Link sat in the main room of Golden Oaks Library, in the only spot unoccupied by books. Twilight was surrounded by books on all sides, both opened and bookmarked. There was an opened one in front of her, clearly being read by the unicorn. Aj, for lack of a better option, stood at the entrance to the kitchen. "Hey, Twilight. I, uh... have some good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"

"I want the news that tells me you found something, because I sure haven't," she replied, not looking up from her book. "We're dealing with an ancient, not to mention foreign, magical object." There was an upset tone in the way she delivered, and Link picked up on it right away. Casually, she turned the page.

"Okay... I'll start with some good news then. I found the door to the Sword of Masters. Right where the princess said it would be. Bad news is, they gave me the wrong keys to open it with." Link held out the keys they had given him that time. "They don't fit, and there aren't enough of them."

"Those aren't the ones?" Link shook his head no in response. "Odd. What else?"

"More good news." Link retrieved the scroll from before as well as an apple. He let the scroll unroll and revealed the lines and dots he drew.

"Don't go spoilin' yer dinner, now," Aj warned. "Made some chopped asparagus cooked into rice with butter 'n' corn on the cob. Twilight was a bit too busy to help me, what with her studyin' an' all." Aj came closer, stepping over several books to reach her destination beside Twilight. After moving some material over, she had a seat. "Won't be too much longer now."

"Awesome," he replied, taking a bite. "I came across this at the door. I'm almost certain it's the song we need to open it."

Twilight bookmarked her page and closed it with her magic, keeping it glowing her color. She finally looked at him with slight worry. "But, since the keys you were given are incorrect, which are the ones that fit?"

"I ... don't know. I might know a good place to start, but it's a stretch." He continued his apple and ripped off the stem. He couldn't feel any difference in the magic that ran through his body.

"I doubt you've tried it yet, but when you do, be sure to practice on the wooden one. For safety reasons of course." Twilight reopened her book and continued her reading.

Why would she close it, just to reopen it? "Is ... everything alright? You seem a bit... colder in your tone than usual."

"Ah'd stay clear o' that one, Link. She ain't exactly in the right frame o' mind to be discussin' that just yet."

Link paid no mind to Twilight's horn as its aura dimmed and disappeared. ... what aren't they telling me... He fell into a moment's silence. "Well, when you decide to talk, I'll be-"

"What are you hiding from me? More importantly..." Twilight slammed her book shut and quickly rose to her hooves, her face twisted in anger and slight worry. "Where is your magic?!"

"I don't know what you mean," Link responded, turning his head and folded his arms.

"Hoo boy," was all Aj could say before Twilight erupted.

"Don't play dumb with me!" she yelled, clearly angry. This shocked Link, as he in turn got to his feet and turned to his side in defense. "I just finished a diagnostic on your magic levels, and you're drained! Moreso than your second visit to the castle!"

Applejack quietly retreated to the kitchen, feeling she wasn't needed here to keep peace since it already broke. "I ran into more trouble at the castle."

"Go on..."

"There was an Earth pony there named Ruby Inferno. We got into it, she broke my shield, I left. What else do you wanna know?"

"That letter to the princess earlier. What did it say?"

... she's catching on to what i'm doing... "I asked the princess to inform Ruby of my impending visit. I asked for any information she'd have, and as a result I was granted access to the library on the second floor. However, I was restricted from removing books, as I'd be able to here. Princess Celestia is looking forward to your report on the matter, and has asked that I include my findings as well."

"As if mine would be inadequate..."

"I asked if she heard anything when I played the lullaby. She answered no for both her and her sister. And to my final question: yes, Twilight. You are still my commanding officer."

"Is that all?" she hazarded, holding her stance and expression.

"Yes, that is all I mentioned." Link turned once more, this time facing her completely, and relaxed his posture.

"And why... Why do you feel the need to keep that from me?" Twilight's tone faded from anger, and adopted a more hurt sound, also caught by Link.

"Because... if there came a time when you get captured, Celestia forbid, and are interrogated, then you'd have nothing to give them. The less you know, the less of a bargaining chip you become. In fact, I hold this in great importance, that there are still things I haven't told you. But, you have to trust that I'd never keep anything from you that might put your life at risk."

Aj's sudden interruption earned a quick glance from Twilight and Link. "Food's ready, come an' get it. An' if Ah can add somethin'. Y'all can be honest without spillin' yer guts. Ah got a few well-guarded secrets too, an' Ah'd sooner break mah hindlegs 'fore tellin' anypony."

