In the early morning, just after sunrise, Link began to wake. He had slept quite peacefully that past night. When he looked to Epona's bed, he instead saw her standing at his own bedside, looking back at him with a smile. Link, surprised, jumped out of bed and screamed a little. Epona chuckled, crawled onto the bed and looked over the edge at him.

Link frowned and looked at her, half covered in blankets and stunned. "Good morning~" she greeted. " Sleep well?"

He sighed, stood, and adjusted his clothes. "Yeah. I did. Could have done without the wake up though." Slowly, he began stretching. Light grunts escaped his mouth as he did so. "And good morning to the two of you."

Navi came out from Epona's mane. "Told you he'd know I was here." She flew to his shoulder when he stopped stretching. "So, what are we doing today?"

"Going back to Ponyville?" Epona scooched forward and sat upright. "Right?"

Link nodded and grinned, noticing her pile of bags. "I'm hoping to catch the 10:30 train there, if we can." He walked around the bed to the nightstand and put on his hat. "Can't wait to see my sister again. It's been about a week, I think."

"Right... The librarian's your sister..." She raised her head in thought. "So... If she's your sister, and Spike is her... uh, son? Brother? What would that make him to you?"

"Either nephew or brother. Not sure, really. Never bothered asking." The group looked at the door when three knocks were heard from the other side.

"I got it~" Epona said, hopping off the bed toward the door. "Wonder who it is?" As she opened the door, both Saber and Polaris entered the room, causing Epona to step to the side. "Oh. Good morning~"

"Good morning, yourselves," Polaris greeted cheerfully. "We're ready to go whenever you are. And by 'we', I mean 'your transport'."

Link looked at Saber. "Here to get her stuff then? I can't carry all of it myself."

Saber nodded. "We are prepared to move Miss Epona's various belongings to the transport." She looked at Link. "I trust you'll be well off carrying your own things?" Link nodded. "Good."

"Don't worry. I don't have much." She motioned to the two sets of bags. "Just the necessities."

Polaris looked close at the choice of clips. A simple triangle fastened the lid closed on each bag. "I see that. You're the lightest packer I've ever seen."

Epona got close to Polaris' muzzle. "You're looking at everything in the world that has a place in my heart. I did not 'pack lightly'."

Slowly, Polaris began to apologize. "I'm ... sorry, I just... don't see many packers, is all. Didn't know what to compare to." She frowned as Epona went and picked up a set of bags.

Saber joined her in picking up the other set. "Real smooth," she said to Polaris, who hung her head.

"Hey. We're under orders to help. So, what am I allowed to carry?" Polaris protested. "I must carry something, or I can't complete the order."

Epona walked to her and took out a book. "Carry this. It's a book I've had since I was a child. I'll get it back when I'm on the transport. You want to earn my trust? Good luck." She walked out of the room, a scowl planted on her face.

Link sighed and followed. "I'll talk to her later."

Saber bumped Polaris lightly, then followed them out. When they all got to the landing area, Princess Celestia was waiting, along with a transport led by a pair of familiar pegasi.

"Link. Epona. Beautiful morning to the two of you. Oh, uh... Three of you. Good morning Navi." Navi bowed to her. "Back to Ponyville with you, then?"

Link nodded. "Yes, Princess. I fear I've been away far too long. Besides, I'm looking forward to my downtime." Celestia looked confused. "Downtime. You know? Time off?"

"Right..." She paused. "It's just... Nothing."

"Well, if you want me to continue, How about a clue as to the last stone's location? If you know, then I can go get it. It'll be a snap, since I'm in perfect health after my visit to the Great Fairy." Link started his way into the transport, alongside Epona. Saber and Polaris deposited their weight into the cart. "No?"

"You're not wrong. If I knew, I would tell you. And with your skill, it would be a simple matter of retrieval. But, I don't know. It must be something only you can do. Seeking and retrieving." Celestia sighed. "I'm sorry. I wish I could be more help..."

Link took a breath, then gripped the rail of the cart. "There's one thing: keep Prism on stand-by. I was able to get the Blue Stone with Ruby's help and the Red Stone with Emerald's help. I have a feeling I'm going to need Sapphire's help to obtain what I can assume will be a Green Stone."

"You know that will not be easy, right? She still holds a place of importance at her current location. I can't just pull her out of there without a viable replacement."

