Urohringr

by Imploding Colon

Denouement, Thy Name Is "Fluffy"

For the first time in eons, the Strip of Flurries was no more. The swirling clouds dissipated from the arctic skies, giving way to a frosty breeze that rolled and undulated over the northern wastes. All that remained of Stratopolis was a smoldering plume of smoke and flame to the north, and even that was settling, falling, receding into the glowing skystone fields beyond reach.

The waters below had become a placid sheet immaculately reflecting a field of stars above. Against the cosmic canvas, three dark shapes floated tightly together, cruising their way southeast and away from the turbulent northern edge of the world.

---

"He had lived eighteen long years in that damnable city," Seclorum muttered, leaning limply against a bulkhead inside the Tarkington. On either side of him, thoroughly exhausted ponies laid down peacefully, getting some much needed sleep. "When ill-fortune befell him, he... wasn't all that shocked or sad about it." The old enforcer gulped, staring off at the stars beyond the open door in the side of the ship. "He simply accepted what happened... as well as what he felt like he had to do."

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. Her body was freshly bandaged in several places, and she fluttered across from Seclorum, weathering the cold breeze from the arctic air outside. "I wish I could have been in two places at once," she said. "The Sword of Solstice could totally have cleaned the gunk off him."

"Hey..." Seclorum smiled weakly. "You were off being a hero for the rest of us."

"Heh... it was Pilate who saved the day, not me."

"You know what I mean." Seclorum cracked the kinks in his neck and spoke, "If it weren't for you, none of us would be here right now. You risked your neck to make sure we got off that friggin' death trap. I'm sure, if worse came to worst, you would have given your life to do the same thing." He winced slightly. "Like Aatxe did..."

"He really held back those nasty creatures, huh?" Rainbow remarked.

"Oh, totally." Seclorum nodded. "Gave us the window of opportunity we needed to book it to the Tarkington. He may never have gotten the chance to set hoof on his ship again, but his spirit's here... running the thing from the inside out."

"Yeah. Just using a pale stallion with a red mane as his host."

Seclorum chuckled dryly. "That agreement was between Prowse and Aatxe. But, so far, Prowse is keeping true to his word. I've... uh... never been very good at running airships. I've always been a ground soldier. But I have no doubt Prowse will be able to get us to where we need to go."

"And just where is that?"

Seclorum sighed, rubbing his chin as he muttered, "To be honest, I've never thought it straight through. I guess I never thought we'd actually get out of that place." He looked at Rainbow fixedly. "We obviously have to swing by Xona, so that Arcshod can properly escort his majesty home. But... where would we go? What province or border, I mean?"

"Pretty much any one you'd reach first," Rainbow said with a smirk. "What, with the war being over and all."

"And that just blows my mind..." Seclorum gazed thinly out the starry doorframe. The Noble Jury and the Lounge's ship cruised within spitting distance. "After all I've given... an entire life of hard work and fighting..." He grimaced slightly. "Peace could happen overnight? True peace?"

Rainbow gestured. "You saw it happened here in the Wastes, didn't ya?"

He glanced at her again. "That's different. You are different. I mean..."

Rainbow simply stared at him.

His ears folded. "You... really... truly brought a stop to the war on the eastern front, didn't you?"

"Well, I had help..." Rainbow smirked, her tail swishing back and forth. "That nasty chaos dragon didn't exactly pile-drive itself into the ground, though..."

Seclorum sat back on his haunches, shaking his head. "It amazes me. You're capable of kicking so much flank, and yet... in the end... you're all about changing the world, aren't you?"

Rainbow gulped. "For the better, I hope."

"You find that hard to believe?"

She hung her head. "Every so often, the body count certainly makes me think twice."

"And if you hadn't flown this way...?" Seclorum blinked. "Could you imagine the cost of a war that would waged on? Or the toll that Stratopolis would have had on me and everyone I cared for...?"

Rainbow said nothing. Her face hung between a smile and a sigh.

"There was a time when I thought that being a good soldier meant taking the moral risks that nopony else could afford to do," Seclorum said. "Because you always knew that you were tasked with accomplishing something for the greater good."

Rainbow tilted her head up. "What do you believe now?"

