//------------------------------//
// Give it All You've Got 
// Story: What Changes May Come 
// by Bluegrass Brooke 
//------------------------------//

Evenings in Ponyville had a way of relaxing Cheese. There was something about the cool, calm nights and empty streets that made him want to dance for joy. Of course, with his legs in the state they were, he would not be dancing for some time. So he ambled along the street, taking in the small shops and houses. Inside, ponies were resting after a long day of work. He wished he could say the same about himself. 

Being able to help Pinkie was just the kind of boost he had needed. However, she had insisted he go back to rest after the sink was repaired. Naturally he objected, but it was not easy arguing with Pinkie when she had her mind set. So, he was forced to spend the entire afternoon lazing about his room thinking of all the helpful things he could be doing. 

He had nearly forgotten his promise to Pinkie to chat with the Cakes. Now that he remembered, it seemed silly to put it off until the morning. Sugarcube Corner's lights were off in the front, and he instinctively went to the side door. Sure enough, the dining room lights were on. Taking a deep breath, he knocked loudly.

"Yes?" The door creaked open to reveal Mr. Cake's startled face. "Cheese? Can I help you?"

"Yeah" He had to bite his lip to stopper the urge to smack the stallion. "I wanted a word with you."

"Sure, come on in." 

The interior of the dining room held the same warm atmosphere as always. Mrs. Cake was sitting at the table, a mug of hot coco between her hooves. He outwardly refused to take a seat, prolonging the un-pleasantries was dangerous with his temper. Make it quick, Cheese. To the point. "I'll only say this once, so listen up."

Mr. Cake nodded, staring Cheese in the eyes. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

Though he wanted to start screaming some choice words at them, he fought back. It would more than likely give off the wrong impression. The Cakes were not bad ponies at heart, but they did need to be taught a lesson. "I don't appreciate you implying that my mare sleeps around before she's married!"

Mrs. Cake's hot cocoa spilled all over the table. Her husband's mouth hung open. "We weren't-"

"-don't even try to play that card with me!" His blood was up and he knew it. Rubbing his forehead to calm down, he continued in a more conversational tone, "I honestly can't fathom where you got that stupid idea from. I'd expect this from Brahm, but not you two. How many times have Pinkie and I helped with the shop? Watched the twins? Don't you think we can be responsible adults for a few hours?"

Mrs. Cake walked over to them. Her voice was soft and reasoning, "Cheese, dear. You can't blame us for worrying."

"About what, Mrs. Cake?" Though he had done his best to control it, his temper was reaching breaking point. "Do you think I make a habit of seducing mares? Is that it?"

"No, Cheese." 

"Don't you think Pinkie was worried too?" Cheese sighed, looking at the floor. "You should have seen her when she saw my burns. She knew I couldn't walk anywhere else in my condition. All she did was let me rest on her bed for a few hours. That's it, end of story. Forgive me if I fail to understand what was so wrong about either of our actions."

Before Mr. and Mrs. Cake could respond, Cheese was moving towards the door. Just before he left, he paused and turned to them. His icy stare sent the couple cringing. "If you ever talk to Pinkie like that again, you'll have more than a guilty conscious to deal with." He turned around, slamming the door with enough force to send the walls shaking.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

There was little that surprised Pinkie these days. After all, she was a party pony, an Element of Harmony, a friend of a Princess, among other things. But, she had to admit that she was more than a little taken aback by the scene outside her door. There in the early morning light were two mares pulling a stallion sized wagon. Pinkie's jaw dropped at the unusual combo. "Applejack? Cheerilee? What are you doing here?"

"Well, you see-" Applejack shrugged around the large wooden collar she was sporting. "-today's Big Mac's birthday so we thought we'd help him out."

Cheerilee nodded, looking more than a little embarrassed sporting a collar of her own. "He had a load of timber for Harvey from the old apple trees."

Applejack rolled her eyes, "He right near insisted on deliverin' it today."

"-I came out early to help with the party set up. Applejack told me the problem and we came up with a great solution."

Applejack jerked a nod to the empty wagon. "We agreed ta pulling Big Mac's wagon over ta town so we'd have an excuse for gettin' the party supplies." 

