//------------------------------//
// Epilogue - Home 
// Story: Nighttide Star 
// by Vertigo-01 
//------------------------------//

“Good morning, Nighttide Star. It is 7:30 AM. Today, you have zero events scheduled. Communications datalink is currently offline. We’re sorry, but your morning cup of coffee could not be—”

Nighttide shut off her system’s alarm with a flick of an ear. Yawning in the warm morning light, she stretched her limbs beneath soft satin sheets.

‘Awh yeah… this never gets old.’

Squinting through the light, the grey mare clambered out of her bed, eliciting the sound of padded hooves against wood.

Nighttide tossed her long, tangled mane across her withers as she made her way out of the room and into the hallway. She passed by another bedroom, whose door was currently shut. She propped an ear against the unfinished wood paneling for a second. Somewhere within, the sound of soft breathing could be heard.

With a smile, she cantered into a bathroom across from the door and looked herself over in the mirror. She grimaced at the sight.

“Nngh… well, she is always getting onto me for not getting it cut.”

She smirked as she grabbed a brush from the sink counter, giving her mane a few whacks before gently placing it back in its spot.

Today was her day to pitch in around the house, namely by cooking breakfast — something which she enjoyed doing when the sun greeted her upon waking. So instead of bothering with further hygiene, she made her way down the hall, out onto the indoor balcony, and down the stairs. She shook her head at the sleeping figure of a white creature with long ears snoozing peacefully in a corner of the living room before turning into the kitchen.


__________


“Mmh… well, good morning, little friends!”

Fluttershy smiled with tired eyes from her bed as three birds chirped merrily on the sill of an open window.

“Oh goodness, did I oversleep?” Tossing her blankets aside, she made her way to her hooves and walked over to a nearby bag of feed. She cupped a few seeds in the crux of her fetlock, spreading them across the window sill in an even line so that each bird could get its fill. “I’m so sorry, I’ll be out in a bit to put some more food in your homes, I promise!”

As the birds began to peck away at the feed, Fluttershy sniffed the air. Closing her eyes, she slowly pivoted to face the door. A smile crept its way onto her muzzle. After one longer, deeper sniff, she exhaled, “Oh, how I love this part of the week!”

With a bounce to her step, she made her way out into the hall, down the stairs, past Angel — who was taking the morning to sleep in — and into the kitchen.

A grey mare stood at the stove, flipping a skillet filled with batter as her alloy suit reflected hues of morning light from a nearby window.

“Good morning, Nighttide,” Fluttershy chirped as she walked up beside the mare. “Anything I can help you with?”

“Not a thing,” Nighttide said with a smile as she maintained her focus on the sizzling batter. “You have a seat, pancakes’ll be ready in a jiff.”

In weeks prior, Fluttershy had attempted to argue the matter, offering to help with even the simplest tasks – toasting bread, pouring juice – to lighten the load. She never wanted her guest to feel she had to work for her stay, especially not after all that happened. But eventually she learned that, to Nighttide, cooking breakfast was just another thing she had come to enjoy.

And besides, Nighttide was hardly a guest anymore in her eyes.

Taking a seat at her usual spot, Fluttershy took a couple pieces of freshly sliced apples and placed them on her plate. Taking a delicate bite out of one, she looked over the brim of her hoof and smiled at her roommate.


__________


“Aye, all set,” Nighttide called out a minute later as she flipped a flapjack onto a stack of several more beside her. Carrying the plate of pancakes carefully in her hoof, she smiled at Fluttershy and bowed, setting the stack down in the center of the table.

“Oh my, blueberry pancakes!” Fluttershy grinned with wide eyes. “Is this a special occasion?”

“Well, not formally, no,” Nighttide admitted with a chuckle as she took a seat across from her. “But I did realize a bit ago that tomorrow will be my two-month anniversary since arriving in Equestria.”

“Goodness, has it already been that long?” Fluttershy asked as she pulled two pancakes from the top of the stack.

“Sure has.” Nighttide pulled three for herself onto her plate. “Things were so hectic for the first few weeks that I didn’t even realize when the first month passed. I swear, it doesn’t feel like it’s already been that long.”

“I agree, it really doesn’t.” As Fluttershy poured a small amount of syrup on her pancakes, she said, “Has Princess Luna figured out when you’ll be ready to end the checkups?”

“Pretty soon, from what she said last week,” Nighttide said as Fluttershy hoofed her the bottle. “Much as I enjoy the train, I’m ready to stop making weekly trips to Canterlot. Doctors there say I’m fine in any case, and the Princess hasn’t seen any issues with my dreams.”  She poured a thick glob of syrup onto her plate before setting the bottle down and pouring some juice from a pitcher for them.

For the next few minutes, the two enjoyed their meal in silence, serenaded on occasion by a passing bird or two. Once finished, they worked together to clean after themselves before beginning their daily routines. While Fluttershy busied herself with feeding the animals in the morning, Nighttide had another regiment that required a trip through Ponyville.

On clear mornings such as this one, she enjoyed being able to soak in the warm sunshine for all it was worth. It had become clear as spring settled in just how warm the sun could get at times, and while not always pleasant, the mornings proved themselves to be a more temperate joy.

Nighttide cantered down the dirt path leading into Ponyville past the cow farm, from which several white and brown cows watched with disdain from behind their fence. As she made her way over the cobblestone bridge, she caught sight of Rarity crossing the street. “Oy, Rarity,” Nighttide called out as she waved a metal hoof in the air.

Rarity’s closest ear pivoted toward her as she turned her head. “Oh, Nighttide, good morning!”

Nighttide galloped up to the unicorn with a grin. “So, guess what I decided Ima do this week? You’re so gonna so love me for this!”

“Oooh, let me guess.” Rarity ran a hoof across her chin. “You’re finally going to tame that disaster you call a mane?”

“Awh, come on,” Nighttide groaned as she flicked her mane with a hoof. “It isn’t that bad, is it?”

Rarity giggled as she used her magic to work out some of the knots from Nighttide’s mane. “Let’s just say I’m not one to normally use such basic terms to describe one’s coiffure. It takes a dire situation for me to merit using a word like that, and yours? Well…” With a smirk, her horn began to glow more intensely.

Nighttide pursed her lips and batted a hoof at the sparkling blue magic encasing her mane. “Ugh, seriously, everyone’s always with the magic.” Finally, Rarity released her grasp, having left her mane a little more presentable. “Anyway, I get it. So you said before you had a hairdresser to recommend?”

