The trumpets final note faded into silence as Twilight stood up on the large makeshift stage and walked over to the podium that had been set up for this occasion. She shuffled her papers for a moment before glancing over her shoulder at her friends and family. They all nodded, assuring her that it was time. That everything was going to be okay. She took comfort in that. She looked up, as if getting support from the skies above her and she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.
This was long since overdue.
Turning to the audience in front of her, the cameras flashing, ponies with notepads out ready to write, a large gathering of those who wanted to see this last chapter conclude.
Indeed, this was long since overdue. Too long, Twilight stated to herself in her mind. But it was finally done. Finally. Today it was going to finish. It was going to end. Today it would be all over.
"When I first met Rainbow Dash, sorry, Her Majesty, Queen Rainbow Dash," a few voices from behind her chuckled quietly at that, "It was in Ponyville. Back then it was a small town. Nothing like it is today. Nothing like it is now."
Again, a light chuckle rumbled across the audience. Ponyville had indeed exploded into its own metropolis.
"The same can be said about Cloudsdale. Cloudsdale is nothing like it was. Finally."
At those last words, a loud cheer erupted. It continued for a few minutes as Twilight smiled and waited for the noise to fade.
"After all these years I can finally turn and say, 'We've done it!' and I know what she'd say to me. I know what she'd tell me. She'd say that there was never any doubt. That she wouldn't leave anypony hanging; that she'd stick with it through thick or thin." Twilight stopped and wiped a tear from her eye. "I miss her. We all do. To this day, I can't stop thinking about her. That smile, that confidence, that... everything. She changed so many things in her life, and I am privileged that one of those things was me. She taught me how deep loyalty can go, how far she would go for those that she cared for, and she cared for this city a lot."
There was a breeze from the east, a fresh cool feeling wafted over her and a feeling of something familiar wrapped around her mane and seemed to stroke caress affectionately. Like an old friend.
"So, without any further ado, it is my honor and privilege to accept Cloudsdale's wish to adopt Equestria's constitution and from now on obey the laws dictated by the Princesses of Equestria and by the democratically elected senate of ponies for Cloudsdale. Today we abolish the last remnants of an ancient, tyrannical, barbaric system and welcome a new age of wisdom and peace. Today we officially recognize the sacrifices that so many in the past and the difficult times they had lived through."
The applause and cheering that sounded was heard for miles around. It was indeed an occasion to celebrate.
With that, Twilight turned and the current king and queen of the royal houses of Cloudsdale walked up her and bowed low, offering their crowns to her. A symbolic gesture that the right to rule would rest with the Princesses of Equestria.
But Twilight didn't really care about that. Instead she smiled at the two pegasi and they returned the favor.
"Prism, you look exactly like your great grandmother," Twilight said gently as she took the crowns with her magic and placed them on two purple pillows embroidered with the finest golden threads that Tourmaline had painstakingly made. Rarity would have been proud of her great grandson's prowess, and perhaps a little jealous.
Prism blushed and bowed her head lower, more to hide her happiness. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Nova?"
"Yes, auntie?" The young stallion asked.
"Are you spoiling your wife?"
This time the brown pegasus blushed and turned his face to his wife, and ex-queen. "Yes, auntie. I am."
Twilight smiled at the two newly wedded couple. They had decided to marry as king and queen for fun, and it was a wedding that will be remembered for centuries to come.
With her powers, Twilight lowered two special crystal domes engraved with both the House Crests and covered the two pillows with the crowns. As soon as the crystal touched the tile underneath, gold erupted like a plant growing from the ground and wrapped itself around the base and over the top sealing them shut. They would be placed in Twilight's palace for all to see and marvel at the two ancient crowns, forged many millenia ago, that ruled the ancient city of Cloudsdale and to never repeat the mistakes and barbarism of the past.
Twilight turned once more to the podium. "It has been a long and painful journey. Many good ponies have passed on over the years, but we stuck through it all. Especially Rainbow Dash. We were always there for her, but the burden was hers because she wanted to bear it. She wanted to help save her home. On behalf of Equestria and all her subjects, I, Princess Twilight Sparkle would like to unveil this testament of courage, love and loyalty to the citizens of Cloudsdale." She walked over to a large golden-colored rope and pulled. A cloth fell off revealing the mare of legend. It was uncanny how well it represented her.
Applejack would have been proud, after all her great grandchildren had helped sculpt it.
From the top of the statue's head was a rainbow-maker, and as soon as the ponies who saw it got their breaths, they gasped again as a rainbow of smoke formed and flowed with the current of the wind.
"She would be so proud of us," Twilight said staring at the statue. She left the podium and flew over to the base of the monument and looked up at the proud figure with that signature smile. Twilight wiped away a tear and placed her hoof gently on the statue's hoof. Memories of their time together all those years ago flooded through her memories. "After all this time, Rainbow, we finally did it. You changed them. You changed everything. I wish you were here to see it. You wouldn't even recognize it anymore. Thank you for teaching me what true loyalty is. Thank you for teaching me to stay the course, to be brave when things get hard, and for your spirit whenever the weight got too heavy. Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for entrusting me with your will. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being my friend. I love you."