Overture: A Long-Forgotten Past
Some stories can only be told by what remains of them. Interpretations can be made, but none can ever truthfully recall what was, when they were not. Not when the past was so well hidden.
Very few are allowed in Celestia’s chambers within Canterlot Castle, and even less are allowed to walk out onto her balcony. The granite slabs of her deck overlook almost the entirety of Equestria. From this point a pony could almost see every corner of the world. However, some corners are too dark to see. For if a pony looked closely, as the sun set across the terrain, an inconsistency sat on the horizon. Unmoving yet not unwilling a scar of shadow was cast upon the land, unnoticed. Beyond the acres of the Everfree, and past the Great Plains. West of the Frozen North sat a massive cataclysm of white stone and jagged peaks projected in evening light. A wall of pure granite extended from far out into the endless ocean, and then back into the nestled crests of the Frozen Mountains. Worn and cracked this wall stood the tests of time, and cast a shadow that could be felt for miles. Far from any modern civilization, it cuts the sky. Runes were strewn about its surface and various depictions of Unicorns were seen on the massive pillars dotting the outside of the wall. The higher one flew the better an idea could be made of the great ruin's creators. Nearly one mile in the air scenes of conquered lost empires could be discerned. Great, unheard of wars were to be shown in detail. This, along with a recurring depiction of four Unicorns standing above a vast quantity of ponies’ heads were to be found on the wall's surface. Higher and higher up the enchantments grew stronger, unaffected by the environment. Eventually a pony would reach the balustrade outcrops that jutted out into the atmosphere some two miles above the world. No Pegasus would dare attempt to fly over it for it reached too high, even from the balustrades the wall continued an estimated three miles higher, no Unicorn would attempt to decode the complex preservation enchantments on its surface for fear of ruining their own sanity, and by no means would any Earth-pony be found near the construct; they were able to sense some ubiquitous danger, that, while it grew every second, never arrived. The land about its perimeter was barren. Not any living creature was ever seen approaching it, and as well it should be noted, no living creature was ever seen leaving the perimeter. It partitioned the land in two places. One where the shadow cast left all who entered hopeless and lost, drawn near to the massive defense, and a second was the actual wall dividing the land.
This is not to say the wall had not been defiled. Many a brave pony, usually Pegasi or Unicorns, had indeed traveled the large distance to the wall, and by whatever means had inscribed some messages on its surface, or attempted to inflict damage. However, usually these defacements were removed. By what means no pony knew. Although, there was an experiment. Three-hundred years before Celestia decided to retake another student, a group of scientists approached the wall. Five Unicorns and one Pegasus made up a team of six who dared the might of the unmoving elevation. Going to different areas along the wall, they cast various types of magic missile on the surface of the plane and observed the damage. Yet, their findings were never viewed by the public. After one year of being abroad a regiment of guards was sent, by decree of the Princess, to find the group of pioneers who had gone so courageously, and never returned. Unfortunately, though, they were not found, at least not all of them. Only their campsite along with several research notes could be identified in the hell that was to be displayed upon arriving at the wall. Flesh lay scattered upon the ground showing advanced states of decomposition. Bones littered in the fire pit of what seemed to be the Pegasus explorer, and more importantly a note was left:
If you are reading this then the researchers are dead, and I will follow shortly. We found the door. Something I would not advise! It’s some kind of puzzle! They are coming. It won't be too much longer now. I’ve been hearing them coming near. It won’t let us leave! The wall won’t let me go! It only opens if you want it to. Misty was the first to go… She BURNED Skylark! Why she would do that is beyond me! I can still remember her screams of pain in the night. I ran and I will never not feel ashamed for it. If anyone ever finds this let her mother know I’m sorry… I was scared, you know? I see now that it’s foolish to try and run. Your own imminent death is something hard to grasp at first, but now I see the light in it. They are very close. Maybe Skylark didn’t die in vain, maybe she deserved too. I did not mean that last part I don’t even know why I wrote it now. I think I see them out of the corner of my eye. There’s my crew. I never even noticed how dark it was. There is no point in th-
When introduced in court no one could make sense of the information. Celestia, however, seemingly withholding secrets of her own, refused to comment on the note, and hence it was put within the Canterlot Library Records along with the other research. Although, this didn’t stop action from being taken. Another regiment, doubled what was sent as a rescue crew before, revisited the wall. This group of soldiers sent vanguards to either end of the obstruction. In their false hope of surpassing the massive wall's entrance, which could not be found, the soldiers tried to walk around the wall. The party failed to realize the folly of their plan. The group trying to fly into the ocean met with immediate opposition from the wind, whose force was too great, and so the guards tried their luck with the mountains. Yet, even the mountains provided too massive a challenge as the cold and rigid climate was too much for the guards, and so they tried attacking the wall. This received no response, and after five weeks in the desolate environment, they left.
