White. All Tony could see was white. White walls, white floors, white ceilings, white skies. Just white. He had no body, just his mind to guide him through the empty canvas of colorlessness. Small ripples began to appear, and soon the room was transformed in front of him. The entire thing turned black, and at the very far side was a door.
A door that was wide open.
Tony did a slow about face with his subconscious eyes, and standing several yards away was It. The Ashla. The two beings came closer to one another, each worn out from the output they had gone through. The Ashla locked gazes with him for one moment, before slowly walking back behind the door and shutting it behind him.
The door collapsed, and color began to break through the void. His brothers, each of them, appeared in front of him, as did his parents and Eishla. Slowly, he began to walk past them, and each person he passed went into their final position as they died. Agner, Fermot, Derekosh, and Jaqeluu each turned to statues, his Herod hung up by a spear and sword, his Heraj on the floor with a pool of blood beneath her. And Eishla, she turned into her gravesite, the flower still over the body. Tony stopped in front of the last family he still had, Jerosh. They stared harshly at each other, and a smirk made its way across Jerosh's face. Tony glared at him one more time, before the bodies were obliterated along with the empty void.
" His heart...more...he's waking...find Celestia"
" What...other one?...won't...it"
" Doesn't ma-...just find...princess"
Tony's eyes adjusted to the light, making everything blur around him. " Sir, sir if you can hear me, give us a signal", the doctor said. " Remember me? Doctor Gooding?".
Tony's eyes finally opened wide, and he gasped as he went into a violent coughing fit. When it finally died down he gasped greedily for air, Doctor Gooding doing his best to lay Tony back down. He heard the door burst open, and his nose picked up the scents of the Elements and Celestia. His vision barely made them visible to him, as it was fogged from the sleep. He wheezed before sucking in more air, and then coughing again.
" Easy, don't force it", Gooding told him.
" Tony? Tony can you hear us?", Fluttershy asked. She flew over and eased him back, but he pushed her away weakly.
He forced himself to sit up, ripping out the IV's and several needles in his arms and legs. He ripped the respirator from his nose and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
" Sir, you have to lay down", Gooding said as he tried to push Tony back down.
If there was one thing Tony never listened to, was doctors. Never would he listen to a doctor's orders, even if it took him out of harm's way. Tony grunted as he tried to stand up, but the bed rest made his legs give out and he dropped back onto the bed.
" Nyla...where's Nyla?", he groaned. The red scaled dragon made herself known and came to his side. " Help me up".
Nyla got her neck under his arm and pulled him onto his feet. He grunted as he lifted his broken foot from the floor, using Nyla to stand. " Easy Reku'un, your leg hasn't healed", Nyla said.
" I know", he grunted. " Where...ugh, how long have I been...asleep?".
" Three days", Celestia told him. " Tony please, you need to rest".
" Yeah, don't wanna mess yer leg up more do ya?", Applejack asked as she came closer. Nyla growled at her, making the orange mare withdraw her hoof.
Tony's vision began to clear up some, and his left leg was starting to listen to him. " Where's...Dan", he grunted.
" He's down the hall, but Tony you need to lay down", Twilight voiced her concern.
Ignoring their words, Tony made Nyla help him to the door. His left arm hung useless in its sling along with the right foot he broke, which was being dragged in its cast. She opened the door with her tail and brought him into the hallway, where Cadence, Shining Armor, and Spike were waiting. They were about to say something before Nyla snapped her tail at them. Tony followed the scent of his friend down the medical wing, the ponies following close behind. A hallway down from Dan's room Tony retracted his arm from Nyla, instead using the wall to keep him up. She seperated him and the ponies as they came to the intensive care unit for Dan.
When Tony opened the door, he saw the doctor's trying to help stop the bleeding from the slash marks in his chest. He already had a number of stitches, but the blood kept coming out. They didn't know, but the wounds would never close. The Ashla's energy made sure of that, it was how Eishla died.
The doctor fetching a new needle saw Tony and went to tell him what the others already have. With an outstretched wing from Celestia, the doctor and his colleague stood back from Dan's body. Tony motioned for Nyla to stay back as he limped to Dan's side. The gashes weren't going to close, and even now they were pouring blood. To his surprise, Dan's eyes opened, and a weak grin formed with his drowsy eyes.
