//------------------------------//
// Coming To Terms 
// Story: Tales of Eden 
// by BlackRoseRaven 
//------------------------------//

Chapter Sixteen: Coming To Terms
~BlackRoseRaven

Princess Celestia didn't want to believe it, but there was no denying that Twilight Sparkle had grown up, and had become a stronger, better mare than she had ever been. And now all she could do was watch as this strong, independent mare left on her own journey.
It would be a lie to say she understood. There was just too much to take in after only a few short days: she had seen a great map of worlds, hundreds, thousands of different worlds, that had all started as nothing more than ninety-nine copies, false lives to hide the true core world from sight, created by a god who had long turned to dust.
Nonsense.
They were real ponies, with real emotions, real lives, real souls. So what if they weren't in the 'core world?' Being some parallel versions or whatever they were didn't make them any less meaningful than those other 'real' ponies were.
But she knew that Thorn knew that. He wasn't from the original world, either. Only dedicated to protecting them, for his own insane reasons.
She was just having trouble accepting it, and more than that, accepting that even if she was the protector of this Equestria, ultimately she could only do so much to save her own world. And she would have to learn to accept that nothing was ever going to be perfect, no matter how hard she tried to make everything right.
And she knew that this for the best.
But still, it didn't make things any easier.
Princess Celesta sighed quietly as she stood in the ruins of the bridge of the Queen Mary. She stood out there in the wreckage, alone, watching as Canterlot drew closer in the distant. Nighthawks flanked Thorn's wounded giant on either side, flying flags of peace behind them, and Royal Guard were already escorting them eagerly back home, sent ahead by Princess Luna to meet them once Celestia had sent her a letter telling her she was coming home.
Because that was what this was. A coming home. Not a freedom from imprisonment, but a willing return to the place she had, in more than one way, tried to run away from.
She had never wanted to return here. Certainly not under these circumstances, either. And yet, in spite of all that, here she was.
And everything had worked out.
But none of that was because of her. If anything, she had delayed, and damaged, and nearly damned their chances, time and time again, even as she tried to convince herself and everyone around her that she was going to do her best to make sure everything was going to be okay.
“It's easy to be hard on yourself now.” said a quiet voice, and Celestia glanced to the side as Thorn joined her. He was a little bruised, a little battered, but was otherwise none the worse for wear: his prosthetic leg had been replaced, his synthetic eye gleamed, his cape hung comfortably around his shoulders as he looked out at Canterlot in the distance. “You had many reasons not to trust us.”
“How did you know I was thinking about that?” questioned Celestia, feeling... well, she didn't know what she felt. At this point, she didn't deserve the privacy of her own thoughts.
“Because I've been thinking a lot of the same things.” Thorn answered, surprising her. “I am an authority. Sometimes I forget where my authority ends, and that tact is for more than personal relations and diplomacy. I also became... entangled.”
Celestia frowned at him, and Thorn hesitated before he said quietly: “When I realized the potential of this world, I allowed it to affect my judgment. I also became more interested in drawing out Twilight Sparkle and putting her in a position of difficulty to test her. I put lives at risk. Equestria's, and my own soldier's. And worst of all, for all my testing, I ended up severely underestimating her ability.”
There was silence for a moment, and then Celestia said finally: “I don't think Twilight understands, even now, that those artes were cast by her, not her broken amulet. That not even I can cast artes in the way that she naturally did.”
“It is an incredible ability. It came from within. And thus, it can never be taken away from her.” Thorn looked at Canterlot in the distance, saying meditatively: “We will train her. She will be a great asset in protecting the worlds. But her raw talent will only take her so far.”
“You're not underestimating the work ethic of Twilight Sparkle, now are you?” Celestia couldn't help but smile at this. “You know, I had to pretend Nightmare Moon had returned just to get Twilight to take a day off. And even then, I suppose you could call coming to rescue me 'working.' But I am surprised you're not angrier about her destroying this ship of yours.”
“I've met a Twilight Sparkle before. I know their work ethic. And I recognize she did what she felt was necessary; besides, this ship is nothing but a prototype. It can be easily repaired, replaced, and the data from her attack will be used to make improvements. I should be thanking her.” Thorn paused, then he said in a softer voice: “My concern is for her mental state. The pressures will be great, and they will be many. She will be among hundreds of other exceptionally-talented ponies. Some will look almost exactly like her. Others will be things she has never imagined before.”
