Chapter 10

Confronting a Liar and the Undeniable Fate

The moon rose high in the star lit sky. The orbs pale light shun down on the kingdom, making the shadows of dark streets disperse. Stretching to and through the castle windows it provided some way to see, even if it was brief. In the halls of the castle, a cloaked Earth Pony made his way to the library where he opened the doors as silently as possible. Once inside, he began his search. Muttering angrily under his breath, he cursed the task he had been burdened with. The last thing he had expected was for his Guild to send him another letter requesting that he did one last thing for them before he left. With the lantern he had brought along dangling from his mouth, he used the long ladders leaning against the towering bookshelves on each side of him to roll his way down the aisles. He scanned the spines of the books looking desperately for the one he was after. Coming to a stop at the middle section on the right side, he found that one of the books had already been picked from the shelf. Looking around, the lantern found the library desk next to a massive window. On it was a burnt out candle with a closed book lying beside it. Climbing down the ladder, the Earth Pony made his way to the desk where he sat his lantern down and took a seat. The book had a blank brown cover with the title carved on the spine, which read, “Darksiders: Myths and Legends from the Light".

He was just thinking that it was a strange title for a book to have when he got the feeling that he wasn’t alone. Looking up he saw that the doors to the library remained open, but saw no one standing in the black halls. Figuring that it must be his nerves getting to him, he shook off the odd experience and proceeded to open the book and flipped through the pages. He passed through titles such as “The Heart of the Crystals”, and “The Pony who found Magic”. At last he came across the story he was looking for. “The Legend of the Elemental Tree” Curious as to why the Guild wanted him to find the story, he began to read. At first the story started off like any other folk tale, but as the pony ventured on the more curious the story got. By the time he had finished he scratched his head in confusion.

“How would a tree be capable of representing six elements?” he asked out loud.

“How indeed?” Asked a calm voice.

The Earth Pony shot up with fright, his heart pounding against his ribs. King Night Shade stood in the center of the library. From the glimmer of the lantern the King’s body was shown.

“May I ask what you are doing here?” Night Shade asked politely.

This wasn’t the reaction the cloaked pony had expected from being found out. On the contrary, Night Shade made his way over to the left side of the library where he slid his hoof across the low shelf. Patiently, still waiting for an answer, he decided to speak freely.

“There is nothing like doing a little night time browsing.” He said casually. “I find it sometimes helps me think more clearly after a night’s stroll around the castle.”

The King looked at cloaked pony, his eyes twinkling. A smile formed on his tired old face. Slowly the Guild member closed the book. Upon closer inspection, he saw that Night Shade didn’t have his young features anymore. He could count the number of wrinkles on the old Alicorn’s sagacious face. As if the King knew what the pony was thinking he chuckled.

“Ah, age,” he said as if his new features didn’t bother him in the slightest. “With it comes wisdom and understanding.”

“But you weren’t…” started the Earth Pony concerned. “Before when I saw you at the meeting and after you and the Queen got better…”

“Some think we as Alicorns are in their minds, immortal.”
Night Shade eyes suddenly seemed to grow deeper. It was like the Guild member could see how far the Alicorn had come since his birth.

“While it may appear that way, we must correct these suspicions. We simply age differently than most ponies do. For my race, time has funny way of catching up with us. It just so happens that at long last, ours has finally caught on.”

He didn’t know what had come over him, but suddenly the Guild member felt his eyes water. A single tear rolled down his cheek as the realization of what must be happening to the King and Queen came crashing down on him with the force of crashing wave.

“You- you’re dying,” he said finally.

“Do you really think that?” asked Night Shade still smiling kindly. “I prefer to think of it as, moving on to the next chapter of our lives.”

“Do your daughters know?”

“I have feeling that one of them might. Yes.”

Seeing the saddened expression the Earth Pony wore, King Night Shade approached him and with his long horn glowing, he levitated the brown book and placed it back in the empty space on the shelf.

