Lonesome Whistle

by Vauclains Understudy

Epilogue

“He doesn’t survive,” I said to Gallow as I removed my hands from the keyboard and leaned back in my chair. The little filly stared at me in confusion.

“What do you mean, ‘he doesn’t survive’?” she asked.

“Ironside dies in the end,” I replied. It was something I had planned to do from the get-go. I didn’t want my pony alter ego to come out unscathed. It’s a long and touchy story, to be frank, not something I really think people would care to listen to. Let’s just say that I’ve considered self-destruction to be the only future I could seriously wrap my head around. But given the stigmas surrounding actual self-destruction, I felt it better to kill myself (or at least my pony self) off in the story instead of real life.

“But why?” asked Gallow, “Why kill him off? Don’t you want the story to have a happy ending?”

“It does have a happy ending,” I answered, “Notice that I haven’t written his death down yet.” Gallow hopped onto my lap and scanned through the last complete chapter. Sure enough, all she read was the happy reunion of Ironside with his friends. There was no mention of his demise anywhere in the story.

“Still, I know you’re going to kill him off,” she complained, “Why do have to end your story on such a sad note? Don’t you think there’s enough pain in the story already?”

“Life is pain,” I said, quoting Wesley from The Princess Bride, “Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.” Gallow stared at me with a tinge of disgust. I wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a joke or not, so I turned my head back to the computer screen, now seriously considering whether I should include Iron’s death in my story or not. On the one hand, it would give me some closure in that my story would be officially complete. On the other hand, it might upset those who read the story that I brought it to such a dismal conclusion.

“I don’t want Ironside to die,” said Gallow, hanging her head, “You just got us back together, and now you’re going to tear us apart forever?”

“I could make a time gap,” I replied, “Like, he doesn’t die until several years later.” That seemed to make Gallow a bit less upset.

“How will he die?” she asked.

“The way any good engineer dies,” I answered, “Behind the throttle.” Gallow smiled a bit, but her head still hung.

“Will he die a hero?” I didn’t know how to answer that question. I didn’t want Ironside to die by his own hoof as I originally planned: too depressing an ending. But I didn’t want him to die Casey Jones-style either: I’m no hero, why should Iron be? I looked back at Gallow. Her head still hung low; she still was very upset that Iron was going to die. I thought for a long time about how I could bring about Iron’s demise without making the ending über-depressing. I even considered having him die of old age in his bed surrounded by his friends. Nah, I thought, I want the both of us to die before we get old. I hummed “My Generation” by The Who when I said those words in my head. Gallow and I both sat at the computer in silence. I only moved to jiggle the mouse when the screen went dark and I knew the computer was about to go to sleep.

I began to stroke Gallow’s mane, letting my fingers run through her silky hair like a comb. She turned her head and looked at me with those puppy eyes that could tug even the hardest heart’s heartstrings. I smiled and pulled her close, squeezing her gently.

“Look, I have one alternative ending,” I said, “It’s weird, and they might not follow it too well, but it’ll keep Ironside alive…to an extent.”

“It’s your story,” said Gallow, “You don’t have to keep Iron alive just because I don’t want him gone. I of all ponies should know that we all must meet our maker eventually.”

“I’m sorry,” I sighed, “I just want to feel like I can bring his story to an end. I mean, I want to write other stories, but I feel like we need to know how he’ll go. His life will be complete, you know?”

“Write what you feel like writing,” Gallow replied, “It’s your story.”

I looked at my watch. It was almost midnight. “You should get some sleep, kiddo. It’s late.” Gallow looked at my watch and nodded. She hugged me good night and hopped off my lap. I watched her trot up the stairs to her room before getting to work on finishing up my story.
 

The castle was eerily dark and quiet that evening. The streets of Canterlot were void of all activity. The houses lining the streets were all lined with black crepe. The setting reflected the mood of those inside the castle.

In a small, candle-lit room, two princesses stood alone with the body of the deceased. Luna and Celestia gazed upon the mahogany coffin in which lay their dear friend and engineer. Neither spoke a word, but the occasional sob clearly indicated the mood in the room. There was a knock on the door. Celestia cleared her throat. “Come in,” she said in a semi-whisper. Daring Do entered the room and removed her hat.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Your Highnesses,” she said softly, “I just wanted to see him one more time.”

“You’re not disturbing anypony,” said Luna, “Please, come and pay your respects.”

Daring approached the coffin and looked at Ironside. “Hey, buddy,” she whispered, “It’s me. I just…wanted to see you one more time. Wanted to say goodbye…” Daring suddenly lost track of what she wanted to say. She realized that there was nothing to say. She simply stood there beside the coffin, the memories of Iron’s final moments flashing through her mind. She could still see him, lying on the floor of the cab, bleeding profusely and soon to be dead. “Stay with me, Iron,” she remembered saying, picking him up into her arms, “Don’t you die on me.”

