Watching the World Burn

by Inkscape

A Walk in the Woods

The next morning Inkscape found herself being jostled awake. Her eyes flickered open to find a lavender face just inches from her own. She let out a scream, and then a hoof was shoved over her mouth.

“Shh! Inkscape, it’s just me, Twilight!”

Inkscape sat up, clutching at her heart. She wasn’t sure that she was not going into a cardiac arrest. “Celestia help me! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” She pointed an accusing hoof at the alicorn. “Don’t you know not to sneak up on ponies?”

The hoof was over her mouth again. “Quiet!” She hissed. “You’re going to wake up Spike!”

Inkscape glanced over at the window. Celestia was just rising the hot summer sun. She looked moodily at Twilight. “Why are you waking me up this early? Celestia hasn’t even raised the sun yet!” She gestured towards the window.

“Because I want to get an early start. Also, Spike gets bored out of his mind, whenever I go to the Palace of the Two Sisters. I thought it would be best of he stayed here and had a morning to sleep in while we’re away. Now get up!”

Inkscape groaned, but complied. She rolled out of bed. She grabbed a brush from her luggage and hastily brushed her mane and tail, while Twilight tapped her hoof impatiently. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go!”

They left Spike a letter, reminding him where they were going today. By the time they reached the edge of the Everfree Forest, the sun was just rising above the horizon, painting the sky unusually red. The hue made Inkscape uneasy for some reason, but she shrugged it off and followed Twilight Sparkle into the coolness of the trees. Inkscape found it hard to believe that it was already getting so warm so early in the day.

“If it gets any warmer this summer, everypony will melt!” The yellow mare commented, as they journeyed into the forest.

“Hopefully we can get some answers today, just be sure to stick close. There are a lot of wild animals in the Everfree Forest. There are timberwolves, cockatrices, hydras…. I’ve even seen a sea monster… well, a river monster, but it was still a monster!”

Inkscape felt the fur along her knape rise apprehensively. She glanced around at the shadows cast by the looming trees and thick foliage off the side of the path. She tried hard not to imagine glowing pairs of eyes peering out at her from the darkness. She swallowed hard and diverted her gaze, giving out a small yelp, when she saw that Twilight had gotten ahead of her. She galloped to catch up.

They walked in silence. Usually Inkscape would have struck up a conversation, but something about this strange place killed her desire to speak. If anything was out there, she wanted to be able to hear it before it heard her.

The two mares delved deeper into the forest. They came to a ravine that appeared quite suddenly through the trees. Inkscape thought she saw something at the bottom…glowing? She craned her neck over the edge for a closer look. It was glowing! It was a tree, and it was glowing! It was unlike anything she had ever seen before. It did not have leaves. Instead of leaves, it had what appeared to have short, jeweled, vines adorning its branches. The tree seemed to be more stone-like than anything. Upon its trunk was a crescent moon, further up was the depiction of the sun, at its center there appeared to be a star of some kind. Within each of its branches was a glowing stone in the most odd collection of shapes: a balloon, an apple, a diamond, a butterfly, and a lightning bolt. It couldn’t be. Those were the Elements of Harmony! But what were they doing way out in the middle of this forest? Why were they embedded into a glowing tree? “What is that?” She dared to ask, no louder than a whisper.

“That is the Tree of Harmony.”

Inkscape tilted her head slightly. “The Tree of Harmony? But, aren’t those the Elements of Harmony fastened within its branches?”

Twilight nodded gravely. “When the Princess Sisters went missing, and the Everfree Forest was invading, we had no choice but to return the Elements to the Tree. It is what keeps the Everfree Forest contained and at peace.”

“Return the Elements. So you’re saying the Elements of Harmony came from this tree?”

Twilight Sparkle nodded.

Inkscape gazed at the Tree once more. It was very beautiful, and it gave off an aura of peace and safety. Each Element radiated a different hue, combining its light to create a rainbow of auroras that danced upon the chasm walls. “It’s so beautiful.” She whispered in awe.

