When I started out, I was unsure
Twilight sat watching the rising sun, with her five best friends in the world by her side. She felt a warmness deep in her heart. She leaned against Rainbow’s shoulder, and hugged them tight.
I thought I knew all that I needed, didn’t know what to expect
Starlight took a bite out of an ice cream cone, watching Sunburst with a slight smile on her face. Trixie whispered something to her, and she teleported over to give Sunburst a quick kiss.
But when my walls came down, I saw the truth
Spike ate gems out of a bowl, a self-satisfied grin on his face. Across from him, Thorax slipped a gossamer wing around Pharynx, who rolled his eyes but didn’t push him away.
All along something was missing
Yona pulled Sandbar into a kiss, grinning all the while. Sandbar returned the kiss, and they danced across the floor.
And I think you’ll see it too
Ocellus tapped a hoof in time to the music. Smolder offered a claw with a smirk. Ocellus blushed green, but nodded, and they began to dance.
This is where the magic happens
Gallus looked out the window, staring up at the ruins of Canterlot. Silverstream sat down next to him, and slipped a wing around him, hugging him tight.
This is where the magic lives
The Tree of Harmony looked out over Ponyville. Perhaps it had been too merciless and unforgiving. Perhaps... redemption was better than revenge after all.
Our friendships weave together, stronger
Starswirl approached Mistmane, Rockhoof, Flash Magnus, Meadowbrook, Somnambula, and Stygian. He offered them an approving nod. Somnambula rolled her eyes and pulled him into a group hug.
The bonds grow deeper, lasting longer
Cadance and Shining shared a long, sweet kiss, and danced together on the crystalline floor. He spun her around, then she spun him around, before embracing in front of the mixing table.
And the greatest spell you’ll know
Chancellor Neighsay looked up at the crystal palace ponderously. It felt... strange, to know that villains had helped save Equestria.
Is how the magic of friendship grows!
Celestia slipped a wing across Twilight’s back, and pulled her into a close hug. Her student had grown so much.
And no matter how much time goes by
Twilight picked up Flurry Heart, and nuzzled her cheek. The baby cooed something.
The party will still be here with some fun new games to try
Pinkie eyed up Cheese with a smirk. She bounced over to give him a big hug, and planted a kiss on his cheek. He giggled, and hugged her back.
Big adventure’s waiting, obviously
Luna whispered something to Rainbow, who smirked. Rainbow snapped a salute to her, and lit her horn up. She braced against the ground, and launched into the sky.
Long as we’re still here together, we’ll be flying happily
Lightning Dust swerved between obstacles with a huge smile on her face. Behind her, the other Washouts followed, darting between the dangers with care. She looked up to see a sonic rainboom shattering through the sky.
This is where the magic happens
Sunset Shimmer poked her head out of the portal, rolled her eyes, and teleported over to Starlight and Sunburst. She gave Starlight a quick grin, and Sunburst a noogie.
This is where the magic lives
Trixie rolled her eyes, but gave Starlight a friendly shove. Starlight shoved her back, and then hugged her.
Our friendships weave together, stronger
Double Diamond, Party Favor, Sugar Belle, and Night Glider watched the grim winter clouds disperse. The return of the Windigos was over as quickly as it had began.
The bonds grow deeper, lasting longer
The Cutie Mark Crusaders poured over a bunch of paper with crayons. On the paper was sketched Cozy Glow in a Cutie Mark Crusaders uniform.
And the greatest spell there is
Discord laughed with the Princesses, both new and old. It would be fun causing a little chaos for them as they assumed their status as rulers.
Is what the magic of friendship gives
Blueblood comfortably reclined in the Yak diplomatic embassy. He read over a letter, and smiled. Things were looking bright, even if he’d have to instruct all the new princesses on the finer points of diplomacy.
And it’s somethin’ true to pass on down to generations yet to come
Granny Smith spat on the ground. Applejack, an alicorn! Who’d’ve ever heard of such a thing? It was absurd! Ridiculous! Insane! But she and Big Mac hugged her tight anyway.
And we’ll never stop believing in the generosity of the friendship we’ve won
Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumbles wrapped their hooves around Rarity. She’d always wanted to be a princess, and she finally was one!
And because the love, that I feel
Fluttershy landed beside the Tree of Harmony, looking uneasy. Treelight stared at her calmly. Fluttershy took a deep breath, and raised her head.
For every single living creature
Her horn began to glow pale pink, and the five sticks on the ground became bathed the same color.
Is something that is real
The sticks reconstituted back into ponies. They stared at Fluttershy with a mix of sneers and scowls. With a flash of light, Fluttershy teleported them to Midnight, who regarded them coolly before pulling them into a hug.
Friendship happens so naturally
With a blast of magic, she teleported them to Grogar’s hideout - the closest thing she knew to a home. The Tree of Harmony nodded its assent.
Oh and how I used to wonder
Midnight waved goodbye to her sisters, and teleported back to the other members of the Legion of Doom.
What friendship could be!
Sombra hugged Radiant tight, tears flowing openly down his face. He felt the warmth of the sun on his cheek, and a grin cracked through his grim demeanor.
This is where the magic happens
Radiant Hope felt a surge of warmth in her chest as her beloved hugged her close. Midnight, Cozy Glow, Chrysalis, Tirek, and... Sombra. Her Sombra. Her handsome, beloved, perfect Sombra. She closed her eyes for a moment, to burn the moment into her brain forever.
This is where the magic lives
Cozy flitted back and forth around her friends. Friends, not “friends”. It seemed her final exam in friendship would be working with these ones.
Our friendships weave together stronger
Tirek sighed. What Scorpan had said... it felt odd. To be able to go home again... what would that mean? He’d spent so long fueled by bitterness and anger, and now that was evaporating like morning dew. Could he really see his family again?
The bonds grow deeper, lasting longer
Chrysalis looked across at her... ugh. Her friends. They were smiling. And the worst, most sickening part, was that that made her smile too. Maybe Pharynx was right. It did feel kind of like having her hive back...
And the greatest spell you’ll know
Midnight sized up her friends. Each of them was powerful, and in their own way, nearly unstoppable. But it had been becoming a team that had turned them invincible. Together, they could face anything. It brought a little smile to her.
Is how the magic of friendship grows
The perhaps-not-quite-villains walked slowly towards the rising sun.
How the magic of friendship grows...