//------------------------------// // Chapter 52: Going Home // Story: A Rift Between Worlds // by Cinders of War //------------------------------// Princess Celestia was surprised to see so many faces around her when she woke up. They were all looking at her with various degrees of relief and happiness. “Did I miss something?” Her body was now covered in bandages, along with some around one eye. Although she couldn’t move much, she was relieved to know her body wasn’t hurting as bad as it was when they had found her in the galleon. “It is over, princess.” Mr. Loregiver bowed to a knee. Because they were not in their Warframes when they reentered Equestria, they were now in their native forms. “We have vanquished the Grineer, once and for all.” “Oui, princess,” Eclair pounded a hoof on the floor. “Our mission has been accomplished.” “I… don’t know what to say.” Celestia looked at all of them. “You have done Equestria a great service. Not just you pilots, but you Tenno as well. For that, we are grateful, both my sister and I.” “So what happens now, Lotus?” Excalibur asked. “What becomes of us Tenno now.” “We have to leave them, don’t we?” Sunset lifted a hand and watched as magic swirled around it. “Can’t say I won’t miss all this.” “Back to sleep for us now, Lotus?” Vauban spoke out through Home Run’s helmet. “It is the only logical path.” “No, no, that doesn’t sound logical at all.” Home Run waved his hands around. “There’s more to life than just combat. Princess, surely you’re not going to put them back in their pods?” “Yeah, we’ve been through so much together!” Rainbow stepped forward. “There must be something else.” “Yeah, you can’t just send Mirage and the others back to sleep!” Pinkie flipped around and stood on her hands. “They need to party!” Luna and Stardust shared looks, then looked to the sun princess. “Sister, the place you mentioned…” Luna turned back to Celestia and spoke. “Perhaps it’s time.” Celestia nodded without hesitation. “Tenno, I do not plan on sending you back to sleep. I see my mistake the first time. Because of my actions, war is all you know. I never gave you anything else, any more time to experience more. But I have seen what you are capable of and I think… you deserve your freedom.” “Yay!” Pinkie threw confetti up into the air. “So they’re not going back to sleep now?” “Well, hate to say Ah’d like to send Rhino here back as well.” Applejack tipped her hat to the princess. “Does that mean they’ll get to stay here with us?” Rainbow asked. “Zephyr and I have many plans.” Celestia’s face fell, changing almost instantly. With that, the others knew what the answer was. “Don’t mistaken this. My intentions are good,” Celestia started again after a few more seconds of silence. “You children should never have had to go through the ordeal of fighting and killing. With the Grineer gone, I feel that you all need to return to your normal lives and the Tenno to theirs.” “So what do you have planned for us, Lotus?” Volt asked. “Where will we go?” “There is so much more I haven’t told you about the Tenno.” Celestia looked to her sister and Stardust. “I have explained it to them, but to you humans and Sunset and Twilight, there is still much you do not know. “Stardust has been in the process of relocating her workshop. I fear Equestria isn’t ready for her technology, or the free roam of the Tenno. You will be returning with Stardust, to the human world’s moon.” “And you shall be free to live your lives,” the mechanical pony added, her golden eyes shining brightly. “You will need violence no longer.” “But what are we to do besides fighting?” Mirage asked, raising both palms up. “We know nothing more.” “That isn’t true, Mirage!” Pinkie said, taking back control and pounding a fist on her palm. “You’ve learnt to party like I do! I mean, without killing and stuff! Like a fun party where you enjoy hanging out with friends! You’ve done that with me, with all of us.” “And you know how to help me with my homework.” Home Run nodded his head. “You give me input on the things I do.” “Ya helped me with the farmin’!” Applejack patted Rhino on the shoulder, which was also her own shoulder. “And Zephyr knows how to have fun!” Ranbow crossed her arms. She’s been with me all this time!” “Umm…” Fluttershy shuffled her feet. “Trinity does more than just fight. She’s a healer too…” “And Mag, remember all those times you help me with my clothes?” Rarity asked with a flip of her violet hair. “That wasn’t fighting.” “Arrrr! We know nothin’ but fightin’!” Hydroid boomed. “We only just awoke again, Lotus.” Hydroid panned