//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10: Where the Storytellers Live 
// Story: The King of Swing 
// by The Sonic Mage 
//------------------------------//

The four ponies came to an old house on the far side of town. 

Night Light climbed the steps to the front door, his three disguised compatriots following behind him. With a deep breath, he knocked on the door in a rhythmic pattern.

About a minute later, an oak-wood brown unicorn with a thick, groomed, gray handlebar mustache and beard, graying, low cut, blonde mane, and tail, opened the door. 

It was another face that Radiant recognized.

‘Dusty Pages?’ Radiant thought.

“Good morning, Dusty,” Night Light greeted.

‘The old professor from the Crystal Empire Graduate Preparatory School!’ Radiant thought, trying to keep her realization to herself.

“It’s been a while since you’ve been around to visit,” the professor said, scrutinizing Night Light.

“Well, I’ve been busy doing my job,” Light responded, “May we come in?”

“We?”

“*sigh*, I brought along some friends.”

Light stepped to the side, allowing the professor behind to see his three tag-a-longs.

“Well as long as you all promise to behave yourselves.”

“Thank you, sir.” 

“Please, come inside all of you,” the older unicorn said, “I was about to make some crumpets.” They followed the professor into the house, Radiant being more cautious than the others.

The interior was vastly different from Night Light’s living situation. It was suitable for a professor. There were plenty of bookshelves, filled with literature on a variety of academic subjects. There were proper door ways that separated most of the rooms. It wasn’t anything spectacular but it was more of a house than Night Light’s dwelling, which was more of a large attic.

Dusty lead them to the kitchen, where a cup of tea sat on the table.

“So,” the professor said, “To what do i owe the pleasure of this visit?”

“Professor Pages,” Night Light started, letting out a sigh, “I have a biography and would like to see the editor.” Night Light said, to the confusion of the still disguised Radiant and Princesses.

Dusty’s face became very stern and serious. He glared at Radiant and the Princesses, then back at Night Light.

“Are you sure they’re trustworthy?” He asked in a hushed tone.

“I’m beyond sure,” Night Light assured, “Now: I’d like to see the editor.”

Keeping an eye on Night Light’s accompaniment, Dusty slowly went over to one of the locked cabinets close to the sink. Using his magic he reached into his pockets and pulled out a key. 

Inserting the key into the lock he twisted it and revealed an empty cabinet. He then reached in, grabbed a hidden handle on the floor of the cabinet, and pulled up revealing a hidden staircase. 

Radiant, ‘Sunny Skies’, and ‘Starry Night’ all looked on in surprise. 

Dusty stepped aside.

“Guests first,” he said, motioning towards the hidden passageway.

Slowly, the four ponies crawled in and started their way down.





After about a minute of going down the dim steps, they eventually reached the bottom. And through a narrow hallway they

It was a large room, filled with chairs, arranged in a semicircle. It was like a little theatre, only there was no discernible stage. There were dim crystal lights along the walls, collectively providing enough light to adequately light the space.

“Welcome,” Dusty said, “To The Citizens’ Historical Memory Society.”

“Now who, might I ask,” Dusty pointed to the three ponies that Night Light had brought along, “Are you?”

The four ponies looked to each other, with Night Light looking to Dusty Pages.

“Professor, you’re gonna want to sit down…”





After helping the professor recover from a serious case of hyperventilation, Radiant, Night Light, and The Royal Sisters managed to get Dusty to the point where he could speak calmly and clearly.

“The Princesses…Here…In my basement…This is quite awkward.”

“Um…Professor Pages,” Radiant spoke up.

“And Radiant,” the Professor exclaimed, “You disappeared for so long most thought you were dead. Where did you go?”

“I went to get the Princesses.”

“Why?”

“That can be discussed later,” Celestia interrupted, “Right now we have something to ask of you, Professor Dusty Pages.”

Dusty stood to attention, looking up at the Solar Princess. 

“Of course, what do you require?”

