The Elements of Chaos and the End of the World

Chapters

Oracle of the End
High Class Event
Special Delivery

Oracle of the End

The night of the new moon was dark as King Erasmus laid down his head for the night. Unknown to the unicorn king, an unspeakable danger was about to befall his land. In another wing of Castle Creatio ex Nihilo, an earth pony known only by his title, The Oracle was receiving his most recent vision and recording it. Upon its completion, he entered a frenzy smashing many objects in his room except for the all important prophecy. The guards could do nothing to stop and only the words, “end”, “chaos”, and “harmony” were heard. One of the guards ran to wake the king and bring him to The Oracle.

By the time the king arrived, The Oracle had lost his energy and was instead balled on the ground in the middle of the room, sobbing and clutching at his prophecy. The guards had began picking up the remains of the room. The king approached The Oracle and lifted his head. When The Oracle looked into the king’s eyes, he saw only compassion and concern, rather than anger and annoyance as one would expect.

“Good Oracle,” the king began, his voice melodious and soft. “What have you seen that has caused you such pain?” he asked. The Oracle sniffled and wiped his face. He spoke with a timid voice, “Your Majesty, it is this prophecy that I have seen. I-I-I…” The Oracle buried his face into his hooves and began wailing again.

King Erasmus took the prophecy from The Oracle and began to read it. As he read, he ran a hoof through The Oracle’s mane to calm him. As he read, his face changed from calm to grave. When he reached the end, The Oracle had calmed down again. Erasmus returned the prophecy and began to walk around the room in thought. The Oracle, meanwhile, placed his prophecy inside of a container and unsure of where in his library it would belong, he placed it on his bed as his desk was now wood chips.

“You are sure of this?” Erasmus asked The Oracle. He nodded. “Yes your Highness, my predictions have never been wrong, but through your great effort you have prevented every bad event from occurring and you, yourself have seen the beginning of these events in the making.” The king sighed. “I suppose that is true, but I don’t know if my effort alone will be enough. As king of this land, I am responsible for my peoples’ lives. I must protect them at all costs.” He walked towards a window and placed a hoof on it.

“Dammit Celestia, you’ve doomed us all.”

“What do you intend to do, your Highness?” The Oracle asked. Erasmus walked towards The Oracle. “There’s not much I can do. I will write to Princess Celestia about this latest development, but I fear she is too far gone for it to do much good. If that is the case, our only hope lies in the six champions. But even that is a slim hope, for who knows where they are? Or even if they’re alive!”

The Oracle hung his head and started to well up. Using a hoof, Erasmus lifted his head and smiled at him. “Don’t worry, my Oracle. I won’t let anything happen.” The Oracle wiped his eyes, smiled at his king meekly, and nodded. “Now I must go. It is late, but I fear I will not sleep for some time. I must write to Celestia and research any information that might help save our land,” the king said.

“I’ll go over my books and prophecies. Maybe there is something there that can help!” The Oracle said. Erasmus smiled. “That’s my Oracle.” With that Erasmus and several of the guards left. The Oracle turned to the guards. “Come on! The fate of the world is at stake! Fix that desk, bring me some coffee, and get those books and prophecies down from the top shelf. The guards snapped to attention and immediately got to work on The Oracle’s tasks. The Oracle took some prophecies and brought them to his bed. He yawned as he began to read them. “Where’s that coffee?” he snapped.

He turned to the window next to his bed and stared at his reflection. It was then he saw the fear in his eyes. He placed a hoof on the glass. “If there’s anything I’ve learned since my first prediction almost fifteen years ago, it’s that the future can change.” While the guards were busy and not paying attention to him, he stuck his hoof under his pillows and pulled out a prophecy. This one was old and tattered. The Oracle read it.

Oh earth pony of Gift. Thy power is both sacred and cursed. Sacred that you are blessed with knowledge of a glorious future, but cursed to see its end to a twisted fate. But perhaps you shall be spared, soon you shall die, but before you do, you will be spurned by royalty.

When he finished reading, he smiled and hid it again. “Not even Erasmus knows about this prophecy. Well, it was the only one I had before he found me. I remember the day. After I had that first prophecy, my parents feared me and kicked me from their home. I wandered for days until I couldn’t stand anymore. I could feel death approaching. Then I saw it. A royal carriage was heading towards me. I cried. I knew this is what the prophecy had foretold. As I lied in the gutter crying, the carriage came to a stop. Then… he stepped out. Prince Erasmus. At the time, he was nine and I was seven. He asked my name and I could barely get it out. ‘Well then, my [REDACTED], my guards must get you into the carriage and care for you.’ My eyes shot open wide. How could this be? The prophecy said I would be spurned, not saved.”

