The hospital was bustling with activity. It was the afternoon rush after all. Mid-day had not long passed, meaning the nurse ponies were doing their rounds of food, vital checking and medication. Ponies of all ages and kinds were moving around in the hallways, either going visit to, or leaving their friends or family. Among the crowd were Twilight Sparkle, with Spike walking closely aside.

Truth be told, this made Twilight feel uncomfortable. She was here to visit a friend. This would ideally show the droves of ponies she passed that she was an ordinary pony, immortal Princess aside. However, every-pony she passed insisted on stopping everything just to bow down and pay her respect. This would be an ordinary ponies dream, however, Twilight was always modest about her role. She was over the worst of it though, it was a lot worse when her best friends insisted on using her title and bowing all the time. She wanted to still be known as a friend to the five ponies and Spike.

The aforementioned dragon just took the whole journey through the corridors in his stride. He wasn't getting as much attention as his elder adopted sister, but he was comfortable with that, besides, out of the two companions, despite his younger age, Spike was the more rational one. He would not let such a small issue as getting too much attention bother him when there were larger concerns, namely, Pinkie Pie, or more specifically, her well being.

As the duo reached the door to Pinkie Pie's room, the both took a second in silent agreement to prepare their selves for the worst, before slowly entering the room. Another thing Twilight Sparkle was dreading. Twilight Sparkle had an idea that would potentially help Pinkie Pie, but she knew there was only a very small chance Pinkie Pie would accept. Despite her friend's dire situation, she resolved not to force it on her, but to do her best to convince her.

The purple alicorn decided to make her and Spike's presence known, "Hello, Pinkie, how are you doing," she said.

Pinkie Pie appeared to try and move to look up. However, her ever constricting neck brace prevented her from doing so, "Oh hey Twilight, hey Spike if you're there, stupid thing around my neck stopping me looking up. I'm ok, just feeling a bit miserable. It's my own fault though."

"hey Pinkie," replied the young dragon, his voice cracking. There was definitely something wrong with him. Pinkie Pie and Twilight both noticed this. Despite knowing exactly what was wrong, and the questions that were impending, the former decided to do the best she could to be a good friend.

"What's wrong Spike?" asked the faded pink mare.

"Why did you do it, Pinkie? We all thought you were dead. We thought we lost a true friend," replied the dragon. This earned him a slight glare from Twilight that no pony - or dragon - noticed. However, she internally told her self off. Spike did have a good point.

"come over here Spike, I want to see you while I tell you this," requested Pinkie Pie. Surely pike obeyed her command and stood to the left side of Pinkie Pie. Twilight soon followed suit. The faded Pink mare turned her head to face the duo, before speaking again, "By Celestia, Spike, you really have grown since I last saw you."

It was true. Spike was a lot bigger now. He was still relatively small, compared to other dragons, but he was a lot bigger now than he was when Pinkie Pie was last around. He still had his - As Rarity would say - adorable chubby cheeks though, but in addition, he had grown a small part of wings that were proportionate to his height and girth, as well as this, his scales had taken on a more jagged form compared to his more-rounded scales that Pinkie Pie remembered. "Anyway, I suppose you deserve an explanation. I ran away because I thought it was the best thing to do. I was a foal in love, and because I was rejected and lied to, I thought getting away would ease the pain. I wanted to come back, I honestly tried as well, but the feelings never died. When I first ran away, I never intended it to be this bad. It just happened. I guess despite the rejection, despite the lies, I was the one being silly in the end. I'm really sorry to every pony who lost a friend, and family. I really wish I could go back and change it."

Spike was a bit curious about something, "the pony who rejected you, will you ever forgive them?"

Pinkie Pie had to craft a response for this. She knew Twilight knew everything, but she didn't know what Spike knew. She didn't want to cause any trouble. If she said it was Applejack, that might cause problems between Spike and Applejack, if she said the pony that rejected her had already been, there would be a twenty five percent chance Spike would think it was Applejack, possibly causing problems with two ponies or a zebra that were nothing to do with it She was on the spot. So despite her elaborate planning, she had to say, "I don't know, maybe one day."

Twilight decided to speak now, "I think that's something we need to speak about alone Pinkie, there are a few things actually. Spike, if you wouldn't mind. I need a moment with Pinkie."

Spike was obviously displeased with this, however, as usual, he obeyed his elder sisters wishes. "Well ok, see ya soon Pinkie."

