CHAPTER 11: DEFIANCE
Eve looked at her claw, curling in her sharp appendages with interest.
Standing atop a large cotton candy cloud; she simply let her chaos ensue upon the ponies. But if they wanted to do something, they'd have to kill her; she wasn't going back, no matter what. She'd crushed her own dreams with her actions, but perhaps a little revenge was in order first. She knelt and rested her head on her claw as she smiled softly to herself. "Be careful little ponies....you just might die, if you don't pay attention."
The ponies were gathered in a mass crowd; scurrying about the scene in horror and fear. While others who were still filled with panic retreated from the burning buildings that'd been attacked. Fillies and colts cried for their parents as stallions and mares alike tried to make sense of all this chaos. Chaos they were so unused to, chaos that was so unfamiliar to them, chaos that never seemed to find its way into their tranquil lifestyles. And that's exactly what she wanted to see; to see them panic in the streets, to see them filled with desperation, to see their hopes shatter as their perfect society was threatened in the blink of an eye. She now understood everything, this is the way things were meant to be.
This was the world as it should be seen through everyponies eyes. She was no longer alone in her fear.
They all lacked understanding, they all couldn't see the way things were meant to be. They all only saw her as insane, a monster; but no she wasn't insane, they were the insane ones. They were the ones who needed to open their eyes to the truth. Then just like her, they could finally come to accept everything, and then all the pieces would fall into place as they should. But just because this world was dark didn't mean she had to go about it in a depressing way; no no no, she could still have some fun. There was still much fun meant to be had before the grand escape, and she had the perfect playmates. Her parents thought she was stupid, thought she lacked imagination, but no no no; she had the greatest imagination of all! She'd proved them wrong and she wished they could see her now.
But there was one problem; what was with this rain? Eve couldn't help but look up; disheartened by the fact it was raining. Why did it always seem to rain when she felt like this? She felt uncaring, but somewhere inside; was there still that shred of vulnerability, that shred of weakness she couldn't rid herself of no matter how hard she tried? The fear and dread from the timberwolves. The realization that the mane six would stop her and take her away from Cheerilee. Now this; it always seemed to come at precise moments. She wanted this raining to stop. She had the ability to distort reality itself, rain should've been no trouble. So why couldn't she make it stop when it appeared? This frustrated the little draconequus, but she couldn't dwell on something as meager as rain now. She had to deal with the ponies who'd no doubt attempt to thwart her escape.
As expected, emerging from the massive explosion she'd just caused were the pony princesses as well as the older draconequus. He was such a strange one; why was he working with them anyway? If she could recall he also lived with Fluttershy and was accepted amongst ponies; even considered an ally for being connected to the princess in some way. It was ironic, she'd attempted to throw everything away just so she wouldn't become a monster, yet in the end she became one anyway, not that it mattered much at this point. Either way it was time she prepared herself for the trials to come; so the baby draconequus lowered herself to the ground, acknowledging the enemies before her.
But as she took notice of the conditions they were all in, she was surprised; and ultimately satisfied. She manifested a chair of cotton candy and then took a seat. "Are you all gonna be okay?"
Trembling, barely able to stand were the two pony princesses as well as Discord, obviously caught off guard by her attack, it seemed it was much more effective this time around. She could only wonder why, although she wasn't complaining.
Eve snickered, leaning back and tilting up her crimson top-hat with an amused expression. "Yay it actually worked this time!" She snapped her claw as she sucked on the straw of a manifested milkshake. She kicked her legs back and forth regarding them with playful curiosity. Maybe they wouldn't be able to finish the job in the end. "You all better hurry...hmhm..."
