The next day began with a clear and calm morning for the entire town of Ponyville, whose present weather was practically the same as yesterday, with the only difference being the presence of light winds.
Despite the events occurred the previous day, most of the ponies returned to their normal activities, even the friends who accompanied Twilight on her retirement vacation. Only one of them, who was wearing a brown country hat, was very eager and determined to carry out her plans in mind for a special family event that would come in a few days, so she was the first to say goodbye to put her helmets to work.
Also, among Twilight's closest friends, there was also an another pony who was very opposite to the previous one due to her own adventure yesterday.
Starlight, was getting up reallly exhausted on her beddue to the amount of Trixie's mistakes she had to fix (apart from the already mentioned) while she performed more spells of her own during her training; though she was also still somewhat dismayed to still be hiding in that table accident... and the unexpected phenomenon which almost hurt her friend. This time, however, she had organised a plan to seek out adequate information to investigate the phenomenon, without alarming her friends along the way.
"Good morning, Starlight! How are you feeling? Did you have fun yesterday?" Twilight greeted her and asked her in a friendly manner about her successful and fun retreat earlier.
"Ow. Hello Twilight, let's just say..." she said in a tired tone as she stretched a bit. "... it could have gone better. At least I'm glad Trixie improved her aim with her lightning... ouch!! That will continue to hurt a little more. "
While trying to communicate friendly with her teacher, she scratched her back and her back from some pain she'd been having since yesterday.
"Although, considering what happened then..I admit she has a lot of potential after all, but not much experience yet". Starlight thought a little optimistic about the results obtained by her help... at least.
"Ohh, I see... anyway, I think it was cordial of you to help her with her magic, I'm sure it will be very useful for her future magic performances" Twilight stated calmly and positively.
"Thank you, Twi.." Starlight said as she packed her green briefcase with some things quickly. "By the way, you were going to perform something today, weren't you?"
"That's right. I'm waiting for Dr. Redheart, she said she needed to tell me something urgent about her patients about his situation at the Ponyville hospital." Twilight responded in a confused manner for that future request.
"I see. Today, I'm off to the Ponyville library to... take a look at ... something important I need to investigate." Starlight notified as she finished listing her things to leave.
"OK, no problem... *Twilight said in a doubtful tone as she tried to remain calm before her. "But you know we have a giant library in this castle to start, don't you?"
"Well, it's just that I'm looking for... some new relevant information for... certain important possible investigations, yeah. You know it's always good to be prepared hehehe.... Well, goodbye Twilight." she said as she finished walking out the door quickly to leave the castle.
"Alright, see you.. later, Starlight." * she said as she quickly continued her activities and watched Spike, who has already arrived close to her after getting up on his bed.
"Good morning, Twilight.... Everything is fine here?? I saw Starlight.. leave in a hurry without answering my greeting today." the little dragon said to Twilight calmly, while yawning a few times.
"I have no idea, Spike, but... I bet she has something in mind for now. It'll be better... not to rush it for now... Anyway, do you want something for breakfast???" Twilight answered doubtfully.
"Gems and diamonds, pleaseeeee" he commented actively.
"Ok... so, I'll see what to do about it... just don't eat part of the castle, okay??" Twilight worriedly commented on how she could solve that request.
"I only hope she can repay me for said favor... this once." Twilight thought worriedly.
At first light, all the shops, workplaces and resting places began to open, including a new library built a few moons ago near the town hall. Although it was not a very visited place, it featured certain mysterious books on archaic subjects of various topics, in a hidden area of the place, coming from far away places in Equestria.
Only those ponies are able to find and research in the hidden places of such libraries. Starlight was no exception, as she had known the places in that town for a long time... well, being a missing villain in the past.
Upon arrival, she had properly organised her list of possible books she recognised written down on a 2 metre long paper list she had in her briefcase something that I'm sure her teacher always did for unexpected big plans like this... or any event that she sponsored as a princess's job too.
"Since there's no one around, it'll be quicker to find what I'll need for later... I'm sure it'll be a piece of cake at the end." she said as she began to investigate the place.
