Three months later…

7:00 AM

I awoke at my usual time of seven o'clock sharp. I guess when you get up at the same time every morning for over seventy years, you get into a habit of sorts.

A usual Thursday, I started my day by taking a shower, putting my garments on, and going over my list for the day. No variety, no changes, nothing special. I made my way to the kitchen, where Piérre had just finished preparing my morning coffee.

"Here you are Princess, just as you like it, as per usual!" he said with a hint of pride. Even though sometimes I could get sick of the same morning routine everyday, Piérre never failed to deliver his award-winning roast. Brewed to perfection, it was the closest thing to heaven prepared in a cup. Taking a sip, I made my way to my sister's room.

There was no day court scheduled for today. I had worked longer and harder yesterday to ensure that I would have almost no work today. Having no court in my schedule meant that my entire morning, and almost my entire day was free and open, so I intended to spend it with my family.

Knocking on her door, I took another sip of coffee, reveling in the rich, bold taste. I had instructed Luna to be up earlier than usual today, and as usual, she didn't listen. I smiled at her slightly transgressive attitude to me.

"You have got to be kidding me," I heard her say inside. I gently knocked again, much to her dismay. Her doors started glowing a dark blue.

"Come in," she said as her door swung open. I stepped inside the still pitch black room. I saw it get slightly brighter, as Luna opened the curtains slowly. Birds were chirping outside her window as the sun slowly made its way over the land. It was a perfect August day outside, and I intended to make the most out of it.

"Hello Luna, how are you this fine morning?" I asked with a smile. She was just getting out of bed, her mane completely all over the place. I quietly sipped my coffee.

"Oh, just ecstatic to be up so early in the morning,"

"Oh, yes, I can tell by the tone in your voice that you are overwhelmingly excited" I said sarcastically.

Luna had never been one to want to get up early. Sleeping in was always the first thing on her agenda. Personally, I have always loved getting up early. I felt that sleeping in, while nice to do on occasion, was a huge waste of the day.

"What did you have in mind for today?" she asked me.

"Well, I figured we could start by going to get breakfast, not here, but in Canterlot. Then, perhaps we could-"

I was cut off as Luna slammed the door to her bathroom, locking herself in.

"Yes, yes, that all sounds lovely. I'll be out in a few minutes," I heard her say as her shower turned on. I grumbled slightly at her dismissive attitude, and stepped out of her room.

"Meet me in the medical wing, I'll be checking on the two," I called as I left. I heard what I assumed to be a "yes" as I walked out of her room.

I made my way to room seven, to meet doctor Windy for our weekly meeting. For the past month, we have been meeting every week to discuss any changes in the boys. After two months of daily meetings, and no changes being made, we had decided that a weekly meeting was a good substitute to our original plan. This allowed me more freedom, and allowed Windy more solo research into magical comas.

Our meeting generally occurred at eight o'clock, but I arrived a few minutes early today. I entered room seven, and…

Austin was in his bed, as usual…

Great...

Daniel was not…

Just great...

I turned around to see doctor Windy standing in the doorway with wide eyes.

Absolutely fantastic...

7:23 AM

My eyes fluttered open, and shut close immediately. My head throbbed with unbelievable pain, my limbs ached with numbness, and from what I got out of my brief glance, my vision was completely blurred. I lay in agony, praying that I would feel better soon. I tried opening my eyes, and turned my head to the right. I saw what looked to be a… lamp? I blinked multiple times, trying to clear my vision. Eventually, I could see somewhat straight, and what I assumed to be a lamp was in fact a lamp.

Well, at least I can kinda see… now… where am I?

I looked back to my left to see a white wall, with a large window to the right. I slowly sat up in my bed, and upon doing so, realized that I was in some sort of hospital.