"Now, having met you, I'm starting to believe that the strongest ponies are those who do what they object to doing, so that others can more properly enjoy the peace that they themselves sacrifice." He grimaced slightly. "For the longest time, I neither loved nor hated what I did in war. I just... pretended not to care." His nostrils flared as he stared off into space. "I'm suddenly not very proud of a lot of things."

"You couldn't afford to feel. I can understand."

Seclorum glared at her. "Can you? Do you?" His lips curved slightly. "With the kingdom of harmony you've described having come from?"

Rainbow fidgeted.

"I now know I was wrong about what I did in Stratopolis," Seclorum said.

Rainbow looked at him.

He sighed and smiled wearily. "Mercy and kindness would have saved our hides long ago."

"I dunno if it would have saved you, but I'm pretty sure it would have made things better," Rainbow said. "That's the least you ponies deserved while you wasted away up there."

"We didn't deserve anything that we didn't earn," Seclorum said. "We were prisoners long before we were ever dumped into that floating turdtropolis. Between the war, fealty to a heartless empress, and hatred for a race of unicorns that... quite frankly... I find pretty alright..." He leaned back against the bulkhead, sighing. "I dunno about everypony else, but—speaking for myself—I've been a prisoner for a long... long time."

"Do you feel free now?"

"Almost." His eyes darted up to Rainbow's. "Could that be what you gave Josho?"

"Well, he more or less gave it to himself."

"It's a great feeling." Seclorum nodded. "And a sad one. For the first time in decades, I feel scared for my own flank, and I think it's rather riveting."

"Enjoy the rush." Rainbow smiled weakly. "And make the best of it." Her eyes narrowed. "By making sure other ponies do too."

"I'm certain it's what Aatxe would have wanted."

"That, and cleaning the crap out of his ship."

"Heh..."

---

"The energy reserves are fluctuating," Props stammered, trotting circles around the central dais of the Tarkington engine room where the manacrystal was situated. "It's been somewhat erratic, but I do believe I've stabled the manaflow through several lateral conduits. If you keep the buffers rotating on a regular basis, you'll have enough juice to get you to either continent and back."

"That sounds brill, Propsicle," Prowse said, standing in the doorway to the engine room. "You've done a mighty fine job."

She kept pacing. "Still, as soon as you get to the mainland, you'll wanna get the core replaced. That and get a full rehaul of the steam thrusters. Many of the interior pipes are blocked up with frozen grime and it's gonna take—like—a gazillion pony hours getting all the kerfluffle washed out so everything is squeaky cleany again!"

"Lass..."

"I-I guess I could try running a manaconduit towards the ship's bow so that we might construct a crude energy discharge device that the Tarkington could use to ward off pirates between here and Xona, though I really don't think that's gonna be a problem since the sexy tattooed guys are no longer wanting to tear airborn ponies' tails off and—"

"Props..." Prowse hobbled over and pulled her towards him with his good forelimb. She shivered slightly staring up at him with bright blue eyes. He smiled. "Slow down for once..."

"Did..." She blinked. "D-did you want to discuss tweaking the starboard stabilizers? Cuz I'm still working on that!"

"I just want to hold my niece," he said, leaning in to nuzzle the top of her head. "And tell her how proud I am of her."

Props smiled crookedly. She sniffled and rubbed her cheek against his stubbled chin. "I-I can make you even prouder! Wait until we get back to Gray Smoke!"

"Props..."

"We can re-open the shop!" She grinned from ear to ear. "With all the gizmo-smarts you've gathered between here and there, you can set up a new bustling manaconduit trade!" She winked. "We'll show those bit-grabbing sooters who's who!"

"Props, lass, I'm not going back to Gray Smoke," Prowse said.

Props gazed up at him, her jaw dropping. "You're... you're n-not?"

He slowly shook his head. "I made a promise to a very good friend of mine," he said. "Aatxe gave me this ship for one express purpose—and that's to get the rest of these ponies to safety."

"But... but we'll be going back to Gray Smoke afterwards, r-right?"

"I lost bloody everything when the changelings replaced me, remember?" He sighed through a weary smile. "I'm a broke stallion. All I've got is a few good deeds to do, and then I'm having to climb my way back up to the top."

