“SPIKE! Have you found the book yet?” Twilight's rump was up in air, and her front half buried by a pile of books. Occasionally, one would fly out of the pile wrapped in a purple haze and slide into a bookshelf. Mutters of frustrations drifted out from the pile every time a book would head off to its home on a shelf.
“No, it's not upstairs, and I didn't see it in the basement either. Maybe you lent it out, this is a library after all.” Spike appeared at the top of the stairs, carrying a stack of books over twice his height. He struggled as he slowly waddled down the stairs, his tower tipping precariously with every step, threatening to spill themselves all over the library floor. “We don't lend out a lot of books, and you use this place like your own personal stash of literary works, but we are technically a library.”
Twilight pulled herself out of the pile and turned to her assistant. “Spike, you know that's—” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s this? Something’s coming, go grab emergency kit ‘C’.” Her eyes suddenly got bigger and she inhaled sharply. Casting her magic into the air around the room, she tested the spell to see if she could discern what it was. “Wait this...it feels similar to Starswirl’s time travel spell. Switch to emergency kit ‘T’.”
She looked around and saw a light slowly forming in the center of the library. She quickly tried to clear away the furniture and books around the intensifying light, however the ever-brightening glow forced her to stop and avert her eyes. The air around the light began to warp and distort as a high pitched whine permeated the library. Flattening her ears to her skull, she covered them with her hooves and closed her eyes, trying to block out the light and sound. Then, as quick as it had begun, the whine crescendoed and vanished with the light.
Silence overtook the library, while the world seemed to hold its breath. With a deafening bang and a blinding flash, the silence was violently shattered, and Twilight was tossed against the wall behind her like a ragdoll. Blinking several times and shaking her head, she unsteadily rose to her hooves. The room swam into focus and with it, a creature, lying in a newly formed hollow in the floor.
The librarian slunk over to the new arrival, readying a spell as she approached. As she grew closer, her breathing quickened and sweat broke out across her brow. Once she reached the edge of hole, she tentatively poked at the unconscious form lying within with her hoof, jumping back immediately and lowering her horn in defense. After several seconds with no reaction, she relaxed, and released the breath she had been holding. Fairly sure it was safe, she approached again to inspect it.
The creature was apelike in appearance, with a stocky frame and sharp facial features, indicating that it was most likely male. Even in his recumbent position, Twilight could tell he was tall; she doubted her horn would reach past his chest if he stood beside her. He appeared to be bipedal, with long arms that ended in something like the hands of a minotaur, but with longer fingers that looked capable of far more dexterous movement. The left hand had two digits missing from the middle, while the right was covered in horrible burn scars.
His robe was tattered and burned in several places, with the right sleeve missing completely, allowing Twilight to see the disfigured appendage in its entirety. Covered in a massive burn along its whole length, it smoldered slightly, wisps of smoke curling along the charred skin. She gagged as the smell of burnt flesh filled her nostrils and quickly moved on. The chest had several oozing wounds, and smoke slowly curled up from a few burns across his chest. As she scanned over his torso, she noted several more oozing wounds. A gash running down his side bled profusely, and a handle of some sort protruded from his right thigh.
Twilight paused her observation and turned to the uneasy dragon. “Spike, go grab my medical kit. He's seriously injured. Also, grab my burn kit and then go inform somepony from the hospital. I won't be able to treat him properly here. If you can, find Fluttershy as well. I would like to see if she might know anything about what he is.” She turned back to the creature and resumed her observation.
The right side of his face was obscured by a large black mask. Located roughly where his eye should be, sat a white sigil in the form of a stylized crescent moon, giving the mask an appearance not unlike the cutie mark of a certain lunar princess. There were short hairs all over his chin, and his dirty blonde mane extended just below the shoulders. Twilight couldn’t see much of the left side of his face through his hair, so she gingerly reached forward to brush some of it to the side.
As her hoof made contact with his cheek, his eye snapped open. The slitted pupil made her scamper back a few steps, visions of Nightmare Moon flashing through her mind. She watched him as she charged a spell, ready to blast him if he made any move. His chest started to shake and a low chuckling sound filled the library.
Twilight shook her head and took a step forward, faltering for a second, before slowly approaching the creature. His gaze seemed softer now, the slitted pupil now round, much like a normal pony’s eye. The eye was a beautiful cyan blue color that reminded her of her speedy friend. He stared into her own violet eyes for several seconds before suddenly wrapping his uninjured arm around her neck and pulling her close ecstatically.
“Twilight! It’s really you! Finally its you, I am finally at the end of my journey.” His voice was unsteady as emotion overwhelmed him. Twilight tried to jump back from his attempted embrace but failed. She put her hoof on his arm to push it away, but paused when she felt something warm and moist running down her neck.
“Um, should I give you two a moment?” Spike chuckled from the basement doorway, carrying a small box marked ‘Medical Kit.’ Twilight rolled her eyes and motioned him over. Suddenly, she felt the visitor’s arm around her neck drop away.
“Spike, is that you?” Slowly, the visitor swiveled his head to look back at the baby dragon. As his gaze fell over Spike, he jumped to his feet and bolted towards the baby dragon, grabbing him with his one good arm, and drew him into a tight hug. He turned back towards Twilight, letting Spike down from his grasp. “If only I could stay, but I cannot. I must go and deliver my message so that I can finally be free.”
Twilight tilted her head to the side, furrowing her brow.“What are you talking about?”
She watched him with an air of confusion as he approached her, backing away and lowering herself closer to the ground the closer he came. She flinched as he gently placed a hand on her withers and gave it a small massage. His hand started down her back gently, teasing her with a gentle touch that she could barely feel. Halfway down, he pulled his hand away, and her skin twitched as if trying to prolong the contact. He moved his hand to her head and scratched her poll for a second before pausing and taking a deep breath. “For now, you don’t need to know. The longer I linger here, the harder it will be for me to leave.”
Twilight turned her head, opening her mouth to ask more questions, but stopped as he left her side. He walked up to a cane in the hovel he had arrived in, stomped on the tip, and flipped it into his waiting hand. The cane was waist high for him and dark brown, with three chromatic gems encircling it a hoof’s length below a larger gem that adorned the top. A deep green light danced up and down the cane, forming arcane writs that looked like fairies dancing about as they headed for the floor. Spreading from the tip of the cane, the runes encircled him before flaring with a dark green light, temporarily blinding the library’s occupants.
