//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Be Kind and Forgive // Story: Mobius and Equestria: Worlds Collide // by AngelShy24 //------------------------------// As they always say… everything must come to an end; and that very saying could be said about a major battle between 2 worlds. A major criminal convict, Solar Dusk came very close of succeeding in taking over Equestria and another world named Mobius thanks to the new power he acquired. But thanks to Twilight Sparkle, the rest of the mane six, and their friends from Mobius, Solar Dusk was finally defeated; and peace and order was restored. But on top of that, Solar Dusk was completely and permanently striped of his unicorn magic thanks to Sonic and his harmonic transformation. After everything, Sonic and his friends found a way to return to their world thanks to Celestia and Luna. Everyone took their turn to say good bye; but the one who had the hardest time saying good bye was Cream. She had no idea how long she would be able to see her pony friends again. But she knew that time would eventually come if she waited patiently. Once in Mobius, Eggman made a beeline towards the location of his robotic base. But when he got there, Shadow’s claim was fully realized when he saw that his entire base was destroyed. Nothing was left but fire and scraped metal. Eggman was freaking out and then began to furiously shout at Orbot and Cubot who were nearby. “You dumbfounded imbeciles! How could you possibly allow that bat thief to take down this entire base?!” “Y-you must understand, sir,” Orbot pleaded, “We threw everything that we possibly could at her; but she somehow managed to get the best of us.”          Eggman then crossed his arms as he continued to growl and scowl at Orbot who was lightly shaking under pressure. But then he sighed as he said…         “Okay… perhaps we were kind of bored without you here and kind of went into sleep mode… and we were kind of caught… off guard. B-b-but once we noticed, we did everything in our resources to stop her; but she was too quick and too clever!”        “She was there and there and there! She was everywhere!” shouted Cubot suddenly, “That bat lady was just too smart for us; and she was quite agile too! It’s no wonder that she’s a master thief! But on the bright side, she only took some gems from the treasure trove… th-that’s… now buried… in rubble.”        All Eggman could do was sigh as he said, “Well… at least that stupid voice chip of yours is working properly now.”       After meeting up Shadow, Rouge told him about how her task went and even bragged a bit about some rare materials that she found in the process. Shadow also filled Rouge in on everything that happened in the other world. Afterwards, they both soon went their separate ways to deal with individual agendas. As for Silver the hedgehog, he traveled back to his present timeline in the far future. He remembered visioning what fate would befall his home if he didn't do something; but once he got there, he saw that everything was still the way it was before he left. He took a deep breath and admired what might have been ruined. “Ah… present sweet present. It’s good to be back.” Back in the world of Equestria, Twilight and her friends went back to their daily lives as they were helping their friends and family of Ponyville recuperate after Solar Dusk’s tyrannical takeover. And speaking of Solar Dusk, he was right back in the same position as he was before he broke out and escaped. Just like before, he was watched over and accompanied 24/7. Without his natural unicorn magic however, he wasn’t much of a threat anymore; but knowing of his intelligence, Celestia didn’t want to be too careful. Solar Dusk himself still couldn’t believe that he was in the situation that he was in now. Just days ago, he was an all-powerful being that had control of two powerful Alicorns and had the potential power to rule over two worlds. But now he was a prisoner of the Royal Sisters once again with his unicorn magic being gone forever. It did a huge number on his pride both as a unicorn and a crystal manufacturer genius. However though, even though deep down he was angered, frustrated and completely furious, he eventually felt like there was no reason to continue perusing revenge and finally accepted his fate. That very moment when he was punched in the face by Fluttershy, Angel, Cheese and Cream had been stuck in his head ever since it happened; and he could never stop thinking about it. Every time he did, he wanted to break and shatter something. He even had moments when he hoped that his magic would come back somehow; but he knew that it was never going to happen. He knew that there was no longer any hope for his future. But then less than a month later, something happened that no one would see coming; especially Solar Dusk. One day, he was laying in his cell as calmly and peacefully as he could be awaiting the moment that he would be summoned by Celestia again