CHAPTER 17
THE SCHOLAR AND THE LIBRARIAN
"Good morning. Ms. Twilight Sparkle I presume?" Solstice said smiling warmly at her.
"Why...why yes. That's me." the mare got out feeling more nervous than she had ever been before. This had never happened before. "I...er...well...I mean...Are you new here? Because...I don't think I've seen you before..."
"Ah yes; I just arrived here in Ponyville today actually." He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh, please forgive me. Where are my manners?" He chuckled, stepped back and bowed. "A pleasure to meet you Ms. Sparkle. I am Solstice, a humble scholar seeking answers."
Twilight heard stifled laughter from within her home. "It's nice to meet you too Solstice. W-Would you like to come inside?"
"I'd love to."
Twilight backed up and allowed Solstice to enter the library. As he did, he craned his neck upwards, taking in the various tomes and volumes around him. Twilight watched as his eyes sparkled in amazement as he took the sight of so many books."I must say, this is quite the collection Ms. Sparkle. Did you collect all of these yourself?" he asked.
"Oh no. All these books were here when I got here." Twilight explained as he looked in wonder at the library. "I-If you really like libraries, you should really see one in Canterlot."
"The Canterlot Library? Oh, you've no idea how long I've dreamed to pay it a visit." Solstice admitted. "Five stories of age-old knowledge perfectly preserved for generations." He gave out a dreamy sigh. "If you've been there, I'd love to hear all about it."
That brought a smile on her face and sent her thoughts a whirl. Wow...He likes books...like me...He likes libraries...like me!
More stifled laughter brought her back to reality. Twilight turned around seeing Rarity and Spike apparently enjoying what they were seeing. Her cheeks flushed, she realized that she forgot they were there.
"Friends of your I take it?" Solstice asked.
"Y-yeah." She cleared her throat. "This is my friend Rarity and my assistant Spike. Guys, I'd you both to meet Solstice."
"A pleasure to meet you two." Solstice bowed once more. Twilight thought she saw her unicorn friend's eyes flutter. Solstice turned back to the librarian. "Forgive me. I had no idea you had a prior engagement. Perhaps I could return at a more appropriate-"
"Oh no; It's quite all right actually. I was just about to leave." Rarity said surprising her unicorn friend. "Twilight, do you mind if I borrowed Spike for a moment? I've run out of gems, and I'd love his help in finding some more."
"R-Really?" Spike asked excited to spend some time with her. "Can I Twilight? Please?" he begged.
"But-But Rarity-" Twilight began but never finished due to Rarity placing hoof on her shoulder.
"Solstice, do you mind giving us a moment?"
The colt nodded, and Rarity pulled her friend aside and spoke in a hushed, hurried manner. "Twilight, listen to me and listen well. A young, handsome gentlecolt with whom you share quite a few interests is taking interest in you. You. Do. Not. Pass. Up. This. Opportunity." She punctuated each work with a light tap to Twilight's chest.
"Wh-what?"
Rarity just smiled slyly at her and made her way to the door. "A pleasure to have met you Solstice. Come now Spike, I won't be able to find those gems without you."
Twilight just watched her leave the library along with her love-struck assistant. Solstice turned to her and smiled. "Why they seem like lovely friends of yours." he commented.
"Oh...Yes. If you're staying here in town, I'd love to introduce my other friends." she said nervous now that they were all alone.
Solstice chuckled and adjusted his glasses a bit. "That would be lovely, but my stay won't be for long. In fact, I came here looking for you Ms. Sparkle."
Twilight felt her cheeks flush once again at that. "Y-You know, you could just call me Twilight. I mean, you don't look that much younger than me."
"Very well then Twilight." Solstice continued. "I'm in the middle of some research, and while testing a theory of mine, it was recommended that I consult you."
Solstice smiled, liking the way he was wording out his goals without giving up too much information. He wasn't anything like Ironhead and his ability to lie easily and make thing up on the spot; no, he knew how to work words well.
"Wow...I...don't know what to say." Twilight said. "W-would you like to discuss this over some tea?"
