Twilight's library was in its usual state of “organized chaos”. The Unicorn had embarked on quite the scholastic pursuit following the discovery of some loose pages from some unknown book that seemed to chronicle an alternative history to the founding of Equestria. The mare was deep in thought sitting in the center of the room with a quill and paper levitating above her head as the strung together her request she would have Spike send to the Canterlot Archives. She already had AppleJack relay a message while she was seeing family in Manehatten for some sudden and unexplained reason, and Rainbow Dash had received some papers from Cloudsdale that their own librarian had found. It was quite the collection and certain pieces were coming together but there were still some very large holes in the whole story.

Under normal circumstances this would be fun, driving, and enlightening for Twilight, and while the latter was certainly true, the information she was amassing was less than fun, in fact it was terrifying: if the collection of pages she had before her were indeed true, not only would it mean that the history of Equestria that had been passed down through the generations was wrong, it would be a complete lie. Her internal conscience was taking issue to these alleged revelations as well. Again, of said pages were found to be credible,  Celestia and Luna would be regarded as one of the most ruthless and oppressive rulers of Equestria ponykind have yet to witness!

There was just one problem though, Twilight, nor did any other pony she knew, ever see any actions or behavior that would suggest otherwise. It was all a bit much to take in so it was almost a relief to the Librarian when a loud knocking broke her philosophical dueling. It was Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, hello Rainbow Dash!” Said Twilight in her usual, happy tone.

“Hey Twi” Replied the rainbow-maned pegasus who oddly enough, was on her hooves. She trotted into the tree-house as if she had not gotten the gist of how her wings worked.

“What's up?” Twilight went about putting the scattered papers on her desk and sitting with her friend.

“I dunno, I was—I guess I'm curious as to what these papers you've had us getting were about.”

Twilight grew somewhat nervous. She never really explained to her friends what these were for, and for good reason. If she couldn't fully accept the accounts of these odd documents, then for sure her friends would meet it with even more vulgar opposition, to the point of ignorance.  

“Well—It's kind of a wordy thing, nothing you'd be interested in.” The unicorn watched her friend's expression hoping that back-handed excuse would work.  It didn't.

“Aw come on Twilight, I may be a bit thick but I'm no fool!” The pegasus boasted, hovering now for emphasis. “Besides,” she continued as she dropped back down. “I'm not gonna run any more errands for you until I know what is is!”

Rainbow Dash was a stubborn mare and Twilight knew she was going to have to talk, but, a wonderful delay had just presented itself. It would give her time to simplify all of this in her head anyway.

“Have you spoken to Rarity today?” Twilight changed the subject.

“No. And what does that have to do with any of--”

“She invited us all to the spa, you should come again, it was fun!”

Rainbow glared at her, after the Foal-free press tabloid incident, she wasn't to privy on returning to that place. It was as if she expected the crusaders to print another expose the minute she was caught doing another “uncool” thing. She had an image to maintain.

“Pa-leeeeease?” Twilight pleaded. “We have to go now though so...” She trailed, waiting for an answer.

Rainbow simply rolled her eyes, “Oh alright.” she groaned. “I'm still not letting you off the hook though.”

“I know, I know. After the spa we can come back and I can explain every little detail. It's—rather fascinating for sure.”

The two mares strolled through Ponyville on their way to the spa. Rarity was always punctual, as was Fluttersy...assuming her animals weren't giving her trouble. They were guided to the bath where Rarity and Fluttershy were waiting.

“Ah Twilight, Rainbow! What a splendid surprise.” Greeted the fashionista.

“Um...hi girls.” said Fluttershy meekly.

“Hello Ms Rarity, Fluttershy.” Twilight replied with a slight accent as she slowly sank into the nice warm bath. “Ah, this is so nice. After a day of vigorous study and inquiry it's nice to sit back and relax for a bit.”

“My thoughts as well darling,” Rarity said, “It has been quite the week for me, a whole avalanche of orders came in over the weekend, and of course Sweetie Belle is staying all week—Mother and Father are off the Manehatten. Say, speaking of which, any word from AppleJack?”

