Flown Feathers

Twilight gave a low yawn, she had been reading for what felt like hours and with a glance out her library window her body was warning her of the full six hours she had spent reading some new book Celestia had sent to her in a urgent chariot ride. She gave a high pitched gasp, and yelled out for her assistant. A miserable grown echoed through the library “What is it Twilight!?” Spike asked snippedly.

“You didn’t pledge your services to anypony while I was reading did you?!”

“No”

“Did anyone ask for my help?”

“No, It was a thankfully a very quiet day in Ponyville. I’m going back to bed, maybe you should too?”

“I’d love to rest...but I need to finished these books, Celestia-”

“Would understand that you need to sleep Twilight, pulling an all-nighter to read isn’t healthy.”

“Your right Spike, after I finished this book. Promise.” The only response Twilight received was Spike’s snoring.

It was an old book, or tome that documented the view points on some infamous ponies; unicorns mostly. Before Celestia became the wise leader she is today.  As Twilight descended further into the book she picked on a pattern of underlined words, she flipped to the index. “A secret key?” Twilight thought. “Red means capital. Blue means lower case. Each sentence has equal parts blue and red, and each page is one paragraph. That’s ridiculous who would go through so much labor?”

As silly as the puzzle seemed Twilight couldn’t help but decipher them. With the chirping of birds and a warm ray of sunshine, Twilight open her bloodshot eyes. Twilight groaned painfully, trying to wake up her sleeping legs. “What time is it?” she moaned.

“It’s about breakfast time!” The dragon tossed his blanket as he gave a big yawn.” Twilight you didn’t sleep on your books again did you?” Spiked asked scoldingly. “I might have. But I’ll be okay I just need some food, maybe some honey oat-o’s” Twilight said trotting down stairs to the mini kitchen.

“Oh-yea!” Spike hollered, following shortly behind her.

“That is...if we have any, you did go to the store and get some right?”

“I might have....forgot.”Spike blushed grabbing his to do list and running out the door “ I’ll get it this time promise!”

“I guess I’ll freshen up, a warm bath does sounds like a great idea...” She forced her tired joints up the winding stairs to the bathroom. With a complimentary bottle of Lotus and Aloe’s bubble starter she dipped her body into the tepid scented water giving a long relieved sigh. “This stuff always works wonders, ever since they’ve been buying Zecora’s remedies. Twilight felt her legs tingle once more, the sensation travelled through her and lingered in her eyes. “Maybe I picked the wrong bottle?” Twilight lifted the half empty bottle it read "Aloe & Lotus’ hydrotherapy. Herbs picked by Zecora; For ache-filled joints and stuffy nostrils. Warning: Do not use if tired, known to increase drowsiness."

“Just gre-aaawnnn.” Twilight gave a loud yawn, her body needed little coaxing to begin with, but with the added warm water and herbs she had little power but to sleep.

“Twilight? Twilight...” She felt a hoof rubbing her shoulder softly.

“..Did I fall asleep?’

“I hope so, or else I am sorry for bothering your daydream.”

“Princess Luna!”

“Please you don’t have to be formal, I am a honored guest of your dream. How goes the books?”

“I haven’t finished them all,and I’m stuck on one particular book.”

“Which is that?”

“It’s the eye witness accounts to life before...”Twilight wasn’t sure if she should tell Luna. The tome made no references of Luna.

“When we were banished to the moon, that was the day my sister and we were supposed to be inaugurated to the throne. But my heart was somewhere else that day. We were blinded in emotions that had built up in us for-for a long time. “

“I’m sorry-”

“There’s no need for your sorrow, we asked for it. There were authors that didn’t want to cite us for aiding my sister in capturing Discord. Others claimed Nightmare Moon was a separate being. Which is false.” Luna turned away. “What challenge is the book holding over you?”

“Somepony is using the tome for a secret message, complete with a legend and key and rules to solving it.”

“That sounds like the work of Star Swirl.”

“You’re right! the book had the Star Swirl’s crest on the spine! I feel so silly for not connecting the two. He was known for using a number and letter puzzle for journal page’s and notes!”

“You are quite fond of Star Swirl aren‘t you?”

“I did dress up as him for Nightmare Night!”

“We remember.” Luna gave a soft smile to Twilight. “It seems our time is limited, but would you do us a favor twilight, and go to bed tonight? We can talk more about the books then.”