At had been a few days since they held a funeral for Invictus, with many creature still couldn’t reel over of what they had just witnessed. Meanwhile, within Twilight’s castle, the EG Mane 7 and Mane 7, along with the Pillars and Sunburst, were sitting alone in one room, trying to cope with what happened. At the same time, Thunder and Fizzlepop walked in the room when they wanted to make sure they were okay.

‘We tried to help him,’ said Twilight when she felt like she failed Invictus ‘We tried to save him, help him find a better path. But instead, he…’

Thunder placed his hoof on her shoulder as he explained something to her ‘We know. But my brothers and I knew from the very beginning that he didn’t want to be saved. Sometimes vengeance can darken one’s soul your highness. For you see, all our lives, my brothers and I were afraid we would become that we fight against. We walked to that edge of the abyss every day and night. But we haven’t fallen in, and I thank heaven for that.’. He walked and sat in front of Twilight as he held both his hoofs on both her shoulders, gaining her attention as she looked at him ‘But our father fell into that very pit years ago ever since that ill fated day. And no one, not even all of you, could’ve pulled him back.’

‘Did,’ replied Applejack when she looked at Thunder ‘Did y’all knew about this?’

‘We did.’ replied Thunder as he looked at her ‘Merlin had a vision about it, and we tried to talk him out of it, but both he and my mother told us that we can’t decide for those who don’t want to be saved. Sometimes we gotta handle things on our own.’

‘He’s right you know,’ said Knight as he and his brothers walked in when they had heard their conversation ‘We may not like the decisions, but if it means that we would be able to live to see another day for the sake of our family and friends, then we must think of them rather than ourselves.’

‘And what about you?’ said Merlin when he spoke to Twilight ‘Will you be okay, now that the immortality bit’s been removed from you, Cadance and Flurry Heart?’

‘I think so.’ said Twilight when she felt that the immortal bit had been removed ‘But Equestria needs an Alicorn to guide them.’

‘No they don’t,’ said Chivalry when he spoke to her ‘They need a leader to look after them. The title of princess is supposed to be passed down, not kept as a curse for all time.’

‘Yeah there is something called a royal line,’ said Copper Plume when he popped right next to Twilight ‘I mean just because you’re a princess doesn’t mean you have to live for all eternity.’

‘Strangely they have a point,’ said Fizzlepop when she walked and stood in front of Twilight. ‘Look Twilight, you saw how easily both Celestia and Luna were defeated when powerful enemies came after them for their power. It nearly put us in jeopardy and they became overconfident. You and your friends only became powerful because the elements were passed down to you. And when the time comes, your foals will do the same. Surely you of all ponies should know about that.’

‘Yeah and is still kinda weird,’ said Atreus when he crossed his arms and thought about something else ‘I mean, the Princesses left you Equestria, and now with your friends, you’re running the country.’

‘He’s right,’ said Yen Sid when he pointed things out ‘And maybe we won’t make it as far as you and your friends, even Sunset and her friends from Canterlot High Twilight. Cause back then both your worlds needed protectors and they chose you lot. But even if all of you are protectors, that doesn’t mean that we can’t be there for you.’

‘And what happens if things don’t run as perfectly as they should be?’ said Twilight when she got worried.

‘A wise person once said that the thing about perfection is that its unknowable. It’s impossible, but it’s also right in front of us all the time.’ said Duke when he tried to be wise.

‘And you’re not alone either.’ said Barry when he smiled.

‘You have all of us to help all of you.’ said Bucky when he tilted his hat backwards.

‘Indeed they do.’ said another voice, revealing to be Caldor as he walked in.

‘Oh, Caldor,’ said Somnambula when she saw him ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Oh, just thinking about what I might do next, now that the last of the gods of this world are no more.’

‘Wait,’ said Mage Meadowbrook when she stood up ‘You’re not staying?’

‘I’m not sure yet,’ said Caldor when he told him of his plans ‘I’ve been imprisoned in that tree for a long time. Both Equestria and the world Sunset and her friends are from have changed a lot since I last saw it. I was thinking I might explore a bit and see how much it has changed. After that, I was planning to ask both Celestia and Luna to come along with me to the magic dimension, see creatures from every world together as they use their magic for the greater good. After that, we’ll see.’

‘Wow, that’s quite a goal.’ said human Twilight when she adjusted her glasses.

‘And Starswirl?’ said Caldor when he looked at him and his fellow pillars ‘I was hoping if you’d come with us this time. It would get us a chance to know one another, and I would like it if you were to journey with Celestia and Luna for old time’s sake.’

