, and her head throbbed with every beat of her heart. She let herself into a laying position, her legs spread out in front of her as she focused on the void of dim shapes that was her sight.

The duo entered the living room to find Shield Arc sitting on the couch with a cup of what looked like coffee, his thick winter clothes lying in a pile to the side of his seat. There was a hot fire roaring in the brick fireplace, something all three of them were happy to see.

"I'm glad she's not on my couch anymore. The first thing I wanted to do was sit down, but I walk in to find her lying here." Shield said.

Both Red Hoof and White Dust remained silent, slightly guilty by the fact that they had been the cause. Shield Arc raised his cup and took a sip.

"How much did she whine?"

"Not that much, actually. She seemed really calm." Red spoke.

"I think she's starting to get used to this." White added.

You still gotta read this line, though.

"She's not getting used to it, she's just accepted that this is how her life will end." Shield Arc said in an oddly deep manner.

"Your Highness, we have an issue." Cloud Drop said as he entered Twilight's room unannounced.

She quickly closed the document she had been viewing and hid it behind herself.

"Can't you knock? What do you want?" Twilight said angrily.

"There's a large mob at the front gates demanding to know why the sun hasn't risen."

Twilight's face went pale.

"A mob?"

"Yes. What do you suggest we do?"

"I... I don't know. I can't raise the sun and Luna doesn't have the ability yet. What do we tell them?"

"You just said what we've told them."

Twilight went silent.

"It might help to hear those words from who's in charge." Cloud Drop added.

"You're right. I'll handle the crowd."

She stood up and walked out the door past Cloud Drop, who shut the door and followed.

"I remember when messengers came to Ponyville and said that the sun wouldn't be up for a while, why is there a mob?"

"I assume that they all think Her Highness is lying to them and trying to take Equestria for herself, at least that's what rumors I've heard." Cloud said as the two hurried through the halls.

A while's more walking put Twilight and Cloud Drop in the throne room, which in turn lead to the front gates of Canterlot Castle. The throne room had around a hundred troops in it, each armed and ready.

"Why do we need all these soldiers?" She asked.

"In case they knock down the gates and storm in here."

Twilight looked significantly more worried than she had been before. She and Cloud Drop moved through the soldiers and out into the courtyard. Twilight stopped as she saw the mob. Around five hundred very, very perturbed citizens were outside of the large metal gates and surrounding walls, which had a group of soldiers with spears and swords guarding it. The noise of the mob got louder upon Twilight's appearance.

"So, what's to problem here!?" Twilight inquired loudly over the noise of the crowd as she walked to the gate.

"We're angry that the paint on this gate is chipping! What do you think we're angry about!?" A mare in the front row responded sarcastically.

"I understand that you're all upset about the frigid temperature and the lack of sunlight, but neither Princess Luna or I have control over that. I was under the impression that you all knew she couldn't raise the sun!"

"How does that work, exactly?!" An agitated male voice called out.

"Are you a Unicorn, by chance?!" She called out to the unseen male.

"No, but I still don-"

"Then you would have absolutely no idea about how magic works! She has to learn the ability and form a mental and magical bond with the Sun before she can manipulate its position in the sky, something that will take time! If you need heating supplies, food, or clothing, you're going to have to wait." Twilight finished.

The crowd's anger flared at the notion of waiting for supplies.

"I have no firewood left, how am I going to wait any longer!?"
"What do you mean, 'wait'!?"
"I bet you're sitting in there all nice and cozy while we sit with no firewood!" The rebuttals came and came.

"Alright, listen!! Listen!!" Twilight yelled, anger of her own starting to show.

"The helicopters that would be used to bring supplies aren't even here, they're all in Stalliongrad because of a conflict there! It would take an entire 3 days for them to fly back and refuel, and it would take probably another day to get food, clothing, and firewood gathered and prepped for transport, not counting the time of actually getting the supplies to Ponyville! You all can stand here in the cold and protest all you want, but it will not change the fact that we can't get supplies to you instantly!" Twilight explained loudly, the crowd a bit more calmed down after her explanation.

"Well, then what do we do? All of the trees are frozen to the point where we can't cut them down." A stallion in the second row spoke.

Twilight paused in thought. The proverbial light bulb lit up.

"We come up with a plan. Open the gates!" She called.

"Your Highness!" Cloud Drop called in protest, a look of disbelief on his face.

"I am not going to force hundreds of ponies to stay out in this frozen wasteland! Now, open the gates!!" Twilight retorted loudly.

"Open the gates!" Cloud called as he turned around and walked back up the snowy marble steps of the throne room entrance.

With a loud clank, 2 large locks disengaged from the ground and the large metal gates were slowly swung open by two guards. The crowd of ponies began filing through the gates, most of them giving their thanks to Twilight as they passed. Once every pony of the previous mob was inside the throne room Twilight lifted off of the ground with a few strokes of her wings and hovered above the crowd.

