//------------------------------// // Chapter 06: Stable Gravity Measures // Story: Gravity Measures // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 06: Stable Gravity Measures The scene changes to that of Gravi’s castle fort, where it stood while the skies were still showing signs of it being daytime as we focus in to find something going on inside at this very moment. “Gaaaahhhh!” Then Phobos’s screaming voice was heard that shook a little of the place to wake anyone up that’s half-asleep. “Yikes! Are we under attack? Where are we? What time is it? Am I late for work? Or-or-or….?” Pinkie Pie yelps up from a bed while asking the who, what, when, where, how, why questions until… “PINKIE! Settle down! First let’s see….hugh?” Rainbow Dash turn to her friend from getting up herself to tell her to pipe down, but then she yelps in seeing something strange. Soon the others were seeing it & were very much surprised to see that they are in some castle’s medical bay center, but the place was also filled with…Beast creatures: Hippogriffs, Armored Cerberuses, Brutal Wendigoes, Thunderbirds, Golden Eagles & even Armored Sagittarius. And for many of the ponies and dragons in the room, they were in some beds, they had some bandages around their bodies in where things hurt, & Phobos stood on his bed in looking ready to fight someone. “Get back or I’ll roast you good!” Phobos protest to say this in getting ready to rumble now. “But we’re only trying to give you some veggie soup to help you recover.” A Wendigo explained near Phobos in showing some tray with some steaming veggie soup. “Like I believe a big brutal brute! It could be poison!” Phobos protest to say this in not taking any chances here. Then Applejack was seen sipping from a bowl of veggie soup that one Wendigo brought to her. The others watch to see what her reaction would be, but instead….something else happened. “Bust my flank, it really is de real thing. Made from my family’s own vegetable bunch.” Applejack spoke off surprised in seeing this tasted fine, no poison in it or anything. “Ow-ow, hugh, we’re all bandaged up!” Jack Zen yelps from when he was trying to move a bad part of his body, saw that he & many were in bandages. "It looks like we were treated after the battle!" Starlight Glimmer exclaimed in seeing how this appeared to be like. “I say, it’s one thing to be treated, but….why are you all here?” Rarity spoke in being surprised that though they are taken care of, why were Gravi’s own Beast troops here. “Because Lord Gravi wished that you be treated after your battle with him.” An Armored Sagittarius explained the case in what was going on here. “Wait, you mean…Gravi requested that he help heal mommy & everyone else?” Nyx asked off in being surprised to hear this out of nowhere. “Including those of you that have been injured the most.” A Golden Eagle pointed out to say in what they also had to do. “Injuries the most….MY SISTER! Where…?” Golden Heart thought for a moment before yelping to recall how hurt Pinkamena was. “Over here.” Hippogriff showed the group where Pinkamena was being fairly treated by some healing device capsule to help with her body’s injury. “Gravi asked to help treat her wounds the most since she suffered serious bone breaking results from taking on 200 times of this planet’s normal gravity.” He explained that for the most part, the patient has much broken bones. “No way….the pressure from that much weight could almost kill a normal pony!” Twilight yelps to say in having heard that, not many could live from that much. “Oh my….that does sound serious? But, at least she’s alright.” Fluttershy slowly spoke in thinking that maybe things will be better in a bit. “Our lord wants to see you all in his throne chamber when you are well enough.” A Hippogriff stated this matter of invite from their own lord and leader to those that had fought him. “Thanks, we will. Can you give us a moment,” Ben nods to say this while asking for them to be alone to discuss things. Soon the Beast playing nurse maids all began to leave the room to give everyone their moment to think. Once it was only the gang in the room did they decide to have a little chat about what was currently happening here, and how they ended up in this place. “I guess after that battle, we were all completely exhausted.” Ben shrug off to say this in having a feeling that’s what happened to them. “Try taking on a whole room full of those Wendigoes & survive their smelly B.O., I’m lucky to not pass out.” Phobos remarked off to say in how he and his own group that snuck into this place survive their own fights. “Well we did fight a few of those guys & we probably were still a bit out of it the first time we fought Gravi.” Spike spoke to say in feeling like they were really spent after much time. “So that’s it? We just kiss & make-up? Is life really gonna be that easy?” Rainbow Dash narrow her eyes in asking if things are gonna even