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MLP: The Mare in the Mask Ch. 10
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Literature Text
The freed citizens remain where they are: by the side of the Masked Mare as their sights gaze upon the two ponies above on the upper level of the gold mines of Tambelon. Even after being set free my the legendary mare of mystery, and with the nearby tunnel open for a quick and easy escape back out into the city, everypony cannot bring themselves to leave just yet when they wish to ensure the two masked heroes both make it out with them too.
The Masked Mare, who is Twilight Sparkle in disguise, watches with worry as her husband Courageous Heart...or the Silver Stallion...prepares to do battle with the mastermind behind all the kidnappings, thievery, mistreatment, and more: Don Oro Dinero, the wealthiest pony in all of El Caballo. As much as she may feel she should be up there to assist him, this fight is for Courageous alone...to prove he is still a strong warrior and noble leader.
Everypony watches from below...as the fight begins.
"Now we shall see which is stronger!" Oro Dinero states to his opponent as he charges forward...clashing his head and his horn with the masked stallion before him, "Silver...or Gold!"
"Indeed we shall!" The Silver Stallion replies as he uses as much strength as he can muster to push his head against the attacking unicorn while their horns scratch up against the other from one side to the next, bringing about a few sparks.
The two stallion move around and use quite a row of moves to counter their opponent. The stallion of silver moves back on his hind legs and swats his front hooves at Oro Dinero...who counters by doing the same thing. With a great neigh from both, the Silver Stallion lunges forward and pushes the corrupt noble back a ways and down onto the ground...causing the expensive and hoof stitched coat to rip a little and get a little cave mud over it.
Noticing the destruction of his expensive coat that has been in his family for a few generations, the angered unicorn refuses to lose here and now to these masked ponies; He especially does not wish to lose his pride and nobility...plus all his wealth. With no desire to lose this fight nor have his plans destroyed when there is still a chance left, the angry unicorn glares up at the brown stallion wearing silver all around.
"Get up!" Courageous orders in a deep voice in order to hide that which the Don has heard before.
"As you...wish!!" Oro shouts, then kicks some of the muddy water upward with his back legs...right into the blue iris eyes of the Silver Stallion.
"Agh!!" Courageous cries as he tries to wipe the mud out of his eyes so he may see if his opponent is planning to attack. However, that hypothesis is answered before he knows it.
Don Dinero leaps up to his hooves and charges, hitting the Silver Stallion from the side and knocking him down and over towards the ledge leading downward to the lower area of the mine.
The Silver Stallion grunts as he rolls from that surprise attack, and grunts even more as he ends up rolling on his front left leg...causing him to twist it a bit. Courageous stops himself before he falls over the edge where a group of El Caballo guards lie unconscious at the bottom. Standing back up upon his hooves, the stallion cries out as he is unable to put any pressure on his left hoof due to the sprain.
Oro sees his chance and charges ahead, ramming his head and horn into that of his opponent...eager to push him over the edge and fall onto the pile below. The angered unicorn is determined to win this...and with the stallion's slight injury, Dinero believes he has the upperhoof this time around.
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"No!!!" The Masked Mare cries for her beloved partner as he tries to hold on as best he can from above. Desperate to help him with a little magic or flying up to give aid, Twilight cannot risk revealing herself to the ponies nearby. But the most important part is that she cannot interfere with a duel that is between the two stallions; a battle of honor that she might end up leaving her beloved to lose without honor.
The crowd of twenty-ish citizens gasp at their hero who is in a situation that looks as though he is going to fall and lose the duel. Some try to rush over to give him aid, but the Masked Mare holds up a barrier to keep them from taking another step forward.
"No..." Twilight speaks to her faithful subjects while remaining in disguise, "This is his fight; We can not interfere..."
The group of ponies and more feel so helpless watching the pony in silver fight that which he may lose, but they understand and remain where they are...hoping he will succeed. With no reason to run since abandoning their rescuers will not feel right in any way, the freed captives of multiple species remain where they are...and hope for the best.
But all while the group of citizens and the Masked Mare watch the fight above, the El Caballo Guardia nearby remain tied down with the very magic-suppressing chains that once bound the very citizens they captured over the past few days. One particular guard, the unicorn captain, refuses to remain down and out like this...and pulls a hidden key out of his armor with his teeth; With a way out, this greedy pony may have his chance to strike back soon enough.
"You're not such a bad fighter, after all...." Don Dinero compliments the Silver Stallion with mockery as he continues to push against him with all his might, "I only hope your partner, whom I hate far worse than you, can do half as well before I chain you both up and send you to El Caballo...where I were see to it you both remain in prison...forever!!!"
Despite his sprained ankle giving him a disadvantage in this struggle, Courageous refuses to allow Don Dinero to get away with stealing gold, kidnapping his loyal subjects, and worst of all: Thinking he will get away with it all and rule El Caballo with the treasure he planned to take with him and buyout his homeland. "NEVER!!" With one great push with the strength he has with only three legs to support him, the Silver Stallion knocks back the greedy noble and snaps at him, "You will never lay a hoof on my partner nor these good citizens ever again, Dinero!!"
Finding himself landing once more in the puddle of muddy water, ruining his coat all over again, the anger of this greedy and cruel pony rises ever so more and now feels the honor that led him to fight this battle without magic slipping away. Noticing his stun rod nearby, Oro Dinero magically levitates it and brings it to his side. Rising back to his hooves, the evil unicorn roars in anger as he attacks...attempting to stun the Silver Stallion and then move on to the Masked Mare at long last.
"Whatever happened to honor, Dinero?!!" Courageous shouts as he does his best to dodge the Don's rod that will end this battle for him upon contact.
"Forget honor!! All that matters...IS THE GOLD!!!"
