//------------------------------// // Epilogue: The War Has Just Begun... // Story: Snap Ships: Battle for Equus // by Admiral Wyatt Stone //------------------------------// -Canterlot, Equestria- ...The next morning... The sun shone brightly above the horizon as Golden Flare flew his sabre through the clouds, a single gladius dropship joined in formation next to him as they both flew to the city of Canterlot, which could be seen just ahead as it glistened in the sunlight. The party aboard the Apollo was one for the crew to remember, Pinkie had shown them all how well she knew parties, albeit stunning a few of the pilots and science officers aboard as they drank some of their replicated food that the party pony had taught them to make. Of course, not having the pure components for the real food, the results were only so close, but Pinkie felt they tasted delicious all the same. And there was a sort of private "party" between Flare and Sweet Star, but they chose not to discuss that part with the others. And the next morning showed promise for the future of Equestria besides having Twilight Sparkle as it's leader, the Forge High Command had received word of the exploits of Flare and his allies, and had not only given the stallion a promotion to the rank of Commander, but they had now gained a new, powerful ally to their fighting force, on behalf of Twilight, of course. But Flare's little celebration with his old and new friends wasn't over just yet, as Aegis the stallion guided his ship above the now cleared out coronation area, taking notice of the large crowd of creatures gathered around the area. As the crowd began to clear a space for the two ships, Flare slowly descended down to the floor of the palace entrance, the landing gear extending out before touching the ground, the interior of the fighter shaking as the recoil took effect briefly. Tapping a button on his controls, Flare opened the cockpit window before standing up, his ears being filled with cheering from the crowd around him. As Aegis flew up from his cockpit seat, Flare began to climb out of the cockpit, some of the crowd backing away a little as he was given space to touch his hooves to the floor. As he took off his helmet to let his mane flow in the air, he looked to his right to see the crowd part ways to create a path for Twilight and the others, who trotted over to him as Celestia and Luna flew down to the group below them. As the two former rulers of Equestria touched their hooves to the floor, Celestia looked to Flare as she spoke. "It's good to see you in one piece, Golden Flare." The stallion in question bowed in respect before Pinkie jumped near him, grinning excitedly as she added, "Yeah, and he saved our home up there, too! Did you see that big explosion from the mothership?!" Luna laughed a little as she replied to the pink pony. "Yes, many of us here saw it while we were cleaning this place up for your return." Turning her head over to Twilight, Celestia trotted over to her before speaking. "I also heard from our adversaries earlier last night about our new alliance with the Forge." Twilight returned the smile on her former mentor's face as she replied. "Yeah, now that we've given those Komplex freaks a blow to their heads, we have the opportunity to ensure the prosperity of Equestria." Luna seemed to raise an eyebrow as she asked Twilight, "Yes, and about those Komplex invaders, you said we defeated one of their leaders, yes?" The princess nodded as Flare added his own details. "Yeah, and while we've won the battle above for now, the war has now come to Equus, and I don't think the Komplex will tread lightly after that huge flop they took here." After looking to the ground for a moment, the stallion then looked back up to the princesses before finishing. "Fortunately, the Forge and I aren't going to let that happen without a good fight, and with the UJU tech we found, they won't have much of a chance." Dragon Lord Ember touched her claws to the floor as she spoke to Flare. "Well, we're not gonna leave you hanging on that thread after yesterday. My empire and I will be eager to give the Komplex a taste of what we can do!" "Yaks shall help too! Komplex won't be ready for Yak strength!" Prince Rutherford said aloud as he and his fellow yaks around him stomped the ground, a few ponies clapping their hooves with them as Thorax and Pharynx trotted over to the group. "I hope you have room for some spies, we changelings could give the Komplex quite the surprise with our abilities." Thorax said as Flare looked to the Changeling king with a smirk. "That sounds like it could work, we could gather intel from many Komplex bases with you on our side." The stallion said as Twilight looked up to Celestia, giving a smug look of her own as she spoke to the former princess. "Oh, did you get those little gifts for Flare and the others?" The tall equine nodded as she looked over to the palace gates, a single guard with a small, rectangular box trotting town the steps ahead of him as he began to make his way to the landing party nearby. Sweet