Chronicles of Equestria I: The Tome, the Stranger and the Book Club

'Sweets...' sounded sweetly in Clover Cover’s ears. 'Sweets?...' the voice repeated gently. '…Clover!'

'What time is it?' she asked drowsily, rolling over under her blanket towards where Cres’s voice was coming from, but keeping her eyes shut.

'It’s about time you woke up! But if you need to know, just give me a moment and...' his voice paused for a moment and Clover could hear a few clops as he took a few steps in the bedroom. 'Yes then! Welcome to another wonderful Saturday in the beautiful and magnificent city of Canterlot! Clocking in at a nice seven thirteen in the morning! Come on! Open those eyes and get up! Or don’t! First a quick pop-quiz: Why is Canterlot so magnificent my dear?' asked Cres almost laughing.

'Mmm. Because if my nose doesn’t fool me, it houses some of your pancakes?' Clover replied while a smile crawled onto her face.

'Well now. I was going to say something sappy like “Because you’re in it.”, but I can’t deny the truth; my pancakes truly are the stuff of legends.' Cres laughed and Clover felt a small kiss on her forehead. 'Though, really now, it’s time to get up. I can’t believe you are this tired.'

'Don’t you go blaming me for that.' Clover countered then pulled the blanket higher. 'Pancakes can wa-'

This was as far as she got before she felt the entire blanket flying off of her and she opened her eyes.

'You’re such a drover!' she shouted at the smiling unicorn and laughed. 'But seriously, could I please go back to sleep.'

'I could allow that, yes.' said Cres thoughtfully, lowering the blanket that he hovered just out of hoof’s reach over his fiancée. 'But,' here he threw the blanket away into an armchair in the corner of the room. 'you’d never forgive me for letting you miss the hearing we’re supposed to hear in a... Darn I wanted to say another “hear” word but there are just not that many of them are there? Anyway the punch line is that we’ve got a bit over two hours for you to drink your coffee, eat my brilliant pancakes, read the paper, get dressed and take a walk to the castle with the most handsome unicorn in town. So move it, move it, move it! I’ve already been to Dad’s house while you were just snoozing here, so it’s time to get busy for you!'

'The most handsome unicorn?' Clover asked while giving in and slowly climbing off the bed. 'I never would have guessed that Fancy-Pants is intereste...'

'Don’t go there or I’ll eat the pancakes and you’ll have to do with my less amazing salad.'

'Mmmph. Drover!'

'You didn’t tell me what your father had to say about us dropping in on the hearing.' Clover noted as they were walking to the castle, only half an hour before the hearing. Cres was wearing his usual suit and she was doomed to wear the formal, gray dress composed of a relatively short cape and a jacket, that always made her itch. There wasn’t much to be done though, one could not expect to get a free ticket to the most high priority of events while wearing nothing but a hat.

'He didn’t have anything to say, since I didn’t mention it' replied Cres indifferently.

'Wait, you didn’t?'

'Not really. I was going to, in fact that’s why I went to him in the first place, but he didn’t let me speak a word as he rambled on about “having an important meeting at nine thirty in the Castle”. Besides it’s not sure, he just said he’ll request permission for us.'

'Alright, it’s your funeral Cres' Clover noted with a hidden smile.

'Shh, you know Dad’s not like that!' Cres replied, keeping his eyes on the Castle just a couple hundred yards ahead of them.

'Tssk. And you know that I don’t mean it.' she countered and leaned to the stallion’s side, something she almost instantly stopped as the dress turned even itchier this way. Crescent looked at the mare and smiled as their eyes met. He looked back ahead and stayed in silence. Thanks to the many years they’ve been together, Clover could tell when he’s thinking deeply so she didn’t say a word.

In her thoughts she recounted the conversation she had with the teal unicorn yesterday, the idea that one spell tome could change so many things seemed unlikely but scary nonetheless. She had to wonder if this was what made Twilight upset, as Oakleaf noted. Maybe the young unicorn too was afraid about such a thing? She can’t be sure. Poor Twilight. There was something about that filly that made Clover feel very close. She watched her grow up, exchanged a lot thoughts - the filly's first deep thoughts - with her and knew the unicorn was simply brilliant... She just wished to know that Twilight’s happy, as she definitely deserves to be.

'Snap out of it Sweets.' said Cres under his nose and Clover realized they were already in the Castle. She managed to drift off again somehow. 'Guard said we should go to the council chamber and wait for the hearing there, in case you weren’t paying attention.'

'Sorry, about that.' Clover replied.

'Don’t worry about it.' the stallion smiled at her.

They quietly made their way through the castle. Every clop after their steps felt as a heresy against the sacred silence of the nearly empty castle that seemed to house no more than a couple of guards who shown no sign of life beyond an occasional blink.

Finally after a few long corridors, they made it to the Academy wing of the castle, where - among other things - the rooms of Celestia’s magic school and the council chamber were built. Their steps were no longer the sole source of noise now, in the distance she could hear familiar voices. Getting closer, she soon realized they’re coming from the council chamber and are the voices of the council’s members.

'I’m not saying we shouldn’t!' she heard the deep voice of the old Professor Flame. 'But we should study it passively.

'I understand your caution Tranquil.' Professor Light’s gentle, feminine voice replied. 'Though you have to agree that Gleam has a point. She’s right when she says that we should do what’s best for the future, not what’s best for right now.'

