The fire had been out for almost nine hours. The embers still smoldered, despite the colossal force which had quenched them.

Twilight was face-to-face with Scootaloo. She did her best to look composed and confident... as Celestia had trained her to be in times of emergency.

Coming to Scootaloo first was only right. She was bound to have some questions. Seeing the filly alone, without Spike or Apple Bloom, meant two things -- anything Dash didn't want her to know about wasn't likely to slip out, and Twilight could keep the conversation more focused on what the filly was actually thinking.

Scootaloo looked tired. Twilight thought maybe she'd been up half the night worrying, but she didn't know for sure what she normally looked like since she only now realized how seldom she came to see her. The Unicorn saw her own face reflected back in Scootaloo's trusting eyes. The more Twilight smiled and maintained her soft tone, the more relaxed the filly appeared... and the more relaxed she herself became.

"Rainbow Dash was staying with Pinkie?" Scootaloo asked, after hearing Twilight's recount of the fire which turned both her friends black with soot and ash.

"She was there at the time of the fire," Twilight answered carefully. "Both mares are in one piece. They're just here to get looked at."

"I bet she saved Pinkie!" Scootaloo giggled, relishing the thought. Her smile was cut short once her breathing picked up and she started to cough. Still, she continued to fantasize. "Flew right out of the window carrying her over her shoulders."

Twilight bit her lip.

"Something like that, Scootaloo."

"So..." The filly took in some air. "Rainbow Dash is okay?"

Coming here first meant Twilight could only guess. She wasn't privy to updates -- being an honorary family member and fellow Element of Harmony wasn't enough without their approval (which at the time of arrival both were too exhausted to give). The Unicorn said what she thought, though... almost contradicting something she had said moments earlier:

"Both she and Pinkie need a little rest, but they'll be back on their hooves in a couple of days." Twilight made sure to wink. "Everything is going to be just fine."

Scootaloo looked out of the window and smiled.

"That's great." She shook her head, glancing back at the Unicorn. "So, can I go see Rainbow with you?"

"I can imagine if she can make it down here, she's probably going to want to come see you." Twilight smiled sympathetically. "Let her come to you... if she doesn't come that means she really needs her rest. You know Rainbow would do anything for you, Scootaloo."

The filly nodded stiffly.

Again, Twilight smiled.

"I thought you'd like to know what happened. I'd imagine you're already hearing all sorts of nasty things outside this room about the big, crazy inferno."

Scootaloo nodded again, this time much slower.

"I know a filly my age was brought in with broken glass stuck all in her flank because of what the Wonder Bolts did. I heard her parents visiting... she's right next door."

"Oh, that wouldn't surprise me. A number of ponies were hurt, but thankfully none died." Twilight chuckled nervously, hoping to talk about something a little lighter. "So, before I go... Do you have any more questions you'd like to ask me?"

"Just one... Do you know if can I still live with Rainbow Dash?"

"Oh, things have a way of working themselves out."

Those were the last words Twilight had said to Scootaloo, outside of a farewell. She left the filly smiling, and was hopeful, because... even without Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo would still have a place to stay. Twilight had seen to that herself.

The Unicorn headed up to Pinkie's room next. She was a bit too tired to skip, but knowing things could be a lot worse made her almost giddy... though part of that was her own exhaustion. The conversation she'd just had was a bit awkward, but she managed to have it without saying too much. While she didn't know exactly how much Scootaloo knew, she certainly didn't want to tell the little filly that Dash's new home was now gone... she had enough on her mind. Twilight kicked herself for not visiting Scootaloo later, but it was too late for that now. Even she had to admit... after a night like last night, she wasn't exactly thinking straight.

"Oh, things have a way of working themselves out," the Unicorn reminded herself as she got off the elevator and approached Pinkie's room down the narrow hall. She tapped gently on the doorway. "Hey, Pinkie Pie? ...are you awake?"

There was no response.

Twilight perked an ear and could hear sounds coming from inside the room -- beeping and a low whoosh with a sharp pause, almost resembling rain when it was at its loudest. Twilight lowered her head and let out a sigh, debating about knocking again. She considered coming back later might be best.

