//------------------------------// // History Lesson // Story: Project: Transcendence // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// Miraculously, Discord had managed to evade Osiris long enough until the Deity had grown tired of the chase and departed. "To Faust with this." Osiris spat. "I have more important things to do..." As Osiris flew away in the opposite direction, Discord (still in the form of a bird) landed on a tree branch. "Phew." He wiped his brow with a wing. "I thought he'd never give up." After taking a moment to catch his breath, Discord flashed back to Isis. "There, job done." He declared bluntly. "I just hope you appreciate all the trouble I went through..." "Of course I do." Isis placed a claw on Discord's shoulder. "Thanks, Discord. You did great." "No problem." Discord grinned, suddenly pleased with himself. "I was pretty incredible, wasn't I? I had that brother of yours chasing my tail all over this island. Not bad if I do say so myself." "Well, well." Isis smirked. "Looks like there's still a little of the old Discord in there. You always did like to brag about your accomplishments." "And what's wrong with that?" Discord snorted. "There's nothing wrong with a little self-aggrandizing. Besides, if you had accomplishments like mine, would you want to keep them to yourself?" "Well, considering the minute size my social circle was before a couple of days ago, I doubt it would have mattered." Isis shrugged. "True." Discord admitted. "So, how did your little trip go?" "I think it went pretty well." Isis smiled. "Everypony was pretty happy. Especially little Eclipse." "Good for him." Discord admitted. "The kid needs to smile more, if you ask me..." "Come on." Isis told him. "I still have those berries you gathered. We can have a nice dinner with them." "Sounds great." Discord nodded. "Being chased by your hot-headed brother really builds up an appetite." "I'll bet..." Isis joked. "Seriously though, I really do appreciate what you did for me. I know you're a little afraid of Osiris..." "Afraid, moi?!" Discord blustered. "The Spirit of Chaos fears nothing, not even the Serpent Deity of Death!" "Really?" Isis raised a scaly eyebrow. "So the whole 'begging for your life' thing was just an act?" "Har, har." Discord pouted. "Okay, so maybe I was a little afraid..." "And yet, you did it anyway." Isis smiled. "You literally laughed in the face of death. That's real courage right there." "Oh, go on." Discord waved his paw. "...No, seriously, go on. I want to hear more!" "Berries first, compliments later." Isis said firmly. "What, you never heard of multi-tasking?" Discord joked. Meanwhile, back in the S.S. Cherryblossom, the others were talking about the events of the day. "Boy, I still can't believe I got to meet Anarchy." Caboose smiled. "Boy, wait until the bros hear about this..." "And me, I got to meet my father-in-law... even though he died like, twenty years ago." Daring added. "How many mares can say that?" At the same time, Shine was looking at his open locket, the old photo of his parents still within. "I never thought I'd have the chance to see you again." He smiled. "Guess Ah don't have ta ask who you saw." Big Red chuckled. "It was kind of obvious." Shine admitted. "So, what did they think a' their son being a Prince?" Big Red asked. "Bet they were as pleased as punch." "They were." Shine chuckled. "But they were more proud of my other accomplishments, like having Miracle." "'Course they were." Big Red grinned. "A parent always looks forward ta grandfoals." "And maybe one day, I can bring that grandfoal here to meet them." Shine smiled, before frowning. "I, er... wanted to see Black, too." "Ya did?" Big Red frowned. "But he wasn't there." Shine announced. "He didn't show, and when I asked mom and dad about him, they said they hadn't seen him on the other side." "Well, ain't that the dangedest thing?" Big Red declared. "Then again, maybe he's jest... hidin', or sumthin'?" "I don't know..." Shine declared. "For all the things he did, I wouldn't be surprised if he wound up in a far worse place... but my dad strongly believe that he wouldn't had ended up anywhere else in the afterlife... but if he's not there... where is he?" "That is a very good question..." Big Red admitted. "Ah mean, we both saw 