Ten Years On

by Third Wave

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 6215

Twilight returns to Ponyville a year after her coronation, and ten years after she first made the fateful trip.

Ten years ago, Twilight traveled from Canterlot to Ponyville. It would change her, and Equestria, forever. A year after her coronation as ruler of Equestria, she arrives in Ponyville once again.

Published 2020-12-14 17:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-12-14 17:10:00 UTC

Looking Back And Looking Ahead

The clatter of metal and the drumming of hooves echoed through the street as the chariot touched down in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle and Spike hopped down from the chariot onto the bare earth.

"Thank you, sirs," Twilight nodded to the four armor clad pegasi unhooking themselves from the chariot harness.

One of them, distinguished form the other three by the longer plumage on his helmet, bowed in response. "You are most welcome, your majesty." Twilight's wings ruffled as the pegasus rose from his bow. She still was not used to ponies referring to her as they did Celestia, even a year after the succession. Twilight noticed the guard lieutenant was looking at her expectantly. She nodded a polite dismissal at him. He returned to the other guards and started barking orders. Twilight turned to Spike to check the day's agenda, but was interrupted by the sound of the castle door opening. Starlight Glimmer galloped down the front path toward where they had landed.

"You're here!" Starlight gasped, catching her breath as she skidded to a stop in front of the ruler of Equestria and her advisor. "I'm still getting used to not meeting you at the train station."

Spike smirked. "We could have, but somepony insisted," he pointed a claw at Twilight.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "As much as I would love to take the train, you know this is protocol Spike." Twilight cast an aside glance at the lieutenant before turning to Starlight. "Anyway, I'm so happy you invited me here! I made the arrangements as soon as I got the invitation. I wouldn't have missed this for the world." Twilight felt the tap of a hoof gauntlet on her shoulder and heard a soft cough-whinny behind her. "Oh, yes. Starlight, are there two other guest rooms available in the castle?"

"Oh, of course," Starlight replied. "I can show all of you to your rooms now if you'd like." They agreed, and Starlight turned and walked back toward the castle entrance. Twilight, Spike, and the four guards followed. "Your and Spike's rooms just as you left them. I can set up some spare rooms for the guards." They entered the castle and Starlight showed the guards to their rooms. When she returned, Twilight and Spike followed her down another hallway to their old rooms.

"I'm surprised you're still in the room I set up for you," Twilight nodded toward Starlight's bedroom as they passed the door.

"Yeah, didn't you want to move into Twilight's old room?" Spike added.

"Well," Starlight slowed. "I thought aobut it at first, but it felt weird taking both your office at the school and your castle bedroom right after you left, and then I kept putting it off. Then I settled into being in that room without you guys here and it started to seem like too much of a hassle, so I never did."

"Oh," Twilight let her voice trail off. She glanced at Spike, but he had no input either.

A silent moment passed between the three as they stopped at the door to Twilight's room. Suddenly, Starlight broke into a grin and she leapt forward to embrace Twilight and Spike. "Ohhh I'm so excited you're here! It's been so long since we've all been together." She pulled back. "And I just know all the students are going to love having you speak at the commencement tomorrow. I can't wait!"

Twilight smiled as she basked in the excitement and warmth radiating from Starlight. Nearly a year had passed since Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship became Twilight Sparkle, ruler of Equestria, and here she was once again fresh off a royal chariot in Ponyville. It was just like ten years ago, but instead of being the planning committee, she was the guest of honor. She said nothing for a moment. Starlight cocked her head, her grin slipping slightly. Twilight blushed. "Sorry, I'm just... thinking. About being here again. So much has happened since I first arrived in Ponyville. Just caught up in the memory, that's all."

Spike attended to his room while Starlight helped Twilight with her own room. "How are things going at ths school?" Twilight asked while they were putting the sheets on her bed. Twilight had all her staff to do this work back in Canterlot. It was kind of nice to do it herself again.

Starlight looked up from the bed. "Honestly running the school is a lot more work now. Not that I'm not grateful for the position, but with the EEA accrediation I've had a lot on my plate with getting all the administration up to the new standards."

