Chapter Twenty Two: Deepening Shadows
~BlackRoseRaven
Luna sniffed disdainfully as they strode into Ponyville: only a few days had passed since the attack of the Black Wolves of Hell, but reconstruction efforts were well under way and another work crew of Nibelung had been sent in to help with the rebuilding efforts. Frames had been set back up for the destroyed houses and the wreckage sorted and salvaged as much as possible, and other dwarves were digging up the rotted and corrupted terrain, shoveling it into wheelbarrows to be taken to a dump site to the west.
Scrivener couldn't help but give the winged unicorn an amused look as they walked side-by-side, the earth pony absently flicking his head to adjust his glasses as he said finally: “You know, this probably won't be that bad-”
“Oh shut up, Scrivener Blooms.” Luna said grouchily, and the earth pony snorted in entertainment as he grinned a bit despite himself. “Thou hast no reason to be so cheerful about this. We are going to meet Odin to speak to him on matters of grave importance. Matters concerning thee, as a matter of fact, and that which lurks inside thy mind, and I am sure a grand and awful lecture will follow. Why is it that thou art so cheerful in spite of all this?”
“I dunno, to be honest, I've just been... feeling better these last few days. I thought you'd be happy about that.” Scrivener replied mildly, glancing towards her as he shrugged a bit, and they bumped their sides together lightly as they strode down the road towards dome-shaped city hall in the distance. “Maybe it's because we've been able to talk so much and... work through things together, I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just having a random happy bout. But either way... I feel good.”
“'Tis a sickness.” Luna announced, leaning forwards and inspecting him through narrowed eyes. “Wert thou eating poison joke while I wasn't looking? Licking strange mushrooms? Buying so-called 'miracle tonics' from the Strange Ones or Nibelung?”
Scrivener rolled his eyes at this, but he was smiling all the same as he gave her an entertained look, replying dryly: “No more drugs than usual, dearest. Besides, you know me. I'm a drunky, not a junkie.” He paused meditatively as they halted in front of the narrow steps leading up to the doors of city hall, Luna giving him a flat look. “I could probably write a poem about that, as a matter of fact. I'm sure it would only be three-quarters as offensive as most of the poems I wrote while working at Canterlot.”
The winged unicorn opened her mouth to reply, but she was interrupted as the double doors swung open, both ponies glancing up to see Odin standing and looking down at them calmly, crossing his arms and saying quietly: “I'm glad to see you both here. We have a few subjects to talk about.”
Luna grimaced as Scrivener became more serious, the two nodding slowly, and the once-god turned and strode inside. The ponies shared a look, emotions and thoughts twisting between them in a flurry before they turned and strode quickly up the steps and into the building, Luna flicking her horn absently to close the doors behind them.
They joined Odin at a long wooden table he had set up in the center of the spacious front lobby, which otherwise was empty... or perhaps hollow was a better word, considering how ghostly and strange it felt in the echoing, destitute room. The ponies sat in the uncomfortable wooden chairs to one side, not too near or too far from where Odin was standing at the cluttered head, looking moodily down at books, maps, and other scattered papers and trinkets.
Finally, he sighed quietly and sat down himself, resting against the high-backed chair with a grimace as he fumbled his flask out of his jacket and sipped deeply from it, then looked over at the two ponies, studying them as they looked back at the once-god. For a few moments, that was all they did, surveying each other in silence... and then finally, Odin corked his flask and put it down.
Luna began to open her mouth, and the once-god held up his hand, shaking his head and saying firmly: “Brynhild, wait. As I said, we have several things to discuss, and in due time we'll work up to the subjects that perhaps hold the greatest importance. But haste is a fool's folly, and there are other matters I wish to attend to first.”
The winged unicorn threw her head back with a groan as Scrivener reached up and adjusted his glasses nervously, and Odin surveyed the two before he asked quietly: “First of all, for example... I was recently in corrupted Equestria-”
“Either thou art nowhere near as infirm as thou acts at times or thou possesses a truly miraculous and easy way to move back and forth between the layers, Odin... especially as the Bifrost is currently regenerating, and in no fit state to work as a bridge between worlds.” Luna replied dryly, leaning forwards moodily and glowering at him. “Would it really cause so much harm to permit me a safer and easier method to travel than the accursed burning rainbow bridge?”
“Yes.” Odin said sourly, and Luna grumbled under her breath as the once-god continued irritably: “Unlike you, Brynhild, I use Valhalla as a stepping stone. If you brought dead souls into Valhalla, what do you think would happen? Furthermore, if I permitted you into Valhalla, what would you do?”
The winged unicorn grumbled as she slid back against the chair, muttering under her breath and crossing her forelegs, and Odin nodded after a moment before he continued quietly: “I encountered, among other things, a Nightmare that pleaded for salvation and redemption. It knew about you, and about what your task was... it said that you considered bringing monsters of that world into this one. I wish to hear your reasoning for this.”
