No stage production had prepared Quirky for what she pictured awaiting her then. Panic allowed for no time to practice any lines, only the chance to imagine those that she would hear. The tension that tightened with every newly developed script left Quirky with an aggravating stress wrenching at her pounding heart.

Every step up the main hall staircase brought the actress closer to what she felt would become her final destination of sorts. The image of the broad doors at the top were the last sights Quirky could take; her legs were nearly collapsing beneath her as though something like stage fright were locking every joint in her quivering body. Her perspiration grew so severe that she felt the foyer would soon flood from her fear; not even the third floor where she stood seemed safe.

The mare stood for a moment staring at the giant doors to Luna's chambers. The concealed portal was like the gate of doom itself with its dark and ominous build. Even the impressive collection of gems that decorated the doorway abandoned their beautiful behavior as they took on gloomier shades. For weeks the entrance had been somewhat surreptitious – for Quirky neither saw nor heard activity within – but in that moment it took on a new kind of cryptic sensation, one more ominous and far less inviting.

Catching herself envisioning a number of situations, from being banished, punished, or other frightening things of the sort, Quirky soon began to wonder just how long she could stand in front of the doorway. Only anxiety grasped her as though with invisible chains and kept her from fleeing the scene last-minute.

Before alarm could take over the mysterious portal began to open. The growing gap between doors revealed a strange darkness, like that of a scene not yet prepared to be revealed to the audience. Quirky would have normally jumped at the chance to perform, even if it meant just her stranded out in the open; in this case, though, she knew none would be watching.

All that awaited was an impromptu exchange to take place somewhere within the darkened milieu. Altogether impromptu acts were nothing to fear; usually they made for good entertainment. Quirky knew, however, that this particular routine was not meant to be enjoyed.

“Enter, my student,” echoed the familiar voice of Princess Luna, clear as glass.

Quirky bowed her head and slowly headed onward into the blackness. She glanced about and wondered just why the hall remained so dark; after all, it was approaching noon and the sky was not all that clouded. She figured it must have been one of the headmare's spells; just why she would cast such a mystical spell extended far beyond Quirky's comprehension. She wasn't sure she even wanted to know.

As the mare made her way deeper into the dark a number of tiny lights like blue flickering flames ignited. Their reach only extended in a circle on the walls, showing old paintings and windows with nothing but a lack of color outside. None in particular helped light the way for Quirky, and so every step the actress took was but a cautious advance.

“Much dialogue has recently circulated through the academy, Quirky Q,” Princess Luna stated nearby, stopping the mare dead in her tracks. “There is no secret as to why I have summoned you here, but nonetheless I am obliged to hear your part before any judgment is passed.”

The princess emerged from the darkness a few steps ahead of where Quirky stood, her shimmering mane bright enough for Quirky to watch her slow and thoughtful approach. The actress marveled at the breathtaking sight, for the headmare appeared like a spirit gracefully walking towards her. Her loud voice, however, was an indicator that she was in fact present, live and well.

“I-I don't know quite what to say, princess,” Quirky stuttered. The volume of her voice seemed hardly audible; the mare couldn't tell if it was due to her lack of breathing or the unknown size of the room in which she stood. “I really don't know all that much, I just know some things have gotten really out of hoof-”

“Indeed, and such is the reason I have summoned you here,” Princess Luna stated with slight irritation. “From what I have gathered recently, thy peers all seem to indicate that thou hast a particular responsibility for this unwanted chatter that has spread.”

“Unwanted chatter-? I mean, yes, there certainly has been some, hasn't there?” Quirky said with an attempted laugh. Silence ensued. “L-Like I was saying, a lot of what you might have heard others saying might not have been what I said- well, to be honest, I didn't actually say anything myself, except maybe to a few friends-”

“Thou didst not say such things thyself?” Princess Luna inquired as her eyes dialed into a tightening stare that latched onto Quirky's sights. “If such things were not said by thine own voice, how could they have spread with such consistency? From those with whom I spoke, each and every story was the same.”

But which story did she hear..?

“W-What do you mean?” Quirky asked.