"Oh?" Twilight looked up from tucking a corner of the sheets. "I hope Neighsay isn't trying to make you change the teaching methods agian," Twilight said with some concern.

"Nothing like that," Starlight assured her. "Just things like budget stuff, getting everyone certified as teachers, and setting up an admissions process. You don't know how lucky you had it that you had free rein in selecting the students for the first class. I was not prepared for a lot of the work I'm doing." Starlight explained as they walked to the sitting room to meet up with Spike.

Twilight chuckled. "I get the feeling. I had no idea how much work actually went into state meetings. Even with all the missions outside Equestria, but most of that was just following the map in sending us places. Now it's all so complicated and I have to remember so much more about every creature. It's exhausting sometimes." They reached the sitting room. Twilight let herself fall onto one of the couches and sighed. "Sometimes I don't know if I'm actually cut out to ruling Equestria."

Starlight opened her mouth to continue the banter, but stopped as she noticed a subtle change in Twilight's demeanor. The melodramatic flop onto the couch had a trace of sincerity to it as Twilight led her head rest on a throw pillow. Starlight walked over to her friend. "Hey, Twilight," Starligh's voice was soft and kind. "You started this school from the ground up, stood up to Neighsay and ran it more inclusively against some heavy odds. You made the school what it is. Take it from me trying to run the school now, this definitely prepared you for governing. You also have way more help than I do. I basically just have Sunburst and Trixie, but you have dozens of ponies helping you to run things smoothly, not to mention Spike. You have friends who believe in you and are confident in you, who want you to succeed, and who are willing to help out when you need it."

At that moment, Spike and the guard lieutenant walked in. "Hey, how's it going in here?" Spike asked.

Twilight looked at the guard and Spike as they he eyed her. Spike had helped her ever since she was a foal. He'd been there by her side right from her first journey to Ponyville, and he was still there. Starlight was right. It wasn't just Spike. It was other ponies too, even staff like Lemon Hearts. Since Twilight started ruling Equestria the two had gotten to know each other all over again, and Lemon Hearts was at Twilight's side almost as much as Spike when preparing for visiting dignitaries. She could even call herself friends with some of her royal guards now thanks to swapping stories about Shining Armor. Everyone around her in Canterlot really was confident in Twilight's ability to rule and wanted to help her as best they could.

"It's going fine, Spike," Twilight steadied herself as she got to her hooves. "Starlight and I were just chatting about what we've been up to." She turned to Starlight. "You want to make us some afternoon tea?"

Starlight nodded and went to the kitchen as the guard lieutenant and Spike settled on the surrounding couches. As Starlight returned, light conversation filled the room.

***

They spent the next few hours chatting and going over the plans for the ceremony the next day. That evening, Twilight, Spike, and Starlight went to Sweet Apple Acres where Applejack was hosting a dinner for them and their friends. Twilight sat at the head of the table next to Applejack and Spike. As the evening dragged on, Twilight watched and listened Applejack and Rainbow Dash banter and Pinkie share jokes with Fluttershy and Rarity. Twilight marveled at how easy she fell back into the groove of their company. It felt like they had never been apart. Since becoming ruler of Equestria, Twilgiht got together with her friends once a month, but those meetings were always in Canterlot. The meetings were also frequently cut short by some urgent royal business. This was the first time Twilight had returned to Ponyville since her coronation, and the atmosphere around her just felt different. The aroma of apple blossoms filling the air seemed more fragrant than usual. The sound of her friends' voices echoing off the old woodwork of Applejack's farmhouse instead of the high stone ceilings of the throne room sounded better than the first Canterlot opera house. It was all so easily slipping back into their regular pattern that it felt like they'd never been apart. Of course, six out of the eight of them had never really been apart all this time. Only Twilight and Spike had become separated from their friend group's day to day.

The thought stuck in her head. Even as the conversation continued and she happily shared anecdotes and hearty laughter filled the farmhouse, the thought burrowed deeper into the back of Twilight's mind. She had to talk to somepony about it, but she didn't want to break the mood at the table. It would have to wait until after the dinner.

