//------------------------------// // Epilogue - A Tyranny Ends // Story: The Knight Returns // by Gleaming //------------------------------// [/hr] A Tyranny Ends [/hr] The Mane-iac's tentacle lashed out at the Mare Do Well with extreme force and intent. But before the tentacle could even make contact, Mare Do Well grabbed the tentacle in her hooves and spun her around in a complete circular motion, hurling the insane villain straight into one of the four chemical vats of hair products. Batman dragged Bane's unconscious body out of the factory, to the only place nearby that can imprison the intelligent mercenary, The Maretropolis Police Department. On his way to the facility, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were following him silently without making a sound, so they would not alert him or cause him to turn around. The Caped Crusader entered the police building, waiting for a police official to come to him. Elevator music played in the waiting area of the building, Batman was already annoyed about having to drag Bane's body to the department, now he has to listen one of the most annoying musical sounds in the universe. A police official walked over to Batman with a pair of handcuffs and a baton, tapping his hoof on the floor impatiently. ''Sorry for the inconvenience, I'll be sure that this criminal is behind bars for a long time.'' the police officer grabbed Bane's body with his hoof, dragging Bane and throwing him into his holding cell. Batman nodded his head to thank the officer, then he proceeded to exit the building. His eyes looked over at the Crusaders with a surprised look on his face. ''I didn't think you guys would follow me, where's the Mare Do Well?'' Apple Bloom gulped saliva down her throat. ''Ah' think that she is still fightin' the Mane-iac.'' Scootaloo rubbed the back of her neck, nervously. ''Well, we had to get out of there since we thought that she could handle her on her own, but we'll take your advice and stay put.'' ''That is very mature of you girls, I'll go help her.'' Batman disappeared from their sight before they could say another word, he trotted back to the shampoo factory. ''He totally fell for it.'' Sweetie Belle giggled. ''Hook, line, and sinker.'' Scootaloo said, gingerly gestured for them to go help him. ''Eeyup, but let's stay here to show that we weren't trying to trick him.'' Apple Bloom said. ''Oh, alright.'' the two fillies said together. [/hr] Mare Do Well kept the Mane-iac on her hooves during the entire fight, both of them were evenly matched with neither side showing an inch of remorse or any sign of backing down. Both of their bodies were battered and bruised as their scars were clearly visible on their cheeks. Heavy breathing, with no breaks or any timeouts, something had to give without a winner. Batman flew into the air while he looked down at Mane-iac and Mare Do Well from above, flying down to the two mares with the speed of a bullet with his fist out, smashing the Mane-iac down into the floor of the factory. Fragment pieces of the floor flew around rapidly while the Mare Do Well watched all of it occur, looking down at Mane-iac's crushed body. ''...'' A period of silence filled the air with not a single word being said. Mare Do Well grabbed her body and threw it on her back, flying back to the Maretropolis Asylum. She vanished without saying a word. [/hr] Meanwhile, Batman took Bane out of the holding cells to take them back to their universe. A portal appeared near the jewelry store in the beginning of his journey with the three fillies who helped him. He hurled Bane's body through the portal, but first he needed to say his final goodbyes. ''I'd like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.'' Batman pulled them closer to his chest, rubbing his muzzle against their heads. ''This might be the final time that you see me, here is something to remember me by.'' He reached into his utility belt and took out his trademarked batarang, giving it to them. ''I have a huge storage room full of them, remember me for who I am and what I did... farewell.'' Jumping into the portal, as the portal closed within itself for a slight moment, the Crusaders jumped into the portal to go back home. They floated around in a dark space as there were two portals, one portal leads to Gotham City while the other one leads to Ponyville. The Crusaders jumped into the right portal while Batman took Bane through the left portal. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were finally back home, trotting to their schoolhouse to tell everypony about the adventures that they had with Batman. They held the batarang close to their coats, as a reminder of a friend that fought for what's right. [/hr] Batman delivered Bane to the Gotham City Police Department, they dropped Bane inside of Arkham Asylum into Joker's cell. A sound of rustling chains woke the Joker out of his slumber, dreaming of taking over Gotham City, as usual. He looked over at Bane waking up in his cell, looking very confused. ''Let me guess, Batman defeated you too?'' Joker said, raising an eyebrow. ''Yeah.'' Bane hung his head low in a slump, in a depressing matter. ''At least you have me as your cellmate.'' Joker said, smiling. ''Oh, good.'' Bane turned his back to Joker, refusing to look at him. [/hr] The batmobile drove straight through a waterfall that was the secret entrance to the batcave. A platform rose from under the armored vehicle, as it spun around with the vehicle securely on the top of it. Bruce took off his mask and his suit, he laid it on the control panel of his supercomputer. ''Are you okay, Master Bruce?'' Alfred Pennyworth asked, setting the table for dinner. ''I'm okay, Alfred. I'm just remembering the three friends I met today, they will always be with me even when I'm defeated or alone.'' Bruce shed a tear from his eye, looking up at the moonlit sky.