"Hey! Is anyone still there? Are you guys alright?" Twilight's voice called out from behind the rubble.
"I'd probably be in better shape if I didn't stop going to that gym," Day Star amusingly replied. "Hey, tell me. Is Applejack with you guys?"
A few seconds went by before Applejack replied, "Yeah?"
Day Star confidently requested, "Ok great. Why don't you all go ahead and circle around. Head back to the Heart of All Paths, that's where the giant magnolia tree is, and take the first door on your left. You'll know it's the right door if it has a symbol of a flower on it. I mean the left door. Whatever. Just take the path all the way around and meet us back here. I'll explain everything when you get here."
Twilight stammered, "Uh... alright. As long as everyone is ok."
Day Star looked at his device. "Oh and there's no rush, so take your time." He looked at me still lying on the floor. "Where was I?"
Sumica carped, "You were getting to the part where you tell me why our mortal enemy is getting away with the Heart of Dagaz!"
Day Star closed his hooves together. "Right. First off, I apologize Sumica for all that has happened, but that isn't the artifact you think it is."
"What?!" Sumica squeaked. "Then what was it?"
Day Star lifted the rock pinning against my leg and pulled me up out the rubble. "Well there was this nice curio shop I stumbled upon that had all these fascinating little objects to look at. There was this one gem in particular laying on the counter I just had to ask the shopkeeper about. He called it vathy ypno."
"The Sand Pony?" Sumica questioned.
"I think your Greek is a little rusty," Day Star replied. "It was The Deep Sleep, or Rest depending on who you ask. It had this interesting rejuvenating ability that puts ponies in a deep meditative state so that their wounds would heal faster. He babbled on about how the locals sometimes liked to use it as a more-or-less glorified mood stone. Something about how the color changes to match the user's feelings. I didn't pay much heed to it."
"Then why did you give it to me?"
"Because they thought it was the key to returning their clan to their former glory?"
Sumica crept closer to Day Star. "So you gave me an artifact, without telling me what it was, and purposely... knowingly used me as bait - Again! - just so you could get them off your back? Why you little - " Sumica wrapped her hooves around Day Star's neck and vigorously shook his head back-and-forth.
Day Star's voice bounced as he tried to talk through the shaking. "Why are you mad? I already apologized!"
As I watched the two feud with each other, I found myself smiling. I sensed a type of bond that must have dated back years. All their teasing and wrestling was just their way of becoming reacquainted. They seemed to enjoy each other's company despite their own faults.
Yet, I thought it was quite interesting how quickly Sumica recovered after the stone was taken away from her. Day Star mentioned in passing how the gem can link to the owner's emotions. Perhaps that little slant I saw near the top of the artifact when we were at the Carousal Boutique was really an impure cut causing some sort of feedback in the connection. "Day Star, is it possible the amulet could have had some adverse side-effects to the user? Because she's been acting so..."
"Passionate? Enthusiastic? Intense? Oh no, she's always like that. That's what makes this so much fun."
As Sumica cooled her head, she prodded, "So tell me, oh mighty planner - how did you manage to get four shadows on your tail? Did you make some grand public announcement about finding another world-changing memento?"
Day Star confessed, "Eh, it might be because I found out where the Heart of Dagaz was."
Sumica stammered, "You're... You're serious. How did you... how did they... can you tell me where it is?"
Day Star smiled and glanced at my motionless body. "I can tell you this much - It's really close."
I pondered over what the curious pegasus meant by those words. Was the artifact hidden somewhere in this mountain? Did Day Star tuck it away in a tiny crevice when the shadows were getting too close? Or could it be possible they underestimated the actual size of the relic? Maybe it's guarded by Alexander below the confines of the Forbidden Library?
That still didn't explain why I've been recalling these fragments of events. The early chronicles of my childhood has always been hard for me to remember. Could it be possible I was there when things unfolded all those years ago? That would explain how Sumica knows so much about me. The next thought that entered my fragile mind motivated me into action. The only one that could corroborate my theory happened to be standing right in front of me.
