Chapter Three:

A Dark Idea Forms

In the near pitch blackness of the night, Twilight stood before the ravaged remains of her home. Several strands of yellow police tape separated prevented her from getting too close. It was almost completely silent, save for the light wind that was rustling the leaves of nearby trees. Not a single pony seemed to be out tonight. The fact that the windows in every shop and house were all dim made it seem as though everypony had gone to bed rather early tonight. It was just Twilight, gazing sadly at the remains of her desecrated sanctuary.

Why had she come back here? She didn't need to see this horrid sight anymore. She knew what this place had meant to her. It was her everything. Whenever her friends were unavailable and there was nothing major going on throughout Ponyville, all she had to pluck one of her favorite tomes from the shelf and lose herself in whatever it was she had selected. And now, it had all been taken from her by some careless stallion who she honestly hoped was being ripped apart by dragons at that very moment.

She stared at it for nearly a half hour before she finally felt the courage to get a little closer. After taking a quick look around to make sure she truly was alone, she ducked under the police tape and advanced on the ruins. As she continued on, her ears were met with the sound of glass and bark crunching under her hooves with each step. She didn't actually want to go into the ruins, she knew that would be just plain stupid. She just wanted to get right up next to it and say goodbye properly; give it a bit of a eulogy. She didn't want to believe that this would be almost like a final goodbye to an old friend, but considering she had no idea whatsoever of how she would solve this problem, there was no other way for her to think of it.

She got right up to only remaining side of the library that was still partially standing, placed her forehead against it and closed her eyes. She spent the next few minutes just reminiscing about the all the good times she had here. The good ol' days. Days she was sure would never experience again. A single tear glided down her cheek and dropped to the ground. The shape it formed when it splashed vaguely resembled a broken heart before disintegrating.

"Goodbye, old friend," Twilight whispered into the wood, damn near kissing it.

When she opened her eyes and prepared to turn away, her attention was drawn to a few good sized books that lay scattered on the ground. There were tons of books laying around everywhere, a majority of which were damaged beyond repair, the covers torn off, the pages ripped out and such. But the few that caught her eye seemed to be in pretty good shape. A little dirty maybe, but still very much readable. One at a time Twilight telekenetically pulled them out of the rubble and carefully stacked them onto her back. She wanted to take these book with her and never let them go. They would serve as a permanent reminder of what that library had meant to her. She would take them back to the Ponyville inn and read them over and over until her eyes were sore. It would be a small comfort in an overall despair filled situation. carefully balancing the books on her back, Twilight trotted back to her temporary home.

It wasn't a long walk to Ponyville inn considering Ponyville wasn't a very large town. But for some reason it sure felt long to Twilight. She supposed a lot of things were going to feel longer than they should from now on. When she stepped into the main lobby, she saw that it was completely deserted except for the lone pony manning the front desk. He looked from the newspaper he was reading, considered the young unicorn for a few seconds, then resumed reading his paper. Twilight trotted past him and made her way up the few flights of stairs to her floor and trotted off down the hall. Passing one of the rooms, she heard a muffled yet loud sensuous moaning emanating from it. Twilight would've gagged if her throat hadn't been so dry. She didn't want to think about what had possibly gone on in the room that she and Spike currently occupied.

When she reached her room, she levitated her key, which was in a small leather pouch next to her flank and inserted it into the lock. She managed to smile a bit as to just how accurate she was getting with her magic when it came to inserting small objects into even smaller holes. Ugh... the wording of that thought made her think of the happy couple in the room she had passed moments ago. She quickly shook it off and entered her room.

The room was dimly lit by a small lamp lying on a table between two beds, one of which had a slowly inflating and deflating lump on top of it and under it's covers. Twilight was grateful that she was able to get a room with two beds. The thought of having to share a bed with a rough-skinned baby dragon would've added more fuel to her already raging internal fire. Still, she managed to give a small smile at the almost vomit inducingly adorable sight of Spike peacefully dozing in a bed that was much too big for him.

