Books, books, books.... An endless amount of precious books, stocked in several bookshelves all around the main room of the library, my home, my paradise.
Well, as a student of the great princess Celestia, it is my duty to keep raising my horizon when ever
I can after all. Haha but that’s not the only reason why I love books that much, nononono-
Those hundreds and thousands of pages, which are filled with that much knowledge anypony could ever possibly know, are just amazing! Wonderful fantasy stories, a few poems and all of the historical secrets, which were around me day after day. It tickled in my hooves when I
even thought about it.
„Ouh come on Twilight, you have to concentrate!“ I was searching for hours now, but it seemed that the book I was searching for, disappeared all of the sudden! I climbed up every ladder, searched every shelf and every book in this room, but still nothing.
„YO TWI-“
„BWAAAAH!“ Shocked from the sudden approached voice, I felt down the ladder and landed directly into a ocean of books underneath me.
„-light? Uhm you okay?“ That voice could only belonged to one pon- uhm dragon.
„SPIKE!“ Darn it, I told you not to scream when I'm up that high searching for books!“
„Uhm, sorry Twilight I didn't meant to, it's just that princess Celestia wanted to talk to-“
„CELESTIA?!“ I quick adrenaline rush shot through my body when I heard that name.
Celestia? HERE? FOR ME? I dashed out of the door of the library and right outside into the small garden behind my house. I hysterically looked around, searching for the princess, but no trace of our highness at all. Nothing but a blue sky, some white clouds, green grass and a bright shining sun.
„Princess? Are- uhm are you there? ... somewhere?“
„Gosh Twilight, what’s gotten into you?“ Spike!
„YOU TOLD ME THAT THE PRINCESS IS HERE!“
„Well, nooooo? You just interrupted me and rushed out of the room. It wasn't my fault this time!“
Hmpf he was right, how embarrassing....
„Well... sorry Spike, I'm a bit overworked since the last few weeks, just tell me what you wanted to tell!“ I smiled down at my little purple dragon friend. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and raised an eyebrow like he was waiting for something.
„... hmpf please?“ Spike started to smile and clapping his hands.
„Wow the great Twilight did just admitted a mistake to me-“
„Don't play it to far.“ He nervously grinned, then he began to continue.
„Oh hrhrhrmmm, okay sooo princess Celestia wanted to talk to you.“
„Yes I got that, but WHEEERE?“
„Well uhm... here, I'll guess?“
„WHEN?“ It really pulled my nerves that Spike just couldn’t hand over the full information at once!
„At 6 pm.! Gosh Twi calm down a bit!“ Calm down... that was almost the ONLY thing I wasn't able to by now! Princess Celestia... what could she have wanted from me? And 6 pm., that would be too late, at this time Fluttershy should already-
„Everything alright Twi?“ Spikes voice threw me out of my thoughts.
„Yes I'm fine... huff just, just help me searching that darn book!“
„Book? Which book do you mean?“
„It's a special and very rare book about mental healing. I forgot its title, but I know that the book itself has a red cover and a average size.“
„Mental healing? That’s strange, since when do you have such a book?“
„Oh, I didn’t even knew that I got it, right until I've found it one day, buried under some old books.“ It was the day when Rainbow Dash crashed into my library, the day of the youth flight competition in Cloudsdale to be more precisely. She turned this whole place upside down, right after Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie helped me to tidy up. After the events in Cloudsdale, everypony returned back home, except for Rainbow Dash who was hanging out with the Wonderbolt, after her victory in the competition. I forgot that my place was still looking like a battlefield and Spike had his day off, sooooo it was up to me to tidy everything up... again. While doing so, I've found that weird book, it was dusty and lightly damaged but it looked quite interesting, so I decided to put it back into the shelf. Normally I know every single book and their places in here, but this book just seemed to be disappeared! A few month later I asked Owlicious to have a look for it, but not even he found it.
„A rare old book, red cover, average size, hm? Twilight, almost EVERY book in here fits to this description! No wonder you cant find it, especially without knowing the title itself, you're looking for a needle in a haystack!“
„Yes, I know Spike! But I have to give it another try, I HAVE to!“
„Why? For what do you need mental healing?“ What a stupid question.