After a while, Twilight excused herself to lower the sun and raise the moon. She found one of the more secluded hills in the orchard. No random passerby would interrupt her here. It was a tranquil place where she could focus. Twilight's horn lit up, and the sun slipped elegantly below the horizon as the moon took its place. Twilight sat atop the hill and stared up at the moon. The cool, white orb stood steadfast against the darkening sky. Its pale surface cast a gentle glow on the surrounding treetops. Twilight sat in silence, staring at a scene she realized she sorely missed. A gnawing lump formed in her throat as she tried to hold back tears welling in her eyes.

"Twi? Are you okay?" The sound of a voice caused her to twitch. She turned around. Spike was hovering aloft at the edge of a row of trees behind her. At the sight of her face he darted toward her, but slowed as he came cloer. "You've been out here a while. What's wrong?"

Twilight turned to stare back at the moon as Spike alighted at her side. "Do you," the next word stuck at her throat. Twilight didn't want to give the thought voice. Giving it voice was giving it validity. Letting the thought out into the world by speaking it meant accepting the consequences of whatever came next.

"What?" Spike replied softly. "Come on, you can tell me, it's okay."

She forced the word out. "Do you ever regret leaving here and going back to Canterlot?"

"What?" Spike gasped. He shook his head. "No, of course not!" Twilight cast her eyes down at him. Her shoulders slumped as she frowned. Spike softened his brow and fumbled with his claws close against his chest. Twilight knew that tell. Spike was embarrassed. Twilight attempted a wan smile to ressure him she wasn't mad. He continued fidgeting with his claws, but after a moment he met her eyes with an earnest look. When Spike finally continued, he spoke slowly. "Why, do you?"

"I don't know, Spike" another sigh escaped Twilight in a breath. "I was so excited to come back and see everyone here, and it really is great to see that not much has changed between our friendships. But then I realized that's because nothing has changed, except for us. I feel like we're..." she caught herself. Twilight didn't wnat to bring Spike into her problems, and including him automatically in her own thoughts was not fair to him. "I feel like I'm the weak link in our friendship now. I've stopped being able to be with them as often because of my new responsibilities, and they've continued to bond without me."

Twilight felt Spike's body against her own. She looked down at him hugging her chest. The tears filling her eyes dissolved him into a blurry purple and green mass in her vision. "Come on, Twilight," Spike's voice was muffled against her coat. "You are not the weak link. Just because we're not with them all the time anymore doesn't mean we're not still as close as we used to be."

"Found them!" Rainbow Dash called out from overhead. She swooped down to their level, flying beside Applejack as she ran up the hill. "See, I told you I'd find her first," Rainbow smirked.

"Only 'cause you got wings," Applejack retorted as she trotted over the crest of the hill. "Do I need to get my rope and ground you like the Running of the Leaves again?" Applejack gave Rainbow a sly grin.

"Ha, you just can't accept when I'm better-" Rainbow stopped mid-sentence. "Hey," she lowered her voice. "Are you guys alright? Twilight, you've kind of been gone a while. We got worried."

Twilight and Spike let go of each other. "Yeah," Twilight wiped her eyes. "I'm doing a little better now." Spike nudged Twilight with his elbow. She looked at Spike and he gestured toward the two mares. Twilight tensed at the idea, but relaxed after a moment. Spike was right. It was better to get it off her chest now than try to hold it in. "At dinner we were all connecting so well again, it was just like old times, and I started to think about how Spike and I don't get to spend as much time with you all as you do together." The words came flooding out, quicker than they had when she told Spike a moment ago. He really was right. Telling one creature made it easier to tell others afterward. A small weight inside her lifted as she silently chuckled to herself at a realization. That was friendship lesson number twenty. Even now, she was still needing to remind herself at times of the lessons she had not just learned, but taught.

Once Twilight finished, Applejack was the first to respond. "Oh sugarcube, I'm sorry. I reckon to you it's just like that weekend with Discord all over again, isn't it. If I'd known I would've tried to make you feel like we weren't pushin' you away tonight."

Rainbow Dash continued. "Yeah, sorry. If it helps, I'm not always here anymore either. With Fleetfoot retiring I've got more Wonderbolt duty this past year than ever. Lately I'm sometimes away from Ponyville for weeks at a time."

