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Sun-Butt and Moon-Butt1,506 words
Loyalty Mission 1: Element Fatale1,541 words
Loyalty Mission 1: Element Fatale pt. 22,864 words
Loyalty Mission 2: Neon Element Pt. 11,439 words
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Intermission3,211 words
Loyalty Mission 3: Loyalty Earned2,372 words
Loyalty Mission 3: Loyalty Earned - Pt. 22,139 words
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Epilogue: Forward2,459 words

Epilogue: Forward

Sparkle's No. 1 Assistant

Epilogue: Forward

By Wanderer D

"Mom!"

"Dinky!"

Both The Normandy and The Tempest had barely landed on the landing pad prepared for them at the Nexus when the two ponies emerged, running or flying straight at each other to embrace.

The little unicorn jumped into the waiting hooves of the pegasus, who lifted her up in the air with a twirl and pirouette before landing gently and holding the little filly close.

The crowd that had gathered to receive the victorious warriors and hear the leaders of the Nexus talk about the new species they had recently seen on their feeds, reacted as expected, plenty of 'Awws' and cheering accompanying the touching reunion.

At the front of said crowd, Princess Luna smiled brightly at the event, while the Nexus crew, including Director Tann, either smiled at the pair of ponies, or simply took it in with stoicism and a very slight twitch of mandibles.

"I thought I'd lose you forever, I'm sorry I took so long!" Derpy whispered, ignoring the cheers as she held her daughter gently against her. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Mom…" Dinky returned the embrace. "I got lucky that Miss Sunset and the others found me really quick. They've been taking good care of me."

Derpy nodded. "I know. But I'm still never taking the chance again." She released her daughter, using a wing to gently wipe the tears from Dinky's eyes. "I've spoken to Twilight, I'll be joining her crew full time. I'll be working on Astro Engineering with EDI."

Dinky's smile grew and she hugged her mom again. "I'm so proud of you, mom!"

"And I'm very, very proud of you, sweetheart."

As drones hovered around taking video and pictures, the rest of the crews emerged from their respective ships, waving at the crowds to stand in front of each other.

Luna nudged Tann, who nodded at her. Both walked over to join the crews as they had planned during their communications after the battle with the pirates, and made a show of shaking hands and hooves with the recent arrivals.

Tann then turned and stepped forth, getting the attention of the journalists as he took the stage in front of all the others. Tann allowed the various drones to slow down and arrange themselves in the usual order for government interviews before clearing his throat and standing proudly for everyone to see.

"As many of you have already reported, the ship to my left is indeed the SSV Normandy SR-2, formerly belonging to Commander Shepard, the first Human Specter, Hero of the Line, and all around Legend," he said, waving his hand towards the ship that had captured the imagination of anyone reading the news about the first Human Specter, the attack on the Citadel, and other events that had shaped the Milky Way, and in turn had—somewhat secretly—prompted the creation of The Initiative.

"The last time we saw this ship, it was preparing for war, and we never expected to see it again outside of the video archives we brought with us to this galaxy. This time, the SSV Normandy came not to fight the impossible, but to rescue an innocent being." His hand glided down from indicating the Normandy, to presenting Dinky, who stood nervously at attention, with her mother's hoof gently encouraging her on her shoulder.

"From the stories, and indeed history of our past, come both EDI, the AI who helped Shepard in his battles, and Urdnot Wrex, Leader of Clan Urdnot in the Milky Way, and they have brought with them Commander Twilight Sparkle, first Unicorn Specter, and guardian of her world, alongside a new crew for the Normandy."

Flashes of cameras and questions popped around, but ever professional, Tann weathered them and motioned for them to calm down, not speaking until he could be heard again.

"Although the circumstances that forced them to visit us were unfortunate, we should see this for what it truly is: an opportunity to learn about other species, to grow as a universal community, and to seek a new future together."

He stepped to the side, allowing Luna to step forth. "I present to you, Princess Luna of Equestria."

The crowd cheered for a few minutes before it quieted down, eagerly waiting for her as she regally studied them before smiling and nodding slightly. "It is our pleasure to make acquaintances and friends here in the Nexus.

"For far too long we kept the stars around Equestria closed to visitors, shielded from the rest of the universe in order to protect our ponies from the dangers of…" she glanced at Tann, then at Wrex. "Ancient enemies, but once more the universe embraces our culture, and we can again look to the stars, not just for their beauty, but to join them!"

