The chariot ride to Canterlot took about an hour; Twilight sat in the seat, trying to work the odds and ends of the problems that had arisen today. Rarity and Princess Celestia shared the ride with her; the Princess spoke about this and that with Rarity, giving no sign of the unease that Twilight felt. Normally, Twilight would have been ecstatic to have as much as an hour of nearly-private time with her trusted mentor, but she was feeling reluctant to discuss the events further. Once more, she considered telling the Princess about the prophetic nightmare, but something was still holding back the words. Instead, she watched the landscape pass by below the airborne chariot.
The dusty, arid plains began to change from a dull brown to a lively green as grasslands once again appeared. Far ahead, the mountainside spires and lights of Canterlot grew clearer. Beautiful towers rose from the streets of the city, looking like ivory-clad horns. Not so long ago, Twilight had resided in one of those towers, before the Princess had tasked her with learning about friendship. She certainly had done so; together with her five close friends, they represented the Elements of Harmony, a force that Celestia herself had once wielded in defense of the lands.
Twilight had wanted to visit around the city with her friends, but a pall had been cast over everything. Of course, there was still her birthday celebration in two days - she wasn't about to put a stop to that (Pinkie would have fits) - but it didn't feel very important in comparison. Right now, she just wanted to get everyone settled in the tower and catch a good night's sleep so she could get up early and get to Canterlot's library. The place was an incredible reservoir of scrolls, tomes, and knowledge. Portions of it were open to the public, of course, but some sections were reserved only for the staff, the Princesses, or privileged students such as herself.
She considered how to handle the fading of the writing and artistry from the scroll and canvas. There really were lots of questions to answer. Had the items been created long ago and only recently stored, or had they been placed inside as soon as they were completed? How had the case been placed underground? Was it placed on top of the crystal, or had the crystal emerged and caught the case on its way up? She even considered whether the case's arrival might simply be coincidental - a relic of some ancient time caught in the accident - but dismissed this thought. How could she have dreamed about it? Although... she hadn't actually seen the glowing object in the dream, she'd come awake before she could discover what it was.
Still, there were too many connections to ignore or to shrug it off as a weird coincidence. No, she would have to act as if the case, the crystal, and the train wreck were connected somehow, and the two items were the only lead to follow. Well, not the only lead...
"Princess Celestia?" said Twilight.
The Princess, whose conversation with Rarity had drawn to a close a few minutes ago, turned to regard her young student. "Yes, Twilight?" she asked.
"I think we should ask Shining Armor and Cadance if anything strange is happening in the Crystal Empire."
"I agree, Twilight. I will do so as soon as we return to Canterlot, though it will take some time before we receive a reply, since they do not have the fortune to have magical dragon messaging available. I suggest you focus your efforts on learning what you can about the objects you found. The resources of the Library are, as always, at your disposal. I must keep watchful eyes on the injured; if you or your friends experience any strange or adverse effects from today, please let me know."
Twilight swallowed guiltily. "Of course, Princess."
"And we shall still have your birthday party, of course! Barring any more incidents." She gave Twilight an amiable hoof-tap. "It is just for your friends and I, and perhaps my sister, if she is able to join us."
The ride continued on, and soon they soared over Canterlot itself, passing over shops, streets, and skyward-gazing ponies of many shapes and styles.
Rarity gasped and clapped her hooves in delight. "Look, Twilight, a new art exhibit!" She cried, pointing towards the new banners hanging in front of a gallery as the chariot flew overhead. "We shall have to visit."
"You should, Rarity!" smiled the Princess. "Mr. Ponet has recently done a wonderful rendition of water lilies."
"Ohhhhh..."
They reached the castle grounds at last; the pegasi pulling the chariots drifted downwards, landing one after another outside the carriage house. Two other chariots had already arrived, bringing the total now to six, but the medics had taken the injured away.
"I shall leave you to get your friends settled in, Twilight. Please join me tomorrow morning in the castle for breakfast."
Twilight nodded and the Princess hurried into the castle. Twilight's friends were hopping from the other chariots, stretching out their legs.
"Okay, everypony, grab your packs," she said. "We'll see how the tower's been set up."
"I hope the spare beds have proper cushions," said Rarity.
"Why is that, Rarity? Hoping for a proper pillow fight?" teased Rainbow Dash, imitating Rarity's voice. Pinkie Pie gave an appreciative giggle; Rarity just sniffed, turning up her horn.
From the last chariot, they retrieved their things, most of which were in a fairly sorry state, owing to the crash and Pinkie's rummaging, but after some back-and-forth arguing, they sorted out whose pack was whose, and headed away from the castle. The streets outside the castle were laid with closely-interlocked stone of a deeper shade than the ivory towers. The shops, museums, and galleries advertised treats and delights of many sorts. The homes and mansions of a few lucky ponies were interspersed with the merchant buildings; Rarity oohed and ahhed at the sights.
On their left, the shops and homes gave way to a sight known well to Twilight: Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, where she had spent much of her youth. Her former tower, in fact, sat on the grounds of the campus itself; she supposed that the faculty or perhaps another student had occupied it after Twilight had moved to Ponyville. She hoped that their stay wasn't inconveniencing somepony.
