Decaying Pages
Philomena, Philomena, Philomena…
I continued to write my name on the paper.
“You’ll get the hang of it eventually,” said Princess Celestia, my master.
After I saw her writing on the scrolls she worked with every day, I asked her if I could give it a try. It was surprisingly hard, but with time I got better at it.
When I wasn’t doing anything I would stay at her chambers where I had my own place to sleep in. Sure, it was only a stick, but I don’t mind.
Tough I spent a lot of time with Princess Celestia, she knew nothing about my past. I tried to talk with her, but I’m just a Phoenix, my vocal cords don't work that way. I don’t remember much about my parents, but Celestia found me in an abandoned net when she was still a young Princess. She took good care of me, it’s not a surprise that I eventually started to learn their pony language. Most of the time I would stay beside her throne. When she wasn’t busy taking care of Equestria, we would play together for a while.
Soon, my Master started to teach me how to read. And as the both of us started to grow up, she had less time to see me. So most of what I’ve learned about Equestria was through books, that includes learning about my immortality, pony anatomy, physics, medicine, different butterfly species, machinery, and a lot of different things. Sure, I wasn’t going to use much of what I’ve learned, but reading was the only thing to spend my time with.
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Entry 1 (July 2nd Year 1)
I’m bored as hell, I started to write in my journal, though there’s nothing special happening right now…Celestia is doing her thing and I’m sitting here on my stick just like always. I can only spend some time with my Master after midnight, but she is always so exhausted from all the work. So we just sat there, observing the sunset as she and I fell asleep.
Entry 2 (July 8th Year 1)
I don’t have a lot of friends, but I’m starting to get familiar with some of the ponies that work with the Princesses. They must be afraid of me. Well, I don’t blame them, you don’t see a Phoenix every day.
Entry 3 (August 3rd Year 1)
Some interesting topics come to Celestia from time to time. I’m not really taking part on anything here, but on boring days I tend to sneak in some rooms to eavesdrop on current trends.
Oh, I should probably be more careful with my Journal now. I don’t want to get in trouble for what I wrote here…
I’m wondering why my Master chose me as her Pet. Is it my radiant colors or maybe It’s because both of us are immortals?
Entry 4 (July 27th Year 1)
For some reason, Princess Celestia is feeling more concerned today. Hopefully, it’s just a temporary thing. Is it just I, or the night is lasting longer than it should?
I just woke up and to my surprise, Princess Celestia was sobbing by the window. I wrote a little note saying:
"Is something wrong, Master?"
“Philomena… I had no choice but to banish my sister,” Celestia replied. “But you’re still with me aren’t you?”
She cried for the rest of the day, I only saw her sister a couple of times in all these years, Celestia didn’t tell me much about her. I’m not sure what was happening between them, but I know that I could’ve helped her, it’s a shame that I just sat there and watched. Why didn’t you just tell me what was happening?
Entry 5 (July 28th Year 1)
After some eavesdropping, I discovered what was happening, her sister...how could she turn into such a terrible monster? Princess Celestia didn't come to her bedroom today too...
Entry 6 (January 3rd Year 2)
After some time, Princess Celestia got better, but she’s not the same anymore, deep inside she’s still depressed, I can feel it. Everypony is still frightened by what happened last year. But Equestria is safe from Nightmare Moon for now…
Entry 7 (April 7th Year 2)
I don’t know how long I’ve been here in Celestia’s bedroom, probably a couple of months. But all that I need is some books to keep me entertained through the day. More wisdom never hurts right?
Entry 8 (April 7th Year 1000)
It's been some time since I last wrote something in my journal, but something amazing happened today, Princess Luna finally came free of her course, and I’ve never seen Princess Celestia so happy before. I don’t know how it happened, but seeing her so happy, I don’t think it matters anymore.
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Entry 9 (March 24th Year 1103)
On the East side of Equestria, there’s Griffonstone. We don’t have a lot of information about them because the Gryphons simply refuse to do anything without some money in return. But I eavesdropped something on the castle today. It’s about a rising Gryphon army, Princess Celestia and Luna are keeping a close eye on them now.
Entry 10 (May 2nd Year 1103)
Our happiness didn’t last for that long, some type of manipulative leader has the entire army under his command. Celestia finally told me about it today, I hope it’s not an act of violence towards us. Sometimes these guys can even outmatch Dragons…
If they come here to Equestria, it would be a total disaster for both sides. Their lust for money and power doesn’t help the political situation either.
