//------------------------------// // 38 - Alma Mater // Story: Synch // by sunnypack //------------------------------// “These spying devices…” “Ahem, monitoring equipment.” “Yes, I'm sure… They are placed all over Baltimare. For what purpose?” Solid peered at the prosecutor trying to gauge his expression. It was no use the mare was as impassive a block of granite and harder too. “Miss. Evidence, would you please answer the question”, the prosecutor continued to pester. Solid groaned and rubbed her hooves together. “They were there to monitor magic levels”, Solid muttered. “I’m sorry I couldn't quite catch that, would you mind repeating that so the court can hear”, the intense mare pushed. “I said”, Solid replied through gritted teeth. “They were there to monitor magic levels.” “And what reason do you have to monitor magic levels in Baltimare?” “I- “ she glanced at Iron, who just shrugged and ordered the papers on his desk “ –was looking for a null being.” “A null being?” the prosecutor repeated, confused. “A null being. A theoretical being proposed by Star Swirl the Bearded himself, that exists to nullify all magic”, she answered trying to frame it the best way she could without being labelled ‘crazy’. “That seems highly improbable”, the prosecutor commented. Solid sighed. Did everypony doubt Harpie's work? “But not impossible. There could be a null being in Equestria as we speak and I’m wasting time at a court hearing instead!” she growled, sinking her head into her hooves. The prosecutor looked offended and extremely ticked off. Iron tugged at his mane in frustration and Solid had the presence to look sheepish. “Wasting time? Let me tell you what we are wasting. Bits! The ones you owe the public for the damage you have caused. Let’s list what you are accused of shall we? One, acc-“ “Objection!” yelled Iron. “The listing of her accused crimes have no bearing on the evidence and it is putting my client under duress.” The judge, an aging mare, glanced at the prosecutor. “I require backgrounding for the motivation behind Solid’s actions”, she shot back but it was shaky. “Objection sustained, carry on with another line of inquiry, Miss. Note”, the judge ruled as she leant back in her chair. Letting a quick exhale of frustration out, Exemplar Note continued. “Let’s take a look at the strange devices, shall w-“ Exemplar was interrupted by a side courtroom door opening, letting in two very serious looking military guards in and causing a slight stir of commotion to the mainly empty courtroom. Iron looked worried but then again, he always looked worried. The judge conferred with the guards for a time and then shooting a look at Solid, turned back to the guards and nodded. “This court is adjourned until further notice. Solid, you are hereby summoned by the Princess of the Night to attend Night Court”, she announced, gesturing to the bailiff. The bailiff, a bulky stallion, led Solid to the two guards. Solid whimpered, not expecting the situation to get any worse. Iron trailed behind, only to be blocked by the guards. “Only the mare is required, you may leave”, the left guard growled. “But-“ “Go home, civilian”, he ordered and Iron reluctantly stepped back. Solid sent Iron a pleading glance but all Iron could return was consolation from his eyes. “Please Luna, have mercy on her soul”, he invoked in helplessness. ----- Tonight was probably the best night of sleep I’ve had this week. In fact, it was the best night of sleep since arriving in Equestria. A warm, cosy bed, a hot bathtub and shower (though small) and hot food were all things I had missed during my unfortunate visit to this place. My spirits were high and I finally had a chance to relax. When the morning came I hardly wanted to get out of bed, selfish, as it may seem. I thought it would be understandable, given that I had struggled for so long. Responsibility was both an honour and a curse, it gave purpose and dealt hopelessness, it was the defining thing in my life. But I wanted to cast it all away, was that selfish of me? Was it right to just disregard so many lives? I shook my head letting myself fall into heavier thoughts. No, of course not. I could never so callously dismiss those people. Each had their own lives, each had their own family and each had a place in the world no matter how great or small. Did you know that in Ancient Greece and Persia the steam engine and railroad was constructed separately? If only they would cooperate then the industrial revolution may have happened back more than two millennia ago. All because two nations would not put aside differences. Was I really oversimplifying the matter? Or was it just that humans were just so inherently vicious? The Archimedes Palimpsest was a codex transcribed from Greek scholars to give several methods of what we consider now to be modern calculus. Could you imagine Newton’s surprise that he would not be named the father of calculus? Yet monks disregarded such priceless works of academia to write scripture on such parchment. Religion would endure but such scientific advancement was sacrificed. Such waste. All such waste. All because people would rather not understand nor weigh the burden of responsibility and thought only for themselves. I would not do that. I would not become a burden. So I got out of bed. There was a knock on the door and I got dressed, putting on slightly damp clothes that had been drying oh so slowly. I wonder who it would be? “Come in”, I called, only to be surprised when a familiar face poked through. “Twilight!” I exclaimed, rushing over to give her an awkward hug. “You came for me?” A pink bouncy ball of fur pounced on me, knocking me over in a fit of giggles. “Pinkie? You too?” Twilight nodded sagely. “We wouldn’t abandon you. I still have to find out your name!” she said firmly, shocking me with her conviction. “And I have to throw you a party!” Pinkie shouted, tumbling on the ground to end up in a ‘star-jump’ kind of position balanced on her hind legs. I was impressed. “How did you get inside?” I wondered out loud, perplexed. Twilight gave an easy grin. “Well I am the Princess’ student, they let me in”, she replied modestly, a little embarrassed. I gave a low whistle. “Well someone already has her hoof in the door”, I grinned nudging her, and she blushed in embarrassment and stepped away. “Enough about me, we need to give you a good day in Canterlot!” she pronounced to which Pinkie bombastically agreed with, using glitter and streamers. Where does she get those things? “Hold on, don't you think we need to clear this with the Princess first? I don't know if I'm still arrested”, I said suddenly glumly. “I think that can be arranged”, a motherly voice called out from the hallway. Princess Celestia of Equestria regally entered the room. “Princess”, I greeted giving a half bow. I wasn't used to any protocol here so that was the best I could do. “You may visit the surrounds of Canterlot as you wish. Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie would you not mind if I speak alone?” she asked, but not quite commanded. “As you wish Princess”, she replied immediately dragging a Pinkie who was trying to count party supplies on her hooves. I wonder how that worked. Princess Celestia regarded me a little sadly when she addressed me. “I feel as if I owe you an apology”, she began but I cut her off. “Not to be rude Princess, but I have to give you mine first. I apologise for acting so rudely during our first meeting, usually I’m a calm and collected person but it seems all the stress and my pains have caught up with me. Thank you so much for giving me hot food, clean water and a bed to sleep in tonight. I don’t know if anyone else would do any more than you have but I can certainly name many who would do less”, I stated humbly. Celestia looked pleasantly surprised with my apology and she nodded. “Regardless this makes mine so much more important”, she continued, unconsciously scuffing a hoof. I found that strange behaviour for a princess so well versed in decorum. “We have looked into your accusation that the guards have been mistreating prisoners and it seems you were right. After careful monitoring, those who have been responsible have been brought to justice”, she reported, glancing sidelong at me. I nodded appreciatively but it didn't make me feel better. Revenge never made anyone feel better, no matter what the level. “Let’s stop sidestepping here and get to the real issue”, I offered, gesturing her to take a sofa-like lounge opposite to the table. I sat on the bed, as the chairs were ridiculously small. The Princess gratefully sat in the chair. Before she began I pointed out something. “Have you slept last night?” I asked, gesturing at the slight bags that weighed her eyes. The Princess shook her head sadly. “When you had left the courtroom I was informed that my student had arrived in Canterlot possessing a old tome of magic”, she explained, her gaze focussing on a distant point not within our field of view. “The tome contains an explanation of a phenomenon called a null being…”