1: The Elements of Harmony
20th of Nature’s Blossom, 2366
“Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria; there were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn. The younger brought out the moon to begin the night.
Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects – all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night.
One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one’s heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness. Nightmare Moon. She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night.
Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: The Elements of Harmony.
Using the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon, and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.”
Twilight blinked, reading the passage over again.
“My expectations were low, and yet I’m still disappointed.”
She shut the book, dismissing it into her book bag. Releasing a hearty sigh, she pressed a hand onto her face.
“What did I expect of a foal’s book?” She muttered. “Of course, it wouldn’t contain any useful information. ‘Ponies.’ What a ridiculous work of fantasy.”
Fantasy… which can also be known as legends, myths, or folklore—traditional stories concerning history or explaining a phenomenon that usually contain supernatural events…
A minor twist of the definition to better fit the situation, but still accurate.
Rarely do they hold any legitimacy, but… they are not always complete fabrications.
“…Because legends are always based on a twisted truth.”
Twilight stood, scooping up her book bag. She speed-walked out from the library onto the bustling afternoon streets of Canterlot, swiftly turning left on a route towards Canterlot Castle and by extension her home.
“The Elements have been lost for so long,” she said. “Of course they would have legend status by now. Rrg, this is why I shouldn’t judge books by their titles!”
She paused at a crosswalk, allowing a carriage to pass before crossing.
“Do I even have any books about Equestrian myths and legends?”
The prospect had potential, especially with the amount of book auctions she had attended in recent years. Most of what she had obtained throughout the times had been poorly written, fictional novels or incorrect historical books, but all were saved and shelved somewhere in her home.
I need to write my critiques to those authors about their sources. How can one be so confident about a topic that is so clearly false? Wait, I’m getting off-track…
If she remembered right, the last auction from a month ago yielded some mythological tomes. Perhaps the information she desired would reside within one of them? Spike should know.
At least, he better.
The thought alone served enough purpose to hasten Twilight’s walk home. She passed a small park, hosting several attendees sitting underneath trees or strolling along the paths.
How nice it must be to frivolously spend one’s time doing nothing of importance.
Twilight resumed her speed walking, trailing the outskirts of the park. Upon the other side rested a foot bridge, crossing over one of the several mountain streams through the city. She paused, her ears catching cackling voices from across the way.
Oh, great.
Cresting the gentle slope came three of her classmates at the Canterlot Gifted School of Essence. They seemed to be unaware of her presence, focused on talking and joking amongst each other. Twilight stepped back, fruitlessly glancing around for a form of escape from the inevitable interaction.
Unfortunately, there were none; the closest crossing was nearly a kilometer to the west.
Okay, just… act normal.
Twilight pulled out the foal’s book, burying her face into it.
Stay hidden… Don’t crash into them…
Using the rail as a guide, Twilight passed her classmates. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Wait a minute. Twilight?”
Defeat swelled in Twilight’s chest.
“Twilight! There you are!”
So close…
Twilight spun, setting an exaggerated grin upon her face. “Hey Lemon… Twinkle… Minuette…”
“We were just looking for you!” Twinkle Shine exclaimed. “Moondancer’s having a little get-together. You know, a small party for her birthday. Just for her friends in the courtyard outside her dormitory. You want to come?”
“She would really appreciate it,” Lemon Shine added. “Especially since you’ve been absent from our parties the last few times.”
“Take a break from your projects and spend some time with us,” Minuette finished. “What do you say?”
All three leaned forward, staring expectantly at Twilight like a pack of tangeneeras waiting to pounce on their wounded prey. She froze, eyes flicking between the intense gazes.
“Oh… Um…”
Come on! Think of an excuse! Thinkthinkthink… Ah-HA!”
“That sounds like… fun, but I’m… going to have to pass. You see, my studies are extremely overbearing as of late, with Her Majesty giving me so many assignments and whatnot. I would love to attend, but duty calls. Maybe I’ll be free next time.”
Each of their faces showed a different form of disappointment. Twilight grinned apologetically, spinning on her heel to continue her run back towards her home.
If looks could maim… I would be a corpse.
The grin fell away. Sure, it had been some time since she had interacted with her classmates beyond the occasional passing by. It had been even longer since all six of them were together.
“I’ve never noticed them getting after Lyra for studying abroad,” Twilight huffed. “Oh, but she gets a pass because she’s in another city!”
Double standards much?
Just because she remained at the Castle did not entitle them to harass her over parties and other time wasters. Youthful life is too short for such foolishness.
I’ve already lived 36 years and done next to nothing! Only 67 more until I’m forced to have offspring and lose any chance to better Equestria! Ooh, I hate just the thought of it.
No matter what anyone said, this period of life was not meant for goofing off.
Granted, this research project on the Elements of Harmony was nothing more than one of her own, ‘personal’ pursuits. And… Celestia no longer gave assignments.
Maybe I could have stopped by briefly…
The moment had passed, though. She had ruined her chance. They would be upset.
Twilight shook her head.
The opinions of a few anthow matters not in the face of scientific progress.
She looked further down the path. Not far stood Canterlot Castle, the spires silhouetted under their shadows. A grand sight indeed. One of inspiration and strength that summed up Celestia’s own majesty.
Twilight’s spirit lifted at the sight. The Castle stood as a reminder; of everything she had given to reach this point. At one time, this path was the closest she stood to the Castle. Now…
Now I live there.
Her home was not far from her position. A simple walk to the walls, through the gate check-in, and a left. Right at the front of the ten-residence community stood the place she called home.
Amongst homes of high-standing officials and diplomats, it reached higher into the sky as well. If anything, the place acted more as a tower than a traditional house. Once serving as the stead for one of Equestria’s greatest minds, it had been built up rather than out. A grand telescope sat atop. It no longer functioned, losing its purpose centuries ago once the study of astronomy fell away.
Regardless, it worked well enough for her, Spike, and all the books.
Twilight climbed the steps, intending to open the door and step inside in one fluid stride. Instead of opening, however, the white and gold door blocked her from entering, punishing her mistake with a swift impact against her face.
“Gah!” Twilight stepped back, clutching her muzzle. “What the… Why in Celestia’s name is my door locked?! I didn’t lock it!”
She paused.
“Did I?”
I don’t remember doing so. But, why else would it be locked? Spike better not have…
Twilight fumbled out her key, swiftly unlocking the door. She flung it open. It collided with an obstacle, creating a dull thud and a yelp, but allowed entry into her house.
Immediately, she was greeted with the two-story-high ceilings of white intermingled with borders of gold.
“Spike? Spike!” Twilight peered throughout the foyer and the living space on the first floor.
“Uuhh,” A groan called from the floor behind the open door.
“Spike?”
The young dragon whelping, lanky arms and legs sprawled like a dead frog, laid upon the marble flooring.
“Why did you lock the door?”
“Ouch,” Spike crawled to his feet, whipping around to give Twilight a hard glare and a bared snarl.
“Oh please,” Twilight said, waving a hand at him. “You’re a dragon.”
“Yeah? That doesn’t mean I can’t feel pain. Also, locking your home is a good practice… You should try it.”
“We’re in the safest place on the planet. There’s no point.” Twilight spotted a crushed mess in Spike’s hands. “What’s that for?”
Spike clutched a box—or at least the remnant of a box—wrapped in red paper. A gold ribbon finished the design, now flattened and broken. Spike sighed, dropping the package to the ground.
“Aw man… Well, it was a gift for Moondancer. Y’know, because it’s her birthday.”
“Ah, that’s right. I heard about that from Minuette and the others. Anyway, I need you to help me find a book. I think I got it from the last auction I was at. ‘Predictions and Prophecies’ or something of the like.”
“You’re not going to her party?”
“Spike, you know we don’t have time for that sort of thing.”
“What do you mean, ‘we?’ I’m not the one obsessing over another project doomed to fail.”
Twilight growled. “Be as it may, you’re under my care. And I’m not going to allow you to walk there alone.”
“What happened to the ‘safest place on the planet?’”
“…That’s different.”
“It is literally on the castle grounds, not 300 meters from this very house! And you’re on break! Celestia banned you from that Changeling project, didn’t she?” Spike crossed his arms. “Don’t tell me you have another project at that scale again.”
“Yes! I have another project ‘of that scale!’ And she did not ban me! She requested I put in on an indefinite hiatus.”
“So banned.”
“Not, banned! I chose to pause!”
“After two years of trying to continue it underneath Celestia’s nose. Which failed.”
Twilight pressed a hand to her head. “Spike… I swear…”
“Even costing our brother a gunship wasn’t enough to stop you.”
Twilight whipped around. “And how do you know about that?!”
“Shining Armor told me all about it last Hearth’s Warming.”
“Oh he did, did he?”
Next time I see him, that dork is getting an earful about leaking confidential information…
Twilight inhaled, calming her heartbeat. She focused within, bringing her Harmonic Essence to the surface. The hum grew from her horn, flooding through her body to her hands, where pools of pink Essence formed. In an instant, she adjusted the personal tones in her mind, igniting the Spell of Telekinesis. With a wave of her hands, she cast the pink aura upon several tomes from the closest, ground-floor bookshelf. One by one, she whipped them down to her face.
“No. No. No. No, no, no! Spike!”
You useless—
“It’s right here! ‘Predictions and Prophecies.’”
Ah!
Twilight stretched her arm out towards Spike. She grabbed onto the book in his claws, pulling it from his grasp and about pulling him with it, although he caught himself upon the bookshelf with his lanky arms. Once the tome reached her hand, she spun and marched up the steps to her study.
“Elements…” She muttered, setting the book upon a desk and flipping through the pages. “E, E, E. Aha! Elements, of Harmony…”
“See… ‘Maren in the Moon?’”
Maren in the Moon? That’s… that’s just some old… phony tale.
