//------------------------------// // Final Chapter: Make Your Mark. // Story: The Ending of the End Revised, or Be Careful with what you wish for. // by SaburoDaimando //------------------------------// Final Chapter: Make Your Mark It was a beautiful day in the bustling Metropolis of Canterlot City.  Posey Bloom was rearranging her own flowers in her flower stand, even going as far as to take a sniff from the buds. “Ahhh,” Posey Bloom said.  “Nothing like the smell of freshly-cut flowers to begin a day.” Suddenly, Posey’s ears perked up as she heard someone yell out “GANGWAY!”  But as Posey turned her head, she was knocked to the side and into her flower stand by Izzy Moonbow, who ran down the streets of Canterlot in a hurry.  Posey got up and spat out the flowers in her mouth. “IZZY MOONBOW!” Posey Bloom yelled as she shook her fist.  “THAT’S THE FIFTH TIME THIS MONTH!” “NO TIME,” Izzy yelled.  “PRINCESS SUNNY STARSCOUT NEEDS MY ATTENTION!” As Izzy ran off into the distance, Posey just shook her head saying “I swear, I am on the verge of a mental breakdown because of her.” As Izzy Moonbow ran through the streets of Canterlot City, she looked up at the majestic building that is Canterlot Castle.   “To think that this old building has been around for many centuries since the era of Twilight Sparkle,” Izzy said to herself.  “And now Sunny’s in charge of ruling Equestria, and she needs my help.” WIthout a second thought, Izzy took those hooves into high gear and ran straight towards the castle, running past the other citizens of Canterlot. “Sunny my old friend,” Izzy said.  “Don’t you wait.  Izzy’s coming to help you out.” Inside the Castle, within the throne room, Princess Sunny Starscout just sat there on the throne, looking completely troubled.  Nearby, Sprout Cloverleaf just stared right at her looking a bit concerned for the alicorn princess.. “Sunny,” Sprout said.  “You’ve been in this mood since a week ago.” “Well that’s just it,” Sunny said.  “I know I have a lot to live up to since taking over the throne from my mentor Luster Dawn.  But something has bugged me for a long time since my ascension to the throne.” “Well why don’t you tell me about it?” Sprout asked. “Well here’s the thing,” Sunny said as she got up from the throne and began to walk down.  “I need every one of my friends present.  This problem isn’t just focused on me, it’s also focused on the rest of my friends.  That’s why I had to send those letters out to Hitch, Pipp, Zipp and Izzy.” Sprout let out a sigh as he said “Not Izzy.  Do you realize what kind of maniac she is?” “I know,” Sunny replied.  “But she’s still my friend.  In fact, Princess Luster Dawn told me that Izzy’s kind of trait is similar to the Pink Elder when she was younger.” “Well there are a lot of ponies who are looking up to you,” Sprout said.  “And they’re also on their way.  Governor Alpha Bittle, Governess Haven, and even my mom.  They were excited to see you ascend the throne when Luster Dawn announced her retirement.  You don’t want to let them down.” “I know,” Sunny said as her face cracked a smile.  “In fact, Alpha’s ancestor Latin Roma was one of the many warriors who fought against Neigh Nanners and brought along that war chant.” “I know I know,” Sprout said as he began to stick his tongue out.  “Bing bong.  Bing bong.” Sprout’s own words and his use of his tongue was enough to cause Sunny to giggle a bit. “Okay,” Sunny chuckled.  “Now you’re being silly.” Suddenly, the sound of trumpets went off, causing Sprout to leap into the air before landing his face on the floor.  Sprout got up with a sore on his face as  he and Sunny looked at the entrance.  Immediately, Hitch Trailblazer walked on in, holding the trumpet in his right arm, decked out in the royal guard armor.  On his back rode his ally Sparky Sparkaroni. “Hitch,” Sunny said as she ran up to the Royal Guard friend.  “You made it.” “Well when I got your letter about your own concerns,” Hitch said. “I had to arrive, your majesty.” Sunny just laughed as she said  “Just call me Sunny.  You and the others have known me since we were younger.” “Oh right,” Hitch said with a chuckle.  “Sorry Sunny.  Use of habit since I’ve previously served your mentor Luster Dawn.” Sprout walked up to Hitch as he rubbed the top of his forehead before he said “So why come in horns blazing?  You don’t need to announce yourself.” “Actually, it’s not me that I’m announcing,” Hitch said as Sparky climbed off his back.  “I’m really here to announce the arrival of your personal ambassadors to Griffinstone and Mt Aris, and the daughters of Governess Haven: Zipp Storm and Pipp Petals.” Immediately, Zipp Storm and Pipp Petals walked on in.  Zipp was decked out in her Wonderbolt uniform, except with the head cover off.  