Pony Adventures: Quest for the Lost Relic

Chapters

Prologue, or the Start of the Quest
Chapter 1: Twelve Years Later...
Chapter 2: The Birds, the Mare, and the Cloak
Chapter 3: The Golden Oak
Chapter 4: And Then There Were Two
Chapter 5: Revelations and a New Acquaintance

Prologue, or the Start of the Quest

It started when I was six, on a completely normal night in a completely normal town--- when my father came home early from the library. I trotted to him like I did whenever he came home, and he picked me up into his aura and wrapped me in a hug. We went to the kitchen, where Mom had three cups of coco already made for us and was levitating them to our usual seats. The three of us sat down to talk about the day. Everything was as it always had been, that is, till my father opened his saddle bag.

Inside the old bag was an even older-looking book with a leather cover and parchment pages. I still remember the sparkle in Father's eyes as he opened it up to show us the ancient drawings and texts--- as if he had stumbled across a buried treasure. Little did I know, at that moment, it was something remarkably close. He had been leafing through the book's pages when my eyes caught a glimpse of a sketch that drew me in and held my attention. Noticing my interest, Father stopped at the page and slid it closer to me.

"Would you like me to read this part to you?" he asked.

I nodded excitedly, which made him smile, and scooted my chair closer to get a better look. My father cleared his throat and read aloud...

"Once upon a time, long before the naming of the lands, there lived a kingdom of Alicorns. This kingdom had many a powerful pony but none as powerful as the sisters of the royal family. Celestia, the eldest sister, controlled the moon, stars, and skies. Neptuna, the second sister, controlled the seas and ruled over all that lived within them. And Luna, the youngest sister, controlled the dream realm. The three sisters used their gifts to maintain balance and harmony for their fellow Alicorns, but as time passed, the youngest sister grew resentful of her elder siblings."

Until that point, I had barely been listening to my father's words--- more focused on the pretty sketches of Alicorns. Then he turned the page, and I was greeted with the image of a more frightening version of one of them. It had scared me so much that I almost fell out of my chair in shock. Father caught my seat before it went too far back and put a hoof over my shoulder to calm me down. Once he was sure I was fine to continue, he kept reading.

"The ponies and other creatures revered Celestia and Neptuna for all their work but disregarded Luna and all she did for others. The bitterness that grew in the youngest heart transformed her into a mare of darkness, and instead of bringing sweet dreams to those who visited her realm, she gave them nightmares. Reluctantly, with the assistance of neighboring creatures, the elder sisters stripped their sibling of her magic and trapped her inside the dream realm for eternity."

I took a large sip of my coco, which had begun to go cold, and placed my mug back on the table near the edge. The story had gotten good, and I was hooked. I didn't even notice when my mom saved my mug from falling to the floor. All I heard was my father's voice.

"Despite this, Luna's power did not vanish, for magic can not be destroyed. With their younger sibling unable to reclaim her power and no one else willing or able to take control, Celestia and Neptuna sealed the dream magic into an amulet to keep it contained. Centuries passed, and at some point, the Alicorns left the lands for worlds beyond ours. Many say that when the Alicorns left, they brought the amulet with them, but others believe a different ending for the relic. Legends tell us that just beyond the boundaries of Equestria, hidden in the many caverns of the Dragon Lands, surrounded by an underground lake, is where the amulet remains to this day."

"That's it!?" I yelled.

"What do you mean, that's it?" Father asked back with an amused expression.
"What about Luna? Did she really stay in the dream realm forever? And what about the amulet? Is it really in the Dragon Lands? Has anyone tried to get it out? Why did the sisters leave it there? Why didn't they ---?"
Mom levitated me onto her back and began walking to my room. She had always done this when I asked too many questions at once, putting me on her back, a subtle way of saying that was enough. As we went down the hall, Father followed behind casually. I stayed quiet as the two tucked me into bed, pouting since I never got the answers I wanted. My lights were turned off, and my parents headed to their room. Afterward, I lay there for 30 minutes running the story over in my head.
"I wonder if it was real," I said to myself.

"It most certainly is," whispered a voice from the door that startled me. It was my father; he had come back.

"Sorry for scaring you, Nixy. I wanted to get back to you with your questions, but Mom said we had to let you sleep. Had to wait for her to conk out before coming in."

He kept his voice at a whisper as he walked to the edge of my bed, being extra careful not to step on a squeaky floorboard.

"It really is---" I almost shouted before Father put a hoof to his lips and shushed me. When I spoke quieter after that.
"It really is real? Everything?"

"Every word," my father said while smiling.

"Then why did the sisters leave the amulet behind, and why has nobody else gone to get it?"

"Well, I'm not sure why they left it behind. Maybe having it reminded them too much of the sister they lost. As for the rest, numerous have tried to find the amulet. The problem is that all the exact location is a bit... tricky to find."

"Tricky, how?"
"Firstly, they would need to travel all the way to the borders of Equestria. It is a long trip on its own, but then you also have to make it halfway through the Dragon Lands, and there isn't much known about it. Not to mention dragons themselves aren't the most hospitable of creatures. Lastly, you have to find the caverns that lead directly to the underground lake--- what makes that hard is that there are literally thousands of them to go through. All in all, the whole thing is next to impossible to achieve."

"Oh," I said sadly. My head drooped a little. It was disappointing to think that the amulet would be lost forever.

"Hey, chin up," Father said, putting a hoof under my chin.
"I said it was NEXT to impossible to achieve. What do I always say? Just because something is hard doesn't mean you shouldn't go after it..."

"...You just have to work even harder to get it," I completed the phrase.

"That's my girl!"

"Parchment Script, you better not be keeping our filly up with your stories," Mom yelled from down the hall.

"No, my love," Father yelled back. I mouthed the word lier at him, which almost made him giggle.

"Parchment!?"

"Coming, coming. I'm getting a cup of water."

"You better be!"

My father gave me a wink and turned to leave my room. He was halfway out the door when I yell-whispered one final question for him.

"Do you...Do you think? If I want it and work hard enough, maybe I could find the amulet someday?"

Father didn't turn around, but I could hear a light chuckle escape him. The sentence that came from his mouth was said with so much confidence that there was no doubt in my mind it wasn't 100% true.

"I don't think you'll find the amulet--- I know you will find it."

With that, he shut the door. I slept very little that night as my head filled with hopes and plans. When sleep finally did take me, my dreams were more or less the same as my plans. From that day onward, my life changed in a big way. My mission, my purpose, became finding the lost amulet of the Alicorns. That was the night I started my quest.

Chapter 1: Twelve Years Later...

It was about noon when she trotted into the quaint town. It took much planning and every bit of her savings, but she had finally made it to the first stop on her quest--- a dream come true. The town of Ponyville was, in many ways, similar to where she grew up in terms of structure, with old houses and family-run shops scattered about its various streets. The difference was that Ponyville was larger, louder, and exceptionally busier than her home of Sire's Hollow. One would think this would cause the young mare to become overwhelmed, but instead, she seemed more excited than she had been before reaching the town.

"This is amazing!!" exclaimed the young mare, startling ponies that passed by her.
"I'm in Ponyville, and it's even more awesome than I imagined! Eeekk!! This is the greatest day of my life!"

"Wouldya stop that shouting!? You're scaring away business!" yelled a street vendor. Apparently, the young mare had been shouting her thoughts aloud for everyone to hear, disturbing some folks.

"Oopsie, sorry about that. First time traveling--- guess I got carried away."

"Whatever... Dang tourists."

The young mare quickly walked in the opposite direction of the vendor, feeling self-conscious after the brief exchange. She continued down the streets for some time, occasionally taking peeks in store windows and wishing strangers a good afternoon. It was not till she passed by the same fountain for the third time in 2 hours that the young mare realized she was going in circles. She had been so distracted by all the new sights and sounds that, at some point, she had gotten lost in the streets of Ponyville.