"I'm up, Twilight..." Pinkie finally replied, her voice calm, but gravelly. "You can come in, if you want to."

Twilight cantered right in, her head held high. She had come to see how Pinkie was doing, and felt good about visiting her friends now that she actually had some time. However, once she was inside the Unicorn had to consciously keep herself from frowning.

The shutters were closed and the room was dark, except for a single panel of florescent lights over Pinkie's bed. Pinkie was sprawled out on her back, motionless and without blankets, an IV in her foreleg. Her flanks were bandaged up tight, as was her back and barrel, but at least she was the proper color now... though a bit darker than normal. Twilight also noted that her mane was no longer curly, but straight. Cut short and so very straight. She knew what this meant -- she'd known Pinkie for a while, and knew her depression when she saw it.

Pinkie Pie, despite lying still, was moving her hooves at a phenomenal rate of speed. Twilight had to squint to see that Pinkie had a deck of cards by her side and was rapidly shuffling through them, cutting them into the most intricate patterns without looking. Though mesmerizing to watch and hear -- the staccato-like rhythm, coupled with the suitless, dark blur -- Pinkie's face remained detached, almost unreadable... even as her good friend smiled up at her.

Twilight shook her head, letting out a tiny sigh.

"How are you, Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie didn't even blink as her hooves continued to move. With a swallow, she answered quietly:

"I'm okay, Twilight."

Smiling, Twilight thought about what to say next. Pinkie didn't seem especially phased by the long gap of silence, keeping to herself the whole time.

"Have you... eaten breakfast yet?" She asked softly. "I'd imagine you must be pretty hungry after a crazy thing like last night."

"Uh-huh," Pinkie replied, her voice breaking. "Hay and oatmeal."

Twilight nodded reassuringly.

"Was it any good?"

Pinkie nodded weakly.

The Unicorn paused for another moment, listening to the shuffling, now growing in volume. She shook her head a second time and let out another sigh.

"I'm glad you're okay, Pinkie."

Pinkie Pie finally stopped shuffling. Looking up, she blinked once.

"Me too."

She went back to her cards. Twilight continued to speak in a soft voice:

"Mr. and Mrs. Cake think you might have your bakery rebuilt within the year." Pinkie's shuffling continued to grow louder. It was Twilight's turn to swallow, she did so... nervously. "Thank goodness for insurance, am I right or what? ...it's just gonna take a while. That's okay, though! ... you- you've still got each other and no pony got hurt, right?"

Pinkie stopped again for a second and winced as though in pain, then went right back to it.

"It won't be the same, Twilight." She whispered. "I don't mind the waiting so much."

The Unicorn approached, trying to think of something meaningful to comfort her friend with. Her inquisitive mind was drawing a blank, so she said the first thing that came to it:

"What won't be the same, Pinkie?"

Pinkie stopped shuffling all together and set the cards down. She looked up at her friend, her lower lip quivering:

"There's no more Rarity there, Twilight. She's all gone now."

Twilight gave Pinkie a gentle hug. It was hard not to accidentally bump her bandages, but she managed to avoid them altogether and responded with sympathy:

"Pinkie, she's been gone for a very long time now. Trust me, Rarity would be really happy to know her old space is still being used up. She always hated wasting things when she knew other ponies could use them."

Twilight pulled away just in time to see Pinkie smile. It was weak, but it was there.

"I guess you're right."

Twilight giggled.

"Pinkie, you know I am!" She turned towards Pinkie's blinds and found the cord, slowly tugging on it with her magic. "Let's get some sun in here."

The Unicorn looked back. Pinkie was wincing as the sun hit her face, shielding her eyes. When she finally lowered her hoof, Twilight could see a sparkle in her eye as her pupils refocused.

The pink mare picked up her cards again. She started shuffling through them a bit quicker than before.

"Wanna see a quick card trick, Twilight?" She asked, her voice pitching up slightly.

"That's the Pinkie I know," replied the Unicorn, a genuine grin stretching the folds of her tired cheeks. She winked. "What're you gunna do?"

Pinkie made the cards into a fan and held them out, covering her eyes theatrically.

"Pick a card, Twilight, any card! I won't look..."

