//------------------------------//
// Chapter five: Conflict 
// Story: Disharmony 
// by ItchyStomach 
//------------------------------//


Silver held up a folding knife by using his horn. "...and this. Don't tell me you didn't know how dangerous this is." The light reflected from the extended steel blade and the gems embedded in the wooden grip. "With these gems fully charged, this knife can cause serious damage both to the victim's body and psyche."
The shop's owner held up a hoof to interrupt the unicorn, but he ignored the gesture.
"I've never expected such things to still be here, not after the big cleanup last year. I'm not sure how you managed to push them through security and avoid detection so far, but by doing so you broke almost ten regulations, each with severe punishments."
He poked a small bowl filled with big, blue leaves that sparkled in the light. "Not every customer would recognize what these leaves really are, but putting them on an open shelf is downright audacity. Your shamelessness doesn't seem to know any boundaries our people build up through the years of the life of this station."
"I only do what I have to in order to maintain a steady-"
"A steady income, yes, but this stuff, and those over there I didn't mention worth hundreds of bits for certain ponies. You aren't worried about earning enough money to buy oatmeal; you are worried about those heavy purses that those certain people drop on your desk. I hope you know that if this stuff gets into wrong hooves the owners of those hooves might, and most likely will suffer from danger, injury or even death." He stared into the salespony's eyes, who failed to keep up the eye contact.
Coal had felt embarrassed by the situation Silver put all of them into at first, but after witnessing the first minutes of accusing, exposing evidence and forceful intimidation he began sort of enjoying the show. Silver was in his element now, as he picked out every item that broke a rule one way or the other and threatened the pony with the consequences of exposing him, thus building up the motive that will make the owner talk about this Harmonial Collection.
The salespony was no doubt aware of the unicorn's intentions but couldn't deny or stop the accusations and eventually gave up.
"All right, all right, I got the message. If you keep quiet about all of this, I'll tell everything I know."
Silver's chest was puffed up with pride, but he kept his voice even. "Glad we have a deal. My friend here has the questions, so, Coal, please..."
Coal cleared his throat. "Okay... First off, what can you tell me about this Harmonial Collection?"
The pony looked around, concerned. "I think we should discuss this matter in the back room. Just in case somebody wants to eavesdrop, you know..." He started moving towards a door behind the counter. 
Coal looked at Silver who caught his glance and nodded, then followed the earth pony into the room.
They sat down on the soft armchairs in the small and poorly lit place. As the salespony explained, this was a place of business making where those illegal objects and heavy purses exchanged owners. Silver gladly added this information to his violations list.
"So you think we are bug-free here?" The unicorn asked.
"Yes. I had brought some shielding enchantments for that very purpose." He reluctantly turned to Coal. "Let's get this over with."
Coal leaned forward. "So, what can you tell me about the Harmonial Collection?"
"First of all, the real name of the stuff you mean is Elements of Harmony. The other is just to avoid the attention of those who actually know about the subject and might act violently if they find out I sell stuff labeled as such. I know my name isn't really different from the original, but there are a lot of stuff out there labeled Harmony this and Harmonial that, so I just followed tradition."
“What are they?"
"Well, this... collection is a series of six magical necklaces, or five and one tiara or some crown thing, each representing different personality traits. I have heard both versions, but I don’t know which one is correct."
"Wait," Silver interrupted, "personality traits? I thought they meant the four elements of the world. They are in harmony with each other, if I'm correct."
"They are, but this is another kind of harmony, the harmony of positive personality traits or virtues, if you will. I'm not sure how that makes sense, but I know that's the tale. For example, that one I shoved you earlier represents generosity, one loyalty, and so on"
"Do you know what ours supposed to mean?" Coal asked.
"No, can't remember every one of them."
"All right, then. Uhm... what about their history or origin?"
"The six jewels were given to six heroes by Princess Celestia a very long time ago. The six ponies, all of them unicorns, each represented six traits, matching their Elements. When their magic came together, their combined power was used to accomplish great deeds. You know how Nightmare Moon was defeated, right?"
They nodded.
"Well, it was them, who stopped her when she came back, not our Princess Celestia. They also defeated Discord once, along with hordes of hostile dragons and griffins when they threated Equestria."
Silver snorted. "Discord, right. And then what happened to them? Why doesn't everyone know about them?"