“Oh yes, of course.” Rarity nodded toward her boutique across the way. “Can you meet me later this afternoon? We can go together, if you’d like.”

“Sounds good to me,” Nighttide said, before squinting at the mare. “So long as you promise not to give them any ideas of your own.”

“Of course not,” Rarity retorted with a hurt look, “why would I ever do such a thing?”

“Because you’ve been nagging me for over a month to get my mane restyled?”

“Yes, well,” Rarity continued with a smile, “that’s more out of presenting necessity than any desire to—”

“I know, I know,” Nighttide said as she walked past the mare with a grin. “And actually, I’m just teasin’ this time. I’ve kept my mane this way for so long that I’m willing to entertain some ideas, if you have any of course—”

“Squee!” Rarity squee’d, “I have the most marvelous idea that I’ve been dying to suggest. What with your color scheme, I really think that—”

“Alright, hang on!” Nighttide chuckled as she raised a hoof. “We’ll discuss it later! Right now I’ve gotta head over to Sweet Apple Acres and meet up with Big Mac. Today’s my day to help out with the east orchard.”

“Oh, right, of course – don’t let me make you late,” Rarity said as she turned back for her boutique. “See you this afternoon!”

“Later,” Nighttide called back.

As Nighttide trotted down the main thoroughfares of Ponyville, she occasionally glanced between the different shops and ponies that were beginning to crowd around them. She had placed a few names to faces over time, such as Lyra, Bon Bon, Mayor Mare, and the like, though she continued to stick mostly to Twilight and her friends. While most ponies had accepted her presence, others were still obviously a bit hesitant given her unique appearance. Nighttide learned that aside from the Royal and Night Guards, few if any ponies could ever be seen walking around in armor – let alone a full body suit. If anything, she was thankful for the three domes on her flank that seemed to pass as something resembling a cutie mark for most. By Rarity’s recommendation, she had eventually developed the excuse, “Oh, these mean I’m good at finding emeralds!” She wondered for a time if Rarity hadn’t structured the definition to her benefit, given she was constantly asking for her help on mining expeditions.

Taking a left at a fork in the path, she spotted a few pegasi overhead clearing away some errant clouds. She could see Rainbow Dash in the distance working alongside a pale green pegasus to move away a heftier cloud. For a moment, she frowned, thinking back to a time shortly after the incident when the Princesses asked her not to use her equipment in public. ‘Ugh, I miss being able to fly. Never got to find out if I could make a storm or not.’

After passing through the outskirts of Ponyville, Nighttide picked up the pace. The borders of Sweet Apple Acres were just coming into view, the rolling hills and rows of trees making way for a clearing in the distance. She smiled as she spotted Applejack buckling herself to a wagon in the distance, and—

Beeeeeeeeeep.

Nighttide froze in place. Her ears flicked to the side as a synthetic female voice began to resonate from her suit.

“Received a telegram from Ridley 051. Transponder 00361-001, analog transmission.”

For a moment, Nighttide stood stock-still, hoof lifted mid-trot. Finally, with wide eyes, she spun around and galloped back into Ponyville, straight to the Golden Oak Library.


__________


Twilight had rushed down the stairs from her study only moments ago. She already tasked Spike with sending a letter to the Princess as they waited for the transmission to process. “How long does something like this usually take?” she asked from her spot on a sofa.

“Not this long,” Nighttide said as she paced in front of her. “Analog transmissions are usually just voice clips; they rarely have to go through any filtering. The fact it’s taking this long for my systems to process probably means it’s coming from a long distance, but... I-I don’t understand how they could even be getting through!” Rambling on, she said, “From what we’ve believed this whole time, the fourth dimension should be completely sealed off on our end – there’s no way for anything, not even an analog transmission, to carry this far without opening the—”

“Calm down, Nighttide.” Twilight reached a hoof out to Nighttide’s shoulder, causing her to pause and look her way. “Speculation isn’t going to help with anything right now – and that’s advice I know only too well is true. All we can do is wait until your system’s processed the information, correct?”

“Y-yeah,” Nighttide said with a hesitant nod. “I’m just… man. It’s been so long. How were they now able to—”

A series of harmonic beeps emanated from Nighttide’s suit. Both mare’s ears flicked toward the sound.

“Telegram processed. Ready for review.”

A few seconds passed as Nighttide looked down at the floor. Eventually, Twilight climbed off the sofa and sat in front of her. Looking up into her eyes, she said, “It’s time, Nighttide. Let’s see what they have to say.”

With a gulp, Nighttide nodded, and set the telegram to play aloud.

“… skkkrrt… sknnt… — peat, this is… — skrrrt — Tanis, DIRE Ridley facility, transmit over transponder zero zero three six one dash zero zero one, send slash receive bandwidth. Telegram for L A B ten thirty-two. We’ve received your distress signal and are attempting an analog transmission sweep across all programmed frequencies. If you receive this telegram, respond via transponder code, set ident code one zero three two—”

Nighttide cut the recording as she opened a compartment on her back. Both her and Twilight watched as a small array of metalwork began to rise from within, folding and expanding into a thin rod that nearly reached the ceiling of the library.

“This is the antenna we’re supposed to use when transmitting for long-distance reconnaissance missions,” Nighttide said as the top-most portion of the array locked in place. “It only works with analog transmissions, so all I should need to do is set the transponder code from before and flip on the mic.”

Twilight nodded in response, just as the sound of a dragon belching came from nearby. “Spike, is that Celestia?”

“Well, who else would it be,” Spike quipped as he walked over with a rolled parchment.

Twilight grinned sheepishly, lifting the scroll in her magic and unfurling it. Meanwhile, Nighttide programmed the transponder code in her system and set her suit’s mic to hot.

“Alright, Twilight,” Nighttide said, “I’m about to transmit. Are we… er…” She drew a deep breath. “Am I ready for this?”

Twilight glanced up from the parchment at her friend with a raised eyebrow. “I thought you would be excited to hear from home? Something wrong?”

“N-no. I mean, it’s just…” Nighttide groaned as she slumped in place. “I wasn’t even sure I’d ever hear from them again, y’know? I know you and I were supposed to look further into that spell of Star Swirl’s you were studying a couple months ago once my check-ins were done, but I’ve been here for so long already, and all the sudden they just… break through the barrier and send me a message?” She looked at Twilight with folded ears. “Cool as that is, I just wasn’t expecting it anymore, I guess.”

