> What If...
>  by Petalled
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue: Slide That Retire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

''Girls!'' Celestia exclaimed. ''Thank you so much for coming!''

''What's wrong?'' Twilight asked out of breath, trotting up to the princesses. ''What can we do?''

''That's just it,'’ Luna said nonchalantly. ''Nothing's wrong. Everything's perfect!''

''Did y'all call us down here just to tell us that?'' Applejack asked, standing next to her violet alicorn friend.

''With all due respect, Majesties,'' Rarity said, gesturing with a sheepish hoof. ''You might want to save your urgent summons for matters that a bit more, well, urgent.''

The day and night princesses laughed graciously in unison much to everyone's exasperated confusion.

''Well, there is more to it,'’ Luna explained, voice echoing throughout the room and bouncing against the architectural walls. ''Equestria is currently enjoying its longest period of harmony in recent years.''

''And it's all thanks to you, Twilight,'' Celestia completed, ''and your friends, of course.''

''Who?'' Spike asked, smirking as he crossed his arms across his chest. ''Us?''

''Oh, sure,'' Rarity spat as she let out a posh chuckle.

''It's about time you notice!'' Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Twilight bowed down elegantly. ''Thank you.''

Luna continued, ''because of your efforts, there's been less and less for us to do.''

''So—’’ Celestia trotted forward, away from her throne ‘’—after much consideration, my sister and I have decided, it is time for us... TO RETIRE!'' Her voice came abruptly deep that held suspense throughout the room.

Everypony on the floor gasped within a combination of shock, bewilderment, and disbelief. Simultaneously, in a bright spark of light, a draconequus conveyed into the throne room with a notebook and pencil in its paw and claw. A white shirt with a brown vest coat on top materialized over his body along with a dirt gold-colored detective’s hat with a red ribbon around it and a note stuck in worn on his head. 

''Breaking news!'' he exclaimed. ''The royal princesses’ retiring! I have so many questions!'' He flew up to the princesses and slid between them, asking questions. ''Who will take over? Who will run Equestria? Will it be someone tall, dark, and handsome? Or will it be the Lord of Chaos?” Seven corresponding eagle claws formed, floating in the air, to point at him.

The princesses casually pointed their hooves at the violet alicorn who instantly gave a shocked and panicking look on her face. Her friends beside her matched the expression that she had.

''Oh, fine!'' Discord relented idly, darting his eyes around as he rested his face against a claw while floating himself in the air. ''Go with the obvious choice.''

Twilight squealed and widened her eyes, still in her shocked trance, trying to process to understand.

''You're retiring?'' she exclaimed.

''Princesses can retire?'' Spike asked, dumbfounded, flying up to the height of Twilight's face.

Luna chuckled at Spike's innocent question. 

''Of course, we can. I, for one, am looking forward to a little R & R, maybe a trip to Silver Shoals.”

''And you want me to take your place?'' Twilight repeated, showing the anxiety in her voice.

Both of the princesses swiftly nodded to her question.

''With the help of your friends of course,'' Luna added helpfully.

Twilight touched her face nervously with a hoof until she saw all of her friends gathered around her, giving her assuring smiles and hoofs on her shoulder. She looked at them thankfully and returned their smile. 

''We can't think of anypony more worthy,'' Celestia began, spreading out her wings to fly over to join the collective group of ponies. ''Over the years we watched you grow, you faced task-after-task.''

''Challenge-after-challenge,'' Luna added, joining the group as well.

''Countless adversities, yeah, yeah, yeah, we get it.'' Discord slid across the room, laying on his back in mid-air.

''And you always prevailed,'' Celestia included, about to speak further when a voice did first.

''I decline.''

Everyone stared at the alicorn in shock and bewilderment, having Celestia fold back her wings and tilt her head.

''Pardon?'' she asked, taken aback by the response.

Twilight felt hesitant as everyone was staring at her, but she remained firm. ''I'm sorry, Princesses Celestia and Luna. Forgive me. I am flattered that you want me to take your place, but I can't take it. I won't.''

‘’Well, this ought to turn out interesting,’’ Discord muttered, chuckling to himself as he conjured up a bag of popcorn and some lukewarm tea to sip during the unanticipated show. 

He then, however, noticed a pink pony looking at the draconequus with pleading eyes indicating that she had also wanted the same thing.  He sighed in relent and also conjured up some popcorn and tea for her. This brought out a smile upon her face and also on the draconequus' until his most beloved pony also did the same gesture and gave some to her as well. 

Hearts began circulating above his head as he stared in awe at the pegasus drinking gracefully onto some piping hot tea as well as munching on popcorn inside a bag with red and white stripes. 

Luna tilted her head. ''Why not?''

Twilight mentally thought about how to structure her answer and tried to develop an argument for this. ''Well, because my duty is to be spreading friendship all across Equestria with my friends and outside of Equestria as well now too. I don't understand why you want me to take over your places. I mean I have saved Equestria countless times before but that was because I was with my friends.''

''I don't want to sound unappreciative but why me? Why do I always get the glory? You made me into an alicorn princess and gave me the title 'Princess of Friendship' which I thought was a bit stupid considering I spread friendship with my friends. I know I wanted to have something more but I didn’t realize how selfish I seemed that I got something whereas my friends had not.’’

She continued, ‘’I didn't want to say anything though because I didn't want to disappoint you but now that you are giving me this big role, I knew that I had to say something.''

Twilight's friends were muttering a few words to each other on how their violet alicorn friend had got a point.

‘’We are awesome, your highnesses,’’ Rainbow began for her friend, ‘’but what I don't like is that, what Twilight said, why does she get all the glory? I mean I get she was your student and all, but to tell you the truth; there shouldn't be a leader in a friendship group because that will just make one pony be better than the rest of us.’’

She carried on, ‘’and let's face it, we all know who is going to get the throne: Twilight. And you are immortal, right? So when you pass on that immortality onto Twilight, we will all eventually pass away, whereas Twilight will have to suffer to see us die and continue ruling Equestria on her own. Like you said before when we got Twilight's castle, 'what is the Princess of Friendship without her friends?'''

Pinkie Pie joined in. ''Not to mention that we all have our separate lives. We all have responsibilities in Ponyville which mean Twilight will have to move back to Canterlot again and she will be all alone again which will make us all so sad and Twilight will have all the fun ruling which will make us even sadder.''

Luna opened her mouth to speak but got nothing out of it when Applejack plotted another point of hers.

''Sorry to interrupt, your highnesses,'' she chimed in. ''But ya said that Equestria has been livin' in harmony for recent years but that's not true. I mean we did have to face and conquer so many evil villains, such as Nightmare Moon.'' She turned to Luna apologetically for bringing up her dark past. ''No offense, Princess Luna.''

The night princess ducked her head for a second before she could reply: ''None was taken, Applejack.''

''Anyways,'' she continued, ''we have also defeated King Sombra, Lord Tirek, Cozy Glow, Queen Chrysalis (who is still on the loose), plenty of pony villains that felt jealous... and last but not least, Discord.'' The draconequus huffed as she also brought up his dark past. Applejack bit her lip and resumed back to talking out her point, ''what I mean is that in these previous years we have lived, there had been so many villains wreckin' and attackin' Equestria. Of course, we managed to save it and I don't mean we aren't the perfect choice to rule Equestria but you are just going to make Twilight the ruler and not us. What are we meant to do exactly?''

''For once, I say this ruffian pony is correct,'' Rarity said as she stepped forward confidently with her head held high. Applejack shot her a glare but the unicorn shook it off with an apologetic smile. She cleared her throat. ''Anyways, my point is that when Twilight becomes ruler with her new title, throne, crown, and glory, it will make us look like we are nothing but peasants! Okay, maybe that’s a bit too much but still! We literally helped Twilight learn friendship and make her how she is today and we get nothing in return? Why, we will still continue on with our same lives whereas Twilight upgrades hers and gets all the glory.'' 

''Not trying to make this topic sad but... Twilight will eventually have to see her friends pass away with tears and she will be alone again. I am pretty sure somepony here has already mentioned that but still! I simply cannot understand why you would give such a dreadful fate like that to us... I mean I am pretty sure you had to see your friends age and die but... you have lived for over what? A thousand years? So I am pretty sure you have gotten used to it...'' Rarity ended with a nervous chuckle surpassing through her lips.

Twilight smiled at her friends for their strong and valid points. She then faced her mentor seriously. 

''Princess Celestia, I get why you would want to retire as you have ruled Equestria for so many years but Luna, it doesn't quite make sense on why you want to retire. I mean you literally just got back from the moon a few years ago from a thousand years prison.’’ She faced the night princess. ''I just want to know that: do you truly want to retire or do you want to because your sister wants to and you want to spend time together?''

''I... never really thought about that.'' Luna looked at her elder sister with a frown appearing on her face. ''I am sorry, sister. I only agreed with you to retire so I could spend time with you just like when we were fillies.'' She let out a sigh. ''I am truly sorry, Tia, for ruining the vacation we were going to do.''

Although that was not entirely true since Celestia hadn’t anticipated Twilight’s answer to be like this, she thought that since she is her role model then she would agree with her as always but she had learned something new today. However, her sister did practically ruin the vacation as she wasn’t being honest with her.

Celestia placed a hoof on her sister's shoulder. ''It's okay, Luna. You should have just told me that you didn't want to retire.'' She turned away and bit her lip. ''Although...''

''...but you really want to retire?'' Fluttershy finished for her.

''Yes,'' she replied, flinching a bit.

Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof, trying to think of another plan for the princesses. When a mental lightbulb appeared on top of her head, she trotted over to Spike and whispered inside his ear to get out a notepad and quill. Spike nodded in reply and got out the equipment she asked for, right underneath his tail. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash looked at this movement and both thought the same thing that they thought that only Pinkie Pie could do something like that. 

''So you say you really want to have a vacation, princess?'' Twilight remarked, having the attention be brought back to her. ''You don't need a retirement for that! I mean I got a vacation with my family even though I am a princess. So all you need is...?''

Spike sighed behind his notepad, thinking that he could have gone with her since he is practically her family.

Pinkie Pie jumped up in the air with a gasp. She exploded confetti behind. Discord scratched his head in confusion on how she could do that. 

''I think I know what Twilight is going to say!'' she said in a singsong voice, bouncing up and down. ''Instead of you two retiring, you should take a mini one week off vacation or how long you want it to be, whereas...''

''Hold up!'' Applejack interjected. ''Who is going to look after Equestria while they are gone off to a vacation?''

She smiled brightly. ‘’Why us, of course!’’

''WHAT?'' the five ponies and dragon yelled. 

''Pinkie,'' said Twilight calmly. ''We just said we don't want to rule.''

''Oh.'' She gave a giggle. ''You missed my point.'' She patted her on her violet alicorn friend’s head several times. ''What I mean is that we are not going to rule but just look after the kingdom with the palace duties and stuff. And no, Twilight will not be a leader anymore!''

Fluttershy asked, ''but then who would raise the sun and moon?''

''Oh, silly!'' She patted her on the head as well. ''You don't need one position to raise the sun and moon. Remember that anniversary play we did and Princess Celestia actually raised the sun because you couldn't? They will do it when they finish exploring Equestria and it is nighttime for them. We will just look after the kingdom, so just tell us what to do, Celestia, and we will do exactly just that!''

''Sometimes I think she is a bit...'' Rainbow Dash whispered to Applejack whilst she circled her hoof against her ear, which caused the latter to chuckle. 

Pinkie Pie shot them a glare the two ponies didn't expect from an enthusiast like her.

Discord chuckled as he conjured up a throne for him to sit on, also materializing a halo to float between his antlers to make himself seem innocent. ''Will I be protecting Equestria as well?'' 

Fluttershy smiled at his innocence and ruffled his body. 

''Oh, you and I will be having lots of tea parties during the princesses’ vacation.'' 

Everypony stared at each other with sheepish smiles.

''Why are they still not a thing?'' asked Spike, which made Rarity chuckle.

Celestia trotted up towards the violet alicorn. ''Twilight, are you sure you don't want to rule?''

''Oh, for Pete's sake!'' Rainbow Dash yelled as she stretched out her eyelids and flew over to the princess' face. ''After everything we have told you: there shouldn't be a leader, immortality, unfairness, death, and you still want her to have all the glory?''

Applejack pulled her tail to calm down and watch her disrespectful tone towards the princesses. 

''Sorry, your highness. We just had a... rough day today.'' The southern pony shot her a death glare. The pegasus smiled nervously and shrunk back to the ground.

Twilight ignored her friends and answered the question. ''I am sorry, your highness. But I made my final decision, which is no. I hope you can forgive me still for ruining your plans.''

The princesses both looked at each other until the elder sister broke eye contact with her younger sister to step forward to approach the youngest princess in the room.

''Pinkie Pie made everything up and gave us a vacation so it’s all right now, Twilight.''

The violet alicorn smiled. 

''I guess that means... you are all dismissed,'' Luna reluctantly announced.

And with that, everyone presented in the room all soon trotted out of the grand doors of the throne room. 

Rarity had her head held high as she trotted past the guards at their posts beside the opened doors enveloped in the guards’ magic for everyone to trot out. Pinkie Pie was bouncing beside the confident unicorn along with Applejack on the other side of the unicorn. Discord had materialized a portal for himself and the yellow pegasus to go through for a shortcut. Rainbow Dash independently zoomed through the door by flying. 

Everyone had left the room except for Twilight Sparkle who was about to follow them along when her former mentor’s voice had spoken up to call her back.

‘’Twilight, may I speak with you?’’ Celestia asked, nodding towards her sister to trot after the others who had gone out of the throne room’s grand doors.

Twilight turned around to face her former mentor and trotted to approach her.

''What is it, princess?''

''I am very proud of you.''

''Proud? Of me?’’ Twilight repeated, scratching her head and trying to understand what she meant in that short, simple, and elegant sentence. ''Why? I mean I just ruined your plans to retire so how can you be...?''

The elder princess continued, ''I am proud of you, my dear Twilight, for finally saying no to me and making up your own plans on your own with the help of your friends always with you. You did not hesitate to disagree with me this time, the confidence growing within you.’’

She smiled upon her. ‘’Twilight, for many years I have known you, you have never once declined me whenever I asked you to do something. You would be either scared of me or...'' A sigh escaped from her moist lips. ''I must apologize for putting this ruling Equestria upon you without giving you a choice but you did make a decision on your own and which is why I am proud of you. And you and your friends are right: one pony shouldn't get all the glory than the other or else it would be unfair. There shall be no such thing as leadership which I wish I knew before turning you into an alicorn.''

She stepped back, turning away from her former student.  ''I just wish you had told me.'’ Another sigh. ''I am such a nutcase, aren't I? If that’s how the saying goes these days.'' She chuckled ever so sheepishly. ''But I suppose that means you don't need my guidance anymore as you got your friends.''

''Princess Celestia,'' Twilight said with tears in her eyes. ''You are not a nutcase and I would always need you. You are right, I should've told you but no one told me that leadership shouldn't be a thing in friendship groups and I never put much thought into it. I always thought that leaders are only meant for countries and kingdoms to provide resources and guide ponies with rules and demands. Of course, I rule a kingdom but... it just doesn't feel right.'' She looked up at her mentor and embraced her within a hug full of teacher-to-student love even if they may not be it anymore.

Celestia widened her eyes and graciously accepted the heartfelt given hug.




> To Settle Things Clear Between Friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘’So what do you prefer, Tia? Dislestia or Fluttercord.’’

It’s been a few weeks ever since Twilight had rejected the offer the princesses were going to give once they step down their thrones. And here they are now, sitting on their thrones having nothing else to do but bother each other. All of their duties were postponed today to deserve a little break. There were fewer creatures coming to them for assistance which led them to finish early. 

Water was heard rushing swiftly beside the two high thrones. 

‘’That’s an easy question,’’ Celestia responded, head held high. ‘’Fluttercord of course. I was the one who had that pegasus reform him after all.’’

‘’Wait so you knew all along?’’ Luna asked, aghast. ‘’Do you time travel, Tia, to see how things may turn out? Then how didn’t you see Twilight rejecting our offer coming? And after putting Starlight Glimmer through a meeting with her time travel situation.’’

Celestia rolled her eyes. ‘’I don’t time travel, Luna. I just could tell that Fluttercord was meant to be if Fluttershy reformed him because I remember watching over the labyrinth where Fluttershy was being so friendly with him and Discord almost fell for it, turning her into the mean Fluttershy.’’

‘’Ah, we suppose that makes sense,’’ Luna said, hoof to chin. 

Seconds later, a guard that was on duty outside came inside to inform the princesses of guests which got the two of them hyped up in their thrones, finally released from boredom. When the guards pushed the door in, six ponies and one dragon entered themselves.

‘’Twilight?’’ Celestia said, tilting her head. ‘’What brings you all here?’’

Twilight rubbed the bridge of her nose with a hoof. ‘’Sorry to interrupt, princesses, but Rainbow Dash practically insisted that we come to visit you to talk more points out about why we shouldn’t rule Equestria. Apparently, we missed quite a lot of points out.’’

‘’We wrote them all out on a chalkboard,’’ Rarity pointed out. ‘’You won’t believe how much was on it that we missed out. It was practically covering the whole board that we were going to be needing a second board.’’

There was a squeaky noise that caused them all to cover their ears as Pinkie Pie pushed the board that they were talking about into view. At this point, no one dared to ever question the pink pony and her possibilities. 

‘’Very well, then.’’ Luna leaned back. ‘’Please indulge yourself, it’ll also enlighten us from the boredom.’’

And at that, Twilight felt guilty to decline their retirement. Being a princess was hard work, she found out when she became one. But she didn’t tell them they couldn’t take breaks and Princess Luna needed to fill in the time she missed out on because of her imprisonment. 

‘’Well, let’s start out with Rainbow Dash,’’ Twilight offered, biting her lip. ‘’We all know her; fast, athletic, winner, but she’s also lazy. If she was being asked to take over Equestria, she’d literally sleep through the duties or even have one of us handle it for her.’’

Celestia looked to Luna who said, ‘’what? It’s our duty to sleep to enter the dream realm!’’

Rainbow grinned. ''Then I don't mind taking over Luna's duties.''

Applejack stepped forward, adjusting her hat properly. ‘’Sorry for this, Rares, but despite being a princess was her fillyhood dream and she’s elegant enough to smile and wave as you Celestia, uh, no offense.’’ She turned to Celestia apologetically. ‘’But, uh, I think Rarity would take her new princess form for granted like showin’ it off if you know what I mean.’’

‘’And if you make everyone beautiful, Rarity, then it will just be considered as uninteresting,’’ Twilight pointed out, wincing a bit as the unicorn turned away from her and scoffed. 

