Bonds Between Worlds Epilogue
By Foxgear

(Nico’s final log

There’s not much to say. I’ve hung up my coat and gun and made the necessary arrangements. All that’s left is to enjoy the time left to me.
End of Nico’s log)

Nico laughs as he pulls at the reins of Booster. Riding beside him atop Abi was Applebloom, this would be her third time on top of the horse and she was getting the hang of her. He took the lead. Trusting Abi not to buck or run wild with the little red head. Taking it slowly he leads Applebloom to the river that ran at the very north-western edge of their land. The same river he had fallen into the first day he came to this world.

It brought a smile to his face. He still wished he could have finished Madhoof of that night, but things were as they were. He couldn’t change them.

“You’ve been smiling a lot lately daddy,” Applebloom chimed riding up beside him. “It’s nice.”

“I’m just happy to see you smiling, Baby Boom.”

Only five days have passed since he put an end to Madhoof. Crystal College was in an uproar as the authorities uncovered all Madhoof’s dirty secrets. In the meantime, he’s been putting on a constant smile for his kids. Spending every waking minute of every day with them.

It’s been a struggle. Madhoof’s last attack had been poisonous. The same kind of poison that he infected Applejane with. He went and had Nyx test him. The poison was eating away at his body at much faster rate. He could die any day, maybe even today for all he knew. Only through his magic was he still able to move, without it, he wouldn’t even be able to move.

They rode a little further following the river. Like Nico predicted they come across a certain tree. Pulling Booster to a stop Nico points to the tree. “That’s where I met your mother.” He said nostalgically.

“Wow! Really?” Applebloom said excitedly.

Dismounting Booster Nico walks over and places his hand on the tree, remembering the night Applejane found him. “Yep, right here. I was sitting right here… when… she……. found…me…”

“Dad!” Applebloom quickly dismounts Abi, running to Nico’s side as he lay on his side coughing up a fit! She fidgets uncertain what to do to help him as he coughs up blood! “Dad! DAD! What’s wrong? What do I do?” She cries shaking him by the shoulder. “Dad!”

“You should go get help. I’ll stay here with him.” A female voice said suddenly. Applebloom turns her tear stricken face toward the mysterious voice but found no one there. Scared and worried for her dad she jumps on Abi and takes off for the farm yard.

Booster nudges Nico with his head, helping his friend to sit up right. Nico pats the stallion on the head, his breathing labored.

“Do you know who that was, boy?” Nico asked the stallion. Booster whips head around, saying he didn’t know. Causing Nico to chuckle. “I thought it was Applejane for a second, but… I must be hearing things… god… I feel so tired. I think… I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up when the kids get here will you?”

Nico closes his eyes, catching the outline of a feminine figure in the distant. He wondered who it is.

Ten minutes later Applebloom arrives with her older brother and sister, Big Mac and Applejack. They found Nico still sitting against the tree. Booster nudging his body, trying to wake him up. Except he wouldn’t wake up.

Nico Vega Apple, died on May 20th, 2007, sitting against the same tree where he met the love of his life.

(Ferocious and Luna’s Epilogue)

Three individuals, Granny Smith, Ferocious, and Luna all sat together before the desk of Barrister Mclawburg, attorney. In attendance besides Mr. Mclawburg, was Ms. Caretaker from child services. A day has passed since Nico Vega, son in law to Granny Smith and friend to Ferocious and Luna had passed away. While the undertaker tends to his body, the matter of who was to care for three children left behind was to be hashed out between the three.

Granny Smith held claim over them as she was the mother of their mother and was eligible by law to take custody of her own grandkids. On that same token, Ferocious and Luna were the three children’s’ godparents. Selected by both Nico and Applejane.

The matter now was to decide who was best for the children?

Luna and Ferocious, while a couple was unmarried and still living separately. Being the vice principal of the children’s school had many plus and minus and it gives Luna an edge in the parental department. Ferocious muddied the waters. While those who knew him, knew he was a kind and responsible individual (Most of the time) He did run a biker club bar, currently, the leader of said biker club and has a less than flattering past.

