Watching the World Burn

by Inkscape

Something Strange with the Sky

Inkscape awoke with a start. Her heart felt like it was about to gallop out of her chest. She stumbled out of bed and went down stairs to get a glass of water. The dream had been so vivid. She could still hear Princess Luna’s voice so crisp in her mind. Could a dream really be reality? It must have been her imagination running wild. She did have a big day yesterday, after all.

She nearly dropped her glass, when she heard a flutter of wings behind her. She gasped, turning around abruptly, she came face to face with Twilight. “Ah!” Inkscape stifled a scream, as to not awaken Spike.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Twilight said in a low tone. “I heard you get up. Are you all right? You seem a little jumpy.”

Inkscape chuckled nervously. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just had a bad dream is all.”

“Are you going to be okay? You look a little pale. Do you want to talk about it?”

Inkscape slid her forehoof to and fro on the kitchen floor, touched by the alicorn’s kindness, but she wasn’t even entirely sure that Luna really had been in her dreams, and Inkscape got the feeling that Twilight Sparkle could be the kind of pony that overreacted. She didn’t want to worry her over what was probably nothing more than a bad dream brought on by exhaustion.

“No, it’s fine. Just a bad dream. Everypony gets them.” She forced a smile.

Twilight studied her for a moment, analysing her features for what seemed to be a long moment. She didn’t seem to find whatever it was she was looking for and bid Inkscape goodnight, flying back upstairs.

Inkscape slumped onto the floor. “It’s just a dream. What was I thinking? A princess walking in my dreams.” She laughed quietly at herself. “Get the fluff out of your brain, Inkscape.” She continued grinning at herself, as she made her way back into the guestroom and settling back into bed. She fell asleep and slumbered dreamlessly until dawn.

She awoke to the smell of pancakes. Sunlight was streaming in through the window facing the Ponyville clocktower. She guessed it was around mid-morning. Inkscape trotted downstairs, where she found Spike cooking in the kitchen and the source of the pancake smell. She also found Twilight with her nose in a book. Her brows were furrowed in concentration.

“Twilight, are you going to get your snout out of that book, or am I going to have to eat all of these oat pancakes by myself?” Spike called from the open kitchen door. He was adorned in a white apron with a daisy pattern and a chef’s hat.

“Aren’t you forgetting somepony?” Twilight asked, her gaze not leaving the page.

“Oh,” Spike suddenly looked abashed. “Would you like some pancakes, Inkscape? I have some extra batter. I can whip up another batch.”

Inkscape smiled at the baby purple dragon. “That would be very lovely. Thank you, Spike.”

She trotted over to where Twilight was reading at the table in the center of the library. “So, what are you reading? It’s awfully early to be studying.”

“It’s never to too early to start hitting the books,” Twilight said, closing the book with her magic and placing it on the table. It was an old brown book with an unadorned cover.

“So, what are you studying?” Inkscape ventured to ask.

“Nothing really, just weather patterns and climates in Equestria. I was curious as to what could be causing such an abnormally warm summer. I thought it may be something serious, but it turns out, we may just have a large low pressure system moving through.”

“But I thought the pegasi controlled the weather in Ponyville?”

“Correction, they control the precipitation, but they cannot control the air masses themselves.”

Spike walked into the room, carrying a plate of oat pancakes, which he set on the table in front of Inkscape. “Huh? What are you going on about now, Twilight?”

“The weather, Spike. See, air masses, are, as they are titled, are masses of air of high and low pressure-.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, Hot and cold air.” Spike cut her off.

Twilight beamed. “Exactly, Spike. That is basically the main idea. See? You can learn a lot, if you apply yourself to your studies.”

“I just know it, because you got me a weather book for my birthday last year. A book again...Like every year,” he stated glumly.

Inkscape giggled, taking a bite of her pancakes. “These are very good, Spike, thank you. You are quite a talented chef.”

The tiny dragon blushed. “Oh, you think so? Twilight once gave me a book on cooking for Hearth Warming Day.”

Twilight turned her attention back to Inkscape. “So what do you plan to do today, Inkscape? Are you going to do a bit of writing, find that inspirational spark yet?”

