Chapter 11: Reunited
Blue’s head ached as she came too, like after having too many glasses of wine, though she rarely drank. Looking around, she found herself with the others in hospital beds.
Ugh…I think I need a long time to get used to that…
Shortly afterward, the others awoke too and hoof steps sounded.
A colt with a cobalt blue coat and ginger/orange mane walked in. He looked at Blue with a smile. “Mama…I missed you!”
“Tungsten…come here.” She hugged her son and both cried tears of joy, with all others smiling warmly at the scene.
Then the unicorn saw Nancy and Pip entering, both having slightly apprehensive expression.
Blue knew they had forgiven her, yet she didn’t know what to say. “I…I…”
Without warning, both gave her a hug.
“We both never blamed you for this. You’re the best godmother I could ever wish for, you taught me so much.” Pip said, slowly smiling.
Nancy stayed silent for a moment, then a weak smile.
“Taking care of Tungsten was the least I could do for you, Blue. It’s alright.”
Then the families of the children and knights walked in, happy to see them safe and sound. “Welcome back, my loyal soldiers,” Luna spoke to the Dark Horse members.
“Itis nice to see you again, your highness.” The prince smiled warmly.
“And there’s visit for you, Abstraction.”
As Luna said this, a mint-green unicorn walked in with Bonbon, both looking happy at him. “Abby…I thought you were dead!”
The unicorn hugged him and he returned it. “I missed you too, Lyra.” They both cried tears of joy, with the stallion remembering his last thoughts before he landed on earth.
In a corner of his mind as his forehoof went numb, followed by the rest of him, Abstraction thought of the unicorn he'd left behind. A mint-green mare full of laughter. The hug they'd shared before leaving.
'I'll be right back.' he'd said 'Once I'm done saving Equestria.'
That was all he'd said, so nonchalant.
The side of his face tensed, as if his tear ducts had shut themselves off as the energy swamped him.
Perhaps Bonbon would take care of her. They'd always been close, ever since they were foals.
Maybe Aversion would help her out. And the rest of his squadmates.
Maybe Twilight Sparkle would come and help her, an old school friend helping a pony with a problem as he often did.
But uncertainly filled his mind as forbidden magic surrounded his body.
'Lyra...' he thought, losing sense of every speck of himself as the deafening crackling from the spell threatened to split his skull.
'I'm so sorry...We were going to do so much…together...'
“Abstraction, good to see you.” A male voice spoke up and he saw an earth pony with red mane, grey coat and a blue flame as cutie mark. Next to him was a Vampony mare.
“Aversion, Rue, nice to see you.” Abstraction smiled.
“We owe you our lives, my friend.” Aversion replied.
“We did only what we had to do, our duty.” The blue stallion said in return.
Behind them were a Unicorn mare with a light gray hide that had a hint of blue, a henna mane and tail, and a frying pan cutie mark, and a Pegasus stallion of reddish-brown hide the same color as the mare’s hair, and a dark brown mane and tail, as well as a small goatee. The group almost overlooked an orange unicorn stallion in the doorway, he had purple eyes and a blonde mane, his cutie mark were two hooves shaking, one of which would have a Red Cross on the sleeve. They all three smiled warmly at the scene.
“Speaking off, what about that mist?” Lily asked into the round.
“We did report it as fast as we could, yet it quickly dispersed after that, no traces were left,” Nancy explained.
“Now, what happened after the mist?” Dinky’s father asked and the four children started to tremble.
“We…found ourselves in something horrible…” The filly said with regret and Sparkler hugged her gently.
“We are all here for you, just like before.” She spoke in a gentle tone and Luna cast her memory spell.
Their friends and families watched with smiles as the saw how the three soviets found and cared for the children, yet watched in shook when they saw hat Skull Face had done to them.
“Oh my…Dinky…” Derpy mumbled and wrapped her hooves around her daughter.
“I…I…” The little unicorn stuttered, unable to say anything.
“Children, listen, that wasn’t you.” The doctor spoke out calmly. “I know it’s hard, but you will get over it.”
“And you will be our children, no matter what,” Ruby added.