"Yeah," Applejack pouted, momentarily sullen at Rainbow's reminder. "Rarity's been spendin' more and more time with her shops in Manehattan too and with the new one in Fillydelphia. In fact it's pretty much just me, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy who're still here in Ponyville most of the time. We've all been missin' these big get togethers. It's why I offered to host."

Twilight stood slowly. "Thanks, both of you. It means so much to know I'm not the only one who's been thinking this." She bowed her head as Rainbow and Applejack walked toward her. "I really miss you all."

Applejack put a foreleg around Twilight's shoulders and squeezed. "We really miss you too. Now come on, let's get back. You still got dessert and we can all take a walk through town before y'all head back to the castle."

Twilight started to object but Spike cut her off. "And I can go over your speech so you don't have to worry about that tonight." Twilight paused, but relented.

"Thanks Spike. A walk would be nice." The four of them started walking back down the hill toward the main part of the orchard.

***

Twilight woke early the next morning and walked out on the balcony. She stopped to watch Ponyville in the tranquility of pre-dawn. The faint howl of timberwolves echoed from the Everfree Forest, but the whole town itself was silent. At night, Ponyville looked so peaceful, Twilight thought. From up here, she could see all the way to Sweet Apple Acres. It was nothing like the view from Canterlot, but it was a far rarer sight for Twilight these days. She relished it all the more. Twilight sat for several minutes, basking in the glow of the sleeping town.

She dismayed at having to break Ponyville's slumber, but it was time, and it was her duty. Twilight concentrated her magic into her horn and turned to the eastern sky. Air filled her lungs as she hefted the sun. It rose smoothly over the hills far beyond, briefly bathing the town in a faint orange glow. She let out the breath slowly as she relinquished control of the body and let her magic dissipate. The sun settled into place. The howl of timberwolves was soon replaced by roosters' crows. Twilight lingered a moment to listen. The sounds, the thatch rooftops in view, even the smell of the air was so different from Canterlot. She really had missed this since she moved away.

Twilight made her way down to the ground floor of the castle. She had never known Starlight to be up before half an hour past sunrise, so Twilight figured she would have some time to herself. She thought about going into the kitchen for a snack, but the girls had planned a big pancake breakfast for them before they trotted over to the school. Twilight opted to aimlessly wander the halls and eventually found her way to the map room. She opened the grand doors to a familiar sight. The map table still dominated the center of the room. The quartz crystal tabletop shimmered in the early morning glow from the windows.

Twilight slid a hoof along the surface of the table. The smooth crystal was cold to the touch. Nothing but her reflection stared back at her as she looked on. No map of Equestria to bring up, no more buzzing of the cutie mark on her flank. This table had once been a call to action, a source of adventure, and a gathering place for her and her friends. Now... now it was just a table. All that disappeared with the destruction of the tree.

Twilight grimaced at the thought that entered her mind and looked up. The destruction of both trees.

She flew up to the stump and ran a hoof along one of its rough, gnarled roots. Her hoof traced the length of a root, feeling the dead wood. At its end, she caressed a small yellow gem in her hoof. In its facets, she saw a gold tinted scene of a train car with herself wearing a deerstalker and Pinkie Pie in a bowler hat. She flitted to another gem, a turqouise scene of Twilight and her friends on a boat in Manehattan. Twilight's memories of her friends were all right here. But even the memories of the ponies she cared about most during her time in Ponyville could not assuage the presence of the library's dead roots and the barren table. The Golden Oak Library, her home in Ponyville for over four years, and the Cutie Map, which Twilight considered the true beginning of her role as a princess, were lost and would be forever. Only their lifeless corpses remained.

Twilight hung her head and drifted glumly back down to the floor. "I was wondering what to do about the tree," Starlight said, looking up at the twisted wooden tendrils. "The roots and the gems were your memories, and it's a bit awkward for me to keep them now that you're not in the castle." Starlight turned to her friend. "I was thinking maybe we could move the library's roots to Canterlot and you could hang them somewhere in your new castle, if you want."

