//------------------------------// // ...and Last // Story: The Encounter // by Winter_Solstice //------------------------------// Two weeks later Princess Celestia sat staring out her bedroom windows. The afternoon sun shone gently within, illuminating her with its golden glow. On the wall, an ancient clock ticked, a present from some long ago visitor to Canterlot. The ticking seemed loud in the stillness, so she diverted her attention briefly and looked at it. Then, ever so quietly, she used her magic to pull the device from the wall. She stared at it for a few moments, then crushed it with her field. The ticking stopped. She let it fall to the floor, then resumed her gaze out the window, across the mountains, and down to Ponyville below. There was a knock on her door. Without turning around, Celestia said, “Come in, Lulu.” Princess Luna entered, shutting the doors behind her with her magic. She noticed the crushed timepiece but made no mention. She walked up to her sister and sat beside her. Her brow furrowed as she silently watched Celestia, then she turned and looked out the window at Ponyville as well. After a few moments, Celestia spoke again. “They died for us, Luna. Our little ponies gave their lives to protect us. How could I have let this happen?” She turned expectedly to Luna as she spoke, but Luna remained silent. Celestia resumed her original gaze, and only then did Luna speak. “It wasn’t your fault, Tia. We, all three of us, were subdued by those aliens’ device. All we can do now is honor those that survived… and make sure nothing like this ever happens again.” Celestia sighed. “As to the first thing, that’s easily remedied. As to the second, how are we supposed to do that? What happens when the next group of aliens decides to visit us without our knowledge?” Luna smiled. “I can set your mind at ease on that regard. I’ve been speaking with the Hkari captain, and he has assured me we can apply for membership with the Stellar Authority. Apparently, the officer that relieved him of his command has in turn been relieved. This Stellar Authority has very strict rules concerning the preservation of life, and the former commander’s actions violated those rules when he left H’iix on our planet and disregarded our plight. We can expect their full protection from here on.” Celestia turned and nuzzled her sister. “Thank you, Lulu, for seeing to all that. I’m afraid I just haven’t been up to dealing with them all.” Luna nuzzled her back. “It’s alright; that’s why I’m here.” She rose to her hooves. “Now come, Sister. We have a ceremony to attend!” Celestia got to her hooves and followed her sister while making an effort to maintain a bright expression for her sake. They both had already seen most of the ponies that had survived the battle, along with seeing Charles, but they’d promised to come back and visit again as soon as they were able. It had been too much for Celestia. Seeing their broken bodies the first time had caused her to feel such a mixture of rage and grief she had to take herself back to the castle for a few days. But there was one thing she’d done that caused her little trouble. Passing the gardens, Celestia said, “Wait a moment, Lulu. We have to make a stop first.” Luna turned to her with a quizzical expression, which turned to a knowing one when she saw the direction that Celestia had chosen. They walked in silence until they reached the hidden appropriate spot and stopped. There, they stared at the petrified forms of Priel and R’el, both turned to stone with expressions of terror on each of their faces. Celestia gazed at them with satisfaction but then turned to her sister. “This fate is far better than they both deserve, Luna. But,” and here she hesitated, “I still think I should have killed them for what they’ve done.” Luna stared at them for a few moments, then said, “That would have been beneath you, Tia.” They both lapsed back into silence, remembering that night. ___________________________________ Princess Celestia came awake with a gasp. All around her, the other princesses along with the Gryphon and the caged creatures returned to consciousness as well. Then the smell of blood hit her like a physical blow. The first thing she saw was Rainbow Dash standing over her, looking extremely relieved. But Celestia’s attention was immediately drawn to the bodies of several creatures, the manticores standing over them…and many of her guards who weren’t moving. “What…what happened here?” Luna stood up and came next to her, staring at the carnage as well. “Yes, Rainbow Dash. What happened?” Dash looked extremely nervous as she favored her right hoof. Right now she wished anypony, any at all, would be the one to break this news to the Princesses, but she drew a deep breath and began. “There was a battle, your Highnesses.” She looked over at Twilight and the gryphon as they joined the group standing over Celestia, who still hadn’t arisen. “You all were unconscious…so we had to protect you.” “ ‘We?’ You mean…my guards?” Rainbow couldn’t meet her eyes. “No, your Majesty…not just your guards.” Celestia stared at her, then got to her hooves. Slowly, she walked around the creatures’ bodies to the entrance of the ship and looked out, followed by her sister and the others. They all joined her as she stood there motionless. The night was a buzz of activity as she saw nurses and doctors working by torch and unicorn light, tending to dozens of ponies. Her heart lurched as she took in the numbers. There was the human, cradling Pinkie and Applejack, with Spike sitting near as well. There was the Hkari captain, using what looked like a first aid kit as he assisted Zecora. There were so many others, all bloody and… some motionless. Her little ponies… Her horn glowed, and the sun came up over the horizon, bathing the scene in its early morning light. There was a collective cheer as all the ponies that could looked up and saw the sun. They then all turned and searched until they found the Princesses, then they all cheered again. But still, she stood there. Luna was the first to move as she walked down the ramp, followed by Twilight and Rainbow Dash. They both found their way around the bodies of those creatures and the manticores that remained. A doctor and a nurse began working on Pinkie and Applejack as Twilight and Rainbow approached. Charles saw them, then got to his feet and out of the way. But Twilight shook her head at him and motioned for him to sit. She hugged Spike, then knelt as close to her friends as she could and watched the doctors aid them. After a few moments, she spoke to Charles. “What happened to them?” Charles brushed a tear away and said, “I…try to pri..pro..protek them. I…not fast…enough. I…sorry.” Twilight’s heart lurched inside her. “Don’t be sorry, Char-Elles. I’m sure you did your best.” She got a good look at him. “You’re hurt as well.” Charles looked down at himself. “It…nothing.” “You should have seen him, Twilight! He was awesome!” said Spike. But Twilight frowned at him. “You shouldn’t have been here, Spike! What were you thinking?” Spike fidgeted with his claws. “Please don’t be mad, Twilight. When Applejack told us you all were in danger, I had to help! I…I couldn’t let anything happen to you.” Twilight hugged him fiercely. “No, Spike! I’m not mad, just scared. I don’t know what I’d do if you'd gotten hurt!” She nuzzled him as tears began to fall from her eyes. She then let him go and spoke to the doctor. “How are they, doctor?” The doctor looked up for the first time and noticed the Princess, but he was too tired to bow. “They’ll be fine, your Highness. They’ve sustained severe head injuries, but we’ve done what we can and they should be regaining consciousness soon. They are a few of the lucky ones.” He then sat back and sighed. “It seems the medicine the zebra used helped them immensely. But excuse me…I have other patients to attend.” The nurse put the finishing touches on their bandages, then followed the doctor away to another injured pony. __________________________________________ Luna had stayed within earshot of Twilight as she had her moment with Spike and the alien, while she saw to the ponies that lay injured. Some were clearly beyond help and seeing these caused her to weep bitter tears. If she herself was having such a hard time accepting what she saw, she could only imagine what her sister must be feeling. Unfortunately, she didn’t have to wonder long. “Where are they?!” That scream had come from Celestia, and Luna turned as did all the ponies and creatures to face her. Celestia’s eyes were blazing white as she floated above the ship. In her state, there was no telling what she might do, so Luna flew up to her and tried to calm her down. But Celestia wasn’t going to do so. Addressing the Hkari captain, she repeated herself: “Where are they?” H’iix hesitated, then said, “Your Highness, they’re in my shuttle, unconscious. But, I ask you to —” Celestia cut him off. “Show me!” H’iix swallowed, then sighed. Turning in the direction of his shuttle, he simply pointed. Celestia immediately took flight, followed by Luna. All too soon, they landed by the shuttle. Celestia studied it for a moment, then used her field to rip the door off the vehicle. There inside, still unmoving, lay the aliens. As she began to light her horn once more, Luna suddenly stood in between them and her. “What are you going to