One week after the Battle to End All Evil, the survivors of the battle gathered in Canterlot. The Rookie stood behind the podium, with a veiled structure to his right. He began his speech, “We gather here today, not to mourn over the loss of our heroes, but to celebrate the fruits of their success. This memorial was constructed to have us remember that freedom isn't free, and so that the losses endured to get us here will be remembered. The memorial was constructed using a photograph recovered from one of the fallen's personal effects box. No names have been engraved, because they did not stand as individuals. They stood as one, they stood as friends, they stood as brothers. The materials used in the construction of this memorial were scavenged titanium from the wreckage of the Victory, and diamond dust that was carefully arranged, and specially made by both Luna and Celestia. This memorial stands to conquer the one thing no one has endured; Time. There has been one engraving made on this structure, it reads, 'They were no different than us, and equally diverse'. This was chosen to symbolize the misguided treatment of various soldiers when they first landed in this unique world. Overall, no number of thanks can make up for the monstrous sacrifice made by these men. Fifty years from now, if one of you were to ask me if I was a hero in the war, I would give a simple but heartfelt response: No... but I did serve alongside heroes. I have said everything I could. Enjoy the monument as time passes, and never forget to rejoice every day you live as though it is a good day. What can I say? It was a heck of a night.”
The Rookie left the stage as the veil was removed from the monument. The memorial showed the same likenesses from Joe's Gung-ho photograph of the squad. The memorial was slated to be moved into the monument gardens around the castle. Specifically, it was to be placed next to the Snowdrop Memorial.
The Rookie met up with the rest of his squad, which was now all that was left of Baker Company. Moose turned to the Rookie, “We found a false bottom to Joe's personal effects box. It contained what we consider his will. I'm still surprised that Joe's box was the only one to stay intact after the Victory crashed.”
“What did it say?” the Rookie asked.
“We don't know, it said not to read it until the whole squad was there,” Kraut cut in.
“Let's read it. Also, is Joe doing any better since we recovered him from the battlefield,” the Rookie said.
“Still dead, but we'll keep him on life support and in the cryo tube until something happens,” Bookworm informed.
Pizza grabbed the will, and once Green came back , they started reading it. Snafu read it aloud, “I, Sergeant Joe of Baker Company, 105th ODST, haven't written anything like this before, so pardon any inconsistencies. This is to act as my will, but I do not want it to be read unless if all of my squad are in the same room. The individuals that are in my squad are: Snafu (who will probably be reading this aloud), Pizza, Moose, Green, Bookworm, and the Rookie. Alright, let's do this. Rookie, I think you'll appreciate my old dress uniform the most, but for God's sake, get someone to repair it if I haven't done so yet. Moose, you're taking charge of the squad. Green, (you are not so green now, eh?) You can keep the photograph of the squad. Also, Rookie, that 'dress' M1911 goes with the uniform. The sword though, I would like to keep that one close to me at all times, even after death, unless if I moved on and started a family somewhere, then it stays with the squad. I am trying to make this seem fair to all of you, but there is not enough to go around, I hope you'll understand. When I enlisted all those years ago, I negotiated that I would keep the armor, so I'll be happily buried in that. That's all, enjoy what you've got, but never earn blood money through it. See you guys on the other side.”
The squad divided up the materials according to Joe's final orders. Then, they went to visit Twilight. She had kept Joe's cryo tube in her basement, mainly because she could actively monitor for any vital signs, namely brain activity.
The squad knocked on Twilight's door, and when it opened, Moose said, “We're here to see him.” In the dark basement, the lone metallic tube stood amongst several shelves of books. Moose opened the front hatch of the tube, and placed Joe's family sword next to him, then sealed the tube once more. They all gave a moment of silence for the fallen soldier, but they never did give up hope. As they all turned to leave, they failed to notice the Elements of Harmony glowing along with the hilt of Joe's sheathed sword.
Next, the squad arrived at Carousel Boutique, Rarity's shop and home. The Rookie held up Joe's dress blues, and told Rarity, “We need these repaired, and they should go well with this pistol.” The Rookie held out the M1911, complete with holster, “...but the pistol should be concealed at all times.” The Rookie left the uniform and unloaded firearm with Rarity and Green, for weapon safety.
As the squad started meandering aimlessly through the town, Billiam called them up on the squad channels, “We're getting ready for departure. Long-term colonization efforts will occur on a distant and uninhabited continent for the United Nations Space Command. All UNSC forces are to board the Tempest by 1600 hrs unless otherwise permitted. See you then.”
“I almost don't want to leave,” the Rookie commented.
“I think we all don't. We gave so much for this land, and I would at least want to enjoy it before I leave it,” Moose said.
“Maybe we should talk to the Captain, I'm sure we could come up with some excuse to stay here,” Snafu commented.
“Let's go see if we can get permission to stay, and while we're en route, maybe Celestia would have a good word to put forth for us,” the Rookie said.
The team casually walked the distance to Canterlot, and met with the two princesses. The discussion would last for some time, but eventually they brokered an agreement. “We aren't going to reconstruct our embassy for a while, but we would like to stay here for a longer duration. Is there anything you can do for us that could help?” Moose asked.