be so easy. “Well, I like to make up & not have to fight.” Fluttershy meekly spoke in feeling she rather go with things by a peaceful measure. “Girls, I know we went through a lot to prove our point that Friendship is the true strength to help us out, even in our dark times, but I just wanna say…thanks. For staying with me.” Twilight spoke in having the floor, as she look around and even gave a smile to those here, saying thanks and is very grateful to them. “Ah shucks Twilight, glad we managed ta finally knock sense into dat Gravi’s noggin, but maybe next time…we can do so with words than action.” Applejack happily responded to say this while maybe next time around, they can try to help settle things by words than getting all beat-up. “Yes, but a-last, even words cannot help out when some ponies are just so….so….oh what’s the word? Stubborn? Yes, that’s it!” Rarity lightly nods in agreeing to the subject while stating how things go when one just doesn’t listen. "No question about that." Starlight Glimmer shook her head in also agreeing on the spot. “Plus, it turn out okay in the end, right?” Pinkie Pie pointed out in feeling like everything became okay by the time it was near the end. “I’m not sure Pinkie Pie, after all…my sister’s condition may make me think otherwise.” Golden Heart spoke in feeling uncertain in looking at Pinkamena’s critical state; could he really let this slide. “It’s fine brother.” Suddenly, Pinkamena’s voice was heard that made everyone turn towards her capsule bedside while her eyes were awake and still being healed. “Pinkamena! You’re awake!” Jack Zen exclaimed to say in surprise in seeing this with joy. “How are you feeling?” He asked in wondering if the pink pony was gonna be alright. “Peachy….” Pinkamena smiled lightly to say this as her answer. “You call getting your bones crushed by 200G & getting smack-dab into the ground, to say your peachy?” Phobos rhetorically asked off in saying that after what she went through, Pinkamena says she’s now peachy; NOT BY HIS VIEW! “Easy Phobos.” Nyx settle her friend over the matter of the question. “It’s alright, I may not look it, but I’m feeling a little more better.” Pinkamena spoke to say while slowly getting herself up. “Oh-ow-ow-ow!” But she yelps to cringe her sides while Jack & Goldie caught her to hold her up. “Okay, so maybe I push myself a ‘little’ too hard.” She lightly smiled to say this in seeing she’s still aching a bit. “A little?” The Mane Six raised their eyebrows in finding that a little hard to believe. "That seems to be the understatement here." Starlight Glimmer raised an eyebrow to motion this quote off. “Hmm….a little too much hard.” Pinkamena corrected her term statement on the subject, but a look from her brother & friends said otherwise. “Okay, fine….yeah, I went a little overboard, but seriously, how else was our message gonna be got by Gravi?” She gave in to sigh, so she went completely overboard, but how else was she gonna get through to Gravi. “Well how about we go see him now, you up for it?” Ben smiled to say that maybe they can meet the guy right now; if this pony is up for it. “You know it!” Pinkamena made an eager smile to say that she will do it, she’s a little out of it, but will gladly take up the invite. In a little while, the group slowly began to move & walk out of the medical room. All while Goldie & Jack Zen were helping to let Pinkamena ride them in the middle for her to hold their necks so she wouldn’t ache if her body was still hurting. ---------------------------------------------- The scene soon changes to what appears to be a well stylized throne chamber of the same matching principles as the outside castle. There we find Gravi sitting on his throne, with each of one of his different Beasts standing by the wall in where someone was coming in. And soon the Mane Six & Goldie’s group enter the spot and walk up to the throne were Gravi sat. “Welcome…I trust you have recovered alright.” Gravi smiled to say this in seeing those that have at last come. “Why’s Omega here?” Jack Zen asked in noticing that Omega was also near Gravi, but the guy seem a little least bent by his armor plating. “I was using my gravity powers to help unbend a bit of his armor, free of charge by the way.” Gravi explained the case of what he was doing in order to help this bot. “I am feeling a bit like my old self…almost.” Omega spoke to say, as he was marching to the gang, but there was tight cringe sounds & sparks from his body that seem to suggestion damages inside than out. “Still a few joints & other parts for interior repairing.” He issued in seeing he needs work done to him later on while his internal system tries to fix his inside. “Good to see you’re okay Omega.” Goldie spoke with relief in seeing another of their friends was okay, more or less. “Princess Twilight Sparkle of Friendship….” Gravi spoke Twilight’s name, as she & everyone pay close attention now. “As I have