" Hey kid", he croaked. He lifted his head up to see the wounds he got. " Damn...got cut...pretty deep...huh?".
Tony restrained his urge to let his voice crack. "Uh, yeah, pretty deep. But don't worry, you're gonna be fine", Tony whispered. Dan chuckled softly and tilted his head away from Tony.
" Y'know...something kid?", he grunted. " You always did su-suck...at lying...to me".
Tony winced every time Dan struggled to speak. " I know", Tony chuckled. " I'm sorry. I'm gonna make this right".
Dan turned back to Tony. " Tony, it wasn't your fault", he said softly. " C'mon man, don't be-ngh-beat yourself up over this".
A tear started to trail down his cheek as he spoke. " No, it was my fault. I should have been stronger", Tony sniffled. " But, don't worry okay? I'm gonna help you. Just watch".
He put his hand over the wounds, and soon his hand and Dan began to flicker blue. The wounds began to seal up, and Tony felt weaker and weaker as he channeled his energy into Dan. He knew what was happening, so he swatted Tony's hand away fast, causing the energy to drain back into Tony.
" Stop", Dan coughed. " Tony, you'll die if you try that".
" Then what do I do?", he said loudly. " I have to help you Dan. I'm gonna fix you, then I'm gonna find a way back to our time so you can be with Diane".
" Tony".
" Then you guys are gonna get married like I know you always wanted to"
" Tony please".
" Then you guys are gonna have your own kids and forget all about the Arthanians"
" Tony!"
" What?!", Tony shouted. He sobbed quietly as he lowered his head. " I can't lose you Dan. I just-just can't. Please".
Dan reached behind his neck and unlatched the chain, then held it in his hand as he tried to raise it. Tony helped him, seeing how much he was struggling only made it worse for him. With his other hand he held Tony's hand, as if he were just saying hey.
" Tony, you're my best friend", Dan whispered, a tear trailing down his own cheek. " It was awesome, what we did to those mu-mutts. Listen, I...don't have long...but...promise me...that you'll s-stop, chasing Rody. Promise?".
Tony let out a whimper as he nodded. " I promise", he sobbed. " I promise".
Dan grinned as he let his hand rest at his side. The medallion Tony made was back in its makers hand, and Tony gripped it tightly. Dan could feel himself slipping, and there was still one thing he needed to do. He gestured for Tony to come closer, which he complied to immediately.
"And when I'm gone, just carry on don't mourn rejoice
Every time you hear the sound of my voice, just know that
I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing so baby don't feel no pain
Just smile back"
Tony chuckled as he sang along, his tears falling on Dan's chest.
"And when I'm gone, just carry on don't mourn rejoice
Every time you hear the sound of my voice, just know that
I'm lookin' down on you smilin'
And I didn't feel a thing so baby don't feel no pain
Just smile ba-"
Tony clenched his teeth as he felt Dan's hand slip away from his. He glimpsed at Dan's body, seeing one last nod before his eyes held an endless stare. He fell to the floor as he hung onto the side of the bed with his hands. The mares behind him sniffled, then slowly came to his side. Even Nyla didn't stop them as they came close and tried to console him, and Celestia draped her wing around his shoulder. She looked to Dan, his eyes still open and his mouth still curled into a slight grin. She used her wing to close his eyes, then her horn glowed as the covers were pulled over him.
Tony's quiet crying turned into shuddering sobs, and the ponies just kept close, doing their best not to break down themselves. " We're sorry", Celestia whispered. " We're so sorry Tony".
Nyla felt the change in his mind, it wasn't the Ashla or the Iikro. Tony stood up from the group, startling them as they moved back. Slowly Tony walked to the wall beside Dan's bed. He ripped his arm out of the sling and punched the wall with any power he had left. Fifteen yards of solid stone cracked under the force of his fist. The mares and doctors jumped a little from the loud crack, and Nyla gripped her left arm. Tony pulled the broken arm out of the wall then drove his good fist into the wall, creating a deep hole in the shape of his arm. He picked up the pace until he was drilling the wall with his punches, and the tears wouldn't stop coming.
" GRAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!", he screamed.
" Tony! Calm down!", Twilight said, both concerned and fearful of Tony's rage.