“’Maren… Maren… Aha! The Maren in the Moon – Myth from old times. A powerful anthow who wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon, Legend has it that on the longest day of the 1,000th year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal.’”
Twilight stared at the book. She glanced back as Spike joined her. “…Spike, do you know what this means?”
“You’re out of your mind?”
“It means… this book is absolutely useless!” Twilight slammed it shut, pressing a hand to her face. “’Predictions and Prophecies.’ What a joke! This! This is why I judge books by their covers!!”
“And, why is this book so pointless? Oh wait, it didn’t tell you about an obscure item that has been lost to time, did it?”
“It just redirected me! And even if it were accurate—which I doubt it is—This so called’ Maren in the Moon’ legend sparked from Princess Luna’s banishment!”
“Okay…”
“It’s quite obvious that this is some fool’s attempt to become relevant by spitting out an arbitrary date and a twist without data! That’s not even including the wonderful little detail that the only information on the Elements is a redirection to a pointless folktale!”
She took a breath.
“Princess Luna isn’t even capable of returning, especially if her soul is locked in the moon like this legend claims!” Twilight sat upon the chair next to the lectern. “Rrg! So far, nothing public I could find has had anything remotely useful regarding these ‘Elements of Harmony.’ Or even the situation regarding Princess Luna’s banishment, that isn’t embellished! It’s like it’s all been erased.”
…
“Or kept private. Hmm.”
Who do I know that would have the knowledge regarding lost princesses and ancient artifacts…?
The answer struck her on the nose. “Celestia! She must have something in that private library of hers!”
Hmm, perhaps it isn’t the best idea to ask her of this… She didn’t give me her approval…
But, Celestia says science doesn’t wait for permission. And I think this matter calls for such action!” Twilight tittered, rubbing her hands together. “Spike! Take a note! To Her Majesty.”
Spike groaned, throwing back his head. “Really? You can’t just send a message to her with your harmon-emitter?”
“She doesn’t respond to that fast enough. This way, she doesn’t have a choice! Now come on!”
Spike sighed, digging out a sheet of parchment and a pen from a drawer. He stared heavily at Twilight; a scowl etched upon his face.
“My dearest teacher,” Twilight began. “My… continuing studies regarding the fascinating and rather unknown Creation spells have been extremely fruitful, bringing forth more and more undiscovered information. Although, I cannot take all the credit. Your teachings are what allowed such to be accomplished. Without you, I never would have achieved so much. I graciously look forward to the next briefing.”
“Sucking up much?”
Twilight coughed into her hand. “Perhaps I might be overdoing it, but I need to throw her off somehow! And who doesn’t like compliments?”
Spike rolled his eyes.
“Along with these tremendous discoveries,” she continued. “I have become aware of many enchanted artifacts lost to time. One which stands above the rest are ‘the Elements of Harmony.’ These were used to banish Nightmare Moon and save Equestria from her wrath, wielded by you if I recall correctly based on the records. However, I cannot find any form of information that can be proven factual, beyond a general statement of their use. The legends all claim that her soul is trapped within the moon. And while I am skeptical of the legends surrounding the Elements…”
“That’s putting it lightly.”
“…I do believe in science. They were used to trap Nightmare Moon. And if they were used to trap her, what is to say they could not be used to free her? Such power is out in the world, unchecked and unsafe. It is anyone’s guess as to who might wish to utilize such power to bring her back. If it were to fall into the wrong hands… Something must be done to make sure this never comes to fruition. Considering I cannot find any publicly available information, I humbly request brief access to your private collection. I know you must have some form of tome that could help guide me to choose the most appropriate course of action regarding the Elements of Harmony. I wait for your response and thank you in advance. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”
“Got it,” Spike rolled up the parchment.
“Great. Now send it.”
“Now?”
“Of course, now!”
“Eh, I don’t know about this, Twilight. With the Sun Celebration and all that going on, I really don’t think Celestia needs this bothering her as well.”
Twilight paced across her study. “Think of it this way: If someone had the Elements and if they wanted to bring back Nightmare Moon, what better time than the Sun Celebration? It would be poetic, to say the least. A perfect opportunity! It’s imperative I notify the Queen right away! For safety reasons.”
“Ugh, whatever…”
Spike dropped the rolled letter, watching it bounce once and roll to a stop. He loudly coughed, releasing a burst of green fire onto the parchment. The flames licked the page, burning the letter into a stream of Harmonic Essence that traveled out of the house and towards the Queen.
“There. It’s on its way. Can I go to Moondancer’s party now?”
“Wait until she responds.”
“…I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
“Oh, I’m not worried, Spike. Her Majesty trusts me completely.”
Spike snorted. “Yeah. That’s why she banned 23 of your projects before you could finish them.”
Twilight glared at him. “In all the years she’s been my mentor, she’s never once doubted me!”
“You’re delusional. But, don’t say I didn’t warn you when this becomes number 24.”
Spike’s eyes bulged. He retched, spewing out fire and a rolled letter bearing the crest of the Crown.
“Ugh. I hate that feeling.”
“See?” Twilight said, unable to hide the smugness. “I knew she’d want to take immediate action.”
“Uh huh. I’m going to get some water.”
She grabbed the letter, unrolling it. “Although, that’s the fastest she’s ever responded…”
‘My dearest, most faithful student. I greatly value your diligence and devotion to expanding Harmonic sciences, as well as your concern for my well-being. However, heed my words: Forget this pursuit. Beyond the notion that you did not ask for my approval regarding this project, allow me to settle your curiosity. Nightmare Moon is nothing more than a fictional title given to an event of which few have the full picture. It is the manifestation brought forth by centuries of embellished stories. I will not hear them from you.’
“What?!” Twilight cried.
“Wow, let me guess,” Spike called out. “She’s telling you that you’re a moron. But regally.”
“Quiet!”
‘Leading to your second point: The Elements have little to no public information on them for a reason. I will not elaborate, as I do not wish to spark more interest. I am also denying your request to my private library. You cannot hide your true desires from me, Twilight. I know for a fact that you will take the first opportunity to try to obtain the Elements for your studies. How gullible do you think I am?’
“Darn it…”
‘You have spent far too much time pursuing theories and performing fruitless experiments. While the work that you have successfully completed has been tremendous towards the advancement of Spellcasting and Harmonic Sciences, progressing too fast often turns good intentions into ill fate. I have seen it before, and I fear you are also heading down this path. You have not taken any sort of rest or relaxation since I made you my personal protégé. As such, I am no longer supporting or funding any scientific project of yours, Harmonic-based or otherwise. Instead, what I ask of you is simple: Take a break, enjoy life, spend time with your friends, or even try to make new ones if they are not available. And, if you must remain active regarding the completion of assignments, I could use your keen eye to look over final preparations for the Sun Celebration. Inquire with Secretary Inkwell if you wish to proceed with that. You have a good heart, Twilight. I promise, I am doing this for your own good. Your mentor, Celestia.’
“Too… too much progress?! No longer funding?! Enjoy life!?! What ev…” Twilight croaked, her words dying within her throat. The only sound made aloud was Spike’s abhorrent laughter grinding against her ears.
“Oh, that is spectacular!” he cackled. “I totally called it!”
Twilight seethed. She crushed the paper, burning it into oblivion with a rush of Harmonic Essence.
“Ahh… So, does that mean we can go to the party? Since you’re ‘free?’”
Twilight dropped her head onto her desk with a dull thump.
“…I’m just saying, what would’ve been the harm in stopping by for just ten minutes? We literally could’ve done it on our way to Secretary Inkwell!”
“Uh-huh,” Twilight said.
She stared harder at the same sentence of the book she had clutched in her hand, desperately trying to finish it before Spike started complaining again.
“I’m sure Moondancer would’ve absolutely loved to see you again.”
“Let it go, Spike. It’s not the end of the world.”
“Not yours…”
She looked up from the book, focusing onto Spike. “Moondancer will be totally fine. It’s no different from when Lyra left.”
“Didn’t she move to Kinstown?”
“Maybe? I didn’t keep track of that.” Twilight returned her attention to the book. “What a place, this ‘Kinstown.’ Apparently, it was originally just an apple farm. As it grew more popular due to Zapp Apple Jam, more and more anthow were drawn until a town started to form. That farm still stands today, being one of the most successful apple farms in the country. Sweet Apple Acres.”
“That’s one of the places we’re checking out. Maybe you can make a backwater friend, eh?”
Twilight groaned.
“Look on the bright side,” Spike continued. “Her Majesty arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn’t that fill you with joy?”
Spike’s tone couldn’t be snarkier.
I won’t take this from him!
“Yes! Yes, it does!” Twilight snapped. “And you know why? Because I can continue to research everything I want! This changes absolutely nothing!”
Twilight tensed at the sound of a throat clearing. She glanced to her left, spotting the only other passenger in the car with her, an unamused expression across his face.
“Sorry,” Twilight croaked.
She watched until he returned his attention to the paper.
“Look, I’ll check on the preparations as fast as I can,” Twilight continued in a hushed tone. “Then I’ll spend the rest of my time looking through this library and seeing what it has to offer. Maybe it has what Canterlot doesn’t.”
“I doubt it.”
“It’s a private collection; therefore it isn't regulated. Which means Celestia couldn’t have cleared out any potential knowledge that would be considered ‘forbidden’ in her eyes. Who knows what information could be sitting there?”
Perhaps something about the Elements?
“Wonderful. Now figure out a way to slot some friend-making into your schedule.”
“Celestia asked me to take a break, she merely suggested the idea of me making friends. Now, she is my Queen, and I am her student. I will do as she asks regarding the Celebration, but I don’t have the time nor the patience to make friends.”
Twilight’s ear flicked to a click overhead.
