//------------------------------//
// Chapter Five: The Conclusion 
// Story: The Misadventure Of: A Bunch Of Silly Ponies That Just So Happen To Not Be Applejack 
// by OCisbestpony 
//------------------------------//


This time, Colgate did not wake up, for there was no need. She was already awake when the light dissipated, and she found herself standing right where she had always been; in a stinky, festering swamp. She looked around and saw, much to her delight, everypony who had been there. She saw Photo standing there with her glasses skewed and looking a little messy and Steve looking much less fierce and with only four heads (all of whom looked a bit confused). Se saw Insight and the other pony looking about as though they were lost and Lyra looking all too pleased to be back to normal. Then she saw Berry. Good ol' female Berry. Who, much like Lyra, was all too happy to be back to normal.

She smiled.

Wait. Where was Time Turner and Bon-Bon?

“Time Turner?” she asked, panic rising. “Bon-Bon?!” her head whipped back and forth frantically, trying her best to find them.

“Hey, Colgate?” Lyra said, walking up to her. “It … it happened, didn't it?”

Colgate looked at her in shock. “Did what happen?”

Lyra let out a sad sigh. “You … you got your memories back.” she shook her head. Colgate opened her mouth to say something, but her voice caught when she saw tears in Lyra's eyes. “Bon-Bon...”

“Lyra, I...” Colgate reached out a hoof to touch her.

Lyra let out a sigh and shook her head gently. “I … I always knew that Bon-Bon was actually not a real pony. I was there when they made her. It was my job to keep her safe until either you needed your memories back, or until they needed to get passed on. I mean, after I met you, I figured this day would come, but...” she choked as she tried to hold back her tears.

“Lyra, what are you talking about?” Colgate asked softly.

“It was me. I'm the commando. I've always worked for the Princesses; ever since I was a little filly. I knew Sweetie Drops when she was young. We were friends, even if I could never tell her why I sometimes vanished. But I knew that one day that she would go away, and that she would have to become somepony new.” Lyra said sadly as she sat on the ground.

“Wait, what do you mean?” Colgate asked, sitting next to her.

“Well, it was her family's burden. When one of their foals came of age, they would have to become the next holder of all those memories. And that pony that they used to be would be gone.” she let out a sigh, her body trembling slightly. “They told me, that if this day came, that you would absorb her forever.” Lyra looked at her, but not with anger, but with a sad smile.

“That's horrible! How could they do that to he-”

Lyra shook her head. “It was voluntary. Sweetie Drops knew what she was getting into. But, now that you've done whatever you needed her for, everything is okay, right?” Lyra looked up at her.

Colgate swallowed. “Yeah.” she said softly. “Yeah, everything is going to be okay. We won.”

Lyra smiled, and her head drooped. Though her hair now covered her face, Colgate saw the tears starting to fall. “Thank you Colgate. Thank you...”

Colgate reached out and hugged her, and not a moment later, she felt another pony join the hug. Then another, and another, and another. It was the most bittersweet moment of her life. She had never felt so much love for another like this before; but for it have happened, the cost had been so high. So very high...


*****


“W-What just happened?” Cadence asked the others in the room.

Discord looked up in irritation, and even a bit of anger. “WHAT?!” his gaze shot about the room as though looking for something. “YOU DARE?!”

The other looked at him, mildly confused. “Discord, who are you-”

“PARDON ME SUN PRINCESS, BUT-” he turned and looked at her with eyes of rage (and a throbbing vein in his neck), “Some PUNK thought it could just screw with reality without MY permission!” he snorted. “The NERVE!”

“Pardon?” Luna asked.

“What? Didn't you notice?” he asked, suddenly a but surprised.

“Notice what exactly?” Applejack asked.

Discord looked about the room with a rather stunned expression on his face. “Don't tell you didn't feel that just now!”

“Mind telling us what's going on?” Rainbow asked impatiently.

His eye ticed. “Is your connection to reality so tenuous that you can't even tell when you've been erased?!”

“Not all of us!” Pinkie Pie said, causing her friends' eyes to roll.

“Well, Ms. Pinkie Pie, good for you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I have some unfinished business to attend to!” he turned to the window and raised his paw to snap his … er … digits. “I've got to check and see if there's anything left of that little freak.” and with that, and a snap, he was gone. “Oh, and by the way, your royal highnesses. You might want to have a little talk with that little blue dentist of yours. I have the feeling she just might have the answers you're looking for.” his voice filled the hall, then went silent.

The ponies in the room exchanged glances one with another. Even the guards by the door looked at each other with uncertainty. “Sister,” Luna began, casting her gaze at Celestia, “Should we listen to him?”