Lyra, Bon-Bon, Aversion and Rue smiled as they saw how the knights picked Abstraction up.
“I…never knew you could so temperamental, Blue,” Nancy commented with awkwardness as the scene of an erratic Blue Murder kicking Fletcher in the crouch got shown, causing the unicorn to chuckle nervously.
Despite this, they were amazed how the knights, Dark Horse members and children worked well together.
“Well, for a mercenary, you seem to get pretty well among with this Big Boss.” Supernova commented.
“Well, we only did it to prevent Skull Face could do any more harm to our young friends. And we did encounter an old friend.” Midnight replied.
“What do you mean?” His relative asked before they saw how Blue helped out on the FOB of the Harmonious Guard, as well as the other two encounters. “I see, who would have thought of that?”
“Oh my…poor Snake…” Tootsie had pity with him as they saw the second Outbreak.
“Yes, it was very unfortunately,” Wolf replied.
After seeing how Quiet left, “The doctor commented, “Whatever her reason was, it honors her that she helped.”
Upon being back in the hospital, Lyra spoke up, “Fletcher, we all owe you one.”
“Why?
“Because, hadn’t you been searching for Dinky and her friends, neither Blue, Abstraction or any of the others would have come back.” She pointed out and he lowered his head in embarrassment.
“Oh please…”
“You have my thanks, Mr. Fletcher. And I am proud of you, my son.” The light grey mare smiled at him.
“I know, mother.” Abstraction then turned to his friends. “My mother Pan Fry,” He pointed to the mare, then the Pegasus stallion, “my stepfather Medium Rare and my uncle Resilience Redcross.” He looked at the orange unicorn, who gave a friendly wave with Abstraction’s parents.
Following that, the Dark Horse member took a deep breath. “Lyra, I wanted to ask you something, long before this incident.” He reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a small box. “Will you marry me?”
Lyra stared in shock before she sniffed, a tear leaving her eye. “Oh, Abby…yes. A thousand times, yes!” She exclaimed in joy and everyone smiled at the scene.
Then suddenly, a sound of clearing a throat got everyone’s attention and they saw a Pegasus stallion with a speckled navy back and face and a cream-yellow chin and belly, a light brown ponytail of a mane and steely ebony eyes, wearing intricate armor with shoulder pads shaped like an Alicorn taking flight. A black cloak with a white sun upon it and a sash with a flaming eye on black was across his chest. Also, it was inlaid with pearl and obsidian.
“I am terribly sorry to interrupt this lovely moment, but can I speak you outside, Eternal Knights?” He fixed Blue with a glare.
“Mum...who's he? Wh...What’s going to happen?" Tungsten asked with a fearful look but his mother gave him a calming hug.
“I’ll be alright, Sweetheart.”
“I assure you, it will be a fair trial, Tungsten,” Celestia spoke with an honest expression.
The three and Blue followed him outside.
“Still, how could you even think it was a good idea to bring her back?” The Royal Guard asked sternly.
“What else was I supposed to do, Peregrine? Just let her wandering aimlessly in an erratic state?” Fletcher asked irritated in return.
“In any case, you won’t take part in the questioning,” Peregrine replied and two fellow guards took Blue away.
The judges were the Equestrian Military High Command. Apart from Shining Armor, Fancypants and Sunset Shimmer, they were the highest-standing non-alicorns in Equestria.
An old, distinguished unicorn, a grim and uncompromising Pegasus mare, a female crystal mystic, a gigantic earth pony stallion, a tall and busty unicorn and a flamboyant pegasus.
The distinguished unicorn tapped his gavel.
“Citizens of Equestria, the Royal Custodial Tribunal calls the court to order. The judgement of the known fugitive, Blue Murder, unicorn mare from Trottingham, underway. The judges will stand. I, High Magister Ambrosias of the Canterlot Chamber of Causality will hear the accused.” He spoke in a low but soft voice and his manner was courteous but formidable. His coat, eyes bright purple and a long and winding white mane and beard, wearing a pair of spectacles dressed in robes of gold and silver and a tall mitre of office.
