//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Tranquility // Story: Our Chaotic Tranquility // by Edensola //------------------------------// FINAL CHAPTER: TRANQUILITY ============================================================ "Keep all special thoughts and memories for lifetimes to come. Share these keepsakes with others to inspire hope and build from the past, which can bridge to the future." - Mattie Stepanek ============================================================ "I wish to speak with the lady." Mr.Talon looked to Mr.Sham; the dragon's eyes scrolling the strange bug-like creature up and down before he sighed heavily; stating simply. "The lady is out; you know that she isn't present during the night Sham." Mr.Sham's arm twitched for a moment; before he lowered his head. "Ah; yes, forgive me, I tend to forget such things." Mr.Talon shrugged, looking down; a little disheartened himself. "It's fine..." Mr.Sham gazed outside the window of the hollow corridor they were standing in. The walls possessed a dull grayish color; leaving the mood of the place feeling dismal. "The blizzard has died down." Mr.Talon nodded, his gaze drifting towards that very same window as he leant back against the wall. "Yes; it always does when she leaves, the weather shifts with the lady's presence." Mr.Sham looked up; followed by a raspy groan, finding such news irritating. "Why does our lady despair so? Does she not realize that she now has us? Such things of the past do not matter." This caused the dragon to glare slightly. "Why did you start serving the lady Sham?" The chamelelon like creature's large circular eyes fastened on the dragon for a moment; unable to answer before he looked up towards the ceiling. "The lady cares for our wellbeing; she is my definition of purity." Then back towards the dragon. "That is why I wish to protect the lady." Mr.Talon snickered as his nostrils huffed hot air; he sneered. "I see; would you like to know why I dedicated myself to the lady's service?" Mr.Sham looked to the dragon; seething with curiosity once again. "Oh yes, if you do not mind sharing of course." Mr.Talon then raised one of his large claws; then pointing to his own eye with interest. "Her eyes." Mr.Sham cocked his head to the left; puzzled. "Hm?" The dragon continued. "I am no exile, I am not feared amongst my own; I have no obligation to be here. I am here of my own free will; my own choice." He paused with a smile; as if lost in his own remembrance of the encounter. "For when I'd first seen the lady, I saw the face of a monster. But the eyes of a lonely child." He looked to Mr.Sham. "The lady carries a heavy burden, one she cannot rid herself of no matter how hard she tries; even after all this, she still sulks, she still spends her day, knelt before that blasted statue. And her nights feeling obligated to go find more to bring back; as if needing something to ease those burdens. Still; even after everything she has created, she still clings to the grievances of her past. Still to this day she waits-" The dragon curled in his claw angrily for a moment. Mr.Sham couldn't help but interrupt. "Waits for what?" Mr.Talon looked to the strange creature with a glare. "-To die." There was a brief silence between the two. Mr.Talon continued. "If that's the price the lady feels she must pay for whatever she may have done; if that's what she feels must happen, that she must perish at the hands of another, then she truly is a foolish child. And I will wait for any such individual who dares attempt to enter the lady's private sanctum with such motives; and I will tear them apart.....myself...." The dragon snarled beneath his breath. "I will help bring joy to her eyes; that is why; I serve the lady." Mr.Sham nodded simply. "I see; that is quite the outlook. I to will protect the lady, although my personal motives I shall keep to myself. But if I may ask another question-" He paused. "-Who has the lady gone to bring back this time?" Mr.Talon cocked a brow to his comrade before shrugging. "She did not say." Mr.Sham blinked a bit. "Does she not have an escort?" Mr.Talon nodded in agreement. "I to would prefer the lady have an escort; but you know how she acts." Mr.Sham sighed heavily. "I do not like the idea of the lady being in Equestria, the ponies are by far one of the most pickiest races I have ever encountered in my own ventures." Mr.Talon looked to Mr.Sham; as if a little offended. "This is the lady we're talking about; she will not be bested by ponies." Mr.Sham paused; looking towards the ground. "Do not be so quick to judge; ponies have come to surprise many races throughout history on numerous occasions. And even our lady....has her, weaknesses...." __________________________________________________________ Ponyville; a town she hadn't seen for quite some time. It being the dead of night, as expected the streets were basically empty. Eve wasn't afraid as she wore her cowl; treading through the snow covered town square; running her claw along the sides of the houses and occasionally, against some of the snowmares that'd been built by the little fillies & colts. How long had it been since the beginning? It felt like such a long time ago, and the baby draconequus couldn't help but feel lost in that nostalgic remembrance as she made her way through the all too familiar town. It was funny; they seemed so defenseless; it was such a peaceful place. What a fortunate privilege they had. Eve took a moment to glance up at a beautifully decorated banner as she read over the words with a solemn expression. Hearths Warming Eve.... Hm; how interesting, her name was included in this holiday? It was fitting however, this cold winter chill. Either way she had other business she needed to attend to, and she didn't come here to sulk in past memories; she could do that back at home. She came here for one thing. And as the baby draconequus made her over to a specified area, she'd spread her wings; rising to get a good look through the second story window of a specific house. She placed her claw on the window as she morphed through the solid material, and into the quiet home herself; where she soon stood over the bedside of her most precious memory. And as Cheerilee remained unaware of her presence in her peaceful sleep, the baby draconequus leaned over and ran her claw gently through the mare's mane affectionately. Her eyes fastened on Cheerilee's delicate features; she nuzzled against her gently, but not so much as to awake her. Eve opened her mouth; as if about to say something, but no words came out; there was only silence. She remained in that position for a moment, before pulling back reluctantly and just smiling at Cheerilee; looking down at her. She then turned back towards the window; leaving that room