//------------------------------// // Chapter One - Shadow and Light // Story: The Evolution of Harmony // by Thornwing //------------------------------// The gentle rolling hills and clover strewn meadows surrounding Ponyville gave way to rocky slopes and jagged mountain peaks as Twilight flew west. She had come this way a few times before, merely to pivot and return to the safety of her castle. With each trip, she ventured closer to the brooding mountains and whatever discovery lay beyond. Her current destination unclear, tonight she journeyed on, driven toward the unknown. The soft glow of moonlight reflected off the mountain peaks, glinting like the sharp teeth of an enraged beast. The pull of her own curiosity couldn’t adequately account for the craving she felt drawing her toward the other side, just barely out of reach. Each night, she approached the pass. Each night, she turned back as insecurity overcame the desire to explore. Not this night. Nothing could deter the drive she felt coursing through her wings. Propelled by a sudden surge of will, Twilight scaled the snow-capped peaks and rolled out over the top. Looking down over the western lands beyond, hazy clouds hovered over a deep valley brimming with an ancient and forgotten forest. The promise of pleasant discovery sank in the squalor of murk and decay below. The dark forest, bordering on swampland, stretched as far as the eye could see with only the smallest sliver of the distant ocean glistening on the horizon under the assault of a rising storm. Fear, uncertainty, and doubt clouded her mind. She struggled with the thought of turning back, but her wings had plans of their own. With each labored flap, they pushed forward into the gloom. A fetid stench hung on the air. Twilight sucked in a breath and held it against the unpleasantness of the putrid smell. The valley reeked of death—or something worse if that were even possible. Unchanged for miles stretching to the sea, the brackish mire held the land in a grip of malaise and sorrow. Nothing could survive in this place, at least nothing that didn’t share an affinity for the foul and decrepit. Off in the distance, a bolt of lightning flashed from an overly black cluster of storm clouds. Instead of the peal of thunder that should normally follow, Twilight heard a deep roar tumble across the treetops toward her. Her mane stood on end as she tried to backpedal her legs against her uncooperative wings. Another flash of light struck the ground. The cascading roar grew louder. Trees and dirt fell away as a roiling mass bubbled up from the tangled forest ahead. Shedding the earthen coating, a veritable wall of brackish sludge rose up from the ground. Fully exposed to the elements, this beast of pure nightmare belted out a roar that rippled through the air. Twilight tried and failed to arrest or even slow her approach. Her wings pushed forward with a mind of their own. She readied her magic as best she could and petitioned in vain to alter course. The beast lashed out at the clouds with flailing appendages, tentacle protrusions launching volley after volley of its own grisly composition. Twilight gasped as she watched the creature strike back at the thunderclouds. Nearly on top of the conflict between Earth and Sky, she heard a voice call out: “Turn back!” The armor-clad form of Princess Luna galloped across the night sky, flying straight at Twilight from out of the cloud bank. “The legends are true. We must warn Canter—” One of the creature’s projectiles struck the back of Luna’s head, and she dropped from the sky. Her body shimmered and disappeared from sight into the haze of swamp below. “Princess!” Twilight reeled from the unexpected encounter. Gaining partial maneuverability, she rolled to the right and then back to the left as the creature turned its attention on her. The first shot missed by mere inches. A second volley missed by a hair. Clumps as small as a pebble to larger than a pony followed—the sky filling with random missiles originating from the swamp monster. She suddenly froze as a melon-sized blob threatened to make contact with her muzzle. Bolting upright, Twilight opened her eyes. Panting, she swept a clump of sweat-soaked mane from her forehead. She lit her horn instinctively and scanned the room. Spike lay peacefully tucked into his basket bed in the far corner. Owlowiscious gave a reassuring hoot from his perch near the window. It was all just a dream—a vivid nightmare. I’ve never had one feel so real before. Twilight caught her breath. Her mind kept on running. Why was Luna there? What did she say? I don’t recall ever needing her help to overcome a random nightmare before. I wonder how much time she spends doing that in general. I’ll have to ask her about it later. Shaking her