//------------------------------// // Flawed // Story: Entropy // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// I wasn’t sure what I was expecting inside Entropy’s mind. Whirling chaos, maybe? Broad expanses of blackness and drifting ash? Certantly within the realm of possibility. A screaming pit of madness, filled with death and gore? A field of flowers and a gentle breeze moving the clouds in the blue sky was not what I had pictured. I looked around and saw a small little silver and black flame flickering above the clearing ground. I knew that I was seeing the true form of Entropy. And it was radiating calm, edging into apathy. “It’s a shame, isn’t it?” a calm voice issued forth. “All of this for nothing. It will all inevitably become nothing but smoke and ash.” With those words, the landscape around us bust into flames as the sky turned red and the moon rose, frightfully large, as though falling towards the ground. “But then, it is how things should be.” The flame drifted across the ground, the ash not even stirring in its wake. “So I assume you didn’t think this plan through. One has plenty of time to gain insight and control of their mind when they spend eons in a state of confinement.” I felt a flash of understanding. Entropy had been forced into a sort of incarceration and was lashing out in retaliation. But even as much as I could understand being forced into a role that could be confining, it didn’t justify the actions carried out on its behalf. “And I can tell you’re flagging,” the flame continued. “This was likely your last ditch action to stop me. So, what was the plan, mind control? Emotional destruction? You ripping my physic framework to shreds?” “No,” I replied, taking a step forward. “I wouldn’t have done that.” “Shame,” came the reply. “Would have been interesting at least. You ponies always seem to lack the requirement of what needed to be done. I thought you at least would have been up to the task. You did kill a pony in your rage, after all.” “I don’t like being reminded,” I growled, lowering myself a touch. “I am not proud of what I did.” “But you don’t hide from it, either,” it continued. “There are many that would. I was hoping that you would see the purpose, the beauty of the destruction and aid me. Seems I gave you too much credit.” I felt the urge to blast the flame in the middle of it’s mass, but I remembered that my horn was gone. “So all you want is to see the world burned to a cinder, is that it?” The flame flickered along the edges, almost as though shrugging. “I’ll start with the world,” it said. “But eventually I want the entirety of existence. Nothing lasts forever, Sunset Shimmer.” “I know that,” I gritted. “My calm fillyhood, my arrogant adolescence, my dreams of a normal life, being along but for friends.” I advanced a few steps. “And my Twilight, she saw the end of her isolation, of her loneliness, and her fears of not belonging. And I could name dozens of other things. I know nothing last, but it’s supposed to lead to better things.” I gestured at the field. “Fire could wipe out all this life, but it would provide a fertile ground for new growth! It is an endless cycle!” Entropy sighed. “All good things must come to an end, Sunset Shimmer. Even you admit it.” The field began to grow anew, different in colors. “But is this even as pretty as it was originally? Is it worth seeing when you can remember its original beauty?” “Yes,” I said firmly. “Because it can be a sign of encouragement that everything will get better.” “Not this time,” Entropy said. “I’m afraid that this truly is the final leg of your journey, the last charge into the breach for you and your fellow princesses. I am free and if Celestia were going to do anything she would have done it by now.” The flame began to grow. “This has been entertaining, though. I am truly inspired by your determination. There isn’t much else to match it.” I stomped a hoof in frustration. “So what will you do once you’ve consumed this world, this universe?” “Move on to the next.” “And then what?” The flame seemed to turn towards me. “Continue until all of existence has been destroyed as per my purpose.” “And then what?” The flame flickered in confusion. “What?” “After you’ve destroyed everything,” I reiterated. “What will you do then? What will your purpose be after everything is gone? Where will you go?” The flame remained where it was, flaring and shrinking. “I…” “And if you have to destroy everything, then you must destroy yourself eventually, if you even can,” I pressed. “Do you really want to give up that easily? And just think, if you withstand the wrath of the Sunmother and the Moonsister, you could take your time. But that’s besides the point. If you win… What will you do?” Entropy swirled in place for a moment, at a loss for words for the first time since I had met the being. “I… I don’t… No, that can’t be…” “Face it,” I said. “You can’t complete your purpose because you will still exist. So unless you can also destroy yourself, you are worthless. I wouldn’t be surprised if that is why they kept you locked up, so you wouldn’t find out and be distraught over it. Imprisonment to protect your own mind. Fitting.” The silver and black flame flared and then died down to almost nothing. It’s apathetic calm was shading into panic. “I have purpose,” it declared. “I exist to destroy life.” “Except yourself,” I said, shining a hoof casually, despite feeling fatigue fast building behind my eyes. “Seems a tad flawed.” “I can destroy anything!” I turned a skeptical look on the being. “Right.” I turned and took a few steps. “I’ll be going now. Have fun with your little destruction trip.” And I fell from Entropy’s mind, staggering back and smirking at the almost catatonic pony form. Then the endurance from my Earth Pony magic gave out. My eyes rolled back in my head as pain flooded me again and I slumped to the floor.