Apple Jack smiled as the warm breeze washed over her... she coudn't have asked for more. Being out on a walk with her little sister and young cousin in the outskirts, the warm sun and blue sky above them, the fillies working as a team to carry the scooter... everything was perfect and the day had only just begun.

Once they got to the Acres, per AJ's instruction, the scooter was loaded right into the barn. She then went to find her older brother and grand mother to update them on Scootaloo... but instead found something quiet unexpected.

She had found the remaining adults in her family all right, but she'd also found two other ponies in black business attire. Granny Smith did not look happy to see them and Big Mac looked equally displeased in his own, more subdued way.

"I want you offa my lot!" Granny Smith shouted. "And take yer papers with you!"

Apple Jack approached:

"What's going on?"

"Ahh," the suited pony closest to Granny Smith turned to AJ and took a few steps in her direction. The way he slunk towards her was almost unreal, snake-like... to the point he hardly seemed to be moving at all. "You must be Apple Jack! You and your brother here are sole heirs to this estate, is that correct?"

"Don't tell 'em anything!" Shouted Granny Smith.

Big Mac looked at his little sister with a look of frustration in his eyes:

"You gotta tell 'em the truth, AJ," he said, sadly. "It's against the law to lie to 'em."

Granny Smith winced:

"Dagnabbit, he's right..."

"Indeed he is!" Said the other suited pony. "Please listen carefully. We only wish to ask you a few questions."

Apple Jack sighed:

"Yes, I am the heir of this estate along with my brother. What is it?"

"Miss Apple Jack! We wish to discuss the health of Ponyville's local Walker Scootaloo... it is our understanding she was recently injured near here. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"And this happened during the time you had opened your door to her, is that also correct? Do not lie to us -- your friend Fluttershy has corroborated this, but we need specifically your testimony."

Apple Jack could already see where this was going...

"Yes, that is true."

The other suited pony spoke:

"Then we have much to discuss! May we come in and discuss what's going to happen over a cup of tea?"

Apple Jack motioned to the farm house. Both ponies strode silently up the hill while the filly's laughter could be heard in the distance.

"I aughta poison 'em both," spat Granny Smith.

"Then we'd really be in trouble... me and Big Mac will try our best, but this ain't lookin' too good."

Beside her, Big Mac stared up the hill with hatred in his eye:

"Ee-yup."

On the other side of Ponyville Twilight had been home for a good 30 minutes. Rainbow Dash was still upstairs and Spike was just finishing up his chores.

So, how is she?" Spike asked.

"She's pretty beat-up, but she's talking and had fun with Apple Bloom and Babs."

"I think I might go later today then," the dragon replied.

"Feel free, Spike. Don't worry about Rainbow Dash."

A voice was heard from the top of the stairs:

"Why would he worry about me?"

Twilight looked up just as Rainbow flew down towards her.

"Hey Rainbow!" Said Spike. "How ya feeling?"

"Fantastic," replied the cyan Pegasus, stretching her legs. "Twilight, would you mind if I got myself a little grub then split? I kinda wanna see Scootaloo now."

"Oh, that's fine, Rainbow!" Replied Twilight. "Would it be alright if Spike tagged along?"

"Sure, sure... I won't mind the company."

"Alright!" Shouted the dragon, no longer dreading visiting Scootaloo alone.

Once his cleaning was done, Spike threw together a quick salad for Rainbow Dash and a gem salad for himself. Before Dash ate he took her temperature, and... it was fine. They left the library together leaving Twilight alone.

Twilight was happy to be alone for the second time that morning... she needed space to unwind.

The purple mare laid back in a chair and thought about what to do with her unscheduled idle time... read a book, take a bubble bath, maybe even a nap. She couldn't decide -- it all sounded just perfect!

Then she heard it, off in the distance:

"Sweetie Belle!"

The sound made her blood freeze. That was definitely Rarity's voice.

The Unicorn quietly left the library and followed in the direction of the calling. She only heard the call one time, but that was enough for her to be sure.

