Research Logs

by Coppercoil

Invisibility pt.5

Twilight's next stop had been sugar cube corner.

Entry 132-9 I have yet to hear of the "fox" incident and have left it out of my report to the king. I only record it hear as a reminder of the folly that had taken place. On this day however, I decided to use a tortoise . The tortoise was another unjustly punished for something so simple as eating a flower in the Castle gardens. Punished harshly by "our fair princess." Honestly I have nothing but respect for the king and royal family, but the princess can be so hotheaded. After instructing the tortoise of what was going to happen, he nodded to show his agreement and smiled looking to the window. I was suspicious to this for reasons understandable, but the creature could not make it to the window as swiftly as the fox. Even acknowledging this I carefully watched him, having my apprentice record the notes as I speak them. After performing the spell, the glimmer in his eye as he gazed out the window to the sunny day, did not disappear. He had gazed thoughtfully to the outside never breaking away for the hour he was in camouflage. I felt infected by his peace and sighed in relaxation that made the hour pass as though lounging in a park. When the hour was done, I performed the dispelling. The tortoise blinked at me and smiled once more. I like to imagine what his thoughts were but I would never know. As I kept him for an hour longer to examine any possible late effects. He merely continued that thoughtful smile as he watched the sky as the clouds passed. When this was done, I decided to escort him off the castle grounds. He smiled brighter as I thanked him for his help and promised to take him home. I'm happy to write that there were no ill effects in using this spell. The tortoise seemed to live in the Chaostangle woods. I still wonder what how the Everfree are. I hope the tortoise makes it home safely. the Chaostangle can be rather dangerous as the earth ponies know. The hybrid method is nearly perfect, I have even tripped over a few test subjects but will not continue until there is no sign whatsoever.

Twilight took a moment from the book to study where she was. As she looked up, the first thing she saw was...

"PINKIE!!!" Twilight shouted at the pink pony not hoof's distance from her face... who seemed to show no reaction to the shouting unicorn save for cheerful smile.

"Hi Twilight! Hi Spike!" Pinkie replied with a high tone. "What'cha readin'?"

"Oh this?" Twilight closed and lifted the book. "This is just a book on magic."

"Oooooh, does it teach any spells?"

"No... wait yes!... well... I don't know."

"How come?"

"Well it has a lot about a spell, and how to cast it but..."

"But what?"

"Well I don't know if it's real."

"Why don't you try it?"

Twilight had thought about the apple core. She had thought about trying the spell but Twilight was never one to leap before she looked. "I need to finish the book first." While Twilight had not lied, this was not the whole truth.

"Let me know when you do. Hey, you wanna try some of my new cupcakes. They're made with this lemon icing that I read about in this book." Pinkie produced a book from seemingly nowhere. The book was white with a red ribbon hanging from the spine. "It's called The Joy of Baking. I got it from Odsanends."

"Pinkie, I have this book at the library, you could have borrowed it. You didn't have to buy it!"

"I know that Twilight, I read it all the time, and I didn't even buy it."

Twilight blinked at this. "You didn't?"

"Nope... well not really, I traded for it."

"What did you trade?"

"A cupcake!"

Twilight blinked again. "A cupcake?"

Pinkie nodded.

"As in one? Just one?"

Pinkie nodded again. "I was on lunch break and I had taken a cupcake from the display. I was actually walking over to the the library to check this book out when I saw you!"

"Me?"

"Yeah, you were going through this box of books and you looked real sad. I began running over to cheer you up but then you got real happy when that Odsanends guy gave you a blue book. It made me really happy to see you happy and even happier to see someone else make you happy."

Twilight had remembered getting the book from the vendor as Pinkie recalled it.

"Well anyways, I went over to thank him for making you happy which made me happy and I saw that box of books was still open. I was walking by it when I saw this. I asked how much because, wow that was exactly the book I was going to your place to read, like what are the chances of that. So I thanked him for helping you and asked how much the book costed and he said he was hungry so I offered him my cupcake and gave me the book."

"Just like that?"

"mm-hmm." Pinkie nodded "Just like that. And check this out!

Pinkie opened the book and pointed a hoof at the first page.

"First Edition!?" Twilight shouted in disbelief. "But this is the most sought after cooking book in all of Equestria!"

"I know isn't it exciting. Why if that pony ever comes back, I'll throw him a party with a thousand cupcakes!"

"Oh right! I totally forgot." Twilight remembered why she came here in the first place. "I came here to tell you I'm leaving tomorrow."

Pinkie freaked the buck out. "WHAT!? WHY!? ISEVERYTHINGOK!? HOWLONGWILLYOUBEGONE!? AREYOUSICK!? ISYOURFAMILYOK!?..."