Twilight froze. The gems brought back so many memories, but the roots, Twilight wasn't sure if she could bear to have the reminder in Canterlot with her. The rebuilt Canterlot castle was reminder enough of what Tirek had done to Equestria and to her life. Twilight didn't want yet another constant presence. "No, I think it should stay here," Twilight said. Her voice was uneven. "Golden Oak Library isn't just a fond memory to me, but to the rest of my friends and to everyone in Ponyville. It's part of Ponyville's history, and its roots should remain here."

"Yeah, you're right," Starlight gazed at the map. "I feel the same way about this old thing." She slid into a chair and put her hooves on the edge of the table. "All those missions, the journal, that was all so fun, and now it's just... gone." Starlight looked up at the library roots again. The memory gems slowly spun and cast dancing shadows on the walls. "At least with the memory gems the library's memories will live on even though its physically not here anymore," she faced Twilight. "The table though, every time I see it I remember the times we had. It all feels like it happened so fast, from becoming your student to taking over for you at the school, I don't wnat to lose it but when I come in here it's all I can think about, and how the map is gone forever and we'll never have times like that again. It's why I haven't done anything in here either." Starlight slumped her chin onto the table kicking up a layer of dust.

Twilight felt a pang in her gut as another painful memory came flooding back. She flew over to Starlight and put her forelegs around her friend. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I know exactly how you feel, when I first moved in it felt so cold and lonely to be in this big castle all by myself. I should have known you would feel the same way after Spike and I left."

Starlight melted in Twilight's grasp. "Yes! It's just so weird being here with nopony to talk to. The halls are so echoey." Starlight cast a side glance at the table again. "My duties as headmare are a good distraction, but still, every time I come in here I still expect the map to be there."

"I did too." Twilight pulled herself away from Starlight and looked her friend in the eyes. "We can't forget those memories. Even of the physical map is gone, our memories of those adventures are still here with us, and with our friends."

As if on cue, they heard the creak of the main castle door opening echoing down the main hallway. A loud, high pitched voice followed. "Wakey wakey, time for pancakeys!" Pinkie Pie's sing-song cadence roused them from their mood.

"I guess we should get ready," Starlight slowly rose from the chair.

Twilight looked at the table again. The table still felt barren without the possibility of the map being there, but there was something else that could fill the empty space. "Hey Starlight," Twilight asked. "Want to have our breakfast in here? Share the old memories and prepare for some new ones?"

Starlight also eyed the table. It was a reminder that the table had been used for more than just the map. She smiled. "You know, I think I'd like that."

The two unicorns walked side by side down the hall toward the commotion that was brewing in the kitchen once Pinkie arrived.

***

Twilight shuffled through her notecards one last time as she walked up to the podium. Spike made some minor revisions the previous night, and she didn't want to fumble over her words. Not here, not now. This wasn't just for her friends, this was for creatures she had taught, creatures who looked up to her. This was the last impression she would leave on so many of them before they moved on to whatever came next, likely never to see her or hear her speak agian. More than any royal speech or state dinner toast, this had to be perfect.

Twilight felt her chest tighten. Her anxiety was getting to her again. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She felt her heartbeat slow as she exhaled.

She reached the podium and looked out at the faces in front of her. Ponies, griffons, dragons, and many other creatures smiled back at her. Most of the time, her anxiety would have kicked back in, but this time, she felt nothing but calarity. The faces of the friends she learned from and of the students she taught, the ponies and creatures she cared about most of all, stared back at her rapt with attention. It was oddly calming. Something about her friends' presence filled her with confidence. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this confident about what she was going to say. Twilight opened her mouth to begin, more full of conviction than she had been in months.

"Ten years. It's been ten years since I first came to Ponyville. So much has happened since then, but there will be one thing I will always remember and cherish about coming here. When I first came here, I didn't care about making friendships. I imagine it was the same with many of you here today when you all first arrived. But what I learned in Ponyville, and what I and this school hopefully passed on to all of you, is that strong friendships can be one of the most important things you can have in life.