Disregarding the moments I had spent for a quick outside breakfast... by the Bulk Biceps stand, Starlight incessantly applied her reading and analysis skills to each of the books in said place, taking advantage of every moment while she could... in the places to evade her other friends and avoid a premature scandal to her red smoke problem.
"I'm sure Twilight would be proud of this... although not now, of course." She thought from time to time.
Although she also tried to imitate Twilight's style of studying, his great effort ended up being in vain. She spent a few hours, searching pillars to pillars of books, even those with new information Twilight and her friends had obtained in their past adventures,but found nothing relevant relevant or useful for her problem...
"Psychology and anatomy area... ready. Pre-abduction history area... check. AHH, NO WAY!!" she shouted at the end as she was silenced by the others in the area. "Sorry."
"Anyway, maybe I'll take these for now..." she said in a calm tone as she stuffed some books into her briefcase. "I hope those are hel... Ouch!!"
Suddenly, she felt a force behind her, which sent flying the books she and her attacker were carrying... some accidentally hitting themselves (especially her attacker in the face) and ending up being silenced by the other ponies present. from the library.
"Oops, sorry miss, I didn't notice you while ... wait??" the attacker claimed a little embarrassed until he looked through one of Starlight's discarded books attentively. "Excuse me, is it the 5th volume of the History of the Crystal Empire??" he said in an excited tone.
Rising to her hooves, Starlight found a tall red young unicorn with a dark blue mane, wearing a leather jacket and holding a pencil in one ear. She didn't know the pony who was perusing the cover of that book; however, remembering again from her past lessons in friendship and the experience with Trixie, she tried to stay calm and keep up with him while she could... even if it meant losing valuable search time.
"You're right... I've already been there and I know a lot about it." Starlight answered clearly and calmly as she stood up.
"That sounds interesting. Although I didn't visit the entire empire although I remember it well, I know some important events in its history... like the founder of that place, the reign of the Princess Amore before the rise of the King Sombra... " that red unicorn declared clearly and happily as if he had really lived an unforgettable experience in that place.
"Really??" Starlight said surprised since those topics were unknown to both most of the ponies in this town and to her (especially for her old village where... used to be her "special lifelong home").
"That sounded strange, I guess that topis are secret from Twilight's family specially. Maybe that pony isn't any lying visitor , but first I have to make sure somehow." Starlight thought curiosly while I thought for a few seconds. "I got it."
"Okay, so how about we share some thoughts on that subject... so we can learn something from each other about it??" Starlight asked him in a friendly and curious way to convince him to join in this apparently beneficial activity for both of them.
"Honestly I didn't measure how long an unexpected attempt like this would take me but... seeing how attentive she was to these somewhat complex ideas, I think it wouldn't be a waste of time after all." he thought while he reflected on this situation.
"That's a good idea. We can talk at that table over there." he responded calmly while pointing to a table near the center of a circle of shelves of books on various topics, to provide some tension and excitement to it-
"Okay, let's go there." Starlight stated friendly.
The unicorn nodded calmly with his head as he walked with Starlight towards that place for his "knowledge challenge" with her for a long time, thinking it was be an appropriate and clever way to get to know each other better and vice versa while time still permitted for both of them.
Despite their previous caution, also the time can also be a negligible factor for some ponies in Equestria at certain times... of the thousands of unexpected events that usually affect this town.. regardless of what these events consist of.
After a few moments, the two learned unicorns continued to chat and discuss various topics from certain places in Equestria to the point of being able to describe an essay on royalty itself, if possible. Despite there being no absolute winner, both ended up exhausted and satisfied with their long joint activity while leaving the other readers around them totally amazed and paralyzed by their great knowledge... even imagining being able to defeat Twilight in a test of intelligence.
"Wow... well I see that... you know a lot of... Equestria's history after all... Impressive." Starlight answered while trying to regain the strength to continue speaking.
"Yes... it was a hobby... of my youth. Still, I admit... that you are not bad either... in that knowledge... of ancient magic." the red unicorn claimed with certain difficulties.