"Wow! That's a great idea." Pinkie hopped in happy little circles. "I've got all the stuff in the hall. I'll get it!" In a matter of seconds, she had loaded a few boxes of supplies into the back of the wagon. "That ought to do it. I added some secret confetti too."

"Secret confetti?" Applejack's mind jumped to an image of Granny Smith cutting a cake only to be blasted with a face full of the stuff. "It ain't dangerous, is it?"

Pinkie waved a hoof dismissively, "Naw. Just super fun! Speaking of which, I'd better double check." A quick mental inventory came up short. After a shuffle through the boxes, she realized what she was missing. "Oh my goodness! I forgot the pump."

Applejack raised an eyebrow, "The pump?" What in tarnation is that?

"Yup, to fill up the balloons and stuff." She made to fetch it from the house but paused, "Awe cupcakes! Mine's broken."

Cheerilee glanced at the wagon, "Can't we just blow them up ourselves?"

"Yeah, but the pump's special. It's got a party pony spell that makes the balloons float-" She made an over-exaggerated waving with her hooves. "-without flying away like helium balloons."

"Well guess we can do without." Applejack made to pull the wagon away, but was stopped by Pinkie. "What?"

"I just remembered." Her face broke into a typical wide smile, "Cheesie's got one we can borrow. We can stop by there on the way."

Applejack considered. The state of balloons did not much matter to her, but it seemed to be a big deal for Pinkie. "Okay, I guess. If he ain't going to be bothered by us stoppin' by."

"Naw, he won't care. He loves company." Just like that, Pinkie led the way to Bulk's house. They looked a little ridiculous going through town, but everypony just chuckled and waved back as though it were an everyday occurrence. 

When they arrived at Bulk's place, they spotted Cheese lying on the grass. The stallion looked up from his book, a wide grin stretching across his face at the comedic sight. "Well I'll be, what are you ladies up to?"

"Setting up a party, silly." Pinkie bounded over to him, trapping him in a tight hug. "We kinda need to borrow your air pump."

"Okay. It's in the cannon." He motioned to the house, "You know how to get it out, right?"

Pinkie nodded emphatically, racing into the house. Cheese watched her, impressed as usual with her speed. He shook his head, chuckling softly. "She's something else." His attention turned to the two mares standing in front of him. Cheerilee was a surprise to say the least. "Change of career, Cheerilee?"

"Just for today." Though she attempted to remain casually indifferent to Cheese's injuries, her eyes kept darting back to the bandages. The cropped mane he was sporting did not suit him in the least. "You cut your mane."

"Oh, yeah. It got singed, so the docs cut it." It was a little awkward to have her staring at him so much. Clearing his throat, he continued, "So, how are things with Big Mac, Cheerilee?" From the flush forming on her cheeks, he had found an appropriate distraction. 

"Oh, they're fine, Cheese. We've had some frustrating periods, but all in all, really well." Seeing an opportunity for payback, she leaned in a little closer to the young stallion, "So, when is it?"

"When's what?" 

Cheerilee giggled like a school filly. "The wedding of course. I expect an invitation you know."

Applejack gaped at the teacher as though she had gone off the crazy train. "Pinkie an Cheese are a might young ta be thinkin' about marriage."

"Oh, I don't know." Cheerilee ruffled Cheese's forelock as though he were one of her students. "When two ponies love each other as much as they do, why, I don't see why they have to wait."

Cheese's face had gone scarlet, and he pawed the grass nervously. "I uh...I guess that makes sense." He could feel his heart pounding uncontrollably fast. However, Pinkie's arrival saved him from answering any more of Cheerilee's questions. "Pinkie, did you find it?"

"Yup!" She waved the small pump triumphantly. 

Applejack nodded to Cheerilee and they returned to the wagon. Pinkie started to join them, but paused. "Coming, Cheesie? It's going to be super fun."

Cheese grimaced, glancing down at his legs. "Can't walk out there. Sorry."

"Oh, you can ride in the wagon." She extended a hoof, "Come on, it'll be fun."

Cheese hated riding in wagons. Not because they were not fun, but because he always felt that he should be the one pulling. He liked the feel of the weight pressing against the color and the wheels as they rolled along. Still, he was not about to throw away the chance for a little distraction. "Okay, if the girls don't mind."

