Never Stop Smiling
No one came to visit her in the hospital. Ever. It was understandable though…
Applejack was away in Appleloosa helping Braeburn tend to a possibility of the land growing too dry for their trees, the result of little rain in the region. Rarity had gone to Fillydelphia to work out a dressing deal with a possible client. Rainbow Dash had her dutiful role as a Wonderbolt back in Cloudsdale. Poor Fluttershy was buried hoof-deep in chores around the cottage. And Pinkie…
“Knock knock.” The knocking of a hoof against Twilight’s hospital room door grabbed her attention from the window she looked out of as she reminisced. She was even surprised that the nurses were awake and making their rounds so early.
“Come in,” Twilight called out to the nurse, turning back to the window and pulling the covers up to her chin. It looked beautiful out as usual, not a cloud left behind by the weather patrol. But, being a little shy of the nurses, Twilight dared didn’t ask to be wheeled out into the courtyard. At least I can have some company for five minutes…
The door clicked open, but no hoofsteps could be heard. In Twilight’s mind, the nurse had only popped the door open for quicker access. It was a major let-down. As if there were anything to begin with…
“Hi Twilight!” Pinkie sprung up from underneath her bed.
“P-Pinkie!” Twilight gasped as she pulled the bed sheets from atop her head, “What are you doing here?”
The pink Earth pony sat down as if this were going to be just another friendly chat, her usual smile gracing her muzzle. “I came here to visit you, silly.”
Twilight was surprised she was even in town to begin with. It seemed that everypony else in their clique had all decided to leave on the same day. Planned deliberately? No way. Accidental time overlaps seemed to be the culprit here. But that didn’t solve the mystery of how Pinkie Pie even found out she was here. “Pinkie, how in the wide, wide world of Equestria did you know I was here?”
Pinkie could only giggle. “Aren’t you forgetting about our little baby dragon?”
Wow. How could she have forgotten about Spike this entire time? He was the one that found her keeled over her study table when he came home from gem hunting with Rarity a few nights ago. Luck was on her side the day she hatched him, she thought. Not many ponies could say that they had a friend like Spike, given that he was a dragon on top of being the most helpful assistant any student of magic could ask for.
“Oh, silly me…” Twilight rubbed the back of her head. Nervous as she was, the presence of Pinkie made her feel at ease. The last few nights had been cold and lonely, especially since Spike had to tend to the library on his own and keep Celestia up-to-date on her condition. The cheeriness of Pinkie was just what she needed.
“I’m just super glad that you’re alright.” Pinkie sighed contently as she reached up onto the hospital cot to hug her best friend. Twilight felt the warmth of her forelegs wrapping around her shoulders as they gently embraced, making her feel fuzzy on the inside. But more importantly, she felt as if she were at home.
“Thank you Pinkie.” The Unicorn buried her muzzle into her friend’s shoulder. The undeniable smile that she had was the one piece that’d been missing these last few days. The weight of disappointment started to float away like the stars that rose into the night sky that Princess Luna brought forth, replaced by a sense of comfort and a bond that couldn’t be undone. “Thank you so much…”
Pinkie couldn’t help but squeal as she held tighter into Twilight. “It’s not a problem, Twilight. A Pie would never leave a friend behind!”
Twilight couldn’t help but giggle with a smile. It had been a long time since she heard Pinkie speak of her family name, but it was refreshing nonetheless. The talk about her hospital stay with the nurses grew idle and monotonous after the first day. Next time, I’ll be sure to eat more instead of doing overnight studies. Hopefully that would be the last time she would pass out from not eating enough.
“So, whatcha got planned for today?” Pinkie said, releasing the hug and settling her upper half on the edge of the bed. Twilight looked to the window, seeing a trio of Pegasi flying by underneath the rising sun. How they managed to keep the clouds at bay for an extra day baffled her, especially since the weather reports had called for rain. Never mind that though. If Pinkie was here to spend time with her, she wanted to make the most out of the accidental benefit.
“I was actually hoping to go outside,” Twilight pointed her hoof at the window. When Pinkie turned around to look, her jaw slacked a little. In her mind, the small frame of the world was drop-dead gorgeous. Combined with the warmth of the sunrays that seemed to stay just out of reach other Twilight, Pinkie was more than convinced that taking Twilight outside was a great way to start off a day with her.