Celestia looked back at her and then at the other ponies in the room. “I think that might be for the best. If Discord was telling the truth, then perhaps Colgate does have the answers we seek.”

“I wouldn't trust that RUFFIAN to hold a pin!” Rarity fumed, her gaze fixed upon Celestia.

“Oh, I don't know. He's not that bad...” Fluttershy said softly.

“Not that bad?! This is DISCORD we're talking about here!” Rainbow objected.

“Indeed it is Rainbow Dash.” Celestia nodded. “But something happened, and I think it would be best if Luna and I investigated. Cadence, would you mind staying here and watching after Twilight's friends for us? We will return as soon as we know what occurred.”

“Are you sure the two of you are going to be okay going alone? He seemed pretty upset...” Cadence cast a glance at the window Discord had disappeared in front off.

“Yeah! Take us with you!” Rainbow shouted.

Celestia shook her head. “I wish we could, but to do so would tax you beyond what you can handle. We don't know for sure where she is, and the five of you can barely stand as you are. So please, rest. My sister and I will return as soon as we are able, and we will tell you all we know.” she turned to look at Luna. “Are you ready?”

“We are as ready when you are.” Luna said calmly.

Celestia looked over at the five friends once more (flinching a little when she made eye-contact with Rarity [she had no idea what happened to the poor mare, but she was deeply sorry for whatever it was]), and then smiled. “We will be back shortly.”

“Or so we hope.” Luna said as both of their horns glowed and they vanished.

Cadence looked over at the five friends who now looked at her. “I'm really sorry you guys went through all of that. I really am. Is there anything we can do to make it up to you?”

“Twilight!” came the collective response. Well, to be more accurate, each pony said something slightly different, but all five of them more or less wanted the same thing.

“Of course. I'll order her release right away.” Cadence said, then look over at the door. “Lieutenant? Could you send a message to Vanhoover for me?”

“Of course!” the unicorn saluted.

She sat up straight, her poise and voice suddenly filling the room, and filling each ear with regal majesty,  “Effective immediately, and by order of Princesses Celestia and Luna of Equestria, and Princess Cadence of The Crystal Empire: Princess Twilight Sparkle is to be released and escorted, if desired, to The Palace of Canterlot to meet with her friends. Also, All three of us want to offer our deepest apologies to her and her friends for all of the trouble our lack of foresight caused, and wish for their forgiveness.” She then let out a sigh, and relaxed. “Did you get all of that?”

“Yes, your Highness!” the guard responded. “I sent it to communications. Vanhoover should be getting it with the hour!”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” She then looked over at the five ponies gathered at the end of the long table. “And please, bring some food. We have five very hungry mouths to feed.” she then paused, and smiled. “Scratch that, make that 6.”




*****





Steve was the only one who noticed the arrival of the Princesses. All of the other ponies in the clearing were too busy hugging to notice their arrival. They came into the clearing with a soft and silent glide, as they had appeared in the air above it. When they landed, both cast glances around the clearing, and paused when they saw him.

“Princess Celestia!” he said with surprise, and a little bit of joy.

“Hello Sir Steve.” Celestia said in a friendly tone. He had never been knighted, but she had grown fond of calling him that all the same. Then the two of them walked over to the six ponies that were huddled together. “Luna, could you console the others? I'd like to talk to Colgate for a moment.”

Luna looked at her as though she was mad for a moment, then calmed. “Are you sure? You'd be much better at then I.”

Celestia nodded. “At least, for a few moments. Please?”

Luna regarded her sister for a moment, then nodded. “We shall do Our best.”

“Thank you.” Celestia said with a sad smile.

Luna walked up to the six of them huddled together, then gently touched Colgate on the shoulder. “Huh? Wha-” Colgate's head turned to see who it was, and her eyes shot open in surprise, “Princess Luna!” The other ponies' heads suddenly jerked up, and they all scrambled to bow. “W-What are you doing here?!”

“My sister and I felt as though something terrible had come to pass, so we came to know what it was.” She then paused, and looked at the grieving ponies. “And please, do not bow. This is not the time for such. We see that thou art filled with such sorrow. Why?” she asked as kindly as she could.

“Beca-”

“BON-BON'S DEAD!” Lyra wailed as she collapsed into a heap upon the floor.

“And Doctor Time Turner is...” Colgate tried to say, but was unable to do so.

Luna was struck. Her eyes shot open and she took a half-step back.”W-We...” she struggled to find the words to say. But finding none, she reached out, and laid a hoof on Lyra's sobbing form. “She was the bravest of all our subjects.” she said meekly. She struggled to remain in control, but she too began to weep. It was not long after that the others began holding each other, and her as well.

