CHAPTER 14
Glass, Goddess' and Chaos

"And that is the town hall." Octavia said pointing a hoof to a cylindrical building.

"Yup, that's the place you'll find Mayor Mare." Added Vinyl chewing on some chocolate in her magic.

"Mayor? Mare?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Confirmed Octavia. "is there something wrong with that?"

"No, it's just.... just.... Never mind." I gave up and let out a sigh. "It's not important."

"Well that pretty much sums up Ponyville." Vinyl said raising a hoof to scratch her cheek.

"Thank you ladies, but I do have one question." Octavia and Vinyl both focused on my covered face.

"I would imagine you would have many." Stated Octavia with a small smile.

"No the books taught me much." I paused. "But my questions is about all the decorations all over town. Is there a special event going on?"

The two mares quickly looked at each other. Octavia was clearly flushed but Vinyl had a mischievous grin plastered across her muzzle. Why does Octavia look worried?

"Well Shard that because it's Hearts and Hooves Day." Vinyl said grinning like a madmare.

"Hearts and Hooves day? What is that? Twilight's books never spoke of such a thing."

Vinyl's grin widened, is she happy about something? "Well Shard Hearts and Hooves day is when all the ponies gather together in a grand festival. We offers the hearts and hooves of the deceased to the gods in order to gain strong crops."

"Oh... I was unaware your people performed traditions like that." I was surprised and discussed, but did not want to insult.

"Oh we do, and we also-" Vinyl was interrupted when Octavia placed a hoof over her mouth.

"Vinyl!" She shouted giving her the death glare. "Don't lead Shard astray with such nonsense!"

"So, you don't chop off ponies' hooves and rip out their hearts?"

Octavia quickly turned her head. "NO!"

Her outburst was loud enough for more ponies to take notice of my cloaked figure. Their murmuring and stares made me uncomfortable.

"So what is it about?"

"Well it's... it's..." Octavia was mumbling and hesitating trying to find words presume. She turned back to Vinyl looking for help, but all she did was mouth something I could not make out.

"Well umm Shard -cough-. Hearts and Hooves Day is when tow ponies who love... Well not essentially in love but..." Octavia was stammering and blushing furiously to get the right words out. Why is she blushing so much?

"So is Hearts and Hooves day a couples thing?" I asked trying to help. Thankfully it seemed to work when her faced brightened up.

"Yes! That is exactly it." She turned around and gave Vinyl a smile of victory. Vinyl looked disappointed and had fallen back to pouting.

"I see..." I said unconvinced, Why are you so embarrassed Octavia?

"Hey wanna buy some apples?"

A strangely familiar voice caught my attention. The voice held some kind of accent and when I looked down I saw a familiar set bow. The fillies face was mostly hidden by a barrel of apples she was skillfully balancing on her head.

"Apples?" I asked.

"Ya!" She exclaimed. "We have the best in all of Equestria, and ah help pick em!"

"Well well, that's quite impressive." I humored her.

"Gee, thanks Mister!" She said from under the barrel. "Do ya want ta buy some?"

"Unfortunately little one I have no money." I saw her joints slump a little. "But I tell you what, if I come around again I will be sure to buy lots."

The barrel on her head bounced. "Really?!"

I retreated an inch from the loud out burst but reassured her. "Really."

"Apple Bloom!" Shouted somepony behind the filly. "Get yur' little hiney' over her' right now.

Oh dear I'd remember that heavy accent anywhere. I raised my head to confirm it, and sure enough there she was. The Applejack wearing her stetson trotted over. I fear that I am about to get another buck to the face. The filly Apple Bloom was forced behind Applejack not matter how hard she fussed.

"Now Apple Bloom head back to th' farm Ah'll' finish up here." She said looking Apple Bloom in the eye.

"But AJ!" She whined.

"No buts, now get." She pointed a hoof in a direction and the small filled trudged off. She quickly turned her powerful eyes on me. "And you, stay away from' mah' family. Got it?"

