A veteran's journey

by Masteral

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Violence, Death, Narcotics, Drama, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad
Length: 6154

Despite the Great War ended a year ago, the former war reporter Shadow Swirl still didn't overcome the pain of having lost his firend Lucy Light in the trenches. Then one day he receives a letter from Twilight Sparke...

Despite the Great War ended a year ago, the former war reporter Shadow Swirl still didn't overcome the pain of having lost his firend Lucy Light in the trenches. Then one day he receives a letter from Twilight Sparkle.
At this moment, the journalist doesn't realize that a journey is about to start, and that it will change not only his life but maybe all of Equestria. Will the summer help him to cure the scars of war ?

Published 2023-06-16 21:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-06-16 21:00:00 UTC

A veteran's journey

Author's Note

This is my first fanfic ever and English isn't my primary language so sorry if there are mistakes.

I don't own the rights for the illustration.

Any resemblance with real characters, living or dead, is a pure coincidence.

Thanks so much to the EAW team for having created such a rich universe. This convinced me to watch MLP : FIM and I loved this show.

A veteran's journey

“This is it, this is the end, this time you won’t make it Shadow !”. Indeed the unicorn was surely in a bad situation. Despite the starless night, the explosions all around him were creating enough light to see as if it was the day. Shadow Swirl ran as fast as he could across the maze of the trenches with bullets shot by changeling’s machine guns flying just a few centimeters above his helmet. Dozens of dead ponies were lying on his way to who knows where. Here he saw the torn wing of a pegasi, there a dying mare tried to keep her belly closed while blood was flowing out. What a stupid idea it was to go to the front thinked Shadow Swirl. He was a journalist, not a warrior. He could have very well stayed in his hometown of Fillydelphia, far from any danger and continue to write articles about patriotism and brave workers in factories. But he had been convinced by the posters and the call of adventure. After all, it was his duty as a journalist to inform everypony of what was happening on the front. In addition, it would have been the ultimate dedication of his career and the opportunity for him to come back as a hero. But now he knew that his career would end before the morning along with his life. Suddenly, just a few meters behind him a shell exploded, just where Lucy Light was. Immediately the unicorn turned around to check if his assistant was all right. She was lying on the ground, face to the ground. As he approached his hoof close to her body, while praising Celestia to let Lucy live, she slowly raised her head. Shadow Swirl still couldn’t see her face. Then she turned her look to him, or what was left of it as half of her face had disappeared.
“Shadow…help…me” said Lucy Light before the glow in her eyes turned off forever.
Shadow Swirl couldn’t control himself anymore, his breath was faster and faster and tears began to flow from his eyes.
“Lucy, NOOOOOO !”

Shadow finally emerged from his sleep. He was profusely sweating and he was lacking oxygen. He quickly remembered where he actually was by looking around him, the guesthouse of Ponyville. He did had this nightmare yet again.

Shadow Swirl enjoyed the warmth of this summer morning as he was walking through the streets of the town. At each step though, the squeaking of his metal leg reminded him of his nightmare. Now everything was over, the Great War ended in an Equestrian victory one year before and everypony tried to come back to normal life. But the former war reporter was the living proof that it would take time to move on from the horrors of this conflict.
The unicorn finally arrived at his destination, the castle of friendship. He still didn’t know why but princess Twilight Sparkle herself asked him to meet her along with the bearers of the elements in Ponyville. Apparently, as the princess of friendship had written in her invitation letter, the journalist talents of Shadow Swirl had encouraged her to choose him for an extremely important mission for all of Equestria. He didn’t know what to think about that. On the one hand the exaggerations of the princess were known by all in the country, but on the other hand she was also known for doing everything with a clear purpose. And here was the main problem, Shadow Swirl didn’t know this purpose. But he would quickly know what it was, of course without suspecting that it would change his life.

