Chapter 20: Reunited
As Edward opened the door, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Before him stood a white Alicorn and a blue Alicorn, behind them were an Earth pony mare, a unicorn stallion and six foals. The man assumed they were Princess Celestia and Luna, Noi’s sister Carrot Top and Written Script and her friends.
“Sorry to bother you sir, but we’re looking for a lost foal, is it here by any chance?” Celestia asked.
The former PMC blinked to make sure it wasn’t his imagination. The ponies weren’t fading. “You mean Noi, right? She’s here, yes, I found and took care of her. My name is Edward Smith.”
He stepped aside to let them in. Noi was sitting on the couch in the living room. "It’s for you, Noi.”
The foal was confused at first but it got replaced by joy as she her sister and friends. "Sis! Guys!” She exclaimed happy, hugging them.
“We’re missed you so much! I can’t tell you how happy we are to see you again safe and sound!” Tootsie cried tears of Joy.
“Me too!” The young Earth pony replied. Both humans smiled at the sight that Noi was finally reunited with the ones she loved.
“We must thank you, Mr. Smith. We will be forever grateful that you took care of her.” Carrot Top smiled at him.
“I did only what I had to do. How did you found her?”
Luna spoke up, “Teleport magic has a fail-safe mechanism when a lifeform gets teleported. First, it leaves a trail that allows other magic users to track the teleported lifeform. Second, in case a teleport goes wrong, the same safe-safe mechanism teleports the teleported life form to the nearest civilization, which are the humans. And, as princess of the night, I can hear the dreams of our ponies. This helped us to find her too.”
“So, my dear subject, what have you experienced with Mr. Smith?” Celestia asked in her mother voice.
Sweetie Belle noticed that Noi started to tremble and tears formed in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I-I don’t wanna talk about it.” She got hugged by Edward to comfort her. He patted her as he spoke, “Let’s just say, something that you shouldn’t see.”
“Friends are here to help each other.” Tootsie assured her friend.
“And we crusaders won’t leave a member behind!” Scootaloo raised a hoof into the air.
“My dear subject, you won’t have to tell if you don’t want to, there is another way.” Luna spoke calmly and touched Noi’s forehead with her horn.
Everything went white, then, they found themselves in a desert city, transparent. “Where are we?” Dinky looked around until she saw a Stryker APC stopping in front of her and soldiers got out.
They saw everything, from the beginning in the Middle East, to the end in the Bering Sea before they were back in the house.
“Oh my…” Written Script covered his mouth in shock. Celestia putted a wing over the CMC, Luna over the other foals who had their mouths open in shock.
“I-I never w-wanted t-to…” Noi was about to break down as her sister hugged her.
“Shh my dear, it’s over. Mr. Smith, I must thank you for risking your life to save her. I owe you one.”
“Edward is just fine and you owe me nothing. I just did what I had to do. What I believed was right.”
“Indeed you did, my boy.” His mother was proud.
“So, what happens now?” Edward wondered.
“Given what happened to Noi, we have to change things.” Luna explained, knowing it wouldn’t be easy.
“Can I spent some time with him before we go back home?” Noi yawned.
“Of course.” Celestia smiled at her.
As it was still early in the morning, the humans and ponies breakfasted together. The children had oatmeal and juice, while the adults enjoyed some tea.
In the noon, Sunny, Hal and Snake visited and were surprised about at first but understood.
While sad that Noi would leave, Sunny was happy that Noi would be now home, where she really belonged to.
As the humans said good bye to her little friend, Celestia however said, “You three are always welcome to visit Noi.” She floated some sort of device over to Sunny who took it.
“What about me?” The young Brite asked the princess of the sun.
“Well, given how closer you are to Noi, I think you and your mother should go with us to Equestria. Noi could better recover from her trauma that way.”
“I would like it. After all, I’m like a father for you, right Noi?” He smiled at her, she returned it.
“Yes, daddy!” she exclaimed happy, Caroline let out a tear of joy.
“Edward, I’m with you no matter what. And I would like to be Noi’s grandmother."
“And we will inform Rosemary, so she can help to treat her trauma. She has treated her before, so she has the most experience with it,” Hal corrected his glasses, smiling.
“Edward, your caring for Noi honors you. Stay that way, soldier.” Snake saluted him.
“I will, Snake.” He returned it.
“Goodbye Noi, until we meet again.” Sunny gave a last hug before the horns of the Alicorns lighted up and a white light blended them.
Back in Equestria, Written Script apologized to Noi. “I’m sorry Noi, I’m so sorry that I brought you into this.” He had regret in his voice.
To his surprise she hugged him. “It’s okay Written Script, It was an accident, don’t blame yourself.
“So Crusaders, Ah don’t know when Sunny will visit but Ah think she makes an excellent addition to our club, don’t you agree?” Abble Bloom asked.
“Yes she will!” The others agreed.
“Come Daddy and grandmother, I show you Ponyville!” Noi was overjoyed to be home again, eager to show them her hometown.
One month later
Edward and his mother enjoyed their new life, every second of it. He himself was a member of the Royal Guard, Caroline worked in Sugarcube Corner.
They also helped out in the garden, enjoying it.
Carrot Top and Written Script enjoyed their company, happy to see that Noi was happy with them in the family.
Sunny, Hal and Snake along with Johnny, Meryl and Raiden, came regularly to visit. The young foal was pleased every time. She also did regularly meetings with Rosemary. It was still a long way until she was completely healed, but they made progress.
The nanomachines optimizing oral intake and excrements, adrenaline and endorphins, were very useful in fitness and in exams.
Right now, Edward had his break at Sugarcube Corner as Noi with her friends walked in. “Daddy, Grandmother!”
“Hello again, sweetheart, how was school?”
“Great, Daddy!” They enjoyed some milkshakes and left.
The two humans watched after them until they were out of sight. They enjoyed every minute of this new life. Free from the System, free from Control, they could finally live a peaceful life without War.
For Edward, this was his truly personal victory. A victory of that even his father would be proud of.
“The spirit of the warrior will always be with you, my son.” He heard the voice of his father as Echo. “Always.”