Pipp Petals was wearing a simple ocean-themed dress. “Pipp, Zipp, you both made it,” Sunny said as she hugged her two close friends. “The griffins understood what was needed when I got your message,” Zipp said as Sunny let go of her and Pipp. “Queen Skystar understood what was on the letter and that was good,” Pipp sang. “That’s my sister,” Zipp Storm replied with a chuckle.  “She enjoys putting her words in song.” “I also heard that your performance with Queen Skystar went so well,” Sunny said.  “Ponies and Hippogriffs ate it up like it was the best thing ever.” “And you should have seen the difficult task that King Gullwing put me through,” Zipp Storm said.   “In fact, I kinda wish you were there, Sunny.” “I know,” Sunny said.  “I do miss hanging out with you guys.  But at the same time, I’ve been worried lately about…” “I know what you’re going to say,” Zipp said, interrupting Sunny.  “But aren’t we missing a few others?” In an instant, Izzy Moonbow comes running in from the grand hall, and immediately knocks down Sprout Cloverleaf.  The stubborn Earth Pony got up and glared at Izzy. “Oww watch where you’re going,” Sprout yelled. “Oops, my bad,” Izzy said, scratching the back of her head. Sunny ran up to Izzy and said “Finally glad you made it back.  Sorry I had to interrupt your lessons from the Pink Elder.” “I know,” Izzy said.  “I wanted to stick around and learn more.  But she insisted that I come back to Canterlot just to answer your call.” “So I take it that we’re all together, correct?” Pipp asked. “Not exactly,” Hitch replied as Sparky leaped off his back. “Wait,” Sprout said.  “What do you mean exactly?” Hitch pointed Sprout in the direction of the entrance, where Alpha Bittle, Haven and Phyllis walked in.  Sprout looked at Phyllis and his face beamed out. “MOM!”  Sprout yelled as he ran up towards his mother Phyllis. “How’s it going, my little brussel sprout?” Phyllis Cloverleaf said.   “Been getting used to being the personal adviser to Princess Sunny Starscout,” Sprout said.  “That being said, she’s been down in the dumps since her Royal Coronation.” “I’ve heard about something that’s been troubling Princess Sunny Starscout since taking over the role from Princess Luster Dawn,” Haven replied. “And now that you’re all here, I think it’s time I showed you,” Sunny said. Immediately, she pointed to a row of stained glass windows to the right of the throne.  The one in the front showcases what appears to be Twilight Sparkle and her friends fighting against Crusader Celestia.   “Oh you’re talking about the tales of how our ancestors fought back against the Emotion Amplifier by one Neigh Nanners, correct?” Hitch said as he picked up Sparky. “That was a tale that I cannot get enough of,” Alpha Bittle said as he rubbed his beard.  “Not since the day that my ancestor Latin Roma fought the despicable tyrant wannabe’s desire to destroy the world.” “And all those chants of ‘Bing Bong, Bing Bong’ as a cry for victory,” Hitch replied while Sparky giggled.  “Equestria was chanting that during Sunny’s rise to the throne.” “Oh, and take a look at the one right next to it,” Izzy said, pointing to a stained glass window that was next to the one featuring the Mane Six and Celestia.  “That’s a beaut.” Everyone else moved their eyes right to the stained glass window of Grogar, defending himself with the Blade of the Bell against Neigh Nanners’ Emotion Amplifier Hammer.   “I never heard of this kind of story,” Hitch said.  “Grogar fighting off against Neigh Nanners.” “Some say Grogar chose to take a stand against Neigh Nanners because he knew how dangerous the Emotion Amplifier was,” Zipp Storm replied.  “But at the same time, he felt guilty about even designing it in the first place, back when he called it Nihilism’s Bane.” “And what’s more surprising was that Grogar used to be the Dark Emperor of Equestria,” Haven said.  “I wonder what caused him to have a change in heart?” “Some say it was the corruption that he got when he was under the influence of the Emotion Amplifier,” Zipp Storm replied.  “It was also said that Gusty the Great, his own adopted daughter, freed him from that kind of control with the Sword of Harmony.” “Imagine the little things you can discover from your own past,” Alpha Bittle said. Izzy quickly adjusted her gaze towards Sunny, who’s eyes were off in another direction. “That’s not why you called us here,” Izzy said.  “Is it something else?” But as Sunny continued to stare off, Sprout walked up to Izzy and said “It’s because of the stained glass directly to the right of Sunny’s throne.” Everyone immediately adjusted their gaze towards the stained glass at the far end next to Sunny’s throne, only to gasp at what they saw. “Is…” Hitch said as Sparky reached out with a curious giggle.  “Is that…us?” Right on the stained glass was Sunny, Izzy, Pipp, Zipp and Hitch fighting off against what appeared to be a male stallion of some sort. “It appears so,” Izzy said. “But isn’t that in the past?  