//------------------------------// // Friendship Shines Again // Story: Sweet Affection 3 // by Masterob //------------------------------// The cleanup of Ponyville started almost right away, there were a lot of houses that needed repairs from the damage caused by Chrysalis, The Dazzlings and King Sombra. Fortunately Celestia was able to send over he finest construction workers for the job. The Village Four were reunited with each other, as were the foals, with Sweetie Belle constantly kissing Rumble in relief of his safety, as well as a celebration of their victory. This ended once Flurry Heart teleported her away to hug Rumble, much to Sweetie Belle's annoyance. “Flurry! He’s my coltfriend!” Sweetie Belle shouted, though this only resulted in Flurry sticking her tongue out at the older filly. “Ugh, you little brat!” The other Crusaders found some humor to this of course, Apple Bloom being the first to try to at least reassure Sweetie Belle to be fine, and Scootaloo finding herself relating to Flurry Heart. Chrysalis and The Sirens were placed in cages, with guards keeping a close on them. The Sirens looked miserable as Chrysalis kept scowling at passing ponies. “Don’t think this is the end you precious little ponies, I’m not done with any of you yet!” Chrysalis warned, the ponies keeping their distance from her cage. The Elements were also reunited, checking up on each other and finding relief in this situation, aside from one Princess. "I'm glad this was finally taken care of," Twilight said, then looked around in sadness. "This really ruined my Festival Plans though, it was gonna be so special." "Mind telling us exactly what it was?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yeah, you've been going on about it forever, and now ain't the time to keep dragging this secret out," Applejack said. "After everything today, I'm hardly excited for the Festival," Sweetie Belle said. "Uh, no offense Twilight, I'm sure it would have been great, but I'm totally exhausted." Tender Taps placed his hoof on her shoulder, "Might as well just tell them." The others agreed, wanting Twilight break her silence, which she eventually did. "I wanted to host a celebration for the foals, they've been through a lot, mainly The Crusaders, and I wanted to do something special for them," Twilight said. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders had a long and adventurous journey in learning about their Cutie Marks, Rumble and Dinky perfectly exemplified what True Friendship was, and Tender Taps...well he's just super cute." Tender Taps blushed at the compliment, "Th-thanks." "I think those foals could be the future, and after the last major battle, and this recent one, knowing how well they held their own, I think it's worth Celebrating," Twilight said, approaching each of the foals. "One day, you six might wield the same Elements me and my friends do, or something entirely different, and I'm so eager to see how you turn out when you're all grown up." "Aw, thanks Twilight," Tender Taps said, hugging the Princess. "Yeah, it means a lot to us," Scootaloo said, also giving her a hug. "Plus it's great to know that ah was totally right about all of this," Apple Bloom boasted. Twilight rolled her eyes, "I just hate how anti-climatic this revelation was, but it's gonna take a while to fix this place up for the Festival, and I figured everyone was tired of waiting." "We do appreciate what you wanted to do fer us," Apple Bloom said. "But if anypony deserves a special celebration, it's you and your friends." "But we've already been praised a lot," Twilight said. "We could stand a bit more!" Rainbow Dash said, much to Twilight's annoyance. “We’re fine, Rainbow Dash, what we do is because it’s the right thing, not to show off,” Twilight said. “I thought you were past all that?” “I am...I just don’t mind the extra attention,” Rainbow Dash shyly admitted. "But you all do deserve it," Apple Bloom said. "Yes, last time we broke free on our own, this time we almost got into danger and couldn't get out of it. We needed the help of Starlight's friends." "You took plenty of initiative though," Party Favor said. "Yeah, you helped in keeping Rumble safe," Sugar Belle said. "Plus you did beat up some Changelings," Double Diamond said. "Plus major props to Rumble for sticking with his duty of protecting Flurry," Night Glider said. "It was nothing, it was my job after all, I just hope I didn't do too bad of a job," Rumble said. Cadance brought Rumble into a hug, gentle enough to mind his wings, "You did a great job Rumble, I mean you did try fighting Sirens and a Changeling Queen because you wanted to protect Flurry, you did your absolute best, and that's all I could want from you." "Yeah, I guess you weren't so bad," Shining Armor said, getting a glare from the others. "What?" Thunderlane took this time to speak up, "I don't remember too much from being mind controlled, but I can say with confidence that Apple Bloom would make for quite the fighter." "Thanks, you're not mad that I buck kicked you in the head right?" Apple Bloom asked. "I'll take that over being forced to hurt my little brother," Thunderlane said, rubbing his head slightly. “Still really hurts though, I swear your whole family seems to have super strength.” “It’s an Apple thing,” Applejack stated. Lightning Dust flew up, "And let's not forget about me being a total badass, I knocked Chrysalis out!" "You got lucky!" Chrysalis shouted from her cage. “Tch, yeah, sure,” Lightning Dust said, flexing her foreleg a bit. "Also, for the record Rumble," Adagio said, getting his attention. "I went