The second stone

“This… holy stone.” Hikary said, glancing at her mother to see if she was thinking the same thing. “Tell me more about it.”
“Well… according to what Sindo said, that stone was the reason why the island could remain the place it was. It made sure the prana was distributed correctly and because of it, Fjaril and his family were able to take care of the island and protect it the way they do.” Ivy explained.
“And what does it look like?” Hikary asked anxiously.
“Oh, it’s perfectly round and I think it is pink, but that of course could also be the prana stored inside it.” Ivy recalled.

“Ivy, do you remember the stone you had here for a while? The one that Twinkle Star and Aline brought here together with your aunt Damina?” Regina asked.
Yes, her mother was definitely thinking the same thing. “Yes… now that you mention it, it may look a bit like that one. Only pink, not dark. But otherwise yes, they kind of looked alike.” Ivy answered her mother.
“Why the sudden interest in the stone?” Taira asked. Of course her sister knew there was a special reason… she was keen enough for that.

Hikary took one more sip of her wine before she started explaining. She needed the encouragement.
“As you both know… I left this castle before winter came to go back to Aras’ lair to retrieve that stone for us. I knew it was important, and even though back then I had no idea why, I was sure I had to retrieve it and bring it back here. So I went back, into his lair, but the stone was not there. The only thing I found was a pony called Vin, like us raised by Aras. I convinced him that the times of darkness were over, and he came with me to look for the stone.

He told me, however, that the stone was taken by the dark creatures that Aras had created. We chased them through the mountains of the old Friendship Lands, and in the end we found them. The creatures had placed the stone in some kind of ancient shrine. I was able to get to the stone. When I first touched it, however, the stone… spoke to me. It told me… that the heavens and the earth were fading, and we had to resurrect the Guardians five years from now, on the day of the daylight star, in order to prevent the earth and the heavens from vanishing altogether. To do this… we need to find four more stones like the one I found, and we have to put them all together and let the last winged one summon the guardians.”

Everyone was silent. The second stone… there was no doubt. She had to see it for herself to be sure, but she had no doubts. This stone seemed to be so powerful it could not be anything else but the second stone.
“So… you now think that this stone that keeps Batafurai the way it is is in fact another stone we might need to save the world?” Taira said, disbelief showing in her voice.

“I’m afraid so.” Hikary answered, wondering if her sisters believed her.
 “But… you cannot.” Ivy said. Hikary looked at her younger sister.
“Why not?” She asked.
“Because… because, if you take the stone away… then the island will fade and the butterflies will die! They cannot live without that stone, as it keeps their world the only way in which they can survive! You cannot just go and take the stone for a story you might as well have made up!”
Ivy’s voice grew stronger with each word she said, and her final sentence she actually yelled.

“I… I didn’t make it up. Ivy, you have to believe me. If we do not do this… everyone, everything will fade and die, including the butterflies.” Hikary answered.
“But… but… We cannot just… destroy it all…” Ivy sobbed. The faint light of the candles was reflected in her tears. She looked at Taira, who only looked down.
“Ivy… I know how you feel. I do not want to destroy that place and I am sure no body here does. But… if Hikary’s story is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, then she does have a point. If that stone really is one of the five we need, then I do not think we have a choice.”

“How do you know… so sure that this stone is actually one you need?” Ivy asked.
“I do not know for sure.” Hikary answered truthfully. “At the moment, there is no way in which I can be sure that the holy stone of flowers is in fact one of the stones we need. But… it seems very likely. That stone appears to be very powerful. It seems… special, in a way. And the way you described it looks, well, I can’t help but see similarities. But to be sure… we must journey there, perhaps with the stone we already have, and try to make sure. And if it turns out that I am correct… then the butterflies and Fjaril get to decide.”

“I… I see.” Ivy said. “If you’ll excuse me now… I think I am going to bed. I am tired and weary from the journey.”
Her younger sister got up and after everyone bid her a good night, she slowly left the room.
“Poor Ivy… this must come as a shock to her. I don’t think she’s able to grasp the magnitude of your words yet, Hikary… but she really loved the island. She became such good friends with the butterflies, and she had looked forward to telling everyone about it. And now that she did… she heard it may have to be destroyed.” Taira said while looking at one of the candles.