"Day Star?" I stammered. "Am... Am I the artifact?"
Day Star smiled and approached me. He leaned in like a father would with his child. "That is an interesting question. May I ask how we formulated such an unique hypothesis?"
"I'm not sure exactly. I always felt like I had some hidden power deep inside me, but I never could fully understand it. Recently, I've been having these strange dreams, pieces of a story that is not of my own - buildings on fire, daring rescues, secret meetings, whispers in the dark. There are way too many coincidences with what occurred ten years ago.
"Everyone acts like this powerful object simply vanished without knowing what it was or what it could do. The timing coincides with the last thing I remember from my childhood. Could the trauma and familiarity of recent events be prying loose old memories?"
"Perhaps, but I don't believe they are your memories. Tell me, did these dreams start approximately three weeks ago?"
"Why, yes."
"And have you been seeing black shadowy figures - perhaps in the shape of a pony or a fox - with red sharp eyes?"
"Yes! Yes I have! Do you know what is happening to me?"
"Fascinating!" Day Star rubbed his chin and pulled away. "Princess Luna was experiencing this very thing. You must be emitting the same dimensional frequency or at least something similar, albeit lesser in size."
Sumica inquired, "Hold on, compadre. What was happening to Princess Luna? Why is this the first time I'm hearing about this?" She lowered her head and gazed directly into Day Star's eyes. "Maybe now is a good time to tell me the whole story, since you seem so thrilled in adding me into this little escapade of yours."
Day Star implored, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you any of this sooner, Sumica, but we didn't understand the magical properties of the stone until just a few weeks ago."
"So, I'm not the artifact?" I anxiously asked.
The experienced veteran with all the answers further explained the origin of the artifact. "Archeologists were digging around the ruins of Ponehenge when they miraculously discovered a unique rock buried in the rubble. They cleaned it up and presented this gem as a gift to Princess Celestia. She found it to be the perfect specimen for her new student Twily... I mean Princess Sparkle to study. Twilight, the young filly as she was, decided to use the school's science lab and experiment on its defensive capabilities. According to her account, she turned around to write down some notes when a fire broke out around the gem."
Sumica commented, "I remember that fire. Nasty business."
Day Star continued, "From that moment on, fires kept spreading wherever the jewel went. Our best theory at the time was that the gem, at its core, was constantly producing its own supply of wild magic. It generated so much energy that it occasionally flared out through the crystal containment like a flame bursting out of a gasoline-soaked campfire. Little did we know that the fire never originated from the gem at all.
"These shadow beasts, as Night Star likes to call them, were certainly a crafty folk. They made us believe the relic was so dangerous that we would be quick to toss it aside. We almost came to that conclusion before Luna confided with me her affairs with a mischievous black fox. Originally she thought it might have been a Tantabus let loose from her mind when it interfered with her abilities inside the dream realm. Only after entering a mysterious dream without an actual dreamer, Luna discovered that this - what was the word she used - 'soul' was something completely different. It showed her images of the forging of the stone and the ones that wanted to steal it. That combined with my brother's keen detective skills and extraordinary attention to detail, we were able to piece together all the... uh, pieces to the puzzle."
Sumica asked, "Then why did you secretly move it?"
Day Star replied, "It was the only way to simultaneously stop the shadow beasts from terrorizing the city and stabilize Luna's condition. With your reports from the dragon clan coupled with the documents from the research team at Ponehenge, we realized that what we had was really the Heart of Dagaz. It doesn't provide infinite power to the owner like many interpret from legend. Instead, it has the capacity to copy and store an infinite supply of memories from those around it and transfer them over to a willing host that's able to decipher their meaning.
"We're still unsure what this 'fox' really is, but we believe it is literally the heart of the artifact actively seeking others for a stable connection. Princess Luna's ability to shift through ponies' memories made her the perfect candidate to establish a link. Without understanding the actual cause of these premonitions, it proved far too difficult for her in the long run to handle. I always wondered what was rolling around in our princess's head."
Sumica teased, "The one that can tell you is standing right in front of you."