Princess Luna's stare intensified to the point where Quirky felt her entire body freeze. “What things I have learned that my students know vary in their depth and detail. Regardless of this variation, all have shared a common link, and that link is the source. Thou, I understand, art the source.”

Quirky gulped.

Princess Luna's eyes flickered. “Thus, my student, I must ask: how didst thou know of my scheme?”

Quirky could hear her heart beating in her ears. She coughed as her throat went dry, a sensation she only ever knew when a once-memorized line slipped her mind.

“Princess, if I may admit, I don't actually know of your 'scheme'-”

“Impossible!” Princess Luna barked with a stomp. Her white eyes flashed against the blackness of the chamber. “No pony could have simply guessed what it is that I have been plotting for weeks! Dost thou wish to imply that such rumors began based off of nonsensical gossip?”

Quirky couldn't even speak; the horror struck her like lightning and left her reverberating with the shock. Her mind went blank from the jolt.

“There are means with which I can obtain the information I so desire,” Princess Luna stated as her horn lit a light blue color. “However, I would prefer that thou tellest of thine own will, Quirky Q. What say you?”

Quirky, unable to back away, felt cornered against the wall of darkness surrounding her.

“I overheard your conversation yesterday!” Quirky finally blurted. “You were speaking with Madame Lonsdaleite about what you had been planning and how it'd been foiled and that they had drawn up new plans, but you wanted to make sure everything would go just fine and when you finished talking you headed in for dinner and that's when I stopped! I swear!”

The rant brought Quirky to panting as Princess Luna looked down at the mare with her usual straight face – only, an eyebrow had been raised; and not just due to curiosity, but also in surprise at the amount of words spilled out in a single breath.

“Is that so?” Princess Luna finally inquired. “Pray tell, my student, what compelled you to overhear such a conversation? Surely you understood it was meant to only be heard by your professor and myself, and I doubt that it was an accident.”

Quirky felt her heart pumping even harder; her brain contemplated just how much she could reveal. She then wondered how much Princess Luna already knew.

“Y-You've been acting kind of strange lately,” Quirky answered, words fumbling. “I could see it in the way you've been carrying yourself this past week.”

Princess Luna continued her curious stare.

“Dost thou wish to suggest that I... have made it obvious through my actions as of late?”

“Not extremely obvious,” Quirky rejoined in an attempt to comfort the confused alicorn, “but as an actress I could sense it.”

“Thou alone?”

Quirky showed a nervous smile, “I think so?”

But Princess Luna seemed hardly convinced as she turned her head away and looked to the far end of the hall.

“I suppose I have underestimated the ability of my students,” Princess Luna said. “No matter. My plans shall continue on regardless. Tell me, Quirky Q, dost thou feel the slightest sense of guilt for what has happened?”

Quirky thought the question rather strange, but her head dropped in shame nonetheless. “Yes, princess, I do feel ashamed-”

“Perfect,” the headmare stated suddenly, to which Quirky looked up in a daze. “Then thou art obliged to aid me in this operation.”

“Wha-!? B-But, I don't even-”

“There is no reason to act with such astonishment. I understand that thou knowest of my plans, and therefore we need not delay in bringing its happening. I had planned on doing everything myself, but now that thou hast seemingly volunteered thine assistance, certain fears of ours have been quelled. After all, the most secretive of situations call for the actions of more than one.”

A siren went off in Quirky's head as a flood of thoughts began pouring in.

W-What is she dragging me into!?

Princess Luna continued, “There are two things that thou must do: first, speak no more of this matter, not to a single soul, until I say. Understood?” Quirky must have nodded her head, for the princess continued, “And second, to change things to a more favorable approach, we shall have to move our plans to an earlier time. Yes, meet me after midnight – thou hast my special permission – in the foyer of the dormitory. Tonight. Have I made myself clear?”

Quirky could do nothing but mutter an agreement, to which Princess Luna revealed a hint of a stunning grin the actress had never spotted on the headmare's lips.

“Be on thy way, then,” Princess Luna said, “and prepare thyself mentally and physically for what is to happen tonight.”

Pale as the moon itself, Quirky backtracked all the way to the entrance. Just before touching the doors, however, Princess Luna added, “Be sure to wear something dark; neither of us can be seen tonight. One cannot be too careful.”