'The future? How far away future do you mean? If we...' started Proffesor Flame’s voice but was interrupted as Cres opened the chamber’s door with Clover by his side. A few moments of silence fell that gave Clover a chance to breath in her new surroundings.

The council chamber was a large round room with seats positioned around at the walls, forming a sort of stairway down towards the middle, where there was a comfortably sized empty space. Clover imagined the speakers always stand there. Visibly, there were more seats than what was necessary for the council’s members, but she found it understandable, as they sometimes hosted conferences with many invited specialists. Only thing breaking the symmetry of the room was the door and above it a single balcony, no doubt it’s entrance was on the second floor - where the Princess’s personal library and office was placed. Right now the members of the council were standing in the small empty area.

Clover noticed that most of the council wore their same old attire which for almost all of them consisted of a seemingly random jacket and tie. None of them followed the formal black/white rule. Most wore brown or greenish jackets, some of them even wore checkered jackets riddled with many dark and dim colours.In short, they were anything but formal. Clover had to realize that she probably took on this itchy attire for nothing.

'What are you doing here?' asked the white coated Professor Glare, Cres’s father.

'Oakleaf asked us to be here for his hearing.' Cres replied in a tone as if being invited to such a hearing was the most natural thing in the world, which of course it wasn’t.

'So he did.' replied Professor Glare after a short silence. 'Well I hope none of you will mind if my son and Miss Clov- Excuse me, Cover will attend this once?'

'I don’t mind but the pegasus representative might take issue.' noted the crimson coated, wrinkly old Professor Flame. When he mentioned the pegasus, Clover and Cres looked at each other.

'I hope he doesn’t. After all: there wasn’t any word of the Earth Ponies wishing to interfere in this, but it’s not a bad idea to have one of them here.' Professor Light replied to him with a smile on her vanilla face. 'Who better to represent them in a matter of magic than Miss Cover?'

Professor Flame just raised his eyebrows at his colleague, but didn’t argue further. No one else seemed to have a problem with the idea, though the light greenish Professor Gleam exchanged a few words with Professor Flame in quiet. This could have been about their previous conversation, if they don't look towards the two new comers at the same time. Somepony noted that the hearing should start in less than ten minutes and so most of the members found a place among the seats and retreated to quiet discussions with their neighbours. The elder Glare told them to take a seat somewhere a bit apart of the council members, so not to disturb them, then headed after Professor Light.

'Well that definitely went smoother than I expected.' said Cres and started going towards an empty row across from the balcony.

'It feels strange that the room is this empty.' noted Clover as she followed him. 'I mean I know the whole council is here, but it feels as if there should be more ponies.'

'And Flame said “representative”. In singular. I’m not sure if they just don’t consider this too important or if they’re actually trying to keep it a secret.'

'Could be both.'

'I don't know. Perhaps they think that if there is too much of a parade around it, then it could get out of hooves.'

They chose two seats in the middle of the row. Clover tried to listen in on what the council members were talking about, but they were too quiet. Naturally, she would never have written down any of it, without permission at least, but she was curious.

Having talked about the hearing during breakfast, Clover and Cres didn’t have much else to add. They didn’t get beyond yesterday’s point of “it’ll probably be alright”, but this was still a very unique situation. Clover couldn’t help but feel that something will go wrong.

'It will be alright.' whispered Cres to her quietly, looking at him Clover was greeted with a supportive smile. 'I swear, if this Oakleaf doesn’t walk out of here as a celebrated stallion, I have officially lost my faith in magic!'

Clover just smiled back but didn’t say a word.

A few minutes later the door they came in through opened again and the teal unicorn stepped in. Clover saw a flash of gold through the opening, suggesting that he was escorted by the royal guard, but they stayed out. The unicorn himself wore the same gray outfit as yesterday and courteously taken his hat off as soon as he stepped into the council chamber.

'Well uh... Good morning!' Oakleaf seemed a bit lost and there was a bit of fright on his face while he gave his greetings and walked down into the middle of the room, but it dimmed down as his eyes found Cres and Clover.

'Good morning Mr. Oakleaf.' returned the gesture Professor Willow, the oldest mare and ‘head’ of the RCMP. She was the head in only title though, she’d rather let her fellow members do as they will, as there weren’t many things in need of moderation in this council to begin with. - I hope you don’t mind that we asked the princess to delay your hearing while we look through your book.

'Oh, not all.' Oakleaf shook his head. 'I have read of your council’s history and it’s an honour to be invited here.'

'You act very humble.' Professor Gleam noted. 'I'd like to make clear that you have no reason to. I think I can speak on behalf of the whole council when I say that we were amazed by the brilliance you've shown in this book. It is hard to believe a stallion relatively young like yourself could make so many discoveries.'

'To be honest,' started Oakleaf. 'as I already explained to Miss Cover in some extent, much of my "discoveries" are based off of the amazing talents and wisdom of far away cultures that I've met.'

'We are all standing on the shoulder of giants.' said Professor Flame simply. 'It makes your work non the less impressive.'