“Attention all travelers, Attention all travelers, we are approaching Kinstown Station. We are on time with arrival occurring in five minutes. Time is 1800 hours. Weather sits with partly cloudy skies and a temperature of 76 degrees, Faren. Perfect conditions for this late morning time. We thank you for choosing to ride with us today. How was that? Good enough? What? Still on? Oh! Fa—”
Another click.
These conductors…
“Might as well get on with it,” Twilight sighed, standing from her seat. “Spike, could you go and get our luggage?”
Spike groaned, slinking past Twilight towards the carriage compartment. She continued past, heading further forward to the doors. Leaning against the wall, she watched the passing of trees and deep forest life.
The vision of nature changed as the H-LEV crawled closer to its destination. It became more artificial. The forest turned into buildings; a mingling of browns and grays overtaking the green. Even further, the brief distance of buildings became just one as the H-LEV pulled to a stop.
“Attention travelers, we have arrived at Kinstown Station,” the conductor’s voice cracked back to life. “Again, I would like to thank all of you for—”
“Gee, thanks for helping,” Spike whined, appearing behind Twilight with the three bags in tow.
Twilight said nothing, stepping out onto the platform of Kinstown’s station. The building itself appeared to be no different from Canterlot’s. It held the same modern designs and styles, boasting a raised platform compared to the capital’s ground-level. Although this place had only two H-LEV tracks.
Hmm. At least this station isn’t old. Hopefully, the rest of the place matches.
Spike joined her, carrying the three bags in a stack.
“Took you long enough,” Twilight muttered. “Let’s go.”
She led the way into the upper level of the station. Inside, the relatively small interior took the appearance of an older place. It reminded Twilight of the pictures she had seen in some historical texts speaking of times when steam-powered trains served as passenger transportation.
They found the escalators to the lower level, riding down with a few other anthow travelers. The ground level of the station shared the same aesthetics as the second floor, albeit with more ticket stations and Sentients. Twilight hustled past, heading outside.
With the town of Kinstown not far off, the path leading from the station took them across a river directly into the outskirts. Even from the small portion of the city-town being seen, the designs were decades behind that of Canterlot’s.
“I can’t believe Celestia’s hosting the Sun Celebration here,” Twilight said. “This place looks like a trip back to the 2000s.”
“Well, maybe the anthow are more up to your speed.”
“I’m not going to waste time making friends. Why would I? It’s not like I’m moving here.”
An exaggerated and rather prolonged gasp drew Twilight’s gaze. An Ere’du Kiin maren sporting a violet sweater on top of her bright pink fur leapt an unnatural amount into the air. Twilight raised a hand in the maren’s direction. In an instant, the stranger darted deeper into the city, leaving an impressive trail of dust despite the paved road.
“Well, that was certainly interesting,” Spike said.
“Insane, you mean. Ugh. This place probably harbors tons of deranged anthow. Come on, we’ve lingered long enough. What’s the address for the library?”
“What am I, a servant? My hands are full, look at it yourself.”
Growling, Twilight whipped out her harmon-emitter, searching up the message sent from Secretary Inkwell.
“It’s just a few blocks away. Let’s move quickly. I want to reduce my chances of interacting with another potentially psychotic individual.”
“Aw, she wasn’t fun enough for you?”
“Fun is not the word I would use.”
Twilight briskly traversed the streets, trying her best to appear inconspicuous. Such seemed to be hard as every single anthow stared at Spike as they passed.
If anyone tries to talk to me or him…
Thankfully, the library was easy enough to find, considering how different it appeared compared to the rest of the town. Being that it was an oversized oak tree and all.
Twilight sighed at the sight, the tension in her chest lightly leaving.
“Golden Oak Library,” Spike read the sign outside. “Hm. Fitting.”
“A bit on the nose, in my opinion,” Twilight said. “I’m just glad this isn’t a public library anymore.”
She pulled out the key, also provided by Secretary Inkwell, and swiftly opened the door.
The interior appeared cozy enough. The wide ‘trunk’ allowed for several rows of book-filled shelves carved into the walls of the living room. Another room off to the left teased more books and such, with a third open room on the right sporting a kitchenette. Straight through the lobby, a rail-less staircase led to a second level where another, open-walled bedroom connected to the main area. A balcony sat outside the bedroom, containing another staircase to a third floor.
“Well, it isn’t home,” Twilight said. “But it’s better than a room at an inn.”
Spike dumped the three bags in the center of the bedroom.
“Wonderful,” he yawned. “Can we go ahead and get this done?”
“I agree. There’s much more I would rather be doing. Do you have the list?”
Spike pulled out a crumbled sheet of parchment. “Yep.”
“Have you no professionalism?!” Twilight gasped, grabbing the sheet. “By Celestia, how long have you helped me with projects?! You should know better by now!”
“Too long, which is why I don’t care.”
Twilight dug into her personal suitcase, removing a clipboard. She flattened the list, setting it properly into the clipboard.
“Hmph. Whether you care or not, if you’re helping me with my projects you’ll do it my way,” Twilight passed the clipboard to Spike.
He swiped it. “Your method isn’t my method.”
“Your method is a mess!”
“In your eyes, Ms. Control Freak.”
“Just, go over the list…”
Spike cleared his throat. “Let’s see… Catering, weather clearance, decorations for the town hall, and secondary musical entertainment.”
“Weather clearance? I thought the megacities were the only places that incorporated weather control.”
Spike shrugged.
“Whatever. Let’s start at the top.”
“Catering would be first, then. According to this, it’s just a… ‘brief quality check in terms of completed delicacies and total quantity.’ I’m just summarizing the list, by the way.”
“Yeah, I figured. Let’s get it done with.”
“Why you gotta drag me along?”
“You’re not here to be lazy! Now move!”
“This says you’re titled as the ‘Sun Celebration Secondary Overseer,’” Spike said. “How does that make you feel?”
“Literally no different from before I knew that.”
“It doesn’t bother you that you’re second?”
“Not over something this arbitrary. That list isn’t the same as the actual overseer’s.”
“And yet, here we are, walking six kilometers,” Spike gestured to the natural surroundings. “In one direction, not including the wandering it took you before you asked for directions.”
“And how would I look as an overseer if I didn’t know where I was going?!”
“Literally no one knew you were an overseer! At worst, they thought you were an ignorant tourist!”
Twilight paused, grabbing the hood of Spike’s sweater.
“What?! Why are we stopping?” The dragon lurched back, sending Twilight a venomous glare. “Sweet Apple Acres is this way.”
“Look where we’re heading!” Twilight pointed down the road.
The path continued onward for another hundred or so meters before curving subtly to the left. Such was not the problem, rather the thick forest encompassing it. The sudden wall of gnarled trees reeked with unnatural darkness, setting an ominous warning to all that approached.
Why in Celestia’s name does a main road cut into the forest?
“I thought the Everfree was further east,” Twilight said.
“Okay, and? The road doesn’t seem to go that deep into it. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little spookiness?”
“When it can cause harm, yes! You aren’t?”
“Heh, me? I don’t get spooked.”
“Talk to me after you have a near-death experience.”
“Yeah? What’s the worst that can happen? Some timber wolves?”
“…Oh, there’s much worse…”
Spike chortled. “I think you’re just a coward.”
He strode forth, continuing until he fell under the abnormal darkness. “Oh nooo, I’m soo scared! It’s… it’s too spooky for me!”
“Keep it up, Spike,” Twilight followed him, her magic at the ready. “One day, this attitude will come back to bite you.”
Spike remained in the lead, walking as though he had no cares in the world. Twilight followed him closely, keeping the simple Elemental Spell of Flames active. Her eyes darted out deeper into the forests, keeping watch for anything.
He thinks Timber Wolves are the worst, huh? If anything, they’re the least dangerous unless you’re the most unaware individual alive!
She glanced at Spike.
Okay, I can see how he thinks such. An Ursa could be in front of him, and he wouldn’t know until it stepped on him.
Sooner than expected, the other side of the perpetual walk showed its face at the end of the curve. As the road straightened to head back to the west, the overgrowth of the Everfree faded back.
“See?” Spike said once they left the darkness and returned to the bright daylight. “No more dangerous than any other forest.”
Don’t argue with him don’t argue with him don’t argue with him…
The road headed forth about half a kilometer, marking the start of the property based on the white fence and iron gate. Twilight stopped at the closed bars.
“’If gates are closed, so is business,’” She read from a sign posted upon the gate. “’Trespassers will be treated as such.’ How welcoming.”
“Oh well. We tried,” Spike said, turning around.
“Oh no! We came this far! I’m not going to forfeit this task just because a sign suggested so!”
“Twilight! You’ve been complaining this whole time about how you’d rather be doing anything else!”
“And as true as that is, I refuse to do a poor job of any task Celestia gives me, no matter if I think it’s a waste of time.”
“…We’re gonna get shot…”
“No we’re not,” Twilight waved away his concern. “I guarantee that sign’s only there to keep out ruffians. If we explain our business, then they’ll let it slide.”
“Do these anthow even know what a secondary overseer is?!”
“Probably not, but they will,” Twilight flipped open the latch upon the gate. “See? It isn’t even locked.”
“Don’t blame me when I use you as a shield.”
The road followed the fence line for a good while, taking a sharp right turn to the north until it passed a field. It took a left then another right, cutting around the corners of two more fields. It went over a gentle slope, revealing the farm at last.
From a set of silos and a stable to the left, a large shed in the middle, and a quaint house on the right, it was a picturesque example of a farm if Twilight had ever seen one.
“I’ve never seen a farm look more like a farm before,” Spike said. “I can almost hear a banjo strumming in the wind now.”
“Hopefully there’s someone nearby that I can catch. I’d rather not walk up to the front door.”
“Because you’ll get shot?”