“I, Sky Marshall Cry Thunder of the Cumulonimbus Calvus Cloud Fleet will hear the accused.” The Pegasus mare with a dusky-navy coat and a billowing mane of white, lemon and turquoise streaks spoke up in an almost yelling voice. Her eyes were bright orange and one was paled and scarred from a fight. She was clad in armor of wyvern bone, wearing it's talons on her hooves.
“I, Archseer Bright Eyes of the Divine House of Empathos will hear the accused.” The mystic with deep-blue coat with a trailing mane of pink, red and orange spoke up. She wore a deep-red silk dress and veil fastened with jet-black beads. Her face was thin and nearly hairless with black veins running out from her eye sockets across her brow and over her cheeks. Her eyes were actually replaced with twin spheres of moonstone.
“I, High Protector Bulwark of the Western Frontier will hear the accused.” Bulwark said with a nod. A scarred, grey coat, steely silver eyes and a long, spiky head of crimson mane with enormous sideburns was his appearance. He was clad in intricate bronze armor with golden inlays and his army's banner of the crimson horseshoe decorating every plate of his garb, the helmet resembled the spiky skull of a tarasque.
“I, Chamberlain Honeydew of the Archive of Regrets and Remorses will hear the accused.” The tall unicorn added, slightly close to fat, with a bright yellow coat and a pale green mane tied up in an intricate bouffant. Her eyes were bright blue, lined and shadowed a dark purple. She wore simple jewelery of earthly pearls across her mane and ears. She was clad in a lavender combination of armor and robes.
“I, Outlaw-Hunter General Fandango of the Order of Martingale will hear the accused.” The Pegasus with a deep magenta coat and a long curly black mane with elegant mustachios and bright green, feline eyes finished. He was dressed in dark maroon cavalier garb with a wide-brimmed hat with purple plumes and thin black-iron armor arranged asymmetrically across his suit. A black rose was behind one ear.
“The charge is that of most gravity, my lords and ladies. The mare, Blue Murder, stands accused of high treason, collaboration with active enemies of Equestria, espionage, possession of illegal weaponry and, most severe, mass murder of over a thousand ponies across the Known World by way of paid assassination.” Ambrosias started.
“A killer for hire...” Cry Thunder Hoof grinded a hoof on her desk. “Repugnant.” She spat in disgust.
“Miss Blue Murder...how do you plead?” High Magister Ambrosias asked.
”...Guilty.” She said honestly
Yet your statement requests leniency?” Bulwark added.
“...Yes.”
“Do you intend to represent yourself in this request?” Bright Eyes asked next and Blue shook her head.
“No.”
“We would ask the reason why.” Honeydew was curious to know.
“Well, frankly...I don’t think my word carries much weight in here, knowing what I’ve done.” She stated and the navy colored mare nodded.
“True.”
“Fletcher Fray of Princess Lunas’ Eternal Knights, it is your wish to represent the accused as defense?” Ambrosias looked at him.
“It is.”
“And what have you to say in defense of a known assassin?” General Fandango spoke up.
“She’s not who you think she is.” He stated calmly.
“But is she what we have heard she is?”
“You need to understand that she is more than just a criminal.” Fletcher explained and Cry Thunder gave him a glare.
“She’s a murderer.”
“She’s a mother.”
Everyone stayed silent for moment, taking in those words.
“And?” Thunder raised an eyebrow.
“My lords and ladies, Blue Murder’s husband has long passed away. Put her away for the duration of her sentence and you will make her son an orphan.” Fray pointed out, only for Bulwark to slam on the table in anger.
“And how many foals has she made orphans?!”
“That was never her wish.” The green stallion countered calmly.
“Then all the worse for her doing so in the first place. Sentiment is far from worthless but in the face of so many actions vile and bloody, it avails little.” Bright Eyes was not convinced.
“Let us understand this...Is it your belief that she murdered ponies to ensure her son’s survival?” Fandango tied to conclude and Honeydew raised a hoof.
“We have no evidence to suggest he was ever in any danger.”
“Judges of the Equestrian Royal Court, I ask you to understand that Blue Murder has...not had an easy time as all of us.” Fletcher said with a hint of sympathy in his voice.