Almost as soon as Flame finished, the sound of a door opening sounded, but it wasn’t the main entrance, instead the baclony’s door was the source. Clover had an almost straight view of the balcony so she was among the firsts to see as the two princesses stepped in accompanied by a not particularly old, but hunched pegasus. Clover recognized the pegasus almost instantly, she was well known as a voice of Cloudsdale and Weather Science in Canterlot. Her name was Gloomy Cloud and though her parents originally named her this for her dark gray coat, she sometimes shown another meaning for the name.

The three mares created a strange slope of emotions, size and even colour as Celestia stood at the right of the right side of the balcony with her ever present, benevolent smile; next to her the younger Princess Luna who looked with a somewhat curious thoughtfulness at the council and finally the even darker coloured, gray, mortal pegasus with a tired and irritated look on her face.

'Thank you all for coming so early.' Celestia said in her usual, kind tone. To her greeting everypony in the room - except Oakleaf - bowed their head instinctively. 'I trust it was Miss Clover and Professor Glare’s son, that you mentioned in your message Mr. Oakleaf. They are of course welcome to stay and listen. Now as it seems that we’re all here, I think...' she paused for a moment and exchanged looks with her sister who just shook her head. 'I think we’re ready to begin.'

As she said the final words, the Princess sat down on the balcony and the two mares by her side followed. Professor Willow then started to “briefly” document the council’s thoughts on the spell book and its contents, mainly aiming her words towards Gloomy Cloud who kept her eyes on the uncomfortable looking Oakleaf.

'I didn’t think Princess Luna would attend.' whispered Cres. Clover saw that some of the council too were blinking towards the dark blue alicorn on occasion.

'Well, I know she only made few public appearances, but she’s not a hermit... And this is important.' replied the mare quietly.

'I mean I didn’t think she’d be necessary here. I didn’t think Celestia would need her here.'

'Maybe she wanted to come.' Clover proposed to which Cres paused for a moment then shrugged.

Professor Willow finally finished her documentations. Mostly she spoke in academic terms, but the main message was that they found the spell book to be often beyond their current understanding. What they did understand however, was that these spells are capable of allowing the use of magic into new areas of life.

'I'd like to ask now that you make any statements that you would like to be heard before the actual hearing begins.' she finished turning to Oakleaf.

'I have but two things to say right now.' replied Oakleaf. 'Firstly, I'd like to release all my rights upon the spell book to the princesses, who I trust will do with it what they find best. Secondly, I am perfectly aware that this hearing is hardly about me, but I'm willing and eager to aid as a consultant in the issues present and am hoping to be able to do the best that such a role implies.'

Clover half expected that the room would start whispering now, but it seems the council was hardly shocked by the statement. Only real movement was as Princess Luna looked back at her sister.

'What issues would these be? More important than yourself?' asked Gloomy Cloud.

'Same ones that lead you - an Equestiran pegasus - here to a council dedicated to the study of magic. The false belief that my spells aim to aid none but unicorn kind to a place above the others.' the teal unicorn explained calmly. 'The false belief that I managed to do the impossible and replicate pegasus magic.'

'Then you deny the validity of the weather control spells found in your tome?' asked Cloud.

'The council examined the weather spells and found them theoretically correct, with no visible flaws.' noted Professor Flame.

'Yes, they are perfectly functional, but I must admit they are barely cheap attempts at mimicking a pegasus's abilities. You must understand that they were born of necessity as tools of my survival.'

'How or why these spells were created is not important.' said Cloud in a harsh tone. 'What is important is that they will take place of pegasi workers!'

Clover noticed that the smile disappeared off of Celestia's face and instead she was following the events with a sad concern.

'Unimportant?' asked Professor Glare. 'I respect your concerns about the practical use of these spells, but this tone is unacceptable! I'm insulted that we were forced to transform such a learning opportunity into a shameful trial, of an innocent stallion!'

'He may be innocent,' replied Cloud 'but that doesn't mean he's not dangerous! I will not allow the economy to be brought down because unicorns made the entire weather industry obsolete!'

'That was never his idea!' retorted Glare, absolutely forsaking the manners that should be displayed in the council and in the company of royalty. 'He created these spells to survive and did it brilliantly!'

'When mentioning unicorns, I didn't mean him specifically.' Cloud countered coldly.

'What does that supposed to...' started Professor Glare but was interrupted by Oakleaf.

'Professor, please. Thank you for your words, but I must say...' started Oak then sighed. 'I must say that to some extent, what Miss Cloud speaks of, is possible.'

'Then you admit it?' Cloud asked.

'Admit what exactly? That I created spells that saved my life in the harsh world beyond Equestria's borders? That I did what I could to survive? Yes. If you mean if I admit, to having nothing but spells that would break the balance in Equestria on the other hoof, then I must say that i don't admit to it, for it is untrue. I have seen things that I dare say few of you could believe. Things, that I've learned from and things that I wrote down. I have see magic being used without the help of unicorns.

Now came the whispering that Clover expected earlier, so much so that it was almost just talking over each other's voice. Clover turned to Cres.

'Do you think it's smart that he mentioned this?'

'I'm not sure.' admitted Cres then raised his head towards the balcony. 'It seems even the Princesses were moderately surprised about this.'

'And what about your father? I didn't see him this upset in a very long time.'

'Well, for one you know how highly he thinks of magic. He would never allow anypony to stand in it's advancement. But I think he might also hate that mare specifically, she did write a very harshly toned request to change the restrictions of magic, after that unicorn nearly died participating in a pegasus flying competition.'

