Transcending love
Chapter 2 research
“Thank you Twilight but I must be going Opal can be quiet troublesome when left alone too long.” Rarity called as she walked out of the library. The storm had dissipated and she didn’t think it too ladylike to impose upon her friend any more.
“No problem at all. We really should get together more often don’t you think?” Twilight responded with a wave good bye. She had already sent a letter containing more relevant information to Princess Celestia via Spike.
“Yes, well you probably want to do some more research on that letter you got from; Dusk Shine was it, sounds like he’s an intelligent colt.” All ready Rarity was a bit hesitant about actually doing just that.
“Yes your right.” With that Twilight vanished. Rarity could barely hear what was happening but she could hear Spike grumble something about having more of a mess to clean up once she was over before he slammed the door to the library closed.
Twilight at first thought that maybe it was just a mishap that somehow the storm had changed the letters at random but the magical signature disturbed her. Taking that into account she finally determined that somehow the letter had come from an alternate storm where though, was the question. ‘Ok at first it seemed that it was my magic but from closer inspection there was just a slight difference. Obviously from a colt but that’s it.’ After not two seconds of thought Twilight’s voice could be heard throughout Ponyville if not the entire land of Equestria. “Spike get me my notes from earlier I think I know what happened.” From the view of somepony else the strangest thing about that day wasn’t the storm it was the fact that the library was closed. For the Cutie Mark Crusaders this meant a delay in their most recent crusade.
“Well Ah reckon that we aren’t gonna get our treasure hunter cutie-marks without any maps.” Applebloom said
“A waste of time, but what I don’t understand is why the library is closed Twilight never closes it.” Sweetybell chipped in.
“I for one think that now would be a good time to try for map making cutie marks.” Scootaloo said with an intensity that would do the royal guard proud.
“Ah reckon so well let’s get goin’ afore we burn more daylight.” Applebloom responded. The familiar sound of Scootaloo’s wings buzzing filled the area disturbing everypony but Twilight. What did disturb her was what came next.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER'S MAP MAKERS IS A GO." The three fillies cried in unison. That brought Twilight out of her daze only to get another idea into her head. Before the CMC could go any farther than two feet Twilight burst through the library door and wrapped the three fillies in her magic.
“Girls I need your help.” Twilight didn’t give them the chance to respond floating them in before slamming the door closed.
“What is it this time Twilight?” Sweetiebell asked
“Actually I’m trying to figure out how the storm earlier was able to interfere with Spike’s ability to send my letters to Princess Celestia.”
“Ok and how are we supposed to help out with that?”
“I need Sweetybell’s magical signature.” Twilight levitated her notes and a scroll over while she spoke. Oblivious to the looks the three fillies exchanged Twilight continued to explain. “I was able to recreate the storm, on a miniature scale of course.”
“But it just ended. How did you find the time?” Scootaloo blurted unable to hold back.
“What better time to study magic then when it’s being used.” Twilight exclaimed happily clapping her fore hooves together.
“Umm Twilight I don’t know how to use magic.” Sweetiebell mumbled
“Don’t worry about it too much just focus on what you want done and the power held within your sub-conscious.” Twilight explained paying more attention to a book then the three fillies.
“Oh um what should I try to do.” Sweetiebell more whispered than said. Unlike her friends who were ecstatic about the prospect of Sweetybell using magic, she was nervous bordering strait fear.
“Just lift a scroll nothing too strenuous.” Twilight still wasn’t looking at the three fillies. Sweetybell didn’t really know how to start. Focus on lifting the scroll or the ‘power’ Twilight had mentioned. Concentrating on the scroll she willed it to levitate but nothing happened. ‘Big surprise.’ Sweetiebell thought ‘Ok let’s try to locate this power or whatever it is.’ Closing her eyes she tried to find something in her mind that she didn’t know was entirely there. All this succeeded in was giving her a headache. Sweetiebell hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until she let it out in a disgruntled sigh. Her head still throbbing Sweetybell just about gave up when something came to her. Not a thought but more of a feeling one she got when either incredibly tiered or when she just woke up she never really paid much attention to it before. Twilight instantly recognized the look on Sweetiebell’s face.
“Now what worked for me was sort of like ‘poking’ at it. Incredibly hard to explain it just comes to show how little unicorns themselves are studied.” Twilight guided. Sweetiebell pondered how to do just that. She couldn’t physically poke it whatever it was. So all she could do was imagine poking it with her mind. In a rush energy poured into Sweetiebell. The feeling was amazing she couldn’t get enough and started to pull together as much energy as she could. Too much too quickly now she understood what caused fatigue it strained her mind and more importantly it hurt. That was why unicorns seemed sore after using so much magic. Sweetiebell let go of some of her magic lowering the level to relative comfort. She figured if she needed more she could always draw on more. Still holding onto the feeling she concentrated on lifting the scroll nearest to her.