Inkscape sighed. “Nope, no spark yet. I was thinking about getting a journal, so I could write down what happens, while I’m in Ponyville.” She smiled. “After last night, I know it will be a trip worth remembering.”

Twilight clapped her hooves together excitedly. “Oh! And I know just the place - The Quill and Sofa Shop!”

“The Quill and Sofa shop?”

“Yes, they sell quills, sofas, and various types of stationary.”

Inkscape ginned to herself. “Well, it’s definitely an odd combination, isn’t it?”

“I guess it is a little silly.” The lavender alicorn agreed with a small laugh. “I could take you there, if you want. We can find you a nice quill and a journal to write in.”

She beamed. “Thank you, Twilight. I’d like that a lot.”

After Inkscape had finished her breakfast, Twilight showed her the way to the Quill and Sofa shop. Inkscape still hadn’t gotten over the name of the shop, but she tried to withhold her laughter, so she wouldn’t giggle like a schoolpony.

The day was slowly warming up, as they walked. It was going to be another hot one, and Inkscape wondered how long one of those pressure systems could stay in one place. “Too bad you can’t put a cooling spell over the entire town, Twilight.”

“I know, but I’m sure this warm spell will be over soon. I’ve noticed the grass in town is getting brown. I’d say we’re overdue for a good storm. I wonder why the pegasi haven’t gotten on that yet. But I am sure a good rain would help cool things off.”

Inkscape agreed with a nod. They arrived at the Quill and Sofa shop, which was on the corner of the Town Square. They entered, and a bell jingled above the door, signaling their arrival. Inkscape looked around at the odd mixture of sofas, bookshelves, and parchments. Bookshelves sat amongst sofas and lined the walls. The large center counter was piled high with rolls of parchment, with even more seen against the back wall, along with a large supply of feather quills of all shapes, colors and sizes. The shop smelled like books. Inkscape took it in fondly. It was a homey smell.

“Ah, Miss Twilight Sparkle, how may I assist you? In need of some more parchment, I presume?” The clerk, asked. He was a tan stallion Earth Pony with a matching chocolate mane and tail, both of which were smooth and well-groomed. He wore a blue dress shirt adorned with a white collar.

Twilight smiled and held up a hoof. “Not today. I’m actually here with a friend.” She gestured towards Inkscape, standing behind her. “She is looking to buy a new journal.”

The clerk craned his neck to get a better look at Inkscape. “Say, don’t I know you from someplace?”

Inkscape’s heart skipped into overtime. “Oh no, you must be mistaken. I’m new in town, just here for vacation is all.” She felt her face growing hotter by the second. “You must be confusing me with somepony else. Haha.”

Realization suddenly dawned on the clerk’s face. “I know you!”

“N-no. No you don’t!”

Twilight just tilted her head. “What’s going on here?”

“You’re Summer Quill! I saw your interview in Quill and Ink Monthly!” The clerk blurted out, nearly jumping over the counter, but was able to contain himself enough to exit out the door to the back of the counter. He rushed up to Inkscape and shook her hoof in his heavy grasp. Inkscape tried her best to be polite and not wince too visibly.

“I um, uh.” She, for once, found herself at a loss for words.

A book with a bright yellow cover, which she immediately recognised as one of her own, filled her vision. “Could you please sign this copy of The Unicorn Knight for my son? He just loves your books! It’s his birthday next week, and I was going to give him this.”

Flattered, but still taken aback, Inkscape borrowed a pen from the countertop with a levitation spell. “What is your son’s name” She asked.

“Onyx.”

“That is a very nice name.” She commented, and the Clerk appeared to blush.

Happy Birthday, Onyx. I hope you enjoy the story. Make everyday an adventure!
- Summer Quill

She signed the inside cover of the book in an elegant script. When she had finished, she returned the quill to the counter. “There you are, sir. Tell your son that I personally wish him a happy birthday.” She couldn’t help but beam at the store clerk, who was now simply ecstatic.