Twilight pursed her lips. Taking a moment to finish reading the scroll, she levitated it to her writing desk and looked at Nighttide. “I can understand why you’re nervous, but being able to contact home? That’s the one thing you’ve been hoping for all this time, the very thing we set out to do when we first met.”

“Chyea,” Nighttide scoffed, “when we first met. Not...” She paused, prodding gently at the floor.

For a moment, Twilight stared at the mare. Letting her eyes drift a moment to her writing desk, she said, “Do you not want to talk to them?”

A few seconds passed as Nighttide stood in place, mulling the question over. “No,” she eventually said, “it’s not that. I want to contact them. I’m just… a little taken off-guard, is all.”

“Mmm,” Twilight hummed with a nod, “that makes sense. In any case, Princess Celestia wrote back with well wishes and asked us to meet with her and Luna after we make contact.”

“That’s if we can. Ridley’s got a much more powerful transmitter than my own. We’ll have to see if we can break through the… whatever they did,” she said, gesturing to the air, “to send this transmission.”

Standing back to her full height, Nighttide cleared her throat, angling her head a little toward her chest. Static noise began to emanate softly from her suit as she spoke. “L A B ten thirty-two to Ridley zero five one… L A B ten thirty-two to Ridley zero five one, DIRE report.”

Several seconds of static passed.

“L A B ten thirty-two to Ridley zero five one, DIRE report, priority.”

Another few seconds. Then,

“Skrrrtt—skrt—dley oh five one, go.”

Nighttide’s muzzle froze open for a second. Then, speaking quickly, she said, “This is LAB-1032 to Ridley 051, DIRE report, priority. Confirm ident.”

“This is Ridley 051, responding LAB-1032.”

Twilight watched with awe as the voice of a stallion from somewhere across the ether came through loud and, for the most part, clear. She grinned at Nighttide, who returned a nervous smile.

Clearing her throat once more, Nighttide said, “LAB-1032, ident confirm Ridley 051. Priority alert. Patch Labyrinth admin Rubedo, Colonel.”

“Ridley 051, command received LAB-1032, patch Rubedo, Colonel. Confirm?”

“1032 confirms request, g’day.”

The sound of the transmission shifted back to a low white noise, interrupted occasionally by a ringing chime. After a moment, another, deeper voice crackled to life.

“Skrrrt—olonel Rubedo, patched through Ridley 051, transponder 00361-001, ident.”

Twilight and Nighttide both went wide-eyed at the familiar sound of the Colonel’s voice. With an audible gulp, Nighttide responded, “This is LAB-1032, responding Colonel Rubedo, patch Ridley 051.”

A beat.

“…Nighttide?”

“Yeah…” Nighttide exhaled. “Yeah, it’s me, Colonel.”


__________


For the next several minutes, Nighttide caught the Colonel up to speed with everything that had taken place leading up to the incident with Riptide. Not wanting to confide any further details until she had council with the Princesses, she switched the topic to what she considered to be a more pressing matter.

“Colonel,” Nighttide said as Twilight and Spike listened on from the sofa, “I’m assuming our transmission right now is clear-channel over-the-air, correct?”

“That’s correct,” the Colonel’s deep voice resonated from Nighttide’s suit.

“Then if what we’re assuming is true – that Equestria and our own land are on two separate planets – how are we carrying over this wavelength?”

“Although this is an OTA transmission, we’ve managed to open a stable portal. Using a transvector system, we were able to get a general fix on the coordinates through which you last traveled when we lost your packet data between pylons one and two.”

“Gotcha. That… makes some sense.” As Nighttide tapped a hoof to her chin, Spike looked up at Twilight with a confused expression. Twilight merely shrugged. “So, is this stable portal able to carry digital transmissions? I’m assuming not since we’re doing this analog nonsense.”

“That’s not quite accurate. We chose to transmit this way since distress beacons and telegram reception are done strictly analog. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve done digital transmission testing with both living and nonliving material. Everything seems to check out with no data loss, just as before.”

“Yeeeaaahhh, about that,” Nighttide drawled with a smirk. “Try being the pony who’s transmitted through the great unknown and lands on a mysterious planet. Can’t say I wholly agree with those original test figures.”

On the other end, a gruff, muffled laugh could be heard. “Well, yes, we of course had to adjust for errors. In any case, Nighttide, I believe we can use your warp drive to return you home safely as soon as we get a lock on your digital transponder.”

“R-right,” Nighttide stammered before clearing her voice. “Listen, Colonel. I’m… a little tied up with some legal affairs on this end. I’ll need to seek council with the local royalty before we can plan a return jump.”

There was a pause. “Say again, Nighttide? Did I hear ‘royalty?’”

“Uh… yeah. Yes, you did.” Nighttide gulped.

“I see. You understand we will need to directly communicate with any legal officials in the area in order to produce a debrief, correct?”

“Yes, of course,” Nighttide quickly replied. “I need to travel out to the capital city of Canterlot before I can setup council, though. Shouldn’t take more than a couple hours.”

“Understood. We’ll keep this analog transponder send-receive-lock until you’re ready. And...” There was a pause, causing Nighttide to tilt her head. “...It’s good to hear from you, Nighttide.”

Nighttide’s eyes widened slightly. With a weak smile, she said, “Copy. LAB-1032, sign-off.”

“Ridley 051, sign-off clear.”

And with that, the transmission went silent. Nighttide began retracting her antenna as she let out a long exhale, casting a glance over at Twilight.

“Well,” Twilight said as she stood to her hooves, “I have to say, that was certainly an interesting way of communicating long-distance.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Looking over at Spike, she added, “’Course, dragon mail seems a bit spiffier in my eyes.”

“Hey, glad somepony appreciates my talents,” Spike commented with a proud grin as he clambered off the sofa and headed toward a pile of comics.

Twilight smirked at Spike before returning her attention to Nighttide. “Well then, guess we’ve got some friends and a train to catch, huh?”

Nighttide nodded hesitantly. “Yeah… yeah, looks like it.”

As Nighttide watched Spike pick a book from the top of the stack, Twilight bit her lip. She glanced over once more at her writing desk. On the edge sat the scroll she just received, lying next to a sealed scroll bearing the Lunar crest.


__________


“Sister, I really don’t think this is a good idea,” Princess Luna said as she stood at one side of a set of tall doors in the castle’s foyer.

“Luna, we can’t exactly hold a pony against their will if they haven’t committed a crime,” Celestia said across from her as she watched the doors expectantly.

