//------------------------------// // Chapter Four - Hold Onto Hope // Story: Legends of Magic // by EchoWing //------------------------------// The journey from Cloudsdale to New Anugypt was a long one, something that weighed heavily on Stygian’s mind as the party continued on its way. Those thoughts gained even more weight, however, due to their newest party member. “If it’s so important that this Siren be defeated, then why aren’t we going after it now?” Flash Magnus had deigned to walk among them rather than fly, though he was doing a poor job of hiding his frustration. “I think that between the four of us, we can defeat it.” Stygian frowned as he led the party onward. “As much as I want to save my home and my friends, I don’t think that we should rush into this. If we only go in half-prepared, we might fall under Basso’s spell as well. And if that happens, who will save us?” “Lad’s right, fancy feathers.” Rockhoof’s tone was firm as he explained, “I’ve learned time an’ again that thinkin’ things through and takin’ your time to do the job right is always the best course of action. You cannae just go chargin’ in and hope for the best.” He nodded towards Meadowbrook. “If’n you’re lucky, you might even be able to avoid some trouble that way.” Magnus chose to relent. “Apologies. Patience isn’t a virtue that I’m very good at practicing.” He looked to Stygian and remarked, “You must be worried about them.” The unicorn nodded. “The day Basso Profundo arrived, I was supposed to help a neighbor with preparations for an apple harvest. Miss Malus is an old mare, and what family she has is spread far and wide.” He bowed his head. “I only hope that she and everypony else is alright.” The pegasus offered an encouraging grin. “She will be.” The group found themselves approaching a village as Magnus prodded, “So who are we looking for here? What do they have to offer?” “Well, all heroes have some elements or skills that allow them to be of aid to others. Rockhoof is strong, while you’re fast.” “Perhaps, but I don’t think that’s my defining trait.” “Still, it takes a lot of speed to outfly dragons, or rescue griffon cubs from an oncoming storm.” He gestured back to the lone mare among them. “And Meadowbrook has a connection with nature. That isn’t an obvious strength, but it’s vital. The ponies still to come will provide us with wisdom and… well, magic of the spirit or the soul, I suppose.” Magnus smiled. “I’d think you had the wisdom covered.” Stygian shook his head. “I’m no hero. At best I’m a scholar.” He got back on subject and continued, “The pony we’re here for will hopefully give us something we need to keep our spirits up. Something vital.” “Braaaaaains…” “Well, yes, that’s vital, but I meant…” “Braaaaaains…” The group stopped in its tracks as it found itself surrounded by a growing crowd of creatures, pony-shaped and wrapped in linen bandages. The mass shambled about and approached them, moaning that one word over and over again. “Ah’m not hallucinatin’, am Ah?” Meadowbrook checked over her pouch of potions. “Ah’ve still got water, an’ none of mah bottles are leakin’…” Rockhoof readied his shovel at the sight of the shambling mass. “Lass, either we’re all hallucinatin’, or we’re in a heap of trouble!” - It took everything that Twilight had to maintain her composure as she, Lyra and Celestia approached the Canterlot Library. She’d visited it more times in her life than she could count, been the Best Book Borrower for a very long time (and hadn’t her breaking that record been an embarrassing experience), but never had she realized that the library could have a restricted section. Then again, perhaps it should’ve been obvious. After all, rare books and… “Twilight?” She was shaken from her wool-gathering as Lyra beckoned, “Eyes on the prize, remember?” The young alicorn took a deep breath as the three reached the end of a set of bookshelves. “Right. Sorry.” Celestia smiled. “It’s alright to be enthusiastic, Twilight. And I applaud your restraint. There’s a lot in here to get lost in, after all.” Her magic took hold of two books and pulled them out, only to reveal a hidden door. “Still, coming here will give us privacy, and perhaps some answers.” The two younger mares nodded as the elder alicorn led them further inside. Bats chittered and flew about overhead as the three approached a set of doors. Celestia pushed open the doors with her hoof, and gestured for the two to enter ahead of her. They did so, and she followed them inside before closing the doors behind them. They found themselves inside of a circular cavern, one that had clearly seen some construction work inside to allow it to function as part of the library. Books were placed on shelves and in alcoves carved from the cavern walls, and looked pristine despite the cave conditions. “Quite a few preservation and protection spells have been put in place here to protect the