//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 Victory // Story: Xcom: Alien Unknown // by Bronycommander //------------------------------// Chapter 13: Victory Dinky couldn’t tell what had happened or how long she was out as her head ached, she blinked but her vision came and went, her hearing was muffled. She prayed what she had done had worked, that everyone was alright. “Vitas stabilizing. Synaptic activity returning to acceptable levels.” A voice echoed in her heard as her vision slowly cleared, finding herself in the infirmary. “And one trans-dimensional Psionic network down for the count.” A female voice added as her hearing recovered too. Once she slowly got up, the smiling face of Edward and all her friends greeted her. “D-did it work…” Her voice was weak. “Is…the Commander alright?” “A bit shaken but Tygan diagnosed a full recovery.” Midnight replied. “And to answer your question regarding the mission.” Patch reached for a data pad and pressed a button, it showed retreating ADVENT troops in a burning City Center, together with a woman with headset on a roof. “This is the Liberation Network broadcasting on all frequencies. ADVENT is in full retreat across all areas…” She said and fighting got shown, a man with headset reported, “Heavy fighting continues in the City Centers as ADVENT forces attempt to regroup…” Then a settlement with people getting care packages and another man reported, “We’re barely keeping up with the flood of refugees here as people continue to desert the ADVENT-controlled City Centers.” Then it showed a woman in front of a table with weapons on it. “To all of you still in the occupied zones – hold your ground, continue the fight. We promise you, help is on the way.” Then it ended and the filly slowly smiled. “We did it. Finally, humanity is free.” “Yes, you can finally go home.” Patch replied, “Tygan also said you can leave as soon as you wake up.” “Glad to hear it.” “Reminds me, think we keep the Psionic powers?” Wolf asked curiously and Midnight tried to flaunt his power but nothing happened no matter how strong he tried. He shrugged. “Oh well, was fun while it lasted.” “Yeah, he also mentioned the downfall of the Elders did disable all Psionic powers. He also said that Lukas’ condition could be reversed.” Dinky smiled warmly. “That’s nice to hear, you can be yourself again, Lukas.” “Yes, and I look forward too.” He replied. The filly cleared her throat, noticing it was dry. “Edward, could you bring me some water please?” “Of course.” He replied and walked out, with the former ADVENT member looking after him. “He’s such a polite and well-raised boy, it’s really a pity what happened to his mother.” “Yes, it is.” Lena started to smile. You remember how I told you we liked to be parents, Dinky?” “Yes.” Then she got it. “You want to adopt him? That’s a very nice idea.” “There you go, Dinky.” The young man walked in with a glass of water and the unicorn gladly took it. “Edward, I and Lena thought about something,” Lukas said and the boy asked, “And that is?” “You see, we always wanted to be parents, and it was really tragic what happened to your mother, she raised you well.” “You…you would like…” He mumbled, not able to believe what the man just said. The young boy blinked in confusion, then slowly grinned. “Thank you!” He gave both a hug. “Yes, Edward, we would,” Lena confirmed. “Also, Edward, you have grown on all too us, since we are family here, we would be your family too,” Patch added, sounding slightly embarrassed. “I’d love too!” Edward exclaimed and Jessie chuckled as he looked at his friend. “Remember when we talked about Patch’s relationship with Nancy and Pipsqueak?” “Yes, I do. Why do you… Wait…” Toby cut himself off as he got it and Jessie and the others laughed at this. “Like OC, like creator, eh?” Kyle asked with a smile before looking at the ponies. “I also have a special gift for you.” He took them to the crew quarters, Lily, Tygan and Bradford joined them. “Remember when I told you how I like to draw and paint? I thought I make you a goodbye gift.” He removed a canvas from something next to his bed and the ponies were amazed. It was a painting of them, the knights stood with heroic poses and their signature weapons drawn, Dinky was standing on top of Fletcher with the same pose. “I hope you like it.” Kyle sounded proud of it. Midnight looked at it with a smile. “It’s beautiful! You have really talent. Reminds me of a pony I knew with similar talents.” “Thank you.” “The transport won’t be a problem.” Fletcher lighted up his horn and the painting became smaller, fitting perfectly in his saddlebag. “Goodbye, everyone. Dinky said as she gave everyone a hug before walking back to Fletcher. “Thank you for the help. We wish you all the best for the future.” Midnight said before Fletcher cast the spell that would bring them home and they vanished in a white light. “It’s sad she’s now no longer with us, but least she’s finally home, safe and sound,” Edward said with a weak smile b before yawning. “Yes. Let’s get you to bed.” Jan replied and she walked out with him, Shen, Tygan and Central. “Well, that’s the end of that. We did it, ADVENT and the aliens are defeated. We had probably never made it so far without Dinky and the Knights.” Toby commented with a hint of pride in his voice. “Yes. I know you made her proactive in your stories but I never thought she would be that brave and go so far.” James added with surprise in his voice. “Well, I was quite fascinated myself. I guess they will have to tell a lot back in Equestria.” “Couldn’t agree more.” Jessie then sighed. “Now, that we have won, I wonder what do to. In all those years, I never thought about enjoying myself.” “Since we have finally some time for ourselves, I think we should change that and deepen our relationship.” Bianca had a smirk on her face as she looked at him, Jane