“Yes, I understand this, but the risk of sending somepony with the evil sealed within them to a land inherently devoid of magic is asking for trouble. I know it.” Luna took a step toward her sister with pleading eyes. “I feel it, sister. Can you not also sense the danger this situation presents?”

Celestia looked down at her sister, an expression split between understanding and frustration. “Of course I understand. Nevertheless, I see no justifiable way to keep Nighttide here in Equestria – not to mention the fact I don’t want to in the first place.”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “You do realize the dreams Nighttide had were of memories from her past and another pony’s past? Real memories that took place in her world?” Narrowing her eyes, she lowered her voice and said, “Ignoring for a moment the ethical implications of what I and Twilight witnessed, whatever that ‘Sarcophagus’ is that’s built into the mare subdued those memories upon sealing the evil.” She huffed. “That did not happen before.”

Celestia hung her head. “While I recognize there is something concerning about the technology, there’s nothing we can do until—”

Just then, the doors creaked open. The Princesses turned toward three Royal Guards standing at the threshold. “Your Majesties,” the center-most guard began, “Princess Twilight Sparkle and envoy are ready to meet.”

“Thank you,” Princess Celestia said. “Send word we’re on our way.”

The Guards nodded before turning back the way they came. Once out of earshot, Celestia turned to her sister and whispered, “I don’t want us to go into this if we’re not on the same page, but I simply don’t believe we should force Nighttide to stay because of a decision we had to make. She was the victim of circumstances that nopony could have prevented.”

“You mean nopony other than that ex-guard, Riptide,” Luna commented as she turned for the hall. “But… I agree with you. I neither want nor see a valid means to retain Nighttide, not to mention the political implications doing so could now have.” As she took a few steps past the doors, she looked back at her sister, her expression somber. “I only hope you know the risk she poses once she’s beyond our reach.”

Princess Celestia looked at her sister, her eyes both soft and resolute. “I do, sister. Only too well.”

Princess Luna returned a nod. “Then let us meet with Nighttide and friends.”


__________


Nighttide stood at the far end of a long, lavishly furnished room, expanding the last portion of her antenna. Twilight stood to one side of the mare while Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were seated at a long table. Rarity, on the other side of Nighttide, brought her horn to a glow.

“Ugh, stop it, will ya?” Nighttide batted a hoof at her mane, once again wrapped in Rarity’s magic. “It’s not like I’m here for a dance or something.”

“Come now,” Rarity said, “surely you want to look your best for the Princesses?”

Nighttide returned a flat expression. “You know they just walked in, right?”

“Hm?” Rarity looked over Nighttide’s withers at the approaching Princesses. “Oh my stars, Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!” She scampered around Nighttide and gave a quick bow to the two alicorns before taking a seat at the table.

Celestia merely shook her head with a smile as she passed the unicorn. Luna took a seat at one end of the table while she continued up to Nighttide. “So, how does this work, my little pony?”

“Well,” Nighttide said, shifting her weight to make sure the antenna was fixed in place, “according to DIRE policies, I have to make contact first and confirm all the identification junk. Once that’s out of the way, you and Princess Luna will speak with Colonel Rubedo, an official of my nation’s government who acts on behalf of DIRE public and diplomatic relations.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that, though she remained standing silent next to the mare.

“Will that be acceptable?” Nighttide asked as she looked between Celestia and Luna.

“That will be fine,” Celestia said. She turned to her sister. “Is there anything you’d like to add before we begin?”

Princess Luna stared at Nighttide from her seat for a moment, her expression neutral. Nighttide returned the look stoically and gave her a silent, nearly imperceptible nod.

“I believe not,” Luna eventually concluded. “We may proceed when you are ready, Nighttide.”

“Got it.” Turning her attention forward, Nighttide switched her systems over to the analog transmission, allowing the static to sound through her suit. Celestia and Twilight took their seats at the table as everypony waited for the proceedings to begin.

In a moment, a mare picked up the transmission and patched Nighttide through to the Colonel. After confirming their identifications, Nighttide said, “Alright Colonel, I currently have here with me three officials of the Equestrian government.” Turning to face each one as she named them off, she said, “Princess Celestia, High Seat of Equestrian Rule. Princess Luna, Second Seat of Equestrian Rule. And Princess Twilight Sparkle, plus designated witnesses.”

A moment passed as the sound of typing echoed through her suit. “And what was the working title of Princess Twilight Sparkle?”

Nighttide bit her lip. Staring at the Princess in question, who returned an innocent smile, she muttered, “Uh… P-Princess of Friendship, sir.”

“…Say again, Nighttide?”

“You heard me right, Colonel. Princess of Friendship.”

A moment passed as Nighttide held her breath. “…Understood. May I speak to the first representative?”

Nighttide exhaled in relief as she carefully walked to where Princess Celestia sat, keeping her antenna mast steady. “Alright Colonel, I have here Princess Celestia. She will be the first speaking representative of this proceeding.”

“Understood,” Colonel Rubedo replied.

As Nighttide looked at her with a nervous grin, Princess Celestia gently cleared her throat. “Greetings, Colonel Rubedo,” she spoke in her direction. “My name is Princess Celestia.”

“Greetings, Princess. Roanne wishes you a warm welcome.”

Nighttide rolled her eyes.

“Thank you,” Celestia said as she smirked at Nighttide. “I understand we need to address a few points before Nighttide returns home?”

“Just some formalities, Princess.” A few seconds of typing. “Currently, we are acting under the assumption that your land and ours are located on separate planets. There will be time to discuss the implications of that, but as a result, we require the use of Nighttide’s warp drive in order to return her home.” Raising his voice slightly, he said, “Was there any indication of environmental contamination upon Nighttide’s arrival in your world?”

“None that we are aware of, Colonel,” Celestia said. “Though her appearance was certainly unexpected, we observed no signs of issues otherwise, and we had a science team inspect the area shortly after her arrival.” Smiling at the radio mare, she said, “We’ve also had an opportunity to evaluate Nighttide at one of our health facilities, with her permission. No contaminants were identified.”

“Understood.” More typing. “Does your world currently have access to communications technology that can transmit through means such as this one?”

Celestia looked across the table toward Twilight. “I believe we have someone else here who may be able to better answer that.”

Nighttide glanced over at the lavender alicorn. “Oh, right.” Trotting over to Twilight, she said, “Colonel, I’m about to have Princess Twilight Sparkle speak for a moment. She best understands the workings of technology and science out of the group here.”

