Author's Note: This is a non-profit fanfiction made for the sole purpose of doing something fun about one of my favorite characters in the Mass Effect series. Harbinger and Shepard belong to BioWare and My Little Pony belongs to Hasbro. Enjoy.

Chapter 10: Better Books are Better Guarded Part 1

Location: Equestria, Ponyville, Just Outside Everfree Forest

Time: Two Weeks and Three Days post Arrival

Harbinger was exiting the Everfree Forest, relieved that the Poison Joke ordeal was finally over. It took him three days and three cleansing baths to recover, a fact that Zecora found strange since most ponies needed only one bath to take away the effects. In Harbinger's case each bath yielded a different personality the first was a Cheerful Cowboy, the next was a Monotonous Talking Robot and finally on the third bath it was his normal self. The Reaper knew that Shepard would never let him live this down, so he sighed and continued his trek back into town. When he arrived near the Library he noticed a peculiar sight, multiple unicorns were gathered around a small billboard, many of which were extremely excited. Yet a certain lavender mare was so excited she blew away the entire crowd to get a look at the billboard. Harbinger found this amusing.

Twilight: *very excited* Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh, this is amazing!

The Reaper walked up to her eyeing the bulletin with curiosity.

Harbinger: What would be so exciting that it would cause you to send an entire crowd flying around?

Twilight: *confused* What are - *sees ponies lying around glaring at her* *sheepishly*Eheh, sorry. Oh, good morning Harbinger, did the baths work?

Harbinger: Yes and it only took it three days.

Twilight: It's not Zecora's fault you're different. Anyways, *back to being excited* can you believe it? One of Starswirl the Bearded's lost books "Master Class Combat Magic" was found in a and will be displayed in Canterlot, tomorrow. Imagine that, the most advanced forms of Combat Magic right at the tips of my hooves.

Harbinger: And you expect, that you will be allowed to read such a book?

Twilight: Why wouldn't I be allo-

The lavender unicorn's ears drooped and her face turned from excitement to sadness.

Harbinger: *slightly amused* You're still a minor, are you not? And will be for the next couple of months. So maybe, it would be wise to wait until then.

Twilight: I'll ask the Princess if she will allow it. I'm her star student, why wouldn't she allow it.

---

Location: Equestria, Canterlot, Throne Room

Time: Later

Twilight: *shocked* What do you mean I can't read it?

Celestia: I'm sorry Twilight, but the magic in there isn't something you are allowed to read until you turn twenty-one. *smiles* It's best you wait a few more months and then you will read it.

One of the guards (#4762) that stood by Celestia spoke up.

#4762: Princess, pardon me for interrupting, but the curators placed a permanent "No Touching" order upon the book. They say the book is too important to just let anypony take it, so sorry Miss Sparkle, it seems that you will not be able to read it.

Celestia & Twilight: WHAT?!

Celestia: Why was I not informed of this?

#4762: The order came in only now and you specifically told them that they are allowed to disobey orders when it comes to precious artifacts, so we are all powerless against that order.

Celestia was angry, but she turned her head to where Twilight… was supposed to be, but she was not there.

---

Location: Equestria, Canterlot, The Exhibition

Time: The Next Day

Canterlot was bustling with activity, not the kind of normal activity, more like a controlled riot. Pegasi, earth ponies and unicorns, which composed the vast majority were gathered here for one common goal, to see Starswirl the Bearded's lost book. The none magic ponies were here just for theier love of books, the unicorns on the other hoof were hoping for a more than just reading. A certain six mares, one Reaper and one baby dragon were trying to get through the crowd to reach the final destination and hopefully cheer a certain bookish unicorn up.

Rainbow Dash: Come on Twi' cheer up, who cares if you don't get to read a stinkin' book, there are a lot of other better books.

Rainbow Dash came along only when she heard that the Wonderbolts might be here.

Twilight: *slightly angry* You don't understand Rainbow, that book is written by Starswirl the Bearded, THE Starswirl the Bearded, the only unicorn who ever learned all types of magic and even created some of his own. No self-respecting unicorn would miss the occasion of reading one of his books.

Rarity: Twilight, as a fellow unicorn I understand how you feel, but doesn't the book say 'Combat Magic', surely you do not expect to actually use it?

Applejack: Rare's right, there ain't no war goin' on or somethin' , you'd jus' be learnin' it fer no reason.

Fluttershy: Applejack's right, the Princess made sure we wouldn't need magic like that. Not to mention it's very dangerous you… you could get hurt.

Twilight was touched by the yellow pegasus' concern. Suddenly she felt someone move under her and she was lifted off the ground, sitting on Pinkie's back.

Pinkie: *talking fast* Fluttershy's right if you'd get hurt then we would all be sad. Of course that would mean I would have to make a 'Get Well Twilight' Party. But 'Get Well' Parties are always sad, because the sick person is sick, so he can't be happy. That's why you don't want a 'Get Well' party, so don't get hurt.

That cheered Twilight instantly up.

Twilight: Girls, I think you're right, I don't need that book. Thanks girls.

