The thunderous belch in the kitchen reverberated around the whole library. Twilight paused in her re-shelving, four books hovering in her magical grasp. If she didn't know better, she'd almost think he did it on purpose. That unkind thought vanished, however, when she saw her assistant stagger into the library looking bilious, one paw clutched to his stomach. The other held a scroll which he waved feebly at her.

She carefully stacked her books back on the trolley as she turned to him. “Are you OK, Spike? You don't look so hot.”

He let out a quiet moan. “I swear, I am never eating those cheap geodes from the late-night takeaway cart ever again!”

Twilight took the scroll and looked worriedly at him. “Thanks, Spike. Do you want a limestone tablet, or something? I think we have some upstairs?”

He blew a rather smoky breath out between his teeth. “Mightn't be a bad idea,” he admitted. Wow, he really must be feeling sorry for himself! He had been out the previous night for the weekly card school that Applejack's brother ran – strictly no mares allowed! It was more an excuse for some male bonding than anything, as they only played for apple pips, but he must have stayed late to avoid the rain and she didn't remember him getting home.

“Tell you what, why don't you go back to bed for a while? I'm nearly done down here, anyway.”

“Shh, you hear that?” asked Spike, cupping his ear with his free paw, “I think it's my basket calling. 'Spike! Spike! Come back to me! How could you leave me like this?'”

Twilight laughed. “Go on, then, you wouldn't want to keep it waiting. I'll check on you later.”

She watched him stomp unsteadily upstairs before turning her attention to the scroll. She read it through twice before dropping in on the table with a sigh. Princess Celestia was summoning her to Canterlot to review the threat to Ponyville – and despite all her weeks of work, she had absolutely nothing new to offer the Princess.

Rarity found her in the kitchen an hour later, still scribbling aimlessly on a check-list of things she might need for her trip. It had undergone so many revisions by this stage that she may as well have used it for firelighters, but she still wasn't happy with it as she tried to find a way to take everything she had learned without bringing the entire library.

She watched the immaculately turned-out Unicorn pause in the doorway to give her the once-over with a critical eye before sitting herself down with a compassionate smile. “Have I come at a bad time, darling?”

Twilight sighed and gave up. “No, of course not. I was just thinking about stuff,” she said lamely, trying to deflect the inevitable enquiry as behind her a tendril of purple magic crumpled the remains of the list and lobbed it at the bin. She tried to avoid the other mare's eyes, but her friend had perfected the art of the attentive silence and she didn't hesitate to let it loose on Twilight. It really was fighting dirty, Twilight thought grumpily as it bore down on her like a tangible mass, just begging to help her. It had nothing to do with her overactive conscience, she told herself, but eventually she cracked, as they both knew she would.

“Princess Celestia wants me to go to Canterlot. She's called a meeting to discuss the situation in Ponyville with Senior Secretary of the Day Court, the Head Archivist, a couple of professors, and a Senior Agent from the C.I.A..”

“The C.I.A.?”

“Canterlot Intelligence Agency,” Twilight explained, “You know, the Dark Horses?”

“Oh. And you don't want to go?” Rarity asked in a leading voice, “It sounds like a chance to pool ideas with all sorts of other experts and spark those creative juices.”

Twilight took a deep breath and met Rarity's gaze. “That's just it; I've got nothing to give them. I've beaten my head against a wall for weeks and come up with the grand total of zilch. The Princess trusted me with this, Rarity, and I've failed her. I've failed everypony,” she added dispiritedly.

If she was expecting sympathy and understanding, she was badly mistaken. “Twilight, darling? That has to be the most ridiculous load of self-indulgent tosh I've ever heard from you! It's difficult, so you're going to give in and sulk? Is this really the mare who stood in front of Nightmare Moon and Discord on her own and refused to be beaten? I can't believe I'm hearing this!”

Twilight huffed, offended. “It's not like that!”

“Oh really? So that's why you're sitting there, wallowing in... whatever it is that ponies wallow in?” Rarity leaned forward. “I have sat here these last weeks and watched you work and worry and sweat yourself into a blue funk over this, and I've not said a word because I know how important it is. You're just going to throw all that away? You may not have the culprit wrapped up in a box with a bow on top for the Princess, like I know you wanted, but it's most certainly not for lack of trying.”

“That's not good enough when I know that somepony is going to die unless I pull my hoof out and solve this!” Twilight spat angrily. “What if it's you? Huh? Or Applejack, or Fluttershy, or any of you? Because I really don't know if I could live with myself if that happened.”

“What if it was you?” Rarity pointed out coolly. “Everypony's got friends and family, dear. Twilight, you might solve this, you might not. I'm sure the Princess has other ponies working on this as well, so you might even be able to give them the clues they need to solve it. I'm not saying you should ruin your health like you have been doing, but I can guarantee that you won't achieve anything if you sit there feeling sorry for yourself.”

“I know! And it's not about getting the credit; I don't care who catches this thing, just so long as somepony stops it.” Twilight paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself before continuing in a less confrontational voice, “I am going to go, Rarity. I was just sitting here trying to work out how much stuff I could take. But surely a mare's allowed to feel a little sorry for herself every once in a while? I've worked my tail off on this and it's a little depressing to look back and realise that all I've accomplished so far is to scare my friends and annoy the hay out of two innocent ponies.”

Rarity sat back, looking mollified. “In that case, I must apologise most sincerely. It's just that when I came in you looked so crestfallen and you really did sound in need of a good pep-talk.”

A stray thought popped into Twilight's head, making her laugh. Rarity gave her an enquiring look, and she explained, “I'm sorry, it's just that it's a little ironic to have the only pony I've ever met who owns fainting couches tell me to stop being a drama queen!”

“Would you like to borrow one?” Rarity asked sweetly, before letting out a silvery peal of laughter. “Everypony has their own little foibles, darling, and I am eternally grateful that my friends put up with mine. Now then, there must be something I can help you with – I'd love to make sure that you're appropriately packed for such august company?”

Twilight hesitated for a second; she didn't want to hurt Rarity's feelings, but if she couldn't think of something quickly she knew she'd end up with about twelve suitcases – which would be at least eleven and a half too many. All she really needed was a rainproof cloak and one of Applejack's apple pies for her mother. “Err, actually I'm staying downstairs for the time being. Spike's not feeling great, so he's gone back to bed.”