"That's a bit extreme, Aj, but ... I get where you are coming from. But," Twilight let out a breath she'd been holding. "I'm sorry," she said, relaxing her expression and returning to her laying position. "It's just... I'm trying to help you, and it feels like you're not letting me. Like you want to do this on your own."

"Aj's right... Break time." Link made his way into the kitchen and saw the only plate of food on the table. did they plan this... He sat and began eating, setting his apple aside for now.

"Link..." Navi began, as she flew to the surface of the table and looked up at him. "You know, you left out a few things, like the unnatural ability Ruby has, the three slots specifically for the 'keys' you don't have, and the restriction, and existence, of the third floor library."

"With good reason. The reason I said before: the less she knows, the less of a liability she'd be on future missions. She may be my sister and commanding officer, but there are things she doesn't need to know quite yet. And did you notice I said nothing about the book with no author? I'll bring it up soon."

"... I don't like how you're handling this," Navi confessed. "But, I'm not gonna complain. You must know better than me if you think it'll work out fine..."

"And I do," he said, taking another bite of his dinner. This is very good. I didn't know asparagus could be steamed like this. "Think it'll work, I mean."

"Aj's right... Break time." Twilight watched as he and Navi went to the kitchen. She started after him, but was stopped by Aj's hoof.

"Let 'im think, Twilight. He's gotta work through this issue himself. Besides," she added, looking to the kitchen. She whispered, "Ah only set out one plate."

"Why only one?" Twilight asked, looking questioningly at Aj.

"So we can talk. Ah may not know much about Link, and Ah know less about what he's goin' through. But listen, Ah heard you are still his commandin' officer. And Ah think there's somethin' about that that don't ... Hmm... sit well with him. Like... He sees ya like yer his superior back in the military or somethin'."

"If that's the case, then why is he being so stubborn to me? Was he always like this? ... the guard changed him more than I thought it would." Twilight looked again to the kitchen.

"Ah don't have an answer to that... But, Ah know him well enough to know he doesn't do things without a reason. If he's keepin' something from ya, then he has a good reason."

"A bargaining chip. He called me a bargaining chip. As if I wouldn't be able to handle myself!"

"Well, he's-"

"Are you going to take his side on this?"

"Ah ain't takin' nopony's side. Ah'm providin' ... third-party observations. Totally different."

Twilight fell silent and hung her head a bit. I must look like a mean pony right now...

"Now come on," Aj offered as she started for the kitchen. "Food's gettin' cold."

The two walked into the kitchen. Twilight sat opposite Link while Aj fixed her a plate and set it before her. "Link..." Twilight said.

"Listen Twilight. There will come a time when we're out on mission. I will do anything I can to succeed. If that includes: espionage, treachery, or untruthfulness, then I'll do it. But, under no circumstances, are you to bring this up on mission. It could ruin everything. There might even be a time when I need to give misinformation, or keep it to myself. If I am to succeed, I will do all I can." Link took another bite.

"Sounds like a heap o' fun," Aj interrupted, unexpectedly. she got a glance from Twilight, expecting to be able to return with her own comment. "But, ya know, this ain't a mission where that's required of ya, so just drop it, alright?"

"He's right though..." Twilight admitted. "You said I'm your C.O. right? You do as I say?"

"So long as it doesn't conflict with higher orders, yes."

Anypony above me in the military ranking system include my brother, the other captains, and I'm sure there are generals. the princesses included. "Uh huh... The less I know, the more useful I'd be to you, is that right?"

"On mission, yes." what are you getting at?

On mission... not here... unless this is his mission... "Tell me, you said you got into it with Ruby Inferno. What did she do to you that depleted your magic so?"

Ruby... there's one piece she picked up. "Despite her being an Earth Pony, she can throw fireballs, and emit flames from her hooves. I saw her scorch the tile under her as she stomped. So, knowingly, I egged her on, hoping to show me more of her skill level, and I was not disappointed. With one attack, she destroyed my shield. It was all I could do to deflect it away from me. Not sure what happened afterward though..."

Earth pony magic doesn't work like that... "Aj, is something like that even possible?" Twilight asked, turning to the mare beside her.

"Not that Ah know of. Ah mean, most Earth ponies are strong, 'cause we tend the land, but nothing as destructive as actual fire."

"Hmm. Navi, if it's impossible here, then is there an equivalent phenomenon in your home world?" She turned to the fairy on the table, watching Spike enter the room.

"Hm? Oh. Uh, yes, there is actually." Navi turned to Twilight and continued. "Recall when I explained the Golden Goddesses? Din the Powerful had the ability to generate flames from nothing, much like Ruby."

"So," Twilight began, "when you came here almost 13 years ago, you brought with you magic of your world. This, Din the Powerful, is one of the goddesses, and has taken the form of Ruby Inferno. Are there others like her?"

