//------------------------------//
// The Confrontation (part 2) 
// Story: Starlight's Struggle 
// by adorablesmiles 
//------------------------------//


I was walking around Ponyville, minind my own business, when I saw a Unicorn standing next to a fruit stand. And it definitely looked like she was over loaded.
Now's probably a good time to help someone out. It certainly wouldn't hurt anything.
I didn't even hesitate with this. I knew I wanted to help, and that overpowered all the doubt that I had.
"Here, you look like your carrying more than you can handle. I could help you carry some of this stuff to your house if you want." I offered.
The Unicorn shook her head. "I got it, I don't need help." She said, as she picked up the basket that I had been carrying with my magic, but this time she picked it up with her magic instead of putting it on her back.
And then, just like that, she was out of sight.
I know that I've been trying really hard to be nice to others, but the fact that they keep refusing my offers to help, that really hurts.  But then again, I get it. I wouldn't trust me either if I was in somepony else's hooves.
I sighed. I was starting to think that trying to be nice wasn't worth all the heartache that came with it.
I continued to stand there for a few more minutes, but that was when something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. It was shiny.
I slowly walked to it, but I have to admit I was cautious.
When I finally got over to where I could see it, it almost looked like the ground was cracked. And I couldn't really see what was under it, but it didn't look natural.
Although, I suppose I should have seen that coming, because there really isn't a "natural" in a world without magic.
But what happened next was what really got me scared.
The crack slowly got bigger. And because I was standing near it, I really thought that the crack would go far enough and then the ground would give out from under my hooves, and then...
I slowly, and carefully, backed away from the hole. There was no way I was going to take a chance with this.
What am I doing? If anyone knows about this, it's Twilight! She can help me figure this out! I thought.
And then I ran down the road, in the direction of Twilight's castle.
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"Alright. Now that you're all here, there's something I want to ask you." I said.
"Is it about... COOKIES?!" Pinkie Pie asked.
"No, Pinkie Pie. It's not about cookies." I said.
"Darn it! I really wanted cookies!" She said.
"This is about something more important than baked goods." I started. "This is about all of you."
They all looked confused upon hearing that.
"Us? Why us?" Applejack asked.
"It's about you because of something I've noticed lately." I said. "I guess it's just the fact that everypony seems to be so panicked. But I'm not. I've had experience with helping people and ponies. It feels strange that even my friends don't have much faith in me." I said.
"Now sugarcube, we never said that." Applejack said, as she hopped out of her throne and walked over to me.
"You didn't have to." I said.
"We never meant to make you feel that way." Rarity said.
"I know." I said.
"Well is there anythin' we can do?" Applejack asked.
"I'm not-" I started, but I heard hooves slamming against the floor. And then an aura surrounded the door.
"Twilight! I need your help!" Starlight shouted as she ran in. "Um... unless I'm interrupting something."
"It's fine, Starlight." Applejack said. "We can continue this later. C'mon, girls."
And all of them did walk out. Except for Pinkie Pie.
"Pinkie, you're still in here." I said.
She wasn't saying anything at this point, I mean, she was leaning on the table staring at us, but that was it.
"Pinkie Pie?" I asked again.
Still nothing.
And then Applejack walked into the room again, grabbed Pinkie by the tail, and then walked out.
"Well... what is it you wanted to talk about?" I asked as soon as the door shut.
"It's about something I saw while I was walking around town today. I didn't know what it was, but I thought you would, so I came here to talk to you." She said.
"Can you tell me what it looked like?" I asked.
"Well... I can't really. It was... really really strange. It didn't look natural." She said.
It's more than obvious now. I have to see what this thing is.
"Do you remember where you saw it?" I asked.
"I... think so." She said.
"Can you please take me to it?" I asked.
And then we ran off.
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"This is definitely where I saw it." Starlight started. "I know because I was trying to help somepony, but that didn't go very well. I probably would have stood around moping, but that's when I spotted something shiny. And it was right... here!"
I walked over to where she was standing, and what I saw there practically made my eyes pop out of my head.
There was a large crack in the ground, and from where I was standing, it looked like it was getting bigger.
"I guess you were right. It doesn't look natural." I said.
"Well is there anything we can do?" She asked.
I had to really think about that for a while. I knew that the crack that I had seen just now looked exactly like the book described. And I had a suspicion that I was going to need that very book right away.
"I have something that can help. It's at my castle. Come on!" I said, as I ran back the way I came.
"It's a book, isn't it?" Starlight asked, as she ran behind me.