As the pink-maned pony hopped away, Steam let out a soft chuckle. Noticing this, his assistant, curious, asked him why. "Sir, what's so funny? I for one think that mare has lost her marbles." In a hushed tone, he muttered to himself, "I for one think she might be bloody insane." Stopping, Steam composed himself before answering. "It's simple: She reminds me of myself. Sure, not many of you see that side of me, but I remember my life as a young colt, being playful and silly. It makes me happy to see that in times like these, somepony can manage to be as happy as can be no matter what." As he finished speaking, he began to walk away, leaving his assistant slightly bewildered, but he shook it off and continued to follow suit. "Wait, sir, do you know exactly where --" Cutting him off, he pointed to the massive tree in the center of town, several blocks away, "You mean the painfully obvious tree, of which the kind mare told me of? Yes. Come now, you must feel silly asking such questions." Slightly angered by this, he stays quiet, and follows.
~~~~~~~~
[In the Library]
"Spike? Spiiiiiike!! Get up! It's already noon and something tells me we -- " Cut off from what she says, Spike burps out a wrapped scroll, and finishes her statement, "have company?" Bewildered he knew what was in the letter before he even read it, she just answered with a "Yes" before letting him read.
"My faithful student Princess Twilight, you are probably wondering why I am writing to you at such an early time in the day."
"Early? It's noon!"
"Twilight! I'm reading this!"
"Right, sorry! Continue.."
"Thank you.. Ahem..
'I have news for you. Spotted by my sisters guards early this morning, they had reported seeing a small collection of ponies leaving the EverFree Forrest. I do not feel that they are a threat, as does my sister. However, I feel I may know who they are, seeing as the guards have reported a peculiar tattoo design on one of the ponies. Be wary, however, and do not reveal anything to them. If it is who my sister and I think it is, they will wish to speak to us. In that case, bring them to me immediately.
Yours truly,
Princess Celestia
P.S.: If you can, try to find out who they are and where they are from.'
So.. uh.. What's that all about? Ponies coming from the EverFree? Twi, something doesn't seem right.."
"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about, Spike. Just relax. Also, get some tea ready for our guests. I'm sure they will be thirsty.."
~~~~~~
[Outside the Library]
"Well, it seems we've arrived. We had better see if she is home." he says as he walks up to the door, gently knocking on the door. [from inside] "Spiiiiiiike! The door!" "Alright, alright! I got i -- " As Spike opens up the door, he cuts himself off, staring at the pony in front of him, a colt, with an indeed strange tattoo design amongst his whole body. Seeing this baby dragon, Steam, in amazement, speaks up, "Am I to presume that this is the home of a Princess Twilight Sparkle, fair dragon?" Still slightly stunned, Spike quickly shakes himself out of shock, "I, uh, yes! Twiiiii!! Gueeeeesssstttt!" [still from inside] "Let them in! I'm.. Trying.. To.. Tidy.." She cuts off as she falls, "UUUUUUUUUPPPP!!!" *crash* "Ow.. Come now Spike, let them in!" Turning to the ponies, Spike steps out of the way, "Come right in. She's kind of a klutz when it comes to cleaning." "Of course! Before I forget, what is your name, dragon?" Bewildered as to why this stranger wants to know, he simply states, "Spike. My name is Spike.." Intrigued, he lets out a soft chuckle, and continues inside.
"Is he alright? He seems kind of off.." Spike mutters to himself.