Chapter 6: Answering the Call

The hospital had been pretty nice about letting me stay there a night to ensure that there were no immediate mental or psychological abnormalities from my experience. As day came from my friends and my sleepless night I was looked at by several Unicorn doctors who each concluded that beside some lack of sleep I was fine. The princesses were then nice enough to let me stay in the castle for a few more days while the royal guard finished examining and cleaning the house. It was here I learned that Enyi was also staying at the palace, at Grit's insistence, while he stayed in Canterlot which I must admit made my time there a bit more enjoyable by having a friend so close at hoof.

“The funeral will be tomorrow Ivory, you will be going with the rest of us?” Enyi asked.

“Of course I will. How could I not?”

“Your friend Emerald sent a letter today. She has been called away to some dig site in the jungles of eastern Equestria.” Enyi said as he slid an open letter onto a small table in the palace room where I was staying from a saddlebag he had on.

“Wait, what!?”

“Yes, it seems Adventure Incorporated wishes her expertise on the temples there. I was not aware she was so knowledgeable.”

“She knows pretty much more about that area than anypony else but this news can't be good.”

“Maybe or it could just be coincidence.”

“I need to talk to Blaze about this, I haven’t seen him since before we left for Khaweth. I wonder if he is doing ok?”

“Well, what is he like?”

“Lets just say they don’t call him Blaze for his calm and even minded temper.”

“In that case I can not see him doing well in this situation.”

“Yeah, that's why I want to talk to him. He and Grit have been friends since they were colts and if there are indeed a powerful group of bad ponies after us I need a pony like him on my side.”

“It does sound like he would have much cause to help us.”

“Yeah, plus he has A.I at his back and if push comes to shove the ponies there would most likely side with him over any other.”

“We should get Jackpot before we depart to meet this Blaze, he seems to know more about the situation than either of us.”

“I don't know, I have the bad feeling Jackpot and Blaze wouldn't get along that well.” I sighed.

“Oh, there is something else. Jackpot gave this to me yesterday.” Enyi stuffed his face into the other pack on his saddlebag and pulled out my A.I adventurers hat. “Apparently you forgot this at Jackpot's house the night we arrived here.”

“Oh, I completely forgot about this.” I said taking the hat and flipping it onto my head, “Maybe I should get a string or something so it doesn't get lost somewhere.”

“Yes, you do seem to leave it behind a lot.”

“Well there are certain circumstances that were involved.”

“So Jackpot tells me.”

“Wait what did he tell you?” at that Enyi turned around and began to walk out of the room with what I could swear was a little chuckle escaping from his mouth. “Enyi! What did he say!” I yelled as I chased after him.

*****

When Enyi and I arrived at the Adventure Incorporated HQ the mood was noticeably different from the last time I had been there. The main entry hall was nearly empty except for a few very sad looking ponies who were loitering around. The mood seemed to affect the room itself as it seemed less bright and colorful than before and a slight feel of unease crept over both Enyi and myself as we walked across the colorless room.

“You...like this place?” Enyi said as he looked around with some confusion.

“It wasn’t like this the last time. There was so much life in here before.” the dour mood in the building only served to remind me that I was still very depressed as my drive to see Blaze seemed to lessen as the cause for this dim mood was obvious.

The elevators to the top floor came quickly mostly due to the current emptiness of the building. The last time I was on one of these I was being dragged around by guard ponies but I thought it best to not tell Enyi that part. The top floor was just a nicely decorated as I remembered it to be. Sitting at her desk was Ms. Stencil, Blaze's secretary, typing away on her typewriter. She saw Enyi and me getting off the elevator and gave a friendly wave to us.

“Oh I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to prof. Stratum, I can't imagine what you’re going through.”

“Thanks Ms. Stencil.”

She gestured for us to go in with her hoof to which Enyi and I obliged. We turned down towards Blaze's office door only to see two guards standing in front of it. As we neared them I got the distinct feeling I had seen the two of them before. Standing before the door were two Unicorn guards and upon getting close to them I recognized one of them as the guard I had slammed into and knocked onto the ground and the other as the one who had carried me through the building after my bad idea with the restricted section.

“Hey Enyi, can you uh.. wait back here for a minute.?”

“Indeed I can, but why?”

“Please!” I gave my best puppy dog face.

“Very well.”

Thank the princesses he agreed or this might have been rather embarrassing. With that out of the way I put on the friendliest face that I could and walked up towards the door to Blaze's office.

“Hey there guys!” I said as happily as I could.

Each guard just grunted at me with the usual scowly looks one could expect from guards nowadays as they stood in the way of the door, blocking me. I stood there for a second trying to think of what to say to get them to let me in.

“No hard feelings about before right buddy!” I said trying to keep my happy face as I extended my hoof out towards the guard I had previously plowed over.

He didn't say anything but just continued to stare outwards when the other guard suddenly spoke, “No hard feelings about before right friend.” he said with just a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

My happy face turned into a slight pout, “I deserved that.”

“Yes you did.” said the guard.

“So uh... can me and my friend go in and see Blaze?”

The two guards looked at each other as if reading the others mind for a second before looking back at me and saying simultaneously, “Nopony is allowed to see professor Blaze right now. You will have to come back another time.”

“Guys, seriously I need to talk to him right now.”

“We are aware of the situation and while we do feel for you we still have orders that nopony is allowed to see the chairpony without his express permission.” they each said as if rehearsed.

“Look, I'm sorry about before but we really need to talk to Blaze. I'm sure you two want to find out what happened to Grit just as much as anypony and lets be honest the royal guard just can't cut it when it comes to this kind of thing. That is why we need Blaze's help to find out what really happened and make sure Grit gets the justice he deserves.” my face turned as serious as my voice and the two guards certainly noticed.

The guards looked back towards each other, their faces as emotionless as stone. After a second they looked back at me, “Fine, you can go in.”

