Part 9: Friendship ~is~ Magic

Rainbow knelt down beside the orange body in distraught with tears in her eyes. She knew the filly her whole life, and now she was killed by two cruel men. She fell on top of the body and shook it violently. Sweetie Belle and Apple bloom came over to see what happened. Rainbow scooted to the side to let them see. Tears streamed down the pony's cheeks, as they realized the small pony wasn’t coming back. The ponies all stopped fighting to look over--Every single one. The unicorns all lit their horns. The pegasai all rose to the air, and the Earth ponies all began to sing. Mike hugged Dash and cried as well....it was rough for him...he gripped his fists and slowly got up, walking toward the princess slowly. "Princess.... I have a request..." he told her before lifting up his hat, showing his face that was soaked with tears but he kept a straight face and tried to be strong. "End the war...." he spoke to her.”I don't care how you do it....just stop the war.....I've had enough....if there's more of this there won't be any more ponies, pegasai or unicorns in the world...." he fell to his knees and his head dropped.....he felt like a failure....like....he lost the battle anyway....
Thomas slowly walked in beside Mike and Rainbow, with a large lump in his throat. He could not udder the words, but he knew that something deep down was pinching his heart. He took deep shallow breaths as his heart grew heavy, and his eyes were clouded with tears. He would have comforted Mike and Rainbow, but he had his hands full. He shook his head, as his lip quivered and tears ran down his cheeks. Lying in his arms was the lifeless body of Fluttershy. Her eyes closed, and her bright pink mane drenched in blood as several bullet wounds penetrated her yellow fur. He couldn't begin to begin to express the high amount of sorrow as he slowly laid her soft body next to the young lifeless Filly. "Bury them together," he said. "It's the least we can do. After all, this is our war.”

Princess Celestia had already disarmed everything from the battlefield as she walked down the aisle. She saw the two bodies and choked back some tears. "This is our doing. We brought this upon ourselves with this Brutality. This is unacceptable." Rainbow burst into full blown sob as she watched Sweetie Belle close Scootaloo's empty lifeless eyes. The eyes that always had thirst for adventure were now empty and hungering life. Pinkie Pie was completely still. Never has she experienced the death of a filly and a close friend; particularly because Fluttershy was the nicest pony to have ever lived. Scootaloo was simply too young to have left this world. The singing of earth ponies was growing louder now, the unicorn's horns glowing brightly as the mane six suddenly turned to a five. Twilight came down bearing Fluttershy's Element of harmony and put it around Fluttershy’s neck. These deaths would never be forgotten as they were the best of friends. The blood was cleaned off by the magic of the Unicorns. The flying Pegasai kept flying slowly in a circle. The five elemental bearers came down all wearing their elements. Rainbow was still crying, but she also was crying from the pain that came from her leg. She was being helped up by Applejack who was also crying for the loss of Granny Smith.
Thomas looked at the young filly, as his lip quivered once more. He glanced at the Princess, as he tried to be a stronger person. He had no idea what her intentions were, but he knew that they were pure. He slowly picked up Fluttershy and carried her next to Princess Celestia. He put his head on top of the kind pony's mane and stroked it gently as he watched the men retreat from the land. Within minutes, the once thriving ecosystem of Equestria, now lay in the barren and sullen land of desolation… a land that once held carefree lives, vanquished by the forces only man and their desire to consume. No words could be brought to mind in the hour of devastation. Like parasites plaguing a field, nothing remained as ponies grieved over the crimson blood of the fallen allies.