behind once again. And off into the blanket of stars; off into the luminescent night sky. __________________________________________________________ As Twilight sat nestled in her bed; a wide smile creeped onto her face as her eyes scrolled over an equestrian map. "Hah..." Spike rolled around in his smaller bed; as he'd groaned softly, soon looking up towards Twilight. "Twilight won't you just go to sleep already? I thought you were done with that whole thing." Twilight looked back down towards her baby dragon with a smirk. "You're right Spike. Sorry about that." With that the alicorn folded the map; placing it on her bedside desk with a soft smile. She then laid back down, cuddling up against her pillow as she couldn't help but chuckle softly; smiling in her sleep. __________________________________________________________ And Even Princess Celestia laid in her bed; wide awake as she recalled the baby draconequus's words to mind. I am a monster, and I can't be anything else. There is nothing I can do anymore, there is no point anymore. Some meetings are only destined for heartbreak princess. Twilight Sparkle, she- And as Twilight laid in her bed in Ponyville; sleeping peacefully still with that same smile. Princess Celestia sighed in her own; recalling one last thing before turning on her side and falling asleep herself. -She will bring an end to my story. I will wait for her until then. __________________________________________________________ Queen Chrysalis snickered as she trotted around her chamber. "It's a race my dear subject." And sitting in her chamber was an anonymous changeling guard, remaining silent for his queen. The queen looked back towards him before tossing down a picture of Eve. "The imagination is a double edged sword, it is only a matter of time before the child learns of this; if she hasn't already accepted it. The world will not let such actions fade with time, and where the mind can be the greatest ally; it can also be the greatest weakness. Her days are numbered, it is the inevitable circle of fate that comes with such a story. And there is no need to ponder on such a linear tale." The changeling subject raised a brow at his queen curiously. Queen Chrysalis looked towards the ceiling before raising a forehoof to the air; stating simply. "For the end had already been set in stone before the story even began." She continued. "Eve-" __________________________________________________________ Eve made her way into the far reaches of the Everfree Forest; to yet again another memorable location. The ruins of Everfree; where she'd found shelter through times of loneliness, danger, distress; a precious home, but just as much a place of bad memories. This was also the place where she'd assaulted Twilight Sparkle; how time seemed to fly when she thought back to such a troubling moment. She made her way towards the far end of the stone hall; and up onto the circular pedestal; and just sat. She hadn't noticed it at first; but as she buried her head into her knees, she found herself graced by the beauty of the pale moonlight, which had managed to find its way through a gaping hole which could've been perceived as a large window. And as she looked towards that makeshift window up towards the full moon, she smiled. This peace; this silence, this feeling of clarity and understanding, she was grateful for it. That before the end, she could spend some time; relishing in moments such as this. Moments where everything seemed to just go fine. Where the world seemed to simply hit pause, and she could sit here forever; undisturbed, in her own silence. Draconequus have been shown to harbor really peculiar traits when raised according to past history. Traits that can rapidly spiral out of control, which is why in the past draconequus were actually hunted and killed in order to ensure the safety of all the races of Equestria. We all know Discord here is goofy and charismatic, now imagine if he wasn't, imagine if he was angry, filled with rage, and overall bloodthirsty. L-Listen, we don't want any trouble. We'll just be leaving now, r-right Applebloom? Just run Spike! 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? 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 draconequus 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. You know full well,.....I can't let you come with us... You're immature, brash, and constantly putting everypony in danger with your actions! You don't have the potential to be just as bad as Discord, you could be even worse! In life, there are times when one must decide, whether it's all worth it. Even if it makes you feel horrible on the inside, even if it doesn't feel like the merciful solution, you have to ask yourself whether or not you're willing to accept it for the greater good of your family, your friends, and everypony as a whole. You've shown me that I am willing, that this is worth it. Princess Celestia asked me to take care of you, and, that's exactly what I'll do. You don't deserve mercy after all this. I've learned that painful lesson today, and in order to ensure that harmony is everlasting in Equestria, I will do my part. Me and my friends, the ponies of Equestria, we are the greater good, and as long as we're around we'll be there to defend it. Although I guess you can't really blame them. Still wouldn't it be nice though; if we were all able to follow that example of peace, but things just don't work out that way, just life I guess. ARE YOU STUPID!? THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING! You're insane.... But draconequus are creatures born with power, and power corrupts those who cling onto it. Such is the case with you draconequus; who grew corrupt over time, greedy, selfish, menacing. Is this what I taught you Eve!? Is this what you took out of our time together!? To attack fillies and colts?! To kill!? Is this what you learned!? That you had to resort to violence if things didn't go the way you wanted?! Is that what you took from all this sweetie!? I made a wish that someday you'd be able to find the happy life you deserved. That you could live without feeling neglected, that I could take care of you, or alongside and with whoever you wanted. I wanted you to be happy! Is this what I made that wish for!? To see you become...become this!? To see you attack innocent civilians!? Is that what you took from my example? From the short time we were together!? I, lost anyway. __________________________________________________________ "She died the moment she'd left Canterlot." This was acceptance. Tears trailed down the baby draconequus's face as she smiled; looking out towards the full moon. This, was tranquility. And she could feel it, that for a fleeting moment, just like long ago; she was happy. "THE END."