"What's taking them so long?". Applejack asked to nobody in particular since she was alone in front of the Canterlot Statue, the previous sleepless night wasn't helping with her mood either, her family seemed nonchalant about Big Mac's absence but Applejack could feel in her bones that her brother was in some trouble and what was a younger sister suppose to do when her brother was missing? Well look for him of course then kick his sorry ass for worrying her to begin with.

That was the main reason she was here, as soon as the watch hit 6am she texted her friends to meet up 30 minutes before school in front of the portal. Fluttershy and Twilight answered right away like she expected, Rarity took a little more time but she confirmed non the least, Rainbow and Pinkie's answers were odd but confirmed the message too, Sunset... was no show, the girl didn't even answered, Applejack knew that a million excuses were possible to explain the lack of acknowledge in her part but she couldn't think of a good one right now.

Her inner thoughts were derailed when the sound of footsteps was heard, there Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and dragging behind Rainbow and Pinkie were coming too.

"Morning Applejack, what's the emergency?".

"Yes darling, your text didn't explain anything".

"Yeah AJ calling first hour in the morning it's not COOL".

"What she said!".

"I'll just stay over here". Fluttershy said getting out of the line of fire.

Applejack was about to talk when she noticed the sick expression in Pinkie and the dark bags under Rainbow and Pinkie's eyes.

"You two ok?, ya look like you had a stare match against an owl and lost".

"Welllll we just wheppmh!". Rainbow interrupted Pinkie's explanation with a hand to the mouth maneuver.

"We just hit the... the books, that's right we study until really late to get all that brainy stuff in our heads like Twi and Sunset do, isn't that right Pinkie".

"Totallyyyy, like hick, um sorry, yeah like reallyyyy study and... stuff".

"Are ya ok Pinkie? Ya look kinda green there".

"Meee? Noooo that's like... Your imagination hick, I'm fiiiine". Applejack's lie senses tingled but with Pinkie that was hard to prove.

"Speaking of Sunset where is she? I have a few pointers I want to ask her?". Rainbow's tone was hard like if she was angry and Applejack could comprehend.

"Don know, I send her the same text but she didn answer me, has any of ya heard from her since yesterday?".

All present girls shook their heads in negative, Applejack noticed that Twilight was a little hesitant. "Listen here, I'm sorry I wake y'all so damn early but I have a problem and I can only count on ya to help me".

"Of course darling, just say what you need and we'll do what we can, that's why we're best friends".

The other girls nodded and got closer to show their support. "Thanks y'all, ok my brother is gone since yesterday and he's not answering, I got this ugly feeling that he's in trouble but back in home no one will believe me, so I need ya to help me look for him".

All 5 faces around Applejack morphed differently from one expression to a other one. Rarity changed from worry to a 'what?' face, Fluttershy changed to one of pity, Rainbow and Pinkie exchanged glances of mutual understanding and Twilight face was ridden with... embarrassment?. Wherever the case those weren't the faces that Applejack was hoping for.

"What? Are ya?... Aren't ya goin to help me?".

"Applejack dear, Big Mac is an adult already, I don't think that him been gone for a day is that much of a deal silly, he'll probably will turn up eventually". Rarity expressed her reasoning.

"My brother Sapphire use to disappear from time to time and my parents got worried every time but he was just drunk somewhere or sleeping with a friend". Fluttershy offered her own experience in the matter.

"Well my brother never did any of those things but I can relate to Applejack feeling worried about her sibling, maybe we can look somewhere?". Applejack felt glad for Twilight's support but her lie sense tingled again.

"And why don't we ask Sunset? You told us that she was the last one to see him, right? Maybe not only she knows where he is but also what he was doing last night". Rainbow declared again using an angry tone. Pinkie who looked like half sleep and half sick did an sign with her hands, one hand creating a circle and the other one poking it with her middle finger, the gesture was interrupted when Rainbow slapped her hands causing the baker girl to giggle.

Before Applejack could ask what was that about they were interrupted from behind.

"Well well look what we have here, the Rainbooms in all their glory menus one". At once all five girls turned around to find the librarian Cheerilee and the source of the voice, former siren and enemy Aria Blaze.

