//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Held Tight // Story: Above the Fire Sky // by TheTimeSword //------------------------------// “We had assumed his reasoning to fake his name was to cause us to attack you, once you arrived. Perhaps this means that you are somehow a problem to whatever plans he has, making you a valuable ally.” Celestia said. ‘Does this mean you’ll help us?’ Kai questioned. “There is no counter attack from us, we will not begin a witch hunt for this… Firefox… just because he chipped a pillar and burned some rugs. We will remain civil.” Luna added. “But you could help us look for a way to locate him right? I’m sure the spell in the archives will allow me to locate him as well as the others. We find it, then stop him before he builds power.” Reasoned Twilight. Celestia shook her head. “Your duty is to do this in the name of friendship, in the name of your friend Kai. We will manage the guard to be on high alert to protect the civilians. Our duty is to make sure that everyone stays secure. This, Myar, is no high threat to the city in whole, but that doesn’t mean the citizens couldn’t become a target for him. That is why you must find him quickly. We’ve already allowed you friends into the archives, perhaps they have located the spell.” “I will come with you to the archives. I would like to observe your new friend as he accompanies you.” Luna stated. Twilight looked at Luna, then to Celestia. “Is it really, uh, well, necessary?” ‘Twilight, please. I am new to this planet and your customs, but that does not mean this has to be awkward. They do not trust me, and doing this would allow a spark to be held in my favor.’ She looked at Kai, and he looked at her. ‘Please.’ His fur upon his cheeks had become dried with the tears he had shed. His ears were lowered. The anguish in his eyes struck a chord in Twilight, she knew how he felt. “If it is what you wish, then as your friend I support you.” She gave him a half-smile. “Good. I will be back in time to raise the moon, sister.” Luna said as the four headed off. Celestia nodded, she then turned around and went back inside the tower’s room, the doors closing behind her. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have questioned your intentions, Princess Luna.” Twilight said. The four had reached the halls of the archives, Spike and Kai were further up the hall leaving Twilight and Luna to chat. “Nonsense Twilight, you are a princess too. You have proven yourself on more than enough occasions. Celestia and I know to trust your feelings and intuition.” Luna replied. Twilight looked ahead at Kai and Spike. “Then why did you accompany us?” “To be honest with you Twilight, Celestia believes your word completely. If you trust Kai, she trusts Kai.” “Do… Do you trust my word?” Twilight asked, looking back to Luna to see her reaction. “Of course.” Luna answered. “I was on the moon for a thousand years. I understand the lifeforms of space better than anypony else. I mostly tagged along to get to know him better, as I enjoy meeting any space creature.” She smiled at Twilight. “Oh. But why the intimidation in the tower?” Luna grinned. “Promise not to tell a soul?” Twilight nodded. “Stick a cupcake in my eye!” “It’s because I don’t want Celestia to feel alone.” Luna stopped walking, she stared ahead. Twilight noticed and turned around, facing Luna. “She’s been making decisions on her own for a long time, and that is because of me, I know.” Luna looked down at Twilight who stood in front of her. “If I’m being perfectly honest, I don’t want her to have to go through being alone again. If she feels alone, then that means I too will feel alone. As siblings there can be almost no one we trust more than each other.” Twilight opened her mouth to ask a question but was stopped by Luna. “I know, you’re going to ask why the intimidation then?” Luna began to walk again, walking past Twilight. “If I show her how willing I am to do things for her, for me, and for everyone, then she’ll never have to feel alone again knowing I’m here to go the extra distance when she could not, should not, or would not.” “I had no idea.” Twilight said as she briskly walked, catching up to be side by side with Luna. “Why not just tell her?” A quiet laugh came from Luna but trailed off quickly, “You of all people dear Twilight, should know that sometimes actions speak loudest when words have failed.” “Hey! You two coming or what?” Yelled Spike from down the hall at the doorway to the archives. “Shhh!” Came from the ponies inside the room. “Sorry!’ He said in a whispered voice. Twilight and Luna entered the archives, rows of shelves holding large quantities of tomes, scrolls, and maps lined the room. In the center sat a large circular wooden table with the sun and moon etched into the middle. Stacks of books sat upon the table in a messy fashion. “Aren’t you just the cutest thing?” Moon Dancer, Minuette, and Twinkleshine all were surrounding Kai. They were petting his stomach, scratching behind his ears, and giving him plenty of love and affection. “Oh, hey! Twilight!” Moon Dancer turned her head, noticing Twilight had entered the room. She pushed up her glasses to see better and then ran up to Twilight and gave her a big hug. “Twilight!” The other two yelled as they followed suit. Although her stature was much larger than Twilights, Luna had gone unnoticed for a brief moment. Minuette was the first to notice. “P-Princess Luna!” She bowed, lowering her face to the ground. “Oh!” Twinkleshine said, also bowing along with Moon Dancer. “Please, rise. You are Twilight’s friends, and by extension my friends.” Luna said, a smile on her face as she courteously bowed to them. They rose their heads. Twinkleshine whispered to Minuette, “Does this mean we can hug her too?” Luna let out a small chuckle. “It’s so good to see you girls!” Twilight said. “It’s good to see you too. We’re sorry Lemon Hearts couldn’t make it, unfortunately.” Minuette replied. “And we’d love to stay but we have to head off. Moon Dancer should be able to discuss everything.” Twinkleshine said. “I’ve got it. Thanks for your help girls!” Moon Dancer added, waving the two off. “Bye you guys!” The two said, following up with a, “Byyye Kaaaai!” in unison. ‘Goodbye!’ “Someone seems to have gotten popular.” Luna said ask she walked directly over to Kai, a small grin on her face. The grin made her seem more menacing than actually friendly. ‘Y-yes, well…’ Twilight smiled at Kai. “Come on Twilight, we found the book you requested, but we also found a few others that may work better!” Moon Dancer said, tugging on Twilight’s arm. “Okay! Hey, Kai. Why don’t you and Luna hang out for a bit?” Twilight said as she was dragged off to the other side of the table, giving him a wink as well. ‘Oh, uhm, o-okay.’ He turned and looked up at Luna who stood over him, his tail slightly between his legs. A grin that was even more menacing than before was upon her face. “Yes, little one.” She said as she lit her horn up, using her magic to grab and lift Kai into the air. “Let us speak with one another, shall we?” They went off to a separate part of the library, a worried Kai being carried in the air unwillingly, the look of horror filled his face. “Thank you so much for your help Moon Dancer, I’m glad I called on you guys. This may have taken me days to do alone.” Twilight said as she looked through the pile of books Moon Dancer had organized. “One of these should contain the location spell. I looked through the one you suggested, Leaders of the Game, but I didn’t see anything that could really teach spell use. So I’ve included a few others that match up with it and contain other pieces of the puzzles you may have needed.” Moon Dancer explained. “This is wonderful. We’ll be able to find… the Firefoxes in no time… Hey wait, what’s this one?’ Twilight lifted a book from the bottom of the stack. “Lord of the Parasprites?” Moon Dancer blushed for a moment and quickly used her magic to pull it away. “Whoops! Sorry! How’d that get in there?” Nervous laughter came from the unicorn. Twilight smiled at her and gave her a nudge in the shoulder. “Finally getting into the classic fiction like I’ve been suggest, huh?” “Well, sometimes you just need a break from the fundaments of general theory. What can I say?” As the two nerds finished laughing, Twilight called for Spike. “Spike? Where are you?” “Huh, I haven’t seen him since you came in now that I think about it.” Moon Dancer said. “That’s because he was kindly waiting for me.” A voice said from behind them. The two ponies shrieked and grabbed onto one another purely out of fear. “Oh my. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Rarity said, the two ponies still clung to each other. Spike stood next to Rarity, laughing and slapping his knee. “That’s the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time!” Twilight and Moon Dancer quickly let go of each other and separated themselves, all while their faces glowed bright red. “Well, it seems like you found what you were looking for, Twilight.” Rarity said as she choked back her laughter. “Ahem, yes well… Thank you for your help Moon Dancer.” Twilight said with quickness. “You are welcome, princess! Err, Twilight! Uhh, Princess Twilight!” Moon Dancer replied as she pushed her glasses up, her face still beat red. “I’ll see you later!” She quickly grabbed her book with her magic and rushed out the door. Twilight smiled and gave a little giggle as she turned to Rarity. “Well that was fun.” “I do hope she will be fine. I did not mean to embarrass you both.” “That WAS pretty funny though.” Spike added, nudging Rarity’s leg with his elbow. “Mm, yes, quite.” She smiled. “Did you find the books you required, dear?” Twilight nodded, using her magic to lift up the stack of books. “These should have everything and then some.” Rarity clapped her hooves together. “Wonderful darling! Are you ready to be off then? Shall we grab Kai?”