//------------------------------// // L34 // Story: A little loopy. // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// “Actually Rarity, do you mind if we go to a museum?” Sweetie waited as the emotions rolled over her sister, before settling on defeat. Rubbing her forehead, Rarity let out a sigh, and smiled gently down at her sister. Sweetie smiled, the good news was rolling in today. “If that is what you want to do Sweetie, let me go grab my things.” Rarity trotted over to her bedside table and grabbed her saddlebags, slotting them on her back with careful precision. Turning, she flicked her tail to motion for Sweetie to follow, and let via the door. Locking it behind her, Rarity nodded once, and began the trip to the exit. “What brought this on, if I may ask?” Rarity called for a cab, and they hopped in as Sweetie removed a small 3-fold flyer from her saddlebags. Taking it in her magic, Rarity immediately saw the wide array of magical artifacts being shown off. Rarity handed it back as Sweetie began to speak. “Some of those items are Starswirl’s. I’m hoping there might be something I can use.” Sweetie smiled as she watched people pass by, and saw the museum come into view. Hopping off the cab, Sweetie waited as Rarity paid the driver. Turning, they headed for the building. “I suppose, but don’t get your hopes up.” Rarity bit her lip, inwardly sighing at her excited sister. Rarity didn’t want her to get set on one possible solution, the chances of something useful being inside were slim. Yes, the artifacts might be powerful, but what use would any of them have to someone in a time loop? “I know, but it’s kinda hard not to.” Sweetie knew Rarity was right, but it was so hard not to let hope guide her actions. Would there be something she could use? Sweetie sure hoped so. Regardless, it was something she hadn’t done yet, and thus was a new experience. “You’re just in time for the next tour, join the group over there.” The ticket master pointed with a hoof toward the group of shuffling ponies, and they quickly joined the herd. As they waited, Sweetie noticed an old dinosaur skeleton laying in one room not related to the current exhibit. For a brief moment, she toyed with the idea of bringing it back to life, before eventually deciding it was too cliche. “Starswirl the Bearded was known as a heretic, and was constantly ostracised when he was younger. This led him to dive into his studies, and create his first item of magi-tech; a lightbulb.” As the pony spoke, Sweetie glanced toward the very poorly constructed lightbulb, and wondered what they had used prior to this invention. “This got the attention of Princess Celestia, who ferreted him into the castle where he could conduct his experiments without the hassle of those who called him a fool. It was during this time, he created the first magi-circuit. This circuit would turn a light on or off by flicking a switch.” As if to show it off, the pony flicked a switch on an open version of the circuit. Sweetie had to admit, this was amazing. “However, as this science became more accepted, Starswirl grew bored. Leaving the magi-tech to other scientists, Starswirl began to delve into the pure magical nature of the world. While he did so, scientists took his ideas, and implemented them to make the appliances we know today.” Pausing, the pony motioned toward a fridge, toaster, and other such kitchen appliances. Sweetie rubbed her hooves together, now they were finally getting somewhere. “Starswirl eventually went crazy, and died alone. But his knowledge of magic and magi-tech still helps society to this day.” The pony finished by showing a poster of Starswirl when he was obviously ancient by pony standards. Everypony began to separate, and Sweetie stared at the poster for a few moments longer. “Are you ok Sweetie?” Rarity put a hoof on her sister’s shoulder, who nodded in response. “I’m fine, just a little disappointed. They only spoke of what he did in one field of study, completely ignoring the other.” Sweetie’s ears flopped down and she sighed. Walking up to the poster, she put a hoof on it, and sighed. Closing her eyes, she bowed her head, mourning the loss of one of the few unicorns who might have been able to help her. “Woah!” Sweetie blinked as her hoof went right through the poster, and fell forward. Rarity tried to follow, but found the poster was solid again, and reared back in fright. Pacing for a moment, she didn’t know what else to do but wait. If Sweetie wasn’t back in five minutes, she would get the staff involved. Sweetie rubbed the back of her neck where she had hit it on something. Opening her eyes, she looked around and realised she was in a very tiny room filled with sketches of various machines. As Sweetie walked forward more, she realised they were quickly becoming more and more about magic, and spell creation. Eventually, Sweetie noticed a final trend begin, one where Starswirl was constantly trying to find a way to become immortal. Sweetie looked to the final picture, one showing Celestia and Luna collapsed on the ground, Cutie Mark’s gone, with Starswirl standing over them. Surrounding Starswirl were what she recognised as drawings of the Elements. Looking down a bit more, Sweetie saw an unfinished spell that would swap the Cutie Marks of anypony connected to the Elements. “Oh Starswirl,” she sighed, closing her eyes as she looked away. Sweetie couldn’t deny it any longer, Starswirl had, by the point of the time loop, already been insane. Sweetie supposed Starswirl had been so consumed with his desire, he would do anything to accomplish it. Turning, Sweetie let her eyes fall on a picture of Starswirl when he was a colt, showing off his invention to Celestia. Sweetie turned, and headed back for the painting. Stepping through it, she met the worried look of Rarity, who quickly became consumed with relief. Gasping for breath as she was hugged, Sweetie glanced back to the poster. “So you really couldn’t follow me?” Sweetie took that information and digested it as she thought. A secret area of Starswirl’s, one she had been able to access but nopony else had. That final spell to switch Cutie Marks. All of it was related, and yet Sweetie couldn’t help but frown. Related yes, but how?