Far Away

CHAPTER XIII

“Wow… This place is truly massive!” Jack gaped as Daring led him up the white marble steps to the large white palace, basking in Celestia’s sunlight. The front doors were gilded and gleaming in a rich gold colour. The doors were thick. As much as one hoof now he saw them closely. The inside was almost twice as grand as the front wall. A marble floor with giant curved staircases with the finest carved marble railings. Jack stood wide eyed at the pure grandeur he beheld.

Daring grabbed Jack by his forehoof and hurried him off to the right. The walls were draped in thick tapestries and frames of unfamiliar ponies that had a significant influence on Equestria. Jack hurried and caught up with Daring. They walked up to a large oaken door carved with so much intricacy that it would take decades to look at all the nooks and crannies of the carvings.

Daring pushed the door open. It opened to a world Jack never thought he would ever get to know. The floor was covered with thick velvet carpets. Banners of Luna and Celestia were hung in the main walkway. It was completely silent. The bookshelves of old oak were tens of metres high with hundreds of thousands of books. Sone of the books looked spectacularly old while other looked like they were in complete pristine condition.

It was a librarian’s dream. Daring quickly gestured for Jack to follow her. He obliged. She led him to one of the darkest crevices of the library and flew to the top shelf, looking carefully as she skimmed many layers of shelves. Each and every book in this section looked ancient with leather bindings falling off. She scoured that specific shelf carefully. She finally came to a stop and drew out a book that was literally grey with dust. She blew on the cover hard. Dust scattered to the ground in thick layers.

Daring flew down to Jack looking satisfied with herself and returned to the sunlit section of the library and found herself a seat. Jack did the same. She opened the book, revealing a title that was written in flowing letters. ‘The Artefacts of the Ancients.’ She opened up to a specific page. Page 1074. The pages were so thin it was surprising to see more than ninety per cent was untorn.

The chapter she was looking at was written about the amulet they had been trying to hunt for. The Terra Elemental. That exact moment was when Celestia showed up casually. (Yes this Fic is going to expand on the character selection now :D) She looked down at the companions, a slight frown on her face and ethereal mane flowing as normal.

“May I inquire who is this you’ve picked up, Daring Do?” she said softly.

“Oh, a companion of mine,” said Daring casually.

Jack slowly turned to face the Goddess. He knew Daring must be good friends with her. Anypony who had the nerve to speak to her like that would be certainly thrown into the dungeon under the palace.

“Erm… Hello your majesty,” Jack bowed respectfully.

He was surprised when Celestia scowled at him.

“There is no need to bow to me like that, though I appreciate it. Any friend of Daring’s is a friend of mine,” she declared.

This was an awkward situation for Jack to be in. He was in front of royalty. And she just told him not to bow. What?! His brain went into overdrive, displaying a confused look on his face.

“Well, I have no need to be here. I was just going to return some books early,” she said, “And Jack. Please don’t be confused. I’ve only asked of you something simple,” she chuckled.

Celestia disappeared as fast as she had appeared. ‘What?’ Jack thought. He looked back at Daring who was now focused on her book again. He glanced at the doors swiftly. There was no one there. Daring closed her book and headed to the desk. Jack followed. She returned the book to the librarian, who was dressed in white robes.

“Well, how about we look around Canterlot for a few days?” she asked.

“Ok.”

Daring pulled Jack along. It was a Monday. Everyone was at work so the streets were fairly uncongested. Canterlot architecture was truly stunning. Every building had a coat of gold on its support beams that shone in the sun radiantly. Daring took him to what he could only describe to himself as a ‘shopper’s paradise.’ The streets were lined with stores. A large sign at the end of the road proclaimed, ‘High Street.’ Commercial business was doing quite well here.

Daring took Jack through most of the important streets, giving a brief tour. It was only midday but by the end of the tour, it was sunset. The companions heard a swish of wings opening behind them. They turned around. ‘Why am I so lucky today?’ thought Jack.

The dark blue alicorn looked at Daring questioningly.

“Oh hi Luna,” said Daring cheerfully.

“Greetings my friend,” she said grandly, “and subject,” she added.

“What brings you here to us?” Daring queried.

“Hath our ears fail us?” she asked.

“Oh!” Daring squeaked, “Umm… Luna, this is Jackson, my companion. Jack, this is Luna, Princess of the night.”

Luna looked satisfied. “Well, we shalt now return to our watch. It is our duty. Farewell, Jackson my friend. We trow that we shall meet again!”

With that, she was gone. Jack had such good luck today. Meeting two princesses? Really? It was an exhausting day nonetheless. Jack followed her to her cottage. Through the garden they went. Almost a minute passed when there was a knock at the door.

“Who could that be?” Daring thought aloud.

She opened the door to find a rainbow coloured mare looking straight at her.

“Oh hi, Daring,” she quipped, “I hope you remember me.”

“Uhh… Yeah, I do Dash. What business do you have here? And how did you find me?” Daring said cautiously.

“Well, can I come in first?” she asked.

“Ye – Without a full reply she dashed towards the couch and slammed into something soft.

“Who’s that?” she exclaimed, putting emphasis on ‘who.’

“A friend of mine.”

“Cool!”

“Now how did you find me?” Daring inquired.

“Well, I saw you when I was flying around town. I was going to go to Soarin’s place but I saw you. It’s not every day when you see Daring Do is it?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jack was exhausted after the energetic rainbow mare had gone. Who in the world was that? Apparently she went travelling with Daring before and saved her? It just didn’t make any sense. It was the end of another exciting day. Great!

“We’ll be going to Ponyville tomorrow.”

“Where’s that?”