YES! I got us in. And Enyi doesn't know how they dragged me through the building so overall this was a smashing success. I'm sure Blaze will want to help us and since I already know the overall picture of what's going on he doesn't need to worry about the whole vague secrecy thing that seemed to plague him and Grit the entire time I've known them.

Enyi came trotting down the hall after me as I waved him over. The guards pushed open the large office door and let Enyi and me go in. The room was a bit different from when I was in here last. For one thing there were several rather large holes in the wall (definitely Blaze) as well as the large Desk that Blaze had was also gone. Instead there was Blaze, laying head first into a small foldable table with a near empty bottle of some of that weird cider that Jackpot liked.

“Hey there Blaze, it's me Ivory.” I said with some hesitation as we neared him.

“I thought I said not to let anyone in.” I could hear Blaze grumble from his muffled face.

“I'm here to talk about Grit and I thought you would be in the best position to help me find out what happened.”

“Whose that with you?”

“Hello sir, mt name is Enyi and do not worry for I am friendly.”

Blaze rose his head up slightly and by Celestia did he look bad (his smell wasn't much better either). I trotted up to his table as his half dead eyes followed me around the room.

“What happened to your desk?” I asked.

“It broke.”

“Ok then, but we still need to talk about Grit.”

“Let the royal guards handle it. That's their job isn't it.”

“Blaze, I know whats going on or at least most of it.”

Blaze's head rose up a bit more almost as if he suddenly became frightened of something, “What do you know!?”

“Well Jackpot thinks he knows who killed Grit and more importantly he told me who this pony works for.”

“Jackpot? That idiot. He shouldn't have included you.”

“I became part of this when Grit died so you might as well agree to help me get some payback here.”

“Please Mr. Blaze do not stay in your daze!” Enyi put in.

Blaze let out a long sigh, “Please Ivory, just let it go.”

“But ple..”

“I SAID LET IT GO!” Blaze shouted. I recoiled a little bit at the sudden outburst as Enyi came to stand by me. “I'm sorry Ivory, I told him not to go. You were there. I tried to warn you two but nobody listens to me, nobody ever listens to me.”

“He was your best friend Blaze. How could you just accept this! You’ve known him since you were colts!” I was getting angry now.

“And I did my best to dissuade him from doing this! I told him they would find out what he was doing and I told him they would not stand for it!”

“But how could they have found out, please Blaze I will need your help if I want to get any justice for Grit!”

Enyi stepped forward again, “Mr. Blaze surely you must reconsider, if you don't the problem will only get bigger and bigger!”

“Ivory who is this?”

“His name is Enyi and he's..”

“I am the child of Ubab and Amayi.”

“Ubab? Amayi? Those two ended up having a kid huh.”

“Yes and they were friends of yours, were they not?”

“I knew them back when Grit and I would go to Khaweth yes.”

“Then help for Grit and their sakes, Spirits know we need it.”

Blaze just stared at Enyi for several seconds, “Yes, you do have Amayi's yellow eyes. I see it now yes you are their son. But you say you know whats going on and if you did then you would know that there’s nothing we can do.”

“Blaze, the first ever adventure Grit ever went on ended up with him beating these guys, so why can't we do the same?” Blaze was being more frustrating than I anticipated.

“Dammit Ivory, that was different, please just forget about all of this ok. I know its hard but please understand, you'll just end up like Grit if you keep down this path.” Blaze's eyes at least had that look of sincerity as he said those words. I could tell he was trying to protect me in his own way but I just couldn't accept his way.

“Blaze please!” I was starting to cry again, “I need help.” my voice was faltering.

Blaze looked at me for a few seconds, his own face calming down somewhat, “You said you at least think you know who killed him, then tell me who it was.”

“Jackpot said it was somepony named Goldie Grail.”

“Celestia forgive me.” Blaze mumbled to himself. “I should have tried harder. I'm sorry Ivory but I can't help you.” I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My face was welling up with tears as Blaze said those words.

“Fine then. Let's go Enyi.” I turned towards the door as Enyi and I began to leave Blaze's office. Before we exited I turned around and said, “Hey Blaze!”

“What?”

“Fuck you.” I immediately turned and left the office with Enyi close behind me. I don't know if he deserved that but I was too angry at this point to judge that.

“Are you ok Ivory?”

“Yeah, I'm fine.”

“If you need to talk.”

“I'm fine Enyi.”

“If you say so Ivory.” Enyi said with an obvious look of concern on his face.

We left the Adventure Incorporated HQ and headed back towards the castle as it was starting to get late out. Enyi tried getting me to talk the whole way back but I just didn't feel like it at this point. We got back to the castle just as night was beginning to creep over Equestria and Canterlot. Enyi did offer to walk me back to my room but I just wanted to be alone right now. He seemed a little disappointed but he just bowed his head in acceptance and walked down the hall back to his own room in the palace.

The next day was way too bright and happy for me to be. This was the day that Grit's funeral was being held and the princesses had spared no expense for their old friend. The ceremony was being held in the great hall where large events like plays and large state dinners would normally be held. The past couple days, after the news had spread, ponies from all over Equestria had arrived in Canterlot for this event. It was supposed to be sad and somber, as a funeral for such a great and respected pony should be, but the weather was just too beautiful for my taste.

“Never thought I would hate sunshine and rainbows so much.” I said in the depressed tone I was becoming far too used to in the past several days.

“I don't know, I think it provides a soothing and upbeat ambiance. This would be way too depressing to handle otherwise.” Jackpot just had to ruin my depression. “Wheres Enyi?”

“I don't know.”

“Well why not? I mean weren't you two hanging out all day yesterday?”

“We weren’t hanging out, we were doing stuff.”

“Ooh, I see, naughty naughty!” Jackpot shook his head in a mock sense of disapproval.

“Now's not the time for jokes.”

“Aww come on, somepony needs to lighten up this drab event, why not me?”

“Its supposed to be solemn and respectful.”