‘’Well! I say,’’ Rarity huffed, frowning. ‘’Applejack here wouldn’t be qualified to be a princess as she will just be about apples, apple pies, apple cinnamon rolls. Goodness, she might as well be the Princess of Apples.’’

‘’Well, sure,’’ the cowgirl grumbled. ‘’But, uh, didn’t we mention that it’s obvious we’re never going to actually be by Twilight’s side with the ruling? We’ll just be living with our same lifestyles is all.’’

‘’That’s true,’’ Pinkie replied, nodding effusively. 

Twilight turned to Celestia. ‘’Princess? Is there a way to make them all princesses like me to, you know, settle equality as we all were in this adventure together? I remember when I got turned into one, I thought I wasn’t suitable to be with all these responsibilities and such but then I got the hang out of it eventually and I’m sure my friends will be the same too.’’

‘’Apart from Rainbow Dash,’’ Applejack muttered, rolling her eyes. 

‘’Or if not because it’ll break the balance of Equestria or any other reason, then I suppose it would be nice if you take away my wings again instead.’’

‘’What?!’’ all of Twilight’s friends shouted in unison in complete and utter surprise. 

‘’Twilight, darling, why on earth would you want that? You’ve finally got the hang out of these wings and all these responsibilities and you’re willing to give it up just like that?’’

‘’Well, if it suggests I’m doing it for my friends’ sake then so be it,’’ Twilight said, defiant.

‘’Twilight...’’ Fluttershy said softly. ‘’You’re willing to do this? For us?’’

‘’Of course,’’ Twilight replied, smiling. ‘’Equestria was handling fine when there were only three alicorns.’’

‘’Yet we thought there were two since we didn’t know Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,’’ Rainbow Dash pointed out.

‘’Well, I did. I just didn’t know her by her long fancy title is all.’’

‘’Sounds understandable,’’ Applejack commented. 

‘’Oh, and about that ‘not listening to your friends’ at the practice Canterlot Wedding even though it’s been years now?’’ Twilight pointed out, arching an eyebrow. ‘’I’ll get you all back eventually. I hope you understand me the most, Applejack, after the whole ‘Rara’ incident.’’

Applejack pulled the brim of her hat over her face. ‘’Ah’m sorry, Twi. We really are.’’

‘’While I still accept your apologies, I’m still getting you all back.’’

‘’But didn’t you say that revenge is never sweet?’’ Fluttershy said quietly behind her mane.

‘’Yeah!’’ Rainbow conceded. ‘’And didn’t you say it was because Chrysalis fooled us all? Who knows if they cast the spell on us too just like with Shining Armour.’’

‘’Oh, I know she didn’t because you all were already gullible.’’ Twilight formed a wicked grin. ‘’But in some circumstances, revenge can be sweet...’’

Every one of her friends around her had their pupils shrunk.

‘’Just kidding,’’ she said afterward.

Everyone leaned back.

‘’Okay, now back to the topic at hoof,’’ Applejack reminded all. 

‘’Right.’’ Twilight cleared her throat. She turned to Luna. ‘’While it’s reasonable for Celestia to retire since she’s been ruling her whole life, you spent one thousand years relaxing on the moon.’’

‘’Well, it wasn’t our fault,’’ Luna muttered, turning away from her sister. 

''It kinda was,'' Rainbow blurted out, getting nudged in the ribs by Applejack.

‘’And I’ve always wanted to ask you this,’’ she said sheepishly, waving a hoof. ‘’What did you even do over there on your ‘precious moon’ Celestia called it?’’

‘’Did you eat cheese?’’ Pinkie asked, wearing a spacesuit. Everyone looked at her. ‘’What? I heard Grandpa Pie said the moon is made out of cheese.’’

Luna facehoofed. ‘’No, my moon is not made out of cheese. I actually, well, are you sure you all want to know?’’ She turned to them, frowning. ‘’It’s not very... dignified.’’

‘’Just say it,’’ Celestia ignorantly interrupted, pressing her hoof to her cheek against the arm side of her throne.

‘’Okay. Thou asked for it.’’ She took a deep breath before beginning, ‘’during my exile on the moon I’ve spent all of my time giving ponies nightmares since, you know, Nightmare Moon. I didn’t reform on the room but when the elements of harmony struck me the second time.’’ She turned to the surprised faces. ‘’You may be wondering what I was doing when I was not giving ponies nightmares. I conjured up astronaut food which actually tasted good. Or maybe it’s because of my Nightmare Moon form. I have to taste it again later.’’

Everyone stared at the night princess in shock and wonder until Rainbow Dash spoke up. 

‘’Woah, Woah, Woah.’’ Rainbow Dash had a face of... ‘’You’re kinda awesome.’’

‘’What?!’’ her friends shouted out in unison once again.

Rainbow winced but perked back up. ‘’But, uh, did you also give nightmares to those that were born after Celestia sealed you on the moon?’’

Luna shook her head. ‘’Only those that were there such as Applejack’s grandmother. Granny Smith, was it?’’

‘’I...’’ Applejack blinked, tilting her hat, ‘’gotta make sure to ask Granny about this.’’

‘’Please do.’’ She nodded. ‘’And tell her we said hi.’’

‘’Will do,’’ she replied, stepping a few hooves back and standing next to Rarity. 

‘’Hmm.’’ Spike hummed in thought, tapping the tip of his quill to his chin. ‘’You know, that’s another thing why you all aren’t capable to rule. You are all such gullible, scardy ponies. And no, I’m not just talking about Fluttershy.’’

Applejack looked the most offended out of them all. ‘’Forgive me for being blunt, Spike, but just because of that one incident you call us gullible?’’

‘’Yeah, and I’m never scared,’’ Rainbow exclaimed, hovering in the air and folding her hooves. 

Twilight raised an eyebrow at Spike. ‘’And don’t you get scared, Spike? Want me to reveal your fears? Besides, everyone has fears but they just eventually overcome them. A bit hypocritical coming from you, Spike.’’

Spike groaned and rolled his eyes. ‘’I wasn’t talking about me and you’re right, Twi, everyone does have fears. I guess I wasn’t thinking before speaking again.’’

‘’Maybe leave the points to us, Spike,’’ Twilight advised, smiling. 

Inaudible mumbles escaped from his lips. 

Twilight turned to Celestia again. ‘’I forgot to mention this but when Cadence turned into a princess she didn’t have a kingdom to rule just handling some duties here at Canterlot as part of her training. However, with me, I was being selfish in that I didn’t get to do anything, not look at my friends, and then earn a castle for myself only. Cadence started ruling over an empire, yes, but I’m expected to rule over the entire world?!’’

‘’That seems a little too much,’’ Fluttershy said. ‘’No offense. I mean Twilight is capable but...’’

‘’Did you two get drugs from Pinkie Pie here?’’ Rainbow Dash asked much to everyone’s surprise. She turned to Pinkie. ‘’Did you drug them?’’

‘’No, silly. Of course, I didn’t,’’ Pinkie replied, on the verge of laughing but bit her lip to refrain.

‘’Anyways,’’ Twilight finally said, putting aside that for now. ‘’I know you two both had good intentions, wanting breaks after so long of ruling. Now I understand how tiring and stressful it is to be put on a pedestal and have all these responsibilities. But shoving them all on me, only one pony, isn’t right. And stop saying because I am worthy. No, I am not. I mean yes everyone believes in me but to be honest I never wanted this, have you ever thought of that?’’

Celestia remained quiet. Luna was about to speak but was interrupted. 

Twilight sighed. ‘’I am honestly so so so sorry for being like this, especially with you two. I hope you can forgive me later on.’’

‘’I’m just proud of the pony you have grown into,’’ Celestia merely said, giving one of her amiable smiles. ‘’You never fail to disappoint me. You and your friends. I’m sorry for not acknowledging your friends as well.’’

Twilight put up a smile for a while before it disappeared. ‘’And that’s another thing. Please don’t say ‘Twilight and her friends’ because it makes them look like afterthoughts, you know?’’

‘’Thank you!’’ Rainbow exclaimed, letting go of a breath. ‘’Finally.’’

‘’Then,’’ Luna mumbled, ‘’what else do we call you all?’’

Rarity faced her friends and stepped forward. ‘’We were actually thinking about the title ‘Guardians of Friendship’ since for obvious reasons.’’

‘’And I’m stepping down as the Princess of Friendship,’’ Twilight added. 

‘’Very well,’’ Celestia took into acknowledgment. ‘’We might be able to undo your alicornification.’’

‘’Without time travel, of course,’’ Luna added.

Celestia scoffed. ‘’Wasn’t dreaming of it.’’

‘’Okay,’’ said Twilight, not understanding what the fuss is about. ‘’So are we doing it now or...?’’

The alabaster alicorn nodded, splaying her wings apart. She flew down to approach the group of ponies along with her sister. ‘’Everyone apart from Twilight, please stand in the side.’’

And with that, they all did as told.

Celestia and Luna prepared their horns at the ready, directing them at the other alicorn. ‘’Ready?’’

‘’Ready,’’ Twilight repeated, determined.

They ignited up their horns and joined their magic together, creating a giant orb of powerful magic, pointing it towards the terrified alicorn before it released from their horns and enveloped the mini alicorn, floating her up into the air, blinding everyone’s sight. 

A few minutes later, in a bright spark of light, Twilight eventually gently floated back down to the ground and revealed her back to have no appendages. 

Twilight twisted her head around to look at it herself. ‘’You guys did it!’’ She ran towards her friends and levitated them all into a group hug before pulling apart to admire her old self. ‘’I did miss this unicorn me just having fun with my bestest friends without any worries over princess duties.’’

Celestia smiled genuinely and proudly. 

Twilight looked at her with a frown before trotting up to her and surprising her with a hug. ‘’Thank you. For everything. For listening to me and my friends. You’re the only suitable ruler along with Princess Luna.’’

Celestia’s eyes softened, her heart melting from within, and returned the heartfelt embrace. 

‘’You’re welcome, my faithful student or students.’’

The rest of the Guardians of Friendship joined the group hug as well including Luna herself.

‘’Hey,’’ Spike spoke, frowning. ‘’Aren’t I in the group as well?’’

‘’C’mere you,’’ Rainbow said, pinning him into the group hug as well.




> Get Reformed From Yours Truly!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A whizz of cloudy pink smoke got cleared out of the way amidst a grassy meadow where the battle between Equestria and its three enemies had taken place to reveal a huge statue of said enemies being encased in ridiculous positions. It had been like that for about months now until, finally, a yellow light pierced through the hunk of rock, melting it away from their stoned bodies from head to the torso.

Once the statue had stopped hovering itself off the ground, the three discomposed figures fell to the grass within a loud thud! as they each rubbed their heads due to their slight agony.

‘’Ow...’’ Cozy Glow had murmured out. ‘’Were we just turned to stone? But then who freed us?’’

‘’That doesn’t matter,’’ Chrysalis snarled, glancing around and then smirking. ‘’What matters now is that we are finally out of there and ready to conquer once again!’’ 

They all broke out into their maniacal laughs of terror until silence reigned for a few brief moments as they heard a shuffling from the nearby bushes surrounding them.

‘’Who are you?’’ Chrysalis asked in a mutter. ‘’Show yourself, you coward!’’

In an instant, a creature with all sorts of animals mushed up into one teleported in front of them.

‘’Who? Me?’’ he ventured, conjuring up a halo above his head to present himself as innocent.

Chrysalis hissed. ‘’Discord...’’

Discord dematerialized the halo away and teleported in front of them. ‘’Chryssy...’’

‘’What are you doing here, Discord?’’ Tirek snarled, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.

‘’I think you all should be a lot nicer to me,’’ the draconequus had said which got everyone confused so he explained, ‘’I was the one who freed you from your stone prisons.’’

‘’You?’’ Tirek muttered. ‘’But why? I thought you were the one who turned us to stone along with those prissy ancient old princesses. Which reminds me, have they retired yet?’’

‘’I did so for a reason,’’ Discord answered. ‘’And no, Twilight had refused to take their places and it was an interesting movie to watch. I’ll show the three of you later if you behave. But you lot has been in stone for about, hm, let’s see now—’’ He conjured up a calendar ‘’—8 months now.’’

Cozy Glow’s eyes widened out of pure shock as her childish mind was still getting used to this stuff.

‘’Not bad,’’ Tirek said as he had been stuck in Tartarus for over a thousand years. ‘’However, if it was 9 months, then Chrysalis would be having my baby.’’

Chrysalis blushed furiously before turning to Discord. ‘’So what is this reason you have?’’ she ventured, eyeing him with dread curiosity.

Discord smirked, excited to explain the reason. ‘’As you can see, there had been plenty of villains for Equestria—including myself—but we have always been defeated by the magic of friendship—and yes, I know it sounds cringe but believe me when I say it’s more powerful than chaos itself.’’

Tirek rolled his eyes. ‘’Let me guess, you were poisoned with Prissy Princess Twilight’s friendship speeches.’’

‘’I can never let her poison me with them,’’ he said, snorting. ‘’But I do let Fluttershy poison me with friendship.’’

Cozy Glow had her mouth opened agape. ‘’How—I—What?’’

‘’It’s about time to have the three of you get reformed, don’t you think?’’ Discord asked almost rhetorically. ‘’I’m sure King Sombra would also be delighted to be revived and join the party.’’

With a simple click of his talons, they soon found themselves in the corridor of the School of Friendship.

Cozy glanced around. ‘’I remember this pathetic prissy school where I manipulated those stupid creatures.’’

‘’Lalala!’’ came a singsong earthly voice into their existence as a yak swung themselves towards them before letting out a huge yelp. ‘’You! You the mad pony who destroy pony world!’’

‘’Ooh, I’m glad someone didn’t forget about me,’’ Cozy said rather cheekily.

‘’Discord, how could you bring them here?’’ Sandbar yelled in question, standing next to the yak to comfort her. ‘’Do you even have any brain cells to know what they always have up their sleeves?’’

‘’We don’t even wear sleeves, but do go on with this drama,’’ Tirek pointed out. ‘’It just shows how Equestria is not all about forgiving and friendship.’’

Sandbar rolled his eyes. ‘’We wouldn’t be able to forgive you if you don’t show you’re worthy for it.’’

‘’Now, now, settle down, kids,’’ Discord tried calming the students and new students down.

‘’What is going on here?’’ came a voice from behind until they noticed the three villains. ‘’Discord! Did you bring them here? How could you bring them here?!’’

‘’Relax!’’ he said calmly. ‘’They are not here to harm anypony.’’

‘’Not harm anypony?’’ Smolder repeated. ‘’Uh, beg your pardon, but the last time they were here, they took advantage of Equestria!’’

‘’Yes, but they won’t anymore as they will be learning the magic of friendship in this school.’’

‘’What?!’’ Gallus mumbled out, eyes wide.

‘’I—I guess that could work,’’ Twilight murmured, nodding gently. ‘’Oh, all right, but make sure they don’t do anything silly. I’m trusting you, Discord, and so is Fluttershy.’’

‘’Don’t worry. I won’t let them,’’ Discord promised, smirking at them. ‘’And speaking of Fluttershy, I think she might be able to help me out considering she was able to reform me.’’

The pegasus blushed. ‘’Oh, I’m sure I don’t mind.’’

‘’Excellent!’’ he exclaimed, snapping his talons to teleport them all to a classroom and teleport himself to the place where he could free King Sombra again.





''I am so bored,'' Cozy Glow groaned in annoyance as she stretched out her eyelids.

''Shush, Crazy Glue!'' Smolder exclaimed. ‘’Most of us hate waiting for the professor too.''

Discord snickered as he popped a lightbulb between his disembodied antlers. He levitated Cozy Glow into the air to turn her into a giant glue stick, with a mouth popping out for her to speak. He splattered the glue all around the room like crazy for emphasis.

''Hey, Discord!'' Crazy Glue exclaimed. ''Cut that out, you wicked devious old thing!''

''Devious?'' He was taken aback by this and placed a paw to his chest. He floated her back to the ground and turned her back to her normal self. ''My, what a hypocrite you are, you devious little filly.''

Cozy Glow blushed and took that as a compliment. ''Thank you.''

''Who the fuck wants to be evil?'' Rainbow Dash mumbled.

''Who the fuck wants to be good?'' Cozy Glow imitated.

''You two!'' Twilight exclaimed, trotting into the classroom and up to the podium. ''Language!''

Tirek snickered. ''I think I am beginning to enjoy this.''

Cozy Glow opened her mouth to speak but instead let out a huge groan of annoyance. Twilight tapped a ruler onto the podium to get everyone's attention. 

''Welcome!'' she announced. ''Today for your first lesson of the day, you will be learning the history of villains that have now gotten reformed!''

Cozy Glow had her mouth open in agape. An orange dragon raised her claw up into the air.

''Uh,'' Smolder uttered. ''Why are we here?''

''Excellent question, Smolder!'' Twilight exclaimed. ''You are all here to teach these, um—four about the importance of friendship. Fluttershy?''

A yellow pegasus entered the room. ''Hello, everycreature! I am your professor for the day.''

''You,'' said Chrysalis. ''I recognize you from the wedding and capturing.''

''Why, yes,'' she replied. ''I am Professor Fluttershy to you now. I hope you are comfortable here before I start the lesson.''

The changeling queen shifted back into her seat. Twilight gave an assuring smile to Fluttershy before trotting outside.

''Now,'' Fluttershy started, ‘’the first tactic of the day, we will be-''

She was interrupted as the changeling queen lifted her hoof up into the air. 

''I have a question,'' Chrysalis said. ''Why are you teaching us specifically?''

Fluttershy faintly blushed. ''Well, I did manage to reform Discord all on my own.''

''How?'' asked Cozy Glow with a shocked expression on her face. ''I mean, you are so...naïve.''

''I was,'' Fluttershy took into consideration, nodding in reply. ''But I never used to show my inner strength before.''

''Well,'' said Chrysalis. ''Whatever you are doing, it sure is working.''

She smiled and clicked a button on her remote to change the slide on the screen. It showed three mythical creatures.

''These are the sirens,'' Fluttershy explained. ''They were beautiful, yet vicious creatures with beautiful singing voices. Unfortunately, when they sang, they ended up draining ponies of their magic. They prefer the term 'feed'.''

''Hi!'' Sonata waved from the corner of the room.

Aria rolled her eyes. ''What's down?''

''Girls!'' Adagio exclaimed. ''Be quiet! We are the stars at this moment so keep your mouths shut.''

''Yes,'' the professor said. ''They have now chosen to be good and not drain ponies of their magic.''

''Only because they bribed us with tacos,'' Sonata cried out.

''Anyways,'' said Fluttershy, changing the slide to a picture of lots of ponies. Most of them had horns. ''These ponies used to be evil but chose friendship to be the most valuable thing in their hearts. Most of them we know as head mares. Princess Luna, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon, Sunset Shimmer, Tempest Shadow, Stygian, and so on.''