"What's so important about that location that not just anypony will do, huh!?" Link narrowed his eyes at the sun princess.

"Watch your tone, young man!" Celestia harshed, stomping her hoof. "I do not have to explain my actions to a greenhorn soldier like you!" That caused Link to retreat into the cart. "I'm sorry..."

"We'd better go. It was nice to see you again, Princess." Link turned forward, away from the princess, and his adopted mother.

Celestia quietly looked at the pegasi, and nodded, keeping her head lowered afterward. The pegasi took off for Ponyville.

At the library, Emmy had made herself useful to Twilight as a research partner for various topics, giving Aj and the others the time to themselves that they needed.

Twilight understood their need for personal time and thanked them for their contributions thus far. After Twilight got a letter, stating that Link and Epona were en route, she asked Emmy to help clean up a bit. Once the room was clean, Twilight made some Luna Bay tea.

Emmy took a sip and sighed happily. "Ahhh, that's some good tea." Her smile wore into a frown. "Hey Twilight... Link said that Dash wouldn't be here, but she's been here at least twice since I got back. Why is that?"

"I would guess that she feels your magic coming from here. You aren't exactly trying to hide it, you know?" She sipped her own and sat up on the chair while Emmy took the couch. "I could help you mask your presence if you like?"

"No thanks," she responded, waving her hoof dismissively with a chuckle. "I like hiding. I was just wondering, is all..." He did say she never comes here...

Twilight sighed. "He's been gone a week, you know..."

"Yeah, I know. I was with him for most of it. Until he told me to come here a few days ago. I expected him back by now." Emmy sipped.

"I know what you mean. I miss him too." Twilight sipped her tea, then looked at the door. "Oh, and Aj's been working on something for him. Been in the works for a while now. Won't say what it is, though. Surprise, and all that." She looked back at Emmy.

"A surprise, huh? Well, I hope it's not a stone. He's already got two of those." Twilight choked on her tea. "What?"

"N-nothing." Twilight cleared her throat. "If you mean actual stones, then they're probably from his original world. Which means, I can't learn anything about them in books. Unless... Maybe the Castle Library would have something on them... If I could get him to show me..."

A pair of knocks broke her concentration. Emmy glanced at the door. "Twilight... Uhm... Be careful... There's an uneasy feeling about the pony outside."

"It's a library. Why knock?" Twilight opened the door and welcomed her visitor. "Welcome to Golden Oaks Library."

Ruby Inferno stepped in and smiled. "So, this is the right place. Good." Her gaze met Emmy's and both of them froze.

"What brings you here?" Silence hung in the air for a minute or so. "I said, what brings you here?"

The earth pony shook her head, closing her eyes. Opening them, she looked at Twilight. "Books. I've come to books. For books. Not for four books. Well, maybe for four books, but only for what I need them... for." Again, quiet. "I'm here for books." Ruby scratched her ear a little.

"Then you've come to the right place. C'mon in." Ruby entered the tree as the door closed behind her. She set her bags down carefully and walked in further. "What kind of books do you need?"

She wandered around the room, looking at all the shelved books. "Translation, I think." Ruby looked again at Twilight. "Got any?"

Twilight pointed at the lower shelf just behind Ruby. "Right down there. Oh hey. Would you like some tea? Fresh pot."

"I'd love some. Flavor?" Ruby sat in front of the shelf.

"Luna Bay," Emmy replied. She didn't bother to hide the fact her gaze was still fixed on Ruby, and hasn't been broken since she walked in.

As Ruby glanced at Emmy, Twilight continued, "If you need any help, just ask. I live here."

"That would make you the librarian, right?" Ruby tilted her head and looked once more at Twilight, who began pouring her tea.

"Twilight Sparkle, at your service~" Twilight smiled and set the pot of tea on the coaster on the table. "I know it's strange. To live in a tree which is a library."

"Your name sounds familiar..." Ruby narrowed her vision to focus. "Nah, never seen you before."

Twilight approached with the cup of tea. "Well, maybe if you told me yours, I might be able to help you place mine."

"Oh right. Never told you mine." She stood. "I'm Ruby Inferno. A pleasure to-"

Emmy appeared right between Ruby and Twilight, causing the latter to spill the tea on the floor. "HEY I KNOW YOU!!"

In pure reflex, Ruby threw a hoof at Emmy, who vanished. Ruby blinked a few times, rising to her hind legs. Slowly, Ruby turned to examine the room, before seeing Emmy rise up over the edge of the couch. "Don't ever get that close to me again."

