Sins of an Equestrian Empire: An Unexpected Journey

Chapter Two – Idols, secrets and broken things.

The carriage itself arrived without a moment’s notice to escort its precious cargo to its destination but this time the cargo was two ponies and very important ones at that. Twilight quietly eyed the pony on-board as she remembered what the Princess had to tell her about the special guest a somewhat expert in ancient lore and hexes, a trait Twilight thought that the princesses knew had already showed skill in the past, but none of this mattered as she fixed herself up and begun to get down to the task at hand.

“Lighting Guise?” is it Twilight quietly asked the pony covered in a hood and apparently dressed as one of the Canterlot royal researchers into ancient arcane hexes a particular section that mostly consisted of only four to five ponies at a present time.

“Why yes of course and you must be the infamous Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville, may I say your deeds have not gone unheard within Canterlot and beyond” he said giving a bow to the purple pony.

“I do believe our carriage awaits my dear and royal business does not wait especially on a night such as this”.

Twilight did not take heed to this and stepped up to the carriage but still remained quite cautious at first of this new character who seemed to be of Canterlot origin by depicting his mannerisms and slight posh accent upon his possible slight age difference of about four to five years older to this hooded pony.

As she stepped on the carriage it suddenly lifted off the ground and away from the circular platform dashing through the darkened tunnels, slicing past the waterfall into the midnight sky.

Lighting then proceeded to cast his horn without any warning and suddenly a bright light surrounded the entire carriage itself and Twilight as the drivers themselves then begun a dash towards the Everfree Forest.

“Mind explaining the unexpected light show Lighting” Twilight said “And what exactly you are supposed to do to assist with this royal duty” she said in an annoyed but assertive voice towards the librarian.

In Twilight's mind this was not off to a great start a snooty librarian and a young one at that skilled in this level of magic was only going to hinder her approach and maybe get both her and this hooded pony caught by Timberwolfs or something worse that lurks in the Everfree.

Lighting responded with a chuckle and waved the entire situation around “I would say I’m surprised Twilight a student of magic does not understand a simple conceal spell".

"It is only in the best interest of the mission that concealment is kept to an upmost concern after all as Celestia has said Luna must not find out as this is her domain or the night I mean.” his response being snooty and downright rude in Twilights presence.

This response caught Twilight totally by surprise; she could not believe that the Princess herself picked this one pony to help herself on this secret mission. A mission herself she thought was quite capable of accomplishing alone if it were not in the dark forest remembering her last encounter. Strangely enough this pony only reminded her of the other ponies from her time in Magic Kindergarten a bunch of snooty ponies each bought through cause of their parents wealth, a trait Twilight lacked in front of the others.

“Well Lighting, if you do not mind we have a mission and not a lecture to do at the moment and quite frankly I do not know why a snooty librarian would help on this sort of mission. I myself could easily do this myself if it were not for the princesses’ recommendation for you to attend.” her tone became more and more annoyed towards this random ponies attitude in the last few minutes and she quite frankly had enough of it.

Lighting begun to lower his head and begun to seem quite embarrassed and yet saddened by this outburst.

“I-I-I must apologise.” his voice returning back to a normal stance.

“It is just that this is my first royal duty outside the city.....I just assumed that a librarian and a student such as yourself more accepting as the others say.”

“The others?” Twilight’s response was quick to confusion at this notion.

“Why yes , since your defeating of Nightmare Moon and Discord you have become sort of a hero around  Magic Kindergarten and above in Canterlot  did you not know that?. Many young mares and Stallions want to become you and since then the numbers in the academy has at least doubled hearing of your feats.” Lighting then returned his head up to face the judgement of his supposed idol.

Twilights response was one of sudden realization “I never knew I was that popular back in academy did you accept this mission just to be paired up with me?”.

“Why yes!, yes I did” his behaviour becoming more positive and receptive “Since Nightmare Moon I have studied extensively into ancient pony lore and learned lots just like you did”.

“Celestia herself not last week decided to single me out on a royal quest. One of which was rumoured to be with one Twilight Sparkle the others said” his voice seemed to be astounded by these series of fortunate events.

Twilight attitude suddenly changed “I never knew Lighting, I-I must apologise, I know that first impressions is always hard. Please believe me my friends in Ponyville know all about that” her thoughts running back to her first arrival in the small town.