''The only pony still not reformed is Cozy Glow right here,'' Gallus pointed out, having the whole of the classroom snicker with him, obvious that he was the class clown.

''Hey!'' Cozy Glow exclaimed. ''King Sombra here is a pony too!''

The unicorn king huffed. ''Do not drag me into this, little filly! Or I will rip off your organs, you little fat fuck.''

''Now, now,'' Fluttershy said. ''That is no excuse to use such profanity in my classroom!‘’

‘’I just realized that most of the pony villains are unicorns because of their childhoods,‘’ Smolder pointed out. ‘’I guess they abuse their power. But can someone please think of the children?!‘’

‘’Strange. That's exactly what Twilight said,‘’ Fluttershy mumbled.

‘’Cozy Glow is probably the only pony that is non-unicorn who is evil,‘’ said Gallus.

‘’Anyway, perhaps there is another way to get you four to melt your frozen hearts. Cozy Glow, what is one thing that is more valuable than friendship to you?''

''Nothing,'' she mumbled.

''You are meant to say tacos!'' Sonata cried.

''Shut up, Sonata!'' Aria said, rolling out her eyes.

''Uh-huh,'' said Fluttershy. ''What did you do before you joined this school and came up with a plan to destruct Equestria? What will your parents think of this about you?''

The filly rolled her eyes. ''You think every filly have parents, don't you?''

''Oh my,'' she paused. ''I am so sorry. Do you want a hug?''

''I think I'd pass.''

Fluttershy flew over to her anyway and gave her a warm embrace to make her feel better. The filly wanted to pull away but she didn't. Nopony has ever touched her like that. She couldn't admit this aloud but she liked it.

Chrysalis sighed and looked at Ocellus. ''You remember me, right?''

Ocellus shudderingly spoke. ''Y-Yes.''

''You still imagine me as evil, do you?'' she asked with a sigh. ''I wasn't meant to be evil, you know? I just wanted to feed my subjects and I was born as a ruler until that pesky Starlight Glimmer stole it away from me and gave it to one of my subjects.''

''I think I would understand that perfectly,'' said Fluttershy.

''How?'' she asked, raising an eyebrow.

''You see,'' she started to say. ''Twilight was a leader of us. I don't believe there should be one, or else it will be unfair on us.''

The queen smirked. ''I think you really do understand me.''

The pegasus let a warm smile out and continued on with the lesson. Rainbow Dash zoomed into the classroom.

''Alright,'' she exclaimed. ''I heard villains are attending our school to get reformed. Well, there is only one pony who can do that! Fluttershy!'' She looked over at the yellow pegasus. ''Oh, and she is. Very well done to you, professor. How are they doing?''

''Very good,'' she said with a smile. ''I have already managed to melt two creatures' hearts. Do you want to help, as well?''

''Would I?'' she said with a slight chuckle. ''Sure, I would.''

She flew over at the podium and cleared her throat into the microphone which rang in the air for a moment causing everyone to cover their ears. Finally, Fluttershy adjusted the volume for her. ''Hello, everycreature! I am your Professor Egghead.''

Cozy Glow snickered. ''I remember that nickname.''

''GET AWAY FROM ME YOU LITTLE FUCKING ASSHOLE SHRIMPET!'' King Sombra shouted at a colt. ''I WILL RIP OFF YOUR GOOD FOR NOTHING ASS YOU LITTLE MOTHERFUCKING BITCH!''

''Excuse me!'' Rainbow Dash shouted. ''We don't tolerate that type of language in this school, except fuck.''

''Fuck you,'' King Sombra said to the colt.

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at her friend. She shrunk down to the floor but came back up. 

''Anyways,'' said Rainbow Dash, ''what have you guys been learning today?''

Yona raised her hoof. ''Yona learned that everycreature has a heart and can be redeemed with friendship or love.''

''Excellent,'' Professor Egghead exclaimed. ''But let's hear from the four villains.''

Tirek raised his hand. ''I...I hate to admit this because I am not a huge fan of ponies.'' He looked at Cozy Glow who raised an eyebrow. ''But I actually sort of like this school and really would want to continue learning friendship.''

''Tirek!'' Cozy Glow shouted.

''Well,'' said Fluttershy. ''There will be plenty of more lessons in the future.''

''You are probably my favorite of the six,'' Chrysalis complimented.

Fluttershy blushed. ''Oh, thank you.''

''Although,'' she said. ''Tell Twilight to go fuck a bug and stop being a fucking high and mighty.''

''Excuse me?''

She shrunk back down into her seat and chuckled. ''I meant she is so wonderful. What a splendid leader she is! There definitely should even be a leader in friendship groups!''

''Ooh!'' Pinkie Pie piped as she entered the classroom. ''Ooh! Is that sarcasm? Because I sure do love sarcasm!''





At lunch...





They were all eating sandwiches from the school of friendship's cafeteria. The four villains were sitting with the young six creatures.

''So,'' said Ocellus. ''How did you find the lessons our professors have taught you?''

Chrysalis shrugged. ''They were alright. Didn't really learn anything. It was mostly students messing around but other than that I am beginning to enjoy Professor Fluttershy's presence.''

''That is good,'' said Sandbar, taking a bite from his sandwich. ''What about you, Tirek?''

He mumbled, ''I feel like apologizing to my brother, Scorpan, now.''

''I have read about him!'' Silverstream exclaimed, gulping down her meal in one whole before showing them all a book. ''Princess Twilight gave us a book about you two!''

''I...I can't say I am flattered?''

''After this,'' said Ocellus. ''We should all do something fun together.''

''It depends on your definition of fun,'' said Cozy Glow.

''Aw, c'mon!'' Gallus cried. ''Your three friends here are enjoying the ponies' company after many years of hating them. You are a pony yourself for crying out loud!''

She let out an ignorant sigh. ''Fine.''

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie were standing aside with Fluttershy, smiling at the new friendships.

''Well, Fluttershy,'' said Twilight. ''I got to say that you are really good at reforming villains.''

''I guess it is kind of in my nature,'' Fluttershy said with a blush.

''Yeah,'' Rainbow Dash agreed. ''Most of them.''

King Sombra was trashing a colt in a trashcan. ''That is what you get for disrespecting your king, you fucking asshole cunt. No one likes you bitch!''




> Opinions & Misconceptions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

''I understand your concerns, Fluttershy,'' came the voice of Twilight Sparkle as she trotted through the corridors of Canterlot Castle along with a timid yellow pegasus on her side. ''Trust me, I do. You've had to deal with these sort of things with animals lots of times but I'm afraid this was something big and different.''

''But Twilight,'' she spoke softly, ''I know she did something wrong but don't you think that's only because she was somehow misguided? There have even been protests happening outside.''

Out the window were seen a bunch of creatures waving lit up torches in the air with angry faces. 

''Some Princess of Friendship! How could you do that to an innocent child?! No wonder you stepped down to cover yourself up and make Celestia and Luna at fault here!''

Twilight quickly covered the windows with curtains by her magic, releasing a sigh. 

''We've taught her friendship lessons,'' Twilight reminded. ''We've given her chances but she refused to acknowledge them all. Even Chrysalis seemed unbothered. It's their life, Fluttershy, and all we can do is try to guide them to the right path even if it may not seem to work all the time.''

Fluttershy nodded. ''I understand but maybe we shouldn't have sentenced her to a harsh punishment? We could've just put her in a room listening to your friendship lessons.''

''I keep hearing creatures saying that,'' Twilight said, raising an eyebrow. ''You too? What's wrong with my friendship lessons? And didn't we already do that with her?''

Fluttershy instead said, ''I agree with the crowd outside, Twilight. Believe it or not. She's just a child.''

Twilight's ears pinned back. ''I know, but it isn't my fault! I'm trying, okay? Ponies always expect me to make decisions, this or that. They expect me to have all the answers and which is why I've now finally said something. You don't know what it's like to be put on a pedestal, Fluttershy.''

''Twilight! Do you really think I don't know what it's like? I've been put on a pedestal because of Rarity even though I didn't like it! But guess what? I had to keep going for my friend until I finally told everyone about the discomfort of it all. That this wasn't who I was and what I wanted.''

The unicorn frowned, head hung low. ''Yes, I can't believe I forgot about that situation, Fluttershy, after helping you out with that. I'm sorry for snapping back at you.''

''It's fine, Twilight,'' Fluttershy said, smiling sympathetically and placing a hoof on her shoulder. ''I'm just glad we've finally spoken out our feelings about this.''

The doors to the throne room had swayed open with two guards posted on each side. Twilight tried the best she could to ignore the upsetting glance from the orange pegasus and kept her head held high as she entered inside along with her yellow pegasus friend. 

''I believe this has been the third time you've come to us like this, Twilight,'' Celestia countered, smiling plaintively. ''Did we really do you that dirty? At least not all of your friends are here.''

Twilight trotted further in, putting up a sheepish smile. ''Don't worry, princesses. It's not about that. We just wanted to talk to our mentors.''

Luna tilted her head, forming a somewhat grin. ''Oh?''

''The riots outside,'' Fluttershy pointed out quietly. ''It wasn't our fault! We did it to protect them from a filly clever enough to take away the magic all across, but...''

''But Fluttershy here can't help but feel like what we did was cruel,'' Twilight finished off her friend's sentence. ''While I agree too, we did what we had to do. Cozy Glow betrayed, threatened, and stole magic across Equestria and these creatures need to understand why we did what we did.''

''But don't you think she's only done that because she got no parents?'' Fluttershy asked, frowning. 

Twilight blinked. ''She has no parents?''

Fluttershy nodded. ''She told me that when she and the others got transferred to the Friendship School to get reformed by me.''

''Well,'' said Twilight, trying to think up what to say next. ''Just because you don't have parents doesn't mean you have to do bad things. Take Applejack for example. She's lost her parents during her youth, remember?''

''Yes, but what if Cozy Glow never knew her parents?'' she asked, resilient to keep going. ''Just thinking about it sends her to rage? Misguided mindset?'' 

''While you make such a valid point, Fluttershy, I believe we should ask Cozy Glow about this ourselves rather than jumping to conclusions. We mustn't think she's somewhat a stray animal.''

''I've never said that,'' said the pegasus. 

''I know, but...'' Twilight trailed off, biting her lip.

''Girls!'' came the exclamation of Celestia's usually diligent voice.  ''I understand your frustrations about the riots going on but everyone has their own opinions that they want to voice out much like how you did, Twilight.''

Twilight shrunk, then perked back up. ''But their opinions...!''

Celestia arched an eyebrow at her student's wailing who instantly silenced down for a while. She smiled once the two of them calmed down now.

''Now I recall there was a saying from Steven Magnet saying 'don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice', where he was considered to be an unlikely source?''

Twilight and Fluttershy exchanged glances with each other and said nothing this time. 

Luna stepped forward. ''We've faced riots like these our whole lives. The world can't always be seen as peaceful. I remember my sister telling me of riots happening after my seal on the moon saying how it was wrong to banish thy own sister before their memories of me died out.''

She continued, ''it was stupid. They never appreciated my night and never came into an acknowledgment that maybe my transformation of Nightmare Moon happened because of them not equally praising me alongside my sister.''

Celestia wrapped her wing around her sister. 

''What she's trying to say is,'' Celestia resumed, looking out the window, ''everyone can have their opinions but sometimes they get a bit away with their liberty of speaking up. Fire torches, shoutings...'' 

''And which is why we want to make this world a better place,'' Twilight spoke, defiant. 

Celestia smiled. ''While it may seem that easy, there's always going to be some filled with prejudice and perhaps make others have the same mindset too. Remember that incident with Tirek and Discord?''

''When Discord betrayed us to join his side?'' said Twilight.

''Discord thought ponies were tricking him with 'fake' kind personalities, secretly still hating him, but Tirek only brainwashed him to think in that way as he did a thousand years ago.''

''One pony could manipulate a whole nation's mindset,'' Luna added. ''Like what Cozy Glow did with the whole school after you guys taught them about friendship. Everyone and everything was undone by one filly.''

''But then at the end friendship conquers all!'' Twilight countered, not wanting to falter. 

''Not everyone,'' Luna replied, and then did Twilight soon falter, ears pinning back in place. 

''Then what do you suppose we do?'' Fluttershy asked, determined to not give up. 

''Continue to guide them to the right path,'' Celestia advised. ''Not only because it's the right thing to do but because it could also make a difference in someone's life and can spread like word of mouth.''

''But we've already been doing that,'' Twilight pointed out. 

''So keep going,'' Celestia said. ''There's plenty of obstacles to face. There's never really an end no matter how much we do to change the world's mindset.''

Twilight thought about it for a fraction of a second before lifting her head up to glance at the seated princesses, nodding her head with an understanding, determined smile plastering on her face. 

She turned to Fluttershy. ''Well? Wanna go out there and make a difference to this world?''

''Of course!'' Fluttershy said in return before turning back to the princesses. ''But, uh, I still have one more question yet to ask.''

''Go ahead,'' Luna put forth.

''If everyone's lives are unfair, does that make everything be fair?''

Celestia sighed. ''We keep hearing this...''

''...Yet have no answer for it,'' Luna finished. 

''Perhaps, but everyone faces different struggles like the higher class we get everything a pony dreams of. The luxury, glory, money... but it's all a cover-up. Sometimes we want something more despite having ponies who have to work to get where we are right now.''

''The world is not sane and never will be,'' said Luna. ''As we said, there's always going to be obstacles to face to get what we want but we still keep wanting more. Sometimes what we need is in front of us all this time.''

Twilight smiled and turned to Fluttershy. ''My friends.''

Luna nodded. ''Exactly.''

''Thank you so much for this, princesses,'' Twilight said with a smile. ''You've taught us once again.''

''We teach each other,'' Luna corrected. ''Now go. Enjoy the rest of your day with the rest of your Ponyvillians.''

Twilight nodded and trotted out the throne room's doors with her friend on her side.

''Well, that actually went pretty well,'' Twilight murmured, walking through the hallway. 

''I guess so,'' Fluttershy conceded. ''But now I believe we have to go face Applejack and Rainbow arguing again.''

''Do you think they will finally make out after this?'' Twilight brought up the question in which her friend cowered behind her mane. She sighed. ''Yep. Some things never change.''




> Ignorance of the Sentry
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

''Thanks for having me over even if these tea parties are only between the two of you,'' said Twilight as she placed a teacup to her lips and took a sip out of it.

''It's not a problem at all, Twilight,'' Fluttershy responded, with a smile. ''You're welcome to join in whenever you like. We're all friends here. Isn't that right, Discord?''

Discord wasn't paying attention as he was busy experimenting with a cheesecake and an apple. 

''Discord?''

''Huh? Oh, yes. Very much indeed so, my dear Fluttershy.''

Fluttershy furrowed her eyebrows but decided to leave him be for a while. She turned back to Twilight where her smile returned. ''Don't mind him,'' she said. ''How are you finding the tea?''

''It's great,'' Twilight noted. ''Between you and me, your tea is probably better than Rarity's.''

Fluttershy giggled. ''I'm flattered you say that.''

Both mares picked up their teacup again and started sipping through it. 

“In other cases,“ Twilight added, “when are you not better than her?“

Fluttershy tilted her head. “Huh? What do you mean?“

“You know what I mean,“ Twilight said as she drank her tea.

Fluttershy twiddled the cup in her hooves, looking down thoughtfully. “No, I don't.“

Twilight turned to Discord who was smiling big, and she gave off a blank stare. She then looked back at Fluttershy.

“You're more graceful and have natural beauty whereas Rarity's beauty is forged. Remember the fake eyelashes?“

“O-Oh, I wouldn't s-say that—“

“And you're just so much more graceful than her, generous and nicer too. Hay, most of the time she doesn't even resemble her element, and instead other ponies/creatures do.“

“Well, nobody's perfect. Maybe's Rarity's just inspired by other ponies which lets her show her side of generosity. Like a lesson, you know? We did go a journey to learn about friendship after all, hence your tutorage under Princess Celestia.“

“Maybe she should be the Element of Inspiration,“ Twilight stated as she picked up a cookie from a plate on the table and dipped it in her tea to make it all soggy before taking a bite out of it. She ate the rest by drinking up her tea. Silence reigned between the three. 

''Um, Twilight?'' said Fluttershy. ''If it's not too much to ask, can I ask you something?''

Twilight placed the cup back on the plate and put it on the table. ''Of course, Fluttershy.''

This caused Discord to grow extra ears to hear what his dear, sweet Fluttershy had to say. 

''The last time we went to Canterlot, I couldn't help but notice you frowning when you passed by that specific, orange pegasus guard that you would always used to bump into.''

Twilight blinked and uncomfortably shuffled in her seat. ''You noticed that?''

''Of course, she would,'' Discord mumbled. ''Anyone would.''

Fluttershy softly jabbed a hoof to Discord's sides before noticing Twilight's discomfort. 

''If you don't want to talk about it then that's fine, I suppose.''

''No, no.'' Twilight sighed. ''I suppose it's fine if I finally talk about this matter.'' She picked up her teacup while adding in some sugar and stirred it round and round like a swirling vortex. ''Anyway, the thing is he's weird.''

''He's weird?'' Fluttershy repeated, perturbed by the lack of context.

''And why, do you think, he's weird?'' Discord asked, conjuring up a detective's uniform and writing down notes.

''Well, ever since I first met him we kept bumping into each other. I kept meeting him everywhere and, well, bumping into each other. He would either be at the Crystal Empire, Mirror World, or Canterlot... and we would always bump. I never had any romantic interests for him, even if ponies are suspicious that I do but I don't.''

''Now that I think about it,'' said Fluttershy, ''he does seem a little weird. At first, since there wasn't really a stallion of choice standing next to you, I really thought this 'Flash Sentry' was for you so I found it cute that you had a first crush, but now I know that it's all a misunderstanding.''

''I even tried to find a spell to get away from him,'' Twilight added. ''But nothing. It's like there's some sort of tracking device inside him.''

Fluttershy gasped. ''Twilight!''

Discord chuckled with mischief and glee. ''Oh, do go on, Princess Twilight!''

When Fluttershy sent him a glare, she turned back to Twilight. ''Well, is there somepony else that you've found a liking to? Anypony I know?''

''Well... there is one,'' said Twilight, a blush crawling up her cheeks. ''We met when I met him. She wasn't very, let's just say, stable at the time but I managed to bring her good side around.''

''She?'' Fluttershy gasped. ''I'm sorry! It's nothing that I'm against. I'm just... surprised. So who is she?''

''She's...'' Twilight began to say. 

The door of the cottage slammed open as a blue pegasus flew in and made an appearance.

''Twilight! You're needed at the castle. There's this creepy stallion that is waiting for your—'' she cut off. ''Uh, you know what, just follow me!''

