//------------------------------// // Epilogue - Dear Princess Celestia... // Story: My Little Warcraft - New Friends // by Shin Guyviroth //------------------------------// While Ponyville had seen its share of bluster and excitement in the days gone by, Canterlot still kept its streets organized and, well, not destroyed. Even as the sun began to sink into the horizon as the day began to end, the streets were still occupied by the out-going socialites of Equestrian society. Some carried bags and satchels over their backs, full from their day-long shopping spree; others sat in the coffee shops and cafés, enjoying a good cappuccino and such. Others were just waiting for the night to roll on by before enjoying the evening with their companions. But a couple of special Alicorns had other matters to attend to. Within the highest tower of Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia sat by a low desk, her head almost buried in a pile of papers and opened books. Her eyes dropped a little before she suddenly jolted her head up, trying to keep herself awake for what was a painfully boring reading session. Her mouth opened widely, letting out a quiet yawn. "I could have sworn it was in this book," she mumbled to herself before flipping the page over with a hoof. A couple of knocking sounds came from the door. "Sister," a voice called out, "are you busy?" "N-not at all, Luna," called Celestia, trying to keep her words from slurring from fatigue. "Come on in." The door creaked a little as it opened inwards, Luna pushing it open with a hoof. "You are still searching for his book, sister?" "I've gone through all that I have -- even all of the parchments and scrolls that he kept in the library -- and I still haven't found it…" Luna's eyes shifted away. Slowly her horn began to glow, creating the same glow around a small tome on her back. "This is… because I had it…" Celestia's eyes looked up, widened, almost fully awake as she watched the book float from behind Luna towards her, following it with her head as it planted itself upon the desk. "… But… Luna," she said, "what were you doing with this book?" "I took the book… a long time ago. I used it to try and learn all of his spells, but I never got very far with it. A lot of complicated things within those pages. I'm sorry I didn't inform you sooner, sister, but… I have my doubts." Celestia paused for a moment, her eyes shifting to her sister with disappointment. But they quickly changed as she giggled. "I see you're not lost your touch," she replied with a smile. "You could always read me like an open book." "I still do not believe that she is ready for the challenge that you wish to present to her, sister." "I understand your concern, Luna," Celestia replied as she sat from her desk, making her way over to the window. "That is why I have decided not to task Twilight with it until we both agree that she is ready for it, though I would still like to keep his book within reach should it be required." Luna made her way over to the desk, looking down upon the opened pages of the book. The handwriting was neat, formatted perfectly into paragraphs and bullet points. Diagrams were drawn in several places, showing constellations, vials, pony anatomy, and other drawings. "… I remember when he first started writing this," spoke Luna, her voice ambivalent. "Star Swirl always was a highly gifted Unicorn," replied Celestia. "Do you remember when we explored the caves of Maretania? How he combined the Light spell with the candlestick to enchant it?" "I was surprised that even a studious stallion like him could learn to master enchantment spells so quickly." "A powerful caster, he was. No matter was adversary he faced, nothing was too big nor too dangerous for him to overcome. And yet, no matter how powerful he grew to be… he could not stop the flow of time… Now, the only things left of him are his papers." Tension settled upon the room like a heavy blanket, almost smothering the Princess' under its weight, choking them of whatever oxygen filled their lungs. "… Sister," Luna eventually spoke, "it is Saturday, is it not? Have you not received a letter from your "faithful student"?" "I have not," replied Celestia, though with a smile as she turned to Luna. "I think that, with all that has happened to her in these few days, she has probably forgotten. It's not a problem though." A sudden flash of light shone in front of Celestia, causing her to recoil her head and squint her eyes. From the shining light came the silhouette of an envelope, sealed with wax and two pieces of red ribbon. "Oh! speaking of which," she said gleefully with surprise. Grasping it with her magic, she quickly opened it and withdrew the paper from inside. "Dear Princess Celestia, I have come to learn a lot this week, especially where friends are concerned. In these last few days, I've come to know a whole lot of new people, from small dwarves, to black-humoured trolls, to really-scary-but-not-actually-scary wolf-like creatures. Even though we only met for not even a full day, I felt a great connection with them. Kind of like our hearts were connected. But I've also learned of something I never thought I would experience something, or at least hoped I would never experience. I learned of what it was like to suddenly lose a friend forever. When Gai'vahros was given the chance to return to his own world, I felt my heart sink. I felt it crack in two. And I felt it shatter in my chest. I found myself crying over the prospect of never seeing him again. But it is with great joy that he has decided to stay here. Even though if he stays here it means we'll have to deal with his sister, I don't think any of us were convinced she would have followed him back home anyway. I don't think I can convey with ink and parchment how happy I am -- how happy we all are -- that he's staying with us. It's like making friends with everyone all over again! ~Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle" "Isn't that sweet, Luna?" cooed Celestia. "I remember when Twilight first wrote when she made all her friends in Ponyville. I'm glad that she's having a great time with Gai'vahros." Luna smiled and nodded. "I think so, too. But there's more in the envelope." "Oh?" Once more, Celestia focused her magic upon the contents, pulling out several thick, glossy pieces of paper. "Photographs?" "And there are things written on the back, too." The two Princess met with one-another as they walked over to the desk. The two of them looked over the photographs one by one, smiling and giggling at each one. "We told Gai'vahros that the pool near Ponyville would help heal the wound he got yesterday. I think he was expecting a nice, relaxing bath, but… well, Pinkie Pie happened." "After his bath, Rainbow Dash told him that we could totally make his hair look twenty percent cooler. I don't think he had this in mind, though." "This is Gidwin, our dwarf friend. Yes, he is that small. From what I have observed, the only sustenance that a dwarf needs is alcohol. Luckily, Applejack had some cider on hoof, but I think they both went a bit overboard with the drinking…" "Tarenar is another elf whom we met, and Gidwin's best friend. He's a lot more lightened up than Gai'vahros -- and younger-looking, too -- but I don't think his hair nearly as cool-looking. Pinkie Pie wanted to throw a "we-just-made-three-new-friends party", and Tarenar was the first to get with the festivities." "Fiona is a scary-looking "worgen" -- some sort of bipedal wolf person, but she's a good person when you see past her ragged fur, long claws, and sharp teeth. Rarity really didn't like her outfit, so she made her a new one! And yes, that is her happy face… I think." "I was surprised that Gai'vahros had a baby dragon companion that he looked after. I was even more surprised when she kept chasing Spike, too! It was so adorable that I had to get a quick picture of it!" The two shared a huge smile, giggling as they got to the last photo. But as Celestia flicked it to the back, there was a folded piece of parchment between it and the first photo. "Huh? This isn't a photograph," pondered Celestia. Quickly she tilted and unfolded it. Upon it was another letter. "I don't recognize this handwriting." "Well, let us read it," suggested Luna. "Gai'vahros…" Celestia folded the parchment back before placing it back into the envelope with the rest of the contents, sitting in upon her desk. "I expect a great deal of things from him… "But I also sense an even greater deal of misfortune…"