//------------------------------// // Ch. 4 - The New Normal // Story: Equestria World, Book 2: The Rise of Harmony // by Gear Works //------------------------------// Over at Celestia and Luna’s home, Twilight Sparkle, Moon Dancer, Sugarcoat, and Nurse Redheart were working with Miss Luna on looking through her research notes about dreamscaping. Luna had to step aside when she got a call from Mrs. Harshwhinny, leaving the others to the research. They would have a theory about using dreamscape with Jack and Sunset’s soul link powers, but it would require some medical equipment for the job. “So how long will it take to get the equipment?” asked Twilight. “A couple of days, at least,” Nurse Redheart replied. “I can contact the chief staff at the hospital tomorrow and see if they have the equipment available. If I’m lucky, I should have it by Wednesday.” “That would be wise, since basketball tryouts will be held Thursday afternoon for both schools, and we need to know more about our powers and how got them if we plan to confront Starlight Glimmer when the tournament comes around,” Sugarcoat plainly explained. Twilight let out a sigh. “You still think that she’s not a part of the Dark Star Organization?” Moon Dancer asked Twilight. “She’s done a lot for Manehattan. More than anyone else. I’ve even met her a couple of times in person. One of those times was when I won the nation spelling bee while I was in the 6th grade, and that was when she was starting off as mayor.” “Twilight, she’s a politician. Politicians will do what they can to get what they want,” Sugarcoat explained to Twilight. “You don’t see Mayor Mare doing that, now do you?” Moon Dancer looked at Sugarcoat and said, “She’s got a point.” “Then why do you think Jack and the others created the Manehattan Knights?” The girls looked at Nurse Redheart. “It was to make sure that Jack’s powers were kept secret. Whether they are good or bad, it would make Jack a big target towards everyone else. I think he wanted to stay out of the spotlight until all this happened.” “And now there’s a chance that he could be a target,” Moon Dancer added. “Then lets make sure he’s not a target, because I just got some new theories for you girls.” Luna walk into the study where the others were at. “I just got off the phone with Mrs. Harshwhinny. There’s a good chance that Dark Star might have come into our nation sometime after the raid of the temple, and has been around for a long time.” “Well, it can be possible to enter as an immigrant back then,” said Sugarcoat. “Security was lax back then, and it would be hard to keep up with those who have entered back then.” “You would have to have a valid visa to enter, and I doubt that it can be forged for them to enter,” said Twilight. “Not unless you were a soul eater,” said Moon Dancer. “Remember Jack’s report? It was a soul eater who invaded the temple. And soul eaters feed off the souls of those in distress and take over their bodies.” “And the only soul eater we know is the one called the Mane-iac,” said Luna. “She could have even taken another body after she came through. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were more soul eaters hiding in plain sight.” “You don’t think that Starlight Glimmer could be a soul eater?” said Sugarcoat. “She already lost her foster parents when she was young. That would make her an easy target.” “Can’t be. She was with Ms. Raven at the time, and she recovered from her loss very fast,” explained Twilight. “What about Principal Cinch. Indigo said that she’s been acting strange as of late.” Luna almost had a look of shock, but did her best to hide it. “Sunny Flare would have caught on to her, so I doubt that would be the case,” explained Sugarcoat. “Unless you know something that we don’t know, Miss Luna.” Sugarcoat was able to catch a hint of shock from Luna before it disappeared. Luna rubbed the back of her neck, saying, “Not…that I know of.” Sugarcoat raised an eyebrow to her remark. “Besides, it might be best to wait until we hear back from River Song about the soul eaters in detail.” Luna went to clear her throat. “But there’s another theory that I want to run by you, Sugarcoat. Is it possible to bend the fabric of reality with your powers?” “What are you saying?” asked Twilight. “It’s only a guess, but if Dark Star was creating super soldiers back then, one possibility would be to have them control whatever is around them.” “Well, we know that whenever someone soul shifts, time slows down for them, which makes them look quick from our view,” explained Moon Dancer. “But the problem we have, from Indigo’s view, is that it leaves us dizzy in the process,” Sugarcoat added. “But the idea to control what’s around us…well…” She placed her hand of her chin and started to think about it. She started to think about elements, theories, equations, changes…whatever could come to mind. Each question led to another question, and another, and another until… “Sugarcoat!” Twilight’s voice snapped Sugarcoat out of her train of thoughts. “You’ve been deep in thought. Are you OK?” asked Twilight. “Yea. It’s just…I need to step outside.” Sugarcoat walked out of the study and went outside. “What’s gotten into her?” asked Moon Dancer. “I don’t know. Maybe I should find out.” Twilight left the study to check up on Sugarcoat, leaving Luna, Moon Dancer, and Nurse Redheart in the room. “Well, if you don’t need me for anything else, I think I’ll head home,” said Nurse Redheart. “Thanks for getting this prepared. It would be nice to see Master Blades again, even if it’s in the afterlife,” said Luna. Nurse Redheart nodded and left the room. “Miss Luna, Jack told me about Principal Cinch. Do you think she could be possessed by a soul eater?” asked Moon Dancer. “I hope that’s not the case. But we can’t take anything to chance. I would like to know more when we meet Starlight Glimmer, see if Jack can sense anything different between her and