//------------------------------// // Chapter Ninety-five: Heaven // Story: A Rather Large Adventure // by BradyBunch //------------------------------// Dear Princess Celestia,  I'll try to send this as soon as Spike wakes up. He's been spending a lot of time at Rarity's recently, and he's even slept over a few times. I've told him the rules, but how am I supposed to know if he follows them? Life's gone generally back to normal. Ponyville regained a lot of its pre-war energy. Ponies are out doing their own thing. This town has been under siege so often that the end of the world just seems like a slightly-harder event. They pick up their baskets and go to market and carry on. We're all doing good, by and large. Applejack and Pinkie and Rarity go and work as usual. Rarity talked to me about it and said she doesn't know what else to do except return to the default. Rainbow's still staying in my castle, though. Firestorm's death really hit her the hardest. I can't blame her. What if Freedom Fighter died instead? Speaking of which, he's very sweet. We still need to set up a meeting with the family so dad can give his blessing. But I'm not nervous at all. Since the end of the war about a month ago, he's simmered down. He's trying to apply for a job at the quill and sofa store. Not because he needs the money, but because he wants something to do. I told him that I'll have all the money we both need, but he's just not content staying in the castle all day. Noble's also trying to adjust to civilian life by helping out with Fluttershy's animals. He and Fluttershy are just about to propose this week. They would've done it earlier, but they decided to do a few more dates to warm up to their life, make a buildup, that sort of thing. Tell Scorpan he'll be needed soon to officiate. Finally, Tempest Shadow's started her first lessons on magic. She hasn't used magic since she was a filly. And without a horn, it's really tough to even levitate something without burning it to ashes. But if anyone can teach her, it's me. I hope you're doing all right. It couldn't have been easy for you. As for me, I still occasionally feel a sting. So many ponies have died in front of me. This can't just be washed away. I'm grateful to Luna for keeping my dreams somewhat peaceful. And I've been distracting myself during the day by helping Rainbow and teaching Tempest. But sometimes, I'll feel this flash of pain and remember the faces of Sunset, or Starlight, or some of the creatures I've killed. I've killed, Celestia! Who doesn't see their faces? Fluttershy mentioned how she sees things that aren't there or hears things that remind her of certain events. And that perfectly describes some of the things I've dealt with. I just wish I could get over it. If I can't get over it, does that mean it's too serious, or that I'm too weak? I'm sure I'm very strong, but am I strong enough to deal with loss? I hope Chrysalis isn't presenting any problems. You've got enough on your plate already with rebuilding Canterlot and Manehattan and Griffonstone. Tell Shining Armor I miss him. Yours truly,  Twilight Sparkle Twilight yawned as she put down the quill. It was getting late, and her eyes were drooping with weight. Rereading it, she felt woozy. The words on the page didn't seem to be going anywhere. Her head started to bend. She suddenly felt a weight on both her shoulders, and she was shaken in place. "Sleepyhead." "Hey, Freedom," Twilight acknowledged, bending her head up. Sure enough, his golden head was there, smiling down at her from behind her recliner. "Is it really time for bed already?" "I can't control the sun. Yet. Who knows, maybe I'll unlock that power in another epic quest." "Until then, I blame Celestia," Twilight said, setting her journal aside and getting onto all four hooves. It felt so good to pull her muscles when they were in place for hours at a time. She groaned after some stretching, then slumped in place. "I don't wanna go to bed." "It's just in the other room." "But the recliner's right here." "I can't snuggle you in the recliner." "Oh?" "There's more room in the bed," Freedom Fighter quickly corrected. "It does sound nice," Twilight conceded. She began to trot across the library, but when she turned her head to encourage her boyfriend to follow, Freedom Fighter was just staring at her with surprised eyes. She followed his gaze. It was on her rear. She rolled her eyes. "I know you like it, but you've seen it so often." "No, it's…" He pointed. There was a flashing in her peripheral vision, and she craned her head to