Knock knock knock

The door in front of Fluttershy opened in a flash of magenta, and the sight of Twilight hunched over a book surrounded by several stacks of even more books greeted her eyes. To her right, three droplets of water surrounded by magenta were circling around. On the numerous candles, the flames were dancing rhythmically to a tune only Twilight herself could know. A small stack of papers were right beside Twilight, and a quill still wrapped in her telekinesis hovered over the top.

"Oh, hello Fluttershy. Can't sleep?" Twilight asked as she glanced over in Fluttershy's direction.

Fluttershy shook her head, to which Twilight continued, "Come in."

"Apple Bloom is sound asleep," Fluttershy mentioned as she cautiously stepped in, the door closing behind her. "I was worried at first that she might have nightmares from recent events, but she seems to be sleeping soundly."

"What's keeping you up, then?"

Fluttershy sat down and stared at the floor.

"Come over here, Fluttershy. You can tell me if you want."

Hesitantly, Fluttershy moved between a couple stacks of books to sit beside Twilight, who gave a comforting smile and quietly waited for the shy mare to speak.

"I can't stop thinking about Fourth. And now, I see the faces of the diamond dogs and ponies who died just hours ago."

Twilight laid a hoof along Fluttershy's back.

"You saved lives earlier with your forewarnings, Fluttershy."

"I know. It's just—that one life I did take. And the lives that may be lost as this continues. They say that the world outside Equestria is a very unkind one. Does this sort of thing happen there, too? I think I liked Equestria much more before this started."

"I've been thinking about it too. So many meaningless deaths? I'm reading up on combat and defensive magic. I'm also looking into honing my shield weaving. I hope to make Equestria a safe place again."

"The Princess said she had it covered, though, didn't she?"

"About her. Something feels off. I couldn't quite place it, but I'm afraid, Fluttershy. She just seems so... distant. And, you know she can't just leave Canterlot whenever she wants to. More bystanders could get hurt if this drags on. Princess Celestia won't like it, but she has to know that we're the only ones who can stop them out there before this gets out of hoof and more ponies get hurt."

"I don't want to see anypony get hurt, either," Fluttershy replied. "I-I w-will stand with you and help however I can. If that's alright, I mean."

Twilight looked towards Fluttershy and smiled.

"I would be happy to have you with me. With you, me, and Trixie, I fear for the others who would stand in our way."

"You've been listening to Rainbow a little bit too much."

Twilight giggled, as did Fluttershy a moment after. They spent the next minute giggling before breaking out into a simultaneous yawn. A couple of blinks later, and the two were huddled together in the middle of the fortress of knowledge, fast asleep.

The rays of dawn ascended across Fluttershy as she began to flutter her eyes and wake. Glancing at the books around her, she remembered where she was, and who was next to her as she fell asleep. Blushing, she thought about the warmth of having Twilight next to her, then noticing the warmth was gone. Fluttershy stood up and looked around, noting Twilight was nowhere to be found. The soft patter of water sounded from nearby, signaling where she was.

The chill of the room permeated Fluttershy's coat, and she shivered. She thought again about the warmth Twilight provided, and her thoughts shifted to how she might—

W-wha-no, no—it's too early for that, you dirty mare, Fluttershy mentally chided herself.

Looking to a stack of books, one titled A Comprehensive Study on Magical Amulets peaked her interest. After carefully moving it out of the stack, Fluttershy opened it up to the table of contents. There were several sections, including ones she recognized, such as the Alicorn Amulet and the regalia of the Princesses. There was nothing on the Elements of Harmony, but a look to a copyright date showed it was published before Princess Luna's reformation.

Turning to the section on the Princesses' regalia, Fluttershy scanned the chapter.

Maybe I can find out a bit more on this amulet Rarity gave me, Fluttershy thought as her eyes raced back and forth along the text.

Often has the regalia of the Princess been seen, but few know that the gems are far more than the sort you could dig out of the ground. They are actually of a sort of pulsing gem. Unlike the ones previously mentioned, it has been observed to hold the properties of the three other known types, much like the Princess herself holds the properties of the three pony races.

Pulsing gem, Fluttershy thought. That's what this is. I remember now.

Fluttershy flipped back to the table of contents to look for a section on pulsing gems. Finding it, she turned to it.

Pulsing gems are a very, very rare sort of gem. They occur naturally, but as of our current state of technology, there is no way to manufacture them. There are several theories to how they occur, but the most prominent is that they form under extreme conditions alongside powerful magical activity. The only way this can realistically occur is within the draconian lands during mating season when the males compete for the affection of the females. Understandably, acquiring one is very difficult, and I have been blessed to be able to study one personally.

These gems contain special properties which, to put it very simply, allows them to absorb, store, and channel magic from living organisms. For practical purposes, they can serve as an energy reserve, and they can assist in channeling magic better than one could do otherwise. There's different types, and certain pulsing gems work best with certain races. Presumably, there's ones which will work with other sentient beings, but I only have notes and personal observations on them working with ponies.

