CoH : The Silence of the Elements

Chapters

Chapter One : Twilight's Task
Chapter Two : Afternoon Outings
Chapter Three : Nightmares and Pancakes

Chapter One : Twilight's Task

One of Twilight Sparkle's favorite things was the sound of a quill as its tip glided across a fresh piece of parchment. The soft scritch-scratch was soothing and satisfying, for each stroke of the levitating writing instrument sounded of the progress she gradually made on that day's “To Do” list. Tuesdays, much like Wednesdays and Sundays, promised only a few tasks and chores.

A small smile tugged at the young princess' lips as she glanced towards the staircase that lead up to the second floor. Spike was still asleep—not that his slumber was an issue. Twilight was always up and out of bed before her assistant. Although, that depended on whether or not she actually went to bed in the first place. She almost wished that she didn't have to sleep at all, given that she had help during all hours of the day.

Briefly, her eyes drifted to Owlowiscious. Her feathered friend sat atop his usual spot—a wooden perch that set right beside her desk. He hadn't moved, for he was obviously content to merely watch as she worked. For the past few minutes, however, Twilight couldn't help but notice that he was beginning to drift off. Chuckling, she quietly asked, “Time for bed already, my friend?”

The owl cooed softly as he turned his head towards the window. The princess followed his gaze. It didn't surprise her to see the sun as it began its ascent above the horizon. Without a clock, there was no better indicator of the coming day than a tiring owl. “Go ahead and get some sleep, Owlowiscious,” she said. She set down the quill, then she rolled up the list and walked away from her desk.

Her hooves clicked softly against the wooden floor as she headed upstairs. She had hoped to leave the small scroll next to Spike's bed, so that he could sleep in a little while longer without disturbance. However, as her front right hoof made contact with the top step, she immediately noticed that the tiny dragon was tossing and turning in his bed—grumbling incoherently. Frowning, Twilight walked up beside him. “Spike?” she whispered, gently nudging his shoulder. “Are you all right?”

With a groan, Spike lifted his head to look at her. His irritated countenance was enough to tell her that he was uncomfortable. Yet, before he could voice a complaint, he clutched a claw to his chest and belched up a green flame. Twilight recognized the enchantment, which soon took the form of a scroll. “A letter?” she whispered as she snatched it out of the air with her magic.

Her assistant gave a huff as he curled up underneath his blanket. “Why so early in the morning?” he mumbled. “Must be somethin' important.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow as she opened the letter and started reading. A minute or two passed, during which Spike came close to drifting off, when her stoic expression suddenly transformed into one that combined surprise and excitement. It wasn't hard for the dragon to miss, even in the dim, early morning light. “Well, what does Princess Celestia want?” he yawned.

“Nothing,” she replied simply, rolling up the parchment. Without warning, she levitated her assistant's blanket off his person. “I'm sorry, Spike, but we have to gather the others right away.”

Glaring, Spike sat up and reached for his blanket. Unfortunately, it floated far out of his reach. “Aw, seriously?” he groaned. He hoped that Twilight had a good explanation for her cryptic behavior. If there was no emergency—if there was nothing that the Sun Princess wanted from them—then what was the point of getting out of bed in the first place?

“Let's go, Spike.” It didn't much concentration for her to levitate Spike. In spite of his futile resistance, which involved digging his tiny claws into the sides of his bed, she dropped him onto her back. Defeated, he crossed his arms. “Ugh, fine,” he groaned, resting himself against the back of Twilight's neck. Fortunately, her mane was soft enough for a makeshift pillow. He probably would have fallen asleep right then and there, but the consistent bounce caused by Twilight's trotting and the loud clip-clop of her hooves kept him awake as they ventured out into the delicate warmth of the early-morning sun.

~*~*~

“You're bein' awfully secretive, Twilight.”

“C'mon, tell us what's going on!”

“It's the least you could do fer gettin' us up so early.”

“Uh, aren't you normally up at this time anyway, Applejack?”

Tipping her hat back, Applejack peered at Rainbow Dash, who flew beside her at a raised elevation. “That's not the point, Rainbow,” she retorted. She glanced over her shoulder at Fluttershy, who walked a bit behind them, then she shifted her attention to Twilight. The alicorn was a foot or two ahead, though her pace was shortly slowed due to a certain pink mare's antics. “Come on, come on, come on!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie, bouncing around Twilight like a frog that had consumed its weight in sugar.

Rarity kept her eye on Pinkie as she strolled alongside Twilight. “Do you have to be so quiet, darling?” she asked. “We're all here, so why not tell us what's going on?”

With the library in sight, Twilight simply smiled and said, “I'll make everyone tea first. Consider it my apology for the early awakening.”

“I hope that means I get some tea, too,” Spike replied under his breath.

Once they drew close to the front door, Twilight opened it for her friends. Everyone hurried inside and immediately gathered around the large table that set in the middle of the library. Spike joined them, content that he wasn't the one preparing the refreshments this time around. Although, it didn't take that long to ready the tea. Twilight was in the kitchen for no more than fifteen minutes, while her friends debated as to the nature of the news she had to share, before she emerged with the prepared cups. “All right,” she set, setting the cups on the table. “Now, we can talk.”

“About time,” snapped Rainbow Dash.

Levitating the cup to her mouth, Rarity scooted a few inches closer to Fluttershy. After a careful sip of her tea, she said, “Sit down, then,” and nodded at the empty spot.

Twilight graciously sat down beside her. “Thank you, Rarity,” she replied. In that moment, despite the calm demeanor she put forward before, the bubble of exhilaration that was restrained deep within her burst and she couldn't help but clap her hooves together enthusiastically. “Okay, okay!” she exclaimed. “You probably won't believe this, but Princess Luna sent me a letter not too long ago!”

Silent, everyone looked at each other in uncertainty and Fluttershy, remarkably, was the first one to break the ice. “Uh, really?” she asked.

Twilight nodded rapidly as she placed her front hooves up on the table. “Yes! Can you believe it? I've never gotten a letter from her before!” she proclaimed. “In all honesty, I thought that something terrible had happened when I saw that it was from her. I mean, why would the Princess of the Moon, of all ponies, take the time to get in contact with—"

“Whoa, there, sugar cube!” laughed Applejack. She held up her right hoof, which caused the princess to promptly close her mouth. “It's real nice to see you so excited and all, and Ah hate to interrupt, but could you please tell us what Princess Luna wanted?”

Blushing, Twilight cleared her throat and crossed her forelegs. “Uh, sorry,” she sheepishly mumbled. “Anyway, she wrote that the ruins of an ancient city were found in Reinvale's gemstone mines not too long ago. Princess Luna approved the excavation of the ruins and she wants me to supervise it!”

“That's wonderful, darling,” said Rarity. “I'm almost envious!”

Scratching at a scale on his cheek, Spike looked at Rarity in confusion. “Uh, what's so great about Reinvale?” he asked. It was the start of a short chain reaction; the other ponies glanced at each other, then directed their attention to Rarity. They noticeably wondered the exact same thing, since the seamstress made it clear that she knew something they did not.