"Great! Let's go." Pinkie practically dragged him to the wagon, and joined him on the back. Though she wanted to have fun with him, it also provided an opportunity. An opportunity for Cheese to start to return to normal. Her heart ached at how solemn he had become. He was a party pony, and party ponies were made to smile. Whatever it took, she would bring him back from the darkness that was surrounding him.   

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Big Mac's party was turning out to be one of Pinkie's best. Not in the flashy, over the top way Rainbow Dash's bash had been, but in that every little detail screamed Big Mac. From the somewhat subdued decorations to the farm based games, Pinkie had managed to keep their friend grinning all day. 

Cheese had joined in with Pinkie for singing some of Big Mac's favorite tunes. At least that did not require the use of legs. Afterwards, he wandered around visiting with the other townsponies. Being as sick as he was, he had not had the chance to share so much as a word with any of them since his return. Try as he may to enjoy himself and keep smiling like Pinkie, his legs inevitably began to ache. 

Accepting defeat, he had limped over to the nearest apple tree and curled up by the trunk. It was just in the perfect spot, high enough so that he could enjoy the party without being so close he would be bothered. After a huge yawn, he decided he might as well take a nap. 

"Cheese?"

He jerked his head up, staring at three fillies in front of him. "Hey there little fillies. What's shaking?"

Scootaloo's eyes darted back to the scene below, "Not much."

"We already played all the games and gave Big Mac his present." Sweetie bell lay in the grass beside Cheese, her friends following suit. "It's all adults talking now."

Scootaloo made a gagging motion. "Applejack said we should try to socialize. Urgh! Boring!"

"Yeah, there aint any fillies or colts our age here." Applebloom's cheeks puffed up in a big pout.

"So, we thought we'd come talk to you." Scootaloo's eyes met his expectantly, "You're one of the coolest ponies I know of, well apart from Rainbow Dash that is."   

Cheese looked taken aback, "Well, I…uh, thanks Scoots."

Realization dawned on Sweetie Belle. Cheese was up here all alone. "Why aren't you with Pinkie?"

"Oh, well-" He gave an involuntary glance down at his legs, "-I kinda needed to rest."

Scootalloo's eyes grew wide. "Boy, you must have walked forever in Manehattan!" 

Walked? Oh that's what I told Applebloom. "Yeah, city streets are awfully hard."

Applebloom gasped, "Oh my gosh! I gotta warn Babs Seed!"

Cheese slapped a hoof to his forehead. Great, now they're paranoid. "Girls, it's okay. I'm sure Babs is fine."

They breathed a collective sigh of relief. Applebloom looked up at Cheese, then back down again. Her uncomfortable shuffling made him wonder. "What's wrong, Applebloom?"

"Nothin' just-"

Scootaloo interjected, "-she's worried about Big Mac."

The unicorn nudged her friend in the ribs, "Yeah, we told her not to, but she won't shut up about it."

"I wasn't!"

Cheese placed a hoof between the fillies before they broke out into a scrap. "Girls, what's the problem?" 

"Well…it's just Big Mac's gotten all weird lately." Applebloom sighed, speaking in barely more than a whisper, "He don't come ta visit as much. An' he can't shut up 'bout Cheerilee. I'm worried he might…might stop carin' for us."

"Why would he do that?" He ruffled her mane, "He loves you a bunch! I know that for sure."

Applebloom mumbled, shuffling the grass as she spoke, "But, but when he gets a family of his own, he'll forget all 'bout us." 

"Who told you something like that?"

Sweetie Belle sighed theatrically, "Diamond Tiarra."

"Not just her! Granny said somethin' like that before too." Applebloom moaned, burrowing her face in her hooves. "I don't know what ta do." Then, she let out a gasp, staring at Cheese as though just seeing him for the first time. "Hang on a minute. You know a whole bunch 'bout that kind of stuff. Do you forget family 'cause yer datin' Pinkie?"

"Huh?" A familiar icy sensation filled his chest at the thought of his family. His voice came out a little harsher than he wanted it to. "No, I can't forget them."

"Whew, that's a relief. Glad he's not goin' ta forget me." Apparently Applebloom had not caught on to Cheese's tone of voice. 

"Well glad that's over with." Scootaloo pushed Applebloom aside, "Say, we were wondering if you could tell us about Manehattan cutie marks."

He did not follow. "Why would you want to know that?" 