"Well I'll be damn, the fish girl is back in town!". Applejack, Rainbow and Rarity formed a defensive line while Fluttershy and a spacing out Pinkie stood behind.

The atmosphere suddenly turned chilly with Aria showing a cocky smile and the CHS girls grinding their teeth in waiting of a showdown.

"Girls please calm down, I don't want to explain to the Principal why five of our students are in detention so early". Cheerilee told the opposing girls that didn't look like lowering their guard.

"Miss Cheerilee you know well what this girl did to all of us so why are you housing such dangerous person with you".

"The same reason you are now friends with Sunset Shimmer, you give her a chance and she changed for the better, now is just the same but with Aria so if you are to judge her, please do it after you see her new self, isn't that fair Miss Rarity?".

"Yeah Miss prissy, ugh!". Aria was just about to continue with her mockery when Cheerilee delivered and elbow into her ribs. " Fuck that hurt".

"Behave, now if you excuse me". Cheerilee give Aria some keys and walked toward the school's door but then turned back " Don't forget to buy milk and toilet paper, and please if you buy soda at least buy a diet one, thanks". After that she continued her way.

"Shit! I need to find a job immediately".

All girls looked with open jaws as the librarian ordered the siren around, feeling all eyes over her Aria backed off a little.

"What?! Like you never order each other around!".

"We don't darling, it's call asking a favor and helping each other and we always throw the word 'please' and 'thank you' to let us remember that we are friends, just like Miss Cheerilee did".

Aria wanted to continued arguing but her pride didn't want to suffer another blow against those girls so she decided to leave at once, before so however something in the cowgirl gave Aria a familiar feeling.

"What? Got somethin on ma face?". Applejack asked feeling Aria's gaze focused on her.

"Whatever! Later Rainlosers!". After having the last word Aria left.

"Sorry y'all I know that what I'm asking sound silly and probably is but yer my friends, I wouldn't be askin ya if I didn trust ya with my heart'.

"Uuuh come here darling, I'm sorry for arguing as well". As the two girls embraced each other a black glow flowed from the farmer to the fashionista in a blink invading her as well. "Brrrr it's a little chilly out here, why don't we go inside and talk more about the missing one?".

As the girls moved Twilight stood for a few more seconds and turned to watch the statue where the portal was located. "Hurry up guys"

"Hey Twilight! Are you coming or what?".

"Sorry, coming!".

A FEW HOURS LATER...
the first hours the group talked about any idea in how to help Applejack find her brother, most of the suggestions came from Rarity as Rainbow only looked to get more angry and cranky as the hours passed.

Fluttershy suggested a few ideas that were pretty basic stuff when you were looking for a lost pet, which Applejack was ready to use if push came to shove, Pinkie mumbled here and there but nothing coherent, AJ was about to ask why Pinkie was talking like a drunk farmer but Rainbow told her that Pinkie was just been more Pinkie that usual and Applejack dropped the questions.

Then there was Twilight, again Applejack noticed how her last friend kept her distance and didn't provided any good ideas, if anything she was rejecting a few that sounded good. Before that however the bell ringed indicating the end of this class which was the last class were all the Rainbooms menus Sunset would be together apart from lunch.

"Ok girls, thanks for yer help, I guess we'll continue this over lunch".

"I'm sorry darling but I need to recheck some matters with Fleur about my new designs, but I'll try to be back quickly". Rarity excused herself.

"I'm also have some stuff with coach Iron Will but I'll see if I can come back, oh hey Shy would you mind taking Pinkie to the nurse, she looks worst that before". Rainbow asked her friend.

"Oh hm ok I will, I guess".

"Come on Fluttershy, I'll help you". Twilight took Pinkie's arm while Fluttershy took the other and together they went to the nurse room.

And just like that one by one Applejack's friends started leaving having their own problems and goals in mind, that feeling of collapsing she felt before returned augmented, every day they were drifting apart and Applejack seemed to be the only one who cared.

Before Applejack could move to her next class she felt a tap in her shoulder, Applejack turned around to find another familiar face, two actually.

"Heya Octavia, Vinyl how are ya guys doin?".

