//------------------------------//
// Chapter Sixteen - Homecoming 
// Story: Homecoming 
// by Rose Quill 
//------------------------------//

I smiled as Sunshine and Twilight played with Flurry Heart. It was nice to see the simple interaction between niece and Aunt, or even Aunts, depending on how you looked at it. It also twanged a chord in my heart as I remembered playing similarly with mom and my sisters as a filly. I sniffled but only two tears leaked out this time. The words Mom had said before slipping away in the dream were with me still, reminding me that she loved me.

I'm not sure what I believe as far as the afterlife is concerned. I hadn't ever considered it before, so maybe that hadn't just been a remnant of her consciousness. Maybe a piece of her soul had held on to see me one last time. 

Cadence saw my smile and leaned over. "If you wanted to, you could join the fun," she whispered.

I waved it off. "I don't want to get in between the two Twilights and their Peek-a-boo war with Flurry."

Twilight teleported again when Flurry Heart covered her eyes with her tiny hooves. When she opened them, she looked around to find the missing pony who was hovering above her.

"That's cheating," Sunshine pouted as Flurry looked up and starting a gurgling giggle.

"Is not," came the retort. "It's how a lot of parents play with their foals."

"Not all parents have wings and magic, Twily," Shining Armor said as he came back in from receiving the morning guard reports. "So it may be a bit unfair."

Twilight settled back on the ground and gave the foal a small nuzzle as she let out a huge yawn, pulling her blanket over to her with a burst of magic that I still found surprising.

"I can't believe she can already levitate objects," I said. Sunshine murmured an agreement as I walked over and patted the sleepy foal on the head before lifting her to place her in my place on the couch. "I think I was three before I could even spark, let alone use my horn fully."

"She is a wonder," said the Princess of Love as she smiled down at the sleeping foal. "Especially when she behaves like this. But I think it is time for bedtime with her, I'll be back in a moment." With the child settled gently between her wings, she rose and left.

Sunshine leaned against me, eyes glancing down. "Part of me doesn't want to leave," she said almost to herself.

I turned my head and rested it on top of hers behind her horn. "I know the feeling," I said. “This was almost like a homecoming to me, and as much as I miss Mom, I'm glad that I was able to make it at all."

Twilight sat down near us and smiled. "And there's no reason you can't visit again," she said. "After all, you have roots here with your sisters and all of us. It would be a shame to let them wither. Why don't you come back during Hearth's Warming? I'm sure you haven't had one since you left all those years ago."

I considered it. While I had managed to get the hang of Christmas on the other side, it was so much later in the month and was full of traditions that I still didn't understand even after six years. "That sounds great, Twilight," I said. "I might just do that."

"Could I come too?" Sunshine asked. "I'd love to see the differences in an Equestrian holiday compared to those I grew up with."

I shook my head in amusement. "I don't have a problem with it, as long as you don't treat it as an experiment. Twilight?"

The Princess of Friendship grinned. "Of course" she replied. "I'd be glad to sit down and talk with you about it when the time comes! You can stay here again if you like."

My smile blossomed again. "I think we may stay at my Mom's house - I guess my house, that is - in Canterlot," I said. "I haven't decided if I'm going to keep it or sell it yet, but that can wait until the end of the year, I suppose."

"Well, just let me know when you know," Twilight said, rising. "I know it's a little late, but I could use a snack. You two want anything?"

I shook my head. "I think I'm going to avail myself of your balcony and watch the night sky for a moment," I said. "But you two go ahead, I'll catch up."

As they left, I walked out onto the platform and stared up at the twinkling stars as they wheeled slowly in the night sky.

"Thank you, Princess Luna, for the gift you gave me," I whispered before turning and walking back in.





The next morning, all of the bearers of the Elements and siblings had gathered for breakfast and a going away party Pinkie had planned, though Cadence and Shining Armor had already left before I woke up. I was inundated by the sight of the table piled high with cupcakes, muffins, fruit, and stacks of pancakes between pots of tea and coffee. Sunshine plodded in a few minutes later, her muzzle held high as though sleepily following the smell of food or, more possibly, the coffee.