examine her flank better. Her Cutie Mark was flashing. She immediately looked at Freedom Fighter's rear. His Cutie Mark was flashing as well. Their gazes locked. A question hung between both of them, but it was soon discarded as the two of them instantly made for the door to the castle's throne room. Tempest Shadow was already there by the time Twilight and Freedom Fighter hurried in. She was between two of the crystal thrones, with her face an inch away, examining the holographic Cutie Map with fascination. "What is this thing?" Tempest asked, tapping on it. "And what are our Cutie Marks doing?" The marks of all nine ponies, along with Spike's face, were revolving around the holographic model of Twilight's castle. Tempest's mark was that of the deceased Storm King: two curved vertical lines, like a pair of horns. Twilight, taken aback, could only say, "I'm… not sure. Um…" With a swoosh and a sudden draft of air, a blue blur swooped into the castle and did a single loop before settling into her seat. "All right, what's the big idea, Cutie Map? Why'd I need to be woken up in the middle of the night for--huh?" Rainbow squinted, bleary-eyed, at the map. "What's…" "You and me both. I don't know why the map called all of us, let alone here in the middle of the night!" "So that's what it does," Tempest inferred, nodding. "It takes you guys on missions?" "More or less," Twilight confirmed. "Huh. Then what's so big that it needs all of us to solve a problem here at the castle?" "We'll find out," Twilight reassured her. "There's a couple of really cool stories about the map, though. The first time we were all called to a spot on the map…" Tempest tilted her head as Twilight broke off. "What?" "It was when we met Starlight," Twilight muttered, and the mood in the room quickly froze over. "Okay, then let's not talk about that," Tempest quickly said. "Are there any other stories?" Twilight, after a moment, gave a curt nod. "Sure. We've got time." While Twilight regaled Tempest with the stories they'd had with the map, the rest of the ponies gradually assembled. First, Pinkie bounced in, not displaying any signs of fatigue. Then came Applejack, who was naturally used to waking up early. Noble Blade and Fluttershy followed next, keeping to themselves as conversation filled the throne room. Finally, after more than an hour, Spike and Rarity entered, the two of them still rubbing their eyes. Rarity's mane was in an unbrushed mess, but her green mud mask was off. "What on Equus-" Rarity started, but stopped upon seeing the holographic map. "Here? Now?" "Apparently so." Twilight's gaze returned once more to the baffling indication. "There isn't a friendship problem between you all, is there?" Negative noises and shaking heads filled the room. "Maybe we're going to find out another mystery," Rarity proposed. "Like when we first discovered there were ten Elements." She turned to the pony standing beside her. "What do you think, Fire… storm?" Rarity froze. Twilight did, too, and gradually, all the ponies were staring right at the figure by Rarity's side. Firestorm was there, whole and clear as day. He was a little fuzzy, though, and transparent. "Oh, I have no idea," he casually said, examining his hoof. Then, after noticing all eyes were turned to him in shock, he indicated the table. "What? Pay attention." "Yeah," Starlight said, suddenly right between an astounded Twilight and Tempest. "You're about to meet her." "She sent us," came a third voice, from an orange unicorn on Twilight's other side. The mare had yellow and red hair, and an orange coat, but she was more recognizable to Twilight as a human. "We came to say hello. And goodbye." Their eyes snapped to the table immediately, and blinked as they focused. The entire surface of the circular table was the bottom of a pillar of light extending all the way to the ceiling. Standing in the light was a white alicorn, shining with divine authority. Her maroon mane curled and swayed behind her. “My children,” Faust said, and a smile graced her face. “You brave, wonderful children.” Twilight’s throat closed up. Her head turned to the dead ponies in the room, and despite her inability to speak, she took measured breaths. She turned back to Faust. “Mother,” she got out. “Are they… really…?” “Trouble yourself no more with their fates,” Faust assured her. “Their spots in heaven are filled. When you die, if you endure in virtue, your spots beside them shall be filled as well.” “Faust decided we could pay you a visit,” Starlight said, coming closer to Twilight. “We’ve