"Alright Spike, we've got more sets of those strange readings. Three guesses to where they lead." Twilight says to her pet who barks in response. Since the fall of last year the girl's many devices had been picking up on peculiar energy readings, all within the vicinity of Canterlot High School. She hops into her computer chair and begins looking over the new data as well as the local newspaper. She checks the headline article concerning the collapse of the local opera house then checks the energy readouts. "There's definitely a spike in the readings concurrent with the theater's destruction. No way that's coincidence." As she continues checking she hears a knock on the basement door as her older brother, Shining Armor stands on the stairwell leading down to the basement.

"Hey Twilight, me and Cadence are heading out to get something. You wanna come?" Twilight looks up from her papers, pushing her glasses up before answering.

"No, thanks. I have a lot of data to look over. Maybe next time."

"Come on Twilight. You know, there's more to life than these crazy theories of yours."

"It's not crazy! I know I'm right. I just need a little more proof and then everyone will see that I'm not just that creepy, crazy girl who lives down the street and has no friends." She puts her hands on her desk as a tear runs down her face. Her brother walks up, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Why don't you come with us? Cadence would love to see you."

Twilight pulls off her glasses, wiping her eyes. "Okay. Just let me change and I'll be right up. Come on Spike, let's get you something to eat too." The dog barks in compliance as she gets prepared to leave the house. Unknown to her, one of the devices begins to pick up something.

Canterlot Cafe

"So glad you could make it Twilight. It seems like forever since we've spent time together." Cadence says as the three enjoy each others company at their booth.

"Yeah, I've just been busy with some of my research." She responds looking down at her cheeseburger.

"Oh, what are you researching?"

"It's not much really. Seismic readings and anomalies I've noticed recently."

"Twilight here might just be on to something big." Shining Armor says before taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Sounds pretty important." Cadence comments.

"It's all just theory at this point. I can't really prove anything right now. If I just had a little..." She stops mid-sentence as a conversation catches her ear from a few booths away.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie and the Illusions should have won Canterlot High's battle of the bands if not for those blasted Rainbooms." The name of that school causes Twilight to turn her head slightly to look at the girl with blue skin and white hair talking to two other girls. "But don't worry girls, soon Trixie and the Illusions will have their revenge." She says as the two nod in agreement.

"Will you excuse me for a moment? I need to go talk to someone." Twilight says as she slides out of the booth.

"Are those girls friends of yours?" Cadence asks as she and Shining Armor watch her get up.

"They could be." She says lightly with a smile as she walks over to the trio. "Excuse me."

"Yes." Trixie says with an annoyed expression. She looks up looking over the girl, attempting to peg where exactly she has seen her before. "Have we met?"

"Not unless you frequent Zecora's Overseas' Commodities."

"The Great and Powerful Trixie does actually. It provides her with a plethora of artifacts for her performances."

"That must be it. I don't mean to ease drop I couldn't help but overhear. You attend Canterlot High School?"

"Certainly, The Great and Powerful Trixie is the greatest musician there." Her friends say in unison.

"Right, these are Lavender Lace and Fuchsia Blush." She introduces the two, the first girl with blonde hair and the later with purple.

"Pleasure to meet you. I think we might have something the other is interested in. Would you be willing to make a trade?"

"It depends. Is there anything you could offer Trixie?"

"Oh I'm sure it'll be worth your while. Meet me at this address tomorrow, say four o'clock. You won't be disappointed."

The next day Trixie arrives at the address written down on the card. It leads her to what appears to be an abandoned warehouse. "The Great and Powerful Trixie is not amused." Looking across the way she notices a yellow arrow painted on the wall and follows it before taking several turns as she is guided by more painted arrows. This trail eventually leads her around the back and into a small entry way. She looks up as she is soon in a large basement filled with all sorts of brightly lit machinery. "Hello."

"Glad you could make it." Twilight says as she appears from around one of the pillars.

"Yes, yes. Now Trixie is ready for what she came for."

"Oh right, where is my head. If you'll just have a sit right their we'll get started." She guides her over to a pair of swivel chairs. The two seat down as the purple haired girl gets out a note pad. "Okay I think we're all set."

"Sorry, but The Great and Powerful Trixie didn't catch your name."

"Oh forgive me. My name is Twilight Sparkle." This causes Trixie to give her a peculiar stare.

"Twilight Sparkle? That's impossible." Trixie says.

"And why is that?"

"Oh nothing. It's just that I could have sworn I met someone with a similar name. So what is it that Trixie can do for you?"

"I've noticed that there are some odd things going on at your school and I'd like to ask you some questions about it. Anything you can tell me would be helpful."

Trixie gives a humored smirk as the girl holds up her notepad. "Where do I start?"