Rainbow Dash, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom dragged behind Scootaloo's body on his scooter. Behind that, Big Macintosh keeping a straight face, though he was intensely having his insides turned inside out from sadness, was carrying Granny Smith's body. Behind that, was the lifeless body of Miss Cheerilee, Derpy Hooves, and even Spike the baby Dragon. Mike looked over to Dash and walked over to her, hugging her tightly to comfort her "Dashie......I know this is hard for all of us....but we'll get though this..." he kissed her cheek and took out a clean rag from his pocket, wiping away the tears off Rainbow's tear soaked face. "I promise it'll be all ok..." he whispered to her, hugging her again tightly. Thomas looked at the land, then at the Princess. "Your Majesty," he began weakly. He looked down at Fluttershy sleeping peacefully in his arms, as he pulled back her mane and kissed her forehead. The soft fur against his lips and the bitter taste of blood didn't bother him as he looked up the white mare. "If I may make a request: I would like to spend my days living on this land as a pony elping restore it back to its blossoming essence. After all, as a man, I must undo what the rise of man has done unjustifiably," he said with passionate eyes. "I know I cannot bring back Fluttershy, but let me be the one to restore the Mane six for I hold the Element of Compassion,"

Rainbow Dash wasn't really crying from sadness, though she was extremely sorrowful for the losses. She was mostly crying from the bullet still lodged in her leg, the bullet found its way into her bone and it shattered there like glass. She remained in the air and only landed in a sitting position. She closed her eyes and prayed to Celestia to do some form of magic to help this. She knew it wouldn't do anything, but she still tried. Mike noticed Rainbow's leg and frowned he looked at her and kissed her forehead "Dash....this is going to hurt a little....but I'm going to heal your wound." he whispered to her as he put his right hand over her injured leg. using the powers from the robotic arm under the fake flesh of his arm a aura surrounded his hand and he slowly made back and forth movements with his hand taking the bullet out slowly but tried to not make it painful for her.

Rainbow Dash gave quick thanks and looked up at the bodies. She noticed Pinkie Pie leaned over the two bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Cake. Buried in rubble, the two ponies’ hooves were reaching out to each other. Pinkie could not at all hold back tears, she was a delicate creature, but this was too much for her. She pulled the two's hooves together and closed Mrs. Cake's open frightened eyes. Mr. Cake let out a groan and opened his eyes. Pinkie was still crying for he was going to die soon. Mr. Cake said in a low voice, "Pinkie, Take care of the shop, and carry on our business. Don’t let us down." Pinkie nodded and cried more as Mr. Cake put both hooves on Mrs. Cake's non moving ones. He eventually stopped and slowly passed his spirit to the heavens.

‎"I'm not done....yet..." Mike trailed off as his hand did the rest of healing Rainbow's wound and watched Mr. and Mrs. Cake pass away. He sniffled and wiped away a few tears, sighing softly then looked at Dash "well.....how's your leg?" he asked, trying to move to a different subject.
Thomas sighed as he continued to bury Fluttershy and Scootaloo. He looked at them one last time before covering their bodies with dirt. His lump grew so heavy that his knees buckled from under him as he jumped in the hole and quietly caressed Fluttershy. He hugged her tightly as he bawled so hard that he could hardly breathe. He lifted her body up to his eye level and shook her. "WAKE UP!!" he screamed. "WAKE UP!!" He knew she wasn't going to wake up—Ever. He continued to cry as he held Scootaloo and Fluttershy in his arms, hoping that they would hear his prayers. After a long while he slowly laid them next to each other, and walked away from the open hole. He walked past Mike as he felt to the ground and just cried, curling into the fetal position.
Mike frowned, once he finished healing Rainbow he walked over to his brother and hugged Tom tightly, rubbing his back and pulling him in close to him. "shhhhhhh......" he told him in a soothing tone. "shhhhh..."