Classes were probably still in session, but nopony had taken the opportunity to hold class outside in the sunlight, so they didn't run into anypony. They crossed the warm grass, following a small path that led to the tower residences, passing by large stone plant stands holding rare flowers and trees. The group ascended the sloping ramps that marked part of the tower's design, the thin, curving balconies shading them as they entered the tower that Twilight had called home.
"Twilight, this is really... pretty," said Fluttershy when they entered. Twilight wondered if perhaps the tower hadn't been used, after all; most of the room remained as she had last seen it. Astronomical devices of varying shapes were strewn about the place, but the walls were decorated with tasteful pictures, and the carpet looked freshly cleaned. Twilight smiled, pawing at one of the old telescopes she had used to study the night sky.
The first floor was normally a study area, but against one wall, three beds had been placed. To the ponies' delight, the mattresses, sheets, and cushions were of exceptionally luxurious quality, and Rarity immediately flopped down onto one, wriggling on the silk sheets. "Oh, lovely, perfectly lovely. This one is mine," she said in a tone brooking no disagreement.
Pinkie leaped onto the adjacent bed. "Ooh, springy!" she said excitedly, bouncing up and down on the springs.
"Who wants the third bed?" asked Twilight.
"I'll take it, if that's okay," said Fluttershy, and when nopony objected, she moved over and placed her things at the foot of it.
Dash, Applejack, Spike and Twilight walked up the stairs past the second floor, which housed most of the bookshelves, and continued to the third floor, her old quarters. The huge, four-post bed sat in the middle, and two of the lesser spare beds had been placed on either side.
"I don't have to take the main bed, if somepony wants pampering," offered Twilight. "Just don't, er, tell Rarity."
"Aw heck, Twi, these are already enough spoiling," Applejack grinned. 'You go ahead and take your old bed." The trio of ponies set down their packs. Spike happily flopped down into the small baby dragon's bed at the foot of Twilight's four-poster, and sounded as if he could snooze immediately.
With everypony's gear stowed, the first and third floor ponies met up in the library on the second floor, sitting down on one of several cushioned chairs and couches.
Twilight got everypony's attention. "I know some of us are tired from what happened, but others want to head out into the city right away."
"Guilty!" cried Rarity, and Dash too looked eager to explore.
"I suggest everypony stay here or go out as they please, instead of us staying grouped up." The ponies all nodded. "There's a number of restaurants not far from the entrance to the campus, or the chef here does some good food - the school's cafeteria is at the south end of the building, and anypony is welcome to dine there. I'm going to stay here for now and start research on these things," she said, indicating the scroll-case she had placed on a table.
"Well, I'm going out for sure to check the list of events - might be a Wonderbolts show while we're here," said Dash. "Want some grub brought back here for you, Twilight?"
Twilight nodded. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash, anything is fine."
The ponies split up, heading for quiet time and naps or into the bustle of the city as they desired, but Twilight stayed in the library. She was torn between organizing her investigation and galloping straight down to the Library proper, but steeled herself and brought out fresh paper, quill, and ink. With precision, she began creating a list of what she intended to research.
Much later, she started when a sandwich landed on the pages of the tome she was reading, Rainbow Dash snickering behind her at the half-leap of surprise. "Take a break, egghead," admonished the pegasus. "I'm hitting the hay, myself."
Twilight gave her friend a playful tap, but thanked her for the delivery, and Dash headed upstairs. Standing up, Twilight gave her body a nice stretch, then turned her attention to the sandwich. Night had taken over while she had read and written; she realized she was quite tired as well. She went downstairs first, though, to check on the others. Pinkie and Fluttershy had swapped spots, apparently; the pink pony was already snoring in the third bed, but Rarity and Fluttershy sat on theirs, facing each other. They had little hooficure kits out and were polishing each others hooves. Twilight wished them both good night, then walked the long steps to the third floor quarters.
Applejack had similarly gone to sleep already. Dash lay under the bed covers, propped up against a pillow and relaxing with a Daring Do novel in hoof. Twilight smiled to herself - Dash was as hooked as ever - and went to the bathroom to brush up before sleep.
When she slipped under her covers, sleep came quickly.
~ ~ ~
In the morning, the ponies woke and took turns cleaning up in the bathrooms on the first and third floors. When teeth, mane, and tail had all been brushed, they set out to meet Princess Celestia for breakfast at the castle. Although Twilight had roused Spike, he had groaned and expressed his desire to sleep late before turning over and plunging his head deep into the pillow again.
As the ponies approached, the royal guards saluted for Twilight, then turned and opened the immense wooden doors that marked the royal environs. The group passed through several lesser passages before entering the Grand Hall. Depictions of past battles and noteworthy events lined the hall, done up in stained glass through which shined sunlight. They all paused in front of the window showing the six of them first acquiring the Elements of Harmony; they exchanged several quick hugs and nuzzles at the memory before walking on.
Instead of entering the throne room, they turned through a door to the side. A much less grand, but cozier room greeted them, a long dining table in the middle, flanked by dual fireplaces. Princess Celestia was already there; she stood and greeted each of them in turn, touching hoof to hoof and offering a polite welcome.
