Star Oak crested the craggy lip that marked the entrance to the colony and soared through and into the darkness beyond, following after Cloudy Knight without a moment’s hesitation.
As if the environment was attempting to test him even before he’d entered Raven’s Rest the blizzard outside had only worsened. The pelting snow and fierce winds battering Star for every meter gained up the rocky slope.
Unlike the start of their ascent Knight had kept close to Star, holding his hoof and guiding him manually through the storm. Star was already in awe of Knight, but this feeling only grew as he’d been navigated through the maze of updrafts and whipping currents that swirled about the mountain.
Star had little doubt that he wouldn’t be standing here, panting, as the muted wind whined past the narrow entrance had Knight not hoof guided him. Smiling up at Knight, Star’s respect for his grandstallion reached new heights. Knight wasn’t even sweating, his black coat was pristine and Star could only gape as Knight furled his wings with practiced nonchalance.
“So….this...is the colony?” Star finally managed to gasp out, his breath leaving steaming clouds in the still air.
“Only the first step my colt, the colony proper is much further inside the mountain,” Knight explained before frowning thoughtfully at Star, “How is your night vision? Shadow didn’t go into specifics about that.”
Star paused, suddenly dreading an arduous trek through the blackness, “I…” he began only for Knight to smile encouragingly.
“We can take it slow and I’ll be with you every step of the way,” Knight added and Star felt a mixture of relief and a little….well silly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Knight’s help, but he also didn’t want to turn up at the colony proper being led like some bumbling infant.
“I can see fine grandpa, but if you could lead that would be great,” Star replied with growing confidence and the tension eased somewhat.
The feeble light from the entrance quickly dwindled as they pressed downwards, the blackness ahead of Star holding only hints of the looming rock pillars and obstructions that loomed ahead. Star’s eyes adjusted but it was only token resistance against the darkness, he could make out vague shapes and outlines too but truly calling it ‘sight’ would have been exaggerating.
“So you can see something at least?” Knight asked, his silhouette advancing surehoofed and easily through the maze of rocky outcrops ahead.
“Yeah Grandpa…. I can see enough…” Star began only to stub his hoof on a mound in the darkness. Biting his lip, Star tried to hide his yelp of pain but the telling eyes of Knight glinted ahead.
“I can’t imagine what it’s like for you, not seeing all the beautiful shades of darkness. The play of shadows across the rock or the subtle differences of the night,” Knight called and Star was keenly reminded of his own father.
Shadow would talk like that, during the long evenings as they sat on the family home’s porch. Star’s mind was taken back to happy sunsets where they would all watch the way it had dipped below the horizon and Shadow would take off his goggles with a contented sigh.
“Why do you wear those Pa?” Star’s much younger voice called out.
Blinking furiously, Shadow smiled down at him, “Well, it’s because the sun hurts my eyes.”
“But the sun don’t hurt Ma’s eyes, or mine?” Star could still recall the confusion he’d felt.
Shadow had hugged him tightly with, what Star now understood to be a worried smile, and gently rubbed his head, “Well that’s because your mum is a daytime pony and I’m a nighttime pony.”
“Oh,” was all his younger self could say to that.
“But I can see all the shades of darkness, the play of shadows across the trees and grass along with all the subtle differences of the night,” Shadow added and…
“Pa told me a bit about it, but I never really understood what he meant either,” Star added sheepishly as he caught the faintest of smiles from Knight. “He said that it was okay because I could see the world through my own eyes, I could see the sunlight and the darkness.”
Knight chuckled, “Those sound like very wise words, are you sure it was Shadow that said them?”
Star was about to snap back angrily when he caught the playful glint in Knight’s eyes and found himself smiling back, “Yeah he did.”
“He’s grown up a lot, you should be proud of him,” Knight said, the pride in his own voice clear, “I….” Knight began when his whole demeanor shifted. Star caught the impression of muscles tensing and a narrowing of Knight’s eyes.
“I know you’re there ‘Ghost Step’, you never did score highly in stealth if I recall,” Knight addressed a patch of blackness which looked identical to every other in Star’s mind. In the quiet that followed Star strained his ears, trying to pick up on what Knight had noticed but all he heard were the distant echoes of the wind.
“Don’t play that game ‘Ghost’, you’ve been spotted so just come out before I have to come in there and pull you out,” Knight’s tone was stern and to Star’s surprise a little impatent, “Odin…..dva…..tri…..”
The blackness coalesced into another pony and Star had to fight the urge to stand behind Knight, as the menacing newcomer spread his wings and bared his fangs.
“And none of that either,” Knight sounded angry and to Star’s continued surprise the sinister shape resolved into a pale, off white bat pony stallion. His outline seemed to gleam in the darkness, just like moonlight reflected from rippling water.
