All the presents stood in shocked silence at the news, none of them knew how to react to this.
Shana placed Dejiko on the chair that was at the side of Rinna’s bed, “I should have known that something was wrong when I saw Kotori on this side, she was the one who provoked this right?”
Ingrid nodded, “yes, she was the cause for the portal to lose stability, I saw her going for the portal and tried to warm her but by that time she already jumped inside,” guilt was noticeable in her eyes.
“Then when you go back to your world we will never see you again? That is what this means?” Twilight asked with worry.
For some reason Rainbow was the most distressed by this possibility.
“But what if they don’t cross over? Would ta chance ta go back be still there?” Applejack asked trying to comprehend the situation.
But Konata shook her head in negation, “if we don’t cross over, and the portal continues in that state, then it will close and will leave us trapped on this world basically forever,” she said worrying the ponies even more.
“But… you can’t go yet! I didn’t even have the chance to throw you a ‘welcome to ponyville party!’ you can’t go! Please tell me you wouldn’t go away,” Pinkie sadly hugged her new friend while she cried.
“Pinkie…” Konata was surprised to see Pinkie in such a state.
“T-there has to be a way to fix this right? You have all those crazy powers, it has to be a way,” Rainbow asked with hope.
“Ini-chan don’t you have a solution to this nyo?” Dejiko asked as well.
Ingrid wanted to correct Dejiko in the way to address her but decided to tolerate it this time, “actually there is, that’s why I need you to go back, so I can fix the problem.”
“Wait, really?” now Rainbow was confused.
“Yes, I can fix it. But I need as few individuals as possible who are from Álfheimr here to make it more bearable for me, that’s why I need you to go back right now, but for the looks of it, some can’t at this very moment,” she said while looking at Rinna. “We can’t take Rinna through the portal in her state, she needs to recover first.”
“How much time do we have until it is absolutely necessary to cross over the portal? Ini,” Konata asked.
“A week tops.”
“But would Rinna recover by that time? She seems too weakened right now,” Twilight pointed out.
“Can’t you give her something to heal her faster nyo?”
“I don’t know what method did they use to heal her here, I can’t risk giving her something and provoking a bad reaction that could hurt her more, but-“ Ingrid then went to Rinna’s side and closing her eyes she casted a spell on her, this covered Rinna’s body with a soft bluish aura. The non-magical ponies didn’t know what was she doing, but Twilight had an idea of what it was, almost 20 seconds after the aura faded away, “-she’ll be alright, at the rate at which she’s recovering right now, she’ll be out of bed in approximately 4 days.”
“How are ya so sure about it? Miss,” Applejack asked with confusion.
“She casted a scanning spell on Rinna, is that correct Miss Ingrid,” Twilight said.
“Indeed, you’re a good observant I see,” Ingrid complimented.
“So what do we do now?” Konata asked.
“Rinna can’t cross over so, Konata stay here with her until she recovers then meet me at the portal, Shana and Dejiko will go back with me,” Ingrid said this because she noticed the ponies fondness with her ponified friend.
Dejiko wanted to protest and Shana stopped her from doing so, “it’s ok Dejiko, I think this is the best way to confront the situation now.”
“But…”
“She’s right Dejiko. Besides, you have a report to write for master Mihoshi that cannot wait any longer,” Ingrid told to the rebellious cat-girl.
“But why Konata can stay nyo? Doesn’t she have to write one too?”
“I came here by my own choice, even if I had to ask Mizuka to throw me here with space manipulation but still, it was because I wanted to,” Konata replied back.
“Oh, I though you copied that ability of hers to come here,” Ingrid admitted.
“Why would I do that? I don’t know the ins and outs of manipulating space. I can’t copy something I don’t fully understand, that’s not how my special ability works Ini,” Konata explained.
“Well then, I know it’s been a very short visit, but we really need to get going and who knows if everything goes well you will be able to visit our world as well, any friend from my friends is welcome, but it will take a little while just be patient ok?” Ingrid said to the ponies.
“You better do that or I’ll kick your flank,” Rainbow playfully threatened with a smirk.
“Sound fair, alright it’s time to go. Thank you once again for taking care of Rinna now if you excuse me,” Ingrid said and turned to leave.
Shana picked up Dejiko once again on her back and stood up to leave as well, “I wish we could have met under better circumstances, thank you for your help and farewell.”
Fluttershy suddenly blocked the path looking quite sad with glints of tears in the corner of her eyes, but smiled regardless.
