#ruby oasis

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

( @ask-tirek-the-dude​, @straightarrow201​, @askbananapie​, @ask-the-out-buck-pony​, @askdaisydandfriemly​, @askstar-catcher​, @bluethunderandtwistflowerrpblog​, @askdj-timelord2​, @grim-dash​, @necroponyprince247​)

While Keira and Discord’s interview continued, the dance hall in the castle started to fill up more and more. The room started to feel even more lively than before and the guests were having their own fun while other preparations were being made.

Where there was empty spots in the dance hall, Pinkie had fired off her party cannon to help add some finishing touches to the decorating.

Pinkie: What do you think, Smoozie? Think they’ll like this?

The Smooze jiggled and bounced a little, a sure signal that he was sure they’d approve of the decorations. Pinkie giggled in response, clearly thrilled with the Smooze’s response.

Elsewhere in the hall, Keira’s aunt Desert Iris and Moon Dancer were talking about flower arrangements and meanings.

Desert: I thought the roses would go best on the tables. It might be generic, but roses have always been considered romantic and I’ve always thought they were beautiful nonetheless.

Moon: I agree that they are beautiful. And though they may be generic, they are very symbolic. The rose has always been a symbol of love, just as red has been viewed as a romantic color. I applaud you on your flower choices!

While every pony was working to set things up, Ruby Oasis and Pearl Star had a conversation about Keira’s deceased father, Lost Legacy.

Pearl: I know I should be happy for my daughter, and truly I am, but I also wish Lost was here to see Keira now. He would have been so proud to see her in her like this.

Ruby: I know Lost would’ve been through the roof to see her now. I can betcha wherever he is now, he’s practically crying tears of joys. I vote that we all celebrate in his stead. I’m sure his spirit would go on peacefully knowing we show his pride through our actions.

Pearl: I believe you’re right about that, Ruby. And you know, I think now more than ever is a time we should all be happy.

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

From Desert Iris’s house, the group walked to the train station. Rainbow Dash insisted on taking the train so she could plan out her report to Twilight when she got home. As they waited for the train, they could hear some pony calling for them. When they looked, they seen that Ruby was running towards them.

Ruby: Oh, thank goodness! I was able to catch up to you!

Keira: Ruby? Is ever thing alright?

Ruby: Oh, just fine! I forgot to give you something before you left!

As fast as she could, Ruby dug through her saddlebags and pulled out a book.

Ruby: Here we go! This might help you some. It’s your father’s photo album from when he was young. It was at my house for some reason, but I thought you should have it. I happened to find it when I was doing research last night after you left for Iris’s. I’m sure your mother would be incredibly shocked to see it!

Keira: Wow! That’s amazing! Thank you, Ruby!

Keira hugged Ruby once again. As they hugged each other, a distant train whistle could be heard. The train departing for Ponyville was on its way.

Discord: I really hate to cut this short again, but it looks like we’ve got to be on our way now.

Ruby: No, I get it! I just had to get that to Keira before you left. Well, you all have a safe trip home! And good luck on your report, Rainbow Dash!

Rainbow: Thanks! I’m pretty sure I’m going to get it right though.

Keira: Good bye, Ruby! And thanks for everything!

Discord: So long! Farewell!

Ruby: Catch you all next time!

( @askdj-timelord2 , @nerdy-rainbowdash-crushes , @asktheelementsofinsanity )

While on the train ride home, Keira and Rainbow Dash discussed what Rainbow should give to Twilight for her report while Discord was off exploring the train carts again.

( @falliblecrowd75, @askinsanejack , @glapplebloom , @ask-fireandrose , @chance-of-chaos , @ask-princess-kate, @ask-suey-suicide-pony-blog , @applejack-and-daxter )

Once back in Ponyville, Keira, Discord, and Rainbow Dash got off the train and tried to figure out what to do next.

Keira: Well, Dash. Ready to give that report to Twilight?

Rainbow: You know it!

Keira: Discord, could you do me a favor and take my bag back home? You don’t have to hang around for Rainbow Dash’s report if you don’t want to.

