The Sparkle Revival

by Plistry

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 5953

Applebloom needs help, and Applejack knows Twilight has the answers. Answers deep down in the family.

Hello. My name is Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn pony who currently lives in Ponyville. Many say that I am one of the most magical unicorns known to exist, besides Princess Celestia, here in the land of Equestria. A part of me agrees with that, but the other part of me simply doesn’t. The other part believes that somepony else is greater than anypony else can think about. And I just have to find out who.

Published 2013-01-14 10:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-01-18 08:55:00 UTC

The Art of Flowers

---[Log 1, Expedition 0]---

Hello. My name is Twilight Sparkle, a unicorn pony who currently lives in Ponyville. Many say that I am one of the most magical unicorns known to exist, besides Princess Celestia, here in the land of Equestria. A part of me agrees with that, but the other part of me simply doesn’t. The other part believes that somepony else is greater than anypony else can think about. And I just have to find out who.

---[Ponyville Library]---

“Thanks for the book, Twilight,” said Applejack as she handed me a brown book called “The Art of Flowers.”

“You’re really serious about this gardening stuff, aren’t you?” I curiously asked. She borrowed that book about a week ago with serious determination in her eyes, saying that it was all Granny Smith’s idea.

“Ah sure am, sugarcube, and Granny Smith’s liking the progress of them flowers. There should be a new flower patch ‘round there after a week.”

She smiled with enthusiasm, something I haven’t done for weeks.

“Well, I sure hope for your success,”

“I better be goin’ now. Thanks again!” She darted off outside the tree library in a second.

Then she was gone.

“Must be busy,” I concluded to myself. What else would explain why would she be such in a hurry? For the record, it was Applebuck season, so she and Big Mac would be busier than anypony else here in Ponyville.

The sun was just above the horizon. The farm pony must be used in waking up at this time, considering her work at Sweet Apple Acres. I gave time to myself to sniff the lovely air and contemplate about it, just to realize something else.

The book was still in my hoof. Yes, where was this supposed to be placed? Shouldn’t this be in the gardening section? I trotted off to find that section, only to find out that it was full.

“Spike!” I called out. It was then answered by rumbles upstairs.

“Coming, Twi!” a voice replied.

The baby dragon lazily walked down the stairs, often yawning regularly. It’s early in the morning, and I can’t blame him for being so sluggish.

“You already want breakfast?”

I couldn’t resist but to give a giggle. “No Spike. Say, where did you get this book?” I raised the book for him to see. “We let Applejack borrow it last week. Any ideas?”

“Um,” He scratched his head as he looked around. “Ah yes. It was placed there in…”

His voiced trailed of as he ran to the third shelf. Contented on what he saw, he pointed it out for me.

“Here you go, Twilight. The place of that book.”

“What? In the Spells section? Why would a book about flowers end up here?”

That wasn’t right. It was never right. Flowers weren’t supposed to be under spells, unless, of course, it was used as a target. No, it can’t just be right. Something powerful welled up to me, wanting badly to correct this horrible mistake.

“Spike, this possibly couldn’t go here. Are you sure you got it here?”

“Pretty sure am.” He tried to rub his eyes to clarify his vision. He nodded in approval on what he saw.

“So when did you place this book here?” I became more and more desperate to find the crook of the crime.

“I have never seen that book in my whole entire life! Must’ve been somepony else who borrowed it.”

I tried to jog my memory of any instances that that event happened. Scores of possibilities came in my mind, including the visit of every single pony here in this library.

But nothing. Nopony borrowed a single book in the spells section. Maybe except Applejack, but that would be irrelevant. Why would the gardening section be full while the spells section be empty? Knowing that fact merely exists in my mind makes me want to scream. This cannot be happening. I won’t let this kind of disorganization exist here in this library.

My library.

Then it occurred to me. I was about to drop every single book to the floor for re-shelving when I realized that, “Why is the gardening section full in the first place when this book about flowers still exists?”

“Huh?” Spike asked. He must have heard me. It took moments for him to reply. “Um, ‘cause it simply doesn’t belong there?”

His silly answer actually made sense.

I dashed to the gardening section, seeing all of those glorious books lined up in an organized manner. I levitated every book in that section and analyzed the titles.