Twilight blinked several times and rubbed her hooves to her eyes, opening them to to find an empty room. “Where did he go?” Her eyes fell to a small splotch of blood on the floor. “Did he teleport!?” Her eyes went wide as the realization hit her. “Spike, grab a quill and some parchment. Princess Celestia is about to have a guest...I think.”
~ ~ ~
The sun was lowering behind the white spires, casting the gates in a golden glow. Two unicorns in golden armour sat in front of the gate, inattentive of their surroundings, swapping stories of the perks they had received because of their job. The occasional boisterous laughter echoed down the street from one or the other.
“So, I told the barkeep that I was testing brews for the Gala and—” The larger unicorn guard jumped as his story was interrupted by a flash of forest green light. When the light faded, a tall creature stood before them, holding a cane in his mangled hand. He smiled at them as he spoke.
“I must speak to the Princess at once, it is of the utmost—” The creature coughed, pitching forward, blood splattering on the ground in front of him. The two guards darted forward to catch him.
“Are you...” The larger guard trailed off as the creatures mask pulsed with a green light around the edges. He turned to his partner with a quizzical expression and jumped back: the smaller guard’s appearance had changed. Lime green goo slowly slid off of his body to the ground, revealing a black form reminiscent of an insect, but pony shaped.
“What’s wrong?” The changeling looked down at himself. “Oh. Sorry about this mate.” He lunged at his partner, stabbing him through the eye, trying to interrupt the signal flare spell, but it was too late. Turning back to the one who had dispelled his disguise, he hissed, “I don't know what you are, or how you did that, but I am going to have to kill you. It's nothing personal, but I can’t risk being exposed.” He began charging a spell, but gagged instead as he found his windpipe being crushed by the tip of a cane, cutting the spell off and ending his life.
“Buck! I don’t have time for this.” The creature looked up, narrowing his eye. Several guards were charging down the street towards him screaming. He crouched low as green lines of looping symbols traced from the tip of his cane to the ground below his feet. The light flashed as he took a step forward, the ground splintering under his foot. He shot forward through the gates, taking a moment to look behind him, and cursed yet again as he spotted several signal flares lighting up the sky behind him.
He put on a large amiable smile as he came to a halt at the front doors of the castle proper. Seven guards—six of whom holding weapons in his direction—stood before the door, barring his entrance. “HALT IN THE NAME OF THE ROYAL GUARD! Please state your name and business, intruder,” barked a burly earth pony guard as he stepped forward, a hoof on his still sheathed weapon
“I have a message for the princess. It is imperative I deliver it.” His chest shook as he coughed up blood that splashed against the earth pony’s front hooves.
The guard commander grimaced. “You will not pass here. You will come with me so we can determine your true motives.”
Supporting himself with his cane, the creature looked at the guard. “I’m sorry but I do not have time for that. I must hurry so I will be leaving now.” Runes drifted down his cane as he spoke, gathering at the tip. Smiling coyly as he finished speaking, he lifted his cane slightly and tapped it to the ground in front of him—cracks radiating from the point of impact—and launched into the air. While in midair, he crossed his arms in front of his face and pulled his knees to his chest, bracing for impact. With a shattering sound, he crashed through the window above the door, rolling to his feet as he hit the floor, and took off down the hall.
The startled pegasus guards could only stare, mouths agape, as he launched past them. Screams from their commander broke them from their stupor and they shot through the shattered window. Meanwhile, the doors below burst open as another group charged in with the commander.
“What in the name of Luna’s plot? Where is he?” The earth pony in charge bellowed to the nearest pegasus, “Inform Captain Shining Armor that it got past us.” The guard snapped a salute and took off, while the commander’s eyes drifted down to a blood spot on the floor and he began chewing his lip. “What the buck was that thing?”
After a few turns, the visitor found himself before a set of massive golden doors, emblazoned with a sun inlaid in nacre across the center, seamlessly connecting the two halves of the door. He took a trembling step forward, towards the only thing between him and the end of his journey. He found himself at a loss for words before the majestic door, thoughts of being free of his burdens twisting his heart in joy and sorrow. A cough tore out of his throat, followed by another. He placed a hand on the door as he doubled over, splattering blood over the stark white inlay at the doors center, staining it with dark crimson droplets that ran down the smooth surface in small macabre rivers.
A hoof fall echoed up the hall, causing him to flinch. A tear hit the floor as he stood up straight and turned to meet the approaching pony. Their eyes locked, holding for what felt like an eternity, before he slumped back against the door. The pain was too much. “Please let me by, Shining. Please. I mean no harm to your ruler, I only want to deliver my message so that I can finally be free.”
Shining narrowed his eyes and lowered his horn. “How do you know my name?”
Tilting his head back and biting his lip as it quivered, the intruder spoke nostalgically with a cracking voice. “I knew you a very long time ago, but that is not a story for now.”
“I can’t let you pass.” Shining pawed the ground, his horn taking on a glow as he did. “Since you arrived, we have had a guard die, and a changeling has been found. I can’t let you see the Princess: there are too many unknowns and you seem to be in the thick of it. Relinquish your cane and come with me.”
“Then it would appear we are at an impasse. I cannot stop now. I am too close to completing what I have started.” He began to turn around, only to be slammed against the door by a bolt of magic.
Shining growled and took a step forward. “Then so be it. I will forcibly stop you.” He released another spell from his horn and charged forward. The spell slammed into the creature like Applejack’s hooves bucking a tree, throwing him through the doors. He flew several feet before hitting the ground and sliding, coming to rest at the base of the throne.
He tilted his head back, fighting to stay conscious, and took in a sharp breath. The stories he had heard of her before did little justice to the grand mare sitting above him. Her soft purple eyes gazed down on him, holding his gaze with curiosity. He coughed a few times before speaking. “Celestia, please hear me. I have a message—” He was interrupted as several spears poked into his arms menacingly.
With a scowl, the creature tapped his cane to the floor, creating a soft sound that echoed through the room, and wave green energy bloomed from the tip of the cane as it hit. As the magic passed over the ponies in the room, several collapsed while others began to shimmer. The room grew silent and the wave dissapated. About the room now stood several black insect like ponies, all hissing and dropping into defensive stances. The room grew thick with sounds as guards barked orders and weapons drawn or readied.
