> A warm heart
>  by AnubiX
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A Warm Heart
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	
That dream came to me once more, it was the same dream I had had in the last days. But the truth could not complain, it was one of the most pleasant moments I've had in my life. I was with all my friends gathered in the Friendship Castle, that day we were celebrating Hearth's Warming Eve.

Since that day, they always used to be with their own families, I managed to make all of their family members also attend that incredible meeting in my castle, which was really the best of them all.

My friends were always unique with their personalities. Pinkie Pie always making such a lively party, her jokes was always able to bring me a big smile. Rainbow Dash, with its great energy and games, although sometimes they were a bit rude we always ended up having fun. Rarity and her great decorations, I really never met anyone else with as good taste as she. Applejack with her delicious food, she literally forced you to keep eating until bursting, not to mention the cider. Fluttershy with her kind presence could always transmit a great tranquility to be next to her, besides being always accompanied by her funny pets.

The images of that last meeting passed over and over again in my head. I always forced myself not to forget that beautiful moment, I was always afraid that I might ever forget it.

It was a small glow of the sun that illuminated my face through the window that forced me to wake up. Slowly I opened my eyes, a snort escaped through my mouth at that moment, I was getting to the best part of that dream, just as we were about to start delivering the presents. Spike was always the most excited in that part.

With heaviness, I stood up leaning on the back of my bed as I stretched my helmets and my wings. A long yawn also escaped through my mouth, I suppose that was not so good idea to have unveiled the previous night reading all those books. Princess Celestia should already know my bad habit when it comes to new books.

I pulled back the sheets that covered me and carefully got out of bed. I moved the curtains of the window a bit with my magic so that those rays of the sun did not keep coming in. With so many clouds in the sky, I would think it was some joke of the Princess. She had been acting a bit strange lately.

I headed to the bathroom in my room, just wanted to take a nice hot bath and brush my teeth. I was careful not to step on the books I left lying around the night before, and then I would arrange them.

Even on this high floor of Canterlot Castle, he could hear the movement of the great city. All ponys were always very excited these days, the great Heart's Warming Eve.

Since ancient times in Equestria, these dates have always been where all ponys: friends and family; celebrate together in family the foundation of this prosperous land. It was a greater symbol of friendship.

Just today, it was the day where the work was performed to represent the foundation of Equestria with the union of land ponies, pegasus and unicorns. About a week ago I had received a letter from Princess Celestia due to some important issues that she was attending outside of Equestria asked me to replace her in this celebration since I do not usually have many plans for these dates to accept without any problem.

I arrived in Canterlot only two days ago. I had offered to supervise the auditions of the work; it had been very funny and also helped me to clear the mind a lot of work. This year the play would be presented by a group of foals from the Canterlot orphanage, I must say that there are many possible actors among them.

After leaving the bathroom, I went to get dressed; the maids had already had a dress ready for me for this occasion. This one was on a mannequin on the side of the bed. It was a long, purple-colored dress with light yellow lace trim on the edges. It had a nice design of stars in its embroidery, could almost distinguish some constellations. I think I can still see images of that book of astronomy I read the night before.

I carefully removed it from the mannequin and arranged to put it on. Being alone it was obvious that it would take a little longer to put it on, although with my magic it had not been as difficult as I thought, I only lingered for a few minutes. I lifted my crown from a bedside table to the side of the bed and put it on. I stopped in front of the mirror to make sure I was presentable, it was all news I was in Canterlot, surely many ponies were outside the castle waiting to see me. The dress itself was cute, though a bit tight at the waist. I am sure that Rarity would soon offer to improve it in all possible aspects, although I liked its simple design. I brush my hair a little more and once ready, I prepared to leave.

Leaving my room at the top of the tower, small snowflakes immediately covered me, these days of the year it was very common to have a great snowfall over Equestria. It was a good thing she had placed a hot spell on the dress, so I would not risk freezing or having to cool down.

On both sides of the doors of my room were two guards dark blue unicorns, they were outside watching the place as part of their work. It's been a while since Princess Celestia told me that it was time to have my own personal guard. A squadron of no more than twenty guards was assigned to my castle at Ponyville a few, on this trip to Canterlot only two of them accompanied me. Let's say I was not yet fully accustomed to his presence.