"The six unicorns are probably dead by now, their necklaces scattered across Equestria, their powers gone. I don't know why they aren't known, but this is just a legend, after all. You don't really teach it in schools, and there isn't any conclusive evidence that'd prove all of this is true."
Silver glanced at Coal from the corner of his eyes, to which Coal responded with an ever so slight nod.
"Is there anything else?" He asked.
"I'm neither a historian nor a folklorist and I don't really care about such things, except when it comes to selling valuable artifacts. I'm sure you can find other people with more knowledge."
Coal already knew what to ask next. "Do you know who Twilight Sparkle is?"
"I have never heard that name before. Is she some kind of legendary character?"
Coal smiled a little. "Sort of. She was the supposed inventor of the magical storages. I'm sure you are familiar with them."
"Sure, just like the one in..." he trailed off as he glanced at Silver, but when Coal followed his gaze the unicorn's expression was neutral. Coal left it at that, but made a mental note to bring it up later.
"So that name means nothing."
"Nothing at all."
They sat in silence for a while. The salespony looked back and forth between the two others.
"So, if that is all..."
Coal opened his mouth to speak, and the pony's ears dropped.
"Do you know any mare at the station who has a grey coat and a straight, pink mane?
"And wings," Silver added, smiling.
"Yeah, and wings." Coal snickered. 
The pony looked at them incredulously. "Do you think I know every single chick here? There must hundreds of-"
"Yes or no?" Silver interrupted.
"No." The pony rolled his eyes.
"It was worth a try..." Coal shrugged and stood up, the unicorn and the owner following suit.
"Thanks for the information," Coal said.
"And for your generosity." Silver pushed the word, which made the owner stare at him with suppressed anger. 
Silver continued, "I hope we can trust you not to tell anyone about the subject of our discussion?"
"Sure, if you keep your muzzle shut about my stuff."
"Stay low and I will be able to."


* * *


He fought against it, but the pain in his leg finally ripped his dream apart and Coal opened his eyes with a grunt. It was a difficult task, sleeping with an unbending leg that hurt when his body pushed it into the hard mattress. He wished for a painkiller.
Coal sat up rubbing his aching leg, and thought about what to do in the day. He and Silver checked the schedule the day before right after they left the shop, and found out that a chariot was leaving to Canterlot in every two hours until nine in the evening. Coal looked at the clock. It was almost nine in the morning, which left half the day to work. He hoped it would be enough time to track down that pegasus mare and ask some questions about... He stopped in his tracks on the way to the bathroom. He had spent hours before going to bed thinking about this problem, but the initial concerns remained. How could he ask a total stranger about a thing he was supposed to keep a secret and didn't even know much about himself? How would she react to strange questions with no straight subject? Coal sighed, and finished his morning routine. It was better to eat something in the buffet at the main floor before thinking too hard about this problem again with an empty stomach. He checked his saddlebag's contents and when found everything in its place, he placed the bag on his back with some difficulty. 
He closed the door of his room behind himself and went down the stairs leading to the hotel's main gall with the dining area. The process was irritatingly slow, but still faster than the day before's efforts. He was getting used to the stiff limb. 
He looked around the hall looking for the counter and thinking about what to eat, but his talent swiped those thoughts away and aimed his gaze to a pair of pegasi, who sat at a small table facing one another. One mare had bright red coat with a red mane with white stripes going through it, the other had grey coat with a soft pink mane and both of them had a small plate of breakfast before them.
Coal gulped. He didn't expect the encounter with the pegasus to be so soon, but knew he couldn't let the opportunity slip, even though he didn't exactly had a plan yet on how to approach her with his questions. He ignored the growling of his stomach and walked towards the two mares' table, reminding himself of the phrases he prepared before sleep.
They both looked up in silence as they noticed the approaching earth pony. Coal's pegasus looked slightly worried, while the other wore a questioning, but confident expression.
"Good morning, ladies," Coal said with a smile as he stopped beside the table, . "Excuse me for interrupting your breakfast. My name is Coal Slitter, and I came from Canterlot to investigate several sites in this area that might hold relevance to Equestrian history. It came to my knowledge that you, miss, might be able to help me."
The grey mare's eyes widened when Coal looked at her during his last sentence. Coal let his eyes wander for a bit on her. She was cute all right and slightly younger than him. Her coat and mane were well-kept, in contrast with her patched, old pants.
