//------------------------------//
// Chapter Three - Diagnosis: Terminal, with a side of Wedding Planner 
// Story: Leap of Faith: Generosity Vs. Laughter 
// by Wolokai 
//------------------------------//

	"Have a good day Pinkie!"
"Let us know how it goes!"

The Cakes smiled from the front door, watching as a straight-haired Pinkie Pie trotted quietly into town. Her dark pink hair had been done back in a ponytail and bounced along her back as she went along through the buildings. The send-off brought only a small smile to the mare's lips, and she reminded herself to thank them for their gratitude during the whole situation. It was going on about a week today when the Doctor's first told her of what may be happening, and what a week it had been.

She had tried to act normally when she was told the grave news, being told that it was 'truly unfortunate but normal that things like this happen'. She tried to keep her cheery demeanor and her festive spirit during this time, even going as far as to throw a 'Party just to have a Party' Party. Although those who attended had a good time...they could all tell that something was a bit off. When asked by the party-goers or just regular customers, The Cakes would respond just as they were always instructed to respond: a quick smile and a simple 'Oh she's just feeling a bit off is all, nothing to worry about!'.

It was with this simple, little white lie that bought off the suspicious and concerned ponies of Ponyville, momentarily putting their concerns at rest to give Pinkie Pie just a short, but thankful time to breathe and be free of sympathy and pity. She had even gone as far as to put The Cakes under the formidable power of the Pinkie Promise to ensure her secret be kept safe. She didn't need ponies to worry about it...especially her cheery, happy friends. What right did she have to ruin their smiles, dampen their spirits, or make them sad? All her friends, with the exclusion of Rarity, had all found true love and happiness...and the last thing she wanted was to ruin that now after all the hard work they had gone through to get their 'Happily Ever After'.

Even Twilight Sparkle, now a month out of her near-fatal coma, had found the perfect match for herself. How could Pinkie ever think or conceive of the idea to bring this up to them now? "No..." she thought quietly to herself, turning down a dark alley near Bon Bon's Sweet Shop "Nopony can know....they can't know!". She hoped to make it to the doctor's unnoticed, planning to make it back to Sugar Cube Corner within the hour. She didn't need to draw anymore attention to herself then need be, knowing that anypony that caught sight of her would immediately start pelting her with concern and offers to help with whatever it was that was bothering her. She didn't hate them for it...after all, Ponyville was known for its overly-friendly populace.

But it was for this very reason that Pinkie stuck to the shadows, quickly moving through the back alleys and towards the Clinic that rested near the center of town. Unlike the Hospital, which was located near the edge of town, the clinic was set up near the middle for convenience and lesser treatments for accidents or injuries that were beyond normal hoof-care but NOT an emergency. It only took her a matter of moments to quickly rush from her dark sanctuary in the alleys and through the double doors at the front of the hospital. It took Pinkie Pie a small bit to get her eyes to adjust to the sudden color change of the building, with white blasting out at her like some sort of sick joke. White chairs, white floors, white walls, white ceilings, hell even Nurse Redheart looked white today. Pinkie blinked for a moment before chuckling slightly, realizing the Nurse's fur had always been white. As she approached the front counter, Redheart looked up and smiled at the dark pink mare, exclaiming in a voice that uncomfortably echoed off the walls "Well Good Morning Pinkie! My my you ponies just come and go so fast nowadays...just released Captain Volokai's son not twenty minutes ago and now you're here! That colt sometimes...sicker then a diamond dog at times." She paused to look down at her Appointment Book, the log that kept track of everypony's schedules and patient appointments. She ran a hoof down the spotless white paper until she spotted the Morning Block for Doctor Health, scanning over the words Pinkamena Diane Pie - Stage Three Diagnosis, Treatment Options. Redheart frowned slightly as she whispered, looking back up to Pinkie "Oh dear, I hope this isn't for anything too serious...is there anything I can help you with today before you go see the Doctor?"

