The Great and Powerful... You know...
Twilight awoke to the sound of sizzling, her eyes still shut. She could not remember her dreams and instead thought back to the night before. What was Luna asking of me? How is discord more? What's... What's that smell? Twilight opened her eyes to great surprise for two soft blue eyes stared into her own.
"Morning Twilight!" Pinkie said with such joy, her friend awaking from a slumber.
"Wh-what?" Twilight was tired still, and couldn't comprehend what was happening.
"Morning silly!" Pinkie walked over to the curtains to open them. "Like when Celestia raises the sun, but not too high, right after luna lowers the sky. Not like mourning when somepony is gone, but thinking about that makes me sad so I try not to think of that." Pinkie lowered her head and her tone seamed to diminish before popping back up, "Oh I almost forgot!" Pinkie stepped outside the room.
Twilight, desperately attempting to piece together what was happening, began to rub her hooves around her temples. Before Twilight could complete a thought, Pinkie returned pushing a cart, which seemed to be the source of the sound and smell that had awoken her. Twilight Remembered quickly and shouted, "Breakfast!" without thinking. Twilight immediately smacked her hoof into her own face.
"That's right Twilight, I mean, what else would it be? I said I was gonna make you breakfast and I did."
"I'm so sorry Pinkie. I should have told you I was leaving early. I forgot and had extra time when Rainbow Dash-"
"Oh come on Twilight, Its not a big deal. After all it is still my day off, and it could have been way worse, like, you could've broken a pinkie promise like the one with Luna."
"How did you-?"
Pinkie smiled "We hang!"
"Did tell you what it's about?"
"Of course not silly! It's a secret. Now, for your breakfast!" Pinkie lifted the silver lid revealing Twilight's meal.
The scent blasted Twilight and made her mouth water. The meal smelled delicious and looked just as good.
"I made a dandelion omelet skillet with hash browns on the side, and a bottle of apple acres apple juice for a pick-me-up!"
"Pinkie, this is amazing!"
Cheerfully, "Thank you! I got the recipe from the royal chef downstairs. And let me tell you, their kitchen is HUGE! I mean like really really big, like so big that you could play hoof ball in their, but who would do that in a kitchen? Like, hello, theirs a field just outside the size and shape of a hoof ball field why play in a kitchen."
"Pinkie?" Twilight said softly
"What?" Pinkie lost her train of thought, "What is it Twilight?"
"This is too much."
"What is, the food?"
"I don't think I can eat all this." The skillet was deep and wide, seemingly the size of a pie.
Spike opened the door, sniffing the air. "What's that smell? Can I have some?" Spike walked groggily to the foot of the bed before making an effort to climb up on it. He then walked over and sat next to Twilight.
"Good morning Spike." Twilight said with a smile.
"Morning Twi." Spike returned.
"Good morning Spike!" Pinkie stated with audible joy.
"Morning Pinkie. Did you make this?" Spike pointed at the
"Yes in-deedy!" Pinkie was proud.
"Would you like some Spike?" Twilight offered.
"Would I? Totally!"
Pinkie produced a pie server from within her mane, a disturbing act done commonly by Pinkie, but Twilight had yet to find a single hair in any meal she prepared so far. Using the tool, Pinkie cut the skillet into three pieces. She reached under the cart and pulled out three plates. She served the two and her self a piece, "I hope you don'y mind. I just wanted to try it myself!"
Twilight smiled and nodded before the three dug in to their respective plates. "How did you know we were here?" Twilight asked. "Luna?"
"No, it was my Pinkie sense."
Ah, the infamous Pinkie sense"You have a Pinkie sense for knowing where I am?"
"No, of course not. I can just tell when a friend is leaving in Ponyville. You see, I get really dizzy, and a shiver goes up my spine, when ever one of my friends goes too far. And I knew you were leaving, so I went to the train station and asked Ticket Master if he had seen you. When he told me he had, I hopped on the next train to Canterlot and visited Luna. She had told me you were already here and I stayed the night and woke up really early to make you this." Pinkie motioned to the meal.
"You can tell when one of us is leaving?"
"Yeah, it even let's me know for how long."
"Really? how so?" Twilight had given up on ever explaining the dreaded Pinkie sense, and instead chose merely to examine it as a phenomenon.
"I think the the word is 'inversely proportional'. " Pinkie made an effort of saying it.
"So the longer I'm gone, the shorter the reaction?"
"Yup! But the feeling is more powerful."
"Interesting."
"Like right now for instance, you're about to leave and I won't see you until you go back to Ponyville."
"Really? Alright then. Spike let's go." Spike was laying back on the bed, with belly visibly filled. Twilight gently used her magic to raise the dragon and lay him across her back. "Bye Pinkie, I'll see you at home."
Pinkie raised a hoof and waved as Twilight walked out.
