//------------------------------// // Wit/Quill - Chapter 18 // Story: Dawn of Crystal Empire // by TopWanted //------------------------------// “No way!” the rainbow maned Pegasus shouted. “You know A.K. Yearling, the writer of Daring Do!?” Wit sat to the side of the conservatory where everypony had decided to convene after today’s long events. The room was of relative size for a castle, certainly bigger than the apartment the brothers shared. The walls were a deep green crystal with soft cushions adorning the floor all around the room. Wit had decided to set down the large luggage he had been carrying for hours and recline in one of these comfy cushions. A few hooves away, his egotistical brother had begun a conversation with two of the mares present, just happening to mention his acquaintance with the great Miss Yearling. “Agatha and I have known each other for good few years now,” Quill bragged. “We were in the same seminar at the Historical Academy for a few years. Shared a discussion table and everything. I even helped her out with one of her artifact recoveries once.” The rainbow maned Pegasus beamed uncontrollably. “That is so awesome!” The orange mare grinned. “Must be nice knowing a celebrity.” Wit chuckled. “What? Not going to mention that she added you as a character in one of her books?” Quill’s eye twitched as the cyan Pegasus sucked in a gasp of air. “Seriously!? Which one are you?” His brother shot Wit a glare but Wit continued. “What was that character’s name again, Quill? Shiver-something?” “Shiverus Snipe?” she asked, cocking an eyebrow. “That dweeby coward in book fifteen that ends up falling in a pit and delaying Daring Do for two days?” Quill’s face took on a deep shade of crimson as he turned away to pout. “I had a broken leg! What were we supposed to do? Just keep on going through the jungle?” The mares began to snicker before the blue one burst into laughter, rolling on the ground. Quill pouted some more and left the room, steam almost coming out his ears. The orange mare nodded to Wit before sitting down next to him. “You’re brother has quite a bit of pride.” Wit shrugged. “He’s got enough for everyone in Canterlot. Best to deflate his ego every once in a while or he’ll float away.” The orange mare laughed out loud, covering her face with her large Stetson hat. She turned to face him and held out a hoof. “Name’s Applejack. My friend over there on the ground is Rainbow Dash.” Wit smiled and politely tapped Applejack’s hoof. “Pleasure. I’m Witwell, but my friends just call me Wit.” Applejack polite smile turned slightly. “So now that we have a free moment, can I ask what yer doing here?” Wit sighed and pulled his suitcase next to him. He opened it, leafing through the contents until he came to a small circular metal object. He pulled it out for Applejack to see. “From what I can understand from the explanation Prince Shining Armor gave, you’ve been dealing with some mysterious circumstances surrounding a lost journal and this symbol, correct?” He placed the pin on top of the suitcase. Embedded in the orange metal was a dark rune, one it seemed the other pony had seen before since she let out a short gasp. “Hey!” Rainbow shouted as she appeared hovering above the two. “That’s the signal!” “Sigil,” Applejack corrected her. Rainbow waved a dismissive hoof. “So, why do you have this?” Wit paused to place the pin back in his suitcase. “Actually this is an heirloom from our mother. It’s been passed down our clan through the ages so it’s pretty much an antique.” “The Black Dragon Sigil,” Applejack mouthed, trying to remember Twilight’s words. “That’s what Twilight called it. So you must have some idea about what it does?” Wit frowned and shook his head slowly. “I’m afraid not. The symbol has never really meant anything to us and my mother never spoke about it. However, I think I know who created it.” The mares waited on his words. Wit smiled, enjoying the audience, as he opened another suitcase. He really wasn’t a pony that enjoyed attention like his brother, but Wit did have his weak moments when it came to pretty mares. He grinned as he produced an ancient set of letters for the mares to view. “This is the second reason we came. Princess Twilight was looking for any historical records of a pony named Sun Tide. Well, it just so happens that Sun Tide is actually our clan’s great ancestor.” Applejack began to sift through the letters, her face blushing profusely as she read one. “These all