Rain pounded on the cobblestone streets of the High Capital as a brown unicorn galloped through the dark city. His heart was racing nearly as quickly as he was, trying to keep up with his own adrenaline. Hoof after hoof met with cold wet ground as he tried to keep his delirious self from slipping. His vision was dulled and blurry, and the rain only made matters worse.
Quick flashes of bright white light illuminated the old buildings that lined the streets followed by thundering booms. But the lightning did not frighten him; it only gave him a somewhat clear view of his destination. The soaked stallion slowed his pace as he approached his poor estate. He turned around and bucked the rusty iron gate, forcing the lock to snap. Soon he resumed his speed as he went up the long rotted stairway to his home, looking back only to see a swarm of lights fast approaching.
He went up to the entrance to his dwelling and levitated his house key towards the lock.
Come on, open! He became flustered. You blasted piece of idiotic machinery, I said open!
The key turned and the locking mechanism emitted a loud clank as the doors slowly opened. He had no time to let them close on their own. He quickly slammed the doors shut and locked the door with a simple spell and took off his soaked cloak and placed it onto a small nearby table. Was he at last safe? He could not be sure. The darkness of his house made him uneasy, but he had to put his uneasiness aside. He called out to his apprentices through the deathly silence, hoping to catch a sound of their presence. “Night Shade! Day Break!”
A familiar voice resonated through the second floor hallway and into the foyer. “It’s midnight, what do you need us for? It's too late at night for a lesson, don't you think?”
“Get off of your lazy flanks, you two, and meet me at the study!” The stallion dashed up the single staircase to the hallway. He made a sharp right, almost slipping on the rug and into the wall. Down the hallway he galloped, maneuvering around its tight corners as quickly as he could. A banging began to echo throughout the hall, as if the large iron knocker was thrust into the front door.
A voice cried out from behind the front door, commanding attention from all in the home: “Skyward Arrows! At the behest of the Emperor, you have been declared a traitor against the state for the act of treason. Release yourself into our custody and you may be dealt with justly and with dignity. If you do not comply, we will use any means necessary to ensure your arrest!”
A dark-blue colt called out to his mentor, fear welling up within him: “Teacher …”
“Ignore the door! Just get to the study!” Day Break began to gallop after her master, but soon realized that Night Shade hadn’t followed suit. She turned back to him. “Come on, Shade! We don't have much time!”
Shade cautiously peeked through the guard rails that prevented his fall to the first floor, staring at the front door with fearful eyes. “But …”
“We don't have time for 'buts!'”
He shook his head, recollecting his wits before getting up on all hooves. Shade nodded at Day, ready to go. She smiled: “Alright then, let's get moving.” The foals took off down the hallway after their master. Even as they galloped away, the banging on the front door continued. Soon the demanding and chaotic rants turned to methodical and deliberate outbursts of a single, repeated phrase.
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“Heave-ho!” *BANG* “Heave-ho!” *BANG*
“Keep at it, stallions! We'll have the door down in no time!” The armor-clad pegasus stood aside as his troops lunged at the large door with a large tree trunk attached to them by metal braces on their backs. The rain continued to pound on their tired bodies, making the under-armor heavy and uncomfortable.
“Captain,” the sergeant spoke up from behind him, having to yell over the roar of the downpour, “on behalf of the others, may I ask you why we are going after this unicorn?”
The Captain sighed. Without so much as looking at the sergeant, he said: “How long have you known me, Straights?”
Straights cocked his head to one side in confusion. “Um … for fifteen years, Captain. But, I don't think you're -”
“And how long have I been in command of this unit?”
“For twelve years, sir. But, Captain, you aren't answering -”
The Captain looked back and glared at the sergeant. “And during those twelve long years, did I not make questionable calls that ultimately led to this unit's victory?”
“Yes, you did, but -”
“Then what could be the problem?” He scoffed at Straights, resuming his supervision of the door breach. “You've known me for so long, yet you still don't trust me! Who would have thought?”
“It's not that, Captain. It's just that if the Emperor orders something like this, everypony knows about it. Why are you the only one, then, that the Emperor told this to?”
The soldiers stopped in their tracks as they tried to hear what was transpiring. The Captain turned around to face Straights, eying him with hidden anger. “The Emperor entrusted this task to me personally. There is no need to ask such stupid questions.”
“Yes, but how can this one unicorn be so important?”
“He has something that the Emperor wants and it is my duty to give him just that.” The Captain glared at the soldiers, sending chills up their spines. “As for all of you: get back to work on the door! If you stop it will never be open! And you,” the Captain returned his gaze to Straights, “I don't want anymore of your pestering. Do I make myself very clear, Straights?” There was something malicious in those eyes of his, something - unnatural. It made Straights quiver.