As Twilight walked, she thought to herself,Where am I going? The library right? Yes, yes I am. Wasn't I going to meet someone? The student! Luna's student was going to... Wait, where did Luna say I would meet her? She didn't... Did Luna know I was going to the library? Did she read the letter I wrote to Celestia? Did Celestia? Twilight's mind raced. She was lost as to Luna's intentions, but confused most of all to Luna's statement that Discord was something "More." What more could he be? He's the embodiment of chaos and insanity, not some fallen angel or something. Twilight stepped outside into the sunlight before...
"Twilight!" A regal voice called from behind her.
Twilight turned quickly to see the goddess of the sun herself Celestia, "Princess! I was just leaving."
"Leaving? I wasn't even aware you had arrived." Celestia's expression of confusion showed slightly past her grin.
"Really? I had sent a letter just the other day. Didn't you get it?"
Celestia's expression became one of realization, before she lowered her head. "I'm so sorry Twilight, I've been busy lately. The Griffons of the highlands have considered allying themselves with Equestria."
"I had assumed you were busy, otherwise I would have come to tell you I was here, but I thought you had gotten my letter with the escort and-"
"Escort?" Celestia visibly relaxed, "Oh thank goodness, then Luna welcomed you, am I right?"
"Yes she did."
"Good, then she must have received your letter. By the way where were you going, you wouldn't mind me accompanying you would you?"
"Of course not Princess, but aren't you still busy?"
"No, not at the moment. The ambassadors are out eating. Their meals take so long to prepare. I should have enough time to take my student to..."
"The library."
"Ah, perfect." Celestia and Twilight began walking, "So Twilight, as I'm sure you mentioned in your letter, why have come to Canterlot?"
"I was hoping to Check out some books while I'm here, I plan to come more often, every week in fact. It's just so convenient with the train and all."
"I'm guessing you've read every book in the library at home, haven't you?"
Twilight was surprised. "Why yes, in fact. How did you know?"
"You're never one to turn down a book, no matter the subject. And you would never read the same one twice."
Twilight smiled and remembered the lessons Celestia gave and her surprise when Twilight had read far ahead of the assignment.
"Anything you hope to find?" Celestia asked.
Twilight's mind went back to the book on invisibility and her quiet hope to find another like it. "No, nothing in particular."
"Then if you don't mind a suggestion, I would advise looking in to polymorphic transformation."
"Oh no, I've tried that already, it did not work out so well." Twilight remembered turning a poor blue-jay and a frog into oranges.
"Well whatever you choose, I hope have fun." Celestia looked up. "Well it appears I must be returning. It was very nice to see you. Celestia flew high into the air.
Twilight could see her join two well-dressed griffons in her flight. Upon looking around her, she noticed that the "high-class" ponies who wouldn't lower their nose to smell the flowers were staring at her. One such stallion was so bold as to approach Twilight.
"Excuse me miss, but my name is... well who am I kidding, the real question is so are you? If I may be so straight, might I inquire as to how you know the princess?" His coat was a tan, with a yellow mane.
Since Twilight's moving to Ponyville, she had been freed from the constant approach of strangers when entering and leaving the castle. "I'm her student." Twilight had long been patient with those who asked these questions. She thought it polite to always humor them.
"Really?" The pony seemed interested. "In what facet? Are you apprenticing for political reasons? Or are you training as a guard officer? Those are rare, but if Spitfire can do it then-"
"Magic." Twilight knew the pony would not stop. He spoke with the enthusiasm of a reporter, and the only thing they like more than hearing themselves talk, Is to listen... if you're lucky.
"Pardon..." The pony surprised leaned in an ear to listen.
"Magic, Princess Celestia, gives me personal lessons in magic among other things."
"Wow... That's amazing." The pony's wonder showed. "So you're Twilight Sparkle?"
"Why yes, how did you know?"
The pony looked insulted as well as amazed. "'How did I know'! You're the Element of Magic! Everyone knows who you are. Listen, I know we just met but..." The pony seemed nervous and scratched his head, "I'm going to this gathering later today, perhaps you'd like to come?"
Twilight had not been approached in this manner before, but since her return to Canterlot, she has matured. The population of stallions had been so low in Ponyville. "Sure, what time is it?" Twilight had learned much since leaving Canterlot, she was no longer reclusive or shy.
The stallion had produced an invitation. The time was just after sundown. As the stallion walked trotted away with pride, he stopped, and span around, "Meet me at the entrance, okay!?"
"Okay! Wait, what's your name?"
"OH! It's Patchwork!"
-----
Twilight stood in the gardens outside the archives.
"Hey Twilight. Remember last time we were here?" Spike laughed, snorting a little."
"Yes Spike, I do." She had remembered her last visit. She recognized the humor in her actions, breaking in and sneaking past the guards when she was one of the select few who could enter with unlimited access. She had even avoided Spearpoint, an old friend of her brother's. Twilight lowered her head and shook it, smiling. She was embarrassed of the event.
"Hey their's Spearpoint!" Spike pointed out.
Twilight raised her head to see the gray stallion stand stoically by the doors.
"Let's go say Hi!"
Twilight trotted towards the door. "Spearpoint!" She shouted.
