The Puzzle

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Chapter 1

The Puzzle
Fanfic by Englishwitch

Chapter 1

Humans;
A guide to the beings and world beyond the mirror
From the observations of
Princess Twilight Sparkle

It wasn’t the most catchy of titles. Ponies would hardly be fighting each other to get into books shops and claim the last copy for their own. Twilight didn’t care. This wasn’t a book that ponies would enjoy like Rainbow Dash enjoyed Daring Do, or even the way Rarity enjoyed those romance novels she always read. This was a book that scholars like herself would enjoy, a book they would search through dusty libraries to find, a book they would spend hours reading during their research into the fascinating subject. For ponies like that, they needed a dull-sounding, but matter-of-fact title.

Twilight caught herself beaming for what must have been the hundredth time that day, or perhaps she had been smiling constantly and had just failed to notice. A scientific paper she had written was not only published, but it was, today, taking pride of place in the Canterlot archives.

“Twilight,” a hoof touched her shoulder, Twilight’s wings flared in surprise. One wing slapped Celestia in the face, her mentor kept her constant smile and even laughed lightly, “Come now Twilight, it’s time for the ceremony.”

“Of course Princess, I mean, Celestia,” she blushed and smiled sheepishly. The habits of a lifetime were not easily removed. Celestia requested that Twilight address her by name since, as princesses, they were equals, Twilight, however, was finding it hard to think of her lifelong mentor as an equal.

Shaking off the embarrassment, Twilight grabbed the copy of her book in her magic and levitated it close to her. It was a double first; the first copy off the press and a first edition, she couldn’t think of anything better to grace the Canterlot archives. Other copies would grace the Canterlot and Ponyville libraries, but this one would be held and preserved for austerity.

The guards opened the double doors, bowing their heads as the two princesses passed them. Celestia and Twilight left the little office and into the main room of the archives. Twilight grinned to her five friends, Pinkie was bouncing on the spot while, beside her, Applejack waved a hoof. Fluttershy and Rarity were looking on with quiet pride, while Rainbow Dash looked, more than a little, bored. It really had been nice of them all to come out to Canterlot for, what was really, just a minor ceremony in front of the few teachers and scholars of Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.

Celestia looked to the two dozen ponies who were gathered in a group in the small rotunda of a room. Usually a table with a huge hourglass was the centrepiece but it had been moved to accommodate the surge of visitors.
“Knowledge,” Celestia’s voice snapped everypony to attention, “learning and wisdom, they have been the key to the land and lives we ponies have made for ourselves. It was Shakesmare who once said ‘Knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.’ And so, to allow her fellow ponies to fly that little bit higher, Princess Twilight Sparkle presents us with a great gift today, the gift of her own knowledge.” she bowed her head to Twilight and stepped back.

Twilight nervously stepped forward, the book still in her magic. An ageing unicorn, Ivory Scrolls, the head of the archives, stepped out of the group to meet her. He bowed as well as his stiff bones would allow before taking the book in his own levitation magic. “We thank you Princess,” he said in a shaking voice, “we will treasure this book.”

“Thank you sir,” Twilight bowed her own head respectfully.

The brief and simple ceremony was completed, many of the ponies gathered began to disperse, some followed Ivory Scroll as he left to shelve the new addition to the archives.

Celestia smiled down at Twilight, “you did very well in your first public function.”

Twilight managed a relieved smile, “I hope they’re all as easy.” she turned to her friends, “thank you for being here girls,”

Rarity shook her head, “Oh think nothing of it darling, we’re just so pleased for you, a work in print is an amazing thing.”

Applejack nodded in agreement, “That’s right sugar cube, if it’s important to you, then it’s important to us.”

Rainbow Dash let out a large and exaggerated yawn, “It’s great Twi, but can we go now? It’s cool and all, but all these dusty books and egg-heads are putting me to sleep.”

Twilight gave her a look of mock-annoyance, “Why, Rainbow, I thought you liked books now.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes, “I like cool books. All these sciencey ones are just too dull.” her stomach growled, “C’mon, let’s go get some lunch and you can tell us about that awesome human me again.”

This time Twilight rolled her eyes, like she hadn’t told Rainbow Dash about her human counterpart at least a thousand times, “Well, lunch does sound good.”

“If I might interject,” the large form of Celestia rose before them, “I’m having a small luncheon prepared at the castle, there is some official business that I would like to discuss with you while we eat,” she looked to Twilight as she spoke.

...***...

Moments later the five ponies and two princesses sat at the great table of the grand dining hall of Canterlot castle. Cakes, sandwiches and pastries galore had been laid out along with several teapots, each containing a different blend of tea.

Twilight looked to her mentor dubiously, “A small luncheon?” she half-laughed.

Celestia herself continued to smile, “Indeed.” she levitated a teacup to her lips and took a silent sip. The smile never vanished from her face.

Around the two alicorns, their pony friends were digging into the food with gusto. Applejack and Rainbow Dash seemed to have developed an unofficial competition to see who could eat the most sandwiches, Rarity and Fluttershy were taking small, lady-like nibbles of their food, while Pinkie was shovelling entire plates of cakes down her throat.

“To business,” Celestia set down her cup and looked to Twilight, the smile was still present, but Twilight thought it looked a little smaller than it had been. “I recently received word from a mutual friend of ours, Relic Hunter.”

Twilight’s eyes widened, “Professor Hunter?”

During her time as Celestia’s pupil Twilight had been educated in many subjects, mostly by Celestia herself, but sometimes the princess brought in other teachers when she was too busy, or her own knowledge of a subject was lacking. Relic Hunter had taught Twilight about ancient history and archaeology. Celestia had a great knowledge of history though most of it revolved around her own extensive lifetime. Relic knew much more, dating back to before the ancient pony tribes and had a way of telling the stories that had made the facts just seem to come alive. From just a few rusted tools and broken pottery she spun tales that had captivated the filly Twilight about the earliest days of Pony civilisation.

Celestia nodded her head, “Relic has spent the last year working at a dig deep in the San Palomino Desert. According to the report she sent to me she has made some significant finds. She has discovered evidence of a culture which may have lived in this land before the founding of Equestria.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped. Something had lived in Equestria before it had become Equestria? It had always been theoretically possible, but nopony had ever found proof. If Relic Hunter had found the evidence then it would be a monumental find. Not only would it earn Relic a place in the history books, it would add several chapters to said books. “But,” she said as she began to realise, “What does this have to do with me?” She was a princess, a student of Celestia, a bearer of an Element of Harmony, but none of that qualified her to look over the finding of an archaeological dig. There had to be at least dozen better qualified ponies just in the faculty of Celestia’s school alone.

Celestia’s horn glowed and she levitated a scroll to her side, “Relic sent me this drawing of one of the more intact pieces discovered, Relic describes as a child’s toy and states it is made of an unknown material.” she unfurled the scroll to give Twilight a look at the picture. Twilight’s jaw dropped again, her eyes widened and her wings flared in shock.

A tall and thin creature, standing on its hind legs, with long arms and hands! The shape was unmistakable, Twilight had seen it everywhere for three days, heck, she had been one for three days!
“A human?!”

Eating and merriment around the table stopped when Twilight called out. Her friends turned to look at the picture, their curiosity mounting.
“Them creatures in the other world?” Applejack asked, pointing to the picture, “That’s what they look like?”

Twilight’s eyes were blank, her brain was trying to absorb the enormity of what that one sketch meant, “Its a basic approximation,” she replied to Applejack’s question on auto-pilot, “But it’s undeniably human. But...humans in Equestria? It’s....it’s impossible...”

“I agree,” Celestia rolled up the scroll and put it to one side. “Yet still, that is what the evidence seems to state. Thanks to your now published observations you are regarded as Equestria’s greatest expert on humans.”

“But I saw so little of that world,” Twilight interrupted,

Celestia cut her off, “You have seen more than any pony, save Sunset Shimmer herself. Since she chose to remain in residence of that world, you are Equestria’s foremost human expert. I would like you to journey to the dig site, work with Relic Hunter, analyse her findings and confirm whether or not they do belong to a human settlement. If possible I would hope you can discover how these humans came to be, whether they are natural to this land, or if they came to our world by some means similar to the magic mirror.”

Twilight nodded her head, “Of course Princess, I’ll do my best.”

Celestia nodded and smiled warmly, “that’s all I ever ask. There is a train leaving Canterlot station in five hours, you will have that time to gather anything you need. You will travel in the royal carriage, overnight, to Las Pegasus. There you will meet with a representative of Relic Hunter’s team and a second human expert before travelling to the dig site itself.”

Twilight cocked her eyebrow, “There’s a second expert?”

“The subject of humans is a little researched field, but there are those who study the mythology. This expert lived close by and was eager to volunteer her services.”

A determined look rose on Twilight’s face, “Very well, we’ll work together and discover the truth,” then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the determined look was gone and one of slight panic replaced it, she left the table, trotting for the exit to the dining room, “Oh, I better get started, I’ll need my books, quills, paper....” her voice faded as she went down the hall and out of sight.

...***...

Four hours and fifty-five minutes later, Twilight ran into Canterlot train station. Her saddlebags were stuffed to bursting point with every thing she thought she would need for the expedition, along with a large number of things she had decided to bring, just in case.

The royal carriage was easy enough to spot, located right at the back of the train, it was a little taller and longer than the passenger carriages and decorated with the icon of the sun and moon that represented the royal pony sisters. Two royal guards stood by its door, one golden armoured solar guard and one dark armoured lunar guard, both bowed their heads as Twilight approached.

The train guard blew his whistle, “All aboard!”

Twilight didn’t waste time, forgetting all decorum she ran onto the carriage. The guards closed the door behind her. The train whistle cried out and, with a lurch, the Friendship Express started to move.