"If you don't mind, of course," he added.
"I... I don't think..." she began, but her companion cut her off. 
"Tell me, Mr. Slitter, what kind of questions do you want to ask?"
Coal turned to the red pegasus. "Nothing too personal or disrespectful. I'm only interested in some legends from around here, along with some more specific questions concerning an artifact that was found not far from this station."
"And who told you Starry could help you with that?"
Coal delivered his lie. "I've talked to several ponies since I have arrived here, and one guy said that I should look for a specific pegasus who might know more about this matter than most of the folks here."
"What did they say, what was her name?"
"They didn't know her name, only what she looked like and where she worked. It's just luck that I've found her here, in this hotel."
The red pegasus took a sip from the cup of coffee before her and then looked at Coal. Her eyes didn't soften.
"I'm afraid she won't be helpful to you,” she said eventually.
Coal raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Because I'm not letting you talk to her, that's why."
Coal prevented his eyes from rolling. This was just what he wanted, an overprotective friend.
"And why not? Trust me, I don't want to ask any too personal questions, and if she says she can't help me, I’ll accept it."
"I don't trust you." To Coal's incredulous look she went on, tapping the table with a hoof at each reason. "You just out of the blue show up at our table and want Starry to answer your questions, but you don't know her name, you don't know if she really knows anything, or if she has the time for you or if she wants your companion at all."
"Violet, please..." The grey pegasus said, but the other mare cut her off again.
"Just a moment, dear." She turned back to Coal. "You don't even live here. You just ride in, hear something from those jerks and believe it, then disturb total strangers with your..." She looked at his bandaged leg and old saddlebags that were in a need of cleaning and repairing. "...your ruffled look and fancy speech, asking for our trust and our time. Just leave us alone, okay?"
Coal was unprepared for this degree of reluctance and couldn't think of a proper answer right away.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to interrupt our meal without a reason," the grey pegasus, Starry apparently, said in a kind voice, which instantly lifted Coal's mood a little. If it wasn't for Ms. Redcoat here, he would have gotten to the point with the filly who made his talent tingle about the necklace and the whole deal. Surely, he didn't look that bad, did he?
"You are too naive, dear," the red mare told her companion, then turned back to Coal. "I don't know who sent you, some Canterlot egghead or the Princess, or what you really want here and I really don't give a damn, but you leave Starry and I alone, or I will make you."
Coal felt his anger rising, but a glance at Starry's tender eyes convinced him that a violent action would probably ruin his chances at getting her trust.
"Listen, lady, I want no trouble. If my lead is a dead end and she really doesn't know anything that can help me, I will be out of your mane at once. You don't have to leave the two of us alone either. I'm not sure why you are afraid of me, but please, just a few questions... Violet, was it?"
His efforts were blank rounds fired at her defense and she signaled towards the exit with her head to her friend. They stood up, although Starry's slow reaction showed reluctance which didn't avoid Coal's notice. He still had hope, and cards to play. 
"If you are certain you don't want to let me talk to her, at least let me say one more thing."
Her eyes said sorry, but Starry obviously didn't dare to go against her friend, who now simply ignored him and started walking to the door, with her friend following her. Coal inhaled, and talked in a low voice that only Starry could hear.
"Does harmony mean anything to you?"
The effect was instantaneous. The pegasus froze mid-step, her head jerked back to look at him with recognition, wonder and fear in her eyes. Coal didn't know the reason, but knew one thing: he was on the right track with this pony. He just needed time and the absence of the red pegasus.
Violet noticed her companion's halt and quickly stepped beside her and used her right foreleg to turn Starry's head to look in her eyes. 
"What's wrong, dear? What did he say? Something rude?"
The other shook her head. "Nothing like that, he just reminded me of... Something from the past. It's okay, really."
Violet turned her gaze to Coal, who felt his stomach drop a little in fear by the ferociousness in her eyes. "I told you to leave her alone. If we weren't in public right now, you would have another broken leg. I warn you."
Coal wasn't used to be threatened like that, and only stared as the two friends left the building. None of them looked back.
Coal took a lungful of air and let it out slowly to calm his breathing. The encounter didn't go as he had planned and he didn't get any definite answer, but the reaction at the word "harmony" meant that his talent had been right. She was relevant to the case of the magical necklace and the legend about the Elements of Harmony. He also knew he had to be careful with his future approaches with such a bodyguard of a friend at her side, who isn't even willing to let him have one word. He didn't want to scare Starry too much either, forceful interrogation wasn't exactly Coal's style of dealing with tender mares. Besides, she didn't deserve any of the sorts, he was sure of that.