Now Luna shifted awkwardly, clearing her throat a bit and looking almost embarrassed before she said finally: “I am a firm believer in second chances, Odin. And I believe as well that there are few things in all these realms that are beyond redemption, beyond... serving a purpose of some sort. I have been cast in the role of both hero and villain, and come to understand that the only thing that truly makes them different is the perception of others... for a hero may hurt and kill countless people, while a villain may disrupt and destroy but never murder a single soul. It is... difficult to wrap one's mind around.”
Odin continued to look at her, as if expecting her to continue, and Luna grimaced a bit before she said quietly, bowing her head forwards: “I... do not wish to see them perish. Demons, Nightmares, so-called 'monsters...' I often feel that I am a monster myself, after all.”
“You're not a monster, Brynhild. You are a Valkyrie. Form and shape of a pony or not, you always have been and always will be a Valkyrie.” Odin replied quietly, and then he smiled wryly when the winged unicorn glared at him. “I do not mean that you will always be my handmaiden by that, either. You know what I speak of.”
“Yes, yes, I suppose that I do. But now thou art the one dancing around the question and not me, and no one likes to see old fools dance, 'tis unsettling.” Luna replied drolly, and Odin reached up and rubbed slowly at his forehead before she added mildly: “Besides, this world requires a little evil to balance out the good. I think a few things to go bump in the night will not be remiss, especially if they are not killers, only fear-mongers.”
“It may seem strange, but I do agree with you.” Odin said softly, and the winged unicorn looked up in surprise, tilting her head curiously as the once-god gave a dry smile. “Not for the same reasons, admittedly. But assuming the creatures are oath-bound and keep their word, they will act as an additional layer of protection: it will be like introducing a new species of insect to the environment of a rival sibling. A Nightmare of this world and a Nightmare of your world will not interact with the same amiability as two creatures of the same plane. They will be distrustful, and may even work to weed one another out.”
“You wish to use the monsters of our world against the monsters of this one... since they will likely be drawn to same territory, will have to claim places in the dark corners as their own by conquest of other beasts and creatures. And this first line of monsters will be honor-bound to serve us, and these creatures of darkness cannot break a solemn vow without dire consequence.” Luna said slowly, and Odin nodded before he seemed to soften a bit... and Luna smiled faintly as she understood, closing her eyes and adding quietly: “And aye, I know. They also see kinship in me. They look up to me, as smaller, weaker creatures look up to a pack lord. For even though I walk in daylight... darkness is my true home.”
“It is nothing to be ashamed of, Brynhild. It is something, furthermore, that we can use to our advantage, if you will permit me to speak in such strategic and remorseless terms.” Odin replied quietly, leaning forwards and looking at her quietly, and Luna nodded awkwardly after a moment as Scrivener gazed at her softly. “I would like for you to be careful in your selection, however... many creatures of the night will bend to a strong master or can be convinced to serve a purpose, but there are still plenty that exist solely to cause disruption and chaos. There will be chaos enough in this world as it is.”
Luna smiled a bit, and Odin looked at her thoughtfully for a few moments before he leaned back and said softly: “On a positive note, I wish to add that Illyria had worked out the schematics for the amplifiers with Roma's assistance... late tonight or early tomorrow, another Architect should arrive with several Nibelung specialists to figure out where the amplifiers should be positioned. But I am glad to say we are another step closer to revival.”
“I am glad as well then, Odin. Thou has my thanks... but I am curious. Why art thou so invested in this?” Luna asked curiously, and the once-god gave her a smile in return, which only made her frown moodily. “Well, 'tis a good question, I think! Thou, as a warrior god, urged on the genocide of the Vanir. Thou replicated the layers, and many layers have already fallen and I have not seen thee shed a tear for the departed nor struggle to revive what may remain in them, and yet thou works tirelessly to revive these ponies who barely know thy name and offer thee no worship nor gratitude. The only reason I work so hard to save them is because among them are friends and family, because they are all ponies of my land, my home, because so much of what happened... was my fault.”
“And do you think my reasons are so different? After all, everything that has happened here is my fault.” Odin replied quietly, shaking his head slowly. “When I replicated the layers... I did not expect the results to be so... so tangible. I thought they would be more akin to illusions, enough to confuse and slow Valthrudnir down while I figured out how to put a halt to his machinations. But they were all real, all full of living lives... lives I have seen perish again and again, countless lives Valthrudnir killed over and over... countless deaths that were all my fault. Weeping over them is pointless, Brynhild, and serves no purpose but to make me seem even weaker and more self-pitying than I already am. I created these worlds, aye: but why should me worship or gratitude? I created them to be used as living shields and distractions for a monster I feared would kill them all, even after I dropped the scattered remnants that I could save from Valhalla across the layers to further slow the Jötnar down. That is not the act of a being that deserves worship. That was the act of a coward who must make amends to the poor people he shoved in front of the knife meant for him.”
