Runeplate: Gemstone Hunter

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5
Chapter 4

Chapter 1

Just normal day, a train has arrived in Ponyville at its exact time. Steams puff and whistle as the engine cools its heat to minimum, waiting for the next set of passengers as the previous and tired ones disembark. A unicorn colt of gray-to-white mane, and dark gray coat; with a cutie mark of a gray rock with light-yellow spiral-- is one of those passengers. Carrying a single saddlebag , he pulled out his ticket to show a confirmation to the station guard.

As he slowly trot off from the station, he observes the old town he grew up. Most of the houses he remembers are still standing. Few are rebuilt into larger residence, some bungalows are now two-storey, and the apple farm is much larger than before. Some shops have expanded their space and no more dusty road that could burn his eyes. Few folks recognized him, greeted by his name and wave hellos, he waves back but there are no memories of who they are. It must've been a really long time.

After a while of reminiscing, he picked up the pace in search of an old friend, one of the few ponies he remembers. He asked few townsfolks for direction, they pointed out the place but their instructions are unclear to his understanding. But one pointed him to the Sugarcube Corner, the bakery of his mother's bestfriend. He approached the familiar establishment, only larger and more colorful than before. As he walks on the door to check the place, a pink pony greets him.

"Oh, hi there!" she waved a welcome after putting down a pan of freshly baked Zap Apple Cupcakes then dashed close to him. "Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, home of the sweetest, most delicious, mouth-watering baked goods and few bads, too. But not baked bad that makes your face go green and hurl all over the place. It's like for the bad guys or good guys with a bad attitude... *gasp* You're new in Ponyville aren't you!? Aren't you? Aren't you? Huh...? Huh...???" he stepped back one step as the blabbing pink's face got too close with a big welcoming smile on her face. "What's your order, mister?" dashing back at the counter.

"No, I don't want any... I'm just looking for Mrs. Cake." then a gasp from the door, from the baking room, got his attention.

"Oh my gosh, Runeplate, is that you?"

He nodded "Yes, Mrs. Cake, it's me." she looked from the tip of his horn down to his hooves, observing his appearance and squeezing her cheek in disbelief.

"Oh my. You don't look like the old skinny filly I used to remember. If it wasn't for your voice, even if it became stallion-ly, I won't recognize you." but he just chuckled.

"Mrs. Cake. It's been years. I--" the pink pony interrupted him, gazing on his appearance with widening eyes and shrunk retinas, then she looked on Mrs. Cake. "He's not new here? How come I don't know him? I know everypony and I mean everypony but not him!" stretching her arm at him in a 'ta-da' pose, switching her eyes repeatedly between Mrs Cake and Runeplate.

She laughed and put a hoof on the surprised pony’s back. "Pinkie, relax. His family moved long before you moved here. That's why you don't know this colt."

He coughed for attention "Mrs. Cake, do you know where she lives now?"

She giggled like she heard an exciting gossip. "Oh! Yes! Yes...! I already knew what you're here for after recognizing you. She's at the boutique. It’s not far, few blocks to the left after walking out. Or maybe Pinkie Pie could show you the way." Pinkie squee’d but he reject the offer with a raised hoof "No, Mrs. Cake. You know I have great sense of direction." she giggled again as she trots back to the baking room "Sure you have, especially for her." he sighed loudly and facehoofed, then he walks out of the bakery. "See you again Mrs. Cake."

Few minutes of walking, he finds the boutique. Looking upon the shop, he made a deep breath to release the tension of feeling that his talk won't take him anywhere. Relax. It’s in the past, Rune. She should’ve forgotten that incident. Plus, you need here gem-detection again. He walks in, glanced from the doorway, searching for the boutique's owner. Looking around the shop, he found two ponies: a lavander unicorn of purple mane, and a pale-yellow pegasus with pink mane.

“Uhm… Is Rarity here…? I’m looking for her.”

The unicorn answered him with a greeting smile “She’ll be out in few minutes. We’re going to the spa.”

He sits down and took another deep breath. His sigh caught the unicorn’s attention. She approaches him, gave him some company as the owner is preparing upstairs.

“Hi, I’m Twilight. Why are you looking for her? You don’t look like any fashion-mumbo-jumbo-critique or something.”

He looked at her and looked down sighing once, “Well, I came here for a visit.” she’s not satisfied with a small answer, so she asked him about between them.

“Rarity and I were known best of friends when we were fillies but our friendship didn’t really last long. My family had to move to Manehattan.”

But she nodded in disagreement and sat down beside him. “No, friendship is not lost with that reason." she put a hoof on his shoulder "Look, you miss her and you wanted pay her a visit. That’s a good trait of a friend. I think she’d be happy to see and old friend like you.” He put down his saddlebag and rested his back on the couch. “You don’t know what is really between us. Maybe when she sees me, she’d flung a scissor in front of me as a--” the said item flew and stabbed the wall, barely missing Runeplate’s nuzzle “--warning shot.” Both of them widens their eyes and looked back to the projectile's source.

“YOU!!!” an angry white unicorn with curlers on her purple mane stepped out of the room. Snorting steamy breath and grinding her teeth in anger as she approaches Runeplate. She levitated all her scissors and needles, aimed at him. Twilight galloped away from the crossfire that is about to happen.

“WHY ARE YOU HERE?” slowly stomping the floor. He quickly lit his horn and stomped the ground; rocks with glowing ancient writings formed upward, making a wall surrounding him; blocking her floating scissors and needles.

“Rarity, please, listen. I just wanted to talk.”

She shouts with unforgiving rage towards the cowering pony “You almost had me expelled because of your shenanigan! If you weren’t proven guilty, I’d be the one who moved away from Ponyville!” while stomping the wall Runeplate summoned. “Did you know how much humiliation I felt after that incident?!”

In frustration of calling him out of his protection, she walks back few steps, dropped all the curlers and levitates her jewels from the chests, drawers and even the embedded ones from her finest dresses. “GET…” fusing all of those precious crystallines into something Twilight have never seen done by Rarity. A large crystal drill, ironically colorful; as large as Rarity's body and as long as the angry pony's tail. “…OUT OF THERE!” and she started piercing through. The spear force itself through the wall, but he keeps it at bay through durability repair on his only protection. The destructive power of the drill is on-par of the wall’s regeneration. Dust clouds forms in the whole room as each other’s earthly forces are battling. Twilight and the yellow pony resorted to makeshift bunker made of whatever they can find as shattered rocks and crystals are flying everywhere.

Runeplate feels frustrated as her: the pressure of refreshing the wall's durability and the blurry thoughts of how to stop this. He gathered his mana at one point of the wall making a glowing rune pattern where the bejeweled spear is drilling Alright! Stop! one stomp, he shattered his wall against the spear with magic precision, deflecting it cutting it in half, knocking back Rarity. He saw the two chunks flying, each to her and Twilight but in quick reflexes he summoned walls of rock, barely protecting them from the landing debris. While the dust clouds clear, both of the battling ponies were seen catching for air. “Can’t we talk like… How do you say this? Like a civilized Canterlot noble?” breathing heavily, she stood up straight and nodded. So much exhaustion, they gave up, and sat down.

