//------------------------------// // All Good Things... // Story: The Abundance // by defender2222 //------------------------------// "I prefer goodnight. It offers hope for a new day." -Faith Three Years Later... Faith had spoken of ponies ability to develop powerful relationships. Generosity's final words had been of how they lived their lives to the fullest. While she agreed with both these assessments, Princess Celestia felt that there was another trait that separated her little ponies from the other races: their ability to overcome. The land had been scarred and many ponies hurt, both mentally and physically, as a result of the war. For as much as they had regained they had also lost too. Cloudsdale had been destroyed. Manehattan laid in ruins. Canterlot had been deserted. The Everfree had seen an eighth of its mass removed from it, leaving a grassy field in the middle of the enchanted forest.Those that had been under the control of the Queens struggled just as much as those that had been part of the rebellion. And still... they overcame. Celestia smiled as she thought back on how her little ponies had come together. Even the name of the war had been debated. Those on the side of the rebellion had been split; some wanted to call it The War of Doubt, highlighting that it was the mad abstract that had caused the damage. Others suggested Faith's War, honoring the one abstract who had not fallen during the conflict. Those that had been brainwashed muttered about the War of the Five Queens and Elements' Fall. In the end, it had been Dinky Hooves who had come up with the name: The 5 Months War. Simple, to the point, with no blame assigned. All sides had agreed, though the Princesses had heard Shining jokingly call the conflict 'The War of a Thousand Monologues'. "Princess, are you sure you don't want to wait over there in the shade?" "No, Scootaloo," the princess said, smiling at the pegasus filly. "I am quite fine." She took a moment to look at the orange pegasus, decked out in blue vest and cap. Scootaloo, having experienced all sides of the war, had quickly become a pony of some importance during the rebuilding. She had helped dissuade rumors and mend fences between the many different groups. The Princess of the Sun looked upon New Cloudsdale and smiled. One of the very first projects started and the last to be completed, the cloud city had taken the tragedy of Cloudsdale and turned it into a shining victory. Ponies of all kinds had worked hard to create a new home for the pegasi that also allowed the earth ponies and the unicorns to interact more easily with their feathered brethren. Using Griffish designs, New Cloudsdale as now located on the very mountain where Twilight and her friends had dealt with a snoozing dragon. The Weather Factory still remained purely a pegasi location, but other attractions, like Wonderbolt Stadium, were now placed on the mountain, allowing other ponies to see the famous flyers. Repairing the city had been the easy part... it was the repairing of her subjects that was difficult. Buildings could be remade and possessions returned easily enough...it was the mental scars that took time to heal and led to bitterness and pain. The Princess sighed, thinking of how much still laid before them. Twilight's friends were still looked down upon by some of the country. There were whispers that they should have fought harder against the abstracts and thus prevented the war. It didn't matter how much it was explained to them that Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity had been victims as much as other ponies; they still wore the faces of their oppressors. Even Pinkie had caught some flack, even though she had never been a Queen. Princess Celestia smiled slightly, remembering the pink mare's shock when she had finally ascended and become the abstract... of generosity. It seemed that the magics woven into the world saw the giggly pink pony who so longed to give parties and make others smile as being the most selfless pony in Equestria. 'The abstracts must have never seen her at a buffet table,' Celestia thought. More shocking had been Discord's return. "What is that dreadful music I hear?" Princess Luna said, looking around in surprise. "Hola, Princesses!" Discord had proclaimed, popping into the throneroom with a sombrero on his head and accompanied by a full mariachi band. “I’M BACK!” "Discord!" Princess Celestia had shouted. "Yes, it is I! You didn't think that crazy abstract Doubt could really defeat me, did you? I am made of sterner stuff than that!" He'd flexed his arm, only to frown when it deflated like a balloon. "Ok... so she did steal my powers and left me little more than a puddle on the ground, crying out for mommy... but I have found a new role! I am no longer the spirit of chaos!" He snapped his fingers and cigars appeared in their mouths. "Swell," Cadence had grumbled. "What powers are those, Discord?" Celestia had said cautiously. Discord threw his arms out, his wings turning into a crude replica of Faith's while his coat became a mix-mash of metals. "What else? I have finally achieved my dream... I am an abstract... the Abstract of Laughter!" When they all looked at him he shrugged. "What, you thought Pinkie Pie was going to get the job?" He snapped his fingers and Cadence looked at the two strapping ponies dressed in speedoes that were now rubbing against her. “Isn’t it wonderful?” "I don't need your stallions," Cadence said sternly. Discord frowned. "You know, I think I prefer you when you are a crazy nympho." Another snap sent them to Luna, who gave the stallions a once over. "Discord!" Celestia shouted. "Enough of