been very busy.” “Busy?” Rarity asked, locking onto the ethereal vision of Firestorm, who was moving among them. “What could spirits be busy doing in heaven?” “We’re teaching,” Firestorm answered. “And learning. A lot of spirits died without knowing about mom. And there’s a lot to unpack that our heads just couldn’t understand.” “Where…” Twilight looked around. “Sunset? Where’s Flash? O-or the Sirens?” “He’s not Equestria’s Flash,” Sunset answered. “It’s complicated. And the Sirens are being taught. They couldn’t make it. Trust me, though, they’re with us.” Sunset was on her right. Twilight turned to the left. There was Starlight. And finally processing that the two of them were reunited made Twilight halt in place once more and look to the ground. Her wide eyes formed tears. “What’s wrong?” Sunset asked warmly. The tears spilled over, and Twilight fell on the table and wept into her arms like a baby. “Hey, hey,” Starlight encouraged, coming less than a foot away from her. Her voice was just the same as always. “There, there, Twilight. I’m really here. But… not here. Hard to explain, I know, but…” As Starlight and Sunset started to comfort Twilight, Faust’s eye turned to Tempest Shadow, who had been watching the scene with a poorly-maintained poker face. Upon noticing her mother’s focus on her, though, Tempest slowly rotated to match the focus on her. “My daughter,” Faust said, reaching out with a hoof. “I am so proud of you.” Tempest, inexplicably, blinked back tears of her own. “... Mom.” “You’ve accepted it?” “I have,” Tempest said, bowing her head. “I can’t chalk you up to a fantasy any more. If you are God, I’m glad you’re the one.” “I am not just a Goddess,” Faust said. “I am your mother, and I have watched over you. You have served me well, my daughter. You have risen above all the trials this life could give you. Be at peace concerning your fate. You are free.” Tempest’s lips were pressed together hard to stifle noises coming from her mouth, but her crooked smile and running tears spoke more than words ever could. Meanwhile, the ghostly form of Firestorm was facing the rest of the ponies. "How are you even here?" Applejack asked in awe. “I-I admit, Ah’m not privy ta the inner workings of heaven.” "Faust just allowed it," Firestorm answered. "I've actually been all around you for some time. But Faust gave us permission to pass through the veil and, ah, come within comprehension of your puny little mortal eyes." "Where's yer halo? And yer little angel robe?" "I used my halo as a ukulele to roll through the golden gates of heaven," Firestorm said exaggeratedly. "...You mean a unicycle?" Rarity clarified. "Yeah, that's it." “How’s heaven?” Spike was asking. "Is it everything you hoped it would be?" "Are there a ton of parties up there?" Pinkie interjected. “Oh, that? It’s fine and all, I guess it could use some air conditioning-it’s heaven, my guys,” Firestorm responded, smiling. “It’s perfect. I can't even describe how much better it is there. There's no pain. No suffering. No worldly troubles. Even your mental problems go away! I'm not reta-well, not as retarded." He broke into laughter. “Good to see you’re enjoying it up there,” Rarity remarked. “I’ll feel even better when you come up here too,” Firestorm said. He quickly waved his arms. “N-n-not that I’d encourage you to die or anything! Take your time, please.” “I’m glad you’re back to normal,” Freedom Fighter expressed. He winked. “Or at least as normal as what counts for you.” “I’m glad to see you’re not as normal as you once were,” Firestorm quickly fired back. “Got me there,” Freedom Fighter admitted. After some subdued laughter, Noble stepped forward. His head was down, and he rubbed his arm. “Listen… about Nevermore…” “Don’t worry about it,” Firestorm assured him, waving it aside. “It was my own fault for being so blind. I said a lot of those things to hurt you because I thought you had hurt me.” He rolled his eyes. “Although not all of it was a lie. But still, still,” he got back. “You’ve been a great friend to me. The reason it hurt so much when I thought you betrayed us was because you mean so much to me.” “You really mean that?” Noble choked. His eyes kept drifting to Firestorm’s lower chest, where his mortal wound had been. “Noble, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. You have been a light to my surroundings. I wanted to be a lamp for your own path, is all. Sure, you, uh, killed me, but I gave you a reason. Now, please, as a friend. Don’t linger on that. Move on from me. Find new friends, new warriors. Hey. I