//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Inspiration Manifested // Story: Equestrian Vacation // by Dragonboy111 //------------------------------// After a terrible week spent recovering from Tatzlwurm Fever (yes, it had a name) Harry was clear to roam about Ponyville without the Twilight hovering over him; in some cases, this hovering was quite literal. The timing wasn't terrible either. The next few weeks were fairly eventful by Harry's standards. Rainbow Dash's birthday party was very exciting, a celebration made even crazier when a stallion named Cheese Sandwich offered to plan the party. He and Pinkie (literally) had a whole song and dance about who was the best party planner, which ended up with Pinkie Pie conceding to Cheese. But Harry couldn't shake the feeling he'd heard Cheese's voice at some point in his life, it was weird. Harry returned to his regularly scheduled sessions with Shining Armor after a full recovery was made. Harry was much more proficient in magical combat than ever before. Harry and Twilight had adapted nearly every spell Harry learned at Hogwarts to an Equestrian equivalent; a good thing because replicating wand movements with a horn was tedious, to say the least. Eventually, Harry felt he'd be able to "transcribe" spells instinctively, like Twilight. This gave Harry a formidable arsenal for a human his age. Harry was beginning to impress Shining Armor, who started to take his lessons more seriously. Unfortunately, "serious" meant rigorous, but nothing good ever came easily. But, magic aside, Harry also got to participate in several unique social events. Harry had rarely seen a non-magical gathering in his life. It was a little overwhelming, all the energy in the air and the happy faces. The annual Ponyville Days Festival, the Breezies, and the Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange were just a few of those events. He'd never been to anything like this in his life! In hindsight, Harry said that a lot. Every experience in Equestria was a completely new adventure. And that brought him to his newest one: the Foal and Filly Festival. Harry was (obviously) too old to participate, but he was able to help Twilight prepare the for festival. Everypony had expectations for the newest princess, paperwork notwithstanding. Everything was going just fine, games and activities were set up and even Pinkie Pie said it was perfect. That was until Spike asked Harry to take a quick visit with him to the Castle of the Two Sisters, of all places. "Hey, Harry. Are you busy today?" Spike asked when he walked into the library. Harry shook his head. "I just finished helping Twilight, I'm done for the day." He left the library to take a trott around the town. Hedwig perched herself comfortably on his back for the ride. Spike followed along, but he had an anxious look, which was concerning. Spike never knew his limits. "Oh, good, because I was wondering if you would help me check for something in the old castle in the Everfree Forest." Caught by surprise, Harry tripped on a tree root. Hedwig flew off with a disgruntled "hoot" and perched on the tree that dislodged her. Harry shook his head as he regained his hoofing. I'll find an earth pony to fix that root later. "I'm sorry, did you say the Everfree Forest?" Harry asked. "As in, the place we all nearly died in a few weeks ago? Spike, I'm trying to stay out of trouble in Equestria. I can't do that by walking into an unnatural forest." "I know you are, but I'm looking for anything in there that can help Rarity," Spike explained. "She really needs help, I mean it." Harry raised an eyebrow."Rarity? What's going on with Rarity?" he inquired. Spike was willing to help others, with Twilight, Rarity, and Harry at the top of his list. However, he did try too hard sometimes. Harry could recall Twilight telling him about the incident with Spikes's hoarding. "The puppet theater she made didn't impress the puppeteer. She's having a total breakdown, she feels awful. Please, I just want to find something there that might help her," Spike pleaded. Harry rubbed a hoof on his chin. The castle may have many ancient magical artifacts hidden within. It was untouched for nearly a thousand years, thanks to the Everfree Forest and the "Pony of Shadows" scaring away adventurers and thieves alike. Plus, Harry had been researching many magical artifacts that might help him. Just looking for ideas or spells couldn't hurt, right? And if he was helping Spike and Rarity, what was the harm? "Alright, we can go. But I want Owlowiscious and Hedwig to come along, just in case." He looked at Hedwig, still perched in the tree. "Could you go find Owlowiscious and join us at the edge of the Everfree?" Hedwig hooted and took off toward the library. Harry smiled; Hedwig seemed a lot smarter in Equestria, not that she wasn't a clever bird before. "Sweet! Rarity is going to be so excited