The place is in ruin. Rubbles everywhere, crystal shards stuck on the ceiling, unearthened boulders, wooden furnitures are shattered, broken glass outside the shop-- but even Rarity's eyes for disgust in dirtful chaos didn’t even mind it. Dirt around her few products and displays, shattered flooring from the Runeplate’s wall, scattered scissors, ribbons and fabrics. They’re just there staring at each other, with only a table between them, waiting for who’s going to talk first. The yellow pegasus, shivering for a bit due to the event, slowly walked to Rarity “Uhm, Rarity…“

She looked at her angrily and shouted “WHAT?!” the shy pony meep'd walked back and hid back on the counter, took a peek on Rarity then hid again. She chased her and pulled her up, sweeping the dust on her wings. “Sorry, Fluttershy, darling. I just can’t contain my anger after seeing this… this… thief.” Twilight approached her with a disbelieving face “Wow… Rarity… that magic. I-I’ve never seen you do that.” She took a deep breath and looked at the Twilight “Darling, rage like this can make me do that.” pointing at the half-shattered jewel spear. she closed her eyes, thinking of what to do, then she looked up to the unicorn. ”Twilight, maybe I’ll pass with our spa treatment for today. Don’t mind the payment; I’ll take care of that. As you can see, I have a… *looks at him angrily* …very important matter to attend to.” Twilight looked at them both then she rolled her eyes. “Obviously. Alright, take care… but please, no more fighting.” They walked out of the boutique slowly and waving goodbye to Rarity.

Minutes have passed and nopony talked and place is still thrashed. Few moments, Rarity broke the silence. She slammed her front hoof on the table “Why… are you… here?” as she’s staring at his eyes with anger; Runeplate gulped, scratched his arm and looked around the place as he can’t make a direct eye contact. “Wow… I thought you’ve change back to neat freaky pony. I mean, look at the mess we made--” she slammed the table with her other front hoof again. “Answer me!” she growls in rage. “Easy there. I came here to apologize. Look, as a gift, I brought these along with me.” He opened up his saddlebag and poured down six jewels; Jewels of the rarest, or one of a kind, to be precise for some.

“Are…Are those…?” she widens her eyes, with a gaping mouth Runeplate nodded "I can't believe it... You have the half of Eternal Birthstones?! How did you--" interrupted by his hoof, he said with confidence "I'll tell you." and levitates the jewels to her one by one.

A garnet with flickering orange, embedded in a large locket. “This is called Rune Gaia, won at an auction by my father. This is also where my parents took my name from. Such a family treasure.”

A heart-shaped amethyst, the passing light emits relaxing sparkles. “Valkryian Love, one of a kind, confiscated from a black market raid.” He eyes dilated and her mouth gaped to the alluring shines of the item.

A dark red gem, with a light faintly pulsing from the inside. “Warlock’s Bloodstone, I think you’ve heard of this in the newspaper, in the supernatural section." She nodded "Yes I've read of it. The warlock's very soul was sealed in there..." scoofed in disbelief "...as if a soulstone really exist."

"I won this from a very competitive auction. I almost emptied my account for this.”

A white gem lit up with the unseen glow of his magic. “Chandelier Diamond, amplifies any magic's aura focused on it, even of the smallest strobe, by ten times. See the glow in my horn? Very thin. A good emergency flashlight, and flashbang too, you know.”

A green gem with unremoved, hardened moss, radiating a very strong aura. “Deep Sea Emerald. This one’s funny. I stole this from that sea dragon’s hoarded treasures Far northwest from Fillydelphia. He didn’t even know this is a rare type of gem and he was just gonna eat it. But he's a dragon, why would he care?” he laughed, but slowly fading though. She said “You really are a thief.” Rarity scoffed. “Hey, of all the gems I’m showing, this is the only stolen one. Besides, I took it from another thief -- a fire breathing thief.”

And the last one, coloful green flicks to their eyes. "I know this one." She said. “Celestial Agate. Point this at the sun by dusk, noon or dawn; sparkling rainbows can be seen in the prismatic structure of the gem." He smiled after knowing the trivia. "Very colorful.”

“Well, that’s all of them. I need the other 6 to complete the set. The Dragonfire Ruby, Judgement Peridot, a topaz called Stance of Faith, Absolute Sapphire, Opal of Hope, and Bedrock Turquoise.” He smiled at Rarity but she gave him a raised eyebrow and crossed arms, “Really… And why are you showing these to me?”

She looked at Rarity in the eyes, “I’m bringing you for another adventure...” giving her a confident smile. “And this one’s gonna be long and more treacherously difficult that what you read on any Daring Do stories.”

***

Chapter 2

"Come on, just like the old times. Instead of the Mayor's jewelry box; it'll be on--" before he can describe a place, she put her hoof to his mouth.

"No-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no... No!" pushed him and made a dramatic pose, her chin up, putting her hoof on her forehead and the other on her chest. "Never will I be involved in your thievery ever again..." and stretched the hoof from her chest to his nuzzle "Never!" but he just gave her a smile and a gaze that can make a weak-hearted mare faint giggling.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" her eyes are widening, as his face is getting closer. There's nowhere to go, the couch is blocking her escape. Her shoulders are locked by his hooves. Sweat starts to fall from her forehead, heartbeat doubled its pace, and he seem to take away her breath with each seconds of staring. He pulled her up from the couch, and walked few steps away from her, and looked back with narrowed eyes and a small smile.

"Let's clean this place up. I know how you hate dust and anything dirty." the intense moment made her gasp for air, but she calm herself down and just flicked her curly mane.

Sun is about to set, everything is clean, except for the dresses that got ruined in the previous fight. Few furniture are still ruined but will be fixed tomorrow. The floor is as flat as it was before, but it lost few flooring tiles. "Thanks for all the help, but can you please go now? You had my day... and my house ruined." looking at Rarity, he scratched her back and looked away from her eyes.

He sighed and looked down "OK, Rarity. If you change your mind, I'd be at the inn... or the bar. Keep the gems, too. Those are my gifts for you." and he trotted back to check at the inn.

The sun is no more in the horizon and the endless sheet of starry sky makes it way for the stargazers' eyes and scopes. At Rarity's bedroom upstairs, she examined the six gems Runeplate gave him. Took few gazes, wondering on its genuine crystal patterns, beauty, light refractions and reflections. She levitates them in a slow-paced circle like a hanged toy for a baby. She lied down on her luxurious bed.