“I can’t believe it!” Twilight exclaimed. “You’re Summer Quill! Now this really made Inkscape blush. A princess was excited about meeting her. Her. She was just a writer. She sat behind a desk most of the day for work. Sometimes, she sat behind her desk with nothing to write at all. She wasn’t anything special. There were ponies who deserved more adoration than she did, like doctors and teachers. “Y-yeah. I guess I am.” She looked away, embarrassed by the eagerness in the alicorn’s wide purple eyes.

“I just love your books! My favorite novel of yours is The Mare and the Meadow.”

“Well, if you promise not to tell anypony about who I am, I could maybe sign your copy for you.” She turned to look over her shoulder at the clerk. “You, too! Please don’t tell anypony I was here. I’m on vacation.”

Both Twilight and the Quill and Sofa Clerk agreed not to tell anypony about Inkscape’s writing identity nor her trip to Ponyville. The clerk gave her a discount on a maroon journal Inkscape had found. It had an intricate floral pattern pressed into its center. Twilight insisted upon buying her a new quill to go with it, even though she explained that she had brought enough quills with her from home.

“A new journal calls for a new quill, and I will not take no for an answer,” Twilight had said in return to her objections, as she passed the bits to the clerk.

The quill Twilight bought her was a brilliant and glossy red. When it caught the light, the feather reflected hues of golden yellows and blazing oranges. She hovered it before her, as they made their way back in the direction of the library, mesmerised by it. “I have never seen a quill like this before. Thank you, Twilight.”

“You’re very welcome,” she said with a smile. “It’s a phoenix feather, that’s why it reflects the light like that.”

“Wow! It’s beautiful. I have never seen a phoenix before.”

“Well, maybe someday you will. They are very rare, but some ponies are able to keep them as pets. Princess Celestia has a pet phoenix. Her name is Philamena. She caused quite a deal of trouble last time she visited Ponyville with the Princess.” She smiled, as if remembering something humorous.

They were nearing the library, when they heard a shout above them. “Come on, laggy hooves! We need these clouds in formation stat! We’re three days overdue for a rainstorm. Everything is going to wilt at this rate!”

Inkscape and Twilight looked up to see the cyan Rainbow Dash directing her weather team, who seemed to be having a hard time keeping the clouds in place, as they tried to mold them into a blanket that covered Ponyville’s blue sky. As soon as a cloud was moved, it would dissipate into a billow of mist that was taken away by the breeze.

“We can’t! The clouds are so fragile, they break apart as soon as we touch them!” A lavender pegasus with a golden mane explained desperately.

“I know the clouds are a little weak from all this heat, Cloud Kicker, but Ponyville is counting on us. And Derpy, stop licking the clouds!” Rainbow Dash snapped at the grey pegasus hovering obliviously just below her.

“Rainbow, what’s wrong?” Twilight called up to her friend.

Rainbow Dash hovered closer to the ground. “It’s these darn clouds! The sun has been so intense, that they’re too fragile to move!”

“But aren’t the clouds made at the weather factory in Cloudsdale?”

“Yeah, but they don’t last long in this heat.” She prodded a nearby cloud with her hoof for emphasis, as is disappeared into a thin mist. “If we can’t get a good shower going within a couple days, the local farms are going to be in big trouble.”

“Well, maybe I could help?” The lavender alicorn offered. She flew up to one of the few remaining clouds. She lit her horn with a translucent magenta aura. "Maybe a Come to Life Spell will allow us to move the clouds without actually touching and damaging them.”

Rainbow Dash looked somewhat apprehensive, but after a moment of thought, gave Twilight a curt nod.

A beam of magic flowed from her horn, enveloping the cloud, which suddenly sprang to life. “Ha! See? It worked!” The cloud jerked and took off racing, and before anypony could do anything, it charged straight into the side of City Hall and promptly dissolved into mist.

The pegasi cast angry glares in Twilight’s direction, who then meekly lowered herself back onto the street.

“Really, Twilight, you know that Come to Life Spell always backfires! Do I need to remind you what happened during Winter Wrap Up?”

Chagrin filled the princess’ features. “No, no. No need to bring that up in front of my house guest.” She glanced in Inkscape’s direction, grinning nervously.