The Silver Stallion does his best to avoid the rod flying about...trying to poke him to paralyze his body. But with each counter and dodge, along with the strained hoof, Courageous may not be able to last for much longer. Refusing to lower his honor to that the stallion before him who has lost all of his, the masked unicorn moves forward as the rod comes his way. With a leap into the air as the rod magically comes at him, Courageous opens up his left wing from underneath his cloak...revealing it for all of Don Dinero and the citizens below to see.
"W-W-What...?!!" The confused Dinero mutters in shock to now beholding the masked unicorn before him actually to be an alicorn. Before he can even guess, which would not take very long to deduce, he gasps upon losing his focus and having that very brown wing grab his magical stun rod just like that.
The Silver Stallion holds the rod in his wing, does a quick spin, grabs the handle of the rod with his mouth...and arrives on the ground on three strong hooves and one injured one in time to poke the Don in the chest with the end...stunning him. "Gotcha!!"
Don Dinero gasps as his whole body begins to freeze up; He cannot feel any part of his body as if he were one of his statues...with nothing inside. So much irony fills his mind to all the statues he used to hide his gold within...yet he is now one of them: Stiff and empty on the inside. But while his body may not be able to move, his eyes still can and he gazes at the pony who has defeated him:
"You lose...Don Dinero!" The Silver Stallion states as he lifts up his strained hoof and removes his mask, followed by a spreading of his wings hidden underneath the long, silver cloak. The identity of this masked hero is revealed for the villain and the citizens to behold.
"Y-Y-Y..ou're....H-H-H-igh...ness...?!!!" Oro Dinero, the now defeated noble stutters as he completely freezes, becoming as stiff as his collection of statues...while in utter shock discovering that his nemesis is none other than the Prince of Tambelon, Courageous Heart.
"Yes..." Courageous sighs as he rests his hoof upon the ground, knowing here and now that the match is over...and all of this is at an end: The villain and his minions defeated, the citizens freed, the cavern revealed for all to know about what transpired here.
************************************************
The Masked Mare, who is Twilight Sparkle in disguise, watches with worry as her husband Courageous Heart...or the Silver Stallion...prepares to do battle with the mastermind behind all the kidnappings, thievery, mistreatment, and more: Don Oro Dinero, the wealthiest pony in all of El Caballo. As much as she may feel she should be up there to assist him, this fight is for Courageous alone...to prove he is still a strong warrior and noble leader.
Everypony watches from below...as the fight begins.
"Now we shall see which is stronger!" Oro Dinero states to his opponent as he charges forward...clashing his head and his horn with the masked stallion before him, "Silver...or Gold!"
"Indeed we shall!" The Silver Stallion replies as he uses as much strength as he can muster to push his head against the attacking unicorn while their horns scratch up against the other from one side to the next, bringing about a few sparks.
The two stallion move around and use quite a row of moves to counter their opponent. The stallion of silver moves back on his hind legs and swats his front hooves at Oro Dinero...who counters by doing the same thing. With a great neigh from both, the Silver Stallion lunges forward and pushes the corrupt noble back a ways and down onto the ground...causing the expensive and hoof stitched coat to rip a little and get a little cave mud over it.
Noticing the destruction of his expensive coat that has been in his family for a few generations, the angered unicorn refuses to lose here and now to these masked ponies; He especially does not wish to lose his pride and nobility...plus all his wealth. With no desire to lose this fight nor have his plans destroyed when there is still a chance left, the angry unicorn glares up at the brown stallion wearing silver all around.
"Get up!" Courageous orders in a deep voice in order to hide that which the Don has heard before.
"As you...wish!!" Oro shouts, then kicks some of the muddy water upward with his back legs...right into the blue iris eyes of the Silver Stallion.
"Agh!!" Courageous cries as he tries to wipe the mud out of his eyes so he may see if his opponent is planning to attack. However, that hypothesis is answered before he knows it.
Don Dinero leaps up to his hooves and charges, hitting the Silver Stallion from the side and knocking him down and over towards the ledge leading downward to the lower area of the mine.
The Silver Stallion grunts as he rolls from that surprise attack, and grunts even more as he ends up rolling on his front left leg...causing him to twist it a bit. Courageous stops himself before he falls over the edge where a group of El Caballo guards lie unconscious at the bottom. Standing back up upon his hooves, the stallion cries out as he is unable to put any pressure on his left hoof due to the sprain.
Oro sees his chance and charges ahead, ramming his head and horn into that of his opponent...eager to push him over the edge and fall onto the pile below. The angered unicorn is determined to win this...and with the stallion's slight injury, Dinero believes he has the upperhoof this time around.
**********************************
"No!!!" The Masked Mare cries for her beloved partner as he tries to hold on as best he can from above. Desperate to help him with a little magic or flying up to give aid, Twilight cannot risk revealing herself to the ponies nearby. But the most important part is that she cannot interfere with a duel that is between the two stallions; a battle of honor that she might end up leaving her beloved to lose without honor.
The crowd of twenty-ish citizens gasp at their hero who is in a situation that looks as though he is going to fall and lose the duel. Some try to rush over to give him aid, but the Masked Mare holds up a barrier to keep them from taking another step forward.
"No..." Twilight speaks to her faithful subjects while remaining in disguise, "This is his fight; We can not interfere..."
The group of ponies and more feel so helpless watching the pony in silver fight that which he may lose, but they understand and remain where they are...hoping he will succeed. With no reason to run since abandoning their rescuers will not feel right in any way, the freed captives of multiple species remain where they are...and hope for the best.
But all while the group of citizens and the Masked Mare watch the fight above, the El Caballo Guardia nearby remain tied down with the very magic-suppressing chains that once bound the very citizens they captured over the past few days. One particular guard, the unicorn captain, refuses to remain down and out like this...and pulls a hidden key out of his armor with his teeth; With a way out, this greedy pony may have his chance to strike back soon enough.
"You're not such a bad fighter, after all...." Don Dinero compliments the Silver Stallion with mockery as he continues to push against him with all his might, "I only hope your partner, whom I hate far worse than you, can do half as well before I chain you both up and send you to El Caballo...where I were see to it you both remain in prison...forever!!!"