“ ‘Bout time you got here sugarcube”

Twilight stared around the carriage, there was a long couch, several chairs, a coffee table and, behind a curtained off area, a bed large enough for either Celestia or Luna. Her five friends were sitting on the chairs and couch, looking at her expectantly. “Wha?”

Rarity laughed lightly, “Honestly darling, do you think we would let you make this journey all by yourself?”

Rainbow hovered in the air, Twilight saw she was wearing an olive-green safari shirt and a pith helmet, “Yeah, the most awesome thing ever found in Equestria, you bet your flank we’ll be there with ya.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow at Rainbow, “What are you wearing?” then it clicked, “A Daring Do outfit? You do know real archaeology isn’t like Daring Do book, right? it’s careful digging and lots of analysis of fragments found in the dirt. Not crumbling ancient temples, curses and traps.”

Rainbow looked surprised, then disappointed, “aww c’mon, not one little trap?” a look appeared on her face, as though she was wondering if it was too late to get off the train.

Applejack gave Rainbow an I-Told-You-So look. “Well still sugarcube, we’re comin’ with ya. We couldn’t help y’all with that human stuff the last time, but we’re gonna be at yur side all the way this time, even if we won’t have nuthin’ ta do.” the others nodded in agreement with AJ.

“We’re your friends,” Fluttershy said in her quiet cadence, “Whether it’s an exciting adventure, or just a quiet little trip to the desert, we’ll always be there with you,” a little blush rose on her cheeks, “I hope you don’t mind.”

Twilight smiled at the gratefully, “Of course not, I’m always glad to have any of you with me.”

Fluttershy sighed with relief.

Rarity smiled, “Good, now that that’s settled, how about we see what the service is like for the royal carriage.” she pulled a chord, somewhere in the train a bell rang, summoning a steward.

The young pony in a white uniform came through the door seconds later, he bowed his head to Twilight, “What can I do for you Princess?”

Before Twilight could speak, Rarity took the initiative, “Tea for six, and perhaps a small plate of sandwiches.”

“And Cake!” Pinkie jumped in, “Lots of cakes! No. . . ALL THE CAKES!”

Twilight couldn’t help but laugh. Yes, she really was grateful her friends were with her.

Author's Note

The ending felt a bit rushed, but I'm eager to get to the adventure, which will start to build up in the next chapter.

Edit: Thanks to Bowow for beta reading.

Chapter 2

The Puzzle
Fanfic by Englishwitch

Chapter 2

The door slid open and the noise of a cart rattling along followed it. Twilight’s eyes eased open to the delightful smell of breakfast, it smelled like fresh scones, tea, muffins, even haybacon and eggs.

“But really madam, we don’t expect our passengers to cook.” Twilight recognised the voice of the steward.

“Oh, perhaps they should, it’s so much fun.” came the gentle whisper of Fluttershy.

Twilight smiled, stretched her body, spread her wings and, finally, pulled the bedsheets back. Besides herself the bed was empty, though she had shared it with Rarity and Fluttershy; it was large enough. Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash had slept on the sofa and chairs.

The bed was separated from the rest of the compartment by a velvet curtain, which Twilight now slid back. The girls were sitting comfortably on the sofas and chairs, watching the drama unfold. The steward was trying to set up the breakfast on the table and seemed to be competing with Fluttershy for the privilege.
“Madam, please, you are a guest of the princess, you shouldn’t-” he stopped mid-sentence as he saw Twilight emerging from the sleeping area. He bowed his head and shuffled on his hooves nervously, “Princess, I, I, I... I was just trying to explain to your guest, my duty is to serve...”

“It’s okay.” Twilight waved a hoof dismissively, she couldn’t stand all the pomp and ceremony ponies held around her now, she might be a princess in title, but was still an ordinary pony at heart. “I understand, you can go now.”

The steward bowed his head again, “Yes princess.” He practically ran out of the room, earning giggles from the girls.

Rarity took the teapot in her magic, “Good morning darling,” she poured six cups, “Sleep well? We thought you’d never wake.”

Twilight sat down, took a cup and sipped lightly, “It’s a very comfy bed.” she cast a glance at Fluttershy, “You cooked all of this?”

Fluttershy’s face flushed, “Oh, well, yes. I just didn’t feel right having other ponies making breakfast for me. Um, if you don’t mind me saying, I don’t think I like the way people act because I’m with you. I don’t mean to offend, but it’s just that I’d much rather be known as the friend of Twilight Sparkle instead of the friend of the princess.”

Twilight smiled, grateful that her friends still treated her like a normal pony. She took several scones to go with her tea, “Well it looks delicious.”

Rainbow Dash nodded her head, her cheeks swollen to bursting point with the several scones and muffins she’d stuffed into her face. “shuuu dush.”

Rarity grimaced at Dash’s table manners, but did her best to ignore it, “So, darling, what’s on the schedule for today?”

Twilight gave the clock a quick glance. “We should be arriving at Los Pegasus in about an hour, then we’ll meet this second human expert and a representative from Relic Hunter’s dig team. Then we’ll travel out to the dig site and, I suppose, professor Hunter will fill us in on her findings.”

Rarity nodded along, “Where is this dig again?”

“The San Palomino desert,” Twilight cocked an eyebrow, “You were there when Princess Celestia told us, surely you heard?”

Rarity nodded, her face falling, “Yes, I did.” she sighed, “I just hoped I had misheard.” a shudder went up through her body, “The dry desert heat and all that....sand, it’ll be devastating for my hooficure.” she glanced down forlornly at her hooves.

...***...

With a burst of steam and the cry of steel grinding to a halt, the Friendship Express came to a gradual stop in the great train station of Los Pegasus. A great, tall, cathedral of stone and glass which had been a marvellous feet of unicorn magic and earth pony engineering. The glass dome of the structure greeted all visitors with the breath-taking view of the cloud city high above their heads. Sunlight poured through the clouds, mixing with water vapour in the air and creating a dazzling rainbow-filled skyline.

Los Pegasus was a city of two halves, the sky based cloud-city of the pegasi, which had been the first settlement in the area, and a second ground-based city which had first been settled by earth-ponies who took advantage of the lush, fertile, ground brought about by the gentle rain and bright sun the pegasi brought to the surrounding hills.
The farming town had thrived and grown quickly as more and more ponies wanted to either share the fertile ground, or just share the gorgeous weather. Rich and famous ponies built huge homes in the hills and business ponies followed in their wake, opening stores to cater to their expensive tastes. Los Pegasus had a reputation as the home of the rich, the elite and the glamorous.
While Canterlot was a city of the rich they came from old money. Los Pegasus was the city of new money; actors, fashion models and huge stars.
Yet, despite the reputation of being the home of the famous, the ground-city still remembered its earth pony roots. There were still many huge orchards and vineyards in the hills surrounding the city, a region known as Applewood in acknowledgement of the many apple orchards which grew there.

The six girls stared open-mouthed upwards at the glass dome and pegasus city.
Twilight summed it up in one word, “Wow!”

Rainbow nodded, “Yeah, pegasi knew what they were doing when they built that place. It’s almost as awesome looking as Cloudsdale.”

Applejack tilted her hat back, “I hear the farms ‘round here are so big they make Sweet Apple Acres look like a window box.”

Rarity sighed dreamily, “Famous stars like Sapphire Shores live in this city. If I could get a few more customers from this city my reputation would be set for life.”

Fluttershy stared around in wide-eyed silence. Pinkie leaned a little closer to Twilight, “They must have some amazing parties here.”

Twilight opened her mouth, but was interrupted-

“Princess Twilight.”

Compared with the bright, clean, surroundings of the train station, the pony stood out a mile. He had a cutie mark of a pickaxe striking a black boulder. His sand coloured coat was streaked with dirt, mostly around the hooves, he wore a wide-brimmed hat which had been faded by sunlight and stained with sweat, his mane and tail were raggedy and tangled enough to make Rarity shudder. He was clearly a pony who had spent a long time away from civilisation and had worked hard.
“This is a great honour, Princess. I am Mineral Deposit,” he bowed his head low and kept it there for some time, “Professor Hunter’s assistant, she sends her apologies she couldn’t greet you in person, but she’s busy at the dig site.”

When he finally rose his head he looked around Twilight the other ponies, “Forgive me, Princess, Professor Hunter didn’t mention you’d have companions.”

Twilight nodded, smiling as she looked at the other girls, “They were a surprise to me too. These are my friends, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.”

Mineral Deposit bowed his head again, “It’s a great honour to meet you all. Now, Princess-”

“Please, just call me Twilight.”

Mineral looked uncomfortable at the very prospect, “Ummm....well... Princess, if you’ll please follow me, our carriage is waiting.” He bit his lip, suddenly nervous, “I’m sorry, but it may not be as comfortable as you’re used to. We’re humble working ponies and the carriage is mostly used for moving equipment and-”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Twilight interrupted him, “but what about the second human expert aren’t we supposed to meet her here?”

“Yes, princess, the second human expert is waiting in our carriage. I tried to get her to come and greet you, but-”

Twilight started to grind her teeth. Rarity, who could see how much Mineral Deposit was beginning to irritate Twilight, took the initiative, “Yes, well, we have a long journey ahead of us. Let’s not hang around any longer.”

Mineral nodded his head vigorously, “Yes, yes, of course, follow me.” he trotted for the entrance, Twilight and the others followed close behind.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack couldn’t help but snort and snicker.
“Oh Princess Twilight, what an honour to meet you,” Rainbow hovered over Twilight, pretending to bow and grovel.

