Perspectives

I drag my hooves through the dirt as I walk slowly Away from my home in the Everfree. I slept terribly last night,hardly getting any sleep. I'm not sure why, but I was on the edge about that bear. I didn't think much about it, but when I did anxiety welled in the very pits of my being. Almost like something in me just didn't like that bear.

I can't recall ever thinking anything malicious outright, but I definitely didn't feel right thinking about that bear.

What the hell's my problem?! It's just a bear... I tell myself, kicking a rock idly.

A very creepy bear that has a will of its own. I continue, shuddering slightly at just the memory of it's emotionless unmoving eyes.

After I left Twilight's tree house I tried fervently to forget that bear. After an hour of Feather, Mike, and even Twilight getting all friendly with the thing, I was thoroughly aggravated. With Twilight gushing over that damn bear, I had to clean up the library on my own. She so owes me.

Or, maybe I still owe her? No, absolutely not. What they've put me through? Not to mention the sheer amount of times they have completely disregarded my very simple and not at all unreasonable requests. Twilight can organize her own fetting library.

Especially when her Special Research assignment I had to help her clean up is more than likely about me. Twilight got to some of the other books before me, but judging by the topics of a few books I put Away it's kinda obvious what the others were probably about. The books all had something to do with strange Magic, whether it be a straight up Magic manual or a history book on magical locations.

The worst part of the ordeal is that she didn't even try that hard to cover it up. I didn't dare say anything in front of Mike or Feather, but she is definitely going to hear what I have to say. Which will probably consist of a lot of yelling thinly veiled threats and useless semantics that won't Actually solve anything, just make me feel better. And once we get past that step, maybe, MAYBE, we can discuss this research project and just how many more of my simple requests she's ignoring this time.

Heck, maybe this time I won't get sent off to somepony I don't want to spend time with to learn something about friendship. Only ponies I've yet to learn from are Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie. Pinkies already planning her lesson out, so that leaves Flutters and Dash. Dash is the only pony I can really expect something to go wrong with.

But I'll have to see how that conversation goes. Hopefully Spikes home. He should be, its too early to have gone anywhere. By the time I get there they should both be up at least. At least, with what I know about Twilight's strict schedule. After living a couple months there, I think I'd know enough about it. Fetting early risers.

At least I was already up... mostly because I couldn't get any sleep. I managed to get an hour or two, but Nothing substantial. Another thing to be thankful for is the fact that at this time the likeliness of another pony intruding on any conversation we have is near nil. Doesn't change the fact that my early arrival was unintentional.

I certainly don't like it, but at least there's a silver lining. A couple. Actually, that's surprisingly happy looking. At the thought I perk up a little, still moving sluggishly, but I'm sure that if I were to look into the mirror I'd look a little livelier...

Gosh, I'm so tired that I'm Actually a little excited. Like when you stay up all Night and once you get past the dreariness you get a little burst of energy. Then of course I'm going to crash, no doubt hard... maybe I should ask Twilight and spike for some of their coffee.

No, Wait, no handouts. I'm still cross at her. Maybe if I ask for it before I confront her? No, that's wrong. I'm not happy with her, but I'm not a jerk. Maybe I'll stop by Sugarcube corner or something afterwards. If I make it that far, I'm falling asleep on my hooves and I only just barely got into Ponyville.

I wonder how Dib's doing nowadays? Does he still go by Dib even back home? Maybe I should write him a letter sometime. Regardless of my hesitance to believe what Subtle Brew said, I do know I care about that kid.

I pause as, looking up, I see Golden Oaks just a bit off. I sigh aggravatedly and prepare myself for the coming confrontation.

I knock on the door lightly and hear a bit of rustling and Twilight yelling behind the door. After a few seconds the door opens. Just as expected, I look slightly down and find Spike looking at me in surprise.

"Who is it, Spike?" I hear from across the room.

"It's, Uh, Heartbreak-" I glare at the tiny dragon, "Er, I mean, HB." He corrects. I hear clopping as Twilight crosses the short distance to the door.

"Hello, Twilight." I say icily.

"Hello?" Twilight says, obviously oblivious to the connotations my tone portrays.

"I have some words for you. About Your research project." I continue, hoping she'll take the hint.

"My research project?" She says looking up in thought. "Oh! It's perfect you're here, you're exactly the pony I need to help me!" Twilight finally says.