heard from Princess Celestia, you are indeed a special case. In a way, I may have saw potential in you, but she saw even greater potential than I would have done.” He spoke in giving Twilight the matter of saying Celestia choose’d wisely in seeing something special with the mare. “Gravi…” Twilight slowly spoke in feeling a bit honored from such praise of what Celestia truly saw in her. “You were pass out from our battle, but it was clear the victor was you…congratulation.” Gravi humbly spoke to say that the heroes have won & it was his own defeat. “As part of our agreement, I now accept that Friendship is & can truly become a source of strength that is both unpredictable & unlimited. Truly, you have open my eyes to something new to uphold…” He explained the case in which Twilight has done what she set to do, show him something more than what he knew lead to victory than brain and power; friendship. Twilight slowly smiled in hearing that, this meant that Gravi has finally learn that there is another way to fight & stop evil then always relying on brilliant tactics & strong power with might. Maybe now, they can better communicate with one another… “The rest of you are truly bless with this pony, for she has helped brought you all together. Even if you have no great planning or great power, you have something far more.” Gravi spoke in addressing the Mane Five & others too in the discussion. “And it is your friendship that I shall acknowledge.” He stated this in knowing how much that one thing, has helped settle things here. “That’s wonderful news to hear!” Nyx smiled happily in having heard that. “So then, does this mean you’ll change for the better now Gravi?” Ben asked in wondering if Gravi can be a better pony now then of who he was before. “Well now, it’s true that I’ve only accepted this, but I must make amends….” Gravi spoke to say that though he has learn about friendship, certain steps need to be taken still. “If there is anything that you wish to have, then take it from my treasure vault, name it as it’s my way in hoping we can forgive each other.” He spoke in wishing to give those here something in return for the deeds he’s done as an apology. “Wait-wait-wait-wait….you have a treasure vault? And you’re just GIVING us your treasure?” Rainbow Dash held up to shake her hooves in hearing this, the guy is gonna give them treasures like gold, silver, jewels, etc. “My….I know generosity, but…..well I wonder if there’s such a thing as being….TOO Generous? Not that I mind.” Rarity spoke in feeling almost a bit unable to resist such an overwhelming task of giving away such expressive stuff to them. “Heck, maybe enough dough could help my farm & my family fer quite some time.” Applejack stated in thinking what she do with Gravi’s kind donation. “Oh, if it’s alright, maybe I can use some to help with my animal friends or the sick animals hospital donation.” Fluttershy spoke in thinking what she do with so much stuff, maybe help poor animals. “I could buy an endless supply of party materials, think of all the fun!” Pinkie Pie stated in what she could do with all that valuable treasure stuff. “Think of all the gem stones we can get our claws on!” Phobos spoke off in looking excited in all the gem stones the dragons can have. “Hmmm….they all sound very tasty in just picturing it.” Spike hums with joy in feeling like with that many gems, the Dragons will be pack for quite some time. “Uh oh….everyone’s going into daydream mode.” Pinkamena spoke off to say in seeing what was happening here. "From a generous offer like that, who wouldn't?" Starlight Glimmer stated from having heard such a thing as take whatever they want from the guy's treasure vault. “While those are very generous things, I’m afraid we’ll have to turn them down.” Twilight stated to kindly reject such an overbearing gift to riches, much to her friends’ moans of hearing that. “Why? Do you not want a reward?” Gravi raised his head puzzled in hearing such odd claims. “The only reward we want…is that you can be more better to be a friend we can truly feel glad to be with.” Twilight smiles off to simply say this in what they want from Gravi, no amount of riches can fill that. “Hugh, again I lose….you are a strange princess indeed.” Gravi lets off a little chuckle in hearing Twilight’s strange claim. “Prince Ben, I’m sorry for what I’ve put you through in anyway of harming her & your group.” He look to Ben in knowing that after their hard battle, he’s put much pressure in having fought Twilight over what he thought was true. “It’s okay….it’s in the past & you’re reflecting on it.” Ben nods off to say that all is forgiven here. “Yes, even if the odds were of me winning, really, you turn it around with this unforeseen power of friendship.” Gravi stated off to say this in seeing that when it look like he would win, a tide turner came out of nowhere that he never saw. “I will ask, that if I can change even a