//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: Strange Yet Wonderful 
// by Bionic Slime 
//------------------------------//


Epilogue



A soft yawn escaped Twilight’s lips.

Her violet eyes slowly fluttered open; stirring from a midday nap. She found herself taking more of these lately than usual. Being the queen of Equestria certainly was a far more draining task than simply being the princess of friendship.

She smiled and stretched her wings and aching joints. Her long, gangly legs flexed, wings arching as she rose up from slouching over her desk. Twilight’s flowing mane fluttered like a living, shimmering river; waves rolling endlessly. Even after all these years she still didn’t understand the science of how an Alicorn’s hair moves like that.

“If I keep sleeping here, Moonstruck is going to need a Twilight shaped pillow to spoon with,” she giggled softly.

Her mind slowly returned to the task at hand, the one she was working on when she fell asleep. Her hoof slowly traced over the letter; checking for any spelling or grammar mistakes. “Some things never change,” she sighed fondly as memories came flooding back, “this reminds me of the time I found Spike writing his confession later to Rarity.” She tapped her hoof to her chin. Twilight made a mental note to schedule a dinner with Spike and Rarity; it’s been too long since she’d seen them. “I can only imagine how big little Emmy has gotten, I miss having her run amok in the castle,” she laughed.

Right, can’t get too distracted. Back to work!

Twilight nodded and levitated a quill, dipping it into a freshly opened ink bottle.

Dear Princess Celestia

Oops…

I mean, just Celestia

After all these years, it still feels strange not thinking of you as a princess anymore. You were always the one I looked up to, the one who set me on this path; got me where I am today. I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for you…probably walled up in my house, collecting dust and reading books until I wound up covered with cobwebs and dust bunnies myself.

Looking back on my life, it’s amazing to think all the things that have happened.

Adjusting to living like a princess was easier than I thought, thanks to a certain marshmallow loving Necricorn, heh. Living with him brought all new wonderful experiences…and challenges too. After I convinced Starlight to end the time loop and accept our friendship, Moonstruck was the only one of us who didn’t fully forgive and trust Starlight right away. I can’t tell you how mad he was that I allowed Starlight to live with us. I get his concerns, I really do, but I just wish he didn’t hold a grudge over her for what she did. He warmed up to her a little bit after she saved all of us from Chrysalis along with Discord, Trixie and Thorax, but it wasn’t until Starlight took a venom bite that was intended for me from the dreaded Serpent tyrant, Kobraxx that Moonstruck realized she would never turn on us.

Twilight sighed beamingly; a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

Even after all these years, I still can’t forget the first time I saw his handsome face walking into the Golden Oak library. I never thought I could quantify love, let alone understand it the way I understand friendship. But the more time I spend with him, the more I feel time slipping by without me even realizing it. He makes the good times better and the bad times too. I’m so lucky I found him and he often reminds me how lucky he is that I didn’t put him in jail for peeping on me.

She snorted loudly, stifling a nerdy chuckle.

His eccentricities, while annoying at first, have become quite endearing and I can’t imagine a life without him in it. Not only is he a wonderful husband, but he’s a loving and caring father as well. Night Prowl and Prism Comet love him to pieces, except whenever he tells them about the time he proposed to me. Heh, they always make those silly gagging noises and twisted faces; such children. I for one love hearing that story over and over again.

FLASHBACK

Twilight stood before Moonstruck in the master library, the castle walls shimmer faintly in the warm, glowing redness of the fire crackling in the fireplace. Moonstruck sat in his favorite brown chair. He picked it up at the Rainbow falls swap trade. He loved it, Twilight hated it. It was complicated. Nearly everything in this castle was Twilight’s, from the bedframe and sheets to the science equipment and the mountains of books lining their walls; it all came from her. This chair was the one thing Moonstruck wanted that Twilight didn’t like or understand and she probably never will, so she reluctantly accepted that it wasn’t going anywhere.

The green haired colt flipped through the pages of a sci-fi romance novel with his magic. Moonstruck idly looked back to Twilight between pages.

