Twilight awoke soaked in a cold sweat at the same time she normally did with the sun shining through her window. She thought she had a horrible nightmare that a ghost had haunted her and a dying pegasus was in the library. However when she turned to her side, she felt a sharp pain that had come from her broken rib. Her eyes widened and Twilight began to panic on the realization of the warning.
"Compared to what is coming, The Puppet Master is the puppet, the shades are like flairs in the night, and the tyrant is like an ant to a hoof." The apparitions words rang loudly in her ears.
Twilight shook off her concerns and slowly got out of bed trying not to disturb her healing rib. She slowly walked down the stairs into the main chamber of the library and found the pegasus was laying there in the same position as the last time she left him.
The scent of pancakes filled the air from the kitchen. Spike was cooking breakfast for them, he was wearing a chefs hat and an apron as he handled a pan with practiced ease.
"Oh Twilight you're up, I'm making pancakes. By the way, did you read last night when I went to sleep?" Spike asked as he stirred batter inside a large bowl.
"No. Why what happened? " Twilight asked anxiously for an immediate answer.
"Nothing happened, I just found some books out on the table this morning." the baby dragon replied as he poured some of the batter in the pan.
"What book Spike?" the lavender mare asked.
"They are on the table in the library. Oh and breakfast will be done soon." Spike said just as Twilight hurried over to the books he had mentioned.
Twilight arrived to the six books on the table and noticed that they had bookmarks in them. The first one was a book on Ancient Equine magic. The bookmark was an old page that was torn from another book. Twilight used her magic to open it to the page that was indicated by the mark. The heading of the page was, "The Eternal Herd". The section described the final destination for all ponies. It didn't cover much else so Twilight closed it leaving the bookmark untouched.
The second book looked relatively new, the title was, "Villains of Equestria". Twilight shuttered at the warning again, but opened the book where it was marked. The heading simply read Nightshade, most of the wards on this page were faded beyond legibility. The only thing Twilight could make out was, "Guardian...balance was...Elements of Chaos... Power of... Fell to..." The rest of the words were either faded or the ink ran making it impossible to read anything else.
This made Twilight tremble with uneasiness.
"Elements of Chaos? That can't be good." Twilight mumbled to herself.
The next book was, "Princess Luna, The Mare In The Moon". The bookmark took Twilight to the page that read, Princess Luna was banished to the moon because she wanted to shroud the world in eternal night out of jealousy for her elder sister Celestia. On this page however somepony wrote, "LIES" Twilight was uncertain of what to do with the book. So she just moved on to the fourth book and would deal with that one later.
"Secrets of Canterlot Castle", the book depicted secret passages throughout the castle. It said the dungeons had passages all over the place. There were passages for the staff to use for faster travel between two points, the guard’s barracks had a hidden armory. Out of all the things Twilight read, the one that caught her eye was an accusation that Princess Celestia had a crypt for close ponies behind her own throne. This idea made Twilight wonder if she would ever be placed there if such a thing did exist.
The fifth book was called, "The Tale of the Lost Night". The story was an old foals tale of fiction.
It said that Celestia and Luna both had Alicorn protectors that had fought each other and died, but not after shaking the world to its very core. The power the two had, was enough to rival both princesses and the eternal herd. One was Celestia's protector that was up at day and Luna's protector that was up at night, leaving all of Equestria protected at all times. The story said that Luna's protector went mad and tried to kill Celestia, to make Luna Queen of the night and day. The story was set only a few years before Nightmare Moon's tale. Twilight set the book down to get to the last one.
The final book was one that Twilight had never seen before. Its cover was made of leather and it was bound by string. It had a few markings that she had never seen before. The book had no title in fact it looked like a very old journal. Twilight tried to open the book with magic, but found the same presence looming over it just like when she tried to heal the pegasus. She quickly stopped the spell before anything could go wrong this time. The book fell to the floor with a loud thud.
It resonated as it absorbed the magic that had just been used from Twilight’s telekinesis.
After a moment the presence in the book faded. Twilight stared at the journal for what felt like an eternity before grabbing it with her teeth and sitting back on the table. She started to back into the kitchen while she kept her eyes on the journal.
After Twilight and Spike had eaten a nice and warm breakfast they heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Spike said as he hurried.
Twilight used her magic to wash the dishes from her seat as she waited for Spike to return with whoever was at the door.
"She is this way." Spike said to whoever he was talking to.
Twilight looked to the doorway to see Spike and a very disturbed Applejack.
"Twi, We need to talk. Alone." Applejack said almost immediately.
Spike looked surprised at the sudden outburst from the normally calm earth pony. He turned to Twilight who shared his same expression, but nodded to him to comply with the request. Spike let out a sigh and walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Applejack walked over and took a seat next to Twilight and placed a hoof on her head.
"What's wrong Applejack? Did something bad happen at the farm?" Twilight asked.