"You are not leaving this castle without some sort of heating supplies or food. This castle has more than enough supplies, so we'll devise something, I promise!" She said loudly.

Unexpectedly, applause and cheering and broken out, the ponies of the crowd being overjoyed at the fact that they would get the relief they desperately needed. Twilight smiled as she lowered herself to the ground and left the throne room. Cloud Drop, followed by the armed guards, came out of the doorway and into the hallway Twilight was currently standing in.

"So exactly what are we going to do? There's barely any firewood left." Cloud Drop asked.

"Is there plenty of food?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, there's a large reserve of canned food in the auxiliary cellar."

"Find whoever is in charge of food and have them meet me here." She commanded.

With a firm salute, Cloud Drop quickly ran down the hallway.

"What are your orders, your highness?" One of the maybe fifteen guards asked.

"I... I don't know yet." Twilight responded as she looked around in thought.

Her head stopped as she stared at a simple dark wood table, it's sole purpose to hold a decorative potted plant.

"How many more of tables like that are around this castle?" She asked, an idea springing into her mind.

"Thousands. The hallways and guest rooms are covered in the things." A Guard off to Twilight's left responded.

"Alright, before we do anything, I want each of you to gather as many staff members in the... what's the largest area we have?" Twilight spoke.

"The largest place I can think of would be the Aerodrome. The hangers outside are empty, as well." The same guard said.

"Okay, then I want you to take everypony in the throne room to the hangers right now."

The Guard gave a salute and ran back into the Throne room.

"Now, the rest of you, gather every staff member you can find in the throne room, I'll explain my plan once the staff is gathered." Twilight explained.

The remaining fourteen soldiers saluted in unison and split into two groups, each going down a different hallway. Moments after each of the guard's departure the throne room door opened, the group of has-been protesters filing out into the hallway. Twilight smiled as they passed her, many of the ponies holding thankful looks on their faces as they went past.

"You wanted us in the throne room?" A female voice asked.

Twilight turned around to see a small group of castle staff members.

"Yes, I did. I have a plan to help get these ponies relief, but I'll explain that when everypony is here."

Over the course of 5 minutes, nearly every staff member of the castle was in the expansive throne room. Twilight made a few final checks before stepping up onto the elevated platform the two thrones rested upon, she stood for a moment as she looked over the diverse crowd.

"So... I should start of by informing anypony who didn't know that a mob of around 400 to 500 ponies had gathered asking for food and heating supplies. Now, I know that we are running low ourselves, but there's enough to go around. I have a plan to get these ponies the help they need, and that's where you all come in. If you are a unicorn or physically fit and able to do demanding physical work, I want you on this side of the room!"

The crowd split as the ponies who fit the requirement shuffled over to form a second group.

"So, you all will be in charge of gathering firewood." Twilight spoke.

"But, there's little firewood left!" A stallion called.

"But there is! There's a reason I gathered strong and fit ponies. There are hundreds of tables like the one outside doing nothing but sitting. Now, I don't want you all going and gathering every bit of furniture that's combustible, I want you all to gather tables, the things on them can sit on the floor for the next while. Potted plants, lamps, alarm clocks, no matter, take the table and set the things on the floor. Go only to the guest rooms and the hallways, that should provide us with a sufficient amount of wood. Is this plan understood?"

The large group boomed out in a collective "Yes".

"Good, now get to work, I'll explain the next part of the firewood plan once all the tables are gathered here!"

The approximately 200 ponies moved to the door of the throne room and exited into the hallways. Cloud Drop, who had been waiting outside the door for the group to pass, entered with the Castle's lead Victual Administrator in tail.

"Your Highness." He spoke.

"Oh? You're the one in charge of food, right?" She asked the pony standing beside Cloud.

"Indeed. You needed me?" The Administrator spoke.

"You know that we have a few uninvited guests, right?"

"No... what guests?" The Administrator asked,

"Around 500 ponies arrived at the gates to form a mob. They're hungry and cold, and we need to help them."

"Wow... this is sudden. Exactly what role in helping these ponies do I have?"

"I need you to organize the distribution of food to the ponies."

"Hm... 500 you said?"

"Yes."

"How many cans of food should each get?" He asked.

"As many as possible."

"Alright. I've got an idea. Admiral; could you show me to the ponies we're helping?"

The Admiral stuttered. "I don't know. Where'd you send them all, Your Majesty?"

"One of the large hangers out at the Aerodrome." returned Twilight.

"Okay, let's go." The Administrator said as he left, leaving Cloud behind.

Twilight turned to see the rest of the staff, every one of them waiting for her instruction.

"Every pony, I need you all to help organize food distribution and firewood distribution. A group of you should gather scales so that the wood can be measured. As for food, The Food Administrator has a plan, those wishing to help in food, I would seek him. Any questions?"
Twilight concluded.

No hooves went up.

"Okay, let's get to work!"

Author's Notes:

I've spent more time than I'd like to admit trying to fix any grammar and spelling errors in this long story... but I know there still are some. If you spot one, please notify me