>You groan softly as you roll out of the large, plush bed.
>The sun isn't even up yet.
>Neither is Anon.
>There is absolutely no way you'll be able to go back to sleep, even if you tried.
>You start to head out of the room, but bump into a table, a chair, and finally, the door.
>It's been a while since you've had to navigate in total darkness.
>You open the door and click your tongue.
"There we go..."
>A large hallway is mapped out in your mind as the sound-waves reach back to your ears.
>The entire castle was eerily quiet as you aimlessly trotted through corridors, up and down stairways, and out into the castle grounds.
>You yawn and look up at the sky.
>Little white stars dotted the sky.
>The moon looked close enough to touch.
>It almost threatened to fall from the sky.
>You look at a small sign next to the path on which you stand.
"Garden of Fallen Stars."
>That's strange.
>You had no destination in mind when you started your little journey.
>Rather than turn and head back into the castle, you follow the path.
>You have yet to explore the entirety of this garden, never wandering past the ivory monument.
>The moon lit your way as you trotted along the brick path.
>Each time your hooves touched down, the bricks would shimmer softly.
>It was quite enchanting.
>The path widens into a rather large circle.
>A large, shimmering tower looms in front of you.
>It was... odd.
>You thought something like this would have been noticeable from the ivory monument.
>The tower shimmers and ripples as you tap a hoof on one of its walls.
>It seemed to try to dissipate at your touch, but quickly formed back together.
>A small door materialized in front of you as you tapped the tower again.
>There was something off about this door.
>Ever door in Equestria felt soft, warm, welcoming.
>This door scared you.
>It looked just like any normal door, but it felt like it was hiding something... scary.
"What would Anon do...?"
>Your hoof reaches for the door's handle.
>A soft tune carries through the air, causing you to retract your hoof.
>You pay it little heed and continue staring at the door.
>Anon would most definitely go inside.
>The tune increases in volume as its performer draws closer.
>You hear hooves click to a halt against the brick walkway.

>"Speck?"
>A familiar voice calls from behind you.
>You turn from the tower and answer with a light "hm?"
>Princess Luna stands at the edge of the plaza.
>She smiles at you before looking up at the tower.
>"You did not go inside, did you?"
>You shake your head.
"The door scared me."
>"It scares Sister and I just as much."
>Luna sits beside you.
>"The tower appeared here shortly before Anonymous came to our world."
>You turn back to the tower and look up at it.
>"During the day, it is invisible. But during the night, and especially when the moon shines brightly, it shows itself."
"Should we bring Anon to see it?"
>She shakes her head and wraps a wing around you.
>"This... may sound selfish of me. But, I would prefer that he not know of this. For all we know, it could lead him back to his world."
>Anon's world.
>Would he go back if given a choice?
"Princess, I'm sorry. I don't think this is something I could keep from him."
>She nods and gives you an understanding smile.
>"You would not want him to miss a chance at returning to his world, I can understand this. However, I fear that if this door opens, we may be unable to close it."
>She pulls you close to her with her wing.
>"I fear that more of his kind would cross over. I believe that he is kind enough, and peaceful enough. But I fear that the rest of his kind may not be the same."
>You hug Luna's foreleg.
>She pats your head with a hoof.
"I don't want him to be stuck here if he doesn't want to be. As much as I love him, I'll be happy with what ever he does."
>"I understand, little one."

