The Artifact

Twilight sighed happily as she sipped her tea. It was a gorgeous day in Ponyville. A gorgeous day for studying, that is. A hard rain pelted the windows of her treehouse as she pulled out a couple of her older manuscripts, many of which she had written herself. She furrowed her brow as she read through what little information she had on a mysterious object that had eluded her for years: an object known only as The Artifact. All she knew was that this Artifact was buried somewhere in the Everfree Forest...if the legends were true. That was all she had to work with on this project: legends. It burned her that she was so lost, without guidance. No, it tore her apart. She had obsessed over The Artifact for seven years. Every break she got from studying the magic of Friendship was spent in the Library studying The Artifact.  Her interest in the Artifact had sparked eleven years prior, when she was still a filly under Celestia's wing. It was the reason she had opened that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies and stumbled across the information about the Elements of Harmony. She used her magic to flip one of her personal manuscripts open to reveal an ancient scroll: One older than Celestia herself. Twilight, after several years of constant study, had fully translated it. Unfortunately, a portion of the scroll was missing, leaving her translation incomplete. She sighed as she read her translation of the text. It had been years since she had successfully translated the mysterious scroll, and to that day she still hadn't learned anything from it.

Only after enduring the trials of following The Way is one permitted access to

Twilight groaned aloud.

"Ugh, access to WHAT!?"

In the back of her mind she knew. She knew the moment she found the ancient scroll what it those last three words were. They were the true name of The Artifact.

The Artifact had eluded Twilight for years. She had searched through every book she had in her library about magic, ancient idols, even weapons of past civilizations to discover just what this "Artifact" was, and where she could find it.

"Maybe if I think back to when I first learned about it, something will stand out." Twilight thought aloud. She breathed deeply, exhaled, and closed her eyes...

"Princess Celestia! Princess Celestia!" The little lavender filly called out. The Princess gave her a stern look.

"Remember Twilight, we're supposed to be quiet in libraries."

Twilight lowered her head sadly.

"I'm sorry, Princess. I guess I forgot." As quickly as the guilt came, it left as Twilight lifted her head, eyes sparkling and an ear to ear grin on her face. "I just wanted to tell you that I found something to read tonight! It's a book, and it looks really really old!"

Princess Celestia let out a warm chuckle. She lowered herself to the floor of the library and lifted a wing.

"What do you say we read it right now?" The Princess asked. Twilight's eyes grew wide with joy.

"Really?! Right now?!"

Princess Celestia chuckled again at the filly's excitement.

"Of course, Twilight. Come now, let's see that book."

Twilight galloped to the Princess' side and snuggled in next to her. Celestia then wrapped her wing tight around the filly's form and used her magic to pry open the musty pages. As soon as she opened the book, a withered piece of parchment fell from inside. Intrigued, she levitated the parchment so she could better read it. She raised an eyebrow when she found text that even she couldn't read.

Twilight's eyes were wide with fascination. She had never seen such fancy writing before! Well, maybe she couldn't read it, but there was no doubt in her mind that Princess Celestia could!

"What's it say, Princess?" Twilight asked, her voice full of energy. Princess Celestia just sat and stared at the page. She was, for the first time in almost a thousand years, completely stumped. Celestia had never seen anything like the text she was staring at. She hadn't even seen anything similar from any point in history that she could compare it to! It was as if it came from a civilization that existed before time itself.

"I...honestly don't know, Twilight."

Twilight's jaw dropped. That couldn't be right! Princess Celestia, not knowing something? That was just silly.

"But you know everything, Princess Celestia!" Twilight exclaimed, to which the Princess chuckled.

"Nopony, even myself, knows everything. Even my extra experience in this world hasn't taught me everything. But this...This has to be even older than I am! And that's saying something."

Twilight scrunched her nose as she tried to read the words. After a while, she got an idea.

"Maybe if I read it enough times, I'll figure it out! Can I have it, Princess Celestia?"