a hand to Loki, Saryn, Mesa and all the other empty Warframes. “But you can decide what you want to do now.” Sunset stepped over to talk to them. “You may have only been fighting all this time, but you weren’t programmed with only one purpose. Spending time with our Tenno friends have proven that. You Tenno are capable of so much more, just like we are. You're alive as much as us, not just some robotic shells.” “I agree,” Twilight said, raising her hand. “Whoever created you, wherever you were created, you weren’t designed to be simple robots. You were designed to be alive, to make your own decisions, to live how you want to live.” “Wise words, Twilight Sparkle,” Nyx said. “We may never know the ones who created us, the Orokin, and what they had planned for us, but we know now that we can live our lives without the need of combat, unless we are called upon once again.” “Can’t say I won’t miss Zephyr.” Rainbow hugged an arm around herself. “But you gotta do what you gotta do.” “Oui, princess.” Eclair nodded her head. “Whatever your decision, I will obey. It is as you command of me.” “I also think it is time Agent Eclair and Agent Loregiver return home.” Princess Celestia weakly smiled at them. “That is, unless you’d like to stay?” “I would like to return to Princess Luna’s side, your majesty.” Eclair bowed. “My mission is complete on the other side.” “I don’t know how the library’s been managing without me around…” Loregiver raised a hoof to his horn. “But I think it is also time I returned. After I find a replacement teacher for my history class.” “Awwww, we’re going to miss you two!” Pinkie leapt up beside them and threw her arms around their necks. “We’re gonna miss you and all our Tenno friends!” “Yeah… gonna miss you, buddy.” Home Run patted his chest. “You’ve been really great company.” “Likewise, Home Run. It has been a pleasure.” “Well, make sure to visit from time to time, huh?” Home Run chuckled. “We’ll be in the same world anyway. Just that… you’re on the moon.” “You could come visit us as well.” “Yeah, um, humans don’t exactly just go to the moon when they feel like it.” “Now why not?” Home Run shrugged. “Too much to explain, pal. Science stuff.” Stardust trotted past them all, then opened a portal just at the princess’s bedroom door with her new powers. Home Run watched as the stars and lights beyond the portal shimmered, leading them out to the unknown. “This portal will bring you back to your world.” Stardust pointed a hoof ahead. “Just outside your school. From there, we will part ways.” “Time to go, then.” Eclair looked at the swirly gate. “One last visit to the human world before I come home.” Each of them began to proceed through, disappearing one by one. When it came time for Home Run to go, Princess Celestia stopped him, calling out his name. “Home Run, I would like to thank you again,” she began. “You had no reason to be here, but you’ve helped out all this time. For that, you have our greatest gratitude.” “Aw, it wasn’t just me.” He blushed and rubbed his head. “We all chipped in, Tenno, human, pony. Sunset did the most work. She unlocked her magical powers through the suit. She’s the one you should really be thanking.” “Sunset, huh?” Celestia chuckled. “She’s come a long way and I’m very proud of her. Do watch out for her, Home Run? Keep her safe and support her on.” “You got it, princess.” He saluted with two fingers. “Well, I better go. It has been an honour to help out and to get to see…” Home Run motioned his hands around the room. “All this. This is just crazy, but incredible. Thank you for the opportunity, princess.” “Then take care now, Home Run.” The alicorn sisters waved their hooves as the baseball player ran through the portal, heading back home. “So this is really it, huh?” Sunset Shimmer watched as Mr. Loregiver’s magical dust began to fix everything the Grineer had destroyed during the battle. By now, the other students had all gone and only the other Rainbooms, Home Run, Mr. Loregiver and Eclair were still standing on the front lawn with their Warframes. “It is, Sunset Shimmer,” Ember said. “It has been a blast, but it is now time to go.” Stardust opened another portal, mentioning this one now led to the moon, where they were going to be staying from now on. “Y’all take care now, alright?” Applejack waved to the Tenno, then shook hands with Rhino. “You all go back to living your lives as you should. No more violence and killing,” Nyx said to all of them. “We are sorry you were dragged into our fight.” “No biggie!” Pinkie springed up and showered confetti on them. “Saving