“That’s fine,” the Colonel resonated.

Twilight ran a hoof through the back of her mane as she stared awkwardly up at Nighttide. Craning her neck forward a little, she said, “U-uhm… greetings, Colonel. My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

“Greetings, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

“Oh, uh – y-you can just call me Twilight.”

Some typing. “Understood. Princess, did you hear the earlier inquiry?”

Twilight stifled a sigh. “Yes, Colonel. As a matter of fact, we do not currently use the same means of communication that you employ. However, Nighttide has already explained that given your government’s permission, we may procure a draft of how to build such a communication device.”

“Correct, Princess. And Nighttide?”

Nighttide raised an eyebrow at herself.

“You are hereby given permission protocol A3 to the Equestrian government, assuming they have access to electricity.”

“They do, Colonel – or at least a variant of it.” She glanced back at Princess Celestia. “The Princesses have already given me permission outlines for their technology as well. Although…”

“Although what, Nighttide?”

Nighttide gulped. “Although, I’m afraid we won’t be able to make use of a lot of it. There are some major biological differences between our ponies and theirs. They also make use of devices which employ an intangible substance called ‘mana,’ from what I understand.”

A few seconds of dull static passed. “…Does it meet credible threat standards?”

“Y-yes sir, it does.” Nighttide fixed her gaze on Celestia, who returned her a reassuring smile.

“…Understood,” the Colonel eventually spoke. “Do their permission outlines match requirements?”

“Yes sir, across the board,” Nighttide quickly replied, “standards A through Zed are met.”

“Understood. In that case…” The Colonel drew an audible breath. “May I speak to someone who handles border operations?”

Nighttide glanced around the various ponies seated at the table. After a second, Princess Luna said, “Perhaps I may be of help?”

Shrugging, Nighttide walked over to the Princess and said, “I have here Princess Luna who will be addressing border operations.”

“Greetings, Colonel Rubedo,” Princess Luna already began, “my name is Princess Luna, Second Seat of Equestrian Rule. I also act as General of the Night Guard and Equestrian Homeland Defense.”

“Greetings, Princess Luna,” the Colonel replied. “I was just curious, how does your nation handle diplomatic relations with governing entities?”

“In the past, our borders have always been open to communicating with foreign governments. It’s been some time since we spoke with an unfamiliar nationality ourselves, but the standards remain the same: our doors are open for political exchange, given that is what you are suggesting.”

“Precisely,” the Colonel said. “If we are able to safely return Nighttide Star to our homeland, then we may be able to send over an ambassador unit. This, of course, will be after we provide material on how to both open and close the portal, so your government will have equal control of border operations.”

“That will suffice,” Luna said. “It is our understanding that Nighttide can provide this information herself?”

“Yes,” Nighttide spoke on the Colonel’s behalf. “One of my original duties was to act as a Frontier Ambassador, or one of those ponies you send to faraway places before you send a bunch more. Something like that.”

“Nighttide,” the Colonel interjected, “please try to retain your professionalism while speaking.”

Princess Luna giggled as Nighttide cast a worried glance at herself. “Do not worry,” the Princess said. “As far as we are all concerned here, Nighttide is a friend to us. Certainly much more than a mere guest.”

Nighttide smiled at the Princess, matching a similar expression Fluttershy was giving the two from across the table.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” the Colonel eventually replied. “Alright then, Nighttide. We’re going to attempt to lock onto your digital transponder. Provided it works, we’ll update your systems to allow A3 classified material to print.”

“Understood, Colonel,” Nighttide said. “So… how long should that take?”

A moment of silence passed. Suddenly, a series of relays clicked from within Nighttide’s suit, followed by a strangely upbeat chime and a slot in her chest opening on its own.

“Oh, uh… well then!” Nighttide ran a hoof through her mane as a series of documents began to print. “Pretty fast.”

“Alright, looks like we’ve got a secure lock,” the Colonel spoke over the sound of printing. “Once documents have been exchanged, we’ll prepare for your jump back home.”

“Understood, Colonel,” Nighttide muttered as she worked to collect the papers falling out of her chest. Turning to Luna, she said, “Well, I guess you guys’ll need to round up some documents, huh?” Smiling nervously, she added, “Don’t worry if it takes a while, I’m sure DIRE will totes understand—”

Luna’s horn began to glow. A second later, a set of scrolls flashed into existence onto the table. “Can you carry these home with you?”

Nighttide glared at the small pile of scrolls. “Uh… y-yeah, I should have enough storage for it. Though if it’s alright, I should probably scan them to my system first.”

“Whatever your government determines necessary,” Luna said as she sat back in her seat.

While Nighttide scooped up the last bit of documents printing from her system, Twilight looked on with a frown. After a moment, she cleared her throat. “Excuse me, um, Nighttide? Colonel?”

Nighttide set the stack of papers in front of Luna as she looked at Twilight. “Hang on a sec, let me walk over there.”

Twilight watched as Nighttide waddled around the table, the tall antenna mast swaying slightly with her trot. She bit her lip to fight back a smirk.

“Okay Colonel,” Nighttide said, “I have Princess Twilight Sparkle back on the mic.”

“Understood.”

Twilight cleared her throat. “Colonel, I would like to make an informal request before Nighttide returns home.”

Nighttide tilted her head as the Colonel replied. “Oh? What is the request, Princess?”

“Well… as Princess Luna mentioned, we have all sort of become friends since Nighttide’s arrival.” Smiling anxiously, she said, “Would it be alright if she stay another night so we can give her a proper farewell?”

“I see no issue with that, now that we have a lock on Nighttide’s transponder. Although for documentation sake, I’d like to ask at least the nature of this ‘farewell’ you intend to provide.”

Twilight stifled a giggle. “A party, Colonel.” She glanced over at Pinkie Pie. “We want to throw her a party.”

Nighttide’s eyes grew wide. “Understood, Princess,” the Colonel replied. “We’ll make arrangements for Nighttide’s return tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Colonel,” Twilight said, smiling at her friend. Off in the corner, Pinkie Pie squee’d to herself as everypony else looked on with warm smiles.

“S-s-so yeah,” Nighttide eventually stammered with a grin, “I guess I’ll contact you tomorrow morning, Colonel?”

“0600 hours if you will, Nighttide.”

Nighttide groaned. “Seriously? That’s, like, before the Princess raises the sun. Why so early?”