She felt a little bad about deploying Spike as a tactical weapon but it had the desired effect, as Rarity gasped dramatically, a hoof flying to her mouth.

“He's ill? Not my little Spikey?! Why didn't you say so earlier, darling? Oh, maybe I should go up and see him, just for a moment. But I'm sure he needs his rest...”

Twilight smiled inwardly. It was the worst-kept secret in Ponyville that Spike had a crush on Rarity, but something about the little dragon automatically put Rarity into hyper-mothering-mode. She let Rarity worry her maternal anxiety out while she called another piece of parchment with her magic and settled it in front of them.

“Well, while we're waiting perhaps you can help me with my check-list? I'm trying to work out what I should take with me to Canterlot from my notes.”

The indigo-maned mare gave her a warm smile and pulled her chair up next to her so they could both bend their heads over the parchment. “I should be delighted, my dear.”

Rainbow Dash watched her friend slowly jostle the pestle against the heavy mortar and bit her lip to stop her sigh escaping. Each time the grinding stopped, she half-expected Fluttershy to fall face-first into the plaster she was preparing for the chipmunk that she had found that morning, looking bedraggled and very sorry for itself after the previous night's storms. Instead, she scooped a few more mustard seeds in and steadily resumed her work. Surely she couldn't last much longer?

It had started off innocently enough when Fluttershy had come down one morning looking like she'd had a sleepless night, but over the following week she had watched the other Pegasus sink further and further into a peculiar, nervous exhaustion. She was uncharacteristically jumpy, flying into a panic at the slightest thing around the cottage, and a couple of times Rainbow had found her dozing during the day having seemingly flaked out in the middle of her work. While Rainbow wasn't averse to a little nap in the sun by any means, there was no way that Fluttershy would let her little animal friends down for a snooze.

Any time she asked what was going on, Fluttershy would simply give her that small, brave smile and insist she was just fine, but you didn't need to be a genius to work out something was badly wrong. Huh, probably doesn't want to be any trouble, or some such rot, she thought to herself. It hurt, too, that her old Flight School buddy obviously didn't feel able to confide in her. Rainbow knew that she probably wasn't the best with all that smushy emotional stuff, but if she couldn't help her friend, maybe somepony else could; Rarity probably, or maybe Applejack? She hesitated to ask Twilight, who had gone to Canterlot that morning, and in any case it looked like she had plenty on her plate already, and as for Pinkie... well, perhaps not! The only thing that held her back from approaching their friends was the thought that it would be a little too much like breaking a confidence, and she was definitely not cool with that.

So instead here she was, fretting over her like a silly filly once again. Come to think of it, while Fluttershy was always rather delicately-built, even for a Pegasus, wasn't she looking just a little gaunt recently? A little thin around the hips and shoulders? She sighed internally again; she couldn't force Fluttershy to talk, but she would be the best friend she could be in the hope that if her friend needed somepony, she'd be there.

“Can I get anything for you?” she asked hesitantly. She didn't want to look like she was taking over but she was determined make herself useful, all the same.

Fluttershy blinked, and looked up at her with that angelic smile. “Um, could you please pass me that bottle of olive oil, if you wouldn't mind? Thanks.”

Yeah, she would never be all that keen on being a ground-dweller, but so long as that was where her friends were, it was worth it. And whatever was going on with Fluttershy, she only hoped that it would end soon.

She awoke with a gasp, half-formed memories of leering darkness receding as she panted, shivering, on her bed. The dull headache which had bothered her all week throbbed in time with her racing pulse and her head swam murkily as she screwed her eyes shut, trying to keep the tears of frustration and exhaustion at bay. All she wanted was some rest, just to be at peace again, just for one night. Was that too much to ask? Why, what was it that was haunting her so?

She had tried hot milk, and chamomile tea. She had tried changing pillows and blankets. She had tried sweet-smelling candles and lavender bouquets and meditated for hours before bed. But when her head hit the pillow and the lights went out – she had even tried a night light, like a little foal, only to be scared witless all night by the shadows it cast – her mind remained almost unbearably alert, her senses straining to catch any noise or movement or even smell and evaluate it. Her muscles ached, too, after hours of tension, forever poised to explode into action. The periods when sleep did claim her were brief and restless and ultimately unfulfilling.

She knew in her heart that she wasn't imagining it any more. She knew the animals well enough to know that they sensed it, too, and she had seen the marks of the creature's hooves around the cottage. Maybe she should tell somepony? She had seen Rainbow Dash watching her, concern all over her face, so why hadn't she told her? This couldn't go on – she couldn't go on – but for all Rainbow's patience and unsubtle prompts, somehow the will to talk kept evaporating at the crucial moment. Her indecision was both annoying and humiliating.

The room felt airless and stifling but she didn't dare to open the window, instead slowly propping herself up on her pillows and listening to the chirp and rustle of the insects and the forest. The slightest movement made her joints feel like bone grating on bone. She tried to steady her breathing and slow her pulse by meditating, but her mind kept sliding away from her peaceful thoughts of butterflies and back to churning on the same old anxiety. Gamely, she persevered and eventually the pounding in her head lessened a little and she felt slightly calmer.

Letting out a long, quiet sigh of satisfaction, she let her mind drift freely until she abruptly realised that the chorus of the crickets was fading. Her ears pricked and slowly that ominous silence descended over the cottage again, seemingly one insect snuffed out at a time. She heard a nervous bleat from the sheep enclosure, quickly overlaid with several more anxious ovine voices, and some sort of scuffle broke out in the pig pen. A tiny spark of rebellion bloomed in her; this had gone on long enough! Taking a deep breath, she eased herself out of bed, swaying unsteadily as the congested feeling rose sickeningly in her head and sent threads of pain shooting across her sinuses. She paused for a moment to steady herself and edged over to the window on tip-hoof. Slowly, she eased her head through the curtains and looked down on her little bulwark of civilisation against the Everfree Forest.

A pale movement caught her eye by the chicken coop, rippling into shadow and then stillness. Her breath froze in her throat and she kept her eyes fixed on the spot, half-willing and half-dreading its reappearance. After a long moment suddenly the night came alive, an indiscernible shape gliding swiftly towards the cottage and out of her sight. Her sudden gasp sounded like a siren in the dark, and she clapped a hoof over her mouth, nerves jangling as she tried to eliminate the sound of her panicked breaths in the-

Ker-chonk!

