A constellation that manifests randomly,a scientist who believes in alicorns,a beast straight out of a fantasy book...the life of Fluttershy takes an unexpected turn the night she's visited by a princess in her dreams,entering a legend.
The night of the Alicorn constellation,an unpredicted event,parallels the visit of Fluttershy's dreams by a princess.After many strange events,she is bound to believe in her existence despite her world having never witnessed alicorns before.Fluttershy will have to team up with Princess Twilight's old friend and her owns to free her from her peculiar prison...
"It really does look like an alicorn."Fluttershy gazed in the eyepiece of the telescope,tone driping in wander at the alignement of stars captured on the vault.
The ghost of a habit urged her,reaching ever so slighty as to push away rose locks droping loosely to ruin her view.The sky never looked so beautiful.And all the credit returned to the singlest entity capable of taking her attention away,and restful nights from specialsts.
She rose her hoof and found no loose strands of mane at the contact,realising that her vision was now clear from any obstacle.A pencil firmly kept her mane in a bun,magicked away by all likelihood a friendly ghost:
Rarity giggled lightly.
It was true.Fluttershy's attention span reached zero when it wasn't question of the Alicorn constellation.Its appearences varied like the roll of a dice,and so anyone who could catch sight of it would take their sweet time.Viewing it trough the astronomy observatory offered an altogether experience...she could only wonder:
"Fluttershy dear,"the unicorn bit on her lip,having sensed another chuckle grow,"it would be dreadfull to ruin your time,but you've had the telescope for almost twenty minutes now."
"Oh...U-um..."Fluttershy awkwardly stepped back to let her catch her turn,"sorry,must've slipped my mind..."her smile gave away a quiet apology;
"Don't be sorry Flutters,"that was Rainbow's catch phrase of the moment,"anypony would take their time eitheir way.I understand why it would take you so long..."
High above the floor,the cyan pegasus joined her statement with the impressive image of her face pressed against her own telescope,elevating in place:
"This was an awesome idea!"
"And there it is,"Rarity stated plainly,an amused tone playing in her voice as she reached for the eyepiece,"lo and behold the use of Rainbow's favorite word in the vocabulary of exageration."
"Heh,I never exagerate."
"I have more than one proof to counte-..."Rarity cut mid-sentence.Silence filled the room as the sight of the constellation flooded her eyes.Well,as silent at it could be when your friends snickered at your failing attempt to finish a line;Fluttershy shamelessly giggled,a hoof poorly suppressing her amusement,Rainbow not doing any better.The nerve of them.Didn't they know that they were spoling the experience?
"This...,"Rarity rose her head to face them,annoyence and wonder scrambling her mind,"this is as breath-taking as you give it to be.Much better if you didn't ruin it with those laughs of yours!"
If only stars could smile.The Alicorn constellation would smile upon them,looming over by its angelic shape.The idea was amusing.The stars twinkling in shameless distraction as they gathered their little banters.Shifting in a fantastic spark as the illusion gave away the ideal of magic.The astronoms are pulling out their mane,at loss to figure out the phenomenon...
"I guess that the mystery surrounding it only ponctuates taking a closer sight,"Rarity reajusted the tube to have a better zoom on the stars,always the perfectionist.
"It's not only that Rarity..."Fluttershy took her free pass at using the telescope once more,to the unicorn's regret:
"...if we concentrate enough...really hard enough,it's like the constellation is waving at us!"she exclaimed,pulled in a wondrous transe as soon as she peeked trough the eyepiece.
"Wait,really?Lemme see that..."Rainbow took her statement by heart.Almost landing on the yellow pegasus when she flew atop her,trying to catch a glimpse from the telescope and earning a distressed yelp from the latter.
"Sorry dears,"Rarity bumped into the cyan pegasus as to regain her original spot,"but I waited long enough to have my turn on it and you won't take that away."
Her interjection went unappreciated by the latter,responding with no hint of hesitation with the same counter attack.What followed was friendly jostling on wich one had their rightfull turn on the device.Eventually errupting into a swarm of giggles in parallel of their filly days.Remembrance of carefree times.
A rough clearing of throat interrupted them,raising their head from their position splatered on the floor,they stared.The head of the astronomic observatory stared back,no less than the professor Gliding Light in person.They blinked in unisson,found themselves like caught in the middle of a Twister session.Immediatly if not clumsily,they parted as to regain composure:
"I hope you enjoyed your visit here,"he spoke in his eternal pinched voice like always prone to a cold,"it's the least we could do after the services you provided for us,Doctor Shy."
"It was my pleasure to help,Professor,"she instinctivly dusted off her blouse,the hint of embarrassent edging on her voice,"I could never decline the offer."
"We did need everyone's diagnosis on the samples and ones couldn't be kept away,"he achieved by playfully rolling his eyes,giving a bitter laugh,"so much for nothing..."
Fluttershy rose her hoof as to muffle a chuckle.The reference was too strong in this one.She felt sorry for the lost eyes of her friends,questionning among them her misplaced amusement.The professor caught on their lack of information,drifting his gaze to her friends besides her:
"Well ,ladies,"he slightly bowed his head,"would you like to continue your visit?I think you've enjoyed all your time here,and maybe Doctor Shy would narrate her journey as well..."
Fluttershy comfirmed his saying with a gracful blush creeping up her cheeks.Rainbow simply shrugged it off:
"Yeah,let's go."
A minute later,Professor Light was guiding the little group into the broad hallways of the observatory as they followed in a trotting pace.The night was young.At least for the astronoms,keen on catching any cosmic body in their visual field for possible studies.
They came accross a large portrait of their current ruler,Prince Sombra,and probably only one.With his assumed immoratlity,his reign scretched on for hundred of years.No questions asked,only compliance and respect from his subjects and ever the bitterest of alliances.
"Our project would've never been possible whitout the intervention of our Highness,"Professor Light elaborated,before slowing down his pace to share a secretive look with them,"being honest,it was also by his own personal demand before making this project public,his Highness insisted..."
The project simply consisted at a probe sent to the Moon.That was it.Mercuris,Solis,Viola,Jupiter,all the planets of their system have been explored.The lunar satellite remained lonely.All questions fell to a single drop the moment they moved on to a room.Its only belonging was a lunar telescope as the professor proudly presented with an extended hoof:
The opened ceiling welcomed the silver technology in open arms.The professor dwelled on its merits,he described and went on,its main function was aimed toward the Moon and all her properties.More details were added but let us not go into wider territories.
Rarity rose a hoof,lurking the imposing device silhouetted against the sky with wide eyes:
"Correct me if I'm wrong,you mean to say this device helped you locate the satellite in an aproximative area?And it turned out successfull?"she recalled their earlier discussion;the professor cleared his throat,pride etching in his every movement:
"Indeed Miss Rarity.Not only that,it also permitted us to send our first space probe on the Moon,"he declared,throwing a hoof in triumph,"it was our first successful spacial mission for this satellite..."he achieved while keeping record of the group following behind with a glance.
"...as you may know,the other probes have been lost in their way,"he dramatically sniffed the air,recalling a bleak and most regretfull memory.
"Why tho?"Rainbow asked in genuine concern.
"Oh!W-well..."he rubbed the back of his neck,trying to find an explanation that would conform rationnally,"they broke down when they reached their destination,we believe it could be due to a miscalculation of their landing..."
Even he didn't seem to believe in this initiative,he simply seemed to recite a reply he gave off after the primar theorie didn't pay off:
"But for this time,all the hard-work payed,"Fluttershy cut in softly,reminding them of the present situation,"you've gathered enough data by your studies on the samples collected from the Moon,wich I was happy to take part of..."she ponctuated with a gentle smile,shrinking slithgly from the attention she dragged on her.
"...even if your previous theories on the matter weren't confirmed."
Tough her statement wore genuine compassion,the professor scrunched his nose in a wince.
"Yes,"he replied slowly,"we're gratefull we were brought upon the light by the geologist Doctor Pie by her diagnosis..."
He cleared his throa,clear as daylight in his unease, before achieving:
"...it is true that a lifeform can't be developped on basalt,wich is a volcanic stone without counting the lack of atmosphere."Fluttershy rose a hoof to her muzzle as she felt another chuckle bubble;she wouldn't have called the latter a diagnosis as it was more in her memories a flat remark blurted out by the grey mare.
No emotion betrayed her expression,as she observed and digged for details on the patterns constituing the mineral."It's basalt."she have stated,and nopony contraticted her.
Maud have still opted to dismiss the staff,pursuing in her explanation on the rock's nature.She made clear as to refere to it as commune in Equestria,easily reconizable,all that fuss.And it was extracted without a microscope...
Fluttershy' entire narration left her two friends at loss for what to add,and the professor rolling his eyes furthermore,but this didn't take long...
"Classic Maud,"Rainbow shrugged with a grin.Inspiring Rarity into snorting in an unlady-like manner,quickly followed by the soft giggle longly restrained by a yellow pegasus.The professor turned to the group,eyebrow arched playfully.He have stopped in his track as they reached the main entrence.The end of their visit loomed over their head.Goodbye stars.
"From what I can tell,it seems you made off the best from your visit in here,"he smirked before giving a slight bow,"Ladies,it is with the hope of seeing you again that I shall tell you furthermore."
Rarity gracefully returned his gesture,while Fluttershy opted for a brief nod:
"Hey,"Rainbow conspirationnally elbowed the professor,a slight grin curving up her lip,"did Maud also tell you what kind of rock the floor was made of?"
Through their way home,Fluttershy gave one everlasting glance at the constellation.Her silhouette was welcoming,and yet so far away.The indisdinct path they would follow was bathed in the light of countless celestial bodies.Maybe they just needed her company too.
"Fluttershy!"
Someone caught her in her improvised stargazing.
"Yes?"she replied naturally to a dot in the distance,interpreted as an angry unicorn.
"Don't slow down just yet,"worry crept over Rarity's voice,"we must hurry up before it gets too dark."
The pegasus didn't miss one point.Designating amusedly the thruth for every one to see.Her worries reached veracity.Rarity stood silent before this,until:
"You're right,but it's about to get darker and our only reliable source of light is this constellation.You know as much as me that it won't last for long."
Good point.The yellow pegasus approched reluctently her friends,Rainbow mid-levitating in flight in contained patience:
"You're right,we must hurry..."she murmured,ponctuating her effusive toughts with a glance toward the star formation.Its light intensity could compare to a hazy moon.It was inimaginable.
Confusin etched the unicorn,before she turned towards the direction she was facing.Now,she knew.Rarity gave a gentle smile her way:
"However,"she hummed in delight,"the next time could be made even more special..."
Now,it was Fluttershy's turn to be tainted in confusion:
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Next time,and if it ever does happen,we could stay outside the entire night to make full of stargazing,"she briefly threw a hoof at the direction of the constellation,"until each star won't be in sight anymore."Fluttershy didn't miss the oportunity to nod in agreement:
"Yes,we could do that."
"Maybe even accompany it with a picnic mayhaps?"the idea drew away a soft giggle from Fluttershy.A plan was starting to take shape.
"Come on,you two!"Rainbow interjected,wings flapping effortlesly,"We'll see all about it in abou-..."The pegasus cut herself,a bright light tickled her vision,"What the-..."
Right now and then,and with no sense of valorised warning,the entirety of the sky lit up.All of their supposed worries came to an end and increased to new levels.
The three mares turned to witness its source,what they found was nothing less than a single trail cutting trough the sky.Interpreted as a shooting star at first.But as they tilted their head in unisson to follow its path,they were sure and certain that a shooting star wasn't supposed to land on the ground and emit a brief earth-quake from the impact.
Fluttershy jumped from the ground elevating abruptly,she knew she've had enough and hid behind Rarity.A safe place.
"What was that?!"she peeked trough her curls.
The three parties exchaged concerned looks among them,not daring to voice their ignorance towards the nature of the event,the only possible way to find out.
Should they....?
Nope!
They trotted their way to Fluttershy's cottage,their pace fastening as their shadows cut in trough the light of the stars and the Moon enlightening their steps.Shadings danced accross the grass blew by the waft left of the meteorite's impact.Each astral good as they are,separated by light-year distances.
They've had enough adventure to last for a lifetime!
Fluttershy left her hoof in suspens as the door opened itself for her.She was plung into the warm light of her cottage,greeted by a purple scaled companion and the scent of burnt chocolate;worry washing over her face as she glanced down at the drake:
"Spike,why aren't you in bed?"
The latter stepped aside to let her enter,depose her saddlebag on a nearby sofa,and sternly pierce her motherly gaze trough him:
"Huh,hello?"he gave her a flat look,"How about this gigantic meteorite in the sky.Oh!And the earth-quake,it woke me up...",the pegasus shivered at the memory,having seen it from that close sure left a mark.But she didn't want to worry Spike furthermore:
"Then I guess I couldn't bring myself to go back to sleep."
"Why so?"Fluttershy abondoned her investigation on the origin of the smell,hoping dearly it was just from the neighbors...as if they weren't living in the middle of a glade.
"Ooooh,you know.Nothing,just some odd dream,"Spike delayed as he dismissively threw the fluffy apron he was wearing.Where did that come from?
"Oh no,"Fluttershy rose a hoof to her lip,concerned,"are you having nightmares?"she closed the distance between them,wrapping a protective wing around him.
"No,not at all."He extracted himself from the tight embrace.Then the ceiling met his amused eyeroll,an air of nonchalnce,before correcting himself:
"Not exactly a nightmare per say."
To wich joined the pegasus into imitating his expression:
"Then,what about it?"
Much like the apron,a pair of oven gloves seemed to have manifested on the centre table.Catching Spike's number one priority as he began his recital:
"Well,in the dream,"he slipped one claw in the glove,"and believe me when I say I had no idea what I was doing here,I found myself in a library..."
"Scary..."Fluttershy murmured with feined fear.Spike caught on the sarcasm.A smile didn't leave his lips as he replied of his owns:
"I know!Not only that,I was supposed to be a princess's number one assistant,"he ponctuated by proudly raising both his gloved claws in the air,expression lighten up.The vision toroughly warmed the pegasus's heart:
"We were just busy filling in diplomacy papers,scrolls and stuff...,"he waved with the glove the size of his head,"but she was in a sort of franzy.Not stopping to mention 'needing to find the elements'..."he mentionned quotation marks with his gloved claws,going for a peculiar image.Moreso,a wave of steam drowned their surroundings as he opened te kitchen oven,delivering a steaming tray from it:
"...I was helping her the best way that I could.You know,making endless lists and getting her the books she needed as she paced around the room."
Fluttershy encouraged the following of his narration with a light hum.At the side,Spike took his needed time to gently depose the tray on the table.
"After what seemed quite a while,I stopped in wathever I was doing and asked her if we actually knew each other...and you know what she responded with?"
Flutttershy arched an eyebrow in anticipation:
"I don't know Spike,what?"
He briefly blew a steam of green fire on the tray before deadpanning:
"She straight up said "No"."The peagasus puffed up her cheeks as snort bubbled into her.
