//------------------------------// // Thanks for Everything // Story: Ranger's Destiny (Undergoing Edited) // by TasteDaRainbow //------------------------------// Day 21 - 07:23 Sgt. Daniel Nicholas 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment Ponyville, Equestria "All right boys, you all ready?" Forbes asked to the rangers, who were checking their own equipment. All of them are in front of Twilight's castle, one Abrams, one Stryker, two helicopters, and a humvee are ready to go through the portal. "Ready as hell," Zano replied with a huge smile. "I still can't believe we'll be able to get back home," one of the rangers said. "Don't forget to thank the Princesses," Forbes said firmly, "I believe they worked hard to bring us back home." "Where's the Staff Sergeant?" A ranger asked. "He's taking a shower," Chase replied while examining the humvee. To be honest though, he didn't know what that kid is doing inside. But he shrug the thought and let his friend to do his own stuff. "Goddamn, time seems to fly fast." He said. "What's that Private?" Johnson asked to Chase. "Time sure flies fast. I mean, me and Daniel have been here for three weeks! It's nearly a month! No wonder the ponies are so close to him." "You heard the Princess said," Zano chimed in, "He's got a heart of a warrior, no wonder they like him." It wasn't very long until the ponies began to surround them. The rangers notice they had a sad look on each of their faces. "Hey, did something happen?" One of the Apache's pilot asked. It took a moment until one of them spoke. "Do you really have to leave?" It was a mint green unicorn. The voice indicated that it was a female. She took a step forward so the rangers could saw her. Forbes smiled and walked to her. He knelt down and stroke her mane. "We have to. Our friends need help back on Earth." "Help?" A pony said. "Yeah," Chase replied and took a step forward, "What you don't know is, that our world is at war too." The ponies gasp when they heard it. "That's why we ended up here with all of these equipments." Then, the Princesses, the Elements and Shining suddenly teleported behind them. The rangers looked back and got on one knee while bowing their heads. "Princesses," Forbes said. "At ease," Celestia replied and the rangers immediately stood firmly with hands on their backs. Celestia looked at them one by one and smiled. "I assume all of you are ready to go back?" "Hell yeah!" Chase shouted excitedly. The rangers responded with the same expression. The Elements didn't seem to be happy about this. They all lowered their heads. The Princesses though, tried to keep their spirit up. "You guys really have to go?" Rainbow asked a bit hurt. "Rainbow," Sunset nudge her shoulder, "You have to know that their world is in the middle of chaos. We can't let them stay here. Even if we want to." Her voice became quieter on her last words. Forbes smiled at the little ponies. "Don't worry girls. We'll be okay." "But you will face a war again!" Pinkie exclaimed, couldn't hold her emotions anymore, she began to tear up. "Cause that's what we do Pinks!" A voice coming from behind them. All of the ponies turned around and gasp as they saw Daniel was on his complete uniform. "We know the risk of war, and we didn't have a single fear of death. Of course, we can't let our friends die alone back there. Right rangers?!" "HOOAH!!" The rangers simultaneously shouts back. They clapped their hands as Daniel came out of the castle and stopped right in front of the rangers. He smiled. "Good work soldiers! We sure did a hell of a job here! Now it's our time to finish our war, and end those massacres once and for all!!" The rangers shouted in excitement and clapped their hands again. Daniel smiled and turned back to see the ponies. All of them were in the verge of tears, even the Princesses themselves couldn't hold back their tears. "Thanks... for everything," Daniel said as he smiling to them. "Dann," Celestia nearly choked up, "You... really have to go?" "Yes I am Celestia," Daniel replied and put his gun on his shoulder, "Besides, you let me to choose. This is what we trained for. To protect those who can't protect themselves. And now, I believe I have made up my mind." Applejack couldn't hold herself anymore. She began to cry and run towards Daniel. She jumped to him and Daniel immediately caught her. "Sugarcube! Please! Don't leave me! Ah... Ah love ya!" She was now sobbing to his shoulder. Daniel smiled and hugged her tight. Though, tears began to form on his eyes as well. "Applejack," he said softly, "I'm sorry, but I must go. Our world is in no good condition. And it's up to us to stop whatever