//------------------------------// // Perplexed Purple Pony Princess Has A Perplexing Puzzle // Story: I'm Not A God! // by jwizard //------------------------------// Oh, hello again! Back for more? So, who have we covered so far? Celestia and Luna, right. So, that leaves Cadance, Twilight, Twilight again, and Sunset Shimmer. *sigh* As much as I’d like to say otherwise, the only aid I’ve given the Princess of Love has been advice. Well, unless you count how Sombra was dealt with. Considering that that was my house and not me, I’m not sure that really qualifies or not… Anyway, that leaves Twilight one and two, as well as Sunny. *snicker* You’ll really love how I helped Twilight… Then again, considering bronies’ opinions on this particular issue, you might be in that group that hated this part… *grins* Oh, you’ll see.. I had been spending my day working on enchanting some crystals; I had a feeling that that they would be needed soon. I was naturally taking advantage of the fact that I had once more started my day as ‘His Royal Highness Able Hooves, Alicorn of Aid.’ Why the title? Because your pony readers persist on calling me a god, no matter how many times I say otherwise… *clears throat* Anyway, as I shamefully abused my alicorn nature to enchant gems, I waited oh so patiently for whomever needed my aid. I was working up to a scrying spell on a pure sapphire when I heard the clop of hooves behind me. I turned to see that it was none other than Princess Twilight Sparkle herself. She bowed as I turned, blushing slightly. “Well, if it isn’t Purple Smart in the flesh!” I said teasingly. She rolled her eyes at that. “You and Rainbow just love calling me that; I don’t know whether to take it as an insult or a compliment,” she snarked back. I shook my head, chuckling. “Well, since you’re here instead of using Celly’s mirror, then you must be why I’m like this,” I said, wiggling my wings for emphasis. Twilight nodded. “There’s a problem going on at the Palace of Friendship. The Cutie Map has gone dark for some reason. Celestia and Luna aren’t any more sure why than I am, so they think you might be able to help.” I know what you’re thinking. Believe me, I agree; when I first found out that the Cutie Map was real, I about lost it. I mean, seriously; what kind of magical tree creates what amounts to a ‘Friendship Trouble Alert’ artifact?! It’s like a bad knock off of the ‘Challenge of the Super-Friends.’ Then again, when we finally figured out what was wrong, it made for utter and complete sense. Also, utter and complete stupidity, but that’s another tale. I sat staring at Twilight. She started looking concerned, but frowned when I abruptly facehoofed. “So, lemme get this straight; you, Celly, and obviously this house of mine, think I should help you and your friends fix your ‘Friendship Trouble Alert!’, because it’s gone dark?! I’d at least think that Celestia of all ponies would be relieved at that; she’s never liked the thing!” Twilight scowled. “No, nor has Luna, Spike, or Applejack. And now i can add you on the list of ponies and dragons that doesn’t like a priceless magical artifact that has only benefited us.” She stomped her hoof in frustration. “I’d have thought that the creator of the Alicorn Amulet would appreciate all the good that has come as a result, and would be willing to help. But I guess not.” As she turned to leave, I trotted to get in front of her. “Listen here Purple Smart! I didn’t even imply that I wouldn’t help. I have never refused help to anypony since all of this started; the only reason I ask for something in return for my services is because that’s part of it.” I stared into her eyes, causing her to flinch. “I was just commenting on the absurdity of fixing something that your own mentor doesn’t like or trust. Twilight sighed. “I get that, but she really hasn’t had much choice.” She ran a hoof through her mane. “It’s just, I don’t even know where to begin! Because of obvious reasons, there’s never been much research in the Tree itself.” I frowned. “Now that’s not right. It was studied extensively several times that I know of personally. Either those were all lost, or some kind of action was taken to suppress the information.” Turning to my work-table, I grabbed the as-yet unenchanted sapphire and the scrying spell, placing both in a saddlebag that I then placed on my back. I then smiled sardonically. “It looks like I’m more directly involved in this than I thought. Shall we?” Twilight nodded. Together, we made our way to where the portal was. Once on