She raised her head, and her mane waved in the light, the darkness and vastness of the universe within glittering and shining with stars, novas, clouds and dare Tann say it? Magic.

Luna smiled at their reaction. "Director Tann has graciously offered to open an embassy for us here in your station, and I have offered the same for the Nexus in Equestria. Once I have discussed matters with my sister back home, I believe we will take him up on the offer and eventually finalize the details."

She straightened up. "Our worlds and technology are very different from yours, so I expect fully embracing our differences will take some time, but the gesture of friendship and solidarity the leadership of the Nexus has offered us will not be ignored or forgotten."

Luna waved her hoof, encompassing all of the people in front of her, and then the rest of the station. "You have taken care of my kin, and helped one of my subjects regain her stolen daughter. My people take friendship very seriously, and as you can see, we are not without our own skills and firepower."

This drew a small chuckle from the crowd, and Luna nodded gently. "This alliance might be in its infancy, but we will be here for you if needs be to help defend you, and to reinforce the existing bonds between our respective cultures."

"Princess!" an asari journalist called out, drawing her attention. "Keri T'Vessa, Nexus News Network. Given the mysterious way you all appeared in the Andromeda Galaxy, alongside being here for what amounts to a few hours, how can you say that we have a strong bond already? Wouldn't um… Dinky Hooves' capture and rescue be too quick a relationship to build trust?"

Luna tapped her chin in thought, seeming to consider her words, before shrugging with her wings and smiling. "Perhaps, if that was all your people had done for us… perhaps then it might be a bit precipitous to encourage this. But it has come to our attention that our people's relationship began much earlier than that. About… six hundred or so years ago, wouldn't you say, Pathfinder?"

"Luna! You'd better—"

Sunset was interrupted by Keri, who spoke up again. "What do you mean, Princess?"

Luna tilted her head, then pointed with a hoof at Sunset. "Why, the Ryder family, and by extension your Initiative have been taking care of my niece for what amounts to over six hundred years, have you not? Methinks that counts for something."

The morning news would publish the next day with a picture of the Pathfinder having jumped over her crew to tackle a laughing princess.

The Eastern Courtyard had been emptied of all decorations, and the grounds magically reinforced. The ponies of Canterlot and the Pegasi of Cloudsdale had been informed to keep away from the area, as some very important guests were arriving.

Celestia stood on one of the castle balconies, overlooking the grounds, but her eyes were turned skyward, where a large, mechanical ship the likes of which hadn't been seen above the skies of Equestria for thousands of years, followed by a much smaller, rectangular ship.

Far up above in the sky, past the clouds, she could make out the shape of another, different ship in orbit, but her thoughts were on the bigger of the two ships landing, although she was curious about the unexpected visitor.

"Huh. Sparkles always knew how to make an entrance."

"Are you sure you should be talking like that about The Commander Sparkle?"

"Yeah! I have heard bad things happen to creatures that annoy her."

"Shaddup brats, she and I go way back."

"Easy now," Celestia said to her companions. "You'll get your chance to talk to her and the others. I think she'll be happy to see you."

"She'd better. And also apologetic! She did this whole thing! Without me!"

Celestia grimaced. "Well. This whole thing was unplanned. I sent her to Ponyville to find friends, not restart Algol."

She set her jaw and ignored the guffaws that followed that, as well as the two panicked voices trying to calm down the first. "Ahahaha—you. You actually thought—hehehe—that Twilight Sparkle would let Algol go?"

Celestia took a deep breath, letting the air out slowly, and thankfully her companion took heed. She nodded curtly. "I tried to give her options," she said a bit icily, but her gaze warmed as she took in the crew exiting the ship. "But she defied me… and made me proud."

"Ugh, too sappy."

"Wait here, I'd like to surprise her," Celestia said, and the three with her nodded.

Not waiting any longer, Celestia took flight and glided down to where Twiligtht and the others waited. The silver creature, humanoid, was the term was not exactly alive in the traditional sense, but she could see through her mannerisms that it was no simple automaton.

One of Wrex's companions then. EDI.

"Sister," Celestia greeted, landing in front of them, "Twilight, welcome back." She smiled at Derpy and Dinky. "Miss Do, I am forever glad that the mission to recover your daughter was a success."

"As if there was any doubt," Twilight declared with a grin. "And she's not the only daughter we brought back."

