Study Sessions (Part 1)

[sharpwit]

Golden Scales trotted along the ragtag group of creatures as they walked into the Royal Library, a familiar sight to him. He had spent many an afternoon in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns studying in the vast facility, sweating over the ancient tomes in preparation for the dreaded exam days. However, rather than bring comfort to the stallion, these memories only made Golden more anxious- the sharp contrast between the bustling library he knew from his training days and the haunting emptiness of the current environment brought chills down his spine.
Sharp's voice broke the unicorn out of his pensive thoughts. "You may have a point, Riptide. Agent White, do you happen to have any knowledge of temporal magic?" the Inspector asked, pointedly ignoring Golden.
The unicorn shook her head. "I'm afraid I'm rather specialized in my field, Inspector," she admitted. "Even if I did, I'm using most of the energy I have on keeping us concealed."
"Lovely," Sharp sighed, pressing his hoof to his forehead. "Very well, Primeval will just have to keep us posted on whatever she finds. In the meantime. I think we'd better keep to the subject at hoof. I don't suppose you could locate the Starswirl wing for us?"
Primeval nodded and focused her attention to the front. "Starswirl the Bearded Wing, ahead by 300 paces," she stated, moving forward almost mechanically.
Golden took the opportunity to trot up to the grey pegasus. "Sharp, what's going on?" the unicorn asked, exasperated. "First, I find you in your apartment with the strangest bunch I've ever seen. Then, you throw me out of the apartment and don't let me back in till the lot of you are done discussing whatever it is you've been discussing. Now we're here, and you still haven't given me a straightforward explanation, or even made eye contact!"
Sharp kept facing forward. "I'm sorry Golden, but perhaps its best you keep to yourself if you insist accompanying us," the stallion said flatly. "It's all very hush-hush, you know, very secretive. Things that you should keep out of, to be honest."
Golden growled in frustration. "For Sister's sakes, Sharp! You've been colder than a Windigo's breath these past few weeks! I've put up with it because I thought I could help you, but I'm starting to think that I'm mistaken!"
"Perhaps," Sharp said quietly, "it would be best if you kept out of my way for a while."
The older stallion's eyes grew wide in surprise before he turned away from his partner. "If you think that's best," he shrugged coldly. "I'll be with the rest of the platoon, if you need me."
Sharp didn't even bother turning around as his mentor began his calm trot back outside the library. Captain Jack, noticing this, flew up to the Inspector in curiosity. "Marital strife?" he asked teasingly.
"Very funny," Sharp snarled. "For your information, this is for Gold's own good. He'll be safer with the others. For all I know, I might have just saved his life."
A sudden slamming of the library doors made everyone turn to the front of the library to find Golden barricading the entrance. "Uh, guys? We have an issue here!" the unicorn yelled. "The changelings are on their way here!

(no subject)

[zervziel]

A library. Of all the places to go during a changeling attack, the Inspector wanted to go to a library. Sure, the pegasus's idea was solid and was quite frankly the best course of action that could be taken, but the kelpie couldn't help but find it funny imagining the doddering old unicorn hushing a swarm of rampaging changeling drones and soldiers as they ransacked the monstrous building for prey.

The fact I find that remotely funny probably isn't a good sign, she thought to herself.

Still it was interesting seeing the large amount of books the ponies had acquired. Her interest in perusing the texts was limited by her lack of knowledge of pony script. It'd be just as useless now as when she tried to read back in Ponyville. Still that did not stop the kelpie from stalking back and forth between the aisles, looking for anything of interest. After all, Sharpwit had said these books were technically Princess Celestia's.

As she cruised along, Riptide was happy to note the splinting of her wing was working well. Captain Harness had known what he was doing so Sharpwit's chair's sacrifice was not in vain. How long til it fully healed, she had no clue, but hopefully the fractured bones would begin to set soon. Kelpies were tough but not invincible.

Even now Riptide could still feel her other reminder of her mortality, the hole drilled through her leg by the Cyberpony weapon. Even though her outer shell had managed close up already, the covering was still thin and the inner portion was recovering much slower and would take longer to heal.

Eventually she circled back around to the group. "It occurs to me," she started looking at Sharpwit, "anything involving time is going to involve a lot of magic. Are those two up for it?" She gave the two unicorns in a the group a significant look.

Making the connection

[multaekappae]

He looked at his sister, brows furrowed. "What, now you have reservations?"

"Sh– shut up." Hualpa stuck her tongue out. "I'm just saying... maybe this isn't a good time to distract her... them."

"Oh for goodness sake, if you're scared, give it to me and I'll–" Atoc quickly drew his hoof back. He was fairly sure she wouldn't have really bitten him, but why tempt fate?

"If you're going to be a butt about it, we'll go ahead and do it now." The brown llama rolled her eyes. "And for the record I am not scared."
 

---

Snif, snif-snif, sniiiff. The diamond dog's nose snuffled and snorted as he turned his head too a fro, ears perked and eyes wide. 'So one was not mistaken...'

Caine Nine glanced down at the warrior griffon. "Err, it would be highly advisable for you to ... assume as relaxed a posture as you are able to?"

"What do you..." Ako's voice trailed off as two cloaked figures of differing height approached them.

Readings, part I

[multaekappae]

[Error: anomalous timespace readings registered]
[Query: conclusions?]
[Insufficient processor time available]

Primeval stood still, blinking as she seemed to stare off into space.

[Override: delay emotional simulation re-calibration. Load last known good configuration]
[Query: save destabilizing information?]
[Affirmative: quarantine until calibration is complete]

"Uh, lady, are you ok?" Silver Lining waved a hoof in front of the silver-suited proto-pony. He glanced at the others. "Seriously, doesn't this freak any of the rest of you out – like even a little?"

[Warning: behavior has been tagged anomalous]
[Initiating face-saving protocol]

"Aaah!" the purple eohippus shrieked.

"What–whoa!" The light gray pegasus backpedaled. "What the heck was that?"

"Oh," Primeval blinked at the ponies staring at her. "I was... um... distracted?"

"Distracted by what?" Primeval questioned, frowning.

"By..."  [Initial analysis complete]  "by ... what appears to be a temporal resonance."

"Wher... that is, when?" The Inspector inquired.

"Approximately twelve years forward in time..." The cyborg frowned, it was very difficult to specify information in the future. "There are other traces, but I am unable to determine their precise temporal orientation or origin at this time."