“The Egghead’s Guide to Gardening, Turnips and You, The Wonderful Wonders of Carrots…”

And everything was at its right section. So where does this book belong?

I flipped the pages of the flower book. It seemed like a normal flowering book, except that it had no illustrations. Funny.

“So what do we do with the book?” asked Spike.

“I don’t know. For the meantime, I’m reading this upstairs.”

I trotted up to my study and set everything up in place. The book is ready to be read and I am ready to read.

Or maybe I wasn’t ready to read it.

Pancakes for Lunch

---[Log 2, Expedition 0]---

There are certain events that trigger the most unlikely of happenings. I’m reading a book about flowers all because I can’t find its place. But whatever happens, I’ll be ready of any unlikely happenings. I’m sure I will. Because I’m Twilight Sparkle, right?

---[Twilight’s Study]---

I carefully closed the book in my hooves. So, what did I get?

I can plant flowers.

That’s all. I can plant flowers.

The book itself did a great job at teaching the proper way to plant flowers, even without illustrations. Good, I probably should start planting one right now.

My stomach told me that I’m too much of a bookworm by rumbling. Well, the sun was directly above the place and I still didn’t have anything to eat. What is wrong with me? Am I a total egghead?

Maybe I am. But that doesn’t matter, for I was starving.

“And where should I eat?”

Of all the many places I could think of, it has to be the Sugarcube Corner.

Good one, Twilight. You want sweets for lunch.

Maybe I could order pancakes. Yeah, it’s probably too late for breakfast, but I could always settle for pancakes.

I quickly went down to the library and saw Spike dusting up the floor.

“Hey, Spike, please take care of the library while I’m away. I’m going to Sugarcube Corner for some lunch.”

“Sugarcube Corner? Lunch? Are you serious?”

“Just do it, Spike.” With those words I left my abode, a hallow tree full of books.

---[Sugarcube Corner]---

“Hello Twilight!” Pinkie greeted me enthusiastically on the counter. In her head was a tray of freshly baked pancakes. She brought it to the table where I was.

“Thank you, Pinkie.” I said with gratitude.

“It’s nothing. Why are you eating pancakes for lunch?” she asked curiously.

“I don’t know. Why am I eating pancakes for lunch?”

“Silly Twilight. You know pancakes are only for breakfast, don’t you? Or maybe for evening dinners. But never for lunch.”

That left me dumbfounded.

The smell of steamy pancakes on my table left my mouth watering. It sure was delicious, with all that maple syrup on top.

I wanted it. I wanted it badly.

What is wrong with me?

Minutes has passed since I started diving in to the pancakes.

Or maybe hours. I don’t care, as long as I can keep eating pancakes for the rest of my life.

“Gee, Twilight. You sure do love pancakes,” Pinkie Pie commented.

I sure do.

“I must’ve read that flowering book too much to notice the time,” I replied.

“Flowering book? Oh, can I borrow it? Can I, can I, can I?” She started to jump with hype.

“Okay, after I discover the anomaly behind it. Can I have more pancakes?”

“Sure!”

She disappeared at the back for a while, just to return with another fresh batch of pancakes with syrup on top.

“There. That’s your third batch of pancakes, Twilight. Should I be worried?”

“No. I’m just really hungry.”

She bounced to the back again, what she’ll do I have no idea.

Now it’s just my pancakes and me. Perfect.

It was this close to my mouth when somepony crashed inside the Sugarcube Corner.

“Applejack?”

The farm pony didn’t look too good. Her once well-kept mane was now a total mess. Her face was covered with dust and dirt, while she seemed to come from a fight.

She took a deep breath in, and started to speak.

“Twilight, help us.”

That was all that she could say as she lost her consciousness.

A Rotting Apple

Pinkie and I were in her room, with Applejack’s unconscious body on the bed.

“What happened to her?” Pinkie asked with genuine worry. “Will she be alright?

“She’ll be alright. Strange thing is that she just barged in inside and said help us.” I replied.

“Why would she need help? Maybe with the apples? ‘Cause, you know, it’s Applebuck season?”

“Impossible. She doesn’t need help in that, especially with Big Mac around.”

We all stared at her for minutes when she started to regain consciousness.

“Twilight…”

“Applejack! Are you okay? What happened? Need pancakes?” Pinkie and I simultaneously asked, except for the latter.

