//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: A Cybernetic Life // by AxtontheMechanist //------------------------------// With the council taken down a notch and thrown in prison for their crimes, order soon returned to Gryfonnia; now, my dear readers do note that this is not the end. No, quite the contrary my friends; this is merely the beginning of the end, a sunset of a day set unto a year. But let's see how our characters fare, hm? Yes, indeed, let's.... Canterlot, the Royal Airship Yard, Sublevel B.... The royal airship, the HMS Equine Invincible docked slowly into place; a magnificent machination of pre-industrial gears and strongboat iron oars on the galley, the glittering gold behemoth crawled into the docking bay, gears in the engine room clunking, inhabitants hard at work in a fashion akin to that of a single limb rotating slowly yet steadily. With a quiet screech, the airship slowed into the Hangar Bay, it's turning circle almost as slow as that of a London Bus or olde time Barge. Nerve-wrackingly slow, the gangway of the great beast slid down onto the dockside, planting itself into the concrete with a MagiTech (Trademarked) attach spell; eventually, the metal door on the portside galley opened, revealing to the passers-by that the interior was moderately decorated in a Pirate Ship fashion; soon enough, the crew members (plus a few more) started to move out of the area of the ship's great belly pouring off onto a shore leave party in the adjoining dock's local saloon. Which then, it was soon to be found, left the seven intrepid adventurers whom of which walked quietly down the gangplank and out towards the service lift of the capital city; I think you know by now who we're talking about. Refreshed from the ship's fine resources and facilities, Zero, Trixie, Hammerfist, Fenrir, Celia, Octavia and Vinyl (along with Fenrir's youngling, Pipsqueak the boy pirate.) Steadily but surely, the adventurer's made their way to the final room needed in the castle after discarding old clothes at the Launder's, tools at the armoury and weapons at the blacksmith's (along with Hammerfist's two ton armour). A Royal Fanfare playing, the seven soon approached a very satisfied Celestia on the Royal Throne; they were watched by many citizens all around the nation, ranging from Ponyville's elements of Harmony to Baltimare's rare donkey population, all of whom were in quite formal garments and a sense of anticipation. Garbed in the Royal Dresswear of the Celestial Dressing Department (which consisted of three maids, one servant and a very tight strung butler), Celestia stood, welcoming the adventuring makeshift unit into the great hall with light from the windows tinting falling onto her; this had the effect of wowing the audiences stood on either side of the castle hall. "Adventurers! Welcome back from the far reaches of our world, from your most dangerous quest. Having gone successfully as our advance guard, we congratulate you on your most important action which has highly benefited our glorious nation!" She announced, the crowd cheering, reaching uproarious levels; Celestia soon let the crowd quieten by holding up her hand to signal clemency, before continuing her talk. "Now, as you know this task was of dire consequence should you have failed and we certainly could not afford to accost our growing military, directed by my sister. Therefore, for your actions, please step forward one at a time; first, I would like to see Miss Trixie and Miss Scratch. Step Forward!" Silently and more than a little nervously, the two unicorns stepped forward; they did so however, with all the grace and genteel stride as such a ceremony would require. Casting a side glance to her ex-rival, Princess Twilight Sparkle, she smiled gently and kindly (a silent thanks, if you will) before advancing upon the throne with a oddly subdued Vinyl Scratch. Celestia smiled maternally down on the two before speaking up with "My most loyal friend's ex-rival, Trixie and the most well-known musical artist and Jujitsu warrior in all of Equestria, Vinyl Scratch. For exceeding expectations, you have earned yourself admission to Celestia's Royal Magical Academy for Talented Unicorns, where you may take a course under the world's best professors and magical school tutors; should you accept this, your tuition begins in a week; free of charge!" The crowd clapped wildly under the proclamation before Fenrir, Celia and Pipsqueak were brought now to the front of the crowd, before the throne. "Fenrir Seatooth, lonely sailor of the high seas and Celia Gryferion! With permission from yourselves, I would like to bestow upon you and, Fenrir, your son Pipsqueak, the Royal Flagship for showing extreme naval and intellectual bravery against overwhelming odds of pirates, bandits and thieves! I bestow unto you, the 'HMS Rosethorn!', the most airworthy airship in our lands, built by the best engineers on offer; she waits for you, fully crewed, in Hangar Bay C, Sublevel 1 of the castle." Another indulgent applause later, Octavia and Hammerfist were called forth, along with Zero who was decked out in new fully-upgraded steel-chromium plating of a medieval fashion, with silver trim. The crowd went silent once more as Celestia drew her Royal Longsword from its Ceremonial Sheath. "Octavia Philharmonica, famous writer of many songs and instrumentals; for your bravery to stand against even the toughest prison cells the world holds, I give you access to Canterlot's Royal Orchestra Hall and full permission to train with them on any casual or professional basis! This gives access to the world's best musical minds, including Mozart's full library of musical knowledge; may you treat this gift well." The crowd applauded once more, holding in suspense after a while for the final two members who stood to attention in front. "Hammerfist; once a sworn enemy in combat against my sister and I, you have successfully turned the other cheek for better or worse; please wait for, in due time, your reward shall come. Zero; a stranger to our lands, for your body is composed of metal is it not? Yet, you have the heart of the bravest soldier and the pragmatsim and courage of the finest heroes of old; for you, and for your Minotaur companion, I grant you the most honorary title that our nation can offer." Lowering her sword, she stepped down from the royal dais, smiling ever so gently as she raised the sword and lowered it in the required positions, the blade glinting dangerously in the tinted sunlight much akin to a flame dancing on a candle. "I grant you, the title no one from outside this nation have received before; you two, sirs from her on out are Knights of Equestria!" Blueblood's Royal Chambers, Canterlot Present Time.... Blueblood scowled, his greasy and now longer locks of dull brass-coloured hair falling into a untidy heap upon his shoulders, like rotten wheat. His expression turned furious as he heard the royal fanfare sound, but turned to the knock on his door as a snivelling servant entered. "Enter, peasant. What is it? Well? SPIT IT OUT!" He exclaimed, glaring. "S-sir; the military secret division you ordered is r-ready." The poor man stuttered, dripping sweat down his back from having to run to his current location and a goodly amount of fear. Blueblood's smile curdled ravenously, his glare softening and a blood-lusting grin appearing upon his face "Good man. Tell them to report to me in Sublevel 2, the bar 'Venomous'." He commanded, as the servant received a bag of gold, dashing off to inform the new mercenaries hired into royal service. Once more, the pair of green eyes appeared from the shadows, accompanied by a disembodied voice. 'Good, prince..... Good..... soon none shall be able to stop us!....' A dark, foreboding laugh filled the room and that night, even the bravest guards shuddered in their armour.