//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Brave New World // Story: Daring-Do and the Leaf in the Wind // by Sylvian //------------------------------// Epilogue: Brave New World Jinsong decides that, much like Saddle Arabian days, he rather hates the nights. Perhaps, if it were possible, he hates them more. But, where he is currently hiding, and shivering, beneath both Shiro’s wing and the cloak that he is using the hide the wings, Jinsong cannot find much more complaints outside of the fact that it is too cold. “It is not that cold,” Shiro comments, his breath misting in the early morning air. “It is quite exhilarating, really.” “S...says the pony who didn’t want to leave the temple,” Jin retorts, peeking his head out from under the wing to glare at his friend. “Too late to turn back now,” Shiro admits, “but we should be reaching the area Daring spoke to us about soon. Perhaps there, we shall find the answers we need.” “That you need, Shiro,” Jin mutters, snuggling down into his friend’s side again. “I still think we should have gone to that city she told us about… canter… what was it?” “Canterlot,” Shiro corrects, “the seat of power for the Kingdom of Equestria, as she explains it.” “Well, why didn’t we go there?” Jin demands grumply. “She made it sound like it’d be warm and comfortable there.” “Because, I am not ready to step into the greater world,” Shiro replies, starting forward again towards the large mountain range that he had been eying for a few minutes. “And I am not ready to speak to the… Princess that is in charge there. No matter how much Daring explained that she could help with our quest.” “And you think Librarian will be of more help?” Jin sighs. “Yes,” Shiro states simply, his tone indicating he is done discussing this. Jin lets it rest, for the time being at least, and contents himself with keeping warm against Shiro’s side. He really isn’t built for this cold, and was surprised he had agreed to come here after what Daring had told him. But then, she had promised, with a smirk, to offer him a nice warm fluffy blanket to hide in for a month next time they saw each other, and Jin was more than willing to take her up on that offer after experiencing this bone-shattering cold. Being so close to dawn, it really is also the coldest part of the night, the sand having relinquished what warmth they had stored up from the previous day, and the sun not having risen to renew it. All and all, Jin figures if he ever saw hell it would look, and feel, like this place. Then, suddenly, it is no longer as cold. Peeking his head out from under the wing again, Jin can see trees! And grass, and feel a soft comforting breeze! Jin wiggles his way out from under the wing, and takes flight, stretching his wings a little before landing between Shiro’s and looking around with a smile. “Well, this place looks the same,” Jin comments slowly before taking a deep breath. “Smells the same, too.” He then blinks as he notices eyes, lots of eyes, glowing from the bushes that line the pathway. “Hey… uhm, Shiro. We’re being watched.” “I know,” Shiro replies, continuing down the pathway casually. “It is Life’s pets.” “Perhaps we should pick up the pace?” Jin asks, a little nervous at the multitude of creatures that he knows must be lurking just out of sight. “I mean, we really should let Librarian know we’re here…” “He already knows,” Shiro says. “Besides, he is a patient creature.” “But are his pets?” Jin whispers. Shiro does not grace him with an answer, instead he continues down the pathway silently. The grounds are, as he has stated earlier, much like Jin remembered. The very air itself radiating a feeling of life and vitality that makes him feel as if thousands of years fall off of his shoulders. It is a feeling he has missed, the powerful presence of virtuous magic, and despite all the eyes looking at him he finds himself laying down against Shiro’s neck and sighing contently, closing his eyes and relaxing. Sadly, his relaxation is short lived, as the sound of the ancient doors opening before them causes Jin to sit back up and look around his friend’s neck. Before them stands the imposing sand-colored visage of the Librarian, his glowing eyes looking both of them over with a studious expression as if he is studying them like one of his books. For a long moment, Jin is afraid he will not remember them, only to have those fears quickly swept away as the construct smiles to them as best he can. “Lord Shiro, Lord Jinsong,” Librarian greets the two, his echoing voice easily reaches the two as they mount the steps, its tone warming Jin more than the air ever could. “I offer you greetings, my friends, for it has been far too long since last you graced my mother’s halls with your presence.” Shiro suddenly starts forward faster, making Jin hop off his back and glide to the steps. Looking up at his friend, he is surprised to not only see the normally stoic alicorn of war smiling, but also embracing the Librarian in a warm hug. Librarian is returning it, carefully though as he has rather sharp claws. “Librarian, my friend,” Shiro declares, happiness clear in his voice. “By the Cosmos, it is good to see you again. How have you been?” “I have been good, Shiro,” Librarian replies with a nod. “I have kept busy reading, and tending to my mother’s garden and other children in her absence.” He then releases Shiro from the hug and steps back, gesturing with one taloned hand for them to follow. “But, come, there is much to discuss.” He then turns and heads into the library. Shrio starts after him, and Jin is forced to take flight again and land on his friend’s back, taking his usual perch along his friend’s neck and resting his own head on top of Shiro’s. As they enter the library Jin feels a presence, ancient and yet young at the same time, all around them. It is familiar, for he would know the presence of Life anywhere, but at the same time he does not know this presence. Before he can continue to puzzle it out, though, Shiro speaks up. “And what do we need to discuss, old friend?” Shiro’s tone is lighter than he it had been earlier, lighter than he had been for a thousand or more years. “There is a darkness coming,” Librarian replies, his echoing voice serious. “A darkness that I have felt rising for some time, but paid no mind to.” He pauses long enough to allow the other two to come abreast of him, one eye looking at Shiro then Jin. “I know you two can feel it as well. Perhaps not consciously, but a part of you has felt the danger and has risen address it.” He then continues forward, deeper in the library. “Much like Life has risen to address this new threat.” “I have felt something has been off for a while now,” Shiro admits, an ear flicking in annoyance at himself, “but like you I had written it off. Especially with what happened to the city we were living in, I figured it was just… residual energy from the fall.” He then blinks as his brain registers the last part of what Librarian had said. “And Life has felt it as well? Does this mean a new one has risen?” “In a way,” Librarian starts, his tone lending a worried quality to his expression. “I am sure any questions you have about her, though, will be answered later.” He turns around a corner and leads them towards the back of the building. “For now, understand that with this rising darkness, the Virtues are now rising, returning to us. Both of you,” He looks to Jin who has been silent the entire time, and then at Shiro, “both of you will be needed in the coming months. As will all who shall feel the call of the Cosmos, and shall be drawn to aiding the Virtues.” “And how do you know this?” Jin asks with a raised eyebrow. “Not that I doubt you, Librarian, but you were always more of a solid facts kind of creature.” “Life told me,” Librarian explains calmly as they reach a pair of large doors with Life’s sigel on their faces. “Be not mistaken, both of you have an important part to play in the future.” “And, what exactly has Life told you?” Shiro asks, raising an eyebrow. Instead of answering, Librarian calmly turns and runs a clawed digit down the middle of the doors the massive locks within opening with resounding clicks. The doors swing open, and a bright light spills forth, as well as a voice. “I have told him,” the voice, melodic and haunting, answers as the doors swing wide. “That you and my sister have important roles to play, in the coming days.” Shiro shields his eyes with one arm, his jaw slack. “But most importantly; my sister’s student. She has a far more important role to play, more than even she knows….”