Razor Fang was in absolute agony as the light from Springer's Aura Destroyer ripped through his avatar and struck him head on. He continued to scream as the light superheated his body, now feeling his fur beginning to burn away and blister. And as this happened, Springer flew forward while still in his armored state, the two jakhowls locking eyes in anger as Springer thrust his fist into Razor's face.
The blow instantly knocked Razor back as the armor around Springer began to disappear along with his wings. Both jakhowls fell toward the mountain, Springer spinning around before catching himself using a Steel Paw on the mountain while Razor slammed into the rocks and slid down until reaching a wide ledge. He then collapsed as Springer landed beside him, Razor's evolved form vanishing in a burst of light.
The sight made Springer sigh as his Mega Mode faded, only to stumble as he felt all the power now leave him. And as he began to slump over, Flash flew down and caught his side, "You okay?" The pony asked, Springer nodding back before seeing Mirage, Ace, Mira, Spike, the elders and ponies all appear a few moments later.
"Yeah...I'm good. All that power's gone and I'm feeling a little drained." Flash chuckled back as the others all ran up to them
"Springer!" Ace exclaimed as he and Mira tackled Springer into a hug, "That was awesome! You could fly!"
Mira nodded as she embraced him, "You managed to beat Razor with all of our powers!"
Springer smiled as he patted them both back, "Yeah...but I don't think that's something I'm gonna be able to do on command. Hopefully, I won't ever have a need to use it again." Mirage and the elders all chuckled at that, only to hear a moan beside them, all turning to see Razor already waking up.
"So...what do we do with him?"
"Good question," Core replied as Twilight turned to him.
"What are your laws concerning murder?"
"We don't have one," Cress responded, "We've never needed one. No jakhowl has ever done anything so heinous before. We've never needed to come up with such a punishment."
The ponies went wide-eyed at this, only for Chrome to point at Springer. "Deciding his fate is the decision of the new chief."
"What?" Springer instantly said, his voice almost shaking.
"You won the kyosongsai. You are now leader of the jakhowls."
Springer blinked at that before glancing back at Razor, seeing the jakhowl glaring back at him. "We should execute him." Mirage chimed in, the group turning to her with wide eyes, only to see her sigh, "That's what I want as his punishment...but I know my father would never condone such an action." She looked back at Springer, "What do we do?"
Springer bit his lip at this, only to glance back at Flash, the defender giving him a small nod. "We have to lock him up." Razor went wide-eyed at this as the others just stared at the new chief, "He'll serve his time imprisoned where he belongs. Hopefully, that time will make him see the error of his ways."
"But we don't have any way to keeping him contained," Chrome replied, "And as soon as he's regained his power, he'll escape again and we'll be right back where we started."
Twilight stepped up at this, "The ponies will take him." They turned to her, "I've learned enough about aura to know how to block it. I'll place a rune on him that'll keep him from accessing his powers and Celestia can find a place in one of our prisons for him."
"I see. Thank you," Clair nodded, "We owe you a great deal for all you've done for us." Twilight smiled at her as Springer turned to Razor.
"Don't try anything stupid. We both know you're in no fit shape to try and fight against what's happening to you. Accept your sentence and try for some remorse. And if you truly do come to regret your actions and ask for forgiveness, I'll give it to you if I feel you're remorseful."
Razor growled at him, "You would forgive me after everything I did?"
"I'm not you," Springer responded, "I've seen how toxic constant hatred can be. I won't let it corrupt me like it's corrupted you. It'll do nothing but destroy me." He and all but Twilight and Flash turned to leave. "I'm gonna live my life surrounded by love and friendship, not fear and hatred."
And as he began to walk away, Razor watched him as he clenched up his paws, "You...someone that weak beat me?!" he whispered as Flash and Twilight moved to his sides in order to restrain him. But as they were about to grab him, he unleashed a burst of aura that pushed them away. "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" He threw himself back to his feet and formed an Aura Blast, firing it at Springer.