"We're fine thanks, sorry but we couldn't help but heard your conversation about your brother and... ". The tanned girl was interrupted by her mute friend who did signals with her hands in quick succession. "Yes yes I'm going to that... Anyway Vinyl said that behind the music store where she works there's a small street where the dumpsters are and last night before closing she when there and saw Big Mac's truck parked there".

"What? Did she saw ma brother around too?".

Octavia turned to her friend but she shook a no right away as well as a few more signs. "She didn't saw him but the truck is still there".

"I see, thanks girls I really appreciated that helps a lot".

"No problem, later". Vinyl also waved and the two were gone soon after leaving Applejack more worried now. His truck was nearby, because Vinyl's store wasn't but a few light away, but then where was he, and Sunset? She hasn't show up or answers calls at all and she was the last one to see or talk with Big Mac, the bad feeling just continued to grow.

ART CLASS...
"Hey Derpy can I borrow your...? What's wrong?".

"Why? Why are calling me that?". Ditzy almost at the point of tears asked Trixie who just rolled her eyes.

"Sorry ok? I forgot how sensible you can be some days, anyway can I borrow some of your blue paint, the powerful Trixie run out of it". Trixie extended her hand to pick the little container but Ditzy was faster grabbing the whole bag and hug it to her chest like if she was getting mob.

"No! Why would I give you my things when all you do is making fun of me!". The discussion was staring to attract unwanted attention.

"Come on Der-Ditzy, just lend me a few drops". Trixie reached out only to have her hand slapped away by the blonde girl, that was enough for the black glow to pass on into its next host.

"Awh, what the heck Ditzy, that hurt!".

"I.. I... I'm sorry!". Ditzy bolted out of the classroom leaving her stuff behind and everyone watching first at the retreating girl then at the supposed offender.

"What? I didn't insult her! Seriously!". Everyone saw her with doubt.

HALLWAY...
Celestia was walking or rather stumbled her way around, sleepless nights had a nasty effect on the Principal. "Uhffff".
So out of herself was Celestia that she didn't realize she was in coalition path until a body knock her down and books fell all around her.

"Are you ok Principal?".

"Oh Cheerilee I'm sorry, didn't see you there".

"Didn't heard me either, I call you twice and you didn't responded".

"Oh... I... was a little distracted, sorry about the books too, here let me". Again the contact allowed the glow to pass from one woman to the other.

"Well I'll be off now, need to check on Luna".

"Good luck, later then".

Celestia did her way to her office and dropped down on her chair letting her tired body rest for a bit before calling her sister. Last night's nightmare was still palpable in her mind playing like a freaking horror movie again and again, worse yet was when she learned that Sunset was absent from the first few classes, neither her nor Macintosh were answering their phone.

That was mortifying, still, she needed to continue with her duty, Celestia reached for the phone when it rang, a familiar feeling started to settle in the pit of her stomach.

"Hello?".

"Principal it's Redheart, I need you here in the Nurse room". Her face paled more that normal, this couldn't be, this had to be another nightmare.

"What's going on, are the students ok? Please don't tell me we got food poisoning again".

"Food poisoning? No, nothing like that, It's Pinkie Pie ma'am, two of her friends brought her earlier this morning and... Well Its look like... she's drunk".

"Uh?".

"Pinkie".

"What's with her?".

"She's drunk".

"Pinkie? As in Pinkie Pie?".

"Yes!".

"Maud's sister?".

"YES GOD DAMN IT! THAT PINKIE! Hmm Sorry ma'am".

"That's... That's ok, just one more time please". Celestia asked while pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, ahem, Miss Sparkle and Miss Shy brought me Miss Pie after the third period and while checking her I got the slight scent of alcohol from her mouth, that and her non-stop sex innuendo references, of course been Pinkie I considered every other possibility like eating something she baked with alcohol but after a while she confessed to had ingested beer while in a bar last night".

Hearing that Celestia relaxed a little, it was still a very difficult topic, she was still 17 as far as she knew and showing up drunk in school merited at least been send home temporarily as well as an investigation.

Even worse, Pinkie was one of the students part of the new university program, if news of one of them been drunk reached the Education Board the entire program could be shot down before it even begin.

"I'll be there in a moment Redheart, please do not let anyone else see her like that, I'll call Maud to see if she knows anything".

"Will do Principal". The call was ended and Celestia moved with haste, there weren't students dying but they may be students expelled because of this if she didn't heard a damn good explanation.

