//------------------------------// // Chapter 90 - The first storytelling. // Story: The normal life of Nitpick Bittersweet // by Ryusun //------------------------------// People often tried to run away from challenges, to no avail. Others chose to stop escaping from them. Once in a while, even the littlest mouse confronts their fears and chases after the cheese they so badly want to devour. But it was wise to have a plan to rely upon before doing anything harsh. Twilight Sparkle appreciated the idea when she stood in front of her objective. The knob looked particularly cold and immovable all of the sudden. After a brief consideration, she soon thought that her act of defiance and bravery was foolish. Giving a moment of happiness to someone on her own was a good idea. At first. She then realized that she didn’t even know the girl inside, nor her health problems or if she even liked cookies and teddies at all. “Pinkie always does this… and I can do this too.” She nodded with new found security, trying to emulate the cheerfulness of her friend. As Twilight opened the door, she wondered about the true purpose of the card that Blueblood gave to her. There wasn’t a card check to open a lock or something that gave it a purpose or worth. Something fabricated by the young noble, she presumed. The room was dark, with only a small portion of the room illuminated with a candle. It was like the last visit. The young girl no older than fourteen was reading a book with sheer dedication. The label said Bluewall, a pretty famous series of books written by Broofian Jacques, known by most literacy experts of fantasy around the world. Twilight read some of those books from time to time… every time she felt bored… which was every four hours or so during weekends... After reading another random book about science topics… Which was after doing an experiment with Spike. She felt a little miserable all of the sudden. “Who are you?” Twilight was aware of her surroundings once again. The young girl stopped her reading, looking at the young Scientist with distrusting eyes. Her tiny hands were gripping the sides of the book with all the strength she possessed, as if she was preparing herself to throw the item at her. “You have nothing to fear, little Meg. My name is Twilight Sparkle!” She smiled to her. “I believe we met before!” The youngling blew away the candle’s light and hid underneath the wool mantle. This isn’t how it was supposed to happen. Then again, Twilight didn’t know how it should have happened. “Don’t be afraid, I brought cookies!” No response, only soft grunts of fright were heard. “So you don’t like cookies? How about this-“ Twilight unpacked the present to reveal the teddy bear. “-beautiful stuffed toy?” “Stay away!” The girl softly hissed in fear. It was only mere seconds and despair knocked the door for her. Cold silence and gloomy feelings were stealing precious air to the young Scientist. This was a terrible idea now. Not only she was being a fool in taking a responsibility that was out of her league, she was scaring a little girl, a patient to make matters worse. What if she suddenly screams and the staff came in a rush? What if she gets scolded and CHS gets affected by her mistake? What if she disappoints everyone because of her incompetence? All was Blueblood’s fault, she was just sure of that now. She was made a fool because of him. That obnoxious, richly and spoiled brat was just teasing her all along. How did she trust him? Why did she listened? Now she had two baggage in her arms and a useless, childish looking… card. “Meg, look! I have this pretty card in my hand just for you!” A glimpse of light appeared beneath the mantle. Then, “You are a storyteller!” Meg jumped on the bed. Eyes filled with vigorous dreams. “Be careful! You could fall from there!” “Tell me a story! Tell me a story!” Her voice gained strength as she kept jumping on the bed. “I’ll tell you a story if you lie down!” Meg, like a little soldier, retook her original position on the bed. She withdrew from a nearby drawer an electrical match, turning on the candle once again with it. Twilight looked at her in the eyes with a new light. The youngling’s eyes were shimmering with expectations and hope, as if her dreams finally dawned at her. “That thing is dangerous for you.” Twilight pointed to the homemade device. “Don’t worry, Nurse Marigold told me how to use it!” Twilight soon took a seat nearby her and gave her the teddy bear and cookies, still unsure why the staff gave her such a device. But after seeing the materials and design it was made of, her fears were put to rest when she acknowledged the safety of the tool. Meanwhile, Meg sniffed the cookies and after a brief moment of enjoying the aromas of wheat and low-sugar chocolate chips, she ate them with small, tender bites. As for the Scientist, she put her mind to work with all the energy she could spare. Meg wanted a story. Twilight didn’t have one. “Why were you scared a little while ago?” She asked in mumble. “Because I didn’t know you were a storyteller!” The girl almost screamed. “Nurse said people without cards were evil!” “Shh! You could