The one I have in particular works best with pegasus magic, which my lovely assistant volunteered to test for me, although she wishes to remain anonymous. We found that not only could she better adjust air currents to fly faster, her control of weather also improved, and she found that with concentration, the amulet could help her cause lightning to arch around her wings. I also conjured up a magic shield for her to try and disrupt, and she made more progress with the amulet than without. She also commented how much easier it was to use her magic.

The section went on about pulsing gems suited to unicorns and earth ponies, but Fluttershy took her attention off of the book and onto the amulet around her neck. Gazing completely at it, she failed to notice Twilight trot up behind her.

"Morning."

Unprepared for Twilight's greeting, Fluttershy let out a soft cry and leaped over the fortress of knowledge before facing her and blushing at her own silliness.

"You should get freshened up too, Fluttershy. I don't plan on letting this day go to waste."

Meekly nodded, Fluttershy fluttered over to the bathroom, not bothering to consider how she has her own room and bathroom to use.

"Oh, Fluttershy?" Twilight spoke as Fluttershy was closing the door. "Oh, uh, never-mind. I should go prepare a list."

Trixie was waiting out in the hallway as Fluttershy and Twilight headed out of the bedroom. Beyond raising an eyebrow at the two walking out of the same room, she made no comment.

"Alright, girls. I don't know about you, but I plan on making use of our time to prepare for future encounters, for which I've prepared a checklist just for."

Twilight proceeded to unroll a rather long list.

"Make checklist, check. Introduce checklist to Fluttershy and Trixie, check. Now it's off to breakfast!"

Twilight rushed off, followed by Fluttershy and Trixie. Upon reaching the royal kitchens, Twilight opted for a daisy and dandelion sandwich, as did Trixie, while Fluttershy went for a simple dandelion sandwich. After a quick argument from Twilight to not make the meal overly fancy, the three Diary owners went to sit in silence, each lost to individual thoughts. Twilight looked through her list, Fluttershy checked through her Diary for the day, and Trixie stared off in contemplation.

After quickly eating their breakfast once it arrived, Twilight announced, "Alright, girls, it's time for sparring!"

At a curious glance from Trixie and a nervous one from Fluttershy, Twilight continued. "We need to be prepared. We got a little training during the extended week, but we didn't get to spar much. I think this'll help us if we run into other Diary owners again."

Twilight lead the way once more through the castle, the other two right behind. Shortly after leaving the dining room, Apple Bloom was found strolling around with wide eyes.

"Oh, hey Apple Bloom," Twilight greeted. "How are you feeling?"

"Hi! This place is huge! Did ya really live here, Twilight?"

Twilight giggled. "Yeah."

"This is pretty awesome. Ah only wish Scootaloo could see this."

Fluttershy walked over and cautiously put a hoof on Apple Bloom's shoulder. The filly shook her head and pushed it off.

"We Apple folk are supposed to be hardy, as Applejack says. Ah kinda have to be if ah'm gonna survive dealin' with her when ah go back home."

"I'm guessing you didn't come with her permission," Twilight commented.

"No, and she ain't gonna be happy. But ah did what ah needed to do. Dunno if Fluttershy told ya, but ah'm Sixth. Ah came here cuz ah wanted to fulfill my promise to Scootaloo but ah wasn't sure what ah was gonna do. Hoped y'all could help. Ah trust the Princess, though. It-it's made things easier. So is she a part of this too?"

"Apple Bloom—"

Trixie interjected, "Celestia is Eleventh. Fluttershy is First, Twilight is Second, and I am Third." At the 'what are you doing' glance from Twilight and Fluttershy, Trixie continued, "She has a right to know what's going on just as much as we do. She may be young, but she saved Fluttershy's life from waking her up, and she stopped one of the other Diary owners."

"Thanks miss, ah appreciate not bein' treated like a filly," Apple Bloom replied as she shot a glare at Twilight. "And ya might find this bit of information useful. The Lightning Dust that attacked us actually came to Ponyville a few days ago with Gilda, another Diary owner. Me and the Crusaders overheard them talkin' about takin' Rainbow Dash as a hostage to drag Fluttershy over so they could finish her."

Fluttershy shivered.
R-Rainbow Dash? Oh no, she's in danger!

"Naturally, ah couldn't let that stand. With Dash's help, we confused Lightning Dust and caged Gilda. But then Gilda—she-she killed Scootaloo. After that, ah burned her book."

The other three nodded, concern evident on their faces.

"That's not all. Lightning Dust came back briefly and mentioned something about goin' back to Fifth. Dunno who that is, but ah reckon they ain't our friend."

"Fifth could be the reason for the coordination between those Diary owners who attacked us earlier, then," Twilight commented.

"Troubling indeed," Trixie added.

Fluttershy shuddered more.

And what's more, they're willing to hurt our friends. This is not right—not at all.

"Oh!" Twilight exclaimed. "The list! We don't want to run off schedule! That'd be—that'd be, well, hehe, let's get going."