Pinkie began talking a mile a minute and it seemed like nothing would stop her, until... "PINKIE!!!"

Pinkie had made a big gasp as though to continue her barrage of questions but held it in with puffed cheeks.

"Pinkie. Nothing's wrong and I'll only be gone for two days also this is going to be a regular thing. So... Pinkie?"

The puffy cheeked pink pony with a poofy pink mane had stopped being pink but began to be... blue.

"Pinkie? PINKIE BREATH!!!" Twilight shouted with great distress.

Pinkie Pie had released her bated breath that mad a rather comical sound similar to that of a deflating balloon, followed by a gasp that returned her light-red hue immediately. Pinkie smiled. "Two days? Where are you going?"

Twilight sighed seeing her friend continue to inhale and exhale naturally. "I'm going to Canterlot, to visit the archives."

"Twilight you live in a library, why go so far to visit one?"

"Well since I've read every book there I need to-"

"WAIT WHAT!?"

Twilight had expected this reaction and had made a plan on how to approach it but had forgotten while getting lost in her book. "Well yeah I read every book and I wanted to keep reading so I'm going to check out a few in Canterlot."

Pinkie blinked and quickly tugged on the red ribbon of her cookbook. "Quick, how do you make lemon icing."

"Pinkie I..."

Pinkie made a pout and had her eyes shimmer and even appear to expand which was more disturbing than cute to Twilight.

Twilight dropped her head and sighed in defeat. She than began to close her eyes in concentration. "Combine half a cup of butter, half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, two tablespoons of lemon juice and three cups of sugar. Beat until light and fluffy and add sugar and juice until you get the consistency desired."

"Wow Twilight, you got that to the letter. Is it like that with all the books?"

"Yeah... Is that weird?"

"Weird...WEIRD!... THAT'S AMAZING!!! You should have told us!"

"Really? Wow I didn't know."

"Twilight! You're not just a librarian, you're a library!"

"Wow thanks!"... Twilight thought for a moment. "I think..."

Pinkie just nodded. "Well see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah see you-wait! Tomorrow?"

"Well yeah silly, I'm gonna see you off. You're taking the train right? In the morning?"

Twilight nodded.

"I'll make you breakfast than."

"Thanks. Yeah I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

Pinkie walked back into the store waving a hoof goodbye. "See ya'."

Twilight opened her book once more and continued in to the square where Apple jack would be.

Entry 132-10 Alright, it appears that I've created a new urban legend. A mysterious creature marked only by its footprints and a shimmer that has given the being name as "The Glass Fox." A few of the local citizens had complaints in the markets saying that their chickens have disappeared. I have denied all allegations that I am related in any way whatsoever which is of course a giant falsehood, but if they find out it was my fault, they'll lose faith in me and strip me of my position as Royal Wizard. This incident however has given me a great piece of knowledge. The Glass spell is not lethal even over an extended time. What is even more fascinating is that the spell doesn't seem to wear off. I has been a fortnight since the incident and yet the fox remains affected.

Twilight had looked up to see the apple stall, but not Applejack. Apple Bloom had been sitting there looking rather annoyed. Staring at an apron hanging out of the basket.

"Hi Apple Bloom. What's up?" Twilight asked.

"Huh-what?" Apple Bloom snapped out of her uncomfortable trance as she examined Twilight. "Oh ah was just watchin' the cart here until mah sis came back from the farm." Apple Bloom returned to her disappointed demeanor. "Ah'm not s'posed to sell anything." Apple Bloom saw the book. Her tone lifted with curiosity. "What's that yer got there." She gestured to the book.

"Huh? Oh this is just some book I'm reading. It's about magic and invisibility."

"Hey Twilight?"

"Yes Apple Bloom?"

"Is it fun to read thick books like that one?"

"Well... yes... for me that is. Not everyone likes to read a lot. Do you like to read?"

"Ah don't know. There aren't many books 'sides a few manuals for the machines and what not. Ah also have a few coloring books from when I was younger. Ah used to have fun learnin' to read with sis and Big Mac, but now they seem so childish and silly."

"Well you can read this while I wait for you're sister. I need to tell her something. I hope it doesn't downplay what you think of reading. Everyone has their own thing. Even Rainbow Dash likes those Daring Do novels." Twilight lowered the book to the ground.

"Alrighty then." Apple Bloom spoke with an amount of excitement. She was glad not to simply stare blankly at an apron as she waited. Apple Bloom gently nudged the book open, respecting what was not hers.

