Twilight, Applejack, Spike and Zecora entered the hospital to great the rest of the large group that were patiently waiting in the reception. It wasn't long before Zecora disappeared once again with Applebloom in toe making their way towards Pinkie Pie's room in the hospital, after confirming it was room 301. Twilight, Applejack and Spike simply regrouped with the rest of the ponies waiting to see Pinkie Pie.

Twilight also noticed, much to her relief, that Rainbow Dash appeared to be in a much better mood this morning. Fluttershy was sat by Rarity, Scootaloo by Sweetie Belle, who were in turn by Rainbow Dash. It was like the ponies were split up into their own private conversations. In truth, they were.

Twilight and Spike joined up with Rarity and Fluttershy, whilst Applejack joined up with the remainder. Twilight, ever the wise leader soon had them all gathered into one group

***

Pinkie Pie lay on her bed. The feeling of boredom would usually be kicking in by now, but no. Boredom was long forgotten. She found herself in a neck brace, several tunes protruding from her forelegs, leading to various bags, which she was told were used to feed her. She also had a urinary catheter installed. She was completely helpless. Yet for some reason she felt at least slightly grateful to be alive. She knew her second chance was a gift and not a right.

She had requested whoever brought her to the hospital to be the first to pay her a visit. Yet still no pony had come by. She doubted her near lifeless shell cut itself down from the tree and simply walked to the hospital one's near dead body does not simply walk to the hospital she thought. She must have been saved from death, but she still didn't know who by, and at the rate things were going, she began to doubt shed find out. This doubt turned slowly into downright misery. Perhaps they hated her for what she did.

When Pinkie Pie was clutching on to the last shreds of hope, she heard hoof steps approaching the door, followed by the door it's self opening.

***

Zecora and Applebloom made their way from the waiting room, where they left the remaining ponies to be the first of Pinkie Pie's requested visitors. Much of the walk was taken in silence. Both of them dreading what might follow for different reasons.

Zecora, for the most parts, preferred the Zebraic ways of healing. Only in extremely dire circumstances would she visit a hospital. She simply didn't agree with their modern methods. Pinkie Pie's case far exceeded dire. In fact, in Pinkie Pie's condition, it was imperative that she got to the hospital. In cases such as this, there was very little Zebraic methods could do.

Applebloom just dreaded seeing a pony that was close-knit with every pony else, a pony that was usually strong enough to keep every pony smiling looking so helpless. It was still beyond the young mare. Many things were. Why Pinkie Pie disappeared for a start, why Pinkie Pie would try and end her own life, why she often heard Applejack blame herself. As much as she dreaded the whole ordeal, she hoped maybe she could at least get some answers.

All to soon the young mare and zebra reached the room they so much dreaded, and wished they didn't have to enter. The dreaded room 301. Gingerly, the younger of the two opened the door. Applebloom knew she would be greeted by an unpleasant sight, but she couldn't have prepared herself for actually seeing it.

There lay the faded pink mare, looking weak and helpless. Various tubes inserted into her forelegs, and another tube leading into her "intimate area", she was also extremely thin. She was lay on her back, and with the neck brace she had on, it looked like their was very little choice than to remain in that position.

Pinkie Pie did try to take a look at her visitors, but was extremely restricted. What made it worse for Applebloom was when Pinkie Pie actually spoke. "Can you come closer, I can't see you because of this stupid thing." In exchange for the usual cheery tone that was Pinkie Pie's voice, the words were spoke in a dry and empty tone. Her voice was almost haunting.

Without question, and only a shared glance of concern, Applebloom and Zecora made her way towards the side of the bed, also noticing her mane was flat and faded, where Pinkie Pie could get a better look. "Applebloom? Zecora?" she said, this was meant to be an expression of shock, however, her dead voice did very little to show it. Neither Applebloom nor Zecora could find the correct words to say. So Pinkie Pie carried on "I'm so sorry you had to see what you saw. I didn't mean for any pony to find me, but I'm glad you did. Really, Thankyou, you two saved my life."

"Now that's quite ok Pinkie Pie, but what we need to understand is why?" responded Zecora.

Pinkie Pie thought about telling them the truth. It was the least she could do for them, but she didn't want to cause any trouble. After all, she did run off because of one of her savior's kin. So instead of telling the the full truth, she opted to give them the foundations. "I ran off because I'm a silly filly who fell in love, I just wanted to take a break and get away from them to loose the feelings, but I never lost them. Then after over three years, a friend visits me, and i push them away"

Applebloom was next to speak "did yah ever tell 'um how yah felt?"

"yes. It was a mistake"

"why was it a mistake if'n yah don't mind me askin'. Ah thought love was meant ta be a happy thing."

Pinkie Pie thought briefly on how was best to explain it "You're still young yet, you have changed since lot since I last saw you, but there are still things you may be to young to fully understand. Love isn't always those pony tales we are told about how the colt always gets the mare. It's a lot harder than that"

The young mare, eager to try and get more answers decided to ask "how so in your case?"

"well...." Pinkie Pie had to think of how best to explain this to a younger mare. Sure she was a bit grown up, but she didn't know how to explain anything, based on what Granny Smith may or may not have told her about. She assumed it would be Granny Smith who taught her all the love stuff anyway "...I don't know how much you know, but sometimes a mare doesn't want a stallion. Sometimes that mare thinks another mare might better understand her. It can be the other way round with two stallions, but that's me, I'm into mares. But sometimes, the mare or in your case, young stallion will do things to hurt you. Such as lying. That's what happened"

Applebloom's next words surprised Pinkie Pie "Actually, ah hope you'll keep this secret, but ah was in a relationship with Sweetie Belle, but we ended on mutual agreement. Ah don't think Applejack an' Rarity would have took to well to it. But ah like stallions aswell. Please don't say anythin'. Other'n the three of us, no pony knows. Ah told Zecora and she's kept it quiet."

Zecora simply nodded before deciding to speak "It gladdens me to see you're ok, but now I must be on my way." With that the zebra left the room leaving Applebloom alone with Pinkie Pie.

Applebloom saw this as a chance to ask a question that was bugging her "If yah don't wanna answer this, yah don't have to, but do mah sister or Rainbow have anythin' to do with ya runnin' away? Cause they seem the worse off outta every pony."

Pinkie Pie didn't know how to tackle this question. While she very much doubted she would see Applejack in the same light, and she doubted the two would be close friends again, the last thing she wanted to do was to cause a rift between family "I don't know how to say this but, it was Applejack I liked, but she didn't do this to me, I did it to myself. Don't let it impact your family. About Dashie, I really don't know why she feels bad. I think she hates me. I pushed her away." Although it seemed impossible, Pinkie Pie deflated upon saying this.

Applebloom wanted to be very wary about how she asked any question she had in mind. Much less the most important one "do yah think yah can forgive er fer it, she really feels might' bad bout it all"

"Well, if she in waiting, send her in, we can talk about it. No promises though"

Author's Notes:

Well. Here's the new chapter. Earlier than anticipated. I had a lot less to do today that I thought I did.

I'm not saying the "Lord Of The Rings" reference within this chapter is obvious, but yeah, it's pretty hard to miss to be honest (unless you haven't seen the films, or more specifically, the fellowship of the ring)

So, it looks like Pinkie Pie will be facing up to Applejack in the next chapter. This could really be most interesting indeed. Next chapter will still be next Wednesday (at the latest, possibly sooner). But for now, enjoy