Entry 11 (September 12th Year 1107)
It’s been a while since I last wrote in my journal, but I just have to report this. Equestria is at war. This was somewhat predictable, their manpower is pretty scary and they want all of Equestria for themselves.
I just want this to end…
Entry 12 (September 17th Year 1107)
I’m worried, very worried. Princess Celestia just told me that she would leave Canterlot to help out in the war, I tried to stop her, but to no avail. I just hope that this terrible war ends soon.
Entry 13 (March 20th Year 1108)
She…did not return, well, at least not to her bedroom where I stay most of the time. But I know she would come here to greet me when she comes back, I even offered to go with her too…
Everything is quiet, too quiet. Nopony entered the bedroom in quite some time, not even the maid that would clean up Celestia’s room showed up. I’m afraid of going outside to find out what’s really happening.
Why didn’t you take me with you?
Entry 14 (June 21st Year 1110)
Two armed Gryphons entered the room some minutes ago, looks like they have won the war, the greedy bastards left me alone. After all, I can’t really die. I could’ve attacked them, but it’s no use. There’s probably a lot more inside and outside the castle. I better stay here, in my Master’s chambers, where I belong.
If only I was like my Master…
Entry 15 (May 3rd Year 1111)
I regret going outside, this isn’t the Equestria I knew. Gryphons took over everything. Not a single pony insight, a lot of buildings are in ruins too. If only Princess Celestia was here…
My life has no meaning. I can’t escape my immortality, so I just sat there, watching everything unfold from the bedroom.
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Entry 16 (June 17th Year 2863)
It’s too quiet again, after centuries I’ve left the bedroom to check what was happening outside.
Bodies. Bodies everywhere.
Not only Canterlot was quiet, but all the other cities and villages I’ve visited was also silent. From what I’ve learned from books, I only had one guess… Plague.
No, it’s not a normal Plague. Immortals can’t just die from a normal Plague. I searched for other Princesses and immortals throughout Equestria and nothing. Why am I not infected?
I still remember the smell…
Oh, Celestia the smell…
Entry 17 (June 23rd Year 2863)
I figured it out now. It’s a magical Plague, the one wich was only seen in fantasy books, even immortals can die from this nightmare because it drags magic out slowly and that alone can cause unconsciousness. This particular Plague would suck out magic so quickly that everything would die instantly. Most living creatures in Equestria has magic inside of them, even animals and nonunicorns. But there's a specific amount of magic each creature can hold, like a barrier, and if you cross it your body will be punished. Phoenixes are indeed magical creatures, but unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, the magic fades away after our first cycle of life.
Just let me die already!
Entry 18 (September 20th Year 2863)
I decided to explore Equestria again, nothing new to report, just skeletons around the streets.
Entry 19 (August 10th Year 2863)
This Journal is the only thing keeping me from going insane. This bedroom is dusty, the books are dusty, I was dusty. Just like a toy that was thrown away for a long time. But, my journal is preserved. Old, but preserved.
Entry 20 (May 2nd Year 2867)
Vegetation is finally taking over the entire bedroom, some of the walls have collapsed too, at least I have some sunlight now…
By the way, the Sun haven’t moved since the day I realized Celestia wouldn’t return. I hardly notice it because the shadows are always around me. No matter where I go.
Entry 21 (June 18th Year 2870)
I explored Equestria once again, everything is the same, only some of the fauna survived the Plague and the sun.
Entry 22 (June 20th Year 2870)
Remembering past memories are painful. But I can’t help myself, it’s the only part of me that still makes sense. Did I mention that Equestria is beyond recognition?
Do you know how it’s like?
To feel dead inside while you’re still roaming the remains of this world?
Entry 23 (November 7th Year ???)
Only a little bit of the original room survived the passing millennia, my stick is long gone, a colorless flower replaced it now. Most of the papers from my journal deteriorated away. I only have one page left. But I don’t even care anymore, nopony, or nothing at all is going to read it. But I still write on it, because I’m an idiot.
I haven’t lost my sanity yet. But all my feelings are gone.
I’m just like this world now.
Lifeless.
Moveless.
Colorless.
Meaningless...