A short, faint chortle escaped the snow-coated mare. “Well, I've only heard about it. And only recently, though I'm afraid I don't recollect the source of where I heard it,” she said. She lightly tapped the tip of her hoof against her chin as she looked up to momentarily behold the ceiling. Her friends were silent as they gave her the time to think. Although, smack-dab in the middle of her thoughts, she paused when she caught sight of a large cobweb that was woven into a far corner. It somewhat surprised her, considering how much Spike dedicated himself to keeping the place clean. With her friends on the edge of their seats, however, she chose to ignore the missed spot. Temporarily.

Finally, in an overly-dramatic motion, she held up her hoof and exclaimed, “Ah, now I recall! It's supposedly a popular retreat!” She had heard whispers of the town during their trip to Manehattan. Intrigue compelled her to listen in on the conversations that just so happened to take place wherever she wandered in that bustling city. If she remembered correctly, she first heard of Reinvale in front of the train station upon their arrival. There were very little details, though the ponies seemed to highly regard the town.

In a blur of pink, Pinkie Pie released a cheerful squeal and began to hop around the table. “It sounds absolutely-positively super! I like new places!” she shouted. Her voice was so loud that the others flinched. Before any of them could get a lock on her position, she was up on the table—towering above Twilight. “Can we go, too?” she asked as a large, almost unnerving, smile appeared on her face.

Swallowing, Twilight managed to smile, too. “Well, Pinkie, that was the plan all along,” she replied. A purple glow manifested around her horn, then around Pinkie as she was cautiously lowered to the floor. “Princess Luna mentioned in her letter that I was free to bring my friends. That's why I invited all of you here,” Twilight continued. “Would you all like to come with me? After all, it will be a long while before we will be able to spend time together again, since Rarity's leaving for Manehattan next week.”

“It's not a permanent change, dear,” insisted the fashionista.

“But, you're goin' to be away for a while, aren't 'cha?” asked Applejack, biting down on her bottom lip.

“Well... yes.”

“Then, Ah'll go along. If the rest of y'all are up for a little vacation, of course.”

There were no protests from Fluttershy, nor from Rainbow Dash or Rarity. The hilariously-large smile on Spike's face and the fact that Pinkie Pie appeared as though she would leap through the ceiling at any minutre was enough to convey their support. Standing, Twilight held her hoof in the air and said, “Then it's settled! Princess Luna wants us there as soon as possible, so pack lightly. She informed me that the Reinvale's mayor will happily accommodate us for our stay.”

She didn't have to tell them twice; they were out the door as soon as she concluded her sentence. Spike, on the other hoof, hurried upstairs to prepare their luggage. Twilight's eyes lingered on the door for a few seconds. The violet orbs then settled on the table. The mess before her made her sigh and shake her head. Only Fluttershy and Rarity touched the still-warm brew, and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie managed to knock over their cups as they left.

Twilight quickly cleaned up the puddles of tea with an old dusting rag that was within reach before she took the cups into the kitchen. Unfortunately, neither she or Spike had time to wash the dishes, so she merely left them in the sink. She trotted upstairs afterwards. She was pleased to see that Spike had already placed a few items into her saddlebags and had moved on to stuffing as much as possible into his pack. She took a look inside the bags. The baby dragon had kindly packed her essentials: her cloak and a few pieces of stationary.

“Did I miss anything?” asked Spike.

Lifting her saddlebags onto her back, she shook her head. “You didn't. Thank you Spike,” she replied. She raised an eyebrow as she inspected the dragon's over-stuffed luggage. “I take it that you have everything you need?”

Beaming with pride, Spike nodded and climbed onto her back. “You bet!” he retorted with a small, rough laugh.

Twilight needed nothing else to convince her of their readiness. It wasn't like they needed to take the whole library with them or anything, though she didn't have the heart to make Spike lighten his backpack. So, after bidding farewell to their feathered friend (who was more than capable of taking care of himself while they were away), Twilight and Spike stepped out into the hustle-and-bustle of the morning crowd.

~*~*~

None of them had any idea how far Reinvale was from home. They spent three hours on the train. Three, mostly due to the break they took when they reached Baltimare; unfortunately, that was where the railroad ended for them. Rainbow Dash, of course, couldn't bear to sit still any longer and practically demanded that they take a few minutes so that she could stretch her wings. At least, while the rainbow-maned pegasus bolted and zig-zagged around the tall buildings of the city, it gave the rest of them the opportunity to grab some lunch. Once their bellies were full, they gathered their belongings and ventured to the southern edge of the city to board the stagecoach that would take them to Reinvale.

“Ugh, why do have have to take a stagecoach?” whined Rainbow Dash as she climbed inside. “Why can't we just take the train?”

The stage driver, an earth stallion clad in a broad-rimmed hat and a heavy jacket, loudly cleared his throat to get their attention. “I guess that means you don't know that there's no railroad down there by Reinvale,” he said. “On this end of Equestria, the trains go only as south down the coast as Baltimare.”

Applejack poked her head out one of the side windows. “Why's that, Mister?” she asked.

“You lovely ladies know about the Hayseed Swamps? Well, the ground down around there is far too wet and soft for any sort of construction, especially of that magnitude. Can't drain the swamps, either, 'cause their ecosystem is so delicate. So, since Reinvale is so close to those swamps, the only way for you to get there is by stagecoach or by hoof.” Biting down on a stiff piece of wheat, the coach driver directed his attention to the four stallions responsible for pulling the transport. “All right,” he barked, and snapped the reins. “Let's go! We're burning sunlight.” Though the small crew glared ferociously at him, they didn't complain as they began to pull the stagecoach along its designated route.

Within the coach, the passengers made themselves as comfortable as possible. There wasn't much leg room, considering that there were six mares and a baby dragon that shared the same space. “I hope we get there soon,” said Spike. “Feels like we've been on the road for, like, ever.”

Nodding, Applejack commented, “Ah didn't know Reinvale was out this far. Here Ah thought the ride to the Crystal Empire was a long 'n.”

“Well, I had no idea that it was close to some filthy swamp,” exclaimed Rarity in dread. “Honestly, a swamp? I absolutely refuse to believe that any reputable vacation hot-spot would be located anywhere near such a dreadful place.”

“Oh, Rarity,” replied Twilight. “I'm sure it's not as bad as you think.”

“But, swamps are so gloomy and they're home to mosquitoes and other nasty little creatures. Plus, they're muddy and...” Rolling her eyes, Rarity twirled her hoof in the air as she mentally flipped through her mind's dictionary for another corresponding term. Yet, she ended up drawing a blank. “Nevermind,” she softly added. “I just don't like them. And I certainly don't want a repeat of what happened at Froggy Bottom Bog.” She, and Fluttershy, shivered at the reminiscence of the bloodthirsty hydra that, at one point in time, had hunted them like wild animals.

“Yeah, that was pretty bad!” giggled Pinkie Pie, who squirmed in her spot between Twilight and Fluttershy.

Diagonally seated across from her was Rainbow Dash, who wasn't as comfortable as the weight of Applejack, Rarity, and Spike constantly pressed her against the cold metal door with every creaking sway of the stagecoach. Pegasi weren't built for such small spaces. They were elegantly fashioned for the freedom of the wide, open skies. There were no such coaches in Cloudsdale, or any other sky-born settlement. In fact, Rainbow Dash had never even seen such a—in her case, bizarre—contraption before her move to Ponyville. Since then, her patience was tested time and time again with every new adventure that required them to take the train or some other form of transportation.

