Chapter 7: Aftermath

Twilight quickly woke up and was breathing hard. "Twilight Sparkle," Princess Luna spoke as she quickly rushes to her aid. "Are thou alright?"

As she was breathing, she found herself all tug in on a royal bed, which means she's still in Canterlot. She was confused and lost about the battle against Monster X. She responded, "Luna... you're alright. What happened? And what happened to Monster X?" Did y'all defeated him?" She gasped. "Please don't tell he escaped!"

Luna lay her hoof on the young princess shoulder and calm her. "Calm down, young pony. You vanquished the sinister demon. He is destroyed forever."

"What? I defeated him?"

"Why yes. Don't thou remember any of it?"

Twilight spoke after she was wrapping her head, "All I remember was that I free Spike and stood tall before him. After that, everything went into a blur."

"I saw everything, young Twilight Sparkle. After thou free your baby dragon, thou changed into a form that I never seen before. It was like the elements of harmony were connected to you and your friends after thou gave it up for free me and my sister."

The princess of friendship was curious about what Luna described about her form when she vanquished the invader. She resumed, "I think you're right, Princess Luna." As she try to remember the epic final battle against Monster X, she remembered the nightmare she had before the fight began. She said with a sad look on her face, "Princess Luna, I had a frightening nightmare before I freed Spike. It was horrible. It was like a foreshadow about what would happen if Monster X won. He killed my brother, Celestia, Spike, all of my friends, and all of Equestria."

The princess look away with disappointed look on her face. She spoke in disappointment, "Twilight Sparkle... I gave you that nightmare."

The young pony gasps and said confused, "You gave me that nightmare. Bu-But why?"

She climbed on the bed and lay beside her and explained, "I was afraid that if we failed to defeat the monster, then everyone we fought for will perish. So, I gave you the nightmare, because you're the bravest among us. Even when you're in no condition to fight, you still fight to defend your friends and families. And I was right." She looked away again. "Twilight Sparkle, I'm so sorry for giving you the nightmare. I was afraid that you and my sister will die. I was afraid that everyone I love will be gone forever. I-I-"

She was cut off by the hug from the young princess. Tears was running down from her eyes as she spoke, "Thank you Princess Luna. Thank you for giving me the strength to save everyone, including you. I-I-I love you Luna." Then, the princess of the night hugged back.

"I love you too Twilight Sparkle."

After they were done hugging each, the doors opened. Came in were Twilight friends and family all yelled with joy, "TWILIGHT!!" Then, all of them rushes to her and formed a hug.

When they broke the group hug, Applejack spoke with joy, "Twilight, ah am so happy y'all alright!"

Twilight responded, "Same here, Applejack. I can't believe you survive out of that strike. I'm so happy you're alive."

"Same here, sugarcube."

Pinkie Pie hugged the young alicorn again and shouted with joy, ""WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU ARE FEELING BETTER TWILIGHT!!"

Rarity joined, "Indeed darling. We're calm by your recovery."

Fluttershy whispered, "Yes Twilight. We're so happy that you are alright and save all of us from that monster."

The princess of friendship was warmest by the appearance of her friends and family. She smiled even more by her great two friends, Spike and Sunset, as they were rushing to her and formed a hug.

Tears were running from their eyes with joy and comfort. Sunset spoke first, "We are so happy you're alive, Twilight."

Spike spoke, "Yeah. And thank you for saving my life."

Twilight added, "Well, I couldn't have done it alone. We all pitch in. Especially, you Sunset. Without your help, Monster X would've won."

Sunset looked away from embarrassment and hidden a smile. Shining Armor and Cadance hugged their little sister. Her older brother cried with joy, "I am so relief that you're alive, Twily. I am so proud of you."

Cadance added, "As am I, Twilight. You saved Equestria and all of us."

"Thanks guys," Twilight said with care. "I'm so happy everyone is alive." Suddenly, she remembered about Rainbow Dash being injured and not among the others. "Where's Rainbow?!"

Sadly, they all frowned and none of them spoke up. Finally, Luna respond, "Follow me Twilight."

The young princess got off the bed and followed the princess of the night, while the others stay behind. While she was following her aunt, she witnesses so many guards, were injured by Monster X wrath, were getting medical treatment. Among them was both of the stallions that helped them in the battle.

Then, Luna stopped by her sister room and open the door. When the young princess enter the room, she found Rainbow Dash unconscious beside Celestia laying by the fireplace. She found her best friend all scratched up after battling the invader; with a scar on her right eye and a ripped scratch on her right ear as well.

Celestia finally notice her appreciate entered her room. She said, "Oh, hello Twilight. I'm glad you're all healed up. I would like to graduate you for vanquishing Monster X."

The princess of friendship grateful by her gratitude, but she draw her attention back to her friend. She ask her mother in law, "Celestia... is Rainbow going to be alright?"

She turned to the injured pegasus and cover her with her mighty wings. "She had suffered a horrible damage from X, but she will be fine. Sadly, I can't do anything about her scars. She must live on with these scratches given by that tyranny."