Twilight made her way to the side of the bed he was on and just stared down at him for a while. In all the craziness of the past several hours, she had almost forgotten how close she had come to losing something that no amount of bits could replace. Though she dared not consider herself his mother, knowing he probably wouldn't appreciate that, she couldn't shake the feeling that he sometimes felt less like an assistant or friend and more like a son. And why not? She did love him very much after all. She had raised him from birth, she gave him food and shelter, bathed him once in a while, took care of him when he was sick, was extremely protective of him when she had to be. Still, she couldn't call herself his mother. In spite of everything she did for him, it just wouldn't seem right to think of herself that way.

Even so, as she watched his silently sleeping form, she felt the sudden urge to give him a loving nuzzle. Nothing too intimate, just a friendly little nuzzle to show that she still cared about him. So she did just that: she brought her face down to his and gently nuzzled his rough, scaly cheek. It took every fiber of her being to keep from kissing him there as well. As she did this, she began to realize more and more that whatever she decided to do in the near future, she had to take Spike into account. Whatever it was she chose to do, it had to be in not just her own best interests, but his as well.

This tender moment lasted a few minutes before Spike began to stir. His eyes flickered open and the first thing he saw was his vision cleared was a smudgy purple mass right up against his face. He recognized it instantly and gave a slightly annoyed grunt.

"Ah, you woke me up, Twi," he moaned as he gave her face a light push away from his own.

"Aw, sorry Spike," Twilight said with a small quiet chuckle. "Just... wanted to let you know I was back."

Spike gave her a weak but meaningful smile.

"Ah well, I actually wasn't sleeping too well anyway," he said. "I can't get used to this bed. It's too big for me," he gave a small, tired sigh. "I miss my basket."

"Yeah, I know," Twilight said soothingly. "This is just temporary though. We'll find some other place soon, I'm sure," She then added quietly "I hope."

"Yeah," Spike said. "Because... well, I don't mean to insult your hotel finding skills or anything, but this place sucks. The beds are uncomfortable, the continental breakfast tasted like crap, and everypony that comes in here seems to be hornier than a-"

"Spike! Don't talk that way!" Twilight scolded. "Honestly, I think you've been listening to Rainbow Dash too much."

"Nah, I didn't learn those words from her," Spike said with a chuckle. "That library had some pretty dirty little books here and there, and every so often I would-" he suddenly noticed her sad expression, and knew exactly what it meant. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up."

Twilight shook her head.

"No, no it's okay Spike," she said as sincerely as she could. "I mean, there are tons of libraries throughout Equestria. But... but there's only one you." Spike stared at her intently now, and Twilight stared back. "How... are you feeling anyway?" She asked. "Are you... handling yourself alright?"

"Yeeeaaah," Spike answered slowly. "I mean, it was a little freaky, but I didn't get hurt too bad or anything so... I guess I'll be alright. But what about you. Are you alright?"

Although she was deeply touched by Spikes concern for her, Twilight wanted to make something very clear to him.

"Spike, I'll be just fine," she said intensely. "But I want you to know something: You don't need to worry about me. I'm a grown unicorn, I can take care of myself. It's me who should worry about you, Spike, not the other way around. Okay?"

Spike considered that for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright, Twi," he said simply.

Now Twilight couldn't resist. She wrapped a foreleg around him and held him tightly against her. She was happy to feel his dragon claws gently placed against the back of her neck.

"I love you, big guy," she said, her voice nearly breaking.

"I love you too, Twilight," Spike replied. "But please don't cry, okay?"

The two just held each other for a while. Twilight simply didn't want to let go of her dear friend. Eventually Spike had to pretty much force her off of him. He didn't do it too crudely though, and Twilight understood. She even managed to giggle a bit.

"So, you're sure you're alright?" She asked him.

"Yep," Spike answered promptly.

"Not gonna have any nightmares?"

"Nope."