"The nerve that she has,her Highness!"she declared ,full of delight.Her steps took her next to the steaming tray,and tonight's mystery,apprehading the worst.What she found when she landed her eyes on the tray set on the table was melted rose frosting driping on hot burned chocolate brownies.
The decoration has tried to be caught up by mulicolored sprinkles spred all over the baked good.Now,the scent of grilled caramel filled the room.It was rather enhanced.
"So,"the pegasus ruffled her feathers behind her,giving a contented smile,"this is what you've been doing this whole time."
"Yep,"he sheepishly rubbed his claws against his neon spikes,"guess you caught me at the wrong time but..."
He handed her a piece of the batch,certainly expecting no less then a lack of constructive critisism:
"..you can have one!And then you'll see,"-he joined two claws in a round 'o',a gesture far from her comprehension-,"it'll be the culinary experience of a lifetime."
Faced with his assurence,Fluttershy took a temptive bite on the mellow cake and let the frosting melt on her tongue.Her eyes dissmissively darted around the room as she made her opinion in an affirmative hum,temptively ignoring the half-baked spots:
"Hmmm,it's...uhm...a solid start for a first batch,"she nodded as she chewed on rest of eggs.
"Good,"Spike exclaimed as he stood on the tip of his tail,"now that I know what you're onto I should try for myself!"
He picked the most sprinkled of the batch and with no hint of hesitation,and crunched it the with his fangs.Fluttershy stood in perfect silence,knowing fully that only one's self could make the best judge of their own work.
"Blegh,"Spike spat,slowly processing the flavour on his tongue,"how did you get away with this?"
His guardian gave in the idea of affectionnaly teasing her protege.Her hoof rose to her lip,half masking the most innocence she could muster in the form of a smile:
"I don't know Spike,didn't you name it as the culinary experience of a lifetime?"
Comfortably resting on vermillion cushions scattered on the floor,Fluttershy held tight her cup against her muzzle as she sipped lavender tea from the edge of her lip.The sky pictured behing the glass window dripped into a mild shave of mauve.
She let a contented sigh escape her lips as the tip of her feathers brushed against the floor,taking in sight the peacefull moment of rest before her.
Amidst and around,books were surrounding her.Helping themselves by fluttering their pages,they circulated at their own control above the ground,between innards of bookshelves.That didn't bother her.In fact,it was most natural.
As all libraries rules required,silence reigned in the room.Explaining why a suprised squee erupted from the pegasus as a book came suddenly crashing on her table,defiying gravity in a loud tud.Droplets of tea flooded the wooden surface.
"Oh my...,"she murmured in wary,"is it time already?"
Her break reached a most painful end.
She got up reluctantly,taking the object in careful hoofs and fluttered her wings to reach its respective bookshelf,levitated higher.Her track got interrupted by the flight of another pony,visibly holding a wider book pile in their grasp.Giving away the explanation behind blind eyes towards her presence.
The inevitable happened.And they bumped into each other.All the books succumbed to gravity and slipped on the paved floor in slow motion.Perfect,well-preserved editions.
"Oh dear,these are limited editions.They shouldn't be here..."she bend down,at a last saving attempt.
"I'm really sorry...I didn't mean to...,"at least her interlocutor held the same distraught in her tone,"wait,I'll help."
No!You don't have to help,it's all taken care off!
Too late.Before Fluttershy could even voice her warning their foreheads bumped together,painfully enough to forget her embarrassement.She only tried to get up while the other bent down in return.What a mess.
They backed off,holding a hoof to their temple as to regain composure.Leaving the pegasus's interlocutor wincing from the abrupt hit.Way to go,Fluttershy...
Upon reaching a single book titled "the Element of Magic",their hoofs came in contact.Finally promping each to raise their stare in unisson as to identify the pony before them.Fluttershy drowned at the sight of deep violet eyes under starry strands.She quickly retired her hoof from the other's mare before giggling nervously,using it to play with strikes of her rose locks:
"Oh my,it seems we were reaching for the same book.I think I'll let you have it..."she temptively ignored the mare's amused smile,her head tilted to the side.
"Don't worry,I've got it."
Right after that,a magenta aura covered the books as it drew them away from the ground.The eyes in awe of a certain pegasus following them by bits.She really had it under control.
The lavender unicorn organized each volume by memory in their previous order,piling the stacks in their respective sections of the shelves:
"And here you go!"she levitated over Fluttershy's only piece in her awaiting hoof.
"Thank you so much,"she examined the cover wrapped in her wing,silently considering thanking her.But it seemed other matter took over the client.
Raising her head as high as it could go,she examined the surroundings of the reception,as if looking for something,or someone.Now was the perfect time.
"Are you looking for a book?"Fluttershy cut trough the silence,coyly,"Maybe...maybe I could help with that?"
Drat!The second line wasn't supposed to be a question.
"It's fine,I'll manage but thank you in advance,"she replied,kindness painting her words,before squinting her eyes at the pegasus' badge pined on her scarf,"Flu-t-ershy?"
The yellow pegasus couldn't help a giggle at her mispronouced name.Well,she could correct her but the entire ordeal was too fun not to partake in:
"Yes,that's me.I work here as...as you can see,"she patted her scarf in instinct,a way to chanel her nervous conduct.It was her first day.
"My pleasure to meet you...,"the nameless unicorn bowed with her head,"and actually,I've noticed a section dedicaded to the Elements.I would love to see what you have on the subject,"she reconsidered,surely out of pity for the clumsy librarian,not in any way interested in her...
She meant,in her help.Yes.
"Oh,"Fluttershy lit up for the first time that day,"yes,indeed.If you don't mind following me,of course."the unicorn nodded and trailed behind the pegasus after the sky,reaching the higher bookshelves.The pegasus pointed to a peculiarly colorful section:
"We have the Element of Magic...,"the unicorn studied the volume in carefull magic features,"...the Element of fire,of minerals and air...it's a new collection,straight from Trottigham,"Fluttershy informed,happily sharing bits of pridefull work.
"From Trottigham?"her interest shifted.Quick to forget the collection.
"Yes,the city in the borders of Equestria,"she laughed,it was obvious.The client joined in,masking her lack of information behind hard truths.
"The borders of Equestria...Trottigham...,"the client impregnated their sense into her mind,"Trottigham...Ah!I've got it."
"Really?"
"Yes."
They laughed.It was exhilarating to think about how much sense it made.
"And what library are we in?I am somewhat lost,"the unicorn asked,normality ensuing.
"The Ponyville District Library of course,"Fluttershy answered,the plaque said so.She didn't mean to make her client feel bad for her lost position,but this time...
This time,she smiled.A real,genuine smile.And not one out of polite convenance,but one that enhenced her traits,sparkles brightening in her eyes and mane.As if stars could smile...well,of course they don't.Catch up,Fluttershy.
"They didn't change the name,"her smile only grew further.
"Uh...,"Fluttershy was certain of not having heard her,or certain she zoned out.
"Oh,I said that the name remained the same since...since its construction,"she developped in sincere resolution.Her tone flowing in unlived nostalgia,as if she've never been lost at all.
"Right,since one thousand,six hundred forty-three."
"Forty-four,"the client corrected,it was stronger than her.
Well,that was embarrassing.And she was supposed to be the one working here,first day or not.Then again,this unicorn was strangely instructed for refering to her position as lost beyond measure.
"Remind me of your city of origi-..."she falterred in her sentence.
One single thought corrupted her mind.She was flying,the unicorn was flying.Wings deployed,high and mighty,near the bookshelves and near Fluttershy,paler than before.She froze in place,clutching the book tighter to her chest.Her eyes purposely avoided the alicorn's,hit with the choice between bowing before her or taking her flight.
Silence pursued.
"So...um...do you come here often?"
That'll do it!A classic in the realm of escapism from awkward silence.The alicorn let no emotion betray her expression as she shook her head sorrily.Replying in the most natural tone,it all seemed certain:
"No,this is a dream."
"Oh...,"she understood,washing the books with a longing stare as a smile stretched on her lips,"having the complete collection sure holds a sense of sureality,I guess."
"What?Uh...I mean,that too...,"the princess complied in her strange wonders,"but,I'll have to get going now,it's getting late for me."
The rest of her sentence turned into nothing less then mush in the yellow pegasus' mind.Besides the fairy tale princess preparing herself to escape,the books flying around them at their own control and this odd,odd conversation...something felt wrong.
Whenever,in the history of mistakes,did she take a job as a librarian?
A short breath escaped her throat as she rose her eyes to a crackle in the sky behind the glass.A rift,and yes one from fantasy books,swirled dangerously and bathed the library in bright sickening light.The threat of getting caught in sprouted.
"Oh no..."
"Oh yes,"her Highness seemed satisfied by the process,staring intensly at the rift.
Her wings took her inside,collapsing under the light and disapearing from view.That was before she just remembered she was talking to someone.Quick to forget anything,really.
"I am gratefull for your help,Fluttershy,"this time,she pronouced her name correctly,"and sorry for waking you up."
More objects were being drawn into the core of the rift,rapidly,dangerously,and Fluttershy too by the process.The princesse's statement confirmed itself to be true.The last thing she could recall was lucidity washing over her.
As she woke up in her bedroom,two things came upon notice.
One,the famed constellation still reflected on the sky after a quick peek behind the curtains.Giving away a sign for having woke up in the middle of the night.Its presence was usually of short matter.
And two,she was certain of detaining the strangest dream in her existence.What would make it strange?It was just a job as a librarion.
Ah!She met a peculiar lavender alicorn,not stopping to ask for directions and other mindless whatnots.But it was sensefull,wasn't it?To have dreamt of an alicorn in this particular night.She felt as if she was back in her filly days,when she would have heard of the legend of the illustrous Nightmare Moon who haunts the dream of ponies,and would be appalled by the prospect of it.
Notheless,it would explain the abrupt awakening when faced to one.
Notheless,this alicorn didn't have an ounce of mischief in her at all;it looked like the presence of the constellation held a bigger impact...
She made her way back to her bed,carefull not to wake up the young dragon sleeping thight in the basket.The feet of her bed filled in his light snores.She gave a small smile at the sight of his peaceful slumber.After three years of living in her cottage,the basket she gave him to sleep in was starting to adopt his own size.Only furthering the point that he will outgrow it and that she should get him a new one.Time sure does fly.
She sank idly in the mastress to catch up on her restfull hours,before the chirping of birds revealed itself quicker to reach her ears.That was fast.
Fluttershy extracted herself from her sheets.Reaching out to the window,she opened it fully with the both of her hoofs.The sunrise orange innocently blazed her feathers,the soft breeze played in her locks.It was peacefull not to think of the mornings she missed:
"I haven't seen the time pass...,"she rested her elbows on the low cross.
The birds greeted her with a louder singing.One even perching himself on her muzzle,sharing his toughts with her trough a chirp.Fluttershy let an undertanding smile grace her lips,coming to grounds with his interaction:
"Sure,I'll let him now,"she responded.The bird took his flight whitout missing a chance to chirp in return as a way of thanks.
"Spike,time to wake up...come on,"she pressed on,the room drowned in sunlight,"don't forget to feed the birds with the brownies left in the oven,I'll have to get going..."
"Got it,"he raised his claw in affirmation.Still resting under his sheets.
She slightly shook her head at this image,but still trusted him enough to fulfill his task.
"I'll leave the breaksfast in the dining room,as usual."
"Thank yoouu..."he gratefully responded,now with a motivation.
The breakfast took her a longer time,catching up at her peacefull dream getting a disturbance.Now,how's that for a break?She didn't need to call out anyone,but it was fun to revisit your dreams with a clearer view of reality.But no,even in reality we would take apart her moment of peace:
"Oh,Rarity,what are you doing here?"Fluttershy filled in the sureal vision of her friend at her door,checking on her pristine hoof with smug pride,"you have time to accompany me to work?"
"Yes,yes whatever.It's not the most important part but if you're invested,I let Sassy Sadles run the boutique in Canterlot."
"Okay,then if it's not too much trouble,how about the one in here,"Fluttesrhy counter parted,reflecting her nonchalantic way,"you know,Ponyville?"
"It's Sweetie Belle."
Now,did she catch her in her act,she had no way of backing up from this:
"Spare me the serious frown darling,it was merely a joke.The only reason for my presence is to annouce you the great news!"
Before she could place one,her histrionic friend spinned around and carried on a monologue about mysteries in the core of space,constellations and matching hats.
"...and you who wanted more time to observe the Alicorn constellation,when I red the journal I knew I had to tell you right away.This is going to be big Fluttershy,do you think we could meet famous scientists and...other important pon-..."
"Let me take a guess,it's still visible in the sky?"
"Darling,the big reveal!"Rarity was horrified beyond measure.This was out of the script of imaginary cinema.
"Well,"Fluttershy bothered to explain,"I simply have a wistful insight and oh!A good view through my window!"
"You're no fun."
Nonetheless,she rose a hoof to catch all the attention around her:
"It's not all,I can still play my card,"the unicorn manifested a newspaper in a spark of magic.Levitating it under the gaze of her friend,she explained as Fluttershy red the article shown:
"There is a conference held in the Ponyville Astronomic Observatory,where a newcome scientist will answer the questions related to this unfamiliar event."
"A newcome scientist?"
"He's from Trottigham.That's all we know for now...,"Rarity scoffed,an amusing fact making its way,"honestly that's the only thing he mentions,as if he has no other clue..."
She dutifully shook the piece of sheet in her magical grip,knowing what's coming next:
"...of course,you're invited.Allowed to take one or two friends with you."
"So I guess the Plus Two would be Rainbow,right?I mean,if she wants to..."Fluttershy simply couldn't picture her athletic friend partaking in those kind of events.That was until she saw Rarity's micheavious grin spread on her face:
"Don't worry dear,she will.In the name of Friendship...or else."
In a tight hug did she find herself caught in,yellow feathers and blurted thanks,by her visibly taller friend.She affectionaly returned the gesture,wrapping her in her arms:
"Oh,it's nothing really."
"Are you going to keep me company on the road,?"
"Now that's a grand idea.Oh,it reminds me that I haven't found the perfect match for the caps we'll be wearing there.Rainbow will have one too,I already designed..."
They made their way to the pegasus' clinic,the chats reaching mindless subjects and shameless gossips,at last fading into small talk.The perspective of having a definitive answer around the constellion enchanted Fluttershy.But the location of this scientist triggered an air of familiarity she haven't yet experienced.
Their attention flew out of the window countless minutes ago.The room roared in happy reunions and carefull hush's as the spotlight dropped to a single light.
Had he not tapped with his hoof on the conference desk that his presence would've pursued to be an abstract notion to the audience.He bestowed them by his entrance like the fall of the night on the day.His bright sunset orange coat and face framed by flamming red wicks proved ineffective to carry a similar metaphor.
He rided up for the last time his loose glasses.All dressed up in his perfectly cut suit,his perfectly organized stack of papers between his hooves,and yet...he gave an awkward grin to his public,and his professional appearences threatened to break under his awkward posture.
"Hello everypony,I would like to welcome you in my first conference in the Ponyville Astronomy Observatory,wich I am gratefull to be part off.My name is Sunburst Shimmer from...uh...,"the hint of hesintation,"Trottingham!Yes...that's what it says on the paper..."he rummaged trough his pile,trowing out volatile sheets all around.