Celestia let out a bittersweet sigh. It was always hard when a pony passed on. Even harder when it was two of them. Even knowing that one day this would happen made it no easier to bear. She took a deep breath and steeled herself as she gently made her way to Colgate and tapped her and leaned in to whisper into her ear. “Colgate, may I speak with you for a moment?” she asked.

Colgate paused for a moment, then nodded. She gently pulled away and walked a short distance to talk with the princess in private. “Y-yes, your highness?” she said softly.

“Are you alright?” Celestia asked.

Colgate shook her head. “No. I just lost two friends...”

“I understand. It is never easy to lose a friend, let alone two. I remember when I lost my sister.” She paused a moment as she looked over a Luna. “It never really goes away. But in time, we learn to accept what has happened. Colgate...” she asked gently.

“Yes?” she said softly.

“What happened?” Celestia asked.

“I … we saved Equestria.” she said softly.

“What do you mean?” she asked, sitting on the ground.

Colgate took a deep breath as she began to describe what had unfolded. It was strange to her. It felt far away. Almost like it was in another life. It was, in a way, detached and strange. Yet, she knew it was real; that it had truly happened.

“Are you saying that this, Entropy, devoured all of reality?” Celestia asked once Colgate had finished. “And that you, remade it?” She was stunned, and was clearly disturbed.

Colgate shook her head. “I doubt it had that much power. What I think actually happened was that it devoured the entire planet. Then all I-we did was put it all back together again. And since we did it from the inside, it tore Entropy to pieces because we tore everything it devoured out of it.”

“You say 'we', but I have no memory of this.” Celestia said somewhat distantly.

“Well. I think that's because nopony really existed just yet. I'm gonna guess that once Entropy was destroyed, everypony finally went back to normal.” Colgate sagged her head. “Well, almost everypony...”

“Colgate.” Celestia put a hoof under Colgate's chin. “It is never easy to lose loved ones. But if not for them, we would not be sitting here. They, and you, are all heroes.”

“It doesn't change the fact that they're gone...” Colgate said sadly, shifting her eyes to the side.

“No. No it does not.” Celestia said sadly. Then, there was a glint in her eye. “Although...”

“Although what?” Colgate asked as a sudden, yet small hope appeared in her heart.

“I think I might know of a way to change that.” Celestia said, her face lowered in thought.

“What do you mean?” Colgate asked, her hope growing.

“Well, they were made from your memories, and knowledge right? I'd bet that there's still some part of them left in you.” she smiled.

“So, if we could somehow pull those parts out...” Colgate's eyes widened.

Celestia nodded, though hesitantly. “We might be able to get them back. I don't know for sure if it's possible, but it might be worth a try.”

“But how could we do that? The only way I know of dong something like that is leaving a part of me inside of another pony.” Colgate shook her head.

Celestia smiled. “I think I know somepony, or should I say, somegriffion, who might be able to help.”


*****


Five days later, Colgate still hadn't come back to town. Berry paced the room of Lyra's house again. Ever since Colgate and the Princesses left (with toothbrush in tow), the two of them had decided to move in. At least until Colgate showed up. All Berry had to do was take a bath, and talk downwind. Outside of that, they got along wonderfully. Berry found herself wishing that they had known about each other sooner. That way she wouldn't have been so lonely. But thankfully, that was in the past.

Still, it's been a long five days. Lyra was pretty depressed. Berry did what she could to help, but she was no Bon-Bon. At least Lyra was leaving her room now. That took nearly four days to happen. But at least she was coming out. Though Berry wished they could open the curtains. But Berry wasn't going to push too hard, since, near as she could tell, Lyra had just lost her life-long friend.

“Hey, Lyra,” she said into an open window, “I'm heading out to get some more food. You want anything?”

Lyra, who was on the other side of the room, sitting as she does in a chair, shook her head. “No, I'm good. You gonna be long?” she asked.

Berry shook her head. “No, just there and back.”

“Alright. See you in a bit I guess.” Lyra sighed.

“Alright, later.” Berry opened the door and walked out.

“Hey Bon-Bon … Berry, could you pick up a hayburger for me?” she asked.

“Sure.” Berry closed the door and headed over to the Hay Burger first. Sure it would have made more sense to grab Lyra's burger last, but whatever. As she walked in, she walked past somepony she recognized. “Hey Colgate.” she said cheerfully as she walked past and up to the count-

“COLGATE!” she screamed and ran to her friend, who nearly choked on the bite she had just taken as Berry hugged the life out of her.

“Be careful, you don't want to squeeze her too hard.” Came a playful, yet regal voice.

“Huh?” Berry looked to the side, and her jaw dropped to see Princess Celestia sitting there, eating a simple burger. “Y-Your highness?! What are you doing here?”

