When the Night Beckonsby Dark0592
Chapters
Prologue: She Beckons
Equestria. Everybody looks up to one thing. What is that one thing you ask? Well, depending on who you ask, some would say Happiness. Some would say Friendship. Most would say Princess Celestia, which is the closest half-truth. They are all half-truths because while people do look up to these things, it was a literal question. The sun is the real answer, the day, warmth and the light. What does that mean though?
The night, the moon, the stars; they are hurt and they are lonely. There are, of course, those that enjoy the stars, thrive in the night, revel in the darkness. But ultimately, they look up to their sun. Now, how do you think the Princess of the Night would feel? Exactly how her night feels. Hurt, lonely, and above all else unloved. She wears a perfect mask of composure, so that even the overpowering sun cannot see through her guise to see the true face of her unloved sister.
Nobody saw that this mask was a mask, for it was indeed perfect. That is, until a certain scholar noticed the smallest of cracks.
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Twilight had no idea why, but she found herself staring at the Princess. Princess Luna, not Princess Celestia. Twilight was sitting in on the Night Court to observe it this week. She had only noticed she was staring when the man that had came in nearly twenty minutes ago was practically storming out, Luna pinching her sinuses in annoyance. She quickly recalled the encounter by ear and remembered that it was about some sort of shady construction work in the poor district of Canterlot. Apparently, on closer inspection, it would pollute the area even more than it already was and was therefore rejected.
“Is something the matter, Miss Sparkle?” The woman next to Twilight asked her lightly, it was the other observer whose duty was to record each case for records. Twilight nodded with a little smile, saying something about a late night last night. She was handed a warm cup of herbal tea meant to boost energy by one of the few servants there for such a reason, for which she was grateful, and she looked back to Luna. She almost fumbled her cup.
There it was again. That miniscule pang of something in Luna’s eyes. She had noticed it before the last case and she noticed it again as another prepared themselves for whatever it was they were here for. Twilight recognized this man, he was at Day Court last week. He was an elected representative the citizens of the poor district sent to try and negotiate aid. A member of Celestia’ council, who stood behind Luna’s throne, informed her of this.
“Sir, I am informed that you recently plead to my sister in a previous day of court. I must inform you that if you plead the same My answer will be no different than my sister’s.” Luna said formally.
“Of course, Princess. I have the same goal, but my proposition is different. I proposed to your sister a simple aid program in which was rejected because it would have taken from others to help us. This new proposition is another aid program, but one in which is not one sided. There are a series of private estates surrounding the fertile lands around the walls of Canterlot. I have gone to each and every one of these estates and negotiated work with them for those I represent.” The man started. Both Twilight and Luna gained interested expressions.
“As you know, these estates supply nearly all of the agriculture that isn’t imported in the city, and our contributions would allow them to further expand and greatly increase the efficiency, quality and quantity of goods churned out.” The man continued. Twilight was a little surprised, for a representative of the poor district this man talked like a silver tongued politician. His vocabulary was on par with university professors.
“If you have already negotiated the work, then why are you here pleading for my aid?” Luna asked, though instead of reluctance to offer said aid her tone showed curiosity instead.
“Simply put the estate heads cannot afford to hire any more hands, being outside of the city means they are outside of the royal guard’s protection and therefore must hire defenders from the garrison or mercenaries to defend their land. My negotiations came with a compromise, we get work if we can secure royal guard protection. If you can’t then an alternative would be to waive admission fees for some of us to be trained in the garrison to protect our workers.” The man explained. Luna seemed to think for a little while.
“You say it will increase quantity, quality and efficiency?” Luna asked. The man nodded. “Very well, I will arrange for each estate to be supplied with one guard per ten acres limited to no more than ten each estate. My sister and I reserve the right to modify this number or retract the guards should your claims fall short of your predictions.” Luna continued. The man bowed low.
“Of course, Princess. We would expect nothing less, and thank you a million times over.” The man said and happily found his way out. Instead of another case being ushered in, the front gates closed along with the gilded doors of the throne room. Luna stood, stretched a bit and walked over towards where Twilight and the other observer said.
“Well, Miss Twilight, what do you think of the Night Court?” She asked with a light smile. Twilight thought for a moment, standing up and stretching a bit as well.