Fluttershy immediatly related to him.
The audience greeted him in return,a choir of voices elevating high in the air to fall into modest whispers.A certain yellow pegasus hoped he could see her encouraging smile,taking aside she was in the middle of a crowd of thousands.
"In this special night,and we all know the reason behind,..."
A few laughter agreed with his statement.
"...I am going to answer every question related to this astronomic event.Any question is welcome...don't worry there are no dumb ones,feel free to start."
Just as he finished his sentence that a hoof idly rose from the crowd.And what a suprise was it for both Fluttershy and Rarity.The three of them were rewarded the most coveted title for having assorted hats.They weren't easily distinguable.
"Oh,well.I guess we're off for a good start,"the unicorn chuckled to himself,"will you give us the honor to present yourself to the audience?"
The cyan pegasus let her arm fall heavily to her side:
"Name's Dash.Rainbow Dash."It took a great deal of self-control for Fluttershy not to encourage her with her laughter.
"And my question is:how long do these kind of things take?"
"Huum,"the stallion tought through a genuine answer,briefly joining in on the laughter of the crowd,"it depends normally.But if we're invested enough we won't see the time pass."
And they did.But it was not for the hypothetical reason.Everypony was passionate about their questions,even the dumb ones,and the really dumb ones.No,there are no aliens.The scientist picked in favor of hasard,and anypony who would get chosen would be bestowed by utter silence...or confusion in regards of the ambiance.
To what eventually led to a deadly silence,hiding behind the lone single question nopony dared voicing aloud.They didn't,they just let it happen.
Fluttershy noticed the pile of notes on Sunburst's conference desk.Thinking out their original purpose,she let a heavy sigh escape her lips.It looked like she had to be the hero of the day.
Sunburst'eyes lit up from his momentary distress,noticing a new hoof rise:
"Yes!You from the third row?"
The spotlight aimed directly at the designed pegasus:
"Oh,right.It's me,"she giggled knowingly as all eyes set on her,"my name is Fluttershy and I have one question Mr.Shimmer:what are your own theories on the astronomical event?"
For a moment he looked taken back by her words.But wasn't this just what he needed for his conference?It was until she noticed that she struck the right line.
"Actually I do!It's what I came here for in the first place..."The unicorn lit up his horn as to project a ray of light on a white board nopony noticed was behind him beforewards.Creating the image of three dimensional starry sky,white orbs flotting gently arround the air and plunging the room into the cosmos.It was outer-wordly.
All of the audience echoed an impressed "ohhh",prompting a certain cyan pegasus to daze off of her slumber:
"What'd I miss?"she snored.
Rarity hushed her quietly,leaving a remark on behalf of her manners for latter.
"Based on my research towards the Alicorn's constellation,"his voice echoed trough his microphone,carried carelessly on his face,"I'm going to tell you why such an astronomic event is,realistically speaking,impossible..."
The projection swirled and shifted,presenting the era of classisicm,old school minds and refined litterature.An old-looking unicorn,his white beard being his signature trait,was scribbling.Occupied in his work environment.
"The first account of the constellation was in one thousand,six hundred forty five,by a sorcerer and astronom named Starswirl the bearded.He described her apparition in the night sky,near the Oursaminor constellation,as stars arising one by one until a constellation in the shape of an alicorn was formed."
To punctuate his words,the projection followed the given description.New orbs manifesting to form the famous star alignment.The display of such ease in magic captivated the public.
"And they accounted another constellation this late in History without any questions?"Fluttershy asked,invested despite herself,"Wasn't it in Antiquity that they were naming them?"
"That's a good point Fluttershy,"Sunburst proudly praised,"the majority of the sky has been explored in the eyes of the astronoms then,but this time it proved them wrong.The position of the stars was relatively fixed,and so to find out after many verifications that at least fourteen celestial bodies appeared?No one knew how to explain that..."
The light orbs hang heavily on the air.Brushing with finesse the original space construct.
"As you may know,the Alicorn constellation only lasts for the maximum of six hours in our planet's visual field.After that...,"the orbs vanished simutaniously into thin air;the public letting out a suprised chortle,"...any sign of the constellation is nowhere in the sky."
"But it should be somewhere,"Fluttershy wondered,the public setting their sight back on her,"despite being immobile in our eyes,the stars still move,it's only the wide light-years distances that make us seem the opposite..."
"I see where you're going"Sunburst blinked,slowly coming to realisation,"and speaking of wich,the appearences weren't the only random notion about this constellation.The distance varied much...going from a hundred light-years away based on the wave frequency of its light in the first apparitions...,"he coped with his high investement by pacing,forever moving to an end and letting the many eyes roll with him.
"...but then,in one thousand,height hundred forty six,researchers found that the spectrum of the stars was closer to the red end.Meaning the constellation was closer to our planet with the wave frequency being smaller and thus quicker to reach us."
"How about the other celestial bodies used as references for its position?"the yellow pegasus recalled,"If the constellation moved closer then we could've known from the surroundings,like maybe the Oursaminor constellation?"
"That's right!"the audience almost snapped their neck trying to follow the interlocutor trotting on the scene,not the least worn out,"The position of the constellation varied constently in the course of years based on the the spectrum of its stars.They,admitidely,all changed in unisson like being the same entity."
Sunburst stopped straight in his pacing.A rare occurance.
"Even stranger,in a telescope observation in the Ponyville Astronomy Observatory,we found the constellation near the planet Mercuris!Despite having been thirty light-years away from it and the time period not matching its position without having been somewhere in the sky before."
"But the constellation always vanishes before dawn,"the pegasus counter argumented,to the quick interest of the public,"maybe the Sun is a demeaning factor to its observation like for many stars because it deviates their light when the position we witness from our planet isn't the original one."
The integrity of the audience had to keep up by jungling their stare back and forth,back and forth and on.Each word knocking to the opposite end and taking shape of a tennis match.
"No no no,it wasn't that actually.The accounts of the constellation didn't mention it anywhere at daytime,"Sunburst assured before settling on his previous coy position,fidgeting nervously in place,"and I may have my own theories on the matter,but keep an open-mind..."
Confused smiles filled the room,it wasn't as if he was going to ramble about an alien form of existence either.Someone already did it.With grace,Fluttershy raised her head,encouragement painting her expression:
"It's what we came here for,right?"
"Well,the way this constellation took form as well as her free-willed appearances,not to speak about what she represents...,"he clumsily tripped over his own words,"this gives away the explaination that magic might be behind this."
He waited for anypony to give away a disaproving scowl...anything,really...
He waited long enough to notice that nopony reacted as such.He dared himself to breath again...and to almost reach suffocation when he got interpelled once more:
"We're no specialists in magic,but we're sure you could elaborate on the process...,"a nameless stallion encouraged,a hoof in the air,"Right,Mr.Shimmer?"
"Oh,well then.As everypony knows,magic needs a magic caster.I'm sure you've all heard of ancient history depicting alicorn royalty with the prowess to raise celestial bodies such as the Moon and stars."
The public exchanged puzzled looks between them as to what exactly he was getting onto.Noticing their lack of positive feedback,the scientist chose the explicit way:
"Think about it!What if-and it's just a theory-an alicorn,because only one could hope to display such magical abilities,cast a spell on the stars to take this shape years ago?What if the spell still runs strongly after all those centuries?What if the caster wants to send us a message trought the skies?"
The more he went on,the more his speech seemed to be directed to...an alien form of existance.Sure,magic needed a caster.We'll give him that,but years of researchs and subtle clues would never equal the lack of proof towards alicorns.Their soveraign could give a plausible answer.But he always dismissed it.
Such was the direction Fluttershy's encouragements aimed at.Her cheeks flushed pink as ponies started to grow concerned by whispering among themselves,mean and resentfull.
The scientist of the day didn't seem concerned the least,an eyebrow arched in confusion.For him he made a good point.
A first hat turned to her friends,shrugging helplessly.Meeting their equally confused eyes under their strained caps.The third,and boldest persay,nudged the most timid in an encouraging attempt:
"Does that mean you win?"
Fluttershy idly closed the door with her lower hoof.It has been a long evening to say the least.A group going-out still always made things better.Cones of ice cream and heated discussions were the final stroke to achieve it with a neat bow.
She turned to face the living room...and gasped in horror at the sight of a dragon sitting in her reading sofa.This one nonetheless was a drake,and he was wrapped in a silky robe far too large for him and red a book far too voluminous for his petite size in a severe frown.
All he needed was glasses to complete the set:
"Good evening."
"Um...to you too?What are you doing?"
"Have you heard of anything related to dream-walking?"his question emerged out of the blue,but she understood.
The genuine concerne in his voice promped her on avoiding giving him a realistic answer.And to end the swirl of fantasy he launched into.Instead she dutifully picked the right volume meeting his stantards:
"The only mention of dream-walking is in Nightmare Moon's legend,"she dropped the book in his claws,before adding playfully,in the best Nightmare Night voice she could muster,"she is said to visit ponies in their dreams.Beware of the nightmares she bestows upon us..."
"Nah,all I get is nerds."
Fluttershy dropped her game to face him in the most bewildered look of the century,but deciced not to dwell on it for too long.The night was for the young.And she was tired.
"Anyways,don't stay up too late..."she peeked trough the doorway,taking in sight his indolence.Immersed,he flipped trough the pages,incarnating her worst fears for many young years.She gave a smile:
Another scratch added to the set as the yellow pegasus ran trough a paticularly thorny bush.She didn't know how long she has been running in those fields,but the answer will be when she will stop being chased.
Upon nearly paling at a growl she knew was aimed towards her,she turned to face her pursuer:
"I promise to you any king of vegeteable,salad...just don't make it harder!"
The beast went insensitive to her pleas.It swinged an enormous paw her way,making her duck in instinct.For the grand finale,it readied itself on it's hidden legs.In the threat to give chase mercilessly.A tree manifested in her vision,just in time.
The giant rabbit jumped,sharp claws out,she stood still.When its target flew away,disppearing from view, the beast crashed against the trunk in painful motion.She sat amisdt the leaves and bruised wood,glaring down furiously at the rabbit,her supposed trusted companion:
"Bad Angel."
The designed didn't appreciate the scold,letting it be known by gritting his teeth and scratching the dirt.Claws dug in the ground,the menace of jumping to cach her,she cowered behind her own mane.And waited,when he...vanished perfectly?
Fluttershy let her hoofs slip away from her face as to witness the scene unfolding before her.What she saw was,suprise of all suprises,her savior being a lavender alicorn.The same one from the library,she silently thanked having been nice to her despite the urge to bolt.
It returned full force when she noted the princess' expression.Twisted into one of concentration.Catching her eyes,she looked down from the tree.An excuse to check on her rabbit pet,back to his usual size thanks to the mysterious ways of magic.
The princess turned to Fluttershy,her etheral mane flotting gently with the motion.Her expression softened considerably:
"I think I owe you an explaination."
Fluttershy took a sip from her cup of tea.Carefull towards her every movement;the whole ordeal was to not spill it:
"So,you are telling me that you accidently walked into my dream the first time by trying to get to your....,"she trailed off,gathering the impossible analysis,"friend's and now want to offer your apologies?"
The princess sitting at the other end of the table nodded.It seemed fair in a sense.Her smile turned somewhat awkward,gathering the oddity of this perspective:
"As unusual as it may seem,if it does make any sense to you.I noticed you were having a nightmare and tought it was the perfect opportunity to intervene,miss Fluttershy...."
"Just Fluttershy is fine,"she shot a warmth smile her way,after all it was royalty who bothered visiting her in her dreams in the prospect of apologies.She wasn't sure she could deserve that.Wait...visit her in her dreams...
"But,b-but you're walking into pony's dreams,"she waved with a hoof,still processing the thought,"isn't this just a myth?"
"A myth?"the princess tilted her head.
"Yes,and forgive me your Highness but the existance of alicorns is as well.Based on the fact that we're in a dream,yoouu could be a part of it?"
The princess raised an eyebrow,her inimpressed behavior showing.Her reaction went completly justified to her interlocutor.She wouldn't be all too happy etheir at the perspective that somepony was calling her a product of imagination:
"Fine,I'll give you that,"she relented,the pegasus was on edge,"just one more thing,how is it that I manifested in your dreams twice?"
Fluttershy's eyes widened in horror.She remembered their all too awkward,at least for her part,meeting at the library.She never ceased chastising herself for leaving those books scatter.
"Speaking of that,"Fluttershy delayed,deviating the conversation,"what was that strange rift that emerged all of a sudden?Is it normal in dreams...I mean,"a nearby spoon took her strained habit,twisted and turned in her hoof.
"In dreams...well,I'm glad you asked,"she lit up,any excuse to share knowledge was a good excuse,"the rift is a commun process in dream-walking.It appears as a way of an escape for the dreamwalker before it's too late..."
"Oh,and what happens when it's too late?"Fluttershy bit her lip in apprehension.
"Uh...,it's just a long travel trough the Dream Realm to meet the way again,"The princess replied.It was evident.
The yellow pegasus blinked.
Her spoon was loose from her cup.The threat to spill an impropriate reaction sprouted,she was at the verge of letting out an imprudent giggle.It all seemed straight out of Spike's fantasy board games.And before the deed could be done,the princess set her attention on Fluttershy's cottage door.All knowing eyes and reserved smiles.
"If you want a clearer explanation:the access to a certain individual's dream is peculiar at first,it's the door trough their mind,"somehow the door seemed to have changed,and Fluttershy couldn't put her hoof on what,"this is yours,walking trough it leads to the Dream Realm."
Before the princess could add anything,Fluttershy rose from her seat and closed the distance between her and the door in prudent steps.
She stopped to brush a hoof against the three butterflies worn on the wooden surface.Pulled in a trance.The design beared a frightening ressemblance to her cutie mark.
A step back and she faced the princessShe turned her stare back at the door,back at the princess,back at the door...
"There's no way this is the door to the Dream Realm,"she giggled nervously,knocking on the wood as if it would answer her,"you'll see,"-she turned the knob and slowly creaked the door-,"I'm going to open it and find myself back in my garden-...eeek!"
Her hoof stepped on thin air as her only encounter was the void.Blackness blinded her eyes and blocked the only way out.The door found itself slammed in brutal refusal before her painting breaths.Her back slowly slid against it.
Blurred eyes were lost in the distance,far from the princess' waving hoof to check on her.She looked concerned,it was a start.
"I think I just saw the other side..."
"That was the deadline of your imagination,"the princess corrected,not insensitive to the pegasus' worries,"I just wanted to show you a visual representation.This wasn't the real entrance...sorry for scarring you?"
"Oh no no,that's fine,"the pegasus excused her,strong in authority,it was merely her fault as much,"it just reminded me of a saying:"only the depths of your mind are where your fears reside","she recited,in parallel of her dishiveled state,"from Star Swirl the bearded."
"Based on my accounts,Star Swirl never said anything like that,"the princess giggled,melodious,encouraging the pegasus into unwiding in her position,"that must've been you."
