//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6: When One Adventure Ends, Another Begins 
// Story: To Save Equestria 
// by KalaAWild 
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Chapter 6: When One Adventure Ends, Another Begins

The element of sacrifice shot one last beam, before creating a cloud of evaporation. The necklace rusted as if time had accelerated on it. The necklace fell off Silvershot's neck and crumbled into dust. The dust piled up in front of him and disappeared as a breeze went over it. The element of sacrifice was no more. The element of sacrifice should never be made again.

Silvershot was happy that the element of sacrifice didn't kill him or any other pony in the room. He was out of breath, and breathing heavily. As he took a deep breath, he remembered his past completely: He remembered going to school, exploring the Everfree Forest and the Badlands with Digger and Ember Burst, his first kiss with Fortress behind the movie theater, and finding the first picture of his mother. He was a small colt when he asked Silver Lancet about his mother. He gave him the weakest answer anypony could give.

"Your mother went on a trip. She'll come back." That was what Silver Lancet told him, years ago.

Silvershot stared at his triumphant victory over Silver Lancet. The old Silver Lancet was destroyed, and then the new one, Silvershot hoped, would thrive in a new world.

Silver Lancet was alive. He opened his eyes and to see himself still alive. His unicorn horn and his pegasus wings were gone, and he realized that he was an earth pony now.

"I took away your unicorn and pegasus status away from you. Now you are an ordinary earth pony, with nothing special to your name. Enjoy rotting in jail," Silvershot said to Silver Lancet.

He turned and walked away from him. He could hear Silver Lancet ranting behind him as the Canterlot Guard took him away. He screamed at his son for not killing him. Silvershot knew that enough ponies had died. Even when he was a young colt, the battle for control over Equestria has already begun. Silvershot was now a fully grown stallion, metaphorically at least. Silver Lancet's reign over the Vanguard Knights was no more, and the Vanguard Knights were disbanded. Silvershot still had one last thing to do.

Before Silvershot could leave Canterlot, Princess Luna stopped him from taking off the ground.

"Silvershot, wait," Luna called out to him. Silvershot came back. "Equestria thanks you for your help. My sister is dealing with your father and the Vanguard Knights."

"It was no problem," Silvershot smiled. He was lying, there were a lot of problems, and a lot of trouble. "Um, listen, I’ve got somewhere to be so, bye."

Silvershot flew away as he waved goodbye. Luna went back to the castle to make sure that Silver Lancet was dealt with severely. She and Celestia would never forget Silvershot's sacrifice throughout the whole ordeal. His story was going to be told all over Equestria.

Silvershot remembered where Venturia Reign was and flew in that direction. The town was in the center of the deepest and darkest part of the Everfree forest. It was the main reason why he got lost in in the first place. He landed in Venturia Reign only minutes after leaving Canterlot. He walked through Venturia Reign, and tried to look for the one thing he came back for.

Silvershot walked through the skeletal remains of his town; houses were nothing but ashes, frozen in time, stores were empty and out of business, and the city hall was utterly demolished. Silvershot wished he hadn't left Venturia Reign like a coward. When he was in that burning town, the silhouette he saw in the fires was his father's. That was why he ran away.

All the houses looked the same to Silvershot. How was he supposed to find his? Silvershot checked every door of the houses. Each house had a name of whoever had lived in it. Venturia Reign was a small town like Ponyville, so everypony knew each other. Each of the names he found on each door wasn't with him when he went to the mine. He wasn't sure if the missing ponies were alive and lost, or dead.

Silvershot found his house. "Better late than never," Silvershot always said. The house was not burnt down, probably because it was not close to any of the other houses. He remembered his parents building the house when he wasr young. His mom looked beautiful; her mane was silver, like Silvershot, she was very slender for a mare, and her eyes were red like rubies.

Silvershot opened the door and closed it behind him. The house hadn't been touched in over three months. Dust covered the table and chairs, the food in the pantry has gotten mouldy, and the bedrooms had been left unlocked. Silvershot went to his unlocked room and walked over to his wooden night stand.

Silvershot remembered one more lost memory. He remembered something on the day of the fire.