Twilight rubbed her eyes. “Spike, please…”
“Why are you not more concerned about this?”
“Why do you think they have firearms?”
“What rural, Ere’du farm wouldn’t?”
“Alright, you have a point.”
A flash of orange caught Twilight’s eye. On the right of the road leading to the homestead stood an anthow—an Ere’du Kiin maren to be specific. She wore a red and white plaid shirt combined with blue denim trousers. A brown ranching hat sat proudly upon her head, covering most of a blonde mane that flowed down her back, tied at the end.
The maren stood in front of a fallen tree, moving her outstretched hands circularly.
“Bingo. Come on, let’s see if she’s willing to talk.”
Spike only groaned.
“He-juh!”
The maren rapidly drew back and threw forth her fist. It collided into the tree. It did not crack or splinter, instead it split lengthwise into equal halves.
“Great, they can cast Spells as well,” Spike groaned. “It just gets better and better.”
“It was only Kinetic Dispersion. That Spell isn’t that uncommon.”
“So?! It was still an Ere’du Kiin! Do you know how strong their hits are?!?
“Yes, actually. Don’t tell me you’re fearless in the face of the Everfree, but a single Ere’du Kiin scares you?”
“An Ere’du Kiin could actually kill me.”
Twilight rolled her eyes.
The maren grabbed one half of the log, pulling it with ease towards the house. The pure, muscular definition the farmer bore became clear the closer Twilight became.
Wow. Spike isn’t wrong… I’ve never seen an Ere’du with such… visible might, especially on a maren.
Twilight swallowed.
Here goes nothing. Hopefully Spike’s fears are not legitimate…
Twilight cleared her throat louder than necessary. She straightened her posture, putting on an exaggerated, public relations smile.
“Hi there, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I…”
Twilight’s sentence fell off as the maren slowly released the trunk and turned to stare at Spike and her, eyes narrowed.
“I… I’m here to… uh… perform a final check upon, um…” She leaned over to Spike. “What were the things I’m checking again?”
“Quality check of delicacies and quantity count,” Spike poked his head out from around Twilight briefly.
“What he said!” Twilight fumbled out a badge bearing Celestia’s crest.
The maren squinted at it, looking between Twilight and the badge.
“So’s this a ‘permission to trespass’ badge?”
That is one thick, Appleoosan accent…
“Ah, no, I suppose not.”
“So, if I were to shoot you both right now for trespassin,’ it would legally be self-defense.”
“Uh, only if I’m a threat to your life or your property. Which I am neither.”
“That ain’t for you to decide,” The maren looked Twilight up and down. “Whaddya want?”
“Well, like I said, I’m here to perform a final check over the delicacies and the quantity of said delicacies.”
The maren sighed, pushing the brim of her hat up more. “Didn’t I already go through this ‘bout a week ago?”
“Yes, with the first overseer. But Her Majesty is very thorough in such matters, and expects the highest quality products to be present at this event.”
“I already told the last official here,” the maren planted her hands on her hips, “we just provide the food. If you want to ‘quality check’ it, or whatever, then go back to town and speak to Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner. This is not the place to do this.”
“I… wasn’t notified of this. Spike, write that down.”
“Well now you are. Come on, I’ll escort you to the gate.”
The maren walked past Twilight, muttering under her breath.
“If I may, what’s your name?” Twilight caught up, matching pace.
“It’s Applejack. I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but that would be lyin.’”
That makes two of us.
They all walked in silence, with Applejack leading them back down the road.
“So, the Everfree Forest,” Twilight said. “It’s covering your road.”
“Yup. Been like that for about a decade. It’ll get worse as long as the forest keeps movin’ west.”
“You mean grow?”
“I mean move. The Everfree doesn’t grow. Gee, for some researcher of Harmonic Essence, you sure don’t know much about the forest’s properties…”
“How do you know I’m a researcher?”
Applejack chuckled. “Seen your name in the papers enough times. Good idea, by the way, to steal the corpse of a Changeling. Amazed that no one else thought of doin’ it.”
She’s mocking me, isn’t she?
“Hey, that Changeling would’ve provided me with all the answers I needed!”
“Would’ve? You didn’t actually get it?”
Twilight’s cheeks grew hot as Applejack fell into a state of deep laughter.
“That… that’s even better than what I imagined! Ahh…”
“It’s not funny! It was a waste of equipment, time, and bits!”
“Serves you right. Hopefully you know not to mess with those beasts or other similar things again.”
“She doesn’t,” Spike said, a smug smirk on his face.
“Huh. You rich folk never do.”
“What is that supposed to—”
Applejack stopped at the fence line. “I honestly don’t care what you think it means. Now, with all due respect, get.”
Applejack opened the gate, gesturing for them to leave.
Twilight huffed, marching from the property to the other side. “This is a great way to treat guests!”
“I could’ve thrown you out, but I didn’t. Besides, it’s what you deserve for thinkin’ signs don’t apply to you just ‘cause you have a fancy badge and a horn. Good day to you and your overgrown salamander.”
With those stinging words, Applejack spun on her heel and walked back down the road.
Twilight’s chest burned with anger. Fuming, she pressed her muzzle into the crook of her arm and released a muffled scream.
“Salamander? Really? She thinks I look like a salamander?!” Spike huffed. “That is the most offensive thing I’ve been compared to.”
“AAH-lright! This journey was an absolute waste!”
“At least compare me to an iguana or something!”
“Did you miss something on the list?”
“Nope. You’d think there would be a clause or something indicating that Sweet Apple Acres is just the provider and not the host,” Spike said, reviewing the list.
“I blame the first overseer,” Twilight seethed. “Whatever their name is…”
Spike sighed and scratched the pen against the parchment. “Suppose we’re going to this Sugarcube Corner?”
“Without a moment to waste!”
“Will you just let it go already?” Spike paused, looking back at Twilight as she joined him on the bridge.
“I will not!” Twilight exclaimed. “Sure, we “trespassed,” but she overreacted completely!”
“She overreacted?”
“Don’t give me your sass, Spike! I could easily report her to Celestia!”
“For getting upset, that we were trespassing, on her land.”
Twilight squinted. “Darn it…”
“Are you finally done throwing a tantrum?”
Twilight curled her lip.
“Great.” Spike pressed a claw into the list. “Now then, I suppose as we make our way to Sugarcube Corner, we can discuss the next order of business: Weather. The individual we’re looking for is a ‘Rainbow Dash.’ She’s the team manager in charge of this event. Supposed to be keeping the skies of all clouds and weather alike until tomorrow evening.”
Twilight glanced around the sky. Since their journey from the H-LEVE station until now, the sky had become spotted with pockets of white clouds.
“Well, she’s not doing a good job, is she?”
Twilight’s ear caught a faint roaring, almost like the high-speed jets the Wonderbolts flew. “Am I the only one hearing that?”
“No, I hear it too.”
The noise grew louder with each passing second, notably coming from the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight looked at the sky in the direction of the farm. A rainbow streak cut through the air, traveling at brisk speeds in her direction.
“What in the name—”
The rainbow arced downward. It roared a terrible, thundering rumble, dropping right before Twilight. It happened so fast, Twilight only managed to throw up her hands as a form of protection. Thankfully, the impact caused no detonation beyond a thick cloud of dust. It layered itself upon Twilight’s coat and clothes, choking her lungs. She coughed, waving a hand to clear it from her face.
“What—ahck—in Celestia’s name?!”
A raspy, feminine voice chuckled from within the cloud.
“Oops, sorry,” it said in between snickers, not sounding sorry in the slightest. “Must've not noticed you. Here, let me get you cleaned up.”
A whooshing of wings blew up more dust.
“Ahck! Stop that! Fareking Nen’yos! Spike, did you see what she looked like?! Spike?!”
Twilight spotted the whelping, covered head to claw in dirt. He released a sigh, drooping.
“Are you okay?” She asked.
He released a snort of smoke. Taking it as a ‘yes,’ she focused upon the surprising layer of dust on her shirt.
The road isn’t even that dusty.
A sudden strike of freezing cold water against her head and back interrupted her task.
“Wha?!” Twilight shrieked.
The downpour vanished as soon as it began, leaving Twilight soaked to the bone. More laughter reached her ears, this time from above. Slowly raising her glare upward, Twilight spotted a face peering over a low-hanging cloud.
“Guess I overdid it!” The face gave a wide grin.
Twilight only stared, shivering lightly.
How much trouble would I get in if I accidentally set her on fire?
“Um, uh, how about this?”
The Nen’yos flipped off the cloud. She landed smoothly on her feet in front of Twilight, wings bared in an impressive display of colors.
Her wings in question sported near every color in a mismatched gradient from one end of a feather to the other. They shimmered in the light, creating even more brilliance. Her mane was similar, if not more basic. Each color separated into an individual section, resting underneath an odd pair of flight goggles. The bright, flashy colors all were contrasted by the simplistic blacks and grays of a jacket and crop top combined with form-fitting leggings, all resting atop cyan fur.
Wow. What a mess. Typical Nen’yos.
The maren spread her wings wider. With a flap, she sent a strong gust of wind to Twilight.
Instantly, Twilight put up a shield, catching the strike.
“Enough!” With her free hand, Twilight cast Telekinesis upon the Nen’yos’s wings, binding them in place.
“Woah woah woah! Let me go, you fareking Monok!” The maren flailed about, trying to grab at Twilight’s aura.
“Then stop attacking me with your wings!”
“I was only trying to dry you off!”
“I can do that myself!”
“Fine, whatever! Let me go!”
Twilight released the Nen'yos' wings, keeping the shield in place. Using her free hand again, she cast the Spell Fire Cloak around herself. In an instant, the heat evaporated the water upon her clothing, fur, and mane.
“You gotta lot of nerve touching my wings with your Essence!” The Nen’yos stepped up to Twilight.
