//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Shattered (Edited) // Story: Our Chaotic Melancholy // by Edensola //------------------------------// CHAPTER 8: SHATTERED So it seems Eve’s time had finally come. A little sooner than expected, but hey, what could she do? Her options were quite slim. She simply stood there at the other end of the hall, dumbfounded as she was on the small stone steps that led to a circular pedestal area where Spike and Applebloom were. She knew how bad the situation looked, and she could see it in the faces of the mane six; they really weren't happy with her. Well, could she blame them? She was the one at fault here. Nonetheless the staring continued for a brief moment, Eve remained silent as she just looked at the mane six with that tired expression, not really motivated to move or even to speak to them, to her, it would all end the same way. The scene was quite fitting, abandoned ruins in the middle of Everfree with pouring rain and booming thunder outside. The place itself seemed it'd be quite dark but the moon's rays shone through the numerous openings that acted as windows as well as cracks and gaping holes in the structure. This was something that'd always comforted Eve when she used to stay here. But now she was starting to second guess herself, hah, maybe she could've even remained anonymous for a bit without it. Little did she know, it made no difference, because through means she never would've guessed; they deduced this place, knew she was the perpetrator, and had known what she'd done. Who would have thought one could look into the very realm of the dream? The mane six truly did have powerful allies. Eventually this staring contest would have to come to an end though, of course, Twilight would be the very one to end it. "Why'd you do it draconequus?" Eve then peered at the ground, looking devoid of any emotion as she opened her mouth, preparing to speak, but she then stopped herself. All eyes were on her and what came out of her mouth next would play a vital role for the future to come. Of course Eve was planning to be honest with them, and not cause anymore trouble than she already did and just accept her punishment and be kicked out once more but, did she truly want to tell them about Cheerilee? Of course not. She didn't know these ponies intimately, she didn't know how things worked for them, and no matter the case Eve didn't want to risk Cheerilee's happiness and wellbeing. She'd already done that enough. No more; she wouldn't let her answers affect Cheerilee's future, she was already caught, but they didn't know about her adoptive mother, maybe she could play that off. But she didn't want to lose Cheerilee either; things were quite complicated. Eve slowly folded one arm across her slender body nervously, while rubbing the side of her other arm with her paw. As she attempted to look ahead, she found the idea of looking the mane six in the eyes horribly frightening and intimidating. She simply kept her nervous gaze on the ground, and her eyes shifted to the left as she spoke. Twilight noticed this. "I..I..uhm..." Eve was looking for an answer, and as she did she found attempting to lie to them was much harder than anticipated. She finally managed to construct a believable one. "I acted alone...I was mad because you wouldn't let me stay...and, and I wasn't thinking clearly at the time, I'm sorry..." Of course at this point, most of the mane six wondered what they were even doing right now. This wasn't some huge dastardly nemesis, this was no big villain, it was obvious to most of them that this little draconequus was scared and ashamed of her actions based on her body language alone. Although the remaining five held their tongues, the task was quite difficult, their eyes continually shifted from Twilight to the draconequus with interest. In a way, the conversation felt quite one sided, being only between Twilight and Eve. But the one who seemed to be having the most trouble of all keeping quiet was Fluttershy, whose frustration with Twilight only continued to grow as this little scene drew on. Twilight didn't look amused. "I figured as much." To those words, Eve actually wanted to smile, but she didn't. She'd done it, they believed it. Now all that was left was her punishment; whatever it may be and then everything would be ov- "She's lying." Twilight stated almost immediately after her first statement. To this Eve's eyes snapped wide, as her body started to tremble somewhat. She looked Twilight in the eyes and what Eve saw scared her to the core, piercing eyes, filled with knowledge and perception, a mare that looked like she could read the draconequus like a book. Perhaps to Twilight, the draconequus was merely a book to read, she'd studied them intimately not long after the Discord incident. To Twilight, maybe