“It is, isn’t it? I guess I never took the time to notice it before. I am so deep in a one-track mind mentality, when I’m heading out here, that I didn’t stop to savor the sights like this one.”

It was high noon when they reached the Palace. Well, it certainly didn’t look like a palace, more like a crumpled heap of old ruins. Twilight said that on the day Luna became Nightmare Moon, she destroyed the palace, in an attempt to be rid of her elder sister, Celestia. Inkscape remembered the day, when the sky went dark during the Summer Sun Celebration. It was shortly after that that Princess Luna returned. Inkscape herself had been apprehensive of the formerly banished princess, but living in Canterlot allowed her to see the princesses in passing on a regular basis. She quickly learned that Nightmare Moon was no more. Whenever addressing the crowds in Canterlot, Princess Luna seemed to be a kindhearted pony with much compassion for her subjects.

As if the outside wasn’t ominous enough, the inside of the castle gave Inkscape goosebumps. Cobwebs hung from the walls, and the air was dank and heavy, topped with the faint smell of mothballs and water mold. They entered into the long-abandoned throne room. A hole had been blasted through the ceiling, letting in dim light from the surrounding forest. Empty suits of ancient pony armor lined the walls. They gave her the creeps, half-expecting them to come to life at any second.

A flight of steps lead to the platform where two stone thrones stood, timeless, one depicting a sun on its back, the other, a moon. It was hard for Inkscape to take in that this castle was once the home of the highest royalty in all of Equestria. Twilight lead the way, imbuing her horn with a spell to light the way. Inkscape followed suite, lighting her own horn.

Something sticky and stringy in texture hit Inkscape in the face. She let out a piercing, panicked scream.

Twilight whirled around with a gasp. “Inkscape! What is it?”

Inkscape shook her head and bucked to rid herself of the strange sensation. “Get it off! Get it off! Something’s got me, get it off!” She flailed around helplessly. She suddenly found herself airborne, caught in Twilight’s levitation spell.

“Hold still!” The alicorn princess scolded with a giggle. “You just stepped into a spider’s web. Let me help.” She step forward, as to remove the web, when the unicorn resumed flailing even harsher than before.

“Aghhh! Spider! Get it off! Get it off!”

“Inkscape, calm down! There’s no spider.” She told the frantic mare, discreetly swiping away the arachnid crawling on her friend’s shoulder. “Now, I’m going let you down, and I want you to relax, not panic. Okay?” She lowered her down to the ground, while removing the cobweb with a spell.

Inkscape took a few deep, calming breaths. “Sorry, arachnophobic.” She grinned sheepishly.

“It is quite understandable.” Twilight returned, continuing forward. “Phobias are very common. I’d even go as far as to say that everypony has at least one.”

“Really? Well, what is one of your phobias?” Inkscape asked, following close behind.”

“Ophidiophobia.”

Inkscape tilted her head. “Really? But they are so adorable!”

Twilight rounded on her. “Are you serious? They’re terrifying! They slither and hiss, and their forked tongue!” She visible shivered just thinking about it.

“That is a silly fear. Have you seen their eyes? Granted, vipers have slitted eyes, but the others have those cute rounded pupils. Oh! And when they stick their tongues out to taste the air. So charming!” Her hooves clapped together excitedly.

Twilight Sparkle jammed the tip of her hoof into Inkscape’s chest. “You’re scared of spiders, most of which are completely harmless - just like the one that landed on you, when you ran into its web just now.” She smirked, when Inkscape’s eyes widened, and she started panicking, feeling about herself with her forelegs, trying to brush off the non-existent spider. The princess chuckled. Inkscape narrowed her eyes and followed the lavender alicorn into the library. Very funny, Twilight. Very funny.

Inkscape had never seen so many books! The shelves stretched from the floor to the high ceiling, far above her head. She had to crane her neck in order to see the top of the shelves. If she had to guess, she would have had say it was about two stories high. “Wow.” She whispered, her voice echoed in the vast space above.