Despite his sprained ankle giving him a disadvantage in this struggle, Courageous refuses to allow Don Dinero to get away with stealing gold, kidnapping his loyal subjects, and worst of all: Thinking he will get away with it all and rule El Caballo with the treasure he planned to take with him and buyout his homeland. "NEVER!!" With one great push with the strength he has with only three legs to support him, the Silver Stallion knocks back the greedy noble and snaps at him, "You will never lay a hoof on my partner nor these good citizens ever again, Dinero!!"
Finding himself landing once more in the puddle of muddy water, ruining his coat all over again, the anger of this greedy and cruel pony rises ever so more and now feels the honor that led him to fight this battle without magic slipping away. Noticing his stun rod nearby, Oro Dinero magically levitates it and brings it to his side. Rising back to his hooves, the evil unicorn roars in anger as he attacks...attempting to stun the Silver Stallion and then move on to the Masked Mare at long last.
"Whatever happened to honor, Dinero?!!" Courageous shouts as he does his best to dodge the Don's rod that will end this battle for him upon contact.
"Forget honor!! All that matters...IS THE GOLD!!!"
The Silver Stallion does his best to avoid the rod flying about...trying to poke him to paralyze his body. But with each counter and dodge, along with the strained hoof, Courageous may not be able to last for much longer. Refusing to lower his honor to that the stallion before him who has lost all of his, the masked unicorn moves forward as the rod comes his way. With a leap into the air as the rod magically comes at him, Courageous opens up his left wing from underneath his cloak...revealing it for all of Don Dinero and the citizens below to see.
"W-W-What...?!!" The confused Dinero mutters in shock to now beholding the masked unicorn before him actually to be an alicorn. Before he can even guess, which would not take very long to deduce, he gasps upon losing his focus and having that very brown wing grab his magical stun rod just like that.
The Silver Stallion holds the rod in his wing, does a quick spin, grabs the handle of the rod with his mouth...and arrives on the ground on three strong hooves and one injured one in time to poke the Don in the chest with the end...stunning him. "Gotcha!!"
Don Dinero gasps as his whole body begins to freeze up; He cannot feel any part of his body as if he were one of his statues...with nothing inside. So much irony fills his mind to all the statues he used to hide his gold within...yet he is now one of them: Stiff and empty on the inside. But while his body may not be able to move, his eyes still can and he gazes at the pony who has defeated him:
"You lose...Don Dinero!" The Silver Stallion states as he lifts up his strained hoof and removes his mask, followed by a spreading of his wings hidden underneath the long, silver cloak. The identity of this masked hero is revealed for the villain and the citizens to behold.
"Y-Y-Y..ou're....H-H-H-igh...ness...?!!!" Oro Dinero, the now defeated noble stutters as he completely freezes, becoming as stiff as his collection of statues...while in utter shock discovering that his nemesis is none other than the Prince of Tambelon, Courageous Heart.
"Yes..." Courageous sighs as he rests his hoof upon the ground, knowing here and now that the match is over...and all of this is at an end: The villain and his minions defeated, the citizens freed, the cavern revealed for all to know about what transpired here.
************************************************
"Prince Courageous Heart...is the Silver Stallion?!" The many citizens all blurt out in shock and surprise. To them, they never though the former Champion and Prince of the Light would dawn a mask to save them all. Some had even doubted him long before this, but now...all that has changed from what they just witnessed.
The Masked Mare is proud too for her partner and husband defeating this enemy all on his own...proving he has what it takes to be so much more without powers of any kind. This might even be a good opportunity to unmask herself and show the citizens who she really is.
"I got you now, Masked Mare!!" Shouts a voice from behind.
Twilight turns around and gasps upon seeing the El Caballo Captain free from his chains and magically holding a paralyzing rod of his own. Unable to conjure a spell in time, the mare flinches as the greedy unicorn thrusts his rod towards her to give her a gentle poke and paralyze her...doing that what his master could not.
However, the rod stops just short of the Masked Mare's nose.
"Wha...?" Twilight mutters as she opens her eyes and beholds a captain of the guards frozen up all of a sudden; Even his magic is at a halt, preventing the rod from moving even an inch closer, "...how...?"
"I think it is I who has you~" The voice from behind the now frozen captain states. It is none other than Espina Rosa, arriving at the last minute to save the Masked Mare. "Are you...alright?" She asks her idol and hero.
"Yes, I am now. Thank you so much, Senora Espina."
"Of course..." Espina smiles, but now looks upon the beautiful mare that she has been aching to reunite with for so long a time. Now that she is standing before the masked pony of mystery, Espina Rosa mutters, "...mother?"
"Huh...?" Twilight mutters in confusion at first, but then recalls that which she has discovered about the original Masked Mare and her possible connection to Espina and Dinero, "Oh no...I am afraid I am not the same Masked Mare you seek..." Removing her mask with magic, along with changing the colors of her coat and mane, the Masked Mare before Espina Rosa and the citizens is now revealed to be none other than:
"Princess...Twilight Sparkle?!!" Everypony there says all at once, now seeing how the very heroes that saved them are not just one, but both rulers of this great kingdom. This brings a great amount of praise and cheering for the two royal ponies who have saved Tambelon once more, and while using masked and disguises to do it all.
Espina is the only one who is both confused and a little disappointed that Twilight, instead of her mother whom she longs to see again, was the Masked Mare. However, she is happy to see the Princess of Friendship and the Prince of Courage work together to stop her father from stealing and nearly destroying this beautiful land that she has been so happy to have visited.
At that moment, the citizens cry out in praise once more for their beloved rulers who have saved them and the city, right as the two stand together once more...nuzzling each other with the love they share that is unmatched by so many. With everypony safe and the gold secure, good has once more triumphed over evil...thanks to two masked heroes who fight for justice and forever will in the days to come.