I gently saluted those who responded firmly, I laughed a little at that reaction. Although I had to admit that I really liked the design of his armor. It was similar to the Guard of the Sun but this one was of a dark purple color with details of azure blue. On their sides they wore the same symbol of my Cutie Mark proving that they belonged to my Twilight Guard, a rather boring name, I know, it was Cadence's idea.

I went down the long spiral staircases with my guards, they had to accompany me wherever I went to make sure I was always safe. A bit exaggerated to me to look like. I know I can defend myself.

We reached the interior of the castle walking now through the long corridors. All the servants with whom I was on the road made a small bow to see me, I just returned a smile and a small greeting.

Once I was leaving the castle, it was immediately surrounded by the inhabitants of Canterlot, all of them were wearing their typical warm clothes to protect themselves from the cold. The vast majority were just happy to see a Princess in people. Others wanted to share a few words with me, I did not know how they could find anything interesting that a Princess said. There were also a few foals who approached me and immediately jumped around me asking all kinds of questions, I found it very tender to see all that enthusiasm in them.

With the help of my Guards I was able to start my way to the city, I suppose they will not only protect me from any evil being that wants to attack me. The road through Canterlot was the same, wherever it was always surrounded by its inhabitants. After thinking for a few moments, I saw that I still had some time before the work began, I could continue to travel a little more the city. It would be fun to take a little walk to vary the routine of Princess.

I went from one place to another in the city, always followed by my personal guard and obviously a few ponys admirers. In Canterlot there were always lots of fun things to do, it was a shame that he did not have enough time to do them all, but at least he could with a few.

I thought it would be fun to go first to some places where the foals gathered to play, with them always used to spend very pleasant moments. I arrived at a big park in the center of the city where I could play many of them everywhere, some making snow ponies, others facing snowball wars and I was even surprised to see a huge castle made of snow. As always, they all approached me as soon as they saw me.

I always found it more enjoyable to deal with the little ones, they always had something interesting to tell, about their great adventures with their friends trying to get their Cutie Marks up over their dreams as adults. After all, the future of Equestria will be in their hooves someday.

Some of them were very detailed with me offering some sweets, I must say they were all absolutely delicious. The girls gave me some flowers and even made us some strange hairstyles, it was really fun to spend time with them all.

Without realizing the hours passed very quickly, I really had a long time that I did not enjoy it that way. One of my guards approached me and told me that it was time to go, the memorial work of Hearth's Warming Eve was about to begin. With a smile I had to say goodbye to all of them, many were a little sad, but I promised them that another day I could come and play with them again, that immediately returned their smiles.

This year the work would take place in the same orphanage of the children who acted in her. Right in front of the building they had armed themselves in huge stage with a great red curtain. Everything was adorned with lights of different colors and ornaments of the same festival, even with many drawings that the little ones had done.

As I approached the place I could see a large crowd of ponys already gathered in front of the stage. Everyone was very excited and impatient for the play. I wanted to go to the dressing rooms to see how they finished preparing the children, they too should be very excited after so much rehearsing.

It was unusual, really. When I reached the dressing room, the scene I saw in front of me actually took me by surprise. He could see the children who would play the six main characters of the play, all of whom were arguing.

Some were complaining that their costumes were too tight. Others who did not get a certain part of them and refused to go on the scene in these conditions. Even some who just seemed to be upset just because the others were.

I could not help it, but a very similar scene came to mind at the time. At that moment, when we were also preparing to do the same work, together with my friends we could only discuss and everything to decide who should close a window.

A small chuckle escaped through my mouth, it was also inevitable when comparing both situations. The little ones then noticed my presence and saw me laugh, at first they were surprised at that. I approached them and spoke to them in a quiet voice. I told them that good friends should not argue for small things like that. I reminded them of the festival we were celebrating, the union of the three pony breeds in a deep friendship that has lasted for thousands of years.

They all felt a bit embarrassed by their behavior, again give them a smile. The real key of friendship is to assume our mistakes with our friends and learn to overcome them, only this way we will create the true unshakable friendship.

