//------------------------------// // Finding the Solution // Story: My Little Mages: The Ultimate Obstacle // by Foxhelm //------------------------------// Back in Chantalot, as Twilight’s story started again after everyone had mostly left the main coronation event, Twilight in her disheveled state, save her tiara was now on properly arrived at a table. At the table were her five closest friends with Dirk Thistleweed setting next to Applejack, Ragamuffin seated next to Rarity, Cheese Sandwich was next to Pinkie, Discord sat next to Fluttershy. Also, there were Sunset Shimmer and Sci-Twi, along with Flash Sentry, Fizzlepop Berrytwist and Sunburst, with two other empty seats. Once Twilight actually reached the table she let her face hit the table, “Rough day, hon?” Flash asked. Twilight replied with a groan. For a solid second, no one said anything until Twilight started to laugh as she raised her head. She looked at the table and picked up a glass of cider, “Well at least that’s over.” she said before she took a drink and started to laugh again, this time the others joined in the laughter. After a solid minute of laughter, Spike and Starlight arrived, the later had the box she was carrying earlier. “I know maybe it wasn't the coronation you planned.” Starlight said as Spike took his seat at the table, “but it's good to see we’re able to share a laugh over it.” She then presented to Twilight the box, “I wanted to give this to you back in Magiville, but as things turned out…” she trailed off before she had a small apologetic laugh. “But now that you’re moving back to Chantalot, I figured that you’ll likely miss us still in Magiville,” Twilight then accepted the box, “So this might help.” Starlight finished. Twilight opened the gift and saw that it was a book, she opened the book and saw images, each image was of the various adventures of her and her friends, from when she moved to Magiville, to the invasion of Chrysalis, to Sombra’s siege, to Twilight’s ascension to becoming a princess, to the battle with Tirek, to Twilight reaching out to Starlight, to the Flurry’s Crystalling, to Starlight’s rescue squad, to the freeing of Stygian, to the whole adventure to Mt. Aris, to the finding of Twilight’s School of Friendship, to the Battle of the Bell against Cozy, Discord and Chrysalis to even Twilight and friends few adventures in Midnight Castle. Twilight from the book to everyone there and smiled as she shed tears of gratitude. She then held the book close to her heart. “I love it.” she said before she placed the book down, “Thank you all so much. But I don't want to only look back.” she said as she looked to her friends. “Obviously the coronation wasn't perfect, but that doesn't matter.” She said before she looked down back at the book as she opened it to a picture of her and her five friends, the photo that helped her complete the spell that led to her choice to become a demigod. She then looked back up with her focus being her five key friends. “It's our relationships that really count, and we have to maintain them.” Twilight declared. Everyone looked to each other slightly confused. Twilight, however, smiled in confidence, “And I know how,” she paused before she squinted her eyes in confidence, “As my first royal decree, as the ruling princess of Mystica, I hereby establish this gathering of my friends” As Twilight spoke, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow got up from their seats and joined around Twilight in their own circle, as my Council of Friendship which will meet once a month!” “And what a wonderful decree it is!” came the voice of Celestia, the group turned to see her and Luna, both were no longer in their usual regal dresses and/or gowns, Celestia wore a red button-up short-sleeved shirt that was adorned with flowers and a pair of short pants. Luna was dressed similarly to her sister, but her shirt was light blue-green. Both of them had camping backpacks on. Luna then spoke up, “We always knew that whatever adversity you faced, you and your friends would find your way through it together.” she said to affirm the faith the two had in Twilight. “Well, Tia, we best be off, or we’ll miss our train.” “Wait, you’re leaving?” Twilight asked. Celestia smiled as she turned to Luna, “We got a few more minutes, plus who do you think taught Twilight Teleportation?” she asked with a slight giggle. Luna only rolled her eyes. Celestia then looked to her student. “Mystica is in perfect hands with you, and all you call upon to be partners in looking over it. Also for as long as Luna and I will leave, we will provide you our experience. But its time Luna and I actually got to live our lives.” “We have quite the bucket list,” Luna added as she unrolled a scroll that made Pinkie’s list of friends look like a flashcard. “Also when we’ve completed it, we’ll be settling into Silver Shoals, which we hope you’ll visit us from time to time.” she pointed out. Celestia then spoke again as she smiled upon Twilight, “ But now it's time for you to rule and you're all more than capable.” Celestia declared. Twilight then dove into Celestia and embraced her mentor, “Thank you. For everything.” Twilight whispered. Celestia then completed the hug and soon Luna, Spike and Twilight’s five closest friends joined into a group hug as they had a hearty laugh. With Twilight’s story over, Luster was left mostly speechless as she took in the whole story. Once she was at the point she could formulate her thoughts, “So, even though everything changed and you moved away from your friends, you didn't grow apart?” she asked Twilight. The princess nodded. Luster then looked to the five other women that had joined them in the throne room, “And this is the Council of Friendship?” Luster asked and they all nodded, “That's what you're all doing here?” she continued to ponder the gathering. Applejack chuckled, “Eeyup,” the paladin answered, “That’s how we’ve been helping Twilight rule