//------------------------------// // The End is Still a Beginning // Story: Crisis of Infinite Offspring // by dramatic_spoon //------------------------------// A Week Later Ponyville Big Macintosh groaned as Thunderlane laid out his hand. “Flush, all diamonds,” The weather pony grinned. “I’m out. All I got as a pair o’ twos,”” Big Macintosh threw down his hand. “Well…” Rarity trailed off, “I have a full house.” The unicorn placed her hand down, revealing three queens and the other twos. Her magical aura surrounded the pile of bits in the middle of the table and began to levitate it towards her. “Not so fast,” Lyra interrupted, before telekinetically spinning her cards around, “Straight flush.” Thunderlane and Big Macintosh burst into laughter, as Rarity released the coins. Lyra’s magical aura surrounded the pile, and dragged it towards her. Rarity levitated the cards towards her and began to shuffle the deck. “One more hand?” the fashionista offered. “I gotta use the can, but deal me in anyway.” Thunderlane stood up and trotted off. “Deal me in,” Lyra grinned, “I still have money to win from the rest of you.” “I’m in.” Big Macintosh nodded. “Macintosh, how have you been?” Rarity inquired. “Fairly well,” the stallion responded, “Everything’s back ta’ normal, although I kinda miss them.” “Yeah, I kind liked Apple Cinnamon,” Lyra added. “I do sort of miss Golden Gem,” Rarity sighed, “But I’m certain things will work out.” “I hope,” Lyra added, “And now Mac and I can finally get to work on the important things.” “What’s that?” the farm stallion and fashionista gave the musician an odd look. “What are we gonna name our kid?” the unicorn grinned, as Big Macintosh and Rarity blushed. “What?” Lyra shrugged, “Now that we’ve seen all the other kids, I have ideas. How does Apple Rhapsody sound?” “…I don’t think I want to have this conversation,” the farm stallion paused, “Yet.” “That’s better than our relationship,” Rarity grumbled, “Thunderlane thinks children would be a wonderful idea. I don’t.” “I know you don’t, Rar,” Rarity jumped a little as Thunderlane snuck up behind her placed his hooves on her shoulder. The pegasus grinned, “But give it time.” “Shut up and sit down,” Rarity blushed. The other couple chuckled as Rarity dealt out the cards. Big Macintosh picked up his cards and glanced at it; the king of hearts, the ace of spades, the ten of diamonds, the ace of hearts and the king of clubs. Lyra looked at her cards; the queen of hearts, the queen of diamonds, the three of spades, the two of spades and the jack of clubs. “I’ll take one.” Big Macintosh slid the ten away from him. “Two for me.” Lyra dropped the jack and the three. “I need one.” Thunderlane placed a card down. “Alright…” the unicorn passed out the cards, before taking two for herself, “and two for me.” Big Macintosh glanced at his new card: the two of hearts. Lyra peeked at hers; the three of hearts and the three of clubs. “Alright then, sense this is the last hand, it is all in, so…” Rarity levitated her remaining bits into the middle of the table, as the others tossed theirs in, “Dealer’s left first.” Thunderlane tossed down his cards, “Triple sevens.” “Two pairs,” The farm stallion dropped his hand. “Three threes.” Lyra frowned as she revealed her cards. Rarity grinned, “straight,” the fashionista revealed her hand: the four of clubs, five of spades, six of hearts, seven of diamonds and eight of hearts. The unicorn mare let out a loud laugh as she dragged the coins towards her. “WAHAHAHAHA!” The other three ponies sighed and Big Macintosh stood up. “Well, I think that’s it for us. Thank you both kindly for invitin’ us.” “Not a problem, Macintosh,” Rarity smiled. “Yeah, you guys can come next time too,” Thunderlane grimaced, “Maybe you guys can win back all the stuff I lost to Pinkie.” “Maybe,” Lyra stood up, “see you next time.” --- “Well, that was nice,” Lyra grinned, “You want to come over for coffee?” “…Sure.” The two trotted through town and reached Lyra’s house. The unicorn levitated the key out of her satchel and stuck it in the keyhole. She paused, frowning. “Something a matter?” “It’s unlocked,” Lyra’s frown grew. “Maybe Bon Bon forgot ta’ lock it?” “She’s out of town; I guess I forgot to lock it.” The mare pushed opened the door, and the two trotted inside. “Take a seat; I’ll get the coffee started.” “Eyup.” Big Macintosh settled into her sofa as Lyra trotted into the kitchen. The stallion closed his eyes, and listened to Lyra work. The clack of hooves on the floor, and the whirl of the coffee machine were interrupted by a new sound. Giggling. Big Macintosh opened his eyes and glanced around the room for the source. After being unable to confirm the source, the stallion shrugged and closed his eyes again. Again, the sound of giggling reached his ears, this time accompanied by another voice shushing the others. Lyra trotted back into the room, levitating two cups of coffee. “Mac, did you hear giggling?” “Eyup.” The two took a sip of their coffees, listening for more giggling. Lyra set her cup down on the table, “Whatever it was, I think it-” A closet door exploded outwards, shocking the two ponies. Lyra kicked the table, splashing Big Macintosh with the still hot coffee. “EEEYOUCH!” Big Macintosh yelped, leaping up and kicking the table over. “SURPRISE!” The startled ponies turned towards the closet, where Apple Pie, Scarlet Tornado, Golden Gem, and Acey Mac stood, beaming. “What the…How did you all get here?” Big Macintosh demanded. “Princess Celestia gave us these!” Apple Pie held up her left foreleg; a small box was strapped to her leg, with two small buttons on it. “What is that?” “She said they’ll let us travel between our home dimensions and this one, so we can come and visit you whenever we want.” “…She gave one to all of you?” Lyra blinked in surprise. “Eeyup!” the fillies simultaneously responded. “And are they…here?” Big Macintosh cautiously pushed on. “Um…” Acey Mac rubbed behind her leg, avoiding Big Macintosh’s gaze. “SURPRISE!” An explosion rocked another closet. Lyra rushed over and yanked open the door, while telekinetically summoning the fire extinguisher. Sparkling Cider, Center Stage, Carson, Golden Sweet and Oaken Shield tumbled out, coughing from the smoke. “I told you that wouldn't work,” Golden Sweet scolded Center Stage. “If Oaken Shield opened the door when we said to, then the timing would have been perfect,” Center Stage countered. Lyra sighed, “Mac, I take back what I said earlier, I don’t want kids.” “Eeyup.” The stallion sighed.