she already knew all the paths Eve would take. Fluttershy then couldn't keep herself held back any longer as she looked to Twilight with a glare. "Now wait just a minute Twilight. How can you go accusing her of lying? Based on what? That’s just wrong." Applejack then sighed heavily. "I don't even understand what it is we're doin Twi. She ain't no threat, let's just go over there, take Applebloom and Spike, and get the hay out of dodge." Rarity nodded. "Couldn't have said it better myself darling, there's no need to drag this on." Twilight cut in. "No guys, I told Princess Celestia we'd handle this, and we're going to do just that. But first I need you all to understand where I'm coming from. She has you all tricked with the cute and innocent act, but I've studied draconequis, and her behavior is far from unfamiliar. Think about it, we told her once to stay out of Ponyville, she refused to listen, now she's kidnapped Spike and Applebloom. What's to stop her from doing it again? We can't just let her walk away from this. Even if she seems to be making it easy, draconequis don't work that way." To that question there was only silence, but Fluttershy persisted. "B-But we can't just go around making accusations and assumptions, w-what's wrong with giving her a chance Twilight?" Twilight cared for Fluttershy deeply, but she couldn't help but feel annoyed by her ignorance. Twilight disregarded Fluttershy's bickering for the moment, she'd prove to the pale yellow mare just what they were dealing with soon enough, as well as the rest of her friends, it was time they were educated. She then focused on the draconequus once more. "Tell me draconequus, where did you get that hoodie?" Eve gulped, shaking her head as she took a few steps back looking to the lower left. "I-I found it..." Twilight replied. "Likely story." Rainbow cocked a brow at the draconequus as she fluttered, she crossed her forehooves with a curious expression. "Yea I was kind of wondering about that to actually..." Twilight glared in annoyance. "Don't you understand what you're doing? You're ruining the very cycle your race is meant to follow, do you think you're the only draconequus who wanted to rebel? To be a part of pony society?" Eve looked at Twilight as if shocked for a moment, before glancing to the lower right with a saddened expression and a shrug. Twilight raised a hoof. "I understand where you're coming from. But there's a saying that fits this situation, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. History has shown us time and again, that draconequis are not meant to live amongst ponies in their youth. History has shown us that the risks are far too great to take chances when it comes to situations like this. I don't want to sound like the bad guy, I don't, but you have to understand the way things have to be. With your actions you're risking not only yourself, but the ponies of Ponyville, and I can't allow that." To this Eve slowly broke down. "B-But I..." It came over her in a fleeting moment, but it needed to pass. She simply began sniffling, as small tears coursed down her face and she bit her lower lip in an attempt from breaking down completely. "I..." This didn't appear easy, not even for Twilight. Applejack scratched the back of her own mane with a heavy sigh and contemplative look to the others. "Jeez..." Rainbow Dash looked to Applejack, mimicking that same motion. "Yea; you said it." Fluttershy was heartbroken, the sight of this made her cringe and went against everything she stood for. Pinkie Pie blinked a bit with a worried expression. "H-Hey! Is she gonna be okay guys? I mean..." Twilight sighed with a hesitant look, she didn't want to do this but she had to continue. "To start off, you need to stay away from Ponyville, you need to remain where you belong, which is out here, away from civilization. Maybe if you were older like Discord, my views would be different, but already your development seems to be taking a turn for the worse. It's not hard for me to tell that you're very protective of something. I'll have to guess that something is Cheerilee." Eve continued to sob as her eyes were closed at this point. She clenched her opposite arm with her paw, lowering her head at the mention of Cheerilee, sniffling. So she even deduced that; it probably made the most sense. Twilight sighed. "I thought so. I'm not sure how much of an impact she's made on you, so I'll have to assume the worst. Either way I'll make sure Cheerilee understands the repercussions for doing things like this." Of course Twilight didn't mean to imply she'd bring harm to Cheerilee, only hound her for the possible consequences of what she'd done. Twilight then cocked a brow. "I need to be certain you understand, so tell me,....... Do you understand?" ".............................." Eve understood full well, but