She stood several inches taller than Twilight, leering down in an act of aggression. Although it would’ve been more intimidating if done by someone less colorful. And if the shield was not present.
I could easily take out her eye with my horn, but what do I expect from a brash Nen’yos?
“Are you Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked.
The Nen’yos glanced up. Her anger subsided, being replaced with a wave of hysterical laughter.
I don’t even want to know.
Well, she did know. How could she not? But addressing it would only spur more of a reaction. And with how fast this maniac swapped emotions…
I wouldn’t want to risk it.
“Are you Rainbow Dash?!” Twilight said again, dropping the shield.
“Heh… The one and only,” Rainbow sputtered in between laughs.
“What was going through your mind, pulling a stunt like that?! You could have seriously hurt me!”
“Or me,” Spike added.
“Oh darn!” Rainbow paused her laughter, focusing on Spike. “I thought he was a giant salamander! You can talk?”
“Giant salamander? Can a giant salamander do this?” Spike released a torrent of fire at Rainbow’s feet.
“Hey, watch it!” Rainbow fluttered back.
“Why did you attack us?!” Twilight demanded.
“Oh, so you’re fine trespassing on someone else’s space, but don’t like it when it’s done to you, eh?”
“What does…” Twilight paused. “Oh, I see. That apple farmer sent you after me as revenge, huh?”
“Nah. Applejack doesn’t hold grudges. She’s a push-over like that. I just don’t like Monoks that think they can do whatever they want just 'cause they got that fancy Essence.”
“So that gives you the right to—illegally I might add—dust-bomb random anthow at speeds like that?!”
“Firstly, a crime isn’t illegal if there aren’t any witnesses. Secondly, I’m surprised a bonehead like you knows what dust-bombing is.”
“Hey, that’s offensive! And just because I grew up in Canterlot, doesn’t mean I’m ignorant.”
Rainbow’s face lit up. “Oh, I was just referring to the fact that you’re a bonehead, but being a pampered, rich bonehead makes even more sense!”
This smug, little…
“Okay,” Twilight rubbed a hand down her face. “Yes, my family is upper class, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t gotten dirty before!”
“Little too much info there,” Rainbow winked, her demeanor breaking immediately.
Twilight growled, rolling her eyes.
“Why isn’t the sky clear?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Because Her Majesty ordered the team under your supervision to clear the skies for the Sun Celebration?!”
Rainbow Dash released a raspberry. “And it will be, when the Sun Celebration arrives.”
“Can you not do it now?”
“You understand I’m not the only Nen’yos on this team, right?”
“You’re the supervisor…”
“Wow, you can do some research. I’m impressed.”
Twilight clenched her fists, almost snarling.
“Alright alright,” Rainbow’s wings fluttered. “Don’t get your horn in a twist. It’ll be done before nightfall. Later, chump!”
Rainbow set the goggles over her eyes. With a flick of her jacket, she leapt into the air and bolted towards Kinstown.
“Good riddance…”
“You need to lighten up.”
“And you need to clean yourself. You’re filthier than I.”
“Eh,” Spike shrugged. He dropped the clipboard.
“Hey! What did I tell you about this?!” Twilight snatched it up, spinning to face the dragon. She watched him leap over the railing of the bridge. “Spike!”
A brilliant splash sent a wave of water into the air. Twilight cast Telekinesis upon the dragon, bringing him back onto the bridge. “What in the name of Celestia did you do that for?!”
“You wanted me to clean up, so I did. Now then, want to do decorations or finish the catering stuff?”
Twilight facepalmed.
Why me?
“Let’s just do decorations…” Twilight sunk into herself as she continued to walk back into town. Agitation itched at her mind.
Annoying and arrogant. That Rainbow Dash is a prime example of why Nen’yos are the worst of the three anthow in my opinion.
Twilight checked that Spike was still with her.
He isn’t any better! Rrg! Why did I agree to this?! It literally benefited me in no way whatsoever! This is the last time I take an optional assignment from Celestia unless it provides a clear reward…
She paused on a bridge in the middle of the town, staring down at the water below.
This is all some ruse, isn’t it? All this trouble… all these different locations… She’s desperately trying to get me to be more social, isn’t she?
Come to think of it, both Applejack and Rainbow did not look much older than herself.
Ugh, as if I would become friends with an Ere’du Kiin! And a Nen’yos is completely out of the question!
She continued, reaching the other side. The town hall stood not far along. A wide road and a grand, stone clearing separated the bridge from the building. It stood as a towering cylinder, bearing several shoots of rooms at the bottom level.
It looks like a lighthouse. A really squished lighthouse.
The town hall appeared bigger inside than it seemed outside. From the entrance and lobby, it opened into a three-story, open structure with walkways along every floor. Decorative banners bearing Celestia’s insignia hung all about. Crescent moons and shining suns rested amongst ribbons and curtains.
It all was quite impressive, even with the weight of the previous encounters souring her mood.
“At least something is done right,” Twilight did a look-around. “This ought to be quick.”
They entered the main lobby, finding it devoid of life beyond a single anthow maren. A Monok’ehpos, she had alabaster fur and a styled purple mane spilling down her back. Her outfit matched the fanciness of her mane; a pale-yellow skirt combined with a light blue blouse. She faced away from the entrance, humming an unrecognizable tune.
No one else encountered upon the journey thus far had worn anything remotely like this maren. Her outfit seemed closer to the common attire worn on Canterlot’s streets.
Unusual to see someone of such fashion in a town like this.
She watched the maren flutter over a collection of bows and ribbons with Telekinesis. Each strand moved on its own, fitting around individual poles and beams.
Interesting. Her apparent dexterity with Telekinesis is quite exceptional.
Even Twilight herself could not perform so many individual movements. More strength than flexibility in her casting.
“Wow, she looks… delectable,” Spike said, a disturbing amount of suggestiveness in his voice.
“That’s a strange compliment to—” Twilight looked down at Spike, catching him lick his lips.
Wait.
She followed his gaze, matching it with the maren.
“Really?!” She hissed. “Of all the anthow in this town?”
“I’m hungry… What do you want from me?”
“You best watch yourself, Spike. And if you mutter a single word that would suggest your intentions, I will remove your teeth! In fact, wait for me by the door.”
Spike huffed, stalking back to the entrance. Twilight rolled her eyes, sighing.
“Hello there,” Twilight said. “I—”
“Just a moment, please,” the maren hummed, fixing a set of ribbon to a railing with Telekinesis. “I am in the zone, as it were.”
Twilight pressed her lips, crossing her arms as she watched.
“Now then, what can I help—Wo-o-o-o-ah!” The maren dramatically cried out, pressing a hand to her chest.
“Oh… my stars! Darling, whatever happened to your mane?!”
Right. Forgot about that.
“A rain shower provided by an obnoxious, rainbow Nen’yos, that’s what.”
“Rainbow Dash did this to you?! Rrrg!” The maren clenched her fists. “I’m going to have a word with that heathen!”
“Ah, don’t worry about it. I’m just here to make sure check the decoration progress, then I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Out of my hair?! What about your hair?!”
“Well, like I said—”
The maren physically leapt over to Twilight, forcefully guiding her towards and onto a chair. “Sit, please, and allow me to fix this—pardon my language—absolute atrocity!”
Twilight stood. “As generous as your offer is, I have more important things to—”
“They can wait!” Rarity pinned Twilight down. “I absolutely refuse to let you be seen like this in public! Curse that Rainbow Dash… I’d tear her feathers out if they weren’t so lovely!”
“But—”
“No buts! You must accept this, whether you like it or not!”
Oh, really?
Twilight’s eye twinged. A powerful temptation to tase this… boundary-invading drama queen itched the back of her mind.
Remember your vow: Don’t hurt another through Essence unless in self-defense… Don’t hurt another through Essence unless in self-defense.
Twilight bit her tongue, relaxing her stance in the chair.
“I apologize, I only keep a brush and comb on me,” The maren said, “But it would haunt me until death to allow others to see you this way!”
“Well, I’ve already been all over town so…”
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Ah, no.”
“Oh, you poor thing. You must be devastated!”
Not in the slightest. I’m not a dramatic diva.
“Are you a professional stylist?” Twilight asked.
Get this conversation away from me!
“Far from it, although I’ve developed quite the system for my own mane. My true passion is for fashion! Ooh! that rhymed!”
Twilight’s rolled her eyes as the maren giggled.
“Heh, I must say, I don’t recall learning your name,” The maren set a comb loose onto Twilight’s mane.
“Ow! It’s Twilight. Twilight Sparkle.”
“Rarity Belle, at your service. It’s a pleasure, dear!”
I can’t say the same…
“And what brings you to Kinstown? You mentioned you were checking the décor?”
“That, amongst other things. You see, Queen Celestia asked—”
“Queen Celestia?!” Rarity gasped. “You’ve met the Queen?! You’re from Canterlot?!”
“Well, I study under her, so—”
Twilight’s eardrums about burst under the scream of delight.
Oh, dear.
“Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication. I’ve always dreamed of living there! I cannot wait to hear all about it! You and I will be the best of friends! I guarantee it!”
“Wonderful…”
Maybe I will let Spike eat her.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t want something more… fashionable? Curls are in style this season,” Rarity pouted, bouncing a curl of her own.
“Yes, I’m sure. A straight mane works better for, uh, science projects.”
Twilight ran her fingers through her straight mane, devoid of knots or split ends. “I’ll admit, I was skeptical about your abilities, but you’ve done a better job than I usually do. Thanks.”
“You're welcome…? It was nothing, darling.”
“Here.” Twilight pulled out her coin purse and removed several bits. “A token of my appreciation.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly,” Rarity shook her hands. “It was of my own volition! To see you satisfied is payment enough!”
“Well, if you insist.”
