//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: The Inheritors of Friendship 
// by NgKQ 
//------------------------------//

“There, does this look nice upon you?” Twilight asked her.

“Why, it does! I need to thank Rarity later!” beamed Melody. It was evening and they will be attending a party at the castle garden, hosted by Pinkie Pie for a grand celebration for Melody’s heroic award, the Mane Six’s ascension and the new bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

“I might as well wear this as well,” said Melody as she put on a beautiful hair clip given by Chaos a month ago as a recovery present.

“Well, this does look good for you,” smiled Twilight.

“You two actually look elegant.” Suddenly, a voice called out, leaving both mares startled.

“Who’s that!?” Twilight turned back with surprise to see no other than Flash Sentry, complete in a black night suit.

“Dad?” Melody approached him, trying to feel him all over. “Are you real?”

“I am,” he smiled.

“But, how did you come here?” asked Twilight. “I thought that you’re…”

“Hey there. Are you all-” Orion came into the room to check them out before his jaw dropped with surprise to see his father dressed smartly. “Dad!? Are you… you…”

“Don’t be surprised, sonny. I am really real.”

Emotional, Orion hugged his beloved father tightly.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” he cried. “How did you come anyway?”

“Well, to begin with,” explained Flash. “Princess Celestia happened to visit me in the afterlife, and told me happily that you all have become successful. That’s why, from tonight, I’ll be visiting you all often regularly. You won’t be so lonely from now on, Orion.”

“So this was your surprise to me!” replied Melody.

“I won’t be here necessarily all the while, but I’ll be here with your friends to help you in need.”

Twilight went over to Flash, and together, they engaged in a family hug. “From now on, we’ll be together again, as one family,” she said.

“Now then, shall we go meet our friends?” asked Melody.

“Let’s go. I really wanted to see them as well.”

The family arrived downstairs at the garden, and the moment everypony saw Flash, they were all astonished.

“Flash Sentry?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Is that him?”

“Goodness gracious!” blurted Shining Armor. “He really is!”

Soarin went up to him. “Is that really you?”

“I am. I’m here to be with you all from now on.”

“Horseapples!” exclaimed Niku. “Guys! Look who’s here!”

All fathers went forward. They could not believe that Flash came as an additional guest.

“Long time no see!” cried Soarin. “Everything has changed a lot!”

“Glad that you all still remember me,” mused Flash.

“Nice to see you, sir,” greeted Elusive.

“Rarity’s husband? My pleasure.”

The rest of Twilight’s friends, with Shining Armor and Princess Cadance approached.

“I really didn’t think it was you!” said Applejack.

“Glad to see you here,” said Princess Cadance.

“Eh, my pleasure.”

Next to approach them was Princess Celestia.

“Glad that you’re here, Flash,” she said. “I hope that you’ll enjoy this and help out everypony from now on.”

“Thanks, Princess. May I see the kids?”

Melody’s friends went forward.

“Guys, here’s my father.”

“Nice to meet you, sir,” began Chaos, shaking hooves with him and the rest introduced themselves.

“So you’re Melody’s daddy?” Malinae pipped in. “Nice meeting you!”

“You’re really a sweet little filly like Melody said.”

“You look handsome. No wonder Princess Twilight fell in love with you!” chuckled Bloodthirst.

“And I’ve heard about you as well. Trying to live like a normal pony?”

“He has gone well with us,” replied Platinum.

“Ah, I see about that. You really deserve to be Melody’s friends.”

“Welcome home, sir,” said Honey Drops.

“Alright, everypony!” Cheese Sandwich, acting as one of the emcees of the party called. “Our long lost friend is here as a spirit, which means…”

“The party fun has been doubled!” finished Princess Luna.

“LET’S BEGIN!” cheered Pinkie Pie, starting the music.

At once, all couples and lovers began to dance to the beat. Some danced clumsily, but their partners didn’t mind. All they had to do is to enjoy this special night.

“Let me show you a dance trick,” said Pizza Frenzy to Prudence Aura. “It’s something me and Peanut Butter created.”

“What is it?”

“Like this!” Without warning, he whirled and twirled his partner.

Prudence thought that she was going to fall dizzy.

“Whoa, hey!”

And then, Pizza tossed her into the air and she eventually fell back into his hooves. Everyone cheered at his majestic moves.

“How’d you like it?”

“Well,” she spoke, trying to stabilize herself. “It was fun!”

“One more time?”

“Later, please. I need a break before we continue.”

Peanut Butter turned to Beryl.

“Let’s do it, too, shall we?”

“I’m ready.”

Peanut then began his similar moves to his brothers, but, much different from his, Beryl landed gracefully right in front of Peanut using her wings.

The rest were surprised by their dancing technique.

“Hey dude, this move looks cool!” Raisin told Peanut.

“I can resist this! I’m an excellent flyer after all!” said Greenie.

“Please teach us!” pleaded Bloodthirst.

“Alright then,” said Peanut. “This needs lots of practice. All you have to do is first…”

At another corner, Chaos and Melody were having their own time.

“It looks like one good turn deserves one another, isn’t it?” Chaos spoke to Melody. “All those years to acquire eternal peace.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “I wouldn’t have today if it wasn’t for you, my family and everypony else.”

“I have a question,” said Chaos, pausing their dance. “It might seem silly, but…”

“What is it?”

“Alright, everypony, listen up!” he called. “I have one important thing to declare tonight!”

All of them stopped, along with the music as Chaos produced a small box out of his tuxedo.

“Princess Melody Aurora, we’ve been altogether through these years, helping each other through thick and thin, so…” He opened the box to reveal a ring. “Will you marry me?”

All the guests gasped.

Melody was taken aback by the revelation of her lover. Graciously, she accepted. “Chaos Control, I do!”

Everyone cheered as they watched Chaos slip the ring into Melody’s horn. Twilight and Fluttershy hugged with happiness.

“This is touching…” said Discord, wiping his tears away while Flash smiled.

“We’re going to begin as one whole new family,” Honey Drops told Orion.

“I agree dear,” said Orion.

“Now then, let’s get back to the party!” ordered Chaos.

As the music resumed, Chaos and Melody kissed under the beautiful moonlight. With their friends, they vowed that together, they will continue to defend Equestria with the Magic of Friendship, which will keep their spirits forever alight to their final days…

THE END