Luna looked quietly at Odin, and Odin gazed silently back, then he shook his head slowly and tiredly picked up his flask with a sigh, slowly opening it and sipping at the ambrosia quietly before looking down at the shiny silver canister, muttering: “There are fine lines between cowardice and caution, bravery and stupidity. I am somehow certain that over the course of my life I have often crossed back and forth over these lines countless times.”
He carefully screwed the lid back on the flask, shaking his head slowly, then he continued quietly: “But we all make mistakes, I suppose. The longer you live, the more mistakes you make... just as the more victories you strive for, the more failures you're bound to accrue as well, and at the end of life who knows which is worth more? The point is in the journey and the trials, and how we rise to meet them, not in the defeats we give or take. I have learned that now... and that humility and mercy are the strongest of all vessels. Any brute can swing a fist in anger, few can offer an open hand.”
Odin paused and looked down quietly, shaking his head slowly as he murmured: “How I wish to take back all I have wronged, how many regrets I have about the victories I achieved, the peoples I pushed down, everyone and everything that I brought ruin to. There were many enemies we had we could have made peace with instead of destroying outright... oh, at the time, total conquest seemed like the most strategically-sound solution. But if I had left those enemies alive, we would have had someone to turn to when Helheim moved against us, when Valthrudnir put his grand machinations into play. Now all my victories look sallow and sour... so much of what I have done seems only like bullying and childishness... my pushing the Aesir to be better and hardier nothing more than the pedantic 'knowing-better' of an old goat shoving his dreams onto others to live vicariously through them, because it is the easier path, because he can't let go of the past, because he refuses to move on and acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, there is value in things other than himself.”
There was silence for a few moments, and then the once-god smiled again and lowered his head, saying softly: “I apologize, friends. I am old, I am tired, I have much weighing on my mind. Sometimes my mouth simply runs away from me before I can catch it.”
“Well, get thyself in check, old lecher. I do not have the patience for thy speeches, when so much else hangs in the balance.” Luna replied quietly, and Odin glanced up with a quiet chuckle before the winged unicorn hesitated, then asked softly: “But was everything we did so wrong? Does thou not have some achievements thou can be proud of, or is it the fate of all things to one day wind up old and regretful and miserable?”
“Nay, Brynhild, there are always things to be proud of. I am proud of my son, Thor, and if I am permitted, I am proud of thee and Freya as well.” Odin replied quietly, and Luna gave a small smile before the one-eyed entity looked slowly up at the ceiling. “I am proud of the worlds I have helped to build. I am proud of the forces of evil we stopped. And, selfishly, I am proud of myself for living a little up to my namesake after so many years of foolishness. Mimir hang me, though, I wish I had done better.”
He paused, then shook his head briefly before looking up, speaking in a drier voice: “However, enough meandering around the path, for I believe that the two of you are doing something that you will not be so proud of in the future. I do not wish you two to end up regretful and lost... Brynhild, my Valkyrie, you know that nothing grants invulnerability, and nothing grants eternal joy. Not even your love.”
Luna bristled a bit, and Scrivener reached up and touched her shoulder as he rested against the table, looking quietly towards Odin as the once-god continued softly: “I do not say this out of spite, but only concern. I understand why you would be hesitant to speak of this to me, after the past, after the things that have happened. But Brynhild, I vowed to never again harm you as I have in the past, and that means I cannot harm Scrivener Blooms either, if that is what you fear. Not with you connected as you are.”
“And would thou try and sever the connection between us, Odin?” Luna asked sharply, and the once-god frowned a bit at her as she leaned forwards over the table, but Scrivener could feel concern and fear beneath the anger. “For that would do worse to me than any blade or bludgeon ever could, and I know thou has many awful tricks up thy sleeve.”
“That would be harming you then, Brynhild. As I said, I won't harm you.” Odin replied tiredly, and he looked slowly over the two before saying quietly: “It's something from the Tyrant Wyrm, isn't it? It's a corruption that hasn't faded, a darkening that has only become deeper with the passage of time.”
“Yes.” Scrivener Blooms looked up and smiled a bit, and Luna glanced towards him with surprise, frowning deeply... but when they met one-another's eyes, as their thoughts and emotions swirled back and forth between them, she only sighed softly before grumbling and burying her face against the side of his neck moodily, and Scrivener wrapped a foreleg around her quietly as he closed his own. “I don't know how to explain it. I don't know what to say, Odin, and I am... I am nervous. You're... well... I'm not honestly entirely sure what you are, still...”
