Small Bastian is nobody's idea of a hero; but in an ancient, mysterious book, he discovers an enchanted world only he can save. It begins as a "will-o'-the-wisp" goes to ask the Childlike Empress for help against the Nothing, which is spreading all over. The Empress is ill, which may be the cause of the Nothing. She then reveals that the only thing that can save Fantastica is a human child, who must give her a new name to restart the cycle of life. Thus, Bastian re-names the Empress 'Moon Child'; and helps re-build Fantastica with his imagination.