//------------------------------//
// The Beginning 
// Story: Dark Matter 
// by moguera 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 36: The Beginning

The large sphere of light slowly began to drop towards the dais.  The ponies watching it all took an involuntary step back.  Even to the non-unicorns, the magical power humming through the air was impossible to not notice.  There was an enormous amount of energy contained within that sphere.  If it were to let loose all at once, it would probably destroy what remained of the Royal Palace and take out a good chuck of Canterlot and the mountain it rested on in an instant.
Nearby, closer to the walls the air seemed to twist in on itself.  The warping feeling unsettled all the ponies nearby it.  Fearing some kind of attack from an unknown source, the stallions and mares of the Royal Guard, with Shining Armor in the lead, turned to face the distortion.  Something white seemed to blossom out of that space and drop to the floor with a thud.
"Oof!" gasped Princess Celestia as she dropped to the floor.  She had definitely seen better days; bruised, battered, and bleeding from her fight against Wight Shade.  "I guess Twilight doesn't quite have a perfect grasp on that magic yet," she said, "Otherwise I certainly hope she would have been more gentle about getting me out of there."
"Princess!" exclaimed Shining Armor, coming forward to examine here, "Are you all right?"
"I will be," said Celestia, giving her Captain of the Royal Guard a tired smile, "I'm sorry to have worried you.  How is Luna?"
"She'll be doing better, now that she knows you're safe," said Shining with a sigh of relief.  Already, one of his subordinates was preparing a scroll for Shining to make his report on to send to Luna via Spike.
At the dais, the sphere touched down to the floor.  It suddenly brightened exponentially, nearly blinding everypony who was watching it.  Then the orb cracked and shattered as though it were made of glass, fragments of magic flying everywhere.  The ponies nearest to it braced for an explosion, but were only met with a light tickling sensation as the shards of light passed harmlessly through their bodies.
Standing there, at the center of where the light had been stood none other than Twilight Sparkle, standing tall and proud, the new additions to her drawing everypony's attention as a pair of wings with lavender feathers flared out from her back dramatically.
"Twilight!" shouted Pinkie, seemingly ignoring the presence of Twilight's wings in her eagerness to tackle her friend to the floor with a hug, "We were all so worried about you!  I'm super-duper-ultral-glad that you're okay!"
"I'm glad too, Pinkie," said Twilight, laughing as she returned the hug.  Suddenly she noticed that the rest of her friends were staring at her with mouths hanging open.  "Um...what?"
"Twilight," said Rarity, "Um...darling...don't take this the wrong way...but...you're an alicorn."
Letting go of Pinkie and getting back on her hooves, Twilight laughed.  "Very funny Rarity.  Don't be silly.  Of course I'm not an..."  She paused as her wings twitched.  Looking back over her shoulder, Twilight saw the feathered appendages growing out from her shoulders and her eyes went wide.  "Eeek!  What the hay are those doing there?"  Screeching in surprise, Twilight spun a full circle as she frantically tried to get a proper view of her wings.
Laughing lightly, Celestia limped up and smiled down at her.  "Be at ease, my dear Twilight.  I told you that you would see the results when you returned."
Twilight stopped and blinked up at her mentor.  "So...you mean...I'm an...alicorn?"
"That you are," said Celestia warmly.
"All right!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, now taking her own opportunity to swoop in for a hug, "A new flying buddy!"
"Um..."  Fluttershy raised a tentative hoof, still using her other foreleg to hold Dawn against her, "...Does this mean that Twilight is a Princess now?"
"Huh?"  Twilight gaped at Fluttershy.  She thought over Fluttershy's question before looking at Celestia.  "Does it?"
"As a matter of fact, it does," said Celestia, smiling widely, "Congratulations, Princess Twilight."  Her limbs still shaking from her confinement and the damage she'd taken from Wight Shade, Celestia sank into a bow before Twilight.  One by one, each of Twilight's friends followed suit, along with Shining Armor and the members of the Royal Guard arrayed behind him.
Twilight watched them all, a strange feeling rising up in her stomach.  It wasn't a completely pleasant feeling either.  That feeling became even worse when she saw two members of the crowd around her in particular bow.
Dawn had finally been released from his mother's embrace so that she could bow properly.  Though he barely had the strength to stand, Dawn tried to mimic her movements, lowering himself as far as he dared before he determined that dipping down any farther would dump him unceremoniously on the floor.  Beside him, Arkenstone likewise sank into a bow.
"Please!  Stop it!  If I'm going to be a Princess, then it won't be like this," said Twilight.  Walking over to where Dawn and Arkenstone were, she gently helped the colt back up.  "Look at you.  You can barely stand.  Don't do this."  She looked from Dawn to Arkenstone.  "I owe this to you two.  If you hadn't been there and distracted Wight, I would have never managed it.  Please don't bow to me."  She turned to her friends next.  "And what kind of Princess would I be if you girls had to bow to me?  Please get up, all of you."
Twilight's friends looked to one another and got to their hooves.  Fluttershy once again took Dawn in her arms and held him close as she watched Twilight gently berate the Guards, including her brother, into rising.
"Please," said Twilight, tears coming from her eyes, "Please don't shut me out."
"I couldn't shut you out, even if I tried," said Arkenstone, gently nuzzling into her neck.
"This doesn't change anything," Twilight said softly, returning his gesture, "I still love you and I still want to be with you."
"I know," said Arkenstone, "Things have changed, but the most important thing hasn't.  You are still you, Twilight Sparkle, the mare I fell for."
"I'm glad," whispered Twilight.
"It looks like everything is going to be all right," said Fluttershy as she rested her chin on the top of Dawn's head, "You, Arkenstone, Twilight; you saved everypony."
When Dawn failed to answer, Fluttershy looked down in worried confusion, only to break into a radiant smile at the sight of her son, who'd fallen asleep in her arms.
"I think we all could do with some rest," said Celestia, "After that, we can worry about cleaning up the mess Wight Shade made of things.  Let's head out.  I need to reassure my sister."



Fixing the damage done by Wight Shade would not be an easy task, nor a quick one.  Though he had died, much of the Dark Matter he had created remained behind, including that which he'd used to fortify the Royal Palace.  In many parts of the building, that Dark Matter was all that was holding the Palace up.  Twilight could dismantle the Dark Matter, but would have to do it little by little as the engineer corps of the Royal Guard reinforced damaged sections and marked them off for reconstruction.
The prisoners were another concern.  Now that the Dark Matter they'd been imprisoned in had been stripped away, they had to be returned to their confinement before they thought about using all the chaos of the situation to escape.  Fortunately, they were even more drained by the fight than the ponies of the Royal Guard had been.
To the relief of Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, the casualties of the battle were limited.  However, they weren't nonexistent.  Several ponies of the Royal Guard had been killed or critically injured, some of them ending up maimed for life.  Their families would have to be notified and consoled.  Some of the prisoners who had been impressed into Wight's fighting force had been killed as well.  However, compared to what Wight had planned and how things could have gone, the toll was very light indeed.
In the days that followed, things proceeded at a feverish pace.  Celestia had immediately set out to reassure the populace that a terrible threat had been averted and that the danger had passed.
There was still plenty to be taken care of.  Besides helping the injured and repairing the damage to the Palace and Canterlot, plans were also in the works for Twilight's official coronation, as well as the celebration to follow.  Pinkie Pie threw herself into the thick of things, bringing all her party planning skills to bear.
All of Twilight's friends returned to Ponyville to reassure their friends and family before coming back to help with everything, though Twilight and Spike remained in Canterlot to assist with the reconstruction.  The only other pony of their group who stayed behind was Rainbow Dash, partly because the Wonderbolts were still in Canterlot, but mostly because there was one particular pony she didn't want to leave hanging...



"How are you feeling?" asked Rainbow Dash as she settled next to Soarin's cot.
Soarin' coughed a little before looking up at her.  "Well, they patched up my lung just fine.  I have to breathe into this weird doohickey a few times every day.  The doctors say it's to keep me from developing pneumonia.  It's gonna take a little while before I get my wind back up to performance level, but I'll be fine."
"Good," said Rainbow, "Firefly says I've pretty much finished learning the Wings of Light.  All I need is to get used to using them.  I'll finish up my Wonderbolts training and we'll be ready to go."
"The rate my healing is going, I'll probably be back up to speed by around then," said Soarin' with a grin, "It looks like I get to win my bet with Spitfire after all."
Snorting, Rainbow gave Soarin' a reproachful look that made him shrink back.  In the past, such a look would have been accompanied by a good natured whack to the back of the head.  But instead, Rainbow sighed and bent down to nuzzle her coltfriend.
"Geez," she said, "What would I do without you, you big, blue goof?"
With a wheezing chuckle, Soarin' captured her lips with his.  "I don't know," he said when they parted, "But I'm glad we don't have to find out."