“She'll be fine.” Celestia said, and Thorn looked up curiously at how confident she sounded. “Twilight has always been able to adjust, no matter what the circumstances. That's what makes Twilight special. Her drive to better herself, but never at the cost of others.”
“She has a darkness, too.” Thorn pointed out. “Her anger is dangerous.”
“We all have a darkness. She thought her friends were dead. That wasn't her anger, Thorn, that was her dedication, her determination... and whatever the negative side of those traits are.” Celestia quieted, and then she looked out towards Canterlot as she said softly: “I believe Twilight Sparkle knows right from wrong, and she won't pursue evil means to power... but I won't pretend that when I taught her how to harness even a touch of dark magic, I wasn't afraid that same drive would push her to unlock every black secret she could...”
Thorn nodded, looking out into the distance before he said simply: “Then I will ensure that drive is redirected towards more positive things.”
Celestia couldn't help but smile, turning her eyes to Thorn as she asked wryly: “Just like that?”
“I don't like to complicate things.” Thorn answered.
“It would have simplified things if you'd given us the energy generators in the first place.” remarked Celestia.
Thorn gave her a mild look, and then he looked out at Canterlot, asking: “Why is the world beautiful?”
The Princess of the Sun cocked an eyebrow, and Thorn answered his own question: “Because ponies have freedom, and choice, and because they live their lives, unhindered and untampered with. No gods, no devils, no monsters... no interdimensional security force.
“Sometimes ugly things will happen to a beautiful world. But it how you deal with that ugliness that determines whether or not your world will be beautiful again. Will you heal those scars, or let them fester? Will you cover the blemishes, or make them part of the artwork? Will you fill in the gaps, or tear this world further apart?
“But if something from outside this world came and put the pieces back together, made this world perfect, then it would no longer be beautiful. I could make this world precise, and perfect. I could give you the machinery and the means to live in automated peace for the rest of your lives. And innovation would cease, and this world would turn, like the gears of a machine. Beautiful, in a different way, all without the emotion that gives these worlds meaning.”
“So you prefer the beauty of a roaring fire to the simplicity of a field?” Celestia asked ironically.
“I prefer ponies who know the meaning of joy because of the suffering they have survived.” answered Thorn, before he looked out at the damaged face of Canterlot and said: “Artes give ponies more powers over their lives than they ever had without them. So I know you understand, and I see now why you fought so hard for them.”
Celestia snorted, but then she gave a slight smile as she asked: “Is this your roundabout way of saying you're going to help us now?”
“It was one of the conditions of Twilight Sparkle's negotiations.” Thorn answered with a glance towards her. “I did not offer. She insisted and proved her value. That makes all the difference.”
Celestia quieted, and then she bit her lip before suddenly turning towards the stallion, asking: “Will I ever see her again?”
“The odds are in your favor.” answered Thorn with a brief shrug. “We'll be placing an outpost on this world to assist with your spiritual energy difficulties. It will require some monitoring and resupply in its initial stages. Twilight will need practice drops and this place will serve well enough as a training zone.
“In the past, we were much stricter about our Orphans. But due to a cataclysmic event many years ago now, we... reevaluated those rules.” Thorn smiled briefly. “Orphanage duties come first. But we do permit homeworld visits under special or extenuating circumstances.”
Celestia studied Thorn, and Thorn looked back at her before she shifted her gaze towards Canterlot. It was drawing close now. In minutes, perhaps, they would be landing.
So she took a breath, then turned back to Thorn and asked bluntly: “What are you, Thorn Blackfeather?”
After what Twilight had told her, her aversion to him made much more sense. His black blood, the corruption in his veins, the cold darkness he emanated in spite of his cordial tone. It wasn't his power or his alien machinery she feared: it was him, or rather, what was inside him.
But Thorn only smiled, answering: “A pony, just like you.”
Celestia snorted at this, asking: “Just like me?”
“If you want to get down to particulars, I am a stallion, not a mare, I do not possess wings, and-”
Celestia glared at him. “Is this your idea of a joke?”
“Yes.” Thorn answered matter-of-factly. “And it is is also a serious answer, Celestia. I am a pony. What, may I ask, are you?”
For a moment, the mare glared at him, and then a brief smile twitched at her mouth before she replied dryly: “Troubled.”