"Gosh darn it Twilight! Get a f-f-fetting clue! Stop doing research projects about me behind my back!" I yell. Twilight's taken aback.

"What are you... Wait, you thought it was about you?"

"You know darn well what I'm talking about!" I retort.

"HB, the report isn't about you." Twilight says.

"I don't care if it isn't about me! Wait, wha-" I take a moment to catch up to what Twilights Actually saying. "It- what do you mean it's not about me? It's very obviously about me!" I huff.

"I get where you're coming from, I wasn't very clear in explaining my project. Scratch that, I never explained it. But the point stands that it's not about you." Twilight explains calmly, insistently, but reasonably so.

"Strange Magic? Who else could it be about?" I ask, unconvinced.

"First off, I'm not researching strange Magic. It's abnormalities in Magic. And as for the who, it's Star Soar." She explains, inviting me in. I blink in surprise at that, What's this about Star Soar?

"The new crusader?" I ask, taking a few slow steps into the library. Twilight shuts the door behind me and nods. "Well, new in the most

relative of terms." I correct.

"That's right. She's been a crusader for a while now. And if you'd recall, She's already gotten her cutie mark." Twilight continues.

"Yeah, SHE..." I say, exaggerating the pronoun. I roll the word around in my mouth, hesitation apparent in my voice. I had tried not to come off as shaky, but I was still adjusting to the term.

Twilight frowns lightly at me and fixes me with a hard stare. "You be nice to that Filly." Twilight warns growling slightly.

I raise my hooves quickly in defense. "I didn't mean it like that." I defend.

"I mean it. Nothing but respect." Twilight snaps.

"I know, I know... it's just... different to me. I'm just adjusting to it." I explain, she nods slowly. It's not the sort of nod that shows understanding or compassion, but a nod that both warns and accepts that I'm agreeing to a binding agreement. I decide to drop the topic and instead return to her report.

"So what sort of magical anomaly is Star Soar?" I ask, still not sure why this particular pony was the topic of her report me. Believe me, I'm grateful, but Also really confused now.

"When Star got her cutie mark her eyes changed colors." Twilight explains, my eyes widening a bit.

"They weren't always pink?" I gasp. Twilight shakes her head lightly in response. "How did they change?" I ask.

"I don't know; ergo, research." Twilight says, pointing a hoof to the small study desk Twilight was probably seated at before I came. "And I did mean you are just the pony to help me. You know the library well enough and I believe I can trust to be more than a little scholarly in our endeavors." Twilight says. I open my mouth to answer, only to be interrupted by a loud banging against the door. I frown at the door, of course we'd be interrupted.

Spike opens the door to reveal a frantic Rarity holding a swatch of fabric beside herself nervously. "Twilight! Something terrible has happened!" Rarity exclaims, brushing past Spike rudely.

"What, what is it?" Twilight asks, suddenly very concerned.

"See for yourself." Rainy holds out the fabric. The seemingly normal fabric without any noticeable flaw whatsoever. I move my eyes over it a couple times to see if I'm missing something, but I can't seem to find anything wrong.

"Fabric?" I ask, arching an eyebrow.

"No! Well... Yes, but not just the fabric. Look at the bottom edge!" Rarity directs. I roll my eyes and direct my vision towards the bottom edge like instructed.

"It's got a jagged cut." Twilight says, unsure of the observation herself.

"Exactly!" Rarity exclaims. Mr and Twilight Wait for her to expound, but she seems to think this is explanation enough.

"Right, well, I'm too tired to deal with the element of prissy right now. You have any coffee brewed, Twilight?" I ask, turning abruptly towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, you know where the fixings are." Twilight says, I'm surprised she didn't comment on my comment.

"This is serious! And you, Twilight, you're gonna let a comment like that go?" Rarity pouts.

"I don't agree with how she said it, but I do agree with the sentiment. I don't get what's so bad about this." Twilight agrees. I nod to myself in quiet celebration as I shakily pour myself a cup of coffee into my HB proof cup. I walk back into the room, already feeling the energizing effects of the coffee take hold.

"Probably just more honking from this towns favorite drama queen." I say unenthusiastically.

"I-! Honking?" She stops whatever she was going to say in order to properly question the turn of phrase.

I tap my own skull, right where a horn would be placed. "Horn, useless noise. Both go ha-ha-hoof in h-hoof." I shrug.

