I can't believe my eyes! It's the Amethyst Egg... one of the Equestrian Treasures. Its gleaming brightness was really starting to hurt, but it's so beautiful... Okay, one blink and then I can look again. Wh-where did it go? Looking around, I found that the princess had taken it under her wing, stepping over to the safety box that she had fashioned for it.

"I certainly hope to attract many tourists to see the egg. Perhaps they will be as enchanted as you are!" Princess Celestia let out a giggle, making me feel a bit embarrassed. I saw her place the large jewel into the case, its brightness illuminating the hall again. The box shut with a snap as she magically set all of the necessary locks and protections around it. With the final touches complete, the chest was set on the pedestal at the far wall, up a set of carpeted steps. Looking around again, I could see there were golden statues and decorations all over the place. It's almost like this room was made overly lavish just for this treasure... but I can see why, now that I had gotten a good look at it.

"Princess, are you sure I'm ready for this?" I said, feeling a bit nervous.

"I have full confidence in you, my faithful student. No matter how it all turns out, I will consider this another test for you. I am sure you will do your best." Her reassuring gaze down at me always calms my nerves... This was a really important job, and I have no idea if I can handle it. Still, Princess Celestia is counting on me. Looking over at the chest again, it was still safe and sound. I certainly hope this won't end up like the time Pinkie Pie had to guard that enormous cake.

"Princess, you can count on me!" Looking back towards the princess, my hoof went to a salute. "I'll safeguard the-- uh." Wh-where did she go...? She must have teleported away. Important Canterlot business, no doubt, with all of the fuss related to the egg. Nodding to myself, I knew I needed to keep a watchful eye on this room and the egg for the next couple hours; which then my shift will end and I can take a break. Of course, there were the other shifts that the princess volunteered me for... Let's see...

My agenda came out of my saddle bag and to my face, and I took a moment to double-check my times. Okay, so I remembered them all accurately. Five hours today, then two shifts for tomorrow, and I'll see it off when it's moved the day after... Good. I put it back into the bag and took my post at the front and to the side of the fancy pedestal, standing up straight. Nopony will get past me!

I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. I was so surprised when the princess asked me to do something very important for her; it's what I've always wanted, helping her out in a big way! It was definitely important, too... This pretty chest contained one of the Equestrian Treasures, after all. It could do a lot of harm if it fell into the wrong hooves. I'm so glad the princess has entrusted me with this task. Looking forward again, I kept an eye on the commoners as they were passing by the archways at the far end of the hall.

Several ponies were starting to make their way in, now that this room was open to the public. They were talking amongst themselves, sounding quite excited over coming to see the Amethyst Egg. Everypony was milling around the base of the steps, knowing they weren't allowed any closer than about ten paces. Keeping a close eye on them, I made sure that everypony was ready before I went to open the box. One specific spell she gave me to open it... There.

The chest practically exploded with light! My eyes were hurting again even behind my hooves, but I had to keep watch on it; squinting hard, I made sure to stay vigilant as the light began to die down while my eyes were adjusting. I really should have brought sunglasses. Now that I was guarding it closely, I can see it in detail; encased in an ornate gold with diamonds, a dodecahedron of amethyst shaped like an egg was this remarkable treasure. A powerful magic was constantly emanating from the gem, if it weren't already obvious from the blinding light.

A lot of 'Ooh's and 'Ahh's came from the crowd for several minutes as I could see their faces drawn in. Some at the front began to step forward, and I spun to face them, speaking up.

"Ah, ah, ah!" I shook my hoof out, shooing them back. "No closer!" They shot me disappointing glares, but didn't argue. Sighing, I continued being watchful for the next two hours or so, glancing back at the jewel every once in a while.

The crowd began to dissipate after many pictures had been taken, and I swear at least two of them didn't blink since they entered. Soon, there was nopony left. Looking back to it as the room was empty again, I'm thinking that there had to be something more to this than just an almost hypnotic attraction. The best way to tell would be an analysis spell.

Darting my eyes about in all directions, I made doubly sure that there was nopony around before I began analyzing this Amethyst Egg with my own magic. Maybe it's my degraded eyesight from staring at this thing so much, but it seems to be vibrating in reaction to the spell... It's probably nothing. Just a few more seconds, and everything will become... C-CLEAR!?

Suddenly, the egg shot into the air and towards the wall! Oh, no, oh no!! It crashes right through one of the stained glass windows, completely shattering it; I quickly ran over to the base of the destroyed window, leaning on the pane to see where it went! I can see it from here, the brightness making it easy to spot, but it's falling and falling... all the way down the side of the cliffs of Canterlot. My heart's pounding right out of my chest, I can barely breathe! It fell into the lake down below, probably never to be found again!

"THIEF!!" My head spun around so quickly it felt like I almost broke my neck. Two royal guards had noticed the missing treasure from the archway, looking at the empty chest on the pedestal. They turned their heads to face me.

"The Amethyst Egg has been stolen! Twilight Sparkle, did you see who did it!?"

"I-I, uhm..." I replied coyly, automatically turning my head forward again in nervousness to look out the window, my eyes hopelessly searching for the egg; but before I could respond, the pegasus guard spoke up to the one at his side.

"Ah, they must have escaped through the window!! Quick, you alert the others, I'll start looking!!" They both began their job of hunting for the thief, leaving me alone with my thoughts. It was silent. I gently took a walk over to the empty treasure box, its absent light making it look dark and shady compared to before. It's all my fault...

As I contemplated for several minutes over how I could try and get back the egg, some warning sirens went off all of a sudden! Hooves were stomping all over the place, now, easily heard throughout the hallway outside; the noise and everything is bringing me back to my senses. Running over to exit the room to try and find help, I found myself in front of Princess Celestia; and I couldn't help but gasp just before my nose bumps into her leg.

"Twilight Sparkle! We must act quickly! The culprit cannot have gotten far..." I can't seem to speak up to explain what happened. "To steal one of the Equestrian Treasures... The pony responsible for its disappearance will pay dearly for their actions." I think I'm shaking. She continues staring down at me, giving me a soft expression.

"Are you alright, Twilight? Did the thief harm you?" Shaking my head no, I took a deep breath in and out, trying to calm my nerves, but it wasn't working.

"Princess, I-I'm sorry, I was just- and it- the egg-" Her hoof covers my mouth and my talking stops as she looks down at me kindly.

"I know you did your best to guard the gem, my student. Leave finding it again to us. You should go home and get some rest; perhaps afterward, if we have not found it, you could assist us." Her smile always moves me, but it's all my fault!

"But I-"

"No buts. I know you blame yourself, Twilight, but it is not your fault. Now go rest up, I command it." She gently stomps one hoof on the ground as the final word, and gallops to the broken window, taking off in flight through it.

Wh-what have I gotten myself into!? Everypony believes there's a thief among us that somehow got through both me and the magical safeguards, but I'm the one who did both... With such a high-profile item, if I start explaining about what happened, I'll most likely be held for questioning, and then be accused as the thief! They'll say I tossed it aside so that I could steal it easier later! Or, even if I go and find it, with guards everywhere looking for it, I'll be seen, or they'll say I just felt guilty and returned it!

Word would travel super fast for something like this, either way... I-I don't know what to do... My head hurts...

- - -

Guilt, a tear in one's own pride,

can cause a rift, a true divide.

One way or the other, the choices clear,

the risk, to take, or to fear?