still- She couldn't take it. She was tired of being told she was a monster; and not how. She was tired of others telling her she didn't deserve a chance to prove herself. She was tired of losing the only ones she cared about. She understood that she was a danger in some form, that her feelings were abnormal, that her attachment to Cheerilee was progressing too quickly. She understood that she did wrong by taking Spike and Apple Bloom. And as much as she despised the idea, she understood Twilight Sparkle. As much as she understood all these things, it didn't change the fact she hated them. Eve would also do anything to keep her loved ones, just like they would for theirs, but that was the thing, anything, was such a broad word. She was tired of all of it! Tired of being alone, fending for herself, having no friends or family! Tired of seeing the ponies live happily amongst one another! She was absolutely sick of all of it. And she didn't want to lose her, no, not Cheerilee. Eve had been broken down by Twilight's all too familiar words, and the violet mare expected as much. Upon analysis of the draconequus she knew it needed to be reminded of the potential destruction and chaos it could bring to Ponyville. But there was one flaw Twilight didn't expect, Eve's persistence. Eve was meant to be broken down, and built up to an understanding draconequus, one who'd live the life it was meant to and get over the tragic misgivings of her unfortunate existence. But in those short moments, something about Eve changed, her psyche shattered, and just the thought of being alone again filled her with anger toward Twilight. She loved Cheerilee, and would never hurt her, just the fact one even considered that a possibility angered her greatly. What was the point of living this life? A life of where all she did was accept what others told her and scurried about on her way. A life where all she did was fight to survive and be alone? There was no point to a life like that. Eve realized in that moment, from that one question, that she did understand. She understood what would happen if she just accepted everything once again. And she wouldn't have it. It was funny, just earlier Twilight mentioned a quote she found fitting for this situation. And now Eve couldn't agree more, her eyes were wide as she thought about it, as if a psychotic persona had washed over her. "Y-You said that those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it...." Eve said this in an almost reflective manner as she stopped crying. Her snow white bangs covered some of her features and her darkened callous eyes. Twilight then cocked a brow at the baby draconequus, a little puzzled by what her point was. Eve then looked at the mare with her own piercing red eyes masked beneath a saddened expression. Thick crescent bags underlined her candy apple red irises as she stood and raised her paw and claw. And for probably the first time in her life, she spoke in a tone purely defensive, and full of clarity and sorrow. "I don't want to repeat this anymore...." And that was it. That was her exclamation, her first form of true resistance. Her mind couldn't take it, the absurd luck and bad circumstances, and their sudden appearance and proclamation that she wouldn't be able to see Cheerilee anymore. Eve wouldn't stand for it. In the next moment she moved with natural grace, raising her claw to the sky, and she had a look of fierce determination especially for a baby draconequus. It was as if she was possessed by some personal conquest. And as she prepared her spell, another voice rang out in her head. This. Is. Chaos. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash seemed a bit overwhelmed with shock and awe at the sight. Eve's claw curled in as the very air around her began to shimmer and crack as if the actual essence of their world was a simple glass sheet. She never took her eyes off Twilight as suddenly a malefic cosmic sphere hovered in the baby draconequus' claw. Without even being aware of it, she was abusing her potential, and almost absently calling upon her inherited powers out of pure malice. She never lost focus, the thought of Cheerilee driving her into this state of pure concentration, she was finally awakening her catastrophic powers out of her own volition. She'd already been abandoned by her real parents, and now she was about to lose Cheerilee, unless, she did something about it. Tears filled her eyes as she only continued to stare down Twilight, it pained her to think she'd crossed such a terrible threshold. And it pained her to imagine just what she'd managed to create in her curled claw. But she had to make a stand. And so, in that next moment, with all her strength, she propelled the crackling sphere forward, sending it hurtling towards Twilight. She'd attacked. And Twilight simply smirked.