Now the wall grows restless. Unaffected by time it yearns for the return of its creators who left some millennium ago. Ancient Unicorns with power surpassing anything capable of what is now. Only rivaled by the Alicorn gods. The only history of their existence is their final creation, and whatever lay inside, beyond the wall. Its presence, a growing threat in the North, looms in the minds of the great. The restlessness of the ancient contrivance shifts under the glow of moonlight. Only to reappear in the light of dawn, unchanged. Circumstances are bound to unfold in the coming years, and note should be taken on the derelict construct and its secrets. Dishonest machinations from the past will be unwound and secrets untold for millennia will be told. Its purpose to convey knowledge of what is lost, as their story can only be told by it.
A tragedy has occurred and six ponies are either dead or missing. Evidence was found and brought to Celestia in Canterlot's Premier Court of Law. However, she has very little she wants to say regarding the evidence or the act. In fact, she won't say anything at all.
Twilight reread the line in the old newspaper, curious. She had been delving all weekend into old court cases and had, eventually, quite literally as well, stumbled upon a stack of old papers in the Royal Canterlot Library, and while studying law did have its advantages any findings involving the Princess were a sure please. The Princess rarely ever involved herself within the drawls of pony society, at least unless she was forced to (or as her duties required), but this specific piece was quite fascinating. Not only had she been summoned in a court, she hadn't answered any of their questions. A sly grin spread across Twilight's face. She had to keep reading!
"Spike! I need you to go get some more criminal cases from Section 4-K, alright?"
"Do I have to?" Spike asked from afar.
"Yes! I think I found something Celestia and I can talk about tonight during dinner."
A muffled groan could be heard from somewhere amongst the shelves of books along with a sudden opening and closing of a door far off in the distance. Twilight smiled, she loved the Royal Canterlot Library, and especially the Archives. Almost no pony came down here due to it being some levels below the ground. There was also the spider webs and dark rows of books which warded off the citizens. You see, sometimes the Royal Lighter didn't set aglow the lanterns, but Twilight long ago was taught a little mage-light spell to show her the way. Coming down here among the books was an old past time for her. The old smell, the dusty look, and the faint lighting were wonderful. Although, she could see how some wouldn't appreciate its venerable atmosphere. Looking down at her news article Twilight began to reread the section.
CASE OF THE MISSING PONIES STILL OPEN, PRINCESS CELESTIA IS NO HELP.
A tragedy has occurred and six ponies are either dead or missing. Evidence was found and brought to Celestia in the Canterlot's Premier Court of Law. However, she has very little she wants to say regarding the evidence or the act. In fact, she won't say anything at all. Reporters believe Celestia maybe not giving off as much as she knows. Is our Princess deceiving us? The suspect's parents were also called to the stands in a surprising turn of events. Their crying faces did all but to ease the Princess of her Royal Duty in aiding the finding of the six ponies. Only two of their remains have officially been found with a, Miss Skylark, and Miss Star Dusk. Skylark, as most know, was the only accompanying Pegasus on the Scientific Crew's venture, and Star Dusk was the lead researcher and one holding the final note of the group. What is left for the family of the lost ponies? Nothing. The Royals are making it a royal-pain-in-the-flank to get any information regarding the subject. The research and personal notes of the victims have been kept under lock and key, as well as anything turning up about the case. Will the group ever be found? We sure hope so.
Twilight curiously analyzed each sentence of the article. How had she not heard of this? Especially with this much controversy involved. She supposed it must of been the Princess who had kept it all hidden, as it didn't fair to her name very well. Gathering her things Twilight began to sit up and walk over to the staircase. She needed to see if Spike had found anything, and she also needed to think of a course of action involving speaking to Celestia. Luna wasn't bound to know anything about the case as she had been on the moon during its appearance, and bringing that subject up wasn't what she wanted. Also, her original idea of bringing up the topic over dinner wouldn't work either as Luna would almost certainly be present, and the pressure from Luna's presence would likely keep some information from hidden. Walking through the winding rows, Twilight made her way up to the staircase. Pondering her course of action she looked down over the shelves of books. A single candle lay glowing on the ground from where she had once been. Her horn illuminated, and the flame's light dispersed, cloaking the room in its natural light, darkness.
⁂
"What!?" Twilight looked frantically at Spike. Who, unknowing of the apparent haste, sunk quietly down.
"T-There just wasn't anything there Twi?"
"A whole section on Criminal Records missing? Spike, that's.. That's not- it can't be!" Twilight ran down the sections, listing one, two, three, and finally four. Or at least what was left of it. There, between sections 3-K and sections 5-K was a stool. Yes, a stool, the kind you sit on. It was a fairly average looking thing with three wooden legs and a circular panel for sitting and giving height advantages, but certainly not for reading about criminal cases. Twilight turned giving Spike an apprehensive look, as if she expected him, of all dragons to have an answer.