“ENOUGH!” Celestia flared her wings as she bellowed her command. The room fell completely silent, and she stepped down from her throne, turning her eyes to the dying being at its base. “What is your purpose here?”
“I have a message to deliver, then I will be gone from here. Please forgive my sudden intrusion.” He chuckled and placed a hand over one of the numerous burns covering his body. Digging his fingers in, he opened the wound wider, letting the free flowing blood collect into his other hand. Once full, he threw it out over the floor like an artist smattering paint over his canvas. He repeated it once more before picking his cane up again.
Touching the tip of his cane to the splash of blood, a spark jumped from the tip into the crimson puddle. With a flick of his cane, the small flare took off, tracing an intricate pattern in the puddle, with tiny looping symbols forming in its wake as it created several small circles that interconnected and crossed. The resulting design was that of several interlocking circles that formed one larger circle.
“That is my message.” With a smile, he closed his eye and went limp, sending his cane clattering to the floor before it rolled away and vanished with a puff of leaf green smoke. A small flash illuminated the room and the Element of Magic appeared, hovering a foreleg’s length from his now still chest. A green vine-like tendril of magic grew from the corpse’s chest and flowed into the element. The vine seemed to be carrying the very essence of him with it into the amethyst gem, tinging it with a green glow, and as it separated from his chest, his body vanished completely, sending the element clattering to the floor.
The changelings saw their chance. Several jumped the guards nearest them. Others found their time better suited for making a quick escape. Several scuffles broke out across the room as the guards tried to subdue invading insects attempting to flee or attack. Meanwhile, Shining walked through the room, blasting the occasional changeling away from a guard, or into the wall to be arrested by a guard.
He walked up beside Celestia, looking down at the arcane writings and the vestiges of the intruder. “What was that thing?”
“I do not know. I have never seen anything like it before.” Celestia turned and looked at the ancient script now decorating her floor. “This day has been very eventful, and there are many questions to be answered.” She looked about the room. “And there are many worrisome things that have had light shed on them as well.”
“Shall I have it copied and cleaned, Princess?” Shining looked back at the Element of Magic. “And should I send my sister a letter, letting her know that her element is here now?”
“No. These are very likely dangerous. Go and fetch my sister; I will inform yours.” Celestia stared at the runes, and then turned to the puddle of blood that the Element of Magic was resting beside, the green tinge slowly fading from its gem like it was falling asleep. She grabbed the element in her magic and shook off a few drops of blood with a grimace. “This is quite concerning, why did it leave its bearers side? There are many questions to be answered. For now though, there is the issue of all these changelings.”
The guards stepped back as their Princess turned to the room, casting it in a golden glow. The magic collecting around her horn flared, and the changelings were flung against the walls, tossed like so many ragdolls in a dryer. Those that missed the walls went through the windows in a glittering display of shattered history. Celestia turned and walked away as guards filtered into the throne room to begin collecting the prisoners.
~ ~ ~
Fluttershy walked into the library’s anteroom with a steaming kettle of tea. She approached her five friends, pouring each a cup of tea before taking a seat herself. They all looked to Twilight, confusion painting their faces as they mulled over what she had just said.
“So, he just up and vanished. Where did he come from in the first place Twi? You said he just appeared like you did with yer time spell before.” Applejack and the others stared at Twilight, hoping for answers.
“Yes, and I don't know. He acted strangely when he saw me. He seemed relieved, talking about finally being done. He seemed to so happy to see me and Spike, but he really wasn’t very forthcoming with information.” Twilight shifted, her eyes drifting to the deppression in her floor. “He was so excited about seeing me, and how it meant his freedom. That vanishing act, I have never seen anything like it. The magic was unlike anything I have come across before.”
Spike's stomach rumbled, grabbing every ponies attention. He blushed. “Sorry guys—UUURP.”
A green flame roared from his mouth and coalesced into a scroll that was quickly grabbed by Twilight's magic. She unfurled it and read it over a few times before racing over to a shelf. Pulling on an unmarked tome roughly in the center of the shelf, it swung out and revealed five Elements of Harmony and an intricately carved box.
Twilight gasped and sat down with a loud thud. She turned to her friends shakily. “Girls go pack. We are heading to Canterlot in one hour. The Princess said it was urgent, and that it pertained to my mysterious guest. Pack for a long trip; I think we might be there for a while.”
Her five friends left quickly, and she turned back to the shelf and chewed on her lower lip. She unsteadily gathered the five elements and placed them on a table. Grabbing the box from in the compartment, she placed each element in it’s corresponding slot. They shrank to fit in their corresponding slots, and as each element was placed, a lid slid over the slot, concealing it. When Twilight finished, one compartment in the center of the box remained empty as she closed it. She turned away from the bookshelf before making her way across the room to the stairs, the bookshelf swinging closed with barely a whisper.
Luna sat near the edge of the garden, watching the sky for the three carriages that had been sent to retrieve the Bearers of Harmony. She yawned and let her mind wander. Those runes the creature had left kept nagging at her mind; they looked so familiar. She knew them, but she couldn’t place from where, and it was driving her nuts. She looked up as she heard the sound of flapping wings.
“Sister.” Celestia landed beside her sister and gave her a quick nuzzle. “Sorry to have you pulled from bed so abruptly, but you have always been more academically inclined than myself. Have you made progress with the runes he left yet?”
Luna looked at her sister and sighed. “No, sister. All I know is that they are not magical in purpose. They are heavily enchanted, but they do not seem to have any potential to cast a spell themselves. As of yet, we have been able to transfer them to parchment and nothing more.” She looked up to the approaching carriages. “They are arriving.”
As the two sisters watched the first carriage approach, they both smiled at the sight of telltale pink spot peeking over the edge of the carriage wall. The carriage landed gently and the princesses turned as the Bearer of the Element of Generosity approached them. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, it is an honor to be summoned to the castle again.” Rarity gave a small bow before being bowled over by a hyperactive pink blur.
“Can I throw an ‘it's wonderful to see my two favoritous princesses’ party PLEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSSE?” Pinkie begged with exuberant energy. “I know you told me that I wasn't allowed to throw parties in the castle anymore after the incident we don't mention anymore, but I haven't seen you two in so long!” Both Luna and Celestia leaned away from the hyperactive pink mare and shuddered at the mention of THAT party. The repair bills alone had cost tens of thousands of bits, and then there were all the apology letters. They gave each other a knowing look before turning back to Pinkie.