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Princess Celestia attempted to gather her thoughts, even she felt overwhelmed with shock due to the pain that was coursing through her body. How was it possible? She didn't even lay a hoof on the little draconequus. There was no possible way Eve's connection to the senses could be this detailed; agonizing, especially in such a short amount of time. And how did she escape anyway? Something the princess despised was the feeling of being dumbfounded, the feeling of being outsmarted; and the thought that she'd been outsmarted by a child was unacceptable. There was something horribly amidst in this chaos strewn display, and she was going to find out what. But first she had to recover from the pain she'd just experienced and she wasn't sure if she could. It was comedic, Eve was supposed to be unleashing this upon the changelings, not her. Perhaps she underestimated the little baby draconequus, and for a fleeting moment that caused the princess to shudder. Perhaps the little baby draconequus was too perfect for this. "H-How...how did she-"
But as they all stood there, Discord didn't seem to be that pleased with the idea of capturing Eve any longer. "By golly Celestia! What did you do to her? I mean...I knew you could be rough but sheesh! That kid now packs quite a punch. A little too much if I might add." He patted himself off as he wobbled a little before dousing himself with a bucket of water he'd just created. He then did the same to Princess Celestia and Luna. "When you told me you had everything covered I thought you meant it. You don't feed a draconequus's imagination! Especially when it involves something that can kill us you dope!"
This caused Princess Celestia to grit her teeth angrily as she snapped at Discord. "I won't have you lecturing me Discord!" Princess Celestia took in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she shook her head, then looking at the amused Eve. Speaking gave the princess trouble, and it was obvious in her tone she was struggling to speak. "Her progression rate has rapidly accelerated somehow, and right now she's not in any state to be using her powers. Her mind is in disarray; we mustn't allow her to escape, she is far too young to understand the danger of what she's become." She sighed heavily. "Everything went just as we'd discussed, there is no possible way she could've escaped Discord...I know this......"
Discord couldn't help but look at Princess Celestia; highly amused himself. "Obviously not Celestia, considering the fact she's sitting right there wearing very outdated clothing; hanging out on a chair of cotton candy, while attacking your precious subjects at her leisure! Maybe you should consider why you ever wrote that book in the first place? Because at the moment it looks like you've got quite a big problem on your hooves." Discord to then looked at the amused Eve who never took her eyes off them, and as she caught Discord's gaze; she waved at him with a smile. "How much did you show her exactly Celestia? I'm going to need to know if we have any chance of fixing this."
Princess Celestia looked to the lower left as her cheeks slowly tinted crimson. "E-Everything..."
Discord looked as if he'd just heard the most wildly absurd thing of the century as he looked to Celestia with his jaw dropped and placed a paw over his face. "Everything!? Celestia why would you-" He then cocked a brow as he began rubbing his chin in interest at the thought, still a little perplexed by the entire idea. "Even so, it still doesn't make much sense, one so young couldn't possibly have a grasp on such level of chaotic magic without personal experience."
Princess Celestia looked to him in desperation, almost as if pleading her innocence. "That's what I've been attempting to tell you Discord. There is no possible way her progression rate could've accelerated this much in such a short amount of time. I ensured not to-" Celestia herself then looked like she'd been overcome with fear as the realization hit her. She paused; and she was at a loss for words as she couldn't wrap her mind around the idea. She attempted to move but felt her legs giving out; and she froze, remaining in place, then looking towards the baby draconequus once again. "L-Little Eve!...Would you mind telling us how you managed to escape?"
Discord scoffed crossing his arms. "Now why would she go and tell you that?"
As Eve just continued to look at them from her cotton candy chair, she couldn't help but regard Princess Celestia with a chuckle due to her question. The baby draconequus thought about whether or not she should answer for a moment, tapping her bottom lip softly with a cheery smirk. "Mmmmmm..." But she shrugged eventually, wanting to see the princess's reactions. "Well Miss.Princess; if you really want to know!....I'll give you a hint!...." She then unveiled her wrist before looking at them with a creepy smirk. "Mince!...Mince!...Mince!...It really hurt you know."
Discord and Princess Celestia grew silent with disbelief.
Was she actually stating that she basically severed her own paw? Well the sighting only made it more obvious as well. This actually caused Princess Celestia to feel lost in despair herself as she re-ran the situation in her head, she truly did underestimate this little draconequus far too much. When she looked at Eve; she saw opportunity, but nonetheless Eve was still just a child. But even in children such acts of desperation seemed implausible. Not even most adults would be able to accomplish such an act and retain consciousness. It was obvious based on their expressions, Discord and Celestia were thinking very similar things. But this piece of information wasn't what scared them the most, it was the fact Eve now had a frighteningly good grasp on her understanding of things she wasn't ready to handle alone. The despair of equestria, and the power to create such agony within others, agony she had experience of, agony she could create through the power of chaos.
