//------------------------------// // Epilogue: After the Storm // Story: My Little Mages: Amicitiae Tempestate // by Foxhelm //------------------------------// The two mornings later, in the throne room, Celestia and Luna sat on their thrones as Cadance stood to the side along with Shining and Flurry in her arms. Most of the throne room was full of rows of chairs fully seated. In front of everyone to the left side (upon entering) were from right to left, Trixie, Starlight, Sunburst, Stygian, Gilda, Gabby, Pharynx, Capper, Celaeno, Mullet, Boyle, Lix, Murdock, Skystar, Brighteyes, and Flash Sentry. On the other side of the crowd was Twilight and a large pillow with medals on it. “Thank you all for being here on such short notice…” Twilight started. Among those who sat, were a frowning Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle next to their respective older ‘sister’, “Why can’t we get a medal?” Sweetie asked. “Sorry, Sweetie Belle, but you have to be at least eighteen to qualify.” Rarity answered. “That ain’t fair,” Apple Bloom groaned. “Hey, Rainbow, Rares, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Twi and Ah don’t have a single medal, and you don’t hear us com…” “This is so unfair!” Rainbow yelled. “Spoke too soon, Big Sis.” Apple Bloom commented. Applejack rolled her eyes before she spoke, “Listen. Life ain’t fair, some people who should get a reward don’t and some that shouldn’t do, but you can’t let yourself succumb to envy.” Apple Bloom could only groan but had to accept it. “Now we honor our heroes with the Pink Hearts of Courage.” Twilight’s voice brought everyone’s attention back to the ceremony, everyone cheered. Once everyone stopped Twilight walked to Trixie and Starlight, “First, we honor Trixie and Starlight who have both received the Pink Hearts before.” Twilight then placed her hand on each of their Pink Hearts and the two hearts each took on a second shade of pink. “Seems a little underwhelming,” Trixie commented before she was elbowed by Starlight. Twilight did not show if she was fazed by this and moved on, she cast a spell that had the pillow with the medals levitate next to her as she continued. She took one of the Hearts and placed it on the necks, one by one, Sunburst, Stygian, Gilda, Gabby, Pharynx, Capper, Celaeno, Mullet, Boyle, Lix, Murdock, and then Skystar. As she placed the Heart on Capper, “In addition to this, we would like to appoint you our ambassador to Abyssinia.” She took something else from the pillow, a letter. Capper accepted it with a smile. Twilight then moved on to Celaeno and her crew and after each of them received the medals. Once she placed the last medal on, Twilight turned back to Celaeno. “We also wish to present to you and your crew this Letter of Marque and Reprisal, which is what they are actually called..” Twilight said as she presented to her an envelope with a wax seal with the insignia of the ESM with the Aura marks of Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Twilight in the corners. Celaeno nodded and accepted the letter. Twilight continued to give one Heart to Skystar. After she placed the one on Skystar, Twilight stopped in front of Brighteyes, “In addition to the Pink Heart of Courage, because of Brighteye Muffin’s self-sacrifice to save my life and thus save us all.” Twilight said and took another medal which was purple in color and shaped like Twilight’s Aura mark. “Thus I present to you, Brighteyes, the very first Purple Star of Friendship.” Twilight then placed the medal on Brighteyes. Brighteyes smiled as tears started to form in her eyes and she hugged Twilight. This hug lasted about a minute. Once the hug was ended, Twilight turned to the last person, Flash Sentry, “For taking the initiative and command of the attempt to rescue everyone, we have promoted you to lieutenant-colonel.” Twilight said as she handed to Flash Sentry a set of silver seven-pointed leaves that would go on his non-combat uniform. Flash accepted them and held it close to his chest. Twilight then turned back to the pillow and picked up the last item on it, a medal that was shaped like a heater shield. “And this, The Shield of Virtue.” Flash was taken aback at this, but he lowered his head as Twilight placed the medal on him. Everyone in attendance cheered. A few hours later, in the mall hall, as everyone that had elected to stay following the ceremony, were talking among themselves, some getting photos with the heroes, some were at awe over the aasimars that came with Queen Novo, among the various other minor gathers, Twilight was looking for someone. After a few minutes, she found her target, Queen Novo talking with Princess Celestia, like the two were old friends. “Always trust Pinkie to come up with a song and dance routine on the spot,” Celestia said as if in response to something. The two then shared a laugh. Celestia then spotted Twilight approaching, “Well, if it’s isn’t the grocer herself.” Celestia said as she called Novo’s attention to Twilight. “Princess,” Novo said as she acknowledged Twilight as she joined the two. “Your Majesty,” Twilight said with a nod of deference. As she raised her head, “I believe I owe you and the aasimars an apology.” Novo then waved her right hand, “Water under the bridge, if the situations were reverse, I can’t say wouldn’t have tried to steal the pearl.” Novo confessed. There was a laugh shared between the three. Once they finished the laugh, “Still, I would like to make it up to you.” Twilight said as she focused on Novo. Novo paused for a second in thought, “I hid my people for so long that we've forgotten what it was like to have friends on the outside for the most part.” She then looked around and saw how much fun Skystar was having and the aasimars that flew to Chantalot with their queen to find the princess. Novo then thought back to the sudden musical number Pinkie managed to pull off with almost no time plan. “But your friends have shown us