Epilogue
To A Better Place
1 week later
It was a bright afternoon in Ponyville, and at the library, Greed was practicing his levitation with books "Come on, Twilight! I know levitation like the back of my hoof! Can't we just move on to teleportation or beams?"
Twilight was reading a book on the table, and she shook her head "Uh-uh, Greed! I have to make sure that your levitation is in good execution! You have to remember that magic isn't all that easy to master!"
Greed sneered at her words "Says Celestia's star pupil..."
Twilight rolled her eyes with a smile "I was born for this sort of thing like you were for fighting! I can't really have you practice kicking somepony else around while you have so much to learn!"
Greed looked bored "I'd say I learned enough about telekinesis..." He muttered.
Twilight sighed and got up from her book as she trotted over to Greed's side to give him a nuzzle "Alright, I guess you deserve a break for your hard work."
Greed chuckled "That's more like it!" He reshelved the books onto each case he had his eyes on.
Twilight frowned "You do realize you've set them all in the wrong spots, right?"
Greed shrugged "No big deal! I can set them back later!" He then smiled at Twilight "What say we go for a walk? Enjoy some fresh air?"
Twilight smiled "That would be great." She looked over to see Spike sweeping "Spike, could you watch the library for me?"
Spike waved a claw "All over it, Twilight! You two have fun, but try not to get too mushy, okay?"
Twilight shot the purple dragon a glare while she blushed "Spike!"
Greed laughed as he kept Twilight at his side "No promises, little man! We'll be back, though!" The two unicorns then walked outside and left Spike inside. As they trotted outside, Twilight and Greed looked up at the sun "See, this is what your friends wanted you to experience!"
Twilight scoffed and lightly bumped Greed's side with her own as they trotted "Stop it! I get plenty of exercise each morning!"
Greed nodded "Yeah, with your brain! Your body matters just as much, though! If we're gonna be together, I gotta make sure you shine! Make you live up to your name as I do my own!" He smirked at Twilight.
Twilight looked away with a blush and a smile "Geez..." She then looked ahead to see Gluttony galloping towards them "Huh? What's with Gluttony today?"
Greed looked as well with a raised eyebrow "Gluttony? What's going on?"
Gluttony skidded in front of the pair and hopped up and down with a giddy smile "Pinkie taught me a new trick! Pinkie taught me a new trick!"
Greed chuckled "Well, let's see it then! I'll bet it's good..."
Twilight looked unsure "I don't know, Greed. You know how Pinkie can get sometimes..."
Gluttony grinned as he trotted near Greed and bowed his head "Greed! Grab my head!"
Greed raised an eyebrow "Is this the trick?" He then laid a hoof on Gluttony's head for a moment "...I don't see it, Gluttony. What's the-TRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!!!" To his and Twilight's surprise, Greed flew into the air with Gluttony on a rainbow trail.
Gluttony, while flying in the air with an eager grin and a bewildered Greed strapped to his head, simply yelled out "ADVENTUUUUURE~!!!"
The lavender bookworm stared up with her jaw dropped before she sighed and looked down "Pinkie, we don't need another one of you around Ponyville..." She muttered before she trotted back to the library. She then looked up at the sky 'I wonder how Shining Armor is doing with Wrath...'
_____
Out in the royal gardens, there was a large memorial for the lost soldiers made of pure obsidian. Shining Armor stared at each name carved onto it while his mane blew in the wind. His eyes were mixed with sadness, determination, and conviction all in one. He felt bad for losing them to Father last week.
"Paying your last respects, Mustang?"
Shining Armor snapped out of his brooding and turned to see a smiling Wrath stand behind him. He was without his eyepatch, his Ultimate Eye staring at him. Thanks to Shining Armor and the princesses, he is now a captain of the Royal Guard as well. Shining Armor sighed "Yeah...I just can't let this loss go. They were some of the best soldiers ever recruited in the Royal Guard..." He said morosely.
Wrath nodded "It is indeed a burden for the life of a soldier to have lost your most precious comrades in the field of battle..." He trotted to Shining Armor and rested a hoof on his shoulder "However, while mourning for the departed is a wise and appropriate gesture, you must know that you should keep moving on for their sake. Even if it is your most cherished loved ones, you cannot stop living when they themselves have passed on..."
Shining Armor stared at Wrath before he smiled at him "That's right. I forget that you had more experience with the horrors of war. Thank you for the advice, Bradley." He paused before he tilted his head with a quizzical glance "It's weird..."
Wrath held the same glance "The fact that so much has happened in the past week?"
Shining Armor shook his head "Not so much that, but your eye..." He pointed at Wrath's Ultimate Eye "So you've had that covered under your eyepatch the whole time..."
Wrath nodded "And you remember that Celestia and Luna beared the same reaction of shock. This is indeed my Ultimate Eye. It provides me with unrivaled clairvoyance in battle along with strength.
Shining Armor pondered as he stared at Wrath "So...in a way..." He then glared as he pointed "You've held back against me ever since our first sparring match!"
