Chapters Dusty Tome and Endeavor: The Amulet of Yolo Swag
Dusty sighed as she rolled over on her back, legs stretched up toward the ceiling. She huffed as she spread out her wings, giving them a flutter and sending all of her notes she had spread out on the floor flying in random directions.
"I take it someone is feeling especially bored today?", Endeavor asked as he flipped through the newspaper he was reading. He levitated a cup of tea resting on his armchair to his mouth. Dusty turned and glared at him as he took a long sip of the cup's contents and turned the page.
“We haven’t had a real job in ages.”
“A month, actually. Remember? Last month we finished that dig in the Griffon Badlands.”
Dusty rolled her eyes at the unicorn. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate having some time to relax, organize my notes…” Endeavor scoffed at the idea of Dusty organizing anything. “And just catch up on some reading. But I’m not content just being a snooty researcher at the University. I want to get out there! We’ve been in Canterlot just sitting around for too long now. Surely somepony has something rare and mysterious for us to find.”
“Well perhaps Equestria has run out of ancient magical artifacts. I guess I’ll have to go back to bouncing at the Bannered Mare. And you’ll have to *gasp* give lectures!” He took another sip of his tea.
"Ugh. Don't even mention the 'L' word. I'd have to grade essays and deal with students." Dusty wrinkled up her snout in disgust at the thought.
"Then perhaps you could just find something else to do today and stop making a mess. Celestia preserve me if you clean up some of your papers." Dusty huffed in response. She twitched her tail, knocking over one of the stacks of papers she had left on the floor.
“OH!” Dusty suddenly jumped up, somehow landing perfectly on her hooves. “Has the mail come today? Maybe someone sent us a letter!”
The small pegasus ran out the door of their flat, slamming it behind her, sending the papers spread about the room flying again. Endeavor could hear her hooves going down the flight of stairs. He took the small amount of Dusty-free time to magically gather up the papers floating about their living room and stuffing them all into a box. In less than a minute Dusty was back at the door.
“Endeavor!”, came a muffled cry as she kicked the door shut behind her. She went over to where Endeavor was perched in his armchair, dropping the scroll she had in her mouth into his lap. “Look! A scroll! Fancy stationery! A personal seal! It’s a client! We’ve got a job!”
Endeavor looked displeased with having the slightly damp scroll dropped in his lap, but unrolled it with his magic without comment.
To Adventurers Dusty Tome and Endeavor:
I have heard of your success in finding long lost artifacts from all over Equestria. I believe I may have a job that is of interest to you.
“I knew it!” Dusty interrupted his reading.
I have recently become aware of a mysterious artifact. It is magical and there is a possibility it doesn’t even exist.
The object in question is a helm. It belonged to a great demi-god of old. The name of this incredible pony was rumored to be ‘Yolo-Swag’. He apparently interacted with some of the earliest tribes of ponies, later founding the Crystal Empire. It is said before he returned to wherever he was from, he hid his Helm somewhere where he thought no pony could retrieve it to use it’s awe-inspiring power. There is a strange magical aura that has been appearing over a certain area where I believe that Helm to be found. The second page of this scrolls provides a detailed map of this area. It also includes the location of a dead drop that will be filled once I receive a contract stating you will fulfill my job. When you have the Helm, notify me and I will send you a letter giving instructions on where to meet me.
I look forward to seeing what you can do.
“It doesn’t have a signature,” Endeavor wondered aloud.
Dusty’s eyes were big and shining. It looked like she might burst. “A mysterious note! No signature! Probably a large pay out… Let’s do it!”
“Woah. Hey now. The pony who sent this message isn’t even sure this ‘Helm of Yolo Swag’ even exists. Let’s do some research first.”
Dusty calmed down at the word ‘research’. Endeavor was right. Research first, accept contracts second. Besides, books were her talent.
“Alright then. TO THE LIBRARY!”