Finally Professor Light broke through all the speech and addressed Oakleaf.

'What exactly are you talking about?'

'I had suspected that you've already found what I'm referring to in my book and understood it, but as it doesn't seem to be the case, I'll explain briefly: I've met a group of earth ponies very far away who were able to use magic to help themselves in small ways.' he said simply, then paused as the noise risen in the chamber.

'That is impossible.' Professor Flame dismissed him. 'It was...'

'...proven that the direct use of magic is a skill unique to beings in possession of an alicorn horn, for only that may bend magic to the whims of the mind.' finished Oakleaf. 'Yes, I know. I'd like to think that I'm particularly well read so I know about this law. What I also know about, but it's creator did not is that there is a large difference between unicorn magic and any other. What you also neglected to notice that earth pony and pegasus magics were never controlled with will, they are born of instinct! That removes them from the law. Still, it is impossible to replicate either as the various essences of magic are simply not interchangeable.

'Can you prove any of this?' asked Professor Willow in a curious tone.

'Well, I must confess that I had my reasons when I invited Miss Cover here.' started Oakleaf to which almost every eye turned to the beige earth pony. Clover knew all of the council personally, but couldn't help but blush at the sudden attention. 'If she can forgive my rudeness and the council will raise no opposition, I'd like to ask that she assists me in a presentation.'

Clover felt like a statue, which she acknowledged to the fact that now even the princesses were looking at her. Cres felt this so he stood up and reached for her with one hoof. Somehow, this made her feel better and she stood up and was escorted down by her fiancé. Once in the middle, the two stallions exchanged looks and Cres stepped back.

'I hope you don't mind this.' Oakleaf said quietly to Clover. 'I just hope I can show them something that might lead to a lot of good in the future.'

The mare just nodded with a strained expression on her face.

'Well then!' Oakleaf raised his voice and lifted his hat high into the air. 'Notice the teal gleam around my hat, an obvious sign of my magic levitating it. The gleam is present around my horn as well. If you would give me your hoof Miss Cover?'

Clover reached her hoof towards Oakleaf who once again touched his own against it and a moment later neither the unicorn's horn. nor the hat had the teal gleam around them.

'The hat is still levitating but is no longer held there by my magic.' Oakleaf said. 'It is held there by none other than Miss Cover.'

'This is trickery.' Flame said indifferently.

'Trickery? Then how would I do it?' countered Oakleaf calmly. 'You should all feel the lack of magical activity from myself. It's impossible to shield such a thing! And why would you doubt her power? Because no earth pony ever done such a thing? Hardly. There are countless legends where non-unicorns possessed magical powers. It is even said that the Elements of Harmony were once used by mortal ponies of whom not all were unicorns! Now this may only be a legend to you, but...'

'Actually,' interrupted Clover. 'the Elements of Harmony are again in the possession of ponies and four of them are not unicorns.'

'What?' Oakleaf was baffled. Apparently the past two days was not enough to catch up on everything that happened in Equestria since the last book he read was printed. He looked up at the balcony, specifically at Princess Luna and muttered: 'So that wasn't Celestia's doing?'

'Twilight Sparkle is actually one of the holders of the elements.'

Oakleaf stopped and looked at Clover blankly. It seemed that he was thinking deeply. Clover heard Professor Light chuckle quietly but it died down soon. Suddenly Oaklead thrown up his head and continued at the council in his original pace:

'Exactly! There is absolutely no way that a magical artifact may be used by a creature not possessing magic that it can control!' he said. 'The only problem is that with unicorn presence, there was little room and need for the exploration of other magics! Now this one trick with the hat is of course not an earth pony's own. Their magic, unlike ours is an inner one based off of feelings and instinct. What I have done instead is something beyond any of the races' basic capabilities: I have allowed her to use her magic through myself.'

'What do you think this may bring?' asked Willow talking through the sound of the revived whispering.

'That is completely dependent of yourselves and the ponies of Equestria.' said Oakleaf smiling. 'One thing is for sure: The possibilities are endless.'

'It must be my fault,' started Gloomy Cloud. 'but the only possibilities I see just put every pony at the unicorns's hoof. Let's say they help the other races use magic as you have shown, what is stopping them from withdrawing this help? If we create an Equestria where they grant everypony magic, nopony will be able to live without it.'

'I must agree. Thine spells would bring great imbalance.' noted Princess Luna. The younger princess raising her voice so suddenly surprised even the council. 'What Gloomy Cloud did not mention however was that thine other spells lead to this as well! While magic's study must be sacred, thou brings great danger by allowing unicorns any control over the weather, not to mention: the use of nature's power.'

'Clover?' signaled Cres. 'I think we're ought to go back to our place now.' Clover just nodded and they walked back to their row to be away from the attention. Oakleaf's hat sheepishly followed them.

'I perfectly understand your concerns.' replied Oakleaf after a little thinking. 'I believe your fear is not of imbalance though, as you say, but of something much more insidious: Distrust. Or are you not afraid that the changes brought would shatter the unity of Equestria? After all: That is what all great thinkers were afraid of since the country's creation, is it not? The return of the old, dark days. I believe you my princess understand this the most.'