But, at least the train had plenty of wing room.

To take her mind off the confining space, Rainbow Dash rested her head against the cool window to watch the scenery they passed; the others fell into silence as they followed her lead. Over the course of an hour, judging by the position of the sun, they passed emerald fields of clover and a few small farms. Signs of civilization weakened from that point and onward as they neared the edge of an enormous forest.

As they neared the towering trees before them, their transportation suddenly slowed to a halt. Then, there came a knock as the coach driver tapped his hoof on the roof. “Excuse me, Princess Twilight?” he called.

Twilight's ears perked up. She pushed the door ajar, just enough to poke her head outside. “Is something wrong?” she inquired, making sure that the stallion could hear her.

“Not at all, your Highness. I just wanted to let your and your companions know that we're now entering the Whicker Woods, so the ride's about to get a little bumpy. Reinvale hasn't gotten around to properly paving the roads out this far yet. Sorry about that.”

“Oh, that's all right. We'll be fine in here.” Twilight closed the door and sat back in her seat as, again, the crack of the reins signaled the stallions up front to continue forward. So, these are the Whicker Woods, she thought. It was one of the many things that she read about in the past, but had never seen before. It was nothing like the Everfree, which was full of twisted and crooked trees, thorny bushes, and dangerous, fearsome creatures. The Whicker Woods were almost the exact opposite. It was, well, beautiful. Though the princess wasn't up to date on their land's native trees, she could tell that the woods were mostly coniferous. She identified the rough, mangled bark of cedars, the long, bluish needles of firs, the flat bushes that were junipers, and the sky-reaching hemlocks. Every now and again she spotted maples, oaks, dogwoods, and birch trees. There were countless others that she could not name.

Note to self: search the library for that copy of The Essential Identification Field Guide for Equestria's Native Trees and Plants when we get back to Ponyville.

Out of the blue, Twilight was spooked out of her thoughts when Pinkie Pie abruptly crawled onto her lap. “Oh! Oh!” the party pony squeaked, pressing her face against the window. “Lookie there!”

There was a break in the trees a few feet down the dirt road. It wasn't anything significant at first glance, until the group of friends saw the tops of buildings. The sight was the source of each individual's sigh that sounded off simultaneously. “It's about time,” said Applejack.

Rubbing her left wing, Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. “Yeah,” she added. “I thought we would never get here.”

Rarity shared their enthusiasm, though it was a tad diluted as thoughts of the nearby bog still lingered in the back of her mind. However, when more of Reinvale came into view, she was robbed of breath. At the heart of all the greenery, there stood a town of ivory walls, smooth arches, and narrow windows. It was peculiarly clean and tropical, given the nature of its location. “Incredible,” she said softly. Smiling, she turned her head towards Twilight. “Well, I take back everything I said. It's absolutely marvelous!”

Throwing his hands up in the air, Spike stood on his seat. “This is going to be awesome!” he laughed. Clouded by his excitement, he failed to notice that their transportation neared the edge of the cobblestone road that snaked into Reinvale. Once the front wheels were hoisted onto the stones, the stagecoach buckled—knocking the baby dragon off his feet. He would have hit the floor, if not for Twilight's reflexes. In the blink of an eye, the princess encased him in magic before he fell. He was suspended in the air for a brief moment, until she sat him back down on the worn leather of the seat. “Spike,” she scolded, “sit still.”

Spike obeyed, blushing in embarrassment. “Sorry about that,” he mumbled. Although, his chagrin was forgotten as they rolled into town. The metal wheels on which the coach set clanked and jangled in the act of scraping over each individual rock that rested within the road's cement. The sound, though obtrusive to Twilight and her friends, successfully attracted several of the townsponies as though it were a celebratory marching band.

Small parties of ponies gathered alongside the road to watch them on their way to the hotel. All but a few were decorated in some form of brightly-colored clothing or jewelry: saddles, bridles, stings of pearls or silver necklaces and bangles graced with gems, dresses trimmed in sequins, and some mares even wore veils.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Fluttershy shrank away from the window. “Why are they watching us?” she timidly questioned.

“Well, obviously, they were properly informed that the Princess of Friendship and the Elements of Harmony were on their way,” Spike replied haughtily.

His comment made Twilight's cheeks flush. “I'm sure that's not true,” she said. “They're probably really friendly, or really curious, is all.” Then again, there was probably some truth to the dragon's words. Out in the middle of nowhere, did they ever receive visits from royalty? It wasn't likely. Although, she didn't have time to dwell on the idea, for, at long last, they soon reached their hotel.

The coach driver hopped down from his seat and he opened the door for Twilight and her friends. “Welcome to the Clydesdale!” he professed with a smile.

In an orderly fashion, Twilight was followed by Spike and the others as she stepped out of the stagecoach. “Oh, wow,” she whispered, looking over the extensive building that stood tall before them. It was perhaps the largest building in Reinvale, though she had yet to see the rest of the town. The walls were smooth, off-white in color, and accented with precisely-placed stonework.

“Beautiful, isn't it?” hummed a male voice.

Twilight's eyes darted to the hotel's front doors, where an earth stallion now stood. He was a much older pony. His coat was stone-blue, and his cleanly-cut mane and tail were primarely gray with a cyan tint. As he approached her, she took notice of the glint that shimmered off the silver chain that dangled from the front pocket of his suit jacket. Probably a pocket watch, she mused.

She quickly redirected her attention to the owner of the trinket. “It's a lovely hotel,” she replied. “Are you the owner?”

“No, your Highness.” The stallion strolled up to her and he bowed low to the ground. “I am Mayor Upscale. Princess Luna wrote me to make sure that you and your associates are comfortable during your stay in our fair town.” He looked behind Twilight, puzzled as he watched her friends lower their luggage onto the sidewalk. He stood straight and said, “Oh, don't worry about your bags. That's what bellhops are for.”

“Why, that's mighty kind of you,” said Applejack in reply.

“It's no trouble at all.” Upscale slowly turned and he motioned for them to follow. “Now, please, allow me to show you to your rooms.”

They followed him into the building without question, and as soon as they passed through the doors they were almost mesmerized by the liveliness of the interior. The color scheme was bright and inviting. The walls of the lobby were painted a rich shade of blue and intricately detailed in glistening gold near the top and bottom edges. The floor was made out of gray marble, though there was an azure rug that stretched from the doors to a kiosk that set in the middle of the room. It appeared to serve as the front desk, judging by the line of ponies standing in front of it.

For a few seconds, Rarity stopped to admire the designs on the ornate runner. It was clearly imported from some foreign land. Its designs were woven in gold—an elegant match to the overall arrangement of the lobby—and depicted a stylized gryphon within each corner. In the rest of the layout dwelled lines and swirls that appeared almost arcane. It was a lovely piece that was rivaled only by the priceless matting that adorned the floors of Canterlot Castle.

“Rarity?” called Rainbow Dash.

She instantly turned her head towards her friends, who all looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Oh, so sorry!” she gasped. She trotted up to them, fearing that they would make snide comments about her brief admiration. Thankfully, the group merely continued to move as soon as she caught up.

Upscale lead them around the booth and took them up the spiral staircase to the top floor with haste. “I hope you won't mind the suites I reserved for you,” said the Mayor as he trotted down the corridor. “It was agreed among my peers and I that you have nothing but the best that we have to offer.”