Celestia chuckled again. Her student's enthusiasm always warmed her heart. And although strange, this was just an old piece of parchment. It was likely something of little or no importance. Twilight would spend a couple of days trying to figure it out, forget it existed, and then Celestia could take it for the Royal Archives where it belonged without Twilight ever noticing.

"Yes, Twilight, you may have it."

Twilight looked at Celestia with wide eyes and an open mouthed smile.

"Oh thank you thank you thank you Princess Celestia!"

Princess Celestia smiled.

"Of course, Twilight."

Twilight hugged Celestia and turned to the parchment with a look of grim determination, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed tightly together as she studied the ancient document. Celestia had to stifle a laugh at the look on Twilight's face.

"I wonder what it says." Twilight said after a couple minutes of scrutinizing the page.

"As do I." Princess Celestia responded.

"Well, I'm going to find out!" Twilight exclaimed, her grin matching her enthusiasm. Princess Celestia smiled warmly.

"I know you will, Twilight."

Twilight let out an explosive groan. No matter how many times she went back to that day, no matter how hard she tried to remember something new, there was never anything new. It was the same scene, time and time and time again. She decided to think to the times afterwards when the Artifact was brought up in conversation. She smirked when she remembered showing the Princess her correct translation of the first few words of the scroll. Celestia had been so astonished she tasked Twilight with the sole honor of translating the document, and anyone who tried to take over the task would have to face the crown. But that memory was useless to Twilight at the moment. Like all the other memories, it didn't turn up anything new for her to work with. Nothing to help her solve this mystery that had been tormenting her for years. She was nearing her breaking point on this endeavor entirely, and feared that it wouldn't be long before she gave up on it entirely.

"Ugh!" Twilight groaned aloud. "What am I missing?!"

"Twilight!" Spike called out from their bedroom. Twilight sighed. She could use a break from dead ends anyway.

"Yes, Spike?" She called back. She could hear his footsteps as he ran down the steps to where Twilight lay.

"I found a book!"

Twilight raised an eyebrow.

"You found a book?" She asked quizzically.

"Yeah!" Spike's voice was full of enthusiasm. Twilight facehoofed.

"Spike...we're in a library. Of course you found a book. They're all over the place in here."

"No Twilight, it's a book I've never seen before! I know where every book in this library is, and even if I didn't I wouldn't have missed a book this old!"

Twilight's eyebrow raised even further, this time being an involuntary reflex. She shook her head. Stranger things were known to happen in Ponyville.

"Well, okay. Let's read it." Twilight suggested. Spike happily walked over to her and sat down. Twilight looked at the book with her mouth agape. She had never seen a book so old in her life! It was leatherbound, the cover faded and cracked. The cover bore no words or pictures to hint at what was inside. She opened it with her magic, and to her surprise, the text inside, although not quite the same as that of the scroll, was similar enough that she could guess it had evolved from the same language used in the scroll.

"Spike..." Twilight began, still unable to believe her eyes. "Where did you find this?"

Spike shrugged.

"It was actually with your personal astronomy books. I found it while I was organizing them for you to use tomorrow night."

Twilight couldn't help but smile at his diligence, but she quickly returned her attention to the book. There was much more important things to deal with right now. She flipped through the pages with her magic, and eventually fell across a map. She was about to turn the page again, but she couldn't help but to gaze for a little longer. A map was something she could read, although the legend and the compass would need to be translated, as well as the map key. She gathered that it was a map of a portion of the Everfree Forest, ancient though it may be, and one thing stood out to her. One thing that yanked her jaw straight to the floor.

"Spike...that castle...it's the ancient Royal Palace! The first place where Celestia and Luna ruled together! But the Princess said this writing was older than her...Spike, what could this mean?"

