A Mercenary's Ending

The mausoleum where Jason Wright had been entombed hadn’t been touched when Majesty had destroyed the castle. It was the only part of the former castle that had been spared. And it was where a large group of creatures approached.

Despite knowing that it had survived, Twilight had avoided going there out of shame for her past actions. Shame and self-loathing. During her stint in Canterlot’s mental hospital, at least during her last couple months, her psychiatrist had talked a few times about getting closure for past actions. She may not get forgiveness from Jason, but she could at least try to move forward and be a better pony. Despite that, however, the way the psychiatrist had explained it made it sound like moving on was the same thing as forgetting. Maybe that was just her own overwhelming guilt, but she didn’t want to forget. It felt like a disservice to Jason. That was why she had avoided visiting his tomb.

However, upon talking to her former friends, she realized that the rest of them felt the same way. Talks with her personal nurse back in Maretime Bay had made her begin to better understand what her psychiatrist had been trying to explain to her. Despite that, however, she’d still felt the overwhelming guilt of her past actions holding her back. Not only that, but she felt unworthy to even be in his presence.

However, a few long and hard talks with her friends during the days since they’d returned to Canterlot had made her more open to the idea of paying their respects. She realized then that she’d been rude not to bet here when Jason’s body had been interred. The others had realized it as well. It disrespected his memory.

She saw the large entryway to the massive stone building which led to several levels of underground tombs set aside for famous ponies, nobles, and those of renown and paused. Her heart raced, although she wasn’t sure why. Ponies never talked too much about death. It wasn’t a taboo topic by any means, but it just wasn’t talked about much. Even the former Ponyville Cemetery was set behind a hill a bit out of sight of the rest of the town.

She felt a wing on her back and turned to see Fluttershy looking at her with worry in those greenish-blue eyes. “Are you alright?” she asked softly.

Twilight swallowed hard, the lump in her throat feeling like it was getting bigger, but steeled herself and nodded. “I’m alright,” she said in just as soft a tone.

Fluttershy wrapped her wing more tightly around the alicorn’s back as they stepped through the solid stone doors.

The first thing that Twilight noted about the mausoleum was that, unlike what her active imagination had predicted, it didn’t feel like some damp cave. Yes, it was cold inside, colder than she’d anticipated, but the air wasn’t soaked with moisture. In fact, it felt quite comfortable after they’d walked through the midsummer sun. The second thing she noted was how well-lit it was. Twilight had half expected it to be lit by candles mounted on walls. That wasn’t the case as it was brightly lit by warm white lights.

The group, which consisted of Twilight, the rest of the former Elements, Shadow Dawn, the Williams siblings, the two princesses, and even Majesty who was being flanked by several Royal Guards, walked in silence down a short empty and austere hallway towards another set of doors. Above the doors was a sign which read CANTERLOT MAUSOLEUM - REMEMBERING THOSE FOREVER AT PEACE.

I hope he’s at peace somewhere, Twilight thought as the doors silently slid open. Twilight didn’t know what came after death. That was the biggest mystery, or it had been the biggest mystery before Gregory’s big reveal about how his world viewed Erda. Being considered fictional characters on Earth was certainly a shock, and despite everything her curiosity burned. She wanted to know more, but knew she had to set those thoughts aside for the more immediate problems.

They entered a large hallway, also well lit, and they caught the first glimpse of the massive underground chamber. The passageway down to the next set of stairs that led further downward or upward looked ancient and there were open chambers on each side, each with a raised stone tomb within them. Carved into the chamber’s curved walls was a depiction of the pony buried there along with their name, date of birth, date of death, and an epitaph. This was the hall for the most recently deceased, if the dates were any indication. The latest was Duke Charming Pants, the father of Duke Fancy Pants, who had only died three years ago. Coincidently, he’d died the day before Jason had died.

The princesses led them down the hallway to the stairs. They took the stairs leading upward, which Twilight knew from one of the many books she’d read over her life would lead to a level reserved for those of high honor or of those deserving great respect.

The level they reached was a lot more grandiose than the level where they’d been. There were domed ceilings with arched pillars holding them up. The arched windows, tinted, let in light from the sun to illuminate the halls. There were chandeliers which hung from the ceiling, all of which were of the candle variety. The candles were kept eternally lit and replaced before they could burn out by the pegasi caretakers. Nopony else was there at the moment, and Twilight took the opportunity to look around.