danger might come." He knelt down and pulled back his head so he can saw her face. Her eyes were definitely red and tears soaked her coat. Daniel smiled warmly and wipe the tears off her cheeks. "Applejack, you know I love you. With all of my heart. From Celestia's sun to Luna's moon. From west to east. I will always in your heart. Though, it hurt me so much to leave you behind but this is my duty. My race." Applejack didn't say anything, she just looked at the ground and sobs. "Look at me." Daniel lift her head and she looked at his eyes. The deep blue eyes she come to know and love. "When you miss me, just look up at the night sky and remember. I'm like a star..." Daniel felt tears running down his cheeks but he manage to hold his smile. "Sometimes you can't see me. But I'm always there. For you Applejack." He said while poking her chest. Applejack looked at him, still can't form any word. Daniel leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. But before he could stand, Applejack wrapped her hooves around his neck and kissed him passionately. Daniel closed his eyes and deepened the kiss. They both stayed like that for a minute until they broke the kiss. "Ah love ya," Applejack said through her tears but smiling at him. Daniel smiled and kissed her on the cheek one last time. "I love you too, Applejack." He was about to stand up but again, he was tackled into a group hug by the Elements. "We'll miss you Daniel!" Twilight said crying. "Don't ever forget about us, okay?!" Rainbow shrieked. "How will we ever repay you for your kindness, darling!" Rarity said, now she wasn't that dramatically like she used to be. "Stay safe Danny!" Pinkie exclaimed. "We'll always remember you," Starlight said. "You're a friend indeed, Daniel," Sunset said. "I'll miss you so much Dann," Fluttershy said. "Me too girls," Daniel hugged them back, "Thanks for trusting us. I'll miss all of you." They all smiled while sobbing. The rangers waited patiently as they cherish the moment. They break the hug and Daniel stood up. He looked at the Princesses and opened his hands wide. "No hugs?" He asked jokingly. The Princesses immediately leapt in for a hug. Daniel almost fall and crushed by the three of them but he manage to control his balance and hug them back. "Daniel, we will never forget you," Celestia said while sobbing on his shoulder. "Remember us by watching the sun and the moon okay?" Luna quietly asked. "We always love you Daniel... all of us," Cadance said as she wrapped her wings around him. "I know guys, I love you too." Daniel break the hug and smiling at them. He was about to gather with the rangers but a young filly's voice stopped him. "Daniel!" He heard Applebloom shouted. He turned to the source and just in time to be barraged by another group hug. This time though, he catched all of the three fillies in his hands. He wondered how the heck he could even do that. "We'll miss you Daniel," Scootaloo said. "Ah'll never forget ya!" Applebloom exclaimed while crying. "You're the best friend we've ever had!" Sweetie said. Daniel chuckles and hug them back. After a few moments of hugging, he let go off the filly and stood firmly. Shining walk to him with Flurry in his grasp along with Air Burst and give him a salute, which Daniel return it. After lowering his hand, Flurry clapped her hooves and reached out to the young sergeant. Daniel smiled and immediately take Flurry and hug her. "Daniel," she said baby like which made Daniel giggle at her. "Poor girl, she didn't know what's about to happen," Daniel said. Shining nodded at him. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sarge," he said firmly. "Same goes with me," Daniel replied. He then give back Flurry to Shining and give her one last boop. To be honest, he's hurting inside. He really didn't want to leave this world but he just had to. For the sake of humanity, they must go home. Hi sighed at the thought and turned his gaze to the two sisters, who were smiling at him. "You ready?" Celestia softly asked him. "Before we leave, can I ask for your permission one last time?" Daniel asked to Celestia. "And what is it, my Guardian?" "I want to bring Finn and Jerry, along with the casket of the rangers back to Earth." Celestia and Luna seemed to be taken aback by this but nodded anyway. "All right Dann," Luna said, "You have our permission." Celestia inform the guards to bring all of the rangers' casket to here. They tilt their heads at first but then nods and quickly teleported themselves to the cemetery. After a couple of minutes of waiting, the guards teleported themselves again along with the caskets that Daniel asks for. "Is that all?" Luna