Points of Interest

Twilight shivered as she pulled the covers around her. It was all in vain though, for she couldn't get back to sleep even if she tired. Opening one of her eyes she could see that the sun had just begun it's rise in the sky.

"Morning already?" She asked herself.

She slowly sat up and began rubbing her eyes to wake them up. The first thing that came to her mind was the detection spell that she had learned the previous night. Concentrating, she focused on how the strange feeling felt. Like an old memory, the feeling came sparking back into her mind. Unlike last night it was no longer painful and was relatively quite soothing to her.

"Good." She said. "Spike? You awake yet?" She asked looking over to where he slept.

The pattern of snores answered her question. She smiled to herself and quickly hopped off the bed. Strecthing her wings, she made sure not to awaken Spike from his slumber. Quietly, she went through her morning routines and was out the door in no time. As she went down the deserted hall she could feel much more than just the one presence in her mind. It was strange but she felt a total of five strong magical presences from all around.

"So am I feeling everypony here right now?" She asked herself. "I must be feeling both Celestia and Luna, as well as the others." Her mind quickly alerted her of something. "Mikaeus, garden." she said to herself.

Hastily, she made her way outside of the palace walls. Making her way to the garden she felt one of the presences begging to grow stronger. Turning a corner she spotted Mikaeus sitting on the ground in a relax position. He had done away with his cloak and hood, and was now wearing a dark blue robe. His white mane was catching the wind, sending it all over the place

"Morning sir." She said coming up to him.

There was no response. She waited at bit before asking again.

"I am not disturbing you am I?" She asked.

Still, there was no response from the unicorn. Walking forward she peered around him too look at his face. His pale yellow eyes where staring off into the distance, not moving at all. Suddenly, he sprang to life.

"What? Oh, good morning princess Twilight." He said with a bow. "Sorry, I was in deep thought. I hope I hadn't kept you waiting long."

"No I just walked up, how are you today?" She asked politely.

"Been better, but I can't really complain." He said. "Sleep well?" He asked.

Twilight nodded.

"So you didn't feel anything strange?" He asked with a slight hint of disappointment.

"No sir." She said catching the hint.

He closed his eyes. "It was probably good that you weren't disturbed cause it turned out to be nothing. Though that's what Celestia said it was."

"Wait, what happen?" Twilight asked.

"I felt the field around the tunnel being disturbed by something or somepony. Whatever it was, it was trying to break the barrier that was discovered. I made my way as fast I could there, but the time I  arrive there wasn't a soul near in site." Mikaeus said. "I don't think it was nothing, I know that it was something."

"So that was the pain I felt last night. I am sorry for not keeping watch sir, it won't happen again." Twilight said with a stern look.

"It's alright, but in the future just be prepared. I don't know what it was but I have a strong hunch that it was somepony here. That doesn't leave much room for the imagination, for only a few know about this. We both know that it wasn't either of the you princesses, or me." He said slowly.

Twilight thought out loud. "That would only leave Goldwin and Iceses."

"I told them that they would be nothing but trouble." Mikaeus mumbled loudly. "Tonight, I need you to leave you detection ability fully alarmed. If you would like to learn of a way to deal with the pain, should it come up again I can teach you."

Twilight sighed. "That would help actually, I never felt something like that in all my life. How on earth do you deal with that?"

Mikaeus chuckled. "It's not that hard but I will show you later. Now tell me, do you meditate much?"

"No sir not really." Twilight said.

"What is used to bring you peace then? Where are you most calm?" He asked.

Twilight pondered. "Well, when I am a relaxed situation I like to read. I guess that's when I am at peace?"

"Reading is good, words can be more useful than actions." Mikaeus said looking off. "Are you familiar with any meditation techinecs at all?"

"I know some basic ones, but besides that not much." Twilight said.

"That will have to do." He said. "Care to join me then?"

Twilight began feeling a nagging presence in the back of her head. It wasn't the one far off, but it kept getting closer and closer. "Sure." She said.

"Somepony approaches, it's probably just Celestia walking through the garden." Mikaeus said noticing Twilight's reaction.

Mikaeus then proceeded to sit on the ground while tilting his head back. Taking a few breaths, he lowered his head back forward and rested his chin on his chest.

"Smooth waters travel down a stream." He said. "Let your mind flow down this stream, so that you can see how far down it goes."