“Sure, lemme go get you a wheelchair!” Next thing the Unicorn knew, the Earth pony had bolted out of the room and to Celestia knows where. She didn’t need a wheelchair to begin with, but she admired Pinkie’s willingness to help her nonetheless. And just as fast as Pinkie had left the room, she returned. “Old Stallion Jalopy said we could borrow his wheelchair for the day!”
Twilight couldn’t help but blush under her lavender cheeks. She adored Pinkie for her ability of knowing everypony in the town, as well as her charismatic skills. If she were to try and haggle, let alone borrow, something for a day, most ponies would’ve turned her down. But for Pinkie, everypony seemed to find it in their hearts to let a happy little mare borrow their bits or cart even. The wheelchair looked very comfortable though, and she was in no rush to be walking around anytime soon. Call it milking, but she couldn’t turn down Pinkie’s kindness. “How kind of him!”
“I know right?” Pinkie giggled and wheeled it next to the cot. “Come on, time’s a wastin!”
Twilight nodded and flipped the covers off herself before clambering down into the big wheelchair. When her coat touched the plush fabric of the seat and backing, she felt a lot more comfortable than laying in the bed. “Ready when you are.” She rested her head back and clasped her hooves together on her stomach.
“Here we go!” Pinkie whirled the chair around and it was off to the races. The doors and corridors whizzed by as they made their way to the back of the hospital. Earth ponies are sure speedy, Twilight thought quietly. The speed didn’t bother her one bit though. In the hooves of Pinkie Pie, anything could be trusted.
Soon, the two of them were out in the courtyard, breathing in the fresh air of the beautiful Equestrian morning. She couldn’t stop thinking about that. Beauty. Freedom. Happiness.
The courtyard was pretty bland, given that it belonged to the hospital. However, there was a majestic fountain that was partially surrounded by rose bushes and a well-worn dirt path. How such a piece of sculpture could be here of all places was beyond her. But sometimes, she just needed to not question things that had a clear purpose of being there. Like the lonely park bench just aching to have ponies sit on it.
“It’s wonderful,” Twilight said as she looked up into the bright blue yonder. The sound of the wheelchair’s wheels rolling along the dirt was comforting and added to the majesty of the moment. If this had been any different, the scratching of grains and pebbles would’ve drove her mad.
“It sure is,” Pinkie nodded as she stopped the wheelchair near the bench. Twilight looked to her pink companion, questioning her with a surprised look as she stepped in front of her and held her hoof out. “Come on.”
Twilight was skeptical at first, but she found her hoof making it’s way to Pinkie’s. She managed a smile as she was pulled onto her hind legs, her hospital gown draping down her flanks. It was oversized for her, so the bottom dragged ever so slightly against the ground. But it wouldn’t matter for long. The two soon seated themselves on the bench next to one another.
The sound of the water breaking into itself accented the countryside atmosphere as they sat in silence. It was peaceful, but Twilight held her breath. For one reason or another, she felt as if… She was invading Pinkie’s personal space. But she didn’t seemed to be bothered by the fact. Still, maybe she was too busy staring into the water fountain to care, honestly. It was still nice though, being so close to a friend. She surmised that enough time had passed in the hospital that she longed for somepony to be near her.
Pinkie did that job with perfection.
Twilight let out a soft yawn as she leaned back into the bench and nestled herself into Pinkie’s shoulder. Even with the sleep that she got, her brain said that she needed rest. She couldn’t blame herself either. Right now, Pinkie looked calm and collected. A small smile graced her pink muzzle as she turned towards Twilight.
“You okay?”
“Yes, Pinkie. I’m quite alright.” Twilight smiled and closed her eyes, a small breathe escaping her afterwards. The Earth pony shrugged softly and put her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, leaning her head on top of hers as they listened to the sound of the trickling water fountain in the morning daze. “Thank you, Pinkie…”
For everything.
The water fountain still trickled. The rose bushes were long overdue on a trimming. And the dirt path that led to this all had become a muddy haven of potholes. The rain was new to the scene, but something else had been added over the time.
It had been added on the edge of the roundabout some time ago. Polished. Gleaming. Beautiful.
The lone headstone had been placed here long after her visit to Ponyville General Hospital, the place of oversized hospital gowns and windows that didn’t let the sun shine in on the patients left to wither under their bedsheets. From the park bench, Twilight could see the glimmer of three balloons among the grey stone. Underneath it, big, black letters inscribed ‘Pinkamena Diane Pie’ into the stone, along with the circa ‘67 LR’.