Odin chuckled a bit at this, and when Scrivener looked up in surprise, the falcon-headed being said softly: “Don't worry, I'm not sure what I am either. Would it be easier if I asked you a few questions about certain specific worries I have?”
Scrivener nodded hesitantly after a moment, and Odin nodded back after a moment, questioning gently: “Does this force compel you to do things? I do not mean whether or not it influences you to make choices... I mean, does it make certain choices for you?”
“No, it's never... taken control of me or anything like that. Sometimes it guides me towards this or that but... the choices are mine. I take responsibility for everything I've done.” Scrivener said softly, and he smiled a bit despite himself: he sounded like a pony confessing to some horrible crime. “I see things sometimes. Not just... what you already know about, but other images, other... things. I guess you knew that too already, though, didn't you?”
“Finding you arguing with what looked to me only as thin air did give me a clue towards that, yes.” he replied calmly, and Luna mumbled a bit as she buried her face deeper against the male's neck. For a moment, the once-god looked thoughtfully at Scrivener, and then he asked quietly: “I saw that Luna had polymorphed you before into something between the pony that you are and the Tyrant Wyrm you could become. Why did you assume that shape?”
“Luna and I discussed it and thought it would help if... wait, what did you say?” Scrivener frowned a bit and Luna looked up quickly, the two looking intently at Odin as he only calmly looked back. “Tyrant Wyrm that... that I could become? What did you mean by that?”
Odin rose a hand, and the two ponies leaned back a bit, still looking worriedly towards the once-god as he closed his eyes and explained slowly: “That response answers several other questions I had, in ways that both refresh me and concern me. But you have seen them for yourself, witnessed their nature: the Tyrant Wyrms are shells, living embodiments of reality twisted into sentient destruction and suffering. The outside only looks as it does because of Valthrudnir's ego.
“No, like anything else, it is what is inside that matters... but in the case of the Tyrant Wyrms, this is more literal.” Odin continued quietly, sitting back with a grimace. “They are given power and existence by their organic souls, made up of energy and spirits and once-living things all polymorphed together into one engine of agony. They are a plague, figuratively and literally, and it seems that you have been infected, Scrivener Blooms.”
Scrivy looked silently at Odin as Luna swallowed slowly, then she gritted her teeth and shook her head firmly, saying quietly: “But we can overcome this, Odin. Do not think that-”
“Brynhild, stop.” the once-god said gently but firmly, and for once, Luna quieted and only looked at him silently as he slowly stood up, leaning towards them, but he was smiling faintly, and his eyes were not angry, not vengeful, but concerned. “If I wanted to take extreme measures, by now I would have, alright? But I'm not going to act with haste on this issue. Brynhild, the fact that only Scrivener is being affected by this is a calming sign. It may even mean that the infection can be contained.”
Scrivener Blooms smiled a bit at this as Luna looked surprised... then she bowed her head humbly, and Odin continued quietly: “The worst case scenario is that you could begin to... change. In mind, more than in body. I know you already see things differently than most mortals can, but this is only a side effect, an... enhancement more than a danger, even if I know it must have its drawbacks. I know that you must see yourself as something dark and damned but you are far from that still, Scrivener Blooms.”
Scrivy smiled awkwardly at this, and Odin looked moodily between the two before he asked slowly: “But what were you arguing with before? What drove you to such anger, to such a state of excitement? You looked like Helheim itself was biting at your heels.”
Scrivener and Luna traded a nervous look before they both looked towards Odin, and the once-god looked steadily back at them as the silence spiraled out. Then, finally, Scrivener swallowed thickly and lowered his head, feeling another worm of fear through his gut before he mumbled: “I saw... myself.”
He shivered a bit at this lie, feeling a twist in his guts as he thought about everything that statement could imply... and Odin looked moodily at them before he shook his head and sat slowly back in his chair, saying quietly: “Very well. But you should know, Scrivener, you're a worse liar than Brynhild.”
Scrivener mumbled a little to himself as he shrank back a bit, and the winged unicorn grumbled under her breath, glaring towards the once-god. “Are we done here then, Odin? Or can we at least move on to whatever other tasks thou has for us?”
Odin looked at them for a few moments, then he sighed and nodded. “Yes, yes, enough is enough for now. Go ahead and return home, or stay and help out if you like: I have no tasks for you at this moment in time.”
The two nodded, slipping away from the table and heading for the doors. Luna flicked her horn to open them, and then she and Scrivener paused as Odin called after them: “Be wary, friends. The worst enemy is always within.”
“As if we didn't already know this.” Luna muttered, and Scrivener smiled faintly despite himself as the winged unicorn stormed past him, the earth pony hurrying after her as he felt the turmoil and worries spinning through both of their minds and souls.