“It was certainly an interesting experience. You are differently a lot more calculating and formal, though I’m not implying Celestia is not. You go further into the logistics and fine print though, which I believe is a good thing since I’ve noticed a lot of people try and sugarcoat things for you after being rejected by your sister.” Twilight explained as they walked towards the dining hall where they would be served a midnight supper before they slept.
“I try to be as kind and compassionate as my sister, but I’m going to be honest with you Twilight Sparkle; I just can’t summon it up as easily as I wished.” Luna said with a light sigh as they sat to their supper of soup and light wine. Twilight noticed that pang again, and her expression must have showed something because Luna gave her an inquisitive look.
“Oh, I’m sorry… Long night of research last night, I’m just a little bit spacey…” Twilight said, waving her hand to try and brush it off. Luna didn’t seem convinced but she didn’t inquire.
“I see… So, it hasn’t been since our last Nightmare Night that we’ve gotten to really sit down and chat, how goes your life?” Luna asked. Twilight smiled and thought for a little bit. It was the fourth or fifth Nightmare Night in Ponyville Luna had attended, and they had started having long chats in the night.
“Nothing really of note, I’m afraid. Although I’ve started to find myself admittedly getting a little bored of my studies. I mean, it’s not that your sister isn’t a brilliant mentor, it’s just that there isn’t much new material… I could practically recite the entire Canterlot Library by memory if you asked me to, and I know Celestia’s duties better than my own sometimes.” Twilight explained. When she said this she noticed something new in Luna’s eyes. It was like a glimmer of hope, of longing.
“Are you aware, Twilight, that you have only seen half of the Canterlot Library?” Luna said. Twilight fumbled her spoon and nearly spilled her soup. The girl looked to her in surprise and she nodded. “It is my personal library. Before my banishment, our main library was situated similarly. The Canterlot Library you know would be the Library of light, for the public and those who answer the sun’s calls. The Library underneath is for myself, forbidden and hidden magics and those who answer when the night beckons. Nobody has answered her call in a millenium and her hand is always outstretched, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna explained.
Twilight could have sworn her tone was almost begging. Was Princess Luna asking her to answer the night’s call, whatever that was? Luna gave Twilight a sad smile, finished her glass of wine and stood.
“You hear her beckoning, Twilight. You just need to listen.” She said and left for her chambers. Twilight stared at the now closed door. Her mind raced, as it does when she learns something like this, to try and find evidence of this beckoning. She had always preferred to sit in the dark and read by candlelight and was never afraid of shadows or the dark, but that can’t have been it. She needed to talk to Celestia, but as she finished her supper she resolved to wait until she figured out what this beckoning was.
1: She Answers
Twilight bolted upright with a gasp. Panting, she looked around and at herself frantically. She sighed and plopped back down, that dream was so surreal. She had no idea how to describe it. She was a shadow, darkness in the night sky over Canterlot. She felt so alone and hurt and like there was nothing but fear and contempt for her, like nobody loved her. She thought about this dream, turned it around a million and one times in her head to analyze it and again bolted upright with a gasp.
Cliche as it may be, it must have been the night beckoning like Luna had said. She needed to talk to Celestia, and seeing as she was staying in Canterlot for the week to observe the courts again they were having breakfast together along with Luna.
At the dining hall, Celestia and Luna both noticed how uneasy she was. but they waited until Twilight spoke. They had both learned by now that she was probably trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say.
“Oh to hell with trying to dance around it…” The girl sighed and turned Celestia. The minor vulgarity surprised Luna a little bit, but Celestia seemed to almost giggle at it. “I hadn’t really realized it until recently, but I think I’ve reached the limit of what my current studies can give me, I’m even sitting in court to learn politics that I already know.” She continued. Luna was curious, but Celestia seemed to know where this was going.
“What would you suggest then?” The Princess asked. “There are many fine mentors at the university, if that’s what you want. I guess my teachings have gone a bit stale after so long, perhaps a more adventurous mentor than a Princess in her palace would suit you better at this point in your life.” She continued happily. Twilight gave a half-smile.
“Actually, Princess, I wanted to apprentice under Princess Luna now…” She said. Luna gaped, utterly surprised, and would have dropped her fork had she been using it at that time. Celestia blinked a few times, also surprised.
“You told her about the Catacombs, didn’t you?” The solar Princess said knowingly to Luna.
“The Catacombs?” Twilight asked. Luna regained her composure and quickly answered.
“The Catacombs is what we call the other half of the library, the final resting place for knowledge that dies…” She answered.