„You know exactly why.“ Spike stared at me, scratching his head with his fingers.
„Oh, you mean because of my nightmares lately? Well, that’s very kind of you Twilight, but don’t you think its more because of that bad sunflower stew from last we-“
„Nooooo Spike, its much more important than that!“ Spike looked depressed to the ground and crossed his arms again.
„... it IS very important for me...“ He silently muttered.
„Huff.. sorry Spike, but I’m a bit in a hurry and the stress is poison for my nerves. Please stay with the main topic, okay?“
„Uhm, I’m sorry?“
„Its okay. Well whatever, I meant Applebloom.“
„Applebloom?“ He asked with a rather confused expression.
„Uhm duh, yeees Applebloom. Don’t you think she’s a bit strange since the last few month?“
„The only one who's very strange by now is you Twi. Okay, maybe Applebloom became a bit timid and stuff, but it has its reason after all.“
„What reason?“ That made me curious, lets see what he knew that I didn’t.
„Well... I don’t know, BUT there surely IS a reason.“ I put a hoof on my face and massaged my forehead, somehow I expected something like that.
„Sure Spike... but until we find out WHAT reason it is, please help me finding that bo-“
„TWILIGHT!“ Suddenly Rainbows voice rushed through the door, followed by heavy knocking sounds. Oh gosh not her, not now. Rainbow hated me for what I did, that means- for what she thought I didn’t did. I couldn’t ignore her, nor reject her. Its Rainbow Dash, my best friend... and she would smash my door sooner or later anyway, so I had to let her in.
„Spike listen carefully! The book isn’t in this room, but I haven’t checked the second floor now, please take a look okay? I will take care of Rainbow.“
„Yeah okay I can do it, but why-“
„GO SPIKE!“
„Okay, okay... gosh take a break Twi, or else your unicorn will burst!“ Spike walked up the stairs angrily muttering. I was sorry being so harsh to my poor little Spike, but the time was knocking at the door, and Rainbow too. I ran up to the entrance and turned the doorknob.
„Hey Rainbow, wh-“ She pushed me aside and rushed into the room.
„We want answers Twilight!“ Rainbow shouted.
„YES!“
„Hm?“ I just noticed that Scootaloo was sitting on Rainbows back, that was a bit strange.
„Tell us what happened that day!“ Rainbow continued.
„I already told you what I know!“
„LIAR! You surely know more than that!“
„Yeah, spit it out!“ Scootaloo shouted. She hid herself behind Rainbows wing, when I started to look back at her.
„Hmpf, fine! I tell you what happened... again!“

6 month ago

„Lets see... darn it, where did I put them? SPIIIIIKE?“
„What’s wrong Twi?“ Spike slowly went around the corner, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
„Did you saw my books? One is called >Everfree botany< and the second one's >Historical
mysteries of Equestria<.“
„Uhm, I guess I saw them just a minute ago. Wait a second.“ Spike lurched into the next room.
I was sorry that I woke up Spike that early in the morning, but I needed his help. He's my assistant and friend... well okay even more than that, you could say we’re like siblings. Without him I would probably even forget my head if it wouldn’t be sticking on my neck. Unfortunately Owliscious were sleeping by this time of day, so I couldn’t ask him to help me instead of Spike.
I will bring him some gems from Rarity as a reward after I'll return from Zecora.
„Here you go Twi-“ Spike felt to the ground. The two books he was carrying were landing next to me, along with some missing scrolls too.
„Oh right the scrolls, I almost forget them. Thanks Spi- oh.“ He didn’t moved a muscle and began to snore silently. Poor little dragon, he fell asleep... literally. I used my magic to carry him up the stairs right into his bed, where he could sleep much more comfortable. After doing so, I turned myself around and checked my inventory.
„Okay what do we have here...
- Two books: >Everfree botany< and >Historical mysteries<
- Four sealed Scrolls with strange insignias
- 6 local herbs from Ponyville
- 2 herbs from the botanical garden in Canterlot
Great! I have everything I need, now I can go to Zecora.“ I carefully stuffed everything into my bags and just wanted to go, until it knocked at my door.