"Thank you.. Although I see... that we have taken... more time than we thought... I must return home... with these books that I planned to take before." Starlight stated in a worried tone as she searched and organized some of the many books she had used in her duel.
"Ohh right, I was just trying to do the same thing from the beginning." the red unicorn the unicorn answered while doing the same action, although using his hooves instead of his magic unlike Starlight for some reason. "Still... is it okay if we continue talking outside if you want??" He asked nervously.
"Ehh.. normal, sounds like a good idea." Starlight nodded calmly as she walked with her new rival towards the exit.
Upon reaching the counter, whose recepcionist pony in charge was also there like the other ponies present, Duskent stopped worried about a small detail that he was forgetting.
"I almost forgot. Excuse me, do you know when I have time to return..." the red unicorn asked the recepcionist pony curiously until she was stopped by Starlight due to a light blow of hoof on her back.
"Don't worry, this will be on my friend... I'm sure she'll understand later." Starlight replied friendly, making the red unicorn calm down for the moment and accepted her help.
They both left the premises satisfied with that experience, leaving the pony receptionist to faint almost immediately from the best amazement of her life that she had observed that day.
While they were walking down the main street of Ponyville, the red unicorn finished arranging his obtained books in his briefcase and wanted to continue his talk because of something... unexpected that Starlight had mentioned previously.
"Wait... is it true that a little dragon is the savior of the current Crystal empire?? I really didn't expect that result." the red unicorn asked his friend curiously with a strange face for that statement.
"Ha Ha. I agree with you, although that's how the inhabitants of that place confirm it... although it was with the assistance of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence after all." Starlight reaffirmed with a clear and somewhat mocking tone.
"I see it... despite everything, I continue to be surprised by the thousand and one events and antics that have modified many parts of this world... as we know it today, whether for better or worse." The red unicorn commented in a calm and positive way, reflecting on what he has concluded from what he knew and learned in his previous challenge with Starlight.
This slowed down Starlight's movement for a few moments, who was reflecting on that last sentence in an uncomfortable way... especially because it is really true... although she did not know how to express it directly without releasing some unwanted word like the previous times.
"I... agree... ehh. I'm sorry but we spent so much time there that... I didn't even ask for your name in the first place." Starlight asked a little embarrassed at forgetting something as simple as that.
"Wait??? My name??" the red unicorn asked surprisingly.
"That was unexpected. It's the first time somepony ASKED me that... many of them I met just called me 'outsider'. At least she seems to be trustworthy.." he thought worriedly.
"My name is... ehh..., Duskent.... *she said while looking at his Cutie Mark to figure out a clue, which only took 2 second. "... Energy... yep, you can call me 'Duskent Energy' ".
"Alright..." Starlight asked doubtfully while she, in turn, suspected him.
"It's a long... complex... and dark story. I hope you understand me." Dukent answered a little worried.
"I admit it was a bit remarkable, although... who am I to judge him for having something in common really??" Starlight asked thoughtfully about it.
"Don't worry. Still, that sounds good for me... Duskent. My name is Starlight Glimmer, and I'm a student... graduate of the Princess of Friendship." she claimed.
"Wait, Princess of Friendship?? Who do you mean by that?" Dusken asked.
"Well, I just meant Princess Twilight, who lives in that huge castle over there..." She stated calmly while pointing her helmet towards a hill outside the town, where that place was located. "... and saved Equestria many times. They probably told you somehow."
"It sounds strange I don't recognize her from all the ponies in this pony that lives around here... well, even so, it was similar to me when she arrived at my old home." she thought carefully.
Although he did not remember it, Duskent felt a certain sensation of having heard that name in the past... although he preferred to remain discreet in the meantime.
"Ahh I see... I hope to meet her directly later, surely it will be great. Well, I must return to my camp before the day grows dark." Duskent responded calmly.
"Camp? So you're new here, aren't you??" Starlight asked curiously.
"That's right... it's a long story, but I could tell you about it later if you want." He said in a nervous tone as it was personal... and stressful for him. "Now, I must prepare for any case."
"Wait, if you're just new to this place, then I think it would be missing something like a..."