She could see Iron looking up weakly into her eyes, smiling and saying, “I’m sorry, Daring, I don’t have a choice,” before closing his eyes and breathing his last. It was the only time any of her expeditions had cost a pony’s life. Even her most dangerous adventures before this had always come out with everyone more or less unharmed. But now, after this, she felt it more imperative than ever that she work alone. Here, lying before her, was proof that her line of work was just too dangerous for anypony else to get involved.

Daring turned back to the princesses. “Your Highnesses, I can’t apologize enough for what happened to Ironside. I wanted to go alone as I’ve always done in the past, but…” She trailed off, unsure of what to say next.

“He just wanted to help you,” said Celestia, “He’s always been one for helping others; it was his nature.”

Daring looked at the coffin then back at the princesses. “Did his friends get to see him too?”

“Yes,” said Luna, choking back a sob, “They all said their goodbyes. We’ll be taking him to the royal cemetery in a little while. You’re welcome to join us.”

Daring said nothing. Instead, she turned her attention to a small book sitting on the table next to the window. She read the entry to which it was opened. “Rest in peace, dear friend. You were taken away from us too soon. We are glad that the rifts that formed between us and you were mended before too long. Many glad memories were had with you, and we will forever miss you and all the love you gave us. You will always be remembered for your talent as an engineer and as a pony who knew how to make us all smile, even when we thought we couldn’t.

Loving you always,

Princess Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Spike, Blitz, Sunshine, Princesses Celestia and Luna, Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Scootaloo, Trixie, Roadkill, and Gallow Drop”

Daring took the quill pen from its ink bottle and signed her name next to Gallow’s. Celestia closed the book once Daring had entered her name. “Let’s take him to his grave,” she said softly. Luna wiped the tears from her eyes, stepped up to Ironside and gave him a final kiss goodbye. Celestia followed suit.

“Okay, let’s go,” Luna said in a strained voice.

“I think you’re forgetting that there’s one more pony who wants to see him,” said an eerily familiar voice. The three ponies looked at the window, where they saw Thanatos sitting. Celestia went from quietly mourning to indignant and angry.

“What do you want?” she asked in an irritated voice. Luna mirrored her sister’s expression and lit her horn up.

Thanatos held up his hooves. “Peace, sisters,” he said calmly, “I come only to help you deal with this horrible loss.” He produced his pocket watch from underneath his cloak. “Luna, I have something, or rather, someone for you.” The angered expressions disappeared from the princesses’ faces, replaced now by confusion.

“What are you trying to do, Thanatos?” Luna asked.

“Something that I’ve never done for any other pony,” he answered, “But I need your neckband.” Luna did not remove her neckband; instead, she simply stepped toward Thanatos, who held his watch up to her and then pressed it against the moon jewel in the center of the band. Luna watched as what seemed to be silver plasma flowed from the watch to the moon.

“Did you just do what I think you did?” asked Celestia in shock. Thanatos smiled; his smile was the one a friend makes when he gives you something he knows you’ll hold onto forever.

“Now you’ll always be together,” he said. Luna wasn’t sad, far from it in fact, but the tears ran so much that it was nigh impossible to tell.

“This will probably be the only time I’ll ever keep a soul here on Earth instead of taking it to the afterlife,” said Thanatos, “But I know how much he meant to you, Luna. And considering that the four of us [here he was including Discord] are the only ones who’ll live forever, I wanted you to have at least one mortal friend to keep with you.” Celestia looked depressed when he said this, and Thanatos was quick to notice. “Okay,” he admitted with a sigh, “I might do Twilight and her friends too, but I can’t do this for every soul. I’ve got a job to do, you know.” He didn’t expect Luna to then pull him into a bear hug. It was the first time anyone had given him any affection ever. He didn’t know what to do or say. But he suddenly felt very good inside; he felt warmth in his chest.

Luna released him from her hug, but she held onto him and looked him in the eye. She smiled. “What is it?” asked Thanatos.

“You look just like him,” answered Luna. Thanatos turned to look at his doppelganger lying in the coffin. He smiled.

“Yeah, I know,” he said, remembering that Gallow had once told him the same thing.

“We will never forget what you did for us tonight,” said Celestia, “You have our eternal gratitude.”

“You’re very welcome, the both of you,” answered Thanatos in the softest voice he had ever spoken. Then he said, “I’ve never said this before, but you two do mean something to me…actually, you mean a lot. I don’t think anyone could ever imagine that Death had friends, but I don’t want to be alone any more than you. If I do indeed have friends, then I’m talking to two of them right now.” He felt that strange warmth in his chest again when he saw the princesses smile.

