Universe 19884

5 years later

“Thank you,” Discord nodded as he was handed a cup of tea. He looked down at the cup, hesitant to take a sip.

“Discord. It’s alright. We told you already, you’re welcome here,” Fluttershy reassured him, making the draconequus look up.

He and the other element bearers were all sitting on a blanket, enjoying a tranquil picnic. Even after defeating Tirek, Discord had worked tirelessly to regain the ponies’ trust. He always used his magic responsibly now, limiting its chaotic effect and his random shenanigans as much as he could. It was as if he had gained decades worth of wisdom, finally understanding how precious life was. He had helped restore Equestria’s landscape to what it once was and offered his assistance for even smaller tasks, such as helping Applejack on the farm when needed, or even handling Rarity’s boutique if she was away. Even after all this time, they never explicitly told him they forgave him. Moreover, he was also awkward for an additional reason.

“I know, but I feel bad for being here while Twilight is over there,” Discord gestured to the alicorn, who sat several feet away from them. The mare didn’t randomly decide to avoid them, of course.

She sat before a large statue of a familiar pony: Rainbow Dash. This statue also served as her grave. She wasn’t buried there since pegasi were most commonly cremated to have their ashes spread, but ponies wanted to have a place where they could visit her. Twilight had been one of her most common visitors, coming here every day. After all, this was Ponyville, and so it was close to her home.

“She still needs time. She didn’t process it like we did,” Rarity explained. Twilight would usually come here and do nothing. Most of the time, she’d cry, but she had been reading a few books on occasion, mostly Daring Do books.

“At least, Sugarcube could finally grieve,” Applejack added. Their alicorn friend had been doing that for the past five years, but they agreed to give her as much long as she needed, and that they would support her this time. Discord didn’t look convinced, looking back at Twilight painfully. Guilt was written all over his face.

“Hey, Discord… It’s okay,” Pinkie lightly reassured him, a comforting smile spread across her face.

“We know you still blame yourself, but… We don’t anymore. You don’t have to feel guilty anymore,” Fluttershy clarified as she placed a hoof on his shoulder. “You’re our friend,” She grinned.

Discord gulped, feeling a lump in his throat while his heart swelled with warmth. You couldn’t imagine how much he held back his tears. You couldn’t imagine how long he had hoped to hear those words, how much he had hoped that they wouldn’t hate him for what he did for the rest of their lives. However, he couldn’t allow himself to cry, not because he was Discord, the lord of chaos! Because someone else here had forgiven him long ago… And chose to blame themselves instead. Twilight… Still blamed herself, even after all this time. The draconequus could only wonder what was going through the mare’s mind currently.

And the mare’s mind was swirling with various emotions while she stared at the statue of her dear friend. For once, Twilight wasn’t in tears. Instead, her eyes trailed over the big statue, inspecting its every detail. There was a message engraved on its base:

“Here lies Rainbow Dash
A hero, a daughter, a friend”

The statue itself depicted the pegasus standing tall and proud, smirking defiantly. How could she ignore the most heartwarming part, though? Ponies wouldn’t look at what was initially engraved on the base, but rather on the messages others had added over time. Many ponies, either who had known Rainbow Dash, or who had been changed by the pegasus, came to engrave their own messages in honor of the fallen.

There were notably her parents, Scootaloo, a few Wonderbolts, and even Princess Celestia. Obviously, her friends had left messages of their own. There was Pinkie Pie, who engraved ‘And Best Prank Buddy’ near the initial engraving.

Applejack had written something short ‘See ya later, partner’ and was the only one not to openly cry when she engraved her message, saying it was because she was crying on the inside.

Discord’s was just slightly longer than theirs, but sweet nonetheless as he apologized for what he did and promised he would protect their friends with his life from now on. Twilight couldn’t hate him. After all, she was the one who refused Tirek’d deal…

Rarity’s message read: ‘I will always miss you and your “keen” eye for fashion’
She didn’t really understand this one since Rainbow was never one for fashion… But that was probably why Rarity put quotes on the word keen.

Fluttershy wrote that she promised she would take care of Tank, and added in smaller letters that Rainbow Dash would always be her best friend. It was… They were nice messages…

What about hers? Well, there was still an empty spot where she was supposed to engrave a message of her own, between her friends’ messages. She didn’t know what to say.

What could she say? Rainbow Dash and her friends had brightened her world more than anypony else, and she never imagined losing one of them before Tirek came. She never imagined she’d have to write any last words to them. She never imagined she’d be the one to blame for their death either…

Nevertheless, for once… She didn’t shed tears. No, she had said five years ago that she would try to forgive herself for what happened. There hadn’t been a single day where she didn’t hate herself as she tried to respect what Rainbow Dash would have wished for her.

During those years, she also tried to find the correct words for the pegasus. What could she say to a pony who had made her life so much better? What could she say to a pony that filled her with so much warmth? What could she say to a pony who made every day worth living? One with each she had been able to share her passion? Rainbow Dash had been more than a friend; she’d been a force of nature, a light in the darkest moments, the embodiment of loyalty itself.

Twilight wouldn’t have become who she was without Rainbow Dash and their friends. This world wouldn’t have been saved without them either. She mourned for so long, and maybe… It was finally time to forgive herself. Could she do that? Did she have the strength for it? Rainbow Dash believed she did, and perhaps she was the origin of that strength…

Time had softened the sharpest edges of her pain. Through the years, her friends had reminded her of the love they still shared, of the strength Rainbow Dash had given them all.

After five, long, and agonizing years, Twilight finally knew what to say. So the alicorn stood up from her spot and lit her horn, using her magic to engrave a new message on the empty spot. Once it was done, she looked at the message and nodded.

Twilight slowly walked up to her friends, all of which turned to look at her nervously. The alicorn took a deep breath, small joyous tears on the corners of her eyes.

“Girls… I think I’m ready to move on,” She declared followed by a light sniffle. Her friends wordlessly sprung to their hooves and embraced her. This time, if she was going to cry thinking of Rainbow Dash, she wanted them to be tears of joy.

On Rainbow Dash's statue, a new message was etched into the stone, just two words, carrying the weight of a lifetime.

‘THANK YOU’

Author's Note

It's over, guys... That's the end of the story. It was one hell of an adventure, and I hope I'll have you on the sequel!

What was your favorite universe? Your favorite characters? Favorite conclusion?