Everyone spun around and saw this, Springer's instincts kicking in. He created a Bone Breaker and deflected the sphere with a single swipe, knocking it back into the mountain above Razor. The explosion caused the rocks to break apart, the jakhowl glancing up and saw a rock slide begin. Everyone gasped and began to run, the winged ones taking to the air as the jakhowls leapt away. But as this happened, Razor didn't move, his body clenching up due to the move he just did, Springer seeing this and gasping. He began to sprint after him, only for the rocks to slam down into Razor. The rubble made Springer leap back, the edge Razor was on now shattering into pieces.
A second later, the rocks covered the side of the mountain, boulders falling for a whole minute as the group landed on the ground just outside the mountain's base. And as it finished, Springer stared at the now pile of rubble...and didn't sense a single life force inside the rock pile.
The jakhowls all frowned at this, none exactly sad that the psycho was gone...but knew that it wasn't right that Razor couldn't let go of his hatred and instead had succumbed to it. Now, all he would be remembered for was being a criminal that almost destroyed them.
And as everyone came down from the mountain, they all turned to Springer, ready to see what he would do now, only for another sound to ring out. They spun around to see the rocks on the mountain to move, only for a small green jakhowl to crawl out of a pile, "Snivel!?" Mirage yelped as the jakhowl coughed and brushed himself off. "How the heck are you still alive?"
"No idea," he replied, only to glance around, "But what happened? Where's Razor?"
"Gone," Springer responded, "And he's not coming back. The jakhowl you put all your faith in isn't gonna help you anymore."
Snivel went wide-eyed before gulping as the others jakhowls all walked up and glared at him. The tiny jakhowl's eyes darted around at the sight, his body shivering before he muttered out, "That's...great." He turned to Springer and tried to smile, "I knew Razor was no good. I'm so glad our kind has a real leader to bring them into the future. And, of course, if you need anything, I'll be happy to be of service."
"Guess nobody taught you anything about loyalty," Spike crossed his arms.
"He needs a good lesson or two from Rainbow Dash." Ace added as Mirage walked up to the green jakhowl.
"You helped Razor kill my father. His death is on your paws as much as Razor's." Mirage growled as she pointed at him, her aura now flaring around her.
"T-t-that's not true," Snivel muttered out, "I-I-I didn't know anything about that until Razor came to me and handed me that bloody cloth."
"But you tried to cover it up," Twilight added, "That implicates you in the crime. You should have told someone else. Mirage or one of the jakhowl elders."
The others nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly with the visiting princess. Snivel then saw nothing but glares around him, his eyes shaking as he felt the auras around him now flare up. And before anyone else could say anything, he fell to his knees, "I was scared!" he screamed, looking like he was about to cry. "Please, have mercy on me!" He then actually started crying as he slowly crawled toward Springer. "I am your humble servant. I'll do anything you ask of me."
Springer glared down at him, disgusted by his spinelessness. The other jakhowls looked up at him, ready to hear Springer's judgment, only to see the jakhowl just stare at Snivel. Silence now embraced the area, Snivel shivering as he put his face in the dirt.
And after another minute, Springer spoke up, "Five years." Snivel glanced up at him at this, "You have until nightfall to leave these lands. After that, I don't want to see you here for five years. What you do in that time is up to you. You can live just outside the jakhowl land, or go find a far-off place to live. But if I see you in the lands the ponies have given us until the time of your banishment has passed, I won't be so forgiving."
Snivel went fully wide-eyed at this, only to turn to the rest of the jakhowls. Not a single one seemed to be against this statement, clearly meaning Snivel wasn't going to get off. "F-f-five years?! How will I survive?!"
"I don't know," Springer replied, "That's for you to decide. But if I find out you've been stealing or doing anything else that might hurt others, I'll find you and throw you in the first prison cell I can find."
Snivel gulped at this, the jakhowl slowly picking himself up and turning to leave. Everyone watched him quietly walk away, stopping for just a moment right before entering the trees and looking back at them. Clearly, they weren't going to change their minds. As such, he disappeared into the woods. Hopefully, none would see him for a good five years, and he would return as something better.