hear Flash Sentry would make a fantastic student!” Noble nodded, but didn’t respond to that. Instead, he lifted his arm as if to hug him, but stopped himself and sighed. “Be with me,” Noble whispered. “You’ve been a part of me for so long. I don’t know how I’ll… keep on going without you.” ”You’ll see me again soon. We can talk all you want about your sins once we don’t need to worry about them any more.” Noble nodded, wiping an eye and smiling. “Glad to see you’re the voice of wisdom as always.” “What can I say? I’m a spirit. I can’t lie.” He gave a sardonic little curtsy to Noble Blade, then finally turned to Rainbow Dash. Both ponies approached each other, afraid to touch. “Hiya, Dashie,” he whispered. Rainbow broke into a sob. “How can you just say that?” she demanded. “You finally come back, after weeks and weeks, and I’ve been… crying and breaking in half day after day, and you just waltz in and-” “Hey, hey, Rainbow,” Firestorm quickly hushed. “Shh. I didn’t…” “No, it’s okay,” Rainbow assured, breaking off from her diatriade once she saw his reaction. “Just… when you called me that, I…” “I understand,” Firestorm said, nodding. “Sorry.” “No, I am.” “You know what? You’re right.” “...Hey, wait a minute!” “You said it!” “Listen here, mister, if you were really here, I’d… mess up that stupid mane of yours so it gets in your eyes!” Firestorm gave a goofy smile. “Yeeahh… You think it’s hot.” “Oh, you-” Rainbow started, then broke down and laughed. She took a deep breath and let it all out. “Oh, I’ve missed you!” “Me too!” Firestorm exclaimed. “I wanted to go back, I really did. I love you so much. But I had to stay. I could cheer you all on, though. Go team! Smack that bad guy!” He turned to Spike. “By the way, before I forget, nice job. I’m really… legitimately proud of you for taking up my Element.” Spike sheepishly shrugged. “Ah, it was no big deal.” “I…” Firestorm turned back to Rainbow. “I miss you, Rainbow. I’ve felt so alone.” “I don’t know what I’d do without you!” Rainbow agreed. “But I-I’m confused. You’re here, but you’re not going to be, and… Stormie, what am I going to do? Until I meet you again, wh-what am I gonna do as far as… well, another guy goes?” “That’s not up for me to decide,” Firestorm was quick to say. “Far from it. You get to choose.” “...I can’t just pick somepony else, can I?” Rainbow asked into the void. “Wouldn’t you… I dunno, be hurt?” “I want you to be happy, Rainbow,” Firestorm assured her. “And being single your entire life won’t make you happy.” “But I can’t just… move on,” Rainbow said doubtfully. “Right? I can’t just put you out of my mind. You’re the most amazing pony I’ve ever met!” “I’m very flattered to hear that,” Firestorm said. “How ‘bout making somepony else feel that way, huh?” “No,” Rainbow complained. “No, I can’t…” “Rainbow,” Firestorm said, but nothing more came out. More silence befell them. “...Tell you what,” Firestorm proposed. “No matter what, this much’ll be true: I’m waiting for you. You’re the most wonderful pony I’ve ever met, and it wouldn’t be heaven if we didn’t see each other.” A pale tear ran clearly down Rainbow’s cheek. “I love you. So much, it… hurts. I want to stop hurting, but I don’t want to let go. I don’t know what’ll happen when I see you again. I...” “What is grief, Rainbow?” Faust asked from behind her. Rainbow turned, looking up into Faust’s eyes. They couldn’t linger, though. “I don’t know…” “Grief is enduring love,” Faust proclaimed musically. “And the love you have is strong enough to last between the veil of life and death. I declare this day, Rainbow Dash: you will know love again.” Rainbow collapsed into a sobbing mess. Fluttershy knelt beside her and squeezed her from the side, and Applejack, noticing it, did the same on the other. Tempest didn’t know where to look. The scene going on just felt too personal for her to witness. So she deliberately rolled her eyes to the side, trying to focus on something else. “Hey. Tempest.” Starlight’s voice made her turn. She was right there, away from Twilight, who herself was talking with Sunset Shimmer. “Starlight,” Tempest said, nodding. “Good to know you’re… safe and sound.” “Me too,” Starlight sheepishly admitted. “I can only imagine how I looked as I… deteriorated.” “How did it feel?” Tempest whispered. “Like I was stepping into an old home again,” Starlight answered confidently. “One moment, I felt everything fade away in pain. Then… relief. Like standing beside my fireplace.” “I’m glad,” Tempest assured her. Starlight nodded. “I saw it all happen, by the way. You