A/N: Here it is... the end. I hope you enjoyed this story half as much as I did writing this. Thank you all for reading and i hope i can produce some more fics that will strike your interest. Anyway here you go the final chapter in Trips into the Unexplored...

Chapter 77

Dave roared as he ran to the gem and kicked it. The stone barely moved as his toes met the hard gem, he fell to his knees with a groan

“Why can’t you just leave us alone?” Dave yelled at the rock “Why do you keep finding another way to stay in our lives?”

Odio scoffed “Aww come on, you used to love me so much” Odio chuckled “But the goal hasn’t been achieved” the gem shook again “But it is going to happen soon”

Dave placed his hand on the gem but yanked it back as he looked at his burnt hand “What the fuck are you doing now?” Dave growled as he climbed to his feet, the wound in his side stabbing him with pain

“I stored enough energy so that when I became like this, I could release that power and detonate” He chuckled slightly “I’m da bomb” he joked but did not gain a smile from Dave

Celestia attempted to use her magic to lift the gem but the gem refused to move “He took some of your blood before he changed” Celestia dropped her head “We can’t move him” She looked at Luna with sad eyes “We have to evacuate”

Odio hummed “Well a certain human can carry me” He rolled his eyes to Dave “but how can the resourceful being get me away from Canterlot in enough time?” he shook again and he groaned “Believe me I am trying to hold the energy in”

Dave looked up at Celestia “I have to get him somewhere where he can’t do any damage” Dave rubbed his head “Can we drop him into the cave I came up in?”

Luna shook her head “The blast will destroy everything in a certain radius… no matter what is in the way” the dark alicorn moved next to her taller sister “We can’t teleport Dave, we could get Adamas to carry him”

“No” Dave declared as he climbed to his feet once again “I wont let him destroy your home and there are definitely going to be some ponies left in the city” Dave moved close to Celestia and wrapped her in a hug “We have to try something”

Luna sighed “I will go see if I can get the elements and Strong Shield out of here” the dark alicorn flew out of the window before pausing as an idea shot into her mind “The launchers… THE LAUNCHERS!” She cheered

Dave looked confused for a moment before his eyes opened in realization “Of course” He smiled at Celestia “We put him on one of those things at max power and send him into the sky before he detonates!”

Celestia smiled as well but her eyes showed her concern “But you will be hurt having to carry him all that way” she placed her hooves around Dave’s neck “I don’t want to be the reason you are hurt again”

“If I don’t try then you could be hurt” Dave ran his fingers through Celestia’s mane as he took in her unique scent “If he has my blood then that means that the explosion could hurt you” He held Celestia tightly before releasing “Just get the doors for me please”

Dave took a breath as he placed his hands on the gem, the scorching surface attempted to force Dave away but he tightened his face as he picked it off the ground. The gem felt light but the pain weighed heavily on Dave’s mind

Dave staggered to the throne room doors, Celestia and Luna opened them before he reached the large doors. The wound in his side stopped bleeding but it still shot Dave a jolt of pain as he staggered against the wall. He groaned loudly, sending a reassuring smile to Celestia before pushing through the pain and continuing his march

“Funny how you used to carry me for without any problem” Odio sighed “You welcomed my gifts and accepted me”

Dave reached the steps. He slowly took each step with care but tumbled down the final few and landed on the gem with his leg. The side Odio showed Dave in the vision. Dave merely groaned as he got up and continued his journey

The princesses both exchanged worried looks, Celestia rushed to Dave’s side and nuzzled him continuously every time he took a break. Dave simply hugged the alicorn before picking the gem up again

The group rounded the corner and saw the elements and Spike huddled around Strong Shield. He had dragged himself inside and a long bloodstain travelled from the training yard to the door

“Well…” Strong Shield coughed blood which Fluttershy quickly wiped up “Nice to see that I’m not the only one with a battle scar” He smirked at Dave as Twilight attempted to seal his wound

The purple unicorn turned away to look at Dave “The wound can’t be healed, there are traces of your blood… it doesn’t look good” Twilight sighed, “What do we do?”

