Celestia's eyes fluttered open as she began to wake up; her senses barely functional as she let out a groan of pain. Her blurry vision began to clear up as she browsed over the interior of the helicopter; it was day time. Much to her relief; the aircraft appeared to be landed, her ears being safe from the horrible noise created by the machine for the moment.

A second groan came from the Alicorn as she had tried moving, every inch of her body felt a deep, extremely painful ache, for no morphine remained in her system. Looking around revealed that no one was currently aboard the helicopter, and the rear loading ramp was lowered. She could hear faint voices in the distance; it was most likely that the many crew members and passengers were outside having a meal and taking a break.

Something occurred to Celestia; the concussion spells and incapacitation spells she had used on those Soldiers and Star Yield would have kept them unconscious of a full 24 hours, and she could only guess that since they were nowhere to be seen, they had woken up. Celestia remembered falling asleep after the Pilot had called a toast to her, but couldn't remember waking up anytime between that point and now. Had she really slept for a full day?

She tried to call out to those beyond the aircraft, but the moment her mouth opened a shock of pain pulsed through her jaw. No morphine meant speaking would be a terrible endeavor. Her throat was also incredibly rough, the simple act of swallowing brought a terrible sandpaper feel.

Celestia's ears perked as she heard an odd sound come from the direction of the loading ramp. She slowly lifted her head to see what had caused the sound; her eyes catching a white object bobbing through the snow towards the ramp. Upon exiting the snow, Celestia was able to see that it had been a white kitten, it's pure white coat appearing thicker thanks to the many flakes of snow stuck to its hair. Celestia gently tapped her hoof on the metal floor of the aircraft, the kitten looking up from the spot it had been sniffing to address her.

The critter trotted across the aircraft to Celestia, stopping and sniffing her nose. The Alicorn gently giggled, the little bit of laughter causing her stomach much pain.

"Meeerow!" Called the kitten, further investigating Celestia's figure.

Her shaky, aching left hoof was brought over and set upon the kitten as she gently stroked down the creature's back. Celestia's mind had just now posed the question; where exactly had this kitten come from? The little fuzzball must belong to someone aboard the aircraft, but the question was who?

The kitten maneuvered itself out from under Celestia's large hoof as it stepped up onto her sleeping bag, pushing its way beneath the blanket draped across her. The Alicorn let a pained giggle escape her as the kitten prodded around beneath the blanket, its tiny whiskers tickling her stomach as the creature sniffed her bandages.

"I think he went inside." Spoke the voice of Cloud Drop; the kitten instantly exiting from the blanket as it heard his voice.

"Meeew!" The kitten cried, clumsily trotting to the loading ramp as the Admiral stepped through the deep snow.

"I guess you want some dinner, huh?" He sweetly asked the kitten, looking down at the creature as he stepped aboard.

Celestia rapped her hoof on the floor to get Cloud's attention, his eyes looking to the Alicorn.

"You're awake! Do you feel alright?" He asked, an excited expression coming to his face as the Admiral knelt down in front of Celestia.

"No..." She struggled.

"Why? What's wrong?"

Celestia simply pointed to her throat, trying to hold her mouth agape.

"W-what's wrong with your throat? I... are you thirsty?"

A nod was the response.

"I'll get you some water. Does your stomach feel okay?" He asked, looking back to the Alicorn as he stood and began to look around on the provisions pallet.

Celestia shook her head.

"I guess it just hurts a lot?" The Admiral inquired, his words eliciting a nod.

Cloud took a water bottle from one of the boxes, the bottle being surrounded by Celestia's aurora as it floated to her.

"We spent a while re-doing all of the bandages on your stomach. You've lost quite a bit of blood. We'll be to Canterlot Central Medical Center soon enough; we just passed the Stalliongradian border and stopped for some R&R." He explained as Celestia took several swallows from the bottle, her throat now feeling much better.

"You look horrible." Spoke the Admiral after a moment, his face taking a sad expression.

Celestia nodded with a light smile.

"I guess you won't talk because of your jaw?"

There came a second nod.

"Uh... well... tap the floor of you need anything more. I'll find you a piece of paper and a pen so you can write messages."

Celestia set her head back down as Cloud Drop walked to the front of the aircraft, his kitten remaining sat by the door. Upon seeing the Alicorn looking at it, the kitten stood and walked to Celestia, nuzzling its head against her muzzle.

"Here; now, in the future, you can actually communicate," Cloud spoke as he rounded the provision pallet.