Redheart's voice always brought comfort to Pinkie, because she at least could understand the pain that she was going through. She knew about the condition, the diagnosis, everything since day one. It was Redheart who was there, helping her along quickly towards the Doctor's office on Day 1 when she had come bursting into the clinic, wailing and screaming her head off. The best part about it, according to Pinkie, was the way Nurse Redheart treated the situation. It was like she was being fully supportive to Pinkie...yet it was almost impossible to tell. She wasn't bombarding the Pink Mare with questions, concerns, sympathies or anything...but simply letting Pinkie know help WAS there, if she wanted it or not.
Pinkie smiled at these thoughts for a moment before she shook her head and whispered "No thank you Nurse Redheart...I'll just see myself to Health's office."
Redheart gave her a small smile and nodded her head, looking back down at her partially opened book, the golden laced title of Leap of Faith barely gracing Pinkie's as she said "Alright then, you know where his office is. Have a Day Pinkie!". The Pink Mare chuckled at the Nurse's farewell, always finding it rather humorous that the Nurse would never say have a good day if she knew it wouldn't or could possibly not be a good day for somepony.

The mare trotted down the white hall to the desk's left, passing by several empty gurneys and tables of medical equipment and papers. Most of the rooms were empty, she noticed. Most of the doors were open and void of any life, which brought comfort to the saddened mare. Empty rooms meant healthy ponies, and healthy ponies meant more meat for the party grinder...at least...that's how Pinkie saw it, in a way only Pinkie Pie could. She felt her smile twitching back down into a frown as she stopped in front of the wooden door near the end of the hall, a plaque on it's oak face reading:



Doctor Health


Disease / Care Specialist



She gulped and knocked on the door three times, the echo of the sound making her cringe and leave a very uncomfortable sense of awkwardness around her. It wasn't any longer then five seconds when a deep voice from behind the door spoke "The door is open! Do come in!" Pinkie sighed and placed a hoof on the wooden surface, giving it a light push and watching as it swung inwards slowly. As the door opened, a brown coated unicorn stallion with a wavy mane and large, round spectacles was revealed to the mare, sitting at his desk. He wore a stainless white lab coat which matched his cutie-mark of a white thermometer. He looked up as Pinkie Pie entered and smiled, exclaiming in a voice that made the mare's ears droop slightly "Miss Diane! How nice to see you! I trust you are here for your appointment?" Pinkie nodded sadly, looking towards the ground as the door shut quietly behind her and sniffing slightly. Doctor Health's excited demeanor seemed to fade casually, his business like manner slowly taking hold as he hopped off his small chair and held out a hoof to the medical bed that rested in the corner of the room. Pinkie Pie took his signal immediately and hopped up on the bed, her back hooves dangling off the edge as she sat uncomfortably on her flank. How Lyra managed to do this...she'd never understand.

The doctor cleared his throat as his horn lit up with white-colored magic, levitating a clipboard and pencil over towards the pair. He jotted a few things down, looking from the clock back to the sheet a few times before speaking "Well Miss Diane...how is it today?"
Pinkie squirmed slightly on the bed, trying to get comfortable as she brushed some straight hair out of her face and whispered "About the same...but you can tell it's slowly getting worse."
Doctor Health nodded slightly, jotting some notes down. "Worse in what way? Are the symptoms getting more severe?" He questioned, his eyes flicking from the sheet towards her.
Pinkie nodded slightly, whispering in a voice that threatened to crack "T...there's more vomiting...sleeplessness. Can't move or be active as much. Barely even able to make it to the appointment today...that's why I c-"
"I know..." the doctor whispered, cutting her off gently "A good move on your part I think." A large frown started to form on his face as his voice took on a grave tone "Miss Diane...this is the third appointment we've had now, and I'm afraid after all the tests we've run and everything...there's little we can do. I can't even recommend to you any kind of Treatment either that would be safe, for the risks are just to great and to severe to even imagine. In any case...it would just prolong and cause more suffering..." Pinkie felt the first of her tears gently fall down her cheeks as the Doctor whispered "I'm so sorry Pinkie...I truly am..."
The Pink Mare sighed with a shudder racking through her body, her breath coming out as a tiny, choked out sob. She barely had the strength to utter the few words "H...how long?"
Doctor Health looked away, guilt written all over his face as he whispered too her as gently as she could "Maybe...a week or two, with the way these symptoms are going now. No longer then three however..." 