They sat down, and the Princess nodded to a uniformed stallion who stood at a second doorway. With a bow, he turned and stuck his head through the doorway, clapping his hooves before returning to attention. From beyond, several similarly uniformed unicorns emerged, levitating large platters with metal coverings, as well as trays bearing steaming rolls, and several pitchers.
They nibbled and sipped, mixing in touches of conversation with the Princess, who asked how they fared and if they had gone out last night. Twilight phased out the discussion fairly quick; she was too eager to get to the library. She stared at the wood of the table, wondering whether the librarians had altered the scrolls-sorting system yet again since her last visit. It seemed like every time she returned, they chose a different ordering, swapping from alphanumeric to chronological to topical at a whim; it was infuriating.
Food and speech both ended, at last, and all the ponies stood. The Princess bid them good day as they filed out, but caught Twilight as she passed by. "Remember, my faithful student, tell me when you discover something of use." Twilight bowed.
Out in the hall, she turned to the group. "I'm going to the Library to see what I can learn."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" asked Applejack, but Twilight shook her head.
"If I think of anything, I'll get a hold of you. You ponies go enjoy the city, okay?" They looked a bit dubious at the idea of not assisting, but eventually took off.
Twilight headed down side passages towards the library. It had its own entrance from the castle grounds, but could also be reached from within. It didn't take long for memories to surface and remind her of which ways to turn, though she almost got lost when what she thought was a connecting passage turned out to be a room full of dusty old chairs stacked together. Without other mishaps, though, she found the iron doors indicating the library.
With the scroll-case and her notes in tow inside the sack she carried, Twilight approached the massive scroll catalog. Row after row of drawers lined an entire wall. She peeked at one of the labels affixed to the front of a drawer - thank the sun, they were still arranged topically. She opened the sack, pulling out her checklist. Scrunching her face, she looked the list over, then walked to the drawer on which the label read Anaconda through Aether, flipping cards over until she reached Ancient.
"Ancient Pegasus Sculptures, no... Ancient Hydra, Myths of the, no... Ancient Writings, Care and Restoration! There we go." She noted the location; it was in the Starswirl the Bearded Wing, which was unusual. Only the rarest and oftentimes dangerous magic was stored there - ponies needed Princess Celestia's permission even to enter it. Luckily, Twilight counted herself amongst that few.
She trotted down the hall, approaching the barred gate marking the S.T.B. Wing. A few guards were on patrol nearby; she called out to them, and they sauntered over.
"That wing is for authorized staff and students only," said the first guard with a glare. He must have been new.
"This is Twilight Sparkle," the second guard chastised him. "Personal protege of Princess Celestia. Of course you may enter, Twilight," he said, bowing to her and pulling out his set of keys, unlocking the gate.
"Thank you both," she said to spare the first guard his embarrassment, then hurried inside.
The world's most unreliable, dangerous, rare, or powerful scrolls lined the shelves, as well as numerous old and irreplaceable tomes. Repeating to herself the notation she had looked up, she found the book on ancient writings tucked away next to a scroll explaining how to turn common earthworms into fifty-foot long frenzied beasts.
She pulled out the book, choking a bit on the accumulated dust that spilled into the air, then took it over to the table. Twilight looked at the index, then turned halfway through the book; The seventh chapter looked promising.
It took a while to find a passage that offered to solve her problem, and she read it aloud. "When ink from thy olde tome begins to fade with the passage of tyme, a spell of colour enhancement may serve to refresh the itemes... Perfect! Color enhancement, hmm, hmm." That wasn't a spell she knew, so she'd have to look it up as well. She pressed her hoof to a small button set to the wall; the gate was designed to self-lock whenever it closed, but this swung it open when somepony was inside.
Back to the catalog; she left the scroll-case behind with the tome. This time, it was between Elephants and Enigmas, though she wasted time looking for Color - Enhancement first instead of Enhancements - Color. With the location of this spell found, she tracked down the scroll that detailed how to perform it, and she found it in one of the regular wings. A nearby desk provided some ink and paper; she scratched a few meaningless scribbles on it, then attempted the spell.
Success! The black ink practically glowed with power, contrasting perfectly with the paper. She returned the supplies to the desk and tossed the scribbles into a trashcan, then rushed back to the S.T.B. Wing. Flagging down the guards once more, she got the first one to come over; he kindly unlocked the gate again for her.
She twisted open the case and spread the two items on the table, staring in excited anticipation at them. Which one to do first? She studied the canvas piece; it seemed likely to be less complicated than whatever was written on the scroll. A good choice to solve the smaller mystery first. She moved it slightly to the side so the scroll was out of the way, and focused her magic towards it. The piece of canvas shimmered, and the faded colors deepened, the artwork on it becoming clear at last.
The sight of it simply didn't process at first. Then a feeling of horror grew all at once in her chest and she recoiled from the table, backing up several feet until her flank struck the wall, the glow around her horn flashing out.
That thing wasn't canvas. It wasn't artwork painted on it.
It was her cutie mark.