Epilogue
"You see?" Luna asked, her gossamer diagram spinning above the center of her room, the spark in her voice making Celestia smile. "It'll be just like what we were doing before except now we'd announce the dawn and dusk there in the center of the courtyard where as many ponies as possible can see it instead of each of us going back to her throne to make it happen." She grinned with an eagerness Celestia hadn't seen in her for a long, long time. "Whaddaya think, Sunny?"
Celestia cocked her head. "I think my vacation did you more good than it did me."
Luna laughed. "I think you're right." Her smile faded. "It's just...we owe them so much, all those ponies, and we can't...I mean, they can't...they don't--" All her previous good humor disappeared, and Celestia's shoulders tightened. Could it finally be time?
She leaned forward, touched her nose to Luna's neck. "Starry? What's wrong?"
Her voice came out as the barest whisper. "How, Sunny? How can we be friends with them when someday they're all going to...to--" She choked off and turned her head to meet Celestia's, her distress darkening the glow of her horn.
Yes, it was time. "Like this," she said softly, and flexing her neck to bring her horn into contact with her sister's, she cast the spell she'd been longing to share with Luna for a thousand and one years.
Luna's room vanished around them, the dark of the early evening sky outside replaced by a stranger darkness, a velvet quality to it that Celestia had only ever found in this place. "What--??" Luna asked in alarm, stepping back, looking around, the silver aurora of her mane suddenly spiky. "Where--??"
"It's all right," Celestia said quickly. And it was better than all right, the tree beside them exactly as it should be, the grassy hills rising up on all sides to create a little valley under the soft violet light of the sky. "This is the Grove, a place I found at the end of that horrible, horrible first week after I'd sent you into exile, a place I once thought was a dream, but now...now I know it's not."
Still looking around, Luna seemed to have lost most of her panic. "It feels so...so welcoming somehow." She turned to face the tree, and Celestia heard her gasp at what--or rather who--was lying there asleep: Twilight Sparkle and her friends, just as Celestia had expected, but also Ory Stargazer and his mother. Which made sense, Celestia decided.
"That--" Luna swung her head from the sleeping ponies to Celestia and back again. "That isn't really them. Is it?"
"It will be." And for all the time Celestia had had to plan, she still wasn't sure how to explain this place to Luna. "I first found my way here the night after we'd gotten the stars I'd managed to blow out back into the sky. I saw all the ponies who'd helped me, all the ponies I now thought of as my friends, all sleeping under this tree just like this."
The quiet made her whisper, but Luna's pricked ears told her she was catching every word. "And then...then the next week, Swampy, one of the old earth ponies who'd shown me how to get the marsh gas burning, she died, and after the funeral, in my grief, I sought this place out again, wanting only to see her safely asleep, and instead...instead when I arrived here, she...she was awake, Starry. She was awake, and she knew me, knew everything she should've known, was herself, her real self, here...forever..."
Luna was staring at her. "You mean...she's here now?"
Celestia pointed her nose to the hills around them. "Just over the crest with everypony else who's awake. At least, I'm guessing: this is your Grove, not mine. But it feels the same here, so I'm betting mine's not too far away."
"Then--" Luna kept looking back and forth. "Any mortal friends we make, they...they come here after they die?"
"They do." Celestia couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice. "And any friends our friends make, they'll show up as well! My Grove is a huge valley filled with sleeping ponies, dragons, griffins, every living creature who's ever made a friend, a chain linking back a thousand years with me in the center! And with two of us out in the world now--"
"But Twilight and AJ and everypony!" Luna's horn glowed black in confusion. "Aren't they already in your Grove? And...are you saying--" Light danced in her eyes. "You're saying I can meet the ponies who helped you with the night all the time I was gone?"
Celestia flared her wings. "Let's go see," she said.
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Read it before, loved it, and I'll read it again.
Thanks for putting it here, I hadn't thought about this one for a long while.
Well, hello there old and awesome fic
, it's been a while. Nice to see you again. I'm afraid I'll have to postpone my re-reading of you 
, but you're on my favorites list. 