“Y - yes, Captain.” He raised a hoof in a cowardly salute and returned to his post in the rear. The Captain resumed his supervision, watching as the last two blows on the door toppled it to the ground. A devilish smile spread across his face. I can't wait for our meeting, old friend, he thought.
“Onward, stallions! Spread out and find that unicorn. If you manage to locate him, bring him to me.”
“Yes, sir!” The soldiers split up into small groups, each going off in a different direction. However, the Captain knew exactly where that pesky author would be hiding. With that devious smile still plastered on his face he went off alone, a low laughter resounding throughout his way.
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“Quickly you two, get in here!”
The two apprentices galloped into the study, stopping once inside to catch their breath. They dropped to their flanks, panting and wheezing from exhaustion. Skyward Arrows surrounded a nearby nightstand with his golden magic aura and moved it in front of the door. He turned to the colts. “Everything is going to be okay. Don't worry, I have everything under control.”
“What's going on?” Day Break looked up at Skyward with worrisome eyes. “Who was at the door?”
A voice came out of nowhere, startling Skyward. But it did not seem as if the foals had noticed anything.
You can’t hide it from her. You can't hide your fear. Why do you even try?
Then it came to him: the night with the Spirits. It was the night he received a very special book, but it was also the night he received this demon curse. Shut up, you evil wretch! He shook his head, forcing the laughing demon down into his mind for now. The awkward silence in the room continued to build, however. He looked to Day Break and sighed, knowing exactly what he had to do. “They're the bad guys, Break. Don't open the door, okay? I need to do something.”
Skyward went over to the desk to the right of the door and picked up the quill with a quick burst of magic. He took the unharmed book from his soaked coat and began to write, finishing what he knew to be his greatest work. But that did not take care of the foals who were still in the center of his study. He turned to look at them, the quill pen still writing away. “I need you two to get to someplace safe.”
A sudden banging rang out from the hallway. “Open this door, Skyward!” It continued on, growing increasingly violent by the second.
Shade shuddered at the sound. Day tried to calm his nerves, cradling the colt like a younger brother. But even the filly couldn't hide her growing fear. Skyward had to act quickly. He hurriedly opened one of the lower drawers on the desk and pulled out two books, each identical to the one in which he wrote. “Here, take these.” He carefully floated the books down into their hooves. “Now go hide in the oak cabinet and do not open those doors until I say to, understand?”
The foals nodded in reply, getting up on their hooves with a book floating above each of their heads. Day quickly hurried into the large cabinet, but Shade stayed behind, wanting to stay with his teacher.
Day looked at Shade. “Come on, Shade! We need to get in here!”
“But …”
“Night Shade, it'll be alright.” Skyward smiled at the colt, wiping the tears from his eyes with his hoof. “Don't worry about me. I have everything under control, okay?” Skyward knew it was a lie; he didn’t fully know if his spell would work. After all, it wasn’t fully tested just yet, but he kept a straight face nonetheless.
Shade nodded at him, retreating into the cabinet with Day. Once inside, Day closed the door, but only enough so that she could still see what was going to happen outside.
Skyward put the quill pen down onto the desk. It had been so long since he had received the book, but now he was finally finished. After many months of work, he could at last heave a sigh of relief. It’s finally time for the heavenly pegasi to sing the Canticle of the End, he thought. He levitated the small dresser out of the way of the door and prepared himself for his arrival.
“Come in, Diamondback. The door's open.”
The door creaked open to reveal the fiendishly smug Captain. “Hello, Skyward Arrows. It's been a long time, hasn't it?”
“Yes, a long time. What have you been up to in recent years?”
The smile faded from the Captain's face. “I'm not here for small talk, Arrows. I want that book.”
Skyward burst into joyous laughter. “Is that what you're here for? Okay, then! Here's a book called The Spirits of Winter.” He took a book from the shelves on the right with a quick burst of magic and levitated it in front of the Captain. “Here you go. It's a very delightful read, if I do …”
The Captain smacked the book away with his wing, sending it flying to the other wall. “You know which book I'm here for, Skyward. Now give it to me.” He put his wing up to Skyward's throat. Each feather of the Captain’s wing seemed to have a razor-sharp blade infused with it. “Or do I have to kill you first and look for it myself?”
Skyward was unflinching, his tone losing its forced joy. “No need for a bloodbath, Diamondback.” The author looked at the crazed Captain sternly. “You can put the weapon down now.”
The blades only came closer to his neck and pricked him. A small amount of blood began to escape from the cut. “It's not moving anywhere, Skyward. Not until you give me that book.” Under his breath, the pegasus chuckled. “Just give me the book, Skyward. I would hate to kill my best friend.”
“I'm not your friend, Diamondback.”