But as this happened, Springer glanced back at the elders, "Was I too harsh on him?"
"No," Chrome shook his head, "You were right. Snivel has been behind those more powerful than him for a long time. Who knows. This might even help him learn to access his adult form."
Springer smiled at this, only to spin around to the rest of the jakhowls. There, he flinched as he saw them all bow before him. Mirage was the first, getting down on one knee with her head lowered, and the rest of the jakhowls soon followed suit, Springer now truly seeing what he had become.
"Springer." He turned to see the elders all moving over to a rock, one that had gotten burnt during his fight with Razor. He moved over as the jakhowls stood up, Chrome reaching down and taking some ash off the rock and onto his fingers. Springer knelt on one knee as Chrome and Clair stepped forward, Clair speaking up. "Do you swear to lead our tribe with honour, to uphold justice and to never use your position for any form of personal gain?"
"I swear," Springer nodded, Clair smiling as Chrome moved up to him and using the ash to draw a symbol on his forehead.
And when the symbol was drawn, Chrome and Clair both did a slight bow. They stepped back, allowing Springer to stand up as Core and Cress stepped up to either side of him, all turning to the crowd as Core spoke out to the masses. "The chief...has come home!"
"Long live the chief!" Cress added as the jakhowls all cheered and repeated his words. Many started firing Aura Blasts into the sky, which collided and exploded like a bunch of fireworks.
Springer looked out at all the jakhowls that were now looking to him for leadership and guidance, the task making him tense up...but he knew it was something he had to do for Sirius. For the jakhowls that had lost their lives to get to this point. And for all the future generations of jakhowls that needed him to create the best world he could for them to inhabit.
But he also knew that this meant something else. And as he turned to Flash, he could tell his pony partner was thinking the same thing.
Hours passed as everyone returned to Aurarora, all needing to focus on a particularly important event. Many jakhowls were glad this was taking place since Razor seemed to be so focused on his insane war that he didn't allow them the chance to do it. Had Springer not won, the time would have likely elapsed. But now, they were all gathered in an area of the biome that was entirely made of stone.
The jakhowls were gathered around the stone circle, which had a large flat blackened stone in the middle of it. And on that blackened stone was an object that was wrapped up in ceremonial bandages, allowing all those that wish to pay respect the chance to do so without needing to see anything too gruesome.
Once the body was placed there, Springer, Mira and the elders all gathered around it. Each had a wooden torch, which Heart happily lit for them. They stepped forward and each held the torches to the body, the flames catching onto the cloth that had been soaked in a special flammable oil.
The body burned quickly, Mirage watching as her father's physical form was turned to ash. Everyone bowed their heads, the many jakhowls remembering the times Sirius had been there for them. As for Flash and the rest of the visitors, though they hadn't known Sirus for very long, also thought about how kind and understanding he had been to them. He had opened the door for the ponies and jakhowls to be united, and now it was up to them to make sure that unity lived.
And as Sirius's body slowly burned to dust, Mirage couldn't help but start crying. Springer stepped up and placed a paw on her shoulder while Ace and Mira grabbed her paws, the jakhowl feeling how much they wanted to help her, Mirage smiling as she realized she wasn't alone. Not truly.
The ritual continued until the fire completely burned away the body, then slowly went out as the last piece of flammable material was gone. The elders then used a special clay jar to collect the ashes, all of them being careful not to sneeze and breath too hard and blow the ashes away. Once the jar was completely full, they covered it up and everyone headed to the forest of ancients. As they entered, the jakhowls started using their aura to connect with the memories of their ancestors. Twilight and the others were amazed when they saw the trees begin to light up, Mirage giving them the same explanation she had given Springer before.
Eventually, they arrived at the same tree Mirage's mother had been scattered under. Once there, Mirage took the jar and opened it up. Taking out a pawful, she started sprinkling it along the ground, Springer doing the same thing, followed by the elders, Ace, Mira, and every other jakhowl in the tribe.
