Chapter 2: Library

Starstrike awoke early in the morning and helped the Cakes in the bakery as thanks for allowing her to stay. They and Pinkie Pie were surprised that she knew how to bake. Of course Star wasn't about to tell them the sort of life she lived before coming here. She refused to let anypony feel sorry for her. This was a new life and Star was going to live it well.

She passed the time with the Cakes and Pinkie Pie, looking forward to going to the library and spending some time with Twilight Sparkle.

A few minutes before noon, Star got directions from Pinkie Pie on how to get to the library. With her new hat pinned on, she trotted through Ponyville square, taking in the sights around her. Just a few feet away from the library, a vision flooded her eyes. It was strong and seemed very real, as if she were right there in the moment.

He was staring at a round machine that was in the center of what looked like some sort of ship. The design was so odd. A large round glass tube was extended from the machine to the ceiling. He gave the most handsome, cheery smile as he trotted around it and rambled on excitedly about something Star didn't understand. She found herself following him around the room, watching his jittery movements. She was quite surprised that he was such an energetic one.

Star snapped out of it and shook her head. That was so strange, it was almost like I was right there! That excited smile… those eyes… She felt the heat rise to her face and shook her head again. She got to the Library and heard the clock in the square chime for noon, she was right on time. But when she got to the door there was a note.

Dear Star,

I am so, so sorry. Something came up and I was called off. Feel free to come into the library and read some books. I should be back by night fall. If you need help ask Spike.

Twilight

Star sighed softly but nodded her head in defeat. She had been looking forward to talking to Twilight about the things she knew. She slowly entered the library and looked at the row upon row of books in total awe. Actual books were rare for her to have seeing how nopony really welcomed her. Her wings extended and shook with uncontained excitement. She trotted towards one of the shelves and looked the many books over. She had no idea where to start. So many books on stars and constellations! She felt her body shake as she flew up to gather some of them. She set them in a neat little pile before gracefully landing. She sat on the floor and began to read each and every book thoroughly.

Spike had come down from the room he shared with Twilight in the middle of Starstrike's marathon reading. He looked at her curiously and went over to her.

Star by this time had taken off the hat and had her wings folded neatly at her sides. She looked like she was really enjoying herself.

Spike cleared his throat as he neared her. "Hi there."

She jumped up a little and turned towards him, it took a few minutes for her to calm her nerves. "Ah he-hello. You must be Spike."

He nodded. "Yep, that's me, the one and only Spike, Twilight's number one right hand assistant!" He announced proudly. "And you've got to be Starstrike. Twilight said you'd be around here today."

She nodded. "Yes, she invited me over."

He nodded as well and smiled. "Is there anything you need?"

"Huh oh no, I'm all good here, thank you." She smiled.

"Alright…" He looked a little disappointed that he wasn't needed. Every time Twilight went with that weird brown pony she always left him behind. She said it was to give him a much needed break. A though came to mind. "Ah you've been here since noon right? At least let me go pick us up something to eat from the bistro."

She looked up at him and nodded. "A…alright Spike, thank you." She smiled, her stomach had growled then and she laughed nervously. She must have been there for quite some time. She looked at the clock. It was already, yikes, 3'o clock.

"I'll be back before you know it!" He walked off, leaving her alone in the library.

Star went back to reading. It was almost a half hour later when Spike returned with a bag of treats. She took a break from the reading to eat what he brought. "Thanks Spike, I didn't realize just how hungry I really was."

"No problem, anything for a friend." He chomped down on the ruby before looking up at her with a grin.

"A… friend?"

"Yeah! Any friend of Twi's is a friend of mine." He paused and grumbled, "except for that Doctor, he's always taking her somewhere and leaving me behind."

"Doctor?"

He frowned. "Yeah." He sat up straight and changed his voice to a more northern accent. "I'm the Doctor, simply the Doctor. Timey wimey wibbly wobbly spacey wacey blah blah blah."

Star blinked and laughed. "You sound jealous! Maybe they went out on a date or something." She smiled, but it was a weary one, something in her sunk a bit but she was unsure why.

"Me? Jealous! BAH! Twi's a good pony, but Rarity… oh… oh Rarity is the only pony for me~" He swooned as his eyes turned into giant hearts.

Starstrike wondered what sort of pit fall she landed herself in with this dragon as he went on and on about how Rarity was absolute perfection and how no pony, not even the Princesses of Canterlot would ever compare to the class that Rarity possessed.

As he was going on and on, and Starstrike was partially tuning out what he was saying, there was a soft knock on the door, hardly audible. Her ear twitched slightly and she turned toward the door slightly, listening out for any more sounds. It was then that the door slowly opened and Fluttershy poked her head in.