Twilight thought on what Apple Bloom had said, about not having many books. Twilight was relieved to understand that at least Apple Bloom could read. Twilight didn't know what life on a farm was like and tried to avoid making assumptions. Twilight looked down. Apple bloom had just finished a page and was moving to the next. Apple Bloom wasn't a slow reader either. She had finished that page in a fair time. But as she watched, something seemed... off. Apple Bloom was turning another page. and in only a few moments she was turning another. Twilight stooped her head down and couldn't believe what she saw. Apple Bloom's eyes were shaking back and forth, blazing across the lines as she turned another page. Her face was stone. Apple Bloom had solid concentration as she sped passed the writing turning the pages rather quickly.

"Hey Apple Bloom?" Twilight put in.

Apple Bloom blinked as she brought her head back up. "Yeah Twilight?"

"What do you think of the book so far." This wasn't what Twilight was truly interested in but she wanted to be polite.

"It's kinda funny with the invisible fox and all. But mostly strange. Can you do this spell Twilight?" Apple Bloom gestured to the book.

Twilight had only ever read like that when studying for a magic test. She's never seen somepony read so fast with such ease. She quickly composed herself as not arouse suspicion. "No... Well I haven't tried yet. I'm waiting until I finish the book."

Apple Bloom nodded, accepting the answer. She continued to read at her lightning pace. It wasn't long until the book was complete. She closed the book and sighed with satisfaction, amazing Twilight for not even Applejack had arrived yet. "Thank ya Twilight. Ah'm happy it got funnier. Bit sad at the end though."

"You don't say." Twilight said flatly, to stilled to react more so.

Apple Bloom nodded and sitting flat on her flank, began to sway, humming a familiar tune that was interrupted by the occasional giggle. Twilight left her previous state to smile proudly for she had bettered the day of the filly, and with of all things, a book no less.

Twilight continued her reading.

Entry 132-11 Today was a strange day indeed. First, as I was entering my lab, I was tackled by an ethereal being that was whimpering atop me. I quickly understood that this was the fox and performed my dispelling. The fox was quickly elated and even danced a little before leaping from my window as it had before. Secondly, as I was showing this spell to the court, I quickly and rather easily quelled the accusations that the fox had been my doing. I stated that It was the fox that inspired me to perform this spell. I even told them that I had stopped the fox using my research. My assistant, who was there to witness me as I was tackled, rolled eyes at my deceptions. And lastly, after quelling the assumptions, was the proposed use of my spell by none other than the princess. I'm not sure if the court was merely agreeing out of intimidation or had truly agreed on their own accord but the accepted consensus had been to use a weakened spell as a form of self-modification. Instead of dyeing one's mane, imprinting the coat with ink, or piercing one's, one would show status by giving themselves a slight transparency and shine to appear as crystal. It is not the vanity of this idea that vexes me, it is that my spell will be forgotten at the coming of the next trend.

Twilight had snickered. 'Is this why no one knows this spell?'

Entry 132-12 I have perfected the spell, or more accurately, my assistant had. With simply adding at the pinnacle of the spell, to envision the object to shatter as glass in a beautiful imagery. Not as a disaster, but as an event. The object must shatter and the particles of dust shall be blown away in the wind. My assistant had claimed to testing this spell all night before insisting to try it on me. The spell was unlike the "Glass" method with a cold and unnerving sensation, but instead had a warm calming feeling to it. Like being on the balcony on a summer's evening. The spell had worked to perfection and I felt as a ghost. I examined my hoof closely, nearly making contact with my eye, but there was nothing. There was no distortion, no bending, nothing. I felt as a ghost, but not dead. I felt free. I hesitated when my assistant had asked when I should present it. I said that because of the previous spell and how similar it was to the last, the king might merely brush it off. I promised that should my assistant ever decide to present it, that I would be there to show support and act as a trusting guinea pig.

Entry 132-13 I had closed this book moving on to other projects. It had been a while since my protege had perfected this spell. Out of the blue my assistant had asked to present the spell having gained much faith from the king and even gaining favor from the princess who calls my apprentice friend. I had kept my word and acted as test subject. The king was even more amazed than I could have imagined. For a good moment I was proud. I am still proud. When the king had watched me vanish before his very eyes only to shocked to hear my voice by his side. I played no trick and explained my every action and movement. He laughed haughtily and i smiled under my invisible screen. When I had dispelled myself and appeared on the steps before the throne, the court made applause. That is until princess had interjected with a cough. The court was silenced. I had never known such quiet. The princess had then stated that I was no longer necessary. That I had trained a pupil to be better than myself and was merely a relic. My assistant was about to defend me but I stopped her knowing that to insult the royal family would bring a fate worse than the one I knew was to come. My former student was named Royal Wizard and I was asked to leave. This is not my last journal, but this is my last entry under the king. As I said, I am still proud.