//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12 - Paladin and the Princess (Epilogue) 
// Story: Sisters in All but Blood 
// by scifipony 
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Shining said, almost pleadingly,  "Twili, please look at me.  Twili…"

I raised myself shakily to a sitting position.  "Ugh, my head."  I groaned, then said, "Strike that.  Ugh, my everything."  Skin, muscle, and abused tendons had all tightened and begun aching.  I felt drained.

"Oh, Twilight."  His magenta eyes glistened in the purple of dawn and the moonlight beyond the windows.  He lay before me, his injured side facing away so that I saw only a few lightning streaks coloring his white coat.  He touched his burnt blue hoof to mine.  Beside me, the doctor worked, cleaning the wounds on my side with a bandage.  My leg looked swollen; it had been immobilized with a stick and reddened bindings.

I remembered my friends and was up on three legs so fast I saw stars.  Shining was up and supporting me, despite his injuries, as I found Hearts, Harps, Minuette, Lunettes, and Twinkie, all groaning and in various stages of levering themselves from the floor.  Before each lay a single jewel.  Hearts stared down, her magenta eyes almost crossed, at a red gem that had three hearts carved into its surface.  Minty Green opened her eyes, startled, and then smiled at a green gem carved with a lyre sporting curly arms.   "Oh, yeah," said Twinkie, levitating and spinning around her blue three-starred gem.  Each gem had the bearer's cutie mark emblazoned upon it.  

At my hooves lay a totally different beast.  The jewel was larger than my hoof and likely-as-not weighed a pound.  It was a spiky purple six point star with five diamonds sunk partially edgewise into its surface like moons rising over a twilit sea.  I raised it in my magic and it began to spin of its own accord before my face.

Shining said, "I thought you were probably spouting a load of mumbo-jumbo when you explained what you were looking for, but I figured, with you, with your commission, there had to be something important."

"Without you, without my friends, without my everypony, I could not have succeeded."

I faced the stage.  Lying there in drying puddles, simply sleeping as indicated by the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, lay a radically changed pony under the gaze of two carriage guards.  But for her three-point black diamond crown, a distinctive ink splotch on her flank, and a crescent moon cutie mark, I might have believed the young blue-grey filly was somepony else.  She could be but a couple of years from being a foal.  Her dark blue mane, burnt short, lay inert over her shoulders.  Around her, her armor lay in faintly smoking exploded bits.  

She looked angelic.

I had my doubts, especially when I tried to put down my element of harmony.  It slipped from my magic and held itself in front of my face at a pony-length.  At a Minuette's gasp, I turned and saw the other gems rising of their own accord, floating before their recipients.  "Is everypony all right?"  I asked.

The ever-wary guards, ears perked forward, closed in around us.  The Ponyvillians joined up with each of my college friends, oddly gravitating towards an element whose bearer matched their personality.  Pinkie and Minuette were, of course, already friends.  

Harps asked, "What does it mean?  Did we solve the mystery but miss the grand conspiracy?"

As the gems switched to orbiting around the group of us, I said, "I don't know, but I think we're going to find out."  I again looked at the slumbering form on the stage, but the brightening of the sky caught my attention.  Sunrise appeared ready to begin, but there was no Celestia to accomplish it.

Right.  Of course.  

My front legs shuddered with fatigue, but I made ready. 

The gems suddenly halted east of me in a formation that resembled my cutie mark, placing me at the middle of the herd.  The elements levitated all of us, even Shining and the Ponyvillians, shifting me to the front.  This time, however, when the Elements drew friendship magic from our bodies, like multiple prisms with a sun behind us, it felt nowhere as intense.  Beams from each pony hit the five smaller elements, which collimated them into five beams focused on the star gem, from which shot a rainbow torrent through the window, across the ramparts and lush forest growth, to the horizon.   Thusly, the sun rose in a blaze of beautiful sunshine.

We had raised the sun!

The eastern brilliance increased.  A dazzling rainbow-halo grew around the sun, blotted it out, and grew closer.  A luminous sphere then passed through the glass as if none of the jagged remaining panes existed at all.  