The visit had taken a sudden, very playful turn. Looking up at the mare's covered eyes (to make sure she wasn't peeking), Twilight randomly selected a card. Pinkie continued to look away as her friend identified the card, grinning...the odds were so low she'd get this, Pinkie would never guess. It had a picture of Discord on it, marked with a sharp J for The Joker. She instinctively made sure to cover it.

"Okay, now, Twilight... I'm going to guess your card." Pinkie shut her eyes, squinting as she thought about it while mixing up the incomplete deck. "I see a long, slender body. Slithering, sneaky, and super manipulative. I hear a deep, charming voice... one that loves to play pranks! Is it by any chance... Discord, the Joker?"

Twilight's eyes went wide as she returned the card.

"Pinkie..." She shook her head in disbelief. "How in Equestria did you do that?"

"It's magic, Twilight," bandaged mare replied, continuing to shuffle as her mane grew frizzy. "I only just got these cards, too! A nice nurse gave them to me along with breakfast, saying I always make other ponies smile. Now just get me my turban, and we'll have loads of fun!" Pinkie held out her forelegs, the cards cascading from one hoof to the other in smooth legato. "I, the Great and Powerful Pinkie, can predict the future!"

"Pinkie Pie!" Twilight brought a hoof to her face, now barely able to control her billowing laughter. "Please don't make me think of The Great and Powerful Trixie if you can help it! I've got enough on my plate as it is!"

Pinkie started laughing, and so did Twilight. The simultaneous high-pitched laughter of the two mares could be heard down the hall, causing a few miserable patients and overworked nurses out and about to forget about their troubles and smile ear-to-ear.

Twilight continued her visit with Pinkie for a solid ten minutes. It didn't take long for the pink mare to start yawning, but it may have been in part because of (what Twilight could only guess were) the painkillers coursing through her veins. Before she left, they talked about what Pinkie had to look forward to in the meantime, not needing turbans or cards to tell them that. Everything was going to be okay -- Pinkie Pie would have her home back, she'd have her dreams back, and she still had her family. Though cheering her up was easy now that she was smiling... Twilight hadn't actually been told anything new by the Cakes yet. She knew enough about engineering to know that it could take as much as a year to get everything back, and everything would be brand new. Twilight smiled at the end, leaving Pinkie with something nice to think about:

"Even though your bakery is gone and ponies have been hurt, Ponyville is still an active, happy little town!"

That made Pinkie smile, knowing that others were still happy. Though it might have also meant most of them didn't care, Pinkie hated to think of other ponies as unhappy or sad, regardless of why... deep down she wanted to know that Ponyville was still happy, and it was.

Twilight had seen Carrot Top out watering her garden, humming a happy tune with the black Boutique in plain sight. Lyra had been working with Bon Bon and Noteworthy on a ladder, pulling debris off her home while gossiping and laughing with her two friends about Vinyl Scratch's latest on stage blunder. By the end of Twilight's visit, Pinkie was genuinely smiling, her frizz being almost completely restored. It would take just a month for her mane to look like it used to... all things would pass with time.

Next on the agenda was Rainbow Dash. After that, Twilight had more plans, meaning quite a busy day ahead of her, but for now... she'd just see her friends.

Rainbow Dash was in a different room way down the hall. She passed a few ponies on the way there, some bandaged on a walk with nurses or loved ones, talking of burns and splinters she could only assume they got from fighting the fire or debris crashing into them or through their homes. The damage hadn't looked that bad, but ponies lived in those homes that stuff crashed into. Twilight could scarcely imagine the horror of waking up to the sound of shattering glass, sharp pain shooting all over her flank as she looked down to see tiny shards piercing her side in the faint orange glow... assuming it was bright enough to see even see that. Twilight imagined how different things could be if Scootaloo's new neighbor had decided to sleep with her head on the other side of the bed last night.

About ten feet from Rainbow's room, Twilight heard an argument taking place. She knew Dash's voice quite well, and could hear the annoyance in it:

"I don't need a wheel chair or an escort!" Rainbow Dash growled. "And I can see her just fine all by myself, thank you!"