Applejack snorted with laughter, her face going red, “Oh Princess, we’re so sorry you have to walk on the ground like the rest of us. If we’d had more time we could have prepared a path of rose petals and feathers for you to be carried over.”

All of them, even Twilight, giggled at that mental image.

Outside the station an old-fashioned covered wagon was waiting. The canvas was dirty with several holes, probably where equipment had poked through. Mineral Deposit was busy hitching himself up to the yoke. “Please, climb aboard your highness.”

Applejack adjusted her hat, “you ain’t gonna pull this thing all by yurrself are ya?”

Mineral cocked an eyebrow, “well, there isn’t anypony else.”

AJ rolled her eyes, “C’mon, I’ll give y’all some help.”

Mineral looked like he’d been hit in the face, “No ma’am, I couldn’t ask you to-”

But AJ was already hitching herself up to the yoke, “Keep talkin’ if ya want, but this is happ’nin.”

Twilight climbed aboard the back of the wagon while Applejack was debating with Mineral Deposit. She gasped as she recognised the mare sitting in the wagon. A bright mint coloured coat, a brilliant cyan mane and tail with a white streak, sun glow eyes and a lyre cutie mark.
“Lyra? Lyra Heartstrings?”

Lyra gave Twilight the slightest of nods, “Twilight,” she said curtly.

Twilight climbed aboard, followed closely by her other friends, they greeted Lyra in turn, each giving equal measure of happiness and surprise. She smiled and greeted each of them. Twilight noticed Lyra greeted the others with a little more warmth.

The carriage was cramped with the six ponies in the back. Rainbow Dash eased the burden slightly by choosing to fly, following behind the carriage. In her opinion she had been sitting still long enough and needed to fly. Pinkie eased everything further by sitting up front on the driver’s bench, watching over Mineral Deposit and Applejack, giving them bad directions, trying to take the reins and even making several attempts to get a singalong started .

In the back Lyra, Twilight, Fluttershy and Rarity did their best to enjoy the cramped quarters. Twilight paid extra attention to her wings, doing her best to make sure they didn’t flare. “I had no idea you’d be the second human expert Lyra,”

Lyra gave a curt nod and spoke with a chill in her tone, “Yeah, I’ve studied humans for a long time.”

Twilight gave Fluttershy and Rarity a curious glance. They too looked like they had noticed Lyra’s tone but were just as confused by it.

Rarity cleared her throat, “I had no idea you were such an expert, where did you study?”

Lyra managed a small smile, “I didn’t study anywhere actually. It just started out as a hobby and, I guess, it got a little out of hoof. But I wrote a paper on human myths and that got me an honorary degree from Canterlot University.” the smile faded when she glanced back at Twilight.

Twilight looked at her, wondering what was bothering Lyra, but the explanation didn’t seem like it would be forthcoming.

Lyra looked away from Twilight, giving her the cold shoulder and looking back to Fluttershy and Rarity. “When princess Celestia heard there was an expert living in Ponyville she sent me a letter asking for my help,” she glanced at Twilight out of the corner of her eye, “It was only later I learned she was sending a second expert.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow, “Why’d you say expert like that?”

Lyra just snorted and looked away from her, choosing to occupy her time by staring at the passing view through the back of the covered wagon.

The other three ponies shared looks of equal confusion.

...***...

The San Palomino dessert. Endless acres of bare sand and rock that stretched from the ocean all the way to Appaloosa and the Macintosh hills. There were some fertile areas, far inland and close to the rivers. Those were lands which belonged to the buffalo.

The area that the little wagon was riding into was barren and dry, several miles from the nearest river or even the ocean. Even the hardy buffalo stayed away from those lands.

Rainbow lay on the top of the wagon, her pith helmet tilted to shield her eyes. She was curled up in a ball and gently snoring.

Mineral Deposit was filling them in as they rode on under the hot sun, “Erosion has moved the river a lot over the thousands of years but soil samples showed us the river used to flow through here, that means a civilisation could have had the water and fertile ground to support itself.
Professor Hunter analysed maps of the region, but the desert isn’t very well documented. In the end she made several expeditions to the area herself. She found several caves around hills and mountains, and did some exploration in areas where the river might have once flowed. She found evidence of ancient plant growth; fossilized tree trunks buried in the sand.
The area she chose as the dig site is a prime location, the river used to flow through the area, there is a large group of stone plateaus nearby with several small caves and we uncovered evidence that there was once substantial growth in the region. Maybe a forest, perhaps even farm land.”

Twilight stuck her head out of the covered wagon, “So tell me, what were your findings?”

Mineral bit his lip nervously, “I’m sorry princess, but I can’t. Professor Hunter told me not to say anything, she would rather present her findings to you herself.”

Twilight nodded, she could understand Relic Hunter wanting to hold off the information. It was far better for Twilight to see the artefacts rather than just hear about them.

Mineral glanced over his shoulder to look at Twilight, “I’m sorry Princess.”

Twilight nodded, “It’s alright, really. And please, call me Twilight.”

Mineral nodded, “Yes Princess.”

Twilight rolled her eyes and pulled her head back in.

Tall red stone plateaus loomed ahead of them, a great flat topped mountain rising out of the ground. In the shade of the plateau was a whole village of tents large tents, from simple one-pony tents to whole marquees. The tiny forms of many ponies wandered here and there about their own business.

Pinkie was bouncing up and down on the driver’s bench, making the whole cart tremble, “OOOHHH We’re here! We’rehere! We’rehere!”

“Pinkie!” Twilight put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder, “Calm down.” still, she couldn’t stop herself from smiling, Pinkie’s excitement was contagious.

Half a dozen ponies stood by to watch them arrive as the carriage pulled up, guided by Mineral Deposit and Applejack into the shade of a mini marquee; a canvas roof propped up on tent poles.

Mineral tilted his hat and wiped his forehead, sighing loudly, “I don’t know about you, but I need a nice, cold, drink.”

Applejack nodded her head. As though waiting for that exact moment, her stomach growled loudly. AJ’s face turned red, “Yeah, I reckon’ that’s a good idea.”

Mineral smiled and nodded. He unhitched himself from the cart as the other ponies climbed out of the back. Fluttershy hovered over to Rainbow Dash, giving her gentle pokes to encourage her awake.
“If you need something to eat or drink, the kitchen is set up in the green tent over here,” he pointed his hoof in the direction of green canvas. “Princess,” he bowed his head, seemingly out of reflex, “Miss Heartstrings, Professor Hunter asked that you visit her right away. You can usually find her in the largest tent over there,” he pointed to a huge sand-coloured tent in the centre of the camp. It was as long as all the train carriages of the Friendship Express put together. “That’s where we keep the artifacts for sorting and examining.” He bowed his head to Twilight again, “I’ll bring you refreshments right away. It might just be water, but I think we might have some iced tea left, somewhere. Or perhaps I could-”

Twilight sighed inwardly, “Water will be just fine.” she was getting annoyed by all the fawning. If he would just drop the Princess and call her Twilight it might be a little easier. She shook her head and tried to ignore it, “Lyra, after you.”

Lyra rolled her eyes and sighed heavily, when she spoke she actually sounded bored, “Sure, let’s go.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow in confusion, staring after Lyra for several seconds before following on. If Lyra didn’t say why she was acting this way soon, then she was going to have to demand an answer.

Lyra walked into the shade of the large tent, Twilight was just a hoof step behind her. The thick canvas cast a heavy gloom. After the brightness of the sunlight outside the two ponies felt like they were in darkness. They stood still while their eyes adjusted.

Suddenly Lyra gasped, her hoof shot out. Twilight followed where she was pointing. Her breath caught in her throat and her wings flared in surprise.
“Oh my goodness.”

On the table in the middle of the room was a decapitated head.

Author's Note

Next chapter, things will really begin!

EDIT: Thanks to Bowow for some excellent beta reading.

Chapter 3

The Puzzle
Fanfic by Englishwitch

Chapter 3

The horse’s head sitting on the table was old, worn, chipped, and made of a grey stone.

As their eyes adjusted, more details revealed themselves to the two surprised ponies. A shape moved in the darker depths of the tent. “Impressive, isn’t it? Miss Sparkle.”

A flap in the tent wall opened, a window, flooding the room with light. The unicorn standing before them smiled warmly. Relic Hunter was a tough-looking mare, her age had done nothing to slow her down and the years of hard work and long hiking across difficult terrain had left her as tough as old leather. Her coat was a faded navy blue while her mane was grey and silver and bound up in a tight bun which she hid underneath a straw hat, her cutie mark was of a magnifying glass. She smiled at Twilight and the bright grin seemed to melt away the years and, for a second, she appeared decades younger.

Twilight found herself grinning like an excited filly, “Professor, it’s so good to see you again.” the two old friends approached each other and exchanged a hug.

“My best pupil,” Relic said, pride ringing through her voice, “How long has it been?”

Twilight’s eyes darted up to Relic’s hat for a second, “The last time I saw you, your mane was still black.”

Relic chuckled lightly, “And the last time I saw you, Miss Sparkle, you were without wings.”

Twilight felt her face flush, her wings twitched and she grinned sheepishly, “It has been a long time.”

Relic nodded, “A long time indeed Miss Sparkle. Or should that be Princess now?”

Twilight shook her head lightly, “Please, Professor, you don’t have to call me that, Twilight is just fine.”

Lyra, loudly and deliberately, cleared her throat, bringing Twilight and Relic back onto the subject in mind.

Relic smiled at Lyra, “Ah, Miss Heartstings, the Princess highly recommended you.”

Lyra smiled proudly. She glanced at Twilight and the smile faltered slightly, Twilight replied by a cocking a confused eyebrow. Relic Hunter didn’t seem to notice the exchange between the two ponies. She walked over to the table and the stone bust, “This is one of our latest finds, we uncovered it last night.” she glanced at Twilight, a smile on her face, “What do you make of it, Miss Sparkle?”

