Several sheets and books lie scattered on the floor, tables, and shelves, the little dog watch with some concern to his mistress who doesn't stop typing her computer with the completely centered look on the screen and the data that in this show, Turns her body to a microscope and after watching in this one writes in a notebook, after that she turns his attention to the monitos.
"The data is ... correct." Speak the scientist for herself "Everything fits, it's not as wild energy as it looks, it can be controlled, everything is here, I can use this data to formulate a test field."
The girl stands and crosses her arms rubbing her chin while thinking aloud.
"Still ... how come ... the Equimia seems to have strange effects on physical rules, almost mocks everything we know of reality, what kind of power is this?"
The barking of her puppy takes her out of her thoughts and this gives her a look of concern.
"I'm fine Spike, I feel like I'm close to discovering the secrets of the Equimia, even though... this doesn't explain what relationship keep Sunset Shimmer and her friends with all this. Why they can use it while they play music? Why their bodies undergo a physiological change? Why they manipulate energy, and matter? Too many questions."
"Twilight!"
The sudden cry shakes her out of her thoughts and looks at the entrance to the basement to find in this a young man dressed in a police uniform and a look of annoyance on his face.
"Shi-Shining Armor? What are you doing here?"
"I should ask you that, Cadence told me you didn't go to school in two days."
"But I submitted a note that I would be absent."
"That was last week."
"eh? Wh-What days is this?"
"Tuesday."
"... oh... oww..."
"Don't tell me you've been here since yesterday."
The girl does not respond but thinks to herself. "Actually, since Saturday night..."
Shining waits for a response from his sister, but when she does not answer, he lets out a sigh.
"Twily... Cadence told me you asked for help for that note."
Twilight looking at the side "...typical."
"You told the whole school that you were sick, and now, you tell me that you didn't attend because you are... what are you doing anyway?"
"... an investigation."
Shining raising an eyebrow. "About what?"
The girl thinks for a minute about what to answer, for a moment she thinks of improvising a lie just to end the conversation, but she instantly realizes that that would not happen and lead to some speech about responsibility.
"Do you remember those rare events that happened last month at Canterlot High School?"
"Canter... that school yes, what happen eith that?"
"I discovered that these events are the result of the manipulation of an unknown energy."
"records say it was only special effects and some technical flaws."
"they just said it to keep the press away, but I was not fooled, I followed the clues and found out a few things."
Shining looking contemptuously "Like what?"
"The Equimia, I call it that, seems to have a kind of effect and alteration against physical laws, I could not say how or why it happens, but now I have a pretty clear idea of how it is controlled-"
The older brother looked away and let the child follow her explanation, although he didn't bother to pay attention because he knew that there was an issue they had to talk about, so after a few seconds he interrupted.
"If I discover its true source, maybe I can analyze it better and-"
"Twilight."
"eh? … what?"
"... Look, whatever you do, you cann't just stop going to school like this, I'm going to assume you've been on this topic since last week, and I don't think it necessary to tell you that what you did was unethical."
Twilight cross her arms. "I know ... but I had to start the tests at that school, besides, it's not like I'm missing something ..."
"The next time you want to blow your classes, just do it, do not make up an excuse, just like no one cares if you do not go."
The memory of those words makes her feel a pressure in the chest, but doesn't change her expression.
"... where are mom and dad?"
"working, I guess."
"Have not you talked to them?"
"As if I could talk to them, they're always away from home."
"Twily-"
"Just leave me! Shining I'm practically an adult, I can make my decisions about what to do with my life."
"... and what would that be?"
"... discover everything about Equimia, and how to use it to change the world."
"Change? Change it in what?
"In anything, a source of energy like this could be used almost in anything, could build habitable bases on the moon, or even travel to other planets, reviving prehistoric beings, okay maybe I'm exaggerating but for what it was possible Analyze, would not be impossible ideas at all."
"... Twilight, sorry to say this but that all sounds... just ridiculous, there's, a lot more you could do if just-"
"Yes, for you it's easy to say, you already have everything you want in life."