The front door jolted back against its bar. No. No, no, no, no, she gibbered in her mind. She had a wild urge to run back to bed and hide herself under the covers, but her hooves felt like they were rooted to the spot. Almost crying in terror, her heartbeat thundering mercilessly inside her aching skull, she waited for the sound of their destruction – the opening door, the shattering window, the yielding lock – but it didn't come. A ripple of moonlight under her window caught her gaze, and suddenly her tormentor seemed to materialise before her eyes. A figure, vaguely equine in shape but thin and freakishly tall, wrapped in shadow and trailing smoky tendrils of darkness. It glided strangely across the ground, moving in little dashes and spurts, and vanishing from view in its brief halts as the night seemed to coalesce around it. But best of all, it was going away. Away from her, away from Rainbow and the cottage, back to the Everfree.

At the edge of the forest, just before she lost sight of it entirely, it seemed to turn and two dull red points appeared, glowing like old coals from the heart of a fire. A wave of sickening malevolence rolled over her, sending her reeling drunkenly back from the window as the agonising pressure in her head peaked and she tripped and fell back on her haunches.

Something burst in her muzzle and she felt a warm splatter down her chest as her screams echoed around the little cottage.

A thin, terrified wail dragged Rainbow Dash from a sound slumber. It took a half-second for the sound to register in her mind before coalescing into a single thought; Fluttershy!

She hit the floor running, only to trip over the rug and fall heavily against the dresser. Snarling a curse, she charged out onto the little landing, slapping the lights on as she went. She crashed through Fluttershy's door only to recoil in horror as the lights came on; the yellow Pegasus lay sprawled on the rug, covered in blood and screaming hysterically.

“Ohmygosh! Fluttershy!” She raced to her friend's side, seizing her head and looking frantically for injuries. “Are you hurt? What happened?”

The mare flinched at the sudden contact, struggling briefly before recognition dawned in her bleary, unfocused eyes as the blood poured from her nose. She was shivering violently, and her forehead felt hot against the back of Rainbow's pastern as she checked Fluttershy's temperature, ignoring the slick red smears she collected on her own chest and shoulders in doing so.

“Hold on a sec, I'll be right back.”

Rainbow shot out at top speed and returned with a towel from the bathroom which she pressed gently against Fluttershy's muzzle. “It's OK, you've just got a bloody nose. Shh, I'm here now, it's OK,” she soothed her awkwardly, stroking her quivering neck with a consoling hoof. Gradually she felt some of the tension drain out of the other mare, who turned and buried her face in Rainbow's neck, dissolving into heart-wrenching sobs of terror and despair.

Feeling totally inadequate, Rainbow sank onto her haunches and kept running her hoof through her friend's mane, trying to sound confident and reassuring, but to her own ears she simply sounded scared and confused. “Hey, it's all right. You're going to be fine.”

She couldn't tell how long she sat there but eventually the tears tapered off to little more than exhausted gasps. Ignoring the growing ache in her shoulder, Rainbow kept up her soothing motion, stroking her friend's mane in long, slow sweeps. “What was it, Fluttershy? What happened?” she probed gently.

“It was out there; it was trying to get in, I saw it,” Fluttershy moaned indistinctly, still clutching at Rainbow's neck. “The animals know, oh, they know! They've been so scared!”

“What was out there? Is it a wolf, or something?”

Fluttershy's reply trailed off until it was almost inaudible, like she lacked the energy to speak. “I don't know, it's something from the forest, it's, I think it's, I think it's Twilight's monster.”

In spite of herself, Rainbow flinched. Twilight's monster? Oh. Oh, no way! It was trying to get in. The thought sent her own shivers cascading around her body, and she gently disentangled herself from the other mare, feeling a fresh surge of adrenaline follow the chills. “You actually saw this thing? Where was it? What did you see?”

She set off for the window, only to hear a scream of, “No!” from behind her and be brought up by a painful heave on her tail. Wincing, she swung around. “Or not. OK, so you don't want me to look out?”

“No! It's out there, it's in the forest, oh Dashie, what if it sees you, too?” Fluttershy sank down onto her belly, fresh tears streaming from her eyes. “You'll end up like me,” she whimpered in despair, “I've heard it at night; the door, the windows. It'll find you, and I couldn't bear it.”

Feeling helpless, Rainbow lowered herself down onto the rug, letting her shoulder press reassuringly into Fluttershy's and waiting for her friend's weeping to subside. It was clear that there was nothing in Equestria which could persuade Fluttershy to leave the cottage that night, and she wasn't feeling too keen about it herself. She came to a decision.

“OK, here's what we're going to do,” she said in a low, firm voice, “We're going to stay here for the night, locked up nice and safe where nothing can get at us. Then, in the morning, we're going to high-tail it to the village as fast as we can and get a message to Twilight and the Princess; They'll know what to do.”

“But the animals?” Fluttershy protested weakly.

The animals could take a running jump, as far as Rainbow was concerned. “Angel Bunny will look after them for you, I reckon it'll only be a couple of days. If I have to, I'll fly back during the day and make sure they're OK,” she added reluctantly.

The yellow Pegasus nodded distantly. “Um, Rainbow? Can I stay with you tonight?” she asked in a tiny voice, almost like a little filly. It was ridiculous how strong a wrench that gave Rainbow's heart, and her voice nearly broke when she replied.

“Of course you can. How about we go into my room?”

She helped Fluttershy to her hooves, searching out an unstained corner of the towel and dabbing at the mare's nose. It came away clean, so she slung it into the bath when they cleaned themselves up before moving into the guest bedroom. They settled down together on the mattress and she felt Fluttershy burrow in to her side as she pulled up the blanket. She stretched a protective wing out over her and heard a gentle sigh in response. Minutes later, she could hear the slow, even breathing of her friend, asleep and at peace at last.

She left her wing resting reassuringly on the mare's side but remained fully alert, keeping a vigil until Celestia's light returned and the world began to stir.

She cantered eagerly through the forest, ducking and weaving around the tall trunks of the sycamores and the poplars. She could hear his voice just up ahead, and she joined in with his laughter. Around them, the morning was crisp and beautiful, with the half-frozen dew sparkling on grass and leaves in the bright sunlight. She leapt lightly over a small stream, pumping her wings once to carry her well over into the snowdrops waving on the far bank, and sped onwards.

