“So that was your real name.”

Indy removed his hat as he knelt down in front of the worn memorial he'd found. A simple marble plaque that had somehow stood the test of time and erosion, its exquisite Japanese script faded but still legible. Below the name was written a single line- Son, Father, King, Warrior, Savior.

“You know,” Indy said quietly, laying a hand on the stone, “I still can only think of you as Jack.” He looked up at the partly-cloudy sky for a moment, watching how the sunlight danced through the leaves of the cherry trees all around the memorial. “Sorry it took me so long to find you. I'm sure the girls would have come along as well, if they could've.” He paused a moment, thinking. “I needed to thank you. We wouldn't have gotten out of that place alive without your help, Jack. I've seen plenty of guys strut around, showing off muscle pointlessly, bragging about how great warriors they were. You? You lived the warrior credo. Stand fast against the threat to the innocent, defend those who can't defend themselves. And you never bragged, never took yourself too seriously... you just did what needed to be done.”

From his messenger bag, he drew out a brand-new camera- almost half the size of the ones he was used to; progress was such an amazing thing- and took a picture of the memorial, being sure to get all of the writing in the shot. With that done, he stood. “You told me you hoped the future would know what I did for it,” he said. “I'm going to do the same for you, Jack. I know you'd defer, you'd rather I not go to the trouble- but I think it's owed to you, by far. I'm used to not being able to tell the full story of what I've done- and by God, I wish there was some way I could tell the world what those six incredible ponies went through to save it- but this at least I can do for you.” The camera went back into the bag, and Indy stood. “It's the least I can do to repay you.”

After one more moment of stillness, the archaeologist turned and walked away, heading back towards the van that waited at the bottom of the hill. Inside, two young men waited expectantly; the one in the passenger's seat, dark-skinned and dressed in a denim shirt with his hair set in cornrows, leaned out the window. “Didja find what you were looking for, Dr. Jones?” he called.

“Sure did, Marcus.” He patted his bag. “Took four years, but I think it was worth it.” His glance shifted over to the driver. “You look nervous, Wan Li.”

The young man tugged at his New York Yankees cap. “I'm a Chinaman in Japan. There's plenty of people here who'd be, uh... a little less than pleased with me being here.”

Marcus patted him on the shoulder. “Don't worry, hoss! I got your back. Nobody's gonna give you grief so long as Marcus Johnson's with ya.” He paused a moment. “Though, seriously, man, I'm still surprised you're okay with this trip. Didn't you say your parents died to Japanese bombs?”

“It was war. They did bad things, we did bad things. I've been through too much to hold grudges.” Wan Li shrugged as he started the van. “I've faced death from so many guys of so many nationalities that I'd have to hate everyone if I was going to start forming prejudices. It's a whole lot easier just to blame Indy for dragging me into so many dangerous places.”

Indy snorted derisively. “Right. Blame me. Not like you ever got yourself into trouble.”

“I blame that on spending my formative years in the company of a man with few morals.”

The archaeologist smirked as Marcus chortled. “Yeah, yeah, keep it up, Wan Li. Maybe I'll tell Marcus here what name you went by back in those days.”

“...oh come on!” Wan Li groaned. “I was a kid! I was still learning English! It's not like I knew any better!”

“Huh? Oh, man, now this I've gotta hear. Spill it.” Marcus leaned back in his seat, fixing his friend with an expectant stare. After a few long moments, the young Chinese man gave in. “Okay. Fine. It was 'Short Round'.”

“Tha- wha- blwahahahaha!” Marcus broke into raucous laughter as Indy smirked. “Oh, God, man, that's just too much. Crazy.”

“Hey, how about we talk about something else for a while?” Wan Li fumed. “Like, I dunno, why we came here in the first place? You were pretty tight-lipped about it during the trip, Dr. Jones.”

“Hey, yeah, that's a fine idea.” Marcus leaned one arm over his seat and looked back at the archaeologist. “You've been studying this certain guy for the last few years, Doc, but you ain't told us much about him. What's the story?”

“Hmh. Alright, fair enough.” Indy set his hat on the seat next to him as he leaned back. “It's a tale about a noble Japanese prince, a powerful samurai warrior, who- through his travels- came to be called 'Jack'....”

(-)

“Ach, lad....” The burly man seated before Jack shook his head, setting his tankard down on the thick table they sat at. “Were it any other man before me, I'd be callin' this tale the result of five too many ales. A whole universe ruled by a thinkin' gem? Talkin' ponies? A man from th' past?” He waved one enormous hand. “Present company excepted, o' course. But anyway... anyone else, I'd be declarin' this the tall tale to end 'em all. But you, Jack? Yer not th' type inclined towards flights o' fancy.”

The samurai chuckled. “Indeed. Though I understand your disbelief. Were I to be told this tale by any other person, I would react much the same way.”

