“Hi, do you perhaps own anything on dispelling dark magic of any kind?”
“I don’t think so. You can always check the magic section and see.”
***
“Hello, do you know of any known artifacts that can dispel dark magic?”
“Sorry dearie, even if we had any in our possession I wouldn’t be allowed to give it to you. The only ones I can think of are the Elements of Harmony and those belong to Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
***
“Hello, I was wondering if maybe you had any potion of some type that had the ability to dispel dark magic?”
“I am afraid not, what an interesting item to be sought.”
***
There was a loud rumble of thunder and a bright flash of lightning as Flusk let herself into the castle out of the heavy rain. While she was out in Ponyville and elsewhere looking for something to help Princess Luna, it seemed the pegasi had decided it was time for a heavy thunderstorm and had surrounded both Canterlot and Ponyville in a wall of angry dark clouds. She had no choice but to return to the castle, unfortunately. It wasn’t like she was making any progress however anyways. Nopony seemed to have any answers for her on how to help Luna out.
She was wearing a long cloak that was now soaking wet and dripping water on to the carpet. She dried her hooves and levitated the cloak off herself, ringing out the water out of it. It wasn’t before long though she noticed Celestia’s assistant galloping over to help her. She wasn’t doing it to actually be kind to Flusk though. She was more concerned about the mess of water Flusk was making inside.
“Miss, please don’t come inside the castle soaking wet next time, okay?” Raven said as she grabbed her cloak and began drying it with a spell that conjured some gusts of wind. “Our maids work very hard to keep the castle in tip-top shape. Besides, we wouldn’t want the princesses to have a reputation for a messy castle. It would def-..”
And that was when Flusk tuned out. That mare would keep going for hours so there was no point in listening.
Flusk calmly walked around the castle as she heard the occasional rumble of thunder and a lightning strike shooting through the sky at a nearby window. She was currently looking for Luna but seem to have no luck in finding her in any of the public rooms of the castle. Perhaps trying her bedroom would be best?
She made her way to her room’s door and knocked on it before backing away and waiting a few moments for a response. She stared at the painted crescent moon on her door for a few minutes before knocking again.
“Luna? Are you in there?” Flusk asked.
She waited again and got no response. Weird..She checked everywhere in the castle for her. Even the throne room which she knew Luna wouldn’t exactly wander around there herself. Luna had once told her that part of the castle was one she stayed away from because of the many stained glass windows that lined the hall up to the throne. They were beautiful works of art but they also held history in them that Luna didn’t want to relive again such as the one where the Mane Six used the elements on Nightmare Moon to turn her back to normal. Well, one would think that would be a happy memory, Luna only said it had reminded her of the anger and betrayal she felt from her sister for a thousand years.
“Luna, you better not be ignoring me again. I checked everywhere for you. You simply can’t be anywhere else. Answer me!”
Nothing..
“Alright, I’m coming in if you don’t at least give me a sign you’re in there!”
And once again, nothing.
“Okay, I’m coming in whether you like it or not.”
Flusk turned the knob on the door which surprisingly unlocked. She expected the door to be locked. She pushed the door aside and trotted in to see Luna right there lying on her bed turned towards the wall. She couldn’t see her face but at least she knew where she was.
“Wow, you didn’t even bother to answer me? Thanks for ignoring me.” Flusk said, rather annoyed.
Luna remained silent and staring at the wall. Flusk could hear heavy breathing and noticed her body shivering a little. What was going on?
“Luna? Are you okay?”
Luna said nothing. Flusk felt a bad feeling in her gut as she approached Luna. She placed her hoof on her shoulder, feeling an immediate cold sensation. She was as cold as ice! She shivered against her hoof unmoving from her spot.
“Woah, you’re freezing! What’s got into you? Why won’t you answer me?”
“T-Tia..I-I’m..S-So sorry..” She heard Luna mutter under her breath.
