Chapter 11: An Uncertain Future

As the Friendship Express appeared over the horizon from Canterlot a rainbow colored Pegasus bolted ahead, flying straight into the Canterlot hospital. She was soon seen again being followed by two Pegasus paramedics that were carrying a stretcher between them. The few ponies that were working in the train yard saw them touch down just as the Friendship express pulled in, a purple Unicorn being flown as fast as possible to the hospital, being followed by the rare sight of the two princesses flying together. On the ground behind them the Elements of Harmony and a dragon that had gone north with them ran towards the hospital, meanwhile the Captain of the guard gave orders to his men to return to their posts ASAP, all while shooting looks at the hospital. Who ever was carried away was obviously important, but nopony recognized who it had been. Once the last guard had left the Captain ran away, leaving the train yard as empty as it had been before they all arrived.

"I wonder what that was about?" one of the workers said as he shoveled coal into one of the bins laying around.

"Heck if I know" another worker replied just before a loud whistle was let out by their supervisor.

"GET BACK TA WORK!"

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Twilight was rushed into the emergency wing of the hospital as the paramedics continued to try and get a response from her. Celestia was at the front desk when Rarity and Color Palette came by while talking about wedding dresses.

"What kind of dress would you wear my dear?" Rarity asked as she flipped the page in the dress magazine she was reading, her eyes lighting up as she saw a sapphire encrusted gown.

"I don't know, me and my coltfriend aren't ready for that kind of thing yet" Color Palette admitted before noticing Celestia talking the receptionist's ear off. She knew this meant they were back from wherever they had gone to fight, but didn't pay any attention to it, thinking it was just to make room for some guards.

"I think a dress like this would be perfect on you dear" Rarity said, putting the magazine between her and Color Palette, the picture of a flowing white pink gown with an amazing ruby necklace. Rarity's attention shifted when she saw Spike walk up to Celestia. She dropped the magazine on the ground, causing Color Palette to slip and fall, as she started to run at Spike, who was oblivious to her presence. Spike was tackled to the ground, defenseless against the flurry of kisses Rarity was giving him.

"Spikey Wikey, you came back!" Rarity shouted in pieces as she continued to kiss him until he held her back with a serious look on his face, making her worry, "What's wrong Spikey?"

"Twilight's in the emergency, but Celestia can't get a doctor..." Spike said slowly as he pushed Rarity off of him. He walked back to the rest of the group, all of whom were sitting anxiously in the waiting room. Rarity's face lit up when she remembered what she had been doing before and within seconds she was hauling Color Palette towards Celestia, offering her up as a doctor for Twilight.

"Why thank you Rarity, but it is the doctor's choice" Celestia said wearily, the stress of Twilight's sudden sickness getting to her.

"I'll help, just show me where to go" Color Palette said calmly, despite being offered up against her freewill.

"Thank you, she is just this way" Celestia said, turning quickly to lead her to Twilight's room, leaving Rarity to go talk with the rest of the group, or just Spike, which is what ended up happening. After learning what had happened and what was going on she resigned herself to talking cutesy to Spike, despite how much it was embarrassing him. While she talked Spike's ear off a brownish Pegasus came into the hospital asking for Color Palette, and when he was told she was busy he left a bouquet of flowers along with a note for her. The receptionist made it clear that she thought it was sweet after he left, having "accidentally" read the note when it "accidentally" fell open onto her desk. When she quieted down Celestia and Color Palette came back through the door to emergency, a solemn look on their faces.

"What's wrong with her?" Rainbow asked quickly, beating Shining Armor to the punch.

"I'm not sure how to say this, but Twilight Sparkle is pregnant" Color Palette said slowly, trying to gauge their reactions. Rainbow Dash and Shining Armor's eyes grew big and their jaws dropped. Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Spike all looked at her with surprise and happiness. All the while Fluttershy and Applejack looked at each other sadly, having already found it out on the train.

"What made her collapse?!" Shining Armor asked as soon as the shock faded.

"She was malnourished and weak already, the pregnancy only pushed her over the edge" Color Palette explained, "When a mare is pregnant she must be constantly fed to keep herself and the foal safe"

"Is the foal going to be okay?" Rarity asked, looking down at her own stomach worriedly.

"Yes, but there's only one thing we need to know now, and that is if any of you know-"

"WHO'S THE FATHER?!" Rainbow shouted once the news finally clicked for her, inadvertently finished Color Palette's sentence while making a fool of herself. Everypony laughed for a moment before becoming serious again.

"She refuses to tell me, but she agreed to tell you all once you go to see her tomorrow, except..." Color Palette paused to look at the ponies in the room, her eyes settling on Shining Armor, "You. You're Shining Armor, right?" He nodded back, quickly walking up to her and Celestia.

"Thank you for your help" Celestia said nicely, "If there is anything you need then feel free to ask, I will do all I can to make it happen"

"Thank you princess, but it was my pleasure" Color Pallet said before noticing the flowers and note on the receptionist's desk, knowing who it was from, "There is one thing actually..." Celestia leaned in and listened to her request before smiling and nodding as a away to tell her whatever she asked for is possible. Once Color Palette had run off with the flowers and note Celestia led Shining Armor to Twilight's room, where her crying was audible outside the room.

"Twily?" Shining asked worriedly when he entered the room, catching her by surprise.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen" Twilight cried as her brother ran to her bedside, quickly pulling her into a hug.

"What happened Twilight? It's okay, you can tell me" Shining said calmly while hugging her.

"I'm pregnant with Sombra's baby..." Twilight said quietly through her sobs, which were getting louder. The first things to come to Shining's mind were how and why, but he knew the answers.

"It's okay Twily, I'm here for you" Shining said as he began to cry himself due to Twilight's sobs.

"I didn't think I was actually pregnant, I was just faking so he would be nicer to me..." Twilight cried quietly before pushing Shining off of her just enough to look him in the eyes, "I'm four months pregnant..." The two siblings looked at each other sadly before embracing again, both of them freely crying into each other's shoulder. Celestia watched from the doorway as they cried more than she had ever seen anypony cry before, having to fight back tears of her own from the sad atmosphere. Eventually the crying stopped as they began to talk about the future for Twilight's foal. Celestia stepped in soon after and told Shining that talk would be for another time, and the two of them said goodnight to Twilight, who was still crying ever so slightly.