"I'll have you know that I don't have a horn, I have a Belle. And I'll wring yours!" Rarity retorts. I look into her glaring eyes, slightly impressed. Touche.

"Girls, Break it up." Twilight warns. I Hmph and turn Away from Rarity, drinking my coffee silently.

"Now, Rarity. I don't understand, what's so bad about this fabric being cut badly? You can just cut excess off Until it's straight. Wouldn't take too long. Or use too much." Twilight suggests.

"My problem isn't that the fabrics cut, it's why the fabric is cut that way." Rarity continues. I turn back to her and roll my hoof in a go on fashion causing Rarity to huff in annoyance. "I didn't cut that, my fabrics been stolen!" Rarity exclaims. Something instantly seems off to me.

"That's terrible! Do you know who could've done it?" Twilight asked, concern finally reaching her eyes. "Any other clues, maybe?" Twilight asks.

"Well, the best I can figure is they came in through the window, despite my locking them after Feather and that new Gryphon, Mike, left last Night." Rarity says.

"Why do you think it was a window?" Twilight asks, tapping her chin in thought.

"Because the window at the front of the shop was left open." Rarity replies, distressed.

"What were Mike and Feather doing at your shop?" I ask in suspicion.

"Well, Mike had been admiring my shop from the outside. It had been a rather slow day, so I invited them in to look at my wares. We ended up talking about a lot of things, including that adorable Teddy Bear of theirs. Ridley, I believe they called it." Rarity says, a sparkle of adoration in her eyes. She shakes her head lightly and coughs into her hoof, looking a little flustered.

"Ridley?" I question.

"I agree, it is a bit peculiar." Rarity concedes.

"I like the name." Twilight defends.

"But for a Teddy Bear? Come on Twilight." I say, bewildered.

"Have you reported the fabric missing?" Twilight asks changing the subject.

"I did, but there was the strangest of commotions when I got there. Nurse Redheart was there reporting her own crime, it must have been pretty serious considering the amount of officers that were called in to help her specifically. It took a while for them to get to me, but whatever it was must have needed the attention." Rarity says, she seemed nervous just thinking about it. Redheart must have been more than a little frantic.

"I'm sure that the police will take care of the robbery as soon as possible." Twilight assures her, putting a comforting hoof on Raritys haunch.

"I sure hope so. I'm not as worried about the fabric.missing, so much as what was so dire that it had to be stolen. I'm afraid this might be too much stress for me today." Rarity says before throwing her hooves up in despair. "And the days only begun!" She continues.

"You can take the day Rarity. It's a Tuesday, I'm sure everypony can wait a day to have their fashion needs tended to." Twilight says.

"Oh, I am Darling. I needed to close up while the officers investigated anyways. I was hoping you would join me on a trip to the spa to relieve some of this stress?" Rarity asks hopefully.

"Sure, Rarity. I'll come with you." Twilight decides, heading over to her abandoned desk to clean up her studying mess.

"Heart-" luckily Rarity realizes her mistake before she finishes. "HB," she corrects "would you like to come with us?"

"Tch, No Thanks. If I wanted to go lay in some mud I'd go to the farm. At least then I'd smell of apples." I say, rolling my eyes.

"Scalding remarks aside, you do seem to need the treatment. Those hooves could use a hooficure, and your coats looking a little pale." Rarity notes.

"Says the marshmallow." I jab, Rarity reels back before glaring at me.

"Well at least I'm soft and sweet! Unlike you, you... thistle!" Rarity insults.

"Thistle?" I ask, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"Yes, a thistle! Jagged and bitter!" Rarity confirms.

"Right." I say, unsure what to think of that. "Well, you two have fun with your... thing. I'm gonna stick around here for now." I say, turning from the door.

"You can help me study when I get back, HB." Twilight says as she leaves the library.

"What, but-!" The door slams before I can give her my two cents. "Ugh... fetting Twilight." I guess I'm helping her study now. I'm still not doing anything, but I don't really want to do that. At least the project sounds interesting...

In theory. Magic is like a science here. And like any interesting science project it seems interesting in theory only, once you get down to the bulk of it you find out it's long division, calculus, and hundred dollar words. Not that long division and hundred dollar words are all that hard... it's just that the sheer amount of them can make the work a tedious monotony.