"I'm just happy that she's still alive. How long will she come back?"

"I'm afraid that she will be unconscious for several weeks. Till she awakened, she shall stay here with me. I'll promise you that I'll take good care of her."

Twilight lowered her head in regret, because she blamed herself for causing this punishment upon her friend. She sighed and resumed speaking to her mentor, "Thank you, Princess Celestia. I promise to drop by and check on her."

"I will look forward to it. Well actually, I was planning to send report about her condition everyday, but whatever makes you happy Twilight."

Thank you, your highness." Before she leaves her mentor alone, she asked one more favor, "Oh Princess Celestia."

"Yes Twilight."

"There was this one earth guard who helped us against Monster and saved Sunset. I spotted him and his friend among the wounded."

"Why yes. One of the guards mentioned that we were lucky to find them still breathing. In matter of seconds, they could've die."

"I'm glad they're alive. Can you please awarded him for his honor and bravery in the battlefield?"

"Of course Twilight. Now, I believe you and your friends wanted to go home after this dreadful event."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure the others wanted to go, because they might bring worry to their families."

"Of course. I would like to thank you again for protecting Equestria, Twilight. Have a safe journey back home."

"Goodbye Princess Celestia." Before she heads out the door, she turned and looked back at her friend one more time. She whispered herself, "Goodbye Rainbow. I sorry for what happened to you. I hope you will forgive me." Finally, she exited the room.

After she stepped out of the room, she spotted her friends hanging out with the two stallions, who helped them in battle. She cut into their conversation, "Hey guys."

"Ah there Twilight," Applejack spoke first. "So... how's Rainbow Dash? Is she well yet?"

The princess frowned and lowered her head and answered, "I-I'm sorry girls... but Rainbow Dash can't come back to Ponyville... she's unconscious."

The rest gasped after hearing her condition. Rarity spoken first, "Poor dear. H-How long is she going to be unconscious, darling?"

"For about couple of weeks... probably a month."

Pinkie added, "T-Then why can't we bring her back home and take care of her?"

"Princess Celestia insisted that she should stay here and nursing Rainbow herself. It at least she could for her act of bravery." The young princess turned to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, you won't mind taking care of Tank would you."

"Oh, I won't mind at all," loving Fluttershy. I will take good care of him until Rainbow is fine again."

"Well," Applejack cut in, "ah hope she gonna be alright there girls. Ah don't know what to do without that poor filly."

"Don't worry Applejack," Sunset add in, "she will be fine. She's with Princess Celestia. She's in good hand."

Everyone nodded with Sunset support. Then, the wounded guard slowly got off the bed, with the help of his friend, and faces towards Twilight. He bowed and spoke, "It was an honor to serve by your side, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Actually, it was a honor to fight alongside with all of y'all."

The princess of friendship honored by this brave soldier. "Thank you... uh... I'm so sorry but what is your name?"

"My name is Sword Light, my lady." He turned to his unicorn friend. "This is my friend, Looney Turtle. The one who turned me into a tortoise."

"Well," Applejack jumps in, "we appreciated the y'all partners help us out."

"Don't mention it."

Pinkie Pie pop out behind them, causing them to be surprised. She spoke, "No seriously, we really appreciate that. Even it almost killed y'all." She grabbed the Looney, "You almost got killed when Nightmare X blasted you from behind!!"

The green unicorn response with joys, "I almost die."

She draw Sword and Sunset together, "And you almost died when you sacrifice yourself to save Sunset!! That was so brave." Both of the two blushes when they made eye contact.

Twilight walked towards them. "We're really grateful for y'all help. I hope we see you two again someday."

"Farewell, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

When they began to leave, Sunset walked to Sword Light and kiss him on the check and leave with the others, causing him to be speechless. His friend said with a mocking tone, "Soooooo... that was your first kiss from a maaaaare! How did it feel?" The earth stallion was still speechless. His friend began to wave his hoof across his face, "Hello? Sword Light?"

As the rest of the girls were waiting on the train to arrive to get home, Twilight and Sunset were about to say farewell to each other. Twilight spoke, "Sunset, thank you for helping me back there against X. I really appreciate it."

Sunset spoke, "Don't mention it, Twilight. I am just happy that you and the rest are alright. Again, I am so sorry for what happened to Rainbow Dash."

"Don't worry about. Celestia will take good care of her."

"I know. Well, look like you're the hero of the day."

"What are you talking about?"

"You defeated Monster X and save everyone. Even Equestria."

"No. You save everyone. Without you, we wouldn't even know about him nor able to destroy him as well. You're the hero. You're the one who save everyone."

"Huh. I don't feel like a hero. But thanks, Twilight."

Pinkie voice shouted to Twilight. "TWILIGHT, THE TRAIN IS HERE!!"

The young princess turned back her friend, "Well, I guess that this is goodbye."

"Goodbye Twilight."

Before she heads toward the train, she asked Sunset for a favor, "Sunset, would you mind checking on Rainbow for me?"

"Of course."

Finally, she waved goodbye to Sunset and head on home with the others. Rest from this dreadful day.