Chapter 6: Mourning

"Tell me what happened." Shadow Hunter ordered.

"After Firebolt closed the tunnel a unicorn opened fire at him. At first we didn't recognize that he was hit so we rushed towards the position of the target and forced him into a hoof to hoof fight but the unicorn escaped. As we returned we saw that he was hit several times and every shot pierced his armor. We tried to locate the other enemy but couldn't find him." one of the two stallions reported.

"Sounds as if Apocalypse used the Jewel of Power which could be the cause why his armor hasn't protected him." Firestorm mentioned.

"Why haven't you reported that you need support?" the mare wanted to know.

"The long distance radio was destroyed as we found him."

"We must calm down and show them that we are even without him capable of protecting Equestria." Shadow Hunter said, "Night Hawk, gather your scouts and search for those fools. They have messed with the wrong ponies."

"And you two," she said while she turned around to the soldiers, "go and guard Firebolt."

"Affirmative!" they confirmed and left the room.

"Hey," Firestorm began softly, "he's a tough guy. I am sure he will survive it. You don't have to worry about him." She nodded and left the room.

Around midday Shadow Hunter went to the medical station. She entered a room with a bed surrounded by medical equipment. On the bed she saw a pony with several bandaged wounds.

"He's still in a bad condition." a nurse said while leaving, "But he's alive."

The mare nodded sadly and went over to the bed. "I swear you I will find the ponies who did that to you and take revenge for you." she sobbed. She held his right front hoof as some tears dropped from her nose towards the bed and she began to cry. She felt a weak twitch in his hoof and looked up but saw only the still closed eyes. The sorrow in her grew and grew as it was at last so big that she pressed her head on the bed and cried even more until she was too exhausted and fell asleep.

An hour later Night Hawk went to the medical station after he had sent out his scouts. He saw two guards in front of Firebolts room. As he came nearer they saluted and opened the door for him. The Pegasus entered and saw Firebolt lying on his bed and the light blue mare besides him. She was half sitting on a chair and half lying on the bed while she snuggled her head on the stallions chest.

"Hey Shadow," he asked quietly, "are you asleep?" "It seems so." he thought after he received no answer. "I'll come back later." He whispered as he left the room.

Towards evening the mare woke up still holding Firebolts hoof. "Please don't leave me." She whispered into his ears, "I need you." She felt a tear running down her cheek. "I can't live without you."

Every evening for two weeks Shadow Hunter went to see Firebolt. She reported to him as usual even though he was still in a coma. The mare stayed for several hours, usually the whole night. It was a hard time for her. Every day she feared for him. Every day she hoped that he would wake up.

But on one evening she noticed a movement under his eyelids. She grabbed his hoof and felt a light pressure as he tried to move his hoof. She pressed the emergency button.

A few seconds later a nurse rushed into the room. "What happened?" she asked alarmed. "I think he is waking up." She obtained the answer from the alicorn mare.

The nurse checked the equipment around the bed. "You might be right but he is in a bad condition. I can't tell you how long he will be awake."

Shadow Hunter still kept his hoof and looked hopefully and smiling towards Firebolts face. Slowly and tired he opened his eyes. As he saw the mare a sort of a smile appeared on his face. He tried to speak but the air tube of the respirator in his mouth detained him.

Slow and carefully the nurse pulled the tube out of his throat. She took a smaller tube and attached it on his nostrils.

"W-What happened?" Firebolt said quietly and confused.

"You were in a coma for two weeks." The alicorn mare answered softly.

"W-Why does my body hurt like hell?" he groaned which caused the nurse to give him painkillers.

"You were wounded in battle as you got into an ambush. We almost lost you." Shadow Hunter explained. "I almost lost you." she added whispering.

He tried to smile and closed tired his eyes. "I gave him some painkillers but he needs to rest." The nurse said.