Danielle hadn’t been embroiled in uncertainty as she did now. It was like transferring to a new school in the middle of the school year. Something like that would be picked up on and dissected thoroughly. Moving was often the most logical reason, but the imagination of teenagers was more cruel. Stories about sex, drugs, and violence would make the rounds before one could even open the first book on such a day.

This was worse than that. The eyes of ponies followed her every meter through the streets of the Crystal Empire. Even though she was wearing a cloak with a hood that Rarity had made for her, she felt as naked as ever. Fear, suspicion, and hatred—Danielle never imagined that the faces of ponies could be so expressive.

Thiemo had spent the last few days talking to her about his experiences in Albion. About his time with the deer, his journey through the desert, to his arrival in Dragmire. About the different cultures and also about how some had been in awe with his mere presence. She still had to giggle about the fact that the deer had considered him a god. Just how they had reached that conclusion, he refused to say. All that meant, she inferred, was that humanity was a rare sight on this planet, though not in the Empire, according to Thiemo. On Albion, he had spent the best and most pleasant time here.

Unfortunately, there was nothing left to feel. Who could blame them? The day when all the human inhabitants had turned against their regent was only two weeks in the past. Now, there was a human walking through the streets, just like that. Princess Cadance had allowed her to leave the apartment, but her tone had implied that she didn’t consider it a good idea. Now Danielle knew why.

Still, she had already run the gauntlet of the streets around her and her goal was already in sight. The Empire’s hospital was a relatively short building compared to those around it. What it lacked it height, it made up in length.

For a moment, she stopped in the street and inspected the building. That was not a problem, as the ponies gave her a wide berth. Danielle did not hesitate because of aesthetics, but because she needed a moment to soothe her nerves. She had entered buildings like these dozens of times during her studies. Why was she so nervous today?

Nothing helped. She had put it off long enough. With a few quick steps, she hurried to the entrance, which automatically opened before her. The inner area was not different from other hospitals she knew, which was notable because of the fact that she was currently on another planet. To the left and right of the door were seats for patients or visitors, and further down was a long counter where several nurses exchanged files and drank coffee. On the wall behind them was a mounted noticeboard. Photos of patients who had been injured during the attack and cards wishing for relatives’ recovery were attached.

In the middle of all this was the photo of a young woman with black hair and dark brown skin. Judging from the red dot on her forehead, an Indian woman. In large colorful letters were the words "We Will Miss You" written under the picture.

"She was killed in the attacks," one of the nurses, who had noticed where Danielle’s attention focused on, suddenly said. "She ran out into the street and began to treat the wounded. The Crystal Guard also considered her to be an attacker.” The bright blue pegasus shook her head. "As if she could ever do something like that."

"Who was she?" Danielle asked cautiously. The other four nurses present had ceased their conversations and now focused on her.

"Doctor Meena, our specialist for foreign species and the head of the corresponding department. She spent most of her life here in the Empire. She had family, a foal. Everyone who knew her knew what a lovable person she was. She would never take a gun in her hands, especially against the Empire. And anyone who says anything else—” One of the other nurses put a hoof around the neck of the pegasus, which stopped her rant.

"They were good friends," she explained, and they both walked from behind the counter to the right. A few seconds later, sobbing could be heard.

"Excuse me," a third nurse came over to her. She had bright pink fur and a curly golden mane, her cutie mark hidden behind the counter. "For some of us, it's been a hard time." Not just for those here, seemingly for all. Still, at least one human had apparently made such a good impression on others that they were not irked by the sight of another. Danielle could imagine the Empire as a beautiful place. The fires that had followed the attack had resulted in significant destruction of property, fires that had burnt both the young and old, and a subsequent hardening of hearts. "So, how can I help you?"

The mare lifted with both front hooves on the shelf behind the counter. She was wearing a smock, which scarcely differed from the colour of her fur, and on which a small tag was attached at the front. Her name was Sweet Care.

"I'd like to visit Miss Lyra Heartstrings." Sweet Care nodded and looked at something that lay on the shelf.

"Ah, yes, here it is. She's in the trauma ward, room four." She gestured to the left. "Just down the aisle and at the end, you'll find the station. Room four is the second one on the left.” Danielle thanked her and walked down the hallway that the nurse had pointed with her hoof.

As her gaze wandered around, she did not even think of the photo of the doctor. She did not know about Albion other than what she had been told, but Rarity had mentioned that the only place humanity could be found was on Ti, an island that served as a prison colony. Danielle strongly doubted that they had an Indian culture. Therefore, she must have been from Earth, just like Thiemo and her. So there were other cases, probably more. But why? Her dear brother did not want to talk about what Mothma had said to him.

She would have to worry about that later. She walked through the automatic doors marked the entrance to the trauma ward and quickly found door number four. Lyra’s name had been written on a small sign under the room number. She knocked twice.

"It’s open," came Lyra’s familiar voice from the room, and Danielle entered. Her eyes fell instantly on the mare in the bed. Her mane was dishevelled and had certainly not seen a comb for days. Dark rings were visible under her eyes. The head of the bed was angled so that she could sit comfortably. This was placed near the left wall, so Danielle only saw her right side, but the little she could still see was enough. Her right front leg was almost completely missing. A little stub, wrapped in bandages, was all that remained.

She looked pale as far as Danielle could tell through her fur, and she did not look over to Danielle as she closed the door behind her. "Hello, Lyra," she greeted the mare, grabbing one of the stools provided for guests. "How are you?" A stupid question. Obviously she wasn’t well if she was in a hospital. Still, she didn’t know what else to say.

"Tired," the unicorn muttered.

"I know, stupid question," Danielle quickly mentioned as she took a seat. "But I didn’t know how to start this conversation." Lyra was silent. "Are you in great pain?"

"No. But I should. That's what doctors say. I mean, I remember exactly how..." She shuddered and a hiccup escaped her mouth. "And I dream of it, too, you see." She pointed to her eyes with her remaining foreleg. "They gave me something for the pain, just in case. Unfortunately, it’s either that or sleeping pills. "

“At least they saved some of your leg.”

“But that's just it. That thing... It practically ripped out my shoulder, too. But now it's there, along with a small piece of my leg. But it shouldn't. And nobody knows why and who did first aid on me. When they found me, everything had already healed, as if someone had used a healing spell.” Lyra sighed and leaned her head slightly to Danielle.

She took her hoof between her hands. "Thiemo has told me about what happened."

"Oh…" Danielle nodded.

"Lyra, I don’t know how to thank you. If you hadn’t protected me, I wouldn’t be here right now.” Danielle sniffed, but she did not allow herself to cry. "I want you to know that I will do anything to help you. You are a good friend, and I promise you that no matter what, I'll be there.” Lyra's smile was all she needed, and she threw her hands around the mare’s neck. "I'm so sorry, Lyra."

Author's Notes:

Sometimes we all need one.

Special thanks to JBL for translating & editing.