“So do a lot of ponies. It doesn’t turn them into crazed mass-shooters.” The deep magenta Pegasus pointed out in an unimpressed tone.
“Can I just point out something?” Blue asked into the round. “I wasn’t a ‘crazed mass-shooter’. I was an assassin.”
Cry Thunder blinked. “...There’s a difference?
Blue Murder nodded. “Well...strictly speaking, one is a job, the other is mental sickness.”
In response, the Pegasus slammed a hoof on the desk. “You’d be a damn sight more sympathetic if you were simply insane! To kill for money, I shouldn’t have to say to anypony, is sick in theory, evil in practice and wrong in every circumstance.”
The blue mare was not fazed by this. “...Just thought I’d be clear on that.”
“Royal judges, I simply ask that you consider the fact that no option presented itself to her.” Fletcher tried to defuse this situation but Ambrosias held up a hoof.
“No other option she accepted, Sir Fletcher Fray. She is not uneducated, unqualified, unprofessional, she would have had many options available to her.”
“The mercenary leader known as Cascadius sought her out at a young age.” Fray added, yet got cut off.
“Then it was her duty, as a citizen of Equestria, to report this.”
“Lives would have been put at risk.” Fletcher added, now Bulwark held up a hoof.
“More than the number of lives she took?”
“The circumstances involved...” Fray started, but now Cry Thunder cut him off.
“Change nothing about the lives lost and the tragedy incurred.”
Ambrosias tapped his gavel to get every to quiet down. “Order...Mrs. Blue Murder, do you concur with Sir Fletcher Fray’s statements?”
“...Well...if it carries any weight.” She replied and he nodded.
“As sympathetic as your situation is, Mrs. Blue Murder, you are not the victim here. And, strictly speaking, neither is your son. You murdered thousands across a lifetime of criminal behavior. How many of them had children of their own? If that did not factor into your judgement...it will not factor into ours.”
“I understand that.”
“All I am asking the judges is to administer mercy. All Blue Murder has done, she did with her son in mind.” Fletcher tried to explain as she gave him a glare.
“Shut up!”
“But...”
“I said shut up! Keep him out of this! Tungsten's my son and I love him. He's about the only thing left that I love...But I never killed for him. He was not responsible for what I did and you'll keep him out of this, as will I. I am a killer...I knew what I was doing...I would rather my son believe I was a monster from the very start...than believe he made me one.” Blue told with regret and Fandango asked in return,
“Is that a confession?”
“...If you want it to be...” She mumbled.
“Law is law. We cannot allow such a pony to remain unpunished. The blood on her hooves spans many fathoms.” Cry Thunder pointed out and Honeydew added,
“Indeed...yet we cannot rule out every measure.”
“Blue Murder,” Bright eyes started, “You have clearly put the life of bloodshed behind you. It is clear the life for your son motivates you now, if not before. Your recent exploits into rescuing the citizens of Equestria cannot be ruled out. It is clear to us that you are no longer a danger.”
“Nonetheless, these good deeds come very late and very far between. Your redemption cannot be found without long and severe imprisonment.” Bulwark finished and Blue lowered he head, accepting her fate.
“...I see.”
“With one alternative, we should point out.” Ambrosias continued and she looked up in surprise.
“...Yes?”
“Servitude. Under Princess Luna. As your associate, Sir Fletcher Fray chose to undertake many years ago. In order to absolve oneself of high treason in the eyes of Equestria.” Fandango explained.
“And...how long would I be serving?”
Honeydew answered for her. “Very likely the rest of your life.”
Blue Murder stayed silent at this.
“Or you can spend the rest of your days in a prison cell.” Bulwark stated.
“...So either I can rot away in a cell...or serve as your henchpony?” Blue wanted to know.
“Let us not ignore the fact you’ve killed thousands for coin. You’ve no place judging our moral caliber from where you’re standing, Mrs. Blue Murder.” Cry Thunder added.
