One Hour Later,

“Hey Twili!” said a voice that Twilight would recognize from almost anywhere.

“Shining Armour! Mom and Dad! How are you?” replied Twilight as she saw her older brother and her parents enter the room.

“I think that we ought to be asking you that question,” joked her father, her humour, clearly not affected by recent events.

“I’m doing well. I’m still a little sore. However, the doctor told me that I will be well enough to be released within a couple of days.”

“That’s good to hear,” replied Twilight’s mother.

Twilight hadn’t seen her parents in several months. There was so much to catch up, she didn’t know where to start.

“So, how about that ‘trip through the void’ your friends told me you went through. According to them it was pretty gnarly,” said Shining Armour.

Chuckling at her brother’s vocabulary, Twilight nodded in agreement. “I suppose you could say that.”

Twilight, suddenly noticed that her adopted brother and personal assistant wasn’t present.

“Where is Spike?” she asked.

Shining fielded her question. “According to your friends him and Starlight stayed back at your castle in Ponyville. They wanted to ‘hold down the fort’ until they found out what was going on. Apparently, they was some panicked looting and pillaging right after ‘the Flash’ that has since largely stopped. However, earlier today they sent us a letter telling us that they wanted us to inform you that you’re in their prayers and they are wishing you a speedy recovery.”

Ponyville. The thought of her home city being the scene of violence, or the thought of her friends and neighbors looting from each other sent a shiver up her spine. All she hoped was that none of her friends like Lyra and Derpy Hooves were harmed. However, there was no point in worrying over events that she had no control over.

“I’m just glad that you guys are here,” she said. “I just wanted to thank you for all the love and care that you three have shown to me. Having a near death experience makes you realize how blessed one is. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you guys,” said the Princess of Friendship, her emotions welling up inside of her.

Warmed by Twilight’s kind words, her mother embraced her, pulling her foal tight around her arms.

“We’re here for you whenever you need us Twilight,” whispered her mother. “We love you more than you could ever know.”

As the Sparkle family shared a moment of closeness in her hospital room, far away a meeting of civilizations was but minutes away.