"So much beauty. What are your intentions...? No pony, even I, would give these as 'gifts'." She puts the jewels on a silver chest with a lock imbued with magical password that even Sweetiebelle nor Twilight can open without brute force. She walks to the balcony, wondering about the colt. "You almost had me there with your gaze... on the couch. You always get me with that look in your eyes." hooves on her chin, looking up to the star filled sky. She sighed, and felt the exhaustion from the fight and clean-up. She decides to go to sleep and ask everything she needs to know tomorrow.

The bar's schedule for the night says Techestral Night feat. DJ P0n-3 and Octavia.

Mixed orchestral instruments and a DJ's table are on stage. The night is still young and the performers started to play their combined and battling music. Adding to the ambience of the venue, the DJ's two illusionary speakers on her side create magical waves; dancing, swirling and spinning with the music. Inside, Runeplate is having some ciders at the counter and in a conversation with a newfound friend, Octavia. Sitting upstraight, showing calmness and dignity, she's a gray mare of black mane, with a faint white streak following the outline of her mane. Her cutie mark is a light purple G-clef, representing her passion for music and love for her favorite instrument, the cello. She has also a strange accent, fancier than a Canterlotian royalty.

"That was... intense. I hope nopony got hurt." took a sip then shaked her wineglass. "No, nopony at all." took a big glug of cider and ordered for one more.

"So... You're Runeplate, right? The Runeplate, the gemstone hunter of auction in Manehattan and Canterlot?"

"The one and only." he nodded.

She put her elbow on the table, lifting the wineglass she's holding, gazing on the bloodred liquor "I say, you got a big hunger for gems, but the last item you won is rather unimpressing." he looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "Thirty five thousand bits for a Dark Matter Diamond? It's expensive, yes, but the rarity of that gem is kind of common." She saw him looking at her and felt embarassed from what she said "Sorry. I don't know much about gems, really, nor do I want to correct you about your hobby. I'm just telling you it was not worth it. I have two of that one for each earring. hundreds of shops all over Equestria sell it. If I have to sell it, I'd rather give it you in ten percent of the price. I don't have such greed anyway."

Greed. A rather too familiar word for Runeplate. "About that last word... Yeah, I have a big problem with that." shaking his cider mug.

"I'm listening..." takes a sip and slowly shakes the wineglass and gazes on it again.

He let out a sigh to start a story "I have an very bad addiction of collecting rare gemstones, probably worse than a hoarding dragon. When a particular gem caught my eyes, I will want it no matter what. I'm not really putting my money or other resources on any ordinary gem. It has to be one of a kind, or at least very rare." taking the last drop of the cider. Ordered another mug.

"Sure... like that Dark Matter auction."

He paused for a moment and took another drink, "It ended up a friendship I had here in Ponyville when I was in elementary."

"How disappointing." finishing her wineglass and ask the bartender to fill it once more.

"I'm sort of planning to get rid of this addiction through magic, anyway. Probably when I'm done with my final quest with that old friend of mine." Three tisks came out of her mouth. "Why? I'm getting rid of it for good. Why does it sound bad to you?"

The backstage manager calls her, she's up next in few minutes. "Well, I should be going." but before she leaves the side of Runeplate, she looked at him in the eyes. "Runeplate, problems like that only need to be fought with strong will. You don't need magic, potions or restraints. Magic can be broken by you, potions are always temporary when the urge makes you find an antidote, restraints can be tricked with loopholes. Only your will can supress that greed."

After giving her two cents, she sits back, and remembers a past that changed a part of her life. "Take me for an example: I am passionate with classical and orchestral music. I took too much pride that this is the only music people should listen to, but Vinyl thinks otherwise that anyone can listen to any kind of music. One day, I almost destroyed her gadgets after having an extreme argument between our passion, thinking it's all just trash. Then an accident happened, she pushed me to the table. My elbow hit her music player, it played a piece I made. As it plays, I heard few electronica... She mixed it with her beats. I felt calm and mesmerized, I just looked at the player. Then I closed my eyes and listened, flied in the trance of it. I opened my eyes after the music stopped. Then I looked at her. I hugged her and begged for apology, she accepted it already. I, then, decided to supress my pride and..."

The manager calls her again once more, Hurry up, you're next in a minute. One step away, she looks back to him without turning her body, making her final words "...and we found our way of harmony, by combining than fighting over it. It was beautiful.... Wait, no... it still is."

"Why are you telling me this story? I don't understand." she chuckes silently and shrugs. "I don't know. I forgot why I told you that. Maybe it's just the alcohol kicking in." she finally walks away to the backstage with grace, leaving Runeplate alone at the counter.

Octavia starts performing, and few seconds later Vinyl starts to play along. While listening, he reflects on the story. "Is she saying that I should stop this? I might get Rarity meet danger she won't endure... or worse, death?" still stubborn by his eye on the prize, he just shakes his head, shrugs, drinks the last mug and pays the total expenses to the counter. Ridiculous. I will still continue this quest. I want those gems mine and only she can help me. walking out gallantly straight, like he did not drink more than half a barrel of cider.

***

Chapter 3

Morning already, feeling groggy, Runeplate wakes up with just five hours of sleep. Eyes are blurry, headache pulsing everytime he tries to think or just turn his head. He goes to the bathroom's medic box for a hangover pill, and refresh himself from last night's drinks. The thought-giving shower and the quick curing pill recover his memory from the mental-blocking headache. "Right... Rarity." few minutes, he finished his shower and suited up along with his saddlebag. Picking it up, a locket with a yellow gem in the middle fell down. He looked at it, he closed his eyes and cherished the only gift he did not add to his hidden cellar of collections. A tear fell, he shed it and recollected of what he should be up to. Checked out of the inn, he went back to the nearly ground-zeroed boutique.

Arriving at the shop-- glass-less windows, no doors and newly cemented wall; he saw Twilight fixing up few "Hey, Twilight. Is Rarity in there?" she stopped her levitation and confront Runeplate. "She's inside. You just wait here. I'm sort of fixing the place... You know... because of yesterday." He felt shy after feeling guilty, looking down the ground and scratches his shoulder. "Yeah... Sorry about that. I've forgot how anger can amplify her magic."

Speaking of anger, "I never saw her angry like that before. We sometimes see her rage whenever her little sister do something she doesn't like. Or that time when Spike was threatened by other dragons. She even said 'but I'll rip you to pieces if you touch a scale on Spikey Wikey's head!'" he laughed with her story. "Well, I guess there's no point not telling."

They sat down on the couch inside the shop. "It all started when my little problem in myself crossed the line. We share the same passion in gemstones if she haven't told you. We like those things. We have somekind of eyes that can really see the beauty of a gem. It's what made me fall for her in such young age, too." sighed, and picked the locket from the bag. "You're still not telling me how she's still mad at you."

"Right." he nodded.

It was after founding her cutiemark. At the night of that big performance, I saw all those gems shining by the spotlights. Her works were pretty mesmerizing. Those refracted lights flickering. I can't take my eyes off of those.