Two weeks passed without much of note: Luna and Scrivener felt almost as if Odin was purposefully avoiding them, the once-god not even giving them any tasks as the two ponies divided their time between working around their cottage and working around Ponyville, fixing the buildings that had been destroyed and laying new sod, soil, and sand where the corrupted ground had been removed. In those productive two weeks, they successfully restored the landscape and did most of the repairs to the destroyed homes with the help of the surprisingly-competent Nibelung.
They also finished off their own cottage, decorating and detailing their bedroom, setting up the furniture, and cleaning it from top-to-bottom as Pollen puttered around in the backyard and helped them by setting up their garden. Discombobulation often watched this from the safety of the small, covered aquarium Luna took out of a pet store in Ponyville for him: while still too weak to spend a lot of time outside his sealed sanctuary, he was now much healthier and starting to gain more of his old powers back as his body healed from its ordeal.
The aquarium was like a little safe room for the Draconequus, and Luna seemed to enjoy the task of taking care of the creature like a very strange pet: every now and then she would toss some candy in for him, refill his water dish with cola or coffee depending on what was at hoof, and shove her face against the glass as she peered in at him while Discombobulation pointedly ignored her. Scrivener often wondered how this boded for the foal they planned to have one day: she would either be an excellent mother, or she would accidentally kill the child with sugar and smothering affection.
All the same, time passed in welcomed peace: Pollen was friendly and quiet and liked working in the garden and helping out around the house, Discombobulation only made a nuisance out of himself on rare occasion, and Scrivener and Luna were able to feel like their home was left in good hooves while they returned to corrupted Equestria. Discombobulation and Pollen had seen them off that morning and wished them well.
They were both surprised when they found not only Odin, but Zecora in the field, awaiting them with a smile, and the once-god turned his eyes to them as they approached. “Your friend here is very interesting, Brynhild. Her knowledge of potions is most impressive, and her generosity a welcome sight.”
“Your friend flatters me, I must admit, and my help I gladly submit. You've all done much for the world after all, helping to bring so much back from death's pall.” Zecora said kindly, bowing her head humbly, and Odin chuckled and clapped his hands slowly.
“I think that will never cease to impress me.” He gave her an entertained look, then turned his eyes towards Luna and Scrivener, glancing over them both before he asked curiously: “Brynhild, where is your spear?”
“Hanging in my home, hopefully out of Discombobulation's reach. I do not need it, Odin, my worst foes are vanquished... let that piece of my soul rest healthy at home.” Luna answered, and the once-god crossed his arms as he gave her a moody look. “Oh, be silent, cyclops. I am not being arrogant, I am being cautious. I would be loathe to lose it.”
“I... suppose.” Odin rubbed slowly at the scarred side of his face, and then he nodded finally before holding up one finger as Luna began to step forwards. “I want to remind you to come across the Bifrost the moment you begin to sense reality heading for total collapse. I will attempt to send you a warning if I see signs of it beginning, but much of my time will be spent outside of Valhalla these coming months. Either way, be wary.”
“Worry not, old lecher. Besides, it is not like thou shan't see us again, or we shan't be returning to this layer of reality. We have other entities to escort now.” Luna smiled slightly, and Zecora cocked her head curiously before the winged unicorn grinned and tipped her a wink. “Worry not, Zecora, 'twill be nothing that I cannot handle. But we have brought the light to this world, now we must add a little darkness, for the sake of balance.”
“For some reason that does not soothe my fears, it rather makes me nervous for whatever nears.” the zebra said moodily, and Scrivener nodded agreeably as Luna continued to grin. The black-and-white equine sighed, then shook her head before saying moodily: “I suppose the choice is yours to make, just please take care for your own sake.”
“Aye, that we shall.” Luna nodded once, and then she glanced towards Odin as the once god reached into his jacket, producing his flask. “Oh, hurry up, old lecher. I am anxious to return and to begin making deals with devils. It should prove a far simpler task than saving souls.”
Odin only rolled his good eye as he sipped ambrosia, then corked the container and put it back in his jacket. He laced his fingers together in front of his chest as he closed his eyes and muttered: “Please try not to enjoy this too much, Brynhild. It comes across as a bit evil.”
“Only a bit? I shall strive to try harder, then.” Luna replied mildly, and she and Scrivener lowered their own heads in tandem as her horn began to slowly glow, her mane and tail sparking and sizzling backwards as they took a long, synchronized breath, feeling the power building in the air as the ponies moved in time and Odin murmured under his breath, the sound helping Luna time her own magic as Zecora stepped slowly backwards in amazement.