“And if I join the Eternal Knights, I’ll be able to see my son?” She asked
“If they permit it. That’s their business. But you will be a cypher. For as long as they deem it necessary, the citizens of Equestria will consider you a criminal, though the fact that you are making amends and seeking redemption will not easily be ignored. Should you desire their forgiveness and friendship, you shall earn it by whatever means you can find. “Fandango answered her and Ambrosias finished,”
“Nopony is cut off from the Magic of Friendship unless they choose to be.”
Blue Murder didn’t mind that at all, she could still see her son that way, and her skills were put to good use.
After that, she attended a party at Sugarcube Corner, as Ponyville celebrated the return of Abstraction. The former mercenary enjoyed the cake, watching how her son danced with the other children.
“Blue,” Nancy started, “Tell me, why were you a mercenary?”
The female unicorn sighed. “It wasn’t for money or the thrill. He found me as a foal and brought me into this life. And ever since, I felt…like it was the only thing I could ever be good at. Until my husband and son came into my life.”
“And yet, you proved you can be good at other things, you showed that on Earth.” Fletcher pointed out and she smiled.
“Righto.”
With a slight smile, Blue watched how her son chatted with Sparkler.
“See, Tungsten? I told you, hope for the best. And it worked.” The unicorn said to him with a warm smile and he blushed. Like he hadn’t expected that.
It was clear she cared for him and Blue could see how he was touched, trying to get up with an answer.
“R-righto…Thanks, Sparkler. For all the support you gave me.” He said stuttering, yet managed to smile.
“Anytime, that’s what friends are for.” Sparkler gave him a hug, causing him to blush again.
Then Lyra walked up to Fletcher. “May I have this dance, Mr. Fray?”
While slightly surprised, he said, “Of course.”
“I guess that’s her way of saying thanks,” Wagensroll commented as he and the others watched the two dancing.
“Yeah.” Patch nodded.
After the dance, Lyra enjoyed some cake with her lover and friends. “You have my gratitude for taking care of Lyra, Bonbon.” Abstraction smiled warmly at her and she slightly blushed.
“It was the least I could do for you. For a good friend, I’d do everything.”
After the party, Lyra and Abstraction went to the home of Pan Fry and Medium Rare to get some time for themselves.
“I can’t believe you finally want to marry,” Pan said with happiness, “I knew you would one day.”
“And while I never knew Rigger Bristl, he would be also proud of you.” Medium added.
“Yeah, he would.” Abstraction looked with a weak smile at a family picture, on it were a younger Pan Fry, holding a colt Abstraction, together with a Pegasus stallion with a briefcase cutie mark, cyan hide, and a short blue mane and tail, his eyes the same as those of Abstraction.
“And so am I.” Lyra kissed her lover, he returned it, enjoying the moment.
“I know. I hope you were respectful when meeting first Katja back then.”
Now, Lyra chuckled. “You kidding?! I couldn't wait to see her. I mean, obviously I wasn't prodding her with a stick or anything but know...a lot of things finally made sense. Of course, we wanted to help her, lost kid and everything...sorry, I'm rambling."
The doorbell rang and Abstraction opened it, revealing his friend Aversion, together with Rue. “Hello!”
“Hi, I hope we’re not interrupting.” The Earth pony replied and the blue unicorn waved a hoof.
“Not at all.”
“Hello, what brings you two here?” Lyra asked with a friendly smile.
“We just thought you spend some time with you,” Rae explained and they had some tea together.
“That is very good tea, “Mrs. Pan.” The Vampony enjoyed it.
“Thank you. If I may ask, what about you two?”
Aversion scratched his head. “Well, we can’t marry like you, as Rue’s a Vampony. But we feel honored to be at the wedding.” He finished with a smile.
“You are friends, why shouldn’t you be here too?” Abstraction countered. “But…what exactly happened after the explosion?”
Aversion and Rue slightly lowered their heads, it wasn’t easy. “Back then, we made sure you wouldn’t be forgotten…” The stallion started to tell.
Aversion’s hooves stood stock-still on the stone floor. Only Rue dragging him back out of the dungeons made him feel anything but numb as his friends disappeared in the luminous haze.