head, she laid back down against her pillow. I really need to lay off the after-dinner snacks. Sunrise wasn’t too far off, and she needed all the sleep she could get. She closed her eyes and managed to stifle her reactionary thoughts. With any luck, a few minutes of unimpeded rest might help to compensate for the jarring nightmare experience. It’s all in my head, she repeated over and over as she worked to calm her nerves and quiet her thoughts. Without too much resistance, her body gave in, and she drifted back to sleep. Morning came, and with it, another list of tasks to check off. Twilight rolled out of bed and dragged her aching body to the bathroom. A cold shower and a brisk brush of mane, coat, and tail later, she stepped out, ready to face the world. First on her list was a hearty breakfast of warm oat mash. The bland meal set the tone for what she hoped would be a completely normal day—with the one exception of hosting a Royal Book Fair in memory of the Golden Oak Library that evening. Feeling refreshed, Twilight left the kitchen with her faithful assistant in tow. Spike scratched away at a particularly long scroll as he trailed behind. He hurried to keep pace with her as he took to recording the myriad tasks that came with keeping an entire castle in working order, along with finishing the preparations for their first ever royal event. The parchment unwound down the hallway behind him as he scanned the first few lines near the top. “I can’t believe how big this place is. It’s going to take all day to get everything ready.” “It’s certainly different.” Twilight kept her pace as she measured her steps in steady rhythm, clip-clopping across the crystal floor. “It reminds me a lot of Canterlot Castle, minus all the ponies, of course.” Her days growing up in the shadow of Princess Celestia right at the heart of the bustling capital drew a sharp contrast and parallel to her current abode. Given the recent loss of the Golden Oak Library, the Castle of Friendship still felt empty inside. Only time and newly minted memories could help fill the gaping hole in her heart. Spike sighed as he scanned down the items on his checklist. “How am I ever going to keep up with all the chores?” Twilight broached a smile as she considered her cleanliness-obsessed friend. “No worries. Celestia said she would send over a contingent of the Royal Guard and Household to help keep this place running smoothly.” Twilight sidled up to the adjacent wall and stuck out a hoof. She felt along the sparkling crystal surface, smooth as glass under her touch. “I don’t think we’re in too bad a shape just yet.” “Well, that’s a relief! My dusting checklist alone is already over ten yards long.” Spike stuck his quill behind his ear and began to wind up the trailing scroll. “Oh, Spike. You don’t need to make a big deal about the chores right away. There’s more important things to do right now—like making sure everypony is ready for the Golden Oak Memorial Book Fair tonight.” Twilight tapped her hooves on the floor, striking up an excited and awkward dance. “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are coming, too.” “That’s right!” Spike held a claw in the air and recited his reply as if reading from a script. “We’ve got a lot of shelves to fill in order to replace the books that were destroyed with the old library, and we could use all the help we can get.” His enthusiasm dropped, and he let out a heavy sigh. “I sure do miss the library—our old home.” Twilight paused. “I do too, Spike.” She closed her eyes and drew up a memory of the old tree. She could never forget the sturdy trunk or the thick, leafy boughs that provided her shelter when she first arrived in Ponyville. That tree was her refuge, a place she shared with her friends. It wasn’t just a library—not to her. Opening her eyes, she met the reality that they no longer lived in that warm and cozy tree. Stark walls and nearly empty rooms of common size and shape ran like a phalanx to either side. Her new castle resembled a tree on the outside, but there was nothing at its core that gave it a similar spark of life. “I’m going to go see how the preparations are coming along outside.” With a tap of her back leg and a swish of her tail, Twilight set her stance and broke into a trot toward the grand staircase leading down to the main entrance. “I better get back to work too...” Spike gathered his scroll and set off in the opposite direction. Descending the spiraling staircase which spilled out into the Grand Foyer, Twilight lifted her head, taking in the sights of castle above and around her. It certainly doesn’t feel like home yet, but I’ll do my best to put a little ‘Sparkle’ in it soon enough. She giggled to herself as she pulled back the main doors with her magic and trotted out