Going Home

The Mane Six moved through the Everfree, the dark of the forest, somehow less. Indeed, the often ominously silent forest was quietly alive with the cautious sound of birds and other things moving just out of sight. The girls had yet to meet any significant predator, nor be blocked in any way as they made their way towards their destination.

"Not that I am complaining, Darling, but shouldn't something threatening have happened by now." Rarity remarked. "I mean I've yet to even ruin my pedicure."

"Yeah, this is Kinda Boring," came Rainbow Dash's reply.

Twilight grabbed Rainbow by the shirt, pulled her close, and kissed her full on the lips. For a full ten minutes there was no sound over the purple Alicorn playing tonsil hockey with the Cyan Mare.

"I agree with Rarity and Rainbow, something's off. Even if the Everfree hasn't always been hostile, this almost seems like it's being friendly." Twilight remarked after reducing Rainbow Dash to a quivering mass of Jelly. Spinning the Pegasus around she proceeded to preen Rainbow's wings, while she thought about the nature of their current predicament.

It was Applejack that provided the answer however, "Twi, Ah think Ah, know. It appears we been walkin on stone fer a bit. Honestly, Ah'm surprised it took me this long to notice."

Rainbow let loose a Moan as Twilight plucked a rather stubborn feather. "You're right Applejack! I have no idea why I didn't notice either." Releasing the Rainbow Speedster, who promptly collapsed, she began examining the road. "Huh, interesting. This road leads directly towards Ponyville. I am sure it wasn't here yesterday."

"Well maybe the city was possessed by an Emotional Hyperbolic Manifestation of Friendship, and decided that a road would encourage visitors, so it used its control over its envronment to both calm the forest, and condense the minerals in the ground into cobble stones. To make visitors easier and more likely. Yah Know, so the Mistress of the City won't be lonely and depressed sitting in her Mother's house, upon her Mother's chair, dwelling on that she's the last of a species so evil that Princess Celestia and Luna teamed up with Discord to wipe them from existence."

Everyone looked to Pinkie as she paused to breath.

"Oh, Pinkie, you're so random!" Twilight interjected. "We won't know for sure till we get to the city so onwards! Hey, why is Rainbow asleep?"

"Uhm, You kind of made out with her in front of us, then preened her without permission, also in front of us. If you believe me that is." Fluttershy sighed.

"What? No I didn't." With that Twilight picked up her toy Pegasai, slung the unconscious athlete over her shoulder, and strode of down the path, humming. After her friends were done shaking their heads they followed after the current holder of The Alicorn Most In Denial Award.

Luna and Celestia landed in front of the City, the shimmering of the light through the leaves in stark contrast to the sternness of their countenance.

Why, Greetings and Salutations, Princesses Celestia and Luna, I regret to inform you that you are a wee bit early. Twilight and friends haven't gotten here yet and my Mistress wishes 'all to enter or none may enter.' Honestly, The Mistress can be such a Drama Queen. Oh! That gives her more rank then you princesses, right?

Luna stepped forward, "Greetings, Who am I addressing? We were under the impression that Ry'll'ch was abandoned."

Why my name is Ach'ri'oa, and I am the current personality seed that controls, repairs and handles the running of Ry'll'ch, by the way Princess Luna, how's the thing with that Barista from Ponyville going? I hear his employees get the absolutely best benefits. Is banging the boss part of that, or was that how you got the job to begin with?"

"It was one of the benefits, but apparently after me it had to be discontinued, something about any other mare being disappointing. Incidentally, I was going to bring coffee, but I wasn't sure if your mistress even was capable of drinking it or what she'd prefer. So, I do apologize for showing up empty handed. If you tell me her preferences, I will be sure to bring some the next time."

Ach'ri'oa was silent a moment, then she spoke, "Luna, the last time you entered this city you provided your sister with the direct coordinates for the spawning pool itself. My mistress still wakes up screaming from nightmares that something in the darkness is calling the sun to come incinerate her, if you think some high price coffee is going to make up for that...."

"Every time I arrive I will bring whatever coffee, pastry or other delight she wishes, completely free of charge. It will be, as they say in this age, on me, FOREVER."

"She'll take the biggest size you have of a skim, no froth, chai latte, heavy on the pumpkin spice. She prefers a simple strawberry frosted with rainbow sprinkles. If they don't have that, then get her an Apple Fritter. Otherwise, pick something choclatey with rainbow sprinkles."

"Not a problem, I'll just bring an assortment, that way she can try a variety of pastries to make an informed decision."

"You're hereby cleared of all charges and are welcome, as long as you have such delights with you."

Luna turned to Celestia, "You're right sister, all things can be solved with enough pastry."

"With an ass like that, I imagine that Celestia would be an expert on that technique." Ach'ri'oa snarked.

Luna snorted while Celestia stepped forward.

"My ass is magnificent, thank you very much, or at least that's what her Barrista said after I let him eat cake off of it." Celestia fixed the doors with a fiery glare. "When we're let in, where will your mistress be recieving us?"

"You'll be taken to the Library to wait there, after all there's nothing to burn in our libraries. All our Books are imprinted onto holographic crystals, Princess Twilight will be waiting with you there, so you can explain what happened all those years ago. If you want friendship with my mistress, that is the price she asks of you and only you, Princess of the Sun."

A small voice spoke, "What does she mean Princess, what happened here. Wait.... Did she use the words, recorded on Holographic Crystals?"

Ach'ri'oa spoke again, "Why hello Princess Twilight and friends! Yes, hello, Pinkie, I see you waving there, I'm not ignoring you. My name is Ach'ri'oa and I am the Intelligence that runs the city of Ry'll'ch. But, No I did not say that they where recorded unto holographic crystals." Twilight's ears lowerd and she slumped, yet somehow still, not dropping the prone form of Rainbow Dash. "I said they're Imprinted unto Holographic Crystals, much different. Imprinting gets you an entire personality, which means Princess Sparkle that each of the books in our library is completely interactive and sapient within it's expertise. And in anticipation of your next question, they can in fact form friendships."

The resulting Squee was heard in Griffinstone.