do, Sister?” “Get out of the way, Luna.” But she stood her ground. “Tia, they both deserve to die. But not like this!” “I said get out of my way!” Roughly, she shoved Luna aside and picked up Priel and R’el in her field. Quickly, she used her field to pry them both out of their armor, then shook them both awake. Both aliens looked at each other, then stared into the eyes of their Death, too terrified to say a word. Just as she was about to crush them both, suddenly there was movement behind them. Celestia turned and saw several ponies had followed them and were now watching. One of the crowd spoke up. “Are those the ones responsible for all this?!” He pointed at the aliens as he spoke. “They are, aren’t they?! What are you waiting for, your Highness? Kill them!!” Celestia’s eyes returned to normal as she and Luna stared at the crowd in shock as they began to chant, “Kill them! Kill them!” “Stop, my ponies! We are not butchers!”cried Luna. “They deserve it, Princess! My friends are dead because of them!” a mare shouted. “And if my brother dies it’s their fault!” shouted another. “Do it!” As the herd began to surge forward, both Sisters took a step back. Celestia quietly whispered, “What have I done?” But Luna couldn’t speak. Seeing the bloodlust in their eyes was truly unnerving, and she retreated as they all came forward. The ponies would have ripped the terrified aliens out of Celestia’s grasp if another voice had not suddenly spoken up. “What are you all doing?!” cried Twilight. She had finally made her way to the area, followed by Spike, H’iix and the hue-mun. The ponies all turned to look at her, but their expressions remained unchanged. “Don’t try to stop us, Princess Twilight! They deserve to die!” cried a unicorn. “Their monsters would have killed you all if we hadn’t been here! We want justice!” cried another. Twilight ported herself between the aliens and the herd. “Please, everypony…this isn’t our way!” But they were past reasoning. As they all surged forward again, Twilight threw up a shield around herself and the other Princesses. Seeing she had no choice, and to spare her former teacher the burden, she fired up her horn and blasted both Priel and R’el. They screamed in agony, then went limp. The crowd fell silent, watching. “Good riddance,” said one of the ponies. They all turned as one and left, some casting guilty looks behind themselves, but the majority simply remaining silent as they walked away. Once the area was clear of the townsponies, and only the Princesses and the Hkari, Spike and Charles remained, only then did Twilight drop her shield. Twilight hung her head as Luna came up and put a hoof over her shoulder, then whispered her thanks to her. But Twilight shook her head. “I didn’t kill them…I only sent a pain spell that knocked them out.” Luna smiled. “I know.” Twilight looked at her. “You knew? Then why are you thanking me?” Luna drew back her hoof. “Because it was the only way to appease them.” Here she looked at Celestia. “And now my sister has been spared a terrible responsibility.” She turned back to Twilight. “You were very brave to take that on.” Just as Twilight was about to speak, the aliens stirred and began to wake. Celestia dropped them in disgust and they fell heavily to the ground. They lay where they fell, first staring at each other, then slowly looking around. They spotted the Hkari captain, and opened their mouths to speak, but H’iix only shook his head. “Your fate is in their Majesties' hooves, criminals.” At this Celestia found her voice. “Look at me.” They slowly turned and their eyes widened as they saw her light her horn once more. Her voice was deadly quiet as she said, “You both deserve death." Her face then twisted with rage. "This will be much worse.” They both screamed, “Wait!!” but it was too late. Starting with their feet, they slowly were both turned to stone. They managed to get to their knees as they fought against the change but could do nothing else. They screamed in agony once more until the spell reached their chests. They flailed their arms until the spell reached those appendages, then they could only silently scream until the spell was complete. Celestia closed her eyes. Luna was the first to speak. “That spell normally does not cause pain, Sister.” Celestia opened her eyes and looked at Luna. “I know.” ______________________________ Present day Twilight and Dash had spent most of the morning visiting ponies in the hospital. Some were chipper, some were sullen, but there were no patients as stubborn as Applejack. It took them both to convince her to stay in bed, for once she’d been bandaged and the blow to her head stitched up she had insisted on leaving her room to