//------------------------------// // Alternate Ending (Warning: lots of sads) // Story: Chaotic Harmony // by shirotora //------------------------------// As promised, this is the bittersweet ending. ****************************** “How are you going to get a super charge?” Twilight asked. “Simple, y'all are gonna shot me with the Elements of Harmony.” I said with a grin. “What!?” Six voices shouted at once. “Are you crazy?!” Twilight asked. “I thought we've established that I am a long time ago.” I replied sarcastically, “Please, just trust me.” Another blast from Kataya and she said, “I can't... do any more.” “Twilight, please trust me.” I pleaded. “Girls!” The alicorn called. The six of them got into formation and rose into the air once again. The light shot up in the familiar multicolor beam. The Black Beast was up again and rushing for us, but hesitated at the sight. I held my amulet up in my right paw. The beam struck me perfectly. I wasn't sure what the Elements were trying to do to me, but my amulet was struggling to absorb it all. The thing was working so hard, it was starting to glow white hot. After what seemed like minutes, but was probably a few seconds, the last of the energy was absorbed. The amulet was quivering, struggling to keep all that energy inside. I could tell it wasn't going to hold. My plan was to use the amulet to let me take the energy myself, but with how unstable it was... “Girls run!” I yelled out to them, “Get away from here!” I was thankful when they did as I asked. I expected them to argue, but I figured they thought it was part of my plan. The Black Beast was up again, and charging me, so I charged him right back. We both cocked our paws and let them fly. His claws pierced into my stomach. It was a fatal blow, but it didn't matter. I drove the amulet into the Beast's mouth the held it shut with my other paw. I reached out and tugged in the magic inside the amulet like a pin on a grenade. It was as if time came to a crawl as the artifact violently released it's contents. I remembered finding myself on that hill outside of town, thinking I was dreaming, that first Hearth's Warming with Pinkie and Twilight, meeting Jynx for the first time in the forest, New Years in Canterlot, mine and Jynx's first time together, proposing on Hearts and Hooves Day, getting married, becoming a father, adopting Midnight, meeting Daring Doo. I closed my eyes with a smile on my face as a tear rolled down my face. My last thought was of my friends and family and how much I would miss them all. And then time resumed... --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- “What's he planin' Twi?” AJ asked as they ran away from the battle. “I don't know, but I'm going to give him a stern talking to after this is ov...” Twilight was cut off by a tremendous explosion that seemed to shake the very heavens. Even from the distance they were, it flung them through the air. Twilight was the first to recover. She looked out at what was once a grassy field, only to see a crater. “Shiro!?” She called. Her answer came in the form of something floating through the air and landing at her hooves. It was a band of woven ethereal mane hair, with locks of fur and feathers laced into it. The lavender alicorn's eyesight blurred as tears filled her eyes. She reached out a shaky hoof and picked it up. The other girls slowly came to and saw the object held by their friend. They each held each other in a comforting embrace and cried silently for their fallen friend. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Alternate Epilogue Three months later, “Jynx, breakfast's ready.” Spike called. He had moved in with the unicorn after they returned to help her out. Jynx woke up in her cold bed. It was hard not having the familiar warmth beside her. “Good morning, baby.” She said as she kissed a picture frame that held Shiro's necklace on the end table by her bed. She walked downstairs and greeted the young dragon. Midnight and Razor were already eating when she got to the table. “Hi mommy.” Razor said with a wave from his high chair. “Hi, sweetheart.” She replied, “How are you feeling, Midnight?” “I'm good.” Said the colt, quietly. He took it the hardest of all of them. He actually had to be hospitalized because he wouldn't eat or drink. He almost literally grieved himself to death. If not for Applebloom being there by his side almost all day every day, Jynx was afraid she would have lost him, too. As if on cue a knock came from the door. Spike wasted no time answering it. “Hi Spike.” Applebloom said as she was let in, “Hi Midnight.” She walked up beside him and gave him a peck on the cheek. Seeing those two together always brought a smile to the poor widow's face. That little filly, whether she knew it or not, was doing a world of good for both of them. “Would you care for something to eat?” Jynx already knew the answer, but it was polite to ask anyway. “No thank you. Ah already ate.” Said the farm filly, “Ah'll wait for ya in the livin' room, Midnight.” Applebloom