“That's awfully nice of you,” said Twilight. “You didn't have to do that.”

When he reached the end of the hallway, he spun around and grinned. “But, of course!” he retorted. “It's our pleasure to serve you and your friends. Now, I suppose I should leave you to get settled, as your bags will be up shortly. These six rooms are for each of you, as I assumed that your... Uh.” He glanced down at Spike. “I hope it was safe to assume that your little friend would be sharing a room with you, your Highness.”

Spike simply shrugged, which caused Twilight to chuckle. “That's perfectly fine, Mayor,” she said. “Thank you very much. But, while we're on the topic of our visit, where should I go from here?”

Frowning, Upscale took the watch out of his pocket and he flipped it open to check the time. “Oh! How foolish of me, I almost forgot!” he grumbled. After he glanced over the small face of the device, he put it away and sighed contently. “You have plenty of time to settle down, your Highness, but an associate of mine will meet you at the library in about an hour. Her name is Antiquity and she will be your guide to the archaeological dig. I bid you all farewell.” After one final bow, the stallion turned on his hooves and left them to their own devices.

“Sounds like your goin' right into it, eh, Twilight?” asked Applejack as she pushed the door to her room open.

Rainbow Dash, who opted to take the room beside her, chuckled, “Too bad. In a place like this, who would want to spend the day looking at heaps of old buildings?”

Rarity rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Oh, come now, Rainbow Dash. Leave her be,” she said. She walked up beside Twilight and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Relax, then go do your thing, darling.”

Fluttershy nodded. “Oh, yes, I'm sure that there will be plenty of time for all of us to enjoy this vacation together,” she added softly.

Twilight presented a thankful smile to both of them. “Thanks,” she whispered. As they entered their individual rooms, Twilight followed Spike into their own. She had to admit, the room was impressively fancy. It didn't follow the blue and gold theme of the lobby, but, instead, pursued a theme of soft reds and browns. Earth-colored paint coated the walls, while the wooden floor was dressed up with nothing more than a round, crimson rug that was as embellished as the one in the lobby. The bedsheets were rose-red, as were the curtains and ceiling. Furniture included two beds, nightstands, a small table in the corner, and a vanity mirror—all made of polished wood.

Spike jumped onto the bed that was closest to the door. “This is so nice!” he exclaimed. “They certainly know how to treat celebrities here, don't they?”

The alicorn princess sighed tiredly as she made her way to the window on the other side of the room. “I guess so, Spike,” she replied. Twilight wouldn't deny that Mayor Upscale's kindness was appreciated. At the same time, however, she wasn't entirely comfortable with the royal treatment. It's only a hotel room, she told herself, pulling the curtains back so that she could take a look outside. It's only a hotel room and it's only for a few days. Besides, your friends received the same treatment, remember?

That's true. Smiling, Twilight closed the curtains as a knock came from the door. Spike's first reaction was to answer it. It must have been the bellhop with their bags, for Twilight heard a short conversation between the dragon and an unfamiliar mare before the door shut. Sure enough, when she turned, she saw Spike place their luggage on the floor between their beds. Wordlessly, she helped him unpack. Their lack of personal belongings, and the abundancy of time to place them where they wished, Twilight felt a sense of urgency and dread as another thought crossed her mind.

She was given no directions to Reinvale's library.

Chapter Two : Afternoon Outings

On his way to the provided table, Spike nearly dropped the inkwells he carried when Twilight's frustrated groan bellowed like a manticore's roar. “What? What's wrong?” he gasped as he spun to face her. He didn't know how to read her countenance. Her brow was furrowed, like she was buried deep within her thoughts, her ears were folded back against her head, and her eyes frantically traced over some obscure patterns in the wooden floor. All he could do was guess that something of great importance was on her mind.

Twiddling his claws, he walked up to Twilight. “Hello?” he sang, waving a hand in front of her face. “You in there, Twilight?”

The dragon's antics had the desired effect, fortunately. The princess snapped out of her stupor and she stared at Spike, dumbfounded. “Huh?” she muttered.

“What's wrong? You looked like you lost an argument with Discord there for a moment.”

Her ear twitched. She honestly didn't know what he was talking about, until it struck her like an electric shock that she had allowed her emotions to be seen. The realization made her muscles tense. “I'm sorry, Spike,” she said, biting down on the edge of her hoof. “I didn't mean to worry you. I just remembered that Mayor Upscale didn't give us directions to the library!”

Spike crossed his arms. “Why's that a problem?” he replied. He tried to ignore the piercing glare of the alicorn as he gently tugged at one of her wings. “Seriously, you have wings, for crying out loud. Why not just fly over Reinvale? I'm sure the library stands out. I mean, look at their hotel! You could probably see it from Canterlot if you squinted hard enough.”

“I-I...” she stammered, biting on her bottom lip for a change as the information clicked in her brain like a light switch. Well, shoot, she thought, her cheeks turning red. Much to her unease, she had, in fact, forgotten about said appendages. Although, it wasn't the first time. It probably wouldn't be the last, either. Twilight was a unicorn at heart and it was very likely that such a mentality wouldn't change anytime soon. Magic and hooves first, flight second. It was a wonder how she was able to properly function when Spike wasn't around.

In an attempt to compose herself, Twilight took a deep breath. Then, she nodded. “You're right, Spike,” she said. Rolling her shoulders, she magically lifted her assistant and placed him on her back. “Let's go find that library.”

She was content to leave their things where they set as she left the room. She thought that it would be a clear trail to the exit, but she was proven wrong when she ran into her friends as soon as she reached the lobby. They were gathered near the entrance, around a pony she didn't recognize. From her spot beside the receptionist's desk, Twilight could see that the mystery pony was a unicorn mare with a slim perfume bottle as a cutie mark. Her coat was the color of cream and her short mane and tail were white with a peach-colored streak.

Curious, Twilight walked up to the group to investigate. “Well, hey, everyone,” she said. “What's going on?”

Fluttershy was the first to turn her head and smile at her. “Oh, hello, Twilight,” she replied in that soft voice of hers. “We were about to go on a tour.”

“Really?”

“Yep!” exclaimed Applejack.

Then, it was Rarity's turn to speak. “Mayor Upscale was oh-so kind as to send us a guide for the day.” She gestured towards the other unicorn with her hoof. “Go ahead and introduce yourself, darling.”

The nameless mare gave a nod before she stepped towards Twilight and bowed. As she lowered her head, the white laced ribbon that was tied around her neck shimmered in the light. “It's lovely to meet you, your Highness,” she said. “I'm Vanilla Lace, but all my friends call me 'Lacie,' for short.”

Twilight restrained the frown that threatened to form on her face. There it was again—that formal greeting. She waved her hoof, a prompt that caused Vanilla to rise from the position. “It's nice to meet you as well,” the princess replied. “But, you don't have to be so formal with me. Call me 'Twilight,' please.”

Lacie giggled. “Very well, Twilight,” she said lightheartedly. “Shame you can't join us for the tour. I take it you are on your way to meet Antiquity?”

The princess glanced hesitantly at the floor. “I am, in fact, but I'm afraid that I don't know where the library is. May I have some directions?”