A few minutes later Celestia accompanied by Maud were in the nurse room with a witty Pinkie putting cotton swaps in her eyebrows and a fake cotton mustache pretending to be Albert Einstein.

"Heyyyyy Principal how you dooooing?". Pinkie tried to imitated Joey and the Funz simultaneously.

"Miss Pie, how did you end up like this?".

"Weeeell when my mom and my dad decided that they needed more labor for the quarry they-".

"Pinkiamina Diane Pie". Maud barely elevated her voice or changed her facial expression at least she didn't for the nurse and the Principal but for her little sister she may as well turned into a monster, Pinkie went pale and any sign of drunkenness left ber body at once.

"Ma-Maud hehe I didn't see you there hehe".

Taking the opportunity to talk Celestia commenced the questioning. " Pinkie, do you know why we are here".

"I... I think I do, it's about my... Little problem right?'.

"That's correct". Celestia took a seat next to Pinkie and put a hand on her shoulder " Showing up in school drunk is a high act of misconduct Pinkie, not only that but it also bears the question of where and by who did you got in this state".

"I... I can't tell".

"Pinkie, if you don't say the whole true I'll have to call our parents and explain how I failed in taking care of you, then they will not let Marble to come live with us anymore".

"NO! I... We went to a bar that Applejack's brother and Miss Luna frequent, I faked my age and then we were offered drinks inside, I took a sip at a beer and... Well you see how I end up".

"Are you saying that you got this bad from a sip of beer?". Asked The nurse curiously.

"Pinkie have a very low tolerance to alcohol, we discovered that by accident during a party, and if I not mistaken it was Rainbow Dash who went with you didn't she".

Pinkie nodded with sadness.

"Very well, Redheart? Have you done any report yet?".

"No ma'am, I was waiting for your orders".

Celestia took a deep breath, she needed to this correctly so the lesson would be learn but not to reveal the whole thing. " please Redheart skip the report part for now, if anyone ask she had a slight fever and was feeling unwell, you will be suspended for today and tomorrow and will help with community service in weekends by one month, it's that clear Miss Pinkie?". The bubblegum headed girl nodded sad again.

"Good, now please go for your things and reflect in your actions, I'll see you back in Thursday".

"What's gonna happen with Dashie?".

"She'll have a similar punishment, a bit more severe though".

"I understand, but please don't be to hard on her, she didn't force me to anything, I did everything under may own decision".

"I'll think about it Pinkie but I can't promise anything". The girl nodded and turned to her sister.

"Go home and rest, we'll talk when I get there Pinkie". Again Pinkie only answered with a nod and left, after a little bit more of talking Celestia called Rainbow to her office.

After Rainbow tried to deny the incident Celestia just pushed the issue a little bit further and finally she cracked under the pressure.

"You will be suspended for a week and will have community service for 3 months in weekends".

"Say what?".

"What you did was immature and dangerous, you know that an incident like this can ruin your chance of getting into Cloudsdale University right?". Rainbow flinched after Celestia did mentioned her dream's possibility of been crushed.

"You haven't told your friends about your decision either haven't you?".

Rainbow looked away, yes she hasn't mentioned at any of her friends her desire to move back to Cloudsdale for their University which had approached her about enrolling. Still she didn't feel like talking about it right now.

"Haven't yet, then again I'm not the only one keeping secrets, right Principal?". Celestia was confused by the tone she took but before she could ask what she meant Rainbow stormed out of the office.

After getting her backpack Rainbow headed out of school but as she did her exit she found a downcast Pinkie waiting for her.

"Dashie I'm so-".

"Save it Pinkie, I know you didn't rant me up, so there's nothing to apologize for?". Pinkie wanted to believe her friend but she still sounded mad.

Rainbow mounted her dirt bike and turned it on, putting her helmet she started moving when she called Pinkie over.

"How about some milkshakes, I heard that they are good for headaches and hangovers". Pinkie smiled and jumped on the back producing a helmet of her own from her puffy hairdo. "Your gonna have to teach me that trick one day".

"One day Dashie, one day". The two friends left laughing and enjoying each other company.