>You look out the window.
>A very tall brick tower looms in the distance.
>It was always there, ever since you first came to this land.
>It was never brought up in conversation.
>You passed by it several times when you walked the grounds of the castle, holding conversation with the Princesses.
>They never regarded it.
>Even at night, when you sat with Luna in her garden.
>When you sat on the benches lining that small plaza.
>When that tower glowed its eerie glow.
>Its hypnotic shimmering sometimes caused you to stop listening to Luna.
>You shake your head.
>Speck woke you up earlier when she was crawling out of bed.
>You thought she was going to the bathroom.
>But that was twenty minutes ago.
>A month and three weeks ago, you would have gone back to sleep.
>Speck was doing something to you.
>It was a good something.
>You should find her.
"Sounds like a plan, good thinking Anon."
>You take one of the magic candles with you as you leave the room.
>No destination in mind, you walk.
>The candle lights your way through the long, dark corridors.
>After a while, you find yourself outside.
>A sign tips you off to your location.
"Garden of Fallen Stars."
>The tower loomed in the distance.
>You can't deal with it anymore.
>It taunted you when you first came to Equestria.
>It taunted you the entire time you were on the castle grounds.
>You follow the brick pathway past the ivory monument.
>Nothing but your trusty candle in hand, you come to the plaza where the tower stands.
>Solid, red brick.
>No windows.
>Just the door.
>It shimmers lightly.
>You approach it and scowl as you place a hand on its wall.
"Imposing. Terrifying. Wrong. Unwelcome."
>You stare at the door's small handle.
>A hoof touches your hand.
>A little whine accompanies it.
>Speck sits beside you, staring up with light frown.
>You kneel beside her and hug her as tight as you can.
"Hey there. I've been looking all over for you."
>She nuzzles into your shoulder and sighs.
>"I was coming back to bed. You could have waited."
>You kiss her lightly on the cheek as you stand back up.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay."
>She blushes and looks away.
>You follow her gaze and spot Princess Luna.
>She slowly shakes her head at you, a very stern look on her face.
>"I'm fine, Anon. Can we go back? I'm really sleepy."
>The wind blows over the garden.
>Luna's glare bores into you.
"Yeah, I'll catch up with you. I want to stargaze a little bit."
>"I can stay with y-"
"No, just go on ahead. I'll be right there."

>Speck starts to leave, but turns and looks at you.
>Her eyes glisten in the moon light.
>And in them, you see nothing but concern.
>"Come say goodbye if you decide to leave, okay Anon?"
>She turns and trots off before you can say anything.
>You look back up at Luna and start walking toward her.
>She still has that stern look.
>It's the kind of look a mother gives someone that could potentially hurt her child.
"What did you say to her?"
>"Absolutely nothing."
>You turn to look at the tower briefly.
>Luna's gaze snaps from somewhere past you, back to your eyes.
"What's with the tower, Luna?"
>Her eyes go wide with shock.
>"I know nothing of that tower, Anonymous. I only know that it instills fear deeply into Speck, Sister, and myself."
>You turn from her and approach the tower.
>She sprints in front of you and attempts to cut you off.
>"Anon! I would highly advise not opening that door!"
"You've seen it all these years and never once told me!"
>You push her out of the way and reach for the handle.
>"Anonymous! Think of Speck."
>The handle and your hand are mere inches apart.
>You turn to her.
"Tell me what you know about the tower."
>She shakes her head lightly.
>"I know little, just that it appeared shortly before you did."
>The tower always had a feeling about it.
>Something familiar.
>You always thought it was the door.
>The way it felt different from every other door in Equestria.
>It was not welcoming, it was not inviting.
>It hid something.
>And that scared you.
"This tower has something to do with me, then. And if it scares Speck, then I will not sit by and leave it."
>You reach for the handle again.
>"Anonymous!"
>You stop again.
>"Wait here, for five minutes. I beg of you, just five minutes."
>Her hooves click against the ground as she runs.

>Brick paths soon turn to carpet and granite as you run.
>A hero should not be without protection.
>And you refuse to allow someone so dear to one of your children go into the unknown with nothing to defend himself with.
>A bat p0ny with dark turquoise hair walks slowly through the halls.
>You nearly run her over as you run past.
>"ANON DEPARTS SOON, YOU MUST SAY FAREWELL, YOUNG SPECK!"
>Your voice carries through the hall behind you.
>The young bat turns tail and runs back toward the tower.
>He will not leave without saying goodbye to her.
>And he will wait for your return.
>Your hooves carry you as fast as they can to the castle's armory.
>You skid to a halt inside and quickly dart toward a pedestal.
>On it lies a sword in its sheathe and a small shield.
>Both carry the same colors as the uniform of your night guard.
>You levitate them with you and run as fast as you can back to Anon.
>Oh, you hope these will protect him.
>You yell for a guard to go get Celestia as you rush out into the garden.