Next day after the performance, I tried to talk to her. I thought a skinny colt like I was should not had the chance to talk to the little miss popular Rarity... but she was nice. She smiled and talked with me during recess. Funny thing is that she offered her lunch thinking I haven't eaten all day. She didn't know me that time. I'm sort of a loner back then, that lurked out of the cave. We started to know each other. Had a small puppy love between us. But that wasn't the point I wanted to get closer to Rarity. I want to see what her newfound ability. I took the advantage of the locals teasing us as love birds. Being a lady-like pony, she's too flattered with the attention. With that, I made her think I'm serious with my feelings for her, too.

"You kinda lost me now." Runeplate just shrugs. "Don't you like hearing a story? This part is gonna get good, and besides, Rarity seems to be enjoying whatever she's doing upstairs."

"Alright then, continue."

Few days after all those flirts, talks and moments, she fell for me. What a love can do? We defied our age for love and became like the hottest celebrity pair in Ponyville. She's living the dream of what any filly could and I got closer of... well, using her. I insisted her to take me to the digging site to 'help' her find some for new designs. Few hours of non-stop digging with hooves, shovels and basic area levitation, we found a cartful of gems. After we were finish, we sat down on a nearby yellow oak tree, strangely with cherry blossom leaves.

He just shook his head and continued. While having snacks, I caught her looking at me. She turned back staring at the clouds. I just keep looking at her, pushed myself closer and our front hooves touched. She looked at me again, and we gaze at each other. It's like we're having a staring contest.

"And then what happened?" she asked, then a slow creak on the door is heard.

"Happened what?" coming out of the door, a white mare dressed in puffy robe, with curlers again, tapping her back hoof. "Is he telling you our little past? Yes, I fell in love with him like a diamond dog happily found a zircon thinking it's diamond..." She walks by them and turned her head to at him, chin-up, and a narrowing look. "...and he took advantage of it and used me to find Mayor Mare's prized necklace."

Slowly nearing to Runeplate "Don't cook up a story with something like... false romantic moments." he barely pretends to smile but he knows she's telling the truth.

She takes a deep breath and heads to the staircase, "I'll clean up and remove these curlers upstairs. Twilight, dear, thank you for fixing all the damage this colt had caused. We have a cancelled spa treatment to attend."

Before she raise a hoof on the first step of the stairs, he stands blocking her path. "Rarity... I'm sorry. I just got a bit overboard in telling that." he paused for a moment but she walks to the staircase before he can start to mumble and unleash a heart-stopping, breathtaking surprise. He chased her up and interrupts her trot, "I just want to meet you today because I need you to forgive me. Forgive me for all of what I've done. If those gems are not enough for you, fine, I'll take you to the Royal Symphony Orchestra Performance next week. I have an invitation for two for exclusive front row seats near the two Royalties, with VIP Passes for everything. We can even look around the castle without being halted. Also, fashion's big names like Mrs Stilleto and Her Highness Heels will be there, even... oh I don't know, Mr. Fancypants, too? I think he'd be happy to see you." She stopped for a while, turned herself to him. She's just gazing at him. The shop became too silent, neither one of the two showed any expression.

Runeplate breaks the deafening silence "Rarity, as I've heard around, you're the best tailor in Ponyville. Photo Finish and Hoity Toity even mentioned you in some social gatherings I attended. They're so proud with your designs. They had a little argument about who will take you, PF's crew or Toity's." he coughed and bowed in front of her as if he's proposing a marriage. Would you do the honor of making a suit for me? The best but simplest of all the stallion suits you've made. Expenses are all on me. Food, travels, materials, heck I could even rent a place up high in the palace just for your own workroom."

All of what he said are sudden. She felt her heart stopped of a moment. She can't let out a word from her slightly opened mouth but her eyes tells him she's accepting the invitation. She pretends to be calm, supressing the excited feeling even with the slowly-widening grin, and walks past him. Taking a deep breath and removing the smile on her face, he went near him and posed a lady-like figure, chin up and a narrowing gaze. "Alright, I accept your invitation. Meet me tomorrow morning to start our travel. I must reschedule all my appointments and do the remaining orders before leaving." finally reaching her room's doorway, "Be reminded I don't want anymore planned shenanigans that may ruin my reputation to anyone... and I mean anyone."

Finally... Runeplate went down the stairs and exits the shops. Leaving Twilight alone, like she was not there at all. "What did just happened?" She went up to Rarity's room to have a small catch up of the previous event.

***

Chapter 5

Slowly opening her eyes, she finds herself in darkness. Ugh... Where... where am I? She tried to lift herself up but the sudden headache and muscle pains bound her to the ground she's lying on. Sore throat keeps her from speaking, probably from few ounce of liquor and too much talks with everypony she have enjoyed with at the dome. Nauseous, blurry visions, and a feeling of she needs to hurl; she turn her head around to know where she is exactly, but unable to tell if she's still in the dome, Canterlot or Ponyville. She close her eyes, resting to regain few strength. In her pitch black view, she feels her surroundings with her hooves, the area is sparkling in her mind. She lightly tapped her ground with a hoof, a sudden circular wave spreads from it. The wave echoed throughout the place. It wasn't clear for her, she tapped it again. She gains a black and white vision of the place throughout the repeated tapping, gaining a colorless but clearer view. Observing her closed-eyed vision, she sees two ponies. She can tell one of them is Runeplate.

She's waking up. whispers by the mare. Runeplate slowly walks toward her, lift her head and forces her to drink a tonic. It was bitter, but the vision is barely clearing up. She's regaining few strength from it, enough to lift herself without help. Slowly regaining a clearer view of her surroundings, she find herself in a crystallized place with only a lamp lighting the area.

"Quite a party you enjoyed last night, huh. Forget about that now. Let's start with the tutorial, shall we? Question: Where do you think you are?"

"Uh... What?" massaging her pulsing headache away on her forehead.

"Asking again, where do you think you are?"

"I-I can't think straight right now..." Rarity silently mumbled.

"A crystal mine, right under the castle. It used to be home of greedy unicorns who dug all these tunnels to find a treasure in vain."

"Rune, I think you need to give her more rest."

Ignoring the other mare's request "Question Two: Why are you here?"

"Rune! Give her a rest, will you?"

"There is no time. I'm behind schedule."

"Don't rush everything. Those gems won't be going anywhere." he suddenly looks at her dead in the eyes. "The remedy will cure her hangover in no time." He snorted and walked away. Leaving the mare and Rarity alone in the rough and rocky cave. "I'm really sorry about his actions lately. The treasure does await, but he can't."

"Water..." Rarity barely spoke that single word due to her sore throat, but the mare understands her need. She reached for a jar filled of it, smeared a pinch of dust on the mouth piece and slowly placed on Rarity's mouth.

"Drink this nice and slow. I've put a curing powder for your sorethroat. Where are my manners, I'm Sand Nitens."