“Just take it with a pinch of salt and just relax you do not need to impress me in the slightest after all I’m just a regular pony like you.” her voice becoming more calm and motherly to the young pony.

Twilight began to see a bit of herself in the young stallion more and more as she began to remember what it was like being that age in Celestia's School, always ignoring friends over furthering her studies. She saw right away after moving to Ponyville that for friends there was always time and to reflect the same treatment on Lighting with the exact same she went through caused all over butterflies in her stomach.

Lighting then gave a slight breather and begun to formulate a response.

“Sorry Twilight, I will drop this silly charade." his voice now returning back to normal.

"It is just that this situation has being running in my head again and again about me talking to the one person who literally spear headed my passion for magic and I have never heard really of any pony with this much interest in this topic …… well since Star Swirled”.

“Well Well , not so snooty I see” as she gave a chuckle back to the little hooded pony “Also there’s no need to hide yourself under that hood ” after all you have concealed the carriage and since were working together might as well see your face.

“Ohh yeah right sure.” responding with a slight smirk.

Lighting then took off his hood to reveal a younger pony then Twilight a chestnut coloured pony with a silver hair striped with white lines straight down the mane, it became apparent to Twilight that this Lighting belonged to a long line of librarians.

“There’s something special about that hair tones if I do say so myself Lighting, anything you are not telling me.” Twilight playing on not knowing as to test the response of how the silver haired pony would respond.

“Should not you know Twilight the Guise family has always been one to handle the changes of the Canterlot Archives during the last four hundred years , our family has not been well known but we are proud to catalogue the history of Equestria.” Lighting said with a confident attitude.

Twilight could not doubt his knowledge of the matter and just confirmed it since her frequent trips to the library, books where more of her schedule then just socializing while studying under the Princess, she heard there was a family with silver hair and chestnut coats that managed the library but never before thought of the Guise Family would be the name.

The carriage begun to reach full swing as it bolted leaving Canterlot a city of lanterns now to be engulfed by the clouds themselves once again. The moon was now in full view orbiting the night sky and the constellations glistened as their sparkles danced making this night more beautiful than any of the other nights, a sign that the Princess Luna was happy with her overall duties and unaware of this mission by Celestia.

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It would be some time till the carriage reached the Everfree Forest and from there towards the Old Kingdom for Twilight and Lighting to rediscover the lost archives of Star Swirled the Bearded. The journey itself flew her over Ponyville as Twilight gazed down at the cities all shining with glowing lanterns Lighting the town hall as well as the bakery and finally the roads leading to and from the library. The only thoughts that came to her was how Spike was handling the library as well as the festival going on in Sweet Apple Acres.

The chariot itself flew over the Apple Jacks farm and it seemed alight in celebration as orange and red flags where decorated all across the farm with lanterns in between each flag, Twilights response at this site was one of sorrow and disappointment that she could not tell all her friends of her sudden lack of attendance but was slightly reassured by whatever excuse Spike could come up with on the spot would be acceptable. The chariot proceeded to fly over and into the dark void that no pony would dare not thread except for a brave few into uncharted territory.

The carriage lowered itself skimmering over the lush green trees towards its destination not pausing for any reason until it ran its course. Twilight saw the old castle come into sight and watched as Lighting himself became amazed by the sudden sight that beheld him. She could only guess at what he was imaging, either the battle between Nightmare Moon and the elements or the castle fully redone in its fabled and lost glory. Finally after the long journey had come to a stop as an open patch of land was found the chariot begun to slowly descend to allow the two ponies to leave and continue on their mission for Princess Celestia. Lighting made sure to remove the cloak spell as they left the chariot as the forest now concealed their actions away from prying eyes.

Lighting himself was the first of the two to descend off the chariot with a slight excited and eager response” All right where here Twilight best hurry up.”

“Woah slow down now Lighting, let’s just find our bearings first and find this hidden library or whatever it is” Twilight trying to keep some sort of a leash on the now hyperactive pony.

Lighting began to look more confident as he pulled from his cloak pocket an old scroll and a magic compass that was encased in the same symbol that was present on the scroll.

