Celestia reflected upon everything that had happened. It seemed like only a few moments. Short moments in her long life. Canterlot had been invaded once, not too long ago, and then there had been the night of burning, somewhat recently.
She thought of her students and what they had done. Everything that they had done. They had grown in leaps and bounds, full of endless potential, finding ways to overcome almost any task placed before them, and trusting in one another. A powerful friendship had formed. Hoodwink stood as the head of that friendship, in a solid position of leadership. Celestia felt hope, burning through her, as hot as the sun, optimism blooming through her breast. Hope would see her through this, and would see Equestria through this. Celestia needed something to place her faith in, and Hoodwink had proven a valuable vessel.
Celestia thought of Twilight and felt a pang. Twilight believed in ghosts now. She thought of that day, remembering the image of the pony on the wall. Celestia regretted her wish. Twilight was with foal. And not well. The recent events had simply been too much. Twilight had always had a fragile mental state. Twilight’s strength had always came from her friends, and now, some were gone.
The Element of Generosity was gone from them forever.
It was not an easy thing to accept. Death was becoming common now. Equestria had been peaceful for a very long time. The peace had ended. Riots, protests, angry demonstrations, murders, bombs, so much had changed so quickly. The Collective loomed like a shadow over the whole land.
Celestia sighed, blinking back tears. This moment would pass as well, like so many others had. And she would live again in happier times. She had hope of that.
Celestia took comfort in the one thing that had come out of all of this trouble.
Ponies were discovering their strengths and real unity between all of the pony tribes was stronger than it had ever been.
Some other pony…
Luna watched the guard drilling in the yard. Brimstone was among them now. He had earned his helmet. Savage, Nightfisher’s mother, had taken Brimstone one night, secreting him away in a ritual that only lunar pegasi took part in, and had inducted him into the ranks of intelligence. Brimstone was the only non lunar pegasi to officially join the Shadowborne ranks. His creation of the ear language had left a deep impression upon the lunar pegasi, who loved brooding and silence. There was also the fact that Brimstone’s odd stench causing teleportation completely ignored magical defenses and wards. Intelligence was the most difficult field to be selected for. But Brimstone had proven himself. Lunar foals were snatched away early, the moment they showed promise, and inducted into various ranks, nurturing their budding skills.
Luna’s chest burned with fierce pride, knowing that her colt had proven himself. Her colt. Her pride burned as brightly as the stars. It blazed through her body, filling her being, and gave her strength to go on. It gave her courage to continue facing the long night, the darkness, and all of the danger to be found there. Pride and patriotism within the ranks would carry Equestria through these troubles. She was sure of it.
Luna sighed. The magistrates refused to acknowledge Brimstone as her own. But the lunar pegasi recognised him as Luna’s. This was causing a slight rift. It was somewhat worrisome. Luna pushed it from her mind though. It was of no real consequence.
Luna thought of Ivy. Brimstone had to be the bravest colt in the world, becoming infatuated with Ivy. Luna idly wondered if she would be looking after some grandfoals some day, grandfoals with dragon blood. It was too early to tell, but Cadance had seemed so insistent. Luna hoped that Cadance would be proven right with time. Ivy. Brimstone’s inspiration. She had watched Ivy grow. She recalled fond memories of Ivy when Ivy was still very small.
Luna watched the guard below. A long rank of foals were being taught how to march.
A group of students had been taught how to trust in one another as friends. Time marched ever onward, unstoppable. A new generation was coming forward.
The Collective had no chance, Luna reflected.
Some other pony…
Cadance sat in a chair beside Twilight’s bed, having just finished reading Twilight a letter from Ivy. Twilight was starting to doze again, exhausted from just listening to a letter. But Twilight was smiling faintly and that made Cadance happy.
Cadance was grateful that the Crystal Empire seemed mostly untouched by the violence that wracked the rest of Equestria. It was quiet here. Soothing. Ponies were flocking here from all over, seeking the peace and safety that the Crystal Empire offered. Their population had quadrupled. Maybe more. The Crystal Empire would find a way to shelter them and look after their needs. Cadance would see to it. Somehow.
She thought of Minerva, and Minerva’s part in a glorious new language. Cadance felt a blazing love for her student. Minerva had proven herself. She was the fine capable filly that Cadance knew she could be. Cadance drew strength from love. She smiled, knowing that love would see them through these times.
Cadance lifted her head as Twilight stirred, her body writhing under the blankets, murmuring Rarity’s name. She hoped that Twilight’s love would see her through. Darkness loomed ahead, of this, Cadance was certain. Love would light the way.
Love like Ivy’s love, simple and pure, uncluttered, strong. She loved everything around her in an impossible to understand sort of way. And she loved Brimstone most of all. Ivy treasured ponies. Cadance took solace in these thoughts.
Minerva had learned to love herself. She was confident now, assured. She had grown so much. Cadance understood that Minerva would be the steady place that her friends could fall back upon. A rock. Or in this case, the crystal pony that would weather the storm.
And no mistake, a storm was coming.
Sadly, there is no other pony…