“I don’t think I deserve your tears Fluttershy, and you don’t have to worry, we’ll be seeing each other soon enough,” Shana kneeled once again, Fluttershy who was airborne landed and gave Shana a hug which she returned with only one arm so Dejiko won’t fall.
“Have a safe trip,” Fluttershy said after she let go.
With a final nod and a smile always present Shana made her way out following Ingrid.
Fluttershy waved them goodbye.
A somber mood covered the room.
“Please cheer up, everything will be fine. You heard Ini, she will fix the portal,” Konata said to the rest in hopes of cheering them up.
“But you still have to go away, I don’t want that,” Pinkie said between sobs.
“I don’t want it either,” Rainbow said as well, while resting a hoof on Konata’s withers.
“Not you too Rainbow,” Twilight approached the rest at last.
“Hey, it’s really so bad that I want to be close to my friend?” Rainbow argued but her frown changed to a sad expression, “but I know I can’t keep her away from her home, still I’ll hold her to her promise, if you break it I’ll make you pay.”
Konata had a funny expression and then hugged them both, “Aww, you two are really sweet, to be honest I don’t want to leave you either, but I have no option in the matter, regardless I will make it possible to talk between us daily if you want,” Rainbow and Pinkie perked up at that.
“You can do that?” Rainbow asked.
“Yep,” she said while letting go the others and summoned the same device Rinna used to receive the digi egg of courage, took the deck of cards that was inside of it and looked for a certain card. “Where did I put that thing…” she looked some more, “oh, there we go,” she set aside on card and put the deck on its slot again, then proceeded to dissipate the device.
“Twilight,” she called her alicorn friend, “I think you should hold this one, you’re the one with the most magic control of the group,” Konata held the card for Twilight to pick up.
Twilight pick it up with her magic and took a look at it, “magical vision? What is this?”
“Basically a communicator, I gave an older version of it to Celestia when I send her that report, but it was flawed and is a little dangerous so I’ll ask her to give it back later. This one is the newest and safest version of it, with this we can communicate with each other when I get back home, I’ll 5 more for the group, Celestia and Luna will probably need one as well, but that is a topic for another time,” Konata explained, “just take good care of it, ok?”
“I will, don’t worry about it,” Twilight said reassuringly.
After that they expended the next half an hour talking about random topics, in between Konata taught Twilight how to use the card she gave her so she wouldn’t have any problems with it. The overall mood improved by this seemingly pointless exchange and they felt like they took a weight off their backs.
“Hmm,” Konata was thinking about something.
“What are you thinking about Koni?” Pinkie was curious.
“I kind of want to go out and help rebuild the houses you know, it was kind of our fault that they got a little destroyed,” Konata felt a little bad for that.
“Oh, do you know masonry Konata?” Twilight asked with curiosity.
“Of course not, why would I know something like that?” Konata replied.
“Oh…” Twilight was disappointed.
“What can you do there anyway?” Rainbow asked with an idea of what the answer would be.
Konata shrugged, “I don’t know, I’m just kind of bored so I want to do something.”
Most ponies facehoofed, “of course.”
“I don’t think you should worry much about that Konata,” Fluttershy started, “you did enough already by saving us.”
“But I’m booored,” Konata complained in childish manner.
Fluttershy gave her some head rubs, “I’m so sorry that you feel that way, but we will figure something out for you to do Konata, how does that sound?” she said softly.
The others looked awkwardly at this exchange and Rinna giggled some.
The princesses were told that they needed a little more time before getting out of bed.
Luna thought for a time if telling Celestia what she saw in Konata’s dream, after some deliberations she did.
Celestia was quite surprised to say the least after hearing that fragment of Konata’s past from Luna. It came to show how even a terrible past doesn’t define totally how you act, she knew this by experience.
Soon after somepony knocked at the door, “Celestia, Luna is ok to enter?” they heard Konata at the other side.
“It’s ok, come on in,” Celestia told her.
The door opened and Konata made her way in with Twilight in tow, “how are you two today? Feeling better?”
“Not in the best conditions we may admit, but better overall,” Luna said.
“I see Twilight has managed to recover, those are great news,” Celestia added.
“Well it’s not that surprising; all the Elements involved in the battle have recovered if not fully, almost fully,” Konata explained them casually, for a fraction of a sec she eyed them with narrowed eyes before going back to a happy expression.