"Well, looks like I got myself into a pickle," said the young mare to herself.
"Oh, ma'am! Could you perhaps tell me where I could find..?"

She had tried asking for help from one of the locals, but the other mare did not acknowledge her and continued trotting. The young mare tried again with an old stallion, but he appeared distracted by something and ignored her. She tried asking a group of ponies that looked as though they were getting back from a party, but they were engrossed in a conversation and did not even hear a word she said. This was getting ridiculous--- was she invisible or something? Frustrated, the young mare inhaled a large breath and, upon exhaling, shouted at the top of her lungs...

"CAN ANYONE PLEASE POINT THE WAY TO THE NEAREST HOTEL!?!?"

"Didn't I tell you to be quiet earlier?" said a voice.

The young mare jumped at the sound from behind. Looking back, she was greeted by the sour-faced vendor from earlier. He stared at her dead, waiting for her to address him. She stared back at him, too nervous to say anything other than "Um." The vendor rolled his eyes at her and began to walk away, which is when the young mare found her voice again.

"Wait!" she shouted after him. When he turned to face her with a scowl, she reminded herself to speak in a gentler tone.
"Sorry again. As I said earlier, this is my first time traveling anywhere, and I got carried away. As a matter of fact, in the act of getting carried away, I ended up getting myself in a bit of a jam. Heh heh."

"You sayin' you lost?" the vendor says flatly.
"Very."
"Tourists. Tck."
"Would you be so kind as to help me find a hotel I can stay at tonight? I wouldn't want to put you out at all, but it's getting late, and I want to get a good night's rest so I can be up early tomorrow when the library---"
"Yeah, whatever. Dang, can you talk. Come on, I'll show ya to a place I know. They'll take ya for the night."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. I really appreciate the help."
"Yeah, just be quiet till we get there."

The young mare made a zipping motion across her muzzle, signaling that she would be silent, and followed after the street vendor. The vendor was an old earth-pony with a graying mane--- his knees were noticeably knobby, and his face was exhausted from a long day. Despite this, he moved quickly and confidently through the crowds of ponies, not stopping once to rest his hooves. On the other hoof, the young mare had trouble keeping up and almost lost him twice when she paused to catch her breath. After 45 minutes of walking, the vendor ceased moving, giving the one following him a chance to catch up and rolling his eyes when she arrived.

"Slow and a talker," said the vendor.
"Honestly, if youngins today spent less time flappin' their gums and more time working with their hooves, then old ponies like me might be able to retire without issue."

"You...may...have...a point," the young mare panted.

The old vendor smirked at the response, thinking that maybe this tourist was not so bad after all before she opened her mouth and began chattering away.

"I'm an adventurer now, and I should start working out my body with my mind. Maybe I can trot in place while reading at a desk. Never mind, that sounds silly. What would be better is to do stretches in the morning before breakfast or after breakfast and do a quick jog to get the blood pumping through my body. Then, after the jog, I can get in some light reading for fun. Then, I can get into some reading for research, after which I can take a longer jog---"

"I miss when you couldn't breathe," sighed the vendor.
"Anyways, hurry up. We're here."

The old vendor walked into a cottage-like structure, not waiting for the young mare to follow him. With a "hold up," the young mare went after the vendor. Once inside the building, she was hit with a calmness that had not been present since stepping into Ponyville. There were no ponies anywhere aside from herself and the vendor. The lobby they stood in was as quiet as a cemetery, with the only sounds heard coming from outside. As the vendor rang the bell at the counter, the young mare glanced at the books and bric-a-brac lining the shelves around the room. There were books on travel, the history of Ponyville, how to run a business, and a few fiction-based adventure tales. All about were little figurines, snowglobes, decorative signs, and pictures taken from all across Equestria. Clearly, whoever ran this place was very worldly.

*Ding ding ding*
"Dang it, will you hurry so I can leave already!?" the old vendor shouted, particularly to the stairs next to the counter.

"One moment, I just need to--- Ouch!" yelled a voice from somewhere at the top of the steps.

Soon, came down a middle-aged unicorn with a bird stuck in her golden mane. She was tall and thin, as many unicorns are, with a chestnut coat and apricot eyes. Upon her flank was a cutie mark of a gold compass.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Pear?" asked the older mare as she tried to untangle the bird from her mane.
"Found this dang chatty tourist in town. She needs a place to stay the night, so I figured I would pawn her off on you," the vendor, Mr. Pear, answered.
"How sweet of you... Ouch! Give me another moment, and I'll check her right in. Dang bird, hold still, and will both be free of each other!"
"Well, I did my good deed for the year. See ya never filly. Good luck with the bird and the tourist, Goldie."
"Wait, Mr. Pear, could you give me a hoof---"

*Slam*
"And he's gone. I swear, that old pony moves like lightning in a storm. You wouldn't mind giving me a hoof, wouldya miss?"

Without a word, the young mare helped Goldie remove the bird from her mane, and it flew out of the window on its own.

"Thanks, Miss..?" asked Goldie.
"Pheonix Flame," answered the younger.
"Well, Ms. Flame, welcome to the Adventurer's Respite Inn. The perfect pitstop for any adventurous soul."
"That's me, Pheonix Flame, Equestria's next great adventurer and treasure hunter. At least, that's what I'm hoping for."
"Well, hold on to that hope for dear life. As a former world traveler, I know from experience that it can get wild out there by yourself, and at some point, you might want to call it quits. The best thing to remember is... Son of a dog!"

Goldie had been behind the counter, rummaging through draws for what Pheonix assumed was a room key, and instead found another bird nesting in the back of one. She wrapped the bird in her aura, stomped to the open window, and flung the bird out with a "And don't come back!" After another 5 minutes of searching, Goldie found where she had stashed the room keys.

"Here we go," she said triumphantly.
"I should really get me a peg board or something to put these on. Let's see, you can take room number 2. I swear it's free of birds.., but just in case, I would check under my pillows."

"Thank you so much, ma'am," said Pheonix, taking a key from Goldie with a grin.

"Think nothing of it, and don't go calling me ma'am ya hear. My name is Goldie Compass, but my friends call me Goldie, and if you're willing to stay in this bird-infested Inn, I feel it is safe to say we're friends now."

"Whatever you say, Goldie."

The two continued to chat at the counter for another hour or so, Pheonix asking about Goldie's old travel days and Goldie asking Pheonix about her plans in Ponyville. Pheonix listened to the older mare's stories of backpacking across Equestria and meeting ponies from all walks of life, engrossed in each tale she heard. In between each story, the younger would drop information about her quest to find the Lost Amulet of the Alicorns, and Goldie found the notion thrilling. At some point, the two had moved to the parlour area of the Inn, sitting and chattering till the sun began to set.

"So, you came to Ponyville for information on the Dragon Lands?" Goldie asked, intrigued.
"Yup," Pheonix simply responded.
"Because the Golden Oak Library is the only place in Equestria with the information?"
"Well, not the only place, but Canterlot and the Crystal Empire would take me too far off course. Also, after hearing that the pony who wrote the book on the Dragon Lands was from here and the Golden Oak has her original manuscript, I couldn't resist getting my hooves all over it."
"Must be faith then."

*Cuckoo cuckoo*
"Look at the time--- you should be getting upstairs now. Gotta get that good rest so you can spend tomorrow on your research."

Goldie made her way out of the parlour, with Pheonix following behind. The older of the two told, the younger she would stay downstairs to tidy up and wished her a good night. Pheonix made her way to the second level of the Inn, where her room was meant to be, and hummed a tune as she reached the last step. It wasn't hard to find the correct door since they were all numbered, and hers was at the end of the hall. However, as she unlocked her door, she heard a loud thud from the other end of the hall. It sounded like someone was coming down the steps from the third floor but stopped halfway.

"Hello, anyone up there," Pheonix called to the steps. When no one answered, she shrugged it off and continued into her room.
"Must've been more birds."