His voice was behind her now; the game reversed. Giggling to herself, she swerved down a wide lane left by an old windfall and started to slow up. Come to think of it, she really didn't mind being caught-

“...come on, wake up! I haven't got time for this!”

Cloud Kicker let out a moan and rolled over, her eyes blinking slowly in the gloom until they registered the pale-blue Pegasus shaking her shoulder impatiently. “Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?” she muttered groggily.

“Never mind that, I need you to do the Dawn Patrol for me. It's an emergency!”

“What? I'm on evenings!” Cloud Kicker whined fuzzily. Her last shift had finished well after midnight, and as far as she could tell it was still an unspeakable hour of the night. If only Rainbow would get lost, she could happily sink back into her warm nest and sleep until mid-morning. Instead, the other mare just huffed impatiently and started pulling the blankets off her.

“Yeah I know, and I'm sorry, but I need another Team Leader and this really is an emergency. I'll make it up to you but please, get up!”

Realising she was fighting a losing battle, Cloud Kicker let out a growl of frustration and rolled onto her hooves. “I just want you to know that you ruined a really nice dream,” she grumbled sullenly.

Rainbow Dash smirked. “Yeah, I know – you were giggling in your sleep! Thanks, Cloud Kicker, you're a star!”

With that, Rainbow turned and shot out, leaving her to wonder if it was all a dream. Clearly not, because I was already dreaming of... dreaming of... trees? Something nice? Damn it!

With a loud sigh, she stumbled out to the kitchen feeling hollow and cold, her body at its lowest ebb. She glanced at the clock and calculated that if she left now she would only be slightly late, but instead she grabbed a carrot and fumbled for the kettle. She needed something to kick her out of hibernation if she was going to fly, and the dawn would just have to wait.

By mid-morning, the ceaseless clatter of hooves was really starting to get on Spike's nerves. Rainbow Dash had barged in on him at dawn, never his favourite time of day to start with, but the wretched-looking Pegasus pony she brought with her shocked any thoughts of protest out of him. Fluttershy looked run-down and disoriented, and she was running a fever, so they had quickly settled the exhausted mare down in Twilight's room. Rainbow had stayed with her for an hour or so, long after she fell asleep, before emerged to dash off a letter for Twilight in Canterlot which had explained their unexpected arrival. He had sent it on its way and she had been pacing the library ever since.

“Knock it off, will ya? You're wearing a hole in the floor and it won't make it come any faster,” he grumbled.

“What's keeping her?” Rainbow Dash snapped impatiently, making yet another circuit of the library. “It's not like she couldn't take two seconds to reply?”

“Hey, I know that, now keep it down! Fluttershy's asleep, remember? Oh yeah, and you're in a library!” He threw the last comment out there to lighten the mood, but Rainbow just glared at him and kept pacing. Sheesh! Tough audience! “Look, she's got all the eggheads gathered together, maybe they're coming up with something?”

If anything, that only increased Rainbow's agitation. “Yeah, maybe, but why couldn't she send something back to say they were working on it?”

“You know Twilight, everything has to be perfect,” he said, shrugging. “So, this thing Fluttershy says has been hanging around... you didn't see what it was?”

“No, and Fluttershy was in such a state I couldn't get anything much coherent out of her, either.” The Pegasus paused, in both her words and her circuits of the library. “I can't believe I didn't notice any of this. I mean, I knew that she wasn't sleeping and stuff, but she wouldn't say anything about it, even when I asked,” she burst out guiltily.

“She's a grown pony; if she's keeping things to herself, that's not your fault.”

“I'm supposed to be her friend! What sort of friend am I that lets their friend end up like that?” Yep, there she went again; up and down, up and down...

“One that made sure she was there when her friend admitted that she needed you? You're not her mother, Rainbow, and stressing about it now won't get us anywhere. Look, why don't you get out for a while, stretch your wings and clear your head?” And stop clomping around my library like a herd of wildebeest, he didn't add.

“No way!” said Rainbow adamantly, “I already had to leave her once today to get somepony to cover Weather Patrol, and she completely freaked out.”

“Well, I still think somepony needs to tell Applejack and Rarity what's going on. I mean, they're both stuck out on the edge of town, especially Applejack. And they'll want to know about Fluttershy.”

“Couldn't you go?”

“Sure, but it'd take ages and I could be barfing up messages. Come on, I bet you can do it in ten seconds flat.”

As he finished speaking, Spike's paw flew to his mouth and a second later he let out a loud belch. “Or not, I guess!” he added sheepishly, snatching the scroll out of the air.

He broke the seal and together they read over the short note:

Dear Rainbow,

I'm coming back to Ponyville as soon as possible. Gather the girls up, I'll need to talk to everypony when I get there.

Twilight

“That's it?!” demanded Rainbow, wings flaring angrily, “That took her all morning?”

She opened her mouth to start another rant, but Spike cut her off. “Hey! Watch it with the wings, will ya?” he snapped reproachfully, rubbing an ear. “Seriously, what did you expect, her to drop everything and teleport right in?” He paused, but the only thing that happened was a muttered apology from the pony. “Huh, that would have been the perfect time for her to drop everything and teleport in. I swear, the world has no sense of dramatic timing...”

Rainbow was staring at him in bewilderment, her mouth hanging slightly open. Success, he thought victoriously, In future, I shall call this the Pinkie Gambit. “I guess I can go and get Rarity now, if you want?” he said aloud.

Rainbow pulled herself together. “We should check on her first,” she said, flying up to the top of the stairs. Spike puffed his way up in more conventional fashion, and together they silently entered Twilight's room.

The bright sunlight burning outside was filtered to a soft gloom through the curtains, occasionally pierced by bright shafts of light as the breeze from the open window ruffled the drapes lazily. Fluttershy lay on her side, curled in on herself, with her brow deeply furrowed as if in pain. Occasionally an ear or hoof twitched feebly, but the blankets kicked off into a heap betrayed the restlessness of her slumber. Spike watched as Rainbow patiently drew the sheet up over her again and checked her temperature. She stayed there for a long time, looking deeply troubled, and eventually looked up and jerked her head to indicate that they should go outside.