As the ashes were scattered along the ground, the tree they were spreading it around's light grew brighter as it spread to the ground. The ashes started glowing, the spiritual aura within them being drawn out and into the tree. Spike and the ponies also got to spread some of these ashes, something they all considered a great honor. And after they had done this, Mirage took the remaining ash and scattered it around the tree.
The light spread to this new ash and also drew out the echo of her father, Mirage stepping back and taking a deep breath. "Father, I'll miss you. But I promise I'll keep doing your work for as long as I can. I'll protect our home, and show the world how amazing the jakhowls can be."
Then, she opened her eyes and saw something that made her gasp. The light that was being drawn out of the ashes flowed upward like mist, which slowly began to take shape and form the blue ghostly image of her father. She could barely believe it, Mirage glancing around, but no one else seemed to see this. She looked back at her father and was close to crying again, but stayed strong for Sirius.
Her father smiled and nodded, telling her he knew she would make him proud. This made her feel great joy and pride as another cloud of light came off of the tree and began to form next to her father. This did make Mirage begin to cry as she saw the form of her mother appear. She and Sirius smiled at one another before holding paws and turning to their daughter, Mirage's heart swelling at the sight of her mother after so long. She smiled back at them, wiping her tears as she watched them glance at Springer. Mirage knew what they were trying to say and mentally swore she would help Springer as best she could. She had seen how difficult being leader could be, and knew Springer would need all the help she could offer.
The pair gave her one final smile before their physical forms began to fade away, transforming back into the glowing mist that had formed them and returning to the ash on the ground. The light was then absorbed by the roots of the tree and sucked into the trunk and leaves. Sirius had joined with his beloved in eternal rest, but would always be there for them if they ever needed his guidance.
Springer, Mirage and many others knew they would likely be asking for that guidance in the weeks, months, and possibly years to come. They had stepped into an age of uncertainty, and there were many trials awaiting them in the future. But together, they knew they could overcome these trials. And as the prophecy stated, it would allow them to enter a time of unbridled peace. The golden age.
It was a night of mourning and celebration as the jakhowls welcomed their new leader with a party that also acted as a funeral for Sirius that was meant to celebrate his life. Springer and his friends got to experience jakhowl music and song, along with their dancing. It continued right into the night, all soon too exhausted to party anymore. They all slept until noon the next day, and by that time, Twilight knew they needed to return to Ponyville and update Celestia on everything that had happened.
As such, they were now outside the mountain, Twilight now working on a Rune Gate. They had managed to dig her saddlebag out of the hut's wreckage and were happy to see that the temporary Rune Gate was undamaged. Now they could go home, which meant it was time for a certain teary goodbye.
"You're really staying?" Heart asked, looking ready to start crying.
"We have to," Mira replied, "We still have so much to learn about the jakhowls."
"And they've got loads for us to teach them about the modern day," Ace added, "Besides, Springer's gonna need all the help he can get now that he's the new leader of the jakhowls." Mira nodded in agreement while the twins frown at them. The pair pulled their pony partners at this, the four hugging it out as Twilight finished setting up the Rune Gate and turned to them.
They then pulled away as Mira said, "Besides, it's not like this'll be the last we see of each other. Summer's not that long."
That made Twilight go wide-eyed, "Wait...are you planning to come back to the School of Friendship?" They both nodded, making Twilight smile and clap her hooves. "That's wonderful."
"Yeah," Ace laughed, "We can't drop out yet. Not after everything we went through to pass our first year." Mira nodded again.
"Besides, your school is the perfect place for other young jakhowls to learn about how amazing the other kingdoms are. I doubt they'll be eager to go if the first two jakhowl students never graduated." Twilight laughed at this and nodded, then turned to activate the Rune Gate.
As the beam of light flew into the sky, the few other jakhowls watching all gasped as Flash turned to Springer, "Well, I guess this is it."
Springer nodded as Spike flew up to him. "I'm gonna miss you fuzzball," he pulled Springer into a hug, Springer chuckling as he embraced the drake back.