Celestia tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

It was then that the other vehicle opened and two more humanoids emerged, arguing. One was similar to… "Hm." Celestia narrowed her eyes. It was female. A… turian. The other was softer, also feminine and not oviparous. A mammal. Human. But there was something…

They both stopped and stared, the turian standing straighter before pushing the human forward. The female human stumbled, teal eyes wide as they studied her.

Celestia felt a pang in her chest. She knew this human… somehow. Those eyes and… and the mane. "S-Sunset?"

"Um," the human grinned uncomfortably. "Um, hi, Princess Celestia."

Celestia bit back the tears, then stepped forward to embrace her wayward student. "My Little Sun."

Sunset stiffened, but then leaned in and wrapped her unfamiliar arms around her neck. "Hi Princess."

Celestia gulped. "We have much to talk about, My Little Sun," she said, pulling back. "Papers that you didn't sign before you left…"

"You still want—" Sunset stopped when a white feather pressed against her lip.

"In due time, my student," Celestia growled, turning to glance at the smug faces of Twilight, Luna, and the rest of the crew. "First, revenge."

She turned to look at the balcony she had left earlier and nodded. She heard Twilight and Rainbow Dash's gasp as the three figures jumped from the balcony and flew down to land firmly in front of them.

"G-Gilda?!" Rainbow Dash gasped, galloping over to the griffon, who grinned at her as she approached.

"One thing at a time, Rainbow Dash," Gilda said, leaving behind another griffon and another creature, who were dressed in dark gray uniforms.

She patted the pegasus as she walked past, only to stop in front of Twilight.

And then she punched her. Gasps and weapons being drawn filled the courtyard, alongside Wrex's laughter.

Gilda ignored the guns. "Dumbass! What the hay are you doing going to space and leaving me behind?! I thought we were in it together!"

Twilight shook her head, coughed and gently placed a hoof on Gilda's shoulder. "Gilda…" Before the griffon could react, she decked her across the beak, then spun and kicked her, sending the predator tumbling back. "You jerk! I wrote you last week!"

"Last week! LAST WEEK! How long do you think it takes to get here! By the time I arrived you were gone!"

Twilight snorted, but then grinned and hoofbumped Gilda's claw. "Sorry Gilda, it was urgent or you'd been in there with me. We reactivated Algol officially just two days ago."

Gilda snorted, "Tell me about it."

"Wait, wait, wait…" Rainbow Dash said, "you mean you two know each other and Gilda was part of Algol? Like with you and Spitfire?"

"That's right, Dashie," Gilda said smugly, elbowing the mare. "OG space pirates."

Twilight frowned. "Space command. We're not mercenaries or pirates."

Gilda shrugged. "Hey Wrex."

"Hehehe, good to see you back, kid."

"So… who're the other two?" Rainbow Dash asked, pointing with her wing at the griffon and other. "Had kids?"

"Ha!" Gilda punched Rainbow Dash in the stomach. "No. These are cadets Gallus and Silverstream. Newest members of Algol. Spitfire's in as well, although she was… occupied."

Twilight turned to look at Celestia, who smiled at her, just as smugly as she herself had been smiling earlier. "And that's not all."

"I see you met my newest recruits!" a new voice called.

While Wrex started laughing uproariously, and EDI brought a hand up to her mouth as her eyes widened in surprise, Twilight blinked as the doors under the balcony opened and someone else walked out. At first, she couldn't believe her eyes, then they widened as much as the smile on her face. She let out a long "Eeeeeeee!" of excitement as their unexpected visitor walked up to stand between Gallus and Silverstream.

Wrex, it's been a while," Garrus drawled, crossing his arms. "EDI, always a pleasure." He nodded. "I hear you've been flying around without someone to properly calibrate the Normandy's guns." He shook his head ruefully. "That won't do, Commander, especially if we want to get back the rest of the old crew together."

Wrex pushed through and punched Garrus' arm. "Aha! I knew you were too stubborn to die of something as simple as a Galaxy-shaking explosion of Eezo!"

"Glad to see you too, old friend," Garrus replied, taking a moment to give EDI a surprise (if gentle and quick) hug. "It's been far too long."

When Twilight approached, he leaned down, smirking at the grinning unicorn. "So, what do you say, Commander? Ready for your next adventure? I have some friends that need finding."

"YES! ALL OF MY YES!"

The End

Author's Note:

And so, a story finishes. I'll post a blog during the weekend, and provide more info about what's to come.

Thank you for reading! And don't forget to post your thoughts down in the comments!

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