>Princess Luna ran by you and yelled something you didn't quite catch fully.
>"Anon" and "Farewell" were about all you heard.
>But that was enough to tip you off and force you to run back toward the tower.
>Thankfully, Anon hadn't opened the door.
>You stood on your hind legs and hugged him around his middle.
>He silently stroked your mane.
"Please don't go, Anon."
>He sits down and pulls you close to him.
>"Speck... The Princesses fear this tower. I fear this tower. And more importantly, YOU fear this tower."
>You press yourself as close as you can to him.
"The Princesses can do something about it! They can use their magic to destroy it, or teleport it!"
>He sighs and scratches your ear.
>"I think they would have already done that if they could. And besides, the tower has something to do with me specifically."
>You rub your face into his chest.
"I don't want you to go."
>The sound of hooves clicking against brick sound in your ears.
>Anon stands as Luna approaches.
>She carries a sword and shield with her.
>"A hero without a means of protection may be the bravest and most fearless, but I would rather not have one such as you lost to this world so soon."
>He takes them from her.
>You jump up and start hitting him with your hooves.
>You beg and plead and cry.
"Anon, please! We can just go back to P0nyville!"
>"I can't do that Speck. If this tower is here because of me, and even the Princesses are worried about it..."
>He kneels down and kisses you on the lips.
>"I love you Speck. I'm gonna keep this world safe for you, alright?"
>You try to nod.
>Another set of hooves click against the brick.
>Anon stands and waves.
>You turn and stare at Celestia.
>You crawl to her and Luna and beg them to keep Anon from going.
>"Dearest Speck."
>Celestia kneels down to nuzzle your cheek.
>"There is nothing I, nor Luna, can do to prevent Anonymous from doing this. All we can do is wish him luck and pray that he stays safe."
>She smiles as Anon turns toward the door.
>"After all..."
>You look back at Anon as he places a hand on the door.
>"The Angels will protect those who need it most."
>He steps inside.
>The door shuts behind him.
>The tower stops shimmering and vanishes briefly before it rematerializes as a solid, red-brick structure.
>It stands four stories tall and is maybe a quarter wide as it is tall.

>You are a curious man.
>And curious men tend to go head first into the abyss.
>Lush, red carpet covers the floor of the tower.
>A large spiral staircase ascends into the second floor.
>Several torches line the wall.
>The room contains little.
>A small table with some parchment and a quill on it, a stool, and a small barrel of water.
>You draw the sword and start to climb the stairs.
>The second floor contains a bed, about your size.
>At its foot is a small chest, similar to those old-timey travel chests they had back on Earth.
>Strange, you rarely saw those in Equestria.
>You open it carefully.
>Its contents surprise you greatly.
>Clothes.
>But not clothes that you could find in any store in Equestria.
>Clothes from Earth.
>You drop the sword and shield on the bed.
>If there was another human here, you would not want to scare them off.
>But it's been five years since you arrived in Equestria.
>How would they have survived, if the Princesses had never seen them?
>Did they sneak out of this tower and raid the kitchens, or steal from shops?
>You ascend to the third floor.
>A small writer's desk sits against the wall.
>Several large shelves hold dozens of old, dusty books.
>Tears form in your eyes as you start to smile.
>Every book you've ever loved and cherished on Earth, now back within your reach.
>Speck would absolutely love the adventures contained in these.
>You trace your hands over their spines and sigh.
>A bed, clothes, books.
>Someone definitely lived here at one point.
>You turn to the final set of stairs.

"He's been in there a while..."
>You look up at the tower and start to approach it.
>Princess Luna reaches for you.
>"Speck, please. I do not want to lose two of my stars in one night."
>You ignore her and continue to the tower.
>That door scared you.
>But you pressed on.
>Your flank started to glow faintly.
>If Anon would face his end, you would face it with him.
>You push the door open and step inside.
>The glowing on your flank stopped with a bright flash.
>A golden heart with two feathery wings extending from its sides appeared on your flank.
>A smile creeps across your lips.
>No stars would fall on this night.
>You and Anon would conquer whatever evils this tower contained.
>That was your destiny.
>To be beside Anon and protect him.
>And he would protect you, all the same.
>You ascend the stairs.
>Disregarding the bed and chest, you ascend the next set of stairs.
>Anon would have already checked that chest anyway.
>The next floor contains shelves upon shelves of books.
>You take a moment to pull one off a shelf.
>The letters don't look familiar to you.
>You replace it and look toward the last set of stairs.
>No sounds came from above.
>This worried you as you rushed up the steps.
>What you see catches you slightly off-guard.
>Anon sits in front of a large mirror and holds a small picture frame.
>He does not look up at you.
>Where were his sword and shield?
"Anon?"
>You look around the room as you approach him.
>A small desk littered with papers, a grandfather clock, and another chest similar to the one by the bed.
>You look down at the frame Anon has in his hands.
>Several humans stand around a young looking Anon.
>Anon boops you on the nose, breaking your attention away from the picture.
>He smiles at you, tears staining his cheeks.
>"Hey."
>You nuzzle his cheek as you climb into his lap.
"Who are they?"
>A sigh escapes his lips.
>"They were people I knew back on Earth. Friends of mine."
>He sets the picture down and hugs you tight.
>"But that's in the past. Come on, help me gather some things so we can leave."
>You look over at the large mirror as you crawl out of Anon's lap.
>He moves over to the chest and empties a rather large amount of pictures and other items out of it.
>"I don't want anything from here except the books on the third floor and some of the clothes."
>You trot over to the pile of stuff he threw out of the chest.
>Sifting through it, you find a small, hard, black rectangle.
"Anon? What's this?"
>He stops dragging the chest toward the stairs and walks over to you.
>He picks it up and presses a button on its top.
>His thumbs awkwardly swipe over it and he smirks at its glow.
>"It's... It's nothing important."
>The object hits the floor as Anon drops it.
>The glass on its front shatters.
>You shrug and fly beside him as he returns to the chest.
"So you don't want anything from this room?"