took a seat on the couch and waited for her coltfriend to finish. Midnight quickened his pace. He wanted to spend time with the farm pony. She was the only thing that made him feel better. Just being in her presence was enough to brighten his mood. Midnight finished his meal and let Spike take up his plate. “OK, let's go.” He said as he walked into the living room. Jynx watched a small smile appear on her son's face, which in turn brought a similar one to her's. Seeing that Razor was finished, she levitated him to her and put her carrier on her back before placing him in it. “I'll be back, Spike.” She said, “I'm going to see him.” “OK.” Replied the adolescent dragon. Jynx headed down the warm street. She looked up to look at the sun's position, 8:00. A quick look at her pocket watch showed 9:30. He's doing better than a month ago. At least It's rising in the east now. Luna had stepped down as ruler of Equestria and the night sky, appointing Shining Armor as regent of the day and Twilight as princess of the night. Most didn't know that the night, with the moon and countless stars, took more magical power to make than the day, with just the sun. “Hay, Jynx.” Rainbow Dash said as she landed beside her sister, “I was just coming to see you. I have some news. I guess it's good, but it kinda scares me.” “Oh, what's that Dash?” Jynx asked. “You're gonna be an aunt.” The pegasus said with a smile. Jynx looked her magically winged sibling with a combination of surprise and joy, “Congratulations. Is it a colt or a filly?” “A colt. Jet freaked when I told him” Rainbow said, “He flew strait off to Canterlot to get books on parenting, and foal-proofing the house. He asked ponies with a bunch of children for advice. He's terrified that he won't be good enough for our son. It's funny, but it's sweet to.” “Rainbow Dash, did you just say it was “sweet”?” Jynx said. “Shut up.” Rainbow said, “I'm feeling kinda sappy, OK. I blame hormones. Where you going anyway?” “I'm going to visit Shiro.” She said. “Oh,” Rainbow Dash's mood fell a little, “You want some company?” “I'd like that.” Answered Jynx, “So where's Jet now?” “Attending a parenting seminar in Whinnychester.” She said with a smirk. “He's going to be a good dad.” Jynx said. “The only bad part is in about four or five months, I won't be able to fly anymore. That's going to suck.” Said RD. “You'll be fine. Besides, daring's coming out with a new book. It's pretty good too.” Jynx said. “I know she's coming out with one, but I don't know much about it.” Dash said, “And how do you know how good it is?” Jynx opened her diaper bag and levitated out a book, “I got it early. I was going to drop it off on my way back.” Rainbow took the thing from her grip, “Daring Doo and the Mysterious Temple.” The cover depicted several strange, shadowy creatures attacking the familiar images of a beige pegasus, a diamond dog and a white tiger, “I have a feeling this is going to be the best one yet.” “I have several copies, so that one's yours.” Jynx said. The two walked for an hour talking about family, and remembering those they knew and loved that fell at the Battle of Tartarus Gate. Eventually they came to a large monument near a lone sapling. Jynx looked at all that was left of Celestia's physical body. She had hated the sun goddess for what she did to her, but the unicorn couldn't hold the grudge after what she did. The pair moved on. They weren't here foe Celestia. Soon enough, they came to a series of statues. Those who gave their lives in the fight. Most were just small figures, larger ones for the hero's of the battle, but two were bigger than all the rest. One was an alicorn with a warm, maternal smile. The other was a tiger standing with his back to an injured pony, his arms spread as if to safeguard her from some unseen threat. Jynx sat, silently offering a prayer in hopes that her love would get it. She was silent for a time, crying a little, before Rainbow Dash sat beside her and put a hoof around her. “Are you going to be OK?” She asked. “Yeah. She placed her hoof on her belly, that was just showing signs of the miracle inside, “At least he left me a little piece of himself before he left.” --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- And life went on in the magical land of Equestria. Those that experienced the horrors of that terrible battle against the denizens of hell never forgot those who gave there lives. They were hailed as heroes and their names were taught to their children in the hopes that they would always be remembered. In time, Celestia would be placed with her mother, as one of the greatest hero's ever known, and Shiro's legend would grow. Eventually, it would be said that he was the son of Balder, and kin to the princesses them selves. Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle would do nothing to correct them. Eventually his son, Razor Wind, and daughter, Winter Snow, would have there own adventure for the fate of Equestria. But that's a story for another time