Well, if I'm going to be helping I might as well see what she has so far.

~~~~~~~

Abnormalities in Magic

(Draft-third rewrite)

Report by: Twilight Sparkle

Magic is a very common resource, not to mention a valuable asset in many parts of Equestrian life. Especially so if you're a unicorn. To Earth Ponies and Pegasus as well, but in a less direct way. More on that later. Magic as a whole is generally easy to figure out, we. As Equestrians, have a lot of the science of Magic figured out. Magic is very much a science, despite many claims at it's religious and holy power. Being a science Magic is not unpredictable, it has certain things it will and will not do, as well as certain ways it does and does not work. But even general Magic is divided into separate types that have different rules than others. In example, Cutie marks use a passive Magic inherent in a pony and dormant Until outer and inner stimuli react with the Thaumic energy signatures given by temporal leylines in such a way that gives pony the intended Cutie mark. That's all that the passive Magic for Cutie marks do, or rather, all it should do.

Here we come to the heart of the matter, divergence.certain magical processes work certain ways, but every once in a long while there's a divergence. Something different happens. These divergences are abnormalities in Magic, changing or adding effects that don't belong. In the previous example of passive Magic granting a Cutie Mark, there might be another change of any kind. Like say, a change in eye color.

Such abnormalities aren't expected, but their not necessarily bad. Rarely are they dangerous. Our bodies are natural stabilizers, along with the constant harmonic magical energies that flow through the leylines and maintain balance. Due to the nature of such abnormalities not being inherently bad, most go unrecorded. This lends itself to the lack of resources on the subject and a distinct need for documented research.

Starting with the history, the earliest documented case is technically a folktale. A folktale with a very high likelihood of being true. (Addendum: confirmed by Celestia. Heavy editing needed before submittal) The folktale speaks of a Pegasus warrior without the ability to fly. Asserted Pegasus Magic was not present, in it's place was Unicorn Magic of the same type. The wings still acted as the directory limb, as poised to horns for Unicorns and hooves for Earth Ponies. (Addendum: unconfirmed rumor citing unreleased scientific journal stating core as directory agent and hooves as flow points. Edit where needed.) Folktale states that the pony still performed weather related magics with the effectiveness of a Pegasus, but using the means of a unicorn. The Pegasus was also supposedly able to use low level unicorn spells with less precision than unicorns. (Addendum: theoretical analysis suggests that an activation criteria for the unicorn Magic to be used required motion, thus lowering precision. [Addendum: disproven. Naturally deficient due to disinterest.] )

Other instances include the more modern Pinkie Sense. (Addendum: Possible removal at a later date. Not enough empirical data to accurately describe or support any abnormality in the ability. Possible mutation enhanced by temporal manipulations and high levels of arcane energy. Unconfirmed.) Many more folktales of strange things happening with Magic, rarely is there a documented case. Most abnormalities documented aren't Actually reported as abnormalities in Magic, they tend to be misfiled as possible magical effects for unrelated spells. After being disproven as an effect of a spell the documented case is dismissed and either junked or put into filing to be sorted, often meaning forgotten. This is why abnormalities in Magic seemed so impossible and fictitious, but truth is that they happen more often than one would imagine. Still not a whole lot, but enough that if we want to continue in our understanding of Magic, we need to Understand it's abnormalities.

(Addendum: Revise with facts and figures possibly hiding in the royal archives. Unconfirmed.)

~~~~~~~

I look up from Twilight's report. While interspersed lightly with magical jargon, a surprising amount of that made sense. Pegasi with unicorn Magic? I'll have to ask Twilight more about that later. Maybe when I come back to help with the report.

No, I don't know for sure that I want to help. I won't be dragged in by science thinly veiled with intrigue. I won't say for sure I don't want to help though...

There's a knock at the door that startles me. I turn towards it, confused. It is unlocked, isn't it? I move towards the door in confusion and open it.

"Oh, it's you, HB. What are you doing here?" Mike asks, I kinda look at him in confusion.

"It's a public library... for that matter, why are you knocking? They're open." I reason.

"Oh, Yeah, I guess so... I dunno, it's just... this IS a library, but it's also a house? I guess I'm just trying to be polite." Mike says sheepishly.

"Well... don't." I say simply, annoyed.

"Noted. Listen, have you seen Riley?" Mike asks in concern.