"SUPRISEEEEEE!!!!"
Suddenly, the entire square had been filled with different ponies of each color that came out of their hiding places in the blink of an eye and spun around happily at the same time, surprising said duo. As the two unicorns tried to recognize what they were going through, a strange pink pony with a messy, wavy mane stood in front of Duskent, startling him and knocking him to the ground, as well as certain items from his backpack and his lucky pencil.
"Ohh, You've got to be kidding me." Duskent claimed in a confused tone as he tries to get up and collect his belongings and watched that pink pony laughing and trying to cheer him up out of nowhere.
"Really?? I don't remember saying anything funny yet... but it doesn't matter because It's always an honor to welcome the best town in all of Equestria!!!!" The pink pony expressed herself in a happy and exaggerated way when she was face to face with Duskent as if they were close relatives... or something like that.
"THAT'S RIGHT!!" the other ponies in the background stated happily, as she did, before continuing with their daily routines.
"Hello new friend. Welcome to Ponyville!!! My name is Pinkamina Diane Pie First, but as you are my new future best friend you can just call me only: Pinkie PIE!!! Easier to remember me, don't you think??" * She said in a cheerful tone while a funny noise and a shower of confetti was heard close to them.
"I think... you are very right... about that, ha ha." Duskent answered with some discomfort because he did not know what to answer about it.
"Ok, this is getting weird all of a sudden..." he thought while trying to get rid of the confetti falling from the sky.
"Hehe, hi Pinkie, meet Duskent Energy, he's a.... fellow science and magic student just like me." Starlight said happily as she walked over to help Dukent.
"Oooohh!!! Sounds really amazing you've already made a new colt friend today." she said in a curious tone with some giggles.
Both Duskent and Starlight felt a little uncomfortable with that fact, especially Duskent who barely knew and learned as much from said pony allies as from the town in general.
"No way, we have already known each other... it's REALLY nothing like that..." Starlight responded uncomfortably to this clarification, while Dukent only managed to look away so as not to comment something unpleasant about it.
"Wow, it was just the last thing Pinkie could imagine... at the wrong time... maybe I said I expected it..." she thought embarrassed, although also doubtful because of something that didn't fit coming from her charismatic friend. "By the way, it's strange that you just showed up at this time of day... it's about to get dark already."
"Time???" Pinkie asked curiously while looking at the sky in an exaggerated way. "Ahh I see, oopsie. I was busy with some other kind of event that's going to happen very soon in this town.. yet, I always fulfill my welcoming duties." she said in a worried tone to finish the last word and a nice smile (with a "squee" sound) while she still looking at Duskent.
"I admit it was a nice surprise, but don't worry, I'm..." Duskent said friendly until Pinkie stopped him with a hoof on his snout.
"Sorry but I have to go now, I have some unfinished business with another friend right now. I hope you feel comfortable in this place. See you later, mysterious unicorn!! See you later, Starlight!!"
After that, Pinkie said a quick goodbye to both ponies and ran off at an unexpected speed towards the Sugarcube Corner candy store a few meters from that place, leaving Duskent speechless and Starlight answering the farewell by moving one of her front hooves.
".. fine." Duskent finally completed his phrase.
"Personal Note: Find an aspirin for me... and a psychiatrist for Pinkie sometime." he said while writing this note in his notebook without Starlight noticing it.
"Sorry for her exaggerated behavior, Pinkie Pie was just being Pinkie Pie anyway. So, let's just say that makes it special for all those ponies." Starlight tried to calm him down with... that apparent excuse.
"Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie?? Maybe it's a tongue twister rather than a logical reason... but I don't think it will be a problem for the other ponies around here at least." Duskent thought doubtfully.
"Don't worry, it happens to me often." he said as he watched dusk fall little by little in the weather.
"So... you plan to return very soon?? You see... I'm going to do something interesting with ancient magic matters... if possible I think... it would be a great idea if you could... give me a hoof too." Starlight suggested to him somewhat awkwardly, because of the pressure that she would think about her future plan in mind.