Now their faces were adorned with great smiles, a great warmth flooded the room. After that it helps them finish their costumes, nothing that could not be fixed with a little magic. Shortly afterwards, an elderly pony entered the locker room announcing that it was almost time to start. With a smile I said goodbye to them and then headed back to where the crowd of ponies was.

I had been granted a good place to contemplate the work not far from the stage. A modest throne made of wood with a soft cushion of color, was in a high place so I would not miss a thing. In a moment all the lights went out and only a few spotlights shone into the great curtain.

The work began as it was well known. The endless fight between the three tribes covering their home with only hate and cold. History continued showing how everyone did their best to survive, only sought the well-being of their race.

At the scene of the meeting, I finally saw the six foals I met in the dressing rooms. Their performances as well as in the practices were incredible, they really had taken the essence of their characters.

Even to be a work that had a somewhat sad beginning, there were some very amusing scenes to see the crossing of the tribes to find a new home. And then we got to the long-awaited cave scene. Here, more than ever, I exploited the hatred of the tribes, how they were incapable of cooperating and working together, they only thought of continuing to argue and wanting everything for themselves, they had ended up transforming that new paradise into another cold land.

In the end, after a few friendly talks and some songs, all managed to resolve their differences and were able to stop the Windigos and their winter curse. The six foals gathered in the center of the stage to continue singing, the whole audience could not avoid joining the songs. Even I also sing a little, albeit in a low voice.

The whole audience blew their hooves against the ground, all moved and proud of them for their great performance. In just a few moments they were surrounded by several groups of ponies who continued to congratulate them, including other little ones who also belonged to the orphanage who were very happy for their friends.

Once again, that image came to my mind. I was with my friends enjoying a great celebration after our presentation in that work. A small smile appeared on my face. But something else also appeared, something damp that crossed one of my cheeks. I wear one of my helmets to my face and I could see that it was a tear.

At that moment I felt a deep pang. A strong feeling that had been trying to hide all this time had sprouted again inside me. Another tear found its way through my other cheek, then another and then another. My eyes were now overflowing with tears, all still holding a small smile.


“How was it possible to feel so happy and sad at the same time?”


Without realizing it I had already begun to sob. Try to numb my crying with my helmets, but without success. Feeling suddenly unable to breathe now I only found the desperate need to leave that place.

Even with my eyes full of tears, I spread my wings and took off to fly away from that place as fast as possible. My guards immediately noticed my strange behavior and ran after me with concern.

I could only feel the cold breeze and the snowflakes on my face. The heat spell I had placed on my dress was no longer working, I could feel my tears freeze quickly on my face. Shake my wings harder with the intention of losing sight of my guards, I could hear their screams begging me to stop, but I did not want to.

I kept flying without any direction, just wanted to get away from everything and be able to cry without anyone being able to see me. She would not be the first one to do it. With a greater sadness that now invaded me, I gathered some magic in my horn and then disappeared.

I did not think of any specific place to go to, I just got carried away no matter where I might go. Landing on the floor after the remains of my magic faded after using that spell, now all around me I could only see darkness.

I lit my horn and with a single step I turned back I could hear a deep echo caused by my helmet. I was in a corridor, but not any corridor, but one of those long ones that you could only see inside the castle of Canterlot. When I saw all that darkness, I could only assume that everyone was already with their families. On this holiday all the servants of the castle were always allowed to finish their workday earlier, all with the intention that they could spend more time with their families. Even the guards also had this privilege, although they had to take up their turns at a certain time in the morning so as not to neglect the safety of the castle. At that time there was no one in the whole castle except me. With nothing more to stop me, I fell into a long cry.


“How long has it been since you were gone forever?”


Hundreds of images began to cross my mind. In all of them, my friends and my family are present. Each and every one of the good times and adventures we had.

I collapse on the cold floor. My tears kept running down my face without stopping. No matter how hard I tried to put those images away, it was something I could not stop even with all my magic.

Every day, from the attempt to keep a smile on my face, always to hide the great sadness that had been all these years. The pain of not being able to do something to avoid it. The useless to know that nothing is done. The guilt of a single man who has been able to obtain eternal youth ... and they do not.

With a few forces start a rising from the ground. My dress was now wrinkled, wet and cold from my tears. With the steps now carried along that long corridor, always with the head crouched and staggering to the sides.