Many of the ancient heroes of Equestria were interned here, at least those who had been found. The Pillars, after their disappearance more than a thousand years ago, had empty coffins erected in places of high honor in this hall. There were raised stone coffins, each with a meticulously carved statue atop of the raised platform. There were stone signs in front of each which held the name, dates of life and death, and a longer epitaph. There was even an empty spot in the center where, if it did happen, Princesses Celestia and Luna would be interred should anything happen.

Just beyond that, however, was a simpler raised platform with a statue of a human lying on top, eyes closed, arms crossed, and a peaceful expression on the carved lid that covers the human’s mortal remains. The clothes the statue version wore were torn and tattered, the scar that went down his left eye jagged from where he had received the lightning strike that, according to Gregory, was nearly always lethal to humans. His face was covered in a scraggly beard and his hair was long and tangled.

His epitaph was simple: HERE LIES JASON WRIGHT, FIRST HUMAN IN EQUESTRIA. MAY HIS AFTERLIFE BE KINDER TO HIM THAN HIS LIFE IN OUR WORLD WAS. The date of his death was shown, but his birthdate was left unknown, and a fresh pang of guilt gripped onto Twilight’s heart. Most epitaphs in this place were lengthy exposés on the life of those interred, but Jason’s was far too simple than he deserved.

That’s my fault, she thought bitterly. I shouldn’t have let those books get to me. I should have espoused the tenets of harmony, damn it! Twilight never swore, and rarely did it even in thought. The four letter word caught her off guard briefly before she dismissed her brief lapse as not as important as what she saw.

Something caught the sunlight from the statue. It shone into Twilight’s face and she instinctively covered her eyes before moving out of the way. She refocused her attention on the item and saw that, resting on top of the lying down statue, was a strange object she’d never seen before. It was a small fish, but not a real one. There was a hook attached to the front end and several feathers attached to the tail end. It was permanently attached to the statue by means of a small necklace of silver hung around the statue’s neck and some melted glass around the item itself. She tried to figure out what it was.

Megan, however, had also seen it, and she whispered, “A fishing lure,” in a quiet tone.

“What?” Gregory looked at where Megan was pointing and his eyes narrowed in confusion. He turned to Celestia. “Why is that there?” he whispered.

Princess Celestia didn’t reply. Instead, she turned to Applejack, who stepped forward, her Stetson held in her hoof respectfully. “Ah found it ‘round his neck when ah tried tah wake ‘im,” she whispered.

That seemed to satisfy the four humans who went back to looking back at the human. The siblings actually knelt, clasped their hands, bowed their heads, and closed their eyes. Twilight wasn’t sure what they were doing, but knew better than to actually interrupt. Gregory simply lowered his head, put his hands behind his back, and closed his eyes. Everyone else stood there while the four humans paid whatever homage they were paying to their fellow human.

When the three siblings all whispered something that sounded like “Amen,” they stood and Gregory lifted his head. He then looked at the statue of his fellow human and exhaled slowly. “Rest in peace,” he said respectfully before he stepped back to join the siblings and his mercenary group. Even Chrysalis had come, looking rather uncomfortable, but remaining silent.

Nobody moved for the longest time, unsure what to do. Despite nobody looking at her, Twilight felt like everyone was looking at her, if not with their eyes, then with their hearts. However, before she could move, Princesses Celestia and Luna stepped forward simultaneously. This obviously had startled the two because both gestured for the other to go first. Twilight suspected it had less to do with courtesy for the other and more to do with the uncertainty and even fear that she saw in both alicorns’ eyes.

However, it was Princess Celestia who finally took the plunge and stepped forward. She stood tall, the bit of fear Twilight had seen in those magenta eyes gone. She looked at the lying down statue of Jason Wright. “Jason,” she said, and Twilight could hear the trembling in that voice despite how still the owner of said voice’s body was, “you came here and put your trust in my judgement. You trusted me to send you somewhere where you would be welcomed. Instead, I failed you. I failed you miserably by not remaining in regular contact with you. I failed you by sending you away woefully underprepared. I failed you by not granting you Equestrian citizenship right away. I failed you in so many other ways, too. Wherever you are, I hope that you are enjoying the peace you so justly deserve.”

She stepped back, and Luna stepped forward, her ears drooped as she looked at the statue’s face. “We failed thee as well, Jason,” Luna’s voice wavered slightly more than Celestia’s. “It is our charge to guard the minds and psyche’s of our subjects. We failed thee in that charge. We did not aid thy continuously breaking mind and body, and for that we are deeply regretful. Thy forgiveness we may not deserve, but as our sister says, we hope that thy soul is at peace in the next life.”