“Oh, I see. Princess, she did tell me of it last night but that’s not the reason I’m requesting this. Half of the reasoning I can’t really make sense of myself. I’ve spent my entire life in the day, but now I can hear the night beckoning. Now I know that without hesitation, I should answer.” Twilight explained. Luna had no idea how to react, and Celestia saw this. She giggled lightly as she stood.
“Well then, I suppose you do need more than what I can teach you. I hereby release you from my apprenticeship, on the grounds that you have become a master in what I have taught you, and give my blessing to you and your new Apprentice, Luna.” The Princess said happily. She started towards the throne room to start her duties, but she stopped halfway there and turned around with a serious face.
“Luna, make sure she knows what she’s just gotten herself into and make sure she is prepared.” She said and left without waiting for a response. Luna would have nodded, but she was still shocked. Twilight was getting a little worried, and as she stood to make sure her new mentor was alright she was surprised as the Princess was on her feet and holding her in a soft embrace in a flash.
“Princess?” Twilight asked, concerned a bit. Luna put her at arms length and wiped her eyes, which had watered up, and smiled wide.
“I’m sorry, I’ve never had an apprentice before… I’ve heard and seen how close you are to my sister, are we going to be that close now?” She asked. Twilight was a little surprised, she had never seen Luna show this much… emotion before. It was a little humbling.
“Well, Princess, that depends on you really… I don’t think we could ever be close like I am with Celestia, but that’s because she practically raised me after my parents died and Shining joined the guard. But that doesn’t mean we won’t have the chance to make something just as powerful.” Twilight answered. Luna gave a happy laughed and stepped away from Twilight, holding her hand behind her back with a little bit of embarrassment.
“Sorry about that, I don’t often let emotions take over…” She said, looking at the floor. Twilight smiled.
“It happens, I’ve had much worse. So, what did Celestia mean about what I’ve gotten myself into?” Twilight asked. Luna was about to speak, but two servants entered and began clearing the table, greeting the two.
“Walk with me, dear.” She simply said after a moment of thought and started walking. Twilight followed and recognized where they were going as the astronamy tower, where she stayed. Luna noticed this. “I know when you and my sister wanted a bit of privacy you would retire to her quarters, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be comfortable letting another other than one of my night guards or Celestia enter… at least for now.” She continued as they entered the tower and continued onto the balcony.
“I understand.” Twilight said with a smile. Luna smiled back and they looked out onto the early morning sun, towards Ponyville.
“Are you aware, Twilight Sparkle, that I only hold my court once a week?” Luna asked. Twilight nodded. It was common knowledge. “And are you aware that I do not attend every one of my courts, often missing multiple nights in a row?” She continued. Twilight nodded again. “Are you aware of the reason for this, and why I am not often seen in the Palace?” She finished.
“Well, I assume the spacing out of the Night Court is due to the fact that there aren’t all that many cases, and I always assumed your abscences were for personal duties or one of the duties I don’t know that you have.” Twilight explained. Luna leaned onto the railing of the balcony.
“The first part is mostly correct, and you are right that I am absent frequently due to my duties, but now those duties will extend to you as my apprentice. Way back when Apprentices were more servants than students, and it became tradition to refer to your master as such or as ‘Mistress’, though that tradition is terribly outdated…” Luna started and found herself diverging from the question.
“I am aware of the traditions… um, all of them…” Twilight said, trailing off and blushing slightly at the end. Luna gave her a knowing glance.
“I won’t be forcing any of the old traditions on you, especially the ones you’re thinking of, but there are some that will make it easier for the both of us. We will have to figure that out as we go, but for now; my duties.” She started, Twilight sighed in relief. “My duties are vast and vary greatly, but to sum it all up you could say I do all of the dirty work. While there aren’t any assassinations and wars to plan anymore, there are still very real needs and threats out there that need to be dealt with.” Luna continued.
“Wait, there used to be assassinations?” Twilight asked. Luna nodded.
“Obviously we won’t be doing any of that in his day and age, but let’s just say you’ll be needing to know how to fend for yourself. My Night Guard and I are Celestia’s right hand and sword, while her Royal Guard is her shield. Now, there is far more that our duties entail beyond violence. We learn, we seal evil, we are diplomats, we negotiate peace, we take part in or assist in subterfuge; anything that needs to be done.” Luna went on. Twilight was both fascinated, excited and incredibly nervous. She wasn’t unsure, though.