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The Masked Mare is proud too for her partner and husband defeating this enemy all on his own...proving he has what it takes to be so much more without powers of any kind. This might even be a good opportunity to unmask herself and show the citizens who she really is.
"I got you now, Masked Mare!!" Shouts a voice from behind.
Twilight turns around and gasps upon seeing the El Caballo Captain free from his chains and magically holding a paralyzing rod of his own. Unable to conjure a spell in time, the mare flinches as the greedy unicorn thrusts his rod towards her to give her a gentle poke and paralyze her...doing that what his master could not.
However, the rod stops just short of the Masked Mare's nose.
"Wha...?" Twilight mutters as she opens her eyes and beholds a captain of the guards frozen up all of a sudden; Even his magic is at a halt, preventing the rod from moving even an inch closer, "...how...?"
"I think it is I who has you~" The voice from behind the now frozen captain states. It is none other than Espina Rosa, arriving at the last minute to save the Masked Mare. "Are you...alright?" She asks her idol and hero.
"Yes, I am now. Thank you so much, Senora Espina."
"Of course..." Espina smiles, but now looks upon the beautiful mare that she has been aching to reunite with for so long a time. Now that she is standing before the masked pony of mystery, Espina Rosa mutters, "...mother?"
"Huh...?" Twilight mutters in confusion at first, but then recalls that which she has discovered about the original Masked Mare and her possible connection to Espina and Dinero, "Oh no...I am afraid I am not the same Masked Mare you seek..." Removing her mask with magic, along with changing the colors of her coat and mane, the Masked Mare before Espina Rosa and the citizens is now revealed to be none other than:
"Princess...Twilight Sparkle?!!" Everypony there says all at once, now seeing how the very heroes that saved them are not just one, but both rulers of this great kingdom. This brings a great amount of praise and cheering for the two royal ponies who have saved Tambelon once more, and while using masked and disguises to do it all.
Espina is the only one who is both confused and a little disappointed that Twilight, instead of her mother whom she longs to see again, was the Masked Mare. However, she is happy to see the Princess of Friendship and the Prince of Courage work together to stop her father from stealing and nearly destroying this beautiful land that she has been so happy to have visited.
At that moment, the citizens cry out in praise once more for their beloved rulers who have saved them and the city, right as the two stand together once more...nuzzling each other with the love they share that is unmatched by so many. With everypony safe and the gold secure, good has once more triumphed over evil...thanks to two masked heroes who fight for justice and forever will in the days to come.
**********************************************
A few hours later after the Tambelon Elite Guards show up once they discovered the plans within the Royal Family's bedroom, and the sightings of the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion galloping through the streets, the corrupt wealthy noble Don Dinero and the El Caballo Guardia are arrested for the crimes of kidnapping, stealing, and actions that would have led to Tambelon collapsing from beneath.
The freed citizens return to their homes and to the loving arms of their friends and families...who are so thrilled beyond measure to have them returned safe and sound. What's more is what each and every one of them tell of when once the hugs come to an end: Their daring rescue by the legendary heroes they shall forever be thankful to...while keeping their identities secret. Everypony within that cavern who saw the ponies behind the masks made a vow to stay quiet so that the legend would remain that of a mystery for both Tambelon and El Caballo.
The villain and his minions however did see who the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion were...but thanks to the powerful magical abilities of a certain alicorn princess, their minds have been wiped of that event and can only recall fighting the masked vigilantes...but never discovering their identities. To the Royal Family, it was best to have all of Tambelon believe that they themselves were working with the masked heroes in order to put an end to Don Dinero's plans. This way they can receive some credit while keeping the legend of the Masked Mare and now Silver Stallion alive and send a message to all evil wherever it may strike: the mysterious heroes will always ride in to save the day and bring justice to those who have been wronged.
Once everything has been cleared up, Twilight is able to magically teleport herself and her husband out of the cave and back to the palace before the guards arrive. Later they change and return to the scene of the crime as the Prince and Princess of Tambelon...while the guards apprehend Don Dinero and his own guards.
In the meantime, Princess Twilight and Prince Courageous rejoin Espina as they move into the living room where some of the furniture has been unpacked and available for sitting and chatting.
"I...I still cannot believe we pulled all that off...and just in time," Twilight Sparkle admits as she rests upon the white sofa next to her husband, "We did it..."
"We sure did, my love~" Courageous chuckles as he nuzzles his wife, while resting his strained hoof for the moment and hopes it will heal up soon, "That was a close call, but we beat the bad guy, saved the city, returned the citizens home, and now the gold is being restored to the structures within the caves...courtesy of Don Dinero and his guards "volunteering" to do the honors."
Espina giggles from the couch she sits upon right across from the the royal couple, and concludes Courageous's sentence, "...and you kept the legend of the Masked Mare and the new Silver Stallion alive by ensuring their identities are safe~"
"Indeed!" Twilight Sparkle giggles as she relaxes in her husband's embrace, "I know those we saved will do the right thing and keep our little secret...well, a secret."
"I agree that they will." Courageous Heart supports his wife and kisses her cheek, then turns his attention to Espina Rosa, "Thanks to Twilight's great knowledge of spells, your father and his troops will not remember us being unmasked at that very moment; The only thing they will remember is how they were defeated by the legendary heroes they despise so much."
"Yeah..." The onyx coated mare with the long red mare agrees with the stallion she admires, but her face soon turns from a warm smile to a sad frown, "But still, I cannot believe my father would do all this...even lock me up over the sake of wealth and hurting others..."
"I'm so sorry, Espina..." Twilight feels so terrible for the unicorn mare she once hated for her flirting with Courageous, but now has come to like...especially after she saved her from that guard back in the cavern. "I wish there was something we could do to help...."
"Thank you...Twilight," The sniffing unicorn appreciates the kindness and wipes her eyes free of tears with her handkerchief, with the help of her magic, "It will take a little time to accept what has happened, but hopefully some time in jail will help sort my father out...after he and the guards finish placing all the gold they mined back where it was, of course. Then eventually they will be taken back to my homeland...where they will face justice there as well; So my father is going to be enduring a lot of jail time and community service for everything he has done."