The room was simple, with a bed, dresser, desk, stool, and floor lamp. Pheonix went straight for the desk, levitating her bag onto it, then pulled out an old book. Next, she went to the bed, plopping down while holding the item close with a hoof. She gave a deep sigh of contentment, suddenly realizing that she was, for real, making her dreams come true. She pulled the book away from her chest to kiss its leather-bound cover before tucking it under her pillow for safety--- she did check for birds first.

"I'm doing it, Dad," Pheonix whispered.
"I'm going to find the amulet for us. For you."

Pheonix flicked the switch to the lamp off with her magic and gave into slumber shortly after, dreaming the dream she was making into a reality.

Chapter 2: The Birds, the Mare, and the Cloak

Pheonix arose early in the morning with a pep in her step and a sparkle in her eyes—she was ecstatic. Today was the day she was to go to the Golden Oak Library and get the information she needed on the Dragon Lands. The young unicorn was so excited she did not even notice when a finch crept out from under the bed and flew onto the dresser where she had left her brush after combing her mane. Pheonix's mind was on one thing and one thing only: getting ready for a day of note-taking at the library, which is why she also missed when two more small birds appeared from behind the dresser and joined the first.

As the birds gathered around her mane brush, Pheonix organized everything from her bag that she would require at the library and was about to stash the rest into one of the dresser drawers when she finally noticed the critters and what they were attempting. The now seven birds were holding parts of the brush in their beaks and trying to lift it into the air. It was no easy task either since the mane brush was solid gold, which was heavy for any small critter. The scene had taken a minute for Pheonix to process, but once she realized that it was not her mind playing tricks on her, she sprung into action.

"Hey! That's mine, so you put it down now!" she yelled at the birds, which had managed to lift the brush and were flying it to the door. Pheonix had opened the door halfway when she awoke since the room had no windows and was a little stuffy that morning.
"No, no, no. NO!! That's a family heirloom--- if I lose it, my mother will kill me!"

The birds ignored the young unicorn's pleas and continued on their mission. Pheonix dropped what she had been holding and, with her aura, grabbed the brush and tried to tug it from the cluster of bird's grasp. However, as if they appeared from the ether, more birds joined their friends in the fight for the mane brush. It was not long before the group went from seven to a number that Pheonix could not count without losing her grip, and they had managed to pull the brush and its owner to the top of the second-level steps.

"Give...me...back...my...bru---!" Pheonix had been shouting but stopped midsentence, now falling down the stairs.

She felt every step as she came crashing to the first level of the Inn and landed on something long and hard. The young unicorn was flat on her back, or as flat as she could while lying on top of something else, and her head was pounding from banging against the wall while she fell. The pain only worsened when the bird cluster decided they did not want the brush anymore and dropped it onto her head from the second floor.

"Oh, sugar-honey-ice-tea!! What happened here!?" asked Goldie Compass as she dashed in from the parlour.
"Birds tried to steal my brush, so I tried even harder to get it back and ended up falling down the stairs," Pheonix explained the best she could while rubbing her temples.
"Those dang birds! Well, are you two at least alright?"
"Two?"
"Down here, dumb butt," said a voice from under Pheonix.

Apparently, the thing Pheonix had landed on was another pony. The young unicorn picked herself up quickly and stumbled to her hooves, and once she did this, the other one rose from the floor grimacing. The other pony looked like a mare around Pheonix's age, with a coat and eyes almost identical to Goldie's and a straight mane in various shades of orange and yellow. Once the other mare was on her hooves, Goldie had lovingly fussed over her, fixing the large cloak she wore by straightening it out on her body. She was not a unicorn, but it was clear that she was related to the Innkeeper. While the older unicorn gave the other mare a once-over for injuries, said mare gave Pheonix an expression of pure annoyance while she stared back awkwardly.

"Well, you're lookin' fine, sweetheart," said Goldie to the other mare before turning to Pheonix.
"Now, how about you? Do you feel okay, Ms. Flame?"
"Oh.., yes. I feel just fine now," answered Pheonix.
"Ya, sure? After taking a tumble like that, plus having something heavy dropped on your noggin, I would think your head would be more sore than my hooves when I decided to climb the tallest mountain in Equestria."
"Don't worry about me. I'm a lot tougher than I look."

Pheonix smiles at Goldie for her kind concern but makes the mistake of trying to smile at the other mare as well. The other mare is staring at her with ever-increasing rage and suspicion. What was this pony's deal!? Luckily, the older unicorn noticed the tension in the room and tried her best to ease it with a double introduction.

"Sparky, this is the guest I was tellin' you about, Pheonix Flame," said Goldie, gesturing to the young unicorn with her hoof.
Pheonix gave the other mare a nervous wave.
"And Ms. Flame, this is my amazing daughter, Sparkling Shield."
The mare, Sparky, continued to stand there and stare Pheonix down without a word. The silence was deafening--- Pheonix despised the lack of noise--- and Goldie once again tried to ease things.

"Ms. Flame, did I tell you that as a guest of the Adventurer's Respite Inn, you're welcome to a complimentary breakfast?" the Innkeeper asked cheerfully.
"Oh, no. You left that out last night," Pheonix answered, now trying to avoid Sparky's piercing gaze.
"Well, you are, and we both would be happy if you'd join us."

Sparky looked as if she was about to protest, but her mother had already begun ushering her toward the dining area while yelling at Pheonix to "Follow me. The food is this way." Despite the other young mare's demeanor, breakfast was quite pleasant, with the two unicorns chatting about various topics. In the hour they spent eating and talking, Sparky seemed to have calmed down her death-staring and now appeared indifferent to Pheonix's presence. However, while the other mare paid Pheonix no mind, the young unicorn thought about how melancholy Sparky was looking and that maybe she should try to involve her in the conversation. That would turn out to be a mistake.

"So..," Pheonix started, turning her body to face Sparky as much as possible.
"...do you like to travel too? Have you been on any trips with your mom? Where have you been, and what did you see while there? Do you keep any pictures from your travels, or maybe a souvenir or two? Did you get that cloak on a trip? It looks sooo good on you. Can I touch it?"

Pheonix leans over the table to place a hoof on the material, but as soon as she gets close enough to feel it, the other mare pulls her seat back and exits the dining room as though it were on fire. Shoot, she had scared her off. Pheonix was not surprised that Sparky had left--- most ponies did when she talked too much or got overly touchy, but it still hurt that the other mare left without even saying bye. Goldie must have noticed the young unicorn's sadness from being rejected by her daughter and placed a hoof over her still outstretched one.

"Hey, don't feel so bad," the older unicorn said reassuringly.
"Sparky is like that with most ponies, even me. She has had trouble connecting with others for a few years ever since..."
"Ever since what?" asked Pheonix.
"Ya know what, that is not my place to say. Forget it. Shouldn't you be moseying down to the library about now? It opens at 9am, and the clock says it's already 8:25."

"Oh my goodness, you're right! I was supposed to leave at eight sharp so I'd have plenty of time to find it. What if the streets are crowded like yesterday!? I could get lost again and not make it till an hour after opening, or worse, not make it till closing time! What if I also can't remember my way back to the Inn, and I end up not getting to research and having to sleep in the cold!?"

"Now, now. Calm yourself down, sweety. The library is only a 20-minute walk from here, and they leave it open till midnight, so even if you are not there the second it opens, you will still have plenty of time for research. The streets also don't start getting busy till around noon."

Pheonix was quickly put at ease by these revelations. She gave the older unicorn an embarrassed but thankful smile, feeling silly that she got so worked up for nothing and happy she was talking to someone with a more collected demeanor. Goldie smiled softly back in return, although it soon became more toothy and mischievous as if she had an evil thought magically entered her mind in that split second. Maybe she could use the young unicorn's worries to help her daughter while also giving Pheonix the entire day to research to her heart's content.

