//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Graph Theory // by stillinbeta //------------------------------// “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Shy?” Twilight asked. The poor pegasus was practically shaking with nervousness, but she set her jaw and nodded resolutely. “I can do this.” “They’re going to love you two, I’m sure.” Sunset frowned. “Don’t most of them only know me from trying to steal the Element of Magic?” Twilight shrugged. “We’re pretty big on forgiveness around here. I’m sure that’s all behind us.” Sunset nodded, magically mopping sweat off her brow. “Okay. Let’s do this. I’ll go out first,” Twilight said. Twilight opened the door and stepped into the map room alone. The other five Elements were already seated on their respective thrones. Off in the corner, Trixie and Starlight chatting with Spike. As the door opened the room went silent. All eyes landed on Twilight. Twilight did her best to smile. “Thank you all for coming here. I know you’re all extremely busy.” “Eh, it’s no big deal.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “But why are we here anyway? Do we need to save the world again?” “Nothing quite so dire,” admitted Twilight. Rainbow visibly deflated. “Is this about your new amour?” Rarity asked? Twilight blushed. “Kinda, yeah... What gave it away?” “Oh, I have my sources.” The unicorn gave a not-at-all convincing wink. Behind her, Spike looked nervous. “Right. Well, I guess we can skip the formalities, then.” Twilight flashed her horn and opened the door. “I’d like you all to meet my marefriend... and my girlfriend.” The room once again went completely silent. Behind Twilight, a very nervous Sunset and Fluttershy walked through the door. Each waved an awkward hoof at the assembled crowd. “I think you’re gonna need to run that one by us again, sugarcube.” Leave it to Applejack to cut straight to the heart of the matter. “I’ve been dating the two of them for over a year now. We’ve grown very close, and we want to take the next step together. They’re going to be moving in with me.” Twilight hoped that didn’t sound too rehearsed. She’d even left the notecards at home. “Two marefriends?” Rainbow Dash frowned. “How does that even work?” “It’s pretty simple, really. I’m in love with both of them.” Twilight demonstrated by walking between her nervous lovers, gently wrapping each in a wing. “Both of them?” Rarity sounded unconvinced. “Yep!” Sunset spoke up, to Twilight’s relief.. “It’s just like loving one pony, except you share it around with other ponies. Or people.” “You can do that?” Pinkie Pie asked. She had been uncharacteristically silent up to this point but now jumped up excitedly. “Can you do it with more ponies?” “Um, sure. As many as you can make time for.” “Do you go on dates together? Like all three of you? Because three ponies makes a party and OH MY GOSH are all of your dates basically mini parties? Not that you can’t have a party with two ponies but that’s not really the same as a party-party. Dashie, can we have a party date?” “So far so good,” Sunset whispered to Twilight. Rainbow flew over to Pinkie and the two began discussing something in ver animated whispers. Rarity was looking over at the triad with what was either awe or envy, Applejack’s brow was furrowed, and Fluttershy... “Um, excuse me.” The Equestrian Fluttershy was barely audible, but Sunset and Twilight’s Fluttershy Listening Skills were finely honed at this point. “Is this the um, me from the other world?” “Shy? You wanna take that one?” Sunset asked. She gave the mare an encouraging smile, and was rewarded with a squeak. “Yes, I am. It’s very nice to meet you, uh, me.” The longer-mained Fluttershy trotted over to her counterpart, looking her over. “It’s nice to meet you too! I like your manecut.” “Oh, thank you! To be honest I think it looks better in the human world but I still really like it.” “I suppose that’s one difference then. I love having a long mane, even if it gets a little annoying.” The longer haired Fluttershy tousled her hair and smiled. “Normally I’m very shy around new ponies but, well, I guess I don’t need to explain this to you, do I?” “I think I know what you mean. I’m pretty nervous around new people. Or familiar people. Everyone really.” The two Fluttershys wandered off, chatting like old friends. Rarity approached with an unreadable expression. “Excuse me darlings. I was wondering if I might ask you a few questions?” Sunset relaxed a little, but only just. “We’ll answer as best we can, Rarity. What’s up?” “My first question is for Twilight. How in Equestria did you manage to snag two beautiful mares when I’ve barely had a single coltfriend?” Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but a sentence stubbornly refused to form. Once again, years of diplomatic training undermined by a single question. Sunset, as was becoming common, came to her rescue. “Rarity, I realise we just met, and this is going to sound very forward, but have you given any consideration to mares?” To Twilight’s surprise and amusement, Rarity immediately blushed. The more things changed between worlds... “I... Sunset Shimmer, are you asking me out?” Sunset, wide-eyed, quickly backpedaled. “Oh, no, not necessarily! I just meant in the abstract, I guess. See I have this friend back in the human world who’s a lot like you and well... Wait do you want to go out?” “I would love to. Meet me at Chez Cheval at nine o’clock this Friday.” Rarity turned away, not even giving the open-mouthed Sunset a chance to respond. Twilight was about to laugh at her when a very excited Pinkie Pie bounced over. “Twilight! Do you remember that time we went on a date and it was kinda sad and not-super-fun? Because you didn’t really know what was going on and I didn’t really either? Plus we kinda just didn’t click?” “...Yes?” “You wanna try again?” “What.” “Well I think since you can date a bunch of ponies, we could try hanging out again! Like, date-date hanging out! Because you’re super smart and really cute and I’ve kinda wanted to snuggle you for a while! I love my Dashie more but now I don’t have to choose!” Twilight heard herself respond more than she actually spoke. “Uh, sure Pinkie. That sounds nice.” “Super-duper! I wonder if I still have that suit... By the way these are for you two. And here’s another one for Fluttershy.” Pinkie hoofed over a trio of pink envelopes labelled Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle (Alicorn) and Fluttershy (The short haired one). Opening hers, Twilight found an invitation to a “Welcome Sunset and the New Fluttershy to Ponyville and Also Celebrating Twilight’s Two Marefriends” Party. Twilight was so dazed from her and Sunset’s surprise dates that she barely noticed Applejack approach. “Howdy Twilight.” “Hey, Applejack. You uh, don’t want to go out with any of us do you?” Applejack, to her credit, was only momentarily lost for words. “Eeenope. You both seem like lovely ponies but y’all ain’t really my type.” “Fair enough. Sorry, it’s been a weird, uh, five minutes or so I guess.” “For you and me both, sugarcube. Actually, all I wanted to tell you is congratulations. Y’all make a mighty cute couple.” “Oh, thank you! That means a lot. I’m so glad you girls are so accepting.” “Tweren’t nothing to it. You’re our friend and we’ll stand by you no matter what.” Twilight leaned over to give Applejack a small nuzzle, her eyes a little misty. “You are the best friends a pony could ask for Applejack.” Applejack just smiled and nuzzled back. Eventually Applejack leaned back. “I also noticed your Fluttershy’s without a cutie mark. Is she gonna get one?” “As far as I know she will! Just as soon as she discovers what her special talent is.” “Maybe you should put her in touch with my sister and her friends. This is sort of their specialty, y’know.” “Oh! That’s a great idea Applejack, thank you!” “No problem. They’re always excited to take on new clients.” Applejack couldn’t quite keep the pride out of her voice. “I’m sure they’ll get along well. Well, as long as she can keep up with them.” “Ain’t that the truth. Give your Fluttershy my best and tell her she’s always welcome ‘round Sweet Apple Acres.” “I certainly will!” “That goes for you too, Sunset. Y’all are part of the family now.” Sunset just smiled, eyes watering. Fluttershy trotted back over with a smile on her face. “I think I’m going to like it here.” Sunset wiped a tear away. “I know what you mean. But we could be moving to Tartarus itself and I’d still be happy, as long as we’re together.” Twilight wasn’t even trying to hide her tears now. “I love you girls so much.” “Love you too, Princess.” In her head, Twilight was already drawing a new graph.