Twilight walked out into Ponyville. The sun was high, she wasn't sure of the time... maybe two'ish.

I could always take her in... she thought.

"I'm so proud of you, Twilight Sparkle," the Princess would say. "Giving up so much so that Scootaloo can continue living in the place she's grown to love, with the ponies she's always known as her family and friends."

Twilight shook her head.

"Write me when you learn a new lesson about the joys of motherhood. I'll be here, always listening to the new experiences you have and the new challenges you are facing. You are shaping and guiding new life, a most noble cause. You must be there for her, always, and lead by example... as I have with you. I believe in you, Twilight Sparkle."

The Princess would get a new protégé and would always feel fond of Twilight... but she would have to move on. Twilight would have to move on as well and give up everything she'd spent her life working towards.

No.

Twilight continued to walk the streets, running different ideas through her head as her hooves padded down random paths:

"She could always stay at Cranky's to sleep, but me and my friends could watch her instead."

That's a form of fraud. The Princess wouldn't allow it, even for you.

"Fluttershy and I could juggle her."

You'd have to be married to Fluttershy for that to work.

"We could always raise funds for Rainbow Dash to get a home."

That might work... but without AJ we're likely to just get enough Bits for Dash to get a one-room apartment. That lacks a kitchen, a place for laundry, and possibly it's own bathroom. That's too barebones for an adoption. As if an orphanage would be much better? Yes, it would!

"What about Apple Jack? I could tell her what's going on."

And betray Rainbow Dash's confidence? You're better off letting Dash go to her by herself. It's all you can do.

"As if that will ever happen."

"I'm so proud of you Twiligh-"

"Knock it off!" A bead of sweat ran down Twilight's cheek. "Gah, I can't think straight!"

She was in the middle of a Ponyville street, not far from the old Boutique. Ponies were staring at her. She giggled to herself, her eyes going wide.

"Sorry folks," she said as she walked past Lrya's property, trying to keep her voice from cracking. "Really major problem no pony seems to want to help me with! Nothing I can't figure out, though." She made sure to wink.

"What is it?" Asked a concerned Noteworthy. He had been enjoying daffodil sandwiches with his two friends in the lime green Unicorn's front yard. "Maybe we can help?"

"Oh, I don't think any of you can help with this," Twilight responded, walking past the three without making eye-contact.

"Burdens are smaller when you share them," said the blue stallion, comfortingly. "Normally you're very calm, Twilight. Surely it can't be that bad?"

The Unicorn stopped dead in her tracks and turned to the confused Earth Pony.

"Do you feel like adopting a little Pegasus filly?" She asked him directly, her pupils contracting. "You look fit enough to keep up with her... how 'bout it?"

"Well, I-" Note Worthy began hesitantly. "I couldn't possible do that, Twilight. I'm got a career to worry about, songs to write and perform. I'm not home often enough to-"

"I should have figured," Twilight responded, gnashing her teeth. "But I've asked you before..." she turned to his two friends, who were seated. "I've asked all of you before and I got pretty much the same answer. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to head this way," Twilight pointed past the burnt boutique, "to the library, so I can think up a new plan of action. One that will actually work!"

As Twilight cantered off, all three ponies lowered their heads, having lost their appetite... despite the hard work they'd each put in for almost four hours.

Twilight continued on her way to the library, muttering and sputtering the whole way there. Ponies that didn't stare made way. At least the library was a familiar place... a place Twilight could retreat to, a place Twilight knew, where she could come up with a new plan. It was in plain sight.

Twilight opened the door with her magic, sighing:

"Home sweet home."

The library was silent, cool. Owlowiscious could be seen off in the corner, snoring. Not even Spike was up and about, it would seem.

"That's funny..." Twilight called out into the old oak tree. "Anypony here?"

It was then that Twilight heard the sound of little feet above her head padding across the floor, then down the stairs. The little dragon was holding a royal scroll.

What is it now?

"Twilight!" Spike exclaimed, half excited and happy to see her, half frantically. "The Princess wants to see you in Canterlot!"

The Unicorn let out a sigh.

"Seriously? ... right now? As in right now, right now?"

Spike's smile drooped when he saw the face of his tired mistress.

"Twilight? What's wrong? .You look, well.. awful."

Again, Twilight let out a deep sigh:

"I'll tell you later, Spike. Now focus... tell me what the note says, or just give it to me."

"It says you can come at your leisure," the dragon replied, opening it up and looking at it. "But please come as soon as you can. Preferably no later than tomorrow or the next day."