‘We would be honored.’ said Starswirl when he and his fellow pillars stood up.

‘Speaking of which,’ said Sunset as she and her friends stood up whilst they walked over to Twilight and greeted her ‘It was…really great to see you again Twilight.’

‘Likewise,’ said Twilight as she smiled whilst she shook Sunset’s hand ‘Seeing all of you together again has certainly brought back a lot of great memories. We should get together more often.’

‘Heck yeah we should.’ said human Rainbow Dash when she got excited ‘Of all the adventures we had in the past, this one was the best one we ever had.’

‘Not to mention,’ said Rainbow Dash when she got excited too ‘We’ll be able to visit one another. And I’m sure both Brock and Driskle wouldn’t mind if we explored a bit.’

‘You know,’ said Starlight when she thought about the portal ‘Since we’ve pretty much taught friendship all over Equestria and others, why don’t we also try to explore the other worlds too, maybe teaching friendship to them too.’

‘That’s a great idea,’ said Sunset when she thought of the same way ‘And in return, maybe they can also teach us a thing or two that Equestria can benefit from.’

‘That sounds amazing.’ said Twilight when she agreed ‘Then what do the rest of you say?’

‘Heck yeah we would.’ said Pinkie when she agreed with them too.

All of them agreed as all of them got excited, leaving smiles on Merlin and the others’ faces, for this could be a perfect beginning, the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one.

‘Then let’s make it official.’ said Merlin as he gathered his brothers, as well as Twilight, Sunset and their friends, whilst they placed their hands/hooves on top of one another, with Merlin making what appears to be a spell of binding. ‘No matter how far apart we are, we’ll always be together. And let’s say that every year, we’ll make an annual visit on one location or another, and we’ll be able to see each other more often, now that I found a way to make a portal that we can travel anywhere we want to.’

‘You know what?’ said Twilight when she agreed ‘I think we all can live with that.’

‘And also another promise,’ said Yen Sid ‘That we’ll always protect our worlds and each other, no matter what.’
Twilight smiled as she looked at her friends ‘Friends forever?’

‘Friends forever.’ said everyone/everypony else as they raised their hands/hooves in the air.

And so it went. After the pact they made, Sunset and the others went back home with Atreus and his human brothers, as friends from both worlds began to live their lives.

Caldor began to journey through different worlds to see how much it has changed. But he is not alone. For Celestia and Luna chose to accompany him as they went to explore the thirteen realms, along with the Pillars. Celestia and Luna were amazed of the sun and moon from different worlds as many had worshipped them. Rockhoof enjoyed the Viking like dwarves as they shared his enthusiasm. Starswirl learned from many of the scholars and magic users as he too wishes to learn. Mage Meadowbrook began to learn more about medicine that she took pride in from the High Elves, whilst they were also gracious enough to restore Mistmane’s youth, as well as Starswirl’s believe it or not. Stygian began to learn more about advance magic, whilst Flash Magnus proposed to Somnambula, which left her overjoyed as the two of them got hitched.

Back on Equestria, things couldn’t be better. Starlight and Sunburst continued to manage the School of Friendship, teaching ponies and other creatures the importance of friendship, with Gallus, Yona, Silverstream, Sandbar, Smolder and Ocellus graduating from it four months later, whilst Thunder and Fizzlepop chose to travel together as they enjoyed one another’s company.

Back at the Castle of Friendship, when Twilight decided it would be better to rule from there, ended up having Merlin Bronzetail as her trusted advisor, with the help of Spike of course, managing the needs of ponies and creatures around them, and soon, began to grow closer together. Rainbow Dash introduced the Wonderbolts to Knight, who also wanted to try out. Within a week, he became a full-fledged Wonderbolt. Soon after, he and Rainbow Dash rose up the ranks, and became in charge of the Wonderbolt Academy, after Spitfire chose to open another branch near Canterlot, with Knight and RD leading side by side. Applejack introduced Applebuck to the rest of the Apple family, which left him nervous. But pretty soon, everyone enjoyed having him around, as he helped them harvested the apples, whilst he and Applejack would spend more time together after breaks.