And if so, why are we here now?” “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out since ascending to the throne,” Sunny said.  “Sprout insisted that I let you all know about it in the first place.  But I was too busy trying to figure out this phenomenon.” “You’re not kidding, Sunny,” Hitch said.  “The fact that we five ponies were shown fighting this villain when we exist now says a whole lot.” “But that’s just it,” Phyllis said.  “How did this get here in the first place?” “That answer will come when the time is right.”  Immediately, everyone directed their gaze towards the entrance to the throne room, and nearly everyone’s jaw dropped to the ground. “Is that…who I think it is?” Phyllis asked. “Someone who’s known about this since long ago,” Sunny said.  “Former Princess Flurry Heart.” At the entrance stood Flurry Heart, now a grown up Alicorn with longer hair and a more defined snout.  Sunny Starscout walked up to Flurry Heart and bowed before here. “I’m glad you made it today, Flurry,” Sunny said. “Sunny, are you crazy?” Pipp Petals said, running up to her friend.  “That’s Princess Flurry Heart.” “Former Princess,” Flurry Heart said.  “And I’ve been enjoying my retirement since then.” “I was glad you could make it, Flurry,” Sunny said as she got up.  “There is one thing I’ve been wanting to know since ascending the throne.” “And I know what you mean by that, your majesty,” Flurry Heart replied before adding “I always wanted to say that.” Immediately, Sunny and Pipp walked with Flurry Heart all the way to the throne room before pointing directly at the stained glass window next to her throne.  Flurry looked up at the art piece, curious by the story on the window. “Interesting,” Flurry Heart said.  “It appears to showcase at least six ponies and a baby dragon fighting against one of the greatest evils of Equestrian history.” “Wait…” Sunny said.  “Six?” Sunny immediately looked up at the stained glass and her jaw dropped.  Right between Sunny and Hitch on the mural was Sprout Cloverleaf, standing by against the stallion. “That’s me,” Sprout said.  “But that wasn’t there before.” “I think I know what’s going on,” Flurry Heart said.  “Because I have witnessed this fight before.  The fight that determined the real fate of Equestria.” “The real fate of Equestria?” Sunny asked. “Yes,” Flurry Heart said.  “While Neigh Nanners did put all of us at risk with his Emotion Amplifier, what followed afterwards was the revelation of the cult that was dedicated to destroying magic across Equestria.” “Yeah,” Zipp Storm said. “I heard they called it the Magic’s Demise.  Their leader was said to have a deep-seated hatred towards Magic itself, like we relied too much on it.” “What this leader said in the past meant nothing,” Flurry Heart said.  “We are magic incarnate.  Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Pegasi.  Even the races outside of Equestria.  We are connected to the very magic that binds us together.  Without it, I don’t think any of us would exist.” “And it would be a damn shame if there was truly no more magic,” Alpha Bittle said. “As much as I want to ask about how we did against this cult leader,” Pipp Petals said.  “It sounds like we wouldn’t believe any of it.” “And you’re right,” Flurry Heart replied.  “I don’t think any of my words would be helpful towards your fight against this cult leader, regardless of the fact that I witnessed this final battle.  So this is a fight that all of you must one day prepare for.” As Sunny and Flurry nodded towards each other, Izzy ran up to Flurry Heart and said “There is something that has been on my mind when it came to you.” “Very well,” Flurry Heart said.  “Ask away.” “I heard that you wanted to sacrifice your own life to save Equestria back when you were just a toddler,” Izzy said in a sad tone.  “Why did you want to do it?” Flurry Heart’s ears flopped down to the ground as she shifted her head away. “Was that too insensitive?” Izzy asked. “No,” Flurry Heart replied. “I’m glad you asked, Izzy.  Back then, when my aunt Celestia was under Neigh Nanners’ control, she blasted me with a spell and for some reason, unlocked a kind of Hope Magic that was buried within me.” “Hope Magic?” Hitch asked before setting Sparky down. “A polar opposite to Nihilism Magic,” Flurry Heart said.  “Even though the blast weakened me, it did show me what this kind of magic could do when it began to revert Celestia back to her former self.  And despite being a toddler back then, I knew what I had to do, even at the risk of my own life.” “And yet,” Sunny said.  “You chose to go with it.” “I did,” Flurry said.  “But I have to be honest.  I was afraid of what would happen if I didn’t do what was necessary.  I wasn’t afraid of dying.  