And as Discord took notice of Eve's linear explanation; he couldn't help but regard Celestia with a saddened look. And as Celestia looked back to him, she shook her head. What connected these two in such a way that they could read one another through mere expressions? It was as if their eyes told a thousand words. Their past although still shrouded in mystery, it wasn't hard to pertain a certain relationship between the two. But the message was understood, and whatever it was Celestia didn't seem to take a liking to it.
But Discord knew his race better than anypony else, and this was no longer some simple experiment, or some act he could just stand and be entertained by. Draconequus were not meant to be crafted in such a way to the point they understood everything about the accumulation of negative emotions, especially in a child. Discord knew the risks, and although he'd hoped he could guide Princess Celestia along the way, this one act of carelessness could cost them everything if they didn't act fast. Children had very vivid imaginations, in most ways that should've been a good thing, but for draconequus, the very imagination was a dangerous weapon. Chaos magic was not as simplistic as pony magic; a draconequus's skill was based on the individual's personal experiences, preferences, philosophy, creativity and understanding; one could say it's even like art. And at this point, Discord would rather simply dispose of the baby draconequus rather than capture her, let alone tending to her already shattered mind out here in the open.
She was a living weapon, and a very dangerous one; and she needed to be neutralized one way or another. And Discord didn't fail to take notice of the fact that Fluttershy was also present in the area, and he wasn't going to risk her for this little creature. This caused the older draconequus to flash Celestia an apologetic smile before sighing heavily. "Sorry Celestia, can't have your mishaps stirring up even more trouble now. Hey! Think of it this way, least you can go back to focusing on your precious elements of harmony after this is all done yea? No hard feelings!" The draconequus then poofed over to the alicorn princess before flicking her on the forehead softly then disappearing once again.
Princess Celestia shook her head as she watched him disappear. "D-Discord wait! Stop! There's still ti-..."
"S-Sister...." Princess Luna had been attempting to remain on her hooves for some time now, but it seemed she was reaching her limits as well. Utterly confident in her abilities, she'd let her guard down, a mistake that'd costed her in this scenario; just as much as it did Princess Celestia. Princess Luna fell to her side as she groaned in irritation due to the fact she'd been so damaged by a child's antics, and not only that, this child was nothing too long ago, to have such a boost of magical ability could only anger the princess of the night as she laid on her side resting. "I...I'm sorry, I cannot-"
Princess Celestia made her way over to her sister's side as she lowered her frame. "Luna!...Forgive me dear little sister, I...I-" and even the princess of the sun showed some signs of weakness as she looked over her precious baby sister. She raised a hoof, calling for any available guards still around to assist her with this. She could mend her little sister as well as herself if she had some assistance, but it'd take time. And Princess Celestia, although she didn't like to admit it, they were all certainly stuck in a complicated situation. And to send her precious student into the fray was unacceptable; but the choice wasn't exactly her's, seeing as Twilight Sparkle was already way ahead of her.
"Princess...."
Princess Celestia's eyes widened as her recognition of that voice caused her to freeze. She didn't want to turn to see her, to see her beloved student have to see her like this, in this condition. She was one who was supposed to have all the answers, and just moments ago, she did. Princess Celestia turned slowly to regard her Twilight with a look of shame. "T-Twilight..."
Twilight looked at her mentor questionably for a moment, before looking back towards the little draconequus simply observing with a certain smugness about her. This caused Twilight to groan in disgust; the fact this little child had such supposed confidence in the moment annoyed her. But Eve would be dealt with soon enough, for now Princess Celestia was her concern. "Princess Celestia. I don't know what you've been doing, why you're so interested in this baby draconequus, and I don't know why you won't tell me. But I know one thing is for certain, you love your subjects, and you would never deliberately put them in harm's way. I know whatever your reasons are, you only wanted to protect me from what I may've perceived. But you don't need to baby me anymore princess." Twilight stomped a hoof in protest. "I've grown up. Just like you said, I've come a long way since the beginning, and I've learned so much along the way; thanks to you. I know things'll get tough, and problems will only continue to arise in the future big and small; but you don't need to be there to protect me all the time. I'm an alicorn now and I have my role to play just as much as you do. I don't need the elements of harmony for every battle I come across." Twilight paused before looking back to Eve. "And I have my own decisions I must make."