Silvershot fixed his hair over his right eye and cleaned his coat. He looked at his teeth on the mirror to make sure he didn't have any food stuck in them. He’d been waiting weeks to ask Fortress the question. He'd gotten the invites ready, the place all set, and he even had consent from her parents already. The only thing he needs to do is ask Fortress the question.

Silvershot went to the night stand and got the thing he was going to give Fortress. Before he could, though, he saw the fires outside his window, and was forced to abandon the question.

Silvershot could finally ask the question, and nothing could stop him. Silvershot grabbed the package and quickly ran away to Ponyville. He didn't have time to waste, he had a mare to see. He raced through the Everfree Forest, dodging trees at lightning speeds. His wings retracted into his body to make him go faster. He wanted to make sure his entrance was surprising. Anypony would be able to hear Silvershot's inexperienced and loud flying. Silvershot jumped off trees and branches, hoping to get faster. He slightly did, but it made no difference. Silvershot jumped off the tree and continued to gallop to Ponyville.

He saw the forest clearing in the distance and booked it. He still held the package in his mouth for his dear life. He got out of the Everfree Forest and saw Fortress Evergreen waiting for him at the farm. Silvershot galloped to the last of his strength.

Everypony in Ponyville was waiting for Silvershot to come back from Canterlot so they could give him a celebration party. The entire party was Fortress and an Earth pony called Pinkie Pie’s idea. Fortress was happy to see her boyfriend alive and in one piece.

"Fortress!" Silvershot screamed. "Fortress!"

Fortress left the celebration to go meet Silvershot. She trotted at first, but then she galloped to him. The two got closer, with time passing them. The two met and jumped at each other. They hugged just as the sun started to set.

Everypony went over to Silvershot and Fortress, but they stayed behind them at a considerable distance. Fortress looked at them, and then looked at Silvershot again. Silvershot dropped the package on the ground to speak clearly. He didn't have much time to rehearse what he was going to say, so he kind of winged it.

"Fortress," Silvershot said to her. The sunset light glistened in their eyes. "I have known you for a really long time, and
I went through death and back to ask you this question." He sat on all four legs and opened the package. In the small box package, was an engagement ring. "Fortress Evergreen, will you marry me?"

All the mares in the celebration group yelped in glee. Pinkie Pie got her famous party cannon out of nowhere and fired it. Confetti rained down from the air.

The celebration wasn't over yet, though. Fortress hadn't said anything yet. Everypony crowded around her and waited for her reply to Silvershot's proposal. Silvershot anxiously waited for her answer. The question had lain dormant in his memories for so long, he had nearly forgotten it. He had to thank the friends he had met along the way, for if he didn't meet any of them, he wouldn't have been reunited with her.

The sun inched closer to the horizon.  

Fortress opened her mouth, and literally everypony gasped. Fortress closed it again and thought about her decision. Silvershot looked up at her and saw an evil smile on her face. She opened her mouth again to see everypony's reaction.

"Yes! A million times yes!" Fortress said in glee.

Silvershot got himself off the ground and kissed Fortress. The love birds kissed for several seconds while everypony else celebrated the new union. Fortress and Silvershot were happier than they had ever been in their whole lives.



________________________________________

…One Week Later…

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The wedding party was in full swing by the time the moon had been raised into the sky by Princess Luna. Princess Celestia oversaw the wedding. Silvershot and Fortress critiqued the food catered by Applejack's family, and the party was assembled by Pinkie Pie which Digger helped set up. He seemed to have a penchant for her because he always wanted to be near her.

In Venturia Reign, it was traditional for the groom and bride to wear their parents’ garments of their wedding. Fortress wore her mother's wedding dress and Silvershot wore his father's cloak. Digger was Silvershot's best stallion and Ember Burst was Fortress' best mare. EVERYTHING was organized by Twilight Sparkle.

Digger was partying with Pinkie Pie on the dance floor, Ember Burst was entertaining wedding guests with her fire tricks, and Applejack served food and drinks.

Fortress and Silvershot were alone on the castle's balcony. Fortress cuddled close to Silvershot, and he brushed his hoof through her hair.

