//------------------------------// // Armageddon Part 16: Aftermath // Story: Chaotic Harmony // by shirotora //------------------------------// April 23, 1006, I awoke again in my bed in Canterlot. The one in the suite Celestia gave us. I looked out the window and saw the sun just starting to rise again. I had slept the rest of the day and all night. I turned back over to be greeted with the the sleeping forms of Midnight, and Jynx on the other side of him. I just laid there for a few minutes, watching them sleep until Midnight opened his eyes. “Mornin' kiddo.” I said. “Dad!” He shouted, waking up Jynx, and Razor in his crib. “Shiro,” Jynx said, “I'm glad you're awake.” “Daddy! Daddy! Hug daddy!” Razor said as he tried flapping his little wings to get over the crib. “It's going to be hell when he leans to use those you know.” I said. “You're the one with the spear that let's you fly, so guess who's going to be chasing him?” Jynx said. I went over and picked him up, “Come on, let's get some breakfast. I haven't eaten since dinner the day before yesterday.” “Nope,” Jynx said, “First you get your stinky flank in that shower.” “Yes ma'am.” I said sarcastically --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- “Mornin', ponies!” I said as we walked into the dinning room. “Shiro, It's good to see you awake.” Twilight said, a touch of sadness in her voice. “What's wrong?” I asked. “It's just...” She said with a few tears in her eyes, “I'm just use to seeing her here.” Oh... right. I held her in a comforting hug, as I looked over at the vacant ivory chair. I felt bad that we never had a chance to reconcile before. My mind wandered to the others that didn't get to see the new day. I was going to need to find out who was killed. “So how are you feeling?” Twilight asked, “It took a bit to heal all the injuries you had, but Aunt Luna and I managed.” “Oh, so that's why I don't feel like I got mauled by an ursa.” I laughed. Twilight looked up at me with curious eyes, “By the way, what happened? To the Black Beast I mean.” “It's back where it belongs.” I said, “You see, it was a manifestation of everything negative about me. Anger, hatred, jealousy, when I came here, these emotions were magnified in me. To protect myself my magic acted on it's own to create a vessel for these unnatural emotions. That vessel was the Black Beast. When I purged myself of the Black Beast, I purged myself of those emotions as well. Now you might think that getting rid of those negative emotions would be good, but it's not.” I took a drink of OJ before continuing, “These emotions exist for a reason, and purging yourself of them wouldn't be right. So when I used the power of the Elements, I willed it to, not destroy, but normalize the emotions. Then I just absorbed what was natural.” “So we don't have to worry about you going crazy anymore?” Asked RD. “Nope.” I said, “That's not all I found out.” I snapped my fingers and a mariachi band started playing for us, “The fusing with Celestia didn't burn my magic out, it unbalanced my magic. Magic comes from emotion, and chaos magic is the magic of balance. With all my negative energy in the Black Beast, and all the positive energy from Tia, I was out of balance. That's why my magic was so weak.” “And now that you absorbed your natural negative energy your magic is back.” Twilight stated. “Ow...” Rainbow Dash said, holding her head, “Too much.” “I swear, Dashie, how are we even related?” Jynx asked. “It's not my fault I just got all of mom's coolness?” Said the pegasus. “Ha! Coolness.” I laughed, “I see what you did there. Kitakaze means North Wind, and her special talent is winter weather... coolness.” “Uh, yeah that's how I meant it.” Dash is a terrible liar. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- We all went to Canterlot Square. There were lists of the confirmed dead there. I wanted to see who else we lost. When we got there, there were two ponies already crying. Mrs. Cake and Scootaloo were both trying to comfort each other. It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened. I looked up at the lists and sure enough Carrot Cake and Thunder Struck were both listed. “This is what war does.” I said to myself, “It makes orphans and widows.” “It's OK,” Jynx said with a hoof on my shoulder, “let's go see in we can comfort them.” “Daddy, why did you have to die?” I heard Scootaloo say We held the two and offered our help if they ever needed it. AJ offered to let Scootaloo stay with them, and I promised to help out at the bakery. After we helped them calm down a little bit a guard came to get us. We were guided to a stage that had been set up, and asked to take a seat nearby. “You know what's going on?” I