//------------------------------//
// Last Grand Goodbye, Four 
// Story: The Olden World 
// by Czar_Yoshi 
//------------------------------//

"Mistvale," Harshwater said. "I suppose that's where I joined."

Grenada gave her a guilty sidelong glance. "It probably needs no mention that was not a good time for either of us."

Harshwater cleared her throat. "Nope. Not at all. Definitely not the part where I nearly died over and over because someone kept putting me on the front lines with a load of fresh injuries."

Grenada averted her eyes. "Yes. I did. I had reasons for my conduct, but I cannot deny it."

Harshwater carefully raised an eyebrow. "But we're mostly past that now?"

"I have hoped we are."

"The better way to look at it," Valey interrupted with a noisy stretch, "is that we arrived just in the nick of time to save everyone's rears."

Harshwater nodded. "And keep everyone injured and on the brink of death instead of actually properly dead."

"Hey." Valey shrugged. "Would you rather be hanging on by a thread, or all the way dead? Because lemme tell you, being dead is colossally boring. If I hadn't woken back up with this pendant, it would've felt like... Bananas, I don't even know."

"I'm grateful I survived," Harshwater admitted with a sigh of relief. "Honestly, hearing all you brag about your adventures so far... I feel like all I did after that was spend a month recuperating, and then a month being a designated nurse, and then a month flying here, and... I don't know. If I was ever looking for something, like what to do with my life after I based it all on Kero and that didn't pan out? This might be a celebration, or a goodbye, but I think my adventure's going to continue."

Maple nodded sagely. "It's the adventure that is living. Starlight and I aren't stopping in Sires Hollow. We're stepping out into a new way of life that's completely different for each of us. And we'll still have so much to do and overcome and grow and learn about ourselves, because if Sires Hollow magically made our problems all go away, what would we even have left to do with our lives?"

Amber grinned at Maple, continuing where she left off. "Maybe you'll go hang out with your old buddies from Kero's squad, assuming they still work for Arambai now. If you've changed so much, maybe there's new foundations available for building a relationship with them? Or maybe you'll fly off with me and Valey and Gerardo and Slipstream! Whatever you're looking for, if you've got the energy, there's always the possibility you'll find it in the next town over."

"A motto I live by," Gerardo proclaimed. "You know, once upon a time, when I was a lot younger than I am now, I struck out from home all on my lonesome to see the wide world." He glanced at Maple and Amber, and his gaze lingered on Starlight for a little while longer. "And, quite frankly, I fell even more in love with the lifestyle than the romantic dreams of travel that enticed me out of my home in the first place. Oh, there were hardships, and quite a few days when I was flat-out miserable. But on the whole, I loved it, and I regret nothing. What I wish most of all is that I could pass on some words of wisdom on how to do this, for those of you who are afraid of jumping off on your own. Because you're quite likely right. Life will be different once you settle down, but that difference is exactly what we flew together in search of. It is not the end that matters, but the journey and transition, and you just might be leaving for something more novel than any of us have waiting back in Ironridge."

Maple shook her head. "You're certainly right that it's going to be different. And I suppose changes of pace are what we've had to deal with all this while, traveling in the north..." She gave Starlight an encouraging smile. "But that just means we're used to it. And we think this time, we might finally find what we're looking for."

"What we're looking for?" Starlight frowned. "I thought this was what I was looking for. You have a lot of friends in the north too! You're just staying because-"

"Because of you," Maple interrupted, nodding. "And I wouldn't have it any other way. Remember the times, Starlight, when you've told me you felt like you were the one looking out for me? This is my duty, and I'll do it with a smile on my face."

Starlight wanted to tell Maple she didn't have to. It was technically true. Maple was under no obligation to stay with her, and she could pack up right there and say she wanted to stay with the crew and go to Ironridge to let Maple see her friends in Riverfall again. But... she couldn't.

It was as simple as making a choice and saying some words, but it was a choice she had no energy left to make. She needed to take a risk, trust someone, allow herself to be weak rather than risking breaking by pushing herself further for her friends. She needed to stay here for herself, and she needed to see that someone would catch her and carry her through that weakness.

Being the strongest all the time might have been possible with her powers, but it just wasn't with her mind.

"So..." Valey twirled her hat on a wingtip. "Who wants to brag and reminisce about the stuff that happened while I was gone? 'Cuz I kind of don't, you know, remember."