to do another punishing chore. But as Solar Dusk sensed one of the guards approaching his cell, he would find out that the reason would not be what he expected. “Up and at ‘em, Solar Dusk,” the guard demanded, “You’re coming with me.” Solar Dusk rolled his eyes and groaned as he said, “How wonderful. I wonder what her majesty has planned for me today? Does she want me to scrub the throne floors, clean out the castle drapes, or maybe have me prance around the town like a happy little school mare in a dress?” “Um… I-I-I don’t know… why she would make you do… that last thing;” said the guard awkwardly, “but no, it’s not her. You… have a visitor.” Solar Dusk’s eyes went semi-wide as he looked over at the guard and stated, “A what? Are you purposely messing with me? Who in their dumb, moronic mind would want to visit me?” “Oh, trust me. You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.” Solar Dusk calmly got up and sighed feeling like he had nothing better to do, “Whatever. Let’s get this over with.” Solar Dusk was released from his cell with multiple guards surrounding him as they walked up to the castle floor and to mini room that was sometimes used for interrogation situations. But the moment Solar Dusk stepped inside, he couldn't believe it. “What… the…” He was in major shock and annoyance when he saw the last being he expected to be here nervously wave at him. Cream the rabbit, along with her friend, Cheese. “My visitor… is her?!” “Yep,” said the main guard, “I told you that you wouldn't believe me.” The guard then stepped out and gave warning before closing the door behind him, “Well… you have 15 minutes. And don't try any funny business. We're keeping an eye on you.” Solar Dusk slowly walked over to the chair that was opposite from the tableside Cream and Cheese was sitting. He sat down while constantly staring at the duo while not saying a thing. Cream was feeling a little nervous, but she didn’t let it bother her too much as she remembered the reason for being here. “H-h-hey there, Mister Dusk. Um… nice to see that you're… doing well.” “What… are you doing here?” Solar Dusk suddenly said in a low tone, “I thought it was just plain stupid to hear that someone came in here just to see me. But now seeing that it was you… I-I can't even comprehend it.” “Um…” “Seriously, you have a lot of nerve showing your face to me again… after what you did to mine.” Cream realized what she meant as she nervously chuckled. Solar Dusk’s then got louder, “And let me guess… you have some of your friends nearby to make sure you're safe… protecting you like the arrogant child you are?!” “N-n-no… actually,” said Cream hesitantly, “Nobody else is here. It’s just me… a-and Cheese here.” ‘Chaos Chao’ “Then tell me…” said Solar Dusk as he sat back in his chair, “what exactly is your reason for being here? Do you wish to gloat some more in my face? Have you somehow not had enough of ridiculing me and making me look like a poor, pathetic weakling?!” He then went forward and slammed his forehooves on the table startling Cream and Cheese, “HAVE YOU?!!!” After checking her heart, Cream sighed and said, “No, I’m not here to do any of that. But… I’m actually just here to… apologize.” Solar Dusk’s eyes suddenly went wide while continuing to stare at the young rabbit feeling confused of her words. “N-nobody talked me into it or anything; the decision was all mine. I don’t know if you’ll agree to accept it, but… I really did come here to just apologize; a-and to tell you that… I forgive you… f-for everything you’ve done. Nothing more.” Solar Dusk was silent for a few second; but soon, he began chuckling under his breath and then eventually into full-blown laughter. The guards who were nearby were watching making sure that this didn’t lead to anything. But Solar Dusk went silent again as he looked at Cream with a sarcastic smile. “And here I thought that you couldn’t get any more dumb and clueless than you already were.” Cream looked at Cheese who shrugged his shoulders and then she said, “I… I-I-I don’t understand.” “You don’t under… are you kidding me?! I kidnapped your little blue creature friend there and had him turned against you! I planned to have everyone you knew and loved to forget that you exist! I took over the minds of all your friends and family and threatened your home! I literally pummeled you into the ground and even tried to kill you! But I still ended up losing and you got exactly what you wanted in the end… and you made sure I knew of that.” Cream couldn’t disagree to that. Everything that Solar Dusk was mentioning was true and she couldn’t deny it. “So, you mean to tell me that after all of that… after all the torture I put you and your friends through, your only reason to come all this way here to see me was so that you could APOLOGIZE?!!!” All Cream could do was sit there in her chair with her body trembling a bit from the pressure Solar was putting on her. She was trying to think of something to say, but