Overall any positive brought by Luna was negated by Ferocious. The fact they weren’t married yet was also concerning as no one could be sure of the stability of their relationship with having to suddenly care for three kids that have not lost one, both of their parents in the span of two weeks.

On the case of Granny Smith, she was an experienced caregiver, with a stable income and home life and was a blood relative. The cons were her age, pushing into the high sixties, though she remains healthy. It would be problematic if she were to fall ill, once again thrusting the kids into the same situation they found themselves in now.

The debate was on.

“In my opinion.” Mclawburg began, fiddling with his glasses as he looked over the twos files. “I do not see any major issue with either of you taking charge of the Apple children. To you Mr. Ferocious and Miss Luna, I would say that since you volunteered for the responsibility in an event such as this. I would assume you’d be prepared to take on the burden. On the plus, you are both employed and make enough to be considered finically stable. However, while not required by law. I certainly would rather have you too married, but that is my personal bias. What say, you Ms. Caretaker?”

The porkily blue woman clicked her tongue in dismay, “While I usually wouldn’t have a problem with someone of Miss Luna’s cardinals. I find I cannot support her and Mr. Ferocious given his past misgivings and… seedy business. Also, I cannot find conscience in a teacher who would choose such a man as a life partner. It shows a lack of sound judgment in my mind, at least on paper.”

“Now hold on just gum flapping minute!” Granny commanded gaining the attention of the entire room. “While I do believe I would be more suited to care for mah own kin, it is not because I think these two young lovers are unqualified! If I were to die right this second, I would die happy knowing these two, these two chosen by mah own flesh and blood and the man that won her heart, would be more than qualified to look after my grandkids.”

Granny turns to look the young couple in the square in the eye, her features softened as she spoke to them. “That said, I don’t want you to have that burden. The kids are well behaved enough most of the time, but times will be tough too. And well I know you two could handle it, it wouldn’t be easy. I want you two to have your own life, your own kids. I’ll admit I’m old and a little worn, but I have some spirit left in me. Let me carry this one last burden.” A tear rolled down the elderly woman’s face. “I see so much of them in the kids… please. For however long it maybe. Let me take care of mah family.”

Ferocious and Luna looked between each other. They had talked about this a little bit the night before. Fully intending to take the burden from Granny and live up to the promise they made to their friends. Yet…

Luna’s closed her fist, visibly shaking. It felt like such a betrayal. Like she was giving up before even trying. But the doubt, the doubt that she, no, they may not be the best choice weighed heavily on her. Her shoulder’s slump as she grabs Ferocious’s hand tightly.

“We’ll let Granny take custody.”

(Big Mac’s Epilogue)

The following day, the funeral of Nico Vega. Once again, the friends and family of the Apple clan gather. The crowd, while big, wasn’t as large as it had been before. Many of the Apples while having met Nico didn’t really know him, but many still come out of respect for their family. Nico’s friends were few. There were Ferocious, Stryker Six, Luna, and Celestia, but not much else. A few of the bikers from the bar attended too, but they didn’t know him well enough to really speak about him. There were two surprise guests, two students from Crystal College, Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor. Nobody knew why they were there.

Mac sat in the front row, Applejack and Applebloom on one side and Granny Smith and Great Grandpa Bailey on one side. He faces towards the head of the hot church. His father lying peacefully in his casket in the same spot his mother had been not two weeks ago. His silver hair combed and his hands folded over each other. It looked like he was sleeping.

“We will now have words of the departed,” The Pastor announced. Mac watched Bailey raise and stride up to the podium in the sanctuary. The old Patriarch of the Apple Clan looking worn and defeated as he took the stand.

“I buried my granddaughter not two weeks ago. Now I’m burying her husband. A man I loved like a second son. I saw much of myself in Nico, determination, drive, and overall strict sense of duty. I didn’t know his past. Only that he was a man I could trust to my only granddaughter too. Even after her passing. I still believed that. He stood firm and didn’t break. I know not what strange disease took him and Applejane from this world. Only that he never let his pain show. He was and truly is a man among men.” Bailey steps away from the stand, hobbling back to his seat with his cane. Mac spotting the tiniest of glistening around his wrinkled eyes that showed the true depth of the old man’s sadness.

