//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: Shakespony: Twelfth Night 
// by DisneyFanatic23 
//------------------------------//

	The reunion of the Apple siblings and their dear captain was a happy one. Iron Will was surprised to see Big Macintosh, but he was so overjoyed, he did not ask questions, at least not until they had finished their embraces.

The Duke released Trixie as well, since she had saved both his fiancée and his future brother-in-law. However, she was warned that if she committed any more offenses, she would be imprisoned permanently.

Iron Will still had Applejack's old garments, but they were so tattered that she did not bother wearing them. Instead, she borrowed one of Twilight's gowns and Spike was fully convinced that there was no sight lovelier than that of his beloved.

A grand wedding took place the next day, where the four happy couples were married by Princess Celestia herself. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were the flower girls, while Button Mash carried the rings.

As each of the couples were pronounced husbands and wives, every pony rejoiced. Well, except for one.

Trixie sat slumped in her seat, her forelegs crossed as she sadly watched Big Macintosh kiss his new bride. Iron Will, who was sitting next to her, noticed her expression. After having everything explained to him, he had made the connection between Trixie and Big Macintosh.

"You okay?" he asked her.

"Yeah," she grumbled. "I'll be fine."

"Well," he sighed, "don't worry about it. There are other fish in the sea."

"You have someone special in your life?"

"No, not yet."

"What are you going to do after this?"

"The Duke granted Iron Will a ship. After Iron Will sails Big Mac and his wife back to Haystings, he's going to retire, see the world, go wherever the wind takes him."

Trixie looked the minotaur over, briefly admiring the muscles in his chest.

"Mind if Trixie comes with you?"

Being married to Big Macintosh made Rarity the new Duchess of Haystings, which meant she had to sail back with him. This made Sweetie Belle the new heir to the manor, but as she was so young, Rarity left Discord and Fluttershy as caretakers. She was quite upset with what her uncle had done to Cranky, but seeing that being married to Fluttershy had created a change in him, she forgave him. They appointed Soarin and Rainbow Dash as captains of their guard, despite the latter being female. With them, they brought Scootaloo and Button Mash, much to Sweetie Belle's delight.

Rarity felt it was best to let Cranky go, as the trick pulled on him had affected him greatly. Pinkie Pie, feeling bad for what she had taken part in, introduced Cranky to a female donkey named Matilda. Let's just say that Cranky is not so cranky anymore.

The ponies of Haystings rejoiced at their duke's miraculous return, and rejoiced even more when they saw he had come home with a bride. Big Mac's Aunt and Uncle Orange, who had been running things in his absence, were shocked and relieved to see him, as they had thought he and his sisters had drowned.

Applejack stayed in Illyrimane with her new husband. Applebloom continued to live them, so she could still visit Sweetie Belle and their new playmates. Twilight and Flash set out to travel the world while Spike and Applejack ruled Illyrimane.

There had never been a finer Duke and Duchess. They ruled with justice and generosity, helping those less fortunate and giving every pony, even criminals, a chance. Applejack insisted that they give mares high positions in their court, a request which Spike was happy to oblige. His new wife had changed his view entirely on females, that they were as equal as males.

Spike planted some apple trees in the garden just for his wife. The manor is gone now, but the trees still stand today as a reminder of the great romance that took place there.

As for the fool, Pinkie Pie, she decided it was time to hit the road again. After the wedding reception, she packed her instruments and skipped down the trail. She came to rest on a cliff overlooking the sea. She breathed in the salty air and looked out on the horizon.

"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended..."

Wrong play, Pinkie.

"Oh. Well then... It is not the fashion to see the mare the epilogue..."

Wrong play!

"A glooming peace this morning with it brings..."

Pinkie! Didn't you get the script?

Pinkie took out a thick booklet and flipped to the last page.

"Oh, okay! Now I remember!"

She cleared her throat and began to sing:

"When that I was but a little tiny foal, 
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, 
A foolish thing was but a troll, 
For the rain is raining every day. 

"But when I came to mare's estate, 
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, 
'Gainst knaves and thieves mares shut their gate, 
For the rain is raining every day. 

"But if I came, alas, to wed, 
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, 
My husband would have sooner fled, 
For the rain is raining every day.

"But when I came unto my beds, 
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain, 
With cupcakes still had drunken heads, 
For the rain is raining every day.

"A great while ago the world begun, 
With hey, ho, the wind and the rain,
But that's all one, our story's done, 
And we'll strive to please you every day."

Then the jester took off her hat and held it out in front of her.

"So give us your money, Bronies! Storytelling ain't free!"