Celestia put on her warmest smile, repressing the memories of the unmentionable party incident. “Pinkie, what we have brought you here for is far more important. We do not have time for a party right now. Perhaps later, when the danger has passed.” She sighed inwardly, while Pinkie brightened immensely and proceeded to bounce off, muttering about invitations, games, decorations and other such party related topics. Celestia tilted her ears towards the party pony, hoping she hadn’t just heard something about permits.
Her attention turned to the next chariot as it landed with a slight thud, bouncing once before settling on the runway. Celestia watched as the Element of Honesty disembarked and turned back to the carriage.
“Come on Fluttershy; it's okay now. We landed, and Ah reckon that the princesses would love to see ya.”
A pink mane slowly poked from the edge of the chariot, shaking slightly. The two diarchs chuckled, causing the owner of said mane to squeak and retreat slightly. With a bit more coaxing from the cowmare, Fluttershy slinked out, still hiding behind her mane. “Hi umm...it's nice to see you. I hope we can help...er...I mean if you want it.”
Celestia leaned down and offered a reassuring smile as she addressed the shyest of the arriving group. “Of course we would, Fluttershy.”
Both deities turned away from Fluttershy to watch the last chariot arrive. Celestia’s face softened as she watched her student leave the chariot with her friend. They were both panting and wiping tears from the corners of their eyes with wide grins across their muzzles. Twilight turned away from Rainbow as soon as she noticed her mentor.
Twilight trotted up to her teacher and leaned against her chest affectionately. Her mentor responded by lowering her head over Twilight’s withers, wrapping her in a motherly embrace. “Princess Celestia, it's been too long.” She turned to Luna and wrapped her in a friendly hug. “How have you been Princess Luna? You missed the last Nightmare Night! Pipsqueak missed you too; he loves the haunted houses you set up.”
Luna smiled. “Tia and I were busy. We had to make preparations for a very special event. I wish I had been able to attend; it is always so much fun.” She quickly changed to a serious demeanour as she looked at the assembled guests. “So, do you know why we called you all here?”
Twilight glanced at her friends and received a silent confirmation from each one. Satisfied with their nods of agreement, she spoke for the group. “For things best not discussed in a public location like this.” Everypony nodded with serious expressions; the cheer from the reunions had passed.
"You are correct, my faithful student." Celestia nodded at Twilight, and then addressed the entire group. "Please follow us. We have a private room ready and waiting." The princesses walked past Twilight and her friends, who all promptly rose quickly and followed the two deities into the castle.
~ ~ ~
Celestia and Luna sat across the table from Twilight and her friends, who were arranged much the same as the order of their arrivals. The room was furnished with a single table surrounded by cushions, extras lying off to the side. Two servants quietly served tea, the occasional clink of a tea cup temporarily drawing everypony’s attention. The six friends fidgeted as they waited impatiently for the servants to finish and leave the room. Celestia and Luna were the only ponies who appeared relaxed.
“So, Twilight, this creature first arrived in your library. What can you tell us of his arrival?” Everypony jumped as Celestia spoke up, after the servants had left.
“I felt a powerful magic, similar to the time travel spell Starswirl the Bearded invented. It wasn’t the same spell, but I am certain that it was based off it. The magic deposited him in the center of my library, and he awoke shortly after his arrival. When he saw me, he broke into tears and hugged me tightly.” Twilight could feel herself blush at the memory.
She took a sip of her tea.“Beyond that, it was pretty quick. He left within minutes after saying something about it finally being over and finally getting his freedom. The only other noteworthy thing was the magic he used. I have never seen anything like it before.”
“So, he teleported to the gates of Canterlot Castle all the way from Ponyville. He then managed to out maneuver our guards and make it to the throne room. My sister also tells me of how he exposed several changelings, and in the process, put a few guards into comas.” Luna started tapping her chin thoughtfully.
Celestia spoke as her sister became lost in thought. “Add to everything the fact that our Royal Guard has been infiltrated without either of us noticing, and this becomes a very worrisome course of events. I wish I had had more time to talk with him; he seemed to have answers we could use.” She turned to Luna, still lost in her thoughts. “Luna, did you bring the element with you?”
Luna shook her head, snapping out of her reverie. "Of course I did." Within moments, the Element of Magic appeared on the center of the table with a small popping sound. “After the creature died, he faded into the element, or that is how it appeared, at least. It was unlike anything I have ever seen with the elements.” She pushed the element to her sister’s student with her hoof. “Twilight, could you please examine it through your connection with it? I am hoping that you will be able to sense the creature within it, or perhaps his presence.”
“I can try.” Twilight closed her eyes, probing the Element with her magic to see if she could sense the creature. Hidden beneath the massive latent magical energies found within the tiara, she found something. She gently poked at it to see what she could find out about this strange presence, and quickly regretted her choice of action. Almost instantly, she felt a searing pain shoot down her horn as the tiara retaliated. Surprised, she grabbed onto the presence with her magic and flashes of the creatures life streamed into her mind.
She saw a war torn world, the screams of dying creatures echoed in her mind while her heart shook. As children looked up at her with hope, despair clawed at her mind with the horrifying image. A flash of green. The sight of a smiling Luna, she felt her heart swell. The smell of sweat and scent of fear filled the air as her vision shifted to a battlefield full of corpses. Sorrow filled her soul. A purple and pink mane drifted by. A small room full of books with a purple unicorn sitting on a cot at its center. Familiar, yet she felt lost. Searing pain raced across her body, and she saw her smiling form held in two arms. As the unicorn closed her eyes, rage consumed her.
A massive burst of energy from the element severed the connection, stopping the images. As the energy burned into the broken connection, flooding into her horn, Twilight felt her magic swell uncontrollably. Her eyes burst open, glowing a blinding white as the magic flooding into her grew beyond her control. A massive burst of energy exploded from her and the element, tossing everypony to the sides of the room.
Rainbow, being the first to rise, noticed Twilight lying on the floor. In a panic, she bolted to the unicorn’s side and placed the lavender head in her lap. “TWILIGHT!?” Beads of sweat began forming on Rainbows brow as she fidgeted nervously. “Are you alright?” She lifted her head, glanced around, and saw Luna stirring. “LUNA! Twi needs help!”
