A Look Back
Chapter Twenty: Looking Forward
The Canterlot cathedral was abuzz with activity. The day of the wedding of Captain Fletcher Ulysses and his beloved Dove had finally arrived. Several of their friends and family were in attendance. Fletcher's Lieutenant, Caboose, was standing proudly by his side as his best stallion. Fletcher was standing firmly at the altar; If he was nervous, he certainly wasn't showing it.
"Guess this is it." Caboose whispered. "The big day."
"That it is, Caboose." Fletcher nodded. "The day I've been dreaming of for so long... And it's finally here."
"Yep." Caboose nodded. "There were some close calls along the way, though... like you getting blown up."
"Thanks for reminding me." Fletcher cringed. "But through it all, we powered on through. And now, the moment has come. The day when I make Dove my wife."
"And the day I try guacamole for the first time." Caboose grinned. "The second I saw it on the reception menu, I knew my time had come."
"Yes, well, I guess it's a big day for us both." Fletcher said awkwardly.
"Oh, yeah." Caboose nodded. "I'm comin' for ya, guaccy..."
Among the guests were Caboose's daughter, Hurricane, her brother Michael, former Captain of the Royal Guard Iron Hooves, his son Gauntlet, as well as both families of the bride and groom. Midnight Blossom and Osiris (in Griffon form) were also there. Fletcher had invited all the Royal Guard members, and Midnight had brought along Osiris as her plus one.
"I still don't know how you talked me into this." Osiris said quietly.
"Lighten up." Midnight whispered. "You've been saying lately that you need to get out more."
"But not just now." Osiris said restlessly. "Isis' egg could hatch any day now. I don't want to have them come by an empty cave with my new nephew."
"Hey, this is better than just sitting in that dark old cave of yours, waiting for them to come by." Midnight declared. "Time flies when you're having fun, so have fun already!"
"I doubt it's that simple." Osiris frowned.
"Of course it is." Midnight urged. "Just look around. This whole day is about celebrating the love between two ponies. Love that's just as strong as ours. Isn't it beautiful?"
"I suppose so." Osiris admitted. "I've never actually been to a wedding before..."
"Well, like my mother always said, 'there's a first time for everything'." Midnight declared. "She also used to say 'cash up front, no refunds', but I don't think that applies to this situation."
"I imagine your mother is a... colorful character." Osiris mused. "Good to know that before we actually meet..."
As the organist started playing, Dove entered, clad in a beautiful feathered gown, courtesy of Canterlot Boutique.
"Ah, beauty unparalleled..." Fletcher sighed.
"You're a lucky guy, alright." Caboose chuckled.
Caboose's wife, Daring Do, was acting as Dove's Mare of Honor, walking alongside the magician as she walked down the aisle.
Dove reached the altar, giving Fletcher a big smile.
"Ready?" Fletcher whispered.
"I've been ready since the day we met." Dove beamed.
The reverend, a thin, gray-coated Unicorn with a white mane and robes, stepped forward.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to join these two souls in the bonds of holy matrimony." He declared. "I trust there are no objections?"
Gauntlet glanced jokingly at Hurricane, reminding her of her former crush on Fletcher.
"Very funny." Hurricane scowled.
Fletcher stepped forward.
"Dove, this moment is without a doubt, the greatest in my entire life." He declared. "To have you stand before me, and become my wife, fills my heart with joy, just as you have filled my life with magic."
"Fletcher, from the first moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one for me." Dove proclaimed. "It may have taken a while for me to get you to really notice me, but that just made finally being your marefriend all the sweeter. When you proposed, I felt like my heart had grown ten times bigger. This day couldn't be any better."
Osiris wiped a tear from his eye.
"Are you crying?" Midnight whispered.
"No." Osiris sniffed. "It's just... dusty in here."
"Do you, Fletcher, take Dove to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The reverend asked.
"I do." Fletcher nodded.
"And you, Dove, take Fletcher to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The reverend continued,
"I do." Dove smiled.
