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// Scene 3 - The Mirror Room, Twilight's Castle 
// Story: Beyond the Bounds of Universes 
// by CTVulpin 
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	“‘Dear Princess Twilight,’” Twilight Sparkle read, “‘Wow, it’s been a while, huh?  I hope you’re not too busy, because I need some advice on magic.  This morning, my friend Twilight – the Twilight Sparkle of this world, that is – suddenly had what would be her cutie mark appear on the back of her hand, and it’s glowing.’”
Spike pumped a fist in the air and whispered to Starlight, “I love it when my ideas are right.”
“‘It looks like a small thing now,’” Twilight continued to read, “‘but I’m worried it might be the start of something bigger.  I’d appreciate any advice you can give me.  I’ll add updates if anything changes or if we manage to solve the mystery on our own.  Your friend, Sunset Shimmer.’”  Part of Twilight wanted to break out in a huge grin at the fact she was on the right track, but another part was feeling slightly tangled in new questions.  She settled for a confident-looking smile and cast about for a quill pen.  She found one, and an ink well, tucked away behind the Mirror – likely stashed by Pinkie Pie in case of writing emergencies – and went back to the journal.  “How should I phrase this?” she wondered aloud.
“Just be straightforward,” Spike suggested.
“Right,” Twilight said, and dipped the quill ink the ink.  “Sunset,” she dictated as she wrote, “it just so happens that I think I know precisely what’s happening to your Twilight.  Meet me by the statue so I can confirm my guess, and I’ll explain everything there.  Your friend, Princess Twilight.”  She set the quill down, shut the book, and turned away.  “There,” she said, “now we just wait.”
Starlight blinked and glanced past Twilight.  “Or not,” she said, pointing.  Twilight turned around to see that the journal was glowing and vibrating again.
“That was quick,” Twilight said, opening the journal.  The beginnings of a reply were already below Twilight’s entry, and more words appeared as she read.  “‘Thank you for replying so quickly, Twilight.  We’ll meet you in front of Canterlot High, but it’s going to be a couple of hours; Twi and I are in college now and we’re on the other side of the city from old CHS.  I’m going to see if one of the girls can come keep you company while you wait.  See you soon.  Sunset.’”  Twilight closed the book and contemplated it and the Mirror for a moment.  “Well then,” she said, “I think I’ll just go on through now.  Whoever Sunset sends can catch me up on recent events.  Starlight, Spike, do you want to come with me?”
“Hm,” Spike said, “Nah, I think I’ll pass this time.  That world’s safe enough, you don’t need me to watch over you.”  He smirked as Twilight rolled her eyes at him.  “Besides,” he continued, “I promised to look for those missing notes, remember?”
Twilight nodded.  “And you, Starlight?” she asked.
Starlight shuffled nervously and looked away.  “If it’s all the same, “she said, “I’d rather stay here.  I’m not exactly eager to be transformed into something without a horn.”
“Oh, ok,” Twilight said, a little disappointed.  She levitated the journal from its stand and up to receptacle made for it in the Mirror’s augmenter.  Twilight gave the device a little spark of magic to start it up, and soon the room was full of humming and whirring as the journal’s cross-dimensional link was layered atop the mirror’s own spell and the portal activated.  “I’ll be back soon,” Twilight said, and then stepped through as Starlight and Spike waved goodbye.
As soon as the mirror ceased rippling, Starlight put her hoof down and asked, “So, what do you really want to do while she’s gone?”
“I’m going to try and find those notes,” Spike replied, folding his arms.
“Ugh, fine,” Starlight sighed, ears lying flat.
Spike gave her a sideways look.  “How about, if you lend me a hoof, I’ll tell you what I know about that other portal to other worlds we’ve got around here.”
Starlight perked up a little.  “The order-thingies you mentioned earlier?”
“Yep,” Spike said, giving her a thumbs-up as he led the way out of the room.