Dismith doesn't have a hospital, just a doctor…

Utterly confused, I laid back down until my pain subsided. After about ten minutes, I swung my legs off the side of my bed, and waited for them to wake up. Feeling the general sensation of "touch" return to me, I stood up, and found that everything seemed to be working fine. I glanced to my left, and in another bed on the other side of the room, was Austin. I walked over to him, realizing that I was in a hospital gown, and little else, other than underwear. Disregarding this, I went to check on my friend.

"Austin? Austin, wake up, it's Daniel. Come on buddy, get up," I called to him. When I didn't get a response, I shook him gently, then aggressively.

"Come on man, no time for naps, get up,"

Once again, no response. This lead me to believe that he might be in a coma, which would indeed complicate things. After another round of shaking, and still no response, I went with the comatose theory. Turning around, I saw the door, and went to check it. It was unlocked, which would confirm that Austin, and quite possibly myself, were in comas. I peeked into the hall, and saw no sign of movement.

Judging from the sophisticated equipment, I figured we might be in Canterlot. Looking out of the window, I was met with a spectacular view of Equestria below, confirming my thoughts. Going to the dresser beside my bed, I tried my luck, and opened the large drawer. I was met with a comforting sight. My clothes. Smiling, I quickly changed, and discarded my gown. I finished tying my shoes, and slipped into the hallway. Both directions ended in another hall, so I picked a direction at random, and started walking. At the end of the hall, was another hall, leading both directions. Thinking of the window to my left, I went right. My thought process seemed to be right, as I entered a large open area with chairs lining the walls. In the center, was an island, and in the center sat a mare, writing something down on a piece of paper. I stayed hidden in the hallway, observing the mare, debating if I should talk to her.

Before I could make my decision, the mare, who I assume was a receptionist of some sorts, got up, and left the room. She walked to the other side of the room, and left through a hallway going left. I promptly went down the right hallway, and…

Hey, why am I trying not to get caught. This is Canterlot, no one is going to hurt you Daniel…

I turned around to follow the mare, when curiosity hit me. I wondered what was down the hall I was following, and since no one would hurt me – probably – I decided to keep going where I was going.

Finding another set of halls, for some reason, I went right, and immediately came across a door on my left.

"Medical Wing staff pantry?" I echoed aloud, reading the sign on the door. Reaching forward, I found to my happiness, that it was open.

Of course it would be, right? Like, who locks doors?

Shutting the door behind me, I felt out for a light. In the center of the room, was a string, which I pulled. The room lit up, and I was greeted with a sight of various foods and drinks on shelves. Smiling, I reached forward for a box of conveniently placed Hay Hoops.

"Wait, would this be stealing?" I thought out loud.

I looked at the box of cereal in front of me, and shrugged.

"Probably,"

9:17 AM

The sweep of the Medical Wing had come back negative, and the rest of the castle was being searched as of right now.

"There's no way he could have gone that far Luna, please," I told my sister. We were standing in the reception area, arguing over Canterlot's safety.

"Tia, don't you see?! This is exactly what my vision foretold me! The downfall of Equestria, and you're too blind to see it!" she yelled.

"What could a boy with no magical experience possibly do to hurt the nation?"

She gazed down. "That boy, he WILL destroy us, and this is the start. Why can't you see it! How can you be so foolish, sister!"

"How can you think that one little boy could possibly bring our grand nation to its knees?"

"God, you are the most arrogant… stubborn-"

Luna was cut off from her insults by a guard approaching us.

"Your highness, we found him, come with me," he told us, and walked away. We followed him, a smirk upon my face. I glanced at Luna. She looked genuinely annoyed, to which I silently snickered.

We approached the room where the boys were staying, and a puzzled look dawned upon our faces.

"Soldier, are you sure you know what you are doing?" Luna asked. He just smiled, and opened the door to room seven. I stepped in, Luna in suit, and I looked to Daniel's bed.

He was… eating. He was eating a box of Pony-O's. Luna and I were confused beyond reason, and we just stared at him.

Daniel looked at us.

"What took you so long?"

I honestly had a lot of fun writing this chapter, even though it is quite a silly one. Let me know what you think!