The growl of his stomach turned his attention back to his previous task, namely finding something to eat. He walked to the counter, trying to ignore the curious looks he was getting from corners of eyes.


* * *


The two stallions were walking towards the group of buildings that were labeled as the “zoo”. Coal filled in his companion about the morning's events, which earned him quiet chuckles from the white unicorn. 
"You are too easy to intimidate, Coal. That girl only needed to hear a good, solid reasoning, and after you practically failed to stand up to yourself she probably acknowledged you as a random weirdo from whom she has to protect her darling."
"I don't think it was that simple. She seemed really angry. Maybe I scared her, but I wish I knew how. She said my look was too ruffled."
Silver looked at the earth pony's figure. "You look fine to me. Old bags and bandages aren't exactly a rarity around here." He shrugged. "Maybe you said something you shouldn't have. Maybe you addressed them the wrong way, and she..."  He trailed off.
Coal noticed it too. The street wasn't empty from ponies, but none of them paid the two stallions any attention except for one orange unicorn, who was trotting in their direction.
“Oh boy, I hope it's not what I think it is...” Silver sounded troubled and slightly annoyed. The stallion stopped before them, making them halt as well.
“Hi, Silver. I finally found you. How busy are you?”
Silver glanced at Coal. “And it is." He turned to the newcomer. "Busy enough to send you back alone, Amber.” 
The stallion grinned. “Yeah, it's your day out, I know, but hear me out. There is a huge group from the east with a lot of cargo, and the boss wants you to-”
“I'm sorry,” Silver raised his voice some, “but I can't hear you over the sound of the fact that it's Saturday and I have the whole weekend to myself. Tell him to find somebody else.”
The unicorn shook his head. "It's not that easy. We have Arching Dash at your position but he isn't you, and this might be a situation that calls for your... unique skills."
"That's very flattering, but I'm pretty sure Dash can handle whatever might come up. I’ve got work to do, and my friend needs my help.” 
The stallion glanced at Coal's bandaged leg, then back at the white unicorn.
“I work my flank off every day,” Silver went on before the other could answer, “and when I have free time, I want to do whatever I want with it. What's the problem anyway?”
"As I said, we have an incoming caravan out-of-schedule, and it might cause some problems."
"That still doesn't answer why I'm needed so badly."
Amber sighed, looked at Coal, back at Silver and then finally said, “There is something different about this one.”
The calmer tone got Silver’s attention.
“Cian had detected a certain type of signals coming from one of the incoming chariots.” The unicorn's voice grew serious. “They didn't arrive here yet, but will in a matter of hours.”
“What type?”
“The signal matches with...” He looked at Coal again and then back at Silver. “With a certain one coming from a certain device. One with that star.”
Recognition flashed through both Silver's and Coal's face. “Is Cian certain about that?" Silver asked before the earth pony could say anything. 
“Quite certain. It's very unlikely something else is giving out that kind of magical signal. If someone other finds out... They'd send authorities from Canterlot, start a throughout investigation, discover the connections, and we’re gonna be f-”
“Yeah, I get it. That'd be very bad indeed.” Silver shot a troubled glance at Coal who looked back at him suspiciously. “I'm sorry, Coal, but it seems we have a rather hot situation and my assistance is needed after all. Will you be able to get around?”
Coal nodded. “Sure. What's that problem only you can solve? Can I help?”
“Thanks, but not. It's, well, classified. Security business.”
“Okay... but what's with that device with that star? You surely don't mean...”
“No. I...“ The unicorn shook his head. ”Listen, I will tell you everything I can, but don't expect too much. It's a secret thing, and you wouldn't understand anyway.” He put a hoof to his chin. “Actually, you just might...”
“No way.” Amber shook his head. “He isn't a unicorn, and he isn't trained. There is nothing he can help with.”
Starred device, magic, secrets and fear from detection. Coal knew not everyone respected the law that banned the magical storages, but hoped Silver wasn't involved in such machinations.
The white unicorn nodded. “I guess that's right. No need to take risks.” He turned to Coal. “Buddy, I got to go. I'm sure you will be okay. Just... Don't get chewed too badly again, okay?”