“You want me to do WHAT ?” shouted the journalist. In front of him, princess Twilight Sparkle and the bearers were quietly seating around the magical map of friendship. With a very calm voice, the princess repeated what she had just said.
"We ask you to travel across Equestria to write an article about how the ponies are enjoying the summer in order to repair the scars of war."
"Yes, how the ponies are having FUN !" pursued Pinkie Pie
"...meeting their friends and family" said Applejack
"...are again in harmony with nature" said Fluttershy
"...are rediscovering summer fashion" said Rarity
"...and, yeah nothing more to say" said Rainbow Dash
Shadow Swirl noticed the metal wing of the element of loyalty, which reminded him of his own prosthesis.
"You see, since the end of the war the ponies try to think about something else than all of these horrors, continued Twilight. But it isn’t really easy, so many died and so many were wounded. Moreover the economy isn’t in a great situation, nor politics with this referendum last month…"
"Sure but…why me ?"
"You have been a direct witness of the war, I have read your articles, you know, how well you described with details the battles and the life on the front when the censorship act came to an end."
"Ah yes, but it was to “protect harmony” right ? So it was justified" said Shadow with a little bit of irony in his voice.
"I understand your frustration."
The princess had stepped down from her throne and began advancing towards Shadow Swirl.
"But I think you are the one made for this mission. You are one of the best journalists in the nation and the ponies need your powerful articles about a happy summer to boost their morale and turn the page of the Great War."
The princess was now just a few inches away from Shadow Swirl.
"And I think you need to do this trip for yourself. You must reconcile with harmony. The war has been a difficult trial for all of us and everypony lost its illusions about harmony. But we need to trust it, it’s the cement of our country and the best way we have to rebuild ourselves. You cannot just live with your ghosts forever."
Shadow Swirl thinked in silence for a moment. He saw Lucy Light again. She was his closest friend and assistant before the war. Since the day she died five years ago, there wasn’t a single day where he didn’t think about her. In the deep of his heart, he knew the princess was right, he had to reconcile with himself, he had to do it. He had to give a second chance to harmony because that’s what she would have wanted.
“Very well princess Sparkle, I’ll do it.”

Two hours later, Shadow Swirl was on his way for the longest trip of his life. The princess had prepared everything, her reputation was justified. Shadow Swirl used his horn to levitate the list she gave him in front of his eyes. First step : Las Pegasus and its massive entertainment industry. Then he would move to the south, eventually meeting Applejack’s cousins in Appleloosa. After that he would continue to the east, towards the jungles to end up at Baltimare. Finally, the last step would be a cruise across the ocean and a visit of New Mareland. Shadow Swirl put the list back in his bag and lit a cigarette, even in this train the trip would be long until he arrived in Las Pegasus.

Luna had already raised the moon for a long time when the train finally stopped at Las Pegasus station. There, Shadow Swirl was welcomed by a pegasi with a groom uniform.
"Pleased to meet you Mr.Swirl, I was charged to help you with your luggages and guide you to your hotel."
"I see that the princess really thought about everything."
The groom took the luggage of the journalist and together walked to the hotel. Shadow Swirl could already have an idea of how ponies and tourists enjoyed the summer in this city. Although it was the middle of the night, casinos, bars and other attraction parks were still open and ponies seemed to have a good time. But a journalist knows he must beware of appearances.
When the unicorn and the pegasi arrived at the room where Shadow Swirl would live for a few days, the groom wished him a nice stay and turned his back.
"Wait, just a second" said Shadow Swirl
The pegasi stopped and turned again to face the journalist.
"What can I do for you sir ?"
"Tell me, what did you do during the Great War ?"
The groom suddenly seemed embarrassed.
"Well… I was a nurse. This hotel was transformed into a provisional hospital and I did my best to help the injured soldiers sent here. But uh, sorry sir I prefer not to talk too much about it."
"This is fine, thank you" said Shadow Swirl while using his horn to give a coin to the groom before he entered his room.