“We have many troubled people at the Orphanage, Princess Celestia. With a little time and patience, they often get better. I'm sure that if you give yourself the same, you will too.” Thorn said politely, before he bowed his head and excused himself with: “I have to prepare the ship for landing. Please join me in the hangar when you're ready. We'll avoid the crowds and land at the rear of the castle.”
“What, you want to avoid the crowds?” Celestia asked with a wider smile as Thorn walked away.
The stallion glanced back over his shoulder at her mildly before he answered, as he headed to the exit: “Yes.”
“I see I'm not the only troubled pony.” Celestia muttered as the stallion left, before she sighed and turned to gaze out over Canterlot and the milling, cheering crowd below, waving eagerly up at their princess, who they so wrongly thought had conquered Thorn Blackfeather; something she was sure she would never convince the mob below otherwise.
Yes. Avoiding the crowd would be nice.



Princess Celestia embraced Princess Luna fiercely in the throne room, and for a moment they were alone in spite of the cheering from the soldiers, the clicking from the cameras, the sound and fury. It was two siblings, grateful to see one-another, Celestia silently apologizing and Luna wordlessly telling her for the thousandth time, 'it's okay, it's okay.'
It had always been up to Luna to forgive, after all.
Maybe that was why it had been so hard for Celestia to deal with Luna's anger as Nightmare Moon, and why she had just made another mistake.
Oh, memories.
She stepped back, and she turned with a smile, offering her hoof to Thorn Blackfeather, who took it and bowed his head to her in submission. More cheers, more cameras clicking, more rejoicing from the ponies who didn't even know what had happened, who didn't grasp the gravity of what was going on.
But when you were a princess, even your personal moments became a photo op.
And you had to give the people what they wanted.
She was glad that Thorn seemed familiar with the protocols here: he never questioned or argued with them about anything as Luna produced a sham of a treaty: it was nothing but a piece of parchment with the royal scroll and a bunch of fancy words on it. She presented it to them – again, in the role of provider, and yet forced to act humble, like she was less than her sister, who would do the signing – and Celestia calmly glanced over it before she handed it to Thorn.
Thorn took it, very studiously looked over the parchment, and then he nodded very solemnly. Yes, Celestia reflected, he was certainly some kind of monarch. He knew all the steps to the dance, as he offered his hoof again, and they shook in front of the treaty this time, so the cameras could get more pictures.
And more pictures, of course, when Thorn signed the document, and more and more pictures, when Celestia signed it, before they shook again with Luna beside them, holding the treaty so their signatures were clearly displayed.
That would probably be on the front page tomorrow, Celestia thought.
She looked at Thorn as he turned towards her, and then she leaned down impulsively and kissed him chastely on the lips, and the stallion's eyes bulged before he stepped back and reared his head back with a horrible face, and Celestia burst into laughter.
That was a better front page for tomorrow!
When it was all over and they were able to retire to 'privately discuss the particulars of the treaty,' the first thing Luna asked was: “Is my sister not pretty enough for you, Thorn Blackfeather?”
Thorn scowled at her horribly, and both the sisters smiled widely at the sour expression before he said dryly: “I am in a committed relationship, thank you.” He hesitated, then added almost impulsively: “And my mother was... once known as Princess Celestia.”
Celestia straightened in surprise at this, and Luna cocked her head curiously as she leaned forwards, asking: “So you are Celestia's son? A Prince, then?”
“I was Regent of Decretum. She adopted me. My older brother was the Prince.” Thorn answered after a moment, before he smiled a little. “My mother suffered greatly over her lifetime. She was forced to change her identity, but... she never forgot her duty to protect her home, which became... all of these worlds. She was a hero.”
He was very proud, Celestia thought quietly, and she studied him with renewed interest. But Thorn only cleared his throat before saying calmly: “We should discuss the-”
“Where is Twilight?” interrupted Luna, and Thorn gave her a dry look, but then turned his eyes towards Celestia.
Celestia hesitated, and then she shook her head and looked back at Thorn. Luna frowned deeper at this, drawing her eyes to the stallion as he answered: “Preparing her goodbyes. She has more important things to deal with at the moment.”
“Twilight is... still a pariah, in the eyes of Canterlot. When I blamed her for the assault on Canterlot, I was only thinking of keeping her safe, of pushing her away. I never considered the consequences beyond the obvious.” Celestia said softly. “Not with the ponies, of course. If I told them she was a hero today, they'd forget everything they said and believed about her yesterday. But for Twilight, that wound... that wound is still very sore. And she no longer sees Canterlot, or its ponies, as the bastion of hope she once did.