The party finally decided it was time to take Ironside to his final resting place. The coffin was closed for the last time, and carried by the magic of the princesses it was flown to the royal cemetery adjacent to the castle. The graves were filled mostly by guards or royal servants who had long since or recently passed away. The princesses were in for a surprise when they spotted the new grave that had been dug for the engineer. Surrounding it was everypony who had come to say farewell to Ironside. Celestia and Luna couldn’t believe their eyes.

As soon as the princesses landed, the mourners huddled around them, some greeting them with hugs and kisses while others simply bowed in respect. Thanatos, not wanting to scare them, had donned his invisibility cloak and vanished from view. He took off into the night, knowing that his time here was done. The princesses and Daring noticed that he was gone, but they easily figured out why.

The service was rather quick. Those gathered had already said their goodbyes, so the only thing left to do was to lay Ironside’s body to rest. Celestia and Luna did not tell the others of the gift Thanatos had given them; they felt it best to keep the solemnity of the occasion and then reveal the truth at a later time. The coffin was silently lowered into the vault, which was then covered with its stone top: an effigy of 2398. Some of the group had brought flowers with them. These were planted around the grave in order to ensure that the flowers would last. They were only buds at this point.

With the interment finished, the ponies said their goodbyes to one another and dispersed. The cemetery was now once more silent, populated only by those whose time had come and were now at rest. But there was still one more sign of life amongst the dead. Unseen by anyone, a certain purple unicorn entered the cemetery and made her way to the stone locomotive. She brought with her a pot of forget-me-nots that she planned on planting near the grave as well. Using her magic, she lifted the plant from its pot and placed it in a hole she simultaneously formed in front of the stone engine. From beneath the cloak she was wearing she produced a shining silver flute. She began to play. The melody was soft, sweet, and yet so sad. Tears flowed from the unicorn’s eyes as she sang through her instrument.

As the music bloomed from the flute, so too did the flowers around the grave bloom. There seemed to be a reemergence of life around the grave as the flowers opened. The melody soon came to a close, at which point Tenuta tucked her instrument back into her cloak and began to leave the cemetery. “That was lovely, Tenuta,” said a voice beside her.

Tenuta closed her eyes and smiled, instantly recognizing the voice that spoke it. “Thank you, Ironside,” she whispered. She turned her head to the side, beholding the ghostly spirit of the engineer.

He sighed. “I’m sorry I never told you, kiddo. I’m sorry I never told anyone. I just…”

“I understand,” Tenuta said, “I can’t say for certain I’d forgive you either.”

Ironside and Tenuta sat down in front of the grave. “I ruined everything,” the engineer whispered.

Tenuta shook her head. “I wouldn’t say that. You did manage to find your dream job, right?” Iron nodded. “And you made some great friends, right?” asked Tenuta. Again Iron nodded.

“But I left all of you behind,” he said with a sigh.

“I know, but I’m glad that I got to see you one more time,” said Tenuta smiling, “You made a great name for yourself, and I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks,” said Iron, “I can see you’re still making a great name for yourself. I knew that flute would get you far.”

The two friends stood there for a moment, thinking about what had transpired. “So, will I still see you?” asked Tenuta.

“Maybe,” said Iron, “Princess Luna is now the sole custodian of my spirit. But she knows you, so I’m sure she’ll let you see me again.” Tenuta smiled.

“We’ve got a lot of catching up to do,” she said chuckling. Iron smiled and embraced her.

“I really missed you, kiddo,” he said softly.

“I missed you too, bro,” she replied.

“And hey, I’m always right here,” said the engineer, tapping her heart.

“Come on, man, you’re getting all sappy with me now,” said Tenuta in a faux complaint, “Besides, you’re actually in her heart.” She looked up at the castle, seeing Luna gazing down back at them.

Iron looked up as well and laughed. “I guess you’re right.”

“Well, I should be getting home now,” said Tenuta, “I don’t want everyone to worry about me.”

“You can tell them I said hi,” said Ironside, “Actually, they should probably learn what really happened to me.”

Tenuta nodded. “They need to know, bro,” she replied, “And I’ll tell them where they can find you.”

“Take care of yourself,” said Ironside as Luna lifted him back up into the castle.

“You too,” said Tenuta watching him go.

Luna waved to her and called down, “He’s in safe hooves.” Tenuta smiled, waved goodbye and left the cemetery. In the end, for those two friends of friends, it was goodbye, but not farewell.

Das Ende

Comments

[Cupcake Fury]

Not reading until I know. Does the human tag mean 'anthro' or is there an actual human interacting with the characters?

[Vauclains Understudy]

Now that you know, I hope you enjoy my story! I've provided translations for most of the German text that appears.

[cloudchaser pony]

human tag from what i saw was for where the trains came from and for there use as background for one of the cars