‘She knows I was there watching,’ Luna thought to herself having noticed that brief change.
“By any chance did Ini pass by? I heard you spoke with her briefly yesterday,” Konata was curious about it.
“Yes, she came here for a moment before getting back to your world,” Celestia replied with honesty.
“I assume she told you about our current situation, right?”
Luna was the one answering this time, “indeed, we are conscious of the delicate situation in which you are in my friend, we know you have one week before Ingrid has to close the portal to fix the problem.”
Konata let out a contented sigh, “That’s good; at least I don’t have to explain it myself. Also there’s another thing I need to address, I need you to give me back the device I sent you Celestia, it’s not safe it was a bad idea to give you that thing.”
“Why it is not safe, may I ask?” Celestia wondered why that could be.
“It’s magical syntax is old to say the least it’s an obsolete model of magical vision, because of the poor coding on it, you can almost cross the space between one side and the other, that’s how Pinkie’s pebble was able to cross to where you were.” Konata stopped for a moment to look at Celestia with a disappointed stare, “by the way Celestia, laughing at me was rude, shame on you.”
“Oh, so you noticed…” Celestia said with some guilt behind her words, she got a nod from Konata, “I apologize for my childish behavior back then.”
Konata shrugged, “I won’t hold a grudge on you, knowing that you felt bad for it is enough for me. Anyways, where is the device? Is in the castle?”
Celestia nodded, “Unfortunately that is correct, I was not sure if it was possible to return that device to its card form, so I just left it in my room before coming to Ponyville.”
“Oh right… I forgot to tell you how to get it back to card form,” Konata giggled sheepishly while rubbing the back of her head with a hoof.
Twilight rolled her eyes, but an idea came to her, “Konata, can I keep the old model that the Princess has?”
This made Konata look at her with a raised eye brow, “well, I don’t mind that, but why do you want it?”
Twilight collected her thoughts and explained, “Since it’s an obsolete model or so to speak, I figured it wouldn’t have any use whatsoever. Also there’s the fact that you gave me the newer model and I want to know more about your technology and magical procedures, that’s why I want it, so I can experiment with it and possibly learn something to make our own devices in the future.”
“I don’t know how much you could learn from an old piece of technology like that,” she said frankly, “but if it makes you happy then you’re free to keep it, I would have just disposed of it anyways, so I think it serving some purpose is more productive in a way, go ahead.”
Twilight smiled happily, “Thank you, but even when I’m just asking for it for experimenting and research, I promise you that I will take good care of it, it’s a gift from you after all.”
Konata ruffled her mane playfully, “you’re a good friend Twilight, now can you give a minute with the princesses I have to talk to them of something personal.”
“I would ask you about it, but you probably will mislead me to a wrong answer,” Twilight said with a smirk.
Konata gave her a knowing smile, “you know me too well, now will you be so gentle,” she signaled for her to go outside, Twilight nodded and walked out closing the door behind her.
Konata then focused her attention on the Princesses.
“Is something wrong Lucky Star? What do you want to tell us?” Luna asked knowing quite well what Konata was probably going to say.
“Look, I know you have an idea of what this is about. So I’m going to say this first,” she looked at them with a serene expression, “I’m not mad at you for looking at my past, so you don’t have to worry about it,” she smiled some but looked a little sad, “I just wasn’t ready to share that with you yet, I was going to at some point, but I think you understand that was a harsh time in my life,” she saw the empathy on both of them, “and for what I see Celestia knows about it as well,” she let out a sad sigh.
The Princesses couldn’t help but feel bad for this; they felt like they invaded Lucky Star’s privacy.
“We’re sorry for looking into your dreams without telling you Lucky Star, but I must inform you of something.” Luna’s expression turned into a serious one, “that dream… that nightmare, was forced on you.”
Konata raised an eye brow, “what do you mean it was forced?”
“We suspect that Nightmare Moon is behind your bad experience Lucky Star,” Luna admitted but wasn’t so proud of it since Nightmare Moon was once a part of her.
“Wait wasn’t Nightmare Moon and you one and the same?” Konata asked from the limited knowledge she had about the topic.
“That is correct my friend, it was like that until the Elements of Harmony banished her, since we thought her couldn’t do any damage anymore, but I felt her magical signature in your dream, Lucky Star. I don’t want to believe it but the evidence shows that Nightmare Moon is somewhere out there once again,” Luna frowned, “we don’t know how she did it, but she escaped her prison, but something strange is why did she targeted you and not anypony else.”