“She's still running that fever. It's not burning her up any more, but I'd feel a whole lot better if somepony had a look at her,” Rainbow said in a low voice.

Spike looked up at her and felt all his objections wither at the look on her face. Rainbow Dash, the fastest, brashest, most loyal pony you'd ever meet looked uncharacteristically vulnerable and, when you got right down to it... scared.

“I'll stop by the hospital and see if I can get Nurse Tenderheart to make a house-call,” he said, mentally cursing his weakness for damsels in distress – although if Rainbow Dash found out that he'd ever thought of her like that, she'd probably drop a lightning bolt on him. “After that, I'll go and find Rarity and Applejack.”

Silver whistled to himself under his breath as he ambled through the Ponyville market. It was quite an impressive place, he thought, and much bigger than the market back in Fetlock Bath. Here, farmers and craftsponies lined the open square in rows, their stalls ranging from a couple of baskets sitting on a blanket through to Big Mac with his family's wagon, selling all manner of produce and contrivance. Stall holders called out their wares occasionally, but most ponies seemed to know each other by name and reputation, so sales were more of a social event than a simple transaction. Ignoring their elders, foals darted around between the carts, apparently playing tag in between the general bustle of busy shoppers and conversation.

He felt the corners of his mouth twitch up when he spied a familiar lavender-grey coat a row over, and he cut through to meet her. I guess she does have that effect on ponies, he thought wryly to himself. His good cheer faltered when she swung a drooping head around and blinked dully at his bright greeting.

“Are you OK?” he asked, stepping closer in alarm. He got a wan smile in return.

“Hey, big guy. Got some shopping to do, but I guess I'm a little tired.”

“More than a little, by the looks of it. What happened?”

He guided her out of the bustle, between a double row of stalls where they could talk without being disturbed. She sighed, with a long, slow blink.

“I was on evening shift last night, but we had a sudden downpour come up over the Everfree, so I didn't get home until well after midnight. Then Rainbow Dash kicked me out of bed at some unearthly hour to do the Dawn Patrol for her, too. I would just sleep it off, but there's literally nothing in the house unless I want to start eating the furniture,” she explained.

“What was so important that you got the Dawn Patrol as well?”

Cloud Kicker shrugged. “She didn't say, and I wasn't awake enough to ask. Great Celestia, I have evening shift tonight as well! It's going to be a killer,” she groaned.

Silver looked intently at her for a moment. “Do you have a list?”

“Sure, right here,” she said, pulling a scrap of paper out of her saddlebag. He reached over and gently took it from her, then tucked it into his mane. “Hey! I need that!”

“No you don't, you need some sleep before you keel over.”

“Well, that too, but-”

“Don't worry, I can take care of it,” he said soothingly. “I'll drop everything off this afternoon. Or I can ask a Pegasus to do it, I guess?” he added, realising that she mightn't live on the ground. How had they got this far and he didn't even know where she lived? Summer would know, though, wouldn't she? He waved a dismissive hoof, “I'll figure something out, but you need to hit the hay, sunshine!”

“But you must have loads of things to do,” the mare protested half-heartedly.

“Nah, I'm having a morning off. Maybe I ought to go and deliver a few bills, though, just to make sure I'm still really unpopular!” he joked. It barely got a twitch of amusement out of the usually ebullient mare. Instead, she took a step forward and wrapped a foreleg around his neck.

“Don't ever let anypony say you're not an awesome friend, Silver,” she said softly. When she pulled back, he suddenly he realised how close those bright violet eyes were and promptly forgot how to breathe. “Thank you,” she added simply.

He forced his diaphragm back into action. “No problem,” he managed, “Now get going!”

He watched her flap slowly away, feeling very thoughtful indeed.

Junebug prodded her bowl of crisp, steaming, golden hay fries and let out a mournful sigh. She looked up at Summer and gave her a pleading look. “And the diet was going so well, too!”

Summer laughed and passed the sauce bottle to her friend. “Then maybe you deserve one day off! I can swap, if you want?” she offered, pushing her salad across through the empty third place setting. They were seated inside the café today, although their table was immediately under the open window overlooking the patio where most of the other patrons flocked, enjoying the bright midday sun.

“No chance; hooves off!” growled Junebug, curling a protective foreleg around her bowl and giving Summer a mock-fierce look. After a moment she shrugged and started munching on a fry. “Just so long as I fit into my old dress again in time for next year's Winter Wrap-up Wrap-up party. I can't tell you how embarrassing it was to see Rarity there this year when I was wearing something else! She did such a wonderful job on it, and she always looks so pleased when she sees me wearing it. It's just a shame that special occasions don't come around too often.”

“If they did, they wouldn't be special,” Summer pointed out. “And besides, it's the pony that counts, not the clothes. So long as you're happy, I wouldn't worry about it.”

“There is that, and I really can't complain too much,” said Junebug in a more jolly voice, “But I'd still like to think I've got to a certain age without completely letting myself go.”

Summer shared a smile with her. “You look fine to me. Anyway, how about you fill me in on what happened down in Fillydelphia? Did you win anything?”

“Oh, I don't compete, I don't have nearly the talent,” said Junebug modestly, by now absently ploughing through her fries without any hesitation, “I just love to go and see what other ponies have created. It's my little treat to myself once a year, and a lovely holiday, too.”

Junebug talked happily of the beautiful show garden entries in the flower show and the ponies she'd met, including some friends from Whinnipeg who made the trip every year. As she spoke of how those friends had moved on with their lives, getting married and having foals or grandfoals, her voice took on a tinge of sadness. The flower seller was quite a few years older than her, and Summer sometimes caught a wistful note in her voice when the quiet, jovial mare talked about other pony's lives. She suspected that June was a bit of a worrier; worried at being left out, left behind as the world turned, somehow. Once, Summer had suggested that she try joining some clubs and meeting new ponies, but the idea had fallen flat. “Oh no, I'm quite happy as I am,” Junebug had insisted, “There's nothing wrong with being a background sort of pony, and sometimes I'm glad of a quiet life around here. Just so long as I have a few close friends, and good old Bertie, of course.”

And so, Junebug pottered along in her comfortable, well-worn life, with her house full of gorgeous blooms and her gentle, elderly cat who greeted visitors with the absurd, stately grace that only cats can manage and insisted on escorting them everywhere, rumbling happily.

