Inspection Day (Part One)
Doctor Mental Check paced in the front office of his hospital. Today, a special inspector, hoof chosen by the Princesses themselves to look over his asylum, was on her way. She was going to be arriving any minute, and he was worried.
He didn't quite know why this terrified him so much. His hospital was top notch, and had passed the other inspections with flying colors. Maybe it was the fact that those other inspectors were so stiff and strict, examining every detail, that this frightened him. Maybe this inspector would be even worse since the Princesses had chosen her specifically to be the final inspector. Maybe it was because the fact that the Princesses were calling for this in the first place made it seem like they were questioning this place! Maybe he was about to be out of the job!!
He shook his head quickly. He was letting himself get too worked up over this. It would be fine, just like always! Everything was in top condition, and there was nothing that the inspector could find fault in here!
These assurances definitely helped him brighten his mood... but there was still that nagging fear in the back of his mind...
But he no longer had time to deal with these fears. He could see that the inspector was walking through the door, and he put on a smile to go greet her.
Pinkie Pie was so excited! Princess Celestia had chosen HER to go out make sure this hospital was doing awesome at its job! It was a super big honor for her, and she wanted to make sure she did her job to the best of her abilities! She would make sure this place was doing everything it should be doing. Not just for the Princesses... but for herself as well...
For there was a special reason why she had been chosen, and why she had been so eager to help out.
One year ago, she'd made a terrible discovery. She had seen Nurse Redheart forcefully dragging away a friendly, if not a little bit eccentric, pony named Screw Loose, and wanted to know why. She had done some snooping around the Ponyville hospital, and found the basement, where they kept the 'mentally disturbed' patients. What she found there horrified her!
Derpy, being mocked for her eyes, being told that there was nothing special or good about her because of them.
Screwball, who was forced into straight jackets and restrained to the ground to prevent the bizarre Earth pony from flying with her propeller hat.
Screw Loose, who was whipped and beaten for thinking she was a dog.
Princess Luna... sent by her sister, who had no idea what the place was like. Locked up, prevented from using magic, treated like she was a blood-thirsty monster.
Mind Twist. A filly who had been put there by the staff when they didn't want to tell her that her parents had died. Now a grown mare with a short temper and incredible strength due to the experiments the staff had put her through.
And finally... for knowing too much...
Pinkie herself.
It had been a nightmare in that place. Beatings from the guards and nurses for no reason. Torture everyday. Everyday being made to eat slop, being locked in cells, not being allowed to see the light of day, being told that nopony liked you and you had no hope in life...
That wasn't a hospital... that was hell itself.
But thanks to her friends and a strange pony who called himself 'The Doctor', Pinkie and all the others were able to escape and begin to lead somewhat normal lives.
The hospital was shut down until better staff could be found. Reforms were made to ensure that no place could do such things again. A board of inspectors was founded to look over any and all mental hospitals.
But Princess Celestia had a specific interest in the Canterlot Asylum. Some of the patients there were even more special than most, and she wanted to make sure that it was up to standard. So she and her sister had decided... who would know an asylum better than somepony who had spent time in one?
Pinkie was the only reasonable choice.
Derpy had vanished with the Doctor shortly after escaping. Nopony had seen her since.
Screwball was currently staying with Discord, and it wasn't sure whether or not she would be able to do such a thing.
Screw Loose still thought she was a dog, and was happily staying with Pinkie as her pet.
Luna was too biased. She had had it particularly bad there, and was against mental institutions as a whole. But she understood their purpose, and had conceded that they should still exist. Still, she would not step a hoof anywhere near one. Too many bad memories...
As for Mind Twist, she was still going through therapy, trying to get her to understand that her parents were dead, that she hadn't been a bad daughter, and that she could still move on and have a happy life. Besides... her situation was similar to Luna's... only worse. It was feared that should she step hoof into one of those places again... somepony might get hurt.
So Pinkie, being the only wholly sane and available survivor of that place, was the obvious (and only) choice. And she was overjoyed to be able to help out!
But she had had enough reminiscing over those dark, hopeless days! Besides, she was here!
As she stepped through the door, she saw a doctor approaching her. At first he looked like he was going to greet her and welcome her to the hospital. But then... his face took on a confused, quizzical look. "I'm sorry, ma'am, can I help you?"
Pinkie smiled. She saw what was going on. This stallion didn't think she was the inspector! Why, she couldn't possibly tell? Did he expect all inspectors to be all stuffy and boring?
"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Party planner, pastry chef, Element of Laughter bearer, and now, asylum inspector! I'm here to inspect your asylum at the Princess' request!"
The doctor's eyes widened and he took on a nervous grin. "OH! Of course! How silly of me, welcome, inspector Pie! I am Dr. Mental Check, and I would like to welcome to our hospital! If you'll please follow me, I'll show you around."
Pinkie Pie bounced a little as she followed the doctor. "Okie Dokie Loki!"