All for One - One for Luna (MLP)

08: Answers

     An hour or so after midnight found Twilight using her magic to go over the remains of the Golden Oak Library. Due to the partially cloudy skies and the possibility of overhanging objects blocking the moonlight, she'd chosen to play it safe and channel her own. It was serving double purpose for her as a light source to search by as well.

     Though she'd been through the ruins a number of times already while searching for books and belongings which might have survived the explosion, it felt much different going through it in the silence of the night. Ponyville was completely silent but for the sound of night insects and birds.

     The town felt like it could be deserted as quiet as it was with everypony asleep. In the quiet of the ruins Twilight suddenly felt a stab of loneliness and wondered how all her friends were doing. She'd had a few letters from them, but it wasn't the same as getting to chat with them about their days. She shook her head and resumed her investigation.

     At least I don't have to worry about being interrupted at this hour by somepony wondering what I'm doin-

     "Hey Twilight! Whatcha doing?"

     "GAH!" Twilight screamed and leapt straight in the air at the near-scream right in her ear. Turning on the culprit she huffed out, "Pinkie! Don't sneak up on me like that. You scared the bajeebers out of me!"

     "Why'd you have bejeebers in you in the first place?"

     Twilight groaned and rubbed at her forehead. Of course Pinkie would show up.

     "Never mind. What're you doing here?"

     "Well-ll-ll... My Pinkie sense woke me up and told me that you were back in Ponyville, and I thought it was strange that you hadn't let us know you were coming back, and since I'd missed you and wanted to see how you were doing I decided to go to your castle and find out, but then I saw light coming from over here and came over here instead, and here you are." All this came out in a single rushed breath before Pinkie made an exaggerated gasp for air and grinned at Twilight before continuing. "How are you doing that anyway? You look like a night light, but I thought that was your dad..."

     Twilight took her usual few seconds to sort through this rush of Pinkie-speak. "I didn't let you girls know I was coming back because this was a last minute decision and I'm not really back in Ponyville yet."

     "But you're right here, and this is Ponyville isn't it?" Pinkie looked around as though expecting to find herself somewhere else.

     "Yes, this is Ponyville... I mean that I'm just checking on something. I'm not back to stay yet."

     "Oh, so you're still staying in Canterlot. That's good, I thought I was going to have to move everything."

     "What?"

     "No-thing!" Pinkie gave an innocent grin that Twilight didn't believe for a second, but didn't have the patience to pursue the topic. She didn't have time in any case as Pinkie continued, "So, if you're not really back, why are you here?"

     "That's complicated. I'm pretty certain I know what's going on with me now, but I need more evidence, so I'm searching for traces of Tirek's magic. At least I've worked out how it spreads and don't have to worry about other ponies getting it. Now I have to figure out how to get rid of it."

     Pinkie grin vanished and she seemed to deflate a bit. "You're still sick? Aww, I hoped you were all better."

     "I'm okay," and Twilight embraced her pink friend. "I'm sure I'll have the answer soon, and I'm really not in any danger right now. Promise."