this!" Discord sighed. "Very well." He wiggled his nose and all his creations disappeared. "I just thought I would tell you that I am going to be bouncing around, inspiring giggles and gaffs. And while it is true that I am now only semi-phenomenal and nearly cosmic, that doesn't make me a softy." He pinched the solar princess' cheek. "See ya around, Tia baby." Discord crossed his arms over his chest, and with a nod disappeared. After that, weekly spottings of Discord had become quite common. Luckily, his pranks were little more than semi-harmless fun and several ponies had began looking forward to his jokes. Twilight and her friends, through some good grace, had not been targets of the former spirit of chaos. Celestia had been utterly thankful for this, as all of them were dealing with enough problems on their own. The former queens weren't the only ones suffering from scorn, after all. Just as Faith had predicted, some ponies had looked upon Twilight and the rest of the rebellion in hatred, feeling that they had robbed them of peace and happiness. Luna had reported finding several cults that worshiped the Queens and Celestia knew it would take decades, if not centuries, to undo the misconceptions from those ponies minds. While Faith had suffered little scorn, save from those that longed for the return of the queens, his brother and sister were not so lucky. In the end, after several failed attempts at helping (the last of which resulted in Faith delivering a long, rambling rant that ended with Trixie mooning those in attendance) the two elder abstracts had decided that it was wiser to just stay out of the way. Honesty had retreated to Sweet Apple Acres, while Kindness had sought sanctuary with Fluttershy, finding some peace with the animals. Sadly, Celestia knew it would take quite a bit of time before her subjects trusted the abstracts again. Luckily, New Cloudsdale was helping to ease all through the tensions that had arisen and offered a glimmer of hope that the day when all the wounds were healed would come much quicker. Twilight and her friends had each taken part in the crafting of New Cloudsdale, helping to shape it and making it something truly special. Ponies from Canterlot and Manehattan that had turned their noses up at the girls now whispered in the princess' ear that she HAD to get the Element of Harmony to help in the rebuilding of their cities. Celestia was pulled from her thoughts as a shrill whistle filled the air. Standing up, she noticed for the first time that she had been joined by others: the Apple Family stood off to the side, whispering to themselves and laughing as Honesty did his best to hid his horn with the cowboy hat Applejack had gotten him. Rarity, Fluttershy, Sweetie Belle and Kindness were huddled together on a bench, while Rainbow had come to join Scootaloo. Shining Armor had finally run up with Cadence, the two pleading that they had slept in and ignoring the chuckles coming from Luna. It was clear from the way the two were sweating that sleep hadn't been what kept them. "Don't worry," Celestia said softly as The Abundance soared towards them. "You are just in time." It took several minutes to get all of them on board. The deck was full of ponies, hurrying about to prepare the airship to take off. Almost all the former prisoners who had joined Faith and Trixie in their escape had remained on The Abundance after the war. Though none of them had ever used the word again, their actions proved that they still saw Faith as, if not their king, their leader. He had been the one to free them... and besides, the Abundance had earned quite a rep and many of them had seen their star rise by being tied to the airship that had helped save Equestria. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight called out, hurrying over to the white alicorn and giving her a hug. In the years since the war Celestia had regained her height and power much faster than Twilight, leaving the little purple alicorn looking up once more at her mentor. Truthfully, Twilight would have it no other way. "Hello, my faithful student. How are you?" Twilight grinned. "Very well, thank you." With practiced ease Twilight walked along the deck as the airship took off, not at all thrown by the sudden swaying. The alicorn of the stars had decided early on in the days after the war that the Abundance would serve as a perfect base of operation for her efforts to help rebuild Equestria. Twilight had thrown herself into the grand task, partly because of her love for her country and partly because she wanted to help her friends. The crew had welcomed her and she had fit in just fine. Celestia glanced over at Spike, who was in his larger form, laughing as he helped Iron Will adjust a sail. The minotaur and the dragon had bonded after the fall of Doubt after Spike had learned that Will had been an orphan and adopted by a pair of loving, if overly assertive, earth ponies. "Princess Celestia," Trixie said, her horn glowing as she removed her captain's hat. Celestia looked the current abstract of doubt over. Of all the ponies to get dragged into the war, she had come out the best. The theft of Doubt’s powers had left her immortal and with the ‘great and powerful’ magic she had longed for. Luckily for all, Trixie was quite different from Doubt and her use of power helped get ponies to doubt their preconceived notions and their bigotry. Her time in prison had tempered her and allowed her to have those powers without abusing them. The Abundance was her ship and gave her a feeling of control. And after only 6 months of continued backsliding followed by hard work, Trixie and Twilight had FINALLY