Skull felt the odd feeling, could it be death? He knew nopony can survive that atomic mass explosion of danger and disarray. He felt like an angel, flying to the heavens to leave his pony self. No, he’s alive. But… HE IS FLYING. How?
He’s not a pegasi. So there has to be a logical reason. He looks around at the earthy view below him, then looks up. Somepony else is carrying him. IT’S HIS MOM…
She just grabbed him to safety to avoid the explosion, and her cutie mark is a puppy. She must have been really into animals back then, just like Fluttershy. But it’s her soul, and she came in the right time for her son. Love is the most powerful thing to keep a pony alive, and Skull is one of them.
“Mom…” Skull whispers.
“Yes. I know about father too. I forgive him like you do.” she smiles, “You deserve to live like I should have. I must get you back to your friends now.”
The heartfelt mother feels warm, doing her duty to return his son to see his friends. Skull felt relief, and looks at the zombies screaming and meting into ash down below. Nucor’s powers are gone, meaning that everypony can finally be safe…
The other ponies are worried for Skull’s life, assuming that he’s already dead. It’s now sun setting in the sky as well, and Twilight hugs Applejack, and Rarity for the possible loss of Skull. She wished so hard that there was another alternative to this deadly situation, but there wasn’t. Tails come over to hug Rainbow and Fluttershy, comforting them from their grief.
“I’m sorry….” he says to them.
Discord tears out softly, then walks around with Fireblaze and Shining Armor to see what needs to be repaired and constructed in the empire. Fluttershy turns around to join them, but then hears a faint sound of flapping wings in the distance. She turns around to see the silhouette, shadowing though the sky
“Is that… Skull?” Fluttershy suddenly whispers.
“What?” Discord asks.
As everypony looks at the direction Fluttershy is looking up towards, they can see Skull floating and being carried by a ghost pegasi.
“I recognize her…” Celestia comments, seeing the beauty of the mother’s eyes, “Skull’s mother… Maria. She fought alongside with me once.”
“Her soul must finally be free.” Luna smiles.
Maria then comes up front to the gang, who happen to be very relieved that Skull is alive. They applaud, and rush up to him, hugging and congratulating him for doing such a heroic act. Celestia then comes up to Maria and shakes her hoof. Even though she’s like a projection, the warmth of he hoof could still be felt. Discord and Fluttershy are then the other best buddies that come up to hug Skull after Fireblaze and Rainbow Dash do.
“That was a brave thing to do!” Fluttershy squees.
“We thought you were dead…” Discord said.
“Well, I’m lucky, thanks to my mom.” Skull smiles, “My father also admitted his deeds. Nightmare Moon got him involved.”
“Does that mean… he’s free too?” Rainbow Dash asks.
“I think so.” Skull smiles, “He deserves it.”
“At least the spell died down.” Luna sighs, “I’m sure the other ponies that were possessed will also redeem back to normal.”
Maria then turns to looks at Twilight, Discord, and Fluttershy. Hope is in her eyes as she comes up to nuzzle with them. Spike even comes over to feel her chest, curious if the ghost has a heartbeat. Sure enough, she does. It was so strange but sweet.
“Twilight, you do everything you can to help Discord and Fluttershy take care of Skull.” Maria requests, then turning to them, “He’s your best friend, and he’s very lucky to have you all. You know Fluttershy, I followed your example too, with animal care and all…”
“Oh, there will be plenty of lessons for Skull on that.” Fluttershy assures.
“Twilight… this may be the first and last time I got to thank you and see you up front.” Maria weeps.
“You take care too.” Twilight smiles, nodding in respect.
The friends then see that Maria rises high into the air, starting to fade from her existence. It was all too soon for Skull, and he’s already sobbing at her departure. But to make things happy, a bright rainbow door appears, sending her out into another open world where life continues to grow. The rainbow than grows bigger in the sky, having a gradient saturation of red and orange celebrate peace yet again.
“Skull…” Celestia said, looking down at him, “Equestria is truly in great debt for what you have done.”
Skull didn’t notice, but every pony that was evacuated here is standing in front of the gang, like the entire pony citizens from each region gathered to honor his heroism. However, Skull isn’t alone. Everypony also smiled at Twilight and the other main five ponies for their brave deeds. They even gave respect to Discord for his efforts, and the foxes for such great volunteering. Shining Armor even goes by his son Mokuba, and pats him on the back. The filly prince smiles, as Diamond Tiara then comes up by him to give him a kiss.
William is by the Cutie Mark Crusaders, then squirming over to Applejack to wink for a smooch. Applejack was reluctant, but quickly gave him a brief one for the heck of it. William almost acts crazy, and leans on Leo. Leo sighs, and pats his hand on Ian, who is resting on a lift-up bed given his injuries.
“Ponies of Equestria.” Celestia beams to her subjects, “Today is another day where we honor another hero for his deeds. We have experienced another superstitious event that nearly cost us our lives. But when Twilight stepped in, she was aided by her trusted friends, and joined by one more soul who gave everything to protect us, even if it meant his life.”
Celestia then looks down at Skull.
“For this day forward, we shall mark this day the Hour of the Reaper.” Celestia declares.
The ponies didn’t cheer as crazy hooligans, they just stomp there hooves in approval and proud respect. The hour of more freedom has risen once again, and Twilight smiles for that. She then comes up to her friends once more to give them a big group hug. Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Spike, Discord, William, Ian, Leo, Tails, TJ, Fireblaze, and Blade. Fireblaze other troops, including the assassin spy dragon, couldn’t but there unfortunately. But he’s proud nevertheless. And Spike coughs out a message they sent that they’re already constructing Ponyville after it’s damage.
As Twilight nuzzles with her companions, she looks back up to Celestia announcing something else to her subjects.
“We shall celebrate by having a huge feast here in the Crystal Empire.” Celestia shines out, “Everypony is welcome.”