"Ya know, if you're still worried about not being able to find the library, I can have a guide take you there?" Goldie said nonchalantly.
"Really? You'd do that for me?" Pheonix asked with a sunbeam bright smile.
"There's one stayin' right here at the Inn. Give me about 5 minutes, and I will have them downstairs."
"That would be wonderful. Thank you so much."
"Think nothin' of it, Ms. Flame. I want everyone happy (mumbling) whether she likes it or not."
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Let me get that guide for you."
Goldie dashes out of the room before Pheonix can say another word, moving so fast she leaves a her-shaped cloud of smoke where she had been standing.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, on the third floor of the Inn, Sparky is sitting at her old desk with a book in her hooves. She had been irritated and shocked at the new guest's actions, wondering what kind of pony would try to touch another without permission--- the same pony that would fight a group of birds for a dang mane brush. Sparky could not believe someone would have such gall, not to mention could talk so long without breathing in between sentences. The cloaked mare did her best not to think about the whole thing too much, knowing it would only bring her more rage and put all her energy into reading instead. At least, that was the plan till her mother barged into her room with the force of a tornado.

"I need...you...to take Ms. Flame...to the library," Goldie said out of breath.
Sparky did not bother looking up from the book, being used to her mother's interruptions. All she did was give the unicorn a simple response;
"No."
"What do you mean no? Ya can't say no before I even told you why you have to go with her."
"I can say no because I know exactly why you want me to take the chatterbox."
"Sparky, sweetheart, my darling little filly. I have no idea what you are talking about. Ms. Flame has a little trouble navigating her way through town, and I figured since you spend so much time at the library, you would be the best pony t---"
"Mom?! Can..? Can we please not do this today?"

Goldie did not intend to upset her daughter--- she never intended to, and only wanted her to make a friend. Since the accident, Sparky has closed off from everyone and refused to talk about her feelings. The mare used to have friends from all across Equestria that she wrote to weekly, but now her stationery lay gathering dust in a corner while she sat in her dimly lit room, only venturing out when she needed to run errands. Goldie had been trying and failing for years to get Sparky to connect with someone, usually by tricking her into hanging around the few guests they would welcome at the Inn, but it seemed that the young mare had caught on to her mother's game and was sick of playing.

"I'm sorry," the unicorn sighed.
"I know I shouldn't push you. You know I only do it 'cause I'm worried.., right?"
"I know, Mom," Sparky mumbles sadly.
"I wasn't lying when I said Ms. Flame needed an escort to the library or that you would be the best one to show her the way, but if you are uncomfortable, you don't have to take her."

Sparky knew her mother was only trying to do what she thought was best for her daughter, but she just wished that what her mom thought did not often involve pushing past her well-structured boundaries. Goldie wanted her to be happy, and when she was not, neither was Goldie. At that moment, the young mare decided to let her mother's worries rest and give in to the simple request.

"Mom," Sparky said quietly.
"Yes, sweetheart?" said Goldie, somewhat questioning. The unicorn had been shuffling her hooves to the door and had one up when her daughter spoke.
"I'll take the chatterbox to the library, BUT that doesn't mean I plan on talking to her while we walk. You understand, right??"

Instead of answering, Goldie quickly closes the distance between the two with a bone-crushing hug. Sparky rolls her eyes but ultimately returns her mother's affection. It was not long before the unicorn dragged her daughter down to the first floor to meet with Pheonix Flame, who, upon realizing that Sparky was her guide, gave what she hoped was an apologetic smile. Sparky gave her a curt nod, acknowledging the young unicorn's attempt before gesturing for her to follow the other's way.

In her mind, Sparky hoped that this trip would be as quick and painless as any other errand she had run for her mother. Little did she know that agreeing to do something small for her mother's happiness would lead her on a path that would take her on the biggest adventure of life.

Author's Note

I think I could have written this chapter better, but I am also trying to have a consistent uploading schedule and want to get chapters out no more than a week or two apart. I don't know, maybe I am just being overcritical of my writing--- let me know if you think the same.

Chapter 3: The Golden Oak

The walk to the library was only 20 minutes, as Goldie had said, but for Sparky, it had felt like hours. It had taken thirty seconds after leaving the Inn for Pheonix to begin flapping her gums, and with every word she spoke, Sparky became increasingly angry--- the cloaked mare could not believe there was someone in Equestria who talked even more than her mother and her mother talked incessantly. The unicorn not only talked a lot but would randomly switch topics at the drop of a hat; in only 20 minutes of walking, Pheonix went from asking Sparky questions about Ponyville to architectural history facts to travel plans. By the time they reached the library, Pheonix had started chattering about different types of cuisine she hoped to try while traveling.

"I hear that the Equestrian borders have a variety of dishes," Pheonix said as the two stopped at the hoof of the library, not realizing it was in front of her.
"I hope I have time to try some before I head to the Dragon Lands."
"Hey, we're here," Sparky said, trying to get the unicorn's attention.
"I guess I could always buy some local snacks when I restock--- I have to make sure I've got plenty to eat when I reach the Dragon Lands."
"We are at the library!"
"Oh!? Have I told you why I'm going to the Dragon Lands yet? I plan on finding..."
"LOOK IN FRONT OF YOU, CHATTERBOX!!"

Pheonix's eyes widened, not from the cloaked mare shouting at her but from the sight of the Golden Oak Library. The library was a gigantic oak tree with bark shining like pure gold, hence the name Golden Oak. The two had made it just as the doors opened, which made Pheonix extra happy since it meant she would have the entire day to research. The unicorn was about to trot straight into the plant structure but paused to turn to her cloaked guide, who was already beginning to walk away.

"Hey, Sparky, wait up!" she shouted.

Reluctantly, the cloaked mare stopped and looked at the other with a less-than-enthused expression.

"I...I just wanted to say thank you for bringing me here this morning. I know you probably didn't want to, but you did, and I'm grateful for it."
"You're...welcome," Sparky said hesitantly, feeling as though she was about to be asked to do another thing she did not want to do.
"I was hoping maybe you could join me while I work. We seemed to be getting along while walking--- you're a great listener, and I would love to have someone to share my research with who would actually pay attention. So, what do you say?"

Sparky wanted to say no to Pheonix and planned on saying no, but fate had a different idea. The old librarian, Fate Diamond, had seen the two mares talking when she opened up, and she was a nosy biddy. Mrs. Diamond and Sparky had formed a decent relationship since the cloaked mare spent a lot of time in the library, and sometimes Sparky would even help the old librarian with carrying heavy books. However, given the time together, Mrs. Diamond thought it meant she had a right to every aspect of Sparky's life. So, when the old librarian saw her precious cloaked helper talking to a young unicorn she did not recognize, it was only a matter of seconds before she pushed her way into the conversation.

"Sparkling Shield, I knew that was you," rejoiced Mrs. Diamond.
"Who is this lovely mare with you? Did we finally make a new friend?"
"Mornin' Mrs. Diamond. She is not my fr---," Sparky had begun to explain when the old librarian cut her off.
"What's your name, darlin'?"
"Pheonix Flame," the unicorn answered.
"Pheonix, like the ancient bird of fire. What a unique name. It's so lovely to see Sparkling making unique friends. Tell me, Pheonix darlin', what are you two doing here so early in the morning?"
"I'm researching the Dragon Lands and want to be sure I have enough time to go over every detail, so..."
"...you came early to have the whole day to work. What a prepared and clever young mare. Sparkling, she is the perfect friend for you."
"Mrs. Diamond, she is not my fr---!"
"Dragon Lands? You must be looking for Lady Smith's book, The Lives of Dragons--- I know exactly where to find it. Sparkling, come along, precious. Don't keep your new friend waiting."
"(Mumbling) She is not my friend."

Despite her desire to return to the Inn, Sparky followed the old librarian and the unicorn into the library. The Golden Oak was more amazing inside than outside, with dozens of bookshelves carved from the tree's interior and filled with books of all varieties. The two young mares followed Mrs. Diamond silently, Sparky doing so out of annoyance at being tricked into entering, while Pheonix was more in awe at the sheer number of books. The library in Sire's Hollow was not small, but compared to the Golden Oak, it was nowhere near as extensive.