We settled gently to the ground as the sphere alighted and faded.  The curse had always been two parts.  And since the young mare on the stage wasn't Celestia…

I hobbled forward on three legs, Shining pressing on one side while Lunettes pressed on the other.  Rainbows swirled on the sphere and danced like oil on the surface of water, dimmed, and then dissipated like smoke, revealing—  "Princess Celestia!" I cried.

The white alicorn gasped as the magic released her.  She stumbled and righted herself, seeing the ponies arrayed before her in this ancient court hall.  She smiled, then focused on me and frowned.  "Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student.  I knew you could do it!"

As everypony genuflected, I embraced her.  She felt real and desert hot.  I felt her breathing, her heart pumping, her feathery wings rustling, adding to the warm embrace.  Yesterday, I would have felt proud... recognized...  relieved.  Today, I knew how my parents felt when I woke up in the hospital, that day after the explosion.  Twilight-the-foal had blown the side of our Canterlot apartment into the street.  She had been in the room.  It had been her chemistry experiment gone awry. 

Had the "child" of a thousand years ago learned her lesson?  Today's Celestia was not yesterday's Celestia.  She was free to be somepony else. 

Free... to be somepony else…

"I broke the curse," I whispered into her fur, which smelled like recently ironed linen—she had been imprisoned on the sun.  As she folded her wings, I added, "Yesterday, I was your faithful student."

Today, perhaps not so much. 

We separated.  The Elements of Harmony settled between the two of us to the floor, at my hooves, with a crystalline clatter.  My friend and my brother again steadied me.  I looked from Celestia's wings to her royal purple eyes.  Her green, blue, and purple mane swirled like something alive around her head.  To her face, I continued, "Today, I don't know who I am."

To my utter surprise, she genuflected to me.  On one knee, wings flared, head bowed, she said, "Twilight Sparkle, I am now your student.  You are an inspiration to us all."  Around me, I heard a mass of ponies once again genuflect. 

For a vain moment, I imagined a copperplate etching in a future history book.  Me, a bloodied, broken, runt of a paladin, alone standing while a princess and the ponies of the realm—arrayed in a ruined palace under the light of a tardy sun—bowed to me. I raised a hoof to my mouth to stifle the laugh that tried to rise at the absurd vision; but for Shining and Lunettes I would have toppled over.  That would have been absurd.   

I looked and saw myself indeed living that that future vision.  Pastel ponies bowing.  "Thank you, everypony, but I haven't earned this."

"That's our Twilight Sparkle!"  Minuette laughed.

"Somewhat dense," Hearts added. 

When nopony rose, I turned to face my friends and the herd.  "Please," I said, tears in my eyes.  I genuflected instead to them, barely able but for magic that now held me up.  "I am only what I am at this moment because of you, my friends.  Please.  Stand."

As I watched them stand and heard Celestia do the same, I smiled.  My friends had heard me.  The rush that caused felt good.  Unfortunately, it also led me to faint.


- - - 


Though I woke a few times on the floor of a chariot, the cloud didn't lift until sometime later in the Ponyville hospital.  Unicorn healing spells would accelerate my recovery, but the doctor still had to manually set the cannon bone in my leg and plaster it into a cast.  A few dozen butterfly clips, styled like pink butterflies, and a purple-dyed astringent-smelling herbal poultice served to repair my scraped side.   My ribs were bruised, not broken.  I would remember forever the crack and pain when the doctor set my broken nose, but thanks to my dark complexion, with the blood cleaned up, I looked pretty normal.  

The rest of my therapy consisted of feeding me up on everything from apple fritters to hay burgers, making me drink a ridiculous amount of lemonade and tea, and forcing me to sleep away the afternoon.

I didn't complain.

It was Lunettes and Rarity who had persisted until I woke to inform me what had happened since the dawn.  Lunettes told me that Princess Celestia and her sister Princess Luna had come to a rapprochement.  The Elements of Harmony had regressed Luna to fifteen years of age.  As a result, Luna remembered the bad times as if they had happened to another Luna.  The pair vowed to rule together whatever their jealousies or their disagreements.