“Do not worry Twilight I got this covered thanks to the Princess if I do not mind asking.” his response returning back to a slight snooty charade.

“Princess Celestia was kind enough to give me an old blueprint of the castle as well as a magic marker to direct us to where we need to go in this old ruin when we encounter it.”

“I managed to convince her that they might come in useful are you impressed.” his eyes looking at Twilight like two big saucers waiting for a positive response.

Twilight for once was actually taken by this level of careful planning by Lighting ”Actually yes this would make the journey proceed much more faster, nice catch on that.” her response being exactly what the young stallion would have wanted. In Lightings heart a warm feeling he never felt before happened, he felt like he made a friend.

Lighting then begun to unfold the map completely with his magic and hold the magic marker compass with one hoove and quickly check the bearings of the whereabouts of their destination. Twilight then gave the two Pegasus Guards permission to leave as they flew off and told them to return again within a few hours and that they would not be long. As they left Lighting begun to implement the cloaking spell and then proceeded to start their journey through the Everfree with Twilight following in close pursuit of the young librarian.

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The journey through the dark Everfree Forest was nothing unusual to Twilight as she had frequently journeyed back and forth from Zecoras Hut for the usual herbal medicine or to decipher foreign scripts found within her library, she had however began to detest travelling alone inside the forest since her encounter with the Cockatrice the last time she ventured alone, the thought of being frozen again into stone was not one thing she wanted to partake in again. However this time she had Lighting with her and she slowly begun to form a more causal bond with the slight overconfident pony.

The road to the hidden library brought both of the ponies through twists and turns within the dark forest, the moon was shadowed by the black clouds in the sky with the forest now resembling cold and yet an constricting atmosphere to Twilight. Lighting led on with the magic marker as an opening appeared through the forest revealing a stone cobbled path and an oversized archway leading to an old garden section of the castle. Fascination was to be withhold to both ponies, a sight of crumbling dry fountains and half built walls with the marble benches being slowly taken back by nature was becoming apparent.  The garden itself became fully lit up as the clouds passed by the moonlight letting it finally gaze upon the landscape. Twilight was slightly saddened by this with such history within this place slowly sinking into the eternal void of the earth below them and no time to restore this lost Equestrian monument.

Lighting however was much more fixed on finding their way through the old garden and through the back entrance through the crumbling archway into a secluded part of the garden straight to a gazebo both showing a symbol of Celestia and Luna together demonstrating an eternal rotation of sun and night falling back and forth into one another. Twilight had only seen this place in its eternal glory in old pictures and drawings but that was for another time.

“We are here Twilight.” lighting finally broke silence to the purple pony standing right in the centre of the crumbled gazebo.

“Are you sure?, this just seems like a gazebo in one of the off sections of the garden. I’m pretty sure Star Swirled would hide it a little bit better.” her voice being a bit disappointed in her discovery.

“Do not worry Twilight as Celestia said when she gave me this as he pointed to the magic marker, I remember she winked and said

"I always remembered that Star Swirled took long walks in the castle garden grounds and never be seen till Sun Down, I wonder why?, do not you Lighting and then Celestia would just giggle as if it is a riddle”.

His eyes closed as he recited the Princess word for word.

“That sounds like Celestia but it does not help that we cannot find the door sadly Lighting.” Twilight stroked her hoof under her chin thinking of where the door could possibly be.

Both ponies began to ponder while Lighting raised an old book from his saddle bag and began reading it. Twilight began to walk slowly and tilted her head to examine the title of the book.

Ancient Architecture and Devices of the Royal Equestria Lighting flicked through some of the pages quickly and then closed the book and returned it to his saddle bag before starting to speak.

“Well by the looks of it, we have an first or second grade tier magic door we are dealing with , the question is where is the door but also where is the key hole?” his stare at Twilight hinting at the need for help in this riddle.

Twilight then asked a question “What exactly is those magic tiers you described. I heard a small amount on them but not much on their formula or casting protections if any.”

“It is quite easy to understand thankfully though, basically the door and key are nearby or at least a door of this age does not erode easily and just requires the right input or a similar variant to trick the door into thinking it is the right answer.”

“Interesting Lighting” Twilight began to ponder “Does not erode? But that means the only thing that has not eroded as of yet is the symbol on the floor so this must be the key Lighting.” both their eyes opened wide in thought of this new theory.