Twilight slowly repeated his actions, and soon the two sat in silence. She felt calm for the most part, but the nagging feeling kept growing and growing. As best as she could she tried to ignore it, but soon it began ringing in her ears. Focusing quickly she no longer was using the detection spell, granting her peace.

Mikaeus breathed out. "Now, think about a time where you young. Focus on that and…."

Iceses appeared out of thin air and a few inches from Mikaeus's face. "Good morning!" She exclaimed cheerfully.

Twilight opened her eyes to see Mikaeus fall on his back from the outburst.

"Iceses!" Mikaeus said while getting back up. "You know how much I hate it when you do that."

"I didn't mean to scare you old chap, but I am sorry if I did." She said with a giggle.

"I am sure you are, now why have you disturbed us?" He asked.

Iceses threw her main over her shoulder. "Oh nothing, just wanted to see what you were up to. With the princesses doing their royal business, I thought I would find somepony to talk to before taking breakfast. When I saw you two out here I thought I would come by." She said while tugging at Mikaeus's robe. "This is a lot a better than the table cloth you wore yesterday."

Mikaeus stepped back so that she couldn't continue messing with his garments. "I was just showing princess Twilight here how I do mediation."

"Oh, has he showed how to leave your body yet? Like all ghost like!" Iceses exclaimed waving her hooves around in a manner of one trying to get scares while reading a ghost story.

"Um, no." Twilight said.

"Oh Mikaeus, off all the things about your mediation you leave out the most interesting part?" Iceses asked.

Mikaeus's face showed that he was becoming annoyed. "There isn't a reason for me to teach her that and no, I will not teach you it either. So stop asking."

Iceses frowned at this. "After all these years of studying together and you still want tell me this secret. "

"Some secrets are to be kept in the dark." Mikaeus said rolling his eyes.

"Fine." Iceses said rolling her eyes. "I will figure it out one day, and then it won't be a secret anymore."

"Come back to me when you do." Mikaeus said sarcastically.

Twilight felt awkward just standing there while the two ponies talked. She tried to think of an excuse to leave without being rude.

"I do hate cutting in but, I have to go and wake Spike." Twilight said softly.

Mikaues nodded. "Of course your majesty, do whatever you need to do."

"Oh please." Iceses mumbled to Mikaeus response.

"Thank you, I guess I'll see you two later on when Celestia calls for us." She said walking away.

"See ya." Iceses called after her.

Mikaeus began walking in the opposite direction."Iceses may I speak with you for just one second? Last night, there was something that alerted me….."

Twilight made her way out of the garden and back into the palace. She couldn't put a hoof on it, but something was off about Iceses. She just appeared there, and out of nowhere. Though she seemed to be giddy it just didn't feel right. Like she was trying to cover up that fact that she just showed up. A knew thought sprang up in her mind, just how long was Iceses really there for. Could she have been standing there for a minute before revealing herself? How come Mikaeus didn't feel her right in front of him? After all she could have just been truly curious about what they were doing but then again.

"Maybe he is right about them." Twilight said.

"Princess Twilight." Goldwin's voice called.

Twilight immedialty stopped in her tracks, spinning around she saw the majestic unicorn coming up to her. He had his mane done up in a fashion that was only typical for mares to sport.

"I hope you are having a good morning." He said with a bow.

"Yes sir, I am." She said.

"Good, now princess Twilight, I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday in front of you." He said. "I was out of line and I should have kept my anger under control."

"It's alright sir Goldwin." Twilight said.

"Still though, I apologize for causing an awkward scene for you as well as the other princesses." He said. "It will not happen again."

Twilight nodded. "Thank you sir."

"No problem, I am keeping you from somewhere? I don't mean to if I am?" He asked.

"Oh no, I was going down to get some breakfast." She said forgetting about her other task.

"Really? I was thinking about going to get something to eat myself. Care if I join you then?" He asked.

"Absolutely." Twilight said almost immediately. "I mean of course you can, Sir Goldwin."

Twilight took the lead, as the two began making there way down the hall. Her mind had begun racing with questions that she wanted to ask Goldwin. As each thought passed through her head she began feeling a little bit awkward.

'Maybe she shouldn't ask so many things to him, she thought. I don't want to come off as an obsessed fan or something like that.' She thought. "So Sir Goldwin." She began.