the world is what we do! There was this one time…” She went on and on about everything they’d done up until this point, with Home Run eventually tuning out her words when she arrived at the Battle of the Bands. “So, you’ll be here now, Velvet?” Home Run decided to ask the newest addition to their school. “At CHS?” “Yeah. I’m good enough now.” Velvet closed and open her hands. “I’ll still go back to Equestria after school. That’s my home now, with my sister and Dewdrop.” “Right… complicated stuff, huh? All this world changing and all that…” Home Run whistled. Now that he thought about it, his few months in Canterlot have taught him more than his time in Fillydelphia. He’d come to learn a whole lot about fighting for others and doing what was right. He’d learnt a lot about friendship. Lasting friendship. He couldn’t ask for a better group of friends. “Home Run.” Vauban walked over and lifted a hand. “I will see you again in the future?” “Whenever you want, buddy.” Home Run gave him a high five, then rubbed his hand after. “You take care, okay? If there are anymore alien threats, let’s face them together.” “Uh, I’m sure Princess Celestia is sending them away so we don’t have to kill again,” Sunset reminded. “Oh. Well, you go for it then, Vauban.” Home Run laughed nervously. “Keep an eye out for aliens, huh?” “We shall.” Vauban bowed his head. “It has been my great pleasure to fight alongside you. Until we meet again.” With all the Tenno gathered around the portal, Stardust was the first through, disappearing through the gate with a ripple. One by one, each Tenno began to walk through, going to their new home. Home Run was sad that a friend of his was leaving, but he stayed strong. Their friendship wasn’t over, he knew it. One day perhaps, they could see each other again. Fluttershy was crying by the side, now being comforted by Rarity and Pinkie Pie, but otherwise, the others all stood firmly and waved. “Until we all meet again.” Nyx was the last through, hopping back through the portal before it shrinked down into a little orb before vanishing. “Well…” Velvet shoved her hands into her pockets. “That’s that, huh? Can’t say I liked getting back into killing again, but I did have a good time being able to fly around. Ash was good company.” “Yeah, feels like it’s been a long time, huh?” Applejack looked up at the sky. “You think people are going to forget this one?” Rarity looked around at the streets and the neighbouring buildings. “I doubt a full scale invasion would’ve gone unnoticed.” “All the destruction’s been fixed.” Mr. Loregiver pointed at the repaired school building. “Unless they’ve seen it all with their own eyes, it’ll fade in time.” “So what happens to the people living around here?” Twilight Sparkle looked at the neighbouring buildings, some of which were homes. “If this was Equestria, I could cast a spell to make them all forget, but… yeah.” “And I don’t have Ember with me anymore.” Sunset looked at her hands disappointedly. “It felt nice, being able to use magic again, but I guess it just isn’t normal for humans.” “Don’t worry about it,” Mr. Loregiver said, looking back at the portal. “If it’s anything us Agents of the Eclipse are good at, it’s information. We’ll deal with any witnesses, if there are indeed witnesses.” The girls and Home Run looked at him with shocked expressions, then Eclair waved both her hands and stepped forward. “Non non, he does not mean killing them, if that is what you were thinking,” she said with a cringed smile. “Loregiver means we will talk to them and supply a different information.” “Ohhhh…” the girls said in unison. Home Run had a hard time believing it was going to be so easy, but then again, Mr. Loregiver and Eclair were like, spies or something. If spies from Equestria were the same as spies in movies, then they could surely find a way to get things done. “So you’ll be heading back to Equestria soon, Mr. Loregiver?” Pinkie bounced up to him with big round eyes. “We’re going to miss you.” “Yes, but my duty here is done.” Their history teacher looked up to the moon. “I was only assigned here when Princess Celestia first detected the Grineer again. Now with them defeated, I will have to return to the library, where my real duty lies. Princess Twilight, the library is still in good condition, I hope?” “Of course!” Twilight answered proudly. “I’d never ill-treat a book. You’ll find they’re all still in almost perfect condition.” “Good to hear.” Loregiver looked back at the statue base. “It has been a while since I’ve been back to do my duty.” “Well, Ah hope the replacement