Day Star stated, "Right. You've experienced these fragments. Tell me, are you a passive observer when things happen around you or do you engage? Do ponies refer to you by name or do you relive the memories as they were?"
I replied, "I guess all of the above."
"There you are!" Rainbow Dash cried. "It's like a maze down here."
Day Star slapped his forehead. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you about that one left turn over by the botanical garden.
Fluttershy replied, "It was a lovely garden."
"Before we continue, let me make sure of something first." Day Star leveled the device on his leg parallel to the ground and pressed a button on its side. Out burst a pulse wave that chimed down the hallways.
Pinkie Pie froze mid-hop. "What... was that?"
"That my friends was a pulse wave. It's a brilliant method in breaking the phase dimensional hold our pals have been using to hide their true form. I hope that sounded smart, because I have no idea how it works, courtesy of Doctor Whooves."
"You know Doctor Whooves?" I enthusiastically asked.
Day Star answered, "Indubitably. We go way back. He popped in about a month ago when he detected a signal in his... doohickey, whatever he called it. Someone activated a dimensional gateway over there in Neighagra Falls. That's how Sumica and I were able to meet you guys. He told me to track down these 'shifters', as he called them, and report back to him. Who knew they would turn out to be our ol' friends, the shadow beasts?"
That would explain why the one we encountered was in such a hurry to flee. He was being smart. I halfway expected him to give this grand speech about his plans for world domination. I kind of wanted him to tell me a little more about where he came from or how old he really was. Instead, all we got was a few insults before he petered out and left.
Pinkie theorized, "Wouldn't it be strange to be one of them and not know it?"
Fluttershy stated, "We're just glad to know you guys are alright. We were worried when those rocks fell on you, Moonlight."
Day Star pounced up like a meerkat hearing something in the distance. "Moonlight? You're Moonlight? Moonlight Sonata? Why, you're a unicorn!" He pointed and looked at Sumica. "He's a unicorn."
"You just now noticing that?" Sumica smirked, finally winning one over her counterpart.
Twilight strolled closer to the opening. "Is that what that was? Are they anything like a changeling?"
Day Star's eyebrows lowered. "Changelings? Never heard of them."
Applejack nodded. "We encountered them not too long ago. They're capable of disguising themselves to look and sound like any pony on a whim."
"Yeah, and they follow the orders of their icky leader Queen Crystal," Pinkie cringed.
Rainbow Dash corrected, "Uh, that's Queen Chrysalis actually."
Twilight observed, "He had us all fooled. He knew an awful lot about gemology."
Day Star replied, "They must have spent years trying to figure out what the Heart of Dagaz even looked like. Jade told me how they stole some research notes from the library. It must have disappointed them greatly to discover that the only written reference to its physical form was from an alchemist who molded the gem into the shape of a heart."
"Oh! Jade!" Sumica prodded her friend's shoulder. "We have to get him out somehow. He's locked tight in that high-security cell down at the guard post."
"No need," Day Star reassured. "I met the real Jade at Neighagra Falls. He's been preparing a little ambush for our surprise guests. He's been coordinating with the red dragons on an island offshore for the past week. Seems like they don't take kindly to trespassers in the Forbidden Library."
Sumica inquired, "So, back there, I was talking to one of them?"
"I'm afraid so," Day Star stated. "My device picked up two signals."
Sumica added, "And those threats he mentioned about the Asanda clan?"
Day Star teased, "As empty as my fridge back home."
Fluttershy asked, "Excuse me, Day Star. Do you happen to know what happened to our friend, Rarity?"
"Didn't you see the note?" Day Star questioned. "It explained everything."
Rainbow Dash replied, "Note? What note?"
Day Star expounded, "The note at her Boutique. She put it on the door."
"The place was a mess when we got there," I observed.
"Those shadow beasts." Day Star sighed. "They sure are a cunning bunch. They must have made it look like she was taken. That explains why those little fillies fell down that hole. It was meant for her."
I exclaimed, "So it was you who threw down the rope!"