>He shakes his head and drags the chest downstairs.
>"Nothing up there but old memories."
>He starts stacking a few select books into the chest.
>"Not that I want to forget them, but I don't have time to dwell anymore."
>You smile at him and start pulling books from the shelves.
>Some are placed in the chest, others are piled on top of each other.
"Why aren't you putting all of the books in there?"
>He looks over a few more.
>"I prefer some of these books over others, and would rather wait until all of my favorites are in the chest."
>The two of you clear the shelves out after a short while.
>Anon fit maybe fifty books in the chest, and there was still the one downstairs.
"Are you going to read some of these to me?"
>He looks at you curiously.
>"Can't you read them yourself?"
>You started shaking your head slowly halfway through his sentence.
"I don't recognize these letters, Anon."
>He starts laughing and slaps his hand to his forehead.
>"No, no. That's my mistake, Speck. I've been here so long, I completely forgot."
>He traces his fingers over a book.
>"Celestia and Luna cast a translation spell on me when I first arrived here. They didn't understand my native tongue."
>He stands up and starts for the stairs leading downward.
>"It allowed me to understand, speak, and read the Equestrian language. I kept practicing writing and reading my native tongue by writing in my journal, scared I'd forget..."
>You drag the chest full of books as you follow him.
>No use having to come all the way back up just to grab it.
>Anon sifts through the chest of clothes and empties it.
>"I have nicer clothes back in P0nyville, anyway."
>You snicker and leave the first chest behind as you help him carry the second one upstairs.
"So, these Earth books... Are they like Equestria books?"
>Anon sits down and starts looking through the rest of the books piled on the floor.
>"I guess. They tell stories and let you learn what's inside of them, if that's what you mean."
>He quickly fills the second chest up.
>You follow him as he carries it down, grabbing and dragging the first chest as the two of you head down to the first floor.

>The princesses stand outside, waiting, as you open the door.
>They sigh with relief and rush over to you and Speck.
>"So? What was in there?"
"Stuff from Earth. Old trinkets, pictures, books. Nothing important, nothing for you to worry about."
>Celestia tilts her head.
>"Do you think you were meant to live in this tower?"
>You shrug and put your chest down next to Speck's.
"Maybe. We won't know."
>You turn and step back inside the tower.
>"What do you mean, we won't know?"
>You take a torch off the wall.
>Five years and these stayed lit the whole time.
>Magic is weird.
"I mean, we just won't know."
>You throw the torch on the floor and move back through the door.
>The carpet slowly catches fire as you close the door for the final time.
>Speck taps at your leg and smiles.
>You pick her up and hug her tight.
>"We will discuss more of this at breakfast, Anonymous."
>You nod and wave at them as they depart.
>"So what was with that mirror, Anon?"
>You stretch out across the chests and look up at the moon.
>Speck sits on top of you and smiles down at you.
"Absolutely nothing. It was just a normal mirror."
>She curls up and you hold her close.
"We should probably move though. The tower's on fire and it could collapse on top of us."
>She scrambles off of you and grabs ahold of one of the chests.
>"Yeah, let's do that."
>Both of you snicker as you carry the chests away from the tower.
>You stop by the ivory monument and flop on the grass, your little p0ny jumping on top of you.
>The earth beneath you rumbles and the sound of crashing reaches your ear.
>Speck's lips meet your own as you pull her face close to yours.
>You hold each other close and look up at the moon.
>The moon...
>Luna.
"I forgot Luna's sword and shield in the tower."
>Speck gasps as you laugh to yourself.
"Oops?"