Twilight smiled, memories of her filly days played through her head. Relic Hunter would often bring artifacts into their lessons together and ask Twilight to identify them. Some pieces were simple, others required hours of study to learn the subtle little differences one artifact could have from another.

Lyra looked at the bust, unimpressed. “It’s just a stone pony head. They’re used for decoration all over Canterlot.”

Twilight looked at the sculpture with slightly more interest. “It does bare a strong resemblance to the common Canterlot busts, but the morphology is different. The muzzle and ears are too long, the eyes are an odd shape too. It looks more like a Saddle-Arabain horse than an Equestrian pony. And it looks like it’s made from...” she leaned in close, tilted her head, then finally tapped the bust with her hoof, “what is this made from?”

Relic nodded, Twilight had asked the right question. “I analysed the material myself, twice, this bust is made from moulded concrete.”

Lyra stared in surprise. “Wait, concrete isn’t that old. Ponies have only started using it in the last couple of hundred years. And they only use it sparingly for construction purposes. They don’t make decorations.”

Twilight glanced from the statuette, to Relic and back again. “Wh...what depth did you find the artifact?”

Relic nodded, more of the right questions from Twilight. The deeper one dug the further into the past they looked. “Inside the cave system, approximately one hundred yards down.” Relic said gravely. “It’s approximated to be a little over twelve thousand years old.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped, she had to sit down on the floor. Lyra looked at the professor, slightly confused. “What does that mean?”

Twilight looked at her, “It means that this bust is older than recorded pony history.”

Relic nodded, “much older than any known civilisation.” she at the two ponies and at the bust, “the griffin empire prides itself on its rich and ancient history, but even their oldest artifacts; evidence of proto-settlements, don’t date more than nine thousand years ago.”

Twilight nodded, remembering the lessons of history she had been taught. Pony civilisation as a whole was still young by comparison to some other cultures in the world. The three pony tribes had worked together for a little under a thousand years before suffering the gradual break down of their co-operation, which led to the eventual founding of Equestria. Before then had been the Paleo Pony period, little was known about that time. The three tribes of earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns had lived separately from one another, with mostly nomadic lives. Really they had only been one step above animals during that time, the very dawning of a civilisation. The oldest Paleo Pony findings -mostly simple stone tools made by earth ponies- had been between six and seven thousand years old.

Relic Hunter brought Twilight back into the room with a question, “And your findings from this evidence?”

Twilight shook her head, “It’s too early. I can’t make a definite theories from one concrete bust. I could hypothesise that, it seems, there was an ancient civilisation in the world before us, they’d have to be pretty advanced to make concrete. Which raises the questions of who, or what, were they? If they were so advanced why hasn’t more evidence of their existence been found and, most importantly, what happened to them?”

Relic nodded her head, “Questions we hope to answer through our examination of the site.” Her horn started to glow, dragging across the room a large wooden chest. “Hopefully, the two of you will be able to answer the question of what these beings were.” The lid came off the chest, revealing many smaller boxes, carefully packed around straw. “Were they these mythical human creatures you both know so much about?”

“Some more than others,” Lyra muttered bitterly. Twilight only just heard her, Relic Hunter didn’t seem to have heard at all.

Relic lifted one of the larger boxes, a foot long, resting it on the table. A mouth-written label was stuck to the lid bearing the legend:

artifact 14-e
Possible Child’s Toy
Material Unknown

“This is the item we discovered which first led us to believe that beings of this civilisation were human. I recognised their description from your book,” she looked at Twilight, who looked surprised. “Princess Celestia was kind enough to send me an advance copy, I must praise your analytical skills, quite detailed.”

Twilight grinned sheepishly, “Thank you professor.”

Relic lifted the lid of the box. Inside was more straw packing and nestled in the middle was a strange object, it was a foot long, fitting tightly into the box, with a mess of black hair around its head, green coloured glass eyes stared blankly up at them. Its skin -for lack of a better word- was filthy, covered in ages of grime and dirt, but traces of its original pale yellow still showed in spots. Tattered rags of clothes were wrapped loosely around its body, which had pudgy limbs, two legs and two arms with small hands and chubby fingers.

Lyra stared at the doll. “Hands,” she whispered absentmindedly.

Relic looked between the two ponies, “Your opinions please? Is this a human artifact?”

Lyra and Twilight nodded at the same time. It was Lyra who spoke first, “A human doll. A toy for children.” she leaned in close, “Amazing workmanship, glass eyes, strange hair, maybe some kind of animal fur, the body is made of...” she tapped an arm of the doll with her hoof, looking puzzled, “I don’t know, some kind of rubber?”

“Close,” Twilight interrupted, “The body is made of a human invention called plastic. A synthetic material, which they used to make a lot of different things in the world beyond the mirror. There were many different types, from soft synthetic rubber to types as hard as stone yet light as a feather. They used it to made furniture, storage boxes, even moulded casings for food packaging, frames for eyeglasses, and even electronic equipment such the casing of compooters.” the last word was greeted with blank looks, “compooters? I covered them in a whole chapter of my book.”

Lyra waved a hoof dismissively, “I didn’t read it.”

Relic grinned sheepishly, “I haven’t read that far yet.”

Twilight nodded, “They’re wonderful machines the humans invented, almost magical. They-”

Lyra cleared her throat, “You were talking about the doll?”

Twilight grinned sheepishly, a blush rising on her cheeks, “Yes, as I was saying, both the doll’s body and hair are made of different types of plastic. They’re both artificial.”

Relic looked closely at the doll, “Fascinating. If this could be analysed in Canterlot, if we could learn how to make this material...”

Twilight didn’t hear the rest of Relic Hunter’s speech, she had to sit down. She put her hoof to her chest and took in a deep breath, extending it on the exhale. She repeated the action several times as she waited for the calmness to come onto her mind. It was confirmed. Humans. In Equestria. Until now it had only been a task to complete, a fact to be confirmed or denied, but now it was real. At some point in the distant past of the world, humans had lived and thrived in the land before it had become Equestria. It was astounding, mind-blowing.

She wondered what this human tribe had been like. How large had they been? How advanced? How long had they lived? What had occurred to bring about their end? Or did they still exist, somewhere in a quiet and unexplored corner of the world did a tribe of humans still live and thrive?
This was astounding, a much larger mystery to solve, with so many questions that Twilight wanted to answer. What were they like? Were they similar to the humans she had known in that other world? How were they different? How were they the same? There was so much to learn and she wanted -maybe needed- to stay here to find out the answers.

A shadow appeared in the doorway. Applejack, carrying a tray with a jug of water and several small cups on her back. “Hey y’all, we thought ya could do with a drink.” she walked into the tent, Twilight smiled at her friend. Her horn glowed and she lifted the tray off Applejack’s back and brought it over to the table.

“Thanks Applejack.” she smiled and poured servings for all four of them, “It’s just what I needed.” she drained her cup in several gulps. The water was lukewarm, but still felt cool to her, taking the edge off the heat.

Applejack glanced at the doll on the table, her eyes widened with curiosity. “Is that the thing that brought us here?”

Twilight nodded, “yes.”

Applejack continued to stare, “and, is it...human?”

Twilight nodded slowly, “it is.”

“and how old-”

Relic answered the question before Applejack finished asking, “At least twelve thousand years.”

AJ stared in disbelief, letting out a long, low, whistle. “Wow,” was all she could think to say.

Relic smiled as she sipped at her water. The last half hour had been exciting. First she had met one of her favourite pupils and now she’d had it confirmed that her unusual findings were artifacts of an ancient creature unknown to Equestrian science. She was quite flustered, her heart was jumping like an excited filly.

“Professor.”

The gathered ponies looked to the door of the tent, an olive coloured pegasus with large dark glasses and a red bandanna on her head, smiled at them. “Professor, we’re ready to open the chamber.”

A spark of excitement flared up in Relic Hunter’s eyes, “Thank you Slipstream, we’ll be right there.” She rushed around the tent, first placing the doll back into its box, then returning said box to its shipping crate. Next she grabbed a satchel, levitating it and strapping it to her body. “Miss Sparkle, Miss Lyra, do you want to accompany me as we open this newest chamber?” she glanced at Applejack, “You and your friends can come too, if you want.”

Applejack smiled and tipped her hat to the professor, “Thank ya kindly ma’am. I’ll get the others.”

...***...

The underground space was a vast, wide cave, but the roof was low, less than ten feet in the air and covered in many large stalactites, reaching down upon the group like the lowering fangs of a monster. Stalagmites rose up to meet them and great stone columns of various thickness’s were scattered around. The ground underneath was uneven, but not completely impassable.

Long lines of lanterns, dangling from ropes strung up on poles, made a brightly lit path that the ponies followed from the entrance to the location of the latest excavation.

Relic Hunter spoke as she walked, leading the group through the cave, “We believe this pathway was part of the main street of a large town, or small city. We have found streets and the ruins of buildings. Unfortunately, cave-ins and other seismic activity had buried a good portion of the settlement. We have to excavate the town one building at a time.” She stopped and sat down, taking several deep breaths and wiping her forehead. “Although, some sections are naturally open to us,” she pointed her hoof to the left, there was nothing but an ominous looking dark space, with only the vaguest hint of shapes in the shadows. “Miss Sparkle, I assume you remember how to conjure an illumination orb.”

Twilight nodded, closing her eyes and concentrating. Her horn glowed with a white light. The light formed into a ball which detached from her horn and started to float in the air. She tapped it with the top of her horn and it floated, like a balloon into the darkness. The white light flooded the vast chamber illuminating the hidden cavern.

