The last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon. Normal colors of the sunset shone true in their mix of yellow and orange, and even a hint of red. The monstrous Smooze had dissolved away to nothing, taking with it the decay and blight of the land. All signs of its existence vanished with the healing power of the Rainbow of Light washing over the valley. The last bits of the arcing rainbow in the sky faded with the setting sun. The ponies came to rest at the edge of the hill slope, their rainbow features fading with the sun.
Applejack knelt down and cradled Twilight’s head as she came around. Twilight blinked once and took off like an arrow, flying at top speed toward the ruins. She arrived at the shrine in seconds and reverently approached the tree. The entire structure was exactly as it had been when she’d first arrived. The pony statues were back in their alcoves. The giant black tree laid out its handsome golden leaves in a sparkling canopy above. The only difference: no purple ooze anywhere to be found.
Rainbow Dash caught up with her first. “Hey there speedy, you gotta’ wait for the rest of us.”
Rarity approached and pointed upwards, “Oh, Twilight. The tree! It’s so lovely!”
Twilight turned toward her friends as tears of joy mixing with tears of sorrow rolled freely down her face. “They’re all here—back where they belong.”
“Well, would you look at that,” Applejack said as she pulled the hat from her head. “Isn’t that somethin’?”
Pinkie blurted out, “Yay! Time for more patty-cake games!”
“Pinkie!”
Pinkie chuckled. “Oh, right…”
The ponies stood in wonder at the sight that lay before them. Brightwing’s Tree of Harmony stood proudly at the center of the shrine once again. The pony guards fanned out around the ring—each of them giving a salute toward the middle. Twilight could just make out through the helmets that each one had a big smile on his face.
Twilight sighed. “Well, girls, I believe our job here is done. Time to head home.”
“What?” Fluttershy’s wings popped open.
“Now hold on there a second.” Applejack pointed around at all the statues. “Are you sayin’ we’re just goin’ to leave ‘em here like this?”
“Yes, Applejack. I am.” Twilight bowed her head and closed her eyes.
Applejack’s jaw dropped a bit. “Well, that don’t make any sense at all. We just melted the Smooze. Do we really need these ponies to stay frozen in stone for who knows how many thousand more years?”
“That’s just it, Applejack. We did just melt the Smooze. But that’s no guarantee it will never return. Hate and envy, darkness and fear—they all still exist in this world. For as long as that is, we need good ponies willing to stand up and defend our way of life. We all have to do our part. King Brightwing made that very clear.” Twilight wiped her eyes, drying what tears she could. A gentle smile spread across her face. “The Magic of Friendship set things this way. I think it’s what they wanted and all is as it should be.”
Applejack held her hat tight to her chest. “I had no idea friendship was that complicated. But what about the Princesses? Can’t we try and move ‘em all closer to Canterlot?”
Twilight looked up and took in the wonderful sight above her. The sleek and shiny black trunk branched out as it rose up into smaller limbs bursting with golden leaves, climbing higher and higher into the sky above. Closing her eyes as a gentle breeze washed over the hilltop, she could just make out a whisper of a voice as it floated down through the leaves above.
“Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.”
She turned back toward Applejack. “I think he’s right where he wants to be. He’s with his friends.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that.” Applejack paused and held a hoof to her chin. “What about Queen Una?”
Twilight closed her eyes again as she recalled the image of their own version of the Tree of Harmony that lay rooted in the cave at the base of the Castle of the Two Sisters. Another message echoed in her head.
“I thank you as well, Princess.”
Twilight responded to the both of them. “Thank you, Your Majesties.” She made a small curtsey as she bowed her head toward the great tree before turning back again to Applejack and the others. “I think she’s fine with this too. I’m pretty sure the link they shared has been repaired. I don’t think we could ask for more than that.”
“I sure am glad I’m an Earth Pony.” Applejack kicked at the dirt. “I don’t know what I’d do if I had to deal with all this magic stuff all the time.”
“I have a feeling you’d do just fine.” Twilight smiled at her friend. “We’ve all made some pretty amazing magic together.” She motioned to all her friends to gather in close. Nestled beneath the great tree, she hugged them all as one, savoring the moment together. It was good to have memories like this for when times got tough. She didn’t know if or when she would ever need this one, but she figured it was good to have regardless.
From out of the gathering darkness, a reserved visitor skittered through the shadows. “I humbly ask your permission to approach your most sacred shrine.” The clattering mandible of the Spider Queen clicked and popped as she bowed her forward legs just outside the ring of stone.
Twilight turned and bowed to the Queen. “It would be my honor, Your Highness.”
The giant spider moved up past the pillars into the heart of the circle. “Please, Princess of Equestria, call me by my true name—Queen Skalla of the Stars.”
“We are extremely grateful for your assistance today, Queen Skalla of the Stars.” The rest of the ponies bowed together with Twilight in addressing the Spider Queen.
“I cannot accept an honor that is not mine to receive.” The Queen bowed low to the ground as her brood scurried from beneath her legs in a procession of reverence, each little starred arachnid bowing and retreating behind the Queen once more. “It is we that owe you a deep debt of gratitude. I regret my ever considering the consumption of your band. We will never forget your kindness and courage. The forest is healed and the sickness of the Smooze is no more. Ask us any favor and it is yours without question.”