“Twilight doesn't want redemption in the eyes of ponies. And she doesn't want to be their hero. What she wants is privacy, to say goodbye.”
Luna nodded slowly, and then she said quietly: “It all seems wrong to me.”
“Politics.” Thorn answered. “It's better for me to be a villain, vanquished and forced into submission by Princess Celestia, than it is for Twilight to have been a hero all along and for Princess Celestia to have made an... error of judgment. This will keep things running smooth.”
“That is a terrible way to think.” Luna said softly.
“Yes.” Thorn admitted without hesitation. “But it is necessary. Change must be introduced slowly, and most importantly, without ponies being aware that these changes are occurring. Or, they must occur in isolation, in 'safe' places, to give the ponies a false idea of control. Otherwise, chaos will ensue. You cannot introduce an unknown variable to an unrestricted situation without risking entropy.”
“Your big words and explanations make it no less terrible” Luna almost scolded.
Thorn smiled briefly at this, and Celestia chuckled before she said softly: “But he has a point, all the same. You unfortunately had to experience... the unpleasant side of ponies while I was gone. How many ponies do you think still believe that one day, we're going to collapse into civil war between day and night? Ponies are still herd animals, wary of outsiders, of change, of anything and everything that disturbs the norm. We need to respect that.”
Luna sighed a little, and then she shook her head before murmuring: “I still think it is wrong, and I pity Twilight Sparkle.”
“Don't. This won't be her world for much longer.” Celestia said, glancing away before she turned her eyes to Thorn, asking: “Was it all true? Everything you showed me?”
“Yes.” Thorn answered, nodding to her before he calmly created a holographic screen, and both Luna and Celestia leaned forwards, staring at the blue-tinted illusion as it displayed a floating orb, surrounded by runes neither of them recognized. “This is your world. We label it as a B-Class world, because it is not a perfect replica of the core world, but is not incredibly different. Or rather, it wasn't; its changes mean it may be up for reevaluation as a C-Class world, since we haven't taken your artes into account.
“This world is one of many.” Thorn flicked his metal hoof, and the image zoomed out, showing a spiral of... hundreds of worlds, all revolving slowly around a single world in the center. “They all protect the core world, the original world. All of our worlds are parallels, copies of this world: some incredibly distinct, like mine, and others with only very minor variations. Every world has a similar timeline, although the further world from the core, the more this timeline is skewed and distorted and abandoned.
“Endworld, my mother's homeworld, for example, was torn apart by a war with the griffins hundreds of years before Twilight Sparkle and her friends were born.” Thorn continued, and then he gestured, bringing up another world. “This world, unremarkable in every other respect, never had ponies present on it. As far as we were able to discover, the races simply never learned to coexist, and died out.”
“Fascinating.” Luna murmured. “And you were tasked with protecting all of this?”
“No. I chose to.” Thorn answered, and Celestia smiled briefly at the distinction.
“So you gather unique ponies from across these worlds to assist in their protection. But you were very clear that you dislike meddling in other world's affairs, even when that world is dying-”
“Of natural causes. We intervene when a world is threatened by external dangers, or the ponies are faced with a threat they could not deal with on their own. Destruction entities, Void monsters, interdimensional threats.” the stallion replied. “And in very rare cases, when the ponies themselves do something that has the potential to threaten other worlds.”
“Such as tampering with the anchor. Which is part of what protects the core world.” Celestia said softly.
“That is correct.” Thorn replied.
“This is all still very hard to believe.” Luna murmured, rubbing at her face slowly before she asked hesitantly: “Why didn't your... organization... step in when...”
“We had not been formed yet. Originally, the Clockwork Empire itself was a great threat to the universe.” Thorn said, and Celestia did admire the way he never shied away from telling any truths, no matter how unpleasant they might be. “But after the defeat of Valthrudnir, my mother, Hecate, took over his operations and we began the task of... accounting for our past mistakes.”
“So this isn't purely nobility, then. This is redemption, too, isn't it?”
Thorn only smiled before he glanced at the hologram as something flashed over it. With a gesture, he dismissed the map he had brought up, and instead the face of a mare appeared. “Serenity.”
“Sir.” Serenity's voice came through brisk, buzzing only slightly. “Repairs are well underway, and the anchor is currently undergoing the last stages of fusion. Will we be returning to drop point beta?”