“Well I'm gonna respect Grit by doing my civic duty and cheering some of these b-e-a-utiful mares that have gathered here.” he took a quick glance towards the podium where princess Celestia and Luna were both standing and watching the crowd of ponies gather.

“I don't think they would appreciate your kind of humor.” I said noticing where he was staring.

“I've heard Celestia there appreciates a good laugh, among....other things.”

I just stared at him with that look of, oh my gosh what did you just say, etched on my face(I would never tell him I did laugh a little on the inside...just a little).

“See, it's cheering you up already!” he smiled as though he had accomplished something amazing. Jackpot drew out his wings and darted away no doubt to annoy random ponies with inappropriate jokes and not so subtle innuendos.

I just shook my head as he flew off, “I don't need his kind of crazy today.” I turned my head towards the main stage where the coffin had been placed. I didn't really know if I wanted or if I even could go up to see him. I felt my legs shaking again and my body unable to move just like when I saw the Pyth for the first time. Hundreds of ponies moved around me, some talking and laughing while others cried or simply stood there with sad looks on their faces. They were all dressed in black or other dark colors and once again I was reminded of the absolutely beautiful weather as the sun shone brightly in through the large windows which adorned the walls of the hall. I still did not like it.

“I wish to say, you look nice today.” said that unmistakable accent of Enyi. He was probably talking about the black dress I was wearing. It was nothing fancy, just a plain black dress that I had felt necessary to wear to the funeral.

“Thanks Enyi.” I said as I turned around to see my Zebra friend standing there wearing one of those collar only suits that sometimes passed for fancy dress at parties. “You also look nice.” I felt obligated to say back although as he was barley wearing anything he looked pretty much like his normal self (which admittedly was still not that bad).

“I was unsure about this collar here, but you ponies seem to like dressing up for things like this so here it is.”

“It's respectful Enyi.”

“I see. Well then I am glad I chose to wear this.”

“I think Jackpot was looking for you.”

“Do you know why?”

“No, he just asked but I didn't think to ask why.”

“Oh well, it is probably not important.” Enyi took a look up at the stage, “Were you going to go up and see him?”

“I don't know.”

“I think you should.”

“I know I should but, I don't think I can.”

Enyi took in a deep breath, “Here, I will go up with you if that will make it easier.”

“Thanks, that would be a big help.”

Enyi walked right next to me as we neared the stage. My legs began to feel like jelly as I slowed down the nearer we got to the coffin. Enyi, thankfully, saw this and with his own hoof, held one of mine as he helped me up the stairs and onto the stage. The coffin was very nice(and probably very expensive) and there was Grit, laying on his back with his hooves crossed across his chest. They had him in a suit that covered most of his body and as I stared at him I could see why. They tried to hide it but his nick had several gashes in it and looking at them started to make me a little sick. I started to shake as my body and mind tried to process what exactly I was looking at. I knew it was Grit but I had never really seen a dead pony before and to see a dead pony that I had known and admired for years was utterly heartbreaking and sickening.

“If you need to go, we can go.” Enyi whispered in my ear.

“No. I need to stay here for a few minutes.”

Enyi backed up a few steps as I stood right next to Grit. I didn't notice right away but I was starting to cry as I looked at him. Many of the ponies in the room began to look up at us as they began to realize who I was. They began to whisper amongst themselves and I could hear the faint echoes of, “poor dear”, and “what will she do now”.

As I stood there I felt a gentle touch on my back. A soft and feathery wing came over me as I looked up and saw none other than princess Celestia standing above me. I grabbed her in a hug and just began to cry all over again. I couldn't stop for well over fifteen minutes. Enyi then took me and helped me back down off the stage and out of the hall and back into the palace courtyard.

“Enyi, I can't let them get away with this.”

“I know.”

“We need to do something.”

“We will.”

“I don't care if nopony will help us, I just can't sit here and do nothing.”

“Ivory, I feel the same way.”

I was not just sad anymore. I was angry. After seeing Grit up close and what they did to him I was just angry. I wanted this Goldie Grail to pay and I wanted her bosses to pay.

“I need to make them pay for what they did.”

“You must be careful Ivory, I understand why you feel the way you do but you should not talk like that.”

“And why not?”

“I do not think Grit would like to hear you like this.”

“He was trying to do the same thing!”

“Yes but he was able to remain calm and come up with a plan, I think.”

“Yeah, what exactly was his plan?” I asked myself.

“I do not know but he did think some information that was held at Numnah might help. Yet I do not know if he found it or not.” I really wanted to tell him now but I still didn't know enough about what was going on to go blabbing about Grit's plans.

“We need to find Jackpot.” I said.

“I did not see him at all as we were leaving the hall.”

“He didn't seem too eager to stay when I talked to him. He probably did leave.”

I turned towards the exit of the courtyard and proceeded to slowly walk out and back into town.

You do not wish to stay for the service?”

“No, not now.”

*****

I really didn't think Jackpot would stay for long at the funeral so the place he would go to was pretty obvious. It was around lunchtime so he would definitely have gone back to Cider Joe's. Enyi was a bit reluctant to be dragged along but he still went with me.

“So, any fond memories I should know about?” Enyi whispered into my ear in a cheeky tone I didn't think he had.

“Wait, what?” Luckily it was at that moment Jackpot crashed in from up on the roof of the building. This time he was wearing several necklaces that each held one of the flask bottles he liked to carry around with him.

“Oh, hey there guys.” he said from the ground.

“Having fun?” I asked him.

“I'll have you know I do that a lot.”

“Fall off roofs?” Enyi said walking up to help Jackpot up.

“Yes.”

“It is commendable that you freely admit that.”

“Well you know, honesty and all that stuff.” Jackpot said as Enyi helped him drag himself up from the ground, his brown coat and blond mane now covered in dirt.

“Hey Jackpot, we really need to talk about what Grit was planning more.”

“Speaking about Grit, how was the funeral thing, seems a bit early for it to be done.”

“We left before it really got started.”

“Why?”