Fluttershy's eyes lit up for the first time.Enchanted by the idea of it.
"Oh,really?"she took her seat back at opposite sides of her guest,"I mean,dreams are the culprits of our imagination,could you make it so that I remember it?If you don't mind of course..."
"I'll do my best?"the princess shrugged helplessly.
"As for that,"she maimly gestured to the door,fortunately back to normal,"I'm sure I could go on without having to witness this oncemore,I mean if it just responds to your presence."Flutterhsy gave a heartfull giggle as she rose her cup,"Right,Princess...?"
"...Twilight Sparkle,"she finished casually for her,like it wouldn't be stuck for a long time,"and not quite because I might return here again..."
The tea was out,quite litterally.The big reveal has known better timing than when one was enjoying a drink.Princess Twilight pushed away her own cup,completly misreading it:
"Oh dear,"Fluttershy reacted simultaniously,"I think...I should get a napkin..."
She was about to get up when her guest reminded her of the obvious:
"This is your own dream,you can control whatever you want."
Right.
The yellow pegasus held a hoof to her temple,giving out a rather comical image.Trying and trying to focus all her will-power on manifesting a napkin trough thin air.The air shifted,annoucing a manifestation.She couldn't suppress her exitement.
"Well,this sure is something...,"Princess Twilight began cautiously,"but not a napkin..."
Fluttershy's eyes landed on the thenth teapot that just appeared.A tired look washed over her upon her summoning abilities.Her savior striked again,and the coveted object flotted gently above her hoofs.
"Oh,thank you Princess Twilight,"the pegasus caught it in her grip,"I have to admit,the prospect of you saving me is becoming quite common..."
The pegasus dabbed at the corner of her lip with the napkin,hiding her satisfied smile at the giggle her Highness couldn't help:
"...wich is why I won't mind all that much if you kept entering my dreams?Walking in?Dream-walking?..same thing..."
The princess's eyes lit up in a subdued suprise.A releived smile graced her lip.
"Really?I mean I appreaciate the offer..."
"I just have one question left:why would you appear in my dreams?I mean despite the fact that I keep imagining you...
"Once again,the pegasus was met by the unamused look of the princess,to wich she could only nervously empty her cup in response.Despite her regal looking appearance,there was something quite natural in the way she acted.This way,getting comfortable to her wasn't of hard tasks.
"The spell I cast isn't fully mastered on my side,but I'm working on it,hopefully..."Princess Twilight elaborated.A pang of unsatisfaction aimed towards her capacities.
"I'm sure you will!"Fluttershy encouraged,trowing a sidefull glance at a clock hang on the wall.As preticted,her guest caught the motion.She got up,nearly tripping over her own hoofs:
"I have to go.My friend will probably be worried-sick about me."
Their way hit a mid-end to the door of Fluttershy's cottage.The uncertainity of how one says goodbye in a dream hang above.To even her own suprise,the yellow pegasus took the initiative:
"Have a good night...or dream-walking,Princess Twilight,"she dared be bold,dreams just had this effect,"wether you're real or not..."
"You're messing with me now,right?"Princess Twilight wasn't out of her "done" expressions.Fluttershy's words just caught up to her,before she even realised her guest was being playfully sarcastic:
"I should probably stop talking..."
The princess walked out of the cottage,gracing the pegasus' sight with her unfolded starry wings.Readying her flight,a familiar light shone in the distance.
"Enjoy your lucid dream,Fluttershy."
The pegasus brushed a hoof against her chin:
"I can change anything?"
"Anything",the latter laughed.
Her words held a strong impact to the dreamer.A field shifted and twisted under her mind control,flowers bloomed and splatered under the saturated sunset.Dim lights circulated gently above the ground,caressing the air,interpreted as a swarm of fireflies.
The princess let her wings fall to her sides as she witnessed,awe-stricken,the sudden change of view:
"It's my favourite place to be when I'm looking for a change of pace..."Fluttershy explained,having approched in a tranquil motion.
Princess Twilight kept her eyes locked on the poppy's field,seemingly deep in tought.She made her decision by folding her wings behind her:
"You know what?"she addressed the dreamer,"I'm sure Sunburst wouldn't mind if I'm later than usual."
"Spike,"the yellow pegasus detached cautiously,calling out to her protege.The latter turned to face her in the most innocent fashion,wich only furthered the evidence...
"Why is there a box of "Space rolls" cereals in the chariot?I don't remenber putting them here,you know?"
Confusion beamed on his face.It was an act.Thankfully he took responsibility,not in any anticipated way:
"Because they're the best spacial cereal in all the Milky Way!"he proudly recited the slogan,stricking a heroic pause.Some shoppers briefly turned to witness all the fuss,but not invested enough due to the bright and early hour.
"Even you like it,admit it!"
"I only ate those cereals once because the bears took all the honey,don't give me that look!"she didn't flich the least,"Honestly,I don't see what you find in them,their marshmallows taste like rubber sand,anyway..."
She went on,deseperatly trying to resist his most effective weapon:the puppy-dog eyes,alongside a small quivering pout as he held the violet box close to his chest.
"We already have one at home,"she gently reminded,her lattest defenses.
"Yes but,"Spike held out the box,"this one comes along with the spaceship figures!I can't miss the spaceship figures,Fluttershy!"
She sighed,one way to show she relented.The drake latched onto her foreleg in a hug that she happily reciprocated,rolling her eyes for good measure:
"Oh wait,"he frowned at the printed image of the figure,"this isn't the mega X Mars probe,I'm gonna find the right one..."
As Spike looked for the proper box,Fluttershy distracted herself with the perspective of yet another odd dream of her part.Mainly caused by the apparition of the lavender alicorn,now with a name.She couldn't remenber to be honest.Did she just invite her to stay in her dreams?
No,it was something else.The only vivid image she captured was of the princess sneezing when a fireflie landed on her muzzle.It only furthered her comprehension towards her decision...
But enough.She've avoided this for far too long.Since she woke up,this poisonous tought plagued her mind:
What was that citation that just emerged in her head?Wasn't emebarrassing herself in front of a royal enough?Dream or not,it was lame,so lame.What was she thinking?
"Aha!Found it!Hold on,I'll go get it...,"he hopped the first time,"...almost there!"he hopped the second time.A most welcome distractiong from her toughts.
His guardian stepped closer,endeared by the sight.He would deny needing her help,as always,but it was her solemn duty until...the cereal box dropped and fell right into the victorious arms of Spike all on its own.A vague air of magic flotted.
"Here you go,lil' buddy."
Fluttershy's ears perked up.She reconized that voice.In fact,they've had an entire debate just yesterday about a certain constellation.
"Mr.Shimmer?"she tempted.
When the familiar freckled face of the unicorn turned to her,her assumptions were confirmed.Even moreso he seemed releived to see her:
"Oh,I know you,"he beamed,proud of this perspective,"Fluttershy right?"
"Hm hm,"she nodded,"thanks for the magical help,"she gestured at her protege cluntching the box.
"Your welcome...,"he reajusted his round glasses,"so how are you doing?I mean,despite the fact you had to watch me use a legend as a scientific reference...sorry you had to witness that..."
The sudden change of tone suprised her.But instead of delighting in his self-deprecating sarcasm...
"Well,it sure was interesting to say the least,"she kindly offered,he needed it,no matter how much he would deny it,"don't we live in a magical land at the end of the day?"
"I see your point,"he smiled cheekily,his freckles danced around his face,a starry sky influenced by time,"but no, that was a mistake on my part..."
"Everypony reacted differently but nothing you can't learn something from."she advised,if she encouraged him to go down that path she could deviate it as well,"How did the the astronomy observatory react to it?A new anecdote added for your time working here?"
"Yeah...,well,"he pawed pitiously at the ground,a humorless laugh,"I...I got fired is how it went."
Oh,well.
It looked like the changing of road was unnecessary.
"F-fired...that's a bit too harsh,isn't it?I'm sorry to hear that,Sunburst,"she placed a hoof on her chest in sincere gesture,"I hope you'll find better luck in other fields."
"Don't dwell too much on it,Fluttershy,it wasn't any fault of yours...and well,not all is lost,"he smiled in return,"I'm taking responsability this time!"
The coffee aisle borrowed his attention.Caffeine was much needed for job applications,his expression determined and fierce.Fluttershy couldn't help a laugh,so much she didn't notice Spike sneaking discreetly a second box in the charriot.
She sure hoped she didn't dwell on it for too much.But destiny had other plans in mind.
The concept of eternity seemed to hold more meaning the more their walk screteched on.He dragged his hoofs alongside her,urging him every now and then to hurry.She've promised that the wait would be worth it.Even trying to make the conversation to offer a distraction:
"You'll see,when I saw the job descrition it screamed your name!"
"Everypony can raise a platter?"his question tainted in not offence,but confusion.
"Not the way you would do it,Sunburst."Fluttershy encouraged,concrete at the opportunity.
The Sugarcube Corner filled in their vision.The orange unicorn momentarily slowed down.This time not out of exhaustion,he just needed to take it all in,as he justified.She shrugged.He studied the bakery under carefull gaze,his frown dropping into a blank reaction.
There was nothing new,the cinnamon walls dipped in frosting,a poster pinned,annoucing the application for a new waiter.The sweets and sprinkles flowed,ruining the paper.
"So this is the place you told me about?"Sunburst broke the silence,eyes reaching the cherry on top.
"Yes,"she cleared,"You've never seen it?"The tone in wich he've voiced it left room to interpret he've never been there.
"Uh no,I've never.I'm a foreigner..."
"Oh,"she cleared her throat,"well,based on Pinkie's word,Mr. And Ms.Cake are waiting inside for the job interview.So,a little nervous?"
"No,but it looks like you are."he joked,a way to ease the tension.
"What?Noooo,I just want all of this to work out!"she opened the sugar-coated door,the ringbell anoucing their entrance,"Plus I'm taking all the nervousness that could be in you...so to help."
That was lame.
Even worse,when the owner cut her severe frown trough them,she ought to think it was directed at her own self.The fierce interoguation only seemed to take place as the mare,shrouded in looks ressembling a cupcake straight from an oven,needed to know who she was dealing with:
"Your ID."
Both parties looked around and at each other as if the designed object would manifest any moment.It was until the yellow pegasus caught the escaping stare of the unicorn that she confirmed the quiet evidence with a frown.The employee at the counter,Pinkie,counted the seconds until Ms.Cake would notice a lack of response:
"I need your ID Mr.Shimmer."
The latter was caught right in the bag.Pinkie noticed,in the middle of wrapping a shortcake,as she notices everything.Offering to borrow her help,she leaned on the counter,dissimulating with a hoof unshared conspiracies :
"Go,go,go!"she whispered,loudly,"I'll offer the distraction for you.There's no time to lose!"
"But...,"Fluttershy tried to oppose.
The employee only presented a sly wink.This time not the least discreet,throwing her hoofs high in the air.Her agitation cut trough the mild tranquility.
"Ms.Cake!"the mare gave a tired look,she knew what was coming,"I'm not so sure but I think Gummy fell in the dough,and now we have to go looking for him."
"What?Again?"Their voices drowned,becoming nothing more then background noises.Collecting their little arguing,the unicorn made a most shocking confession:
"Pegasusfeathers,I left it at my lodge,"Sunburst slapped his hoof on his forehead,"I left my card in my lodge,Fluttershy..."
"I know,I know,"she sighed,"I guess I'll have to accompany you,now.At least we'll find it more rapidly."He turned to her in a disconcerted look.She couldn't picture what it meant.
"I've never done it with one more pony but okay...?"
Done what?
And without warning,or maybe a too quick one,he put a hoof on her shoulder.Liting up his horn in a turquoise aura,he smiled in front of her cautious look:
"I'm going to teleports us."And with only the time to curve her lips in a round 'o',they vanished in front of the few patrons midly choking on their desserts at the earth-ripping sound.The sensation of teleporting couldn't be described properly as the spell didn't last for enough time to consider its surroundings.But the aftermath sure did:
"I wasn't aware you could teleport,"Fluttershy backpedaled,her head was spinning,trying to gather the view of the cozy lodge in front of her blurred eyes,"it's not something most unicorns do."
"Right,sorry for all that,"he responded,noticing her obvious uneasiness,"but I'll be right away,you just wait here."
He then disappeared into a room,leaving the pegasus to adjust to the living room she was in.She'd already seen it,when she've told Sunburst about the job annoucement.Inspired by Maud's slippery words,informing her on the lack of waiters in her sister's workplace.It was more of a to-go thing,she wasn't fully convinced he would considerate it.
Her eyes then locked onto heavy volumes on shelfs,seemingly about unknown magic.The inscriptions,written in other-wordly languages,gave away an alien feeling.The rest however, left her chuckling at their bizarre,so bizarre titles:
"Artifacts that can break any curse"
"Goblin creatures of the forest"
"Sea monsters and where to find them"
"Types of muchrooms for potions"
"The ways of dream-walking"
Wait...did it say "dream-walking"?
Fluttershy reached the book,carefull and meticulous at operating her movements.Still the chances were that it was just a fantasy story vaguely scribbled.A dash of hope encouraged her not to go ahead of herself.
The first thing she've noticed was the dust inside,just heavy-filled with dust.She coughed on the process,seemingly an old legend,before adapting her eyes.She stared at the first page,and knew it didn't take itself as a mere legend at all:
"We can go now!"Sunburst annouced as he returned with,thanfully,his ID card in his magical grasp.
He looked at Fluttershy,staring back at him with wide eyes.Cluntching the book tighe,she was caught meddling with his stuff:
"Oh,you want to take it?"
"Actually yes,"she smiled to ease any type of opposition,"when will be the return date if you may?"
"The return date is....,"he delayed for dramatic effect,"whenever you finish,seriously I could never thank you enough for your help."
"It was my pleasure,"she bowed with her head,content to have the book in her possession,"I never tought of dream-walking as a possibility?"She stared at the too real volume in her hoof.
"Not very much for everypony,it's a complexe spell,but it's still just a spell,"he elaborated.
She nodded in return,having caught in her interest another book that she couldn't quite comply to check due to its personnal content.Right next to the volume about "dream-walking" was disposed an old and half-torn dream journal.
The Sugarcube Corner was full this evening,the patrons come to eat there expressed an ounce of sympathy towards the new waiter having applied.Magic abilities signified he could levitate many orders at once,to the delight of the owners.
Now to figure out how to keep pace.
"Hey,over here."A cyan hoof shook in the air,having awaited long enough to order.
"Wait,something reminded me,"her guest of the day,Fluttershy,informed her,"I haven't told you who's new working here..."she trailed off with a smile,the answer having manifested in front of them.
The athlete arched an eyebrow in confusion.After a heavy training session with the Buckball team,anything that didn't remotlessly ressemble a chocolate chip milkshake couldn't hope to take apart her focus.
"Sorry miss,"blurted out the waiter,in pure habit,"what...what can I get you?"
When Rainbow's eyes set on a familiar orange unicorn,she couldn't supress a suprised chortle.The uniform he paraded in consisted of a bright fushia apron.No more expensive suits,talk about space.A small badge confirmed the evidence,"Sunburst", noting he was who's new working here...
