Seven days prior

Sunset Shimmer busied herself with organizing the Golden Oaks library’s bookshelves,
Spike, her baby dragon aiding her in the task. When they heard a knock at the door,

“Spike could you get that for me?” Sunset asked, with a smile,

“Of course Sunset, I am your number one assistant. I’m coming! Hang on for a second,” Spike called out as his legs carried him to the door, opening it revealed a short mare standing in the doorway, she wore a black hooded cloak in such a way that it was near impossible to make out any facial features, and then she spoke, “I am Crimson Dusk, I recently purchased the local castle, as I research the contents of the place I have come up against a dead end might you have a book on cryptology, cryptids and old Equestrian?”

Spike scratched his head, cradling his chin in that way people do when they think, “We have a couple of cryptology books, for Cryptids and Old Equestrian, we would have to put in an order from the grand library in Canterlot. Spike replied as he dug out the books in question.” The mare started shifting her head from side to side agitatedly as if paranoid somepony would get her or spot her.

“How long will it take to order these tomes?” the mare asked hesitantly, “at the very least by the end of the week, but it could take two weeks, come back this Friday to check,” Spike explained,

“Very well order them,” Crimson replied before whispering, “I hope I’m not too late by then,” Spike rose an eyebrow at her mutterings but then proceeded to create a Library card for her and put her library card details in the log,

“you can keep the books for a total of three weeks after that you must return it to either renew it or return the book.” Spike continued before handing her the card and the books.

“Thank you,” Crimson Dusk replied the items disappearing under her cloak before she left the library.

“Spike! Who was that!?” Sunset shouted downstairs.

“That was Crimson Dusk she wanted to borrow a few books, she ordered some books from Canterlot, somethings on Cryptids and Old Equestrian,” Spike answered, sending off the order form.

“Strange topics,” Sunset said as she descended the stairs, “Although I am not one to talk,” She added with a shrug,

“Yeah Like that time you wanted a copy of “Quesadilla eradication spells and other anti-cheese evocations,” Spike giggled, “who knew there were so many ways to rid yourself of cheese, Sunset do you think its just a wizard thing?” Spike’s question was answered by a pillow wrapped in magic to the face, causing Spike to laugh harder as Sunset chased him with the pillow hitting the cheeky drake.

On Friday, a harried and disheveled Crimson Dusk reached the library retrieving the books she had ordered and just as quickly and frantically disappeared back towards her castle home, Spike watched as the mare retreated Spike wandered just what in Celestia’s name caused this mare’s distressed demeanor. Shrugging at the strange mare’s departure.

A few days later, an Ursa Major was rampaged, throughout the forest, roars echoed as ponies ran for shelter just as the huge Star bear trampled into the village proper, Sunset was doing her best to save ponies and coordinate defenses with the other Bearers.

Spike had sent Celestia a letter, about the beast’s rampage a while ago hoping the sisters could help. While Sunset wasn’t looking she didn’t notice the giant bear about to crush her under paw. At the last second Celestia dove for her student and saved her. While Luna had flown directly at the beast’s face and using her momentum slugged the creature in the face knocking it out, it let out a groan as it fell. Behind Sunset and Celestia a squad of royal guards ran up in a hurry,

Celestia turned to the new arrivals, “Two of you follow my sister and investigate the Ursa's cave, the rest of you aid the populous and start the rebuilding process.”

The guards saluted and went to do as they were told, the two who were sent with Luna froze as they watched her lift the giant bear in her arms above her head.

“I knew the princess was strong but that’s ridiculous!?” one of the guards gaped pointing a finger at Luna.

I don’t like it but that guard is right, there is no way I could have lifted an Ursa Major by myself, I could have done so with a Minor but never a Major. What in Tartarus is happening to me!

“You two come with me we need to ascertain why this beast rampaged!” Luna ordered before flying off with her fallen foe.

Luna tried to ignore the guards fearful and confused looks as well as their conversation.
It hadn’t taken long to reach the Ursa’s cave even at the guard’s pace, as Luna got closer and closer, she began smelling the familiar scent that tang of copper only found in blood.

Lighting her horn as she entered the cave, “Empty Night!” Luna swore as she found the corpse of the Ursa’s cub an Ursa minor, the beast’s blood and guts decorating the walls of the cavern, the guards took one look at the scene and ran out of the cave, Luna’s ears picked up the sound of retching and groans. We can’t leave you here, not to see this, I shall take you someplace else so that you may grieve your loss in peace.

Luna turned and left the grisly scene at the cave, the Ursa Major in tow, “Go tell my sister what has happened after you have finished emptying your bowls. And tell Twilight that I shall be late for supper, you may explain what has transpired here.”

Hours later Luna had made her way back to her room, the weight of melancholy clinging to her as she traipsed to her bed, on the edge of the bed Twilight was sitting, Luna’s sullen eye’s met her’s and she saw a look of empathy, compassion on Twilight’s face. Twilight opened her arms, beckoned Luna towards her. Luna stood there tears forming in her eyes for a moment unthinking before she rushed into Twilight’s arms, Twilight embraced her pulling Luna into a tight hug as she laid her face into the nape of Twilight’s neck sobbing. Twilight began rocking her gently, “It’s okay. I am here for you. Shh. Shh. Shh. it’ll be alright, you did all you could,” Twilight continued to whisper gentle and comforting words to the mare in her arms.

Eventually, Luna cried herself to sleep in Twilight’s embrace, Twilight cradled her princess in her arms, lifting the covers of her bed and then laying her down to sleep. Twilight then pulled the covers over Luna and placed a kiss on her forehead, and began to walk off and out of the room, an arm shot out and pulled Twilight under the covers, briefly Twilight struggled under the hug of the Lunar diarch, but stopped as soon she saw the fearful expression on Luna’s sleeping face how her body shivered, Twilight sighed shaking her head. She pulled the covers back over the two of them, getting comfortable and held Luna. Luna’s body relaxed and a small smile played over her lips snuggling deeper into the younger mare’s embrace.

Twilight soon joined Luna, sleeping with her body wrapped around Luna’s.

Author's Note

uagh this is the most i have updated at one time, gaah.