Konata put a hoof on her chin and thought about the possibilities, “well, you got a point there, it’s weird that she targeted me, but didn’t anypony else had an induced nightmare these days?”
“None, we haven’t found any other magic induced nightmares until yours last night, which could mean she returned very recently or has been hiding until this chance appeared for her, but like we said before it is strange to focus on you specifically, seeing as you two had no interaction to speak of,” Luna was still confused by Nightmare Moon’s motives.
Konata sighed tiredly, “There’s never a moment of peace in my life isn’t,” she giggled some, “but I don’t think we should worry about it for now.”
“What makes you think that Lucky Star?” Celestia was intrigued by this dismissing of an old foe.
“For one, Nightmare Moon was defeated by the Elements of Harmony by what Luna and the windows in the castle shows, Twilight wasn’t even an alicorn back then according to the window itself. That tells me that Nightmare Moon’s power isn’t all that great outside of affecting dreams and turning them into nightmares, and now the Element bearers are at their strongest after their potential got released by Rinna’s magic,” Konata smiled, “there’s also another factor that will be available for you if anything happens,” she said confidently.
This caught the princesses interest, “which factor are you speaking of, Lucky Star?” Celestia asked.
Konata’s expression changed to a devious one, “well, you see. I have a plan…” she started.
Twilight has been waiting patiently outside the room, wondering what Konata and the princesses could be talking about, it seemed important by the nice way Konata asked her to leave.
Soon after, she saw Konata walking out of the room smiling and waving good bye before closing the door and facing her.
“Did I take too long?” Konata asked innocently.
“Not at all, I still can’t know what happened in there right?” Twilight tried to get information knowing what the answer was going to be.
“Nope,” Konata said simply.
Twilight smiled at her friend, “alright then, but what do you plan on doing from now on?”
“I don’t know, would you help figure it out?”
“Sure, I’m the only one free right now anyway so you don’t have many more options,” Twilight told her.
“Uh? Why is that?” Konata asked.
“Applejack went home to inform her family about her recovery, she will come back later to check on Big Mac, Pinkie went back to Sugar Cube Corner, Rainbow went home as well, I’m not sure about Rarity and Fluttershy decided to stay here to look after Rinna when she finishes feeding her animals,” Twilight explained.
“And Spike?”
“What about him?”
“Is he busy too?”
“No, he’s just taking care of the castle.”
“Oh, ok then, let’s go and see what is there to do,” Konata signaled for Twilight to follow her.
Bgm: My Tomorrow
The first day of the final week the princesses were able to get out of the hospital they recovered enough to be discharged, everypony was at the entrance to cheer for them, they went back to Canterlot soon after. They promised to come back when Konata and company have to go back to their world, but they would be willing to aid in anything they could until then.
On the second day, Konata visited Pinkie. The pink pony made her taste a cake she tried to replicate from Rinna, it was half decent way too sweet for her though, and she wasn’t afraid of telling Pinkie that, they expend the day together. Pinkie tried her best to perfect the recipe, she wanted to give one to Rinna when they go back home and Konata was there and “nicely” offered to be the testing subject for those attempts.
On the third day, Rainbow went to Twilight’s castle to ask Konata if she wanted to hang out but she had to wait because they were busy looking for a certain book, being bored out of her mind she help them if just to finish that quickly and going outside to have some fun for the day.
On the fourth day, just like Ingrid predicted Rinna recovered enough to be able to move by her own means again, Fluttershy who was there with her every single day kept by her side to aid her in anything she needed and not just her, Lyra who dropped the maid act was also there to help. Rarity didn’t tell anypony but she was working on a replacement for Rinna’s clothes, she asked for the old ones that got ruined by the blood loss she suffered so she could know Rinna’s measurements. She worked non-stop to get them ready for when Rinna was able to get out of the hospital and fortunately she did so her friend wouldn’t have to walk around on an improvised hospital gown. Rinna stayed with Konata in Twilight’s castle, Tailmon didn’t go to the castle but was close by just in case.
On the fifth day, the Element bearers planned an outing for Rinna most specifically a picnic they could’ve reunited the day before but since she just got out of the hospital they wanted her to rest in a comfortable place and not push herself too much. Thankfully she was better that day, she even cook some food as well, the ponies were shocked to know that Konata also knew how to cook, it wasn’t gourmet level mind you but it was ok.