He let out a chuckle. "You don't have to call me that all the time you're majesty. The 'sir' part is only when I am at formal occasions or presences, you may call we Goldwin or Win for short."

"Oh okay, so Goldwin I been meaning to ask you a few questions on one of your books." Twilight began nervously.

"Which one?" Goldwin asked with interest.

"Rules of Levitation." Twilight said.

Goldwin smiled. "You and every other pony has been asking me questions about that one. I can probably already guess which section you are going to question me on. Funny, it seems rather simple to me but to everypony else they seem rather frustrated by it."

"I too have become frustrated over it if I may admit. It's just that, how do you concentrated hard enough to move great objects like you described. I mean I can lift rocks no problem, but in the book you say that one can move buildings if concentrating correctly." Twilight said. "It just seems, not impossible, but challenging to wrap my head around."

"Remind me to show you later, then it won't seem so 'challenging'." Goldwin said. "Anything else?"

Twilight wanted to start listing off things but the two came to the doors that held the dining hall.

"Looks like we're here." Goldwin said. He opened the door for her politely.

She nodded thankfully and proceeded inside. The table that laid in the middle of the room was already set for the meal that was being prepared. Goldwin went forward and pulled out for her to sit in. Twilight barley had a chance to sit down before a server came rushing up to her.

"How can I be of service this morning you're majesty?" The stallion asked.

"Oh, I didn't know if breakfast was finished or not. If it is, I thought I would like to start off with a bit of toast." Twilight said.

"Of course ma'am, and for you sir." The stallion asked Goldwin.

The unicorn waved his hoof to signify that he require anything. Goldwin just kept looking around as the server left to go retrieve what Twilight requested.

"So Twilight, I heard a lot about you abilities from Princess Celestia. May I say that from what she told me you sound quite to be the natural gifted at sorcery." Goldwin said. "She even mention how you solved some of Star Swirl's secrets?"

"Oh that, that was nothing to major." Twilight said trying to minimize it. "You could say that I had a better understanding on somethings that he didn't."

"Still anything related to Star Swirl's work is important, let alone the fact that you solved something that he couldn't." Goldwin said. "As you know I am a studier of his work."

Twilight nodded. "I remember your book about your research about his time spells. Though I know that in the end you found it frustrating that he didn't leave much for others to follow his notes up."

Goldwin nodded. "Now Twilight, Princess Celestia didn't really go into specifics about what you discovered. So I was wondering if you could…."

A sound from behind caused both of the ponies to look at the door that was being opened. Mikaeus came strolling in, with his stern look dressing his face. He gave a nod to Twilight and took a chair at the table.

"Morning Goldwin." Mikaeus quietly.

"Morning, and how are you today." Goldwin said with clench teeth.

Mikaeus gave a grunt to signal that he was done talking. Twilight watched awkwardly in silence as the two other unicorns did the same. One of the servers came back and asked if any pony needed anything. Mikaeus nodded his head to say no and once again Goldwin waved off the stallion.

Twilight smiled. "So, has Princess Celesita told you two what she thinks is behind the barrier down in the tunnel?"

"Come to think of it she hasn't." Goldwin said.

Mikaeus nodded. "She hasn't told me anything, neither has Luna."

Twilight noticed that Iceses had appeared right behind Goldwin, with a smirk spread across her face. She was about to alert the unicorn but it was already to late.

"I haven't heard anything either." She said in Goldwin's ear.

The scene that followed almost made Twilight worry that she would have to get Celestia if things went south. Goldwin's face showed that he was trying not to explode with anger. He slowly turned his head, only to be greeted by Iceses face.

"Good morning." She said.

He stared at her, not saying a word.

Iceses used her magic to force one of the chairs over to her so that she could sit. Then she proceeded to scoot the chair as close as possible to Goldwin's.

"Come now don't be such a big grump." She said sitting down. "Surprising, you haven't ordered anything yet? Maybe I can get you something huh?"

With a flash of magic, a plate of food appeared before Goldwins spot on the table. Iceses giggled as she caused napkins and a cup to appear.

"Ta-da, now eat up." She said.

Goldwin closed his eyes and let out a quite sigh. With a second he caused the plate to disappear as fast as it was summoned.