Bashful chose to have a home close to Fluttershy’s. They began to run Sweet Feather Sanctuary together, taking care of the animals and raising them, even making sure all of them would return to the wild safely, with Fluttershy enjoying the fact that Bashful hangs out with her. Chivalry worked with Rarity as her assistant whilst they began to design more fashion and clothing for not just ponies, but for every creature throughout Equestria and beyond. But every now and then, whenever they take a break, they enjoy each other’s company, as well as wanting to be close to one another. Copper Plume worked with Pinkie Pie as they organized and threw more and more parties for those who would want to have a happy day, birthday or otherwise. But every now and then, Pinkie Pie tackles Copper right into a large cake, which made them laughing, and enjoyed making out as they mixed the chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Back at the human world, Sunset and her friends continued to go to school, with Don and his brothers joining them. They enjoyed every activity and education together, as well as enjoying one another’s company. Sure enough, they all graduated from high school, as their future begins now. Sunset and Don decided to live together in the same apartment until they could get a bigger house of their own. Don opened a repair shop for cars, bikes and so on, with Sunset becoming a novelist, writing books to help those on how to make friends at high school, as well as writing down her own experiences. It even later became a best seller on the market. And every now and then, on the apartment’s balcony, they sat and stared at the night sky whilst having some fizzy apple ciders, as the two of them held onto one another, smiling.
Human Twilight and Yen Sid opened an academy so that they could teach students who had just graduated from high school, where it would focus on science, with Spike the dog as the Academy’s mascot. With Twilight and Yen Sid managing its large libraries, as well as overseeing the students progressing with their scientific knowledge, but slowly, they enjoyed each other’s company, as well as their love for one another. Human Rainbow Dash and Atreus opened a sports camp, where every sport that those who would want to try out different careers would enjoy the sporting activities that had been given to them. Though every now and then they tend to sneak off and make out with one another a lot. Human Applejack and Bucky ended up making her farm bigger as they planted trees, seeing that she was inspired by her pony counterpart. The two of them successfully opened an Apple Farming business, whilst also donating most of them to orphanages and shelters.

Human Fluttershy and Lyon opened a larger animal shelter, where they would focus on taking care of injured animals, as well as raising them when they helped breed them. They even let folks come in for miles around to adopt any animals they want, as well as being given proper instructions on how to look after them. But every now and then, they ended up enjoying being around one another, as well as nearly wanted to kiss, but they had to keep it professional, that and they don’t like it when other people and animals are staring at them. Human Rarity was able to open a fashion business, designing clothes for those who would want some style in their lives, as well as those who want to look amazing. Duke on the other hand chose to be her assistant, helping not only assisting Human Rarity in designing, but also helping her managing her business. They took a great liking to one another, as well as making sure they support one another. Though every now and then whenever they claim to accidentally fall in the clothes, they enjoy resting and cuddling one another. Human Pinkie Pie and Barry decided to work and Sugarcube Corner. But as the Cakes were about to retire, they gave the business to them, where they were able to make it bigger and bake as many fined goods as possible, especially bread for those who would want it.

A short time later, the Mane 7 married the ponies they fell in love with. Twilight with Merlin, Rainbow Dash with Knight, Rarity with Chivalry, Pinkie Pie with Copper Plume, Fluttershy to Bashful, Applejack to Applebuck, and Starlight to Sunburst. But they weren't the only ones. For on that same year, the human Mane 7 married their loves ones too. Human Twilight with Yen Sid, human Rainbow Dash with Atreus, human Rarity with Duke, human Pinkie Pie with Barry, human Fluttershy to Lyon, human Applejack to Bucky and Sunset Shimmer with Don. Less than a year later, they had foals and kids of their own, each of them having two kids, which they enjoyed raising and became better parents than they could’ve imagined, with Twilight and Merlin’s kids being important roles in royalty, as they would be next in line for the throne. But shortly after, Celestia and Luna also wedded their special someponies, and later had foals of their own as well.

Twenty years have then passed, and all of them had aged gracefully, as their kids were now the same age as they once were all those years ago. Twilight may have the body of an Alicorn and resemble a lot like Princess Celestia, but she can still feel her age over her. Even though she may not be immortal, she is living life to the fullest and keeping her promise to Invictus. Applejack and Big Mac are now in charge of Sweet Apple Acres, now that Granny Smith had passed away ten years ago. Pinkie Pie and Copper Plume enjoyed making others smile, Fluttershy and Bashful continued to look after animals old and new, Rainbow Dash and Knight trained many Wonderbolts, with them now training their kids to be the next best Wonderbolts of Equestria. Rarity opened a few special boutiques at Yakyakistan and other places, with Yona and Sandbar running some of her business. Gallus became the first non pony to be a royal guard to princess Twilight, whilst Silverstream, Ocellus and Smolder choosing to teach at the School of Friendship, as did Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, with Starlight and Sunburst running the school and Trixie being the school guidance councilor.

