Following the disappearance of the Red Star, Equestria was finally allowed to breathe steadily once again. All across the land, and the many beyond, hope had finally been restored. Seeing the star falling towards the surface of the world brought great fear and despair to them, but witnessing its brilliant collapse and watching the light return to the world… that was a sight to see in the eyes of every living thing; pony, changeling, dragon, and griffon alike.
The four forces brought together to confront the Shadow Alicorn had been brought to a temporary field hospital that the ponies created. While there, nurses and doctors from far and wide came to tend to the wounded combatants of the rather short battle that occurred. Once a member of the forces was able to travel, they were brought home, wherever that may be.
The darkness indeed had been cleared from the skies, but the storm to the north remained and raged on, continuing to block the area of the Crystal Empire. To come up with a solution to this problem, the crystal ponies decided to migrate back and come to the edge of the empire, just north of the Wilds. For the time being, it seemed the Crystal Empire would be incapable of coming to anypony’s aid. Fortunately, the ponies from the town of Charon were able to help the crystal ponies settle in and create an expansive village as close to their home region as they could.
Most everypony across the world was happy to see the end of the crimson glow from the sky… most everypony.
In the throne room of Canterlot, everyone from the encounter against the Shadow Alicorn remained. King Gale and Gilda had returned to Griffonstone with the rest of their troops as they recovered from the field hospital. Aura Song, Ember, and Thorax still remained, but they had begun to be pressured to leave, and so they stood with a slight level of anxiousness even as they felt hard-pressed to go and leave the ponies be. The Pillars of Equestria returned to their homelands, all except Starswirl and Stygian, who were soon to leave for where the Crystal Ponies were and help them best they could.
Ember walked up to Twilight, who she and her friends had been very quiet. She tried at a smile, but it didn’t last and so she lowered her head. “I’m sorry about Shadow…”
All Twilight could do was give a small nod. “Thank you, Ember.”
Ember huffed, lifting her head back up. “Garble and I have to go back to the Dragon Lands… there are a lot of things we need to sort out since all of this happened,” She gave the Alicorn a sigh. “I’m not sure how helpful we are going to be in the immediate future though… without the Bloodstone Scepter, I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to command the dragons’ loyalties.”
Spike walked up to Twilight’s side, looking up at Ember. “You don’t need that scepter, Ember. The dragons followed you here because they wanted to, not because you forced them with that crystal’s magic.”
Ember smiled down at the little dragon, which only faded when she looked back up at Twilight. “You are all free to visit, whenever you like.”
Garble had slowly inches his way across the throne room towards the princess sisters, wanting to ask them a question, but his pride kept him from being direct about it. He gradually made his way closer to them until both of their gazes turned in his direction. Being that Luna was still in her Nightmare Moon form, it was a bit more nerve-racking than expected.
“Garble, yes?” Celestia offered. “I do not believe we have ever had the pleasure to speak to each other.”
The red dragon ditched his nervousness and just asked. “Is it possible for dragons to have magic too? Or is that just some pony-thing?”
Nightmare chuckled. “Tis rare, but there are dragons with magic… you and Spike are among them.”
“So that explains what happened to me at that dance thingy you ponies threw all those months ago?” He asked, trying to understand it best he could. “But how could I have magic?”
Celestia smiled.“Luna and I were able to discover something using one of Starswirl’s spells he made for us. As it turns out, after the Great Cataclysm over 9,000 years ago, the dragon lover of Etherus hid away the six crystals used by Erebus during the event. After his journeys, that dragon followed his kind back home, where he then raised a new family.” As she explained, Garble paid close attention, wanting very much to be able to understand what happened.
Celestia glanced over at Nightmare, who nodded and resumed herself. “He bore another son, who he named Smolg.”
Garble felt his mouth fall open slightly. “The legendary first Dragon Lord?”
Nightmare nodded. “Smolg carried a unique magic within him, likely passed down from his father due to the fact that he had been in love with Etherus. And the reason you have that magic as well is because you too are a descendant of that dragon. Only now, Smolg is your great ancestor.”
Needing a moment to process this, Garble glanced down at the floor. “Huh, that’s cool…”
“Will you go back with Ember?” Celestia asked.
Garble looked back up at her, nodding. “I like this guardian gig, I think it suites me.”
Celestia smiled, nodding also. “It suites you quite well.”
Garble backed away to Ember, the Dragon Lord waving to the ponies before they walked off and out from the throne room.