when we find something," Spike declared. "If we find something," Harry corrected. "A lot of it could be dark magic, locked away for good reason." "We'll be fine." Spike waved off Harry's concerns. Harry shook his head at the dragon's high-energy attitude. He lifted the dragon and deposited him on his back, then took off to the Everfree Forest. Less than an hour of travel found Harry and Spike digging through the castle's library. "Argh, there's gotta be something in here somewhere," Spike exclaimed. Owlowiscious hooted. "It's not 'who", it's 'what'!" Spike said, seemingly oblivious to the fact that "who" was a sound owl made. "Like, what can help Rarity make something in time for the fair? She really, really, really wants to make a creative contribution. She said I'm her favorite dragon, so it's up to me to come through for her in her time of need. There's gotta be some kind of spell that'll do the trick." "Have you considered a spell won't help?" Harry asked. "Rarity lost her confidence. She'll pick herself up eventually, sooner if you're there for her. Plus, you're the only dragon she knows." "I know that, but I want to do more. Wouldn't you do the same for Twilight?" Spike reasoned. "Sure, but—" "Then you have to understand. We're both into mares way out of our league–" "And we're ending this conversation, right now," Harry said, walking to another shelf. Spike dropped down from the ladder. "What? It's not like I mind, you obviously make her happy." "As a friend, yes. Can we not talk about the relationships we don't have?" "Come on, you're the only stallion in Ponyville I can talk to," Spike pleaded with a hint of desperation. Spike inspected a lower shelf. "Big Mac's too shy for advice and I can't ask the Cakes," he said while pulling on another book. Suddenly, the wall slid away with the sound of grinding stones, revealing a hidden metal gate. Past the door was an old stone staircase leading up to a stone book hoving over a pedestal. "What is that?" "A distraction— another secret passage. This place has no shortage of them," Harry noted. Spike investigated the lock, then breathed enough fire on it to liquidate it. "Spike!" Harry scolded. "What? I don't have a key." "That's not what I meant. You don't think you're taking this too far. stealing from Celestia?" Spike opened the door and walked into the chamber. Harry hung back, watching Spike walk up the stairs and grab the book, just in case he needed to grab the dragon to get them both out. "Well, I'm sure she took everything important after Nightmare Moon," Spike reasoned. "Besides if I wasn't supposed to have it, it wouldn't be so easy to get," Spike said he he removed the book from the pedestal. As Spike walked back the stairs started to collapse, but Spike wasn't paying attention. "And it's covered in spikes, like me." "Spike, get back here before this place collapses!" Harry shouted from the base of the stairs. Harry levitated Spike, pulled him to the other side of the gate, and slammed the bookcase back in place, just for good measure. "You okay, Spike?" The dragon didn't notice the danger as he read the title of the book, "Inspiration Manifestation: Instantly brings ideas to life," Spike read the cover, pleased. "I'm liking the looks of this one." Harry sighed in exasperation. Once again, Spike was acting like, well, Harry, albeit slightly younger and with worse tunnel vision. "May I see?" Harry asked. He picked the book up, glancing over the inside. He read it in his head, not wanting to risk what happened with Star Swirl's spellbook. From in the head to out in the world... ...projecting forth whatever beauty you see... ...will you finally be set free? "Spike, I don't like the phrase 'will you finally be set free' being in a spellbook," Harry admitted "It's probably a metaphore, like a muse." "Spike, a muse can also describe being trapped in thought," Harry replied. He closed the book and put it in his saddle bag. "This seems like dangerous magic, more than what Rarity needs." "Which is why you can help," said Spike. He plucked the book from Hary's bags. "We'll let Rarity use the spell to make her contribution to the festival. If it goes sideways, we'll give it to Twilight for safekeeping. She's the Element of Magic, what's the worst that could happen?" Harry looked up to Owlowiscious and Hedwig. "Yeah, what could go wrong?" Harry deadpanned. Upon seeing Rarity's state, however, Harry decided maybe Spike wasn't exaggerating. Multiple containers of vanilla oat swirl ice cream coated the floor. Rarity herself was a steaming mess. Her hair was frayed and out of its perfectly brushed curls. Her mascara was flowing freely with her tears as she sobbed loudly. Harry couldn't help but pity her and, at that moment, understood Spike's desire to help. "Rarity!" Spike rushed up to her excitedly. Rarity, however, was too upset to listen. She gestured for them to leave her to wallow. "Leave