Twilight finds an old journal belonging to somepony that history forgot...
Twilight's Exploration of the StarSwirl the Bearded section of the Royal Library has revealed to her something; Clover the Clever wasn't the only apprentice to the father of the anomorphic spell.
Twilight had just finished her song at her brother's wedding, and was exhausted. She had saved the day and preformed a musical number in the same day so she decided to calm down with a nice book, she knew just the place to find one! She traversed the halls of the StarSwirl the Bearded section of the Royal Library, not knowing what was to be found. 'Smart Spells for You? No, Snip its of Serums? Revolving Ruckus Spells? No! She spoke aloud "What's it take to find a good book?"
She was joined by Pinkie Pie appearing from a nearby bookshelf, "Oh Twilight, don't be such a silly filly! You know what it takes to write a good book, after all I just found yours in here!" Pinkie was holding a dusty old book.
Twilight spoke, "Pinkie, I've never written a book, at least on that hasn't been published. So that's completely out of the question!" She ignored her pink friend, after today all she wanted to do was read and get some rest. She kept looking through shelf after dusty shelf, sneezing more than once. When Pinkie kept nagging Twilight she snapped, "FINE, I"LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT!" She picked up the dusty tome with her telekinesis. after a puff of air she nearly dropped it. "That's my- m-my family's crest!" She stammered, what was a book so old and in this usually restricted section, doing with her family's symbol on it? She looked at Pinkie, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Pinkie giggled, "Why didn't you ask silly filly?" She bounced away.
Twilight stood there, awestruck, she was almost afraid to open this ancient tome. To see whatever past her family was put through, were they poor? Rich? Fighters? Scholars? She was too afraid to open it here, almost as if it was forbidden to be seen by anyone but her.
She returned to her room in the castle, put on her glasses and slowly peeled back the cover. To her surprise, it wasn't a transcript, or family tree. It was a journal, obviously written with magic by the haste of the writing. The first page wasn't nearly as dusty as the cover, causing Twilight to believe that this was either enchanted, or the most well preserved book in Equestria. Only one word was written on that first page, Raiden.
"Raiden?" Twilight asked herself as she slowly turned the page.
To whoever is reading this, My name is Raiden, and this will most likely be a chronicle of my adventures. I am one of the two apprentices to Equestria's greatest wizard; Star Swirl the Bearded. I am ever grateful that he has accepted me, along with my childhood friend Clover. In secret I must say that I hold her more dearly than any other in this world. I'm but to sheepish to proclaim my feelings to her, nor do I know the way. If anything is to be gained from me writing this, it is the hope that she will one day find this long after our youth and will tell me she feels the same... A colt can dream can't he?
Twilight smiled at this, whoever this Raiden was he was not only a brilliant scholar but a gentlecolt as well. But something scratched at her mind, this journal mentioned Equestria, but Star-Swirl the Bearded wasn't alive after Equestria was founded. She found this incredibly odd and somewhat frustrating. But decided that the only way to learn about this mysterious typo was to keep reading.
Day 1 I find keeping this journal has been a mental relaxant. It not only allows me to practice the basics of magic, but also allows me to release the stress of a hard day's work. Its not easy being a great wizard's apprentice but I find the experience of today alone worthwhile. Clover's room is just across of mine and seeing her atop the astronomy tower at night reminds me of our time as foals. We would go out and gaze upon the stars until the small hours of the morning. Then slack from any work we were supposed to do that day. The fact that she is too concerned with her studies almost worries me. Before being accepted as an apprentice she would often be the one to start off whatever shenanigans that day would hold. But any mention of going into town for a break is pushed aside. Other than these feelings, nothing significant has happened today.
Twilight smiled at these words, they touched her heart.She looked outside and saw her friends in the courtyard. "One more entry, then I'll go out with them." She said, being reminded of the words on those pages. When she tuned the page with her telekinesis she noticed something incredibly odd; The words were in some form of script that she didn't recognize, not only that, but the strange words were glowing. She wanted to close the book right then and there, but its new golden shine was practically hypnotic. Her face got closer and closer to the page until it finally met the old parchment. The golden light enveloped her, and she felt as though she was being sucked through time itself. When she could see past the light, the world looked, almost a sepia tone shade. Everything was like this but her, she herself was transparent. When she looked to find any thing familiar, but she couldn't find anything recognizable. All she saw was a tower, with a small town near its base. Twilight was frightened by all of this of course, being lost in a different world, or time. She began wandering through the town. Sepia toned ponies were strewn about. and two, practically familiar ones were strolling down the cobbled road.