Wrath nodded with a smirk under his moustache "More or less...You were still a worthy adversary in our little duel. But now..." He pointed at his Ultimate Eye "...you have proper incentive to train harder before our next match together. I want to see how far your training takes you before you finally catch up to my own age..."
Shining Armor snorted "You really know how to set me off, Bradley!" He looked angry, but he smiled at Wrath "But yeah, now I do have more of a reason to better myself before I take you on! I'll be your equal soon enough!"
Wrath chuckled "We shall see...Perhaps we should go back onto the training grounds and monitor the guards' session. Shall we, Mustang?"
Shining Armor nodded with a smile "Yeah. Let's go." The two captains then trotted back towards the castle.
_____
Envy and Rainbow Dash rested on a cloud while they enjoyed a small nap. The jealous pony smirked "I guess I owe you for letting me skip kindness lessons today, Rainbow. Thanks..."
Rainbow Dash smiled "You proved to be good enough in my book! You could use a day off before you have to go back there!" She looked stern "But you still gotta act better around Pinkie!"
Envy groaned "Fluttershy's a better friend than her. And I said I'll try!"
Rainbow Dash sighed "You're just so difficult, palm tree head..." She then gave the jealous pony a nuzzle "But you're on your way!" She then noticed a rainbow trail fly over her and Envy and both pegasi looked up dumbfounded "Was that-...?"
Envy twitched an eye "That wasn't Gluttony flying with Greed, was it?"
The two paused before they held a deadpan stare and spoke in unison "Pinkie..."
The jealous pony looked away "I told you she was annoying..."
Rainbow Dash watched the rainbow trail fade "Never thought Gluttony would be her protege of all ponies! Go figure!" She then smiled "Say, why don't we grab a bite to eat, huh? I'm starving!"
Envy grinned "Where to?"
Rainbow Dash looked over and smiled "Let's just head on over to the cafe! You definitely need to try their hay fries!!" The two pegasi then flew off the cloud and towards the cafe.
_____
Sloth slept under a large tree with Applejack at his side. Applejack had her hat cover her eyes while she leaned on the indolent pony "Heh, maybe Ah needed a break after all..."
Sloth moved his head slowly away "I told you...Working is a pain..."
Applejack moved her hat up and looked at Sloth "So is slackin'! Ah'm only takin' a small break 'fore we get back to working! Hopefully, y'all can learn th' other elements as well as honesty!" She smiled "Ya really are a hard worker fer bein' so lazy, Sloth! Thank ya kindly fer yer help 'round here!"
Sloth moaned "Sure..." One of his ears slowly perked up "Pegasus..."
Applejack looked at Sloth "Pegasus? Ya think it might be Dash?" She looked up, and her eyes widened to see Gluttony fly with Greed while the avaricious pony was screaming. She stared for a long moment before she hung ehr head and sighed "Consarn it, Pinkie..." She muttered before she trotted over and laid next to Sloth "Move over, sugarcube. Maybe Ah oughta enjoy a small nap like y'all 're doin..."
Sloth did not move, but instead he said "...Copycat..."
_____
At Carousel Boutique, Rarity just finished repairing Lust's dress while she wore it "There we are, much better!" She smiled at her success "Good as new, and you look just as ravishing as ever!"
Lust inspected herself and nodded with a smile "Thank you, Rarity. I suppose I should be paying you for this."
Rarity shook her head "Oh nononononononono! You will do no such thing! This is only hospitality and the need to improve your image!"
Lust nodded "I see..." She then trotted up to Rarity and leaned her head in with a seductive gaze "Are you sure there is no other way at all?" She spoke in a sultry tone.
Rarity instantly widened her eys and blushed "N-N-Now, Lust! We talked about this!!" She blurted out in a nervous tone.
Lust gave a cute laugh "I'm kidding, Rarity. But I am serious about returning the favor. Perhaps I can help around the boutique while I learn more magic."
Rarity gave a touched smile "You would do that for me? But there could be other places!"
Lust shook her head "You've done so much for me, and I can't turn my back on your care. Besides, this place is suitable to my interests and my talents..."
Rarity smiled "If that is what you wish, then I thank you for lending a hoof around here."
Lust nodded with a smile "Perhaps I shall pay Twilight a visit and read more spellbooks. I could use more knowledge on my end." She then opened the door with her magic, and she looked up to see Gluttony fly with Greed screaming. She kept her stare with a glance that betrayed her shock.
Rarity trotted out "Lust, darling, what's wrong? Did you see something up there?"
Lust did not move as she finally spoke "I am beginning to question our safety around Pinkie..."
Rarity looked away with a wince as she scratched her head 'She's done it again, hasn't she?'
_____
Fluttershy and Pinkie were at Sugarcube Corner as they sat and talked. The timid mare looked sad "Envy or Rainbow Dash didn't show up today. Do you think that they were bored?"
Pinkie giggled "Of course not, silly! You know how much Dashie loves to nap! And now she has somepony to nap with!" She then thought "Or should we say somechangeling...hmmm~..." She then shrugged with a grin "Oh well!" She then took a large bite out of a cupcake.