Dusty quickly grabbed her bookbag that had fallen behind the couch, throwing out the random crumpled pieces of paper currently inhabiting it, and dashed out the door. Endeavor sighed, yet again. He picked up the scraps that Dusty left on the floor, got his own saddle bags, filled them with fresh paper and quills and trotted after the pegasus mare. She was well out of sight, probably already halfway to her destination already, but Endeavor knew where she would be. The Royal Canterlot Archives.
Author's Note
Why yes, I am doing this as I go along.
Dusty Tome and Endeavor: The Amulet of Yolo Swag
At the Archives
When Endeavor finally arrived at the Archives, well behind his flying pegasus friend, Dusty had already made what he jokingly called ‘a book fort’. Being one of the top researchers of the ancient and mysterious artifacts of Equestria at Canterlot’s Royal University, Dusty had access to many sources of knowledge that others did not. She had a reserved room with a desk and stool where she was currently holed up, surrounded by stacks of books. Endeavor looked at some of the titles:
Theories on the Founding of the Crystal Empire
A History of Gods and Goddesses in Equestria
An Analysis of Clover the Clever’s Theory on the Outer Realm
The Ascension of a Princess: Origins of the Ruling Goddesses
Besides the books there were stacks of carefully preserved original documents. Currently Dusty was trying to carefully lay out what looked like pages of an ancient tome, but they had a thick protective covering over them that Dusty was having a hard time maneuvering with her hooves. Endeavor stepped into the room. He used his magic to lay out the small stack of protected papers so that Dusty could look at them all at once. She looked up at him with a grateful smile and then went back to studying the pages.
Endeavor watched her work for a short bit of time before moving over to the chair by the window. He had seen her do this plenty of times before, yet every time he was amazed how the usually loud and energetic pegasus could suddenly turn into a brilliant scholar when she got into her research. Endeavor picked up one of the academic journals he knew was in her discard pile. He flipped through it while Dusty scribbled down some notes on a notepad she had pulled out of her desk.
An Explanation of the Outer Realm by Signet the Mad
For centuries we have wondered if we are the only beings in the universe. We know that magic governs the forces of celestial bodies upon our planet, but where does this power come from?
It is believed that there is another state of being that exists outside of our planet and the observable celestial bodies. This is what I call ‘the outer realm’.
When we wonder what could have created our universe and the planets and life within it, I point to the outer realm. It is here that creatures that are beyond and unknown to us come to our universe to interact with us. The original creator must have been a being from the outer realm who found a way out of their universe, and in doing so created another. They set the foundations for our life as we know it.
Throughout history it stands to reason that inexplicable events would have been caused by these beings coming through and forming our world. The creation of the three different races, especially in developing unicorns that have magic in order to manipulate the aura of power set in place by the creators. For this reason many believe the Princesses are either born of the outer realm or are in fact beings sent through to our world, disguised as ponies. Some believe the ponies of legends and old Mare’s tales are indeed these creatures coming into our world for just long enough to influence it how they like, while making it look like they were normal ponies.
The founding of the Crystal Empire has been a debate in regards to its connection to the outer realm. The most believed story is that a mysterious prince had led a group of Earth ponies and by manipulating their strong willpower with his magic, created the Crystal City as we know it. A big indicator of outside influence is that fact that strong magic was used, more powerful than any known unicorn at the time, to create the evil-fighting shield that impacts the entire land mass of Equestria. Moreover, there is hardly any sign of this prince actually existing beyond old carvings and oral legends.
Endeavor looked up at Dusty. She was still making notes, now cross referencing the map that had come with the scroll. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she scribbled out her thoughts with a quill in mouth. Endeavor checked his pocket watch. It was around 5 in the evening. He eyed Dusty's pile of things she still had to go through. They would probably be there at least 4 more hours. Maybe more. Endeavor got up from his chair and walked out of the room, out into the street.
As Endeavor walked the familiar path to a familiar sandwich shop, his mind wandered back to his friend back at the library. He was reminded of the time he had first met Dusty. He was new to Canterlot and had just graduated from the University of Manehattan after studying cryptology and linguistics. After being unable to find any interesting jobs in Manehattan he came to Canterlot, the academic hub of Equestria. Endeavor had made his way to the Canterlot Royal Archives, looking for a job and also to admire their brilliant collection. He could only find a petite brown pegasus hovering around the cryptology section restocking books. The library aid who he now knew as Dusty Tome directed him to the Head Librarian, who gave him a part time job restocking shelves and cataloging books.
