Chapter 30: The End?
The small, deserted observatory room was silent, save for the panting of Celestia’s breath. The great white alicorn had shut her eyes, her mind focused inwards, as she meditated. Luna, her hooves curled up under her, watched over her sister quietly.
Suddenly, Celestia’s brow furrowed, and her eyes opened. Her lips wrinkled, the alicorn glanced at her sister.
“Luna, we… we were sorting some of our memories related to Nightmare Moon, and we…” Celestia swallowed as her sister’s shoulders slumped. “Perhaps... we can ask thee later?”
Shaking her head, Luna forced a smile onto her face and met her sister’s eyes. “Nay, Celestia. Continue. If I can help you organize your memories, then all the better.”
Nodding her head, Celestia beamed at Luna for a moment, before allowing her frown to return.
“We were wondering: how did Nightmare Moon get an army to follow her into battle? We had intended to bring our Royal Guard with us to confront Nightmare Moon, but were halted at the river by some strange army that we have difficulty recalling.”
Luna raised an eyebrow and found herself mirroring her sister’s frown. “An army? But… how? Nopony supported… her against you.”
“Perhaps ‘twas the Night Guard?” suggested Celestia.
Shaking her head, Luna’s brow furrowed even deeper, her lips pursing in thought. “That is impossible. While we can scarcely remember our time as Nightmare Moon, we do remember that our Night Guard refused to side with her or against her after I became her.”
Her eyes wide, Celestia swallowed.
“But then… what kind of army, if not pony, assisted Nightmare Moon?”
Luna opened her mouth, but no answer came from it. Sighing, she got up, trotted to her sister and patted her shoulder.
“Do not worry about that right now, Celestia. Just concentrate on organizing your memories. I doubt that it is anything too important.”
Unable to argue, Celestia sighed and closed her eyes.
“I hope thou art correct, Luna.”
The Depths of the Eastern Sea…
“Hail, Empress,”
“Hail, Abyssal. It has been quite some time since you last attempted to treat with me. Getting tired of our little game?”
“Aren’t you? We’ve fought each other for centuries, outliving even our best soldiers. Does that not bother you? That the two of us have remained the sole constant of our conflict after all these years?”
“They are soldiers; it’s their job to fight and die if need be. If all you have to offer is this inane prattle, you have spent your last ceasefire poorly. Begone. Next time I will simply have my soldiers impale you on sight.”
“Queen’s Challenge. Between the two of us.”
“Queen’s Challenge… The prior rulers of your monstrous species have issued that same challenge to me before and every single one of them died at my hooves.”
“Then you accept? It’s the single best chance you’ll have to get rid of me,”
“Usual stakes, I take it?”
“Yes, to the death. Come tomorrow evening, there will be only one of us left.”
“Agreed.”
I've gotten used to stories ending on cliff-hangers after Uglies. The first book ended with a cliff-hanger, and the second one ended with AN EVEN WORSE CLIFFHANGER!
Are these the kelpies Belladona mentionned earlier ?
They are allegedly the mortal enemies of the changelings after all.
Well , look like Alternia is going to have a war , or at least trouble , on her hooves.
At least she can count on her familly... and extended familly.
What? You didn't want another cliffhanger?
Shit just got real... Or at least mysterious.
I'd say, after all this time... this is a story you can definitely be damn proud of. It was a great read, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you can whip up for the sequel. Kudos to you.
A good end to a great story. I can't believe it only took me the whole dang story to realize this wasn't in my favorites list.
6231621
Wait what? You're joking... Right?
Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!
I can't wait for the sequel.
6231650
Yay Cliffhanger!
No seriously yay, it means another book.
... I want to be mad. I want to fill the comments section with rage unending. But I saw this coming. I foresaw kelpies becoming a problem shortly after you brought them up. That foresight became a prediction after you mentioned them being enemies of changelings.
So, any reason this is left incomplete? I mean I know that a sequel is coming out, but surely it won't actually be written as part of this story. Do we have more author's notes to look forward to?
Are you proud of yourself now?! Constantly torturing your fanbase with cliffhangers, and even when the story ends you do it again! Your one of the most sadistic, down right evil Authors I ever had the pleasure to read from.
6231736 To each his own, eh?
...Well, at least it wasn't more pony racists.
6231740 There's a bonus chapter that was removed earlier in the story that's going to be re-added.
Always a treat to see a story pick up after a long hiatus and finish properly. Even if that means an ominous cliffhanger.
Thank you for many hours well-spent
MUST RE-READ FROM BEGINNING!
6231741 Oh god please no! I'm just an editor! *ducks and swerves flaming tomatoes and rubber axes*
No but seriously, ..
6231650
What have you done Zerv?! D: What have WE done?! The fans are insatiable! We have to fee them something before they desire human/Pony flesshhh!!!! ... Also points if you get the reference.