Ghost’s adolescent tones were almost whiny and Star was treated to a whole tirade of grumbling until Knight stamped his hoof, “Language Ghost! I won’t hear such talk in the presence of my grandfoal.”
Shuffling and head hanging low, Ghost Step came closer and was revealed to be a very slightly built colt, younger than Star by the looks of him, “What gave me away? I thought I had it perfect that time?”
Star saw that Knight was smiling now, “Your heartbeat increased when you saw me looking your way.”
Ghost didn’t seem to really be listening, “Your grandfoal?” Star found a pair of intense dark red eyes watching him.
“Yes my grandfoal, Star Oak,” Knight announced in a dignified manner.
“But he’s a ‘polu-kro’…..” Ghost began only for a warning snort to silence him. Knight suddenly looked tall and terrible, as if a veil had been drawn back and all malefic powers of Tartarus had been summoned to replace Cloudy Knight with some fell creature from the underworld. The very rock all around seemed to crumble while bale fire rose up in its place. Then as quickly as it had come the cave was its natural dark self again.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that of course,” Ghost quickly added with an apologetic bow to Star.
“He’s here for his coming of age ceremony,” Knight said in a far more normal tone as the sinister aura faded.
Ghost Step visibly shook, “Well good for him, I er hope it goes well….”
“Thank you,” Knight replied coldly and only now seemed to notice the way Star was staring at him. His face softened before he gave a tiny cough, “Ghost please go on ahead and tell the others to expect us.”
Ghost gave a final bow before disappearing into the blackness with a clatter of hooves leaving them alone again. Star didn’t dare approach Knight who must have noticed his hesitancy. He reached out a hoof but Star shrank away from it, “It’s alright, that was more for show than anything.”
“The scary stuff you mean?” Star asked.
“Oh just a little trick some negasi can do to make others see something scary. It’s nothing compared to what a dark unicorn can do; they can turn your brain to jelly with fear if they wanted,” Knight said in an off hoof manner that didn’t make Star feel any better.
“But I ain’t seen Shadow do anything like that?” Star pressed, still a little shaken.
“I did say some negasi. It’s not a common trait being able to use the ‘Terror’,” Knight explained and Star felt his heart slow down to something approaching normal. “From what I hear from Shadow, your aunty Fluttershy can do something similar no? The ‘Stare’ I think you call it?”
Star swallowed, “Oh that….. I thought that was something unique to Fluttershy?”
The infamous ‘Stare’ was something that Star had experienced in the past and never wanted to repeat. The whole event came about over some petty disagreement, making one of his cousins cry but the wrath of Fluttershy still haunted him to this day.
That feeling of being reduced to ash by nameless guilt, being swallowed by a bottomless pit of regret and shame far beyond anything else Star had ever known…. He shook himself down, even the mere memory of the event causing him to shudder, “But aunty Fluttershy is a pegasi, how does that explain what you just did?”
“Comes down to our history my young Star, some pegasi can use the ‘Stare’ and some of us negasi get the ‘Terror. I have a little talent for it that keeps the younger, more rowdy colts in line,” Knight grinned, “I’m not in Fluttershy’s league though, she could reduce a fully grown dragon to tears.”
“Sort of a negasi equivalent?” Star suggested and Knight nodded approvingly.
“The pegasi have their magic to move the weather, we have other qualities,” Knight agreed.
What qualities do I have then? Star paused trying to recall if there had ever been any times he or any of his siblings had shown anything like the Terror and failed to find any, “Well I’m glad we don’t have that Terror thing. It doesn’t seem an appropriate skill to have, scaring ponies like that,” Star muttered and caught Knight watching him thoughtfully, “I mean in Ponyville we….” Knight continued to stare expectantly at Star who felt all the more uncomfortable.
“You do things differently in Ponyville, yes I know,” Knight finally added with a resigned note.
Star felt the awkward moment build until Knight smiled again, “Well this isn’t getting us to our destination is it? Best be moving on.”
Star felt more lost than ever; further from understanding his grandpa, his parents or even himself for that matter. Cloudy Knight just wasn’t the pony he had always imagined from the letters he’d gotten. Star had always pictured the kindly old pony from a storybook who gave you sweets and a bit or two to spend at market. Knight was more and less than that, and Star couldn’t figure out if he was exciting or scary.
“Come on Star, they’ll be waiting for us,” Knight called from further ahead and Star cantered as quickly as he dared to catch up.
They didn’t meet another pony in the maze of tunnels until his eyes caught sight of a faint glow that began to permeate the darkness. It was a gentle white radiance that put him in mind of moonlight and something stirred in Star’s soul as tiny motes danced in the unworldly light.
“It has that effect on me too,” Knight said quietly, the same look of contentment on his face as Star felt.
“What is it?” Star finally managed to whisper only for Knight to point at the ceiling.