Hundreds of memories kept coming to me, without realizing I had already traveled a long part of the castle. With all that darkness and no one else, it was as if I was not going anywhere, no matter how many steps I took.

Sometimes I just want to be able to pull out these annoying wings and go back to being a simple unicorn. Being able to walk the streets without having to be a great center of attention among the other ponys. Being able to eat all kinds of delicious foods without having to take care of my manners. Being able to do fun things again with my friends. To be... to be myself again.

Now a fit of rage filled me. My step began to accelerate and I was running. I clenched my teeth tightly and spread my wings to take flight again.

With a great flying skill perfected over time, you up Rainbow Dash will feel proud, a large part of the castle in a few seconds. It passed from the training rooms of the guards to the meeting rooms and also by the large dining room.

I took a very abrupt turn in another one of the corridors and ended up crashing against huge doors into another huge living room. I fell against the same cold ground without doing much damage, I was able to lower my speed a little bit in time thanks to my wings. The sound of my crown falling to the ground made a sharp echo all over the place, for a few seconds it had been unbearable. I gently lifted myself up again, lighting up my crown and returning it to its place, now only to realize that I had reached the throne room.

So many ceremonies that took place in this place. From the celebration of the return of Princess Luna to the day of my coronation. Ever since we were able to save Lord Tirek's Princesses until the first royal meeting with the reformed Changeling kingdom. And on all those occasions, my friends were always present.

My body has calmed down a bit, just a small rush of anger that has already faded. I decide to walk through the Great Hall of the Throne, the images in my head began to diminish a little.

He looked ahead, my gaze fixed on the throne of Princess Celestia. I walked over to him as if suddenly feeling hypnotized. Try not to look at the windows placed at the sides of the room, in them had been recorded some of the most important moments of me and my friends. I did not want more memories invading my mind.

I stopped only a few feet from the throne. I stood watching him as if waiting for him to direct me some words. It was then that she came to my mind, Princess Celestia. She has lived much longer than any other pony. She has also had to see many lives extinguish in front of her eyes without being able to do anything about it. I've always wondered how she could always carry that big smile, though I never had the courage to ask her.

This time I had the courage to turn my eyes to one of the windows to my right, I knew very well who was just in that direction, it was the window that commemorated my ascension as Princess. My whole life changed forever that same day. So many new duties and responsibilities that I had to attend to was something I never imagined could happen.

I could see the snow falling through the window. A cold sensation suddenly invaded my whole body, the night had already fallen and surely all the ponys should be around a large table next to their families enjoying a delicious dinner.

I closed my eyes ready to yield to only one of my favorite memories. That last time we all together enjoyed this holiday accompanied by all our relatives, the same memory with which he had dreamed the last night.

It was then that I could see that memory more clearly. I could see bigger versions of each of my friends, the time had been so normal for them as for their relatives. I was in the middle of all of them, barely and had changed. My body just became a little taller and my hair longer and undulating. I could see Spike as well, just as he had barely changed, only turning a little higher and now with small wings that appeared on his back.

My parents, my brother, they were also affected by the passage of time. I could see Cadence next to Shining Armor leaning gently against his shoulder next to my niece Flurry Heart, she had grown like a whole Princess. Cadence's face showed great happiness at the time, surrounded by all her loved ones and so much love.

She has not been the same since my brother left. Even after seeing the state of sadness in which she fell, I do not even know if I ever get married, love was something I was always afraid to find.

A long sigh came out of my mouth and then I opened my eyes. This time I dared to take my sight through the whole room. I watched each of the windows, all those great feats made by the Carriers, not to mention when Spike saved the Crystal Empire.

My mind goes blank, this year had been even worse than the previous ones. These dates always brought to me all those memories, but this time they came to me with more force, to the point of desperation.

I just wanted to see them one more time. Being able to have a good time with them again just like with my family. But I knew that none of that was possible.

I would lie if I said I never tried anything to bring them all back. It was several years ago, I had obsessed with the idea of getting some spell that would allow me to do so. Princess Celestia warned me many times that I should not try anything that would surely only bring me more sadness, but I did not want to hear it. I just wanted to be with them again.

I remember that I went through all the libraries of Equestria. I read countless books in search of some spell that could make my wish come true, but I never found it.