"Well, I-I can give you a boost! Just leave it to me, Unky Prowsy!" She smirked, bouncing in place. "We'll get you a new shop in no time! I've learned quite a few things in my poofing around the clouds, y'know!"

"I've no doubt of that, Propsicle. But you have to understand—"

"You've always wanted to be on top of the metal trade! You're not exactly ancient, Unky Prowsy! We can get you back on track!"

"What is it you want, lass?"

"To... to h-help you..." Props blinked, her lips quivering. "Don't you believe me?"

"I do," he said with a nod. "And I also know that I've got plenty of fine mares and stallions on board this here Tarkington to help me all the same. I've got a nice future waiting for me. You know this too."

"Well... s-sure... but I could be helping you to, y'know..."

"Is that what you want?"

"I... I want..." Props bit her lip.

Prowse stared quietly at her.

She sniffled and leaned her cheek against his chest. "Seeing Kera alive and squeaky again," she murmured. "And Ebon and Eagle all kissy kissy... and Mr. Handsome in one piece again..." She whimpered inwardly, her eyes watering. "I want that too. I want all of it." She hiccuped, burying her face in his chest. "Mmmmf... Pilate and Belle are nuzzling each other. Elma's making miracles happen. Rainbow's performing backflips. Josho's not farting for once..."

"Hmmmm..." Prowse gently patted her shoulder. "Do you remember, Propsicle, why I took you in so long ago in the first place?"

"Mmmmmm..." She sniffled and nodded against his chest. "Mmmm-hmmmm..."

"I made a promise to your folks that I would give you a family." He caressed her mane. "And a home." His face grew long for a brief moment. "If I drag you away now, I'd be breaking that promise with them."

She tilted her teary face up towards him. "I adora-love them, Unky Prowsy." She gulped. "The whole fluffy kitten bag full of them. I wanna see them get someplace safe and happy. And... and I don't think they can make it without me."

"Pffft. You kidding?" He ruffled her mane. "Toilet-headed pegasi be damned! You're the backbone of that ship! I don't care how many bloomin' sword-hilts Rainbow shoves into her muzzle."

"Heeheeheee..." Props giggled, rosy-cheeked. She rubbed her eyes dry but nevertheless stared up at him with a pouting expression. "But I looked around so super-long for you. What kind of a niece would I be if I let you go now?"

"Heh... are you bloody kidding?" He kissed her forehead and smirked into her face. "You think you can get away with me that easily?"

"Huh...?"

He chuckled. "I ain't sitting down on this 'changeling business' just because I got my arse saved by a bunch of explosions! There's more to all this than just the survivors on board the Tarkington. Once I've returned Lasairfion and the rest to their hometowns, I'm gettin' to the bottom of this whole mess. If that means heading east and snooping around Val Roa, then so be it. Face it, lass, Gray Smoke is no longer the life for me. Pffft... I was gettin' sick and tired of that rusted chimney factory anyways..."

"Really?" Props' eyes sparkled. "Then why'd you stay there for so long, Unky Prowsy?"

He winked at her. "You think it was all about you taking care of me?"

Props bit her lips, suppressing a happy squeal.

He nuzzled her once again. "I love the hell outta ya, lassie. And I'll be damned if this is the last I see you. But for now..." He caressed her chin. "Go where your heart takes you. It's what I've always bloody done, and look at what life's given me! It's dropped you in my lap from across a frozen sea. And—odds are—your rump will come bouncing my way again."

"Yeah..." Props giggle-snorted with a nod. "With extra rump-tastic-ness!"

"Now that's more like it." Prowse winked. "I knew that the tiny filly that used to climb into potato launchers was still inside ya."

She sighed and quietly wept into his chest. "Mmmm—I never thought I'd find my inner potato launcher againnnnnnnnn..."

"Go east, my girl..." He patted her shoulder as the two rocked as one. "Spread the joy of potato launchers everywhere you go..."

"I will, Unky. I willlllll-hi-hi-hi-hilllllllll..." She sobbed for joy.

Comments

[IceKitsune]

Aww such touching moments.

