Chapter Preview: A Light of Tough Love

Perhaps barging into her office like that was a little uncalled for, but I had my reasons; valids ones, I hoped, at that. 'Least I entered unannounced after checking through Balance if there was anyone else inside other than her before making myself at home.

"Stardust!" Came the startled cry of the pink unicorn, almost jumping out of her seat in ill-preparation, before recovering and magically organizing things on the desk back in place. Heh. Starlight cocked her head, perking a bemused, non-existent brow. "Most ponies just knock."

Smirking a little at the sass, I started things off with conducting a swift, but swept investigation of the room itself, outwardly sniffing like a canine for even the slightest 'whiff' of darkness. Pointedly feigning ignorance to the mare's open bafflement as I gazed around: Picking up large furnitere without effort. Moving smaller objects before placing them back in their proper positions because I'm a decent human (pony) being like that. Taking out books from the shelves as I peeked my head through.

Nothing so far. But one could never be too careful. Starswirl, picking up anything yourself?

Scarcely a trace. It appears what or whom you're seeking doesn't often visit this particular office. A self-emboldened pony, perhaps. My smirk only widening to the wit in response.

But Starlight, unhearing of the mental conversation, finally voiced her confusion-slash-curiosity. "Any particular motivation behind rummaging around my office?"

"Stardust Balance: Ace Detective." Came my lighthearted remark, jumping off the top shelf and landing harmlessly on all fours. Regarding the still-befuddled unicorn. "I'm investigating a trace of darkness I picked up in the school."

Lilac eyes widened. "Imbalance?"

Immediately shaking my head to allay those well-justified fears. "No, just something from the chaotic side of things." Her features softened with relief. "It's been here for a while now."

"Frequently?"

"Whenever I visit."

Starlight frowned, thinking, gazing around the inteior of the room as well soon enough. Just a note of apprehension in the mare's now-cautious tone. "So you sense it in here too?"

Once again, a shake of the head. "No. This presence - what or who it is - is fleeting. I can barely get a lock on it every time it pricks at the edge of my senses-"

"Before it leaves as soon as you try." Starlight finished, astute as always, now frowning towards me with comprehension. "And you believe it's somewhere in this school, hiding behind the many presences of its daily occupants." I nodded, impressed with the level of perception. "Does Twilight know about it?"

"I didn't want to worry her," Was all I had to offer, adding if it helped, "Applejack, Spike, Fluttershy and Rainbow are aware though." Thinking back to that interaction at Apple Acres.

Taking what she could get, Starlight then inquired with, again, her signature flaring with anxiety. "Is it..." Composing herself forcibly, but the last word stressed, "Is it dangerous?"

I tilted my head, considering. "It's too soon to suspect anything-"

"But you already do." Damn. She can give a certain orange Earth Pony a run for her bits by that blunt observation. My first reply was a slow nod, further inciting Starlight to press. "Do you think whatever you're picking up is dangerous?"

...Might as well be straightforward. Highly doubt this observant, talented unicorn would accept anything less than my pure honesty. She could take it.

"It's possible." Came my eventual response, a little resigned, but confident all the same. Looking quite solemn myself. "I just need to look around; get an extensive search, so to speak."

"To see if you can pick up a trail if you search around enough, and follow it through to whatever's possibly threatening the school." Fifty points to Griffindor. Starlight's next sentence, spawned from her resolve to protect her friends, would surprise no one. "I know where we could start looking."

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Coming Soon...