Twilight knew this designation. Luna’s Return marked the new era in Equestria after her thousand year banishment. Has it really been this long?
Twilight’s eyes began to well up as memories of her friends began to surface.
Applejack had been laid to rest in the western orchard of Sweet Apple Acres next to Big Mac and Granny Smith, leaving Applebloom to lead the farm. Rarity was buried back in Baltimare with her parents. Rainbow Dash was given a military funeral and buried in Canterlot Cemetery, the premiere grave location of many of Equestria’s war heroes. Fluttershy had herself laid to rest atop Smokey Mountain, which was now guarded by Spike. And Pinkie...
“Twilight?”
Her purple irises rose to the water fountain, watching as it still ran amidst the rainfall. She thought she was alone in the place that only her and Pinkie ever strolled out to each Sunday. This was her slice of the old life. Who dare intrude on such sentimental mourning grounds?
“Twilight, what are you doing here all alone?”
Twilight had enough of this intruder. She whipped her head around with a stare that could kill anypony within a thousand yards. She soon wished that she hadn’t either.
“T… Twilight…”
The tears came back in droves as she hung her head over the back of the bench. Not only was she crying over the fact that she’d been reminded even more about Pinkie Pie, but she’d probably just given her ‘Big Sister Best Friend Forever’ the meanest glare in the history of Equestria. “I-I’m sorry!” Twilight choked out between her sobs.
“It’s okay, Twilight.” Cadence approached her sister-in-law. To see her crying like this broke her heart, especially since she’d seen it on five different occasions.
“H… How did you know I was here?” Twilight looked up to Cadance through her bloodshot eyes.
“You’ve been here multiple times with Pinkie since…” Cadance dared didn’t mention the deaths of her sister’s friends. It would only make the situation worse for the both of them and bring unneeded grief. “Once I got news of her, I boarded the next train to Ponyville.”
The duties of being Princesses often kept Twilight and Cadence apart more often than they liked, but both of them cared for one another like their other halves did for them. The essence of Shining Armor and Pinkie Pie would live in the two of them for as long as the universe allowed them immortality.
“I thought I’d finally be able to cope with the death of a loved one, but…” Twilight’s head dug down to hide her painful regret. She should’ve never fell in love with her, especially if the pain of losing her was going to hurt this much. Cadance reached a hoof to Twilight’s chin and lifted her head up to meet her eye-to-eye.
“Do you want to know what Shining told me?” She asked her sad-strucken sister. Twilight nodded in her hoof, swallowing hard and choking back yet another sob. Cadance breathed before beginning. “When he was lying there on that bed, barely able to move… That once strong and handsome stallion that you have every right in calling your brother… He held my hoof in his and pulled me to his chest…”
She had to stop for a minute and gather herself. The smell of hospitals would never leave her nostrils, not even to this day. “He was on the verge of dying… Yet he still felt the need to hug me close and…”
Cadance was tearing up with Twilight. They’d been in the room together the day they had to say goodbye to him. “He said… D-Don’t cry because it’s over…”
Cadance was biting her lip to the point that she could draw blood. The simplicity of his words… His last, ragged breaths of life… And he managed to say a phrase that’d stick with her for the rest of time.
“Smile because it happened…”
The imagery of all the moments spent with their special somepony soon flooded their minds in waves of emotion and pent-up grief. The Wedding in Canterlot… The Grand Galloping Gala… Saving the Crystal Empire… Defeating Discord… It all came back in a flash of lightning high above.
Twilight was choking on more tears as Cadance brought her head down to nuzzle her forehead. “They both love you very much, Twilight. Never forget that.”
Her warm touch reminded her very much of the Pinkie she grieved for. Out of the Three Princesses, Cadance was the one to come to her aid. No matter if Celestia was busy teaching her next young pupil, or if Luna was visiting another city to preside over delegations. She was the touch she longed for. She was the touch that she needed.
Twilight closed her eyes and imagined that day she’d come to see her in this dreadful place. She imagined the pink pony that hugged her for the sake of cheering her up. She imagined speeding down the corridors. She imagined the pony that she snuggled into that beautiful morning.
She imagined the pair of lips that kissed her forehead, letting her know that they’d never leave her alone again. I miss you, Pinkie…