[AppleTank]

fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/181/6/4/potados_by_artsed-d3km8ge.jpg

[Axan Zenith]

Daw. That's sweet.

[RoboRed]

For the love of potato launchers.

Good to still have you on board, Propsie.

[Lightning Bearer]

Yay, Props is staying!!

And it seems Prowse may show up again somewhere down the road, which is also pretty nifty.

Fluffy is best Denouement.

[SugarPesticide]

Normally I would say "that's cute" and move on ...

... but having finally finished the soul-crushing experience known as Background Pony, I'm so relieved that ponies can happily interact that I'm actually starting to tear up. It's pretty embarrassing.

[Hap]

4534760 Don't worry. BP is the first thing I thought of when I saw the word "denouement" as well.

[SilentBird93]

Aww she's staying yay.

What's a potato launcher?

[Phoenix Kitten]

4534760 I've got that sitting in my massive read later list,is it really that bad?

on subject of the chapter. It's a short reunion.but it's a nice one.
and damned if the old bastard ain't got a good point.

[Vendable Sheik]

4534833 It's not that it's bad per se. I loved the story in and of itself but let's just say the ending wasn't at all what I expected from it.

[SugarPesticide]

4534833
Let me put it this way. It's like a boot stomping on a human face forever ... except instead of a face, it's a heart, and instead of a boot, it's the moon. And the whole thing is spiraling down a never-ending roller coaster that's growing colder and colder, and the track is greased by Lyra's fancy philosophy as she rides along, hanging off of the cart by her hoodie and playing a song that summons darkness and despair that will never, ever leave anyone's soul, ever.

On the bright side, it makes it much easier to appreciate cute fluffy things. Which is something I'd never thought would happen, so small miracles and such.

[Jade Curtiss]

4534760

gifsforum.com/images/image/that%20feel/grand/I-know-bro-that-feel-eccbc87e4b5ce2fe28308fd9f2a7baf3-2155.png

BP was one the saddest pieces of literature I've read in a long time.

[VNilla]

4534976
4534933
THESE. A hundred bazillion times THESE.
I remember when BP ended, and I read that last chapter... when I finished, I closed my computer and just sat there and wept for an hour, as much for the ending as for the fact that there wouldn't be any more updates to such a perfect story. My friends got really worried about me; when I told them why I was openly weeping over my laptop, they all gave me versions of "Really? Get over it. No story's that good; I thought your mom had died or something."

Last summer, I got one of those friends to read it all the way through. He texted me one afternoon:

"I finished it. I take back everything I said. Send help."

(Also nice 1984 reference there, Sugar. That's my personal favorite quote from the book.)

4534918
To paraphrase The Dark Knight: BP got the ending it needed, but not the one it deserved.

4534797
It's a large, usually backyard- or garage-crafted, cannon that fires potatoes at highly unsafe speeds.

[Vendable Sheik]

4534933 This is a much better way to word it. Lyra deserved so much more than what she got

[Aatxe360]

Uncle Prowsy can make the Tarkington his new shop. It's mobile and it has space.

[xXshaydXx]

Props is permanent!! Does anybody miss how props in close proximity to rainbow would fluster her? Those moments always cracked me up. Still anxious to see where roarke will stay..fingers crossed for permanent roarke!

[mrjerrio]

4535055
4534976
4534933
Yeah. Agreed on the final chapter of Background Pony being incredisad. It went up the night before the third season started. I did not sleep that night. Coffee and new episodes of pony made the pain slowly fade.

[axxuy]

Welp, this one was a rollercoaster. Such a nice, touching moment with Prowse and Props, and then all the comments are talking about Background Pony... It's more than a year since I read it and I still get sad thinking about it.

[YoshiFawful64]

Awwww... this chapter was so touching...

[ThatPoemGuy]

4535541
I would argue that the final lines of the final chapter add hope and... Well, not joy, but they save the ending from just being depressing.

[ForestFeather]

I wonder how long this peace won't last. IC, you've MADE ME TWITCHY. I DON'T TRUST IT. EVERY TIME YOU DO THIS TO US AND GIVE US RESPITE YOU MAKE IT TERROR A FEW CHAPTERS LATER.

Maybe I'm just a paranoid pegasi.