"Has anypony ever told you that you have powerful eyes?" She continued to stare me down with those green eyes.

"Ya' didn't answer mah' question." She pointed out not breaking eye contact with me for a second. Does she ever have to blink?

"If that is what you want I will comply." I submitted not wanting to cause a scene. I even bowed slightly because that seemed to be working quite well.

"Listen, Shard ah' am sorry I bucked ya' in th' face but ah' still don't trust ya'."She said while looking at me with her stern eyes until she trotted back to her apple stand. Octavia and Vinyl joined at my sides having heard the conversation.

"What's her problem?" Vinyl asked with a snort.

"She was just protecting her family Vinyl." I defended. "I understand."

"Understand?" Octavia raised a brow. "You did nothing wrong, she had no reason to act in such a way."

"Ya, you wouldn't hurt anypony." Added Vinyl.

"Perhaps." I admitted. " But in reality she is afraid. You ponies share many similarities with the humans."

"I'm sorry," Octavia interrupted. " but I don't see how we are similar to a hairless bipedal monkey."

"Not like that Octavia. You and and the humans share the same fear of the unknown." I paused to let that sink in. "You and them act to protect your loved ones from any possible harm. For Applejack I am that unnecessary risk she does not want to take."

"Shard... It's not like that." Octavia said. I could hear the concern in her voice.

"Oh but it is Octavia." I continued. "You where the same when I first arrived."

"I...I...I just..." Octavia stammered. Vinyl placed a hoof on her shoulder and shook her head.

"It was the same where I was from to. Most humans feared and hated me because they could not see past my crystal body." I felt some remorse rise again in my voice. "There were very few who even tried to understand."

An awkward silence past between us. I dared not say anymore else I will get too emotional.

"Shall we go?" I asked.

The mares nodded but did not lead the way. Instead they followed behind me with a slow pace devoid of life. Pherhaps I said to much. The truth can be painful.

We continued to walk aimlessly down the streets. As we did so I found that many more stallions where offering gifts of chocolate, flowers and other goods to mares. I thought that maybe I should give something to Octavia and Vinyl to raise their spirits? Well I don't want the others to feel left out so I will have to get something for Twilight and her friends too, but I have no money. Could I make something then?

"Hearts and Hooves Day hun?" I murmured so no one could hear.

Celestia had just sent off her last scroll to it's destination in Manehattan and officially declared her work finished. She raised herself from her cushion and stretched. A few unladylike moans escaped her muzzle as a joint popped. The clock on her wall read 2:00 pm which brought a smile to her face. She had plenty of time to go to Ponyville and meet the intriguing creature.

She casually made way for the door when a single scroll by way of dragon fire materialized in front of her. With trained reflex she opened it immediately.

"Quite the timing you have Twilight." She smirked and began to read.

Dear Princess Celestia

Princess I know you are on your way today but I just could not wait. The crystal pony named Shard has done something incredible! This morning I saw him lift many books off the shelves again and his consciousness completely drain away. While in this state his eyes where ivory white and the pages of books would be flipped time and time again. When he finally regained consciousness he could speak fluent Equestrian! Not only that but all the knowledge in the books was directly transferred to him. Including the books he read yesterday that is almost eighty volumes in less than sixteen hours! While he spoke to us we got better acquainted and learned more about him. He says he is from a far of world called Earth where humans live. So apparently Humans do exist out there. There is so much about this stallion that is fascinating like him being from a different world and the humans that inhabit it. But the most interesting is his powers. His power could even rival yours princess. I won't go any further into detail he will want something to talk about after all.

Your faithful student
Twilight Sparkle

Celestia raised a brow. Her interest in the creature was only increased but also her concern as well. A creature with unknown intent with power to rival her own was indeed a need for concern. Celestia thought she would give him the benefit of the doubt since he has yet to actually attack. With her worries brushed aside but still in mind she set the scroll down and walked out her chambers.

