"Bring Trixie the Blue Pages!"

by shortskirtsandexplosions


08

The next day...

Starlight Glimmer sits in her room, surrounded by kites and framed photos of friends.

She fills out School of Friendship paperwork, yawning every once in a while before taking sips from a mug of tea.

There's a knock on her door.

“~Come in~” she says.

The door opens. Spike waddles in, dragging a bookbag over his shoulder.

“Hey, Starlight.”

“Good afternoon, Spike.” She smiles over her shoulder. “What's up?”

“Nothing much.” He raises an eyecrest. “Although I'm surprised to find you here working. I thought you and Trixie had a mare's-day-out planned for this evening.”

“We did. Butttttt...” Starlight rests the mug of tea back down onto her coaster—which happens to be a blue-tinged tome. “...that's gonna be delayed for a bit.” She huffs. “At least until after I can find a friggin' walkthrough.”

“Oh, cool... I guess...”

“Did you need something, Spike?”

“Well, now that you mentioned it...” Spike reaches into the bookbag. “Something popped out of the portal in the basement overnight. Looks kinda cursed to me.”

“You don't say?” Starlight turns around and motions at him. “Here. Let me see.”

Spike hands her a red-colored antique book.

“Uhhhhh...” Starlight's ears fold back. With a nervous breath, she slowly peels the book up to its very middle.

There's a picture frame on the top right corner. It dances with static snow.

And then...

Sscrkkkt-scttt-“Achenar???”-Scct-ssctt-sccdtt!!!

Sunset Shimmer's distressed pony face looms into view, squinting. She blushes—matching the static all around her.

Ssccrst-ssst-sst-“Oh. Starlight. Hi there. Eheheheh...”-Scct-scrkkkst-sttt-scct-“Anyways, can you find me the red pages?"-Scrrcckt-scctt-sckktt-“Pretty pleeeeeease?"-Scrkkkt-scccttt!!!

Starlight slaps the book shut, making Spike flinch.

“Oh Celestia dammit!!!