“What happened during Winter Wrap Up?” Inkscape ventured, when a lavender hoof was suddenly shoved against her mouth.

“Nothing! Nothing happened!”

Inkscape and Twilight Sparkle left Rainbow Dash and her pegasi to report back to Cloudsdale about the problems with the clouds. Twilight wore a worried expression on her face, as they went. Inkscape thought to ask the Alicorn Princess about the Winter Wrap Up mishap, but she had a feeling that she was not going to get anything from her. With a sly grin, she wondered if Spike would be willing to quench her curiosity. She made a mental note to ask him later, when Twilight wasn’t around.

They trotted down the sparse road that lead through town to the Library. Inkscape couldn’t help but notice Twilight’s gaze transfixed upon the sky. “Is everything okay?” She ventured.

“I’m sure it’s just me worrying about nothing again,” she said, breaking her sights away from the cloudless sky. She cast a rueful look at the pale yellow unicorn. “I’ve learned from a series of incidents that I tend to worry too much about the future.”

Inkscape nodded reluctantly. The pegasi being unable to make it rain seemed like a serious thing in her opinion, but she didn’t dare dispute the Princess. Twilight didn’t become a princess, because she was dumb. She had to have faith that she knew what she was talking about. Maybe this type of thing had happened in the past?

They arrived back at the Library a little after noon. Spike was busy dusting the bookshelves, when they entered. He was wearing his apron again and holding a very fluffy featherduster. He hopped down off of the step ladder he was using to get the higher shelves. “Hey, you guys! It’s a warm one out today, isn’t it? I’m surprised you two didn’t melt out there!”

“Well, we did go out during the cool of the morning. It was getting a little warm on the walk home, but now we’re back in the cool of the Library, before the day really heats up.” Twilight stated matter-of-factly.

It was then that Spike noticed the shopping bag held in Inkscape’s pink magical grasp. “Hey! What do you have there? You two didn’t happen to stop by Sugarcube Corner, did you?”

Inkscape shook her head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Spike. We just stopped by to get a journal and some parchment. Oh, and Twilight gifted me also with this.” She levitated the quill out of the shopping bag.

“Wow! It’s really pretty! It looks like fire, when it catches the light.”

“It’s a phoenix feather.” Twilight chirped.

“I don’t know about you ponies, but I am starved. Who wants nachos?” Spike asked, ripping off his apron and throwing it off to the side.

“ME!” Inkscape’s hoof shot up like an anxious school filly.

“Wow, Inkscape, I had no idea you had such a thing for nachos!” Twilight giggled, dipping a chip in the salsa with her horn and guiding it into her mouth, without removing her gaze from her book. Not looking away from books appeared to be a talent of hers.

“Queso dip is my favorite!” Inkscape dipped another chip into the bowl of queso. “I just love cheese!”

Later that night, Inkscape sat at the writing desk in her room that was illuminated by two candles, one on either side, and the faint glow of her horn, as she made her first entry into her new journal.

Today was my first full day in Ponyville. This journal and lovely phoenix quill were bought for me as gifts by my newest acquaintance, or should I say friend, Twilight Sparkle. She and her assistant, Spike, have been so hospitable to me, and Spike turns out to be quite the chef! He made my the best pancakes I have ever had this morning, and this evening, he made nachos with queso dip! My favorite!

Oh! And last night, I got to meet Twilight Sparkle’s friends. There was Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Applejack. Fluttershy is, as her name suggests, so very shy. She loves animals. It has been such a long time since I’ve owned a pet of my own. I think it may be a good idea for me to adopt one. You know, someone to keep me company while I work. She invited me down to her cottage sometime during my trip to find the perfect pet.

Rarity is a designer. She runs a boutique in town. I heard she has some very impressive clients from Spike. Pinkie Pie is a very excitable pony, she planned my party, and Applejack works on her family farm, Sweet Apple Acres. I found out today that Rainbow Dash leads the weather team in Ponyville, though there is something odd going on with the clouds. Twilight thinks it has something to do with air masses and the heat.