contents of this chamber. Those same spells should protect us from prying eyes.” She then turned to her former student. “Are you ready, Lyra?” The mare nodded. “Very well. I apologize, this may hurt.” The tip of Celestia’s horn glowed as she leaned forward towards her former student, and as the tips of their horns touched, a flash of light occurred. The spell faded almost instantly, and Celestia reared back in shock. Twilight sat up in alarm at what happened, particularly the horrified look on her mentor’s face. “Celestia? What’s wrong?” The elder alicorn recovered herself, but it was clear her reaction to what she’d seen in Lyra’s mind had disturbed her. “I’m sorry. I…” The minty green unicorn frowned. “You can’t tell me anything.” “No, no, I can, but I need a moment.” She sat down, still taking deep breaths as she finished collecting herself. After a few moments, she finally asked, “Have either of you ever wondered what prompted Equestria going from an absolute diarchy to a constitutional one?” Twilight and Lyra exchanged glances before they turned back to the princess and the latter answered. “No, but I thought it might have something to do with what happened to Princess Luna.” “It did, for a number of reasons.” Celestia took a deep breath and admitted, “Luna and I were always intended to rule Equestria together, and even with the increasing prominence of the old unicorn nobility, that intention remained. With her loss, however, it became clearer to me that the work of managing a government was far too large and important a task to leave in the hooves of one pony. Establishing Equestria’s first constitution, and founding its elected government, helped to take the weight off my back immensely and make things better for the citizenry. But there were other reasons behind my actions, ones that never made it into common knowledge. The first was that I had long wondered if I or Luna even deserved such power, which by then I had decided that we deserved it no more or less than any other pony. The second was that I was afraid.” “What would you have to…?” The realization slowly came to Lyra. “Oh. Nightmare Moon.” “I had no way of knowing then how I lost my sister, and certainly no way of knowing that she had been possessed. But even then, I speculated that it was due to bitterness on her part over my increasing prominence in ponies’ lives, and feared that my neglect of her had led to envy and desire for greater power. And there I was, the single most powerful pony in Equestria. How long before I allowed that power to go to my head, and corrupt me? I feared that instead of a Nightmare, Equestria would have a far greater peril facing it, a monster of fire unbound by morality or virtue. A Daybreaker.” Celestia frowned as she bowed her head. “I was both relieved and ashamed to realize that it was equal parts her state of mind and outside possession that turned Luna into Nightmare Moon, but the fact remained that if she could fall, then so could I.” “And the less power you have, the less likely that it will go to your head.” Twilight shook her head. “Celestia, there was no guarantee that something like that would happen.” “But I had no way of knowing it at the time, and it was a risk I didn’t dare take. Besides, divesting myself of my power meant there was a better chance that ponies would be able to look after themselves and not rely upon me to solve all of their problems.” The elder alicorn shrugged and admitted, “How successful that’s gone is a matter of debate, but I don’t regret the action itself.” “And you shouldn’t, but what does that have to do with my memories?” Celestia frowned. “As I’ve said, regrets. A number of organizations and groups were formed in the wake of Equestria gaining a constitution, meant to help keep the weight off any one group. Many have done good work, but others…” She sat up again and made her way to the nearby table, where she enveloped a chest in her magic and opened it. “I assume that both of you remember The Seven Trials of Clover the Clever?” “Of course, but those predate the founding of Equestria!” The two smaller ponies approached the table as Celestia opened the chest and withdrew a scroll from within. “What does that have to do with what happened to Lyra after the changelings invaded?” “I fear they have a very clear connection.” Celestia unfurled the scroll and explained, “As you know from the story, there lived a sorceress during that time. Her name is long lost to history, but her actions were one of the factors that helped to further the divisions between the three tribes. She terrorized unicorns, earth ponies and pegasi alike using, among other things, an artifact of her creation.” The scroll reached an illustration of a pony with an egg-shaped stone. “Using memory spells and a great many bits of arcane knowledge, she crafted the Memory Stone. With it, she could erase the memories of