" SHUT UP!", Tony shouted as he spun around. " JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
He turned back around and drove his left arm especially hard into the wall, making Nyla clutch her arm harder. " Stop it Tony! You're scaring Fluttershy!", Rarity pleaded.
" IT'S ALL MY FAULT! THEY'RE ALL DEAD BECAUSE OF ME! THIS IS WHY I LEFT! SO DAN COULD BE SAFE!", Tony yelled. A small crowd of ponies had gathered outside to see what was the commotion. " BUT JEROSH HAD TO FUCKING FIND US! IF I NEVER MET HIM HE WOULDN'T BE DEAD!".
He screamed as he kept punching the wall, and when his arms had done enough, he rammed his head into it.
" WHY! CAN'T! I! KEEP! THEM! SAFE?!", he yelled. Before he could permanently damage his broken arm, a hand stopped him.
The entire room gasped as a hand began to integrate itself into reality. Slowly an arm formed, then a torso, and legs, and finally the head. Standing in a spiritual body, was the 249th Makti in full Loki'irian armor.
Reku'un Alamonshuor.
" Ma-Makti", Tony gasped. His ancestor put Tony's arms to his sides and hugged him tightly.
" Hello Reku'un", the past Reku'un said.
The mares watching had their jaws dropped, even Celestia. " H-How is...how did", Twilight fumbled for words. The others shook their heads and shrugged.
The Makti held his descendant close, then seperated with his hands on his shoulders. " You are a fine man Reku'un", he smiled. " A fine warrior you would be".
" How are you here?", Tony asked. The Makti chuckled and wiped a tear from his eye.
" We are all here", Reku'un smiled. " In here". He pointed to Tony's heart, then to his head. " And here. Each of the Makti's live on in you, Doshu'um. We are with you always, and we see what you see, feel what you do, and so on and so forth".
" Why are you here?", Tony questioned. The Makti sighed and put a hand on Tony's shoulder.
" To tell you what needs to be said", Reku'un said softly. " You must not give in to this hate and anger Doshu'um. And you cannot do what you did to ensure Daniel's safety. You must not run, you must not surrender".
Tony already knew what he was getting at. " I can't fight", Tony said as he drooped his head. " That's how this all happened. This is how...how Dan died".
Reku'un guided Tony's gaze back up. " And it is how you will prevent it from happening", Reku'un smiled. " You must not blame yourself Reku'un, not everything happens because of you. Your mother and father were not your fault, Eishla was not your fault, nor was Daniel your fault. You were a child, you could not fight the Ashla's influence in your weakened state".
Tony sniffled and wiped the tears with his arm. "But they're all gone. What do I have to fight for?", he asked.
Reku'un sighed as he looked away. " There is a saying the Earthling's use. 'You can't save them all'. I cannot tell you how true that is Doshu'um", he closed his eyes for a moment. " Do you know how many close friends I lost in our planet crusades?".
Tony shook his head softly. " No".
" Two-thousand, five-hundred, eighty-six", he recalled. " Every day I saw their faces, and they were the fire that made me fight. For their sake, and to protect the one's I held close. Which is what you must do, Doshu'um. These ponies, you thought them your family, as you did Daniel. If he were to betray you, and it was just a misunderstanding, would you have forgiven him?".
Tony looked back to the mares, from there he looked to Dan's covered body, and finally to his ancestor. " I...I would. I would have forgiven him", Tony admitted it.
" Then you must forgive them", Reku'un said. "Jerosh used Earth's misinformation to lie to them, they couldn't have known what happened".
Tony nodded. " I know", he sniffled.
Reku'un turned to the Celestia princess, then approached her. " Ichima", he bowed formally. " It is an honor to meet you".
To their surprise, Celestia returned the bow. " It's a pleasure to meet a guardian to my mother", she smiled softly.
Reku'un returned the smile and stood tall. " Minira did not have the time to tell you, but all of you must know this", Reku'un said sternly. " Reku'un, you and Jerosh are not alone. Loki'ir was not destroyed, nor were we wiped out. There are still many Loki'irians, and they plan to come here".
Tony's jaw slackened as the words registered. " But...but how? The only ships that could possibly reach this planet is the fleet on Ikotur, or the Drigont. But it was shot down", Tony said.
" No it wasn't", Reku'un said. Tony's eyes widened as he heard this.