“I just...needed to talk to you about what we need to do.” I think Jackpot understood the slight undertone in my voice that screamed out how I was just too uncomfortable staying there.

“Well then, before we do that, Some of the guys in there wanna talk to ya Enyi.”

“Me?”

“Yup.”

“Why?”

“Go in and find out.”

Enyi looked at me with a slight bit of concern in his eye, “Don't worry, they’re pretty harmless.” I gave him a little smile.

“Very well, let us go and see what they want.”

“Sorry but I gotta go show Ivory something quick, we'll join you back here later.”

Enyi cautiously entered the bar as Jackpot waved him on with one of those innocent smiles that you can usually tell hid some secret agenda beneath it.

“What do you want to show me?”

“You all right to head back to Grit's house?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well the guards are done cleaning and 'investigating' so I was wondering if you are ok to go back there?”

“I guess.”

“Good!” he said with a smile, “Cuz I think yer gonna like this.”

*****

Standing in front of the house I had lived in for years should not have been this difficult. I had walked up these steps thousands of times and gone through the house just as many. But now was just the memory of seeing Grit laying there on the floor with his blood seeping into my hooves and...

“Hello, Earth to Ivory, you there!?” Jackpot's voice yelled breaking me out of my mental trance.

“Huh?”

“Here, take a swig of this, it'll help.” Jackpot snapped a flask off of one of his necklaces with his wing and shoved it into my hooves.

“This stuff again, really.”

“Just a bit, you don't need to drink the whole thing ok.”

I sat there thinking about it for a few seconds, “ok.” I said as I used my mouth to open the cover and then slipping the opening into my mouth I bent my head back and allowed a healthy dose of the burning cider to slide down my throat before tilting my head back forward.

“This...cough... it's terrible...cough” I sputtered out as the cider seemed to almost burn my throat.

“That's how you know it's working.” Jackpot said as he pushed me up the stairs to the front door.

Jackpot flipped his wing out and began to punch in the buttons on the security pad that sat on the wall next to the door.

“Hey, how do you know the code anyway?”

“Grit only gives the code to his house to friends and I was his friend so that's how.”

Grit did not like many ponies knowing the codes to his house(obviously) as there were many valuable things in it(not to mention he always liked privacy).

“What did your friends at the bar want to talk to Enyi about?”

“You'll see when we get back, it's kind of a present for the both of you actually.”

“Really?” this piqued my interest a little.

“Yeah but right now this is more important.”

“Ok, if you say so, but I can't see what could be so important in here, I mean I know pretty much everything that's in this house.”

Jackpot just opened the door and trotted inside prompting me to follow. I entered the main living room doing my utmost to keep my head pointing forward towards the stairs and not to the left where the first floor study was. Jackpot seemed to noiselessly float up the stairs as I quickened my pace to both follow him and get off the first floor.

“Hey Jackpot!” I shouted after him, “Why didn't we just take Enyi with us here, I mean he should be here when we talk about what to do next!”

Jackpot landed up on the third and topmost floor and stuck his head down the stairs that I was still climbing, “You'll see in a second!” he shouted back down.

When I got to the third floor, Jackpot was leaning against the door th Grit's room. He slid the door open when he saw me and waved for me to follow him into the bedroom.

“Jackpot, what are you doing?” I asked with the proper amount of caution that this situation seemed to be warranting.

“Oh don't give me that, just come in.”

I entered the room and saw Jackpot standing next to the right side wall, scanning over it closely with his face.

“What are you doing?”

“What Grit told me to do. Aha!” Jackpot slammed his hoof into a specific spot on the wooden wall and the panel of wood that sat there pushed aside. I stared as he slid out a suitcase from the hole in the wall he had just created. Jackpot opened the case and pulled out Abila's helmet, the bracelet, the book written in the ancient script as well as a rather old looking journal.

“That's where he put those.”

“Yeah, and luckily those royal guards didn't think to do a more thorough look through of the house.” Jackpot picked up the helmet and the bracelet in his two front hooves and handed it over to me, “Here, put these on.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

I first took the bracelet and slipped it onto my front right leg, then I slid my head right into the helmet as Jackpot held it up for me. The effect was not as noticeable as last time although thats probably because I wasn't in intense pain but I certainly did feel a slight rush of energy flow through me once the helmet slid onto my head. And just like last time the crystal on the bracelet began to glow as it grew to cover my entire forehoof just like last time.

“Man, that's cool.” Jackpot said as he stared at the grown bracelet.

“Yeah it did this the last time.”

“Yeah, I was playing around with this while you were moping around at the palace.”

“Well the helmet certainly seems magic. It also seems to power other magic things like the bracelet here.”

“And judging by the condition we found the Pyth in, I'm guessing the bracelet is some kind of weapon.”

“Good guess Jackpot.”

“Well I'm not a total idiot.”

I picked up the tattered book and flipped through a few pages, the helmet also seemed to make the reading go a bit faster with the extra energy it provided me.

“This here has some notes on translating the script in the book!” I said excitedly. Finally! Something I am good at!

“So, I'm guessing that book there is important.”

I immediately opened both books and flipped through them both at a speed that surprised even myself.

“There is still only a little bit here from Grit but...I can understand a few of these symbols...I think.” I said while still flipping vigorously through both books. “This book here is the journal of Abila, I at least recognize her name written at the beginning from the symbols written in her tombs at Numnah.”

“So, you got the book and the helmet from there?”

“No just the helmet, I stole the book from A.I.”

“Stole? Well well well, Ivory Star, and here you were chastising me for stealing while you were doing the same thing. For shame.” Jackpot shook his head in mock disappointment but I was still too busy flipping through the books to notice much.

“Grit has some stuff in his journal about what he was planning on doing.”

“Yeah yeah, I read that bit.”

“Lets see here, he wanted to use this book to locate six relics....then..... keep them away from...Sable?” I took a look at jackpot, “Who is this Sable Granite?”

“He's one of the family heads.”

“No need for vagueness here, tell me more.”

