EPILOGUE
With the war over, all the creatures came back to United Equestria, and everyone helped to repair everything. After a couple of weeks, all the damages were repaired, all the buildings were restored, and life returned to normal. Even the New Crystal Empire was restored, meaning Cadance and Shining Armor could finally move back to their own palace, but they still stuck around for a while longer to help out with the repairs.
Now that the Dark Planet was no longer cursed by evil and completely uninhabited, Grand Ruler and the Queen sent parties there to fix it up and cleanse it of all the darkness leftover. Soon the planet was made into a vacationing paradise world, and it was renamed Planet-R-L-X. Soon it would be fully open for business and travelers could vacation there.
A small memorial was also held for the memory of Prince Fratello. Cadance requested it and she was right to have it. It was agreed that Fratello was not truly a monster, and in the end he saved everyone.
He defeated the very first robot attack when Equestria was still around, and only recently helped protect everyone from them again. Were it not for his holding back they never would have triumphed over the robots. So in a great way, he died a hero and not an enemy.
Still, Cadance really wished they could have saved him, and she had spent some time in her room weeping for the loss of her brother.
All she had of him now was the music box he gave her. She kept winding it up and playing it over and over. Her friends and family constantly checked on her.
“Cadance…” Grand Ruler said “You know you can’t spend all your time like this. It won’t bring him back.”
Cadance gazed sadly at her uncle. “I know. I just wish I could’ve saved him. He would have done the same for me.”
As much as all the others wanted to believe in that old faith, as much as even Celestia wanted to, she openly admitted “No, he wouldn’t have. Not if it were impossible. He pretty much would have done just what you did.”
Deep down, Cadance did understand this. She knew it was the ways of war, and sometimes being a good fighter didn’t change the fact that she just couldn’t save everyone. “But still…” she said, her tears were starting to fall “I killed him! I killed my own brother, and we always promised we’d lookout for one-another.”
“Then you made a promise you couldn’t keep, but it wasn’t your fault, or his.” Grand Ruler said “I understand how you feel, Cadance, but you did the right thing. Fratello knew it had to be done, and it was better than being controlled by an evil robot.”
“I know… but… but…” Cadance was shaking hard. Her insides were burning, and she hated to suddenly get all emotional like a child but she couldn’t hold it in. “I want him back, Uncle! I want my brother back!” She buried her face in his chest and let out all her emotion. Her uncle held her tightly letting cry, and Celestia joined in the group hug as well.
Spike could hear her weeping down the hall, and he sniffled, "Poor Cadance..."
Twilight felt the same way he did, and so did Lightning.
"Isn't there anything we could've done?" Twilight asked.
Lightning shook his head and said "You saw as well as I did...
Most of the robots parts were lost in the explosion, and whatever parts we've managed to salvage are damaged beyond hope and any of out understanding.
Nothing we could ever do would put that robot together again, and even if we could, it would just be an ordinary machine. It wouldn't be Fratello, that part of him has gone."
Spike tried to protest, "But there has to be--"
"Spike..." Lightning cut in "Think with your head, not your heart. There's nothing we can do about Fratello, but remember him as a hero than a villain."
Twilight agreed with him, "We also have to be brave for Cadance, and help her find strength again."
Spike understood this, but it still hurt him to hear Cadance weeping down the hall.
It really did Cadance some good to finally let out all those tears, and eventually she found the strength to join the celebration that was being held in honor of the ultimate victory and end of the war.
Their majesties handed out medals and awards to Twilight, Lightning and all their friends for their acts of extreme bravery and assistance in the war. Twilight and friends were also awarded ribbons for fully discovering the true power of the power of harmony that rested in them. Even Cadance was honored an award for her bravery and actions in the final battle.
Lightning was now promoted to Executive Captain, and all his friends were now captains well. Twilight also got immediately promoted to Senior Lieutenant, after just being a Lieutenant for a very short time, but it was well deserved, as was her friends now all being Lieutenants form Cadets.
Now there was nothing left to do but celebrate. A great party was held in New Canterlot, all over the village-- games, dances, songs, and plenty of food and fun for everyone. There was even a good portion of the party allowed to go on inside the palace so that Goldwin could attend.
Everyone was still working on how to stabilize the spell on his mask so he could permanently be alive and would one day be allowed to leave the palace like a normal pony, and now that the war was over everyone would have all the time in the world to find the answer. Goldwin, though sad he still couldn’t leave the palace, was happy that he had lots of friends, more than ever, and he knew that someday his dream would come true.
For now, this was not a time to be sad.
Easily a lot of the creatures enjoyed the songs…
A large stage was at the edge of the fields with some of the Wonderbolts, who were skilled at playing music, and anyone was permitted to come and do a song for everyone, maybe even a wild dance or too.
Pinkie Pie sure enjoyed singing songs of happiness.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders even sang a few songs of their own.
However, Lightning, Twilight, and their friends wanted to sing a very special song they had all been saving and working on. Lightning and Twilight were the main singers, and everyone else would do their part. It was a message to share to everyone that they would always be there to look out for them, and a warning to evil races that would dare try and oppose them.
“Are we ready…?” Lightning shouted “ARE WE READY…?”
The crowds all cheered, and held up their limbs, wings or whatever it was, and the rock music began to play, as the lights on the stage began to flicker around as some ponies released fog onto the stage to give it more of a wild scene, Dyno and Myte even signaled their team of workers to ignite the fireworks they had built to play during the song.
(Skip to 1:15)
Finally the music began to play wildly, and Lightning began to sing…
A very long instrumental followed as the Wonderbolts played the song on their instruments. The lights and fireworks illuminated the whole village, and the teams began to dance wildly on stage. The crowds cheered more and more and got louder and louder.
The song could even be heard from the palace where those who were partying there were dancing and cheering with such joy. Cadence sure seemed to be in high spirits again, and Luna never knew she could dance so well. “You’re a natural, your highness.” Goldwin complimented.
Celestia and Grand Ruler were enjoying everything. They even danced themselves too, but Celestia was trying to be careful, and when her husband asked why. “Celesto… I have the most wonderful news.” she said and gently touched her stomach.
Grand Ruler’s eyes shimmered like his golden horns. “Celestia…! Are you…? Are we…?”
Celestia nodded excitedly, and then her husband raised her up high twilling her round in joy and glee-- both of them laughing with happiness.
Outside, everyone in the village was partying wildly with all the fun and excitement, and on stage, the teams were still dancing wildly, and Lightning and Starla even found a small moment to kiss in front of everyone. Starla even perked her leg up. This really wooed the crowd and their friends.
Once they separated, they all began to sing the final verse, and everyone in the entire village joined with them.
“Come on now… Everybody!” shouted Lightning. As the song came to a close Lightning told everyone to get ready for the big finish “Ready…? Three… Two… One…!”
STARFLEEEEEEEEEEEEET…!!!
"MY BRAVE PONY"
(STARFLEET MAGIC SEASON II)