“Of course! Of course! Follow me, please.” Holding her head high, Lacie turned around and trotted towards the front doors. The only noise she could hear was the muffled sound of hooves against fabric as everyone followed her. Slowly, she ceased, and allowed Twilight to do the same before she pointed a hoof to the east. “The library is that way, Twilight,” she said. “Do you see that spire with the shingled roof?”

Twilight's eyes followed the invisible line drawn by Lacie's hoof, until they came to rest on the structure in question. It certainly stood out in comparison to the smaller buildings in terms of size and architecture. There were no other spires in sight, which lead her to believe that the library was the only building that possessed one. Unfortunately, she couldn't make out more than that from a distance. A great weight was taken from her shoulders and she sighed in relief as she turned to Lacie. “Thank you so much,” she said. “You were a great help!”

“It was no trouble at all.”

Extending her wings, Twilight regarded her friends for a temporary farewell. “I'll see you all later!” she exclaimed, taking to the air. There was no time for her to stick around for the goodbyes of the other mares. She made a beeline for the library, while Spike firmly clung to her mane.

By avoiding the streets, they arrived at their destination in no time at all. Up close, the library appeared much older than she suspected. It was constructed of brick and wood; it was rather plain compared to the rest of Reinvale. Still, Twilight didn't think any less of it; she loved all libraries unconditionally.

With a grunt, Spike jumped off her back and he ran up to the door. He was kind enough to hold the door for her, then he raced to her side. Unlike Twilight, the dragon wasn't all that impressed. There wasn't any liveliness to the place. It was dull, dusty, and it smelled of aged paper. “This place is... nice,” he said under his breath.

“It is, isn't it?” retorted the gleeful alicorn. She trotted past the rows of literature with a smile on her face. She had half a mind to do some browsing while they waited for their designated escort, though she already caught a glimpse of familiar titles every time she glanced at the shelves. Then again, that was due to her years spent in Canterlot's exquisite libraries, but she dared to hope that there was a chance for her to come across a tome she had never before read.

Sadly, Twilight wouldn't get the chance to indulge in that particular curiosity. As they closed in on the heart of the collected works, they saw a lone pony standing near the vacant librarian's station. She was yet another unicorn mare, who currently had her nose buried in a book. Her coat was brown—a lighter shade than that of her mane and tail, which were the color of chocolate with a mix of pale-pink streaks. From a short distance, Twilight could see that her cutie mark was a... Wait, what was that? It was round in shape, the color and twinkle of pink quartz, and lined with bronze fixings and smaller circles that she assumed to be pearls. A brooch? Twilight was willing to bet that it was a brooch.

Clearing her throat, she walked up to the unsuspecting mare, who was so obviously entranced by her choice of literature. “Uh, hello?” she said as gently as her voice allowed.

Unfortunately, the lowering of the princess' voice was in vain. The unicorn flinched, nearly losing the arcane grip she had on her book. “Hello!?” she exclaimed, her coral-colored eyes growing wide behind her glasses.

Twilight, taken aback by her reaction, stepped backwards out of reflex. “It's okay!” she replied. “Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.”

The mare was silent for a few seconds as she hid her face behind her book. “Oh, oh my,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I'm so, so sorry! I didn't see you there. Oh, stupid, stupid!”

“Hey, don't be so hard on yourself!” Slowly, Twilight rested a hoof on one of the unicorn's shoulders. “It's perfectly fine. You're not the only one to completely lose themselves in a book, trust me. It must be a very, very interesting read. What's it about?”

“It's... a historical reference on early Equestrian pottery.” Ever so slightly, the unicorn peeked over the top of the book and she adjusted her glasses after she briefly glanced at the baby dragon that stood at Twilight's side. For whatever reason, she suddenly composed herself. “But, it's not important,” she added, closing the book. “How may I help you two on this fine evening?”

“Oh, well, we're not looking for a book, sadly. We're a little early, but we're here to meet someone.”

The bespectacled mare raised an eyebrow, then she squinted at Twilight. There was another uncomfortable silence, until her eyes settled on the alicorn's wings. The examination came to a screaming halt and she bowed her head slightly. “Ah, Princess Twilight!My apologies, I didn't recognize you at first!” she exclaimed. She set the book aside. “It's very, very nice to meet you. I'm Antiquity.”

Smiling, Twilight reached out to shake her hoof. “It's nice to meet you, too, but just call me 'Twilight,' okay? And this—” she nodded at her assistant “—is Spike.”

“You got it, Twilight, and it's nice to meet you as well, Spike.” Antiquity giggled and pointed in the direction of the exit. “It's a bit early, and I don't normally like to rush, but do you want to just want to head down to the excavation site? The workers won't mind in the least.”

Twilight glanced at Spike, who merely shrugged and grinned, before she answered, “Sounds good to me. I'll follow you, if that's acceptable.”

“Oh, of course! Let's go.” Antiquity ran a hoof over her ponytail as she trotted past Twilight and Spike—both of whom followed close behind her.

The trio left the library behind on their venture to the gemstone mines. According to Antiquity, Reinvale originated as a town of business. The mines, in which gemstones were discovered completely by accident, were the reason for its construction almost one hundred years prior, for they drew workers in great numbers. Its growth was inevitable as more and more ponies settled in the town. Many of those ponies brought bits and it wasn't long before multiple family-owned businesses also supplemented Reinvale's wealth. Wealth, of course, attracted the celebrities, who only brought more and more wealth with them as time passed on.

As with the mines, the ruins were also discovered by accident. Antiquity didn't know much about them, but she was able to inform Twilight that, out of the blue, one of the mines just gave way to the massive cavern in which the ruins rested. Though their origins were a mystery, both word and request were immediately sent to Canterlot. “It took days for Mayor Upscale to receive a letter back from Canterlot,” said Antiquity. “All of us here in Reinvale are happy to be a part of the ruins' excavation and preservation. A lot can be learned from them, I'm sure.”

“I don't doubt that. It's an honor to be a part of something this wonderful,” replied Twilight. They had been walking for about a half-hour and were now on the outskirts of town—following a stone-paved road as the mines slowly came into view. At first, they appeared as nothing more than a few sturdy, brick houses that were lined up in a neat little row at the base of the large hill that set behind them. Twilight soon realized, however, that they were much larger. Up close, they were more like factories. “What are they for?” she asked.

“They protect both the workers and the mines within, in case of potential thieves or, more importantly, flooding from the Hayseed Swamps.” Antiquity pointed as the second building from the right. Unlike the other buildings, this one had a few guards patrolling around it. But, they weren't ordinary guards, they were guards clad in familiar golden armor. “The ruins were found in that mine,” the unicorn continued. “Don't mind the guards. Princess Luna sent them for a little extra security.”

Twilight and Spike glanced at each other, but said nothing. Their questions were similar, like what the reason could be for the presence of Canterlot Royal Guards at an archaeological dig. It's probably because I'm here, thought Twilight. It's only appropriate that guards be sent to assure a princess' safety.

Another formality, albeit one that was a lot less direct. It was one she could simply ignore.