'What does thou mean under those words?!' Luna replied raising her tone and equipping a destructive gaze. Even her mane seemed to wave faster in the still air of the chamber.

'What I mean my princess,' started Oakleaf calmly, standing the princess' stare without a wince and looking directly in her eyes. 'is that you possess experiences that lead you to great wisdom concerning the nature of jealously and hate. You love, and fear for Equestria just as much as your sister and wish its ponies nothing but good. The thought that they may fall into an all too familiar abyss of emotions, and throw aside what connects them, is your greatest fear.

'What in Equestria's name does he think he's doing?' whispered Clover, shaking slightly. There was a silent belief, around Equestria, a phantom fear that maybe, just maybe the princess may fall back into her dark self. This unicorn perhaps had no idea what he was playing with.

'But' continued Oakleaf, still not moving his stare from the Princess's eyes but speaking in an even softer tone, almost kindly. 'that is what makes a true leader. That is why I did what I did and left my tome to you and Princess Celestia's will. Because I know that if there is anypony who can make the right decision, then it's not me, not a pegasus, not a council of mages and definitely not all these together. It's somepony for whom the consequences are not phantom images a future never seen, not fake nightmares that disappear with the first steps in the morning, but a reality. My only goal is to present everything to the two of you that you will need to make the best decision.'

Luna's mane slowed it's waving and her expression softened.

'Haha.' chuckled Celestia suddenly, which sent the entire chamber into total silence. 'No, continue.' she said noticing the looks. 'It's just rare to see somepony treat us as nothing more than we really are.'

'Being the guardians of Equestria is not a small task.' noted Oakleaf. 'Nor is enduring immortality in solitude. Excuse me if I suggested having anything, but the greatest respect for either of you.'

Celestia just smiled and fell back into silence. Luna exchanged a few mysterious looks with her then sighed. Clover

'Tho... You seem very convinced that there is more good to be had from your work than danger.' Luna continued in a slower, refined tone. 'Would t-you elaborate?’

‘Well, excuse me Princess,’ Cloud interrupted. ‘but I insist on hearing the downsides. I don’t want to be charmed by some sugar coated story from a smooth talker!’

‘I believed that we already established that side of the problem.’ said Professor Flame calmly. ‘Or are there any more points you’d wish to add?’

‘No new points, but details.’ replied Cloud, paying but a moment’s attention to the old professor before returning her eyes to the teal stallion. ‘He himself admitted that his spells can be a danger to our way of life. I’d like to hear him elaborate on that.’

‘It is true.’ nodded Oakleaf reluctantly. ‘I must admit that my spells indeed could be used in a way which would end the weather industry in its current state, but only if...’

‘How exactly are you planning to remedy that?’ Gloomy Cloud interrupted.

‘But only if’ Oakleaf continued decidedly. ‘they are used carelessly, without any moderation.’

‘What would guarantee moderation?’ asked Cloud raising her tone.

‘I would like to remind you,’ started Professor Glare in Oakleaf’s defense. ‘that we are in a chamber dedicated to the study and moderation of magic!’

Clover saw that Oakleaf just hangs his head slightly, away from the coming argument. She took a quick glimpse at Cres who obviously wanted to look calm and stolid, but was following every word of his father with wide, shocked and somewhat frightful eyes. She leaned to his side a bit but didn’t say a word. The stallion only shook a bit when they touched, but didn’t take his eyes off of the elder unicorn.

‘Astral!’ raised his voice Professor Flame, addressing Glare. ‘Calm down.’

‘She’s abusing her position and disgracing both us and the princesses with her words.’ Professor Glare replied angrily.

‘And you are disgracing yourself!’ countered Flame.

‘I have a right to know everything so I may defend the pegasi!’ came from Cloud.

‘You have no right to attack him like this!’ Professor Glare turned back to the pegasus. ‘Unlike you, he’s been cooperating!’

‘That is enough!’ yelled Professor Willow. She looked completely shocked and some what angered by the behaviour displayed in the chamber, Clover doubted that anything like this had happened before. ‘She may ask what she wishes Astral.’ she said turning to Professor Glare. ‘You should let her do her duty. But,’ Here she turned to the pegasus. ‘I’d like to request that you also display a more civic tone in my council’s chamber. If you would proceed Mr. Oakleaf?’

‘Thank you.’ Oakleaf said simply, raising his head. ‘As Professor Glare said, this is indeed an establishment for the moderation of magic. However, I knew that someponies might find it not the best judge in this argument, I very audibly left my work to the Princesses. If their judgement is not something you find as something worthy of your thrust, I’m afraid I can’t help. Where I can help is - as I said - in the providing of information and I was not allowed to finish an important point I attmepted to bring up when I asked Miss Cover to join be here...’ he paused for a bit then continued in a bit lighter, unsure voice. ‘I have mentioned the Elements of Harmony. Artifacts that increase the power of a single creature or create a unity between multiple entities, combining their magic into a singular force. This... This is not an ability unique to the Elements.’

Oakleaf paused and took a few steps around. Nopony interrupted the silence, waiting for him to continue, but Clover noticed a few heads bending together, exchanging thoughts.