little, that you may all forgive me & we may still be friends.” He asked that he wants to still be accept to be this group’s friend if he can change if even a little bit. “I think…they already have. Right.” Nyx smiled proudly to say while looking at the others. “Right!” The Mane Five cheered in knowing that Gravi has indeed learn and can change for the better. “And as for you, Pinkamena.” Gravi spoke in looking back at the one pony he feels he’s hurt the most when they were in combat. “I also give an apology in having put you in such unfortunate measures, even for a semi-immortal, you managed to hang in there…you are quite strong.” He spoke in noting how Pinkamena suffered much from the heavy gravity burden he pressured her when she refused to give up, for him, Gravi could see her light of faith didn’t crush over. “Awww gee, thanks.” Pinkamena smiled off to say in having heard this comment to give a response. “I think after this battle, we’ve gotten to know each other’s strengths & got a bit stronger too. It’s the same thing I’ve seen with other new ponies I’ve met along in being with Twilight’s group.” She smiled off to simply state this matter of facts of having seen herself and other strong ponies, those with Elements themselves, get stronger along the way. “Well, if my sister forgives you, then I can too.” Goldie smiled off to say this in feeling that he can forgive the guy. “Yeah, me as well…” Jack Zen nods off to say this in agreement. “That goes for me too.” Omega also replied in saying he joins the forgiving group. “Thank you…” Gravi smiled a bit in thanking those who forgive him for what he did. “And you shouldn’t worry, while you were resting, I made certain your kingdom was in no danger.” He issued off to bring up this other matter of importance. “What do you mean?” Spike raised an eyebrow in pondering the question. “Was it attack by our enemies?” Phobos asked in really feeling like they don’t wanna get much burden after all this. "They must have learn we were not there & took advantage of it!" Starlight Glimmer exclaimed in having realized this late matter of what their enemies did while they were busy. “Ehehehe, it was, but they did not expect a small mislead from my interference.” Gravi chuckles a bit lightly in making this easy statement over the matter that there was no need for cause of alarm. Everyone was curious in what Gravi was meaning by that. And soon a blur scene shows us something of the past while the gang was out of action for a while. -------------------- We find the outskirts of the Rainbow Kingdom, exactly 5 hours ago. And near the open field area, a large army of Dark Mystic Troops were station in a large attack squadron. And Tech was there while the command of this many troops was being performed by Houndkiller of the Dark Mystics. “Dark Mystics…prepare to move in & take over!” Houndkiller issued forth that they shall now be attacking the kingdom. “Yeeeahhhhh!” The Dark Mystic Troops cheered their battle cries in seeing the time to strike is now. “Heheeehhh….spying on Gravi’s battle in seeing he beat them heroes to a state they’ll be out cold, giving us the chance to attack!” Tech made a sly wick cackle in having spied on Gravi’s fight to see from a safe far distance, that the guy has weaken the Mane Six and the others enough that this place will soon be theirs very soon. “Grussuvhhmmm….” Suddenly without warning, a large black & violet sphere appeared in the skies that almost the half size of the moon, dropping down towards the Dark Mystics. “Waaaaughhh! What’s that?” Tech yelps in seeing what was coming at them. “It’s heading for us, brace yourselves!” Houndkiller issued off in noticing what that thing is and know it won’t be good. “Gropowwfruvhmmm…/GRUUUAAAAUGHHHH!” Then the dark dome shape attack collided upon the ground, taking a large 90 percent of the Dark Mystics that could not escape,as they were getting crushed under this thing’s heavy gravity pressure. “Unfortunately, I was well aware of being watched, which is why I knew you try to attack when the missing heroes were away.” Gravi spoke off in having hovered over the Dark Mystics taking his attack. “Hmph-hmph-hmpmmm….good luck surviving that Black Hole Bomb, but while maybe a worm & those really sturdy can escape it…the rest will be finished.” He explained the case that only so few lucky members could even survive something that powerful. “Kursfrvuhmmmm….Kaboomfruvhmmmm!” Soon a giant explosion happened afterwards that completely wiped out a large form of an area along with an entire army while making a deep crater along the way. Only ten troops seem to have made it out alive while only Tech & Houndkiller got up to witness the destruction. “Waaahhh! Our army is gone!” Tech cried out in having seen what’s happened; just how powerfully scary is Gravi to do all that? “Tech, you idiot! I should have known trusting your intelligence was not FOOL-Proof!” Houndkiller snapped off at