Midnight Blade narrowly dodged a falling lump of stone the size of a fully-grown yak. He held the gate, shadow magic holding the pillars high as the Sentinels, Lycantheres and Dark Horse members evacuated.
At last, Aversion and Monardaruta appeared, holding one another steady as they limped exhausted.
“Where are the rest?! Rookie! Who did you go in with?!” Midnight bellowed.
Aversion’s eyes were staring into nothing, trapped in shock as part of his life had broken away from him.
Rue looked up at the fierce batpony.
“They’re holding the line. The Eligo Calque’s broken. It’ll tear this place apart...They’re giving us time to run.”
Midnight’s sheer white eyes flickered.
“You left them?”
“They ordered us. They knew what they were doing. We need to go! Now!”
Midnight stared into her eyes, searching for falsehood, a foulness he could smell like carrion.
There was none in her.
Nodding gravely, casting one last look down the toppling corridors. He spread his wings as shadow enveloped them, right before the last of the stones crashed to earth.
Materializing outside on the misty shores, Midnight Blade, Rue and Aversion stared helplessly as the magical surge, and the six trapped within it let out a blinding blast of light that spread out then shot back inwards in the same breath.
The floating stones of Castle Ululo tumbled lifelessly into the seas below. All that was left of the magical implosion was a faint dusky mist and a whispering echo.
Then silence.
“Snow.”
Rue’s voice was quiet and near-lifeless.
Snow had begun to fall on Castle Ululo. The first time in over a thousand years since the first Vampony set up stronghold.
Now at last, the carnivorous line was extinguished. Rue was a monster no longer.
Midnight Blade slowly raised a hoof and caught a snowflake on his hoof. He turned to Aversion, quietly weeping, and passed him a long ornate pole, jet-black. As Aversion steadily took it and held it up, the banner of Luna’s moon unraveled.
Slowly walking to the top of the castle wreckage, he raised the banner high.
For a moment, he felt certain he heard Abstraction’s voice.
He sounded well.
Slamming it into the stone, the lodestone base of the standard constricting the stone and the sand below it like vines, it stood rigid in the wind and snow, unremovable unless the princess herself willed it.
The Dark Horse raised their weapons high and sounded the names of the fallen.
“Atgeir.”
“Neolith.”
“Insistra Emphaseon.”
“Abundo.”
“Siyarjit.”
“Abstraction.” Aversion and Rue sounded at once as Midnight Blade held the hilt of his falchion to his muzzle and murmured the Lunar prayer.
“In darkness was your life given. In darkness was your life taken.” He closed his white eyes “Unsung heroes.”
“I prayed that you would return as I suffered nightmares from that day.” Aversion, shivered. “Seven months…I had almost given up hope.”
“I don't think you had. I've known you enough to realize that you never give up hope. It's why we both got this chance.” Rue said before kissing him, with the other smiling warmly.
In the next days, they made preparations for the wedding, with Rarity making the clothes for the couple.
“It is really an honor for me.” The white mare said as they took the measures of both down.
“We know to appreciate that, Rarity.” Lyra smiled.
After a moment, Rarity presented her work. A white dress with veil and a black suit, with the couple trying it on. “Suits perfectly. How do I look, my dear?” The green unicorn asked.
Abstraction blushed as she said, “Like the most beautiful mare in Equestria.”
“Oh really?” She grinned. “I thought more like the most powerful one.”
Now, Abstraction laughed. “You can’t beat Luna.”
“Doesn’t beat that I am a very skilled unicorn.”
“Right you are.” Both shared a laugh, with Rarity rolling her eyes
Sugarcube Corner organized catering, together with Pan Fry. Lyra and Abstraction wanted a small wedding, with the Mayor of Ponyville taking care of that.
But while the wedding came closer, Blue Murder had still one thing to do.
She was led by a Night Guard through a prison to a cell. “Hey, Shadowplay, you got visit.” The guard spoke in a friendly, female voice and Blue saw him smiling at the fellow Bat pony.
“Thanks, Clear Amber.” He replied with a friendly voice as well, as if he was happy to see her, causing Blue to look after the guard with a suspicious expression as she left the two alone.