"Most likely," Navi answered. "After all, Farore the Courageous could use teleportation, and Nayru the Wise could erect barriers."

"I can make barriers, but I thought I was the holder of the Courage piece." Link finished his plate and folded his arms.

"You are, but that doesn't mean you're limited. You can be taught. Like, for instance, your barrier. Captain Armor taught it to you, and if I recall, he learned it from a spellbook. I'd be willing to bet the creator of that spell is the spiritual reincarnation of Nayru." Navi sat on Link's arm and looked over the table at Twilight's thought-processing expression.

"And Ruby is the one of Din. Lovely. After today, I doubt she'd be up for teaching me anything."

"On that topic, we have to tell the princess what she did to you."

"No we don't," he replied in objection. "I'd rather not trouble the princess with my complaints. How would it look if a fresh-out-of-the-academy knight came running to the princess at the first sight of trouble?"

"W-well-"

"Besides, I don't want to burden Ruby any more than she has been..." not too much.

"Oh? What has she been through?" Twilight ventured.

"That's a story for another day," he replied.

"Fair enough. Now, heart of the matter: that song. Since it's to be played on the instrument from your world, what connection does it have?" Twilight nearly finished while Aj had barely touched hers.

Spike got up on the chair beside Link. "Did I miss something here?"

"Not really, just me, Twilight and Applejack enjoying dinner."

"'Twilight, Applejack and me' is how you should say it," Twilight corrected. "Grammatical errors, it's expected."

"... You're correcting my grammer... And you let Applejack say 'Ah' in place of 'I'?"

"Ah'll have you know it's an accent. Nothin' Ah can do about it."

"ANYWAY!" Navi yelled, annoyed. "You asked its connection? I believe it's the same song used to open the Door of Time there. Along with... 3..." Navi facepalmed at the sudden realization. "Why didn't I see it before..."

"See what?" Spike asked. "What'd I miss?"

"Back when I was explaining the Master Sword, I also explained what was needed to open the door. The melody passed down within the royal family, and three spiritual stones. They are: The Goron Ruby, the Kokiri Emerald, and Zora Sapphire."

"Ruby... Emerald... and Sapphire..." Twilight repeated. "Any relation to Inferno and Storm?"

"I wouldn't doubt it," Link replied.

Applejack looked at Twilight. "What're you thinkin'?"

"Well," she began, "if Ruby Inferno is the reincarnation of Din, and has a connection to the ruby we need to open it, then ... the same must be true for Emerald Storm and the emerald we need, and most likely we'll need the sapphire from a pony well-versed in barrier arts with Sapphire being their name. Further, Ruby is an Earth pony, Emerald is a pegasus, so I'm sure Sapphire is a unicorn.

"Spike, take a letter for us," Twilight requested. Quickly, the dragon produced a scroll and writing material.

Dear Princess Celestia:

This is Twilight, sending my report on the findings, or in my case the lack of, on the song that opens the Door of Time. Navi gave it that name, as it represents the one in his world. I found nothing in my books about it, but, Link found something that might be it where you said the door was in the old castle. He wrote it down and came back with it. Though we now have the melody, the keys are still the issue: the two you gave him aren't the right ones. We need three of them: A ruby, an emerald, and a sapphire. But, we'll need specific ones. On that front, we might know where two of them are, and we'll be needing your help on the third. Have you, in your time, met any unicorn named Sapphire? She'd be well-versed in barrier magic.

"Your turn, Link. Choose what to say, that I haven't. I'll agree that you don't have to tell her about what Ruby did to you if you are sure about it."

"Thanks. Anyway, here's what I want to tell her."

This is Link now. In my search through the second floor library, I found a book with no author on the shelf, thanks to Ruby's assistance. I was hoping you'd have a copy of it, so I can read it without being there. And could you tell Princess Luna not to worry about getting into my dreams? She can take all the time she needs to attune to a foreign being.

Signed
Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle
Your Loyal Knight, Link

Spike sent it after coiling it up. "And it's sent." They watched as the mist floated out the window toward the castle.

"What was that last part about?" Aj asked him. "Havin' some troubles?"

"... Yes. Been having some sleeping problems. Rather, dream problems. I forget what they're about. Don't usually pay attention to them after I wake up." Link gave his plate to the sink and began his apple once more. "And Princess Luna has been trying to get into them for some time now. Unsuccessfully as you might have guessed."

"My fault, I imagine?" Twilight asked, ready to take the blame.

"Not likely, you're too nice to be scary. First hand experience, you couldn't scare Fluttershy."

