What, did you think I was going to just end it there? LOLNO. There's still so much to do! Think of Chapter 17a to be something similar to a "bonus chapter." Sorta like what Coal Buck does in "My Second Life." Great story by the way, you guys should totally read it. OK! BACK TO THE STORY!

We waited.

And waited.

And waited.

She was still stable, but she wasn't waking up. I was starting to get worried. "What if she doesn't wake up? And what caused her to stabilize? Did they use healing magic to force her internal injuries to heal? Are there spells like that?" I think too much.

"Bit for your thoughts, Shadow?" Rainbow Dash sat down on a chair next to me.

"I'm just wondering what caused that little miracle. Not that I'm complaining."

She smirked a bit. "Well, who knows. All we know is, she's alright. I'm glad for you both. She actually talks about you a lot when she's with us. But I guess she would, you ARE her coltfriend." I chuckled a little bit.

"I just hope she wakes up soon. As soon as she does, I'm giving her the biggest kiss a stallion could ever give." I blushed a little bit, and it was clear as day on my black coat. But hey, can you really blame me for wanting to do that?

"Heh. You get her, buddy." She gave me a pat on the back, but quickly yanked her hoof away. "Oh! I'm sorry!"

"Nah, it's alright." I smiled at her. She patted my back, and I felt my skin crawl a little, but then it started to feel normal. I was slowly getting over my fears. "Still... I DO wonder what the heck that miracle was all about. I hate it when I can't make sense of things."

"Then how are you dating Pinkie? You should be frustrated beyond belief!"

"You see, Rainbow, she's different. I understand her... Sorta." Rainbow nodded in understanding.

"Well, don't you worry. She'll be fine. She's Pinkie Pie, after all." She stood back up and headed out into the hallway, most likely to go find something to eat or drink. It's been a few hours since they got here.

"I hope so... I wonder if this really is a miracle. What if she never wakes up?" I shoved that thought out of my head in an instant. "No! Don't think like that... She'll pull through... I know it."

"And I know it too, my little pony." WHAT? I jumped out of my chair and spun around, and standing right in front of me was... Was...

"Princess Celestia?!" I scrambled for a second and then dropped into a bow, as did everypony else.

She chuckled a bit. "You may rise, young one. So... You're Shadow Weaver, the one Twilight has told me about in her letters?" I shot Twilight a glance, and she smiled sheepishly.

"Yes, your majesty. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see how you are doing. I've been told of all of your hardships, and I am deeply sorry for everything you've been through. When I was informed that Pinkie Pie was in the hospital, I checked in on her telepathically, and what I saw terrified me. She was dying. So, with a little bit of magic..."

"You saved her..." I dropped my jaw.

"Yes, I did. I knew that she didn't deserve it, and that you didn't need anymore pain or suffering in your life. She will wake up soon, but I thought that I should come and tell you all this." She gave me a warm, motherly smile.

"Princess... I- I don't know how to thank you... I-I feel so h-happy right now..." I wiped my eyes. I was crying out of sheer joy knowing that Pinks was going to come out of all of this OK.

"Don't thank me. I've just done what was right. It's my duty as Princess. I can't just make all of your problems go away, even though I really wish I could, but I can help you."

"No, you've done enough, Princess. I have to deal with everything else myself." I gave her a big, toothy smile, trying to imitate Pinks. This got a stifled giggle from Celestia. "So don't worry about me. But seriously, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this." I gestured to Pinks, and Celestia gave me an understanding nod.

"You're welcome. I have to go now, Shadow, but it was wonderful meeting you. I hope I get to see you again. Goodbye." And with a flash of light, she was gone.

"She saved Pinkie Pie..." Twilight looked back at the bed, and then to me. "I'm so glad I told her about you..." Then, I did something really out of character: I gave her a hug.

"Twilight, you have no idea how much this means to me. You may not have known it, but you saved Pinks' life... And probably mine. I have no idea what I would have done if she hadn't made it. You're the best friend I could ever ask for..." I started crying again, something I seem to have been doing a lot of lately.

"It's alright, Shadow..." She rubbed the back of my head. "I'm glad I wrote that letter too. I guess I inadvertently saved Pinkie's life... That's something to put in a friendship report, alright." She laughed a little bit, and I broke the hug.

"Heh. Yeah... I wonder what she's gonna do when she wakes up?"

"Ah' bet she'll end up throwin' some big party, then gettin' all touchy-feely with you." Applejack elbowed me in the ribs playfully, and I blushed a bit.

"Ha ha, very funny."

Then, we heard a rustling come from Pinks' bed.