//-------------------------------------------------------// Unusable Story Husk -by Yip- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Stuck In a Moment Pt. 1 //-------------------------------------------------------// Stuck In a Moment Pt. 1 Various clocks and numbers took up the space on pieces of worn parchment, all held together by a large leather backing in front of Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn's face brimmed with determination as she read over the words on the sheets making up the tome, looking at the details with intense fascination. Spike stood waiting on the staircase off to the side of the spacious library they were in, twiddling his thumbs and shaking ever so slightly. 'Are you almost ready, Twilight?' Spike began, clutching his throbbing claw. 'I just want to get this over with... I'm a little nervous about it.' Twilight rose from her reading with a smile, raising an eyebrow to her purple dragon friend. ‘You’re nervous about something I’m doing? If anypony should be worried, it’s me!’ Twilight glanced at his claw and frowned. ‘Hmm, what’s the matter with your claw?’ ‘I was looking for that book all day,’ Spike snarled. ‘These tomes are pretty heavy, and now I can’t even lift the covers over me when I go to bed tonight!’ ‘Oh, don’t be like that! I said you can have a day of being lazy tomorrow, won't you be able to rest your claw then?’ Twilight put her hoof to her chin and paused for a moment. ‘Now that I think about it, I may still need your help. Just because the sky is dark doesn’t mean it’s time for bed yet!’ Spike’s eyes rolled in their sockets. ‘Alright, fine. I just feel like you’re going to do something even the slightest bit wrong and cause an... an explosion or something!’ Twilight chuckled and resumed her reading of the hefty tome. A few moments of silence later and she took in a deep breath, her chest expanding farther and farther the longer she heaved in. At the same pace, she let it all out, closing her eyes as she did so. ‘I assume you’re ready, Twilight?’ Twilight looked at the tome a final time and cast it away carefully with her magic. ‘Yes, Spike. I’m ready. Could you put this book away in the meantime?’ The book dropped at Spike’s feet, enscribed with a large Just In Time: 10 Spells To Control Time on the front in detailed lettering. Despite it being ten chapters long, it was almost up to Spike’s chest when it sat up straight. The young dragon looked to Twilight, narrowing his eyes in annoyance. ‘You really think I can carry this? I couldn't even if I wasn’t in pain!’ The tome glowed a raspberry tinge as Twilight took it into her magical grip once more. ‘Where does it go?’ ‘Just put it down, I’ll find a way to pick it up later.’ Spike frowned and Twilight put the book back down on the floor. ‘Time spells are tricky, Twilight. I hope you know what you’re doing—wait, what does the spell even do, anyway?’ ‘I picked the “Time and Again” spell.’ Silence filled the room. ‘...and?’ ‘Oh, you probably haven’t read the entry yet.’ Twilight cleared her throat. ‘"The Time and Again spell allows you to repeat something you just did". That's why I put the book down, so I can do it over again. Hopefully, the spell will undo the action and the book will be back in front of me!’ ‘What’s the usefulness of the spell? Doesn’t seem too important to bring a book back from its spot.’ ‘Well, I’ve never tried this spell before.’ Twilight blushed a light shade of scarlet as blood filled her cheeks. ‘I wanted to get familiar with it in case something really bad happens and I can just undo the action. It would be so useful! And all I have to do is focus on the books and think about the action I want it to undo!’ Spike gave a slight nervous twitch, but resumed his watching on the staircase nonetheless. ‘Alright, let’s hope you get it right!’ he said, stretching his mouth into a toothy, nervous grin along with his slanting eyebrows. Twilight nodded her head, and proceeded to focus her energy on the tome and her horn simultaneously. Both glowed with a strong raspberry glow, getting more and more concentrated with the colour as time went on. Without a moment’s warning, however, her horn began adding a green, sinister colour to the magic. ‘Wait a second... Twilight! You never mentioned it was dark magic!’ The words were lost on Twilight, who was too engrossed in the spell to break away. Spike didn’t stop pleading, but none of it made even the slightest impact on her concentration. In the blink of an eye, though, the magic had dissipated from Twilight’s horn and the room’s ambiance stabilized. Spike rubbed his eyes with his sore claw and, after a slight ‘Ouch!’ from the rubbing, ran over to the mystified Twilight. ‘What was that? Did something happen? Did... did it work?’ Twilight shook her head, releasing her from the trance. Glancing at the time tome, she noticed that it was still where Spike used to be. ‘It doesn’t seem to have moved.’ She took in another deep breath and sighed. ‘I had no idea it was dark magic, but everything seems to have worked out okay. I might’ve used the wrong spell, but I highly doubt it.' ‘Well, as long as nothing went wrong, everything’s okay! Right?’ ‘Yeah, I guess it is. I’ll look into what spell I used tomorrow, but let’s go to sleep for now. My friends and me had a pretty busy day today, and the spell just took the last of my energy out of me!’ Spike smiled. ‘Sleep’s my specialty!’ Twilight smiled in turn and made her way up the staircase with Spike. Before laying down to sleep, though, she took a quick glance at the calendar mounted on the wall beside her bed. ‘April 4th, huh? Busiest one I’ve ever had. Oh well, I think I’ll just relax tomorrow!’ If Twilight had gone to sleep five minutes later, she would have noticed the odd movement of the clock mounted on her wall. It was rewinding itself so that the hour hand passed twelve twice in a matter of seconds. *** The bright light of the sun shone through Twilight's window, waking her up from her sleep with a start. Rubbing her eyes, she shielded them from the piercing rays with her elevated hooves. 'Spike, are you awake?’ she began groggily. ‘I want to get started on that spell as soon as I can.' A tearing sound broke the short silence, loud enough to be right next to Twilight. Craning her head to the side, she watched as Spike was tearing away a large number “3” to reveal another number, accompanied by a word still partially covered by the tearing paper. Once removed, the calendar read “April 4th”, with Spike letting the previous paper flutter down to the ground. ‘Spike, what are you doing?’ Twilight asked, staring at the big number “4” on the wall. ‘It was April fourth yesterday! Shouldn’t you rip another off?’ Spike stared back at Twilight, raising an eyebrow. ‘Um, I tear off one piece of paper each day from the calendar. It’s April fourth today, and I know I didn’t forget to take off the paper yesterday, so it must be right!’ ‘But I just saw it on the fourth last night! I know what I saw!’ Twilight flailed her hooves in various motions, as if it helped further her argument. ‘Here, I’ll do it myself.’ ‘Okay, if you really want...’ Spike said as the calendar glowed a warm raspberry colour, tearing off the frontmost sheet quickly and revealing the number “4” underneath. ‘I’ll just remember not to tear it off tomorrow morning.’ ‘Spike,’ Twilight began, sighing, ‘don’t worry about that. Just remember to keep tearing it off every morning, please.’ ‘Morning?’ Spike pointed a claw at the window. ‘You do know that it’s the afternoon, right Twilight? You wanted to get a good rest last night when you studied that spell so you could do it today refreshed!’ Twilight followed his claw’s direction towards the window, observing the bright sun hovering over Ponyville, a shining beacon of light for all of the residents walking around town. Unaccustomed to the brilliance of the sun’s rays, Twilight shielded her eyes with her hoof. ‘But I studied the spell two nights ago!’ Twilight flailed her other hoof, as if helping to make her statement true. ‘And we did the spell—or, what I thought was the spell—just last night! Don’t you remember, Spike—wait, why is your claw healed all of a sudden?’ ‘You’re acting really weird, Twi. My claw was never injured last night. Maybe you should go talk to your friends...’ Spike’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh, right! Rainbow Dash came over earlier and told me that she wanted you! You were sleeping, so I didn’t want to wake—’ ‘But she came over yesterday and wanted to give me the catalyst for the spell!’ Twilight interrupted, now waving both hooves in a panicked frenzy. ‘Sheesh,’ Spike said, ignoring the interruption. ‘You probably had some sort of a dream that made you think you did. Or maybe it was déja vu! I’ll go get some daisy tea, then you can relax and go see whoever you want.’ Taking a deep breath in and a deep breath out, Twilight closed her eyes and collapsed on her bed, spread out amongst the sheets. Her mane was mangled into an incredible mess of pink and purple, and her sheets were almost off the bed from the continuous movements by their owner. ‘Yeah, maybe I should have a little break... I mean, dark magic? Come on, that would be so weird!’ ‘D-Dark magic, Twilight?’ The young dragon shuddered in his skin as he closed his eyes. ‘I remember the dark magic you showed me in your books! When did you do dark magic?’ ‘In my dream, I think. As long as what you're suggesting is right. Could you go and get me that tea, Spike? I think I really do need to calm down.’ Without another word, Spike nodded his head and wasted no time running down the stairs, hastily tripping over his own leg on the last step. Brushing himself off, he got up and opened the front door, grabbing a few golden bits from the cloth bag hanging from the doorside. Spike didn’t seem so happy with me last night, I guess he had a change of heart since he was so determined before—wait, why is his claw fine already?! He didn't explain that... oh. Dream. Right. Twilight looked out her window again, scrambling for something to calm her down. A moment later, a slight chuckle escaped her mouth as she turned her gaze to the wooden ceiling. Silly Twilight, it really was just a dream! You’re getting so worked up over nothing, but it’ll be alright with a nice cup of Ponyville daisy tea! Just forget about it already, no need to dwell on it still... Several minutes later, neither claw nor scale of Spike was seen entering the library, leaving Twilight alone on her bed. Hmm, where could he have gone? The Ponyville Tea Shoppe is only right next door, it should’ve taken him a minute or two at the most! ...Maybe he got lost? Twilight shook her head and chuckled again. Stop being silly, Twilight! Spike is perfectly capable of getting tea on his own— A small gust of air whistled through the door as it opened, revealing a panting purple dragon clutching his knees as he recovered. Now lying on the ground was a moderately-sized white mug with a few pillars of steam escaping through the enclosing lid’s sides. As it lay untouched on the floor, the steam billowed throughout the library, quickly reaching Twilight’s excited nostrils before Spike even had a chance to speak. ‘The...’ Spike huffed at every word, ‘the café... it was closed... owner... on a family trip—’ ‘You didn’t get it from next door?’ Twilight interrupted, shaking her focus from the delicate aroma. ‘Then where did you get it?’ Spike took a moment to get a full breath and lifted his head for the first time. ‘I went across town to the Applespice Café. Why, is something the matter?’ Twilight paused for a moment and brought her hoof to her chin. ‘This is really weird, really weird indeed...’ ‘What is it? Did I get you the wrong tea?’ Twilight shook her head. ‘No, but please bring up the tea, it smells delicious!’ Spike grabbed the mug and, in a flash, ran upstairs and gladly handed the mug to his unicorn friend, who smiled back at him as she held the warm drink in her hooves. ‘Thanks, Spike! Anyway, the whole thing about the café next door is getting me a little shaken, but I’m sure you know why.’ Silence. ‘...no, I don’t know.’ ‘Wait, you don’t? Yesterday, the same pony’s mother passed away, so it must’ve happened again to a new family member this time—’ ‘No, the pony’s mother just passed away an hour ago... how in the world did you know, Twi?’ Spike took a step back. ‘W-Was this also from your dark magic dream?’ ‘Forget about the dark magic, Spike. Although the dream really does seem to be pretty accurate today, and it seemed so vivid...’ Twilight took a sip of her tea. Shortly after, she rose from her bed and stretched, laying the half-drunken cup of tea on a her nightstand. ‘Ah, I think I just need some fresh air. I’ll be heading over to... where is Rainbow Dash with my catalyst, exactly?’ ‘She never mentioned a catalyst, but I think she mentioned something about going to Sugarcube Corner to see Pinkie before you woke up. Maybe she's still there?' 'Great, thanks Spike.' Twilight made her way down the stairs with a sense of urgency etched on her face, but stopped as she approached her ornate front door. Turning her head, she looked back to her dragon friend with a smile. 'Spike... thanks for your help. I don't think I appreciate you enough as you should, and you did me a great favour with the tea. Relax for the rest of today, okay?' Better to be friends with him than have him hate me like in my dream. Where would I be with him, realistically? Had Twilight looked back instead of walking out the door just then, she would have seen a bright shade of scarlet appear on Spike's face as blood filled his cheeks. Instead, she was out her door and walking towards the flamboyantly-coloured bakery a few houses down the path. A gust of wind passed over Twilight several times on the journey, prompting a slight shiver. Oh, Spike had to walk all over town with this wind—wait a second, it was pretty windy in my dream too! Twilight didn't have time to think about the weather, though, as she found herself already inside Sugarcube Corner with familiar pink and blue figures sitting and laughing together. The blue one, complete with a rainbow-coloured mane streaking down her back, turned from her laughter and looked at Twilight with pleased eyes. 'Ah, you're finally here! What took you so long?' Rainbow Dash chuckled. 'Seems weird that you of all ponies would be so tardy!' 