“Isn’t it wonderful?” Twilight was grinning ear to ear. She looked like a foal in a candy store. “Now, the books are quite organised. The science books are over there.” She pointed to Inkscape’s left with a hoof. “And the history books are over there.” She pointed to Inkscape’s right. “I’ll take the science wing, if you want to start looking through the history books.”

Inkscape agreed and headed over to the shelves Twilight had pointed her to. “Sweet Celestia! Where do I start?!” She took in the vast expanse of books. “This has to be one of the biggest collection in this already gargantuan library.” She swallowed and a determined expression crossed her features. “Okay, let’s do this,” She said to nopony in particular, as Twilight was on the other side of the library, her muzzle already deep into a book on weather.

Surrounding a book titled, Historical Weather in the Last Century with an aura of pink magic, she lowered it down towards her. She levitated it to a small table beside the shelves with an old pillow for seating, and though soft, it let out a puff of dust when she sat on it. She coughed and stuck her tongue out, while trying to wipe the dust off with her bare hooves. “Gross!”

Inkscape regarded the book, a burgundy cover with old depictions of weather on its cover. “Well, this could be promising.” She gingerly opened the book with magic and began skimming the pages for something about past droughts. Unfortunately, the closest thing she could find was when Equestria's National Weather Teams went on strike over three hundred years ago. “The weather teams most certainly aren’t the problem this time around.” She murmured to herself, turning the page. She skimmed through the remaining chapters, but nothing of consequence appeared. Inkscape sighed and shelved the book.

She spent the next two hours skimming through books, none of which gave her any clues to solving the mystery of the weather. Getting frustrated, she pulled another book off the shelf, not even bothering to look at the cover. She opened it to a random page and began skimming, but then she started reading. It had to do with the banishment of Nightmare Moon. It seemed as if the writer had been there himself or herself. Holding her place with a hoof, Inkscape peeked at the cover. Nothing. She opened it to the first page. It was blank with the exception of the script scrawled in its center.

Celestia

“Celestia? Celestia used to live here. Maybe this was her book.” She gasped, double-checking the handwriting in the book to that on the inside cover. They matched. “It couldn’t be. Celestia’s diary?” What a find! Inkscape glanced over her shoulder to where Twilight was sitting across the Library. She was now surrounded by piles of books, rapidly skimming and sorting through them with her magic. Her progress made Inkscape feel guilty. She was putting far more energy into this research than she was, but Inkscape couldn’t pass this up. A first hoof account on the banishment of Nightmare Moon! With a last glance at Twilight, she delved into the account.

Banishing Nightmare Moon, no, my sister, Luna, to the moon, was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I suspect it will be the hardest thing I will ever do, as long as I live. I do not blame my sister for what happened. This was the doing of The Nightmare, one of the darkest forces known to ponykind. It is a parasitic force that searches out vulnerable ponies to latch on to, and in the process, infects their hearts, turning them dark and cruel. I can only hope this condition is curable. I already do so much miss my dear sister. I often wonder if there was more I could have done to prevent this tragedy from occurring. I saw the signs, her unhappiness, her growing distant from me and other ponies. Emotionally, she was so vulnerable, making her a perfect target for the Nightmare. Maybe if I had been a better sister, she would not have felt this way. I could have stopped this. I should have stopped this.

“Hey, Inkscape!”

Inkscape nearly jumped out of her pelt. “Don’t scare me like that!”

Twilight blushed. “Sorry. What are you reading there?”

She sighed. “Nothing of use, I’m afraid.” She levitated the book towards Twilight. “I got caught up reading an entry in Princess Celestia’s old diary, the one about her banishing Nightmare Moon, and the magic that changed Luna into a mare of darkness.”

“Wow! That is quite a find! I think I’d like to borrow that one! I can’t believe you found another diary of the Princess!” She squealed and clapped her hooves together in excitement. “I can’t wait to read it!”

“Wait. Another diary?”