Twilight let out a pained groan as she began to stir. She righted herself while she rubbed her horn, blinking her eyes several times. “Ugh, Rain...bow, what—” She paused and looked around the room. Spying a trash can, she darted to it. Retching sounds echoed from the confines of the tin can for several minutes while Rainbow rubbed her back. Twilight sat back, breathing heavily. “What happened? Why does my head feel like I have been on a week long study bender?” She turned as she heard another pony wake.
“What in tarnation just happened?” Applejack looked around the room for her stetson as she sat up. Instead, she found a particularly woozy and green looking unicorn. "Twilight, What was that?" She located her hat perched on a bust, and in one quick motion, managed to snag the offending headgear, dust it off, and place it on her head.
Fluttershy gently hovered over to Rarity and helped her out of the pile of cushions she was sprawled in. “Is everypony okay?” She looked around at her friends and was met with a chorus of groans.
“Well, that was unexpected—is everypony alright?” Celestia flexed her wings as she rolled away from the wall. Everypony grunted in agreement while they made their way back to the table. “So, Twilight, did you find anything?” Celestia looked around for her tea cup and frowned visibly when she found its broken remains.
“I am not really sure how to explain what I found.” Twilight paused.“Okay, think of it like you would if you were teaching a filly about magical frequency. Magic is like a sound that all objects emit, whether it’s in small or large quantities. Every creature, plant or stone has a unique sound or magical frequency. In this case, we are talking about the magical frequencies of both the Element of Magic and the creature. From here, things get a little more theoretical, but, to keep it simple, the creature’s magic has been tuned to that of the Element of Magic.”
Twilight paused to make sure everypony was following. “So from what I have read on the subject, his magic would now be in harmony with the element. This would allow the two separate magics to coexist without merging, while existing in concert with each other. It’s more complicated than that, but that’s the basic gist of it.” Twilight looked around, seeing the blank stares she received from her friends, and rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. Turning her attention to Luna and Celestia, she asked, “Can you tell me what the creature wanted with you and Princess Celestia?” With her cup of tea between her hooves, she took a few tentative sips before gingerly rubbing her horn with a slight grimace.
Luna opened her mouth to speak, but her sister interjected.“He made no mention of my sister actually. She was asleep at the time, he only met me. The prophecy was given to me in an intricate display of magic, guiding blood into the shapes of the runes, and I have only recently had my sister go over them.”
Celestia took a sip of her tea, mulling over the events of the day. “The prophecy is written in an ancient runic script that neither my sister nor I can decipher. The runes, according to my sister, are enchanted. We hope that one of the enchantments on them are for encryption, and can be deciphered with the proper key. We were hoping for your help in finding the proper key if one does exist.” Celestia frowned as she observed her student rubbing her horn gingerly. She had never seen or heard of the Elements harming their bearers before. Why would the Element of Magic—known to be the most protective of its master—attack her student?
Twilight and her friends nodded. “We would love to help you.” She smiled at her mentor as she spoke up for everypony.
Applejack looked at Celestia. “Is there more we should know? Are the runes dangerous?”
“My sister believes they are inert, but they are riddled with enchantments. Caution should be taken until we know all of the enchantments placed on them.” Celestia looked over the assembled mares. “So, does anypony have any ideas? I know that this bookish work doesn't suit some of you, but I want all of you to help on this in any way you can.”
“Umm...well, if you have any old tomes, that might be a good place to start. Maybe there’s a book of keys we can use...” Fluttershy shrank deeper into her mane as she spoke, trying to avoid the stares of everypony else in the room. “to find and test keys...It's not a good idea...is it? Sorry I mentioned it.” With a small 'eep', she darted to a small pile of cushions in the corner when she saw Rainbow Dash approach.
“I think we should give Twilight a bit to let her headache subside first.” Rainbow Dash smirked as she tugged at the pink tail protruding from the cushions. “But, that is a great idea Fluttershy!”
Twilight gave a thankful nod to Rainbow. “Thank you, but I am ready to start as soon as we can.”
~ ~ ~
“ARRGH! Almost two weeks and we have nothing! These runes haven’t responded to a single known key. All we have managed to figure out is that they are indeed encrypted, and we need a key.” Twilight slammed her head against the table next to her current book.
“What I don't understand is why he would make it so hard. Doesn't making it impossible to read defeat the purpose of a prophecy.” Rarity placed a warm cup of jasmine tea beside Twilight, eliciting a sigh from the lavender mare as the smell wafted into her nose. She took a seat next to a stack of books her friend had been using and absentmindedly flipped through it.
“That's why it's so frustrating! Why would somepony make it so difficult? Prophecies are tricky, but this is just impossible!” Twilight reached for her tea with her magic as the doors flew open. A flare of amethyst light encompassed the cup, accompanied with a shattering sound as she snapped her head towards the boisterous new arrival.
“Twilight! I found it! I found the key! Its the moon! I was out in the gardens reading them over, when a cloud shifted and the moonlight illuminated them.” Luna’s voice boomed throughout the room. She was nearly buzzing with glee in front of Twilight, now staring glumly at her tea soaked papers. “Whoever this creature was, he wrote the message in moon runes. Well not really, but he enchanted them to act in a similar fashion. I don’t know how I didn’t notice it right away.”
“That's great. What did it say?” Twilight hopped up from her seat, looking for clean piece of parchment and bumped into Rarity, now cleaning her spilled tea with magic.
Luna chuckled. “Patience Twilight. Go and let your friends know. I will inform my sister and we will meet in the garden tomorrow. Please bring the Elements with you as well.”
~ ~ ~
Celestia stared blankly out into the distance as she watched her sun dip behind the walls of the palace garden. Most evenings, she would find sunset to be a moment for relaxation, seeking solace in the caress of her charge. This was not a typical evening. The bizarre appearance of the strange creature a fortnight prior weighed heavily on her mind. His arrival raised so many questions. Who was he? Why did he dissolve into the Element of Magic? What was his message that he so desperately needed to give her? His so called prophecy worried her most, and she wondered if it was linked to the recent increase in changeling activity. Hopefully, she would get some answers tonight.
Celestia turned her head to watch as the six Bearers of Harmony approached from the castle. They were still so young, but she could not have been more proud of them. Her ever faithful student never ceased to astound her, but she was still worried. With her students final test fast approaching, the timing for this auspicious event could not be worse. She turned her gaze back to the night sky as Twilight and her friends arrived and sat beside her.