she couldn’t find the words right away. “You really are pathetic,” said Solar Dusk as he sat back in his chair with his forehooves crossed, “Do me a favor; leave now and stop wasting my time. Letting me keep what little dignity I have left is the least you can do.” But suddenly, Cream finally spoke again as she found the courage to say, “Mister Solar Dusk? You’re right. Even right now I have no reason to do this to you. All that time that you were hiding in our world and mocking us and doing what you did just to have revenge… I couldn’t wait to help take you down. That very moment when it finally happened, I was so happy that you were eating your words and could nothing about it.” Solar Dusk was suddenly getting irritated hearing Cream recap on his humiliation. He got up and began walking towards the door, “Okay, I think we’re done here.” But then Cream added, “But… a few days after, I began re-thinking my actions. There was something my mommy told me once. She said… that no matter how evil or tyrannical someone is, they always have a reason to do what they do. It may not be a good reason, but… its usually a reason that’s… understandable.” Solar Dusk didn’t understand why, but hearing what Cream said suddenly peaked his curiosity and caused him to stop in his tracks as he looked back at her. He then sighed as he turned around and sat back into his chair and said in a sarcastic tone, “Alright then… enlighten me. Do tell me exactly how you understand of what I’ve gone through. I’m just dying to hear it.” “I remembered back then when you told me and Fluttershy about who you were before you went all… revenge-like. It seemed like you really enjoyed your job, but it eventually drove you to where your works got dangerous. You didn't see it that way because you felt like you were creating something amazing. Something that would benefit your kind.” “Hmph… more or less I guess,” Solar Dusk scoffed. “So, I thought to myself that maybe… just maybe it was your very own magic that did this to you. Exposing yourself to what you created is what made you go all evil and stuff. Don’t you think that now you can focus on new pursuits now that you can’t create those silly gems anymore?” Solar Dusk suddenly gave Cream a little scowl as he explained, “I'm afraid that you’ve still failed to fully understand the situation. I am a Unicorn. Using magic was my passion, it was my way of life, it was the essence of my very being. My magic… was who I was; my special talent! It had nothing to do with my intensions of revenge! Taking that away from me was the most insulting thing anyone could ever do to me! So… do you still think that you know what I am going through?” Cream suddenly had a change of thought as she realized what Solar Dusk said, “Wow… I-I-I never really thought about it that way. It just occurred to me that the use of your magic was part of the meaning of your… cutiemark.” Cheese just folded his arms and nodded in agreement. “Seriously?” Solar Dusk scoffed, “That’s a lousy excuse.” “B-b-but still… I won’t lie! You had an amazing talent! I mean… developing your own crystals with power and properties that made them your own; that’s astounding! But… the way you decided to use them; it’s no wonder Celestia was frightened by it. She knew that it was bad news! She knew that if you kept creating those things that it would cause nothing but chaos!” “All you’re doing is reciting the same drabble Princess Celestia said to me,” Solar Dusk exclaimed, “She just didn’t understand the great potential my work held! Nopony did; and you are just the same.” “But you could’ve done so much better!” Cream pleaded, “You could’ve… start from scratch or something! You didn’t have to choose revenge!” “What I did and my reason for doing it was personal to me. It didn’t matter if somepony else didn’t understand.” “I normally don’t like to fight. I hate fighting! The only reason I went after you with Fluttershy all those months… or… weeks ago was because I was just trying to get my friend back from you when you kidnapped him! I didn’t want any trouble from you! Although, I guess if you didn’t, then you might’ve still eventually find a way to get your revenge anyway. Heh heh. A-a-am I right?” Cream looked over at Solar Dusk and saw that he wasn’t smiling. But then again, why would he? “M-my point is that it could’ve gone so much different. You could’ve always turned yourself in so your punishment wouldn’t be so… severe. And then you could've start off fresh somehow.” Solar Dusk found it to be partially impressive but also partially annoying on how far Cream was going to prove what she had believed could happened. “But you know what, I don’t care anymore! As stupid as it may sound to you and many other ponies hear, I believe that there is a bit of good in you waiting to come out! There has to be!” “Heh, you’re right. That is stupid,” Solar Dusk chuckled in a sarcastic manner, “So glad you understand that. So… is that all you want to say to me or