"Well, I know how uncomfortable that request was for us but... I think she doesn't seem to have bad intentions behind this, it could even be a great opportunity for both equally." he thought carefully.
"As long as time and the situtation allow it, I'll try... I still have a lot to do around here." he finally responded calmly to reduce the tension in the environment.
"Sounds good to me." she stated in a relieved way. "Well, I must return to my home for now, I guess my powerful friend is awaiting me right there."
"Ohh, I get it... I also have to check out my new resources for now... I'm sure something much better will come tomorrow for both of us." Duskent claimed trying to be more optimistic.
"I think the same... Anyway, see you later, Duskent." she waved a quick goodbye as she trotted back to the castle, outside the town.
"Goodbye, Starlight." Duskent said in a firm tone, although he was still confused by all the events what happened. Even so, he simply continued on his way to the entrance of the town to return to her new temporary home.
As night fell, Duskent placed his backpack, some pieces of wood and stones near the tent as he finished the day exhausted and began to reflect on the day's events:
"Wow, that was the craziest day I've had so far." he said to himself doubtfully. "I hadn't thought that there were finally ponies with whom they could interact normally since I came here. Well... one more refined and compatible than the other but... I think it's something."
Then, he managed to light a bonfire to warm the atmosphere a little although, inside, he felt an anguishing feeling that made him uncomfortable as he began to take his notebook. He looked at the starry night sky above him, remaining still and silent for 1 minute… for some reason.
"I don't know if I should..." he thought carefully.
After the silent time was over, she rubbed the sweat from her face with her hooves and, being more determined and relieved, she looked at the campfire again.
"Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to come here after all, but.." he said while checking some notes in his notebook. "... still, I need more resources than books to survive in this place on my own.l.... and maybe, again have someone reliable to lean on if possible."
Afterwards, he stayed awake for a long time to think and write down various ideas in his notebook as much as he could to better organize himself in the following days. Finally, he returned to his tent to rest peacefully.
Meanwhile, Starlight silently returned to the castle, reviewing the books and notes acquired that day. As she arrived, she saw that Spike was still cleaning and putting away some of the children's toys around the entrance and part of the castle hall. Seeing said situation, Starlight was momentarily relieved to know who else had come to visit Twilight for the day and distract her from her real problem... but she decided to go straight to her bed.
"Hey Spike, good evening. Do you know where Twilight is??" Starlight asked a little more relieved of not having found her friend to avoid future suspicions.
"Well, she's sleeping early since she had more unexpected activities to do today after all... she just told me to tell you not to forget to put away the books you had taken there and put the supplies you had taken out on her shelves."
"Yeah, so typical attitude of her..." she thought ironically.
"I'll keep that in mind.... Well, I guess I should.... go to sleep for now." she said tired from the hard day she had.
"Are you sure you don't want to have dinner before?? I prepared a special salad with the vegetables from the fields of..." Spike asked doubtfully.
"That's very kind of you, Spike, but... don't worry, I've just took it outside a while ago. Rather, say goodbye to Twilight if you get to see her later. See you tomorrow, Spike." she explained friendly and a little quick to finally take her well-deserved rest in her room..
"Okay... Goodnight Starlight. * he said in a tone confused by her attitude since, noticing her from afar carrying certain books from her half-open briefcase, he felt she had been out most of the day for some reason...still he decided to ignore it and finish his work by the time.
After arriving at her room and arranging the acquired books in her briefcase in some hidden place so that Twilight or the others would not find them, Starlight began to prepare her bed while she reflected on the results of her day.
"I still don't think it's a good idea to mention anything about this problem to my friends until I'm sure what it really is." she commented confidently to herself while she finished. "Still, I'm glad I won't be alone for this occasion... and maybe I'll be able to figure it out in no time with a little research into my books... and my future companion. I'm sure I can handle all of this."
After turning off the lights, she stayed for a while contemplating the starry night sky through her only window to the outside that she had... a little worried about the speed of time that has passed without realizing it... and how little but effective effort that she was able to advance for now.
"I just hope I made the right decisions this time." she thought a little doubtfully as she closed the window with the magic of her horn.