She brought her hoof under Luna’s chin, it too feeling as cold as ice. She slowly forced it towards her, forcing Luna to turn her face towards Flusk. When she finally got a good look at her she saw tear stains from her eyes down to her cheeks. Her mouth hung open as she breathed heavily, muttering things Flusk couldn’t understand. Her eyes were shut tightly and she almost felt like she was going to lose her balance and fall right on to Flusk.
“Luna..Luna, wake up.”
Flusk placed her hooves to her cheeks now, holding her firmly. She spoke close to her face.
“Luna, you have to wake up. It’s just a dream. Whatever you’re doing right now needs to stop, you need to wake up!”
“T-Tia..B-But..”
“Your sister is fine in the real world. The one you’re seeing is a fake. If you wake up she’ll be fine.”
“I-I didn’t mean..T-To hurt her..”
“LUNA!”
“AH!”
Luna jumped, her eyes springing open as she panted, her eyes darting around the room and taking in her surroundings before falling on to Flusk in front of her.
“F-Flusk?..What are you doing here?”
“I was looking for you and found you in here but you weren’t answering.”
“Oh..Right.” Luna looked down to the ground, moving backward a tiny bit.
“Luna, you have to tell your sister what’s been going on with you. This is ridiculous and scary.”
“No! I can’t tell Celestia. I won’t freak her out like that again. She doesn’t deserve that.” Luna replied.
“What if you do whatever that was again in front of her? That will be even scarier for her and she’ll have no idea what to do. She’s your family and she deserves to know what’s going on with you.”
“No, I refuse to tell her and that’s final!”
“Fine, I guess I’ll have to do it myself.”
Flusk began trotting towards the door when she heard Luna jump off the bed and grab on to her back leg.
“NO, DON’T DO IT!” Luna yelled.
“You can’t keep running away from everypony and hiding things, especially from your family and the ones who care deeply about you.”
“I know, I know, just..Please don’t tell Celestia. I’ll tell her sometime soon but not now. I’m not ready for her to hear yet. Please..”
Flusk paused for a moment before answering. “Fine, but promise me you’ll tell her soon, no excuses.”
“I promise.”
Luna let go of Flusk as she turned away from the door.
“By the way..Please stop searching for a cure for me, Flusk. None of it will work. You just have to let it go.”
“I won’t..”
“Excuse me, Princess Luna?”
Both Flusk and Luna looked to the door to see the knob turn and open. Raven Inkwell as predicted was standing at the door looking a little nervous. She turned to look at both Luna and Flusk before clearing her throat.
“Dinner is ready. Princess Celestia asked me to come up here and tell you that. Although..I’m afraid Flusk will have to leave.”
“No, she will come to dinner with me.” Luna replied sternly.
“Oh, no, no. It’s fine, I’m quite busy-“
“She’s coming.” Luna said.
“If you insist, Princess.” Raven said, turning her back on the two of them and trotting downstairs.
Luna sighed. “Her assistant is rather annoying and too specific. Sometimes you have to be mean. This is why I’d never have one myself.”
Luna began trotting downstairs as Flusk sort of stood there, staring for a moment. Was she really going to attend dinner with the two princesses?..This was as crazy as it sounded to say in her head. She then noticed Luna had completely disappeared down the stairs and she hurried to follow her.
***
There was the sound of cutlery scraping against plates and the three of them chewing as a few guards watched over the dinner. They seem to be in place there in case someone somehow came to interrupt the dinner which seemed very unlikely. However, some ponies just tried everything it seemed.
Princess Celestia was currently digging into a baked potato on the other side of the table as she glanced at both Luna and Flusk.
“So, I never did mention that you brought a friend to the table, sister. How delightful!” Celestia grinned. “You should have told me and I would have brought one of my own.”
“It was sort of a last-minute decision.” Luna replied.
“I see.”
The three of them continued eating in silence as Flusk shoved some broccoli in her mouth, trying to look occupied so she wouldn’t have to speak.
“What’s with the silence? I sense there’s something wrong.” Celestia asked.