Twilight rushed off before the other three could comment. Fluttershy and Trixie run off to catch up. Apple Bloom paused and watched for a moment, but then followed as well.

At a door was posted a Guard, to whom Twilight trotted up to.

"Hello, sir. Is anypony using this facility at the moment?"

"No, Miss Sparkle. It is clear for today if you wish to use it."

"Thank you."

Upon walking inside, Fluttershy was greeted with a strangely empty circular room. She glanced towards Twilight, who was making her way through another door.

Very shortly, Twilight walked back out with a large, thick blue roll. She unrolled and laid out the large square of a padded mat. Twilight teleported to the right end.

"Alright," Twilight said after straightening out the mat. "Fluttershy, why don't you and I go first?"

"Oh, umm, I don't know if that's a good idea. Maybe it'd be better if Trixie went—eep!"

Fluttershy found herself in a telekinetic hold, the magenta glow leading her over to the mat on the other side of Twilight.

"Sorry, Fluttershy, but I need you specifically for this more. Now, try to break out of my hold. Just feel for the magic with your hooves and wings, and try to adjust your own as they instructed you last week. A single disruption in a telekinetic hold is usually sufficient to break out."

Fluttershy nodded, or at least tried to, and focused. Her pulsing gem flashed briefly, and she fell onto the mat, gracefully landing on her hooves with her wings fluttering slightly.

"Great job, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy meekly nodded.

"Do you think you're ready to try to break a shield?"

"Umm, I guess I could try."

Twilight summoned up a shield, and motioned for Fluttershy to walk over. The mare pressed her hooves on the shield as she had seen Fourth do, and attempted to disrupt it. Despite her efforts, and the glowing of the pulsing gem, to which Trixie noticed and gasped, Fluttershy couldn't seem to break it. Unlike with the telekinesis, the shield continuously rewove itself when she managed to cause disruptions. Finally, Fluttershy collapsed on the mat.

"That was pretty good, Fluttershy," Twilight said she she dropped her shield.

"Oh no, that was awful."

Twilight shook her head. "Not at all. When Swift Brick disrupted my shields, it still took him time, and not only was he an elite trained pegasus, I've been working on improving my defensive and combat magic. Even with a pulsing gem, it will take a bit of practice, but that's why we're here."

Trixie rushed over to the two of them. "So it's really a pulsing gem? It's-it's magnificent!"

Fluttershy smiled. "Oh yes, it's very pretty. It's a gift from Rarity."

"Wow—you two sure have nice friends."

"You do too," Twilight replied, then with a smirk said, "Unless you think we aren't nice."

Trixie smiled. Twilight, looking at both of them, continued, "Say, Fluttershy, how about Trixie and I help you practice your pegasi magic while you give us some experience in dealing with it?"

"Umm, if you want to, that's fine."

As Trixie's shield collapsed, Twilight cheered, "Great, Fluttershy! You are a really quick learner!"

Fluttershy blushed and dragged her right hoof back and forth. "Oh, umm, it's no big deal, really."

"I'm hardly as skilled as Twilight, but that's still impressive. You can drop the humbleness for a second."

"Oh, I'm not exactly humble, I just, well—"

Fluttershy shuddered.

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked, concerned.

"I-I think the future just changed. I've felt this before as my Diary shifted."

Right after replying, Fluttershy glided over to her bag where her Diary laid. She took it out and looked towards the current day.

[14:15] The guards are running around on high alert! What's going on?
[14:20] Oh no! They just said Ponyville is under attack! My friends and animals are in danger!

"P-P-Ponyville! It's going to be attacked!"

"Oh no!" Twilight exclaimed. "That the future suddenly changed to that must mean—it's another Diary owner! We have to get over there!"

"But Twilight," Trixie replied. "The Princess explicitly told us to stay inside."

"I know, but the Guard can't possibly deal with ones who can tell the future! We're going. Now."

"First I witness you hugging the Princess, now I see you going completely against her orders—"

Trixie sighed and followed Twilight as she dashed away. Fluttershy, although nervous, flew after the pair.

"Ah'm goin' too!" announced Apple Bloom as she followed.

Twilight skidded to a stop. "No, Apple Bloom, you have to stay here!"

"Nuh uh. Ah'm not standin' by when ah know ah can make a difference!"

Trixie pulled Twilight away, saying, "I don't think we have time for this."

Twilight grumbled and rushed off. Fluttershy cast a worried glance towards Apple Bloom as she followed.

Harmony? I just can't understand.

A pair of guards awaited the four at the main entry door, stoic as always. As the mares and filly got closer, they sidestepped in front of the door and angled their spears to block their path.

"By order of Princess Celestia, you must not leave this castle."

In response, Twilight's horn began to glow.

"May I remind you that there are active wards to prevent teleportation, and that attacking—"

Before the guard could finish his sentence, the four Diary owners were already no longer standing in front of him.

Author's Note

I'm a little worried about the whole having both Fluttershy's inner dialogue and the writing from the book both being italicized. I hoped I made it distinctive enough and that it works. I don't think there'll be much if any more book reading.