'im die with our own eyes, right? Not ta mention we buried his body back at the homestead." "Yeah, we did." Shine nodded. "Still...I was kind of hoping to make peace with him. I had so much to say to him, so many questions...yet every single of them will go unsaid." "Ah'm real sorry to hear that, Shine." Big Red patted Shine's shoulder. "If it makes ya feel any better, Ah believe Black hadn't gone ta that 'bad place' either. Ah believe he really had seen the error of his ways, and gone ta the good place." "How can you be sure?" Shine asked. "Call it a hunch." Big Red shrugged, recalling the visions of Black he had seen during the period when he first took in the boys. "Do you think Black... actually cared about me?" Shine asked. "Now what kinda crazy question is that?" Big Red snorted. "Well, he did try to kill me." Shine pointed out. "He tried ta kill me an' yer pa too." Big Red retorted. "But deep down, he still cared about us, and he cared about you an' Mist too. Sure, he lost his way, but he started out lovin' ya like the family ya are. Trust me on that." "Somehow, I think that would mean more coming from him." Shine sighed. "But for some reason or other, that wouldn't happen." "Ah know." Big Red frowned. "It's a goldurned shame..." "Well, I'm at least grateful I got to see mom and dad again." Shine smiled. "They were even better than I remembered them." "Ah'd be surprised if they weren't." Big Red chuckled. "We were all pretty lucky to see what we saw today. Too bad Osiris is against visitors. An awful lotta ponies could really benefit from talkin' ta their lost loved ones." "I know." Shine smiled. "And in a perfect world, maybe they could." "If only..." Big Red shook his head. "Well, Ah'm gonna go check on the boys." He glanced at the locket, still in Shine's hooves. "Ah'll, er... give you guys a minute." "Thanks, Red." Shine smiled. The boys were in their cabin, all lying on their beds. Eclipse was staring up at the ceiling, seemingly apathetic. "Well I, for one, didn't see the day turning out like this." Huckleberry declared. "Me neither." Globe agreed. "But I'm glad it did." "Me too." Eclipse smiled. Big Red entered the room soon after. "Hey, kiddos." He smiled. "Hey, pa." The boys chorused. "Globe, Huck, do ya think ya could... step outside fer a second?" Big Red asked. "Ah got sumthin' Ah wanna ask Eek... privately." "Sure, pa." Huckleberry nodded, knowing what the subject of discussion would be. "Let's go hit the kitchen, Huck." Globe suggested. "I could use a snack..." The two colts exited the cabin, leaving Big Red and Eclipse alone. "So, did ya meet who Ah think ya met?" Big Red smiled. "If by that you mean my mom... yeah." Eclipse nodded. "Knew it." Big Red smirked. "What wuz she like?" "She was... better than I'd imagined." Eclipse admitted. "Her name is Dawn, and she's... she's just amazing. She was so kind and warm, and caring..." He let out a heavy sigh, "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have finally met her... but... it hurts knowing that I missed out on having such a great mom..." "An' Ah don't blame ya." Big Red nodded fairly. "Sounds like she wuz a real peach." "She was..." Eclipse smiled sadly. "And even though she was only with me for a little while, I feel like I've known her all my life." "Aww..." Big Red cooed. "So, who did you meet?" Eclipse asked. "Mah pa." Big Red announced. "Red Baron Barrel Roll." "No kidding." Eclipse mused. "And how did that go?" "Purty good, actually." Big Red smiled. "Him an' me got ta iron out some old issues, get us some closure." "Good for you guys." Eclipse smiled. "Guess we all got what we wanted today." "Yep." Big Red nodded. "So... Ah guess them 'ma' issues a' yours have cooled off a tad?" "A little, yeah." Eclipse nodded. "I think I'm ready to give calling Cherry 'ma' a shot." "That's the spirit, Eek." Big Red bopped him playfully on the shoulder. "Come on, it's almost time fer supper." "Right behind you." Eclipse smiled. As father and adopted son entered the kitchen, they found the others already there, Globe enjoying a slice of cherry pie. "Hey, where's big D?" Caboose asked. "Where do you think?" Shine smirked. "Still hanging out with Isis." "Yeah." Huckleberry snorted. "Talk about Mr. Smooth. Not bad for a guy who hasn't dated in thousands of