//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: The Day Before // by Dr. Rarity //------------------------------// The uncomfortable silences of the trek into the forest were broken with the rising sun, the six ponies whisked away on the wind back to Ponyville. It was a lively few minutes, the magic under their hooves carrying them the whole way, courtesy of Celestia, but it was speaking so freely between them that truly made the trip brisk. It was as if a heavy load had been lifted off all their shoulders. Nonetheless, they touched down on the outskirts of town, to walk the rest of the way. They lost sight of the princesses some time ago, but they elected to head into town, only too soon seeing them standing in the square. The first thing they noticed, of course, were four figures on the edge of town, waiting for them. Three fillies and a baby dragon, all in a row, stood in front of them, the yellow earth pony leaping into action immediately, heading straight for Jacqueline. "Jackie! Yer alright!" The small earth pony squealed out, not stopping as a heartfelt embrace followed. Apple Bloom practically crawled all over Jacqueline, who giggled excitedly at her estranged sister's wiggling embrace. "Apple Bloom," She smiled, "Why aren't you back at the farm?" She tried to sound stern, but couldn't keep from being overjoyed herself. She leaned over, letting Apple Bloom slide off her back, where she could give her a proper embrace. "They wanted to be right here when you got back," Spike interrupted, stepping forward himself. "I couldn't stop them, so we stayed right here all night." He tried to keep his cool around the lot of them, until Twilight strode up. He immediately slumped down, staring up in fear; she was going to reprimand him for not taking charge of the situation, he just knew it. Instead, she dropped her chin on his shoulder, drawing herself closer in the gesture. "Twilight? Are you okay?" "I thought I'd never see you again," She choked out. Spike couldn't see her tearing up from this angle, but he could hear her voice crack. Spike couldn't remember ever seeing her like this, and it scared him even more. So much, he held onto her neck, not wanting to let her go. "I'm your assistant, Twi. You couldn't get rid of me if you tried," Spike joked best he could, but he could feel Twilight getting heavier, her legs giving out on top of him. He could bear this burden for a moment, but finally gave up, lying down beside her. It was Sweetie Belle's turn, coming up to Rarity, doing her best to keep it together. Rarity looked down on her proudly, putting one hoof on her shoulder. She didn't say anything, just moved beside her, ready to head home right then. Sweetie Belle didn't budge, however, and Rarity rethought her decision, sticking around just a while longer. Rainbow Dash, however, looked past all of these, to Scootaloo. She sat completely still, looking away with a scoff. Dash wondered about that only for a moment, walking up to her directly. "Hey," she began simply enough. "How're you doing?" Scootaloo stayed silent through the pleasantries, peering up to Dash, trying to play it cool. The filly felt just as awkward, though, and stood up to meet Rainbow Dash with a bow. Dash was a little surprised by that reaction, but smiled, placing a hoof on the little pony's shoulder. "Can I be your squire?" Scootaloo piped up at last, leaving Rainbow Dash speechless. "I'm... not a knight," Dash worked out after an uncomfortable silence. Scootaloo stared up at her hopefully with large eyes. "But I can teach you what I do know," she finally relented. She reached a hoof under Scootaloo, propping her onto her back as leading the way toward town proper once more. The others were soon to follow, their party larger than ever. As they worked their way down the street, they came to a large procession of ponies in the square. All was silent around them, the road they took clearing as they arrived. Rainbow Dash looked straight ahead, spotting Celestia and Luna sitting in front of town hall, right back where it belonged. The three fillies took a cue from the princess' gaze to depart into the crowd, and she rose a hoof in signal as they stood on their own. Immediately everypony in town cheered loudly for their heroes. Fluttershy winced at the noise briefly, but soon eased into a more natural stance, even beaming a little to the audience. Everypony else was a little quicker to take it in, "Pink." offering a little wink back the way they came. Once they made their way up, Celestia lowered her hoof, and the cheers subsided in a wave of silence. "My loyal subjects," The princess of the sun began, "Standing before us are the bravest of us all. They ventured forth into the unknown, faced things nopony has seen for centuries, and brought my sister back to me." She paused for effect before stepping down to meet them directly. "Pink," She started a moment, but was cut off by the pony she addressed. "That's "Pink.". Always capitalized, always punctuated." The artist gave Celestia a little glare while everypony around balked, but the white alicorn only giggled slightly. "Very well... "Pink."," Celestia minded the pause this time, putting a little more emphasis on her name. "In honor of your services, I wish to display your sculpture of Twilight Sparkle right here in Ponyville, if you would allow it." "Sure," "Pink." shrugged, looking back to Jacqueline. "I was thinking of moving anyway. Manehattan's awfully boring, if the pony everypony should know is somewhere else." Jacqueline blushed at the mention, waving a hoof dismissively. Celestia, meanwhile, turned her gaze onto Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, my dear friend," She began again, standing at full attention. "Step forward." As Dash did so, she