Burst and Applejack trotted into town and noticed the small gathering of ponies in the center, surrounding a small platform where their friends, guards and the princesses were standing. Celestia stood in front of the group and began to address them.
“My little ponies, I have recently learned that the story of Burst Spear was only based on the actions he did, not the reasons he had to do it. I promise to explain everything to all of Equestria about what truly happened.”
Everyone was confused with this but; they listened to her to hear what she had to say. Burst just stood there with Applejack who leaned against him with a smile on her face. However, before she could say anything they heard a scream.
“LET GO OF ME!”
Everyone turned to where the shout came from and saw Apple bloom in the hooves of the announcer unicorn from the matches. Two lunar and solar guard ponies surrounded him.
“Release the filly now!” the solar guard barked.
He smirked and his horn glowed black. Before the guards could react, the earth beneath them trapped their hooves and a spike came up, inches away from the guards’ throats. He then eyed Burst coming towards him and smiled.
“Let go of her right now!”
“I must say, I never thought I would see you again after all these years.”
“Who are you?” he said. The stallion just chuckled and said in a voice Burst never thought he would hear again.
“Come now Burst Spear, surely you haven’t forgotten about me.”
“ARCANE! But how?” he said with anger in his voice. Before the others could react to this, Arcane teleported taking the filly with him.
“If you want to save her, seek us at the place you know all too well. Unless, you want to repeat your failure.” He said with his voice lingering in the air.
“Where could he have taken her?”
“I know. His taken her to where I was cursed. Princess, I know this is wrong but, I need my weapon to be whole again. I will not let history repeat itself!” Burst said with anger in his voice.
Celestia was shocked by his voice but, regretfully nodded. She levitated his staff and conjured the spear tip in front of her. She used magic to combine the two into one and gave it back.
“Do not let hate and vengeance blind you.”
“I understand princess. I’m going alone because if he sees someone other than me, I don’t know what will happen.”
The others were about to protest about his decision but, one glance at him said he was telling the truth. He was about to leave when Applejack placed a hoof on his shoulder to stop him.
“You both come back, understand.”
Burst just smiled, turned around and gave a small kiss to her lips.
“I promise.” He said and left a very red mare with smiling friends behind.
Burst just kept walking as the moon began to rise. He was soon at the place where he was cursed. He then saw a crying Apple bloom in a cage made of earth.
“Burst, help me!” she cried out. He was about to gallop to her when Arcane appeared in front of him, wearing a red medallion with black diamond on it.
“It really is just like old times, isn’t friend.”
“How are you still alive?” Burst said with anger in his voice.
“Throughout my studies in the dark arts, I discovered an interesting spell. Through this medallion I created, I was able to take the life force out of anyone I choose and prolong my existence. However, it seems I am not the only one who has cheated death.” He said with a voice dripping with evil. Burst was shocked and disgusted upon hearing this.
“How can you justify about taking away a life with no regret.”
“My dear Burst, who do you think my first two victims were?” he asked while chuckling. Burst went wide eyed when that question was announced.
“No.”
“That’s right. You were so worried about protecting your daughter, that you didn’t know she was already gone. She and your wife put up quiet the fight though. Just like you. Now history shall repeat itself, boys.” He said and four rock ponies appeared from the darkness with weapons in hoof.
“Finish him.” Burst withdrew his staff, brought the spear tip out and prepared for battle.
The farthest rock pony charged with swords on its side. Burst dodged the charge and sliced the things right hoof off. It staggered a bit but, still charged again with a purpose.
“They don’t feel emotions or pain and will keep attacking until your dead.” Arcane said with a chuckle. Apple bloom just sat there crying, as she watched Burst relentlessly attack the creatures with no end.
Burst was covered in scars as he kept attacking the rock ponies until he destroyed the last one and he was on his knees in exhaustion. He heard the clapping of hooves as he looked up and saw Arcane walk towards him with a scythe in his magic.
“I believe it is quiet nice that it comes down between the two of us. Look at us, two stallions from a thousand years ago, settling a feud that time has forgotten. Now, it ends!” he proclaimed as he swung down aiming at Burst’s head. He heard the collision of something and was shocked to find that his scythe had snapped off when it hit a stone shield. Burst lowered it and aimed his spear at the medallion.
“Your right, it does end.” He said as he pierced the medallion and Arcane in a single movement. Arcane yelled in pain and agony as an explosion of magic engulfed them both. Burst opened his eyes and saw that Arcane had been turned to stone. When he retracted his spear from him, Arcane’s body turned to dust and blew away into the wind. The cage holding Apple bloom resided back into the earth and she ran towards Burst and threw her front hooves around his neck and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug with just as much care that he could give.
“Are you okay, Apple bloom?”
“I’m fine, thank you for saving me from that creep.” She said through her tears with a smile on her face. Before he could say anything, lights began to come from the shattered remains of the medallion and float of into the air.
“Burst, what are those lights?”
“I think those are the lives Arcane has stolen throughout the years, finally set free.” He said with a smile. Two lights where in front of them and took the shapes of a mare and a filly with smiles on their faces. Burst recognized them and began to cry tears of joy as they took to the skies.
“Was that your family?”
“Yes, they were. Come on, let’s go home.” He put his staff in its sash and placed Apple bloom on his back as they left with the moon looking down on them.
They entered the town and Apple bloom jumped off his back ran towards her family who were crying tears of joy. Both princesses walked towards him with smiles on their face.
“You have performed gallantly, Burst Spear. What has happened to Arcane?”
“His gone princess, I won’t go into detail but, the lives he has taken have finally found peace.” He said with a smile. Celestia nodded in understanding and left with her sister and guards to return to Canterlot to address the other ponies about what truly happened.
The others gave their thanks to him and went home to prepare for tomorrow’s celebration for Burst. He walked with the apple family towards the barn to get some sleep. He went into his room but; before he could go to sleep he heard a knock on the door. He opened it and found Applejack smiling at him.
“What’s wrong, Applejack?” he asked. However, before he could react, she kissed him full on the lips. He was shocked at first but, returned it with just as much love. They separated and she took her hat off and placed it on top of his staff. She gently kicked the door closed and trotted towards him.
“What ever happened to getting through your brother first before I can get to you?”
“You let me handle him in the morning. However, tonight I can teach you the finer points of apple bucking. If you can keep up?” she said with a wink.
“I believe I can keep up and maybe I can teach you some things too.” He said. They both kissed and went off into their own little world for the rest of the night.