Principal Cinch. I have a feeling that this would be a long road ahead of us.” Outside, Sugarcoat was sitting on the steps at the back of the house, staring at the sky. Twilight was able to step outside and sit next to her. Both of them were staring at the sky in silence until Twilight spoke up. “Is everything OK with you?” “I’m surprised that someone like you would care for me, after what we have done to each other in the past. You never really cared about anyone from a rival school,” explained Sugarcoat. “Because everyone there were either stuck up or focused on themselves,” said Twilight. “But even I can be wrong sometimes.” Sugarcoat let out a sigh. “I’m been thinking a lot. About our powers, our school, our lives…I don’t even know what to make of this.” She looked to Twilight and said, “I’m the top of my class among all the students over there. I’ve even made the Dean’s list in our city twice. And yet, the only other person on that list that matches my level is you. And you were planning to attend Crystal Prep, but changed your mind and went to Canterlot High.” “I did that because I wanted to challenge myself,” replied Twilight. “I couldn’t see the challenge at Crystal Prep like I wanted to see at Mane Coast Academy. And so far, it’s worked in my favor.” “But when I saw you on that list, I thought that you couldn’t be that smart because you attended what we believed to be a second rate school. But every time I try to do something, you were able to match my skill level. And now with these…powers, I don’t know if I’m truly smart after learning more about this gift.” “Sugarcoat, powers or not, you’re just as smart as me. So far, we read that they affect physical and mental skills. They don’t make someone smart.” “But my tactical strategy-” “Is your mind at work,” Twilight said, cutting Sugarcoat off. “You might be able to sense what’s coming, but you have been able to plan it out easily without using your gift. Something like that is never easy for most people.” Sugarcoat let out another sigh. “You remember that one summer after our freshman year?” Twilight asked. Sugarcoat nodded. “It was a student debate program, which allowed some of the best students to debate on various problems and how to resolve them.” “We were debating heavily against each other that we were at each others throats,” said Twilight. “And then people started to say that both of us would make great leaders in the future,” said Sugarcoat. “I wasn’t sure if that was a compliant or a joke.” “I’m pretty sure it was a compliant. But I feel better not to face you head on if it was for president.” Both of them laughed. “Agreed.” Sugarcoat started to think again, then asked, “I’ve been wondering. How were you able to deal with Sunset Shimmer last year? I heard about what she was trying to do to you online. But how I see her now is completely different.” “You can thank Jack for that.” Twilight let out a sigh herself. “I had friends who came to my aid when it all started. And it might have taken a year to catch her in the act, but if it wasn’t for Jack who stepped in these past few months, I would have never knew the reason for her actions in the first place. I have to learn that I can’t judge a book by its cover until I read the story inside.” “Even if that book has magical powers?” Twilight let out a chuckle. “Yes, even if it has magical powers.” They were quiet again before Twilight spoke. “Have you ever wished that things would be normal? I mean getting caught up in this mess.” “I don’t think anything can ever be normal. But being a part of a mess this big is something I wish never happen. But now, I don’t have much of a choice. I have to learn more about these powers, while you have to piece together the were-a-bouts of a lost professor that studied this stuff. Maybe one day, things would return to normal, but there’s no telling when that will happen.” “Then I guess we have to enjoy what we have one day at a time,” said Twilight. “No telling what could happen next.” As things went quiet again, it was then disturbed when Moon Dancer came outside. “You two might want to come inside. There’s someone who wants to talk to us.” All three of them went inside and joined Luna in the study. She was on the computer talking to someone on the other end. When they went to see who was on the monitor, it was Professor River Song and another man with her. He had tan skin and short, white hair, and was wearing a white lab coat. It was Twilight who recognized the man in the lab coat. “Professor Digger!” “Well, well, well. If it isn’t my brightest student who likes to help me out with my work,” replied Mr. Digger. “Your vice principal has been telling me about you and Jack. It’s nice to see both of you working together. It’s too bad that this meeting couldn’t be on friendlier terms.” “I’ve filled him in on what we discussed yesterday,” said River Song. “And if it’s who you think it is, then this could get more problematic,” said Mr. Digger. “I’m grateful to give Jack those two blades as a parting gift. And now that I know one possible story with those blades, it was wise to do so.” “You weren’t one to part with a treasure like that without a good reason,” said Twilight. “Oh, I can see that you met my friend, Moon Dancer. This girl here is Sugarcoat. She’s a student of Crystal Prep.” “So I have been told,” Mr. Digger replied. “And with this group called the Dark Star Organization out there, it’s a surprised that they would be using students like her to experiment on for their research in secret.” “I’m guessing that you have no info on the soul eaters, right?” said Sugarcoat. “Spoilers, dear,” replied River Song. “You can’t expect this stuff to come in a day. But there’s something else you need to see.” The two professors stepped aside to show a table with several oriental weapons on display. “These are the items that came in yesterday,” Mr. Digger explained. “They look like weapons that samurai