//------------------------------// // Epilogue: A New Beginning // Story: Light and Dark // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Epilogue: A New Beginning Shortly after Tirek’s attack on Equestria, everypony has gathered together in Canterlot for a huge momentous occasion to praise Twilight Sparkle for her heroic actions in saving everypony and defeating Tirek as she is about to be properly crowned a princess of Equestria, the Princess of Friendship. Even though there are some who aren’t happy with what she did as Midnight such as tricking every pony into thinking she was dead, staging a changeling attack at the wedding, shattering the Crystal Heart, and endangering the lives of multiple ponies numerous times, most of them were very understanding of her reasons once she explained she had dark magic in her heart the whole time which partially influenced some of her decisions by her atrocities. Twilight acknowledges that she has a long road of redemption ahead of her and it won’t be easy but thanks to her friends and family, Twilight remains confident that everypony will completely let bygones be bygones in the end as puts on her dress for her coronation. Once she is ready she is escorted by the royal guards to the same room where she was previously coronated when she was Midnight and where Cadance and Shining Armor got married. She listens as Princess Celestia begins her announcement as she addresses everypony present. The princesses with their wings spread out and the Mane 5 were all standing in front of the top of the stairs all dressed up as they prepare for Twilight’s crowning moment. “We are gathered here today in celebration of a momentous occasion. My most faithful student Twilight Sparkle has done many extraordinary things since she's lived in Ponyville. She even helped reunite me with my sister, Princess Luna.” Celestia happily announced as she and Luna share heartwarming looks towards each other before focusing on her time as Midnight as she changes her tone to a more somber one. “Up until the first Canterlot Wedding where she faked her own death to become the villainous Midnight after me her friends and brother walked out on her in a time of need after we failed to hear her out on her suspicions on the pony we thought was Cadance at the time but was really Queen Chrysalis in disguise.” She added as she bowed her head in shame as the girls all look away awkwardly at being reminded yet again of the moment that lead to Twilight’s descent to villiany. “It was a very fateful mistake that nearly caused me to lose her to darkness and Equestria to her as dark magic from within nearly consumed her by the time she took over all of Equestria as the Nightmare Moon aka Midnight Sparkle.” She explained as she changed her mood into a more happy and proud one as she continues speaking. “Until recently however when she did something so extraordinary that paved way for the light in the dark to emerge and come out as a new pony we all knew and loved who has sacrificed everything in order to take down Lord Tirek. Even going as far as laying down her own life in order to protect ours. Proving without a doubt that she has redeemed herself for everything she has done and is ready to be crowned Equestria's newest princess who really knows how far she is willing to go putting others before herself.” She announced as Twilight spreads her wings out ready to step forward for her true crowning moment as the girls now are all eager to see Twilight come through the double doors as Night Light and Twilight Velvet her parents both happily await to see their daughter’s crowning too being so glad to see she is still alive and proud of what she has done as Night Light embraces his wife who has happy tears forming around her eyes. “Fillies and gentlecolts, may I present for the very first time, Princess Twilight Sparkle!” The doors opened and she began her walk as the ponies holding up banners with her cutie mark on it behind her began to sing. “The Princess Twilight cometh Behold, behold A Princess here before us Behold, behold, behold” As the choir raised their voices as she reached the top of the stairs, Spike carried Twilight’s new crown on a pillow so Princess Celestia could raise it with her magic and place her crown on Twilight’s head delicately. She looked back at the other girls where Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity give her proud looks, Rainbow Dash winks, and Pinkie Pie happily waves before looking on to every pony proudly before facing every pony watching her who all sport encouraging and heartwarming smiles at the hero who saved everypony including her parents who proudly watch on as she is being escorted outside to the balcony by the Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance towards a crowd of ponies gathered outside awaiting her presence from different parts in Equestria. “Behold, behold (behold, behold) The Princess Twilight cometh Behold, behold (behold, behold) The Princess is The Princess is here!” The crowd" When the choir finishes singing the crowd is cheering as Twilight waves to the many ponies down below as she clears her throat to begin announcing to the crowd. “A little while ago, my teacher and mentor Princess Celestia sent me to live in Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which is something I didn't really