Dust filled the air as the remainder of the sound dissipated into nothingness. I couldn’t help shed a tear for my departed friend; I know Shining Armor meant what he said but his words took me back to the war room, grimly reminding me of the same things Caramel wished for. Those two words – quick and painless – he meant them. He shouldn’t have… I should’ve known better…
The dust cleared the way to empty space. No more were the throne room, the windows, and the columns that were once decorated by crystals, granite, and glass. It was a harrowing sight indeed, leaving those who were left behind to wonder where the occupants had gone. Twilight got the worst of it. She ran to the doorframes, the only surviving reminder that there once was a throne room, and let out a painful scream. It was one that echoed of total loss, abandonment, and hopelessness. I joined her, side by side, and held her close, probably the closest I had ever been with her since. Not even that hug by the graveyard could compare to what had happened here. Likewise, Rarity huddled along with Cadance to comfort her in her time of grievance. We all had our pains and sufferings, but nothing ever prepared us for our greatest losses. No matter where we were when Sombra took over, we were united by a common sorrow in the midst of victory. Without counting all our losses, I felt this end was pyrrhic, especially for Twilight. I couldn’t bring myself to think of life without the ones I loved so much. In reality, the truth was inevitable, but it was one that we could never truly accept until the time came.
I turned to the castle crater and found the steel chest plate I had worn for the past few weeks, all scratched, cracked, and dented. It bore the six stars of Twilight’s cutie mark but the magic that had empowered the suit had disappeared, leaving this monochrome relic behind. I passed this piece to Twilight who in turn flipped the piece revealing the image of my own mark. Perhaps there was more to her than I thought.
“It’s time to go.” Rarity depressingly said as she and Cadance were preparing to leave. I escorted Twilight out. In pure silence, we trudged through the halls and out the castle to a throng of mares and stallions cheering for us in victory. The sound of happiness, however, didn’t last long. Heads were slowly hanging low as the voices uttered their condolences to us, even those who were previously fighting against us. This gloomy atmosphere led us to the train station where the Crystal Empire’s bullet train was waiting for us, along with the bodies of those who had fallen in battle. The four of us – Twilight, Rarity, Cadance, and myself - along with some members of the Stormriders were the first to leave the empire to prepare our dearly departed for their final rites.
The Everfree forest, not as scary as it would seem after the darkness over Equestria had been lifted. Being escorted by the remainder of the population of Ponyville and Canterlot felt a little reassuring. As we entered the plot of land that the castle of the two sisters had occupied, I greeted faces with mixed emotions. While most grieved, not everyone felt that way. Out of the corner of my eye, I chanced upon a lively Scootaloo chatting with Rainbow Dash. Not everyone had to be so glum.
At the castle, Twilight and I met with Luna, Cadance, and Rarity at a hidden room. It was an amber room filled with gold and precious paintings thought to be lost over a thousand years ago. In its center stood a display case bearing Celestia’s ceremonial crown; gold and precious gems lined its laurel wreath hoop with 8 arches joining the central monde resting atop a velvet cap.
Luna removed the glass cover and hovered the cap over to Twilight.
“But I’m not royalty,” Twilight began. “You should be the one to wear it and carry out the ceremony.”
“It’s not that I’m rejecting my role. I’ve spent days reflecting on the past weeks and I felt that you’d be a better leader than I am. This is, after all, a new beginning.”
“What do you mean?”
“With King Sombra gone, I’ve learned that we may no longer find use for a princess or a prince ruling over Equestria. Not long after this war started, I’ve stopped using my title because it became irrelevant. My sister once told me about a day when our titles would mean nothing, when the common pony would be of equal stature to the royals and social elites. This is that day, Twilight. I’m sorry if things will never go back to the way they were.”
Luna tightly embraced Twilight as the former princess shed a tear.
“You and I are no different now.”
Cadance tapped me on my shoulder. “I – just… want to say thank you.”
“I’m sorry, Cadance,” I replied. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”
“There is nothing more you need to say. When I left you with those words long ago, I assumed you to be the stallion I married. After all of this… it just feels different, you know? He did what needed to be done and now that I will never be with him in life, I’ll find comfort through his sacrifice. I’ll find a way to carry on.”
The gravediggers arrived and emptied out the tomb made for Rainbow Dash. She said it gave her an uneasy feeling, almost made her sick. Spitfire and the rest of the Stormriders joined their comrade at the entrance of the castle’s rear entrance, now modified into a crypt that housed the armor chest piece that I had previously worn along with other items of significant value attributed to the fallen. Among these were an old leather saddle, an iron feather pin, and Celestia’s tiara and necklace. I, too, gave my own item: the brick Caramel had given me just before we entered the crystal castle. I wouldn’t see any use for it now but it still carried the memory of the closest friend I’ve made here. Twilight stood by the door to the crypt to receive these items one by one as each pony that came up to her gave their most sincere condolences. She didn’t thank them verbally, only me. Elsewhere, the sound of sadness filled the air on this first clear day. Mares mourned for their husbands, colts and fillies entered each other’s embrace as they reminisced fond memories of the families they will never have again.
With the last of the items now sealed in the crypt, Twilight approached the wooden stage to address the crowd before us. To her right were Cadance and Luna, and Rarity and I were on her left.
