Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms
Chapter 8-Seeds of Corruption
-Canterlot Archives: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return-
"Master Starswirl, art thou still awake?" A hooded unicorn asked as he entered the historical wing of the archives. Books filled the shelves that encircled the room. There were books from all different periods of Equestrian history that surrounded the two ponies in the room. The works in the wing represented the Discordant Period, the Pre-Equestrian Age, the Rise and Fall of the Alicorns, and many other epochs. In the midst of these timeless tales, a single white-bearded unicorn sat at a square wooden table in the middle of the room, a large book open before him. His dark blue fur was illuminated by the silver moonlight that shone through the large windows in the room. On the lone unicorn's shoulders was a flowing multi-shaded blue cape that displayed the stars and moon and brass bells adorned the hems. On his head was a large wizard's hat that showed the same nocturnal designs as the cape, on which were many bells on the brim that jingled as he turned his head to see the hooded visitor.
Starswirl the Bearded regarded the hooded pony with deep purple eyes. "I am not yet drowsy, my dear Clover. There is still much that needs to be studied." He said, his old age making itself apparent in his speech.
The hooded pony threw back the hood to reveal a grey-furred unicorn with light green eyes. Clover the Clever gave his teacher a concerned look.
"But, Master, the day hast been spent well with these tales of old." Clover said, waving a hoof at the books around him. "We hath gathered much knowledge of the ancients as it is. Let us retire to each other's bedchambers and continue with our studies in the morn."
Starswirl turned to face his student, a determined look on his face. "My student, when thou hast gotten as old as I am, thou tryest to answer all of life's questions. Everything thou hast lived in thy life, thou question it in reflection. Such is the way of the universe. The older thou become, the more thou can look back and ponder. So no, Clover, I shall not be going to my bed any time soon." He said, turning his back to Clover and resumed reading.
Clover bowed his head. "My apologies, Master. If that be the case, I shall retire." He said, turning around and began walking back out of the library wing.
"Clover." Starswirl calmly called his student, his back still facing his student.
Clover looked back. "Yes, Teacher?"
"No need to apologize, my pupil. Thou hast many things to learn, but there is no need to apologize for being young." Starswirl said, turning his head to see Clover, a slight smile on his face.
Clover replied with a smile. "Thank you, Teacher." With that, Clover left the library wing to go to his bedroom. Starswirl watched as his student walked down the hall, making a right down one of the many tall white corridors of the archives.
Such youth. The old wizard thought. To be that young again, still with the knowledge I hath learned. Such is desirable, yet an impossibility. He thought with a sigh. There was so much to learn, so much to study, yet so little time to do it. The travel from his tribal homeland to Equestria had taken a large toll on his studies. After Clover came back with the tribal leaders telling of a new land where the three tribes could live in harmony, he was ecstatic to learn and study the new land. However, the trip took longer than expected. Being instructed by Princess Celestia herself to organize the mass exodus to the new land had greatly decreased the amount of time he could have used to study. However, this did not stop him from learning a great deal about the new land once he got there. The mountains, the valleys, the waterfalls, the land's fertility… there was so much of it to be observed, charted, and studied. With Clover's help, he was able to gather much information about the new land. Now he was old and advanced in years, spending his days in the newly constructed Canterlot Archives. There he studied from dawn until dusk, researching with his student and conversing philosophy with any pony looking for a debate.
He grinned as he looked back on the past. Memories, ponies, and events flashed in his mind as he reflected. He let out a content sigh, knowing that his life was well spent. He looked down at the book and continued reading the book, "Happenings and Strange Events".
Starswirl's eyes narrowed at the passage.
There is one pony, however, that has been seen throughout all eras of pony history. Where this pony was found, darkness soon followed. Somewhat of a prequel to the Discordant Period, chaos and evil reigned wherever this pony went. Questions began to form in the unicorn's mind as he continued reading. Not many ponies witnessed this strange alicorn, but any that did could only remember one feature. The alicorn's eyes were a bright yellow with slit pupils. All other details differ between accounts.
Bright yellow eyes? Where have I seen that description before? Starswirl wondered as he closed the large book. He slowly got up from the table and made his way to one shelf that was categorized under the words Supernaturals. Starswirl browsed over the titles of the books that stood on the shelves before him. Eventually, his gaze settled on one unnamed book in particular. It was a bright white book with gold bindings that sparkled in the moonlight. Wait. How long has that book been there? The wizard pondered. He'd never seen that book in his library before. Strangely, Starswirl felt called by the book, begging him to open it. Think of the knowledge that lies in this book. Starswirl's ear twitched, he could've sworn he heard something.
