The sun had been up for a few hours when Turner knocked on the library door. He was almost immediately greeted with, “Sorry, but we’re closed for the day.”
“It’s just me, Miss Sparkle,” he replied. After a few seconds, the doorknob glowed bright purple and the door opened. Turner stepped inside. The first thing he noticed was that the stench was gone. The second was Twilight sitting near the center of the room, her face partially buried in a book, though still looking up at Turner.
“Just wanted to see how you were doing,” he said.
Twilight sighed. “As well as can be expected.” There was a brief pause. “Do you know what the most draining part was? It wasn’t that I was kidnapped or that they were… exploiting me, as best as I understand it. It was just… them. Those creatures shouldn’t even exist under any stretch of the imagination, and yet there they were.”
“Trust me,” Turner responded, “there’s more to that statement than you realize.”
“And then there’s that,” Twilight continued. “You said you weren’t really what you claimed to be. You actually knew what they were and what was happening. And you had that… thing that made the noise and… Just who are you?”
“I said I would tell you, Twilight,” Turner stated. “But I can’t tell you everything; just enough to help you understand.” He paused until Twilight nodded for him to continue. “I come from very far away, farther than even you can imagine, on another world entirely. All I want to do with my life is experience everything the universe has to offer. Do you understand me?” Twilight nodded slowly and uncertainly. “But make no mistake; if there’s one thing that has been entirely true, it’s my character. Everything you’ve seen with me is one hundred percent what I’ve always been. Besides, what estranged offworlder would take the time to read the Lightning Strike series?” Twilight giggled at this.
“You know what?” she started. “I think I can find a better reason to trust you, whether you’re actually and alien or not. When you talk to me, and I mean really talk, like we’re doing now, you actually call me Twilight, not Miss Sparkle.” She smiled at him. “I think that’s as good a reason as any.”
Turner returned her smile. “Well, since I’m here, you wouldn’t happen to have the second Lightning Strike, would you?”
“Actually, I figured you’d want to read that, so I’ve had this reserved for you for a few days now.” Using her magic, she pulled a book from the central desk. “I’ll just mark this as checked out later.” Turner looked at the title: Lightning Strike and the Stable of Secrets.
“Thank you Miss Spa… I mean, Twilight.” Turner barely caught himself in time.
“My pleasure, Turner.” Having said their goodbyes, the stallion walked out of the library.
Derpy was waiting for him outside. “So how is she?”
“Better than I would have thought,” Turner answered. “She was well enough to let me borrow this, at least.” He held up the book for her to see.
“Good to hear. You know, you’re a good friend, Turner, helping innocent ponies like that.”
“Just doing my good deed for the day. Besides, whether it be you girls, Twilight, or just some stranger, I can’t, and won’t, let anyone suffer needlessly.”
“And that’s why I say you’re a good friend,” Derpy concluded. She looked at the book. “I really do love this series. You’re gonna love the part where Lightning fights the—!”
“Oi! Derpy! Spoilers!” Turner shouted hysterically. Derpy just laughed.