The Moon's Light

Days later, they arrived at the Chrystal Empire. Sunburst said happily while admiring the Empire's architecture, “Finally here! There have to be glues about that cursed elixir here!”

“Yes, but a millennia passed.” argued Spike, riding on Twilight's back. She felt the need for her assistant.

“To be fair, this place spend most of that time frozen in time, so...” said Trixie.

“Not necessarily frozen in time... but we still should find something.” corrected her Moondancer. “Where do we start?”

“Moony, Trix, you and my brother will explore the storage rooms and look for anything old, while Starlight, Sunburst and I will check the library!”

“The library? Again? I doubt we find anything new.” complained Spike.

“Spike! Knowing you, you won't really help and just feed on crystals anyway.” said Twilight nonchalantly.

“Can you be mad at me? We are in the Crystal Empire after all.”

Like Spike guessed, the library at first bore no fruits of knowledge useful for their project. It didn't stop Twilight from scanning though it all again, though. Despite hyper focusing on it anyway, Twilight noted Starlight wasn't fully invested into their search. “Starlight!” She expected Twilight to follow up with 'Focus!', instead she said, “Is something bothering you?”

'Lying won't be right.' “Yes, actually. Trixie was your student for a bit, right? C-Could I be your student?” asked Starlight. “Unlike Trixie, I want to reach a deep understanding of magic.”

“Of course!” agreed twilight, “But! You will have to move to Ponyville – there is space in my library – and I will also teach you about friendship.”

“Because of the Cutie Mark wall?”

“Yes.”

“Understandable.” she said. “We should continue.”

So they did. A few minutes later, Twilight was in a literal dark corner of the library. She had a feeling as if she was being watched, but by who? Spike is in the kitchens and Starlight is somewhere in the middle. Walking though narrow passages between high and well stocked shelves, Twilight smelled the musky scent of old books and sensed a very weak, but eerily familiar magical signature.

Then she saw it. A surprisingly new looking, rather big tome. The weird part wasn't the book not looking old as dirt, but what was on the cover. It was the same moon as her necklace. Her equally if not more mysterious necklace. She decided this can't be a coincidence and took it with her magic. Twilight then scanned it's magical signature.

The signature was similar to the one of her necklace, a parental magical presence. “I don't understand.”

A weirdly new looking book, potentially connected to her birth parents, is stored in a library not accessible for millennia.

She decided to read into it when she isn't busy. This is too weird and even lets the legends of Discord – chaos and weirdness incarnate – looking normal and logical in comparison.

“I need a break, this is too weird.” she muttered to herself.

The four Unicorns were working in the laboratory of the castle. It was a very old lab, but it belonged to the idiot who created the first (recorded) love potion. Sunburst commented, “These old ingredient remains could be a hint at what was used.”

“How again do you know that guy worked for Radiant Hope?” asked Trixie.

“He bragged about it every few pages.” said Starlight nonchalantly, holding up a copy of the diary. The original is too valuable, so Twilight duplicated it a few times. The original is with Celestia and Luna.

“Ah. Hey, you realize what holiday it is in a few weeks?” asked Trixie.

“The Summer Sun Celebration.” said Twilight.

“It will be nice to celebrate it somewhere else than that backwater place...” muttered Starlight.

“It is the first one since Princess Luna's return!” pointed Sunburst out. “I wonder if this will change how we celebrate it. I mean, Princess Luna will take the moon down first, but... any other changes?”

“The princesses didn't tell me of any changes.” said Twilight. “Then again, I am not the one planning it this year! Wow, one year passed since... wow.”

“Time flies when you're busy,” chimed Spike in, laying on a stash of Crystals.

“That's rich coming from you.” said Sunburst, not impressed. He doesn't understand how Twilight keeps this tiny dragon as her assistant. So far, he hadn't seen him doing yak dung!

“Do you think we can figure out an antidote before the celebration comes around?” wondered Moondancer, “I won't want to stress about it over such an important holiday.”

“I would prefer if we finish it by the time we see Chrysalis again.” stated Twilight, overseeing the whole operation. Her eyes rested on her bag with the mysterious book for a short while. She rarely procrastinates, but she would prefer to work on that mystery right now.