“And that is how needles transmit grooves on the surface of a record into musical recordings that play back through speakerphones,” she announced proudly. Twilight had just spent the last hour detailing every conceivable piece of information on record players and how they work.

“That’s incredible honey, I can tell you put in a lot of work for this,” he said; flipping to the next page.

Twilight stared flatly at the sloth-like stallion. His lifeless response was hardly the reaction she was expecting. “You don’t even care, do you?” she said grumpily.

“Oh no, not in the slightest,” he said with a chuckle; eyes never leaving his book. He levitated a straw to his lips, slurped from his soda can and placed it back down.

“Ugh, I wonder why I put up with you when you get like this,” she grumbled; neatly organizing her papers and putting away her chalkboard.

“Because you love me,” he replied simply.

“Sigh, yeah, guess you got me there,” she rolled her eyes and giggled. No matter how crazy he made her, he always had a way of bringing back a smile to her face. “You’re lucky you’re cute and funny, you know that?” she teased.

“I’m reminded how lucky I am every day I wake up next to you,” he swooned sincerely.

Twilight’s cheeks remained, as always; highly susceptible to blushing whenever Moonstruck complimented her. Even after all this time, he still knew how to make her heart flutter like crazy.

The sound of a screeching whistle snapped Twilight out of her dreamy state. The water for the tea was ready. Twilight excused herself and headed to the kitchen to prepare it. Moonstruck waited until she was completely out of the room, he leaned out to make sure no sign of her bouncing purple tail was in sight. An excited smile formed on his lips.

“Perfect, she’s gone!” he rubbed his hooves together eagerly.

Moonstruck teleported out of sight and reappeared with a small plate with two s’mores and a small velvet red box. He opened the box to make sure that sparkling flash was still inside. His eyes shimmered with the diamond’s reflective glare, his smile widening. “I can’t wait to see the look on her face,” he placed the box inside one of the s’mores and prepared himself. “I should have done this a long time ago. I just hope don’t fumble and say the wrong thing, I’ve been thinking about what to say for…wait a second,” he groaned and smacked himself in the face, “Crap! I forgot my flash cards!”

The Necricorn prince quickly dashed off to the master bedroom; rushing too fast and forgetting the fact he could have teleported there instead. He had to find those notes quickly; before Twilight came back. 

“Moonstruck? The tea is ready,” she looked around; levitating two cups of freshly brewed tea for the two of them, “did you step out for something?” No sign of him anywhere. She could have sworn she heard him just a few moments ago.

Her violet orbs curiously tilted down to notice snacks had been prepared, Moonstruck’s favorite no less. They were such an easy snack to make. She’s had them many times before, yet for some reason, they always tasted better when they were made by Moonstruck; another lovable aspect about her beloved boyfriend. 

“Oooh these smell delicious,” she levitated one in front of her nose; sighing contently. Twilight looked around for any final signs of Moonstruck. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I took one little bite,” she said slyly.

One bite later…

Moonstruck walked into the library, that ever present smile failing to leave his face. He felt much better now having memorized his proposal thanks to his flash cards.

“Oh Crackers, I’ve got a nice little surpri-”

His voice trailed off. The moment he entered the room, all thoughts of love, romance and proposing went out the window. Twilight was gagging horribly. Her wings flapped, hooves flailing as she tried to signal for Moonstruck’s help. She pointed to her neck. Her voice was muffled by throaty, wrenching noises; she sounded like she was hacking up a fur ball. He looked at the plate and noticed one of the s’mores had a decent sized bite in it. What were the odds?

“You have GOT to be kidding me,” Moonstruck exclaimed.

He maneuvered behind the gagging princess and wrapped his hooves around her belly. Moonstruck heaved and jammed his hooves inward; he continued thrusting until Twilight coughed up the mystery prize inside the s’more.

“ACK, WHARF!”

Twilight finally dislodged the box from her throat. The gooey, saliva soaked gift flew out of Twilight’s mouth like a shotput. Moonstruck panicked and dropped Twilight. He dove for the box, stretched out his hooves and prayed to Celestia he’d catch it before Twilight saw it.

