//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// The mare kept running deeper and deeper into the forest, with Melody struggling to free herself from the sack. By now she was already terrified. “Where is she taking me?” she thought to herself. “I’m getting scared already. Why is nopony coming to save me?” The mare eventually came to stop at a tree, and then she tied Melody onto it. Once done, she unmasked herself to be no other than the evil Queen Myra. “Well, well,” chuckled Myra. “I didn’t expect to come across you by chance!” “Who are you? Why are you taking me away from my friends!? And what are you going to do with me!!?” growled Melody. “Call me Queen Myra, my dear,” she introduced. “I noticed something very special about you… Princess Melody…” Melody just stared at her, horrified. “You see, princess,” continued the Queen. “I noticed that you have special powers. I should say that I never came across such amazing foal! It would be greatly appreciated if you can come with me, and help me out back at my place. Wouldn’t that be nice, princess?” She stroked Melody’s chin, but she shook it off. “Go away!” barked Melody. “I want my mom! And my friends!” “Oh really? Well I don’t think they can find us in this place…” Unbeknown to them, Chaos was already watching them behind a bush. “Gosh, she’s trying to harm Melody!” he thought to himself. “I’d better think of a way. Think, think, think…” As Myra continued to play with her victim, Chaos stepped out, purposely making sounds from the bush. “And what do you think you’re doing?” Queen Myra was surprised when she saw Chaos appearing behind her. “Oh, another little doll?” “I am Chaos Control and don’t you ever underestimate the son of the Master of Chaos!” he growled to her. “And don’t you dare hurt Melody!” “Oh, the son of the Master of Chaos? Is that so, lion-pony?” “Chaos! What are you trying to do here?” cried Melody when she saw him. “You don’t know how to handle this. Get out of here!” “No fear,” said Chaos bravely. He turned to Myra. “I’m to defeat you with the power of Chaos!” “Really? Try this!” laughed Queen Myra as she fired a magic blast towards him. Unfortunately, Chaos, who had never been trained in intermediate chaotic skills, took the blow. “Chaos!” cried Melody. “Don’t worry, I’m all right!” He stood up and continued to charge towards her. Queen Myra had never seen a foal that can stand up against her. “Well then, let’s see how you do it!” she thought to herself. For several minutes, Chaos used his basic chaotic skills to fight with her. Each time he was taken down, he still got up and dashed to her. However the evil Queen proved to be too powerful to him. A terrified Melody could only watch the heated row. This went on and on until Chaos was heavily bruised, and Queen Myra was half-fed up with him. “Mwuh huh huh, for a colt, he sure is another powerful fellow!” chucked Queen Myra. Melody could see he was already tired and worn out, but he was still relentless. “Chaos, please,” pleaded Melody with tears. “I know you’re trying to save me, but you can’t push yourself too hard…” “I don’t care…” panted Chaos. “I’m… going… to… protect you… whatever IT TAKES!!!” He charged to Queen Myra for another time, and as usual, she struck him down with her magic. This time, he was knocked out cold. “Chaos, NO!!!” Queen Myra turned to her hostage. “Well, how does it feel to see your friend suffer?” “Ugh…” Melody began to rage. “YOU’LL PAY FOR THAT!!!!” As she spoke, she suddenly felt a huge surge of magic exploding inside her. What’s more, the charm she was wearing began to glow as well. “What’s this?” Queen Myra was taken aback by Melody’s sudden rage. The surge was so great that Melody finally broke free. She now stood staring at her, with a massive aura of energy surrounding her. “Now,” roared Melody. “I’LL FINISH YOU!!!” She began her assault on Queen Myra, who was too shocked to prepare anything to defend herself. She fired countless magic beams towards her, making her unable to block them in time. In five minutes, she began to feel overwhelmed. “*pant* Impossible! She’s stronger than I thought!” She quickly fled away before she took the next blow. “Don’t you ever… come… back…” As Melody finished, her powers have