“Hello Princess.” Twilight trotted up and quickly embraced her mentor. “It was a gorgeous sunset tonight.” She took a seat beside her mentor, and turned her eyes to the gibbous moon. “ Do you think unlocking those runes will give us answers, Princess Celestia?” She turned to Celestia, hoping to receive an answer, but received none. Twilight looked up into Celestia’s eyes and paused. There was worry in her eyes, something she rarely saw in her teacher.
Twilight moved to comfort her mentor, but was interrupted by the sound of flapping wings. They turned to the approaching goddess of night and a dark grey pegasus carrying saddle bags full of parchment and quills. As Luna landed, she trotted to her sister and gave her a quick nuzzle.
“Good evening everypony.” Luna left her sister’s side and stood in front of the assembled party. “I hope you are all prepared.”
“We are, and we have brought the elements as requested.” Twilight adjusted her tiara and motioned to her friends, each of whom wore a necklace with a gem matching the shape of their cutie marks.
“Inkwell, are you prepared as well?” Luna turned her head to the pegasus, who had just finished laying a parchment flat on the ground in front of her.
“I am, Your Highness.” Inkwell poked her muzzle into a saddlebag and pulled an inkwell out. She stuck her muzzle in the other bag and removed a quill.
“Very well, let us begin then.” Luna offered a weak smile to everypony, trying to hide the slight shake in her feathers.
~ ~ ~
The nine mares sat gathered in a circle, a large piece of parchment lie on the ground in the middle. Upon the parchment were the runes the creature had left. Luna briefly glanced at each pony before she stood and approached the parchment.
“Umm...is this safe?” Fluttershy trembled as Luna turned to her.
“As far as I can tell, it will be perfectly safe.” Luna looked at everypony else. “Any other questions before I begin?” She nodded to Twilight as her hoof rose.
“Can you explain more about these runes?” Twilight’s eyes briefly flicked downward to the parchment before returning to Luna’s.
“It will be easier if I show you.” Luna turned to the runes, and lowered her horn. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. As her horn touched the parchment, a blue spark arced to the intricate lines. She began searching the enchantments lying dormant within, the spark sporadically jumping about as she flitted through each one. After she found the correct enchantment, she raised her head from the symbols, and the spark took off, tracing the crimson lines in blue.
As the spark’s journey reached its end, a brilliant indigo blue flash forced everypony to avert their eyes. The light faded into a soft silver glow, swirling about as though moonlight itself was being summoned from the aether. The symbols appeared to float off the parchment, casting shadows in the silver glow. Everypony leaned forward, holding their breath in anticipation.
Several minutes passed before Twilight released the breath she had unknowingly held, quickly followed by everypony else. Celestia furrowed her brow and turned to her sister.
“What is the meaning of this sister?”
Luna grinned sheepishly, rubbing a hoof on the back of her head. “A simple countermeasure to prevent the prophecy from being stolen, I would assume. I did something similar back during my...darker days.” Her face took on a dour expression as unwanted memories surfaced in her mind. She shook her head to clear it and continued. “Each phrase of the prophecy is keyed to a separate phase of the moon. So for example, the first line appeared under the waning gibbous yesterday. Today, we can’t read it because the phase of the moon has begun to shift. When the moon reaches its next phase, a new line will become clear. Or at least I hope that is the case.”
Before she could continue, Twilight interrupted her. “But Princess, it takes a month for the moon to cycle through its phases. Won’t that—”
“Patience, Twilight Sparkle. Ordinarily you would be correct, it would take a pony a full month to read the prophecy. But we have something they do not.” Luna winked at Twilight with a mischievous grin. “We have the ruler of the night to hasten the process.”
Celestia cleared her throat. Noting her sisters irritation, Luna chuckled and returned to her explanation. “As I was saying, each phrase of the prophecy is keyed to a specific phase of the moon. As the goddess of the night, I should be able to move the moon through its month long cycle in one night, allowing us to decipher the entire prophecy tonight.” Luna turned to Inkwell. “Please read to them what it said yesterday before I continue.”
“One second, Princess.” Inkwell—Luna’s personal scribe—reached into her bag and pulled out her notes. After a few seconds of shuffling she said, “Ah yes, here it is. It begins, ‘He who stole the crystal’s luster.’”
“Thank you, Inkwell.” Luna turned back and faced the assembled party. “That is the beginning of the prophecy. As I move through the moon phases, we should receive the rest of it.” She took a deep breath and turned to her celestial charge. “I hope everypony is ready, for real this time, I promise!”
The runes grew chaotic, and slowly began to peel off the page as Luna coaxed her moon into changing its phase prematurely. The moon slowly waned towards the quarter phase. As it grew closer and closer to the next stage of its monthly life, the pattern slowly atomized into a blood-red, swirling fog. Letters in common Equestrian formed in the mist, lining up together to create a new line of text. As the final word grew still, the assembled ponies let out a collective gasp while Luna’s scribe read it aloud as she wrote it down.
Sought the aid of she who devours the beauty of the soul
Luna smiled at her scribe before turning back to her moon and coaxing it forward. The collective mares watched in awe as the powerful alicorn moved her moon through its cycle. Pinkie clapped a little as the words began their dance once more, lifting from the pages and swirling into each other. She leaned forward as the mist spread over the page and condensed into a new phrase.
Together they sought revenge and together they ascended
Twilight smiled; the sight of the moon moving through its phases so quickly enchanted her. She tore her eyes from the moon and turned to the parchment, when the air around it began to shimmer and the words faded out. The silver light emanating from the words seemed to fold in on itself as they dimmed, vanishing into the page on which they sat. Everypony shuddered at the gruesome appearance of the letters as they bled back into existence.
They stole the newest ruler’s throne and together tore the sun from her sky
A bright flash illuminated the courtyard, blinding all who dared look at it. Fluttershy dove for cover behind Rarity, but missed and tackled her instead. As their vision cleared and the courtyard swam back into focus, the group’s eyes turned to the moon that had shifted to its next phase. Rarity shook her head and placed a hoof over Fluttershy, taking note of the new text on the parchment in the process.