“GOT IT, oh thank Celestia,” he gasped; collapsing back first onto the floor. His hooves clutched the box tightly. It just occurred to him, the box could have opened in her throat and the ring could have fallen out. He quickly checked it and sighed once he saw that familiar sparkle. “That could have been really bad. I almost lost this,” he said; panting.

“Lost this? Are. You. KIDDING ME?” Twilight’s eyes bulged ferociously. She looked at the purple stallion with a most disturbing glare, veins throbbing across her temple. She couldn’t believe Moonstruck had not asked her if she was all right. Worst of all, he seemed more concerned about a half-eaten S’more more than anything else. “I can’t believe you. I’m choking to death and the first thing you say is: you’re thankful you saved the S’more I was gagging on?!?” she shouted furiously.

“No, I mean, yes! Let me explain I-”

“I cannot believe I am hearing this. How could you honestly be this crazy?”

“Actually, you’re not hearing any of this.”

“I know you’re big into marshmallows but I didn’t think you’d choose them over me.”

“Oh come on! You know that isn’t possibly true, Crackers!”

“Ugh, I cannot believe you sometimes and QUIT calling me Crackers! I have literally told you 44, 786 times.”

“First off, I can’t believe you kept track of that. Secondly, if you would just listen I can explain why I-”

“Ooooooooh no, I’ve got a lot to say to you mister and I am not in the mood for any of your excuses.”

“Oh for the love of…you’re not listening! I’m trying to explain everything to you, it will all make sense if you just-”

“Ha! That’s a laugh; see what I just did there? I laughed because that is a laughable statement. That’s what I think your excuses are worth.”

Moonstruck groaned and rubbed his face in frustration.

“You know…you try to do one nice gesture for some pony…”

“What do you mean: a nice gesture? Why would I-no; scratch that, why would ANY PONY think checking on a half-eaten piece of food instead of your girlfriend, who nearly DIED from choking on said half-eaten piece of food, is a nice gesture?!?”

“Because I’m trying to propose to you, you stupid dork!”

Twilight’s anger and resolve melted instantaneously. She stepped back; almost too startled by this to process it.

“Huh?” she squeaked in bewilderment.

Despite not going as planned, Moonstruck knew there was no turning back now. He brushed the box clean of any S’more paste. The colt smiled to his stunned girlfriend, bent down on one knee and presented her the box. Twilight was utterly speechless.

“Twilight Sparkle, you are…a giant freaking nerd,” Twilight raised an eyebrow at that remark, “You’re uptight, annoyingly organized and you’re interested in the most boring and excruciatingly lame things that no sensible pony would ever want to know about,” he said.

“Gee thanks…I am so glad you decided to share that information with me…how romantic,” Twilight grumbled.

Moonstruck chuckled softly.

“I wasn’t finished yet, Crackers,” he cupped her hoof with his own, opened the box and revealed the glittering, shimmering diamond ring inside. Her heart soared. Her eyes trembled with ever flowing tears of indescribable joy. “I don’t love you despite those things; I love you because of those things. I want to see every weird and wonderful moment of your life and share them with you. I’ve loved you since the moment I first saw you and I’ll never stop. Life isn’t and won’t be easy with me, but as long as I’m with you, I know I’m home,” he said passionately. “Twilight Sparkle, will you marry me?”

Twilight squealed and tackled Moonstruck to the ground. He grunted in surprise, rolling to the ground with the Alicorn mare on top of him. She kissed him deeply, longingly as she levitated the ring onto her horn.

“I thought you’d never ask,” Twilight beamed joyfully.

Now it was Moonstruck who couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. The happy couple laughed as they assaulted each other with kisses; melting blissfully, lovingly into each other’s warmth.

END FLASHBACK

Twilight laughed softly; blushing fondly at the precious memory from all those years ago. A splash from one of her tears lightly smudged the ink. She levitates a rag to the scroll, wipes the smudged part away and rewrites it.