" I saw it myself Makti", Tony said.
" No, what you saw were the shields of the Drigont being overloaded", he grinned. " I'm sure you know what happens when they overload".
Tony looked away in shock. " The whole thing shuts down", Tony gasped. " So...it just needs a jumpstart".
The Makti nodded. " As we speak, Minira has the last of us Signa heading to the crash site", Reku'un said. " They will use it to come here and join you".
" How many have survived?", Celestia asked.
" Thousands of Loki'irians", the Makti said. " And only a few dozen Signa. They will be here on the day of the black sun".
" The solar eclipse?", Twilight questioned. " That's next year, in September".
" Yes, 13 months until they arrive", Reku'un said. " You must lead them in the fight, now that they know of this world. They will come in numbers, Reku'un. It is your responsibility to lead them, and to keep this planet from sharing our fate".
" But...but how can I Makti?", Tony asked. " I can't...I'm not strong enough".
" You are just like me, Reku'un", he chuckled. " We possess great power, we need only guide it, and control it. You can do this, Reku'un. You will do this, and you will end this war, once and for all".
" Yes grandfather", Tony nodded. " And thank you".
The Makti nodded, then bowed once more to Celestia. He then walked past Tony and stood by Dan's bed. To their shock, his hand phased through the blankets and went into Dan's body. When he pulled his arm back, another hand was grabbing onto his, and from the body came Dan's essence. His spiritual self looked at his body, chuckled, and looked at Tony. They shared one last hug, knowing this was really goodbye.
" I'm gonna miss you", Tony said. This time he didn't sob, this time it was more sad yet happy. He died in battle, a Loki'irian death.
Dan finally seperated, and as he stood next to the Makti who was a whole head taller than him, he did his two finger salute. " See ya around kid", his voice echoed.
With his final words, Dan and Reku'un faded out of existence. Tony closed his eyes and let the silence loom over him for a minute, and with a drawn out exhale he faced the mares behind him. They wore unsure smiles, some tears still lingering at their lids. He smiled softly as he extended his good arm out and kneeled. They centered him in a massive group hug, Celestia just draping her wing around them once again.
" I forgive you guys", Tony smiled. " And I'm sorry. I should have told you from the start about all this".
" So, you're not mad?", Fluttershy asked. Tony smiled as he held them closer.
" Of course not", he chuckled. " You guys are like family to me, and it's kinda my fault anyways. Dan almost did the same thing, but I told him. If I could forgive him, I can forgive all of you".
" That's very relieving to hear Tony", Celestia said. " Thank you".
They finally broke away, and Tony remembered one other thing he needed to do.
" Celestia, where's Luna?".
Dear Luna,
I know it's only been a week, but I feel like I have to tell you this. Whenever I'm around you, I feel like there's nothing that could be wrong with the world. When you frown, I feel like its my obligation to make it a smile. Every time I get to see you I thank the gods I can see, because I wouldn't want to miss a face like yours. You're beautiful, you're funny, you're a very strong mare (physically and characteristicaly), and I can't just stop thinking about you.
You, Celestia, and all the girls gave me something I never had before. Friendship, from the moment I met all of you with my own eyes we were friends, and that meant so much to me since Dan was my only friend. But when I saw you, I just couldn't tell what it was that I was feeling, but now I know. The stuttering, the beating in my chest, the butterflies I get, and the way I can't stop thinking about you. Before I met you, I saw all sorts of sights like this, but I never thought I would have something like it, especially not with somepony like you. But now it's finally come true, and I just can't hold it in any longer.
I love you. I love you, Princess Luna. And this is my gift to you.
--Tony
Luna read over the letter for the hundredth time. She pinned it under her hoof as more tears made their way from her eyes onto the floor. The necklace, the beautiful necklace that Tony handcrafted himself, was lying on her bed. She didn't deserve to wear it, and she certainly didn't deserve the letter or its maker. After what she did, and what she saw, she couldn't face Tony.
Blueblood was thrown in the old Canterlot dungeons, where dozens of rats now lived. She threw him in their herself, and she kept the magic restraint on him. Luna looked up to the gloomy moon, reflecting its mover's appearance.