"Coffee," she mumbled as she entered.

"Someone's a sleepy filly," Pinkie giggled as she popped up next to the Unicorn with a mug already held out. "Two sugars and a cream."

Sunshine took it in her aura with a look of confusion. "How..."

Twilight lifted a mug in her lilac aura. "Because that's how I take mine when I have it," she giggled.

Despite the difference in topics and faces, this meal could have been held at the lunch table at CHS for how similar it was to those simple conversations. AJ and Bloom talked about the farm, Rarity told us about her new shop and told us that we 'Simply must come by soon'. Dash and Scootaloo were split between talking about the show last night and the new direction the CMCs were taking now that they had finally gained their cutie marks. I leaned back after finishing my breakfast and sighed contentedly.

"This is the best send-off I've ever had, Pinkie," I said. "Thank you so much."

The pink pony giggled and waved a hoof in the air. "No biggie," she said. "After all, it's not every day we have a pony from here that went over to another world come back with an alternate version of Twilight. I thought you'd enjoy one big meal before you had to leave."

I smiled. "I do," I whispered, nodding. "I do."

Twilight set her mug down. "When do you plan on leaving?" she asked.

"I wanted to see my sisters one last time and let them know about the house and about being back for Hearth's Warming," I said. "And also maybe tell them about Sunshine and I."

Sunshine blushed furiously. "Let's wait," she said almost as quietly as Fluttershy. 

"Fair enough," Twilight said. "Why don't you invite them to tea? I'd be glad to meet them."

I blinked. "Don't you have some sort of Princess thing to do?"

She shrugged, her wings ruffling. "Tea is at four, and all I have to do is attend the ribbon cutting for the new Town Hall at noon."

Fluttershy leaned forward. "Am I still keeping Muffins occupied?" 

"Please," came the near unison reply from all the assembled ponies and Spike.

"I don't get it," Sunshine said. 

"You know Muffins," I said. "But you may have heard her called Derpy at the school.

"Oooooh," she said, nodding.

"I'll make the invitations," I said. "Think they'll get there in time?"

Spike puffed up his chest. "I can get them to them as soon as you're done writing them."

Twilight reached over and pulled the dragon into a hug. "Number one assistant, just like always," she said.





Tea had been an interesting encounter. Glory hadn't been able to speak most of the visit out of shock of bueing invited to tea with one of the Princesses, let alone that I was counted as one of her friends. Dew had taken it much more in stride, even going so far as to verify what I had told her about handling some things in Twilight's stead. I had fortunately warned the Princess beforehoof.	

As they left, I smiled, waving. "See you all at Hearth's Warming," I called.

Twilight smiled as she shut the doors. "They seem nice," she said. 

I laughed. "Wait till Glory's mouth starts working again," I warned her. "She's an incurable gossip hound. She'd get along with Rarity, I'm sure."

She laughed. "I'm sure," she agreed. "Anything else you want to do before you leave?"

I paused. 

"There is one thing,"





Twilight, Sunshine, Starlight, and I were milling about in the library that night, sharing in the awkward small talk that always seems to occur prior to departures, where you don't want to start something important lest you be unable to finish the tale. Spike saved us when he returned from the errand I had sent him on earlier, a package and a comic clutched in his claws.

“Here they are, Sunset,” he said, setting the package on the table.

Twilight levitated it up to look at the framed photo of her, the girls, Sunshine, and I. We had gotten it taken earlier and I had offered him the change to run out and grab it when it was done. I eyed the comic he also had.

"Surely the cover price hasn't gone up that much," I said, a faux glare forming.

He shuffled nervously. "I also got an Alexandrite sundae," he confessed.

I laughed. "It's ok, kiddo," I said. "I did let you have the change, after all."