did the same with Kyle, Lena just grinned at her husband who grinned in return. Both, James and Kyle had surprised expressions at this, Patch slowly backed up with an uneasy expression. “I…I think I better leave you alone.” He said and walked backwards into the doorway, only to bump into someone. Turning around, he saw himself eye to eye with his girlfriend, who smirked too. “Where do you think you’re going?” Again, Dinky woke up with an aching head, groaning as she opened her eyes and found herself with the Knight in the hospital room. In the moment she got up, her mother walked in with tears of joy, hugging her. “My little muffin, I thought I had lost you!” “I missed you too, Mommy.” The filly replied as her other family members, the princesses and her friends walked in, happy to see her. “I can’t say how glad we are to see you are okay, Dinky, we feared the worst.” Blau Streifen said with relief as the Knights groaned, waking up. “Ugh…there must be a way to ease the headaches…” Midnight mumbled as Luna walked over to him, a stallion with dark blue coat and mane next to her. “Midnight, you’re okay.” The stallion hugged him. “Sorry I wasn’t there when you went missing the last time, I was busy elsewhere back then.” “it’s okay, Supernova, I am glad to be back.” The bat pony replied as Wolf’s family, Patch and Wagensroll walked in. “White Wolf, I was so worried…” Fallingleaf hugged her daughter who returned it. “I am fine, mother and happy to see you all too.” The Pegasus replied. “Fletcher, you’re back!” Wagensroll said with a smile. “Yes, I am, Wagensroll.” “So, my loyal knights and subject, what happened?” Luna wanted to know. Midnight took a deep breath. “Well, we found ourselves in an alternative universe of Earth, having been through a lot.” “Then, allow me.” The blue Alicorn touched his forehead with her horn and once again, everyone was transparent, finding themselves in the City Center. “Wow…” Tootsie’s eyes went wide as she saw how impressive the buildings looked, smiling as Lukas and Lena found Dinky and took care of her. “That’s very nice from them.” Time Turner commented, slightly shivering as the Elders got mentioned. The children slightly trembled as they saw the Lost, with Luna and Celestia putting their wings over them. “Those poor people.” Pip said with pity. Derpy gasped as it was shown how Dinky got shot, yet relaxed and smiled weakly as she saw how the Knights patched her up. “I owe you one for saving my daughter.” The grey stallion waved a hoof. “It’s nothing, we only did what was right, what we had to do.” “Ooooooooookay then...I don't think I've never needed a cup of tea so bad.” Patch’s expression was one of confusion, blinking several times as he saw Toby explaining himself, his eyes wide, apperently lost in thought, trying to make sense of it. None of the ponies was confused of the fact of that their life here was a children cartoon, due to the Knights last adventure on Earth, where fans had helped them. “Neither did I.” Fletcher replied as the birthday party of his creator here got shown and Sparkler smiled. “It’s really wonderful how you all helped to organize it, and that he found a lover.” “Yes.” Celestia added and everyone became slightly confused as they saw how the Elders spoke with Dinky. “Doctor, how are they aware of you?” In response, the time lord took a deep breath. “Can this wait until we saw everything?” The others nodded in response before seeing how the squad made the final Assault and how Dinky helped the Commander. “Dinky…” His expression and voice was stern. “You took a very big risk.” “I know but what was I supposed to do? Only with my help were able to enter the Gate and succeed.” She explained as they were back in the hospital room. Again, her father took a deep breath. “I just don’t want to lose you, Dinky.” “Yet, it was also very brave of her.” The white mare added. “Now, why are the Elders familiar with you?” “It was a very long time ago,” The time lord started, “Back then, I discovered the Elders’ world, being a once beautiful species. But one day, they suffered from a very aggressive from of tissue degeneration and their home world was on the verge of collapse, so I helped them to escape, which they were very grateful.” He sighed. “Yet, I was shocked to see how they invaded other species to find a cure, trying to stop them and eventually, I delayed their plans.” The brown stallion started to smile weakly. “So, my dear daughter, I am proud of you. You did what I could not.” “I just couldn’t let this happen, Daddy, that they…would kill humanity, all those who did nothing wrong, or do the same to all of you.” The young unicorn replied with a weak smile, she hated it to worry her parents. “It was a great risk, Dinky, but you managed to prevent something worse from happening.” Luna sounded slightly impressed. “Now rest, you need it. And the painting of Kyle is very well made.” She added as she looked at it in awe. “Yes, it is. I am pretty sure we find a place to hang it up.” Derpy was confident of it. “Reminds me, does anypony know how this portal was created that brought us to Earth?” Midnight asked and the doctor raised a hoof. “I suspect they wanted to reach me and something went wrong, like the Commander tried to interfere while being still connected.” “Well now, Dinky, we see you later, have a good rest.” Pip said before they all left the room. Wolf then looked out of the window, watching the sunset. “Without is, they probably had never accomplished this victory. it’s something we can be proud of.” “Indeed, Wolf. This is something we all can be really proud.” Midnight agreed. Yes, it’s a great goal we achieved.” Fletcher added. “I hope they can finally live a happy ad normal life. They all earned it.” Dinky said with pride and happiness. “This is their personal victory, something they will never forget. And our victory.”