I only found records of some experimental spells that never worked. I even tried many ways to modify them just as I had done with the Star Swirl spell, but they never served. It was not even something he could accomplish with time travel. After that incident with Starlight, all travel through time was completely forbidden. All the books with spells related to the subject were destroyed so that something like this would not happen again.


“Starlight Glimmer”


She also came to my mind. I remember very well when he decided to leave Ponyville. He was with me for several years studying the magic, indeed he was a prodigy, if he could have lived as much as I, I'm sure he would have been able to surpass me.

There came a time when I had nothing more to teach him, I had already learned all about friendship and all the spells I knew. But she still had a great thirst for knowledge. It was then that he decided to leave Ponyville to travel all Equestria and the world in search of much more knowledge.

I remember that one day he left with his great friend Trixie, in time she had also become very skilled with magic and all thanks to the teachings of Starlight, was his first apprentice. From time to time we wrote, for a long time we were like this, always telling me about everything he discovered in his travels and the great spells that he learned.

But the day came when I simply stopped writing. For a long time I continued to send her letters, but I never received any response from her. I never knew it was from Starlight. I always liked to believe that I had managed to get a good place to stay and maybe to have a family. Maybe it was just too far for our letters to reach, I never knew. I just hope she could have been really happy.

Now more images suddenly appeared in mind, I do not know because I began to remember other pony I had known throughout my life. They could be those who have had a great impact on my life even though we have not spent much time together. That's when I remembered her too.


“Sunset Shimmer”


My friends from Canterlot High. On numerous occasions I went back to visit them. I remember the first time I took all my friends from Equestria with me, they were very funny expressions of all of them after meeting their counterparts.

I was very happy for Sunset, I really had tried hard to be a better person making many friends. Even once I managed to persuade her to come to Equestria to talk to Princess Celestia, I must say that it was one of the most moving moments I have ever seen in my life.

Even with her attempts to make her stay in Equestria, Sunset had already secured her place on the other side of the portal. The Princess was sad at first to know that, but then turned out to be very proud of her. Sunset along with the other girls had become the Guardians of that dimension. On numerous occasions they were able to stop the magic that continually escaped from Equestria.

Unfortunately for everyone, it was time to say goodbye. We came to understand that for the magic to stop reaching its world, the portal had to be closed forever. This had already caused many disasters in her world and had to be stopped.

It had been a very difficult decision for everyone, but the lives of many were at stake if that continued. Making that decision would mean that we would never be able to see each other again, once that was done, the portal could not be opened again from either side. That day, both Pinkie Pie organized the biggest party of all time in that world, even the Princesses and all our high school friends were present. The moment we had to close the portal, I had never before seen Princess Celestia so shattered.

The mirror was kept in the basement of the castle, not to want to forget our friends, but to avoid continuing to feel pain to see it and more than anything for the same Princess. On several occasions I went to see him, just to remind me that they were still alive in their own world, but for years I stopped doing it, inside I could feel that the time of all of them had also ended.

I had had enough remembering the past. Now all I wanted was to go to my room, I could only continue crying against the pillow until I fell asleep, I have many times in the past. The next day she was to return to Ponyville, with the other busy Princesses and Spike in the realm of dragons, there would be no one with whom she could celebrate this day anyway. I just wanted to go back to the Princess's work and suppress all my feelings again with all those responsibilities. It has always been like this.

With my gaze again on the ground I walked away from that place. Again I found myself walking through the long dark corridors of the castle, no longer used my magic to illuminate the road, my eyes had already become accustomed to that deep darkness.

From time to time he fixed his eyes on the windows, the snow kept falling, and every time he did it with more force, surely a storm would come at any moment. I headed for the tower of the castle where my room was, just wanted to remove this annoying dress, take another hot bath and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be another day.

When I reached the base of the tower, I could see my personal guard waiting at the foot of the stairs. When they saw me they immediately approached me with their worried faces and seeing the state in which I was, they immediately began to throw me all kinds of questions about where I had been and why it looked that way.

Without being eager to give them many explanations, I just told them that I was fine, that I just wanted to go up to my room and look for some sleep. Even with their worried faces they hesitated for a moment, but in the end they stepped aside to allow me to climb the stairs.