Dusty and Endeavor eventually became friends from seeing each other so much at the library. She would be hunkered down in her room at nights, making illegible notes and writing out academic papers. He learned how she was studying ancient and magical artifacts, an archeologist who focused mainly on the research side. One day she had told him of an excavation where his cryptology skills could be put in good use. They both went to get a taste of the field part of history and ended up becoming semi-professional adventurers. Not what he was expecting after getting hired at a library, but he wouldn’t change it.
Endeavor snapped out of his reminiscing when he reached Daisy’s Deli, ordering two dandelion and daisy sandwiches on wheat with a side of hay fries and two cups of coffee. He levitated 2 packets of sugar and some cream into Dusty’s mug. He didn’t have to ask her how she took her coffee, he knew. Besides, he didn’t want to worry about her refusing to drink it.
By the time Endeavor returned to the library he was halfway through the hay fries and Dusty had doubled the amount of papers and documents in her room. Endeavor took it upon himself to remove all of the books and documents she had in her ‘restock’ pile, mostly because she decided that pile would go on his chair. Remembering the old set-up of the library he returned the documents and books to their proper place, stopping to chat with their old boss, a nosey old unicorn mare.
“So, are Ms. Tome and you still doing field archeology for a living or are you doing something useful?” Her words were harsh, but he knew she was joking by the playful twinkle in her eyes. Still it hit a place of minor annoyance for him.
“Yes. We are still professional adventurers.” He couldn’t hide the scathing attitude in his voice, and the mare’s grin softened into a polite smile.
“Oh deary you know I just worry about the two of you. Nopony else besides the professors have stayed around as long as the pair of you have. Pardon me for getting a little attached. You should take good care of that mare… I don’t suppose you’ve asked her to marry you yet? Call me old fashioned but I just can’t imagine two ponies living together for so long without being married.”
Endeavor’s face had flushed a deep maroon from the tip of his snout to the top of his ears. “Uh… *cough* um I better get back to Dusty. We need to finish up this research for our newest client.” Endeavor started backing away. “Besides, we’re just friends.”
“Hmph. Like I believe that.” He ran out of there before she could see his blush deepening still, hearing the cackling laughter of the head librarian behind him.
Dusty Tome and Endeavor: The Amulet of Yolo Swag
By the time Dusty and Endeavor got on the train, a day and half had gone by since they first received word from their mysterious client. Dusty was positive that they would be able to find the amulet. She still had an almost child-like excitement about this trip, Endeavor mused. They never really ventured to the Crystal Empire before. Most of their travels were in warm or tropical climates. The first time they went out on their own solo trip she had told Endeavor that she felt like she was in a Daring Doo novel. Endeavor wondered if those books were what got her into the field of archeology in the first place. Right now they were in an overnight passenger car headed to the the frigid northern wastes. Then they were going to start hiking out to the mountain range where Dusty thought she had pinpointed the location of the entrance to the tomb where the Amulet of Yolo-Swag was kept.
Endeavor noticed the Pegasus curled up on the bench next to him was now sound asleep, her head resting on the pages of an open book she was reading, leaning up against his leg. He carefully levitated the book out from under her before she began drooling and messed up the text on the pages. ‘This is why I have to laminate my notes’ he thought, smirking to himself.
His thoughts were interrupted by the train pulling into the next station. Last stop before the Crystal Empire. Endeavor closed his eyes to try and get some sleep. He knew they’d be getting some strong coffee before heading out. It would only be one day of hiking (hopefully) before getting to their desired location. He relaxed and settled down into a comfortable position, falling asleep.
~
Endeavor scoffed at her joke. He would never admit it, but he was always kind of concerned they would end up being haunted by an ancient and evil magical spirit. He pulled his scarf closer around his neck, trying to fend of the biting wind. The mountain was stretching out above them. Soon he would have to attempt to climb it while Dusty flew up ahead of him.
