//------------------------------// // A Single Clue // Story: Learning To Live Again // by Speedy Quill //------------------------------// I emerged from the last stairway, finally in the daylight. And I was welcomed by a concerned Cadance. “Shade! Sunburst came looking for me when you’d been gone so long. Have you been-“ She stopped as she registered my appearance. “Why do you have soot all over you?” I couldn’t find the words. I just stood there, trembling. “Shade? What happened down there?” I didn’t want to speak, but I forced myself. I wasn’t sure what would come out, but I had to try. “D-d-d-did you......know?” Her eyes grew more concerned. “Know what?” “D-did you k-know? Did you see them?” She inhaled sharply, covering her mouth. “You...did you...you didn’t...” My voice grew stronger. “Did you ever look at them?” She shook her head. “Only from the doorway. Nopony has ever actually entered that room. I didn't think you'd... Shade, why do you smell like smoke?” I nodded as my gaze fell to the floor. Nopony else had ever seen or read them. That was good. “Shade?” I looked back at Cadance. She seemed to be reigning in her fear. “What did you do?” I felt the tears beginning to roll down my cheeks. “I had to...” Cadance stared at me in shock. “Those were the only histories from that time. A time that shouldn’t be forgotten.” I felt my anger boil to the surface. “No. You’re wrong Princess. That time needs to be buried deep. Nopony needs to know what happened during that...monster’s reign! The words I’ve read will never leave me now. I am the only pony who will be cursed with this knowledge. I made sure of that.” “No history should ever be hidden! You can’t decide what ponies should know and not know!” “YES. I. CAN!!” My voice echoed through the library. “If you saw one sentence of what I read, you’d never be able to sleep again. I know things now that will give me nightmares for the rest of my life!” She tried to speak, but I cut her off. “If you think for one second I was going to let anypony else near those books, then you don’t know what you’re dealing with! If that creature-“ She slapped a hoof over my mouth and pulled me close. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Not here. If you finish that sentence, you’ll cause a panic that I won’t be able to control. The ponies in this kingdom are those that have been lucky enough to survive Sombra. Even if they don't remember what happened. And I will not have you undo this kingdom with your hysterics. Understood?!” Muzzling me had allowed me to clear my head. I took a deep breath and nodded. Cadance lowered her hoof. “Good.” She took a deep breath of her own. “If you truly felt that way about the books, you should have told me first. We could have discussed options-“ I leaned in close to her, whispering in her ear. It was barely audible. I didn’t want to say anything, but she needed to understand. But I refused to say too much. So I told her only one detail. I pulled away to see her face. She was in shock. Her rosy hue paled as the information set in. After a few moments, she took a breath and asked a single question. “You’re sure it was necessary?” I nodded. “I used the strongest fire magic possible. The contents of that room are nothing but ash now.” She nodded, still pale as a sheet. “Okay. I’ll trust you did the right thing Shade.” Her color began to slowly return. “But you’re not to destroy anything else tied to him unless I agree.” I mulled it over but realized that it would be in my best interest to concede. I gave a slow nod and sighed. “I’m going back to work.” She seemed surprised. “Surely you need a break?” I shook my head. “I need to know everything. And I need something to keep me distracted. I don’t want to think about what may come to mind if I’m left bored.” Without another word, I turned and left. I didn’t mean to be rude, but I needed to hurry and start reading something else. Anything else. I entered my temporary study to find stacks of books everywhere. There was just enough room for me to sit in the middle. Sunburst waved from the small patch of floor. “I’m so happy you’re okay! I- Why do you smell like a fire?” “I don’t have time Sunburst. You got everything I asked for?” “Yes! And there’s more waiting in the next room when you’re ready for it!” I nodded my approval and sat down. “Could you leave me alone for a little? I just need a few minutes to get ready.” He seemed hurt at getting kicked out. I faked a smile. “Just a few minutes. I need to get in the right headspace.” He smiled and nodded, leaving without a word. Once the door shut behind him, I broke down. I let the tears come unhindered. I