//------------------------------// // Paradise // Story: Remember the Moon // by Leviathan //------------------------------// I swiveled around to try and locate the source of the voice. I saw nothing but the grass and trees. I stayed tense; if I had learned one thing in my time it was that our innate instincts warnings were to be heeded. “You’re not even facing in the right direction.” The voice echoed behind me once again. I swiveled again. Something about the voice seemed off. Besides the fact that it was disembodied and demonic, I mean. “Show yourself, vile beast! We are not to be toyed with!” “Come now. If I revealed myself that easily where would the drama be? The suspense? But if you insist upon it I suppose I shall have to...” It was distant yet eerily close. The forest began to shake, the wind becoming more powerful and causing the grass to sway in an atypical manner. The trees started to reel, slowly at first, but then they started to whip back and forth viciously. A strange light appeared in the middle of the glade. It scurried around, sketching a shape out against the dark background of the forest. The guise shared vague similarities with that of a pony. The wind began to twist around the radiant sketch, making it appear all the more brilliant. The chilly Night air rushed across the grassy clearing adding slight frost to that which it passed over. The vines from the tree began to extend, like the tendrils of the mighty kraken, climbing towards the mystifying starlight mare. As the cold wind cut through the air it unleashed a shrill and intense shriek. It was as if a savage beast were screeching into the sky, yearning for blood. The whole of nature appeared to be bending around this figure, empowering its birth. Then it all ceased as quickly as it had begun. An empyrean character appeared before me. An alicorn stood before me. Her coat started from her head as a light green which gently faded into a browning orange as it came to a stop at her tail. Her mane bore streaks of the seasons. Reds, and greens, speckled whites, and fading browns marked the entirety of her long, free-flowing mane. Her cutie mark was that of a twig snapping as a single leaflet hung onto it. It seemed to move and breath as if it were alive. And perhaps it was. She held herself regally, poised in a way that showed her grace and beauty. Her body was mostly transparent, though. The only thing that could really qualify as real were her eyes. Her eyes were a piercing shade of icy blue that contrasted with her rather placid colors. Her pupils were dilated to the point where you could almost peer into her soul. They spoke of animosity and resentment. The bitterness and putrid vile within them caused my very soul to solidify. Seeing such a thing in nature almost caused me to break my composure. My mind worked at an increased pace trying to decipher what I was beholding. It was obviously in relation to an alicorn. Maybe it was a distant relative? No, only Celestia and I were alicorns. Could this be some sort of druid? No, their order has long since been extinct. Perhaps a spirit of the Forest? No, this place is far too disorderly to have any kind of guardian. Whatever this being was, it was to be looked upon with caution. I calmed myself and took on an expression of perfect calm, while in reality my heart was drumming against my chest at an impossible pace. “Does my appearance frighten you? Am I truly that intimidating?” I kept my calm and cool exterior, but listened carefully to the voice, terror filling the corners of my mind. “You cannot conceal yourself from me. Even if you do not show it outwardly, I can feel the fear emanating from you. I can smell it. Perhaps I shall be able to enjoy myself tonight after all! You shall provide me sufficient entertainment for tonight.” The amount of emphasis put on the word entertainment led me to believe we were not going to doing magic tricks. I Rainfall towards me with a hoof and took a small step back. Whatever this thing was, it was definitely malevolent. I crouched slightly, preparing to unleash a barrage of magic against the beast. Then I remembered a lesson Celestia had given me upon my return: diplomacy first, violence second. I cleared my throat and said, “Actually, my young companion and I will be leaving. We have much to do. So if you will please excuse us.” The apparition seemed to fade out for a moment then reappear. It wore a smile that did little to mask it’s sinister intentions. What did this thing want with us? What could this ethos of the forest want with us? “It wasn’t so much an offer as it was an indication of your future. And I think that ‘your’ companion would much rather stay here with me. I