They both ordered coffee to follow their lunch, and as the waiter hurried away, Summer looked around the café one last time. “Well, I guess Cloud Kicker isn't going to make it.”

Junebug stifled a giggle with her hoof, “I think she might have found something better to do,” she said cryptically, amusement dancing in her eyes. When Summer raised her eyebrows, she continued, “I saw her with Silver this morning at the market. Again. They seem to be spending quite a lot of time together recently!”

“They do, don't they?” said Summer with a laugh, and then shrugged. “They like each other.”

Junebug leaned forward. “Oh, come on! You can't just leave it there – humour a poor, nosey old mare!”

With a sigh, she glanced around and continued in a lower voice, “Look, we've sort of always understood that we keep out of each other's love lives. I might tease him a bit, but otherwise he'll talk about it if he wants to, and he generally won't.”

She could see the unspoken question in Junebug's eyes, and grinned. “Unless we think that one of us is making a huge mistake, yes, but I think it would be pretty hard for me to disapprove of Cloud Kicker!”

Junebug smiled, shaking her head. “He's certainly going to have his work cut out for him, keeping up with her.”

“Maybe, but that's his problem,” she said. She paused while their coffee arrived, and spent a little longer than necessary stirring sugar into it. “Look, June, can we talk about something else? No offence, but we've been through a bit too much trouble thanks to gossip recently for me to be starting.”

The older pony gave her a guilty look. “Of course! I'm sorry, Summer, I just love hearing that there's a little more happiness in the world, especially for my friends. Cloud Kicker and Silver always seem to be having fun together, too. Too many ponies seem to forget that bit, I think.”

Once again, Junebug sounded strangely wistful. Was there a very special somepony in her past, Summer wondered, or was that just a bit too romantic? Did her friend pine for something she didn't have, or something that she'd had and lost? It really wasn't the sort of thing that she wanted to bring up, and it would be a little hypocritical of her to try.

“For what it's worth, I hope they do get together. You're right, they're good with each other,” said Summer, as a sort of peace offering.

Junebug flashed her a fleeting smile. “Just as long as you forgive me if I turn into a silly old nag every once in a while. How are things at the salon? Have you had any more trouble with that pony that was following you recently?”

Summer leaned back, looking thoughtful. It wasn't exactly the change of subject that she'd have chosen, but it would do. “No, so either they've got better at it or they've given up, and I'm not sure I want to know which. Silver thought I ought to speak to the Mayor about it, but I dunno...”

“It's no weakness to ask for help, you know, dear,” said Junebug with a piercing look.

“I know that, but I don't know if they do. The way things are going, I just don't think it would help; everything we do seems to be taken for the worst. If I complain, I've got something to hide. If I don't complain, obviously I'm trying not to draw attention to myself, ergo I've got something to hide. It's madness!” She could hear her voice rising, and forced herself to take a few deep breaths while Junebug looked at her with concern.

“I really don't know what to suggest,” she said after a moment, “I've heard the sorts of things you're talking about, and you're right, it seems to have taken on a life of its own. I can't remember anything like it, not even with that silly newspaper the school was doing. There was any amount of gossip over that, but this is much more malicious.”

Summer sighed. “Ponies are angry, and fair enough, we get that, but why take it out on us? We were hoping that whoever it is would be caught, but it's just dribbled on and on and nothing much seems to have happened. I dunno, June, maybe we should just give it up as a bad job and move on.”

“We'd miss you, you know, and there's still a few of us fighting your corner.”

“Well, thank you, but I just hope you're not making trouble for yourselves.”

“If we do, then that's our choice and their shame, because I know that we're doing the right thing.” Junebug let out a snort of laughter, “You should have heard Cloud Kicker giving Thunderlane an earful a week or so ago; half the village must have heard her! I don't know what he said to her, but she put him straight in no uncertain terms! I can't say I've ever come close to matching her for volume or invective, but I've put ponies right whenever I've heard it. Twilight Sparkle and her friends have, too, now that I think of it, and you won't go far wrong if you've got those six on your side.”

“Twilight Sparkle,” Summer spat the name acidly, “Knows exactly what's going on. Silver's right, she could put a stop to all this the minute she wants – but for whatever reason, she's content to leave us hanging.”

Junebug fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat, darting nervous looks around to see who was watching. “In that case, I don't pretend to know what Twilight is up to, but I do know that she's a good, kind pony, and if she does know the truth and isn't shouting it from the rooftops then I can't imagine why not.”

Summer bit back her anger and let out another sigh. “Well, it seems that we're just going to have to hope she has an attack of conscience before somepony does something silly.”

Junebug was silent for a minute. “Are you all right being on your own, above the salon? I wouldn't mind some company if you'd like to stay for a while, although you'll have to get used to Bertie?” she offered hesitantly.

Summer could only smile gratefully. “Thanks, June, that's really kind, but if I'm not safe at the salon, then things are far worse than I thought.”

Spike's breath rattled painfully in his throat as he hurried down the familiar path to the Carousel Boutique as fast as his legs could take him. It was incredibly unfair, he thought to himself. Here he was, a dragon of all things, scuttling along like an insect because he didn't have wings. What sort of dragon was he? If he had wings, he'd have all this done and be back in the library by now. Of course, Rainbow Dash had wings, but there was nothing that would drag her away from Fluttershy at the moment. Who would have guessed a couple of years ago that the two Pegasi would become so inseparable? In some ways, they were starting to rub off on each other.

As for his mission, Nurse Tenderheart had been off-duty, but Redheart promised to arrange a house-call to check on Fluttershy. He'd had to leave a message for Pinkie with Mr. Cake, as the party pony was out setting up a bash for Amethyst Star's birthday. That just left Rarity and Applejack, and he was already puffed. Huh, too many sapphires before bedtime, he thought to himself, staggering up the steps outside the Carousel Boutique. Inside, he could hear Rarity's voice; at least she was at home.

“No really, I insist! It's only a few scraps, chances are I'd just end up throwing them away. And it's for such a noble cause, I would be honoured to help in some small way.”

