//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Splendid Summer Skies // Story: Twilight's Birthday // by Gallifrey //------------------------------// Twilight's Birthday by Gallifrey Chapter Seven Splendid Summer Skies Six months later... It was a balmy summer's day, and Twilight Sparkle was walking through a small, emerald green valley. The Sun shone through the canopy, dappling the ground in patches of light and shade. The lavender mare trotted down to a sparkling stream at the bottom and lay down in a patch of lush, thick grass that grew beside it. She inhaled deeply as she relaxed in her comfy spot, breathing in the wonderful scents of the forest, the lavender, the water, the grass, and countless others, all blending on the breeze. What's taking her so long? "Luna?!" she called, "Where are you?" "We are coming!" called the alicorn from somewhere to Twilight's right. There was a rustling noise, and Luna stumbled into view, shaking off brambles that were clinging to her hind legs. "Let me get that for you," said Twilight kindly, horn illuminating as she picked off the prickles with her magic. "Thank you, my dear," said Luna, joining her on the grass, resting her head on Twilight's back. "Any time, honey." "Have you got the picnic?" "Huh? I thought you had it?" "No no no, I gave it to you!" said Luna. "Did we leave it behind when we had that stop?" "We must have done... I'm sorry Twilight, I've spoiled the afternoon haven't I?" "Oh no, it's not your fault! It was my picnic, I should've kept an eye on it." "I'm the one who offered to carry it." "Oh, hush," said Twilight, silencing her with a swift kiss. "But what are we to eat?" "Well," said Twilight, looking around. She spotted the lavender. "There is this?" "Lavender?" asked Luna doubtfully. "You got a problem with lavender?" said Twilight playfully, waving a purple hoof in front of her face. "Try it with grass, it's better than you'd think." Luna looked dubious, but decided to give Twilight's opinion a chance. Twilight gave her a sprig of lavender, and the alicorn pulled up some of the long grass. "Mmmm, much tastier than I expected." "I'm glad you approve!" said Twilight happily. "What about drinks?" "Well, I dunno," said Twilight, making a point to stare intently at the stream. "From that?" "Yeah, why not? We may as well make this a properly wild lunch." "Is it... clean?" "I should hope so, we're in the hills, it's still a small stream, I've drunk from brooks like this before when camping with the girls, it's rather tasty." "Well, you were right about the food..." Luna joined Twilight at the water's edge, and drank from the stream, the cool water satiating her thirst. "Perhaps I ought to try this 'wild' food and drink more often, it's delicious!" Except for the mishap concerning the picnic, the mares' day out had gone smoothly. Twilight snoozed lightly in the sunlight, using Luna as a pillow. The alicorn merely rested her eyes, occasionally watching Twilight enjoy her slumber. It was a simple affair, and both ponies enjoyed it immensely. Shadows slowly shifted across the ground as the day wore on, and eventually they were bathed in pink and orange light as the Sun set. Luna leaned over to her little purple unicorn and nuzzled her gently. "Twilight dear, it's time to get up." "Mrrrh?" said a sleepy Twilight. "The day has ended." "Goodness! I must've been asleep for a while." "Get on my back: you look too tired to walk all the way back to Ponyville." "I'll be fine, I-" "I want you to, Twilight, I want to show you something." With curiosity, Twilight complied, jumping up onto Luna's back: resting her hind legs just in front of her wings, and hugging her neck with her forelegs. Luna's wings flapped powerfully as she took off, Twilight could feel the regular rhythm of her flight muscles underneath her. They burst through the canopy, leaves swiping Twilight's face, and she buried her head in Luna's mane, getting a noseful of the sweet scent of the Princess. You know, I might just stay here, mmmm. She closed her eyes, the hypnotic cadence of her wings lulling her close to sleep again. I need to lay off the books if they're making me this tired... "Twilight? We're here." Luna sat down and Twilight slid slowly off onto something soft and fluffy. It was a cloud. Twilight yelped. "Don't worry!" said Luna, "I took the courtesy of performing a cloud walking spell on you, I prefer my marefriends to be in the realm of the living, after all." They were high in the heavens above Ponyville, the light was failing, and the lights both below and above began to flicker into life, from the lights of homes to the stars of the skies. "This is beautiful," said Twilight with hushed tones. "This is just a warm-up. Sit back Twilight, and enjoy the show." With a slightly smug smile, Luna drew a hoof over Twilight as her midnight blue horn glowed softly. Rivers of green and blue light materialised from the aether, twisting into ribbons above all of Equestria. The aurorae shimmered in the darkening sky. Twilight looked up, open mouthed- she had never seen the aurorae before in her life. The alicorn's horn blazed white and she shut her eyes tight. "Hnnngh!" Twilight watched as the Moon rose above the horizon, a full, giant disc of silver, pocked with countless craters, and magnified greatly by the atmosphere. Luna looked sadly at the celestial orb, then to Twilight, the Moon reflected twice in her eyes. "Luna..." "Do you like it?" Twilight looked around, at the seas of stars, the Moon and the aurorae. All of it had been crafted for her. Silver tears of happiness sparkled in her eyes. She lifted her head up and kissed Luna deeply, her lips alive with heated passion. She tried to pour all her feelings into that embrace, and she succeeded. "I'll take that as a yes?" said Luna gently. Twilight locked eyes with her, and uttered for the first time: "I love you." Now it was Luna's turn for glittering eyes. "Oh Twilight, I love you too." "Forever?" "Forever." And from that small, cosy cloud, they enjoyed the simple act of talking to one another, about everything and nothing, often at the same time, under the majesty of Luna's night. The End