any pony, even fragments of them.” Another bit of scroll, this one ripped off from the rest, was raised in Celestia’s magic as she continued, “The one bit of good news was that the effects could be reversed, but Clover didn’t realize this until it was far too late, and it could only be done under specific circumstances. Regardless, he knew that the sorceress was a danger to ponykind, Memory Stone or no, and pursued them across land and sea.” “Must not have been easy.” Lyra turned to the princess and asked, “But how did Clover even find them? I mean, the sorceress could have used the Stone to just erase his memories of her.” “Clover had a plan for that.” Celestia produced a number of small parchments. “He wrote these to remind himself of what was going on, and where he needed to go next.” The scroll shifted again to show an illustration of two ponies, a swirling portal separating the pair. “Clover eventually chased the sorceress through a portal to another world. Exactly what happened, again, is lost to history, but Clover returned and neither his opponent nor the Stone were with him.” The two younger ponies looked at one another in fright, before Twilight took a calming breath. “Okay, obviously Clover remembered all of this and was able to write it down, so he didn’t get hit with the Stone again. But what happened to it and the sorceress?” “So far as the sorceress is concerned, I cannot say. But history never mentioned them again, so that leaves very few options. As for the Stone, I know exactly what happened to it.” Celestia rolled the scroll back up and set it within the chest. “Clover buried it, and the stone remained undisturbed for over a millennium since.” She turned back to Twilight and explained, “As it turns out, the portal led to the human world, the same one linked to this world by the Crystal Mirror. Some twenty years ago, my counterpart and Luna’s found the Stone through sheer luck and returned it to me. I personally destroyed it, and it’s been no more than dust and ash ever since.” She frowned as she turned to Lyra. “But Clover eventually found and recovered the sorceress’s notes, as well as all of the spellwork that went into crafting the Stone itself. What he didn’t ultimately destroy was locked away, and I fear they were the foundation for what was used on you after the changelings invaded.” “But they weren’t permanent. I got my memories back.” “Through very specific circumstances, ones that I doubt those responsible for altering your memories ever saw coming.” Lyra bowed her head as she considered this, while Twilight scowled. “We can’t ignore this. Mind alteration spells like this are illegal, immoral. I’m still ashamed over what happened with Smarty Pants, and if other ponies are doing this, for whatever reason, then something has to be done about it.” “Such as?” Celestia frowned as she admitted, “Twilight, I’m as disgusted by this as you. Unfortunately, for the time being, this is beyond my ability to punish, and dangerous for the three of us to discuss outside of this location.” “Why not?!” “Because those responsible are agents of the Equestrian government, acting according to the belief that they pursue a greater good. Agents with the means to cover their tracks and hide themselves away.” Celestia scowled. “We need proof, concrete evidence that can be presented within a court of law. I’ve no doubt it exists, but for now, it’s beyond even mine or Luna’s ability to obtain.” “She’s right, Twilight.” Lyra raised her head with a defeated look on her face. “This isn’t a battle we can fight. Not right now, anyway. If I talked about this with anyone else, I’d be dismissed as crazy, or worse, silenced.” Twilight’s eyes widened in fear before she turned to Celestia, who sadly nodded in confirmation. “A great many evils have been done in the name of the greater good, Twilight. That’s a sad truth to our world. Facing this danger will come, but not today.” The young princess nodded. “Alright. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is, I guess.” As the trio departed the restricted section, Twilight silently resolved that the danger would be faced, and she would do all that she could to be ready for it. Researching what happened with Stygian and this Siren came first, but afterwards, she needed to meet with the rest of her friends. Lyra very likely wasn’t alone, and even if nopony else close to her had been attacked like this, she had to confirm it one way or another. And the sooner she did, the better. - As the shambling mass approached the group, Stygian looked about. “Something about this isn’t right!” Flash Magnus suddenly found himself wishing that he had a spear in addition to his famous shield. “Stygian, you’ve an impressive grasp of the obvious!” “That’s not what I meant!” He gestured to the creatures before him. “These things look like mummies! They aren’t actual creatures, they’re…well, they’re