Epilogue: Healing Wounds And Closer Bonds
Twilight smiled fondly at the night sky as Spike stood on the stage, breathed into the microphone and enthusiastically stated, “Ladies and Gentlecolts! Give it up for a little…”
The spotlight soon shined at the end of the stage where the white pegasus in flashy black clothing known as Songbird Serenade was.
Twilight cheered along with her friends, Trixie, Capper, the pirates, and Skystar.
“And now, to celebrate the fact that we're all still here in one piece, give it up for Princess Twilight and her friends!” Songbird Serenade said happily as a spotlight pointed at Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and even Starlight and Trixie.
Twilight began hearing praises and cheer from everyone around the festival, but soon she saw all three princesses bow in respect in which she did the same.
Suddenly the spotlight turned off and Songbird Serenade started singing, “I know you, you're a special one
Some see crazy where I see love.”
Twilight looked over at Starlight and smiled, and soon she smiled back, for some odd reason, those lyrics reminded Twilight of her.
“You fall so low but shoot so high
Big dreamers shoot for open sky.” Songbird Serenade continued singing before her backup dancers popped out from behind the stage.
“So much life in those open eyes
So much depth, you look for the light.”
Twilight looked to then see Celeano and Rainbow Dash share a fist bump, Rarity giving Capper a new top hat and black cape, and finally Pinkie Pie and Skystar sharing a laugh.
“But when your wounds open, you will cry
You'll cry out now and you'll question why.”
Soon Queen Novo flew in with some of her Hippogriff subjects and soon Skystar ran up to her and gave her a hug, “Mom!”
“You are so grounded.” Novo laughed much to Skystar’s shock, and Twilight also saw Starlight and Trixie look on in annoyance and/or disgust. Twilight couldn’t really blame them, Skystar was helpful to their cause. Suddenly the podium Songbird Serenade was on began to rise.
“I can see a rainbow
In your tears as they fall on down
I can see your soul grow
Through the pain as they hit the ground
I can see a rainbow
In your tears as the sun comes out
As the sun comes out.” Songbird Serenade sang as she flew over Twilight and Twilight smiled before looking behind her to see Tempest at the very back of the crowd, so she decided to check up on her and flew over to Tempest who was looking longingly into the distance, she seemed to know Twilight was here so she began speaking softly, “Well, that's one thing that never changes around here. The party.”
“Well, I hope you'll stay for it. More friends are definitely merrier.” Twilight smiled softly.
“I know. But… in a few moments I’ll be spending a couple weeks in jail and doing community service. I’m just lucky I had a change of heart when I did or I would have gotten a worse punishment.” Tempest sighed longingly, “All this for getting my horn back.”
“You know, your horn is pretty powerful, just like the pony it belongs to.” Twilight smiled reassuringly, “And don’t worry, those few weeks you’ll be spending in prison are gonna fly by. Soon you’ll be able to reinvent yourself.”
Tempest smiled softly too as she began heading towards the edge of Canterlot, “I did tell you I wanted to show everypony in Equestria what I could do, right?”
Tempest soon shot out a lightning bolt and fireworks began shooting everywhere.
“I can see a rainbow
In your tears as they fall on down
I can see your soul grow
Through the pain as they hit the ground.”
Twilight heard Songbird Serenade sing as she smiled warmly at Tempest.
“Nice touch Tempest.” Pinkie Pie smiled from the crowd.
“Actually that’s not my real name.” Tempest admitted sheepishly.
Soon Pinkie Pie bounced over as Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity also walked to Twilight and Tempest.
“Ooh. What is it?” Pinkie Pie smiled as she leaned next to Tempest.
“It’s Fizzlepop Berrytwist.” Tempest whispered with a smile.
Pinkie Pie soon gasped happily before yelling, “Okay! That is the most awesome name EVER!”
She got a small smile from Tempest before Pinkie spoke up, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go make sure my good buddy Skystar doesn’t get grounded. Bye now.”
She soon sped off much to Tempest’s amusement, “She definitely seems like a handful doesn’t she?”
“Honestly all of us are oddballs in our own rights.” Twilight heard Starlight say as she and Trixie walked over to the scene.
“Sorry to intrude, but we were getting bored of hearing Celestia and Queen Novo talking about political things and blah blah blah.” Trixie said in an annoyed tone.
“Why were you even with them anyway?” Spike asked curiously.
Pinkie Pie suddenly ran back over and spoke up, “Yeah, I was gonna talk to her before you showed up.”