"The Teddy Bear?" I ask, a little suspicious. Mike nods and I shake my head in reply, "Not since last Night, no. Why?"

"He's gone missing. I don't know where he could have gone, so I'm checking all the places he knows. Feather is looking elsewhere." Mike says, looking over to Spike who's just joined the conversation.

"What's happened?"Spike asks, oblivious.

"Ridley's gone."

"The bear? You sure he's not just... doing bear things?" Spike asks. I facehoof, rub the spot in pain, and then take the time to smack him lightly upside the head. "Ow!" Spike says, rubbing his head where it collided with my hoof.

"Ignore him, he's being stupid." I grumble.

"Hey!" Spike exclaims indignantly. Nonetheless he vacates the room in the direction of the kitchen.

Speaking of, I need more coffee. I head after him to get a refill and Mike follows, stopping just short of the doorway between the main library and the kitchen.

"So you two are sure you haven't seen him?" Mike asks again. I grunt a no and shake my head, pouring another cup of coffee.

"I'd love to help you look for your doll, but I've got plans." I tell him.

"Oh really?" Spike asks, unimpressed.

"Yes, Really." I retort, more than a little aggravated at Spikes insertion into the conversation once more.

"What plans might those be?" Spike challenges.

"I need groceries." I say matter of factly. "I forgot some things last time, but I know what I need this time." I spent the time to remember the list, going over it at least twenty times. I better remember everything.

"I'll come with you! I can search for Ridley while you get your groceries!" Mike offers. I turn to him with a hard stare, but I can't find a good reason for why he shouldn't come.

"Fine. Whatever. Here's your mug, Spike. We're going." I say, placing the mug on the counter and heading to the market. I imagine Twilight will be expecting me back at the library when she returns, so I have to be quick in putting the groceries away after I get them.

I trot at a steady and cautious pace, still not entirely comfortable with my hooves. Also not entirely comfortable with the Gryphon beside me. He isn't as caught up in my presence though, he's looking around. Presumably searching for that bear of his. I spot a certain Pegasus ahead of us, I turn to Mike but he's facing the other way.

"Hey, your girlfriend ran across the path up ahead." I tell Mike, poking him in his left wing to get his attention.

"She did?" He asks, snapping his head forward. "Wait, no, she's not my girlfriend!" He denies, blushing. I roll my eyes at his antics, slightly sick and agitated. This was not a conversation I wanted to have. Who's with who, and all the awkwardness of love... it makes me sick.

"You knew who I was talking about, but whatever." I grumble. Mike just looks ahead forlornly.

"She went to the right, just before the market place. Go chase her and get out of my f-fetting mane." I mumble, Mike doesn't bat an eye at my pseudo swear or insult, he just leaves.

"Jeez, I'm gonna need some tea when I get back." I realize I left all my teas back home, and I'm going back to Twilights. If I want my own tea, I'll have to get more from Subtle Brew and Earl Grey. I let out and exasperated sigh and attempt to rub my temple. Fetting hooves.

"Ridley?!" I hear the exclamation and turn my head in interest. It was Mike, and he was looking at his two Teddy bears.

Well, looks like he found it. Hold on... it, not them...

"Why are there two?" I mutter to myself. Turning back to take in the scene. I walk over to the group, I realize that Feather and Mike are Actually standing quite a ways Away from the Teddy Bears.

The first Teddy Bear, Ridley, seems to be guiding the second Teddy Bear. The second Teddy Bear looks much the same as the first, but all the stitches the would normally be on the inside are on the outside. It's a mauve color, but it doesn't look fluffy like the first Teddy Bear. that color looks awfully familiar...

"That's the stolen fabric." I realize, Mike and Feather both turn to look at me.

"Stolen fabric?" Feather asks quietly.

"Someb-b-pony. Broke into Rarities shop last Night and took some fabric." I point to the new Teddy, "that fabric." I say. "Guess that solves that problem. Well, more like it answers a question." I correct. The Teddy Bear is walking in jerky movements, like a broken robot. The first Teddy Bear looks at me and pauses, I instantly grow nervous and my stomach clenched lightly. The second Teddy Bear sees the first and follows it's gaze, it's head turning mechanically towards me. It pauses and takes a step towards us. Towards me. It takes another step, and another, but that's not the part that makes my stomach drop in dread. No what did that was much more foreboding.