---[Pinkie’s Room]---

After being given hot cocoa, Applejack requested Pinkie to give us privacy. She quickly agreed, seeing the gravity of the events.

So we were both here, all alone in a room filled with pink.

“So, what happened?”

Silence. Then she started.

“I don’t know what’s happening. That’s why ah’m here.”

She tried to look brave, but she can never hide that fear in her eyes. I have never seen Applejack this shaken.

“It’s Applebloom. She’s…”

She started sobbing madly. I hugged her, trying to comfort my ill-fate friend.

“Something’s wrong with her, Twilight. Her whole body’s covered with these letters, and she’s like...”

A tear fell from her eye.

“Help us, Twilight. I can’t bear to lose dear Applebloom. Please, Twilight,” she pleaded. It was my first time to see this side of Applejack. I knew her as a strong and dependable pony, now she was weak and helpless. I needed to help her in any way I can.

“Okay, Applejack. I’ll do my best.”

---[Sweet Apple Acres]---

As I entered the young filly’s room, I quickly felt darkness seep through my senses. It was unnatural.

“Here she is, Twilight,” Applejack said as she lead me to the filly. Big Mac and Granny Smith was on the side of the bed, waiting for anything to happen. And on that bed was Applebloom’s body.

A lifeless-like body.

“Can you do anything for her?” the farm pony asked desperately.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

I levitated a quill and a small notebook and started to analyze the subject.

The first thing I noticed about the body is that it was covered in black letters unrecognizable to me. It adorned her from the top of her head to the tip of her hooves.

“Interesting,” I blurted out as I tried to copy the symbols to my notebook.

“The subject does seem to breath, which means she’s still there,” I further added.

Applejack looked a lot less worried when I said that.

Strange letters covering up the whole body, making it look lifeless. Now where have I heard that.

Yes, it was that book from long ago. I remember it now.

“Before I conclude my findings, I would want to check out a book on the library.”

“I’m going with ya, Twilight,” Applejack insisted.

“If you want to,” That look in her eyes, where have I seen it before? Eyes full of determination to save the one’s she love.

“Now let’s go.”

---[Twilight’s Study]---

“Now where was that book?” I said as I levitated all of the books in the shelf of my small collection of special books.

Applejack was at the back, waiting for any progress.

I wanted to barf up all of those pancakes I ate, but that could wait for another time. I needed to concentrate to find that book.

What book? Oh you’ll see.

“Found it!” I exclaimed as I brought up a big violet book to the table.

“What’s that?” Applejack asked curiously. I dusted it to reveal that there were three light violet stars at the middle.

“This,” I said as I opened the first page of the book. It showed a picture of my mother, father, brother and me posing for a shot. “Is what we call a family book.”

I flipped more pages of the book, making me remember the memories from before. My first test, how I earned my cutie mark, everything was there. There were also entries about my mother, father, brother, and even grandparents. They were as numerous as me. No wonder the book was big.

I looked for the page where mother wrote something about Applebloom’s state.

There it was, on page 168. Glued to that page was a picture of someone with the same condition of the filly.

“The team has started on the research about the spells which we have been trying to stop. I will be working with Doctor Aeftrot Foshwerl with generating the spell. Princess Celestia of Equestria will find out about it soon. We must hide it from her by all means.”

“What was that all about?” Applejack asked. She too was curious about this entry. “Who made this? Can he or she help us?”

I checked the date. It was before I was even born. I looked at the author of the entry. It was whom I feared I would know.

“Yes. I think she can help us,” I said deeply. I knew this would be hard.

“Who made that entry?”

I gulped. It was the moment of truth.

“Who else but my mother.”

Knights of the Fancy Table

---[Log 0, Expedition 1]---

And so my adventure with Applejack continues as we go on a visit to my mother. That entry on page 168 was strange enough for me. I need answers, and nothing will stop me to from getting it. But do I really want the answers? And who is that Doctor Aeftrot Foshwerl? What happened to my pancakes?

---[The Friendship Express]---

“Thanks, Twilight. Ya know, for going all this way to help me and my family,” Applejack thanked me. That genuine look in her eyes struck right to my heart. What determination that comes in them.

“It’s alright. It will do my best, for Applebloom.”

She smiled, showing just how strong she was.

“So, we’re visiting your mother?”