After taking the last drop for the water jar, she gasps for air and questions Sand about him. "Why is he doing this to me?"

"We're preparing you for something. It won't be long but you are now having a contract with him."

"Contract?" she suddenly held Sand on her shoulder, asking for sympathy "Whatever it is, no... You must get me out of here. I beg of you." but Sand slowly put her hooves down and closed her own eyes showing that she can't do anything.

"I'm sorry, I can't do anything about that." she stood up and walked away, but before she disappear from Rarity's sight "Rest for now. I'll brew up more of that remedy in order for you to regain full body strength."

Following the mare's advice, she lied down on the rocky ground she claimed as bed.

Seemed few hours have passed by her sleep. She wakes up, lift herself up and tried to believe that she was dreaming. Rubbing few dust from her sleepy eyes, she looked around. No, it wasn't a dream. The crystal stalagmites and stalactites are the same, only crisper and clearer than last time. She can't seem to find the two ponies who held her down in the cave, but she hears voices through the tunnels. A dim light reflected from somewhere is her only guide in the darkness. Slowly walking around, afraid of tipping from the half-cured nausea, she searches for her way out. She followed the light around the networks, only to return in circles, perhaps several dead-ends. Left and right in the tunnels, there seems no way out. Few moments of walking lost around the tunnel networks, the light that guides her around gets brighter; seeing another cave opening from afar, she takes a peek inside.

She sees the two ponies, along with something dark in color and glowing with runes. A small rocky figure is smoothing the floor flat by pounding and scratching; while Runeplate's carving few runes around the room with the beam of light from his horn; On the other side of the room, Sand Nitens is straightening few scrolls and seemingly reviewing few spells.

Sand sighs and re-rolls the scroll, takes another one and reads, but Runeplate's reason of why is he doing this to the innocent unicorn mare is bugging her concentration over the scrolls' spells. "Nice 'making up' for your mistake. You probably got her traumatized. For all we know, she's digging out right now."

"She won't escape. I made this place a labyrinth maze. Walls will silently grow to give unauthorized entries a way back to the entrance."

After a moment of scroll reading, she turns her head to Runeplate through her shoulder, and sees him talking to the golem in an unknown language. Noticing the glare from her, he looked back at her "She's here." he the looked on the cave opening "Rarity, you seemed fully recurperated. Come in, I'll tell you all you need to know."

Slowly emerging from the shadow, mane and coat are dusty and her body is tired from seemingly endless walking, Rarity posed back to her lady-like gesture, trotting in and taking a seat the golem made for her. "Glad that you came to your senses, assuming if you'd make any right now."

He glared at her with serious eyes, "No time must be wasted, Rarity. If you want to get out of my hold, sit down there and listen to me."

He raised a hoof to Sand Nitens, signalling her to prepare something as he's about to start. "Prepare for a long tutorial. Prepare yourself for lessons of your lifetime. Listen very carefully since I won't repeat anything." Sitting beside the rocky figure, Rarity felt that she's watching the past showmare's boastful performance again back in Ponyville few months ago.

"I assume you stopped studying magic after graduating from Ponyville High and never bothered learning higher levels. Pursued your dreams in fashion, make a name to the nobles, big timers, and royalties of Equestria." he made a big step closer to Rarity, "Your passion for fashion consists of jewels and precious stones, am I right?" She nods. "Now, another lesson. Mana." Mana is theorized as an energy within one's body; living, undead and even lifeless like my golem. It's a phenominal energy that supports magic-- magic of all ponies and of all races. Even Sand Nitens, an earth pony from the east desert, who's able to manipulate the mana within her body. Sadly, there are limits. Only gifted earth ponies or pegasi can use mana but only within the range of their specialty, such as Sand cannot use any basic level like short-distance teleportation... but, she's able to use top-level dust manipulations and illusion with powders easily..." Sand scoffed, taking it as an insult.

"...but unicorns and alicorns can learn basic magic easily. Telekinesis, light telepathy, short-distant blink, lesser magic missiles, the list can go on. But, what sets our talents in magic from anypony is the top-tier specialization within ourselves. Fancypants can summon dark entities like his butler, Slendermane. Starswirl the Bearded can travel from place to place through pausing time, and he's also a pioneer in chronomagic. The two princesses can move such large bodies of the cosmos. For all we know Celestia can send the sun down to burn everything, or Luna make the stars rain down and devastate as she please. I know they won't do that, I'm just implying the possibilities."

He pointed his hoof to Rarity "Unicorns with such abilities, just like you. Did you know there's more in your magic than what you knew? You can actually multiply the micro-crystals of any gems, in exponetial speed but with limited quantity. You can make a near-exact duplicate of any gem you like, just like a spell in superior alchemy... Remember that drill you used against me? I took it back to my suite to study on, after we cleaned up your shop. It's all composed of common and rare gems from your shop, and the kind of duplicates that can fool an average appraiser. Fascinating, really, and you're not utilizing that ability at all... and no, I'm not teaching you how to decieve, I'm teaching you that there's more to know about your ability."

"This is why I don't want to learn more kind of magic. I don't need such power. I'm a fashionista, for Photo Finish's sake, not a magical barbarian. I also do not want to decieve my clients with false items on their dresses neither."

He walks few steps toward Rarity."I-I just..." he closes his eyes, slightly snarls, and walks away from her.

He looks at her, "Stand up from your seat." He points her to an engraved magic circle in the middle of the cave. "Stay there." He lit his horn and stamped a rune down from his hoof. A stalagmite consisting of rocks and crystals creeped up between them. Runeplate puts down a gem familiar to both of them.

"Is that the Warlock's Bloodstone?"

"Yes."

Gazing on the stone, she feels an uncomfortable feeling that something is not right. "Why did you bring it he--" gasping from sudden suspected intention by the gray stallion "You wouldn't?!"

Runeplate stamped another rune after her mumble, and before she can react to it, four small blocks of rock below Rarity locked her hooves in place. She tried to struggle out of the locks but the rocks are bound solid to the ground.

"I thought you're just a marshmallow with fanaticism in fashion but you're smart, too. The myth is true. I transferred the warlock's soul into another soulstone and offered it as a dinner to the dragon in Simaren Square. It's where boats and airships which tried to cross the perimeter, without a trace, never returned." he chuckled shortly, "It's amusing, really. I made it out alive. They should rename it the 'Sea Dragon's Nest' since all those boats and ships were just destroyed by the nesting dragon there." he laughed short after again, "It's where I took the Deep Sea Emerald, too."

He positioned himself on smaller circle, in front of the stalagmite holding the bloodstone, and Rarity. He took a deep breathe and shouted a commanding call for his assistant. "Sand... Where's the manequinn?" He walks out of the cave room.