Next to take the stand was Ferocious. Looking uncomfortable in his suit as he took the stand.

“I’m not good at these things. Mainly because I never had to do one of these before.” He visibly sighs, his body shaking with emotions he kept tightly gripped. “I lost my dad when I was young. I was probably only seventeen. I know that doesn’t sound relevant, but there’s a connection just be patient. I met Nico when I was twenty-one. I had been jumped by some ass… not so friendly folks and I ran into Nico and Applejane, as well as Luna and her sister Celestia. Nico helped me out. A stranger in a leather jacket and looked like trouble with a capital T. But he helped me anyway. Later I noticed he wore the patch as my dad. I never did find out what it meant, but I like to think Dad sent Nico my way to straighten out my life. Nico… Nico was like an older brother. And I’m going to miss him very much.”

Ferocious returns to his seat beside Luna, who wraps her arm around him.

“Are there any others who would like to speak?” The Pastor asked. No one stood up, thus he began to lower the casket lid. “Will the casket bearers please come forward.”

Mac rose, along with Bailey, Ferocious, Stryker Six, and Great Uncle Crab Apple. Usually, the numbers of casket bears would be six, but Dad didn’t have that many friends and Grandpa Washington, Granny Smith’s husband, passed away three years ago.

The five men lift the casket. Mac lifting with all the strength his fourteen-year-old body could muster. Bailey and Ferocious took the front, while Crab and Striker carry the back with him in the middle. The walk was slow and arduous. The big double doors of the church opened wide for them as they carried his father to the hearse. They set the casket on the rails of the black car and slowly push the casket inside.

“You can ride with me Mac,” Bailey said leading Mac by the shoulder to his pickup. Granny Smith took the girls to her car and they all follow the hearse out to the cemetery.

During the trip Mac notices Bailey glancing his way a lot. As if the old man wants to tell him something, but was struggling on whether to speak or not. Keeping silent Mac waits for Bailey to make up his mind for the whole duration of the trip. The old man never spoke until they come to a stop at the cemetery.

“Be strong Mac, be strong like your father. You need to look out for your sisters.” Bailey said suddenly. Grabbing his cane Bailey steps out of the truck and stood tall. “Shed no tears, at least not where people can see you.”

Mac nods and follows the old man to the grave site.

Everyone gathered around, words were spoken and Mac and his sisters were given a front row seat to watch their father be lowered into the ground next to the freshly made hole. Their mother laying only a few inches away. The dirt covering her grave still loose and barely covered with fledging strains of green grass.

Eventually, the crowd began to disperse. Slowly person by person the crowd shrank to where only the apples and Nico’s closest friends remain. The more distant apple relatives began to wander away, until only Ferocious, Luna and Celestia, Bailey, Granny Smith and the three apple siblings remain.

“It’s time to go home,” Granny said pulling at Applejack and Applejane’s hands. “Mac, come on, it’s time to go.”

“I want to stay a little longer,” Mac replied firmly. Granny looks to her father for help, but the old man shakes his head.

“Give him time Granny.”

“And how is he going to get home? It’s getting dark and you’re not allowed to drive after dark anymore and I have many things to attend too.”

“I’ll stay with him,” Ferocious interrupted before the two’s argument could heat up. “Luna can ride home with Celestia. I’ll take Mac home when he’s ready.”

The two elders relent and shuffle off to their vehicles. Luna and Celestia gave Mac their good byes and too walked away. Leaving the boy and biker alone on the hill looking over the town.

“I’ll be over there when you’re ready.” Ferocious told him walking away.

Mac stood before the tombstone his parents share. His gaze fixed on their names. With no one else around his body began to shake. He struggled hard, fighting back the tears that come anyway. With a mournful wail, he fell to his knees and cries, his hands clenching the dirt of his parents’ graves.

“Hey, it’s going to be ok,” A feminine voice said while patting Mac on the back. The young boy looks with a tear struck face at the young black haired and tawny skinned woman sitting beside him. He quickly wipes his face with his sleeve, trying to hide his tears.

