//------------------------------// // By My Beard // Story: Timed Ramblings // by Midnight herald //------------------------------// “Twilight Sparkle? you wished to speak with me?” Luna smiled graciously and bent her neck downwards for a nuzzle. The unicorn in question was clearly suffering from nerves in the presence of royalty. Strange, given the fact that they two were now fast friends, and that Twilight was royalty herself through marriage and association. Twilight pressed into the embrace with an odd intensity and backed away, pulling an ancient, leather-bound tome from her saddlebags. She flipped through the pages and showed a certain selection to Luna. “This is the Compendium of Starswirl the Bearded’s Oracles,” she explained. “It was thought to be lost, but it showed up in the Crystal Empire. I’ve been translating it, and I’ll admit my High Unicornian is rusty, but this one’s coming up soon, within the next month...” She swallowed nervously before continuing, “And it’s about you. And it doesn’t sound all that great for you from the little I understand.” Luna looked it over, reading through it, her lips moving with every word. “ ...And where the stars shine brightest, on the longest night of the eleventh month, something once thought lost will await the Moon, for good or ill...” She chuckled and pushed the book aside. “Thank you for bringing my attention to this, dear Twilight. But really, it’s of no concern.” “...Really? ‘cause it sounded to me like some age-old enemy was going to go after you or something. You know, Battle to the death between two Titans? An enemy you made when the Nightmare was in control? Ringing any bells?” Twilight was pacing now, muttering half-sentences, her ears twitching with frustration and nervous energy. It was really too adorable. Young, eager Twilight, all worked up for my sake... Luna’s laughter broke through her carefully assembled calm and she found herself receiving a death-glare. “The world could be in danger, you could DIE in some cataclysmic battle against forces of darkness, and you’re too busy laughing at me to care? Really, Princess?” she shouted, flecks of spittle dotting the corners of her mouth. Luna threw a comforting hoof over Twilight’s shaking shoulders and pulled her into a casual embrace, nibbling through Twilight’s mane until she had calmed down. “Twilight, please trust me. Starswirl was ...eccentric, to say the least, when I knew him. I know what this is about, and I ask that you believe it when I tell you once more that is it of no true concern.” “May I ask what it’s about, then?” That nervous edge was back in those deep purple eyes, as if by asking she had crossed some great line. “Starswirl was a close companion of mine, invaluable while we cleaned up the remains of DIscord’s reign. He would borrow small things he needed from me; books, artifacts, spell catalysts... and with his understanding of time and magic, he was, of course, a fine prophet. He foresaw his exile to the Griffon Kingdoms, and he foresaw that he would die before he saw me again. “And, well, he had quite the sense of humor as well. He hid... clues inside his prophecy books, hinting to where I might find another cache of the things of mine he thought I would need later. I believe that this is one of those hints.” Twilight rushed to close her hanging jaw and blinked a few times in disbelief. “You’re telling me that Starswirl took the time to scatter hints of location throughout the hundreds of books he wrote to tell you where your things were hidden?” “Yes, I suppose I am,” “Like Geocache or something?” “Yes. As I said, he was rather eccentric.” “But... I don’t even... Why?” “I like to think of it as a fun way to remember him,” Luna confided. “I know he’s still laughing at me from the Eternal Pastures, and besides... Where’s the fun in finding a map that shows me where everything is? Half the fun is in the journey. That’s something I’d do well to be reminded of, from time to time.” “I still think that’s stupid,” Twilight grumbled, blowing her mane out of her eyes with a pout. “Oh, it is,” Luna chuckled. “It most certainly is.”