A few seconds of silence passed. “…Did you just say ‘before the princess raises the sun?’“

Nighttide smirked. Waddling up beside the now-smug alicorn in question, she proudly said, “Yes sir. I most certainly did.”


__________


Once upon a time, Twilight might have been concerned that proposing a last-minute party to Pinkie and her friends would be met with hesitation. She was glad she had learned otherwise.

Over the course of the night, everypony celebrated at Twilight’s library. Pinkie Pie, in true-to-form fashion, managed to throw together a “Thanks For Visiting Ponyville and Going on a Big Adventure that Really Only Lasted Two Days but Was So Much Fun” party just for Nighttide. The metal mare had stared at the several-meter wide banner strewn across and beyond the library’s façade for several moments, before everypony finally managed to bring her inside.

The party lasted well into the night. Nighttide was able to enjoy a sample of Applejack’s cider – which Rainbow insisted was the highlight of the party – while Fluttershy made a quick trip home, bringing back Nighttide’s favorite quilt for her to take home. Nighttide thanked the pegasus countless times for the gift before Rarity finally managed to grab her attention. Stepping out for a second to make a late late-night request to her hairdresser, she managed to have Nighttide’s mane trimmed at the library to a more “reasonable” length.

For most of the night, Twilight stayed out of the way, preferring to help Pinkie with various party arrangements so Nighttide could interact with the others. As special as the night was in theory, she couldn’t help but feel Nighttide’s departure wasn’t worth celebrating. If anything, it was worth mourning.

Nevertheless, she did all she could to make sure the grey mare had a pleasant time during her last night in Equestria. As ordered, Nighttide contacted the colonel just before the sun rose. Fighting the minor effects of only an hour of sleep and a cider hangover, she and Fluttershy enjoyed one last, bittersweet breakfast together at the cottage before setting off for Ponyville to meet with the rest at the train station.

Instead of departing for Canterlot, they made a special trip to Appaloosa. According to Nighttide’s warp-drive instructions, when jumping from an uncontrolled setting, a space of no less than one-kilometer free of organic material should be used. Twilight could think of no better place than the stretches of desert that bordered the town.

As everypony disembarked the train, Twilight led the group into the desert on hoof. They didn’t have to trek far, given the land just beyond the station was mostly barren before terminating at the footholds of the mountains.

Nighttide instructed everypony to drop off their saddlebags before they trekked another kilometer into the desert. Once they were in place, everyone gathered together and looked around.

For a moment, nopony said a word, merely taking the moment to peer across the vast, barren land that stretched for miles on end, shadowed by a canopy of interspersed clouds overhead. The air was cool – an unusual occurrence for Appaloosa even during the spring – and not a sound could be heard, aside from a gentle breeze blowing far overhead.

That, and a pair of flapping wings.

“Soooo,” Rainbow Dash drawled from above the group, “are we, like, gonna get this show on the road?”

Nighttide raised an eyebrow at her as everyone shot the pegasus a frown. “What, you ready to get rid of me so quick?”

“Hardly,” Rainbow said as she crossed her forelegs mid-air. “I never got a chance to race you again after that first time. I was kinda looking forward to another match.”

Nighttide smiled. “Yeah. I kinda was too.”

Rainbow returned a smile of her own as she touched down, walking up to the mare. “Y’know,” she said with a cocked eyebrow, “there is this big, open area all around us. We could go for another round if you wanted.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Nighttide said with a smirk, “I’ll just tell my commanding officer that I gotta take a sec to kick a mare’s flank in a one-on-one race. That’ll totally fly.”

Everypony giggled as Rainbow rolled her eyes, looking off to the side. “Yeah, well, figured I’d suggest it, at least.”

“And for that, I’m thankful.” Nighttide stepped up to the mare and raised a hoof. “Stay cool, dude.”

Rainbow Dash grinned, bumping a hoof against the mare’s. “You too, crazy mane.”

As Rainbow turned back to her saddlebags, Rarity stepped up next. She examined Nighttide’s mane with squinted eyes.

“Nuh uh.” Nighttide threw a hoof over her head. “Ignore Rainbow. You’re not touching it this time.”

Rarity put a hoof to her muzzle to stifle a giggle. “Just making sure you look presentable. We wouldn’t want ponies from where you come to think we’re uncouth.”

“Oh, I think that’ll be the last of their concerns,” Nighttide mused aloud, swatting at a loose patch of bangs.

Rarity smiled as she closed the gap, wrapping her hooves around the mare in a gentle hug. “You be good for us, dear. I’ll miss you.”

Nighttide smiled behind the mare as she carefully returned the hug. “I’ll miss you too.” She looked up as Pinkie Pie bounced up to them. “And you as well, Pinkie.”

“Awwhh!” Pinkie Pie bounded forward, knocking Rarity out of the way as she wrapped her hooves around Nighttide in a tight embrace.

“P-Pinkie?!” Nighttide choked as she watched Rarity scuttle back to her hooves with a scowl. “I… might be metal, but… the neck…!”

“Oh, sorry about that!” Pinkie released her grasp upon the mare, allowing Nighttide a chance to catch her breath. “Just wanted you to know how much we’ll miss you!”

“Y-yeah,” Nighttide wheezed, “I gathered as much from the party last night.”

Pinkie furrowed her brow with a grin. “Were there enough balloons for ya?”

Nighttide tapped a hoof to her chin. An image of several hundred round, multicolored objects made of rubber and inflated with helium flooded her memory. “Um… yep. Definitely.” She could still feel the static cling in her mane.

“Great! Well, see ya later!” Spinning about, Pinkie made to bounce back to the pile of saddlebags.

“Whoa, hang on a sec,” Nighttide said as she reached a hoof out. “You… you do realize this could be the last time we see each other, right?”

Pinkie froze mid-bounce and looked over her shoulder with a knowing expression. “Silly, this isn’t how the story ends!”

Nighttide blinked. Following through her bounce, Pinkie made her way back, skirting alongside a dusty Rarity as Applejack stepped up next.

Shaking her head, Nighttide looked up at the Stetson resting on Applejack’s blonde mane. “Looks like Rarity did a mighty fine job there, partner.”

“Oh, don’t you start now,” Applejack said as she tipped the brim of her hat up. “Last thing I need is somepony mockin’ the way I talk in some other world.”

“I dunno, figure it might be kind of cool to spread the accent around,” Nighttide said as she gently gabbed a hoof into Applejack’s muscular chest. “I’d love to hear the Colonel speak like that. Make it easier to smile around him.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow, drawn in all the right ways to express her next statement. “I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult.”