asked to the guards, making sure that there were no one left behind. "Yes Your Majesty, this is all what it's left," replied Shining. Daniel took one last look to his surrounding. All of the ponies were sniffling and some of them even crying. He smiled, knowing he won't see them again. And it hurt him so much to think of it but he immediately distract the thought by thinking of the effect from the war if Ammar wins it. He looked back at Celestia and nodded. "We're ready Your Highness." Celestia felt a tear again in her eyes. Daniel haven't said that for a week, and now here he is, knowing that she won't see him again forever. She smiled and looked at Luna, who nods at her, and she nods back. Their horns began to glow and a white portal slowly coming into their views. A huge and white circle then emerge in front of the rangers. The brightness was strong enough to shield their eyes at first, but eventually they get used to it. "All right boys! Let's get these mens back home! We're Oscar Mike!" Forbes shouted. Soon, the Apaches fly through the portal and disappeared, followed by the last Abrams, the humvee and the Stryker. Forbes looked at the remaining rangers. "Come on! Get your asses moving! We have a war to win!" The rangers nod while lifting all of the caskets and walked through the portal, of course they waved at the ponies. The ponies waved back whilst sniffling and crying. Zano and Johnson took a step forward and vanished through the portal. So, it means there were Daniel, Chase and Forbes left. "Come on," Forbes said, "Won't make them waiting for us." "You go ahead," Daniel said. Forbes shrugged at him, "I'll see you on the other side!" With that, he walked through the portal and join the rest. Chase grabs Daniel by his shoulder to get his attention. "You know, you should've told me that you have a girlfriend here." "Marefriend in this case," Daniel correct him. They both then shared a chuckle. "To be honest," Chase speaks up, "I do have a crush on here too." Daniel smirks at him. "Oh yeah? Who is it?" Chase shrugged. "Better to keep it a secret." "No fair, dammit." Daniel playfully punch him by his chest. Slowly, they didn't realize that they're walking towards the portal. "All right, I'll tell you who it is," Chase said in a defeat tone. "Don't be down. Come on, I can keep it a secret." "You sure?" "Pinkie Promise." "I better whisper it to you." Chase leaned in and whispers to his friend. Daniel's eyes widened and immediately backs up from him. "No way!" Daniel smiled widely at him. "Yes way," Chase replied while adjusting his gun in his grasp. "Come on, we better get going." Daniel nods and they both started to walk to the portal. Before they walk past through, Daniel turned around to see the ponies one last time. They smiled, albeit sad. "Daniel!" Flurry almost shouted and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She knows where this is going, and it hurt him more guilty for his own decision. But he smiled back and waved at them. "I'll miss you Flurry! And thank you Equestria!" He shouted while waving and smiling to them. The ponies smiled and waved at them. Although, Flurry could be heard crying loudly. "Ah love ya sugarcube!" Applejack shouted back. "And I'll never forget that! I love you too Applejack!" He said as tears running down his cheeks. The two brothers then walked through and the portal vanished. The ponies watched as they disappear into the portal and now, the portal is gone, the rangers were gone. Forever. Applejack manage to hold a smile on her face, she looked up at the sky and wipe her tears away. "Ah love ya Daniel. And Ah know ya love me too. Ah'll never forget ya. There's no stallion that could replace ya from mah heart." >>>=====<<< However, the rangers didn't notice one more thing. There's a writing implanted at the picture's base that reads: . . . . . . . . . . Equestria is beyond thankful for the heroism displayed by those humans that have helped saved this world from an unimaginable chaos. We hereby dedicated this picture to: Staff Sergeant Daniel Nicholas Staff Sergeant Finn Maverick Corporal Jerry Alexander Private Matthew Chase Sergeant William Forbes Corporal Alphonse Johnson Private Nicolaus Zanovich Commander Chet 1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment United States Army Rangers Equestria will never forget what you all have done for our peace, what you fight for, and our, as well as your’s, strengthened bonds of friendship. May your God be with you Rangers. And thank you, for everything you have done in the service of this world. >>>=====<<< From this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile. King Henry V