Sweetie Belle pointed to Cheese's cutie mark. "Because, we want to get our cutie marks. And maybe we're destined for the big city."

"Uh huh." Somehow he doubted that was going to happen anytime soon. "So, what do you want to know?"

"Well, how 'bout yer parent's marks?" Trying to imagine Cheese's parents always conjured up images of circus tents and balloons for Applebloom. They had to be just as cool and funny as he was.

"Uh-" The subject of his parents was the last one he wanted to bring up at the moment. However, the girls did not know that. They were honestly curious, and deserved an honest answer. "Well, Father's is a profit graph going up."

Scootaloo leaned in closer to Cheese, staring him down. "Are you serious? That sounds boring!" 

At least they agreed on something. Cheese laughed loudly, "Yup. He's chief executive of a large business firm in Manehattan. I think he's in love with paperwork, 'cause he's always doing it."

"Yuck! I don't want my cutie mark in that." The thought of sitting at a desk doing paperwork all day was a nightmare come true for Sweetie Belle.

Applejack looked up expectantly, "How 'bout yer Mom?"

"Uh…an amber flower with a blue gem in it." A sudden, nasty flashback of his mother scolding him came back. Cringing, he looked away before the kids noticed.

Scootaloo placed her hooves on his back, eager to hear more. "So, what's her job?"

"She's a famous fashion model." 

Sweetie Belle's eyes shone with excitement. "Wow, maybe she could model for Rarity. That'd be so cool!"

"No." His voice came out so harsh and cold that the fillies cringed away from him. "Sorry, sorry. Just, she's a real grouch. I don't even like talking to her."

"Oh." The girls sat in silence for a bit, pondering. Scootaloo had never looked so confused. "So, how'd you become a party pony with parents like that?"

"Well-" He jerked his head over to the party, "-Pinkie Pie."

Applebloom raised a skeptical eyebrow, "You mean ta say that you would've been a stick in the mud if it weren't for her?"

"Uh…yeah I guess." Staring at the party, he watched Pinkie doing some crazy dance to the amusement of the guests. If it had not been for her, what would he have ended up like? Some hobo wandering the rails? Or would he have gone back to Manehattan? He spoke quietly, more to himself than the fillies, "I'm the way I am today because of her."

"Eeee!" Sweetie Belle's girlish scream jolted Cheese from his daydream. "That means you two are like soulmates. How romantic!"

"Bleh, pass!" Scottaloo grabbed Sweetie Belle by the tail, tugging her back to the party. "Come on girls, let's get some cake."

"Right!" Applebloom raised a hoof to follow, but paused. "Thanks, Cheese. I hope you feel better."

"Thanks little filly." He watched the three friends parading down towards the party, pondering. Though he never really focused on the fact, it was true. Every good thing he had now, his cutie mark, his friends, and his life here were all thanks to her. She was more than his source of inspiration, she had become the single most important turning point in his life. 

A new, crazy thought drifted across his mind. What if he lost her? Life took unexpected turns after all. They could not stop that. Suddenly, the time they spent together felt all too brief. Realization sunk in like a flood. He wanted to make the most of whatever time they were given, and he was not. Being by her side a few hours a day was not enough. To see her, feel her beside him day and night sharing the small moments as well as the big ones; that was what he wanted. His blood ran cold at the realization. I want to marry her. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

If Spike could write down the number of times Twilight warned him not to eat sweets, he would have a feature length novel. Today he might just be adding an additional chapter. Big Mac's party was awash with just about every apple flavored dessert known to pony kind. It would be a crying shame to pass up such an opportunity. So, as stealthily as a baby dragon could, he loaded up a plate and snuck off behind the barn to eat.

After plowing through an apple fritter, he picked up his prized catch, an icing smothered apple spice cupcake. Drool spilled down on the icing as he prepared for a gigantic bite. Unfortunately for him, his magic chose that very moment to give him a rude awakening. 

A familiar uncomfortable gagging sensation was followed by a jet of green fire. Spike watched helplessly as his cupcake toppled to the dirt and was replaced by a thin scroll. A letter from Celestia? Being the dutiful assistant he was, he made to open it. To his frustration, the seal would not break. Since when does she seal scrolls with magic? It either was something important or something Celestia wanted kept secret. Whichever it was, Twilight needed to know.