am akin to her after all.” I looked down at Rainfall who up until this time had remained still and quiet. I inched myself to her and guided my muzzle down to her in order to ask in a whisper, “What does she mean, Rainfall?” Rainfall stared at the ground. I bit my lip. What was Rainfall hiding? Who was this spirit? Why does she resemble an alicorn? Who was that dead mare on the glade (besides being Rainfall’s mother)? “Yes that is quite right. What do I mean? Perhaps Rainfall here does not even know herself.” It gave Rainfall a twisted smile then looked at me once again. “And you.” I stared into its ice-blue eyes. “You have stepped onto my territory in a barbaric attempt at taking it over. That is an act of war, and I do not take to kindly to acts of war.” Its voice was dripping with sardonicism. “So I suggest you prepare yourself, pony! Because right now I am so very, very hungry!” I would have to question Rainfall and this spirit later as it seemed quite anxious at the moment. This thing obviously did not know who I was. Otherwise it likely would have addressed me as Luna or Princess. That could be an advantage. Perhaps if I introduced myself in a dramatic fashion I could instill a bit of fear in the ominous presence. Ha, instill fear in a ghost. That’s a laugh. Sadly, it was all I had to work with as far as advantages were concerned. I reared back on my hind legs and let forth a surge of lighting from behind me. It illuminated me against the background of the pitch-black sky (sister was never very creative when it came to creating nighttime). At the same time I released my cloak which proceeded to transform into a camp of bats. My eyes were glowing with a stream of magic that encased my entire body and began to leech off the ground in a dark flurry of violet. My wings expanded, feathers hardly visible in the darkness. They still served make me seem more formidable. My cutie mark twinkled in the light. The ground began to lose color near me as I poured more magic into my spell. The entire glade became covered in frost. I used a variation of a common spell to make my voice sound loud and foreboding. “Behold! We are Luna! Princess of the Night, Raiser of Planets, Mistress of the Skies, Slayer of Nightmares!” The spirit grinned maniacally, and cackled as if I had told a joke. “How so very fortunate for me! Not only do I get to feed, but on a Princess no less! The power you discharge is so...succulent. This will be a meal I shall savor! For a few seconds anyways.” I fell back to all four hooves but did not let my appearance fade, nor let my voice lose it’s thunderous quality. “Who art thou to talk of us in such a manner!?!” The spirit faded and reappeared again with a face of mock shame. It seemed to become a bit more solid the longer we chatted. “Oh, yes. How very rude of me to not have introduced myself sooner. I am the voice that whispers you, urging you to perform unspeakable acts. I am the force that drives you to suffering. I am the force that feeds upon the essence of your glorious hatred; germinating from it like a seed. I am your sorrows, your fears, your rage. I am that which lusts after a non-existent quintessence. I am that which guides your nightmares. I am that which shuns both the Night and the Day. I am that which shall absorb this world. I am...well frankly, I do not know who I am besides all that. I am the embodiment of this forest, so I suppose you can call me after it.” It never raised its voice, not once, as it spoke. That was what truly terrified me. I recomposed myself once again. I seemed to be doing that quite a lot recently... So, this being was Paradise Grove then? Well that was one question answered. Now to move to the next. “And what are your plans?” “We have spoken enough, pony. I grow weary of your questions. En Garde!” The spirit charged towards Rainfall and I, but I had prepared myself. I drew Rainfall even closer towards me and unleashed a teleportation spell. We landed somewhere in Paradise Grove. I had tried to teleport the both of us out of the forest but some kind of energy kept me locked within the forest. Rainfall and I were still trapped with this monster. We would have to find somewhere to hide so that I could properly assess the situation. Perhaps I could question Rainfall as well. “Hide and seek is it? One of my favorite games. I am ever so good at it. Especially when the playing field is MY forest.” I gathered myself and took my bearings of the surrounding area. There was some brush nearby, perhaps that could make suitable arrangements? No, this spirit exercised quite the control over the elements, so it would not be hard to blow simple brush away. We could hide in the trees; maybe then it