When Rainbow Dash flew back out the door, Twilight turned towards her two friends where Discord snapped his fingers and led the three of them to the entrance of the Castle of Friendship.

''What's going on?'' Twilight asked when she noticed an orange pegasus perched on top of her head. ''Oh, you gotta be kidding me.''

''Yep. That's the one,'' said Rainbow Dash as a facehoof emerged from Fluttershy.

Twilight magically got the pegasus off her head and straightly observed him. Then, out of anger, she clutched him by the shoulders. ''Who are you?!'' she blurted out, demanding an answer. 

''Wow,'' he said. ''Hot.''

Twilight's eye began to twitch. 

Then it clicked. 

She gasped. ''Does my brother have something to do with this?!'' she said, mostly to herself. ''Was he that worried I was going to be single if I didn't put myself out there so he decided to create this... this thing!''

Fluttershy covered her mouth. ''Twilight!''

At that, Twilight began angrily shaking him upside down. 

''Princess, what are you doing?'' he slowly, queasily asked. 

Then Twilight stopped. ''Well, at least he speaks something other than 'we gotta stop bumping into each other like this'!'' She ended with an imitation of his voice which surprisingly brought out its accuracy. ''Tell me, who are you really?''

''Your Highness!'' he exclaimed, showing afraidness in his voice. ''I mean not 'Your Highness'. You're not a princess anymore and you didn't like being called by your title in the first place. But I'm Flash Sentry, a guard from the Crystal Empire and Canterlot.''

''So. You're not a robot as I think you are?''

''No, ma'am!''

Twilight eyed him further which caused her to disbelieve him even more. Then she continued shaking him upside down as he let out a yell. He tried to protest but it was no use as it was clear Twilight would not listen. She instead brought him to her castle and led him to her library.

She trotted towards her bookshelves and pulled out one specific book which enabled the bookshelves to slide away from each other creating some sort of passageway. Twilight pulled Flash Sentry along with her magic as she entered the passageway and lit it up with the essence of her horn. Eventually, she found a door where she opened it and inside revealed scientific belongings.

Laying the pegasus down on a table, she brought out some machines and x-rays to try and examine him. When she failed to find any data, she let out a groan of annoyance. 

''I don't know why you think I'm a robot, prince—I mean Twilight.'' He frowned even if his head was not in Twilight's view. ''I thought we had a good thing going on.''

Twilight uncovered her face. ''Good thing?''

''You know, love at first bump,'' he clarified. ''I really felt something, you know?''

''Felt what? I didn't know robots could feel anything.'' Twilight eyed him skeptically.

He sighed. ''I'm a living being too, you know? Ever since we had met, we would always bump into each other. If that isn't something then I don't know what is. I heard your friends teasing you about it, even the Princess of Love. She really tried to get me to see you more.''

So it was Cadence?

''Look, Flash.'' Twilight magically removed the devices off him. ''I'm sorry for thinking you're a robot. I'm sure you're a great guy. But I don't think we're meant to be, you know?''

''I understand,'' he said, slowly nodding at the hypothesis.

''But I mean if we really want to know then I don't suppose we try it out?''

Flash looked up. ''What do you mean? Are you—''

At that, his words fell short when Twilight shushed him down by putting their lips to a close. After everything she had put him through, she finally decided to take it to the next level. Of course, knowing her, it's probably just another experiment. But Flash didn't want to waste this opportunity, he might never have it again, and so he began moving along with the kiss and feeling the taste, the passion, the lust, the... what?!

Flash's eyes snapped open, seeing Twilight's eyes still closed and trailing the kiss longer. Flash had no sign of understanding in his body language but he decided to leave it be for a while and enjoyed his kiss with his mistress. His... what?! Flash shook his head sharply and tightly closed his eyes as he carried the kiss. Dozens of questions and umpteenth thoughts filled his head but his mouth was only dawdled, which was understandable considering it was in another pony's mouth—

Flash finally silenced his inner self and tried clearing his head out of those thoughts. He dived into the kiss once more and deeply fell in love, making the kiss bold and saucy. He chewed Twilight's lip as he placed an arm around her and made their way towards a dead end, tightly clutching Twilight's lips for dear life.

But then the kissing stopped and Twilight's eyes snapped open including his.

''Uh...'' was all she could say until she looked over her shoulder to see what they were standing close to. Her eyes widened as the timer was ticking and so Twilight wrapped her hooves around the pegasus and pushed themselves to the other side of the room before the machine began exploding a dozen replicas of paper Twilight had loads of information printed on.

''Oops.'' Flash tried to say when Twilight looked at him. ''Sorry...''

Twilight facehoofed. 





Twilight was back at her library after sending the pegasus off to his guard duties. She was frustratingly scribbling down on her note page. 

''Dear Diary,'' she started, ''it turns out being too engrossed in lust could make a mess of things. I also realized that Flash Sentry is not a robot and, while he is beneficial for certain desires, I can conclude that he is not the one for me. Hopefully, I'm not single for that long to the point where my brother gets the idea of making a robot to desire me.''

She slammed her notebook closed and planted her face on top of the table. 

Little did she know that the mirror on the other side of the room began to ever so gently vibrate. Eventually, a golden alicorn with a fiery mane came out of it.

Twilight's head perked up and she realized that the alicorn was her friend whom she hadn't seen in so long.

''Sunset Shimmer!'' she exclaimed as she rushed up towards the yellow alicorn and brought her into a hug. ''How have you been? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?''

''I'm doing great, but the better question is: are you okay?'' she corrected. ''I got a message from your student Starlight saying you're Twilighting again.''

Twilight rolled her eyes. ''Not you too. But, uh, I guess she's partially right. You see, I ran a few tests on the pony version of Flash Sentry because I thought he was a robot and...'' She continued telling Sunset the whole story.

Sunset was taken aback by the story in surprise. ''Wow. That's so like you.''

''Like me?!'' she shouted. 

''Running a few tests is definitely what Twilight would do,'' said Sunset after recovering from the volume of Twilight's outburst. ''But leading that to lust? Are you sure we're talking about the same Twilight here?''

''Look, Sunset. I'm single and if that continues then Celestia knows what Shining Armour would do!''

''You know what, I've been thinking...''

''What?''

Sunset smirked. ''Well...''

She brought herself closer to Twilight and smooched a kiss above her muzzle.

''How's that? Are you still single now?''

Twilight froze for a mid-second before bursting out into a squeal of excitement. She pinned Sunset down to the floor and planted enough kisses that could last a lifetime.

''Okay, okay!'' Sunset tried to say but the giggles got the best of her.




> Truths Revealed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight stood amidst her castle library, taking in a deep breath of cool, calm, and collectedness and trying to find all the composure within herself. 

''Okay, Twilight. You can do this. All you have to do is ask your mentor to come to relax with you alone so then you can start to ask her questions about why she did this to you. Make the environment comfortable and don't make her feel like she's being called out.''

The door of the library had creaked open which apparently knocked her out of her thoughts.

''Uh, Twilight?''

Ears perked and pinned, Twilight turned around to face the owner of that intimate voice. 

''Hi, Spike. Why aren't you in bed still?''

''I, uh, couldn't sleep,'' Spike answered, coming inside with his blanket and pillow. ''Why are you not in bed?''

Twilight sighed. ''Spike, have I been too harsh on Celestia lately?''

Spike shrugged. ''I don't think so. I mean you never are towards Celestia, always so nervous and timid. Almost like Fluttershy but not like her.''

''That's true,'' Twilight took into acknowledgment. ''But I'm talking about our frequent visits ever since she bought up her and her sister's retirement until I declined it.''

''You've... changed,'' said Spike. ''But Celestia said she was proud of you. Not going to lie but I prefer this version of you better. You get to have your own opinions and don't always listen to your role model's standards.''

''Mhm, but how do you think Celestia really feels?'' Twilight asked. ''It's like she's wearing a mask, Spike.''

''No she's not,'' Spike replied, oblivious.

Twilight deadpanned. ''It's a metaphor, Spike.''

''Oh,'' he said. He walked towards two laid-out cushions and pushed them together to lay himself down with his pillow behind his head as well as his blanket draped over him. Meanwhile, Twilight resumed pacing around in circles. ''You know if you're that worried, you could always speak to her about it, right?''

''I was thinking about it,'' Twilight murmured. ''But then she'll just say 'I'm just proud of the pony you've become, Twilight' despite every time I see a frown on her face whenever I speak up.''

''Then go talk to her tomorrow and leave me out of it,'' said Spike, placing cucumbers on his eyes. ''But I suggest you go to sleep first. It's been another long day, Twi.''

Twilight took a breath. ''I know and thanks, Spike. I said this before but I'll repeat it; sometimes talking to a good friend is all it takes.''

Spike smiled and had that rang through his hazy mind as deja vu, slowly drifting off to sleep as well as Twilight snoring off to slumberland on top of him to join him. 





The next day, Twilight and Spike had woken up due to the morning sunlight from their mentor's gleaming sun. They exited outside their castle and made their way over to the train station where they met a familiar stallion.

''Heya, Twilight! Hey, Spike!'' came the cheery voice as Twilight and Spike trotted onto the platform. ''Did Pinkie's Pinkie Sense warn you to come to welcome me for my arrival?''

''Actually no,'' said Twilight. ''We didn't even know you were coming here. Spike and I were actually heading off to Canterlot to talk with Princess Celestia.''

''What are you doing here, pal?'' Spike asked him.

Cheese Sandwich glanced from both sides to see everyone minding their business before turning back to the unicorn and the dragon. ''I came here because I want to ask Pinkie Pie if she's free tonight so I can finally have the guts to ask her a question.''

''And this question isn't by any chance a date, is it?'' Twilight guessed curiously. 

''How'd you know?'' Cheese asked, gasping. ''Do unicorns have the sense too?''

Twilight chuckled. ''Not exactly. Just a lucky guess or perhaps obvious.''

But Cheese was oblivious and instead shook it off as the train arrived at a halt in front of the platform, making a squeaking sound against the tracks. Once they said goodbyes and departed ways, Twilight and Spike got onto the moving platform and the train started going through a tunnel at high speed once they got in.

''You know I still have wings, right?'' Spike reminded her. 

''You know I gave mine up, right?'' Twilight also reminded him. 

''Touche.''

Once the train arrived at their destination, Canterlot, Twilight and Spike hopped off and started trotting again to the castle being allowed in by the guards. Reaching the throne room, the doors opened to their arrival. 

''As much as I love talking with you and your friends, Twilight, I fear this is getting a bit out of hoof. So what is it now that you want to talk about that I did wrong?''

Twilight's smile disappeared and released a sigh. ''Princess, I'm sorry. Can we talk alone in a comfortable environment? Just the two of us? Let's go to the spa since you're probably frazzled by all the work. I'm sure Luna won't mind taking over your duties for the day to make up for a lost time.''

Celestia's eyebrows furrowed. ''Twilight...''

''Argh, I don't think so,'' Luna said, noticing the hoof gesture from the unicorn and rolling her eyes. ''It'll be our pleasure,'' she corrected monotonously,  exiting the throne room with Raven Inkwell on her side before the doors slammed shut behind them. 

''Okay, Twilight,'' said Celestia. ''But I just want you to know that whatever you say I'm never, ever going to hate on you. I'm always on your side, you know that, right?''

''Yes, princess.'' Twilight nodded. But I'm still sorry for wanting answers for your actions. I know you were only doing what's best for me unless the rumors were really true...





At the Canterlot Royal Spa





Celestia's face was dug inside a pillow as a pony began massaging oil on her back with Spike merely resting in his seat with a robe on as well as cucumbers over his eyes, a pony was taking chunks from out of his feet, yelling out in pain. 

''Twi...light...'' Spike wheezed before cooling down for a while until another yell occurred.

''Too much tension, Spike,'' Twilight murmured softly, sighing as the dryer went up to reveal her wavy wet mane, now having her hooves done by one of the spa ponies. 

''Yeah, you're tensioning me,'' Spike muttered.

''So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about, Twilight?'' Celestia asked as she lifted up her face from her pillow for a while to speak. 

''I...'' Twilight purred as the spa pony massaged the tension off her shoulders. ''You see. I just want to ask you how you feel about me finally speaking up and, well, ruining your plans.''

Celestia raised an eyebrow, then started laughing. 

''Yep,'' said Spike. ''There we go again. Celestia laughing at Twilight for fretting over something so ridiculous.''

''That's enough, Spike,'' Celestia said softly after she finished her laughter. She turned to Twilight. ''Twilight, why would you fret over something like that? As I said before, I am—''

''—proud of the pony that I've become,'' Twilight bluntly finished off, frowning. ''I know, I know. But princess, I feel like there's something in between those lines like you're suddenly hiding your feelings. You never even have a response to my and my friends' points.''

Celestia sighed as they were transported to the steam room. The spa ponies spilled hot water amongst rocks to create a sense of fog into the room, steam seeping in. Towels were worn on their heads and bodies. 

''Because you have such great points that make me realize my actions towards you were mistakes. If I had known you had friends here in Canterlot, then I would've pushed you to go to Moondancer's birthday party you were telling me about that you missed because of me.''

Twilight blinked, surprised by this response. ''I... Princess, but didn't you send me to Ponyville so that I could make some friends and find the elements of harmony with them?''

''Yes,'' she responded. ''I thought that having five ponies with you because of that cutie mark connecting to the tree of harmony that you all would be able to free my sister. But I also wanted you to make some friends. I didn't know you had Lyra Heartstrings, Minuette, Twinkle Shine, Lemon Hearts, and Moondancer as your friends here.''

Twilight's head hung low. ''...Because I didn't acknowledge them. I was more interested in books until you made me open up to the world and become adventurous with a group of lovely ponies. Don't get me wrong; my Canterlot friends are great, but Applejack and the others... it's like we're meant to be together.''

''Like they got their cutie marks at the same time by the same sonic rainboom Rainbow Dash pulled off to defend Fluttershy's honor!'' Spike added, getting in between the conversation.

Celestia smiled. ''For many years, I've doubted myself but it looks like I really did make a difference. Everyone expects me to be perfect that I try so hard...''

''I now know how you feel, princess,'' Twilight said, nodding. ''You don't have to try so hard for anyone,'' she assured her, nuzzling the alabaster alicorn. ''It's funny. You're our mentor, supposed to teach us but instead, we're teaching each other.''

The three of them laughed for a while before it died down. 

''i didn't tell you the full story of Sunset Shimmer, now did I?'' Celestia asked, and when she received a shaking head, she continued, ''well, Sunset Shimmer had no family when she was young and I was the only one she had. I was so thrilled by the level of magic she had at such a young age like you that I thought she was able to free my sister but when I saw her cutie mark... my hope was lost.''

''I tried so hard, so hard to hide my despondency away that it ended up being obvious to Sunset. I was afraid of losing her; she was like a daughter to me much like how you are to me.''

Twilight's eyes melted. ''And Sunset and I could get along. I feel like we can understand each other.''

''I could guess,'' Celestia conceded. ''I don't want Sunset Shimmer to think you're somehow better than her just because you're suddenly more gifted. We're all gifted in our own way with different purposes.''

''Don't worry,'' Twilight assured her. ''She doesn't think lowly of you anymore. Trust me, I know. In fact, she asks me how you're doing every time we write to each other.''

Celestia smiled teary-eyed. ''Then tell her I'm okay but could be better with her along.''

When Twilight smiled back at her mentor and broke the embrace with her, she noticed the various pastel colors all swirling and mixing and floating around in the bathtub that they were in. Noticing how these colors were similar to her mentor's mane, she glanced up to see what she considered to be a surprise.

''Uh, Celestia?''

Celestia glanced up, then deadpanned. ''Oh, horsefeathers.''





''So thy are Raven Inkwell, the assistant for my sister,'' Luna pointed out. ''Pleasure into meeting thy.''

''Pleasure into meeting you, Your Highness,'' Raven said in turn, bowing a bob of her head before resettling her glasses above her muzzle.

''So what's there on the list?'' Luna asked, taking a peek over the checklist. 

''Well, first she has to handle some dignities as part of her bonding with the other nations.''

''This could be fast and easy,'' she murmured in a low tone, and in a matter of time, she was in the throne room with various creatures bickering and arguing in front of her. ''Settle down, please.''

''Settle down?'' Princess Rutherford shouted in repetition, stamping his hoof to the floor creating a few cracks. ''Ponies want us yaks to settle down! Yaks good at settle down!''

''I'm pretty much settled down already,'' Thorax calmly said. ''All I need is for the griffons to stop trying to take down my changeling kingdom.''

''Only because one of you shapeshifters keep messing with ours first!'' Queen Gilda shouted out, the only reason she was called queen was finding the Idol of Boreas but instead of taking it home, restored light and love with the griffons thanks to the help of two friends. 

''I seem to recall we're friends here,'' Dragon Lord Ember said to King Thorax. ''So how come your changeling army is transforming into my dragons and tearing down our land?''

''I had no idea,'' Thorax said. ''I'll make sure I give a stern talking to them.''

''You better! I'm on to you buster! We may have bonded under odd circumstances, but I can see through that obliviousness of a disguise you're wearing!'' Ember retorted in his face. 

Prince Rutherford stomped his hooves. ''Yah! Yaks want to know why dragons harassing yaks!''

All of the other nations started bickering further with each other. 

Luna turned to Raven. ''How does my sister handle this?''

''She tells them a rather Twilight-cringe friendship speech which eventually gets them to respect each other.''

''Then why are they bickering again?''

Raven shrugged. ''For a different reason?''

Luna sighed and touched her forehead. ''This is going to be a long day...''





Cheese Sandwich trotted through the streets of a town where he once found his inspiration from that led to him finding his life purpose. He trotted to Sugar Cube Corner and briefly adjusted the suit he got from visiting Rarity for advice. 

''Okay. Cheese, you can do this,'' he said to himself, taking in a deep breath before knocking two times on the door instead of three because of bad luck (or was it 13?).

''Who is it~'' came a singsong voice which made him to glance up to see the beautiful face of the love of his life from the window upstairs. ''Cheese! What are you doing here? Hol' up. I'm coming downstairs.''

Before Cheese thought of waiting, the pink pony was already there in front of him wearing that beaming smile as always and that sky blue eyes of hers glimmering within the sunshine. If there were clouds in the sky making the day gloomy, Pinkie would be the sun in his eyes. 

''Pinkie!'' he piped, away from his thoughts. ''My little joy buzzer, it's been such a long time!''

Pinkie giggled. ''I know it has. We haven't met face-to-face ever since that factory you owned for a while.''

''Yeah, never again!'' he conceded, laughing with her. ''Thanks for helping me find my life purpose again!''

Pinkie waved a hoof. ''Aw, shucks, it was nothing. Thank you for helping me find my life purpose!''

''I guess we both helped each other,'' Cheese said in turn, laughing for a while before straightening himself. ''But I came today to ask you something important.''

