Tears start to form in your eyes and you hold your head in pain. That blunt trauma, plus the loss of blood are probably what’s giving you a headache.

Probably.

You ask your friend Twist if she has a pair of binoculars, which she does as she developed a fondness for sightseeing some time ago. As she goes to fetch them, you let her know that she’s welcome to come with you, but that this is dangerous and you aren’t sure how things will end.

She replies to the affect that she’d never leave you to go alone, and would be delighted to help save your new friends. She begins to quickly pack a few things.

With that settled, and your nose no longer bleeding, the two of you set off back up the mountain. During your march, you and she make light conversation about things that have happened since last you spoke. Nothing vital, though.

You arrive and pass through the open gate at around 7 PM. It’s nighttime now and seeing is much harder than it was earlier. As you approach the hall where you left Princess and Amy, you hear them stir from inside and greet you by the doorway. Their greetings quickly change in tone when they see you aren’t alone. They talk rapidly and in a hushed tone between one another before asking why you brought somepony else. They both sound upset.

Twist seems put off and uncomfortable by all this, so you scold Princess and Amy for their behavior. They explain that they’ve pieced together a theory.

Whenever somepony passes that gate, another shadow appears, or the same one gains another form. Regardless of how it works, the larger the group, the greater the danger all of you are in.

This information is certainly startling, but if true, nothing can be done about it now. It’s already too late.

He’s like my coltfriend.

Only more bear-ish.

No and I’m a unicorn. I use magic.

I know! It’s a good name for a toy! I thought that after I posted it!

Absolutely!

You’ve become very good at interviewing!

[redacted]yesrainbowdash submitted:

You’ve had a spell of bad experiences lately so I wanted to make you something to remember the good ones. It was nice hearing how happy you were after that day at the beach with Krastos and Sweetie Belle even though it was cold. So, I drew the three of you together based on your description of that day.

I thought about putting it in a corny frame with seashells glued to it or something but I figured that should be up to you three to decide what you do with it! Hope you like it!

…

[Sniff]

Ah ha ha ha…

[Sniff]

Oh Cels…

Thank you so much! This is… I don’t even know what!

[Sniff]-Ah…

Thank you!

Thank you thank you thank you!

I guess I can be best friend Lyra, then.

Edit: Ha! That sounds like a stuffed animal!

You begin your explanation while your friend brings you inside and helps clean your bloody nose, which she seems amazed that you’re completely ignoring.

When you finish, it looks like she doesn’t quite believe you. But she’s known you for a while, and knows when you’re being serious. She goes so far as to offer her help!

You ask if she has a lockpick by mistake, but quickly correct yourself to ask about a toothbrush. After giving you a funny look, probably as much about the lockpick comment as the toothbrush one, she says she doesn’t have an extra to lend.

Yes, he makes glue.

You could ask him, you know. It’d be good for him to get a nice message once in a while.

Powers back on, finally.

He’s a gentle soul, and that leaves him a little meek.

He promised me he’d defend himself if he was put in danger after the gun incident.

For Cel’s sake… How many times am I going to be asked this?

No.

Not quite. I’ve survived by proceeding with caution.

And not being afraid to act.

Yes. It happened a while ago. He made a full recovery.

Thank you for your concern!

I don’t know much about guns, and I wasn’t there when it happened.

That’s part of the problem. I can’t always be there for him if he needs me.