Twilight closed her eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath as the rain only continued to drench her mane. "The ponies of Canterlot are in danger; my family, my home, is in danger. And as their princess; it's my duty to protect them. I will protect them. She can blame whomever she wants, but to involve everypony for her own misgivings is wrong." Twilight looked to Princess Celestia with a soft smile before shrugging a little. "Forgive me princess, this is something I feel I have to do. If I only dealt with the situation like you'd asked, then maybe things would've been different." With that Twilight made her way off to assist Discord, and take on one of her biggest roles of being a newly crowned princess.
Dark days were inevitable, and there would only be more villains to threaten Equestria's future; but Twilight was certain they'd get past this as well, somehow; they always managed to.
Princess Celestia was speechless due to her student's words. She didn't want Twilight to have to resort to doing anything drastic; but she couldn't help but feel the pride swelling up within her due to the fact her student had grown so much and taken such initiative. And she'd only continue to keep growing as time went on, making her own decisions, ruling her subjects in her own way, it all was just the inevitable course of things. Perhaps Celestia's own paranoia on the wellbeing of her subjects and precious loved ones was causing more harm than good as well.
Perhaps it was best to leave the future to those she was already entrusting it to.
Princess Celestia was suddenly at a crossroads about what was best. Eve's life was certainly a tragic turn of events, but if she were to grow; to escape, then she would most certainly become a perilous enemy. Was that worth risking just for the hopes of capturing her? Celestia was uncertain. Maybe welcoming Eve with open hooves would've been the simplest solution of all, even at the risk of the slightest snap causing her powers to spiral out of control.
Princess Celestia hated the uncertainty, but it caused her to question how far she to had gone in order to ensure that her subjects were safe, that Twilight was safe. Was she becoming the very thing she detested? Was she too focused on achieving those goals, she'd forgotten her own morales? Her expression sunk, but she had to focus on getting Luna and herself mended so they to could assist the others, and hopefully prevent the seemingly gruesome end. And thankfully; at that moment ready to assist, were pony guards, still not giving in and others going to assist the citizens. Steadfast and loyal to their princesses, they regarded them with salutes as the unicorns trotted forward.
Princess Celestia looked back at them with smiles. "We must hurry!"
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Cheerilee only continued to watch from a distance as the situation seemed to be beyond her anymore. Eve had committed a horrific act, one bigger than the schoolmare herself had ever witnessed. Was there any excuse for that, to attack all these ponies? Not all of them could've possibly been involved with this matter, so why did Eve feel the need to punish all of them? Eve seemed so sweet, and previously she didn't deserve any of the hardships she was receiving. But Cheerilee couldn't just ignore her antics like this. She couldn't just stand by and watch while all these innocent ponies were attacked. She had to do something to.
She stood to her hooves as she began trotting slowly in the direction of Eve, if there was anypony who had a chance to stop the baby draconequus from causing anymore destruction then it was her. She looked to Zecora with a simple nod, before the zebra nodded back to her silently, both of them wearing looks of sad determination. Cheerilee then looked to the showmare, regarding her with a almost careless sigh. "Are you coming along or not?"
Trixie then scoffed; as if offended. "Hah! You think Trixie, one of the greatest equines in history would just sit idly by and allow this to go on." She then put on a determined look herself as she nodded to the two. "I'm in.....for what it counts..." The mare grew silent, and the disappointment swelled within her at the thought of this being such a wasted trip. She had no idea how to make sense of any of this, but in a way she expected it. Eve's kind was dangerous and that's all they ever would be, dangerous creatures. Such magical power was not meant to be in the hooves of children. Trixie could see that clearly now.
The three of them then looked to the cowering Fluttershy, who looked back at them; hesitant at first. But as she noticed the determination, and the grief in Cheerilee's eyes, she to felt compelled to assist. The shy mare stood to her hooves before gulping, then nodding to all of them with a steady flap of her wings. "I..I can do this..."
