//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Doubts and decissions // Story: Queen of Evil and Princess of Kindness // by kurusagi16 //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Doubts and decisions Queen Melodia had sent a reply to Queen Celestia's letter, saying she would be grateful to have her daughter attend such a regal school. She also asked that Queen Celestia tell nopony, not even the teachers, that Fluttershy was the daughter of the Queen of Evil, saying it would better help her to make friends and avoid being picked on by any rude ponies. Fluttershy was to spend an entire year at the castle that would serve as the school and lodgings for the royal ponies. Fluttershy packed all her clothes into a large suitcase and waited anxiously for the carriage the next morning. Queen Melodia had told her that she'd be keeping close watch over her, and would give her anymore news she had on her master plan. So far, all Fluttershy had to do (to her relief), was blend in at school and find a way to break, or weaken the barrier around their kingdom. Fluttershy was called outside as the carriage arrived outside the castle. Standing in a red coat and feathered hat, the coach horse bowed to Fluttershy. "Your highness." he said. Fluttershy was about to smile at him when she turned to look at the towering castle behind her. An image of her mother's cold eyes looking down at her appeared in her mind. Instead, she quickly and quietly entered the carriage while the coach horse attended to her suitcase. "You can do this." Fluttershy said softly to herself. "You can do this." From the high tower window, Queen Melodia watched as the carriage pulled away from the castle, and drove out of sight. Her daughter would follow her order and become the pony she was born to be...whether she wanted to or not. Meanwhile, in Canterlot castle, Queen Celestia and Princess Luna were preparing to head to the school they'd created and greet the students. A large carriage pulled by four white pegasus stallions in gleaming armor awaited outside to take them to their ancestral home. Celestia, a white alicorn with a flowing mane that shined the color of an aurora borealis and a cutie mark of the sun, walked side by side with her sister. Luna was just as divine as her sister, an inch or so shorter with a deep dark blue coat and a mane that flowed with the color of the night sky. "Have all the preparations been complete?" asked Celestia. Luna nodded. "Yes, but, there has been something troubling me." said the dark, night-colored alicorn. "What is is Luna?" "Do you think it wise to have our two, 'special guests' staying at the school with the teachers and students?" "I assume you are referring to Fluttershy and Discord." "One is the daughter of one of our sworn enemies, and the other is the spirit of chaos and disharmony, who had a similar scheme as Melodia!" Luna voice raised a little. "It's a great risk bringing them to a place full of so many innocent ponies." Queen Celestia looked solemnly at Luna. Her lavender eyes looking into her sister's blue eyes. "I'm well aware of the risks, but I feel that this would be essential for Fluttershy and Discord. If they learned the value of friendship and goodness of ponies, perhaps they would..." "You honestly think they would consider abandoning the path of evil, and help Equestria for the greater good?" "I can understand that you're a little hesitant Luna." "More than a little." "But I have confidence that, in the very least, Fluttershy will open her heart out to ponies. And perhaps she'd be able to escape the fate that befell her mother." Luna knew that there was nothing that would change Celestia's mind. She heaved a sigh. "The least we could do is warn the teachers of what they might be in for." she said. "Melodia asked me to not let anypony know of her daughter's true identity, and intend to keep my word." Luna gave Celestia a pointed look. "I know you still feel guilty for what happened to Melodia sister, but don't let that blind you from what's best for everypony." With that, Luna trotted ahead, leaving Celestia to think over her words. A seed of doubt grew in the back of her mind. Was she doing the right thing by fulfilling Melodia's request? Was it wise for her to allow such dark and chaotic magic into her school? Would they indeed open up to friendship? Queen Celestia shook her head, pushing her doubts aside and continuing on. She wouldn't give up on them, especially Fluttershy. She could never live with herself if she failed them as she had failed Melodia. Flashback Queen Celestia sat on her throne, a guard trotted in, a little pegasus filly at his side. He bowed his head to the queen. "You're highness, the Princess Melodia has arrived." he said. Celestia smiled at the filly as she shyly smiled up at her. "Ah yes, I've been expecting you my dear." she said. The guard did one more bow and left the two alone. "Your father has told me much of your magical abilities." Melodia's smile dropped and she looked down at the floor. "You think I'm strange too, don't you?" asked Melodia. Celestia let out a laughed and shook her head. "Not at all, in fact, I'd like to teach you." "Huh?" asked Melodia. A bemused expression on her face. "I want to teach you to better hone your magical skills. So you can better use them for the benefit of your kingdom." Celestia clarified. "Do you really think I can do something that important?" Celestia lifted the filly's chin and gave her a warm smile. "I do." "Melodia." Celestia said under her breath as she stepped into the carriage. "Why did it have to be like this?" As the carriage took to the skies, Celestia found herself looking in the direction of Melodia's kingdom. Though she couldn't see it, its image was imprinted in her mind. Along with the sweet pegasus that was gone. 'I won't let it happen.' she thought to herself. 'I won't let Fluttershy suffer as her mother did.'