As I climbed up, I could only hear the sound of my own helmets, it seemed strange that my guards were not walking behind me, look around to confirm that they were not following me. Usually they would come up with me and they would stay looking out of my room like the duty they have, maybe they felt it better to give me some space, I appreciated the gesture a lot.

I kept going up, now only with my eyes focused on the doors of my room that were only a few more steps. I stopped right in front of them, looking up at the dark cloudy sky. The snowflakes fell incessantly on me no matter how cold they were causing me, my dress was already completely ruined, I suppose tomorrow I should apologize to the designer for that. Even my mane was a mess too. I gave a long sigh and started to push through the doors with one of my helmets.

I only saw the darkness of my room as I entered, not too important just squinting the doors behind me. Light my horn to try to turn on the lights, but before doing so they came on suddenly surprising me completely.

I closed my eyes at the sudden brightness of the lights, had not had time to turn on the lights with my magic, I had no idea how they had turned on their own.

Carefully, I opened my eyes to become accustomed to the illumination so I could look for the cause, but I got a great impression on what I saw in front of me.

I had had enough remembering the past. Now all I wanted was to go to my room, I could only continue crying against the pillow until I fell asleep, I have many times in the past. The next day she was to return to Ponyville, with the other busy Princesses and Spike in the realm of dragons, there would be no one with whom she could celebrate this day anyway. I just wanted to go back to the Princess's work and suppress all my feelings again with all those responsibilities. It has always been like this.

With my gaze again on the ground I walked away from that place. Again I found myself walking through the long dark corridors of the castle, no longer used my magic to illuminate the road, my eyes had already become accustomed to that deep darkness.

From time to time he fixed his eyes on the windows, the snow kept falling, and every time he did it with more force, surely a storm would come at any moment. I headed for the tower of the castle where my room was, just wanted to remove this annoying dress, take another hot bath and go to sleep. Tomorrow will be another day.

When I reached the base of the tower, I could see my personal guard waiting at the foot of the stairs. When they saw me they immediately approached me with their worried faces and seeing the state in which I was, they immediately began to throw me all kinds of questions about where I had been and why it looked that way.

Without being eager to give them many explanations, I just told them that I was fine, that I just wanted to go up to my room and look for some sleep. Even with their worried faces they hesitated for a moment, but in the end they stepped aside to allow me to climb the stairs.

As I climbed up, I could only hear the sound of my own helmets, it seemed strange that my guards were not walking behind me, look around to confirm that they were not following me. Usually they would come up with me and they would stay looking out of my room like the duty they have, maybe they felt it better to give me some space, I appreciated the gesture a lot.

I kept going up, now only with my eyes focused on the doors of my room that were only a few more steps. I stopped right in front of them, looking up at the dark cloudy sky. The snowflakes fell incessantly on me no matter how cold they were causing me, my dress was already completely ruined, I suppose tomorrow I should apologize to the designer for that. Even my mane was a mess too. I gave a long sigh and started to push through the doors with one of my helmets.

I only saw the darkness of my room as I entered, not too important just squinting the doors behind me. Light my horn to try to turn on the lights, but before doing so they came on suddenly surprising me completely.

I closed my eyes at the sudden brightness of the lights, had not had time to turn on the lights with my magic, I had no idea how they had turned on their own.

Carefully, I opened my eyes to become accustomed to the illumination so I could look for the cause, but I got a great impression on what I saw in front of me.

There she was with her usual smile, Princess Celestia was in my room staring at me. But not only was she there, she was also accompanied by Princess Luna, Cadence, Flurry Hearts, Spike and even Princess Ember and Discord. Everyone looking at me with a warm smile, except for Discord who only had a look of annoyance on his face.

My expression at that moment must have been very funny. There I was, standing in the middle of my room with the biggest face of confusion seeing them all gathered in that place. My mind stopped completely, unable to understand what was happening.

That's when I looked around. My whole room had been completely decorated with lights, balloons and some tables with food and sweets, the typical decorations of Hearth's Warming Eve.

I was there, completely bewildered with nothing I could say, between surprise and confusion my body had frozen. I could take a few steps forward, my eyes focused again on Princess Celestia who still my devoted that warm smile. She suddenly stepped forward, wanted to ask what was happening, but before she could say any one hugged me with one of her wings.