“Who are you?” Mac asked, his voice cracking from crying. He’s never seen this woman anywhere around town before, but she wore the same blue jacket as his dad. It even at the same unicorn skull and wings patches on the shoulder, though instead of a number, she had the symbol for infinity below it.

“Just a friend of Nico’s coming to say goodbye, I guess I’m a little late though. That’s ok, I was never a crowd kind of pon- um… person. I like things quiet is all. Kind of like now.” The woman gave Mac a wide bright smile, her black eyes shining with a hint of silver as she pressed her lips to his forehead. “You’re going to be ok. Things may seem very dark now, but I see a very bright future for you. But it’s up to you to make it happen.”

As the woman stood up and began to walk away, Mac scrambles to his feet, his cheek still flush from crying and her kiss as he shouts after her, “Wait, you never said your name!”

The woman turns, still smiling brightly as she replies, “My name is Dusk!” And like a flicker in the wind, she disappears in a flash of silver as the sun descends below the horizon. Mac blinks, rubbing his eyes. Wondering if he had been imagining things, but when he touched his forehead he still felt the warmth of her lips. So, she must have been real? Right?

“Mac!” Ferocious yelled as he ran towards him. The red biker was looking flustered as he looks around frantically with his fist clench tight as if expecting a fight. Once he saw there was no one around Ferocious turned his attention to Mac. “Are you alright? Was someone here? I thought I sensed magi… I mean I thought I heard someone else here.”

“Yeah,” Mac replied promptly. “A woman with black hair and eyes, she said she was dad’s friend. She walked off that way and disappeared.” Ferocious follows Mac’s finger towards the horizon. His brow frown in worry.

“Well, let’s take her at her word for now. But you should really be more warily of strangers Mac. Now, are you ready to go?”

Mac nods, walking side beside with Ferocious towards the car. “Uncle Feri?”

“Yeah, Mac?”

“Are mom and dad together in heaven?”

Feri turns to the young boy, not entirely sure how to reply. He wasn’t a big church goer, but he possessed magic, so there was obviously more to the world than science could explain. In the end, he simply said, “I like to think so.”

Mac looked a little disappointed by the answer, but smiled anyway, “I think so too.”

Darkness, a long stairway, and a bright light at the top. That’s what Nico Vega found when he closed his eyes for the last time on earth. Also, he no longer walked on two legs, but four. He was a dragon pony again it seems. Trudging up the long stairway, dark thunderous clouds surrounding him on all sides, he saw phases of his life pass by in a jumbled mess that seem to have no rhythm or reason to them.

The imagines became to focus. Suddenly all he could see where the faces of Dr. Madhoof and his accomplice Dr. Hoofenstien. He reckons the memory was when they made him. Sacrificing who knows how many foals into one being.

The clouds lighten and the memories of his time with Princess Luna and Night Patrol begin. Starting with him waking up in a cave with the others and their struggle to survive. He smiles as he witnesses his first meeting with Princess Luna. Not so much a meeting as more of him watching in awe as she declares she would find them a home and a purpose.

Next came his training and the days he spent out hunting the monsters of Equestria with his dragon pony brethren. The simple days when things were black and white. The clouds darkened, turning pitch black. Then came the Crystal war and the fall of the Crystal Empire. It had been the first time he lost friends.

Tears fell down his face as the scenes of the funeral played out before him. He knew what was coming next. The battle of Rainbow Factory. He saw himself sneaking into Madhoof and Hoofenstien’s base. Saw the ponies he killed in cold blood. But he also saw his acts of heroism, of when he brought down the shields protecting the factory and allowing Luna and Celestia to invade. He saw the teleport room and him tackling Madhoof and falling to Earth and them fighting in the river.

The clouds lighten and began to disperse, letting the sun shine through.

Then Nico saw her. He saw Applejane for the first time again and his heart was filled with warmth as he watched their younger years. Kicking himself for realizing how blind he had been to her charms. He saw their first date. Meeting Ferocious. The birth of their kids. He was filled with so much joy and happiness he couldn’t think of anything to describe the warmth in his heart.

Then came Applejane’s death. The sky darkened again as he watched her suffer again. Slowly and painfully. Him feeling helpless as she died right before his eyes. The clouds turned red and red lightning flashed as he watched himself tare through Madhoof’s minions, innocent or not. He watched as he mutilated the mad scientist and left him to burn.