would overlook us. No, again it was in control of the elements. I could cast a camouflage spell on the two of us. This seemed like a good option, but I still had no idea the extent of Paradise’s power. If it could control the vegetation it might also be able to feel it. Which would render camouflage redundant. My eyes then fell upon a cave. Perfect. It was not a part of the forest. I shuffled in urging Rainfall to come along. She had her gaze fixed onto the ground as if there was some unknown point that only she could see. We traveled to a point deep in the cave and sat down. I turned to Rainfall, who seemed surprisingly unaffected by the ordeal, and asked, “What exactly does your mother have to do with all this?” Her ears dropped and she gave me a dejected look. “I don’t want to talk about her...” “Why not?” I was confused by Rainfall’s response. Logically, there was but a few ways out of this scenario. And the more information I had the better. “I-I-I just can’t, okay?” Tears began forming in her eyes. She was shaking. I placed a hoof around her much smaller form and shushed her. “Do not fret, Rainfall. It will all be alright. I promise. Would you like me to tell you the next part of my tale?” I didn’t know what that being was. I didn’t know what it wanted with us. I didn’t know how it came to be. I didn’t know what the dead mare had to do with anything. All I knew was that this filly was upset. My friend was upset. That I could not stand for. “O-o-okay Princess.” She sniffled. “I’d love to hear it.” She leaned against me. I pulled her into a tight hug. “Well then let us begin...” ___ When I woke up I was laying on Luzear. He was still crystal. He was still dead. I stared at him for a moment more. I could not cry, though. I was out of tears. I looked towards the sky. The black haze which had disturbed the atmosphere was gone. I suppose Luzear’s death did hold some good fortune. I took to the skies void of emotion. The world was cruel and unfair. Luzear had to die. My subjects did not love me. The Night was ignored. The world should expect no less from me. The dark seed which had originally just been a pang of jealousy sprouted within me and blossomed at an extreme pace. I could feel myself ebbing away and I didn’t even care. No, actually, I embraced the darkness. I took comfort in it. I knew then that I could not expect the world to bend to me. I could not expect it to love me. I must force it upon it’s knees if I were to achieve anything. I took to the skies and flew towards Canterlot. On the way I heard several voices shouting praise such as, “Oh, thank you Celestia! You have saved our livelihood!” Some were so bold as to shout at me and say things such as, “Princess Luna! Please thank your sister for us all!” It just fed the void within my core. There were many who shouted praise for I, Luna, but in my bitterness I drowned them out. I kept flying, my entire body boiled by the strong forces of hatred. I arrived at Canterlot within a few hours. It was twilight so I knew exactly where my sister would be. I trotted towards the balcony/observatory where my sister was. I crept forwards while trying to decide what I wanted to say. I reached the balcony and saw my sister standing against the sky, her mane flowing freely, and her horn glowing in determination. She was raising the Moon. I came up behind her and coughed loudly, so that my presence would be known. My sister’s horn ceased to glow and she turned towards me. Her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing me. “Luna! You’re back!” She dashed over to me and nuzzled my neck. I did not return the gesture. “Naturally.” My tone was dry and cold. My sister brushed off my tone and spoke. “What happened out there?” “I got rid of the dragon.” She moved her analytical eye over me. “That can’t be all.” “Why not?” “You were gone for days! The haze cleared soon after your departure but your whereabouts were unknown. I sent multiple search parties looking for you, but they all became lost and ended up outside the forest. Even the pegasi.” Her voice was laced with concern. “After I disposed of the dragon I became weary and rested.” Celestia’s look of agitation did not cease but she held her tongue. “Fair enough. How exactly did you dispose of the dragon? I’m sure my scouts would have seen a dragon flying away from Equestria.” She thought for a moment before her eyes widened a bit. “Oh, Luna...you didn’t kill it did you...?” “No. It had crashed into Mount Carebina and suffered a fatal wound. When I arrived at the scene it was only moments away from death.” “Did it say anything to you, Luna?” Celestia had a look of curiosity engraved on her visage. I did not wish to tell Celestia