LATER THAT DAY...
A text by Pinkie reveal to the remaining Rainbooms what happen to her and Rainbow, after reading it Applejack gripped her phone so tight that the screen almost cracked, damming her loss of control and her strength Applejack started rethinking what to do.

Octavia and Vinyl give her a clue but that was just the begining, she would check it out later if her brother didn't showed up by then, Applejack called her cousins to see if there was any sign of Big Mac but it came out negative, during some of the classes Applejack fell sleep and was caught by teachers in two occasions.

"You look pretty bad Applejack, are you ok?".

"Just mighty tired, apart from not knowing where that dumbass is".

"Oh, well if you feel that bad maybe you could ask nurse Redheart to let you rest for a bit in one of the beds".

"Sounds grand Sugarcube but I should be fine".

"Are you sure? Because I can speak for you to the Principal, I'm sure that-".

"I SAY I'M FINE!... sorry, listen I was wonderin if Sunset did mentioned any other plans that she was havin yesterday".

Twilight twitched for a second at the question and Applejack noticed, this was like the third time she had done that, for Applejack this was a red flag and she was a little to paranoid right now.

"Twi is there somethin bothering ya?".

"Why why would you ask that?

"Nothin really, just that you look like ya want to say somethin, isn't that?".

"Hmm no... I mean yeah I mean... I think I'm also tired, getting all those studies done was sexing... I I mean taxing, yes taxing thats what I meant he he, well gotta go to my next class, bye".

If Applejack had any doubt of Twilight hiding something there was non now, so in the end she could only count on herself, there was still Fluttershy and Rarity of course but both had their jobs and Applejack didn't want to intrude into them, it was up to her alone to find where Big Mac was and boy was she angry about it.

By the end of the day Applejack left without waiting for anyone, she had already informed Apple Bloom and Granny Smith that she would be checking something out before going home.

Just as the DJ told her she found her brother's truck parked in the street behind, odd place to leave it as it was hidden from normal pedestrians but still reachable from school.

Applejack knew where Mac kept his spare key and found it there, soon she had the door open and was inside, the ignition key wasn't there though, feeling the need to go deeper AJ started inspecting the glove compartment and any other hole that may store information, she found only a few bills but nothing telling, that was until she moved the old manual for his truck, from it a small metal object fell and she pick it up.

It was a key, a small regular cheap key, the kind of key given to apartments tenants, did Big Mac had an apartment?, Applejack didn't believed so, however there was only one other person that lived in an apartment and once again Applejack found her brother linked to that girl, her friend Sunset Shimmer.

There could only be a few understandable reasons as to way Big Mac would have a key of Sunset's apartment but Applejack could only find a single one, the tutoring was a possibility but the intimacy in which the two would needed to be for sharing something like house keys was not on that level.

Feeling even worse that before Applejack's tiredness overwhelm her and the farmer girl felt sleep inside the vehicle, as she felt deeper in slumber the black glow came out to feast the nightmare that plaged her the night before.

CHEERILEE'S APARTMENT...
Aria trashed around on her bed not for the first time, a weird noise coming from her roommate continued to scare sleep away, Aria didn't know what to do, while leagues more friendly that Adagio Cheerilee still had a nasty temper when angered and Aria didn't want to interrupt in case she was doing... Questionable things.

Still, there was a limit to how noisy someone could be while pleasuring oneself and decided that Cheerilee reached and passed that point by long, so taking some courage she rose from her bed and moved to the other room, she knocked and waited to see if the librarian would stop after realized she was heard, but she didn't, the noise continued and now that Aria was close she heard sobbing and crying, not to mention a familiar feeling returning, just like with the Apple girl in the morning.

"Hey! Lee your too loud!". A scream was the only answers and now Aria felt that this was not a normal situation. "Hey I coming in!". Aria took a few steps back and rushed forward slamming the door with her shoulder, the door give up from the impact a little to easy and Aria felt face down, she got up rubbing her breasts and nose sure that they would hurt tomorrow.

"Holy shit! It did work". Aria was impressed by her own stun but another anguish cry make her turn and when she did her mouth went dry instantly.

Cheerilee was in her bed moving and trashing like a fish hooked out of the water, but what really called Asia's attention was the black magic hanging over her head.

