The death of Batafurai

The sun was already shining through her open windows, but Ivy refused to admit dawn had come. Her bag was packed. She could hear her family walking around in the mansion. Morning was there, but if only she could ignore it. If only she could stay in bed and tomorrow a new reality would have arrived.

Her family had arrived over a week ago now. She had been glad to see they were all okay, and that they had gotten the last stone; but more than anything she had been sad. Now that they were here, it was only a matter of time before they had to leave. Before they had to take the stone of flowers, and leave this wonderful island in ruin.

Yesterday, Fjaril had decided that time had come. This morning, they would take the stone. Apparently it had been Sindo's decision; Sindo, who would suffer most of all. He didn't want to wait any longer for something he knew would come. He was so brave... but Ivy had soon realized she wasn't.

When the door of her room opened, Ivy knew she had to face the truth of that day. If only she didn't have to. |
“Ivy, I think it's about time to get up. We could use your help packing.” Hikary said.
“Yea. Okay.” Ivy replied, her voice hoarse from crying.
“There's some breakfast waiting for you in the kitchen.” Hikary added as she left her room, leaving the door open.

Slowly, Ivy got out of bed. She folded the sheets neatly, every second aware that this would be the last time. When she was done, she grabbed her bag and left her bedroom. She drank some juice in the kitchen, but she couldn't bring herself to eat anything. She wanted to go help the others pack, but she found them all busy and none of them needed help, so Ivy silently slipped out of the mansion.

It was a beautiful morning; the sun had broken the morning dew and the prana was sparkling in the sunlight. Ivy followed the path until it led her to the stone of flowers. She sat down at the water's edge. The stone lay silently where it had always been, purifying the water and guiding the prana throughout the island. It sparkled in the sunlight, content with the task it had been given.

“I wonder if it never chose to talk... or whether it has forgotten how to.” Taira said as she sat down next to her sister. “Two of the other stones never talked... only the one from the breach and the one Hikary got from the Old Friendship Lands. But still... this stone still looks so powerful and pure, it makes me wonder why it is so silent.” Taira continued when Ivy did not reply.

“Maybe it just... didn't have anything to say.” Ivy suggested.
 “Wasn't there anything left to pack?” she asked, slightly annoyed that her sister had joined her already. Couldn't she have one minute to herself? One minute to say goodbye one last time?
“No, we're almost done. Just some food and some things Fjaril wants to take along, but he wanted to pack those himself.” Then why had Hikary woken her up to help packing? Ivy shook her head.

“Ivy... I know you want to do this alone. Say goodbye, and all that. But you shouldn't. We're all here together and we are all just as sad as you.” Taira whispered.
“I know...” Ivy admitted.
“But I just can't... I can't happily pack my bags and pretend it's just another goodbye. Sindo is going to... he is...” Ivy didn't know how to finish her sentence.

“I know. But he chose to. Even before we told him we needed the stone, he agreed to let us take it away.” Taira answered. Ivy knew that was true, also; Sindo had long ago agreed to let them take the stone when they needed it.
“But that doesn't make it easier. Or less sad.” Ivy added.
“No. You're right. It doesn't.” Taira agreed.

The morning was particularly silent, Ivy realized. Beautiful though it may be, there was no wind and she heard no animals. And the water was as silent as ever. The only sounds she heard was someone talking in the mansion... Was it Ruki? Or Hikary? From this distance, Ivy couldn't tell. They were being too loud, anyway.

Taira and Ivy sat at the small pool for a long time before the others came. They didn't speak, because there was nothing left to talk about. Sometimes Ivy glanced at her sister, wondering where her thoughts were, but she just couldn't figure it out. Her own mind was completely blank; anything she thought of would only be painful.

Ivy heard them come before she saw them. Ruki was walking close to her father, while Yuuro and Hikary trailed behind carrying two large, full bags each. She couldn't make out what Ruki and Fjaril were talking about, but they seemed happy enough. She was happy for her niece, that she had found her father again. Ivy had never seen Fjaril so content as he had been the past week. He loved his daughter to bits, that much was clear.

Ivy saw the other stone was in a special bag that hung around Ruki's neck. They had shown it to Sindo, Fjaril and her the first evening. The golden stone... It was truly a beautiful stone, and so bright and clear, even though Taira said it had been so much clearer still in the shrine where they had found it in. It resembled the stone of flowers in size and the substance that appeared to swirl inside it, but the color was all different.

Taira and the others had told how they had gotten the stone and the effects that had, not only on the shrine and the Breach and the ponies living close to it, but also on the stone itself. Staring at the stone of flowers Ivy wondered if this one would fade as well. It was so clear and pure now... It would definitely be a shame if that faded away.

“Hello mother, Ivy.” Ruki greeted them.
“Hello, dear. Is everything packed?” Taira asked.
“Yes, we have everything now. We took your bags too, so you don't have to go back to the mansion.” Fjaril answered.
“Is it really okay to leave everything like this? The mansion and all your belongings?” Taira asked, glancing at the mansion on the hill behind them.

“Yea, it should be okay. I don't think anyone will come here, and even if they do, they won't find anything of value.” Fjaril said.
Ivy wondered if that was true. Sure, Fjaril had taken some small things with him, but the paintings and ornaments that decorated the mansion were still there. Still, the chances of anyone finding the island were quite slim. No one really went to the woods that bordered on the lake, and the island was not visible from the border.