She stepped back and silence filled the room once more. Twilight’s heart was pounding in her chest now. She wanted to step forward, but she was frozen. Her legs were locked in position and she could feel herself getting lightheaded. She had to do this, she reasoned, but her body wouldn’t obey her will. The silence became deafening, so much so that she failed to hear the soft clopping of hooves approaching. Only when a large pair of wings draped over her back did she realize somepony had joined her. She looked up quickly only to see Majesty’s purple eyes looking down at her own purple eyes. Her expression was reassuring, something that she didn't expect from the alicorn.

There you go again, she chided herself, judging too quickly. She tilted her head in confusion at the ancient alicorn. “What is it?” she asked.

“You’re frozen, aren’t you?” Majesty asked, a strange sense of understanding passing between the two alicorns, one young, one old beyond comprehension.

Twilight’s eyes widened. “How did-?”

Majesty gently patted Twilight’s back. “Your legs are locked,” she said, “and if you don’t relax, you’re going to pass out. I know you’re afraid, feeling immense guilt, all of that. But facing what makes you feel that way and getting things off of your chest will help you in the long run. It will hurt, don’t get me wrong, but think of it as tearing off a bandage quickly.”

Twilight nodded, then closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Her legs relaxed, her breathing and heart rate slowed, and she reopened her eyes before she turned back to the pedestal. Slowly, she walked up, and Majesty removed her wing from the young alicorn’s back. Twilight paused a couple steps from the raised pedestal, then sat on her haunches, lowering her head in respect. After a few moments of silence, she looked up and gazed at the peaceful carved face. She’d never once seen him look like that, although she’d hardly seen him at all. “J…Jason…” she stammered out slowly, then took in another deep breath. “I was the princess of friendship, and I betrayed everything that title stood for by rejecting you. I set the worst example and treated you like less than a creature. I ignored your cries for help, I dismissed you as a monster when I was the real monster. I have been justly punished for my crimes against harmony and against you. I’m not worthy to be an alicorn.” She looked at the stone face, peaceful in eternal sleep. “I can never take back what I’ve done despite my best desires. I wish that we could have been friends.” She could feel the tears flowing freely now, but her lips had been loosed and she couldn’t stop. “I will live with these regrets for the rest of my life. I will never forget what I did, and I will keep the memory of you alive so that other ponies may learn from my mistakes. I am so sorry, I am so…so…”

She dissolved into tears as she leaned forward, pressing her forehead against the pedestal. All of her regret, self loathing, depression, all of it came bubbling to the surface. Despite having been affected by the Rainbow of Light in a positive way, that didn’t change how she felt about her past actions. She tried speaking more, but her tears and wailing kept her from doing so.

Eventually, she stood back up, wiping her eyes with her hoof. “I-I hope that, wherever you are, you’re in a better place than you ever were here,” she finished, and she meant every word of it. And with that, she stepped back, head lowered.

Applejack quickly stepped forward, her Stetson pressed against her chest as she looked at the statue of Jason. “Ah’m so sorry fer what ah done tah yah,” she said, her accent thicker than normal. “Ah hurt yah terribly, and ah wish ah hadn’t a’done it. Ah wish ah’d given yah shelter, food, a way of makin’ bits, been yer friend. Hay, ah wish ah could’ve made yah an hon’rary Apple.” The normally stoic Applejack was shedding tears, but she continued going. “Ah wish ah’d been strong ‘nuff or brave ‘nuff tah stop yah that day. Ah’m so sorry fer everythin’. Ah won’t ever fergit yah and ah’ll try and be a better mare. Rest in peace…”

She stepped back and lowered her head, sitting on her haunches as she continued to silently cry. Twilight, who had stopped crying slightly, began walking over to Applejack, but to her surprise Sunset Shimmer beat her to it. The orange unicorn mare stood beside the orange earth pony, seemingly in solidarity.

Next was Rainbow Dash. She stepped forward, ears splayed behind her head, a look of intense shame plastered on her face. She initially seemed to have trouble looking at the statue, but after a few moments she looked up, squaring her shoulders. “I almost murdered you,” the pegasus said in a hoarse whisper. “I was cruel to you when I should have extended a hoof. I was the monster, not you. All you wanted to do was become my friend, and I spat in your face. Worse, I tried to kill you multiple times. I am so sorry, Jason. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, wherever you are. I deserve to rot in the darkest pits of the true Tartarus. I just hope, like everypony else has said here, that you’re in a better place wherever you are.”

