//------------------------------//
// Peace at Last 
// Story: Peace at Last? 
// by Prince_Staghorn 
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EPILOGUE


THREE WEEKS LATER… CANTERLOT…

Queen Chrysalis looked across the table at the Solar Princess. 

“I believe we have done enough to allow at least a few revisions to our contract.”

Celestia’s gaze remained stoic. She had heard the tale of the Swarm’s fight against the albino changelings, and now here she was entertaining their queen, who said they had provided Equestria with a great service.

“Chrysalis,” she began, “you described to me in detail of this battle which supposedly took place, and now you demand that we change a few terms of the contract we both signed. However, is there any actual proof that what you have said is true? Forgive me, but you are a master of deception. How am I to know this is not an elaborate ruse?”

Chrysalis smiled, and clapped her forehooves together. Two changeling attendants came in.

“Pearl? Geode? Did you bring our guest?”

The two mares smiled and nodded, heaving a bound albino soldier onto the table. The stallion thrashed and writhed, the anti-magic brace around his neck preventing him from grabbing any weapons. Chrysalis smiled.

“Now, can we at least agree on removing this bit about the necklaces and the invitation/escort procedure for visiting Canterlot?”

Celestia debated with herself. True, this soldier did give some credibility to Chrysalis’s claims, but was it enough to warrant what she asked? Celestia spent a good five minutes mulling it over. She sighed.

“Agreed, but do not abuse this privilege.”

Chrysalis smiled genuinely. “Of course.”

The changelings had officially earned their place as citizens of Equestria.


***


THE PONYVILLE LIBRARY…

Stag walked through the door. Twilight looked up from her book, as did the alicorn filly beside her. Nyx, upon catching sight of the changeling prince, sought to strategically place her mother between them. Twilight smiled.

“Nyx, this is Staghorn, Silkworm and Mandible’s father, remember? I said he would be coming over today?”

Nyx grinned sheepishly. “Oh, right. Um, Mr. Staghorn? I’m very sorry about… you know…”

The Prince looked at her. “Nyx, you have nothing to apologize for. You realized you didn’t want what everypony said you did, and you proved all those who said you could only be Nightmare Moon wrong. You apologized the day that you realized that by raising the sun. do you understand what I am saying?”

Nyx stared at the changeling. “Mandible and Silkworm were right. You do talk a lot.”

Stag burst into laughter. “Ah, youth. Twilight, you’re lucky to have this one.”

Twilight smiled and nuzzled her daughter. “I wouldn’t have her any other way.”

Across Ponyville, changelings and ponies mingled. It was true, there were a few who were still uneasy around one or the other, but peace is never easy to obtain. However, it was a start, and that was what mattered.