me be! Can't you see how distraught, disappointed, and downtrodden I still am?" "Come on, Rarity. Spike went all the way to the Everfree Forest to get you something," Harry insisted. "Unless it's another carton of vanilla oat swirl or word that the festival has been canceled, I don't think I'm interested," Rarity bemoaned, still crying. A carton of said ice cream came to her side. How does she eat this much? "But it's magic!" Spike said. "Spike, precious scales, I already have magic," Rarity countered, levitating several chocolates up to stuff her face with. "But not the kind that can help you create something in time for the fair!" Spike removed the book, holding it for Rarity to see. "The book states it can manifest thoughts to reality," Harry explained. "It's your choice." "I... I suppose it's worth a try." Rarity held the book up. "From in the head to out in the world, every thought to action. Hold close this book and through its spell, you'll start a chain reaction, projecting forth whatever beauty you see. Only when true words are spoken will you finally be set free." Unseen by any of the three, the magic of the book escaped and covered Rarity's horn. They waited for a few moments for anything to happen, but nothing did. "Was that it?" Harry said. "Hm, there's only one way to find out." Rarity gave the book a scrutinizing glare. Instantly, the book's scary stone cover was transformed into an ornate book. "Oh, my! I thought about making this a much more beautiful spell book, and I have!" There was another flash of magic, which converted Rarity's infamous fainting couch into a grander design. "Dear, dear Spike! Here I was about to give up, but like a true friend, you've come through with flying colors!" She congratulated the now blushing dragon. "Come! We must find the puppeteer right away, so that I may provide him with the most fabulous theater he's ever imagined!" Rarity turned back to Harry and Spike, a gleam in her eye. "Or, should I say, that I've ever imagined," she declared as he left the boutique. "That's not ominous," Harry stated flatly. "I'm sure she's only excited," Spike said. "You weren't there when she made your human dress robe, she was just like this. She'll get over it." "If you say so," Harry relented. "Listen, Spike, I have a package from Cloud Chaser to pick up today. Promise to return the book by this afternoon, after Rarity finished that theater. This book seems a bit powerful to be left unchecked." "I'll keep an eye on it," Spike promised. The young dragon went out to follow Rarity. "Good. See ya!" Harry said. Harry walked through Ponyville, glad he had been able to help, although indirectly. But now his thoughts drifted to that book. If what Rarity showed was the book's unfetter potential for fashion, what else could it do? An architect could build a fortress in a matter of days, a blacksmith could forge an army's worth of equipment in a few hours. And a warrior... would have but to picture the defeat of his opponent, and so it would be. Perhaps that's the power I've been searching for. Harry heard Spike walk through the door to the library a few hours later, after the festival. "Spike! How'd it go? Did Rarity impress the pupeteer?" "It went great! He was impressed, so the Foal and Filly Festival has its puppet show!" Spike answered. "And what about the book?" Harry asked. "Well... you see... about that book..." Harry facehooved. "Oh, Celestia. What did you do, Spike?" "Well... Rarity was so impressed with the book, she wanted to keep it just a bit longer." "Bloody— Spike, you said you would return the book," Harry scolded. He wanted to get a look at that thing at some point, not that he wanted to use it. "I know. But what's the harm of keeping it for a few more hours?" Spike insisted. Harry sighed. "None, hopefully. Spike, was Rariy acting... odd?" "No." "Did she refer to herself in the third person?" "Nuh uh." "Did she say anything out of character?" "Not really?" "Did she talk about the book like it was alive?" Spike hesitated. "Uh, maybe? It might have been a mistake. Where are you getting these ideas from anyways?" Harry floated the book he was reading so Spike could read the cover. "Ancient Curses and Ensorcellments: A Reference Guide. I knew Twilight made me read something about a similar book somewhere, I'm just hoping the one Rarity has isn't cursed." Harry returned the book to himself. He had even found the Alicorn Amulet mentioned here, along with a few other cursed items. Nothing about a book, yet. "How will we know if it is?" Spike asked. "With this." Harry summoned a particular magic item from his trunk. A silvery cloak with fabric that waved like silk drifted over Harry's shoulders—the Invisibility Cloak. Whatever magic changed Harry in Equestria meant the Invisibility Cloak was now perfectly tailored to cover Harry as a pony. "Tomorrow, you and I will find the truth of this book."