“I am eating a burger.” she said with a simple smile.

“I-” she should have expected that response. She really should have, but she did not.

Princess Celestia chuckled. “I'm here because I came back with Colgate, who I believe is currently choking to death in your arms.”

“SORRY!” Berry said and promptly let her go. She fell to the ground, and her head nearly smacked into the floor. Berry watched, to her astonishment, a shimmer field of magic surround Colgate's head and protect her from the moment of impact.

“Also, you spoiled our surprise. We stopped in to grab a quick bite just before heading over to Lyra's home.” The Princess said playfully as she took another bite.

“Wait, what surprise?” Berry asked.

Colgate coughed as she finally got the food out of her throat, and air in her lungs. “Well, why don't you just look over there?” she pointed.



*****


Lyra leaned back in her chair as another wave of grief washed over her. They came less frequently now. Before it was constant, now she gets brief moments of reprieve from it. She hoped that Berry would come back soon. It was hard enough, but when she was alone like this, it was even worse. She sat there and took a deep breath as the sadness flowed through her. It would pass in a few moments. She needed only to be patient.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Without thinking, she shouted: “Hey Bon-Bon, can ya get that?”

“I'm afraid I can't. I'm on the other side of the door.”


*****


The door quite literally exploded as Lyra came flying through it. Bon-Bon, quick as ever, avoided the shrapnel, but there was no escaping Lyra. The two of them rolled down the street a little ways before coming to a stop.

“BON-BON!” she cried, her joy unmistakable.

“Good to see you too Lyra.” Bon-Bon smiled.

“HOW?” she looked over at Colgate, Berry, and Princess Celestia, all of whom were smiling.

“It was pretty simply actually.” Colgate said. “You remember that griffin that was stealing cutie marks? Well, turns out he finally perfected it, and wiped my old memories from me. Then all we had to do was figure out how to give her a physical form.”

“So, what are you?” Lyra asked Bon-Bon as she turned to her.

“Technically, I'm mud.” she smiled.

“Mud?” Lyra looked at her stunned.

“Correct.” Celestia said. “I sculpted her, and the griffon, who's name is Chuck, placed Colgate's old memories into the sculpture. Then Zecora and I used a potion to turn her into flesh. Normally the other Princesses and I would never allow anypony to do such a thing, but we made an exception in this case. Just don't tell anypony.” she winked.

“My lips are sealed!” Lyra saluted. “So, are you a real pony then?” she asked Bon-Bon.

She nodded. “Yep. I'm true-blue pony. Feels good to be back too. Though I kinda miss all those extra memories.”

“Huh?” Lyra cocked her head.

“Well, I didn't want to have those memories completely vanish.” she said sheepishly, as she scuffed the dirt. “So I kinda kept the ones that wern't hers...”

“We simply extracted the part that was Bon-Bon, as well as Sweetie Drops, and left the rest of it behind.” Celestia smiled.

“Wait, SWEETIE DROPS?!” Lyra cried as she looked at Bon-Bon, who smiled and nodded.

“Good to see you again, harp-butt.” she laughed

Lyra let out a squeal of such joy, that even Berry wondered if her own shout from nearly a week and a half ago would have been drowned out.

“Oh, and Berry?” Colgate said, poking her ribs.

“Huh? Oh, what's up?” Berry asked, looking at her.

“Here, it's finally yours. We just had to make sure it was safe first.” She smiled as she held up a small present.

Berry grabbed it, and stared at it for a moment. She looked up at Colgate who gave her a kind of 'Go on' look. She slowly opened the box, and pulled out a small, golden toothbrush. Tears began running down as a smile filled her face. “And here, you'll need this. Zecora made it. Brush with this until it's gone, then we can move you to normal toothpaste.” Colgate help up a small bottle, and hoofed it to Berry.

“Do you have wat-”

“Already ahead of you.” Celestia smiled as she she produced a cup of water. “Go ahead Berry. The brush is yours. Think of it as a gift.”

Berry held up the brush, and looked at the bottle, then at Colgate helplessly. “I, uh, don't know how...” she shamefully admitted.

Colgate smiled warmly. “It's okay, just hold still. I'll help.”


Having never brushed before, the experience was a strange one for Berry. But, as the bristles worked their magic, she had to admit, it felt pretty good. Her mouth was filled with a pleasant taste as the paste that Zecora made began to foam and fill it. Finally, after several moments of brushing, spiting, and rinsing, Colgate smiled. “Alright Berry, breathe into your hoof, and smell it. I'd bet your bad breath is finally gone.” Berry did as she was instructed. Colgate was right; she had never smelled anything so wonderful in her whole life.

The End