“If you don’t mind me asking this again, what were you looking for in that book?”

“Nothing my liege,” said the Earth Pony quickly. “Like you said, I was just night browsing and happened to come across the library.”

He could tell that the king didn’t believe him and waited for him to frown, perhaps even yell at him for lying. What he didn’t expect was for Night Shade’s patient attitude to be staring at him observantly, as if to x-ray him. With the calm gentle voice he had mastered, the King shook his head.

“I don’t think that’s the reason you were in here at all. Now, why don’t you tell me the truth? Or is it perhaps, like the horn you have kept secret, this is yet another thing you wish to remain hidden?”

“How did you…” began the Earth Pony in shock, but Knight Shade cut him off.

“As talented as you would be for an Earth Pony, Do forgive for saying so. But the awkward way you’ve been using your hooves and mouth for things you would normally use your magic for, gave it away.”

“Oh, I suppose it was that obvious huh?” asked the cloaked pony nervously.

“Not to everpony no. But my Queen and I wondered why you felt the need to hide your horn.”

The cloaked pony scowled at this. It wasn’t his idea in the first place to be seen like this. The Unicorn Guild wanted to test out a new spell they had recently discovered and who best to try it on than a new member? Once they suspected the spell had worked in fooling even the royal family, they wanted to take things further and try out wings next time, but promised to give the new recruit back his horn so he would be able to cast the spell on the one willing to give the trickery a try. He was about to give his reason when from behind them they heard hoofsteps drawing closer. From the blackened halls immerged an armored guard and beside him stood a cloaked Unicorn.

“Please forgive the intrusion your majesty!” said the guard puffing his chest out. “But this Unicorn has come to collect the Earth Pony!”

“Not at all, please come in!” said Night Shade pleasantly. “In fact, will you leave us? His associate and I have been discussing something that he might be of interest to him.”

“I’m afraid not my liege,” said a gruff voice from under the hood. “We really must be on our way.”

“I insist,” said Night Shade his voice this time sounded more authoritative.

The Guard bowed and closed the doors behind him. The three were alone now. The new arrival dug his hoof into the floor impatiently.

“Well? What are you on about Night Shade?”

The fake Earth Pony was about to speak, but the King with a half glance at him warned not to interfere with what was about to happen.

“See here Night Shade,” said the Unicorn lowering his hood at last to reveal a long flowing silver mane, blue eyes and dapple grey face. “Can this wait for another time? We are running behind schedule!”

“I’m afraid not,” said Night Shade seriously.

There was no smile this time. No twinkle in his eyes. Instead the Alicorn that stood before them took on a stance that demanded him to be taken seriously. The Unicorn looked like he might argue, but seemed to be belittled by the tall ruler in front of him.

“As I was saying before, your new member here was just informing me that he was looking for something.”

“Did he now?” asked the Unicorn throwing the silent pony an ugly look.

“Indeed,” said Night Shade, speaking in his calm voice once more. “He and I were going over a book he had requested. A funny little story he had to tell me afterward. He seemed to think your Guild ordered him to find a particular story in this book.”

The Unicorn tensed up at this. The cloaked pony behind the King grew just as nervous. Still, Night Shade went on.

“I thought I had made it perfectly clear to you and the rest of the Guild that the subject material shan’t be disturbed?”

“Oh, now please understand your highness,” said the Unicorn terrified now. “We must be sure that the uh, tree must be protected at all costs!”

“If by protected you mean steal that of which is hidden within its very branches, then I’m afraid that will not happen! It was, as you know, a hassle getting Star Swirl’s work from you, but make no mistake. The Guild will not tamper with anything else that is beyond their control!”

“How dare you!” hissed the Unicorn indignantly. “We mean no harm to anypony your highness! But continue to treat us this way and our arrangements may be short lived!”

“Those arrangements have been running sour for some time now,” said Night Shade sadly. “I think you know that it’s been over for some time.”

