//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Twilight's Lullaby (Part 1) // Story: 20-04 // by MellowSoul //------------------------------// Months ticked by like hours. Twilight and Spike grew accustomed to their new surroundings with relative ease. Before they knew it, Halloween rolled around like an oncoming freight train. That morning, Twilight rolled out of bed with more spring in her step than usual. She took a shower and brushed her teeth before getting ready for the day. She dressed herself in black from head to hoof, attaching a chain to the belt loop of her jeans. She shaded her mouth with a fresh coat of lipstick. Just as she finished her preparations, a knock came from the door. "I'm coming!" She called out. She removed the barrier between her and her guests. Before her stood the princesses, Shining Armor, her parents, and her niece, Flurry. "Still the same as ever." Shining remarked. "Still letting your wiener get you in trouble?" Twilight teased. "Hey, it took the princess of love to reign me in. Give me some credit." "You were correct, dear sister," Luna conceded, "It did not take long for biology to involve itself in our visit." Celestia chuckled, amused by the awkward turn of events. "It's good to see you again, sweetheart." Velvet said to her daughter. "You too, mom." The two embraced each other in a tight hug. "How's that internet following of yours doing?" Night Light asked. "We've quadrupled our followings since me and Spike moved here." "We?" "Twily's got some new friends," Shining cut in, "Can't lie: they're the sexiest buncha hookers I've ever seen." "This coming from monsieur manwhore." Twilight deflected. Night Light let out a hearty laugh. "She's got you there, Shiny!" "Pfft. Whatever." "Can we expect to see them soon?" Velvet inquired. Twilight nodded. "They'll be here sometime between eleven and noon." "Where's my little homie, anyway?" Shining questioned, referring to Spike. "He's still asleep. We'll be up late, so he'll need all the energy he can get." "Gotcha." "Come on in. I'm about to make blood sausage omelets for breakfast." Spike woke up just as Twilight finished making breakfast. He was surprised to see the others arrive so early. "Wassup, dicksmoker?" Shining joked. "Hungry." Spike groaned in response. "Still leaching off Twilight for sustenance?" "Check her leg. You'll have your answer." "I thought I was hot shit, but you guys showed me what for." "You'll always be my hot shit, babe." Cadance interjected before locking lips with her husband. "No boners at the breakfast table, please." Twilight interrupted. She levitated eight plates onto the table. "Yo, Twily, what kind of bands are you into these days," Shining asked, "We haven't heard anything from you in a while. Must have a lotta new stuff to listen to." "I've really only been listening to one album lately." "Which one?" "Jhazmyne's Lullaby." "Don't think I've heard that one." "I've had it since my sophomore year of college. It's my most prized possession." "Damn. Must be really good." "Everything about it is unique: the drumming, the guitar work, and the vocals. Even three years after its release, it's the only album I've seen described as melancholic hardcore." "Guess thinking outside the box does work sometimes." "Metal and hardcore have changed a lot since we were kids." "I don't doubt it. To think you were just a little squirt when you got into all the heavy shit." "I was as surprised as you were, Shining," Celestia agreed, "Given her grades and demeanor, I never would have suspected she was entranced by something so visceral. She's truly a black sheep in the most fascinating definition of the term." "That's our girl." Velvet replied. "And a fine mare she is." "We are more curious about your philanthropy work," Luna added, "You claimed you moved here to start fresh and begin helping those less fortunate rebuild their lives." Twilight nodded. "We've helped get a lot of people off the streets. Some of them are on their way to earning degrees and starting businesses as we speak. In the meantime, I'm helping make sure their basic needs are met. I've even considered starting my own so the ones having trouble finding work will have something to fall back on." "Quite impressive. We admit, our social safety programs haven't exactly kept up with the times. Perhaps you could be of some assistance in the future." "Maybe." "What would your program entail?" Celestia inquired. "It would be versatile, ranging from social media management to maintenance work: possibly even more advanced fields like medicine, science, etc. With all my spare time, I could provide training, essentially helping them learn any skill set they want. Official channels can only go so far, especially where the poor and hungry are concerned." "Well, you certainly have our support in such an endeavor." "I appreciate that." Shining ignited his horn, communicating with Spike telepathically. "Twily's makin' me feel like I have a micro penis, dude. I thought I was supposed to be the wildly successful one." "You gotta remember, she's a masochist. She enjoys the challenge." "You're telling me." The group finished their meal in silence. Twilight and Spike spent the rest of the morning catching up with their family. While watching TV, they heard a knock at the door. "That must be them," Twilight voiced, "I'll get it." For the second time that day, she let the outside world in. "Guys, this is Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and I believe you already know Discord." "DISCORD!?" Celestia and Luna shouted in unison. "Hello, dearies." the Draconequus muttered slyly.