The guards simply bowed as she, Spike, and Antiquity entered the building. It was spacious inside, which made sense. The enormous hole that rested on the other side of the chamber was dug right into the side of the hill. Twilight could only imagine its depth. They then passed a few storage areas, as well as a kitchen area that was improvised for the archaeologists and other workers, before they began to descend into the tunnel. The torches fastened to the chipped, sparkling walls provided the light they needed to navigate the hoof-carved cave. The ground beneath them was at a slight incline and the temperature began a slow downward spiral as they walked—an indication that they were heading deep into the earth.

However, after an estimate of ten minutes, Twilight began to hear voices. There were many, which converged into a mass of nonsensical noise, and they all came from a larger area that was up ahead. They had a few feet to go before they reached it, but the sudden end of the tunnel was enough to tell the young princess that they were about to stumble upon something else. The massive chamber came into view bit by bit, and by the time the trio reached the end of the tunnel, Twilight was filled with awe. “Oh, my gosh,” she whispered.

At last, they had reached the dig. The voices of the laborers below echoed off the rounded walls that encased the ruins. Grand orbs of magical light were scattered throughout the vast cavern—obviously cast by the skilled unicorns who were a part of the work force. The illumination came close to that of daylight and everything could be seen. The only difference between the light of the sun and the artificial florescence of magic was that the magic did nothing for the amount of dampness in the air. As Twilight inspected the cave's walls, she saw the water that clung to them as it trickled downward from whatever elevation it originated. That was no surprise; underground pockets were naturally damp. Yet, she wondered how close they were to the infamous swamps, given the... generous amount of water that was present all around them.

The ruins themselves were unlike anything Twilight had seen before. Five decrepit towers of white stonework stood close to the stalactite-covered ceiling and loomed above the rubble-coated floor in a crooked manner. A bizarre species of dark green vine clung to each of them and hung off their protrusions like thick curtains of moss. They appeared untouched by the workers, who cautiously and nervously navigated around them as they instead chose to investigate the smaller structures that littered the cavern floor. Every so often, though, they threw suspicious glances at the towers. Twilight understood their paranoia; it was possible that the brittle towers would collapse at any moment.

It had been a very, very, very long time since the relics last saw the warm, glowing face of the sun.

~*~*~

All the meanwhile, the afternoon passed into late and Lacie's tour came to its conclusion at one of Reinvale's prevalent restaurants. She was pleased with her guidance, for her charges were dazzled and eager to experience the town's luxuries. “Well, everyone,” she said loudly and with pride,” this is the final stop, I'm afraid. Welcome to the Rhinelander Bistro, Reinvale's most famous and deluxe eatery.” Like an overzealous thespian, she reared up and presented the restaurant with a wave of her hoof.

Her delight, however, was justified. The Rhinelander Bistro was one of the more decorative establishments she presented. It was only a single story and while it shared the same stucco walls of its neighboring structures, it was adorned with more colorful and lavish compositions: stained glass windows, marble pillars, and banners that hung from gilded poles. There was even a patio, which featured smooth stone tables that were shielded from the sun by umbrellas of richly hued fabric.

Chuckling, Lacie ran a hoof through her mane. “I do hope that you enjoyed the tour, ladies,” she said.

“It was wonderful, thank you,” replied Fluttershy, who peeked around Applejack. “You have a really pretty town.”

Rarity nodded and said, “Agreed. I had no idea Reinvale was so glamorous.” Sure, it was no Canterlot or Manehattan, but the town was a pleasant surprise with its shops and spa, which she planned to visit in the near future.

“It makes me so happy to hear your compliments,” Lacie replied, smiling. She then flicked her tail and began to walk in the direction of the patio. “Follow me one last time, if you will. There are a few friends of mine that I want you to meet before you return to your hotel.”

The group followed her without question. It was a short distance, after all, and once they rounded the corner of the bistro Lacie immediately lead them to a table that was occupied by two other mares: an earth pony and a pegasus. The earth pony had a coat that was the color of copper, while her mane and tail were lavender. Around her neck was a purple ascot. The pegasus, on the other hand, was a dim grayish-pink, with a braided mane and tail that were a soft shade of fuchsia and blue. She wore only a pair of cobalt-rimmed glasses. The two appeared completely oblivious to their presence, for they were deeply engaged in whatever their conversation detailed.

“Yoo-hoo, girls!” called Lacie in a sing-song voice.

The duo turned their heads and their expressions instantaneously changed to that of glee. “Oh, Lacie!” exclaimed the earth pony, a twinkle in her lime-colored eyes. “There you are, dear. We were beginning to worry!”

“I know, I know, I'm a little late. I hope you won't hold it against me. I just finished giving these absolutely charming mares a tour of our fair town..” Lacie pointed at the ponies who stood behind her, then pointed her hoof at each individual as she introduced them. “Say hello to Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack. They're friends of Princess Twilight, so do behave yourselves.” Lacie turned to her charges. “And, you five, greet my friends Autumn Royal and Chary. I hope you will all get along.”

The four Elements, plus Lacie, gathered around the table and each of them found a seat. “It's real nice to meet y'all,” said Applejack.

“Quite,” added Rarity. “It's always nice to meet new ponies, especially ones with such exquisite tastes.” She leaned close to Autumn Royal, looking over the kerchief that was tied around her neck. “That's a splendid accessory, Autumn.”

“Why, thank you,” the earth mare replied. In a playful manner, she repeated Rarity's invasion of her personal space and she squinted as she examined the unicorn's face. “Pardon me, Rarity,” she said, “but I feel like I've heard your name before. Are you a seamstress?”

“I am! I own the Carousel Boutique in Ponyville, but don't let that fool you. I've done plenty of pieces for ponies like Sapphire Shores and Hoity Toity.”

“You also designed Princess Cadence's wedding dress,” said Fluttershy.

“Really?” asked Chary. “Wow, that's incredible.”

“'Wow,' indeed,” chuckled Autumn. “I wish I had such a skill, not that my orchard isn't at all profitable.”

Applejack's ears perked up. “Say what now?”

“My family and I own Ambrosia Fields outside town. We're one of the largest fruit orchards in Equestria.”

“Well, hay, Ah've heard of you! The Apples have done some business with you before.”

“Oh? The Apples? Yes, I've transacted with quite a few Apples over the years. I take it you're a member of the family?”

“Darn tootin' Ah am! My cousin Braeburn bought a bunch of saplings off y'all a few years back to extend the orchard in Appleloosa.” She took off her hat and she placed it against her chest. “Ah don't know if you remember him or not, but Ah hope you won't mind if Ah tell you how much the orchard's grown 'cause of your hardy little trees.” And “hardy” was an understatement. The bountiful Appleloosan trees were put through the scorching heat of the desert, and yet they never seemed negatively affected.

“I'm glad that Appleloosa has profited from them. Although, I can't take full credit. I'm sure that there are countless Appleloosan apple trees that came from elsewhere,” replied Autumn. She then cleared her throat and crossed her forelegs on the table. “Enough about me. I'm not the only successful businessmare here. Chary's a well-reknowned author and Lacie made a fortune off her fragrances.”

Lacie rolled her eyes and smirked. “Guilty as charged,” she snickered. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Chary and Fluttershy engaged in a quiet conversation.

Rainbow Dash also rolled her eyes, though she lacked any form of smile. “Ugh, fragrances?” she groaned. “Like, perfumes and stuff? How do you make bits selling that kind of junk?”

“Rainbow!” scolded Applejack.

