I do apologize guys, but I've had a lot of headaches and other things going on, this isn't the last chapter, but its getting awfully big and I figured I could split it up judging how there is plenty left to go on. I wanted this chapter to be some relief after all the conflict, so it's a rather comedic one, hope you guys like it and will be patient for the last chapter. Thank you
Crossed Paths
CANTERLOT INFIRMARY
NEXT DAY
Applejack slowly comes to. She cringes as she feels a massive pain spike in her chest. Looking around the white room, she notices a crowd of nurses and doctors standing at the bed next to her. She listens in on what they are saying.
"She suffered a serious concussion during that collision. Her vitals are stable, but I want to keep her for observation, never know what will happen when someone has a concussion."
"What about the other one sir?"
"Apparently she absorbed a good amount of the force from the blow. She has a few broken ribs and slight hemorrhaging. She should be fine, but will need to stay here for treatment."
"Okay sir, we should head over to the ICU and check in with Aegis, he was in the worse condition."
The doctor leaves the room, followed by the group of nurses. Applejack removes her bed sheets and gasps at the sight of her body. Bloody bandages cover her entire chest. She looks over at Rainbow, whose head is bandaged, blood beginning to seep through the bandage.
"Hey Rainbow…"
An immense pain travels through her body as she speaks. She cringes.
"Hehe, hey Apples…"
"So, did ya'll think this is how it'd end up?"
Rainbow meets Applejack's gaze with tear-filled eyes. She smiles.
"It turned out better…"
"What in the hay…"
"You're still alive Applejack…"
Applejack blushes and quickly wipes the tear forming in her eye.
"How do y'all think Aegis is doin?"
"He's a tough guy, he will pull through."
"That's not what ah'm saying, he fought his father, and then watched his parents just… disappear Rainbow. No matter how tough ya are, that's got to cut deep into ya."
"When we recover, we will gather everyone and go visit him, should cheer him up."
Applejack reaches her foreleg out towards Rainbow as she smiles. Rainbow Dash returns her smile with a smirk and links her foreleg with her lovers.
"Hey Apples, ever think about what it'd be like doing it in a hospital?
Applejack's cheeks turn a deeper red then the apples she bucks.
"Oh shut it Rainbow."
CANTERLOT INFIRMARY
ICU UNIT
Princess Celestia, Twilight and the doctor stand near the unconscious Aegis.
"Will he be ok doctor?"
"Can't say at the moment Twilight. That blow to his head, it cracked his horn and his skull. Such force… In addition, he has many internal injuries. There is a chance, but it seems grim…"
"I see, Thank you doctor, you're dismissed."
Twilight looks at Princess Celestia, wiping her tears away.
"Why is all this happening to him? Why do the most honorable have to suffer? They sacrifice anything and everything for their cause, yet they are the ones who suffer…"
Twilight breaks down where she stands. Celestia walks up and wraps her foreleg around her student.
"I can't answer that for you Twilight. That is a mystery even to me. But we must believe in him, he will come to, he is strong."
"And what about Luna?"
The mention of the lost princess brings tears to Celestia's widened eyes. They both look over at Aegis and then exit the ICU. Aegis lies there, motionless and silent.
"Mom… Dad… They are both gone, while I remain, broken physically and spiritually. Sacrifice… A word everyone said my father lived by… A word that makes you a hero, but at what cost? Eight guards sacrificed their life to stop him, but only made him stronger. Rainbow and Applejack… Just… too… weak…"
Twilight and Celestia make their way to Rainbow and Applejacks room until they see nurses run down the hallway calling for assistance.
"He's flat-lining! ICU!"
"That's Aegis room Celestia!"
"I know Twilight"
Twilight chases after the nurses followed by Celestia. As they try to enter the room, they are blocked by oncoming nurses and doctors. All they can hear is the heart monitor machine and its long-drawn beep. Continuous CPR and shocks are used on Aegis, but answered with no response. The nurses and doctors calm down and lower their heads. Twilight dashes over toward Aegis.
"His body is responding, but he isn't coming to, it's like… he has just given up.
"Aegis! Do not do this to yourself! You saved everyone; your sacrifice did not go unnoticed. Remember your cutie mark! Aegis!"
"Cutie mark…?"
The heart rate monitor begins to give off a slight beep, slowly increasing over time. Aegis begins to speak, but faintly.
"Cutie… mark?"
"Yes Aegis, the infinity symbol…"
"It always… keeps going?"
"Everything you do, affects how your next path will go, eventually your paths cross, but they continue to move forward Aegis."
Aegis just smiles, but falls back into unconsciousness. The heart monitor machine gives a consistent beep. Twilight makes her way through the doctors and nurses towards Celestia who is standing at the doorway. The doctor begins his evaluation on Aegis.
"Everything seems stable, I want a few unicorn nurses to come in and begin healing therapy when he awakens. Until then, I want someone stationed here incase he goes into shock."
Twilight stops and runs back over to the doctor.
"I'll do it sir."
"You sure Miss? It might be awhile until he comes to."
"No it's fine, the least I could do for him."
