Back in Ponyville, Cheese Sandwich was more than a little concerned about Pinkie Pie. Even with the attack that had left Starlight badly injured, Pinkie Pie had seemed almost shocked at the idea of Cheese Sandwich returning. Yet, his 'Cheesie Sense' hadn't detected anything out of the ordinary.
Deciding that he needed some advice, Cheese Sandwich went to go visit Pinkie's Aunt Suzanne. He was more than a bit surprised at how she appeared, she looked almost like Pinkie Pie would look if she were in her 60's.
"It's always nice to have company," Aunt Suzanne said cheerfully. Although her voice was a tad raspy, it contained the sort of gentle and comforting tone that would've led Cheese to believe she was Pinkie's mother, if he didn't know better. "Pinkie Pie is always so busy these days, yet somehow she still sets aside time to come and visit me. Now then, Mr. Cheese Sandwich, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
"Well, it's about Pinkie Pie," Cheese Sandwich replied, a rare frown forming on his face. "Something about her seemed.... different. As if she were hiding something."
"Pinkie has always been one to keep things secret for longer than is healthy," Aunt Suzanne commented. "But if you don't mind my asking, what is the reason why you are so worried? Pinkie has lots of friends, including The Cakes. She could easily talk to any of them, or even come to see me if there was something bothering her. You said it yourself, you're a travelling party pony."
"Pinkie was my inspiration, she's what inspired me to become a party pony in the first place," Cheese Sandwich explained. "At first I was content just being a good friend and keeping in touch with her. But lately, I've been feeling something else. I feel like I want her to be a part of my life, like I want her to have somepony she can come home to who cares about her."
"Ah, so you're in love with her," Aunt Suzanne realized, smiling happily. "I'm not surprised, the two of you are a lot alike. Ever since you helped her get over the death of Pokey Pierce, she's been talking fondly about you."
"But I know Pinkie still blames herself for the death of Pokey Pierce," Cheese Sandwich told Aunt Suzanne. "I don't want her to think I'm trying to replace that hole in her heart and make her forget about Pokey."
"Oh, I don't think you need to worry too much about that. Pinkie Pie knows that Pokey Pierce would want her to move on and be happy. And I know she'll never be able to forget about Pokey, not even if she wanted to." Aunt Suzanne replied.
"Even so, how do I go about telling her? It seems like recently Pinkie doesn't want to let me in," Cheese Sandwich replied. "I think part of her might be afraid I'll end up like Pokey Pierce, or her Uncle Al."
"Just don't try to force your way in," Aunt Suzanne advised. "Let her know how you feel, but let her sort out her feelings on her own. And if something is troubling her, in time I know she'll tell you. What's most important is that you get Pinkie to like you for who you are. Eventually, she'll realize how much you care about her. If worse comes to worse, just keep trying but don't push too hard or too soon."
Cheese Sandwich remained silent for a moment, as he carefully took in Aunt Suzanne's advice. Then, he slowly rose from the old sofa he'd been sitting on. Much of Aunt Suzanne's house had clearly seen better days, not that Cheese was complaining. "Well, wish me luck." he said nervously, for he knew he was about to take a big risk. One way or another, he and Pinkie Pie would never be the same after his confession.
"You don't need luck, you just need to be yourself." Aunt Suzanne replied, as Cheese Sandwich headed out the door and went to find Pinkie Pie.
While Cheese Sandwich was talking with Aunt Suzanne, Pinkie Pie was testing out her new suit, casually swinging from place to place with no real destination in mind. It gave her space to be herself, and be able to think without any distractions.
Almost immediately, Pinkie's thoughts drifted towards Cheese Sandwich. "I'm glad he's come back to spend some time with me, but why do I suddenly feel so anxious around him?" she thought to herself, even though she already knew the answer. She hated to admit it, but she was certain that Cheese Sandwich had developed or was developing romantic feelings for her.
"I want to tell him that I love him, but a part of me says I'd be lying to myself if I pretended everything was fine. Even if he knows of my secret, how can I be certain he won't end up like Pokey Pierce or Uncle Al?". Pinkie Pie hadn't told anyone about this, but she still suffered occasional nightmares about the death of Pokey Pierce. Except, each nightmare was different. Whether it was facing off against a different super villain, travelling to another city, or having one of her friends (or even one of The Cakes or her parents, heck one time she'd even had a nightmare involving the death of her Aunt Suzanne), something always went wrong. The possibility of having another love life end in tragedy was something that terrified Pinkie to no end.
"Well, at least this new suit helps me feel better," Pinkie Pie thought, as she continued to swing about. "It's definitely stronger than my old one, I feel like my webbing's on an infinite loop of resupplying itself, not to mention how much energy I can feel being channeled into my hooves. I bet I could brick through brick walls, if I had to."
Deciding that she needed an update on Starlight Glimmer's condition, Pinkie Pie prepared to set off for Twilight's castle. However, before she could do so, something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Swooping down for a closer look, Pinkie Pie discovered it was a copy of The Ponyville Express. When she picked it up, she nearly gasped in surprise and shock! The headline read: Prison Break in Manehattan Results in Escape of Super Villains: The notorious Scorpion and Mane-iac now at large in the big city, cops report no leads.
"How could they have escaped?" Pinkie Pie wondered out loud, relieved that nopony was around to hear her. "Well, it doesn't matter. Their friendly neighborhood Spider Mare is going to see to it that they go right back to prison, where they belong!"
Cheese Sandwich rounded a corner, just in time to see Pinkie Pie as Spider Mare getting ready to take off. "Pinkie, wait!" he cried.
"Cheese Sandwich?!" Pinkie Pie gasped, turning around to face the stallion.
"Pinkie, there's something I need to tell you." Cheese Sandwich said anxiously.
"Whatever it is, I'm afraid it'll have to wait," Pinkie Pie replied. "The Scorpion and The Mane-iac broke out of prison last night, and now they're running free somewhere in Manehattan. Right now, innocent ponies in Manehattan are in harms way, and they're going to remain that way until I track down and defeat The Scorpion and The Mane-iac once again."
"But Pinkie, I love you!" Cheese Sandwich declared.
"I know you do, Cheese," Pinkie Pie told him, after a moment of hesitation. "But now's not the time to discuss this! The longer I delay going to Manehattan, the more ponies that have to suffer! I'll be fine, I've dealt with both of these clowns before, and with this new spider suit they shouldn't be any trouble." And with that, Pinkie Pie took off for Manehattan.