Seeing Yellow, The Return

Even if the morrow is barren of promises

Nothing shall forestall my return...

The explosion rocked the entire area. I barely could remain standing as the bright light almost blinded me and the ground shook under my hooves. I watched as the light dimmed to reveal a terrifying sight. The once green field was now black and grey, diminished in all of its beauty. Nearly everything was decimated. My eyes quickly scanned the area and they rested on a single figure, standing solitary amongst chaos. Flapping my wings, I sped towards the upright being.

I was halfway to him when I saw him glowing. White light was flowing out of his body and small orbs of light slowly ascended from him. I quickened my pace as he seemed to survey the scene. Then he turned and saw me. I saw a smile grace his face as he nearly faded completely into the air. I cast out my arms to hug him, but my forelegs met nothing but the air of the recently departed. I crashed into the ground and spun around, hoping to see a small sign of him. Nothing.

I pounded my hoof into the ground, weeping bitterly. Something shiny caught my eye. I stretched out my hoof and grabbed it. Bringing it up to my eyes, I saw that it my his necklace. Our necklace. My hoof was shaking; the necklace threatening to fall to the ground. I clasped the necklace in both of my hooves and placed it around my neck. It dangled next to my own identical one, the two of them colliding with a small sound. I looked up at the slowly ascending, slowly fading, orbs of light and a single tear fell down my face as they finally dissipated.

Michael was gone.

So this is it then...

This is how I die...

As a hero.

I had sacrificed myself to save Equestria. And now, I was... wait... where am I?

Oh... I was still here. On this husk of a once beautiful field.

My vision returned from a mostly blurry state and I took a look around. I saw Fluttershy looking up at the sky. I reached out to touch her, but my hand met nothing solid. I guess life really is cruel. Placing me in front of the mare I loved, just before I finally disappeared from this world. My vision was starting to go white. As the unnatural brightness filled my eyes, I relaxed my body. Maybe dying wasn't all that bad. Maybe it really was a new adventure. Utterly relaxed, I accepted my fate as my vision went completely white.

"Hey! Michael! You're not getting away that easily from me!" shouted a voice.

I felt a pulling sensation on my leg. Looking down, I saw Fluttershy, dragging me through the whiteness. It looked different to the other Fluttershy I knew. This one seemed to shimmer as she moved.

My vision became clearer as colours started to reappear and the force pulling me back got less and less. I gazed at the spirit Fluttershy as she looked up and smiled at me, leaving me on the brink between the whiteness of death and the sharp, distinct colours of life. Then she disappeared. I stood up. Half my body felt like it was alive, the other half considered itself as dead as the grave. I looked towards the colourful life, where I saw Fluttershy crying on the ground. My heart twinged as I watched her weeping on the ground. I reached out to her, and my hand disappeared. Panicking, I wrenched my arm back and thankfully my hand came with it. As my hand left whatever it had entered, it left ripples on the surface, distorting the images I could see. What was this... thing? Only one way to find out. I took a deep breath and threw myself head first into the images.

My body started to disappear again. Everything went white once more.

My feet hit solid ground and I staggered slightly. Regaining my balance, I looked around trying to figure out where I was. I was on the field where I had made my last stand. My eyes quickly scanned the destroyed field. The grass had somehow grown since I last saw it, and the long, black grass rippled mysteriously as my eyes darted around. A flash of yellow passed through my vision. My eyes snapped back to the colour and I saw her.

I started walking forward in an almost dream-like trance. I slowly walked towards the pony sitting on the ground.

I started running, sprinting towards her. She was only 50 meters away... 20 meters... 10 meters... a few more steps. I crashed to my knees and swept the yellow mare up in my arms. At first, she struggled, but then she realised who was hugging her. Her forelegs tightened around me, so much that my back started to hurt. I almost shouted out my laughter as I held the mare. She placed something around my neck. Looking down, I saw it was my necklace. I hadn't even noticed it was gone. I sighed in comfort as I held the warm fur of Fluttershy.

Chrysalis's army was obliterated. Everything was over. I was back in Fluttershy's arms. Everything was fine. I glanced up and saw the one thing that could ruin my happiness. The one thing I didn't want to see.

"Oh no." I said, separating myself from Fluttershy.

There she was. Far away, yes, but there was no mistaking her. Queen Chrysalis. She had survived. Even from this distance, I could see her wide malicious grin. Hearing hoofsteps next to me, I looked around. Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor and Cadence were standing next to me, all of them looking with utter distaste at Chrysalis. Looking behind me, I saw Fluttershy and the rest of the mane 6 huddled in a group behind us. I turned my gaze back to Chrysalis. Her crooked horn glowed and she disappeared.

Suddenly, she reappeared right in front of us and Chrysalis blasted me, the two god ponies, and the captain of the royal guard and his wife, away. I flapped my wings, steadying myself. I looked over and saw Chrysalis fired a massive wall of energy straight at the mane 6. I flew towards it, but the spell was too fast. It connected with the mane 6, enveloping them with green fire, the shockwave knocking me backwards.

"No..." I whispered. "No!"

The green fire froze. Then it flew straight back at Chrysalis, who cast a shield around herself just in time to avoid getting destroyed by the flame. The mane 6 stood unharmed. Then they started to glow. The Elements of Harmony also started to glow. Then they detached themselves from Chrysalis and flew towards their respective owners, the sickly green shade of colour changing into 6 different bright colours. The necklaces flew towards Fluttershy, Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity, attaching themselves around their necks. The crown slowly descended onto Twilight's head. When it connected, a burst of light emanated from the group. The Elements of Harmony have returned to their rightful owners.

I flew down in front of the group, and I was quickly joined by Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. We moved towards Queen Chrysalis.

Queen Chrysalis looked at us, the advancing group. She smiled, and started to glow brightly. She was disappearing.
"No!" I yelled, grabbing her disappearing hoof. The ponies behind me all grabbed each other and Fluttershy grabbed my shirt. We all disappeared together.