As said, Mrs. Diamond knew where to find The Lives of Dragons. She brought the young mares to an area in the library with a set of glass and wood cabinets, which the old librarian kept locked with a key around her neck. Before even putting the key in the lock, Mrs. Diamond took a pair of clean stockings out of her bag to put on her front hooves and took out two more pairs for Sparky and Pheonix to do the same. Then, with great care, she opened a cabinet and pulled out a large-weathered journal. The old librarian gently placed the journal down on the nearest table.

"Lady Smith was born here, and we knew each other in our youth," said Mrs. Diamond, stroking the journal's spine.
"We were so close that when I was collecting donations for repairs to the library, she threw in the manuscript of her book as a bonus. She was such a generous soul."

"Oh my goodness, this is so amazing," Pheonix said, placing a hoof gently on the journal's cover.

"Glad you think so. I wouldn't dare let a stranger touch something this precious usually, but seeing as you are a friend of Sparkling, I feel that I can trust you to be gentle with it. I can trust you, right?"

"Mrs. Diamond, I promise to treat this journal with as much care as my books. You have my word."

"Well, in that case, I think it is safe to leave you two with it. If you need anything else, I'll be at the front desk. (Whispering to Sparky) I'm proud of you for getting out there."

"Mrs. Diamond, she is not my friend," Sparky tried telling the old librarian again, but she waved it off like a joke and left to the front of the library.

Sparky stayed at the library--- she was planning on spending some time there anyway--- but the second Pheonix looked away, the cloaked mare fled to a different section. Luckily, the unicorn quickly got distracted by the journal's contents and did not notice her disappear. Sparky ended up in her usual spot in the thriller section and spent the next four hours catching up on her favorite detective series. Only when her stomach grumbled did she stop reading, deciding it would be a good idea to go home and have lunch.

The cloaked mare decided to check on the unicorn before leaving as if some mysterious force was pushing her towards the other. Pheonix was right where Sparky had left her near the cabinets, but the table she was at was not in the same state as when the cloaked mare left. The once-clean table had papers strewn across its surface. Pheonix's eyes kept going back and forth from the journal to some maps to a bizarre book with a leather cover. Every few seconds, she would grab a sheet of paper and write notes while mumbling under her breath. Sparky had no clue why, but she wanted a better look at the unicorn's research and crept to the table.

Sparky read through the various notes scattered about--- notes on the Dragon Lands, the best routes to get there, the best way to navigate through the lands, and the obstacles one might face while in the lands. It was surprisingly fascinating, although she would never say such a thing aloud. The cloaked mare was now leaning over the table, trying her best to get a peek at the papers close to Pheonix without getting in the other's personal space. That was when she read the words that made her heart beat with hope and determination.

"...it has also been said that whoever shall wear the amulet will be granted the power to receive all their heart's desires."

"AHHH!!!" screamed Pheonix, who had no clue that Sparky had returned and was startled by her reading aloud so close to her face.

Yes, the cloaked mare had gotten so close to the unicorn that they were less than a head apart when she spoke. The two mares jumped back from the table simultaneously out of shock. Meanwhile, other ponies that had flooded the library over the last few hours gave them dirty looks and shushed them for being noisy. When the mares calmed down, they gave the library patrons apologetic looks and hushed sorries.

"Sorry to you too, Sparky," said Pheonix, speaking as softly as possible so as not to cause another disturbance.
"I was just so in the zone that I forgot you were there. Were you there? I feel like you might have left at some point."
"Pheonix," said Sparky, trying to stay calm while the unicorn started talking over her again.
"Oh no. You left, and I didn't notice. Is that what happened? I am sooo sorry. And then, when you return, I still don't see you."
"Pheonix, I---"
"I mean, how rude is that? To not only not notice someone leaving but also not notice them returning, and on top of that, scaring the mane off their head. Seriously, how---?"
"CHATTERBOX!!"
"Shush," a passing pony sounds to Sparky.

Sparky turns to give the stallion a quick "Sorry" for the noise. When she faces the unicorn again, she is as silent as a pin drop.

"Pheonix, I forgive you," Sparky starts, trying to appear sincere while speaking.
"Actually, I should be the one to apologize to you. I've been pretty mean to you since this morning, and you haven't deserved any of my moodiness. So, to make it up to you, I was hoping you could share more details about your trip with me."

"You really want to hear about my plans?" said Pheonix hopefully.

"You betcha."

Pheonix squeals in delight, earning her more dirty looks and shushes from library patrons. After another round of apologies, the unicorn pulls a chair beside hers and practically shoves Sparky onto it. For the next several hours, Pheonix talks about everything she has been working on and then some. She tells Sparky the story of the amulet, about her years of research on legends surrounding the lost relic, of how she scrimped and saved to afford everything needed for her quest, and about all the notes taken that morning in preparation for the horrors she will face in the Dragon lands. The cloaked mare listens partially to the unicorn's ramblings, only giving her full attention when the other speaks of the amulet.

"Are any of these legends real?" Sparky asks at one point in the conversation.

"For example, the one about 'the power to receive all their heart's desires.' What's that one about, and is it even true?"

"Oh, that's a good one. You see, most ponies know Luna as the ruler of the dream realm, but they forget that as the ruler, she had the power to make anything in her realm become real just by wishing it so. On top of that, with enough willpower, she could make it so that any creature she created in her realm could potentially walk into ours."

"So, you're saying anyone who puts the amulet on can grant wishes? Any wish?"

"In practice, yes. The only limit is the pony's imagination."

"Now that is very interesting."

The two mares continued to talk and do research until the sun went down--- only an hour before closing did they realize they had skipped lunch and dinner. Their stomachs made pained sounds of hunger so loud that if anyone had been in the library, they would have told them to shush again.
"We should probably head out," said Sparky, rubbing her stomach.

"I don't know about you, but I feel hungry enough to eat a manticore. *Yawn* Pretty tired, too."
"I was planning on staying till the library closed, but I guess it won't hurt to leave a little early," Pheonix replies drowsily.
"Wow."
"What?"
"Nothin'. I'm just amazed that you still want to stay, especially since I'm pretty sure we went over everything there is to know about the Dragon Lands. Twice."
"You never know *yawns* we could've missed something."

Sparky watched as the unicorn slowly packed all her belongings into her bag--- silently debating whether this was the best time to ask Pheonix the question that had been rolling in her head since she saw the text 'power to receive all their heart's desires.' The cloaked mare felt a lump in her throat, afraid the other would either say no to her request or say yes and drive her insane from chattering. She fiddled with the strings on her cloak, and the more she did, the more she thought about what she had lost all those years ago. Sparky would do whatever it took to undo what the accident had taken from her, even if it meant traveling outside Equestria with a chatterbox.

"Hey, Phoenix?" the cloaked mare started.
"Yes," said the unicorn, now fully packed and ready to leave.
"I was wondering.., would you...? Could you consider letting a friend join you on your quest?"

Chapter 4: And Then There Were Two

"Are you two sure ya have everything?" asked Goldie Compass, anxiety evident in her voice even if it did not show on her face.

"I'm positive, Goldie," Phoenix answered.

"I made sure to triple-check everything before breakfast."

"And make me double-check everything after breakfast," Sparky said wearily.

It had been two days since the cloaked mare and young unicorn returned from the library, and the former had not seen a moment of peace since. Sparky's time had become split between trip planning and research sessions, everyday chores, and making sure her mother could handle the Inn alone for several weeks--- maybe months. Months on the road and away from her mother, going outside Equestria and to another land while facing unknown dangers. The thought alone made the cloaked mare's bones feel heavy, and the only thing keeping her going was the knowledge that when she returned home, she would be whole. It would all be worth it in the end.

