//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Hitting the Books // Story: Rising Above // by Quick Fix //------------------------------// The halls of Twilight's castle were quiet, even if ponies normally didn't come to visit without a friendship problem she usually had two or three visitors a day. She didn't mind too much though, even as the Princess of Friendship and eight time saviour of Equestria, Twilight was still the same study loving bookworm at heart, if not in body anymore. Over the last decade, her alicorn magic had started to accelerate her growth toward the more regal look of the other princesses. Right now she looked every bit a match for Princess Cadance, something she was secretly proud of, a chance to match up to her model's example. All that was a study for another day though, right now she was settled in the library, looking through a scientific paper the Canterlot Institute of Development had sent her. "Theoretical instabilities in celestial bodies and anomalies in stellar patterns through continuous subjection to alicorn magic...Anomalies is spelled with an I." Twilight commented to herself, bringing over a notepad with her magic and starting to write her observations. She was just getting into her zone when somepony knocked on the castle door, the echo making her look up and sigh. She knew she was answering it though, Spike was somewhat preoccupied right now and she still had another forty five pages to go, enough time to get focused again. Shaking the irritation from her mind she trotted to the castle door and opened it, greeted by the sight of a maroon stallion with blond mane, sky blue eyes and a hammer on his flank. "Princess Twilight," Quick Fix said, bowing his head at the sight of her. Twilight really wished ponies would stop doing that eventually, though at least that was all they did now. "I'm sorry to intrude on your time, but I was hoping I would be able to do some studying in your library today." Any frustration Twilight still had disappeared at those words, anypony wanting to share in the magic of learning with her was more than welcome. "Oh of course! Anypony is welcome to learn here," Twilight cheerfully stepped aside to let Quick Fix in, walking with him back through the entry hallway. "Did you have any particular topics in mind? I have just about everything available now." Quick chuckled softly at her enthusiasm, he wasn't quite there but he was still determined. "This might sound weird coming from an earth pony, but I was hoping to look through what you have on the skeletal and muscular development of pegasi wings." "Oh I've had stranger requests, like the one time I had a pony who worked in mathematics asking for information about chemical fires. I never found out why." Quick nodded, slowly starting to tune out Twilight as she started going on about the different types of fires. His focus quickly came back at the sight of Twilight's library, bookshelves at least thirty foot high, covering most of the walls and packed to the brim with books. It was almost intimidating, if not for the Daring Do and Wonderbolt posters spread in the free space. "Find yourself a seat, I'll get you your things," Twilight said, gathering some quills, ink and notepads before putting her head through another doorway. "Spike? I know you're preparing yourself but could I borrow you? It'll only take a minute." She called out as Quick sat down, taking a look at a few of the other books left out near him. "I was about finished anyway. What's up, Twi?" Spike asked as he came in, making Quick's jaw drop slightly at the sight of him. The dragon had finally started to grow up and now stood tall enough to meet the stallion eye to eye. And that was just when he was on all fours. To his credit, Spike had managed to retain the more noble characteristics he aspired to with the help of his pony friends. "Just one last thing quickly, could you fetch the books on pegasus wing biology please? I promise I wont call on you again today." "All right! Coming right up," Spike quickly scaled the edge of the bookcase and looked through the top shelf. "Pegasi biology, mare biology, stallion biology, ah here we are." He pulled several books out and put a marker in their place before sliding back to the floor and placing them next to Quick. "Well, somepony...Err, dragon, is in a good mood today." Quick commented, prompting a smile and a nod from Spike. "Why wouldn't I? Me and Rarity are taking a lunch meeting today. Hopefully today I can finally figure things out once and for all. I should make sure I'm there on time though, I'll see you later." Twilight smiled and waved Spike off as he headed out, leaving Quick looking more than a little lost. "So...Twilight, is he really...?" "Spike and Rarity are a bit of a curiosity, they've both admitted their feelings about each other and there seems to be something there. It seems like Rarity's the only who understands just where any relationship they have is though, and she's not telling yet." Quick nodded, deciding to let the matter be for now and let them both focus on their work. Opening up the first book, he took a quill in his mouth and started reading. Twilight watched him for a minute, in which time he managed to get partway through a page before stopping and putting a bookmark in the glossary, before she settled down and resumed reading her own paper. "It happens." Spike muttered to himself as he returned to the castle that evening. As he stepped inside he immediately saw Twilight, just preparing to send off the paper back to the institute, along with her observations and corrections that added another twelve pages. "Hi Spike, how'd it go today?" "It was just as you thought." Spike's words told Twilight all she needed to know. It was highly unlikely that there was going to be anything between him and Rarity. He looked like he was taking it a lot better than she had feared he might though. "Well, it says a lot about how mature you've become that you could recognise it yourself and make your peace with it." Twilight walked over to Spike and hugged him gently in support, prompting the dragon to do the same to her. "Thanks Twilight, when I hear you saying things like that, I think it's a wonder how you're not in your own relationship already." Twilight sighed softly at those words and stepped back with a frown. "I can't make any commitment like that yet. There are a lot of implications and pressures to a relationship with an a princess. On top of that I still need to finish my research on if alicorns truly are immortal, Celestia and Luna haven't taken partners for a reason." She shook her head and headed back toward the library, looking in to see Quick Fix was still studying, half the table covered in notes. Much as she didn't want to, Twilight trotted up to him and coughed gently, making Quick look up in surprise. "Oh err, sorry, am I in the way?" "Not exactly, but we do have to start thinking about shutting up for the night." "Alright, is it ok if I come back tomorrow then?" "Of course, I'll keep your notes sorted for you." Quick smiled and got up, stretching out as Twilight put his books away. He'd forgotten how sore his limbs got when he'd been sitting down all day. It had been worth it though, he'd made some headway and was starting to come to conclusions. It wasn't enough quite yet though, not if he wanted to be sure he could help them both. "Well, thank you for your time today, Princess Twilight. I'll continue my studies tomorrow, with your permission," Quick bowed his head in respect again as Twilight nodded. With that he turned and headed for the exit, a moment later he stopped and looked back at her. "Sorry, something I just remembered. Could you give Pinkie Pie a message for me?" "Errm, sure, What is it?" "Tell her Quick thinks the extra strawberry really works. Trust me, she'll get it." He nodded his thanks to her and trotted out, leaving a rather confused Twilight trying to make sense of what context that message could make sense in before shrugging it off. Quick blinked a little as he stepped into the setting sunlight. He hadn't realised just how much time had passed, it had been around midday when he arrived and he hadn't stopped for more than a water break in that time. Quick shook himself slightly and set off for home at a brisk trot, he needed to be properly revitalized for picking up where he left off.