''Yeah?'' Pinkie pushed on.

''Pinkie, you've been inspiring me my whole life ever since I was a tiny winy colt! You're the jam in between my bread. The cheese in between my bread. So what I want to ask you is: will you be my special somepony?''

Pinkie gasped, but it wasn't her usual hyperactive one, no, it intertwined with the various emotions she was feeling at the same time, her heart having a little party as if she wanted this to come. 

She yanked her forehooves around him. 

''Of course I'll be your special somepony, silly!'' she replied, wearing the happiest smile she had ever worn. ''Wait 'til I tell Rarity I got one before her!''

Cheese chuckled. ''She acted quite like blue cheese.''

''Huh?'' She tilted her head.

''I mean!'' Cheese piped, grabbing his new marefriend's hoof. ''Come. Let's get inside for our first-ever date!''

Pinkie gasped, feeling so many things all at once. ''Yeah! Let's go. We'll have a cupcake and a cheese sandwich!''

''What? That's a little bit quick, Pinkie. I mean wanting to eat me? Let's maybe do that after the wedding.''

Pinkie giggled. ''No, silly! I meant the food!''

''Ohhh~'' Cheese laughed. ''Silly me. Well, let's go then!''




> A Big Mac Baby
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pregnancy. It is a beautiful thing. To adults that are mature enough to handle it and congratulate and wish the best of luck to those who will be starting a family soon with their life partner. But kids, things like these don't have them understand the nature of growing older.

It was the day of Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle's baby shower in which their friends were getting everything set up before their arrival. Steamers were flung around the branches amidst an orchard of Sweet Apple Acres with the help of the candy corn crusaders, Discord, and Spike since they were the ones that helped the couple with occasions such as love confessions, hearts and hooves day, and their wedding day. 

''Woah, what is going on here?'' asked Twilight as she pushed past a gate made out of leaves to see how the others were getting the hang out of the decorating.

Scootaloo was hanging in her sight as she was wrapped in streamers. ''Let's just say it's going as great as the other occasions we had to decorate for Big Mac and Sugar Belle.''

Twilight facehoofed. ''You know, Starlight and I can fix everything by our magic.''

''I wouldn't wanna get you there, Twi,'' came the voice of Applejack as she made an appearance. ''We like to do the old earth pony way here.''

''Right. Tradition. Of course. Got it.''

''Allow me,'' said Discord as he teleported in front of them. He commanded the candy corn crusaders in a line as he wore a soldier uniform, blowing through a bubble pipe. ''Alright, listen up. This is supposed to be easy so stop making it seem like it's difficult. Let's start over from scratch.'' He snapped his talons and cleared the place and all they could see was the intertwined tree. ''Apple Bloom, wrap some streamers around that branch, and Sweetie Belle, tie two balloons on each side of that gate over there.''

''And? What about me?'' Scootaloo asked, pouting.

Discord rolled his eyes. ''I was about to speak further if you weren't impatient enough to interrupt me.'' He glanced around. ''Hm. How about you ride on your little scooter and pass invitations to ponies and creatures.''

''Roger that!'' she exclaimed, determined. She hopped on her scooter, strapping her helmet on her head and zooming out the gates, through the town's roads.

''Great,'' said Twilight, surprised. ''Looks like Discord has it all covered from here.''

''I know! I'm just so perfect like that,'' Discord replied, pressing his paw and claw to his cheeks as he floated himself in the air in front of them.

A few hours had passed and the place was packed with ponies and creatures seated at tables with velvet-colored white as the table cloth. Some were flying in the air such as dragons, griffons, and changelings. Sugar Belle was standing with her husband as Rarity and the others were crowding around her, her belly was showing as she admitted it's been nine months.

''Oh, my gosh! I can't believe I'll be an aunt!'' Apple Bloom squealed in delight and placed her ear to her sister-in-law's stomach, hearing a few kicks. 

''But wait,'' said Scootaloo. ''Where does the foal come from?''

Sugar Belle shared an awkward glance with her husband. 

''Let's just say...'' Applejack took over for them. ''They come from... a stork!''

''A stork?'' Sweetie repeated. ''That doesn't make sense! Rarity told me it's when—'' She was interrupted as her sister stuck a hoof inside her mouth until she spat it out a few seconds later, turning away from her.

''So, uh, sis?'' Apple Bloom said when Applejack turned to her. ''What happens if the baby is due during this baby shower?''

Applejack laughed goodnaturedly, brushing back her little sister's bangs. ''That only happens during the movies, sis. You've been watchin' too much of those in the cinemas lately.''

''She's right, Applejack,'' said Sugar Belle as she began to feel pain. ''I think... *moans* ...the baby... *moans* ...is coming!''

She said it so loud that everyone had heard her, Rainbow Dash dropping her glass of cider in the process as well as Spike dropping his bowl of gemstones.

''Quickly, get her to the hospital!'' Applejack exclaimed as everyone began to panic. Big Macintosh held his wife's hoof over his shoulder with the help of his sister as they began to trot their way out the gates. ''Twi, can't ya teleport us there to the hospital?''

''Oh, I can try, but long-distance teleportation in my unicorn form is tricky. That's Starlight's thing.''

''Where's Starlight?!'' she asked, frantically glancing around to see her with an azure-colored unicorn. ''Starlight! Teleport us to the hospital!''

''Roger that,'' she said, nodding. In a bright spark of light, some of them disappeared from out of sight and reappeared inside the Ponyville Hospital, a pony behind the counter.

''Hello, what can I do for y—'' the pony got cut off. 

''No time. She's having her baby!'' Pinkie quickly exclaimed, pointing at the pained mare. 

The pony's eyes went wide and pressed a red button to alarm for assistance. When they showed up with a moving bed, they gently placed her down with her husband holding onto her hoof. 

''Everything's going to be okay. Just take big breaths,'' Big Macintosh composed her as she took several breaths as told. They made their way to a room where machines were placed and such. 

''Tell her to hold still,'' advised the doctor. ''Checking the monitor...'' He turned to her. ''Breathing exercises...''

Sugar Belle breathed, and breathed, and breathed, as the doctor was at the end of the bed waiting for her to push, and push, and push, as hard as she could. 

She let out the loudest scream that could've been heard from all across Canterlot. 

''What was that, dear sister?'' asked Luna from the balcony trying to bring up her glorious night.

Celestia sensed. ''It's time.''

''What's time?''

Celestia instead looked down the balcony where Ponyville was standing.





''You sure you'll be fine handlin' our foal?'' 

''Don't worry, Big Mac,'' Spike said, waving his concerns with a dismissive claw. ''We totally have everything covered.''

Big Mac raised an eyebrow. ''Uh-huh. Well, Twilight did say you struggled with handling Princess Flurry Heart and the Cake Twins.''

He blew a raspberry. ''That's 'cause there's three of 'em and one of 'em is a born alicorn! This one is just a cute little earth pony. How bad could it be?''

''Well, actually—'' Big Mac was about to protest had he not been pushed to the door along with his wife, the door closing in their faces with a loud slam.

Spike wiped the sweat from his brow and blew a sigh of relief. 

Discord chuckled. ''Oh, goody.''

''Now's the time to finally show Twilight that I really can do something!'' Spike exclaimed, determined. ''And you're with me!'' He pointed a finger at the draconequus.

''Well, obviously.'' He rolled his eyes. ''You wouldn't even last a day without me.'' He materialized a baby bottle with chocolate milk in it and handed it over to the baby.

Spike raised an eyebrow. ''Now's your chance to finally show everyone, Discord, that you really can do good to Equestria. And I don't think babies are meant to drink chocolate milk just yet. It contains caffeine.''

''You spent too much time with Twilight,'' Discord pointed out, blowing through a bubble pipe and enfolding Spike's head in a bubble. He grabbed the baby bottle away from the baby. ''There. Much better?''

Spike sighed and went over through the list he was given by Applejack. ''Let's see. It says the milk bottle is in one of the kitchen cabinets. Do you think you can get that, Discord?''

Discord rolled his eyes and teleported over to the cabinets, opening them all up and finding a baby bottle. He levitated it and was about to drink the baby up had Spike not interrupted him.

''Wait!'' he shouted. ''It says right here to do it slow and gentle.''

''Ugh. Got it,'' he sneered, putting it in the foal's mouth only for it to get swatted right into his eye which made the baby giggle. ''Ow! Why you little—''

''Now, now,'' Spike quickly said to avoid any conflict. ''Remember, babies are like this.''

The foal inside the crib cutely tilted its head into another angle before pouncing out and jabbing one of his little hooves into the dragon's stomach who yelped out loud.

''You were saying?'' Discord asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

Spike chuckled sheepishly before falling into a deadpan — then he picked up the baby bottle from the floor and when he got back up, a strong sense of odor went across both of their muzzles. Discord and Spike grimaced as the former conjured up clips on both of their muzzles.

With a sigh, Spike relentlessly picked up the foal by the edge of the diaper and pointed it in the direction of the draconequus beside him. They checked over the list to see anything being said about diaper changing then brought themselves to the other room where they spotted a bag of fresh new diapers along with a table where they placed the foal to sit on top.

Soon, knowing he had magic, Discord snapped his talons but Spike looked at him unimpressed.

''What?'' he asked, lowering his hands.

''Let's try to do things the traditional way, yeah?'' Spike suggested. ''His parents would probably want us doing that, you know, without magic.''

Discord scoffed. ''Then how about you do it!''

''What? No way!'' Spike shot back, putting his claws up, then he saw what he just did there and sighed. He walked up to the changing table and... ''Hey, um, I can't reach.''

Discord raised an eyebrow and looked at his wings. ''Really, you can't fool me, Spike my boy.''

''Uh, right.'' Spike gulped and flapped his wings but instantly fell back to the floor as if he did it by intention.

''I have seen you fly multiple times,'' said Discord, unimpressed with this.

''Well, they were only temporary! You know how Twilight flew right after she got her wings but then forgot how to afterward? It's like that!''

Discord sneered irritatingly, then snapped, ''give me a break!''

He snapped his talons and picked the baby up where the dirty diaper was sliding down its rump then Spike helped by getting out a fresh new one so Discord can slid it up the baby. 

''There!'' he finished, getting punched in the face later on as the baby toppled on top of him. He grunted angrily and got ready to snap his talons again but only this time he wanted to use them on the baby had Spike not stopped him.

And then, the foal began to cry. 

''Now look what you've done!'' Spike said disappointingly, taking the baby in his claws and cradling him back and forth to prevent him from crying any further.

Discord rolled his eyes as he watched Spike put the baby back into the crib once its eyelids closed shut.

''Aw...'' Spike cooed in awe, on the tips of his toes to see the baby. He had orange hair to match his father and a purple coat mixed with his father and mother, jade eyes from his father. ''When are you going to have a baby with Fluttershy, Discord?''

Discord spat out the chocolate milk he had been drinking from the baby bottle he conjured up for the baby. 

''What?'' he choked, pounding his chest to clear his throat. 

''Hm. Now that I think about it, I don't think you'd do it. I mean the way Twilight described sex to me kind of grossed me out and you're not a pony yourself so I don't know how that'd work.''

''Spike, who says Fluttershy isn't—''

''...And you're not exactly father material. Heh. No offense. But you'll just be a bad influence on your kids considering what you've done and all.''

Discord was about to snap his talons on him but a part of him agreed, crumbling away. 

His ears fell. ''You're right. I'm not nearly as good for Fluttershy.''

Spike's tail elevated, turning away from his baffling and looking at him. ''What did you just say?''

And at that, the baby inside his crib was crying as loud as sirens, getting them to cover their ears.

''Discord!'' Spike yelled. 

''Why am I always suddenly the bad guy?'' Discord grumbled, crossing his arms. One of the foal's hooves kicked into the draconequus' sides but his anger subsided. ''What does he want?'' he asked, searching through the foal's toys. ''These are boring! Here, have this snail I just conjured up for you.'' And he did.

''Isn't that Flurry Heart's wammy?'' Spike pointed out.

The baby merely looked at it and banged the draconequus on the head with a rattle, producing slight giggles in foalish delight.

''Ow!'' he cried out in pain, rubbing his head due to slight agony. ''One of the reasons why I will never be having a foal of my own—'' He got hit again. ''Oh, you arrogant little brat—''

And the baby started crying again.

Spike looked at him. ''Discord!''

''Oh, for the love of—Fluttershy!'' Discord yelled out before getting hit again with the rattle. Standing at the door, there was a yellow pegasus fluttering over to them and the crib. 

''Applejack suggested lending you two some help. I did babysit the cutie mark crusaders after all and believe it or not they were quite a hoof full.''

''I could banish this foolish foal out of Equestria if I wanted to!'' Discord threatened, picking the baby up by the diaper as the baby started crying.

''Discord,'' Fluttershy said, sending him a glare. 

Discord couldn't look at those. ''Oh, all right,'' he relented, placing the baby back down in the crib. He picked up the rattle and shook it.

Fluttershy smiled. ''I have an idea. How about I help the two of you look after the baby until Big Mac and Sugar Belle get home and then we'll have some alone time together, Discord.''

Spike looked at the flushed draconequus, then grinned at Fluttershy.

''Oh, yeah. Let's do this.''

Before Spike could speak further, the foal in the crib jabbed a mega-hard punch right into the still-baby-too dragon's stomach, tumbling him back.

...Looks like the foal had also inherited his father's super strength.





Finally, Discord and Fluttershy thought they had handled enough foals for one day even if it was only one. Still, they decided to retire for the day at the latter's cottage with Angel making both of them some tea.

''Well, now you understand the pain that I went through today,'' said Discord, sipping onto his tea. ''I swear babies are such nuisances.''

Fluttershy grinned. ''Aw, come on. Don't think you didn't like the cutie mark crusaders with what you told me about them freeing you by arguing in front of your statue which was chaotic.''

''That's different!'' he cried, then he fell back on the couch. ''Today was utterly exhausting.''

Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, shy behind her mane, about to ask him something. ''Um, I don't suppose you'd like to do it with me, would you? I've always imagined doing it with someone who is sweet and gentle and my best friend.''

Discord was confused. ''Do what?''

She batted her eyelashes at him, smiling sweetly and innocently. She touched his paw, making his stomach flutter with butterflies (or was it the tea?).

Still confused, Fluttershy instead took his paw and flew the two of them up the staircase and to her bedroom. She pushed the draconequus on her bed and started pressing her lips against his.

Discord quickly removed it. ''Woah, Woah, Woah. Hold it.'' He looked at her who frowned. ''You... what?''

Fluttershy blushed noticeably which matched her mane, looking as adorable as ever. 

''Uh-huh. I—I mean if you feel the same way that is. I'm sorry, I should've ask—yeep!''

But she was interrupted when Discord pulled her onto the bed and started pressing their lips together. Fluttershy once again used her assertiveness and started moving onto him and Discord liked it. He took a brief moment to disconnect their lips to take a look at her beautiful face. 

''Pretty...'' he whispered in a soothing voice, removing the strand of hair from her face. Fluttershy blushed and he joined their lips together once again.




> Daring Denouement
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

''Twilight!'' boomed a raspy voice from the castle hallways as Twilight looked up from her reading, a cyan pegasus blasting herself through the doors. 

Twilight stood up from the ground. ''What happened this time? Pinkie found another secret of yours that you've kept from her all your life with her?''

''What? No!'' Rainbow instantly exclaimed, shaking her head sharply. She slammed a newspaper on the floor into view as Twilight glanced down to read the headline. 

''Daring Denouement?'' Twilight read aloud. ''Author A.K. Yearling has decided to put an end to her series Daring Do as inspiration has been difficult to find lately, considering the reformation of Ahuizoti and Doctor Caballeron written in her last book.''

''Don't you see?'' Rainbow asked, getting in her face. ''I can't let her make this decision. Will you please come with me to her final interview that is held this afternoon? We can even encourage or inspire her!''

''I don't know, Dash...'' Twilight muttered. ''It seems like Daring Do would've put much thought into what she was doing. Maybe it'll be better if we don't do anything?''

''Are you kidding?!'' Rainbow exclaimed in her face. ''The last time we butted in, we ended up helping her! I don't care what you say because I'm going to that interview if it's the last thing I do!''

Rainbow Dash was about to fly away through the opened window had Twilight not pulled her by the tail with her magic, sending her to the ground. 

''I'm sure Daring Do would appreciate your thoughtfulness, Dash,'' said Twilight. ''But I think this time Daring Do wants to do what she wants despite hurting some major fans. If you really supported her, Rainbow, then you should let her do what she wants to do, respect her wishes.''

''But—'' Rainbow stammered, not wanting to give up. ''Don't you see, Twilight? The only reason why she's suddenly putting an end to the series is that she's got nothing else to write after the reformation of Ahuizoti and Doctor Caballeron. They were practically her only enemies.''

''I'm sure Daring Do will come back eventually if she does stumble upon a new creature with the help of Ahuizoti and Doctor Caballeron. Right now, all we can do is offer her some encouragement.''

''Roger that!'' Rainbow yelled while saluting before zooming out the window.

Twilight sighed and went back to her reading, then stopped. ''Oh, but I really want to help too.'' A frown marred her face. ''Hold up, Dash. I'm coming!'' In a spark of light, she disappeared out of the library.





She reappeared in front of Rainbow Dash who was flying fast in the sky where Twilight fell down since she now lacked wings. The former glanced down and saw that the latter was falling, getting ready to swoop down and save her. She noticed some clouds around her and so spun them around and around, taking them with her as she descended downwards towards the falling pony and had her land on the clouds. 

Twilight opened her eyes, noticing that she was safe and sound. She blew a sigh of relief while wiping the sweat away from her forehead before levitating herself off the cloud, floating with her magic.

''Seriously?!'' Rainbow exclaimed, wiping out the clouds away. ''You could've just used your magic! Now you're gonna make me late to Daring Do's final interview!''

''Sorry, Dash,'' Twilight apologized. ''I guess I kind of forgot.''

''You guess?'' Rainbow repeated, slapping her face with a hoof before flying in the other direction, followed shortly by Twilight. In a few minutes of flying, the two of them reached a building with many ponies surrounding reading through the newest article in the newspaper while also hanging up Daring Do signs.

Rainbow wasted no time and pushed the doors to the building open, a long line of ponies and creatures in front of a counter where she could see Daring Do behind it trying to lower the volume of the despondent fans.

''I know and I'm sorry,'' Daring said. ''But this is my decision. I just can't seem to find any inspiration after the whole reformation thing, okay?''

Twilight walked to Rainbow's side who instantly walked up to Daring Do's counter, slamming a newspaper in front of her that she had snatched from one of the fans. 

''What is this?'' she demanded an answer. ''I mean I get what you're saying but maybe try to find some new creatures other than Ahuizoti? There are plenty out there that I and my friends have to face so maybe you can help. Don't give up on your dreams, A.K.''