Phoenix appeared to be feeling the exact opposite of Sparky. While the cloaked mare's energy felt near depleted, the young unicorn never felt more peppy and full of stamina. The past two days, she woke up bright and early to prepare for the journey ahead, working tirelessly to ensure everything would go smoothly for herself and her new friend. A new friend! Phoenix still could not believe she had made a new friend so quickly or that the friend asked to join her on her quest. It made the young unicorn feel unstoppable, like no matter what happened along the way, she could conquer it because she was no longer doing it alone.

"Ya have enough food?" Goldie asked Sparky while Phoenix stood outside the front door.
"Yes, Mom," the cloaked mare answered flatly.
"What about supplies? Ya sure you have everything you need to cross the rougher terrain near the borders?"
"Yes, Mom, I am sure."
"What about first aid? Are you sure you have enough supplies if there is an accident? (Whispers) Did you also bring another crystal in case---?"
"Mom, stop!!"

Goldie went silent, biting her lower lip nervously to help her stay quiet. Anyone who did not know the older unicorn would think she did not want her daughter to leave. On the contrary, Goldie was excited that Sparky was getting into the world instead of moping in her room. She was also proud of her daughter for giving the young unicorn a chance and making a new friend. With that in mind, Sparky had also not traveled outside Ponyville in six years and had never been away from her mother for more than a week. Goldie wanted this trip for her daughter more than anything, but there was a nagging feeling in her head repeatedly saying that the cloaked mare was not ready.

"Mom, everything will be okay," said Sparky, throwing her forelimbs around her mother in a tight embrace.
"I know, sweetheart," responded Goldie, returning the unexpected hug--- Sparky rarely initiated hugs.
"It's just...I'm just...*sigh*. Promise me you'll come back in one piece."
"I promise. (Mumbling) I might do one better and return with more pieces than I left."
"What was that last bit?"
"Nothin' you need to worry about!"
"Sparkling Shield, what are you hiding from me?"
"Look at the time! We should've been out of here 10 minutes ago. Love you, Mom!"
"Sparky, wait---!"

The cloaked mare rushed out of the Inn, grabbing the young unicorn who had started a one-sided conversation with a visiting Mr. Pear, and headed straight for the town exit without looking back. In contrast, Phoenix made a point of waving goodbye to Goldie and Mr. Pear, all while she was roughly dragged away from the Inn by her tail. To anyone who saw the two young mares as they passed through town, it would have appeared as if the cloaked one was in charge and the other was simply along for the ride.

"Sparky?" Phoenix asked.
"Hm?" was Sparky's reply.
"Could I walk on my own? We would move faster if I could walk forward instead of backward."
"Oh. I forgot I still had you. Sorry."

Sparky let go of the young unicorn, and the two began walking side by side the rest of the way. At some point, Phoenix started chattering about all the fun they would have together while the cloaked mare did her best to tune it out. The young unicorn was a chatterbox, but Sparky would deal with a thousand chatty ponies if she could have her heart's desire. Phoenix would tire herself out eventually and stop either that or realize the cloaked mare was only half listening and give up. Right?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Three weeks. It had been three weeks of walking through woodlands, crossing streams, going over hills, sleeping outside in the dark, and dealing with pesky critters. It had been so long since Sparky traveled that she had forgotten how tiring and long it could be. If everything was not exhausting enough, Phoenix had been flapping her gums off THE ENTIRE TIME! It was driving Sparky insane. The long talking was not even the worst part, for the cloaked mare was used to nonstop chatter from her mother, but she could not stand the topics the unicorn would pick.

Phoenix had few interests in actuality, but with the interests she did have, she was extensively knowledgeable about them. The unicorn loved anything relating to history, from artifacts to extinct creatures to ancient civilizations--- no one knew more than Phoenix Flame. The problem was that her interests were niche compared to most, and thus, not many ponies cared to listen when she began to discuss such topics. Given how Sparky acted regarding the stories of the amulet, Phoenix assumed the cloaked mare shared her love of the historical and, therefore, shared everything she knew about Equestrian history. And it was a lot.

Sparky could not take it anymore! If she had to hear one more story about Ponhenge or the lost city of Atlantis, the cloaked mare swore she would push the unicorn off a cliff. Technically, she did not need Phoenix to make it to the Dragon Lands. Sparky could always steal the other's research while she slept and use it to reach the Dragon Lands alone, but every time the thought crossed her mind, she would experience gut-wrenching guilt for even thinking it. Phoenix was a good pony who was only trying to be friendly, and sadly for Sparky, her friendliness involved talking about stuff the cloaked mare found boring. Mostly boring.

Sparky would never say it aloud, but a couple of times, she found herself enjoying Phoenix's tales of pony history. The stories surrounding legendary figures were better than any fictional thriller the cloaked mare had read. Somnambula and her trials with the Sphinx, Rockhoof's determination to save his village from a volcano, and Starswirl the Beared's many magical feats drew Sparky in the more she heard them. The unicorn's attention to detail made every story she told appear in vivid images within the cloaked mare's mind to the point she felt like she was living them out. Phoenix had a gift for making history come to life, one of a few things Sparky had grown to appreciate about the other.

"...and to this day, no one knows for sure what happened to the great wizard," said Phoenix, finishing the tale of Starswirl's vanishing.
"Dang," was the only response Sparky could supply, left speechless over the gripping tale.
"I know! It bothers me, too. You would think there would be some information on his disappearance, but much like the wizard himself, it seems to have vanished into thin air."
"(Sparky chuckling) Oh my gods."
"What's so funny?"
"Nothin'. You're just the biggest geek I have ever met."

Phoenix gave Sparky a puzzled look, confused about what the cloaked mare meant, causing an even louder laugh to escape the latter. It was strange to hear the cloaked mare laugh, especially so loudly, but the unicorn also saw it as a sign of their new friendship. Sparky was laughing because she found something Phoenix said funny and felt comfortable expressing how she felt--- the cloaked mare would have never done that three weeks ago. The two were making progress in their friendship as well as their quest.

While Sparky was catching her breath, Phoenix decided to check on how much progress the two had made exactly since leaving Ponyville. The unicorn used her aura to levitate their main map from her bag and see how much farther they had until they reached the borderlands of Equestria. Judging from what she saw, the unicorn predicted it would take another three weeks if they continued to travel by hoof. If there was a train station that went in the direction they needed, maybe they could cut that time in half. As much as Phoenix enjoyed saddle-bagging across Equestria, it would be nice to rest their hooves for a few days in a warm cart.

*Snap*
"What was that?" asked Sparky, guard quickly up.
"Hm? What was what?" asked Phoenix back, still trying to decide whether they should keep walking or look for a train station.
*Rustle, rustle*
"That! There's something in the bushes."
"It could be squirrels, or rabbits, or birds, or---"
*Growling*
"Or something that wants to eat us."
"You worry too much, Sparky."
"You worry too little! We should hurry before whatever is hiding realizes we're onto it."

Sparky was not the only one learning things about her traveling companion. Phoenix noticed that the cloaked mare was vigilant, perhaps too much so. Sparky often jumped into flight-or-fight mode whenever she heard a sound she deemed a threat. There had been a couple of nights when the unicorn had been awoken by the other holding a large tree branch and screaming about how they had to defend themselves from thieves hiding in the trees, only to find out it was a bat or possum. Phoenix was grateful for Sparky's willingness to protect them from harm but felt the cloaked mare needed to learn to ease up on her concern.

"What do you think you're doing!?" shouted Sparky, watching as Phoenix put away the map and slowly walked over to the bushes.
"Don't worry," the unicorn says calmly.
"I'm just going to check the bushes and prove there is nothing dangerous trying to eat us."
"Said the dumb-butt unicorn right before getting eaten!"

Phoenix ignored the comment and pulled back the branches of a bush with her magic. At that moment, a booming roar sounded from the spot in the bush. The unicorn sputtered backward just in time as a massive clawed paw swung at her head. Sparky had been correct--- the thing in the bushes was trying to eat them, and worse, that thing turned out to be a manticore. If the beast had tried hitting the unicorn with its scorpion tail instead of a paw, then she would have been paralyzed by the venom and would not have been capable of moving. Phoenix had gotten lucky and was going to take advantage of it.