“Well, they don't really have a name for the organization as a whole but Sable Granite, or a pony just going by that name, was one of the two family heads of the ponies who took over A.I.”

“I'm guessing there used to me more than two?”

“Yeah, the Ponyfire Club that Grit and the dragon took down was headed by a third but when I worked for them they still referred to Sable one of the two heads.”

“Why didn't you tell me about him earlier?”

“Well I never actually met him and he tends to be very hooves off so it just slipped my mind.”

I continued through Grit's journal, “He mentions....Goldie!” I suddenly lost my concentration as my teethe clenched at reading her name. I suddenly felt angry again and confused as to why Grit would mention her. I kept reading, “Lets see here, it says Goldie suspects him of not being loyal and so he decided to bring...you along Jackpot.”

Jackpot just sighed, “Goldie always was clever....cute.....but clever. A bit too sadistic also.”

“You didn't...did you?” I said with a little shock on my face as my face grew that I can't believe you just said that look on it again.

“Well I tried but like I said she turned out to be way too crazy for me.”

I just shook my head and got back to reading. After a few more minutes of flipping through both books I finally found what I was looking for, “From what Grit figured out about the script and from what I'm able to read, it seems he was looking for six different artifacts to keep them away from this Sable Granite and his friends. He wanted to use Abila's journal to find them...he must have been happy when he found me with it... and then he would use them to seal something away.”

“Seal what?”

“I don't know, he didn't translate what exactly it was but he did want to keep it out of Sable Granite's and Goldie's hooves.”

“So I guess he wanted the journal to try and find these artifacts, hence the notes on translation.”

“Right Jackpot, but I think I can actually figure it out on my own from what Grit has here.”

“Well now, I knew you'd come in handy for something!” Jackpot said happily.

“Whats that supposed to mean?” I scrunched my face up a Jackpot in disapproval.

“Nothing.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Look, I know your good with the brainy stuff. Grit told me what you were good at so I'm just using you in the most effective way possible.”

“Using me!?”

“That came out wrong.”

“Yeah it did!”

Jackpot stuttered around trying to think of a way out of his predicament when I spotted something interesting in Abila's journal.

“Jackpot, shut up and listen to this.”

“Oh, uh, sure thing.” he said, grateful for the break.

“This might be a little off but it looks like the last thing Grit was working on translating talks about Abila's friends.”

“Ok, and that's helpful how?”

“It says there was a Griffon, Buffalo, Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth Pony and....”

“And what?”

“An Alicorn.”

“Wait, you mean like the princesses?”

“Well, I can't tell what the name was but I think I know some of the others.” I lifted my hoof up to my face to look at the images carved onto its side. Sure enough the same races mentioned in the book were the same ones carved onto the bracelet.

“You think they're connected?” Jackpot said as he peered over my shoulder.

“It does seem pretty obvious.”

“Well then, all you have to do is use that journal to find out where we're going and all I gotta do is find some money so we can actually afford to go there.”

“Wait, what?”

“Oh yeah, I'm pretty much broke and I doubt Enyi has any money we can use so until then we pretty much can't afford to travel anywhere.”

“Well, Grit was able to pay for our last trip so I should be able to just find money the same way right?”

“Please, ponies were lining up to give him money and no offense but I don't see you having the same effect.”

“Well thanks for the confidence.”

“No problem!”

“That was sarcasm.”

“Whats your point?”

“Never mind.” I just sighed and closed the two books.

I set the books back into the box along with the helmet. The bracelet proved rather difficult as while it was in its extended state it seemed pretty attached to my hoof.

“We should go back to Joe's now Ivory.”

“Yeah, Enyi must be starting to get worried by now.”

“Yup, wouldn't want to make him too jealous after all.”

I blushed a little and began to speak quickly, “I meant that we've just been away a long time and with what just happened I wouldn't want him to think we were in danger or anything.”

“Oh, I'm just teasing you. But your right, we should get back before he starts to think that. And remember, don't tell him about the helmet yet.”

“I know Jackpot, apparently we do need it for something after all.”

Jackpot grabbed the suitcase in his mouth and shoved it back into its spot in the wall before setting the wall board back into place.

“I don't want to lie to him either but I've known enough Zebras in my life to know that this would really piss him off.”

“I know alright!”

“We'll tell him at the end of all this, once we have all of these relics and when we finish translating that little diary there we'll be good to go, ok.”

“Jackpot, I know.” it still didn't feel very good.

*****

It was getting kind of exhausting, walking around the city so much in one day but when preparing for something big it is better that you have everything you need beforehoof. This became pretty evident when I finally got to see the present that Jackpot and apparently the other bar ponies had put together for us.

“Well, whaddya think. I'm pretty proud of it myself!” Jackpot said proudly.

A fully(mostly) constructed obstacle course built in the lot behind Cider Joe's. It was complete with all the state of the art amenities that random ponies with no building experience could get. It had the barrel dodging section, several walls for leaping over, that part with tires your supposed to jump in and out of and more, it had it all.

“This may or may not help with the whole scaredy pony thing but a little strength and speed training might just save you in case we run into any more giant monsters or evil overlords or whatever.” Jackpot said with his usual cocky tone.

“Wow, this is cool!” I looked over at Jackpot, “I gotta say thank you, this is just really neat.”

“Naw, don't mention it. Really, you'll be a liability if you can't fight so really this is more for my own safety and well being than yours.” I knew that behind his ego he really did care though.

I looked over to the side and saw Enyi laying down in the shade of Cider Joe's panting heavily with several of the bar ponies waiting around him and congratulating him on making it through the full course.

“Decided to start without me eh Enyi?”

“These...ponies...were very....insistent....that I....try it out.”

“He really needed the workout and besides, we wanted to make sure it wouldn't collapse and our new friend here made the perfect guinea pig!” A rather chubby Earth Pony Stallion who was sitting down next to Enyi shouted out.

“Plus we've never seen a Zebra before, he's so exotic and handsome and really cute when he moves!” A far too clingy Pegasus mare who was also laying down next to Enyi just had to point out.