The sixth day was an uneventful one; everypony did what they should for the day. Konata noticed the damage that Ponyville took was fully repaired that morning, at some point during the afternoon Konata sent a letter to the princesses to reunite with the group, to have some serious talk about the plan she had, she even used the Magical Vision she gave Twilight so they could talk with her mother about it, the meeting prolonged until almost midnight before everypony went home satisfied with the decision. Tailmon could’ve been in there but decided not to because she didn’t wanted to be around the ponies too much, specially the group that she beat up, so she just stayed in the tree she was until the next which would be the final day of her being in that world.
Finally the seventh day came; Ingrid came early in the morning to make sure the ones who had to go back really remembered to get back; after all they didn’t have the time anymore.
The entire group was present at the portal for this occasion.
Pinkie was hugging Rinna tightly with tears on her eyes, “please come back soon Riny, I didn’t even have the chance to throw you a party yet.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can myu,” Rinna returned the hug.
“It will feel quite lonely with you two here after all we went through,” Twilight said with a sad smile.
“Don’t feel bad Twi, its Ini’s fault for making such weak portals,” Konata said placing a supporting hoof on Twilight’s back after getting closer.
Ingrid ignored her and crossed the portal to keep it open from the other side.
“You better keep your promise though,” Rainbow said with a smirk to Konata.
“I will, don’t worry about that. But I won’t go easy on you either, if you want to get there then you have to be ready,” Konata responded with the same smirk.
“Oh, don’t you dare ruining this moment you two,” Rarity warned them.
“Sorry mom,” they both said, earning a light hearted laugh from everypony.
Rarity didn’t took it the bad way though, “that’s right, listen to mommy and you will be respectable ladies one day, sweeties.”
“Wow there Rares, that’s a little too much immersion right there, don’t ya think?” AJ said feeling a little uncomfortable. “Sorry ta bother ya when yer about ta leave sugarcube,” she said this to Rinna.
“Don’t worry myu, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Rinna said sincerely.
“I think I’ll be heading in first Rinna, don’t take too much time though because Ini will be getting annoying quite fast otherwise,” Konata shivered at the idea of having to tolerate an annoying Ingrid.
Fluttershy stopped her for a moment her tear up eyes giving her a heart breaking expression but she tried to smile, “can you like say hi to Shana for me… if you don’t mind that is.”
Konata nodded to her with a smile, “I will.”
“Oh before you go Koni,” Pinkie stopped hug crushing Rinna and took out a gift box, “take this with you, I practiced a lot I hope you like them,” she said with a forced happy smile.
Konata knew that Pinkie was forcing herself to smile so she gave her a quick hug before carrying the box on her back, “I’ll miss you guys too, see you later I think, I have to go before you made me cry as well and I don’t want an eye sore before getting home,” she joked before going into the portal.
The ponies didn’t notice the tears on her eyes.
“Well, I think that this is it Rinna,” Celestia started, “again I’m sorry for making you go through all that happened a week ago, it was my bad judgment that provoked that.”
“You shouldn’t be so harsh on yourself, dear sister,” Luna added, “besides young Rinna knows there’s nothing to be forgiven about.”
“Luna is right, there’s nothing to be sorry about myu, what happened wasn’t anypony’s fault,” Rinna tried to keep a straight face but her eyes were watering beyond helping.
Moments after everypony shared a group hug.
Finally Rinna faced the portal what will get her back home with tears going down her cheeks; she was going to miss her pony friends as much as they will miss them.
“Good bye Rinna/Riny!” the ponies said in unison.
Facing them for the last time with the happiest expression she could afford at the moment Rinna said, “This is not good bye my friends, this is just farewell myu,” this was the last thing she said before stepping into the portal.
Waiting for her on the other side were all her friends and family from Álfheimr, she rushed to them with the still fresh tears in her eyes.
Konata hugged her, and they both saw the portal finally closing, blocking the way to Equestria for now. They wanted all of them to come over and be friends with everyone else too but that would’ve selfish of them, still they didn’t lose hope because they would see them again at some point, so with one last smile they waved at the little residue of magic left and with new found optimism they said, “Thank you!”
This adventure had a deep impact in all parties involved, lessons were learned, friends were made as well as foes and overall everyone improved at a personal level.
All of them were wishing to be together once again, this time probably on more peaceful terms.
But until then the happy memories they shared will keep them company until that faithful day finally comes.
The End…