At their declaration of forgiveness, Minuette and the crazy pink party-planner pony had reared, clopped hooves, and shouted, "Do know what this calls for?  A party!"

Thus, I was standing, leg on a roller crutch, as Rarity fussed and pinned and hemmed a "fabulous" green taffeta and crinoline dress on me while nattering on about Canterlot and how we'd be best of friends.  Her work left no doubt she was a Manehatten-level designer.  No fabric touched my wounds and it sparkled tastefully.

Lunettes went on about her morning research at the Golden Oaks library on the elements.  We speculated whether we'd been chosen or earned the right to be the second bearers of the Elements of Harmony.  The first pair of bearers had failed miserably.  Now the magic's requirements had changed.  I wasn't sure I liked the implication that the magical devices were sentient and purposeful. 

And locked to us six.  

I also didn't like that it made me, and by extension us, responsible for a magic stronger than alicorn magic.  I mused out loud whether we were therefore responsible for bringing harmony to all of Equestria.  

Lunettes said, "Yes," and Rarity agreed, "Mmm, Mmm," with a pin cushion in her lips. 

What I didn't say was that that was Celestia's job.  It felt treasonous to think my responsibility superseded hers.  I clearly remembered how a herd of unicorns had neatly overpowered a mad alicorn and rendered her magic useless.  We'd done it on the second try; perhaps Nightmare Moon had been inexperienced, but nonetheless!

What did it make me?

Rarity insisted on fussing with our hair before we left the hospital, making us look like differently-colored twins.  We had similar bone structure, similar hair stripes.  Wearing similar couture, we could pass as closely related, except that Lunettes was 20% bigger than me—probably better fed growing up. 

The day had proved sufficient to repurpose much of the Summer Sun Celebration preparations.  I saw plenty Welcome Princess Luna banners and blue streamers.  From the hospital, illuminated by the orangy westering sun, I saw a gold-gilt coach-and-six descend from Canterlot with two alicorns and head for the silhouette of City Hall.  I was happy to miss the pomp and ceremony, though with Minuette at the reins, neither pomp nor ceremony was likely. 

We walked into town, taking the roads and avoiding crossing lawns and other difficult shortcuts.  Rarity spoke to the ponies who passed on errands or headed for the festivities.  Perhaps because of our dresses, no one recognized us.  All were friendly; so different from the more stratified unicorn-majority of Canterlot.  I saw both poor and wealthy ponies, judging from the houses, the wagons, the clothes; but that seemed not to matter to those who passed and greeted one another. 

By the time we saw the festival around City Hall, the podium stood vacant.  The crowd had spread to the food tables; the alicorns mingled with the crowd.  Even reduced to a young age, Luna towered over all except giant work-ponies like Big Mac, or the lithe shrinking-violet Fluttershy.  Luna and Fluttershy shared a rather lost look I empathized with.  As I ventured closer, my friends noticed and gathered around with hugs and encouragement. 

Then Celestia's eyes locked on me, her regal head a periscope above the crowd.  I read an apology on her lips to the crowd as she disengaged from them.  Shiny and Spike followed her, but she said something and they stopped.  Spike held Shining's leg and stared toward me.  I noticed the gold bar on Shining's red dress uniform had been replaced with a silver one.

Then everypony noticed Celestia's gaze.  Mayor Mare loudly announced, "Her Excellency, the Crown Representative, Twilight Sparkle and Lady Duchess of Horseshoe Bay, Moon Dancer."

I'd been demoted; not far enough.  My cheeks colored, nonetheless.  Ponies bowed, though I'd have preferred they hadn't.  I quickly plated on four additional Ponyvillians like gold onto base metal.  Applejack and Pinkamena joined Rarity, bounding over; Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash settled from the sky with wing beats that sounded loud in the hush.  It was as if they sensed I needed protecting. 

I wanted to feel that was the case, anyway.