and shogun warriors would use during the Feudal Era,” said Luna. “Indeed so. But there’s something different about these weapons.” Mr. Digger brought up on of the small katanas to show. Twilight took a closer look on the screen. “Is it made of…silver?” “That’s what they want you to think it is. But take a closer look.” Mr. Digger took the blade and reflected it off a light, revealing a hint of blue in it. “This is not your typical metal that we know. My guess is that it’s mythril.” “Mythril?” “Yes.” Mr. Digger explained. “From what I have learned in various records, it’s an ancient metal that existed back in the dark ages, maybe before it. It’s light, yet powerful, and very rare. To see something like this exist is mind blowing.” “How come we never heard about this metal in science classes,” asked Sugarcoat. “Because it became extinct long ago. Some even think a metal like this would not be from this world. No one knows the truth about this.” Twilight asked, “Do you know where this was found, professor?” “An ancient temple in Japon that has been long abandoned,” he replied. “It’s also hundreds of miles from where the temple was that was raided by Dark Star,” River Song added. “Hold on.” Luna remembered something and went to her cabinet, where she kept all of Master Blades’ belongings. She went into a drawer and took out what was to be a silver dagger. She took it back to the desk for the others to see as she shined the lamp on it, revealing a hint of blue like the others. “A mythril dagger?” replied Twilight. “Yes. It was something that Master Blades had with him. I thought it was a silver dagger that he got somewhere, but the blue that can be revealed was proof enough that it wasn’t silver,” explained Luna. “How did he get his hands on it?” asked Moon Dancer. “I don’t know. But I plan to find out when I get to see him in the Realm of Souls.” “Now this is a surprise,” Mr. Digger said. “Perhaps the temple would have something like this as well.” “Sorry, but my inside source never really found any weapons around,” said River Song. “That could be a problem,” said Mr. Digger. “Why is that?” asked Twilight. “Because another shipment of these items was to come to me from the UK. They were weapons that had a tint of blue on them. But the items were stolen before they could be shipped. I was lucky enough to get the pictures from the team before they were stolen. And these weapons were from the middle ages, medieval weapons.” “Could it have been grave robbers that did this?” asked Moon Dancer. “That was my first thought. But in light of certain events, I think this Dark Star group is behind this. And they could be looking for one weapon of choice, Excalibur.” “You mean the legendary sword of the king of Canterlot? Why would they be looking for that?” asked Sugarcoat. “I don’t know. But it could be the same reason that they were looking for Masamune and Muramasa. There could be a connection, but I’m not sure what that would be,” Mr. Digger explained. “They’re all sacred weapons of this world, that’s for sure,” said Twilight. “Well, whatever it is, I can’t leave these weapons here, in case they were to come and take them,” said Mr. Digger. “Miss Luna, I think it would be best if you hold on to these weapons, since you would have better knowledge of what style they are,” explained River Song. “How soon can you bring them to me?” asked Luna. “It won’t be until I come over for your Christmas party. I’ll have them stored away at Double Diamond’s place until then. I’ll also see to it that you get the pictures of the stolen weapons as well.” “Thank you, River Song. I’ll see to it that I have a place to keep them safe when you arrive.” “Twilight, see to it that Jack is kept safe. I know he can handle himself, but it’s best to have friends at his side during all of this. We can’t take any chances with this group around,” Mr. Digger explained. “I will, professor.” “And tell him I said hi, OK?” Twilight let out a chuckle. “I will, professor.” “River Song, keep me in touch if you learn anything new,” said Luna. “Will do. Take care.” River Song turned off the video connection. “Mythril weapons. What purpose would they have, besides being so rare?” asked Twilight. “I don’t know. But until we get them here, we will have to put that aside for later,” said Luna. “I’ll bring the dagger later on in the week to show the others. I need to talk to Master Blades about how he got this.” “Good. Because I have some questions that I hope he can answer me as well,” said Twilight. Luna stared at Twilight and said, “Excuse me?” “Look. I’ve been dragged into this mess because you needed my help. At least let me join you to the realm so I can see it for myself.” Luna placed her hand on her face, shaking it side to side. “She does have a point,” said Moon Dancer. “If she’s going to be studying Star Swirl’s book, then I think she deserves to join you guys on this trip. Getting an idea of what she’s dealing with could help her.” “Thank you.” Luna looked at Twilight and said, “OK. You can come with us to the Realm of Souls. But we’ll have to make sure that the four of us can travel there safely.” “Miss Luna. I want to run this theory about bending reality with the other Shadowbolts. Since we all have powers, maybe we can see if what was brought up can work,” explained Sugarcoat. “Alright. But be careful. We don’t want to tip the rest of the school off about this,” said Luna. “If you learn about something, let me know,” said Twilight. “We might be able to run it by with Jack if possible.” “I will,” said Sugarcoat. “And Twilight…be careful. With you holding on to Star Swirl’s research, you could become a target if they were to find out.” “Don’t worry. I have my friends with me. And that includes Jack and his gift. If Dark Star wants to start something, then we’ll be ready for them when the time comes.” Luna looked at them and said, “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”