The whirlwind of flames erupted from the ground, spinning forwards and ripping through reality before forming into the rainbow bridge... and while it looked pale and the white flames flickered low, it was still there, still tangible, and Odin grimaced as he stumbled back a step with a curse and Scrivener and Luna both arched their backs with pained winces, electricity sizzling over them both before they dropped their heads forwards with matching gasps. Then Luna cursed and shook her head quickly as Scrivener gritted his teeth and straightened, before the winged unicorn glanced towards Odin and said finally: “Old cyclops... thanks.”
With that, Luna ran forwards towards the bridge, and Scrivener called an awkward goodbye to the two as Zecora waved a hoof and Odin looked up with a smile after the ponies as they charged up the arching, sizzling bridge and into the hole in reality. Energy surged along their frames as they passed through the tunnel beyond, making them both laugh despite themselves... and within what felt like seconds, they were out the other side, charging down the ramping rainbow bridge to the ground below, both leaping off into the rotted wasteland and skidding to a halt as they gazed over their shoulders.
The burning bridge of multicolored light sizzled and twisted... then shattered into pieces, bit-by-bit, as the hole in reality sparked closed. In only seconds, it had dissolved completely, leaving no trace behind except for a faint shimmering in the air that soon faded as well, and Scrivener Blooms and Luna traded a look and a smile before the two ponies stepped towards one another and nuzzled affectionately beneath the lowered, burning sun in the red sky.
They both breathed a little hard, still feeling a faint euphoria from the run as always... but it was quickly fading now, both ponies becoming more serious as they gazed back and forth at the reality they had stepped into. After only a few weeks in Looking Glass Equestria, they had both almost forgotten what this world was like, what they would be returning to... and it hurt them both to gaze at the world around them before Luna frowned and murmured: “Wait. Something has changed.”
Scrivener looked towards the winged unicorn curiously as she strode slowly forwards, over rotted earth and icy tundra... and then she grimaced as she glanced up and muttered: “What wickedness is this?”
The earth pony allowed his eyes to draw upwards... and he shivered a bit as he saw the red sky had turned black in places, as if it had been torn like thin skin. Even stranger, here and there enormous, shattered pieces of stone floated, but they were not just from the demolished moon... there were too many pieces, of too many different sizes. And when his eyes traveled on instinct towards where the ruins of Canterlot were and the surrounding mountains, he realized that some of the peaks now looked as if they were floating, rocks and crags hovering silently, senselessly, and Luna shook her head as her own eyes gazed towards this. “Reality is losing cohesion. The beasts of Ginnungagap would not den here, after all... this layer of reality is too broken, too twisted with Helheim's perverse presence.”
Scrivener nodded slowly as he looked towards Luna, and she shook her head as her mane twisted slowly backwards, murmuring: “I had doubted in Odin's knowledge before, to be honest... but this means that he is right, whether I desire him to be or not. 'Tis awful to see, and more worrisome than I can say... it is like reality is beginning to slowly lose its laws and sense.”
“But we're not going to back down, are we?” Scrivener asked softly, and Luna gave him an amused look over her shoulder, which made the earth pony smile in spite of everything before he turned in the direction of their cottage, beginning to walk as he murmured: “I dunno why... but that strangely relieves me.”
“Maybe thou art anxious to have some Nightmare servants to order around.” Luna remarked airily, and Scrivener groaned and dropped his head forwards before the winged unicorn laughed as she strode quickly up beside him with a grin. “Or maybe thou art taking on some of my positive qualities. 'Tis about time, Scrivy, we have only been soul-bound for more than a dozen years now.”
“Well, you know, you had all those negative qualities I had to learn first.” Scrivener replied reasonably, and Luna gave him an amused look as they headed slowly over the barren tundra together, the male grimacing a bit. “I think there's more ice here, too.”
Luna grunted in agreement after a moment, and she hesitated a bit before looking towards him... but the earth pony only shook his head, saying softly: “I know I've been quiet this last while, I know. I guess I've just been thinking a lot about things. But I'm... ready to keep pressing forwards now, and we've discussed this into the ground. And I haven't heard a whisper from Valthrudnir's echo... I think if I keep in mind that it's not really him, it's just some... some godawful memory-thing of him, some illusion brought on from the corruption eating its way through my brain... it helps a lot.”
He quieted, then looked up and smiled a bit, glancing over at her. “And I think I am... trying to be more like you. Or well, I'm trying to learn how to do that thing where you just... finally laugh or break something and everything's okay for a little while. I want to learn to do that.”
“Aye, it would be nice if thou didn't brood and sulk constantly.” Luna replied gently, and Scrivener checked her lightly even as he laughed a bit before the winged unicorn bumped firmly back against him. “But worry not, Scrivy. Thou may take forever to get over the silliest of things, but at the same time thou compartmentalizes everything else and leaves me in awe – or perhaps just frustration – that thou can simply... move forwards even at the worst of times.”