"Then by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you stallion and wife." The reverend announced. "You may now kiss the bride."
Without another word, Fletcher and Dove embraced, and kissed each other deeply.
"So beautiful..." Midnight sniffed.
"I'll admit, there is something quite touching about all this..." Osiris admitted, trying not to cry.
"You old romantic..." Midnight nuzzled him.
After the wedding came the reception, where the guests celebrated the union.
"Congratulations, you two." Daring smiled. "We're so happy for you."
"Thanks, Daring." Dove beamed. "We couldn't be happier."
"So true." Fletcher grinned. "Now, would my blushing bride care to join her new husband in our first dance as husband and wife?"
"Like you even have to ask." Dove chuckled.
Fletcher took Dove's hoof, and led her onto the dance floor, where they engaged in a slow dance.
"Now that's what I like to see." Daring grinned.
"Shall we show them how it's done, babe?" Caboose smiled.
"You know it." Daring nodded.
Caboose led Daring out onto the dance floor, where they danced in their own unique, wild style. Hurricane and Gauntlet followed.
"Wanna dance?" Midnight asked Osiris.
"Well, I... I don't really know how..." Osiris said, flustered. "I don't usually have feet, you know."
"It's easy." Midnight smiled. "Let me show you!"
Midnight pulled Osiris onto the dance floor.
"Just do what I do." Midnight told him.
Osiris awkwardly mimicked her movements.
"There, now you're getting it!" Midnight grinned.
"I am, aren't I?" Osiris chuckled, growing more confident. "I think I actually like dancing!"
"Aren't you glad you came now?" Midnight asked.
"Of course." Osiris nodded, as they moved in closely. "Thanks for talking me into this."
"My pleasure." Midnight grinned. "This wedding wouldn't have been nearly as much fun without you."
As the song reached its climax, they nuzzled together, as if they were the only ones on the dance floor.
Not long after, Fletcher and Dove made to depart for their honeymoon. Dove threw her bouquet into the crowd (giving it a little magic boost). Several mares leapt for it, but it ended up being caught by Midnight.
"Look at that." Midnight smirked. "I caught the bouquet."
"Is that significant in any way?" Osiris asked.
"You could say that..." Midnight chuckled.
"Have fun on your honeymoon, Cap." Caboose told Fletcher. "I'll take care of things while you're gone."
"That I do not doubt." Fletcher declared.
"Your first night as husband and wife." Daring smiled. "It's a night you won't forget, believe me."
"I sure hope so." Dove chuckled.
Fletcher and Dove climbed into their carriage and departed, their honeymoon destination being the Crystal Empire. The guests soon dispersed after that.
"So that was a wedding." Osiris mused, as he walked home, Midnight by his side. "What an... interesting experience."
"Who knows?" Midnight shrugged. "Maybe you'll be attending another one. And sooner than you think."
"That would be... pleasant." Osiris noted. "Especially if you're there with me."
"Oh, I can pretty much guarantee that..." Midnight smirked.
A couple of days later, within the madcap realm of Discord, Isis was lying on the floor of the living room, her coils wrapped around the egg. Discord was watching her intently.
"You know, watching me watch the egg isn't going to make it hatch any faster." Isis declared.
"Well, sorry." Discord snorted. "I can't help being impatient. Feels like we've been waiting for this egg to hatch forever now..."
"Well, it's hardly my fault Serpent eggs take so long to hatch." Isis shrugged. "Not to mention there's some Draconequus in the mix."
"So you're saying its my fault?" Discord asked.
"Of course not." Isis shook her head. "These things just take time. We have to be patient."
"Ugh, patience." Discord scowled. "Not my favorite thing in the world..."
Suddenly, Isis felt a quivering in her coils.
"Oh, my..." She gasped. "Discord, it's happening!"
"What's happening?" Discord asked.
"The egg!" Isis yelled. "The egg is hatching!"
"Now?" Discord gasped. "Finally!"