of the discussion I had with the dragon. “No. The beast could hardly breathe when I got there, let alone form sentences.” The lie burned my throat. It did not feel right to put a veil around Luzear as I did, but I liked knowing something my sister didn’t. “I see. That is quite unfortunate.” She let out a sigh before continuing. “That being you refer to as ‘beast’ was a living creature, Luna. It was an intelligent being that could feel. Do not act so cold and detached from the situation.” Celestia’s tone bore just the slightest hint of annoyance. Which in turn, annoyed me. My rage threatened to unleash itself. “You were not there. You did not see what I saw. Perhaps detaching helps me cope with a situation... Did you ever think of that? Hmm!?!” Celestia was not thrilled with my attitude. “Maybe if you had gotten there sooner you could have eased it suffering. It doesn’t sound like you are coping so much as you are just an apathetic witch!” “Are you accusing me of slacking off!?! I am Princess Luna! My loyalty is to my subjects and Equestria. I do not practice negligence.” The last bit was hissed out. I had lost control of this situation. Celestia glared at me. “You are right. You are definitely not the type to neglect her duties. But you’re the type to take it to the extreme. I wonder if you really did find the dragon injured? I wonder if it’s injury truly was from natural causes or if you just happened to find violence easier than diplomacy?” Her words stung. And the reaction to any sting is pain and aggression. Or death if you have an allergic reaction. “You think hat I killed that...dragon?” The thought dug into me like a needle. “You claim that I have lied to you? How dare you. How dare you accuse me of an action so vulgar! How dare you say that I enacted a murder out of a simple urge! How dare you judge me! I sat against the mongrel as it faded into death. There was not much else I could do!” I was crouched down, unable to mask my fury. My horn glowed with a threatening indigo light. Our conversation was quickly escalating and there was no way of telling where it would go. My sister’s was in a similar position. She had to calm herself before saying, “Perhaps you should go to your room, Luna. You look weary after your journey and in need of rest.” She faked a tone of worry. Or at least, that is how I saw it. “I can raise the Moon tonight. We can chat later...” I did not take to the idea very well. “You cannot order me around, Celestia. We are equals. Your tricks in diplomacy are well known to me so do not ever think you can manipulate me. I shall head to my room, but do not think it is due to your influence.” I kept my eye on my sister and backed up until I felt myself hit the door... “I am Princess Luna! I bear three of the Elements of Harmony! I am loyal not just to Equestria, but to every living creature! You would best do well to remember that, Celestia.” I turned and pushed past the door with my telekinesis. In that moment I had decided to hide the conversation I had with Luzear. Instead I let my sister continue on, ignorant to the truth. I did not feel that she deserved to know it in that moment. That was a selfish error on my part really. When Luzear said that the truth should not, and could not, be hidden, he spoke the truth. It is a powerful thing that we must always look too... I exited the observatory and stomped towards my room. I cannot believe that my own sister thought I would murder another being. Not only that, but she thought I did it out of indifference. Or, perhaps she thought even worse. Perhaps she thought I killed something for the pleasure of it. The seed of darkness within me flourished. My mind was filled with vile bile. When I neared my room I felt a powerful aura vibrating from it. I flung the door open and headed towards the mirror. I grabbed the lens and dashed down the hidden passage. I ignored the long hall; I had one goal in mind, opening the black door. I found just what I was looking for. The door stood tall before me, glowing with it’s unique aura-sucking power. “Why are you here?” The question echoed through the hallway. My fury blinded my thoughts. This question was so vague, yet the door wanted so specific an answer. In my heart of hearts I knew the answer though. I was ready to answer. “I want knowledge. I want respect. I want power. I want revenge.” The door creaked and opened letting forth a gust of air as it did. It’s decorative markings started to slide down the side of the door like paint. They pooled together and moved into the shadows beyond the rim of the door. I watched as the black door faded to that of a tattered wood frame. I gulped and walked through the entryway. I had not