Cordially, Celestia said, "You look much improved."

I looked at the cake crumbs gracing the white fur on the right side of her face.  "You look like you're enjoying the party."

Her golden magic whisked the chocolate away with a little smile.  With a glance, carriage guards fluttered on down and placed themselves to discourage the crowds from following us as we walked.  "Two sets of friends.  So much more than I hoped for," she said.  Soon we were on the red brick Ponyville Way, which after a few leagues ended at Canterlot.

I stopped.  "You planned this?"

She chuckled and kept walking.  My roller crutch clicked as it crossed between bricks, louder than the clatter of everypony's hooves.  "'Planned' implies more than I was capable of, but I did see the signs and influenced what I could.  Did you know that all your Ponyville friends earned their cutie marks the exact same day you did—thanks to Fluttershy and the action Rainbow Dash took to protect her?"

"Awesome!" Rainbow said, strutting, wings flared.  She looked confident in the late afternoon sun.  "I mean—Your Majesty, really?  What did I do?"

"You created an odd synchronicity, Rainbow Dash.  Your 'awesome' sonic rainboom triggered a certain powerful, magically-repressed, late-blooming unicorn to nearly destroy Canterlot—but I'll let Twilight tell that story, herself."  Celestia winked at me, her eyes sparkling because as we walked north, she looked toward the sun.  "What was important, though, was that her cutie mark appeared before my eyes.  And... I recognized it."

I asked, "From the books?"

"That was another sign.  Luna and I used the Elements of Harmony just as we harvested them, together or alone.  That they now required six bearers to use them; that odd texts anonymously appeared that detailed the gems' usage and a 'legend' referring to me and my sister; that somepony gained an Elements of Harmony cutie mark near the time a certain 1000-year prophesy would be fulfilled—all led me to believe you could break the geas I was under."

"It wasn't a curse?" 

"Twinkleshine."

The vanilla-colored pink-maned pony trotted up, smiling.  

"You showed particular aptitude in the semantics of this type of magic.  I'll let you explain it later.  

"Twilight, I was hopeful you and your friends could free me and my sister.  My biggest worry was that you might fail to meet the five I expected to become your friends.  It was another sign that that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash moved to Ponyville without my influence.  Then, of course, you did something different."

"Yeah."  I chuckled at the irony.   "'Different.'  You make it sound almost predestined."

As we passed Sugarcube Corner, the scent of cakes dosed with orange and cherry liquors waft toward the road.  Celestia answered, "No.  Much could have gone wrong.  Luna destroyed our castle when she lost her sanity; the same ruins you saw today.  That you succeeded in mastering Nightmare Moon is a testament to your diligent study, quick thinking, astute planning, and good friends.  I don't think your predecessor, Sunset Shimmer, would have handled the needing friends part quite as well.  It is remarkable.  I know because everypony involved told me what happened to them today." 

I sighed.  "As should I.  I'll write you the story about—" I began, looking at the ponies around me, all mares.  The golden light made them all look special, and they were.  My friends.  Any of my herd could have been hurt or been killed had I managed it wrong or had we not worked as a team.  My eyes burned as tears threatened.  "I'll write you the story about my sisters in all but blood."  I choked up.  This is what you, dear reader, are now reading.

Celestia continued walking, though my friends had stopped when I'd gazed at them.  She said, "Why so glum, my faithful student?  Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?"

"That's just it."  I sped up, got in front of the princess to block her path.  I looked into her purple eyes as she lifted a querulous eyebrow.  Her particolor mane swirled around her head, blown by a warm summer breeze.  My friends gathered until we all blocked her path.  I took a shaky breath, put one hoof forward, and said, "My quest was to free Princess Celestia from a curse.  My Princess Celestia was bound by a geas to bring harmony to all of Equestria, and she did... for a thousand years."

Except for the wind whistling in the eaves, the twitter of a bird, and a dainty whimper from Fluttershy, it was quiet for numerous heartbeats.  I began to count the earthquakes in my chest.

Celestia asked.  "Am I not her?"