"At least take the crutch!" Replied the concerned voice of what Twilight could only assume was a nurse. "You need to take it easy. Maybe rest for now and see her after lunch? You hardly slept at all."

"Hey, I'm free to go if I want to, aren't I?" She heard Rainbow laugh. "My injuries aren't that bad!"

"Actually, you've sustained a number of fairly serious first and second-degree bur-"

Twilight was about to take a few steps forward to round the corner when she saw Rainbow Dash emerge from her room, wearing a white bathrobe, which even covered her wings. She still looked like Rainbow Dash: cool, radical... but no more sullen or exhausted than she had been looking for the past couple weeks. She had singed ears and tail tip, but that was hardly noticeable. Twilight smiled when she saw her standing there.

"Twilight Sparkle!" Rainbow said, a smile spreading itself across her face. "Am I glad to see you."

"Likewise Rainbow." Twilight saw a young nurse emerge from Dash's room with a look of apprehension in her eyes. "How are you?"

Dash closed her eyes and flicked her mane, trying to look cooler and more energetic than she actually felt. Twilight mouthed "I'll watch her," to the nurse before she opened them again.

"I've seen better days, Twilight," Rainbow said, limping in the direction of her friend. "They wanted me to wait 'til tomorrow to see Scootaloo... I'm gunna go surprise her now."

"I'd imagine she'd really like that," said Twilight with a wink, as the two walked side by side.

The hospital was quickly becoming a busy place. Ponies passed by them now, with Twilight occasionally glancing back to make sure her friend could keep up. She noticed Rainbow Dash was walking much slower than usual, leaning up against the wall from time to time. Dash winced more than once, gritting her teeth in discomfort.... the passing ponies gave her space at least.

"You okay?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah. I'm totally fine," Dash replied, straightening herself upright. "Don't worry about me. Let's just go if you're coming, okay?"

"Alright, Rainbow." Twilight said, rolling her eyes. "I'm right here if you need help."

The Pegasus laughed, taking a few steps forward with ease... appearing light as air now.

"See?"

They continued to walk the halls. Scootaloo was one floor down. It was slow going, but when they finally made it to the elevator, Twilight found herself holding the door. Though a bit lighter on her hooves, Rainbow Dash still moved like she had a bad sunburn under her robe.

When the door closed it was just the two of them. Silence, save the elevator music. It didn't last longer than a couple seconds:

"Twilight, I seriously don't know what I'm going to do about Scootaloo anymore," Dash whispered, facing the doors. "Please don't ask me about it right now."

"I had no intention, Rainbow," Twilight replied, smiling. "Actually, I've found a couple donkeys who might be able to take her in. They're even willing to hold her while you get situated with a permanent home. This is a brand new development, I was going to talk to you about it last night, but I thought it'd be better to wait 'til morning. Cranky and Matilda are the most wonderful donkeys I've ever met!"

"Wait- wha?" Rainbow's tired eyes perked up towards her friend, looking bright and intense. '"Twilight, are you serious?"

"Oh yeah," replied the purple mare. "We can talk about this later, though. Right now we're going to go see Scootaloo, and let her know you're okay."

The door opened. The foal's ward was practically empty compared to the adult pony burn ward.

"She's worried about me, huh?"

Twilight held the door.

"Oh yeah, Rainbow. She loves you! You know that."

Rainbow limped off the elevator, smiling as she passed Twilight.

Fortunately, Scootaloo's room was fairly close to the doors. Twilight let Rainbow lead this time, watching her limp and occasionally list towards the wall. The closer they got to her door, the more upright and confident Rainbow's steps became, until she was finally almost trotting. Dash cantered up to Scootaloo's door and Twilight saw she was grinning ear-to-ear.

"Squirt?" Rainbow asked, in the direction of Scootaloo's open door. "Scootaloo?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo's voice responded.

Twilight watched as Rainbow slowly walked into the room, keeping a few steps behind her. She looked past the opened door, watching Dash approach the bed. She got within a few steps of it.

"How are you, kiddo?"

Scootaloo didn't answer. Instead she looked up at her idol and giggled... opening her forelegs to invite the robed Pegasus in for a hug. Dash's eyes went wide.

