Stardust still lay unconcious, now on a massive, stationary life-support mechanism. Krysis came back in, "Charlie, you're awake..." She said softly, and tried to block her view of Stardust's mortally wounded form.
"Charlie, I'm so sorry... I don't know if she'll make it..." Krysis said sadly. Excalibur walked in, "Hey there, how're you feeling?" He sadly asked, checking her vitals, then checking Stardust's.
Rex heard Stardust but Charlie didn't over her sobbing. Rex used his tail to get Charlie's attention as he made a happy noise.
"Charlie...?" Stardust whispered again, climbing out of her bed, unnoticed. She fell to the floor, and began trying to crawl towards her.
Rex growled makeing Stardust crawl back into her bed. Charlie was still curled up behind Rex's tail and still didn't hear anything.
Stardust built up the courage, then took a confident step out of bed again. She got to her hooves, and ignored Rex's growls. If you want to stop me, you'll have to tear my legs off, Rex. I'm getting to Charlie, and that's final. Stardust thought to herself.
Rex growled but didn't move, he didn't want to leave Charlie unprotected. He bared teeth giving a final warning but when he saw her couragment he backed off. He muzzled Charlie's head making her stop sobbing and look up.
Stardust nearly tumbled, but recovered quickly, and melted into Charlie's arms, "Oh my god... you're alright! Oh thank Celestia!" She sobbed, crying into her chest. "Aw, that's adorable..." Excalibur commented quietly.
Charlie winced, "Stardust.. m-my back." She pushed her slightly away. Rex muzzled Charlie's back slightly making her yelp, then Rex gave a pleasing look.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I was just happy to see you..." Stardust took a step back, bumping into Excalibur. "Oh! Excuse me, Stardust. I didn't see you there." He said politely, moving out of the way. Krysis carefully lifted Charlie up and carried her slowly to a large steel and chrome chamber. "Stay back Rex, you can't come in here. The radiation will fry you." Excalibur said, opening one door, and closing the previous one, allowing Krysis through. "Alright Krysis, I'll begin the operation. Um, Charlie? Would you like to be knocked out? Or would you like to stay concious?" Krysis set her down carefully on her stomach. "Please don't move, the bolt clamps are really painful-looking." Krysis said, and stroked her cheek once. "It'll be alright, the surgery will put you back on your feet in no time, then we can get you out of here."
"W-whats going on?" She reached for Stardust as Krysis picked her up. "Let me out!" She cried. She squirmed on the table refusing to corporate, she wanted Stardust and she wanted Rex.
Excalibur put a clawed hand to his right photoreceptors. "Charlie! Stop that this instant!" He sighed, "Alright, if we get a radiation suit for Stardust, will you please cooperate?" Stardust burst into the room, "I-I don't care if it kills me! I want to stay by her side, a-and Rex does too!" Excalibur had had enough, "Ugh... Krysis? Can you get me those experimental mouthpieces, please?" Krysis retrieved them, "H-here..." She said, giving three to Stardust. Stardust put one in Charlie's mouth, adhering to her tooth. (Like a molar cap) She put one in her mouth, and turned to Rex. "Please Rex, d-don't bite me until I put it in... y-you can bite me all you want afterwards, a-alright?" Rex growled as she put her hoof close to him, and he snarled, baring his teeth, when her hoof was less than an inch from his mouth. Stardust's eyes started welling up from fear.
Charlie was still reaching for Stardust scared out of her mind. Rex saw this and stopped snarling and let Stardust put the mouth piece in. "Stardust!" Charlie began to cry.
"I-I'm sorry... but it's for your own good..." Stardust began crying, then came closer to Charlie, "I'm going to be with you the entire time, alright?" Guilt and fear were evident in her eyes. This was her doing, and there was only one way to stop it. Rex tilted his head, expecting the order...
Charlie gave Star a kissed "I'm so scared." krysis had to belt her legs down so she would stop squirming.
"I'm scared every day of my life, and I have been... always..." Star kissed her back, "Ever since I was a filly, I've been scared. My mother, Midnight Sky, was murdered, and I ran away to Ponyville. It wasn't until I met Viet in Canterlot that I stopped feeling scared... then I ended up here, alone, and scared yet again. I met you, and well, you know the rest..." Stardust wiped tears from her eyes. "S-so how'd you get here?" She asked, trying to change the subject, and keep her calm.
"I-im not sure. Last thing I remember is meeting a dark hooded figure." Charlie tried to release a hoof but Krysis strapped it down tighter and gave the signal to begin.