"Twily-"
"I'm no longer that girl you had to be caring for Shining, you have a life, and I, I'm looking for mine, MY way, with MY goals, so let me live my life."
With that she turns around and sits down again in front of the computer to investigate further, Shining looks at her for a moment and then releases a heavy sigh, looks at his sister one more time and then turns away from the basement, when he arrives upstairs he listens A soft bark, and sees Spike standing at his feet, the puppy begins to bark and jump.
"What's up Spike?"
The puppy runs around it and then goes to the kitchen table where it barks with more enthusiasm.
"What do you want to tell me?"
Shining notices the wallet on the table and after receiving another bark of the puppy proceeds to review it, takes the video camera and the bark of Spike impels it to review it, his face reflects his surprise to see what is engraved in.
***Mirage***
Wednesday, Sunset maintains a semblance of tiredness and annoyance as she walks toward school, the reason... Sun playing her guitar and song...
"~Sunsie late was woke up. Her homework not end all. In class they will scold her. And in detention will remain.~"
"Are you going to be like this all the way?"
"I don't know, maybe."
"You don't help me."
"It was not me who made you stay up late last night."
"It's not my fault that there are people who can not program their own computers, besides you could wake me up."
"You're already big enough to I have to warn you to go to class."
"At least you could not play a song about how badly my day started."
When they are near the school, both girls see that a police patrol is standing in front of the place, and lying on it with arms crossed, is Shining Armor, he turns his head sideways as if he is looking for someone, and when he sees Sunset, his Look becomes attentive and gets up.
"am ... Sun, are he looking at us? ... Sun?"
When she doesn't receive a reply from her counterpart she turns only to realize that her other self disappeared in the air, with her eyes open in surprise, she turns again and sees the man approaching her with haste, the girl gives a hard drink and her brain orders her Run, but her alteration prevents her from moving, finally the officer stops in front of her and looks at her.
"Are you Sunset Shimmer?"
"... ... that... that depends, who and why asks...?"
The officer removes his cap and after a breath comes.
"My name is Shining Armor, I'm Twilight's brother."
As soon as she heard his name, Sunset could recognize he, the nerves of seeing he in his uniform blocked her mind but now she realized that it was certainly, Twilight's older brother.
"Police... it makes sense"
"Excuse me?"
"Ah ah no, nothing je je... am, yeah, Twiight's brother, um... a-a pleasure to meet you.
"pleasure is mine."
"am ... how can I help you with, Officer Armor."
"You can call me Shining, and well... you see, I wanted to tell you about my sister."
"What-what's wrong with her?"
"You and she, are friends, right?"
"am yes, will you arrest me for that? Je je... I hope not..."
"Oh no, no heh, you see, it's just, ... Twilight got into ... a scientific affair of her."
Sunset thinks for herself. "She must still want to study the magic."
"The last week, she presented at her school a note stating that she was sick, and now, I think she's been locked up in her... lab, since Monday."
"Um... what...?"
"She has not attended class this week, she been focused on a topic... strange, and I'm worried, I try to talk to her, but she doesn't listen to me" he sighs "She's usually very stubborn."
"um, yes... and... what do you want me to do?"
"Well, I saw the video, in the camera, when she were on picnic with you, and... Honestly... I had not seen Twilight act like that, since she was a little girl."
A brief silence appears, Sunset thinks to say something, but in the end wait to Shining will continue talking.
"... I would like to ask you to speak with her."
"speak with her? About what?"
"... I... I don't know... Twilight was not like that... and... I'm worried that this is going to hurt her, in the school she never talks to anyone, I'm afraid she's going to be isolated from everyone, nobody can't live like that."
At the end of that phrase, Sunset feels a strong pressure on her chest, puts a hand on her heart and breathes deeply to calm down.
"you ... are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah ... it's just ... allergies..."
"Um, well, that's fine."
"So... you want me to talk to Twilight, about her attitude, um... unsocial?