Fluttershy set a great deal of concentration.At the edge of motivation,set on summoning the appropriate object,all hopes besides.Solely from memories of its image.
"Ah,that's it!"she exclaimed,a volume on arcane magic manifested.Its cover,a dark claret, brought out the strange patterns flooding it.
A magenta aura envelloped it and flawlessly carried it above a pond.The book reached Princess Twilight,sitting on a rock covered in moss at opposite sides of the dreamer.
She conjured a pair of glasses to put them on her muzzle.And squinted her eyes before the haze embracing the air.The title showed in faithfull frame:
"The ways of dream-walking"
A badly muffled giggle caught her ear.And she turned knowingly at the pegasus,looking away in the most innocent manner.That didn't escape her.
"I can't read from up close without them,"she gestured to her glasses,"having all the archives at your disposition may have something to do with it..."
The princess left it hang here,returnig to her lecture.She knew Fluttershy couldn't give by memory its entire content.But its cover immersed in red light emerged a sense of familiarity:
"I reconize this book..."
"Maybe having a history of spending your free time in libraries has something to it?"Fluttershy tempted,collecting the little informations she detained of the princess.
The latter shook ger head,her starry mane undulating in the process.
Her mere presence was due to yet another nightmare on the pegasus's side.This time less frightening than a chase by a giant rabbit.
No.This time,Fluttershy found herself hoplessly trying to save the frogs of the Greenlit swamp with no success to avail.Grand was the princess's suprise,her magic ready for the worst of fears.She witnessed with the straighest face a few amphibians out of their water environement and a pegasus at the verge of tears.
Fluttershy couldn't thank her enough for leaving her opinion die on her lips.
"I've read the entire series,that's why it's so familiar."Princess Twilight faced her,"Even though it has been a while since I've seen it so openly..."
Fluttershy arched an eyebrow in confusion:
"Why would it have been a while?"
Princess Twilight vanished her pair of glasses into thin air.And gave a mysterious smile her way,wich Fluttershy wasn't sure she appreciated or not:
"You see,dreamwalking has been a touchy subject in the world of magic,invading sompony's privacy and breaking the barriers of the mind...,"she casually developped,to the pegasus' fright,shivering in place.
The princess softened,catching her act in place:
"Nowadays,you need to give permission if you want somepony to stay in your dreams,wich you did."she pointed at her,"But even with then,only star and moon-related alicorns can practise it...the dreamwalker has to be carefull in the realm,otherwise facing negative aftermaths from the spell."
Aftermath?
What kind of aftermath?
Fluttershy didn't have time to fully articulate her question.The princess' nostalgia immersed her tone.This time unwelcoming by its somber remembrance.It was even stranger.
"After some unfaithfull event,"her ears dropped as she looked down at the book,"the concept of dream-walking was locked away from knowledge..."
"But then how does it explai-..."Fluttershy cut herself mid-sentence,not daring to voice the realisation that struck her.Princess Twilight nodded,a content smile in her eyes.
"Deep in the forbidden archives,I've had to find the entire series.It was much easier since I always had access..."she ceased.
The subtle wonder of being so open only caught up to her.And the danger underneath,how this information could be twisted to her disadvantage.She narrowed her eyes.
"Don't worry,I don't remember half of my dreams anyways,"the pegasus shrugged.
"What is my name?"the question was so simple,yet strained.
Fluttershy raised a hoof,with grace and convenance,solemn confidence beaming in her every word:
"I don't know."
Relief took over the princess,even allowing a small giggle to escape her.Slipping from her narrow hold,the one Fluttershy felt relieved to hear in return.She was still in her good graces.
"Not to go back to this subject...,"she carefully interfered,"...but,did you say it was supposed to be as series?"
"Yes,this volume...,"the princess levitated the object,from higher mist,"...is the fourth in the collection."
"The fourth?"Fluttershy exclaimed,redressing her stance on her own rock,"but then,why would Sunburst give me that?"
The princess' advice was most welcome at this moment,but it seemed she left them a thousand years ago.Earth to the Moon.Fluttershy found her having the oddest reaction to it.Almost looking like she swallowed a bug.Well,she was certain they were no bugs on the Moon.
"Oh,but don't worry!I will read the previous volumes before beginning this one,"Fluttershy reassured,hoofs waving wildly,before a lecture could ensue.
"Actually,it's not it...,"the princess detached,letting out a question she tought would never escape her lips,"who is Sunburst?"
"He's the friend I told you about,at least I think we are,"the pegasus raised her eyes in tought,"I found him a job and he let me borrow this book."
"Last name?"
"I believe it's Shimmer,"the pegasus smiled in reflection of the princess.
Princess Twilight let her eyes flicker back to the volume,an amused smile not leaving her.A vague impression overtook the pegasus,she distinguished a breathless mumble from the princess.Bearing a strong ressemblance to "That would exlpain it..."
"Sooo,"the yellow pegasus detached,adopting the same expression as her guest,"what about this collection you were telling me about earlier?"Fluttershy pianoted with her hoofs on the rock,letting her curiosity win her over.
"Sorry,but not tonight,"Princess Twilight delayed,smiling sorrily,"do you happen to have a notebook of any sort?"
Her question took her off guard.But then she understood perfectly,prediction edged on this very moment.
"You mean some kind of dream journal?"when the princess nodded approvingly,she added,"I have one deposed my desk right now..."
"Perfect!"the princess clasped her hoofs together,"All you need to do is note down your dreams right then before you forget everything...,"she looked up at the sky,her expression losing her previous investement,"Oh well,here we go..."
Following her stray gaze,Fluttershy got lighly dazzled by a fierce light filtering trough the leaves.She shielded her vision with a hoof,finding a familiar rift in the sky,preceding the achievement of a certain pegasus' dream,to her contained regret:
"Oh."
And to add to the process,when she turned to the princess she found her flying high towards the rift.With the intent to leave the place before it ceases to be.The haze suspended on the air sealed her path:
"The first thing you need to remember is my name at first,"she declared to the pegasus,"it's Twilight Sparkle,alright?"
"Don't worry about it!"Fluttershy assured,blind as the haze beached heavily on them.The last thing she could recall was Princess Twilight's voice echoing,serving as a guide:
The night of the apparition of the Alicorn constellation in Sebtember 2nd,was tied to a parallel astronomical event:a meteorite has entered the atmosphere of our planet Scynthia.Leaving no time for the team of astronoms to detect its presence.When hitting the ground,no damages were caused.However,the lack of information prompted the team to calculate its coordinations and investiguate its place of landing.Found near the Everfree forest,the most outsanding facts remains:no traces of the meteorite were found near the area.The only clue left of the meteorite was an impact crater of nearly a mile wide and 300 feet.Based on the size and velocity the object must have reached to leave such impact,the collateral damages could possibly have been more dangerous towards its surroundings.The mysery remains,and the Ponyville Astronomy Observatory is determined to solve the issue rationally.
The piece of newspaper found itself crumpled roughly in a strong magical aura.To add to its unfair punishement,gathering dust as it was trown rashly on the ground.And finally stepped on with no sense of care:
"Fie!Rationally..."
Why did she think her entrance wouldn't be anything less than "an astronomic mystery" to the world of commun civilians?
But all was done,and she needed to find a place to spend the night.Wisps of space crushed under the hood of her grey cloak,tight against her face.For good measure.The dark trees welcomed her into the deep night,the only place she would feel at home again.
But home was history.And if she followed the map given to her by the grocer, the Castle of the Two Sisters wasn't so far,rewarded crulessly the title of the Everfree Castle.
Even then,she could reconize it miles away.
She carried on a good walk,mainly consisting of getting lost in between the all identical trees.The obscurity of the night didn't bother her the least,but her sense of orientation was of opposite conceit.The high grass and other thorny plants scratched her ankles,in paradox of her punishement.Does anypony take up gardening here?She came across a round of trees in the shape of deer antlers,framing lovingly a clear space.
Finally,a rest was of sight and much deserved as well.
But she couldn't teleport.
All magical essence have been drained and wasted in reason of her little travel.Space was a much charming place,the wonders of getting stuck here subsisting but only a mere fantasy.
And because all sight of luck left her,a low and dangerous growl rang her ears.
Timberwolfes.
It was the only available option,considering her position in the forest.She got up,every intention to fight useless.If she wanted to face one she'd get beaten.No wonder her permanent scar on the right wing already told more about her little ventures in the Everfree.She still regretted the self training in those mocking woods.No,she wasn't getting better Celly.
She felt her hoofs tremble,pulling her out of painful memories,a grumble escaping the earth beneath them and shaking the little space.And with no sense of reality,the gound began to elevate.It grew higher,higher and higher...until reaching the tip of the trees and staring down at her rigid posture with curious glowing eyes.
Its head slighly tilted to the side.Oh,hello you,It seemed to gratify.
She wasn't alone anymore.And it was worse.The Moon shone faithfully,bringing the creature under accusing light.Awaiting to strike at the perfect opportunity.
Mossbeasts were docile animals,despite their impossible size they were never of harm ways.Unless faced to certain circonstances.She didn't want to test her luck and simply stared back.Its deer ankles cut dangerously trough the crescent light,the stare match scretching on for a longer timing.
They stayed this way for a solid five minutes,until she have had enough and decided to take a step back.A twig cruelessly cruntched under her hoof.
The Mossbeast growled mercilessly and took a matching step onwards,reaching a larger lenght.She rolled on the ground.Her breath hitched in the moment.
Not having finished with her,it swipped a claw her way.Its movements low but carefull.Tearing off some trees from their roots.Come out,come out,the beats's blasted breaths froze the sky,forming a chant,loving and poisonous.
The trunks rolled on the ground.Rainsing clouds of dust,maiming the ground.Hiding from sight behind a large rune,her only safe place,she mediated.
She needed a plan,and fast.Flying was a possibility,despite the illusion spell covering her wings. Considering the size of the creature,she needed to at least cut trough the air at the speed of light.
Taking her chances,she deployed her bat wings.The beast distracted from her and far into a monstruous lullaby.She took off into the night sky.
A quick turn.
She only desired to witness the position of the beast,when a wooden claw shielded her view.Knocked gently like a ragdoll,she bumped against a nearby tree.Her back hit the trunk painfully.Stars danced at the corner of her eyes,welcoming her lastly.
Sliding against the wood, branches sctratched and maimed her back.She fell maimlessly to the ground.
And blacked out.
The rays of the sun gently filtered trough the curtains,bringing to the bedroom the clarity of dawn.Not many awoke at such early hour.Still resting under unfamiliar sheets,would be lying if she said that the brightness and chirping birds were the source of her awakeness.
No,what doze her off her slumber was rather...
"For land's sake!I ain't repeating m'self,the table will be clean of that wicked thing for once an-..."
"But Granny,you're puttin' up a scene for that harmeless thing!"a younger party cut idly the elder.
Silence.And the tension broke to reavel its source.
"Harmless?Say that to the Pears,they have been puttin' us under competition for centuries!"
"It's just pear jam!It's not like I dragged one of them here,and I didn't spend all my coins for nothin'!Let's at least give it to the guest..."
The nameless voices hummed trough the ground,reaching her from the floor below:
"Hush.You should have tought of this before throwing your money out the window.They will have apple jam for breakfast,straight and fresh from our fields!"
A third party agreed,the stallion's voice holding strong authority in his words:
"Yep!"
Just who...?
Just what kind of ponies argued about jam?
It was the nonsense that woke her up.Nonsense!She threw the sheets to the side,patting her chest until she retrieved the searched object.A crescent moon held her cloak,she sighed in relief. The creak of the stairs gave away her presence,as she reached her unfortunate saviors.
A small family of farmers.They looked normal.
All eyes set on her as they paused in their respective activities,creating for a peculiar scene like out of a Renaissance painting.She hoped she looked normal as well.
"I have no idea what you're talkin' about,"the elder mare leaned against a table,and it wasn't for her eneven way of speaking.Suspiciously,a covered jar with a napkin showed besides.
"Granny Smith,just give her the jam...,"a strong mare interrupted,"sorry for all that...,"the mare turned to her unexpected guest,"Granny!I'm Applejack by the way,"she presented herself,reporting her stare back at her.
Thankfully,the young filly came to grouds with her request and reached the napkin to reveal the demanded object.Ignoring the disaproving scowl the elder threw her.
"We thanketh thee,dram one,"she took off her hood,levitating the jar in a mystical aura.
"Call me Applebloom,"the filly said,her bow boucing with her every movement.
At least she had one ally.
"And this is my brother Big Macintosh,he doesn't talk much but he's the wisest,"Applejack lastly presented,a smile making its way to her lips,"welcome at Sweet Apple Acres."
"We art gratefull f'r thy hospitality as well,"she didn't know what a Sweet Apple Acres was,but complied in returning her smile,"but t is getting late,and we hast to receiveth going...."she marked those words,hiding the jar under her cloak as a way of provisions.
"There is only the Everfree forest stretchin' on for miles,"Applejack cut in,croosing her hoofs above the table,scars uncovered in her eyes,"where could you be headed?"
"With luck,we couldst reacheth the Everfree Castle bef're dusk,"she replied,nostalgia slipping from her tone,she didn't mean it,"we w're hoping to spendeth our journey th're."
The little family exchanged puzzled looks among them,close bonds tying them together.If her tongue's formulated words troubled them,they didn't show any sign.Instead,their weight intrigued them the most.Granny Smith voiced their unanimous confusion.
"The Everfree Castle is particularly full this season."
"Full?"she breathed inaudibly.She didn't understand.Full of what?
"With Nightmare season,the walls will only welcome tourists,as it has always been..."Applejack developped,a sense of daze.
As it has always been.
Why did she ask again?So much time wasted lazily her memories.Turning homes into history,into monuments.To be watched and remained.She sure hoped those tourists were having their load of time there.
"When Applejack brought you at the farm,"Granny Smith cut trough her line of toughts,"we found you with only superficial injuries,still we were worried.The Everfree forest is not a place to venture to at night time..."
"We und'rstand..."she dipped her head low towards the floor.The scolding jolted her back to her young years.At least,something familiar.
"But,"the elder mare softened,"ther' is always a room for you at Sweet Apple Acres if you'd like."
She raised her eyes.And swore she saw welcoming smiles.They seemed so vulnerable now,with their guards down.If history was for everyone,didn't they learn anything?
"Yeah,and you could have all the jam you want!"Applebloom agreed,carefull and careless.
She allowed herself a small giggle.Now,she was natural.As she bent low to reach her petite size,she offered with a smile,making sure woudn't reveal a pointed fang:
"Fluttershyyyy,they're going for my mane.Get them!Get them!"
"Don't worry,Rarity,"her reply carried on peace,and her wings carried her next to Rarity,running,"Fruit bats are not going for your mane,"and she had the nerve to giggle,"I should've prevented you of their presence but....you might want to take off your hat..."she pointed towards the fruit patterns decorating her chapeau.Consituing the origin of their chase.