Zecora looked to all of them before squinting at Eve from afar. "There is a plan that can succeed, if, you follow my lead."
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Eve just continued to relax sitting in her cotton candy chair as she didn't even make an effort to move. She tore off pieces of the chair and just tossed them into the air, munching on the sweet delicacy heartily. It was no surprise to her that Twilight and Discord were looking at her with detest, she couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of what they wanted to do to her; but she was more interested in Discord in particular. "Are you here to kill me mister?"
Discord stated plainly. "Well that's up to you squirt."
Eve giggled as she stood from her chair and snapped her claw, causing it to disappear. "Hmhm...I see.." She cocked her head to the left with an almost blank demeanor as she started spinning her candy cane around her wrist once again, but looking at Twilight this time around. "Hi Twilight Sparkle. It's good to see you again."
Twilight's nose wrinkled. "Save your sarcasm for somepony who cares. Monster."
This caused Eve's eyes to widen as for a moment, she seemed to be horribly irked by that word. She exhaled heavily and lowered her head, recovering from the obvious insult as she snickered softly. "You know Twilight Sparkle, you've taught me a lot. Probably a lot more than you think, actually, you've all taught me many things." Eve spread her arms in delight as she began to chuckle. "I've learned so much! And I'm looking forward to showing you all just how much I've-"
Eve's eyes snapped wide as she then sidestepped an incoming blast of magic from behind which barely scathed her cloak, and causing her top-hat to fall from her head. As she turned to regard the pony who'd fired it off; she looked shocked. "T-Trixie!?...What're you-" But the surprise assault had not ended simply with a dangerous spell from behind, above!? Eve glanced up as she saw the familiar cloaked zebra descending downward, then revealing a potion in her hooves, most likely a deadly concoction. But Zecora can't fly! But as she looked up towards the sky, Eve saw the familiar timid pegasus regard the baby draconequus with disappointment.
What were they doing!? She'd spared them! Foolish ungrateful ponies! This caused the baby draconequus to reveal a seething anger as she gritted her teeth and then raised her candy cane to the air. "YOU'RE ALL CHEATING!" And just as quickly as they'd initiated their surprise attack, Eve effortlessly summoned a dome around herself. Zecora reacted almost as if she'd expected such a reaction from the baby draconequus, propelling herself off the dome and next to Twilight Sparkle across the pavement. Fluttershy joined them soon afterwords, followed by Trixie.
Eve looked to all of them in annoyance with tears swelling in her eyes, and although she almost expected them to react in such a manner due to her actions, she couldn't deny she felt a little hurt that they were deciding to take a stand as well. Within her safe little perimeter she sighed heavily. "F-Fine! Do what you want...but it won't change any-" then an embrace. Eve felt the tight embrace of somepony behind her, holding her close with her hooves wrapped around her. But the figure was transparent, almost invisible, and Eve's eyes widened as she didn't know how to react. Had she been duped?
It'd been a elaborate, perfectly executed setup.
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Twilight looked on in disbelief as she regarded Trixie, Fluttershy, and Zecora with surprise. "Wow guys!"
Zecora smirked at Twilight. "A pinch of hickleberry leaf, and not even a cockatrice can see through the potion of transparency."
Twilight cocked a brow. "But who's in there?"
Zecora smiled. "Who better to see to Eve, besides sweet Miss.Cheerilee?"
Twilight's eyes widened a bit as she looked back towards the scene of Eve in the barrier. "Cheerilee..."
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"Eve. Sweetie; I don't know why you're doing this. But you need to stop. Do it for me? P-Please..." Cheerilee kept her embrace around the draconequus firm as she didn't allow her to wiggle loose. And although she knew how dangerous Eve was, she knew the last thing the baby draconequus would do is harm her. "I've missed you, and I don't know what you've been through since we last saw one another, and I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you. But this isn't the answer, this will only make things worse sweetie, can't you see that?" Cheerilee put on a desperate reassuring smile. But her eyes expressed bleakness, loss of hope. "Love, friendship, happiness, all of these things, you can still find them. You just need to have faith." She kept the baby draconequus close and nuzzled the top of her head softly. "Just calm down and think about what you're doing. I know you're better than this, you're just misunderstood, you're no monster. This isn't you."