Even in ruins the ancient buildings were a sight to behold. While many were just piles of rubble and some others were half buried in stone, either through the shifting of the earth, or the slow growth of stalagmites over the centuries -which was beautiful in itself because it looked like the settlement was actually growing out of the stone- there were many buildings which were, more or less, still standing. Squat houses in their neat little neighbourhoods, towers ten stories high or more, which may have been apartments, or perhaps even places of work. There were patterns, the long ribbons of streets and roads, ruined and upturned by time, but still recognisable.

The buildings surrounded a large bare patch, a small shape was in the centre, round with a pile of stone standing in its centre. Twilight stared for several seconds before she realised it was a fountain. A fountain standing in the middle of a park. The bare patches may have been where grass, flowers and trees had once grown. Now it was as bare as a mountainside and still as a graveyard. Graveyard was the right word, the whole place seemed to echo with the ghosts of the ancient and mysterious past. If these humans had been so advanced as to build entire cities, how had they not survived to the present day?

The group of ponies gasped in awe.
“It’s, really quite beautiful,” Rarity spoke quietly.

Twilight looked at Relic Hunter and seemed to notice, for the first time, that her old teacher seemed to be out of breath and looked tired. “Have you explored that area yet?”

Relic shook her head, “No more than a quick survey by Slipstream. We found so many interesting artifacts along the tunnel system we’re currently exploring that we haven’t had the time or the ponies to spare. It is on the schedule though, once we have finished looking at this latest chamber.” her eyes sparked, as though remembering something important, “Come along, come along, we haven’t time to delay any longer. History awaits.” she rose to her hooves and trotted off.

Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow, “But wasn’t she the one who stopped us?”

Twilight put a hoof to her mouth and shushed her. “It’s okay, come on.”

Around a bend in a cave they came to their destination. The space was lit with more lanterns, a long table with water, food and various tools was set up to one side, a team of four ponies were waiting for them; the pegasus Slipstream, one unicorn and two earth ponies, one was Mineral Deposit.

Before them was a face of a building. As high as the doors of Canterlot Castle, it was made of grey stone, which had long since began to merge with the wall of the cave. It was just a bare and blank wall, no windows at all, with one single door. It was ancient, but still solidly strong, sealed with rust. Six and a half feet tall and almost four feet wide.

“That, is a big door.” Dash commented absentmindedly.

Relic Hunter nodded, “And what lies beyond may be the greatest find in Equestrian history.” she looked to the team of ponies assembled by the equipment, “Are we ready?”

Mineral Deposit nodded his head, “Ready Professor, just give the word.”

Relic nodded her head, “Open it.”

Pinkie squealed, clapping her hooves together, “Oooh, I’m so nervouscited!”

Author's Note

I really thought I would have gotten to the adventure part of this adventure story by now, but so much details and back-story is coming out in the telling it might be another couple of chapters before I get there.
Two things I do promise will happen in the next chapter is Twilight learns to source of Lyra's animosity toward her and Relic Hunter will pass away. Since I said that would occur in the description of this story, I don't think that's a major spoiler.

EDIT: Thanks to Bowow for correcting all the mistakes I'd missed.

Chapter 4

The Puzzle
Fanfic by Englishwitch

Chapter 4

Magic poured from the unicorn, the door glowed with an eerie green light as the colourful magic worked along the surface of the door. Rust of ages past fell away from the surface of the door in clouds of fine dust. Slipstream flapped her wings to blow the dust away from the ponies. The two earth ponies gripped a long iron rod in their hooves which looked like a giant crowbar; a prying bar. They pushed the narrow toothed end into the minuscule gap between the door an its frame and started to pull. Their grunts and strains echoed off the cave walls. They were clearly giving it their all but the door refused to budge.

Applejack stepped forward to give them some help, taking place at the end of the prying bar and adding her strength.

Twilight and Rarity followed suit, lighting their horns with magic they began to telekinetically pull the heavy metal object.

There was suddenly a screech like a dragon. Fluttershy squealed and hid behind Rainbow Dash. The door screeched again as the powerful combined magic of the unicorns fought against it. The years were torn away from it. Hinges that had thought to be sealed solid with rust were called into action once more. They screamed in resistance, but slowly, surely and ultimately the door was being forced open.

As the seal broke there was a deep sigh of air rushing into the room beyond. A thick cloud of black dust poured forth, carrying with it foul air, dry and stale with the stench of death riding it. All the ponies covered their mouths with their hooves, coughing as the dry dust reached the back of their throats.

"Li-" cough "Light!" Professor Hunter hacked and coughed with the rest of them. Each gasping choke made her chest tighter for a second. "Wind!" She gasped out, "Clear the air.

Rainbow Dash heard the order and opened her wings. Slipstream was already doing the same. Together they flapped a powerful breeze that sent the cloud of dust flying away from the group and down the tunnel from which they had come.

At the same time Twilight set her horn aglow, building up the magic until -finally- she released an illumination orb, which hovered above them, bobbing against the ceiling like a helium filled balloon. The white light cut through the last of the haze left by the dust cloud. The air was clear and the foul stale stench was vanishing.

Rarity gasped and pointed a hoof, "Oh my stars!"

Under the light of the orb and the lanterns the interior of the room beyond the door was filled with light, chasing away shadows that had existed there for centuries and revealing to the ponies what had been hidden for so long.

A grinning skull greeted them.

In front of a concrete pedestal were skeletal remains. It wasn't a pony. It's head was too round, the muzzle too blunt. It's back legs were too long and it's torso was a strange shape. There were digits at the end of its limbs: the remains of fingers and toes. It was dressed in decaying rags that had once been clothing and there were still, just, a few wisps of hair, resting on the shoulders where they had fallen from the head so long ago. It had probably been close to a miracle they hadn't been blown away in the rush of air caused be the opening door, or the wind made by the pegasus ponies to clear the air.

"Human" Lycra whispered in awe. Her mouth agape and eyes wide she had to sit down as a wave of dizziness fell over her.

The room was cylindrical in shape, with a flat floor and far wall. It looked as though some great drill had dug its way into the stone of the mountainside and the room had been left behind. Perhaps vault was a more apt term as the room didn't seem to serve any other purpose than to keep its contents safe. In the middle of the room was a pedestal made of moulded concrete, atop his pedestal was what looked like a crystal. It shimmered in the light with a rainbow of colours like an opal gem yet it was clear as quartz. It's main body was a tall pointed pyramid shape, twice as tall as it was wide, it had a second piece sticking out of its side at a 45 degree angle to its big brother very short and quiet wide at its base.

The attention of the ponies wasn't on the crystal though. Their eyes were fixed on the human remains.

Applejack removed her hat respectfully. Even though the remains she was looking at were those of a strange creature it been a living being all the same and so deserved some reverence. "What's it doin' locked up in here?"

"Possibly," Twilight approached the doorway slowly, "Guarding that crystal." At the entrance to the vault she stopped herself. She looked back at her teacher with a sheepish grin, "Sorry Professor, this is your find. You should be the first inside."

Relic Hunter smiled at Twilight. There was a tiredness in her eyes that she tried to hide, but Twilight noticed. "Thank you, Twilight." She looked to her assistants and fellow archaeologists. They, in turn, were still diverting their attention between Relic and the strange skeleton in the chamber. "Get the cameras. We must document everything before any pony sets hoof in there." Her words had the desired effect and the team snapped out of their daze and into activity. Cameras appeared, seemingly from nowhere and for the next few moments the vault was illuminated by the storm of flashes. Every object was captured from every angle with several cameras.

All too soon it was over, leaving the ponies with dancing spots in front of their eyes. Relic Hunter eased herself up to her hooves. Her heart was racing, from the excitement. Tentatively she stepped forward, putting her hooves past the doorway and into he vault. "A place where no one has stood for centuries." she said in hushed tones. "And possibly a place where no pony has ever stood." The atmosphere around them seemed to grow heavy. The awe of the moment was so palpable they could taste it. Or perhaps that was the lingering dust in the air.

Relic approached the skeleton slowly. The fixed grin and hollow eyes stirred instincts within her, something primeval. It was difficult to put such an ancient feeling into modern words and she knew if she said it out loud she wouldn't do it justice with her description. It wasn't quite a feeling of respect nor was it a feeling fear, but both those qualities were present in the sum of the whole. Perhaps it was simply an acknowledgement that this creature had been real. It had been on the planet before ponies and had even been more advanced than them, at least in some ways. To learn yours was not the first intelligent being to walk upon the world was a huge revelation for anypony. "There are so many mysteries around you," she spoke the ancient remains, "I can't say we'll solve them all. But we will try. Your people were forgotten for so long. You will be remembered again."

She stepped back and looked to her assistants. "Get some stretchers from the medical tent. I want these remains treated with as much respect as you would show any pony when moving them. Take everything to be catalogued. Keep the," she looked to Twilight, "Is it a human?"

Twilight nodded, "I never saw their insides, but the shape is so similar, I don't see what else it could be."

Lyra also nodded, “It is. Its fits the shape in the stories and legends. A tall creature that stood on two legs, digits on the ends of its arms, with a round head and...stuff.” she faltered and trailed off, muttering only, “hands. Fingers and hands.” under her breath.

Relic Hunter nodded back to her team, "Keep the human covered. We don't want it damaged by the sun or wind." She turned to twilight and the group. "This could take a while, in he meantime," her horn glowed as she levitated the strange crystal over to herself, "I'll take this for examination. Perhaps we can find out what made it so valuable that this guard would remain here, like this. Twilight, miss Heartstrings, if you would accompany me, we have several other unknown artifacts I hope you may be able to identify."