“I needed to talk with Queen Novo about her punishing Skystar.” Starlight admitted with a sheepish smile, “I felt it was unfair she was gonna get punished for helping her friends save their land.”
“She’s not mad at us is she?” Twilight asked in concern, the last time they saw Novo she banished them from their underwater kingdom due to Twilight’s attempt to steal the pearl.
“No. I was able to clear things up with her. I guess the fact her daughter even came here at least proved the rest of us were genuine with our intentions.” Starlight spoke reassuringly before gaining a nervous grin, “Although… she does want to speak with you. That’s the real reason I showed up.”
Twilight gulped, she was about to face the very ruler that she tried to steal a magic pearl from and likely was going to face her former mentor too. Twilight had no doubt she was screwed.
Starlight was apparently able to sense this emotion and asked, “Do you… need me to come with you? I have no problem supporting you on this.”
Twilight smiled at this, after everything that’s going on, she felt like she could really use a friend right now.
“That would be nice.” Twilight admitted happily.
“Actually, there’s no need to find us.” A familiar voice spoke from above, soon Celestia and Novo both flew in front of Twilight with neutral looks, though Twilight couldn’t contain her nervousness and immediately began babbling, “Queen Novo I am so sorry! I shouldn’t have stolen the pearl! I should have had more faith that we could turn our situation around by more civil means, I shouldn’t have tried to steal from you!”
Twilight soon sighed as she looked behind her to look at her five Ponyville friends and then Starlight, “I was so delusional in my twisted methods to save Equestria that I also ended up hurting the ones near and dear to me.”
“I’m ready for whatever punishment you have in store.” Twilight sighed sadly.
“Twilight, we are disappointed in the methods you took to save Equestria, we cannot deny that.” Celestia admitted.
“But in a way, we could understand where you were coming from. From what Celestia told me, your land was being enslaved by that monster.” Novo added with a sigh, “Honestly I just wish I was more willing to stand up to the Storm King like you were. Your friend Starlight also gave me a better understanding of what you were going through to protect Equestria.”
Twilight looked in shock at Starlight who sent her a reassuring wink, which she smiled at.
“So even if we believe your methods were wrong. It would feel unfair to punish you.” Celestia smiled warmly.
“Thank you.” Twilight shared a hug with Celestia before Celestia then said, “Now if you’ll excuse me, me and Novo need to discuss how to better improve our relations with both our kingdoms.”
The two then flew off and Twilight soon embraced Starlight, “You didn’t need to stand up for me, but I’m grateful you did.”
“I had to stand up for you. You would’ve done the same for me, plus you didn’t deserve to be punished.” Starlight smiled back.
Starlight began to get ready for the train ride home as she began packing her saddlebags with some of Trixie’s magic show equipment with the showmare herself at where Trixie’s show was stationed. After a while, the festival began to die down and every creature was getting ready to go home, well except Capper, he would be joining Captain Celeano and her crew from now on to make a brand new start. Starlight smiled fondly at that, at least Capper would finally be free from that town full of dirtbags.
She then saw Tempest and Grubber walk over to where they were with two royal guards at their side.
“Tempest? Grubber? I thought you two would be serving your sentences by now. I will say I’m glad you two are at least getting off easy.” Starlight admitted with shock, yet said happily.
“We wanted to talk to you first though. Celestia gave us the okay to do so.” Grubber explained with a smile, “Thanks for not blasting me with your magic horn. You had every right to do that but you didn’t.”
Starlight smiled at this, she knew there was some good in Grubber after all.
“You’re welcome. I didn’t see a good reason to do so given you seemed relatively harmless and from what you said, you were just trying to help your friend get her horn back.” Starlight told the hedgehog happily who shared a smile with Tempest.
“And I wanted to thank you for giving me the courage to eventually redeem myself.” Tempest told her fellow unicorn before continuing, “I also wanted to give you some advice, don’t give up on what you have with Twilight. From what I heard, you were both equally hurt from that argument you had with each other. It’s clear you two mean a lot to each other.”
Starlight blushed as she remembered all the good times she had after Twilight helped her see the light, “Yeah, she really means a lot to me.”
Trixie just rolled her eyes with a smirk at this.
“Then let her know that. I’m sure you’re already making progress with her given your hug, but I don’t think you talked with her about the argument.” Tempest advised her.
“You’re right… I haven’t.” Starlight admitted with a sigh, “I plan to talk to her though, I can’t shake off what we said to each other.”
“I’m glad.” Tempest smiled proudly before she and Grubber were led by the guards to the castle, “Now if you’ll excuse us. We need to serve a few weeks in the Canterlot Dungeons.”