“Yes. I believe that she may have worked with the spell that’s infecting Applebloom.”

All of a sudden, the engines started and a whistle was heard.

“All aboard who’s coming aboard!” the conductor repeatedly wailed.

“The train’s leaving,” I informed Applejack. Her head shot straight up to our destination: Canterlot.

I wish she knew what we were dealing with.

---[Canterlot]---

I felt the same feeling every time I set hoof in my home town: comfort.

Yes, I felt very comfortable here in this place, considering that this is the place where I grew up.

But there was still that tinge of fear. Fear of the new knowledge I would learn from my mother. She has always supported me in my feats of magic. Heck, she was the one who taught me the technique on how to levitate that page of paper on the book when I was a little filly.

But why do I fear the knowledge? All my life I’ve dedicated it for the search of knowledge! Oh, the irony of life.

“Um, Twilight, we better get a move on,” Applejack reminded me.

“Oh, yes. I’m sorry. Let’s go.”

The air sure was warm that day.

---[Sparkle Residence]---

The librarian and the farm pony were standing in front of a door.

I am that librarian. I felt the need of using a third-person view of our state. Okay, it’s best if I ditch the idea.

Back to the situation. It took me time to actually start knocking on the door.

We waited. It seemed like a year for me waiting for any response.

“Don’t be tense, Twilight,” Applejack comforted. “It’s just another family visit.”

Say that to yourself.

I mean, when was the last time I talked to them? I barely said a single word to them at my brother’s wedding. Other than that, I have never seen them again.

And still she says that it’s just another family visit.

Without a warning, the door opened and revealed my mother.

“Oh Twilight! How nice it is for you to visit. Come in!” She then went inside with excitement and called up dad.

“Are you ready, Applejack?” I whispered to her silently. She nodded her in approval.

We were now both in as I completely shut the door close.

“Would you want some more tea?” my father offered Applejack.

“Nah, I’m good.”

So where were we? Oh yes, gathered together on a fancy table inside my parent’s house. Dad was busy with his newspapers, while mom was busy analyzing us.

I had that gut feeling she already knew why I’m here.

“How are your studies there at Ponyville? Princess Celestia has been telling us that you are doing a great job there.” She then gracefully sipped her tea.

Think, Twilight. THINK!

“Yes, um, they’re fine. I’m learning a lot from my friends.” I looked at Applejack. “Right?”

“Um, yeah. We’re learnin’ all those friendship stuff from each other.”

My mother smiled, contented of what she just heard.

The tension rose as my father started talking.

“Sorry Twi if I have to go at this time. I have some work at the university, so I can’t chat any longer.”

What? Oh yes, dad is actually a professor at the Canterlot University. Why did I forget that.

“It’s okay, dad. Maybe next time.”

“Thank you so much for understanding.”

And with that he left the three of us on the fancy table.

On the fancy table.

My mother started the conversation. “So Twilight dear, what brings you and your friend here?”

I couldn’t say if my mother was actually that stupid or she was just being sarcastic. Either way it was scary.

Applejack nudged me, short for, “Start talkin’ about that book!”

A gulp.

“Actually mother,” saying “mother” to increase the formality of my speech, “We are here to inquire about something you knew.”

Another gulp.

Silence filled the place, engulfing us all in a sea of questions.

Okay, maybe it’s only me engulfed in that sea of question.

“Oh, that’s nice. And what is that?” Another sip from that tea of hers.

I wished that tea of hers would be gone in an instant so she could stop adding up the tension building inside of me.

Can’t turn away right now, Twilight Sparkle. I concentrated some magic into my horn, levitating the big purple book from my bag to the table.

“Isn’t that...”

“The family book,” I finished. “You gave it to me before I left to Ponyville.”

The book landed with a thud.

She gave me that smile she used to me when I was a kid: Enchanting but deadly. Her bangs, which have a huge similarity with my own, feel much more uncomfortable now. Beads of sweat were starting to accumulate on my forehead.

“And?” she asked.

Applejack stared at both of us, unknowledgeable of the pressure I’m in. She tried to be helpful by smiling at my mother, but I knew that would never work for her.

“My friend’s sister needs your help. I believe she is under a spell that you have worked before.” I flipped the pages of the book until I reached page 168.