'I had a weird dream last night, and I felt really tired before I went—' 'Don't worry about it, Twi. I've got the thing you wanted right here.' Rainbow Dash pointed her hoof to a blue-stemmed, green-flowered plant lying on a nearby counter. 'It wasn't really hard to get it from Everfree—what are you doing to that flower, Twilight...’ Twilight stopped where she stood, the blue stem of the flower sticking out from her mouth. Letting the stem fall out, she proceeded to chew on the remaining flowerhead, looking at Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash’s raised eyebrows with a puzzled look on her face. Twilight swallowed the flowerhead. ‘What, did I do something wrong?’ ‘W-well... you did just eat the flower I got for your magic thing.’ Pinkie nodded her head in agreement with Rainbow Dash. ‘Oh, I guess I should’ve told you about that! You see, I need to eat this flower so I can use the spells I have in my time tome, it says so in the start—’ Wait a second... I had this exact conversation in my dreams! This is getting really weird... can I see into the future? ‘Twilight? You were saying?’ ‘Sorry you two, I really have to go do some things at home! Wouldn’t want the weather to go all bad before I leave, eh?’ Twilight said, grinning a transparent smile. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie merely looked at each other briefly and turned back to Twilight. ‘Um, okay, I guess?’ ‘Great! Thanks for the flower, Rainbow Dash!’ Without another word, Twilight was out the door and on her way back home, the wind still making her shiver in the cool evening air. Evening already? I should go get started on that spell as soon as possible! Wait... but what if I really can predict the future in my dreams? Then I’ll cast dark magic! Oh, but nothing happened afterwards, so I should be fine... no, I’ll just play it safe and head to sleep early. It’s been such a busy day today! Approaching the large tree house she called home, Twilight gently pushed the slightly ajar door and walked inside, making sure to close the door to prevent more wind from coming in. ‘Spike, are you still here?’ Nothing stirred in the air, save a distinct snoring coming from upstairs. Ah, I won’t wake him. Better to rest and try that spell tomorrow... Twilight groggily walked up her stairs, taking care with every step not to wake Spike from his well-earned sleep. When she got to the top, she was greeted with a sprawled out, drooling young dragon letting his legs hang over his cozy basket bed. Smiling, Twilight got into her bed, ignoring the setting sun by closing her curtains. Some time after she had closed her eyes and slept, the clock was turning back around twice, just as it had the night before. *** Twilight awoke to a familiar ripping sound, reaching her ears with the same volume and flow as it had the last two days. Turning herself over, she observed as Spike was busy taking off a new sheet from the wall calendar. Except it wasn't new, as Twilight looked at the new number "4" with horror. 'Huh... wait, what?!' Spike jumped in surprise, dropping the old sheet with the number "3" inscribed on the front. 'Uh... good afternoon, Twilight?' 'Afternoon? Oh, you've got to be kidding me...' Twilight opened he curtains and let the sight of the sun keep her mouth gaping wide. 'Oh no, it really is the afternoon!' 'Twi, is that a problem? We can always go do a time spell if you're missing something super important.' 'No, Spike! Time's just the problem! Or déja vu maybe, but I'm pretty sure I already had that yesterday!' 'Yesterday?' 'Or in my dream, maybe two days ago... I have absolutely no idea! Quick, get me the copy Just In Time!' Twilight exclaimed, hurrying Spike down the stairs as she got out of bed. 'Weren't we going to do that later today?' 'No! Yes! Just get it please, Spike.' Spike shrugged nonchalantly and walked over to the left bookshelf, scrolling his claw through the "J" section on the lower shelves. With a quick 'Aha!', the tome was in his claws as he struggled to move it upstairs. 'Gee, this is pretty heavy!' 'You can leave it there, I'll come down and peruse through it myself. By the way, Rainbow Dash came over to see me earlier today, right?' 'How... how did you know that? Can you see in your sleep? That's really weird, Twi—' 'No, I'll tell you in a second.' Twilight descended the staircase with a sense of urgency, already covering the text with a raspberry glow and opening it within seconds. Scrolling through each page, she eventually came across a familiar looking sheet from two days prior. 'Here it is! Ah, reverts back... allows you to undo...' Twilight frowned and looked up from her reading. 'Well, that's odd. I guess maybe I really have been having weird dreams. It has no mention of dark magic or restarting the day... what a weird coincedence!'