"Write her back, Spike," Twilight said, walking past the dragon to a chair. "Tell her, if she can get me there, I'll go tonight... normally the Princess asks for me like this when something important is going on. It has to be better than sitting around here in the dark. Plus it'll probably help to talk to her face-to-face about Scootaloo."

Spike raised an eyebrow:

"Don't tell me, Twilight, Scootalo-"

"I don't want to talk about it right now, Spike," Twilight said, cutting him off abruptly. "Please just do as I ask. Hopefully after a few minutes of sitting here in peace my brain will slow down enough so I can bring you up to date."

Spike saluted, running to his quill and parchment upstairs.

Twilight sat, at first not a thought on her mind. She didn't feel as peaceful as she'd hoped, but numb. So very numb and empty.

"I can't tell Rainbow Dash what just happened." She thought out loud. "Not now at least."

She sat there in silence. Many minutes passed without so much as a sound. The library was so quiet she could hear Owlowiscious's snoring and the floor shifting under Spike's weight. She let out a deep sigh, finally starting to relax.

"It's done, Twilight!" Spike shouted from the top of the steps. The Unicorn heard his approach. When he was face-to-face with her, he asked "now what's going on with Scootaloo?"

Rubbing her temples, Twilight looked at him.

"Cranky can't take her anymore," she said, bracing herself for the inevitable slew of questions to follow. "Matilda broke her leg... it's all he can focus on. It could take months and months for Rainbow Dash to get settled... it doesn't seem realistic for anypony to give her a long-term home anymore."

Spike stood twisting his tail, looking at the floor.

"Oh... that's really sad."

They both fell silent. Surprisingly, no questions came out of Spike... except:

"Hey Twilight?"

She looked over at him again.

"Yeah Spike?"

In the blink of an eye he was on her, both little arms wrapped snugly around her barrel. She paused for a moment, her body ridged... she then relaxed and returned the hug. She found herself smiling.

"Thanks, bud."

The dragon didn't answer, instead hugging her even tighter.

The hug lasted for a good, long while, until Spike finally broke away, feeling indigestion normally brought on by one of the Princess's incoming scrolls.

With a belch, another message materialized, forming right in his claw.

"That was fast," Twilight said, watching her dragon assistant open the scroll.

"A flying chariot will be here in three hours," said Spike, looking up at Twilight. "Is that going to be enough time?"

Twilight nodded.

"Oh, yeah... today's been shot to Tartarus and back. Any studying I had planned for later this evening can wait another day." She smiled, yawning. "Spike, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind making me a daffodil sandwich and some strong tea to go with it? I'm kind of, well... for lack of a better word, starving."

"All ready on it, Twilight," Spike said with a smile. "Would you like sugar with that?"

"Normally I'm not one for sweets," the Unicorn winked, "but today I think I'll make an exception."

"You got it."

The drake padded off into the kitchen, leaving Twilight alone with her fragmented thoughts.

The Unicorn sat and ate her sandwich in peace, sipping her tea slowly afterwards. The strong smell of Darjeeling reminded her of Rarity. Spike knew enough to leave her alone for now. He didn't know how long the Princess wanted her or even what this meeting was about. He had more questions on his mind for the Princess... waiting for a meeting he hoped he wouldn't have to attend. He would go if Twilight asked him to, but he wouldn't assume he got invited along. He rubbed his heart-shaped pendant thinking about it.

After her sandwich and tea were gone, Twilight got up and went to the bathroom. There she looked into the mirror and saw her haggard face and somewhat messy mane.

"A little stress goes a long way," she said, levitating a comb to neaten herself up with. It was straight within a few brushes. "N'bad if I do say so myself!"

She then turned on the sink and washed up thoroughly. Within five minutes, she looked five years younger... and felt about two times more refreshed. She exited the bathroom and sat in a chair with Spike nearby collecting the dishes. Looking over at her wall-to-wall books, she picked a dusty one off the shelf with her magic, something hum-drum to pass the time... a light and fun thing to read. Ancient stuff she knew well, but... not too well. This was stuff she could forget about all this while reading. It didn't take long for her to withdraw into a fine point. With the tea coursing through her veins she was well into it, and excited to have her brain pumping axons and neurons over something she almost knew... something she knew well enough to at least predict.

Twilight sat there waiting for the full three hours it took for the royal chariot to arrive. Spike barfed up another note during that time, this one from Princess Luna, written on black parchment paper with bright yellow ink:

"It's a matter of Equestria's Security that they want to see you over," said the drake, shuttering. "Not urgent... but they don't want to talk about it in note form. They don't want anypony else coming either. Not even the rest of the Elements!"

