“There. Royal Archives.” I said as we entered through the doors. The royal archives were large and covered several floors.
Inside was contained a copy of every important book ever printed in Equestria. The rarer and older ones were, of course, locked up or kept down in the vaults alongside the dangerous ones.
Not even the medallion could give me access to those.
“I've seen this before. There was a school trip once when I was a little filly.” Moondancer said and looked around. “I have tried to get access, but... it was never approved.”
I nodded. “They do try to keep traffic here to a minimum. Let's see what we can find on dragons, shall we? Because if you really are on to something there, it might be important.”
“Ehhm.”
Turning I looked over at the elderly librarian, a earth pony mare that looked as old as Princess Celestia was, her mane tied up in a bun on top of her head, her coat a simple white.
“Can I help you, Lord Page?” she asked, giving Moondancer a suspicious look.
“Ah, yes, thank you Faded Ink. If you could point us in the right direction, that would be fantastic. We seek information about dragons, specifically their migration patterns.”
Faded Ink frowned slight before she slowly nodded. “Shelf 34C, Book 12. Draco Animas Investigari by Flutter Cloud. That might hold what you seek.”
“Thank you.” I said with a nod before looking back at Moondancer. “Come on, let's see what we can find.”
“...Lord?” she asked, looking slightly confused.
Son of a bitch.
XXXXXXXXXX
“Seems like I was wrong.” Moondancer finally said, reviewing her notes. “The migration paths have been more or less unchanged for the last five hundred years, regardless of the continued spread of pony civilization.”
Sighing, I nodded and carefully closed the old book. “Lucky for us. If the dragons really became disturbed by that kind of thing, it could have gone badly for a lot of ponies.”
She nodded in agreement. “Yes. Thanks for getting me access, if not, I might have been stuck using the books in the public libraries and never even gotten far enough to find out.”
“It was a good idea. You would probably have gotten access through proper channels, it would just taken a while. It wasn't that urgent.” I countered before I stood up and cracked my neck. “Not like dragon migrations happen every day.”
Hours of research really does take it out of you a bit.
“More than a hundred hears between them.” Moondancer said and adjusted her glasses, picking the books up in her magic before returning to the stacks to reshelf them.
Looking around, I checked the clock on the wall above the door.
Huh.
It was later than I thought, we had been at it for over five hours. Time to wake up Luna soon.
The door of the archives opened and the last pony I expected walked inside.
Or maybe I should say changeling.
Rounding the reading table I approached to give her a bow. “Queen Chrysalis.”
“Lord Page.” the changeling queen answered smoothly. “I did not expect to see you here.”
Rising from the bow, I looked up at her. “Doing some research, your highness.” I explained. “Dragon migrations.”
She raised an eye ridge. “I see.”
The wound I dealt her during the fight was completely gone now. It had taken three moltings to get completely rid of it, but you could no longer see where my spell struck her.
Queen Chrysalis' relationship to me was a bit odd. She didn't seem to blame me for my part in her defeat. I think it was the changeling viewpoint. I was part of Celestia's 'swarm' and as such any actions I took in a conflict were Celestia's, not mine.
So she didn't bear me any ill will.
But she also didn't treat me as quite as 'you are air' as she did other ponies. Not as an equal, she didn't even really treat the Princesses in that way.
No, she almost seemed... slightly wary around me. I was not entirely sure why, it might be because of what she knew about my past. Not entirely sure why that applied because even as a human she was powerful enough to have been able to crush me like... well, a bug.
“Can I help you find something, your highness?” I asked, one front hoof raised slightly off the floor. “I might not be a librarian, but I have spent enough time in the archives to know the general area for most things.”
Chrysalis regarded me for a moment before she nodded. “Maps and geography.”
“One story up, west corner.”
That was one part I knew well, I had spent hours poring over the damn things for my book research.
Sparing me a nod, she moved into the stacks without a word.
Moments later, Moondancer exited from a completely different reaction, looking in the direction the changeling queen had disappeared. “...Was that...” she whispered as she got close.
I nodded. “Queen Chrysalis. She was looking for some maps.”
“...Nothing about that seemed strange to you?”
“No, why should it? I see her around the castle from time to time. It's pretty normal.”
“...You have some very strange ideas about what's normal.”
She might have a point there.
Shrugging, I headed towards the door. “Maybe. Anyway, I need to go, I'm almost late to meet my marefriend for tea.” I said before I paused and looked back at her. “Wanna come? It is getting a bit late. Might be time to get something to eat anyway.”
Might as well get it over with.
Moondancer hesitated for several long seconds before her stomach broke the silence with a rumble, causing her to shy back slightly and then nod. “...I guess.” she said and followed me. “Does your marefriend work in the castle?”
“...You could say that.”
Page: She followed me home. Can I keep her?
Moondancer: What?
Luna: ...(insert your respone)...
Oh you have no idea...
understatement of the year... it would have been the understatement of the century if it had been Celestia and not Luna...