“The former.” Nighttide smiled. “It’s kind of hard to not smile around somepony as cool as you are.”

Applejack returned the smile in earnest. “Jus’ so ya know, I think Big Mac’s gonna miss havin’ ya ‘round the farm. You’ve been a mighty big help these past few weeks.” She furrowed her brow as she added, “I jus’ hope you don’t think any of that was necessary—”

“For the last time, I don’t,” Nighttide said, rolling her eyes. “I was more than happy to help out. It’s not like I enjoy sitting around doing nothing, so being able to help around the farm? That was the biggest favor you could do for me.”

Applejack shook her head, bringing the brim of her hat down over her eyes. “We’re sure gonna miss ya.”

“I’ll miss you too. And your brother as well. Let him know for me?”

As she turned for her saddlebags, Applejack gave a wink and said, “Ya darn tootin’.”

Nighttide smiled at the mare as a yellow pegasus with a pink mane squirmed quietly nearby. Turning her attention to the mare, she said, “Well, guess you’re next, huh?”

Fluttershy slumped her shoulders, playing with the end of her mane with a hoof. “Um… I-I suppose.”

Nighttide tilted her head. “You alright?”

“I…” Fluttershy gulped, hiding her eyes slightly behind her long bangs. “I’m just… I didn’t expect you to be leaving so soon, that’s all.”

With a sad smile, Nighttide walked over to the mare. She flicked open a storage compartment in her barrel and glanced back at a familiar patchwork quilt within.

Fluttershy lifted her head to look inside. “I hope it’s good enough?”

Nighttide raised an eyebrow, turning to the mare as she closed the compartment with a soft click. “Has anypony ever told you just how well you represent your element?”

For a moment, it appeared Fluttershy winced at the words. Then, slowly, a blush began to form as she smiled back. “Th-thank you, Nighttide.”

“Mm-mm.” Nighttide shook her head as she pulled the mare into a hug. “Thank you.”

Fluttershy returned the hug with both hooves and wings, closing her eyes as she rested her muzzle against her shoulder. “We’ll miss you.” Her ears perked up as she added, “And Angel will too.”

Nighttide scrunched her muzzle. “Why do I find that hard to believe?”

Fluttershy giggled as she pulled out of the embrace. “Oh trust me, I know my Angel bunny well.”

“I figured he’d just be glad to get that storage room back to himself.” Nighttide blinked as she added, “Oh, and thank you ever so much for turning it into a guest-room for me. Seriously.” She cleared her throat with a smirk. “Obvious cliché aside, that was, uh… really kind of you.”

“You’re ever so welcome,” Fluttershy said, smiling in return. With a wave, she turned for her saddlebags. Nighttide watched the yellow pegasus trot away for a moment, before turning to the last remaining pony in front of her.

Twilight stood with a hoof raised limply, staring at the grey mare.

Nighttide blinked as a cloud overhead shifted to reveal the warm spring sun. Her suit reflected the rays at various angles, forcing Twilight to walk directly in front of her just to not be blinded.

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Nighttide said as she glanced back at her barrel, having to shield her own eyes with a hoof. “Can’t say I’d be of much use for arid operations.”

Twilight sighed. “You know, Nighttide, given everything that’s happened… and the simple fact that you’re kind of bad at hiding your emotions—”

Nighttide cocked an eyebrow.

“—I know you must not be happy to go home.”

Nighttide’s ears folded back. Hanging her head, she said, “Well… yeah. I mean, I guess that’s kind of a ‘no duh’ thing at this point. But…” She drew a breath, returning to her full height. “Doesn’t mean I have a choice. DIRE built me for a purpose, and now that we’ve had contact again, you bet your nonexistent britches they’ll be all up my flank if I don’t go back.”

Twilight chuckled as she sat to her haunches. “I suppose so.” She glanced over to the snow-capped Appaloosan Mountains, letting her mind wander back to the memories they made there. “You know, even after all this time, there’s still so much I don’t know about what happened that day.”

“Hm?” Nighttide glanced back at the mountains. “Oh. Yeah, well… not everything can always be explained, I guess.” Stifling a laugh, she added, “I mean, you’re ponies with wings and magic. Heck, even the ones without wings or a horn apparently have magic of some sort, so how do you think I feel?”

Twilight nodded, her smile fading into a flat line. “Yeah… yeah, I understand that. Still, though…”

Nighttide tilted her head. “What is it?”

For a moment, Twilight continued to stare at the mountains. “Of all the adventures I’ve had these past couple of years, none of them have ever ended quite this… mm…”

“Anticlimactic?” Nighttide offered with a smirk.

Twilight giggled as she looked back to the mare. “W-well, not the word I probably would’ve used, but… something like that.”

Nighttide breathed a single, strained laugh. “Well, it’s all good. And besides,” she continued with a brighter tone, “I gave Princess Luna those documents on communication. For all we know, we might be able to keep talking even after I get back!”

Twilight’s eyes brightened. “Do you really think so?”

“It’s possible. Although…” Nighttide’s ears folded at the tips. “I never know what DIRE has planned from one day to the next.”

“Yeah.” Twilight furrowed her brow. “I know only too well.”

Nighttide raised an eyebrow. “You really must’ve seen a lot in those dreams, huh?”

“More than I care to admit.”

Squinting at the alicorn, Nighttide slowly stood up. “Just what exactly did you see, Twilight?”

Twilight blinked. Keeping herself as calm as she could, she met eyes with the mare and said, “A lot.” She gulped slowly and carefully. “But I really can’t remember much of it, either.”

Nighttide continued to stare for a moment. Eventually, she sat back down and said, “Well, Princess Luna told me you ponies have a pretty big belief system in dreams and stuff.” Shrugging, she added, “I’m not so fond of them myself. My version of a good night’s sleep is nothing. Just pure, dark, silent bliss.”

Twilight flinched at that. Managing as natural a smile she could, she said, “Well, in any case… I guess I need to let you go.” She clenched down on the inside of her lip as soon as the words rolled off her tongue.

Nighttide seemed to not notice. Glancing back at the green luminescence of her flank, she said, “Yeah, they’re already pinging my transponder, so the sooner I jump, the better.”