“WOW SWEETYBELL YOU’RE DOING IT YOUR USING MAGIC!!” Scootaloo’s cry nearly broke Sweetiebell’s concentration. Opening her eyes Sweetiebell observed a scroll shroud in what looked like a light teal aura it was hard for her to tell it looked more white that teal but it wasn’t white not like her sister’s coat anyways. A small grin became a full toothy smile in less than a heartbeat. Applebloom was dumbfounded, Scootaloo seemed to be formulating even more harebrained schemes, and Twilight, well Twilight also had her horn aglow but with her eyes narrowed and staring at Sweetiebell, she couldn’t help but wonder if she had made the lavender unicorn angry somehow. Her smile faltered and her magic dissipated. The scroll lay forgotten on the floor until Spike picked it up grumbling all the while about them distracting him from his slumber.
Twilight’s unwavering gaze seemed to pierce Sweetiebell directly to her soul. Applebloom and Scootaloo also stared at Sweetiebell though their eyes were questioning and not drilling into her mind. Sweetybell wanted to look anywhere but into Twilight’s eyes. ‘This must be what it’s like to have the FlutterShy use her Stare on you.’ The thought was brushed aside as quickly as it came which wasn’t very fast. ‘Or at least a less intense Stare.’ Sweetiebell could barely make out her friends concerned looks in her peripheral vision. Their question ‘What’s got you so scared?’ was answered when they looked to Twilight hoping she could explain. Shivers went down their spines not even the cockatrice was as bad as this.
“Sweetiebell DON’T use magic unless Rarity or I am around EVER. UNDERSTAND!?” Twilights command was riddled with anger the kind that Rarity always had when she found out that Sweetiebell was doing something potentially dangerous, and if she wasn’t mistaken a hint of concern of what though Sweetiebell had no idea. Twilight levitated over a blank scroll and wrote something down before tying it off and throwing it into Spike. “Spike run over to Carousal Boutique and give this to Rarity and come straight back.” Spike may have been confused but saluted and ran out the door needing no more encouragement any reason to see his beloved Rarity was good enough for him. Sweetiebell was still nodding her head vigorously when Twilight turned back to her.
“What the hay was tha’ about Twilight?” Applebloom asked as Sweetybell was still too frightened to speak.
“Yeah I want to know as well.” Scootaloo pitched in.
“Some other time, for now what did you come to the library for in the first place?” Twilight asked
“Maps.”
Twilight floated over some rolled up parchments and three compasses. “Some maps of Ponyville and the surrounding areas excluding the Everfree Forrest.” Twilight said handing them over to Scootaloo. “The point of a compass always points north, keep that in mind so you don’t get lost.” She gave each of the three fillies a compass and shooed them out the door as Spike got back.
“What did you write Twilight? Rarity read and reread your letter about ten times before she fainted.”
“Spike don’t tell anypony what I’m about to tell you.” Twilight nearly begged her eyes had an urgency in them that unnerved Spike.
“I won’t I promise.” Spike quickly said hoping to calm Twilight down.
“Pinkie Promise Spike.”
“Fine. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Spike used the motions along with the words. He found it completely ridiculous but Twilight was like a big sister to him and it was incredibly unnerving when she was so antsy. Anything to calm her down and he would do it well almost anything.
“Thanks Spike. Sweetiebell’s magic is different than anypony else’s….” Twilight began.
“Isn’t that true for all unicorns Twilight.” Spike questioned failing to understand
“Well yes but hers is even more unique Sweetiebell has a very rare condition.” Twilight was visibly frustrated with having to explain what was happening.
“Just how rare is this condition?”
“Only the Royal Library in Canterlot has any record of previous cases and there’s only been two other cases.”
“So Sweetiebell has some sort of magical condition I don’t see why it’s so important.”
“Spiiiike you don’t understand the condition killed the other two unicorns.” Twilight whined as she said this.
“Wh-what? Why? How?” Spike could barely find any words.
“Their magic was like a parasite it fed of their life force. The more they used their magic the more of their life force dwindled away until….” Twilight couldn’t finish between sniffles and flat out sobs. Breaking down when Spike finished.
“It killed them.” It dawned on Spike that it would be devastating to every pony in Ponyville especially on Rarity. Once the wheels in his head overloaded something clicked something he didn’t want to believe. “You know so much because your also affected aren’t you?” Spikes voice was barely a whisper a nod from Twilight and everything went black. Spike woke up to find himself back in his bed. “It must have been a dream” he mumbled to himself. When he heard the sniffling from downstairs reality hit him hard. “Why Twilight Why?” Spike worked his way down the stairs slowly at first; quickening his pace to do something he never thought he would do. Study.
