//------------------------------// // 333. The Crystalling - Epilogue // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// The flight back to Ponyville was delayed somewhat, so Sunburst could go back to his house and pack up his things. Midnight helped by giving his new apprentice saddlebags with extra-dimensional space, which Sunburst was over the moon with giddiness to receive, so he didn't have to worry about packing up the hard way. They also stayed a little longer so Night Light, Velvet, Faerie Tail, and Twinken could enjoy getting to know little Cora. But as the afternoon wore on, it was truly time to go home. The Council of Friendship, along with Starlight, Sunburst, Faerie Tail, and Twinken bade the new parents and baby, Night Light, Velvet, Thorax, and Elytra a fond farewell before disembarking and taking to the air in The Break of Dawn. Sunburst was absolutely fascinated by the mystechnology behind such an advanced airship and while Blueblood invited Sunburst up to the bridge, Midnight spent the trip in his private quarters with Twilight, having earlier noticed she appeared a little down after they'd left the Empire. "Spill. What's wrong?" Midnight asked as they laid in bed together in the cozy and surprisingly roomy apartment. It had a bed big enough for two ponies to lie comfortably in together, a wardrobe, a writing desk, and there was a small private bathroom in it too, with a toilet, sink, and shower. "I don't know, Midnight," Twilight said, sounding a little morose, "I think I have a lot to learn about being a teacher." "What are you talking about? The lesson was learned," Midnight pointed out, "Starlight and Sunburst have put their past behind them, rekindled their friendship, and now they're gonna continue enjoying their friendship since Sunburst is coming to live with us in Ponyville." "No thanks to me," Twilight disagreed, "I know a lot happened; I just wish I could have given my pupil the attention she deserves." "Well, she did need to be guided to the right path, but stepping back and allowing her to make her own decision worked out quite nicely," Midnight raised a cheeky brow, "Isn't that how Celestia taught you?" Hearing those words, Twilight perked in realization and brightened up, "You know, I never really thought about it, but I guess it is." "You're gonna be a great teacher, Twily, and you're already off to a good start," Midnight assured, "and I'm gonna do my best to do the same for Sunburst." "Thanks, Midnight..." Twilight enjoyed these moments where they cuddled and just enjoyed being alone with him. Hmm... "Midnight... are these private quarters... soundproof?" Raising his brow, Midnight gave his wife a smirk and said, "No, but I can take care of that." Twilight giggled as she reached down and stroked her husband's stallionhood, which was already rising to the occasion. Midnight growled in a naughty way as he took a friendly nip at Twilight's ear ,making her gasp and giggle before they got busy... It was almost sunset by the time they got back to Ponyville, and they were surprised to find the Cutie-Mark Crusaders waiting for them at Blueblood's warehouse as they disembarked The Dawn. "Applejack, Applejack!!" Apple bloom hopped up and down, giddy and bright eyed, the other Crusaders behind her smiling and happy. "Apple Bloom, wha' in thunder-ation's got y'all so riled up?" asked Applejack. "It's Big Mac an' Fluttershy!" Apple Bloom replied, "Y'all gotta hurry, they're at th' hospital!" There was a collective GASP except from Sunburst, who asked, "Am I missing something here?" "C'MON Y'ALL!!" Applejack led the stampede off to Ponyville General. Upon arriving, they had a quick word with the receptionist at the front desk and allowed to go to the nursery, like the girls, Midnight, Thunderlane, and Big Mac had done a long while back when they'd come to see Mr. & Mrs. Cake's newborns. They crowded around the window murmuring excitably as they scanned the several foals snoozing peacefully inside, Rainbow, Soarin, and Thunderlane flying above to get a better look. "Ah cain't believe Fluttershy had her baby while we wer' gone," Applejack said in sweet sorrow, "Ah'm glad th' baby's fin'lly here, but... Ah wish we'd been here for when it happened." "Fluttershy and Big Macintosh must so darn proud," Midnight commented warmly. "Is it a colt? A filly? An earth pony? A pegasus?!" Rainbow Dash was really excited for her oldest friend. "I wanna see the new baby pony!!" Pinkie had her face smushed up against the glass. "Me too, me too!" Cheese was doing the same before they both exclaimed, "WHICH ONE IS IT?!" That's when they saw Big Mac come in, looking tired but happy and content as he softly stepped over to a baby and said to his friends, "Everypony? Ah want y'all t' meet our daughter, Bellflower Apple." He gently pulled the baby blanket down to show a teeny pegasus filly with a coat a fainter and softer shade of her father's red, her mane the soft pinkish-orange of a peach, and she had her father's freckles beneath her eyes, which she rubbed while cooing in her sleep. Everypony's hearts just melted as they aw'd at the sight of this precious little one, when Big Mac smiled and added, "And... our son, Sandow Apple!" He turned to the baby next to Bellflower and pulled down the baby blanket to reveal an earth pony colt with a leafy green coat and his mane was apple red, the little guy yawning as he turned over, to everypony's surprise. They hadn't been aware that Fluttershy had been carrying twins! "Two new foals for us to play with?!" Pinkie was blown. "That's two-two-two times the fun!" Cheese added, "This is the greatest day ever!" Then the two party ponies ducked below the window... and popped up in the nursery, both wearing party hats, as Pinkie exclaimed, "We gotta celebrate your birthday, babies!" "After all, you guys were just born today!" Cheese added with a smile as he prepared to play his accordion... only for Nurse Redheart to rush in and sharply SHHHH them and make a deliberate point towards the door that had only one meaning. OUT. "Oop! Sorry... C'mon, Pinkie," Cheese made for the door, and Nurse Redheart nodded in satisfaction, but didn't notice Pinkie leave. "Happy, happy birthday, to you and you today-" Then Pinkie flinched to see Nurse Redheart giving her such a stink eye before she forced her out of the nursery, muttering, "Are we going to have to do this every time you visit the nursery?" Pinkie pouted while Cheese smiled sheepishly as he pulled her towards the back of their crowd friends. Big Mac came out to join them and immediately the flood of congratulations and good wishes came, and Big Mac said, "Alright, alright, thank y'all fer yer kind words. But really, Ah jus' wanna go see `Shy right now." "How is the new mother, by the way?" asked Thunderlane. "She's alright," Big Mac was relieved to say. "She got mighty scared after her water broke an' she went into labor. But Ah helped her through it, an' after she squirted out Belle, Sandow was a lot easier, she said. But hoo boy! Muh `Shy's got a grip like an earth pony, don' think mah hoof'll ever be th' same." "Well, we're all so glad to see everything turned out well and that your family is okay, Big Mac," Twilight came forward to give the big red pony a hug. "An' we're all jus' so darn proud o' ya, big brother!" Applejack was tearing up and Big Mac pulled her into a hug too as she sniffled, "M-Ma an' Pa would be-" "Ah know," Big Mac said softly as everypony came together to join in on the hug.