actually expected the door to open, just for it to merely repeat the phrase it had so many times before. An abstract and shady tone pierced the extensive room. In a gutteral voice that seemed to fade in and out of existence I heard a faint yet noticeable noise. It said “Welcome Home.” I took a few tentative steps forward. I kept my senses alert and stood at the ready to defend myself. After all, I did want to become a victim of some sort of horrible trap. However, no tragedy awaited me. As I walked further into the abyss it seemed to become even darker. Shadows danced across the walls, fading through the passage. I was able to make out the features of the area. Near me there was a solitary table with a note and a book atop of it. I approached it, curiosity mingled with caution, and picked up the note. Dear Luna, I am glad you have finally joined me. I was beginning to grow impatient. If you look around you shall notice a large selection of books. I can teach you a great many things. You just have to be amenable to knowledge and vigilant. Yours eternally, The Library of the Night P.S.- I have lain a guide on the table in case you find yourself confused as to what to do. Memento Luna... I was stupefied. How could that note have been here? The black door had sealed off everything. How could it be addressed to me? It simply wasn’t possible. Who or what was the Library of the Night, and what did it have to do with any of this? It was rather dark in this room and for some odd reason my night-vision was not working. I wished that the room would lighten up a bit. Not a second after I thought that did the library react. I looked around and the dark and recondite corners of the room began unveiling themselves to reveal shelves upon shelves of books. I gaped as the entire room brightened before my eyes. I did not question the library I just let my curiosity take over. Books, after all, were my best friend. It appeared the supply of books was endless, stretching on for miles. For me it was a dream. An endless supply of knowledge lay before me, and I stood to learn so much. Imagine the worlds of thought and imagination in this place. Then I looked at the table again. That one solitary book sat there and I figured I had to start somewhere. I sat at the table and levitated the book towards me. The title read, “Library of the Night: A Reference Guide.” I opened it up to the table of contents. A chapter was circled in a thick red paste that had coagulated. It was not ink. Chapter 13: The Library of the Night - Page 89 How do I use it? How does it work? What are the limits? I flipped to the specified page number and read. According to the book all I had to do to get access to a volume was think of the name of the novel or a subject under which it falls and voice my want. Then it would appear to me, along with several books that fall under a similar category. This type of magic is unheard of. It goes beyond simple voice recognition and is actually able to pick out the book you want without any sort of effort on your part. I was doubtful to say the least. So, being the inquisitor I am, I naturally tested the claim. “Please bring forth a copy of “Magic: The Basics.” I waited and nothing happened. I felt a bit smug in my knowledge of how impossible the novel’s claim was. That was, until the entire library started rotating, that is. The cloak of shade encasing the library began to fall away. A creaking noise ripped the atmosphere and faint traces of dust appeared along the base of the walls. Then the room began to gyrate around me as if I emitted my own gravity blister. Walls gave way to shelves full of books. The book shelves formed a semicircle around my position and just spun and spun and spun. Eventually, they slowed down to reveal a new set a shelves in front of me. One of the books was pushed off the shelf and hit the floor with a soft thud. I edged towards the hardback, mingled feelings of curiosity and dubiety inundating me. I levitated the book upwards as I came closer. It came up to eye level with it’s spine facing me. I slowly spun it around in order to decipher the cover. I feared what it would say. The cover read: “Magic: The Basics.” I could not hold in a gasp this time. I lost my control over the book, and it crashed into the shelf. I could not believe that which I had beheld. It just wasn’t possible. It simply wasn’t possible. How was it possible? Magic of this sort would take an incredible amount of power. No, an unreal amount of power. Still trembling, I noticed a slip peering out from the binding of the spine. I levitated the note over to myself. It flew at a rather inconsistent pace as I was still shaken by the my experience. I grabbed