„Hm? Who could it be that early in the morning?“
„Twilight Sparkle, in the name of Princess Celestia, open the door!“ It was the voice of a celestial guardian, did something happen to the princess? I opened up the door and saw a tall stallion, his shiny golden armor reflected the rising sun, which blinded me for a few seconds.
„What’s wrong? Can I help you?“
„The princess is still waiting for the special delivery you wanted to send a few days ago.
Is everything alright with it?“ Special delivery? DEAR CELESTIA! I promised princess Celestia to bring her-

„Boooooooooooooooriiiiiiiiiing! We don’t want to hear something useless about you and the princess, we want to know something about the events in the Everfree forest!“
„Yeah that’s right!“ Scootaloo added.
„Hmpf okay, lets go on then...“

6 month ago, just a bit later that day

„Applebloom you wait her okay?“
„What? But ah wanted to say he-“ I had to cut her short and continued.
„There’s no time for small talk, I'll give her the bags and we're out of here. We'll visit her again some other day when its not that late, okay? Wait a moment, don’t run away!“ I ran ahead to Zecoras tree, where she already welcomed me with a warm smile.
„Hey Zecora, I brought you the things you wanted.“ I turned my head to the side, took the bags from my back and placed it against Zecoras door.
„Kind ponies, I thank you for delivering what’s told.“
„Glad to help.“ We started to smile on each other. My smile was a mixture of kindness and relief,
I was carrying these heavy bags for hours now and I was more than glad to finally got rid of them.
My back already started to hurt, next time I'll send Spike to correct things he messed up in the first place! However, I just wanted to ask Zecora, for what she needed all those things anyway, when suddenly her expression grew much more serious.
„Hm? What's wrong Zeco-“ Zecora cut me short.
„You do not want to remain for the events that will unfold! Hurry back to Ponyville you must, for the darkness this night you cannot trust!“ I had to admit that I got concerned, I looked into Zecoras turquoise eyes, they were deep and empty, almost soulless. First, I thought that she might made a joke or something like that, but that wasn’t Zecoras style after all, nor did she looked like that.
I tried to say something, but I couldn't. I decided to ran back to Applebloom, following Zecoras advice and getting back home till it's getting darker.
„What the hay did that mean?“ Applebloom nervously asked.
„I don’t know, but we should better hurry up and go home, come on Applebloom!“ I walked ahead. If even Zecora was worried, what could that mean? Zecora is the wisest inhabitant in Ponyville and she lives in the most dangerous place in whole Equestria, why is she acting so strange?
Maybe it was nothing, maybe she just wanted to have her peace. Either way I hurried up to get out of this creepy forest as soon as I... wait a second! I turned around and noticed, that Applebloom was still standing in front of Zecoras tree, although she promised me to stay close at all time!
„Applebloom!“ I shouted.
„Uhm, yeah ahm coming!“ Finally she turned around and followed my back on the bleak area.
The sun was gone, it got colder and darker. I wanted to use my magic to cast a little light sphere in front of us, but Lunas moon was still brightly shining from above, so there was no actual reason to do so. It was only barely enough to see where we’re going, but it had to suffice. I was just too tired to use magic. After a few minutes we arrived at a small passage.
„What’s that?“ A big trunk blocked our way.
„How in Equestria did this tree fall? I didn’t even hear a sound.“
„Maybe it was...... a ghost?“ Applebloom and her ghosts again. I really had to talk to Pinkie Pie,
she's always telling these little fillies the weirdest things. Seriously, ghosts?
I looked back to Applebloom and started to laugh.
„Oh silly, I already told you there aren't such thing like ghosts. Never mind, lets see what we have here.“ I tried to examine the trunk. It was quite tall and surely extremely heavy too.
Climbing over it could be too difficult, there was no other way around and because of its size, pushing would cause nothing. Soooo there was only one option left...
„Hmm maybe I could carry it away with a bit magic, stay behind Applebloom!“ I spread my arms and legs, lowered my body and concentrated myself. My body had to be as stable as I could get it, because of the enormous strength, I had to bring up to move that thing away. I let the magic spread through me, canalised it into my horn which started to glow. I could feel the trunk, its weight.