again.” Novo ultimately stated. As Twilight started to smile, “But if you, Princess Twilight, come to Mt. Aris again in the next ten years, I will have you arrested on the spot.” Novo stated bluntly as she looked Twilight squarely. “Understood.” Twilight said with a gulp. Celestia then cleared her throat, the two turned their attention back to her, “I am so glad we were able to resolve the matter without needing to sign any declarations, they are a such a pain in the wrist and fingers to write out.” Celestia joked. “I hear ya, sister,” Novo added. The two older leaders then drank from their cups. Just before Twilight could speak, “Hey, Twi, where's your boy toy?” came the voice of Rainbow. Both Novo and Celestia spat out their drinks and started to cough and laugh as the three turned to see Rainbow and Scootaloo. “Very funny, Rainbow.” Twilight groaned as she rolled her eyes, “Why do want to know where Flash Sentry is?” she asked. “I wanted to check out his medal, but we can’t find my big brother anywhere,” Scootaloo answered. “Have you seen him anywhere since the ceremony?” and then asked. Twilight shook her head, and the two continued to look for Flash. Twilight, however, had a thought as she looked out one of the sets of glass doors leading outside. About ten minutes later, Twilight arrived at the top of the highest part of the Chantalot castle. There, she spotted Flash looking at the Shield of Virtue in his right hand as if he was contemplating something. “I thought I'd find you here,” Twilight said as she landed. Flash gave a shock ‘ah’ as he turned to face Twilight, almost dropping the medal in the process. “Oh, hi,” he said weakly. Twilight looked at Flash for a second before she spoke, “You don’t feel like you merited the Shield of Virtue?” Twilight asked getting to the heart to the matter. “Ouch,” Flash said, “Did Sunset tell you how to get the answers you wanted out of me?” he asked. Before Twilight could answer, “Sunset and I were a couple before she left through the mirror.” He answered the unasked question in an attempt to provide some context for his question. Twilight gave a weak smile, “You might want to know what Sunset wrote about you.” There was a slight blush to her face. After a second, she coughed to collect herself. “But you haven’t answered my question.” Flash tried to chuckle but could only sigh. “Have you ever felt as if you've been given an honor that you didn't earn and that you weren’t worthy of?” he asked. Twilight pointed to her crown and wings, “You're asking an ordinary mage who suddenly became a demigoddess princess overnight.” she replied. Flash couldn’t help but chuckle at that, “Twilight, you were anything but ordinary before your ascension.” he joked, but the slight glare Twilight gave him stopped him from laughing. Flash took a breath, “I just feel like I could have done more to help.” Twilight looked to the sky then back to Flash as she tried to find the words, “Prince Pharynx told me that you were the one who took charge and figured out what needed to be done and where we were going.” she started. “He also said that you were the one who convinced him to let Fluttershy help you guys take back Chantalot instead of leaving her with Gilda and the Crusaders.” “What about Gabby?” Flash asked as he noticed someone missing in the list. Twilight raised an eyebrow, “She’s actually a member of the group.” she answered. Flash gave an ‘oh’, it was clear that he still didn’t get it, but he accepted the answer and was not going to question it farther. There was a moment of silence as Twilight looked squarely at Flash, or more so his chest and the injuries his uniform hid and then to the buckler which Rainbow had for most of their adventure, “ Pharynx also said you covered the escape of the others and that you could have …” There was another pause, “and more importantly, you covered my and the girls’ escape.” Flash smiled modestly, “I was only doing what needed to be done.” He saw Twilight sigh bitterly, “I know it takes some skill in leadership to get my ragtag band to work together, but it was needed to be done.” Flash said as he had a feeling what Twilight’s counter-point would be and providing his response. He then saw Twilight turn from him and look to the sky. He dipped his head and shook it before he spoke, “The girls told me about what happened, the failed pearl thief and the blow-up between you and Pinkie,” Twilight could only give a sorrowful sigh. He walked up to be behind her and placed his arm around her shoulder, “You’re not a terrible person, you were just in such a desperate situation to do your duty as a princess, you made a mistake.” Twilight didn’t look to him, only at her feet, “I think Pinkie already forgave you.” he added with a bit of question. Twilight then looked from her feet to his face, “It still doesn't make what I did right.” she then turned her head to look away from him, “Some Princess of Friendship I turned out to be.” Flash stepped around so that Twilight could only look at him. “Hey, nobody's perfect.” Flash then took Twilight’s chin with his left hand, “Besides, perfection is overrated.” he chuckled as he then brought her face to his and he kissed her. After the kiss broke, “um, just like strawberries.” he mused. Twilight gave him a playful shove, “And your lips taste like quesadillas,” she fake-pouted, “you know I don’t like how cheesy they are.” Flash looked around, and then smirked as he took on a very cheesy voice, “Hi, I’m Flash Sentry, recently promoted to…” He stopped as Twilight started to playfully strike him for his acting. “Okay, okay.” he said as he ‘shielded’ himself. “You win.” This brought a smile to Twilight’s face as she stopped and the two had a short laugh. After the laugh, “So are you going to join the celebration?” she asked. Flash pocketed the medal and then reached his right hand out, entwining his finger with her left hand, “I already have.” he said as he pulled Twilight into his arms.