''Yeah!'' exclaimed an elder pony from the line, stamping their cane to the floor in agreement. 

''I already told you, I'm not in this for the fame,'' Daring whispered to her. ''You'd probably do the same decision too if you were in my position.''

Rainbow's ears fell. ''But we need you, Daring Do!'' she shouted. ''Don't gi—'' She trailed off as she was being pulled to the side by Twilight's magic. 

''Dash, please. We need to respect Daring Do's wishes if this is what she wants to do.''

''But I know this is not what she wants to do!'' she protested. ''Don't you remember what you said last time? You said the exact same thing you're telling me right now, but when I helped, Daring Do was happy!''

Twilight frowned. ''I know, Dash, but all you need to do is just be there for her. I know you make a point but—''

''Being stubborn gets you nowhere!'' Rainbow whispered in a rush before turning back to Daring Do. 

''Oh, I'm being stubborn?'' Twilight said, scoffing, as she walked back to Rainbow's side.

''I know what you can do, A.K. You can explore Equestria with Ahuizoti and Doctor Caballeron to find some new creatures to face!'' Rainbow suggested.

Irritated, Daring stood up from her seat. ''Please, Dash, just don't—''

''Adventures are what you do!'' she pleaded. ''Collaboration with some reformed villains would be even epic!''

Daring sighed. ''I know, but...''

A loud scream erupted as the doors slammed open with three fillies standing in the doorway, the orange pegasus filly racing towards Daring Do and Rainbow Dash.

''This can't be happening!'' she exclaimed, falling on her knees. 

The rest of the crowd started to copy her motion. 

''Please, Daring Do, we need you and your entertainment,'' they all said in perfect sync.

''LISTEN!'' Daring Do shouted, standing atop the counter getting everyone's attention. ''I agree. Adventures is what I do and maybe during my absence I'll still be exploring Equestria but this time with others joining me along and you can join on the adventure too. That sounds cheesy but don't lose hope. I may come back someday. I'm just having... writer's block at the moment. So don't worry, it's only going to be for a short while.''

After that, the crowd started departing ways and leaving the poor author alone with Rainbow and Twilight.

She turned to them. ''I know you guys are my biggest fans but you can still have hope that one day I will be coming back with an even better book.''

Rainbow grinned. ''The newest book is always better than the last!''

''You bet it is!'' Daring said in turn, wearing the same grin. 

''Well, thank you for everything you've shared with us, Daring Do,'' said Twilight. ''We hope to see what you can come up with next time. Fans can be crazy. Believe me when I stepped down as princess.''

Rainbow looked from Daring to Twilight. ''Wait, so, I—that's why you were...''

Twilight nodded. ''I understood how Daring Do must've felt. When I stepped down as princess, lots of ponies and creatures would come up to me saying how they missed me as their princess but it wasn't what I wanted and Daring Do is going through that right now. Lots of creatures don't want her to quit but if she feels like this is what she wants, then so be it.''

''Wow, I...'' Rainbow was surprised. ''I guess I never thought about it like that.''

''I tried telling you,'' she muttered through a hoof slapped on her face. 

''Anyhoo~'' Rainbow tried changing the topic, grinning from ear to ear. ''Want me to help you through your adventure with Ahuizoti and Doctor Caballeron?'

Daring smiled. ''I think I'm good. Thank you for understanding, though.''

Rainbow waved a hoof. ''Suit yourself. I am kinda awesome.''

Silence lingered between the three ponies before Rainbow Dash began chuckling nervously. 

''Anyways.'' She turned to Twilight. ''Let's go home, I am pretty—*yawns*—sleepy from all that headache.''

Twilight smiled and nodded, letting her friend rest her head on her shoulder before saying their goodbyes to Daring Do and were about to exit the building had they not stumbled into three ponies.

''Quibble?'' Rainbow called out wearily, but the stallion didn't acknowledge her and, instead, went straight towards the author in a literal frenzy.

''Please don't quit, Daring Do~'' he whined, pulling onto her foreleg over the counter. ''I'm sorry I didn't acknowledge you after your second series. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry~''

''Uh, Quibble?'' Rainbow said again, and this time he perked up to the sound of her voice. 

When the pegasus pointed back to the counter, the stallion saw a sign saying 'not quitting' with a blank expression from the author. When he turned back to his friends, he received laughs from everyone, slouching against the counter while also blowing a sigh of relief. 




> Captain Dash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Curtains rolled down to the bottom frame of the window, the Captain of the Wonderbolts brought her sight away from the said window and sat back down in her office chair, twirling it around to face her desk with two guards posted on each side of the door when all of a sudden a knock occurred two times.

''Come in,'' Spitfire called out, settling shades above her muzzle and cracking her hooves together in preparation, her face resting atop them. 

''You wish to see me, ma'am?'' Rainbow queried, entering the room with defiance. 

Spitfire got her face off her hooves and leaned back in her chair, inspecting her fit. ''You seem to be a lot more confident than you first joined the bolts, don't you recall?''

Rainbow grinned, rubbing her neck sheepishly, then straightening herself presentable again. 

''Yes, ma'am.''

But Spitfire continued to look at her, a grin starting to form on her face. She stood up from her seat and walked towards the door. ''Follow me,'' she said, trotting out, followed closely by Rainbow Dash with curiosity.

When they reached the locker room, the rest of the Wonderbolts were present in the room all looking at Rainbow Dash which got her confused. 

''What was it that you needed me to—'' Rainbow trailed off as the captain walked around the room and stopped right in front of her. 

''Tell me, how long have you been working in the bolts, Crash?'' Spitfire quizzed. 

''Uh, about a few years now, ma'am,'' Rainbow answered, still confused. 

Spitfire grinned from ear to ear, stepped forward, turned back and forth. ''And during those years, you had shown us your resilience, courage, your loyalty to the team... Heck, we might as well say you have taught the team over the years even when you weren't part of the bolts yet. We've been waiting for that day to come and for this day to come.''

Rainbow looked at everyone around her. ''Where are you taking this to, ma'am?''

''I'm saying how all of those factors make up a leader for our team,'' Spitfire replied, surprising the cyan pegasus. She nodded and glanced down at her badges worn on her uniform. She unworn the uniform and passed it to Rainbow. ''Congratulations, Crash, you are now officially co-captain of the Wonderbolts.''

Everyone around her erupted in applause for the newly-made co-captain yet Rainbow's ears befell.

''...That's it?'' she commented which deflated everyone at that.

''Pardon?'' Spitfire asked, stepping forward and tilting her head. 

''I mean I'm not tryna be greedy or anything, but with the way you were talking and giving me your uniform, you sorta had my hopes up that I was going to take over your position for the team. And why wouldn't I? I am awesome.''

Spitfire's eyebrows furrowed. ''Crash.''

''So... if I'm co-captain and you're still captain, then why did you give me your uniform? Shouldn't I be getting a co-captain's uniform?''

Spitfire smacked her forehead and groaned. ''Crash, this uniform is only temporary for today to make the announcement. Your real uniform will be ready in a few hours by your friend Rarity I asked for her to do.''

''Oh~'' Rainbow felt stupid, then a thought occurred. ''Wait so my friends knew before me?''

''Nah,'' Fleetfoot answered for her. ''We just told your friend to do this design.'' She showed Rainbow a piece of paper of the outfit she would be wearing for her new co-captain position.

''Woah.'' Rainbow was surprised at that. ''Who did that?''

''I did,'' said Soarin, puffing out his chest. ''I'm glad you like it.''

''This is awesome!'' she exclaimed, then her excitement died down. ''Uh, I mean cool.''

Spitfire turned to her. ''I'm not retiring just yet, Crash. And when I do, it'll probably be in a few more years. Right now, we need to get you experienced to this sort of stuff.''

Rainbow rubbed her neck. ''Okay,'' she acknowledged before hyping up. ''But not right now. I need to tell my friends!'' And with that, she flew out the door.





Spike was out of breath when he reached the throne room's doors as Rainbow Dash had called for everyone to meet her at the place they would most frequently meet up at.

''Does anypony have any idea why Dash all called us here?'' Applejack asked, standing next to Rarity.

''I'm not sure, darling,'' she said. ''The Wonderbolts came to my boutique to ask me to make a special uniform for them. Probably an update for Captain Spitfire's wardrobe. I mean that uniform isn't standing out from the rest of the team's uniforms.''

''Nah, it wasn't for her,'' came a voice from behind, having everyone spot a cyan pegasus standing in the doorway. ''Sorry that I'm late, but I had to brag to my teammates.''

''Uh, brag about what exactly?'' asked the cowgirl, perplexed. 

Rainbow grinned from ear to ear, leaning against the door in a cool pose before announcing: ''Well, looks like you're talking to the now official co-captain of the Wonderbolts!''

All of her friends gave a collective set of gasps, all trotting up to her giving out their felicitations. 

''I can't believe this!'' Twilight exclaimed, smiling proudly. ''Just to think it's been a few years since you were new to the team, Rainbow.''

''I know!'' conceded the pegasus. ''I'm getting cooler and cooler. Wait till the Rainbow Dash fan club hears about this or even Lightning Dust!''

''So that's why your teammates came up to me with that brilliant design,'' Rarity pointed out. ''I'm so proud of you, darling.''

''We all are,'' said Twilight. 

''Oh, my gosh!'' Pinkie piped, pinning the pegasus to the floor in a tight hug. ''Just wait when I make the biggest awesomific cake ever for your co-captain party!'' She gasped. ''Better tell my Cheesecake to help me out with this to make it even more awesome!''

''Great,'' said Rainbow in a deadpan. ''Can't forget about these.''





Pinkie Pie had set the party over at Sugar Cube Corner but decided to shorten the number amount of ponies and creatures invited. 

The cutie mark crusaders were in awe at Rainbow Dash telling them what happened along with the Rainbow Dash fan club where the princesses were also there to congratulate her on her success and wish her the best of luck. Pinkie had also agreed with Scootaloo on inviting Rainbow's parents to the party much to Rainbow's disapproval despite shifting her perception of them. They were still quite a hoof full over their only daughter, Scootaloo joined along. 

Trying to get away from her overexcitable parents, Rainbow Dash was met up with her Wonderbolt teammates also congratulating her for the hard work she did to earn the position. She thanked them in return and when she turned back to the party, she spotted her cowgirl friend sitting at a table holding onto a cup of cider. 

''You drinking that?'' asked Rainbow as she came over to the table. 

Applejack's head perked up and noticed her friend. ''Hey, Dash. Congratulations once again.''

''Well, what's the matter?'' she asked. ''Aren't you excited?''

Applejack blew a raspberry. ''Of course, I am. It's not every day one of mah best friends get titled as co-captain of one of the greatest aerial teams.''

''Then what's the matter?'' She refused to let it slide and sat down next to her cowgirl friend. 

The cowgirl turned to look at the cup of cider in between her hooves. She looked at her friend. ''Dash, I... there's somethin' that I have always been keeping away from you for quite a long time now.''

''And what's that?'' Rainbow tilted her head to the side. 

''I...'' Applejack was about to speak further had Pinkie's voice not butted in.

''There you two are!'' she exclaimed. She turned to Rainbow. ''Hey, Dashie. Do you wanna play pin the tail on the Wonderbolt pony? I'll show you how to play!''

Rainbow chuckled. ''No thanks, I'm pretty sure I'll know what to do.''

''Great!'' Pinkie squealed with a beaming smile, taking hold of the pegasus' hoof and pulling her to the side to join the others leaving Applejack alone again until Twilight walked over. 

''Not having fun?'' she asked, and so did Applejack's head perks up again to her voice. 

''Naw, it ain't that,'' she replied, then she corrected, ''it ain't nothin'.''

''Then why are you sitting around here for? Come join us!'' she encouraged her friend. 

''Don't feel like it,'' Applejack said. ''Just want some time alone.''

''Come on,'' said Twilight. ''It's Rainbow's co-captain party and it's not every day we celebrate that.''

''Knowin' Pinkie, we'll probably be celebrating it every day.''

Twilight, unconvinced by the tone, sat down next to her cowgirl friend. ''Okay, what's going on?''

''It's nothing, I swear!'' she almost snapped until she lowered it down. ''I mean later, okay? I'm just not ready, not yet anyway.''

The unicorn nodded. ''I understand,'' she said. ''I'll leave you alone for a while.''

When she walked away, Applejack twirled her mug of cider within her hold before taking a sip from it.

She turned to look at the cyan pegasus blindfolded as the pink pony twirled her around and around trying to place a tail on a picture of a Wonderbolt with everyone surrounding her.

She sighed as she turned to her cider. If only she could ever notice me.




> An Awesome Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sky was still. The air was cool. Perfect as the temperature was. There were no clouds in the sky letting Luna's moon and stars twinkle majestically. A cool breeze swept past, where a glow from the moon and shining stars draped a blanket across the grassy meadow colored dark due to its dim lighting.

Everyone was asleep in their beds except for those who were nocturnal or either just naturally energised. Rainbow Dash was one of them, she would always make sure to have her naps during the evening. 

Rainbow Dash was resting outside her cloud house, admiring the nighttime sky as she let out a yawn. Bags were visible underneath her eyes; however, instead of going inside to sleep, she stood up and gently flapped her wings, ready to take off. In a matter of time, she descended to the ground and could see all the houses' windows and doors were shut with no lights on.

She trotted through the quiet town, glancing around at her surroundings every second. Rainbow Dash was known for her bravery and courage but even she should admit that everyone including her has fears. And her fear was what was seeking in the dark, waiting to pounce.

Not wanting to dwell on it further, Rainbow continued her trot through the town until she reached an orchard, in front of Sweet Apple Acre's gates, where her friend had lived and probably was sleeping in unless she was awake like she was.

And so, she flew past the gates and trotted through the isle of apple trees until she reached a big red barn with a white fence bordered around. She noticed a window in the barn open. Knowing she had wings, she flapped them and hovered herself up to the open window, the night air getting allowance in entry.

When Rainbow sat her bottom atop the window sill, she could hear some light snores being heard but satisfying to her ears, not like the ones she would cause when she was sleeping. Looking across, she saw an orange earth pony tucked in her bed with an apple-printed blanket draped over her. 

She approached closer, just to take a closer look. And closer, and closer. Rainbow Dash stood in front of her cowgirl friend's bed, examining her face. She's pretty, she thought, which she never would have. The white freckles on her cheeks were reflecting with the moonlight and her snores were so soft, so gentle.

''A.J?'' Rainbow called, nudging her friend softly causing her to grumble and flip to the other side. She gasped, knowing that she had woken her. 

Soon, the cowgirl turned to face Rainbow Dash and had her eyes flutter open. ''Rainbow?''

''Hey, uh...'' she stammered, glancing back and forth. ''Sorry for disturbing you from your nap.''

Applejack sat upright, stretching her arms about as she let out a big yawn. ''Naw, it's cool. What's up?''

''I, uh, couldn't sleep,'' Rainbow replied, rubbing the side of her hoof. 

''Is that why you woke me up so I also can't sleep?'' Applejack asked. ''Gee, Dash. Not everything can be a competition between us, you know?''

Rainbow rolled her eyes and grunted. ''Shut up.''

''But I know just the thing that'll get you to drowse,'' said Applejack, taking her blanket off. ''Follow me.'' She beckoned her to by gesturing her hoof along and hopping off her bed, trotting towards the door and opening it. 

The hallway was dark and quiet, they needed to walk silently to the end of it towards the staircase.

And so, the two of them started going on the tips of their hooves, making their way over to the staircase and taking each step at a gentle time. 

Soon, they made it over to the kitchen where Applejack got out a plate from the cabinets and placed it on the counter. She got out a loaf of bread and placed two on the plate. Next, she went to her storage to get out a jar and brought it over to the counter, using a butterknife to dip it in the jar and spread it across the piece of bread and place the other bread on top.

''There. This should do the trick,'' Applejack stated, giving the plate to her friend. ''Ya can eat it in my bedroom if you want.'' Leading her to it, they both sat down on the bed as Rainbow started eating her bread.

''Mhm,'' Rainbow murmured. ''This pretteth good—*gulps*—what is it?''

Applejack grinned. ''Just Granny Smith's good ol' apple butter. Helpful for insomnia.''

''Wow,'' she breathed, placing the plate on the nightstand. ''Actually, that wasn't the only thing I was here for.''

Applejack tilted her head. ''Oh? Then what for?''

Rainbow bit her lip, rubbing her neck. ''Well... I've been thinking about you lately. You know my first co-captain party that Pinkie held? Well, I kinda sorta felt a spark between us.''

''You...'' Applejack slowly said, ''...did?''

''...Yeah,'' she replied. ''I know, I know. Why would Rainbow Dash of all ponies be so lovey-dovey when that's Rarity's thing? Anyway, I know we argue every time we're seen together but so do you with Rarity. I just think that maybe we're meant to be in a way that, well...''

Frustratingly, Rainbow Dash breathed a soft sigh and connected her lips with Applejack's, placing a hoof around her neck. The curtains waved about, and the moon filtered in and shone over them. 

They pulled away for a moment, eyes locked into each other's eyes, filled with surprise and perplexity. 

''You know I've always wanted to tell ya and do that, right?'' Applejack said, nudging her. ''Guess ya beat me to it. The only time you ever will.''

Rainbow looked at her in surprise before grinning from cheek to cheek and flipping her mane back, brushing it backward with a forehoof. ''For two ponies who've never had their first kiss before, we sure are naturals.''

Applejack laughed goodnaturedly, looking at her new marefriend with a hint of lust in her emerald eyes. ''What can Ah say?'' she asked, grinning all the same. ''We are awesome.''

And so, they joined their lips together, pressing them hard. Applejack claimed to have mounted over Rainbow Dash, climbing over her body as she continued kissing her. However, Rainbow Dash refused to let this happen and the two of them argued over dominance. 

''C'mon,'' Rainbow said, eyes-rolling. ''Ask Twilight. I'm more tomboy and more masculine than you!''

Applejack glowered at her. They both did until eventually they stopped and broke into laughter. 

''What are we doing?'' Rainbow asked pathetically, falling on the bed as the cowgirl did the same. She sighed and planted a kiss on the cowgirl's cheek. ''Did you know that freckles make you attractive?''

Flushed, Applejack turned as red as an apple. ''Dash, you're talking like, like...!''

Rainbow groaned. ''...I think I now have a wing boner.''

''Here. Let me help you out,'' Applejack insisted, taking the pegasus' wing and starting placing her mouth over it. 

Rainbow was about to protest, but she resisted as it actually felt kind of good. Her pussy was wet, and her breathing went unsteady replaced by moans as Applejack continued sucking onto her wing. 

''Oh, Applejack...''