My back started to hurt again and I started to sweat, but I couldn’t give up now. My concentration was at its limit and the earth underneath me seemed to vibrate, while I lifted the huge trunk and threw it away as far as I could. A cumbersome loud sound echoed through the silence of the night, finally it was done and that stupid thing was gone. I was totally exhausted, my muscles were feeling like old gum, forcing me to sit down for a moment.
„Woooooow Twilight that was AWESOME!“ Applebloom hysterical said.
„Hah, hah... thanks! Phew, it wasn’t easy but now we...“ I looked up again and saw something that took even my last nerve away.
„OU COME OOOOON!“ Another trunk right in front of us.... no, no... there were more than just one, the whole passage was blocked by trunks! That was impossible! That couldn’t be! How come that, lets say, 28 trunks fell down at the same time without anypony hearing it?! That was ridiculous! But it was NO ghost, that’s for sure! I just wanted to tell Applebloom that we should go back to Zecoras place, but then I saw Appleblooms frightened expression. I couldn’t give up, I had to at least try it again, I had to bring her home.
„Hah.. well don’t worry.“ I stood back up.
„Stay right there Applebloom, this may take a while.“ So I tried to move as many trunks as I could. After about 6 trunks I collapsed and fell on my butt.
„Hah, hah, hah.... almost... done!“ I was really exhausted, my back ached. This used to be a drop in
the bucket... this passage was just nearly impossible to clear.
„Come on Twilight, you cant give up!“ I muttered.
I stood back up, getting into position for trunk number 7. It was hard, but my concentration
had to last for the remaining 22 trunks.
„Hey Twilight! There's-“
„Not now Applebloom, I have to concentrate!“
„But...“
„Please, just wait there okay? I'll do my best!“ I was sorry for Applebloom, but I neither had the time, nor the nerves to spare my time with her fantasy stories about ghosts and monsters.

„THERE WE HAVE IT!“ Rainbow shouted.
„I neither had the time, nor the nerves to spare my time with Applebloom!“
„What?! Did you even listen? I said: But I neither had the time, nor the nerves to spare my time with HER FANTASY STORIES ABOUT GHOSTS AND MONSTERS!“
„Ou c'mon Twilight, this is an even bigger proof for your inability!“
„Why are you so mean? I told you, I tried my best to get her home!“ Why was Rainbow so mean to me? I tried to bring Applebloom home with all I got, I pushed to my personal limits of magic to do so! Why couldn't she understand?
„Uhm Twilight, u okay?“ Scootaloo probably noticed the tear that was running down my cheek, I thought I could prevent that by looking to the side.
„Pah, let her Scoot, she may now finally realized her mistakes.“
„I-“ Before I could continue, my door swang open and a orange mare ran in.
„RAINBOW DASH!“ It was Applejack, she went just between me and Rainbow, her angry eyes pointed right into the ones of the cyan pegasus.
„A-Applejack?“ She stuttered.
„Ah knew you would come here to nag at the poor Twilight!“
„B-but I was right! She just said that-“
„Ah was sorry for Applebloom, but ah neither had the time, nor the nerves to spare mah time with her fantasy stories about ghosts and monsters?“
„Y-yes.“
„But didn’t she even said: But then ah saw Appleblooms frightened expression, ah couldn’t give up,
ah had to at least try it again, ah had to bring her home?“
„Well...“
„She nearly died tryin' to bring mah little sister back home! What did you do that time?“
„Me? I didn’t even knew that the both were in the Everfree forest!“
„There ya have it, you didn’t even knew it! She told you where she wanted to go that mornin', but you didn’t listen again, didn’t you?“
„I...“ Rainbow Dash took a few steps backwards, lowered her head and remained silent,.
„If Twilight died that day, if she got hurt by trying to push away those trunks or somethin' like that, would that have satisfied your mind Rainbow?“ Rainbow Dash didn’t said a word,
she just stood there.
„Why are you nagging at her anyway? She is your best friend! Why can't you just believe her like ah can? Aren’t ya the element of loyalty?“ Rainbow started embarrassed to paw the ground with her hoof, her head still pointed downwards. Somehow... I felt sorry for Rainbow by now, sure she hurt me too, but... this was no solution at all. I went over to Applejack and put my hoof on her back.
„Its okay Applejack, thanks but... on some kind of way she’s right. I mean, I had to be much more assertive to Applebloom. I shouldn’t took her into the forest in the first place, it was my fault.“
Both Rainbow and Applejack looked up to me.