With a hearty chuckle to the punishment the corrupt ponies of El Caballo will have to endure for the next week to years, the three ponies sitting within the living room relax once more as another adventure has come to an end; The kingdom is saved and the tales of the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion will be told by the hearts of all those who are thankful for their heroic deeds...and should a time ever come when they are needed again, there may be no telling who may dawn the masks the next time.
**********************************************
The freed citizens return to their homes and to the loving arms of their friends and families...who are so thrilled beyond measure to have them returned safe and sound. What's more is what each and every one of them tell of when once the hugs come to an end: Their daring rescue by the legendary heroes they shall forever be thankful to...while keeping their identities secret. Everypony within that cavern who saw the ponies behind the masks made a vow to stay quiet so that the legend would remain that of a mystery for both Tambelon and El Caballo.
The villain and his minions however did see who the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion were...but thanks to the powerful magical abilities of a certain alicorn princess, their minds have been wiped of that event and can only recall fighting the masked vigilantes...but never discovering their identities. To the Royal Family, it was best to have all of Tambelon believe that they themselves were working with the masked heroes in order to put an end to Don Dinero's plans. This way they can receive some credit while keeping the legend of the Masked Mare and now Silver Stallion alive and send a message to all evil wherever it may strike: the mysterious heroes will always ride in to save the day and bring justice to those who have been wronged.
Once everything has been cleared up, Twilight is able to magically teleport herself and her husband out of the cave and back to the palace before the guards arrive. Later they change and return to the scene of the crime as the Prince and Princess of Tambelon...while the guards apprehend Don Dinero and his own guards.
In the meantime, Princess Twilight and Prince Courageous rejoin Espina as they move into the living room where some of the furniture has been unpacked and available for sitting and chatting.
"I...I still cannot believe we pulled all that off...and just in time," Twilight Sparkle admits as she rests upon the white sofa next to her husband, "We did it..."
"We sure did, my love~" Courageous chuckles as he nuzzles his wife, while resting his strained hoof for the moment and hopes it will heal up soon, "That was a close call, but we beat the bad guy, saved the city, returned the citizens home, and now the gold is being restored to the structures within the caves...courtesy of Don Dinero and his guards "volunteering" to do the honors."
Espina giggles from the couch she sits upon right across from the the royal couple, and concludes Courageous's sentence, "...and you kept the legend of the Masked Mare and the new Silver Stallion alive by ensuring their identities are safe~"
"Indeed!" Twilight Sparkle giggles as she relaxes in her husband's embrace, "I know those we saved will do the right thing and keep our little secret...well, a secret."
"I agree that they will." Courageous Heart supports his wife and kisses her cheek, then turns his attention to Espina Rosa, "Thanks to Twilight's great knowledge of spells, your father and his troops will not remember us being unmasked at that very moment; The only thing they will remember is how they were defeated by the legendary heroes they despise so much."
"Yeah..." The onyx coated mare with the long red mare agrees with the stallion she admires, but her face soon turns from a warm smile to a sad frown, "But still, I cannot believe my father would do all this...even lock me up over the sake of wealth and hurting others..."
"I'm so sorry, Espina..." Twilight feels so terrible for the unicorn mare she once hated for her flirting with Courageous, but now has come to like...especially after she saved her from that guard back in the cavern. "I wish there was something we could do to help...."
"Thank you...Twilight," The sniffing unicorn appreciates the kindness and wipes her eyes free of tears with her handkerchief, with the help of her magic, "It will take a little time to accept what has happened, but hopefully some time in jail will help sort my father out...after he and the guards finish placing all the gold they mined back where it was, of course. Then eventually they will be taken back to my homeland...where they will face justice there as well; So my father is going to be enduring a lot of jail time and community service for everything he has done."
With a hearty chuckle to the punishment the corrupt ponies of El Caballo will have to endure for the next week to years, the three ponies sitting within the living room relax once more as another adventure has come to an end; The kingdom is saved and the tales of the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion will be told by the hearts of all those who are thankful for their heroic deeds...and should a time ever come when they are needed again, there may be no telling who may dawn the masks the next time.
**********************************************
"So...what will your plans be now after all that has happened, Espina?" Twilight Sparkle questions her new friend as she and her husband stand before their carriage and ride home. After a nice relaxing moment from the fight below in the caverns, in addition to time to recover from a few small injuries, the Princess and her husband must return home since their daughter will be home later.
"Well, most likely I might end up staying here for a while longer. There is still so much to see on this island paradise, and I wish to see as much as possible before I return to my homeland of El Caballo," Espina Rosa considers.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Courageous Heart agrees with his new friend, "Maybe when there is time, we could all meet up together and introduce you to our friends...whom you may have already met at the party."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Courageous." Espina giggles, looking forward to all the wonderful times she hopes to have with her new friends here in Tambelon, "Thank you...both you and Twilight...for everything you have done for me. I will never forget you nor the friendships you have bestowed upon me."
"You're Welcome, Espina~" Both Courageous and Twilight reply together, causing them to giggle right after.
With a small tear of joy rolling down her face from the two friends she has here on the Island of Harmony, Espina gives them each a warm hug; An informal thing for a noblemare to do in front of Royalty, but she cannot help but express her gratitude through this expression of friendship. "You two are the best friends I ever had...and...I wish to say how sorry I am for...flirting with you, Courageous. I apologize for my actions upsetting you both..."
"Its alright, Espina. I forgive you," Courageous Heart reassures his dear friend, and hopes the same can be said for his wife who stands by his side.