“Stubbornness issues.” Scrivener responded mildly, shrugging a bit as he looked ahead. “What's important is important to me, what isn't... isn't. And what has to be done... has to be done. Should I say a few other repetitive, senseless sentences to sound even sager?”
“Nay, the point is clear. Thou art an idiot.” Luna shoved him lightly, and Scrivener snorted in amusement before the winged unicorn's eyes flicked towards the low sun moodily. “'Tis like walking beneath a guttering lamp. We shall have to be alert when passing through the Empty Forest, Scrivy... long shadows invite wicked creatures to come out and play, and I am sure not all of them will be interested in our offering of peace.”
“That's what I love about you, Luna, how positive you are.” Scrivener said after a moment, and Luna rolled her eyes but smiled all the same as the male added in a more-serious voice: “How will we know what to save and what not to?”
“The same way we knew what Pales should remain behind; we trust in our instincts, and our knowledge of these creatures. I am a good judge of character and thou possesses a ridiculous repertoire of mostly-true stories about all sorts of creatures of the night in thy mind.” Luna gave him an entertained look. “We shall mix generalization and astute observation, and this way, figure out what is worthy to cross and join our new world.”
Scrivener nodded slowly, and they were both quiet for a while as they made their way towards their home. Their attention was soon drawn by the state of the world around them instead of thoughts of taming darkness, however, as they approached the Empty Forest and found it had become a sea of gnarled and twisting trees, the blackened hulks moving slowly but visibly in tandem, like ripples spreading through the surface of some forsaken pool.
Here and there, other trees had merged together and grown into freakish sentinels with branches ending in what seemed almost like grasping fingers that clawed at the air of their own volition, towering over the forest and seeming to peer down at it from their naked, headless trunks, and Luna and Scrivener avoided these on instinct; their worries were confirmed when they watched a Velite Drake snatched up by one of these strange tree-beasts when it drew too close before the skeleton was torn into ivory confetti like it was nothing more than wax paper, and the two ponies hurried onwards through the miserable forest.
In the distance, the Frozen Reef had slipped closer towards their home, and now leaned ominously forwards like an immense tidal wave, rivulets of water running off the melting ice. As the two equines made their way towards the cottage, they both wondered what had brought the world from a state of death to undead mutation, and if the Black Wolves of Hell no longer being present in this layer had something to do with it.
They pushed these thoughts aside as the sun fell lower in the sky, resting in a state of endless sunset that cast gloomy shadows across the world. As they traveled through the swaying, gnarled trees, stepping over roots that twisted like snakes along the ground, they were both aware of things following them in the darkness, of eyes watching them intently, and then shapes sweeping hurriedly ahead... and so neither were surprised when they reached their cottage and found five Nightmares waiting for them, half-hiding in the shadows cast by the looming trees and their damaged home.
Their bodies were steaming faintly in the red light cast by the lowering sun, looking apprehensively back and forth before one of them rose its head, whispering: “Look, our... our big sister approaches...”
“I am not thy sibling, and nor is Nightmare Moon, for the last time.” Luna replied irritably, and the Nightmares looked back and forth nervously before the winged unicorn sighed and lowered her head, then grimaced up towards the stained and broken sky as she muttered: “But speak quickly, creatures. What business does thou have with me?”
“Our siblings found you before... sought to strike a deal with you. You seemed to consider, and we will do anything to escape this wretched world...” the Nightmare that had already spoken answered hurriedly, shivering a bit in the dark shadows beside the cottage, its eyes gleaming as the smoky black hell-horse looked back and forth nervously. The other Nightmares seemed content to allow it to talk for them, however, and the demonic horse continued nervously: “We are few now... so many of us have returned to the graves and the darkness and the ether... we need your help.”
“A plainspoken plea for mercy. I do not know whether to be moved or sickeningly-amused, considering the trouble thy kind has given me in the past.” Luna muttered musingly, looking down thoughtfully, and then she shook her head slowly. “If I am to save thy kind, the terms of the deal will not be fair to thee. And first off, I desire to know what is happening in this world... it looks as if in the time I have been gone Equestria has transformed from corrupted and dead into a falsely-living mockery of Helheim itself.”
The Nightmare nodded rapidly, bowing itself low as it whispered: “The world sinks deeper and lower into Helheim, the place we all sought to escape. The demons smell the end approaching, and they have given themselves up to infighting and destruction. They no longer seek a method of escape... they only seek to kill as many as possible before they fall into destruction themselves.
“We are not a threat to you. If we threatened you, we lose our chance to escape. There are so few of our siblings left... thirty, maybe fewer if the demons have found our brethren, maybe more if others hide still. We cannot travel during the day like the more-powerful entities of shadow can... even with the sunlight's faintest rays, look at us, we burn. To demons, we are tender morsels... made up of broken souls and living emotions, they capture us and serve us as bribes to their betters to buy themselves more time to survive.” The Nightmare looked up, whispering: “But in a world where there is deep night as well as endless day, we would stand a chance for survival. We'll be your spies, your whisperers, your conspirators. We'll swear loyalty to you. Honor is a concept older and more sacred than any mortal pony could ever appreciate.”