Strong Shield groaned loudly as he sat up “Dave come here” He barked. Dave gladly dropped the gem as he knelt close to the unicorn

“Yeah don’t mind me” Odio sighed, “I’m just a fucking bomb but yeah drop me onto the hard floor” He rolled his eyes to look at Luna “I had a lot more respect than this at one point you know?”

Strong Shield moved his mouth to Dave’s ear “You know what you have to do” He moved his head away to cough before moving back “Save the princesses Dave… do me proud” His eye fluttered shut before he slid down the wall

“D-dad?” Dave placed his fingers on the unicorn’s neck and felt a very weak pulse “I will dad” He growled “I will make you proud” He stood with determination, the pain pushed from his mind as he grabbed the gem and darted for the launchers

Three stood in a row, they were prepared and ready. Dave placed Odio on the first launcher as he pulled the lever that controlled the strength of the launch. He groaned loudly as he pulled the lever until it ceased to move. Dave moved over to the launch lever and glared at Odio “See you later, you piece of shit”

As Dave began to pull the lever, Odio groaned as a few large bolts shot randomly around the gem. One found its target and shattered the launcher and the one beside it

“Oh wow that was some later Dave” Odio chuckled “Anyway it is nice to see you again, how are you?” Odio’s chuckle was cut short again as the gem shook and fell to the floor

Dave picked up the gem and slammed it onto the final launcher. He stomped the strength lever down as far as he could before he reached for the lever. He collapsed in despair as the sound of shattering wood met his ears again, closely followed by Odio’s laughter

The human could not move, could not look up at the slowly dying body of Strong Shield in failure. He sobbed, he did not care anymore, and he sobbed even as Celestia rested her head against the side of his head

“It’s ok Dave,” She whispered, “You tried… that is all that mattered” She held Dave as he sobbed. Her eyes looked to Luna who simply nodded

The dark alicorn looked at the elements. Her horn glowed, they opened their mouths to protest but she teleported them away regardless. She turned to see Adamas staring down at Dave, his eyes full of sorrow as Dave stopped crying

“T-there is another launcher” Dave looked around frantically “There were four delivered, I was there” Dave pushed himself to his feet again “Where is it?”

Luna stood close to her sister as she glared at the gem “The guard tower… but by the looks of the energy fluctuations, we don’t have much time”

Dave grabbed Odio and marched into the castle, Luna and Celestia quickly followed as they left Adamas and Strong Shield alone. The large dragon moved his head to the body of the unicorn

“You aren’t going to die just yet” Adamas sighed as Strong Shield cracked open an eye “You are the only one that can do it” the dragon pulled his head away “Either Dave dies or many ponies will”

Meanwhile…

Dave entered the guard tower, allowing Celestia to open the door for him as he stepped out onto the windy balcony. The guard tower was a large platform with a roof, the launcher was decorated gold and was polished to a mirror shine

Dave walked over and placed the gem on the launcher as Luna used her magic to pull the strength lever all the way down to the max setting. Celestia moved for the launch lever but Dave held out his hand

“No… not yet” He shuddered as he picked up the gem and sat on the launcher. The princesses exchanged fearful looks as Celestia approached Dave

“What are you doing?” Celestia shuddered as tears formed in her eyes, her breaths began to speed up as Dave closed his eyes “Please… don’t do this”

“I have no choice” Dave sighed “So long as I hold onto him, Odio can’t stop the launch” Dave looked at the gem he cradled “he planned this well”

Odio looked at Celestia “That is the ultimate torture, watching as your true love sacrifices himself to save you and his child” Odio looked back at Dave “And you will accept this because if you don’t… worse things would happen”

Celestia moved closer to Dave “I am not going to pull that lever” Celestia sighed, “I am not going to make the mistake of letting you go again” She looked at Dave through her tear filled eyes

“You have to let me go Celestia” Dave’s voice wavered but he held it firm “if you don’t then you could…” Dave couldn’t finish as he closed his eyes and leaned forward, his head hung low