"I forgive you too, my friend." Twilight Sparkle shows a warm smile and hugs her new friend in return. "I know it is hard to resist such a brave and handsome stallion~"
Both Twilight and Espina giggle at the thought of how they are both attracted to such traits in a stallion; Twilight was lucky to find her life partner, and she hopes Espina will find her own someday too. Courageous happens to hear them both and blushes brightly at their giggling, enjoying the feeling of other mares attracted to him...but won't let it go to his head. His one and only true love is Twilight Sparkle...whom he will remain by her side now and forever.
Upon stepping into their carriage, the Prince of Courage and the Princess of Friendship wave goodbye to the lovely and wonderful Espina Rosa, bidding her a fond farewell for now and hope to see her again soon. With a whole summer still ahead, there will be plenty of time to hang out and throw more parties just like the last one. Not to mention that new gold mines that will make an excellent attraction for all of Tambelon; With one of the side entrances upon a vacant area, it will be the perfect place to set up and give the citizens something new to see and enjoy.
Once the carriage rolls out of the entrance and onto the streets paved with gold, bound for the great palace at the heart of the city, Espina makes her way back inside, ready to have the servants unpack everything...again...and start enjoying a vacation here on the island of Tambelon. With so much to look forward to, the unicorn mare is ready for the first time ever to live like a normal pony and not so uptight and with so many rules and regulations.
However, when she returns to the living room where she and her new friends enjoyed a wonderful conversation, a note with an "M" on it appears to be lying upon the cushion. With a light gasp, Espina picks up the letter with her magic and opens it. Once this is accomplished, the anxious unicorn moves her eyes across every word of every sentence.
A tear comes to her eyes and she smiles once more, with only one word coming out of her mouth in such a small whisper, "Mama..." Whatever Espina has just read, it is written in a familiar style with a show of love and a promise to see her again very soon; At long last after so many years, Espina Rosa will finally be reunited with her mother, the original Masked Mare.
While the daughter of a wealthy family rests upon her couch, weeping gently at the very letter which holds a promise and the love of her mother within, a shadowy figure peeks out from behind one of the trees in the gardens...and smiles through the cloak that hides her face. With a tear rolling down her own eyes, this mare-on-the-run can at long last be with her pride and joy.
"My little Espina..." The mare in the cloak mutters as she steps out of the shadows at long last, "I...am home."
****************************************
"Well, most likely I might end up staying here for a while longer. There is still so much to see on this island paradise, and I wish to see as much as possible before I return to my homeland of El Caballo," Espina Rosa considers.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Courageous Heart agrees with his new friend, "Maybe when there is time, we could all meet up together and introduce you to our friends...whom you may have already met at the party."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Courageous." Espina giggles, looking forward to all the wonderful times she hopes to have with her new friends here in Tambelon, "Thank you...both you and Twilight...for everything you have done for me. I will never forget you nor the friendships you have bestowed upon me."
"You're Welcome, Espina~" Both Courageous and Twilight reply together, causing them to giggle right after.
With a small tear of joy rolling down her face from the two friends she has here on the Island of Harmony, Espina gives them each a warm hug; An informal thing for a noblemare to do in front of Royalty, but she cannot help but express her gratitude through this expression of friendship. "You two are the best friends I ever had...and...I wish to say how sorry I am for...flirting with you, Courageous. I apologize for my actions upsetting you both..."
"Its alright, Espina. I forgive you," Courageous Heart reassures his dear friend, and hopes the same can be said for his wife who stands by his side.
"I forgive you too, my friend." Twilight Sparkle shows a warm smile and hugs her new friend in return. "I know it is hard to resist such a brave and handsome stallion~"
Both Twilight and Espina giggle at the thought of how they are both attracted to such traits in a stallion; Twilight was lucky to find her life partner, and she hopes Espina will find her own someday too. Courageous happens to hear them both and blushes brightly at their giggling, enjoying the feeling of other mares attracted to him...but won't let it go to his head. His one and only true love is Twilight Sparkle...whom he will remain by her side now and forever.
Upon stepping into their carriage, the Prince of Courage and the Princess of Friendship wave goodbye to the lovely and wonderful Espina Rosa, bidding her a fond farewell for now and hope to see her again soon. With a whole summer still ahead, there will be plenty of time to hang out and throw more parties just like the last one. Not to mention that new gold mines that will make an excellent attraction for all of Tambelon; With one of the side entrances upon a vacant area, it will be the perfect place to set up and give the citizens something new to see and enjoy.
Once the carriage rolls out of the entrance and onto the streets paved with gold, bound for the great palace at the heart of the city, Espina makes her way back inside, ready to have the servants unpack everything...again...and start enjoying a vacation here on the island of Tambelon. With so much to look forward to, the unicorn mare is ready for the first time ever to live like a normal pony and not so uptight and with so many rules and regulations.
However, when she returns to the living room where she and her new friends enjoyed a wonderful conversation, a note with an "M" on it appears to be lying upon the cushion. With a light gasp, Espina picks up the letter with her magic and opens it. Once this is accomplished, the anxious unicorn moves her eyes across every word of every sentence.
A tear comes to her eyes and she smiles once more, with only one word coming out of her mouth in such a small whisper, "Mama..." Whatever Espina has just read, it is written in a familiar style with a show of love and a promise to see her again very soon; At long last after so many years, Espina Rosa will finally be reunited with her mother, the original Masked Mare.
While the daughter of a wealthy family rests upon her couch, weeping gently at the very letter which holds a promise and the love of her mother within, a shadowy figure peeks out from behind one of the trees in the gardens...and smiles through the cloak that hides her face. With a tear rolling down her own eyes, this mare-on-the-run can at long last be with her pride and joy.
"My little Espina..." The mare in the cloak mutters as she steps out of the shadows at long last, "I...am home."
****************************************
Upon arriving back at the palace, the first thing the Prince and Princess decide to do is take the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion outfits...which they have safely packed in a little package to keep the guards from seeing...and lock them away safely within their bedroom inside their own private safe hidden behind one of their bookshelves.