years... maybe even ever." "Well let's face it, it's not like he had a lot of dating options." Daring shrugged. "It's not like there's a whole bunch of immortal spirits, lining up around the block to date each other." "What's up with that, anyway?" Eclipse asked. "How come there's only Isis and Osiris around here? And while we're at it, what's with this big ol' sanctuary, anyway?" "Those are sum very good points, kiddo." Big Red admitted. "Maybe we could ask 'em." "Ask Isis, you mean." Globe urged. "I don't think Osiris would think kindly of us asking questions." "Maybe if we asked politely, he might tell us." Shine admitted. "I would like to learn a little more about them and their history." Daring admitted. "History wasn't my best subject in school, so I'll need all the help I can get." Caboose joked. "We should probably ask tomorrow." Shine suggested. "After today, I think Discord and Isis have earned some 'alone time', don't you?" "No question." Big Red chuckled. Meanwhile, Discord and Isis were eating their way through the berries. As they both reached for them at the same time, their claws touched. "Oh, um... sorry." Isis gulped. "Please, I insist." Discord awkwardly moved his claw aside. "Thank you." Isis grabbed some berries, eating them quickly. Discord suddenly started snickering. "What?" Isis asked. "What is it?" "Your face!" Discord chuckled. "You've got berry juice all over!" "Huh?" Isis checked her reflection in the nearby pond. Indeed, her hasty eating had gotten berry juice splattered all over. "You look like a clown!" Discord guffawed. "Oh, really?" Isis glowered at him. "There's only one clown around here, and that's you!" Isis grabbed a clawful of berries and pressed them against Discord's face, splattering them all over. "And now you look the part!" Isis started laughing. "Very funny." Discord smirked, catching his reflection in the pond. "But I think your makeup is a little uneven..." Discord picked up a berry and flung at Isis, who dodged. "So that's the way it's gonna be, huh?" She smirked, picking another berry off a tree. "Okay, bring it on!" "Consider it brought!" Discord chuckled, ducking Isis' berry. The two indulged in their berry war for quite some time, each scoring some impressive hits, the berry splattering all over them. Eventually, they called it quits... "Okay, okay, let's call it a draw!" Discord laughed. "Not only are we running low on berries, but my coat is a mess. Red is definitely not my color..." "A draw?" Isis snorted. "I'm pretty sure I was winning." "You and I have very different ideas on the meaning of 'winning'." Discord smirked. "Well, my idea of winning is pelting the opposition with berries until he looked like a walking strawberry." Isis shot back. "Which you do, by the way." "Ha, ha..." Discord said humorlessly. "But you are right about us needing to clean up." Isis admitted. "I can't remember the last time I got this dirty..." Isis slipped into the pond, washing off the juice. Discord, on the other hoof, simply flashed himself clean. "Ah, being the Spirit of Chaos has its perks." He chuckled. "I'm sure it does." Isis said, her head sticking out of the water. "But the rest of us have to do it the old-fashioned way." "We can't all be so lucky." Discord chuckled. After getting all the juice, Isis got out of the water. Discord watched in awe as she emerged from the lake, her dripping wet scales catching the moonlight. 'Glorious...' Discord thought. Isis quickly spun her body around to shake the water off as she descended upon the shore, glancing at Discord. "Discord?" Isis frowned, noticing his vacant expression. "Is there something wrong?" "Oh no!" Discord snapped back to reality. "Everything's just fine!" "Oh, really?" Isis asked. "Then what were you staring at?" "The moon, of course." Discord pointed to the celestial orb, directly behind her. "Ah, right." Isis smiled, turning to look at it. "It's quite a sight, isn't it?" "It sure is..." Discord said under his breath, staring intently at Isis. The two sat by the pond together, gazing at the moon... "By the way, that was a very nice thing you did for my friends." Discord admitted. "I know it meant a lot to them. And it meant a lot to me that you did it." "It was my pleasure." Isis smiled. "I've seen so many mortals lose their