see all the other wounded. “I cain’t just lie here! I gotta do sumthin’!” Twilight smiled and shook her head. “What you ‘gotta’ do is get better, Applejack. I’ve made the rounds; everypony is doing as well as they can. Pinkie’s recovering, Rarity and Fluttershy are sleeping peacefully, Zecora and Spike are fine.” Though she forced a smile, Twilight didn’t mention those ponies that had been gravely wounded…and worse. The time would come all too soon to talk about them. Rainbow added, “Besides, I don’t want you using this as an excuse the next time we compete! I want you at your best!” Applejack lay back and snorted, then looked over at her family. Apple Bloom and Granny both smiled at her. Even Winona was there with one foreleg in a cast, but she still wagged her tail happily. The room was filled with flowers and cards from all over Ponyville. There were even gifts and flowers from the ponies in Canterlot, once word of the Battle had reached the capital. She turned to Twilight. “I never did git to apologize for bringin’ Spike inta that fight, Twilight.” She hung her head. “I’m sorry.” Placing a hoof on the bed, Twilight answered, “Please don’t blame yourself, Applejack. By now I’ve been told everything that happened that night and I know how stubborn Spike was then.” She smiled. “Remind you of anypony?” Applejack frowned. “No…who?” Rainbow rolled her eyes and Twilight simply giggled. “Get some rest, AJ. Things will be fine while you recover,” said she. They both turned to go, but Applejack stopped them. “Wait! How is Char-Elles?” They turned back. “He got a bit of a shock, but he’s fine,” said Rainbow. _____________________________ Charles sat in his room at the castle, recovering from his wounds. As he’d promised himself, he’d visited that room with the odd cylinders. He was still slightly in shock over what he'd found. He got up and looked out a window in the direction of the Everfree, remembering… ______________________________ After all the ponies had been taken care of, Charles turned to the ship and looked inside. “Char-Elles? Is something wrong?” asked Twilight. “We need to get back.” He turned and looked at her. “I need…see...something…first.” “What are you talking about?” Charles turned to the Hkari captain and said, “Please tell her I saw a room in this ship when I’d been captured, a room that may contain others of my kind.” H’iix looked surprised, then grim. “Those fool Antashi,” he muttered. He then turned to Twilight and translated. She looked shocked when he’d finished and said, “You think there may be…other hue-muns?” She addressed H’iix. “Tell him I can’t allow him to go inside, there may be more traps like the one that got us.” When Charles heard the translation he frowned. “Plees,” speaking directly to her, “I…must know.” H’iix interceded. “I’ll go with him, your Highness. He’ll be safe with me, now that I know what to watch for.” Twilight looked like she was going to further argue, but then she saw the look in Charles’ eyes. She dropped her own and said, “Alright, Char-Elles. But please don’t take too long. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” H’iix started to translate, but Charles held up his hand. “I understood most of that.” He bent on one knee and drew her close. “Thak...yuu.” He and H’iix turned and wandered into the ship. It took a few tries, but eventually they found the room he’d been looking for. His heart started beating rapidly as he stood in the doorway. It was just as he remembered. He walked inside, with H’iix close behind him, and stopped in front of one of the cylinders. He reached up and wiped the frost away. His worse fears were immediately realized as he saw what was inside. He then went around to all of them and saw the same results. His hand trembled as he laid it against one of the cylinders and turned to H’iix. “How many other times has this happened?!” He was shaking. H’iix sighed and said, “There’s no way to tell. The Stellar Authority forbids direct contact with unsanctioned worlds, but there are many races just as bad or worse than the Antashi and they’re not all under our jurisdiction. I cannot speak for them.” Charles turned back and stared at the being inside the cylinder. She had a peaceful look on her face as if she was just resting, but Charles could only imagine her reaction if she was awakened and saw where she was. He looked at her clothing. She was wearing pajamas just as he had been, so she must have been taken in her sleep. His eyes roved the chamber and saw all the other figures in a similar state of dress. “What are we going to do with all of them?” “The same for all the surviving creatures: take them back to their worlds.” Charles turned back to