"Manequinn?" whispers to herself. The word stiffens her body, and of fear of death storms in her mind. What if the tranfer fails? What if he may not be able to return my soul back to my beautiful body? Will I be his slave forever? What if... *gasp* ...the manequinn is ugly!? Recollecting herself from a dreaded thought, she tries to struggle again her way out. Snapping few spikes from the stalagmite, she needles down few shards, trying to at least chip the stone locks to give her hope of escaping. All but bounced here and away, and few slight cut her legs.

"Rarity, your new body-- Huh?" Seeing the wounding struggle of the white mare, he rushed and shouted to Rarity. "Rarity! Stop it! Don't hurt yourself."

Alerted by his voice and approach, she dropped all the levitated spikes away. "Sorry... I... I just want to go. I don't want to die." but her plead were only exchanged by a hard slap to her cheek.

"Do you know what you're doing!? You may kill yourself through bleeding; you may also compromise my hideout with the smell of your blood. I don't want any blood nor wound in this place!" She has never seen such anger from a pony before. His voice echoed every word throughout the tunnels. The volume of his rage strucks fear, even Sand Nitens haven't speak for her in that moment. He snorted in rage, then trots away from her. He breathes heavily after all the shouts to the scared mare. She wanted to cry, but her mind tells her not to, that it may only induce more anger to Runeplate. "Sand. Prepare the manequinn on that circle. Let's get this over with once I regain my concentration. Heal her while I'm gone." With a dim glow from his horn, he unlocks the stones holding Rarity's hooves. Rarity falls tired and racing her breathing for air.

He stopped for a moment, looking back to Rarity. "If you want to return to a bloodless corpse by the time we return here," finally walking out of the room, "...please, do tell after the ritual. I'll slit your neck myself."

Silence throughout the room, Sand takes a peek on the tunnels to see if he's gone with the shadows. She sighed and approached Rarity. She find her weeping on the ground. Her sympathy for the sad pony made her drop few tears. She pulled Rarity up and gave her a hug, wishing this could calm her down. "I'm sorry. He always lose himself when he gets angry or when something... well, someone he cares about get hurt."

"He cares... about me?"

She releases her hug and wept a tear to Rarity's eye. Brushed her mane to its usual side "Actually, yes." the generous mare paused for a moment and looked at her eyes. "I'll tell you a little secret. We're tomb raiders. We find the rarest of all gems just like the six gems he gave you. But the remaining six are the most difficult, even his item-finder spell didn't give him clues of the whereabouts." She reaches a nearby bag full of pouches, plants and herbs. "He gets frustrated over the set that he brought mercernaries on his missions. Most of them died in the process of finding the first half of the set. One group had betrayed him and took a rare soulstone in attempt to sell it for themselves." She takes a mortar and pestle, poured few powders and herbs on the bowl. "That event had ended my life." She starts pounding the bowl's content. "Well... only my body." she shrugs like it was nothing and continued mixing.

Rarity lays her back on a wall near Sand. "How are you still living?"

She smiled at her, "I'm fused to this manequinn." she took a jar of water and poured on the bowl of mixture. Rarity looked at her, trying to believe what she said. She put down the bowl and looks back at her. "Here, I'll show you but this might be a scary reveal. Promise me, don't shout, don't get too startled. You don't want Mister Angryhooves comes back with a flaming mane, do you?" followed by a silent chuckle. Rarity smiles back, takes a deep breath and nods.

She opened up her chest's skin: no blood, no guts, nothing can be seen but a boulder shaped like a chest with a hole in the center, supposedly where the heart should be. The hole is surrounded by small faintly glowing rune letters, followed by few more letters on the four sides of her chest. Within the hole, a red orb pulses a bright glow surrounded by more runes on its surface. Rarity's eyes widens and sparkles in amazement. Instead of fearing the sight of flesh, she feels fascination to the beauty of the orb. She grins a wide one, first time in Sand's point of view. Not what Sand had expected after opening herself to her... literally.

"It's beautiful. It's glowing like a newborn baby Ifrit. Calm, yet so full of life. So... lovely."

She closes the skin back and rubs it clean. "That stolen soulstone saved me, along with his rune expertise. It was unethical to transfer a soul to an inanimate object, they say-- but thanks to him, I'm still alive." She grabs the bowl up and reaches it to Rarity. "Drink this. It will instantly heal your wounds. It will leave scars but this will have to do."

Rarity took a deep breath, hoping for a better taste than the last medicine. She made one gulp of the potion, same bitterness with a pinch of itchiness on the throat. She coughs the scratching sensation, and sticks her tongue out in disgust. Sand Nitens finds it amusing, otherwise, and laughs out loud. Rarity chuckles slightly back.

Sand calms herself with a deep breath and put a hoof on Rarity's cheek. "His actions can be harsh most of the time, but believe me: He doesn't want you to get hurt."

"I believe you." likewise, putting her hoof on Sand's hoof.

She stands up and rubs herself off of dirt and starts trotting outside. "Alright, time to check Runeplate. See if he calmed himself down. You rest your body and mind for the transfer."

Those words about believing in Runeplate gave her confidence and relief with hope. Now, she feels determined to help Runeplate, only if he agrees to her planned proposal.

***

Chapter 4

The night of the performance. Spotlights all around the venue. Twisting, turning and dancing fireworks of the Blastcolts Fireworks & Explosives Co. Mediaponies huddling and pushing one another just to get a shot of picture and interview of each and every celebrities and big-time big-names of Equestria. Dresses and suits at it's best, gowns lusters beauty and coat suits brings out the stallion from within. Luxurous carriages pulled over the red carpets on the three entrances of the Canterlot Open Field Dome.

Inside of one of the carriages, Rarity, dressed in her most fabulous gown for such occasion, is trying to calm herself from all the excitement. She never felt so fabulous in her life. Every minute she thinks of anypony who might be there, the exhilirating feeling seems to steal her words, speechless even of just saying a single name and would just squeal in joy. As for Runeplate, in a simple getup of pitch black suit with white, thin stripes; a wide, black baron hat, with a small hole in the middle to give way for the horn; additionally, his garnet Rune Gaia on the collar, crafted and embedded by Rarity.

Sitting up straight like a noble pony he is, Runeplate gaze upon the light filled towers and dome, and the twitching camera flashes on the road. "Rarity. I know you're excited but mind the noble's etiquettes. You don't do that even if you've been friends with anypony you know; even the two princesses, Ms. Fleur nor Fancypants."

"Yes... Yes, I know that. I just can't handle all the excitement I'm feeling right now. Don't worry about me, I can be lady-like without making such a fuss. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll let all my excitement out so you won't feel... embarrassed." she squeed right after. "I feel so sweet and elite! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I'll meet Mr. Fancypants again!!!" hooves folded and shaking, giggling in so much glee.

