The Grey Room

Doctor Caramel adjusted his glasses for the eight time. He was nervous, extremely nervous. Usually when he gets like that, Nurse redheart had some comforting words but she was equally nervous. They had every reason to, Princess Celestia herself was coming to visit the Ponyville Mental Asylum. While there were plenty of hospitals and clinics across Equestria they only were a hoof-full (pardon the pun) of mental institutions.Most ponies lived peacefully with each other and never bothered to wonder the mysterious inside of the pony mind and the illness that could affect it. Doctor Caramel had been working in a thesis for what he called the Cutie Mark Failure Syndrome for quite some years and a small egotistical part of him wanted to show his work to the Princess but he knew better.

The chariot landed and the Sun Bringer descended. Glorious, majestic, always royal; Princess Celestia was the beaming sun walking among ponies. her sole presence was enough to comfort them and clear their heads. But as the Princess approached, Doctor Caramel noticed a small disturbance on her face, a small clear sign of sadness. His professional side took the best of him and he forgot proper protocol, earning a kick from Nurse Redheart. Princess Celestia didn't mind at all and saluted her subjects.

Since it was the Princess's first visit, Doctor Caramel had prepared a full speech about the institution, detailing its history, the methods and instruments used on patients and so on. The Princess politely listened to every word, just interrupting to give small compliments. Then a loud crash came from the hallways as a barking pony came running to them. Doctor Caramel cursed out loud, Screw Loose was always a problem whenever she set free. He was about to order some sedatives when the electric blue mare stopped on her tracks, looking like a confused and lost puppy. Princess Celestia gently smiled and extended a hoof, caressing the poor mare head. For a split second, Doctor Caramel thought he saw a glimpse of sanity like the former personality of the mare had returned; but he knew that was impossible. Screw Loose was beyond conventional medicine, her mind destroyed by Poison Joke years ago. The Princess´ pupil had brought the zebra once for assistance but she only managed to calm her down a little, allowing a good night sleep for her for once.

While Doctor Caramel ordered for Screw Loose to be returned to her room and to increase security, the Princess attention shifted to another room. One room that was never opened. Doctor Caramel approached the Princess and saw an unique expression of hers, one that mixed fear, distrust and anger all together. The pink and purple mare inside the cell giggled. She was always laughing or making silly faces but despite her cheerful personality, all the nurses were afraid of her and refused to enter the room. They said that being near her was like succumbing to madness as well, the air smelling of cotton candy. Screwball giggled again, albeit more threatening and began to hum a song with a familiar eurobeat tone. The Princess had enough and asked to be lead to the one room she needed to visit.

Doctor Caramel guided the Princess to the far end of the hospital, to the oldest and darker area where no sounds were heard, all patients quiet. He unlocked the magical locks and allowed the Princess access to the dark grey room. The mare inside didn't react, her deflated dull mane covering the left side of her face. Princess Celestia placed one hoof inside the room and instantly her radiant mane lost all color, becoming a flat and dull tone of pink. Even her pristine white coat was darker. Doctor Caramel had never suspected that the room could affect even a princess. The room responded to the feeling of the patient, it was a dark and uncaring area where no sound was heard, where no light was shed, where no magic was alive. And there was one only one explanation for such a terrifying phenomenon...

Pinkamena Diane Pie had stopped laughing.