Don and Sunset’s business flourished as Don opened more garages all over the country, as well as Sunset becoming a successful novelist. Human Twilight and Yen Sid’s academy grew larger as more and more students began to learn there, as well as teachers working there, with Human Twilight and Yen Sid now co-principles of the school. Human Rainbow Dash and Atreus’ sports camps became so successful, they ended up being opened all over the country. Human Applejack and Bucky’s farm became a huge successful fruit business. Human Fluttershy and Lyon’s animal shelter business inspired many people all over their world to rescue, save and look after animals and opened more animal shelters as a result. Human Rarity’s became a fashion queen, with Duke by her side whilst managing the fashion empire together. Human Pinkie Pie and Barry’s business at Sugarcube Corner got more bigger as they continued to make more baked goods that brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Though every now and again, all of them would come together and teach the magic of friendship together all over the Thirteen Realms, as well as using Knowledge of Adularia to bring more happiness to others’ lives. But now on the twentieth year, all of them would come together to the tallest mountain. The Mane 6 and their human counterparts, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst, Spike and his elderly dog counterpart, Fizzlepop Berrytwist, Celestia, Luna, Shining Armour, Cadance, Flurry Heart, the Pillars, the Young Six, Caldor and Invictus’ sons, would come together to Invictus’ grave, whilst placing flowers on his grave, in front of the large statue of him holding his dual swords. Whilst on the pedestal, it said “Here lies Invictus. Hero of Phalanxia and Equestria. Beloved husband, father, and a great friend.”. They would stare at the statue, thinking about what he went through, and everything he sacrificed for the greater good.

‘Happy birthday father.’ said Thunder after he placed flowers near the grave too.

‘Hard to believe it’s been this long ago, huh?’ said Knight when he looked at the statue.

‘Yeah.’ said Rainbow Dash when she looked at the statue after she agreed with Knight.

‘I hope he’s still proud of us living our lives.’ said Twilight when she remembered Invictus’ promise.

‘He is Twilight.’ said Merlin when he placed his hoof on her shoulder ‘He is.’

‘You know,’ said Starlight when she thought about something ‘I think Invictus was the one who taught us an important lesson, even if he was a bit of a jerk.’

‘Oh, and what’s that?’ said Sunburst when he was curious.

Starlight then told all of them of the lesson ‘Whatever in life comes our way, when they offer immortality, or anything else of power, we turn them down because we wish to live our lives rather than outlive it. That life is very precious, and connections like the ones we form are extremely rare and can never be replaced. We live our lives as best we can, and we always try to find the right decisions and keep moving forward.’

‘Wow,’ said Applejack when she like what she said ‘Now those are words to live by.’

‘I quite concur darling.’ said Rarity when she agreed.

‘And you know,’ said Twilight when she looked at Invictus’ grave ‘I think what he did was the best thing he ever did for me.’

‘Really,’ said Pinkie Pie when she looked at Twilight ‘Like what Twilight?’

Twilight explained as she looked at the statue ‘When I first became a princess, I didn’t know what would happen. I was excited and all at first by helping others, but I hadn’t considered about the whole “Immortality” thing. What he did for me, by removing it so that I could live my life. That is something I will forever and always will be grateful for.’

‘Heck yeah,’ said Rainbow Dash when she hovered next to Twilight ‘I can’t imagine living a full life without any of you either.’

‘Same here,’ said Fluttershy when she agreed ‘I can’t imagine my life without all of you either.’

‘I’m just happy to live a life with my family.’ said Cadance when she agreed.

‘Now that, I can fully agree.’ said Shining Armour when he stood next to Cadance.
After standing there for a long time, Twilight turned around and said to them ‘Come on guys, we’ve got a long work ahead of us. Let’s go home, and continue to live our lives, for him.’

‘Now that is something I can live with.’ said Sunset when she agreed.

And soon, all of them went back to Ponyville to have a feast and later continue with the lives they have been given. For even though that Friendship was not meant to be outlived or forgotten, they can transcend and transform into something new. What friendships we have, is more rare than what others want to have. We can never replace the friendships we once had, but we can try to live and enjoy life as best we can with the time that has been given to us. And thanks to Invictus, they now have that chance, for Friendship is Magic, as is the bond that drives us together until the bitter end.

And there you have it, I hope that it is good enough. And thank you all for giving it a chance to read it.

Author's Note

And there you have it readers. That is the end of the story. I hope its good enough, cause I put my heart into this story. Even though I love the show that's come to an end, I will always be a Brony. As many of the readers and fans would say, continue to Brony on. And even though Friendship is Magic, it may grow and it wouldn't last forever, we spend time with those with the time we still have. Friendships are special and can only come once in a lifetime. So continue to Brony on, and Friendship is magic.