You knock on the door to ICU room 3 in Ponyville Hospital. Sliding the glass door sideways, you squeeze yourself into the room just as a nurse is leaving. She shoots you a half-hearted smile as she takes off her face mask, carrying some plastic pieces of medical waste with her out of the room.

“Hey there, Twilight,” you speak through your paper mask, your breath washing back over your muzzle as you cringe at your friend’s sorry state. “...How are you holding up?”

Twilight’s eyes flutter open. She looks a mess; her mane is matted and sticking up in all directions, and her normally pristine face is marred by the presence of a nasal cannula for oxygen. “Hey,” she croaks out softly.

Tentatively, you approach the bedside and place a gentle hoof on hers. “I’m sorry that the flu got you. The doctors say you’re doing better though!”

Twilight nods weakly, her eyes fluttering shut briefly as she tries her best to scoot up the bed. She is only able to move a few inches before her eyes flutter open. “The doctors say that I’ll be transferred to a regular room tomorrow.”

“Hey, that’s great,” you say, making note of the EKG leads on her upper barrel and the large bore IV on her opposite foreleg. You gently squeeze her hoof.

“How does the data look?” she asks, managing to put on a weak grin.

You shake your head and chuckle at Twilight. “That’s one set of priorities you’ve got there, Twilight.”

She continues to grin at you, but merely raises an eyebrow in response.

You roll your eyes. “The data looks great. It’s top-tier publishable stuff.”

“Good,” she replies. “Good.” Inhaling deeply, she lets out a set of hacking coughs. “...Now I can die happy.”

You’re pretty sure Twilight can see you smile through your mask. “Oh, hush. I can’t help but feel responsible for you getting sick, Twilight.” In your mind, scenes of Twilight shivering alone in the train car flash threateningly.

“I don’t think you are,” she says, shaking her head reassuringly.

You certainly hope that’s the case.

“Besides,” she continues, winking at you, “Just like I told you, it was all very exciting!”

Proceed to Chapter 45.

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