Quirky, still lost and in a terrible state of shock, backed out through the opened doors and into the foyer. Without another thought even able to form the grand doors to the chamber shut and left the mare standing speechless. She stared at the closed doorway with vacant eyes. Her mind wandered through the last few words she and the headmare had exchanged.

Just what did I agree to?

---

Waiting for the evening to pass felt similar to practicing patience on awaiting a judge's verdict. All of Quirky's attention fell on thoughts of what was going to happen while the mare attempted to distract herself with other activities. Her friends, unaware of the situation, continued to talk about their classes, extra activities, and – worst of all – the latest gossip. The entire time Quirky wore her mask of contentment, never uttering a word herself as she nodded at whoever spoke and pretended to be interested in what all was happening in others' lives at the time.

But deep down Quirky was shaking. Her spirits felt as though they had shattered and were helplessly falling apart. Years of acting held up the dam that was her disguise as a raging river of emotion battered the barrier of her facade. Only after mealtime and within the safety of her room did the actress feel she could let everything loose.

“You'll manage, Quirky Q!” the mare told herself as she lie on her bed, eagerly waiting for yet dreading the night to come. “Everything will be all right in the end.”

You do know this is the end, right?

“What? No!” Quirky replied to her inner voice with a shiver. “S-She wouldn't be plotting anything bad, right? Don't be silly!”

But Princess Luna sure did sound suspicious last night, didn't she?

“I know, I know! But what could she possibly be planning that would be delayed?”

You've heard Twilight mention encounters she and others have had the island, haven't you? Didn't you experience something yourself first-hoof?

“You don't mean-” Quirky gasped, sitting up straight. “No! Could Princess Luna be behind all those stories!?”

Is there any alternative?

Quirky stared out from her second-story bedroom window facing south. The vast span of nature, from the hills to the forests that covered them, could not provide any other answer; in fact, all it did was make Quirky ponder the possibilities even more.

“The mysterious wave, a cave-in,” Quirky uttered, “but what about that monster out in the forest? That seems like hardly something she would do. What about the motivation?”

Does any monster that calls for two powerful mares to banish it seem normal to you? And when else for it to emerge than when a few troublesome students have been left behind on the island?

“I suppose-” she stopped. “Oh, for Celestia's sakes, look at me! I'm talking to myself... well, that's normal, actually. But thinking that Princess Luna's evil... that'd just be, ridiculous, right?”

Is it really that ridiculous?

“Quiet you!” Quirky growled. “What do you know, anyway?”

What do you know?

Quirky sighed, defeated by herself. “P-Princess Luna wouldn't harm any of us! She doesn't have any reason to.”

Then what do you suppose she's up to?

“I don't know,” the actress murmured. “But whatever it is, it involves me now.”

Her eyes lifted to behold the rising moon. She didn't have much time left before the body would reach its peak in the sky, marking the time she would have to leave for the foyer where Luna said she would be waiting.

What do I do, what do I do!?

The mare tried to think through everything she had overheard once more, but the words she recalled were beginning to twist every time she played the memory through her head – an unlikely thing for one so used to memorizing scripts. There were hints but no links; ideas but no facts. Luna had seemed vexed the night before, but that didn't guarantee that what she plotted would be 'bad'. Involving a professor seemed clue enough that she was not trying to push a secret agenda on her own.

But then again, it meant that the professors may have been involved the entire time; at least, some of them may have been. Lonsdaleite had mentioned 'the others' after all, and not a single student was discussed in their secret planning.

“What if that wave had been the disaster?” Quirky wondered.

What if Lyra's spell was the disaster?

“But what would that make the wave? Luna's plan?”

What else?

Quirky tried to regulate her breaths, but the anxiety was beginning to set in worse than ever before as pieces of an unpleasant puzzle started to connect.

“Lyra did say something about the moon causing the tides to rise,” Quirky said. “Does that mean Luna caused everything herself?”

Silence. Quirky glanced up at the moon once more; it looked the same size as usual.

“This is pointless,” the mare said to herself. “I need to worry about what to do now. Think, Quirky, think...”