Then... she had an idea. Maybe this book contains knowledge about the Changelings. But why would it? Besides being found in the Empire. Her brain is only fishing for reasons to read it.

By the time it was night, she still couldn't stop to think about it. It laid on the desk of her temporary room. She paced though the room, deciding between trying to sleep and urging to read it.

“Ah, I never can reject a book!” So she opened it. The first thing she noted was, it was sparingly written in. The pages were more yellowed white than ink. Secondly, the content that was written wasn't a diary of sorts, just knowledge about magic. Last but not least, it was dark magic.

“I need to tell Celestia.” Anything dark magic is bad.

'Should you?' asked a voice. This jumped Twilight. Looking around, she saw nothing, just darkness and some reflected light penetrating it, colored by the crystals making up the room's interior. 'Don't be afraid, Twilight. This book may contain the darkest arts, but it is still magic. Magic you should be familiar with, Mrs. Element of Magic.'

“A cursed book. Ah, yak dung.”

'I am not cursed, I am a tool. You try to break one of the darkest curses. This tome's content should help. Why not fight fire with fire?'

Twilight huffed. “How could you help me with this?” Now she felt weird, talking to a book. Maybe her childhood bullies were right.

'Read for yourself, Princess Magic.' The book opened itself. Opening on a page about love potions. Twilight read it's content. It wasn't much, until some more words appeared. 'I only show my full knowledge to the committed to learn. Take this as a taste of what could be yours if you were committed.'

“I am committed!” she said louder the she meant to. Twilight felt insulted.

'Yet you shy away from a school of magic.' countered the book. 'Why should you shy away from this, when Celestia uses this with ease? Aren't you equal princesses? Then again... you pretend to be a mere Unicorn.'

Twilight perked up at the Celestia slander. Even if she silently agreed with parts of it. She reread the page and realized the new contents of the pages were the key. She took a deep breath and copied it onto a paper before closing the book.

'You will see this will help with your issue, Twilight. Celestia isn't everything.' With that, the book closed itself and kept silent for the rest of the night.

While the others ate breakfast, she was already in the lab. The notes she took last night were transformed into a forged old text, she then hid it in their research stash. Now she only needs to wait for the others to find it, realize its worth and not realize it is dark in nature. Twilight swore to herself this will be the last time she makes use of dark magic, even if it is just a text on potions

She then started to prepare the laboratory. Soon after, Sunburst, Starlight and Moondancer came. “Oh, where is Trixie?”

“She is talking to Princess Cadence about some event in Roam.” explained Starlight nonchalantly.

“Oh.”

So they started to work. Moondancer was rereading the old texts, this time checking for invisible ink, Sunburst was working on a prototype antidote and Starlight was working the ingredients. And trying to keep Sunburst from blowing the elixir up again. Every few minutes, Twilight was eyeing Moondancer, waiting for her to find the paper.

“Wait, where is Spike?” asked Twilight, remembering her assistant.

“Turns out your 'assistant' has a fan club here in the Empire.” said Sunburst sarcastically.

“Oh...” Right, the Crystal Ponies love him and Twilight can't really fault them. “Any notable progress? Moondancer?”

“No-oh?”

“Moony?”

Moondancer made a paper – the paper – float. “Looks like I missed a little something!” She gave it to Twilight. “What do you think?”

"I think this is the key!” She knows it is.

“Really?” Sunburst was energetic. “I expected this task to take longer. I mean, good that we are done.”

“Hold your horses, Sunburst. We don't know if it is.” said Starlight. “Let's make a prototype first. What is the paper even about?”

“It seems to be Daunting Potion's old notes of the original love potion.” said Twilight. Daunting Potion was the potion maker that created the most illegal potion of them all. “Let's do it!”

Sunburst took a deep breath, he hoped this one won't blow up into his face. He hates working with potions.

The potion was successful. But a pain to figure out. They had to make Daunting's failure and then make an antidote to it. The antidote neutralized the elixir, so they are very sure they have done it. This is hard to decide as they have no victim of Daunting Potion's elixir to test it on. Celestia gave them permission to make this illegal potion, but not for pony trials.