seem pretty personal. Are you sure it’s okay to show these to us?” “What’s personal?” Rainbow asked as she reached for a letter. Applejack swatted her hoof away quickly. “Maybe when you’re a little more mature,” she chuckled. Rainbow threw up her hooves and groaned at the ceiling. “We’re the same age!” She forced her lower lip out to pout and slowly hovered out of the room, leaving the two alone. “I really don’t mind,” Wit replied. “It’s pretty much the reason why we brought them in the first place. Quill thought they might be of some use.” Applejack continued to read the letters, her blush not receding in the slightest. “So these are all from the same pony? Then why are they signed differently?” Wit’s smile faded as he grabbed a few of the already read letters to put back in his suitcase. “It’s… Well, my brother believes that Sun Tide is actually a pretty famous pony that went under a pseudonym to avoid suspicion.” “Do I know this pony?” Applejack asked. “Maybe. Starswirl the Bearded.” Applejack rubbed her chin in thought. “I remember Twilight talking about that guy. Some famous unicorn that was around way back when, right?” “Yeah,” Wit replied as he continued to grab letters to put them away. “Lots of historians have written about him since he’s a pretty pivotal historical figure. He lived for nearly five hundred years, way beyond the lifespan of a normal unicorn and he even acted as a mentor to Princess Celestia at a time. However, there’s this black period during his life that no historian or archaeologist has ever been able to dig up. It’s my brother’s theory that these letters are from that dark period and can shed some light on his early years.” Wit grabbed the last letter just as Applejack did, their hooves touching for an instant. Wit let go and shyed away, blushing, while Applejack took the letter unerred. She read it and handed it back. “I got to say, that’s an interesting story.” She winked at the stallion. “It’s nice that a kid your age is helping out his older brother.” Wit’s eye twitched. “A kid! My age?!” “Well, yeah,” Applejack replied. “You look about thirteen, right?” Wit’s face grew pink as he ground his teeth. “And why would you assume that?” he asked as nicely as he could. Applejack shrugged. “You’re shorter than me and I’m not that tall. So I reckon that’s appropriate.” “We’re a year apart!” Wit shouted angrily. Applejack drew back at the outburst, surprise and a little bit of aggravation in her eyes. “You don’t have to yell,” she murmured. “I didn’t know. I mean you looked so-“ “Small!?” Wit cut her off, raising an eyebrow. Applejack winced. “I was going to say… compact?” “Unbelievable!” Wit threw his hooves in the air. “Every time. This happens every time! Do I have to wear a sign around ponies like you?” Applejack frowned. “Ponies like me? What in tarnation is that supposed to mean!?” Wit rose from his seat, his face a blur of rage. “Exactly what it sounds like! Everypony always thinks I’m a filly or they can just walk all over me. Nopony ever takes me seriously and it’s infuriating!” Applejack rose from her seat as well, a similar look of disdain on her face. “Well, excuse me for not realizing sooner! It’s not my fault you look like a filly. Don’t go insulting me for it!” Wit grit his teeth, shooting a harsh glare at the taller pony. “You’re lucky you’re a mare!” “Excuse me?” Applejack retorted. “I was taught never to fight with mares. Otherwise I’d give you a piece of my mind.” Applejack began to grit her teeth as well. “You’re the most ornery little pony I’ve ever met!” “Little!? Gaaaaah!” Wit stamped the ground harshly before turning back to the conservatory’s entrance to leave. “Where are you going?” Applejack yelled grabbing his shoulder before he could go. “Away! Before I do something I’ll regret!” Wit shot back. Applejack scoffed. “You think you can hurt me?” “Pretty damn sure!” “Them’s fightin’ words!” The two ponies spun around to face each other, their faces mere inches apart and anger plastered on their expressions. Wit let out an exasperated sigh. “Fine! Tomorrow. Dawn. I’m not going to fight you, but let’s see who’s stronger. You or the ‘little filly!’” “Sounds good to me!” Applejack smirked and held out a hoof. They briskly yet angrily bumped and the duel was set. “If I win, you owe me an apology! If you win, I owe you. See you tomorrow, sweet pea!” Wit growled again as the orange mare left the room, in a teasing walk. She flipped her tail up so it snapped against his