"That sounds lovely."
Solstice sat down while Twilight poured him some tea, noticing the amethysts that were her eyes sparkled like her name suggested. He watched her silky mane flow as she turned to pour herself some tea and smiled. She sat down and took a sip as well.
"So this research you're doing, is it really something I can help you with?" Twilight asked.
"Well, you certainly have the resources." Solstice looked around the library, stopping only when he saw a particular shelf. "Are those books authored by Star Swirl the Bearded himself?"
"Why yes they are." Twilight said. "I have a few copies of them back in my old home in Canterlot. I remember my parents getting me the Beginner, Intermediate and Advance Guides to Spellcasting. It took me about a month to go through each of-"
At that moment, Solstice gave out a yawn and scratched his eye. "Oh, forgive my rudeness." he said quickly before Twilight could think he was getting bored. "I was up all night doing my research."
Twilight sighed in relief. "Trust me; I've been there." She raised her cup. "You have no idea how many times Spike tries to tell me to sleep in the middle of an all-night study session. Rarity even tells me it's horrible for my skin, that I'll get wrinkles or something."
"My father reprimands me for doing that all the time."
"It's bothersome right? I mean, you're not supposed to sleep during one."
"That is the point of an all-night study session."
"Exactly. I know he's worried about my health and Rarity my looks, but look at me. I'm fine."
"Indeed you are. You look absolutely lovely today Twilight." Solstice raised his cup as well. She slowly took a sip feeling a bit like Fluttershy at the moment. "Anyway, I too have the Beginner, Intermediate and Advance Guides to Spellcasting. It took me much longer than you did to go through them completely." Solstice admitted. "Right after learning a spell, I'd try to perform it right away with sometimes catastrophic results. When I was young, I accidentally mixed up a color-changing spell with a multiplication spell. The frog I was attempting to turn orange suddenly turned into a thousand frogs; it took my family an entire week to clean them out."
"That's hilarious." Twilight said smiling and reminiscing about her younger days. "You know Spike? I once tried a spell to put him in a tux, but I accidentally put him in a dress! And it just so happened that Rarity came by at the exact moment!"
He chuckled at the memories and made her chuckle as well. This was tuning out better than he had expected. He stopped laughing however upon seeing a particular book on the shelf. "May I?" he asked pointing at it.
"Go ahead Solstice." The latter thanked her and levitated the book over to him. It was On the Natural Balance 1st Edition written by his father. "That's a pretty old book. It was written way before I was born."
"It's outdated." Solstice told her.
"I...I'm sorry. What?" she asked.
He thought about it for a moment. "Could you please excuse me for a few seconds?"
Twilight nodded and saw his horn glow with a teal aura. A second later, he was gone in a flash of teal light. About ten seconds later, he reappeared levitating a book from the library back at his home. He passed it over to Twilight.
"I'm sure this will make a wonderful addition to your library." he said.
Twilight looked at the cover and couldn't believe her eyes. "On the Natural Balance...5th Edition?!" she said excitedly. Solstice noted how adorable she looked. Indeed, as her eyes turned up to him wide with wonder, he felt his heart strings tug a bit. "Solstice, I appreciate the thought, but this is your book right? I can't just take it."
"Oh no need to worry." His horn glowed once more, enveloping the book once again in a teal aura. He concentrated his magic, and another flash later, the book landed in Twilight's hooves. However, Solstice was levitating a second, identical book with his magic.
"Was that a replication spell?" she asked him.
"I thought a unicorn as talented as yourself would recognize it." Solstice answered. "Yes indeed it is. There should be a small coffee stain on the upper left corner of page 72 if I'm not mistaken."
Twilight opened the book, and true enough, there it was, a small, dark brown spot on the upper right corner of page 72." Wow." was all she could say. "Thank you."
"Oh it's nothing honestly. While learning magic, you could say I had a little help." Solstice said placing a hoof on his chest.
Twilight glanced a the book and looked at him. "Looks like another all-night study session for me."