Twilight continued, relaying her life's story and how her experiences led her to instill the values of friendship she had learned into the teachings of the school. As she reached the end of her speech, Twilight left the students with one final lesson.

"If there is any more advice I can offer you on friendship, it is this: as you all go your separate ways and want to keep the connections with the friends you've made here and with those you have yet to make, remember that friendship is a two way street. Memories of events past can keep the bond of friendship burning, but in time even those memories will fade if they are not rekindled by creating new memories with friends. A friendship requires effort and support from both parties to maintain, and without both, it will wither. I have made this mistake in the past, and I know the result all too well. I know the pain of having friends not take your concerns seriously. Whether it is as serious as a wedding or as frivolous as worrying about missing an assignment, the pain that can come from a friend laughing off your anxieties still stings and can resonate for a long time. But at the same time, I also konw all too well the guilt of not reciprocating a friendship when it's needed most and only discovering the pain it caused a friend years later. Friendship is ultimately a bond built on mutual trust, and when that trust is broken is can take further years to rebuild.

"That may seem like a dour subject to end on for such a celebratory occasion, but I say it for this reason. While you may be leaving the School of Friendship after today, the lessons you've learned here and the friendships you've made do not end today. As you take what you've learned here out into the world, you will make mistakes. I know I have. And sometimes it may feel like you are having to learn a lesson over again in a different situation. However, that is simply a part of building and maintining freindships, and a broader part of life. As I look out on you today, I know that you all have already achieved so much. I am confident you will all take what you've learned here to heart. It is an honor to return to the School of Friendship today to see these familiar faces that I came to know during my time as founding headmare and to see what you have all become since I left. I stand today before you on this stage, proud to welcome the first graduating class of the School of Friendship. Now please welcome to the stage a very good friend who I can assure you has made a fair share of mistakes and learned many lessons along the way, but who has become stronger and wiser for it." Twilight winked at the assembled students. "Headmare Starlight Glimmer will say a few remarks and call you up to the stage. Thank you everycreature."

Following the ceremony, parents, guardians, students, and teachers milled about in the courtyard where Sugarcube Corner catered an enormous spread of cupcakes, pies, cakes, and other baked goods. Twilight chatted with Ember and Thorax, happy to meet with the other leaders at a more informal setting for once. Eventually, she made her way to the group of international students. She had been eager to talk to them again to see what they were planning on doing now that they graduated.

"I can't wait to get back to Seaquestria," Silverstream chirped. "There's so many undersea creatures near our home that we don't know much about. I want to learn about them all!"

"And how about you, Ocellus?" Twilight continued down the group.

"Oh, Thorax told me Urtica has a ton of new documents that need to be gone over and archived. I also want to start interviewing other changelings about how rule under Chrysalis was and write a history of the hive, maybe even start a library!"

"Last up. Gallus." The griffon was quiet as he shuffled uncomfortably. When he did speak, he mumbled so much Twilight couldn't hear what he said. "What was that Gallus?" He glanced at the other students, then back at Twilight.

"I don't know," Gallus spat. "I have no idea what I want to do yet."

"Oh. Don't worry, you'll figure it out," Twilight tried to reassure him. "For now you all just concentrate on enjoying the party."

The five intenraitonal students thanked Twilight in near unison. Four of then scattered to mingle with a few groups around the courtyard. Gallus started to, but held back. He looked back at Twilight and caught her eye before she could turn her attention elsehwere. "Hey Twilight, can I talk to you? Alone?"

Twilight blinked, but acquiesced and led Gallus over to a corner away from any other conversation. "Is it about what you want to do?" She said in a calming tone.

"Yeah," Gallus replied glumly. "I'm just really unsure about what I want to do now. I keep going over ideas in my head and none of them fit who I'm supposed to be."

Twilight scratched her chin. "Have you talked to the Cutie Mark Crusaders about it? They helped Terramar and Gabby, they could help you."

Gallus bristled at the mention of Gabby. "I just don't know if they can help me. It's more, well," he paused as if he was unsure of what to say, or reluctant about what he felt he should say. "Everycreature just seems so dead set on me returning to Griffonstone, and I just don't know if that's the direction for me."

