The dead sea of civilization

In the X Province, the heart of Lintong's municipal abode, the exodus of civil servants and dignitaries had reached its crescendo, leaving behind only the steadfast and the youthful, still clutching their sheaves of documents amidst the chaos. The elder, resolute in his refusal to abandon his post, clung to the secrets he bore, his determination as unyielding as the task assigned by the state.

"Father, we must flee! The beasts approach!" The young maiden's plea, laden with urgency, echoed through the halls, her arms burdened with the weight of papers, her gaze fixed upon the chaos before her.

"Nay, the coming of these creatures is but a single thread in the tapestry of our duty. Our charge is to preserve these records, lest they be consumed by the destruction that looms," the elder replied, his hands deftly securing the scrolls within his chest.

"But..." The girl's voice trembled as she glanced towards the window, her hands entwined with her father's, "Mother awaits us at the encampment!"

The father paused, his eyes meeting his daughter's, a depth of emotion mirrored in their grasp. "Then go, Mei Yu, and bring her word of our safety."

"But..."

"No 'buts'," he insisted, producing a card from his breast. "This is my work card, a vessel of vital information. Guard it with your life."

Mei Yu accepted the card, its dual-layered film reflecting a faint azure glow in the sunlight.

"Now... go..." He turned once more to his task.

The captain, with a hand on Mei Yu's shoulder, ushered her forth, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Go!" The father's command left no room for dissent.

In the Wan Nian Road Internet Café, a fictional haunt in the dead of night, Chen Li's hushed call to Jian Jun echoed amidst the chaos. "Did you secure the mainframe?"

Tang Jian Jun, amidst the disarray of the counter, shook his head in despair. "Everything's destroyed, even the WiFi."

"Then let's inform the captain and reassess," Chen Li suggested, twirling an iron rod in his hand.

Jian Jun nodded, his face clouded with concern. "Our vice-captain... is he still with us?"

"We'll wait here..." Jian Jun's voice trailed off, a forced cheer in his tone, "He's a champion fighter, there's no need to worry. In fact—"

"What?" Chen Li's curiosity piqued.

Jian Jun shared a sly grin, "His parents are in the States, long divorced. He was raised by his grandparents since childhood."

This revelation piqued Chen Li's interest. "A researcher's child, enduring the hardships of police work. What happened next?"

Jian Jun, scanning the surroundings, lowered his voice. "When he was ten, there was an accident during his father's experiment. It made the newspapers, something about the Everton Experiment, his body was never found."

"What's the Everton Experiment?"

Jian Jun shrugged, "No idea. Research is shrouded in secrecy, especially in the realms of mathematics and physics."

A heavy tread suddenly echoed from the entrance, silencing the pair, who hid beneath the counter, their hearts pounding as the footsteps searched the premises, only to halt just beyond the threshold...

In the Crystal Castle of the Small Horse Valley, Twilight Sparkle awoke from her slumber, her bed now adorned with sumptuous violet silk, a comfort that whispered of luxury. But as she rose, a sharp object loomed before her eyes, prompting a frantic search for a mirror.

The reflection that greeted her was one of shock and terror. Without delay, she rushed to find Twilight Sparkle and her companions in the Hall of Friendship, demanding answers for the events that transpired in her unconscious state.

Twilight Sparkle recounted the tale, and after a moment of calm, Cloffi declared his intent to uncover the truth behind the mysterious horse.

"No!" Twilight Sparkle objected, "You've only just regained your strength. It's too dangerous."

Cloffi, seeing her concern, smiled reassuringly, "I'm not planning on starting now. I've long wondered about my lineage of unicorns, a bloodline I knew little of in my youth."

Twilight Sparkle, reassured by his measured approach, watched as Cloffi inquired about the origin of his silken sheets.

"Ah, it was Rarity who tailored them especially for you," Twilight Sparkle replied.

"The touch is exquisite," Cloffi acknowledged, offering a nod of appreciation to Rarity, who basked in his praise before he took his leave.

Observing Rarity, Twilight Sparkle remarked, "He seems much more cheerful than before."

"Indeed, ever since he experienced the comfort of my sheets," Rarity boasted.

Cloffi, upon rising, felt an incessant itch upon his head, a sensation that reminded him of his newfound heritage. Realizing the need for knowledge, he decided to seek out the library.

In the library hall, Cloffi cursed the inaccessibility of the tomes, designed as if to deter the land horses from their wisdom. After a fruitless search for a ladder, he called out for Spike.

"Spike! Bring me a ladder, I can't find where it's kept."

In a flash, Spike appeared, "Cloffi? What's the matter?"

"Fetch me a ladder, I need to reach the books on the highest shelf."

"Right away!" With that, Spike hurried to the storage room.

Cloffi's gaze swept across the spines of the books, "Basic Magic and Biological Transformation," "Basic Magic and Low Energy Assault" among them. It seemed the entire row was dedicated to the fundamentals of magic.

Yet, as he focused on his chosen volume, "Basic Magic Theory and Practical Application," a surge of inexplicable excitement welled within him, growing until it was uncontrollable. In a panic, he surveyed his surroundings, only books as far as the eye could see.

Just as he prepared to flee, a burst of cerulean light erupted from the corner. The power was beyond his control, and after several tense minutes, the light subsided.

Cloffi stood, panting heavily, as Twilight and her friends, along with Spike, burst into the room. "What just happened?!" they exclaimed, taking in the charred remains of the bookshelf and the scattered ashes of books.

Cloffi, abashed, held up a tattered cover, "I merely wished to read... this book." The title, "Basic Magic Theory and Practical Application," was barely visible amidst the devastation.

Twilight, attempting to console herself, "Fortunately, I've read all these books."

Turning to Cloffi, she inquired, "How did you do that?"

Cloffi, surprised by her question, "I just stared at it, and then—it happened."

Perplexed, Twilight suggested, "I think you should delve deeper into this subject." She retrieved an ancient tome from a hidden compartment, its pages webbed with age.

"This is 'Mastering the Arcane,' it may provide you with greater insight," she said with conviction.

Cloffi, holding the book, nodded solemnly, "I shall study it diligently." As Spike, masked and armed with a mop, announced the need to clear the area, Twilight and Cloffi exchanged glances before the group dispersed.