//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: Obligations 
// by ArgonMatrix 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight backed away from Rainbow Dash slowly, the aura around her horn fading as she collapsed on her haunches. The pegasus’ eyes snapped open as she came back to her senses.

“That was awesome! I’ve never felt so alive! And you had wings too, and we were flying together and... and... just, wow! I never expected that Dream Escape thing to be so wicked!”

“Dreamscape,” Twilight corrected, “and I’m glad you liked it.

“Liked it?! It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen! Seriously Twi, you deserved to get that published.”

Four other mares sat around them in the grassy field along with a tiny purple dragon. All of them were recounting their own Dreamscape experiences as they munched on the cucumber sandwiches from Rarity as well as the sugary cupcakes from Pinkie Pie.

“So y’all managed to work things out in the end?” inquired an orange earth pony, reaching for another sandwich.

“Yeah, I think it’ll all be okay,” Spike said gleefully.

“I’m just glad all of you managed to forgive me too,” said Twilight. “You all seemed really upset with me, more upset than I actually thought you would be about this.

“I do believe we owe you an apology as well,” Rarity offered, wiping her muzzle with a napkin. “We all should’ve allowed you to explain your actions instead of merely attacking you without any explanation. We were all so distraught that we couldn’t see how much we were hurting you in return, and two wrongs don’t make a right.”

“Yeah, I was pretty nasty,” Pinkie added. “I just couldn’t think straight. I don’t think I’d had enough cupcakes yesterday and it got me even more frazzled!”

“I really should’ve let you tell me why you did what you did,” Fluttershy said sincerely. “I hope you can forgive me.”

“Yeah, I guess I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions either,” continued Rainbow. “Everypony deserves a fair chance, no matter how ridiculous they’re being.

“Shoot, I reckon I should apologize too,” noted Applejack, rounding off the apologies. “I was so dead set on figurin’ out what was goin’ on with you that I didn’t even give you the chance to tell me for yourself. Sorry Twi.”

“It’s okay, you guys,” assured Twilight, “I’m actually kinda glad you were so upset. It showed me how much you all really care about Spike. Not that I ever doubted you, it’s just reassuring to know. It really makes us all feel more like a family.”

Tears began forming in some of the group’s eyes and immovable smiles crossed their faces. They all looked to each other in turn.

“Group hug!!” cried Pinkie as she immediately smothered the seven friends into a big ball creating a happy embrace. As the hug dispersed and the group fell backwards, they all released hearty laughs which echoed through the sky, filling the air with glee.