asked Twilight. “Yes, but it's a surprise.” She responded, “You'll find out soon.” I was about to press her for information when Luna took the stage. She approached the microphone and spoke (thankfully she left the caps lock off). “Thank you all for coming here today.” She said, “Yesterday, Equestria suffered a terrible tragedy. Many that we know and love have suffered as a result of this terrible disaster. But if not for the actions of those brave ponies, griffins, dragons, and werewolves, A much darker day this would be. There are a few individuals that shine above all others, and we would like to honor them today by presenting them with the Equestrian Star, the highest of awards.” Oh crap. “First, is Grand Chief Dohi Waya, who led his Lycan army to our aide. Without their strength, we may have lost the day.” Waya approached and Luna placed the medal over his head. I found the confusion at a pony leading werewolves to be hilarious. Thankfully I held back my laughter. “Next, Scootaloo shall be receiving the medal for Thunder Struck, her father. Thunder Struck gave his life to slay the dragon Vornclef, saving countless lives at the cost of his own. You should be proud of him young Scootaloo.” “I am,” She said, “I just miss him.” The whole audience was in tears. “Next are the six Elements of Harmony, who aided in the defeat of a powerful enemy that nearly took our own life.” one by one the six received yet another decoration. “Next, Lord Shirotora, who led our army, organized the defense of an important artifact, and, with the aide of the Elements of Harmony, defeated the Black Beast.” I went up and received my medal. “And last, the youngest to ever receive such an honor, Midnight Star the adoptive son of Lord Tora. Who aided my Sister, as the last Druid, to close the Tartarus gate forever.” Midnight nervously walked up and received his award. My chest felt like it was going to burst with pride. My son's a hero at ten years old. “Though We single these few out for outstanding service, we acknowledge the sacrifice made by so many others. As such We have commissioned a monument that will be inscribed with the names of all that fought in this battle, and portraits of those that lost their lives. We must also say...” she took a deep breath, “This will be our last act as ruler of Equestria.” There were shocked murmurs and looks from everyone that heard. Even Twilight was dumbstruck. “We believe it is time that Equestria be looked after by new rulers. Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle, come forward.” The pair did as they were asked, “Shining Armor, you were not only Celestia's son, but a pilar of strength. You were always there to lend an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. From this day on, you are Shining Armor, Prince of the sun.” She levitated a set of golden raiment and a crown, and put them on him. “Twilight Sparkle.” A smile graced the lips of the goddess, “You were the first to show us true kindness after our return. You have a love for the night sky that few share, and the only pony We've met that can stay up as long as We can. From this day forward, you shall be Twilight Sparkle, Princess of the moon.” She levitated a set of regalia similar to her own, and placed on her niece. “You need not worry, though. We will not abandon you. We shall stay as an adviser until such a time as We feel you can manage without us.” Luna turned to the crowd, “We present you new rulers!” A cheer erupted from the crowd as the two alicorn struggled to take in what they had been told. I couldn't help but to smile. Not only is one of my best friends getting a huge honor, but I now had another way to mess with her. I was going to enjoy this. Oh crap, Shiny's talking. “...To which we will strive our hardest to live up to your expectations, and rule with wisdom and honor.” Another cheer for the former captain before he, and Twilight stepped off stage. As expected, the Twilight was meet by hooves and claws wrapping around her. I walked in between them and put an arm around each of their necks. “You guys know I'm going to be using this against you, right.” I said, giving them a fair warning. “We know, Shiro.” Twilight said, “I'd expect nothing less.” “Well Ah'll be.” Said a deep accented voice, “They said y'all got medals. Congratulations.” “Big Mac.” Midnight said, “Is Applebloom with you?” “Midnight!” Said the filly in question, “Yer a hero!” She jumped on him, and planted her lips right on his. The kiss only lasted for a couple seconds, but the effects were instant. Midnight's eyes rolled back into his head, and he fainted with a smile on his face an a twitch in his leg. “Oops,” Applebloom said, “Ah think Ah broke him.”