Spike felt relieved saying the last two sentences out loud. He dodged a bullet there.

Twilight nodded, "um-hmm." She still had questions, but she was trying to deactivate her brain for the time being. They wouldn't be answered now anyways, even if she asked.

Spike resumed busing himself in the kitchen and upstairs, Twilight busied herself with books. Neither talked for the rest of the time, up until the arrival of the chariot and the knock of the royal guard.

.

While Twilight boarded the Royal Chariot, saying good bye to Spike for the time being, a few blocks away a Pegasus Pony rose from her bed and stretched, ready to take a short walk down the hall to visit her friend.

Rainbow Dash had napped well, feeling quite rested when she finally got up... but her eyes still looked tired. The last thing she remembered before waking up on the hot lawn in front of Pinkie Pie was the glow of the candle she had brought for reading. Her room was a mess with papers and cardboard strewn everywhere, perfect for starting a fire. While Rainbow Dash was a Weather Pegasus and not on the Fire Brigade, she still respected fire... knowing full-well what even one poorly placed lightening bolt could do to a whole forest. The idea that she might've caused the blaze had been on her mind most of the day... but it was only now that she'd worked up the courage to see Pinkie, not that she'd easily admit it.

She took the walk to Pinkie's room slowly, feeling sore and achy all over. Without a friend to show off around Rainbow was more inclined to take her time... and express the pain she really felt. She whimpered as she rested against the wall; those who saw her got out of the way... even motioning to her once the way was clear.

"Just... gimme a second," Dash grumbled, with a grimace. "I'm alright."

Shrugging at each other, most of the ponies continued about their business. A few nurses continued to look intently, just to be sure. For those ponies on staff, Rainbow stood up tall, slowly making her way down the hall. Since she had an audience now, Rainbow Dash wanted to look strong. Her trip across the hall looked effortless.

I don't feel so hot.

Even though she felt terrible, she made it to Pinkie's door and tightened up her bathrobe. She was surprised by what she saw inside -- not only was Pinkie standing on her own, the Cakes were visiting and she had a giant card house on her bureau.

"Hey everybody," Dash said, leaning against the door, trying to play it cool with a coy smile. "Is this a party or what?"

"Dashie!" The Cakes made way as Pinkie trotted up to her friend, holding her forelegs up high for a hug. "I'm so glad to see you!"

Rainbow instinctively took a step back, putting both her hooves up defensively while clearing her throat:

"Uh, how 'bout we take a raincheck on that, Pinkie?"

The mare's face instantly drooped.

"Oh... um, okay!"

She walked back to the Cakes, still facing Dash... looking puzzled and a bit hurt.

"Look, I'm really sore. Okay?"

Mr. and Mrs. Cake looked at each other as Pinkie smiled weakly.

"I understand."

"Well, despite that, you're looking pretty good, Dash," said Mr. Cake. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a log." She limped towards both of the older ponies and they looked at each other again. "Under this, I don't look so good."

Mrs. Cake nodded with a sympathetic smile. Dash smiled back, slowly opening up her bathrobe... being honest with her friends about how hurt she was. Rainbow couldn't explain it, but it felt easier (and made her feel better) to show this Cakes first, especially Mrs. Cake... it was like they weren't connected like friends, but they were at the same time.

Mrs. Cake remained stone-faced, while Mr. Cake had a natural response:

"Oh, Rainbow..."

"It'll heal just fine," she said, turning to Pinkie, who looked saddened by the sheer amount of bandages Dash had on. "Won't even leave a scar." She refastened the robe tight. "Just came by to see how Pinkie was doing. Thinking maybe the hospital has a few board games I could snag to play later with Scootaloo."

"You really like spending time with her, Dash," said Mr. Cake. "You'll make an excellent mother to her someday."

Rainbow visibly winced, not from physical pain. Pinkie bit her lip and Mrs. Cake comforted Pinkie by rubbing her shoulders.

"I'll just go by Rainbow," she said, hiding her tears with a fake smile. "It's going to take a while for that to work out... a long while."

"There's still plenty of time," said Mrs. Cake comfortingly, "and you've got many, many friends who care so much about her and you... so it's unlikely bad things will ever happen."

"They're not going to," said Rainbow, matter-of-factly.

All ponies in the room smiled, except for Pinkie, who looked at the floor, her mane deflating slightly.

"So what were we talking about before I came in here?" Dash asked, leaning against the bed. "If it's private, I'm just about to jet anyway so don't worry about it."

