//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: A Dark Twilight // by Ugly-Duckling123 //------------------------------// After the last of Sombra's screams died down in every-pony's ears the heart gave off another bust of magic Crystallizing every-pony, making their coats sparkle like the ponies outside. "Is... Is it finally over?" Spike asked hugging Twilight's leg, looking up to Rubeus, Rose an Starswirl. "Yes young dragon," Starswirl said. "After over one thousand years, it is finally over." Then he looked towards Twilight "You've got some very good friends here... Twilight Sparkle." he said smiling. "My name is..." Twilight began "What did you call be?" "Twilight Sparkle," Starswirl replied. "That is your name after all. Why?" Not knowing what to say, Twilight shook her head. "It doesn't matter. But for what it's worth, I would of loved being Clover the Clever, if it meant I could have been your student." Then she turned to Rubeus and Rose "Thank you for helping us Your Majesty's" she said bowing. "You're welcome my dear," Rubeus said nodding to Twilight. "But as we said, we should be bowing to you," Rose continued then looked over all of them, "All of you. Especially you Young Prince." she said looking at Shining Armour standing next to Cadence. "Why?" Shining asked looking up at the queen. "For looking after our daughter, and the Empire of course." Rubeus said smiling. "Your.... Your daughter?" Cadence asked eyes wide looking up at the king. "Have you never wondered why you are the Crystal Princess?" Rubeus asked raising an eyebrow to Celestia and Luna. "I... I thought it was because it was the only place that didn't have one," Cadence answered now also looking at the two sisters. Now all eyes were on the Sun and Moon Princesses, Celestia sighed. "Well I guess you were going to find out sooner or later," Celestia said shaking her head. "It goes back to when Sombra first tried to take over the Crystal Empire.... "After Rose had hidden the parts to the Crystal Scepter, she ran from the Empire and headed to Equestia, where she told us what was going on." Celestia recalled to the listening ponies. "After we heard what happened Luna and I came to the Empire, to help, only to find Sombra had already won and took over Rubeus' throne. We used the Elements against him to try and destroy him, but with out the Heart to raise the power any higher, we only could banish him, and because of his curse, the Empire as well." Luna took over. "We came home to tell Rose what had happened, to find her in bed, a doctor tending to her, saying she was pregnant. Eight months later she gave birth to you Cadence." Luna said looking at Cadence tears slightly in her eyes. "Unfortunately, because this was a long time ago, Rose died shortly afterwards. She only had time to tell us your name Mi Amore Cadensa, and asked us to look after you like aunts." Luna finished. "So... So why have you never told me this?" Cadence asked looking between Celestia and Luna. "Well... Other than the fact that you never asked," Celestia said "You were too young to hear it." "But Cadence is only a few years older than me," Twilight said "How could she be from the disappearing of the Empire?" "You seam to forget, Twilight, Alicorns age differently," Celestia said "One year to an Alicorn, is one hundred years to a normal pony." "I always wanted to know where I came from," Cadence said tears running down her cheeks, looking around. "But now I'm not so sure." "Didn't you say Hotaru's the Pony of Death and Rebirth," Fluttershy asked facing Starswirl the bearded. "I am." a new voice said, making every-pony look around to see a black mare in a full bodied cloak holding her scythe in her left hoof. "So... So can't you do something, for Cadence?" Applejack asked trying to stay calm as she was facing the pony who, by the sound of it, took her parents away. Hotaru looked up to the orange mare and remembering her. "I think I can, Applejack. But I'll only do it, if Princess Cadence wishes it." Then turning to Cadence, Rubeus and Rose, she said "I am not normally allowed to do this, but I can bring back your parents. But... Every trick comes with a price. For your parents lives I'll need that of your baby." she said pointing a hoof to Cadences tummy. Every-pony fell silent for Cadence to make up her mind. After a minute she looked to Shining with a questioning look, and he replied with a 'I'll be happy if you are' one. "I would like to have my parents please Hotaru." Cadence said looking up at Hotaru in the eye smiling a little. Suddenly Cadence, Rubeus and Rose all began to glow spreading a ray of rainbow colors around