With no need to call on the Masked Mare or Silver Stallion for a long time, both Courageous and Twilight feel that it is best to lock their outfits away for now...and only bring them out again should the need be dire for the legends to return. Or at least wear them for fun on the next Nightmare Night.
"So...I guess this was to be the final ride of the two legendary heroes of El Caballo, huh?" Courageous asks as his wife locks the safe and turns the nob.
"I doubt it. Just because we may be done playing that role, does not mean nopony else can do it; I am sure there are plenty who will happily wear the mask of the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion...should a day come when they are needed most." Twilight expresses with great wisdom and heart.
"I agree. For now, we should be the heroes that our kingdom needs the most: The Prince and Princess of Tambelon," Courageous reminds and remembers the important role of his life, other than being a good husband and father: Ruling an entire nation with his beloved wife, Twilight Sparkle.
"Your Highness!" One of the Tambelon Elite bows her head properly as she stands within the doorway of the Royal Bedroom, "There are a number of citizens outside in the front...awaiting to applaud those who worked with the legendary masked heroes that saved Tambelon; Apparently, almost everypony in the city has come to give thanks to you for saving them as well...since those said heroes have vanished and you two are the only ones remaining to receive the gratitude of the kingdom."
"Thank you very much. Give us a little time to get dressed and ready...and we will be right there," Twilight informs and nods her head.
The pegasai guard mare bows her head once more and strolls off to resume her patrol in the area of the palace she is stationed in. The Prince and the Princess move as fast and steady as possible to prepare for this Grand appearance. With their choice of royal outfits to wear and accessories, Courageous and Twilight hurry as quickly as possible.
****************************************
With no need to call on the Masked Mare or Silver Stallion for a long time, both Courageous and Twilight feel that it is best to lock their outfits away for now...and only bring them out again should the need be dire for the legends to return. Or at least wear them for fun on the next Nightmare Night.
"So...I guess this was to be the final ride of the two legendary heroes of El Caballo, huh?" Courageous asks as his wife locks the safe and turns the nob.
"I doubt it. Just because we may be done playing that role, does not mean nopony else can do it; I am sure there are plenty who will happily wear the mask of the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion...should a day come when they are needed most." Twilight expresses with great wisdom and heart.
"I agree. For now, we should be the heroes that our kingdom needs the most: The Prince and Princess of Tambelon," Courageous reminds and remembers the important role of his life, other than being a good husband and father: Ruling an entire nation with his beloved wife, Twilight Sparkle.
"Your Highness!" One of the Tambelon Elite bows her head properly as she stands within the doorway of the Royal Bedroom, "There are a number of citizens outside in the front...awaiting to applaud those who worked with the legendary masked heroes that saved Tambelon; Apparently, almost everypony in the city has come to give thanks to you for saving them as well...since those said heroes have vanished and you two are the only ones remaining to receive the gratitude of the kingdom."
"Thank you very much. Give us a little time to get dressed and ready...and we will be right there," Twilight informs and nods her head.
The pegasai guard mare bows her head once more and strolls off to resume her patrol in the area of the palace she is stationed in. The Prince and the Princess move as fast and steady as possible to prepare for this Grand appearance. With their choice of royal outfits to wear and accessories, Courageous and Twilight hurry as quickly as possible.
****************************************
Prince Courageous Heart, wearing his best white uniform with his red sash and the medals upon it and around his neck, steps out onto the balcony overlooking the front of the palace...where the hundreds of Tambelonians applaud the second they see their beloved hero whom they once believed was not the leader they thought he was. But since they heard how he was responsible for assisting the Masked Mare and Silver Stallion in their quest to save Tambelon, everypony now sees him as a great prince and leader.
Princess Twilight Sparkle, dressed in her fancy purple dress with gold all about her legs, and of course some pretty shoes, walks alongside her husband as she steps on out onto the balcony to greet the dozens upon dozens...if not over a hundred...citizens from all over the city and island who have come to give praise. Since she is secretly the very hero everypony loves, Twilight feels so happy knowing she and her husband made a difference without revealing who they truly are.
Once the Prince and Princess stand together within sight of everypony below, the sound of clapping, stomping of the hooves, and shouts of joy can be heard by all their faithful subjects and good friends who happen to be below cheering on their heroes and beloved rulers of this glorious land where harmony and friendship exist for all species.
"So many are here to thank us..." Courageous admits to his wife as he waves to everypony below, "It makes me so happy to know that what we did made a difference, and helped ourselves out as well."
"I agree, Courageous. You and I...there is nothing we cannot do so long as we do it together," Twilight confesses to her beloved stallion as she waves below to her five best friends in the whole wide world: Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. Just then, the now blushing lavender alicorn recalls something she promised to inform her husband about earlier this very morning, "Oh that's right! Courageous...I uh...have something important to tell you..."
"Yes, Twilight?"
"Well...there was a reason I was more upset than usual after our first visit to the Dinero Estate; Not to mention that little ache I was having earlier this morning that made you so worried," Twilight explains every detail as she cannot help but blush more, "Well...I have a...a good reason for all those things: Being cranky and in a little pain..."
"Yes...?"
"Well...you see...."
"Yes...?"
Twilight feels her heart beating faster as she cannot hold in the answer any longer. Motioning her darling stallion and husband to lean his left ear down so that he can heart her better over the crowd of cheering citizens below, Twilight Sparkle's face turns ever so bright from her blushing...and whispers the answer she has kept for some time and his now ready to give:
*********************************************
Princess Twilight Sparkle, dressed in her fancy purple dress with gold all about her legs, and of course some pretty shoes, walks alongside her husband as she steps on out onto the balcony to greet the dozens upon dozens...if not over a hundred...citizens from all over the city and island who have come to give praise. Since she is secretly the very hero everypony loves, Twilight feels so happy knowing she and her husband made a difference without revealing who they truly are.
Once the Prince and Princess stand together within sight of everypony below, the sound of clapping, stomping of the hooves, and shouts of joy can be heard by all their faithful subjects and good friends who happen to be below cheering on their heroes and beloved rulers of this glorious land where harmony and friendship exist for all species.