"Pray tell Raiden," Clover the Clever sighed, "Why must we dine at the inn when my studies are densest?" Raiden turned around and smiled, he had an obviously blonde mane with a slightly darker coat. And his cutie mark, was in fact Twilight's family crest, with a sword behind it. "Dearest Clover, would you not trust me? Your oldest and best friend, to know what's good for you?" He motioned for Clover to follow, "I promise, all will be explained in good time."
Clover groaned and followed behind her friend. The two walked right past Twilight without even a passing glance.
Twilight was too intrigued to be frightened by this. Here she was, watching history unfold right in front of her. She followed the two into the inn. where the lights had just been lit by any unicorns in the room.
"Surprise!" All of the ponies shouted. Clover herself was shocked. "Dearest me, how foolish I was to forget my own birthday." She looked at Raiden, "Thank you my dearest friend for dragging me out of that stuffy old library." She embraced him and Raiden hugged back.
"Don't let me stop you, go and mingle with your guests, it is your party after all!" He watched as Clover trotted off with a smile. Then he was joined by his master.
"How goes the day, my young student." Star-Swirl asked. "It goes justly, master." He looked around, "Clover will be most appreciative of you for arranging all of this."
Star-Swirl laughed and stroked his beard, "This would not have happened had you not told me of her birthday." Raiden scratched the back of his head and smiled. Which was quickly dismissed by a question, "Master, have you found any research on the study I inquired about."
"Yes, dear boy." Star-Swirl pulled a scroll out of his robe. "I think it quite a gift a mind like yours. To have inspiration to record your memories onto the page, for others to learn." He handed over the scroll.
"Thank you Master." Raiden said, obviously very pleased. "I will treasure this knowledge in hope to better the future." "That's all that can be asked dear bo-" The words faded from Twilight's ears. She once again felt the sickingly sweet light envelope her and send her back into her own time.
When she awoke, it was the same time. Her journey back to the past hadn't made her lose an instant. She couldn't believe the type of magic that had been hidden away for so long. She saw him, Raiden, and Clover, and Star-Swirl the bearded. It was the strangest thing she had ever experienced before, and was probably the oddest she would ever feel again. As promised she joined her friends in the courtyard, "Good evening girls." Twilight smiled.
"About time," Rainbow Dash flew over to Twilight we were about to go to dinner without you, are you all ready?" "Verily!" Twilight said, a bit odd really, that sort of language in modern day Equestria, but her friends didn't seem to notice. "Uh, yeah, let's go."
After a lovely dinner with her friends, Twilight's dreams drifted to the mysterious journal of her ancestor; Raiden. What form of magic, could possibly allow you to view memories of the past, especially those that weren't your own? Perhaps tomorrow she would confront her teacher about such things, but Twilight almost didn't want anypony but her to know. It was her family's, her's! She wanted to learn about this more than anything else in the world; even friendship. Being reminded of Raiden's written words almost scared her. How would he know about the founding of Equestria? From the point of view in the journal, Twilight felt like this a was a time before the great feud between the three nations. Twilight's dreams were also filled with how much she resembled Clover the Clever, and from this she could determine that Raiden's courting had been a success. But she wanted to know every detail, she wanted to feel bad for Raiden when his feelings hadn't prevailed. She wanted to know how it all ended for him. Why wasn't her ancestor featured in any of Equestria's history? And why would it seem that this important piece of her family history was hidden away?
Celestia's sun shone brightly through Twilight's curtains. The warming feeling gently awoken her, to a face that was all too familiar. "AAHH!" She shrieked. "Rainbow Dash were you watching me sleep?!" She huffed at her friend.
The speedster laughed, "I'm sorry Twilight, but the others sent me to wake you up." She smiled, "But you just looked so sleepy and peaceful, and after all, I'm quite a big napper myself, and I would HATE it if somepony woke me up when I was asleep." She sat down on the bed, "Anyway, we're all going to a WonderBolts' show, its start at two so we were going to walk around, and grab some lunch, you in?"
Twilight sighed, "Well I would love too but-" She heard an echo in her head The fact that she is too concerned with her studies almost worries me. The words of Raiden referring to Clover, "Yes, I would love to. But first let me get ready, okay?" She smiled at her friend.
"'Course," Rainbow smiled, "See you soon, egghead." She closed the door softly.
Twilight walked the streets of Canterlot with Rainbow Dash, "So were are the others Dash?" She asked her friend, it was well past lunch time and almost two. "We're going to miss the show if we don't hurry up and find them."
Dash sighed and stopped walking, "Look, Twi. I sort of asked the others to give us some alone time, ya know?" She had on a pair of puppy dog eyes that would melt even the cruellest of hearts.