But then Applejack stopped much to Rainbow's disappointment but that was quickly replaced by contentment as she started pressing her lips against hers. This time, Rainbow moved on top of her, almost smacking her lips against Applejack's.

From the other room, Applejack's little sister, Apple Bloom, hid under her blanket as she grabbed the headphones she had received from her best friend Sweetie Belle to drown out the noises occurring next door.

''Consarn it!'' Apple Bloom exclaimed, punching onto her pillow. ''First my big bro, now my big sis. Can my life get any worse?''

At Applejack's grandmother's room, she slumped in her bed and sighed. ''Foals these days...''

Over at Big Macintosh's room, he was laid awake in his bed as his hoof was wrapped around his wife, their baby sleeping peacefully in the crib on the other side of the room. ''You wanna have another one?'' he asked her much to his wife's mischievousness. 

His wife, Sugar Belle, stood up facing him and took her mane out of its pony tail, and waved it all about, joining her lips against his as he held onto her hips, steadying her in position. 

Sugar broke apart and sat on the side of the bed for a while as she waited for her husband to get ready. Big Macintosh took his cock out and directed it towards her. Their stomachs filled with butterflies even if they would do this every night yet only end up with one baby.

Sugar Belle threw herself at him, letting him do all the work.




> Bonus Chapter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset Shimmer walked through the school's hallways until she reached a blue person with a purple outfit standing by her locker. 

''You better believe,'' Trixie sang, ''I got tricks up our sleeves.''

''Our?'' Sunset took out, arching an eyebrow.

''Because I'm powerful and gay-ay-ay!'' Trixie continued, having Rainbow Dash play the guitar for her theatrics.

Sunset blinked once, twice, thrice, thinking to herself that Trixie is just being Trixie much like how Pinkie would just be Pinkie. And so, she walked away from the blue person.

''Nice try,'' Rainbow said to Trixie, continuing to play her guitar as Trixie grumbled.





A gust of black smoke exited the castle's kitchen as Starlight coughed trying to get herself out of there as well as Trixie following from behind.

''Trixie! What did you do?! I thought I told you to take those heart-shaped cookies out of the oven before it burns and ripples!''

''Trixie just thought you would appreciate her effort in baking.'' Trixie frowned. ''She rarely gets to do baking, you know. So otherwise consider yourself special.''

Starlight grumbled, her horn alight. ''Trixie...''

Came a sigh from the azure-colored unicorn. ''I know. Get mad at Trixie. Trixie completely understands. Trixie just wanted to let you know how much you mean to her and wanted to impress you.''

Starlight's horn dimmed, her eyes melting. ''Trixie, I—''

''Let Trixie finish!'' Trixie put up her hoof. ''Trixie has loved you from the very beginning, Starlight. Ever since you first met Trixie. And Trixie knows talking in third pony gets annoying, but...'' She frowned.

''Wow, Trixie. I—I don't know what to say,'' Starlight replied, her eyes softening. ''I'm sorry for not acknowledging you properly, Trixie, or seeing your feelings closely.''

''Trixie understands why you wouldn't know of her feelings for you because of her egotistical demeanor.''

''...You shouldn't underestimate yourself,'' Starlight said, a grin forming at the sudden resemblance of deja vu. ''I guess we really are soulmates.''

Trixie slowly smiled, then frowned. ''And another reason why Trixie never spoke up about this was that she knew of your fillyhood crush on Sunburst. I mean going all haywire over a colt? Gee, Starlight.''

Starlight chuckled. ''I guess it was obvious, huh? Well, if only Sunburst knew.''

''He's missing out on a cool pony such as you, Starlight,'' Trixie said with those reassuring eyes, slowly starting to grin. ''But how about we go get some alone time in your bedroom, hm?''

''Sure,'' Starlight said before turning around to see the fire getting larger. ''...Right after we handle this.''

Trixie's ears fell. ''Oh pooh, can we just ask Discord to use his magic?''

Starlight shook her head and moved Trixie closer to the fire, getting their horns at the ready.





As up-to-date as creatures are with the world, it is known that Twilight Sparkle invented a device where she seeks credit from the mirror world, tagging the tidbits 'mobile phones', 'laptops', 'computers', and 'tablets'.

These designs can now be available in shops all across Equestria for creatures to purchase - said it's to be used for entertainment and/or emergency calls. Be sure to check it out via the gadgets or in shops. All these fascinating, technological items can be used to communicate with others over long distances.

This has caused the revenue in businesses to increase, the prices skyrocketing by 75%. 

Recordings of this could be heard where Rarity, owner of Ponyville's local boutique and Element of Generosity, says, ''if I knew the business industry would be revolutionizing, then I would be ready but anything!''

The Foal Free Press was also able to capture a snippet of Twilight Sparkle's comment, saying, ''it was about time I were to bring these creations into our world, though, they do have their uses and... disadvantages.''

It is clear to say that lots of foals are excited about the invention Ms. Sparkle has brought to us. 

Be sure to check out more about Equestria's latest news and fashion from yours truly,

- Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara, & Silver Spoon





A wave of golden light flashed from the exterior of a cave far off from the borders of Equestria, said to be a lair of an ancient ruler of all monsters who had recovered to be stronger than he ever was before, waiting for the right time to come out and finish the Guardians of Friendship once and for all that others failed to achieve. Deep maniacal laughter pierced through the air, beady yellow eyes shining through the darkness of the cave with a wicked grin lingering like Cheshire's cat. 




> Epilogue: Crestfallen
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trotting upon a town similar to yours except it's not yours, receiving big happy friendly smiles from everypony around was just the right thing I needed.

All of this ending up was my fault. 

If only I had listened to my friends, not been selfish for once to always care about what I felt and want, then maybe this might not have happened.

I wouldn't have gotten separated from my friends and family for a thousand years.

Now I know the experience my mentor went through. 

But, if only, I could change the world once again.





''Everything looks great, Spike!'' Twilight exclaimed as she glanced around the room. ''What's next?''

Spike shuffled through his checklist, ticking along. ''We're pretty much all done except we need to check on Pinkie Pie with the cake. You know how Princess Celestia can be.''

Twilight giggled. ''We've known her our whole lives, Spike, and literally, everyone knows about her cake addiction. Plus, this is her Summer Sun Celebration.''

He looked around the place, a quill tapping his chin. ''I've always been curious, though. Since Princess Luna's back, shouldn't there be a, I don't know, celebration based on her so it's equal for the two sisters?''

''What do you mean?'' Twilight asked, tilting her head. ''Nightmare Night is based on her, and the Summer Sun Celebration was about... Nightmare Moon's defeat but a memory for Celestia that she banished her own sister to the thing she loved most.''

''I know... but Celestia had hosted this celebration in remembrance of her sister but no one knew that. They thought it was about her raising the sun and moon. How about we have Luna make a celebration herself?''

Twilight considered it. ''That's a good idea, Spike, but right now we gotta get downstairs to check on Pinkie Pie.''

''Roger that!'' Spike said before saluting and rushing off with his checklist down the staircase. 

Twilight gave a good-natured laugh and followed him, not noticing a crack on the floor enlarging behind her. 





A pink blur whipped past Twilight and Spike as they entered the kitchen, sliding down all the cabinets.

''Pinkie Pie, what in the world is going on—'' Twilight trailed off as something held onto the back of her head.

''Twilight!'' Pinkie squealed, grabbing her friend's face in a frenzy. ''No time! I need your help! There are cakes flying everywhere trying to bite me—OW!''

''Bite you?'' Twilight repeated as she raised an eyebrow, stepping back. She glanced around and noticed a lava-colored substance leaking from underneath a door and so she approached closer. When she did, she twisted the doorknob and opened it, seeing a stallion being held up by a centaur until the latter threw him aside, faintness drawing his face.

''Tirek!'' Spike said aloud before the centaur took notice of them and stomped towards them.

''I thought you were putting this aside and finally allowing friendship in your heart!'' Twilight said as she shot him a somewhat wary yet unimpressed glance.

''Oh, but this is much more fun than your cringey friendship...'' He didn't finish it as he gagged, shivering at the thought of it.

Twilight stepped forward, staring him down despite his height. ''I knew we couldn't trust you. It looks like you still haven't learned your lesson. Time to show you another way then—'' Her horn flared to life.

Tirek hummed. ''No time like the present they say~'' he said joyfully. ''Gotta mingle!'' He chuckled as he stomped his way while draining other creatures of their essence.

Twilight wasted no time and ran towards Canterlot Boutique in the distance where her friend Rarity would be making dresses for the princesses.

The bell above the door jingled and alerted Rarity's attention away from shooting blasts at a tall charcoal figure. ''Twilight, I'm so glad you came. It seems like Chrysalis didn't take any of the lessons we taught her to heart.''

''Same with Tirek,'' Twilight pointed out. ''I was worried this would happen. I knew we couldn't trust them.''

''But the thing is, darling, is that they have gotten more powerful than we last encountered them.''

Chrysalis smirked from afar and blasted another magic beam at them but Rarity conjured up a shield in the form of her cutie mark. 

''Continue to distract her while I'll go check on the princesses and the others,'' Twilight said before running out the door, avoiding a few blasts here and there.

''You go do that, dear,'' Rarity said, the exasperation apparent in her voice. Although she and Sassy got their horns ready again, Spike got ready with his fire breath for greater help.

Twilight exited the boutique where she heard howling noises erupting in the distance. She knew that noise which meant that... She gasped, looking up to see the sky where windigos were circling. 

She took notice of everyone running away in fright or locking themselves inside, but she also noticed three ponies, one unicorn and one pegasus and one earth pony, fighting and arguing with each other. 

''No,'' she whispered as she looked around with paleness drawing her face. ''Not again.''

She quickly made her way over to the castle where she met the princesses settling down the nations.

''I'm sure that Twilight and her friends will—'' Celestia trailed off when she saw her pupil standing in the doorway. ''Twilight!''

Twilight came running in and hugged her mentor. ''Princess, what's going on? Why is this happening, again?''

Celestia looked at Luna, then back at Twilight. ''Bring your friends, at once. We'll explain the matters at hoof in private so we don't have others to start a panic.''

Twilight nodded and she did as she was told, bringing all her friends over to a room with a big round table centered, Celestia and Luna at the opposite end as they began explaining their thoughts on the cause of this repeating catastrophe. 

''I fear that Grogar had been hiding away all this time. While we have faced many villains before, this one would be the toughest one yet.''

''He's used his absence to recover to his full strength,'' Luna put in. ''So that he would do something far greater to Equestria than he did all those years ago.''

It wasn't quite what they were all expecting.

Rainbow Dash stepped forward, her chest puffed out in defiance. ''The last one is always the toughest and coolest!'' she exclaimed. ''We have always done this and made it out in the end. So if only we use all our strength—''

''It may not be easy,'' Twilight interrupted before getting hopes up. ''It's great to have an encouraging mindset, Rainbow Dash, but I feel like it's going to take a lot more than that this time. It could be our very last and Equestria knows what he will do.''

''Didn't Gusty the Great defeat Grogar and they were only one pony?'' Spike pointed out.

''They didn't defeat him, no. They merely took his bewitching bell that had all his powers within. Over time, he regained his power without the use of his bell.''

''I believe that Twilight is regrettably right,'' Celestia said, stepping forward. ''Grogar has gotten stronger than he already was, even stronger than Discord. It was tough already to handle him, only this time we'll face him in his recovered full strength and without his bell.''

''Then what do we do?'' Spike asked, the panic in his voice. 

Twilight trotted towards the window where windigos were circling in the sky as well as the Legion of Doom messing with the ponies and creatures below.

''I don't know,'' she said, her head hanging low. 

''That's a lie,'' Rainbow stated, crossing her hooves. ''You always have a well thought-up plan that leads us on! Hope is always on our side because you're our leader, Twi!''

Spike stepped forward. ''Rainbow, she's—''

''Yeah!'' Pinkie interrupted as she joined in. ''You're powerful, smart, organized. You've always told us what to do and it made things right!''

Twilight looked around all her friends, not wanting to disappoint them more than she already have done.

''I'm sorry,'' she mumbled, moving closer to the door. ''I want some alone time.''

They all watched her leave, Spike was the only one who could tell something was bothering her and so followed her out in pursuit.

''You okay there, Twi?'' he asked her, twiddling with his fingers.

Twilight's head was brought up and she turned around to look at him. ''Spike, I...'' she stammered, trying to get her words through. ''I don't know if I could do this. After everything, my friends still depend on me. They expect me to plan everything. But what if I fail this time?''

Spike held her close as she fell to her knees, letting her tears fall on top of him. ''Don't worry, Twi. You have never failed once and we are all in this together. You are not alone. I know we can do this.''

''But Grogar, if he's even more powerful as Celestia says and we won't be able to end him, what if something goes wrong, Spike?''

''Don't think like that,'' he murmured as he patted her back. ''We've done this many times before but now it's finally time to show him our real power. Monster of all Monsters. It'll be the end, Twilight, and soon, no one would interfere in our lives again.''

''Thanks, Spike,'' Twilight said softly. ''I don't know what I'd do without you.''

''I know. I don't know what I'd do without me either if I was you too,'' Spike teased as he broke into a grin. ''You'd probably go all Twily-nanas.''

Twilight scowled at him before she playfully nudged him on the shoulder, the doors opening to reveal each of their friends stepping out.

''You okay, hun?'' Applejack asked.

Spike nudged Twilight, motioning her to go on and tell them and so she stepped forward while taking in a deep breath before she could start.

''This will be the biggest battle we will be facing and it could be our last. We have to give it our all, show them what we've got. Not to Equestria, but to anyone who goes against us. I regret to burst all of your bubbles but I won't be leading you all on this time. We will be leading each other as we're all in this together.''

Silence reigned amongst the group of friends.

''Twilight...'' Fluttershy began softly. ''We didn't mean for you to plan all of this on your own.''

''Yeah!'' Pinkie piped. ''We're all in this together! It's not only going to be you planning out a plan!''

''But you and Rainbow Dash—'' Twilight trailed off, glancing around. Her head hung low. ''I'm always the one to make the plan, though, and I'm always the center of attention during the defeat and rainbow power.''

''So?'' Pinkie said, shrugging. ''That's 'cause Harmony suddenly made you more gifted and we don't mind at all!''

''Yes, darling, we don't mind a thing about that,'' Rarity said despite being a pony wanting to be in the spotlight.

''But isn't that unfair on you all?'' Twilight asked, still not feeling so sure about this.

''If you don't think on it too much, then no,'' Fluttershy replied. 

''But...'' Twilight trailed off as Rainbow showed her agitation by groaning aloud. 

''Enough with the buts!'' she shouted, slapping the air with her hoof.

''But I don't want our adventures to center around only me. I want all of us. I certainly don't want our adventures to be put to an end too.''

''And we are,'' Rarity said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. ''Just because we are not gifted like you do not mean we are any less prominent.''

''Yeah,'' Rainbow said as all the others stepped in and nodded in agreement and togetherness. 

And at that, Twilight had finally lost it. ''You guys are all too nice that you don't understand this at all!'' She stormed out of their way and lightened up her horn to disappear from their sight. 





Twilight reappeared inside a dark cave, letting the essence from her horn illuminate the walls to see.

''They don't understand,'' she muttered. ''How can they not see it? It's all about me. They should be hating that more than I hate it myself.''

''How could you hate that?'' asked a familiar voice. ''Having that much power is a pleasure!''

''I would die to have what you have,'' said another voice that had sounded intimate. 

''Having power, having authority, you can do anything you've ever dreamed.'' This time, Twilight could not differentiate the voice.

She stepped back, her ears pinned in place. ''Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow. You've betrayed us. While I'm not surprised, show yourselves if you're not afraid.''

''I thought friendship was all about forgiving and trust,'' came Tirek's voice in mockery.

But they did anyway. They revealed themselves by stepping out of the darkness. The appearances seem to glow amongst the walls, they had certainly looked more dominant and powerful since last encountered. 

Twilight's ears flared to life once she saw them but she also noticed another figure come out of the darkness. It was a blue ram, which she could make out from her history textbooks. 

She let out a gasp, her horn ablaze. ''What are YOU doing here?!''

''I've watched you all during my exile, ready for the right time to come out with my full strength.''

Twilight's horn burst into flames, ready to attack. ''You better run for we—''

The blue ram interrupted her as he put up a leg and instead used his magic to continue increasing the volume of the windigos' howling outside. His magic gripped onto chains on their necks as if they were under his rule. 

''Say hello to your newly-appointed king of all monsters,'' he announced as he sat upon a throne carved out of lava-colored rock, flames erupting on each side one by one to devoid the darkness with light as maniacal laughter pierced through the entirety of the cave, Chrysalis, Tirek, Cozy Glow joining him along but with laughs that, Twilight noted, sounded quite hesitant. 





Applejack and the others were all walking through the castle's corridors to contemplate the things they had said that had made their friend upset. 

''I guess we shouldn't have said that, y'all,'' she said. ''She did tell us she didn't like all the unfairness and the spotlight on her, being a leader and all.''

''But it's not our fault she's suddenly more gifted!'' Pinkie's voice sounded less cheerful.

''Still, we shouldn't have reminded her,'' Rarity said. ''The poor dear.''

Spike walked ahead of them, keeping his eyes intent on the ground until Applejack caught up with him.

''You okay, hun?'' she asked, and when Spike opened his mouth to reply, a spark interrupted in front of them.

''Guys!'' Twilight called out as she appeared in front of them. ''No time! We got to get ready quick before—''

Deep maniacal laughter filled the room, and Rarity asked with hesitation in her voice, ''w-what's going on?''

''Oh no,'' Twilight whispered. 

From behind, the stained glass window smashed, all of the glass pieces falling through them and onto the floor. When the destruction cleared, the Legion of Doom were floating in front of them as defiant as they ever were alongside a blue ram. 

''Don't tell me that's Discord, again,'' Rainbow said, rolling her eyes.

''You called?'' asked a voice, in a spark of light conveyed a draconequus into view. He appeared in front of the blue ram. ''Long time, old foe.''

''Never mind,'' Rainbow said queasily before turning to her usual proud self. ''Sweet. With Discord on our side, we can be able to—'' she was cut off as she was pulled by the tail by Celestia's magic. 

''I wouldn't jinx it, Rainbow Dash,'' she said, her voice stern. ''Grogar has become stronger, possibly even more so than the Lord of Chaos himself.''

''Oh,'' Rainbow said, turning to the others as her confidence wavered. ''We're doomed.''

''Celestia and Luna,'' came the voice of Grogar. ''So nice to see you again.''

''It disgusts us to even think we are seeing each other again,'' Luna shot back, getting her horn prepared. 

''The Princess of the Night, fed by jealousy over her own sister. How was the moon by the way? So sorry we couldn't be there during your escape.''

The night princess growled. ''Why are you here? Haven't you learned over the years to not mess with the Guardians of Friendship?''