Star trotted over to Flare as the crowd continued watching them, the mare's kiss on her coltfriend's cheek eliciting a few whistles and more applauding hooves from the large gathering in front of them as Sweet's sister trotted over to them. The filly seemed ecstatic to see everyone looking to them as she asked Flare, "They really like you, huh Flare?" The stallion laughed as he replied. "Yep, they do." The surviving trio of Stratusburg turned to face Twilight, the mare trotting over to them as she held a box in her magic. Then, looking to the crowd of creatures around her, the Princess of Friendship gained their eyes and ears as she began. "Citizens of Equestria, as you have already seen, our world was threatened by a dangerous force from the stars above, but thanks to the actions of these three ponies and their robot comrade, among countless others, our home is able to see the dawn once more. Not only that, but with their help, we now have a new ally, one that will ensure our lands continue to thrive for generations to come." The crowd became filled with eager smiles as Twilight opened the small box in front of her, pulling out four shiny necklaces before continuing. "And to show our gratitude for their actions, I hereby present our heroes the Equestrian Pink Hearts of Courage!" The crowd cheered at the three ponies and hovering robot as they bowed down for Twilight, the mare placing the medals around their necks before looking to Aegis, who gave a concerned look as he saw the small size the band on the necklace had. Seeing as it would be too small for his head to go through, the robot lifted a hand out, prompting a understanding look from Luna and Thorax as Twilight lifted the medal into Aegis' hand. "I'll save you the trouble, your Highness." Twilight gave a slightly embarrassed look as she looked to Luna, the crowd laughing along with her as she spoke to the four Forge members. "I think we can all agree that you all have done a great service for Equestria, and in doing so, you've helped us gain a new ally from the stars above, one that can assist us in stopping the Komplex once and for all." Flare and his friends nodded as the Princess of Friendship spoke up on the topic. "Yeah, and speaking of that, Captain Hales back on the Apollo told me that they want to set up a branch for their fleet here, with a defense squadron ready to protect it in case things get rough in the future." Then, looking to Flare and the others, the stallion replied with a salute. "We would be honored to do that, Twilight." As he lowered his hoof back to the floor, Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail flew down next to them, the other Wonderbolts looking down at them as Sky spoke to them. "About that, I had a chat with Captain Spitfire over it, and she says that they'd be happy to add to that team of yours, Flare." "We'll give it our all up there... Once we have training, of course." Vapor added before blushing in embarrassment from that last part of her sentence before Rainbow flew up to Flare, looking curious as she spoke to the stallion. "Yeah, and about that squadron of yours, ya thought of a name yet?" Flare looked to his friends, then to Sky and Vapor as he thought for a moment. Finally, looking back to Rainbow Dash, he gave his answer. "Stratus Squadron seems to have a nice ring to it." "Yeah, it does!" The cyan pegasus replied as she and Flare bumped hooves, the crowd cheering at the group before Pinkie spoke up. "Yay! And I know just the thing to celebrate this occasion," In an insanely fast amount of time, Pinkie pulled out her party cannon from behind her before lighting the string at the end of it. As the fuse finished burning, the cannon shot a large amount of confetti into the faces of Flare and his friends before they all looked around. Feeling their heads with their hooves, the four Forge officers could feel a party hat planted on each of their heads, Pinkie zapping back to her party cannon before finishing her sentence. "A party!" Flare and his friends laughed along with the crowd as he replied. "That sounds perfect." The heroes of Equus laughed once more as the crowd joined in once more, celebrating their victory before beginning the celebrations that would most likely last until nightfall. For Flare and his friends, today was one they would remember for a long time, having finally delivered a critical blow to the Komplex and saved their home in the process, they had avenged their fallen friends and family back at Stratusburg, and not only that, but with their new alliance alongside the Forge, the Komplex would soon be given a run for their money thanks to the love and unity being shared amongst the many creatures and nations of Equestria. For now, however, they would need to take their leisure and enjoy the fun times that would commence later that day. For after it was over, Equus' war against the Komplex would begin, and they would be among it's many defenders working to ensure peace and prosperity would continue to last over the course of the coming 26th Century. |||THE END|||