"Is something the matter Rainbow Dash? Are you okay?" Twilight walked over to beside her friend. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"
A tear formed in the rose coloured eyes of the pegasus as she simply nodded. She wasn't sure wasn't sure why she was so filled with emotion right now but she was. Dash led Twilight to a small cafe, where there were very few patrons at all. It was nice enough just in a bad location. The smell of pastries was travelling through the air; for some reason or another, the smell of baked goods helped Dash to calm down. A probable reason as to why her and Pinkie were such good friends. "I- I'm pretty concerned about something Twi." Rainbow began but was stopped.
"Oh no, it something bad isnt it?" Twilight knew that Rainbow Dash had recently been through a weather team physical, as they occurred every month, "Are your wings sprained? Do you have a terminal illness? Is there a cure? How much longer do you have? Oh don't sugar coat it Dash!" She banged the table with a hoof."
Dash blinked a few times, her ears were lowered to a discouraged level, "No, its nothing like that." She took a deep breath. "I-I-," She exhaled, "I don't know how to say it." She began to cry a bit, her, Rainbow Dash, the bravest pony in Equestria and beyond, was simply crying. "Do you remember, when you thought AJ and I were fighting and I was destroying her barn?"
Twilight nodded, "I went pretty crazy back then." She rubbed the back of her neck. "And do you remember what you told me?" Rainbow squeaked out.
Twilight nodded. "W-w-well, I think-" She took a very deep breath. "I like mares." Rainbow Dash practically whispered.
Twilight was shocked, I mean she had thought Rainbow was to busy with athletics to worry about sexual preferences. "Wow, that's uh- That's big." She said without much hint of emotion.
"Do you hate me?" Rainbow Dash asked simply. She was asking her best friend if she hated her; it made her feel pathetic.
Twilight scoffed, "Hate you?!" She went over and sat next to her friend. "Rainbow Dash, you're my best friend. How could I possibly hate you?" She gave Rainbow a hug. "In fact, I'm honoured that you told me first."
Rainbow Dash smiled and wiped the tear away from her rose coloured eye. "Then you should know Twi," She hugged back; "I love you."
Twilight's eyes opened as wide as they could, "Uh, er, I uh." She let go of Dash, "I just remembered, the princess really needs to see me.
"Twilight can we talk about this?" Rainbow Dash asked, tears reforming in her eyes. "Yeah, just now's a bad time. We can talk later but right now I'm running late!" Twilight lied ever so casually, she didn't want to talk about this whatsoever, she needed time to clear her head entirely.
"Well what about tomorrow? We'll be on the train ride home and have plenty of time to talk." Rainbow Dash smiled lightly. "Yeah, tomorrow, train, gotta go!" Twilight sprinted as fast as she could back to her room. How could Rainbow Dash say that to her? She locked the door, and the windows, pulled the curtains closed and laid down on her bed. "What do I do?" She asked the journal that was on her nightstand. She needed to get away, and what better way than to read?
Clover's birthday has come and gone, despite my efforts, she has not changed whatsoever. Her studies must come first according to her, and it makes me angry. We used to be inseparable; but now I hardly ever see her. What's worse, is that I'm losing my feelings for her. I honestly thought I would love her for ever, but she's driving me away. I'm not even sure if she feels any form of emotion any more, she loves her damn books more than anything else and looks at me with annoyance when I try to speak with her. I just don't know what to do!
This wasn't helping Twilight, if anything this was making her feel worse. She continued on to the next page, dated a week later.
There was a landsmeet today. A gathering of all the great powers of the three lands; Chancellor CiderBrain of the earth ponies, whose antics always bring joy to these meetings. Along with our King SilverHeart; whose daughter will never be ready for the responsibility of the throne and Commander Storm; fearless leader to the pegasi. Who brings his daughter to these to most likely serve as an example to any other female of what true power is. She is both beautiful and strong. They were all meeting to discuss the future rationing of food and such and all was going according to plan for them. Meanwhile, Princess Platinum was calling out the Commander's daughter to act more ladylike. I recalled Hurricane telling our princess to "Shove off". I think I'll get along with her quite well as their parents stay here for the next fortnight.
Twilight found this entry particularly interesting. A young Commander Hurricane and Princess Platinum were already throwing blows to each other. She wondered why Raiden was with them to begin with but decided to continue. As she turned the page she saw the glowing words once again. She braced herself for what was about to occur.
"Dearest Raiden," The princess called out, "Whist would you want to converse with Hurricane? She seems to be a rabble rouser!" She motioned him over, "And why do you ignore my letters to you? If we were together than you would never have to worry about studying again!"