"Bye Spike," replied Pinkie Pie.

After the door was shut, Twilight took a few moments, just to ensure Spike would be out of ear shot before clearing her throat. "Now Pinkie, there are a few things I need to speak to you about. The first is AJ."

Once again, despite the impossible-seeming feat, Pinkie Pie deflated further again. "Go on," prompted Pinkie.

"I can't make the decision of forgiving her for you, but she genuinely feels bad for what happens, but she couldn't have meant for all this to happen. Like I said, I can't make this choice for you, but I think you should consider that when she says she is sorry, she means it. The time you were gone showed enough."

"I'm thinking about it. I still care about her, but not in the way I used to. I want to forget it all and move forward, but I just can't. Especially not while I'm still in here because of my own stupid mistakes."

"As long as you consider it, I can't ask any more. There is something else I needed to speak you you about. This is just a suggestion, I honestly don't want to do this, but I'm making this suggestion in your best interest. What I'm proposing is a bit of psychological help."

"you mean....." Pinkie Pie looked at Twilight, genuine fear taking over her expression.

"Yes Pinkie, a place to get mental help. I don't want to do this, but no pony wants to go through losing you again, and I doubt you want to go through your end of it again either. I haven't signed anything to make it official, I wanted you to decide."

Despite the fact that Twilight was right about not wanted to go through it all again. Pinkie Pie was insulted by what she was hearing. She however decided now was not the time for driving any of her friends away, she opted for neutrality in expression, tone and content of response. "I will think about that aswell. Thank you Twilight."

"Well," started Twilight, "there are still a load of ponies waiting to see you, so I'll take my leave now."

"Ok, thank you Twilight. Send in Fluttershy next if she's there"

"Will do Pinkie Pie. Goodbye for now"

"Goodbye Twilight"

With that the purple alicorn left the room. Mental Institute, my flank, thought Pinkie Pie

***

After visiting Pinkie Pie, Sending Fluttershy in, and returning to the library, Twilight decided now was as good a time as any to update Princess Celestia on things. However, this letter would have to be written by her own hand, and she would have to convince Spike to send it without reading it. Should be easy, thought Twilight.

***

Princess Celestia had been eagerly awaiting news on Pinkie Pie's condition, when a letter - most likely containing the update materialized right before her very eyes. The white alicorn used her magic to remove the binding and read the letter.

***

Dear Princess Celestia

So far today, Pinkie Pie has seen Applebloom, Zecora, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, and myself. When I saw her, she said she was feeling a little miserable which I suppose is understandable, everything considered.

I didn't pry for information on every pony else's visits, but I will inform you of the main parts of mine. Firstly, I tried to make Pinkie Pie see reason with Applejack. I have very little reason to believe Applejack wanted this to happen, in fact, I know she didn't. However, on this subject, Pinkie Pie told me she still cares about Applejack, which gives me hope.

Secondly, I think I may have upset her a bit. She didn't show it, but as soon as I said it, I regretted it, despite leaving the decision completely and wholly up to her. I suggested signing her up for institutional help. I had her best interest at heart, as well as every pony else's, but I don't know, I just can't shake the feeling I was a bit insensitive with that suggestion.

However, she is still in her neck brace, she's still on vital monitoring, although I believe they have put her on fewer readings due to her improvement, it's just an observation from having the charts catch my eye. She is still on feeding tubes as well as a catheter, but as I said, there is evidence available that she is improving. When I left, I sent Fluttershy in.

Also, I believe Rainbow Dash is holding her feelings for Pinkie Pie until the latter is completely better. Now I know there is a right and wrong time for things, but I think maybe I should help Rainbow Dash confess soon. If there is one thing This whole incident has taught me, it is that time is very precious. Anything can happen at any time. So why wait for things that can easily be done sooner.

I don't know Princess, though I think it can be expected, I think this whole affair has changed my perspective on many things.

You're faithful student
Twilight Sparkle

Author's Notes:

This is the first chapter I didn't write the night before upload. In fact, I wrote this the day after I uploaded the last chapter. Also, hopefully, Fluttershy's visit should be easy to write because I know exactly where I want to go with it.

Anyway, I do apologize for not replying to comments, I've been having some private life problems that I don't really want to speak about. Hopefully, I should start replying to comments, so long as they are possible to reply to. Enjoy this chapter.

Yeah also I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's episode, I won't give anything away, but it sounds really good.