(The prompt: Just how long have I been gone?)
(As for this story, I'm not sure about it. It's getting later in the week so I forced myself to write something I'm not quite happy with.)
Sunlight streamed in through Twilight Sparkle's castle window, shining brightly against the polished crystal floor and reflecting into a rainbow of colors that glowed across every surface. It was beautiful during the day. In the early morning, sometimes, Twilight felt a bit less appreciation for the bright, scintillating shine. But for some reason she felt absolutely perfect this morning. Twilight paused as she sat up in bed. Wasn't there something she was forgetting?
Was it late for waking up? She felt like she had been asleep for a while now. No, no, today had just started. It was bright, sunny, and a beautiful spring day in Ponyville.
In no time Twilight was out of bed, mane brushed and breakfast cooked. Spike came wandering downstairs just before the pancakes were ready, rubbing his eyes but with a bounce in his step. "Morning, Twilight. Are you... cooking breakfast?"
"Good morning, Spike! I felt good today, and I just wanted to try it out again. But look, I didn't burn anything!"
It was true that Twilight rarely cooked. Spike had been learning how since he was hatched, but for whatever reason, Twilight had always lacked any aptitude whatsoever. But today, everything had turned out just perfectly! Twilight trotted happily over to the little table she and Spike shared, and had a satisfying, hot breakfast. Even if she couldn't shake that nagging feeling in the back of her mind, she was impressed with her own cooking today.
Twilight looked around Ponyville as she left her huge, crystal castle. She didn't have any errands today, but she couldn't help herself, she just had to get out and enjoy the lovely weather. A breeze caught Twilight's mane, and she smiled brightly at the feeling. Looking up, she saw that it seemed to have been caused by Rainbow Dash as the pegasus blew past them at full speed. She was laughing and obviously enjoying herself, and only a moment later two other pegasi went racing after her, both in Wonderbolts uniforms and only slightly outclassed.
Since when did Rainbow Dash have impromptu races with the Wonderbolts over Ponyville? That was strange, but Twilight just shook her head and decided that she'd go over toward Sugarcube Corner. While the pancake breakfast had been nice, topping it off with a cupcake or other breakfast pastry sounded even better. It seemed like every pony in Ponyville was in high spirits today, out enjoying the sunny weather, all smiles and pleasant conversations.
Even Applejack. Twilight smiled at the sight of Applejack fussing about the price of the fancy hats at the little stand in the market. When Applejack spotted Twilight, she simply waved off the idea of buying anything and trotted right over. "Heya, Sugar. You're lookin' fit as a fiddle today."
Twilight Sparkle just smiled and returned Applejack's sudden hug. "Thank, Applejack. I do feel pretty great. Were you shopping for clothes? I didn't think you'd ever go looking for a new hat!"
Applejack suddenly chuckled nervously, with a slight blush across her muzzle. "Uh, well. I got a date t'night actually. She's the real fancy type, you know, and I thought I ought to get somethin' that might impress her."
A date? Applejack had a date? With a mare? But... "Oh, I... I didn't know you had a special somepony! I'm sure Rarity would be happy to make you something nice, though!"
The quiet chuckle that followed, and Applejack shaking her head but declining to answer directly, was all that Twilight needed to confirm her suspicion. Twilight just smiled, and then hugged Applejack again. "Don't worry, Applejack. I'm sure she's more impressed with the pony than she is with the clothes. When did you two even talk about this? I can't believe Rarity managed to keep quiet!"
Applejack smiled at first, but then furrowed her brow. "Y' know, I ain't really sure. I think it was when we got back from the Crystal Empire, but it's all fuzzy. I reckon we must have done it sometime, though. But this mornin' I woke up and the farm didn't seem to need any tendin' to, so I thought I'd use my time to come out and pick up somethin' nice to wear."
The Crystal Empire! They had gone to fight Sombra, and then... well, they must have won. Twilight felt her own brow knit for a moment, but then she shook her head to clear it, and just smiled to her friend. "Well, don't worry about Rarity, I'm sure your date will be go great!"
Sugarcube Corner was especially loud, and especially crowded. But it was a nice, sunny day, and Twilight could hear the music even from outside of the building. Pinkie Pie must be having some kind of party inside.
When Twilight opened the door to the bakery, her suspicions were confirmed. The bright, cheery shop was packed wall to wall with dancing, happy ponies, all dancing, talking, and laughing with each other. One of Pinkie's dance records was playing loudly from a nearby grammophone, and Twilight knew she probably wasn't going to get her choice in baked goods today. Somehow, despite the crush of ponies all around her, Pinkie showed up nearly as soon as she walked in the door. "Twilight! You made it! Isn't this the best party EVER?"
"It does look fun! Who is it for? Aren't the Cakes a little worried about their sales?" Twilight found herself having to shout just to be heard.
Pinkie Pie just laughed and threw her forelegs around Twilight in a warm, happy hug. "Noperooni! They totally said I can have all the parties I want, even if it lasts all day! Now I can bake nice treats for everypony and dance while I'm doing it! Woohoo! Oh, wait, the cupcakes!"
Twilight was left blinking in surprise as Pinkie Pie dashed off, maneuvering perfectly and effortlessly through the crowd on her way to save the next batch of cakes from burning. She was pretty certain that she had never seen Sugarcube Corner so packed, nor had she ever seen a party where everypony seemed so completely happy with everything. It seemed as though every pony there had their drinks and their treats, everypony was dancing but nopony bumped into anypony.
Fluttershy was even in the middle of a group of ponies that Twilight was fairly certain the pegasus didn't even know. They were all talking and laughing together, and Fluttershy seemed to be beaming with happiness, just from her own ability to blend in so easily. Even Angel Bunny was just resting contentedly on Fluttershy's back, not causing a ruckus or being obstinate and rude. It was so strange, seeing Fluttershy so at ease, that it gave Twilight pause again.
But only for a moment. The happy townsponies, the catchy music, and the temptation to dance along overcame her, and after only that momentary hesitation, Twilight Sparkle just jumped right in.
King Sombra's horn glowed a dark green and purple as he reinforced the spell. Five mares down, one to go. Somehow that little dragon had escaped as well, but what harm could he do?
Sombra knew he was a powerful unicorn. He had taken the Crystal Empire before, and he would do it again. But he wasn't so arrogant as to believe nopony could teach him anything. These five mares, as well as their dragon and that missing white unicorn, had taught him quite a bit. Sombra knew fear. He knew hatred and misery. Those were tools he had used to take the Crystal Empire, and they were good tools in their own right. But these ponies had shown him just how useful light and love could be.
Take away everything a pony loves, and they'll cringe away from you, they'll flee, and they'll cower. Most of the time. But some few will rise up against you. Some few powerful ponies like the ones in this little group, and the new Crystal Princess.
What Sombra had found is that if you give a pony everything they've ever dreamed, they won't even want to leave.
The ponies sat there, staring blankly forward with green eyes. King Sombra smiled cruelly, and turned to seek out the last of their group. He could already see himself on the throne once again, and soon there would be nopony left to stop him.