//------------------------------// // Chapter VIII: Lamentation // Story: Downfall of Equestria // by Shadow Storm //------------------------------// It’s been months since we both left the New Lunar Republic. By now, I didn’t care about the war, or who was winning. I was with the only mare who mattered to me. Ever since that day in the woods, I’ve always had the urge to tell her how I truly feel, but I was afraid she wouldn’t reply the same way. She came walking over to me, with a basket full of fruit. I licked my lips, as I looked at the delicious variety of fruits she picked out. “I picked what I could. During lunch, it’s your turn.” She smiled ominously as she picked up an apple from the basket and began to eat. I grabbed some grapes and began to pluck them from the stem one by one. “Omfhkay!” Cosette laughed as she stopped eating the apple. “Don’t talk with your mouth full!” I swallowed and laughed too. Everything was perfect. I was with the only mare I ever wanted, we lived happily together out in what we called the Eve Forest, we had each other and that was the most important thing to both of us. I put the grapes back in the basket, falling backwards while closing my eyes, sighing deeply. “Now what are you thinking about?” Cosette giggled, looking over at me. I half opened my eyes and stared back at her. “Everything is so, perfect. Don’t you agree?” “Yes, I haven’t been so happy in all my life. It really is perfect.” She said, smiling. I looked towards the trees and noticed something about the sky. I rolled around and got up, still staring towards the sky through the trees. Cosette couldn’t help but laugh. “What are you looking at?” She looked up as well, seeing what I saw. We both decided to walk into a clearing. When we did, I looked down and saw her drop her apple. I smiled, looking back up at the sky. I walked into the open field next to us, as Blueberry followed. The sky was light blue, with barely any clouds. The only clouds around looked like white, fluffy marshmallows. The sun beamed down on us with its heat. “It’s beautiful outside.” Cosette sighed as I stood there. The cool breeze hit me with a gentle touch as I fell back near a pile of flowers, feeling the grass beneath me. Cosette laid down beside me, looking at me as I turned to meet her gaze. Her eyes glistened brilliantly in the sunlight, her mane’s beautiful scent covered up even the most fragrant of flowers. She smiled, making me smile back. “It hasn’t been this beautiful in years.” I agreed. As beautiful and as rare as the sky was, nothing compared to Cosette’s elegance. She was the most beautiful being in the entire universe, and I was willing to tell it to anypony. Cosette sighed happily, laying her head on my chest. I put my hoof around her, gently stroking her mane. Her ears dropped in delight as I continued to stroke her mane. “Then let’s cherish this moment for as long as we can.” I looked to the sky, then back down at Cosette. She had a lovely smile on her face, her eyes closed as she sighed again. Her cheeks began blushing a crimson red. “I could stay here with you forever, Cosette.” She opened her eyes, still keeping that gorgeous smile on her face. “Forever? With me?” Her face lit up in excitement. “Only with you, Cosette. There isn’t another mare in Equestria that I would ever choose over you. I love you, Cosette.” I felt now was the right time to finally admit it. I sighed happily as I continued stroking her mane. Tears formed in her eyes as she tried to wipe them away. “I love you too, Shadow. Promise me you’ll never leave me. Promise me you’ll stay with me forever.” I couldn’t help but to also begin to form tears in my eyes. Instead of rubbing them away, I let the tears stream down my face. “I promise, Cosette. Forever.” Only now was life truly perfect. I savored this moment until the beautiful moon came out. The stars sparkled for the first time in a decade. I motioned Cosette’s head to face mine. I kissed her as she returned the kiss. It lasted for several seconds until we both broke away. I told her goodnight, as I closed my eyes and went to sleep. I woke up to find the sky completely darkened again, which didn’t sadden my mood. Cosette was gone, however and I looked around for her, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. “Cosette? Where are you?” I waited for a response, but no answer. This time I shouted louder. “Cosette!” No response. “Very funny Cosette! Come out!” Still no response. I got up, stepping forward, now growing worried. I heard a crinkling sound under my hoof. I looked at it, picking it up and opening it. I dropped the note and began to read. Dear Shadow, Cosette is in captivity. Meet us in the open field near Everfree Forest or she dies. I looked for a signature, but there was none. I panicked as I frantically spread my wings and rose in the air, dashing towards the Everfree Forest. Eventually I found it as I began looking for the open field. Upon discovery, I landed in the middle of the field looking around. There was nopony