THREE HOURS LATER
"My father and mother lived completely different lives… but multiple times their paths crossed… It started with both of them and it didn't end when he died… No… It ended when their path crossed one last time."
Celestia walks into the ICU accompanied by two heavily armored guards. Twilight gives Celestia a confused look and begins to speak.
"Oh, Princess Celestia, come to check in on Aegis?"
"Yes Twilight, but also to talk to you. I understand your feelings toward what Aegis has been through, but you must understand all of it has transpired due to his choices. Sacrifice is a noble deed, but foolish in some cases, understand that Aegis disobeyed me and cost his fellow guards their lives."
"You can't be serious Princess… Look at him!"
"I know Twilight, but understand and think about the events that have taken place due to his reckless decisions."
"It's not right…"
Twilight lowers her head as she becomes emotional over what she is hearing. Celestia keeps her composure and signals for the guards to stand at the door.
"I must take my leave Twilight, but these guards will be stationed here and when Aegis recovers, he will be incarcerated."
"What will happen to him…?"
"He will be striped of his title in the Royal Guard and be placed under heavy guard until he has completely recovered. What happens to him then will be decided when the time comes."
"After all he has been through, you believe he still needs to be punished Princess?"
"I apologize Twilight, but there are NO exceptions. Now I must take my leave. Guards, keep an eye on Twilight as well as Aegis."
"Aye Ma'am!"
"I need to get out of here…"
A commotion at the ICU entrance snaps him out of his trance.
"Sorry ma'am no visitors!"
"Let me through!"
Twilight looks over and sees the hooded pony trying to come through.
"Let her through, she helped us take down Sanguinis!"
The guards break apart and allow Deity through.
"Thank you… I just wanted to come see him before I departed."
"You're leaving? Where to?"
"I don't know really, but I am not welcome here after what my father has done…"
Deity walks over to Aegis, and begins to weep as she lays her head on his chest. Twilight resumes her studies and the guards move back to their position.
"Deity… perhaps she can help me escape, it'll be a challenge judging how I have so many injuries."
He begins to speak in a hushed whisper to Deity.
"Listen and do not speak back. I need your assistance Deity."
Aegis can feel tears running down his chest. Deity gives his chest a slight nudge to tell him she's listening.
"I need a few days, but I need to escape and to be honest, you are the only mage I trust right now."
Deity's eyes dart towards and look at Twilight. Aegis puffs his chest out to get her attention.
"What did I say Deity. Now listen, Celestia plans to arrest me the moment I recover and that's not something I am too fond of happening. So, return in three days if you decide to help me and I'll brief you in on what we can do. Will you help me?"
She looks over at the guards and Twilight to see where their attention is place. Quickly she turns back to Aegis and gives him a silent nod of approval. She kisses him lightly on the cheek and makes her way out the room.
"Time to get to work… Hey Twilight…"
Twilight darts her attention to Aegis and her face brightens up. She rushes over to the bedside. She hits the assistance button to alert the nurses that Aegis has awoken.
"It's good to see you finally came to Aegis, we have been worried sick."
"Aye, how are Rainbow Dash and Applejack? Last, I saw they weren't in good condition. And did we defeat Sanguinis?"
"They are recovering, although they had some injuries, it wasn't nearly as bad as what you sustained. And we aren't sure about Sanguinis, when the guards went to arrest him; all they found was a pool of blood settling in the crater."
"Hmm, not exactly good news, but atleast he is gone, hopefully. And yea, just a splitting headache, but I'm guessing that's from that powerful head butt huh?"
"It cracked your horn and skull Aegis. You are very lucky. Do you think you can still do magic?"
"Magic… Hmm, that blinding spell could work, I'll use that and Deity can get us out. Hmm, I don't know Twilight; I'll try in a few days, going to rest up for now."
AFTERNOON
2 DAYS UNTIL ESCAPE
Applejack and Rainbow Dash come to the ICU. The guards block their path and don't allow them to enter. Aegis, to deep in thought doesn't notice the confrontation.
"Let us in ya hear."
"No visitors ma'am"
"You guards are all the same, stuck up."
Twilight wakes up due to the argument and rushes over as she notices Applejack and Rainbow are becoming impatient.
"It's ok, they helped in taking down Sanguinis, please allow them through."
The guards do one last take of Applejack and Rainbow and remove themselves from the entrance. Twilight, accompanied by Rainbow Dash and Applejack make their way to Aegis with smiles on face.
"I can't believe my future depends on Deity… Maybe I should think of a back-up incase…"
His concentration is broken as he is shaken by Applejack.
"Up and at'em sleepy head"
"I'm awake haha. How's the healing going."
"It'd be going a lot better if someone would behave"
Applejack shoots a glare at Rainbow Dash. She is answered with a sly smile.
"Behave?"
"Yea Apples, why don't you tell him?"
Applejack blushes and immediately changes the subject.
"So, how are you holdin up partner? Can't be easy with what you've gone through."
"I don't know Applejack, kind of just… numb I guess. I'll be fine soon."
"I saw that Deity chick come by yesterday… She come to visit you?"
"Aye, just wanted to say her goodbyes."