into the light of the midmorning sun. The grass of the de facto castle courtyard shimmered with the remnants of morning dew. An already well-worn path bisected the meadow leading off into town. The castle grounds buzzed with activity, and Twilight’s friends busied themselves in event preparation even without her direct supervision. “Heya, Twilight! It’s good to see you found yer way out here to lend us a hoof,” Applejack said with a wave from across the field. She hauled a cart loaded with all sorts of baked goods toward a pair of empty banquet tables situated on the west lawn. Piled inside were practically every kind of apple treat a hungry pony could imagine. Pies and cakes, fritters and dumplings—all for the waiting mouths and stomachs of those willing to donate an old book or two to the cause. Rainbow Dash swooped up next to Twilight before she had a chance to make it halfway down the castle steps. “Yeah, Twilight, could you tell Pinkie that this isn’t supposed to be a castle-warming party? We need you to help focus her energy more on the books and less on the party.” She pointed an accusatory hoof toward the target of her frustration. “Well, no pony said we can’t have a castle-warming party along with the book drive,” Pinkie Pie said peering out from behind a banner she was attempting to hoist up a set of flimsy poles. Twilight hopped down the steps and continued over toward her. “It’s okay, Pinkie. I think having a party is a great idea, especially since we’re trying to remember the happy times we all shared at the old library.” She fired up her magic, and a purple glow enveloped the party banner. The sheet lifted up the length of the poles and wrapped itself into position. The word PARTY, emblazoned in big block letters and entirely too much rainbow glitter, filled the span. Pinkie responded with a huge smile and fleeting hug. “Great! Now all I need are some streamers, and cake, and punch, and…” Her voice trailed off as she bounced away to gather all the supplies she was going to need. Rainbow Dash threw her hooves in the air and flew over to help Applejack, grumbling to herself as she helped to unhitch her friend from the cart’s harness. Twilight shook her head, tossing off Rainbow’s concerns. The setup was coming along nicely and there was no reason to believe that the event wouldn’t go off without a hitch. Pinkie could add all the flair she wanted, and the book drive would be an even bigger success for her efforts. Spotting Fluttershy off in the distance, Twilight trotted down the path heading into town to check on her progress with the entertainment. A mixed group of animals formed three tight rows facing their pony conductor. Fluttershy brushed back a lock of her pink mane as she tried to coordinate the assortment of clucking chickens, bleating goats, hissing snakes, and buzzing bees before her. The bear on the back row looked bored to tears, but kept the bass section rumbling along, its lone member. As Twilight approached, the beastly chorus gave up a surprisingly melodic tune considering the unusual assemblage. “How’s it going, Fluttershy?” she asked with a hint of apprehension. Fluttershy recoiled at hearing Twilight’s voice, turning slightly to see the pony who had just snuck up on her. She nearly dropped her baton, the concert practice continuing unabated. “Oh… hello, Twilight. Not as good as I would have hoped. I don’t know if we’ll be ready for the fair. The music just isn’t coming together with the proper feeling of donate a book today. Maybe I should rethink the snake solo in the middle?” A twisted coil of scales rattled a defiant warning. Twilight reared back. “Ahhh… alright. I trust you know what you’re doing.” She glanced over the random assortment of beasts and had to wonder if Fluttershy really did know what she was doing. No matter. It would all come together in the end, and she trusted that her friend wouldn’t let her down. She slowly backed away as the snake spat out a final, spiteful hiss. “Oh, yes. I hope so. Thanks for letting us perform tonight. We sure don’t want to disappoint anypony.” Fluttershy tapped the baton to her opposite hoof as she tried to regain the attention of her motley chorale. “Not a problem. I can’t wait to hear your, um… choir perform. Keep up the good work!” Twilight trotted on past the animals and their frazzled conductor and continued down the path in search of Rarity. A bit dusty and winded after trotting halfway across town, Twilight finally arrived at Rarity’s boutique. The refined and delicate scrollwork that wound its way up the building’s façade stood out from the other buildings in Ponyville. Poofy trappings in the proprietor’s signature purple color waved in the breeze as they dangled from the gables and dormers above. The immaculate detail Rarity