disturb the other patients!” “What is disturb?” She asked softly. “Bother someone.” “I get it!” She sealed her mouth with her hands. “I won’t say things highly.” “You must say loudly instead of highly.” “Why?” “Because it’s the right way to say what you meant to say.” “What I meant to say? But I just said I won’t speak highly again!” “Use loudly instead of highly. It sounds… better.” “I get it know, storyteller!” She smiled. “Why did you say I was… How did you know I was a storyteller?” “Because of the card! The miss with the funny hat with a red cross said that people with those cards were storytellers! That they were nice people, like the miss with the pretty blue eyes and brown hair! …The blonde one was boring.” “Miss with pretty blue eyes and brown… Reem?” “Yay! You made me remember her name! Last time she told me the tale of Discord the Madman. I still don’t know what a madman is but it sounds pretty funny! It had dragons!” “I don’t think a madman is funny, Meg. They could be dangerous.” And Twilight was sure that dragons weren’t part of that particular tale. “What is a madman?” “Someone crazy. A person that could be nasty. Unfriendly.” “Oh… That doesn’t sound fun anymore.” “How did she told you the tale?” “That he was redeemed with the aid of the Forest Maiden! And he lived happy for a few years until she disappeared. Then Discord was sad and died. A dragon burnt him and spread his ashes across the stars.” “What else did she told you about it?” “Nothing. No, wait. Pretty Eyes said that he did wrong things. Maybe they called him a madman because of his unfriendliness. I understand now, storyteller!” She clapped with a triumphant grin. “It was funny in the end because the kingdom chose to be his friend and forgive him. They had parties full of orange juice and pancakes brimming with honey and chocolate butter, even when he was gone!” The scientist thought that Reem altered the gruesome parts of the tale for her sake. She was ok with that. “I see.” “Storyteller, tell me a story!” “What kind of story do you wish to hear?” “Anything that makes me smile!” “Hmm.” She was caressing her chin while remembering a good story for kids. “Have you ever heard the tale of Snow White?” “Does it have dragons?” “Ah… no. But it has dwarfs!” “What is a dwarf?” “Short people.” “It doesn’t sound adventurous.” “It’s true. What about Robin Hood? The king of thieves!” “Thieves are evil.” “This thief is a good one!” “Why?” “This thief steals from the rich to give it to the poor!” “But stealing is bad.” “Those rich people were meanies and abusive.” “But it doesn’t make it good anyway. It just creates more evil people if they keep stealing from one another.” “It’s a very adventurous tale! I bet you’ll like it!” “Does it have dragons?” “No.” “I don’t want to hear it then. I want dragons!” Twilight was starting to get annoyed. “Wh-what about the Sleeping Princess? The hero defeats a dragon!” “Isn’t that the story that was on the radio last night?” “I think so, yeah.” “Where the Knight Philip defeats the dragon near the end of the tale?” “…Yes. Like in the movie.” “In the book that Boring Blondie brought, there was no dragon and it was a really unhappy setting. You must be a new storyteller like him if you don’t know about dragon stories. Pretty eyes was better.” The Scientist… The young woman that had the form of Twilight Sparkle was this close to give herself to her darkest impulses. A door nearby… started to make creaking sounds that put Meg on alert. But her quick mind and reason acted quicker. She made a call to someone who could know about dragons stories. Good ones. “So dragons exclusively?” “Yes, Nitty! I’m sorry for bothering you but I remember you watching in your free time videos of dragon hunting in your favorite game of Devil’s Dogma!” “It’s Demon’s Dogma. And that isn’t my favorite game. It’s the fifth favorite. And yes, I have a good one. It’s not from the game but loosely based from an old poem that eventually became a full story during the start of the twelfth century. Look for the story of Narever Indomil, the Dragon Warrior. It’s a bit dark, and technically doesn’t have living dragons, but it IS intended for kids.” “Thanks.” “Don’t do something aggressive for the girl. Blueblood called and told me what happened. I just know he skipped some details regarding you and I wish to hear them from your lips. If you feel uncomfortable with the girl, he suggested that you just need to kiss her at her cheek, hug her warmly and tell her to fall asleep. Don’t mess thing up.” “… Sorry.” “I have told you…” He sighed weakly. “Forget it. In the end, it isn’t your fault. Please arrive home safely when you finish there. It’s getting dark.” He said with a protective tone. “Will do for you.” She finished the call with a sweet voice. Then she proceeded to look up for the tale she was recommended to read on her phone. “Ok, Meg. I have a story for you. Have you ever heard of Narever Indomil, the Dragon Warrior?” “Wow! No! Tell me! Tell me!” “This story is based on the tales of bravery and courage from the knights of old from many, many years ago. Let’s see… here we go!” She cleared her throat. “In