"So you're back," observed Flaxseed as he watched Rarity buzz about her workroom, gathering up a bolt of fabric here before nabbing a roll of ribbon there.  One by one, each of the items that she'd picked were sorted into different suitcases to be loaded up for the return trip to Canterlot.
"Indeed," said Rarity, pausing only a second to give him a reassuring smile, "I, for one, am glad that this whole wretched business has come to a close.  Once the rest of Equestria learns how the Cult Solar were just pawns for Wight Shade's scheme, that should put an end to that problem as well."
"One can only hope," said Flaxseed with a wan smile, "But I wouldn't count on it going away completely.  The Cult Solar managed to endure a thousand years after Princess Celestia denounced them.  Ponies don't like being told they're wrong, even when it's the Princess saying so.  They'll ignore the truth, especially if they find it inconvenient.  I don't think we've heard the last of the Cult Solar."
"Probably not," said Rarity, pausing in her preparations to come over and gently nuzzle Flaxseed, "But, while there's breath in my body, I'll make absolutely certain that they never do anything to you."
Her affection made Flaxseed blush.  "Thank you," he whispered.
"Would you like to come to Canterlot with me?" asked Rarity, her request surprising him with its suddenness, "The coronation will be a large, messy affair, but we can keep out of the thick of things very easily.  Princess Celestia also has some smaller, more private ceremonies planned."
"Um..."  Flaxseed sweated a little.  Canterlot was a city, crowded, with ponies all around.  All the same, if he never worked up the nerve to set out beyond the Carousel Boutique or beyond the boundaries of Ponyville, he would never truly be free of the Cult Solar, even if the shadows of their members never darkened his doorstep again.  His fear, as it was right now, was not the rational response to danger, but a poison that tainted his soul until he was afraid to do anything.  Poison like that needed to be drained.  But draining poison was not a comfortable experience in the least.
"I'll go," he said finally, "I can't promise that I won't hide in one of the rooms until everything is over, but I'll go."
"That's good," said Rarity, her eyes twinkling, "With Coco up there already, I was afraid you might get lonely here, by yourself.  It's a weight off my mind."
"Well then," said Flaxseed, "I'd better start packing..."



"Oooh!" squealed Pinkie Pie as she bounced madly around the room, looking into drawers and opening up closets, "I'll need hats and streamers and cakes and streamers and punch and streamers and music and streamers and all kinds of snacks and streamers...oh and did I mention streamers?"
Mayweather rolled her eyes, fighting to keep from breaking down laughing at Pinkie's antics.  "Yeah, I think you might have mentioned streamers.  I think you've packed enough that you'll be able to mummify the entire population of Canterlot with streamers.  The Palace is going to look like ground zero at an exploded confetti factory."
Pinkie gasped hard enough to lift her hooves off the ground.  "You're right!  How could I get so carried away I forgot the confetti?  Thanks Mayweather!"
Mayweather planted a hoof against her face, even as she chuckled dryly.  That's so Pinkie...  "I think you got confetti already," she said instead, "Come on.  We need to get the stuff you did remember to the station so that it gets there all right.  The way you're carrying on, we're gonna need at least three trains to get it all to Canterlot."
"You're totally right," said Pinkie, nodding with so much energy that her head became a blur.
A half an hour later, they'd managed to haul the boxes out of Pinkie's secret party-planning room.  Mayweather was still astounded by the fact that Pinkie had somehow excavated out an entire space underneath Sugarcube Corner, one apparently large enough to hold a small city's worth of party supplies.  It helped that her preternatural skill at stowing things away gave the impression that the room and all the storage spaces within it were bigger on the inside (but, then again, knowing Pinkie, they might well have been).
Mayweather stood at the counter, panting for breath while Pinkie rushed off to fetch a cart to carry everything.  Mayweather was grateful that her friend wasn't going to suggest that they try hauling all the party supplies over to the station without a cart, though she thought that Pinkie might have half a mind to.
With a clink, a glass was placed next to her.  Looking up, Mayweather saw Cup Cake filling the glass from a pitcher of lemonade.  "You looked thirsty," the older mare explained with a warm smile.
"Thanks," said Mayweather, taking the cup and draining it gratefully, "I should probably make Pinkie sit down and drink some.  She's been working twice as hard as I have."
"It might be a good idea," said Cup Cake, her smile faltering a little, "Pinkie always seems to have so much energy that it can be hard to tell when she's pushing herself too hard until she hits her limit.  You're good for her."
"Me!?" exclaimed Mayweather, her eyes widening in surprise.
Cup Cake nodded.  "I think Pinkie needs somepony like you, someone to keep her grounded, give her life a little sense of calm.  Her friends are nice...but they're just as wild as she is in some ways."
Thinking about the myriad ways Pinkie Pie's closest friends could behave made Mayweather nod in comprehension.
Cup Cake continued.  "It makes me glad that Pinkie has someone like you for a special somepony."
Mayweather had just refilled her glass and taken another sip.  Cup Cake's words made her sputter and spray her drink across the counter.  Coughing a second to clear her throat, Mayweather regained enough self control to gape at her employer.  "M-me...her special somepony?"
Cup Cake surprised Mayweather again with a confused look.  "You aren't?  You two had gotten so close that I'd thought you were..."
Mayweather thought it over.  She could see where Cup Cake's assumption could come from.  After all, she'd been on the receiving end of plenty of warm hugs and gentle nuzzles, sometimes even a quick kiss on the cheek.  But Pinkie Pie was so openly affectionate that it was hard for Mayweather to say that what was between them could actually be special.  Though she'd genuinely been attracted to the pink party mare for some time now, Mayweather wasn't certain that Pinkie would ever see her as anything other than a former cultist in need of rehabilitation.
"If you're uncertain, I suppose you'll have to ask her," said Cup Cake with a wink, "But I'm fairly sure that Pinkie feels that way about you."
Later, after Mayweather had ensured that Pinkie was properly hydrated, the two of them made their way towards the train station, hauling the cart full of party supplies behind them.  As they pulled the cart, Mayweather looked over at Pinkie and blushed nervously.  "Pinkie?" she asked.
"Yeah?" asked Pinkie, looking back at Mayweather, her beautiful blue eyes making Mayweather's heart dance.
"Are we...am I...are we special someponies?" she asked.
Pinkie Pie came to a halt so abruptly that the tug on the harness nearly yanked Mayweather off her hooves.  "Pinkie?"  Looking over, Mayweather could see Pinkie staring at her in shock.
Oh no!  I've blown it! thought Mayweather, desperately hoping there was some way to salvage the situation.  If they couldn't be special someponies, they could still be friends.  Sure, things might be awkward for a while, but...
"Oh my gosh!  I'm so sorry!  I didn't realize you didn't know Ithoughtyoualreadyknewwewerespecialsomeponiesandjustdidn'tsayanythingIguessIforgottoaskwenevergooutonfancydatesItotallymissedthatcanyoueverforgivemeIpromisetomakeituptoyouassoonas-"  Pinkie's rapid-fire tirade came to a halt when Mayweather placed a hoof over her mouth.
"Pinkie," said Mayweather, smiling much more happily now, "Just stop."
Her mouth still plugged, Pinkie nodded.  Mayweather could feel that Pinkie wasn't trying to talk around the hoof in her mouth anymore.
"Now...take a deep breath," said Mayweather, lowering her hoof.
Pinkie complied.
"Now..." said Mayweather, her smile getting wider, "Just say yes."
Nodding eagerly Pinkie nearly shouted, "Yes!"
"Much better," said Mayweather, "I'm sorry I didn't understand you well enough to realize it.  I'm glad to be special someponies with you."
"So am I," said Pinkie excitedly.  Then she paused and thought for a second, tapping her chin.  "But I did forget something really important."
"What?" asked Mayweather.
"This!"  Before Mayweather could inquire as to what "this" was, Pinkie had slipped out of her harness so that she could throw her arms around Mayweather and pull her into a passionate kiss.  Mayweather squealed, first in surprise, then pleasure as the kiss continued.
Whatever else, thought Mayweather cheerfully, even as she rolled her eyes at her fillyfriend's over-the-top enthusiasm, being with this mare will never be boring.