care much about.” She started as she looked at the Mane 5 watching her from the balcony. “Even though we had our ups and downs up I was finding myself warming up to friendship until the first Canterlot Wedding where being abandoned in a time of need left me feeling that friendship is nothing but a sucker’s game.” She then spoke with a sad sigh as she recalled that painful memory. “A game that I no longer wanted to play which also made me believe Princess Celestia shouldn’t be in charge of Equestria as that mistake nearly led to all of Equestria being invaded by the challenging’s.” She added as Princesss Celestia and the Mane 5 still keep their composure as she recalls their biggest regrets too. “Since then I became the pony that saved the Crystal Empire with intentions to takeover Equestria known as Midnight who was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve those goals even going as far as shattering the Crystal Heart to force the princess’s surrender to me.” She added as she closed her eyes briefly as reflects on her worst sin to date. “It wasn’t until Lord Tirek attempted to takeover Equestria that allowed me to find the light in the darkness that was consuming me that allowed me to realize of how wrong I was and how far I’ve become.” She added as she looks at Cadance’s direction with a thankful smile. “Thankfully I had Princess Cadance who was kind enough to give me the chance to redeem myself when nopony had any reason to. As even though I saved all of Equestria from Tirek…” She happily added as she pointed a hoof at Cadance’s direction. “…Princess Cadance was one who saved me and I honestly wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for her.” Cadance looked on in pride sounding very touched at hearing her sister-in-law’s grateful words as she is making sure everypony remembers that Cadance deserves credit for her actions that day too as the Mane 5 approach her who all have tears of joy. “But now, on a day like today, I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've remade with all of you. Each one of you reminded me about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful. Today, I consider myself the luckiest pony in Equestria. Thank you, friends. Thank you!” Twilight concluded her speech as everypony cheers for her. The princesses and the Mane Six all make their way back inside where she was immediately confronted by her brother Shining Armor. “Twilight! I’m so proud of you!” Shining Armor congratulated her sister as he hugged her slightly, revealing teary eyes when pulling back. “Are you crying?” Twilight asked, with an amused smirk. “Of course not, it’s… its liquid pride.” He denied as he wiped his eyes. “Totally different thing.” “Sure it is.” Twilight teasingly joked clearly seeing through his attempt to avoid admitting it. Both he and Twilight laughed before she turned to Princess Cadance got her turn to congratulate her by embracing her in a hug. “Words don’t even begin to describe of how proud I am of you Twilight!” Cadance started. “For you have taken the first big steps in becoming a true princess by admitting what you did and taking responsibility for your actions.” “I know.” Twilight happily acknowledged as she returned the hug. “I wouldn’t be here if weren’t for you as words for me can’t thank you enough for what you did to save me.“ She once again thanked her as a single tear fell from her eye. “I just can only hopefully everypony comes to forgive me in time.” She sadly acknowledged that she’s got a long road ahead of her to regain everypony’s trust even after a majority of them forgive her. “Don’t worry Twilight.” Cadance reassured Twilight as she places a hoof on her chin. “They will eventually even though it will take some time for them to come around. But as long as you have faith within yourself you will definitely prove to everypony you have redeemed yourself from your mistakes. What's important now is that you were able to save yourself from the darkness from within your heart.” Cadance further complimented her. ”Way to go Princess!” Applejack congratulated Twilight. “Best coronation day ever!” Pinkie Pie screamed out loud. “We love you, Twilight!” Fluttershy added initiating a large group hug between them. “Thanks, girls.” Twilight gratefully thanked the girls as happy tears continue falling from her eyes. “Believe me, when I tell you that you will completely regain everypony’s trust in time.” Princess Luna continued to reassure Twilight that things will work out in the end. “And that’s saying something from somepony who used to be Nightmare Moon and stuck on the moon for a thousand years until you helped me find the light in the dark within myself and helped me redeem myself in the eyes of everypony in Ponyville.” Luna recalled her experiences as Nightmare Moon and how she helped her prove her redemption during Nightmare Night which allowed her to feel she is a truly redeemed pony deep down. “And no matter what you’ll have your friends to guide you through this including me.” Luna further comforted Twilight as she placed a wing over her shoulder. “Thank you, Princess Luna.” Twilight nodded to thank her for telling her those much needed words. “I’m just glad that somepony had the heart to open up my eyes to see that.” “Twlight!” Twilight Velvet called out as she and Night Light approached her as they quickly hug