“Stop saying that name!” The Captain slammed his hoof into the ground making the strong floorboards crack slightly. “I never want to hear that ridiculous name again!”
“But that’s your name, isn’t it? I swear, your anger has gotten worse over the years, hasn't it?”
Skyward's calm tones only angered the Captain more. “That is the name of my weak father. I - am - not - weak!”
“Then you're a coward and a fool. Only one such as yourself would kill somepony he once called 'friend.'” Skyward remained unfaltering and fearless. His words were as knives piercing their victim. “You were my friend once. Now look at you. You’re pathetic.”
“Shut up, you incorrigible fool!” The Captain's wing slammed into Skyward's muzzle, knocking him onto the ground. The Captain put his hoof on Skyward's neck, pushing down just enough to make him struggle. “I'm getting tired of these games, Skyward. Give me the book and nopony gets hurt,” the Captain brought his wing right underneath Skyward's muzzle, “Or worse.”
The Captain laughed menacingly, the crazed look in his eyes returning. “You know, you could have made a good soldier. Too bad you left the military.”
Skyward tried to speak behind chokes and gasps. “I never wanted … to be a good soldier. I … wanted to be … a good stallion.”
“You didn't even give it a chance. You left after one battle, one battle!Why did you do it, huh?”
“It wasn't right … we took from the poor … for what? Honor?” Skyward coughed. “And those same poor … we took them away from their homes … and repurposed them … for the army.”
“That wasn't our fault!” The Captain grew ever more furious. “We were ordered to do those things. The Emperor demanded it. They deserved it for their rebellion!”
“I started … the rebellion. To … fight back.” Skyward coughed. “See? No matter … how you try … to justify it, it was still … our faults …”
“Liar!” The Captain's anger was becoming intent as he pressed down harder. Skyward winced. “You're lying to me! You've always lied to me, even when we were colts!”
“I'm … giving you … three seconds,” Skyward coughed, “to get … off … me. And I’m not … lying about that.”
The Captain heaved a bellowing laughter. “You think you're in a position to challenge me? Just give me the book, Skyward.”
“Three …”
“Give me the book, Skyward.”
“Two …”
“Quit talking as if you’ll beat me! I'm the one with the weapon!”
“One …” Skyward's horn began to glow an unusual black. The Captain felt wind whip his orange mane, but there were no windows to let in a breeze.
“Give me the damn book!”
“Zero …”
The Captain was blasted to the opposite wall as the horn fired. The room became incredibly dark, blowing out the only source of light that hung from the ceiling. The Captain became enveloped in darkness, a feeling of complete emptiness entering into his very being. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, as he could make out shapes of beasts and demons coming towards him. As they moved closer, a heavy-laden fear pressed upon his heart.
The fear began to consume him, replacing any sense of rational thought with complete and utter hopelessness. The demons began to claw at him, attacking any place they could reach. Memories began to flood into the Captain’s head, but they were not his. An unknown sense of fear and betrayal filled the new emptiness. He saw himself in those memories, but through the eyes of somepony else.
One of the thousands of demons leaned in, a sinister laugh dancing on its dead, black lips. “Do you feel their pain, Diamondback? Do you feel their fear?” It began to fade back into the darkness. "They're part of you, now."
The dark cloud left and the Captain fell to the floor, unable to speak. The only thing that passed his lips was a noiseless scream.
“I've created a new world in that book, and I’m not about to let it fall into that vile Emperor’s hooves.” Skyward went over to the desk and heaved a heavy sigh. “It’s a fitting end, my old friend. Our monuments to power will fall and make way for a new and beautiful world.” Skyward brushed his hoof along the open pages of the Journal, feeling the power it had contained within it.
“You know, Diamondback, a great stallion once said: 'Do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed — the bitterness of stallions who fear the way of progress. The hate of stallions will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the ponies will return to the ponies and so long as stallions die, liberty will never perish.' I took that quote to heart. Now I'm about to make it come true.” With a small burst of magic, the Journal began to ascend into the air, enveloped in a golden haze. S smile of some happiness that he had lost long ago returned to him now as tears welled within his fiery red eyes. With that, the book slammed shut.
A blast rang out from its hidden pages, blowing apart the house in mere seconds. It did not stop there. It continued to spread across the entirety of the world, wiping out all things that resembled the old regime. Its path consumed everything except those whose patronages had been written in the book. Creation itself began to take over as the hills and mountains were shifting rapidly. Yet nopony screamed and nopony cried, even when facing the shifts begin to happen.
It stopped as fast as it had started. The door to the oak cabinet flew open and two foals tumbled out. They coughed and wheezed as the dust settled, coming to an abrupt halt as they spotted their mentor.