"The fuck is that?". Aria went to the bed and as the black glow detected her it moved to avoid been seen but Aria could see it perfectly and the sensation was indeed familiar now, it was intoxicating, like before when she and the others use to feed in bad emotions.

Another cry from her caretaker put her out of her thoughts and Aria grabbed the black magic by one of its tendrils, as she pulled the thing of Cheerilee the black goo morphed into an insect, one that Aria saw once in a fairy tale she heard when she was a normal filly.

"Leave. Her. Alone!". One final pull detached the thing from Cheerilee and as soon at it happen the creature disolved like smoke realised from a bottle but the magic that the creature possessed was absorbed by Aria, the transplant of magic caused a pressure wave that send the former siren woman to slam against the wall hard as her mind lost consciousness she saw Cheerilee getting up and ran toward her as she saw her down, still crying.

When Aria woke up she found herself in the arms of the librarian who was on the floor with her holding her head up."Morning, I think?".

Aria was stunt, did she spend the night like this? the feeling in her back seemed to indicated so. "Am I dead?".

"Non of us are, but you took a good blow on that head of yours, how do you feel?".

Aria moved to touch her head and found her it wrapped with a bandage. " I think that I wacked myself pretty fucking good".

Cheerilee sighed, while she wanted to reproach Aria for her foul language she simply couldn't this time."Thanks... Thank you Aria, this is the second time you helped me out".

Aria was speechless, this has to be the second time she had been thanked by something, somehow Rarity's words resounded in her mind, she stood there unmoving until she finally spoke again.
"What was that thing anyway? It looked like a black bug, was it magical?".

Aria thought for a minute before answering. "When I was a filly and I'm talking way before I even turned into a siren, the old mares use to scare us with old tales, one of them was about Nightmare Moon, a dark pony who ruled over the night and could invade your dreams seeding nightmares to terrorize anypony who didn't respect her".

Aria continued " It is said that to accomplish her purpose she created two creatures, one was the batponies who acted as her guard and loyal servant, they also scared ponies around Equestria, her second creation was a magic creature that would invade the sleep of ponies and turn their dreams into their worse nightmares, they were called Tantanites".

"So... Those things turn dreams in nightmares? But... How did they got here".

"Don't know exactly, We... Adagio, Sonata and Me were send here with a banishing spell from a unicorn called Star Swirl and Bacon head and purple princess came here through a portal, this things though... I have no idea".

"Are they dangerous? I mean having your worse nightmare shoved in your dreams daily sucks but are they capable of more?".

Aria tried to remember if she heard anything but she couldn't.
"We never saw them ourselves so I'm not sure what more they can do, but what I know is how they felt, and look..." . Aria hold her hand on the air and focused, soon a weak mint colored glow covered.

"It's that...?".

"Yeah, magic... weak but active, wherever this thing came from it very possible that there's more of them".

"I see... I didn't went anywhere but school today and since our school is the number one spot for magic shenanigans I bet my check that there is where I got it".

Aria nodded. " Great, just great... By the way my door wasn't locked, why didn't you used the knob?". Aria just glared to the other girl.

CANTERLOT CITY, CENTER PARK...
A lonesome figure stood in the center of the deserted park slightly floating as more negative waves rushed toward her, her magic growing with every little burst of anger, frustration, irritation and distrust all fueled by the lack of a relaxing slumber, her little helpers were doing a pretty good job, more so that those two fools that accompanied her before, they were more quiet too, she smiled more, another burst of negative emotions came to feed her and her powers, this one had sweet and delicious equestrian magic mixed on it, a sister that felt lost and betrayed, then another one, this one felt guilt and worry, another one with anger and sadness, her smile grow wider.

"YES! Keep suffering and drowning in your own little problems Rainbooms, keep fighting among yourselves, for while you get weaker I grow stronger! Ha ha, ha ha ha ha".

WEDNESDAY...
It was the next day and Time Turner felt bad, he tried to sleep but nightmares keep showing up at every try, after more failures at sleeping well he opted for reading some of his notes and he felt sleep from exhaustion.

Still he went to work hoping that been in school will lift his spirit, he had some advances in his intended relationship with the lovely Miss Luna and watching the fresh faces of his students always inspired him to pass the knowledge he has accumulated over the years.

