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// Epilogue ~ A Ripple 
// Story: Fading Echoes 
// by Lightseed 
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Melek watched the Lord of Chaos whisper his final goodbye to Fluttershy from the pool. He was both relieved and saddened as he watched the draconequus fade from view. His meeting with Discord had stirred up emotions and memories he'd buried in the recesses of his mind for a long time. 

To be an immortal and loose someone precious for the first time... it never got any easier.

Melek was about to turn away from the water when something small and iridescent landed on the tip of his nose. It was a small butterfly, with a blue-green body and bright pink wings. 

"Hello little one." the stag murmured. 

The butterfly seemed to flutter its wings in greeting before taking off again. Melek watched as it glided toward the Pool of Sorrows. The butterfly spiraled down till it was hovering just above the glass-like surface. As it did another image took shape.  Pricking up his ears the black stag  eased closer to get a better look. 

Staring back at him with teal colored eyes was a female pegasus pony. She had a yellow coat and a bright pink mane and tail. She was seated in a beautiful meadow, rich with flowers and surrounded by many species of animals. 

She smiled up at him and gave a shy wave. Melek returned the smile and gave a reverent dip of his head. A heartbeat later the image of the pony faded. 

The butterfly dipped down toward the center and ever so gently tapped the surface, causing a single ripple to expand out across the water. The butterfly then fluttered over to him where it landed on his nose one more time, as if to say farewell.

And then the tiny creature bravely took off, climbing higher and higher until it passed the clearing's canopy. It kept climbing until it was but a tiny pink dot against the gray sky. 

Then it was gone. 

Melek had to smile once more. It was edged with a bittersweet joy as he remembered those long since gone.

"Farewell my dear, Fluttershy." the ancient stag said gently. With a final glance at the sky Melek left the clearing and the Pool of Sorrows.

And then there was silence and peace, save for the gently echoing flap of a butterfly's wings.