Solstice laughed at her little joke. "Unless you fall asleep in the middle of it that is. Believe me, it's happened to me one or two times."
Twilight chuckled a little, a sound which Solstice found adorable. Gazed into his teacup for a while before looking up at her. "Twilight...You know, I came to this library hoping to find more evidence to prove my theory correct. Instead, well, I've found something even better-a charming young mare."
Twilight lost count of how many times she blushed since they first met. "Y-y-you think I'm...charming...?" she asked wondering if she heard him right.
He nodded and smiled. "Twilight, I've had a delightful time since I came in here, and it's been such a delight spending time with you."
"I...I had fun too Solstice." Twilight old him. "To be honest, it's usually just me, my friends and my studies. I've never really...spent this much time alone with a guy before."
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow. "It's such a shame that others can't see how lovely you truly are." Twilight looked away and blushed once again. "It pains me to say that my time here is only temporary, but once I am finished, perhaps I could return to Ponyville and get to know you more. Say perhaps, over coffee?"
The offer seemed like a good one. Slightly dazed, Twilight was already considering having Spike push back her perfectly made schedule for the rest of the month just for that one time. "That...that sound nice." she said. "I can't wait."
Solstice smiled and took another sip. "Wonderful. Now, back to my research."
"Oh, of course. Almost forgot there." Twilight admitted. "So what is it you're looking into?"
There was a slight pause. "The Elements of Harmony."
Twilight was about to take a sip, but she put her cup down upon hearing what he said. "Th-the Elements of Harmony? Wh-what exactly do you need?"
"Well for starters, I'd like to know where they are." Solstice set his cup down, but as he looked back up, he noticed a change in Twilight's expression. She now seemed worried about something. "Is something the matter Twilight?"
"N-no; it's just...what do you want with the Elements?" she asked him, her mind flashing back to all those weeks ago.
"I require them for my research. Have you any idea where they are?" he asked confused by the sudden change in atmosphere.
Twilight paused an looked away. "They're...they're not here in Ponyville. I don't know where they are."
"I have reason to believe that they are indeed here." Solstice said noticing her hesitation. "You are a passionate researcher are you not? As am I; I will not let this go unless my theory is either proven right or wrong. Allow me to ask again; where are the Elements of Harmony?"
Twilight remained silent, a small layer of sweat on her forehead. "Twilight," Solstice continued. "Unless you tell me the location of the Elements, well...let's just say something...unfortunate could happen to you, your friends, and Ponyville in general."
The librarian could believe it; was that a threat?! "Please just answer me Twilight; where are the Elements of Harmony?" Solstice asked once again.
His face was calm, but Twilight's showed tension. Ever since that incident, she had taken extra precautions about the Elements and would alway feel anxiety when the subject of their protection was brought up. Could he be in league with whoever tried to steal the Elements all those weeks ago? He seemed like a nice guy, but what did he want with the Elements?
It all came down to choosing between the elements or her friends. How would they feel if they found out she gave up the Elements? They were practically powerless without the Elements. She remembered how much they tried to get them back when they went missing once.
But either way, something bad was going to happen to Ponyville. She remembered what the six of them were able to accomplish. They defeated Nightmare Moon. They defeated Discord. As long as they had the Elements-no. As long as they had each other, nothing would happen, not on their watch.
"I'm...not telling you." she finally told the colt.
Solstice gazed at her seriousness for a moment and nodded. "I see...So that is your decision..." He sighed; there was only one way to get the information now. "I have a brother Twilight, and he created, well, 'titles' he 'bestowed' upon me and the rest of our family. Do you know what I am known as?"
Before Twilight could answer, a sphere of teal light appeared at the tip of his horn and grew to the size of a soccer ball With a jerk of his head, the sphere was launched; it hit the window, phased right through it and went skywards. Several feet above the library, it suddenly exploded giving out a loud boom, a bright, teal flash and showing off several arcs of teal magical energy.
Twilight felt the explosion from within the library. She looked over at Solstice. He had a twinkle in his blue green eyes and a playful smile upon his lips.
"I am the Magic of Discord."