"Hey, hey now... what's with all this affection?" Rainbow chuckled weakly. "I'm okay, really! No near-death experiences here, kid."

Scootaloo's face drooped. She blushed, putting a hoof to the back of her head, putting her other hoof up for Dash to bump it. Dash took one look and sighed quietly.

"Oh, alright!" She opened her forelegs up and bent over. "Come here, you!"

Scootaloo happily pulled herself towards Rainbow Dash as Rainbow slowly bent down .The two hugged... very tightly. Twilight put a hoof to her mouth when she saw Dash's eyes go wide in pain as she gritted her teeth, almost hard enough to make them crack.

"Easy, now! Easy!" Dash grunted stiffly, tears in her eyes. "You're gunna break me in half, kid!"

Scootaloo giggled, releasing Rainbow from her tight grasp.

Rubbing her face and squinting her eyes, Rainbow Dash smiled at Scootaloo. Scootaloo smiled back... waiting to hear her idol begin talking, like always. Twilight went into observation mode as Rainbow started by leaning up against the wall. the Pegasus then glanced out the window and sighed.The Unicorn could see Dash's face light up the moment Scootaloo's did... it made her happy just to have helped her along the way. The more they looked at each other, the happier both appeared.

Twilight kept a respectable distance while the two visited. It started with a light conversation about the weather and the Wonderbolts, and Rainbow seemed alright. She was able to stand up tall, sit down, and look relaxed against the wall. Twilight knew when Dash got excited she really liked to talk with her hooves. Dash wasn't doing that... even when they were talking about things that should have really excited her.

The Unicorn began to feel tired as it came to Scootaloo's turn. She was thinking of waiting outside when the little Pegasus came to a thought which she knew had been on her mind:

"So, will I still be able to live with you, Rainbow?" Scootaloo asked, startling even Twilight out of her momentary haze... though she saw it coming.

The Unicorn looked over at Rainbow. She gritted her teeth... again, looking out the window. Even after all Twilight had told her, Dash was still dreading this conversation.

"Scoots," Rainbow said, popping her neck as she stared out at the tree line. "That's been my goal for a long time now." She glanced back, smiling. "You don't think a little fire's going to stop me, do you?"

The filly smiled big. Seeing her reflection in the glass, Dash grinned. Scootaloo's silence along with that cute grin said enough... she still believed in Rainbow Dash, and Rainbow still believed in herself.

During the quiet moment, Scootaloo noticed Twilight by the door and waved.

"Did you bring Rainbow here to see me?" She asked.

Dash smirked, turning around as Twilight answered.

"She came here on her own, Scoots. Took ya that long to notice her, huh?"

"Then..." Scootaloo looked away, looking almost ashamed of what she was about to ask. "What're you doing here?"

The visit had taken a sudden, very sour turn.

"Hey, that's plain rude," Rainbow Dash said, gruffly. "Especially after last night's party. We were visiting and she decided to tag along, okay?"

"I'm used to seeing just you, Rainbow." Scootaloo replied as she looked up at Twilight, her eyes welling up, but not yet crying. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to be rude or anything."

Twilight had read about this in some of the library's psychology books. Scootaloo was probably feeling insecure, for a very good reason, so she was just trying to find a pattern to make her feel better. Twilight grinned, knowing even some adult ponies do that. She debated for a second what to say as Dash stood there stunned. Rainbow opened her mouth to speak:

"Hey, if you're not going to be like that, I can just-"

"Scootaloo," Twilight said, calmly but firmly. The filly looked over and even her idol fell silent. "It's been really crazy over the past few days and I'm just here to make sure all my friends are okay. I'm glad you and Rainbow are safe, and I'm perfectly fine with waiting outside if you want some one-on-one Rainbow-time. I know I'd probably want it with the Princess if I were in your place. Me and Rainbow still have much to talk about, and I don't expect your visit to be very short... so I don't want either of you to think about me getting bored out there because I'm perfectly capable of entertaining myself. I came here just to make sure that you're both okay and if that's what it takes to make you feel better... well, that really isn't asking all that much."