Twilight nodded. “Yes, I found another awhile back. It documents Princess Celestia and Princess Luna growing up in this very castle.”

“I bet that would be interesting to read. I would love to know what Equestria was like so long ago.” She paused. “But this isn’t getting us any closer to learning about the drought.” Inkscape added regrettably.

Twilighted sighed. “Yeah, you’re right. Maybe we should -” She was cut off by a loud growl from her stomach. She chuckled, embarrassed. “Maybe we should call it a day and go get some dinner.

Inkscape’s own stomach responded with a growl of its own, before she could say anything. “Maybe that would be best.” She blushed.

They ventured through the Everfree Forest, on the path back to the library in Ponyville. They decided to bring the diary with them. Twilight really wanted to read about Celestia’s view of Nightmare Moon’s banishment. Inkscape personally wanted to know more about this parasitic magic called the Nightmare. The two mares arrived back at the library just as Luna was raising the moon. They prepared grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. Spike had already gorged himself sick on snacks, while they were away. He was laying in his basket, holding his bloated stomach, as Twilight chastised him.

“Too bad we couldn’t find anything to clue us in about the drought.” Inkscape commented as they ate.

Twilight blew on a spoonful of soup. “Well you found the diary of Princess Celestia. Even if it has nothing to do with the drought and heat, I’m sure there is knowledge to be gained from it.”

Staring thoughtfully at her sandwich, Inkscape said, “You know, I have never heard of the magic called “The Nightmare before, have you? Granted, I am not the most studious of ponies, since I graduated school, I would have thought that I would have heard about it at least once, especially after attending Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The place specializes in magic and magic history.”

Twilight rubbed her chin with a hoof. “Now that you mention it, I have never heard about it either, and I studied under Celestia herself for most of my academic career. It’s certainly not in any of the books I’ve read, but Celestia clearly knows about it. I wonder why she would keep it a secret?”

“Maybe sometime you can ask her.” Inkscape suggested, as she levitated a spoon of soup into her mouth. “You know, if you are close to Princess Celestia, maybe you could ask her for leads on the drought.”

“Celestia has been around for a very long time. The fact that she hasn’t contacted me concerning the heat and drought must mean there’s nothing to worry about.” Twilight reasoned with herself.

The words of Princess Luna echoed in Inkscape’s mind. “You must remain in Ponyville, Inkscape. It is imperative. Do not go home, not until your task is complete.” She wasn’t sure why she thought of it then. The memory was so strong, it was almost as if somepony was whispering it in her ear. “Hey Twilight…?

“Hmm?” The princess vocalized through a mouth stuffed full of grilled cheese.

Maybe now wasn’t the best time. She giggled. “Nevermind. It’s not important right now.”

Inkscape headed upstairs to the guestroom. She sat down at the desk, and took the phoenix quill Twilight had gifted her in her magical grip. She flipped open the journal and began jotting down her thoughts on the day.

Today Twilight Sparkle and I ventured through the Everfree Forest to the Palace of the Two Sisters. It’s where Princesses Celestia and Luna grew up. It must have been so long ago! I wonder what they were like as fillies. How much older than Luna is Celestia? Such trivial questions I have. Maybe I will find some answers in the Diary I found in the Palace’s library this afternoon. It was written by Celestia herself, about a thousand years ago!

That dream is still at the back of my mind, however. Maybe Princess Luna really was walking with me in my dreams. But I have had vivid dreams before, but her voice was so clear, like she was talking right next to me. Coming to think of it, the entire thing seemed too real to be a dream at all. Princess Luna assured me I was dreaming, but added the perplexing detail that it was also reality. She also left me with a warning not to return home until my task was complete. I don’t know what that task could be. Maybe it’s figuring out the source of this drought? Gee, I am getting tired. I think it is time for me to go to sleep. Maybe this will all make more sense in the morning.