"Ya think this one's gonna cut it?" asked Applejack, hefting the barrel onto her haunches.
"I'm fairly certain," said Red River with a chuckle, "Rainbow Dash did rate that barrel the highest."
"Ya've got a point there," agreed Applejack with a titter, "Rainbow may be a tad obsessive 'bout cider, but she knows a good one when she tastes it."
"Personally, I think you could go with any of them," Red pointed out, "Having a few different blends might be something those city slickers would appreciate."
"Ha!" barked Applejack, "Now yer startin' to sound like a country stallion."
"I learned from the best, didn't I," said Red with a chuckle before he kissed her, "What about the other ingredients?"
"All the apples are loaded," said Applejack, "Ah even brought some 'o the wintersilk apples Twi put under that spell 'o her's.  Ah don't think they're much good fer bakin' though."
"Too much juice," said Red as he nodded in agreement.  He might not have been much good at baking or cooking himself, but he did remember Applejack's lessons about what apples were good for what purpose.  It helped him when he was listing what apples went into what baked goods whenever he ran the stall in town.
"Eeyup," agreed Applejack, "They're mighty good on their own, so maybe those hoity toity Canterlot types'll like them straight."
"Maybe," said Red, though he had his doubts.  Even if wintersilk apples, raw and unprocessed, were rejected by the Canterlot elite, they would probably be liked well enough among their friends and the ponies coming from Ponyville to join in the festivities.  Everypony from the little town had been invited after all, many of them having come to be at least casual acquaintances, if not friends, with Twilight during her time living there.  The presence of so many "country bumpkins" was sure to raise the hackles of the snobbiest members of the Canterlot elite (at least, the few who remained after the Noble Court had been essentially gutted), but with the newly-minted Princess Twilight throwing her support behind the idea, they would just have to lump it.
The two of them finished loading up their cart and Applejack hitched herself in to begin pulling it.  Red walked by her side.  He'd recovered enough to manage an easy walking pace, but not enough to help her pull.  With the last of Terra Heart's magic out of his system, the doctors at the hospital had promised that Red's recovery would accelerate as he put himself through his own rehabilitative training.
He didn't mind though.  Now that his wandering days were done, Red had decided that it was perfectly fine to take his time as he regained his strength.  That time would be well spent building a new life with the mare beside him.



Twilight yawned as she trotted into Palace quarters that Celestia had given her and Arkenstone.  As the door swung shut behind her, the stallion, who was lounging on the couch, lifted his head up, withdrawing his hoof from the book he'd been reading.
"Long day?" asked Arkenstone, slipping off the couch to greet her.
"Very," replied Twilight, "Every kind of Dark Matter has to be dealt with differently.  I'm still sorting through all the information I acquired when I took over Wight Shade's array.  It's going to be years before I learn everything about his work.  Fortunately, the Dark Matter he infested the Palace with is fairly basic.  It's just a pain in the plot to remove."
The two of them exchanged a quick kiss before Arkenstone led Twilight back to the couch.  Letting her spread out along the cushions, the stallion moved above her as Twilight spread out her wings.  Arkenstone began by pressing his hooves into Twilight's neck, moving them slowly and carefully, massaging away the stress she'd accumulated over the course of the day.
"How is planning going for the coronation?" he asked.
A heavy sigh escaping from the mare below him told Arkenstone nearly as much as her words when she spoke.  "It's a nightmare," she replied, "I'm so glad that Pinkie is taking over when she gets back with her party supplies.  Otherwise I'd just as soon have Celestia notify the country with an editorial in the Equestrian Times and be done with it."
"That might not go over well with the aristocrats," said Arkenstone with a chuckle.  Despite his humor, it was a notable point.  Even if the Noble Court had been dismantled by Celestia, Canterlot was still occupied by a swarm of ponies belonging to Equestria's upper-class, representing everything from old-money fops to wealthy business tycoons.  Though the nobles were mostly gone, there were still plenty of snobby ponies left from the creme-de-la-creme of the Canterlot elite.
"Those prodigiously pompous ponies can kiss my righteously regal royal rump," replied Twilight with a snort, "The only reason I want to go along with this at all is because Celestia's asking me to."
That drew a snort from Arkenstone's nose before he leaned down and pressed his lips against Twilight's neck, making her squeal and squirm a little before he pulled away and resumed massaging her muscles, moving down to the space where her wings met her shoulders and gently pressing into the muscles that had formed there.  Those muscles were especially sensitive to his touch.  Before she'd become an alicorn, Twilight had never had those muscles and bones there before.  The wings bombarded her with strange sensations she'd never felt before as she struggled to learn how to control limbs that pegasi spent their entire lives with.  In between tending to Soarin', Rainbow Dash had given Twilight all the lessons she could, with both Firefly and Spitfire to provide their own input.  Still, Twilight felt she was a ways away from actually being able to fly.  All her attempts so far had barely managed to get her into the air and she struggled with the basics of flight that most pegasi learned before they even had their cutie marks.
Still, if there was one upside to having to learn how to deal with wings after never having them before, it was having Arkenstone tend to them at the end of the day, using his hooves to knead the muscles and gently press against her joints.  The pleasurable feelings made Twilight sigh and melt against the couch cushions, her stallion seeming to draw the stress of her day up through her spine and push it out through her wings with his hooves.  By the time he'd moved on down her spine, Twilight lay nearly catatonic beneath him.
"You are the best," she groaned as Arkenstone worked his hooves in slow circles along her barrel.
"Thank you," replied the stallion with a chuckle, feeling for knots in Twilight's muscles, "Have you given any thought to what you're going to do after your coronation?"
"Go back to Ponyville," replied Twilight sleepily, "run the library, spend time with my friends, maybe save the world a few more times..." she giggled at that last one, "...I'm not going to force myself to change my life just because I have a pair of wings now."
"Life will always change," said Arkenstone, a slight chiding tone in his voice, "You didn't want your life to change before Celestia sent you to Ponyville in the first place."
"Maybe I will do something different someday," replied Twilight, "Maybe something more princess-like.  But I'll do it on my terms, not because it's what everypony expects me to do, now that I'm an alicorn.  Besides..."  She turned her head so that she could fix one eye, which twinkled with mischief, on Arkenstone, "...I'll be wanting to stay close to my teacher."
Arkenstone raised an eyebrow.  "Your teacher?"
"I may have wings now, but that's not the only thing that's changed," said Twilight, "Being an alicorn means I have earth pony nature too.  I need to learn how to actually do earth pony magic.  You're the pony I want to have teach me about that."
Arkenstone's hooves had worked their way down to her haunches now, gently massaging her cutie marks.  Had it been anypony but her coltfriend (or a professional masseuse), Twilight would have declared that said pony was being much too forward.  However, the fact that it was Arkenstone's hooves on her haunches only made her quiver pleasantly.  "Are you sure you want me to teach you?" he asked in a sly tone, "I'd have thought that your friends, maybe Applejack or Pinkie Pie-"
It took a little bit of coaxing to wake up the muscles that Arkenstone's treatment had thoroughly relaxed, but Twilight managed it, rolling over, throwing Arkenstone's hooves off of her hindquarters as she did so.  The stallion was too well-balanced to be knocked over by the motion, so he came to rest with his hooves on either side of her as Twilight rolled onto her back beneath him, her violet eyes glaring playfully up at his closed lids.
"I want you," she replied, her voice emerging as a husky purr, "I want to stay with you and learn from you."  Her forelegs found their way around his neck, slowly pulling Arkenstone down towards her.
"Is that an order from my Princess then?" asked Arkenstone.
Twilight paused, suddenly lost in thought for a brief moment.  "That's right, I'm a Princess now," she realized, "That means you're my Knight too."
"I've always been your Knight," replied Arkenstone, "Celestia may be my liege, but you are the lady who rules my heart."
"If I'm your lady, then I suppose I'll need to give you a token of my affection," said Twilight, pulling Arkenstone down towards her again.
"I gladly accept it," said Arkenstone, his breath tickling Twilight's lips before they connected with his.  They held each other tightly moaning as they kissed deeply and passionately, their tongues dancing and mingling, hooves wandering...
Neither of them noticed the door open, nor the click of claws on the floor as a certain dragon came into the room.
"Oh come on!" shouted Spike, throwing up his hands in exasperation, "Save it for the bedroom, you two!"
The pair jumped apart like startled deer, Twilight squeaking in surprise as Arkenstone actually tumbled off the couch.  "Spike!" she scolded sharply, "You shouldn't just barge in on ponies like that!"
"You shouldn't be having a heavy make-out session right in front of the only door to the rest of the Palace," retorted Spike sourly, "I hope you two remember that the library is a public building during business hours or you're gonna be arrested for public indecency if you get carried away on the main floor and somepony walks in on you."
Twilight looked over at Arkenstone and saw his shoulders quaking.  "It's not funny," she grumbled.
Arkenstone managed to contain his mirth before smiling at Twilight.  "But he has a point," he said.
Letting out a sigh, Twilight did her best to calm down and relax.  She was flustered, but the one who'd walked in on her and Arkenstone was family at least.  It could have been worse.  She had to concede that Arkenstone was right about Spike being right.  The young dragon did have a point.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," said Spike, not waiting for her reply, "I'm gonna go see about what's for dinner."  He gave Twilight a smirk as he headed for the door.  "If you two end up going all the way on that couch, I'm gonna torch it before I sit on it again."
"Spike!" protested Twilight, going read again.  The little dragon was out the door and gone before she could scold him properly.  Beside her, Arkenstone laughed heartily, not even stopping when her extended wing swatted him on the back of the head.



