“Can I see Twilight?” “I’m afraid that can’t happen for the time being, Spike.” “But is she okay?” “Of course she will be okay, sweetie. We just want you to answer some questions before you go see her.” “That’s… alright, I guess.” “You’re her assistant, right?” “That’s right! I’ve been Twilight’s number one assistant my entire life.” “Can you tell me what happened yesterday?” “I didn’t really understand what Twilight was doing, once she starts talking about the last branch of obscure magic she discovered, she won’t stop. You should ask her.” “We’ll talk with Miss Sparkle soon, we just wanted to have… another perspective.” “I guess that makes sense… What do you want to know?” “Why don’t you start at the beginning?” “You mean yesterday morning?” “Sure, let’s start there.” “Alright… Twilight was doing some research on old legends, I didn’t catch what exactly, but she went out to read in the palace gardens and didn’t come back until the afternoon.” “So you don’t know where she was or what she did all morning?” “She had a book with her, I doubt she did anything other than read.” “When did you see her again?” “She came back bursting through the door later that day and asked for a book about predictions and prophecies.” “Prophecies? I see… Please, go on.” “She found a passage about that old story about the Mare in the Moon and then kept on talking about how this was super important. I… I told her it was just an old ponies’ tale and… and that she shouldn’t take it so seriously…” “Spike?” “Are you sure I can’t see her? I can come back afterwards and we can continue this, I promise I’ll be fast.” “I…” “Please?” “I’m sorry, Spike. I understand how you feel, but I really need to finish this.” “… ” “Hey, as soon as we’re done, I’ll make sure somepony escorts you, okay?” “...mkay.” “There we go. What happened after she found the book?” “She was going to tell Princess Celestia, but I told her that all she knew came from an old book and… I think that made her think twice.” “How so?” “She… said I was right and then something about coming up with a plan of her own she could show Celestia. Then, she ran into her room yelling about saving Equestria.” “And you wouldn’t know anything about that plan, would you?” “Sorry… I tend to leave Twilight alone when she goes into full research mode, and only help when… when she calls for me.” “I suppose she didn’t.” “No… Not all evening. I got a letter from Princess Celestia after that, but… when I, when I w-went inside her room, I… I—” “It’s okay, Spike. It’s okay.” “I didn’t know, alright! How could I have known she’d do something like that?” “It’s not your fault.” “It is! I’m supposed to b-be her assistant, I shouldn’t have left her alone. Then she wouldn’t have tried to—” “It’s not your fault.” “I’m… I’m sorry.” “It’s okay to feel sad, Spike, but the Princess called the best magic healers of Equestria to help her, she’s going to be alright.” “But… the magic explosion, that… that was dark magic, I could feel it.” “…” “I don’t understand why she took an old legend so seriously, it was just a legend…” “Hey, big guy. You’ve told us more than enough. Thanks for putting up with us, I’ll have somepony take you to see Twilight now. Captain Armor is already at the hospital.” “Thanks…” “Guess that fills some gaps…” “I still can’t make head or tails of this.” “Leave that for the higher-ups, we were just told to interrogate all witnesses.” “What witnesses? That little dragon was the only one who was near the magic blast.” “We were called in advance for the day after the Summer Sun Celebration, but with that cancelled, guess they just have us do police work.” “Seems odd that the Princess would call off the holiday just because her student had an accident. I mean, I know she cares a lot about that mare, but still…” “Who knows how the Princess thinks. I still don’t know what she was thinking adding all those new spots on the moon.” “It was probably something for the Celebration, but who knows what she meant by that.” “Hey, our shift’s almost over. Let’s drop the report and go grab a bite. I don’t think the sun’s coming up any time soon.” “Sure, why not.”