faded, and now it was her turn to collapse to the ground unconscious. “Melody! Melody!” Twilight arrived with Fluttershy just about half a minute after Melody passed out. “Goodness! What happened to them?” asked Fluttershy, anxious. “I don’t know…” said Twilight as she went over to check Melody’s condition. “She’s still alive. What about Chaos?” “So is he,” reported Fluttershy. Then she noticed something. “Twilight, look at Melody!” Twilight looked at her daughter. Then she noticed her flank. At its place was no other than her cutie mark – it looked like Twilight’s, but just that it was a triplicate of it. “Melody,” whispered Twilight. “You’ve been tired enough.” “So, what shall we do?” asked Fluttershy. “Let’s get them treated,” declared Twilight. “They’ll be alright in a while!” *~*~*~* “Uohh…” groaned Melody as she got up. “Where am I?” “You’re safe, in the hospital!” replied Twilight. With her are her friends as well. “You must have given yourself all, didn’t you?” “Well,” explained Melody. “The first thing I knew, that mare killed Chaos. Then I feel some kind of power coming out of me, and I attacked her. After that I can’t remember everything…” She finished with tears. “Don’t worry,” cheered Fluttershy. “Chaos is all right, he’s just got hurt too much already.” “Oh, thank goodness…” “And by the way,” continued Twilight. “Take a look at your flank.” “What?” Melody pulled the blanket away only to discover her cutie mark. “My cutie mark…” But her excitement immediately turned to confusion. “But what does that mean to me?” “Your special talent is just like me,” explained Twilight. “You and I have the ability to specialize in magic, but with your cutie mark a trifold of mine, I believe you can do better than me. However you still need to learn some more about magic from me. Otherwise I don’t think you can do well.” “Really?” “Of course! You’re my daughter, after all.” Melody went to her mother and hugged her, weeping softly. “Where’s Chaos now?” “He’s just next to you. Your friends are with him, too.” Melody jumped down from her bed and she rushed to his only to find her friends crowding him. “Melody! Are you alright?” Asked Platinum when she saw her. “I’m fine…” “Melody,” began Chaos. “I’m glad that you’re OK…” Almost all of his body was bandaged all over. “Chaos!” cried Melody. “Don’t you realize that what you did was foolish? You nearly killed yourself!” Again, she finished with tears. Then, she felt her hoof being held by Chaos’s paw. “Relax, Melody,” calmed Chaos. “I won’t die… for you…” “You really are sure?” “I am.” It was then Twilight and her friends came over. “How are you feeling now, Chaos?” asked Twilight. “I can say, I’m feeling better, just that some of my body still aches…” “If that’s the case, then Doctor says that you can go home in a week,” said Fluttershy. “Whew, I’m relieved!” said Beryl. “Mom, I’m really sorry,” apologized Chaos remorsefully. “I shouldn’t have dashed like that just to save my friend…” “It’s okay,” forgave Fluttershy. “Actually you might need a little more training from your father.” “But if it wasn’t for you,” resumed Twilight. “Melody couldn’t have got her cutie mark.” “*gasp* Really?” exclaimed Pepper Flake. The others turned to Melody only to find out her cutie mark. “Whoa, I only noticed it now!” said Raisin Brandy. “Awesome cutie mark! Kinda like your mom’s, eh?” asked Greenie Hats. “Hey, Melody, when you’re better shall we throw a cute-ceañera?” asked Peanut Butter. “*gasp* I’d love to!” “Another thing,” Twilight suddenly continued. “Since I have noticed the bravery of Chaos in protecting Melody, I would like to appoint him as Melody’s bodyguard.” Everypony gasped as they could not believe their ears. “Serious?” asked Melody and Chaos in unision. “You displayed the truest courage and sacrifice you made for your friend. These qualities are fit for a bodyguard,” explained Twilight. “If that’s the case,” said Melody, holding Chaos’ bandaged paw. “Don’t die for me.” “Of course I won’t, Mel!” chuckled Chaos. “I’ll be always around to protect you…” These words gave Melody a feeling of assurance. However, deep in her heart, she was determined to learn more about magic from her mother, as depending only on her friend wasn’t enough.