If it gives me information on this yellow-eyed fellow, then I shall indulge this curiosity. He thought Starswirl's horn glowed a bluish tint and the book levitated off of the shelf as he carried it to the table from where he came.
The blue magical field around the book dissipated as Starswirl released it from his magical grip. The book lay on the table, displaying a bright pearl embedded in the cover, surrounded by gold trim.
The old unicorn opened the book with his hoof, seeing a wall of text on the first page. Starswirl's eyes widened at seeing the array of languages that were displayed in the book. There was Changeling glyphs, Griffonian, Equestrian and many other languages that Starswirl hadn't even seen before.
He focused on the Equestrian speech and read. In this book can be found your wildest dreams, and your most depraved nightmares. You will find the brightest of light, and the blackest of dark. For light to exist, darkness must exist as well. Such is the way of all things. Some are governed by the light, while others are led by darkness. This duality permeates all of nature, tainting all with good and evil. Read carefully, Starswirl the Bearded, and heed the advice in these pages. Starswirl's eyes widened at the mention of his name in this book.
How do these pages know I'm reading them? Starswirl pondered. He turned the page to continue reading and was shocked at what he saw.
The page had only two sentences in it. Is it the pages that know who reads them? Or is it the author that knows who is reading it? The page read.
Starswirl was at a loss. He'd known magic all his life, but never had he seen a book that could talk directly to its reader. "Who is this author, then?" Starswirl asked the book, turning the page. He wasn't surprised to see a response on the next page.
He is one from ages past. One who is in a single place, yet can be everywhere as well. The page read.
Starswirl's eyes narrowed at this. So he could be in one place, but everywhere also? How does that make any sense? He thought, turning the page.
Make sense? What fun is there in making sense? The page read, responding to Starswirl's thought.
Starswirl narrowed his eyes at the passage. He had read those exact words in one of the royal journals from the Discordant Period. Those words belonged to one draconiquus in particular.
"Discord? Are you the writer of this book?" He asked, flipping the page. Words faded in as the book responded.
Nay, my dear magician, While he does embody the spirit of chaos, a little nonsense is fun every once in a while. The page read.
"So who art thou, then?" Starswirl asked, flipping the page.
The page only read two words. A friend.
-Crystal Castle: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return-
A shadow glided along the dark side of crystal castle, its plan almost set in motion. Sliding along one of the flying buttresses of the castle, it covertly skimmed up the wall, not drawing any attention from the crystal guards below. The shadow smiled. Perfect. It thought, making its way to the top floor.
King Prodigal looked over his kingdom from the balcony of the castle, his ice blue eyes surveying the buildings and ponies below. On the ground, crystal ponies began to sleep, the lights disappearing from their windows. As the Crystal Empire began to sleep, the unicorn king turned to go back to his bedchambers. He walked through the crystal archway that divided the bedroom from the balcony and entered his room.
He looked around his bedchambers. Ornate crystal structures filled the room. Decorations resembling historical figures, symbols, and many other forms filled the circular room. A crystal nightstand lay next to his bed, on which his eyes settled. His large bed lay in the corner, beckoning him to sleep. Prodigal walked over to the crystal ewe woolen-covers and his horn lit a bright blue, his robes levitating off his body and floating onto the floor. His white fur and horn glistened in the silver moonlight as the robes were removed. Prodigal climbed into the bed, pulling the covers over his torso.
Prodigal turned on his side and looked back at the balcony, thinking about his subjects. All of them adored him. All were loyal to him. Yet why did he want more?
He loved ruling this country, but hated sharing it. The bureaucrats in the senate always held him back from fulfilling his royal decrees with their politics and filibusters. Who are they to hold back a king from governing his land? Prodigal thought angrily. I am king! Not those bumbling buffoons in the courts! He thought, looking at the illustration of the crystal heart that stared back at him from the ceiling.
The Crystal Heart. He looked at the illustration in wonder. Such love, such unity. How could a simple crystal cause such a nation to live in harmony?
"Makes you wonder why they even need a leader when such perfect harmony exists." A whispery voice filled the room.