Casting one last, longing look at the sweets, he walked quickly back to the party. There dancing away without a care in the world was Twilight. Inwardly Spike cringed at Twilight's skills. She really was the worst dancer in Equestria. Sighing, he strode cautiously towards her. "Twilight, there's a letter for you." 

Twilight ceased her attempt at a jig and walked over to meet him. Seeing the royal seal on the scroll, Twilight stood up straight. Finally, I thought she'd never respond. "All right, read it to me, Spike."

"Can't."

"What? Why not?" She placed a hoof on Spike's forehead. "You sick?"

"What? No." Spike crossed his arms, glowering at her. "It's sealed with magic."

With magic? Twilight's mind went racing a mile a minute. Never in all the time she had known the Princess did she send letters with a magical seal. This is serious. She levitated the letter out of Spike's grasp, and cantered over to the tree line to read it in peace. 

'Dear Princess Twilight,

This letter of yours disturbs me greatly, but comes as no surprise. My sister has indeed spoken with your friend Cheese in the dreamscape. It was there she learned of his parents' abuse. We agreed to pursue Storm Scribe for his crimes. 

I fear I must ask for your assistance in a most unpleasant royal duty. By law, all child abuse cases must be heard by the full royal council. Together we shall try this pony, and see if his heart is as black as it appears. Preparations must be made before we can begin. Please come to Canterlot immediately, and come alone. 

-Princess Celestia'

"Well?" Spike leaned in closer to Twilight, "What does it say?"

Twilight quickly used her magic to incinerate the scroll. "I've got to go to Canterlot."

"What? Now?" Spike started to follow Twilight, but the alicorn held him back. "What?"

"You're not coming this time." She kissed him on the forehead. "I'll be back soon, okay? You're in charge of the library until I get back."

For a moment, Spike considered protesting, but thought better of it. He frowned, kicking up some dust. "Fine. See you later."

"Yup." In a matter of seconds, Twilight was flying higher and higher into the sky. Her heart raced at the repercussions of Celestia's letter. Storm Scribe would be tried, and Cheese's mom was testifying. The stallion's fate would be decided in part by herself.  It was a heavy responsibility for somepony as young as she was, but one she would take with pride.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Canterlot Enquirer was as much of a rag as any newspaper could be. As far as Quill was concerned, any information published in it was false unless proven true. Milo on the other hoof, would always attest to its merit as a "public opinion thermometer." So, despite her doubts, a daily check of the Enquirer had become part of her daily routine. This morning however, the gossip might have gone a touch overboard. 

Quill spat out a mouthful of coffee as she read the headline. After a good spell of coughing, she re-read it just to be sure. Sighing, she levitated the magazine so the pony in the bed could see. "Would you believe this, Milo?" Of course Milo did not respond, he could not. 

The only sound to answer her was the loud hubbub of the daily commute going on several stories below them. Though the unicorn tried to hide it, her voice shook ever so slightly, "It's getting boring without your snide remarks, Milo." She looked around the small, stark hospital room for anything more interesting to discuss.

Milo lay on the aging hospital bed, eyes shut, breathing tube in his mouth, and IV's extending like snakes from his limbs. The sight of it made Quill sick. Though he had been treated by the best burn doctors, and put into a medically induced coma, his prognosis was still a "wait and see." Waiting had always been Quill's strong point, but this was putting even her to the test.

Ever since the fire, she had spent every day all day at the hospital. First to keep Cheese from panicking when he woke up, and later for Milo's sake. The nurses and doctors all knew her by name and did not even bother asking her to sign in. She had become just another medical accessory in the room. 

To most ponies, the idea of chatting with a comatose patient would seem ridiculous, but Quill wasn't easily dissuaded. Somehow, a small part of her still believed he could hear her, and hopefully make him want to return soon. Quill shifted in the uncomfortable wooden chair and continued as though they were having a conversation over tea. "You've got to hear what they've been saying Milo. They've really gone off the deep end this time."

She cleared her throat, reading the headline at last. "'Princess Celestia and Princess Luna Spotted Touring Central Park.' Do you believe this, Milo? Heavens above, they're getting desperate." Her soft laugh bounced off of the walls, "I'll read you some choice bits. 'Mrs. Meriwether, a local florist insists that she spotted the two alicorns walking through the park and enjoying the local scenery. Another informant, Ronald Prescott swears that the alicorns asked for directions to the train station…Could this be a sign of trouble to come? What would our fair princesses be doing in Manehattan? The Enquirer set out to investigate.'"