Isis uncurled her body, revealing the egg, which was twitching wildly. As a crack started forming across the shell, a strange sound rang through the air.
Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, duuun-dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun...
"What is that noise?" Isis frowned.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." Discord shrugged.
The shell broke apart in a flash of light. What was left was a small gray serpent with yellow eyes and markings, with a distinctive tuft of fur around his neck. The little newborn let out a small mew.
"There he is." Discord beamed. "Our son..."
"He's beautiful." Isis smiled.
"Just like his mother." Discord nodded.
"But he has his father's eyes." Isis crooned. "So cunning, and devious..."
"Guilty." Discord chuckled.
"What should we call him?" Isis asked.
"Well, that's obvious: Discord Jr.!" Discord smirked.
"Yeah, I don't think so." Isis snorted. "And I don't think Osiris would be too thrilled about that name either..."
"Any other ideas?" Discord asked.
"Well... how about Mobius?" Isis suggested.
"Mobi-what?" Discord asked.
"That was my and Osiris' grandfather's name." Isis smiled. "Good old grandpa..."
"Well, I guess that works." Discord shrugged. He picked up the newborn. "Welcome to the world, little Mobius!"
"Glah!" Mobius squealed.
"So what do you think?" Isis asked, as Mobius curled his claw around her finger. "Was he worth the wait?"
"Most definitely." Discord smiled. "This is the greatest day of my life..."
"Mine too." Isis nodded. "We're really parents now. It's incredible..."
"All the wondrous chaotic things I've created over the years don't even come close to this." Discord declared.
Mobius curled up into a neat spiral, yawned, then fell asleep.
"Looks like hatching tuckered the poor thing out." Isis noted.
"I've got this." Discord declared. With a snap of his fingers, he created a crib.
"Perfect." Isis smiled, picking up Mobius and placing him in the crib. "Nicely done... daddy."
"Why, thank you... mommy." Discord embraced her.
The two kissed passionately, overcome with joy at the coming of their new family.
The next day, Isis and Discord brought the newborn over to Osiris' cave.
"Ooh, isn't he a cutie?!" Midnight smiled.
"My nephew..." Osiris grinned. "We meet at last..."
Young Mobius cooed as he gazed up at Osiris. Even as an infant, he could sense the familial connection between them.
"For a hybrid being, he is quite... adorable." Osiris admitted.
"He's called Mobius." Isis smiled.
"After our grandfather, I see." Osiris grinned. "An excellent choice."
"Such a cutie." Midnight grinned. "Hi, Mobius! I'm your auntie Midnight!"
Mobius sniffed Midnight tentatively. He then smiled and nuzzled against her. Whether he could sense she was alright, or if she had some residual scent from Osiris, he had accepted her.
"So adorable..." Midnight stroked his head. "Makes me kinda broody for a kid of my own, actually..."
"Oh, really?" Osiris said, flustered.
"Kidding." Midnight chuckled. "Honestly, I've never been the motherly type. I like kids, but I'm not really behind the idea of raising them."
"Good to know." Osiris sighed with relief.
"That's too bad." Isis grinned. "I think you two would make great parents."
"Really, sister?" Osiris smiled.
"Really." Isis nodded.
"Yeah." Discord nodded. "You're strict like a dad. Got the whole 'domineering parent' thing down pat."
"Thank you, Discord." Osiris growled. "But for now, I believe the only young one we need in our lives is my dear nephew."
"No arguments here." Isis grinned, taking Mobius back in her talons. "We're a real family. Ooh, there's so much to do!"
"And I'll be with you every step of the way." Discord smiled.
"You'd better be." Osiris glared.
"Osiris..." Isis frowned.
"just making sure." Osiris declared. "No harm in that..."
"Trust me, I'm fully committed to fatherhood." Discord smiled. "I'll be with my wife and child day and night. They'll want for nothing. You have my word as a Draconequus."
"Good enough for me." Osiris smiled.
"Good luck with parenthood, you two." Midnight added. "Better you than me..."