"I was just trying to say-"

"Say it from over there, then. For all I know, I could have burned your coat right off." Ruby glared at Emmy. Twilight looked down at her spilled tea, then at Ruby, before backing up a little.

Emmy, rested her foreleg on the back of the couch. "Heh. You are more than welcome to try." She examined her other hoof before glancing smugly at Ruby.

Ruby gritted her teeth and let out a little growl. "Girls..." Twilight tried.

Ignoring her completely, Ruby threw a fireball at Emmy, who only moved to the side. Twilight panicked and froze the fireball just before it hit the wall, causing it to shatter into shards. "I can't tell if that was aimed at me, or..."

Again, Ruby growled, deeper and longer than before. "Shut up!!" she yelled. She leapt into the air and brought her hind leg down on the couch. Emmy flew back out of range and watched as Ruby connected with the couch, breaking it in half and catching it on fire. Twilight fired a spell at the couch that extinguished the fire. She figured then that she should repair it after all was settled down. Ruby jumped at Emerald and swung, missing.

Emmy appeared at Ruby's side and bucked her hard in the side. She couldn't dodge in mid-air, so she took the full hit, being sent through the front door of the library. The former stood in the doorway, looking out, with one of her hind legs lifted off the ground. "Geez, that's some heat. Are you made of fire or what?" She paused. "That would make you really hot, all the time, huh?"

"You will burn!" Ruby stood on her back legs again and gathered more magic than before in her front hooves. Instead of a big ball, Ruby split it into hundreds of marble sized ones, all fired in Emmy's direction. With the library behind her.

Twilight threw up a shield that froze the marbles, breaking them harmlessly against the tree's strong outer wall. "Girls!"

Emmy flew straight for Ruby, who dropped a leg back. With more effort, she slammed her front hoof into the ground creating a burning dome of magic around her. It expanded wide, and almost connected with the library. Emmy had put her hooves against it, and was pushed back by the force. Her hooves were also hot from the heat.

Quick to follow up on her assault, Ruby charged at Emerald. After Emmy got her footing, she put up her forehooves in anticipation.

The two of them fought hoof-to-hoof. Embers leapt from Ruby's attacks, though they all missed. Emmy's teleporting became more predictable, as the distance Ruby missed got smaller. It was all Twilight could do to focus on keeping the embers from hitting the library.

Link and Epona departed the castle's landing for Ponyville, leaving Celestia on the platform. The first did not look back; the second did, but couldn't do anything about it; the third, more hurt than angry, stood and watched them leave.

On the way, Epona asked, "Emerald is waiting for us at the library, right?" Hoping to change the subject from what she knew had to be going through his mind.

"She is," he said flatly. After a moment, he elaborated. "Well, I mean, she should. I did tell her to wait there. But.. That was a few days ago. Why?"

"I told you what happened... between me and her, right?" He shook his head. "Well... She uh... She tried to get me on a date. With her."

"And? You rejected her, right? What with you calling her obnoxious."

"Of course I did. I'm not exactly looking for a dance partner. Especially one I had met the day prior. That is all sorts of fast I'm just not ready for."

Link looked out toward the growing sight of Ponyville. "You know... I'm 13. Not ready for any of that yet either."

"Your situation is different. You're a what?"

"Human."

"Human, right. And there's no other human in this world. That would mean that you're out of luck when it comes to courtship. Even if you tried." Epona explained slowly.

Quietly, Link looked back at her. "Why am I even here, then?"

Before Epona could apologize for bringing it up, Link looked back at the sight. Epona could tell something was up by the look in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Hush now," he requested. Link looked over the edge at the pegasi. "Do me a favor: speed up. Go in front of the really big tree near the side of town and don't slow down. Once I'm off, take Epona into town."

One of the pegasi turned her head and asked, "Why?"

Link nearly shouted, "Just do it! No time to explain!" The transport lurched forward. Epona latched onto her things while Link got out his sword and shield, strapping them to his back. "I'm sorry Epona. Something's happening at the library."

"Like what?" Epona asked, looking over the edge to see. "I don't see anything."

"Do you feel anything? There's a fight by the library." He tightened the straps and looked at her. "I'll be fine. Link gripped the transport rail and vaulted over the side. Quickly, he rolled and slid on his feet. The transport flew Epona into town.