"Now, I expect all of you to be on your best behavior," said Fluttershy sternly as she looked out over her animal friends, "Sparkler promised me that she would come and feed you every day, since she's staying behind anyway.  I don't want to hear that any of you gave her any trouble.  Do you understand?"
The animals around her nodded vigorously.  Standing at Fluttershy's hooves, Angel Bunny surveyed them with folded arms and a stern glare, like a general looking over his troops, clearly intent on doing his part to keep them in line.
"Looks like you've got everything in hoof over here," joked Caramel as he came down from their bedroom, the few belongings they needed for the trip back to Canterlot packed in the saddlebags slung over his back.
Smiling, Fluttershy nodded at the animals, signaling that they were free to disperse as she turned to exchange a nuzzle with her coltfriend.  "Is Dawn packed?"
"He had everything ready to go this morning before he left for school," replied Caramel, "His saddlebags are in his room.  We can take them when we go to pick him up."
"How long until we leave?" asked Fluttershy.
"Our train leaves about an hour after we get Dawn," replied Caramel, "So we've got a little time yet."  To illustrate his point, he set the saddlebags aside on the living room table.
Fluttershy siddled up next to him and began to nuzzle under his chin.  Caramel reciprocated, leaning against her before slowly wrapping a foreleg around her shoulders and pulling her up against him.  Fluttershy turned her head up to face his, while Caramel turned his face downwards to bring their lips together in a lingering kiss.
"I'm glad you made it home," he said softly as Fluttershy's affections moved down to his neck.
"I'm glad too," she said in reply.
"By the way, have you told Dawn yet?"
Fluttershy paused, her smile faltering.  "Not yet," she replied, "I figured I'd wait until the time is right."
"If you wait too long, he won't have to be told to figure it out," replied Caramel.
"I know," said Fluttershy with a giggle, "But I know when I want to tell him.  It's not too far away."
"Oh," said Caramel, grinning slyly, "You're waiting for that, huh?"
"That's right," cooed Fluttershy, "I thought it might make for a wonderful birthday present."
"It'll certainly be a surprise for him, I'm sure," said Caramel with a chuckle.



"Are you ready for the trip to Canterlot?" asked Scootaloo eagerly, bouncing on her hooves as she and the others headed out for recess.  Despite the fact that all of Ponyville had been invited for the coronation and the associated celebration, Cheerilee had said that it was no excuse to curtail lessons until it was time to leave.  Students who protested were told that she could simply treat the whole affair as a school trip, complete with an extensive lecture about Princess Celestia's thousand year tenure as sole Princess of Equestria while the adults partied, which quickly silenced those protests.
Dawn didn't mind all that much, having come to enjoy school and only wishing that he hadn't ended up skipping out on it so often.  Luckily, the damage done by his fight with Wight Shade had been fairly easy to heal, otherwise he might have missed more of it while he recovered.
"I packed before I headed out this morning," said Dawn, surveying the new schoolyard.  Reconstruction was nearly complete and only the school's bell tower still needed to be finished.  It had been deemed complete enough that Cheerilee could move her students back into a proper classroom, rather than a tent out in the fields.  All around town, ponies were moving back into newly restored or reconstructed homes, many of them better than before, thanks to a fresh injection of bits from the Royal Relief Fund, as Celestia had come to refer to the monetary assets she had seized from the rebellious members of the Noble Court.
"I'm so excited!" squealed Sweetie Belle, "It's like going up for Hearth's Warming all over again and we get to have a Princess of our very own."
The rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders stifled snorts at the sound of Sweetie describing Twilight as though she were a pet cat Celestia had bought for the town.  Blushing at her outburst, Sweetie hunkered down in embarrassment, but relaxed as Rumble draped a wing across her back.
Looking over, Dawn noticed that Apple Bloom was uncharacteristically silent.  "Is something wrong?" he asked, "You look pale."
Though she'd found a bit of humorous relief in Sweetie's outburst, Bloom had quickly waxed back into a melancholy mood as she stared at the ground.  "Ah'm scared," she said.
"Of what?" asked an incredulous Scootaloo, gaping openly at her friend.  The bad guy had been stopped, the world had been saved.  Even the Cult Solar and those stupid nobles had been scratched off the to-do list.  What else was there to be afraid of?
"It's just that...ya know...what if we ain't gettin' a new Princess?"
"Huh?"  Now all of Bloom's friends were staring at her incredulously.
"Ah mean, what if Twilight can't come back to Ponyville?" asked Bloom nervously, "What if she has to stay in Canterlot to do her...Princess stuff?  What if...?"
Scootaloo blinked and put the pieces together.  "Oh," she said softly, "I get it.  What if Spike has to stay up in Canterlot too?"
Bloom nodded.
"I wouldn't worry," said Rumble, "Twilight's so happy here that I don't think she'd stay in Canterlot even if they tried to make her."  He thought over his words for a second.  "Not that I think that anypony is going to try and keep her in Canterlot."
"Certainly not Princess Celestia," Dawn pointed out.
"Even if she does stay there, do you think Spike would?" added Sweetie Belle, "He loves it in Ponyville."
"Ah guess yer right," said Bloom with a sigh, "Y'all must think Ah'm such a silly pony fer worryin' 'bout somethin' like that."
Scootaloo thought about all the times Dawn had gone off on some life-risking endeavor, those nights spent wondering if he would come back alive or in one piece.  "Nah, I don't think so," she said, "I can understand being scared that your special somepony...or somedragon might not come back."
Dawn wrapped his wing around Scootaloo's back and pulled her up against his side so that he could nuzzle her cheek.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"Hey," she said with a giggle, "It's okay.  You've always had good reasons for doing it.  I'm just glad it's all over."
"Maybe, maybe not," said Dawn with a shrug, "I somehow doubt that things will ever be that peaceful."
"You're probably right," said Scootaloo, "But who knows, the next time you end up going off on some adventure, maybe I'll be able to come with you."
"Maybe you will," Dawn agreed as he nuzzled her mane.
"Ah don't know what yer worried about," said Bloom, "Ah mean, that cult and those nobles ain't a problem anymore."
"Perhaps not," agreed Dawn, "But I wouldn't count on everything being over.  Besides, who knows when a crisis of a different kind will require my attention."
"Are you planning on being some kind of superhero?" inquired Sweetie, canting her head.
Thinking about Arkenstone and Spitfire and the hopes they had for him, Dawn pursed his lips.  "Something like that..."