The colt was the first to notice. “Master!” Tears poured down from his eyes as he galloped towards his beloved teacher and collapsed at his side.
Skyward was curled up on what remained of a fading platform. His features were rapidly disintegrating, blowing away as dust in the breeze. A weak smile broke out on his fading face as he used the last bit of magic to drop the unharmed journal on the ground before Day Break.
“Master, what's happening?” Skyward closed his eyes and faded away into dust right before the both of them. “Master!” Shade slumped over onto the ground, surrounded by black clouds carried through the breeze.
Day walked up to Shade, putting one of her hooves around him. “It'll be alright, Shade. It - it’s going to be okay.” She levitated the three books as she guided him away from the fading wreckage.
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The night went by quietly as the two foals huddled together, a crackling light fluttering around the surrounding trees. Day could not fall asleep no matter how hard she had tried. It seemed to be of no use to even bother. They were safe, and that's all that she needed to know at that point. Yet, something kept clawing on the back of her mind. What was in those books that their master had given up his own life for?
The little colt snored away as Day quietly levitated one of the three books to where she lay, opening it with caution. Strangely she could not turn the pages past the first chapter as it seemed that they were stuck. She tried to force them open, but to no avail. Yet that was not where his focus was driven to. The entire book seemed to be hastily hoof-written. Only one thing had been used in traditional printing press format: a letter, printed on the first page of the book, which read:
My Beloved Apprentices,
If you are reading this, then you know that I have passed. Fear not: I am one with the Creator now, living in its warmth and love. In this Journal is my greatest work of literature, and of course of my very last. But you will not be able to turn past the first chapter, not yet. This book contains the new world I sought to create, but you do not need to read it in order to know what I have done.
Look around you and see the wonders I have created from mere words on a page. The Spirits may have given me the Redeemer's Journal, but it was the Creator that allowed me to mold its domain. I crafted the trees and valleys, the rivers and streams, the great mountains and oceans, all from lifeless words on paper.
However, every power has a price, and the price I paid was high. Yet it was all worth it. I am sorry I could not accompany you to see this world. The new world was not made for me, but for those whose names I had written, whose homes and patronages I had mentioned. You two were among those names, for you have a very special purpose.
I have one last task for you two: finish your Journals. Contained within them is the plan for this new world. Continue to write this plan, so that the ponies that were left there can come to understand their world with a new light. Every night, after you have finished your work, close the books so that those hopes can be realized by the end of the tomorrow.
However, do not open this book any further. This book is only to be opened when my successor comes. She will have the power to create without quill and ink, form anything from nothing. She will come after you have long since returned to me in the Creator. So pass on this book to your own apprentices and pupils as you grow older, that they may continue to construct the plan and then pass its task onto their own. Do not reveal this truth to anypony still there. It is a truth that only you and your posterity should know of.
One day, there will be the peaceful land of which I have conceived in only my dreams. In this land I have called Equestria, there will be my successor. But do not rush its inception, nor try to convince others of what the future holds. You will only bring about ruin that way. Ease the ponies into that future. Do whatever is necessary to uphold the plan contained in your books, but do not harm the ponies if you can. They must find out on their own and through time they will.
I am sorry for abandoning you two. If it could have been any other way, I would have stayed. My calling was not for the new world: that is yours, and one day you'll both understand. Day Break, my brave student, take care of Shade. He is young and already fear-laden: see to it that he grows to learn from his fears and conquers them so that he may become strong and wise. Night Shade, my bright pupil, please keep Day's head in the right place. Keep her out of trouble and steer her away from anger so that she may become the leader she needs to be.
Remember one last thing: I will always be with you, my students, helping you along in this big new world.
Guiding you, forever and always:
Skyward Arrows
Day’s tears fell slowly on that perfect piece of parchment, blurring the words slightly. It was the first time in a long while that she truly cried. Sorrow and remorse swelled within her, mixing with confusion and hatred. Why was it that they were left behind? How could their master abandon them?
More tears fell onto the book, but they were not hers. A dark-blue hoof lifted Day’s head. She was met with Shade’s understanding eyes, and she couldn't help but try and remain strong.
Day closed the book and set it upon the pile as Shade lead the way to a clearing in the forest they had laid in. A bright yellow light burst from atop the faraway mountains, giving its warm glow to the entire valley below where they stood. A new green filled the place. Birds flew through the air majestically, chirping away their special melodies, whilst creatures of all kinds roamed through the low-lying forest peacefully.
A small settlement had remained in the center of the valley, divided by a river that carved its way through it. There were still ponies there, and it seemed as if they had been oblivious to the change in the world. It was as if the entire world had reset. As the sun glided across the perfect blue sky, it bathed the world with its warming surreal light. It seemed as if the world was crafted from a storybook.