Link vaulted over the edge and rolled on the ground, sliding on his feet. Ruby was already mid-throw of a fair sized fireball. She never saw him coming. Neither did Emerald, who looked very surprised at his arrival. He focused magic into his sword and stopped in its path. Easily, he split the ball in two.

The ball exploded at point blank range, sending Link flying backward past Emmy and into Twilight's catching magic field. Ruby snapped out of her fit of rage and ran toward him, ignoring Emmy completely. "Oh no! Link! Are you alright?!" Twilight set him on his feet as he sheathed his sword and took a knee. "Please don't be hurt." The sound of her request proved she cared.

"I'm fine. Mostly," Link admitted. Emmy approached them. "Alright. Somepony tell me what was going on here?"

The following minute or so went on with Emerald and Ruby trying to explain over each other, and ended with them shouting in unison, "And she's the mare that started it!" They glared at each other.

"Okay... Twilight, what happened?" Twilight recounted, in several breaths, the events that transpired minutes before his arrival. Link looked at Emmy, then Ruby. "Inside. Both of you."

All went inside, and found seats on the unfrozen-but-still-divided couch, while Twilight sat in her chair. "You want me to field this one? Or-" Twilight started.

"No no. I got this." Link began pacing in front of the two visitors. "I can't believe you two." He stopped and pointed at Ruby. "First of all, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here for some books. It is a public library, right?" Link nodded. "It's not my fault she-"

"Ahp-ahp-ahp. No." His pointed finger shifted to Emmy. "What made you think getting that close to her was such a good idea?"

"How was I supposed to know she'd come out swinging? Girl's got issues if you ask me." Emmy crossed her forelegs and looked at Ruby. "Though... I suppose it's a shame on you, Link, for leaving out how cute she is. Not my fault I wanted a closer look at her."

Ruby coughed a little.

"Ruby. Is your first reaction to everything to just punch, kick and burn your way out of every situation?" His finger dropped to his side. "Gotta think a little more, and not be so... impulsive."

Twilight chimed in. "Says the guy who fell from the sky into the path of a fireball the size of my living room ornament."

"As a reflex, yes." Ruby responded, and shifted her weight. "It's just surprising how some ponies have no regard for personal space..."

"In the future," Link added, "Emmy, try to imagine how you'd feel if somepony got in your face without warning."

"Wouldn't mind so much for mares, you know," Emmy countered with a chuckle.

"Ugh... Ruby. It would do you and everypony else some good if you thought before you acted. Agreed?" Ruby nodded slowly, and begrudgingly. "Good. Now. Let's start over, shall we?"

Emmy blinked a few times, then came back to the conversation. "Right! I was saying that I know you."

Ruby looked at Emmy, and tilted her head. "You do? How is it you've heard of me, exactly?"

"Link told me all about you. Your power, most specifically. That fire thing you do is both impressive and unusual, now that I'm seeing it first-hoof. I mean, an earth pony with fire magic? Awesome!" Emmy clapped her hooves a few times.

"My talent is nothing special..." Ruby looked down and away. "More harm comes from it than good, I assure you."

"Hmm..." Emmy thought a moment. Suddenly, she turned to Twilight. "Hey librarian lady. How far is it from here to North Luna Ocean?"

"At least a thousand miles," Twilight replied.

In an instant, Emmy disappeared. The air rushed into the empty space created. Ruby looked around and saw nothing. "Where'd she-" Emmy reappeared and set a stone down on Ruby's half of the couch.

"For you. A stone from the shores of North Luna Ocean." She smiled. "I can teleport. A power most prominent in unicorns. And yet." She held her hooves up at her sides. Then, she nudged the stone closer to Ruby. "Here. I brought it back for you."

"Uhh... Thanks, I guess." Ruby picked it up and looked close at it, seeing the faint specks of titanium reflect the light. "It's pretty."

"Reminds me that the closer I look, the more I see. Just like when I see you."

"Romantic," Link said, interrupting their conversation.

"While you're in this conversation, let's make it about you." Emmy turned and glared at him. "Why are you so late? I've been waiting for days!"

Link scratched the back of his neck before responding. "Yeah... Sorry about that. I was... Occupied. Intentionally and otherwise. See, there's a Great Fairy by the castle, and I learned a new magic from her." He brought his hand in front of him, palm up, and watched as a fireball grew in his hand. "Guess I can do it too, now."