But her brain refused to dwell on anything else other than the disturbing idea crying for attention at the front of her mind: Luna was plotting something. The two were meeting alone, at night, with no other pony joining them.

Quirky glanced over at her mirror; the dark superhero costume that covered her from horn to tail – a present from her cousin Pinkie Pie – suddenly took on a whole new meaning.

What's the real reason she doesn't want us to be seen?

Quirky spotted the moon out of the corner of her eye reach its zenith in the sky; midnight had finally come. There was no more time to think. Her conscience, only able to follow Princess Luna's orders in fear, dragged her out of her room and to into the shadowy common room of her suite. Not a soul in sight, the actress slipped out and into the corridor as quietly as a mouse.

The actress looked in every direction with each step she made through the hall. With hardly a sound breaching the cool air, Quirky made her way to her secret rendezvous. The entire sight of the open space came slowly into view, until she stood staring out into the darkness of the foyer lit only by a portion of the moon. Quirky couldn't see the headmare present.

Quirky figured she would wait a while, and so headed down to the main floor as instructed. The second she set hoof on the stairs, however, Luna's figure appeared out of nowhere into the room. Quirky suppressed in a sudden gasp, which caused the headmare to stare straight in her direction. The second their eyes locked Quirky froze. The headmare motioned for her to join her in the middle of the foyer, and Quirky slowly made her way down.

“Commendable costume,” Princess Luna said. “Art thou prepared?”

Unsure of what to say, Quirky simply nodded.

“Then let us be on our way,” Luna stated.

Quirky, words on the tip of her tongue and far from her mind, asked, “Princess, what would you say the chances are of, oh, say... us getting caught by... somepony else?”

“Thou hast beheld with thine own eyes the barrier which I created,” Princess Luna stated. “My magic shall prevent any from seeing what I wish to keep them from seeing. I could see the surprise in thine eyes as thou approached me; wouldst thou not agree that such a plan is sufficient?”

“Oh, yes, quite,” Quirky laughed nervously. “So, what we're doing, shouldn't be witnessed by anypony other than us?”

“Indeed, it shall only be us,” the headmare remarked. “There is no need for anypony else to be involved... for now.”

For now?

“O-Of course,” Quirky said, “we wouldn't want to be seen now, would we?”

“'Twould ruin everything, indeed.”

The confirmation in the headmare's voice came in a most mysterious tone. Quirky thought she could sense something dark within her words, something secretive beyond even her imagining.

After passing through the glass corridor with nothing but the sound of their steps echoing against the glass, the two arrived in the main hall where a mountainous pair of silhouettes towered in the middle of the chamber. Quirky held her breath as she tried to make out just what the two dark shapes were.

Suddenly, her eyes adjusted to the gloaming: the mountain was a pile of coffins. Quirky's jaw dropped to the floor.

Princess Luna spotted the actress's unhidden shock. “What is it?”

“W-What? Oh, nothing,” Quirky said as she blinked to hide her dilated pupils.

“Why dost thou display such a look of surprise?” Princess Luna insisted.

How else am I supposed to react to this!?

“I-I thought I saw something else!” Quirky stated as she slowly backed away. “Silly me, I should have known that these weren't... coffins.”

Suddenly, the headmare had a semicircle of the cases lined between the mare and the door to the glass hall. A thought of running crossed Quirky's mind, but everything happened so quickly; the headmare had her trapped.

“Whatever dost thou mean?” Princess Luna inquired. “These most certainly are coffins.”

Quirky wanted to scream, but no other pony was even close by. They all were asleep besides. Princess Luna had probably set up some kind of sound barrier as well. The actress felt beads of sweat beginning to soak into her tight-fit costume.

“Thou hast agreed to the aid me in my plans, my student,” Princess Luna stated as she placed a single coffin in front of where Quirky stood. “Now, open this case and let us begin.”

The actress stared at the solid wooden casket. Its silver hinges shone in what little moonlight made its way in. She stole one more look of the headmare, who watched with a frightening grin on her face. Unable to do anything else, Quirky slowly pried open the coffin door.

The mare closed her eyes as the creaking ensued, but aside from the noise nothing happened. She pried one eye open and stared at the darkness inside the door. A single thread hung in the middle of the black space.