loved ones, some without even getting a 'goodbye'. It felt right to allow even a few the pleasure of having one last moment with their nearest and dearest." "Such compassion." Discord smiled. "I'll admit, I didn't understand it back then, but now I recognise it for what it is, and how truly wonderful a being it makes you." "Speaking of wonderful beings..." Isis blushed lightly. "I wouldn't have had that opportunity if you hadn't brought them here, so I guess I kind of owe you for that." "Let's call it even." Discord smiled, before yawning. "Boy, all of todays 'activities have really tired me out. I think I'll catch some z's." "Mind if I join you?" Isis asked. "This place is always so peaceful. Makes it easy to get to sleep." "Be my guest." Discord laid back on the grass. Isis lay beside Discord, just close enough for him to feel the warming life energy coming off her. As they both started to grow drowsy, Isis leaned against him. Discord stayed awake just long enough to appreciate how warm she felt. The next morning, the ponies (and Griffon) emerged from the ship, Discord and Isis already there to greet them. "Mornin', folks." Discord waved. "So, how was your night?" Huckleberry asked knowingly. "We heard a lot of laughing come from out here..." "You two had some fun, did you?" Daring grinned. "Let's just say there was berry-related shenanigans, and leave it at that." Isis chuckled. "Whatever ya say, darlin'..." Big Red snickered. "Well, if you can spare a moment from your 'shenanigans', we were hoping you could answer a question or two." Shine declared. "What kind of questions?" Isis asked. "Well, we were kind of wondering about your background." Daring declared. "You and Osiris. Like where do you came from? How did you end up here?" "How did your scales get such a fantastic shine?" Caboose added. "Is there a whole species like you?" Shine asked. "You and Osiris are siblings, after all." "That's a lot of questions." Isis admitted. "I suppose I should start at the top." "Ooh, story time." Discord flashed up a big chair, which he offered to Isis. "Please, take a seat." "Okay, sure." Isis chuckled, settling her lower half into the chair. "Our kind have existed since the dawn of this world, possibly even before it." "So you were the first form of life in this world?" Daring asked. "Well, yes and no." Isis nodded, "Yes, we were some of the first forms of life in this world, but so were the Alicorns. We were the only two species that inhabited this world as it began. But our two races elected to keep to themselves, each leaving the other to their business. With no interference from their 'neighbours', our ancestors began building their mighty society." "Did you all have these 'life and death' powers?" Eclipse asked. "Actually, no." Isis shook her head. "Every generation, two of our kind are chosen to take on the responsibility of managing the powers of life and death." "Every generation?" Discord asked. "So you guys aren't immortal? "Oh, we are, but not in the sense of the alicorns. Alicorns can live forevermore, but only if they were not slain or inflicted with devastating diseases. Serpents however, are impossible to kill. Blast us, impale us, bury us... no matter what, we cannot die... but unlike Alicorns, we are not immune to the passage of time." Isis admitted. "Our life expectancy is close to a million of your years... but I guess, in a sense, that is pretty close to immortality." "Hoo dawgy." Big Red whistled. "That's mighty impressive." "Did the rest of your kind have any kind of power?" Shine asked. "Some of us." Isis declared. "There were those who could shape the land, control the tides, and even master the sky. Only the wisest and strongest were allowed to possess such abilities, though." Just then, Osiris descended upon them. "Ah, there you are, Isis." He said haughtily. "Hanging out with your new mortal friends... and Discord." He said the last word with the utmost venom, having not forgotten the events of the previous day. "Well, hello to you too." Discord sniffed. "What exactly are you doing here, may I ask?" Osiris inquired. "Oh, nothing much." Isis shrugged. "Just a little history lesson." "Oh, really?" Osiris frowned. "Whose history, exactly?" "Ours. Isis replied. "And our whole race, in fact "Pardon?" Osiris