//------------------------------// // Loose Ends // Story: Soren The Alicorn Part 4: The Rift // by KingNyroc15 //------------------------------// An hour passed and Shayden had managed to tell his brother every detail of what he had gone through; both were now in tears. I had no idea. Dusk thought to himself. I'm amazed he has managed to stay sane through all of this. "It's okay, Dawn, I don't blame you." They embraced once more. "You have no idea how long I have waited for somepony to tell me that." "So now, if you want, you can go to another universe with your alicorn friend?" Shayden nodded. "Correct. And before I forget, I need to tell you, I don't use the name, Dawn. I... believed I didn't deserve it years ago. Ever since the incident, I have gone by Shayden. Please call me by that name. Even after avenging Lilly, I still do not deserve that name" Dusk grinned. "Little bro, you'll always be Dawn to me. You did nothing wrong!" "Hmm, I guess I cannot stop you, but back to the necklace." He levitated it between the two of them. "I don't know what to do... He invited me to his universe, and thinking I had nothing left, I was going to accept." He put it down and looked at his brother. "But then I found you. The one thing in this universe that I have left to live for." Dusk gave him a pat on the shoulder. "If you want to go, I understand. It's fine with me." Shayden didn't hear him; he just had a realization. "Do you have any ties to this town? Aything like a good friend? A wife or marefriend?" Dusk was surprised at the sudden barrage of questions. He blushed. "No, I don't have a special somepony, and I barely have friends here. I kept to myself all these years. What are you thinking?" With a small laugh, Shayden activated the necklace. "Wait and see." ---------------- Soren stepped into the TARDIS. He technically just abandoned Shayden, but at least he gave him a way to signal that he wanted a new life. Stepping up to the console, Soren looked at Sunny. He thought she was so innocent, dependent on their adventures just so she could feel useful. She stirred and looked at Soren with sleepy eyes and a sincere smile. This only made Soren regret was he was about to do even more. "Sunny?" he called softly. "Yes?" she replied, wiping the sleep from her eyes. "You still like these adventures we go on, yeah?" "They're the best. Why do you ask?" Soren sighed. "The night I met Shayden, he and I had a special conversation. We helped each other deal with things on our mind...about our past mistakes. How we failed ponies, how we endangered the ones we love. After that night, I made myself a promise...a promise to go back to the mare I love the most...and I think it's time to do just that." "Soren...are saying what I think you're saying?" He didn't answer. "You-you can't just leave me! I have nothing back home! Those ponies still won't welcome me back completely, and even if they did, I would have to go back to a boring life where I would be ridiculed and cast away." "I'm sorry, Sunny, I truly am, but remember how I told you I was running away from something." She nodded her head. "I was running from danger, I was running from the fact that I put my friends' lives in danger. It was a mistake that I ran from my friends. They deserve better than me, and I will never forgive myself for what I put Rainbow Dash through. I hurt her...more than anypony I ever met. More than what I'm putting you through right now. I know you can't bare to live without these adventures, but you need to listen to me." Soren put both hooves on both of her shoulders. "Live for me. Be happy...for me. I find joy in the fact that I didn't let you down. You're a tough mare, and I know you won't let other ponies push you around anymore. Can you do that for me? Can you go live your life, away from danger?" Sunny started crying. Soren pulled her into a hug. The two friends just sat there as she cried on Soren. Eventually, she spoke. "I-I don't want you to go, Soren. Without you...I can't..." she stammered then looked into Soren's bright green eyes. "I love you, Soren." She hugged Soren again. "You're the nicest pony I know. You don't judge me, you encourage me. You don't turn your back on me, you protect me. How can I—" "Shh, shh-shh-shh-shh, there there. It hurts me to do this almost as much as it's hurting you. I'm so sorry, Sunny, but it's time I left. I'm not the type of pony that travels. It's bad enough putting my friends in danger; I can't travel the world and put random ponies in danger too. I just can't. And no one says you have to go back to your town. I can drop you off anywhere you want." "Can't I go where you're going?" "No. It's best that you don't. I know there's a place out there, other than by my side, that will make you happy. So where can I take you?" She wiped away some of her tears. "How about Canterlot? It doesn't exist in my world. Maybe I can make a living there?" Soren smiled. He then proceeded to work the TARDIS console to bring them to Canterlot in the year 980 C.E. Once the TARDIS landed, Soren trotted over to the doors. He turned to face Sunny, who was standing right behind him. "Thank you, Soren," she said as she wrapped her hooves around his neck in a hug. "For everything." "And thank you, Sunny, for keeping me in line. I would have been a wreck without you." "Then why am I leaving?" she joked with a sad laugh. Soren chuckled sadly as well. "Go," he said softly. "Go live your dreams in this beautiful city." Soren opened the doors for her. Sunny Star smiled, gave Soren a final kiss on the cheek, and walked out of TARDIS. The doors closed, and Soren walked back to the console. He stood there, thinking about Sunny and the life she will live. "I picked that date for a reason, Sunny," Soren muttered to himself. "Now I know we will see each other again...and then I can ask if it was worth leaving my side." Soren walked back to the console but felt a ringing in his head. It grew loud enough to be a slight nuisance. "Is he honestly signaling me this quick?!" Soren patted the console as if soothing someone. "It's ok...just one quick trip there and back." The TARDIS