Fluttershy smiled "Well, it is nice to see Rainbow Dash and Envy get along together...Maybe they could use a break." She took a small bite of her own cupcake "I'm glad that we were able to stop the homunculi's father. He was so..." She shuddered "Scary..."
Pinkie gulped her cupcake and narrowed her eyes "I'll say! And MAN was he mean! It's a good thing he's gone and his kids got to stay!" She smiled "Now maybe I can play with Gluttony and Envy more!"
Fluttershy flinched "That is...if it's okay with Envy, at least..."
Pinkie waved a hoof "Eh, I'm sure she won't mind!" She then stopped before she looked around "Hey! Where's Gluttony? I figured he'd be back for cupcakes by now!"
Fluttershy turned to the front door "Maybe he's on his way right now outside..." The two then trotted out, Pinkie with a tray of fresh cupcakes in tow.
When they were outside, they looked up to see Gluttony fly in the air with Greed screaming. Pinkie grinned "Ooooooh! Now I remember! Gluttony's showing that new trick I taught him!"
Fluttershy looked worried "But Greed is with him! What if he gets hurt!? Twilight won't be happy..."
Pinkie thought for a moment and nodded "You're right, Fluttershy! We better stop this!" She then pulled out a megaphone and spoke into it "Gluttony!! Cupcakes!!" Fluttershy gritted her teeth at the megaphone's volume.
In the air, Gluttony heard Pinkie loud and clear as he made a direct course for Sugarcube corner. His tongue was hung out in voracious abandon while Greed hung on for dear life. The two former homunculi then crashed into the tray of cupcakes and Greed managed to be okay.
The avaricious pony recovered and wiped his forehead with a sigh of relief "I better stay away when Gluttony knows a new trick..." Fluttershy and Pinkie giggled at Greed's words. Greed smiled himself "But it's exciting to know Gluttony's learning for once!"
Pinkie patted Gluttony's head while his face was buried in the tray "He'll be another me in a matter of months!" She smiled, but it left when she looked at Gluttony "Watch the drool, mister! This is a good tray!"
Fluttershy smiled "So, Greed...Are you and Twilight...um...enjoying each other's company?" She blushed lightly.
Greed chuckled "We're not moving that fast, Fluttershy! But yeah, her company's more than enjoyable!" He sighed "If only I could have her along with Canterlot, though..."
Fluttershy looked away in embarrassment 'He really is selfish...'
Pinkie giggled "I'd say Ponyville's all the Canterlot you'll ever need, Greedy! Twilight chose this over Canterlot since she first came here, you know!"
Greed raised an eyebrow "She'd trade a life of luxury for friends?"
Pinkie held up her hooves "Duh! Wouldn't you do the same?"
Greed stopped and thought for a moment before he smiled at the trio "Yeah...Yeah I would. Because that's all I wanted other than the world." The mares beamed at him, and Gluttony joined after he finished off the cupcakes. Greed then looked back "I should probably get back to the library! Gotta learn more magic before I train! See you girls later!" He trotted back to the library at a casual pace.
Pinkie nodded "Okie Dokie Loki! See ya later, Greedy! Tell Twilight I said hi!" She waved as the avaricious pony trotted off.
In time, Greed trotted back to the library and opened the door to see Twilight reading a book. Donning an evil grin, he snuck in and tip-toed near the couch she sat on. When he got close he jumped at her in hopes of surprising her, but his eyes widened when she teleported.
He then landed on the couch, and he suddenly felt a weight on his back as a giggle was heard "Nice try, Greed." He looked up to see Twilight smiling playfully at him "I told you I get plenty of exercise..."
Greed scoffed with a smirk "With your brain! I'd figure you would at least counter me better!"
Twilight huffed with a smile "I dunno, it might be too complicated to explain to you..."
Greed scowled "Don't act like Lust..."
Twilight laughed before she patted Greed's spikey mane "Don't worry, I won't! But it's good to see you're back! Now what say we teach you some more magic?"
Greed nodded with a smirk "Sure thing. It might take a while to learn this whole 'Magic of Friendship' thing, though."
Twilight raised an eyebrow "You just now realize this? I figured you would be more confident and narrow-minded."
Greed rolled his eyes "I say this because of generosity! I don't think I can handle it...That's just going against everything I stand for!" He looked away in disgust.
Twilight leaned her head down and hugged Greed as she nuzzled him "We all reach that point in our lives sometimes, Greed. And this time, you'll have friends to help walk you through it all. You can count on us!"
Greed turned to Twilight and looked in her eyes "Maybe I can..." The two then shared a passionate kiss.
Spike watched from the kitchen in disgust "Aw come on, you guys! I said no mushy stuff! Can't you take it upstairs or something?"
_____
At the royal gardens, the weird statue Greed fell on stood with its fear-stricken face, and a faint laughing noise was heard from it.
Out of nowhere, a blank flank zebracorn wearing a fedora trotted in nonchalantly and stood forward as he cleared his throat. After that, he took a deep breath and said three words that can chill a pony to the bone...
"Dun Dun Duuuuuun~!"
The End