Chapter 17
Twilight finally came back into consciousness in the confines of her own bed. Looking around, she could see balloons, “get well” cards, candies, pastries and books had formed a nearly impenetrable blockade around her bed. But there was a single chair, directly to her right, that contained exactly who she needed to see.
Spike was dozing off, his head lying on Twilight’s bed, with a thin line of saliva trailing from the corner of his mouth.
She put her hoof on top of his head and shook him gently.
“Twilight…?” the dragon muttered still half asleep. When he saw her up, he snapped awake.
“TWILIGHT!” He leapt out of his chair and into a her embrace.
“Spike…I’m so glad to see you again.”
“Ditto! You’ve been unconscious for three days! Everypony’s been so worried!”
“Three days!?” Twilight was horrified by this prospect. Catatonia was no excuse for tardiness, after all.
“Yeah, everyone’s been waiting for you Twilight! You gotta see Ponyville! It’s amazing!”
***
Twilight needed a little help getting down the stairs of the library since her legs were stiff from not being used. But outside was a wondrous sight. The town, so near total collapse when Twilight had seen it before, was well on its way back to being re-built. All around her she saw ponies of all stripes coming together to re-build their lost homes and businesses.
Applejack was leading a ground of Earth ponies as they pulled up the wall of a 3 story building.
Rainbow Dash was zipping along at top speed, hammering and drilling wherever in Ponyville she was needed.
Fluttershy directed dozens of her animal friends as they helped carry lumber and move equipment.
Rarity was hanging festive banners everywhere to keep the mood cheerful.
Pinkie Pie was playing her instruments and singing away, much to the delight of all.
The reunited Cutie Mark Crusaders tried to gain their cutie marks in construction by helping repair damaged walls.
And Zecora, looking none the worse for wear considering her possession, was tending to injured ponies lining the streets, giving them herbal remedies and sagacious advice.
Twilight was smiling broadly, happy to see her home getting back on its hooves again.
“None of this would have been possible without you.”
Twilight jumped. Princess Celestia appeared to her right, seemingly out of nowhere.
“Princess Celestia!”
“Hello, Twilight” The Princess greeted with a smile, “It’s good to see you up and about. I’ve been here, waiting to see you.”
“You’ve been in Ponyville for three days? What about Canterlot?”
“Luna has things well in hoof back in Canterlot. I needed to attend to the health of my personal student. When Sombra possessed you, he could have done some serious damage to you. I wanted to be near, in case anything went awry. But you seem to be recovering just fine!”
“Princess… Sombra told me some things about himself…” Twilight wasn’t sure she wanted to go down this road, but she wanted to know too much to let it go “And about Cadance…”
The Sun Princess hung her head.
“I suppose he would, wouldn’t he?”
“Is it true?”
“I don’t know how much he told you, Twilight, but Sombra would have no reason to lie. He is Cadance’s relative. And yours now too.”
“I was only barely myself when you arrived Princess, but I could see through my eyes… You were so angry…”
“King and Queen Cadenza were very good friends of mine” Celestia stated, her voice growing hard “And he killed them… That’s why I’ve taken care of Cadance until now and why I’ve given her back her Empire.”
The moment passed in silence.
“But that is in the past Twilight Sparkle” Celestia said, her good humor back “We can all look forward to the future. A future without King Sombra to cast his shadow over it, thanks to you and your friends.”
Celestia took several steps away from Twilight.
“Now that I know you’re safe, I should probably return to Canterlot.”
Celestia opened her wings to take off.
“Princess, wait!” Twilight interjected.
“Yes?” Celestia put her wings back down.
“Can I give you a quick friendship report?”
“… Of course, my dear Twilight; tell me what you’ve learned.”
“I learned that everypony has fears. Sometime they’re external fears like scary creatures or getting hurt, or internal fears like loneliness or rejection. But all of these fears can be laid to rest with the help of a good friend, because friends are there to shoulder each other’s burdens as well as share their blessings. And together, friends can have the courage to face anything!”
“A very wise lesson, Twilight,” Celestia complimented “And speaking of your friends, I think they see you.”
She pointed her fore hoof over Twilight’s shoulder and saw her friends galloping her way.
“I understand Pinkie Pie delayed the ‘We Defeated the Evil King Sombra’ Party because you were unconscious,” Celestia mentioned, “I’m sure they’re all looking forward to that.”
With a mighty whoosh of her wings, Princess Celestia took off into the blue sky, heading back towards Canterlot.
With her friends nearing, Twilight Sparkle just looked towards the sky, a big smile spread across her face.
Everything was going to be alright after all.
THE END