Twilight lifted the other photos from the package, a small snapshot of each of the girls at work; AJ in mid-buck while Bloom stood with a basket on her head, Rarity using Sweetie Belle as a sewing test subject, Pinkie at Sugar Cube Corner, Dash directing some cloud motion, Fluttershy binding a bird's wing and Twilight, Spike, and Starlight reshelving books.

“A nice idea, Sunset,” she said as she put them all back in the box. “I’m still curious as to why you wanted them, though.”

“Well, while I may stay across the mirror, I don’t want to forget where I came from and the friends that I have here.” I nodded at the package before lifting it with my telekinesis and setting it next to my bag sitting by the mirror. “A remembrance and a reminder, if you please.”

“Nothing wrong with that,” she agreed as we rejoined the main group.

Sunshine came up and stood next to me, having just stepped away from Applejack, a small case of Sweet Apple Acres Cider held firmly in her improved telekinetic grip. We had thought to test it against our Applejacks version to see if there was much difference.

“Well, we had a blast girls,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Out of the corner of my eye and through the bond I could tell Sunshine was also feeling a little choked up. “Try not to get into too much trouble without us.”

“Like that’ll be hard,” Rainbow Dash said, hovering in the background and making a show of not looking at us.

“We do have our fair share of difficulties, I’m afraid,” Rarity hedged.

“We have had a few ourselves,” Sunshine said, leaning into me slightly.

Behind me Princess Twilight levitated the message book into the cradle over the mirror, it’s magic powering up the portal again.

I moved towards the mirror after a final round of hugs. I waited till Sunshine was done with her round before whispering to her.

“You may want to rear up a bit this time. It helps.”

She nodded, and after grabbing our packages with our magic stepped through the portal.

Once my equilibrium had settled, I looked over at Twilight as she resettled her glasses and tugged at the sleeves of her hoodie.

“Feels strange to be wearing clothes again,” she said, standing and wobbling slightly.

“It’ll wear off in a moment.” I picked up the picture and stood as well. She balanced the case of ale on her hip and looked up at the sky. 

“Seems like it’s just past sundown,” she said. “We should let the girls know we’re back.”

“We’ll call them from my place, but I don’t think we should be in a hurry,” I said as I reached out and laced my fingers into hers. “I think we should enjoy a night just by ourselves. Pizza and a movie?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” she said, a flush coming to her cheeks and a feeling of contentment bubbling up through our bond.

I stopped for a moment, glancing back at the statue containing the portal. Twilight glanced at me.

“Something wrong?”

“No, not at all,” I said with a smile. “It’s just good to be home.”

“It certainly is,” she said.

I squeezed her hand slightly. “Come on, Sunshine,” I said with a teasing tone. “We’ve got a dinner date to make.” She squeezed my hand back.

“And we wouldn't want to be late, would we,” she said, turning and giving me a quick kiss.

“Ooooh!” I heard as she leaned back. Spinning around, I spotted Rainbow Dash up on the other side of the statue along with the rest of the gang. I felt Twilight’s embarrassment fire up along with mine.

“Welcome back, you two!” Applejack said, a flush of embarrassment on her face as well, my journal in her hands. “We thought we’d welcome ya back but Ah think maybe that can wait till tomorrow.” She held out the book to me, looking me in the eye. "How you holding up?"

"Well enough, I think," I said. "And we have something to tell you."

"Ah can tell," she said with a serious look before she and Fluttershy started shooing Rainbow away while Rarity came up to us, giving us each a hug. 

“Took you two long enough,” she whispered in my ear.

I smiled. “Someone else had said that recently as well, I recall.” I hugged her back. “I have some photos to show you all tomorrow.”

She smiled at me and headed off herself. Pinkie popped up and handed us a basket of cookies with a big wink and hop-skipped off without saying a word.

“Is she always that weird?” asked Twilight.

“As far as I know,” I replied. “But I think that was the best homecoming we could have asked for.”

I took her hand again and we left, heading for my place and the promise of a quiet night.