Twilight smiled as she watched the little creatures scurrying past. “Queen Skalla of the Stars, as a Princess, the only favor I could ever ask is for your continued friendship.”
“It is yours, for now and forever.” The star emblem on the great spider’s abdomen glowed in the light of the newly risen moon. The added light illuminated the presence of a number of curious onlookers off to the edge of the shrine.
Twilight turned and beckoned them forward. “Come out, Grundles. There is nothing to be afraid of here.”
“Spider Queen not eat us?” The Grundle King stepped out from the shadows.
“Not tonight and not ever.” Twilight walked over and shook the King’s hand. “I want us all to remember today and how we came together as one. We had a purpose: to overcome the Smooze. By the magic of our friendship, we have done just that. If I could take one thing away from this whole experience, it would be the hope that Dream Valley will once again become the place that it was before the Smooze came to be.”
“Ponies always welcome in Grundleland.” The portly King bowed as best as he could manage. His mushroom cap flopped to the ground. With a bashful smile, he reached down to pick it up, but Twilight was quick with her magic and swiftly deposited it onto his head.
“Any friend of Equestria is a friend to the Star Nation.” Queen Skalla tipped her head. “If you wish, we will assist you in rebuilding your village, King Grundle. The mountain quarry is far and your people are free to traverse our land in peace.”
The King bowed to the spider, this time holding tight to his crown.
“There’s probably one more thing we need to iron out with that.” Twilight stifled a giggle, trying not to break the mood. “Nevermind. We’ll talk about it later. As for tonight, I think we should all get some rest.”
“Our home is your home, Princess pony.” The Grundle King waved his hand and his subjects ran off toward the village to prepare.
“I take my leave, Princess. Give my regards to your fellow Princesses. I hope to see you again.” Queen Skalla bowed and crept back into the shadows with her brood.
“Girls,” Twilight said, turning back to her friends, “let’s hit the hay.”
The next morning, Twilight rose from her bed, refreshed and ready to face the road home. She gathered her pack along with the rest. Her friends were just as anxious to start the long trip ahead. Yet, one matter still needed attention, and she wasn’t sure how she would address it.
Passing out of her hut, she walked up to the Grundle King and the entourage gathered to set them on their way. “King Grundle, I’ve been trying to think of a way to fix a problem, but I’m not sure I can without your help. We need to find a way for you and your people to share the rocks at the ruins of Paradise Estates with our yeti friend, George. Would you be willing to come with us so we can try and find a solution?”
“No problem. Grundle King do whatever Princess pony ask.” The King nodded to his group and they raced off to gather their equipment. In two shakes of a pony’s tail, they returned with packs on their backs and pickaxes in hand.
“Let’s head out then.” Twilight checked in with her friends. “Girls, it’s time to go home.”
Getting back on the path, the group fell into line as the road crossed into the forest. This time around, the trail was much easier to travel, flat and obstacle-free for the most part. Sunlight filtered down through the bright green leaves of a proud and ancient forest free from the malignant influence of the Smooze.
With all the positive changes evident in every aspect around them, she felt obliged to change the name of the valley back to its previous moniker. No more would this place be known as the Shadow Forest—from now on, Dream Valley would be a place where ponies could feel at home.
They made good time, exiting the forest a little after noon. Rainbow Dash promised she could fly up the pass and bring George down without any trouble, so Twilight let her go. Dash took a few bits of Pinkie’s rock candy with her just in case there was any convincing that needed to be done. About the same time the group reached the garden, George and Rainbow came flying down the pass.
Twilight held firm as George approached. The Grundle King cowered behind, not quite convinced that George would be receptive to their presence. The yeti slowed his approach, confused by the small Trolls that his pony friends had brought to his garden.
“Why you bring them here? Trolls steal rocks. George no like Trolls.” George sat down, momentarily placated by the crunch of Pinkie’s candy rolling around in his mouth.
Twilight pulled the crouching King out from behind her. “George, I want you to meet our friends, the Grundles. They aren’t Trolls and they didn’t know they were stealing your rocks. They were just trying to fix their homes and build a few new ones.” The Grundle King waved a cautious smile at the yeti.
“Why they not ask? George no have problem taking rocks if Trolls ask nice.” Another crunch of the candy deflated the tension between the factions.
Twilight took an elbow to the Grundle King prodding him into action. “Ask him nicely for his rocks,” she whispered.
The King stepped forward and bowed to George as he might have greeted a visiting royal. “Master Yeti, Grundle King ask permission to use rocks. We trade whatever we can.” The King’s assistants stepped forward and emptied a few packs of food in front of George.
George leaned down and sniffed at the vegetables. With a quick snatch of his tongue, he gobbled up part of the offering. “Hmmmm. George like. Grundles take rocks. George eat Grundle food now.”
Applejack burst out laughing. “I can’t believe it. After all that, the answer was that simple? Well I’ll be…”
Twilight made a face at Applejack. “We could use more problems like that, Applejack. Sure beats the Tireks and Smoozes of the world.” Turning back to the King, she shook his hand. “King Grundle, I think you can take it from here. Keep the food coming, and I’m sure George will be more than happy to share his rock garden with you.”