"I just want, foe she to go out and have fun, to have a life outside those books and computers, I did everything I could but... I think... I failed... but on that picnic, I was with you and, her other friends, I want her to have a life like that."
"Then what you're asking me..."
"Do you think... can you, help Twilight, relate more to others?"
Sunset stops to analyze a little the situation, since her encountered with the double of the princess of Equestria, she tried that this one did not overtake in her study with the magic so that this does not cause any problem, teach her the magic of friendship Seemed the best option, even seemed to have a good effect by how she had reacted in her last encounter, but had to admit that the attitude of the girl had made the job a little harder than expected, now, her older brother has just ask she to continue doing just that, try to use the magic of friendship with her.
"well, I was already on that project anyway" thinks for herself before respond. "I think, I can try, I know I can't make her quit science, but I'll try to she makes more friends."
Shining smile "thanks, Sunset, I'm glad Twily has found a friend like you."
A distressed laugh leaves the former equine and after a brief farewell, the officer retires and climbs his patrol and then moves away.
Sunset rubs her temples in an attempt to calm her mind, goes on her way and as she passes the statue sees a familiar face hidden behind it.
"Is the boss gone yet?" ask her double.
"um, yeah ... why did you leave me like that?"
"I'm allergic to men in uniform with shiny plates."
"You left me alone there, what if it had been something serious?"
"I'm sorry litle sis, but I've been in prison once, I don't want to risk it."
"and that's why-... wait, how you were in prison?"
"oh it was a while ago, I got into a lawsuit with a guy, and well, let's just say I made a dentist very happy that day."
Sunset rubbed her face uncertain how to react.
"changing the subject, what did he want?"
***Mirage***
"So, what's the plan?" Is the question of Rainbow.
The Rainbooms found themselves in a secluded corner in a school hallway and Sunset told them what Shining Armor had said.
"Well, I was thinking of going to see Twilight after class."
"is that a good idea?"
Ask her double from her position lying in the window from outside the building.
"What are you talking about?"
"As far as I understand, the science girl is getting very obsessed with the matter of magic, if you go there, she might want to experiment with you and who knows what she could do, I mean needles and moorings."
"Was not it you who told me to tell you about magic in the first place?"
"yyyy-yep, but one thing is to be honest, and another is to be an idiot, that girl will be good, but from what I see she could be crazy, it could be dangerous."
Rainbow shrugged "We are accustomed to danger, moreover, it is just a egghead, even if something happened, we could escape before the thing gets ugly."
Applejack nod "And I doubt anything happens, Twi doesn't seem like the "crazy scientist" type."
"It's decided then" declares Rarity "we'll all go see Twilight after class."
Sunset looks to all they. "you no need to come."
"Of course we do!" exclaim the athlete "the Rainbooms are always united."
"I just hope we annoy Twilight if we get there without warn before." says the shy girl.
Pinkie take a cake. "if we bring her a cake she sure will not bother."
Sun laught a littel. "heh, you girls are amazing."
"Sure we are!" Exclaim Rainbow.
Sunset lokks at her double. "what you mean Sun?"
"you hardly know that girl, and yet you try hard to be her friend, is it because she looks like your princess friend?"
"Nah, she really looks like a nice girl." Respond the Farmer
"Besides, we have the magic of friendship" declairs Rainbow. "To distribute it, it's like a job."
Rarity nud and smile. "And as Sunset told us, Twilight really needs a bit of that magic."
Sun smile "... I see, well, I hope that Twilight appreciates such action."
"Sunnie will you come with us?" asks Pinkie to her.
"no, I'm not really aware of the magic of friendship, I think it would be more of a hindrance than a help."
"oh don't talk like that, darling."
"We're all friends here."
Sun smiles and closes her eyes as she is silent for a moment.
"thank you, but really, I don't think I should get into this, at least not for the moment, maybe when it's all calmer and the girl is more open."
"If you're sure."
"I am."
At that moment the bell starts at the beginning of class.
"well, all you have class, I'll look to entertain myself, we'll see you later, lucky."
