"These thoughts would plague her"
The ceremony was kept small and quiet. If the general populace (especially Canterlot) were made aware that the rulers of Equestria were hosting a funeral for a war criminal and killer the results would have been less then satisfactory. All those who had been captured were now free and repairs to the damages suffered in the fighting could begin. Unsure of how their general had wanted to be laid to rest, the humans opted for the oldest burial rite they knew. Illitheous’ remains were put into a miniature brass coffin. Normally the symbols of the departed’s gods would be etched onto it but they knew how he had felt about gods. The crusaders of fire paid their various cultural respects to the casket. Most also had to refrain from touching sense the adamantine golem wouldn’t let them get too close. It protected the coffin like a loyal dog who’s master had passed away first.
The bearers of the Elements of Harmony shuffled uncomfortably and with Twilight feeling especially guilty. These events would plague her thoughts for years to come.
"These thoughts would plague her"
Was what they did necessary? Absolutely. Could they have found a better solution? Maybe, if they had more time. Was what they did the right thing? …It was difficult to say. Luna and Celestia stayed respectfully quite. While Luna starred at the ground in deep contemplation Celestia forced herself to look at the funeral and commit it to memory. The princess of the sun was determined not to let herself forget this no matter how much easier it would be. A true leader bared the weight of her failures no matter how unintentional or indirect. The minor sun goddess planned to put in a new stain glass window in the Hall of Remembrance about the whole affair. This was an event that would be remembered by others as well as Discord’s reign or the reemergence of the Crystal Empire. She owed Illitheous that much, to keep his memory from being erased by the cruel sands of time.
"Celestia forced herself to watch"
After an argument over where he should be buried the once hostile crusaders traveled to the coastal bit of land located far north of Las Pegasus. It would serve as port for trade as well as transport for the few humans who chose to leave or attempted the grueling journey to bring back more of their own from their land of banishment. They would grudgingly honor the peaceful conditions set by Illitheous. So too would they do their best to rebuild. Alone, and away from any outsider interference, the humans did something that they believed, was right, even if Illitheous might not have approved. They did not pronounce their new land the Empire of the Black Dragon as the reborn government Illitheous had lived under and pledged his life too. Instead they dubbed their land the Illitheoun Empire in honor of the man who had refused to give up on his people, even centuries after his death.
After some time, back at the weather-worn tombstone in the Everfree where Illitheous had first warned Princess Luna, new words chiseled in equestrian had been inscribed along with the old. Altogether, the lonely rock now displayed:
Here lie the remains of Sir Illitheous, his wife Niava, 32, and children Paelias, 10, and Mika, 4. So too now lies his brother Ahdean, who fought for him and his memory.
Your sacrifice shall not be forgotten. -Love Luna
Luna carves into the tombstone.
THE END
Later...
Ending Credits
A tale written by MrSpartan
Edited by BookSmart and ProtheanBrony
Voice Actors: Christian Sekhanan as Illitheous Voice example
Anthony Skordi as the Demon
Dante Basco as Terran
John Rhys-Davies as Gua
Nicole Oliver as Princess Celestia
Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle
Ashleigh Ball as Applejack and Rainbow Dash
Andrea Libman as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie
Tabitha St. Germain as Rarity and Princess Luna
With special thanks to all the readers out there who tolerated my high jinks and ofcoarse Lauren Faust for reimagining an 80’s TV show for little girls into something amazing. See ya later Equestrian cowboys.