Ancestral Issues
Chapter 1: Dreams of a Unicorn


Twilight Sparkle's Research Journal – 31/5/1563

As of 23/5/1563, I have been suffering from a repeating dream (See original entry for full details). I have finally managed to find a reference to the pony most prominently featured in said dream. He is unmentioned past the year 496, and the mention of him I found is of a 'dark blue unicorn, who could craft words and pictures into the very air with but a thought' (See Appendix 308.7). With the resources in the library exhausted, I have arranged for the use of the Canterlot Archives, which should have records dating further back than my humble home.

"Hey, Twilight, do you have a copy of 'Shields and Banners: Heraldry of the Pegasi'?"
Twilight looked up from her packing to see Rainbow Dash hovering outside her window.

"Actually, I don't know, I've never needed it. Why?"

"I wanted to look something up, but I don't have that book at home. All my non-fiction stuff kinda got booted out in favour of technique journals and those awesome adventure novels you guys keep getting me."

Twilight shrugged and began going through her cupboard again.
"SPIIIIIIIIIIIKE!"

"YEAH?"

"DO WE HAVE A COPY OF 'SHIELDS AND BANNERS: HERALDRY OF THE PEGASI'?"

"I THINK SO. WHY?"

"CAN YOU GET IT FOR ME AND BRING IT UP HERE?"

"SURE!"

Turning back to Rainbow Dash for a second, Twilight smiled. "Shouldn't be too... Are you OK?"

Smiling weakly, Rainbow Dash nodded. "I JUST CAN'T QUITE HEAR PROPERLY AT the mom- That's better."

"Too loud?"

"Just a little." Rainbow Dash nodded. "Can I come in?"

"Oh! Sure! Don't close the window after you."

Rainbow Dash flew in, and took a seat on one of the few bare surfaces in the room. "So... What's all the mess about?"

Books were thrown in piles all over the room. Balls of parchment with frantic scribbles were chucking to one side, and next to Twilight was a pair of saddlebags that had been filled to bursting with parchment, quills and ink. Twilight looked around.

"You think it's a bit too messy?"

"Eh, maybe. It's a bit much for Rarity but it's not like I've not seen worse. At least it's in piles."

"True. Actually, it's a bit funny you came to me about history, because that's sort of what I'm looking into."

"Uhuh."

"You see, recently Rarity and I have been having the same dream – we only mentioned it by chance – so since my house is a library I decided to look into it."

"What was it about?" Rainbow Dash leant forward a bit.

"It's a bit odd... Wars against energy, a beast from the void, and then when it clears there are three figures. One of them, a unicorn, is at least in colour, but other than that we don't get anything. And then we wake up."

"Are you sure it's a unicorn?"

"Yes, wh-" Twilight stopped. "You too?"

"Yeah, except there's a Pegasus at the end standing underneath a banner. Don't know if Fluttershy had that one or not." Rainbow shrugged. "Haven't asked."

Twilight paused for a few seconds. "Could you go ask her while you're waiting for Spike?"

"Sure!"
Rainbow Dash zipped off. A few minutes later she came back, panting slightly.
"She had. Same as me, same Pegasus, same banner." The weathermare happily flopped down onto a pile of clothes. "I need a snack."

"Have some ice cream, we've got a tub or two in the freezer and once you've done that can you ask Applejack if she's been having funny dreams about an Earth Pony?"

Rainbow Dash nodded. A few minutes later, Spike brought a huge book up to Twilight.

"Here you go. Uh, why do you want it?"

"I'll explain when Rainbow Dash gets back." Twilight told him, pulling the book out of his claws. "She wasn't downstairs was she?"

"Don't you have any trust in me?"
Rainbow Dash clambered through the window and burped.
"Man that was a good lunch. Yeah, AJ had a dream like you said, Earth Pony all done up in fancy duds. Looked like something out of the pageant."

"Oh dear, this can't be good."
Twilight began slammed open the book on the index page and began checking the dates.

"What? What's going on?"

Spike and Rainbow Dash both run over and looked over Twilight's shoulder, getting a glimpse of the tail end of the index before the book was slammed shut again.
"The dreams must all be related. I'd wager that Pinkie's having the same dream as AJ, if a bit more random."

"Related how?"

"I don't know. Rainbow Dash, can you arrange time off for the next week?"

"Already booked it. Naps and hay fries all the way." Rainbow Dash said proudly, "Do you need my help?"

"If we're going to find any more out about the three ponies we're all seeing, then we're all going to need to head to Canterlot. Well, you me and possibly Pinkie Pie." Twilight looked around at Rainbow. "Because despite everything she's got a knack to find what we're after. Rainbow Dash, if you go and ask her about the dream and getting time off, then we can decide if AJ is definitely going to be a better choice. Spike, take down a letter;" Rainbow Dash saluted and jumped out of the open window, as Spike grabbed a quill, ink and parchment from one of the saddlebags.
"Dear Princess Celestia, although I had originally planned to come to Canterlot on my6 own, a recent turn of events has meant that two of my friends will need to come with me. Can you arrange for extra food and accommodation as appropriate? Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. And send it."

With a puff of flame, the roll of parchment vanished. Spike looked up at the pony he considered his sister.
"Is this going to be bad Twilight?"

"I wish I knew Spike. I really wish I knew."


Damn this chapter is short. Oh well, Canterlot ho for those three. Meanwhile, curious dreams, worrying children, and Pinkie Pie. Who knows what could happen.