Trixie was a bit shocked at that statement, “Only a few weeks. That seems like their getting off easy.”
“Tempest sacrificed herself to save me and the others while Grubber hardly did any acts of aggression except being an ally to the Storm King. Twilight also vouched for them a bit.” Starlight explained as she packed up the last of Trixie’s equipment with her magic and put it in her saddlebags.
“I suppose that makes sense.” Trixie admitted with a shrug as she picked up her saddlebags and they both started heading for the train back to Ponyville where Twilight and the others were waiting for them.
“That party was AWESOME!” Pinkie Pie cried out joyfully.
“I have to agree.” Fluttershy smiled, “It was good to see Discord was able to come back from his vacation to show up.”
“Honestly it would have been better had she showed up from the beginning. That Klutzy Draconequus can’t do anything right.” Trixie rolled her eyes angrily.
“Come on Trix. Things did work out in the end. Discord didn’t know this was gonna happen, and if we’re being honest, the Storm Guards do have magic shields and Tempest also had those Obsidian Orbs so I’m not sure how quickly he could have ended things.” Starlight spoke in defense of Discord.
“Eh, fair point I guess.” Rainbow Dash shrugged.
They soon boarded the train and she and Trixie decided to sit in front of Twilight and Spike. It didn’t take Trixie much hesitation to do so, Trixie was at least familiar with Twilight and Spike more than the others.
The train ride was silent, and Starlight knew exactly why, Twilight and her were going to have to talk about the beach argument, and they couldn’t really find a way to not talk about it in front of the rest of the townsfolk on the train.
Twilight immediately collapsed onto the floor when she, Starlight, and Spike finally made it back home. It was a long day and Twilight just needed to take a breather from all the world saving and partying they did.
“Wow. You seem exhausted.” Starlight noted as she patted Twilight’s mane softly which made Twilight sigh with a smile.
“Yeah. We went through a lot today.” Twilight hummed in honesty.
“We sure did.” Starlight sighed softly.
Twilight knew now was the time to talk to Starlight, she deserved to have a proper apology.
“Spike, I’m gonna talk to Starlight. You mind getting ready for bed?” Twilight asked softly to the dragon.
“Sure thing.” Spike smiled in understanding before he began walking off.
Once Spike was out of hearing range, Twilight turned to Starlight and began apologizing profusely, “Starlight I am so sorry for what I said to you at the shore. You had every right to get mad at me and I… I said the most hurtful words I could possibly say to you. I don’t expect you to forgive me yet, but I figured I should just…”
“Stop.” Starlight interrupted Twilight before talking, “I shouldn’t have been so hard on you either. I should’ve tried to understand why you stole the pearl like you did when I tried to get rid of cutie marks. We both acted out of line here, especially since I practically insulted your Princess title. Even if I don’t find you in the same league as Celestia, Luna, and Cadence due to our bond, I still shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry too.”
Twilight was shocked to hear Starlight
“But why did you get so mad at me anyway? You seemed much more upset than Pinkie and Trixie were.” Twilight asked curiously.
“I… I felt like what I saw wasn’t the real you out there, and I didn’t like what you were starting to act like.” Starlight admitted with a tearful frown, “Stealing the pearl like that is something I wouldn’t even think of you doing, you weren’t being yourself and… it reminded me of when I acted like that. I guess that triggered some sort of rage inside me. I know you could never be like how I used to, but the thought of you doing so felt so awful.
“I promise I’ll never be like that.” Twilight embraced Starlight comfortingly, “Even at my worst, I don’t ever think I could become like Tirek or Chrysalis and I never plan to, not if it would hurt you or any of my other friends.”
“I believe you, I just got a little worried about you is all.” Starlight admitted.
“I understand. We all have our worries about our friends going down a bad path.” Twilight said understandingly as she released Starlight.
“You know, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.” Starlight admitted sheepishly.
“Why? Did I do something wrong?” Twilight asked in concern.
“No, it’s not you, but I just can’t shake the feeling that if I’m alone, something bad will happen. I’m still a bit shaken up by the adventure.” Starlight admitted rubbing her hoof nervously.
Twilight began to think about how to help Starlight, this wasn’t like when Spike had a fear of ghosts, this was something that actually affected her friend.
“Maybe… you could sleep with me tonight.” Twilight suggested with a nervous smile before quickly adding, “Not in an inappropriate way of course, just so you don’t feel alone.”
Starlight looked a little shocked by the offer before smiling with an awkward blush, “Are you sure? I don’t wanna make things weird.”