She read it. I may no know how many times, but she read it. The expression from her face has turned from happy to downright fear. I knew this would happen, and that’s what I feared the most.

She turned to Applejack. “I’m sorry, but I am of no help to your quest. I have long abandoned the research, and I daresay no one else did. I’m truly sorry.”

Those words just snapped Applejack like a twig.

“What!? I came all over here just to be said sorry? Sorry ma’am, but I know you’re lying to us. I can see it in your eyes.”

She stared deep down in my mother’s eyes, trying to express to her what she really means. I wanted to stop her, but I had no right to do so.

Mom sighed deeply. I never knew Applejack could be such a good lie detector.

“Yes, I know how to save your sister. But it will require effort.”

“Anything,” my friend said with determination.

“First, we need to break in to the Canterlot Archives to steal the first part of the research…”

That was my cue to stop her.

“Whoa, you mean BREAK in to the Canterlot Archives? Couldn’t we just, I don’t know, walk to it?”

My mother shook her head.

“The book is kept in a secure area of the archives. Only the princesses can go there.”

Yeah, break in to the archives. I’m good with that.

“Second, we retrieve the spell from a friend, Aeftrot.”

“Aeftrot? As in Aeftrot Foshwerl? The pony from your entry?”

“We will need the spell to trigger a reversal for it.”

Applejack was taking this all a bit too much. Although not as much as me.

“So ya mean we’ve gotta break the rules?”

My mother gave her the famous smile.

“Will you do it for your dear sister?”

She couldn’t do anything but nod. I looked at mother’s face, looking for a sign that she knows what she’s talking about.

“Just don’t tell your father or your brother about this.”

Like I have a choice.

What Exactly Happened

---[Log 1, Expedition 1]---

My mother is the best at shocking us with things. At first she was like, “Have more tea,” and the next thing you know she’ll say is, “Let’s break into the Canterlot Archives!” What is she planning? I hope she’s joking.

She better be.

---[Sparkle Residence]---

Guess what? She prepared the one thing I was craving for before all of this trouble: Pancakes.

“I’m sorry if it’s all I could prepare,” my mother apologized to Applejack. The farm pony gave a slight nod. She sure was silent about the whole “Break the rules” thing.

I, on the other hand, was trying to keep myself in one piece. How would Princess Celestia react with this!? Will she kick me out my studies?

Trying not to think about it, I started to browse the family book.

I probably won’t be able to see my friends again after this. I’ll be locked up in a dungeon for sure right now.

Concentrate on the book, Twilight.

With each flip of the book, I was amazed in the wonders of my mother’s old work as a magic researcher. Every entry about her was a new spell discovered, improved, or banned. Yes, that was one of the works of a magic researcher: Ban dangerous spells.

But why are we dealing with one right now? The horror on Princess Celestia’s face when she discovers her star pupil is dealing with banned spells. Can’t my life get any better?

“Twilight, are you okay?” mom tried to shake me back into reality. “There are pancakes on the table, in case you haven’t noticed.” She then walked away from Applejack and me and went straight to the kitchen.

It can get better.

After finishing the pancakes of my mother, we were all gathered again on the fancy table.

On the fancy table.

The family book was at the center of the table, for all the three of us to see.

All of a sudden, the curtains went down and the lights went out.

There was nothing but darkness.

A faint magenta glow surrounded my mother’s horn, tinting the whole place with dark violet.

“Listen carefully, for you will need this information,” she said with a deep voice.

Sparks came out from her horn, shooting from every direction.

The sparks became random things, ranging from test tubes to tables, until the whole room looked like a laboratory.

Another spasm of spark gave birth to two ponies running around the room, taking notes about a book from the table. One looked like a younger version of my mother, while the other an old brown pony with a white mane and beard. Both were wearing laboratory gowns.

“Whoah nelly!” Applejack screamed, genuinely frightened by the display.

I knew my mother was good at magic, but this is awesome!

“Ho…how are you…doing this?” I could only ask with wonder.

The old pony suddenly passed through me as if I didn’t exist, only to add on my amazement.

“Don’t worry. They’re only holograms created with magic.”

She then walked around the room, passing through the tables and ponies to demonstrate what she meant.

“Oh.” Applejack seemed a bit less frightened.

“This is an event about a research Doctor Foshwerl and I worked on.”