here. Suddenly, out of the trees, a horde of soldiers came and ambushed me in a blur. I struggled to get away, but I was quickly chained down on each hoof. I looked at the soldiers who ambushed me, and I noticed a moon crest on their uniforms. I shook my head, denying what I was seeing. The New Lunar Republic? How did they find us? Why did they take Cosette? All my questions were about to be answered when out of the darkness of the forest, Princess Luna came walking with two Night and the other Black Squadron guards next to her side. She eventually stood in front of me, looking down in disgust. “Would you care to explain to us why you left and kidnapped my daughter?” I looked up at her, shaking my head. “I-I didn’t kidnap your daughter! We just left because we were sick of the war!” Luna slapped me with her hoof. I haven’t felt pain in a long time, and it stung badly. She looked at Night on her right as she nodded to her. She ran into the forest and back out, bringing a small group of soldiers with her. There, also in chains, was Cosette. She looked at me, as I met her with my eyes, only for our contact to be cut off by another slap. “Your treason against us will not go unpunished. As will hers for also abandoning the Republic.” She looked at Titan and nodded her head. Titan pulled out a dagger as he turned around, walking towards Cosette. I began to fight my restraints, trying to break free, my rage building inside. “Don’t you touch her!” I screamed in fury. Titan held the dagger near Cosette’s throat, waiting for Luna’s command. I began to cry as I looked up at Luna. “You can’t do this! She’s your daughter! I love her! Let her go and kill me!” Luna raised an eyebrow, looking at me curiously. “You love my daughter? So much you would give your own life?” I looked over to Cosette, seeing her begin to cry as well. I looked back up at Luna, whose face was tainted with anger. “Yes I would!” I shouted, my tears falling from my face. “No!” A voice said, forever staining my mind with that one simple word. I immediately looked over to Cosette, as she stared back at me, sobbing. I couldn’t believe my ears. I knew what she was going to do. She was going to sacrifice herself for me. I remembered back when Iron Shock did the same thing when Celestia held me in her magic grip. I didn’t want to go through it again, but Luna’s twisted mind was already made up. “Cosette… is there anything you’d like to say before you are executed for treason?” I shook violently, my heart rapidly pounding against my chest so hard that it was sending waves of pain each time. “Shadow…” I shook my head slowly as she grimly smiled. “You were the only stallion who actually loved me the way you do… and you changed me in a way I can’t describe. I’m so fortunate that I have you in my life, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you, Shadow. Don’t forget about me....” “Cosette… no...” I was too shocked and pained to say anything else. I looked up at Luna as she hesitantly nodded her head at Titan. I turned my head and saw him slowly cut her throat. I watched as she stared at me the entire time, not yelling in pain, but Instead she just smiled as she closed her eyes and fell to the ground. I then found myself lost in a world of emotions. The only pony I had left… the one mare I loved… was just killed in front of me. I loved her with all my heart, and I experienced her die in front of me! The pain was too much to bear. In the past few minutes my heart had been ripped out of my chest and crushed. I was sent spiraling into a world of darkness, a never ending void of depression and hatred. I looked back at Luna and screamed through my tears. “She was your daughter! How could you kill her?! I swear when I get out I will kill you!” Princess Luna looked away before looking down at me. “I must do whatever it takes to protect my nation… even if it means killing my own daughter for the sake of my subjects.” She said, her voice slightly cracking. “I will leave you to rot here, alone. I gave her the benefit of dying quickly.” Luna said coldly, my crying growing louder. I continued to look down at the ground, crying loudly. I have never experienced pain like this before, not even after Iron Shock's death. I felt as though my entire world was brutally ripped in half. I looked up, looking at Cosette’s dead body laying there on the ground, motionless. Luna stared at me with her hateful eyes before turning and leaving, followed by the others, a few taking Cosette’s body. “I love you too Cosette… forever.” I said to myself through the tears, watching as I was left alone. It has been ten years since the beginning of the war, and things in my life have turned around and spiraled out of control. I lay here, beaten and bruised. My pride now shattered and my heart ripped out from my chest. I once served the New Lunar Republic proudly, but now I am an exiled soldier, forgotten and abandoned to die alone in the Everfree Forest. That’s when I looked up to see none other than rainbow mane walking towards me.