//------------------------------// // Digging for Coal // Story: Like it was Yesterday... // by Sparkler-iFIC //------------------------------// Everything about this place... It had a deeper feeling, a more happy effect in Twilight's heart. Even more so then it does in the future. One can just never retrieve the same proportion of happiness in something so bright after such a long period of time when things were the utmost cruelest of times. As she passed by through the streets, everyone either waved to her, or stopped and said Hello. Twilight Sparkle smiled to the ponies giving friendly waves in approval of her acknowledgement. The smiles, the shine... Everything. A smile spread across her muzzle. Three days of waiting just to get here... And she realized now that it was all worth it, after all who wouldn't love such a beautiful and glamorous sight such as this one right here? Though everything was nice... There was one small problem... This made her so home sick. "It looks like home, but it doesn't feel right." Twilight Sparkle duly noted to herself. It seemed like hours that she had been walking down the streets, wandering so far... What if she was sent into the wrong time? Would she have to wait years until she get's back? That couldn't be it... All of these doubts begin to pile up in her mind like newspapers from the Foal Free Press. Twilight Sparkle was only a unicorn at this time, so things were a lot more troubling. She had no wings, not as much magic as she'd like. And still a huge difficulty in fitting in. But as she thought about it more, being a Princess during this time would make it even more challenging. How would you feel if one day you just saw an alicorn passing by? One you never heard of, with all of this magic and all of this... Meaning. Yet no one had ever seen them before? Not even the Princesses. Once again she was to focused in thought, she needed to snap out of it! She had a huge mission ahead and she couldn't let these sorts of things distract her. Besides, why would she ever become an alicorn? And why would she ever be a Princess? None of this would ever happen. But... What if it did? She bit down on her lip. "Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. After reading that book in the library that one time I am not sure what to think. Now that I think about it those thoughts never really passed my mind until now- I'm just thinking on the dark side! I need to get on the good side of things. Besides, who ever get's to be sent on a mision back in time to recover something that could destroy all of Equestria if not done right?" She blinked for a few moments. "How could I ever think that's a good thing?" She asked herself, shaking her head slowly. "... All alone. If I fail this... I could never see my friends again! I must find him! I must- For Equestria!" She grinned as she regained her courage, "As Celestia as my witness I will never lose doubt again!" She had just reached the Castle at this moment before she had just been ran into by some sort of- ... Lunatic. As she scrambled to her hooves she turned looking back to seeing the charcoal pony run by. "... King Sombra..." Her voice sounded shaky as she didn't know how to react. Standing not to far from Starswirl and Princess Amore's view, she narrowed her eyes. "I can't let him escape my grasp... I was-" She stopped for a few moments, "Did he... Apologize to me?" She stood there with a blank face. Getting in a running position, she huffed. About to run off, she was stopped. "I'm terribly sorry my dear, but-" Starswirl just was about to stop her. 'I cannot see Luna or Celestia... Princess Amore, or Starswirl! Celestia never mentioned those two but they are connected to their history. I can't let them see me! Even though he's my life time hero... No- No! I can't fail this test because of stupid fan-tisies." Shaking her head she blurted out, "I'd love to talk more Mr. Beardie, but I can't!" She used her magic pink swirling all around her, as she teleported away. Leaving a small burnt mark in the floor. "I was going to ask where she got her stylist saddle bag. I could use one a stylist one at this moment. Blast!" He said stomping his hoof against the ground, returning to Princess Amore who just rolled her eyes. Teleporting into the crowd she blinked in surprise. "Today... it's the Crystal Heart fair! .. Last time I was at this time zone was when King Sombra was taking over..." She murmured to herself. Shaking her head, Twilight Sparkle snapped out of it. "Focus!" Quickly running through the crowd she pushed and shoved trying to get around. The Empire is a lot more full and busy during this time. How was she ever going to find him? Luckily he was a charcoal greyish black, otherwise he would be impossible to spot. But he wasn't as big and he didn't stand out as much as she was used to. There has to be a way of finding him. Maybe she could ask around. "Excuse me, do you know where Sombra is? Is that his name? He's a charoc-" They shook their head and continued walking on, without even letting her finish. Asking around, no one seemed to be able to help. Now just trotting through the area with little hope left... There were many ponies around who needed help. Often times during her search, she was asked for help because of her magical abilities. Many thanked her, other's generously befriended her and so on... Luckily it wasn't to many. Last thing she wanted to do was make a name for herself. She didn't even mean to, it was just a personal reflex to instantly help anypony in need. The day grew shorter and it was nearly sun high... Maybe she could find him tomorrow. "... I wish this was easier... I know I should stick to my roots though. If you befriend the librarian you can figure out just about anything." At least she knew where the library was... She only went to the library, because she gave up for the search today. It wasn't like her to give up, but finding him in that crowd was impossible. Sombra was a stand out, but there never was this many ponies in the Crystal Empire when Twilight visited in her time! As she trotted into the library she, looked around in awe. There were towers of books, crystal flooring, spiral stair cases... It shone with beauty and grade, her eyes sparkled as she gazed upon the place. Walking, every step she took echoed. "Some reading wouldn't hurt..." Twilight Sparkle said with a smile, her eyes glimmering in hope. This was a long time ago, and there weren't many windows. The place had very dim lighting, so they offered candle trays with a yellow wax candle. Lighting it, she made her way through the libraries, her eyes squinted as she browsed the books. At last she came across Crystal Empire History. It had the past history that went even farther then the books she had presently, but then again not as updated. Ancient spells she had never even heard of... Laying down comfortably in one spot, she opened up the book. With papers and a quill she was ready to take notes. Reading over the book, with fascination. The eagerness of learning knowledge, and the curiosity of a cat. Twilight Sparkle loved nothing more then reading and learning. The whispering sounds of crystals, and the eerie music of magic echoed through these endless halls. Every flip of the page, only had her grow with more fascination. Her candle glowing next to her, giving her the light she needed. It made her eyes shine with hope that tomorrow the continuation of the festival would bring her more luck. After all it was a three day festival. The first day was the enjoyment of eachother's company, the second day was the endearment of love and compassion, and lastly the third day was the day of hope. Tomorrow would be the day that the crystal ponies powered the Crystal Heart. Down the hall echoing grumbles of anger and plotting that filled the place with whispering noises. It was Starswirl, and a few other unicorns. Possibly his council. Even Clover the Clever! Keeping her nose down trying to continue reading the book, Clover the Clever turned her head looking to Twilight Sparkle. "We aren't alone." Starswirl couldn't see her properly, but he narrowed his eyes, "What are you doing in here? The library has been closed for over thirty minutes! It's the last day of the festival! You should be out there doing what other young ponies do." She blinked turning her gaze towards him. "Y-yes sir." She stood up putting the book back. Putting her scrolls and quills back into her saddle bag, she lifted up her candle and made her way down the hall. They caught sight of her being a unicorn. Giving a small hmmph they all trotted away. Twilight Sparkle ran out of the Library looking around. The brightness of the area hurt her ideas, her pupils dilated as she tried to adjust. "One day left? Nothing important happened without me I hope... If I can't stay in the library I'm stuck out here searching aimlessly." She told herself. "Why does finding ponies have to be so hard? Maybe he'll run into me again. And I can stop him this time... But anyway, I can see they haven't powered the crystal heart yet, so that's a plus." She noted to herself as she trotted through the streets again...