"So you're leaving."

        "You can come, too!"

        "...really? Awesome."

        And that was the only complaint I would hear from Spike on the matter.

        Bright and early, I was up and ready to go. Pinkie Pie was waiting for me outside the library. What surprised me was that she wasn't bouncing or jumping, or even smiling. No, in fact, she was reading a book.

        This was a side of Pinkie I'd never seen before. Was this what Pinkie was like when she had a genuine concern and a motivation towards a serious objective? Was this how Pinkie dealt with bigger problems, the ones that couldn't be fixed with laughter and parties?

        I kind of liked this side of Pinkie better.

        At that moment I began to worry that my thoughts were becoming a tad too fond. Pinkie Pie was counting on me, and if I lost my self control, who would help her with her own?

        The three of us stopped at the edge of Ponyville.

        "So where are we headed?"

        "We're starting with Zecora's place. It's close, and Zecora may have important information on this phenomenon. It wouldn't be the first time she's had crucial details that could help us."

        "Zecora? Leave me out of it. I'll wait outside Everfree," Spike seemed upset, and dead-set on not going anywhere near Zecora's place.

        "Why? What's wrong with-?"

        "I don't want to talk about it. Just go on without me, I'll meet up with you afterward..."

        Dawn was starting to grace the horizon. Our journey had begun.

To Be Continued in Act II: "Star-Crossed Ponies"!