//------------------------------// // Bridging the Divide // Story: Descendants Of The Isle 3: Rise of the Royal Villain // by Melody Song //------------------------------// Sandbar took his claw gently, and Tempest put a hoof on his shoulder. “I can’t be King of Equus.” Gallus said, closing his eyes. “I won’t turn my back on the Isle.” Murmurs of confusion came from the crowd, and Tempest gently tapped Gallus’ shoulder, beckoning for him to move out of the way. He did, and she stepped to the front. “I think I can explain.” she told the crowd. “A week ago, a decision was made to close off the barrier forever.” Gasps echoed through the crowd. Tempest nodded. “I will admit that it was my idea.” she added, causing more gasps. “But it was wrong. I was wrong. Closing the barrier for good will solve nothing.” Even more confused murmurs began to spread through the crowd. Tempest still continued on. “You cannot live in fear, it won’t actually protect you from anything. There’s no way of knowing where the bad will come from, or where the heroes are going to come from. Without Spitfire and her sky pirates, I can guarantee Equus would be gone. And without Grogar…” Tempest paused, then spoke. “My uncle…” The loudest gasps yet came from the crowd. But they let Tempest finish. “Without him, Yona would be gone.” she said, and as murmurs started, they all looked at Tempest for more. “We are all capable of good and evil, no matter which side of the barrier we come from.” “That’s why I can’t be King of just Equus.” Gallus said, stepping over. “I have to be King of the Isle too. Sandbar as well. It’s time to take the barrier down, forever.” “We can’t do that.” Sea Kelp butted in, stepping closer, but Shell Scallop tugged him back. “It’s up to us dad.” Sandbar said, looking over at him, then back to Gallus, then to the crowd. “I chose to be a leader who moves forward. It’s time for forgiveness. It’s time for new beginnings. It’s time to make a change. The barrier will come down!” Gallus hugged him tightly, and Sandbar kissed his cheek. The crowd all began cheering, the Isle kids cheering the loudest. Sandbar and Gallus turned to Tempest. “Bring it down, Tempest.” Sandbar said gently. Tempest smiled softly, then stepped forwards, beckoning for the rest of the original group, the one who took down the Storm King and the other villains, to join them. Celestia, Snowdrop, Ember, Gilda, Ocellus, and Thorax walked up to them. Rising Dawn walked over, lifting her crown off her head and bowing to Tempest. Tempest blushed, then lifted the crown in her aura. She set it down on her head, her wings opening as she did. Tempest stood in the middle of all her friends… and ignited her horn. “To make this world become a better place, we must be able to meet face to face!” she shouted. The crown gleamed in the light, amplifying the spell, which soared over the ocean, and in a flash, the golden barrier was gone and the constant storm clouds vanished. A white bridge began to form between the island and the mainland, with a silver and gold colored suspension. The crowd cheered and applauded as the group of creatures on the balcony smiled. Tempest giggled and leaned into Pharynx, who nuzzled her. The crowd began walking across the bridge, as on the Isle, all the kids and adults began heading for the new bridge in awe. Spitfire and her crew were towards the back, looking around in awe. “Heh… my plan.” Spitfire said, smirking. She then flew up to the balcony on her side of the barrier, her crew and Discord beside her. On Equus’ side, Tempest passed the crown back to Rising Dawn, then hugged her. She then walked to the edge of the balcony and began to sing. “It’s time to bring things together Time for a brand new day.” On the Isle, Spitfire chuckled and also began to sing. “Let’s put things in motion, break down what’s kept us apart.” Tempest sang louder. “No more division, it’s down One big team with a vision-” “Unite!” they sang as one, then Spitfire continued. “So we stand now living and marching In the light, one to two, one to two, like-” “I see you!” Tempest called “You see me!” Spitfire echoed “Imperfection!” “Yet perfect to me!” “When we’re face to face we can see our similarities Like-” they sang as one “Day or night!” Spitfire called “Wrong and right!” Tempest sang “We come together and have a good time!” The two different groups smiled at each other from the balconies, singing as Yona and Blueblood joined Tempest’s friends. “It’s time to tear this down We’re gonna rock the ground Everycreature from all around Can be what they want with this We’re stronger now with this!” Spitfire then took off, flying off the balcony and landing with a strut on the bridge. Tempest spread her own wings and soared down, landing on her end and walking confidently. “Believing in giving second chances!” Spitfire sang “And we’re starting off today!” Discord joined in “Gonna keep marching on in a better land!” Rainbow cheered “Our world’s gonna be a better, way better space!” Fleetfoot and Spitfire sang together The VCs began to cross the bridge, Spitfire in the lead, as Tempest did the same on their side. “Come on into unconditional love!” Luna called “Unity will be a new start for everyone!” Gallus sang “Harmony is a mission that’s marching-” Pharynx began “Into the light, one to two, one to two, like,” they all sang “I see you!” Tempest’s group shouted “You see me!” Spitfire’s crew and Discord echoed “Imperfection!” “Yet perfect to me!” “When we’re face to face we can see our similarities Like-” they sang as one “Day or night!” Celestia and Luna sang “Wrong and right!” Rainbow and Soarin sang “We come together and have a good time!” they all sang The groups met in the center of the bridge and began dancing together, smiling. “It’s time to tear this down We’re gonna rock the ground Everycreature from all around Can be what they want with this We’re stronger now with this! We’ve reunited through