6829772 I can totally see that happening!
A new chapter everyday. It's like I'm spoiled rotten. I only wish that the chapters were longer. Won't have to wait long to see Moondancers reaction haha.
Still some spelling errors. But other then that it's great
By the way...Will there be any...uhm...Moondancer's look fixing on his and or the princesses part? With that...tuff...of hair, she looks silly.
6829777 Blank Page: "Luna, this is Moondancer. Moondancer, this is Princess Luna, the junior partner of Bonnie, Megan, Faust, Celestia, and Luna--the owners of the castle. And the nation."
Moondancer: ""
Luna: "Page, I think you broke her."
I like the idea of Page and Dancer becoming collaborators and friends. Is she in for a surprise. I was also wondering when Chrysalis was gonna show up, wonder what she's up to? Not necessarily anything nefarious.
Nice chapter!
I think luna might get jealous, or moon dancer will be getting a job in the castle doing research. I've been wrong before.
“Does your marefriend work in the castle?”
“...You could say that.”
I think Moon Dancer mite be in for a little surprise.
“Does your marefriend work in the castle?”
“...You could say that.”
Oh Page! You're a mean troll
That actually makes sense.
Just wait until you meet his marefriend...
Nice chapter, good work.
Well, he's not technically lying...
6819047 Honestly, I have not read the comics. If I had, I might have gone more with Monster Hunter Luna instead because that sound awesome. As I have not however, I had to go with what's been seen in the series.
6830724
I don't remember any Night Court in the show :). I think that in cartoon she only do dream-walking and nightmare hunting.
6830778 I did have to flesh it out 'somehow'. :p
Slight word hiccup here perhaps...was she in the archives unsupervised for a fraction of a second? o.o That'd probably be a bad idea on Page's part.
Good outcome: Luna and Moondancer become friends.
Best possible outcome: Luna is slightly envious of her sister's relationship with Twilight, so she reacts with glee over being brought an adorkable book-horse of her own. Glomping ensues. Page gets all the boyfriend points.
6829772 ah, a fine second addition to the royal harem, Page. It was often the most intelligent ponies that spiced things up.
6831207 Ha hah ah ha!
Ok, when he said his marefriend was alluded to working in the castle, I just lost it.
My next thought was..."Stop hanging around Celestia. Her trolling is rubbing off on you!
why....why do you do this
i' all in calm and then i have a nice sit down to read
and then this happens
sorry just venting
Great story mate.
Years?
I would like to see Page and Chrysalis get to know one another a bit better, maybe she will start to warm up to him hopefully.
oh Page, you troll.
6831624 Oh, this gonna' be good!
the inate, clearly magical ability of Librarians to find any book you want based on the vaguest of ideas.
for example, "do you have a book I remember reading once, it had a red cover and it turned out they were twins."
6833283 Still ain't fixed lol.
6868391
Not yet.
Ack! I discovered an error re-reading this:
More than a hundred hears between them.” Moondancer said and adjusted her glasses, picking the books up in her magic before returning to the stacks to reshelf them.
Very much enjoying the series, though I do have an opinion on the guard being all male as I believe you said. That would be odd considering the gender ratio and putting your limited supply of males in the most dangerous profession. Not saying their wouldn't be males in the guard, but that it's only males?
6878811
Yeah, I just saw that my first read through, and i just laughed
Oh, poor Moondancer. Her heart's going to give out at this rate.
7376498
I think not
*years
Poor Moondancer......Welp, better call the medics now. They'll need to restart her heart.
6829862
Page: Here, let me fix her. *Gets duct tape, gives Moondancer and evil, intimidating look* If you can't duck it, buck it.
Moondancer: *speaking in a rapid, panicked tone, while waving-her forelegs back and forth* NoI'mNotBrokenI'mJustSurprisedThat'sAll. YouDon'tNeedThatHonest.
Probably because most pony settlements are built away from said paths. Ponyville being the exception because their founders were adrenaline junkies (At least if Granny Smith is anyone to go by) who'd already settled next to a nightmare fuel forest, so what's a few dragons?
6860513
i know. i once dropped a basic description and a setting and the librarian was all like "Is this it?" i had to hear the main character's name to recognize it as the book i wanted but it was.
*doors bang open* The Hearthen! The Hearthen are here! More than a hundred Hears assail us! To arms! To arms!
Blank Page: Grab your Quills, your Inkwells, and Whiteout and defend yourselves! To arms!!! *runs off*
Day Guard: Gaaahk. Again?
Night Guard: *sigh* Yes, brother, again. ...Which side of the editor's door do you want to stand on this time?
“hears” never heard measurement of time like that.
Lawl.
Because she knows that any predator, no matter how weak compared to her, can be dangerous if she isn't a little careful
Yes, yes he does
Careful Page, one might assume secondary motives...
9995196
doesn't help this is MOON DANCER. he's got her talking openly, even if it IS academic.
10320227
😉
9995196
Well, they did say that polygamy is more common in Equestria
10478143
😉 😇
Found a typo
*years