instinctively knelt before her princess, as was customary. She was surprised, however, as Celestia lowered her horn to each of her shoulders in ceremony. "You have nothing more to learn from me. You may hereafter live your life any way, and anywhere, you so choose." "Thank you, Celestia," Rainbow Dash answered informally as she rose. "I'd like to stay here... with my friends." The princess smiled, nodding to Jacqueline, Fluttershy and Rarity all at once. This did, however, leave just one more matter to attend. "Twilight Sparkle," Celestia called again. "I understand my sister made an offer to you." Twilight only nodded, sinking down a little as reminded how tempted she was. Celestia paid it no mind, instead turning to Luna with a small smile. "I have an offer of my own. With Rainbow Dash no longer under your tutelage, I would ask you turn your attentions to educating Princess Luna." "What?!" Both Twilight and Luna belted out in surprise, staring in disbelief at Celestia. "With all due respect, princess," Twilight spoke up, "What could I possibly teach her?" Luna made no such objection, but her gaze beckoned her sister to explain herself. "You have spent most of your life in the pursuit of knowledge and self-betterment," Celestia refuted, "But only this previous night have you looked outside of yourself for it. My sister has been alone for so very long, much like you. Will you accept my offer, and remain by her side?" Twilight didn't know what else to say. She turned eyes back to Luna, who met her gaze in turn, all too happy to hear this suggestion. With newfound resolve, Twilight turned back to the sun princess, nodding. "I accept," she said simply enough. She was welcomed by the princesses' sides, and the cheering began again. This time, it included the other five ponies, Spike as well, though Twilight shushed him as he was doing so right into her ear. This was the dawn of a new day, one they thought might never come, and Twilight was looking forward to the days to come. Two weeks later... Twilight walked through the palace halls at a slow pace to Luna's room, Spike by her side with a few homemade treats. It wasn't much compared to the royal chefs, but Luna had previously complimented his efforts before, it was all the encouragement he needed. He hurried along ahead of Twilight, eager to arrive, but she just plodded along, trying to keep her head up, but just didn't find the energy. They arrived at the princess' chamber, a routine knock from Twilight's own hoof. The door opened with a soft blue glow as Luna welcomed them both inside. "Twilight Sparkle, Spike," She said enthusiastically. "Good day. I trust you are well?" "I'm fine," Spike started first, remaining informal, "But Twilight's been a little slow lately." Directing his attention to Twilight again, Luna's soon followed with concern. "I see," Luna sighed a little. "I understand it is customary to ask if one 'wants to talk about it?'" Twilight looked up with a weak smile, nodding as she set herself down. "I guess," Twilight hesitated, "I'm not happy to be back in Canterlot." "Was it something I have done or said?" Luna cocked her head to one side curiously, looking as though she were ready to blame it all on herself right then. "No! No... it's just... here I am, the moon princess' tutor, in a role the envy of everypony in Canterlot... and nothing's changed." "I understand. You are... isolated?" "Yes," Twilight conceded. "It's just the way I left it. Nopony will give me a second look, I try to reach out, be polite, and nothing." "You do not belong here," Luna answered suddenly. "Excuse me?" Twilight's confusion was marked just as much by offense, hurt that Luna would say such a thing. "You miss your friends in Ponyville, is that right? You should return, for their sake and your own." "You know I can't do that, Princess Celestia charged me with your studies... and I'd be leaving you behind," Twilight hung her head at the thought. Luna only smiled then, adjusting her stance in a more official manner. "Spike," Luna spoke out authoritatively, "Take a letter." Immediately, Spike rose to the opportunity, producing a scroll and quill. "Dear Sister, I hereby request that Twilight Sparkle, my faithful tutor and good friend, be sent to Ponyville at once, as the town's head librarian. She will continue to provide my lessons through correspondence, and enriching them with her own experiences. This request shall repeat until it is approved, every morning, noon and night. Your grateful sister, Princess Luna." The letter was sent via dragonfire before Twilight could protest. All said and done, she broke down a little, rushing up with a close embrace to Luna. "Thank you," She choked out, Luna patting her back with a gentle hoof. "I'll miss you, but I promise to write every day." "Every week," Luna objected. "Think of Spike, having to send all those letters. I am not your only friend." Twilight nodded as releasing Luna, looking up with a somewhat sad smile. Already, however, Spike belched out another scroll, opening it to read aloud. "Luna, Youir request is approved, for both of your sakes. Next time, just ask me in person, our rooms are right next to each other. Your loving sibling, Princess Celestia." "Oh my gosh," Twilight gasped, "I have to go pack right now! Thank you again, princess--" "Please, Twilight," The alicorn spoke softly, "It is simply 'Luna' to you." "Right... Luna, thank you for everything. I'll never forget this, I promise." With that, Twilight and Spike were off to their chambers, to take what they could in preparation for a new life. Luna let a single tear drop, shaking her head as looking out a window. It was true, she wouldn't see her friend for some time, she knew that, but the least she could do was see she would be alright.