//------------------------------//
// Report 
// Story: a Sudden Train Ride to Hoofington 
// by bearcat 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight Sparkle burst into the room, shouting "Spike? Spike!" Seeing he was carrying a load of laundry to the rather sparse bed to fold them, she said, still a little too loud for the distances involved, "Spike there you are! Take a letter, please."

Spike dutifully put the basket down, and waved hello to Pinkie, who was sharing this room with Twilight. "So, how'd your big day of adventuring go? Somepony said there were puffs of smoke throughout the day, like maybe a forest fire was smoldering or something."

Quill in hand, Spike looked at his employer slash roommate, and Twilight barely noticed he had asked questions, so hopped up on adrenaline was she. "OK this will need a bit of editing I can barely think straight. Hmm.

Dear Princess Celestia,


		I believe we have found the party you described, and it's a single male adult alicorn. He says he is from a place that has no magic but has evidenced the use of magic, not least of which was to create a thatched roof cottage using steel beams.

His name is Crescent War-snath, and his special talent is, and I quote, to modify the argument. While I think he's probably well meaning his memory appears damaged and I do not believe that using the artifacts we have discussed are the correct response to his condition. Enrollment in the academy of magic is probably more fitting as his powerful magic will be a danger to those around him until he's less awkward with his horn."


Spike went over the letter a few times with Twilight while Pinkie downed a sarsaparilla and laid down. Finally happy that what was written conveyed the proper tone she was trying for, Spike coughed green fire on the letter.

Twenty minutes later, the reply came. And thirty seconds after the letter materialized, so did the Elements of Harmony, Twilight's ruby necklace spreading warmth to her chest as it's energies dissipated. "Quick Spike open that blasted letter what went wrong?!?"

"My faithful student Twilight," Spike began.



		"Thank you for investigating this so thoroughly. The alicorn, despite his potential shortcomings, sounds like a useful ally and I would love to meet him here at the castle.

"Also, the invaders were much more to the west than I was originally led to believe. Please try to get Crescent War-snath to accompany you to Canterlot. Don't travel via Ponyville it's under siege at the moment.

"Signed, Princess Celestia."


Twilight facehoofed, then groaned in frustration, and finally started beating the side of her head against the wall. "Why can't anything be simple around here? Just one problem at a time?"

From the second bed, came Pinkie's voice as she rolled over to face her roommate. "Twilight! I was nearly asleep! Sheesh; have a sarsaparilla and go to bed. I'm sure you'll feel better in the." Here she yawned, and rolled away again.

"Sure, Pinkie. Sarsaparilla. See you in the morning. If we're not all dead." Twilight cast an ice spell on the bottle before opening it. She started to leave to tell her friends but felt Spike's hand on her shoulder.

He had a pleading look as he shook his head. "If they're burning with curiosity they'll come find you. If not you'll just ruin their night's sleep. We'll get this solved Twilight. We always have before, right?"