What was left of Pinkie's restraint snapped, the dam of emotions breaking away and releasing a flood of tears and heart-wrenching sobs. She threw herself on the good doctor, hugging him tight and letting her emotions run free and untamed. Doctor Health frowned slightly out of awkwardness and sympathy before returning her hug and giving her a gentle, professional pat on the back. "Why don't you go home..." Health whispered "Try to get some sleep...it's been a bad morning for you and I can't stand to see you hurt like this any longer..."
Pinkie nodded slightly, sniffing and retreating out of the Doctor's hold before whispering "Th..thank you Doctor...I suppose you'll be seeing me again soon..."
The doctor sighed, his saddened frown deepening as he spoke "Don't think like that Pinkie...just...try and have a good day regardless...and make the last few weeks enjoyable...alright?" It took a moment for Pinkie to respond, and when she did, it was only via a curt nod and a light sigh. She retreated from the Doctor's office, back down the hallway and towards Nurse Redheart's desk.

"So...how did it go?" Redheart asked, looking up from her book at the sound of Pinkie's hoofsteps approaching. When the pink mare shook her head, it brought a deep sigh out of Redheart's throat. "It's so tragic Pinkie...this shouldn't have to happen to anypony...especially you."
"I know..." Pinkie whispered back, a heavy sigh escaping her own self as she slowly made her way to the front door. The Nurse didn't even bother to ask if she needed to schedule another appointment...she knew she wouldn't need another one. What good would it do...to have your fears and worries confirmed yet again? To have your worst nightmares relived every time you walked into these cursed halls that bore more death then happiness. It was this thought that made Redheart shake her head in disbelief and watch as Pinkie pushed her way out of the double doors and into the noon-time sun.

For Pinkie, the trip back to Sugar Cube Corner was...numbing. All feeling had seemed to leave her as she made her way back through the dark, damp corridors of alleyways that made up the backs of Ponyville's shops and buildings. She couldn't think, she couldn't feel...only walk. Not a thought crossed through her mind, except the cold, hateful emptiness of the void and how she was going to have to come face-to-face with the realization...that death was coming. Death, that had claimed the lives of so many before her...was ready to make another strike.

She quickly shook her head, trying her best to keep the thoughts of impending and inevitable doom out of her head as she emerged from the dark alleys and towards the front door of Sugar Cube Corner. She opened the door quietly, skimming over the note left on the small table just to the left of the entrance that told her The Cakes were off with the twins somewhere. She felt relieved and somewhat happy that they were gone, knowing that they had left to give her space and quietness on purpose. She walked up the stairs leading to her bedroom with a quiet sigh, coming up onto the landing and trotting towards the pink-colored door that was absolutely littered with crazy drawings and pictures of party cakes and decorations. There was no cheer to be had from this brightly decorated door however, the hinges letting forth a chorus of depressing creaks as they were forced to swing inwards. 

She took a few careful steps in, and let the door shut behind her. She was safe, in her own sanctuary at last. She had only managed to make it halfway across her room when she fell to the floor, letting out a wailing sob and curling up in a tiny ball. Hopelessness and agony coursed through her veins and heart like icy venom, racking at her very soul. She wailed that it wasn't fair, it wasn't right. How could this of happened, and why to her of all ponies? It didn't make it any easier for her as Gummy, her pet alligator, slowly padded his way over to her from his spot under her bed. She took one good look at him and instantly fell into greater hysterics, causing her to pull him tightly into her hold and give him a firm squeeze. Over and over, her weak voice spoke out to him, falling on ears she knew were more then likely deaf.