couldn’t hold back the pain anymore. My mind was on fire. And my body wasn’t much better. I began brushing off the soot as gently as I could. It fell away to reveal the burns I’d endured from the fire. I’d lost control of the flames and suffered for it. But at least those books were gone. I coughed out a short laugh. I couldn’t help but feel a sliver of happiness amongst my pain. Sombra’s memory would eventually fade from this world. And I had ensured that the worst of him would die with me. I started to laugh, even as my tears proved that Sombra had taken one last victim. ——————— When Sunburst returned, he immediately showed concern over my burns. I tried to fight him, but was forced to go to a doctor for some proper healing. That took up a few hours of my day that could have been devoted to research. As soon as the doctor had finished with some bandages, I returned to the library. There was no time to waste. I was already through several books when Sunburst walked in. “Shouldn't you rest before jumping in like this?” I closed the book in front of me and shook my head. “If I plan on getting through all of these books I need to buckle down and read as fast as I can.” I summoned the next book and began flipping the pages. Sunburst sat in silent shock as he watched me flip through pages. I finished the book after a few minutes and moved to the next one. It wasn’t until a few books later that he found his voice. “I’ve never seen anything like it! How can you retain all that information?” I shrugged. “I just can. I never questioned it.” “Can any other changelings do that?” “Not as far as I know. I imagine it’s some fluke.” “Talent isn’t usually a fluke. Though some say your parentage can be an influence.” That made me pause. “You’re saying my parents could have passed something on?” “That’s the idea. Do you know if either of them had this gift? Or something similar?” I shook my head. “Nothing as far as I know. Though I can’t be certain about my father. I never knew him.” “And your mother?” “Definitely not. She had no such talent. Magic ability yes, but nothing like what I can do. That’s the only reason she kept me around.” “Well, that can’t be true. Parents love their kids.” The next sentence he muttered. “Some a little too much.” I arched my brow and he chuckled. “Sorry. Personal experience.” “Uh-Huh... Well, my mother never actually loved me.” “Why would you think that?” I stared straight at him, a stern expression on my face. “My mother is Chrysalis.” Sunburst was shocked into silence again. I continued reading until he composed himself. “That’s...interesting.” “That’s one word for it.” I could see him shuffle his hooves out of the corner of my eye. I closed the book in front of me and sighed. “I can’t explain my existence Sunburst. Can anypony?” He shook his head. “I suppose not.” He cleared his throat and approached me. “Have you found anything yet?” I groaned. “All these histories tell similar stories. There’s really not enough variation. Were there not many historians?” Sunburst looked down. “As far as I know, there were very few. Most of them died before the kingdom vanished.” I picked up the next book and paused. My eyes fixated on the title. An Account of the Crystal Empire, by Emerald Dawn I teared up again but was quick to wipe them away. “Maybe this one will have what I’m looking for.” Please, Emerald... Your other account was too detailed for my liking. Let this one be the same... I cracked open the book and let out a sigh of relief. Details galore! I devoured the book in a few minutes and smiled. “I think I may have something!” “Really?” “But I need more...” Part of me wanted to keep reading, looking for more clues to support my hypothesis. Another part wondered if Shining Armor or Cadance might have the answers. And there was another thing... I locked eyes with Sunburst. “Where was that shard found?” Sunburst gave a curt nod and turned to the door. “Shining Armor knows. He can take us to the area.” ———————— Shining Armor took us to the northern edge of the Empire. For a few seconds I thought he was going to walk us out onto the frozen tundra. Luckily he stopped right at the border. It was an odd sight. The grass was green and the flowers were blooming right in front of me. And a few hoofsteps further there was a snowstorm. “The magic here is a bit bizarre.” Sunburst nodded. “The Crystal Heart is a strange magic item. We’re still trying to understand it’s capabilities.” Shining Armor was looking around at the grass. “It’s here somewhere...” He brushed his hoof through the grass, his nose almost touching the ground. “Aha!” He stood up straight and pointed. “This is the spot.” I