Thorax, seeing Ember and Garble walk out, turned back to Spike. “Hey, I’ll see you around, okay? Pharynx and I have a lot to do now that the changelings are all returning to the hive.”
Spike smiled up at him. “I’ll come visit you soon.”
Thorax waved goodbye to everypony and then made haste out from the throne room to catch up with the Dragon Lord.
Twilight, having been talking to Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie, then stepped up to the other princesses. “We’ve been talking… and we’ve decided Equestria should honor Shadow’s sacrifice.”
“Oh?” Celestia asked, very interested by the idea. “How so?”
Twilight looked around to each of her friends around her, nodding to them before returning her gaze to Celestia. “A grand celebration, the biggest one the world has ever seen, one where everypony from all over Equestria is invited. And we would like it to be here, in Canterlot.”
Cadence smiled at the suggestion, Flurry in her arms and hugging her. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, Twilight.”
Nightmare tilted her head, curious. “What will this grand event be called?”
In that moment, Twilight saw Shadow’s smiling face, and all the great memories they all had… together. Feeling the warmth in her heart, her smile widened. “The Festival of Friendship.”
Celestia felt her own heart warm at hearing the name, and it would serve as a powerful reminder not only of Shadow’s sacrifice… but Sombra’s as well. Nightmare half-chuckled. “I am somewhat surprised such a thing does not already exist.” She then nodded. “I too believe this to be a marvelous idea.”
Celestia stepped up, beaming with pride at how far Twilight had come since friendship opened her heart. “We shall begin preparations at once. It will be the most grand of celebrations, the likes of which have never before been seen or felt in Equestria.”
Everypony gathered together and cheered as the plans were now set in stone. Just as joy seemed to have finally replaced the sorrow, the cheer faded, eyes turning to Fluttershy.
She sat before the newest of stained glass windows, the light from the sun outside shining through it and lining the floor around her in its brilliant colors. A depiction of Shadow rising into the Red Star, and saving the world from destruction. Silence filled the chamber, no pony knowing what to do or say. She just sat there, her gaze cast up upon the beautiful image, her heart still piecing together after having been shattered.
Celestia walked up to her side, sitting next to her. “I too lost the one I loved, dear Fluttershy…” She said quietly. “Know that you are not alone.”
Fluttershy managed a small smile. “I know…” she replied softly, eyes still upon the face of that pony… the shadow pony… her Shadow.
Everypony else gathered around them, with Fluttershy in the center. “Are you going to be alright, Fluttershy?” Starlight asked.
The pegasus nodded. “…I will.” Her voice was ever softer, and it seemed as if her spirit had not truly been broken after all. “He was a true friend.”
“A true, true friend.” Twilight replied with a smile of her own.
Fluttershy glanced over at her, the two sharing a bigger smile. Everypony then looked up to the stained glass together, in remembrance of the Crystal Prince and their shadowy savior… their friends, true till the very end.
Chrysalis watched from the corner of the chamber, feeling out-of-place at being within it once again. Her eyes lifted to the window as well, but soon fell back down to the floor. She went to turn from away and leave.
“Chrysalis?” Twilight asked, having turned to her. The queen stopped, turning back to them as everypony else looked to her as well.
“I can’t stay.” She said quietly.
“You can,” Celestia added in, stepping forward. “Our pasts are behind us… you are welcome to stay for as long as you like.”
Hearing such a thing come from the princesses made her pause, her gaze falling down to the floor once again. “…there is nothing for me here. I have no kingdom… I have no subjects… and now I…”
It had been such a heartbreaking scene to see, the changeling queen falling to the chasm’s edge and reaching for the black dragon as he fell into the darkness. Many of them never thought they would ever feel anything other than resentment for Chrysalis… but that one moment was all they needed to know that they were wrong.
Celestia walked up before Chrysalis, who couldn’t meet the princess’ gaze. Celestia lifted her hoof to the queen’s chin, gently lifting it for their eyes to meet. Celestia smiled, saying, “You have us now. This is what friendship means… what it truly means.”
Chrysalis felt her breath leave her, her eyes shimmering and lip quivering. She then shook her head, taking a step away. “I need… time.”
The princess returned upright, giving her a small nod. “We understand. Arkane was a troubled soul… and even though he hurt us, we all know that what happened to him… he did not deserve it. He was the last of the dragon line to Etherus herself… losing him was a loss to us all.”
Hearing that last line made Chrysalis react somewhat strangely, closing her eyes. “Thank you all… truly. Farewell.”