The unicorn reluctantly levitated her cap and threw it out of the cavern,and out of sight.They came to a halt.The swarm of bats directed their attention towards their target.Moving in unisson to decapitate it to shreds,giving a sorrowfull picture.
"Goodbye fashion of forest camping."In last souvenir of her creation,she didn't aknowlegde what her friend just shared...until.
"Wait...did you say that you should've prevented me from their presence?"Rarity detached.And Fluttershy played it cool,as expected.
"Yes...yes,yes...I think?I mean you know me Rarity,"Fluttershy carried on her serene conduct,putting a hoof in front of the other,"Animals are my speciality."
"I know that,"the unicorn laughed,it made it easier now,"but even in a cavern nopony explored in a thousand years?And one you can't stop refering to as...what was it?"
"The Crystalfall cavern?"
"Yes!"
The pegasus shrank in place,well it was just its rightfull title!Shouldn't she keep on the tradition,the old time appelation?Even Maud confirmed it,a nod with her helmet bopping was enough.Before she went back on her meddling with the crystals.
At least,and not last,she had a trustfull guardian.Well,trusfull,she didn't know how much it could level to it in dreams but Princess Twilight's sources seemed accurate.The mention of this cavern triggered burried memories from her.
"Oh,you're going there?"her ears peaked at Fluttershy's confession,curious"...it had a name before,we'd call it the Crystalfall cavern,miners will extract the crystals there,going from azurite to malachite."Princess Twilight explained,sitting in a conjured construct of the cavern,"The most commun animals found there were fruit bats."
"Ooooh,like those who infest the harvests?"Fluttershy wondered,eyes twinkling with an unshared excitement.
Violet eyes at the opposite side,however,blinked with swaying doubt:"Yes,like those who infest the harvests and consume all the provisions for winter...for all winter."she cleared her throat before the pegasus could point one,"In anyways,the origin of this name held a special meaning,but you don't use it anymore."
The princess didn't formulate it as a question,but as a firm certainity.'It was special,but you don't know it anymore.'As if it was the tone she was going for,and stopped at the verge of a question,'Why don't you use it anymore?'For reality to catch up to her and cut her wonders into harsh facts.
"Oh,oh."Fluttershy exclaimed,reality splashing her face,"I would like to hear what makes it special your Highness!"she clutched a notebook,the light of crystals sent shadings dancing above her narrowed eyes,"Tell me everything."
The princess hardly hid her smile:
"Well,the crystals mined were meant for the high ranks.Mainly for the Crystal Empire,as asked by their governer..."
"Huh,"raising her eyes,Fluttershy giggled,nervously scribbling,"we don't have a Crystal Empire?"
"I know,"just like her half-question,her voice held the same certainity.And yet it wasn't form her part,as the princess raised her eyes upwards.Fluttershy followed it in hopes of answers,and found dangerous,sharp stalactites hanging from the cavity.
"Wait,"Fluttershy cut through the droppling silence,"does that mean you lived here?"
"That I was."
Rarity jolted her pegasus friend back from her trip down memory lane,waving a tired hoof.
"Uh...oh sorry,"Fluttershy faltered before answering,a smile in the most natural lies,"I could've found it in....a book?"
The unicorn blinked:
"Ah!A book,of course.That solves everything."The pegasus narrowed her eyes,clearly unimpressed,before her show of the obvious.But she was right.It didn't make sense.
The princess left her with more questions than answers,and she was the one asking questions!Needless to say,everytime they found themselves together,they got distracted by pretty landscapes.
What did it mean that she lived there?Did she move to another place?Or was Fluttershy meeting with a memorial of a once existing princess in dreams,considering they could've existed?
Did that make Princess Twilight a ghost?
Fluttershy couldn't shiver at the tought.Even if the princess turned out to be one,she wouldn't be the kind of Spike's Nightmare comic books. That she still didn't agree he could read!Thankfully his interest switched to a certain volume on dream-walking,constantly asking where he could find the previous three of the collection...
"Fluttershy,"began numbly Maud,a dusty helmet on her head from her exploration,"you might want to take a step back."
"Why so?"The pegasus asked as she complied.Right next,a stalactite fell on her previous spot as she recoiled further with a terrified yelp.
"And we might need leave now!"Rarity exclaimed.
"Not yet,"continued Maud,poking the rest of the stalactite,"The stalactites are dripping at at quicker rate.This isn't going to be the last one..."
To parallel her statement,the cavity of the cavern trembled,sending another round of clincking sounds echoing.More stalactites crashed on the ground.And before they could even think to escape.A brief earth-quack threw them off balance,and another,and another....manifesting in the cadance of hoofsteps.
They stood silently against the hollows of the cavern,listening carefully as the earth-quacks reached its crescendo.Meaning that whatever caused it was right besides.From the small slot composing the entrance,a mass crossed their path outside.The entire area shivered in fear.
Not very much distinguable,it ressembled a living hill,dirt and vegetation,brought to life.Shielding all source of light as it passed by,momentarely engulfing them into darkness.
If momentarely was a good half-hour.
They pressed themselves against the cavern's walls.In silence.Making their presence unknown and avoiding the stalactites sending a cacophony of shatering noises.Rarity's expression twisted into one of discomfort,and Fluttershy's as impassable as Maud's.
The earth-quacks furthered,furthered and furthered,leaving them behind.But not enough for them to be reassured,staying paralyzed until only the sound of droplets of water could be heard.Prickling against the crystals.
"Fluttershy,"Maud calmy called,"do you have any idea what that thing could be?"as if nothing happened.
"I...I don't recognize this creature,"she eyed the ground,washing her every term in warry,"and I've never seen it anywhere."she temptatively peeked trough the slot,recalling in her memory every feature that made up the giant.
"Drat!If even Fluttershy doesn't know what it is,then how would we know how dangerous it could be?"Rarity chocked in a murmrur,still affected by the encounter.
"Not yet,that is."The pegasus smirked confidently.The unicorn lit up in comprehension.
"Another one of your books,I presume?"she recalled,her expression matching Fluttershy's.
The latter eyesided the entrance of the cavern.The sun's rays brightly filtered trough the leaves of the trees as the forest embraced the calm again.Hiding her many secrets behind this peaceable sight.But she knew someone who would help her decipher them:
"Something like that..."
"Wow."
Her exclaimation didn't bear any amazement,it was simply plain and stated the dull evidence.The princess trotted around the hole dug in the ground,nearly having to fasten her pace to reach the yellow pegasus at the other side due to its vast size.
Her eyes widened as she gestured with a hoof at the impossible creation,her stunned expression asking a quiet question:how?
Fluttershy nodded gravely and mentioned to the round hole,besides a construct of the Crystalfall cavern from memories of it exploration:
"If this is only the size of its claw,we can only imagine how huge the rest is..."
"I can only imagine the damages left in the Everfree..."Princess Twilight murmured.Hoping the dreamer wouldn't catch it.She caught it.
Fluttershy turned to her in a compassionate smile,half-hiding behind her mane.She didn't like seeing her usual loosen self twisted from resentement.Instead,she ajusted into giving her positive informations:
"Well,this creature is probably from the Everfree forest so I'm sure it learned how to adapt."the princess arced a curious eyebrow,"And besides,when we got out of our hiding place they were only those steps left,okay maybe a few branches fel-..."
"Wait!Because you were near it?!"Princess Twilight pressed a hoof on the pegasus's shoulder,her tone filling in panic,"Are you all right?It didn't do anything to you,right?"
Good job,Fluttershy;she've just the opposite of reassuring her.
"Of course I'm all right.Then why am I here?"Fluttershy spoke the princess' language using logic.
"Actually in dreams,you project your ideal image so I might no even know if you were really injured..."Princess Twilight explained matter-of-factly,a way to control her emotions arising.
"I am perfectly fine,if you want to be sure..."Fluttershy smiled soflty,instinctively pressing her own hoof on the princess',the latter allowing herself a releived smile to fill her.
"Good,I...,"she rested her head on top of the pegasus',forgetting herself,"I was just worried,nothing much."
"m,"Fluttershy tried to contain a suprised giggle,secretly chastising herself for her cheeks flushed pink,"Princess?"
The designed's eyes widened in realisation at the contact of rose wicks brushing her chin.And immediatly let go,taking a few steps away for good measure.Gathering her nerve,she positioned herself in front of Fluttershy.And whispered with the straightest face:
"This is all a dreeaam,"she waved a hoof in front of her very eyes,"you're going to wake up and forget everythiiiing..."
"Well,this is a dream."the pegasus raised a hoof,"It doesn't make you any less real,doesn't it?"she smirked contently at the pout the princess formed.
"You've got me,"she relented,a sigh escaping her.
"But,"she giggled,nervous,"if this is my 'projection',then how does it explain that you can walk freely in dreams?"
"Oh,this is not my physical form,"the princess replied all naturally.Fluttershy set a great deal on keeping her smile natural in turn,apprehading the following.Well...it made sense,she guessed...
"I'm projecting as much as much as you.The Dream Realm is purely made out of pony's dreams so a physical matter couldn't be incorporated into it,"Princess Twilight pursued before a clearing of throat caught her,she faced clearly a pegasus awaiting to ask a question.Her stiff posture gave away its importance.
"In that case,uh where...where is your physical form?"
Adding 'if you have one overtook all her will power.She just needed to know.For once and for all.Not that she could not have one...can the answer be a straight 'No'?
No.That would be impossible,right?That she couldn't be...
Alive?
"It's really far away actually,"the princess wondered,a hoof on her chin,"nearly hundreds of light-years away,but right now I'm kind of stuck in the middle."
"Huh?"Fluttershy didn't know what this meant,but at least it killed her previous worries on the matter.She contented herself with it...almost.
What could there be in the middle?Beyond space and astroid belts unknown to the explored cosmos...Oh.
"That makes sense actually!It would explain why nopony saw alicorns nowadays,you were just in another dimension...or space?"
"You don't believe in alicorns in your 'dimension'?"Princess Twilight asked in an amused tone;despite already knowing the answer.
"We don't have any proof of your existence,Princess,"Fluttershy tried to defend while the latter snickered at her attempt,"if you would call 'proof' just unreliable writings and maybe the legend of Nightmare Moon..."
And then,the princess's previous careless behavior ceased.
Completly.
Time seemed to have come to a stop as she looked away,the air dropping to colder matter.And before she could even ask what was wrong...
"So!If you were near this supposed creature,"Princess Twilight turned around,hurriedly gesturing to the hole,"I guess that you saw what it ressembled,right?"
The yellow pegasus let an understanding smile cross her lips.A twinkle of anticipation spread in sight of the much awaited moment.
Fluttershy made a big show as to position herself on the nearby clearest space of the forest.
Framed between trees shaped like deer antlers,she stood.Tall and ready before the princess' stare.In clear evidence,royal matter could reflect a cherished concept of showmanship.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."Princess Twilight recited solemnly.
"...prepare."Fluttershy finished for her,unable to restrain a giggle.
Right then,the entire ground beneath her hoofs rose,and rose,and rose...until the princess almost fell on her hindlegs trying to follow the pegasus by sight.
The forest creature drowned her under its shadow.Darkness just held a stronger meaning.The pegasus appeared in the image of a yellow dot over its head.Its back heavied under the dirt and vegetation it bore,wild herbs and mushrooms all the like.
The only caracteristic predicting a living underneath being its piercing green eyes.
"Wow."This time,she was amazed.
Princess Twilight flew up to reach the pegaus.The latter,unfortunatelty,captivated by a much different sight.
"Um...Fluttershy?"The yellow pegasus stopped studying the giant and giving it head pats before setting her eyes back on the princess,a concerned frown marring the latter's expression.
"Do you think I could meet it?"she asked before the princess could place one,"It's not harmfull,right?How can it be?Have you seen anything so adorable..."she cooed as she lowered her eyes to the beast.
Princess Twilight avoided answering that if she saw such creature she would bolt at the first given occasion.Faced with the pegasus returning to brush the leaves on its head as a way of petting.
"I...,"she shook her head,"No,it's not harmfull."
Now did she catch her attention.
"Do tell,"she encouraged.
"I haven't seen it myself,but in an interseting work in the 'Giants of the Everfree forest' section of the Canterlot Public Library...,"she began before frowning oncemore,"...or was it the 'Immoratl beats' section?"
To wich Fluttershy and the beast exchanged a suspicious glance between them.The alicorn resumed her trail of tought:"In anyways,it goes by the rough name of the Mossbeast,pratically due to..."
"Its main diet?"Fluttershy tempted,eager to participate."Why sould they name it after that?That's harsh..."
"Uh no?"Princess Twilight replied slowly,confusedly"It's due to its hibernation taking the duration of thousands of years and leaving the time for the moss and other plants to slowly grow on its body."a proud smile crossed her,"As for the name,its scientific appelation is more fitting:Muscus Bestia..."
Her smile dropped when a snort reached her ears,falling to a giggle.Fluttershy muffled her shameless demeanor behind a hoof,the Mossbeast waving her spot,leaves and petals hovering above her tear-stricken eyes.
"Sorry,"she didn't seem the least sorry,"but that's somehow even worse!"
"Are you done?"the princess cleared,the pegasus made an assuring motion,"against the name,"she pursued gravely,"it can adopt an aggressive behavior under certain conditions.That's why I was worried beforewards.After its hibernation,the amount of nutrition it needs is considerate otherwise being threatening,its main being Poison Joke."
Princess Twilight's horn flickered and an image of the aformentioned blue flower manifested.The yellow pegasus didn't even need a visual presentation of the plant,as she recognized it immediatly by name.
"Oh,I have a friend who works with this plant.Only she has access to it,now it's locked in a greenhouse due to the danger it holds for ponies to be near it..."
She stood up on her hoofs,reaching the princess at eye level to throw a ligering thought:"But considering the size of the Mossbeast,I would be suprised I've never heard any mention of it.I mean,at least in the recent works...even with the 'thousand years' thing,"she gestured with a hoof.
The princess shrugged lightly.This time,at loss for responses.
"What do I know?It could be due to the beast's easiness to camouflage itself within its environment,"the yellow pegasus let a smile spread on her lips at the irony,"and who am I to tell?I'm just a dream who's going to fade in a few seconds when you wake up..."
Ha!Sarcasm again,she would never cease to take her off hook.Only then,the thruth emerged.
"Wake up?"
"It's eight in the morning,"Princess Twilight plainly informed.
"Oh dear,"the pegasus paced around the head of the Mossbeast,with dread,"I'm going to be late,ain't I?"she turned to the alicorn,"I should probably at least try t-.."
A bright light cut trough the air and her words,a flotting ghost of a smile from the princess.The scenery faded before the pegasus' eyes and she opened them to find herself back in her bedroom.Covered in silky sheets.
The nerve that she has,her Highness...
Well,that was a merely lighthearted.Fluttershy couldn't even hold it against her.Not only did she wake her up just in time for sunrise but she also provided important informations for latter use.
She stole a glance trough the window to see the first rays peeking trough the heavy clouds,grasping the time left as to scribble every aspect of her dream in her journal.
Her alarm displayed:8 a.m.She was right.Once again.