"I got you to recoil."

"In defense. In case you did something malevolent. Notice that I had turned to my right? So I could draw my blade with my left," Link admitted.

"You'd... take up arms against me?" Twilight had to ask.

"If I had to defend myself, yes. If to kill you, not a chance in Tartarus."

"Good. I'd hate to be your enemy." Spike belched up a reply from the princess. "And the timing couldn't be better. What's it say?"

Spike unfurled the scroll and read aloud.

To My Faithful Student and Loyal Knight,

Thank you for your combined report. To your first question, yes. I do recall having a unicorn in my employ that fits your description. She is a Second Commander, and her name is Sapphire Prism. She is currently stationed north of here, in a guard house of great importance. As such, she is not allowed to leave her post, so if you wish an audience, I'm afraid you'll have to visit her yourself.

To your second, you'll have to be more specific. A title would be nice. And, when you reply to this, send the 'false keys' we provided. It seems they will serve you no purpose.

Another note: I will be attending the Best Young Flyer's competition in Cloudsdale tomorrow afternoon. If the two of you can make it, I'll be seeing Link afterward for his assignment.

Princess Celestia

"Hmm... Best Young Flyer's competition." Link raised his head in thought. "Bet Rainbow's joining. Fluttershy's the support. Wouldn't surprise me."

"What is it, do you know?" Twilight asked.

"Well, the name would explain it: 'Best' means it's a contest, 'Young' is obviously those who are young, and 'Flyer' is for pegasi, so it's a flying competition for the youth. Not sure how Rainbow counts as young..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the two emblems he was given. "Send them back to her, Spike."

"Right." Spike took them , and sent them on their way.

Aj sat in silence, opting not to reveal her friend's age. "Well, you can't fly, neither can I, so I'd say that's out of the question."

"There isn't a single flight spell you can cast?" Link asked.

"Not that I know of. I mean, I haven't read every book here, so... it could be possible. Still... wings? I don't think you'd look too good with wings coming out of your back."

"I could say the same. You? Flying? Ha, that should be illegal." Link laughed a bit before adding, "I joke, I joke. We all know you'd rather teleport."

"Well, if I were you, I wouldn't hold my breath. Wings might not be impossible, but for sure it'd take a bit of strain to accomplish."

Applejack finished, and added her plate to the sink. She removed her apron, hung it on the wall and took her seat. "You say it like it ain't possible, growin' wings. We got two prime examples: Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna."

"That's... not entirely-"

"What we mean." Link interrupted, not wanting to share information about their old foal/baby sitter. "See, they're exceptions, because they were born with them. Twilight would be making them."

Twilight frowned a little, but shrugged away any reasoning for his action. "Right. Any spell would likely draw on your inner magic, and convert it to pegasus magic, then accelerate its growth to give you wings. Such a thing would require precise control, not to mention a lot of magic to accomplish. I fear I don't have that kind of power."

"There's got to be another way. What say we look for one?" Link offered.

"Sure." Twilight looked at Aj then got an idea. "I almost forgot: Applejack, would you like to stay the night and help us look?"

"Ah'd like to, but Ah still have chores to do back home. But, if Ah can go back an' get 'em done, can Ah come here afterward?"

"I don't see why not. Tell you what, for your help, you can sleep in one of the beds upstairs." Where did that come from? "Ehh."

"Ah'll think on that, after mah work is done. Ah'll be back later." She stood and exited the library.

"What are you thinking?!" Link erupted. "She can take one of the beds upstairs?! There's only two: yours and mine!"

"I don't know, but after her comment about there being enough room for two, I thought..." Twilight tried to answer. "Look, it won't be any different from when we shared a bed, will it?"

"Yes it will. For one: you tend to thrash a bit before getting comfortable. For two: you aren't exactly a quiet sleeper. For three: and I want you to really pay attention to this one, how am I going to keep you safe, if she's closer to you than I am?"

"I don't know what you mean..."

"Put it this way: she's never been in the same bed as a human, and I really don't think she'd jump at the opportunity. She has a kid sister, Apple Bloom, remember? Odds are she has nightmares at times. You know how foals are: they seek safety from such things. Where better than their sibling's embrace? All of this points to her sleeping in your bed along side you. I don't approve of this at all."

Twilight sat in silence, thinking about all of this. "You... make a good point... Nevertheless, telling her to sleep on the couch is bad as a friend, and even if she does let her sister sleep with her, what harm could she do? After all, if what you say is true, then she'd be careful. On top of that, she'd keep her Earth strength well under control as to not hurt me."

"I don't trust her, is all. Please, don't follow through with this."

