Bittersweet Trails

"Ah, yes. Pinkie Pie. She's down the hallway to your right, third door on the left. I've been notified that you might show up, so she is open to you right now."

"Thank you."

I found myself following the nurse's instructions in an almost dream-like manner, focusing more intensely than necessary to get the job done. Hoof over hoof over hoof over hoof...

The door to room 355 approached sooner than I expected. Without a moment's hesitation, I pushed my way in, taking care not to accidentally crush the two things that I floated behind me inside the narrow doorway.

My gaze remained pointed straight at the floor though, my throat tense and dry. I didn't trust myself to speak.

"Twilight, I'm...so sorry. I'm...I'm so, so sorry for not telling you sooner..."

By now, I had to fight back tears at the sound of my marefriend's voice, one that used to be so cheerful, and filled with hope. Now, it was broken. Wavering, unsure, desolate.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

"Pinkie..." My voice found itself, but I felt anything but talkative. If I'd thought she was sad, I was about to burst into tears. "Why? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because...I wanted to spend time with you. Without you being so...-"

"YOU WANTED TO SPEND TIME WITH ME?!" I couldn't help it, but I was yelling. From nothing to everything. "I...WE HAD PLENTY OF TIME, PINKIE! BUT YOU NEVER EVEN BOTHERED TO TELL ME!"

I couldn't bring myself to even look at her as my gaze dropped once more, filling with hot tears. I hardly even noticed the memories as they flashed by...

"More tea, Ms. Sparkle?"

I couldn't help to giggle at Pinkie's game such as this one, but I played along as she hoofed over the kettle. "Much obliged, Madam Pinkie."

We only lasted about five more seconds before she began snorting uproariously in laughter, before finally breaking out in full, leaving a high melodic sound to grace my ears.
It wasn't long before I doubled up as well, falling to my stomach in a fit of giggles. Pinkie even went as far as to roll around in the picnic blanket, wrapping it quickly around her and sending the few dishes that there were flying.

My world momentarily turned this way and that as I felt Pinkie first roll over me, and continue. By the time she finally stopped, and my vision cleared, I found myself staring up at Pinkie, who only giggled even more. "Whoopsie! Hehe, s-sorry, Twilight!"

My attempts to move were thwarted, as I quickly realized that I, too, was trapped in the fluffy blanket, forming a comfortable (but nearly inescapable) cocoon around me. I could feel Pinkie's own weight on top of me as she also squirmed around, though evidently having loads more fun than I. With a smile, Pinkie tossed her head, flicking the tip of her mane out of her face. "Isn't this fun, though?"

I squirmed again, not particularly disliking being so close to her, but rather the inability to move. Only the very tips of my hind legs, my tail, and my head stuck out, with Pinkie much the same. The thought came to use magic, but I had no idea how to even imagine getting out of this, so I gave up struggling. "Well, it...certainly is...unique."

"Yeah!" agreed Pinkie, as excitedly as ever. "Do you feel all squirmy and good, too? Because I do right now, and each time I move it comes back, and it feels great!"

Before I could even ask what she was even talking about, she leaned down and pressed her muzzle to mine, offering a kiss which I so graciously accepted. I felt her squirming just a little bit this way and that, her hind legs kicking gently as she eagerly intertwined her lips with mine.

By the time she pulled back, her face was a blazing red that I almost never saw from her. "I...wow!" she gasped. "That...that felt great! This is so super fun! We should do this all the time!"

I frowned. "We should get trapped in a picnic blanket by rolling around, and then kiss?" I shrugged, smiling. "Sounds all right to me." After all, Pinkie was Pinkie, and if she wanted it, I'd be more than happy to indulge her.

"YAY!" Almost instantly, I felt her weight shift as she pulled the cocoon around, so that I no longer felt her weight, but now I was weighing upon her. "Now do me, do me!"

I smiled. I couldn't ignore a cheerful puffball of energy like that, especially the one I called Pinkie. And so it was me that leaned down, only to nearly get attacked by her anyways. I felt my face color slightly as she explored my mouth twice as eagerly, making (admittedly) one of the cutest gasping sounds I'd ever heard in between each breath.

I sighed, my eyes closing tight as the tears finally spilled from my eyes relentlessly, but mostly silently.