Hikary and Yuuro had also arrived, and they were putting the bags on the ground. “So I guess everyone is ready then.” Hikary said as she sat down at the well.
“No. Sindo isn't here yet.” Ivy said. Surely they wouldn't take the stone without him here?
“We'll wait for him.” Fjaril said as he sat down as well.

When everyone sat around the well, Ivy wondered where Sindo was. Last night he had sat with them until late, talking and laughing, showing no sign of fear or anger. But she wouldn't blame him if right now, the little butterfly was somewhere scared or sad. His entire world would soon be... Ivy didn't want to think of it. “Maybe I should go look for him.” She offered.

“There's no need, Ivy. I'm here.” The butterfly appeared from behind them. Ivy knew the butterfly graves were behind him in the forest somewhere, and she had no doubts where he had been.
“Sindo.” Fjaril got up as he greeted his butterfly friend.
“Fjaril.” Sindo greeted him as he fluttered down to sit on a stone.

“My friend... you are absolutely sure about this?” Fjaril asked.
“Yes. It is what must be done, Fjaril. You know that. I know that. Your lady and your daughter know it. What has to be done has to be done.” Sindo said, determination seeping in his voice. He was sure, Ivy realized. He was more sure than she would ever be.

“Okay, then.” Fjaril agreed. He turned towards the stone.
“I guess...” he looked at Taira. “Would it be okay with you if I take it out?” He asked.
“Yes. Of course.” Taira agreed.
“Dad... Can I help? Please?” Ruki asked.
“Yes, of course dear. Let's do this together.” Fjaril smiled, grateful that he would not have to face this alone.

Ruki walked to the other side of the well. Before she stepped in, she faced her father, who had positioned himself on the opposite side of the well. Fjaril nodded at his daughter, and they both stepped into the water. Ivy could see the water move, but she did not hear them step in; the water was so pure, it did not make a single sound.

Fjaril and Ruki walked through the water towards the stone which they reached all too fast. They both looked down at the stone, which lay down in the center of the well, blissfully ignorant on what was going to happen. Ivy noticed she was holding her breath, and forced herself to continue breathing.

Sindo fluttered away from the stone he had landed on and flew towards Fjaril and Ruki. He flew down until he was in between them, right above the stone. “Farewell, my friend. May you shine as bright in your next life as you did in this one.” He said. He remained above the stone for a few more moments, until he decided it had been enough and flew up in the sky. He circled the well once more and then flew towards Ivy and landed between her legs.

The butterfly sat down there.
“Do it.” he said to Fjaril, who nodded solemnly. Fjaril and Ivy bended over and slowly touched the stone with their hooves without lifting it. Fjaril glanced at Sindo one last time, but the butterfly only nodded. He wants to get it over with, Ivy realized. The butterfly no longer wanted to wait for something he could not and did not want to avoid.

“Here we go, then.” Fjaril said as he gestured Ruki to start lifting. They both grabbed hold of the stone and apparently without any effort they lifted the stone out of the water. The sun touched the clear stone directly now, scattering it's light, making all colors of the rainbow appear upon the well's surface.

For a few moments, nothing happened. Everything remained as it was; the prana flowed around the flowers and the trees, the water was still pure and silent. Ivy began to wonder if it had not been the stone that kept Batafurai together after all, that they had all been wrong and that nothing would change, when she heard it.

The sound of water. Never in her entire life had it been such a horrible sound as now. Where the stone had been, the water slowly changed from pure and silent to normal clear water. It slowly moved through the little streams and creeks across the entire island, spreading the normal water through the entire valley, and later the forest.

Within moments the sound of running water was all around them. And it was Ruki who first noticed it. “The prana...” she whispered as she pointed at the valley. Ivy turned and saw the prana of the valley actually lifting off, floating above the flowers instead of around them. Beneath the cover of prana, only a little bit remained. She could feel the wind she had not felt before; the wind that slowly got hold of the prana.

The leaves of the forest slowly moved and as they did the prana detached itself from them, no longer strong enough to hold on. Sparkling in the morning sun, the prana rose up to the skies, where it lost all touch with the earth and dissolved. What remained on the ground was nothing more than what Ivy had seen outside of Batafurai; a slight purple glow, barely visible unless you looked closely.

It began with some mild coughing. Ivy took her eyes away from the valley and looked at the butterfly sitting in between her legs.
“Sindo!” Ivy cried. His face had turned pale and the strength to sit up appeared to leave his body like the prana had left the island; he collapsed against her leg, breathing heavily.

The other ponies rushed towards her as she held her friend close.
“There is... no air...” He whispered while trying to breathe.
“Don't... don't waste your energy talking...” Ivy cried, her tears falling down on his wings.
“But there is... nothing left to... save it... for...” Sindo said, his breathing becoming harder each moment.

“I will... go... ancestors... and fa...mily...” Sindo whispered, and then the breathing stopped.
“Sindo! No, don't... don't leave...” Ivy cried, holding his body.
She barely noticed the leg her sister had put around her, neither could she see the tears in Fjaril's eyes. Her sweet friend Sindo, the last butterfly on earth... his spirit was gone and all that was left was his lifeless body between her legs.