Now I was more than surprised, for many years that the Princess did not hug me that way, I blushed a little to feel so comfortable in his soft wings, could not say that he does not miss those signs of affection. I could feel a great warmth running through my whole body, again I felt like in those days when I had just been assigned as her student, the times she comforted me when I could not do some spell well and ended up crying. The feelings flooded back inside me accompanied by tears.

Those seconds she kept hugging me for hours seemed, she pulled away from me again giving me a smile. She seemed to realize the terrible state of my dress, covered me with her magic and in just a few seconds my dress had been as new, just like when I had placed it at the beginning of the day. She even took the trouble to fix my mane, just as she used to wear it forever.

I could see how the others began to approach us, though Discord always stood a little in the distance.

With so many duties as Princess, it was very difficult for me to meet with any of them. Celestia and Luna lately were very busy in full peace treaties with other kingdoms for which it was very rare to see them even in Canterlot.

Cadence had an enormous empire to lead by herself, which every day continued to spread, had become a great ruler who was loved by all. Currently the Crystal Empire has a good relationship with the Kingdom Changeling, King Thorax was very nice and kind, always grateful to Spike for being the first to believe in him. Flurry Hearts had become as beautiful as her mother, now in an almost adult age she spent every day preparing for the time when she should take the place of her mother.

Spike was now a little taller than I was, I had not been able to see him for several months. I remember that after Rarity left this world he was also filled with deep sadness. There was a time that he also left Ponyville to travel through Equestria, said that he needed to find his place in the world. One day, he came to me telling me about all the conflicts between ponies and dragons that he saw throughout his travels, that he wanted to do something about it to end it all. He became the ambassador of Equestria in the realm of dragons. Spike wanted to disappear all enmity with both kingdoms helping the same Princess Ember, she was only a little higher than him. They did not have so many years of difference considering the time that a dragon could live.

Finally there was Discord. Even with all the crazy things I always did and all those times that made me angry in my step, always consider him a good friend. With the departure of her best friend Fluttershy, he had become even more distant from us. I cannot even remember when it was the last time I saw him. He continued to do some work for Celestia whenever a disaster had to be fixed, but most of the time he was locked in his own dimension, not even making jokes as before.

With that gentle smile still on, Princess Celestia began to tell me that all this would have been planned by her for several months. She knew how much our lives had changed over the years and wanted to do something special. During all this time she was planned this meeting with the others, the biggest reason was also to give me a surprise.

Although we were not as close as before, the one that always stayed more apart from the others was always me. I bow my head to remember those few times when I was invited by the Princesses to small casual meetings, I always refused them all. Most of the time they were for putting my work as a princess as an excuse, other times it was during the time that I obsessed looking for some spell to bring my friends back.

I felt claws on one of my shoulders, looked up to see Spike in front of me, he also looked at me with a huge smile and then also hugged me. All these sudden feelings continued to rage inside me. That warmth he received from them ... was so ... nostalgic...

Cadence and Flurry Hearts also joined in the embrace, there were also big smiles on their faces, I always knew that they had suffered a lot with the loss of Shining Love, but they managed to continue forward leaning between them. I simply isolated myself from drowning in my own sadness.


“Do I really deserve this ... after all the time I've been ignoring them?”


After other seconds that also seemed like hours, they separated from me. Now I could see them all again in front of me, with all the warmth that they brought back, and with those smiles still on their faces, it was too much for me.

My eyes managed to see something behind them, some blurry images that seemed to be seeing me with great smiles. Then I managed to recognize them, there were my friends, my parents and my brother, or so it seemed. Like a translucent image of all those who smiled behind me.

I knew perfectly well that they could not be there with us. Maybe it could be a hallucination created by my still tormented mind. But I did not care what they were, to see them even that way helped me to feel much better. They would always be by my side even if only in spirit, it is incredible that it took more than two hundred years to realize that.

More tears kept falling down my cheeks, but these were different from all the others I had shed this day. Before, which had only sprouted because of the great sadness in my heart, now they did it for an indescribable happiness that covered it.

Before them all, I did something that I do not remember when it was the last time I did, in my face appeared a real smile full of happiness and after so long, my heart was warm again.