"Lux Caeca!" the unicorn shouted as a beam of light shot from her horn, temporarily blinding the manticore.

"Run away, run away, run away!"

"Ya don't have to say it more than once!" the cloaked mare yelled as she joined the other in escaping the beast.

Phoenix and Sparky galloped as fast as their hooves would carry them, trying to put distance between them and the beast, and managed to get far enough to where it was only a speck in their vision. For a moment, the two mares thought they were safe and slowed their pace to canter. After another couple of minutes, they had gone down to a trot, but the second they did, an earsplitting roar sounded from the beast now charging toward them. The manticore's eyesight had returned, and with it, a new determination to retrieve its fleeing meal. Despite the two mares' head start, the beast was more agile than them and caught up without issue.

"OH, FRACK!" yelled Sparky, picking her pace back up.
"Quick, do that spell again!"
"It...won't work...unless I face...the manticore!" responded Phoenix, her voice heaving from exertion.
"Then do a different spell!"
"Which one!?"
"I don't know! You're the unicorn--- try something! Do whatever you can to get it off our tails!"
"Okay! I'll try!"
"(Sparky dodging a swinging claw) Hurry!!"
"Murus flammarum! Murus flammarum!! Murus flammarum!!!"

A great wall of fire springs from the earth between the two mares and the manticore, effectively cutting the beast off. Sparky and Phoenix continued galloping until they reached a cliff overlooking a deep forest, and only then did they take the time to breathe a sigh of relief. Neither mare could believe they had made it. The cloaked mare was particularly surprised--- when she told the unicorn to do something, she was not expecting a wall of fire to appear. Sparky had seen Phoenix use magic to start campfires, which, from the little she knew about magic, required wood or other kindling to activate. If the unicorn could make fire without materials, she was more powerful than the cloaked mare had thought.

"Son...of a dog," Sparky gasped.
"You've been...holding back on me, Nix."
"What was that?" Phoenix asked, giving Sparky intense eye contact.
"I said you've been holding back on me."
"No, not that. You called me Nix."
"Sorry?"
"No, don't be sorry. I liked it. Friends give each other nicknames, after all. Right?"
"Umm---"
*ROARING*

The manticore suddenly bursts forth from the trees with fury in its eyes, its wings flapping hard enough to send leaves flying. The mares had forgotten manticores could fly. Frack them. Once again, they had to find a way to escape the beast, but they could not run this time. The mares had trapped themselves between the cliffside and the approaching manticore. They had three options: they let the manticore eat them, Phoenix does another spell to distract the beast long enough to flee, or---

"When I thought about pushing you off a cliff, I never pictured going down with you," Sparky said while taking a calming breath.

"What did you s---?" Phoenix began to ask. However, before she could finish her question, she found herself shoved over the edge and plummeting to the forest below.

Chapter 5: Revelations and a New Acquaintance

Phoenix had not wanted to see her descent into the forest below, so as soon as her companion shoved her off, she closed her eyes and prepared for a hard crash. However, the crash never happened. As the unicorn went over the cliff edge, she felt strong forelimbs wrap around her middle and hold her close. Then she was flying. Flying in the air, her back hooves grazed the tops of trees, and the wind whipped through her long mane as she went along. It was a miracle--- she had been saved! But how was this possible? Phoenix may be named after a bird, but that did not mean she could fly like one. Also, what was that strange creaking sound?

The unicorn opened her eyes very slowly, still afraid she may see herself plummeting to her demise despite the unlikeliness. Phoenix saw the sky before her and the treetops just beneath. Satisfied with the sights, she looked to where the strong forelimbs were still securely wrapped around her midsection. They looked like Sparky's. That would mean the cloaked mare is holding the unicorn up, which means she is the one flying. Phoenix risks turning a little to get a quick peek at the other and, from the corner of her eye, catches a wing. Phoenix had assumed the cloaked mare was an earth-pony, but the truth was that Sparky was, in fact, a pegasus.

The unicorn was mentally reeling from the revelation. How had Phoenix not realized this sooner? Easy, the other mare never took her cloak off. But why hide the fact in the first place? The unicorn knew of others in her race that belittled pegasi, thinking of the winged race as airheaded sky clutterers, but Sparky had to have known that she was not one of those kinds of unicorns. Right? Plus, the cloaked mare hid her wings while at home as well. Did her mother make her wear the cloak out of shame for having a pegasus daughter? Unlikely, Goldie did not seem like a mare to do something so cruel. So, why hide?

Phoenix continued to go over the many reasons she thought Sparky would have for hiding her wings when she remembered another thing that had puzzled her while her eyes were closed. The unicorn had heard a creaking noise and still heard it as they flew. Where or what was that noise coming from? Phoenix shut her eyes again, thinking it might help her hone in on the sound, and listened more intently. The noise seemed to have a rhythm that matched Sparky's wing flaps, for with every flap, the unicorn heard a creak accompanying it. It also sounded as if the noise was only coming from the right, likely meaning that something had caught onto the cloaked mare's right wing when they went down.

Coming to an adequate explanation of where the creaking was coming from, Phoenix shifted in the other mare's forelimbs again to confirm her theory to be true--- and tell Sparky she had something stuck to her wing. However, upon turning her head, she was speechless by the sight that graced her vision. The creaking was not because something was on Sparky's wing but because of the wing itself. The cloaked mare's right wing was made entirely of bronze metal, and the creaking had been the wing's flaps. Phoenix could not believe it, mainly because she did not even know they made prosthetic wings for pegasi.

"It's rude to stare, dumb-butt," said Sparky, who had felt that the unicorn was unusually quiet and glanced down to see why.
"Also, stop squirming. It makes it harder to hold on."
"SORRY!" said Phoenix, much louder than needed.
"Don't shout either. I'm close enough to hear ya without it."
"(Whispering) Sorry."
"I think the manticore stopped chasing us--- because of its size and how much a manticore needs to eat to maintain enough energy, it can only fly so long before tuckering out. It probably felt like a long flight wasn't worth such a small meal."
"So.., we're safe now?"
"Yup."
"That's great! We can land in the forest and get back on track."
"We could...if I could stop my right wing from flapping."
"Why wouldn't you be able to stop it from flapping?"
"Because the crystal that powers it won't turn off no matter how much I tell it to turn off."
"But that means we're stuck flying around, and if we're stuck flying around, we may end up off course."
"Phoenix Flame."
"And if we end up off course, we might end up further away from the Dragon Lands!"
"Phoenix!"
"And if we end up further away from the Dragon Lands, it could take us two or three times as long to get there!!"
"Nix!!"
"(In a whisper) Yes..?"
"I've got an idea on how we can stop."
"Really, ho--- AAAHHHH?!?!"

Sparky tucked her left wing into her body while her right one continued flapping, and the two mares began to spiral down to the forest below them. The cloaked mare knew if she stopped moving her real wing, they would not be able to stay up and crash into the ground, and a strong enough crash might be the thing to stop her other wing's movement. Sparky had thought about telling Phoenix the plan but decided it was funnier to let her figure it out. Was it a cruel trick, making the unicorn feel she was falling to her death for the second time today? Yes, but the cloaked mare felt that Phoenix deserved a little punishment after gawking at her prosthetic like a circus freak sideshow--- she was not a freak!

The two had not been exceedingly high up, given that Sparky's prosthetic only allowed her to fly a limited height, so their descent was not as painful as one would assume. That is to say, the two mares were not injured but very sore. When falling, the cloaked mare's wing managed to bang into a tree, which caused its flapping to cease. This would have pleased Sparky had it not caused her to lose her grip on Phoenix, sending the two and their items tumbling in multiple directions. Everything they brought spread across the forest floor in a jumble of papers, hiking equipment, snacks, and other supplies. Meanwhile, the two mares lie flat on their backs, their limbs pointing skyward and groaning with pain.