“We seek an updated history of The Crystal Empire regarding recent events,” Luna explained, “Oddly, we could not find anything in the library.”

Dusty Pages rubbed the back of his neck. “That would make sense, considering how most books that contain The Empire’s most recent histories are still being drafted.”

“Can you fill in the information gap?” Radiant asked.

“Personally, no,” Dusty admitted, “There are so many layers to it that I couldn’t adequately cover the topic. 

The three roaming ponies almost sighed with disappointment and dismay. 

“However,” Dusty continued, “I am aware of who can.”

Radiant perked up. “Who?”

“I’d have to call a large early meeting, but I can have some of the other members fill in the blanks.”

Radiant couldn’t help but hug her old professor. 

“Thank you, Sir! Thank you!”

“My pleasure,” Dusty coughed.

Radiant released Dusty who looked over to Night Light.

“Night Light, I’m putting you on record keeping for this meeting.”

“What?” Night Light protested, “You mean you still haven’t filled that position? I haven’t even been to one of these meetings in months!”

“When you turn in your thesis, Night Light, then you can complain.”

“*sigh*, Yes Sir.”

“Right,” Dusty Pages said, “I’m off to call a meeting!” He ran off up the secret stairs to reach his writing desk and begin drafting a statement.

Radiant was bubbling was bubbling with nervous anticipation. Finally, she was going to get her questions answered. Although, she feared that she may not like what she would hear.





Ponies of all kinds gathered in the secret meeting room. Some were excited to be there. Others were confused or grumbles about the surprise invitation. Some worried that something terrible had happened, and others were indifferent. 

Dusty Pages walked up to the room and addressed the assembly. 

“Friends, I have called this emergency meeting today because there has been an interesting development.”

There were some murmurs in the crowd as Dusty spoke.

“There have been some special arrivals in The Empire, and they have requested our help.”

Confusion continued to build in the audience. 

“I’ll let them introduce themselves.”

Everyone’s confusion turned to shock as none other that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna walked into view and stood before them. 

There was star studded silence as everyone in the audience tried to process the sight before them. One pony raised their hoof to ask a question.

“Yes, they are the real thing, not imposters.” Dusty answered before the pony could ask.

The silence didn’t last much longer, as soon after Dusty answered, the room erupted into a frenzy of joyful shouting, hyperventilation, and a barrage of questions, all at once. 

“Order! Order!” Dusty called. Sadly no one was listening.

Then Celestia lifted up her front right hoof, and brought it back down onto the floor. The echoing *slam* silenced the entire room.

Dusty could only sigh, “Thank you.”

‘This is like teaching lecture classes all over again,’ the professor thought.

The pony who had raised their hoof earlier rose again.

“Yes?” Dusty called.

“Who’s that trying to hide behind Princess Luna?” The pony asked.

Dusty looked over and could clearly see who it was from he stood.

“*Sigh* Alright can we keep the freaking out to a minimum this time?” The professor requested.

Out from behind the Lunar Princess, Radiant Hope slowly stepped into view.

Rather than causing a ruckus though, Radiant’s appearance instead elicited a quiet gasp from the assembly, and question filled murmurs went around the room. 

“I am aware that you all probably have a lot of questions, but those will have to wait,” Dusty said, regaining the assembly’s attention, “At this time they have requested that we help them fill in the blanks and explain what has happened here in the Empire up to this day.

“Does anyone want to start us off?”

There was silence for a moment, until somepony in the back called out, “I will.”

They walked to the front of the room. They were an old, but apparently fit Earth Pony. His complexion had apparent wrinkles, but his body wasn’t out of shape. His white coat and trimmed black mane made him easy to see in the dim space. 

“My name is Charcoal, and I'm one of the oldest ponies here.”

The professor, Princesses, and Radiant walked from the front of the room to a set of empty chairs reserved for them.

Charcoal walked to the front of the room, and faced the assembly. He cleared his throat and prepared to tell his story…