So I chose to embrace Princess Celestia and hold the Nihilism Magic that was built within her before Tirek used the Bewitching Bell to drain the magic away.” “And what was it like to be…dead?” Izzy asked. “It was as if my mind transcended to another plane of existence,” Flurry Heart replied.  “I saw billions of individuals living in a world where they were happy and content, as if they had either fulfilled their own lives or they were finally free of their own pain and suffering.” “Wow,” Alpha Bittle said.  “Not many individuals could return from the realm of the dead.” “And not only that,” Flurry Heart said.  “I did meet two individual ponies.  They called themselves Bright Mac and Buttercup.  They had a son and two daughters.  One named Big Mac, one Applejack and one Apple Bloom.  They’ve been watching over their own children since they died long ago.  Something I’m not comfortable in speaking to you about.” “But what did they say?” Zipp asked. “They were surprised to see someone as young as me appear before this mysterious land of the afterlife,” Flurry Heart said.  “But they mentioned that I wasn’t ready to come here despite my sacrifice.  They allowed me to embrace the duo like they were my own mom and dad before I felt my spirit glowing.” “That was the sign that you were going to return to your world?” Sprout asked. “It was,” Flurry Heart said.  “But before I came back, they told me that ‘When you can speak properly, let them know that we will always be looking after the entire Apple Family, and that they are proud of them.’  After that, I returned to the waking world, and everyone was relieved to see me alive.  I even forgave Tirek for having to do the deed, despite him acting like he didn’t appreciate it.” “And you’ve kept that message in your head for so long?” Izzy replied.  “That is amazing.” “What’s even more amazing is what happened when I finally told Applejack about what I saw,” Flurry Heart said.  “And what her parents said to me.  Let’s just say she became a far more determined Apple Farmer on that day, along with Apple Bloom and Big Mac.  And I wound up being an honorary member of the Apple Family.” “Flurry,” Sunny said as she wiped a tear from her eye.  “That was the most touching story I have heard from you.” “Thanks Sunny,” Flurry said as she reached down to Sparky Sparkaroni and booped the dragon youngling on the nose.  “We have a lot to teach to our new generations.  They will lead the future of the Magic of Friendship and what destiny will await all of us.” “And by learning the lessons from the past,” Zipp Storm said.  “It can guide us towards a more fruitful future.” “But I always imagined what Twilight and her friends went through before her ascension to the throne, or the destiny that lay before them,”  Pipp Petals said. “Everyone,” Sunny said as Hitch, Sparky, Sprout, Izzy, Pipp, Zipp, Alpha, Phyllis, Haven and Flurry gathered together.  “I think there is more to this story than meets the eye.” Everyone nodded in advance as they continued to look up at the stained glass window. Back in the past, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, King Thorax and Latin Roma approached the School of Friendship, which looked like a complete mess.   “It’s going to take a lot of work to get this back to code,” Twilight said.  “Then I can finally step down as Headmare of the School, and finally lead the Guardians of Harmony.” “What a wild ride we all went down,” Latin Roma said.  “To think, I was just a recluse pony along with the rest of the Bridlewood clan.  Times sure have changed.” “So,” Thorax said as he turned his head towards Sunset Shimmer.  “I heard you’re staying in Equestria.” “I am,” Sunset said.  “I’ll be returning back to the human world every once in a while. But it sounds like you guys need me for the newly established Guardians of Harmony.  And furthermore, I think I can try out being a teacher.” “We’ll get the forms ready and train you until you’re ready,” Twilight said.  “Though Starlight said she would be happy to take you down this path.” “I’m game,” Sunset said. “Well as much as I want to return to Bridlewood and tell my tale,” Latin Roma said.  “I think I might stick around and learn more about what we all missed out on.” “Glad you could,” Thorax said. Sunset walked up towards the broken entrance of the School of Friendship.   She looked at the wreck of a door and laughed it off. “You know,” Sunset said.  “This reminds me of the one troublemaker that used to be my second-in-command, back when I was a mean-spirited bully.   Until he tried to double-cross me with his desire for power.” “Oh I remember that,” Twilight said.  “You wrote to me after your encounter with this bully.” “Bully?” Thorax said.  “You had an encounter with a bully?” “Oh I sure have,” Sunset said.  “Let me tell you about the tale of Starscream.” And the Adventure Continues End of Fanfic