Twilight nodded and, after a little hesitation, Lyra did too.

...***...

Twilight sipped at some lukewarm peach flavoured tea. On the opposite side of the table sat Lyra. Professor Hunter sat in the far end of the tent, sitting in the cool shade. She had a slight headache but the dimness was helping. Even when resting she was still working, carefully looking over the crystal that had been removed from the vault.

Twilight and Lyra, meanwhile, where looking over some of the more unusual artifacts that had been found during the dig. Most of the findings had been fairly ordinary items; cups, plates and simple tools like the rusted remains of saws and hammers. It could have all pointed to a mysteriously advanced but forgotten and unknown ancient pony settlement. The crystal empire was millennia old, but had been advanced in its day. A pony settlement of similar sophistication could have arisen in Equestria only to have been destroyed by Discord, or some other malevolent entity.

Only the discovery of the doll had really given any clue that the items could have belonged to a human settlement.

The items they were looking at now were labelled Misc/Unknown, which would have been analysed further by teams in Canterlot who had better facilities and resources than the basic set-up archaeological camp. Of course, the appearance of Twilight and Lyra; the two human experts, meant that they could have the answers much quicker.

Lyra examined an object which looked like a small, flat, brick, made of black glass. All the while her horn was aglow, levitating a quill to scribble down notes while she worked. “Item 16-c. A decorative object which was used by humans to denote status and social standing.”

Twilight laughed lightly and shook her head, “Actually its a gadget, called a Cellular Phone. A communications device used by humans to talk to each other. They could even use it to take photographs. See that small circle spot on the back,” she pointed to it with her hoof, “It’s the aperture of the camera.”

Lyra gave her a deadpan expression. The quill ran across the paper to scribble out the notes. “Thank you.” she muttered flatly. She wrote down Twilight’s correction to her assumption.

Twilight smiled sheepishly, taking note of Lyra’s expression and tone of voice. “Well...” she ventured in the hope that a change in subject would put the mare in a more pleasant mood, “This is an interesting device,” she held up an object made of plastic, with a small screen and many buttons. “item 16-D; it’s a gadget for playing music. I think I talked about it in a paragraph in chapter three of my book. Somehow, this machine, can hold hundreds, even thousands of pieces of music and can play them back at will.” she sighed lightly and shook her head, “It’s a shame I didn’t have more time in that world. I would have loved to have learned how these machines worked.”

From the other side of the tent, Relic Hunter looked up from the crystal, “Interesting, Twilight, come look at this.”

Twilight came over and immediately saw what had caught Relic’s attention. On the flat surface of the crystals base glowed a hidden feature. It was an engraving, so shallow that it might have been missed by eye or by hoof-touch. It was only illuminated when the light hit it at the specific angle and brightness caused by the sunset. If the sun was any higher the engraving would have been lost in the glow of light illuminating the rest of the crystal.

It looked, at first, like a collection of squiggly lines. Like a spider web destroyed after a storm all the lines were connected but there were big gaps and empty spaces. It was a chaotic and random shape but something about it rang a small bell of familiarity in the back of Twilight’s mind. She wished she was in her library, she would have researched this image immediately.
“What is it?” she spoke in a hushed tone.

Relic hunter just shook her head, “I’ve no idea. But it’s not there by accident. The rest of the crystal is too perfect, too pure, for a flaw like this to be there naturally. This crystal was manufactured somehow, therefore this engraving had to have been put there by the makers. It was put there for a reason. It means something.” she shook her head gently, “Scholars will probably be researching it for decades to come. We may never know what these humans intended by it.”

“Ahem.”

The ponies turned to the doorway, where Applejack stood. “Mineral Deposit wants me to tell y’all dinner’s ready. If yer hungry.”

As if on cue, Twilight’s stomach growled loudly. She grinned sheepishly and nodded her head, “I suppose we could all do with a break.”

...***...

At the dinner table Twilight was glad to see Rainbow Dash was no longer wearing the safari shirt of Daring Do. But the pegasus had refused to give up the pith helmet.

As well as her friends Twilight was finally meeting the entirety of Professor Hunter’s team. Half a dozen; making up the majority of the ponies present, were student of Professor Hunter’s who had volunteered for the dig. Including Professor Hunter there were two unicorns, including Mineral Deposit there were four earth ponies and Slipstream was the only Pegasus. Relic Hunter and an earth pony named Black Granite were the only fully qualified doctors of archaeology present.

Relic Hunter picked at her light meal and sipped her water. Perhaps the excitement of the day was getting to her, she didn’t feel very hungry. If anything she just felt tired.

“So,” Dash sparked up the conversation, “You guys cracked open the mystery of that crystal yet?”

Twilight shook her head, “We’re not here to crack the mystery of the crystal, Rainbow.” she smiled, “That’s for pony scholars and researchers back in Canterlot. All we were really here to do was confirm this place used to be a human settlement, and help identify some of the artifacts.”

Rainbow huffed, “Boring. Man, this archaeology biz is way more exciting in the Daring Do books.”

Relic Hunter nodded, “Fiction is often more exciting than reality.”

Pinkie giggled, “You should try our reality some time. Monsters, crystal empires and changelings, oh my.”

Rarity nodded along, “Indeed. Over the last year our lives have certainly involved some excitement equal to anything I’ve ever read in books.”

“I’ve heard,” the professor replied, “We may be in the desert, but every now and then Mineral,” she nodded her assistant, “Must return to Los Pegasus for supplies. He also brings newspapers so we can keep up with current events.” she glanced at Twilight, “So much excitement and adventure from the shy filly I used to know, who’s nose was always stuck in a book.”

Pinkie bounced in her seat, “OOH, who’s that?”

“Me, Pinkie,” Twilight deadpanned.

Pinkie cocked an eyebrow for a second, confused. Then she started laughing, “Oh yeah, I guess that would be you Twilight.”

Relic Hunter smiled kindly, “You certainly have interesting friends, my old pupil.”

Twilight nodded, “Yes, they really are and I wouldn’t have them any other way.” she smiled proudly at her assembled friends, who looked back with mixtures of pride and embarrassment.

Conversation around the table turned to business, the schedule for the further analysis of the Vault and the skeleton that had been found inside. Black Granite and Slipstream would scout the city ruins and begin making more detailed maps of the area. The group of non-professional friends found their interest waning as they lost the thread of the conversation but they managed to keep up with enough of the details.
Lyra and Twilight agreed to stay an extra couple of days to help identify artifacts.
Mineral Deposit would return to Los Pegasus in the morning to ship several crates back to Canterlot University. He also offered to take Twilight’s friends with him, if they wished the take the train back to Ponyville.
Rarity seemed eager to get out of the hot, dry, desert. Claiming that the sand and harsh sun was doing its best to ruin her hair and hooficure.
Fluttershy was also willing to leave; her animal friends would be missing her terribly.
Applejack decided the farm could do without her for another couple of days and she would be willing to help, “Seems you could use a strong pair of hooves.”
Rainbow decided she would hang around too, citing, “Maybe it’ll get more exciting when you start looking in that city.”
Pinkie was Pinkie and would only say the confusing, “I’ll be around for the adventure.”

The sun set, leaving a fading orange glow on the horizon. Lanterns were lit, bathing the camp-site in a cool yellow light. Without the sun the temperature in the desert dropped rapidly and all ponies found themselves shivering in the cold. Coats and blankets were brought out while Mineral Deposit lit a camp-fire for everypony. The conversation was moved from the dining table to the campfire.

Twilight noticed Relic Hunter slip away from the group toward her tent. Her slow walk and the way she was dragging her hooves told Twilight that her old mentor must be tired. Well it has been a long day, she thought to herself. Twilight felt a chill run down her wings and made a beeline from the campfire toward her own tent, she had brought a nice blanket that would be perfect for keeping out the chill. Plus she had a nice book she was looking forward to reading.

The tent was as simple as it could be; two cots with sleeping bags had been set up. Twilight’s trunk stood in front of one. A small and rather battered looking briefcase was in front of the other. The case was open because it’s owner was already in the tent. Lyra was wrapping a scarf around her neck. At the sound of Twilight’s approach she glanced in her direction. The mint coloured pony huffed in annoyance. “Should’ve known.” she muttered just loud enough for Twilight to hear. “I’ll have to see if there’s anywhere else I can stay. Bad enough I gotta work with you, I don’t wanna share a tent too.”

Twilight looked at her in shock, “Lyra? What’s wrong?” the unicorn tried to push past her but Twilight spread her wings to block the doorway. “Ever since we met you’ve been harsh, cold and even rude to me. I know we’re not close, but I don’t understand what had happened to make you act this way towards me. Please, tell me, what’s going on?”

Lyra, if anything, looked more annoyed than ever. “You really don’t know. The great Princess Twilight Sparkle isn’t smart enough to figure it out?” Twilight looked at her, hurt and clearly confused. Lyra snorted, “You really don’t remember me do you? Did you ever notice me? You ran the library in Canterlot university for all that time any you don’t remember your regular visitors? I spent so long making weekly trips to Canterlot just so I could use the library. I was there, from opening to closing, every week, researching humans and writing my paper.”

Twilight thought hard. She had always concerned herself with her own studies and keeping the library clean and organised to pay much attention to who was using the library. However, now that Lyra mentioned it, she did have a faint memory of a unicorn mare sitting in at a table in a corner, a stack of books around her along with many pieces of paper. “Lyra I-”

Lyra held up a hoof to silence her, “I remember the day I got by honorary degree. It was the summer sun celebration, almost two years ago. The same day you moved to Ponyville. I remember, after the ceremony, I saw you, running back to your library. I waved to you, I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

“For all your help. You kept that library organised, so I could always find what I needed. When I couldn’t find the book I needed you helped me find them. You even special ordered a couple when they weren’t on the shelves. More than that, you were quiet and you always kept that library open. Never shut it unexpectedly, never took a day off work. Other librarians might have spoken up when I monopolised a whole corner of the library and made such a mess with stacks of books and paper. But you never said a word.”