put into every one of her creations displayed brilliantly in the decoration of the shop itself. Twilight knocked politely before opening the door and slipped inside with the chime signaling her arrival. “Who is it?” came Rarity’s muffled, sing-song voice from the back room. “It’s me, Rarity. I’m here to make sure everything is ready for the Golden Oak Book Fair tonight.” Rarity called back through the sound-dampening curtain, “Oh, dear me, I don’t know how I’m going to be ready in time. I have so much left to do!” “Uh…” Twilight said, shaking her head. “As far as I can see, the decorations look great, and I thought you said you sent out the invitations days ago. What exactly do you have left to do?” “Oh yes, I took care of the invitations for the fair ages ago. Well, at least days ago…” Rarity slipped backward through the crack in the red velvet curtain separating the main showroom from the changing area. She wore a floor-length gown that sparkled with the gleam of a thousand, tiny purple gemstones. Each of the gems caught a glimmer of light as she spun free of the hanging fabric barrier. “Right now, I’m trying to put together a new ensemble for my grand entrance this evening.” Twilight gave a knowing sigh before composing her reply. “Okay, it looks like you’ve got everything under control then. You’ll be sure to look fabulous in front of all those dusty old books.” “Dear, sweet Twilight, one does not simply look gorgeous by standing next to something else that isn’t. But, you know, that does give me an idea!” Rarity’s voice lilted on the word with a melodic vibrato. “I know just what what to wear—vintage librarian! Oh, this is going to be so chic! I can’t wait to show off my tousled mane and librarian attire. Twilight, you’re such a great friend to help me make these important decisions. What would I ever do without you?” Rarity tore off her elegant evening gown and tossed it aside before striking an inquisitive pose to consider her friend’s state of undress. “But wait… What are you wearing tonight?” Twilight paused a moment to consider. “Well—I hadn’t really put much thought into it. I guess I’ll wear my crown… and that’s about it, I think.” “Oh, Twilight. You really need to get into the spirit of things. Take it up a notch! Surely it would help with the donations if you were to wear something that shouts royal fashion!” Rarity struck a pose and levitated a selection of embellishments from the shelves in a parade of fashion statements before her. “Perhaps a lovely sash or some mane and tail accessories? At the very least, you should consider formal hoofwear a must.” Twilight smiled at the sight of peacock feather tail highlights bouncing along in the assorted display. “Alright, Rarity. I’ll see what I can put together. I haven’t had a lot of practice with hosting events like this, but I guess some fancy attire could be in order. Thanks again for sending out the invitations to your friends in Canterlot. I hope they can donate some older books to help give a proper depth to the new library." Just as Twilight finished speaking, Spike burst through the front door. The doorbell launched from its hanger and flew across the room. Out of breath, he held up a scroll bearing the royal seal. “Twilight! I have an urgent message from Princess Celestia.” The bell hit the floor near the back room and rattled to a stop. Twilight drew up a hurried gasp. “She didn’t write to say she isn’t coming, did she?” “I’m afraid so.” Spike cleared his throat and read, “Ahem… My dearest Princess Twilight, it is with a heavy heart that we must decline your invitation to attend the Golden Oak Book Fair tonight. Princess Luna has fallen ill, and I must remain in Canterlot to see to her care. Please accept our humblest apologies for the late notice. I will see to it that our donation from the Royal Archives arrives as soon as can be arranged. Your friend, Princess Celestia” Twilight stared at the floor as she took in the message. Her thoughts bounced around in her head, searching the parallels to her nightmare from mere hours ago. Could it be a coincidence? Was it more than a simple dream? What if it’s real? Spike looked up from the note and scratched his head. “Guess that means we’ll need to set up a few more shelves in the new library if we’re getting a shipment from the Royal Archives.” Twilight broke from her rationalizations. “That’s not what I’m afraid of, Spike. If I’m right, we’ve got a much bigger problem to deal with. We all need to get back to the castle right away.” “But what about the book fair?” Rarity sputtered. “I still need time to put together my coiffure magnifique.” “We may have to cancel the fair altogether,” Twilight said, carefully weighing her options. “I’m calling an emergency meeting of the Council of Friendship!”