Luna muttered a bit, looking down, pretending to consider, and Scrivener glanced towards her quietly, knowing why she was drawing this out. The Nightmares were conniving and would exploit any vulnerability they could find, from their experiences: they had to be handled with great caution. “I shall... accept the offer only on the condition that I have thine loyalty, without question, without consequence. Thou must do as I say, without argument, without seeking thine own ends. This is not a negotiable deal to bend to thy favor and I do not trust thee. All of thee will be kept on a short leash.”
“Anything, anything you desire... but we do not wish to die. We have lived for centuries and you already know that we fear death and all it takes.” the Nightmare murmured, shaking its head quickly. “You shall set the terms. You shall give us the contract. We will obey you, indefinitely and without question, but please just save our lives...”
“Then go for now, dark specters. Gather the other Nightmares and other servants of the darkness that I can trust, and in a week's time or so I shall bring about night to this poisoned layer of reality. Then thou shalt return here, and we shall seal a deal between us.” Luna ordered calmly, gazing slowly at the Nightmares around her, and they whispered eagerly in the shadows. “Consider this thy first task, and 'twill set the tone for our future working relationship. I would therefore recommend doing thy best work.”
“You shall not be disappointed then, mistress. Siblings... let us take our leave.” The Nightmare by the house glanced quickly back and forth, looking strangely eager before it flickered out of sight, and one-by-one, the other shadowy equines vanished as well, until Scrivener Blooms and Luna were standing alone in front of their damaged cottage.
The sensation of their presence faded, and Luna shook her head with a quiet laugh before she glanced towards Scrivener Blooms, and the earth pony met her gaze as he murmured: “Well, I guess that could have gone worse, huh?”
“Aye, but we'll see what the creatures have to say when they return... and there could still be trickery and traps ahead, so we must remain wary.” Luna hesitated, then she looked quietly towards their cottage, saying softly: “I hope we are doing the right thing. It is not that I have never worked with such ilk in the past, only that... I hope I am not starting down a path that will lead to frustration and pain in the future. Still, if the keep their word... I believe that it will benefit our Equestria in the long run.”
She halted, then looked slowly over the damaged cabin and continued softly: “But we will need to be careful. This Equestria has become even more dangerous now... we will continue to live and fight here, to try and find any surviving Pales we can, but we must be wary. If the demons have begun destroying one another as well as everything around them, they will surely seek to challenge us as well, should the chance arrive.”
Scrivener Blooms nodded slowly, then he strode carefully forwards towards the door of their home, pushing it open... and grimacing as he gazed inside to find the walls cracked and the floor torn-up, muttering: “It looks as if we've already had a few unwelcome visitors... the wards might be broken, too. Are we going to stay here?”
“Aye, Scrivy. I shan't let anything chase us from our home.” Luna said firmly, and then she paused meditatively and added after a moment: “But thou should go in first. Thou art blocking the doorway anyway, and... thou makes a good scout, and a better shield. Just in case.”
“Oh, thank you, brave and legendary Luna Lightblade.” Scrivener muttered, and Luna huffed and poked at his flank with her horn, making the male wince a bit and kick lightly at her before he strode inside and down the corridor, grimacing a bit as he looked back and forth. Luna followed after a moment, and while Scrivy checked the den and the kitchen, she hunted through their bedroom and then checked on the magical wards both inside and outside.
Much of their home had been wrecked, and Scrivener grumbled under his breath as he squashed several ugly, gelatinous, but apparently-alive masses of bubbling slime, and when Luna returned from outside she said disgustedly: “The magical battery has been drained in its entirety. 'Twas likely wraiths, which attacked the wards and drained every bit of energy they could from our home.”
“What about the living goo? I've never seen anything like that before.” Scrivener said grouchily as he carefully wiped up the last of the mucky once-alive substance from the cracked kitchen floor, but Luna only shrugged a bit in response. It made the male sigh and grumble as Luna lit the fireplace, and he dropped his head forwards as he muttered: “And here, betwixt the first phase of life and the last phase of death, I enter now into metamorphosis, to become the unbecoming.”
Luna smiled wryly from where she laid on the ripped bedding at this, the winged unicorn looking over her shoulder towards the kitchen as she felt a strange twist run through herself at the quoted poetry, as she wondered how much Scrivener's words applied not just to the world around them but themselves as well. She only hoped that while this world fell into shadow, its death would signal the beginning of their new life in Looking Glass Equestria, and not their own fall into the deep darkness of death... or worse.