The Unicorns face was livid with rage. He glared at the pair in front of him.

“Are you saying that our pact is broken?”

“Yes, I am,” replied Night Shade looking the Unicorn straight in the eyes.

“Come on rookie!” The Unicorn snarled. “We are leaving!”

“Before you go, there is one thing I would like you to do before our contract is sacked.”

“And what is that?!”

“Will you give my young friend here, his horn back?”

The Unicorn’s face had gone the color of sour milk. For a split second, it looked like he was about to make his horn cast a hurtful spell, but the moment had passed. His horn did glow, but instead of an attack being sent, the fake Earth Pony felt his head tingle and something began to reappear as if it was only made invisible. The grey Unicorn placed his hoof on his returned horn not sure if he should thank the King in front his enraged fellow Guild member. The other Unicorn threw his hood over his head again and turned around to leave. The newly reintroduced Unicorn made to follow his escort, but the hooded Unicorn turned his head to glare at him.

“Did you find out anything else?”

“N-no, not a thing.” said the rookie truthfully.

“Then you are no longer of any use to us.”

“What?”

“You heard me rookie! We have no use for you anymore!”

He made to leave at last, but this time, it was the rookies turn to yell back.

“Hold on! They promised to teach me a spell that will help me cure my sister! They can’t just go back on that after all that I have done for you!”

“Wake up kid!” spat the Unicorn his back still facing the now ex Guild member. “There is no spell that can help her! The only thing that thing that we able to do isn’t any better than what you’ve been doing!”

The Ex Guild member stood frozen to the spot. It couldn’t be true. It mustn’t be. After all he did for them, there was no way for them to help him in return. He felt his eyes begin to water as rage of the likes he had never felt before, built up inside of him. He started toward the retreating Unicorn, but from behind him the sounds of hoofsteps drew near. King Night Shade made his horn glow and without warning, the Guild member was flung into the bookshelf. He tried to escape, but Night Shade’s spell had pinned him against it and was unable to move.

“What did you promise him?!” Night Shade growled.

Crash! The library doors flew open and inside came two guards. Each held their spears at the ready. Their eyes found the shocked ex Guild member then they met the hooded Unicorns. Night Shade didn’t notice they had entered nor did he care that they were baring witness to the scene unfolding before them.

“Answer me!” he demanded. “What empty promise did you make?!”

“W-we had no choice y-your highness!” the Unicorn cowered. “You s-saw how good the boy could l-lie! And on top of that, h-his knowledge of magic is e-extraordinary!”

“Keep talking,” Night Shade said through gritted teeth.

“He let slip that he had sick family member and agreed to aid us as long as we helped him cure his sister in return! We tried our best, but in her present condition, the healing spells we’ve been using are useless. Even with the boy’s own healing spells, he too must have known it was hopeless!”

“Lies!” shouted the ex Guild Member, tears running down his face. “She will get better! And you’re Guild will help me do just that!”

The petrified Unicorn could only shake his head wordlessly in response. He didn’t even realize that Night Shade’s spell over him had lifted and he sank to the floor. Books came crashing down with him. The two Guards looked to were Night Shade’s gaze was. Queen Star Bright was standing at the entrance to the Library her expression livid. As she approached the scene it became clear that her anger wasn’t completely directed toward the King. She along with Night Shade glared down at the shaken Unicorn.

“Queen Star Bright, Thank goodness you…”

“Save it,” said Star Bright in disgust. “You and your Guild have brought shame upon the Unicorns. You are nothing but, a bunch of lying thieves and cowards! Guards, get him out of my sight!”

The hooded Unicorn shot up before the Guards came down on him and raced to the library entrance.

“I’m sorry my boy, we tried to save her, but… I’m sorry!”

With a swish of his cloak, the Unicorn galloped out of the castle. Upon reaching the front doors he flung them open and disappeared down the cold stone street. Back in the library, everyone stayed where they were. The ex Guild Member’s eyes shrunk as the truth started to sink in. His efforts were as he had feared, in vain. No, no, there must be another way. There had to be more time, he could still find a way some how.