Thomas he looked up to his brother with tears stained eyes as he tried to push the image of Fluttershy out of his mind. "I did a terrible thing," He sobbed. "That night when we were camping in the woods and I was keeping watch, a shooting star fell after Fluttershy went to bed," He sniffled. "I wished she would disappear!" He cried harder now, he was crying so hard that he actually vomited.
Mike's eyes widened "oh my gosh....little bro...I'm so sorry..." he didn't know what to say after that...all he could do was just to hug him and comfort him. Thomas shook his head and looked down at his blood-drenched hands. The yellow fur from the pony's coat still lingered on his skin as his head spun in circles. Mike kept hugging his Tom and sighed, rubbing his back gently. "It’ll be ok little bro....I promise"
Rarity came down to the tomb and sighed. She held a banner bearing all the cutie marks of the ponies that died. Including Scootaloo's new one as the crowd all burst into song of Sorrow. Thomas quickly looked up, hoping to meet the eyes of the Princess. In a muffled tone, he managed to utter tangible sentence. "Please Celestia, do not let these ponies grieve in vain. Let me become one of you to restore the land back to youthful estate," Thomas pleaded as he glanced at Rainbow Dash who had burst into a sorrowful song.

“Every pony here will ,miss you; Your souls are laid to rest.
Just rest in peace my friends. It’s for the very best.
We all fought bravely but fighting itself was wrong.
We faced the consequences fiercely, which is why we sing this song,”

Mike hugged his little brother one last time and kneeled down next to Rainbow and hugged her, sighing softly, still crying but not too much.
Rainbow Dash continued to sing as the remaining ponies joined in the chorus. “Listen here from heaven, where nothing can go Rotten. We mean it completely when we say that your souls will never be forgotten. ” Once the singing stopped, Princess Celestia walked over to Tom's crying form and whispered for him to follow her. She had a smile on her face for she always liked to give a cheerful air around other living creatures. She walked slowly toward her castle also saying for Michael to follow behind.
Rainbow Dash wondered what was going to happen, so Princess Celestia allowed her to follow up behind. Mike nodded and got up, following Celestia, thinking the same thing as Dash.
Thomas looked towards Mike and followed the Princess's orders. He wiped the dirt of off his clothes and trailed behind; wondering what would happen. The princess stopped at a small house and looked at the two Humans with a forced a smile. She looked to Thomas and said. "I think the ponies would love it if you became residents to ponyville, however there is a problem." Mike tilted his head "what's that?"

‎"You two can't stay here as humans eating a pony's Diet." She said her horn glowing. A big flash appeared and it all died down. Thomas could feel the surge of an unseen power grow inside of him. He could feel his insides twist and turn to match the organs of an earth pony. His hair receded in the back of his head as his ears went from flat to pointed. He felt himself shrinking; his hands began to merge together as he soon realized they had turned into hooves. His pale skin was turning a light yellow as fur began to grow. His nose extended as well as his jaws and teeth. After the process of transformation, he shook his head, and felt his mane. The princess then turned to Michael and there was a bright flash again.

Mike gulped and cringed....he didn't feel anything till he was turned pony. He blinked and looked at himself, he looked up at the princess then tried to walk but fell down. "Ouch...." looks like he needed work on how to walk like a pony.
Thomas blinked as he looked over at Mike, and then the Princess. "Mike....," he began. "You don't have to live with me here. You have your whole life ahead of you, and I don't want you spending it as a horse. Just think about what Aunt Flora would say if you went missing..." Mike frowned "but Tommy....." he spoke "I wanna stay here...what about Dash....?" Thomas eyes softened as he looked at Dash. he had completely forgotten about her. He sighed, and looked away trying his best to hold his ground. "You maybe older than I am, but I am the ones who brought pain and despair to this land; without the Mane six, corruption will be ensued and the balance of harmony will be disrupted. Do you have any idea what that means?"
Mike thought a moment then shook his head, shrugging "no...not really..." Thomas sighed and looked at the Princess. "It means, that when I wished upon the star, I accidentally brought the pain and despair to the land, and in doing so, I am the reason why Fluttershy is dead," Rainbow Dash was about to cry, But Thomas' explanation was legit enough. She sat there waiting for the two to figure something out; she hoped that they would stay together, but that Chance was hanging by a thread.