Glancing back up, she walked down the slim aisle and looked on either side of her currently occupied space. She could see section 3-K and its books, fairly old things, the library was arranged in chronological order, with the oldest sections just being relabeled as new ones were added. Then Twilight turned and looked at section 5-K very old stuff, like, before the Edification of the four Races, old. She walked over and grasped a book at random with her magic and turned it open to a page written in some conglomeration of old Equin and Equish. Barely readable, even for Twilight, she carefully sat the book back in its place and looked at Spike.
"Well, I told you so..."
"I get it Spike, come on we need to talk to the librarian," and with that Twilight began her march towards the front desk with Spike lazily laying across her back.
⁂
Light poured in through the large windows on either side of the library's great main hall. Twilight narrowed her eyes as they readjusted to the brightness of her surroundings. Rising from the entrance to the lower levels the bright daylight cast the room in an almost blinding light. The old creaking of bookshelves could be heard along with the various squeaks of wheels as ladders and carts moved about the library, and as Twilight's eyes adjusted she could make out various ponies sitting and talking around tables. This, along with the flapping of books overhead as they made their way to their sections created the characteristic ambience of the Royal Library. While the sound was comforting to most, Twilight hated it. Although, her numerous attempts at hushing every pony in the library did nothing but bring harassment to herself, from the guards, and of course her suggested enchantment to put on the books so that they wouldn't flap was denied. For many a past occasion, Twilight had tried to reason that the library's No Talking policy should have been enforced more, well, forcefully, but to no avail. Anyway, today's visit wasn't about the hushing or quieting, surprisingly, it also wasn't about the organization of the library's ever weakening policy structure. No, today has been just a routine visit in catching-up on political science, and court cases. Until, that is, it became much more interesting. As soon as Twilight informed the librarian of the missing section she was headed straight for Canterlot Castle. Walking over to the receptionist's desk Twilight began to introduce herself.
"Hi. I'm Twilight Spark-"
"I know."
Twilight paused. Eyeing the pink coated receptionist, she noticed her face held an uninviting look. Her sunken yellow eyes and frazzled mane made it appear as if she hadn't slept in a week.
"Have we met?" Twilight asked, making sure her voice sounded kind and earnest.
"No, but I have read your file. Look, if you're here about our new triple A policy then-"
"No! Not today Miss...?"
"Butterfree."
"Miss Butterfree! I'm just here to inform you that Section 4-K in the Government division of our library is missing, and also, why does the Library have files on its-"
"One second." Butterfree looked at Twilight oddly after interrupting her and before vanishing behind the desk into the receptionist's department. Then after several minutes she returned with a huge file in her hoof.
"Yeah, Section 4-K was removed like, a hundred years ago, but we have a file on it so.. Here." Butterfree smacked the massive folder of papers on the front desk and slid them over to Twilight. It was a cream colored folder that, with all of its contents inside, was nearly seven inches thick. Twilight reached out and grabbed the folder, dragging it to a nearby table and chair to begin studying.
The first thing Twilight noticed about the folder and its contents were that it had obviously been heavily used. Creases lined the edge of the bulging folder's lining, a characteristic of constant exercising of the paper. Upon opening the folder though, things became much less interesting. The folder contained detailed listings of various accounts of ponies who retrieved books from Section 4-K. Many of these accounts had commentary as well, as if someone was tracking the incoming and outgoing documents in the missing section in the form of a personal journal. Skimming to the last page in the massive stack, however, an aside caught Twilight's eye:
A.E. 1123 Spring, Trotsday, 24
Today another noble checked out some articles on the court cases. Oh, Tartartus to Celestia for leaving all that information behind. Doesn't she know it will ruin her? I, at least, convinced her that the publication of the crew's research was not to be carried out. The implications from such manuscripts would be... Detrimental to pony society to say the least. However, this documentation should return to its previous basis, that is, the recording of section 4-K, before it will be removed. By my orders, of course. So, in a few weeks the guard will begin the moving process, transferring all of this facilitity's classified books and documents to Canterlot's Private Archives. This includes the entirety of section 4-K, as it contains information that no pony should read without first a warrant, license, or approval from Celestia herself. Anyway, I am being called and will update this file tomorrow, or next week with information on the movement of the documents. Don't linger in the shadow, and obstruct the past.
Magic guide you, Eventide
It seems that when Butterfree mentioned the section being removed, 'like a hundred years ago' she underestimated. The date was currently 1391, approaching around two hundred sixty-eight years ago, if Twilight was correct. Well, wasn't this interesting? Eventide, whoever this pony was, surely had some power. To move such a large amount of recorded history just by suggesting it to Celestia? Also, that phrase, 'don't linger in the shadow, or obstruct the past,' seemed rather out of place. Somepony might suggest it was part of the sign-off however, it was still in the paragraph. There was a chance it was some-sort of watchword, or the likes of one. I suppose another trip to Butterfree was in order.
Sitting up from her chair Twilight made her way back to the receptionist.
"Is there anything else you have on Section 4-K?" Twilight said, dropping the massive folder onto the counter with her magic. This could quite possibly take all noon.
