//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Fading Friendships // by future pegasister //------------------------------// Oh...my... I really am the worst friend any pony could wish for... You would probably want to know what happened, so here goes... I was in my cottage, sitting on the bare floor; waiting. Every thing had been moved away, to a different place. All the animals, all the furniture, even the food was gone. Every single thing had been removed. The only living beings in the whole cottage were me and Angel. Actually, I remember how I got Angel... It was an early Autumn morning, and I was leaning against a big Maple tree, cut off from the land by a wide (but shallow) stream; it was like a small island. I loved sitting underneath it's branches, listening to the gurgling brook, relaxing and letting all of my worries float away. The sky here in this particular place was always clear, not a cloud in sight. And that one day, while I was leaning against this Maple tree, I heard a small (yet firm) voice; 'Flutt.' It said. I remember looking around everywhere, and I soon found out that it was coming from my mane. I gently lifted up a part of my mane, to reveal a small white bunny; it snatched it back and buried itself in it. 'Shy.' It mumbled. I tried to get it out of mane when I was going home, but it wouldn't budge; and besides: I'd always wanted a pet bunny. He was so cute when he was sleeping too. Like a little angel, he was... The doorbell rang and my thoughts were interrupted; I opened the door. A shivering Twilight entered; which was confusing- why couldn't she just use magic to get to my cottage? "Fluttershy!" Twilight coughed; "Outside- the storm wasn't made by Pegasi! It's Wendigo's!" My eye went wide; "Are- are you sure, Twilight? Aren't Wendigo's-" "Winter spirits that feed off hatred? Yes. And I'm very sure about this, Fluttershy. Look at the sky outside- can't you see them?" I was hoping that she wouldn't say that. Oh, I'd seen them, I just... didn't want to believe it was true, I guess... "Yes," I said, "But why are they here?" "Long story; Fluttershy, before I go- take care of Spike, would you?" "Um...Okay." I was on the verge of tears; why did Twilight have to go? She was a good pony. And good ponies didn't deserve this... Twilight sneezed and burst into speech; I think it was just me, but the outline of her body looked kind of- blurred... "Fluttershy, remember the book I told you to read?" "Yes, I-" "Did you read it?" "Yes, but-" "Good; after she comes for me, I want you to go talk to the Wendigo's. I know it sounds insane, but you have to trust me on this." "...Okay." I whimpered. I didn't want to agree- but what other choice did I have? "Show them the Kindness in all of us. Show them that they have nothing to do here." I looked into Twilights face; she looked determined, as if she believed that she could do anything. "...Yes, Twilight." "Oh, and this is an illusion. This isn't actually me! I'm still in the library. Sorry I couldn't come personally; the blizzard outside is really awful; and I'm still preparing- my Will is in my bedroom closet, second shelf from the bottom. And Fluttershy, when I do..." She winced; "Snuff it, you'll be the Element of Magic as well as Kindness..." I couldn't hold it in any longer; tears poured from my eyes, and my voice broke. "T-Twilight!" I sobbed, "I d-don't want you to go! W-why do you have to do this?! You've b-been more than a best friend- you're more like my sister!" I tried to hug the illusion, but there was nothing but warm air there. "I don't want to go either!" Twilight hiccuped; "But there's no other way... " she looked at me, her own tear-stained face breaking into a forced smile; "You and the others were the best friends I could wish for; I only wish I'd have more time to spend with you... And Fluttershy?" I tried to get into a sitting position; "Y-yes, Twilight?" "Be brave. You have a heart of gold and a soul of silver. Just remember what you once told me: 'Sometimes you just have to show a little kindness'." And with that, the illusion blurred, the silhouette of Twilight filled with static and was gone with a hollow pop. _____________________________________________________________________________ I flew out of the door and into the cold blizzard of snow; my tears were practically frozen solid and Angel's whiskers already had icicles on them. Talk to the Wendigo's? How could I manage that? Would they listen? Would they want a peace offering? Would they- Angel tugged on my mane, wearing a look that clearly said, 'Get on with it'. "Um... yes, you're right Angel." I braced myself, and flew up to a Wendigo and tapped him on on the neck; he turned to face me. "Um... Excuse me Mr. Wendigo, but...um... do you mind not making it so cold here? I mean, if that's okay with you.." I murmured. My name's Sliver Wind. His ice blue eyes narrowed; And I sense that you're not just any pegasus, since I'm able to understand you. And me and brothers mine are making it cold here because we feel hate. "I, um... hate? Nopony here hates another pony... Mr. Wind." I said. My feathered friend, we feel SUCH hate coming from here that we decided to leave Amareica and come here instead. Sliver Wind took in a deep breath, as if sucking something more than air in; and when he let it out, it formed into a single small snowflake that landed on my mane. "But, um, Mr. Wind, I'm very sure that nopony here is foolish enough to hate; I even can... even prove it to you." I wasn't sure that was the right thing to say. Are you willing enough to let Silver Cloud look through your memories? I hesitated; An answered, and hoped that sounded braver than I felt. "Yes." I said boldly. He looked surprised; I couldn't tell if it was a good thing or a bad thing... and I'm still not sure now. Very well. He made a strange screeching noise, kind of like hooves on a chalk board, except three times worse; it felt my ears ringing and my head starting to ache. Within a couple of seconds, a second Wendigo appeared; this one looked older and his snowy brow consisted of frost and tiny snowflakes, arranged in a pattern. He peered into my eyes, his own milky white ones surveying me blankly. I could tell straight away that he was blind, but it felt as though... he could see more than my flesh... as if he could see the very essence of my soul... You are the Bearer of the Element of Kindness, yes? His voice was cold and echoed inside my head; My ears where also filled with a strange whispering... "Yes," I whispered. The whispers got slightly louder. I see... and you know the consequences of Twilight's actions? His eyes stared into mine, not letting me break his gaze. How did he know? "Yes," I said. And I felt... another presence in my mind; a cold one, who was riffling through my memories, as if they were scrolls in a library. Your claim is true; Said the Wendigo finally. Your intentions are noble. But we must stay. We cannot leave. You efforts are admirable, but she knows, and if we leave, she shall also know that it will be all the more easier to dispose of you ponies. We do not want that. You are the only things that can feed us, the only things that keep us alive. But thank you for trying. I practically felt a stone drop into my stomach. "Thank you," I replied. And for he first time, I felt like I didn't mean it. I tilted my wings and glided down to earth. I felt empty- as if somepony had knocked my breath out of me. Angel didn't look too happy himself; he was cold and hungry, and also cranky. So I decided to fly to my new house. What other option did I have? I opened my wings- and stopped. And I saw her. She was falling. Her mane billowing out in the harsh wind. I could almost feel her fading away into nothingness. And I could also feel our friendship fading. And I felt sorry that it had to end so soon.