“Heh. Well, lad... I figure you'd be the first one I'd want at me side in a crazy situation like that. I think those ponies and that professor were lucky t' have ye. Suppose that's another debt a lotta people have t' ye.” He paused a moment, gazing at the samurai over the edge of his tankard as he took another deep quaff. “But I see somethin' in yer eyes, laddie. Somethin's eatin' at ya. What's on yer mind?”

Jack let out a long breath as he set his teacup back in its dish. “I learned something of the flow of time during my time spent in that strange place. It has led me to wonder about the consequences of my mission.” He folded his hands together and placed them on the table. “Were I to succeed at my task, return to the past and destroy Aku, and unravel all he has done... what would become of this place? What would become of all those who inhabit it?”

“Y'mean... like me.” The Scotsman leaned back in his chair, which creaked in protest as he settled his weight. “Jack, y'oughta know that philosophy is not m' strong point. But lemme give ye three simple words that oughta set yer mind at ease. It. Dinnae. Matter.” He paused again to take another drink. “Fate ain't somethin' I put a lot of stock in, but I do believe that th' universe has gotta way of sortin' itself out. Let's say, yah, you go back home and give Aku the thrashin' he's got comin'. Without th' world fallin' under his rule, do I even get born? Do I meet m' wife? I've gotta say 'aye' t' that, lad. I think a lotta things in life were just meant t' be.” He shrugged. “But even if they ain't, puttin' an end t' Aku's wickedness... me never comin' into bein' is a price I'll gladly pay, lad. I ain't th' only one. You know it's gotta be done, an' don't let anythin' stop ye.”

Jack nodded slowly. “Thank you, my friend.”

“Aw, heck, lad, ye already knew it! Y' just needed t' be reminded.” One of those enormous hands came down on Jack's shoulder, almost knocking him off of his chair. “Yer th' last person in th' world who'd shirk duty.” Finding his tankard empty, the Scotsman stood, the machine gun that served as one of his legs thunking against the floor as he walked over to his friend. “Up with ye, lad. Lemme take ye back t' the castle, treat ye to a fine dinner with m' family.” He grinned as Jack stood. “The missus would love t' hear about these ponies! I think she could really identify with that one... what was 'er name....” He furrowed his brow for a moment. “Ah, right! Th' one you called 'Fluttershy'!”

Jack's face went slack. “...Fluttershy? Are... you certain?”

“Oh, aye. Wiltin' flowers, gentle as a summer breeze, both of 'em! I'm sure they'd get along famously!”

All Jack could do was smile to himself as he walked alongside his friend out of the tavern and into the night-darkened streets.

(-)

“Rainbow Dash? Using a door? My, it's like everything I know has been turned upside-down.”

The pegasus shot Twilight a look as the unicorn giggled. “Right, yuk it up. There's a reason you work in a library instead of a comedy club.”

“Har har.” Twilight magically closed the door behind Rainbow. “Sorry I'm a little late,” the cyan mare said. “I was out at the park with Scoots all morning, helping her work on her wing strength.”

“Oh, no, you're actually a few minutes early.” Twilight smiled. “You've grown attached to that filly, haven't you?”

“After what happened in that place... I can't look at her without wanting to try to make things a little better for her.” Dash shook her head. “Oh, hey, speaking of... did you get a response back from the Princess yet?”

“I did! This morning, in fact. Princess Celestia said her clerks couldn't find any record of a 'Hope's Comfort Orphanage' being registered with Canterlot, but with the information you gave, they may have tracked down its location.” A small, wicked smile crossed the unicorn's face. “If it turns out to be even half as bad as you think it is, the Princess is going to come down on that place like a giant ball of fury. She will not tolerate the mistreatment of foals, especially orphans.”

Dash's grin was easily just as wicked. “Ohhh, I wish I could see that,” she said. “Nopony hurts my friends and gets away with it.”

“Oh, I believe it.” Twilight paused. “So how have you been sleeping?”

“Three nights in a row now without nightmares. That tea Zecora taught me how to brew has seriously been helping.”

“Yeah, me too.” The unicorn's voice trailed off, and she found herself staring out the window for a moment; she almost didn't notice Dash moving to stand next to her. “Hey, uh... Twilight?”

“Hm?”

“You... you miss them too, don't you?”

Twilight nodded. “I feel... almost cheated, in a way. The grandest adventure ever, something we never would've survived without two brave, strong friends... and we'll never have the chance to reminisce with them, to introduce them to our other friends and give them the recognition and thanks they deserve. I know it couldn't have happened any other way, but....”

Dash nodded slowly in agreement. “Yeah, I get you. We coulda learned a lot from them, huh?”

“Yeah, I know....” Twilight's thought was interrupted by the front door opening again. This time, Applejack led a somewhat disheveled-looking Rarity inside. “Oh, hello, girls!” the alabaster unicorn called out. “Forgive my unkempt appearance. I just came from Sweet Apple Acres with AJ here.”