Tech for bumbling this mission with his idiotic planning. “We’re leaving!” He issued the case of what they must do, get out of here while the getting’s good. Soon the only surviving Dark Mystics turn to leave through their dark portal with Houndkiller & Tech being the last ones before it vanished. At that time, Chase The Warrior saw from afar view from Ponyville, the defeat of the large Dark Mystic army that was going to march in. “It would seem Gravi’s actions are indeed going to be a future problem. But what may worry me more….is if he’ll become a better ally from his battle against Ben & the others!” Chase exclaimed say in having seen what Gravi has done, but not only that, it seems maybe his encounter with Ben, Twilight & their friends has also done something else to make the situation with them somewhat difficult. With that, Chase the Warrior turns to leave the scene as to not draw in any suspicions upon himself. He has his own mission to accomplish, & he’s getting close to it, so it’s crucial that he’s not discovered until then… ------------------ We return to where Gravi was finishing his story of what happened after he helped defeat the Dark Mystics from launching a surprise attack on the gang’s home. “So you kept the Dark Mystics from going after our home, how long were we out?” Twilight asked in not sure how long they were out of action. “At the least most, 5 to 6 hours.” Gravi shrug off to simply say this much on the long time account. “FIVE TO SIX HOURS!” Rainbow Dash yelled out in having heard that, they were out that long. “By then, them crooks could have ransack our homes!” Applejack stated off in having learn of what almost became of their town. “Oh no, would they have steal or burn my designs?” Rarity gasped in imagining the worse thing to happen. “Or hurt my little animal friends?” Fluttershy stated to say this in fearing her innocent animal friends. “Or learn of my secret pantry storage I built into the Rainbow Castle!” Pinkie Pie stated out which caused everyone to look at her. “Oops, that was a secret!” She yelps sheepishly in seeing she slipped the beans. "Well, not so much a secret anymore." Starlight Glimmer lightly rolled her eyes to say this in what they heard. “Tell us Gravi, is your core still intact?” Goldie asked another question that was on their mind. “Absolutely….but while it is with me, I shall also separate it when need be.” Gravi nods off to say this of the matter itself. “But why?” Jack Zen raised an eyebrow join the question. “While I know to be better, I must also keep fighting to be like a semi-immortal being. To which I must be ever strong.” Gravi explained his reason of why he must have his heart be his core to help give him that to be semi-immortal. “But do not worry, there is one more reason why it shall be safe from harm….because it holds the memory of having friends like you.” He smiled to say this in another reason his core, his heart, shall be safe is so he won’t lose what’s important to him. Everyone felt a smile from what they have just heard just now. At first, Gravi seem like a hard pony to really get along with and probably didn’t seem to care, but….now might be a different event for a new beginning. “Now, my Beast fliers shall assist in taking you all back to the Rainbow Kingdom. Don’t worry, they shall safe guard you well.” Gravi issued forth assistance to take this group back to their homes. “Wow, thanks, that’s reassuring.” Spike smiled off to say in liking the help here. “Yeah, riding on them things be quite an attraction.” Phobos nods off to say in wondering how many folks see them on Thudnerbirds, Golden Eagles and such. “Oh Phobos, you & your silly ideas.” Nyx smiled off to shake her head at having heard a silly thing. “I wish you a safe return to your kingdom. And to let Celestia know, that I shall continue to be your very strong ally against the Three Lords of Equestria.” Gravi spoke to say this in what he wants to say, as he shall now be an ally to help those here if they need him. “Really?” Twilight asked off in sounding very happy to hear that. “Of course, with my strategies & power, plus with your strength for Friendship, we will stand a good chance in surviving.” Gravi smiled humbly to say this that from what they can do together, there will be no failure. “Hear that Twilight, we got a good chance!” Pinkamena smiled forth in seeing this was perfect news for them. "And that's about as good as news can get from what we dealt with." Starlight Glimmer lightly smiled off to say this in feeling the news was more than welcoming. “We thank you Gravi, & also thanks for our repairs & such.” Omega replied off to say this in seeing that everything Gravi has done is to make amends to them after settling a little battle. Soon the gang was being escorted by Gravi’s Beast Troops, as many were looking forward to returning home. Truly within that moment of Gravi’s sincere smile, he began to feel a bit more open