Twilight idly flipped through the pages of the little notebook, wondering what it was that was so special about it. While the title on the front was fairly ominous (death notes always were), it seemed to be made of nothing but paper. A quick scan didn't reveal any major enchantments on it, either.

"How is this supposed to be a threat to national security?" Twilight asked to nopony in particular. "It's just paper!"

The young mare might have actually been worried about the whole situation if there were actual names in it, but as it stood it seemed to be nothing but a marketing gimmick for desperate young ponies with no lives.

It wasn't until Twilight spent enough time flipping through the pages that she noticed a distinct list of rules under the boldeneds words 'How To Use It'. Fascinated, the young mare sat back to read it.

1. The pony whose name is written in this notebook shall die.

Just reading those words made Twilight recoil in shock. This was clearly either a very sick prank or the products of a deranged mind. She couldn't even figure out why she was bothering to read it. She tried to set the notebook aside, but it was so tantalizing that she couldn't resist diving further into its contents.

2. This note will not take effect unless the writer has the person's face in mind when writing his or her name. Therefore, people sharing the same name will not be affected.

3. If the cause of death is written within forty seconds of writing down the person's name, it will happen.

4. If the cause of death is not specified, the person will simply die of a heart attack.

5. After writing the cause of death, details leading to the death should be written in the next six minutes and forty seconds.

Twilight knew that she shouldn't even be considering testing it, but morbid curiousity won out. With only the slightest hesitation, she yanked the nearest quill out of her tin pencil cup and dipped it into a freshly opened bottle of ink.

'I'm going to resolve this myself,' she thought before diving onto the page. If there was one thing Twilight knew, it was that fate was the assumption of ignorant savages and the tool of wicked ponies. A rational mind like hers knew better than to believe in such hogwash.

"And done!" she cried out enthusiastically. She checked over her work to make sure that the writing was solid before letting the ink dry.

Princess Celestia

Twilight chuckled at the win-win situation she was in. It was obvious that the notebook was just the prank of some delusional imbecile, nothing to be worried over. Despite that, Twilight knew better than to make assumptions as to its validity. Even if the notebook was real, killing an immortal alicorn was next to impossible. There was no way in Equestria that this thing could kill her mentor, even if it were heavily enchanted to do so. At worst, Celestia would suddenly grow ill and blow some chunks, which would be great payback for her student.

"Oh I'm brilliant, alright!"

She closed the notebook before setting it in her saddlebags. Best not to leave such a thing in the open, even if it didn't work. Leaving a notebook titled 'Death Note' open with the name of their illustrious ruler inked in would be glaringly suspicious.

The front door burst open, Spike running up the stairs shouting "Twilight, Twilight!"

"What is it, my faithful minion?"

"Princess Celestia is dead!"

"Oh fuck me..."

"Um...alright."

"N-no, not like that!" Twilight cried out. "I'm just frustrated is all. What happened?"

"She died of a heart attack just moments ago! It's all over the news!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You didn't have anything to do with it, did you?"

"O-of course not! Why would I do something so absurd? Besides, I haven't learned of any spells that could pull that off anyways. As my number one assistant, I thought you'd know that!" Twilight stated indignantly. Was she really that obvious?

"Okay then," Spike answered, taking his master's word for it. "Can I have any gems as a consolation?"

"No."