“All Erasmus thinks is that he’s saved this country from wars, famine and drought, and unrest. What he doesn’t know is that he’s been defying fate since we were children.” His face hardened. “But now it’s happened. That first prophecy said I would have this most recent one.” One of the guards arrived with his coffee. He sipped it as he began his work.

In a few hours, the sun would rise, and with it, six ponies that the world would come to depend upon many times.

The female unicorn awoke in her high rise apartment. “Today’s the big day. This party is going to show everyone that I truly am the most magnificent unicorn in the land.”

The young female pegasus woke at the crack of dawn. “I better get down to the restaurant. He’s really going to need my help today.”

The male earth pony arrived at his business, ready to make his deliveries. “That’s a large shipment of food for him. He must be catering a large party.”

The female unicorn was watering the flowers in her small apartment. “I hope he likes me tonight. I have to make a good first impression.”

The male pegasus was reviewing his notes from yesterday’s experiments. “Today, we’re sure to get it right. We’ve been working for this for so long.”

The male earth pony grumbled to himself. “I hate these stupid high class parties. I hope she’s here early today like I asked her to be.”

Author's Note

New story! WOO! Just a quick note, I will NOT be cancelling my other one. It's just that it's become so much of a chore to write, so I'm hoping this story will help give me the energy to write more and get past the block I'm feeling with it. This story is much shorter, only 24 chapters as opposed to Otherworldly's 70+ chapters. However, this story will have multiple sequels. At least two in the making, and more if I don't run out of ideas. Also, I hope you didn't like Oracle or Erasmus very much. Oracle is no longer in this story and Erasmus only makes two more appearances.

High Class Event

The female unicorn awoke in her high rise apartment. “Today’s the big day. This party is going to show everyone that I truly am the most magnificent unicorn in the land.”

High Class hopped out of bed and entered her bathroom. She brushed her teeth and wiped the signs of sleep off her face. She used her elliptical for her morning exercise and then showered. She then put on her day clothes and did her makeup and styled her mane. “Now let’s make sure everything is ready for the party tonight at The Galloping Galiceno.”

She opened her party planner and flipped through several dozens of previous occurring parties that she organized. Some were marked with checks to denote success while others had x’s to show that they were failures. But on the most recent page, neither were present. The success of this party had yet to be determined.

She went over the plans one more time. The location was reserved, the food ordered, the invitations sent and RSVPed, and her dress for the night should be finished today. “Excellent! Everything is looking good! I better check the restaurant to make the food has arrived and then pick up my dress,” she said. She grabbed her saddlebag and left her apartment locking the door behind her.

On the elevator ride down from her apartment, she had time to think. “This party must be a success! I have to show that snobby Pearl Necklace who the best socialite is in the land of Hemerebus!” She stepped off the elevator into the lobby and out her building into the busy streets of Corel, the commerce capital of Hemerebus. It is the second largest city in Heremebus, only the capital city of Esthar, home to Castle Creatio ex Nihilo, is larger. Corel has the most stores, restaurants, and residences in all of Heremebus.

High Class took a longer path than normal to get to The Galloping Galiceno. This path went by this lovely flower shop which shrouded the entire street with its beautiful scent. As she walked by the Lily of the Valley flower shop, her eyes were drawn to the beautiful roses in bloom. She couldn’t help but stop and smell. The unicorn shop owner was using her magic to water the flowers.

“Excuse me ma’am,” High Class said to get her attention, “How much is one of these beautiful roses?” she asked. The unicorn turned to her, “Two Princes,” she responded. High Class dug into her bag and gave the shop owner the money. Using her magic, she lifted one of the roses into her hair. In Heremebus, currency is marked off by royalty titles. A Prince has the least value, followed by Princess, Queen, and King in that order.

High Class continued on her way and soon arrived at The Galloping Galiceno. There were few people inside as this restaurant is not known for it breakfast menu. Walking up to the maitre’d, she asked to speak with the head chef, Paring Knife, to make sure her plans for this evening were going as planned. The maitre’d led her to the back where Paring Knife was relaxing since no food has been ordered.