Their carriage stops, as the valet opens, the loud cheers and calls from the people outside the red carpet's barricade wail throughout the place. They trot out like celebrities, standing still for a while, waving to the cheering crowd. A reporter had butt-in over their path to the dome "Oh! Oh! Mr. Plate! Can we have a word with you? For your ever following newspaper, the Big Greenapple Times." he smirks at Rarity as if he has something in mind.

"Sure... I'm just treating this lady pony I met in Ponyville. Come, Rarity, be in the cover of my favorite paper in the morning." She's just staring at the camera, not even posing because of stiffed legs caused by the tense feeling.

"Y-Yes... OK. What do I do now?"

"Just stand closer with Mr. Plate and smile with him. There... Nice and easy." He sets up the camera "OK, you lovely couple, smile in three, two--"

Another pony barged in and tipping the cameraman, "Mr. Plate...! From For Mares' View Magazine, I've been following you since the day you got popular, and I can guess what you two are, like the other celebrity mares, and here's my question: How long have you been dating?!"

Rarity gasped from the absurd question. In a quick thought, she would never date such a betraying stallion like him. She tried to walk to the interviewer and give him a scold to deny the query but Runeplate stretched his forehoof and talks to the news colt "We're not actually dating. We're just best friends catching up some old time."

"Yeah... suuuure." giving him a wink and a creepy grin like he meant something. He tips his hat, grabs his pen and writes down on his pad. "Alright then. I'll cook this up in the press right away for you, Mr. Plate." and he galloped away leaving the two being called by other ponies of the press.

"The press... What can you do...?" smirked by Runeplate followed by Rarity's smile. "You'll get used to it, even just for tonight."

Finally inside after few more barge-in of the media, they're finally inside the VIP area up above the dome. Over the bowl-shaped balcony, three hundred feet from ground level in the middle of the dome; the whole venue can be spectated by the VIPs. 360-degrees in bird's eye view. Only the steel beam supports, and glass panes per frame of it are what keeping them above all the ponies inside All below are looking up to them like gods have visited Canterlot for the musical performance. Popular columnists of the newspapers and magazines; actors and actresses of blockbuster movie; even political personalities are inside. Rarity can't hold the breathtaking feeling, giggling uncontrollably with a hardly suppressed grin from ear to ear. "Rarity..." nudged by Runeplate's elbow. Seeing his serious glare, she remembers what they talked about in the carriage. She coughed to calm herself, and pose a lady-like gesture. Chin up, trot straight and no attention-calling emotions. Calm... just be calm... says to herself. As they walk together, few eyes gaze upon them like they're the love birds of the century. She can almost hear their murmurs.

What a couple! Has Mr. Plate really finally found his love?

Is that Miss Rarity from Ponyville? Oh my, she is Miss Rarity, and he's dating Mr. Runeplate.

I can't believe it, the gem elitist and the youngest fashionista in the same room and seemingly dating? Such an unlikely pair!

I think they're a better couple than that upcoming royal wedding between the Princess Celestia's niece and the Royal Guard Captain.

She can feel the attentions towards them, it's like the last time where she was suppose to make Twilight's best birthday dress, but it's different now. No responsibility on hold, no promise can be broken, there is nothing to do but socialize.

Then, greetings from few fashion designers call her name. Hoity Toity was the first to welcome her.

"Hello, Miss Rarity! I see you still keep your fashion in order. You still amuse my picky eyes you know. Now, if I may propose right away, join my crew of fashion. Let's create designs that would jawdrop the apples out of the audience and other teams." a silent fancy chuckles came out.

"Oh, Toity, you're such a charmer." walking from behind, a mare glares at him. Dressed with her signature footwear of fairly sharp heels, walks past Toity and bowed down to greet Rarity. "Well, Miss Rarity. It is nice to see you in person. I've been dying to meet you face-to-face, you know."

"M-Misis Stiletto?! Well, I-uhm..." her presence stole the words from his mouth.

"Well, I'm honored to meet one of my inspirations to my works. Your concept on the sharp-pointed heels give me the idea to balance the number of embedded gems and its host dress, as how you make your models balance themselves over those heels while walking in a thin glass runway." she pulled Runeplate to her side. "Look at my design for this stallion. See the darkness of his suit? Too dark isn't it? but the white stripes gave way to lighten up his stature. It shows his stallion-ness just as he is. I even embedded is birthstone on his collar to give way for his strong identity."

"I can see that, Miss Rarity. I'm no expert in suits but I find your date alluring, and now more alluring with his outfit. Only if I'm not old and married. Ohohoh..."

"Heh... You really know how to look on a stallion, Mrs. Stiletto." followed by another creepy giggle from the old mare.

Not far from their back, several flashes of light caught their attention "Vell, Miss Rarity... Vee have meet again." Over-sized purple shades, white groomed mane, dress of purple and magenta, and a rather different accent from other ponies. Photo Finish and her crew blinds the crowd with their high-powered cameras, as if the sun itself shines on every click.

"Ms. Finish, mind your cameramen." scolded by Stiletto. A raised of a hoof from Photo Finish stopped the flashes.

"Zhere... Anyvay... Miss Rarity, I see you're dating Mr. Runeplate." then she closes her head to her, put her hoof on her shoulder and mumbled an unexpected question from her "Vat is your secret? Of all ze fillies and mares, he chose you to bring here."

"Well, Ms. Finish, there's really nothing between us. I had a grudge on him and he wants me to forgive him from his past mistakes. It was unforgivable, I tell you... but I'm giving him a chance."

"Really... And I thought he's about to marry a filly. Such a shame you don't vant him. Vell, I do..." giggled from what she said "Zon't tell him, OK?" she walks few steps away and summons her cameramen in a position for a focused picture-taking. "Miss Rarity, Mister Runeplate, mind if I take a picture of us together?"

"Of course, Photo Finish."

"So many mares really... uhm... like you." whispered but Rarity while gesturing on every pose-call of camera-enthusiastic mare.

"Money and charm. That's all."

Several flashes are fired, one last shot was from a polaroid camera.

She's glad she meets few people she wanted to see, but that's not all of them. Little by little, more nobles populate the crowd between Rarity. She feels can't handle them all; all the questions and talks from different ponies. She's drowning from the attention. She can't answer all of them, neither can't talk to just one pony, the pressure of the attention is getting heavy that she may explode and break the calmness of herself, flail away from all the excitement... What can she do right now?

Saved by the bell, or rather by the announcer:

"Greetings, ladies and gentlecolts, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna! Thanks for all your patience and presence to the annual performance of Canterlot Symphony Orchestra. Let us not wait any longer! Lead by our own Coltgang Appledeus, lead composer and the conductor for tonight's show... Let's give our hooves for the CANTERLOT. SYMPHONY. ORCHESTRA!!!"

The conductor taps his board, sign to ready themselves. His baton starts to wave around with tempos as the instruments follow the leading hands.

"Rarity, have a good time here. I must go for now." he left her in the crowd.