Over in the centre of Canterlot, Vito and Glinda were on a double date with Pureblood and Strut Step.
"It's so good that we can all get together." Pureblood smiled.
"You said it, bro." Vito smiled. "Just us, and our ladies..."
"So, how's the beauty pageant business going?" Glinda asked Strut.
"Pretty good." Strut smiled. "But to be honest, it's getting kind of boring. I'm thinking I could switch to being a full-on model in a couple of years."
"I'm sure you'll be great at that." Pureblood said supportive.
"Thanks, PB." Strut grinned. "Now, c'mere. Let's see if you can't stick to the roof of my mouth..."
"Gladly." Pureblood grinned, as he leaned in to kiss Strut.
"There they go again." Vito chuckled.
"Yep." Glinda nodded. "...Wanna follow their lead?"
"Oh yeah." Vito grinned.
Vito and Glinda kissed each other deeply.
In Ponyville, Starlight was once again spending the day with the visiting Day Light.
"You know something?" Day Light asked. "You get more beautiful every time I see you."
"Oh, stop." Starlight gushed.
"It's true." Day Light nodded. "You just get more amazing whenever we see each other again."
"It's always good to see you, too." Starlight smiled. "In fact, have you bulked up a little since last time?"
"Well, I have been training pretty hard." Day Light admitted, "Both my father and me have really been putting ourselves through our paces, taking our powers to their very limits. And all that hard work is really paying off."
"It shows." Starlight grinned. "Not that I'm really the superficial type that only likes stallions for their bodies, but... it is a nice bonus."
"Hey, as long as you're happy, so am I." Day Light grinned.
Over at the new Napoleon manor, Grimoire was chasing after Arkham.
"Dada!" Arkham squealed, having recently started talking. "Catch me, dada!"
"Oh, I'm getting too old for this..." Grimoire wheezed. Using his magic, he pulled Arkham over to him. "Gotcha!"
"No fair!" Arkham pouted.
"Time for lunch, my dear." Zecora came in from the kitchen. "All your favorites are here."
"Yay!" Arkham cheered, as he rushed to eat.
"Good to know one of us can wrangle this little ball of energy." Grimoire sighed.
"Don't sell yourself short." Zecora chuckled. "After all, Arkham, was caught."
"Yeah, but what about in the future?" Grimoire mused. "I may be be in perfect health, but I'm still getting older. It won't be long before I'm too decrepit to play with my boy."
"Playing is not everything, do you hear what I am saying?" Zecora told him. "Being a father is about more than fun. It is about being there to help your child grow, and on that subject, you are second to none."
"I guess you've got me there." Grimoire smiled. "Thanks, 'Cora."
"My pleasure, oh husband I treasure." Zecora beamed.
"Dada!" Arkham called, flinging food at Grimoire.
"Need some help, kiddo?" Grimoire grinned. "Here you go..."
Grimoire used his magic to feed Arkham.
"Yum!" Arkham mumbled.
Zecora looked on proudly, fully confident that Grimoire would be an excellent father to Arkham, no matter what.
Far from Equestria, in the town of Coltonwood, Barbossa Wheatley was heading home, having had what he felt to be a productive day in his work to protect Nightcrawlers. While he was helping head Echo's project in the Crystal Empire and was a member of the Senate, his job as the supervisor and head of Operation Paradiso usually took up all of his free time.
But he didn't mind it one bit. His grandfather was responsible for discovering a whole new subspecies of ponies and the like who could use dark magic, and he was willing to do everything in his powers to preserve his legacy. Barbossa's dream was to bring forth a word where Nightcrawlers were accepted by normal ponies, and used their powers for good. And at long last, it seemed like that dream was coming true. With the help of compassionate Nightcrawlers like Echo, peace and unity were near at hoof...
"Barbossa Wheatley?"
Barbossa stopped in his tracks, as he glanced around.
"Hello?" Barbossa asked, as he scanned his surroundings. "Who's there?"
"Nopony." The voice retorted. "Just a concerned citizen with a bone to pick."
