On the Road to Canterlot

by Knight of Lycaeus

Part X: Sight of Freedom

Author's Note:

This is the last chapter of the story, the epilogue. If you are confused or wondering why this is the case please refer to this blog.

As I walked towards the Canterlot Castle, I paused to have a better look at its particular features. On my last visit here things had been very different. On the last visit here I had made my way into the mountain city through subterfuge, with the intent of conquering said mountain city for me and my Hive. I had very nearly succeeded in this goal only to be stopped at the very end by one pony.

Despite failing that goal, I now found myself back at that very same mountain city, and things had certainly changed since that day over two years ago. Yesterday had been a momentous occasion, where I learned that my Hive had been granted the rights to live freely in Equestria. In a way, my goal had been fulfilled; although not as I had expected.

The Hive had been granted a secure place to live, and with growing numbers, the opportunities for co-existence with ponies only grew tenfold. As well with our rights to live in Equestria, along with the circumstances of our departure from the Collective, we were granted authentic Equestrian citizenship.

That was why I was here today. To publicly accept Equestrian citizenship from the Princesses of the Tetrarchy, who would in turn formally welcome me and the Hive into Equestria. It was also to present to the public the results of yesterday’s events.

Suddenly, I felt a gentle nudge at my side and it broke my attention from the marble castle. I looked down to my side to see Twilight standing next to me. Twilight Sparkle, the pony that nearly destroyed the Hive through her actions, had also been the one to lead the fight to give the Hive and myself a new home. When this all started a month ago I only held respect for Twilight, and nothing more than that. But, overtime I had found that my respect towards Twilight had grown, and despite my fears about the insanity of Ponyville and its inhabitants, I was glad that the Hive had found a home where food was no longer in short supply.

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Walking with Chrysalis back to Canterlot Castle for a press conference seemed almost surreal. Never in a million years would I have thought that she would return to Equestria after what had happened last time. I think this even though I do know that stranger things have happened; Discord’s reformation still baffles me at times.

We were both making our ways to Canterlot Castle from the train station, and we had decided that a sky chariot would be overboard, drawing the press in like they were a wake of vultures. So going by train, along with a simple disguise, would allow us to make our way through Canterlot with minimal interruptions.

Walking towards the castle gates I noticed that Chrysalis was no longer beside me. I turned to see that she had stopped to look at the castle. In a way it made sense, given the prior circumstances of her last visit here. While I know how powerful friendship could be, it never could have prepared me for a visit from Chrysalis. Even now it’s still a sight at times to see Changelings so open in Ponyville. Well, fairly open. I knew that there were still some holdouts against them. Even yesterday that was made clear by how adamant some ponies were against allowing Changelings to settle in Equestria as citizens. I sighed at this thought, knowing it would be a long time before the two species were no longer near possible hostility. And I knew it would be even longer before the hatred and distrust would fade.

I walked over to dark unicorn standing in front of Canterlot Castle and nudged her gently. She took the hint and followed me inside the castle. The future for Changelings in Equestria was still fraught with complications, and things would take time before it got better. I was glad, however, that Chrysalis and her Hive had been granted lands near Ponyville to settle. It would be nice to have more chances to learn about and to meet more Changelings in general, but also to hopefully spend some more time with Chrysalis, whom I had found to be good company over this past month.

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Author's Notes
With this chapter, the story is finished. Thank you to Compact-Cassette Pony for all the help in pre-reading and editing and helping to making the story more cohesive.

Comments

[Scorch215]

I am sad to see that the story has come to a close but I believe this is a fitting end to it, though it would have been nice to see the courts.

I enjoyed this story a great deal. You wrote it very well and I am glad you took the time to write it.

Farewell good sir, may we meet once more under another story.

[Knight of Lycaeus]

6853366
Thank you, I'm glad you liked this story. The courts were another idea I had considered as well, but I found this style didn't lead itself too well to writing them out.

[shinigamisparda]

Not bad, but a little weak of an ending. Pretty good overall.

[Razzy]

The ending was a bit sudden, but fitting. And negotiations in such this are overplayed, it was nice to see if concentrate more on personal relationships and mending.

[hive vs machine]

[fanreader999999]

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