They tore the ponies’ kingdom asunder and took the guiding lights from the night
A nervous energy overtook the garden. The air had grown thick with magical energy, swirling and weaving about. Luna sat staring into the sky at her moon, muttering under her breath as she probed the night sky. She felt her heart rate increase when she failed to feel her closest and oldest friend. Slowly, she sank to the ground, limp. “MY MOON!” With a whimper, she curled in on herself, collapsing to the ground with tears flowing from her eyes. “It’s...it’s...it’s been taken!” In a panic, she cast her magic into the sky once more, searching for the touch of her dearest friend. When her questing magic found nothing, she broke, sobs wracking across her frame as the tears flooded her eyes. “Why can’t I feel it? I can’t feel its presence!” Her voice came out as a barely audible squeak. It was gone, stolen from her. She numbly stumbled to her feet and launched herself into the sky, tumbling sideways as the arcane energy swirling about the courtyard battered her body.
Celestia rose to give chase, but paused as the arcane energy tore at her wings. She stared into the night sky after her sister, a tear slowly falling from her eye. “LUNA!” She pulled her wings to her sides tightly and shook herself before lunging forward, only to run into Twilight.
“You can’t! Somepony needs to stay and continue the ritual.” Twilight stood defiantly in front of Celestia .
“She’s my sister, and she needs me. Let me go, Twilight.” Celestia tried get around Twilight, but her student refused to give passage. Placing a lavender shoulder against her teacher’s chest, the smaller mare braced against ground as the larger alicorn tried to push past.
“I know, but—” Twilight was interrupted as Celestia laid her head across her withers.
“The magic is self sustaining now, please let me go.” Celestia voice was barely a quivering whisper at the end of her plea.
“No! It is an unknown magic, and we need you here in case it gets dangerous. I am strong, but this magic took Luna’s moon from her! We need your power to protect us if it gets violent.” Twilight nuzzled her teacher. “Luna can hold her own, let her be. If she isn’t back by the time we are done, you can go to her.”
Celestia sunk to the ground, defeated. “I guess you are right, Twilight.” She stood shakily and composed herself as best she could. “Let us continue with the message.”
Seven sets of eyes turned to the parchment, now pulsing with a steady silver glow, as a thrumming sound filled the garden. With each pulse, the thrumming sound crescendoed, and the moon grew fuller, moving ever closer to its next phase. With each rise in volume of the sound, a word would lift from the page. As each word rose, it took off on a chaotic path about the party, and with each pass over the parchment, a single drop of crimson blood fell. Each drop scurried about the page as it hit, searching for it’s place until it formed a letter and froze. The scribe furiously wrote down the new line once it had formed.
They conquered each of Harmony’s Elements and sent them home, but forgot one
Suddenly, the parchment ignited, leaving ash and blood-red words floating in its place. Slowly, a crimson cloud formed as the words broke apart with the shifting of the moon. Everypony watched, bewitched by forming cloud that slowly swirled in upon itself. The swirling gradually formed letters, then words, and finally, another cryptic line which Applejack read aloud.
The forgotten Element sent back her warrior to weave a cage in time for the king
The moon surged on into it's final stage, filling the garden with the soft silver glow of moonlight. Crimson words oozed to the ground, each drop hitting the ground with a sense of finality. The drops of blood pooled together, forming an unsettling red puddle, and as the final drop splashed down, six small flames ignited along the rim. As suddenly as they had come to be, the flares took off, burning furrows into the ground. The newly formed channels filled with the pooled blood to reveal a red outline of Equestria. One at a time, the lights came to a standstill, and as the final light stilled, they all flared in unison. Starting from the westernmost edge, the flares burned into the ground—two words of the prophecy, then three, repeating over and over until the final line could be seen ringing the map, with the final words floating at its center.
And to seal the king in time, the six keys must be in Harmony’s possession
The magic in the air faded, the garden growing eerily quiet. Coats and manes settled as the magical energies released them. Slowly, the moonlight dimmed as the moon returned to its proper phase for the time of the month, leaving the garden with a dim appearance as eyes adjusted to the lack of light. A small dot appeared in the sky, growing larger as it approached. Recognizing the form, Celestia rose to her feet, spreading her wings as she went. “LUNA!” She flew up and grabbed her sister tightly, helping lower her to the ground. “Are you okay?!”
As they landed, Luna staggered in her sister’s embrace, tears appearing at the corners of her eyes. “I’ll...I’ll be fine.” She choked back a sob and buried her muzzle in the white chest she was pressed to, seeking out the comforting warmth she remembered from her younger years. As she pressed deeper into the warmth, her body began to tremble. “It was just...” Tears forced their way out and soaked into ivory fur as her body shook with sobs. “She was taken away from me. I could see her, but I couldn’t feel her. I have never felt such a powerful feeling of loss before.”
Slowly, her sister lowered them to the ground, running a hoof gently through her mane. “Shh, it’s okay now,” Celestia cooed to her sister as she gently stroked her mane and neck.
Luna wrapped her hooves around her sister and clung tightly. Pulling her hind legs into her barrel, she curled up against the white blanket of warmth and comfort before her. Feeling the rise and fall of the ivory chest, she matched the rhythm of her breathing to it. Closing her eyes, she let the sound of its steady heartbeat consume her mind. The rhythm slowed her thoughts and brought peace to her troubled heart.
“Are you okay, Princess?” Twilight nervously made her way over to Luna and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “We would all understand if you wish to stop for the night.”
Luna jumped at Twilight’s touch, snapping back from her trance. “I will be fine, it’s just...” Lowering her head back into the warm, protective chest of sister she finished with a whisper. “I have never not been able to feel my moon. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever felt.”
Twilight lowered herself as Luna spoke. “I can only imagine, to have something so dear to you taken away so abruptly.” She gently nuzzled Luna, offering what little support she could.
Luna returned the gesture and pulled herself to her hooves. “Thank you for your sentiments.” Taking several deep breaths, she leaned against her sister, closing her eyes and sighing as an ivory curtain of feathers draped over her back. “I would like to continue now so that I can retire for the night.” She placed her chin on her sister’s shoulders, letting the mane tickle her nose and the smell of morning dew soothe her thoughts.
“So, what’s next?” Rainbow Dash placed herself beside Twilight, a light blush tinging her cheeks at the sight of the princesses’ intimate gesture.
Taking her head from her sister’s back, Luna turned to the cyan mare. “I would like to rouse the creature so we might ask him for answers.”
Celestia turned her head to look back at her sister, her eyes the size of saucers. “You cannot be serious. It is a grave sin to attempt to raise the dead.”