"Then show yourself, 'citizen'." Barbossa scowled.
"You got it." The voice replied.
None other than Sterling Cross stepped from the shadows of the alleyway, having forgone his Forefathers' cloak and mask, and wearing a leather jacket over a black shirt. He had also grown a beard.
"Hello, Mr. Wheatley." Sterling said nonchalantly. "Nice to see you in the flesh. I've heard a lot about you."
"Um, can I help you, sir?" Barbossa asked, sensing something familiar about him.
"...Well, that depends." Sterling said quietly. "You see, I've heard quite a lot about you on the grapevine lately. You, the grandson of the first discovered Nightcrawler, Tenebros, going around and recruiting Nightcrawlers for some huge protection program. Does that sound right?"
"That's right." Barbossa nodded. "What? Do you find something wrong with that?"
"Oh not in the slightest." Sterling shook his head. "I can care less. However, my friends in high places don't share my feelings. You see, they find such a amalgamation of dark-magic powered beings to be a sort of a threat..."
"Threat?" Barbossa frowned. "But we are not hurting anyone. We only want to protect one another."
"And I think that's just peachy." Sterling admitted. "But since you now have my friends' attention, I am here to tell you one thing..." He then got up close to Barbossa's face. "Leave Echo Alchemy out of it."
"Echo?" Barbossa repeated. "What does Echo..." Suddenly, it hit him, as he finally realized who the mysterious stallion was. "Wait a minute... I know you... Sterling Cross, right?"
"Hmph, nothing gets past you, does it, Mr. Wheatley?" Sterling gave a scoff.
"So... Sterling Cross..." Barbossa murmured. "The so-called 'traitor' I've heard so much about... not what I was expecting, to say the least."
"Oh, and just what were you expecting?" Sterling grunted.
"That doesn't matter." Barbossa shook his head. "What does matter is why you are here, telling me to leave Echo alone. It was my understanding that you wanted him dead."
"That is none of your business, Mr. Wheatley." Sterling scowled. "I am just here to give you one and only one warning: leave Echo Alchemy and his wife alone. Your interactions with them are only putting them in the crosshairs."
"The crosshairs of whom?" Barbossa asked. "...The 'Forefathers'?"
Sterling's eye twitched.
"Yeah, Echo told me all about your good-bye letter." Barbossa nodded, "And while I do commend your concerns for Echo and Sunset's safety... I am not going to step down because some faceless organization told me to. Where would I be if I did that all the time?"
"In a much safer position." Sterling retorted.
"I have no fear of cowards who hide behind shadows." Barbossa declared. "Or their lapdogs."
"Well, aren't you a tough one." Sterling scowled.
"I never back down." Barbossa boasted. "Not when I'm working towards a just cause."
"You have no idea who are you messing with." Sterling growled, "Neither does Echo or anypony else. I left so I could protect them... and I will not have my efforts undermined by anypony... especially you."
"You underestimate them." Barbossa retorted. "They are more than capable of taking care of themselves."
"You don't have to tell me that." Sterling shook his head. "I just don't want them to be thrust into danger against their will."
"You make it sound like I'm forcing them to do this." Barbossa declared. "But I'm not. Echo is doing this of his own free will. Because he believes in using the power of the Nightcrawlers to defend those who can't defend themselves. And Sunset is supporting him every step of the way."
"...I was afraid of that." Sterling frowned, as he turned away.
"Sterling... might I say something?" Barbossa declared. "You baffle me..."
"...How so?" Sterling asked, not bothering to face him.
"You keep on saying that you want to protect them... yet you are a part of the organization that wants them dead. You act like you are some noble stallion, yet you murder ponies... or was Hans and Olga's murder not your doing?" Barbossa quickly asked.
"How did you figure that one out?" Sterling grunted.
"Let's just say I have a friend with a... beak for this short of thing." Barbossa declared. He was speaking of Fury the Griffon, who had pieced together the truth from evidence at the scene of the crime (and descriptions from the Guards Sterling had knocked out beforehoof).