Mike frowned "I still wanna stay..."
Thomas sighed and then looked at the Princess, then at Mike. "If it's alright with her, I'd be more than happy to live with you here," Mike nodded and looked at the princess. Rainbow Dash Rainbow hearing these words looked up as hope filled her heart. Thomas smiled a bit, and looked at the Princess. The princess smiled warmly. "It is just fine with me. Any pony should be able to stay here." She said in an exhausted tone. "Plus, I don't think I was going to be able to change him back until tomorrow. Changing a life form takes up a lot of energy." She said this with a smile. Mike turned to Dash and grinned.
Thomas smiled and nodded and looked at Mike then slowly headed back into the forest. "I need to be alone for a bit,"
Mike nodded and ran to Dash. He was so happy right now; he wrapped his hoofs around her and hugged her tightly. Dashie was crying like mad. She jumped up with excitement and hugged Michael tightly. She looked at Tom and said in a rapid tone. "Oh thank you, thank you, and thank you!" The princess smiled and said goodbyes. She was tired from all the extra extraordinary Magic she had performed. She left the three in the little room preparing all the ponies to see the new residents.

Thomas wandered to the depths of the Everfree forest and looked at the portal that now lay dormant. He sighed to himself as he looked at the tire tracks that lead from the forest into the now destroyed portal. He sighed to himself and shook his head, thinking about what has happened over the course of a couple days. He sat down in the dirt, and cried.
Mike kissed Dash lovingly and hugged her tightly. He was crying tears of joy as he hugged her "I love you Dashie" he whispered as he held her close to him and didn't break the hug. Meanwhile in the Everfree Forest, a familiar feeling hoof touched Tom on his shoulder. "Tom, is that you?" A soft and gentle voice said kindly.
Thomas knew that voice as his ears perked up in surprise. "Who's there?" He asked confused. He knew the voice, but couldn't make out the connection. Fluttershy was gone, how could she be talking to him. He shook his head as he shrugged off the feeling--or at least tried too. ‎"You’re silly. It's me." At that moment, a dim figure of Fluttershy appeared in front of Thomas. She had been completely cleaned of blood and wounds. She had in fact looked more beautiful than she ever had. She smiled warmly to Thomas' crying figure. He turned his head towards the figure as his eyes widened. "No, it can't be! You’re supposed to be..." He stopped and thought for a moment. "Dead,"

Fluttershy looked down at the ground. She held up her hoof sadly showing that it was in fact transparent. She looked back up at Tom and said. "I am. But my Soul rests with my element; as long as it's not destroyed. I can keep in contact with the mortal world. I can see, feel, and hear like a normal pony, but I am Still Transparent for I do not belong in the mortal world,” Thomas sighed as he walked over to her, and hung his head low to the ground. "Your body will decay, but your soul will not," he muttered. He looked up at her and smiled a bit. "You never really how much you love something until it is really gone," he said in a quiet response, "and I lost you," Fluttershy blushed. She always had a thing for Thomas. But seeing him now was the most emotional thing that touched her big warm heart. She embraced Tom in a nice hug for she still could be seen, felt, and heard. She started to sing a gentle song.

Thomas smiled as tears fell from his eyes as they seemed to spill from his eyes, emotions ran through his veins. He stepped back and admired her beauty through clouded eyed. He could help but cry when he saw her figure, as he looked down and tried to bury his sorrow. As the tear hit the soil below Fluttershy's hooves, she looked down. Suddenly her form Levitated into the air. She had no expression on her face as her body ascended into the air with Pink butterflies that resembled her cutie mark surrounded her translucent body and covered her in a tight niche cocoon. She opened her eyes as a bright light exploded from her sockets covering the land in a layer of vibrant fluorescent filled the darkened void. Thomas covered his eyes with a hoof, as the light slowly began to dim. Standing before him, was a rejuvenated Fluttershy. Her yellow fur was crisp and clean, as he pink mane flowed over her face effortlessly as she draped her flowing mane over her face and blushed, digging a little hole in the dirt sheepishly. Thomas gasped as he ran beside her. He smiled as he looked at her pink flowing mane. He couldn't believe it: He had actually done something that saved her life.