Twilight crawled down from her chair and got a closer look at it. She took his hand in her hooves and held it. "Oooh."

Just then, Epona showed up in the doorway. "Not in the library!" she barked at him. Quickly, Link extinguished his fireball. "Didn't we say that was a bad idea? If you drop that. Boom. Small scale forest fire."

Emmy perked up and turned to face her. "Hello, Epona~" she chirped.

"Hello, Emmy - Emerald." Epona recoiled. "Emerald?!"

"I told you she'd be here," Link bragged.

"I'm surprised all the same." Epona walked over to him.

Ruby looked at Epona and asked finally, "Who's this?"

Link started the introductions. "Ruby? Meet Epona. Epona. Ruby. Oh, and this is Emerald."

"Friends call me Emmy," Emerald stated.

"I just call her Emerald," Epona corrected. She extended a hoof toward Ruby in greeting. "A pleasure to meet you, Ruby."

Twilight was still attached to Link's hand. "So a Great Fairy gave you a fire power, huh... Can I see it again?" she requested.

"Not with you attached to it." She let go sheepishly and back up. Slowly, he grew another fireball in his hand. "Apparently, there are Great Fairies that can grant me powers. That magic sword thing from earlier? The one I used to cut the fireball? That was given to me by another Great Fairy."

"How many are there?" Twilight asked. Link shook his head. "Not sure, huh? Can't blame you, really. Guess you just have to keep an eye out."

"In any case, I'm back. And you know what that means?" Silence. "I'm off duty! At least until I get a lead on the next key. Until then, I'm out. Gonna go put the Ponyvillians at peace with what just happened in their town." Link turned and started out the door. "Oh, and I'll see about getting you a new door. And couch." Link exited the tree.

Later that day, Link returned with a couch hauled behind him in a cart, right beside a big plank of wood. Twilight had helped Ruby find the book she needed, while Emmy and Epona caught up with what happened since they parted ways. The former of the latter two was a bit disappointed in Epona's denial of any farewell kiss. It was switched to travel supplies a few minutes before Link's arrival.

As Twilight bid farewell to Ruby and a good night to Emerald and Epona, she waved going upstairs. Link stayed downstairs and wrote the fifth entry in his journal before falling asleep on the chair, having given Epona his bed. Emmy slept on the newest piece of furniture.

Emmy came back ahead of me from the village in the mountain. She and Twilight seem to be making friends with each other quickly. Ruby, however, seems to have sparked a hateful feeling toward the former, instigating a fight.

Twilight played defense as best as she could while the two fought it out. The couch got burned and the door broke. I have plans to craft a new door tomorrow, and have already bought a new couch.

I'm off duty until I get a clue about the next key I need.

"We'd better go," Link said, turning forward in the transport. "It was nice to see you again, Princess."

Celestia quietly looked at the pegasi, and nodded, keeping her head lowered afterward. The pegasi took off for Ponyville. She glanced up at him after he fell out of earshot. "I'm sorry, my son."

Luna stood in the open doorway. "Did that do as intended? He looked rather upset."

"It did exactly as intended. It assured that he takes his time, and continues when he is absolutely ready." Celestia turned and walked indoors.

"Do you think it wise? Letting him continue at his own pace?" Luna followed her sister. Polaris and Saber followed as well, at either side of the princesses.

"I believe in his choices." She looked at her sister. "And I believe in him."

"As do I. I just..." Luna fell quiet. "I would like to at least let him know what awaits him. Discord's Lens is not an object to be trifled with."

Celestia narrowed her gaze. "I know that. It is a vile object filled to maximum occupancy with hatred and ill will. If Link faces this threat with anything less than 100%, he will fall. And coming from me, that means a lot."

Both were quiet. Then, Luna broke the silence, closing the book she had open in front of her. "I apologize. I know its potential. I just want to see it gone. For that, Link must use the Sword of Masters to render the Lens unusable. To seal the evil it contains."

"And I believe," Celestia added, stopping in the hallway to turn and face her sister fully, "that when he is ready, he will act. Without hesitation." She continued toward the throne room.

Luna looked at the cover of her book, which adorned a set of golden triangles. I hope you are right...

Maybe not entirely focused on Ruby and Emerald's visit, but... Well... Some padding was added. Please note that Ruby's need for a translation book will be brought up later. Hold the thought and don't leave it alone for more than 5 minutes.