With this done, they were planned to return to Equestria – Ponyville and Canterlot for Sunburst – and rest. Each one of them will carry a vial of the antidote. You never know when Chrysalis will show up again and who will find her.

But before they return, one last night in the Empire. Again, Twilight struggled to sleep.

“What? Do you feel bad you used something your teacher doesn't approve of?” said a dark, but smooth voice. Twilight froze and looked carefully around the room, only to see Sombra stepping out of a shadow. “Seen a ghost, dear Princess? Then again, I am a ghost.”

“How? The Heart!”

“Would have beaten me, but I managed to anchor my soul on this plane of existence. In fact, my body slowly returns. Do you think I was stupid enough not to expect the princesses to use the Heart or their Elements on me as soon as I return?” he explained. “But for now, I am just a spook.”

“Why are you here? Why are you talking to me?” asked Twilight, trying to collect her bravery. She wished she could fake it like Trixie. “Wouldn't you want to go against Cadence?”

“Yes! But I wait for my body to recover for that! Instead, I seek you out to talk. You are very intelligent. If not, that old tome won't have found its way to you.” he said. “Even you you don't really use it, what a waste, really.”

“I don't use dark magic.” countered Twilight, ending her glamour. She hopes Sombra In his weakened form of a wisp won't want to deal with an Alicorn. 'Fake it like Trixie.'

“My, my. Is that your opinion or are you just parroting what Celestia says?” mocked the ancient king. “For an Alicorn., you aren't exactly the most independent acting, little Light.”

She was surprised by the nickname, but chalked it off and said, “She is the Princess, she must have her reasons.” Regardless how annoying it is to hide. Hide. Twilight looked into Sombra's cursed eyes. “Like hiding me from figures like you.”

"Mm, only partly, my dear. I know she has another reason to hide you, one you won't like. Or your pretender parents.” He then walked to the book and took a closer look art it. “A shame I can't carry materialistic objects now. Unlike you, I would have great use for this tome.”

Twilight ignored the comment about the book. Instead she was angry. “What did you say about my parents? They aren't pretenders!”

“They aren't your birth parents. Maybe it is the differing time periods, but for all I care, adoptive parents are a sham.” he said. “But I suppose such a spineless Alicorn. like you is happy with the House of Stars. Albeit...”

“Albeit what?”

He walked to her and tapped the necklace. His armored hoof did not trigger the glamour button. “Even without the glamour, you care for that necklace. While it is a beautiful work of art – after all the crystals are from here, I can sense it – I got a hunch you love it because it is from your real parents. And the same symbol than the tome.”

“Wait a minute, did you spy on me and my family?”

“Yes. You know, that tome contains a spell that could help you find your real parents. In case you're interested... and change your mind.” He then left. As in he turned into nothing.

“Rude.” She sighed. Should she tell Celestia about this meeting? “Would she even listen to me? No way in Tartarus that Celestia would believe the Heart didn't work.” She sighed again. Twilight got frustrated with the princess, even more than she already was.

Lunch time was the hour in which Celestia had her peace. The day court was retired for that time, no duties, no stress. Normally. As Celestia was purring tea, her sister flew in, looking like stress incarnate.

“Oh, Luna? Did you have a nightmare?” she joked.

“Actually yes, in a way, sister!” replied the princess of the night in a panic.

With that, Celestia dropped her cup. “Luna?”

“Sombra managed to get into my realm of dreams. You know what that means, do you?” explained Luna darkly, as she landed in front of her sister's throne. “He is back, again, somehow alive.”

“The Heart failed...” finished Celestia.

“Well, he was somewhat of a ghost, but he bragged to regain his body soon...” said Luna worried. “This is bad...”

“Very bad, very.” muttered Celestia. “Oh, Twilight...”

“I would be more worried about Cadence and the Crystal Empire.” countered Luna. “What is with Twilight? Didn't she and her group succeed?”

“Yes, but... oh, doesn't matter.” said Celestia. She stood up from her throne. “Guards! The day court for the reminder of today and tomorrow is canceled!”

“Sister?” asked Luna worried. Celestia never cancels her court. “What is the issue?”

“Luna... please, just go back to bed. You're nocturnal after all.” was all her sister said as she left the throne room.