Spike looked in and found her with Silver Braise, the tall, wiry grey pony shuffling his hooves awkwardly and looking rather embarrassed amidst the elaborately-attired mannequins and tasteful hangings of the main showroom. A cascade of monochrome fabrics was piled in front of them on one of Rarity's work tables. For him, or for Summer Clip? Spike wondered. Silver's saddlebags bulged at the seams, and a couple more bags had even been tied on top, making him look rather like Twilight after a visit to the Canterlot Archive when she thought that nopony was looking.

“Hey, Spike!” he jumped eagerly on Spike's arrival.

“Oh, Spikey, dear! This is an unexpected pleasure!” cried Rarity happily, making him flush.

“Hi, Rarity, hi Silver. Uh, Rarity, I've got a message for you,” he said, with a significant glance at the other pony which seemed to go straight over her head.

“Oh, good! Just let me wrap this up for Silver,” she said, trotting swiftly over to rummage in a cupboard. “When did Twilight get back?” she asked over her shoulder.

Spike thought for a second. Well, it's not like this was a secret. “She's not, or at least, not yet. Actually, it's Fluttershy. She's up at the library, and pretty sick. Twilight's on her way back from Canterlot.”

Rarity paused and turned back to him, a pile of fabric and paper slowly slumping out of the cupboard behind her. “Sick? How sick? Oh, gracious, she has such a delicate constitution for a Pegasus, normally they can fly into a mountain and they'll only damage the mountain, but Fluttershy's always been more fragile.”

Rarity broke off into anxious tutting, firing all sorts of questions at him – had they called for a doctor, what were the symptoms, how long had she been sick, when did she turn up, and so on. Eventually, he managed to ram a word in edgewise and cut her off.

“I really don't know much, and she wasn't in much of a state to say. If you get a moment, maybe you could drop in and see her?” Spike hinted heavily. “I was just going to tell Applejack, too.”

Rarity looked at him for a moment, resolve settling on her face. “I think the demands of fashion can wait for an afternoon, at least. Go on, dear, and no doubt I shall see you up at the Library. Silver, I'm sorry to rush you, darling-”

“Not a problem, Rarity, thanks very much for your help,” Silver added hurriedly.

She gave him a broad smile. “I should like to see it once it's done, if it's possible?”

“I'll do my best,” he promised.

They left her closing up, and Spike was about to take the path down to Sweet Apple Acres when Silver spoke. “I guess Rainbow Dash was the one who brought your friend into town?”

Spike did something of a double-take. How in Equestria did he know that? “Uh... yeah,” he admitted cautiously. He gave Silver a sidelong look and saw him nodding vaguely to himself.

“About dawn, wasn't it?”

OK, now this really was a little uncanny. How could he possibly know that? Unless he had been watching the sky over Ponyville at dawn or... or it really was him, after all? A second thought occurred to him, and he nearly gasped out loud. A mysterious pony who just happened to turn up when all this first started, or more accurately, when Princess Celestia first told Twilight. If he was some trained secret agent of the Princesses', reporting on Ponyville as an outsider with no preconceptions, it could explain an awful lot, actually...

He realised with a start that the stallion was still waiting for an answer. “Yeah, it was,” he said, studying him intently to gauge his reaction.

The pony let out a small grunt of satisfaction, already looking casually back towards Ponyville. Either he was a consummate actor, or they had somehow been completely innocent questions and his mind was now on other things. “Well, I hope your friend gets better soon. See you 'round, Spike.”

The little dragon watched him head back into Ponyville at a steady walk while thoughts whirled in his head. Had he inadvertently stumbled on the real reason for Silver's move to Ponyville? Should he tell Twilight of his suspicions, and if he did, should she then approach Silver in the hope of joining forces and pooling their knowledge? Or he could be completely wrong, in which case they would end up looking very, very foolish.

With a groan of frustration, Spike turned for the Apple family ranch. Whatever his flights of fancy, two things needed to happen first; Twilight had to get back from Canterlot, and he had to find Applejack.

Twilight stepped off the flying chariot braced for an immediate clamour of worried ponies, but in fact the street was nearly deserted. On heading inside, the library was empty barring Applejack, who was sitting reading a book with a lurid-looking cover in one of the comfortable chairs under the far window. At the sound of Twilight's hoofsteps, the other mare leapt to her hooves and hastily stuffed her book under the cushion all in one motion before turning to meet her with a bright smile.

“Twilight, yer back! Good to see ya, sugar cube, how was Canterlot?”

“Hey Applejack! Where is everypony?” said Twilight, trying to hide a grin.

Applejack sighed. “Pinkie dropped in for a few minutes but had to go back to work; it's Mrs. Cake's afternoon off, so the shop kinda needed her. And Rarity's, uh... well, she's having a bit of a sulk, tell you the truth. She wanted to go find Zecora, ask her to come and see if she could do anything for Fluttershy. I told her she was crazy if she wanted to go into the Everfree on her own right now. Uh, it mighta got a bit heated. She went with Pinkie, and o' course Spike went with her,” she finished embarrassedly. One of her rear hooves was discreetly prodding the chair to ensure that her novel was well out of sight. Twilight did her best not to notice.

“So how is Fluttershy? It sounded pretty bad?”

“Asleep, thank Celestia! She woke up when Nurse Redheart came by, had a whole bunch o' potions and pills poured down her throat an' thankfully the fever seems to be dying down. Ol' Redheart couldn't find any reason for it, but reckons she mighta just been so pooped that some bug or other caused it, but... I don't know.

“As for Dash, she borrowed your spare bed for some shut-eye about an hour ago. The poor gal's just plumb tuckered out. Been up all night, and all day, too, watching over Fluttershy.” Applejack paused, looking thoughtful. “I know she tries to be all spit-and-vinegar, but this has got her all torn up, Twi. Fluttershy got herself in a right state an' wouldn't let Dash help her none. I reckon she blames herself for not stopping this earlier.”

Twilight gave her a small, humourless smile. “You didn't really buy into the whole don't-care, ego-with-wings-and-a-bad-attitude act, did you?”

Applejack let out a small grunt of agreement. “She ain't fooling nopony with that act, sugar cube, not anypony that really knows her, at any rate. More to the point, I don't think she can fool herself, neither.”

Twilight sighed. “I've got to drop some stuff in my study,” she said, with a jerk of the head at her saddlebags, “And then I think I'll look in on them.”

“Be right with ya,” said Applejack, fidgeting nervously. Grinning to herself, Twilight turned for the stairs; let Applejack keep her little secret!