this!” Tempest and her group, all the kids who were originally from the Isle, turned and faced the Equus kids, standing by Spitfire. They all began to move in sync, the Equus kids joining in with synchronous moves of their own. “Tearing it, tearing it, t-t-tearing it down Tearing it, tearing it, t-t-tearing it down Tearing it, tearing it, t-t-tearing it down Tearing it, tearing it, t-t-tearing it down! Down!” Gallus smiled and ran to Sandbar, hugging him as Luna ran to Snowdrop. Pharynx and Tempest strutted across, Thorax and Ocellus following with Smolder and Garble. Spitfire and the others seemed hesitant, but then Sandbar bowed to them, followed by Gallus, and then everyone did. Spitfire laughed and stepped across, leading the others. She ran and hugged Tempest, who hugged back. They all began dancing in a wave-like pattern, the couples spinning around and the single creatures joining up in pairs. They jumped up and down, span, slid, and twirled, then began singing again. “It’s time to tear this down Tear this down! We’re gonna rock the ground Oh, we’re gonna rock the ground! Everycreature from all around All around! Can be what they want with this Let’s go! We’re stronger now with this! Yeah! We’ve become united with this! It’s time to tear this down Tear this down! We’re gonna rock the ground Oh, we’re gonna rock the ground! Everycreature from all around All around! Can be what they want with this Let’s go! We’re stronger now with this! Stronger with each other! We’ve become united with this! Hey! Tearing it, tearing it, t-t-tearing it down!” With that, they stopped, panting with effort and amazement. More people were making their way over, and Tempest hugged Pharynx, laughing. Smolder and Garble were running to their parents, Discord was being spun around by his father, and Gabby was dancing around eagerly. “Hey Thorax?” Ember asked, and he paused, looking at her. “I’m a little nervous about meeting your mom…” “Oh don’t worry, I’ll chase her off.” Pharynx chuckled darkly. “Been meaning to have a few words with her.” “Hey Pharynx!” Soarin ran over. “Rainbow, Fleet, and I want to try and convince Spitfire to go exploring for the next year, you in?” “Sure, I might join you a couple times.” Pharynx smirked. “Like I said, there’s gotta be more changelings out there somewhere, right?” The two hoof-bumped and then Soarin ran off again. Tempest grinned at Pharynx knowingly, and he shrugged, kissing her cheek. “You wouldn’t mind, right?” “Not at all. As long as one of those trips can be our honeymoon, I’m not going to some boring hotel for a week. I need action.” Tempest said, wrapping a wing around him, and he chuckled. “For you, my stormcloud, I’ll do it.” he said, and Tempest blushed, kissing him. A little ways away, Spitfire was dancing with Luna, laughing. “Heh, you know what? Temp came through after all.” Spitfire said, and Luna smiled, looking at her friend. “She always does.” Gallus and Sandbar smiled, dancing in the center of it all. “You worried about your grandfather?” Sandbar asked “Honestly? I’m more worried about him meeting Monarch.” Gallus picked up the kitten and placed him on his back. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect him.” Sandbar said, and Gallus giggled. “Me too.” “So, how’s this for an engagement party?” Sandbar asked, grinning. Gallus laughed and kissed his cheek. “Perfect!” Gallus hugged him tightly. “Let’s just hope our wedding is even better.” “I’ll be marrying you.” Sandbar cupped his cheek with a hoof, smiling at the griffon. “Of course it will be.” Gallus blushed and leaned in, kissing the pony lovingly. The two did not go unnoticed by most of their friends, the group gathering around and ‘aww’ing at them. Except for two. Tempest and Pharynx were walking back to the bridge. Grogar had just crossed it. “So, will I be invited to the wedding?” Grogar asked, and Tempest and Pharynx blushed. “Y-Yes sir.” Pharynx told him, while Tempest hugged him. “If you’ll agree to give me away.” Tempest told him, smirking. “You were always better at the whole dad thing than my father anyway.” “It would be my honor.” Grogar told her, then eyed Pharynx. “I’m sure you two will be very happy together.” Tempest smiled and nuzzled up to Pharynx, who draped a hoof around her neck. Grogar gave him a look and made an ‘I’m watching you’ gesture with his hoof. Pharynx gulped, and Tempest shoved Grogar lightly, shaking her head at him while smiling. “Welcome to Equus, Uncle Grogar.” Tempest chuckled, she and Pharynx leading him the rest of the way across the bridge. “It’s time to tear this down We’re gonna rock the ground Everycreature from all around Can be what they want with this We’re stronger now with this! We’ve reunited through this!” Tempest, Pharynx, Gallus, Luna, and Sandbar ran down an aisle the crowd created for them, followed by Celestia, Ember, Snowdrop, Thorax, Ocellus, and Gilda, then went Spitfire and her crew. “It’s time to tear this down We’re gonna rock the ground Everycreature from all around Can be what they want with this We’re stronger now with this! We’ve reunited through this!” Sandbar’s parents followed them with Grogar, Nebula Star, and Rising Dawn, then Smolder, Garble, their parents, Discord and Diataro, and Gabby. The rest of the crowd followed in groups, laughing and dancing. “Tearing it, tearing it, t-t-tearing it down!” -------------------------------- “Do you guys ever miss it?” Luna asked. She, Tempest, Pharynx, and Gallus were standing at the bridge again, alone. “Yeah…” Pharynx murmured. “You think they miss us?” Tempest asked, smirking. “Yeah.” Gallus said, chuckling. “Cause we’re rotten,” Tempest began, holding out her hoof, and the others placed their hooves and claw over hers. “At the core.” they finished. “Hey, last one over the bridge-” Gallus began “Is a rotten carrot!” they all shouted, then raced across the bridge, laughing happily. Finally, there was a way across. And a way back home.