Rainbow Dash trotted through the streets of Ponyville. Normally, she would be flying through the skies, practicing tricks or clearing the skies, but at the moment, she actually felt like walking. She couldn’t explain it; it just felt like something she should do. It was a beautiful day outside, and she found herself enjoying the scenery. She was currently on her way to Sugar Cube Corner, in a mission to acquire some delicious baked goods.
Ponies around her talked and conversed about this and that. She wasn’t one for gossip, so she did her best to keep her attention to herself. That is, until she heard the name of one of her close friends being spoken.
“Did you see Twilight talking to herself?” Rainbow turned her head to see two ponies conversing. One was mint green unicorn with a lyre as her cutie mark. The other was an earth pony with a purple and pink mane and tail. It was the green one who just spoke. Lyra, she believed her name was. It was then that the other pony spoke, whom Rainbow recognized as Bonbon.
“No, I didn’t,” replied Bonbon.
“Well, I did. She was walking through the town, explaining a bunch of stuff about Ponyville and Equestria, like she was talking to somepony new, but I didn’t see anyone responded. She would even listen and make replies. Personally, I think she went off the deep end, just like that Smarty Pants incident.”
“Like you’re one to talk Lyra, what with all your talk about Humans,” said Bonbon.
“Hey, that’s not the same. Humans ARE real, and someday they’re going to come! But the difference is, I know I haven’t seen a real human before. But Twilight was acting like somepony was there, when it was plain to see that there wasn’t.”
“Hm, maybe you’re right.” Rainbow shook her head, and walked away. ‘That was weird,’ Thought Rainbow Dash. ‘Maybe I should head over to Twilights, to see if she’s okay.’ With her mind made, Rainbow changed her course, now heading towards Ponyvilles own Golden Oaks Library. It took her some time, but eventually she reached the tree. She trotted up to the door, and knocked.
“T-twilight? Wha-what just happened?”
“I…I, I don’t know,” replied the Princess. She trotted up to Shade and raised her hoof. She looked at it, then back to shade, then back to her hoof, then back to Shade. Carefully, she moved her hoof towards Shade. Instead of passing through him like Spike did, it stopped when met with Shade’s body. Puzzled, she retracted her hoof, and sat down.
“I don’t get it. How, why, I-I just,” and then Twilight cried out in frustration. She got up, and turned to head towards her bookshelves.
“What are you doing Twilight?” asked Shade, still with a tone of fear of the situation.
“I’m looking for a book to explain what the bucks going on!” said Twilight. Meanwhile, the hunger in shades belly started making itself known once again.
“Twilight...my tummy hurts, and I’m feeling dizzy,” said Shade as he put one hand to his stomach, and the other to his head.
“Oh dear. Uh, just lay down on the couch over there.”
“Okay,” said Shade as he walked over to the seat, and lied down. Meanwhile Twilight was still searching for any information on the situation. When she found none, she let out a frustrated groan. She was about to call down Spike to help her, when she heard a knocking at her door.
“Oh, someponys at the door. Shad, you stay there on the couch.”
“Okay Twilight,” replied Shade. Twilight walked towards the door, and used her magic to open the door, revealing a familiar blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane.
“Oh, hello Rainbow. What brings you by today?” asked Twilight.
“Uh, hey Twilight,” said Rainbow. Twilight noticed that something was off with Rainbow. It was in her tone, and on her face. “Listen, uh…are you doing alright?”
“Of course, why do you ask?”
“Well it’s just…well you know, I just…well I was walking through town, and overheard some ponies saying that you were acting a bit…off,” said Rainbow as she rubbed the back of her neck with her hoof. Twilight’s eyes widened a little. ‘Did ponies see me talking with Shade? But if no one else but me can see him then…they might think I’m…ok, I can fix this. Just play it down.’ “Oh, of course Rainbow, I’m perfectly fine. There’s no need to worry.”
“You sure?” asked Rainbow, still a little unsure.
“Positive Rainbow,” replied Twilight. Rainbow took a few seconds, but then came to the conclusion that what she overheard were just rumors.
“Alright then. I’ll see you later Twi!” with that, Rainbow started flapping her wings, hovering a few feet above the ground.
“Okay, see you later Rainbow!” said Twilight. Rainbow waved goodbye, and then flew off into the distance. Twilight sighed in relief, and then turned around and went back inside, and shut the door. When she walked back inside, she saw Shade kneeling on the couch, facing her.
“Everything all right Twilight?” asked the boy.
“Yeah, it’s just…hold on a sec,” Twilight ran up the stairs, and came to her room. She knocked on the door. When she heard Spike say; “enter”, she opened the door, and peeked inside. She saw her faithful assistant reading one of his comic books.
“Hey Twilight,” greeted the purple dragon.
“Hey Spike. I’m just checking in with you. You doing alright?”
“Yeah. Hey, how are you? You were acting kind of weird earlier.”
“Yes, Spike, I’m fine.”
“Alright good.”
“Alright, I’ll be downstairs.”
“Okay Twi.” Twilight then closed the door, and returned downstairs, where she saw Shade sitting on the couch, looking up at her.
“Sorry, I just needed to make sure we were alone,” said Twilight.
“Why?” asked Shade.
“Well, it’s just that it seems that no pony else can see you.”
“W-why?” Twilight sighed. “I don’t know. But I can feel and see you. I know you’re real, because I know I’m not crazy.”
“Then what do you think the problem is?” asked Shade.
“I’m not sure. It could be that your temporal molecular structure is offset. After all, you are from another world.”
“Okay, said Shade,” who then gripped his stomach in pain.
“Are you still hungry?” asked Twilight. Shade nodded with closed eyes and grit teeth. “Ok, what I want you to do is go into the kitchen, and try to eat something. Even if it tastes bad, you need to try and swallow. If that doesn’t work, then maybe it’s because of your temporal structure.”
“Alright, I’ll try,” said Shade. He got up, and walked into the kitchen. Once he was out of sight, Twilight turned to face her bookshelf.
“The answer must be here somewhere. Books are the ultimate source of knowledge after all,” said Twilight as she started searching, She searched and searched, but found nothing. Frustrated, she sat down and hung her head. She couldn’t find anything. She briefly remembered passing over a book called; ‘Super naturals, and by that we mean things that have to do with the paranormal,’ but she dismissed it as it was about things like Vamponies, Zombies and Ghosts. But those things weren’t real. Right?