‘This is incredibly difficult to explain because there were so few occurrences of such an event. In fact when there was, it was rarely recognized. For example, as little as you can possibly notice, having lived in Equestria for probably all your lives, there is in fact a certain magic in the air. I’m sorry that I need to use such broad expressions, but this is the truth. The unity of Equestria results in sort of aura. This same aura is what keeps many evils away from this land, most notably and obviously: The windigos. However, unlike the way it was taught for ages upon ages, this power... This unity is not beyond understanding.’ he explained, then stopped again, perhaps gathering his thoughts.

‘Are you implying that the spell that you’ve helped Miss Cover cast, is not unlike the “spell” that banished the windigos?’

‘It is much more like that than anything that can be described using your terms of magic.’ Oakleaf replied. ‘Let’s put it this way: There are three main colours right? Red, Blue and Yellow. Combining these, an artist can create any colour of the rainbow. In fact, the colour palette is often shown as a sphere with the colours running around. Now I could already say that Unicorn, Pegasi and Earth Pony magics are like the three main colours of magic, but that wouldn’t be exactly true. Still for the sake of the argument, let’s skip that... United, they can create things that none may dream of on their own. Am I making any sense with this explanation?’

‘I believe I understand.’ nodded the relatively young, dark blue Professor Gleam. ‘The general concept, that is. What you are saying is that you are able to make a connection between ponies of different races, creating spells that replicate the effects of the Elements?’

‘Oh no! No, no, no!’ Oakleaf shook his head. ‘Well... Maybe.’ he paused. ‘The technique is very far from perfect. Given the two sided blessing of my “misplacement”, I managed to find the core of this ability, but it would be very foolish to say that I could have managed to reach its peek. Still, you need to imagine! If we say that Pegasuses, who control the weather are represented by Blue while Unicorns, the tamers of the basic elements are Red, who could say what Violet my bring? Simply a union of the two or something completely new, something that was never seen before? Something that could prove invaluable to all?’

‘And of course at the heart of it would be the Unicorns, controlling these “unions”?’ asked Gloomy Cloud in a displeased tone.

‘In the heart of this would be all of Equestria!’ replied Oakleaf who’s voice suggested that he’s really starting to get annoyed by the pegasus’s unfair interruptions. ‘With proper study there is no telling what could be unlocked! I believe that through true union, by connecting the all the magics of the world, we could make something that was never before seen! Something grand.’

‘Perhaps even grander than the Alicorns?’ asked Cloud.

‘Why not?’ asked Oakleaf after a while. ‘I would ask the Princesses personally, would you not like to see such a possibility? I doubt that either of you would wish to remain the sole bearers of burden when it comes to the upholding Equestria. Would you not accept with gladness that you are joined by others - perhaps by then not much unlike yourselves?’

A small pause came in which Luna and Celestia looked into each others eyes, the sun’s princess smiling kindly while her sister seemed a bit more cautious.

‘We aren’t sure what to make of such a claim.’ Luna said finally to which Oakleaf looked up at Gloomy Cloud an smiled with a satisfied expression.

‘Exactly.’ he said.

‘Exactly?’ repeated the pegasus.

‘I did give them my book.’ said Oakleaf. ‘Do you truly think that I expected them to make a decision today? To decide everything right here in our company? No. I gave them the book that they may use it as they wish, when they wish to do so. They may not know what such a new proposition may hold now, nor do I or any of the other ponies in this chamber. They however have both the wisdom and time to decide, eventually. You can pick at me all you want, but I hold nothing that could harm you. I gave the only thing that I had that could pose any danger to your way of life, to the wisest ponies I have knowledge of. If that is not satisfactory on your part, then - again - I’m afraid I can’t help you.’ Somepony from the council laughed up at this part, obviously he too shared Glare’s less than enthusiastic disposition at the pegasus’s presence. The rest of the chamber retreated into discussion once more.

Clover was surprised when suddenly Cres whispered a few words: ‘Well it doesn’t look like he needed Dad’s help.’ The stallion still seemed a bit shook up about the previous argument, but pulled off the stolid look a lot more believably.

‘You were right.’ Clover said leaning a bit more to the unicron’s side.

‘Huh?’ the stallion turned to her with a confused look.

‘You said everything will be fine.’ replied Clover quietly. ‘It seems he’s bent on proving you right.’

‘Heh, maybe I should thank him for that after the hearing?’ Cres smiled at his fiancée, then looked back at the teal unicorn down in the middle of the chamber. ‘He definitely handles himself better than I had thought he would.’

Clover could imagine why, the stallion spent decades in a distant land, surrounded by dangers she could probably not even imagine to be real. She found it hard to imagine that in the same time she’s been living in Canterlot, drinking tea, reading-, writing books, going to watch plays and just generally living a comfortable life, this somewhat quirky stallion wearing that fine gray suit was living under the stars and trying to communicate with strange creatures.

A few moments later Celestia stood up silently, which was only announced in the entire room because her mane changed the distribution of light as it sailed across the balcony.

‘I would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts Mr Oakleaf.’ she said and though she spoke in a kind, quiet tone, her voice rang through the entire chamber. She turned her head and smiled at the boiling pegasus. ‘I’m hoping that you didn’t take this argument too much to heart Miss Cloud. I can promise that my sister and I are not going to make a decision hastily and will keep your concerns at heart always.’ The pegasus seemed to calm down as she looked at the pure white princess, but she paid another angry glimpse to Oakleaf’s general direction. ‘I’m frankly unsure if there is anything left to be done here and now. Is there anything that any of you would like to say before we close?’