scowled. "I must have misheard you, because it sounds like you said you were telling our kind's great and glorious history to a bunch of outsiders. A history that is to remain unheard by mortal ears only." "We've been over this, Osiris." Isis rolled her eyes. "They've already given us their word they won't tell anypony about the sanctuary, so it follows we can trust them not tell anypony about our history." She turned to the others. "Right, guys?" "Yeah, Sure." Caboose nodded. "You got it." Daring smiled. "Mah lips are sealed." Big Red agreed. "That goes for mah boys. Right?" "Right!" The boys nodded. "Your grand Deityness." Shine bowed to Osiris. "We would consider it an honor to learn of the wondrous history of a race that produced a being as awe-inspiring as you." Osiris mulled the prospect over for a moment. "Well, considering the courteousness of your request, I suppose I can allow it." He decided. "But permit me to tell the story. I am, after all, a better source of knowledge." "Oh, boy..." Isis rolled her eyes. "Well now, sounds like we'll need a bigger chair!" Discord smirked, flashing up a chair big enough for Osiris. "Take a seat, big O." "...Thank you, Discord." Osiris said curtly. As he sat down, a fart noise erupted. "What th-?!" Osiris fished out a whoopee cushion from under seat. "Seriously?" He growled. "Sorry." Discord chuckled. "Couldn't resist!" "Let's just get this over with." Osiris scowled, as with a simple. "Our mighty race of Serpents were born shortly after this world came to be. We were the first, and mightiest of creatures. It was we who first shaped these stories, creating the land, the mountains, the sea, and the sky. Only the greatest of us were permitted to wield such power." "Isis already told us that part." Eclipse declared. "Fine, then we'll skip ahead a little." Osiris frowned. "Not long after their work was complete, our ancestors created this sanctuary, intended as a private enclosure, and a perch to look upon their work. As they did so, they noticed other creatures come into being. Ponies, Griffons, Minotaurs, and all manner of primal beasts. So much life, and potential death... our ancestors decided that the fates of these lesser beings were to be monitored, and regulated. To this end, two among the first generation were chosen; One to marshal the forces of life, and one to command the forces of death. And when those chosen ones reached the end of their lifespan, two others were chosen to replace them. The process was repeated time and again, in a never-ending cycle." "But if there were so many of you guys, where'd you all go?" Huckleberry asked. "I'm getting to that." Osiris said bluntly. "As the mortals grew in number and began to build societies of their own, some began to worship us, while others feared us, and others still coveted our power. Caring not for any of those, our ancestors decreed that any interaction with the mortals should be kept to a bare minimum, for both their sake, and that of the mortals, whom our ancestors felt needed to look to themselves for strength." "Luckily, you guys seemed to grow out of the whole 'worship' thing." Isis smiled. "Please don't interrupt, sister." Osiris declared. "Oh, forgive me, oh great storyteller." Isis said sarcastically. "Please, continue." "I shall." Osiris cleared his throat. "As the mortals built more and more elaborate dwellings, our kind continued to distance themselves from them, using their time to watch over and contemplate the ways of the universe in solitude. It was a golden age..." "No surprise he'd think that." Discord muttered. Pausing only to glare at Discord, Osiris continued. "That is where I and my sister come in." Osiris declared. "We were born into our kind's great society. Taught the ways of old, and took our places as the current Deities of Life and Death. ...Alas, things went wrong not long after." "What do you mean 'went wrong'?" Shine asked. "Something started happening to the others." Isis said sorrowfully. "It was near impossible to notice at first, but members of our race started dying, one by one." "Dying?" Eclipse frowned. "How? Why?" "We never learned the why of it." Osiris sighed, too wrapped up in his grief to mind the interruptions. "Our kind were immortal, and practically invincible. The only thing that could