"Then what is?" Twilight said softly.

"No offense to you, Princess Twilight," Gallus blurted. Twilight was surprised at the apology. He hadn't offended her at all. Twilight had to admit to herself that when she started the school and recruited the five international students, she intended them as a connection to bring friendship to their home countries. And to her credit, the idea came through with flying colors with bringing the nations together to defeat Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis.

"It's just," Gallus continued, "with Gabby and Gilda in Griffonstone, it doesn't seem like I need to be in Griffonstone like the others. They just have so much more of a head start on things there than I do, and they're always so much better at it. And, well, Smolder, Yona, Silverstream, and Ocellus all have family to go back to in their homelands. I..." Gallus sighed. "I don't."

Twilight took in what Gallus said for several seconds. She tried to think of a response, and was taken aback when one didn't come right away. She had gotten used to dealing with the larger scale problems of running a country, but here was a personal problem, an actual friendship problem, and she was at a loss as to how to solve it right away.

"Gallus," she said softly. "I'm sorry." Gallus lifted his head from staring at the floor to look at her. "When I recruited the five of you for the school, I did initially have in mind that you would be bringing the values of friendship back to your nations once you graduated. I thought the school would prepare you for that future, but it seems that's not always going to turn out as I'd hoped. I put too much pressure on you to do that, and I apologize for that. I wish I had a sure answer for you, but I don't. Nocreature does. I can try to help where I can, but only you can truly figure out where you should go from here."

"So, you're not going to be disappointed if I don't go back to Griffonstone?"

Twilight stretched out a wing and put it around Gallus, pulling him closer to her. "No Gallus, of course I won't. You were one of my star pupils, I've already seen the magic of friendship you can bring to the world. Whatever you do, I know you'll be great at it." She pulled back. "And don't feel you need to be tied to Griffonstone or anywhere else just because you're a griffon. I can't pretend to know what it's like, but I do know someone close to me who was in a similar situation. Spike tried to go on his own back to the Dragonlands a year or two after we moved to Ponyville He thought it was where he belonged, and I encouraged him to go. In the end he decided it wasn't the right place for him so he came back, but that was his decision, and I offered to support him no matter what he chose. I know you don't have the best relationship with Grandpa Gruff, but I want you to know that as your professor, and as a friend, you have my support and encouragement for whatever you choose to do. That's one creature at least, and I know I'm not the only creature who does."

Gallus wiped a tear from his eye. "Thank you, Twilight." he took a moment to regain his composure. "I actually do have something in mind. I've been kind of thinking about going to Canterlot and applying to be a castle guard. I was hoping to ask you if there were any open spots and if you wouldn't mind putting in a good word for me." He grinned sheepishly.

Twilight beamed. "Of course I will Gallus! But I'm curious, why the castle guard. Why not the Wonderbolts?"

He leaned closer and arched an eyebrow like he was about to divulge some dark secret. "Don't tell Rainbow Dash I said this, but the Wonderbolts are too flashy for me. Too much style over substance if you ask me." Twilight chuckled. Gallus's dry humor was back, which she took to mean his mood was improving. "I'm looking for something a little more grounded in defense than entertainment."

"Then I think you'll make a fine member of the royal guard, Gallus." Twilight smiled. "You know what? If you're up for it, why don't you join me and Spike when we leave for Canterlot in a few days. One of my charioteers is a lieutenant and you can talk with him on the way back to Canterlot. When we get back if you're still interested I can introduce you to the guard captain and see how soon you can get started."

Gallus's face lit up. "That would be awesome! Thank you so much Twilight!" He leapt into a hovering loop.

Twilight looked on, smiling. "Not much for flashy, huh?" She giggled.

Gallus looked back at the school courtyard. The creatures, students, guardians, and teachers alike, were amiably chatting with each other in small groups. Silverstream waved at them from where she was chatting with Terramar and Fluttershy. Gallus's demeanor changed again. "Are you sure my friends won't be upset with going to Canterlot with you?"

Twilight looked over the crowd. She caught sight of Applejack and Rainbow Dash laughing with a parent. Twilight smiled. "With friends like yours? I'm certain of it."