//------------------------------// // 9 - It // Story: Just Roll With It: Future Chronicles // by sunnypack //------------------------------// Chapter 9: It After an interesting breakfast, I brought up the topic that had been plaguing my mind since I arrived. “Are we going to see Princess Cadance now?” I asked. Underneath the table my fingers were fidgeting, but I tried to keep an overall calm expression on my face. I must not be doing a very convincing job because Celestia reached over and gave me a pat on the shoulders. “It'll be alright,” she said calmly. I heard the scratch of wood on the table as Twilight rubbed a hoof along it. She had her head planted firmly on the surface. “I don't know much of this relationship you claim to have with her," she called across the table, her voice partially muffled by her muzzle pressed against its surface. “She would not remember you at all.” She’s right, I thought, my mind racing. I’ve been hoping that seeing her would trigger some sort of memory recall, but that was just too good to be true. I swallowed thickly and nodded.  I guess that only works in fairy tales and fantasies. “Hey, if it’ll make you feel any better I found this place where lava flows under crystal,” Discord offered waving with a claw to simulate a lava flow I guess. I grinned at him. He really knew how to make me feel better. “Just put your ‘best foot forward’, as you’ve said before.” Luna gave me an encouraging smile. I felt myself melt under their gazes. Ah, what am I doing acting all depressed, this isn’t me. I got out of my headspace. “Righto,” I muttered with more cheer than I felt. “Let’s get down to business. Twilight lend me a hand.” “A what?” “A hoof.” “Oh. Okay, but why?” “I need to talk to Cadance- I mean Princess Cadance and you’re the only one I can really ask.” Twilight hesitated and looked over to Celestia who looked mildly offended. “Apart from my biased sister.” “I’m not–“ “No really, I’m serious.” Celestia huffed. “Well if you are seeing fit to tease me then you must be fine.” “Dandy,” I replied as Celestia rolled her eyes. “Fine, well Equestria cannot stand more than a few days in my absence so we will be departing.” With that Celestia teleported away with a flash. Luna glanced at the empty spot where her sister had sat just moment ago. She looked back at me, then at the empty spot. “Oh yes! The same with I,” she added quickly and also disappeared. Discord looked a bit confused but just shrugged and teleported away as well. Huh, weird. “Okay, well it’s just the two of us,” I laughed. Twilight didn’t look nearly as pleased. “Oh joy,” she muttered and cantered out of the room. I followed her, grinning. ––––– Luna met Celestia in their shared room. “Sister, why did you depart so quickly.” “We need to talk.” “I believe we are doing so now.” Celestia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Luna, I’m worried about Harmony.” Luna paused as if casting her mind back to relive the past hour. “He seemed to take it fine. What are you worrying about?” she queried. Celestia didn’t reply immediately. She paced around the room in a way that Luna knew well. “Sister…” Luna urged. Celestia sighed and stopped pacing. “It’s just that he seemed a bit off to me. Like he was hiding something from us. Something we don’t know.” She gestured helplessly. “Am I just seeing things?” Luna pursed her lips but didn’t look like she would discount Celestia’s fears altogether. “He does keep a few secrets about him, sister, that’s hardly a surprise.” She paused. “Do you think that he might be hiding something of import?” Celestia struggled to answer. “Yes, no, I don’t know! I’m not as omniscient as everypony thinks I am.” Luna’s gaze softened. “That I know sister, that I know.” She glanced out towards the one opening in the room. The sun had truly left the horizon and was no longer visible from the bay window. “Hold on, I’ll give us some privacy, I don’t think they truly bought my excuse.” Celestia chuckled. “You always were a poor liar.” Luna chuckled. “But I am given to better theatrics, do you not think?” She struck a pose. “Bring me my food, peasant.” Celestia couldn’t help but break out into laughter. “Ah you always know how to cheer me up.” Luna grinned toothily. “I am the Guardian and my duty is to protect my little ponies from everything, including sadness.” She held up a hoof before Celestia could interject. “Yes, sister, I know you are not a little pony. I just want to say that you are also made of flesh and blood too. And I also see in your eyes a wise remark about our longevity. Nay thy emotions are common I say.” “Luna, you’re slipping.” “It was intentional.” “If you are sure…” “And now you are just tugging at my reins.” “My, how indecent.” “I will go as far as you would, sister.” Celestia chuckled once more then settled down. “Still, it weighs on my mind that Harmony would hide something from us. I am wracking my mind. How can he hide anything from us, after all he is the visitor from the past and we are from the future. Don’t you think we should have the advantage?” “Indeed, that is perplexing. Do you think Discord may be a party to this?” “Why do you think Discord?” Luna gave Celestia a disbelieving stare. “Harmony and Discord are as ‘thick as thieves’ as they would say. I would not put it past the old wily prankster to be plotting something behind our backs.” Celestia frowned. “Though he seems remarkably well behaved ever since Harmony came back.” “Indeed, but all the more to suspect when he is playing innocent, am I wrong?” “No… of course. You’re right, Luna. They’re up to something. Both of them.” “Then we shall make ourselves some countermeasures.” Luna had on a look of such determination that Celestia took an involuntary step back. “My Luna you are really getting fired up for this.” Luna regarded her sister for a moment and then chuckled in a way that could only be described as sinister. “As they say, sister, I shall kill two birds with but one stone…” ––––– I shivered though I didn’t know why. “Cold?” Twilight queried. “Mm, no, I just felt a chill down my spine, as if someone just walked over my grave.” “That’s a morbid expression.” “Yeah. Anyway, where are we going?” Twilight looked at me as I was asking her why the sky was blue. The answer I imagine her stating as being the result of Rayleigh scattering across the diffuse composition of gases. That or magic, I still haven’t performed comprehensive enough tests on the world to tell. “We’re going to the library of course.” “Good because I was going to ask you why the sky was blue.” “What?” “Never mind.”