//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: Birth of a Draconniquis // by Inkywell //------------------------------// Sleep abandoned Page that night. Eventually he stirred from his grey colored sheets and drew the blinds. A torrent of light filled the room and he could do little to protect his sensitive eyes besides lifting a hoof. When his retinas finally adjusted to the daylight he realized just how long he had sat in bed thinking, it was a little after eleven o'clock. Weiss and him always met around ten. He rushed, forgoing to make his bed, and stepped in front of his mirror. His mane was short and therefor didn't require much work, but the black circles around his eyes were more than noticeable. He cursed under his breath as he looked around for something that would hide the fact that he hadn't slept. He lived on his own, so there was an absence of most cover-up products that female ponies would have kept close. After over two years together Weiss still refused to move in with him, even though his house was larger than hers, if he didn't feel like he was about to collapse he may have tried to connect some dots. Something slammed against his bedside window with a sort of splat noise. He peered over at it, hoping to Celestia that the little delinquent colts from down the street hadn't taken to throwing eggs at his house again. His fears were unfounded, instead a charcoal grey owl sat on the sill outside. He sighed with relief and opened the window wide. The feathery creature hopped gleefully inside. A slow creeping chill followed the owl, and Page understood why he was happy to be here. "Who!" said the owl, lifting it's left talon. There was a scroll of paper tied to his leg. "Thank you little messenger," he said, gently removing the note and rolling it open, "I wonder who'd send this?" Dear Page Turner, I have great news! After speaking with you last night I stumbled upon a book that has exactly what you need. Your research will benefit greatly from reading it, but you must hurry. I fear that for reasons unknown, a mysterious unicorn is lurking the hallways searching for a way to get the book from me. She doesn't seem dangerous, but she has inquired about this book by name. I would prefer to see it with you than her. I'm afraid I cannot stall her for long, she is threatening to bring Princess Celestia into the situation. Apparently she has complete and unlimited access to the library. Run as fast as your legs can carry you, she has left only for a moment, and I don't think she'll remain patient long. Your friend, Ink Writer Ink had found a book? This could be his one and only chance at learning about his topic. He looked at the confused little owl with a grin and patted him on the head. "Who?" "Ink Writer! Haha! I knew he'd come through with something! I've gotta go now, before this unicorn can get to the book first," he grabbed his saddlebags. "Who!" He had almost forgotten the owl was there, "Oh, sorry little guy." He looked around and found a small amount of bread on his desk, "Here, you deserve a reward for this. I'm sorry he had to send you in day time." The tired bird ate the offering happily. He then jumped back out the window with a "who" and flew up into the roof's shadow, presumably to take a nap. Page closed the window behind it and dashed out of his home. He galloped down the streets, attempting to avoid the many high-class ponies that littered them at this time. The castle didn't seem nearly as far away as it usually did. "Whoa there colt! Where do you think you're going?" said a royal guard as he tried to get into the palace. Page groaned at the delay, "I'm Page Turner, and I'm doing research for Princess Celestia. She must have told you to let me into castle grounds whenever I need." The guard held up a hoof, "Yes she mentioned you. You're free to go in, but it's odd to see you here on your day off." It hit him like a freight train. He had forgotten about Weiss that easily? He was already late, but what to do? If he left now he could still meet her, but the book wouldn't be there when he got back. There had to be a way... "Page my colt!" shouted a familiar voice. He looked up and the choice was made for him. There stood Ink Writer, with heavy saddlebags, undoubtedly still carrying the book. "Let him by, I have to speak with him," Ink said to the guard. "Go on in, and have a nice day." "You too," he mumbled as he went to his friend's side. If Weiss found out that he was here she would be furious. "Good, you're here. This is the book I was talking about," he spoke softly as he lifted a large tome from a saddlebag and placed it in Page's. "You cannot leave the castle with it. If that unicorn Twilight Sparkle doesn't get it by day's end she'll know I gave it to somepony." "How does she even know it's in the library?" Ink shook his head, "I can only imagine Celestia told her. If so, than you'd better read quickly." "Here? Now?" Page asked. "Yes, there's little time. If Sparkle is in the library you'll never get a moment to yourself, being a researcher on the same topic as the book and all," Ink whispered and fell onto a bench beside a window. Page sat next to him and flipped the book open. There were many different sections on myths of Equestria, and one was devoted to the Draconniquis. He quickly turned to that section and began to scan the pages for any valuable material. He heard hoofsteps approaching and Ink nudged him in the side with a muffled 'hurry'. He looked even more frantically and picked up a few words: