//------------------------------//
// Peace 
// Story: Tales of the Battle Foals 
// by Sirdubya 
//------------------------------//

As per the princess’s hospitality, the Battle Foals followed Twilight into her castle. The cozy air of an indoor sanctuary caressed their coats like a relaxing brush. After such a long and arduous journey, the foals were more than ready to relax.

“I have a large guestroom for when I have… well, a large amount of guests.” Twilight said. “I’ll have some beds set up for you, and the ponies that went to hide in the forest.”

“Thank you, Twilight.” Fire Fight said, him and his friends following the good princess to their designated lodging. 

When they got there, there were plenty of beds to accommodate each of them. They all laid right down to get some much needed rest. But then Greensprout got up. “I should make sure you’re all healed.”

“We’d appreciate that, Greensprout.” Shadow Shroud said.

And so Greensprout did. One by one, she went to everyone’s bedside and gave them a nice touch of healing from her Gaia Root, except for Frostbite seeing that him being a dragon meant he was unaffected by the magic directly; so instead, she took a stray gem that had broken off the wall and charged it with her Root’s magic, and then offered it to the drake. He consumed it, and finally felt the effect of her healing, to which he was very thankful for, at least she sensed he was under a sideways smile.

She saved the best for last, at least her best, and went to Air Slash, who was more than happy to see her, as she was him. As she healed him, she stroked his cheek. “You must’ve fought so hard.”

“We all did, my dear.” Air Slash said. “It still feels so… surreal that we won against such a titanic foe.”

“I know. I was right to come on this journey with you. I’ve become so much stronger! And I was able to help so many ponies in need.” Greensprout said. “And… well, I…” she said blushing and eyeing around.

Air Slash reached up and pecked her cheek. “We came together. You… helped soften my prideful heart. You did things for our team that none of us ever could.” He said. “I… hope we can keep seeing each other.”

Greensprout slowly frowned. “Oh, yes. We’ll all be going home, I suppose.” She lamented. “I suppose you and I can write to each other often.”

“Fret not, Greensprout.” Air Slash said. “I might be able to convince my father to station me in your abbey. My clan is all over Equestria after all, no reason why one of us couldn’t be there.”

Greensprout’s smile returned. “I’d love that!” She finished healing him, but remained beside him. “Umm… would you like some company?”

Air Slash chuckled. “Sure.” He scooted aside so that Greensprout could crawl over beside him, and they snuggled.

“Young colt! I believed I taught you modesty when with a lady.” said an older voice.

The two looked up and were surprised to see who had arrived. “Father!” Air Slash said, seeing the smug grin on the adult samurai’s face, prompting the two foals to break away.

Knight’s Soul chuckled. “I jest, I jest.” He said as the Bladerunners under his command followed him in, all of them looking decently tired and beat up.

“Goodness!” Greensprout said, leaping out of the bed to go heal them.

Already surprised to see the Bladerunners, the foals were pleasantly shocked to see all the other civilians follow them in as well.

“Tidal Wave!” Sky Strike said, running to his son’s side. “How are you!? Are you badly hurt!?”

Tidal Wave laughed. “What do you think, dad?”

Sky Strike smiled. “Yeah, I figured, my awesome little superhero!” he said, ruffling his son’s mane.

“Mom! Dad!” Fire Fight said, excited to see his parents run up to him.

Cat and Fist warmly embraced their son. “Oh, sweetie!” Cat said.

“Heya, champ!” Fist said.

They let go. “How’d you guys get back so soon?” Fire Fight asked.

“When all the snow suddenly melted away, we figured it was all over, so back we came!” Cheerilee said.

“Ms. Cheerilee!” Fire Fight said. He then saw all of his classmates rush in and surround him and his friends, namely him being surrounded by the CMC, Button Mash, and Diamind Tiara and Silverspoon.

“Fire Fight, ya did it!” Applebloom said.

“Dude! I can’t believe it!” Scootaloo said.

“I can! He and the Battle Foals are powerhouses!” Sweetie Belle said.

“You’re not too beaten up, are you?” Diamond asked. Silverspoon was behind trying in vain to cover her tomato-red face.

Fire Fight shook his head. “Nah. Greensprout’s good about keeping us patched up. Besides…” He stumbled to his hooves and spread his new wings. “I think this counts as an improvement.”

Everypony fell silent, and gazed awestruck upon the young colt’s attained ascension.

“Honey… you… Am I seeing things!?” Cat said.

“Dude! No way!” Button said.

“My hero!” Silverspoon cooed.

“Yep!” Fire Fight said. He flapped his wings and hovered into the air above them… and then instantly began to fumble around unbalanced. “Whoa. Whuh! WAAAH!” 