"I'm not gonna have to snuggle you or anything?"

Spike scoffed, then tuned over and slapped his hind-quarters.

"Snuggle this, Twi," He taunted.

"Spike!" Twilight scolded again. "What would Celestia say if she heard you talking like that?"

"I dunno," Spike answered. "She'd probably faint or-" His eyes suddenly went wide. "Oh! Before I forget," he reached over onto the night stand next to his bed and held up a white envelope. "This arrived while you were out."

Twilight would recognize that envelope anywhere. Celestia had sent her reply. It had taken a little longer than usual, but it was here now, and that was all that mattered. Without a word, she used her magic to tear the top open and pulled out the enclosed letter. She held it under the dim light of the lamp and began to read it.

My faithful student, Twilight Sparkle,

I have read your letter regarding the current crisis that had befallen you. This is indeed a truly unfortunate turn of events. To lose your home and place of business in such a devastating and unexpected way must really have you crestfallen. However, I must also express my deepest relief that you and Spike have both emerged from this tragedy alive and well. Libraries may come and go, but there is only one you, and one Spike.

Still, I understand that you are now facing a truly difficult task, as are your fellow Elements of Harmony. This is most definitely a crisis very much different from any you have faced in the past. Which is why I am deeply anxious to know just how you plan on dealing with it. Think of this as your greatest challenge yet, your ultimate test. Together with your friends, I am sure you will overcome this tragedy. You have always been capable of great things, Twilight Sparkle, now you can show all of Equestria just how strong you truly are.

I will put your friendship reports on hold for the time being. In the meantime I want you to just think about what you want to do and how you are going to do it. Once you have reached a decision, I want you to write me again and tell me what it is you plan on doing. I am not going to step in or anything, I just want to know what you will be up to.

Take your time. Think things out. Be smart about your choices. I know you will do well, and I wish you the best of luck.

Yours Sincerely, Princess Celestia

Twilight just stood there in silence. So that was it. Celestia wasn't going to step in and help her. Twilight had remembered what she had told her friends back in the pub: that she didn't want Celestia's help. That she wanted to solve this problem on her own. Still, she had expected Celestia to at least offer to help her. That way she could've at least had the opportunity to politely decline her aid in her next letter. Or... maybe consider just breaking down and accepting it. No chance of that now, though.

To Twilight, this letter was just a polite way of Celestia saying Go fuck yourself, my dear Twilight Sparkle. You are on your own. Twilight was seconds away from screaming in rage. Spike could see the fury masked behind her relatively straight face.

"You okay, Twilight?" He asked worriedly.

"Huh?" Twilight was snapped back to reality. "Oh, um... yeah, yeah I'm fine."

"W- well what did Celestia have to say?" He asked.

Twilight honestly didn't want to talk about it at that time. She just wanted to crawl into bed and never get out.

"I- I'll tell you in the morning," She told her assistant. "I'm just too tired right now."

Spike didn't say anything. He merely nodded and buried his face into his pillow. Knowing that Spike was no longer watching her, Twilight used her magic to crumple the letter up and toss it into the nearby trash can. She then plopped the book she was carrying onto the foot of her own bed and climbed into it. The covers weren't exactly the cleanest Twilight had ever seen, but as long as they weren't so thick with love juice that they were practically standing on end, she would accept them.

Knowing that she would gain no more sleep than she had the night before (which was practically none), Twilight decided to get started on one of the books she had salvaged. There were only five, but it would be more than enough for now. Reaching over to the lamp, she gave it a quick tap with her hoof, increasing it's brightness.

"Hey, Spike," she said quietly to the slumbering dragon. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. Is this light going to bother you?"

"Mmmph," was the only response she got.