And the sunrise.The sunrise was not the only celestial sight to behold.Brushed against the sky,the Alicorn constellation vanished as each star's sparkle died out until nothing was left of it and the sky's surface remained pristine and dull.
Two unusual events that probably had no semblance of a connection together.
~Chapter 11~Hiding in the Garden,a Monster in Sight
Buckball was a relatively simple game.Each of the three parties played an important role in their team separately by unicorn,pegasus and earth pony.
Still,even then the yellow pegasus could only grasp general rules when Rainbow complained about the opposite team 'cheats',claiming 'they played even when we reached the countdown!' or even 'the basket was crossing the line and they still counted the point!'
She only did her best at smiling sympathetically or for some rare occasions ironically joining in on her infuriation.This time, however,she was the one complaining:
"Um...oh,sorry everypony but I think you let the ball go sideways and...,"she tried to explain,holding most naturally the object that have litterally flew across the field,"it almost landed on my head so I tought I'd let you know..."
The ball was flotted gently away from her skillful grip in a purple aura,back to its respective team:
"Sorry Fluttershy,"apologized Snails ,so calm,"don't worry,it happens all the time."
"Good..."she rested back against the wooden bench,carrying with her the peace of a regular Saturady aftern-...
"Hey!That goes to our team!"Rainbow snapped,appearing out of nowhere next to the pegasus and nearly frightening her to death,"It's the players that are supposed to play not the spectators!"
"Rainbow Dash!"the opposite team's leader growled as the cyan pegasus flew dirt on her indigo uniform.Her abrupt land rose of those clouds,"We weren't even playin' yet.Snails was only practicin' and here you..."
"Relax AJ,"the imprudent interrupted,flying backwards to mock her poor excuse,"the rules are the rules,so chill...and maybe we'll get along next time."
Her best 'winning' grin pinned up in reverse,the mockery pursuing.The mare's freckled face frowned,boiling from her tone driping in false pleasantries.
The yellow pegasus have witnessed all the ups and downs between the two leaders since the beginining of their championship.The tension-induced interactions were just a dime a dozen....still,she couldn't fanthom the treatment she could receive from playing against the athletic peagasus.If she played Buckball that is...
"Rainbow?Can you come here a second?"Fluttershy called out.
The designed joined her,a tad annoyed at being cut trough her chatter.
"What is it?"Her question would be out of the blue.
"I just remembered...,"she urged her to come closer,annoyence grew,"I remembered...you know...something from the Apple family that you told me..."
"Spill it."
"Okay!Um...wasn't it the Apple family's 'guest' that was attacked in the Everfree forest?By a mysterious creature?"she mentioned near the orange-coated mare.
"Uh yeah?"Rainbow replied,recalling the earlier conversation she had with Applejack in their strange whereabouts as rivals,"Ask her for yourself if you want..."
As on cue,the earth pony approched.Having heard her name slip from the conversation.
"Talkin' 'bout me?"
"Oh,hi Applejack."Fluttershy greeted,"And actually I was concerned about something related to you..."
The latter stood patiently and waited....and...she knew it was absurd.She meant,how high were the chances?How much could Princess Twilight be right before she could even stop calling her a product of dreams?
The yellow pegasus shook away her warry."Did your guest give a description of her attack in the Everfree?"
"Well,what can I tell ya?"Applajack rubbed the back of her head,"She was pretty quiet,and only stayed for a night...the only mention of a monster in the Everfree was that it was as huge as a hill..."The farmer snorted at the memory,the image bearing a shameless distraction:
"I mean,if it was that big everypony would be talkin' abou' it!"
"Yeah,right?"Rainbow chuckled,joining in alongside her amusement.
Only the yellow pegasus remained quiet,frowning at the new piece of information;tuning out the background noise.It seemed like the only real witness of the Mossbeast have left her sight.And to add to it,many animals from the Everfree were brought inexplicably injured at her clinic,all kinds of species.And when she meant all kinds,even a Timberwolf didn't escape the harsh treatement.
"And were is she now?"Her question caught Applejack off guard:
"Uh...she kept mentionin' the Everfree Castle,somthin' about meetin' a friend here..."
The Everfree Castle?With all the ongoing rumors about a supposed 'haunting' there,its walls have never been so full.The tourists eager to catch sight of a ghost on their cameras.If Fluttershy couldn't even bear to go out at Nightmare Night then this old construction was haunted by the spirit of Nightmare Night itself!
"No thanks!"she got up abrubtly,startling the two players,before rapidly tightening her saddlebag against her,readying herself to leave...
"Where are you going?"Rainbow asked.
"To Zecora's shop,"she spun her head,middway trough the little path,"I just need to take care f something and if I don't come back earlier,look out for me to Zecora."
"Okay?Honestly,I don't even know what you'll be doing in here..."Rainbow hummed,her eyes narrowed in rightfull suspicion.
"Pffft,absolutly nothing!"masking her panic rising,she pointed urgently behind the cyan pegasus,"Hey look,Applejack is taking the ball!"
"What?where?!"
And with that,she was gone.
Wisps of smoke rose highly.Reaching the ceiling,envoloping the entire room in a greenlit aura and emaning from the black coldron.A strange sense of comfort was pulled out of the yellow pegasus' chest,between the ambience scarly out of a witch's lair.
"Is it ready?"the preparation boiling inside reflected her concerned frown.
"Not yet,"the herbalist responded,her reflection staring back at the worrysome pegasus',"for now,it needs to rest."
Their respective reflections were troubled at the ladle Zecora used to stir the potion.Its properties were aimed against a certain blue flower.The movement poured out the steam and plunged the room and its three people under the protection field.
The third partie,Dr.Fauna,distracted herself with the study of the many potions,elixirs and herbs bottled up on the shelfs.She rose her nose from her tea cup.The green smoke drowning out the shop was enough of a distraction.
"Are we ready to go?"she asked her coworker,sitted on the cushions layed on the floor.
"Not now Mane,"Fluttershy delayed,"I still need to grab the Poison Joke and we'll be off the hook..."
The zebra caught her precipitation.It was odd among her act of casual routine.
"Pardon my interest,"she began,"but what would you use the Poison Joke for at best?"
A secretive look was shared among the two veterinarians.Countless researchs consumed them for the previous days.Fluttershy assured her colleague that she was in possesion of the coveted anwswer,they would find the mysterious harms of the forest.
She didn't believe her until they found a description of a beast made of moss.And Fluttershy couldn't believe herself.In appearence,the Mossbeast existed alongside the alicorns' reign.Therefore considered a myth as much.The humblest details met her standards.
"We'll just use it for a creature at the clinic,"Mane explained as her colleague unwinded,"some kind of strange nutrition habits..."
"Very well,"Zecora relented,"be carefull as to escape the dangers of this plant,and if anything happens I'll have more potion beforehand."
She gave the jar containing the Poison Joke crumpled inside.To the enthusiasm of Fluttershy,as she grabed it in carefull hoofs.
"What would we do with it?"Mane murmured at the intension of the yellow pegasus,having approched her,"I mean,if this myth's book is right...I'm not even sure we will find a beast of that description."
"If the book is right?"Fluttershy echoed in confusion.For her,the information came in the form of dreams and even then finding a piece of it in reality was admittedly troubling.
The last of her worries confirmed themselves when the walls of the hut began to tremble.In evidence,everything trembled,before the mighty earthquakes spreading.The clinking glass of the jars echoed around them:
"There it is,"a smile spread on Fluttershy's lips.
She walked towards the door,cluntching the jar under her wing.Dr.Fauna trotting behind her confident steps in alarm.
"What does that mean?"she crossed the entrance,panic plaguing her,quickly followed by an unpassible zebra.
Now all vulnerable under the penetrating gaze of the forest.The eyes of the yellow pegasus seemed lost beyond the dark trees towering above.Even when her two companions tried to reach the origin of her stare,they were only met by the clinging depth of the woods.The wicked haze circling their very presence.
Until they saw them.
It had no distinguable shape at first,only two beacons of light piercing trough the blue.In ill appearence,aimed towards them. Then they could fanthom a shape,spotted horns and finally,a beast the size of a hill.
As clear as its vague form,flotting above their comprehension.
"F-Fluttershy..."Mane called out at the captivated mare,taking a step back.
"Did you mean to say,"Zecora took a matching step backwards,"that this creature followed you from the clinic all the way?"
"Don't move,"Fluttershy cut in firmly.They complied with no resort.
The stance of the Mossbeast quickly shifted,going to a lowered head and stiff legs.Emaning a low growl gargling from its throat.It indicated a threatening behavior in the shape of its language.
This didn't dismentle Fluttershy.She flew high to reach its eye level,to the distress of her two companions,and dropped the now empty jar to the ground.Its expression softened.Considerably,at the sight of the blue flower in the pegasus' flimsy hold.
The potion's effects were proved effective,at least when she asked in her usual,gentle voice:
"Looking for this?"
"Okay,ready,set...go!"What immediatly responded to Rainbow's starting was the ball shaking until it rolled at the other side of the field.
The sceptic gaze of the teamplayers following her independant movement.Snails even checking if his magic might've been of any trigger.
"Wait...do you have telekinetic powers?"she narrowed her eyes at Applejack,a flat look in return,"Flashnews,that's cheating!"her face was shoved against the mare's.Before she could find her hoof and separated them. Personnal space was lost.
"Dash!"she drew a tired sigh,"Look!It's actually comin' from here..."Applejack gestured to the Everfree forest.
In instance,a swarm of birds escaped the wooden cage in a flurry.Covering the sky in their desesperate pleas.
"Uh,what could be going on in here?"Rainbow wandered,mid-levitating in place,inaffected by the slight earth-quake reaching them.
"Do you think it could be Fluttershy?"The farmer rubbed her chin,recalling the strange behavior troubling the pegasus.She reconized lying when she witnessed it.
"What?!"Rainbow snorted,trying to hide who much sense it made"Why,of all things,would it be Fluttershy?"
"Oh,I don't know!"Applejack's eyes widened,feining suprise,"Maybe 'cause she works with all kinds of monsters like Manticors,Timberwolves and all that stuff..."
Rainbow turned slowly towards the direction of the forest.Her expression twisted into one of warry,as she whimpered for herself mostly:"Oh,Fluttershy I hope you know what you're doing..."
"I know what I'm doing!"she assured to the dot appearing below,interpreted as a worried zebra,"Just stay far enough so you won't get stepped on..."
"And what makes you think,"Zecora recoiled at the enormous claw swinging her way,its owner captivated by the flower Fluttershy carried,"that this thing won't let its docile behavior sink?"
Mane agreed with her statement with an audible gulp,trailing far behind.
The yellow pegasus tried to catch a glimpse of the two,without deviating the attention of the Mossbeast from her track.Flying backwards wasn't the easiest of things,no matter how much Rainbow displayed it as such,it wasn't moreso while adding a giant beast following your every movement.
"Trust me,"she smiled as she waved the flower for the beast to keep up with her pace,"I just need to get it to the greenhouse and it won't hurt us at all,"she turned to the Mossbeast,"riiight?"
The giant made a slow head movement ressembling a nod,confusing the pegasus' companions from its compliance.But it wasn't what was missing.
"Wait,can we name it?"Fluttershy's eagerness was met with a disaproving shake of the head from her colleague:
"You know what happens when you do so,Fluttershy,"she hopped before the beast,catching her full attention,"I suggest we don't,otherwise you'll get attached."
the pegasus' brow knit together as she didn't even throw a look her way:"And where's the problem?"
Zecora let a small chuckle escape her,much more at ease at following besides a forest giant due to her many strange encounters in her homeplace:
"I suggest we let Fluttershy do for what she is fit,"the zebra approved to a most gratefull pegasus,"and hopefully we'll get this over with!"
"I couldn't agree more with you,"Dr.Fauna scoffed as she almost tripped on yet another branch,those crashing down at an impossible rate,"with all those scratches I'm getting,I'm actually suprised this creature haven't killed anyone with its environment endangers!"
A yelp escaped her when a branch heavily fell particularly close to her spot.Earning another disinterested growl from the Mossbeast in regards of its deeds.Its only focus was set on the Poison Joke,carried by the single hoof of a yellow pegasus as the other was busy clunching the warry face of its owner.
Each of its steps shook the ground beneath them and prompted a certain doctor into echoing a particular choice of words,their position unable to reach a more infortunate degree:
"I would gladly guide you to the greenhouse if I could do so,"Zecora began,at the edge of slipping from their high path,"but it looks like we have a long way to go."
"It's okay,I'll manage..."had Fluttershy let those words slip away that the friendly sparrow perched on her shoulder,chirping out directions,flew by fits and starts at the next earth-quake.
Another branch crashed,dust reared at their hoofs,the trees brushed off by the beast's ankles.The ground trembled,inducing swarms of birds into escape,sending distressed chirps echoing trough the forest:
"Jefferson,no!"Fluttershy scolded,her hoof rose to her loose strands of mane,panic arising,"You can't be doing this,you're destroying the birds' nests!"
The shimmering eyes of the beast locked onto hers,shrinking in place and drawing out a pitious whine.
They finally made it to the greenhouse,as best as they could,before Fluttershy felt she would earn crumps from her continious flying.
The Poison Joke flotted gently to the ground,dropped by a tired flyer,as the Mossbeast followed it by sight,lost in its distraction.
Fluttershy nearly fell,in place of landing awkwardly on the grass.Her begging eyes locked onto the zebra's,the latters widening,until she understood the inaudible pretext.
Zebra threw her the keys,with no sense of warning to the clumsy grasp of Fluttershy.Before she rapidly,and clumsily,pushed them in as to open the door under the curious head tilt of the Mossbeast.
"I admit that the opening is quite a trick,"Zecora emphatized,"but must you be so quick?"
"Ah!"she nailed it,proudly stepping back to let the beast witness the artificial garden,"Serve yourself,Jefferson...and carefully if you can?"
The beast followed at best her demand,gently passing its claws trough the glass entrance and extracting a bouquet of Poison Joke from the garden,to its growing satisfaction.It guided the bouquet on its head to gently plant the flowers.Its eyes not leaving Fluttershy's as more popped bloomily on its forehead:
"Seriously?"she arced an eyebrow.
The Mossbeast could only shrugg in return.A helpless expression painted on its eyes.
"Well,I'm flummoxed,"Dr.Fauna exclaimed,"when everypony will learn that a mythical creature came to life...and we'll be the firsts to make the discovery!"
"I would've never imagined in a possible future,"Zecora playfully added,"such pleasent manners from a forest creature."With a gratefull bow of its head did the beast bestow them upon,its gallantry not having faded away with time.To their unbelivable eyes as they let out a blended laughter in unisson.
"It's you we should be thanking,Jefferson...,"Fluttershy gracefully imitated its movement,catching its pleasant surprise.
What a fascinating creature!Maybe she ought to study its adaptation to a narrow environment,a myth coming to life wasn't a light matter.This discovery wouldn't be unwelcome to the arms of naturalists but an essay was of sight beforewards.Wait...this sounded more like something Princess Twilight would say...
Did she happen to influence her beyond dream?