the distant lands of Royal Camelot, in the farthest heights of the snowy and fearsome Mountain of Lions, deep inside the land of what is now Great Equine, there was an order of sworn warriors weighted with the duty of protecting the innocent. Those soldiers of freedom were called The Dragon Warriors!” And so, she continued. War has always been part of humanity since the age of rock and teeth, iron and wood, gunpowder and steel. An hour of wild beasts and shattered dreams seemed to be the only fate that men had in its future. But. From the dirt. Emerging from the deepest, evilest facets of humanity was known for, a small group of no ones, tired of the tyranny of the powerful and merciless, disgusted by the injustices of the world, faced such evils and stroke them down to the pits of Tartarus. They called them the Dragon Warriors, wielding the power of the flames that rested deep inside their hearts. When at full power, nurtured by the virtues that dwelled within them, they assumed a form of majestic bright, wielding justice like no other. Their blessing was given to them by a powerful, mysterious wizard who wished to dawn the world with light. He disappeared afterwards, to another world, never to be seen again. The warriors fulfilled their mission to the last breath. It is said that their eyes were the color of golden fire. The braver the warrior was, the furious but noble their pupils looked. They always fought with sword unsheathed against evil doers, they always engaged in battle against the troubled innocent with parley and sheathed sword. Fury when facing evil. Wisdom when dealing with lost souls. It wasn’t easy, their crusade lasted eighty three years. The loses were too great in that time. Everything got worse when the Devil reborn as a Man took control of most countries of the Old, Known World. The Ancient Civilizations were at the grasp of his power, unmatched were his gears of war and unreal power at his command. His name was Tyrek of the Fallen Sins, sovereign of all that was unholy. His might knew no end. His tyranny was beyond mortal comprehension. He chased after innocents with his army of death soldiers. Undead, unholy knights who purged the land of all that was good in his eyes. The Dragon Warriors rose against the wickedness engulfing the world. It was all in vain. His power was far beyond theirs. …But! During the last seven years of their crusade, when all seemed hopeless. When Warrior numbers were dwindling, faith running low and fear that could take the heart of the veterans engulfed the land, a young warrior called Narever Indomil rose from his ranks and brought back light to their darkest hour. Narever, later called King Indomil, the True Dragon Warrior, fought back against Lord Tyrek. Not only he was an antithesis to the brutality of the Dark Lord in might, he had boundless love to his fellow warriors, citizens, and life-companion. Love was his source of strength, and people across the land soon followed him with revived faith. His wife Amelia, later named Queen Mi Bello Amanecer, waited for him every single night he marched to war. One morning, when the king turned thirty nine, his wife received the news that would change her life forever. The war was over, peace had returned to the land. The people rejoiced. Beer rained from the taverns, grilled meat and cooked vegetables ramming their way to the bellies of folks reinvigorated with renewed hope and a chance for a better future. All was well in the land of the Ancient World. Except for one thing. King Narever came back home… but just in spirit. In the final battle, before his nemesis could be captured and sent to judgement, Lord Tirek used forbidden magic that burned his castle inside out. The warriors tried to escape, but not without his king. It was too late. The fires were too fiery to be killed, too lively to cross them safely and retrieve their ray of hope. From afar, they could see the two Lords clashing swords with one another, their undying steeds running in circles and bringing to their inseparable riders a chance to strike. Then, it happened. Narever was overpowered, his body violently falling to the stone. Triumphant and laughing like a madman, Tyrek, bloodied as well, un-mounted his horse and walked towards the fallen king, pointing his sword at his heart, wicked smile and devilish eyes in his face. “I may p'rish this day in fire, Indomil. But knoweth yond mine own way to hell shall beest with thee!” “Nev’r!” The King commanded. “Mine own vessel may p'rish and turneth into ashes. Mine own death shalt I shareth with thee, but mine own spirit shall endureth unlike you! As longeth as mine own cater-cousins liveth, as longeth as mine own did love ones keepeth fighting until their owneth demise, loveth shalt triumph f'rev'r! Mine own heirs shalt not be only of blood, but heart and soul!” Like a miracle, his sword flew to him, an explosion of light sent flying the Devil to the wall. The King’s body stood up magnificently with his weapon raised high, a ray of rainbow shining on him. His fellow warriors and the tyrant were lost in words for what was just happening. The man grew majestic