groaned and departed to the other universe. -------------- It was a bumpy ride, but the TARDIS managed to track the location of the necklace's signal and materialize inside of a house. With a history book on his back, Soren opened one of the doors and was instantly greeted by a smiling Shayden and a shocked earth pony. "Huh, didn't expect him to be here. You didn't warn him beforehoof, did you?" Soren asked. "I figured it would be more entertaining," Shayden chuckled. "So a ride for two for Ponyville?" Shayden nodded and had to drag his brother into the TARDIS, where he did his best to explain what was happening. As Soren worked the console, he shook his head with a smile. Shayden, you've only been in here once or twice. You're not going to be able to explain it. -------------- After Soren dropped off the Shine family in Ponyville, he explained to them that he had important business that needed to be taken care of. Really important business. The TARDIS was going to be tired after all of this, he could tell, but she knew as well as he did that this had to be done. First stop: Canterlot Caves. Soren parked the TARDIS outside of the biggest room of the cave. The place where Nyra runs her army. He peeked around the corner and saw a much younger version of himself being released from what looked like a giant crystal. Nyra then used her magic to teleport the younger Soren away. To Ponyville, no doubt. he thought. He trotted into the cave and was immediately halted by six guards. Nyra turned around and smiled at the newcomer. "Oh you just walked into the wrong neighborhood, friend," she smirked, apparently not recognizing Soren. My burnt horn is probably blending with the wall. Nyra then pounced on him. "Why are you here and why shouldn't I gut you?!" "Because of this." Soren held her head to his and, using a Time Lord trick, focused on wiping away one vital memory from her mind: the fact that she knows who Soren is. Nyra fell backwards, signaling the guards to attack Soren. Luckily, he jumped away in time and sprinted for the TARDIS. The guards chased him, but Soren closed the doors in time. They hopelessly pounded at the blue box as it disappeared. Soren wiped his brow then rubbed his horn. Burnouts suck. At least what I did explains why Nyra didn't recognize me when I first fought her. He sighed. Nyra... -------------- One down, two to go. Next stop: Canterlot Soren travelled to the past to find a particular pony. He needed to tell him some important information. He walked through the streets of the shining capitol, only to find himself at his original home. Melody Manor. He walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell. Eventually, Maestro Melody opened the door. "Hello, can I help you?" he asked. "Definitely. Have you heard of the Shadow Horses?" "Shadow...Horses? Is that some kind of ancient clan?" "You could call it that. It's technically an army." Maestro stiffened. "Not a pretty word, is it? Anyway, I'm bringing this to your attention because you can help stop them. As far as I'm concerned, they could be forming soon. Equestria needs your help to uncover them and bring them to justice." "But what can I do?" "Anything in your power to know who they are. Use contacts or any other way to get information. Have spies, I don't know. It's really not my problem. I'm just the messenger. With that said, I bid you good day." Soren turned and walked away. "Wait!" But Soren never stopped walking. -------------- Twilight read the passage to Rainbow. "I then stopped in Ponyville yet again to give the alternate history book to a random couple and have them deliver it to the Ponyville Library. It took a day or two to write down everything that had happened to me. Twilight, and most definitely Rainbow, if you are reading this sentence, I'm almost there. I'm writing these last sentences as the TARDIS heads for present day Ponyville." -------------- The TARDIS landed in one of its final destinations. Canterlot once more, but in the present time. Stepping outside, Soren was finally able to take in a deep whiff of his own time and world. "It is sooo good to be back," he said to himself. "Now then...I'm sure she—" "Soren?" an older mare's voice called. Soren smiled. There you are. When he turned towards the voice, he wasn't surprised to see a middle-aged red crystal mare with an orange mane. "Oh my goodness...it really is you!" "Hello, Sunny. It actually hasn't been that long since I last saw you. Well, a younger you." "I heard that noise, and I just had to run and find it. She looks exactly the same." She held a hoof against the TARDIS, which made an approving sound. "I think she remembers me." "She'll remember anyone that keeps me safe. How has life been treating you?" "It's wonderful in this city, although it can be a bit...uptight." Soren shrugged as if saying 'what can you do?' "I'm a singer here. I make a good living off of my performances. I followed my dreams...just like you wanted me to." "I'm very happy for you. But I have to ask. How are your...powers?" Sunny laughed. "I keep forgetting they are there. The last time I used my powers was when I was with you." "That's good. Anything else important happen in your life so far?" "Yes actually. I became a mother. My daughter is visiting the Crystal Empire right now. Her name is Ruby." Soren was beyond touched by that. "I...I...thank you, Sunny. But how did you know?" "The name just came to me, like any name does to a parent." Soren smiled and hugged Sunny. "Was it worth leaving my side?" She shook her head. "I always missed you, but...you were right. This was for the best. Take care of yourself." "I'll try to." Sunny walked away and waved goodbye. Soren stood there waving until she was out of sight. The TARDIS opened her doors for him, so he faced her and was about to walk inside. Until... "Soren! Melody!" an angry voice yelled. Soren turned around to see Octavia storming up to him. He gulped and sprinted for the doorway, only to have it close in his face. "Wha...What was that for?!" he yelled at the TARDIS. Leaning against the blue box, Soren braced for the biggest scolding in his life. Mommy...