"We were talking about what might've caused the fire," said Mrs. Cake.

Dash's blood froze.

"Y- you don't say... sure you want me around for this?"

"Of course, Rainbow," said Mr. Cake. "You were there and it almost killed you! You have a right to know, and Pinkie wants to know now."

Dash smiled over at Pinkie Pie. She smiled right back, weakly... guiltily.

"It'll help me to know what it was, Dashie," she said, quietly. "And if something bad happened, you'd always want to know, right?"

Rainbow nodded at Pinkie, causing her head to sink even further. She was too preoccupied to notice.

"Well, then..." the Pegasus gulped, turning to the Cakes. "What do they think caused it?"

"The theory is it was electrical," said Mr. Cake, clinically. "That's why the power went out... they know it started on the opposite end of the house from your room. Had started on your side, Rainbow, Pinkie... well, she wouldn't have been able to get to you in time."

Rainbow Dash smiled ear-to-ear... this news was dizzying to her. Had it been her fault, she'd be dead, and she could live with that. This was one less horrible thing to think about, plus she was about to go play with Scootaloo. Now if only Pinkie could feel the same way... she looked down-trodden, but Dash was too stoked to notice. In fact, everypony knew more than they were letting on, except for Rainbow. Rainbow Dash just knew what she was planning next. She felt so excited, had she been feeling better, she would have taken off through the window, but instead... Rainbow gave Pinkie a hug. A gentle hug... a warm hug. As the Pegasus was stretched over her friend, Mr. and Mrs. Cake cautiously mouthed "gently" at Pinkie, who barely tapped her on the back in response.

"I think I'm gunna jet," Rainbow finally said, breaking the hug and slowly limping towards the door. "Let me know if things develop on that, okay? I'm glad it's nothing neither of us did."

"Me too," Pinkie said, as Mrs. Cake rubbed her shoulders.

Rainbow turned back and smiled, looking directly at her pink pal:

"Maybe later me and you can play a game or two with Scootaloo?"

Pinkie nodded slowly, forcing herself to smile:

"Sounds nice, Dashie."

"Yeah, it does..." Rainbow's face lit up. "Later!"

Just like that she was gone.

They waited a minute... then a minute longer. Pinkie lowered her head:

"Oh, Dashie..."

The Cakes looked both at her and sighed:

"If she knew what's going on right now, Pinkie she would just get withered with worry," Mrs. Cake said, in a soothing voice. "She doesn't need it right now... you've got a lot of friends who want to help her, too."

"She's right, Pinkie," said Mr. Cake. "Rainbow needs her rest and so do you... a new development can happen before you two even leave this building."

"But AJ's being left out of the loop and I can't-"

"Pinkie," Mrs. Cake said, firmly, hugging her non-bandaged side so tightly it hurt. "Worrying about what you can't do won't do anypony any good right now... all you need to worry about is getting better. Okay deary?"

Pinkie again looked at the floor, her mane deflating entirely.

"Okay Mrs. Cake..."

The Cakes looked at each other, Mr. Cake sighing. They tried to comfort Pinkie again with another, much longer hug, but it didn't do any good. She was sad for a good reason, and nothing would pull her out of it except knowing her friends would all be okay.

Miles away Twilight Sparkle was pretty unsure as well.

High above it all Twilight was cold and alone. The trip to Canterlot was only forty-five minutes long, so she sat back and tried to enjoy the ride. At least the sights were pretty.

Soon she was approaching the spires and landing pads. She looked at the familiar castle with hope... she hoped talking to the Princess face-to-face would at least cheer her up. Hearing what she could to to make her mentor happy always filled her with a simple joy that she just could not explain.

The chariot landed silently as it was approaching dusk. Both Princesses were out, smiling to see Celestia's protégé dismount and approach. The deities took one look and both knew something was wrong, though Twilight was hiding it well. It was more than just her not knowing what this meeting was about... she looked almost in a fog.

"Come with me, Twilight Sparkle," said Princess Celestia, motioning to the spire which housed her own personal throne room. "We have much to discuss. I am glad you could make it here tonight."

Twilight looked over at the Princess of the Night and nodded respectfully.

Princess Luna's really here too... this is something serious.

Once the three ponies entered the castle, Celestia began to speak. Twilight noticed were no guards as they approached the throne room. Her voice echoed:

"Twilight, one of the Elements of Harmony has morphed to a neutral shape."

"What does that mean?"

"It no longer resembles its bearer's Cutie Mark," said Luna.