deceased ponies! Prepared for the next life in accordance with local customs!” “You mean these are the walking dead?” Rockhoof was at the ready with his shovel. “Meadowbrook, I dinnae suppose you have a potion ready to combat something like this?!” “The last time Ah dealt with zombies, it was a different sort all together!” The healer looked about at the approaching mob of mummies and declared, “Ah don’t have anything that can handle this!” “Well, I guess that leaves us with the direct approach!” Flash readied his shield and called, “You ready, Rockhoof?” “Aye lad! Try to keep up!” The two soldiers then charged into battle and bashed their way though the oncoming crowd. Stygian and Meadowbrook kept close, and while the latter did what she could to aid her companions using what potions she had, the former surveyed the situation. “There’s still something wrong here! You can’t reanimate mummies, and the organs needed for speech are removed as part of the process! As much as they’d want brains, they wouldn’t be able to vocalize it!” As the mass just seemed to grow and none of the ones that got knocked back stayed knocked down, Stygian continued, “These aren’t mummies, or zombies!” “Then what are they?!” “I can answer that question!” The mass of zombies was knocked aside by what looked like a shooting star of light, one which was successful in halting their advance and giving the party some breathing room. The shooting star came to a halt and faded to reveal a pegasus mare in native garb, the gemstones on her necklace going from a brilliant orange to a more placid bright green. “Forgive me if I startled you friends, but you seemed to be in a bind!” She gestured to a nearby rooftop as two local earth ponies dropped a makeshift ladder. “Quickly, they can’t follow us there!” “Aye lass!” Rockhoof found himself in the grasp of their new friend and Flash Magnus as Meadowbrook and Stygian scrambled up the ladder. Once all five were on the roof, the ladder was pulled back, and the shambling mass recovered and continued as if nothing had occurred. “My thanks. Excellent timing.” “And impressive work!” Flash gestured to the necklace and asked, “Where did you get that?” “Glowpaz is common in our region, though it seems to have an uncommon reaction to me.” She then paused and made a small bow. “Oh, forgive my manners. I am Somnambula, advisor to the royal family of New Anugypt. Once this situation is resolved, I will be more than happy to join you in your quest.” Stygian laughed. “So I had hoped!” He then paused. “But how did you know…?” “Four different ponies, garbed from different regions and belonging to different tribes? A quest worthy of epic tales seemed the most likely explanation.” “Somnambula, can they do it?” One of the ponies that had aided in their escape, a young filly with a curly mane, stepped forward. “Can they help you save the prince?” The mare laughed. “They can, and they will.” She then turned back to Stygian and continued, “Anyway, you were correct. They aren’t mummies, or zombies, or any sort of undead.” “Then what exactly are they?” Flash glanced over the side of the building and took note of the continued shambling. “Aside from not very bright.” “They are nothing.” At the stallion’s perplexed look, she elaborated, “They are projections, nightmares brought into the waking world. Prince Hisan received a broach which, unfortunately, turned out to be cursed. He passed out immediately upon donning it, and is now one of the false mummies in that great shambling mass.” Stygian nodded in understanding. “So they work on dream logic then! That explains a great deal!” “Aye, that’s well and good, but we still need to put an end to this!” Rockhoof turned to Somnambula and reasoned, “Now I assume that if we are to destroy this broach, the problem will be solved?” “Oh, we don’t need to destroy it. Just the emerald incorporated into it.” “Ah, that simplifies things. Gemstones are hard, but they’re brittle. Have you tried hitting it really hard with a rock or piece of hard metal?” Somnambula nodded. “Indeed, but I couldn’t risk serious harm to the prince, so I was forced to restrain myself. I like your approach, however, it’s very direct.” “Some ceremonial armor in the Legion incorporates gemstones.” Flash Magnus approached the mare and explained, “Those gemstones cracked when we got too high up in the air. Maybe we can scoop him up and carry him into the sky?” The pegasus mare shook her head. “The prince may struggle in our grasp and fall, unfortunately. We need to stay close to the ground.” The scholar soon found himself thinking out loud. “The gemstones shattering is likely the result of temperature changes. Many gemstones crack when exposed to extreme heat or cold.” Meadowbrook brightened up at Stygian’s suggestion. “Oh! Ah have a potion that can create extreme cold over a very small area!” She produced a small blue bottle