//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Sunbeams and Chocolate Milk // by Turtwig-Tales //------------------------------// Princess Celestia lounged in her chambers, weary from another day as a matriarch. ‘Princess.’ She still wasn’t used to that. She didn’t think she had what it took to be a leader. If she could be so easily controlled, how could these ponies trust her? How could she trust herself? It had been several weeks since Discord’s defeat. Word had quickly spread of the monster that tormented them, and two mysterious alicorns that had saved them. Celestia had no doubt that the story had been embellished more than a once, but she had decided it didn’t really matter. They almost worshipped them as it was, and whether the story was accurate or not wasn’t going to change that. In fact, it had been difficult to talk them down to just naming them princesses. They had wanted to worship them as goddesses, at least at first. Glancing in the mirror, she decided she couldn’t blame them. She certainly looked the part. At some point during the confrontation with Discord, they had changed. The alicorn in the mirror was taller, and her white coat had seemed to have become whiter, if that was possible. Her magenta eyes gleamed brighter than ever before, shining with the new magic that flowed through her. Magic that had grown so much stronger, to the point where she could move the sun with little effort. However, the most dramatic change had been her mane. Once, it had been the color of the rosy dawn. Now, the rose had been joined by all the colors the daytime sky had to offer, and fluttered in breeze known only to itself. She had to admit that while it had taken some getting used to, she was beginning to like it. She also noticed the bags under her eyes. Celestia sighed, and rubbed her temples. This lifestyle wasn’t something she was used to, or necessarily wanted. She had wanted to meet other ponies, sure, but not rule them. However, it seemed that wasn’t an option. She usually just put on a smile and waved to the ponies as they came and went, helped deal with a petty squabble or two if needed, but upon her first opportunity would immediately withdraw to her chambers, her sanctuary. She couldn’t even go to her little hill without being mobbed by the adoring public. Not that she really wanted to. That hill’s meaning to her had been soiled by Discord. Another foul trick he had played on her, she supposed. A deep yawn interrupted her musings. She felt very tired. Sleep had not come easily recently, mostly due to worry. Whether it was worry for herself or her and Luna’s new country, she wasn’t sure. However, the soft embrace of her pillows finally overwhelmed her, and she drifted off to sleep. It felt wonderful. The first moment of true peace she had felt in weeks. It didn’t last long. Distorted images floated before her. Flash A vampiric monster, draining the magic from ponies. Flash A dark king, ruling over a kingdom of snow and crystal. Flash An alicorn, as black as the darkest void. And just as cruel. Flash Shape-shifting monsters Flash A castle on a mountain side. Flash A town near a forest. Flash Enemies return. Flash After the first few images flashed by in rapid succession, some began to linger, and tell her stories. The town near the forest again. Just beyond it, six poines stood in a circle, wearing odd jewelry. She didn’t recognize the town or the ponies. Wait, was that Discord’s statue with them? It looked different. After a flash of light, Discord was freed. Where these ponies loyal to him? No, they didn’t seem to enjoy doing this. Their faces showed great misgivings about doing this, and yet they did so anyway. How odd. Flash One of the ponies from before, a yellow pegasus, was…scolding Discord? And he seemed to be backing down. Had she tamed him? Unthinkable! Then she touched his arm, and smiled. They laughed. And not the sadistic laugh that had been haunter her, but a real, honest, jovial laugh. No, she realized, she befriended him. Flash She saw herself, and another of the ponies from before, a lavender unicorn. Why did she feel such attachment to her? As far as she knew, they had never met before. But she seemed to be…proud of her? She had so many questions. She wanted answers. Tia? TIA!? a voice called. She woke with a start, and glanced around. She was still in her bed, and Luna was standing over her, a concerned look on her face. “Luna…?” Celestia said sleepily, rubbing her eyes. “I…I felt something was happening with your dreams…and…and I…” Luna said weakly, letting her sentence trail off, and shuffling her hooves. It made sense that she was worried. Recently, Luna’s influence over the night had expanded to the dream world. She had been able to sense when something was wrong with a pony’s dream, and even enter them. However, she had promised to do so only if a pony truly needed her to, especially for Celestia. Her sister’s appearance had changed as well, even more so than Celestia had. She too had grown, but was still shorter than her sister. Her dark blue coat had darkened to the color of the midnight sky, and eyes reminded one of moonlight reflecting off a pond in the night. Her mane darkened as well and was filled with stars. It too wafted in its own private wind. Celestia offered a weak smile. “I’m fine Luna. Just a…strange dream.” Luna’s face hardened slightly, but still filled with concern. “It was about him, wasn’t it?” Celestia’s sharp inhale served as her response. Luna sighed. “I know he still haunts you sister, but it is over. The Elements will keep him sealed.” “But…if something ever happens…if our bond to them are broken…” Celestia didn’t need to finish that sentence. They both knew. “Perhaps. But-” Luna said, wrapping her wing around her big sister, “if he ever does return, I will make sure you do not do anything foolish.” Finally, Celestia smiled, and returned the embrace. “Alright. And I promise, from now on, I’ll listen to your concerns. Always.” Luna laughed. “It is a bargain. Now, I hate to leave so abrubtly, but one of us needs to lower the sun and raise the moon. I will do both tonight, and I will her no protests on the matter. But I will be back soon to speak with you about this dream at length.” As she trotted away, Celestia’s thoughts drifted back to her dream. No, ‘dream’ felt like the wrong word. ‘Memory’ seemed to fit better, but she was certain that she had never seen these places or ponies before. If Luna had gained new powers over dreams, she thought, perhaps I have as well? Instead of the present, maybe this is…the future? If that was true, she would know for sure in due time. The thought of Discord returning concerned her, certainly, but she felt oddly peaceful. The image of him and that Pegasus together stuck with her. Maybe he could be reasoned with? If he could be reasoned with, he would be a powerful ally. Whether the two could have something again, but real…was unsure. She wasn’t even sure if she would ever want to try again right now. It would take time to sort through the thoughts and feelings she had encountered, and then she’d decide if she wanted to pursue them one again. She sighed, and decided to save that task for another day. If she had anything at this point, it was time. At least it seemed that way. Right now, she wanted nothing more than something sweet. Celestia blinked, an idea presenting itself. She rose from her bed and stepped to the floor. Taking a wide stance, she lowered her horn, and began to channel her magic. She squeezed her eye shut, and clenched her teeth again the strain. She’d never tired anything like this before. Attempting to contain the magic in a small area, she tried to keep the noise of the spell down as to not alarm anyone in castle. After a few minutes of intense casting, she finally finished. The opened her eyes, and looked down at space she had focused on, and smiled. A little pink cloud hovered lazily in the air, as if it had been there all along. Celestia levitated a cup underneath the little pink cloud, and it began to rain a brown liquid. She brought the cup to her lips, and drank deeply. She savored the rich, pleasant flavor she was rewarded with. She lowered the cup, and inside. As the last streaks of daylight shone through her window, they reflected off the surface of the milk, revealing her reflection within. She smiled. If she could stare Discord in the eye and defy him, what could possibly be worse? Whatever challenges she, Luna, and all the citizens of Equestria will face, she knows they will persevere. Everyone will play their part.