the other side, I found that we were at the main entrance that led to Throne Room in Twilight’s chambers. Twilight blinked. “Huh? The terminus should be my bathroom door; that’s where I was when I asked Epona to send aid.” I smirked. “I get that, but I wanted to come out here instead; the locator spell will work much better here.” I trotted over to the map. I shook my head at the irony of ‘fixing’ it, then took out the items I needed to fix it. I only needed to reference the scroll to find the glyph for knowledge. Once I was certain, I charged the sapphire, and activated the spell matrix. The sapphire glowed brightly, then flashed forward, colliding with Twilight’s throne. There was a flash of incandescent light, momentarily blinding both myself and Twilight. When the spots cleared from my eyes, I blinked again before abruptly facehoofing. There, sprawled amongst roughly three dozen scrolls and tomes were six very familiar ponies. As Clover started to stagger to her hooves, I had this to say: “Well, Star Swirl always did say you were more reckless than he ever was. Quite a bit more clever as well.” Not quite as expected, no? Well, not for Twilight at least. I always expected something like this, as my own examination- done off-world -bore out the fact that the Tree of Harmony was an artifact. It all goes back to when Discord first appeared in Equestria. His changes were so brutal that it took everything Clover had just to preserve a small community in the center of the Everfree Forest. She soon found out that the casting of the Fire of Friendship is what summoned him. So, they needed a counter; a way for Celesti and Lune- Celestia and Luna -to tie themselves the Six Aspects of Harmony. This required a sacrifice. The casting of the Ritual involved many years, and is far too involved to give details. All you need to know is that it ultimately led to the Six Founders becoming the Tree. After a fashion anyway. Once Twilight named herself ‘Princess of Friendship’, the roles of the Avatars had switched from the founders to the Mane Six. All the Cutie Map was was a rite of Passage; a way for each Avatar to prove her worth. Why did the research disappear? *grumbles* You can thank Discord, Prismia, Chrysalis, and Tirek for that. Every single conflict with them was perpetuated by their spies removing key books and placing them in a sealed vault on Lune’s far surface. They’re not there anymore, of course; my payment was Luna’s permission to go there and personally remove the spells that both sealed them there, and brought any others to that place. Anyway, things are going well for the two sets of Avatars. The Founders are settling in well; all six of them got a handle on speaking without the use of Ye Olde Butchered Equish; Pansy was the first, being a polyglot. *starts to snicker* The thing I think is the most amusing is that Twilight finally found somepony she could relate to. She and Smart Cookie hit it off so well that they’re now an item. They're currently making waves, as Smart Cookie is living up to his title by streamlining Equestria's government with Twilight a willing assistant. They’re the only ones though, as Sleipnir regularly visits his wives. Chancellor Level Head has already had a family, and Platinum and Hurricane are already married. To each other. That, I will say, I expected, as I was there for the wedding. It’s why she surrendered her crown; she was forced out of the unicorn tribe for both marrying a ‘hated pigeon’ and marrying a mare. The map is still there; Twilight was able to fix it with the research I provided. Now though, she has enhanced it; it now gives more details than just using flashing Cutie Marks. Oh, in case you're wondering; why did all the girls play the founders when two were stallions? A combination of personality and tradition. Early plays never used stallions even though they were often directors of them. For reasons that should be rather obvious. It's one of the many rather stupid traditions that still remain; like magic not being allowed in Winter Wrap-Up. Of course, that one is really only in Ponyville, and specifically states no unicorn magic. Which wasn't told to Twilight, as she would have rightfully pointed out that that is illegal. It's also only been in effect since the current mayor has been in office, as she pushed for it. The only reason she's still there is because nopony else wants the position. Mayor Mare isn't really in charge anyway. Well, that’s all for that story. I’ll tell you about Twilight #2 after I get some lunch.