- Inkscape

Inkscape wiggled her way beneath the covers of the plush canopy bed. Fatigue suddenly overcame her, as she rested her head on the pillows. It had been a rather long day. Maybe tomorrow she could get a better look at that diary. She wasn’t sure why it attracted her so much. Maybe it was because it was something nopony else had ever read? She shrugged off the notion and closed her eyes.

She found herself in the dark. She lit her horn to gather her surroundings. It looked like she was in the library from the Palace again. What she didn’t understand was why. She whipped her head around, when she heard slow hoofsteps coming from behind.

“What? Who’s there?” She called into the shadows. She stood tall, trying to look brave and intimidating, though she doubted it was working.

Then, out of the shadows and into the light of her horn, stepped the Princess of the Night, Princess Luna. Inkscape let herself deflate like a balloon, dropping her act. “Inkscape.”

Her ears fell back, as the alicorn addressed her by name. “Yes, Princess Luna?” She gave a quick bow.

“I have grave news from Canterlot, and I fear Twilight Sparkle will need your assistance soon,” Spoke the dark princess, her face half-hidden in the surrounding shadows. Her eyes, Inkscape noticed, were very tired, but she couldn’t find the courage to ask the mysterious princess about her appearances.

“Twilight is a princess, she doesn’t need help from me,” Inkscape said, “and she has the Elements of Harmony and her friends. They have saved Equestria several times over.”

Luna shook her head slowly. “Have you forgotten what you have seen today? The Elements of Harmony were absorbed by the Tree of Harmony in order to maintain peace within and contain the Everfree Forest.”

“But what does that have to do with me, and what is this task you told me about last time?”

“For now, your task is to assist Twilight Sparkle. I would like you to encourage her to read more of Celestia’s diary, for I fear events written there may be about to repeat themselves… or worse.” She stared into the shadows, her eyes fixed on something Inkscape could not see. “I must go now. Should Twilight and her friends decide to go to Canterlot, you must go with them.”

“But last time you told me to stay in Ponyville.” Inkscape protested.

Luna fixed her aqua gaze on the unicorn. “Things are getting more serious than before, Inkscape.” Inkscape shuddered, as the deity used her name once more. “Help Twilight and the others. Your talent may become most critical. Time is short for me now. Other things call for my attention.” She gave Inkscape a small smile and gently touched her chest gently with a hootip. “Whenever in doubt, trust your heart, young unicorn. You are stronger than you believe.” She turned and walked into the shadows once more.

“Luna, wait!” But the Princess was with her no longer.

Author's Note:

Hopefully I got all the little bugs out of this one. I'd also like to announce my new editor, The Follower. I am very lucky to have him/her aboard. :)

Also, I hope you enjoyed. :)

Comments

[Inkscape]

4987181 As always, I appreciate the feedback, Yes, this is one of those cliche fics about my personal OC. It most-likely will not be a fantastic literary feat, nor my best work. I have recently taken on an editor. My biggest weakness are comma splices. You'd think four years in a university would have beaten that out of me by now.

[PaulAsaran]

4987219
Hey, I spent ten years in college and I didn't get commas until I joined this community (and many would say I still don't). So yeah, don't feel bad about that.

If you're really lucky, you'll find a solid team of editors and pre-readers to help you improve. Over the last year and a half I've grown phenomenally as a writer, and it's all due to the people who now surround my work and hit me with continuous feedback, something I never had before in over 20 years of writing. You'd like to think English teachers are helpful, but in truth I think that English teachers get so excited when they finally get a student with potential that they forget to be critical. Or at least that was my experience.

Don't let the lack of attention get to you. I was in the same boat when I first got on here. Keep writing, improve your work, get help. The more work you put into it, the more attention you'll receive. Unless you write something that caters to the ignorant masses, it is a long and slow climb up the ladder, trust me.

Oh, and try no tot let the Feature Box get to you; 90% of the FIMFiction community wouldn't know literature if it came up and slapped them in the face, and thus a lot of really bad material tends to get put on a pedestal. So try not to let it get to you when the 10,000th "Rainbow Raises Scootaloo" grammar abomination gets featured.