"Same. I'm gonna miss our crazy shenanigans." Springer laughed, the two biting their lips, trying to hold back the tears. Spike then flew down to the pups, the pair high-fiving him before he flew into the Rune Gate, glancing back for a second before going through.
Heart and Soul both shared a hug with Springer as well, the jakhowl telling them to stay safe and get stronger before giving one final hug with Ace and Mira before going into the Rune Gate, disappearing as well. Twilight smiled at the two young jakhowls that would soon be returning as her students, and then to Springer. "Things aren't gonna be the same in Ponyville without you."
"Yeah," Springer nodded, "But you'll survive without me. And...thank you." Twilight tilted her head at this, "Thank you for taking me in and for showing me what a leader really looks like. I've learned so much from you, and I know that if I'm even half the leader you are, I'll be just fine."
Twilight giggled at this and hugged him as well, "You're always welcome in Ponyville, Springer. Remember that." She pulled away, tears appearing in her eyes, "I know I didn't say it much, but...you're part of our family. You've always been the moment Flash found you."
"I know. Thank you Twilight."
The alicorn nodded as a few tears went down her face, "Goodbye. Oh, and I'll keep your room just the way you left it."
Springer laughed at this, "It might need a bit of a cleaning though." Twilight laughed as well before wiping her tears away before walking up to the Rune Gate. She stopped and placed a hoof on Flash's shoulder, the defender nodding before Twilight went through the portal.
With her gone, it was now just him and Springer staring one another down. Both weren't sure what to say, the two knowing this would be the most painful parting of them all.
"So...this is it," Springer slowly said.
Flash sighed and shook his head, "Honestly, never thought this day would come." He held out his hoof, "So long partner." Springer looked down at his hoof and took it, the pair shaking.
"So long." The pair stared at each other, tears trying to appear in each others' eyes.
Memories began to go through their heads at this. The day they met and became partners, working together to protect Ponyville. This was followed by them making new friends together, fighting in the Battle of Canterlot, their battle against Discord, their adventure in the mountain that bought them even closer together, their mission in Omniara, getting sucked into a comic book, Springer's time loop, learning about Springer's past, their adventure to the lost city and so many more incredible adventures.
And it wasn't just the big stuff they remembered. It was the little things that they remembered the most. The times they simply hung out as best friends, whether it was reading comics, playing games or just relaxing or playing music together. The years they had spent together all slowly blurring into a group of incredible memories. There were bad memories as well, but those were few and far between the great ones they had made.
And now, it was time to say goodbye. The days of making constant new memories was over. No longer able to take it, Springer and Flash pulled one another into a tight hug. "I'm gonna miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you too," Springer muttered out, "But...it's not like we'll never see each other again." They pulled apart. "Just watch. Our best adventures are probably still ahead of us. And even if we won't see each other that much, we're still partners. And more than that, we're friends."
Flash smiled and held up a hoof, Springer smirking back before their pumped fists. With that, Flash pulled away and began to move toward the Rune Gate. He stopped right in front of it and turned back to Springer, then looked past him at Mirage, Ace and Mira. "Keep an eye on him for me. Don't let him do anything stupid."
They nodded with a smile before Flash and Springer shared one final look, Flash then stepping back into the Rune Gate.
"Be happy old friend," was Flash's last words before he completely vanished. The Rune Gate then disappeared as well, vanishing in the blink of an eye before the paper that held it burnt up.
Springer sighed as he spun around, now staring at his new home and family, who all stared back at him. He took a deep breath and said, "We've got a lot of work to do. There's a big wide world out there that needs to know the jakhowls are back, and it's up to us to prove we belong here. This isn't gonna be easy, but together we can do it."
The jakhowls all cheered as they began to head back into Aurarora, Springer wondering just what was next for the jakhowls. And as he looked up at the sky, he felt he was already missing Flash and the others, but knew this was the right thing. And it wasn't the end. "Don't worry," he said to the wind. "We will meet again."