Great story, favorite earned.
You know, I was all set and ready for a nice fulfilling ending with friendship and rainbows. Nope, cliff hanger sequel hook combo. You sadistic monster. I thought authors were only supposed to torture the characters!
6231861
Nah, some of the good ones torture us readers and have us always coming back for more.
Eh, found it to be a drab and uninteresting 'cliffhanger' to be honest. Not enough information in the little blurb, just some standard fair dialogue of 'The Mysterious and Serious! Ooo' type. Also, Luna's "Oh, it's probably nothing..." is just laughable. Yeah, Luna, you know better. Something more like, "It's been a thousand years and there has been no sign of this army. That is... troubling. We best prepare in case, as this past while far too many ancient enemies have reappeared. I do not wish to be caught flat-hoofed by another. This will be something to consider on the marrow, however. For tonight, conserve your strength, Tia."
So, yeah, I did a big ol shrug at the cliffhanger. Sorry.
This story was a fun read, and it makes me smile to see it reached the finish line. Keep it up and I hope your future endeavours show as much love as this story.
Whelp Equestria is screwed. If we know anything about the land by now it is that the entire lot are a bunch of pathetic wankers who any washed up old coot can walk all over. If two foreign powers with armies show up I can't see any possible outcome but a new language being taught in school for any surviving members of the new slave class.
*would play credits but not end of story*
OK now that this is FINALY OVER, can I just say I think this belongs up there with those like Past Sins or keeping with the changeling theme Visionary? I mean come now les there another im not aware of: one of a kind 1, 2 nice pace, flow, ect. "clapping sounds" can't wait for the sequal vren55 good job.
Nooooo!!! It's horrible! it's terrible! It's awful!
...There's no more story to read!
This must be rectified! Immediately! We will force the author to write! Pinkie! Fetch...
...The comfy chair!
"Chair!"
Now! The soft pillow!
"Pillow!"
Now, write!
...Please?
VREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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You dangle meat in front of lions, forgetting there isn't a fence between you and them, good luck, for we all shall dine the meat offered, with a side order of author and editor.
6232171 Heya Kindo! What's up?
Sequel hype!
Well, time to pretend to get horrendously drunk.
*Pours iced tea into an empty bottle of ale, and proceeds to down it in one gulp*
Truly excellent. I actually appreciate the cliffhanger, as the sequel is likely to be more well-formed than otherwise.
...wow...I can't believe it, cliff hanger for the ending...? AND TWO UNKNOWN ENTITIES REVEALED AND NO EXPLANATION!? arg! rage.
6231828
to late... nom!
Is this going to he a dissidia situation?
Like, avatars of good and evil or whatever play human chess bc screw humans, amirite?
I must admit that I was a bit disappointed we didn't get to read any conversations between Alternia's changeling family members and her pony family members, once they all knew. Things like Simulacris and Belladonna having to get to know Luna, Twilight and Belladonna figuring out what kind of relationship they have now, Cadance sharing stories with Lamia about their mutual "Auntie".
I'm definitely going to be looking out for any side-stories or sequels to include this kind of thing.
6232228
Nothing much, just finding mistakes you missed. *Gives disapproving stare and tisks*
I have tomorrow off so I'm gonna try and finish the next chapter of my story. Be ready!
On a side note, I'm much better at catching errors in other people's work than my own, which sucks.
Hmmm....a mysterious army....as I've not received any word of much, I can rule that out....
This is rather curious, though. But I will say this: as I have loved this story so much as to have approved it, I do expect that it's sequel will be equally as good. However, the defining point of that expectation will hinge upon whether or not Alternia remains the main character.
Let us see what happens, then, shall we?
6232450 Soup opera. heheheh. Better tasting than the standard soap!
6232462 Hey! I joined the editor group at chapter ... 5? 8? Forgot.
6232488 Well, she was told that she'd be given a week + to reassimilate her memories.
Eh, I'm used to cliffhangers.
...I'll take a Sequel Special with a side of Author's Notes, and an ice cold pun-ch.
The ride goes on
So the main Problem for the next story is apparently going to be aquatically based, and 6231736 and others have already guessed the previously-foreshadowed Kelpies will be joining the fray, but it also appears that they won't be coming alone:
Are the Kelpies the "monstrous" ones, or is there something worse lurking in the depths?
Is it Seaponies? Sirens? Or something else?
Only one thing is certain:
vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/highfantasy/images/e/e8/800px-Murloc_Raid_1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20120726053406
Death will rise! From the Tides!
Next time on Princess Celestia: the Changeling Queen!
Next enemy be her?
img13.deviantart.net/fe40/i/2013/059/a/3/__er_imperious_condescension_by_askthecondescepony-d5wijzr.png
Pretty please?
any release date?
and s owe leave with a cliff hanger of a genocidal war between two tribes of sea pony
Ohh, I see what you did there.