Raiden moved away, "To be fair Highness, I love to study, and you are not my type." He quickly left the room as he heard a vase shatter behind him. He travelled the courtyard of the palace and saw Hurricane fighting against one of the jousting dummies. "Um excuse me miss-"
She turned around, "That's Major Hurricane to you! And what do you want?" "Well you see," Raiden said, "Your crippling yourself against dummies, why not find a real opponent to spar with?"
"Hm," Thought the major, "That is a fine idea." She surveyed all of the unicorn knights in the courtyard. "I pick.... you." She pointed at Raiden. "Prepare yourself for a mighty thrashing!"
Raiden's eyes widened, "Are you kidding me-" He stopped talking, "Yes Major!" He saw an exiting look in her eyes and was scared.
It was over in seconds, Raiden lay on the ground with out a clue of what just happened. The Major was standing over him with a stern look, that slowly changed to laughter.
"Not so tough without your Unicorn tricks eh?" She continued to laugh. Raiden got up, "No major, I am not." He stretched himself.
"You can call me Hurricane, you've more than earned it." She smiled at him, "And you are Raiden, a pupil to the wizard?" "Yes Ma- er Hurricane." Raiden smiled back. He was surprised at how easily he was beaten, "I was wondering, If you could perhaps show me some of what you did there?"
Raiden and Hurricane were sprawled out on the ground of the courtyard, each panting from their finished sparring. "In all the time I've sparred with soldiers," Hurricane said, "Nopony has ever caught on that quick to our techniques, you've done in a week what takes most years." She sighed.
Raiden smiled, "Perhaps because of a grand teacher?" he smiled. Over the course of the week, Raiden and Hurricane were inseparable., eating together, staying up and conversing about different techniques as well as each other. Every day it was the same. Every day that they sparred; Hurricane had been the last one standing. But today was different; both Raiden and Hurricane were breathless.
"Perhaps." She smiled, "Or it could be that you've kept me up late with idle chatter." She laughed. Raiden sat up. "So now that I'm your equal on the battle field, there's still a week left before you depart my friend, has anything in our capitol peeked your interest?"
Hurricane rose, standing, "Perhaps," She eyed the great mountains behind the castle. "Do any beasts reside on the peaks?"
Raiden groaned, "Your always looking for a fight then, you must jest?" Hurricane chuckled, "I do, let's wander the streets. If anything peaks my interest, I'll be sure to let you know-" She was interrupted.
"Raiden!" Clover shouted, "You've been ignoring your studies all week, slacking with the Commander;s daughter!" Raiden laughed sarcastically at his friend, "If you ever pulled your head out of those books, I'm sure you would've heard the master give us time off for the landsmeet!" He glared at her.
"Well at least I've been doing something practical, while you've been out here every day playing soldier!" Clover raised a hoof at him. Hurricane butted in, her eyes held furry; "Your friend is a passionate fighter, throwing his entire soul into the way he fights! Oh but all of that knowledge wouldn't make up for a soul now would it?"
Clover gasped, "Well, at least I have some knowledge, all of that brute force must keep the colts away!" She threw a low blow, which slid right off Hurricane.
"Ah, but you feel no affection to the one who cares for you most!" Hurricane shouted, "And now he no longer loves you!" Hurricane turned around, "Raiden, can we go now?" Raiden nodded, then looked at Clover, "Of course Hurricane, let's be away from cruel words like hers." He walked beside Hurricane.
Clover had been confused by Hurricane's words, "Raiden? N-no that's silly." She continued to speak to herself, "I have no time for love, I'm learning from the greatest magic user Unicornia will ever see!"
Twilight was brought back into the real world once again, it was so hard for her to believe that a week in the journal was less than a minute. She rubbed her eyes; her whole body felt sore, like she hadn't moved in the week she was gone. She climbed from her bed out the door. After what happened with Rainbow Dash she needed the advice of her mentor.
Twilight climbed the tower into her mentor's room, not wanting to disturb her by teleporting. She rapped a few times on the door. "Come in." A voice said from the other side.
Twilight opened the door, "Good evening Princess." Twilight feigned a smile. Celestia smiled, "Yes it is my faithful student." Celestia was gazing through a golden telescope. "How can I help you Twilight?" She smiled warmly.
"Well," Twilight sighed, "My friend Rainbow Dash was said something to me today that has me on edge." Celestia looked away, "Don't tell me she was mean? She is the element of Loyalty, why would she be mean to you?" Celestia looked at Twilight with concern. "Oh, no." Twilight assured her teacher. "N-no, it was something a bit more complicated." She struggled with the words; "She uh, told me she liked somepony." Celestia was a little confused, "and you're afraid that she'll be spending all of her time with his new pony?" Twilight shook her head, "I just know that the other pony is confused, she isn't sure if she loves Rainbow back."