Outside of Twilight's library, the storm raged on. The dark skies and heavy rainfall left almost no visibility. The weather team hadn't planned for the storm to be so powerful, and had no explanation why it wouldn't let up. And due to the heavy storm, nopony in the entire town noticed the dragon standing outside of Twilight's library. Larger than any of his kind, with scales as black as the sky around him. His emerald eyes seemed to pierce the souls of any who gazed into them, causing even the most powerful of rulers to fall to their knees before him. Even the falling rain respected his authority, and altered it's path as to avoid making any contact with the mighty creature. He smiled as Twilight began to decipher the map inside the book. The book he had left for her.

"Many years ago, I gave you a gift. The time has come for you to understand that gift. Twilight Sparkle, the time has come for you to carry out your destiny."

The dragon closed his eyes, and inside the library Twilight's horn began to glow. As quickly as the glow came, it left. The dragon heard a surprised shriek from inside. He smiled as he turned and flew off. At long last, he could truly begin his work with her. As soon as he was outside of the storm's farthest reach, he relinquished his control over it. Within seconds, the rain ceased entirely and the clouds dissipated. He had no more need of it as it was. His work in Ponyville was complete. It was up to Twilight to finish what he had started.

"Twilight?! Twilight, what is it?!" Spike asked, his eyes wide with concern. Twilight shook her head and blinked her eyes, trying to refocus herself.

"I...I don't know. I...used magic? But that doesn't...make..." Twilight's gaze fell back towards the book that lay open before her. She cocked her head to the side, and her eyes went wide with surprise.

"Twilight?" Spike asked, concern mostly replaced by confusion.

"I...I think..." Twilight levitated a quill and piece of parchment over to her and got to work. "If I put that there...Move that over like that...Spike, this is encrypted! If I can just...Yes, that works there...Ugh, what am I missing?" She began to groan, but her eyes quickly fell upon the scroll she had found so many years ago. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.

"What is it, Twi?" Spike asked, excitement creeping into his wide smile. He knew how long Twilight had been working to find the elusive Artifact, and every time she found another clue he was as joyful as she was.

"Spike, it's a key! The scroll is an encryption key!" Twilight exclaimed while levitating the scroll over to where she lay. She set it down next to the book and nodded.

"Well, I've got a day ahead of me! I'd better get to work! You want to help?" She asked Spike, knowing full well that he'd be all over a chance to work with her.

"I'll go get some snacks ready!" Spike called as he ran towards the kitchen.

"Who?"

Twilight chuckled as Owliscious took a perch on her shoulder.

"Yes, Owliscious, you can help too."

"You've read the mission reports, Shining Armor?" Celestia asked as she stepped into his office. She was always strictly business when it came to Wraith operations. The sooner she could stop talking about the necessary evils of ruling her nation, the sooner she could pretend they didn't exist. Shining Armor sighed as he set down the very report she inquired about.

"Yes." He responded bitterly. "Thirty seven hostiles and seventy eight civilians dead. An architect unjustly blacklisted, two point nine million bits in damages, and massive transportation blocks due to wreckage in the streets. So far four of the workers tasked with cleaning up have been injured due to loose rubble falling on top of them. Every one of them is in the hospital." He paused after his recount and took a deep breath. "Asset and weapon retrieved. Mission accomplished." With his magic, he tossed the mission reports into a fireplace behind his desk. Neither he nor the Princess watched as the flames engulfed the small portfolio containing the one and only record of any government involvement in the recent building collapse in Manehatten. "Records destroyed."

Celestia nodded. No hint of emotion crossed her stone cold features through the entire exchange.

"Good." She said flatly. She jumped as Shining Armor slammed his hoof against his desk.

"Good? GOOD?! DAMMIT, CELESTIA, THEY KILLED MORE THAN TWICE AS MANY CIVILIANS AS THEY DID REBELS! IT'S NOT GOOD, IT'S A DAMNED DISGRACE!" Shining Armor shouted as he stood on his back hooves and planted his front hooves on his desk. Fire burned in his eyes as he met Celestia's outraged stare. "YOU SHOULD LEAVE MILITARY AFFAIRS TO ME! AT LEAST I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!"