Once school had gotten out for the day, the Crusaders joined their respective families for the train trip to Canterlot.  During the course of the journey, they chattered excitedly, forced Dawn to recount the story of the battles throughout the Palace, and asked Twilight's fellow Element bearers about their part in the whole affair.  They played games, shared snacks, and generally did what they could to wile away the hours until they reached Canterlot.
They arrived to find the city bustling with activity.  The residents of Ponyville had been the only non-Canterlotian ponies invited to the coronation and the celebration afterwards en-masse, but invitations had gone off to other important ponies throughout the nation.  On top of that, the news that a new Princess had emerged from the chaos that had engulfed Canterlot had already spread across Equestria and everypony who could manage the journey was streaming in to the capital to see the coronation themselves.  Fortunately, there was plenty of lodging available, luxury accommodations even, as Celestia and her organizers were happy to house ponies in the manors and mansions that formerly belonged to the Noble Court, which were now Crown property until further notice.
Naturally, Twilight's closest friends and their families, along with a few select others, were invited to stay in the Palace, now that repairs had opened up the guest quarters (fortunately mostly undamaged during the conflict).  As soon as they got off the train, Shining Armor and Cadance, along with a detachment of the Royal Guard, whisked them away through the crowds to the Palace, expertly parting the way through the sea of ponies.
"How are you doing?" asked Shining as he fell back to walk alongside Dawn.
"Fine," replied the colt, "I've already recovered my magic and none of my injuries hurt anymore."
"Good to hear," said Shining, "You fought well.  I know I don't really have to say it, but I wanted you to know."
"Thank you," said Dawn, his cheeks coloring a little at Shining's praise, "I was glad that I was able to help in the end.  I was afraid that the fight against Wight Shade...or Morning Star...would be far beyond my comprehension and I would be forced to simply stand aside and watch while somepony else tried to save the world."
"That's how I feel every time Twilight and her friends have to go off and save us from world-threatening evils," said Shining, bobbing his head in acknowledgment to Fluttershy, who was trotting alongside her son, "I think it's how your mother feels whenever you have to go off somewhere too."  Fluttershy didn't say anything, but she did nod in agreement with Shining's words.  He chuckled dryly.  "In your case, you shouldn't have to try to shoulder everything on your own.  You're still a kid after all.  I was Captain of the Royal Guard, so I have less of an excuse."
"Was?"  Dawn's eyes widened as he looked up at Shining.
"Yep," replied Shining, "As of yesterday afternoon, I officially retired.  Flash Sentry is taking over as the new Captain.  You're officially speaking to the Prince Consort of the Crystal Empire now.  Once this whole mess is over, Cadance and I are moving to the Crystal Empire permanently."
"Congratulations," said Dawn, before pausing to consider his words, "That is...if congratulations are the proper response to this.  I'm not sure how you feel about giving up your place as Captain."
Shining shrugged.  "On one hoof, I am kinda sore about it.  It was pretty much written in stone after the thrashing Perlin gave us at the train station last year.  I've just been holding onto the spot 'til now because it's a bad idea to switch leaders in the middle of a crisis unless said leader is completely incompetent, which I am not, no matter what some ponies might say.
"On the other hoof, I'm glad to be out of it.  The Noble Court might be a thing of the past, but being Captain means you still have to deal with all kinds of political jockeying from other ponies, not to mention the other branches of the Guard.  On top of that, you get to be that special pony who soaks up most of the blame when things go wrong.  Don't get me wrong.  I loved the job and I was proud to do my duty, but I'm glad to be out of it.  Flash Sentry will do a good job.  I know that much."
They had reached the Palace by this point.  Servants were waiting there to take charge of their luggage and deliver it to their quarters.  In the meantime, Shining began to lead them down a set of hallways that Dawn had become rather familiar with in his last visit.
"Why are we heading to the throne room?" he asked.
"Well, the coronation is for the benefit of everypony," said Shining, "Princess Celestia pretty much has to have it if Twilight's gonna officially be made Princess.  But that's pretty much the only thing the coronation is for.  Princess Celestia has a few other things she wants to wrap up before we get on with the big show."