“My bed can fit us both. It doesn’t bother me. Besides, I had worries about you too. I think we both need each other right now.” Twilight smiled at Starlight.
“Okay. If you’re sure.” Starlight smiled sheepishly.
Starlight looked at the castle ceiling as she laid on the bed in thought. Today had been hectic, she had to escape the Storm King army, go on a rescue mission to save Twilight and all of Canterlot, and they even still had the Friendship Festival afterwards.
All of this journey, Starlight never truly felt at ease, she hardly felt a feeling of warmth or safety.
Soon she felt her torso being grabbed by Twilight as she softly smiled in her sleep.
Starlight knew she was only doing it platonically as a way of comfort, but it still made Starlight smile fondly, it was proof that Twilight did care about her, and still valued their friendship and Starlight now knew she could always count on that.
She finally felt warm and safe.
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Twilight and Starlight apologizing to each other makes the story end on a sweet note. Good work
11387211
Thanks. Thoughts on Starlight’s characterization?
11387220
It was good. However I'm a little confused by where it said that Starlight had given up her free will when she became Twilight's student. I never thought of it that way
11387223
No she didn’t give up her free will. She just stopped her time travel plot on her own volition so Celestia was less likely to punish her than Tempest even if the punishment I gave Tempest was very short.
11387228
Oh ok
Great story!
I definitely disagreed with the whole Tempest and Grubber are imprisoned for a few weeks in the Canterlot Dungeons thing. Like it was established on why Tempest did what she did because she wanted to get her horn back just wanting to have that loyalty and trust all those years of her life having one of MLP most tragic backstories I've ever seen, Twilight establishes what a friend would do and at the end of the day Tempest sacrificed herself for the wellbeing of everyone else, saving their lives in fact including the Princesses.
I love the character development and interactions here between Twilight, Starlight and Trixie but the way Princess Celestia sentenced Tempest to a few weeks in the Canterlot Dungeons..? I wasn't rocking with that, and it kind of shows Celestia's hidden hatred and grudge against Tempest for what happened even though she's saved her life and everyone else in the end, Celestia here kind of thing that no, Revenge is worth it and I will do it? Ehhh... Most of the time I would be agreeing with the messages that you have in this story, The sentencing Tempest to the dungeon? I didn't agree with this one..
Like we need this little rulebook of Celestia's Canterlot Elitism and ways of punishment, Like everyone doesn't follow the harsh punishment just because he or she did something to a noble, an elite or a royal. Not everyone in Equestria doesn't follow that. I'm pretty sure Fluttershy don't follow it, Pinkie Pie don't follow it. Everyone else don't follow that code. Its kind of Celestia following her personal religion and I think that's very strange compared to the ending of the original movie and the comics where Tempest was off to her travels and see the world. This is not just for me and I think its kind of weird.. Twilight is a Princess, she has that power, I don't see why she doesn't just say to Celestia that she's going to look after Tempest and give her a new life in the Castle of Friendship, If Spike was able to save Thorax by singing to Change a Changeling then I don't see why Twilight and her friends would all completely vouch for Tempest to be taught more about Friendship and live in Twilight's castle.
I was wondering if this is going to have a sequel chapter and what happens to Tempest but since this is the last chapter.. Yeah I feel so sorry for Tempest and why Celestia would do this.. Jails in the GTA Games are a lot more humane than this and I think everyone knows medieval dungeons are just so messed up, Its like the Hole or Solitary Confinement in prison. And since these are just some random guards, I would say Tempest and her little friend are going to get abused in the dungeon a lot since its left to speculation and Celestia is a tyrant for doing this. I love the direction of the story and I'm going to give this a 4 out of 5 Stars. Its Very Good but its not Excellent. I love Starlight, I love Trixie, I love Twilight and I love the interactions between the characters. Tempest's fate was just a very bitter pill for me to swallow.
Oh boy.. All of that is resolved but what about her other friend though..? Starlight is well and all good but is how can Tempest sleep easy at night in her current state and where she is? There is a big difference between where Starlight sleeps compared to where Tempest is sleeping right now and the fact that Starlight didn't talk to Twilight about it even back at the Castle is very strange since Canterlot Dungeons is not different from Tartarus.
11446294
Uh… you do realize Tempest will eventually be let free in the future right?
Either way, how come you loved Twilight, Starlight, and Trixie so much?
11446294
Okay, reading this more. I did not know that Midevail Dungeons were as bad as you described them when I first wrote this. Rest assured, Tempest and Grubber do NOT get abused. Depending if I give this a Season 8 sequel with Tempest in it or not, she will be set free regardless by the time School Daze begins.