A story that is complete that's word count comes out to exactly 57000? I must read this!
Loved this the last time I read it, and it's great to see that it's finally made its way over here.
I've been meaning to read this. Now that it's here maybe I'll actually get around to it.
i LOVE to see the old classics on here! i really loved this story when i first read it. i twas one of the first serious exercises in world- building in the fandom.
nice work here have a pony24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m57zqxwxR71r0txg6o1_1280.gif
Thanks, folks! I've been meaning all year to set up a section here on FiMFiction, but now that I'm about ready to start my next big Pony story, I figured I might as well actually do it.
Mike
There is a very good reason this story (at the time of my comment) has zero thumbs-downs. It's like a double-bladed sword of literary awesome (and friendship)... on one side, it's a brilliant story, with more accurate-to-show characterization that average, and on the other, it's publisher-quality... no flow-breaking typos or grammatical errors. It's like Fanfic: Advanced Edition.
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Thanks! There's a couple things here and there in the story I get a little frowny about, but I'm always glad when folks enjoy it.
Mike
This is a WONDERFUL story. It was one of the first pony fictions, in fact one of the first fan fictions, period, that I'd ever read, and was responsible for drawing me in.
Your characterizations are spot on, your storytelling is superb, and this tale of yours is a joy to read and re-read. I'm particularly fond of Applejack taking on the role of Columbo, Rainbow Dash whipping the Night Guards into shape, Fluttershy being the one to bring the piece's villain to heel with her kindness, Rarity's whirlwind romance, and Pinkie Pie interrogating prisoners with a surprise party is beyond inspired.
A fabulous piece of work. Regardless of what canon may change as the show's seasons unfold, this story holds up fabulously. Long may it be read and enjoyed by those devotees of the world of Equestria.
One of the first pony fanfiction I read - and first long one. Good to see it here - I remember really liking it - I think I still have it on my Kindle. Maybe I will read it again, to see how my perspective changed now, that I've read much more.
This is one of the best stories that I have read since I became involved with MLP.
The character development is spot on and the last chapter about the glade just caps the whole thing off.
Congratulations on a job well done.
B.D.
So few positive mods? I'm surprised! This is a fantastic story that showcases the Mane 6's abilities in an unexpected context and always remains true to their characters.
What makes this really interesting is the fact that the villain of the piece was, at least in part, as much sinned against as sinning. Yes, she chose the wrong path but her reason for doing so was comprehensible and, perhaps, even justified (even if only to her way of mind). Luna needed a gentle reminder of the amount the world had changed and the fact that, yes, she needed other ponies to help her to do her job (her panic at the thought of a Night Court proved that she had suddenly realised that). Celestia is, as the two Ministers pointed out, a supreme politician and manipulator. She knows how to get people to realise the right thing on their own rather than her simply telling them to their faces, with the consequential stubborn rejection.
One last thing: I'd like to see more of Attorney General Applejack, General Rainbow Dash, Chief of Staff PInkie Pie, DCoS Fluttershy and all the rest. Maybe there could be a second Cantalot adventure!
One of the first and best stories I read on EQD. The characterization, the pacing, the atmosphere, the plot all of it so very in character and well written. You Sir deserve a cookie.
This is an amazing blast from the past.
A brilliant piece. Bravo, I must say. Bravo.
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Thanks much:
As I've said before, this was about the easiest piece of writing I've ever done, and since I enjoyed every minute of it, I'm always glad when other folks like it, too.
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Rarity sounds a lot like:
The way I hear the character Constance Teasdale from my Daily Grind webcomic, so there may have been a little slippage...
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I blame:
The nameless copy editor who worked on the original edition of my novel The Blood Jaguar from Tor Books. This person changed all my "question mark/exclamation point" combinations to "double question marks," and I've been using them ever since.
Mike
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One of the things:
I enjoy so much about FiM is the way the writers approach the whole idea of "the antagonist." Most of the episodes, after all, feature our heroes pitted against each other! So I tried my best to keep that aspect of things here. The one I'm working on now, though, "An Infinite Number of Pinkies," the antagonist there is a bit more traditional, I guess you'd say...
