//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: Princess Luna is Dead // by Horsegirl123 //------------------------------// "Is there something I can help you with?" asked the crystal pony librarian to Twilight. "Um, yes, if you could show us to for restricted section that would be darling," said the disguised Twilight in a faux Trottingham accent that made Rarity cringe. "Excuse me?" asked the librarian, leaning over her desk and staring at Twilight quizzically. "Your restricted section? I have with me one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony," Twilight said, ushering Rarity forward. The librarian looked Rarity up and down, but still had the same expression as she turned back to Twilight. "Ma'm, we don't have a restricted section..." she said slowly. "What?" said Twilight, getting nervous. "I think those only exist in stories, miss." "You don't have any place with some controversial books that only scholars can access?" asked Twilight. "I'm afraid not miss." "Any books on Nightmare Moon?" chimed in Rarity. The librarian cocked her head. "What?" "The banishment?" clarified Rarity. "I'm sorry, maybe I could direct you to the history section." "Um, yes, I suppose that shall suffice." The librarian walked out from behind the desk and led the ponies down a set of stairs to the next level of the library. It looked so familiar, like they had already done so much in it, but Twilight couldn't feel more than a strong deja vu. Above them the bridges of the first level stretched for ever, as if the library had unlimited resources. The clicking of the ponies hooves, especially the crystal pony's, echoed off the crystal walls, sounding like cannons exploding from the inside of the building. However, none of the reading ponies seemed to mind, for they were all far too absorbed in their fantasy tales or studying for an upcoming exam. After a very short walk, the librarian left the two ponies and colt in front of a dozen towering bookshelves, where above swung a polished sign that read 'History'. "Alright, lets get started," said Twilight with a determined smile. *** "Nothing! Not one book that has any information on Luna's banishment. How can this be?" cried Twilight, tossing another book into the growing pile behind her. "Nothing here either," added Spike, tossing his own book into the growing stack. "Nor over here I'm afraid," said Rarity from the other side. Twilight grumbled and flopped onto the book pile, feeling the sharp corners of the books pierce into her sides; she didn't care though, for the frustration of this endeavor was worse than any physical pain. "How can there be no book for a thousand years!?" cried out Twilight. "A flaw in the system," said Spike, pointing a claw. Rarity and Twilight glared back at him in response. "Wow Spike, you're a genius," said Twilight with a sarcastic eye roll. "Twilight!" said Rarity. "I know you are stressed but lashing out at Spike isn't going to solve this. Something is definitely off, we just have to figure out what." Twilight let out a breath and stood up from her book bed. "I know, I'm sorry," she said to Spike. "Something just doesn't fit; the books that the entire city had just disappeared for a thousand years, and no one knows why." "Well, maybe your brother does," suggested Rarity, gesturing to the Crystal Palace in the center of the palace. Twilight face hoofed at her own stupidity, but immediately remembered why she hadn't gone there in the first place. "I can't. Not with the country on red alert like this. I know Shining means well, but he would just tell Celestia and she would swoop in and bring me home." "But he really is our last hope," continued Rarity, "and we both know you don't have much time." "I know, and I know its the best way to handle this situation, I just don't want him freaking out. Being the ruler of the Crystal Empire, he shouldn't have to be bothered by my conspiracy theories." "Wait, say that again!" suddenly yelled Spike, running over to Twilight's side. "What?" she asked, baffled. "My conspiracy theories?" "No, before that!" "I shouldn't bother him?" asked Twilight, titling her head. "No, right before that!" he stressed. "Being the ruler of the Crystal Empire?" said Twilight with a confused look. "Yes!" exclaimed Spike. "What about it?" asked Twilight. "When we were on the train, you said that you were wearing the disguise so you wouldn't be sent to the castle where Shining Armor and Princess Cadance would call Celestia." "So?" "So who's Princess Cadance?" "I don't remember saying that, Spike," said Twilight, losing interest somewhat. "I swear you did, Twilight! I remember being really confused. I've never heard of a Princess Cadance, because you, Celestia, and Luna are the only princesses, right?" "I've never heard of her either," said Rarity. "How did you know her name, Twilight? And why is she a princess?" "I have no idea," whispered Twilight, racking her brain for an explanation of where the name came from. "There has to be a connection somewhere. So many things lately haven't been tied together, is it possible that maybe she has something to do with it? Rarity, try and think of something that you've never questioned before, but now you realize makes no sense at all." "Well thats a lot easier said then done, Twilight." Rarity pointed out. Twilight grunted in frustration, seeing some puzzle pieces almost coming together. "The wedding! Shining Armor! Oh my gosh how could I not have seen this earlier!!!" Twilight shouted, jumping to her hooves in a hurry towards the exit. "What? What about the wedding?" asked Spike. Twilight stopped her canter and looked back at her friends. "Who was he getting married to?"