In spite of the pegasus' comments, Lacie wasn't at all offended. “I sell perfume, yes, but I also sell items like lotions, body wash, and shampoo at my shop,” she retorted. “You're more than welcome, at any time, to visit me at the Botanical Bouquet. I'll happily show you just how I make bits selling 'that kind of junk.'”

Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs across her chest, raising an eyebrow and shaking her head. “Nah, I don't think so,” she muttered.

“I'll take you up on that offer,” said Rarity.

“Ah, I have a taker! Anypony else?”

But, nopony else spoke up, until it was Autumn's turn to make an offer. “Well, if the rest of you aren't interested in Lacie's shop, then would you like to see Ambrosia Fields?” she asked.

Applejack raised her hoof. “Ah would!”

Pinkie Pie suppressed a squeal as she leaped from her seat and started bouncing around the table. “Can I go, too?” she asked. “Can I, can I, can I?”

“Didn't think you'd be interested in an orchard, Pinkie.”

“C'mon, who doesn't love fruit? It's sweet and juicy and tangy and it's sometimes tart or sour!” If there was as much fruit as Autumn claimed, then Pinkie was eager to see it all. As much as she loved to party, the baker in her wondered what, and how many, goods she could bake with different kinds of fruits. Apples, of course, were the only plentiful bounty in Ponyville and new recipes would surely make the Cakes happy. Smiling wide, the party pony pushed her shoulder against Autumn Royal's. “So... Can I go, too?”

Laughing, Autumn nodded. “Of course, of course!” she replied. “The more, the merrier! Anypony else want to tag along?”

“Count me out,” grumbled Rainbow Dash.

“I'm afraid I'll have to pass as well,” said Fluttershy. She settled a hoof on Chary's shoulder. “Chary was so kind to invite me to her cabin for tea tomorrow.”

“Aw. You, too, 'Shy?”

Smirking, Chary looked at the blue pegasus. “Oh, you're more than welcome to join us,” she said. “I have plenty of room and plenty of tea.”

“It will be nice, Rainbow. You don't want to be left out of tomorrow's activities, I'm sure.”

“Ugh... Alright, but my decision depends on whether or not you have any Daring Do books, Chary.” Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash forgot to pack a few of her own. If she was being forced to go anywhere, especially somewhere calm and quiet, then she wanted her favorite (and only) reading material to keep her occupied.

Her question made Chary chuckle. “I have all of the books written so far. I'm glad to meet another fan of A.K. Yearling, ” she replied.

“Yeah, it's cool. I guess I'll go, since I have nothing else planned.”

Clapping her hooves together, Lacie sighed in relief. “All right! So, it's all settled. Shall we begin in the morning?” she said. The others, in unison, voiced their agreement with the arrangements. She briefly turned her attention to the sun. It was beginning its descent behind the distant horizon. “Look at the time,” she added softly. “I suggest we turn in for the night. Tomorrow is a big day, after all.” She stood, which prompted Autumn and Chary to do so as well, then she politely bowed to her newfound friends. The trio retreated afterwards, which left Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash free to return to the Clydesdale.

Chapter Three : Nightmares and Pancakes

Twilight collapsed on the bed with a sigh. The majority of her day was spent on a train and on a stagecoach, yet it felt so much longer. She would have been in bed earlier, if not for the bombardment of conversation that assaulted her as she and Spike returned to their hotel floor. In the chaos, for a few of her friends followed Pinkie Pie in over-excitement, she failed to catch the entire story. Apparently, their guide had introduced them to a couple of wealthy ponies, who generously offered to show them their businesses in the morning.

Despite her lethargy, Twilight was happy for them. Their afternoon was more eventful than hers, it seemed. The last few hours were dull. She was close enough to the ruins to see them in all their archaic glory, but that was about it. The rest of her time was spent either walking around aimlessly or watching the workers. Instead of performing their assigned duties, however, she caught the archaeologists and diggers in discernible paranoia—often gathering in small groups and speaking in hushed tones. Something had them spooked, and Twilight had half a mind to ask them what that was. When she tried to approach one of them, though, Antiquity was suddenly full of questions. The princess attempted to answer them to the best of her ability, but the little antique enthusiast was exceedingly talkative.

Nuzzling one of the soft pillows, and throwing a quick glance at the sleeping form of Spike, Twilight let out a rumbling groan. Tomorrow's another day, she thought. Perhaps Antiquity would leave her alone long enough for her to coax an explanation out of one of the paranoid ponies. Yet, the night was long and dawn was hours away.

So, Twilight closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift into the realm of dreams.

It was a field—a field of emerald grass and tiny, snow-white flowers. Twilight tenderly poked one of the petals as she took a deep breath of the cool night air. She enjoyed the tranquil area for a while. The tender wind, however, carried the sound of a rapid gallop. Her ears perked up. The rapid hoof-fall was getting closer and the starlit sky gradually became obscured by dark clouds. The rumble of thunder began to sync with the beat of the unknown hooves.

“What's going on?” whispered Twilight. Her heart pounded in her ribcage as she looked towards the origin of the strident sound. Closing in on her was the tall silhouette of another pony. Lightning then flashed across the sky, divulging the pony's flowing mane, horn, and dark, broad body; he was a unicorn stallion. Yet, there was something else—something that drew Twilight's attention to the stranger's face. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly, and his eyes were wide with panic. It was as if he was calling out to her, but she could not hear his voice. It was hard for her to tell whether or not he even possessed a voice. The thunder was almost deafening.

The princess continued to watch him out of sheer curiosity. Whatever he had to tell her, it seemed important. Perhaps it was unwise for her to commit her attention to only the stallion, for when another stray streak of lightning lit up the field, Twilight failed to notice the second shadow that stood alongside hers. The owner of the shadow had no desire for her ignorance, though, and it slowly proceeded to poke her shoulder with a dirty, cracked hoof.

Of course, Twilight spun around to face the entity, only to find a set of narrow legs so close to her face that her nose almost touched one of them. Slowly, and taking a few steps back, she looked up. Her ears folded against her head, for the frightening figure that now stood before her was unlike any pony she had ever seen. A tattered cloak dangled from the mysterious mare's lithe form. It was a garment meant to conceal, yet there was no mistaking the crooked wings that clung to her sides. They were a fitting match to the bent, chipped horn on her head, just as her cloak matched the dirty bandages that were loosely wrapped around her eyes.

“Who are you?” asked Twilight tentatively. The other alicorn made no move against her, but there was something dreadful about her that the princess could not place. It was the kind of something that gave her goosebumps and made her blood run cold. Instinct dictated that she did not want the stranger anywhere near her.

Swallowing the bile that had accumulated in her throat, Twilight began to back away from the stranger. “Stay away from me,” she whispered.

The entity didn't comply; she simply didn't hear her, or she chose to ignore the soft plea. As close as they were, Twilight believed the latter as she attempted to put as much distance between them as possible. However, the malevolent mare was quick to close the gap that the young princess created. As soon as she was within Twilight's personal space, though, a darker, bulkier body crashed into her.