Pinkie was thinking about that night too, apparently. "You remember, right...?" she asked. "We spent that night together. You fell asleep, and I had to wriggle out and carry you back..."

I wanted to smile, but I couldn't. "Yes. I-...I do."

"But Twily...the thing that's important...we may have had our fights, and...great times like that. We've had our trot on the bittersweet trails of each others' lives, but...you have to remember the good."

At her words, I was finally able to glance up, and gaze at those brilliant light blue eyes. Those eyes that tore me to pieces as they were filled to the brim with tears. The owner, however wore a smile as wide as possible.

"We...we had each other, Twily..." she said, reaching out and grabbing one of my hooves. It shook slightly. "...and having the best pony ever be with me for so long...to share kisses with..."

"...to experience it all with..." I don't know why, or how, but my voice picked up her call, and continued it. It wasn't steady, and it cracked fiercely, but it still continued onwards.

"...to share hugs with..." Pinkie continued as well, gently pulling me into a hug as she mentioned, before choking back a sudden sob. It was a blow to the heart that I definitely did not want to take.

"...to nuzzle with..." I buried my muzzle against her cheek, almost collapsing into body-wracking sobs as I gently pressed into her warm, soft coat. My tears did not cease, and neither did hers, as our deepest sadness mingled both internally and externally.

Pinkie finally released the hug, giving me a look at her now wavering smile. "...and somepony to say 'I love you' to. I..." she paused, attempting to smile wider. "...I love you, Twily..."

That was it for me. I felt myself lurch, bringing my sadness over the edge and spilling down twice as furiously over my cheeks. "I...I love you too, P-Pinkie..."

And that was it. I cried. I sobbed. I doubled over in animalistic cries of anguish.

That was it. Pinkie, the pony I held nearest and dearest next to my own family and friends, held no chance against fate. I could do nothing, she could do nothing. My worries for her only doubled. What of her family? How would they take it? Would it hurt for her? Why wouldn't she tell me exactly what was wrong with her?

I couldn't help but to double back upon my own fears. Who would hold me on lonely nights? Who would brighten my day up? Who would share my affection with their own?

Who?

I was allowed to stay with Pinkie until she fell asleep. The time spent was no less upsetting. It took me at least an hour to stop crying, and even then, my heart refused to mend. I clung tightly to her, afraid that I might never see her again, dried tears still lingering on my face. I could tell she was trying to act happy for my sake, but...it didn't work.

I hardly remembered the items I had brought in, but she managed to bring them up. One was a photo of that night, on decision of Pinkie herself to keep that night with us forever. Of course, it was taken before we decided to get wrapped up in a blanket.

The other was nothing more than a simple gift for Pinkie: roses. She said they were her favorite, and while I felt a bit...inadequate just giving her flowers, that didn't really matter as she said, because "Anything from the best pony is the best gift."

I knew I had to do something. I spent the entire night after I was escorted out researching on any possible solutions.

I found only one.

I stood by Pinkie's bedside, having teleported in undetected. The hospital was smart, but I was smarter.

She shifted constantly in her sleep, frowning and squirming. Her eyes still were rimmed from crying. I reached out hesitantly, as if to wake her, but stopped. No. That wasn't why I was here.

I had to relent though. I took one last look at the pony I knew and loved.

The pink mane that I so often snuggled into during nights by the fire...the hooves that so often grasped me for both comfort and affection...the tail that warned so many others of impending danger.

I couldn't let Equestria lose such a good, innocent pony.

I set my mind to concentrate fiercely on one thing, and one thing only besides myself: her.

My horn began glowing fiercely, as was the plan. A gentle pink glow surrounded her, and I was aware of one forming around me as well.

The air around me began to stir, and I felt a fierce tingling overtake me. As was part of the plan, I knew I had one thing to do before I carried on. I projected only one thought, and one thought only that I knew she would hear.

'I love you.'

As I felt my conscious being slipping, I could not deny such a fact if I wanted. The tears upon my cheek were a very near reminder.

I soon blacked out, my legs slowly folding under me, with only one thought on my mind, to be possibly my last. The last thing that might ever come to my mind as I slumped against the side of her essential deathbed.

She was safe now.