love, jilted, deceit, hate, confusion, betrayal, transformation. "Hey! There's that book!" shouted a voice from behind him. He was startled when a purple magical field surrounded it and tore it from his vision. He spun around to the sight of a light purple unicorn with indigo colored hair that sported a single violet streak. She was wearing a black robe and examined the tome carefully. When she was certain it was the right book she nodded and kept it floating beside her. She looked over to the other two unicorns and her eyes widened. Her breathing became shallow as she tried to spit out a few words, "Y-you aren't Page Turner are you?" "Yes I am, and that book is important to my research," he said, his lack of sleep beginning to catch up with him. "Oh no. No, no, no. You didn't read this did you?" "I got a few words in, but I'd like to finish the chapter I was on," he felt himself getting grumpy. "No. I must go to Princess Celestia right now. Excuse me," she said galloping off toward the throne room. "You got a little out of it right?" asked Ink. "A few words. Not enough to make to much sense of." "Lucky for you I read some before she barged into my library. It talks about how there were two lovers long ago, and one left the other because of their work. They had been greatest of friends, and the one left behind felt betrayed and confused. He grew to hate and wish chaos on the world, and so he transformed into what is today called a Draconniquis," Ink explained, there was a thundering sound, much like a strike of lightning, that echoed from somewhere on the palace ground. Ink hadn't seemed to hear it. "PAGE TURNER!" Ink and Page turned their heads to the hallway that Twilight had run to. There stood Princess Celestia. She was tall and intimidating, and her mane whipped as though the gentle breeze that kept it moving had turned into a gale force wind. "From this day foreword if you are seen on palace grounds you will be removed forcefully. You disobeyed my direct order and read that book, so I cannot allow you to escape without a punishment. You are dismissed from my service," the Princess said, looking down at Page the entire time. "B-but Princess we were only-" Ink tried to interject. "And you! Influencing the poor colt! Only because of your knowledge of the library and it's contents are you even allowed to stay!" Celestia growled at Ink Writer, "Go back to the library immediately, I shall be by later to continue the lecture on proper treatment of your students." "Y-Yes my Princess," Ink said, sulking away. "Page, you have an hour to leave the palace grounds. Perhaps one day you will be allowed back, but not for quite some time." "Of course Princess Celestia," he hurried off in the direction of the gardens. He thought while he walked. Why had she reacted so badly? What was in that book that she didn't want anypony to see? It didn't truly matter, this actually gave him more time to spend with Weiss. Maybe she wouldn't be too angry with him for showing up late. "Hello again my colt." Page had forgotten that he was in the palace gardens. Somehow he knew that the crack of lightning wasn't really that, but the crack of stone. He turned to the statue of Discord, which now bore an even larger scar that ran up the leg and into the torso. He felt his stomach twist with the thought that he might be free once again. "Discord. I've been banned from the palace grounds, I won't be able to speak to you ever again after today." "That's where you're wrong. Fate moves in awful, sometimes hilarious, but usually awful ways. Your fate is already decided, and despite the circumstances, I see it as tragic," said the statue. "You can see my future?" "No, but the way things are going says that I'm right. If things continue how they are, chaos and discord will reign, and there is nothing anypony can do about it." "Well, if that's the future I'm sure the six from Ponyville will stop you again," he was already late, nothing was to be gained by talking with Discord, it was like the Princess had said, his words only caused harm. "I'll see you in a week then, my forecast says it'll be raining cats and dogs with a slight chance of a distortion in gravity," the statue ended in laughter as he moved out of earshot. He wouldn't be around Discord anymore, so he imagined it would be better to forget about him. In a way, this was one of the best things that could happen to him. Now he didn't have to split his time between work and Weiss. Perhaps she would stop with her paranoia about him cheating and instead they could live in peace for once. Carnation Corner was an informal bistro. The waiters had thick Istallian accents, and the food was cheap but filling. This was the place where he and Weiss had gone on their first date. It hadn't changed much since then. The red and white cloth awning was in pristine condition, and the metal chairs and tables seemed bleached white. The table in front of the window where pies and fresh bread were displayed was their usual spot. It was nice to say the least. The smell of the pie would keep you hungry until your food arrived, even if you ate the entire basket of soft crusted bread they would place on your table right when you arrived. They had frequented it so much that some of the waiters could simply tell by their moods what dish they wanted. "Monsieur Turner," said a voice from his left. It was a new waiter, one he hadn't had the chance to meet yet, "Your marefriend left this note for you." Not good. She was already gone. He opened the note and sighed, he had to get to her house soon.