up. Little by little to be less high & mighty, even from believing to be superior. From his new acceptance that having those you can count on, might be more than just assembling any army of strength to win battles; for when the strength of friendship, can help make things a difference in the end. --------------- We soon find the scene focusing on the Dark Mystics; as Houndkiller & Tech grovel before Dark Curse in his throne room. The Dark Mystic’s leader was given news of the recent run in of what has occurred that these two return in such a shape. “So, you failed to take control of the Rainbow Kingdom even with the heroes out for so long?” Dark Curse asked off in looking disappointed with his minions. “Deepest apologizes, Lord Dark Curse.” Houndkiller spoke humbly in wishing for forgiveness for this failure. “Right, & if Chase had join us…” Tech was about to make a statement, but… “You fool! He’s still undercover to find the Mystic Shield!” Houndkiller scolds the mama’s colt for not recalling Shadow Dragon’s primary mission. “Gravi’s return surprised us & he seems less…like he was before or something.” Houndkiller stated to say this in what they have seen when Gravi intervene. “Hugh, it would seem the heroes have open his heart, a shame really. We could have almost turn him to the dark side.” Dark Curse sighs to say this in seeing that it would appear that the heroes have even help make one who was almost coldhearted be a perfect ally, change to become better. “Be dismiss.” He waved off to have his minions leave him now. “Yes sir!” The Dark Mystics responded to say this before leaving the area. The scene begins to go dark, as Dark Curse stares off in the distance in seeing that in the end…there may only be one Dark Mystic to count on the most; & he is within the enemy’s stronghold. Their time will come, when Shadow Dragon finds the Mystic Shield & destroys it, then nothing can keep them out. As things go dark, only time will tell of when the dark moment comes to pass… ---------------------------- We soon find Twilight in her palace, writing a letter at this time. After she & the others return back from Gravi’s palace, the Mane Five went back to their homes, Pinkamena was taken home by Goldie, Jack Zen & Omega to tell their friends of what’s happen and fill in about Pinkamena’s brave act. Twilight finished her letter before Spike came into the room in seeing she was done, and let the scroll and sent the message. “Well Spike, I think Celestia & Luna are gonna be very surprise to hear what we managed to achieve.” Twilight sighs to say this in thinking when her letter is seen, Celestia & Luna will be very happy to hear what they achieved. “No kidding. But…how long do you think it’ll be before we’re all better?” Spike asked in seeing that they are still in bandages and can’t tell how long they must wear them from recovering of their injuries they sustain from facing Gravi before the guy became their friend. “Probably another day or two. But no hurry, right?” Twilight shrug off to say in seeing it’ll be a while before their recovery is all finished. “Come on Twilight, time we get ready for bed.” Ben’s voice called out to his love from their bedroom. “Can we hear a story before then?” Nyx’s voice called out in asking for a story before bed. “Oh, how about the Little Dragon who cried Timberwolf, I like that!” Phobos’s voice was requesting one story that he wants to hear. “Coming!” Twilight shouted back before she and Spike got ready to move along. "Starlight Glimmer already went off to bed in the spare chamber, so we should follow afterwards." She stated in knowing another friend that was staying at their castle is resting now. “So Twilight, think with Gravi on our side, the chances of us winning has grown?” Spike asked the smart pony this question that was on his mind. “I think we can say that with Friendship, Spike, doesn’t matter if any of us has the best brains or the strongest muscles, or the most powerful spells, we have each other to help us out in times of need. That’s what I wanna believe.” Twilight smiled to honestly speak her own thoughts on the matter as if the equation doesn’t matter, just having another friend is more than enough to be happy with. Spike smiled in having heard Twilight’s words, sounds like the mare is starting to slowly come a nice long way to being a good princess & making some new friends. They both hurry along to get ready for bed, after a little story time. Seems like the gang have mangled to overcome another hard obstacle in their lives, trying to show the power of Friendship, sounds easy, but it’s only true if one believes in their friends to pull it off. And as the scene grows dark, everyone may slowly feel that now…they showed their best strength in how great Friendship can be, to help each other, & even in some rarer cases….turn a defeated enemy into a friend; but it’s only so rare to see that happen in this day and age… The End