is there still another pointless topic you wish to ask me?” “Actually… there is,” Cream responded, “After seeing all of that anger and hatred that you had inside you towards everyone, how do you feel now? Do you… feel any weight lifted from you or… do you still want revenge?” Solar Dusk really didn’t wish to talk about that. But he knew that Cream wasn’t going to leave until he answered. “Come on. Just… be honest.” He sighed and groaned a bit; and then he lightly glared back at her as he said, “To be… honest, ever since that initial moment when my magic was taken away from me, my hatred only grew bigger. All those years of planning, scheming, and gaining power to finally get what I wanted. But all of that was just poured down the drain and wasted thanks to you and your friends. I didn’t show it, but every time I think of that moment of my defeat, all I wanted to do was punch through something, break something… destroy something.” Suddenly, Solar Dusk jumped on top of the table and slowly walked up to Cream. Cream was sweating and stayed in her chair trying to stay calm as Solar Dusk placed his angry face up close to hers. “Just seeing your face right here in front of mines makes me want to give you the same treatment you gave me and send you crashing right through that door.” Solar Dusk suddenly gained the attention of the pony guards that were observing from nearby. They were on the offensive getting ready to do whatever was necessary to contain him; and so was Cheese. “Step away, Solar Dusk! Don’t make this hard on yourself!” Solar Dusk noticed and then sighed as he sat back into his chair and stated, “But after awhile, I soon realized… what’s the point. My plan is ruined. I failed, and my magic is gone forever. So, what’s the point of trying anything else. Its hopeless. There’s nothing left for me now.” Cream had suddenly noticed the grievance expression on Solar Disks face and realized just how deep in depression he was in. Even for someone like him, Cream couldn't stand to watch it anymore. She stood up and placed her hands on the table as she said with much sincerity… “Well… it doesn’t have to be.” ‘Chao?’ Cheese responded in confusion. Solar Dusk glared back at her and said, “What are you going on about now?” “Can’t you see; what you said proves my point! The old you wouldn’t care and would try to hurt me regardless; but you chose to not do it! You have control of your anger! Guess I was right all along.” “That's ludicrous!” Solar Dusk exclaimed feeling annoyed, “Stop trying to make this look like I’m trying to change my ways; because I’m not!” “Look… I’m sorry that you lost your magic forever; but maybe… this is a sign. The mistakes we make, no matter how big or small, are lessons that we can use for the future.” Cream then reached behind her and pulled out a flower crown that she had recently made for this occasion. Solar Dusk scowled a bit upon seeing and said, “What the heck… is that?” “You mean you don’t know a flower crown when you see one?” said Cream as she laid the crown down on the table in between them, “Normally, I would give one of these to someone I really like; but in this case, I wish to give this to you to show that I’m sincere. It won’t give you any royal status, but I hope you still like it.” Solar Dusk carefully picked up the flower crown with his hoof and was carefully studying it to make sure that there wasn’t anything more to it than what it looked like, “Why on earth would you give me one of these? Have you completely lost your mind?” “Back when you kidnapped Cheese and threatened to take me away from my friends,” Cream stated, “I thought you were just a vile, cruel being that would never change… right up to the last time we met. But now, I’ve decided to put all of that behind me. I wanted to give you another chance to instead let me see the best in you. I know that we’re enemies; but if you put your mind to it, you can learn to do good again. You can find a way to turn your life around for the better! All you have to do is try.” From everything Cream was saying and doing in front of him, Solar Dusk was confused beyond reason. He just couldn’t comprehend the fact Cream was being this nice to him after everything he said and did to her. He stared at the flower crown and then back at Cream who was just sitting there smiling. But when he looked back at the crown, his hoof that was holding it was slightly shaking; and he was holding his head with the other one. Then in one quick burst, he shouted out loud from much straining; and with one flick of his hoof, threw the flower crown into a nearby trash can. Cream and Cheese suddenly gasped upon seeing what Solar Dusk did; but Solar Dusk still didn’t seem to care as he took a deep breath and released a calming sigh. “Thanks, but no thanks. Did you honestly think that you would come in here and trick me into becoming your new friend?” “Trick you?!” ‘Chao chao?!’ “Just forget it. No matter how you feel about it, you and your friends ruined my life. Just the thought of you wanting me to suddenly change my life around and make the best of my situation irritates me. And you trying to become my friend is just plain dumb! I don’t need any friends! I don’t need anyone; especially someone like you.” Cream just sat there with a little frown on her face and tears in her eyes. She really wanted to change Solar Dusk’s heart, but he kept refusing to believe anything that she had said to him. And seeing him toss her gift into the trash right in front of her really crushed her. But at that moment, one of the guards came forth and spoke. “Alright, time is up. Time to get going.” “Well what do you know,” said Solar Dusk with a sarcastic smirk, “it appears that we’re out of time. I hope you struggle to sleep knowing that your plan failed and that this was all a complete waste of your time.” Cream sadly got up from her chair and began walking toward the door with Cheese following behind her. But she suddenly stopped in her tracks; and she said without turning around, “You know what, Solar Dusk? After everything you’ve done, none of my friends wanted to see you ever again; none of them. Not even Fluttershy wanted to see you; but… that’s probably because she was more nervous than anything else. I’m probably the one you abused the most, and yet I am the only one who made the decision to come here to just talk to you; and Cheese to.” ‘Chao chao’. “My friends thought I had lost it when I told them what I wanted to do, but I didn’t care. Even if it seemed bleak, I just wanted to try and make you remember how you were before you went rouge and at least make a little difference in your life. So at least someone tried to care about you.” Cream then slowly turned head around and wiped a few tears away as she concluded, “Think about that.” After Cream and Cheese walked out from the room, Solar Dusk just sat in his chair contemplating on what Cream said. He looked back at the trash where he threw Cream’s flower crown and then looked away as he scowled and lightly grumbled to himself, “Insolent child.” -------- Cream may have been by herself inside the palace with Cheese, but she didn’t come to Canterlot by herself. Hanging out right outside the palace gates, Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Angel, and Cream’s Mother, Vanilla were all waiting for them to return. Sure enough, they all saw Cream and Cheese emerge out from the palace doors and was headed back to them. Once she was close enough, her Mother ran up to her and placed her arms around her as she picked her up in a tight hug, “Cream! Thank goodness you’re okay.” “Yeah, Mom,” said Cream in a sadden tone after being put down, “I’m okay. I told you that there was nothing to worry about. “So… how did it go in there?” said Fluttershy, “Did Solar Dusk somehow listen to your words and miraculously decided to… change his attitude about things… like you hoped?” Cream sighed as she turned around and looked back at the castle, “I don’t know. I tried my very best, but… he didn’t seem to care. Even when I tried giving him my gift of apology, he just threw it away in the trash… right in front of me! He was still pretty angry about what we did to him, but he still hates me most of all.” Twilight came over to Cream and placed her hoof on her shoulder as she said to her, “Don’t beat yourself over it, Cream. What happened to Solar Dusk, he brought it onto himself. You know that. He had a chance to turn things around, but he chose revenge instead. Whatever you tried to do in there, I’m sure you did your best.” “Believe it or not, Cream,” said Fluttershy, “after hearing what you wanted to do, I almost thought that there was a small chance that you could convince him. But… maybe… he’s just too far gone. I think that taking away his magic just push him over the edge.” “But even still,” Cream responded, “that can’t be the end of his story! Like my Mom said, everyone has good in them somewhere; even someone like Solar Dusk! Isn’t that right, Mommy?!” Vanilla sheepishly grinned as she began to sweat a bit as she tried to tell her daughter, “Well, um… the thing is that… what I said is true. Everyone has the potential inside them to be good. But… after everything Solar Dusk has done to me… to you… and everyone else, even I question if that’s even possible for him.” Cream couldn’t believe that her Mother said that. It was a bit different than what she told her before. But seeing that no one was arguing against her say, Cream decided to give in and admit, “Maybe, you’re all right. I mean… we are talking about someone who tried taking over two worlds and almost succeeded. Not to mention went mad with power and tried to kill me… and all of us. I guess this whole visit was just a complete waste of time.” But then, Twilight showed a little smirk as she said, “Actually Cream… never say never. Sometimes even the tiniest act of kindness can change someone’s heart. A certain pony friend of mine fully knows that.” Fluttershy