//------------------------------// // Chapter 35 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// Somehow, Melody kept weeping until she entered into her slumber. Unknowingly she found herself in the middle of an ethereal space. “Oh, geez, what am I supposed to do?” she buried her face into her hooves, crying with despair. “Is this going to change my future?” “You don’t have to worry so much.” Suddenly, a voice similar to hers gently called. Melody turned around to see a pink Pegasus pony that looked exactly like her. “Who are you?” “Me?” the Pegasus replied. “Basically, I’m you.” “You’re… me?” Melody questioned. Then, she raged. “I don’t believe you! You must be an imposter!” She fired a magic blast, but to her shock, there seemed to be an invisible barrier surrounding the Pegasus absorbing it! “What?” She cried, but the Pegasus said nothing and smiled. Angered, Melody charged forward and tried to use her hoof to break the barrier. But just as it was inches away from the Pegasus’ face, suddenly, she felt her hoof harden and she couldn’t move it. “What the…?” The Pegasus still smiled. The next thing Melody knew, a magenta aura slowly appeared at where her right hoof was. Melody checked her horn before turning to the Pegasus, horrified. “It’s my magic,” she replied. “But that’s impossible! How can you still use magic when you’re just a Pegasus?” “Don’t you know it?” Then a sudden force pushed Melody a few feet away. “I gave up my horn a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean I cannot use magic anymore!” Finally realizing who the Pegasus was, Melody bowed to the ground, with teary eyes and in fear. “P-please, I don’t mean to fight with you… I was confused and angry… really! Until now nopony has ever told me that another version of me appeared in my world! I just… ahh! I just don’t know what to do…!” Future Melody stepped up to her past self, gently placing her hoof on her head. “It’s okay, Me of the Past. I found out that you’re in trouble, so I came here to help you. Is it okay if we settle things nicely?” Present Melody forced herself a smile. “If you say so…” “So, how was life back in your time?” “Just… fine. All my life had been good until…” “How’s your relationship with everypony?” “It’s all fine. Mom and her friends treat me well, and so does my friends.” “Oh, I’m glad to hear it…” Future Melody suddenly hung her head down. “Uh, Future Me, is there anything wrong?” “I just have to tell you, nearly all of my friends died in my time. Even my coltfriend Chaos Control perished in the hands of Queen Myra. I was so heartbroken. In desperation I had to master the time travel technique to save Mom and her friends…” Her speech turned into sobs. Present Melody hugged her. “It’s alright. Thank you for coming to warn us.” “It was a hard job. I had to keep my identity a secret when I arrived, but seeing the strong spirit of friendship by Mom and her friends, I just couldn’t keep it longer. In fact I sacrificed myself to save Mom’s life when we fought that Future Myra.” “And then?” “Before I ascended myself, I was able to give up my horn to Princess Celestia of my time. That was dedicated to Mom of your time. I just hope that it will come in handy when she needs it, and it did.” “Wait a minute, how did you actually come to my dream when I was in trouble right now?” “Don’t you know that? Like many of the spirits of their beloved ones, I would always watch over you all. Whenever anypony I love and treasure is in trouble, I’ll be by their side. That’s how I helped Mom’s friends to defeat Queen Myra earlier.” “You mean that you were using the horn to help Mom’s friends?” “That’s right. This is an example of a case of emergency, like Queen Myra’s attack.” “So, that was it?” “That’s not all. Someday she’ll start her plans again. At that time, if nopony takes action, all of Equestria will become extinct. You are going to be the future savior of this universe.” “Me? But I’m still inexperienced…” “Don’t worry. Queen Myra won’t attack you all again in a week or in a month. But whatever you do, just learn more. I’ll always watch you, Mom and everypony…” At that moment, Present Melody’s charm glowed. “Oh, keep this properly,” Future Melody held the charm. “I believe that your father has the strong spirit to protect you.” “I know. Orion Galaxy loved him badly. I actually never got the chance to meet him since I was born.” “He, too died on the day I was born.” Both of them hugged each other. “It was nice seeing you. Now it’s time for me to meet back with the spirits of your friends of my time.” Her body began to fade. “Remember, I’ll be watching you and your mom. Equestria needs you…!” As everything faded into white, Melody woke up with a start. “Oh,” said Melody after calming herself. “It’s just a dream, but it seemed so real…” She opened her bedroom window to find that it was already morning. She took a deep breath. Then there was a knock at the door. “Who’s that?” “Is the door locked?” Spike’s voice replied. “Come in.” Spike opened the door. “You okay now?” “Yeah…” “Anyway, Twilight sent me up here to see if you’re awake. You can go and see her.” “Oh, okay…” Melody went downstairs while Spike went on to carry his duties. At the dining room, Twilight was sitting at the dining table, waiting for her. “Good morning, Mom.” “Hey there. Glad that you’re feeling better.” “Oh… Is there anything you want to talk to me?” She sat next to her mother. “I sent a letter to Princess Celestia about what happened yesterday while you’re crying. Looks like she replied this for you.” She showed her Princess Celestia’s reply. Melody took the letter and began to read. Dear Melody Aurora, How are you going? I was really shocked to learn that Queen Myra came looking for your mother and your friends. What’s more shocking to me is that Myra told everypony about your future self which came from the future to warn us about a threat. Even your brother who read everything with me was surprised to know that. It is with deep regret I have to admit that we’re at fault for not revealing the truth in the first place. We have realized the painful experiences your future self has went through. Ever since your future self came to warn us about twenty years ago, we have taken the necessary steps to overcome this disaster. We tried not to tell you the truth because we felt it irrelevant. Besides, after seeing how you went through and suffered, we didn’t want to cause you anymore pain. We all deeply love you and your friends. We care about you all the time. It was Myra who stirred up everything. Will you ever forgive us for not trusting you with this? Anyway, for the time being, we are all safe for the moment, but we would never let our guard down for at any time, Queen Myra would come and look for us again. When time comes, we will be guarding Equestria down to our very last breath. That is all for now. Good luck, and enjoy your life. Your beloved mentor, Princess Celestia “Mom,” began Melody after reading the letter. “Have you ever had a dream with that other me?” “Why? You dreamt her?” “What if I tell you ‘Yes’?” Twilight smiled. “I was in depression a few weeks after your future version died, but she did appear once in my dreams and told me to be strong and face the challenges. In other words, her presence helped to keep all of us survive to win against Myra.” “I see…” She hung her head. “I’m really sorry, I just don’t know what to do when that Myra suddenly mentioned the other me. Now all my friends would be like…” “It’s okay, Melody,” forgave Twilight, hugging her. “Your friends managed to visit me last night to check you out. I managed to explain to them what really happened. From their response they didn’t show anything to shun you. It seemed that they’re ready, too to help defend Equestria. I think Chaos Control was able to recognize her because of your kidnapping years ago.” “Oh, yeah, I remember now. She’s the one who kidnapped me.” “If you weren’t saved in time, you could have been her slave and she could have brainwashed you.” Melody hugged her mother tighter. She was too scared to imagine that situation. “Anyhow, Pinkie Pie thought that you would get better today, so she’s waiting for you at Sugarcube Corner for a cheer-up party this afternoon. Everypony’s invited. Are you coming?” Melody suddenly brightened up. “Of course I will!” “What about me?” asked Spike who joined them. “You’re not forgotten, silly. Anyway, let’s get prepared, shall we?” This weekend was an unforgettable experience for Melody. After learning the truth about the past, and all of Queen Myra’s evil plans, she is now ready to join the frontline to save Equestria…