Surprisingly, Shadow Swirl had a very good night. He was so tired he didn’t even have a dream and he slept like a colt. So in the morning, he was more than ready for his first day of work. Hat on his head, with his old press card on it, a camera attached to his neck and a cigarette on his lips, he left the hotel and began walking across the streets. Shadow Swirl began his day by entering a restaurant. There were many in this city so he simply went to the most luxurious one. After all, the princess of friendship had assured him that all the costs of the journey would be on her charge. Shadow Swirl didn’t know the salary of a princess, but whatever, it was not his problem right now. As soon as he sat on a table and ordered breakfast, two well dressed unicorns went to meet him. One of them started speaking to him.
"Good morning my friend, I have heard that you were a journalist on an official trip ?"
Even if he was surprised by what these stallions knew about him, Shadow Swirl remained unfazed.
"Well technically it’s not an official trip but yes I’m indeed a journalist who now works on a project in coordination with princess Sparkle."
"And what exactly is the purpose of this “project” ?" said the other stallion
"I am here to ask ponies how they feel about the starting summer and how they can by the way think about something else than the horrors of the Great War."
"Oh, that’s a very noble idea but we didn’t expect less from the princess of friendship. We have known her very well and for a long time you know."
"And how exactly do you know who I am ?" asked Shadow Swirl
"Well we have our sources, news goes fast in this city. I wouldn’t like to be impolite but would you give us the honor of being the first ponies interviewed for your article ?"
"Sure, no problem, responded Shadow Swirl while taking his notebook and his pen out of his bag thanks to his horn. But can I ask who you are ?"
"Oh you don’t recognize us ?"
"To be honest, no. During my career I mostly wrote about common ponies, not the upper class."
"In that case let me introduce ourselves, we are the brothers Flim and Flam, owners of this restaurant and humble buisnessponies of this great city of Las Pegasus !"
"Very well, said the journalist, still unfazed while he began writing."
"During the war we did everything we could to help our country and our fellow ponies. We massively invested in war bonds to help the military with our fortune. But we didn’t forget the ordinary ponies and we helped the war orphans and widows by providing them free meals cooked in our restaurants, like this one, by the best chefs from Aquileia."
"And what about your finances, I see your business survived quite well during the Great War."
"Our fortune melted like if snow from Yakyakistan was suddenly dropped in Zebrica, but we were lucky. Our employees remained loyal, not like those silly ones from other companies which got bankrupt because their workers took advantage of the situation to join Starry Plough’s Union !"
"What are your expectations for this summer ?"
"We hope to give joy to everypony during this season. Like you said, we have to think about something other than the Great War. We plan to open a new giant roller coaster and multiple new diverse entertainment facilities."
"One last question, do you often remember events you experienced during the Great War ?"
"Hum hum, we are not really sure to understand your question."
"Everypony suffered from this period, and according to what you said you’re not an exception. So do you feel like…sorrow maybe sometimes ?"
"Oh no my friend, thanks to our general optimism and our funny facilities we manage to always have a smile on our faces. After all, isn’t Laughter a pillar of friendship ?"
"I guess so. Well, thank you for your participation."
"Our pleasure, and you know what, we offer you breakfast for free. Have a nice trip and don’t forget to test our entertainment facilities."
Shadow Swirl was satisfied. He had begun this adventure with pessimistic views but those two stallions proved him wrong. A few minutes later, a waiter arrived with the breakfast. Silently the mare began placing the plates on the table. But the journalist noticed something else. She had left a note. He quickly took it and rode it.
“I have noticed your conversation with my bosses. Please come to the following address at sunset. I have valuable information for you.”
Shadow Swirl tried to spot the waiter but she had already disappeared.

Shadow Swirl had no idea who this mysterious mare was. But he was a journalist, and a journalist is naturally curious. He had spent the rest of the day visiting some casinos and attraction parks, asking a question here and there. But he had rapidly realized something : only ponies from the upper class accepted to answer his questions and when he tried to interview commoners they simply refused or were extremely vague. If he met the waiter again it would likely be the first commoner to actually talk to him. Shadow Swirl arrived at the address in the suburbs of the city and lit a cigarette while waiting. Soon after, somepony approached him and he immediately recognized the mare from the restaurant.
"So, are you going to tell me who you are ?" started the journalist.
"I prefer not. If Flim and Flam learn that I talked with you I’ll surely lose my job."
"Why ?"
"What they told you is 90% false."
"Hum, and how can you say that ?"
"If they are not traumatized by the Great War, it’s because they have greatly benefitted of the conflict. You see, they are not just hotel and casino owners, they largely built their fortune by selling weapons."
"What ?" said the journalist with a little surprise ton in his voice
"Yes, they built dozens of arms manufactures all across Equestria and became extremely rich. And about the “loyal workers”, they lied. They used the militias of Pine Chest to intimidate the employees who joined the trade unions."
"Pine Chest, the fascist leader ?"
"Yes. They maintained their grip over the city thanks to intimidation and fear. And also, about their relation with Twilight Sparkle, they lied too."
"Well that sure is a surprise. Have you any proof of what you said ?"
"Come with me."
Shadow Swirl followed the mare to a small apartment where there were around fifteen ponies. All night long, these ponies told him their story. Most of them had hardly suffered from the Great War. Some were mobilized, others stayed in the city, but all of them were exploited by Las Pegasus’ upper class which had found a way to use the war time legislation to their advantage. If everypony he had interviewed didn’t seem to have suffered during the Great War, it wasn’t the case of little ponies. This city was built on the embodiment of inequalities and the war had only made this phenomenal bigger. Shadow Swirl thought about Lucy Light and his leg. Where were Flim and Flam and all those rich industrialists when he had lost both of them ?