Amber stuck her tongue out. "Nuh-uh. I sat in my room on the Dream and took care of your body so it didn't get lost or lazy or messed up, and that's about it. It felt important at the time, and looking back, it probably helped you get back hale and hearty, but it was still just weeks of denial. I feel like I lost a hold of my life for a moment, and just miraculously survived time passing me by."

Maple nodded, ears down. "We were all half-dead after the battle. I was down with broken ribs and a punctured hoof for most of it. I might not even have healed at all if it wasn't for Princess Celestia."

"Similar," Gerardo added. "I was tragically impaled by that mysterious sword of Starlight's, and spent much of the time recuperating and regaining my strength. Though Slipstream and myself did go on an adventure to Griffonstone and become engaged with the local mafiosos..."

"Darling," Felicity interrupted over the sound stone, "are we really bragging about that particular month? I assume all of you are aware it was quite likely a low point in everyone's lives?"

"If you're asking permission to brag, girl..." Valey shrugged widely. "I heard you were awesome. And you are awesome, so I believe it. Hot, too. Go for it with gusto."

Felicity giggled. "Well, if you absolutely insist... I merely contributed all of my time and skills to keeping all of you among the living, while also struggling along on the last flight I've taken for a very long time to help with the reconnaissance of that fallen pirate ship. All of this despite the very recent and still painful, for your information, emotional trauma of that falling-out with my sisters. And, of course, the trials of measuring your barrel each and every day and facing the grim truth that by the time you get back to society, you won't be very attractive anymore..."

Valey rolled her eyes. "Go fish for ego-soothing from the nurses, I can't even see you anymore to deny it. Now keep talking about how cool you are!"

Amber laughed. "I think everyone remembers what we did at Kinmari, and that's up next. Whew... When you put it all this way, it really has only been a few months, hasn't it?"

Maple nodded. "One flying to the Empire, one between the first and second rounds of the tournament, two more until we were done with the fourth, a fifth being stranded, a sixth at Kinmari, a seventh flying back... I feel like one or two of those was two weeks instead of a month, but all this really has been just half a year. Half of us haven't even had birthdays while we've been gone."

Shinespark pursed her lips. "...Oh. Mine passed while we were stranded outside Griffonstone. I don't think I was feeling up to remembering it, then."

"Wait, seriously?" Valey's eyes widened until her pupils were almost circular. "You mean you're not a teenager anymore?"

Shinespark shrank into the couch. "You make it sound awkward."

Valey leaned over and licked her nose.

"Ahem...!" Gerardo gave a flustered squawk. "Some of us have the decency to keep certain things out of the public eye..."

Valey blew a raspberry. "Prude. Some of us also aren't in the Griffon Empire anymore and don't have to follow any rules."

"Wait, what happened?" Felicity's interest was clearly piqued. "Is there breaking of Garsheeva's rules going on?"

On the floor nearby, Jamjars looked entirely too happy. "There are foals present!" she chirped, doing her best to help make the situation even more awkward.

"Maybe..." Shinespark's cheeks were red enough that they were vibrant to everyone, even against her bright orange fur. "We should change the topic. Do we want another toast? I raise a toast to the ponies we met and left behind along the way."

"Indeed!" Gerardo chimed in, trying to bail her out. "A toast to Sharpie and Brightcoil, our good investigator friends from Ironridge who also helped us in the Empire! May their lives carry on with some semblance of stability in the face of everything that happened to their new home..."

Valey gave a tiny burp. "Bananas, they were hot."

Everyone raised an eyebrow at her except for Starlight, who had no idea why it was surprising that Valey felt this way.

"Well, I raise a toast to..." Harshwater screwed up her face. "I forget his name. That stallion who we didn't like for some reason that was in the last round of the tournament. Just so that Valey can't seriously say that twice in a row."

Valey gave Harshwater a silly grin. "You're hot."

Shinespark blinked, reaching for Valey's mug. "Did someone spike the punch?"

"Nah. Just getting caught up in the moment." Valey sprawled lazily across Shinespark's side, nearly tipping her over with her weight. "Don't think I've ever seen all of us in this great of spirits at once before. Sometimes we'll be determined or resolute or blah blah blah, but the last time we were this optimistic about where we had been was... bananas, never. After Ironridge, it was too soon to brag, and then we got caught up in the Empire. Also, I know who you're talking about, and I don't remember his name either." She thumped her stomach and yawned. "Bananas, I'm full. Just wanna... revel in the moment..."