"Um hello? I hope I'm not interrupting you Twilight, it's just I need help, that is, if you don't mind." She spoke softly.

Spike noticed her mid rant, his face colored and he went over to her. "Hey Fluttershy, Twilight's not back yet."

"Oh, I, I see." She looked worried.

Starstrike stood and went over. "What's the matter Fluttershy? Maybe I can help?"

"Oh w-would you?" She looked at her hopefully. "It's just… Angel Bunny went missing and no matter how much I call him he won't come. I'm not sure what to do."

Star nodded. "Yes, sure. Of course I'll help you Fluttershy." She gave her a soft smile. "Where was the last time you saw him?"

"O...Oh come with me." She turned around and trotted off, Star and Spike followed closely behind. Fluttershy brought them to a clearing where Angel Bunny was last seen. "I asked the other animals but they haven't seen her either, I'm so very worried."

"Don't worry Fluttershy, we'll find him. I promise." Star gave her a smile and looked around. "I'll head this way, Spike you go that way, Fluttershy, go look around this area again."

They nodded and all went their separate ways. "If I were a bunny… where would I hide?" Star asked herself as she walked near the Everfree forest. As she went a bit deeper, her horn glowed softly with a blue aura, lighting the path. It's so dark in here, how could Fluttershy live so close to such a scary place? She couldn't help but shudder as she walked. I could try a tracking spell of sorts that might help. The horn sparkled as she performed the spell. A line formed from her horn in a winding path, one that she followed for what felt like forever. He got pretty far, probably scared to death. She came up upon a cave at the end and looked around. Why would he have gone here? She sniffed around at the air and went towards a rock; she gave it a tentative lick. Tastes like bear, did I cast the spell wrong? She wondered as she peeked around. She never really used her magic except for simple chores when her parents weren't around. They had forbidden her to use it. So she often snuck around the house just to get some practice in.

There was a rustle somewhere behind her and she turned her gaze to a bush. I don't think a bear would hide in a bush that small… I could be wrong though and could be in a lot of trouble.

A white fluffy head poked out and two very scared black eyes looked at her.

"Are you Angel?" She slowly went over.

Angel Bunny nodded and came out from hiding.

"Thank goodness, Fluttershy is very worried about you, c'mon then on to my back you." She kneeled down, allowing the rabbit to jump up onto her back. "You may want to hold on." She unfolded her wings, feeling the rabbit latch onto her mane. She then took off into the sky, managing to get out of the forest. She looked around at the expanse of land that was the Everfree Forest and shivered. She was glad she did not come here through there. She flew back to the clearing and called out to both Spike and Fluttershy, allowing Angel off her back.

Fluttershy gasped. "Oh Angel bunny I was so worried, where have you been?" She latched onto the rabbit and hugged much to his dislike.

"He was in the forest, by some caves… bear caves I believe. Poor thing was terrified."

"Thank you so much Starstrike, I wouldn't have found him if it weren't for you."

"You're welcome Fluttershy. I should head back to the library now, Twilight might be back."

She nodded her thanks again.

Star and Spike left the clearing and went back to the library.

Spike looked around and frowned. "It's already getting pretty late and she's still not back."

Star checked the clock and sighed, she told the Cakes she'd be back by six in the least. "Well I should head back then. I guess I can always see her tomorrow." She turned to the books she left on the floor and went to go put them back when Spike stopped her.

"I'll take care of those, you head on, I'll tell Twi to meet up with you tomorrow when she gets back ok?"

She nodded. "Alright then Spike, I'll see you around then." She smiled and left, heading back home. As she headed off her mind wandered to Twilight and this… mysterious Doctor. When she came back to the bakery she washed up and ate with the little family and told them about her little adventure in the forest. Pinkie and the twins looked excited to hear about it, the Cakes on the other hand had been terrified as she accounted how she went in alone. But even as she spoke about it, her mind couldn't help but wonder about that Doctor, even as she readied for bed with Pinkie Pie her mind had been on the pony she had never seen or met before, at lease she believed she never saw him. She wondered to herself if she would ever get to meet that mysterious stallion. As she closed her eyes she saw a flash of a smile and bright blue eyes staring down at her in such an amused expression. The Prince was toying with her in her dreams again it seemed. Her mouth twitched at the corners as she rolled over to sleep, curled up in the bed, Pinkie on the other side. As she drifted off she could hear his excited banter and jovial laughing, music to this abused mare's ears. It wasn't long before she fell asleep to it's sweetness.