"It's going to be ok...it's going to be ok Gummy...I promise it's going to be ok...it'll be ok! It's...going...to...be...ok!"




~~~ 



"Oh Fluttershy it's going to be ok! Don't you worry about it at all!" Rarity spoke, reassuring her dear friend and putting her worries to rest.
"B...but how will I know if I'll be a good w...wife? I've never been a wife before!" The yellow-canary Pegasus squeaked, a bright blush passing over her face.
Rarity chuckled, taking a sip of her warm tea before speaking "Oh nonsense darling, NOPONY knows how to be a good wife so quickly, or so easily! It takes practice, an open-mind, and good communication! Why just look at Mrs. Cake! Mr.Cake is her very first husband, and they're a wonderfully happy couple with twins! Don't you worry yourself over it one bit, because I KNOW you'll do just fine!"
Fluttershy smiled at her friend's comforting thoughts, her eyes flicking over to the sound of tiny hoof-steps coming down the hall. Sweetie Belle poked her head through the door a few moments later, a happy look on her face as she squeaked "Breakfast is ready! Oh, and hi Fluttershy, how are you today!?"
"Oh..um.." Fluttershy began, her timid shyness causing her to stumble over her words as usual "I'm..um.......nice." 
The tiny filly giggled and looked over towards Rarity, pointing a hoof at her and shouting in a taunting voice "At least that's better then 'Burnity' over there. Don't forget 'Rari-burn', you still have to pick up Opal from the Ponyville Clinic later on today!"
"Oh Sweetie Belle you can be so rude at times!" Rarity pouted, watching as the young filly bounced away, giggling like a mad schoolgirl. 
"Um...Rarity? Why is Opal at the clinic?" Fluttershy asked quietly, finishing the last of her tea.
Rarity looked back over to her friend after a moment and sighed "She ate something that was a bit...unhealthy for her, and I had to take her to the Clinic because the veterinarians office has been closed temporarily for repairs. Not to worry though, she should be as good as new by the time I decide to get off my flank and go get her!"

Fluttershy smiled but suddenly looked down at the table, poking her hooves together and trying to find the right words to spell out what she wanted to say "Hey...Rarity?"
"Hmmm?" The diva hummed, finished the last of her own tea and setting it down on the china plate.
"I've...never had a wedding before..." Fluttershy began, her blush deepening "...and I've never really been to one either...so what do I do? How do I get married to Big Macintosh?" 
Rarity giggled at this, finding it so adorable that Fluttershy was so innocent as she was shy. She spoke gently, as if explaining something to a smaller filly "Well, it's simple dear. You get a Wedding Planner! Somepony who knows a lot about style, etiquette, and fashion! Themes must be chosen, flowers, decorations, locations. Oh it's such a long process but you'll have the final say-so in whatever you want to do for whoever you decide to help plan your wedding!"

Fluttershy looked up slightly, her eyes widening at the sheer size of such a task. "Somepony with...style...etiquette...and fashion?" Rarity nodded as she went on "Well...that choice should be pretty easy then of who I want to plan my wedding."
"Oh?" Rarity questioned, raising an eyebrow and casting a confused glance towards her friend.
"Well...yes..." Fluttershy whispered "I think....it should be you." Rarity gasped, her front hooves flying up over her mouth and her eyes widening to the size of saucers. 
When she spoke, she stuttered even worse then Fluttershy "B...b..but! Fluttersh..shy! You would...you would really trust me with such...such a massive honor? This is your WEDDING Fluttershy, the most spectacular and important day of your entire life!" Tears started to form in her eyes as she went on "And you would...would entrust me, with this?" 
Fluttershy nodded, holding out a hoof out to Rarity and whispering "Of course. If anypony knows about style, etiquette, and fashion of all things...it's definitely you Rarity. So...will you be my Wedding Planner?"

Rarity felt tears lightly fall down her cheeks as Fluttershy bestowed upon her the chance of a lifetime. To take into her hooves the responsibility and honor of planning for her friend, the most heart-warming, beautiful, and most important day of her entire existence. She could feel her heart swell with joy as she squeaked "Fluttershy...I would be honored to be your Wedding Planner! Now come darling, we must begin at once!"



(Sorry for the late update. We're back in business! Please note that this story is going to be rather short. I'll try to pack in as much awesomeness as I can! Short Stories deserve BIG awesomeness!!!!"