"Guess I'm not the only one with connections..." Sterling frowned.
"The point is, Sterling... you act like you are indecisive on whom you want to be... what are you... a villain... or a hero?" Barbossa asked.
Sterling remained silent, whether he ignored the question or had no answers, he did not know.
"Sterling..." Barbossa stepped forward. "I know what kind of stallion you are... so does Echo and Sunset... just turn yourself in and-"
"And go back to rotting in a prison cell? No thanks." Sterling snarled.
"Sterling, please, we can help you." Barbossa urged. "It doesn't matter what kind of stallion you are, you're still their friends and they want to help you. So ple-"
Suddenly, a crossbow was pointed in his face.
"...I don't want your help." Sterling snarled, his eyes glaring right at Barbossa. "I don't need anypony's help..."
"Please, don't be a fool." Barbossa pleaded. "You care about them, don't you?"
"...I do." Sterling sighed. "And that's a weakness. A weakness I cannot afford."
"You don't mean that." Barbossa tried to step forward again, only for the crossbow to poke him back.
"I do." Sterling growled. "...I'll have you know... I was given orders to kill you. And trust me, it would be far too easy to end you right here and now..."
"But you don't have to." Barbossa gulped legitimately scared for his life.
"Of course I do." Sterling retorted. "Orders are orders."
"But I'm unarmed." Barbossa quivered. "Defenseless. A former Royal Guard would never indulge in such a kill..."
"You're right." Sterling sighed, as he then lowered his crossbow. "Like I said... it would be too easy." He then glared viciously. "But let me make myself clear... if anything... anything whatsoever... happens to Echo and Sunset... I will have your head. You got that?"
"...I'd say it's crystal clear." Barbossa nodded nervously. "I'll try to keep them out of any of the really dangerous stuff, I swear..."
"Good." Sterling nodded. "I'm done here. And don't think about telling anyone about this conversation... because I know where to find you."
"I'll keep that in mind." Barbossa said dryly.
"Yeah... you do that." Sterling muttered as he marched off into the darkness.
Barbossa leaned against a wall, breathing heavily. He was quite shaken by the experience, but at the same time, strangely intrigued.
"So that was Sterling..." He mused. "Not the best example of a stallion to come out of the Cross family. But not exactly the worst, either..."
Three days later, over at Alchemy manor, Sunset was giving Arcane his afternoon feed.
"There we go." She smiled. "Drink it all up."
Arcane hungrily gulped down all the milk.
"There's a good boy." Sunset grinned. She hoisted Arcane over her back and burped him.
"Urrrrp!" Arcane belched loudly.
"Excuse you." Sunset smirked. "You're a loud one, aren't you?"
"...Mama." Arcane said suddenly.
"What was that?" Sunset asked, surprised.
"Mama!" Arcane giggled.
"Oh, wow..." Sunset gasped.
At that point, Echo returned home.
"Hello, dear." He smiled. "What's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"Arcane just said his first word." Sunset declared.
"Mama!" Arcane squealed.
"Oh, how wonderful..." Echo gasped. "I'm not surprised it was 'mama'. He does adore you."
"And I adore him." Sunset lifted up her foal and hugged him. "Who's my clever boy?"
"Mama!" Arcane cooed.
"Not quite." Sunset chuckled. "But you'll get there. And soon, if you're anything like your daddy."
"And your mother." Echo beamed, as he embraced them both. "My boy... You're growing up..."
"Mama!" Arcane cooed once more as his parents hugged him, delighted by his growth, and looking forward to his next step in maturity.
Unbeknownst to any of them, Sterling was watching the scene from afar. He peered through magically-enhanced binoculars, taking in the scene, a small smile on his face. However, the moment was interrupted by the walkie-talkie in his jacket.
"Come in, Cross." Solomon's voice demanded. "Come in!"
Sterling reluctantly lowered the binoculars, and grabbed the walkie-talkie.
