"Twilight, are you feeling okay?"
The extra crust in her eyes had given her away. Twilight rubbed them clean and turned towards Pinkie Pie.
"Yep, I'm fine. Everything's fine."
She didn't know what was faker: her tone of voice or her jaw-hurting smile. Pinkie wasn't convinced.
"I may act cuckoo from time to time, but I'm not stupid. That's the kind of smile you see when your great aunt gives you a sweater for Christmas that's so long it has it's own zip code."
"And you're not going to stop pestering me until I tell you why, right?"
"Abso-positiva-lutely. Lack of communication divided us once already. Let's not let it happen again."
"Ugh, fine. I've been having...nightmares."
Pinkie started to speak, but then slapped a hand over her mouth and motioned for Twilight to continue.
"Sometimes I'm abducted and left to starve under the school. Other times, I'm running for my life, and she's hunting me." Her voice began to crack with the painful memories. "In another one, I'm just burning, burning alive."
A small gasp escaped Pinkie's lips.
"And then, there's the worst one of all." An involuntary shudder hinted that the girl was dangerously close to a breakdown.
A hand on Twilight's shoulder made her look up. "If this is too much for you, you don't have to tell me this."
"I'm under Adagio's spell again. Attacking wildly in a blind haze while that monster looks on. When the fog clears, I've...I've...."
"What?"
"I killed you, Pinkie. The dream ended with me standing over your dead bodies. The image burned into my mind, and it stays there even when I'm awake."
"But it's all right now. We're okay. Sunset beat--"
"THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Like flicking a switch, Twilight went livid and began shaking her. "Our 'victory' was only the result of an unknown factor; Sunset's ascension was something neither Adagio nor us took into account before the fight. If that hadn't happened, she would have killed herself trying to save me!"
"Ow! Tw-tw-Twilight stop! Y-y-you're h-h-hurting m-m-me."
The fury disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, and she slumped down in chagrin. "Sorry about that. But you need to understand: I'm the Princess of Friendship. That means that I place great value on the people and ponies that I care about. The thought that one of you could have died on my watch is...unbearable. I can't let that happen. I won't let that happen."
"You didn't know the Sirens knew you were coming. You did the best you could."
"But it wasn't enough." Twilight jerked around again, with a clenched fist and steely stare that made Pinkie jump. "I need to be stronger, be better. So that nothing like this ever happens again."
"You're being unrealistic. We've had to deal with crises even before Equestria was involved. You can't fix everything by yourself."
"I'm well aware of that, thank you. But I can protect you." The determination in her voice gave cause for uncertainty.
"What do you mean by that?"
"No matter what it takes, I'll fight to my last breath to keep you safe." She started to leave.
"Wait a minute! Should you really be going outside right now?"
"I'm tired of being scared. I have to do something." With that, she left the house, letting the door slam behind her.
Staring after her, Pinkie didn't know what to think. Her friend was obviously hurting, but talking about it had seemingly made it worse. Pulling out her cell phone, she started calling the others. Hopefully, Twilight wouldn't have to make good on her words.
At the school...
"Preliminary analysis of the school's exterior reached completion at approximately 3:47 PM, Sunday afternoon." Twilight Sparks spoke into a voice recorder.
"Compared to control samples ascertained from home, Canterlot High's vegetation seems to be growing at a rate far greater than standard plants. Examination of the two sets of soil determined the only difference to be that of an unknown substance, henceforth referred to as Substance X. Earlier experiments with the concrete and asphalt revealed little to no concentration of Substance X.
"Query: Is Substance X at its most potent within organic lifeforms?
"Listing the most ideal procedure to move forward. Step 1: Observe students for further indications of Substance X. Step 2: Find a way to isolate Substance X for further experimentation. Step 3: Ascertain potential uses. Test subjects might be required. Current applications involve botany, biology, medical science, and possible weaponization.
"Off-record statement: This could be the greatest scientific discovery since the human genome project."
"Who are you talking to?" A figure popped up behind her.
Ugh, another dull-witted plebeian interrupting my studies. Why Professor Solaris wanted me to associate with these ingrates, I'll never know.
She switched off the voice recorder with an annoyed huff and tried to appear pleasant. "No one. I was merely making an observation about the soil."
"Why are you looking at dirt?" Her name tag read Lyra Heartstrings.
Unlike Mystery Mint, who had been only marginally interested in what Sparks had been doing, this new green girl seemed too curious for her own good.
"I'm a new student here, and wanted to be sure that the foliage didn't set off my allergies."
She scratched her head. "A new student? I thought you already registered six months ago, Twilight."
"I assure you that you're quite mistak--How do you know my name?"
The other girl stared at her. "Everyone knows who you are, Twilight. You saved the whole school from a raging she-demon."
It wasn't very scientist-like to gawk, but Sparks did so nonetheless. "That's impossible. I only just registered yesterday. And what do you mean 'raging she-demon'?"
"How do you not remember that? You were the one who did it. Maybe you should talk to the school psychologist about your bad memories."
This place has a shrink too?
"I am in no need of counseling, thank you very much."
"Ah denial. The first sign."
"I DON'T NEED HELP!"
"Anger."
"Please leave me alone."
"Bargaining."
"What have I done to deserve this?"
"Guilt."
"You're not going to stop, are you?"
"Depression. Just one more step to acceptance."
Oh, screw it.
"Can you take a look at something for me?"
"What is it?"
Sparks held up a finger between Lyra's eyes and began swaying it like a metronome. "Just relax and focus. You'll see it soon."
"See what?"
"This." She snapped her fingers, and her victim's eyes went blank.
"Uhhhh."
"That's better. How anyone can tolerate your incessant chatter is beyond me. Now, explain the 'she-demon'."
"One of the other students used a magical crown from another dimension to turn into a horrible monster." Lyra droned, her eyes rolling in her sockets. "But you defeated her and turned her back to normal."
Magical Crown? Another dimension? I'd write these statements as delusional ramblings of an idiot, but there might be sense to be found here.
"What else do you know?"
"There was another incident during our last Musical Showcase, but I can't say much about that. You'd have to talk to Vinyl Scratch."
"Vinyl Scratch? Who's she?"
"The school's DJ. Purple glasses, blue hair, and white skin. You can't miss her."
"Then I'll add her to the checklist. As for you, go find somewhere to sleep for three hours and forget everything about me."
"Sure thing. Bye."
After Lyra left, Twilight pulled the voice recorder back out.
"Updated Information: This is bigger than I thought. If an alternate world is involved, then the possibilities could be boundless. Such a phenomenon must be analyzed and exploited. My current goal is to find out the secret behind this so-called magic. Signing off.