There above, were a whole constellation of lights; hundreds, no thousands of them filling the view with five pointed stars from which a gentle drift of glowing motes tumbled. It was as if a waterfall made of glittering dust was falling on them in slow motion.
It was then that Star caught a fragrance on the air, cool and soothing like the smell just after rain. To his amazement the stars above drifted back and forth as if blown by a gentle breeze and finally his mind realised what he was seeing.
Star had seen such things before; dried pressed and tucked away in Applejack’s journals, “They’re flowers aren’t they?”
Knight patted Star on the head, “That they are, ‘belaya zvezda’ or ‘white star’. They’re the only flower we know of that grows in darkness.”
Another voice carried through the stillness, “Indeed, the belaya zvezda is the sacred flower of ‘noch’, it reminds us that even in the blackest depths there is still beauty to be found.”
The voice was a silky whisper and as Star glanced around to find its source he was surprised to see a whole pression of bat ponies approaching them. They emerged from a cleft in the rocky wall which was surrounded by glowing white stars. Each one wore a heavy, silvery veil that obscured their muzzle below the nose, yet left the rest of the face bare.
As they advanced Star caught sight of impressive amounts of jewellery along with pendants decorating the line of mares. Each one depicted a crescent moon on a black circle and Star’s mind blazed with sudden realisation. They also, all had a very sharp looking daggers girded about their waist.
“These are the Shining Caves!” Star squeaked with excitement only for the mares to give him a sour look, “I mean these are the Shining Caves right Grandpa?” Star whispered in a far quieter voice.
The mares broke formation and they quickly moved to surround them, each one watching dispassionately from every direction. A circle of slitted eyes bored into Star and his excitement quickly turned to apprehension.
Shadow had always said the Shining Caves were the most beautiful part of Raven’s Rest and Star could honestly believe it now he was here. But it was beautiful in a strangely cold manner, distant like the stars and somehow untouchable.
“The ‘siyayushchiy peshchery’ are a place for reflection and inner contemplation, to review one’s own soul and find meaning in direction,” The same voice explained and Star saw it belonged to an elderly black coated mare who studied him with even older looking brown eyes.
There was a certain etheric quality to her voice, as if the weight of ages past were trying to press their way into your skull along with her words. Quietly filling you with knowledge you didn’t even know you were missing. It was unsettling, yet compelling all at the same time.
“Star, may I present ‘Zvezdnyy Svet’. She is the ‘Voice of the Shining Caves’ and she will be taking things from here,” Knight announced and Star snapped back to reality with a twang.
“You’re not staying?” Star said, trying to keep the fear out of his voice.
“This is the time for you to face yourself alone, without any distractions Star Oak,” ‘Svet’ added and the feelings of unease melted away to be replaced by a pervasive calm. “Try to still your worries and fears, put aside the world outside your own mind and focus only on within.”
Star glanced skeptically at Svet and the others, wondering if this was just another ‘show’ for his own benefit. He was starting to think he’d gotten the measure of this place and the ponies within. Yet even as he thought it, Star felt a hoof on his shoulder.
Svet had moved so fast that within the blink of an eye she was by his side, “To question is good Star, to blindly follow is the path to be lead into a snare.” Svet moved again, as if by magic and while looking about to see her, Star noticed that all the other mares and Cloudy Knight had vanished. He was alone with Svet in the cave.
“Yet follow we must, not blindly but with confidence and trust. Ask your questions and know yourself, only then will you be able to see clearly who and what you are,” Svet’s soft words washed over Star and he felt nothing but genuine concern for himself from her.
“Um is this all really necessary?” Star asked and covered his mouth in shock, realising just how rude that sounded, but his thoughts had turned to Applejack. His mother would never have seriously gone in for all this smoke and mirrors stuff, would she?
Svet laughed and for the first time Star heard an old mare’s laugh, the ‘fuzziness’ all around him came back into focus and he saw Svet watching him with amused delight. “Well now, you truely are an Apple aren’t you?” The accent was the same, but the mystical quality had vanished.
“Um….yes?” Star began not sure how to respond to that kind of question.
“First time that hasn’t worked in years, but then again I guess that’s what I get for having a grandfoal whose part earth pony,” Svet’s eyes sparkled with glee and Star’s mind filled in the gaps.
“‘Starsight’?” He finally asked, the suspicion heavy in his mouth.
“One and the same, my you’ve grown up so fast,” Starsight said, cradling Star’s muzzle in her hooves and looking him over, “Yes I can see a bit of your father in there, along with a very proud and independent mare.”
Star Oak felt his cheeks being tugged and pulled as Starsight continued to explore, “Hmmm, I’d bet my hind quarters that you’re okay, the darkness hasn’t gotten its grip on your heart.”
“Urr….” Star began as Starsight pulled his eyes wide open and peered deeply into his ‘inner self’.
