No Matter How Dark

by Picardy Third

Epilogue

Twilight sat outside the castle facing the towering monument of Princess Celestia. It was sunny, not too warm, calm, a beautiful day. All the parties celebrating her victory had passed and she was about to return to Ponyville to resume her life as it was before this fiasco. Twilight let out a sigh and looked up at Celestia’s smiling face as it stared down at the three ponies around her hooves. Twilight then looked at the inscription at the base of the statue.

Twilight’s eyes turned sad and she let out another sigh. She heard hoofsteps behind her and turned to see Princess Luna approaching her. Twilight smiled and waited for the Princess to join her at the monument. Luna stopped just a few feet behind Twilight and exhaled.
“Your friends are waiting at the train station, you know.” Luna informed Twilight.
“Yeah, I know.” Twilight replied. Luna let out a little hum and sat beside Twilight in the grass. For a second, neither spoke, but only admired the beautiful depiction of their dearly departed Princess. Overhead, a number of birds let out their lively cries. Twilight almost envied their carefree existence and made a mental note to live the rest of her life in a similar manner.
“You know, Celestia and I had always known that we would pass in time.” Luna told Twilight, “We are both in dangerous positions. As a place of royalty, it only makes sense that one of use would be killed at some point.”
“If you’re trying to make me feel better, it’s not exactly working…” Twilight said flatly.
“Do let me finish, Twilight.” Luna said lightly. Twilight smiled and nodded. Luna looked up at Celestia’s form again and continued, “Celestia urged that she never want to have this kingdom run by a single ruler again.”
“Well, if one of you dies, how can you avoid that?” Twilight asked.
“Twilight… Celestia wanted you to take her place.” Luna revealed. Twilight’s eyes shot open and she looked at Luna with awe.
“L-Luna… I couldn’t run a country…” Twilight said, “I can barely run a library.”
“I know you would be up to the task, Twilight.” Luna said, “And Celestia personally chose you.”
“And did you choose somepony?” Twilight asked, “Maybe there’s another suitor.”
“I actually suggested, and my sister agreed, that Shining Armor be considered.” Luna said.
“My brother?!” Twilight asked incredulously.
“He is already captain of the royal guard.” Luna said.
“It… makes sense.” Twilight said. “But he would hold that over me until the end of time…”
“So what do you say?” Luna asked Twilight in all seriousness.
“What do I say?” Twilight repeated. Twilight chuckled a little bit. “I say… I want to go home.”
Luna smiled at hearing that.
“Very wise, Twilight.” Luna said, “But I will ask you again in the future.”
“I look forward to it.” Twilight said with a smirk. Twilight stood and faced away from Celestia’s monument. Luna stood with her and accompanied Twilight as they walked out of the gardens. Despite what felt like leaving Celestia behind, Twilight was happy. She hadn’t had the luxury of saying she was happy in a long time, but now she finally felt it.
Happy.
“Rainbow Dash is moving in with me, by the way.” Twilight commented as they walked.
“Oh is she?” Luna asked.
“Yeah.” Twilight replied, “I’m… well, I’m excited.” Twilight said, then laughed.
“You two make an excellent couple.” Luna observed.
“I’m glad you think so.” Twilight said. The ponies had left the gardens and were now taking a shortcut through the castle to the train station on the other side. Their conversation had long breaks, yet it was nice. It was peaceful.
Peace.
“You know… I’m remembering something your friend Fluttershy said to you while my sister and I were observing you through our mirror.” Luna said.
“And what is that?” Twilight asked.
“As I recall, she told you that she believed that no creature’s heart is too far gone to reach.” Luna said.
“I have just begun to remember that conversation again…” Twilight said, “It was in the middle of the night, right before I attacked Carousel Boutique.”
“Indeed.” Luna agreed.
“Why have you just remembered it now?” Twilight asked.
“Because it describes the condition you were in.” Luna said, “And that you were never too far gone to reach. Every creature has a heart, and every heart has a light, no matter how dark.”
“Hm…” Twilight said happily, “You know what? You’re right.”
“Of course I am.” Luna said lightly.
The pair had arrived at the opposite end of the castle. Before them was the train station. Twilight could see the train coming down the track toward them. That beautifully whimsical train would carry Twilight home, to Ponyville, to her friends.
Home.
“Thanks, Luna, for everything.” Twilight said to the princess.
“Don’t be a stranger. I’ll be awake in the day from now on, you know!” Luna said to Twilight.
“We’ll be in touch.” Twilight replied happily. She spied Rainbow Dash, who waved at her energetically, then pointed at the ever-approaching train.
“I’d better go, don’t wanna miss the train!” Twilight said.
“Stay safe, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said. Twilight ran over to the train station in just enough time to hop on board with Rainbow Dash. She took her seat beside the mare of her dreams and intertwined their hooves.
“Where’d you disappear to?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Oh… just saying goodbye to a friend.” Twilight replied lightly.
Rainbow Dash hummed happily in response. The train lurched forward and took off, away from Canterlot and onward to Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle looked at her reflection in the window and saw for the first time that the red scar that had served as a reminder of her grim condition was now gone. Twilight smiled and placed her head against Rainbow Dash’s shoulder, ready to take on whatever the rest of her life had to offer.
And this time, she knew that she would live long enough to see it through.