Despite the heat, I am thoroughly enjoying my stay here in Ponyville thus far. I hope to make regular entries in this journal, so I can look back and remember all of these wonderful times.

A frustrated groan from downstairs interrupted her reverie. “What in the name of Celestia was that?”

She ran downstairs to find Twilight nearly up to her ears in books in the center of the Library. She was flipping through pages like mad. Her mane was disheveled and her movements jerky. She read aloud to herself, or maybe she was muttering to herself. Inkscape couldn’t tell which.

“Twilight? What’s going on? Why are you surrounded by towers of books?”

The alicorn looked up at Inkscape, her tired violet eyes wary and desperate. “I couldn’t just let it go.”

“Let what go?”

“The clouds! I had to see if there was any explanation for the clouds being so fragile. I know it had to do something with the heat, but there are no records in Equestrian history of this happening in the past. I don’t know what’s going on. My books don’t know what’s going on. If it can’t rain, the crops won’t grow, and if the farmer’s crops can’t grow, then fights over remaining food will break out, inevitably causing the END OF THE WORLD!” She yelled, flailing her arms and scattering papers and books across the room.

Inkscape placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Twilight, calm down. I thought you said you weren’t worried this afternoon?”

“Well, I tried not to be, but when I tried to sleep, it was all I could think about! I didn’t want you to get stressed on your vacation, so I tried to keep a quiet study session down here… As you can tell, that didn’t work out. Sorry, I woke you.”

Inkscape shook her head. “I wasn’t sleeping. I was just writing my first entry in my journal.

“Still, I shouldn’t have disturbed you. I just get so frustrated, when my books don’t have all the answers.”

Inkscape sat, pondering for a moment, before suddenly jumping to her hooves. “Your books may not have the answers, but maybe someone else’s books do!”

She raised a brow.

“I heard the Palace of the Two Sisters has a huge library of old books. Maybe we can find some clues there.”

“We? But you really don’t need to help me. You’re on vacation. I’ve got this covered.”

Inkscape rolled her eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous! The Palace was one of my vacation destinations anyway.”

Twilight gave a determined grin. “Well, if that’s the way you feel about it, welcome aboard!”

Author's Note:

A little shorter than the introductory chapter, but it was time to throw the hook out there!

I hope you enjoy!

Comments

[goaway]

My favorite novel of is

Of yours.

Twilight had said in return to her objections.

Over or Despite her objections.

Inkscape had never seen such a quill. She hovered it before her, as they made their way back in the direction of the library, mesmerised by it. “I have never seen a quill like this before. Thank you, Twilight.”

Drop one or the other.

He made my the best pancakes

Me.

I think it may be a good idea for me to get a pet of my own.

Don't really need the of my own bit, especially because it's a repetition of the previous line.

Good stuff. Can't wait to see how this progresses when we get to the palace.

[Inkscape]

4952631 Oh, thank you again for your proof-reading. :)

[goaway]

4953786

You're welcome. I'm really enjoying this story.

[PaulAsaran]

No, no, no. The hook should have come with the last chapter when Luna showed up. If you don't draw them in within 5,000 words, odds are good you won't draw them in at all.

I have no intention of beating a dead horse (opening line aside), so I'll point out a couple new things that I see causing problems.

Your descriptions get a little long-winded at times, and every now and then you offer details we really don't need. Take the shop clerk; unless you intend for him to be an important character later in the story, there is absolutely no reason to go through the trouble of describing him. We don't even need to know his basic colors. He's the store clerk, and that's enough.

The nachos insert is another glaring example. Why is it there? What purpose does it serve? I get it, you wanted to add some extra touch of character to Inkscape, but does her love of queso really have any bearing on anything at all for this story? You could have easily revealed this as an one-liner in the journal or in the last chapter during her "Welcome to Ponyville" party instead of wasting 67 words of our reading time.

Other examples:
Actually showing how she signed the book for the clerk.
Just saying she signed the cover would be enough.
The entire journal entry.
It tells us everything we already know and is therefor extraneous. Just set the scene of her writing in it in general, or with a few lines of self-reflection on the day. We don't need to re-learn everything that we just read one chapter ago.