from her bag. “Ah’d be very careful with it, though!” Somnambula laughed. “Indeed! That’s exactly what we need!” - “Well, I don’t think this is quite what we needed.” Sunburst closed the tome before him and frowned. “Star Swirl is mentioned on occasion in Mistmane’s volume, but there’s nothing about anypony else. I’m beginning to think the best resource we have right now is Meadowbrook’s journals.” “I agree, but still, it would be nice to have something to corroborate it.” Moondancer’s attention turned from her fellow scholar back to the other half of their research team as they returned to the palace grounds. “Twilight! Any good news?” “Maybe, but nothing related to our research project.” The young alicorn looked among the rest of their group as Sunburst stood up. “And I’m guessing Mistmane’s volume hasn’t provided anything.” “Not nearly as much as I’d like, unfortunately, though we do have confirmation that Star Swirl met Mistmane.” The bespectacled stallion bowed and sheepishly smiled. “Beyond yours and Princess Luna’s testimony, of course.” Celestia gave her former student a forgiving smile. “I’m not offended, Sunburst. Luna and I both have stories to tell about attempting to convince academics about something from a particular point in that time.” The smile faded as she noted, “Still, I can’t say that I’m surprised. Star Swirl was not only very organized, but more than a little secretive.” “Then maybe there’s a volume that we’re missing?” Sunrunner stepped forward to address the group. “I read comic books when I was younger. Individual comic book heroes would have their own books, but there’d also be team books where groups of heroes would come together. It looks like we’ve got the collected solo series, but not the team book.” She shrugged and amended, “At least, not a team book that Star Swirl transcribed, or had transcribed.” “If that’s the case, then we’ll be lucky if we find it.” Twilight turned to her mentor. “Just because you stayed out of Star Swirl’s study doesn’t mean that nopony else did.” “True, unfortunately.” Celestia’s gaze turned skyward for a moment. “And I fear that further research might have to wait until tomorrow morning. It’s very nearly time for sunset.” She then turned to the group and offered, “Would all of you like to join me for dinner? If nothing else, we can have a decent meal together before we retire for the night. And that invitation applies to each of you in the Guard as well, of course. No need for formalwear.” The four Guardsponies looked among one another in surprise, before breaking out in pleased smiles. “We’re honored to join you for dinner, ma’am.” “And hopefully breakfast in the morning as well.” The elder alicorn gestured for the group to follow her. “For now, I think we all need a chance to freshen up.” Nopony argued, and the group made their way back into the castle. As they went, however, Sunburst found himself unable to resist bringing something up with one of the Guardsponies. “So, Lieutenant Sunrunner. You’re a cousin to Sunset Shimmer too?” “Yep. Her mother and mine were sisters.” “Huh. Well, that explains why I never saw you at the family reunions.” The stallion chuckled as he explained, “Her father was my mother’s older brother. Did you ever meet her?” “She came to live with my family after her parents passed away. Did you ever meet her?” Sunburst shook his head. “There was talk about her family visiting mine in Sire’s Hollow, but the plans never went beyond talk before… well, you know what happened. I didn’t hear more about her until I was admitted as a student at the SfGU. I wouldn’t even know what she looked like if Princess Celestia hadn’t shown me a picture of her.” He laughed nervously. “That’s part of why I reacted to you the way I did. You and her are practically twins.” Sunrunner extended a wing. “Save for the obvious.” She turned somber as she ventured, “Then I guess you know that she didn’t leave under the best of circumstances.” The unicorn nodded. “That’s the funny thing. I never actually met her, but I’m still wondering what happened to her. Is that weird?” “No. She’s family. Being curious or worried is natural.” The mare smiled reassuringly. “And she’s doing okay. Princess Twilight helped me and her to get back in touch.” That caught Sunburst by surprise. “Really?” “Really.” The pair looked up as Twilight looked back on them. “And if you’re interested, I can try to arrange a meeting.” Sunburst bowed his head uneasily for a moment before he asked, “Can I have a little while to think it over?” “Of course.” Celestia smiled as she listened to her former students talk among themselves, happy that they were connecting and reconnecting. If nothing else came from this venture, then at least some connections had been strengthened. And perhaps with time, those connections would lead to greater things. - Flash Magnus was a soldier. Young, certainly. Known for