Twilight was sitting down before her blackboard what was on there made sense only to her. Magic’s Myths floating in front of her the only book she had left in her library, that she had yet to check for an explanation. She had found something that might explain the conundrum true but with no real proof that the myth was actually fact she had a hard time believing it. Unfortunately by believing the myth to be true everything made sense well almost everything the one question that still went unanswered resounded in her head. Well two questions more specifically. Who? And why? So absorbed in her research that she didn’t notice Spike until he spoke up.
"Twilight were is our copy of Magical Ailments and remidies?" Spike was searching the stack of books she had laid out with a fury when Twilight turned to look at him.
“Nurse Redheart checked it out a few days ago.” Twilight had known him all his life and could tell why he was interested in finding the book. “Spike if you’re looking to for a cure then don’t bother there isn’t one.”
“I won’t believe that until I’ve tried everything I can.” Spike held steadfast in that belief, for Twilight’s sake if not for Sweetybell’s.
“Spike the amount of magic I have means that unless I try to wield the Elements of Harmony by myself or something that would tear another unicorn’s horn off I won’t be using any of my life force it feeds off of itself in order to activate.” Twilight sighed “Sweetiebell though is another story she may have the least amount of magical reserves out of all cases.” Spike still didn’t quite understand but knew one thing clearly.
“She is more likely to die when using her magic than any of the others.” Spikes frustration was getting out of hand. He had to do something no pony deserved that fate. Rarity certainly wouldn’t be too happy with either of them if she thought they didn’t try. “Princess Celestia should know about this.”
“The letters sitting over on my desk Spike.”
“Thanks Twilight.”
“Spike now that we’re finished discussing that topic let’s focus on a less depressing thought.” Twilight said once Spike had sent the message. She floated over another scroll. “I need you to send this once I create or at least attempt to create a storm like the one earlier.” Spike took the scroll in his claws. It wouldn’t be the first time she had him do something that didn’t make any sense in one of her experiments. Once the spell was cast the storm could sustain itself for a while. The scroll went off with a puff of smoke. Nothing happened, Twilight was starting to get worried when a scroll materialized right in front of Spike. Snatching it in her magic Twilight quickly devoured what it said.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
I am indeed curious how this works as well. I was just about to attempt to send you a letter saying the same thing. In answer to your question I live in Ponyville Equestria in the local library 313 West Wood Rd. I would be exited to meet you as you sound like an interesting mare as well. It sounds like you are comfortable with dragons so I’m just going to let Barbara answer the door.
Sincerely
Dusk Shine
Twilights head was in shambles. That was her address how could he live in her home. Now she was honestly inclined to believe the myth. “Spike take a note and send it as soon as it’s done.” Pike nodded pulling out a scroll and quill. “Dear Dusk Shine until further research is done and evidence is found to contradict my hypothesis I am inclined to believe that we are having a cross dimensional conversation. As hard as it is to believe I do not believe that we exist in the same dimension. What makes me believe that is that first off we have nearly exactly matching magical signatures gender being the only difference found so far and two 313 West Wood Rd. Ponyville Equestria is my address. So until a spell that can transport ponies to different dimensions is created or discovered we cannot meet. Sincerely Twilight Sparkle.” Spike sent the letter off the moment he was done. It didn’t take as long for the reply to come.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
We seem to share a hypothesis as I do believe the same thing. Perhaps if my theory that we are indeed the same pony only existing in gender swapped dimensions is correct then two Elements of magic could figure a way to travel across dimensions. It would be beneficial to keep in touch.
Sincerely
Dusk shine
Twilight was just about to say something when another scroll materialized. She couldn’t figure why he would send another besides forgetting something important so Twilight read the letter in the span of a heart beat.
Dear Twilight Sparkle
I do hope that you can come to visit. You and Dusk would be a match made by Prince Solaris himself.
See You Soon
Elusive.
“I must say I do agree with this Elusive character though I don’t know who this Prince Solaris is, Elusive must be referring to Princess Celestia or at least if the other letter is to be believed then her equivalent.” Rarity said looking over Twilights shoulder.
“GAAAAAHHHHHH!!!” Twilight screamed in surprise jumping clear to the roof. “Rarity don’t do that you nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry Twilight dear but I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I read your letter.”
“Hold that thought Rarity.” Twilight cut in as yet another scroll materialized. This time only five words were written Mirror 37.4 Kilohertz Viewing Spell Now. Twilight rushed to her bedroom mirror and did just that. What she got as a result was an image of who she presumed to be Dusk Shine. He looked exactly like her except the obvious difference between mare and colt. He was taller and more muscular the muzzle was shaped different and his hair was cropped short with spiked bangs. At that moment Twilight got an idea and raced off leaving a confused Dusk Shine wondering what he saw before it ran off without waiting for the image to clear.
“Well Lulu care to explain?” Celestia asked her younger sister. They both had read Twilights letter concerning the storm.
“Not really, not yet at least a little more time.” Was Luna’s reply. The sun was lowered to make way for the moon. It’s gentle illumination guiding a white unicorn back home.