Pinkie stepped forward next. “I didn’t help you to smile in your darkest hours,” the grayish-pink mare said soberly. “I ignored you completely. I never welcomed you. I even speculated incredibly mean things about you. Things that other ponies listened to. I misled other ponies to hurt you more. I am so very sorry. So, so, so sorry…”

Fluttershy stepped forward. “I failed to be kind to you when that kindness could have helped to mend your broken heart,” the butter colored pegasus sniffled. “I turned you away for no other reason than my foalish and petulant fear. I didn’t even look twice in your direction. I hope you’re experiencing the kindness I never gave you wherever you are. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” She kept repeating this as tears fell. Rainbow walked up and put a wing around her to comfort her.

Finally, Rarity stepped forward, mascara running down her eyes. “I chased you out of my boutique like you were some common criminal or thief. You were only looking for help, and I failed to be generous. I failed my mandate to my former element. Words alone cannot express how sorry I am. I am nothing but a wretch, a bitter old hag who deserves everything she’s gotten.” She paused, then gave herself a shake. “No, this isn’t about me,” she muttered. “Jason, just like everypony else here has said, I hope that you’re happy wherever you are.”

With that, the chamber went silent. Everyone stood there silently, no one daring to move. Then, Megan began humming something. A song that Twilight didn’t recognize. The other two siblings picked up the tune. A few seconds later, Gregory opened his mouth to begin singing.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
“that saved a wretch like me.
“I once was lost, but now am found.
“Was blind but now I see.”

The other three stood and began to harmonize with Gregory.

“‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
“and grace my fears relieved.
“How precious did that grace appear
“the hour I first believed?”

Twilight listened carefully to the lyrics, trying to figure out why they were singing such a song. Majesty, however, came over and put a wing over her back again. “Just listen,” she whispered.

Twilight nodded, putting her curiosity aside and just listened. The humans continued singing, their voices echoing throughout the hall.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares,
“we have already come.
“‘Twas grace that brought me safe thus far
“and grace will lead me home.”

Twilight could see that this song meant something to the humans, and it warmed her heart to hear them singing this. They continued, only this time they began to join hands. The siblings at first, and then Megan reached out to Gregory. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then nodded and took her hand.

“The Lord has promised good to me,
“His word my hope secures;
“He will my shield and portion be
“as long as life endures.”

Despite her promise to the contrary, Twilight couldn’t help but wonder if this was some sort of religious song. She once more put that aside, thinking to ask them later.

“And when this flesh and heart shall fail,
“and mortal life shall cease:
“I shall possess within the veil
“a life of joy and peace.”

The singers then went up a note as they finished their singing.

”When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
“bright shining as the sun,
“we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
“than when we first begun.”

There was silence in the room as the echoes of the last verse died away. After a few moments, the four humans let go of each other, although Megan seemed to hold onto Gregory’s hand a bit longer than the others, Twilight observed. Gregory looked at the siblings for a few moments. He looked like he wanted to ask something, but stopped himself, then turned to the others. “Is anyone else going to…?” He trailed off, gesturing to the monument to Jason before he and the other three humans stepped back.

To Twilight’s further surprise, Majesty stepped forward. She walked up and put one wing over the stone statue of the eternally resting human. “I’m so sorry this happened,” she whispered, “but I promise to work and make the world better so that it won’t happen again. Please rest eternally wherever you are, whether that be the Elysian Fields, the Heaven that Megan has told me about, or in some afterlife where you can find happiness.”

With that, it was like something clicked in everyone. Nobody else had anything to say. It was as if a switch had been flipped within everyone, including Twilight. Everyone turned away, departing from that place. The princesses led the way out of the mausoleum, followed closely by Shadow Dawn, the Williams siblings, and finally the former Elements of Harmony. Gregory walked between Dengal and Chrysalis while the rest of Shadow Dawn followed close behind. Twilight and her former friends walked in silence behind the Williams siblings. Nobody spoke. Nobody needed to. Twilight made a silent vow to herself. She would make things right and help fix not only Equestria, but help defend the world against the windigo threat.

She owed that much not just to herself and to the world, but to Jason. Because part of that job would be helping to spread reforms wherever she could.