his bravery, most definitely, with some even calling him reckless. Still, real soldiers knew that going into action without a plan was dangerous, and he was not inclined to argue. And as plans went, the one they had right now was not a bad one. “I see him!” The stallion fluttered over the rooftops and pointed out their target, one shambling mummy among dozens. The only thing that marked him unique was the glowing emerald dangling from his neck. “Ten o’clock low and surrounded by some ten projections!” Somnambula nodded from her position. “Then we will need the element of surprise, lest they attempt to cluster around him.” “Ah’m still not sure this is the safest way.” Meadowbrook carefully passed the bottle of freezing potion to her fellow mare. “Ah mean, if the bottle breaks while you’re holdin’ it…” The local mare flashed a reassuring smile. “Have hope, my friend. This will be successful. All I need is a boost.” “Which is where I come in.” Somnambula daintily perched herself upon his shovel as Rockhoof got into position. “Can’t say that I’ve ever used my shovel to throw a pony before, though. Still, nothing ventured! Just say when!” “Now!” At the signal, Rockhoof tossed his head with all his might and sent Somnambula flying. Aided by the extra velocity, the mare shot forward and extended her wings as she approached the oncoming mass. Before any of them could react, she dropped her cargo, and it landed with a crash upon its target. The bottle smashed into glass shards, and its contents coated the bright emerald almost instantly and covered it in bright blue frost. The gemstone cracked, then shattered into dust. Somnambula crashed and rolled to a halt in the dust as the shambling hordes unraveled. Most revealed nothing within their wrappings before said wrappings vanished into thin air, but one revealed a dark blue Pegasus who dropped to his front hooves in confusion. “Wha-?!” At the sound of a familiar groan, he turned about in surprise. “Somnambula!” He moved to aid her just as Stygian and his party caught up to them. “What happened? Why aren’t we in the palace?” He then noticed the destroyed brooch about his neck and asked, “And what happened to…?” “I’m afraid that your gift was a curse in disguise, my friend.” Somnambula trotted on slightly unsteady hooves to join Stygian’s party as she explained, “You’ve spent the last few hours transformed into a nightmare mummy. But do not worry. My new friends and I were able to end the curse.” Prince Hisan looked over the gathered band of ponies, still confused but nonetheless cognizant enough to grasp the essentials. “You have my thanks then. Now, however, we must discover who sent this to me in the first place.” “Indeed, but I fear that I cannot help you with that. At least, not right this moment.” Somnambula turned to the party and explained, “They have need of my help, but when I return, we shall investigate.” Hisan looked as though he wished to argue, but as his guards and doctors approached, he nodded. “Very well. The stars be with you and your friends, Somnambula.” He then turned to the doctors and asked, “I don’t suppose I could get something to drink? I fear that I have a headache coming on.” As the prince went out of earshot, Rockhoof laughed. “Well done, lassie! Glad to have you with us!” He then managed a nervous chuckle as introductions were made. “And please, forgive my manners. I’m Rockhoof, and this is Flash Magnus, Mage Meadowbrook, and Stygian. He’s the one who gathered us for this quest.” “Indeed.” The scholar approached and explained, “My village is under attack from a creature with terrible powers, and if left unchecked, they could threaten all of Equestria.” “Ah, so this is a gathering of the land’s mightiest heroes to face a common threat?” At Stygian’s shrug and half-nod, Somnambula laughed. “Oh, this has such promise! Has the party been completed then, or do we still seek others?” “Two more, actually, but I don’t feel comfortable seeking out the second until we meet the first.” Stygian turned ashamed as he explained, “And I’m not sure where to find the first. Her name is Mistmane, and…” “Wait, Mistmane the Fair?” Flash Magnus laughed. “I can tell you where she might be. She’s built a greenhouse near the new capital.” Stygian sighed in relief. “That’s good news.” “And very pleasant.” Somnambula smiled placidly. “I have a fondness for plants and all things green.” “As do Ah!” Meadowbrook laughed. “And Ah think that we’re off to a great start.” - Twilight sighed as dinner was laid out before her, her friends, and Celestia, and absentmindedly picked up her salad fork with her magic. Her former pupil’s sour demeanor wasn’t lost on the elder alicorn. “Why so glum, Twilight?” “It’s nothing.” At her mentor’s raised eyebrow, the young princess explained, “Okay, it isn’t nothing. It’s just that I can’t help but feel like nothing’s really been accomplished.” “That’s