Her mane and tail were completely dull and lifeless, hanging down as it would with a regular pony's. Under her red eyes from all the crying were bags from lack of sleep. The fur along her cheeks was matted down with tears, both dry and new. She hadn't eaten or slept since Tony lost consciousness, which was three days ago. She had sent away any and all ponies that came to her chambers, even her sister.
And these three days and three nights, she couldn't stop the sobs from coming.
In the stairwell that led to the lunar princess' tower was the celestial princess behind the Doshu'um. They had gotten a new sling for his arm, and he got his leg cast removed in place of many bandages. The others, and Nyla, stayed behind, since this was a personal matter. Tony used the wall for support as he climbed the tall staircase.
" We could teleport to the top you know?", Celestia told him. Tony grunted as he gently let his weight shift onto his injured leg.
" One time, in Ponyville, Twilight teleported me and Dan to Rarity's house", Tony began. " Let's just say the grass was a lot more colorful after we got there".
Celestia grinned as she remembered that some found it unsettling in their stomachs when teleporting. She quickly lost that grin as Tony lost his footing and fell forward, catching himself with his good arm.
" Are you alright?", she asked as she helped him back up.
" Yeah", he grunted. " Just a headeache. Let's keep going".
" Alright". Celestia kept close to him, in case he fell backwards.
The climb went on in silence, until they finally reached the onyx set of doors. Celestia went to knock, but Tony halted her hoof before she could. He stepped closer and put his ear against the door, and his sensitive ears picked up on the sobs coming from the other side. Tony knew who it was, and he hated hearing her cry. He moved back and finally knocked on the door, the sobs ceasing immediately.
" I said to leave me be sister", Luna's voice cracked. Tony knocked on the door once again, getting another reaction. " If you're a servant then be gone".
For the third time Tony knocked, and the doors glowed in a faint blue as they opened. Tony waved for Celestia to wait, then he stepped inside. The room was the same as last time, a deep indigo with black blobs and Luna's cutie mark etched onto most of her things. He saw the glimmer of his necklace on her bed, but instead of grabbing it he turned towards the balcony. Luna stood up with her back to him, and when she spun around she had a nasty glare in her eyes.
" What is it that you could possibly-". Her words got stuck in her throat, and her gaze softened. She looked over the scars adorning much of his torso, and the nick on his cheek, making sure to avoid meeting gazes.
Luna turned away hurriedly, and she kept her head low. Tony walked over to her, then carefully sat down beside her. The seconds ticked on as Tony waited for her to be ready, and after another minute of waiting he felt her hooves wrap around him tightly. Her sobs were held back as she cried into his shoulder, and soon he held her with his good arm.
" I thought I'd never see you again", she whispered. " I'm so sorry Tony. I'm sorry".
Tony ran his fingers through her mane as her sobs got more audible by the moment. " It's okay Luna", he hushed her. " It's fine".
She sniffled as she pulled back, wiping a few tears away from her eyes. " You shouldn't be here", her voice cracked.
Tony placed his hand at the side of her head and wiped a falling tear with his thumb as it rolled down. " I had to make sure you were okay", he smiled softly.
" How is Dan faring?", she asked.
Tony closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them he shook his head softly. " He...he's with Diane", he said in a low tone.
" This is all my fault", she whispered.
" No", Tony said in a serious tone. " Luna, this wasn't your fault".
" And how can you say that?", she sobbed. " I did this to you! I betrayed you and Dan, I trusted your brother's word instead of asking you myself! And now Daniel's gone, and it's-MMPH!".
Tony silenced her self-accusation by pressing his lips against hers. Her rant melted away as she did with the kiss, and soon she wrapped her hooves around him and kissed with just as much vigor. They finally seperated when Tony felt she would listen.
" None of this was your fault", Tony smiled, brushing a strand of hair covering her face. " If I told you about Jerosh then all of this could've been avoided. I lied to all of you, and then I promised to you that I'd never lie. I was just...just scared that you would be like the humans. And after I knew I loved you, I didn't want to lose you".
Luna gave him another peck on the lips before speaking. " I'd never leave you Tony", she said softly.
With his new rites, Tony levitated the necklace over. " If only I knew that then", Tony chuckled. Luna giggled as Tony put the necklace on her.
" It's beautiful", she smiled.
" Just like you". She gave him another kiss on the lips and rested her head on his shoulder.
