//------------------------------// // - VI - // Story: Solem Perditum // by PropMaster //------------------------------// - VI -   Celestia left the mirror behind, after checking it to see if there were any additional recordings on the implement. She returned to the main street, carefully looking down towards the center of the crater. The buildings she could see in the distance grew in size and in ornate appearance. With a small shiver, she remembered Nightmare Moon’s words. A building built for every day... This city must be far larger than she could imagine, and she could imagine quite a lot. It came with the territory of being immortal. Ignoring the creeping feeling of unease, Celestia began walking towards the middle of the crater. As she walked, the buildings slowly changed. At first, they were crudely constructed, simply hollow squares. However, as she continued on, the shapes became more confident. More windows began appearing, first, then buildings with multiple stories. Columns began appearing, then balconies. The architecture became more complex, intricate carvings appearing alongside unique styles of construction that Celestia had never seen. Celestia deviated from her path as the dirt roads beneath her feet turned to lunar cobblestone. Each step she took, magic rippled through the ground, reacting to her presence, and the buildings came to life. Lights shone from within, and illusory banners and tapestries brightened the grey spaces. Celestia halted before a large building with five stories and a plethora of flags marked with Nightmare Moon’s sigil, and walked inside. The interior of the building was lavishly furnished, with carpets that felt real beneath her hooves, though she knew they were simply magic. She ran a hoof along a long couch with plush seats, admiring the work. Nightmare Moon had obviously been getting more creative with her time. Celestia moved through a wide set of gilded double doors to discover a massive bed chamber with a round bed on a raised dais, and several windows facing out to... Celestia approached the windows, staring out. The windows looked out on a dark forest, with massive trees and creeping vines. Celestia shook her head and turned away, looking at the bed. She approached it, and bent low, examining the mattress. It seemed solid, so she gently touched the top of the bed. It squashed under hoof, and Celestia couldn’t help but smile to herself. For some inexplicable reason, she’d never thought of Nightmare Moon enjoying soft beds. Hard cushions and firm mattresses seemed to be more her style. It was an oddly revealing quality. Celestia wondered if there were parts of Luna lurking beneath Nightmare Moon’s subconscious, influencing her. Shaking her head, the white alicorn stretched and then climbed up onto the bed. She’d been exploring and walking for several hours, and while she didn’t strictly need rest, she wanted it. Though this room might have served as the den of one of her enemies, Nightmare Moon had long since abandoned this place. It was entirely possible that she had never even used this bed. That thought was almost immediately dismissed when Celestia’s hoof came into contact with something hard beneath the pillows at the head of the bed. Withdrawing the object, she found herself holding another mirror. Celestia frowned, glancing around the room as if expecting somepony to walk in and scold her for snooping. When nothing happened, she chuckled quietly to herself, and activated the mirror. Nightmare Moon stared out of the mirror at her. She’d removed her regalia and helm, this time, and her eyes looked slightly unfocused. “Year twenty-three, day... well, it doesn’t matter. Nopony will ever know of these journals, and I don’t know why I persist in making them. Perhaps it helps stave off the incredible boredom.” Nightmare Moon exhaled slowly, a gesture of weakness that seemed awkward from such a creature. “Though it has only been twenty-three years, I am already starting to feel the effects of prolonged solitude. I often talk to myself, which is disconcerting. I’ve thrown myself more fully into building this city. It is a good way to spend the days, but I’m running out of architectural styles to imitate or invent. There’s only so much one can do before the enjoyment of creating a city is... lost.” Nightmare Moon’s gaze shifted away, and she grew silent for a moment, pondering something. Celestia noticed something odd, as Nightmare Moon’s tongue tucked into the corner of her lips and her eyes glanced upward as she thought. The gesture was familiar, and after a moment it struck Celestia that it was something Luna often did while deep in thought. The idea that her dear sister was lurking just beneath the surface of this monster was a sobering one. Nightmare Moon’s eyes slowly focused back onto the mirror, and she smirked. “Excuse me. I was just thinking of a new floor layout to try tomorrow... regardless, I believe that I will continue my work for now. I’m finding that with my mastery of many magical techniques and construction methods, my mind is the clearest while at work. I’m close, I believe, to coming up with a way to escape my exile and return to wreak my vengeance upon Celestia and her precious ponies.” Nightmare Moon’s voice faded, as did the reflected image. Celestia frowned, before casting the mirror aside. She spread herself across the bed, a small shiver going down her spine at the thought of spending the night in Nightmare Moon’s own bedroom, but the stress of the day and the spells she’d been forced to maintain for so long finally forced her to put her mind at ease. She dismissed her warding spells and shield, and sighed happily as the effort of keeping her defenses up was removed. She rolled onto her back and spread open her wings, the soft matress conforming to her shape, and found her eyes growing heavy...