Coal was surprised by the affection in the unicorn's voice, considering Coal only knew him for only a day, but it felt good nevertheless. 
“Don't worry about me." He smiled. "Good luck with your classified operation.”
“I'll see you in the afternoon. I hope you like beer!” The unicorn turned and trotted away with his colleague.
The earth pony watched them go. Coal, not having a horn was somewhat a stranger to magic, even though when he studied the history of the magic storages he dabbled in arcane subjects, and knew some of the basics on how magic worked. The subject amazed him, but it was also a bit unsettling. There was a whole world of opportunity and potential the ability of manipulating magic provided, and he will never be able to experience any of it firsthoof.


* * *


He expected he would have to ask someone for directions, but the zoo turned out to be easy to find. With two two-story buildings and a huge, long barn it was the biggest complex Coal had seen in the whole station.
There was a metal fence around the three buildings with one gate for ponies and a bigger one for chariots, a bit further away. Coal went through the smaller gate and entered the nearest building's double door with the sign Main Office above.
The interior was a narrow corridor which separated two rows of small cubicles with one pony in each, talking to other ponies sitting or standing before them. To his left stood a wide desk, with one bored-looking unicorn mare sitting behind it.
“Can I help you?” She asked as she saw Coal.
“Yes. I'm looking for someone named Starry. I heard she works here.”
“Where?”
“At the zoo...?”
“Where exactly? Feeders, guards, administrators, office or else?”
“I don't know that, all I was told was that she works at the zoo.”
“That's not too much. What's her last name? What's her race, colors and cutie mark?
“I don't know her last name or her cutie mark, but she is a pegasus with a grey coat and pink mane.”
She reluctantly produced a thick book from a drawer behind her and started to turn the pages with telekinesis.
"Who is asking for her?" She asked, while scanning the mugshot-like profile images.
"Coal Slitter. I came from the capital to look around this area for sites with historical relevance."
“And what's your business with her? 
Coal considered what he should tell her. “I just want to ask some questions that she might know the answers to.”
“About history?”
“Personal kind.” He hesitated for a moment. “Kind of concerns history, too.”
“Personal, huh?” She glanced at him. “You don't even know her full name.”
Coal smiled awkwardly. “I'm not sure she has one at all. I haven't met her yet, I got the info from someone else.” He thought he should keep the morning's events a secret. It wouldn't help him anyway.
She stopped flipping the pages. ”Uh-huh, I guess I got your mare. Grey pegasus with pink mane. Her full name is Starry Wind and her cutie mark is a stylized bird. She works at the receivers. That's a restricted area, only workers and such can go there, so you'll have to wait 'till she comes out for a lunch break. That is...” She looked at the clock sitting on the desk. “...about sixty minutes from now.”
Coal nodded and turned to leave. “Thank you. Have a nice-”
“Just one more minute,” she said quickly, making him turn his head back. Her expression softened, and Coal expected a personal question to come.
“Actually,” she said her voice slightly more friendly, “I know this pony, it just took me some time to remember. If you accept my advice, you will be careful with those questions. She doesn't like strangers and gets scared easily. It took a long time to warm her up to this place, but now she is a very efficient worker. Don't scare her; we don't want to lose such a good employee. Also, you should watch out for her friend, too. She is a bit overprotective.”
“Oh. Is she working here, too?”
“Yes, but in another sector.” 
Splendid, Coal thought. He won't be able to avoid having to fight through Violet's defense, it seemed.
She saw the disappointment on the earth pony's face. “I guess you know the type. She is a real pain in the ass, all right. You can't go near her precious without her permit. They work in separate sections, but they are almost always together."
"Do they live together, too?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. It says here that she has no family and no permanent address, just a hotel room number. Her friend..." She flipped through a dozen pages then shook her head. "Violet or something has an address, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did."
"I suppose they don't go to the bathroom together..." Coal mused with a smirk.
The unicorn snorted. "That’s some sick thinking. I think not, but that's not the way to go."
Coal waved a hoof. "Don't worry, I'm not that desperate. So... I have no chance, you say?"
"I don't say you have no chance, but you got to be careful. If you don't have some authority backing you up, think up a good strategy. Politeness and kindness are great manipulators." She closed the book, suggesting the conversation's end. "You can catch them at the lunch break in the hall upstairs." She motioned at the ceiling. "Just don't make a scene."