[Jonathon Smythe]

Yay, Props is staying with the Jury! Let's see what the comments have to say...

(scrolls through comments)

...and now I'm sad again. Poor Lyra.

[Cynderfall]

I also loved Background Pony but think the ending sucked. However this story isn't that one. This story is all about Dash and Co.

This chapter was fluffy and moist. Lets pray to Twilight Sparkle The Princess Of Books that it stays fluffy and moist for a little while longer.

[iloveportalz0r]

Yay, potato launchers!

[CasualMarshmallow]

So Props is going to come along because she's found a better home with the Jury. It makes sense, but I doubt she will ever see her uncle again.

"Go east, my girl..."

I thoroughly enjoyed Background Pony, and I think Austraeoh would do good with a similarly depressing ending, especially when considering the first 200 chapters. Austraeoh is all about how Rainbow changed the world during her journey, like all the good things Lyra did in life, even if they fail their own goals in the end.

[not_a_rainbow]

inb4 the Tarkington shows up to save the Jurists right before something horribly bad happens

[Nevlamas]

Your songs remind me of swimming
Which I forgot when I started to sink.
Dragged further away from the shore
And deeper into the drink.

[whizzball1]

-SPirit

[dafiltafish]

This makes me wonder about the ponies that were in direct contact with dash. The ledomartian soldiers, the refugees, the broken town, gold petals. How are they carrying on?

I guess that will be answered in the last few chapters of the last book.

[Starlit Skies]

4534760 Well, there goes any plans of mine to read Background Pony.

[ImChangingmynameforreaso]

Reference what seclorum says about his feelings involving duty:

That is exactly why I joined the Canadian Forces. To do what needs to be done, so others don't have to do it.

[JustAnotherTimeLord]

Spreading the love of potato launchers all the way to the Grand Choke. I think that we know what Props is going to do once she settles down.

[aRestlessCreativeGamer]

Day one complete

[**Beert]

Props' back on Jury

[Seraphimus]

6021440 our big ridiculous but happy family is finally together again.

[Hazard]

Soon the Nancy Jane will be armed to the teeth... with potato launchers.

[Regidar]

I'm feeling it now Mr. Skirts

[Metal Aura]

6526024 Are you feeling it now Mr. Krabs Mr. Regidar?

[DarknutLord]

My Little Propsy: Potato Launcher Are Magic

[DuskPhoenix]

So this is sweet and all but the more I learn about Props and what she's done through her crazy life the more I'm astounded that she's still alive.

[Tim the Planes-pony]

Reflecting on the past, and looking to the future that looks increasingly bright. I like moments like this.

06/04/2017 18:53 UTC

[Hawattie]

4534760
...I'm gonna need to re-read BP when I'm done re-reading Austraeoh, aren't I?

[meanderingNekomata]

4534797
I know this was a while ago but do/did you seriously not understand what a potato launcher is?

[FOXTrot2]

"To... to h-help you..." Props blinked, her lips quivering. "Don't you believe me?"

She's breaking down. I wonder if she started calling some pipes Piper and the conduits Mister Manana.

She's way to Pinkie keen

[FOXTrot2]

"Hmmmm..." Prowse gently patted her shoulder. "Do you remember, Propsicle, why I took you in so long ago in the first place?"

Holy fuck, she's an orphan!? Exposition right here!

[FOXTrot2]

"Pffft. You kidding?" He ruffled her mane. "Toilet-headed pegasi be damned! You're the backbone of that ship! I don't care how many bloomin' sword-hilts Rainbow shoves into her muzzle."

I can swing my sowrd sword cause I am the Lord Lord.

Remember Kylo Ren?
Suck mideivel 3-pronged Lightsaber, bitches!

[FOXTrot2]

4534797
Tell me it's not true!
I already Mourne the death of cursive handwriting, don't let last generation pop culture die off toooo!

[Charlemane]

8762599
welcome to middle age.

[Merallakos]

—I never thought I'd find my inner potato launcher againnnnnnnnn..."

I laughed a little too hard at this line.

[hypervelocity]

"Go east, my girl..." He patted her shoulder as the two rocked as one. "Spread the joy of potato launchers everywhere you go..."

Inspiring words Prowse.