''Yes, I have. But the other villains were pathetic. With me on their side, you can't defeat us.'' He stood his ground and got ready with his magic. ''Let's put that to the test now, shall we?''

He exploded his magic at his enemies when Celestia instantly put up a shield, Luna and Twilight combining their magic with hers to strengthen the barrier.

Chrysalis faked a yawn. ''Not this again.'' She flew over and stood atop the barrier, putting force over it and smashing it into pieces. 

Celestia renewed her shield, putting all the force she had with the help of her sister and her student while the others went on ahead and distracted the Legion of Doom.

''Where's Discord when we need him?'' Rainbow asked when she noticed that the draconequus had disappeared from sight. 

Applejack was angered. ''This is probably another test from him to do this ourselves and boost our confidence.''

Fluttershy frowned. ''But Discord promised me he'd never do that again. He cares when I get hurt by him betraying me.''

''And you believe him?'' Rainbow shot at her. 

''Why not?'' she shot back. ''He's our friend! He may not show it but I know he has a special place for us in his heart and that's why I love him!''

The silence between the two friends lingered for a moment until Rainbow Dash spoke up. ''What?''

Fluttershy couldn't speak after her confession, her blushing only intensifying as she hid behind her mane.

Applejack decided to leave this for now and focus on the much greater situation at hoof. ''Twi, let me help ya,'' she said as she began to lasso her rope in the air. ''Create a hole in the barrier and I'll tie his antlers to prevent him from powering at us.''

Twilight smiled, glad that she wasn't the one making the plan this time and so went with her friend's plan. She shot a magic beam at the barrier, creating a hole large enough for Applejack to throw herself and her rope out, and landed on the blue ram's muzzle. She began tying his antlers with the rope she had, later getting yanked to the side by him shaking his head. 

''You foul!'' he shouted, trying to use his magic but it got stopped. He instantly took the rope away and stepped towards her. ''You... You're just a useless little background earth pony. You can't possibly do anything. It's no wonder your friend Twilight makes the best plans for the previous villains.''

Applejack's head lifted, a sense of shadow looming over her. ''No.''

''Oh, yes...'' he said creepily over her weakened body. 

Rainbow pounded her hooves against the barrier. ''Applejack!''

''Say goodbye, my little pony...''

''No, no...'' Applejack muttered, slowly getting herself back up and then charging at him to directly launch herself at him. ''NO!''

With a flick of his magic, Applejack was lifted up into the air by a golden glowing ring then was thrown into a direction and sent out a conjured-up portal, desperately hanging onto the edge.

''NO!'' Twilight shouted as she threw herself out the hole in the barrier, everyone calling out for her. She blasted the blue ram to the side yet he still remained on his ground and tried to pull her friend up but it was difficult to do when she was getting sucked in. ''Applejack, hold still. We can get through this. We always do. I'll help you get back up and we will all defeat him together, just hang on.''

''No, Twilight,'' Applejack said, slipping from her grasp. ''It has to be you this time but don't worry we all believe in you. We always have, Twi.''

''No, don't talk like that. We'll get through this one way or another as always. Your grandmother is waiting for you. Your brother, sister, sister-in-law, marefriend, your friends...'' Twilight teared up. ''I'm sorry for not being there for you all. I'm sorry for not being a good friend, but please, hold on.''

Applejack managed to lift a hoof and touched her friend's face with that hoof. ''You've been a wonderful friend, Twi. Please, keep fighting for me. I'll be fine...''

Twilight's eyes sparkled with tears. ''Applejack, don't... don't do it...''

''Goodbye, Twi,'' she said for the last time. ''You don't need me in this. I'll only just leave you hanging. I'm just a... background pony.''

At those final words, Applejack pulled away from her friend's hold and fell into the portal.

''APPLEJACK!'' Twilight shouted as the portal shrunk closed, her voice lingering as an echo. She fell to the ground on her knees as she made a puddle of tears. Memories of her being with the orange pony flooded and etched in her mind, her breathing being difficult to control. 

All of her friends in the barrier cried so hard but Rainbow Dash was in the worst state of all. Everyone knew she would get attached the most. 

Discord teleported in front of them which got them all angry. ''What?''

Rainbow Dash was the most infuriated. ''You! You show up at this time! I bet you knew... you knew! You wanted Applejack to die! I'll kill you, I'll kill you!''

''Rainbow Dash, slow down,'' Fluttershy tried to compose her as she flew to her side. 

''NO!'' she shouted as she flew herself at Discord but he instantly teleported to Fluttershy's side, letting her fall out the hole in the barrier and onto the blue ram's muzzle.

''Rainbow!'' Fluttershy shouted, glaring at Discord before galloping towards the barrier.

When Rainbow Dash landed on Grogar's muzzle, he loomed over her which sent chills down her spine. He eventually yanked her away much like how he did with the previous pony and sent her out the same portal sucking her in, only this time Luna flew out the hole on the barrier and tried pulling her up. 

''You're almost there, little one,'' Luna said over the edge. ''Just keep pushing yourself up.''

''I don't think I can,'' Rainbow cried out. 

''Nonsense! You're Rainbow Dash,'' Luna remarked. ''So act like it!''

Rainbow shook her head. ''The will to live... Applejack is gone, my other half. I... I don't think I can...''

''Rainbow, get it together!'' Luna exclaimed as she made her look in the eyes. ''We've lost her but we can't be needing to lose another one. You're strong, and we need you. Keep fighting for us, please.''

''That's what Applejack said,'' Rainbow mumbled, looking down to make out what the threshold held. 

''Rainbow...'' Luna said before having her heart skip a beat as Rainbow Dash slipped away from her hold falling into the darkness, also getting sucked in herself. 

''NO!'' Fluttershy and Twilight said at the same time.

The former turned to the draconequus. ''Do something! Why aren't you doing anything?''

''You don't really believe they're dead, do you?'' Discord asked. ''Of course, given that all of you can't look beyond time makes this all even more exciting.''

''Exciting?!'' Twilight repeated as she stepped forward and magically pulled him by the goatee. 

''What do you mean about 'dead'?'' Rarity asked, motioning her hooves in quotations. 

Discord chuckled with glee. ''You'll be surprised! And I can't spoil surprises!''

He heard someone sniffing from behind. When he looked around, it was none other than his dear Fluttershy.

''You promised you'd stop...'' she said. ''You promised me you wouldn't do this.''

''But I'm not! It's all his doing and I can't stop it!'' he wailed. ''He's too powerful even for me. I just know what he's going to do because I can look into the future.''

''What's he going to do?'' Twilight demanded, staring him down. 

Discord got up and deadpanned. ''As I said, it'll ruin the surprise!''

''See!'' Fluttershy exclaimed, bringing out her hoof. ''Everyone warned me. I wanted to trust you so badly but you make it so easy to... to...''

And now Discord deflated at that.

''To, what?'' he questioned, wanting to know what she wanted to say to him. 

Fluttershy looked away. ''I hate you!'' she spat. ''We lost Applejack, Rainbow, and Luna all because you couldn't do anything!''

His heart shattered into a million pieces but then his blood slowly began to rise.

''But how?!'' he sharply asked, his paw and claw clenching into fists. ''I can't do anything against him!'' 

''Then try!'' she snapped. ''Or I will...'' she said quietly before fluttering up to the hole on the barrier. 

''Fluttershy, no!'' Twilight shouted, trying to chase after her. 

Discord stopped her, however, putting aside his little test game and not wanting anyone else to get hurt. He soon flew after the pegasus and they both stood in front of the ram. 

Fluttershy was still mad at him but she cowered before the ram, Discord stepped in front of her to protect her.

''Meet your doom...'' Grogar said as he and his accomplices flew before them, getting ready with their magic to throw at them and finish them once and for all. 

When it was about to hit them, Fluttershy opened her eyes after she found out it hadn't struck them. She looked at Discord who put her in a barrier while he was throwing giant cupcakes at them. 

''Discord...?'' she said, the draconequus floating in front of her still continuing to throw cupcakes at them. 

''I'll distract them. You and the others go reunite the tribes,'' Discord told her, floating himself high to level himself with the enemies face to face. 

''Okay, be safe,'' Fluttershy told him before she ran towards her friends. ''We need to reunite the tribes in order to take them down.''

''But that takes so long,'' Rarity said. ''We need hope.''

''We do have hope!'' Pinkie said as she lit up.

''How are you still cheerful even in this situation?'' Twilight asked as she turned towards her.

''I'm not.'' Pinkie deflated. ''Not on the inside, at least. On the inside, I'm still in pain. I've learned to keep it all in over the years when you get used to things.''

Sounds of gunshots could be heard from outside the barrier as Discord started shooting a toy gun at the enemies but instead of bolts, he blasted them with cheesecake. 

Normally Pinkie would have laughed at this.

''Besides,'' Pinkie said, turning to face them again, ''Grandpa Pie showed me a magical artifact where all three tribes come together to connect their crystals.''

''I've read about them,'' said Twilight. ''Your family has them?''

''Yep!'' Pinkie said as she nodded. ''Me, Fluttershy, and Discord can head on over there right now while you, Rarity, Spike, and Princess Celestia can distract them while we come back with the crystals.''

Twilight smiled and hugged her pink friend. ''Thank you.''

''For what?'' she asked before pulling away. 

Twilight wiped a tear and teleported to the other side of the barrier, getting her horn ready to blast at the opponents. Meanwhile, Discord disappeared from sight while taking Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

In a spark, they reappeared in a deserted area where rocks were everywhere and two buildings in the distance. Pinkie skipped herself along the path as she smelt home sweet home, Discord and Fluttershy following behind. The place had not gotten corrupted yet as it was near the end of the land. 

They stopped in front of a building where Pinkie knocked on the door three times, the door opening as an old stallion made an appearance. 

''Pinkie Pie!'' he greeted, getting his hooves out for a hug. ''Been a long time, hasn't it?''

''Sure has, Grandpa Pie!'' Pinkie exclaimed with a happy smile. 

''But I wish we had seen each other more than having to meet on the last day,'' he said, a frown etched across his face. ''Come. I think I have an idea why you're here.''

He stepped aside for the three to step inside, trotting into the kitchen to make them all some tea. The three sat on a couch Discord conjured up for them to sit in as the couch in the house was uncomfortably hard. Grandpa Pie came back with the tea and settled it on the table. 

He also went to a drawer to grab a key, then trotted towards the corner of the room where a chest was placed, opening it to reveal three gems glowing faintly. He picked the chest up and brought it to show it to the three. 

''It's powerless as the three tribes been separated,'' he explained as Fluttershy took it in her hooves to admire it, Discord inching closer.  ''Gusty the Great made these as an alternative in case her original plan didn't work out. If you get all three tribes together to connect these here gems, it will glow majestically.''

Fluttershy and Pinkie listened thoroughly until the latter exclaimed, ''let's do this!''

''Yay...'' the former tried to say as she was brought into a hug.

''You're still mad at me?'' Discord asked with pity but Fluttershy ignored him and talked with the elder. 

''How can we connect them like last time? Friendship lessons aside, the foals did that, and what if Grogar did something to them as he's been watching over us.''

''There's no fight against him,'' he said in a strict matter-of-fact tone. 

Discord scoffed. ''And why ever not?''

''Because he's invincible,'' he said. ''He'll most likely turn the whole land including us into darkness just like he did last time. There's nothing you can do against him.''

''But he doesn't have his bell anymore,'' said Fluttershy, putting her cup down. ''He's gained power without it over time.''

''Then we pray for hope to be on our side.''

''How long, Grandpa Pie?'' the granddaughter asked like a child asking questions. ''How long will he put this land in darkness for?''

''For a thousand years or longer perhaps.''

''A thousand years?'' she repeated. ''Wouldn't he get tired then?''

''He's immortal, dear,'' he told her. ''But even if he does, he'll retire and you say he's powered up without his bell? With no bell to steal, then I don't know what.''

They all hung their heads as they realised that all hope was lost now. 

Fluttershy turned to Discord. ''I just want to let you know I'm sorry for what I said before the darkness gets us.''

''I'm used to it,'' Discord muttered, not looking her way. 

Fluttershy tried touching his paw but he snatched it away even though he so desperately wanted to feel her touch. This could be his last. 

And last it was. 

The windows broke, the glass shards spreading on the floor as a sense of dark fog started seeping in and shadow claws started crawling towards them. 

''Grandpa!'' Pinkie shouted.

''You weren't kidding,'' he said as he resettled his glasses. He stood in front of her to protect her. 

Fluttershy looked at Discord in fear. ''Discord, I...'' She brought herself up and kissed him lightly on the lips as if it will be their very last. 

A type of mad laughter pierced through the air, the darkness had got to them and the only thing they could see in their sights was Grogar's grin lingering. 





Celestia, Twilight, and Rarity all combined their magic together as well as Spike's fire breath and used it to blast at the blue ram and the Legion of Doom, using all their energy within them. 

Sweats leaked from each of their foreheads until Rarity collapsed to the floor, feeling faint.

"No!" Twilight shouted. "Rarity, get up. We can't do this alone!"

Spike ran towards her body and hugged her till she became pale. 

"Twilight... I was no use, darling. You can do this. You've always had."

"Stop speaking like that, please! You promised you wouldn't leave me! I can't defeat him without you guys!"

"I loved Applejack... I lost her twice... Rainbow took her and now lost to a beast. What am I supposed to do, darling?"

"Please, Rarity!" Twilight begged as she continued pushing her magic against the ram. 

"It's goodbye, Twilight, we'll see each other again," Rarity said at last before closing her eyes. 

"No..." Twilight muttered as her magic stopped, falling to the floor, unable to bare it.

"Twilight!" Celestia screamed as Grogar's magic got ahold of her.

"Celestia!" Twilight shouted but it was too late. Grogar's magic had covered her in darkness as a whole. She turned to Spike. "Spike, not you too..."

"I'm sorry, Twilight. I love y—" he was cut off as it had got to him.

"Finally... you're the last one standing. Now to finish you off."

Twilight did nothing, though, and just stood there. She had no hope. Hope was lost. She had lost her friends and everyone. She had failed. Each and every one of them. They believed in her and she failed them all.

So she remained still, not bothered to use her magic against him.

"Do it," were her last words before darkness surrounded her, screaming in pain.





I now understood what it would feel like to never see your friends or family again for a thousand years.  

It was the price I had to pay for failing them when they all believed in me.  

That just shows that no matter how special one seems to be, that does not give them the power to automatically set things right.  

You would need a group of lovely ponies who have always been on your side through every step of your journey, learning the magic of friendship along the way.  

However, it didn't stop me from seeing generations and generations pass.  

But they couldn't see me, no. I was invisible to them.  

I could only see unicorns in this small land I wandered through for a thousand years. 

All hope was lost and there was no going back.




> Intermission: A Chance to Takeover
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

King Sombra had taken over the empire again, and I didn't know what to do now. I heard about what happened and now it looks like we are the last ones taken advantage of. 

I knew I was useless in saving my family, I can't do anything which is why my aunties probably still looked at me as if I were still a child and offered my sister-in-law to rule the whole land alone.  

I knew her friends wouldn't also either. I knew it would only be her. I felt pity for my own sister-in-law when I should be feeling proud. I could see the look in her eyes when she came to see me and tell me about Auntie offering her Equestria.

I felt vengeful towards her, not Twilight. No, I could never. 

''Honey?'' came the voice of my husband. ''Have you looked outside? It seems like King Sombra has taken over the empire again.''

I turned around to face him. ''That won't happen. Grogar would cover everything in darkness including him. You heard what he did to your sister and her friends.''

Shining hung his head. ''I only wish I could do something to save everyone and Equestria. But Flurry Heart is just a child! And we were planning to have another baby too.''

His hoof circled the little hump growing on my stomach. I smiled as I squeezed his shoulder. 

''I love you, honey. We'll meet again. I don't know when but I'm certain that someone will fix this once and for all. There has always been a way, no matter how long it takes." 

Shining returned my smile and held onto my hoof for support. "You're right," he whispered blissfully before the window came crashing upon us, the shards scattered across the crystalline floor.  

"Honey! Grab Flurry!" I shouted out, and my husband was already on his way to our daughter's room, bringing her in my hooves.  

King Sombra finally made an appearance out of thick black smoke as we all coughed, the crystal heart levitating before us.  

He ate it. 

In. One. Whole. 

I looked at him in shock as my husband tried to console me, our baby held safely in both of our hooves.  

"Lovely to see the Crystal Family again, but only this time we won't be seeing each other for long." 

Shining stepped forward. "Looks like you didn't learn a thing over at my sister's school. Might as well lock you in a room with her babbling on and on about her friendship speeches."

''Not that, anything but that!" he acted out dramatically before returning to his normal. "Anyway, all the other nations fled before darkness could grab them for a thousand years. I quickly took the chance to have what was mine before this land turns to darkness as well, and again." 

"If you knew you'd turn to darkness again, then what's the point?" I asked him, eyeing him skeptically. 

"To spend my last minutes ruling my empire, of course. I already know what the darkness would look like for a thousand years so I'm used to it by now." 

I gritted my teeth as I powered up my horn and blasted it at his face. He took it as a minor step back before powering magic of his own and blasting it my way but my husband stepped in front of me to protect me.

''Shining!'' I cried out.

''Dada!'' Flurry shouted.

Shining fell to the floor, left unconscious. I ran towards his body with Flurry still in my hooves.  

"Shining, please, wake up!" I asked for one last favor for him to do before the ancient blue ram had smashed through another window.  

"It's finally time, Cadence," he weakly said as he touched my face. "Goodbye, we'll see each other soon. I... love... you..." 

My voice echoed throughout the throne room as I screamed his name out for the last time, falling onto my knees as tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. 

Everyone was gone, but I still had my first ever daughter left. I wasn't going to leave her hanging so might as well take her with me into the darkness while holding onto my husband so the three of us would be in this together.  

"Say goodbye, Cadence..." Grogar hissed as shadow claws approached us.  

I looked into my daughter's eyes filled with innocence.  

"Mama, what's going on?" she asked me in that irreproachable, adorable voice.

"Everything's going to be okay, sweetheart. Just hold onto Mummy and Daddy for me." 

Flurry was confused but did as she was told. She held onto her father's hoof while also holding onto mine.  

"I love you..." I said as I smiled at her before the darkness had got to us, covering us from our torso to our horns. We screamed together in pain. 

The last of my hearing I could only hear my daughter calling out, "MOOOM!"





For a thousand years, I watched generations pass by with my Aunties, husband, and two foals along. 

Auntie Celestia helped me have my second foal out. It was corrupted by the darkness but Luna had taken care of it, making it into a normal foal. 

At least I still had my family with me and that was all I needed.

A break from my royal life and a break with my family. 

Hopefully, one-day somepony finally fixes this and we can finally get to reunite with the others.