the note with my hoof, unable to hold it steady with my magic. The paper crinkled and cracked as it unraveled. Dear Luna, I would prefer if you actually appreciated what I offer rather than attempt destroy it. So, perhaps we should try replaying this little scenario? Yours eternally, The Library of the Night I stood clutching the note, frozen in time. This place saw me hurl that book. It knew what I had done. It had constructed a way to communicate with me. It was self-aware. Where in the name of Tartarus was I? What one place could do all of this? No, this wasn’t a place. Not at all. Places cannot think. Places cannot feel. Places cannot see. Places cannot speak. Places are not intelligent. Places are not sentient beings. Where ever I was, it was not a place. It was self-aware. There was a nip in the air, which at first thought seemed to be a draft, but that was impossible. There was no wind. It was as if this...thing...was breathing. This was a conscious being... Magic such as this had to be ancient, there were no recordings of it in the Royal Library or the Private Archives... I thought for a moment. I had to tell Celestia of this place. It was far too mysterious to keep hidden under-cloak. Not anymore, at least. I was not easy to frighten, but at that moment I was positively terrified. I cocked my head, frantically searching for the door from which I had entered. My eyes locked onto the tall wooden frame about thirty meters behind me. I reared up and swiveled; I frantically galloped towards it. There seemed to be another being with similar thoughts. A dark shadow was passing through the room and bearing closer to the entryway. I increased my pace. The shadow did the same. I tried using my horn to teleport towards the door, but I found that my magic had somehow been disabled. In a desperate attempt I spread my wings in a wide arc, letting them flow freely. I propelled them downwards and back and rocketed towards the door. CRASH!!! I sat, Dazed and Confused before a sizable, blackened door. It was thick and heavy, bearing the same intricate marks as it had previously. The clutches of the shadow had reached the door before me. I was trapped. I was trapped in a living library, that seemed to be able to control shadows, disable magic, and cause things to mutate and shift. Brilliant. It was a masterful stroke on my part, coming into a hidden place without telling a soul. Just pure genius on my part. What would become of me, then? Would I be dinner for a library? How ironic, considering how much knowledge I have been able consume due to libraries. But I could not afford to think that way. I stood, my body still aching from the force of impact, and inspected the door. It was tall and black, that was not very helpful. The knocker was a decoration and sat pasted onto the wall. The door had no handles. Correction: it had handles but they were painted on. “That is quite an unpleasant, and rather unusual, joke. I am not impressed Library of the Night.” I spoke in a whisper, because my words had been more meant to calm my own nerves than actually meant to address the library. My magic was still useless. I found that now I could not even perform a simple flash spell. I investigated the door for quite some time before I gave in. If I was going to escape this place it would have to be through means other than forceful extraction. The only other option I had was...diplomacy. I turned back to face the enormous library. It seemed ridiculous. Her I was, about to reason with a library. But this place had already proven itself capable of thought and understanding speech, so perhaps there was some hope. I might even earn the respect of some other living-being. “You wouldn’t mind if I left would you?” I kept my tone calm and cool. On the small table I had previously occupied a note appeared. There was no flash of light, nor puff of smoke, it simply popped into existence. I trotted towards it, trying to look graceful and tranquil, but angst had wrapped it’s mighty coils around me. I was alert to say the least. I sat at the table and tried to levitate the note towards me. It worked. Apparently the only magic I could use was limited to levitation. The Library of the Night had set it’s constraints and now I had to follow them. I was not a Princess here. No, I was merely a subject, a game. The note unfolded with a short message. Dear Luna, I am a library. Perhaps you should find your answers within books, not within doors. Books are so much better at being doors than doors anyways. Yours eternally, The Library of the Night P.S.- Memento Luna... I slumped back. The Library of the Night had me and I could do nothing to stop it. All I could do was read. ___