took up my mantle so well. I just…” She floundered for a moment. “I can’t even begin to say how… proud, and relieved, and…” “You don’t need to,” Tempest quickly cut off. “Really. It was all thanks to you anyway.” “Tempest,” Starlight said, gesturing at the crystal table. “Please. You’ve earned a seat at this table. More than I can say I have. And don’t you dare think you’re not worthy. You’ve fully redeemed yourself.” Tempest nodded, unable to speak. “When you use your magic,” Starlight said, “please think of me. The best part of the last few days of my life was getting to know you. It gave me the strength to persist.” “Don’t…” Tempest wiped an eye with a hiss. “Stop saying stuff like that.” “This is my only chance,” Starlight murmured. “Allow me this much.” Tempest nodded once more in resignation. “Sorry.” “Don’t be,” Starlight waved aside. “You just... perceive this overwhelming feeling as a bad one. You never were one for showing feelings, right?” “It showed your enemy a response,” Tempest explained. “Gave them weapons to use against you.” “We love you, Tempest,” Starlight assured. “We’d never use you like the Storm King did.” That truth, one that Tempest treasured so intimately, was in the open, and Tempest’s tears flowed freely now. "Sunset," Twilight whispered. The pony was so unfamiliar. The human was what Twilight always thought of. "I'm… finally home where I belong," Sunset said. She spread her arms, looking around the map room. "In Equestria? Sure. But… oh, Twilight, coming home to heaven! Everything hits you at once, and you remember it all, and the entire thing just… it's overwhelming in the best way possible." Twilight was smiling. How could she not? Sunset was happy at last! "I was watching it all. After I got comfortable with my surroundings in heaven, I saw your trip on Equus." "Were you not allowed to interfere?" "Not… directly. I couldn’t pop out of heaven and give you guidance. But I want you to know… you weren't alone." “I was never alone,” Twilight told her. “I always had them.” She gestured to the rest of her friends. “But you’re… special. I could connect with you on a level that they just couldn’t reach. Sometimes, despite them all being there, I really did feel… isolated. Like no one could understand me the same way you did. So… thanks. I think I feel a lot better about that.” “Same here,” Sunset affirmed. “The only other pony I might relate to more than you is maybe Starlight. When she arrived, I was the first to greet her. She’s my newest friend.” That was when Twilight understood at last what death really was. Not a barrier. But a gate. Friendships could transcend death. Sunset motioned as if to reach for Twilight, but she stopped herself. “You changed my life, Twilight.” Twilight’s heart somersaulted. “I’m… happy I did.” “We get to finally talk again. But… not forever. We’ll have to get going soon.” “Wait,” Twilight implored. “Before you do… I need to know. When can I see you again?” Sunset tilted her head. “It… depends. Now that Solaris is defeated, angels are visiting Equus more frequently. I might be able to visit a few times. But I’m not sure when. Or if. This might be all you ever get.” “Until I come up there too,” Twilight said. Tears were gathering in her eyes. “...If this is all we get,” Sunset said, “then what are we going to talk about?” Neither pony answered. But it was almost better than talking. Nothing needed to be said. “Children,” Faust’s gentle voice eventually rang. “We must be going.” “How long has it been?” Pinkie exclaimed. “It can’t be over so soon!” “Just a bit longer!” Rainbow pleaded. “No, she’s right,” Starlight told them all. “We belong in different homes.” Final goodbyes sounded off for all the angels. The ponies waved, calling for their welfare. Pinkie, distinct above the others, promised she'd try to write. Nopony knew how it would work, but no one asked. Sunset, Starlight, and Firestorm hopped onto the table and gathered around Faust’s outspread wings like chickens under a hen. Once all three ponies were inside the pillar of light, Firestorm spoke for the final time. "You know," he said, taking in the survivors. "That was a fun adventure, wasn't it?" He adjusted his mane and looked at the ground. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant I'd be with you." A soft smile was on everypony's face as the angels glowed ever brighter. With a flash, they disappeared, and the room was back to normal. Right outside, Celestia's sun was rising over Ponyville. The new day had come. And at long last, all was well again in Equestria.