"What? Where are--" a noble interrupted her inviting her to a tea party tomorrow. Followed by an invitation to a gallery exhibit, but she ignored them and chased Runeplate to the doorway. "Excuse me, I need to talk to him."

"There. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll see if I can have a small access to the Library of Runes in the castle. Enjoy the show while I'm gone."

"You're leaving? Where are you going?"

"I told you, at the Library of Runes. See you in four hours."

"You'll gonna leave me here?"

"Don't you like your type of heaven?"

"Yes, but, why leaving so suddenly?"

"I'm not... ugh..." putting his hoof between his eyes, "Look. I'll be doing something in the library. Nothing's gonna go wrong or whatever that you might think of. I'm just visiting my ancestors' archives. Additionally, it should be a surprise to you but, I'm gonna teach you some advance magic that suits your potential."

Dumbfounded of what he said "Teach me magic? Well, I--" she paused for a moment, recollecting that seemingly familar feeling in her. She pulled his head closer and whispered "What are you up to this time?!"

"Rarity?" a familiar mare's voice echoed through her memories. She turned her head and pushed Runeplate's away. A rather slender mare greet her with her very presence. She squeed in glee.

"FLEUR DE LIS!" giving her a hug and a light kiss on each cheek. "How are you? Where's Mr. Fancypants?"

"I'm fine, dear, and he's right here. Oh, and hello, Rune." giving him an alluring gaze, she slitherly trots behind Fancypants' neck and snuggles it. Fleur invited them to their reserved seat, table served with lavish delicacies only given to royalties and nobles.

"Rarity, my little fashionista from Ponyville." his voice stopped her heart for a while. Her eyes sparkled and grin stretched from glee, her friend of royalty stands before her. They sat down and had few reminiscence.

"I would never forget how you saved me last time. I really feel I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Royalty or friends, it's really hard."

"Of course, even if you are from a non-noble place, such talent should not be clouded with arrogant judgements. I should know, many noble are like that. I'm really proud of how you showed them that you can set aside your status quo when it comes to your friends." pausing for a sip of his tea "I say my Rarity, I would like to get to know your very energetic pony."

"Rainbow Dash?"

"No, the pink one."

"Pinkie Pie? Oh yes, she really is energetic. She never runs out of sugar in her system." followed by small laughs from both of them.

Not long while enjoying their small conversation, "Hello, Fancy." Runeplate greets with arrogantly smile.

"Greetings, Rune..." a rather small grin given in return and quickly turned his head back to Rarity as if he didn't want to talk to him.

"Come on, don't be mean. It's a bet, remember? You just played the game I'm really good at. Yes I almost gave you an injury but hey, we had fun, right?"

"Well, the bet is not the reason I am still mad at you. You almost killed me after your Rune Golem decimated my Slendermane. You seemed to try to maim me, too, my friend."

"I told you, I was really sorry. I got too excited."

"Slendermane? You can call that haunting spirit?"

"Actually my dear, Slendie is really not a 'haunting' spirit. He's a very kind entity, contrary to his dark and scary posture, and he's my family's butler. He really makes a good tea, I must add. All those sightings of a dark spirit you read on newspapers are probably lost souls, much like Slendie perhaps."

"He's also the best massager we know. His tentacle mane really does the job well done, espcially on the hind legs." Fleur added.

Runeplate feels this is his cue, he stands without looking at anypony, "Rarity, have a good time with my friend."

"You really are leaving me here."

"I will comeback. Don't worry, you got Fancy here if things may go wrong." finally had the chance to walk away before Rarity could stop him.

Fancypants reached for Rarity's hoof to comfort her. "Don't mind him, dear. He always visit the library whenever he's in Canterlot."

"Oh... Why didn't he say so."

"He's always strange in some point. Even I, a long time friend, still don't understand him. If he never comes back, you got my place, or even Princess Celestia's, to stay in." but it is not leaving her alone what she's worried about.

His carriage stops at the front of the castle's library, two storeys below the throne room. Reaching the library's doorway, he's halted by two guards by crossing their halberds, he showed his family's heraldic badge. They quickly recognized it and opened up the path before him.

Inside the library, he finds the head librarian, up this late, reading. Without any introduction other than a loud opening to the door, he talked as if he's commanding the mare. "Open the pathway. I need to practice few new rune spells."

Suddenly, she closed the book, looked at him with a serious glare "You almost had Luna caught us with that earthquake last time, if I hadn't used my hallucinating powders, we'll be in jail. The Avarice Mine is forbidden for anyone since then."

"Yeah, good call on those Moleworm illus--." a slam on the desk cuts Runeplate's sentence.

"Do you even know what you were doing back there?! I saved your plot from the Princesses' guards and what? Leave me here?! I'm not a unicorn who can just teleport away." but he has nothing to say... for now.

Slowly stepping in the counter, approaching the librarian. "Last time I visited here, you were reading something... explicit. Didn't know such a quiet and witty mare reads a book about restraints and ropes." suddenly he pushes her to the shelves and hold her hooves to her back. "You don't want them to catch you here tied and drowned of your own sweat, do you?" her breathing picked up its pace, feeling tense in their position, her heart doubled its beat, beads of sweat drip from her forehead, her vision blurs. She suppose not to feel good, but her body seems to enjoy the restraining pleasure.

She would give in to the sensation but her mind keeps her from submitting. "Alright! Fine! I'll open it. Just... stop!" he then let go of her hooves, gave her space to breath. Chasing air, she regain vision and consciousness of herself.

"I know you will." Runeplate walks away heading to a trapdoor behind the counter.

Inside the room, the librarian hold a jar on her mouth, carefully pouring it on the engraved letters surrounding the trapdoor. "When they locked this trapdoor, they enchanted the whole room and the pathway in a lockdown. I tried once to unlock it, but the encryption is too strong. The locker's algorithm in the spell has almost surpass my hacking alchemy. Even you may not be able to open this." She takes out a pouch and pour the dust on her hoof, blowing it unto the trapdoor. The dust swirled and curled in the air, drawing hidden ancient letters written from the trapdoor's frame. "I'm sort of disappointed he didn't encrypted the first set of the pattern well enough. Unlock this, I can unlock all of them with ease."

She started to whisper unknown words, making the patterns move, rearranging to the chant of her voice. She took another pouch and waved it on the dusty air. The enchanting mare took a deep breath, stretched her forehooves in half-circle and shouted "Unlock!". All of the dust, including the powder in the engravings, swirl upward like a gust, slowly coming together, it imploded into nothing but star-like glitters. The trapdoor opens itself, leading to a very dark pathway.

"Impressive." Suddenly trotting away from the librarian, "Keep this away from anypony. I'm bringing in a friend to practice with."

"What? You could've just brought that pony here and make me do the lockpicking."

"And let her see more of my secrets? No."

He's already gone when she chased him outside, as if he was never there. She only saw the carriage galloping back to the dome.

***