Saying goodbye to the traveler and the rest, each goes to her respective class.
Sun walks to the front of the school and looks at the building.
"We're all friends here."
"... I wonder if they will still think the same thing after... well, it will be necessary to see."
The little bird she had seen a few days earlier rests on her shoulder making it flip, after a last look at the building she retires.
***Mirage***
The light from the screen is reflected in her galses, her fingers nimble press the keyboard while the monitor shows the data of some type of project.
In addition to the constant click the only sound present is that of the clock that lies high in the room.
With a last click the computer digitizes the data and sends these through a cable connected to an object, a class of dome-shaped machine which lets hear a sound and see a small series of lights when it receives information from the computer .
Twilight turns and sees the dome open by itself allowing to see inside... a crown...
"It's ready."
The scientist takes the crown between her hands and examines it, made of a silvery material, its shape is simple and adorned with an eight-pointed sparkle of a blue mineral. The girl smiles and with the crown in her hand, once more checks the computer.
"According to the data, it should work."
Her gaze turns to the digital memory connected to the computer.
"I still don't know where that memory came from, but the data inside has helped me a lot."
The barking of her puppy makes her flip, the little dog gives her a look of concern, she leans over and slaps him on the head.
"calm down Spike, I have everything under control, this... "crown" should allow me to get in contact with the Equimia."
The little dog lets out a faint canine cry in response and looks with fear at the crown.
"It's ok Spike, I have taken all precautions, if something goes wrong the system will automatically cancel."
Sitting up, the girl looks closely at the crown and after a deep breath prepares to put it on.
Before she does, Spike bites her lab robe and pulls it in an attempt to stop her.
"Spike! Enough!" She takes her robe and pulls it. "don't interrupt me again."
The puppy lowers his ears and looks imploringly at his mistress.
"I already told you that I have everything controlled, I will only test if I can really feel the Equimia for myself, what is the worst that could happen?"
Without further ado Twilight carefully placed the crown in her head, spend some time without moving or react but before she could even change her expression feel something run through her body, the blue spark in the crown lights up slightly and soon her whole body is surrounded by a Soft crystalline brightness.
Twilight looks at herself and her astonishment doesn't make her wait, Spike doesn't share the feeling and instead watches her very worried, the girl doesn't finish getting out of her astonishment before her body starts to levitate, her surprise mixes with Aa little of afraid being seen floating a few inches off the ground, sooner her fear is replaced by emotion and her lips shows a big smile.
"it works, it really works! This is... Equimia, it's... it's amazing..."
The girl keeps watching her body and the energy that starts to come off.
"now I can study the Equimia for myself, imagine what I could do, this energy, this power, will allow me to do everything! So many discoveries! So many new creations! I will finally be recognized, everyone will admire my intellect, everyone will know who I am!"
So focused was she in her image of her future that she does not notice when the magic disperses and begins to affect the objects in the room.
Books, notebooks, pens and everything lying on the tables begins to levitate while surrounded by magic, Spike notices this and barks to catch the attention of her mistress, but this still centered on herself, the magic begins to expand more and Objects now begin to fly erratically.
The magic also affects the computer causing a breakdown in the system, the dog the barking loud, even so the scientist doesn't notice it around, Spike then jumps and takes with his teeth the robe of Twilight to pull it Which finally pulls her out of her reverie and looks at her puppy with a frown.
"Spike! What do you-?!"
Her sentence is cut off as she realizes what is going on around her, the magic has reached all the furniture in the room, her books and smaller machines move around her, soon the tables and larger objects begin to move in the same way.
"o... ok... I think that's enough for now."
SHe tries to take off the crown but doesn't get it, tries to pull harder but this does not yield, her eyes are filled with fear to see how everything in the room now surrounds it and some things begin to collide with each other and against the walls.
"is not good...!"
She continues to try to remove the crown, the spark in it is brightened more intense and from this comes a wave of energy that leaves Twilight immobile, her eyes close tightly and opening them only give off a strong white glow, Spike just can see Twilight and let out a howl.