//------------------------------//
// Dust Is Not Sprout's Enemy! [DC 5 Success] 
// Story: The Legend of Cozy Glow 
// by kleia 
//------------------------------//

The dust in the library settled, Sprout’s eyes scanning the chess shelf. No, no, no, AHA! One book in particular caught Sprout’s eye. On the leather spine was no title, but it was a curiosity nonetheless. Sprout carefully pried it from it’s spot on the shelf, the spot beneath it pristinely clean and dust free.

On the front of the book was nothing but a gold leaf, embossed chess piece on the leather bound book cover.  A rook, Sprout recognized. Sprout tilted his head in confusion. Where was the title? He held the book every which way, looking for the title, unable to find it. Maybe the actual paper cover was missing? After a moment of looking, Sprout shrugged, taking the book, and others, with him to one of the tables and chairs tucked away amongst the shelves of books.

Quietly, he flipped through and skimmed some of the books. Studying was not his strong suit, after all. After a few hours, Sprout was sure his brain was fried, and that the books he read were all evil unicorns, frying his brains with horn zaps. But he had one book left. The title-less rook-book. That was a mouthful for Sprout.

Sprout, as Sprout does, groaned as he opened the book, his eyes and lungs assaulted with more dust. Dust would not be Sprout’s enemy! He waved the dust in the air away once more, letting it settle before he read.

”This is the legend of Cozy Glow, master of chess.” Was the book’s first line. Who was Cozy Glow? What did somepony have to do with chess? Perhaps they were a master of chess in their lifetime? Sprout read on. 

”Cozy Glow was a master of chess. While her cutie mark was nothing more than a rook, she knew that to be a master at chess, one had to play as the most valuable pieces. Some say that what she did was wrong, while many other agree that she knew what she was doing, and that she had the right idea.” Huh? Right idea? What did this have to do with chess? Sprout read on with the thought that maybe this had something to do with chess, perhaps Cozy was underhanded in a chess competition? 

"Cozy Glow was a master of manipulating her enemies, down to every pawn she played, -- Suddenly the words in the book glowed a mythical, mystifying arcane red. From the magic, a vision was drawn forth like a hologram from the books pages. 

"Golly! It seems you've read my book" spoke the vision of tiny, pink filly and a light blue, curled mane. Sprout blinked at the vision before him, jaw to the floor. "I applaud your ability to think clearly and find this book. Remember, world domination starts with playing in the shadows!" Sprout once more tilted his head. World domination? What? 

"Your next steps are to find me and free me! Only then will I teach you how to crush your enemies to dust! And laugh as they all scream!" Cozy Glow said, an evil laugh emanating from her hologram. Sprout looked around, ensuring no pony else had heard. No one else had payed him any mind. 

"To find me, head to where the unicorns once lived, hoity and toity,  
An ancient palace, an ancient prison, secrets it holds, 
Free me from the stonework, if you may be so bold,"  

Sprout wracked his mind. Where was this tiny pegasus referring to? 




[INTGELLIGENCE CHECK - Just where was Cozy Glow Referring to?]
DC: 12
Bonuses: -1 to your total roll. Sprout isn't very smart.




[If you rolled 11 or lower, click here]or [If you rolled 12 or higher, click here]