came closer and looked where his hoof was pointing. There was a spot where the grass was dead and brown. It was a little smaller than a bit. “That’s where the shard was?” Shining Armor nodded. “It was growing out of the ground from that spot. I’m sure you can guess that we didn’t spot it easily. The only reason we found it was because of the energy it put off.” I studied the spot. It was about two steps from the border. I looked out onto the tundra. “Do you know what's out there?” Sunburst shrugged. “We don’t really know for sure. The land to the north is almost entirely unexplored.” Shining Armor joined us in staring out into the snowy expanse. “The tundra continues right up to the mountains. The only spot explored up there is Mount Everhoof.” I sat down on the grass, confused. “Nothing else?” He looked at me. “You think something’s out there?” I nodded. “I know something is out there.” Sunburst straightened his glasses as he turned to me. “What could possibly be out there?” I looked between them for a moment before answering. “The Empire has many natural crystals growing throughout it, but do you really think the buildings just sprouted out of the ground? Or the palace?” That made them think. Sunburst was baffled. “Well...I mean...” Shining Armor was in a similar state. “I’m sure the Heart...well maybe...” I held up a hoof to bring their attention back. “I just read a history on the Empire that made mention of something I haven’t seen anywhere else. I’m sure it’s a detail nopony thought important enough for the books.” I stood up and stretched. “Don’t you guys ever have to build new buildings or anything?” Shining Armor shook his head. “We haven’t had to. There’s actually a fair number of empty shops and houses.” “Left empty from the Dark Age I assume?” Sunburst nodded. I let out a sigh. “So nopony really remembers the mines.” They both inched closer. Shining Armor narrowed his eyes. “What mines?” I looked back out to the frozen wasteland. “The Crystal Mines. Apparently Mount Everhoof is home to the largest deposit of gemstones in all of Equestria.” Sunburst seemed skeptical. “If there was a gemstone deposit, they would have found an entrance or something by now. Mount Everhoof has expeditions to it every ten years or so. And that been happening for the last hundred years!” I smiled. “I’ve read about every one of those expeditions before. They all followed the same path because it’s the only known safe path.” Shining Armor stepped forward. “So there’s another route that would lead to the mines?” “Exactly.” Sunburst shook his head. “I still don’t understand. What does this have to do with our current problem?” I took a deep breath. This was where it got iffy, but I had to voice my concern. “Sombra’s spirit is lingering somewhere. That sliver of crystal is evidence enough. But his spirit isn’t just floating around on the ice. It would have to be somewhere that could house that sort of power.” Sunburst lit up. “And an entire mine of crystal would be the perfect conduit! Crystals can be vessels for nearly every type of magic. I suppose it’s not too big of a stretch to imagine a soul being contained within one.” I nodded. “Somewhere on that mountain is a hidden entrance. All we have to do is find it. He’s in there somewhere. Maybe we can destroy whatever is left of his spirit.” Shining Armor sighed. “That’s a long shot. Are you sure about it?” Hopefully. “Positive.” “But we can't just go to Mount Everhoof and start walking around. We have to know the exact point. Otherwise, we’ll freeze to death. Even with the proper gear.” True enough. That made it a little difficult to move forward. I paced back and forth for a minute, making a plan. “I’ve found one mention of the mines. There has to be more. I’ll find out where those mines are if I have to read every book in the library. In the Empire for that matter! But I’ll find those mines.” Sunburst stepped forward. “Shade, that could take months! Years even!” I shook my head. “I’ll pick up the pace. I can handle it.” I turned to the two of them. “I’m not leaving until I’ve destroyed the last remnant of that monster. Will you two help me when the time comes?” They looked at each other for a moment. Shining Armor smiled. “I suppose it only makes sense.” Sunburst nodded. “You can count on us.” I nodded back. This was going to be tough. I’d gotten lucky finding one mention of the mines. Would I be able to find what I needed? And was I right about Sombra being there? I kept my composure, determined to look confident. I had to believe I was right. I had to believe that I’d find the answer. I had to believe it was possible to end this nightmare.