Salvation

by voroshilov

Epilogue

“What a strange piece,” the Artisan - young in all meanings of the word - mumbled under his breath.

“Strange?” Another asked, sat on a bench a metre or two from him.

The young Artisan started slightly, but quickly recovered himself. “Indeed,” he said, “there are many sculptures across the Confluence that are metaphorical. Yet, I cannot work out the meaning of this one.”

The other Artisan chuckled, with the slight wheezing sound he made making it evident he was far, far older. “Have you considered it is not metaphorical?”

The younger Artisan looked at him, confused. “It has to be,” he said, shaking his head as he looked again at the statue’s form, “it is of no creature I know of.”

“Perhaps not,” the older Artisan said, “but that does not mean it is not of a creature.”

“I should speak with the sculptor,” the younger said. He then checked the time-piece on his arm. “Ah, but I had best do so after the meeting.” He made ready to leave. Then, turned back, caught by a thought. “What is your interpretation of this piece?” He asked the older Artisan.

The older simply chuckled and said, “ah, I believe it is of an ancient hero.”

“An ancient hero?”

“Indeed,” the older said, an ancient smile creeping up his face. “I’m afraid I have nothing more for you.”

“Ah, well, I thank you for your time.” The younger Artisan bowed, touching the rim of his hat. Then, he turned and walked off, out of the sculpture garden and up towards the many meeting halls that surrounded it.

The older Artisan turned, observing the statue. It had been carved from obsidian, forming a twelve metre high bipedal organism. Its legs, ending in three-pointed claws, were outstretched, in a fighting stance by its appearance, whilst its arms - ending in similar three-pointed claws - were held out. The right was open, angled slightly to the rear of the creature, palm facing skywards as if grasping the world.

Its fellow was held aloft, ahead of it, an immense sword wrapped in its claws. Two wings, enormous had they been outstretched, were folded onto its back, partially haloing its mighty head. Past the great, barred shoulder armour, its head bore a helmet, relatively simple in terms of overall design. It was three short bars, arranged in a star, about half the thickness of its head, with an opening at its front to reveal the face: three eyes, arranged in a pyramid shape. It was looking slightly upwards, towards where the Confluence’s transparent ceiling gave way to space.

Its marble plinth held a plaque, which read simply: “THE SALVATION.”

Joyous-Seeker smiled at his handiwork. He stayed before it a moment more, before bowing to it and making off, intent on finding some nice tea to drink...

“New Horizons control, this is the freighter Eye of the Beholder, bringing in another shipment of plasteel reinforcements and titancrete foundations. Requesting permission to dock.”

“Affirmative, Eye of the Beholder, manifest confirmed. You have permission to dock, marking you for dock 7 at the Celestial Sun Station.”

New Horizons had witnessed a new dawn. No more was there a single town on the planet’s surface. Now there were cities, spread out across New Horizons and its moon, with the entire system having been made self-sufficient. The culture and influence of its inhabitants: ponies, griffons, dragons, even Changelings, had flourished under the leadership of Ablazed Glory and the Glow Sisters, who had taken the reins of leadership with not only a vision but the knowledge to see it done.

In only a few years, New Horizons had grown from a backwater into a major cultural and trade hub. Ablazed Glory, with her intimate knowledge of star-lanes and trade routes, had used New Horizons’ centralised position to her advantage, marketing it as the perfect port of call for Dominion freighters. Meanwhile, the Glow Sisters, embracing the great variance and richness of culture of the species of New Horizons, had made it a desirable place to visit - whether for its cheerful inhabitants, beautiful artworks, delicious food or stunning vistas.

Dragon forged jewellery became the fashion of the age, augmented with the crystals created by unicorn magic. Pegasi made jumpsuits, perfectly light and comfortable, as well as the “cloud in a bottle” for Dominion soldiers. Earth ponies built mastercrafted machinery on order. Whilst Changeling camouflage cloaks were used by Dominion special forces personnel.

The ponies of Equestria, who had remained on the verge of extinction for over 4000 years, who had remained so stuck in their ways of the past that it looked as though they would never advance, became a species universally recognised and respected. The Changelings, who they had reviled millennia ago, became their greatest of allies. It was said that if you saw a pony, there would always be a Changeling friend close by.

Within a handful of decades, the Equestria diaspora would spread throughout the entire system and even further beyond - creating a new land for ponies, griffons, dragons, Changelings, and countless others...

The Clockworks played a near silent dirge. Cain, form and intelligence slumbering behind layers and layers of hibernation code and a dozen-dozen protective systems - forming a digital coffin from which even its friends hoped it would never wake - was carried by Astrid along the immense brassy bridge that led to its last resting place. Penumbra walked behind, by Astrid’s side, glad to finally grant Cain the rest it deserved.

What better place to sleep, Penumbra thought, than the greatest clock in the universe.

Cain would be surrounded by the countless other constructs of Chronove’s moon, slumbering amongst its own kind, watched over by the great Caretaker Mind, to be awoken when - if - it was ever needed again.

Penumbra afforded herself a smile as the WarSynth’s form was lowered to the ground. Legs stiffened and solid, Cain stood upright - like a silent sentry - almost possible to mistake for active. Penumbra chose to believe it was - deep within its intelligence core - ready to rise and resume its duties again - whatever its duties may be.

Astrid stepped back, bowing her head in a short yet solemn moment. Penumbra did the same, though her head only rose when Astrid tapped her shoulder. With one final look at Cain, they turned and left.

And far away, the elevator rumbled, carrying the two back up to the surface. The Clockworks continued, as they always had, as they always would.

Yet, something stirred.

Nothing lived within the core of Sanctuary’s Watch - within the great clockwork engine constructed by those ancient artificiers. Indeed, nothing within the core was alive - though that is not to say the visitor was inanimate.

“Arise,” a voice, hoarse and cruel, all of its years and sufferings clear to any listener, “I command you.”

Cutting through the darkness, illuminating the brassy floor ahead, a single red eye flickered to life.

THE END

Author's Note:

When I started writing this, it was 2020. When I started writing the War in Heaven, I was still in High School. A lot has changed in the years since.

The world I had built for myself has changed drastically since its first foray into the world of My Little Pony, yet I felt some obligation to myself to finish this story: what I had started. I hope everyone reading this has gotten some enjoyment out of it; knowing there are people out there who have read my work and think it's good really means a lot.

However, this is where my crossover work - and thus work here on fimfiction - ends. There were plans for a finale, to make this series a trilogy and give it a grand send off - but the subject matter, and the author, have both changed a lot.

If anyone should wish, I will probably do a final "developer's commentary" style thing eventually, and any questions you may have I will be more than happy to answer.

Thank you and farewell.