"I am not hungry." He said.

"Well you should have said something to let me know then. You would have spared me the trouble then." Iceses said with sarcasm lacing her voice.

"Iceses, thats enough." Makaeus said. "Princess Celestia approaches, so please do me a favor and not act like a pack of wolves."

Iceses and Goldwin both looked at him with curiosity

Iceses slowly asked."Wait, how do you know that she's..."

Twilight heard the door unlatching from behind her and soon Celestia came strolling in. She gave a smile to Twilight and took the spot at the head of the table.

"Good morning." She said to the three wizards.

"Good morning." They all repeated, except Goldwin's response was a little weaker due to his present annoyance.

"And how are you today Twilight?" Celestia asked.

"I am doing good, I think we are all ready to get started on that barrier thing." Twilight said. She tried hinting to Celestia about the present scene of the two bickering wizards. "If it's okay with everypony else here that is."

"Well then, if no pony objects then we shall start immeidlaty. Iceses, care to share with us your findings from the library yesterday?" Celestia asked.

Iceses nodded and made a pile of scrolls appear on the table. Taking one, she rolled out so that all those there could look on its contents. "Alright, so these mines were made way back in the day when ponies thought there were a bunch of treasures to be found. One could say that this barrier here is a product of simple unicorn greed. For it was quite common for that time, since the company that started mining was actually own by three unicorn brothers. The company fell under their bickering and thus why the mines were left alone, but that isn't' the case with our barrier." She said pointing at the scroll. "This area is different from the surrounding tunnels in one major way. I will spare you the details, but based of the rock samples collected by the miners, this part of the tunnel is over five hundred years older than any part of the mine."

"So it was dug a long time ago before the other mines." Twilight said. "That means this wasn't made by ordinary ponies."

"Exactly." Iceses.

"That doesn't make sense though. How can there be a tunnel in the mountain if there wasn't any other sign that there was another tunnel leading in." Goldwin said.

"Thats the big question." Iceses said bopping his nose with her hoof. "This chamber was made by somepony who was able to teleport inside the mountain. There they created a chamber which is now protected by the barrier. Then years later on miners dug and we know all the rest."

"But why would some pony go through all that trouble just to build a chamber in the mountain?" Twilight asked.

"To hide something?" Goldwin questioned. "It would be the perfect spot if you think about it. At the time, whoever did never thought in a million years that ponies would get near it."

"Smart." Mikaeus said. "What do you think Princess Celesita?"

"It's in interesting theory Iceses, but the only way we can prove anything is by breaking the barrier. Did you find anything that could help with this yesterday, anything that could give us some answers?" Celestia asked.

Iceses shook her head. "I am sorry but I was not able to find anything that could help us. The barrier itself like I said is nothing I have ever encountered before. At first it feels like a innocent little shield spell, but once you start trying to focus on it thats when things go crazy. While I was testing on the frequencies around the mountain, it felt like the field was aware of my actions, and it got harder and harder as I went along."

"But you can figure out a way to break it right?" Twilight asked.

"I am afraid not, this is beyond my capability" Iceses said grimly. "But that doesn't mean I can try." She said with a sly grin.

Celestia let out a sight. "Oh dear."

"But thats okay, you invited two other equally powerful wizards that can help." Iceses perking back up.

Twilight noticed that Goldwin seemed to smile at the comment that was made. For the first time since she saw the two in the same room together he wasn't mad. Maybe the two of them could get along again in time.

Iceses very slowly leaned her head on Goldwin's shoulder. "And of course you invited Goldwin here too."

Goldwin's expression turned back into the same stern look. He polity positioned himself so that Iceses wouldn't have a place to rest anymore.

"So much for that." Twilight said to herself. "So do you think we should head for the tunnel today? I mean I probably the only pony here who hasn't seen dealt with it yet and I think it would help."

"Of course Twilight, thats actually what I had in mind." Celesita said. "We can go whenever we are all ready."

"I am ready." Goldwin said distancing himself from Iceses.

Iceses used her magic to push him right back. "Me too!"

"Mikaeus?" Celestia asked.

"Yes your majesty." He said in a low tone. "Though I do need to go get some things from my room first before heading out."

A server came out and looked over the room occupants. "Breakfast is ready your majesties." He said with a bow.