"N-no nothing bad to the farm, but last night. Last night there was something at the farm house. In my own room no less. I was sleeping when I heard whispers. When I opened my eyes I saw something that was covered in darkness. It was like the Shadows were attracted to it when it talked to me." Applejack stated, her face reflected the fear she had as she looked down at the table.
"What did it say?" Twilight asked.
"Noble, help the Faithful to prevent history from repeating." Applejack said darkly as if trying to repress those words.
"Is that it Applejack?" Twilight asked, her voice trembling.
"No, it showed me something in my sleep. I was in a valley with scattered rocks and stones everywhere. The earth looked scarred from a battle and it was a stormy night, rain and lightning was striking everywhere and there was no living thing anywhere in sight. The elements of Harmony were scattered around a dead white Alicorn with another Alicorn as black as night itself stood over her. She wasn't Celestia, I saw her flying over to them. The black Alicorn was yelling and crying over the white one before he..." Applejack stopped, then with a sigh finally said. "Twi, he created six new elements out of nothing, they looked some much like ours. Then he used them to kill himself. He flew up into the sky and released some sort of energy that created a ball of some sort that pushed the stones and anything else in its way into the distance leaving a crater. When the light faded, he just fell from the sky lifeless. When he hit the ground the earth shook. Both princess Celestia and Luna took the bodies somewhere. I woke up shortly after that and headed here."
"Applejack I know what you saw, that thing was warning me too. I'm not sure what its about though." Twilight said as she looked in the direction of the journal.
Minutes passed as the two friends tried to calm their nerves. Something was wrong and they were the only ones this spirit had talked to.
"Twilight how are you feeling?" Applejack finally asked.
"Still sore, but I'm not too bad." Twilight replied with a smile.
"And your guest?" Applejack remarked.
Twilight looked at Applejack for a moment then to the main chamber of the library were the pegasus lay on the cot.
"He hasn't moved all night, but he is still breathing." she finally reported.
Applejack nodded and walked over to him with Twilight following close behind.
"When he wakes up I'm going to ask him what happened and see what he knows of this ghost that we saw." Twilight said as she stared at him.
So many questions filled her mind and only he could answer them. He was linked to all of this somehow and she knew it. Discord might have been behind this at one point, but since he was reformed thanks to Fluttershy, he might help fix this. Or at least answer some questions too.
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Applejack and Twilight decided to get some air with some persuading on Twilight's end, that she was in good enough shape to leave. Eventually they left to see the others for the day leaving Spike in charge of the library. Spike wasn't too concerned about being left there. The only thing he had to worry about was the pegasus. Spike walked over to him and checked to see if he was breathing by placing a claw over his snout. Sure enough he was and his breathing was normal. As Spike was getting up he heard a moan coming from the pegasus. Spike took a step back and watched him patiently. The pegasus shifted and as he did, Spike could hear the gruesome sound of bones snapping into place. The movements made the wrapped stallion moan with even more pain.
"Hay, you should take it easy. You almost died." Spike said as he took a few steps closer.
Suddenly the pegasus's one unwrapped eye shot open startling the baby dragon and making him fall over. The eye was a dazzling blue with three white rings circling around the pupil like the rings around an atom. He tried to stand but failed to get to his hooves, the pain kept him from going anywhere. He frantically looked in all directions for a way to escape.
"Hay, you need to stop before you reopen your injuries!" Spike shouted at the panicking pony.
The pegasus's eye focused on Spike and narrowed. His panicked expression faded and was replaced with confusion.
"Where am I?" he asked the purple dragon his voice moderate but raspy.
"You are in Ponyville. The library to be exact." The baby dragon said calmly as not to make his visitor panic again.
"Ponyville?" replied the pegasus with a tilt of his head.
"Yes Ponyville, one of the towns outside of the Everfree Forest. That's where you were found half dead." Spike said with a step closer and his claws up next to his head. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm Spike, I'm a friend. What's your name." he continued with another step.
The pegasus flinched and placed a hoof on his head. "I-I'm... Cassius." he replied.
"Where are you from Cassius?" Spike asked slowly lowering his arms.
"I can't remember" Cassius said as he tried to remember anything else other than his first name.
"What can you remember?" the baby dragon asked now sitting in front of him.
Cassius looked down and whispered, "Nothing."
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Hours passed as Twilight returned home. The sun had set already and Applejack had walked her home. They parted ways outside the library. When she opened the door she saw Spike sleeping on the cot where the pegasus was supposed to be.
"Spike! Where is the pegasus!?" Twilight asked anxiously.
The baby dragon moaned and shifted.
"Spike, Where is he?" Twilight asked again impatiently tapping him with a hoof.
Spike mumbled, "Cassius is somewhere around here."
"Cassius?" Twilight asked inquisitively.
"Ya, he woke up a few hours ago, then went back to sleep. He said something about not feeling right to be awake in the daytime. He seems weird but nice, he has a very weird eye though." the baby dragon said with a yawn and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Did you ask him what happened?" Twilight asked.
Sitting up Spike began, "He can't remember anything other than his name Twilight.
I think the blood loss might have affected him. You know I think he must have been one of Luna's messengers or servants, that might explain the fact he is up at night."