She slowly crept up the street... She peered in the direction of Rarity's shop and saw her standing right outside, still dressed in the wrinkly sports attire. There was an almost glazed over look in her eye, as if she'd been zoning out. Fortunately the streets were empty, otherwise more ponies probably would have heard and been just as curious and disturbed as Twilight was. The stealthy Unicorn watched as Rarity tapped her foot repetitively on the ground... drew in some air, then called out again:

"Sweetie Belle!"

This time Twilight made her presence known... walking right up to her wrinkly mare friend:

"Hi, Rarity," she said, forcing a smile. "You seem really upset... Is there anything I can do to help you?"

The posh mare fixed her gaze on her purple friend. She paused for a moment, looking almost afraid... then tears began to form in her eyes as she finally answered:

"Twilight, have you seen my sister? She's late for brunch and I'm starting to get really worried..."

The purple Unicorn's eyes went wide as she did what she could to keep from throwing up. As much as she didn't want to admit it, being face-to-face with Rarity in this state was truly more unsettling than she could have imagined. The once sophisticated mare actually appeared to be going crazy.

With her hooves on the ground, Twilight responded gently... doing her best to conceal her feelings with a smile:

"Uh... Rarity? How about you come the library with me and have some tea? We can talk about this over there."

The disconnected mare's eyes went wide once more as she replied:

"Twilight, I've simply got too much to do! I don't have time to sip tea at the library with you!"

Twilight had to think fast and decided a little nudge was in order:

"Rarity... it's been so long since you and I talked! I'm sure you'd love to see the new section on crafts I just got in. Come with me and we can talk all about this. I'm your friend. Heck, I bet you have some nice, juicy gossip to share with me..."

"Well," the ivory mare shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting to and fro Twilight's gaze. "Alright, Twilight. I'll humor you, if only for a bit."

The calm mare used her magic to switch the sign on Rarity's shop to closed. The two then slowly cantered to the library, Twilight insisting Rarity lead:

"Now why would I want to do that?"

"Um... uh..." The purple mare thought to herself quickly. "To show off your pristine attire?"

The Unicorn smiled, taking a few steps forward:

"Twilight, that's a marvlous idea!"

The rumpled mare mumbled to herself along the way, occasionally veering off slightly to the left or right. She jerked her head to the side periodically, as if looking at some urgent happening off in the distance.

"You alright, Rarity?" Asked Twilight.

The mare answered rather matter of factly:

"My... the colors out here are bothering me today! I'm getting such a headache..."

"It's okay," she assured her friend. "I can get you some medicine after we get in..."

"I'm fine, Twilight! Really!"

Twilight decided to keep quiet and observed her the whole way... not sure quite of what to make of all this yet.

When they got to the library, Owlicious bolted awake once he heard Rarity's voice... it sounded unusually loud and shaky to him. Twilight asked her friend as she shut the door:

"May I take your coat? I think Spike might be able to get those wrinkles out."

The purple Unicorn immediately kicked herself... she already knew full well that her friend wasn't seeing things in the same way she was.

Rarity scowled, and spoke sharply as if offended by the mere suggestion of her having unkempt attire:

"There are no wrinkles in my suit, Twilight! Quit trying to upset me more than I already am!"

Again Twilight faked a smile:

"My mistake, Rarity. Please sit." Rarity stayed in her rumpled attire as she sat in a nearby chair. Twilight was already making mental notes. "So tell me, Rarity... when was the last time you saw Sweetie Belle?"

"Why, just this morning before she went off to school!"

Again, Twilight wanted to be sick:

"Rarity, it's Saturday. Plus it's also two week's vacation for the fillies."

"Yes, so it is..." Rarity chuckled nervously, looking off to the side while placing her fore hooves around her body as she sighed. "You know, Twilight... I remember hugging her and I telling I love her so very much. It seems like it was so long ago!"

"Okay," Twilight nodded her head, heading for the stairs. "Stay right there for me, all right?"

"Sure, Twilight." Rarity smiled.

Twilight ran upstairs and grabbed some parchment. She needed to act like she was at work and observe Rarity's behavior until Spike got back... then message the Princess for help. She knew she couldn't leave the library long enough to send Spike a note, so she had to rough it out.

