Luna awoke in a hospital bed. Surrounded around her were “get well soon” cards no doubt drawn by the foals of Ponyville. She looked to her right to see Princess Celestia right next to her.
“Sister…” Luna said as she tried to move around, but ached because of the bandages.
“Rest, sister.” Celestia said calmly, placing a hoof on the bed.
Later a nurse opened the door. “Your Highness, you have a few visitors.” Luna looked at her sister before giving a nod to the nurse.
The nurse opened the door to allow the Mane Six and Cosgrove into the room. the latter pulled up a chair and sat in front of the bed. Celestia gave them a smile before walking out of the room. Two ponies looked away for a while before Cosgrove took a deep breath.
“I wanted to say-”
“No. I am the one who should be sorry.” Luna interjected. “While I have returned to a new age, my beliefs were still as they were one thousand years ago. Many good ponies risked their lives because of my stubbornness. I would not have thought that a thing like Schnookums would be changed… But you… You have reminded me entirely that things change. Schnookums is your example of change, Discord was my sister’s example. And… even I changed...” Luna placed a hoof on him, “Child, you have my deepest thanks for changing my perspective from the old and into the new. Such vigor would have thee knighted.”
Cosgrove scratched his chair a little bit. “I owe you my deepest thanks as well… and an apology…” He eyed away from the Night Princess, “a few in fact.” Cosgrove cleared his throat. “One, I tore apart your room to help myself escape,” He then licked his lips, “Two, letting Schnookums and the dragon just fight kinda smashed Ponyville… 85 percent of it to be exact.” He rubbed his hooves together. “And finally-”
“I’m sorry sir, but the Princess needs her rest.” A nurse interjected.
A little frustrated for not finishing his apology, Cosgrove placed the chair back and walked out of the room.
“I forgive you…”
Cosgrove walked back down a level to reach the exit. Because of the destruction of Ponyville, Canterlot was crowded with refugees. Nonetheless he continued to walk until he reached the Canterlot Zoo. Having been given permission, he entered a holding place akin to that of holding elephants in winter. Cosgrove walked over to a balcony and looked down. Schnookums was there fast asleep from the intense battle yesterday.
“There is hope for you yet, pal.” Cosgrove said.
A week later, the recovering Luna and her sister have signed a pact called “Custodi Bestia.” The description of the pact is simple: Should the animal considered a foe be proven helpful, it is provided with amnesty and is occasionally summoned when needed under supervision. However, should the beast become rogue, it is immediately revoked of those privileges. Likewise, the perpetrator that controls the animal would be sent to Tartarus. With that said, Schnookums is protected by law.
It was a month or so before reconstruction of Ponyville was underway. Discord could have restored Ponyville with a snap of his fingers, but that would be too tempting an offer. Once funding was distributed, hundreds of construction pony’s began hard at work. The resources they required to rebuild completely destroyed buildings was astronomical, but transport was not impossible. Schnookums, his wounds healed and well rested, was used this time as a beast of burden to carry the wood needed to form the structures. The entire Apple Family would occasionally provide snacks for the workers and help with reconstruction.
Because of the traffic to provide for the horsepower of the reconstruction, school was relocated at Sweet Apple Acres. Most of the time, the class was held outside unless it was a rainy day. Diamond Tiara, having pampered her entire life, despised sitting on the dirt if there were no hay bales to sit on as well as the smell. Apple Bloom also felt weird to be “homeschooled”, but fared much better. Although the conflict was far from over, Cosgrove kept his distance from the farm filly unless they did chores around the barn.
Throughout the last five months, Ponyville was restored with a slightly rushed deadline to meet a the date Ponyville was founded. After a very thoughtful speech provided by Granny Smith, the ponies celebrated with dancing, games, and cider. Though the town was mostly the same, there were a few new additions, most notable being a fast food restaurant called the Hay Burger. Largely because of the playground in the back, foals have come their more often than Sugar Cube Corner or Joe’s Donut Shop. However, Hay Burger doesn’t have the same quality of sugary treats as the other two and so they would go there to satisfy their sugar cravings.
School resumed at Ms. Cheerilee’s class as usual. As the foals wrote in their notebooks, Cosgrove decided it was time to close the gap between him and Apple Bloom. When lunch time bell rang, the foals sat at their usual tables. As Cosgrove sat in front of her, their respective friends walked away in order to give them a private conversation. The two haven’t even touched their food, but eyed each other occasionally. Cosgrove’s hunger eventually gave in and began to eat his turfwich when he was suddenly embraced. Apple Bloom muttered something though Cosgrove couldn’t hear it. At the end of the embrace, the two gave a smile before eating their food.
Four months later, word spread that there was trouble in Las Pegasus. Reports of an ape like monster with snake like nostrils would come over to wreck the casinos, losing tourist visits by the truck load. As the monster continued to wreck the city, it suddenly spot a glowing energy behind it. The energy gradually took shape as Schnookums. The two beasts bellowed at each other before the “Las Pegasus Monster” swung forth on its gnarled knuckles. Schnookums is not alone in the fight this time. As the pact stated, the Mane Six were sent there as well. Schnookums walked ahead first and began to speed up. When the two collided, they disappeared into the smoke as Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle flew in.