"You don't trust her, after almost a month? She's your employer, for Celestia's sake. Who can you trust, if not the Element of Honesty?" Twilight got to her hooves once more. "As I'm still your commanding officer..."

"Don't do this Twilight, I don-"

"Silence!" she shouted, "I order you to be off-duty tonight. Stand down, or whatever the correct term is."

Link looked at her with a stoic expression. "I ... cannot obey that order."

Twilight's expression turned to shock. "Wha, why not?"

"Higher orders tell me to keep you safe. I cannot go off duty for that reason. Something could happen, and I have to be there just in case."

"Who's higher orders do you follow?"

"None other than Princess Celestia's. My hands are tied on this, Twilight. Nothing I can do." Link remained sitting and looked down at Navi, who stayed silent for their sake.

"The princess... ordered this directly?"

"Yes."

"Along with the order to keep me safe, what else did she ask of you?" hopefully, there'll be something i can use...

Link thought for a moment. If I tell her everything I was ordered to do, then she could find a loophole. She's good at that. But... it's not like Applejack did any wrong to her, so there's no punishment. I should be fine. "She said I am your bodyguard, and not to hurt the innocent, and to let you govern punishments against crimes involving you."

"... crimes involving me... like... an invasion of privacy?"

"That would be a crime, I do believe." Link said. hm. something did happen?

"Then she is to be punished. See, there was one morning, when I found her asleep in our room. Invasion of privacy is a crime against me, so I govern her punishment, right?"

"... yes. That, is correct." And now I'm in a corner... only one way out, but ... it's a long shot.

"Then, for the crime of privacy invasion, her punishment is to sleep in one of the beds upstairs. And if it's mine, so be it." Twilight sat down. "Now, for your punishment..."

"M-mine?" Link dared to ask, the expression affecting his tone once more.

"Yes, yours. See, not only have you argued with me, but you also kept information from me. That was not part of your orders, so I consider it a crime."

"And that's where you'd be wrong. I was told to use my best judgement. Arguing, and keeping info from you was in my best judgement, so it's not punishable." That was it, all I can do now is hope she lets it go.

"More of Princess orders?"

"Yes. What will you do now?" Link put Navi atop his head and stood to leave.

"I'm going to order you to do research in my place. There are no orders against that, so there. You will look for a spell, while I spend time with Applejack. Take that."

Link stopped, and hung his head. "She got you good there, Link. You should know by now not to argue with mares. They'll win every single time."

"Not helping. But, if that's my order, I'll see it to completion. Come on, we have work to do." The two went into the book area and began putting bookmarks in all the opened books.

Applejack came through the door with a smile. She made her way to the kitchen and explained. "Guess what? Ah caught Big Mac as he was cleanin' up the cart. Told 'im Ah'd come back to the farm then back here, an' you know what he said? 'Eenope.' So Ah asked what he meant, then said something like 'what, you're gonna do them for me?' an' he says 'Eeyup,' and pointed back here. So, here Ah am."

"Convenient. I've decided, you get to sleep in a bed of your choice. Link will be busy for most of the night, but he should be upstairs," Twilight paused, and raised her voice, to make sure he heard her, "No later than 10!"

"Understood," he replied quietly, as he put the bookmarked ones in their respective positions.

"And if, by some chance, we're asleep, don't wake us up. If you do, then there will be repercussions. And, if you happen to find something, mark it down and report tomorrow."

"Again, understood..."

"Now that all that's outta the way, what're we gonna do?" Aj asked Twilight.

Later that night, Link put the report scroll on the couch-side table, barely filled with anything. He made his way up the stairs and opened the bedroom door. With no creaks or groans of the floor, he peered inside. He saw Applejack with her foreleg around Twilight's barrel, and her hindleg overlapping Twilight's. It was all easy to see due to Twilight's thrashing about before finding that one comfortable position. On further inspection, he saw Aj's muzzle buried in Twilight's mane.

There's nothing to worry about after all... If tonight goes well, then I'll have no choice but to trust her. He shut the door and retreated downstairs. "Hey, Navi."

"Hm?" she replied in a tired tone.

"Did you know she slept in the room up there?"

"Yeah... I did. She doesn't really keep quiet when she walks."

"Makes sense you'd wake up. That was all I wanted." Link set his stuff on the floor in front of the couch and fell back onto it. "Night, Navi. Night Spike."

"Night Link, Navi," the dragon replied in a bed of hoof-towels.

"Night Link, Spike," Navi added, inside his hat on the scroll.

Next Chapter: Chapter 15: The Broken Spectrum Estimated time remaining: 16 Hours, 43 Minutes