Then Owlicious flew by, saying hello in his usual way. He looked up at Twilight with wide eyes and she got an idea.

"Will you carry a message to Spike for me?"

His reply was quick:

"Hoo!"

The Unicorn smiled, then quickly scribbled her note down using her magic. She rolled it up and gave it to Owlicious, who grasped it in his talons.

"He's at the Ponyville Hospital with Rainbow Dash. Please hurry!"

She quickly opened the window and out he flew into the morning skies.

Twilight then turned towards the stairs and shouted:

"If it's okay with you, I'm going to do some work while our tea is warming, Rarity! You keep talking! Tell me about how business is doing, Sweetie Belle's escapades with the Cutie Mark Crusaders... anything you like."

Twilight then rapidly descended the stairs with parchment, ink, and quill suspended in the air. She went into the kitchen and started filling a kettle... she had four things flying through the air, all while keeping her eye on her good friend.

"Well, I really should be getting back, Twilight," Rarity said. "But last week Sweetie Belle had the most wonderful adventure with her friends!"

"She did?" Twilight asked, quill ready to take notes as the kettle overflowed in the sink.

Rarity looked off to the side and mumbled to herself for a second, as if trying to recall something from long before:

"Yes, she did... now, how did it go again?"

Twilight came out with all four items suspended before her, the overfilled tea kettle spilling its contents as it floated there:

"Tell me!"

Rarity paused, shifting in her seat. She started to get up:

"Well... Twilight, I really think I should be going. Thank you kindly for inviting me in!"

Hearing this, Twilight actually heaved a sighed of relief. It didn't seem her friend was delusional at least, otherwise she'd probably be very eager to share... it was still a good idea for Rarity to stay. It didn't take Degree in Psychology to know that calling out in broad daylight for a dead family member suggested something serious was going on!

"P-please stay a bit longer, Rarity," Twilight said, doing her best to imitate Fluttershy's bashful mannerisms. "I'm just asking for ten minutes of your time, if that's okay."

"Well..."

As Rarity considered the proposal, Twilight levitated the tea pot on a path back into the kitchen... because of where she was standing, however, it needed to go past Rarity's chair. Because she had four things she was keeping track of at the same time, the kettle accidentally bumped Rarity's back rest. Water spilled out onto the sitting Unicorn's attire, soaking her through.

"Twilight!" Rarity erupted in anger and surprise. "I'm soaking wet now! You should know this is truly unacceptable behavior for a hostess!"

"I'm so sorry Rarity!" Twilight exclaimed, setting everything down and focusing her magic on Rarity's garb. "Just let me use a spell to dry your dress and you'll be good as new!"

Rarity protested, holding on to her clothes with magic and hoof:

"No, thank you, Twilight. I'm quite fine... Twilight!"

It was too late... the librarian's magic pulled too hard, causing Rarity to spill out of her chair, thus spilling her out of her dress all together. In just a split second Twilight learned her friend has been hiding something under her clothes for Celestia knows how long.

It wasn't just that she was skinny, that was the least of Twilight's concerns now. Rarity's sides were bound tightly with bandages, stained with fresh drops of blood all over one side of her body.

"Rarity!" Exclaimed the purple mare. "What happened to you?"

Nervously, Rarity got up and chuckled:

"Well, Twilight... it happened last week..."

"This blood's from today, Rarity!" Twilight again exclaimed. "I'm going to repeat myself: what happened to your side?"

"Well, you see, Twilight... I wanted to touch it up and-"

There was a knock at the door. It was faint but rapid... and irritating. Twilight wanted to hurl her kettle in the direction of the entrance, yet somehow she managed to keep her composure:

"I'm really busy right now! Please come back later."

"T-t-t Twilight?" Fluttershy whimpered from behind the door. "Please let me in! It's an emergency... I think I did something really awful."

Had the roles been reversed, if Rarity were on the other side of the door and Fluttershy was acting koo-koo, Twilight probably would have barred the door. Despite being timid and having the tenancy to blow every danger she encountered way out of proportion, Fluttershy never came to Twilight's door being overly dramatic. The Unicorn sighed, opening the door:

"Fluttershy, this better be important...."