There was a kick. Not a normal kick, but a kick from inside. Followed by a slight wriggling inside the bear that makes me uneasy. Like something alive was in there.

The plaza is deathly quiet as ponies start to notice Ridley and the new Teddy Bear. A slight murmuring breaks the silence as the Teddy Bear stops, but whatever is inside it continues to wriggle.

The wriggling stops. There's a long second of silence. And another. And another. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding in. Mike moves his claw as if to take a step forward, my head turns to him. I shake my head at him, but he just looks at me in confusion.

"Ridley? He asks, his voice piercing the murmurs. His claw hits the floor and the seams on the front of the new Teddy Bear break. Mike jumps back, his wings flared as a hoof breaks through the fabric.

It's a small hoof. Too small to be anything more than a foal. I cover my mouth as I realize this. Nobody screams, I realize only after a few moments that Nopony is Actually close enough to see the small hoof. Feather and Mike are stuck with similar looks of horror.

"Is that...?" My head snaps to the side to see a pony trotting closer quietly, oblivious to the danger this Teddy Bear could pose. The Teddy Bear notices, leaping for the mare. The mare screams, but the noise that follows is worse. There's a high pitched cry, like that of a baby multiplied by ten.

The bear claws open a decent sized wound before a unicorn manages to shake himself out of his own shock long enough to hit it with some Magic. The Teddy Bear turns it's attention from the now bleeding mare to the unicorn.

"Ridley!" Mike cries, I turn to look at the other Teddy Bear to realize why Mike had said the name. The Bear is gone, only the new Teddy Bear is present. Mike's cry had made the new Teddy Bear very aware of what it had so intently sought out in the first place. Mike and Feather took to the air quickly, but the Teddy Bear wasn't concerned with them. The hoof sticking out of the front is gone, but I can see the glint of an eye at this angle. I have a strong urge to vomit, I might have if there wasn't such a large lump in my throat.

The bear leaps for me. I hear a scream. I didn't know it was my own until I saw the Teddy bear freeze inches from my face, a soft green eye from inside the seem looking at me lifelessly. The eye blinks and I scramble Away and onto my hooves. I look around the Bear and see it held in place by a golden glow. I back away quickly, hyperventilating.

The Bear is quickly enveloped in magical flames that burn as bright as the sun. I look away and notice somebody behind me. I follow her pristine white legs up, already having seen the royal horseshoes. My eyes meet with Celestias and I quiver. Nightmares come to mind and I remain, frozen in fear. My heart is racing, but I feel the rush of air as two ponies land around me from each side. Celestias harsh look turns neutral as her gaze flicks to either side of me. I look over and see Feather on one side, not knowing whether she should come any closer. What I had assumed to be another Pegasus is Actually Mike, looking at the princess, a little intimidated.

"Where is the other Teddy Bear?" Celestia asks me calmly. I open my mouth several times but no words come out.

"You mean Ridley?" Feather asks. Celestia turns to her in interest.

"You named it?" She asks, slightly surprised. I back Away slightly, but Celestia glances my way with a look I know means I should probably stay put.

"Yes, he's a nice Teddy Bear, he had Nothing to do with this." Feather defends.

"On the contrary, I'm afraid to say he had everything to do with this. Fortunately, I was already escorting CloudKicker and Rainbow Dash home when I heard the shriek." Celestia says. Through the sheer terror I note a name unmentioned.

"What was that?" Mike asks, gesturing towards what remained of the Teddy Bear. A pile of ashes undisturbed on the ground.

"It was a construct made by the first bear to resemble it. Less dangerous, but still too dangerous. Now, who brought the bear here?" Celestia asks.

"I... I did, but SOMEthing told me not to, I should have listened." Mike says.

"No, WE brought it here. It's not just your fault." Feather says.

"Just you two?" Celestia asks, glancing my way once more. "Was there anypony else at all?" She asks.

"No, just us..." Feather says, ears laid flat. Celestia notices and raises her muzzle to look in her eyes.

"Calm yourself my little pony. Nopony is in trouble, I just need to know a few things. When did you find this Teddy Bear?" Celestia asks.

"Yesterday, sometime in the evening I think." Mike says.

"Hm... and you mentioned a warning?" Celestia turns to Mike.

"Yeah, as we were walking back to Ponyville I heard someone say something about not trusting Teddy Bears." Mike says.