Prodigal's eyes were wide open and ears perked at hearing the voice. An intruder! He thought, his horn glowing as a blue bladed crystal dagger flew out of the top drawer of the nightstand.
"Do not be alarmed, mighty King Prodigal of the Crystal Empire. I come not as an intruder, but as a friend." The voice said calmly.
The king looked around the room, the voice sounding like it came from everywhere at once. His eyes narrowed as his magic held the dagger ready. "What friend intrudes my quarters in the dead of night?" He responded, trying to muster what courage he had.
"A friend bringing a gift." The voice said, the sound centralizing on the wall to Prodigal's right. The king turned to see a shadow in the shape of an alicorn standing on the wall.
"What is this gift?" King Prodigal cautiously asked, lowering the dagger slightly.
"What thou hast always wanted. Those idiots in the senate have always stood in thy way, haven't they? Why not be rid of them and have this glorious kingdom to thyself?" The shadow said, beginning to materialize off the walls. A leg of the shadow disappeared as a steel-grey hoof stepped from the wall.
Prodigal's eyes widened as the dagger shot back to its original defensive position. How does this thing know what I want? He thought fearfully.
"More rather, what do I not know?" The shadow asked, responding to the unicorn king's thoughts. Prodigal stepped out of bed and took a few steps back from the shadow.
"Who art thou?" He asked in a shocked tone, his large and muscular form visibly shaking from fear.
The shadow continued to materialize, two other hoofs and the lower torso coming out of the wall. "I am one that has many names. But you can call me… Crystal Glory." The voice said, a smiling mouth forming from the wall as it spoke the words.
Prodigal lowered the dagger. "Well, Crystal Glory, it is not so easy to take power like that. There are regulations on power for a reason." He countered, giving the halfway-materialized shadow a stern gaze.
"Regulations that thou hast never liked to begin with. Thou shall not need to do a thing. Let me take care of them. Tomorrow morning, the Crystal Empire will be yours. Completely and utterly yours." The shadow said, emphasizing each word. A steel-grey upper torso now formed from the wall as it spoke.
Sombra looked at the floor, pondering his choices. He could listen to this pony and have absolute power, or continue wishing for his way but never getting it. He looked back up, looking at the shadow with a determined look.
"I accept this gift. Now what do I do?" He asked with a firm voice, the fear gone from his frame.
The head of the shadow finally materialized, fully revealing the shadowy alicorn from the wall. He wore gold armor from head to toe. A gold helmet covered his grey head, his sharp horn protruding from a hole in the top. His chest armor covered his torso, a single pearl embedded in the center of the gold plating. On three of his feet were golden hoofpads that ran up as spikes up his legs. On his front right hoof was a black gauntlet, sinister and the blade held inside the hoof blade. And on his wings were two golden armor pieces that covered the bony parts of the wings, letting the dark grey feathers flourish out the back. The pony's eyes were closed as Prodigal watched in awe as the pony fully materialized.
The alicorn's eyes shot open, revealing bright yellow eyes with slit pupils. He stared into Prodigal's eyes, his cold gaze beginning to take over the king's mind. Prodigal began to feel like he was in a trance as the control of his mind was waning as he looked into this alicorn's eyes.
"All thou should do… is rest." Crystal Glory said calmly, the king's eyes beginning to change color. No longer the ice blue that they were, they now became red with green irises, purple smoke beginning to billow from the corners of his eyes. From his eyes to his body, Prodigal's transformation began. Dark grey snaked over the brilliant white of the king's fur until there wasn't a spot of white left on his fur. His horn was no longer white, but now became a faded red. All benevolent thought fled his mind as greed and desire for power began to take hold.
Crystal Glory smiled at his creation. "Now to bed, King..." He said, thinking of a name for his new servant. "...Sombra. Tomorrow is going to be a new day for you." He said with a smile.
Sombra nodded slowly, still entranced by the yellow eyes. The unicorn king turned and walked towards his bed, getting under the covers and closing his new red eyes to sleep.
"Yes. Tomorrow will be a new day. A new day for everypony." Crystal said with a smile, melting back into shadow on the floor and retreated down the balcony. He had some work to do.
-Canterlot Castle: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return-
Luna slept soundly in her bedchambers, the moon shining brightly on her while she slept. The lunar princess, while sleeping soundly, didn't notice a shadow shooting across the floor towards her bed. The shadow climbed up one of the bedposts and merged with Luna's shadow.