hardly true, Twilight.” Sunburst, by contrast, was in much better spirits. “I mean, we found genealogical records for ponies that were previously thought to be a myth, and that’s ignoring the transcriptions of previously-unknown tales involving them. What little we’ve found is enough to rewrite the history books.” “I know, and I’m thrilled about all of that, but it feels like we still aren’t any closer to discovering any sort of connection between the Tree of Harmony and any of the ponies we’ve been researching.” She bowed her head. “For all we know, there might not be one.” “And for all we know, we just haven’t found it yet.” She turned to Flash as he gave her an encouraging smile. “Roam wasn’t built in a day.” “Nor was Canterlot, for that matter.” Heads turned as another alicorn joined them. “Good evening, everypony.” “Hello Luna. Care to join us?” “Please, assuming there is some coffee available.” Luna claimed an empty chair as her requested beverage was poured and a salad deposited before her by the waitstaff. She then laughed. “One would almost think that mine presence was expected.” “Less expected, more hoped for.” Celestia then turned back to her former pupil and explained, “Anyway, they’re perfectly right, Twilight. No use giving up at this point, and besides, you and your research team did find quite a bit of information.” “Including a little bit about the two of you.” Heads turned back to Sunburst as he asked, “Forgive me if this is a little out of turn, but…” “Yes, Sunburst, we truly did squabble like foals amongst ourselves when we were younger.” Luna half-smiled. “I’m guessing you came across something about my accidental trip to another world?” Now it was Celestia’s turn to slump. “Oh dear…” That caught the attention of the rest of the ponies at the table, with Twilight giving her mentor a curious look. “Celestia?” The elder alicorn sighed. “It’s a very long and embarrassing story.” “One which took place early in our reign.” Luna took a sip of her coffee and elaborated, “Star Swirl was not only an advisor, but also our tutor in magic. Much to my chagrin, however, my sister was often far more of an apt pupil than I, despite my best efforts.” “And my needling her certainly didn’t help things.” Celestia gave her sister a pleading look. “Do they really need all of the details?” “This is a research project. They are supposed to be sharing their findings with one another, are they not? Better to come clean about it now than be questioned over it later.” At her sister’s reluctant nod, Luna continued, “In any case, in an effort to prove myself to Star Swirl and put an end to my sister’s bullying…” “It wasn’t…” The protest went flat as Celestia admitted, “Alright, it was bullying.” “I spirited away a spellbook and attempted to practice some of the more advanced spells, including one which opened portals to alternate worlds.” Now it was Luna’s turn to be embarrassed as she admitted, “On the positive side, I did successfully perform the spell. On the negative side, however, I was dragged through to the other realm by the shadowy creatures which inhabited it.” “Where they attempted to coerce her into becoming Nightmare Moon, or something like her, much sooner than it actually did.” Celestia groaned. “And had I heeded the lesson there…” “Wait, hold on.” Twilight looked at Celestia in disbelief. “You bullied Luna?” “In my sister’s defense, she was young and foolish. And she never did so again after that incident.” Luna offered her sister a comforting smile. “Perhaps you stumbled later, Celie, but you did take away a valuable lesson from that incident. That leaders must act with compassion for those who follow them.” She then managed a rueful smile of her own and added, “Besides, I think we both failed to heed lessons learned from that day.” Celestia nodded. “We never did stop having disagreements.” “Well, that’s normal for siblings.” Moondancer gave the pair a sympathetic smile as she admitted, “I mean, my sister and I never exactly had any spats like you two did, but still, there’s times where we haven’t seen eye to eye.” She looked to Twilight. “And you can say the same about Shining Armor, right?” “Well, not really.” Twilight nervously admitted, “We never really fought. Disagreed, sure, had a healthy rivalry, definitely, but no outright fighting. Mom and Dad always made sure that at the end of the day, we didn’t stop talking to each other. Or loving one another.” “Not all ponies had it that lucky, however.” Sunrunner opted to turn attention to other topics as she admitted to Luna, “Anyway, we did find something a little less embarrassing for the two of you.” The Princess of the Night gave her subject a curious look before Celestia explained, “They found our family tree, Luna. Star Swirl kept records of our descendants, as well as those of our siblings, up until his disappearance.” “Oh.” Luna bowed her head sadly. “How