“I believe I could grant all of you citizenship for your service in the defense of the city, but I still can't give you a home. Others need places to stay as much as you do, but you can purchase a home, or find someone willing to have you live with them, I'll be fine with either option,” Celestia responded.
“Thank you, Celestia,” the Rookie said.
The team went back to the bay Joe was recovered from back when he escaped. In dock, was the Tempest. This time though, her guns were lowered. The squad confronted Billiam with their requests.
“Sir, our squad would very much like to stay here. You could consider it a foreign relations mission, or keeping a foothold in distant territories, but either way, we would like to stay,” Moose said.
The Captain turned to face the squad, and said, “Frankly, I still owe Joe a couple. I'll let you stay so long as you keep an eye on him. You know what they say: heroes never die. He never gave up hope on us, and we shouldn't do so to him. If anything happens, tell me about it.”
“Thank you, sir,” the squad responded in sync.
After another lengthy trek, the squad arrived back in Ponyville. “Let's all go see if we can find a place to stay,” the Rookie suggested. The squad spread out, each with the intent of asking one particular pony for a place to stay.
Kraut went to Zecora. He was always fascinated by foreign cultures, and figured that it would be a fantastic place to stay.
Moose, feeling some nostalgia for the farm life he left on Harvest, decided to see if Applejack would allow him to stay.
The Rookie, always pushing his limits and keeping it together all the while, reasoned that Rainbow Dash might give him a room.
Bookworm, as his name would suggest, loved reading, so he ventured for Twilight Sparkle. He also wanted to keep an eye on Joe, being the squad medic and all.
Green wanted to stay with Rarity, especially after he realized his knack for aesthetic designs, and that both of them had an affinity for fashion.
Pizza earned his name while he was the Battalion cook, and he missed the joys of baking, so he chased after Pinkie Pie, who excitedly agreed.
Snafu, having missed the family dog back home, wanted to see if Fluttershy would let him stay for a while. It did take a while for him to get a solid reply from her, though.
One month passed, and the squad continued to live on. This time, though, some reenactments were on the schedule, instead of war. The upcoming event was a recreation of the Battle of the Bulge and the Race to Bastogne, and all were in attendance. In addition to the upcoming reenactments, the squad started showing old copies of Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and Saving Private Ryan to anypony who wanted to see it. Quickly, the natives started to understand just what a soldier goes through in war.
The reenactment was slated to take place in the Whitetail Woods, just before Hearth's Warming Eve. The teams of actors had managed to find enough Sherman tanks, as well as Tigers and Panzers for the reenactment to go off without a hitch.
Discord was still seen on occasion, but everyone looked him over with a weary eye. No one knew where he had been during the battle a month earlier, but no one could draw a connection between him and the battle either. Finally, Luna had confronted him about it. “Where were you during the war?” she asked.
“I was away, tending to some urgent matters,” Discord responded.
“How do I know you are telling the truth? You have acted against us before,” Luna countered.
“You can trust me on this because I haven't caused any long-term damage to anypony with my magic. I merely pull pranks on others, though I have been refraining from that after I was set free once more. I couldn't bear to see myself lose the one thing that I have gained after a thousand years; a friend. So I merely use my magic on those who can understand what is intended by it. I believe that I was pulling a couple of pranks with Gilda when the Victory went down. If you want to confirm my story, you'll have to talk to her,” Discord responded.
“Very well, we shall confirm this tale. If they coincide, we shall no longer be suspicious of your activities that day. Farewell,” Luna said, flying off.
Discord was left there, and his story was later confirmed with Gilda. After that, people didn't question Discord's role in the war; he had none.
The squad still kept close relations with one another, and kept on using the reenactments as a means to stay battle-ready, should any UNSC vessel arrive. That day seemed far too distant for most of the squad, but for Bookworm it was far too near.
Bookworm kept on reading anything that could help Joe, but continued to find nothing in all of the books he read. One day, he just gave up on continuing his searches, and moved on. Joe's cryo tube was quickly forgotten.
The squad continued to live day by day, treating each as though it were a good day. To them, what made a day a good day, was that they lived to see it. No one forgot the memorial standing in the Canterlot gardens, but few remembered the names of the figures depicted in it. The sacrifices those figures made though, would be remembered for all time.
Then one day, the Tempest arrived back in Equestria, just a few weeks after Bookworm quit his research.
“D-day plus sixty-four,” Moose said, standing infront of the old Iowa-class battleship.
“What?” the Rookie responded.
“It's been sixty-four days since we set foot here for the first time. I really did not notice how quickly time had passed,” Moose clarified.
“It seems so long ago when we first hit. I still remember the Rookie toppling out of his pod upside down,” Snafu said with a nostalgia-ridden chuckle.
“They said the Tempest would bring over a diplomatic team. Let's go meet them,” Pizza said.
The squad marched onto the Tempest, but elsewhere something powerful was awakening.
A buzzing sound could be heard across the Mild West, as sickly-green particles blazed across the sandy landscape. This world would need another hero.