“Blue…” Shadow’s smile fell as she saw her. “You’re survived….” He sounded guilty.
“Yes, I have. But tell me…why?” She asked in a neutral voice.
He sighed. “So you think I liked what I had to do? I never wanted to do this, I regretted every second. Every night after that, I suffered nightmares. I understand if you hate me, won’t forgive me. I just want to let you know, I’m sorry, regretting what I had to do.” Shadowplay lowered his head.
Blue took a deep breath, knowing that this wasn’t easy. “Shadow, I don’t blame you, neither does Tungsten.”
“You…don’t?” The stallion looked up confused.
“Why should I? We were both in a critical situation, acts we didn’t want to do. We are in the same boat.” She pointed out.
“And so am I, sort of.” A new voice said and Blue saw a silhouette of an Earth pony coming towards from the opposite cell. It was Tybalt, weakly smiling.
“Tybalt? I thought you died.” Blue said surprised.
“I thought so too.”
“How did you survive?” She asked and he shrugged.
“Franky, I can't remember much. Only that I blacked out and faintly saw a light. I thought Tartarus had come to collect its dues at last. Then I woke up in a hospital room. When I asked what happened, a nurse only told me that a doctor managed to save me, because he meant I was still young and had my life ahead of me, that I should get a second chance.”
“In any case, I am glad to see you’re okay.”
“Me too. So...it seems here we are at the conclusion. The three of us...the last survivors of the bloody war.” The black-and-white-speckled stallion lowered his head slightly.
“Yes, but it is up to us to make the best out of it.” Blue pointed out, “And I might have that opportunity for all of us.”
“And that is?” Both stallions asked curiously.
“You will see. If you excuse me, I got a wedding to attend.”
Mayor Mare served as the pastor at the wedding, with Aversion bringing the rings, Dinky and her friends the flowers as she said, “I now pronounce you mare and stallion!”
Everyone cheered as Abstraction and Lyra kissed, with Pan and Medium crying tears of joy.
“Let's get this party started!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed and DJ-Pon3 made some dancing music.
After some time, Blue decided to take a break from dancing, going to the drink stand, drinking some lemonade as she watched the others enjoying themselves, looking at her son and the new married couple with a sigh.
I wish you could see this…Marmalade…
Nancy took notice and walked up to her. “I know this wakes bad memories, Blue, but he would be proud of you.”
“Yes, he would.” The unicorn smiled weakly.
“And he had wanted you to enjoy this moment. After all, none of this would've been possible without you and the others.”
“You’re right.”
Eventually, it was time for the freshly married couple to enter the carriage and Abstraction asked his wife, “Ready to go?”
Lyra nodded before exclaiming, “Oh! Almost forgot.”
She threw out the bouquet and Bon-Bon caught it, together with Patch and Nancy. Both Trottingham ponies looked at each other, slightly blushing before looking at Bon-Bon. “You can have it!”
Blue Murder just chuckled at the scene.
As the carriage moved out of Ponyville, the crows looked after it with smiles.
“This is thanks to us. Abstraction’s reunited with Lyra and they can finally live together.” Dinky said with a smile.
“Yes, we can be proud of it.” Lilly added.
They wished Lyra and Abstraction all the best for the future.
A new chapter in their life had begun.
After Lovec arrived on the FOB, his parents waited for him with smiles, happy to see him. He was too, crying tears as they hugged each other. He saw that in the shadow behind his parents, an officer was smiling warmly at the scene.
It wasn’t easy for Lovec to tell his parents this. “I’m sorry that I got you worried but it’s…difficult.”
“W-what do you mean?” His father asked confused.
“You see, I am no longer with the troops in Afghanistan.”
His mother just blinked in turn, a cold look on her face. Lemkin walked up to her but she pushed his hand away and spoke through closed teeth,
“I see…” Her tone was one of anger, not able to believe what she had just heard.
“When I was reported MIA, I was tricked and had nowhere else to go,” Arkturi told with an honest voice.
His mother looked confused for a minute before quietly asking, “You could have just told me...I could have helped.
“I know…I just…” Lovec sighed, “Didn’t want to worry you more than you were already.”