‘If you allow,’ began Professor Flame. ‘I do not believe that all of the tome would pose harm. I’d simply like to propose that the council may proceed to study the more “usual” spells, such as the transmutation spells or even the lesser illusion spells.’

The two princesses exchanged another set of looks then Luna replied: ‘We shall soon release these to your care.’

‘Also if it’s not against your will,’ added Professor Glare. ‘I would request that Mr Oakleaf be allowed to aid us in our research for obvious reasons.’

‘I’m sorry, but I don’t believe I will live with that offer.’ said Oakleaf as soon as Glare finished. ‘It would be an honour, but I’m afraid I am done with magic.’

‘Huh?’ breathed Professor Glare and from the sounds it seemed most of the chamber shared in his surprise. Clover and Cres were shocked by this too, Oaklead didn’t say anything about his plans in the future given the current situation, but it seemed impossible, illogical even for him to “be done with magic”.

‘What does you mean?’ addressed him Princess Luna.

‘I’m sorry, but I’m tired of magic. I’ve seen more of it in my time than I ever wanted. I am honoured to be of use, but I do not wish to deal with it any more, perhaps... Perhaps once, as a hobby. But no. I don’t want to be here and explore magic.’ Oakleaf explained.

‘But what is it that you want to do then?’ asked Cres suddenly, perhaps even surprising himself with his sudden intervention in the hearing.

‘Interesting that you should ask it because the two of you were the ones who helped me realize what I’d like to do, when you shown me around Canterlot and from the edge of my eye I saw a toy shop.’ Oakleaf paused and looked at the ground with his ears shunned back, but he was smiling. ‘I’ve... I’ve never really thought about it, but I have a book filled with schematics to various little automatons and toys... It belonged to a very dear friend of mine, she was a genius when it came to brewing up such contraptions. I think the least I can do to honour her is to put the book to good use and perhaps fulfil a dream of hers.’ he explained the looked up at the balcony. ‘I... I would like to request that this book may be transported to me, I’ve enchanted it using the same technique used on my spell tome so it shouldn’t be a tiring task. Naturally I would give it up for examination as well if so you wish.’

‘From a daring survivalist who explored the depths of magic, to a humble toy maker.’ said Celestia, not even hitting a questioning mark just stating it while examining the unicorn with a smile.

‘Not much more unlikely a tale than any other, Princess.’ nodded Oakleaf.

‘Perhaps not.’ Celestia replied then looked at Luna before turning back to Oakleaf and finishing: ‘Such an ambition would be difficult for somepony with nothing, but a fine suit to show for his name. However, you’ve done something that may make the future of Equestria blossom and contributed grately to us. For this and in the hope that you may rest and serve Equestria in the way of your choosing, I offer the aid of the Royal Treasury in starting your new life, home.’

It was a rare occurance that the princess would grant royal help to specific ponies. There were times when she granted settlers land and helped them find their home in the world, but to a single pony it was a very rare occurance in deed, perhaps just acouple dozen times throughout her reign. Obvious Oakleaf either knew this or suspected it because he tried to deny this “donation”, but the princess insisted.

‘Whether it will be used or not, this book contains the work of years, perhaps decades. In our kingdom, honest work will always be rewarded and you especially deserve this, given your unique hardships.’

‘I...’ started Oakleaf. ‘I wouldn’t ask for much in this case. Just a single shop in a quiet little town somewhere, like...’ he paused and seemed to choke back a laugh. ‘Like Ponyville.’

‘Ponyville?’ asked Celestia. ‘Ponyville it is then!’

‘Oh, no really it’s not important!’ Oakleaf tried to back out for a moment, then on a whim changed his mind and simply said: ‘Thank you.’

‘About that other book and the details of your future, we’d like to speak with you in private, please find us in our office.’ finished Celestia her words to Oakleaf and raised her head. ‘Thank you all again for appearing at such an early hour. The hearing is over. May you have a wonderful day.’

With that Celestia turned around on the balcony followed by her sister, left the chamber. Gloomy Cloud remained for a few brief moments more, looking at the teal unicorn as if she’d wish to say something, but she just stayed silent and left following the princesses.

Oakleaf looked around a bit uncomfortably and noticed that a few council members are slowly climbing down towards where he was standing, no doubt to inquire on various spells of his. Probably to avoid this, he simply said “Thank you for having me!” and trotted out of the chamber before anypony could hold him off.

‘Do you think we should go after him?’ asked Clover finally raising from Cres’ side and sitting up straight.

‘I’m not sure he wants that right now. He probably really just needed you to help break the ice.’

‘I suppose he didn’t count with the elements of harmony.’ noted Clover. ‘It sounded like he was planning on making a grand argument about magic that then wasn’t needed.’

‘This all seems a bit off.’ noted Cres and stood up. ‘I somehow expected a longer hearing for one, definitely going into the details of the spells. Then again, the pegasus wouldn’t have liked the ideas being explored right in front of her.’

‘A rotten situation.’ came from Clover.

‘It is...’ the unicorn paused. ‘Then again, I suppose everything went decent enough and...’

‘Not what you expected.’ interrupted Clover.