"So many are here to thank us..." Courageous admits to his wife as he waves to everypony below, "It makes me so happy to know that what we did made a difference, and helped ourselves out as well."
"I agree, Courageous. You and I...there is nothing we cannot do so long as we do it together," Twilight confesses to her beloved stallion as she waves below to her five best friends in the whole wide world: Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. Just then, the now blushing lavender alicorn recalls something she promised to inform her husband about earlier this very morning, "Oh that's right! Courageous...I uh...have something important to tell you..."
"Yes, Twilight?"
"Well...there was a reason I was more upset than usual after our first visit to the Dinero Estate; Not to mention that little ache I was having earlier this morning that made you so worried," Twilight explains every detail as she cannot help but blush more, "Well...I have a...a good reason for all those things: Being cranky and in a little pain..."
"Yes...?"
"Well...you see...."
"Yes...?"
Twilight feels her heart beating faster as she cannot hold in the answer any longer. Motioning her darling stallion and husband to lean his left ear down so that he can heart her better over the crowd of cheering citizens below, Twilight Sparkle's face turns ever so bright from her blushing...and whispers the answer she has kept for some time and his now ready to give:
"I'm pregnant..."
Feeling his heart skipping a beat and his body freezing up, the shocked and surprised stallion is at a loss for words as he is told something makes him feel so happy and unable to express...do to his body frozen stiff from those two little words.
Twilight Sparkle notices the expression on his face, which leaves her blushing more and giggling. The brave little pony leans up towards the cheek of her husband...and presses her lips into his coat, giving him a soft, but loving kiss. Upon pulling back, a pink lipstick imprint on his cheek remains...bringing Twilight to giggle again and turn her head away, blushing with a warm smile on her face...knowing that her family will soon have a new member joining in the months to come.
As a new adventure comes to an end...a whole new, yet familiar, one is approaching slowly ahead for these two ponies and all their friends and families.
Twilight Sparkle notices the expression on his face, which leaves her blushing more and giggling. The brave little pony leans up towards the cheek of her husband...and presses her lips into his coat, giving him a soft, but loving kiss. Upon pulling back, a pink lipstick imprint on his cheek remains...bringing Twilight to giggle again and turn her head away, blushing with a warm smile on her face...knowing that her family will soon have a new member joining in the months to come.
As a new adventure comes to an end...a whole new, yet familiar, one is approaching slowly ahead for these two ponies and all their friends and families.
THE END
*********************************************
CREDITS:
Story written by:
Courageous-of-Light
(Jayden T. Wesker)
Story based on:
"The Mask of Zorro"
Story based on:
"The Mask of Zorro"
Cover Image by:
Johsfy
Character Profiles by:
Courageous-of-Light
Image of Don Oro Dinero by:
DafinasPride
Image of Espina Rosa by:
DafinasPride
Images of Masked Mare by:
saturdaymorningproj
LessaNamidairo
SuperYuki
CartoonOwl
Images of Silver Stallion by:
SuperYuki
CloudDG
Images of Twilight Sparkle by:
DafinasPride
Images of Courageous Heart by:
DafinasPride
Music and Clips:
All belong to "The Mask of Zorro"
LessaNamidairo
SuperYuki
CartoonOwl
Images of Silver Stallion by:
SuperYuki
CloudDG
Images of Twilight Sparkle by:
DafinasPride
Images of Courageous Heart by:
DafinasPride
Music and Clips:
All belong to "The Mask of Zorro"
Special Thanks:
To all DeviantArt members
who viewed, favored, and commented
on my story.
Very Special Thanks:
To all DeviantArt groups that approved
of my story and displayed it
among their collections
An Even Greater Thanks:
To Hasbro, Lauren Faust, and Megan McCarthy for creating
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Disclaimer:
I do not own the characters created by Hasbro:
Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy,
Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Spike, Soarin, Cheerilee, Big Mac,
Queen Chrysalis (Chrystala), and Thunderhooves.
Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Spike, Soarin, Cheerilee, Big Mac,
Queen Chrysalis (Chrystala), and Thunderhooves.
Are all property of Hasbro and Lauren Faust
Disclaimer:
Courageous Heart, Don Oro Dinero, Espina Rosa,
the Masked Mare, the Silver Stallion, the El Caballo Guardia,
Starlight, Tap Step, Grace Step, Shammy Step, and Oath Sworn
the Masked Mare, the Silver Stallion, the El Caballo Guardia,
Starlight, Tap Step, Grace Step, Shammy Step, and Oath Sworn
Are all property of Courageous-of-Light
Thank you all for making this Fan-Fiction successful in every way possible.
Enjoy the further stories that come after.
Thank you and Have a Good Day!!
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The Grand Finale of "The Mare in the Mask" draws to a close. Witness the final battle as the Silver Stallion and Masked Mare do battle with the greedy and corrupt noblepony Don Oro Dinero, in hopes of saving their beloved Tambelon from collapsing from underneath. Enjoy this final part...as well as the BIG SURPRISE at the end!
Clip based on the battle between Oro Dinero and the Silver Stallion: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcgygx…
MLP: The Mare in the Mask Ch. 9: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: The Mare in the Mask Chapter Guide: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
Link to Cover Image: johsfy.deviantart.com/art/The-…
Clip based on the battle between Oro Dinero and the Silver Stallion: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcgygx…
MLP: The Mare in the Mask Ch. 9: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
MLP: The Mare in the Mask Chapter Guide: courageous-of-light.deviantart…
Link to Cover Image: johsfy.deviantart.com/art/The-…
© 2014 - 2024 Courageous-of-Light
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ohh, I wonder how starlight would react once she finds out she is going to be an older sister. Loved the story, the pics, the song, EVERYTHING!!! Funny how I have the time to read this story and not the 90+ stories I have on my read later list on fimfiction 