Trinity of Time: Fate and Change

It was getting late already. Today was a very tiring day. I was called in to direct a seminar on ancient history, and its effects on today's world. The result was pretty depressing. I can't believe just how stupid and ungrateful these ponies are. Before I could even open the textbook program, somepony asked me: "Why does any of this matter?" The rest of the class followed in that mare's hoofsteps, and soon it was an uproar. They couldn't possibly understand the logic behind learning about "dead ponies." Sometimes, I wish this world had a reset button. I wish I could crawl into the mindsets of the population, and force them into submission, into understanding the values of old.

The sun had already ended its journey for today. Right now, I'm not even sure the Princesses bother raising their respective stars. It's not like anypony cared anymore. From what I've read, this time of thing used to attract many ponies from all over, who would come to the old city of Canterlot, just to see the Princesses raise the moon and sun. The biggest of these gatherings was the Eclipse Carnival, held in the far East of Equestria.

I looked up at the starlit sky sky. Tonight, the moon shined bright in the sky, unobstructed by the clouds. This is one of the few advantages of Neo-Equestria; there were no clouds to block our view. Up here, it never rains and snows. It's clear weather all year round. I could only wonder about the harsh complexity of the old world, having never been down there before. We've been warned by many to never traverse the cloud barrier. Often would I ask them why. What is so forbidden and dangerous that we had to leave the surface for?

Downtown's Clock Tower chimed nine times. The National Library would only stay open for another hour. I had to hurry up. The building in question was located on an island not too far from here. If I went ahead full speed, I could probaably make it. Not many pegasi and Falsicorns roamed the skies at such a later hour. Even the Cloud Patrol was asleep at this point. I had to exert some level of caution. Ah, who am I kidding? My wings haven't given up on me before, so why would they now?

In a matter of minutes, I had already jumped off the runway, and was soaring through the midnight purple skies. I remebered something from a book I've read; in ancient times, this was the first day of the Eclipse Carnival. How could I forget? Usually, I go ahead to the castle, and pay a visit to the Princesses. Nopony does so anymore. Nowadays, they are no more than a mere skeleton of their former selves; powerless figureheads the general public doesn't even remember anymore. They greatly appreciate my visits, and are quite pleased with my interest in ancient history. There's just something in their eyes, something that doesn't seem right when I ask them about "the surface." Each time, they only dodge the question, and move on to another topic.

I had been in the air for about half-and-hour now. Something didn't seem right; the library should have been closer. It would be really hard to pass by such a gigantic marvel without knowing it. The building was from the old days, built entirely of marble for about 10-stories high.

I felt an electrifying sensation in my back. It hurt a lot. Was someone applying electroshock on me without my knowing? I turned around, only to have a steel rod pierce through my flesh. The sharp and sudden sensation paralyzed me for a moment. My body was shaking, zapped by some sort of electrical bolt. I felt heavier than ever before. Gravity was calling me deviously, dragging me down into the depths of the unknown. A beam flew by at extreme speeds, soon followed by a storm of snow white feather, and a rain of crimson red droplets. I realized then that my wings were falling apart. And at this hour, there were no guards to catch me in my fall.