“R-right.” Standing up, Twilight wrapped her hooves around the mare for a hug. “You just be safe when you get back, alright? Make sure nopony hurts you. If you ever get into trouble, just try to get in touch with me, and always be sure to—”

“Whoa,” Nighttide muttered as she returned the hug, “hang on a sec, mom – I’m a big pony after all.” She pulled her head back. “I mean, this ain’t the cave all over again, y’know? Least I know what I’m—”

She paused. Blinking, she watched as tears began to well in Twilight’s violet eyes.

For a moment, something felt as if it clicked in her heart. Shaking her head clear of the sensation for a moment, she broke free of the embrace. “Twilight? Hey…” She lifted a hoof, ready to catch the tears that seemed ready to spill any moment.

Instead, Twilight closed her eyes, trapping the tears within and tilting her head away. “I-I’m fine, sorry. Just…” She breathed a chuckle. “I just get a little emotional with goodbyes, that’s all.”

Nighttide smirked. “Well, don’t you worry about that none, miss Princess.” Patting the mare on the shoulder with her lifted hoof, she said, “Since you’ve got government status, you’ll be able to make contact with my homeworld. And,” she drawled with a smile, angling her head to meet Twilight’s closed eyes, “I betcha they’ll let you contact me whenever you want because of that! I just realized it!”

Wiping a hoof quickly across her face, Twilight looked back with a weak smile. “Y-you really think so?”

“Uh huh,” Nighttide said with a nod. “You can totally kick some bureaucratic flank with your status and chat it up whenever you want.” Glancing at the mares in the distance with a shrug, she added, “I won’t swear by it, but I believe that’s what—”

Suddenly, Twilight latched onto Nighttide’s withers, pulling her into a tight hug as she nuzzled the side of the mare’s cheek.

Nighttide flinched. Returning the gesture gently, her ears twitched at the sound of a sniffle.

“Then we’ll be in touch soon,” Twilight whispered. “I promise.”

A strange shudder ran through what remained of Nighttide’s body within her suit, carrying with it a sense of nostalgia. “Y-yeah,” she stammered after a moment. “That sounds… wonderful.” Her lips curved into a faint smile.

Relinquishing the grey mare, Twilight stepped back and smiled. “Talk to you soon, then.”

Nighttide grinned wide and gave her a salute. “Yes ma’am. I’m looking forward to it.”

With a hushed sigh, Twilight turned to her saddlebags, hanging her head slightly as she fought to keep her emotions in check.

Nighttide watched from behind. As she dropped her hoof back to the dirt below, she frowned.


__________


Upon reaching her throng of friends, Twilight fastened her saddlebag across her barrel and pivoted to look back at Nighttide, who stood like a reflective dot against the horizon.

“Dang sun just had to come out now,” Applejack mumbled as she squinted across the desert, pulling her hat down to shade her eyes.

“Mmm,” Twilight hummed as she lifted a hoof above her brow. Squinting herself, she made out the shimmer of Nighttide’s body standing in the low, hazy heat radiating off the ground.

Across the dirt and sand, Nighttide fumbled with various programming in her mind. Although her systems were brought back to full functioning after the incident, she hadn’t made any real use of them for several weeks, letting her sensors passively analyze the world around her. At least she would have plenty of new information to complement the scrolls she was returning with, though the thought came across as more of a concern than a benefit.

‘Well, not that it matters at this rate,’ she mused with a sigh. Clearing her throat, she angled her head toward her chest. “LAB-1032, initiating jump pre-sequence.”

“Acknowledged, Nighttide,” resonated the voice of a stallion, sounding much clearer thanks to the digital transmission. “We’re ready to receive.”

Nighttide nodded silently as she stood still and upright. Within a moment, she could feel the tingling of the warp drive activating, causing her mane and tail to stand partly on end as her body was surrounded in pulsing orange. She closed her eyes as she soaked in the strange, familiar sensation.

“My little explorer,” a mare echoed in the dark, “what ever am I going to do with you?”

Nighttide gasped, eyes flinging open. The coat hairs along her neck stood on end.

She tilted her head toward a group of colors on the horizon.

As a cloud blocked the sun overhead, her eyes met with violet.


__________


Twilight blinked.

Suddenly, the horizon lit with a bright, blinding light, chased by the bizarre sound of an explosion expanding and retracting on itself, until all that was left was the silence of the desert.

Everypony shielded their eyes with their hooves at the last second. Once the light and sound receded, they squinted across the desert, their sight readjusting to the natural daylight.

Twilight was the first to step forward. Peering across the way, she made out a scorch mark left in the dry dirt.

“Oh my,” Fluttershy muttered as she blinked at the sight. “It’s just like when I first found her!”

Twilight’s closest ear pivoted toward the pegasus for a moment, but it returned forward as she began trotting ahead.

Arriving at the spot several paces ahead of the rest, she lifted a hoof above the charred dirt. The coat hairs on her fetlocks stood partially on end. She couldn’t tell if it was from the static left in the air, or the sinking feeling in her chest.

Once everypony else arrived, they gave a few uncertain looks to the burn mark. Fluttershy was quick to alleviate everyone’s fears as she reminded them again of when she found Nighttide. Twilight murmured a few comments of assent, reminding them how Nighttide explained at the party that this would probably happen. As everyone turned back toward Appaloosa a minute later, Twilight remained in place.

Applejack glanced back. “You comin’, Twi?”

“Yeah, in a moment.” She didn’t look back. “I just need to check something real quick.”

Applejack squinted at her, mulling the statement over for a moment. “Alright. Don’t be too long.”

“I won’t,” Twilight hastily replied.

Staring for a moment longer, Applejack then trotted off to catch up with their friends.

Once Applejack was on her way, Twilight touched a hoof carefully to the outer edge of the scour. She stared at the thin black line for a moment, before a wind began to blow over the mark. Then, with a flick of her horn, she pulled a scroll from her saddlebag.

Lifting the scroll in front of her, she examined the Lunar crest emblazoned on the seal, and a small note tied to it that read in fine calligraphy, “Open in event of Nighttide’s departure.” Breaking the seal, she unfurled the scroll.

The cloud overhead moved aside, allowing the sun to shine on the several-week-old parchment.



”Princess Twilight Sparkle,

Meet with me tomorrow night in the palace garden, when the moon greets the horizon.
- Princess Luna.”



Twilight furrowed her brow. Reading the lines silently to herself once more, she then tucked the scroll back in her saddlebag and looked in front of her. She lifted her hoof once more, examining the coat hairs of her fetlock gently falling into place as the static remnants of Nighttide faded with a breeze.