The motionless guard blinked and his stern, serious expression quickly melted to a smile as he watched an old friend approach. "Twilight? Is that you?"
"Hey Spearpoint, how are you." Twilight lifted her forelegs to hug the guard.
His stern expression returned, "Twilight, you know that's against the rules."
Twilight tilted her head, looking un-amused.
Spearpoint's smile returned, " 'Guess I couldn't get you that time." He embraced Twilight.
"How have you been? I thought you were promoted during the invasion."
"It was temporary, I lead a squad of mixed units to defend the archive, protect our history, you know? Strangest thing is though, the changelings that did break through, went to the fiction section first."
"Fiction? Why?"
"Get this, after the invasion, the books that were missing were all taken from the romance section. Guess they wanted to know our weaknesses, but not like we had expected."
Twilight chuckled, "Well, how many were taken?"
Spearpoint smiled. "Nine."
"Nine! That's it?"
"Eeyup, only three got past and got out. Three books each I'd imagine."
"And your promotion was temporary? Why!?"
Spearpoint's smile faded. "After the battle was lost in most of Canterlot, we were still holding out. It wasn't over for us until the blast cleared out Canterlot." Spearpoint lowered his head." When I was promoted, Everyone looked to me, I did what I could, but, I lost two... Their names were Quick Strike and Solid Defense. Others were injured, there was one of the militia, her name's Firefly." He smiled as he mentioned her name. "She's a unicorn like you Twilight, great with magic. She's tough too. When the fight came, she wouldn't back down. She broke her left legs defending the doors against a wave of them with this spell, she called it the 'fire lance.' It was beautiful as well as effective. She generated this stream of sparks that none would go near until her horn gave out. We quickly prepared ourselves for the rush that would come as soon as she stopped. Even formed a quick code to distinguish ourselves from them, should they mimic our looks, which they did. But I didn't expect Firefly to keep fighting after she exhausted herself."
"That can't be, when I use all my magic, I feel like fainting. How could she keep fighting?"
"She just... did. She must of forced everything out of her." Spearpoint's smile seemed wistful.
"How is she now?"
"Firefly? Oh she's fine now. Except she's marrying some idiot who obviously doesn't deserve her."
Twilight tilted her head giving him the "Really?" look once more. "When's the wedding?"
"There's no fooling you is there?" He said with a tone of satisfied defeat. "Two months."
"I'll be there."
"Thanks Twilight, bring your family too, We'd love to have you."
"Of course, but about your promotion..."
"Oh, right. well after the blast. We were cheering, we had won! Firefly had even managed to lift a hoof before finally giving up and passing out. We rushed the injured and the...lost, to the hospital. We didn't even know about Firefly's injuries until a doctor got a hold of her. I was given all these commendations, enough pats on a back to break it. But I can't stop thinking about those two. I watched over all the injured soldiers I lead that day. I was there when she, Firefly, when she woke up. She was thanking me, her family was thanking me. All those who followed me, and everyone they knew, praised me for leading them as well as I did. Even the families of the two, smiled past their tears, and thanked me for seeing them off." Spearpoint took a moment to breathe."After I saw those two off, I demoted myself back. I'm not hear to fight, but I will if I have to. I'll defend with as much will as Firefly did, if that's possible. I'll do everything I can and more to never lose another pony."
Twilight hugged Spearpoint again, even Spike hugged his leg. "I'll see you at the wedding." Twilight spoke softly.
"You too Twilight."
Twilight and Spike walked inside. It was quiet, as was a library. Twilight walked to the Star Swirl The Bearded section, hoping to find a rare book like the one she had brought. To her surprise, the barred door had been open. Few had access to this part of the library. Who would be so careless as to leave this wide open... Unless... Twilight entered hoping to find the student Luna had mentioned. But why would she be in here? Twilight asked herself. As walked along the cupboard, she could hear the silent brushing of paper. She could hear pages turning and the silent murmur of one reading to herself. "Excuse me? Is anyone here?"
The turning of pages stopped and the murmur was quiet. Twilight listened carefully. Through the now dead silence, all Twilight could hear was the heavy steps of a guard passing through corridor outside. She walked along the shelves seeking who may else be in here.
"Hello?" Twilight called again, trying not to be to loud in respect to the environment. Turning a corner around a standing bookcase, she saw a rather untidy pile of books stacked upon one another, and forming a horseshoe shape opening away from the bookcase, large enough for a pony to be sitting within. Upon approaching, she was met with an usual obstacle, she bumped into somepony. Twilight reacted on habit and instinct. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm so sorry, I didn't see you."
"I'm sure you didn't Twilight" spoke a disembodied, yet familiar, voice.
Twilight looked around looking for the pony. "Trixie? Is that you?" The pony was nowhere to be seen.
"Of course Twilight." Before Twilight shined a bright light that was Trixie's horn. Trixie's body appeared, ethereal, slowly transitioning before becoming opaque, showing Trixie stand proudly. "Was there ever any doubt?"