A few days later, Shadow Swirl was back at the train station. He had taken some photos, interviewed a few more ponies, and now he was ready to continue his trip. As the train for Appleloosa arrived, he thinked about what he was going to write to princess Sparkle, who had asked him to write her a letter after each step of the journey. A question in particular was in his mind since he had met the workers in the small apartment : what did the princesses do to avoid this situation ? Finally he decided to not mention this question for the moment. In the end, while the train began to advance with him inside, he simply wrote some courtesies and lambda facts about his stay in Las Pegasus. More details could wait.

Appleloosa, the star of the south, the shiny beacon of southern Equestria spirit. As soon as Shadow Swirl’s artificial hoof touched the ground, a big earth pony went to meet him. The journalist recognized him before the stallion even said his name.
"Hi there Mr.Journalist, I’m very pleased to meet such a great reporter."
"All the pleasure is mine, Braeburn."
"Oh I see ! Applejack already told you about her dear cousin, ha ha ha !"
"Yes indeed. I hope I am not impolite but could you guide me to my room please ? The trip exhausted me."
"No problemo my friend, follow me."

The next article to be published in the Fillydelphia Herald was about the local tank plant. More than 500 ponies worked in this factory in order to bring enough equipment to those on the front line against the changelings. Shadow Swirl, his traditional cigarette on the lips, was typing it with enthusiasm. He pleased the courage of the factory’s workers and their efficiency. Behind him, the door opened but he didn’t notice it.
“Would you like some coffee sir ?”
Shadow Swirl looked behind him and saw his assistant, the wonderful Lucy Light who had, Celestia knows how, found some coffee despite the rationing.
“Sure, thank you Lucy. I really wonder how I could survive without you” answered the journalist with a large smile while grabbing the cup of coffee with his horn. Lucy Light had a little laugh at this moment.
"Listen to me, Lucy. Our job is to promote the war effort in order to protect harmony. But, I think I’m tired of writing about factories and patriotism. I should go to the front, directly on the terrain because everypony has the right to know what happens there."
"Are you sure Mr.Swirl ? Isn’t it dangerous ?"
"Well yes a little bit, but I’m sure our soldiers will do everything they can to protect me."
"In that case, I’d like to go with you sir."
"Hum, are you sure Lucy ?"
"Absolutely ! I want to learn with you sir. You are the best journalist I’ve ever met and… I am not afraid of danger !"
"You know what, deal. Let’s go together to the front !" shouted Shadow Swirl.
At this moment, an explosion destroyed the office. When Shadow Swirl opened his eyes, he was in a trench. His uniform was covered with blood and his leg was seriously injured. But in front of him, Lucy Light still was at the exact same place, but half of her head was missing.
"Sir, what happened ?" she asked with a very calm voice.
"I…I don’t know…"
"I asked you to help me, why didn’t you do anything ?"
"No that’s impossible, no no no no NO !"
Shadow Swirl woke up in his bed in Appleloosa.

The journalist wasn’t in a very good mood in the morning because of his bad night. Braeburn had planned to guide him across the city which greatly benefited tourism. Many ponies, especially from the cold Crystal Empire came in the south so could enjoy the heat and the rural culture. Indeed there were many Crystal ponies in the street and Shadow Swirl interviewed some of them. But they didn’t say anything really interesting, mostly banalities about the heat and stuff like that. At the end of the tour, Shadow Swirl looked a little bit bored and Braeburn began to be embarrassed. But while they were on their way to the saloon to get their lunch, the journalist noticed a big noise. Finally something interesting was happening. Without hesitating he ran to the source of the noise. A few streets away from the saloon, a yak and a buffalo were fighting in a buckball arena, surrounded by many other yaks and buffalos as well as some ponies, encouraging the fighters. Shadow Swirl looked at the fight with curiosity, he never thought he would meet a yak in this region. Finally, a few minutes later, the buffalo won and the yak was on the ground.
“HA HA HA, YAK HAS TO ADMIT BUFFALO GOOD FIGHTER !”
Shadow Swirl advanced through the public and noticed the sheriff Silver Star.
"What are these yaks doing here ?"
"You are the newly-arrived journalist right ? Well, the government of Yakyakistan decided to open an embassy in the buffalo autonomous region. And here is the diplomatic delegation. Don’t worry, this is an amical fight."
Shadow Swirl had finally found something to talk about for his article. The summer was the occasion for very different peoples to meet. These yaks and buffalos didn’t even know of each other's existence a few years back, and now they were friends, in their own ways. Princess Sparkle would be happy to see this thinked the journalist, summer trips are an excellent way to favor friendship. In the afternoon the fights ended. Shadow Swirl took the occasion and immortalized with his camera the salute between the yak ambassador and chief Strongheart.

