//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Flurry Heart and The Original One // by Sirdubya //------------------------------// The day after the celebration, all of the foreign royals had returned home while the pony royalty were gathered at Canterlot Castle in Celestia and Luna’s throne room along with the Elements, Spike, Flurry’s Absol, and Arceus. The Pokemon god took up a lot of space even in the huge room, but nopony complained since they had made a friend out of him. Sombra had been imprisoned in the deepest recesses on Canterlot’s dungeons. “Arceus, I don’t think I ever properly thanked you for helping everyone. I know better than to lose hope, but…I wasn’t exactly optimistic.” Flurry said. “I’m afraid I did not give you my thanks either. You allowed me to awaken once more, and now I can watch this world grow and mature as did in ages past.” Arceus said. “Well! Guess that makes us even.” Flurry said. The two shared a chuckle. “I think I speak for all when I say that we look forward the future if it means you helping us.” Celestia said. “I’d say this is the start of wonderful friendship, Arceus. We can’t wait to learn from you and better our world from your universal wisdom.” Twilight said. “This universe’s balance will always be my priority, but I suppose a closer relationship with this world’s inhabitants would relieve me of my ignorance of it. That error was largely due to my decision to leave it to its own devices and grow as Nature would ordain.” Arceus said. “As any leader should to some extent.” Luna said. “Will your titans go back into slumber?” “A few of them may until they feel the need to rise again. In fact, a few them may do so simply to contain their immense power from those around them. Otherwise, they will explore the world of their own volition. I assure you that they will not cause any destruction, lest they are willing to answer to me.” Arceus said. “Sweet! That giant red bird thing was totally the bomb! But so was that time-rending dragon! They were so awesome when I got to see them up close! I wonder if I’ll bump into them again sometime?” Rainbow Dash said. Arceus looked down at her. “They are not mere animals at a petting zoo, you know.” He said sternly. Rainbow Dash felt a chill run down her spine and was immediately prompted to mind her manners. “Ehehe….r-right.” “Though speaking of animals…..perhaps it’s time to finally started bringing my children back into this world.” Arceus rose into the air and let his pinwheel glow. ***** From the outside all across the world, a vast multitude of eggs of varying sizes and colors appeared in locations both civilized and remote, charted and uncharted. Those who had the fortune of witnessing them appear knew that it must have been Arceus letting his ‘Pokemon’ return to the world. Everyone wondered what kind of wondrous creatures would hatch from them, and how they would affect their lives. ***** Arceus lowered himself back down to the floor, but without releasing a shockwave this time and formed one egg for the each of the Mane Six, Spike, Cadance and Shining Armor, and Airheart. “In due time, these eggs will hatch, and my children’s legacy will be born anew. You will share this world with them as humans once did in ages past. Though, I must say that you all are far more approachable than they ever were.” “Let’s not dwell on the past, Arceus. We have an amazing future to look forward to.” Flurry said. Her Absol purred as it rested its head on her shoulder. “Absol and I will help you ease your Pokemon into the world. It’ll be part of my duty as Princess of Balance.” The look in the old god’s eyes was soft and welcoming. He had certainly built a trust between himself and the new princess. “I will deeply appreciate that, Princess Flurry Heart.” “Please, Arceus. Just ‘Flurry’ is fine.” She said. “Yes. Let’s not let formalities make our interactions needlessly complicated.” Luna said. “Although….erm….not to be rude, but…” Arceus chuckled. “You and your sister already have suiting companions in the form of Solgaleo and Lunala respectively. As the ones responsible for day and night, I can think of no better candidates, and you seemed to get along with them quite nicely. “Well….I suppose we did, didn’t we?” Celestia said. “I just hope they don’t feel confined to the sun and moon.” “They do not. Call for them, and they will surely come to you. I’m sure even they get lonely.” Arceus said. “Oh, good!” Celestia said. “Fitting them into the castle should they want to come in might be a bit of a task, but I’m sure we’ll find a way.” “You simply came in here via a portal, so perhaps it won’t be quite that aggravating for those two.” Luna said. “Hmm…” Arceus thought for a moment. “Allow a minute, please.” He rose back up into the air and enveloped himself in a cocoon of light that was so bright, that everypony had to cover their eyes. This lasted for a quite a little while before the light dissipated, and they were met with a shocking sight. Before them was Arceus, but…..he had transformed himself into an alicorn! His white and black mane still had the same color scheme, but it flowed more gracefully just like the Royal Sisters’. His eyes were the same deep emerald that normally would surround red ones, and he was wearing golden braces around his ankles just above his black hooves. His pinwheel had become his Cutie Mark, and the golden notch on his forehead became a small crown. He was only a few inches taller than Celestia. “Perhaps I can be more relatable to the populace as I appear now?” His mouth actually moved and was smiling with mellow happiness. Everypony was too awestruck to speak for a few moments until Airheart broke the silence. “What else can you do!?” Arceus laughed out loud heartily. “I’ll take that a ‘yes’.” “Indeed. The Equestrians will certainly feel less….imposed upon by the presence of another alicorn rather than a ten-foot celestial entity, right sister?” Luna asked. However, when she looked up at her sister, she could see that the solar sovereign was just blankly staring at the ponyfied Arceus with her eyes open wider that she’d seen before, and her mouth just barely hanging open. “Sister?” “Huh!? Wh-What!? O-Oh!! Y-Yes, of course! Th-this is a spectacular look for you, Arceus. Eh, pardon me. I-I just wasn’t expecting you to do that. I mean, you spontaneously decided to up and turn yourself into an alicorn, and well….hehehe…..” The others could blatantly see Celestia blushing as her eyes went everywhere during her nervous rant in which her voice could be heard shaking. They all held back giggling, namely Luna. “Wh-What? Do I have something on my face?” Celestia started randomly searching her face. “Regardless. I can’t wait for the future, Arceus. I’m so glad I was able to meet you and start such a wonderful friendship.” Flurry said “Ab! Absol!!” Flurry giggled upon seeing her friend share her joy. “Then let us stop waiting for the future and see it through.” Arceus said. They all happily agreed and began arranging a political meeting with the other royals from around the world, one led by a very proud and able Princess of Balance to discuss their new relationship. As they did, Flurry Heart held back tears of joy as she looked around the room and down at her Absol. Even if it took the reawakening and help of a primal god to truly realize herself, she couldn’t have felt more proud and joyful that the future she and everyone hoped for whether they knew it or not was starting to come into fruition…