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Cuteness is also very important to me and something I'm constantly striving for. So thanks!
Mike
Just as lovely as when I first read it.
Whew, took me longer than expected to get back to this and finish it. Completely worth it
Let me say that I am absolutely smitten with how you write Pinkie; the dialogue, the personality, the antics, all of it. If there was one character that stood out in this fic, it was her. She just took the stand and shinned in the latter half of this story. She's so light hearted, tossing out quips from her uncles with nonchalance and perfect timing, and then you had that moment when she sat there and shuffled the cards as she had her monologue. That was a high point of the story -- any Pinkie perspective was one, actually. The way she thinks and acts, and how she just gets it, even if she masks all that understanding behind her kookiness.
Really well done, absolutely wonderful job with her, with this whole fic! The romance with Rarity and Ory -- bless their love struck hearts -- was sweet and witty, and the interest Dash showed in Des was cute. To think, the focus was on helping Luna adjust to ruling again, helping her become who she is, and it became so much more in the end.
Gah! So many moments to think about and reflect on. I'll just end with Mandrake, I guess. He was a small role, but his interaction with Rarity and Ory just made it great. If anything, I'm with Rarity: I wouldn't mind getting to know that old, kind stallion.
Great story, it did start out a tad slow, but picked up so well in the end. I enjoyed this immensely. Fantastic job
I applaud you AugieDog on a story well crafted. *Claps a round of applause*
This story was very emotionally impacting and I loved how the villain was portrayed!
The characterization, after only having Season 1 to work off of, felt incredibly well handled and the epilogue wrapped up the entire story with a bright, shiny red ribbon.
Excellent work! I enjoyed reading every minute of it.
-Flame Runner
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I was so:
Worried about doing Pinkie justice, I can't even tell you! And I ended up having so much fun writing her that I'm finally putting together a whole big Pinkie adventure story! Oh, the huge manatees!
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Thanks!
I can't find the website anymore, of course, but I once came across that speech I put into Rarity's mouth among some examples of motivational speaking or something. It was very odd...
Mike
REAL COOL
I did not know this was on Fimfic! I'm so happy, this is probably in my Top 3 favorite fics.
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I had completely forgotten:
That I had slipped that line in there. I'm just shocked I didn't have her make a reference to Apple Crispan's Day or something...
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Thanks!
Mike
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What a great story! Pinkie was the perfect mix of wisdom and whimsy, and all the other characters were spot on.
Alternate Universe is best universe.
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Glad you enjoyed it!
Mike
One of the first fics I read when I started reading fics. I wish there were more like it (relatively show-style novel-length mane six adventures, that is).
Good story! Mystery, adventure, of course friendship, and to top it all off like the icing on one of Pinkie's cakes, Dash "whipping the lax Night Guard back into shape!"
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Thanks!
When I was in the planning stages for this story, I wanted to make sure each character had scenes that only she could carry off, scenes that wouldn't work if any other pony was involved. The Night Guard scenes are Dashie's.
Mike
Canon-fodder indeed! However, so well-done, my thanks and praise to you. Like and fav.
"I've thought about diving back in and changing a few things to make the story line up better with Season 2, I'm not gonna."
THANK YOU! Because that would of made me pretty sad
GOSH I never could remember this fics name after so long! ><
This has always been one of the few top most favorite fics I really enjoyed during the early fandom days. Glad after all this time I had gone through with making a fimfic account. Favs and thumbs up! (duh, I LOVE this story! The way you managed to get me to accept Rarity with some OC like the way you did, wow... amazing writing! I remember waiting on updates for this fic xD)
I only just found you through some other follow in which he favorited the story. He has great taste in fics since he had yours on his front page
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Applejack as detective:
Is just a natural fit in my head. That sort of heightened attention to detail is to me the essence of earth pony magic and is the power behind Pinkie's twitches, too.
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I'm glad folks still enjoy it even though events in the show--Twilight having a brother, for instance--have left it behind.