Your loss.
“If you excuse me, I really need to get going.”
“Of course, darling! I do hope we can speak again sometime!”
Twilight smiled, walking back to the reception. “Spike? Sorry I took so long. That maren was insane.”
Loud slurping emanated from under a desk.
What the? Oh no, he better not be eating someone!
Twilight found the whelping curled up, his back to her.
“Spike?”
He whipped around, a large slab of white meat half-eaten in his claws.
“Where did you get that?!”
“Market,” He uttered, chomping down upon the breast.
“And… how did you pay for it?”
Spike responded by chewing faster.
Twilight growled. “Don’t tell me you stole that!”
“I didn’t steal it. I found it.”
“Spike…”
“It got loose from its cage and something had got to it before me.”
Twilight’s eyes narrowed.
He’s lying. I know he’s lying.
“You aren’t gonna take it from me, are you?”
”…No, I won’t.”
He crawled out from under the desk, clutching the meat as though it would vanish into thin air. “I didn’t steal it, mostly.”
“Whatever…”
It will if he keeps inhaling it at that rate.
“Here,” Twilight held out the library’s key to Spike. “Take this and head back to the library. Unpack my research and get my teas ready for my return. I want to get through this as fast as I can. And leave it unlocked. It’s the only set I have to this place.”
Spike belched, trading the key for the clipboard. He stalked from the hall. Twilight followed him outside, heading back across the bridge.
Alright, gotta go to… Sugarcube Corner and speak with a ‘Pinkie Pie.’ Then I look at this entertainment and boom! I’m done. Thank Celestia.
Twilight paused across the road from an outside marketplace.
Darn it! I completely forgot to ask about the progress of the town hall! That maren—Rarity distracted me… I suppose since she was only doing the finishing details it isn’t that much of a problem.
She glanced at the shoppers.
I should ask where Sugarcube Corner is.
“Ah, excuse me,” Twilight lightly waved at a passing Ere’du Kiin maren.
She paused, brushing a lock of blue and pink mane behind her ear and staring expectantly at Twilight.
“Would you be willing to point me in the direction of Sugarcube Corner? I’m, uh, new in town.”
“Oh, no problem,” the maren said, pointing further up the road. “It’s down that way about a block, on the left. You can’t miss it!”
“Thanks.”
“Real quick,” the maren added. “You didn’t happen to see a loose chicken wandering around, did you?”
Mostly my flank!
“Ah… Nope. Sorry,” Twilight walked past, quickly clearing the block.
As the maren had said, a building fashioned after a loaf of bread stood out amongst the rest of the older structures. A scent of baked goods streamed from the open door. Next to the entrance stood a wide wooden sign bearing bold, golden letters that read ‘Sugarcube Corner.’
The smell alone caused an erupting growl to emit from Twilight’s stomach. She clutched it, crossing the road to the building. Inside, anthow occupied near all the tables, all chatting and consuming goods ranging from simple sandwiches to cupcakes and doughnuts.
The line to the front stood empty, however, giving Twilight access to an unmanned counter. A table bell and a sign reading ‘ring for service’ sat upon the glass display.
Curious.
Twilight dinged the bell once.
In an instant, a pink upon pink maren rose from behind the counter, bearing an uncomfortably wide smile. Twilight flinched back.
What the?! How did I not see her behind the counter?!
“Hi there!” The maren chimed, her voice high-pitched and cheerful. “What can I do for…"
She trailed off, staring intently at Twilight with a hand on her muzzle.
“Wait!” a sudden gasp and a pointed finger. “It’s you! The new arrival!”
“Wait a minute,” Twilight studied the maren.
That sweater under the apron…
“You’re that stranger who gasped and ran off when she saw me!”
“Yep! That was me! The name’s Pinkamena Diane of the Pie family! But you can call me Pinkie!”
Pinkie leaned over the counter and wildly shook Twilight’s hand. “I suppose you’re curious as to why I fled so suddenly! I promise it wasn’t because I found you or your giant salamander repulsive!”
“…What? Why do you all keep calling Spike a salamander? He’s a dragon.”
“Really? ‘Cause he looks like the Green-frilled Fire Salamanders that live around the town!”
Pinkie whipped out a printed picture of… well, a salamander. It bore an uncanny similarity to Spike in color and general appearance, down to the same horns and spines.
“Wow, I can sort of understand the confusion,” Twilight said. “On a… weird level. I didn’t know those existed.”
“That’s surprising, since you live in Canterlot! They’re all over the Everfree Forest.”
Twilight did a double take. “How…”
“Anyways, back to my original question that you were thinking of,” Pinkie began to set up a package of goods. “I know absolutely everyone that lives, or resides—there’s a difference—in Kinstown, and I mean everyone! And moving to a new place can be scary for some folks, especially when that move is sudden and they don’t have any clue about the area, so I make it a point to properly introduce myself so they have at least one friend they can count on for whatever help they might need! Anyways again, I was just doing my job here at Sugarcube Corner, manning the register and welcoming hungry customers when I got a Pinkie Feeling that told me to head to the train station that instant! So I did! I got distracted talking to another friend though—her name’s Bon Bon, she’s really sweet, just like the candies she makes and sells at her stall in the market. They’re so good, you should… oh wait—and I missed the 22’o clock H-LEVE arrival. But my sense still told me to go to the station, so I did. But! Before I could reach it, I saw you and your dragon-salamander thing! Instantly I knew it was you, so I darted back to my room to get you a welcoming gift, but when I returned to the spot I saw you at, you were gone! Since the sense had vanished and I didn’t know where you were staying, I came back here and thought over how I could find you once my shift ended! But it looks like you found me instead!”
Pinkie shined a bright smile.
Twilight blinked.
Pinkie slid the box to Twilight. “You’ll get used to it.”
“What’s this for?”
“You wanted to make a brief quality check in terms of completed delicacies as well as check the total goods quantity, right?”
“I never…”
“—Told me? I read your checklist thing and put two and two together to make four!”
“Ah-hah…”
She scares me.
Twilight looked over the display box. A wide assortment of twelve different pastries ranging from small pies to mini cakes to doughnuts. All appeared delectable and packed to the brim with edible decorations.
“You’re providing… pastries?”
“Well, not just pastries. We have all sorts of things! But who wants to look at spreads of vegetables?”
“You have a point.”
Twilight picked out a rolled sponge cake, carefully taking a bite from it.
An explosion of flavor unlike any other pastry she had before. A strike of chocolate, marzipan, almonds, and ricotta played upon her tongue, intermingled without flaw.
“Sweet Celestia…”
“Oh no, that’s a Rollo! Sweet Celestias are in the back!”
“That… was absolutely… amazing. I… I can’t even describe it.”
“Aww, you’re too kind!”
“Did you make this?”
“You bet I made it! But, the recipe belongs to Mrs. Cake! She’s one of the owners of this place! She and Mr. Cake bought it waaay back when from some stallus who tried to open his own baked goods store but got sabotaged by his partner—business partner that is—and had to sell it to make up for the loss but it turns out he was only using it as a front for—”
“Thank you!” Twilight interrupted. “Thank you, but I don’t need to know all that.”
Pinkie clicked her tongue. “Gotcha. Is there anything else you’d like to see? I have access to everything!”
“Ah, I think I can leave it to you. You seem capable enough.”
“Okie Dokie! By the way,” Pinkie summoned a stapled booklet of papers. “Here’s the full inventory of every single item we’re providing for the Celebration!”
“Great. I’ll make sure to look this over. Now, if you excuse me, I need to get going. More things to oversee!”
Twilight stepped away. “Ah, a quick question: with your extensive knowledge of anthow in this town, could you tell me where a ‘Fluttershy’ is?”
“Aww, you actually listened to my rambling! Of course! Her cottage is on the east outskirts of town, right along the Everfree! She’s probably still rehearsing for the performance, so she’d be in the grove just past the bridge! Take the road outside to the north until you reach said bridge, then head north again from there and you’ll find the grove!”
“Thank you.”
“See ya later!”
Twilight left Sugarcube Corner, following the road north per Pinkie’s directions.
Wait, this is just the road back towards Sweet Apple Acres… Great.
She walked all the way to the bridge, taking a swift turn to the left and into the woods. Such were much more pleasant than the Everfree, with the trees glowing underneath the late afternoon, early evening sun.
A sweet song of bird call echoed from up ahead. A grove revealed itself, opening into a small nook next to a quiet portion of the P’raar River.
Twilight listened to the musical tune.
It’s… harmonic? Interesting, since I can make out four… no. Seven different songbirds at least. How…
An off-putting note ruined the serenading.
“Oh… oh dear. Uh, stop, please. Everyone, stop.”
Twilight looked around a wall of brush to find a Nen’yos in front of an audience of birds. Her yellow fur and pink mane stood out against the teal collared shirt, contrasted further by the matching teal feathers she bore. Even from this distance, Twilight could tell a clear height difference.
Wow, she’s even taller than Rainbow…
“Excuse me, and I mean no offense,” the Nen’yos continued. “but, your rhythm is off by a teeny bit.”
Is she… talking to the birds?
Twilight blinked, watching the Nen’yos sing a set of chords.
Okay, she’s teaching the bird chords… I was right. Literally everyone in this town is insane.
“Do you think you can do that for me?”
Twilight stepped around the brush. “Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time?”
The Nen’yos gasped, leaping into the air. The birds scattered, taking refuge in the surrounding trees.
“Ooh, my apologies,” Twilight said. “I had no intention of frightening your… uh, birds. I’m simply here to check on the progress of your assignment.”
“Oh, alright,” The Nen’yos whispered, rubbing an arm. She looked away, seeming to avoid meeting Twilight's gaze at all costs.
Okay… She’s an introvert. Guess that explains why she talks to birds.