She was surprised to find that her azure sister was wide and awake at this hour. She also looked very excited.

"Sister!" She shouted. "I heard thou is't going to Ponyville."

"Yes Lulu, I'm going to see the new creature Twilight has discovered."

"Excellent! May we accompany you sister?"

Celestia raised a brow. "I don't see why not, but why do you wish to come?"

"Oh! I just want to see my friend Sh-I MEAN TWILIGHT Sparkle!" She shouted suddenly startling her sister.

"Oh? When did you become so close with Twilight?" She asked with her suspicions growing.

"Oh! Umm..." She tried to think of an excuse. "On the Night of Nightmare Night Twilight helped us.. I mean me, appear less frightening to our subjects."

"Oh right," Celestia said unconvinced, "I forgot about that."

Luna followed her sister through the halls marble halls. Guards stiffed when they saw their two rulers but let their eyes follow Luna as they passed. It was certainly strange for her to be awake at this hour let alone skipping. But there she was skipping happily after the sister of the sun. One guard even chuckled when they were out of ear shot earning him a few looks from the other guards.

"What?" He questioned and the other just guards rolled their eyes.

Further down the hall Celestia lightly chuckled having heard the guard. She had to agree with him, her sister was still very cute for her age. It was unfortunate that she would have to tell her to stay at the castle.

"Luna I need you to stay here."

"What? Why?!" She leaped in front of Celestia. She had a shocked expression on her face.

"I need you to keep an eye on Discord while I'm away." She avoided looking in her eyes knowing it would be her downfall.

"But sister!" She whined. "We wish to go with you!"

Celestia frowned. "Luna you are a big mare now. I need you to keep a close eye on him so he does not cause trouble."

Luna's head fell low as she hoofed the ground in disappointment. Celestia reached out to her sister until she felt a claw run up her spine. Her muscles tensed and her eyes grew wide. Ever hair on her body stood up when she heard a playful voice above her say "Awwww, I won't cause any trouble."

Celestia flared her wings and shout out a magic shield forcing Discord away. He laughed as he back paddled through the air and dived into the floor beside Luna. Luna stared into the floor that ripple where discord had landed. She continued to peer into the floor expecting him, but unknown to her he appeared in a puff of smoke on the other side of her. She felt the strange presence looming over her and turned her head to see discords only a few inches from her snout. He smiled and released a breath into her nostrils. Luna gasped and gagged, chocking on Discord poor hygiene.

"That's -cough- Vile!" She shot Discord a glare.

"Discord I am leaving and Luna will be staying here." Her eyes went cold. "Don't cause trouble."

"Oh you don't need to leave Luna here." He chuckled. "After all I'm going with you."

"Oh?" Celestia kept her cold glare but raised a brow. "And why's that?"

Discords face became serious. "I want to see this creature Celestia. I have been having memory problems and maybe, just maybe, I did make this thing. I will be able to identify it."

The due were unrelenting both in body and mind. Neither of them was about to back down either. The guards despite been sworn protectors dared not intervene. They all knew when they were in over their head and seeing the sun goddess so cold and Discord so serious was defiantly one of those moments.

Celestia sighed. "Very well."

"OH!" Discord clapped his lion paw and claw hand together in a fit of joy. "Most excellent!"

He slithered after Celestia who was trying her best to ignore the irritating serpent. She coked her head back to she Luna still pouting at the ground.

"Luna are you coming?" Celestia called.

Luna's head shot up with a bright smile "Yes! Yes!" She shouted in excitement. She quickly caught up with them by utilizing her most useful wings.

Author's Note

Unfortunately I will be disappearing for a little while. I have a larger writing project I have to do and got to get ready for grad and exams.

Good news thought, that "writhing" project is a fic I will be putting on this site!

Also don't forget to comment. I like to hear what my readers think.