“Lad?” asked Night Shade worriedly. “Are you alright?”

“No, I can still help her!” the young Unicorn said angrily to himself. “There’s still more time, she’s not gone! Not yet! I don’t need them to help me, I can do it all by myself!”

“Lad?” repeated Night Shade slowly approaching the scared Unicorn.

The grey Unicorn jumped slightly by the gentle hoof being placed on his shoulder. His eyes found Night Shade's sympathetic gaze.

“Like I said before, you are welcome back anytime. And if you need anything…”

“N-no,” said the young caster still in shock. “I need to get back! I need to know! I have to see her!”

“We understand,” said Queen Star Bright sweetly. “Dear, is there anything you could…”

“I’m afraid that what our guest had told us might be true." said Night Shade, his ears lowering. "For all we know, it might be too…”

“Don’t say it!” spat the young Unicorn. “Don’t you give up on her too!”

He looked up at the saddened Alicorn and guessed the worst. Lowering his head he made to leave as well. Queen Star Bright still thought she should have a chariot take him back to the Crystal Empire.

“Wait!” she called out to him. “I’ll call for transport!”

“No need!” answered the young caster “Now that I got my horn back, it will be easy for me to leave instantly!”

Before the Queen could ask, the young Unicorn made his horn glow and in the blink of an eye he was gone.

“Wha… Where did he go?” asked one of the guards in surprise. “He didn’t just teleport all the way back to the Crystal Empire did he?”

“Well, I’ll be,” said Night Shade, being the only one unfazed by the sudden disappearance. “He wasn’t lying when he said that the kid’s magic was advanced for his age.”

“That poor boy,” said Star Bright. “I hope his sister isn’t…”

But she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Night Shade was busying himself by writing a letter. When he was done, he sent it off with a soft pop. He looked back at his wife and two guards.

“Shall we send for a search party your highness?” asked one of the guards.

“No, leave them. They are long gone by now. My king, shall we?”

“I’ll be right there,” said Night Shade.

Before he followed his wife back to their chambers he told the guards if one of the Guild members returned and it wasn’t the young Unicorn, send them away. Back in their sleeping courters, the King glanced over at the table where an unfinished letter lied next to a quill and ink. Looking down at it he started to read the letter to himself. As his mouth formed the words written he felt his voice begin to crack. Where he sat, his body shook as he became choked up. Soft wings wrapped around him as the Star Bright snuggled in close.

“Shhh.” She cooed. “We knew this day would come at some point.”

“Yes, we did didn’t we?” agreed Night Shade shuddering. “I never thought it would be this soon though.”

“We can never be too sure when it comes to our kind,” said Star Bright resting her head on his crest. “For us, time doesn’t seem to matter much.”

“But for them, they will be… Our time may be ending, but for them… To the rest of the world, they will be like gods to them. Their world will change around them while they remain in their youth. Who knows how time will be able to catch up with them or if it will ever take its toll? What if they’re not ready?”

He turned to face his Queen. Star Bright smiled at the ancient face placing her gentle hoof on it.

“They will be ready my love,” Stare Bright said warmly. “I know they will.”

She and the King stared into each other’s eyes. Leaning in her lips met his and felt his warm embrace as he held her close. They stayed glued together for a while before she broke away slowly as to cherish the moment. Smiling at his Queen, Night Shade wiped away the silent tears from her eyes.

“The time for them to fulfill their destiny is drawing close. We need to get them ready.”

Nodding in agreement Star Bright placed her head on the King’s chest and let her tears flow. The King held her tight allowing her to finally let her sadness show. After she pulled herself together she went back to bed while the king sat staring at the almost completed letter. He thought back to what his fears were and with his horn glowing, the quill rose in the air and began scribbling down the missing words. For he knew, that this letter was going to be needed when the time came.