“There’s nothing wrong there’s just nothing to talk about!”
Celestia frowned and then looking to Flusk. Flusk nervously looked her in the eyes for a moment before looking away. Celestia knew Flusk knew something she didn’t. She wasn’t just going to tell her though. Luna wanted to tell her herself.
“Well..Alright then.”
***
“Thank you for the food.”
Flusk smiled at a few chefs who smiled back and waved to her as they took the dirty dishes and leftovers off the table with them to the kitchen. A maid had already come and began changing out the table cloths and such as well. Right..Celestia. She should probably leave before she could be caught alone with her.
She began hurriedly trotting down the hall, searching for Luna when she heard hoof steps behind her emerging from the dining room.
“Flusk Flurry?”
Too late..
“Oh! Good evening, Princess.” Flusk greeted Celestia, bowing to her.
“No need to bow. You’re a dear friend of my sister, therefore, there’s no formality needed.”
Flusk raised to her hooves again, feeling a bit nervous upon looking into her calm pink eyes.
“You and Luna seem to hang out quite a bit. How is that going?”
“Oh, it’s going well. She’s a very nice pony.” Flusk smiled.
“Well, I’m glad my sister is treating you well and you back."
Celestia looked out a nearby window, smiling for a few seconds before it formed into a frown and she looked down at Flusk seriously.
“You know..If there’s something going on with Luna that she’s not telling me, you can always say. I know she’s very secretive about her problems and she rarely asks for help. I just want to make sure she’s alright. She often pushes aside her issues.” Celestia said.
“Oh..Well, alright.”
The two stared at each other in silence for a moment. It seemed Celestia was waiting for Flusk to confirm her suspicions in Luna hiding her feelings. Flusk wasn’t going to budge though. She couldn’t.
“Well, that was a nice talk we had but I have somewhere to be right now. I deeply apologize.” Flusk said, starting to walk herself backwards while keeping in eye contact with her.
“Of course. Have a nice evening, Flusk.”
When she saw Celestia turn around and trot the other way, she felt relief wash over her as she trotted off, making sure to not go the same way as her.
***
The moon began to rise high in the sky above her as she galloped down the quiet streets of Ponyville. Very few were out right now and normally it was the usual nightwalker or drunk ponies almost losing their balance every step they took. She ignored them though because they were not of importance right now. Not at all.
She walked up a few steps once she reached her destination and she knocked on the big door, pausing for someone to open it. It took a bit but she heard some shuffling noises on the other side as it opened a crack. She saw a big green eye staring at her from behind it, studying her. What was that?..Was that a monster. She felt her hooves backing up for her a little bit as she tried to muster at least a greeting.
H-Hello?..” She stuttered.
The big eye suddenly vanished and the door opened. She was surprised at what she saw answering the door. A baby dragon wearing pyjamas and holding a cup of what looked like hot chocolate with whip cream and sprinkles looked up at her tiredly. The dragon even had the same eyes she saw looking out at her before. The dragon was definitely less scary though now that she knew he was completely harmless...Or was he?
“Well, you chose a late time to come here.” The dragon suddenly spoke, sounding not very impressed.
“I know, I apologize. I came here to speak to the ‘Princess of Friendship’. Is she awake or well..Here?”
“She is actually. She’s doing some late night reading currently. I’m guessing that means you want to come in?”
“If that’s okay with you.”
The dragon shrugged. “Well, I can’t just leave you here so.”
The dragon stepped out of the way as Flusk trotted through the entrance and immediately stopped, her jaw-dropping when she saw the inside. She always admired the castle from a distance because of its beautiful crystal appearance but the inside was even more beautiful. The walls were made of purple crystal that stretched out like the arms of a tree to the ceiling. The very floor she walked on was completely spotless that she even could see her own reflection in it. To add on to it, beautiful curtains and tapestries lined the walls just giving the castle a gorgeous look.
“I’ve seen that face before a million times.” The dragon laughed.