And he fell out of the sky and into his father’s arm, who put him down. “Yep. That’s a new set of wings alright!” Fist said.

“What gives!?” Fire Fight said. “I was flying like a pro when I was fighting Snowdrop!”

“It’s amazing what an adrenaline rush can do for your physical parameters.” Quantum Tech said.

Fire Fight sighed. “Goodbye, confidence…”

Shadow Shroud popped up next to him. “Aww. Don’t give us that.” She said with a kiss to his cheek. She noticed Silverspoon giving her a nasty glare, but she just grinned at her.

“I’m so glad you guys toughed it out!” Spiral Galaxy said.

“Between that, Fire Fight becoming an alicorn, defeating Snowdrop, and restoring Equestria from an icy hellscape, today’s just been amazing!” Tidal Wave said.

“Our whole journey was amazing!” Bullseye said.

“Real shame I was only around for like 10% of it. Oh well.” Frostbite said.

“Yes. You all went on an amazing journey of self-discovery, even if it was fraught with so much peril and dread.” Cheerliee said. “I… suppose this means you’ll all be going home, doesn’t it.”

The Battle Foals’ joy and bravado suddenly dissolved into sorrow, and they looked around the room at each other. In each other’s eyes, they saw friends, family even. And now, they felt their picture-perfect family drifting apart.

“Father…” Air Slash said. “I’d… like to request that you station me in Gardenia… so I can at least be close to Greensprout.”

“When you’re of age, boy.” Knight’s Soul said. “Plus, even though you contributed to a world-saving feat, you’ve still yet to complete your training. You know the way of our clan.”

Air Slash sighed. “Yes, father.” He said, noticing how dejected Greensprout looked. The other foals shared in her sadness, eyeing towards their particularly closer pals.

“Hey, don’t look so down, guys.” Sky Strike said. “You could always write to each other. No reason why you couldn’t find some days to meet up and just… be friends, you know?”

“I guess, but…” Tidal Wave muttered.

“It just feels like we’re about to be ripped apart…” Quantum Tech said.

“Yeah, I mean… a few of us don’t even have a place to go… yet.” Bullseye said.

“Worry not, Battle Foals.” Celestia said, walking in. “I’m pleased to report that your families were able to evacuate safely. I’ve sent orders to direct them here… most of them, anyway. Not all of them are willing, or even able, to reconcile with you.”

Quantum Tech rolled her eyes. “I can take a wild guess as to one those parties.” She sassed.

“They might’ve evacuated, but… but if they…” Spiral said.

“Ain’t made it out?” Turf War asked.

“Mighty Battle Foals, have some faith.” Celestia said. “You have cleared the storm that threatened all that you loved. Surely, they are safe and sound thanks to your efforts.”

The Battle Foals smiled at the princess’s reassurance. “Much obliged, Yer Highness.” Kickback said.

“But what of those amongst us who do not have loving families to return to?” Zebota asked. “Shrapnel and I can fare well on our own, but I… worry for my friends.” Shrapnel lightly whimpered.

Celestia giggled. “Not to worry. Twilight already helped me make some arrangements for those less fortunate.” She said with a wink.

A glint of hope twinkled in the eyes of the foals in question.

“Even so… I’m gonna miss you guys. It was pretty awesome squadding up with folks as tough as me!” Valkyrie said.

“Yeah… I, uh… kinda don’t wanna leave you guys.” Frostbite. “I-I mean… One of us has gotta keep their guard up in case another Snowdrop pops up, and well… I wanna be ready to protect you all.”

“Well, I want to make it perfectly clear that each and every one of you are welcome to visit our family any time!” Cat said, her husband nodding firmly. “So why don’t I go ahead and make all you hardened warriors some much-needed home cooking?”

All the Battle Foals cheered. “You need some help in the kitchen?” Fire Fight asked.

“Uh-uh, mister! You’re staying right that and getting your rest.” Cat said.

“Don’t wanna sprain your calves from overexertion again, do you?” Fist asked.

Fire Fight looked around nervously. “I… don’t know what you’re talking about.” He could hear Shadow Shroud giggling behind him.

“And Shadow Shroud,” Cat said to her. “thank you again for looking out for my son.”

Shadow Shroud leapt up onto Fire Fight’s bed next to him. “My pleasure!” She snuggled up next to him. “Mm! So warm…”

Fire Fight chuckled. “You pointing out the obvious, or was that a compliment?” he teased.

“Hmm… Yes!” Shroud said.

And with that, Cat went into the kitchen to prep the Battle Foals a well-deserved meal to celebrate their journey’s epic conclusion… with some of them being more weary than others of their futures…