‘No.’ Cres said simply. ‘Calling out Princess Luna like that was interesting though. For a moment I thought he’s gone bonkers. Come to think of it, he probably was, given his past.’

‘Yeah...’ Finally Clover stood up too. She took a look around the chamber where most of the council members were still discussing the hearing and other things. As chaotic the hearing seemed, the after math was calm and organized. She couldn’t quite explain the why behind it, somewhere felt that it was the Princesses soothing words at the end that lightened everypony’s emotions. Perhaps the natural way in which she acted towards the situation infected the rest of the chamber.

She stepped out to the stairs and was already on her way to the exit with Cres behind her.

‘I think I’ve just found out what didn’t feel right for you about all of this.’ noted Clover on a sudden thought. ‘You said that if he doesn’t walk out of here as a celebrated stallion, then you’ll lose faith in magic!’ she smiled.

‘Arguable, but fair point.’ nodded Cres, but for once didn’t smile back.

‘Are you alright?’ asked Clover concernedly as they opened the exit. Before Cres could reply they were interrupted by Oakleaf who was waiting on the other side.

‘I’d just like to say again that I’m terribly sorry for using you Miss Cover.’ the teal unicorn said as soon as they stepped through the door.

‘Hu-? No it’s nothing.’ replied the mare, she thought the teal stallion would be far by now.

‘I hope your curiosity was soothed at least.’ noted Oak who seemed relived from Clover’s words. ‘If you don’t mind though, may I have my hat back?’

Neither of them noticed, but the gray fedora still followed Cres and Clover, hanging over head. Clover wasn’t sure what to do, she hardly had a graps of how she even moves an object bound to her like this, not to mention how she could break the connection. Oakleaf saw this and just lifted a hoof friendlily and as Clover accepted it the hat lifelessly fell down, before getting caught mid air by the cream coloured gleam of Cres’s magic, which was soon switched to Oakleaf, who thanked the gesture with a bow of his head.

‘Well I suppose you’ll be seeing the princesses now.’ said Cres simply. ‘I would hate to keep you up so... Unless you or Clover would like to talk, I mean.’

‘I personally would just have liked to thank you for your help. I’m grateful for both your hospitality yesterday and that you were willing to help with my demonstration.’ Oak said.

‘This is your plan then? Simply move into Ponyville and start making... Toys?’ asked Clover, half expecting the unicorn to reply with “that’s just something I said to move along the end”, but the unicorn just nodded.

‘I’ve also realized that if the Princesses are willing to help me find a home, I won’t need many things that I’ve originally planned to “bring over” and perhaps they could be put to good use here.’

‘What sort of things?’ asked Cres.

‘Books mostly. I didn’t really have much else than those... A couple of memories.’ Oakleaf’s voice died down a bit, but then just looked at the two ponies and gave them a smile. ‘Thank you again.’ he simply tipped his hat then turned around and left hastily.

Cres and Clover looked at each other and just started walking towards the gates of the palace. Clover couldn’t help but feel concerned about Cres’s morose appearance, she knew though that there really isn’t anything that she should say.

As they made their way outside, she to imagine what the teal stallion could be like as a toy maker, it seemed difficult to imagine that a mage of such standing would do well with children in any way. Deep thinking and children just don’t really go that well together...

Her eyes drifted onto Cres again, the stallion looking straight ahead, lost in his thoughts. “Three years”. She didn’t know why that ran through her mind. She just suddenly was over come by the the vivid distance which those years created, but she just couldn’t explain this feeling. Or just didn’t want to?

She thought back to Oakleaf. The same amount of past years probably meant something very different for him, she wondered if the stallion felt it longer or shorter that she did. He didn’t seem to want to live in a big city and now was going to live in Ponyville. Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle. Why is she constantly thinking about her recently?

‘I’m sorry.’ said Cres suddenly. ‘I drifted off a bit.’

‘Oh?’ Clover looked at him, then realized they were already off the palace grounds.

‘I’m not sure why, but I always imagined the council a lot more grand. Just got me thinking a bit.’ the stallion explained, but Clover - for the first time in a long while - wasn’t sure what he meant. ‘Anyway, I didn’t want to mention it earlier, but I’ve reserved two places for this evening in the theater yesterday when you were talking with Oakleaf.’

‘You did? To what?’ asked Clover surprised.

‘Oh just this little thing called The Imaginarium of the Shimmering Order.’ said Cres in a neutral tone, but a smile was lurking on his muzzle. It was the play to which he took her on their first date many many years ago.

For a moment those same years rushed onto Clover, she felt so old. So many things happened, so many ponies she met. She practically watched others grow up or bloom before her eyes. Still, looking at Cres she couldn’t feel bad about it. He was there since the beginning and he too remembered. If she was old then she was old with him.

She didn’t say a word just stepped closer to the stallion and gave him a long kiss.

‘Deja vu.’ said the stallion simply once they separated. ‘Any thoughts on how we should pass the time until six?’

‘We go too rarely to the gardens.’ replied Clover after thinking for a moment.

‘To the gardens then!’ Cres declared and spun around quickly on his hind legs alone. ‘Milady?’

Clover stood next to him and they slowly made their way back to the palace, exchanging just a few words. She knew that something was a bit different - at least Cres seemed to think so - but she didn’t concern herself with it. She had everything she needed right there and knew that if one thing wouldn’t change then it was that.