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// Chapter 1 - Examination 
// Story: Glint Stones: Answers 
// by Middle Ground 
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	In the land of Equestria, there is a kingdom where the two reigning monarchs live in. This kingdom is called Canterlot. Canterlot is where the aristocratic ponies, mostly Unicorns, live as well. It is a majestic kingdom that resides on the side of a mountain and both Twilight and Spike are visiting there. Fact is they used to live in Canterlot for quite some time before moving to Ponyville. Right now they're just about to meet with the Princesses, stepping through the front door and into the hallway.
"I'm glad Princess Celestia squeezed us in for a visit today. I hope she isn't too busy." Twilight carried some books in a couple of bags.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, Twilight. I'm more worried about Starlight...." Spike carried most of Twilight's books as they made their way to the throne room.
"Don't worry, Spike...! I'm sure she is more than capable of dealing with those four ponies. She's a great magic-user too." They then arrived in the throne room to see Princess Celestia looking through some paperwork with her sister, Princess Luna.
"Oh, welcome, you two. We're almost through with today's paperwork, so just wait right there."
"Yes, Princess." Twilight and Spike placed all the books down on the floor to wait. Spike was exhausted from carrying most of the books. After nearly 20 minutes, the Princesses have finished the daily paperwork.
"Alright, now we are done. Twilight, you said you needed to speak with me about what was found on the Pie Rock Farm?" Princess Celestia to speak with Twilight and Spike. Her sister followed.
"Yes, it's about this black rock Pinkie told me about. I want to see this rock for myself because everything she told me makes no sense." Twilight was still quite skeptic about everything she heard from Pinkie about the Spellbind Brothers.
"Ah yes, the black rock. From what the scientists have told me, it is certainly unusual. It is made from multiple metals and minerals. And it is full of magical energy. They're still examining it, but if you to see it for yourself, I will grant you special permission."
"Thank you, Princess...! I'll go to it right away!" Twilight was quite excited.
"I will take you to where they are examining it. Follow me." Princess Luna then began leaving the throne room. Twilight and Spike both followed her.	
Twilight then stopped and asked, "Oh wait, Princess, I need to ask. Does the name 'Spellbind' mean anything to you...?" When Twilight spoke the name, Princess Celestia looked surprised. Like she just remembered something.
"Yes...it does. But I can't quite remember. I will need to look through the archives for anything that might relate to that name. You go and see the black rock like you needed. I will let you know if I find anything at all." Princess Celestia then left to do so.
"Alright then. Bye...!" Twilight and Spike then began following Princess Luna to the black rock. They made their way to Canterlot University where the black stone was being examined. It was located outside the university because the black rock was too big to fit inside. The many scientists and geologists were still examining the rock since they first brought it to Canterlot. They then stopped their work when they saw Princess Luna and Twilight and lowered their heads.
"Oh dear...! Your majesties...! You grace us all with your arrival! And you must be Spike, the Hero of the Crystal Empire! A pleasure...!" One of the scientists ran up to them in a panic. Twilight, Princess Luna, and Spike felt a little embarrassed to be praised so much.
"Calm yourselves, all of you. I am here as an escort for Princess Twilight so that she may aide you in your examination of this stone. My sister has given her special permission to do so while she visits Canterlot."
"Of course...! Absolutely! We would never turn away Princess Celestia's most prized student from aiding us! In fact, help from such an intellect is most welcome!" The scientist could barely keep his glasses on straight in his panic.
Spike whispered, "Princess, is he alright...?"
"Pay it no mind, Spike. Most ponies are always like this around royalty." Princess Luna was always used to such behavior.
"I would love to help you all. Looking at it now, there is definitely something strange about it. I will need to look over anything you have found to know what I'm examining." Twilight began to look at the black rock more thoroughly.
"We will get right no it...! Everypony, get all of our findings and have Princess Twilight see them! On the double!" All the scientists starting panicking as they went back to their work.
"I suppose that is my cue to leave. Spike, if you wish, you may join me for some tea. I promise to have some gems for you."
"Definitely...!" Spike quickly followed Princess Luna out of the university, leaving Twilight to her examination. A few hours have gone by and Twilight was amazed at what she found.
"So the Princess was right. This stone is made from many different kinds of metals and minerals such as iron, copper, graphite, clay, and that's just a few of them. And it's full of magical energy too." She was amazed at how well put-together the black rock was despite the countless types of metals and minerals used to make it.
"Indeed. Strangely enough though, we tried to break into this rock with various tools, but we couldn't leave a crack in it. It's like it was made to be unbreakable."
"Wait...then how did you find out about all those minerals and metals?"
"Well, it was mostly through sight at first. But when we called our geologists to aide us, it became somewhat easier. As for why it has so much magic in it, we still don't know...." All the scientists and geologists were still examining the black rock like usual.
"I see. Did any of you think to use magic?"
"Oh no...! We could not risk it! There are many delicate minerals and metals that could explode should they be tampered with so carelessly! And considering the magic within it, it could make things even worse!" The scientist panicked at the thought. Twilight walked up to the rock and touched it. She then felt like her right hoof went numb without warning. She then quickly pulled it away and the feeling in her hoof returned. This freaked her out and backed away from the black rock.
"Your highness, what's the matter?! Did we do something wrong?!" The scientist freaked out when he noticed Twilight's reaction to touching the black rock. Twilight didn't answer him at first. She was still shaken up from what just happened.
"Uh...I'm fine. Did...did any of you ever touch this rock at all while examining it? If so, did anything happen?" Twilight was very confused at what just happened.
"Oh yes, we have. Nothing really happened during our examination. Why...?" The scientist was as confused as Twilight was. She kept her distance to avoid any more physical contact. She knew there was definitely something wrong with that black rock.
"I...think I will leave for now. Maybe I can find something at my old study." Twilight began to leave the university to do so.
"As you wish, your highness...! You can come back to aide us anytime you see fit!" The scientists all waved goodbye as Twilight left. As Twilight entered the town, she realized how hungry she was and made her way to a nearby café. She entered for some lunch until she then noticed a familiar face. It was a mare who had a yellow coat, had orange tail and mane with purple bangs, wore glasses and a black sweater. She even tied her mane up. She was a Unicorn who was reading a bunch of books.
"Moondancer...! It's been a while!" Twilight walked up to the mare in excitement. The mare didn't react to her since she was so focused on her reading.
"Moondancer, it's me. Twilight Sparkle? Hello...?" Twilight's words finally got through to the mare. Moondancer stopped reading for a moment and adjusted her glasses to see who was calling her.
"Oh, hello Twilight...." She then went back to reading after speaking to Twilight. Twilight felt empty when that happened. She then turned away to get something to eat. Suddenly, Moondancer realized that her best friend was visiting her, so she slammed her book shut and grabbed onto Twilight.
"Twilight, it's been so long...!" Her attitude made a complete 180 upon her realization.
"Moondancer, I thought you were too busy to speak to me...." Twilight was worried for a moment.
"I could never be too busy to speak with you! You're my dear friend...!" Moondancer was very happy to see Twilight. Twilight was so relieved to know this. So far, this visit was turning out to be quite enjoyable for Twilight.