Twilight shifted nervously as she waited on the dais.  Shiny should be back with the others any moment now.
"Are you really that worried?" asked Arkenstone, who stood beside her, "It's not as though it's a public ceremony."
"I know," said Twilight, "But I can't help but feel that this is where the really important stuff is going to happen, especially..."  She looked over at their "guest," who waited quietly between Spitfire and Firefly, both mares keeping one eye each constantly trained on him.  They stood at the foot of the dais, also watching the doors out of the throne room.
"Also," added Twilight, shifted her eyes sideways to look at the broad, couch-like throne that Celestia was lounging on, "I can't get used to the change in decor."
Celestia tittered.  "What?" she asked, "I can't change my throne?  It always struck me as silly.  Every time I want to change things up in here, ponies act as though I'm undermining some kind of sacred tradition, as though I haven't changed my throne at least five times in the last thousand years."
But you're the only one who would actually remember that, Twilight thought in her most deadpan mental voice.
"Besides," continued Celestia, "I think it's only natural to have some say in where I rest my rump for six hours out of nearly every day."
Luna, who stood on the throne's other side, giggled.  "All that resting of your rump and consuming of cakes is playing havoc with your figure, dear sister."
"Luna!" protested Celestia,
"I disagree," said Arkenstone with a yawn, "I find your figure to be as captivating as it was the first day we met."
"Very funny," said Celestia, completely unfazed by the joke, as even Twilight stifled a giggle.
The doors swung open to admit their guests.  Shining Armor and Cadance were the first ones into the room, followed by Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack, along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders.  Behind them came the members of the Apple Family, including Ditzy and Dinky, along with Thunderlane, Cloud Chaser, and Flitter.  Red River and Storm Front accompanied them as well.
Apple Bloom's eyes surveyed the vast room, taking in everything, until they came to rest on a young, purple dragon who was sitting at the foot of the dais.  "Spike!" she shouted, rushing forward.
"Hey!" Spike shouted back, smiling and opening his arms as he braced himself with his tail.  It was a good thing he did, otherwise he would have been bowled over when Bloom tackled him in an enthusiastic hug.
"Apple Bloom!" scolded Applejack, "Ya can't do that in front 'o the Princess!"
Celestia laughed.  "I don't mind, Applejack.  This wasn't meant to be a fully formal affair.  There's no need to worry."  She smiled fondly at the little dragon she had once helped to raise as he hugged his fillyfriend, his wings fluttering with barely contained excitement.  "Besides, we need to wait for one more pony before we start.  She should be here any-"
"I made it!" shouted Rainbow Dash, coming in for a landing just outside the doors.  In the process, she actually skidded across the polished floors and out of sight before she managed to abate her momentum and double back at a gallop, wisely not trying to take flight again as she bounded into the room.  "Am I late?  Did I miss anything?"
"You're just in time," said Celestia.  She looked to the two members of the Royal Guard who flanked either side of the entrance and nodded at them.  The two Guards began to swing the massive, newly-carved doors shut, leaving Celestia and her audience alone.
"Now then," said Celestia, "We're ready to begin.  There are several matters to address before we carry on with the preparations for Twilight's coronation.  This is a relatively informal ceremony, but it is no less official.  First off, I'll start with the awards."
"Awards?" asked Fluttershy, her eyes going wide.
Celestia nodded at Fluttershy.  "Yes.  After all, there are ponies here whose deeds we need to honor and recognize.  However, I am aware that none of you are keen to endure the public scrutiny that would accompany a public ceremony, so I'm keeping this a private affair.
"First things first...Storm Front, Red River; please step forward."
The two mercenary stallions did as they were bid, slipping past the others in their group to stand in front of the dais, bowing low before Celestia, who nodded to them, silently bidding them to rise.
"The two of you put your lives on the line in facing Terra Heart, a skilled practitioner of the Mountain Root and a truly superior opponent.  You went above and beyond the requirements of your assignment and endured injuries that you will carry with you for the remainder of your lives.  For your service, I am honoring you both with the Silver Star for distinguished service."  Beside her, Luna lifted up a small, elegantly decorated box in her magic and opened it.  Inside were a pair of of star-shaped medals, cast in silver, hanging from gray ribbons.  Celestia's magic plucked the medals out of their resting places and floated them down to Red and Storm, draping the ribbons around their necks.
"It is an honor," said Red as he and Storm bowed to the Royal Sisters.  The Silver Star was an award for military achievements, for ponies who risked their lives in combat in the service of others, particularly in the process of protecting other ponies.  It was generally awarded to members of the Guard.  Red and Storm, who had been under Shining Armor's employ when they had gone to Ponyville, technically satisfied the requirements for the award.
"Also," continued Celestia, "I understand that you have both given up your mercenary work.  While I am pleased that you've managed to find new employment, I still wish to provide you with a modest pension, as a thanks for your service."
The stallions bowed again and retreated.
"Next," said Celestia, "Scootaloo and Rumble; come forward."
The aforementioned foals exchanged a nervous glance.  Rumble, clad in his pale-green shirt, was gently nudged forward by Flitter.  Scootaloo, who was wearing her shimmersilk scarf, was getting the same treatment from her mother and Rainbow Dash.
The two of them stopped at the throne, briefly at a loss for what to do, before deciding to imitate Red and Storm.  They bowed awkwardly.
"In all honesty, you don't need to do that," said Celestia, "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable.  After all, I want to thank you for what you've done as well.
"Though you are both young and inexperienced, you nonetheless did what you felt was necessary to help the ponies you cared about, even though doing so put you at tremendous risk of life and limb.  You faced down foes that many adult ponies would have balked at and helped Arkenstone to successfully rescue Twilight, as well as dismantle Baron Elderflower's plot to undermine our nation.  Arkenstone has told me that he might not have succeeded had the two of you not been there to help him and two very dangerous ponies are in our custody, thanks to your work."
The two young pegasi blushed profusely at the praise Celestia was heaping on them.  "But we still got grounded for it," Scootaloo muttered rebelliously, earning a snort of laughter from her mother.
Though Celestia's smile twitched, just barely avoiding breaking into a full grin, she continued serenely.  "In honor of your efforts and in recognition of your achievement, I will be granting you the second-most distinguished medal available to civilians.  I hereby present to you both the Half Moon Medal of Merit."
The Moon-Series of medals had been created by Celestia and Luna shortly after the latter's return from the moon.  The Medals were silver and cast in the shape of the moon during three of its most prominent phases, the prestige of the medal matching the amount of the moon displayed.  First came the Crescent Moon, followed by the Half Moon, and finally, the Full Moon, which had yet to be awarded even once since the awards had been created.
Now Luna held up the same box as before.  But, this time, when it opened, the two half moon-shaped medals rested where the silver stars once had.  They hung from a pair of deep-blue ribbons as Celestia lifted them out of the box and levitated them down to Scootaloo and Rumble, hanging them from their necks.  Though Celestia had dismissed the need for formality, they nonetheless bowed before scampering back to their families, where they were met with hugs, nuzzles, and proud expressions.
"Next up," said Celestia, continuing on with the proceedings, "Dame Fluttershy, Dame Rarity, Dame Applejack, Dame Pinkie Pie, and Dame Rainbow Dash; please approach."
The five girls came forward, trading looks as they arrayed themselves at the foot of the dais.  At a nod from Twilight, they stood proud and tall, recognizing that there was no need for them to bow.  Twilight herself trotted down the dais to stand with them.
"Once again," said Celestia, looking them over, "I find myself in your debt.  The six of you have saved Equestria yet again.  Twilight has her alicornhood, but I want to reward the rest of you as well."  She sighed.  "After you saved us all from Discord, I knighted you, believing that it was an appropriate way to honor your actions.  After dealing with the machinations of the Noble Court, I now realize that I may have done you a disservice by doing so.  This time, I have decided to honor you the same way that Luna and I honor our Knights when they perform a great service to us.
"I hereby grant you a Royal Boon, a favor you are free to ask of me or my sister.  It will always be available, so there is no need for you to use it now.  All you need do is ask and, if it is within our power and within reason, it shall be granted to you."
"Wow," said Applejack, taking off her stetson and holding it to her chest, "A favor from the Princess herself."
"Though I speak somewhat presumptuously, I advise you not to use it frivolously," counseled Luna.
The Element Bearers nodded at her and fell back, with Twilight returning to the dais to stand between Arkenstone and Celestia.
"Now then," said Celestia, "I ask that Flaxseed come forward."
Flaxseed had been hiding at the back of the group.  Only when Rarity stepped back and gently nudged him did he proceed to move forward.  She accompanied him, holding slightly back and pressing her shoulder against his barrel to help comfort him.  Flaxseed gazed nervously up at Celestia, before flicking his eyes over to Luna, who gave him a smile and an encouraging nod.  Though he was shaking with nerves, his eyes remained their normal, almond hue as he waited for Celestia to speak.
She considered him silently for a moment, her smile fading into a sad, apologetic look.  "You have endured great hardship and suffered for many years.  You bear scars upon both your body and heart that will never fully heal and the memories of your experiences shall always be with you.  Worse still, it was done by ponies who claimed to act in my name, who believed they were executing my will.  That they acted in willful ignorance of my true feelings and that I have publicly expressed disapproval of their actions does not change that.  You suffered as a consequence of my negligence and my unwillingness to act.  For that, I apologize."  She lowered her head until it hung below the level of her throne, closing her eyes.
"I d-don't really feel that it's y-your fault, Princess," said Flaxseed, "You can't be everywhere and some ponies will never change their minds.  I suffered...but...though it may be indirectly because of my hardships, I ended up finding happiness as well."  He looked back to smile at Rarity, who smiled back and nuzzled against his neck.
"I am glad," said Celestia, her smile returning.  She raised her head.  "Nonetheless, your forbearance deserves recognition.  For that, I award you the Crescent Moon of Merit...and one other thing..."
From her side, Celestia levitated a rolled up parchment and floated it down towards Flaxseed.  When it reached him, the parchment unrolled, allowing Flaxseed to see what it contained.
"This is a Royal Certification for Accounting, the equivalent to a diploma from any trade school in Equestria with regards to your chosen profession.  You are hereby officially licensed as an accountant and free to work where you please."
Tears streamed down Flaxseed's face.  It was clear that he appreciated this gift even more than the medal that Luna draped from his neck.  Rarity smiled and leaned against him, remembering that one of Flaxseed's greatest regrets was that his fugitive status had kept him from being able to attend trade school and become a real accountant, despite the fact that she had seen first-hoof that he had the necessary skill to be one.
"Th-thank you so much, Your Majesty," said Flaxseed, his voice nearly a whisper.
"I must thank you for enduring so long," said Celestia equally softly, "You've earned this."
Dipping his head politely and taking the certification in his magic, Flaxseed and Rarity made their way back to the group.
"There is one last award to be given out," said Celestia, "Dawn Lightwing, come forth."
Dawn walked up to stand at the base to dais, looking expectantly up at Celestia, who smiled warmly down at him.
"Dawn, like Flaxseed, you have endured a great deal of hardship over the course of your life.  Once again, much of it was done in my name and as a consequence of my own negligence.  My apologies will never make up for what you have endured and I can't give back the time you've lost because of it."  She sighed.
"Princess," said Dawn, "You know that I do not hold you responsible for what I suffered.  Though I may have endured great pain and hardship, I did emerge stronger because of it.  And, because one of the ponies you favored kindly took me in, offered me a home, a family, and her love.  I am happier than I would have ever thought possible.  I do not regard the time I spent on the run as a waste."
"I'm glad," said Celestia, "On top of that, you have performed great services for your friends and this nation, not merely once, but several times.  You helped to free Cloudsdale from the grip of a tribalist insurrection that might have caused severe bloodshed.  You traveled far from home to rescue a mare trapped in the stronghold of one of the members of the Noble Court.  You faced down assassins like Willow, Shade Steel, and Terra Heart, protecting your friends and family as you did so.  Finally, you were the one who struck the decisive blow against Wight Shade, which allowed us to win the day and finally put an end to his schemes, once and for all.  All of Equestria-No!-the entire world owes you a great debt."
Dawn lowered his head, vibrant spots of red standing out on his cheeks as she spoke.  Bashfully, he scraped a forehoof against the floor, trying not to look up at Princess Celestia anymore.  "Um...well..."  Behind him, he could hear his friends and even his mother giggling at his embarrassment.
Even Celestia was trying to hide her growing smile behind her hoof.  It took her a moment, but she managed to get her expression back under control.  "In honor of your achievements and the great service you have provided, it is my pleasure to present to you the Full Moon Medal of Merit."
A gasp escaped the ponies behind him and even from Twilight at her place by Celestia's throne.  Luna held up the box once again and opened it, revealing the silver disk of a full moon hanging from a dark-purple ribbon.  Celestia levitated it down and draped the ribbon over Dawn's neck.
When Dawn bowed his head to her, Celestia lifted a hoof, stopping him before he could go back to the group.  "There is more," she said, "I have consulted with my Knights and learned the details of your battles.  They have not failed to notice the progress you have made.  Thus, it is my pleasure to honor you as a full master of the Gale King, the first so recognized in over a century."
Dawn froze in place, his eyes wide, gaping in shock.  "I can't be a master," he protested, "I'm not anywhere near good enough.  I still have so much left to learn."
"Indeed," said Arkenstone with a chuckle, "Did you think that you ever wouldn't have more to learn?  True mastery is the realization that you never stop learning, never stop growing.  You've shown that you understand this even better than ponies several times your own age."
From where she was standing, Spitfire spoke up.  "What you have accomplished is leagues beyond even what your Master was capable of.  Don't go selling yourself short, kiddo."
"It is my understanding," said Celestia, "That many of my current Knights have their eyes on you as a future member of their Order.  Do you have any intention of joining."
"I may," said Dawn, "But not yet...I would like to spend my time as a foal, and as a son, a little longer."
"As is your right," said Celestia, "You will join them when you are ready.  I look forward to that day."
Dawn bowed again and turned to head back to his mother's side.  This time, Celestia said and did nothing to stop him.
"Now then," said Celestia, "The pleasant part of this affair is over.  It is time to turn our attention to the less-pleasant duties."  She nodded to Shining and Cadance.  "For this, I require the input of just a few of you, so Shining and Cadance will see the rest of you to your quarters."
According to her instructions, the Element Bearers remained, along with Dawn.  The rest of the group was escorted out, leaving them alone with Celestia, Luna, their Knights, and Perlin Bluestreak.
"Perlin Bluestreak; please come forward."
For Perlin, it was technically less coming forward than coming in from the side as he walked to the red carpet that had been laid over the floor to stand before the dais and directly below Celestia's throne, looking up at her as she looked down at him.  There was no warm, caring smile gracing her features now.  There was only the stern look of a ruler about to dispense judgment.
"Regarding you current fate, I have not yet made a final decision," said Celestia, "The reason I have not yet issued your sentence is because I wish to take the testimony of the ponies who came here today, so that I might have what I need to come to a final decision.
"As it stands, you have committed severe crimes against Equestria.  You have aided, abetted, and participated in treasonous activities in numerous locales.  The list of your crimes is extensive and there is much hardship that might have been avoided had you not been there."
Perlin bowed his head as Celestia spoke, plainly accepting her words.
"However," continued Celestia, "I have come to understand that your circumstances are complex and that you are not wholly beyond redemption..."



