The Strange and Secret Life of Lumen Sky

Chapter 1- An Unexpected Visitor

-Twilight-

     It was a little early for a walk but today was different. I was about to run a very, very important test but I had broken my last stirring rod (which by the way are glass) and I really did not want to bother Celestia, Luna, or anypony else for that matter, so I went out to get it myself. I also was just a little tired of being inside my castle. So, I left around seven o'clock and strolled down to town not knowing where I was to get the rod because Celestia usually took care of that. I ended up almost to the edge of town when I saw a small shop boasting its sale of lab glassware. I strolled over and opened the door and entered the slightly musty shop. I heard a bell and I looked up and saw the bell several inches away from the edge of the door frame. I noted that and wandered through the aisles of glass trinkets and apparel. There were many different statuettes and only those in a row were the same shape but none had the same paint or color scheme. This shop was starting to make me doubt the sale of lab glassware. 

     I eventually reached the front counter where a rather odd pony sat blowing a small glass statuette. He had a grey coat, a brown mane and tail, had a small build, and was wearing a welding mask. He sat in front of a torch spouting a beautifully violet flame behind a small plexiglass shield where a small desk stood with all kinds of tools used for shaping the glass into shapes.

"How can I help you?" he said without looking up. That was when I realized he was a unicorn because he was sitting next to three identical torches where more glass art was being made. It was surrounded by a very violent blue hue and both were very similar to the one the the young stallion was crafting.

"How can I help you?" He said again.

"Oh, yes. Do you have any stirring rods, the glass ones?" I asked.

"Yes, how long, 20 centimeters or 30 centimeters?" I noticed the arid smell coming from the glass that was burning as he crafted.

"How about 30?"

"Sure, that will....." He looked up and lifted the visor on his mask to reveal two very large brown eyes. I was surprised that he knew I was standing there without looking up and how he almost melted the glass statuette when he looked up. He said, "You are Princess Twilight," as he came around the front of the counter and knelt. "I am very sorry your majesty."

"Oh it's fine." I replied, very boggled by this young stallion that had just gone from completely inattentive to very alert.

"Let me go get you your rod." With that he disappeared into a back room and started rummaging around.

"Might I ask, what are you going to use this for?"

"Oh, just a test I was going to run," I absent-mindedly replied as I looked around the shop just taking in all the strange things he had on display.

"Hmmm, sometimes I will do a few myself when I have the time." Came his muffled voice from the backroom.

"Do any involve this," I said, pointing to a beaker of purple liquid perched atop a shelf as he emerged.

"Gaaaaaa! Don't touch that!" He shouted as he placed the parcel he had on the counter and rushed over.

"What is it? Is it part of an experiment?"

"If I tell you, do you promise not to tell anypony, even your friends," he said as he hastily whisked the beaker off the counter and into the air looking at me with his wide eyes he greeted me with.

"Why not my friends?" I asked, wondering why he would say that.

"Everything I do that is not part of my shop is extremely top secret. If word got out I would either have a museum or a notice to vacate the premises on Celestia's orders. I really don't want any of those. I can see if your friends are ready with time, if you want, but you must make the decision."