//------------------------------//
// Preparing for the Worst 
// Story: The Continued Adventures of Tyro 
// by RainbowsAreMagic 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 2: Preparing for the Worst

"No, Tyro. I will not do what you ask. Not only that, but without a doubt, you are being the most self-centered foal I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. This misguided attempt to punish yourself for what has happened is just ridiculous."

"But I set free an ancient evil that could destroy Equestria as we know it," the stallion protested.

"Yes, but you didn't know that would happen, and you still not only saved the Elements of Harmony but added your power to our own in the process."

"Princess Celestia told us not to, though! She warned us, and I ignored her!"

"Yes, and I'm sure she didn't like that all too much. However, you also saved the Elements of Harmony from corruption, which is much more important than that."

"But she said..."

Twilight had lost her patience with the pony, and her raised voice was now clearly audiable to the others standing awkwardly outside. "To the moon with what she said! Now are you going to sit here and feel sorry for yourself like a little colt, or are you going to get up, finish what we started, and show us you deserve the Element you have been given?!" 

Outside, several ponies flinched. "Remind me never to get on Twilight's bad side," whispered Rarity to Applejack.

"If you don't, I will personally recommend to Princess Celestia herself that you spend some time on the moon yourself. Maybe you'll learn something about doing your duty while you're up there!"

Even the imperturbable Applejack winced at that jab. There was a resounding crash as Twilight flew through the closed door and across the room before hitting a bookshelf and sliding to the ground, books toppling on top of her. All five of the other original Elements jumped, except Fluttershy who hid under a table. As the dust cleared from the remnants of Tyro's door, he walked through it, his horn lit with red magical energy. 

Rainbow Dash munched on some popcorn as Twilight crawled out from the heap of books on top of her. "Now that's more like it!" The glow vanished. "Now that's the Tyro I came to lo—value so much!" Applejack groaned quietly at the obvious substitution. Tyro, his rage extingushed, blushed vividly.

Applejack coughed. "Are we all done with all this nonsense now?"

Spike coughed, and a letter appeared. "It's from Princess Celestia! Let's see... she want to know if we're done yelling yet. She had a pool going as to how long this would all take to sort out. Apparently the dragon ambassador  won... 800 bits!? That's not bad..." Spike stopped talking, seeing everypony staring at him. "Hey, that's just what it says here!"

Tyro turned towards Spike. His horn lit for a moment, and the paper burst into flames. "I have no further comment on that matter," he said. "Now, we need to fix this, right? Let's get to work, then. Twilight, do your stuff."

Twilight looked at Tyro, smiling slightly, then began. "I know none of the books here mention this Primus, so I'll be going to the Canterlot archives to look there. Tyro, can you work on locating this... creature?" As an afterthought, she added quietly, "we really should at least find out what it is so we know that to call it. This is annoying."

Tyro laughed. "That's easy. The disturbance in the balance Primus creates makes finding the location the work of a moment. Primus is currently located in the Everfree Forest, not far from where he was caged for so long."

Twilight thought for a moment, then addressed him again. "Perfect. That leaves you free to help me with the archives.

"Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, you'll need to find out what is happening now in the Forest. Rainbow Dash, you'll need to find Primus and try to see if you can tell what it's up to, or at least what it looks like. Keep a safe distance!" She caught the blue pegasus' disappointed look. "No hero business! Remember what happened with the dragon?" Rainbow Dash nodded quickly, and she went on.

"Fluttershy, I need you to talk to the creatures in the border areas of the forest. Find out anything you can."

She turned again. "Rarity, check on the Elements of Harmony. Make sure they're in top condition, with no loose stones or anything. They've been through a lot lately, and we can't risk having them fail on us."

"Pinkie Pie. The pegasi will be able to work faster if they don't need to stop for food. See if you can whip something up that they can carry with them."

"Applejack, I need you to pack some bags for everypony for when we go to face Primus. We'll need to be prepared for anything."

"Spike." Spike jumped. "You didn't think I didn't have a task for you, too, did you?" She chuckled briefly. "Send Princess Celestia a letter so she knows we're on the job. Ask her to send a chariot so that Tyro and I can get to Canterlot to go through the archives."

"Now, does everypony know what they need to do?" A chorus of cheers answered her. "Then let's get to work, everypony!"

After the room cleared, only Tyro and Twilight remained in the library. Twilight spoke quickly. "Now, the carriage from Canterlot should probably get here in about an hour. I have a checklist here of things we should do while we wait."

She began walking up the stairs behind him to the upper rooms in the library, as Tyro uncertainly remained where he was. "Everything we'll need will already be available in the archives, so we won't need to pack. That leaves... just one thing on the list left to do." Tyro never even saw her coming.