The stallion released a savage cry, shoving the ragged alicorn away from Twilight. His target, obviously, was enraged by his interference. She shrieked and reared back onto her hind legs. Her sharp hooves made for deadly weaponry, but the stallion was agile and he easily dodged. The alicorn was not discouraged, for she immediately tried to assault him once more. He dodged again, then he attacked with a magical blast, which she deflected with a shield spell. The cycle of their combat continued in that manner, while Twilight watched helplessly from the sidelines. Part of her wished to aid the stallion, but the parts that were her legs failed to obey. Instead, they trembled in fear of the unfolding scene. The ponies clashed—the Princess of Friendship temporarily forgotten—as they growled, screeched, and grunted in ways that were more animalistic than equine.

Then, without warning, lightning struck the ground near the combatants. The ground shattered like glass and the pieces, transformed into shrapnel, flew in all directions; some fell into the void that was revealed to lie beneath the turf. The hostile alicorn was the first to notice the emptiness. She was also the first to take advantage of it. Baring her needlelike teeth, she again reared, only to bring her front hooves down on the ground with all her might. At the point of impact, the ground fractured. The cracks rapidly spread across the surrounding area, as though it were a wildfire.

Twilight spread her wings and tried to fly, but they refused to lift her off the deteriorating field. Gritting her teeth, she flapped them furiously, only to meet the same negative result. A frustrated groan rumbled in her throat as she looked to her horn to cast a teleportation spell. Only, her magic didn't work. “No!” she yelled, a couple of useless sparks falling from her horn.

A few feet away, both the stallion and his nemesis fell into the abyss.

Her only other option was to run. So, she ran from the oncoming chaos as fast as her legs could carry her. It was futile; the field collapsed into the darkness beneath her very hooves. “No, no, no!” she screamed—flailing her forelegs as she tried to latch onto the remaining edge of the dreamscape. It fell short of her reach, dissolving before her eyes. There was nothing she could do to stop herself from plummeting and her frantic screams echoed off the nonexistent walls of oblivion.

~*~*~

“Twilight, darling, are you in there?”

Startled, Twilight looked up from the stone table. “Huh?” she gasped.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “We've been tryin' to talk to you, sugar cube,” she said. “You okay?”

Pinkie Pie bounced out of her seat and she nearly did a cartwheel on her way to Twilight's side, which she then leaned against. “Yeah!” she exclaimed. “You were just staring at the table. Why's that? Was there an extra-expecially interesting spot there? Or did the table have you in some sort of crazy trance!?” She nearly shoved the princess over as she leaned over a random spot on said table. Her face was so close to it that her nose almost touched the cool surface. “I'm onto you, table,” she hissed, as though it was enough to put the offending furniture in its place. It took only milliseconds for the pink pony's hostility to evaporate, however, and then she returned to her place between Fluttershy and Applejack in the blink of an eye.

Blinking, Twilight ignored Pinkie's outburst and she glanced around her ring of friends. “I'm sorry, girls,” she said. “I didn't mean to space out like that. I didn't get much sleep last night.” Admittedly, she was so caught up in her recollection of the previous night's terrible dream that she became detached from their breakfast get-together. It was Rarity's idea, as well as her treat, to have them all gather at the Rhinelander Bistro to enjoy a morning meal together, before they went about their planned activities. Twilight and Spike jumped at the opportunity to spend a little time with their friends, for the rest of their day would be spent at the dig.

“What robbed you of a good night's rest, dear?” asked Rarity. “Was your room not to your liking?”

Twilight shook her head. “Oh, no, the room was quite pleasant.”

“The beds are more comfortable than the ones we have at home,” added Spike.

“I guess I was just a little too excited about exploring more of the ruins to get any sleep.” It wasn't a complete lie. She was eager to return to the dig and there was really no need to concern them over a bad dream.

Besides, the others appeared content with her brief explanation. Even if they wanted to press the issue further, their minds were more preoccupied with thoughts of food. The waiter, a pegasus who presented himself as Maitre Dee, soon arrived at their table—the seven orders, as well as two large bottles, carefully balanced on his wings, back, and head. “Alright, ladies and dragon,” he said as he placed them on the table. “I hope you enjoy your meals on this beautiful morning and be sure to let me know if you need anything else.”

“Why, thank you very much,” replied Rarity. “But...” She held a hoof to her chin as she eyed the bottles that were brought to them. “We didn't order any juices, I believe.”

Maitre Dee reached into the pocket of his vest and he produced a notepad. “The juice is a gift from Autumn Royal. Both bottles are grape—fresh from her orchard. She also paid for all your meals.”

“Oh, my, how nice of her!” exclaimed Fluttershy.

“Yes, Autumn Royal is one of the most generous ponies in Reinvale.” The waiter bowed his head. “Now, if you'll excuse me.”

As Maitre Dee left to attend to the other customers, Rarity began to pour everyone a glass of the grape juice—content to let her plate of Prance toast, which she had already drizzled in maple syrup, cool a bit. “I hope you and Pinkie Pie will thank Autumn Royal for her act of kindness, Applejack,” she said. Sure, she had more than enough bits to cover breakfast, but she was thankful for Autumn's generosity. I'll put something together for her, she thought. I'm sure she'll love a scarf. No, no. Winter is quite some time away. Perhaps another ascot? Or hat? Maybe I'll make both.

Through a mouthful of alfalfa omelet, Applejack nodded and replied, “Don't worry your pretty little head, Rarity. Ah'll thank her. It's only right.”

Pinkie Pie only nodded; her mouth was too full of strawberries, whipped cream, and pancake to answer.

Twilight sipped at her drink after she downed a bite of her own pancakes. The juice was pleasing to her palate. It wasn't too sweet, nor was the grape flavor too strong. It had balance to it and one sip was enough to make her understand how Autumn Royal made her wealthy living. Although, not everyone had the same tastes. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Spike scowl and push his glass away. “Something wrong?” she asked.

The dragon shrugged and poked at his hashed hay browns. “I just don't like grape-flavored stuff...” he retorted.

“Do you want me to order you a different drink?”

“Nah, I'll be fine.”

The gang fell into a combination of small-talk and silence. Twilight caught only bits and pieces of her friends' short conversations as she made quick work of her breakfast. Her assistant followed her lead, with the exception of the two glasses of juice she used to wash it all down. “Okay, girls,” she said as she stood. “I'm really glad that we got together for this, but Spike and I need to get going.”

“Already?” asked Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie Pie pouted, which caused a smidgen of whipped cream to fall off her chin. “Can't you stay for a teensy bit longer?”

“I'm sorry, but the archaeologists are about to start their shift.” Twilight's wings flexed slightly as Spike climbed onto her back. “It's not like we won't see each other for a long while. We can talk about our day later this afternoon, when I'm done. I'll see you all later!” One strong flap of her wings propelled her into the air and, as they waved, she took her leave.

“That Twilight,” chuckled Applejack. “Always takin' her duties so seriously.”

“Well, she is a princess,” said Fluttershy. “She has to take them seriously.”

Rarity scoffed. “Come now, Fluttershy. You know how our Twilight is. Even if she hadn't been transcended to royalty, she would still be incredibly dutiful.”

Another minute or two of silence passed, then they all pushed their empty plates and bottles to the center of the table. Without Twilight and Spike, there wasn't much left in terms of conversation. As their alicorn friend said, they would see each other again come sundown.. They thought it best to bring an end to their get-together. The girls divided into pairs, then they departed. There was a lot of land for them to cover, for their destinations set on opposite sides of the restless town.