The pad and pen were dropped to Celestia's side, the kitten stepping to the items to smell them.

"Oh, I see you've met Doorbell. I found him out in the snow near Star Yield's house a while ago." Casually explained the Admiral.

Celestia's magic took the pen and paper as she wrote, turning the pad to Cloud to reveal the word 'doorbell?'.

"Yeah, I named him Doorbell. Touch him, you'll see why."

Her hoof was slowly moved to the kitten, who had been paying zero attention to either of the two.

"Mreeeeow!" Called Doorbell, flipping around to address Celestia after she had tapped him.

"See?"

Celestia nodded with a bright smile.

"You need anything else?" Asked the Admiral after a moment.

After some scribbling, the word 'morphine' was revealed to him.

"Uh... I don't think we have any onboard..." He responded, looking around inside.

The pad was held pack up: 'find my backpack there is morphine inside"

"Backpack? You never had a backpack..."

Celestia brought her hoof down onto the metal floor with a clank.

'i left it in tisy nevermind' Read the pad, Celestia's expression showing frustration.

"Oh... well, sorry... I guess you'll just have to bear with things." He spoke with sympathy.

'its ok i dont need anymore of that stuff in me'

"Ah... I bet you've been sticking yourself full of morphine ever since you escaped from that house."

The Alicorn nodded.

"Mh... well, I'm gonna give Doorbell some food, then I'll let you rest. Glad to see you're still alive, at least." Cloud Spoke as he walked past the provisions to the front of the helicopter, the kitten following gleefully.

Celestia put her pad and pen down to her side as she relaxed, her head resting back down to her sleeping bag mattress. A few gentle shifts of her body initially caused a great amount of agony, but ultimately made her much more comfortable. Her situation reminded her of the last days she had spent in the cell; extreme pain came from every movement, nearly immobilizing her except for several occasions when she had gained enough strength to stand herself upright.

She had felt extremely weak and vulnerable, but even in her currently more wounded state, she felt no fear, or weakness, or vulnerability. She felt safe; she finally had peace of mind. For so long had she lived in constant fear of what the future would bring, but now; her thoughts remained calm.

"I'll let everyone outside know you woke up and you're doing fine... for the most part. Do you want me to tell everypony to not bother you?" Cloud's voice asked as he stepped back into the rear of the helicopter.

Celestia's pad and pen were brought back up as she wrote, 'yes tell everypony thanks for their hard work to help me.'

"Alright. Have good dreams, Celestia."

She watched as Cloud exited down the loading ramp towards where she could only assume everyone else was located. A smile remained on her expression as Celestia got more comfortable and began to drift back to sleep. She couldn't recall a time where the Admiral had called her by her name.

~~

Celestia's ears were filled with the rumble of the helicopter's engine and rotors as she came back from her slumber; her eyes failing to see anything more than blurred black and red shapes. After her vision had cleared, she was able to see that her sister sat asleep in one of the many fold-down chairs within the helicopter, her slouched figure covered in a dark green blanket.

She looked to the rear of the aircraft to see that the loading gate of the aircraft was lowered partially, the photographer Crew Chief standing off to the side of the door with his camera. She looked on as he peeked through the viewfinder, his magic fiddling with the lens and numerous controls upon the finely crafted device as he snapped a photo of the beautiful sunset beyond.

His lips moved as he spoke into his headset to the rest of the Crew, his eye never leaving the camera's viewfinder. After taking another picture, he gently released the camera as it fell to his chest, it's descent being stopped by a lanyard around his neck. The Chief turned from the door as he sat down on a seat separated from the rest, his eyes still drawn to the outside of the helicopter.

Celestia looked back over to Luna before shutting her eyes, sighing as she tried to get back to sleep. She still had no idea how long she had slept for, but it was safe to assume she had been out for around 3 to 4 hours from her previous point of awakening. Her eyes opened back up as the clunk of hooves on metal came over the sounds of the helicopter, Celestia slowly looking up to see one of the helicopter's Crew members accessing the provisions pallets; their identity unable to be decerned as the lighting inside was far too dim to make out details.

The Crew's identity was instantly realized when Celestia saw a half empty bottle of liquor float from a box. With a smile, Celestia let her head fall back to the floor as she continued to attempt returning to her rest.

~~

Pure white contrast poured into Celestia's squinted eyes as she came to from her unconscious state, her head gently rolling side to side as she tried to see where she was. After a moment, her senses returned to their functions; Celestia began to realize the horrible ache throughout her body was no more. A slight panic took over her thoughts as she still tried to see where ever she was. Had she died in her sleep? Why did nothing hurt anymore?