"YOU WILL WATCH YOURSELF WHEN YOU SPEAK TO ME, SHINING ARMOR!" Celestia roared back. "YOU MAY ADVISE ME IN MILITARY AFFAIRS, BUT YOU WILL NOT QUESTION MY AUTHORITY FOR ANY REASON, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"

Shining Armor didn't blink through Celestia's entire reprimand, but he still knew his place. Still seething, he lowered himself back to his chair behind his desk.

"Of course, Princess." He forced through gritted teeth. "I don't mean to force you out the door, but I have a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it. So if you'd be so kind, I'd like to get on top of it." He tried not to growl, but he failed miserably. Celestia simply nodded. More than a thousand years of rule had allowed her the ability to regain her composure almost instantly after losing her temper, and she wasn't about to let this same old argument with Shining Armor prevent her from keeping herself in check.

"Of course, Shining Armor. I'm sure you'd like to get home to Cadence before one in the morning. Have a good evening."

Shining Armor simply nodded his reply. Celestia accepted that as enough of a pleasantry considering the recent chain of events, and turned to leave. As she opened the door and stepped outside, she was surprised to see Cadence, eyes wide and mouth agape.

"Oh, Cadence! I didn't expect you to be dropping by today. How are you?" Celestia bore a warm smile as she greeted her niece. Cadence blinked.

"Is everything okay, Princess?" Cadence asked.

"It's nothing to worry about, Cadence." Celestia's smile remained warm, but something about it warned Cadence not to press the issue any further. Cadence simply nodded.

"Well, I'm going to check up on Shining Armor, see what time he'll be home." Cadence informed Celestia. Celestia nodded.

"A visit from you would do him some good. He's been rather tense today." With that, Celestia slowly turned and walked away. Cadence hurried into Shining Armor's office. Shining Armor seemed shocked to see her.

"Cadence?" He asked.

"Shining Armor, what just happened? I heard you and my Aunt yelling at each other, and-"

"How much did you hear?" Shining Armor interrupted. Cadence was surprised at his unusually abrasive behavior, but anything that could get him to yell at Princess Celestia had to be enough to keep him in a less than pleasant mood.

"Nothing that wasn't muffled by the walls. I couldn't really make out anything. But if it was loud enough to carry through those walls than something really bad must've happened. Shining Armor, is everything alright? Did something happen?" Cadence asked, her features wrought with worry. Shining Armor got up and rested his head against his wife's shoulder. He heaved a long sigh as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to be comforted.

"Everything's fine, Cadence. Today's just one of those days where I really hate my job."

Why do we, of all the teams in Canterlot right now, get stiffed with watching Shining Armor today? Angel complained over the telepathic link. We're high risk infiltration operatives, not foalsitters.

Especially after having a mission last night. Stinger added. Not to mention the stallion we're foalsitting has been trying to have us disbanded the entire time he's had his post. Fire, can't you get us a better post during the day?

That's enough. You can complain later, right now we're here because we were ordered to be here. Arcane reprimanded his squad. The Princess saved each of our lives, it's only right that we return the favor by doing what she orders us to do. Besides, the two of you never have any problem watching the Princesses.

Of course we don't have a problem watching the Princesses, we actually like them! Angel snapped back. Princess Celestia saved our lives, and Princess Luna created our outfit more than a century ago!

Actually, Nightmare Moon created our outfit in an attempt to assassinate Princess Celestia. Stinger responded, chuckling at the irony. After banishing Nightmare Moon, Princess Celestia found the first Wraiths and gave them the choice to join her or die. Being loyal to Nightmare Moon, they were killed and Celestia chose the next generation of Wraiths, calling them her elite guard.

Didn't ask for a history lesson, Stinger. Angel retorted. Stinger grinned.

I'm still going to give you one.

Shut up, I learned all that crap when I got picked for this outfit anyway. She snapped before refocusing on Arcane. Seriously though, why are we here? Even on the slim chance that we had an internal assassination attempt, I'd just as soon leave that one to die. All he ever does is try to get in our way.