“I’ve seen records in the locked sections in the Canterlot Archives, I’ve seen some things that I didn’t really believe… but now that you say them I realize that some things have to be done… I had no idea you were the one doing them, though.” Twilight said, more to herself really.
“Back then, things were very different. Now, though, such drastic actions are usually avoided. I’ll be heading to the Dragonlands soon, to negotiate a few different issues we’ve been having with the Dragons. I’d ask you to join, but the way is incredibly dangerous and I don’t think you’re ready for so sudden a change of pace.” Luna said with a bit of a somber tone.
“With all due respect, I think I can handle myself.” Twilight said with confidence. Luna chuckled and put a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m sure you can, but I’m afraid I can’t allow you to come with me this time. We’re going to have to start your studies first and get you used to the kind of things we’ll be doing.” She said. Twilight was intrigued and a little apprehensive about that.
“Well then, where should I start?” The girl asked. Luna smiled and turned towards the door.
“I know you return to Ponyville tomorrow morning, when the sun goes down meet me in front of the Canterlot Library when the sun sets and we’ll start you on your studies.” The Princess said as she reached the door. She looked back at Twilight with a smile. “This apprenticeship will not be easy, and it may change you… I just hope you’re strong enough to maintain who you are through it all.” She continued. She left, leaving Twilight even more apprehensive than before.
“I suppose I’ll be finding out what that means soon…” She said to herself, turning to look back towards Ponyville out of the balcony again.
2: Catacombs
Twilight met Luna in front of the Library that night, the Princess seemed as if she was happy the girl had actually showed up.
“Good evening, Twilight Sparkle. Shall we then?” Luna said. Twilight nodded and smiled. They entered together, the Librarian greeting both of them happily. Luna inclined her head, while Twilight returned the greeting, and they continued towards the sub-level. That was where the restricted section was, which Twilight was quite familiar with.
They reached one of the few blank walls that Twilight had always felt seemed out of place, and she found out why. Luna put her hand up to the wall and dark tendrils of blue, so dark it seemed black, creeped out of her hands like magic. It made Twilight uneasy. It gave off a very dark vibe, like it wasn’t supposed to be there. It wasn’t innately bad or evil, though, that much she could tell.
The wall seemed to fluctuate and sort of fade, barely revealing a corridor behind it. Luna stepped through it, becking Twilight to follow. The scholar had only the slightest of hesitation as she stepped through the incorporeal wall. Luna smiled and turned to walk down the very dark, torchlit corridor. The wall solidified behind them as they walked and they came to a massive opening.
Twilight stood in awe at the massive cavern that filled their view. Carved delicately into the stone was a massive spiraling staircase, spiraling downwards down the walls of the relatively circular chamber. Torches lined the stairway and a massive waterfall spilled down into a pool at the bottom. There was sunlight lighting up the water, but only barely, through where it fell through.
“Above there is the end of the river that naturally flows through Canterlot.” Luna said as she started walking down the stairs. As Twilight followed, she noticed that some of the torches were moving up and down the stairs and into or out of alcoves along them.
She was surprised when one of the torches came close enough to reveal a fox was holding it in her mouth. It bowed to Luna, and then to Twilight, before opening her jaws to have the torch return to an empty sconce on the wall. It spoke with Luna in a language Twilight neither understood nor recognized. It sounded light and sweet, and the fox used a series of noises to compliment her own speech.
As they spoke, the cavern darkened slightly and Twilight turned to see that the waterfall was no longer gleaming with sunlight, instead it was the pearlescent moonlight.
“This way, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said. Twilight looked back towards her new mentor to find her halfway in an alcove’s doorway a few steps down. She rushed to follow her mentor and was amazed to find that inside of the alcove was what looked like a library.
“Each section of these libraries hold dark, evil, dead, forgotten, banished and lost magic and information. My sister and I agreed never to destroy information, no matter how terrible and horrific it is. We also decided that history should never be hidden, anything we don’t think the public need to know is in the restricted section above. Down here, though, I warn you. For now, do not attempt to learn anything that I or one of the helpers do not point out for you.” Luna explained.
“My name is Sirena.” The fox from earlier said from where she was sitting next to the doorway. Her voice seemed old and wise. “We all will serve the apprentice of the night just as we do our mother of the night, though very few of us know this tongue.” The fox continued.