"Well?" asked Celestia, looking to Twilight, "What do you think?"
Twilight examined Perlin through the sheet of one-way glass that divided him from them.  Cadance was in the room with him, the two of them talking quietly, though their voices could be heard clearly by the two ponies listening in.
"I can dismantle the Dark Matter his wings are made of," said Twilight, "But I can't restore his original wings.  In a sense, those are long gone.  Their structure and that of the bones and muscles they've been attached too has been altered too much, first by giving him wings of mithril, then by giving him his current set.  Maybe I could manage something of an approximation, but I'd probably end up doing more harm than good.  I'm not a doctor of pegasus biology after all."
"I see..." said Celestia glumly, "...I had hoped that, at the very least, being able to render him relatively harmless by divesting him of his main weapons would be an option.  That would make it less necessary to resort to extreme methods."
"Well...I could simply aim for a form of Dark Matter that's more inert and couldn't be weaponized the way his current wings can," said Twilight, tapping her chin, "But it would take me a little while to come up with something."
"It's better than nothing," said Celestia.
"Um...I...I don't think you should do that," said a pony in a quiet voice, almost a whisper from behind the two princesses.  Turning around, they saw Coco Pommel standing there, watching them as they discussed Perlin's fate.  She had faded into the background so naturally that they'd momentarily forgotten she was there at all.
"Why would you say that?" asked Celestia as she watched Coco carefully.
The young mare shied away from being under the gaze of Princess Celestia at first, but then managed to rally and state her case.  "I think...I think Perlin's wings are too important to him.  He...He chose those wings...Not like his last ones."
"You mean the mithril ones, right?" asked Twilight.
Coco nodded in response.  "His father wanted to make him a weapon.  He wanted Perlin to kill you someday..."  She looked specifically at Celestia as she said that.  "...Perlin decided he didn't want to and killed his father.  But he didn't really know how to live after that...so he did the only thing he'd been raised to."
"He fought," said Twilight, frowning and looking at Perlin through the glass again.  It was the same story she'd heard from Rainbow Dash.  Rainbow had phrased it differently, that Perlin was a mercenary largely for his own amusement, that he cared little for killing or dying, so long as he had the chance to put his skills to use.  She hadn't really looked at it from the angle Coco was using.  Perlin fought because that had been what he'd been raised to do.  He hadn't been raised to tell right from wrong or about the reasons behind conflict.  He'd taken control of his own life when he'd killed his father.  But then he'd immediately defaulted back to the one thing he knew how to do above all else...
Celestia sighed.  "I wish that reassured me.  However, it makes me fear that, regardless of what we do, Perlin will be a threat to himself and others."
"I...I think he can change!" said Coco, speaking more loudly this time, "He already is changing.  He just needs to be taught a better way, something better to use his wings for!"
"I agree with Coco," said Cadance, making Twilight jump.  She hadn't even realized that Cadance had left the interrogation room.  Perlin was still sitting there, idly tapping a forehoof against the table as he stared at the window.  The sight of his hawklike eyes, seemingly watching her, despite the fact that Twilight knew he couldn't see through the glass, made her shiver.
"You do?" said Celestia.
Cadance nodded.  "Perlin's beginning to understand what he's done better and I think that Coco is helping him understand that he needs to change the way he lives his life.  What's more, taking his wings away, or even rendering them harmless, would do irreparable damage to him.  Whether mithril or Dark Matter, they are too integral to Perlin's sense of identity for him to come through losing them unscathed."
"So you believe that he can be trusted to change for the better?" asked Celestia.
"I do," said Cadance, before she smiled at Coco, "And it's entirely thanks to you."
"M-me?" gasped Coco, blushing furiously.
Cadance nodded and giggled.  "When he realized that he cared about you and that he wanted you to be happy, that's when he started to question the way he'd been living.  So long as he has his feelings for you, I think we can keep him from going astray."
"What do you recommend then?" asked Celestia.
"Well..."  Cadance tapped her chin thoughtfully.



"Thus, I have decided that you will atone for your crimes through service," said Princess Celestia.  After recalling that past conversation, she had listened to the stories of the ponies who had encountered Perlin personally.  She'd listened to Rainbow Dash and Rarity recall their experiences and then heard Dawn's account of the encounters he'd had with Perlin.
"Service?"  Perlin tilted his head.  "You mean community service?  Am I going to be spending my time picking up litter in the park or something?"
"Nothing so tame as that," said Celestia, maintaining her stern tone, though a faint twitch of her lips betrayed her amusement at his words, "You will be sent out as an agent of the Crown to settle problems that the Royal Guard cannot handle."
"So...like your Knights then?" inquired Perlin.
"Somewhat," said Celestia, "You will not have the authority or the autonomy that they do and you will be carefully observed to ensure that you are performing your duties properly.  Make no mistake.  I have no intention of using you as an assassin or a mere blunt instrument.  You will be required to avoid using lethal force to the fullest extent of your ability and if I am ever led to believe that you did not do everything in your power to avoid killing in a situation, then I will have Twilight render your wings harmless."
Perlin bowed his head.
"This is not a permanent arrangement," said Celestia, giving the young stallion the first smile she'd ever shown him, "When Luna and I have ascertained that you have properly atoned for your crimes, you will be free to leave our service.  It will be up to you, then, to decide what you wish to do with your life.  However, I hope that you will have a better understanding of what you would like to do."
Perlin bowed his head in acknowledgment.
Turning to the rest of her audience, Celestia asked, "Does anypony have anything to say about this?  Do you agree with this judgment?"
"It doesn't seem like such a bad arrangement," said Dawn, smirking slightly as he came up to stand next to Perlin, "At least you will still have opportunities and reasons to fight."
"Yes...but..."  Perlin looked over at Dawn, who merely smiled at him.
"If you find the right reasons to put your skills to use, I think she will have fewer problems," said Dawn before he lowered his head so that he could look around Perlin and his guards, "Isn't that right, Coco?"
Coco Pommel hesitantly stepped out from behind the base of a shattered column she'd been hiding behind.  "Y-yes," she said very quietly, a small smile on her face.
As Perlin turned to face her, Spitfire, Firefly, and Dawn stepped away so that Coco could walk up to him.  She raised a hoof and gently pressed it to his cheek.  "I think it would be good for you.  I never wanted to take away something so important to who you are."
Perlin leaned into her touch, pressing up against her hoof.  "I don't want to frighten you though," he said, "You're afraid..."
"I am," said Coco, "But...if you learn to use your wings the right way...I don't think I'll have anything to fear anymore."  She moved in a little closer.  "When you're ready, come to Ponyville."  Leaning in, she planted a quick kiss on his lips.  "I'll wait for you there.  Okay?"
"Okay," said Perlin.
The two of them moved forward enough that they could press their necks up against each other.  Perlin's wings unfolded and slowly moved forward to brush over Coco's back.  She twitched at the contact at first, prompting Perlin to pull his wings back.
"No," she whispered into his ear, "It's okay."
Finally, Perlin's wings wrapped around her and held her a little tighter.
"Well," said Dawn with a satisfied smile as he moved to trade nuzzles with his mother, "That's about as happy an ending as we can manage."
"I agree," said Fluttershy, smiling as she watched Perlin and Coco hold one another.