“Excuse me, Mr. Paring Knife, I just want to make sure the preparations for this evening are being taken care of,” High Class said. Paring Knife grunted and began to talk. “Yeah. I got the food delivery less than an hour ago. It’s all in the freezer. Go have a look if you want,” he said. High Class and went into the freezer. She examined all the food. “Oh no! This is a disaster!” she cried and went back out to Paring Knife.

“Are you sure this is all of it? I thought I ordered more,” she said. “It’s exactly what was on the order sheet you gave me three days ago,” he said and handed her the paper. She read it over. “Oh no! I gave you the wrong one! I made this one before I had received all the RSVPs!” she said. “What do you want me to do about it?” he asked. “Can you order more and have it arrive by tonight?” she asked.

“I could have it here by 8, but it’ll cost you extra,” he said. “Fine! Deal! Just, get that food on time and prepared by 8:30,” High Class said. She left the restaurant before anything else could add to her stress. “Okay, Paring Knife has yet to fail any assignment anyone has ever given to him. He can do this. I just have to relax, pick up my dress, and get ready for the party tonight,” she told herself.

She soon arrived at Dress for Success and went to customer service to pick up her dress. The attendant went to the back to find it. While High Class was waiting, the bell rang again as another customer entered the shop. High Class turned to see who it was. Her mind immediately lost its calm state as she recognized Pearl Necklace.

“Well, well. If it isn’t High Class. I see you’re here to find your dress for your party tonight. I must say, it’s rather brave of you to not have it custom made,” Pearl mocked. “For your information, Pearl, I did have it custom made,” High Class responded. “Really? I didn’t know they custom made dresses for ponies of your… size,” Pearl said. “Are you calling me fat?!” High Class asked shocked.

“Of course not, dearie. It’s just that the latest gossip says that you’ve been preparing for winter early this year,” Pearl said. High Class’s mouth was agape. “Oh dear, I hope you aren’t as quiet tonight as you are now. Otherwise your party might not even be half as popular as one of my parties. Of course though, I’ll be there too, if only to watch you crash and burn!” Pearl cackled loudly as she took the dress an attendant brought out for her. High Class was struck by the beauty of it. It made her dress look like a tablecloth!

As soon as Pearl Necklace left, High Class smacked her head against the customer service desk. “How am I supposed to compete with her? It’s not my fault she has more money and can afford to throw fancier parties and buy better dresses!” she said into the desk. Her attendant returned with her dress. She paid for it and left solemnly.

She returned to her apartment and collapsed onto her bed. “All I wanted was to climb to the top of the social ladder and be seen as one of the most glamorous ponies in Heremebus! Maybe marry someone of lesser royalty.” High Class sighed. She could feel her tears well up.

“No! I promised myself I would never admit defeat! I am hosting this party tonight and I will beat Pearl Necklace once and for all and show her that I am just as good as she is!” High Class said. “Now! Time to get ready for tonight,” she said. As High Class prepared, she ordered a taxi to pick her up in front of her building and take her to The Galloping Galiceno.

She arrived at 8:00 and saw the delivery pony dropping off the rest of the food. She sighed in relief as she entered the kitchen. Paring Knife was busy with his apprentice preparing the food for the evening rush as well as High Class’s party. She examined what was ready and smiled. “This is really coming together,” she thought. At 8:30, the guests started to arrive, including Pearl Necklace.

High Class was amongst her party guests and mingled as the hors d'oeuvres were brought out. Naturally, Pearl Necklace wanted to talk to her.

Author's Note

WHAT?! Two updates in two days?! Or is it two updates in one day? Was the first chapter posted after or before midnight? Anyway, enjoy chapter two. It'll be a while before we look at High Class and her party again which may be a good or bad thing depending on what you thought of this chapter.

Also, I'm posting an update to Otherworldly at the same time! I've officially gone past my two least chapters in that story. Is that bad to say? I mean, I love it all the same, I just also really hate it.

Special Delivery

The male earth pony arrived at his business, ready to make his deliveries. “That’s a large shipment of food for him. He must be catering a large party.”