The Grundle King bowed to Twilight. “Thank you, Princess pony. Please come visit Grundleland again real soon. Grundles like having pony friends.”
The King signaled to his men which quickly gathered enough loose rocks to make the repairs they needed and were on their way in minutes. He waved from the path leading back into the forest and Twilight and her friends waved back. George also waved and smiled a toothy grin.
Applejack shook her head and patted the yeti on the back. “Come on George, we’ve got a mountain to climb and a town to turn upside down.” The ponies gathered up what was left of their gear and trotted off up the pass.
It took the rest of the day to scale back up the snowy mountain pass and down the other side. Pinkie Pie offloaded the last of her rock candy to the insatiable George along the way. He made the crossing a breeze, and by nightfall, the entire group marched their way past the stunned tourist crowd milling about in the Rainbow Falls market square. Quickly overcoming the shock of seeing the Princess alive, they fell in around George clamoring to get a close-up view.
The rest of the evening went by in a flash with the locals snapping pictures and setting out a whole new line of yeti-themed bric-a-brac. Applejack found the mare from earlier and gave her heartfelt apology for not believing her story. She even offered to take a picture with the three of them together to commemorate the moment.
The mayor approached Twilight, relaying her gratitude along with a message that Celestia would be waiting for them back in Ponyville. It took some doing to separate the crowd from George, but they finally found a bed and settled in for the night. After a tiring journey, they had no trouble falling asleep. Twilight found the lack of visions especially refreshing.
The morning rolled around and the ponies parted ways with George. Surprisingly, the locals were just as sad to see him head off up the mountain path. Twilight and her group made sure to catch the morning train and soon found themselves in very familiar territory.
Pulling into the station at Ponyville, they all hopped off the train and headed straight for the castle, eager to meet up with the Princess once again. As she passed through town, Twilight found it odd that all the shops looked deserted. It was like the entire town had gone into hiding—similar to the Grundle village prior to the vanquishing of the Smooze. It soon became apparent the reason for the complete lack of ponies in Ponyville proper—everypony was waiting for them just outside the castle doors.
Cheers rang out as the six heroines humbly trotted up the narrow passage separating the exulting chorus to either side. Princess Celestia stood on the castle steps with Princess Luna by her side.
“Princess Twilight,” the familiar voice of Princess Celestia rang out above the crowd, “I knew you could do it!” The voice of the Princess carried over the cheers of the other ponies as Twilight ran to greet her mentor.
Twilight dove into her mane as she wrapped her front legs around her neck. “Princess Celestia! I’m so happy to see you again! You won’t believe what happened to us!” The hug lasted for a bit and then Twilight came down to all fours again.
“I’m pretty sure I already do, and I am forever in your debt, Princess.” Celestia took a step back and bowed her head extending a foreleg out in front of her.
“I, as well, Princess.” Luna did the same, adding a bit of a flourish.
Celestia rose up. “Thank you for saving our father…”
Luna did likewise, completing the phrase, “…and reuniting us with our mother.”
The two Alicorn sisters bent at the front knee and bowed once again, more deeply than before. Twilight and her friends, who had now all gathered on the landing of the castle stairs, gazed around at the gathering of ponies. The entire population of Ponyville, and even some from Canterlot and other towns close by, bowed down before them.
“How did you know?” Twilight wondered aloud. “We only discovered the truth about the Tree of Harmony just the other day.”
“Well, Princess,” Celestia giggled, “you aren’t the only smart pony in Equestria.”
“I was able to spend some time to focus on the vision combined with Starswirl’s story,” Luna added. “My sister and I were able to put the pieces together and decided we should take a closer look at the Tree of Harmony.”
“When we arrived at the Tree,” Celestia continued, “we discovered what had happened. Our minds were opened and a link formed between us. Though you fought miles away, it was as if we were there by your side.”
Luna passed down the line nodding to each pony in turn. “We saw you all in that darkest of moments and sought to lend thee our strength and support. It was the least we could do to help given the circumstances.”
Celestia placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Just a small reminder was all you needed. That set you back on your path and you took it from there. We’re so proud of you, Twilight. You are an inspiration to us all!”
The cheers from the crowd began again. Twilight blushed as she turned and waved to the rest of those gathered. She turned back to her friends who also bowed to her. This time she didn’t just return the bow, she ran to her friends and grabbed them all in a giant hug as they fell into a giggling pile.
Spike peeked out from behind the castle door as Twilight’s head poked up from the pile.
“Spike! Where have you been hiding?”
Spike replied cautiously, “Ummm… I was making sure that no pony got into the library…. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Oh, Spike! You silly dragon you! Get over here and give me a hug!” Twilight got up and ran over to her assistant, giving him the biggest hug of the day. “You’re such a good friend, Spike, and that’s all a pony like me could ever wish for.”
—End of Book One—
(Illustration by crayon-chewer)
Illustrations by:
AssasinMonkey: http://assasinmonkey.deviantart.com/
Crayon-chewer: http://crayon-chewer.deviantart.com/