“The helpers here are mostly foxes, but many other animals of intelligence have offered their service to this place. They gather information and act as librarians here, and so they learn quite a lot. They can answer questions if you know a language they speak. They all speak Sylvan, though, the language of the creatures of nature.” Luna explained as she perused one of the shelves, occasionally picking out a book or two.
“We all understand this tongue, though. If you need directions then those who can’t speak it can still lead and direct you. We all have hundreds of years of experience and knowledge, though, and we all love to share stories with those few that know of this place.” Sirena explained.
“Hundreds of years?” Twilight asked.
“This place is special, and binding yourself to it does more than just grant access. It is a process you won’t be able to complete until I return.” Luna started as she placed a sizable stack of books on one of the many tables, each of them with varying levels of age and wear. “These will give you a basic knowledge and understanding of what we will be doing and a bit of the magic I will be teaching you.” She continued.
“This one…” She started as she placed a tome bound in a sort of black crystal cover next to the stack. “...may never reach anyone’s eyes but your own. Only Sirena and the other Elder Helpers know what it contains, besides myself and Celestia. You will learn what it contains after studying each of the other tomes here.” She explained lowly.
“I probably don’t want to know, but what would happen if someone did? Spike has a tendency to read over my shoulder when I’m studying.” Twilight asked as she eyed the tome.
“That won’t be a problem, you won’t be physically reading this one… but if he ever gained access to that knowledge… I won’t scare you with the details but let’s just say Nightmare Moon is as much of a threat as Pinkie Pie’s alligator in comparison to those who have not answered the Night’s Call. This place is more dangerous than the dragon lands are for an elk for those who lust for knowledge.” Luna answered.
“I understand.” Twilight said after a moment of silence. It scared her, and Luna could tell, but she still didn’t regret the decision.
“Good. You won’t be able to access this place on your own, but there are usually helpers in the library above if you know where to look. My Nightguards answer to you as well, now, and they all know of this place. If you can’t find a helper, they will assist you any way they can. I know how well you treat my sister’s guard when they serve you, the Nightguards will relish the chance.” Luna explained as she turned towards the doorway once more. She said something to Sirena, who nodded and dashed out.
“I must leave now, you should see me off.” The Princess said. Twilight smiled and nodded, following her mentor. She was surprised when Luna started downwards and was awestruck when a pillar rose from the pool at the bottom. It looked like there was a series of doorways along it as it slowly crawled upwards. The water of the waterfall rolled over it as if it was nothing and stone walkways slid out to meet the massive construct.
“You will come to learn where each of these leads in time, but I implore you never to enter one of them until you do so. There is information on this spire in the books I gave you.” Luna said as she walked down one of the catwalks and stopped before the door. Twilight heard her whispering something and what looked like blood seeped from the thing and created a veil in the doorway in front of her.
“Farewell, Twilight Sparkle. I look forward to my return. I’ll send word before I return, it shouldn’t take longer than two weeks.” Luna said. Twilight nodded and raised a hand in farewell. Luna smiled and walked through the crimson veil, disappearing completely. The only magic Twilight detected was faint, coming from the spire, and it felt very old and as if it probably shouldn’t be there.
“Twilight Sparkle, it’d be best if you returned to the stairway.” Sirena’s voice came. Twilight looked back from where she was halfway down the catwalk to see the fox sitting on the stairway with a torch floating above her. Twilight nodded and stepped back onto the stairway. As soon as she did, the catwalks retracted and the spire returned to its place under the pool.
“I am aware that you return to your hometown in the morning, correct?” Sirena asked. Twilight nodded. “Please form a magical link with me, similar to yours with Celestia, and I will guide the link into the correct magical form to allow me to send the tomes through the link when you return. We cannot allow this information to be transported normally.” The fox asked politely. Twilight nodded and did as she was asked.
She was surprised when her magic was guided by what felt like an ancient presence, similar to the princesses, into the correct form. After a moment the connection went dormant and the magic stopped.
“Thank you. You may leave whenever you wish, there are sleeping quarters here as well if you wish to use them. This place is now another home for you.” Sirena said. Twilight smiled.
“I think I’ll return to my room now. I need to be up early to be on time. Thank you for your help, and I look forward to working with you and all the other helpers in the future. I should be back in Canterlot next week.” Twilight said.
“Then I will look forward to your return, Milady.” The fox said, bowing low. Twilight inclined her head in return. “I suppose I should help you leave, though.” The fox continued. Twilight giggled and nodded.