“Hmmm bit of a mixed up sense of who you really are, but that’s only to be expected. Still all in all a very good sign,” Starsight announced with a tiny nod to herself and then hugged Star warmly.
“Wait, what….” Star could only babbel at this sudden shift.
“I can ‘read’ ponies, it’s my special talent and I’ve gotten very good at it if I do say so myself,” Starsight explained with a wink.
“But the Shining Caves? The coming of age…” Star tried to ask and Starsight laughed all the harder.
“Traditions, sometimes they can tie a people together and other times they can be a right pain in the ‘flang’,” Starsight smiled behind her veil, “I’m afraid the locals here expect all the mysticism. They want me to help them find themselves, have them confront their darkest fears and so forth. They just don’t believe me if I tell them straight up so I have to go through all this…” Starsight waved a hoof at the encompassing cave and giggled, an oddly filly like sound from such an aged mare.
Star’s train of thought hadn’t just derailed, it had tumbled over a cliff and was now smoking at the bottom of a ravine.
“Yes I know, surprising isn’t it, but I guess it’s because I’m from the mountains near Los Pegasus, they are a bit less isolated,” Starsight added as if she could read Star’s thoughts as well.
“But….” Star tried again.
“Don’t get me wrong, the Shining Caves are an excellent place to work, the ambiance is just perfect and I find that the setting really helps ponies unwind. It makes my job all the easier,” Starsight added, her tempo speeding up as she enthusiastically explained.
“So this is all a show again, just like Stoic’s cabin and…..” Star asked and Starsight’s eyes became hard.
“Just a show? Oh no my dear colt, this is deathly serious. We need to find out if you’re a black hearted murder in your heart,” Starsight said in such a blasé manner that Star Oak knew she must be joking again. He smiled back to show he got the joke, but this time Starsight’s eyes didn’t soften.
“Um you get a lot of black hearted murders coming through here?” Star ventured timidly.
“Thankfully no. It’s seldom these days that the curse has such a strong grip that it turns a pony to darkness, yet we have to be sure,” Starsight’s ears pricked up, “But you passed easily as I knew you would.”
“Um dare I ask what happens to those that fail?” Star didn’t really want to know, but morbid curiosity forced him to.
“Well, we work with the ones we can. Every pony is different and some can learn to overcome such inclinations. With the right teaching and training they can put off the curse and lead happy normal lives,” Starsight’s manner disturbed him more than he’d care to admit.
“There are those who choose to embrace the curse, revelling in…. well those are a problem that we deal with in the appropriate manner,” Starsight concluded and Star Oak felt his eyes drifting to the dagger at Starsight’s side. She however ignored his grimace and ruffled his mane playfully, “We don’t have to worry about that problem with you however, plus I’d wager your brother and sister will be fine too.”
As reassuring as it was to be declared a ‘non-psychopathic killer’ Star Oak couldn’t help but be rattled by such a test being needed at all. The idea that a ‘secret madpony’ could lurk inside any bat pony was a disturbing idea.
Starsight clearly must have read his expression, “Now my dear, don’t let this worry you. I’ve only ever had one ‘failure’ passing through these caves in all my years serving as Voice. They chose to be bad, but that was their choice. Every pony has to choose at some point by every little way they live, not just us bat ponies. Our temptations are just a bit more direct.”
“So that’s why some ponies here think it’s bad for bat and non bat ponies to mix?” Star asked finally, “That same risk is then passed on,” Star said only for Starsight to roll her eyes.
“You’ve been listening to Cloudy haven’t you? I told him not to mention such nonsense when he picked you up but it seems his nature for the dramatic has been too strong, again.
“No it’s not like that grandma, not at all. I pressed him about it and he only told me after I nagged him a lot,” Star pleaded.
She sat down and placed a hoof around Star’s shoulders, “Did he cave on the third or second time you asked and remember I can read you like an open book.”
“Third, no second….I think…” Star replied finally, “It was Stoic down in Misty Heights that first mentioned it and there were the odd looks the other negasi gave me on the train ride here.”
“Mhmmmm,” Starsight peered into his eyes before rubbing her chin, “Yep that sounds like Stoic. As for the others, no doubt we’ll get their delightful insight into pony interrelations and family trees soon enough. She suddenly brightened up, “The cave is booked for at least another half an hour, why don’t you tell me all about your trip? How’s my Shadow doing in Ponyville?”
Star felt the hope of a pleasant meeting with his family here in Raven’s Rest rekindled as he sat and talked with Starsight. She again was not what Star had expected, being far more laid back and easygoing than he could have guessed. She seemed to take the world and all it could throw at her with an easy stride.
After all the dour looks, the crawling through dark caves and the looming threat of meeting ‘the colony’ as a whole it was great to finally just get some time to sit down and talk about things. Nothing serious, just how things were and share in the simple joys of being family.