//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: The Scion of Harmony 
// by Thornwing 
//------------------------------//

The mild breeze of a late autumn afternoon swept through the streets leading to the footings of the Crystal Castle and the pedestal of the Crystal Heart. I stood with my hooves planted along with my friends, Princesses, and Starswirl, all focusing our magic on the event horizon of the spell holding open the portal to the lost dimension. The signal sent, and the doorway opened, we waited.

The strain on my magic wasn’t nearly as taxing as was the waiting. It had been nearly an hour since we began, and only now did we have something to show for our efforts. The crowd broke into a cheer as the Crystal Queen ventured through the portal. 

I waited until the last of her flowing tail passed through before letting the magic collapse back into itself. The gateway sealed, and the promise I had made to myself stood fulfilled. 

“Welcome home, Your Majesty,” I said, nearly falling into a bow with my legs wobbling precariously beneath me. 

A royal fanfare played. Streamers and confetti rained down from the castle above. Pinkie made sure to go all out for the royal welcome home party.

“It is good to be back,” the Queen said amidst the cheers from her crystal ponies.

The rest of the day was mainly a blur. Another celebration to mark to the return of balance and harmony followed, much like the others. There had been so many celebrations lately that I had almost lost count. I hadn’t forgotten about the Queen, but it had taken a while to prepare for this moment. I was still getting used to my magic and exploring the limits of my new potential.

Not to mention the wedding.

It had only been a week ago that I said goodbye to Seachelle. Following her release from the Guardian’s service, she mustered the courage to ask Buckaneer for his hoof in marriage. I was honored that they asked me to officiate. My heart swelled with joy when I saw them off on their honeymoon, the Flying Dutchmare able to carry them wherever they wanted to go.

She told me they would return soon and often, but I wouldn’t hold her to any promise like that. Seeing her happy for the first time in her life was all I could hope to ask for; the occasional visit would be a welcome bonus. They had the rest of their lives to spend together, a destiny of their own to fulfill. I was glad I could be a part of it, if even for a short while.

She did promise to return the following month, and I wouldn’t object to that. The entire kingdom was invited to attend. I finally found the courage and followed her lead in doing some asking of my own. Although it might be awkward to have seven Mares of Honor, she had definitely earned her place.

The ultimate adventure awaited, and I don’t think I could have been more ready for it. Though it might seem weird, I was actually looking forward to becoming Missus Starswirl the Bearded.



THE END