He's also the most respected Captain of the Guard Celestia has ever hired. Arcane responded. Most of the soldiers under his command are more loyal to him than they are to the Princesses themselves.

Which makes him more of a threat to the stability of the nation than any assassin would be. Angel noted. He could use that power as an attempt to rise and take the Princesses' place. I say we should kill him ourselves and keep Canterlot Castle even safer. Angel said with a wide, sadistic grin. Arcane zapped her with a small pulse of magic.

Angel, watch it. He may not help us any, but he's loyal to the Princesses. As are we. If Celestia orders us to keep a watch over him and ensure his safety, that's what we're going to do. Arcane snapped at her. Angel rubbed the spot on her shoulder where Arcane's magic had hit.

Yes, sir. She grunted as she thought it.

Wow, Fire. Getting a little touchy, are we? Stinger joked, only to receive a pulse of magic similar to what Angel had gotten earlier.

That's enough chatter, you two. Arcane reprimanded. We have two more hours until Gamma relieves us. Let's keep it quiet until then.

Yes, sir. Angel and Stinger grumbled in Arcane's mind. He held back a sigh. His team was always incredibly professional with any assignment Celestia gave them. Be it simply keeping guard over her or destroying a rebel base, they were always quiet, alert, and never fooled around. It was when they got stuck keeping guard over extensions of royalty that they let professionalism slide. And it always grated at his nerves. They could fool around all they wanted in the barracks, but not on an assignment. Even if they didn't want the assignment, it was their job to carry it out without question or complaint. Wraiths didn't decide what was important or necessary, they followed orders. It wasn't their job, it was their purpose.

Princess Celestia slowly lowered herself onto a cushion in her personal quarters. Having just lowered the sun to make way for Luna's moon to take it's place, now was a time for her to rest and relax before bed. It had been a particularly long day for her. Between cleaning up after her Elite Guard's mission the night before and her dispute with Shining Armor about the issue, she was ready for some rest. As she was about to rest her head, her horn flared. With a sigh, she projected the image of Sigma team's leader on the wall in front of her.

"I assume that you are contacting me because your assignment is complete, Gradient?" Celestia began, not even trying to hide that she didn't want to have that conversation at the moment.

"Yes Ma'am. Sigma found the changelings in Ponyville. We drew the targets into the Everfree and engaged them. All hostiles were neutralized and the bodies are on the way back to Canterlot for further study, as per your request."

Celestia sighed. It was days like this that she hated her position more than anything else in the world.

"Excellent work. Get back to Canterlot as soon as possible. I will have a new assignment for you tomorrow. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, Ma'am. Gradient out."

Without a sound, the image on the wall snapped from reality. Celestia sighed again as she relaxed and the glow from her horn faded. She thought to make herself a cup of tea. Yes, some chamomile would do wonders for her at the moment. She levitated her teapot (which was graciously always kept hot with magic), her personal teacup and a single tea bag over to her. Before she could brew the wonderful concoction, a spark of green flame flashed before her eyes and a scroll fell to the floor. Celestia smiled. Letters from her student always brightened her mood after a long day. She lifted the scroll with her magic and scanned the letter.

Dear Princess Celestia,

My continued studies of the Artifact have finally led me to some answers! Spike discovered an ancient book in the library today. Neither of us have any idea how it got there, but it's written in a similar text to the scroll you and I found all those years ago! For a long time, I thought the scroll was just a clue, something to help me find what I needed, but it was so much more than that! You see, the book was encrypted! The text, although similar to that of the scroll, can't be translated the way the scroll was. Fortunately, I didn't need to translate the book because the scroll was the encryption key! I've been working on decrypting the book a couple of hours now, and so far it's coming along incredibly quickly! The book refers to an ancient object of great power called "Enok Shi Arai," and I believe that is the real name of the Artifact. The book is frustratingly vague as to the power it holds, so I still don't know exactly what it does. I think I even know where to look for it now! It's buried deep within the castle you shared with Princess Luna over a thousand years ago! Granted, had I known that you and Luna simply occupied the castle instead of having it built yourselves my search for the Artifact likely would have been shortened greatly, but it doesn't matter now. I still have no idea what the Artifact does, or what it's significance is, but we can find it! If you would be willing to lend me a team of guards, I would very much like to search the Everfree for the Artifact. I await your quick response.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.

