//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: A Dodgy Business 
// by MLP-Silver-Quill 
//------------------------------//

	Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestira and beloved of the sun, wanted very much to chuck her paperwork out the tower window. Even in the comfort of her study, with a warm drink at her side and resting atop her bed, she just couldn’t relax. Reports on the Griffon Empire, whispers of plots across the seas, a banquet to prepare and logistics for Twilight Sparkle’s new role. 
A thousand years of life experience, and she still wondered if she’d ever get ahead of paperwork. 
A gout of green fire swept in through a chute next to the fireplace. Celestia smiled as she shook her pastel mane out of its path. It had been a good while since she’d received a friendship report from her little ponies. What a wonderful distraction. 
The green fire swirled and solidified into a roll of parchment that Celestia caught up in her magical field. Applejack’s hoofwriting, without a doubt. She was one of the few ponies to write the letters herself rather than dictate to Spike. Hopefully this wouldn’t be another “I was right all along” lesson. 

Dear Princess Celestia, 

I’ve always prided myself on being a good worker. Been at it so long that I sometimes forget that not every pony knows the same as myself. I realized that it can be easy to lose sight of what it’s like to not be familiar with something, and to become impatient when somepony isn’t catching on as quick as I think they should. 

But thanks to a brave pony (who’s asked to remain nameless), I learned today that just because a pony might not be the best at a task, that’s no reason to just give up on him. A good heart and a strong will can accomplish amazing things. Things that no pony would’ expect. If you give your friends a chance and keep faith, they might just shine brighter than you could imagine. 

Your loyal subject,
Applejack

Celestia smiled and set the letter down near the shelf where she kept previous reports. Little things like that reminded her of why she helped shepherd the land. To see her ponies learn and grow and leave the world a better place than when they arrived. That was her truest pleasure. 
	A good heart and a strong will. 
She stood and stretched out her wings, vowing to go for a flight after setting the sun. She went to the open window to breath in the summer air and allow her mind a chance to wander. 
On a nearby table waited several more reports. News of an explosion near Dodge Junction. The collapse of abandoned mines that had long been considered a hazard. Thousands in property damage, but no loss of life. Also news of two ruthless bandits captured along with their employer and her gang. That had been a lingering headache. Celestia had taken note of the growing debt problem in Dodge and set her staff to finding the solution, but it seemed some very accident-prone ponies had stepped in and found a way. And they’d managed to accomplish the task legally, if not with perfect cleanliness. 
Celestia smiled and looked out across the land. They wouldn’t hear her, but she wanted to say it all the same. 
“Well done, Applejack. Well done, Clutterstep.”