“I'm afraid not.” Twilight replied, “I was hoping you knew something.”

“No, according to Scootaloo, Granny Smith has become ill and they are visiting family--” Rarity quieted to a whisper, “you know, In case 'this is it'.”

“Oh my, that's...that's terrible.” Twilight said sorrowfully. “Wait, Scootaloo? The crusader?”

“Rainbow Dash wanna-be” quipped Rainbow Dash.

The girls laughed at this. All it seems the filly was capable of thinking, let alone talking about was her inflated praise and admiration of the pegasus.

“Mhm” Rarity replied. She had ordered some tea and was drinking it in her normal, delicate fashion. “She lives with me now—it's quite the story really”

Rainbow Dash lost it. If anyponmy in this foursome knew that filly, it was her.  

“And how's that going for ya? I'm sure she loves being your personal ponyquin.” Rainbow continued to snicker at the thought of Scootaloo resisting Rarity's demands of “ladylike” appearance and mannerisms.

“Well for one thing Rainbow no such thing has occurred. Thought it would be nice, her mane is....messy to say the least.--She's awfully quiet, isn't really one for conversation, It's rather odd actually, she hardly speaks unless spoken to; unless it's Sweetie Belle of course.” She rolled her eyes, a hint of jealousy in her voice.  “She isn't a troublemaker, she's very tidy and polite which I like but—she seems to take me more as a caretaker than the adoptive mother I am.”

Rainbow Dash was still snickering on the other side of the bath. Twilight shot a glare at her.  “I'm sure she'll adapt, I think we all know I wasn't the most comfortable when I first moved here but, after awhile, like anything it got much better!”

“I sure hope so, this is only her second week but the silent treatment is driving me up a wall.” Rarity sank further in the tub. “But enough of my drama, how's Ms Fluttershy?” She turned to her friend.

“Oh well, uhm....not much just—you know, the usual.” Fluttershy wasn't really wanting to talk, after having to deal with a bunny fight, a cannibalistic squirrel, and an unwelcome insect infestation, musing about her predicament wasn't really something she wanted to do.

“Rainbow?” Rarity was dying for conversation.

“Not much actually” a smirk still wide on her face, “We're getting close to summer so we're moving from weather management to cloud control. It's easy once we get there but they always throw in these rookies from Trottingham and Cloudsdale who have no idea what they hay they're doing, but of course, they know everything.” She was getting slightly irritated just talking about it.

“Ah yes summer.” Rarity quipped with just about as much enthusiasm. The first month is busy and profitable but an absolute hell—the work of it all, everypony wants to have their summer line ready to go but instead of doing it ahead of time they all decide to do it at once.” she glared as tome nonexistent pony who likely represented her clients.

The rest of the spa time involved more conversing and gossip. All in all it was a good time seeing everypony and touching base as indeed the summer months introduced a new period of busy ponies. Get-togethers like this were going to be rare soon.

Twilight had forgotten her promise to Rainbow Dash as she made her way home, she was startled, much to Rainbow's delight, when she caught up with her.

“Remember out deal?” Rainbow said.

Twilight looked at her with tired eyes, it was late in the evening and she was tired, in a good way.

“You really are wanting to know about this aren't you?” Twilight asked, somewhat unsure of the pegasus' intentions-she wasn't usually this pushy about such an “egghead” subject.

“Well yeah, as I said. I ain't doing anymore of these little trips for you if I can't know what it's for.”

“Why do I have the feeling there is more to this than just that?” Twilight asked as they went up the stairs into the main library,

“Nope. That's it.” Rainbow said dryly. Suddenly, she felt tired herself. “On second thought, you know what? I have a long shift tomorrow so—I'll bug you later.”

“Okay, bye Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said as she let out a sign of relief. She found it odd that Rainbow changed her mind so quickly but she was known to take sleep over, well, anything. She peeked out one of the windows to see Rainbow flying in the direction of her cloud home. Twilight decided a few more hours of cross-referencing and scrutiny would wrap up a pretty decent day. Next Chapter: Taming The Hen Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 8 Minutes