Rainbow Dash She looked where his Hoof pointed. She flew down to the grave and landed. She walked over to the two fillies as they gasped greatly. Every pony she passed wondered what happened. She brought the two fillies to Scootaloo's Grave stone. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked over and burst into tears. Upon their grievances, a burst of orange light flashed from the ground as her body raised from the ground and she opened her eyes as a white flash blanketed the area.
Thomas gasped as he ran over to Scootaloo. "Are you alright, how do you feel?" Scootaloo blinked a few times, gasping for breath, eyes wide, pupils small. "I...I... I'm...." she began.
He knelt down, gently nuzzling her. He took a step back as he tilted his head. "Give her some room!" he called.
Rainbow Dash and Michael were just walking by when they saw the two ponies. Rainbow saw Fluttershy wave to her and she gasped loudly. "How in... what the?" She said before fainting to the ground.
Scoots slowly regained the air that had been lost from her lungs slowly, the rate of her breathing calming, her eyes going back to their normal size. "I'm...alive..."

Thomas took a step back as he looked back at Rainbow Dash. "Quick, where are the others!" he asked. Mike blinked and looked down to Dash then up at the resurrecting fillies. His eyes widened and he picked up Dash "IT'S THE ZOMBIE PONY APOCALYPSE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" he screamed and ran away. Rainbow Woke up, She didn't remember why she fainted, she looked back up to see Fluttershy and Scootaloo Breathing and alive. She gasped again and Sprinted for the two in a tight hug. "I'll get the others, they have to see this!" She said hurriedly before flying off into the distance smiling completely in glee. She stopped to see Mike while flying and explained it to him before fetching the mane six. Mike sighed in relief "oh ok...that makes me feel better" The other four girls came behind Rainbow Dash and saw Fluttershy. All of their reactions were that of if someone had suddenly put a weight in the bottom Jaws. Rarity Fainted of course. Twilight Smiled and hugged Fluttershy with Applejack as the only one that remained dead was Granny Smith. She out lived her youth, and it was time for her to rest in peace.

Thomas couldn't help but squeal with joy as he hugged Fluttershy gracefully. Mike gave Dash a hug and smiled "well, in the end it looks like this was gonna be a happy ending after all," Rainbow Dash smiled and walked him to her cloud. She said goodbye as she flew into her cozy little cottage knowing the rest of the town was happy.
Mike smiled and looked around as they were on the cloud and chuckled "just like walking on air huh, Dashie?”
‎"yeah. You'll get used to it. Being a Pegasus is the coolest thing, want to come in?" She opened the door to the house that was on the cloud.
Mike nodded and trotted in, looking around. "I like your house Dash..." he smiled a little kept looking. ‎"Thanks!" she said showing him around. She had a lot of Wonderbolt pictures for she clearly loved the Wonderbolts. She didn't even dare show him her messy room for she never cleaned it.
"I'm guessing you like these guys huh?" he asked looking at the pictures, crossing his arms behind his back but he then remembered he wasn't a human anymore, he face hoofed himself and looked back at Dash, smiling a little.
Rainbow Dash blushed as he looked at her pictures. She had some with her posing at the Wonderbolt's shows and with her friends. She had one of her sonic rainboom at the "Young Flyer's Competition." She walked over to her window and looked down at the ponies that were reuniting in celebration.

Thomas hugged Fluttershy one more time as he slowly backed away from her, as he smiled and blushed brightly, his silver hair pulled back so that he can see his full complexion. He got down on one knee as he smiled up to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, these past few days have been nothing but chaos, and to me, losing you was the worst thing that could have happened, and I never want that to happen ever again," he smiled up at her his face burning with a bright red. "Fluttershy, will you marry me?" He asked. The mare looked at Thomas as she moved her mane out of her face and smiled while blushing. “Yes,” she said.

The End.