It had been an embarrassingly long time since Twilight had fully appreciated a warm, sunny day, but she could ask for no more perfect day for this occasion. The cloudless sky, courtesy of the local weather team, felt even more spacious than ever after the events of the previous night.

Twilight stood behind the curtain at the stage beside town hall, admiring the similarities and differences between Ponyville and Meadow Ridge, realizing just how much of Equestria she had yet to truly see. Thoughts of the future could wait, at least for a moment. Perhaps she was exhausted from a fight that defied logic. Maybe it was the emotional roller coaster of the last couple days. It might have even been that she'd opened her eyes and seen where value and attention should be placed. Whatever the reason, Princess Twilight Sparkle remained focused on the task at hand, or at least unable to worry about anything else for a while.

The little town, roughly the same size as Ponyville, held an impressive population, all of whom turned out when the Princess of Friendship announced she would be holding an event. Then again, it was equally possible ponies had traveled to see her speak, but that was beside the point. The point was they were here, now, and so was Twilight, in every sense of the term.

"Everything's ready, your highness," Stonewall said. "Just waiting on you."

"Thank you," she said, the two exchanging bows. He went to inform the mayor.

"Fillies and gentlecolts!" the mayor of Meadow Ridge proclaimed to the gathered crowd. "It is with great honor, that I present to you, in her first public event as the Princess of Friendship, Princess Twilight Sparkle!"

Twilight stepped onto the stage, facing the roaring adulation of the crowd, now fully able to appreciate how many had come out to see her. The thunderous stomping on hooves in applause shook the earth beneath, and carried into the sky, aided by pegasi perched on their own clouds for a better view. She cleared her throat.

"Thank you, ponies of Meadow Ridge!" she proclaimed. The crowd slowly quieted. "Until recently, I had all the standard worries and concerns. More, if you ask the friends who saw me study." She gave a winking smile to her friends in the front row. The audience chuckled. "But with the crown and a new set of wings, I felt lost, unbalanced, dizzy. I felt like everything had changed for me, but I hadn't changed to match it. I tried to be something new, when me being who I've always been is what got me the crown in the first place. I needed to be shown nothing had changed, and that my old problems as a unicorn were still my new problems as an alicorn." She paused. "It took the crying of a young filly to help me see it."

Eyes went to Derpy and Dinky. A few sniffles could be heard here and there. Rainbow Dash nudged Derpy and gave an approving smile.

"In the days that followed, I came to see everyone has the same problems. Be they adult or child, stallion or mare, working or wealthy. After watching them back in each other's arms, I saw in them everything I should have been, and everything we can all be now. The old adage goes 'there's no such thing as strangers, only friends we haven't met.' I know for certain that is true! I watched ponies who hated each other days before dive into the unknown to save them! I have seen the best life can give, and know that should be what we strive to accomplish! Today, after I leave this stage, I encourage you all to meet new ponies, see new faces, and maybe, forge a few new friendships." She motioned to someone off stage. "But first..."

The red pegasus stallion from the forest came out, head bowed in timidity and an uncomfortable apprehension. Some ponies Twilight had arranged to be seated in the front row gasped. Some choked back tears, while others simply stared.

"I'd like to introduce you all to my new friend."

* * * * * * *

Luna entered the front door to Twilight's library, joining the others gathered around the table. The freshly raised moon lit the night outside. Candles and lanterns illuminated the room, with papers, diagrams, maps, and documentation of the Crystal Empire and Crystal Heart upon the table. Surrounding them sat Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, and Discord. The princesses all wore their standard regalia, while Discord wore the riding pants, green jacket and hat of a military general. Naturally, brows cocked in his direction.

Luna was first to address the darconequus.

"Discord, are you-"

"Swagalicious? Thanks for noticing!"

Shining and Luna exchanged groans and eye rolls, while Cadance just looked confused. Celestia made no attempt to hide a chuckle.

A door at the top of the stairs opened, and Twilight descended. All eyes followed her as she approached the table, gave Discord a confused look, which he responded with a wink, and took her seat at the table.

"I'm glad you could all make it," she said, placing more papers on the table, this time documentation of the events of the last few days. "I've called you all here to discuss a matter of grave importance. Four days ago, a fragment of King Sombra was able to twist three ponies and convince them to give up who they are."

Photographs of Derpy, Silver Spoon, and Caramel levitated out to each of the attendants.

"While it was stopped at just three victims, had this not been stopped when it had, we could have seen something far worse and far more widespread."

"You beat Sombra," Shining Armor said. "I'm worried that he came back at all, but I know you wouldn't call us here on such short notice if that were it."

Twilight nodded grimly.

"While you are right about why I called you here, I did not beat Sombra," she explained, noting the looks of confusion the rest of the attendees gave. "What I faced was only his mouth."

With those words, the realization dawned on them all.

"If that was only the mouth, what can the rest of him do?"

Author's Note

WOOO! And with that, my first ever finished story! I look forward to writing more on a more regular basis! Thank you for sticking with me, and see you next time!