The six mares shared a nice group hug. They noticed Harbinger had sat down and was staring forlornly into the distance.

Pinkie: *gasp* We forgot to ask Harbinger of his opinion, he's sad because we didn't ask him.

The Mane 6 looked at him with apologetic looks.

Twilight: Sorry, we got so carried away we forgot to ask you. What do you think?

Harbinger: Do you truly wish to hear my opinion?

They all nodded, Pinkie did so with a huge grin.

Harbinger: Very well. I think that you are foolish to consider that peace can always last forever.

The six mares looked at him in shock, his speech attracted the attention of many ponies.

Harbinger: I have seen many utopias crumble, paradises lost. One thing I can tell, is that such places are the most likely to fall when true conflict arises.

One of the ponies from the crowd stepped out angrily.

The Pony: Hey, are you saying that the Princess isn't doing a good thing by keeping the peace. Who the hay are you to say anything? You're just some disgusting bug, that thinks he knows everything.

Another Pony: Yeah, you're a thousand years too early to question what the Princess does.

The entire crowd nodded with smug expressions, daring the Reaper to beat that.

Harbinger: Merely a thousand years old, and you consider her to be all knowing? How stupid. Ther is an old human saying 'She has a lot of porridge to eat until she can talk to me'. In other words, do nott compare a mere organic to me, you organics die, we do not.

The crowd was now angry at how the Reaper dared to insult the Princess. The fact that some stupid bug was questioning, the Princess' rule was like a kick between the flanks. The crowd started jeering and shouting obsceneties.

Harbinger: Pointless. *jumps in the air and starts to fly away* Unicorn, I have only one thing to tell to you, obtain the knowledge of that book. Conflict will always arise even in paradises, all you need is just a small push. Will you be able to protect those for which you care by using a mere paralysis spell? Think about what I said.

With that the insectoid-pony left the scene, leaving an entire crowd of angry ponies behind, and a unicorn who was slowly digesting what he said.

---

Location: Equestria, Ponyville, Ponyville Library

Time: Two Days Later, Late Evening

Mane 6 (minus Twilight): *shocked* You're gonna' WHAT?!

Twilight: Like I said, I'm going to infiltrate the Exhibition hall tonight, make a copy of that book and exit safely. *sigh* I know it may be hard for you, but it's important to me… *pleading* I need your help girls, I can't do this alone. Please.

Rainbow Dash: *places hoof on Twilight's forehead* Are you sick or something Twi'. Did something get into your brain, because you're asking us to enter the currently most guarded building in Canterlot?

Twilight: *pushes hoof away* I'm fine Rainbow Dash, and I know the risks, but I'm willing to take them.

Applejack: Hold on a sec Twi', let's assume that we agree to go with ya, do ya have any of that fancy spy equipment they show in the movies?

Twilight: *smirks* I don't know who he or she is, but this morning I got a package from somepony named Black. I don't know how he got inside or what he looks like, but I like what was inside the package.

The lavender mare exited the room and came in moments later with a large box in tow. She placed the box in front of everypony, then opened it, the others mares 'oohed' and 'aahed' at the various equipment inside the box. At the bottom of the box they found a note that said 'Have Fun!'

Twilight: *deviously* I don't know who you are Black, but thanks.

In the distance, on top of a house, a shaded figure was watching them intently. The only thing visible were it's large red slitted eyes. Although it was not visible, the figure gave a small smirk.

Random Pony: Hey! What the hay are you doing on my roof?

The figure was startled and fell of the roof with an ungraceful thud.

The Figure: I think I hit a rock.

Transmission Terminated

Logging Off

*New Codex Entry Available*

Codex: Fluttershy

Fluttershy is a Pegasus mare that resides in Ponyville, previously having lived in Cloudsdale. She is the current Element of Kindness. Fluttershy runs the Poyville Animal Care in her own house and tends to various animals that are sick, hurt or simply homeless. Unlike most pegasi, Fluttershy preffers to stay most of the time on the ground, a habit she developed when she fell down from Cloudsdale during Rainbow Dash's first Sonic Rainboom. Shy and softspoken, Fluttershy often has trouble with people far more assertive then her and as such is often mistreated, although recently she became far more assertive…

Author's Note: #1: I wonder who that figure is. All i can say is that he will have an important role in the story i mentioned that i would be writting.

#2: The story is closing to an end… not the literal end, just the Ponyville arc will soon end, next they will have adventures somewhere else.

#3: Things will get serious for a few chapters, so those who prefer a bit more humor just bear with it.

#4: Today is my birthday, from this day on I am legally allowed to consume alcoholic beverages, but I won't be doing that since it would be OOC for me.

#5: 'Be Careful with your Upgrades' is one of my most popular chapters, you silly perverts.

As always I thank you for your patience and I leave you with another.

Fun Fact: To make the best smoked salami, you have to use wood without bark (preferably oak), keep the temperature at 50-60 degrees Celsius (122 – 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for 90 minutes, then boil it till the internal temperature is 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), bon appétit.

-LittleMisterBlack out-