Luna chuckled. “That would be true if he were truly dead. If Twilight is correct, then he is merely no longer corporeal and has been absorbed by the Element of Magic. It would not be true resurrection. Do you truly think I would suggest we perform any of the dark arts?”
Twilight fidgeted in place, her eyes darting between her friends and Luna. “Are you sure that's a good idea? We know absolutely nothing about him. You want us to do something that sounds suspiciously like necromancy to bring back a possibly dangerous creature. Is this really a good idea Luna?”
Celestia stepped up and placed a hoof on her students shoulder. “ I trust that my sister knows what she is talking about, and we will keep you and your friends safe.”
Twilight looked at her friends again. “Are you guys up to it?” They all nodded nervously. “Okay well I guess...um...circle around me.” Her five friends made a circle around her, their eyes darting between each other. The two princesses readied themselves, one charged a barrier spell, the other an offensive spell.
Twilight closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, readying herself before she began. She sent out her magic into the element, allowing her mind to follow. Leaving her body behind, she found herself inside the element, overlooking a vast ocean of magic. With a crack of her neck to steady her nerves, she swan dived into the endless expanse. As she dove deeper and deeper, an eerie dark green glow overtook her surroundings, emanating from a point off in the distance. She reasoned that the source of the glow must be her destination and decided to hedge her bets.
The closer she got, the brighter the glow became until she saw the creature before her. She paused, marveling at the deep green form of the creature, spots of darker light throughout it giving the appearance of a starry sky. A blinding white light stood to the side of the creature. Twilight heeded the summons and approached slowly, the light dimming more with each step, until the form of a pony could be seen. She took the creature beside the light with her hooves and made for the surface.
Meanwhile, the others watched with bated breath as Twilight sat completely still, breathing evenly and steadily. As she lifted into the air, her friends gasped and leaned away. Each pulse of her element brought another of the bearers into the air with her. As the last mare rose, the floating circle of friends began rotating, as if they were in a great cosmic dance. Faster and faster they spun, blurring into one another as a disc of many hues formed. With a massive explosion of arcane energy, a green ball of magic tore apart the chromatic disc as it formed.
The Elements and princesses were rendered unconscious as they were flung backwards by the magical pulse, while the unicorn in the middle slammed to the ground like a meteor falling to the earth. Lengthening into an oblong shape, the ball lowered to the ground beside Twilight. Slowly a robed figure with a dirty blonde mane and one eye came into view as the glow about him faded.
One small blue eye shot open. While not thoroughly equine in structure, it revealed a very equine emotion as its owner scanned the room: fear. Fear for his friends, his mistress, his whole world, all strewn about the courtyard, unconscious. Instinctively, he rushed to the ponies' aid; hopefully he could ensure all of their safety. He moved quickly, drawing a simple healing rune on each mare’s cutie mark with his finger and weaving it into their internal magical forms before moving to the next. Rising to his feet, he looked over the unconscious mares with a gentle smile playing at his lips. Placing one finger to his lips, he winked in Fluttershy’s direction. She bleated like a goat and went completely stiff, eliciting a chuckle before he bolted off towards the castle.
~ ~ ~
Applejack was the first to stir several minutes later. “Gal darnit, my head feels like a barn fell on it. Everypony else okay?”
“I don't think my head has hurt this much since the last time I ran into Twilight's library.” Rainbow Dash rolled onto her stomach clutching her aching head.
“Applejack, darling, please refrain from yelling. It's making me feel like I am babysitting Sweetie Belle and her friends again.” Rarity kept her eyes firmly shut as she placed her hooves over her ears and groaned in a rather unladylike manner.
Pinkie rolled up and balanced on her fluffy tail. “I feel like that week were I didn't eat any sugar again. I think I need a cupcake, stat!”
With a ‘POOMPH’, a pair of butter yellow wings shot out to full extension. Feeling herself become the center of attention, the owner of said wings sank to the ground, placing her hooves over head. Parting them slightly, Fluttershy whimpered, “Er...sorry everypony I–” Her eyes grew big and she darted over to over to the purple mare lying prostrate a little ways from her. “TWILIGHT!” She lowered her ear to her friend’s mouth, listening for breathing.
“Not today Tia, I have a hangover,” Twilight muttered. Fluttershy squeaked and everypony stopped dead.
“Umm...did y’all hear that too?”
A chuckling sound echoed across the garden as Celestia righted herself. “Oh, I remember that morning, but that night was even more memorable. She was quite entertaining after her fourth cocktail.” She walked over with her sister to the five friends. Leaning down, she whispered into the sleeping mare’s ear.
The lavender unicorn shot up. “I'mawakenoneedforthefeatherstoday.” Twilight turned a deep red as she looked around at her friends, and gave a quick glare to her teacher. In an attempt to deflect attention off her rather embarrassing predicament, she tried to change the subject. “So, what happened? Where is he?”
“That is a good question Twilight.” Luna looked around the clearing. “Are you sure that you succeeded in pulling him out?”
“No.” Twilight rubbed the back of her head with her hoof and stared at the ground sheepishly. “Last thing I remember is heading back to my body with him in tow. After that Princess Celestia whispered in my ear.” Her face turned crimson and she lowered herself to the ground, covering her face.
“It's okay, Twilight. He...um...did come out.” Fluttershy squeaked and curled into herself as soon as she spoke.
“What? You saw him Shy? Where did he go?” Rainbow flew straight at the pink and yellow quivering ball. Fluttershy timidly extended one wing, pointing off towards the castle. Looking to where her friend was pointing, Rainbow Dash asked, “Did he go to the castle, or did he go in that direction?”
“Um...he went that way.” The wing curled back into its owner's side, and she slunk to the nearest bush.
Twilight turned her head towards the castle. “Let's go get him girls.” She reared up, eager to find the creature. As her hooves hit the dirt, she took off and found herself face first in a white feathery wall. “What? Princess, why did you stop me?”
“Canterlot Castle is quite large Twilight, we won't find him if we just barrel forwards. We should take a second to think, and consider what we know and our options. Do you know how long we were out or what his capabilities are?” Celestia looked down at Twilight with a half smile.
“You're right, Princess.” Twilight sat down and sighed. “So what should we do?”
“That's simple, we split up and search the castle in sections.” Celestia motioned everypony forward and began detailing a search pattern. Once she had finished, they split apart, each heading towards different sections of the castle.