//------------------------------//
// The Truth, Mostly or The Future of Pokey Pierce 
// Story: Friendship is Madness 
// by Lobstercraft 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 8: The Truth, Mostly
or
The Future of Pokey Pierce


The castle library in Canterlot was the largest library in all of Equestria. They had to have a copy of the Necronomicon. Unfortunately, our little ponies couldn’t seem to find it. Twilight swallowed her pride and asked the librarian if it was with the restricted books. Apparently it wasn’t. 
“I can’t believe this.” Twilight stared into space. “How can they not have a copy? It’s the Canterlot Library… How can they not have it?”
“Maybe somepony lost it,” suggested Fluttershy.
“Or it’s in a secret dungeon somewhere,” said Rainbow Dash. “Or some villain has the only copy, because it has strange powers!”
“A lost book…” Twilight almost cried. Books lost to history… This was always a depressing topic for Twilight Sparkle. There existed, once but no more, hundreds of books she would never be able to read.
“I’m sorry Big Macintosh,” Fluttershy gave him her condolences. He sighed in return.
Then a special visitor entered the library; somepony who had heard of Twilight Sparkle’s visit. “My faithful student, what brings you all the way out here to the castle?”
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight’s eyes beamed with joy as she and her friends took a knee.
“No need to act formal at the moment,” the princess smiled.
“We’re looking for a book, but it seems it’s lost to history,” Twilight informed her teacher.
“What book is that?” Celestia asked.
“The Necronomicon,” Twilight explained. Princess Celestia’s entire demeanor changed with the mentioning of the word. 
“Where did you hear of that book?” the princess asked, restraining herself to try and sound more casual than she felt.
“Well… I read a reference to it in ‘Ancient Myths and Legends’ in regard to a being called Dagon,” Twilight began.
“Dagon?” Celestia looked disturbingly serious, “Why the interest in old sea tales?”
“Well, Big Macintosh received a letter from a friend who was in trouble. From what I’ve been told, he seemed to be afraid of a place called Devil’s Reef. Big Macintosh did some investigating and found that apparently it’s said that there are creatures that gather there called Deep Ones, and that they worship a god called Dagon,” Twilight elaborated.
“And is your friend alright?” asked the Princess.
“Eyup,” answered Big Mac.
“Do you know anything about any of this?” asked Rainbow Dash.
Princess Celestia looked to Twilight and said, “The Necronomicon is a very old and a very dangerous book. I don’t want you pursuing it any further.”
“Dangerous?” Twilight questioned, “How can a book be dangerous?”
“That book drives ponies to madness,” the princess explained, “It is a compilation of forbidden truths and blasphemous rites. You must believe me when I say there are some things ponies were not meant to know.”
“Does this mean Dagon is real?” asked Fluttershy, scared.
“Don’t worry, my little ponies,” the princess smiled, “I’ll take care of Devil’s Reef.”
“By take care of it do you mean, ‘take care of it’?” asked Dash as she traced a mushroom cloud in the air with her front hooves.
“Princess?” Twilight beseeched with pleading eyes, “What is going on?”
“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia sighed. “If I tell you and your friends, will you promise to keep the secret safe?”
They all agreed. Celestia led them to her chambers where security was at its best, and they were all seated comfortably around the fireplace. Everypony was treated to milk and cookies for no reason other than awesomeness.
“You know that my sister and I control the moon and the sun and all beneath their holy light, but there are lands beyond Equestria. So, too, are there other beings of great power,” Celestia explained.
“Like Dagon?” asked Twilight.
“Sort of... but you do not have to be afraid of Dagon. He cannot reach us here in Equestria. He is in a far away part of the sea and would never come here himself.”
“What about mah friend?” asked Big Macintosh.
“The Deep Ones are a bit more of a problem,” Celestia sighed, “but I’ll take care of that. More importantly, I’m curious as to how your friend got away from them in the first place.”


“You’re so cute, Pinkie!” Pokey smiled as he nuzzled her nose.
“Haha!” Pinkie giggled as Pokey overthrew the checkers board. “You’re a sore loser!” Pinkie laughed.
“I’m just playin' around,” Pokey replied as he picked the pieces up off of the floor.
“Hey Pokey, didn’t your eyes used to be green?” Pinkie asked with a curious face.
“What?” laughed Pokey, “Are they different now or something?”
“Yeah! They’re yellow now.” she smiled.