11563557
Because she always seems to get the short end of the stick. Like she has very specific options and she gets guff no matter what shd chooses.
11564878
Nothing. It's all just wrong. Twilight wouldn't have done these things so by proxy Starlight wouldn't have done what she did. At least in my eyes.
11564886
Twilight was desperate and as such, she felt she needed to do whatever it took to save Equestria. Starlight doing what she did felt in-character though, given Twilight just emotionally broke her.
11564893
I know why Twilight was explained to do it. I don't believe it. That's not who Twilight is. She's a genius that panics sometimes. She wouldn't resort to evil to fix a problem, especially not that many years into her story.
It's contrived conflict to get a sad scene that didn't have to be there.
Tempest should've been pinned to the wall. She turned 3 princesses to stone and would've gladly done it to the 4th if the Storm King wasn't an idiot plot convenient villain.
I think you did a good job working in Starlight and Trixie, but the movie's storyline is such a mess I just think it's impossible to make coherent.
I even feel like because Twilight was so ooc in the movie you were forced to make Starlight do the same.
A noble effort, but the movie is just bad in my eyes. On the more positive side I didn't hate this.
11565930
What made you not hate this?
11565920
Because she just talked to Starlight. A bold action of selflessness or Love is shining imo.
11565937
It doesn't matter if she's wrong. Have you ever had someone apologize to you while telling you it's your fault. It's enraging.
11565940
That you put so much effort into writing something that you obviously cared about. That's quite admirable.
11565944
If I may ask, how was the ending with TwiStar?
11565947
I liked it okay, but it was bitter. I'm still very much mad at Starlight for telling Twilight that.
She should've understood. I don't know if this takes place before or after she blasted Discord, but I feel it's quite similar.
11565950
Before she blasted Discord and what’s the problem with Starlight saying she “should have understood”?
11565965
No you misunderstand. Starlight saying...
“I know you messed up but I should’ve been more…”
I am saying Starlight should've understood. If this is before Discord blast then she did essentially the same thing Twilight did to Discord. She blew him up because he was being a pain. She had a problem that wouldn't go away and she solved it whatever way she could when everything else didn't work.
Discord was being completely unreasonable and annoying that episode and he even tricked the mane 6 into leaving he was completely at fault.
Now I'm not endorsing thievery (it was a stupid plot point to begin with Twilight wouldn't have done it) but literally all of Equestria was at stake. Novo was being stupid. She ran like a coward and didn't want to help.
It's just a mess made due to the movie and I don't like that Starlight didn't stick by Twilight. Feels like she stabbed her in the back.
11565968
Well if we’re being fair; Starlight did stand up for Twilight at least when she talked with Novo so maybe that should help her case.
11565978
It does she's not garbage. I would've punched Novo in the face of I was Twilight. Get the f out of here you traitor you don't get to show up now cause your daughter helped us.
11565986
I must ask, since you’re so passionate about Starlight in this story. What would you have done with her in this fic, don’t worry I won’t be insulted with your answer.
11565994
Changing nothing as far as plot? That's difficult. The movie has such a terrible plot. If I had to it would've been Pinkie and Twilight fight while Starlight watches silently but has a lot of thoughts on what is happening. Twilight leaves angrily while the Mane 5 remain angry.
Starlight gets PISSED at the mane 5 telling them they don't understand the severity of the weight Twilight is under. They're not the same. Twilight is a Princess and an alicorn. The ONLY Princess left to save Equestria. How dare they judge her for the sacrifices she's willing to make to save everything.
The mane 5 feel awful and shut up. Starlight goes after Twilight. She finds her crying and explains to her that she understands. She explains that she knows Twilight wouldn't have done it if she didn't feel helpless. A real profound moment where Twilight apologizes to Starlight and acknowledges her mistake. Starlight moves to embrace Twilight but Tempest shows up and steals her away.
That's how I would've handled that scene at least.
11566009
Dang it. That was good.
11566017
This story motivated me to write another short, which is good. Thanks for the idea.
11566030
What is it about?
11566033
Well It definitely stars Starlight and Twilight.
11566140
You just love to leave me in the dark, don’t you?
11566143
I like to have unexpected endings for my stories, so even I don't know what they are gonna be about until they're finished. Also yes.
This story would benefit greatly by finding a proofreader or editor to help you fix all the "distractions" in it. You never want to break a reader's immersion by causing their focus to shift from the story to the writing.