Eve cried out. Attempting to wiggle from Cheerilee's embrace, she wasn't going to get talked down, she kicked her legs in desperation as she shook her head. "Let me go momma! You're ruining everything!" She didn't understand, Cheerilee hadn't seen what she'd seen. How could she even put the horror of such things into words? Love, friendship, happiness? None of those things were a possibility for her anymore! She'd gone too far now to be able to turn back. But Cheerilee's words hurt, and whoever did this was clever to ensure Cheerilee was the one who made it in here. This was the baby draconequus's greatest weakness, and greatest joy. And denying the mare was something that felt nearly impossible.
But Eve could no longer look at this world in the same sense anymore; nopony understood the true despair that she could no longer ignore. Eve bit her lower lip as she felt her body weakening as she trembled. "You just don't get it you big dummy!" That's it, she couldn't take this any longer; she was leaving! Her time for revenge could come another day, but she couldn't handle this. And she couldn't bring herself to hurt Cheerilee. Her signature ninja magic was useless, considering the fact phasing through living beings was horribly dangerous, so she glanced at the ground, causing the very air around her to create a powerful gust and knock the school-mare off her hooves.
"OOF!"
Cheerilee fell to her side as Eve didn't hesitate to use those few seconds to get as far as she possibly could from her past adoptive mother. And as Eve thought about the fact she herself tore away from this protective hooves, she could only cringe in grief of the fact she knew not even Cheerilee could fix this. She loved the mare so much, but she could never be with her, never have a happy life with her. And the fact she had to be here at this moment in time was the most painful realization of all. To have Cheerilee see her become this; be like this; tore the draconequus apart.
Eve made her way outside her dome in a flurry of frustration as she kept it up to keep Cheerilee trapped inside. She then looked to Twilight and the others breathing heavily. "I'm tired of all of you! You're not being fair! I'm done with ponies! With draconequus! With everything!" She raised her pawless arm to the air and grinned fiercely at the others, preparing to cast another chaotic spell. "There's something that I know will scare even you Twilight Sparkle! And you to Mister! I can make the world turn red! Everypony will see, and everypony will know just how I feel!"
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This caused Twilight and Discord to act with haste as they prepared to go for a counter-measure.
As Princess Celestia realized what Eve was planning to do she shook her head in fear of what was to come. "Little one stop! You don't understand how dire the consequences will be!" The still recovering alicorn attempted to climb to her hooves once again, struggling. If there was a moment that Discord and Twilight would choose to finish off the little draconequus it'd be now. Now when she would pull out all the stops and show them just how much she'd seen, firsthand.
Eve couldn't help but grin as she kept her arm raised. "Hmhmhmhm! Game over ya dummies!"
SHLING!
And there was nothing but silence.
Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Discord, Twilight, Trixie, Zecora, Fluttershy, all looked on in shock.
Even the few citizens who observed the scene along with the Lunar Guard looked speechless.
Eve slowly turned her head, as it felt frighteningly absent where her arm used to be. "Huh?" She seemed confused, and as she noticed the rest of her arm was now gone, she glanced back with wide eyes to see it limp on the pavement not far behind her. A shiver ran down her spine and she felt like she was going to throw up, but even so the moment seemed to go in slow motion for the baby draconequus. She looked at the clean cut wound, and ran her claw over it for hesitantly.
Cheerilee looked up in horror from within the barrier.
And as Eve came to realize this was actually happening, she let off a violent piercing cry as the blood spattered across the area and she screamed, barely able to keep herself aloft.
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"Now now, you all didn't actually think I wouldn't be attending this little event hmmmm?"
Princess Celestia looked back slowly with angst. Up towards the castle; remaining silent. That voice...
And perched atop Canterlot Castle; laying in wait with a multitude of her devious subjects was the queen of changelings herself, accompanied by the fellow changeling Kelax.
"You have something that I want Celestia."
A sinister smirk creeped across the queen's face. "And I plan to take it."