I thought that was normal, Twilight thought to herself. That’s how I study. She chose not to say it out loud however.

“But you just ran right by me. I doubt you even noticed me.” Lyra shook her head. “That’s not the point, it doesn’t matter. What matters is I had my degree. I’d spent my whole life studying humans, I’d written a real, scientific, paper on the subject, other ponies had read it and they’d recognised my hard work. They’d acknowledged me. My efforts. I was called the foremost expert on humans in all Equestria.”

Twilight had a feeling she knew where this was going.

“Except now, I’m not. You are. You’re the big human expert now. Do you have any idea how hard I hard to work? How many books on history, myths, legends and even fairy tales I had to read, just find one obscure passage -sometimes even one sentence- relating to humans? I had to put it all together myself, like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces scattered everywhere and you aren’t even sure what the picture is. I spent my whole life looking for stuff on humans. And it was so easy for you. You had to just write about what you’d seen. Not only that, your book says a bunch of the stuff in my paper is wrong. You didn’t just take my title, Twilight, you humiliated me.”

Twilight bit her lip nervously, “Lyra, I’m -”

“And you got to see them.” Lyra interrupted her, “Real, live, humans. You got to BE one of them! Everything I’ve ever dreamed of and you’re the one who got to live it.” Lyra sat down, her emotional outburst had drained her. She screed up her eyes, trying to hold back the tears of frustration that were threatening to rise up. She didn’t want Twilight to see them, didn’t want her to think that she had upset her badly. She was frustrated and angry, not saddened.

Twilight looked down at the ground and shuffled on her hooves uneasily. “I’m sorry.” Lyra barely glanced up at her. “Lyra, I didn’t know. I was just writing about my experiences. I didn’t know that it would upset one of my friends. I never meant to do anything that would humiliate you, you know that, right?”

Lyra glanced at her for a couple of seconds before slowly nodding her head, “I guess so.” she muttered. “It....it just hurt me, you know?”

Twilight nodded, “I understand.” she put a reassuring hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “but, some good might come of this.”

Lyra snorted, “Like what?”

“Well,” Twilight said cautiously, “You said that my book said some of the stuff in your paper was wrong, that means a lot of stuff was right. You could write a new paper and, armed with his new information, you won’t have to work as hard or take as long and you could write something better and more detailed than ever. I saw a lot of the human world but there are still so many gaps in my knowledge, gaps I’d bet you could fill in with your research. Who knows? This time next year, you could be the foremost expert again.”

Lyra managed a brave smile, “Yeah, maybe. Thanks Twilight.”

Twilight smiled back at her, “Anything for a friend.”

“There you are,” the interruption was from Rarity. She had donned a pink scarf with matching boots to fight off the chill of the night. “Apparently Pinkie packed some camping supplies, so Applejack is making s’mores. If you want some, you’d better hurry before Pinkie and Rainbow Dash eat them all.”

The three ponies raced back to the campfire before the delicious chocolately-marshmallowy treats vanished into the night.

...***...

Twilight rose with the dawning of Celestia’s sun. Being the pupil of the sun princess had meant many an early rising. The habit of a lifetime that she would have found impossible to break, if she’d wanted to break it.

With a yawn and a stretch she climbed out of her sleeping bag, spreading her wings to work out the kinks that had emerged during the night. If she knew her friends, Applejack would be awake, the natural clock of farm life, Fluttershy would also be awake, she liked to rise early for her animal friends. Pinkie might also be awake, but for her own unknowable reasons.

Lyra was sleeping soundly so Twilight was extra quiet as she stepped outside. The air was dry but there was a gentle breeze carrying the scent of coffee from the kitchen tent. Just the smell was enough to make Twilight feel more awake. A lazy smile grew on her face as she drifted over toward the smell.

Applejack, Fluttershy and Mineral Deposit were mulling around the kitchen. Fluttershy was nibbling at some toast while AJ and Mineral were fighting over the rights to make the breakfast.
“You are our guest, you really should-”

“If y’all can learn to cook right, maybe I’d leave it to ya. For a bunch of smart ponies, you don’t know much ‘bout making a good meal.” She glanced over at Twilight and smiled, “Mornin’ Twi.”

Mineral Deposit jumped on the spot and flustered around Twilight. “Princess, good morning.” he bowed his head low, “Is there anything I can get for you princess? I’m sorry we don’t have anything more befitting-”

“It’s fine.” Twilight said flatly. “Honestly, Mineral, just call me Twilight. After yesterday I’d thought you’d learn to relax. I don’t want, or need, any special treatment. All I want is a cup of coffee and some of those eggs.” she nodded to Applejack, who was already working up a batch of scrambled eggs. Mineral was instantly fixated on Applejack’s attempt to cook once more, leaving Twilight to relax and take a place at the table.

Fluttershy smiled at her. “Good morning Twilight, did you sleep well?”

Twilight smiled and nodded, “Well enough. I’m not a big fan of camping though, I’m looking forward to getting back to my bed.”

A cup of coffee was slid across the table by Applejack, Twilight gave her a grateful smile. There was no sugar or milk available but Twilight didn’t mind. The acidic, bitter taste was just what she needed to wake herself up completely. She felt her brain spark into action, jolted by the caffeine. The plate of eggs was given to her a few moments later.

Mineral Deposit unwillingly stopped fussing over Twilight. If the princess didn’t want his help then he would have to listen to her. He poured a cup of coffee to take to Professor Hunter, she would want rising early to go over the work schedule for the day.

The tent was brightly lit, a lantern had been left on. The professor was sitting, slumped over the table which dominated the middle of the canvas-walled room. Maps, papers a couple of dusty books, and the mysterious crystal artifact were scattered around her. Mineral Deposit smiled, “Fell asleep working again Professor?” he sighed and put the coffee cup on the table, “You really need to stop doing that.” he put a hoof on her shoulder and shook her gently. Relic Hunter didn’t stir. “Professor? Time to wake up.” he shook her again, a little harder. Still the elderly unicorn didn’t stir. “Professor?” Mineral felt a chill run through his body. Thoughts that he didn’t want to entertain ran through his mind. Slowly, fearfully, he placed a hoof in front of Relic’s muzzle, hoping, praying, to feel breath.

“Oh no.”

Author's Note

It's been a long time coming. Natural laziness, a touch of writers block and that pesky thing called Real Life kept getting in the way. Well I'm back and I'm going to try and keep a more regular schedule of updates. Expect longer chapters from now on as I try and get the adventure kick-started.

I felt like this chapter was rushed in parts. I had ideas but the hard part was filling in the gaps and getting from one planned event to another.

EDIT: Thanks to Bowow for the helpful notes and corrections that came with this chapter.

Chapter 5

The Puzzle

Fanfic by Englishwitch

Chapter 5

The mood over the camp was a heavy one. As stifling as the hot air and as choking as the dust that blew on the wind.

The camp stood with quiet reverence around the covered wagon as two unicorns carefully loaded Relic Hunter’s body upon it. She had been lain on a stretcher and covered with a white shroud. All equipment, crates and artefacts had been removed. Nopony would allow Relic Hunter to travel with cargo. The next trip the cart would take would be for her alone.

Applejack, her hat removed in respect, whispered to Rarity, “You seen Twilight?”

Twilight was the only one missing from the gathering. She had been, naturally, upset by the news of her old friend passing away. She had cried fiercely and nothing could be done by anypony to console her. But in the last hour she seemed to have wandered away and vanished. All five of her friends were growing worried.

Rarity gave a gentle shake of her head, “I’m afraid not, darling. Where could she be? I would’ve thought if anypony would be here, it would be Twilight.”

Mineral Deposit, who perhaps knew the professor better than anypony in recent months, stepped out of the gathered crowd and bowed his head to the shrouded shape. Following his lead everypony else bowed their heads. “My heart has joined the thousand, for my friend stopped galloping today.” His voice cracked with held back tears. He had to take a moment and several deep breaths before he could continue. “The sun has set and the moon has risen. May princess Luna sing you to rest. May her moon light your path. Her stars be your map into what lies beyond.
Life and death are as the sun and moon. The day and night.
The full moon, well risen in a cloudless eastern sky, covers the solitude of the world with its light. We are not conscious of daylight as that displaces darkness. Daylight, even when the sun is clear of clouds, seems to us simply the natural condition of the earth and air.
We take daylight for granted. But moonlight is another matter. It is inconsistent. The full moon wanes and returns again. Clouds may obscure it to an extent to which they cannot obscure daylight. Water is necessary to us, but a waterfall is not. Where it is to be found it is something extra, a beautiful ornament.
We need daylight, but we would be foolish to think we did not need moonlight also. When it comes, it transforms our world. It falls upon the banks and the grass, separating one long blade from another; turning a drift of brown, frosted leaves from a single heap to innumerable flashing fragments; or glimmering lengthways along wet twigs as though light itself were ductile. Its long beams pour, white and sharp, between the trunks of trees, their clarity fading as they recede into the powdery, misty distance of woods at night. In moonlight, two acres of coarse bent grass as rough as a horse's mane, appear like a bay of waves, all shadowy troughs and hollows.
We should not take moonlight for granted. It is like snow, or like the dew on a July morning. It does not reveal but changes what it covers. And its low intensity---so much lower than that of daylight---makes us conscious that it is something added to the land, to give it, for only a little time, a singular and marvellous quality that we should admire while we can, for soon it will be gone again.”
He paused just long enough to wipe away the tears welling up in his eyes, “Earth and forest, sky and cloud. From sunlight we come and to moonlight we go. Celestia and Luna watch over us. Always.”