The three entered the giant throne room.

"I'm going to show them all to you," Celestia said, approaching the case which held them under lock and key. "Keep in mind I have not given you all the information yet... there is more than just change to this one Element. I want to see if you can see it, too. You are the one who first felt the power in each of your friends, and helped solidify the friendship between each of you."

As Celestia stuck her horn into the wall, Twilight gulped. Whatever was different, this was probably going to require a lot of work to fix...

The wall opened revealing a glass case containing the Elements. Twilight counted each of the six... stopping at the one that looked different. It was a stone. She could see Magic, Kindness, Loyalty, Laughter, Honesty... Generosity was just a stone pendant of many colors, not even any particular color.

"What happened to Rarity's element!?!" Twilight's breathing and heart rate picked up.

"Her element is there, Twilight," Luna said, motioning to the case. "Or, should I say it was, and yet it is. Look again... look hard."

Twilight again peered at each Element closely. Honesty was in the \shape of Apple Jack's mark, Kindness and Laughter in the shape of those ponies marks... Loyalty was gone, and Generosity...

Generosity was Rainbow-colored, and shaped into something else. Looking twice revealed that what looked like Rarity's mark was actually Rainbow Dash's.

"It takes two looks to see the real difference," said Luna, watching Twilight's eyes go wide. "The energy is still there, it's just different, and you must see it knowing who they are now. What you are looking at is the Element of the pony who best embodies it -- Rainbow Dash's Loyalty has coincided with Rarity's Generosity. Your friend Rainbow is willing to give up her hopes and dreams for Scootaloo, her energy and comfort to make all her friends happy, and her security for the Apple family's future. There is no more element of Loyalty for now because Rainbow Dash's Loyalty has transcended her through her Loyalty to others. She is the same as she always was, she's merely grown to embody a different trait more closely. In time she may become Loyalty again, but for now she bears a different Element."

Twilight was flabbergasted:

"But- but... What happened to her element? It makes sense she should have both then!"

Celestia placed a wing comfortingly on Twilight's shoulder:

"It waits here for a new form to take it... a new energy to pick it up and wield it. The Bearer must hold it effortlessly for it to work, as it is an aspect of who that pony is. For the time being Equestria is quite vulnerable, but Luna and I both sense a long-lasting peace coming over the land. I hope with all my being that our prediction is true, as that will buy our world time, but unfortunately we are fallible... no less than any other pony. It is, in actuality, just be our hopes."

"Do not involve your friends," said Luna, lapsing into her old accent. "The Element must come naturally to the pony... three of the Elements now are prone to look for traits as opposed to find them. All but one will, in their minds, make the match as opposed to find it... to them it will become a task, not a journey. Kindness we would share this with first, but should you tell one, you must tell them all. This is gravely important, Twilight Sparkle. We are trusting you solely because of Celestia's relationship with you."

"But..."

"There is nothing we can do, Twilight." Celestia sighed. "The Magic of Friendship is as alive as you or I. Your Element is inside you, it is you; driving your actions to express your love for all living things in its purest, most physical form. Rarity may have died and yet her energy kept her Element alive until a pony honed in on it... it just happened to be Rainbow Dash. A new pony will come in time for the missing Element. I predict somepony you might know. Somepony young and vulnerable, full of life and possibility, with strong ties to at lest one of you."

"Scootaloo..." Twilight almost whispered.

"Anything is possible." Celestia smiled. "This is also, perhaps, just wishful thinking on my part. Time will tell, Twilight Sparkle, though I know she wishes to emulate Rainbow Dash's best qualities. While she's only recently got her cutie mark, it is possible her Crusade for who she really is, is not over quite yet. You must allow the next Element to step forth, as you did with the others."

Twilight's eyes went wide with excitement for a split second, then dull when reality hit her. It hit her hard.

"I can't find a suitable place for her to live. The Boutique's a hoofful of ash, and Cranky can't take her anymore, and Rainbow Dash is far from situated."

The Princesses sat at their thrones.

"Then we have much to discuss." Celestia turned to Luna and smiled. "After I retire the sun, you must take out the moon. All three of us shall come up with a plan before the sun rises on Equestria again."

Twilight and the two deities spent hours speaking. Celestia had to leave for a while, yet they still continued to speak; Luna had to go as it got dark, yet they still continued to speak. The Princesses were shaping Twilight's thoughts and plans, giving her thoughts foundation and direction, though she still did much of her own speaking by herself. Twilight's voice was hoarse after the first couple hours... she wasn't yelling, but the conversation had been emotional for her. She was given a choice:

"We cannot interfere in your affairs directly," said Luna. "We cannot be responsible for the first move. We can only assist, even in matters this grave."