"So where is he then Spike?" Twilight asked in frustration.
"He must have went out to explore and must be healing fast. When he first woke up he couldn't get up. Oh, he did say he would be back by sunrise." Spike reported as he got off the cot and headed up the stairs.
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Cassius had left the library only moments before Twilight and Applejack rounded the block. He still couldn't run or fly, but he could walk. He hurried to avoid the two mares, the last thing Cassius wanted was to be seen by somepony else until he knew where we was. For most of the night Cassius roamed the quiet streets of Ponyville. The crickets played a symphony in the moonlight as he passed. Cassius looked up to see the dazzling stars of the night sky dance before him. Even though he could only see from one eye at the moment, he enjoyed every second of the night. He felt like he belonged with it, this felt like home to him and the moon made him wonder why he felt like this. The moon called to him, it felt so natural to be under it. Cassius continued to walk as he came up to the statue of Princess Celestia. He froze thinking it was a another pony, but after a few seconds he let loose the breath he held.
"Just a statue. Ha, a very nice one at that." he said to himself.
He took the time to admire the craftsmanship, he saw no blemishes on it at all. After while he began to head off again.
The next stop was a building that caught his attention. It looked as though it was a giant gingerbread house. Cassius stepped a little closer and sniffed one of it’s walls. He stuck out his tongue and licked the side. The taste was horrible and it almost made him want to vomit.
"You lied to me!" Cassius exclaimed to the false cookie building.
He looked over to see a sign that read "Sugar Cube Corner". Cassius saw a light flicker to life in the second floor window. He hurried to blend into the shadows of the wall as to not be seen. Suddenly the window open and a sleepy pink mare put her head out and looked around.
"Hello? Is anypony out there? Humph, If you are going to hide by my wall you can at least answer me." she said to Cassius looking in his direction.
Cassius was astounded by her ability to detect him so easily.
"Uh.. sorry madam. I was looking around and well, I was curious and tasted your home.
My most sincere apologies." He said as he stepped out from the shadows.
"Oh a new pony! My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but everypony calls me Pinkie Pie." she exclaimed in joy.
Cassius gave a slight bow, but cutting it short as a wave of pain washed over him. "I'm Cassius Miss. Pie."
Pinkie looked at her new friend with a smile that faded when she noticed the injuries he had. "Oh, Cassius what happened to you? Did something fall on you? Or did you get attacked by timberwolves. Oh, oh you were falling and landed in a wood chipper. Wait, if that happened you wouldn't be here right now."Pinkie Pie asked in rapid succession.
"No, I-I don't remember anything Miss. Pie, I just woke up about an hour ago." Cassius replied with his tone getting quieter.
"Oh, then you need to come back tomorrow and I will throw you a remember soon party. And you can call me Pinkie instead of Miss. Pie, that's my mothers name. Be here tomorrow at noon okay? And Cassius your ghost friend scared Twilight and Applejack last night. He needs to fix his approach. The whole white eyes of energy and psycho smile is over used. Anyhow, good night!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed then closed the window.
Cassius stood there in surprise and confusion about party pony he just met.
"What just happened? And what was she talking about?" Cassius asked to nopony in particular. "I do know one thing though, I'll never trust gingerbread houses again." Cassius told himself as he walked off closing his eye to think.
Cassius continued his night tour of Ponyville. He passed a school that looked nice. It had a playground with swings that that swung with the cool night air. It now had the scent of morning dew. As he continued he felt the pain from his wounds flush over him. It brought him to his haunches and almost made him pass out. His vision grew dark but didn't fade. He pushed past the pain and rose to his hooves. He had been walking for hours and the exertion on his damaged body was sapping his energy away with every step replacing it with pain. He passed an elegant building with a lovely sign that read, "Carousel Boutique". The building was lovely indeed, but it only took his attention because of its architecture and exterior design.
"A true Nobel must own this. Still it deserves a second look when I can manage." Cassius said taking a look at the falling moon.
He had been out all night and was in need for some much needed rest. With that Cassius had his mind made up. He headed back to the library and wondered if the baby dragon Spike would allow him back in.
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Spike heard a knock on the door to the library. He looked over to see of Twilight was up. She was fast asleep wrapped in fresh bandages and her blanket. With a sigh Spike crawled out of his bed making sure not to make a sound. He tiptoed down the wooden stairs and quietly opened the door to revealing the mummy of a pony now known Cassius. Some of his bandages were red with fresh blood.
"Cassius what happened? Where did you go?" the concerned dragon asked in a whisper.
"I took a stroll and reopened some of my wounds along the way. Can I come in?" Cassius explained matching Spikes whisper.
"Of course you can. Think of this as your home until you figure out who you are. Now let me change your bandages before something happens and Fluttershy kills me." Spike said stepping aside to let the large Pegasus in.
After twenty minutes of groans, pain, and fresh wrappings, Cassius was once again as good as new for the state they found him in. Minutes later he was fast asleep and the sun was just rising.