„Twilight...“
„But Rainbow, please don’t judge me that harsh, I told you I was sorry for it. I did everything I could to bring her home!“ The two mares watched each others, after that, they looked back at me.
„Rainbow, ahm sorry for shouting at you.“
„No! No, Applejack it was my fault, I’m just too stubborn I'll guess. And Twilight... I'm-“
„IT'S PAAAAAAAAARTEEEEEY TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!“ Suddenly bombs, filled with tons of confetti, exploded inside of my house and a pink fur ball jumped inside.
„Hayaaa girls! It's up to the great and funny-full Pinkie Pie to cheer the gang up again!“
Great and what?
„C'mon girls have a smile, smile, smile!“ She jumped over to Rainbow and grabbed her.
„Pinkie what are you-“ She threw Rainbow into the arms of Applejack, who embraced each others in the action of this event.
„Yaaaaay you see? Everything’s fine again~“ Pinkie jumped into my direction.
„Now to you Twilight~ Hihihi.“
„Waitwaitwaitwait! Pinkie we were just about to make up with each others, right girls?“
Both of them hysterically nodded.
„Oh? …... wow I’m faster than I thought. I should use this super-pony powers to rescue the world from disharmony! The Super-Duper-Ultra-Fast-Pink-Party-Pony! But you all can call me SDUFPPP~ Hihi say it three times in a row!“
„.... yeah but not now Pinkie, just calm down for a moment. Listen up girls, I just-“
„What in everything that looks graceful and fashionable happened here?“ Dear Celestia, how many ponies are keep coming?
„Hey Scootaloo~“ Sweetie Belle said with her sweet singing voice.
„Oh, hey Sweetie Belle.“
„What’s going on here?“
„To be honest, I have no clue.“ Scootaloo sighted.
„Oh dear. Twilight.... your house is totally...“
„Yes Rarity, I know. But that’s not important by now! More important is-“
„YO TWI, I'VE FOUND YOUR BOOK!“ Errr perfect timing Spike...
„GREAT, CAN YOU PLEASE BRING IT DOWN TO ME?“
„MAYBE I CAN, MAYBE NOT. I HAVE SOME CONDITIONS THAT HAS TO BE FULFILLED FIRST. FIRST OF ALL, A APOLOGIZE FROM YOU WOULD BE VERY KIND, SECOND-“
Gosh Spike, I didn’t had time for such games.
„RARITY IS HERE TOO~“ As soon as the sentence was spoken, Spike was already standing next to me with the book in his hands.
„Hey Rarity, uhm do you want something to drink, or eat or maybe-“
„Keep breathing Spike.“ I took the book from the hyperventilating little dragon and opened
its index.
„Uhm a glass of water would be ni-“
„A glass of water is as good as ready for you, don’t move I'll be right back!“ Spike dashed into the kitchen and brought the item of desire to Rarity.
„Here you go, the best glass and the best water in whole Equestria!“ Rarity took the glass with her magic and smiled back at the red headed little Spike.
„Thank you my dear.“
„Nah, that was nothing! If I can do anything else for you then just say a word, I’m right here for you, whatever happens, the great Spike will always-“
„We got it Spike, please be quite for a while, we haven’t much time left!“
„What are you talkin' about sugarcube?“ Applejack asked.
„Listen, we all know about Appleblooms problem, that means... we don’t know exactly why she has them in the first place. I asked everypony for help, but neither Zecora nor the princesses seems to know something, so I was searching for this book the last few days.“ Now I got the attention from every pony in this room. They all looked quizzical in my direction, ready to absorb every of my words.
„This book is called >Mental healing<, it has a spell in it, that could let Applebloom forget her nightmares, or whatever she saw back then in the Everfree forest. It could fix everything!“
The ponies where watching each others randomly, their expression went from delighted to warily.
„Well if that works, mah little sister would be like before?“ Applejack hesitantly asked.
„She would get normal again? That’s great!“ Rainbow Dash shouted.
„Normal eh? But... what if there’s somethin' that she better shouldn’t forget? What if there’s somethin' she should remember?“
„Darling, in her condition she only hurts you and herself. It's not healthy for both of you.“
„She's right Applejack, please give it a try.“ I said.