Discord: Oh, no. I’m going back home for sure. And consider your bag taken! I’ll see you when you get home.

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

Ruby: But even so! This is great! We got something going in the right direction!

Keira: Yeah! That’s a least good. I did come to you looking for some kind of answer after all.

Rainbow: Awesome!

Discord: Indeed! So where do we go from here with this new bit of knowledge?

Ruby: I might have to do a little more looking into it, but if I’m not mistaken, there is likely a place you have to take the talismans to get this wish, right? So the most I can tell you to do is focus on finding that last one and I’ll tell you where to go with them once you find them! Keira: I think I can do that! Thank you so much, Ruby! Rainbow: Yeah, thanks for not making research so boring! Ugh, if we had to do this with Twilight, she’d just go on and on and on about Celestia knows what! Discord: Please tell me you’re not about to do that...

Ruby couldn’t help by to laugh at the disgusted faces of Discord and Rainbow Dash. Something about their expressions really tickled her. Ruby: No, no. Of course not. I used to be like that until Lost Legacy would constantly give me an earful about it. In any case, I’m just glad I could help you, Keira. Helping you with Lost’s final discovery makes me feel like he’s here again with me!

Keira: And I’m so glad you’re here helping me. I don’t know what I’d do without your help!

Happily, Keira and Ruby Oasis hugged each other.

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

No pony was sure how long they had been researching though some books that Ruby had selected, but eventually, Ruby Oasis finally shot up happily.

Ruby: Ooh! Now what have we got here?

Discord: What? What is it?

Ruby: I think I found a lead on what could happen with those talismans your dad was collecting, Keira!

Keira: Really?

Rainbow: Awesome! What’d you find?!

Ruby: Ah, hold on. Gotta find my place again... Ah! Here we go.

Discord, Keira, and Rainbow Dash immediately turned their attention to Ruby.

Ruby: Now according to this book, there’s some kind of ancient scripture that goes to say... Well, why don’t I just read it.

Ruby cleared out her throat before reading what was written in the book.

Ruby: “And to whom may find the tokens of the gods and goddesses of old, thou will be blessed with a wish. These tokens shall be seen by those who reflect the hearts of the old rulers above. Such trials will not be simple to overcome. Many a personal sacrifice will be made, but to those who show a selfless heart, a wish of transformation will be granted.”

Discord: Intriguing... I know a lot of old characters like that, but that text sounds like it’s before even my time.

Keira: Personal sacrifices? Old rulers? Do you think it has to do with the old gods and goddesses mentioned in the book my dad wrote?

Ruby: Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. There are lots of old cultures that have higher powers like that.

Rainbow: But can we be sure that it’s the same one that’s being talked about? I mean, what if that was to a different one altogether?

Ruby: I’m almost certain that the text is referring to ancient Neighjing. Like I said before, there weren’t many ancient civilizations that had tokens or anything close to the talismans.

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

Some time later after researching a little bit more, Ruby was in her studies writing a few notes down while Keira, Discord, and Rainbow Dash were getting ready to leave. Just before they were leaving, Ruby stopped them to give Keira a note. Ruby: Alright then! This is what I found so far. I’m going to see if there’s anything else I can find in my other books, but I made some notes for myself to I have something to look back at. Keira: Thank you so much again, Ruby. I wouldn’t be anywhere in finding things out without you.

Ruby: Oh, I had a wonderful time with helping you out. Don’t be afraid to come back again, alright? Same goes to you, Rainbow Dash. You’ve been a delight to get to know.

Rainbow Dash smiled at Ruby’s compliment, excited to know she was welcome to come back whenever.

Rainbow: Thanks, Ruby! You too!

Ruby: You all have a safe trip back to Desert’s now, alright?

Discord: We will. I’ll make sure of it. So long for now, Ruby. Now, allow me!

With that, Discord snapped his fingers and he, Keira, and Rainbow Dash were teleported to Keira’s Aunt Iris’s house. Ruby was about to go back to do some more studies when a thought came across her mind.