Without another word, the changeling queen took her leave, disappearing through the throne room door. The chamber was silent for a few moments after, the touching moment making everything all the more tense amongst them.
Nightmare took this silence as the pause she needed to say what she must. “It is time Nightmare Moon left as well… only now the time has come that she vanishes forever.”
Celestia turned to her sister, eyes lighting up. “You mean-”
Nightmare nodded. “No longer shall I crave the long night, and no longer shall the pain and guilt of my past weigh me down. From this moment on…” Her form shimmered, turning white. She shrank, and as the light faded, she returned to her natural form. “I am free.”
The two sisters hugged one another, having finally laid to rest their confrontation of the past. Nightmare Moon was no more… Luna, the Princess of the Night, now had everything she needed.
Cadence looked to Shining, nodding before turning back to them. “Shining, Flurry, and I are going to go support the Crystal Ponies in finding a way to take back the Crystal Empire from the Deep Freeze.”
Shining stepped up, Flurry flying over to him and landing on his back. “They need us now more than ever.”
Celestia smiled at the two of them. “Very well, best of luck to you both.”
“They won’t be going alone.” Starswirl pitched in, walking to the princess’ side along with Stygian. “Stygian and I shall lend our magic to the crystal ponies to help fix this crisis.”
Stygian nodded. “With our combined efforts, the crystal ponies shall have their home back in no time.”
“I’m willing to bet I can be of assistance as well,” Discord spoke, appearing out from his mural on his stained glass window. “I’ve always wanted to see how my magic fared against the forces of the north.” He disappeared and reappeared dressed up in a glacier-hiking attire.
Everypony laughed together, coming in for one more group hug.
Chrysalis reached the bottom of the mountain, cresting the top of another hill, she stopped. Pausing for a few moments, she looked back up at the capitol. Celestia’s last words echoed in her ears over and over again.
Slowly, she lifted a hoof up to her abdomen, holding it there for a few moments as her thoughts returned to Stormclaw. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her hoof returning back down to the ground.
Turning back around, she opened her eyes and resumed her walk. She had no idea where she was going… all she knew is that she must go far, far away.
Night was soon to fall upon the land. The stars shined bright in the sky, of which was cleared for Luna to reveal the beauty of her night to all Equestria. Appreciating the day and night became much easier now… now that they could all remember the red and the feeling of despair.
Everypony decided to stay in Canterlot that night before heading home to Ponyville. High up in the tower suite of the castle, Twilight opened the glass door to the balcony, silently stepping out so as to not awaken their friends asleep in the room.
Reaching the railing, she gently sat, eyes cast upon the brilliance of Luna’s night. This had been one of her more daring adventures… everything from Shadow being freed, to befriending him, to losing him, to finding him… only to lose him again. She had felt joy and sorrow, fear and hope. The serenity of this night laid all these experiences before her, and it was upon them that she sat now… with her eyes to the sky, her heart open to the world once more.
Stepping out from the room behind her, Starfall paused, seeing his princess sitting there in the moonlight. It took him a moment to will his hoof to step forward, walking slowly to her side and sitting. They sat there together for a few moments without saying a word, letting everything sink in.
“So…” Twilight said quietly, looking to her guard. “How was that for a first, full adventure as my royal guard?”
Starfall smiled, chuckling a bit as he looked back at her. “Will make quite the story someday… a tale of Twilight Sparkle, and her friends, saving the world.”
Twilight smiled back, but shook her head. “This was his story, not mine.” She then averted her guard’s gaze. “I am happy for what I got out of it though…”
Starfall nodded. “No more worrying about Chrysalis, Luna is officially freed from her past, a new festival to look forward to…”
The princess slowly shook her head, blushing slightly as her eyes rose to meet his once again. “I have you.” Blushing darkly as well, Starfall was left silenced by the princess. Slowly, she leaned towards him and rested her head on his shoulder, inching up closer to his side. She closed her eyes, lost in the moment she was having with him.
Starfall finally managed to push past his reaction and smile, spreading his one wing up and around her as she sat snuggled at his side. “You will always have me… my princess.”
A deep, warm smile formed on Twilight’s face.
Up above, high in the sky, the stars twinkled, shining bright for all Equestria to see and adore. Within its constellations, two emerged. Two Alicorns, side by side, rubbing their heads against one another’s. The light of the moon and sun would bow to them forever… the first Alicorns… the forces meant to stand out across all eternity.
Of lights and shadows… together forever.