Maple leaned over, sharing a quick look with Shinespark. "Well, if you're getting full and tired, I do have a relatively new bed. I'd love to spend one last night with everyone. And if we tried to fit too many ponies in and broke it on the first night, wouldn't that make for a story to tell?"

Valey snuggled a very awkward Shinespark harder. "Sounds smashing."

"...You know what?" Slipstream looked up from where she was whispering to Gerardo. "I've always been curious about your little Riverfall tradition. Can I join in?"

"Always welcome, pink stuff..." Valey lazily waved a wing at her.

Shinespark crawled up from the couch, grabbing Valey and hauling her onto her back. "You're being silly," she reprimanded, "and whether it's the mood or the moment or whatever else getting to you, I think it's your time for bed."

Valey sprawled out atop her back, far too comfortable with the situation. "Nyaaaaah..."

As Valey cuddled and Shinespark tried to move her, Harshwater stared at the duo with a slightly haunted expression. Amber nudged her. "What's up?"

"I like griffons and have a phobia of sarosians," Harshwater stiffly replied. "I feel nothing watching that, and don't care at all that she called me hot."

Jamjars' head lifted up from beneath her chair like a slithering snake. "Look deep within yourself. Your feelings aren't unfounded. There's hope for you yet..."

Amber glanced down, almost commenting on Jamjars' mood swing but instead focusing on Harshwater. "The nice thing about a Riverfall pony pile is that you don't need to know how you feel about anyone involved, since you'll be cuddling them anyway. You want to join? We'd love to have you."

"...Only because it's a special occasion." Harshwater rose to her hooves, shaking her mane out. "But why not?"

Amber beamed, patting her on the back. "That's what I like to hear!" She glanced back down at Jamjars. "You know, you could come too if you can both not be bitter or sour and don't try to make it awkward. This is something Maple and Valey and Starlight and I do as friends, but tonight is a night when we all can be best friends."

Jamjars sighed. "You drive a hard bargain. I might have to settle for watching."

"I, for one, will also stand guard loyally to the side," Gerardo added. "And by that I mean sleep on the floor. I would love to partake, but something tells me..."

Amber nodded along. "Yeah, it is pretty weird how you're the party's only resident dude. It doesn't have to be, but I'd get it if that made you uncomfortable."

Gerardo blinked. "Actually, I was referring to griffon beaks and talons being the very opposite of cuddly. I don't mind at all."

Jamjars gave Amber puppy dog eyes, knowing fully well that she didn't need to say anything to get her point across.

"Whatever." Amber rolled her eyes and ignored her, stepping away. "Valey might have crashed, but what about all this food? We wanna clean up the dishes and leftovers first? Won't be a pleasant awakening if they're still here in the morning."

Maple nodded, groaning and rising to her hooves. "Part of me was hoping this would last forever."

And there it was. Starlight had watched the whole exchange, sometimes even participated in the storytelling, and on the edge of her mind she always knew it would end, and all she could do was bask in the moment while it was happening. And now it was ending.

What did she do? How did she carry forward? She had pretended the end wasn't just around the corner, and now it was here.

Starlight looked to Maple for answers.

"...But I suppose it's not over yet." Maple's smile returned. "There will always be tomorrow, but for now, it's still tonight. Let's get these dishes cleaned up so we can get back to making this a night we'll remember forever."

Was that it? More denial? Starlight would remember this night forever, that was certain. But... she could still feel everyone's good moods in the air around her, like comforting incense burned hours earlier. There was an undercurrent of panic and bitterness threatening to break to the surface, one she had let out multiple times that day and couldn't seem to get rid of by letting it out. But her friends' feelings soothed it over, and she couldn't tell if they were covering it up and tamping it down or actually acting as a balm of healing to the fear she felt inside.

Her friends' laughter and happy feelings felt good. She wanted them to be a good thing. She didn't want the things she enjoyed and wanted and wanted to enjoy to be bad. But at the same time, no amount of good feelings could change reality. Because Starlight didn't live in a place where emotions could change the world.

...Actually, that was precisely the world she lived in, if every knowledgeable thing she had listened to knew what they were talking about. Harmony was supposed to be just that.

Starlight got to her hooves and decided to make her own preparations for bed. Tonight, she would pray to whatever was listening for just such a miracle.