Celestia thought for a moment, "Tell this other pony to try and imagine a future with Rainbow Dash, all of the love and support they would receive from her." She winked at her student, "Perhaps I'll be invited to their wedding?" Twilight blushed furiously, 'Does she know?' Twilight pictured what it would be like to snuggle with Rainbow at night, or to wake up and see her smiling. The whole thought process made her heart flutter a bit, but then her mind went somewhere that she feared. Raiden stopped loving Clover because of how distant she was; 'Oh Celestia, What if I've pushed her away? What if she doesn't love me, OH NO!' Tears formed in Twilight's eyes, she hugged her teacher, "What if I pushed her away? What if she hates me now?" Twilight sobbed, "I've ruined my best chance at lo-" A hoof was covering her mouth.
"Twilight, where did you get such a silly idea?" Celestia hugged back. "A book." Twilight sniffled, "A journal actually?"
Celestia blinked, "Twilight, you took somepony else's journal?" Twilight shook her head, "I found it in the Star Swirl the Bearded section, it had my families crest printed on the cover."
Celestia's eyes widened, "How odd, who did it belong to?" "An ancestor of mine, his name was Raiden." Twilight dried her tears, "He thought he was in love with Clover the Clever but she pushed him away. He was friends with Commander Hurricane when she was only a Major. That's as far as I got in the journal."
Celestia blinked, "How odd I've never heard of him, why isn't he mentioned in the Hearth's Warming Eve legend I wonder?" She put a hoof to her chin.
"I wondered that too, but something was even weirder. He mentioned Equestria; which hadn't even been founded yet." Celestia's eyes grew even wider, "Twilight, I would like you to finish reading the journal and report back to me, if its no trouble."
Twilight nodded, "Of course princess, and I'm sorry for my out burst." Celestia hugged Twilight, "Please come talk to me more, you're the closest thing I have to a daughter Twilight and I hardly ever get to see you." A tear slipped down her face.
Twilight was smiling, "And you're closer to me than my own mother, of course I'll come visit you more often." Celestia released her hold on Twilight. "And bring your new Marefriend along too." Twilight giggled, "sure!" "And grand-foals soon?" She put on a puppy dog face.
"Princess!" Twilight was a hue of bright red. "I'm just kidding sweety." She patted Twilight on the head, "Go talk to her okay?"
Twilight nodded. She left the tower feeling much better than when she entered, She went to her room and began to pack her things into her saddle bags. "I'm in love with Rainbow Dash, I'm in love with Rainbow Dash." She sang to herself. She stopped when she heard a knock at the door, "That must be her!" Twilight opened the door and flung her arms around the pony. "O-oh." FlutterShy squeaked. "I'm happy to see you too Twilight." She hugged back, but had a solemn look on her face. "C-can we talk? I-if its an okay time?" Twilight blushed, "heh, sorry FlutterShy, I-uh, thought you were somepony else." She moved, letting the other pony in. "Sure come on in." Twilight spent the next twenty minutes comforting Fluttershy; who had a nightmare about Angel being hungry. She had been quietly sobbing on Twilight's bed for those minutes and had even spilled her tea on the tile floor. "I was just so frightened for him, I tried flying home in the dark but Rarity stopped me. I just needed somepony to talk to, thanks Twilight."
Twilight patted her friend on the shoulder, "Of course, and remember; Spike is taking good care of Angel, all right?" Fluttershy nodded, "I know."
Twilight was wondering something, "Fluttershy, why didn't you just talk to Rarity? She's your best friend right?" Fluttershy nodded, "Because she hates it when her beauty sleep is interrupted, And I saw you walking down the hall and heard you singing." She got up and smiled, "I really do feel much better, thank you Twilight." She began walking to the door, but it flew open before she could get to it.
Rainbow Dash was standing there, holding a bouquet of flowers. Her eyes widened when she saw FlutterShy; she dropped the flowers and looked at Twilight with tears forming in her eyes. She flew down the hallway crying her eyes out.
Twilight ran to the door, she couldn't see the cyan pegasus any more. "Rainbow Dash!!" She shouted down the hall. "Twilight, my heart has and always will be yours, Love Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy read the card on the flowers. "That's so, well, girly for her. She must really be in love with you Twilight." She then noticed how bad this all must look, "O-oh my goodness. She thinks we, oh my." FlutterShy apologized to Twilight. "Its okay, I'll talk to her first thing in the morning, then everything will be all right!" Twilight was completely panicking inside of her head. She showed FlutterShy out and leapt on the bed, crying herself to sleep.