H’iix. “Can you do that? I thought you’d been relieved of your ship?" H’iix smiled. “My crew contacted me an hour ago. The Admiral in charge of this sector wasn’t at all pleased with my being marooned here and no help being offered to these ponies. The Diligence will be back in orbit soon and arrangements have already been made.” He paused. “Which brings up a question: what do you wish to do?” “What do you mean?” “What I mean is do you wish to remain here? Your situation is unique in that you are an abductee who is now fully conscious of the wider universe. Can you return to your previous life with this knowledge?” Charles dropped his eyes and thought. After a few moments, he finally said, “I honestly don’t know. I’ve made some special friends here and I’d hate to leave them. But I miss my family and friends back home.” His face brightened with a new thought. “Would I be allowed to return?” H’iix shook his head. “You weren’t supposed to be here in the first place. I doubt my superiors would allow me to return you here once you leave. For that matter, I doubt you’ll be allowed to stay. But I can speak with them on your behalf if you wish to remain.” Charles paused. “How long do I have to decide?” “I can give you at most two weeks. It will take about that long for my crew and I to return these humans and creatures to their respective worlds, and then present your case to the Admiral.” He placed a hand on his shoulder. “Talk to your pony friends; I’m sure Celestia’s word will carry weight with our Council.” “Thanks,” was all he could say as he was still shaken by what he’d discovered. ____________________________________ There was a knock on his door, and the hue-mun got up to answer it. Twilight and Spike both stood there, she in a gown and full regalia, he in a tux and bowtie, smiling up at him. “It’s time, Char-Elles,” she said. Charles straightened the tie and smoothed down his suit provided him by one of Canterlot’s best tailors. He would have much preferred to wear an outfit provided him by Rarity, but she was still too weak to do anything other than cast a critical eye over his ensemble and pronounce it acceptable. So he followed Twilight and Spike out to the waiting chariot. The pegasus charioteers both saluted him as they climbed into the conveyance, and they all quickly took off. They all soon landed in the main courtyard before the castle, where every citizen of Equestria appeared to have gathered. There were representatives of the Gryphon Empire as well as those from Equestria’s other allies in the throng, all awaiting the appearance of the Royals. Soon, Princess Celestia arrived, flanked by her Sister, as well as Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight. The cheer that accompanied their appearance was deafening and shook the very walls of Canterlot. Celestia held up a hoof for silence, which after a few moments was achieved. “Subjects and Citizens of Equestria, we are gathered here to pay honor to those that fought and to those that died to protect our Persons during the recent conflict." Celestia took a moment to compose herself, then continued. “No words can express the great sorrow we feel for those that are no longer with us. But at the same time, we cannot adequately convey the pride and honor we feel as well.” The tears were flowing freely now, as she stared out over the crowd. “First, a moment of silence for the Fallen.” She bowed her head as a complete hush fell over the assembled. After a few moments, she spoke again. “Here we honor them.” She cleared her throat, then began to speak from memory the names of every pony that had died, guards and civilians alike. _____________________________ Timorous’ heart was complete. He thought back to that night and remembered the fight. He could still recall the pain, but it was a distant memory, like a dream he could barely remember. What he most recalled was rushing to the defense of his secret love when she’d fallen. He’d not been able to stop the monster that had attacked her and Pinkie, but he’d managed to slow it down long enough for that alien to finish it off with his lance. Before the alien had killed it, the creature had done…something to himself with its claws? That he couldn’t recall, but he did remember lying there next to Applejack, close enough to reach out a hoof and gently touch her face. He remembered smiling, then everything going dark. Now here he was, floating above the crowd and listening as her Majesty recited his name. His heart swelled. But then he felt a tugging, faint at first, then growing more insistent. He turned and looked above him. There was a light, brighter than Celestia’s Sun, that seemed to be calling out to him. As he