"Aye. I make sure to bring my trusty traveling pack with me on every excursion. Though, I did manage to lose it climbing up this mountain. I guess it isn't so trusty after all."
"So where is she?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"She's fine. She just needed some time off for a client of hers. Some sort of 'fashion emergency' I think is how she put it. I forget where it was."
Rainbow Dash asked, "Why were you at the Carousel Boutique?"
Day Star pounded one hoof onto the other. "Oh! I had this brilliant plan making the shadow beasts think they had the Heart of Dagaz."
Sumica spread her wings out and pointed at Day Star. "I knew it! I knew you were up to something!"
"They kept following me!" Day Star emphasized. "I had to lose them somehow! How was I supposed to know they would break into the Forbidden Library and learn about the gem's shape? That's why I needed a professional to cut it. I never expected such a... beautiful flower like her to be so... welcoming. She did such a splendid job in such a short time span. She was worried that cutting into the crystal too much would make it unstable."
"That explains a few things," I mumbled.
Fluttershy asked, "Were you the one that laid out all of her designer sketches on the table?"
Day Star lowered his eyebrows. "No? But if the shadow beasts followed me there, they could have thought I hid the artifact in one of her outfits."
"Are you ever going to tell me where it is?" Sumica asked.
Day Star smiled. "Applejack, may I see your hat for a moment?"
"My hat? Why do you want to see my hat?"
"I'm going to perform a magic trick!"
An extra-excited Pinkie Pie jumped up and down with anticipation. "Oh! Oh! Are you going to pull something out of the hat?"
Fluttershy gleefully said, "I hope its a cute bunny."
Applejack wearily passed over her prized possession to Day Star. He reached down inside the bowl and felt around the liner. Out popped a tiny red gem that radiantly glowed in the sunlight.
Applejack mused, "Well how did that get in there?"
"Oh you can't be serious," Sumica chided. "You hid it in her hat? You crazy ol' coot!"
Day Star chuckled, "Hey, it worked, didn't it?"
Sumica scolded, "You couldn't have possibly known she would still be wearing it."
"Au contraire my sweet searing Sumica. I overheard Applejack's conversation with Rarity. She tarried in her fine establishment in order to ask for her assistance in delivering some apples. After one of the hangers knocked her hat off, I heard her use the words, 'never leave my sight.'"
Applejack confirmed, "It's true."
Sumica stared at the jewel as it sparkled in Day Star's hoof. "So... what are we going to do about it now?"
Day Star replied, "Well, I was going to talk to the dragons after they finish their business with the shadow beasts. I mean, it is forged with their essence. I was considering maybe giving it to Alexander for safe-keeping, but it seems like the location of the library might have been compromised. It's far too powerful to keep it in the open, and it would be a shame to simply bury it again after all this time."
Sumica whispered, "So it was the same artifact."
I suggested, "You could let Doctor Whooves look at it."
Twilight pondered over the newly discovered gem. "What does it do, exactly?"
Day Star slapped the ground with his hoof. "That's right! You weren't here to listen to my grand speech about the artifact. In short, it links to a pony and exchanges memories, but the connection is too unstable to hold overtime."
Twilight rubbed her chin. "Fascinating!"
"That's what I said!" Day Star exclaimed.
Sumica sighed, "Oh brother."
Twilight Sparkle examined the gem more closely. "How close have you come to stabilizing the flow of magic?"
Day Star replied, "It's nigh impossible without knowing how the Heart of Dagaz selects its targets. That's why we've been studying the remnants of Ponehenge. Our theory is that the rocks there maintain the excess energy." Day Star leaned in. "You know, you could come with us, Moonlight, and help us try and communicate with the crystal."
"Through the gateway?" I inquired.
Day Star chuckled, "You don't have to decide right away. We still have a few things to take care of. Sumica and I will check in with Jade and see how he's handling those nasty shifters. Then we'll report in with Doctor Whooves."
I looked into Day Star's eyes. "You really think I could be of assistance?"
Day Star replied, "My lad, I think you would make a great guardian."