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I'm still holding to that volcano thing, actually. 'Cause, I mean, Canterlot's gotta be bigger than those couple of buildings we keep seeing sticking out from the side of that cliff! And the world just needs more cities down inside extinct volcanoes!
Mike
1639044 As a fan who got into mlp during season 1, the whole Twilight having a brother out of the blue and having not been such a recluse to think she needed no one but her studies and pleasing her mentor... him coming out of the blue after two seasons at the very end and never once either of the two deciding to send so much as a post card... idk but I like Cadance, but the whole brother thing makes some of the s1 pilot feel less emotionally epic.
S1 fics shouldn't feel like they need to fit canon. Make a whole new fic and not delete the old ones. That's my opinion. Hasbro made Shinning and Cadance as a homage to the royal couples, Cadance was modeled after a ceo's daughter and Shinning well, why not marry into the main character's family am I right? Complete Mary/Gary stu's if you me. And her brother's one saving grave gimmick and he has her doing all the work :P
I still think this is an amazing fic, and if we had never gone another season than we wouldn't have any talks about having to fit something into canon. We almost didn't get a second season xD
That was fantastic. I am so glad that I finally got around to reading this, it is one of the stories you hear mentioned around the fandom as excellent and for good reason I can now say.
This will eventually be going on my user page wall of recommended stories, and I will definitely have to take a look at your Pinkie Pie story in the near future.
Your story is an old favorite of mine, so I'm happy to finally notice it's on FIMfiction, too!
Lots of good stuff in this story, including one of the most plausible OC/Rarity romances I've ever seen. It works, and works well!
Here it is! I tried looking for this a while back but I couldn't find it. I really enjoyed reading this when it first came out.
Wow, I remember reading this a while back. Reading through these comments brings back a tons of memories from the story, but the scene that stuck with me is Pinkie's surprise party in the jail cell, and having her slowly explaining the situation despite her excitement. Excellent writing there.
Great fic! Greenthumed!
I've also marked An Infinite Number of Pinkies to be read, can't wait to read it!
Well, that was a weird ending. It came out of no where and didn't fit the theme(s) of the rest of the story.
Besides that, I enjoyed the rest of your story. Mostly.
But, what exactly was the main point of this story? I can't figure it out ...?
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One of the ways:
Of looking at this story is that it's all about the prologue and the epilogue. From Luna's questions about the past in the prologue, Celestia sees that she's almost ready to learn the secret that Celestia wants to tell her. She just needs one more lesson, and that's what the next 56,000 words are: Celestia teaching Luna how much she needs other ponies. Once Luna learns this, she's ready for what Celestia shows her in the epilogue.
I don't know that I care much for that interpretation myself, but it's one way to look at it...
Mike
It was a really enjoyable read. It may not have aged well with new canon, but I can imagine its quality given the time it was created. I have to wonder though, what about Spike and his crush on Rarity? His arc didn't really feel complete to me. At any rate, awesome story.
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Thanks!
Yeah, my greatest regret while putting this story together all those years ago is that I couldn't get Spike's stuff in. I had scenes for him, but they just interrupted the story's flow too much. So I kept cutting them and telling myself, "I'll put it in later." And later just never came...
Mike
I'm definitely going to have to give this a reread when I have time. Let's see if this is as good as I remember it, now that I've relatively more experience editing and scrutinizing fics.
In any case, glad I found this here.
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I learned:
An awful lot while writing it. I know that much, at least!
Mike
Well done. Just well done. I haven't given a favorite to a story in MONTHS (partially to me being somewhat like Simon Cowell when it comes to stories), but you have earned it.
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Thanks!
If you'd be interested in something else by me that might be kind of similar to this one, I'll suggest An Infinite Number of Pinkies or either of the two "Clandestine Corps" stories I've got in my portfolio.
Mike
Beautiful. Thanks so much for writing this.
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Thanks for reading. Once they introduced Cadance into things, then, I decided that she was Equestria's Death Goddess and slightly altered the idea of the Groves Beyond to include a role for her: Calling You is the story where that all happens, if you might be interested...
Mike