Rainbow's jaw dropped. Scootaloo's looked up at Twilight, smiling at her understanding of what was going on in her head better than she could ever possibly put into words.

"I'll take that as a hint to wait outside..." Twilight began to turn around, taking a step towards the door.

"Wait!" Scootaloo called out.

The Unicorn looked back:

"Yes?"

The filly smiled, meekly:

"You can stay.... I- I don't want you to go."

"Very well."

Twilight used her magic to pull up a chair near the door and sat in it. She noticed a comic on the dresser -- something Spike would probably have enjoyed better -- and picked it up, pretending to be absorbed in the juvenile material as not to appear intrusive. She kept an ear turned in their direction, however.

"Good save there, Squirt." Rainbow said, giving her protégé a noogie. She glanced back at Twilight. "It's a lot nicer in here than out in that hall, anyway... even if you went to the waiting room, I'd have to come looking for you and that'd be so boring because this hospital is so big, and-"

"Rainbow," Twilight said, again very sharply, but still smiling. "I'm not leaving this room. You don't have to explain anything to me, just enjoy Scootaloo's company."

Dash nodded, turning back to Scootaloo. Scootaloo smiled at Twilight again before turning to Rainbow. They resumed talking like nothing had ever happened.

Once the focus was off her, Twilight quietly sighed... her eyes blurring as she stared at the detailed drawings in the book. Her tears were hidden by just a handful of pages.

Why couldn't I have done that while Rarity was still here?

The visit went on for at least a half hour, maybe more. Twilight listened while Rainbow and Scootaloo interacted, nodding and smiling whenever she felt either of them looking her way. They tried to include her in their conversations, possibly just to be polite, but it was mostly about them and their own interests, and what they were going to do once everything was all over. Rainbow had always been about the moment, but she was focused on the future now. Twilight couldn't help but smile from behind the comic, feeling the love Rainbow was sharing with Scootaloo. She didn't once tell a tall tale or give her false hope... all would be okay in time, and that's all that mattered.

It came time to leave eventually. Rainbow smiled and nodded, saying Scootaloo would see her again soon, but for the time being:

"I have to get my shut-eye, Squirt. Gotta nap at least once a day, know what I mean?"

Scootaloo just nodded, accepting what Dash had to say without question. The workings of grown-up ponies -- especially Rainbow Dash -- were still a mystery to her, but that's part of what made Rainbow Dash so awesome.

Now Twilight and Rainbow were right outside the room, walking towards the elevator. Twilight glanced back occasionally to see where Dash was. After the Pegasus had taken a few steps she slowed way down. Within twenty feet of the elevator, she stopped completely.

"You okay, Rainbow?" Twilight asked.

Dash slowly undid the tie on her robe, and looked up at Twilight... biting her lip.

"Twilight... check my bandages, 'kay? Make sure I'm not bleeding or oozing, or anything gross."

The Unicorn approached with a smile, though felt a bit nervous about what she might find, her magic helped gently pull the disguise off yet another friend's wounds.

Rainbow's barrel and left flank were covered in bandages, in an area a much larger than Pinkie Pie's. Twilight could barely see the tips of Rainbow's cutie mark. Both her wings were blackened... up tight against her body, they looked small. The Unicorn inspected the injury carefully, not touching or moving any of the carefully placed bandages. She saw some specks of blood coming through the middle by Dash's stomach. It looked fresh.

"Yup. I see blood." Twilight declared, "but only just a bit."

"Just great." Dash groaned in frustration, stamping her hoof. "It kinda hurts when they change the bandages... I was hoping it would at least last until tonight. Hopefully it'll be okay."

Twilight helped Dash put her bathrobe back on and neatened it up.

"Scootaloo hugged you a little too hard, didn't she?"

Rainbow nodded.

"It really, really hurt."

"It just means she loves you. If you're going to go around covering yourself up like that, you can't expect her to even possibly understand what happened."

"Wait... you're saying I should show her this?"

Twilight stopped, thinking for a second.

"Part of me says yes, part of me says no. I think you should be honest with her... tell her that you were hurt, but you're okay now. Then if she asks, show her. But I don't think you should do it today."

"I think I can do that."