“I wish I didn’t have to.” Hikary said truthfully.
“I know. But I know… your story is true. The fading of the stars… it is related to this, right?”
 “Yes… though the stone did not mention it, I think so, yes.”
“I thought so. That alone is proof enough that your story is true, Hikary. It worries me deeply. Do you have any idea about the whereabouts of the other stones?” Taira asked, taking a sip of her wine. Hikary shook her head.
“I am afraid not. I send letters to all queens on the continent. I only got a reply from Daryia from Madash so far, but she did not know anything. She allowed me to go through her archives, though. I might go there soon. Who knows what we might find. I have to say… I am surprised to hear one of them might be in the west. Maybe… we have to expand our search to the west and contact kings there, too.”

“Maybe so…” Regina said, pondering.
“But how? They do not speak our language and they are usually not that eager to get in touch with eastern ponies. The only option I see is contacting the High King.”
“Maybe, yes. But from what I gathered from ponies around us when we stayed in inns… He may not be the most capable High King the west has ever seen. Some of them speak highly of him while others are not that enthusiastic. I think… he is favouring some over others. That is not a good trait. I don’t think writing him about this right away is the best course of action. We need to investigate further, and look in the east, first. Make sure we didn’t miss anything before we move out into the west.”

Hikary agreed with her sister. It was the best course of action… and she was happy that her sister had returned. She was sure Taira would help. They had to search for so many things now… the stones, Taira’s daughter, and the last winged one… a part Hikary had deliberately ignored for now. The stones first. Then she would look into whatever that meant.

“Enough about this now. It is late. We should not dwell on this until deep in the night, because we won’t achieve anything.” Regina said.
Both Taira and Hikary agreed. There was a new dawn in the morning. For a while, the three women just sat in the throne room, letting their thoughts float on the things that were just said. Hikary on her part wondered if Ivy’s story was true. Would that entire, beautiful island have to be sacrificed in order for them to collect all stones? Those butterflies… might be the only ones left of their kind. Would a past like that have to be sacrificed in order for them to secure the future?

“So… Hikary. Tell me about this Vin you mentioned.” Taira said. “I don’t think I can… remember him.” Hikary smiled.
“Yes… Vin. His mother was the one who raised us for Aras. Apparently he captured her for that purpose. She was, however, pregnant. She raised her son there, in the darkness. Before I found him… he had lever left Aras’ lair. He came with me, chasing the creatures. After that… he came with me to the Friendship Lands.”

“Are you two… together?” Taira asked curiously. Hikary smiled, knowing her sister would ask this.
“Yes… in a way. But Vin… He spend his entire life in darkness, doing errands for Aras only because he did not know the world could be any different. So when we came here… for a while he lived here with me in the castle, learning new things every day. But he… wanted to explore the world on his own. When he saw every pony in this country could support himself, he decided he wanted to be able to do that too. He wanted to be able to live in this world, independent from anything and anyone.

One of the ponies from the country offered him a job one day. That pony was leaving for the country of Kin early spring, to buy goods to trade here for food. He asked Vin to come with him, so he could transport more and they could protect their goods. He accepted, and that is where he is now. They’re probably already on their way back. He looked really happy when he took off… He got to see another part of the world and learn so much more. And it was an opportunity to prove himself he can take care of himself in a world that is so much bigger than he ever imagined. I think that this, for his sake, will have to take a while. Until he is completely confident, I can not do anything but stand from the side and cheer him on.”

“I see. That must have been hard. For him, but maybe for you too. Still, I am glad he is able to leave the darkness behind. I think I remember him now… he guarded the dungeons, did he not? He didn’t use to have a name.”
“Yes, that is him.” Hikary confirmed.
“So Fjaril…” Hikary said after a short silence, “He will not come here?”

“No… I am afraid he will not. I understand. He has a duty there, and I have one here. Unfortunately for us that means we cannot be together now. It is sad, but… I guess it can’t be helped. Maybe, one day, we can be together, but for now… fate has decided differently for us.” Taira said.
“So will you not see him at all then?” Hikary asked curiously.

“I think I will. I hope I can find time to, one day, visit him on my own, so we can spend some time together again. And we have to go there anyway… to see the stone. So it will not be like I will not be able to see him. It will be fine. He loves me. I love him. In the end, that is all that matters.”
Hikary saw the determination shine in Taira’s eyes. She did truly love him. And she had faith that one day, they could be together.

Maybe her sister was surer about that than Hikary was about being with Vin. She loved him, she liked him, but she did not feel an urgent need to be with him. She was fine with him being away for a while. She would be happy when he got back, but it was not something she particularly looked forward to. She had so many other things on her mind… she wondered if she would ever find the time to do what Vin was doing, and take care of herself. She maybe had never admitted it… but to be free and independent from everyone and everything was a silent dream, that maybe would never come true, because she had her responsibilities to the ponies she was related to and loved, and to the world she had given so much hard times already.