Applejack seemed to be worried about something, did she knew something that we shouldn’t?
„Applejack?“ She seemed to be absorbed in thoughts, but soon she reacted.
„Hm? Oh, uhm... well okay, lets go search for her then.“
„That won't be necessary... Fluttershy is already on the way here along with Applebloom.“
„What?“ Everypony shocked.
„Yes, I met Fluttershy on the way home, she was already searching for Applebloom, so I asked her to bring her to my place as soon as she can.“
„But why didn’t you invited us to this party, too?“ Pinkie Pie asked.
„Well, somehow I knew you girls would show up. Don’t worry, I'll promise that everything will be alright again!“
„Say the Pinkie swear!“
„Ou Pinkie come on.“
„Pluuuueeeeeeeaaaaaaaassssssseeeeee.“
„Gosh not that again! Well okay, okay... Open my heart and hope to fly, put a cupcake in my eye.“
„Alrighty!“ Pinkie grinned.
„Uhm... Twilight? Are you here?“ The silent voice of Fluttershy ran through the room.
„Oh great your here, come in Fluttershy.“ Fluttershy slowly came into the library, the timid little Applebloom on her back.
„What's goin' on here? Scoot? Sweetie Belle?“ Applebloom nervously asked.
„It's okay Applebloom, today your nightmares will be over.“ I softly said.
„W-what do you mean? Sis?“ Applebloom anxiously looked over to Applejack, but she remained quiet.
„Please, hold still for a moment.“ Applebloom nervously looked around, staring down at my book.
„.... no.... NO AH DONT WANT TO!“ She jumped off Fluttershys back and ran to the door.
„Rainbow!“
„I’m on it!“ Rainbow dashed to the door and blocked it successfully.
„Don’t worry little one, everything will be okay soon.“ Appleblooms eyes grew bigger while her pupils grew smaller.
„Little one... little one... no, NO!“ She ran to the windows.
„Don’t let here get away!“ Rarity blocked one of the windows, Spike the second and Pinkie the third one. Applebloom went backwards, her legs were shaking and small tears were rolling down her cheeks.
„No please, you don’t understand!“
„Don’t worry honey, it won't hurt.“ Rarity softly said.
„Don’t call me like that, DONT CALL ME LIKE THAT!“ Applebloom shouted, still walking backwards.
„Fluttershy, please hold her so she can calm herself down a bit.“
Fluttershy flew up to Applebloom and embraced her softly.
„NO! Fluttershy please lemme go!“ Fluttershy unsurely looked over to me, it was hard for her too, no doubt about it, but it had to be done. Applebloom had to get her normal life back, her life as a normal unconcerned filly. I started to read the spell, canalizing the magic into my horn and aiming it onto Applebloom.
„Why are ya' doin' this to me? What have ah done to ya'?“ She cried.
Don’t worry Applebloom, when this is over, we can have new adventures as Cutie Mark Crusaders!“ Scootaloo grinned.
„Yes, she's right! Oh and I have a special present for you, but its not done yet. You'll get it after it's done okay? I hope you'll like it.“ Sweetie Belle said.
„No please, help me! Do something! Ah can't forget, AH CAN'T!“ She looked over to her sister who was sadly looking down at her, too.
„Please sis help me, don’t let them do this to me! Ah told you that ah can't forget it! It's for the sake of us all!“ What did that mean? We all looked over to Applejack who closed her eyes, trying to suppress some tears, which were rolling down anyway. For a moment, everything remained quiet.
„Applejack?“ Applebloom whispered.
Applejack slowly looked up to her little sister, her eyes were filled with tears and regret. She watched her for a few second, then she opened her mouth.
„It'll be the best for you. Ah want that you get your smile back.“
„... sis?“ Applejack bit on her lips and turned herself around.
„Don’t worry Applebloom, I will fix my mistake and cure you once and for all.“
„... sis... „ Without another word, Applebloom remained quiet, too.
I released a small sphere of blue light, which illuminated the whole room and washed away everything. Appleblooms fears, her nightmares and every memory of the events of the Everfree forest.

„Twilight wait!“

„P-princess?