“My son…” Katjuscha started, “I…I…” She turned around, fighting tears. “Leave us…”
His father walked up to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Just give her time, she will understand.” He gave Lovec a weak smile, he returned it.
“Right.”
Arkturi promised them to visit them regularly, which he did and used his earnings as mercenary to support them.
Eventually, Diamond Dogs had developed a nuke in fear of others doing so, but decided to follow the world's example of disarming their own nukes.
They even managed to disarm every nuke in the world, with Miller proceeding to give a speech.
“The last nuke was deactivated; that is a fact. But the knowledge that built it is still out there. How long the world remains nuke-free is up to us. Will this moment persist? Or will human ambition cast us into the flames once more?” He then pointed to a monument as one of the African kids placed a wreath on it, bearing a reference to the 1945 Alamogordo test as well as quoting The Boss.
“Our duty is to pass on what we've learned to the next generation. The memories, the experiences... The sins. Only when our children show the wisdom not to forge new spears... Only then will we be truly triumphant.”
It was only a brief moment and maintaining a nuke-free world was going to be much harder than disarmament, but both Soviets were proud of this.
Also, they learned that Venom Snake was not actually the real Big Boss, but nonetheless pledged their loyalty to him, citing they will still serve him no matter who he was.
Later the same year, Diamond Dogs found Eli, about fifty miles inland to Africa from the Seychelles waters. Snake managed to defeat him and Sahelanthropus again but the idea showed symptoms of the English vocal cord parasite's effects, having acquired the third vial with the Third Boy. With the island completely contaminated by the vocal cord parasites, the mercenaries salvaged remains of Sahelanthropus and burned the entire Island to prevent it from spreading.
In the late 1980s, Diamond Dogs was absorbed into Outer Heaven, Big Boss’ mercenary stronghold located in South Africa 200 kilometers north of Galzburg, led by his phantom to offer soldiers a life outside the control of the Patriots, where they would always have a place, whether it be in battle or in society in general. A gathering place for the world's foremost mercenaries, Outer Heaven dispatched arms and soldiers to battlegrounds throughout the world with the intent to control wars.
Due to growing unrest, the war in Afghanistan being one of many reasons, the Soviet Union fell on 26 December 1991, dissoluted into 15 independent republics and the ending of the cold war, with Russia becoming a federal semi-presidential republic. While it was sad for both Soviets, they were glad that the Cold War ended, with Lovec still supporting his parents.
However, in 1995, the Western powers received intelligence that warned of a weapon of mass destruction that was supposedly being constructed deep within Outer Heaven, which was a new metal gear weapon, which was an insurance by Big Boss.
The US government sent a Special Forces agent to infiltrate the enemy fortress, assess the situation and neutralize whatever threat the weapon posed to the West and succeeded. Venom Snake was killed by the agent, with the fortress subsequently destroyed after its self-destruct sequence was enacted and afterward, NATO launched a massive aerial bombardment against Outer Heaven, with the truth hidden from the media.
While many got killed, those who survived the bombings were rescued by Big Boss, Lovec and Sergei among them. While honored to have met the real Big Boss, they decided to go back to Russia and live their lives in peace, as they felt their time as Dogs of War came to an end, with Big Boss supporting their decision.
While the reorganization of Russia made it difficult to get normal jobs, they were given desk jobs in a FOB of the Harmonious Guard in Russia by the commander of it, as a way of generosity, being told it was the least he could do for the son of the famous She-Bear.
Eventually, Lovec found love and married, becoming father of a son as well, with Lovec being the uncle.
At a nice evening, Arkturi enjoyed the sunset with his son. “When I grow up, I just wanna be like you and grandma, dad.” His son smiled at him.
“I am sure you will make me proud, my son. But now, time for bed.”
“Yes, dad.”
As his son and wife went into bed, Lovec used this to look at the painting of Abstraction he was still keeping, having it hidden behind a canvas of his desk.
“Good old times…” He mumbled with a smile.
He would never forget the legend of Venom Snake and Diamond Dogs.
Neither would he forget the children he helped as his parents did before them, or their friends.