"Thanks for the help and the advice," Coal said with a smile which was, with some hesitation, returned. 
Coal looked at the clock on the desk. Almost one full hour to craft those hearth-melting sentences that will make Violet silent for a good fifteen minutes while he speaks with her grey defendant.
He left the building and stood beside the fence, looking at the movement of the workers and their animals, but not quite watching. 
What should he say? He already tried to introduce himself in a pleasant manner, and he obviously couldn't do it again from scratch. And if he succeeds with Violet, then what? That grey pegasus certainly knew something judging from her reaction to the word "harmony", but how should he ask her about the Elements of Harmony without scaring her too much? She probably didn't deserve to be frightened, whatever happened in her past he had no right to stir it up if it was not be stirred. 
While he was at it, he should also ask about Twilight Sparkle and her legends, regarding the magical storage devices. If the clues Silver and the other unicorn had dropped really meant there were illegally operated storages in the station, she might know about them too.
The minutes passed as he contemplated the matter. As the hour progressed towards its end, the number of ponies at a side door of the office building grew bigger and bigger, waiting to be let inside to have lunch. He spotted some grey and some red coats, but all were wingless.
Coal reckoned it was time to merge in the line, and started walking to the queue's end when he spotted her. She was gliding from the direction of the barn, alone. When she touched down she looked around, but Violet was apparently late. 
Coal made his way to her. She was standing alone, not talking to anyone. Her coat was dirty, her mane and tail in a need of a good brushing, the pair of pants that hide her flanks wore scratches. Coal's heart went out to her as she just stood there alone, looking sad and tired. He looked around for Violet, but couldn't see her, and that gave him some courage. 
She noticed the movement, looked at him for a second then did a double take, recognition flashing through her face.
"Hi," Coal said with a smile. "I hope I'm not bothering you."
She looked at him with tired eyes. "No, not at all. Are you hungry too?"
"Well, not exactly."
"Violet won't be happy if you upset me with your questions, then."
"Where is she? Were you going to eat together?"
"She is still working," she said, motioning to the barn with her head. "We were to eat together, and she won't be happy if she finds you here."
"I suppose... so, may I talk to you quickly, then?"
"About the..."
He nodded, noting her wary expression. "About the Elements of Harmony, yes."
A low frequency hum hit Coal's ears and he saw several other pair of ears perking up, but no one seemed to give it a second thought. He returned his gaze to the filly. 
"Why... why do you ask?"
"I'm in a middle of an investigation of some sort, one which touches legends about these Elements. I've found a peculiar necklace in this area, which suggests there is some truth to this tale."
She stepped forward, her eyes locked on Coal's. 
"You found the Element..." she whispered. "Who sent you after us?"
He took a step back. "Nobody, I came alone, only to... Wait, you know that necklace?"
She hesitated, but didn't get to answer his question. The low hum grew louder, assuming the attention of the ponies around them. Most of the talking stopped, as everyone turned towards the barn.
Coal's eyes twitched as the hum's pitch rose to a painful whine in a split second, where it was cut off by a loud crack and a blindingly bright flash of light from the barn's direction. He closed his eyes instinctively. He heard shouting and running all around him and when he opened his eyes, he saw ponies hurrying into the two buildings and the barn...
He stared perplexed at the crater in the ground, right where the barn used to be. White smoke-like clouds stirred above the wide hole, the movement of the ponies dissipating them quickly. Coal watched as ponies, mostly unicorns hurried to the explosion scene, his brain barely registering Starry beside him as she shouted "Violet!", and took off. 
He felt the presence of magic in the air. It had to be an explosion with that crater and all. Although there was no shockwave and flying shrapnel, what else could explain what happened? He cringed in fear as he thought about the destruction a magic storage could cause just like one that was perhaps in this place as well, but the fact that he and everyone around him was unharmed dismissed the idea. He heard shouts about "teleports" and "overload", and he thought he understood. 
No unicorn, at least as far as he knew, was powerful enough to teleport a whole barn, not without several unicorns' combined power or a certain arcane device, but he knew what skill it took to execute that spell, and how few ponies were able to do it. 
That illegally kept device Silver had suggested had to be in this place, used to assist magical machinations. If it overcharged due to a malfunction, it might have very well been pure luck that they witnessed a simple overcharge instead of a magical detonation.