“Seems like the best lead Twilight.” as Lighting looked closer at the two symbols of the Princesses intertwined, maybe we have to adjust the symbol some way or move some sort of object.

Lighting began to tap all the sections of the round shaped platform to find it solid and unmoveable.

“Maybe if adjusting it means change it someway without moving it?” Twilight thought.

“Lighting flash some sunlight from your horn on the light pony symbol quickly , there might be more to this.”

As Lighting summoned magic from his horn the eyes of the light engraved pony lit up to acknowledge a correct input but did not open the door or even budge. Lighting could only respond.

“Well it seems where on the right track Twilight but only half way it seems.”

“Indeed.” she thought of what the other part was when Lighting began to interrupt her quite thinking.

“”Wait, sunlight is right but probably half right? I got it Twilight come over her and shine moonlight on the dark pony quick this must work” louder his voice became as assuring himself his theory was solid proof.

“Good Idea Lighting, let’s do it.” Twilight quickly galloped over next to Lighting and both shone their lights on the two ponies and without any delay both their eyes lit up pure white and a dark purple eyes as well.

Both ponies jumped off the door in perfect timing only responding with “We did it!” as both congratulated each other.

The gears behind the door began to twist and turn and began rumbling as if they have not being used in more than a thousand years. The doors began to slowly open as the two engraved ponies began to separate as the doors slowly tore them apart, the two doors now fully separated as the only visible scenery inside was the first two steps of the stone stairs. Both ponies walked over together to carefully examine this new discovery as they were sure they found the right place to the library, they now stopped and looked at each other and Lighting responded first.

“Ladies first as they say.” chuckling trying to lighten the atmosphere while containing his inner excitement.

Lighting and Twilight could now see why Celestia chose both of them to partner up on this assignment. They both found that there is teamwork even with complete strangers and that even this slight spark can cause friendship. Lighting found something he never knew existed while Twilight found he reminded him as her young brother almost playing adventure outside in the Summer time.

Twilight responded with a similar tone as well “Do not mind if I do gentle sir.” also containing herself over what mysteries might await both and what secrets that should be better left forgotten.

As Twilight took the first step down into the dank old entrance she felt a sense of history and age glistening all over shrouded in darkness , she wondered how long it has been since any other pony had stepped on these very steps and if so where they Star Swirled or another dark sinister force. She reached out with her horn for a lone torch on the ground and then proceeded to light it with magic, the sight that was revealed to her was a single small corridor leading into more of the eerie darkness that still surrounds her. She lifted her hoove and looked down at the tattered banner that was once flew against the wall by the look it was an old symbol of the royal Equestrian banner with a white and an dark pony in between an star shaped object  , she called out to the silver haired pony that was waiting above.

“It is clear Lighting, come on down, but mind your step.”

The hooded pony quickly went down from the old gardens straight behind Twilight and witnessed the new discovery that she saw.

“My goodness that looks like an old Equestrian Royal Banner Seal only used in times of war to display a civilian position into a military usage. Surely Star Swirled would be insulted by this display of a militaristic view on a library.” he said while stomping on the banner in insult.

“I believe you would be surprised Lighting.” her only response in knowing of the secret of the Star Swirled family traditions “Lets continue we are nearly at our destination.”

Twilight then tossed the torch in front of her pointing into the dark abyss and then proceeded carefully towards the hidden library and what it contains. Lighting himself followed in pursuit admiring the stone walls and cobbled floors, cobwebs filled the entire corridors showing the lack of recent attendance, every ten to fifteen feet the stones changed to a shield of the old Equestrian order and strangely enough another of a star encasing a sun probably the secret order of sorts Lighting thought to himself never seeing this anywhere in the Canterlot Library.

The path continued straight for some time before both ponies came before another door this time a missing stone or two from the ceiling was letting moonlight shine on the massive double doors that where present to the ponies only this time the door was slightly open ajar showing what Celestia had feared most. Twilight knew that an unlocked door means two things either the somepony opened it or something did instead as both stopped right before this discovery.

Lighting looked up at the door all encased in the same design as the hidden entrance upstairs “So this is it the hidden library of Star Swirled , well lets not waste any time and see what is inside.” he was quickly blocked by the hoove of a concerned pony.