“No.” Thorn glanced towards Luna and Celestia. “I believe I've impressed upon the princesses the importance of the artifact. They will secure it for us.”
Serenity saluted him, and the holographic screen blinked out as Celestia asked mildly: “Aren't you worried about what ponies might try and do with this artifact?”
“As I told Serenity, I think that I've impressed the importance of the anchor on you both. And as we talked about before, I believe I need to try and extend a little more trust, rather than making everything about conflict and authority.” Thorn paused, then smiled and added: “Besides. My systems will be able to monitor the status of the anchor from the outpost, and I'll have operatives in the area, in the event that anything happens.”
Celestia chuckled quietly, and Luna smiled a little before she said softly: “Very well. Then we will try and extend the same measure of trust to you.”
Thorn nodded, and there was silence for a few moments, until Luna asked: “So does this mean you will be leaving us soon?”
“Within a few days.” Thorn answered. “I have other pressing matters to attend to. If you are concerned about giving Twilight adequate time to-”
“No, not at all.” Luna looked at Thorn and said: “We will be holding a wake for the soldiers lost in the battle. We would appreciate your attendance.”
“Politics.” Thorn said.
“I think we would prefer that you find a better reason to attend than politics, Thorn Blackfeather.” Luna replied tersely.
Celestia glanced at her sister with surprise, but after a moment, Thorn smiled briefly and lowered his head to her, saying quietly: “I apologize.”
“Don't apologize. Just do better.” Luna almost ordered, and Thorn nodded before the mare sighed and said, sounding the faintest touch exasperated: “I can't help but think you've spent too long with all your machines, Thorn Blackfeather, from the way you act.”
“I've been told I have some difficulty relaxing. Or at least, not viewing everything through value optics.” Thorn answered, and he hesitated for a moment before asking: “Was the damage grave? Is there anything I can offer the families?”
“Your apologies. They may not take your presence or your words kindly at the moment, but... in the future, I am sure they will appreciate the fact you at least tried.” Luna replied as she studied the stallion. “The damage, of course, is not our main concern. And the medical supplies you've provided have greatly helped the wounded. Although we could do more with some idea of how your...”
She gestured at his mechanical leg, and Thorn flexed this, opened his mouth, then looked up at the princesses before he sighed and said neutrally: “I suppose... providing some basic prostheses isn't out of the question.”
“Good.” Luna smiled, then straightened and said: “Now, will you join us for dinner? Celestia, I am sure we can find a seat for Thorn and any of his friends at the table.”
“Of course. I would be honored to.” Thorn said, standing up as Luna did before he turned his eyes towards Celestia, adding: “As long as you will have me, of course.”
Celestia sighed, before she said finally: “Well, I can't exactly disinvite you now, can I? But... perhaps we should find Twilight Sparkle, too...”
Both Thorn and Luna looked at her, and Celestia sighed again after a moment before she nodded almost grudgingly, murmuring: “Yes. I know. I can't... force her to spend these last few precious days with me. But I can still ask, can't I?”
Luna approached her sister, then she gently hugged her, and Celestia sighed before she lowered her head as Luna answered gently: “You can still ask. But you can't force the answer you want.”
“Yes. I learned that the hard way.” Celestia looked moodily at Thorn, who only looked mildly back at her until the Princess of the Sun finally nodded and pushed Luna back, saying finally: “Come, then. For now... we'll entertain our guest. I'm sure I can find Twilight Sparkle later.”
Later, she thought, but she was afraid of how soon later was going to become never.
No matter how proud she was of Twilight Sparkle, and how determined she was to let her go... it didn't make it any easier.



Twilight Sparkle silently lingered in the back of the room, watching the proceedings: Thorn Blackfeather stood up at the front with Celestia and Luna, standing behind the coffins of both soldiers and civilians who had been lost in the attack on Canterlot. Celestia was speaking, of peace, of honor, of love and compassion.
Of lies.
Twilight carefully slipped backwards, and let herself out, careful not to attract the attention of anyone. Especially not her friends, who were in a row further up. But pariahs like she had become weren't really welcome in the seats... or at least, that was a good excuse as any to linger where she had.
Only one person noticed her leave, and followed out after her, and Twilight smiled briefly as Spike asked quietly: “Twilight?”
She gazed down the corridor, trying to think of what to say as Spike anxiously strode up behind her, asking: “Is something wrong?”
