//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Life Goes On // Story: Creeping Happiness // by LanceOmikron //------------------------------// “So it’s over?” Applejack asked. Twilight nodded, sipping her tea. It had been several days since the Alura Une incident, and the girls now found themselves at one of Ponyville’s open-air restaurants for some much-needed R&R. “That’s right. The Alura Une is locked up in Tartarus now, so we won’t be seeing her again for a long time, if ever. Princess Celestia assured me that she turned the key herself.” “That’s good,” said Applejack, “I don’t even wanna think about what else that thing coulda' done.” “I’m just relieved that nopony was seriously hurt,” said Fluttershy, taking a bite of salad, “Celestia and Luna said that Alura Une’s feeding was stopped just in time, so there won’t be any side-effects.” “I agree, Fluttershy. And good riddance to that dreadful creature. Though I think I may just make that dress I saw,” said Rarity, sipping at her own tea, “I wonder... if it was forcing us to dream, why didn’t Princess Luna realize what was happening?” Twilight shrugged. “Well that’s pretty simple. Luna mainly keeps an eye out for nightmares. Since the Alura Une gave us happy dreams, they simply escaped her notice. She was pretty appalled when she realized the oversight.” “Happy is right!” said Rainbow Dash, “I know we were kind of in danger, but it was so awesome to be Captain of the Wonderbolts for a little while.” “Abso-posi-lutively, Dashie!” agreed Pinkie, “I wonder if we could make friends with the Loola-Loonay and have it make awesome dream parties for everypony!” Applejack shook her head. “Nah, not that one. Weeds like her don’t care about anyone’s happiness but their own. We’re better off with her gone.” “Bah, you’re probably right…” Rainbow Dash looked suddenly thoughtful, “Hey AJ, the rest of us already talked about our dreams, but what about you? What was yours?” Applejack was silent for a few moments, picking at her food while the others waited. Finally, she nodded. “I saw my parents again.” Immediately the other girls tensed up. Fluttershy gasped softly. Rarity reached out and put her own hoof over Applejack’s. “Oh my stars, darling… I can’t even imagine how you must have felt.” “Well it certainly wasn’t the easiest thing in the world, if that’s what you mean.” To their surprise, Applejack smiled. “But honestly... I feel better about the whole thing than I thought I would. Mom and Dad’s passing happened real suddenly, see. But this dream felt so real that… well, it actually felt like I was able to say goodbye this time. Really, that’s all I wanted.” Twilight blinked. “That’s… that’s actually a really nice way of looking at it, Applejack. And I doubt the Alura Une anticipated that somepony would actually want an endpoint to their dream.” Applejack nodded. “Well that, and I realize now that there was one other thing that wasn’t quite right with my dream. You girls weren’t there.” A collective 'awww' issued forth from the other five as Applejack picked up her mug of cider. “Now then, I propose a toast: Here’s to us and our friendship. Let’s work together and make our lives so great that no dream can compare!” The girls cheered and joined in on the toast. The danger had passed, and their friendship had been reaffirmed and strengthened. Applejack proceeded to have a wonderful lunch with her friends, five ponies she trusted and cherished like no other. The future ahead of them looked brighter than ever. Truly, Applejack and her friends were happy.