Celestia stared open mouthed at the letter in front of her. Twilight had found the Artifact? Celestia had long ago chalked it up to a myth, but her student had found more evidence? She set the letter down with her magic. Admittedly, Celestia herself had been intrigued by the scroll Twilight found all those years ago, and when Twilight sent Celestia a letter that held the translation of the scroll, she had begun to do her own research into The Way and this mysterious "artifact" that Twilight had been able to link it to. Oddly enough, while Twilight's discoveries, few and far between though they were, seemed to fall into her lap despite her more limited resources, Celestia had found absolutely nothing in the Royal Archives concerning anything about this "Artifact." Granted, it would be easier to research something if she knew it's name, but she couldn't even find anything to shed some more light on any discovery Twilight sent her way. Eventually, Celestia simply gave up and decided to let Twilight have her fun. She read through the letter again, and a couple of words stood out from the rest.

"An ancient object of great power..." Celestia muttered to herself. "Enok Shi Arai...Where have I seen that before?" Celestia groaned as she reread the letter again. "It's buried deep within the castle you shared with Princess Luna over a thousand years ago...Of course it is..." Celestia sighed. She held no fond memories of that castle. It was a little known fact that Celestia and Luna did not command it's construction, they had simply moved in when they discovered it harbored the Elements of Harmony. It wasn't long after Celestia moved into the castle that the Everfree Forest began to naturally grow around it. In fact, the first signs of the forest's growth coincided almost exactly with Celestia and Luna's first night within it's walls. Not just the flora, either. Hideous mutations of the creatures that graced the world began to appear, creatures now known as the monsters of the Everfree. The first Manticores, Cockatrices and Hydras in history were first seen about a month after the sisters occupied the ancient castle. Oddly enough, they were each discovered attacking the castle. After Luna became Nightmare Moon, Princess Celestia had seen enough of that wretched castle.

"If I deny Twilight's request, she's going to go anyway." Celestia muttered to herself. As much as her student's thirst for knowledge had made teaching her a joy, safety wasn't exactly one of Twilight's priorities. Which meant that Celestia had no choice but to grant her student's request for a guard force to go with her. But she was only willing to send the best teams in to keep her student safe. She smiled as she used her magic to summon Arcane Fire and Delta team.

Arcane? I want you and your team to meet me in the throne room tomorrow morning at six o'clock. I have an assignment for you.

Understood, Ma'am. Arcane responded before abruptly cutting the spell. Princess Celestia smiled as she levitated a quill and parchment just in front of her face.

My Faithful Student

I'm happy to learn that you have finally made a solid discovery regarding the Artifact. I know that there is nothing I can do to stop you from going and searching for it, so I am going to send an outfit of guards with you. They're the best I have to offer you. I imagine that you'll want to be on your way as soon as possible, but I want you to take a couple of days while you're still in Ponyville to spend some time with your friends, unless of course you decide to take them with you. Regardless, I will send an escort in a couple of days to take you to Canterlot, where you will have access to any further resources you may find yourself in need of. I eagerly await more news of your discoveries, Twilight.

Your teacher,

Princess Celestia

With a flick of her magic, Celestia sent the letter to her student. Before she could even settle in for the night, another flash of green flame signaled the arrival of yet another letter.

"Well, that was fast." Celestia noted. She opened the letter.

Dear Princess Celestia,

My friends will not be coming along on this dig. The prospect of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash getting their hooves on an ancient object of great power terrifies me more than you could possibly imagine.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle

Princess Celestia looked at the short note again. After a while, she nodded sagely.

"A wise decision, Twilight Sparkle."