“A... string?”

“Ah, 'tis no ordinary string,” Princess Luna said. “'Twas a safety measure of sorts, my student. Thou shall see why with a tug.”

Quirky gulped as she wondered just what a strangely regular-looking string could possibly do. With her magic she pulled the string, when suddenly the darkness spewed forth a mysterious mass that tumbled down over her, swallowing the mare and dragging her down to the floor. The actress struggled to stay on one hoof at least, but the mysterious stuff that poured from the coffin came down with such force that she was flipped onto her back. Feeling a chance to escape, Quirky rolled over and stood, breaking her head free of whatever it was that engulfed her.

She stared out at the darkness, which held an odd stillness. She felt as though she had been drowning but quickly realized that such was not the case. She looked down at the strange mass that covered her body. Not one inch of it seemed consistent in texture, shape or color.

The first thing her eyes could make out was a heart with dark threads sewn against its white fabric.

“Love?”

Princess Luna blinked.

“Is something the matter with my choice in decoration?”

“Decoration?” Quirky asked as suddenly her hoofs were digging through the assorted mess of garnishings piled on top of her: pink and red-colored pony cut-outs, wreaths strung with violet and white ribbons, and colorful lights were all in the mix.

“What is all this stuff?”

Princess Luna stopped sorting through the coffin she had just opened. “Whatever dost thou mean, Quirky Q?”

“I mean, I just-” she stopped the second pieces began connecting. “What... am I supposed to do with these?”

“Why, hang them up, of course. Every last item,” Princess Luna stated. “Is this not what thou had anticipated?”

“Oh no, I mean, of course!” Quirky remarked. “I-I was, just, uh... shocked! Yes, completely shocked. These cut-outs are just... cute! Right, very cute. I mean, they're perfect for the, uh-”

Princess Luna waited for a moment before finishing, “Hearts and Hoofs celebration.”

“Right! That. Of course, that's what the hearts are for. I just, err, I didn't know you had so much!”

She scanned over the mountain of coffins again, realizing that the pile in which she sat was only one of hundreds.

“Splendid, I had hoped this would be sufficient,” Princess Luna stated. “Hearing this from one with experience in the theatrical arts grants me slight comfort. I assumed such a background had granted you the ability of scene design and set-up. I also have heard that thou art closely related to an exceptional party-thrower. I was most pleased when I found an excuse to summon thee to help aid in my plans.”

Quirky lost her grip on the red heart-shaped cut-outs she held with her magic.

… What!?

“Oh, o-of course, Princess Luna,” Quirky laughed as deep down she could feel her soul crying. “But, if I may ask, why do you have Hearts and Hoofs decor stored in... coffins?”

“A fair enough question,” Princess Luna stated. “Coffins are far superior to mere boxes. As these are made of strong oak, the chances of their breaking is far less likely than simple boxes made of cardboard.” She smirked. “To add, boxes are more likely to be stolen, as I discovered the other day. You wouldn't happen to know what became of that, would you?”

Quirky shook her head violentely. “Nope! No clue. No idea whatsoever.”

“I see,” Princess Luna sighed. “I wonder if that perchance started rumors as well. Unfortunately, some ornamentation was left in there, and any student that found them may have come to a logical conclusion.”

Quirky looked over the mountain of coffins once again and sighed. “Why do you have so much? Are you planning on filling the entire academy with this stuff?”

“Yes, I take my beautification most seriously,” the headmare stated. “Many years ago my sister and I would compete to see which of us could design our castle at Canterlot better every other holiday. Though it was never agreed upon which of us was superior, my sister always admitted that she thought my work was greater. Since then I have taken great pride in my celebrations and festivities.”

Quirky nodded and mumbled, “You must be very particular on your planning and secrecy as well.”

“But of course!” Princess Luna declared. “Only the greatest moments of delight are those which we least expect. Now let us begin now so that we may finish as soon as possible.”

Quirky examined the string of ponies dancing about on the cut-outs of red she held.

What makes for the greatest moments of relief?

Next Chapter: Chapter 27.5 (Interlude): Moonstruck Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 27 Minutes