A buzzer cuts the conversation short and two unicorn nurses walk in.
"Mr. Aegis, it's time for your treatment."
"Alright you two, time for my healing therapy, can you stop by later today?"
"Sure can partner, we will come by in a few hours. Gotta talk to y'all about something."
"Yea, ceya later Aegis"
Applejack and Rainbow leave the room, followed by Twilight. The three go into the lobby and begin to talk.
"Something ain't right about Aegis, he seems different."
"I think I know why Applejack…"
"Oh? Well spill it Twilight"
"Will y'all calm down Rainbow!"
Rainbow gives a great sigh as she plants her flank in one of the seats in the lobby. Applejack gives her a kiss and nods to Twilight to continue.
"Well, Princess Celestia came by the other day and she said Aegis is going to be punished for what he did, regardless of what he has been through already."
"What in the hay is she thinkin?"
"I agree Applejack, but what Princess Celestia says goes."
"That's just stupid…"
"Hmm, Ah know Aegis, and he doesn't seem like the fella to give in so easily."
Deity walks through the infirmary entrance and goes to the front desk. The three notice her as confused gazes appear on their faces.
"Thought ya said she left Twi."
"We should go talk to her, see why she is here again. Deity!"
Deity darts her gaze over to the group of mares and slowly walks over. Rainbow gets an impatient look at the sight of the oncoming hooded unicorn.
"Why do you always wear that hood? Look weird."
Applejack gives a slight buck to Rainbow's rear end and gives her a glare.
"What?"
Deity just giggles in response.
"It's quite alright Rainbow, and I wear it because during my training, a lot of things went wrong… I mean, the dark arts are unstable. Runes and glyphs can be dangerous to those who don't know how to control them."
She lifts the part of her robe covering her front hoof, which is a dark stone with blue runes etched into it. Twilight looks with curiosity while Applejack and Rainbow look with disbelief.
"Not all of me looks like that… but it's kind of a mixture of magic…"
"Oh… I'm sorry Deity, I uh… didn't mean to."
"It's ok Rainbow, but anyway, how is Aegis doing?"
Twilight returns her gaze and attention to Deity with a concerned expression.
"He is undergoing is healing at the moment, but I thought you left yesterday. Why the change of heart if I may ask?"
"Aegis asked me to stop by and visit and I wanted to honor his request."
Before Twilight can continue the conversation, a nurse walks over and begins to speak.
"Applejack, Rainbow Dash, your therapy is about to begin, please return to your respective rooms and Miss Twilight and Deity, Aegis' healing is done, you're welcome to return to the ICU."
"Thank you."
Applejack and Rainbow make slowly make their way through Twilight and Deity, arguing on the way their.
"This time behave y'all hear Rainbow, don't embarrass me like ya did last time."
"We will see what happens Apples."
Deity and Twilight laugh as the couple continue their argument even when they enter their room. They return to Aegis in the ICU. Aegis is shocked when he sees Deity enter the room behind Twilight.
"Hey you two, good to see ya."
"Oh.. Hi Aegis, glad to see you to."
"How was your healing Aegis?"
"Pretty normal, just lay here while they do their magic, but Twilight, think you can give Deity and I some time to talk?"
"Oh, umm sure Aegis, just call when you're done."
Twilight exits the room and Aegis expression changes as Deity gets close to Aegis.
"Hehe, never thought I'd be happy to see someone who froze me. I'm glad you came back Deity."
"Oh, yea… I was worried about you… is all."
"If you say so Deity, anyway, did you decide if you will help me?"
"I think my return two days earlier then what you wanted should answer that question Aegis."
"Thank you Deity"
Aegis, despite the pain, gives Deity a hug. At first, she is hesitant, but she gives in and tightly holds Aegis. Aegis can feel tears run down his shoulder. He pulls her away when the pain increases.
"I really hope I'll be ready when the time comes Deity, still feel broken."
"If you're not, I could always give you a boost the day of, Aegis."
"Hmm, that'll be the backup if I'm not up and about by then."
"So… that's why she came back. Aegis is planning to escape with Deity's assistance. Gotta tell Applejack and Rainbow."
Twilight stands at the entrance, eavesdropping on their conversation. She soon rushes to Applejack and Rainbow's room. The couple had just finished their treatment. Applejack has an embarrassed look on her face with blushed cheeks and Rainbow has a satisfied smile on hers.
"What did ah tell you Rainbow and y'all go ahead and embarrass me again."
"You liked it Apples and you know it haha. Oh hey Twilight, what's up?"
"I overheard Aegis and Deity's conversation, he is planning to escape soon."
Rainbow and Applejack look at one another then focus back on Twilight.
"Ah knew he was up to something and I don't blame him for tryin to Twi."
"Yea, but I'm guessing you want to send a letter to Missy Princess huh Twilight?"
"I don't know Rainbow… I mean, Aegis doesn't deserve to be arrested, but I am Celestia's faithful student…"
"Well Twi, Rainbow and Ah don't plan to stop him, heck, might even help him, but y'all hold the key to his plan. What y'all gonna do, open the door, or throw away the key Twi?"
"I don't know Applejack…"