"Did you hear any such thing?" Celestia asks, turning to Feather. Feather thinks on it, and then shakes her head. I feel my tail twitching and sweat forming on my brow.

Celestia thinks for a second before a thought comes to her, she turns to Mike slowly. "Did you find a jade carving of a turtle?" She asks seriously.

"Y-yeah... I did. But what does this have to do with-" Celestia cuts him off and turns to me. Her eyes seem to portray a slight annoyance, but she seems to trust that I'm not responsible.

"Heartbreak," I grimace at the name and she notices, "fetch Twilight and ask her to meet us at the library." Celestia commands, no room for argument. Not that I'd dare argue with any God... I nod and turn around, trying to keep the fear out of my features and the quivering out of my steps. I get a few steps before Celestia calls after me again, "and Heartbreak. I expect you present as well." I gulp and nod.

"Yes, Celestia." I get a few steps before I realize I didn't say princess. That's probably a bad move on my part. I don't dare show that I noticed my mistake and make for the spa.

~~~~~~~

I sit uncomfortably next to Twilight. It's not that I'm uncomfortable with Twilight, or the seat. In fact, it's where I sit when I read in the library. Not necessarily the same seat I read to foals in, that brings uncomfortable memories of it's own, but a simple seat that does it's job. No, I'm uncomfortable because Celestia is sitting across from me,and even if she doesn't show it I know she's judging me.

I fetched Twilight from the salon, she wasn't too far into her spa treatment. She was rather cross with me when I suggested she come with me to the library and was about to brush me off, I'm sure. Then I told her who the request was Actually from. She was Actually a little nervous and aggravated at me for that. Not that she said so, but Twilight tends to act differently if she thinks I'm at fault.

I didn't dare say anything more, too busy feeling queasy about this very meeting. Twilight managed to ease up after I threw up and had an improptu panic attack as the library came into view. I'm trying my best not to look at Celestia, forcing my thoughts to be about her. An image burned into the front of my mind continuously surfaces. An image familiar to many of my nightmares, the image of Celestia before she destroys me. Or, before she would have destroyed me, had Luna not been there.

I turn to glance at Spike as he walks into the room with a tea tray, pink apron adorning his chest. He gives everyone present a mug, mine being a sippie cup I'm capable of using. My mind finally finds something else to think about as I turn to Spike with a grimace. He didn't have to make it that apparent I'm bad with my hooves. I still take a tentative sip out of it, not daring make a scene. I don't hear any mention of my drinking cup and assume that either no one noticed, or no one cares. I'm fine with either. I look over to Mike and Feather, both sitting next to each other. Mike has a wing around Feather as she leans against his chest. I grimace and turn to look at Twilight and finally Spike, who takes his seat between Celestia and Twilight.

"So, Princess, you wanted to see me? Er, us, I suppose." Twilight asks, gesturing at everypony else.

"Indeed. It has come to my attention that certain... items, have come to light. Items I'd rather not be known to all of Equestria." Celestia explains.

"I'm Sorry, but what items?" Twilight asks.

"What do you know about what transpired this morning?" Celestia asks. Twilight blinks in surprise before turning to me.

"Something happened?" She asks, quirking an eyebrow at me before turning back to Celestia. "I was not aware."

"Hmm, indeed." Celestia says, gazing at me slightly before turning to Twilight. "There was a disturbance in the market district of Ponyville. A... Teddy Bear, as it were, attacked multiple ponies." Twilight's mouth moves open and closed several times before she can speak.

"Ridley?" She asks, turning to Mike and Feather. They look Away, slightly ashamed.

"No. A different Teddy Bear, but the two are not unrelated. You see the first Teddy Bear creates copies of itself." Celestia pauses a second, "copies is a bit inappropriate. They're perversions of the original, but in the image of the original." Celestia corrects.

"I'm afraid I don't Understand. This Bear is... building more bears? Out of what?" Twilight asks.

"Stolen materials." I say before I can stop myself. Celestia looks at me, not saying anything. I wilt under her gaze, but continue. "It was made out of Raritys stolen fabric..." I say in a near whisper.

"What about that hoof? This bear was made out of Magic, it must have Magic it can use to make an illusion of a hoof." Celestia is shaking her head before Feather stops speaking.