He was a little worried about not been able to talk with his pony double for a while but since P Turner tended to wander off investigating many other things it wasn't that troublesome.

As he entered the school however he found tired faces rather of what be expected, there were some who mumbled half sleep while other were a bit more alert but most showed the same sign black bags under their eyes like him and a crabby attitude.

Wherever two students collided they would throw angry comments at each other, some of the staff showed the same symptoms as well. Turner didn't understood at all, maybe there was a really interesting movie or show last night that caused everyone to lose precious sleep.

Maybe it was a variation of the flu afflicting more people that normal. Or maybe... Nah.

"Morning". Turner saluted as he entered the teacher's lounge. Cranky simple grumbled something and left, Redheart waved and continued massaging her temples, the rest of the staff either growled or ignore him completely. After preparing himself some tea he went to a table then Luna entered looking for the coffee maker and preparing a cup too she joined him watching the lazy show before them.

"Is there an epidemic I missed?".

"Don't think so, my sis is also having problems sleeping this couple of nights, it looks like she wasn't the only one". Luna said pointing to his eyes.

"I see".

"Not only them it seems, some of the students are also acting weird, Twilight Sparkle is as nervous as a if it was surprise test day and Ditzy seems scared of everyone, I got call from some of their parents reporting them as staying up night".

"That's... Indeed strange, but not out of the ordinary".

"Tell me about it, I did have some weird dreams myself too".

"How so?".

"Well I don't like to brag but-".

"Sure you don't Miss Luna".

"Quiet you or I'll cancel that date I promise, anyway as I was saying, I can dream wherever I want, no matter how stupid, silly or incredible it sound I can dream about it just by thinking hard before falling sleep". Luna took a sip of her coffee while Turner took one from his tea.

"So I dream of world conquest and crown myself undisputed and eternal queen of the universe far more beautiful that my sister when this ugly bug show up ruining everything, or at least it tried, then I changed my dream to get rid of the little pest and there it pops again, I did it multiple times and the little black thing keeps following me".

Turner felt a hole starting in his stomach and he new it wasn't the tea. "How?... How do you now it follow it you around?".

"Because every time it would show it ugly muck my lovely dream would turn into a freaking nightmare, it keep doing it until I squashed the bugger".

If Turner had any doubt about what Luna was describing then be didn't now. Putting his drink away Turner moved out of the room, Luna saw him leave like a mad man.

In his hurry Turner took a curve with out watching and walked against a wall that wasn't a few seconds ago. After shaking his head and getting up he saw that the wall he just crashed against was in fact Applejack Apple "Sorry there Miss Apple, I didn't see you". Turner got up and and saw that the farmer girl had the baggy eyes that seemed to plague almost everyone at the school right now.

"Ya should be more careful then, don wanna get hurt now do ya?".
Turner was speechless for the second time today, did Applejack one of the most respectful and well mannered girls in school just threatening him?.

"Ye-yes I... I should, well good day now and... Bye".

"Hey wait up". Applejack called him before he was out of her reach.

"Yes?"

"Have ya seen Shimmer around yet?".

"Oh you mean Miss Sunset?".

"Well duh! What other Shimmer do ya know?".

"Well ah... No I haven't. It seems many students are sick so maybe she's home, maybe?".

Applejack watch him like a vulture waiting for it's pray to die and Turner could feel the whole pressure of her gaze, Luna told him once that Granny Smith did have a similar look that could freeze your blood when she was younger and he was compelled to agree.

"If ya see her, tell me right away ya hear".

"Uh sure Miss Apple, uh will do, now if you excuse me". Turner moved around his pupil by hugging the wall, he knew if her strength and was in no hurry to see how she used it even he was interested.

As soon as the danger passed he did his way to his car in the parking lot and front there to his house, moving some furniture that covered the door to his lab he went inside and quickly turned a big old computer attached to square mirror from the computer monitor he tried to contact his pony double and after some failures he managed to do it.

"P Turner? P Turner are you there?".

"It look like we have a magic related problem and the girls seem to have been affected as well, if you can hear me please answer me as soon as you can". After leaving his message Turner waited and waited but soon his lack of rest caught up to him and felt sleep in his chair still waiting and no soon after the black glow got to work on him.