Nico watched the last week of his life play out. He did his best to put up a front for his kids, but the guilt of knowing he didn’t have long with them haunted him. He fell to his knees. What had he done? Really what had he done? He left his kids to fend for themselves with no mother or father!

“I’m a fool, no, I’m worse than a fool. I’m a stupid bastard that couldn’t see what was important to him when it counted!” His heart was aching as he climbs to the last of the stairs, before him where to gates. One lead to a pasture with other ponies and the other led to white light. “What is this?”

“Most beings only have one after life.” A voice said. Nico swirling around looking for the source, only to come right back in front of him was a tawny Alicorn mare with black hair and eyes stood before him. “Since you lived in two worlds you get to choose which one you go to. Though I have a feeling I already know which one you’re going to pick.”

“The one with Applejane of course,” Nico answered firmly, beginning towards the white light. The mysterious Alicorn calling out to him before he could enter.

“Are you sure? Once you enter you cannot leave. You will never see your friends from Equestria, even when they die.”

That made him give pause. But only for a moment. “I’ll remember them in my heart, always, but I have a new family.”

The tawny Alicorn bows her head, looking sad, “I see. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I just wanted to say, thank you.” She smiles. “It was nice to see you again Nico.” She vanishes in a flash of silver.

“Nice to see you too, Dusk,” Nico says with a smile as he enters the white light. He expected to become human, but he remained an Equine and Applejane stood before him looking amused.

“Well. That didn’t take you long.” She said ruffling his mane. “So… when were you going to tell me you were a horse?”

Whatever cosmic entity ruled this realm decided to have mercy on him because Nico was back on two legs and human again. Giving him at least the height advantage as he stared down his wife. “Well… you see… I was going to as soon I could figure out a way to tell you without sounding insane.” He said while scratching his cheek nervously.

“So, till we died then?”

“I guess so.”

Applejane shrugged as she wraps her arms around Nico’s neck, “I guess I would have done the same.” They kiss. It may have only been two weeks, but to them, it had been an eternity since they last touched each other. Before things could get any further Nico broke away looking ashamed.

“I don’t deserve to be here. I was reckless and now the kids don’t have either of us.”

“Not that I don’t agree with the latter, but I got to see what you did. A talking unicorn with wings showed me your life, which was not the first thing I thought I would see in heaven by the way. Gotta say, I’m mad about you dying only two weeks after me, but after seeing some of the things you did, aka, all the killings. I’m just happy you're even here and not in hell.”

“Must have just skirted by then,” Nico joked, but the mood remained sober. He held Applejane closer, embracing her tightly. “Sorry, I wasn’t a better husband and father. I should have been more careful. I should have…”

“It’s ok,” Applejane interrupted stepping out of his embrace. With a wave of her hand, she opened a hole in the floor of heaven. The couple was treated to an image of their kids running to get ready for school with Granny Smith urging them faster. “At least we can watch over them together now.”

Nico fell beside Applejane, wrapping his arm around her as they watched their kids continue to live on. Knowing someday, hopefully not too soon, they would all be together again.

Author's Notes:

Well finally done. Quite the ride. This story may never get the views as some others, but I'm still glad I wrote it.

There were a few hiccups here and there. Like me forgetting I was writing a short story and accidently setting up a much longer story then intended. Thus probably rushing the whole thing a bit.

Still I like Nico's character and I'm glad I got him is own story. Dusk was going to be more relevant in earlier drafts. I actually have a story made up for her, but haven't actually gone to writing it as the OC Alicorn hate kind makes me feel it won't catch traction. And I'm swamped as it is. But let me know if you guys ever want to hear a story about the Alicorn of Time, because I have the draft.

Also I really like Bailey's character. I'm a bit sad as things went along he kind became less relevant. Again setting up a much longer story then planned. Also wish I could have given Crab Apple more flushing out, but I'll defiantly be using both characters again in other stories.

For those you are interested, Ferocious and Stryker Six's story continue in This story

Well I think that's all, props to those of you read all that. That is dedication.