Fluttershy realised that none of this would've been possible without her intervention,seeing her two friends entertaining themselves practically,planting a swarm of flowers on the beast's lowered head,to its tranquil posture.
A most deserved thanks was of sight for her dream guardian,she mentally checked the case.And even before that,she needed to get back to the Buckball match training.
How could she have forgotten?She surely didn't come back earlier and Zecora was out of her shop.She owned a most peculiar explanation to Rainbow...
"Almost forgot,"-her two friends turned her way at her concernfull tone-,"I have to get back to Rainbow,she was already suspicious about me leaving and I shouldn't let her worry lik-..."
Her sentence hit a mid-end when the Mossbeast lowered its back to Fluttershy,upon reaching her level.Her two friends sharing a doubtless look among them when she chose the odd way out,flying up to take a most comfortable spot on the giant's head.
"I'll be off now."she peeked at the two dots below,not the least dismantled,"Oh,unless you want to accompany me...wich is fine,I understand..."
Dr.Fauna exchanged an amused look with the zebra besides.The pegasus interpreted the giggle they shared,before the doctor even shouted her response:
"I think we're fine,we'll catch up later,"Dr.Fauna turned to Zecora,"And I just remembered something in the shop anyways."
"Don't go too far from this blip,"Zecora warned,"for now,enjoy your trip."
The Mossbeast made a slow double turn,heading for a clear path as its mighty frame subsided into a modest spot in the distance.They made out their commun friend's soft voice reaching their ears in a rattled tone:"Lower your head,lower head!"her voice echoed at a branch nearly grazing her,"Be carefull I'm still brushing off many leaves!"
They shook their heads in feined disbelief at the growl the Mossbeast let out in response.Probably as a way of an apology.
After an admitedly more tranquil walk than the latter,crossing areas of the Everfree forest Fluttershy could've only witnessed perched on a familiar of these anciant woods,they reached a glade before the sun could embrace the horizon.
Fluttershy flew down,landing on the ground as the Mossbeast straightened its stance.She turned to her strange forest friend in a kind smile:
"I guess I 'll have to make the rest of the way myself."she supposed aloud.
The beast blinked slowly at her,nailed to the ground in a stiff position.
"Um...,"Fluttershy digged for proper goodbies,"have a nice day?"
Its eyes drowned into hers,researching her expectanly.Blinking its feeble eyes in a slow motion,the pegasus trying to discover what it was awating for.She traveled her sight on the boulders covered in moss,thorny vines,the honeyed sunrays drowning the landscape in ember:
"This is a...a really nice garden?"her last resort came awkwardly,rubbing the back of her head.
Now,it was the Mossbeast's turn to judge her,silently and passively.Tillting its head,jaded before her conceptions,in a way to emanate Really,that's all you could think of...
Fluttershy's frown faltered,a single firefly flew atop her muzzle,tickling her vision by its brightness and inducing her into lucidity;it wasn't a firefly.
She could reconize those miles away.Strangely enough,this was a yellow spark;clearing from a spot she hasn't come yet to consider.
More sparks were springing from the vines,wrapped between them in thight nods and turns.She approched the strange blaze bursting underground and trough the vegetation,drawn in an entranced state.
The beast stood loyal to her side.
Fluttershy pushed the vines away and dug slitghly trough the dirt.Rarity would have a stroke if she saw her that way.But all that mattered now was the dirtied stone she found.In appearence,emanating a soft glow,as well as those sparks from earlier.
And when she established contact with a reaching hoof,it glowed brighter,fiercer.
The explanation she owed just reached impossible dimensions.
"What did you call us for again?"Rainbow spit,an edge of detachment.
"Morever the reason,it doesn't look any better than the Rune of Ages displayed in the Manehattan museum...,"Rarity huffed,in peculiar revolt.
"I mean,"Sunburst poked a the old mineral,"it just looks like a..."
"Wait,are you sure?"Fluttershy glanced at the mishmash,ancient grimoires and scientific material included,in the sole purpose to research her discovery,"Um it couldn't possibly be...,"she set her focus on a certain grey mare,"Maud?"
"It's an aggregate of minerals,orderly held together by chemical bonds,"Maud unblocked in her usual deadpan,achieveing their entire wanders,"it is a rock."
The group set their sight back on the oval stone like a single entity,disposed on Sunburst's work table between a multitude of ithems.A certain yellow pegasus claimed,no swore,she saw it glow independantly in the Everfree forest,with no other source than a unrefined mystery.
"And what were we expecting?"Rainbow snapped,"It's not like it couldn't be I dunno,the sun or anything..."she turned in a scowl directed to Fluttershy.
The latter's eyes widened,so imperceptibly one would merely qualify it as a blink.
"Oh-h,well excuse me Rainbow,"the thin thread of a smile countered her politness,"but what could make you say that?Except for the fact that you didn't find it."
"You're right."the cyan retorted,"Except for the fact that I don't go wandering in a dangerous forest without informing my friends about it."
Now did Fluttershy realise the extent of her deeds.Her pegasus friend slipped through the air,to sulk in a corner.Sure,Fluttershy wasn't alone at that moment and knew well enough how to manage by herself.But she made her worry.And could she consider reversed roles?No,no she couldn't.
"Sorry Rainbow,"Fluttershy approched the pegasus besides Rarity,occupied with the dubious task at ignoring her,flipping trough a book,"I should've told you the truth at first so you won't be worried,and sorry to you too Rarity,"she pleaded,luster of tears stinging her eyes,"even if...if you weren't there..."
"Hey,hey,"Rainbow wrapped a comforting arm around the pegasus,"It's nothing,Fluttershy..."
"Wait what?"Rarity snapped out of her lecture,"Oh no darling,far from that.I was just wandering why this odd rock on this volume looked familiar to the one you foun-..."
"WHAT?!"
The sudden outburst startled the pristinely crafted atmosphere,breaking in desolate shreds.Rarity nearly dropped her book.And even if she didn't,it was rudely snatched from her in a turquoise aura.
"Okay,so...let me see..."Sunburst mumbled in a franzy,trying to find where?Where?"
Uh...,"he turned to Rarity as he drew a nervous laugh,but not for the anticipated apology,"could you remind me the number of the page again?"
"Fifty-one,"the unicorn flipped her curls indignantly,ungratefully,"and you're welcome..."Sunburst mumbled a modest thanks before returning to his duty,unaware of the yellow pegasus who crept up behind him.The page Sunburst stopped at was graced with the illustration of colourful gems. Their elegant cuts didn't have an ounce of ressemblance to the dirtied stone she found.Even then,more illustrations were shown.Depicting changes of an oval stone to the same precious gems.
"Actually...,"Sunburst began as Fluttershy tried to peek at the title,"they have no ressemblance between them."
"It's not possible,"Rarity defended,"if we actually cared to clean this stone from the dirt it would look like a carbon copy of the one below,"she pointed at the designed image.
"Yes buuut,"Sunburst flipped trough more pages,"you chose a section dedicated to legends,the chapter you were reading is about 'the Elements of Harmony'."The mentioned title in capitals stared back at the blinking eyes of the three friends,Maud complying at miticoulously wiping the stone.
Everypony's attention was directed at the elements of the legend.And the foolish mistake that followed.
"The legend huh?"Rainbow turned to a lost Rarity,"You mean the one about Nightmare Moon?Where they defeat her with the elements?"She flew closer to the strange dull stone,now clean of all traces of dirt.
Maud moved back and nodded in approvement,her face wearing signs of concern,somehow.
"There's a particular figure carved on this rock."she pointed to the butterfly shaped hole in the stone,"It has been cut perfectly,almost as if the magma solidified in this form..."
"Even then,"Rainbow shrugged,impatient,"there's no way that old thing is an Element of Harmony,I'm telling you!"She snapped her neck at the stone urgently.Staring at the grey matter,she awaited for something.
"No way!"The stone seemed to go stiffer by the time.And duller.Anything.
"Okay,I give up!"she threw her arms,defeated.
"So I just brought this rock for nothing!"Fluttershy imitated her movement,equally deseparate,"This has been a waste of time..."she reached instinctively for the book Sunburst was reading,flipping trough "Artifacts that can break any curse",wondering what the title desired to provide.
"Darling no!"Rarity soothed in comfort,rubbing circles on her back,"You can start a...eh...a rock collection!"
"Yes but no,"Fluttershy rose her eyes from the volume,a flat look plastered as she pointed at their expert in geology,"Maud already beats me at that."
The grey mare turned to her,in what could be described as compassion in her prefered language:"It's okay,we can share the passion."
The yellow pegasus couldn't feel more ashamed,losing herself to the heavy pages of legends and myths of old.It was true.They had no similarities between them,and that dusty old stone of hers.What was she awaiting for?
To find the artifact worthy of a legend?The defeater of Nightmare Moon?The raw power that no alicorn could rivalise?That could banish any being into the Moon,the stars and the contellations?
The constellations?
The constellations...
Wait,if she followed the book's inscriptions,the elements held as much power regarding any form of spell or incantation.Therefore,banishing a being in a prison of celestial bodies reflected a reversed effect.Translating why they could break any curs-...
"Ha,I knew it!"
This was from Rainbow.And it could mean only one single darned,cursed thing.
"Eeeek!"Fluttershy shielded herself with the book wide open above her face,a massive light blinding her.The cover shook as a solid mass baldly bumped into it before bouncing forth.The cover slipped from her,as she blinked the last of the sparks around her eyes.And opened them.
It all hapened in slow motion.
The rapid strike of spark traced a curved trail above the air.Before bumping against a heavy volume brandished by Rainbow.To shocking against a quickly conjured barrier from Rarity.For its track to be cut by the mechanical dodge of Maud to meet the wall.To finally bounce back and tinckle and roll in the pit of a jar held high in a turquoise aura.
Sunburst,not taking his chances,bottled up the bright 'stone' inside before anymore damage could ensue.His stare somber as he raised his eyes to meet theirs:
"None.Of.This.Ever.Happened,"he whispered dangerously,the emaning light curving shades across his sharp features.Rainbow frowned slowly at his warning,crossing her arms in resignation.
"What?No way,did you see what happened?This could be the discovery of a millenium!"she reached a hoof towards the jar,before it slipped away in the unicorn's magic,"Come on,we could even make it public!Tell about it to Prince Sombra..."
"Not the least!Do you want us to risk committing a crime of lese majesty!"Sunburst pushed,his eyes subduing into fear,a strange fear no one seemed to catch.
"Why would the Prince feel insulted by a rock?"Rainbow asked with her candid genuinity.And she did mean it.Really!Their governer wasn't of the tempestuous temperament.But already,Sunburst recoiled in his warning.Deviating by an alternative.
"I m-mean...we don't even have any confirmation,"he laughed in confidence,wich erupted in a rough wheezing,"imagine having to present only but a dull rock to his royal court!Sure would be...uh...embarrassing."
At the sole mention of royal displeasure,Rainbow let her arms fall heavily to her side,defeated by her own prejudices.
"He's right Rainbow,"Rarity empatised slowly,"we don't even know if it could hold any danger.Well,I can't say it didn't brush off any mane..."
"Dangerous?"piped in Fluttershy's voice behind the unicorn.She threw nervous stares around,cautiously avoiding the bottled stone:"I literally touched that thing,"she lowered her eyes to her shaking hoofs,"d-do you think it could be radioactive or anythin-..."
"No,no,"Sunburst cut in with a smile he intended reassuring,wich just came out stiff,"I mean,we haven't examined every pattern constituing it,Rainbow no!"he scolded the cyan hoof reaching for the jar,before facing Fluttershy,"this stone holds no harmful caracteristics...until proven otherwise."
"Oh well,thank you Sunburst!"she blinked,with a smile she intended ironic,wich just came out the sweeter,"I could've never went on whitout this piece of information!"
The scientist nodded contently,before his eyes widened at a slight detail having slipped:"Right,...you're the one who found it,"he giggled nervously,"maybe you would want it back?Do you want me to return it for some time?"
"Please don't."
"Just one last question,"Rainbow made a full-spin,revealing the jar in her hold,to Sunburst's outrage,"what about Spike?He's a dragon!He can probably sense that it's a gem or something."she hovered above the scientist's protestations,"Take it with you Flutters!Take it!"
Fluttershy pushed away the cursed objet being crudely shoved into her visual field.Far from view,far from any direct contact if you please:"I am not doing this..."
"Come now Rainbow,"Rarity chimed in,interjecting beteween them,"if he did have any sixth sense on this advantage,this 'stone' wouldn't turn out to be some fantasmagical gem!"
"Wait,that thing is supposed to be a fantasmagical gem?"Spike pointed to the stone,standing on the libarian's office,"You can't tempt me with those engaging informations!Let me make sure of it!Maybe a teeny bite?"his claws grazed together in demonstration.
The librarian,and solitary ruler of this kingdom,rubbed her temples to avoid breathing out the logic.Piles of vague documents reached the heavens.The flight of a book bumped trough them and broke the entropy of balance.
"Spike,"she caught the fallen papers in her magic,by custom,"I regret to inform you that it's not possible.My memory can falter at any moment and I need a visual representation of the Element."Spike watched the documents levitate back into pristine,immaculate order.
"So you found it?You found the Element of Harmony?"
Her squribbling interrupted once to give a discreet nod,then back to business.The drake's worries only grew inches,he collapsed on the wooden furniture in a sitted position,flying out paperasserie.
"Guess that means you won't return again?"he sighed,barely audible.
"Why?"she followed in a whisper,ears pearked,"Of course I will return,why else not?"
"Well,I dunno,"he plung a spoon inside a bowl,wrapped in his claws,"why are you using my 'spiritual plane' as you call it to conjure libraries and 'illusive first drafts'?"Spike naggingly waved the spoonful of strawberry cream above her muzzle.
"So I can remind you that you can manifest as many ice creams as you please in return."A smug little smile decorated her answer.The spoon froze dreadfully in time.
"All fair and square!"Spike concluded,resuming his midnight collation,"That's why I like working with you Princess!"
"The pleasure is mine,"Princess Twilight said,"now,do you notice this pattern carved on the stone?It's almost resembling a clue we need to decipher.Any idea?"
Of course she would ask him.Him,her number one assistant!At least in crafted dreams.One he reads as a further reality.
"Heh,it just looks like the butterflies in Fluttershy's cottage,"Spike detached trough a mouthfull of ice cream.The princess rested her face between her hoofs,staring intensly at the stone.He tought she just spaced out.Blinking endlessly in a hazed state.Until...
"That's it!"she declared,in her 'eureka' reveal.Almost costing Spike to drop the browl."Oh,sorry Spike,but I'll have to excuse myself for the moment,"Princess Twilight began assembling her furniture in one big pile of nothing.He forgot she could take this with her,"I just remembered a great visit I need to attend to.Are you good?"
"Never better."A bookshelves metamorphosed into an ice cream cone,dripping in pastel hues,next to a proud dragon.The princess rolled her eyes,conjuring a portal wih a half-mind.The vortex basked its light onto the newly crafted kingdom.A single step,and she was gone.
"Hey!"Spike called out"Don't go too far into the cosmos!"he impishly warned,a hint of genuine worry.