Celestia let out a relieved sigh as she closed the door to her room behind her.  Her horn glowed, her magic already hard at work unfastening the pieces of her regalia and setting them aside.
"A little award ceremony was really that stressful, huh?" teased a voice from a pile of cushions over by the fireplace.
"It went well enough," said Celestia, "I'm just glad that there were no objections to Perlin's sentence."
Swift Stride stretched...and winced with a grunt as he tried to settle into a position more comfortable than the one he was already in.  For once, his black garment and white sash were nowhere to be seen.  It was to his benefit that only Celestia could see him now, as his body looked like one massive bruise, mottled shades of purple, blue, and black beneath the hairs of his coat.  Fortunately, the healers had said that he would make a full recovery...eventually.  Their healing magic had been stymied by Swift's own magic, which he was using to literally hold his body together at almost a cellular level.  Wight Shade's salvo of magical attacks had injured him in ways that the doctors couldn't even properly diagnose and this was the only way that Swift was able to ensure that he would recover without any complications.
Making her way to the fireplace, Celestia summoned a couple of mugs and began to prepare some hot chocolate for the both of them.  She was happy to have Swift spend his recovery in her room, where she could keep an eye on him herself.
"I'm sorry, by the way," said Swift as he gingerly took the proffered mug in his hooves.
"You apologized before you even put your plan in motion," Celestia pointed out, "And it worked out nearly perfectly."  She sighed and shook her head.  "Though, true to your words, I was not happy about it.  I am glad that you did not lie to me."
"I never could," admitted Swift with a shrug, And I never want to.
"There is something I am curious about," said Celestia, "If I had forbidden it...would you have still tried to 'kill' Twilight?"
"Yep," said Swift without the slightest inkling of hesitation.
"Even if it meant losing your Knighthood for real and suffering the consequences of my wrath?" pressed Celestia.
Swift's squinty eyes opened wide enough for Celestia to see his ice-blue irises as he gave her a completely sober look.  "I still would have done what I did.  I also would have accepted the consequences afterwards."
For a long moment, the silence hovered between them.  They both took the opportunity to get in a few sips of their cocoa before Celestia sighed.  "Thank you," she said.
Swift chuckled.  "We do crazy things for the ones we love.  Though I think I'm gonna steer clear of Arkenstone for a while.  I get the feeling he's still pretty sore with me."
"That would probably be wise," said Celestia with a giggle of her own, "Naturally, I've restored your full status as a Knight, though I think I'll hold off the official announcement of that fact for a little while yet.  I do believe Arkenstone realized what you were up to though."
"You think that's gonna convince him to hold back?" asked Swift, "If I were in his position, I probably wouldn't.  No need to cause him any more stress.  For now, I think it's enough for him to know that I won't be threatening his fillyfriend again."
"That is true," agreed Celestia.  She smiled warmly at Swift.
"If you don't mind," said Swift, giving Celestia a strangely serious look, "I have a question of my own."
"And what is that?" asked Celestia.
"Does Twilight Sparkle know that you knew what I was going to do?" asked Swift his eyes widening out of their habitual squint.
"I think she may have surmised that I was in on your little trick," said Celestia.  "But I do not know for certain.  She has not asked."
"If she asks...what will you do?"
Celestia stared pensively down into her mug.  "I will tell her the truth.  I will answer her honestly and accept the consequences, just as you would have had you chosen to act without my approval.  I have hope that she understands what you did, even if she does not like or approve of it and, in turn, understands why I trusted you to act as you did.  But if she chooses not to, that is her right and I couldn't necessarily say that she is wrong."
Celestia looked up from her mug and smiled at Swift.  "For now, just rest and focus on getting better.  I know that it is going to take you a while and I don't want you going anywhere until you've fully recovered."  She giggled yet again.  "If anything, I suppose I should be grateful to Wight Shade for the chance to keep you here for a decent period of time."
Swift chuckled and raised his mug to her in a salute.  "All things considered...there's no place I would rather be."



Twilight Sparkle's coronation was about as loud and flashy as such an event could be expected to be.  By the time it started, ponies had flocked over from across all of Equestria to see the country's newest Princess with their own eyes.  On top of that, delegations from foreign nations, from Saddle Arabia, Minos, Pachydermia, Yakyakistan, Guoxia, and even a few griffon aeries, attended as well.
Ponies lined the streets as Twilight was paraded through them on an elaborate carriage.  She did her level best to remain calm, keep a polite grin on her face, and wave to the ponies cheering for her as she passed.  Though her actual actions during the ceremony were minimal, nothing could fully convince Twilight that she wouldn't embarrass herself or Celestia and Luna in some way.  Fortunately, she had not been required to make a flyby or she was fairly certain that the only direction she might have ended up flying was down.  Rainbow Dash had been coaching her, but Twilight figured it would be a few weeks before she felt confident enough to put on a public display.
If anypony took issue with Twilight's rise, they were apparently unable to make themselves heard over the cheers of everypony else.  Twilight's eyes had roved over the crowd and, though she'd seen a fair few jealous or underwhelmed ponies, she hadn't seen anypony glaring at her with outright hatred or resentment, which made her feel a little better.
Luckily, the reception afterwards was a more intimate and private affair...for a given definition of "intimate" and "private."  The guest-list included nearly the entire population of Ponyville, along with a select list of ponies that had been approved by Twilight herself, ponies she could trust to handle interacting with her neighbors and friends without their noses turning skywards.  Fortunately, she no longer had to worry about offending anypony from the Noble Court.  The rest of the Canterlot elite consisted largely of wealthy business ponies and others from similar walks of life who Twilight didn't need to worry about offending.  With all the guests being so familiar with her, Twilight felt free to cut loose and enjoy herself, indulging in all the activities a proper Pinkie Pie Party provided.
Even the ponies who weren't invited to the reception were still able to enjoy themselves.  Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Pinkie had made arrangements for all the ponies visiting the coronation.  Booths and stalls lined the streets, offering all kinds of food or fun activities.  The bars were open, offering special deals to celebrate Equestria's new Princess.  The restaurants were filled up.  Canterlot was swept up in a festival of celebration.
Naturally, the party ran on late into the night.  As the sun set and the moon rose, the attendees found that Pinkie had another surprise for them, a fireworks show, accompanied by a performance from the Wonderbolts, including Rainbow Dash.  Even after the performance ended, Pinkie's fireworks continued to fill the sky with light, color, and sound.  However, some ponies had enjoyed themselves enough and decided to call it a night.  One particular group of such ponies watched the last of the fireworks from a balcony in the Palace guest quarters.



"It certainly is beautiful," said Fluttershy as she leaned up against Caramel.  Beside them, Dawn had reared up to rest his forehooves on the balcony railing as the three of them watched the conclusion of Pinkie's show.
"You can say that again," agreed Caramel, "Pinkie sure nows how to end things on a high note."  Looking over, he saw that Fluttershy's eyelids were drooping.  Dawn was in a similar condition.  Neither of them was overly accustomed to late nights.  Caramel himself wasn't much of a night owl either.  But he at least had more experience than the other two.
As she yawned, Fluttershy began to nuzzle against Caramel's neck, already looking forward to going to bed.  She would have probably gone much sooner, but had decided to enjoy Pinkie's fireworks to the end, both for the sake of her friend and because the noise would have kept her from getting much sleep while the fireworks were still going off.
"By the way," said Caramel, beginning to fidget a little, "There's something I'd like to ask you."
"Yes?"  Fluttershy pulled away just enough to get a look at Caramel's face.  The sight of those teal eyes, however sleepy they might have been, made Caramel's heartbeat accelerate.
"I've been thinking about this for a while," said Caramel nervously, "Ever since Hearth's Warming."  Both his and Fluttershy's cheeks colored as they recalled that night.  "I've never been so happy as I've been with you...both of you..."  He gave Dawn a meaningful look as Dawn's eyes, which glowed slightly in the low light, fixed on him.  "I've realized just how much I've loved living with you, being a family.  I wanted to ask this for a while now..."
Caramel turned to face Fluttershy fully, producing a small box in his hoof.  A sharp gasp escaped Fluttershy as she realized just what must be within that box.
"Fluttershy...will you marry me?" asked Caramel, opening the box to reveal a necklace, a horseshoe crafted from lapis lazuli, hanging from a gold chain.
Fluttershy's hooves went to her mouth as she stared, wide-eyed, at the necklace, tears beginning to form.  She hesitated for a second, glancing over her shoulder at Dawn, who smiled widely and nodded.  Turning back to Caramel, she gave her answer.  "Yes!"
Grinning like a fool, Caramel lifted the necklace out of its box and draped it over Fluttershy's neck.  As soon as his hooves lowered, Fluttershy threw her arms around him, pulling him close and kissing him passionately.  Above them, the sky lit up once again as Pinkie's show entered its finale.  Dawn soon joined in the embrace and the three of them huddled together on the balcony, their weariness forgotten in the excitement of the moment.