The lights did not come back on, as much as they'd hoped for the several agonizing seconds that passed after several more flashes of lightning struck increasingly nearby. The haunting sounds of the wind meandered in through the open window, sending involuntary shivers down their spines. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were missing, and they could barely see their own hooves on the ground, as the light from the moon slowly dimmed from the increasing cloud cover constricting the castle from the outside. A misty fog emanated slowly and rolled into the ballroom as their vision adjusted for the darkened setting.

"Okay," said Twilight after quite a long pause. "First off: Spike, please try to take this seriously..."

"Yeah, alright," he replied. "It's just a little crazy weather is all, though. Nothing to be worried about."

Twilight continued. "Seeing as Fluttershy apparently ran off out of fright, we should probably head to the library like Princess Celestia and Luna told us."

"Absolutely, darling," said Rarity. "This room is starting to give me the heebie-jeebies."

"Pssh, I'm not scared," said Rainbow Dash. "I'm with Spike. I know a freak weather storm when I see one, and this is all that is."

"Can we just get goin'?" said Applejack. "These cold drafts are makin' my flank freeze off."

The four remaining ponies and Spike carefully traversed the chaotic warzone of chairs and tables towards the entrance of the room and began to walk down the hallway towards the library. It seemed as though everypony else had already left, as the halls were completely empty. But the library was on the opposite end of the castle, so they had a ways to go. Canterlot Castle was always a bit bigger than they remembered.

"I can't help but wonder," said Rarity, "if that snobbish mare has anything to do with any of this."

"What? The lights?" replied Applejack. "Didnt' ya hear them? They said the lightning put 'em out. And besides, they went out immediately after RD over here broke the statue."

"Hey, it was an accident!"

"Ah'm just sayin'," Applejack continued, "I don't see any reason in particular why she'd have anything to do with this."

"Excusez-moi?" replied Rarity, "and who is playing the role of detective here, exactly? I have a plausible reason in mind."

Everypony looked at her expectantly as they trotted through the empty halls, their hoofsteps echoing off the walls. Walking through the tall hallways of Canterlot Castle in near complete darkness was becoming increasingly ominous. It was almost as if every noise and hoofstep became amplified by the lack of proper lighting, and the sounds of the thunderstorm outside wasn't helping.

"What if she wanted the statue to be broken?" Rarity asked rhetorically. "Surely there must have been some sort of...insurance policy? Maybe she planted that pony mannequin up there, waiting for Rainbow Dash to get into the perfect position, knowing that she would spring into action the moment it started falling--"

"Oh, come on," said Applejack. "How could anypony expect something like that to--nevermind..."

"Yes, so you see," Rarity continued, "she knew Rainbow Dash would try to save the pony, and with the proper setup, she would crash right into the statue, sending it right over the edge."

"Hey," said Rainbow Dash, "I could have...probably avoided that...maybe..."

"Oh, give me a break," said Applejack. "You're reading too far into things, Rarity. It's just a freak weather thing."

"Um..." said Twilight, stopping suddenly at the front of the group.

"What is it, darling?" asked Rarity.

"I..." Twilight sighed and put a hoof to her head. "I don't know where we are."

"What?" said Rainbow Dash. "If anypony here should know Canterlot Castle, it should be you. Especially where the library is."

"I know," said Twilight. "I could have sworn it was this way..."

"Looks like we're at some sort of maintenance room," said Applejack. She peered inside to get a better look.

Spike entered into the conversation. "And then, when they least expect it, they become lost..."

"Spike, quit it!" said Twilight.

Spike shrugged. "Why? I'm just having a little fun with things."

"Now is not the time," Twilight replied. "It was probably just a wrong turn a couple of turns ago. Come on, lets backtrack."

They turned around and continued trotting back to where they came from, being careful to ensure that they didn't make any wrong turns in the process. Twilight and Spike walked at the front, followed by Rarity and Rainbow Dash.

Twilight did a double-take. "Where is Applejack?"

Spike opened his mouth to speak, but it was immediately shushed by a purple hoof.

"Come on, let's go back and get her before she gets lost too," Twilight continued.

They rushed back to where they came from, taking several turns until arriving at another dead end.

"Um, Twilight?" said Rainbow Dash. "I don't think I recognize this clock. Are you sure we went the right way?"

"Ugh," Twilight sighed, "I thought so. What is wrong with my sense of direction? It's almost as if the halls are...changing or something."

"Don't be ridiculous, darling," said Rarity. "I'm sure it's just a bad combination of poor lighting and a little...anxiety is all."

"Anxiety?" Twilight replied with a small twinge. "I'm not anxious. I'm just...a little...flustered is all...yeah..."

Suddenly, the grandfather clock behind Twilight sounded loudly causing her to jump in the air.

"Nine O'Clock," said Spike. "Just in time for the killer to take their next victim..."