“So Ivory, wanna try it out?” Jackpot stepped aside and waved his wing towards the course.

“How can I say no.” I said as I trotted over to the line that marked the start of the obstacle course. “Before I start, I get why Jackpot wanted to build this thing but why did you guys help him?” I asked the ponies laying down next to Enyi.

Cider Joe himself walked out from the bar and said, “Jackpot here is my best customer and your a friend of his so when we heard about the trouble you was going through we all decided we wanted to help you out a bit.” all the other ponies hanging around nodded in agreement.

“Wow, really?”

“Yeah, plus Jackpot said he'd pay for most of it so it wasn't any trouble really.” I guess that was why he was broke.

I turned my attention to the course set in front of me. The first hurdle was the tire jumping section and being an Earth Pony, I had excellent hoof-eye coordination and was able to get through it with only one small trip up. There were two rope swings in front of me that I had to grab onto with my mouth, climb up(because why not) and then swing across(Here I fell a couple times). The next obstacle was a series of three jumping walls that proved little difficulty(naturally strong hooves) but I still hit the top of the walls with the edges of my hooves. After those was a full on climbing wall, it was about four or five times my height and very basic but it was enough. The next part was a series of panels with barrels hanging from the top I had to dodge my way through followed immediately by a low tunnel I had to crawl through. I hit a few barrels and didn't suck fast enough for the tunnel, resulting in me hitting my head on the top but I kept on going. A balancing bridge rose up a few feet and that was pretty difficult(mostly because of the hit to the head I just took) followed by some elevated stepping blocks I had to jump from block to block to pass. The last bit was an inclined ladder that once I clambered over I finally reached the finish line almost as exhausted as Enyi.

“Not bad but we can make it harder, I'll make a note to add more stuff in later once I have some more money.”

“I don't know jackpot that was...” I stopped to breathe a bit, “a pretty good course.”

“Well, if we all run through it a few times a day I think we could all stand to improve a little bit.” Jackpot said as if ignoring my comment.

“I think it is plenty hard!” Enyi shouted out from his shaded spot near the building.

“Well Ivory, now that you've warmed up a bit, it's time for the final bit of the course.”

“Oh by Celestia's silk stockings what is it now?”

“Sparring.”

“With who?”

“Me of course.”

“Wait a minute there! You want me to fight you after I just tired myself out in this course thingy here and your all fresh and rested!?”

“Wait here one minute.” Jackpot had assumed his cocky voice once again.

He then quickly flew up to the starting line and shifted his body into a ready position, “Watch this.” and at those words he burst forward into the course. The tire jumping was obviously nothing for him, he used his wings here to provide himself with lift as he effortlessly hopped from one to another in rapid succession. The ropes also proved no challenge as he easily grabbed on without even needing to use his wings as he climbed up and swung across in only a few seconds. He only needed to flap his wings a little to bound over the jumping walls and the climbing wall also proved easy for him. His agility proved equally as impressive as he dove in and out of the panels and hanging barrels only grazing against one for a split second. For the tunnel he quickly straightened his body out as he glided through it only touching the ground at the exit to straighten himself up. The bridge and the blocks were, that's right you guessed it, pretty easy for him as well(I swear, Pegasi and those wings of theirs). The final ladder he didn't even use his wings for as he simply hopped up it with seemingly no difficulty and reached the finish all in just over a minute.

“There, you happy?”

“Showoff.”

“We use our strengths and once you build up some of that earth Pony strength, you'll find it just as easy in time.”

“Well, you did the course so I guess I can't complain.” I shrugged as I said this, accepting that if I still wanted to be like Grit eventually I would need to know how to survive the rigors of being an adventurer.

“Wait one minute Ivory!” Enyi shouted out.

“What is it?” I said turning to Enyi.

“Your hoof!”

“Oh yeah, Jackpot and I figured out how to get this thing to work!”

“I remember what happened to the Pyth, maybe we should practice using that as well.”

“Good idea!” I turned to jackpot, “We should definitely try that next.”

“Agreed, but for now I want to see what I have to work with in the case of your fighting ability.”

Jackpot and I both turned to face each other, he still had the cocky look on his face that I was now growing accustomed to as he took off the necklace of flask bottles. He knew I had practically no actual fighting experience so this was probably for my sake as well as his. He had wings and from the obstacle course I had the distinct feeling he would use them if he felt he had to. So for now I would consider it a win if I could force him to actually try against me instead of outright beating him in a fight which I probably couldn't do. I knew that he had been on many adventures and therefor had more experience than me, especially if half the stories he told me on the train were to be believed.

I stood there, staring at every part of his body that I could and judging by his past actions he would probably try and just blitz me head on first. This thought was soon proven correct as he charged forward on his hooves towards me. He was still surprisingly fast for a Pegasi that was not flying but luckily he started far enough away that I could at least react fast enough to jump out of the way. I did not get so lucky the next time as now he was in close with me and he used that fact to his advantage. He swiftly and in one move turned onto his front hooves and landed a simple kick on me with his back legs.

“Come on Ivory, that was an easy one!”

I staggered back as his kick landed on my chest, “Ugh!” was all I was able to say as my breath slightly left me. It took me only a second to recover as the kick was not that hard but Jackpot was already on me again.

Jackpot charged into me again but this time I thrust my head out in front of me and headbutted him straight backward. I tried for my own kick but I took to long and by the time I had turned and arched on my front legs, Jackpot had been able to distance himself enough so my kick only hit air.

“Not bad but if you want to use that move you need to be faster and more agile in order to actually hit somepony with it.”

Jackpot now darted around to my side and this time arched back onto his hind legs and pushed up and forward with his usual speed. I was also unable to dodge this and the hit from his two front hooves knocked me back on my flank.