“Mares and stallions, fillies and gentlecolts, I stand before you today to bring the news of our victory. King Sombra, once the tyrannical ruler of Equestria is no more but I am saddened for our victory cost us the lives of our loved ones. They may no longer be with us in body, but they will live on in our hearts. I - um… uh…”
“Fillies and gentlecolts,” Luna interrupted, saving Twilight from an emotional breakdown mid-speech. “I believe it’s time we face the future together. Through these last few months, I’ve seen myself as one of you. Without my sister Celestia to guide you all, leading Equestria through numerous trials left me and Twilight exhausted, but we both put our faith in each of you to the end. We don’t expect you to do the same; we haven’t been acting in the most reasonable ways but we just wanted you all to live as free individuals. We are at a loss of words now, but our actions will say much more than we could today. We’ll rebuild Equestria together. We’ll restore the land to the way it once was.”
Everypony stomped their hooves loudly, applauding Luna and Twilight for a seemingly half-hearted speech. I guess the content would suffice; they both had been through a lot and they need some time to come to terms with reality. Though our time in the spotlight is short-lived, I believe we got our message across. Still, something bothered me. Without princesses, how would Equestria go on? Everyone always relied on Celestia’s wisdom to keep things running. Perhaps Celestia had thought of the day she would no longer lead her subjects. Whatever the reason, I believed she had faith that she wouldn’t be the only reason why good ever continued to blossom wherever anypony went. This is the reality everyone will face in this world’s future. Putting things behind wasn’t over just yet; there was one last ceremony to conduct.
A pyre atop a carved marble slab lay in the center of the ancient castle’s throne room. It was already late afternoon and the blood orange sun would soon find its place away from the eyes of ponykind. The celestial body would set and so would the princess’s spirit find its way to wherever the deceased would go once their life in this mortal plane was over. Though there was no body to set alight, the pyre was set ablaze anyway, the smoke carrying the memories our princess to the horizon and beyond. Luna reminded me of this long lost tradition. Ponies of ancient times believed that the pyre burning ceremony was reserved for the rulers of Equestria. Celestia didn’t want this to be carried out once she is no longer the ruling monarch but Luna thought one more wouldn’t hurt. She had reserved this last instance for her.
“Rest now, dearest sister,” Luna muttered. “Thank you.”
The princess of the night lowered the sun and made way for her moon. For once in her lifetime, her subjects would bask in the beauty of her night, but not in the way she wanted. Tonight was a night of reflection, a night to remind us of past joys, present sorrows, and an uncertain future.
Once the ponies had left the castle and the last of the coal burned no more, Twilight, Luna, and Rarity moved to the library. I gathered my things and placed them in my saddlebag before proceeding to their location. At the secret room of the castle’s old musky library, the five of us had gathered in it, away from public eyes. Though my identity is no longer secret, the truth about my arrival is still unknown. It’s best that way.
“Shining Armor,” Luna somberly began. “Do you know this what this is?”
I turned to the dusty tapestry on the wall. Though most of the details had been eaten away by moths over time, the important details were still clear and visible. It was a symbol of balance and harmony, the two sisters coming together in full circle with the respective halves of the sun and moon in between them.
“I do. Equestria’s origin. Why do you ask?”
Luna picked up the tattered piece of cloth and looked at it intently, slowly stroking each strand of thread as if caressing a strand of her dear sister’s rainbow-colored hair.
“I remember the day sister banished me. It was difficult for her to bear knowing that she would live her days without the one pony she cared for the most. Now I must bear the same punishment she had gone through. This one will last as long as I live.”
“Luna, it’s not your fault.”
“I know, Shining Armor. I know. I now have to look after the only family I’ve got left: Twilight. Speaking of family, I believe it’s time for you to return to yours. You’ve already spent a lot of time here. As much as you’ve played an integral part in our victory, we need to keep you out of our history. Future generations will know everything that happened to us these past months but they will never know about you. Balance must be maintained between our worlds. I hope you understand.”
Twilight, Cadance, and Rarity stepped forward to unveil a mirror hidden under a tattered white sheet. There was a mirror just like it in my world. I’ve seen it only once in Celestia’s castle but she no longer keeps it locked up. Luna’s horn glowed a deep midnight blue and the solid reflection on the mirror’s surface rippled. I turned my eyes to my friends and fought to keep a smile on my face though in reality, I probably won’t remember these friendly faces once I cross over. Twilight approached me and held my hoof tight.
“You are one special stallion. My true brother was my first best friend and nothing can ever change that. He may no longer be around but you are and will always be my friend and a friend to all of us here. You may not be the pony that we wanted, but we surely needed you.”
“Thank you, but what about you? Wouldn’t you need to rebuild Equestria without Celestia guiding you?”
“I won’t be going through all of that alone. Luna, Cadance, everyone will play their part. Don’t you worry about us.”
“I will surely miss these moments, both good and bad. I didn’t ask for this, but I couldn’t ask for a more humbling experience. I wish you all the best.”
I turned to the rippling mirror once more. I took my first step in, then another. Once more I glanced at my friends, nodding to reassure me that we will all carry on. Just like Caramel did. It was with a heavy heart that we had to part ways, but I was certain we’d see each other one way or another. There was still one last thing to take care of before I can put all this to rest.
Dearest Cadance… You don’t need to worry anymore. I’m coming home.