suddenly blushed as she smiled and shied away. “But as hopeless as it may seem, there is still a chance that your little visit here may have done something. Maybe not on a grand scale, but something nonetheless.” Hearing Twilight say that made Cream feel a whole lot better. Even if it didn’t happen today, she knew that maybe her time here made a difference after all, “Yeah, maybe it has. But even so, I don’t see us becoming friends anytime soon.” Cheese agreed, ‘Chao chao chao’ “Well I think we’ve done enough here,” said Twilight, “Now how about we give you and your Mother that tour Canterlot that we promised.” “Yeah,” Cream agreed, “it will be lovely to walk around there in a nice atmosphere this time.” “What does that mean, dear?” said Vanilla with a light chuckle. “Let’s just say that… when Solar Dusk was in power, this place looked like a desolate ghost town.” Angel then jumped down from Fluttershy and hopped up onto Cream to give her head a hug. Cream giggled and petted him as she said, “Okay, Angel, you can walk with me, you silly bunny.” “He’s still at it, isn’t he?” said Vanilla. “Yeah, but we came to an understanding.” The group soon began to exit the palace grounds and were making their way towards the town. While Cream was walking up ahead with Cheese, Angel and her Mother, Fluttershy was hanging back with Twilight and said quietly to her, “So do you really believe what you told her, or was it just to make her feel a little better?” “A little of both actually” Twilight responded, “Solar Dusk may have been the evil, sadistic, tyrannical dictator that he was, but… friendship has a weird way of working out sometimes.” “That’s sure true,” said Fluttershy with a light giggle. With that, they continued to venture into Canterlot. Cream did her best to do what she came there to do, but all she could do now was leave things be and let nature take its course. It was a beautiful day and Cream couldn’t wait to spend it with Mother and pony friends. ---------- Some moments ago, back inside the Canterlot Palace, Solar Dusk was back inside his prison cell dozing off to sleep like he was before he was called out earlier. However, he wasn’t completely asleep; far from it. It’s like he was waiting for something that he was expecting to come his way. Soon enough, a unicorn guard came down into the dungeon and came up to Solar Dusk’s cell holding up a certain item with his magic. “I believe this is what you requested, Solar Dusk.” The item was none other than the flower crown that Cream tried to give to him but ended up throwing it in the trash. It was now covered in light stains that stuck to it and was making it smell a little funky. However, Solar Dusk woke up and walked up to the guard and took the flower crown by his hoof as he said, “Indeed it is.” Then with slight disgust, he added, “I… apprec…iate… it… very much.” The guard felt confused as he watched Solar Dusk take the flower crown and hung it up on a rusty nail that was embedded in the stone wall. “I really don’t understand you. I saw you throw that thing in the trash when that rabbit girl tried giving it to you; which by the way I found to be kinda rude. It was a nice gesture. So… why did you suddenly want it back now? There was some nasty stuff in the trash you threw it in, so it kinda smells now anyway.” Solar Dusk suddenly tilted his head towards the guard showing a dark scowl and approached him as he said, “Do I question you on what you do and why you do it?! Its none of your business! Now leave me to be in peace before you regret it.” All the guard did was chuckle a bit as he stepped back from the cell and stated, “Heh. You know, you can threaten anypony here and be all dark and edgy all you; but a threat is useless when it’s an empty one.” As the guard walked off, Solar Dusk continued to glare in his direction. But he eventually took a deep breath and calmed down as he went back to his resting spot in his cell. As he laid there, he looked back up to the flower crown and was suddenly reminded of the things Cream said to him; especially… ‘I wanted to give you another chance to instead let me see the best in you. I know that we’re enemies; but if you put your mind to it, you can learn to do good again. You can find a way to turn your life around for the better! All you have to do is try.’ ‘Even after everything I did to her,’ Solar Dusk thought to himself, ‘after everything she's witnessed from me, she could've just ignored me and stayed home in her wretched world. But instead, she… came all this way… to see me… and talk to me… when no one else would. Why… why would she do that?’ how to Solar Dusk still did know how to feel about Cream’s visit, but he did feel like something happened because of it. But of course, he would rather be humiliated all over again than to admit that to anyone. But regardless he laid his head back down feeling somewhat content and continued his rest. ‘Kindness… hmph. Perhaps it really is more powerful than I thought.’