"Silvershot," a pony called out behind them.

Silvershot turned around to see Twilight. Fortress was too tired to look. Twilight walked next to Silvershot and sat next to them. "Well first, congratulations you two. What names are you two going to be called by now? Not Mr. and Mrs. Lancet are you?"

"No, no," Fortress denied. She had her eyes closed and her head rested on Silvershot's shoulder. "We decided to go by Silvershot's mother’s maiden name."

"My mother's name was Enda Crimson," Silvershot added. By Fortress and Silvershot's decision, they would be called Silvershot Crimson and Fortress Crimson.

"Wait, the Enda Crimson?" Twilight added emphasis into her question.  Silvershot hummed in a positive response. "The same Enda Crimson that developed the spell to help agriculture grow even faster?"

Silvershot nodded. "So I have been told."

"She saved Equestria. You are now as famous as her."

"I wish I could tell her I saved Equestria, but she died when I was born."

The party behind Silvershot, Fortress, and Twilight went quiet. Silvershot knew that someone had gotten in trouble, and politely put down Fortress to look. He could hear a pony screaming his name; the voice was so loud it sounded very close.

Digger galloped to Silvershot frantically. Digger nearly crashed into the punch bar and into some ponies on the way. He came to a halting stop in front of Silvershot. He gasped for air for several reasons. One, he had partied a little too hard. Two, he was galloping while intoxicated. That was strange... it was unlike him to gallop. Thirdly, he nearly forgot the message he wanted to tell Silvershot and he spent a lot of energy in remembering.

"Silvershot!…" Digger gasped. Silvershot gave him a minute. "There's something important I need to tell you."

"What could it possibly be? Besides telling me the fact that you nearly crashed this party while intoxicated." Silvershot said in a sarcastic tone.

"Your mom…"

"I know. Even though my mom is dead, she would have been so proud of me."

"No, that's not it. She's alive."

Digger took a rolled up letter from his hair and gave it to Silvershot. Silvershot swiped the scroll and opened it. His unicorn magic kept it afloat in the air, and he read it out loud for everypony to hear.

Hi son, it’s your loving mother. I am so proud of you, and you know it. I am sorry I didn't tell you about my existence until this letter came to you. Unlike you, who forgot his memories unintentionally, I forgot on purpose. When I learned about your father being the head of the Vanguard Knights, I nearly went insane. I was pregnant with you ten months when I discovered I was married to a murderer. I couldn't be around him when you were born. I faked my death, thinking that at least you would not see your father kill me. I now learned my mistake when I read your news in the newspaper. You grew up to be a strong stallion, and you might have turned out different if I stayed. You saved Equestria from a crazy monarch. Our fame is about the same, you and me. But of course, mother is always better.

Silvershot looked at the back of the letter. There was nothing else written. No ending remarks, no signature, no date it was written. Silvershot shed a small tear, but quickly wiped it off. Nopony saw it; nopony, except Fortress.

"Where did the letter come from? Who told you the news?" Silvershot interrogated Digger. He made his throwing star come out and held it to his throat. "This is no laughing matter on my wedding day!"

"Your mom, she's right over there," Digger said while pointing to the door.

He pointed at the doorway leading to the outside of the castle. Under the door arch stood a mare, maybe no older than Silvershot. She had dark silver hair like him, and eyes with the same tenacity. Her cutie mark even resembled his, but hers was a white star.

Silvershot and Fortress walked to the pony under the door. Ponies separated from each other to let them through. He couldn't believe that his mother was alive as much as the next pony, but he wanted to confirm it for himself. The newlyweds met the pony under the door. The entire time, he never broke eye contact with her.

"Are you Enda Crimson?" Silvershot asked. "My mother?"

"Yes, Silvershot, I am," the pony responded. Her eyes looked back at Silvershot with tears. "Every night, I prayed to Celestia that you were safe."

"I am just glad you are alive," Silvershot went to Enda and gives her a hug. "Did you hear? I got married."

"I got the news."

THE END! FOR NOW!

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT EPIC TALE OF SILVERSHOT! TO SAVE EQUESTRIA: THE MYSTERIOUS VIRUS