"Magic, no... I didn't want to say anything, but your bear doesn't have any Magic in it. That's why I was so worried about it at first. I don't know... my worries just kinda faded Away as I interacted with it more." Twilight says nervously.

"I'm afraid Twilight's right, the truth is darker than that. That was no illusion, that hoof was real. There was a foal inside that Teddy Bear."

"A foal?" Twilight gasps.

"Wait, no Magic. How is that possible? It was alive!" Feather exclaims.

"That's Actually part of the reason I need to talk to you. That bear is an anomaly. Like together said, it's impossible for a Teddy Bear to be animate without Magic." Celestia says.

"I should've known something bad would happen! I should have told somepony! I shouldn't have let my guard down..." Twilight exclaims, Celestia turns to her with a sympathetic smile.

"Even if you had told somepony, it wouldn't work. The bear Also has the effect of getting anypony it interacts with to trust it. That's how it gathers supplies, and part of why it's so dangerous." Celestia warns. But... I never trusted it. Maybe I just didn't notice it's effects? No, it Also didn't make any attempts at interacting with me, but why?

"You said foal before, where did the foal come from?" Twilight asks, causing Celestia to pause.

"Do you know of what transpired at the hospital last Night?" Celestia asks. My stomach makes a not as my mind turns to what Rarity said about Nurse Redheart being at the police station.

"N-no..." Twilight answers.

"I'd rather you keep it that way. What transpired there was not pleasant. The mare affected is in a serious condition." Celestia answers as her head points down.

"Mare affected...?" Twilight mutters before gasping. "You don't mean...? You couldn't mean...! I think I'm going to be sick..." Twilight says, magically lifting over a trash can. What could Celestia mean?

Wait... no, she couldn't mean... could she? I can feel bile rising in my throat as sickness forms in my stomach. To think that someone would do that to a foal, or a pony for that matter... I look at everyone else to see various amounts of curiosity on their faces, thankfully they don't seem to intent on thinking about it. I swallow the bile and force the thought away. I don't need it haunting me.

"You mentioned the Jade Turtle?" Mike asks, "how does that tie in?"

"This is where I need to explain something. I Also have something to ask of you four." Celestia starts. "Now, this Jade Turtle of yours is also an anomaly. The Teddy Bear and the Turtle are both anomalies, and these anomalies are called SCP's."

"SCP?" Twilight asks quietly, Celestia still hears her.

"Secure Contain Protect. Or in the case of talking about the anomalies, Special Containment Procedure. I have been handling the task of containing such anomalies for a long time, but the task generally only requires containment." Celestia answers. "I need to ask you four to help me Secure, Contain, and Protect. Secure anomalies I don't have track of, such as SCP-1048." Celestia says.

"What's SCP-1048?" Mike asks.

"The one you call Ridley." Celestia answers.

"Oh, Okay... but... you said he's dangerous, right?" Mike asks, a little worried.

"Extremely so. That's why I asked all four of you. You already know about SCP's, and if possible I want to keep them Away from the innocent life from Equestria. I Also believe you all will be capable of doing this. Your work will not go thankless, of course. I will offer a monthly stipend, courtesy of the crown, along with this job." Celestia says.

"So... all we have to do is catch a couple anomalies? That doesn't sound too hard..." I suppose.

"Well, that isn't all. I will also require more research on the less dangerous objects. I will send Twilight the details when all is said and done." Celestia says.

"Of course, Princess. I was Actually already making a report about magical anomalies before thi-" Celestia cuts Twilight off before she can finish.

"I don't want to burst your bubble Twilight, but these anomalies aren't Magic related. In fact, most aren't inherently Magic at all." Celestia corrects.

"Not magical?" Twilight asks, her eyes gently shining.

"I'll do whatever I can to help." Feather says nervously.

"I like science and anomalies and stuff. Plus I need bits..." Mike says, "count me in." I notice as all eyes turn on me, I freeze.

"Y-Yes, Princess." I stammer out. Celestia frowns almost imperceptibly, but she nods anyways.

"Very well. I shall send Twilight the details when I have them prepared." Celestia gets up to leave, but Feather speaks up.

"Princess? You said you brought Cloud Kicker and Rainbow Dash home, but what about Starlet? She's the reason they went to Canterlot." Feather asks, it's something I had wondered about as well.

"Ms. Mint was executed late last night on account of murder, as well as attempted murder."

END OF ACT I