//------------------------------//
// Unexpected Homecoming 
// Story: Final Fantasy Twilight 
// by Mystic Sunrise 
//------------------------------//

In all of its history, Ponyville could never remember being this downtrodden. It was a feeling that anypony coming off the train could feel as well. But none would ever blame the inhabitants.

It was a city in mourning in all but name.

Even with all that though, the Mane 6 and Spike tried to be upbeat as they met the princesses and several others at the train station. After a few quick and quiet words, they retreated to the Castle of Friendship.

No one who saw them stopped them or even bowed to Celestia, Luna, Cadance, or even Flurry Heart. None of the alicorns paid any mind though.

They no longer cared enough to.

As they came to the Throne Room, the girls and Spike took their seats on their respective thrones, while everypony else made do with the best chairs Rarity could come up with. During all this, the fought to keep their eyes off one throne in particular.

One that had remained empty and unused for five years.

Twilight had never really used it before her disappearance, but it was a constant reminder of her even now.

It had started out so innocently as well. Twilight had planned to visit her friends at Canterlot High for a few days now that the Friendship Games were over. Her quick trip before had run off the rails after meeting her counterpart.

But after a week had passed and she still hadn't returned, the girls had become worried. Starlight Glimmer, after some instruction from Spike, had finally asked Sunset Shimmer if there had been a change of plans and Twilight had just forgotten to tell them. Her reply had broken their hearts.

Twilight had never come through the portal.

At that point, Spike had sent a letter to Princess Celestia explaining what had happened and what they knew. She and Luna had shown up even before the group had a chance to think of it all.

One quick pulse of magic had confirmed Celestia's fears. The World Mirror had worked, but instead of going to Canterlot High as normal, it had taken Twilight someplace else entirely. Starlight even did some tests to confirm it.

What had come next had been another knife to their hearts. Yes, Twilight was more than likely alive and had arrived at where the mirror had taken her, but there were literally billions of different worlds she could have ended up on. It would take them years just to look through them all, let alone find a way to bring Twilight home safe and sound.

And that was assuming of course that world had magic, and one that they could work with at that. It was a long shot, to say the least, that it would ever work.

The news had gone out later that week, courtesy of Rainbow Dash not being able to keep it a secret, that Princess Twilight was missing. All of Equestria had looked for her all over the world with no luck since. And that was with the help of Queen Novo of Mount Aris.

Only the girls, Spike, her family, and the princesses, knew the truth. And once a month, for four years now, they would gather at Twilight's castle, hoping against hope that she may have come home or there had been a breakthrough.

Now though, as Princess Celestia finished explaining the next day's events, the mood was even more somber than normal. They had all known it was coming at some point, but it didn't make the pain of hearing it less.

Twilight was to be declared lost to Equestria, and a memorial in her memory was to be organized here in Ponyville and in Canterlot. To her family and friends, it was their worst fears come true.

Twilight was never coming home, and even if by some chance she did in the future, they wouldn't be there to welcome her back.

Celestia at this point had run herself ragged in the search for her friend and fellow princess. So much so that Luna had taken on most of her responsibilities outside of raising and lowering the sun. All could see that Luna too was almost burnt out.

While she and Twilight had never been super close like her sister was, she still considered the mare a friend. Her first real friend outside of her sister since her return to Equestria.

Hearing what she had from her aunt, Cadance swore that Flurry Heart would always know all about her Auntie Twilight. And if Twilight ever did come home, she had plenty to fill her in on about her favorite niece.

As the group prepared to turn in for the night, they all hoped that, wherever she was, Twilight was safe, happy, and making new friends. Pinkie had always said Twilight could make friends with rocks if she really wanted to. No one could argue with that as they had laughed at the idea.

Just then though, everyone heard a loud humming coming from the Main Library. Spike and the girls shared a shocked look, knowing what it was, but that didn't make any sense.

It was the World Mirror powering up. But that couldn't be right. The mirror hadn't worked since Twilight had vanished. It wasn't even hooked up. Running over though, they could all see that the mirror was indeed on and open. Before they could make sense of it though, a figure came flying through and landed before them in what could charitably be called a controlled landing. Their jaws dropped in shock when they saw who it was.

It was Twilight, but not as they remembered her. She was soaking wet for one, and she was now as tall as Luna was. Her eyes showed wisdom beyond her years. As they stepped closer, they could hear her grumbling something.

"Uggh. Why did the portal have to be there? Besaid, Lucca, heck I'd have even taken Bevelle and dealing with New Yevon, but no. It had to be Baaj Temple. Stupid inter-dimensional travel. Stupid Sin for wrecking for the place."

She didn't have the chance to say more as she was tackled in a massive group hug by her Ponyville friends and Spike with a cry of "Twilight!" And assaulted by questions like "Where have you been?" "Why are you wet?" And "When did you get so big?"

Twilight smiled. "Guys, I'm happy to see you too, but give me some room. It's a very long story, but I'd like to go dry off first. I'm freezing."

Everyone got off her at this point. They could all see that she was indeed shivering and definitely needed a towel or ten and something warm to drink.

While Twilight teleported to the nearest bathroom, and Pinkie and Spike headed for the kitchen to get hot cocoa for everyone, the others could only wait and wonder. What had happened to Twilight in the five years since they had last seen her make her like this, and where had she been to?

***

After a while, and once Cadance had put Flurry Heart to bed, Twilight returned to the Throne Room looking much better than when she had first arrived. Everyone had a million questions for her but held off, not sure where to start.

Princess Celestia finally broke the silence. "Well Twilight, I think we should start with where exactly have you been?"

Twilight smiled widely. "Oh, you know. Helped save the world a few times, made some awesome new friends. The usual." She paused a moment. "Girls, why does Ponyville feel so sad? What happened?"

Cadance felt her breath hitch. She too had felt it. "It's you Twilight. You've been gone for so long. You know how much Ponyville loves you, so..."

Twilight felt her heart drop. "How long was I gone?"

Velvet shared an uncomfortable look with Night Light and Shining Armor. "Honey, I don't think-"

Twilight gave her a hard look. "Mom, please. How long?"

Applejack sighed. "It's been five years Twi. We honestly didn't think you were coming back. Or at least this soon."

Twilight tapped her chin. "Then I was right. Time does flow differently in Equestria than in Spira." She pushed aside the darker thoughts that arose then. "So did I miss anything while I was gone?"

"Not really. Kinda quiet without you around," Rainbow said with a smirk.

Cadance decided not to mention Flurry Heart just yet. It would be a great surprise for Twilight in the morning.

Twilight returned Rainbow's smirk. "Well, where I've been it's been anything but quiet. You might wanna get comfy. It's a long story, and I can't tell it all tonight even if I wanted to."

She got a faraway look in her eyes as she conjured a large screen above the map table, made so that no matter where they sat, all would see the same thing at the same time. Now it showed the Main Library on that fateful day five years earlier.

"I guess it all started five years ago now," Twilight began as the image began to move.