very nice of him.” Their young subjects looked among themselves curiously before Celestia explained, “One thing that became abundantly clear to myself and Luna as time passed was that, while there were many benefits to our apparent immortality due to our bonds with the sun and moon, there was one terrible downside. A growing distance between ourselves and those closest to us, friends and family alike. One that became apparent as we lost more of them over time.” “Even putting aside our blessings as keepers of the sun and moon, alicorns are naturally longer-lived than the other tribes were in those dark times. Nonetheless, we wed and had children, knowing that we might well outlive them. Many of those children had children, and so forth, but try as we might, over time, the distance grew too deep.” Luna frowned as she admitted, “I’m ashamed to say that revelation helped to fuel my feelings of loneliness, and my fall to darkness. Were it not for the friendships we had with the Pillars, it might well have happened sooner.” “The Pillars?” Lyra asked. “Who were they?” Celestia smiled. “The Pillars of Equestria. Star Swirl’s name for the group of ponies whom you are researching. He felt that they each embodied an element that could be found in all of us.” She turned to Twilight and smiled. “In many ways, they were the spiritual predecessors to you and your fellow Bearers.” “Though the Bearers appear to lack an equivalent to Stygian, with the possible exception of young Spike.” Luna turned to Twilight and asked, “Was there by chance anything about him within Star Swirl’s study?” “Not that we could find. Either Star Swirl never recorded anything about him, or some of the volumes have gone missing.” The Princess of the Night scowled. “Either is possible, alas. Still, perhaps tomorrow shall shed further light upon the Pillars and their adventures.” She smiled eagerly. “For now, please tell me of what you have discovered.” Flash Sentry smiled. “Well, we did find a slightly more positive story involving you and Mistmane.” That prompted a laugh. “Huzzah! I was hoping that such tales had been recounted! Please, continue!” As discussion continued, Twilight found her spirits lifted. Her mentor and her coltfriend were both right, and their work was only beginning. Much had already been learned, for good and for ill, and tomorrow would hopefully help them to find the answers they sought. - As night settled over Canterlot and the moon took its place in the sky, ponies in the city went about their business. Some enjoyed the city’s night life, while others scurried to their homes after a long day at work, or scurried from said homes for a long night at work. Even in the nation’s capital, there were ponies who had to work hard to make ends meet. Ivory Tower didn’t have that problem, as she silently trotted her way home from the offices of the EEA. She took home quite a tidy salary, and could look forward to a healthy pension once her retirement came. That day, fortunately, was long in coming, which would only cause said pension to grow. A small light blinked in one corner of her vision, a familiar indicator that she was being summoned, and she turned off into a quiet alley. “I’d rather this be done in private.” “Well, we can’t always get what we want, can we?” From the shadows stepped forth another unicorn stallion, his mane cut short and a smirk on his face. “Ivory Tower.” “Sterling Aide. I assume that this conversation will go unnoticed?” “Well, obviously.” The stallion laughed. “I assume you’re aware that FROWN-Magic is here in Canterlot?” The mare’s eyes narrowed. “Perfectly aware. It’s a miracle that the rest of FROWN is still in Ponyville going about their proper business given what’s happened. I’ve no doubt that she’s here to follow up on whatever leads have come in the wake of her discoveries in Neigh Orleans.” She scowled. “How did Subject Moon even have the time to chance across those records?” Sterling waved a hoof. “That’s water under the bridge. No use worrying about it. I just hope that you’ve done something on your end regarding it.” The mare regarded her colleague with a deepened scowl. “Obviously. While I’ve no doubt that FROWN-Magic would want to pursue her research to the fullest extent, the odds are that she will put it aside once sufficiently discouraged. A lack of concrete information, combined with discouragement from a figure of authority, should give her that needed discouragement. It will involve her coming into contact with somepony earlier than expected, but needs must.” The scowl eased as she amended, “In any case, the wheels are in motion. She and her party will depart Canterlot by the end of the day tomorrow.” “I’d certainly hope so. After all, harmony must be maintained.” “Indeed.” Ivory Tower gave her colleague a curt nod, then turned away to continue home. One way or another, the issue would be dealt with.