I scrambled to get back up but jackpot was already running straight forward at me. This time I actually managed to use my legs to jump up and straight into the running Pegasi. He fell flat on his back as I tumbled forward past him onto my stomach. He had taken the harder hit and so I actually got up before him and thought it was now my turn to charge at him. I was starting to pant a bit and was getting a little tired but I pushed on straight into Jackpot. He, on the other hoof, was waiting for this and in a quick hop vaulted over my head and pushed down his hooves right onto my back and threw me to the ground as he landed on his hooves.

“Ok.....that's enough.....I'm down.” I said as I panted on the ground.

Jackpot trotted back up to me with only a couple beads of sweat on his face, “Come on now, that can't be all you got.”

“I'm more of a sit in a room and read kind of pony and right now that's pretty much all I got.” I said as I slowly rose up only to sit back down and rub my now sore shoulders and chest.

Cider Joe walked up to us with a tray of rainbow colored drinks placed on it. He put them down on a small table that was set out next to where Enyi and the other ponies had been watching us.

“Here, this should help get some energy back.”

“I think I shall get stronger, if I stick with plain water.” Enyi said as he politely refused.

Cider Joe left to go get some water as Jackpot and I trotted up to the drinks.

“You'll like these Ivory.” Jackpot said as he wrapped his muzzle over one of the glasses and gulped down the rainbow colored liquid.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Oh Just try one.” Jackpot said as several of the other ponies got up and guzzled down one of the glasses each.

The drink certainly looked palatable and the rainbow coloring gave it that happy sunshiny kind of look the would entice anypony to want to have a taste. My own personal curiosity took over and with the knowledge that enough of these would help me to cope with the traumas of the past several days I eagerly grasped the small glass in my mouth and tilted my head back letting the hot liquid slide down my throat.

“SPICY!” I yelled as I wagged my tongue out of my mouth and slid my hooves on and off it in an effort to cool my mouth down.

Jackpot just started laughing as I frantically looked around for something to cool my mouth down. I saw Cider Joe walking out with Enyi's water and quickly ran up and wrapped my mouth around it, guzzling down the cool and refreshing water.

“It's...not...funny!” I panted out in a huff and Jackpot just stood there and laughed, taking another swig from the flasks he had previously set down.

Cider Joe just stood there confused for a second as he stared at the empty water glass, “I'll just go get another one then ok.”

“It's made with real rainbows ya know.” Jackpot said as he continued to snicker at my discomfort.

The coolness of the water quickly faded and my mouth was back to burning but this time Enyi made sure to snatch his water before I could get to Cider Joe as he re-exited the bar. Luckily he had actually brought a tray with some milk on it to help cool my mouth down.

“Don't worry Ivory, I'll just add this to Jackpot's bill.” he said with a wink and a smile.

“Hey!” Jackpot yelled in protest.

This time it was my turn to laugh and I took full advantage of it as Cider Joe trotted back into the bar with his own devilish smile on his face. The rest of the quickly fading daytime was spent running Jackpot's little obstacle course again and again. By the end of the day I managed to improve my time by a few seconds with Enyi lagging a little behind me. He was proving to be a bit more agile than I could be but my own slightly superior strength kept me in the lead overall.

The next day promised to be a bit better than the previous one. Cider Joe let me spend the night in one of the few spare rooms he had in the back of his building. Jackpot apparently had already rented one out for himself on a semi-permanent basis so it was no big deal to prep another one. Another big improvement was that Jackpot actually got me some slightly more tolerable drinks to try and a few that were even good tasting. It had the effect that I felt a lot happier and more energetic than yesterday and was willing to work on my time more on the obstacle course. Enyi also made a few seconds more progress but after only a few runs decided to return to his room in the palace to pick up some personal belongings he had brought with him.

While Enyi was away I decided to take another crack at the two journals and their translations. Jackpot was kind enough to get them for me but he of course left the helmet in its hidden wall position. Enyi seemed to definitely take his time so I was just more than happy to sit in a small corner try to decipher all the little bits of language Grit had already worked out. When Enyi did finally get back he came with a bit of a pleasant surprise with him.

“Ivory!”

I looked up from my very pleasurable reading experience to see what the very familiar accent calling out my name wanted. Jackpot looked up from the booth he was napping in as well to see what our Zebra friend was uncharacteristically yelling about.

“I found a pony who wants to talk to you!”

“Wait, what!?”

“Yes, he seems to be a member of that club you like so much.”

“An A.I member?”

“Yes, he..” just then a Pegasus with a white coat and silvery blue mane walked in through the bar door.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“Um, yes...I don't know if you remember me at all but..” the pony said in a slightly quivery voice.

“Oh yeah!(I suddenly remembered) Your name was Glitter something or other(ok maybe not).”

“It was Silver, Silver Chaser.”

“Oh yeah, the pony from the library(nailed it!), I remember now.”

“Well the first thing I wanted to say is that I'm so sorry about the members only section thing. I didn't think it would get you in trouble and I'm so sorry.”

“What trouble?” This seemed to intrigue Jackpot and even Enyi perked an ear up at this.

“NOTHING!” I said, quickly running up to Silver and making sure he didn't tell anypony about having to be dragged through A.I like some common criminal.

“And the second thing was..” Silver seemed to recede just a little at my outburst there, “That I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to Prof. Stratum. I heard that he was a very good friend of yours and I just felt that I should say something and I was looking for you at the funeral yesterday but there were too many ponies in the way and you disappeared so suddenly..”

“Breathe Silver!” I said as he had started rambling by that point.

“Oh, right, sorry. But um yeah I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help or whatever, I mean that I've been a member of Adventure Incorporated for about seven years now and well in that time because of my particular position I uh.. have been given access to information that uh.. might help you to find out what happened to Grit.” he smiled after that most likely to give off some confidence as everypony in the bar was now starring at him.

I took a quick look at Jackpot and he seemed to understand, “What information and what exactly is this particular position of yours?”

“Well uh, you see..”

“Wait, did you say your name was Silver Chaser!” Jackpot suddenly blurted out.

“Yes.”