nose as she left. Wit threw up his hooves again and let out a groan. He slumped back into the cushion and began to rub his forehead. After a moment the adrenaline began to fade away and Wit came back to his senses. He frowned and pursed his lips. Just what had he gotten himself into? ---------- Quill left the conservatory in a huff. After Shining Armor and Princess Luna left the group to go to their rooms, the castle staff had been kind enough to show he and his brother where they would be staying. Quill walked down the lone hallway as he made his way to the room. While his face was still a little flushed at the two mares that laughed at him, his mind couldn’t help but race at the idea of what could be accomplished here. Shining told him about the sigil, his family’s crest, being hidden here in the Crystal Empire. This was a big break. Now all he needed was to see that book Princess Twilight had mentioned and he could have legitimate proof of his theories. A grin slowly spread across Quill’s face as he thought of the future. The academy would have to retract everything they ever said about him. He might even have enough prestige and influence to get the jerk, Senilex, kicked out of the board of trustees. Hay, he just might even own the board of trustees. If he could only prove that he was directly related to Starswirl, then he could get his reputation back, for him and for Wit. The gray unicorn paused as he remembered his brother’s plight. Wit could have gone on to do so many things. Yet because of him, his brother was forced to abandon his dreams. He wanted so badly to make things right. Quill sighed. “Mr. Quill?” a feminine voice appeared from around the corner in front of him. Princess Twilight Sparkle had returned from her errand with the pink mare. “Miss Twilight,” Quill greeted her with a phony smile. “I take it everything went well with your pink friend and her letter.” Twilight shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Pinkie can get a little off track so it was necessary to be there to help write the letter.” “I do apologize for my lack of knowledge,” Quill gave a polite bow. “But just what acquaintance could your friend, Pinkie, have that could be helpful to us?” Twilight gave a half lidded expression and sighed. “You don’t want to know. You’ll find out when you meet her.” Quill nodded and the two stood still in the empty hallway for a brief awkward second. “So…” they both said at the same time. “Sorry,” Twilight giggled. “No, my apologies,” Quill replied. “You were saying?” Twilight shifted her hooves and walked a little closer to Quill an uneasy expression on her face. “I really didn’t mean for my brother to get you involved in this. Princess Luna is right when she says that this may become dangerous. I appreciate you offering to help but I’d feel a lot better if you just went home.” Quill felt his stomach lurch. He couldn’t abandon this. This was the best lead he’d had in years. He clenched his teeth, trying to think of an excuse to stay. “Miss Twilight, while it’s nice that you’re thinking of our wellbeing I must reiterate that I and my brother wanted to be here.” Twilight waved a hoof. “I know your historians and I love your books,” she blushed, “really I’m a huge fan, but this isn’t your ordinary every day study session or archaeological expedition. This is a legitimate curse with ancient magics. There’s no telling if what we saw today with the doctor could happen to any of us.” Quill gave a polite smile and placed his hoof over his chest. “You’re concern is noted. However, what members of the Canterlot elite would we be if we did not lend our services to our princesses.” Twilight pursed her lip and frowned but sighed and gave way to a smile. “Alright.” Quill lip curled into a clever grin. “By the way, your brother said you had a book that contains the name of one of our characters. Would you mind if I took a look at it?” Twilight smiled and retrieved the book from her saddle bag. “Sure, I’m going to need all the help I can get anyway.” Quill took the book and stared at the scale covered cover with some trepidation. He took a deep breath and opened to the first page. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the date in the center of the page. Sun Tide. He couldn’t hide his smile. He continued to star at the date, finally becoming aware that Twilight was now standing right next to him reading off his shoulder. Quill’s face turned pink for a brief moment before returning his attention to the book. He raised an eyebrow. “Do you think it’s a birthday of some sort?” Twilight frowned. “I had considered that, the only thing I can conclude is that it’s Bedim Haze’s birthday. But maybe you can tell me just who Sun Tide is.” Quill smiled broadly. “That’s a long story, probably left for tomorrow. However you should know that he was a king of an island called Lesbos. One of the only kings the island ever had since it was predominantly ruled by a feminarchy.” Twilight smirked. “So you’re book is actually historically accurate? I don’t recall reading about Lesbos or Sun Tide.” “That’s because the island has been lost to history.” Quill’s face became passive and it was clear he was not going to expand on the point. “However, this birthday could very well mean that this Bedim was born on Lesbos.” Twilight pulled away, moaning and rubbing her forehead. “Gaah! This is all so confusing! An island. Black sigils. Shadow ponies. And now a curse! Just what does it all have to do with each other?” Quill began to flip through the pages, landing on a passage in a foreign language he recognized. “’The mountain rose above the clouds and the wind whipped at my short furred flesh. I would have died if not for the aid of a friend.’” He read slowly and carefully, trying to remember certain syntax. Twilight peeked over his shoulder again. Her eyes shot open. “Wait, that’s one of the passages I couldn’t decode. You can read it?” Quill looked over his shoulder at the princess. “It is a bit old fashioned and a little hard to make out, but I’m pretty sure it’s written in Yaki.” “Yaki?” Twilight asked. “As in what Yak’s speak?” “Right. A little esoteric to be sure, but I did study Yak culture for a close to a year in Yakyakistan. Fascinating creatures.” Twilight’s smile increased broadly. “This is fantastic!” she cried as she wrapped her hooves around the unprepared stallion. He was forced to step back as he lost his footing and the two fell to the floor. Twilight scrambled for the book and began to flip through it some more. “With this we can decode another third of the book.” She found another page with a different written language. “What about this?” She showed it to Quill. The princess still lay on top of Quill, causing the stallion’s cheeks and entire body to become red. However, he still adjusted his glasses to look closer at the passage. He cocked an eyebrow. “Are you sure that’s not just chicken scrawl? I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen that before. Maybe some kind of pictograms?” Twilight sighed despondently as she rose to four hooves again, freeing the stallion. Her mood lightened a little bit though as she began to page through the book again. “Still, now we’ve got some more to work with.” She placed the book back in her saddlebag and turned to Quill. “See me tomorrow morning and we’ll start decoding it.” Quill smiled as he brushed the dust from his vest. “As you wish, Miss Sparkle.” Twilight squeed in glee as she bound down the hall, missing the shorter tan stallion that passed her. Quill smiled broadly as his brother approached. Wit looked dejected. “You seem to have had a good day,” Wit murmured. Quill lifted his brother in his arms and hugged him, twirling him around the room. “It’s here, Wit! It’s really here! All we need is that book and we can prove Sun Tide really existed. Of course it would also be prudent to prove that this Bedim Haze existed so as to help the claim. But I’m sure we can figure something out. The book is the answer!” Wit stepped away from his brother, shaking off the dizziness that came from the twirl. “Okay, okay. I get it. But you know these ponies aren’t going to give up that book until they’ve dealt with whatever’s going on here.” “Leave that to me, my fine brother of mine,” Quill grabbed Wit by the shoulder and pulled him close, his cheek pushing against his brother’s. “With luck, we should have this finished by tomorrow.” Wit sighed. “I hope your right because it looks like I have a ‘date’ with that Applejack character.” Quill gave his brother a puzzled expression. Then he read the context. “You lost it again didn’t you?” “Yup.” “Challenged a girl to a strength contest since you couldn’t beat her up?” “Yup.” “You know, since these mares are the Elements of Harmony that would make this Applejack part of the Apple clan, wouldn’t it? Aren’t they renowned for their strength?” Wit’s eyes shot open and he slammed a hoof into his face. “Aw, buck me.”