her. “Mom! Dad!” Twilight happily acknowledged as she hugged them. “Oh, I’m so proud of you!” Twilight Velvet proudly and tearfully told her daughter. “Thanks! Even though I nearly took over Equestria and nearly destroyed the Crystal Empire.” Twilight again acknowledged while looking aside still ashamed of herself. “Oh honey, we’ve all made mistakes.” Night Light reassured his daughter that all is forgiven at least between her loved ones as he places a hoof on her chin to get her to look at them. “At least you came around before we truly lost you.” “That’s right.” Twilight Velvet chimed in as she placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Not everypony in your hooves would have done what you did.” She added referred to her rescue of her friends to save all of Equestria while sacrificing her own life to do so. “You really a true hero which everypony here knows.” She complimented who lifting a hoof directed at the princesses and her friends who all smile in agreement with her mother’s words. Twilight smiles very touched by her mother’s words as she looks at everypony close to her. “At least now I can truly make good on my promise now that I’m the Princess of Friendship.” She vowed as she looks on with a confident expression. “A true princess who will always have her friends backs no matter what happens.” Twilight then looks on in the room as she begins to sing. “I never thought the day would come Where I would be able to amend the fences that I once broke.” She sang as she reflected on the heartbreak of being abandoned at the wedding rehearsal, with her hurt expression turning into a more bitter and resentful look when she ran away to stage the train accident to become Midnight. As she turned around as she sang she bumped into Cadance who encouragingly smiles for her choosing to do the right thing by turning herself around. “I never thought I would have this chance To redeem myself and pick up right where I left off and make a friend. And all it took was somepony that I cared for, for me to find the light in the dark.” She sang as she faced Cadance the pony who managed to bring out the light in the dark from within. “Don't ever think that it might be too late You don't have to wait, there's no mistakes with the friends you make A friendship's only made of what you bring And if you do it right, you can do anything.” Cadance sang as she led Twilight outside of the castle with the others following behind. “Just use your eyes This time, no lies Just don't disguise Who you are inside.” Princess Cadance and the Mane Six all sang together as they marched together down the hallway and down towards the double doors leading the chariot where the royal guards are waiting for Twilight. "Because your friends are always there for you You don't have to be the same for friendship to be true Because your friends are always there for you Around the world, it's still the same Together you have more to gain There's nothing that a friend won't do." The Mane Six and Cadance all sang together as the royal guards guarding the doors opened the doors as Cadance and Twilight walked down side by side until letting Twilight approach her chariot on her own with the Mane Six following after her. Everywhere you go Friendship there will grow When you find it, it's the key Friends can change the world, you see." Twilight and the girls sang as she gets in her chariot. "Everywhere you go Friendship there will grow When you find it, it's the key Friends can change the world (ah-ah) Friends can change the world (ah-ah) Friends can change the world, you see The girls all sang as Twilight's chariot takes off as the royal guards escort her down the walkway as Twilight sings to another tune. “Life in Equestria shimmers.” Twilight sang as she continues to wave to the crowd. “Life in Equestria shines.” Twilight sang as she caught a bouquet of flowers from the crowd. Once she saw the girls ahead of her, skipping in a trot, she jumped off the carriage and joined them as she continues singing. “And I know for absolute certain…” She sang as the girls trotted side by side with her. “That everything (that everything) Yes, everything (yes, everything) Yes, everything is certainly fine It’s fine.” Twilight sang as she stopped in the middle of the walkway while raising a hoof up into the air as she proudly trots off into the distance Princess Celestia and Princess Luna look on in pride at the sight of a new princess they can definitely trust this time around while Princess Cadance and Shining Armor lovingly embrace each as they watch as Twilight celebrate herself as a pony who has redeemed herself from her inner darkness. “Yes! Everything’s going to be just fine! For good this time!” Twilight happily said to herself as she flies around in the air victoriously while releasing another genuine smile seeing that even though she has quite a road ahead of her into regaining everypony's trust for her actions as Midnight Sparkle she is definitely and absolutely certain as she sang word for word through her song that everything will turn out fine no matter what happens as time goes on as she has got the Princesses, her brother and her friends to have her back no matter how bad things get between them or whenever things look bleak in the darkest hour as the light will always emerge victoriously from within the dark it resides in.