A little shift of her body filled her ears with the sounds of rustling sheets, it was clear she was in some kind of bed. Her eyes began to adjust to the bright light as she was able to make out that she was in some kind of white room. Relief fell over the Alicorn as she looked around and the still bright environment, her vision still failing to make out details.

After a moment's time, she was able to see all of the things within the room; there were many personal belongings spread around inside, but no one was to be seen. Looking to her left revealed the array of medically oriented devices she had been hooked up to; hanging on a special rack were a blood bag, Saline bag, and a morphine drip, the three bags being attached to the meat of her upper right leg via an IV.

Celestia had also just now noticed that her nose had two small tubes poked into each nostril, the main tube leading to an oxygen machine sitting beside her heart rate monitor, which had been filling the room with a periodic yet quiet beep. She began to notice that her view position in the room wasn't aligned with the walls, it appeared that she was slightly crooked. Carefully, Celestia raised her head from her pillows as she looked across her figure; she was lying on her right side across two hospital beds that had been put side to side to accommodate her size.

More self-observance showed Celestia that her left leg was now firmly fixed within a cast and her head was host to a pair of bandages; one wrapping around her temple to cover the small spot behind her head where Red Hoof had performed his surgery, and one wrapped vertically around her head to keep her jaw in place.

Feeling a little chilly, Celestia's horn came to life as she pulled a thick, woolen blanket at the end of the bed up to her chest. She resumed investigating the room, her eyes wandering to the bright outside world beyond the room's tall window. Off in the distance, she was able to see Canterlot Castle perched upon its mountain side. The sight of her home filled Celestia with much happiness as she stared at the castle for a good while before pulling her sight back indoors. At the other end of her room were 4 chairs around a small, square table; each piece of furniture having heavy winter clothes draped across them.

She was able to identify a thick, black coat she was sure belonged to her sister. Where were Luna and the rest of her friends? Although she was certain she couldn't talk, (yet she had not attempted to do so) she wanted to see them. She was sure Twilight's group of friends would also be somewhere in the hospital waiting to see her, as well. She had been a little amazed that they weren't in the helicopter when it had arrived in Tisy. Celestia's eyes were drawn to the door as it opened, a fairly attractive nurse dressed in baby blue scrubs stepping in with a clipboard held in her magic. The nurse's teal eyes went to Celestia's as she realized the Alicorn was conscious.

"Princess! You're awake! You've been out for a good 48 hours." She said, placing the clipboard on a hook at the end of the rightmost bed.

"I know you can't really talk, so that Stallion with the eyepatch told me to give you this to communicate." Informed the nurse as her pinkish aurora lifted the same pad and pen she had been given however long ago.

Celestia took the writing items in her own magic and began to scribble something on the pad, 'where is everypony', it read.

"They're all currently out to lunch. I'll see if I can fetch them. It's good to have you back, your Highness!" The nurse said with a smile as she stepped back out of the room.

Celestia's head went back to her pillow as she looked back out the window. For the longest time, she didn't ever believe she really would make it to a hospital. Around twenty minutes had gone by before the door to her room finally opened, Luna, Cloud Drop, and Twilight Sparkle walking in.

"Thank the stars! You have finally woken up!" Luna cheered as she trotted to her sister's side.

Celestia's right hoof went to Luna's as she looked to her young sister with a bright smile.

"I am so sorry this has happened to you... 'Tia. This is all my fault... I should have never created that spell!" Whined Luna, her expression becoming one of sorrow.

Luna's eyes were drawn to a notepad and pen as they were floated from beside Celestia as she began to write. 'its not your fault. its no ponys fault. i am so happy to see you.' Celestia's body was taken by Luna's front legs as she hugged her sister tight.

"I am happy to see you, as well, 'Tia." Luna said quietly, nuzzling her face into Celestia's neck.

The white Alicorn looked up to Twilight and Cloud Drop, who were standing at the end of the bed.

"Every minute of every hour, I missed you. I-I would wake and go to the dining hall for breakfast to find you were not there... I would walk past your door to see no Guards posted... I-I would step through the halls of our Castle surrounded by images of you... b-but now, you are here... and you are alive!!" Cried Luna, her chest heaving as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Celestia's vision became blurred as she too began tearing up, her hoof patting Luna's shoulder. The younger Alicorn's embrace was released, Luna taking a step back as her eyes remained locked with Celestia's.