"You're the result of me breaking the curse.  I don't know you—"

"—or trust me?"

Lunettes and Rarity gasped behind me.  Curiously, I heard hooves as my herd moved closer to me, touching me, even the newest of my friends.  My words were treasonous.  I felt both in-danger and dangerous at the same time—the Elements of Harmony stirred in the petite saddle bags in the waist-ruffles of my dress and clattered faintly. 

A half-smile appeared on Celestia's face.  "The none of us are the ponies we were yesterday, however long ago that was."  She looked away at the sun she would need to lower soon, then into my eyes.  "True, I'm no longer under the geas to bring harmony to Equestria, but I've lived long enough to understand the overwhelming importance to me and to Equestria that I continue to do so.  I've learned my lessons and am confident I control the venial side my twenty-something self could not."

I looked at her.  She looked at me.  As the Elements of Harmony quieted, I decided my gut feeling was right: I could trust her, for now.  I nodded.

Celestia snorted lightly—a release of tension, not mirth.  "You, however, have matured beyond expectation.  You're more changed than I.  The Elements of Harmony chose you because the essence of your cutie mark is to bring harmony to discord wherever it may exist.  For this reason, Twilight Sparkle, I expect you to continue as my crown representative."  In other words, she trusted me in turn.  As for the job…

Celestia cantered around us as I began stuttering.  "I—I'm not so sure I'm qualified..."

"All the more indicative that you are.  And with such diverse friends—" She glanced back over her shoulders.  "—perhaps more so."  She flared her wings and continued.  "Did you really think I was training such a special unicorn to be an academic?  I made that mistake once with Star Swirl, a long time ago."

Point taken.  "Are there some books about being a crown representative I can read?" I asked, barely able to keep up for all my pains and the crutch.

"Somewhere.  But it's going to be make-it-up-as-we-go.  This is about power sharing, about helping Equestria through the many problems my recent, um, disability started."  She slowed down so we walked in tandem, again.  "There are three princesses now.  I expect that number to change.  Eventually we will rule together, but for now that's me and will occasionally be you."

No, no, no, no—

Either I said it aloud or it was apparent on my face.  "Twilight Sparkle, I've trained you well.  Today you graduated to advanced studies.  Consider your new role as on-the-job study.  There will be tests."

"I'm not so sure I'm cut out to be a Canterlot bureaucrat."

"You don't want to leave you're friends behind?"

My face colored.  I'd been thinking that, too. 

"I want you to stay in Ponyville; any of your college friends can continue their studies here if they like.  I expect reports on your findings on friendship sent to me.  And... I'm going to grant you the royal lands south of Ponyville, including our old castle."

"What?"

"Lady Cloud Dancer.  Please explain later why Twilight needs to be a member of the peerage if she ever needs to succeed me."

"Yes, Your Majesty—" 

"What!?  Succeed—you?  You're immortal.  You've lived a thousand years!"

"Somewhat more than that, but I was picked for my job, too.  So, I reserve the right to pick whomever I choose.  I think that the title Her Excellency the Crown Representative, Lady Duchess of Everfree, Twilight Sparkle has the right ring to it.  Trust me on this."

"I—I—  Lands?"

"Have you seen the Everfree forest?"

Not such a great boon, after all.  "Point taken."  Then I thought, the castle probably has a library...

"Everfree's denizens are the least of the dangers facing Equestria.  You, young lady, rattled the foundations of the world when you got your cutie mark, to Tartarus and beyond.  News of today's revelations won't help.  There are plenty of unsavory characters saying about Equestria, 'Oh, isn't this an interesting morsel?'  If you're still worried that you need to earn your title, you'll get plenty of chances to do so.  You'll be my little purple troubleshooter."

Unfortunately, Celestia would prove prescient—but that's another story.

Breaking the extended silence, the pink party-planner pony shouted, "Isn't this exciting?"  Startled, we all turned to see her bouncing.  "Are you excited cause I'm excited; I've never been so excited, well, except for the time that I went—"  She gasped for breath.  "—But I mean really—"



- END -