Rainbow Dash was sprawled untidily on her spare bed in a tangle of wings, legs, and multi-coloured hair, fast asleep with her mouth open. Retreating, she found Applejack waiting for her at the door to her own bedroom, and stepped quietly inside.

The Pegasus pony was sitting up in bed, idly prodding the stack of magical theory books on the bedside table, and looked up with sunken, hollow eyes when she heard them enter. Her mane looked lank and dishevelled, Twilight noted in shock, and her cheekbones stood out a little more than she remembered. Trying to hide her dismay, she gave her friend a bright smile. “Hi, Fluttershy!”

Instead of returning the greeting, the mare slowly turned away and began to weep softly.

“Hey, it's OK, Fluttershy. You're going to be just fine,” said Twilight reassuringly as she crossed the space to the bedside. She lifted a hoof to touch her friend's shoulder and hesitated, feeling Fluttershy drawing in on herself and creating a defensive little bubble of misery. Aware that her comfort might not be welcomed, she settled for resting her hoof on the blankets and waiting. It didn't take long.

“Twilight, oh Twilight, I'm so sorry,” Fluttershy snuffled in an almost inaudible voice, “I've been such a fool, such a silly filly.”

“That's enough o' that, sugar cube. You done what you thought fer best, and there ain't nothing wrong with that, nor none of us going to blame you for it,” said Applejack firmly. Twilight got the feeling this was a repeat of a previous conversation.

“The most important thing is that you're safe,” Twilight agreed. “Are you feeling any better?”

Fluttershy nodded reluctantly, her eyes still fixed on the sheets instead of her friends.

“Would you like something to eat?”

“Um... that would be nice, if it isn't too much trouble,” she mumbled hoarsely.

From that, Twilight inferred that she was starving. “I'll see what Spike's left me in the kitchen. For now, make yourself at home. Rest up if you feel like it, but I'd like to talk to you again later about what you saw.”

She left Applejack talking quietly with Fluttershy and headed downstairs to raid the fridge, and also to prepare for a council of war.

Later, her friends drifted into the library one by one, first Spike, who helped her prepare an evening meal for the gathering, then Pinkie with a huge blueberry pie and a basket of cupcakes. Rarity was last, having made a detour via the Boutique to 'freshen up', and Rainbow Dash and Applejack came downstairs together to join them. Fluttershy, having eaten earlier, opted to stay in Twilight's room and avoid company.

Conversation over dinner was stilted, and even Pinkie was subdued. Twilight found her thoughts kept turning to Fluttershy and the creature that waited in the woods, and she suspected the others did the same. It almost came as a relief when, as Rarity cleared the last of the blueberry pie away, Rainbow Dash rose and made her way upstairs. They followed her out into the main library and seated themselves in a circle, exchanging apprehensive looks as they waited. It was several minutes before Rainbow reappeared with Fluttershy, wrapped in Twilight's dressing gown, trailing reluctantly at her heels. There was an expectant silence as Fluttershy hesitated, eyes darting fearfully around the library, before finally choosing to lie down next to Applejack. Rainbow took her other side, pressing in close.

Twilight cleared her throat. “Hey, Fluttershy, how're you doing?”

“Better,” Fluttershy whispered, hiding behind her mane.

“That's great. If you're feeling up to it, I'd like you to tell us what's been going on this last week,” she said in her gentlest voice. “Take your time; we can stop whenever you want. We'll try not to interrupt.”

“OK.”

After a moment, Fluttershy began to speak, her tiny, breathy murmur the only sound other than the scratching of Spike's quill. Her voice shook from time to time as she explained the first nocturnal disturbances she had noticed, and progressed through until the previous night, when she had actually laid eyes on the creature. She only faltered when she tried to describe it, grasping for words to describe its form and the primal emotions it inspired in her.

When she finished speaking, silence reigned in the library for a long time.

“You bin real brave, sweetheart,” Applejack said at last. “I can't imagine how you stood that for so long on your own.” She looked like she was going to say more, then sighed and let the silence stretch out in front of them. “Why didn't ya say something, sugar cube?” she asked at last, “You think we'd have laughed at ya?”

Fluttershy let out a quiet sob. “No! But, but... I don't know, I just couldn't decide if I was just being a silly filly or not. For a while, I thought it was all in my head.”

“So what if it was?” Rarity pointed out gently, “We're your friends, darling, we'll always listen to you and try to help.”

“I know! I know, just, just...,” Fluttershy trailed off, sniffling.

“Well, there ain't no use in crying over spilt milk; you're here and safe, and that's the most important thing,” said Applejack, “The rest of it, we can figure out later.”

“Starting now, I think,” said Twilight. “Do you want to stick around for this part, Fluttershy?”

One blue eye peeked around the edge of her mane. “I'll stay.”

Twilight took a deep breath. “Did you get all that, Spike?”

“Yep, it's all here.” The dragon's customary sarcasm was missing and he looked shaken.

“Excellent, I'll need to copy that before we send it off to the Princess. So; thoughts, anypony?”

“Yeah, I am officially thoroughly creeped out!” snorted Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie shivered, and a Pinkie-shiver was enough to make the floor vibrate. “I'm in good company then, 'cos so am I!”

Twilight had to hide a smile. “I think we all are. Anything else?”

Rarity gave her a quick, nervous grin. “You mean, other than the obvious? You're the scholar amongst us, Twilight – what is this thing?”

Twilight sighed, rubbing the side of her muzzle with a tired hoof. “I don't know. Half the problem has always been that nopony knew what they were looking for, and I was just flailing in the dark along with them. Now, thanks to Fluttershy, we finally have a description and enough information to search effectively. The Princess has given us unlimited access to the Archives, and she has millennia of knowledge herself. It's only a matter of time, and then we can work out how we're going to catch it.”

Applejack was looking pensively at Fluttershy. “Just so long as it's soon. I don't reckon I'll be much help at the researching, but if you need anything at all, you just say, y'hear?”

There was a chorus of agreement from the others. Twilight felt humbled looking around the ring of resolute faces, tinted yellow and gold now by the light streaming through the library's windows, but the beauty of the sunset was marred by the thought of the approaching night which was the creature's domain. She moistened her lips, “Thanks, everypony. I'll do my best not to let you down.”