MLP FIM: Season 4 Rise of the A.M. (a what if story)

Chapter 11: The Locket

King Sullivan’s sister walked around the castle as usual replying back to friendly waves and greetings given to her by the guards and workers she passed with a half smile. She made her way to the lower floors to where the library’s most important books on spells were hidden. Much to her surprise, a guard making his runs down the halls granted her access to the catacombs. Now that she was where she wanted to be, she began her search. Row after row, shelf to shelf, one ancient parchment to the next she looked. Finally after what seemed like an eternity of navigated through the vast collection of knowledge she had found what she was looking for. An old rolled up piece of parchment lay high on the top shelf of the tenth row. Letting her horn glow for the umpteenth time, she levitated the old scroll. She unrolled the piece of paper to find out that the spell or what ever it is was unfinished. Curious, Safire began to read. Her yellow eyes following the script, but the more she read the more she began to question the instructions.

Every so often she would say things like, “How could that be?” and “Why would anypony want to?”

The isolation down in this part of the castle felt unnerving, as if the darkened walls themselves were watching her every move, listening to everything she had said out loud. One of the maids had told her about this script, and how the king and Arthur were studying it, but when she asked for more information the maid had nothing else to say. Safire, however, had gathered enough intel to figure out that the script must be somewhere in the catacombs. Her hunch as it turned out happened to be correct. As she scanned the top of the page her eyes widened as they saw the name Star Swirl The Bearded.

Star Swirl was a powerful unicorn from olden times. His magic was said to be the greatest of his time. He had helped in creating most spells unicorns today know and in his spare time he had invented some of his own that he alone knew. When his work was discovered, those who found his work soon discovered that he had even tampered in the dark arts at one point in his life and had managed to create as much dark magic as he did light. Amongst his completed work there were also spells that were left unfinished. Safire wondered if this could be one of his in-completed dark spells and read through the script again checking to see if she had missed anything. When she was done she put the script back and left the chamber ready to question her brother about her discovery if she ran into him. Along the halls of the upper floors she made a visit to a room dedicated to the past kings and queens. Their portraits filled the room. Some stallions like her brother wore beards, however, unlike her brothers, theirs were longer. She spotted her brother’s portrait instantly because his was at the end. His brown furry body faced forward. His orange eyes and face wore an expression of one trying to fathom his predicament. The Crown had been placed neatly on head some of the blue was hidden by his green mane. The Artist did seem to forget to add the freckles on his muzzle.

“I did question him why he didn’t make my freckles an added addition when he was don,” said a humorous voice behind her.

Safire turned to see her little brother standing at the door. He wore warm smile as he stared at her. Looking at his picture again he added incredulity; “He said, if I can remember it… “If your expression looked like one who questions his duties, then this should at least help you look the part.”

They stared at each other. Safire felt as if Sullivan was ex-raying her, trying to find a hint of something she was longing to ask. After a long pause she finally said, “Brother, may I ask you a question?”

“If that question has to do with why you were down in the catacombs then go ahead.”

Safire felt a surge of panic and anger flow through her body. How did he know that she was down there?

“If you are wondering how I know this, a maid had told me what she had let slip.”

Safire felt her blood boil. She hated her brother for knowing what she or anyone was thinking. Almost like he could read minds. The way he played so innocent about it as if it was just an untimely coincidence didn’t make things any better. Mastering an unsurprised face she said,

“Ah, of course. Anyways, I did find the parchment and… I’m afraid I don’t understand it.”

Sullivan took a moment before answered, “Yes, well as you had heard before, Arthur and I were studying it for a while, but we could not figure out Star Swirls work either. So, we moved on placing the script back in the catacombs.”

“What made you try to debunk it?” asked Safire.

“I had heard that Celestia had discovered another one of Star Swirl’s works and let her student try and finish it. I trust you know who I’m talking about?”

“Yes, Twilight Sparkle,” said Safire pressing her brother to continue.

“She did complete the spell and after that she became an Alicorn. The new princess you had heard about…”

“Is her,” said Safire putting two and two together.

Sullivan nodded. “I thought that together Arthur and I could complete a spell as well… Alas, I was mistaken for he wasn’t ready and I was far to eager to unravel a long lost treasure.”

As Sullivan continued on, Safire was beside herself, the third princess was finally known to her. A new sensation was felt running through her body. Her excitement couldn’t be held in any longer as she let her head bow and felt a smile begin to form on her face. She knew exactly who would love to hear this information. The next thing she had to do was to meet the princesses and gain their trust as she did with the very kingdom she had returned to.

“A Ball,” said Safire to herself.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” asked Sullivan.

Safire put on her best face to hide her intentions and replied; “What I meant to say is, I think the guards have been stressed enough. How about we put on an occasion not just for our kingdom, but for the others as well. Just for one night lets give them all something to lift their spirits.”

Sullivan stood in silence his gaze fixated on his sister. Once again the feeling of being ex-rayed was felt as he pondered on her words. At last he smiled warmly at her.

“Yes, I think your right.” He said. “Indeed, during times like these we all need something to lighten the mood. What did you have in mind?”

With out hesitating Safire said with certainty, “A ball, a small one if possible. It doesn’t have to be a big one.”

“Ah, big sister, you forget that we have many talented ponies around waiting for moments like these. If I’m correct in saying so, they should be able to put a ball together in two days time if I tell the staff to spread the word around.”

Safire of course would believe that when she saw it. Either way she was in the clear for now at least. Once again a smile tried to form, but she mastered her emotions and insisted that she would write out the invitations and left before her brother could say another word. Once she was in her own room, she opened her bedside table and took out a locket. It was gold with a symbol of a feather on it. To anyone this would be just another ordinary locket, but to her and the unicorn who gave it to her she knew all to well that it wasn’t. As she opened it, the memory of her lover’s words called out to her as if he was there.

“When ever you need to find me, all you have to do is open this.”

Inside the locket two photographs had been placed inside the two sides. On the left her younger self stared smiling back at her and too the right a young grey Pegasus stared off into the distance. Before her eyes the gift began to glow a bright yellow. Holding the locket close to her mouth she spoke.

“Night Blade? I have news that you will want to hear.”