//------------------------------// // The Labyrinth part 4: The Aftermath // Story: Jason's Grand Tour of Equestria // by Paradox Theory //------------------------------// Fillydelphia Maze Entrance. Many ponies would talk about the strange group who entered the Maze and beat it. How the human carried a minotaur in his arms. Many would notice the human being taller, glowing gold and having a pair of stark white wings on his back. But they don't know what had happened behind the walls. . . . The Labyrinth Center Jason picked Excalibur up, spitting blood out on the ground. The Minotaur had scratches from where Excalibur had hit him. Jason needed a plan, he needed to know how to take the beast down. He thought of Rage, how he sacrificed himself for hope and his family. Razor, who had been forced here, but in the end was seeking friends. A reason to hope. Rose, who had betrayed him, yet now was working towards a better future. All his friends had hope, and the Minotaur was made to crush it. "I will never lose hope." Jason told the Minotaur. "I don't know how or why, but I will save these ponies. You will not stop me." The Minotaur bellowed, and charged. But even as Jason spoke, a golden aura appeared around him, white wings grew from his back. Jason now stood taller than the seven foot Minotaur. Excalibur was twice as long, and in one swing, the Minotaur's head came clean off. The maze began to disappear, and Jason saw Rage's body nearby. He stooped to pick it up., and carried the body away from the maze. Fillydelphia Express Celestia woke in a daze, finding herself in a train car. Nearby, Jason and the Doctor were talking. "They were glad to see him home." The Doctor whispered, "They seemed grateful towards you though." "Because I did something no other outsider had done, I brought their brother home." Jason responded, his eyes having a far off look. "Do you want to say it, or should I?" The Doctor asked. "Go ahead." Jason told The Doctor. "Nice to see you awake your Highness." The Doctor merrily chirped. Celestia looked at the two in shock. "How did you know I was awake?" "I don't know about the Doctor, but I noticed the shift in your mind." Jason explained. "I heard your breathing change." The Doctor added. "Explain where we are please." Celestia asked, unsure as to why they were here. "You see, we are headed to Manehatten, Discord told me the next piece was there." Jason explained, giving Celestia a cup of tea. "Why am I here?" Celestia asked. "Same reason I am," The Doctor explained, "Your kingdom is overrun by Changelings. I'm here to escort you and The Bearers to Canterlot." "And how do you propose to do that?" Celestia asked incredulously. The Doctor responded by tapping a blue box behind him with his hoof. Before Celestia could respond, Rose entered the car. "The others know she is awake, they'll be in shortly." Rose explained to Jason, sitting next to him. Almost instinctively, Jason clasped her hand in his. Celestia noticed this, but said nothing as her student entered the car. "Celestia! You're okay!" Twilight exclaimed, hugging the Princess. "Of course my little pony, thanks to you and your friends." Celestia responded in a motherly tone. Jason called attention to himself, and began the procedure. "We have a lot to discuss, who is going where. We also need a game plan for when we reach Ponyville. But before we do this. . . Doctor?" The Doctor stepped forward with a plate of tea and English muffins (much to Derpy's disappointment), and said, "Let's have a spot of tea first."