“No, Spike. Nothing's wrong.” Twilight hesitated, then decided to be honest. She hadn't been honest with any of her other friends, but Spike, most of all, deserved her honesty. And was probably the only one who could handle what she had to do, as painful as it would be.
She turned around, and knelt in front of him. Spike looked back up at her, and Twilight smiled before she opened her mouth, but Spike reached up and covered her lips before he bowed his head forwards, whispering: “Don't say it. I... I know. You packed up your things, you left us all a letter. I... I peeked.”
He laughed a little, blushing even as tears rose in his eyes, giving her a trembling smile before he flung himself forwards, embracing her fiercely around the neck. She hugged him tightly back, closing her eyes and shaking a little herself before the dragon murmured: “But I'm gonna be strong for you. I... I'll keep an eye on the library for you, and... and...”
“And don't you ever let anyone else push you around.” murmured Twilight, squeezing Spike firmly as slipped back, resting her hooves on his shoulders, smiling down at him and trying to ignore the tears in her own eyes. “You're your own dragon. You're no pony's assistant.”
Spike nodded, and then he took a shuddering breath as he stepped back, wiping at his eyes. Their gazes locked, and Twilight knew there was nothing else to say, nothing else to do. She wasn't going to lie to him, make him promises she didn't know if she could keep, ask him to do anything... except...
“Take care of everyone. They'll need you. From Celestia to Pinkie Pie, they're all going to need your help.” Twilight said, reaching up to touch his cheek gently. “I love you, Spike.”
“I love you too, Twilight. I'll...” Spike trembled, and then he gave a big grin, looking up at her. “You take care of yourself. I'll... I'll see you soon!”
Twilight smiled warmly back, and then she nodded before pulling herself away, saying quietly: “I'll be looking forwards to it, Spike. Be strong for me. I'll see you around.”
She didn't know what else to say. There was nothing else she could say. All she could do was take a breath and turn around, forcing herself to walk, not to run or stumble or gallop as Spike watched her leave, the mare never once allowing herself to look back for fear that she wouldn't be able to leave.
She ended up in her room in the floating fortress, sitting silently by herself, stroking quietly over the picture of Spike. She was barely aware of Thorn, leaning in the open doorway, until he said quietly: “You don't have to go. Or, we could ask him if-”
“No. Spike will do great things in this world. I won't put him in danger. I won't drag him away from his life.” Twilight looked up at Thorn, and she smiled after a moment, wiping at her teary cheeks. “This is my choice. This is what I want.”
Thorn nodded, and then he said finally: “We'll be phasing shortly. You'll want to be sitting or laying down. The first phase is always...unpleasant.”
“Okay.” Twilight hesitated, and then she asked: “Thorn?”
The stallion tilted his head towards her questioningly.
“Have you ever lost someone you loved?” she asked.
“Yes.”Thorn answered. “I have.”
Twilight looked down, and murmured: “I don't want to be dramatic. I don't want to compare that to this. But... I feel like... I'm scared, and I'm excited, and all part of me can think of is what I'm leaving behind, even though part of me... doesn't care. Is that normal?”
Thorn nodded, turning towards Twilight before he sighed and said quietly: “When my biological parents had to leave me in the care of my mother in Clockwork World, I felt many of the same things you do now. Part of me was terrified of the new world I was in, part of me wanted to prove to this enormous, terrifying mare that I was a good boy, that I was worthy of her time, and part of me was... sad, and angry, that my parents had abandoned me.
“I can't tell you how to work through your pain. You have to find that your own way. But I can tell you that as deep and frightening as it feels now, it can be conquered. As you will conquer your guilt, and your anger.” Thorn straightened, saying calmly: “I expect the best from my Orphans, Twilight Sparkle. You will either meet my expectations, or you will be sent home.”
“Home?” Twilight frowned, starting: “But-”
“That world is still your home, until you decide the Clockwork Empire is your home. No amount of distance or time will change where you've come from. And only you can decide where you belong.” Thorn continued, before he turned  away. “Now excuse me. I have other tasks to attend to.”
He walked away, but Twilight Sparkle mused on his words for a few moments before she looked up, murmuring: “Home.”
Somehow, the thought that even if she was leaving her home behind, it was still her home, was comforting to her. Her home, until she decided otherwise. Home, always there for her to return to, if she needed it, if she ever failed.
But she wasn't going to fail, not ever again.