"I'm here." He declared.
"Why have you not killed the target?" Solomon demanded. "It's been three days. More than enough time to get the job done."
"I decided not to do it." Sterling declared.
"You what?!" Solomon growled. "Why?"
"I figure he's more useful to us alive right now." Sterling declared. "Sure, he's got that band of freaks gathered around him, but at least we'll where they all are. It's better than risking one just popping up when we're trying to do our thing."
"I can see the logic there." Solomon sighed. "But in future, try to run these ideas by us first. We have big plans in motion, and we can't afford to have them derailed."
"Ah, yes." Sterling nodded. "How are the plans for that big operation going? Don't tell me Loveless is still working on that hunk of junk..."
"That hunk of junk could make all the difference." Solomon retorted.
"I'll believe that when I see it." Sterling snorted.
"Watch your tone, Cross." Solomon admonished him. "After I tell the others what you did, you'll be less than popular with them. If I were you, I'd resist any free thinking in future. You will perform your duties to the letter, is that understood?"
"Absolutely." Sterling nodded.
"Good." Solomon declared, satisfied. "Our grandest plan is about to get underway. We must have no weak links in our chain. Not if we are to fulfill father's wishes."
"I want that just as much as you do." Sterling declared. "And I will do everything in my power to make Father's dreams a reality."
"I imagine he'll be pleased to hear that." Solomon answered. "Now, return to headquarters. We have another assignment for you."
"On my way." Sterling replied.
As Sterling put away the walkie-talkie, he took one last look in the direction of the manor. Sighing wistfully, he departed.
'I hope you have sense enough to stay out of things.' He thought. 'Both of you...'
Epilogue...
There are so many stories in the world of Equestria. Some are big, some are small. Some end quickly, others just keep going on and on. But there will always be new stories, whether they be epic sagas or diverting yarns. We can all look forward to seeing more stories, for as long as the future is ahead. And as long as there are those willing to hear those stories, they will never truly be forgotten.
"...Well, what do you think?" Bluecatcinema, a teal-coated, dark blue maned Earth Pony stallion, asked.
"That's deep, bro." Ebony General, a blonde white-coated pegasus stallion declared. "...I think that about wraps up this story."
"Hard to believe it has been over two years since we started doing this." Bluecatcinema mused.
"Sure has." Ebony General nodded. "How time flies..."
"More than twenty stories." Bluecatcinema grinned. "And more to come?"
"So, what shall we do next?" Ebony General asked. "How about we do a story based on a survival horror game?"
"Or maybe a comedy about Discord being a dad?" Bluecatcinema suggested. "That's guys always good for a chuckle..."
"Ooh, I have a great idea!" Ebony declared. "How about we bring someone back from the dead?"
"...I'm listening." Bluecatcinema declared.
The End.
Behind The Scenes (for this story):
* My favorite story out of all the ones we've done so far would have to be "House Of The Crystal Sun." As for my favorite characters, I'm going with Big Red and Blue Blazes.
* (Shen) My favorite story out of the bunch would have to be "The Napoleons", and my favorite character(s) would be Echo Alchemy and Sterling Cross.
* The preparations in "A Perfect Anniversary" were lifted from Frozen Fever.
* The talk of "Robert Pattinsteer" from "Crusaders Forever?" is yet another jab at the Twilight series.
* The "MafiaCon" was based on VillainCon from Minions.
* (Shen) Osiris's lines from "Wrath of Osiris" when confronting Dyne was ripped from Sans' from Undertale. We were planning on having ponified Sans and Papyrus making a cameo... but it didn't work out.
* (Shen) Arcane's hypnotism of Wave in "Six Nightcrawlers And A Foal" was based off a similar skit in 'Food Battle 2013' by Smosh. Also, the pony with the sharp hooves dark magic is based off when Meg got her powers in Family Guy.
* This milestone story was really quite enjoyable. We might just do it again if we make it to a fortieth, or even fiftieth story.
(My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and all associated characters are the property of Hasbro.)