obeyed the summons, he turned one last time and looked down. He smiled as he saw them all. “They’ll be fine,” he said to himself, “now off to the next adventure!” He turned and flew off into the Light, laughing as he went. ___________________________ “And now we honor those that remain!” Celestia’s voice brightened as she said their names and one by one they came across the stage to receive their medals. For each, Luna placed the medals over their heads and bowed, while Celestia bent down and kissed each on both cheeks. Some that had been part of the mob that had tried to kill the aliens looked a bit sheepish, but a smile and a kiss from their Ruler let them know all was forgiven. Soon, in due course, it was time for Charles to cross the stage, and here Celestia paused when she heard the murmuring of the crowd. For though most by now had heard of him this was the first time many had laid eyes upon him. Celestia held up a hoof. “My Subjects, here you see before you an alien every bit as brave and heroic as any! We do not hesitate to honor him!” There was a loud cheer from the crowd as she turned him to face her, then kissed him as she’d done the others. Charles blushed bright red, then bowed. He then joined the rest of the ponies that had received their medals and stood there fidgeting. After the last pony had received her reward and joined the rest, all four of the Princesses turned to the group and bowed themselves down on one knee, and the crowd went crazy. Luna held up a hoof and shouted in her best Canterlot Voice, “Let the FUN begin!” Thousands of balloons were released as the party began down on the streets of Canterlot. For all the others, they were ushered into a huge banquet hall, where a full orchestra was waiting, along with chefs and caterers from every corner of Equestria. Food and wine flowed freely, as well as entertainment from a certain caped unicorn. It was quite the spectacle. When the music began, several mares, who had all been giggling to themselves, suddenly ran up to Charles and asked him to dance. Among the mares was the Flower Trio. Their sister Roseluck had been found and restored to normal, as she and the others crowded around Charles. He blushed again, then put down his drink and started the first of many dances. After about an hour he was tired, and in his broken Equestrian asked to be excused. They all pouted and sighed, but allowed him to sit. Twilight, Spike, and Rainbow wandered over. “Having a good time, Char-Elles?” asked Rainbow. She was smiling at his discomfort with the mares, but not in a mean way. “I…miss my…friends. I...am wish…they…here.” “We all do, Char-Elles,” said Twilight. “But at least they’re alright.” Charles nodded his agreement, then a thought occurred to him, but he wondered if now was the time to ask. Seeing the conflict on his face, Twilight asked, “Is something else bothering you?” Charles hesitated. He really liked all these ponies and he believed they liked him as well but did that extend to the question he had? He took a deep breath and asked anyway. “I…thinking…about stay here. In pony-world.” He looked from Twilight to Spike to Rainbow. “Would that be…okay?” Their jaws all dropped as one, but Spike was the first to speak. “Are you kidding? That would be awesome!” Twilight smiled and her face was bright as she nodded. “You are more than welcome to stay in Equestria, Char-Elles. We would love to have you!” “We’d be sad if you left, big guy!” said Rainbow. “Th…Thank you,” was all he could say. _________________________ One year later Charles sat on the porch of his home one morning, drinking a coffee and breathing deeply of the breeze. Fluttershy had promised to come by later and he was looking forward to seeing her. Her mane still hadn’t grown back completely, but her wings were almost as good as new and she could now make short flights. Rainbow was her coach, and she vowed her friend would be an even better flier than before. Though he missed Earth, he’d asked H’iix if there had been some way to contact his family without scaring them to death, to let them know he was alright. H’iix had nodded in the affirmative and told him that wouldn’t be a problem. Charles heard movement and pushed his glasses up his nose to better see not only Fluttershy but all of his friends coming to visit. He stood to meet them. “Welcome, all of you. I wasn’t expecting to see you all this morning.” “We all thought it would be a good idea to have a picnic on such a lovely day,” said Fluttershy. “If that’s alright with you, of course.” “That’s a great idea! Let’s go.” So saying he closed his door, took the basket from Pinkie, and they all set out to the meadow. It was a wonderful day indeed.