Chapter 15:
The blackness begins to fade. It starts out as a dark grey that slowly and surely changes to a light grey and then a white.
"Wha…" was Ocean Blue's thoughts as she was slowly regaining consciousness.
Ocean Blue became aware of a beeping noise to her right. She tried to move but her body did not want to listen to her. After a few more moments, she was able to open her eyes. Things were blurry at first but they came into focus. She was lying in a hospital bed. She craned her head over to the left to look out a window. She was in a Hospital back in Canterlot, but not any regular hospital, this was the royal hospital within the castle itself. Ocean Blue turned her head towards the beeping noise. It was a heart monitor with a bag a saline solution dripping away. She then saw Big Mac with his head planted face first into the bed sheets, his hoof intertwined with hers and he appeared to have not noticed she was awake.
Ocean Blue tried to say something but could not manage as her throat was more dry than she ever thought possible. As she worked to clear her throat she also noticed she was in her regular changeling form. There were no guards, no chains, she was in the royal hospital, Big Mac was still by her side. A great tidal wave of relief washed over her. Her mind now much clearer filled with shock and anxiety.
"Where is Celestia, is she alright!?" was the singular thought going through her mind.
She was about to try shacking Big Mac awake as her throat was still too dry to speak when she heard the door to her room opening. Her eyes locked on the door and to her great joy, Celestia herself was walking in to check up on her.
Celestia quickly noticed Ocean Blue was awake. "Oh thank goodness, you are finally awake."
Celestia could see the happy confusion on Ocean Blue's face and realized she was trying to speak but could not.
"Here, let me help you dear." Celestia said as she used her magic to lift a glass of water to Ocean Blue who quickly downed the drink, grunting a little to help clear her voice. "I see Big Macintosh is still by your side, I do not think he has ever left it." Celestia continued.
"H-o-w.. lo-ong?" Ocean Blue managed to say in a broken, raw and raspy voice.
"Almost 7 days." Celestia said.
Ocean Blue's eyes almost blew out of their sockets her eyes went so wide with shock.
"You had us all very worried, especially Big Mac, myself and Luna. Everypony told me what you did for me, and for that I am eternally grateful." Celestia said while actually bowing her own head to Ocean Blue.
Big Mac began to stir as Celestia was raising her head back up. He looked up briefly to see Celestia standing at the foot of the bed. He was about to put his head back down when he saw the smile on her face. He quickly looked over to Ocean Blue and his face lit up like fireworks.
"Your awake!" Big Mac said getting up and nearly tackling the poor changeling resting on the bed as he wrapped her in a tight embrace. "No one was sure if you would wake up." He said with tears running down his face as he looked Ocean Blue eye to eye.
"He is right my dear. I am afraid out medical information on changelings is… how should I put this… rather lacking. From all accounts you were wasting away in front of everypony's eyes while I was getting better. We brought you here as fast as possible but could only wait and see how you fared." We all had high hopes as the days passed, you were getting your old complexion back, and it even looks like your wings have healed." Celestia said.
"My wings?" Ocean Blue asked confused.
"Yes my dear, from all accounts they withered and completely crumbled away from your body. I really must ask Ocean Blue, what did you do? We have no information on what kind of Magic or changeling ability you used to heal me."
"I read in the changeling library growing up that changeling queens can take more than just love to survive, but can take the very life force of a being to acquire the nourishment to grow a hive faster in the time of need. I knew this is what my mother did to you and I thought I could try the reverse." Ocean Blue explained.
"You were giving me your own life? But why?" Celestia asked while tears were nearly falling down her cheeks.
"You and your sister were the first to ever be truly kind to me, and I knew that everypony needed their princess. After my mother was defeated, I knew I had to set things right again." Ocean Blue explained.
The three of them continued to talk for almost 10 more minutes until the nurse came in. When she realized the patient was awake, she got the doctor and following the doctor were the mane six. After the doctor finished with his examination stating that she appears to be making a full recovery, the girls all chimed in.
"Ocean Blue, we, no I was wrong about you. You saved us all, and more importantly, you saved the princess. I will never find the words to properly express my gratitude to you." Twilight said.
"Ah think my big brother chose a keeper here." Apple Jack said while standing next to Big Mac and lightly jabbing him with her elbow causing both Big Mac and Ocean Blue to blush.
"Oh I didn't know changelings could blush!" Pinkie Pie yelled out while jumping up and down only causing the poor changeling to blush more.
"We can blush Pinkie, but only a little here and there on our faces where do don't have a hard shell." Ocean Blue explained.
Everyone laughed and continued talking about everything that had happened and making amends. Later that same day Ocean Blue was discharged from the hospital where she personally accompanied both Celestia and Luna through the castle towards the same balcony that Twilight will later have her coronation as a princess. As they passed through the balcony doors, Ocean Blue heard a roar of applause. She was quickly taken aback, not knowing what was going on but as she came closer to the edge of the balcony, she saw the entire area below was filled with ponies all cheering and celebrating.
The mane six followed shortly behind and lined up a few feet behind the changeling and two princesses.
"Greetings everpony! I have gathered you all here today to pay respect to a very special pony who not only helped save Ponyville and perhaps all of Equestria from attack, but personally saved my life." Princess Celestia said.
"Now please welcome and honor the new changeling queen and friend of Equestria, Ocean Blue." Luna said.
The entire crowd erupted in applause as Ocean Blue began to nervously wave to everypony, her nervousness decreasing by every passing second and her happiness and joy to finally have friends and be accepted increasing even faster.
"Everything was just a big Misunderstanding." Twilight though as she watched the changeling before her waving to the crowd while a smile formed on her face as she gained another friend.
END!