“Let me go in first, if I could guess by this open door is the reason for the alert the Princess had received. I imagine somepony or something had opened this.”

She then proceeded to slightly opening it more ajar creeking every inch as she pushed it further from each other , the purple pony poked her head in to and saw only darkness with the outlines of tall empty bookcases and a hearth in the centre for lightening the room probably.

Twilight walked in slowly and whispered to Lighting “Watch my back and make sure you stay alert for any suspicious noises, we do not know what could be in here.”

Lighting nodded in response and followed in behind Twilight. Both ponies walked together only seeing a small distance in front of them, Twilight walked over to the hearth and threw her torch in the fire illuminating the room, what took them both was pure fascination and total bewilderment.

The library itself took to life right before them as light began to push back the darkness and reveal long forgotten secrets. Both ponies where in the centre of the library with the round flaming hearth showing all the bookcases surrounding them, each bookcase was different many empty but for some the odd left over book laid face down on the bookshelf , some bookcases toppled over on one another showing either decay or a possible struggle that took place. Statues lined the end of each bookcase showing a member of the Star Swirled family that have inherited the library , one seemed to have fallen off but thankfully not broken and its stand all but removed from the library , each statue seemed lifelike even down to the actual size.

“That is an eye opener and no mistake.” lighting said while gazing at the statues and the bookcases that now surrounded them. Twilight took a brief pause and looked down at the floor and examined the stone pavement before her.

“Look! “Twilight said while showering light upon her new discovery.

“Footprints not ours but something else has been here, by the looks possible Timber Wolf and these over here Lighting too small maybe a Cockatrice.” the only response she could give was a slight shiver at the mention of encountering one of them again.

Lightings response was one of dread and general concern “Then I see it is best we hurry and find what we came for then Twilight , look over there” he said as he galloped to the other end of the library to see a desk overturned and its book stand all but destroyed.

Lighting quickly fixed up the desk again and began to examine the underneath and above of the table.

Twilight walked over quietly observing before breaking silence “What are you doing?” looking puzzled right before she was interrupted.

“Aha !!, I found … ehhh…something.”  he said looking in triumph  clutching the scroll “As those Daring Do books I read as a child thought me desks nearly always contain secrets Twilight.”

Twilight could only roll her eyes as Lighting opened the scroll and looked somewhat confused at the contents it contains “There’s nothing here just a blank page.” happiness turned to disappointment as Twilight now gently took the scroll off the young Unicorn.

“There must be something to this it was in a royal seal and all saying it was approved and written on.” walking back to the hearth to get a more clear view of the letter.

Just as she walked the fire began to shine through the paper revealing words on the page itself to the purple Unicorn.

“That crafty Star Swirled.” she said out loud as Lighting raised his head and responded.

“You found something?” he said rushing over to Twilight.

“Yes I have indeed, Star Swirled wrote in invisible ink that can only be shown through light. He must have known that Nightmare Moon would want this and knew her dislike of pure light was the best way to hide this.”

“More than likely Celestia told him clever old pony.” lighting said as both walked back to the desk where the scroll was found and examined it again.

“Now it looks like a reveal spell but a spell of what we do not know.” Twilight thought thinking out loud.

“Well Twilight  looks like there’s more to this place after all and from the looks of this room we have not found it yet.” as Lighting began running theories around in his head.

“On that we can agree on and I think the only way to proceed is to use this spell” the moment Twilight said she begun casting the spell from the page.

Twilights eyes begun to shine pure white and purple sparks began to come from her horn as she focused on the page and its contents. Once the spell was finished the room returned from a purple glow back to a calm flickering orange from the hearth in the centre. At a given moment the wall opened in front of the desk revealing the libraries true purposes.

A sudden gust of wind blew out of the door blinding both ponies as the wind continued to sweep through the library blowing out all the fires including the hearth and scattering any lose pages that lied on the floor to the other end of the room.

The new room was much smaller and cloths covered all the tables protecting its contents from the terrible tests of time. Twilight and Lighting proceeded into the new room and observed all the wooden tables with now both looking at each other for a confirmation.

“This looks like the place.” lighting said looking now at Twilight.

