equestrian labertories

It was a beautiful day at the Golden Oaks Library. Twilight was busy organizing her books when two ponies walked in.

"Hey Dr Crystal! Dr Whooves," Twilight called. "What do you need?"

"Good morning, princess Twilight. My colleague and I are looking for anything to do with the Aperture mines," Dr Kaiber Crystal explained. Dr Crystal was a PhD holder for technological advances and history.

"Do you have anything about that, your Highness?" Dr Whooves asked. Dr Whooves was a PhD in Equestrian history and a very skilled archaeologist.

"I think I might," Twilight said, scouring the rows of books. "You don't have to call me by my title."

"Thanks, princess. I mean Twilight," Kaiber said, stroking his mane in embarrassment.

"Eureka!" Twilight exclaimed, pulling an old book off the top shelf with her magic. "If it's not in here, it won't be anywhere."

"Thank you, Twilight," Dr Whooves said, opening the contents page. He put on a pair of glasses he called “brainy specs” which he only put on to look smarter.

"Anything, doc?" Kaiber asked impatiently.

"Nothing from the contents page. But there is a page that looks interesting because it is a blue color instead of white," Doctor Whooves said, turning to that page.

"What is it, doctor?" Twilight asked, intrigued.

"Kaiber, we are on an expedition," Whooves said, overly excited. "I have found the map to the caves."

"Well, let's get ready! I'll find Daring," Kaiber said, turning to leave. "I'll meet you at the station."

"Will do," Whooves said as Kaiber flew out the door. "Princess Twilight, is it ok if we take this page?"

"Yes Doctor, but only if you take me with you," Twilight said, taking the page out with absolute care.

"I would be honored," Whooves said, bowing. "Maybe all the princesses could come."

"I will get Spike to send a letter to Canterlot," Twilight agreed. "I shall meet you at the station."

"Yes, your highness," Whooves said, leaving with the page.

Kaiber was walking through the forest that led to the author/explorer A.K Yearling's home. He knew her secret, and so did Whooves and the princesses. He found it strange that she had written a book on herself as fiction when it was technically an autobiography.

"Ah, Doctor Crystal. What brings you here?" A.K asked the professor.

"I have uncovered a map leading to the infamous Aperture caves," Kaiber said in the most serious tone he could muster. "I just wanted to know if Daring Do was interested in joining me."

"I'll shall see," A.K said, chuckling. "But she may need persuasion because she usually works alone."

"Tell her 25% of the worth of the artifacts,"  Kaiber said, using his epic negotiation skills.

"I think that will suffice. She'll meet you in Ponyville later," A.K said, walking towards a different room.

"See you, Miss Yearling," Kaiber said, leaving.

Princess Luna was heading to Celestia's private bedroom. She had received word that all princesses were to meet there. All Luna knew was that Twilight had sent a letter to her which had arranged all this. She turned the final corner in the maze of a castle to see Cadence standing outside Celesta's private quarters.

"Ah, Princess Luna. I see you were also summoned by my sister in law," Cadence said, seeing the princess of the night enter the corridor.

"Yes, I hath been summoned," Luna said in a Shakespearean tone. "Dost thou know why?"

"First of all, you can cut that out," Cadence scowled. She knew that Luna had adapted to the modern way of speaking. "And to answer your question, no, I do not know what Twilight has called us for.”

"Let us see, then," Luna said, knocking on the door.

The two mares waited for an answer. It came in the form of Celestia.

"Ah, Cadence, Lulu. I see you received an invitation as well," Celestia said, opening the door.

"Hello, Tia. Do you know what we have been summoned for?" Luna asked her older sister.

"No, Lulu, I don't. But it must be a matter of great importance," Celestia replied.

"Is Twilight here yet, aunt Celestia?" Cadence asked politely.

"Yes, come in," Celestia said, entering the room. "She's been expecting you."

The moment Twilight and Cadence locked eyes, both mares sang their signature rhyme.

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" They both sang in unison, doing the actions, which made the older alicorns laugh.

"So, young Twilight, why have we been gathered here today?" Luna asked.

"Well, princess Luna, it all started this morning when Doctor Whooves and Crystal entered my library," Twilight recalled. "They found a map from Faust's era about something called the Aperture caves."

"Twilight, what are the Aperture caves?" Cadence asked.

"According to doctor Crystal, it was a lab of some sort," Twilight explained. "Doctor Whooves offered to bring us along with him."

"Hmm…interesting," Celestia said. "An old lab from my mother's rule. I would love to explore it."

"Twilight, I'm in," Cadence agreed.

"I shall join thee on thy quest," Luna said, getting a cold stare from the other princesses.

"It's settled, then. Gather the necessary equipment and meet at Ponyville station," Twilight said. "And Celestia, no cake."

"Oh, fine," Celestia sighed while the others laughed like they never had before. Twilight smiled and flew towards Ponyville. Cadence teleported out of the room and landed in the Crystal Empire, leaving Luna and Celestia alone.

"Lulu, shouldn't you be packing?" Celestia said, teleporting a large suitcase upon her bed.

"Oh Tia, I am smarter than you think," Luna laughed. "So I'm taking your cake stash away."

"NOOOOOOO! DON'T YOU DARE!" Celestia shouted in the royal Canterlot voice.

"I already have," Luna said cheekily. "I did it this morning to stop this addiction of yours."

"But why?" Celestia asked.

"Because you're going to get fat if you carry on," Luna countered.

"Oh, alright," Celestia sighed. "But you will have to give up something in return."

"My cider addiction, perhaps," Luna said.

"Or your video games," Celestia said. Seeing the pain in Luna's eyes, she added "But the cider will do."

"Deal. Now get packing, Tia," Luna said, walking away.

"I shall, sis," Celestia said, still upset about her cake.

Cadence’s teleport landed her in her room.

"Ahh, perfect. I usually land in Shining's room," she said to herself. She telekinetically placed a suitcase upon her bed and opened it.

"Hey Cadey, why are you packing?" A voice asked from behind her.

In shock, she turned around with immense speed.

"Shining Armour, you scared the life out of me!" Cadence scowled at her husband, who was laughing hysterically. "To answer your question, I am going on some business with the other princesses."

"Even Twily?" Shining asked.

"Yes, Shining," Cadence said. "She was the one who arranged it."

"Oh, alright. But what is this business?" Shining asked.

"An expedition with doctor Kaiber and doctor Whooves," Cadence replied. "To find and explore the Aperture caves, forgotten since the time of Queen Faust."

"I see. Well, have fun," Shining said, leaving the room.

"Shining, I love you," Cadence said as he was at the door.

"I know," he said, exiting the room.