The two hologram ponies got the brown book they were busying about and placed it at the floor. They then removed every nearby object visible.

“The subject is ready, Doctor Foshwerl,” my hologram mother informed the old pony.

“Proceed with the experiment, Miss Twilight,” the hologram Dr. Foshwerl replied.

Then began the fun part. Both their horns started to glow in a specific color: one in magenta and one in green. The book was strangely surrounded by a black aura. It started to float above their heads and opened up. Each letter of the book was changed into another letter. This was done on every letter until what was left was the title of the book, with the name of Aeftrot Foshwerl. Mother began to give a stronger blast of energy, changing “Aeftrot Foshwerl” into “The Art of Flowers” which totally freaked Applejack and me out.

“It’s a success!” hologram freaky old pony yelled.

Then everything disappeared with a poof. The curtains were pulled up and the lights returned to normal.

“Ah!” I screamed, my eyes still unrecovered by the sudden change of light.

Minutes after the lights display, mom told us to gather around her.

“Twilight, what was my work?” she asked me. Yes, a question-and-answer segment. Just what I wanted.

“A magic researcher.”

She gave out a hearty laugh, as if she was some old and knowledgeable wizard.

“How about you, Applejack?”

She was startled by the question.

“Uh, a fancy magician?”

A fancy magician. Obviously.

“This information,” mom started as she slammed the table with her hooves. “Is only given to you because I think…I know this is important for your mission. MY mission.”

Now that she mentions it, why is she even helping us? Does she have a personal agenda?

She started staring at me like a creep.

“Is the book with you?”

“What book?”

“The Art of Flowers.”

Oh yes, that book in the hologram vision. The book that taught me how to plant flowers was actually a spell book that my mother has worked on. All in one day.

I stuffed my saddlebag with my hooves, digging up that brown book. It didn’t feel the same the last time I touched it, considering all of the things I’ve been through.

“Here you go, mom,” I said as I handed her the book.

She levitated it in midair, bringing it near her eyes. The pages of the book flipped as she scanned its contents.

“After all those years,” she mumbled to herself.

Applejack was seated beside me. She constantly looked around the place, anxious for some progress.

Mom let the book rest to the table. Breathing deeply, she tried to calm herself with the situation.

“Years before a Twilight Sparkle was born, I worked as a magic researcher at the University of Canterlot. I also assisted Dr. Foshwerl with his advances in the field of Pseudomagic.”

A long silence covered the whole room.

“Pseudomagic?” I asked with doubt. I am not believing a word she was saying. “You mean impossible magic? Magic unexplained by anypony?”

“By definition, yes. But that didn’t stop him from doing his work. Many were unsuccessful, but some were perfect. And one of those was Time-Delay Magic. It was a kind of inert magic that could be inactive over a period of time.”

She tapped the brown book on the table.

“And this was the result. In this particular project, we were able to change his notebook into a flowering book.”

I again remembered that hologram vision my mother showed us, how “Aeftrot Foshwerl” become “The Art of Flowers.” It still bugs me how I didn’t notice that.

“But can ya explain that spell on mah sister?” Applejack couldn’t wait any longer.

“That was the spell we inserted inside the notebook that could only be triggered with a special action.”

“And that is?”

“Placing the book on water.”

Applejack tried to regain her memories of the book getting wet.

“Is using that book as a boat for cutie mark crusadin’ a reason?”

That serious look on mom’s face wasn’t removed.

“Yes, I believe so.”

The farm pony placed her hooves on her face, murmuring things blaming herself for Applebloom’s demise.

“I will do my best to remove the spell from your sister. We need to retrieve my notes with Dr. Foshwerl at the center of the Canterlot Archives. Princess Celestia won’t like this, but we have no choice. You know dealing with banned spells is a punishable offence. That’s why they’re called “banned.” In those notes contain a counterspell.”

Sweat accumulated on my forehead as I thought of the many possible things Princess Celestia would, no, WILL do to me when she learns of this.

Mother stood up and went to the kitchen. “I’ll be preparing some stuff. Get ready for a trip to the old laboratory.”

“What laboratory?”

Twilight. In the Lab. With a Flowering Book.

---[Log 2, Expedition 1]---

Dear Princess Celestia,

I’m breaking in on the most restricted area of the Canterlot Archives, breaking every known rule you imposed on Equestria. Watch, as your star pupil becomes public enemy no. 1. Hope you don’t mind!