There was another thing that she needed to ask about. " And what of Blueblood?". Tony's blood broiled as he thoght about the arrogant prince, and it would have burned him up from the truth.
" Though I hate to say it", he sighed. " It wasn't really his fault either. If there's one thing I know, Jerosh plans ahead, and he won't act unless he knows what will happen. He just used Blueblood, just like he did with you all".
They kept silent in the embrace, just enjoying the feeling of having the other there. Luna thought she would never see Tony again, and Tony was just glad he didn't hurt her. Dan was gone, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy what he still had. And from Tony's knowledge, he knew Dan wouldn't want him moping over him. He even recalled the time he heard Dan saying that when he died he wanted to have all of his family and friends to throw him a huge party.
" Tony".
" Hm?".
" What about Rodrick?", she asked. " What are we to do about him?".
Tony sighed and rubbed her back slowly. " Knowing him, and since he has no more soldiers, he'll wait, just like we will", Tony answered. " I had a visit from my past self, and he told me there are more Loki'irians".
" There are?", she questioned as she moved back.
" He said your mother didn't have enough time to tell us", Tony explained. " But they'll be here, on the day of the eclipse".
" And then what?".
" Then, we fight the Arthanians that are coming", Tony said. " And we make sure they never come near this planet again".
Luna nodded resolutely and leaned back into him. Tony's mind race with thoughts about his race's survivors, and his species survivors. They would need to be strong if they were going to beat the Arthanians, and they would need to be coordinated. From what he heard, it's been millions of years, so they haven't got a clue about Arthanian warring styles. His grandfather didn't say when they were arriving, but he just hoped he would have enough time to train the men and set up some kind of defense grid.
His worried thoughts were pushed aside as his ears perked from a familiar sound. With a grin, he glimpsed at Luna, whose eyes were closed and soft snores were coming from. Her mane and tail began to come back to life, gaining their teal and luminescent features. He kissed the top of her head as he fixed his hold on her, then he carefully stood up. Her warm breath tickled the back of his neck as she exhaled, but he didn't mind. Gently he placed her on her bed, then draped the covers over her. She looked so peaceful, so he decided to go talk to Celestia.
Just as he reached for the handle to the door his hand tugged away with a blue aura. Tony grinned as he let his hand guide him all the way around, then to the opposite side of Luna on her bed. He could see her horn glowing, and she smiled with her eyes half closed. " Please, don't leave", she whispered.
Tony nodded and lifted the covers as he slid in next to her, followed by Luna snuggling up next to him. " I'd never leave you". She picked her head up to give him one last meaningful kiss, and he was happy to oblige.
She rested back into him, wrapping her hooves around him but being careful with his left arm. Tony heard the soft snores return, and he just watched her as she slept. But being in a bed as comfortable as hers, along with his tired muscles, he soon joined her snores with his own. The two slept in the other's arms/hooves, and Celestia cut off the transparency spell. She smiled with relief that Luna was fine, and that Tony was as well, so she decided to leave them to rest. When she got to the bottom of the stairwell her little ponies were waiting eagerly. Before addressing them Celestia turned to the Lunar guards positioned at the stair case.
" I want no pony to disturb my sister until she wakes", Celestia ordered.
" Yes ma'am", they saluted.
" Is Luna fine?", Rarity asked. Celestia smiled as she thought back a moment ago.
" She just needs sleep, but she's fine", Celestia assured her. " As do most of you".
" I'm gonna go check on Spike", Twilight said. The other mares nodded and made their way to the west wing.
Celestia made her way to the throne room to begin the night court for her sister. As she turned a hall she saw Nyla standing down the path. The Nera'ak had grown from her medium size and now stood a full head bigger than Celestia, about as tall as Tony. Nyla walked closer with her wings tucked in, and she stopped when she was right in Celestia's face.
" You are lucky Reku'un can forgive you", she snarled. " But do not think for a second that means I trust you or any of those mares. You must gain my trust, and so far you've done a poor job".
Celestia kept a calm face instead of fuming, because even she knew she had made a bad impression. " Then I hope your time with us can change that", Celestia said sincerely.
Nyla snorted a puff of smoke then unfurled her strong wings. " We'll see about that", Nyla hissed. With a mighty flap she was above Celestia, and in another push she zoomed off to find her descendant.