"Sparky," called Phoenix, being the first to speak after several minutes.
"Yes," responded the cloaked mare with a long groan.
"Please tell me no more of your ideas involve falling. I don't think my heart could take another scare."
"Hopefully not."
"That's good."
"Nix."
"Hm?"
"How long are we lying here until we pick up our stuff?"
"Our stuff?! Oh no, my book!!"

Phoenix shot up like a firework at the end of a festival and immediately began collecting every scrap of paper she saw. While the unicorn trotted anxiously around the area, Sparky took her time sitting up and forcing her prosthetic to fold back underneath her cloak--- the fake wing had gotten jammed during the fall. By the time the cloaked mare got it folded in, Phoenix had everything packed safely into their bags. That is everything but the leather-bound book she loved. No matter how many times she checked the area, the unicorn could not seem to find her treasured possession anywhere, and the thought that it could be lost forever brought her to tears.

"Finally, the dang thing is back in--- Phoenix?" Sparky said, cutting herself off when she noticed tears forming in Phoenix's eyes. It caught her off guard seeing the usually chipper mare cry.
"It's gone," the unicorn said, beginning to hyperventilate.
"It's gone.., and I will...never see...him again."
"Easy there, breathe. I'm sure we can find whatever it is somewhere."
"He's gone.., and...he isn't...coming back."
"Phoenix, you're not making any sense. He? Who's he?"
"I'll...never...find him."
"Phoenix, can ya hear me? Nix!?"
"Excuse me, but is this what you were looking for?" came a sweet voice behind a tree.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Okay, if I am reading this correctly, it should only be another couple of miles until I'm at her house," said a sweet-voiced mare to herself.

The mare was a short pegasus with a light yellow coat, short tail, and choppy bob mane in multiple shades of pink. Tied to the back of her mane was a bright red bow that matched her equally bright red eyes, and every step the short pegasus took was bouncy and full of joy. Due to her small stature and bubbly attitude, anyone passing by without looking closer at her features would have assumed she was a child recklessly wandering the forest. While young, she was no child and was not reckless--- the short pegasus had been very careful to avoid any trouble on her 2-month-long journey. However, unbeknownst to her, trouble was about to find her in the form of two mares falling from the sky.

The short pegasus had observed Phoenix and Sparky crashing through the trees with the force of a cannonball, their collective belongings scattering the forest floor chaotically. It had happened so quickly for the short pegasus that she had no time to react before a leather book soared at her and struck her in the face. The book hit her forcefully enough to send her body falling back behind a tree, and she lay there for a few minutes wondering what had hit her so dang hard. Although in a daze, the short pegasus could make out the sounds of the two mares that had crashed. She could hear one of them complaining about "This stupid hunk of metal" while the other was noisily trotting around the area. The short pegasus could also hear when the trotting stopped and been replaced with crying.

The short pegasus hated hearing others cry, and listening as Phoenix began to weep caused her to shoot up like wildflowers in the spring. The fast motion made her feel dizzy, but she was too focused on the mare's words to care, more worried about a stranger's well-being than her own. She heard an "It's gone" a couple of times and concluded that one of the mares must have lost something important. With a deep breath to help focus, the short pegasus scanned the ground around her, thinking that maybe what hit her might be whatever was missing. That was when she noticed the book--- it had bounced off her face and landed a couple of feet away. Very carefully, the short pegasus scooped the old-looking book into her hooves.

"Phoenix, you're not making any sense. He? Who's he?" said Sparky, confused by the unicorn's words.
"I'll...never...find him," Phoenix said, not seeming to hear the cloaked mare.
"Phoenix, can ya hear me? Nix!?"
"Excuse me, but is this what you were looking for?" cut in the short pegasus.

Sparky immediately took a defensive stance as if she was expecting to fight the pony that, in her mind, appeared mysteriously out of nowhere. Meanwhile, the unicorn was still sitting on the ground, rapidly breathing and mumbling repetitively how she would "never find him."

"Phoenix, I need ya to pull yourself together," said the cloaked mare over her shoulder, still trying to get her travel companion to snap out of her stupor.
"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to surprise you," said the short pegasus, her voice sweeter than honey.
"I was in the area when you two had that nasty fall, and it just so happens that on your way down, this big old book hit me in the noggin. So, I thought maybe it was yours."
"Book!?" Phoenix shouted, starling the two pegasi mares with her.

Phoenix sped past Sparky, who was confused about what was happening, and she headed straight to the short pegasus. The smallest of the mares found herself wrapped in a hug by the unicorn that was as warm as summer sunshine.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Phoenix said joyfully.
"You have no idea what it means to me that you found my book. Thank you! Did I already say that? Never mind, even if I did, you deserve to hear it again. Thank you."
"You're welcome, hon---," the short pegasus begins to say before being cut off.
"Oh, my goodness. How rude of me? I just trotted to a stranger and hugged them without asking if I could or even introducing myself. I'm soooo sorry. My name is Phoenix Flame, and the annoyed-looking pony in the cloak is Sparkling Shield."
"Hello, I guess," pipes in Sparky, definitely appearing annoyed now.
"It's just Sparky, and before you ask, she does talk this much most of the time."
"Well, it's lovely to meet you two. My name is Ca---"
"Thank you again for finding my book. It really means the world to me. Also, sorry for hugging you without asking. I know you must have felt weird getting a hug from some---"

Phoenix's ranting is cut off when the short pegasus shoves a strawberry cake pop into her mouth. Any other pony would have found the action alarming, but it was not the first time the unicorn had a pony forcefully give her food in exchange for her silence. Plus, the treat had to have been the most delicious thing she ever tasted. The cake was light and moist but not in a way that made it mushy, and the whole treat was coated in creamy white chocolate topped with strawberry-flavored sprinkles. The second it touched her tongue, Phoenix thought she had entered a secret paradise within her mind--- the cake pop was that perfect.

"Nix, you okay?" asked Sparky, seeing her companion's oddly relaxed expression.

"I think I've discovered what happiness tastes like," responded the unicorn.

"Don't worry about her," said the short pegasus, hoofing over the book to Phoenix and giving her a pat on the shoulder.
"She's just experiencing the best treat she has or will ever have. I would offer you one, but sadly, that was my last cake pop, and I don't have the resources to make more. However.., if you follow me to my friend's home, I could bake you a fresh batch. You two look as if you could use something to sweeten up your day."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Listen here, shortstack. We appreciate you finding Nix's book, but we're on a tight schedule and do not have time to stop for sweets. Also.., we have no idea who you are! Do you expect us to follow a strange pony deep into a forest in the middle of---?"

"Oh my goodness! That is sooo sweet of you. We accept," said Phoenix in the middle of the cloaked mare's dismissal.

"What!?!"

"Wonderful! You two won't regret this--- I make the best treats in Equestria. What are we waiting for? Grab your stuff and follow me."

Phoenix instantly went to grab her bag, gently slipping her book inside, while Sparky stood there for a minute in astonishment. They were going to follow a stranger into a forest in the middle of nowhere. Not only that, but the unicorn had agreed to take a break from their quest. Phoenix would get antsy if Sparky took too long in the bathroom but was completely fine with stopping for pastries. What was in that cake pop? A spell that made Phoenix more relaxed? The unicorn got nervous every time something took them off course, but apparently, the exception to this was sweets. Sparky swore the longer she was around Phoenix, the less she understood her.

"Sparky, hurry up," said Phoenix, snapping the cloaked mare out of her stupor.
"We don't want to keep---. Oh! I just realized we never got your name. Sorry."
"(Giggling) No worries. My name is Cake Pop, but you can call me Cakey."
"Right, we shouldn't keep Cakey waiting. Come on."
"Okay. I guess we follow a random pony into the middle of nowhere. How fun," Sparky sarcastically said as Phoenix hoofed over her bag and grabbed her by her cloak strings with her aura.
"(Mumbling) This is going to end badly. I know it."