Quill rolled off the chair, clutching her sides. "Would you believe the garbage they're posting, Milo?" Sitting upright on the aged linoleum, she checked Milo's reaction. But no, the unicorn lay as still as ever. Sighing, she slowly got to her hooves, immediately regretting her lapse of judgment. Arthritis and hard floors did not mix. 

For the next few minutes, she sat in the chair and forced herself to finish the paper. After a quick scan of the last page, she made to deposit the paper into the trash. However, out of the corner of her eye she caught a familiar name. Storm Scribe? The newspaper levitated closer to her massive spectacles.  
Her mouth hung open at what she read. After stammering a few times, she managed to form a coherent sentence. "You're not going to believe this, Milo. Storm Scribe's gone missing!"  

As if the unicorn had scoffed in disbelief, she waved the paper violently in her magic. "It's true. I'll read it to you. "'Renowned millionaire and community warrior, Storm Scribe-'" She snorted a laugh. "Sure he is." Clearing her throat, she continued, "'-has allegedly gone missing. Scribe has not appeared in public since Saturday. We have it from a reliable source that control of the company has been handed over to his executive Whip Willow for an indeterminate length of time. Willow stated in a press release that Scribe will be returning soon and is taking time off for family. Our reporters will continue to follow the case.'" 

Quill could not help but be stunned at the little article. All the years they had spent chasing Scribe, he never had missed a single day of work. As far as Quill knew, he had not even taken off when his son was born. But, considering the type of father he turned out to be, that was not surprising. For him to go missing out of the blue without word or warning did not sit well. 

"What do you think, Milo? I doubt he's taking 'family time.' The only business that stallion has with family is how he can use them. He's got to be planning something." She stared sadly at Milo, "I wish you'd wake up. No doubt you have a litany of possibilities to rant to me about." 

The stallion's eyes twitched ever so slightly. Quill patted his leg, taking it as a sign of acknowledgement. "Once you wake up, I'll make you some of my coffee and shoot down my stupid theories just like old times. I'll be waiting."   

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Cheese had always thought himself a rational pony, even if his Cheesie sense dragged him all around the country, seemingly at random. But now, now he was realizing how utterly stupid his decisions were. He had overtaxed his legs ever since he came back to Ponyville and he was facing the consequences.

Somehow, despite resting for three days straight, his legs felt worse than ever. Pain like he had not felt since he woke up in the hospital spiraled up his legs. Every little movement was agony. Though he had taken more medication than he should, it still hurt worse than ever. The sting had escalated to the point of nearly sending him into unconsciousness. 

It only took a few minutes of the agony before he decided to act. Standing weakly, he limped outside. His attempt to get help was short lived however, as he had collapsed on the lawn outside the house.

He did not know how long he had been there, it really did not matter. What did matter was the quickly mounting agony threatening to drive him mad. Closing his eyes and lying on his side, he attempted to fall asleep until the worst subsided. But he was having little success. 

"Equestria to Cheese!"

His eyes flickered open, and he stared up at a perplexed Rainbow Dash. The little mare was standing on the grass, eyeing him as though expecting him to explode. "I'm gonna start the rain soon. Didn't you hear me?"

He spoke around his clenched teeth, "No."

Rainbow stood, looking unusually patient. "Oh, well, do you want to move? We're behind schedule." 

"Can't." He could hardly lift his head, let alone his legs. 

"Cheese? You okay?" Rainbow dash reached out a hoof, stroking his legs gently. His earsplitting squeal of pain sent her flying backwards. "You're definitely not okay. Hang on, I'll get Pinkie."

Cheese moaned, breathing heavily. He listened to Rainbow Dash's wings beating away from him. For a long while he lay there, trying to figure out what was wrong. His legs should be feeling better, not worse. It made no sense. Trying to stand up turned out to be a joke. His front hooves being the worst off, could not get any traction on the slick grass. 

"Cheesie? Come on, wake up!" 

