//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// It was one morning at the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom Castle. Twilight woke up, feeling uneasy. She was to be due in two weeks’ time. Flash Sentry woke up to see her moody. “Morning,” greeted Flash. “What’s wrong with you?” “I have the strangest feeling,” said Twilight. “I felt that something bad is going to happen…” “Really?” asked Flash, now shocked. “Anyway,” continued Twilight. “We have to wake up our son, then I got some jobs to do.” Later at school, Orion was feeling tired and he couldn’t pay attention during the lessons. “What happened to you, Orion?” asked the teacher after the lessons were over. “Did you sleep late last night?” “Uh, I’m okay, miss,” said Orion, rather sleepy. “I have to go home now…” “*sigh* Okay then, just get enough rest.” Outside the schoolhouse, Fiji and Honey were waiting for him. “Orion!” cried Honey. “Are you okay?” “I’m… fine,” yawned Orion. “Looks like I’d better nap now…” And he trotted slowly past them. “Hey Honey, was Orion always like this lately?” asked Fiji as they followed him behind. “No. He always sleeps on time. He was alright yesterday!” replied Honey. “Then there’s no way he can be that tired!” Suddenly, Honey gasped. “Fiji, look!” Both fillies could not believe their eyes. Instead of taking the usual route back to the castle, Orion was heading towards the Everfree Forest. What’s more, his horn was glowing, but not his usual blue aura and it was red. “I… I think something’s wrong with him,” said a very scared Honey. “I think he’s… under control!” “We’d better tell his parents!” declared Fiji, and they ran off to find Flash and Twilight. “What? Orion is heading towards the Everfree Forest?” asked Twilight after hearing the story. “We’d better get him back!” continued Flash. “In the meantime alert our friends!” “Yes, sir!” and the fillies ran off. “You think you still can catch him when you’re almost due?” asked Flash. “Don’t worry. I’m fine after all,” said Twilight. “Let’s hurry!” Ten minutes later they were in the Everfree Forest, searching for him. No sooner they found him walking deeper into the forest. “Man,” said Flash. “He’s being possessed, just like what the girls said!” “I know just what to do,” said Twilight and she sneaked quietly behind Orion. Then she grabbed hold of him and struck his horn. Instantly Orion was back to his senses. “Ugh… where am I? Mom?” asked Orion, recovered. “Phew! Thank goodness you’re alright!” said Twilight, hugging him. “This place is creepy. Now we need to get out of here!” Orion shivered when he heard the word “creepy”. “I’m… scared…” shivered Orion. “Don’t worry,” said Flash, “We’re here to go home with you.” But the happiness didn’t last long. An evil laughter suddenly boomed out of nowhere, and within the dense trees, a dark gray unicorn mare stepped out of the darkness. “Oh, I was this close to getting my target,” she said as she stopped laughing. “Who are you?” growled Flash. “Ho, Clyra’s the name,” introduced the unicorn. “I happen to find a foal with such great magic, and I was looking forward into inviting it, but it seems that you have interrupted my plans.” “Are you hired by someone, who is a queen, by the name of Myra?” Clyra paused for a moment. “Oh, my, what a good guess.” “We’re not going to let you and your queen harm our son!” growled Twilight. “And don’t you dare take away my soon-to-be-born daughter!” “Queen Myra isn’t intending on harming Melody now,” said Clyra. “She’ll deal with her when she’s old enough.” And with that she fired a magical blast to the family. Twilight, despite her pregnancy, was able to cast a protection barrier in time. “Mom,” cried Orion in tears. “I’m really scared…” “Don’t cry,” comforted Twilight. “We’ll protect you.” Then Twilight released the barrier, allowing Flash Sentry to make a dash to knock Clyra over. “Twilight,” Flash walked up to Twilight. “Take Orion back home as fast as you can. I’ll deal with her.” “What about you?” asked Twilight with watery eyes, learning that she was about to be apart with her beloved husband. “I’ll take care of her. After all,” said Flash. “It’s a royal guard’s duty to sacrifice for their clients.” “Flash…” “I love you, Twilight,” he said before kissing her. “Now go, and don’t look back!” He then turned to Orion, who was now looking sad. “Orion, take care of your mother,” he said to him. “And your sister, and family and friends!” “Dad…!” Then Twilight levitated him onto her back. “Let’s go, Orion!” And she galloped away. Just as Twilight left, Clyra got up and Flash charged towards her. The battle raged on for fifteen minutes. This went on until they were forced towards a lava pit. By that time both have been battered. Flash was taken down again by Clyra’s blast. Just as Clyra laughed when she thought she had defeated him, Flash, using his remaining strength, pushed her and fell with her down to the burning lava… And he was never seen again. Meanwhile, Twilight was galloping swiftly and just as she was about to reach the edge of the forest, she suddenly slowed down, and groaned in pain. She knew it. It was time for Melody to be born. “Ugh, that quick…?” She thought to herself. “Mom! What happened to you?” Orion got down from her. “Are you okay?” “I’m… fine…” groaned Twilight. “Looks like it’s time for your sister to be born…” She finished as she felt her waters break. Orion was now panicked. “What!? Please, somepony help me!” Luckily, who should be coming to help, were Rainbow Dash, Spike and Soarin. “Twilight!” cried Rainbow. “Are you okay?” “I’m… alright…” she said, scrunching in pain. “It’s about time… for Melody… to be born…” “What!!?” exclaimed Spike. “Don’t worry!” said Rainbow. “I’ll take you to the hospital!” “But… you’re pregnant, too…” “Don’t worry about her,” assured Soarin. “After all she’s used to flying during pregnancy.” “Then get me there quick.” She turned to Spike. “Spike, take care of Orion while I’m in the hospital…” “Got it!” said Spike without hesitation. “What about Flash?” “Don’t mind about him,” dismissed Twilight. “He finished his job…” As Soarin and Rainbow carried Twilight away, Spike turned to Orion, now reduced to tears. “Mr Spike,” asked Orion. “Will mom and dad… be alright?” “Your mom’s gotta be okay, but your dad…” he looked into the enchanted forest. “I don’t think he’ll make it.” “What?” “C’mon, let’s go home, it’s getting dark.” And Spike led the young Alicorn colt back to the castle.