//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// Five years have passed since Melody Aurora got her cutie mark. Now Melody, along with her friends have reached adolescence. Her junior friends have also grown along the years, apart from finding their special talents. However, there was one thing which still puzzled Melody. Recalling the events of her kidnapping five years ago, she still couldn’t understand about how she had her hidden powers. Only a certain somepony would know. One morning, during breakfast at the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom Castle. “Hey, mom,” began Melody. “Yes, Melody?” “Remember when I was kidnapped a few years back?” “Yeah, and you got your cutie mark as well.” “But something’s been troubling me,” Melody pondered for a moment. “I know that there’s a strange feeling of power coming out from me when I saw Chaos being knocked down. But how can I explain this?” Twilight thought for a moment. Then she held Melody’s charm. “Look Melody,” began Twilight. “On the day you were born, your father died, but I met him for the last time in my dream.” “A dream? Really?” “Yeah, and he gave me this charm. He says that whenever you go, his spirit’s around to protect you from danger, and he thinks that you might make use of it, too…” Melody was still feeling unsure. Just knowing that the charm containing her father’s spirit to guide her wasn’t enough. She still needed answers. “I see about that,” said Melody. “But I’m still not sure. Anymore answers?” “I’m afraid that’s all I know so far,” replied Twilight. “I don’t even have time to go to the royal sisters’ old castle in the Everfree Forest. I don’t have time to visit there lately.” “Aww…” sighed Melody, disappointed. “But I know someone who can help me answer,” continued Twilight. “Not a somepony but some zebra!” Melody instantly became familiar when her mother mentioned the word “zebra”. “Zecora?” “Yep, that’s her. You see,” reminded Twilight. “We used to think that Zecora was mysterious and we all might get cursed by her, but it was actually Apple Bloom who made us get closer to her.” “Wow…” Melody had personally met Zecora a few times in Ponyville, especially when Zecora went there to shop for some herbs. The fact that Zecora knew everything about sorcery and witchcraft gave her new hope. “Then I’ll go find Zecora!” decided Melody. “And you’d better don’t forget your personal bodyguard!” reminded Spike. “Heh-heh, how can I forget my best friend, Spike?” When lunch was over, Melody went over to look for Chaos and Beryl. Of course she wouldn’t dare to enter the Everfree Forest to find Zecora if the twins didn’t accompany her. She was almost near Fluttershy’s cottage when she heard some commotion. “Funny,” thought Melody to herself. “What the hay is going on?” “Oh, Melody, glad that you’re here!” greeted Beryl at the door. “Err, what’s going on?” “Oh, nothing,” explained Beryl. “Just that dad was training Chaos…” “Did you say… training!?” exclaimed Melody before rushing to the back of the cottage. Sure enough, she could see Discord sparring with Chaos. Each time Chaos attacked, Discord kept teleporting, and they occasionally used their chaotic powers. “That was amazing!” gasped Melody as she watched their battle. “Does your dad ever train you, too?” “Well, sometimes. Even so I don’t think I’d do better than him.” The spar went on until Discord commanded it to a halt. “Hmm,” said Discord at last. “You have seemed to improve a little better than last week. Just keep up that pace and one day, you can be my heir!” “Heh-heh, thanks, dad.” It was then he finally noticed his visitor. “Why, hello, Melody,” greeted Discord. “What brings you here, Princess?” “Hi, Mr Discord. Actually err, we need to talk.” “Oh, is it, Melody?” asked Fluttershy who had just joined the group. “Why don’t you tell us inside?” So Melody told them her purpose on visiting them. “So you want to learn more about your kidnapping incident?” asked Honey Drops. “Yeah. I just can’t explain what happened to me when I saw how Chaos was knocked down. Mom couldn’t even explain about me either, but she knew everything about my charm. All I know about it is that it’s Dad’s legacy,” she said, holding the charm. “Interesting…” said Beryl. “If that’s the case,” said Chaos. “Then I might as well come with you.” “What? You want to go with Melody?” asked Discord, aghast. “Listen, my boy, I think you know those things that happened in the forest…” “But dad, you’ve said that I’ve improved!” argued Chaos. “And there’s no way I’ll be hurt like last time.” “Oh, you said so?” retorted Discord. “Now then, be nice to your son,” calmed Fluttershy. “I believe that he won’t be wrong this time…” “Are you sure?” asked Discord. “He’s been appointed as Melody’s bodyguard,” continued Fluttershy. “Don’t just try to be overprotective just because he’s our only son…” Discord shot Chaos a disapproving look. “Trust me, Dad,” insisted Chaos. “I know you love me, but you did say that I’ve improved just now! Also, if Princess Twilight says that I’m Melody’s bodyguard, then I’m ready at any time to give my all for her!” “Y-you…” Discord was at a loss for words. “Fine,” he said at last. “You may go with her, but then moment I know either one of you unconscious, I’ll turn everything around you into chaos!” Chaos shuddered upon the threat spoken by his father. “What’s wrong? You don’t want to accompany her, don’t you?” “I… I do…” “*sigh* You’re always like that, Father,” said Beryl. “Come on, you two. Let’s go.” “Take care,” said Honey. “We will!” said Melody. A minute after leaving the house. “I’m sorry for that row just now,” apologized Chaos. “I don’t know why I’m like this sometimes when I’m with Dad. It feels like there’s an invisible wall between us. We just don’t seem to get along with each other.” “Don’t worry,” consoled Melody. “You two can actually get together if you find some time to learn between yourselves!” Even though born without her father, she knew the feelings of teenage rebellions, especially when father and son disagree with each other. “Actually it’s been like this since your kidnapping incident,” said Beryl. “Father had a little distrust on him when he’s going out. I guess he loved him too much…” “I know that,” interrupted Chaos. “I just hope that one day he really listens to me well.” “I’m sure he will,” said Melody. “Thanks, Melody,” sighed Chaos. “If your dad was still alive maybe it would’ve been different… Uh… sorry, forget what I said!” he stammered as he feared that the moment he talked about her father she would be upset. “It’s okay, I don’t mind,” said Melody. “I was always inspired by the stories of my dad, even up to the day he first met Mom.” “Interesting love story, eh?” asked Beryl, and they both laughed. However, there was a strange feeling in Melody’s heart. The moment she watched Chaos training with Discord, she was awed by his combat skills, which have further improved since then. She somehow had a strange feeling of admiration for him. “Gee, Chaos, you’ve been improving over the years,” whispered Melody to herself.