“I guess we can thank Daring Do for helping us this time huh.” the silver pony revealing a slight grin to lighten the mood.

“I guess you are right.” as she pulled off one of the covers to reveal its long forgotten contents.

The table was filled with blueprints showing the contents that where covered over, the weapons that were being made where of a small brooch and by the looks a tiara shaped object laid on the table as well, a bowl of pure elemental stone laid next to the jewellery shaped objects. A slight glow still remained in the elemental stone. Twilight did not have much time and ushered Lighting to act quickly.

“Lighting quickly check the other tables.” Twilight said while moving over to check the other table’s contents.

The covers off all the tables was now removed all revealing the same as before each one being more advanced from before with a scroll on each describing the outcome and its failures in the eyes of Star Swirled the last time he saw them. These early elements where by today’s standards nearly non-usable and out of fashion possibly by Rarities standards Twilight thought to herself. All nine tables still contained its original contents and nothing seemed to be missing. Twilight could now assure the Princess that her worries where nothing and that the libraries contents are still kept safe.

As Twilight waked away back into the now darkened library a noise of a falling book slamming the ground was heard in the distance.

Lighting quickly ran over to Twilight who was standing next to the desk.

“What was that?” Lighting asked.

“I do not know but I’m gonna check it out.” Twilight said as she took one of the torches against the wall.

“I’m going to go out and relight the pyre and you cover me right Lighting” saying as she was looking at him directly into his eyes.

“R-R-Right sure thing do not you worry” his voice getting concerning about a Timber Wolf or Cockatrice each dreading what it could possibly be.

Twilight slowly began to move out with while Lighting the torch with her horn, she slowly and quietly walked towards the darkened hearth to relight it. She slowly begun to dip the torch in when suddenly the ground around the hearth gave in with Twilight collapsing underneath hitting the cold hard ground as her torch now landed right next to her.

Lightings only response was to let out a cry to the injured pony “TWILIGHT!! ARE YOU ALRIGHT!!” his voice worried about the purple pony.

“I’M OKAY LIGHTING.” Twilight responded, not too soon as she heard a click, “OR NOT!!” as the walls began to retract threatening to crush the poor pony.

Twilight tried in vain to teleport out but noticed the walls each had engraved were elemental sapphires, an uncommon gem that can disrupt unicorns from teleporting any such distance. Twilight knew this was a safety measure of the Star Swirled library a simple trap since only unicorns could solve these puzzles and it was unicorns that could only teleport.

“LIGHTING HELP!!” her scream now echoing across the library as Lighting heard and begun to rush around looking for anything of use.

The walls begun to slowly close around her as she could only watch in sheer terror at her impending doom was slowly approaching her. Lighting quickly searched the desk for anything and ran back into the hidden room to look for any shed of hope to save the purple Unicorn. He finally gave up on the secret room and ran towards the bookcase that was labelled “Do Not Use Not Tested Safety Not Guaranteed”.

“Well now’s a good time as any.” he said to himself as he began digging through the scrolls till he reached one that said “teleportation in a scroll.”, the first word fully faded and unreadable but to Lighting at this point it did not matter only the well-being of Twilight was at stake.

He grabbed the scroll in his mouth and ran over and looked down the pit at the doomed Unicorn and threw the scroll down to her.

“Here use this Twilight it is a teleportation spell, it should get you out of the pit.” he said only seeing the Unicorn by her torch on the ground.

Twilight quickly ran over and unfolded the scroll and quickly examined its contents “Lighting this is quite old and seems rather different than any transportation I have used”.

“I do not think we can argue at a time like this.” he said.

“Plus it is the only thing in this library I found that might help you”.

Twilight quickly read through it one more time as the walls where now nearly closing in on the pony. She began to hear other noises up in the library as she heard Lighting screaming “NO!!” and galloping away back towards the secret room. Twilight did not know what was happening upstairs but she had one choice looking at the scroll and that was using it to escape.

“Well.” as she took a deep breath “Nothing ventured nothing gained.” as she began to cast the spell and suddenly saw purple wisps surround her as she was encased in a purple sphere. Thoughts then flooded her memory and the main one was being home back in the library, next thing she knew she heard a loud bang and was whisked away from the library.

The question she thought as darkness took her was where did she end up?.