“I've heard of you.” Jackpot shot right up.

“You..you have?” Silver seemed actually kind of surprised there.

“Yeah your that fancy money...donater...” I could swear I saw several explosions of happiness go off in Jackpot's eyes.

“Um yes, I have funded several little trips in the past few years.”

“So you got money is what you're saying?” Jackpot was getting that look in his eye that a pony gets when when they think they have a good idea.

“Well, I've always loved history and artifacts and ancient legends but I've never really been the adventuring type, but yes I actually run a very successful shipping and delivery business and have used that money to help out other ponies who have shown to be more...physically inclined.” he seemed very proud of himself when he mentioned his own business.

“So you're saying you got money?” Jackpot was way to enamored with that fact.

I gave Jackpot a stink-eye but he was way too far gone to notice. I at least wanted to get us back on track, “You said that you had access to some information that could help us?”

“Oh yes, well you see because of my position as a funder I was um...how do I put this, uh I was asked to do some things I really wasn't very comfortable with by some of the ponies who seemed to run A.I.”

“Have you ever heard the name Sable Granite?” I asked.

“The name was mentioned in some of the meetings they made me attend yes, why is he important?”

“Have you ever heard the name Goldie Grail?” just saying her name actually got me mad again.

“Heard it, I've had the unfortunate displeasure of meeting her several times.”

I slowly went and sat back down in my seat, “Where, when?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes it does.”

“Well it was right after I joined and she was sent to um 'escort' me to the meetings I had with some of the higher ups.”

“Jackpot here thinks she was the one who killed Grit.”

Silver looked over at Jackpot and back at me, “Well she didn't seem all that pleasant to me but to do something like that.”

“Seven years ago huh, that's about when I was working with her.” Jackpot said from his seat.

I took another look at my books and the bits Grit had already translated. Silver trotted over as he had spotted the extended bracelet that still had itself covering my foreleg.

“What is that?”

“It's the bracelet you saw me with last time but apparently it can get a little bigger.”

“And those books your reading...is that Pre-Celestial Script!”

“You know it?” I said looking up at Silver.

“Know it! It's practically a hobby of mine. I have several pieces with this ancient writing on them at home in my personal collection.”

“Do you know anything about it?”

“Well...no but I have hired multiple linguist ponies in the past to try and decipher it. They never got very far but if that is your goal I could lend you what notes they took on it.”

“That would be helpful, thanks.” I said with a smile.

Jackpot pushed his way into our conversation, “So, you say you like to fund adventures huh.”

“Well I do seem to make a habit of it yes.”

“Well then, let me tell you of a golden opportunity coming up in a few days, right Ivory.”

“Oh yeah, with Silver's notes I might have something useful from this journal in a few days or more.”

“Well, if I can be of help I will. And of course if you tell me the full details of the trip I can get you hired by whatever A.I branch is in the area for the recovery of any artifacts which would net us both a nice profit if you are successful.”

“Sounds like music to my ears!” Jackpot said happily, “Lets just step into my office and have us a little chat on the details while Ivory sorts out more about what we are actually looking for and where we should go to look for it.”

The next several days went by very fast. Silver did indeed provide some notes on translating the script and while Grit's were better there were some snippets I managed to get from them. The work went by even faster once Enyi started to have a look at the notes. Jackpot gave some faces behind Enyi but I looked over it with him and he had a surprisingly few good insights on the language.

“Language isn't my specialty but I have seen these runes before.” at this he stopped at gave that suspicious kind of look, “This book has the name of Abila on it.”

“Yeah about that.”

“This was hers!” Enyi suddenly pushed his way past me and just shoved his face in front of the book, scanning over it with vigor, “Why do you have this?”

“We found it at Grit's house, it seems he was using it to find the location of a series of artifacts he wanted to use to stop those bad ponies from doing...something.”

“Why did he not tell me of this?”

“I'm sure he had his reasons.”

Enyi definitely seemed a little apprehensive about this and he suddenly became rather clingy about the journal.

“Enyi we need this. We need to translate this if we want to get revenge for Grit and stop these evil ponies from doing whatever it is they are doing!”

“This should be with my people, this could reveal so much we do not know.”

“Well then help me translate it so we can use the information for some actual good.”

Enyi took another look down at the book and then back at me, “Very well, but I would like to keep the book myself when we are not using it and when we finish this I will be taking it with me back home.”

I took a quick sigh of relief, “Thank you Enyi, I know this is important to you but we do need this for right now.”

With Enyi and myself working on it the work went by a bit faster and by the end of two days we had several pages translated or at least what we thought was translated. Jackpot came by a few times and confidently ordered drinks with the assurance that he now had some money on the way. Grit's and Silver's notes were helpful but they only went so far and even though we could now read the first several pages many of the words were...I don't want to say guessed but more like inferred from some other words we could identify. Luckily several important ones were readable. The important parts of the first couple pages read more or less like this:

News [comes] so slow out here. Whisperwind(same letters as the picture of the Pegasus on the bracelet) has died [recent(ly)] and her fame is such that the news has even [reached] out here. [They] say she was laid to rest [upon that piece of land] she found in the [big water] (ocean?) on the west coast. A palace of cloud that would shield her from view and protect her great treasure. This news makes me sad and I will miss the [gifts] she used give so [free(ly)] to us.

“I guess Whisperwind here is our first goal.” I said to the group.

“Yes but It does not give much as to her location.” Enyi answered.

“You say it mentions some kind of island or other on the west coast right?” Silver put in.

“Yes, it does seem to say that.”

“Well in the Luna Bay there are several large islands that could be the place.”

“Those are more in the north right?”

“Yes but they could still fit the description.”

Jackpot shot up from his relaxed position in his new napping booth, “Well then we have our heading! I say we pack up and head out.”

“Well it's all we got right now so I say yes to that.”

“Same.” Enyi nodded in agreement.

And so with this new information, Silver backing us and a very Eager to get payed Jackpot I finally got to set out on this new adventure.