managed to bury the hatchet. They still snipped at each other, but each, in the end, believed they had won. Twilight was the alicorn of the stars and partner with Faith. Trixie was the abstract of doubt and as for Faith… “Where is Faith?” Rainbow Dash called out. “Figured he of all ponies would like to make a speech.” “Where else? He’s dealing with the current Big Bad,” Trixie said with a smirk, pointing to their cabin just as a small blue foal scrambling out of the cabin, Faith chasing after him. The baby looked behind him and began darting between legs, giggling up a storm. “Get back here Clockwork!” Faith shouted, his coat covered in bubbles as the naked little colt squealed and ran about the deck. The metallic blue foal’s black-and-white mane was full of bubbles and his mouth was open in a wide smile as he darted under Princess Luna’s legs and made for Twilight. “Don’t even think about going to her for help!” Faith said sternly. Clockwork blinked before looking at Trixie. “Not mama either,” Faith said sternly, using his magic to lift up his son and march him back towards the cabin. “Messy foals need to finish their baths before they can meet our friends!” Clockwork looked at the others and, when he thought his daddy wasn’t looking, made a silly face. Honesty cocked an eyebrow as Faith marched away. “You know… I remember him doing that a few times… so wonderful to see him seeing how annoying it is.” That earned a snort from Kindness. Celestia smiled as she watched the group join in laughter. Later that night there would a moment of silence for those lost and quiet reflection on the events now three years gone. But for now, they were able to joke and smile and enjoy the swaying of the Abundance. There was still work ahead of them and many fences to mend, but as Celestia looked out at all the ponies gathered before her, she felt something stir within her. Not faith… not doubt. Hope. End of Volume 2 The Abundance Cast Twilight Sparkle: Tara Strong Applejack and Rainbow Dash, : Ashleigh Ball Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy: Andrea Libman Rarity and Princess Luna: Tabitha St. Germain Spike: Cathy Weseluck Princess Celestia: Nicole Oliver Shining Armor: Andrew Francis Princess Cadence: Britt McKillip Trixie: Kathleen Barr Faith: Tom Hardy Doubt: Cate Blanchet Laughter: Arleen Sorkin Loyalty: Nathan Fillion Honesty: John Rhys Davis Generosity: Keri Russell Kindness: Kristen Bell Scootaloo: Madeleine Peters Applebloom: Michelle Creber Sweetie Belle: Clare Corlett “Why are we here, sister?” Luna asked, following after Celestia. The white alicorn ducked under a low branch, her horn glowing to light the way as she walked down the faint path. It was one she knew all too well, though it had been many, many years since she had taken it. The destination, though, was one she knew all too well. The Gate. “It has remained silent,” Luna stated calmly, noticing how Celestia eyed the spot where the Gate stood, invisible to even their eyes. “There has been no sign… no reaction… nothing.” “I know,” Celestia said gently. “I just-“ “AARRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!!!” Celestia and Luna leapt away as the air shimmered and, seemingly from no where, a beast burst out, looking around with wild eyes. He was a horrific mix of stone and water given life; the black rock that formed his bones was not hidden by the water that served as his skin, allowing the sisters to see the clicking of his jaw and the flexing of his spine as he looked about, his movements erratic. His eyes held the fury of a hurricane and he looked about as if expecting an attack. Then he looked upon them. “Celestia?” the beast whispered in confusion. “Luna?” The waters stilled and the stone disappeared as gray fur and green scales rapidly reformed, covering the beast’s odd form and leaving him looking decidedly more natural. The Princesses stared as he looked at them with wide eyes before collapsing in a heap. They knew this beast well… after all, they had been at his side when he had died over a thousand years ago. “FATHER!” Luna screamed, racing to the capricorn’s side. Celestia tried to stop her, knowing it must be some trick, but Luna would not be held back, the sight of the old goat that had raised her and her sister as his own causing her heart to flutter and tears to blur her vision. “Father….” She whimpered, laying down beside him and stroking the green tuffs of hair on his head. “He’s… he’s coming…” he whispered. His eyes were wild and filled with fear as he rambled on. Never had the Princesses seen him so scared. Fear was a foreign concept to him. “The Gate has changed… he knows… tried to hold him back… he has broken through paradise and now… the fires of hell are his to command and he will burn us all!” He saw Celestia and grabbed her foreleg, pleading. “He’s coming! “Who?” Celestia asked. “Who is-“ “You think this country is yours,” a voice said all around them. “You believe it your birthright… that it is something you deserve, for it was passed down to you by your fathers, and their fathers, and their father’s fathers. You tell your little tales of Hearth’s Warming and none dispute your claim. You are the masters of this land and always have been. “ This… is a lie. A fairytale told by usurpers and thieves to justify their crimes. They have swept the truth away and rewritten history to make your kind the heroes. Enjoy these last few days of harmony… for we have returned… to take back what is MINE.” And Introducing Lord Tydal: Keith David Speaker Beyond the Gate: Benedict Cumberbatch “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it” Volume 3 The Should-Have-Been-King