“Do you want me to try and scout for a route to take up? I think I can see where the opening to the cave is.” Endeavor nodded at her. He watched as she pulled her goggles up over her eyes, stuffing her own scarf tighter down into her vest, and taking off into the sky. Endeavor enjoyed watching her fly. She wasn’t really into flips or tricks but she always looked beautiful and graceful up in the air. The part he didn’t enjoy was being stuck on the ground, alone. He stomped around, pushing down the layer of snow beneath him, and watching her search the mountain side. He watched her appear to find a path as she was following it down to the base. Endeavor cantered over to the rocky incline to meet Dusty when she landed.
“Alright. I’ve found a path that should work for you, big guy,” Dusty told him as she skidded onto the ground, sending bits of snow flying into the air. “Follow me.” She turned and started picking her way up the sloping rocks, and Endeavor following close behind, trying to fit his larger hooves into Dusty’s much smaller hoof prints. He didn’t mind the climb. If it weren’t for the cold wind it would be pretty nice. But the higher up they got, the smaller the path and the greater chance of falling. Endeavor moved much slower, his heavier weight being much more likely to slip around on loose rocks or break off weak chunks of the path. He was a bit tense by the time they reached the outcrop leading to what Dusty presumed was the entrance to the tomb.
“So,” Endeavor breathed, relaxing a bit, “we search in here, see if we can find something that will lead us to the tomb?” He eyed the entrance, wondering how he was supposed to squeeze through it.
“Right. I’ll try to get through there, maybe light up the area enough for you to pull off a teleportation spell?”
Endeavor nodded. Dusty sucked in her breath and squeezed through the icy opening. Endeavor heard her digging around in her vest in the dark. Eventually she pulled out a lantern from her backpack, setting a match with her mouth and lighting the flame.
“Can you see Endeavor?”
“Yeah this should be enough.” Endeavor focused his eyes on the pool of light, charging up his teleportation spell. He closed his eyes as he let it go, feeling a tingling feeling as his body particles condensed and regrew in the area he was aiming. When he opened his eyes he was standing next to Dusty in a stone tunnel. Once seeing he was safely inside, she began to examine the walls.
“Hm. Right here looks like a normal cave. But that passage to the back… This tunnel was definitely hoof-carved. Looks like we are on the right track.”
As the two ponies continued down the stone tunnel it seemed to gradually shift from the ice covered rocks to frosty crystals. As they descended deeper into the belly of the mountain the walls became more cleanly cut and narrow. Endeavor led the way down the narrow shaft with his horn alight while Dusty tried to peek around his shoulder at the path ahead. Then out of the darkness a large crystal block stood in their path. It was perfected fitted in the pathway and Dusty could see some carvings in it.
“What do you see Endeavor?,” she questioned peering at the tablet over the unicorns’ broad shoulders.
“Gez give me a sec, would you? It appears to be an ancient form of Canterlonian.” The unicorn pulled out a pen and a small notebook from one of the pockets on his utility jacket and began to scribble some notes. Then a certain pegasus flopped on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck, back legs hanging off the sides of his torso. “Dusty! What are you doing?”
“The tunnel is too narrow! I can’t see around you. This is the best I could do.”
“Or you could just wait!” Of course it really didn’t bother Endeavor too much. Being a pegasus she was much lighter than he was and hardly weighed anything sprawled across his back. But he let out a dramatic and tired sigh anyway. “Here.” He angled the notebook so she could read it.
“Darkness within where the light can’t look upon it. There is some magic that should not be tampered with.” She paused for a moment. “Well how about blasting this baby open with some unicorn magics?” Endeavor gave her a questioning look. “Hey we’ve both seen more cryptic warnings than this. We should at least check it out. Besides I can’t hear any ‘cries of tortured souls’ or anything else to evil. We should be fine as long as we don’t mess with anything besides the amulet.”