themselves. After a flash of light standing in front of every-pony was a living King Rubeus, and Queen Rose Quartz hugging their daughter who shedding tears of joy. Waterfalls were spilling out of Pinkie's eyes as she blew her nose. "Hey! You know what this calls for?" she asked, as everyone smiled and laughed. "A party?" her friends asked. "You got it!" she said getting ready to let rip her Party Cannon and shooting streamers, balloons, and confetti all around the room. But Twilight stopped her. "How about we make it a Crystal Fair Party Pinkie?" she said grinning. In all the excitement no one noticed that Applejack slipped out of the room. Applejack was by the stand for the Crystal Heart, looking at her father's old hat. Not sure whither to be happy for Cadence or upset that she got to get this choice. "Your parents raised a very good pair of children you know Applejack," Hotaru's voice caught her ears. "And you've done a very good job with Apple Bloom. I'm sure they would be proud of you." Applejack sighed and looked up to the sky. "Thanks, I think." "If it pleases you Applejack, I don't like my job." Hotaru began "I don't like how it always leaves ponies with broken hearts, some of which never heal. But, just like why Celestia and Luna need to raise the sun and moon, it needs to be done. To keep the balance in Equestia." "I understand," Applejack said eyes stinging "It... It just feels like their gone, and everyday I'm remembering less and less of them." "As long as they are in your heart they will never leave you, and you will never forget them," a new voice spoke up, getting Applejack to turn around to see Starswirl standing there too. "And I'm proud about what you told Sombra after you got out of his spell when you were getting his crown." "You... You heard that?" Applejack said not sure to be pleased or slightly embarrassed. "You would make both Appleseed and Honey-Crisp proud, Element of Honesty," Hotaru said smiling. "Thanks. Both of ya," Applejack said looking between Hotaru and Starswirl smiling, replacing her hat on her head. "You're very welcome," Starswirl said bowing slightly. "Now go or else I have a feeling you're going to miss the party." Smiling one last time Applejack ran down the steps and into center of the town where there were already tents up, and Crystal Ponies jousting. The Crystal Fair lasted a whole three days, for not only was for the defeat of Sombra, but the return of the King and Queen. The Heart was letting off the ponies love energy throughout the entire time. None of Pinkie's friends could remember one of her parties going on for so long, or it being so fun. Every-pony was happy for the lost King and Queen had returned, to their daughter and the Empire. To make the end of the Fair, Rainbow Dash did one of her Sonic-Rainboom's lighting up the sky in a rainbow of colors that could be seen from Canterlot. When the Fair was finally over and packed away Twilight, her friends, Spike, Luna and Celestia were walked back to the train station by the Crystal Royal Family, to see them off back home. "We thank you six ponies, and you Celestia and Luna, once again, for all you have done for us, our family, and our Empire." Rubeus said nodding to every-pony. "You're quite welcome Rubeus," Celestia said smiling and putting a wing over her students shoulder. "I'm sure you would have done the same for us." "I'm sure we would," Rose said smiling, looking at each of the ponies in front of her. A whistle blew, "ALL ABOARD FOR CANTERLOT!" the Stationmasters voice rang out around the platform. One by one, everyone got on to the train until Twilight was left. She hugged Shining Armour and Cadence saying "Goodbye" then unexpectedly she did the same to Rubeus and Rose, catching them a little off guard. "Thank you," she said backing off. "I know you keep saying that you should be thanking me, but if you had not helped my friends or us when we needed it, I would still be evil, and Sombra would have your Empire again." The king and queen sighed in empathy and hugged Twilight again. "LAST CALL FOR CANTERLOT." "You better get going Twili," Shining Armour said calling his sister his pet name for her. "Ok Shining," Twilight said getting on the train only to stick her head out the window to wave one last goodbye as the train started to move. She kept waving until they were no longer in sight, just as the Crystal Royal Family did, all with smiles. The biggest one belonging to Shining Armour, knowing that no matter how bad things got, his sister and her friends would always be there to help. And he would always help her in return. For he was her: Big Brother Best Friend Forever. The End