Clash of Worlds

by Gunner59524


Hearth's Warming Eve (Epilogue)

1.5 Earth Years later, UNSC presence established on Equinia, Human civilian immigrant count: 1.56 million
Twilight's Library, Ponyville, Equestria.

Gunnar was looking at photos, thinking back to some fond memories. He first looked at one particular photo that always touched his heart and made him smile. Majestic was out of their armor, in civilian outfits, posing for a picture with him, Twilight, Rainbow, AJ, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie, Spike, and Patchy. That was during the party Pinkie had thrown three weeks after the fighting stopped and the Covenant retreated from the system for good.

There was another photo of him, standing on stage with Celestia, Luna, Captain Thomas Lasky, Commander Sarah Palmer, Thel Vadamee, and R'tas Vadamee. He missed the last for beings on that list. They had become amazing friends. In that same picture, Gunnar was standing in front holding a medal. That same medal sat in a case next to the photo at this moment. It was the UNSC's Colonial Cross. He would cherish that gift for the rest of his days.

The last picture he looked at was his favorite. Him and Twilight with a little foal: their son. That picture had been taken on the wedding day six months ago. It saddened him that Lasky, Majestic, and their other human friends couldn't attend that memorable ceremony. But, they were there in heart and memory at least. Somewhere off in the galaxy, the crew of the Infinity was at it again, fighting off evil so peace and harmony could endure. Gunnar smiled as he studied the picture further. He saw his right hoof stallion and best colt Oakleaf and his marefriend Mystic in the picture. He saw Spike getting in trouble off in the background, which made him laugh. He saw Celestia and Luna smiling in the background too. There was Shining Armor and Cadence smiling proudly too. Plus, off to the right, a little off behind the newlyweds, was the one crew member of Infinity that had stayed behind because he could not leave the new friends he had made behind: Patchy.

"Taking a stroll down memory lane?" a certain mare said with a gentle giggle as she trotted up from somewhere behind him and leaned against him.

He wrapped his foreleg around Twilight's shoulders and held her close, smiling. He kissed her cheek before answering. "Yeah. That's exactly what I'm doing," he chuckled.

She looked at him and frowned a bit. "You miss them sometimes don't you?" she asked, referring to their human and sangheili friends.

Gunnar let out a small sigh and nodded.

"Well they'll always be around," she said as she rested a hoof on his chest where his heart is, "In here." She smiled warmly at him.

Gunnar smiled back at her before kissing her. They held the kiss for a couple minutes before slowly separating and smiling at each other.

"Come on, let's go back and join the others. Hearth's Warming Eve is best spent with the whole family," she giggled.

Gunnar nodded happily and they returned to the main room. Pinkie and the whole Cake family was there managing the deserts, except for the little foals. Those two were hanging out with Twilight's and Gunnar's son. Patchy was watching over the littluns, playing with them and making them laugh. Fluttershy and Rarity were chatting about different things off to the right. Rainbow was dancing to the music and having a good time. AJ had brought her family: her brother Big Macintosh, her little sister Applebloom, and of course, Granny Smith. They were chatting with Shining Armor and Cadence. Twilight was especially glad that Celestia and Luna could make it this year. They were chatting about royal duties and what not here and there no doubt, but they were still smiling and having a good time. Applebloom had also brought her friends Scootaloo and Rarity's little sister, Sweetie Belle. The three of them were commonly known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They were having fun playing games.

Twilight called everypony together for a photo. They got together. The camera clicked. There they all were, in the photo, one big happy family, their bond forged stronger than steel.

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