Celestia used a hoof to lift Dave’s chin “It’s ok… we were together… that is all that matters” She pushed her lips against Dave’s, just enough to relay all the emotion they shared for each other. Dave opened his eyes in sadness, his gaze was brought past Luna as Celestia pulled away

“Alright… this is it” Dave sighed as he held Odio “I hope I made you proud” he smiled

Celestia opened her mouth to say something comforting but a weak voice beat her to it. “You always did… Dave” Strong Shield smiled to Dave as he collapsed onto the launch lever. Celestia’s eyes opened in shock as she lunged for Dave, only to be held back by Luna

“NO!” She screamed as Dave was sent skyward, she attempted to flap her wings but Luna pinned her down. She kicked and screamed as Dave became smaller and smaller. Her tears flowed as her emotions drained her body and left her crying on the floor

Dave held back his own tears as the wind rushed past his ears “Well there you go Odio… you’ve won” his voice was quiet as his grip slowly loosened

“Dave… now that we are alone I have to tell you something” Odio’s voice sounded different, more sympathetic “I’m sorry for having to put you through this… it was the only way”

The human shook his head “Why are you sorry? You got revenge… you beat Celestia” Dave looked back down at the castle “Everypony got what they deserved?” Dave sighed

“As far as I will know, yes” Odio rolled around his gem “Celestia was punished for sending me away and Luna will have the burden of being more responsible” he looked at Dave “But what you deserve is going to take a while… depending on how well you cope”

“Yeah well…wait…” Dave’s sadness was pushed aside as curiosity crept in “What the hell are you on about?”

“Do I have to spell it out?” Odio sighed “I edited the thing in your head so you could absorb energy and heal yourself” The spirit of hate groaned at Dave’s blank expression “I am leaving and this explosion is going to have so much energy your mortal body can’t contain it”

“And?” Dave yelled slightly frustrated “I’m still going to be vaporized”

Odio rolled his eyes “You know what figure it out yourself” the spirit growled as his eyes burrowed out of the gem leaving it a pure white. The eyes were surrounded by a dense black fog that released Dave’s blood “I was the greatest good you will ever know… kinda” the eyes winked at Dave “See ya around”

Meanwhile…

Celestia laid staring up at the spot where she could faintly make out Dave, high above the clouds “Dave, I wasn’t perfect… nowhere near” She closed her eyes as she pictured his face, hoping he could her “I never said this enough but… I lov…”

BOOM

The faint black dot expanded into a swirling mass of flames and lightning, the energy surged towards the castle. Luna’s face was full of panic but Celestia kept her eyes closed as she awaited the pain.

The flames stopped, frozen in the air a few meters before they hit the castle before they suddenly spun back into the centre, sucked into a small gleaming white light. It flickered as Celestia opened an eye to look at it, her mouth let out a breath as she stared

The light finally flickered out and was replaced by an expanding shockwave, it spread out in all directions, the castle shook before the blast was even close. Luna laid down next to Celestia as the looked up at the sky

As the shockwave almost reached them, the princesses were distracted by a loud roar. They looked up to see Adamas land next near them, his wings protecting them and Strong Shield’s limp body. He closed his eyes in hope as the shockwave smashed against his back, cracking his scales

As the shockwave passed the dragon, it weakened as it shook the city and the loud noise echoed along the land. In Ponyville, three fillies already had their heads under some pillows as the sound ran down the streets

As the castle stopped shaking, Celestia and Luna both got to their hooves, looking up at the dragon. His eyes were closed and his body was limp. They sighed sadly but stopped as the body folded and crumpled as it was lifted up

“So that was spontaneous generosity?” Adamas realized as he removed his old green scales from his new diamond body. His scales were bright and his wings were like giant mirrors that reflected the sun without effort

Luna smiled “Dragon magic… so that is what you aimed to achieve?” She smiled as Adamas excitedly checked out his body. His smile dipped as he saw Dave’s trench coat fall from the sky, moving in the wind

“My elder would be proud” He sighed as he looked at Strong Shield “Is he?” He leaned closer and took a sniff “He is weak… he won’t last unless he his treated right away”