“Ah, I’m Twilight. Sparkle,” Twilight greeted, putting on a uncomfortable smile.
“I… I’m… Fluttershy…”
“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”
She cleared her throat. “I’m Fluttershy. Sorry. I’m… nervous around new people.”
“That’s understandable. No need to apologize, though.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“No—” Twilight groaned.
Get on with it, get on with it, get on with it…
“I, just need to make sure you've prepared your entertainment properly. For tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
“…So is it?”
“Yes. At least, I hope it is.”
Twilight withheld the urge to facepalm.
Why did this anthow get put in charge of ‘entertainment?’
“Alright. I will… take your word for it.”
“Okay.”
“I… will leave you to your work, then.”
“…That would be great. Thank you.”
Twilight turned, slowly walking away.
“Why, me,” She muttered once she had reached the road. “This is all so… pointless.”
At least it was done. With it all behind her, Twilight could spend the rest of the evening speed reading the books at the Golden Oak Library.
“She thought she could stop me?! Well, think again!” Twilight took off in a jog, tittering all the way.
The moment she entered back into town, chaos seemed to set in. Anthow were everywhere. More than had been when she left Sugarcube Corner not long ago. Such crowds slowed her jog, forcing a calculated path to be made as she ran.
It can’t be that late yet! The festivities don’t start until midnight!
Regardless, Twilight pushed through the growing throngs, taking the memorized roads back to the Golden Oak Library. Thankfully, the majority of the excitement was around market and Sugarcube Corner.
Twilight leaned against the sign, catching her breath. She glanced down at her watch.
“26:30 already?!” Twilight shook her watch, glancing up at the sun. It had lowered tremendously, casting a wave of orange light upon the walls of the buildings.
No wonder the crowd! Geez, it took me nearly seven and a half hours to do all that?! Rrrhg!!
Twilight twisted the door, quickly stepping into the dark interior.
“Surpriiiise!!!”
An ever familiar, bright pink anthow jumped from behind a table, throwing confetti across the floor. Twilight froze in place, her soul transcending to another dimension for a brief second.
As the shock wore off, Twilight summoned an orb of Illumination into the air, casting white light upon Pinkie and a folding table bearing an arrangement of wrapped gifts.
“How did you get in here?!” Twilight exclaimed, gesturing to Pinkie, then to the table. “And what is this?!”
“Pbth,” Pinkie raspberried. “That’s my little secret, silly!” She tiptoed up to Twilight, dropping her voice into a whisper. “The door was unlocked.”
“…Right.”
“And this, this is your ‘Welcome to Kinstown’ package!”
“Wha—Why?”
“Well, remember the conversation we had earlier about my Pinkie Sense and knowing you were arriving and wanting to give you a gift but you disappeared before I could—”
“Yes! I remember! Get on with it!”
“This is it!”
Twilight stuttered, unable to form a word.
“That surprised, huh? No need to give a thanks! I’m happy to do it!”
“Surprised is the nice way of putting it! Pinkie, I’m not staying here!”
“Uh, I’m pretty sure you are.”
“This is an overnight stay! I’m going back home—to Canterlot—tomorrow! I have no way to transport this!”
“Huh. I could’ve sworn…”
“What even brought you to this conclusion?!”
Pinkie pressed a hand under her chin. “Hmm, perhaps I read too far into it…”
Twilight’s face scrunched. “More like you misread entirely!”
“No no, I didn’t misread. Just a bit ahead.”
“You—”
“Anyways, I need to get back to Sugarcube Corner! I bet the Cakes are getting flooded right now! I’ll be back later to accompany you to the Queen’s speech. It was good to meet you I hope we can be friends okay byeee!”
Just like that, with Twilight’s sanity in tow, Pinkie vanished. Twilight walked to her creaking front door, shutting it, and twisting the lock for good measure.
“That delusional maren. In what world would I want to stay in this place longer than I need to?! Sweet Celestia, everyone here is crazy!”
It mattered not, though. The time had arrived: the time to delve into a mysterious library’s-worth of books. Some of which might contain the information for which she was searching.
Or it wouldn’t contain anything. A situation in which Twilight gradually had been leaning towards the latter.
Best to remain positive. Especially after such a long day. Which reminds me.
“Spike?”
Twilight turned on a lamp, replacing her white light in a calming orange. “Spike! Did you do as I asked?”
She passed the table, heading upstairs. One of the beds held a familiar, whelping-sized lump under the blankets.
“Lazy lizard…” Twilight muttered. “I’ll brew my own tea.”
She stalked to the kitchen.
Twilight jolted awake, her body entering Fight or Flight mode.
…zzhuh…? Where am…
She glanced around the space. “Right. In Kinshtown…” She looked up at the window.
“Wah!” Twilight jumped out of the chair, finding Pinkie Pie peering in from outside.
“Wake up, silly! The Sun Celebration is about to begin! You don’t want to miss Her Majesty’s speech do ya??”
Twilight yawned, looking at the table she sat at.
Oh, right. Reading.
“Must’ve fallen sleep,” She grumbled, yawning into her hand. “Ohh…”
My tea… It’s cold…
Grumbling, Twilight stumbled to the door. Upon the other side stood Pinkie, smiling bright.
“Riise and shine!!”
“The sun isn’t even up.”
“To heck with the semantics! Now come on!”
Twilight blinked and found herself amongst her peers in front of the town hall, wedged between Pinkie and a hundred other Anthow.
“Urrhg… so many anthow,” Twilight grumbled. “I could be with Celestia right now.”
“Of course there’s so many anthow! This is the biggest event of the Sun Season! Anthow for all over Equestria are here to watch the Queen raise the sun!”
Yes, I know how the Sun Celebration works…
“Gentients!” A voice called from the town hall’s second story balcony. An Ere’du Kiin maren stood at the edge. She wore a brown suit that was contrasted by the pale gray of her mane, but complimented by the tan of her fur.
“I am Ly’an Mayre, the mayor of Kinstown!” Her voiced carried across the crowd. “Allow me to welcome you all to the opening ceremony of the 485th annual Sun Celebration!”
The crowd replied with a bout of applause.
“Before Her Majesty gives her opening speech, there are a few announcements I must make.”
Twilight grumbled, flattening her ears against her head.
Incessant rambling. Pointless announcements. What a waste of breath. Just get on with Celestia’s opening.
That’s what everyone was here for. Not some… government official giving a notification about times of events for the following day that were clearly stated on the brochure.
Twilight looked to her left at Pinkie. Seemingly enthralled, the maren stared up at the balcony.
‘Try to make new friends.’ Pah!
Celestia was wrong. She did not need friends. Friends only got in the way. They only caused problems and created guilt if she did not spend time with them. And now Celestia was forcing her to make some.
Technically not, but if she didn’t want me to, she wouldn’t have suggested it.
Twilight glanced at Pinkie again.
Well… She’s an option for sure…
This… eccentric, psychotic maren could be an option if Celestia really did want Twilight to fulfill that part of the assignment. If Pinkie was telling the truth about being friendly with everyone, it would serve as a good alibi. Whether Twilight meant it or not, this maren certainly would.
There’s that fashionista. Rarity, I think?
She was also a choice. Her interests were bland, though. And her desires were even blander.
Wants to be a part of the Canterlot Elite. How boring.
Regardless of those misguided wants, she seemed to be nice enough. It certainly helped that she was a Monok’ehpos. A rich wannabe, sure, but the underlying qualities would be enough to persuade Celestia.
Rrg… Why can’t things return to how they were before?! Everything worked to a tee! I had ‘friends’ that left me alone, and Celestia didn’t question my every action!
But no. She was aboard one gunship that crashed, and suddenly everything had to be monitored.
It wasn’t even my fault! If those guards were more competent, they wouldn’t’ve been replaced by Changelings!
“Thank you for your patience. Now, without further ado: Allow me the honor to introduce Her Majesty, Queen Celestia!”
Twilight lifted her gaze to the balcony in time to watch the Ere’du Kiin disappear behind the curtain.
Finally.
Even the faint hum of the crowd halted in suspense for a first sighting.
In a sudden, faint flash from beyond the curtains, a soft glow emanated. It grew brighter, growing strong enough to emit beams of orange through the crack.
Twilight perked up, unable to keep the giddy sensation away.
No matter the number of times I witness this, it never gets old.
With all the grace the world could offer came the Queen, bearing her glory and majesty. Her aurora mane---flowing gently in a non-existent breeze—rippled in colors of blues, greens, pinks, and purples, all shimmering under a light of their own. Her outfit of a simple, pearl white gown combined with gold-gilded regalia enhanced the rest of her beauty, giving all while taking none.
But her wings. Unlike any Nen’yos upon the planet, they were unlike anything else. Spread out to their maximum, each feather radiated pure Sunlight, appearing as beams.
The crowd remained frozen at the sight until a ripple brought them all to a knee. Twilight joined, bowing her head as well.
“Please rise,” Celestia’s gentle, yet powerful voice easily rang across the lot.
Twilight brought her eyes back to the Queen but for a moment. Above the town hall, sparkling in front of the Canterhorn, shone a light. Colored a burning white that faded into a brilliant blue, the star-like glow gently arced upward.
“That… wasn’t there before…”
“Hmm?” Pinkie hummed.
The light flickered, growing ever so slightly in size.
“Today marks the—”
“What in Equestria is that?!” A proclamation cut off Celestia’s words.
An armored guard joined Celestia on the balcony, drawing the Queen’s attention.
“Wowie,” Pinkie said. “I’ve never seen a firework like that before!”
“That… that isn’t a firework.”
It couldn’t be. It’s… too high. Too far. And where’s the trail?
The glowing orb—less of a glow now. More-so a miniature star—moved faster, a dull roar cutting through the air that grew in decibels each passing second.