The two started back towards the elevator. Twilight let Rainbow Dash go in first. Again, it was empty.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about, Twilight?" Asked Dash as the door closed.

"I just wanted to assure you that Scootaloo's going to be safe," replied the Unicorn, confidently. "Everything is under control."

"That's just what I wanted to hear."

"I know, Rainbow." Twilight giggled. "I know you've been losing sleep over this... and now that it's all taken care of, you don't have to worry about anything anymore. I don't want to see you hurting."

Rainbow smiled as the door opened.

"It's nice to know that even though I lost everything, I still have something, and that's pretty good." She walked passed her friend, who exited the elevator with her. "Thanks, Twilight."

"It's no problem."

Twilight and Rainbow walked the halls again. In the past half hour it had emptied some. There were still a few nurses walking back and forth and the odd patient in a wheel chair or on crutches.

"This is a full ward," commented Twilight as they made it to Dash's room. "Is there anything else you need before I go?"

"What?" Dash smiled cockily, backing up into her room . "Leaving already?"

"I've got a big day ahead of me, Rainbow."

"Yeah, yeah... lots of egg-head stuff." The Pegasus yawned, leaning against her bed. "I'm just giving you a hard time. Thanks for coming and all."

"You're welcome." Twilight smiled. "Rest up, Rainbow. I'll see you tomorrow."

The two looked at each other as Twilight approached the door. Dash smiled.

"Yeah, yeah. See you when I see you."

Twilight exited the room, heading down the hall towards the elevator. Pushing the button, the door flew right open, empty as it had been. Twilight stepped right inside. The door closed up tight.

Rubbing her temples, the purple Unicorn finally let out a huge sigh. It felt divine.

Now that that's over with, it's time to see Cranky.

The door dinged open and standing there was none other than the aging donkey himself, wearing his blonde toupée.

Twilight was almost enough in her own world to not have seen him. Their eyes met. He smiled slightly... happy to see a familiar face.

"Hello there Twilight," Cranky said, somewhat quietly, yet with warm affection. "Come from seeing Pinkie?"

"And Rainbow Dash," Twilight replied as the donkey stepped in and she stepped out. "Come to see her as well?"

"Of course," the donkey replied, as the door began to close. "Both Pinkie and Matilda."

Twilight's rear hoof shot straight out, barely catching the door in time.

"Wait, what?"

Cranky sighed... knowing this might take a while.

"Matilda got hurt last night, Twilight. We were helping fill the buckets to put out that fire when some idiotic, black mare knocked us over and Matilda landed the wrong way. Now her hind leg's been fractured. Dr. Stable told me it's probably going to mean a few months in bed. She's no a Spring chicken, that's for sure... well, not that she ever was a chicken to begin with, but you know what I mean." He put a hoof to the back of his neck. "Guess Pinkie's kind of rubbing off on me. Helps sometimes to joke when you're really worried."

"I- I was going to talk to you about Scootaloo later today," Twilight barely stammered out. "I guess I figured when you came back down, but now I don't know."

"Matilda and I would still love to take Scootaloo in someday, but we can't commit ourselves right now. I've no idea what all this is going to entail, and Matilda's really the only one with experience watching fillies. While I can make her food and provide the roof, I know I couldn't possibly keep up with her. We can't in good conscience take on something we're not prepared for. I'm sorry Twilight, but I don't want to end up like Apple Jack almost did."

A beat of sweat ran down the Unicorn's cheek. Her brow twitched.

"I'm sorry if this comes off as pushy, Cranky," Twilight began, her face blank, "but does that mean definite no? If you can't answer now, I understand. No pressure."

"Until Matilda's better, unfortunately it does mean no. I can't acclimate myself to Scootaloo and care for Matilda at the same time. I hope you'll understand."

The Unicorn lowered her head, walking slowly away from the elevator.

"It's okay, Cranky... I just have to think up a new plan now."

"I'll let you know if things change!"

Twilight left the donkey where he stood, her head down and nodding slightly. Cranky watched her walk off with a look of concern in his eye, up to when the doors shut and all he could hear was elevator music as he was sped up towards the adult ward. He sighed and shook his head, not that it would do anypony any good.