“Now then, where was I?” she muses aloud.

After that wonderful night, it wasn’t too long until Moonstruck and I were married. But things didn’t stop there, no, they just got wilder and more incredible than any of us could have ever imagined. There was the return of the Pony of Shadows, Cozy Glow taking over the School of Friendship, The Storm King’s invasion, Tirek teaming up with Chrysalis and Cozy Glow, the Dragon Uprising, Night Terror’s curse wave, and worst of all; the return of the real Grogar.

But life wasn’t always filled with villains and chaos; there were also lots of truly wonderful moments too.

Spike and Rarity, unsurprisingly; got married shortly after we defeated Crowe. Rarity made the announcement right in her Canterlot Carousel store, front of all her customers AND Toplofty and Sassy Saddles. Toplofty was swiftly kicked out of Rarity’s life and Sassy was informed she’d be out on her rump if she made vulgar comments about dragons ever again. I was so proud to see Spike so happy, he truly deserved the happy ending he always wanted, Rarity too. Afterwards, they hit a few speed bumps here and there, but eventually with Zecora’s help, Spike and Rarity gave birth to a beautiful and spirited dragon-pony hybrid daughter; Emerald Flare. I call her Emmy for short!

Applejack and Hopeful were married at Sweet Apple Acres, both of their families attended in full numbers! The two of them eventually moved into their own house; a cozy little place in-between the farm and where Hopeful lived. After that, they certainly didn’t waste any time having kids, 5 in total! From oldest to youngest there’s: Casey Nova, Red Delicious, Soul Mate, Candy Apple and Heartglow. Hopeful writes poetry professionally and works from home to help with the kids and the farm, with some help from Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee.

Rainbow and Arrowhead broke up and got together a few more times before permanently settling down together. We hardly saw them after the wedding. Apparently, they were…ahem…”Going at it like rabbits” as Rainbow so crudely put it. Despite how often they did it…and how often they bragged about it, they didn’t end up with loads of kids like Hopeful and AJ did. They gave birth to two sons: Bolt Surge and Razzle Dazzle. Arrowhead started his own detective agency and Rainbow finally became captain of the Wonderbolts!

I never thought I’d see the day Pinkie landed herself a husband but, she finally did! Cheese Sandwich made Pinkie the happiest party pony in Equestria when he proposed. Heh, neither one of them has changed much throughout the years; they still work the same jobs and party like they always do. Oh, except for Little Cheezie! Pinkie is a natural mother and I just love it when she brings him over for a visit.

Fluttershy never really found her special somepony, but deep down, I think she’s just as happy living with her animal friends. Discord comes by often to help and for their regularly scheduled tea parties! She still maintains she saw Khan reformed at the Hearts and Hooves festival before crossing over to the side. I think knowing that has given her a sense of inner peace about everything. Her sanctuary is massive and requires a lot of work; thankfully, our Crusaders grew up and became big, strong helpers when Fluttershy needs an extra pair of hooves, when their not helping at the school that is.

Oh my, there’s so much to tell you and not enough scroll space for it, hmm…

Starlight and Sunburst got together… after he dragged his feet for what felt like an eternity. That’s the problem with us awkward ponies, we take forever to make a move! They both work at the School of Friendship now and so does Trixie. As for her, I don’t know all the specifics but after some kind of crazy wild adventure where she was kidnapped by a burly Earth pony named Bear Trap; he ended up living with her in her wagon! Personally, I don’t understand them. They love each other one second then try to kill each other the next but somehow they work; go figure.

Derpy and the Doctor finally got together and spent their honeymoon in some alternate dimension and planet Derpy can’t pronounce OR remember. Let’s see who else? Oh! Well Sandbar and Yona became the first pony/yak couple in Ponyville, Gallus and Silverstream tried dating but they just didn’t mix well, he’s with the royal guard and Silverstream and Ocellus and Smolder work at the school now; teaching new students as they enroll. Their still “figuring out themselves” as they put it.