Twilight’s eyes widened. “That’s going to impact here!”
The crowd’s murmurs of curiosity turned into wails of fear. They all began to disperse.
“What? How can you know that?”
“It’s basic mathematics, Pinkie!”
Grabbing the maren, Twilight shoved her way through the crowd. With some effort, she forged a path away from the panicked anthow and onto a small knoll that overlooked the lot. Twilight turned to watch the star, only to catch it crashing directly into the roof of the town hall opposite of the Queen.
“Oh svist!” Twilight swore, clutching her head.
The star gave no detonation, nor did it crash through the hall into the grounds below. Instead, it cut straight across its impact, bursting out from the room Celestia had disappeared into.
Twilight’s breath hitched.
Meteors don’t redirect themselves.
The ‘comet’ brought Celestia from the building out into the air. A brief pause gave way to the Queen sending the star hurling into the pavement below with an audible crack.
“Twilight! Fly you fool!” Pinkie grasped Twilight’s arm.
“Go yourself, Pinkie!” Twilight ripped her arm away. “I need to see this!”
Twilight left Pinkie behind, bolting back towards the dueling Queen and unknown entity.
“Silence, betrayer!!”
A voice unlike any other shook Twilight’s soul, freezing her jaunt. The words roared with unholy vengeance, overpowering the screams of the still fleeing crowd.
Twilight could only watch, witnessing a wall of sunlight block a sudden attack from, well…
A maren, at least perceived as a maren, of navy blue struck the wall. Her mane writhed furiously in shades of crimson. Such a striking color made her wings of white light stand out, such shimmering as violently as her mane.
“It, it can’t be…” Twilight stammered, watching the two crash.
“What can’t be?!” Pinkie’s voice broke Twilight’s frozen state.
“That’s… Nightmare Moon! Celestia’s fighting Nightmare Moon!”
“What?! I thought Nightmare Moon had a purple mane! Not a—”
“I command silence, worm! Your silvered tongue will not change my conviction!”
A black hole formed in the space, soaking up the barrier of light. A burst of sunlight exploded upon Nightmare Moon. Moments later they took to the sky, Celestia followed by the monster.
Twilight merely watched; a bystander between two ancient beings fighting like ferocious lions.
They rose higher, only Celestia’s aurora and Nightmare Moon’s crimson storm could be seen.
“SILENCE! Do not pretend you are a pacifist, wretch!”
Nightmare Moon’s thundering, angered voice boomed across the sky.
“You will listen to me!” Celestia’s matched, the gentleness gone. “I will not tolerate this behavior here! Either stop this attack or evoke my anger!”
The pair grappled once again. Upon contact, they vanished, blinking from the space with a yellow flash. The clashing of Essence and the raging voices faded, leaving the cries of the dispersed crowd to reign dominant.
Nightmare Moon… She… she’s real!
The legends were not false. Somehow, such a prophecy slipped through the cracks of historical legitimacy. Not completely surprising, since everyone had been believing that Nightmare Moon would appear as a spawn of Tartarus; a demoness whose escape would be aided by the stars themselves.
In a sense, such had come true.
The ball of light. The mane of fire and crimson.
Twilight understood. Everything she read had been true. It all validated her claims. She had been right. It almost gave a sense of pride, if not for the fact that the literal ruler and supposed sister of Nightmare Moon had ignored the prophecy.
How could she be so foolish?!
Now, Celestia could be in mortal danger. The thought jumpstarted Twilight’s legs. She broke into a sprint, ignoring the cry from Pinkie. As fast as she could manage, Twilight returned to the library, nearly breaking down the door. She locked it, scrambling up the stairs.
“Spike! Spike, wake up!”
The dragon flipped away the blankets, glaring draconically at Twilight.
“What do you want?”
“Nightmare Moon! She’s real! Like, physically real!”
He sat up. “…What?”
“She—it, I… whatever! It attacked Celestia! They fought, then vanished! I—Celestia is in danger!”
“Celestia? In trouble?”
“Yes! Mortally!”
“But, she’s an Alicorn.”
“So is Nightmare Moon! Or she was, at least! Alicorns can kill other Alicorns!”
“That… has always been up for debate.”
“How is this not alarming you?!”
“Celestia’s pretty durable. She can handle herself.”
Twilight growled. “You—In Celestia’s—I don’t have time for this! Help me try to find something, anything, on the Elements in this blasted library!”
“Alright, calm down.”
Spike leapt from the bed, following Twilight down into the main room. “How are these going to help, if I may ask?”
“They’re connected! If Celestia used them to trap Nightmare Moon, then maybe they can be used to find her! It!”
Elements, Elements, Elements…
Twilight scoured a shelf, then a second. “Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements?!”
“And just what are the Elements?!”
Twilight snapped her head towards the raspy voice, charging up the Inferno Spell. None other than Rainbow Dash leapt over the balcony, gracefully landing at the front door. She undid the lock, poking her head through the door.
“Pinkie! It’s open!”
“Good work, Dashie!”
“How did you get in here?!” Twilight pointed her Spell-charged hand at Rainbow. “Why are you in here?!”
“Your balcony door’s unlocked,” Rainbow crossed her arms. “Now, answer my question! What are the Elements, and how do you know so much about Nightmare Moon? Are you a cultist?”
The accusatory tone drew Twilight’s unbridled attention. She stalked up to the Nen’yos, stretching herself to meet her height.
“The Elements,” Twilight sized herself up to Rainbow. “are mostly unknown! All I can say is that they’re a set of enchanted artifacts that were used by Celestia to seal Nightmare Moon away! But any further information regarding them is unknown and I can’t find anything to tell me more!!”
“The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.”
Twilight did a 180 turn to Pinkie. “What?! How did you find that?!”
“It was under ‘T’ for ‘The,’” Pinkie sang.
‘Give it here!” Twilight dropped Inferno and brought the book to herself with Telekinesis.
She glanced over the cover, flipping through the pages as fast as she could.
“Well?” Rainbow demanded.
“Quiet!”
Twilight read through the rather small book, skimming through most.
“Okay, the Elements of Harmony are a set of six gems, each taking a different color and shape based on the bearer. They represent the six types of Harmonic Essence: Elemental, Manipulation, Illusion, Life, Protection, and Conjuration. They can be used individually, or as one, in which True Magic can be harnessed.”
Rainbow Dash scoffed. “Magic isn’t real.”
Twilight glared at the Nen’yos. “It’s more real than you realize. Do you think Celestia simply uses Essence? She… and I suppose Nightmare Moon, are the only two known Sentients that know its secrets and how to utilize it. Anyways, the Elements require an individual who can either already cast True Magic, or six individuals that have a strong mental bond to share the sheer load of power.”
“And what does this have to do with Nightmare Moon attacking the Queen?”
“These are what were used to bind her away! If done once, it can be done again.”
Rainbow laughed. “And who’s going to do that? You?”
“Well of course! Who else?!”
“Five others, based on your own words. Unless you can cast True Magic.”
Twilight froze.
Darn, she’s right. I can’t do this alone…
It couldn’t be done without others. But there wasn’t anyone else. Twilight stood alone.
“I’ll… figure something out. I always do.”
“Way ahead of you!” Pinkie said. “Dashie and I are gonna help you get a team together!”
“We are?”
“Of course! Now you go get Applejack and Fluttershy and convince them to meet us at Fluttershy’s cottage! They’re probably still around town!”
“But—”
“Come on, Dashie! It’s for Queen and country!”
“Fine… You’ll owe me for this, bookworm!” Rainbow snapped.
She walked from the library, taking to the sky outside.
“I’m… going back to sleep,” Spike muttered.
“Pinkie! We need anthow that share a bond! I don’t even know Applejack, and I barely learned Fluttershy’s name! There isn’t a single anthow in this town I share a bond with!”
“How do you know?”
Twilight sputtered. “Wha—Because I’ve known you all for less than twenty hours!”
“Fate works in mysterious ways.”
“What does that even mean?”
“I have a feeling! And my feelings are never wrong!”
“Pinkie—”
“Never!! Besides, what do you have to lose?”
Twilight held up a finger, ready to present a counterargument. However, there were none she could reasonably make.
There’s a lot I could lose, but even more would be lost if I did nothing.
“Fluttershy also knows the way to the castle so, ya know…”
“Be as it may, that’s only five. We need six.”
“I know that, silly! You and I’ll search for Rarity and pick her up!”
“Rarity. The decorator…”
“She prefers fashionista, but yep!”
“Okay… Why do I get the feeling this is going to fail miserably?”
“Have a little faith! Imagine if this sparks a set of friendships that last for the rest of your life!”
“I doubt it.”
“You don’t get a choice.”
“What was that?”
“Alright! Let’s go! Who knows what adventure awaits! Onwards to Rarity’s!”
“Let’s focus on finding Queen Celestia first. Adventure second. ‘Friends’ third, if at all.”
“Right right. Gotta get through the introduction before establishing the rest! I understand.”
I’m going to lose my mind.
“Wait,” Twilight waved a hand at the bouncing Pinkie. “I need to find some sort of map or blueprint of the castle. That way, we don’t walk in blind.”
“Ooh! I know an anthow! The cartographer Crisp Crunch! He might have a map of the castle!”
“Crisp Crunch?”
“Onward to Crisp Crunch’s, then to Rarity’s!!”
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My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
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The, uh, what now?
Twilight don't be a jerk, let Spike go to Moondancer's party. At least he cares
11224935
Monok'ehpos is my flashy new name for the Unicorn race. If you're interested, I left an appendix of other names and such in the Author's Note to help with any confusion.
great start i really like this story, just wandering are all the chapters in this story going to be this big ?
11225244
I'm glad you like it so far! Regarding chapter length, I plan to have them be over 5,000 words at least. Otherwise, whatever length happens happens.