easy on you, it could have been much worse." "Hey!" Flitter shouted, jumping on the cage like a wild animal, "Watch your step! I'll kick your flank!" "Easy sis," Cloudchaser said, easing her sister off the cage. "Try not to lose your cool." Flitter slowly backed away, glaring a hole through Adagio. “Keep an eye open at all times!” Adagio just turned her head away, not taking her warning all that seriously. Tender Taps spoke aloud again, "I say we still have The Festival, if at least to celebrate our victory, that and I kind of really looked forward to it and I don’t want it to not happen." "That sounds like a good idea," Applejack said. "Yeah, let's party it up!" Rainbow Dash said. "I'll get the party cannons!" Pinkie shouted. "Hold it!" Twilight shouted, getting everyone's attention. "We still gotta clean up!" The others agreed and continued the clean up. While the Festival was delayed, the ponies still celebrated their victory later at Twilight's castle. Lightning bragged about her kick, Starlight and Sunburst caught up while Big Macintosh spoke with Night Glider and Sugar Belle, the two mares enjoying his company, much to the annoyance of Double Diamond and Party Favor. Rumble and Sweetie Belle had some time together, Rumble nuzzling his marefriend. "I'm so glad this is all over," Rumble said. "Same here, you were really brave during all this," Sweetie Belle said. "It was nothing, just doing my duty as a Knight," Rumble said. "Being strong for my Princess." "You're one and only Princess," Sweetie Belle said. "Yes, my one and only," Rumble said, the two gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Rumble leaned in for a kiss, one he'll never get tired of. Though he didn't get the exact kiss he wanted, since the moment he leaned in, Flurry moved Sweetie Belle aside and took the kiss meant for her. Rumble realized it a second later and backed away in shock, "What in the, Flurry!" Flurry blushed heavenly, having finally gotten the kiss she so desired from Rumble. "Kissy, kissy, love Wumble, mawwy Wumble." As she trotted off, hearts in her eyes, Sweetie Belle looked furious. "Is it wrong to hate a foal?" "Well you're a foal too, but yeah it's kind of wrong to hate Flurry, she's just a toddler, who has a weird crush on me," Rumble said. "Weird? More like annoying," Sweetie Belle said, then kissed Rumble herself, one he appreciated more. "But at least I get to do that more than any other filly." "Hehe, totally," Rumble said, going for another kiss to his favorite filly. Twilight had met with the Pillars, thanking them for all their help. "The six of you really came through for me, thank you so much. I’m sorry to have troubled you with something I should have been capable of handling.” "It's no trouble at all Twilight, and there’s no shame in asking for help once in a while, you did the best you could on your own," Starswirl reassured. "Plus it's an honor fighting alongside you." "Yes, you're lucky to have so many loyal friends too," Mistmane said. “And we’re your friends too, isn’t that what you represent?” Sonambula asked. “Friends always helping each other out?” “You helped us save Stygian, helping you was the least we could have done,” Flash Magnus said. "I still really appreciate it, I do feel fortunate to have so many good friends," Twilight said. "I'm glad Equestria is safe, but for how long I wonder?" "Don't worry so much, things will work out, you not only have The Elements of today, but perhaps the ones of tomorrow," Starswirl said. Twilight nodded, then felt a nuzzle from Tender Taps. "You're amazing Twilight, never, ever forget that." Twilight kissed Tender Taps on the muzzle, "Thanks." "Also, I have something to ask, about when a stallion likes a mare," Tender Taps said. "Can I ask you in private?" Twilight giggled, "Sure thing." She turned to the Pillars, "My work is never done, if it’s not saving Equestria or helping my friends, it’s being a mentor to the youth." She trotted off as Tender Taps explained his question. "Twilight has such a bright future ahead of herself, I'm sure there's nothing that girl can't handle," Starswirl said, then suddenly heard a loud screech from Twilight, which everyone noticed when they turned to see her blushing face. "Where did you hear about that!?" Twilight asked. "I kinda saw it from Double Diamond and Night Glider," Tender Taps said. Twilight shot a furious glare at the two confused ponies, then focused back on Tender Taps, "I'll tell you another time, let's just never talk about it again." Tender Taps seemed curious, but shrugged it off. He had a feeling she would react that way, at least it wasn't too bad. Later at Celestia's castle, a portal was opened as Chrysalis and The Sirens were dragged through it with Sunset Shimmer, Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia looking on. "Bye Bye Sonata," Flurry said, waving at the siren. "Wow, she said my name! I'm so lucky!" Sonata said, then waved back. "Bye Flurry, I'll miss you!" "This should keep them detained," Luna said. "Maybe until they're ready to reform." "I doubt that," Sunset said. "Have faith young one," Celestia urged. “It’s happened before, even you have changed from when I first met you.” “Yeah...maybe,” Sunset said, looking aside with a mild look of past shame. The ponies left as Chrysalis and The Sirens were taken into the depths of Tartarus, unaware of what alliances could be made there. The Festival did happen eventually as Twilight promised, all the ponies celebrating with each other, and happy together. Once again, Rumble and Sweetie Belle had their nice, happy ending, at least for the time being.