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle

Why am I writing this? Am I out of my mind?

I guess I am.

---[University of Canterlot]---

Applejack and I simultaneously exchanged glances as we stood in front of what seemed to be just the most amazing structure we have ever seen.

I mean, really. It was a magnificent three-story building which was as big as the castle grounds. Everywhere you look, busy ponies would fill up the view. Some of them walked, some talked, some compared notes and others where just chilling out.

“Let’s go in,” mom told us as she took a step inside the campus.

If it were not for my studies about friendship at Ponyville, I’d accept their scholarship offer to me years ago.

But hey, saving Equestria from danger must be much more important than going on a fancy university, right?

As we entered the main hall, there was not a moment we didn’t bump into another pony. It was crowded, even by my standards.

And I know what crowded means.

Mom lead us to a small door at the corner, leading down to a dark and narrow stairway.

“And where does this thing lead to?” Applejack asked with curiosity.

Except of answering her, she looked around, making sure that no one was following us. Contented of our privacy, she stealthily went inside the door.

“Hurry, before somepony sees us!”

“Mom, with all the ponies around, I don’t think this is lo-“

I wasn’t able to finish my sentence as she pulled Applejack and me forcefully. Behind us, the door slammed itself, filling the whole room with recognizable darkness.

---[Formerly Foshwerl Laboratory]---

We heard a door open and a switch being flipped. As the lights went on, the whole place was revealed for us.

It looked like an old laboratory untouched for centuries. Cobwebs covered every single corner of the room. The dust was almost intolerable as we felt it enter our nostrils every time we took a breath. Many of the equipment were covered with dirty sheets, silently telling us that nopony cared for this place.

It was the complete opposite of laboratory with hygiene.

“I admit the place needs a bit of cleaning,” mom said, levitating the broom to dust a table full of test tubes.

“It’ll take years to clean this place up!” Applejack complained.

I couldn’t agree more with her.

“We’ll only need a part of the place, so we need not fix everything. And besides,” she said as she levitated more cleaning materials. “we have magic.”

So then started Lab Wrap-up, one of the most exciting event that happened here in Equestria. We took out the sheets, dusted the whole place clean, removed the cobwebs from the ceiling and arranged every equipment and glass tube to a better place.

After an hour of manual labor, with a little mix of magic, the whole place became a more welcoming lab.

“So, what’s next?” I asked.

“Here, in this very lab, I have helped develop the spell that’s infecting your friend’s sister. I believe that Aeftrot created a counterspell for it. He always leaves a backdoor. It must be somewhere in his notes.”

“So that’s why we’re breaking in the Archives. But why not just tell Princess Celestia about it? I’m sure she’ll understand once she knows what’s happening.”

“Twilight, you must understand. She’ll never let anypony touch those notes, even if her life depended on it. She made it clear to us the time she confiscated all of his work. She told us that works this dark must never see sunlight again.”

That didn’t make any sense. Why would the princess be such protective over that? I’m sure that she has handled more stronger magic before, but why this?

“But why are you so anxious to help us?” Applejack butted in.

“Believe me when I say that your sister won’t be the last victim.”

Wait. Does this mean that what happened to Applebloom was just the beginning? Oh please no.

She started to levitate test tubes around while manipulating a strange liquid from a container. It turned from blue to red to green, until it finally became purple. She then placed the tube that contained the liquid to a tripod, using magic to create a fire beneath it. The chemical started to simmer until sparks came out. She stopped the flame and placed the liquid into a small bottle.

“Here’s the plan. I will stay here so I can use Astral Projection to guide you.”

What did she just say? Astral Projection? This is getting weirder and weirder every minute.

She can’t be my mother.

“I will be using Applejack to communicate to you.”

The farm pony was surprised by what she just heard. She definitely wasn’t fond dealing with all those magic stuff. “Me?”

“Why, yes. Dr. Foshwerl and I once theorized that earth ponies were the most sensitive when it comes to magic. So it stands to reason that you are the best receptor in terms of telepathy.”

She then gave me the bottle that contained the mysterious liquid.

“Twilight, use this to the guards. They’ll forget that you two have even been there.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve done that before with your dad. And your teacher.”

Just, heck no.