Epilogue
It is written in the ancient scrolls
That on the one hundredth and eleventh day without the moon goddess
Equestria declared war on the devilish creatures known as Dragons…
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Twilight Sparkle trotted quietly down the halls of Canterlot castle.
Her hoof steps echoed along the long corridor. The sound was almost drown out by the pattering of the cold rain that fell from the storm outside. Soon it would be Winter, and all that rain would turn to ice and snow.
It was dark outside. The clouds covered up the beautiful moon and the stars that usually lit up the dark night. The only source of light that came from inside were small candles that were starting to burn out along the castle walls. The young unicorn tried a simple light spell. Her horn sputtered and sparked for a few seconds, but then blazed to light, allowing her to fully see what was in front of her. Proud of her accomplishment, Twilight trotted onward down the hall.
Usually, Twilight would be in bed by now. All of her filly friends were already asleep. However, Princess Celestia had sent her a letter this morning. She was off to the Princess’ room now to meet her.
She stopped when she came to a great golden door at the end of the hallway. The door was carved to look like the sunrise of a new day. While it usually sparkled like liquid sunshine, today it was dark and grim…just like the weather outside.
Suddenly a voice broke the silence of the night. “Can I help you?”
Twilight walked right up to the guard and puffed out her chest in an attempt to seem bigger than she was, but her voice still sounded squeaky. “Yes Sir. I’m here to see Princess Celestia.”
The guard looked down upon Twilight. “Shouldn’t you be in bed little one?”
Twilight let out a huff. “First of all, I’m not little! I’m seven now and that makes me a big pony! And second of all, Princess Celestia said that she wanted me to see her late tonight and you’re making me tardy!” The little unicorn stamped her hoof on the marble floor.
The guard smiled. “Okay, okay. I’ll go ask the Princess if she wants to see you.”
The stallion turned around, opening the great door with his magic. Twilight watched in awe as he opened the door all by himself, and then slip inside without another word.
And then Twilight was left alone in the dark hall. Rain fell and made weird shadows dance across the walls of the great hallway. Twilight shivered, hoping that the guard would return soon.
Her prayers seemed to be answered as the guard came back into the hallway as quickly as he had disappeared. He gave her a warm smile before saying, “Okay kid, go right in. The Princess is waiting for you.”
Twilight nodded to the guard and slowly walked inside the Princess’ bedroom. She had only been in here a couple of times…usually when she was in trouble…
The room was rather small for someone as influential as the Princess. There was a small bed tucked away in the corner of the room. A sun was sewed onto the pattern enlaced with shades of sky blue and white in order to look like the sky. A fire was slowly crackling in the fire place on the other edge of the room, spreading a comfortable warmth around the small bedroom and provided some light against the starless night. There was also a small rug and pillow set for relaxing in front of the fire.
The Princess was currently standing at a desk, writing something down on a piece of parchment. Her horn illuminated the dim room with a green glow as her magic moved the quill slowly over the sheet. The whole desk seemed to be littered with different sheets of parchment.
Twilight stood awkwardly for a few heartbeats, unsure if she should announce her presence. However, she did not have to wait long as the Princess replaced her quill into the ink well and slowly turn around.
Twilight quickly got down on her front hooves, “G-good evening Princess.” Twilight bowed respectfully to her mentor.
Princess Celestia smiled down at her faithful student. “Good Evening Twilight. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I hope I did not interrupt your studies.”
“Of course not!” The young filly exclaimed, which was not a lie. She had finished her homework a few hours ago before supper.
The Princess smiled and walked across the room to the fireplace. “Excellent! You are doing well my student.”
Twilight, unsure what to do with herself, followed the Princess over to the rug. “Um, Princess?”
Celestia turned her head towards Twilight, her eyes reflected the flames of the fire. “Yes Twilight?”
“Um-well, I was just wondering why you called me to your room…A-am I in trouble?” Twilight stuttered.
“Of course not Twilight.” Celestia turned back to the fire, but said nothing else.
“Then…if I may ask…what am I here for?” Twilight tried to catch the eye of her mentor, but the Princess’ mane hid her eyes from sight.
“I called you here to tell you a story.” Celestia laid herself down on the soft rug and motioned for Twilight to do the same.
“What kind of story!” The young unicorn laid down next to her mentor, the nervousness from before now being replaced with excitement.
“Have you ever heard of the War of Flames?” The Princess said slowly.
“Oh yes!” Twilight exclaimed, happy to put her knowledge into use. “The War of Flames started in 111 A.N.M. was declared in order to run out the dragons who tied to take over Canterlot.”
Celestia bowed her head deep in thought. “Do you remember what started the war?”
Twilight Sparkle opened her mouth to respond, but soon closed it again allowing the question to fully sink in. Surely it was the dragons who had started the war…wasn’t it?
Twilight wasn’t so sure. Princess Celestia had a certain look in her eye; a look that they young filly had grown accustomed to over the past few years. It was that look that meant she was not looking for the most blatant answer…like when she had read Twilight all those stories with double entendres and made her write a report on each. Those were some of her favorite assignments.
However, Twilight couldn’t think of any other ways the war could have started. The dragons wanted to take over Canterlot and that was that.
“I-I don’t remember…I’m sorry.” Twilight looked down at her hooves.
Princess Celestia smiled slightly and used her wing to lift up the little filly’s head so that their eyes met. “Not many do remember…It was a long time ago…” Celestia broke off and tucked her wing neatly on her back.
They sat in silence for a few beats; just listening to the rain patter against the glass windows and the fire crackle in the fire place.
“Twilight...” Celestia began, using her magic to pick up one of the fire picks near the mantle. “I want to tell you the real story of the War of Flames.” Celestia poked the fire a few times, coaxing it to life.
Twilight Sparkle watched, mesmerized by the flames that rolled over the small logs and danced along the fire pick.
“It all started when I went for a small walk into the Everfree forest…”