In Luna's dream, she watched fillies, colts, mares, and stallions sleep soundly in each of their beds. Each of her subjects was fast asleep, dreaming the happy dreams that she provided them. From Ponyville to Canterlot, from Manehattan to Las Pegasus, ponies slept soundly in their beds.
Such peace. Luna thought with a relaxed face. It can only be found in the peace of the night. She looked up at the moon. Its craters were each individual eyes looking back at her with warmth. Here in the night, she felt truly at peace. She closed her eyes and sighed, satisfied with her work.
"It's such a shame that such peace can't come during the day." Luna's eyes popped open at the voice. She turned around to see a steel-grey alicorn standing behind her. His yellow eyes stared at her, the yellow contrasting the dark of the night, making his eyes look even brighter.
"State thy name and business in this dream, stranger." She said sternly, upset that someone had interrupted the serenity of her night.
"Only know that I am a friend, Princess of the Night. I was merely visiting your fair dream realm and to compare notes." The alicorn said calmly, turning his head to look at the sleeping village they were standing in. Simple wooden structures with straw roofs surrounded them. At the center of the town was a circular building that culminated in a spire at the top. "What is the name of this simple place?" He asked curiously.
"This village's name is Ponyville. And what notes wert thou comparing?" Luna inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Ponyville. Has a certain ring to it." The alicorn said with a slight smile. He cleared his throat. "Ahem, sorry. Now to your question. I am comparing the day and the night. What happens, why it happens, and so on. I must say that thy night is much more peaceful than the daytime. While ponies sleep and are still during the night, they are busy and bustling in the day." He complimented.
Luna beamed with pride. "Finally! One that appreciates the night as I do. 'Tis true. My sister's day is much more bustling than my night."
"But…" The alicorn said, taking several steps towards Luna. "Why does the day get so much more attention than thy night?" He asked with a sad tone.
Luna looked at the ground, confused by the question. "What dost thou mean by-" She began to say, but was cut off.
"Thou knowst what I mean, fair princess. Why is it that the daytime is when ponies play and work while they sleep and ignore your beautiful nights?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at the lunar princess.
Luna's face hardened. "Because that is when they choose to carry out their business. It is not my decision nor my sister's." She said sternly.
"And yet, they choose the day over the night. What are some common connotations with day, dear Luna?"
Luna's ears perked at hearing her name. "How dost thou know my name?" She asked.
The alicorn smirked. "How do I not? A princess of the night should be as appreciated as the princess of the sun. However, more ponies are more familiar with your sister than with you. Is it preference that decides this?"
Luna began to feel something boil in her chest. What was this feeling? Was it… jealousy?
"Nay! 'Tis not preference that our subjects know us differently." She shouted, almost using the Canterlot voice at the strange alicorn.
"Then tell me, Princess Luna. What do ponies think of when day comes to mind?" Before Luna could respond, the alicorn spoke for her. "Peace, hope, and security. And what do they think of when night comes to their minds?" The alicorn said, his voice getting harsher with each word. "Thieves, uncertainty, and fear. Now tellest me why thy subjects think of thy sister and thyself both as equals when clearly, there is no evidence to support the claim!" he said, almost shouting at her.
Princess Luna was angry. Angry at this alicorn, angry at her sister, angry at her subjects. It didn't matter who it was, she was mad at them. "Begone from my dream, alicorn! Lest I see you again, thou won't have the chance to speak thy words." She said fiercely, the anger reflecting in her eyes as her horn glowed a radiant blue.
The alicorn backed off, his face softening. "Very well, Princess. I shall withdraw. But should my words ring true in thy mind, I shall be waiting for thy reply." He said, walking backwards from Luna, his form beginning to fade into the night.
"Then thou shall be waiting a very long time!" Luna shouted back at the retreating alicorn.
"I can wait." He said, narrowing his yellow eyes with a smile. It'll be sooner than she thinks. He thought as he completely disappeared from the dream.
Luna huffed in anger as she began to ponder the alicorn's words. Who does he think he is? I am the princess of the night and Celestia is the princess of the sun. Together we rule in harmony. And yet… Luna thought, looking up at the moon. Suddenly it didn't feel so warm to look at. It felt like looking through the window of a prison cell.
The shadow disbanded from Luna's sleeping form and towards the window that gave the room its light from the moon. The shadow stopped to look back at Luna one more time, smiled, then disappeared into the night.