“You gals ain't gonna believe this,” Applejack said. “Our delicate flower Rarity here went an' asked me for some help with physical trainin' and fightin' lessons.”

Rarity blushed at the dropped jaws of her other friends. “Yes, well... sometimes a lady must be delicate and soft. But after our little adventure, I learned that sometimes silk must hide steel.” Her expression fell for a moment. “I would rather not be caught lacking should an emergency require my strength.”

“That's pretty awesome, Rares.” Dash grinned. “I can give you some tips on low-impact strength training if you want.”

“I would be most grateful.”

“Oh hey! We're not late after all!” Pinkie Pie followed her words into the library with Fluttershy close behind. “See, 'Shy? I told you we had time to stop for those donuts.” From wherever Pinkie kept such things, she brought out a tray of freshly-baked donuts of various types. “Who wants to go out on a journey without nice, warm baked goods?”

“Oh, yes, about that.” Fluttershy looked around at her friends. “What exactly is it we'll be doing? Nopony gave me any details.”

“Before we get to that, I'd like you girls to have a look at something I've been writing.” She led the other mares to her lectern, where a fresh sheet of parchment sat; she watched as the other ponies read the writing on it. “I just wanted to get your input on it before I sent it off to the Princesses, and if you're okay with it, I'd like to get each of you to sign it as well.”

One by one, the other Bearers picked up the nearby quill from its inkpot and wrote their names at the bottom of the letter. “It is masterfully written, Twilight,” Rarity said. “I couldn't have put it better myself.”

Twilight smiled. “Thank you, Rarity. Now, about our trip....” She levitated a thick book off of a nearby desk and opened it for her friends to see. “I was doing some light reading last night, and came across this entry here- about an ancient tribe of ponies who supposedly lived in an elaborate series of tunnels underground. It's been conjectured that one of their aboveground entrances was somewhere in the Whitetail Forest, but nopony's actually ever bothered to go looking for it.”

“Oooooh.” Pinkie's grin practically split her face. “You wanna go on an adventure, Twilight?!”

“Well... I'd prefer to call it 'field research', but... yes!” She closed the book and dropped it into her saddlebags. “Indy told me that was the way to really appreciate what you're studying- to go out and find it for yourself, to see it where it really was. I think I want to give that a try.”

“Well... huh.” Dash chuckled. “You know, this could actually prove to be fun. We might find treasure!”

“We might see fashions and jewelry lost to the ages!” Rarity added.

“We might find amazing new creatures and befriend them!” Fluttershy exclaimed.

“We might be giants!”

Everypony turned to stare at Pinkie, who raised an eyebrow. “What, you prefer Franz Ferdinand?” she asked, deadpan.

A moment of confused silence loomed, before the other mares broke out in laughter. “Oh, Pinkie,” Twilight chuckled, adjusting her saddlebags with her magic. “Come on, everypony- history waits for no mare!”

She rolled the parchment her friends had signed and wrapped it in a golden band, letting it wait for Spike's return home to be sent to the Princesses. Then she followed her friends through the library door, and outside into the world beyond.

(-)

Dear Princesses Celestia and Luna,

By now you have probably already read our official report regarding what occurred after we located the tower in the Everfree Forest. However, I wished to supplement that report with a letter- a Friendship Report, perhaps the most unique I have yet written.

Princesses, we learned several valuable lessons during our time within Fracture's domain. We learned that sometimes, through sheer chance and luck, everything around us can change- sometimes for the worst. We learned that there are threats to all that we know which we may never see coming, and that we should always be alert and ready to act. And we learned that every action we take, every choice that we make, may bear consequences we are simply unable to know at the time.

But above all else, we learned that- no matter what one's circumstances at any given time- none of us are ever truly alone. There is always another, somewhere, who has faced what it is we face, or at least something like it... and though we may never have the good fortune of meeting them- or, sadly, only doing so for much too short a time- they are still with us in spirit, connected to us in a way that can never be seen or felt, but is real and solid all the same.

There are places we will never see, that we could never dream of in a million years, where there is suffering and strife beyond measure. I wish beyond anything that we could reach out to them, to lend them the slightest bit of comfort, to tell them “you are not alone”. But it is the best we can do to live our own lives to the fullest, to protect our homes and those whom we love, and to on occasion gaze up at the sky and be thankful that our own lives carry on in relative peace.

These lessons were learned under conditions I would never wish upon any other living thing. But it is the hardest lessons that last the longest, after all. I hope that, when time has passed and my friends and I have left this world, the things we have done and the lessons we have learned will live on- that, no matter what becomes of ponykind, of Equestria, we will know that we are never truly alone... and that when we find ourselves at crossed paths with others who are simply trying to get through life as we are, we should offer them the hoof of friendship and the smile of welcoming for however long we may be blessed with their company.

Signed, your faithful subjects, the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony

- Twilight Sparkle
- Rainbow Dash
- Applejack
- Rarity
- Pinkie Pie
- Fluttershy