ever kill us was time itself... yet somehow... there was some sort of force out there... ensuring the demise of our entire species. Many believed that this force possessed a kind of power that could actually kill immortals." "Seriously?" Discord gasped. "Would that power have worked on me?" "In all likelihood, yes." Osiris nodded. "Jeez." Big Red frowned. "Guess there ain't such a thing as 'invincible' after all..." "Every day, more news came of our brethren being found dead..." Osiris continued, "Before we knew it, our mighty race had been pared down to almost nothing." "How did you survive when the others didn't?" Globe asked. "I knew there was one place Isis and I would be safe." Osiris answered. "This sanctuary. Over the years, our kind had dwelt upon it less and less, preferring the wide, open world to a small island, though they would still visit from time to time. But it still possessed powerful enchantments, enough to protect and screen us from whatever was taking the lives of our kind." "So we came here, and waited, hoping that others would come." Isis recalled. "But none did." Osiris sighed. "Before long, it dawned on us that we were the last of our kind. Our mighty species is practically extinct. With our eventual passing, it will be all over." "That's... awful." Shine declared, shocked. "You've really been alone for these years?" Daring gaped. "Yes." Osiris sighed heavily. "But in my eyes, living was worth the price of solitude." "But it wasn't in mine." Isis declared. "After sitting around for a hundred years ago, I figured it would be safe to go back down to the surface world, so I went down there." "Without telling me." Osiris declared. "When I learned of your departure, I feared the worse." "But it turned out you didn't have to." Isis smiled. "The menace, whatever it was, had passed. I circled half the globe, just to be sure." "All the same, I preferred to stay on the island." Osiris declared. "It helped me to remember our lost race." "While I, on the other claw, went down to the surface more often." Isis smiled. "It was on one of those excursions that I met Discord, and, well... you know the rest." "Yes, lesson over." Osiris rose out of the chair. "Just remember not to tell anypony of what you were told. Any questions? "Will any of this be on the test?" Discord flashed on a pair of nerd glasses, and a school desk. Osiris snarled, before turning and taking off. "Well, that was... informative." Daring declared. "It explains an awful lot..." Big Red added. "About this island, and why Osiris is so against outsiders..." Shine surmised. "And why he's such a grumpy grumperson all the time." Caboose declared. "I'm surprised you're not the same way, Isis." Eclipse admitted. "Wouldn't blame you if you were..." "It's not really Osiris' fault." Isis said fairly. "It's his job to focus on death. Mine is to focus on life, which is probably the reason I handled things better. Don't get me wrong, it hurt, knowing we were the last of our kind. Those first few nights, I cried myself to sleep..." "I've done that myself, once or twice." Globe admitted. "But I managed to work past it by focusing on all the new life that emerged afterwards." Isis continued. "It's a beautiful cycle; For every death, there is life. Knowing that helped me get through those rough times." "Good for you." Huckleberry declared. "Kinda wish it was that easy for me and my bros." "Once again, I'm impressed." Discord admitted. "I never imagined you had such strength within you." "Thanks, Discord." Isis smiled. "Now, what say we forget all the depressing stuff, and get us some berries?" "Works for me!" Globe chuckled. "An' me." Big Red grinned. "Then let's go!" Discord smirked. As the group headed to the berry grove, Daring noticed Shine deep in thought. "Something wrong?" She asked. "I was just thinking about whatever it was that killed all of Isis and Osiris' kind." Shine mused. "What could possibly have had the power to wipe out such powerful beings?" "Let's hope we never have to find out." Daring said darkly. "Hurry up, guys!" Caboose called. "Berries are waitin'!" "Comin', babe!" Daring smiled. As Daring raced to the others, Shine kept thinking about the cataclysmic demise of the Serpents. 'Whatever it is, I hope it stays passed...' He thought worriedly.