Pinkie's worried face swam into Cheese's vision. He tried to lift his head, but it hurt too much. To add to the unpleasant situation, he was now feeling uncontrollably dizzy and hot. Try as he may to focus on her, her face kept swimming in and out of view.  "Pinkie?"

"Yup, it's me." Pinkie's hoof stroked his lathered sides. "You're all sweaty. How much medicine did you take?"

"Dunno. A lot?" Why's everything so fuzzy?

"A lot a lot?" 

Why's she asking that? He closed his eyes, trying to think back. "I guess. Maybe, ten pills."

The panic sweeping over her became more evident. "That's way too much! Why'd you do that?" 

"It hurts. The pain wouldn't stop." It took a great deal of effort, but he managed to lift his head up and see Pinkie a little clearer. She was rubbing his sides with a towel now. Why's she doing that? "Pinkie, what's wrong? Where am I?"

"You're at home. Don't you remember?" He's acting really weird. "Rainbow's gone for the ambulance."

His head fell back to the earth with a thud. "Oh, I don't like those."

Pinkie rolled her eyes. Now was not the time to be complaining about ambulances. "Well, you're going to get really well acquainted with one soon." 

"Kay." The overwhelming nausea grew worse and worse. For a brief moment, he wanted to throw up, but he could not. Instead, he lay there on the grass listening to Pinkie trying to tell him something. But the words made no sense, nothing did anymore. 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Cheese awoke with an uncomfortably familiar feeling. He did not have to see to know that he was lying in a hospital bed. The sickeningly clean smell and hard bed was proof enough for him. Blessedly, the pain had ebbed to a dull ache. He opened his eyes to see the darkened room around him. Pinkie was next to the bed, engrossed in a book. "Hey, Pinkie. How long was I out?"

Pinkie started, nearly jumping into the air. A wide smile stretched across her face, "Cheesie. You're up. You've only been asleep for a few hours." 
"What happened?" 

The exasperated expression on Pinkie's face said it all. "You took too much pain medicine, silly. They had to pump your stomach with charcoal. Why'd you do that anyway?"

He sighed, matching Pinkie's expression now. "It hurt, really really bad."

Before Cheese could protest, she sat next to him on the bed. "Well, you want to know why?"

What's she getting at? "I got burned. That's why."

"Well yeah, but-" Her face grew stern, "-you had a bad infection in both of your front hooves because you weren't keeping them clean."

"Ooops."

Pinkie glowered at him. "Ooops? Cheesie, you could have died!" Her eyes sparkled with tears and she pressed close to him. "I can't lose you, Cheesie. I can't."

He sighed, patting her back gently. "I know, dear. I know." 

She broke away, sniffling loudly. "It'd be so much easier if I could keep a watch on you all the time." 

"Huh? What, am I a prisoner now?"  

"Yup and you're serving a life sentence." Pinkie shuffled a little on the bed, eyes focused on the medical equipment. Her voice came far softer than normal, "You wouldn't mind that, would you?"

"Nope. I think you'd keep me on the straight and narrow, dear." Cheese eyed her with confusion. It was not like her to be so shy around him. Maybe she's still mad.

Pinkie stuck out her tongue playfully. "Good, cause I'll expect an official sentencing eventually you know." Then, humming to herself she walked towards the door. "Night, Cheesie. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you." As he lay there in the darkened room, he felt his mind racing a mile a minute. Something about Pinkie's conversation seemed odd. Life sentence? Official sentencing? What in Equestria is she on about now? 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Pinkie stared at the letter in her hooves with a mixture of astonishment and dread. On her way to the hospital, she had been stopped by the local mailstallion. Apparently, she had a letter from Twilight. Expecting an explanation for Twilight's sudden absence four days prior, she tore open the envelope. What she read made her heart lurch.

'Pinkie Pie, 

You need to come to Canterlot as soon as possible, and bring Cheese. We're going to try his parents tomorrow. You can bring the others if you want, but this isn't going to be pretty. Absolutely under no circumstances are you to bring Spike. He's too young for this.

-Twilight.'

She read and reread the note, expecting the words to change. When they did not, her heart began to race. Of course she wanted to see justice done to those scum, but not now. Not when Cheese was so weak and scared. But, she supposed they could not argue with the princesses. So, come hell or high water, they would be going to Canterlot. She only hoped they would come back in one piece.