“Always.” the crowd murmured.

The ponies started to disperse in their own time. Most wandered to the dining tent where they spoke in low voices about Relic Hunter.

Applejack stepped closer to Mineral, “A real good readin’ from the Book of the Sun and Moon. Never would’a guessed you was the religious type.”

Mineral nodded solemnly, “Not so much anymore, but some stuff never leaves you.”

Applejack nodded. She wished she could do or say more to help Mineral. Funeral’s always brought out this side of her. She remembered, too well, the pain she felt at the loss of her own parents. She couldn’t stand the thought of anypony else feeling that same pain. “A lotta things never leave us,” she said to him, quietly, “friends an’ family most of all. Even when they’re gone from the world, they ain’t really gone s’long as we remember ‘em.”

Mineral managed a weak smile, “Thank you Applejack.”

...***...

Fluttershy sighed, her head hung lower toward the ground than usual. She had taken care of enough animals, seen enough of them come and go, to fully aware of the circle of life. That didn’t mean, however, that she was used to it. Far from it. Every loss, be it animal or pony, continued to affect her as deeply as the first.

A sniffing noise caught her attention. Coming from the tent which had belonged to Relic Hunter. The place had been closed up after the passing of the professor, but it’s canvass door was open now. Who on earth would go in there?

Trembling, Fluttershy approached the tent-flap and peered into the shady interior. The familiar form of Twilight sat in front of Relic Hunter’s desk. Her wings hung limply by her sides and her head sat in her hooves. There was a redness and puffiness to her eyes that told Fluttershy, Twilight had been crying, a lot. “Twilight?”

The alicorn flinched. Her wings flared and her head darted to the sound of the whisper. The sudden movement almost made Fluttershy shrink back and hide.

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, “Fluttershy? Hello. Has...um...have they....” She looked like she was about to cry again, “The Professor?”

Fluttershy understood and nodded her head, “She hasn’t left yet. Um...if you still want to say goodbye.”

To Fluttershy’s surprise, Twilight shook her head. The flared wings fell back to Twilight’s side and her head fell to join them. “I....” she hesitated, her voice catching in her throat, “I can’t. I tried but....to see her....like that...knowing she’s really...I just can’t....Oh, Fluttershy.... She’s gone and I won’t say goodbye... does that make me a bad pony?”

Fluttershy rushed up to Twilight and wrapped her hooves around her friend, pulling her into a surprisingly tight embrace that Twilight never would have thought the gentle pony capable of. It was a wonderful embrace, warm, caring and maternal. It reminded Twilight of her mother’s hugs. “No.” Fluttershy whispered into her ear. “No, you’re not.” she rubbed a hoof up and down Twillight’s back as a comfort. “I understand, really I do. You’ve lost an old friend you care about and it’s hurt you. You’re hurting and you don’t want it to hurt you more. If you go see her, go to say goodbye, that will be admitting that it’s all real. That she’s gone and won’t be coming back. And that would just hurt too much.”

Twilight trembled in her hooves as a fresh wave of sobs broke out. Fluttershy continued to hold her and made comforting noises. “There, there.” her gentle cadence sang out, “you’re not a bad pony. You’re just sad and hurt. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

For an unknown amount of minutes they continued to sit there in the middle of the tent. Fluttershy continued to hold Twilight and repeat what the pony needed to hear while Twilight let out her pain through her tears.

Slowly but surely, Twilight’s eyes ran dry. Her breathing levelled out and her heart stopped thundering in her chest. She felt tired, very tired. It was hardly past noon but she felt like she’d been awake for days. She eased herself back out of Fluttershy’s grip and forced a weak smile onto her face. Fluttershy could see through it, she let Twilight know this with a look. The false smile faded and Twilight felt all the better for it. “Thank you.”

“Any time, Twilight.”

Twilight let out a deep sigh. “It’s funny,” she glanced at the desk where Relic Hunter had been sitting just the night before. It was just as she left it; maps, papers a couple of dusty books, and the mysterious crystal artefact scattered around in the haphazard fashion Twilight recognised from periods when she had been deeply absorbed in study. “I haven’t even thought about her for years, haven’t seen her for longer than that. But with her...gone...it’s like I’ve lost one of you; my friends.”

“I guess...um...well...that’s because...um...you know that you’ll...you know...um...”

“Never see her again?” Twilight finished for her. Fluttershy nodded. With another sigh, Twilight nodded too. “maybe you’re right. Before now...I could have seen her...sent a message or...something.” she stopped to put her hoof to her eyes, as though she could push back in the tears that were threatening to come out. Twilight didn’t say anything more and Fluttershy, being Fluttershy, didn’t push her on the issue. Nothing more needed to be said.

Twilight put a hoof on the desk and drew one of the papers closer to her for a better look, “her last work.” It looked like it was a sketch of the engraving she and the professor had seen illuminated on the crystals surface in the light of the sunset. “A mystery she’ll never solve.” a twitch of a smile came to her face for a second, “But Professor Hunter said, ‘Sometimes the archiologists don’t solve all the mysteries. They uncover the questions and scholars years, or even generations from now, find the answers.’ I guess this crystal will be one of the-” she stopped suddenly as her eye caught some of the other objects on the desk. Among the books and hastily scribbled notes, which were full of blotches of smudged ink and many spelling mistakes, there was a piece of parchment, unrolled and held down at corners. It was a map and it had been desecrated. A large circle had been drawn upon it in red ink, and quite recently too. Twilight glanced at the sketch and to the marked second of the map, to the sketch and back again several times. They matched.
“Or maybe, she did find the answers after all.”

...***...

“Professor Hunter solved it.” Twilight used her magic to unfurl and hold the map on the table. Her five friends, Mineral Deposit, Lyra and Black Granite; the sole archaeological head of the dig now the professor had passed away. “Look at the sketch the professor made,” She held up the drawing. “It’s the inscription on the surface of the crystal. Look at the circled region of the map. They match perfectly.”

Black Granite scrutinized the two images, “the crystal was marked with an engraving of this region of the world? But to what purpose?”

Twilight shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know. Not yet. But I intend to find out.” She looked at the ponies around the table, “The discovery of these human artefacts were the last act of Professor Hunter. She discovered these mysteries, raised these questions and I want to find the answers. I want to solve the last great mystery of her professional life. For her.”

Her five friends smiled. “Well all right.” Applejack nodded and straightened her stetson.

“When do we leave?” Dash jumped in right away.

Twilight looked between them, “You don’t have to-”

Rarity put a hoof over Twilight’s mouth, “Let me stop you right there, darling. We’re coming with you. All the way to...wherever it is we’re going.” She glanced at the map.

“The Griffin Kingdoms.” Pinkie said in an off-hand manner.

Twilight looked at her with confusion, “Pinkie, how’d you know that? The region isn’t named on the map?”

Pinkie shrugged, “I know the author.”

Twilight felt a distinctive twitch in her left eye, “What?”

Pinkie continued to smile as she asked, with perfect innocence, “What?”

The group of Ponyville friends just shook their heads and dismissed it. It was better not to think too hard when Pinkie Pie was being Pinkie Pie.

Twilight chose, instead, to centre her attention on Mineral Deposit, “I know this is against the usual procedure of an archaeological dig, and I have no right to ask this, but I would like to take the crystal with me. It could be useful on our journey.”

Mineral and Black Granite looked at each other, was a princess really asking their permission? Black Granite nodded her head, “To solve this mystery for Relic Hunter, you may have the crystal, Princess.”

Twilight’s face flushed as she realised more of her royal privileges had helped influenced their decision. “Thank you. When all this is over, I promise I’ll personally deliver the crystal, and my findings, to Canterlot University.”

Black Granite bowed his head, “Thank you, Prin-”

“And don’t call me, Princess,” Twilight sighed, “I’m Twilight, just Twilight.”

Black Granite nodded, “Of course, Princess Twilight.”

Twilight shook her head, “I give up.” she sighed and shook her head before turning to her friends. “If we’re going to do this, we’ll need to head back to Los Pegasus. It’s the nearest place we can get transport to the griffin kingdoms.”

“Well then,” Rarity smiled at her, “We should pack and be ready to leave as soon as possible.”

The group broke, rushing for their tents to retrieve their belongings.

Within the tent, Lyra was sitting on her cot in an unusual manner; she was flat on her beck with her rear legs dangling over the side. The sight was so odd it made Twilight stop and stare for a few seconds. “What?” she muttered indignantly, “it’s good for my back.”

Twilight nodded her head slowly, “okay.”

Lyra shuffled to a sitting up position. That just looked even weirder! “I’m sorry about the professor. She seemed like a nice pony.”

Twilight sighed and nodded her head. Her horn began to glow as she packed her belongings into her trunk. “She was. She just had this way of telling history,” she smiled warmly as the fond memories came upon her, “She made things come alive. When she told me about the ancient pony tribes, she wasn’t just reciting facts and figures. She made you understand and know, really know, what it must have been like back then. You could almost feel the stone floors under your hooves, or the rough-spun clothing on your back.” She had to stop for a few seconds to wipe the tears rising in her eyes. “One of the best teachers I ever had.”

She took a deep breath and extended her hoof on the exhale. “That’s why I’m going to solve the mystery of the crystal; to honour her hard work and dedication in uncovering the mysteries of the ancient world. I know Professor Hunter wouldn’t leave this puzzle alone. She would keep working until all her questions were answered and the last mystery revealed. It’s what drove her so hard to keep working, keep digging and learning. There’s always a question that needs answering.”