//------------------------------// // Flash forward 10 years later // Story: Ponyframe // by SolidFerret //------------------------------// Rumble slowly walked up to the top of the hill that overlooked Ponyville. He sighed in relaxation as he sat down and saw the sight for what was his home for nearly his whole life. "Rumble!" A small voice called out from behind. The Pegasus turned around to see a small unicorn with a pink and emerald green mane and a yellow coat running up to him in excitement. "Hey there, Tidal." Rumble called to him. The unicorn ran over and gave him a hug. "What'cha doing Rumble?" He asked. Rumble picked him up and set him down on the ground. "Just enjoying the view little buddy." He said as he looked back at the peaceful town. "And waiting for my mail? I here my letter from the Wonderbolts comes today." He said with excitement. "Do you plan to be the new Captain? I keep hearing that the one they have is sick." Tidal said. 'Oh she's not sick... poor Blaze. He's probably stressed out over the pregnancy scandal.' rumble thought with a grin on his face. "No, I plan to not be busy and visit family as often as I can." "So, they care for you?" Tidal asked. "Of course." "Really? My parents always seem to say this day is special to them." Tidal said. "They always send me out. Is it because it's the anniversary of the second royal wedding?" "That's a few months from now." Rumble told him. "I always thought it was because my mom knew the Princess that got married." "I did too. She helped test my wingpower once." Rumble looked back at the unicorn. "But your parents love you very much. Trust me." "But what's so special about today that I got sent out by my parents?" Tidal asked. 'Why would they-' Rumble had it all click in a few moments. "Ohhhhh!" He said loudly. "What is it?" The colt asked. "It really has been ten years. I'm shocked we're not having a celebration." Rumble thought out loud. "What!?" Tidal began to get frustrated. "Come here, Tidal." Rumble said as he waved his hoof to call the young pony over. The colt trotted over and sat down as Rumble put a hoof around his shoulders. "Ya see, ten years ago. We won." "Won what? A game?" "No, anything but." Rumble let the memories flow through. He turned towards the little unicorn. "Your parents have the right idea to celebrate this day. Your father fought a dangerous enemy that attacked us." "What!" Tidal's jaw dropped. "My dad's a hero?" "I thought you knew that." Rumble chuckled. "Wait! What I mean is that he saved the world?" Tidal asked. "Not entirely. Yes, he helped save Equestria. But he wasn't the only one." Rumble told him. "There's more of my dads?" Tidal asked, causing Rumble to laugh. "No, but they were there to fight the enemy. Your dad helped them, though." "Wow..." The colt let it sink in. "What were they like?" "Who?" "The heroes my dad helped. What kind of ponies were they? Were they ponies? I bet they were Griffon?" "They were something Equestria had never seen before." Rumble told. "They, along with the enemy were from a far away place. We still never found out where they were exactly from." Rumble smiled. "But they did nothing more then fight to protect all of us. Weapons and powers used with such a spectacular form and the strongest bond I'd ever seen. In fact, if it weren't for them, your dad would have never gotten back with your mother." "What were they called?" Rumble turned and looked at Tidal. "The Tenno. Nearly all of them were here to save us from the enemy." "Wow, I bet they were cool." "They were. And to this day, I'm still inspired but their will to stay strong at the hardest of times." Rumble said as he looked at the sky, only to have his thoughts interrupted by Scootaloo calling out to him. "RUMBLE!" He looked down to see her jumping up and down. "WE GOT IN! WE GOT IN!" She flew up at top speed and threw him into the tightest hug he had ever gotten. Thunderlane, Cloud Chaser and Flitter followed. "We did?" He asked, shocked. "Yep. We start tomorrow. Can you believe it?" Scootaloo squeaked in excitement. "Not at all." Rumble said as he hugged her back. Scootaloo shook with so much excitement that in the heat of the moment, she gave a quick peck on Rumbles cheek. He put his hoof to where she kissed and smiled to himself. 'This is the best day ever.' He thought as he looked up at the sky with the... ...sun that lit the room as the Excalibur, Trinity, Nova and Nekros sat around the solar map. None spoke a word as they sat and waited. "Tenno." Lotus called to each. "Alad V is at it again." She said simply. The call they waited for. They geared up and headed to the pods. The four took off, ready for the next mission.