"Seeing you is like seeing a ghost..." She spoke after a moment, still looking to her sister.

The pad and pen were taken up; 'for the longest time i thought that when i would finally see you it would be our last time together'.

"W-what do you mean?" Asked Luna, drying her eyes with a hoof.

Celestia's expression was one of pain and sorrow as she wrote on her pad, pausing every once and a while as she hesitated if she should actually tell Luna how she had felt.

'when i was in the cell i thought that you were the one having me tortured. it got so bad that i kept having nightmares of you doing things to me. i imagined you were in the cell one day, and i screamed at you saying that i would break out and hurt you. i kept thinking of how i would do it. im so happy that reality never came true. as long as i live, Luna; i will never harm you. i am sorry for what i did in the past; nothing like that shall ever happen again.'

Reading what her sister had written only brought more ache to Luna's heart, fresh tears coming to her eyes.

"You thought of... killing me?"

Celestia responded with a pained nod, her breath stifled as she held back her tears.

"I sometimes wish Star Yield didn't possess the Aura so that I could have somepony to let rot in a dungeon for their remaining years. Whatever those monsters did to you... I cannot imagine what it was like..." Luna growled with a furrowed brow.

"What did she write?" Cloud Drop asked as he stepped over to Luna.

Celestia's note pad was floated to Cloud's view, the Admiral's mouth hanging open as he read what was written.

"You're right, your Highness. I wish we had somepony to throw in a dungeon for this."

Celestia brought her pad back to herself; 'lets stop talking about what we cant fix, it's upsetting me.', It read.

"You are right, sister. I too no longer wish for anger or sorrow."

'where are your friends?' The notepad read as it was floated to Twilight.

"Oh, they'll be here soon. I sent a letter to Spike explaining everything."

'what about Starry?'

"Princess Luna got rid of that spell and... well, just kinda sent him on his way. He should be at his house right now."

"I could not stand to have him in my sight, even if his mind was under the Aura's control." Commented Luna.

'did he remember anything? i dont know the process for removing that spell.' The pad read as it was given to Luna.

"Yes; he remembered everything. The spell being removed only effects the last few days of the carrier's memory. He was extremely upset with himself and was worried that his reputation would be negatively affected by his actions while under the Aura."

'make sure that his reputation isnt tarnished by the newspapers or anything. that would be unfair.'

"I agree," Luna paused, giving a chuckle at her thought, "How many enemies have we collectively defeated to where there was a clear someone to blame? This is the first time no one has been punished for actions taken against either of us. Although... once more, if there was somepony to be blamed, it would be myself. I know you object to my saying so, but it is true."

'do you want to be punished? i can arrange that.' Wrote Celestia with a smile.

"No, sister; I am fine."

'did you ever suspect my death to be anything more than an accident? I was told by Star Yield that he had my death faked. funeral and everything.'

"Actually... I did not. I was so occupied in taking your place that it never crossed my mind. Ms. Sparkle; however, was very adamant about getting to the bottom your 'accident'."

"What did she ask?" Spoke Twilight from the side.

"'Tia wondered if I ever suspected wrongdoing in her death."

"Aah. Yeah... I spent a good 3 to 4 hours every day looking into that crash and investigating things. I even broke into the Library to steal documents the Princess had specifically restricted. I was able to figure out that your helicopter was shot down, but I never had a chance to break into your tomb and find out if your body really was there. I was kind of mad when Admiral Cloud Drop showed up at my front door one evening and explained everything to me. All that work I had done kind of went to waste." Finished Twilight with a chuckle.

'has Luna done a good job of keeping everything running?'

"I'd say so. Princess, Celestia's wondering if you've done a good job in her place."

"Oh... well, I have thought so, and those around me have said so."

'have you enjoyed being Equestria's ruler?' The pad read to Luna.

Luna stammered a bit. "It... has been enjoyable, yes. It is an exciting job; making our nation's decisions is stressful on occasion."

'how would you like to do it for another thousand years?'

Luna took a pause as she read Celestia's words.

"You... you want me to continue in your place once you are well?"

"Y-yes... Luna. I do." Spoke Celestia for the first time in 3 days, a little pain coming to her jaw.

"I do not know what to say."

"Say yes." Returned Equestria's previous ruler with a bright smile.

"Yes, I will take your place! But... you are sure?"

Celestia nodded.

"I think it's your time to do something great."