Special Delivery ran his own small business in midtown Corel. It was in this location where he had equal access to all of Corel. All day, orders came in for him to deliver all over Corel. Today, he had a large delivery to drop off at The Galloping Galiceno. The head chef, Paring Knife always used him for his deliveries because Special Delivery was never late. He loaded his truck with his morning deliveries. He got into his truck, started it up, and was off on his way.

His first stop was a boutique known as Dress for Success. There, he dropped fabrics, string, and other materials that the dressmaker needed. His next stop was a research facility in uptown Corel. There, a pegasus signed for the delivery. The pegasus put the package on his back and went back into the facility after tipping him. His third stop a midtown arcade where they ordered a new machine.

His next stop was The Galloping Galiceno. Paring Knife greeted him with his usual grunt. He signed for the food and Special Delivery moved it into the freezer. With a nod, Special Delivery headed off to his next delivery. It was at a small apartment building. As he was dropping the package off at the lobby desk. A pegasus came from the elevator. As she passed by, she saw the package.

“Oh! It’s here! I ordered a bunch of new knives and cutting boards to help out the restaurant. I thought I was going to have to come back and get it,” she said. Special Delivery turned to her and gave her the package. “Here you go, ma’am,” he said. She took the package and placed it into her saddlebag. She then tipped him. “Thanks!” she said as she went on her way. “No problem,” Special Delivery said. With his final delivery for the morning finished, Special Delivery returned to his business.

Almost immediately upon returning, he received a phone call. “Special Deliver speaking,” he answered. “Yeah, Special Delivery? It’s Paring Knife from The Galloping Galiceno.” Special Delivery recognized his gruff voice. “It turns out I made a mistake in ordering the food and didn’t order enough. Could you get some more?” Paring Knife asked. “That kind of express shipping is going to cost extra and the earliest I could get to you is 8:00,” Special Delivery responded. “That’s fine. I just need that food,” Paring Knife said. “Alright then. I’ll be back at 8,” Special Delivery. He hung up the phone and this newest delivery to his schedule. He was going to have to stop the warehouse in uptown Corel in order to get the food.

After rearranging his deliveries for the rest of the day, Special Delivery was sure he could make it. He loaded up his truck for a second round of deliveries. His first stop this time was a elementary school where he delivered the new books the library ordered. The rest of the deliveries were residential deliveries and then Special Delivery returned back to his business. He had his lunch in silence. He had no employees so it was always just him. He didn’t mind the loneliness, he met plenty of interesting ponies in his routes. Lately though, they were all seeming… bland. A few weeks ago, he and Paring Knife would have a friendly banter every time he was there. Now, they barely spoke to each other.

In the middle of his third set of deliveries Special Delivery had stop for gas. After that he arrived at a construction site. They had torn an old apartment building and building a newer, bigger one in its place. Some of their tools had broken so Special Delivery had brought new ones. At the site, he noticed they were having difficulty moving a steel beam into position for the crane to move. Without asking permission he walked up to it and using his strength pushed it into position.

At first, the construction ponies were shocked that it began moving. Some fell to the ground and the others quickly realized that their effort was doing nothing. They all watched as Special Delivery pushed it all by himself into position. When he was finished the foreman came up to him. “Do you know how illegal that was?!” he shouted at him. Special Delivery just shrugged and said, “You needed help. I helped.” The foreman sighed. “Fine. We’ll just… look the other way this time. Don’t do it again,” he said. Special Delivery received his tip, and a little extra for his help, and moved on.

A few hours later, he was making his final deliveries of the day. When he finished his uptown deliveries, he had made enough room in the truck to pick up the food Paring Knife had ordered. He stopped by the warehouse and ordered the food to be placed in his truck. It took about half an hour and when Special Delivery checked his watch, it was 7:20. “Perfect. Plenty of time to get to The Galloping Galiceno,” he said.

With two more stops for deliveries along the way, he made it to The Galloping Galiceno by 7:50. He began unloading it into the freezer and Paring Knife acknowledged his presence. When he had finished he examined his truck and found he had no more deliveries for the night. “Since I have no other plans, I may as well stay for dinner,” Special Delivery thought to himself. He went to the restaurant and got his own table.

He opened the menu and began deciding what he should have.

Author's Note

If you didn't notice, something in this chapter was supposed to hint that all is not right with the world. I might get one more chapter before Friday, but if I don't, don't expect it for a little while because Friday is move in day for my college and then the whole weekend is Orientation Part Deux. And then Monday is the first day of classes. I'm so nervocited!