Endeavor nodded. “Alright. But get back behind me and stay there!” He felt the pegasus let go and shimmy down behind him. He braced himself, charging up a blast spell on his horn. Right before he felt he couldn’t contain it any longer he shot it right in the middle of the wall. And it did nothing. A grey scorch mark was the only thing on the crystal slab.
“Well that was dud. Maybe there is a switch somewhere?”
Endeavor looked at the surrounding walls right next to door more closely. He was distracted by the carvings before and forgot to properly examine the area. “Or there is a magic lock. Gah! Celestia’s beard we don’t have a spell!”
“Oh! Wait a minute! I remember finding some sort of spell mentioned… or at least I think it’s a spell…” Dusty explained as she rummaged through her saddle bag full of notes. “Ah! Here it is! Read this and see if you think that might work.”
“Hmm. I’ve honestly never seen anything like this. Must be some old Crystal Empire spell. I guess I’ll try it. Just hope it doesn’t blow up in my face.” Endeavor flinched at the idea of having a spell black back in his face. It gave him the worst of headaches.
“It seems to be a pretty simple unlocking spell. Judging by the context I’d say it was so priestesses could get in and out without allowing commoners to enter the tomb. Of course it was meant for crystal ponies. Hopefully unicorn magic also works…”
Endeavor concentrated on the text, repeating it over in his head as he felt a light glow appear around his horn. He pressed it lightly into the area of the door with a lock rune carved into it, almost worn away by time. A low rumbling emitted from the crystal block as it slowly slid down into the ground revealing a large, dark cavern.
Hesitantly, Endeavor stepped inside, holding his head high with the largest light spell he could manage. They walked straight forward hoping to find a light source of some kind, losing sight of the entryway even in the massive pool of light. Finally they found something, a large monolithic crystal standing in what must of been the center of the cave.
“Try lighting it up?” Dusty suggested.
Endeavor touched his horn to the large crystal while casting his light spell. A blinding flash emitted from the point. When the light subsided the whole cavern was emitting a soft glow. In front of them they could see the crystal was now transparent. Dusty gasped. Inside the crystal was a strangely beautiful preserved pegasus. She had her wings and front limbs reaching outward, her white and brown spotted coat gleaming in the light. Her pastel rainbow mane sparkled, and the dark feathers woven in almost appeared to moving in an invisible wind. The two adventurers starred in shock at the strange sight for a few moments.
Endeavor was the first to snap out of it. “It looks like she has the amulet…”
Sure enough, there was a blood red teardrop-shaped gem encased in a thick gold setting that was strung around her neck by a thick band.
“Certainly looks like an ancient, forgotten magical amulet.”
“Tha...that’s Feather Song!”, Dusty finally managed. “I can’t believe she’s real! Or her body at least. And that it’s still here! This is amazing! The preservation is astonishing! I’ve never seen anything like this!” Dusty began examining the crystal from all sides, eyes wide with excitement. She fluttered around it, feeling the edges and making mental calculations of the structure.
“Um… Dusty? Maybe we should have a look around. See if we can find something that can help us figure out how to get our hooves on that amulet. I’ll start looking over here.” He started walking away from the crystal, hoping to find a carving or something that might provide more context for what they were looking at. Dusty finally took her eyes off Feather Song and began to walk the other direction, re-lightly her lantern to see better in the dim glow of the crystals.
“Dusty don’t touch it!” She could hear his muffled voice calling for her but the aura of the dark crystal was humming in her ears. She leaned close to try and make out what was swirling inside the crystal. Without warning a sharp shard of crystal protruded out from the block, cutting Dusty’s cheek. She cried out in surprise as her blood dripped down the shard onto the block, making the dark aura turn from black to red. Endeavor desperately tried to reach for her, pulling her back before two more shards could land in her chest.
The dazed pegasus stumbled to the ground as Endeavor stood over her, trying to quickly pull a bandage out of his bag.
“Wha… what happened?” Dusty mumbled, looking around very confused.
“I don’t know… I…”
A low grumble echoed through the cavern, drowning out Endeavor. Two bright red eyes glared from inside the crystal. A low, booming laughter shook the cavern.