and face every problem and threat to Mystica over the years.” There was another laugh as she looked back on the past twenty years, “Granted, it’s mostly just been us keeping in touch.” the paladin explained. Twilight then walked to be at Luster’s side and placed a hand on her student’s shoulder, “Sometimes friendships can be hard, and it takes work to maintain them. But without friends, things can be a lot harder.” Twilight explained. Luster looked to the floor as all she had concluded had been proven wrong, “I never thought about friendship being something to work at,” she said as she looked up, starting to get the message, but still very much lost, “and I don't mind work.” she added as she looked straight at Twilight. She held her chin in thought, “I guess if they don't have to fade away, maybe making friends isn't the waste of time I thought.” she finished as she looked up to face her mentor and the Council. However her thoughts reminded her how she prioritized her life, “But I've been so focused on my studies, I wouldn't know where to start.” she admitted as she looked to the floor with a sad frown. Twilight smiled, “That's all right,” she said understandingly as she used her hands to raise Luster’s face to face her again, “because I know exactly how to help you.” she said. Seemingly out of nowhere soft guitar music started to play, “When I started out, I was unsure I thought I knew all that I needed, didn't know what to expect But when my walls came down, I saw the truth All along something was missing And I think you'll see it, too.” As Twilight sang she moved her focus gem started to glow and before anyone realized, she had teleported all nine onto the Magiville town green. “This is where the magic happens This is where the magic lives Our friendships weave together stronger The bonds grow deeper, lasting longer And the greatest spell you'll know Is how the Magic of Friendship grows.” As Twilight sang Luster saw the various residents of Magiville going about their day to day life, with many waving a ‘Hey there’ to her. Almost by instinct Luster waved greeting them in turn. Luster’s hand was then taken by Pinkie as the jester pulled her further into town in the direction of Sugarcube Corner. There Mr. and Mrs. Cake were returning from a delivery, as Pound and Pumpkin, now in their early twenties, stepped out of the shop. Lil’ Cheese then left his mother and ran to his ‘Uncle and Aunt’. “And no matter how much time goes by The party will still be here with some fun new games to try.” Pinkie sang as all this played out as Cheese Sandwich arrived riding on Gummy, who was now about ten feet long. As Luster smiled and stepped to approach the lot, but was taken into the sky by Rainbow, as the elementalist arrived at the Cloudsdale, where she was joined by a wing of the Wonderbolts, counting among them were Silverstream and Scootaloo. Rainbow sang as she flew, “Big adventure's waiting obviously Long as we're still here together We'll be flying happily,” she said before she took Luster back to Magiville and meet the others in front of the School of Friendship. Once there, Twilight and her friends guided Luster to the School of Friendship, “This is where the magic happens (where the magic happens) This is where the magic lives (where the magic lives) Our friendships weave together stronger The bonds grow deeper, lasting longer And the greatest spell there is What the Magic of Friendship gives.” the six sang as they gave Luster the tour of the school, helped along by Starlight and Sunburst. During the tour, Luster was shown classed being taught by Apple Bloom, Ocellus and Smolder. In the class were not only members of the three main tribes of Mystica, but harpies, orks, alfs, dragons, and the other minor races that resided in Mystica and the world beyond including the werewolves known as Diamond dogs and catfolk better known as Abyssinians. After this tour, the group arrived at Sweet Apple Temple, “And it's somethin' true to pass on down To generations yet to come, “ Applejack sang as she lead Luster into the grounds where the paladin was greeted by Big Mac, Sugar Belle, Dirk, and a small army of children that ranged from six to nineteen, all of them looked to be either the sons or daughters of the Apple adults and their spouses. After this encounter, they all arrived outside of Carousel Boutique, where the door was opened as a customer stepped out followed by Sweetie Belle bid the client due. “And we'll never stop believing in The generosity of the friendships we've won.” Rarity sang as they were joined by Yona and Sandbar who seemed to be in Rarity’s employ. As Luster smiled at this, she and the rest were then brought to Fluttershy’s Sanctuary, “And because the love that I feel For every single living creature is something that is real Friendship happens so naturally.” Fluttershy sang as she showed to Luster the animals in the sanctuary. Twilight then took over the song, “Oh, and how I used to wonder(Ahhh-ahhh-ahhh...) What friendship could be!” the princess said as she spread her wings and her focus gem started to glow. Then all six of Twilight’s closest friends joined with Twilight as behind each of them appeared passing images of all the people that Twilight et al have affected since the six all joined together, “This is where the magic happens (where the magic happens) This is where the magic lives (where the magic lives) Our friendships weave together stronger The bonds grow deeper, lasting longer And the greatest spell you'll know (you'll know) Is how the Magic of Friendship grows.” The rest stopped as Twilight embraced Luster. The two ended their embrace and Luster then nodded and turned and began her trek to the School of Friendship to start the next stage of her growth, not too dissimilar from her mentor after Twilight initiated friendship with Applejack et al. As Twilight watched on, she smiled and finished the song, “How the Magic of Friendship grows.”