On a more personal matter princess, I can’t tell you how honored I was to be one of Luna’s bridesmaids at her wedding to Rebel Streak. It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies I’ve ever been to…and I’ve been to a lot lately! I’m so glad your sister finally got her chance at happiness with Rebel. Their legacy and love continue to bless Equestria each and every day. Sigh…I was terribly sad to hear Rebel passed away last year. Luna gave up her position as raiser of the moon and her immortality to Moonstruck so she could retire, same as you; naturally. Death is never a pleasant subject to discuss but I at least take some comfort knowing Luna passed away shortly after, so she could finally rest among the stars with her beloved Rebel. I know it’s what she would have wanted.

A tear splashed onto the page. Twilight’s quill ceased scribbling. She raised a hoof to her cheek and gasped softly, she didn’t even realize she had been crying. This tear was of a different nature than the last one.

“What do you know, Dr. Wolf and Moonstruck were right; this really is helping,” she said with a weak laugh. She wiped her tears with a tissue and resumed writing.

I remember when I started writing these to you in the very beginning; so it only seems fitting I close your chapter in my life with this last letter. I’ve been dreading writing this letter for 10 years…10 years after the day…you died. Try as I might, I couldn’t imagine existing in a world where you were not there to guide me. Even after I assumed the throne, I always felt better knowing I could go to you if I needed assistance. Your very existence was comforting and inspiring.

When you passed, I couldn’t function for a while; I had to let Moonstruck and my friends help out until I got things together. My husband encouraged me to see a therapist, a very talented and intelligent one by the name of Dr. Wolf. He suggested I try writing a letter to you, said it could help me find closure. I thought writing a letter to a pony that will never see or read it was a silly idea, but my husband insisted I give it a try. I must say I’m glad I did. There was so much I wanted to say to you but never got the chance to, now I finally can; now I can finally put this and you to rest…Celestia.

Take comfort knowing that while Discord was devastated, he continues to live and laugh on in your memory. He aids Fluttershy now with her sanctuary. He loves it, he loves her and he still loves you…as we all do.

Of all the lessons you taught me, easily the most important one was sending me to Ponyville. It’s thanks to you I met my friends and my husband. I learned how to love those I did not understand or agree with and it made me the happiest mare in the world and my life has had far more sunrises than sunsets. It reminds me of a quote by the great author, Thomas Mareton: “The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”

And I owe it all to you…thank you.

“Mom, hey mom, did you hear me?” a male voice called out.

Twilight blinked. She stared off at the letter; as if in some sort of hypnotic daze. She didn’t seem to have noticed her two children standing at her office doorway. 

One was a slightly tall 12 year old unicorn with rose colored hair with thin gold streaks in it and mauve colored fur. She had small freckles over the bridge of her nose, faint bronze eyes and a twirl on the tip of her hair; circling the horn like a snake. Her cutie mark resembled a glittering, scorch white comet hurdling into a shimmering teal quasar.

The bat winged colt next to her was 2 years younger but only mildly shorter. His fur was a dark blue green color with silvery, shaggy locks; the shaggy head of hair almost covered up his Pumpkin orange eyes. His cutie mark was a black cat with piercing jade eyes; sitting on a branch in front of a fractured moon.

“Is she all right?” Night Prowl asked; blowing shaggy locks from his curious gaze.

“Yeah, she gets like this sometimes when she writes,” Prism Comet remarked casually.

The curious calls attracted Moonstruck’s attention. He stepped into the room, poking his head over the kids. He noticed Twilight’s dazed state as well.

“Honey, is everything all right?” he asked.

Twilight finally came to. She spun her swivel chair, facing her family with a blissful, serene smile on her face. She looks like she’s about to cry again.

“Do you need me to call someone, Crackers?” Moonstruck asked; voice slightly twinging with concern.

“No thank you,” Twilight stood up from her chair, stretched out her arms and hugged her family tightly against her chest. Her wings warmly wrapped around them. “I have everyone I need, right here,” she sighed. She nuzzled into his neck fur and kissed his lips passionately.

Thank you…


THE END