teacher ya find is a mighty fine teacher!” Applejack dusted her hat. “Uh, no offense, Mr. Loregiver.” “None taken. Well kids, I suggest you all get home and get some rest. It’s been a long day.” “Tell me about it…” Sunset rolled her eyes and smiled. “It feels like it’s been years.” “It’d be nice to get home and have a shower.” Rarity picked at her shirt. “And a nice long sleep.” Home Run began imagining his soft bed and how he was just going to go home and lie on it. “Could really use some rest.” “Man, you guys are eggheads.” Rainbow folded her arms and looked skyward. “I’m still good to go for a few rounds of soccer.” “Well, good luck playin’ then.” Applejack slouched and waved at her. “Ah’m headin’ home. Ah’ll see y’all tomorrow or somethin’.” And the cowgirl was the first to leave, heading away from school. “Guess I’ll see you all tomorrow?” Velvet Breeze began making her way to the portal. “We still have to catch up!” “Yes we do, Velvet,” Sunset chuckled and waved. “We’ll start things back up the way they should be tomorrow, everyone!” “Back to normal, huh?” Home Run smiled to himself as he began walking off too. He had only been in Canterlot for less than three months and the boy felt like he’d already been through so much. Things were so much more different here and he’d made so many good friends along the way and learnt a lot from them. Vauban was one of them. Home Run was disappointed to see him go, but he knew it was for the best for both of them, for everyone. After all, they were still only teenagers. Killing wasn’t supposed to be part of their everyday lives. From here on, Home Run hoped to forget it all and move on as a regular kid should. “Don’t you worry, Vauban,” he said out loud. “I’ll lose that part of myself and live out my life as I should. By being a good friend to others.” “Gee, that’s a bit cheesy, don’t you think?” Sunset walked up behind him. “I mean, the girls and I say stuff like that a whole bunch too, but it doesn’t make what you said any less cheesier.” “Well, we are just cartoons,” Home Run joked. “Hmm, what was that?” “We are just kids,” Home Run restated. “We don’t have a whole lot of expectations, so cheesy stuff is fine.” “If you insist.” Sunset grinned and looked at a hand. “You know, I’m going to miss Ember. If not for the company, I’m also going to miss having my magic around. It felt so natural, you know? To be able to cast it once again. It made me feel… whole.” “Yeah. I’m from this world, but when I’m with Vauban, I can feel it too.” Home Run remembered all the times they entered Maximum Drift and how his ears changed. “There’s that little tingly bit of magic before we are capable of syncing. I mean, at least I think it’s magic.” “Yeah…” Sunset looked at the sky. “These suits… I really wonder who these Orokin were and what their relation to magic was. If only we could meet one.” “Well, they’re all gone, huh?” Home Run shoved his hands in his pockets as they walked along. “Yeah. It’ll be silly to think that I’ll get to talk to one someday. Well, enough of these gloomy thoughts. We can always see the Tenno again, right?” Home Run smiled and nodded. “Right. They can come visit anytime, I’m sure, and perhaps one day, we’ll be able to visit them as well. Unless you can already breathe on the moon.” “Pretty sure I can’t.” “Then meeting them again will have to wait.” The two of them stopped at a red light. “Whatever mysteries the Tenno are shrouded in, maybe we’ll get to find out one day, huh?” “I hope so. Like Twilight, I’m quite an avid researcher myself,” Sunset said, watching the light. “There must be so much we can learn about them and their creators.” “Probably.” Home Run laughed. He wasn’t much of a science guy, but he figured Sunset knew what she was saying. Then the light turned green, allowing them to cross the road. “Race you to the other end?” Sunset quickened her pace. “Race? Me?” Home Run readied himself. “You’re on!” As Home Run ran alongside Sunset, he found that there was still plenty more Canterlot had to offer, Warframes and aliens or no. He had plenty of friends now and these friends, he knew, he would have for the rest of his life. He might’ve had to deal with plenty of aliens, portals and rifts between their two worlds, but he hadn’t done it alone. In Canterlot, he was never alone, even without Vauban and he was very grateful for that. And then Sunset ran along the wall on his left, squeezing past him and overtaking him in almost a single leap. The boy stopped in his tracks, his mouth gaping open. “Seems I still have plenty to see here…” And he ran on.