"It can all stop, Twilight," Celestia said, soothingly, cutting to the chase. "This can all be resolved should you adopt her and take a chance. A ten year investment."

Twilight took a sudden interest in the hard marble floor.

"But... I-I'm your student. You'll get have to get another."

"Yes, I will, Twilight," Celestia began, beaming a smile at her pupil. "Yet your sacrifice will be remembered for generations upon generations. I will not think less of you for putting your own future first. Giving up one's dreams is no easy task." She looked over at Luna and nodded. "I've seen what hopes and desires can do when it comes to wishes that will never be met... ponies must choose the best time to sleep and the best time to wake." She turned back. "You have, Twilight, a choice to make. Neither answer is truly selfish and neither answer is truly selfless. You must choose the most practical for yourself. What is the worst that might happen, should you choose my tutelage?"

"Scootaloo could get taken away... put in some strange place, full of ponies she doesn't know."

"And yet she would be well cared for, would she not?"

"Well, yes, but... if we find somepony to adopt her while she's in there and some other pony gets to her first, the orphanage won't tell us where she went. She'll be gone... Celestia, I don't know what to do."

Tears hit the floor. Luna and Celesta saw this and sat back.

"You wish not to hurt Rainbow Dash most of all," said Luna quietly. "Is that not what's really motivating you? To be loyal to your close friends? Be honest with thyself, Twilight. You have nothing to fear from us."

Silence filled the room. Twilight slowly nodded her head and cried quietly. She gave no more answers. Her silence spoke better than any words possible could.

Luna spoke for her sister:

"If this is your decision, we understand. We can help you hone your craft and knowledge. Even Scootaloo's sacrifice is not that great... in ten years time she may come back to see a most powerful Unicorn, or she may move on with life and find new possibilities which are not available to her where she is now. The possibilities are infinite."

Twilight continued to cry, now sobbing right there before her idol, who sat and looked upon her exhausted student with a loving smile. Celestia looked at Luna, and Luna looked right back.

"Would you be willing to risk anything else to save Scootaloo?" Asked the Princess of the Night. "Even if it was most dear?"

Twilight looked up. She answered with an unblinking scowl:

"Yes! Anything!"

"There is an option we have yet to consider..." Luna and Celestia turned to each other. Celestia nodded, indicating that Luna should continue. "It could damage your relationships for a very long time. Perhaps forever, one might say... though we doubt that. Do we not, dear sister?"

Celestia nodded as the word forever echoed in Twilight's mind. She shuttered.

"Luna, you are far too intense at times," Celestia said, beaming a warm smile at Twilight, "but yes, there is a chance one of your friends might be too blinded by her own pride to appreciate how this could help. Through destruction, however, you might create opportunity. We would gladly do this for you, but that would be direct interference in your interpersonal lives."

"Something tells me I'm really going to regret this," replied the weakened Unicorn. "But I'll hear it out."

"Very well," said Luna. "Stop us at any time, should you feel upset by what we have to say."

Twilight looked up and remained still while the two Deities spoke. They asked no questions and gave no orders. Twilight remained silent and stone-faced while they dictated to her their ideas. What came was simple and to the point -- it was only a few ideas that would be on Twilight's mind for days.

At the end of the meeting, Twilight nodded and left... not staying any longer than she needed to. Upon descending the halls and getting into the chariot she played the whole meeting through her mind. There was nothing she could do for the Princesses, nothing except understand, and... act upon what had been shared. She sighed. The Unicorn was hardly a creature of impulse, and it would take much thought before she would do anything. Contemplation, at least, had always been her best friend. She saw, this time consciously, a reminder in the skies that Rainbow Dash could never go back to her home in Cloudsdale... it was hardly recognizable, now dark colors in place of bright rainbows.

At the Library, Spike was found in a chair fast asleep by the door. He had been waiting for her to come home. Using her magic, Twilight pulled down a blanket from his upstairs basket and draped it over his body. She then sat in the chair beside him and stared blankly at the wall all night.

There was no way to fix this problem.

Author's Notes:

I was looking forward to this chapter, as well as the one where the new bakery burns down, almost since I started this section. It's been a long, arduous section to write and it's finally coming to an end. I've loved every minute of it, and I've done my best to keep up the mystery despite the temptation to give up some of these twists earlier on.\

I hope you guys enjoy this story as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.

Peace