"Of course, after breakfast and all." Celestia said with a smile.

After they were all done eating, Celestia finished her water and looked at the trio of wizards. "All of you may go and if you need to go get something than you can, anything that might help you here is free for you to use. I wish that you do make haste, for I do want to see if we can solve this problem quickly if possible." Celestia said.

Goldwin immediately got up and stormed out of the room as fast as possible. This left everypony else to leave the room in a silent fashion. Twilight made her way to her room so that she could wake Spike up. Upon entering she found that he wasn't there at all.

"Spike?" Twilight called out. "Anypony here."

"Right behind ya." Spike voice said behind her.

Twilight turned around. "Oh, there you are, I was just coming to wake you."

"Oh thats all right I was awake soon after you left." He said stretching his back. "So what's on the agenda today?"

"We're actually all about to head out to the tunnel right now." Twilight said.

"Everypony? What about mr. Goldwin? Has he calmed down since yesterday?" Spike asked.

Twilight nodded. "He's seems to be trying to keep himself in check, but I don't know how long it will last. At breakfast today he was able to hold off from erupting on Iceses. Though if he did I could completely understand." Twilight said. "She knows that he dislikes her but she went out of her way to annoy him. It was kind of like the antics of an annoying little sibling."

Spike sighed. "Well let's hope he can put up with it for the time being. So when are we heading out?"

"Right now." Twilight said walking towards the door.

Spike closed the door and the two were quickly off to meet up with Celestia. As they made there way down, Twilight felt this strange feeling begging to creep in her mind. She couldn't put her hoof on it but it was like somepony was watching them. Though there wasn't anypony there when she turned her head, she kept feeling it.

"Spike do you feel like, somethings watching us?" Twilight asked.

Spike looked around. "To tell you the truth, I do. I thought I was just imagining it though."

Twilight stopped for now she could feel something in the air. "It's weird, but it feels like somepony is literal a couple of feet away from us."

"Yeah." Spike said backing up towards her.

The two became still, and soon a silence fell upon the area. Twilight tried to think of something that could confirm her weird feeling, then it came to her. Mikaeus's spell. Concentrating she focused on the feeling she felt this morning and then within a second her mind was irrupted with energy. A presence was before her, it was so close that it was almost making her have a headache.

"Twilight, you alright?" Spike asked.

"I know you're there!" Twilight said. "Show yourself."

Spike looked confused. "Um Twilight, who are you talking too?"

Twilight hushed him. "I know you're there, I can sense you. Show yourself right now!"

With that the presence vanished, leaving the two of them once again alone.

"They're gone." Twilight said.

"Wait so you mean somepony was actually watching us? How could you tell?" Spike asked.

"This spell Mikaeus showed me last night lets me feel magical presences, like fields or fellow wizards. He told me to be on guard in case anything starts to seem odd." Twilight said. "Right then, I felt a strong presence standing near us. Somepony was watching us, and I don't know why."

Spike nodded nervously. "Lets get to Princess Celestia before I start shaking."

Twilight nodded and quickly began heading towards the place she needed to meet the others. Soon the hall they were just in was now empty and silent.

"Little brat, how could she have detected me? There is no way that's possible unless…….."

Twilight kept one eye constantly looking around so that she may detect anymore strange intrusions. She soon began hearing the voices of Celestia and the other wizards.

"Well then it shouldn't take so long, should it?" Iceses asked.

Mikaeus let out a violent cough. "It all depends on how strong the barrier is, and depending if these spells you want to try out are strong enough."

Twilight turned the corner to see the small cluster of ponies standing there.

"Ah, there you are." Celestia said. "Good morning Spike."

Spike nodded. "Good morning to you to princess Celesita."

"So we all set to go out now?" Twilight asked.

All three wizards gave a nod to both her and Celestia to signal that they were ready.

"Everything seems to be in order for us then, shall we?" Celestia said while walking forward. "Now we need to at least be able to make some progress on breaking the barrier down today. If we could at least get inside the chamber by sundown, that would be fantastic."

"Is there any reason why you have such high hopes for it today? Not that I am doubting our capablitlites, but what makes you so enthusiastic?" Goldwin asked.

Iceses immediately jumped to his side. "Cause we're all here together and there is nothing we can't accomplish." She said very cheerfully.

He made the space between them larger.