She didn't know if that was a yes or a no, or if Spike was just talking in his sleep. Either way, she figured she was good to go. Twilight telekenetically pulled the closest book to her and propped it against the thighs of her hindlegs. She opened it up and took a quick glance at what it was. She frowned a bit. It was an advanced magical instruction book that she remembered reading not to long ago. She had already mastered a majority of the spells in it, the most interesting one being an electronic disturbance spell which, though fascinating, really wouldn't serve as much use for Twilight here in Ponyville considering the town didnt have much in the way of electricity with the exception of lights, phones, and a fairly up to date hospital. Besides, Twilight figured that unless she needed to knock out the power somewhere, she wouldn't have much use for a spell like that. Still, she studied it thoroughly enough, just in case...

Twilight set the book aside, not feeling like learning any new spells at that time, and pulled the next one to her. She gazed at the cover of it, and for a second was quite baffled. She thought she had read just about every book in that library, though she had never come across any of those dirty books Spike had mentioned (he probably was getting it from Rainbow Dash), but she knew she had never seen this one before.

"Bonnie and Clydesdale," she read aloud.

Seemed interesting enough, and besides, if Twilight was going to stay up all night reading then it might as well be a story she wasn't familiar with. She flipped the book open and started into it. Once she started, she couldn't stop.

The story told of two love-struck young ponies who lived in a difficult time for Equestria. Jobs were scarce and bits were scarcer. It was a harsh world where nopony seemed to care about any other pony's struggles. It was everypony for themselves. and in a world where making an honest living just wasn't going to cut it. So the two lovers turned to a more than a little less honest way of solving their problems: robberies.

From page one all the way to the ending, Twilight was enthralled by what she read. She was instantly sympathetic to their plight, and no matter how dastardly their actions became, she never stopped rooting for them. But what fascinated her the most was how the public responded to the two criminals. They loved them, treated them like heroes. They were like a beacon of hope in an otherwise dreary and defeated world. Sure, the law enforcement still hunted them and all, but everypony else seemed to think they were doing the right thing. In a world as cruel, ruthless and unforgiving as the one depicted in the book, it seemed the only answer was to be crueller and more ruthless than the world around them, and everypony seemed to accept that.

Twilight completely lost her sense of the world around her as she read. At times she was practically imagining herself in the book with them, holding up banks and trains and such. By the time she had finished it was nearly morning, and the first rays of Celestia's sun were protruding through the window. Twilight gently set the book aside and slowly slid back into her bed. She took a quick glance at the clock on the nightstand and saw that it was 6:30. She supposed she could still try to get an hour or two of sleep, but she knew that wouldn't be possible. She needed to properly digest what she had just consumed.

That book had done more than just give her an escape from her bleak reality, it gave her... ideas. Crazy ideas. Sick ideas. Ideas that she would never have even remotely considered had she been in a more proper state of mind. Sadly, that just wasn't the case. She was desperate. Desperate to see an end to her struggles. Desperate to have a home again. Desperate to see Spike happy once more. Desperate to see her friends happy once more. Her friends... five ponies who she loved more than anything in all of Equestria. Five ponies with whom she had accomplished things she never would've thought herself capable of...

Suddenly Twilight Sparkle knew what she was going to do that day. She had to get her friends together and explain to them the crazy ideas that were plaguing her. She would spend the next hour or so going over and over in her mind just how she would explain everything to them. She knew they would probably call her crazy. Hysterical. Maybe they would even cut it off with her for good.

Still, Twilight wouldn't be at peace until she at least tried to get them to understand what she wanted to do and why she felt she had to do it. She was more desperate than she had ever been before in her life after all, and she hoped that her friends were as well.

Well, I guess you all know where this is going now (by the way, good call McPeach ;)) But trust me, it's gonna be something deeper than just ponies holding up banks for entertainments sake (or at least I hope it will).

I'll leave with that for now. By the way, I don't think Bonnie and Clyde was ever a book, but for me it just made more sense for Twilight to get the idea from a book rather than a movie. Hopefully no one (or nopony) was put off by that. Anyway, thanks again for all the reviews, favorites and alerts! I'm really lovin' what I'm hearing from you all! See ya next time for a fairly lengthy chapter!