Luna nodded “We owe it to Dave… we wish you a safe journey” she smiled as the dragon flew away, his scales brightened everything he flew over. Luna looked at Celestia from the corner of her eye, she saw her dropped wings and empty face

The dark alicorn sighed as she picked up Strong Shield and took him back into the castle, leaving her older sister to grieve. Celestia sat on her flank as she looked up at the sky, her eyes closed as she shuddered

A few hours went past and Celestia never moved from her position on the guard tower. Luna returned briefly to sit next to her bigger sibling

“Dave did what had to be done” Luna said sadly as she held back her own tears “I know that you hurt much more than I do” she looked back up at the clear sky “But he wouldn’t have wanted you to be happy”

“Happiness” Celestia shook her head “And what makes you think that I can achieve happiness after what has happened?” She looked at Luna with tear-filled eyes

Luna did not say anything as she placed a hoof on Celestia’s stomach “This one will certainly try” Luna smiled “I know you won’t let Dave die in vain”

Celestia rested her head on Luna’s shoulder as she sobbed again. The sisters held each other as Canterlot was slowly being filled with the population.

Canterlot Castle: hospital wing

Shining Armour stood by Strong Shield’s hospital bed, sitting amongst various machines “So what are we supposed to do now?” He sighed to the usually nervous guard beside him

“I don’t know sir,” Private Barrier said in a low tone “He is in a very… unstable condition” he pointed to the machines “These are keeping him alive but they are also slowing his recovery”

“So if we turn these off” Shining Armour shook his head “there is a chance he could survive?” He looked at the guard next to him as he nodded “Regardless of what happens… I want him to be known in the room of remembrance… he did what the princesses could not”

Private Barrier sighed, “I suppose he would like to be forever remembered as a good guard”

Dragon Mountains: elder cavern

Adamas crawled through into cavern and looked up at the elder’s eye with a smile but it slowly disappeared as he saw another member of the enlightened sat next to the eye

The elder coughed heavily “So, you made sure Odio’s plan was achieved and learnt about generosity” the mountain shook as the elder chuckled

“When I protected the princesses… this happened” The diamond dragon looked at himself “is this what we strived for?”

The elder’s eye watered slightly “I am so happy I saw a dragon make it” The elder’s eye began to drop slowly “They are your enlightened now… Adamas” his eye closed and the mountain turned unnervingly still

Adamas shuddered as the white dragon walked over, she was a female and placed a claw around him “He has been sick for sometime… he held on to see if you achieved your goal” she left the cavern and left Adamas to hold his head

“All this time you said you were teaching us” The dragon sighed “You were just trying to find someone that could take us further” Adamas patted the closed eye “I will make us great… for a good purpose”

Adamas crawled out of the cavern and looked down. The enlightened were all grouped at the bottom of the mountain, their gazes moved up to look at Adamas. He sighed once more before spreading his wings wide and allowed the sun to reflect off his wings and bathe the enlightened in the warm glow of the sun

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“So that’s it?” The therapist put down his notepad “That certainly is an interesting story” his gaze moved to the sofa where his customer lay

“Yeah… Odio made Strong Shield a legend, Adamas an icon, Luna stronger” The client chuckled “But I hope Dave manages to cope”

“But you said he died” The therapist paused “So when is the next book coming out?”

“Book? This is no book” The client turned to look at the therapist “And I said Dave’s mortal body couldn’t cope, so the energy absorbed allowed him to transcend that… become immortal”

“So he could be with Celestia and his son forever?” The therapist smiled “So he just has to find a way to turn from a spirit back into a physical form”

“Yeah that is what they deserve” The client smirked “Celestia and Dave can suffer in each others company… I certainly couldn’t stand them”

“So the punishment was actually a blessing in disguise,” The therapist scratched his head “So what about this Odio… did he get what he deserved?”

“Oh yes, he pretended to be evil so he could be good to everypony, besides… somepony had to go to Earth” The client held up a bag “Also I bought Halo 4 limited edition!” he smiled as his eyes shone red

Author's Notes:

Sequel here: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/54104/unexplored-paths
Just saying