“Its just..So beautiful. I don’t know how you live here without admiring it many times yourself.”
“Well, I guess it just gets boring after a while. It’s always better than a normal pony house though. Much more room to live in.”
“I bet.”
“Come on, I’ll take you to Twilight.”
She followed the baby dragon as she took in her surroundings, still in awe. It almost felt like she could get lost in this place if she weren’t following him. That didn’t sound all that bad. She’d technically get to live here until somepony found her.
“Annnd..We’re here!”
The dragon pushed open two big doors as she was completely blown away by this room. A big tree trunk hung above like a chandelier hanging colorful little diamonds on its roots as she could have sworn she saw images flickering within them. Below it was a big table made of shiny crystal along with seven thrones around it. Each one had a different image on it such as three apples or maybe three diamonds. There was a little throne that had no image on it but beside it was a bigger throne and a pony seated in it. The purple unicorn seemed to be particularly interested in a book in front of her as her eyes moved fast over the pages, reading it at an alarming rate.
“Twi, we have a guest that wants to speak to you.” The dragon said.
“Mhm?”
The dragon sighed.
“I’d recommend covering your ears.”
“Why?” Flusk asked.
“Just do it.”
Flusk put her hooves over her ears as she watched the dragon inhale a lot of air, cupping his claws together towards the pony he called Twilight.
“TWILIGGHHT!”
The pony jumped in her seat, moving her throne backward a bit. Purple wings suddenly popped up out of nowhere as it seemed to be some sort of fear response. Wait a minute..Wings? Hold on a second..This wasn’t any old pony..This was the Princess of Friendship the one she heard about! How could she have mistaken her as any old pony?
“H-Huh?”
“Good, you’re out of ‘book land’. We have a guest who wanted to speak to you.” He gestured to Flusk.
“A guest?..At this hour?”
“Hey, not everypony’s perfect.” The dragon said as Flusk trotted up to the crystal table.
“I’m sorry this wasn’t a really convenient time. I just had to get this done before it reached tomorrow.”
Flusk removed a piece of parchment from a bag she hung over her back as she looked down at some scribbled writing.
“I heard from somepony that you have the Elements of Harmony in your possession. They have the ability to banish evil magic?”
“Well..Sort of. They’re not really mine because the Tree of Harmony has them right now.” Twilight replied.
“The..Tree of Harmony?”
“Never mind. Why are you looking for something that banishes evil magic? Do you need help?”
Should she tell Twilight? Luna never said to not tell another princess. But..Was it safe?
“No, no. It’s just a research project, that’s all. I’m uh..Doing a project on artifacts and spells that banish evil magic and needed them that’s all.”
The dragon looked at her suspiciously as Twilight tapped her hoof to her chin, thinking.
“Well, I, unfortunately, can’t let you have the elements but I could maybe show you to my personal library. There might be some spells in there that could aid you in your research. You have to promise me that you won’t abuse the spells though.”
“I promise.” Flusk replied.
“Hmm..Alright, follow me. You seem to be trustworthy enough.”
Twilight got up from her throne as they moved to another room which had shelves of books that reached all the way to the ceiling. Twilight untucked her wings as she flew up to the very top of a shelf, grabbing a hooful of books and setting them in a pile on the floor as she landed back down.
“These are all the books on magic I could think of. If you look through them you’ll most likely find something.”
Flusk levitated the books, going through a few covers and names and nodding.
“If you want, you can take them home with you and return them when you’re done.”
“W-What, really?”
“Mhm. Just take good care of them and you know..Don’t keep them forever.” Twilight giggled.
“Wow, thank you, Princess! I’ll make sure to keep them safe.” Flusk grinned, slipping the books into her bag. “Well, I best be on my way now.”
Flusk trotted over to the big doors she and the dragon had previously entered through and pushed them open, looking side to side through the halls before looking back at Twilight and the dragon with a bit of a sheepish smile.
“Uhh..Mind showing me to the door, please?”
The dragon laughed. “Of course.”