//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: A Dream of Pride and Envy // by Tundara //------------------------------// A Dream of Pride and Envy By Tundara Daring’s entire coat prickled. Her ears folded back, and her muzzle was set into a fearsome snarl. Before her stood a foe more fearsome and dastardly than any she’d encountered during her many adventures. An enemy that she couldn’t conquer with a swift right jab or a blast of searing fiery wind from her wings—side effect number five of her shawl—but had to combat with honeyed words and a fake smile. A garden party. Though calling it a garden party wasn’t doing the gathering justice. It could only be called a garden party in the same way that a Manticore could be referred to as a kitty-cat. The Galla of the Stars was so much more than just a garden party—even though it was being held in Canterlot Castle’s expansive gardens. Daring was certain the guest list had to be in the hundreds, perhaps even thousands. There were nobles, members of Equestria’s gentry, wealthy commoners without any titles, and dignitaries from nations across the breadth of the disc. Some she’d not visited since her second voyage to the wild southern continent with it’s lush jungles, jagged mountains, and high plateaus. She noticed at least three zebras, a pair of tapirs, several griffons, and a minotaur with a trained monkey hanging from his horns among the crowd. The minotaur seemed a little familiar, and when the monkey screeched at her, drawing a finger along its throat, Daring decided to slip off towards the h’orderves. “Come on, love, it’s just a party,” Yearling chided, wing extending across Daring’s withers. Snorting, Daring checked for the twelfth time the location of the nearest exits. “We’ve both been to enough parties to know better than that.” Daring did try to settle, but the prickling sensation wouldn’t let her. “What about—” Yearling placed a feathertip to Daring’s lip. “If there is going to be some calamity, it won’t be involving us.” Taking a pair of champagne glasses from a passing waiter, Yearling gave a toothy smile. “Relax, have fun, and try not to ruin the new Goddess’ evening.” Making a face, Daring took the glass. “You just said—” “I know what I said,” Yearling leaned over to give Daring a peck on the cheek. “I also know you. So please, no hooffights, shoot-outs, or setting the palace on fire. For me?” “When you ask that nicely, how can I say no?” Giggling like a schoolfilly, Daring went to reciprocate the kiss, only to stop as a shadow loomed over the pair. Her lips close enough to brush Yearlings coat, she turned towards the intruder upon their private moment, face warm beneath her coat. An acidic comment died half formed on her tongue. Iridia stood beside her, inspecting the platters of cheeses with intense curiosity. “It’s always amazed me how a good cheese can diffuse even the worst situation,” Iridia commented as she selected a hearty blue cheese covered in a white sauce Daring couldn’t identify. Taking a bite, Iridia turned to gaze over the crowd to the far side of the gardens where Twilight Sparkle stood with the Elements of Harmony greeting the various dignitaries. “Your Majesty…” Yearling began to bow, but stopped as Iridia shifted to look at the pair. “Your Divine Majesty?” Yearling tried again, this time receiving a sharp frown. The frown was banished by a laugh, Iridia scrunching her face up in a smile that made her eyes twinkle. “So,” Iridia said, “Daring Do and Yearling. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you again.” “I don’t think we’ve met before,” Daring frowned, Yearling mirroring her thoughts. “We’d remember.” Iridia’s smile took on a wolfish tint. “Would you? What if I used a memory spell upon you?” Another laugh, this one accompanied by a toss of her mane. “What I meant, however, is in this life. We’ve met, oh, I can’t count how many times now. You two turn up like bad bits. I believe that is how the saying goes.” Iridia tapped her chin while Daring and Yearling just stared at her as if she were mad. From what they’d read and discovered over the years after receiving Clover’s final journal, it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.  “I see you still wear Tempered’s robes, and even turned it into a shawl. I think she would have liked that.” Lifting a hoof to the golden cloth wrapped around her neck and ears, warmth seeping from the threads, Daring said. “It was you!” “That sent you your shawl? Yes.” Iridia waved an absent hoof, focusing on her daughter and not the ponies beside her. A break appeared in the dignitaries. Iridia took a few steps forward, and then retreated. She grabbed another cracker with cheese, nibbling on the edge and watched as her moment was lost, a pair of zebras trotting up to Twilight. Daring frowned, looking between the queen and princess. A frown that only deepened as Iridia asked, “So, how have you been keeping?” “Oh, well enough. Writing, adventuring, and wondering what the hay you mean by ‘in this life’ nonsense.” Yearling waved an airy hoof, only for her words to take on a sharp bite. “Huh?” Iridia wrenched herself away from staring across the garden. “Nothing. I was just being silly. I…” Iridia sighed and shook her head. Daring couldn’t believe her eyes and ears. This was the terrible queen that had threatened all of ponykind? This was the pony that had unleashed the Windigos and brought about the Long Winter? Daring had fought many villains over the years, from power mad business ponies, to demon worshipping cults. She’d never encountered a great evil from history and been disappointed by the depths of their depravity. It was comforting that she could still have new experiences even in her old age. “Just go to her, already,” Daring gave Iridia a shove. “But, what if…” Iridia began to protest, wings flapping to halt her movement. Rolling her eyes, Daring gave Iridia another shove, while Yearling said, “She’s your daughter. Go to her, already.” “I… Thank you.” Iridia turned, and before Daring could react, wrapped her wings around the couple. It lasted only for a moment before Iridia released them, Yearling’s eyes wide while Daring’s heart beat faster, her shawl so warm it almost burned. “You two always find each other.” Iridia grinned. “No matter the age or the hardships, you find each other.” “I don’t—” “Soulmates. You’re talking about soulmates? You think we’re…” Yearling pointed to Daring then herself, an incredulous chuckle making her eyes crinkle. “Soulmates have never been proven,” Daring pouted, crossing her hooves. Iridia laughed, shaking her head, and started toward Twilight as the zebras made their parting bows