Ruby: Oh, shoot! I should’ve given her that book before they left! Maybe I still have a chance. I should see if I can catch them at the train station!

When Discord had teleported Rainbow Dash and Keira to Desert Iris’s house, they had caught the group eating lunch together. Keira let them know that they were getting ready to go home to Ponyville. Every pony met in the mudroom to say their farewells.

Arid: It was good seeing you again, kiddo. Stay strong. And Dash, next time you get the chance, I want to see some old Wonderbolt things. I don’t care if it’s books or articles of clothing. Just don’t steal them, alright? Rainbow: I think I can do that! It’d be awesome to come back to show you what I find!

Timber: Keep an eye on my cousin Keira. Alright, Discord?

Discord: Always.

Desert: You all be safe on your way home now, alright?

Keira: We will! Thank you for everything, Auntie Iris.

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

After Discord disappeared to go take a nap, Ruby took Keira and Rainbow Dash to a quiet room where she did most of her research. Rainbow: This looks just like Daring Do’s house!

Ruby: Well, it’s probably not as neat or as tidy, but it’s a room. It certainly isn’t the same kind of organized as her dad’s house, but-

Rainbow: You knew Daring Do’s father?! That is so awesome!

Keira: You never said anything about that! How did you meet him?! Ruby: Well, he was a guest speaker at the college and he selected me and your dad to study under his wing, so to say.

Rainbow: No way! How cool is that!

Keira: Sounds like you were in luck!

Ruby: Yes and no. I was honored that Daring Do’s father wanted me and your dad to learn from him, but he was a bit... uh, hard hoofed. Especially when it came to studies.

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

Keira smiled at what Ruby had told the two.

Keira: I know every pony would say that I’m like my dad, but I never knew I had that much in common with him.

Rainbow: That’s actually pretty awesome. Wonder if we’ll get to go on an adventure together sometime?

Ruby: I wouldn’t doubt it!

Ruby: Now then, back to the researching! Uh...

Ruby Oasis looked around for something and sheepishly looked over to Rainbow Dash.

Ruby: Uh, Rainbow Dash. Can you help me find a book behind you? I kind of need it for cross referencing.

Rainbow: Um... Sure? I think?

While Rainbow Dash tried to look through the books for what Ruby needed, Keira walked close to Ruby and spoke in a hushed voice. Keira: Are you sure this is a good idea? I don’t want to sound rude, but Rainbow Dash isn’t really good with books. The only book I’ve ever willingly seen her pick up was a Daring Do book and even getting her to read that was like pulling teeth. Ruby: Don’t worry. I kind of got that feeling from being around her. I’m sure this will be fine. It’ll be like her own strange adventure.

[ask-pastkeirastarlight-discord]

Keira: Really? How so?

Ruby: He was very particular about how we analyzed our artifacts. Any time me or your dad missed a detail on an artifact, he would lecture us about how important it was that we never missed anything on an artifact. Then after the lecture, he would make us write at least five pages about how one mistake like that could lead a lifetime of misinterpretations.

Rainbow: Wow... Never would’ve expected that from Daring Do’s dad...

Keira: Oh, right! I nearly forgot that that I was here for something.

Keira used her magic to pull the case of talismans out of her saddlebag and set it in front of Ruby Oasis, who immediately started to look at the talismans.

Keira: Here you go! When I got the case from Zolton, there was already four of them in there. I found three of them and I’m not sure what might happen once all eight are collected. I was hoping you could help me out.

Ruby: Amazing! By the way, you mentioned something about a book you found in Canterlot that your dad wrote?

Keira: That’s right. I found it in the Canterlot Archives some time ago since I wanted to see if I could find anything on them.

Ruby: Do you have it? Can I see it?

Keira: Yeah, sure! Hold on.

Keira used her magic to pull the book out that her father had written and placed it in front of Ruby, who wasted no time opening in. Carefully, she nudged the talismans to the side and started to read.

Rainbow: Uh, does this happen often?

Keira: What were you expecting? A band of thieves to bust down the walls? Of course this is normal! Ruby and my dad were close friends and I’m sure she’s very excited to read about his findings!