wings, in his hair appeared a holy set of adorns, and his sword looked like the teeth of an enraged dragon. His eyes wielding no power but the fury of the sun. No warrior had done such feat in their lives. With a single, lawful strike, the Dark Lord fell to the ground, shadows entrapping him in eternal darkness. As for the king, he came back to his normal state; a broken body painted in blood. His steed, Hopestrike, joined his side, and the dying king sheathed his sword, hanging it on him. The warrior, now just a man, smiled at Hopestrike when he gave him his last command, “Sent my spirit to her.” and the loyal steed joined the rest of the warriors at mighty speed before the flames touched him in full. His fellow brothers and sisters in arms looked at their king in awe. Regret wasn’t painted in his face, but respite. Freedom finally was at their reach, and he knew it. The castle finally gave up, stones falling apart. For one last time, King Indomil raised his arm, a sword materialized in his hand from the rays of hope from the now clear sky. “Longeth liveth the peace of our land! Loveth shalt guideth us f'rev'r!” He shouted. “LONGETH LIVETH THE PEACE OF OUR LAND! LOVETH SHALT LIVE WITHIN US!” The warriors shred tears in union, running away as fast as they could from the site. The warriors came back heroes of the land. His sword and faithful steed were the only things of King Indomil that came back to the presence of the Queen. When the news finally were made public, the united Kingdoms of the Old World mourned for seven days and seven nights. Each hour more colder and somber than the last. Then, the Queen fell ill. Her heart too shattered to keep living. But even the darkness must pass, and faith repays in abundance to those pure of spirit and with many good deeds in their heart’s pockets. The doctor of the Queen gave her great news. News that healed her sorrow and ignited her will to live once more. She was carrying her beloved’s child in her womb, the seed of their love turned into hope. Four months after the news, the children were born. A beautiful pair of twins were they; one boy, and one girl. The people rejoiced, and when they came to age, the Old Kingdom of Great Equine met an age of prosperity that it seemed that it would have no end. The twins had many things in common with their father, but there was a certain special trait that brought countless smiles to their mother until the day she joined her husband in the beyond. They had golden fiery eyes and burning hearts that warmed the people. They inherited the spirit of the noble warriors that preceded them, protecting the land as long as they lived. They were Dragon Warriors, just like their father… just like the brave warriors before them who sacrificed their all for a brighter future. “And they passed down their courage and love for justice and freedom to their descendants, fighting to protect the weak and just, until the end of time. The end. Did you like…? Oh.” Meg was sleeping soundly under the warm of her mantle. A peaceful face untouched by discomfort faced the painted stars on her ceiling, hugging the teddy bear with a gentle touch. Twilight grabbed another mantle nearby and gently put it on her. She kissed her cheek and just said, “Sweet dreams, little girl.” She silently turned off the candle with a blow from her lips. Stealthily, she leaved the room and closed the door tightly. “That wasn’t so bad… Hehe, I knew I could do it!” She raised her chin high with a soft, prideful grin. Eventually, she reached her room, Spike already waiting for her. He explained that Pinkie was in charge of a flash sale that the Cakes made at last minute. Something about a client that wished to delight herself with the handmade cooking of the family. It was a success, and Spike found her way to her master’s home through Cadence. It seems that she took a liking to the cake Pinkie Pie made during the Friendship Games and she bought… several cupcakes for her future parents in law. As for Twilight, she told him the important things of what happened during his absence. Everything was alright on her end, and soon the hour of sleep came into their doors. But the Scientist woke up during the middle of the night all of the sudden. Putting her glasses back and watching the stars shining bright on the sky, she wondered about the tale she read. “Love shall triumph forever. Because love is truth…” She whispered. “Then friendship will triumph as well if it’s real. Just like in the story.” ‘But it's best to find out the answers yourself, isn't?’ A voice said in the back of her mind. ‘What's wrong, Twilight? Why the long face all of the sudden? You did well, didn't you? Or perhaps you are doubting something now? It's about your friends, isn't? Do you need more proof to feel safer from them? Or… do you need REAL power like the King to save someone?’ “I’m fine on my own.” The Scientist said in trance. Her eyes became cloudy for mere instants. “I have my friends at my side. That’s power enough for me.” She hugged Spike and closed her eyes quickly, forgetting to put her glasses away. The night welcomed her again in her sweet, comforting embrace.