Back on the train. This time the next stop was Baltimare on the other side of the continent. This time, Shadow Swirl decided to write an actually interesting letter to princess Sparkle. He couldn’t stop thinking about the time when princess Celestia had sent Twilight in Ponyville so she could discover friendship. She had written many letters about what she discovered and in the end she became a princess herself. Surely there was a parallel between Twilight Sparkle and Shadow Swirl with one notable exception, he wouldn’t turn into an alicorn at the end of the trip. But who knows…

The trip was much longer than the previous two. The railroad system was not that much developed in the jungles of the south-east. The train had made many stops in the countryside in order for the tourists inside to visit native ruins and to see the huge canyons. Shadow Swirl had followed them sometime but more out of cultural curiosity than for potential interviews. The heat and humidity were severe in this region and he hardly waited to arrive in Baltimare where he could finally sleep in a much more convenient room than the bed wagon.

Baltimare hadn’t suffered that much during the Great War considering it was very far away from the Changeling lands. Except for one or two U-Boot raids, nothing had happened there. Shadow Swirl was really asking himself why princess Sparkle sent him here, sure he would probably find some veterans or widows but that was all he had in mind. It was just an industrial port with no tourist industry or entertainment facilities. Was he going to spend three days doing pretty much nothing while waiting for his boat which would bring him to Sunset ? Maybe, or maybe not. He knew that nothing was done randomly by the princess of friendship. As he walked across the train station, surprised to see no one to welcome him, he suddenly noticed a group of pegasi in a corner. They seemed to be teenagers like any other but they wore strange clothes. Shadow Swirl quickly recognized them; those were uniforms of the Stalliongrad’s youth organization. What were they doing here ? He couldn’t think about it as suddenly they rushed on him and took his luggage.
“Hey, come back here you damn’ thieves !”. Oh this step would be lovely thinked the journalist. Immediately the teenagers started to run away, closely followed by Shadow Swirl. The chase continued out of the station, and then through the streets. A few moments later they arrived in a row. The pegasi were now facing Shadow Swirl who was facing them back, just like in these old Appleloosan movies with gunslingers and bounty hunters. Then something quite unexpected happened. Dozens of ponies with the same stalliongradian uniforms went out of the buildings of the row and all of them were shouting with joy. A massive banner fell, hanging between two windows with a big “WELCOME TOVARICH” written on it with colorful letters. Shadow Swirl didn’t know what to think anymore, nothing made sense. The group from the station gave him back his luggage with laughter.
“I hope you enjoy the party, comrade journalist !” said a voice behind Shadow Swirl. He turned his back and saw a mare that he recognized, it was Golden Delicious, the syndicalist leader of the city.

"So, will you finally explain what is the meaning of this Ms.Delicious ?"
"When you’ll call me Goldie, or comrade, everypony calls everypony comrade in this place."
"Fine…comrade."
The two ponies arrived in front of Shadow Swirl’s room which was located…in the row. The journalist was also surprised to discover that it wasn’t a personal room or a hotel, or even a guesthouse. It was a common student housing he would have to share with a unicorn student from Staliongrad and a young Aquileian griffon. The journalist really felt that it was getting increasingly out of hand, did the princess really organize this ?
"Okay I’m going to explain everything to you, said Golden Delicious. You are in the “Socialist Students’ Summer Global Exchange'' or SSSGE if you prefer. Me and my communist friends in universities around the world planned it for years. You see, our goal is ultimately the mutual comprehension of peoples in order to bring peace. So we created this annual meeting between students so they can make new friends and get a better understanding of this world, in a harmonic socialist approach of course. Here is the first edition of this meeting and it’s already a success. We have 250 students here, they come from Equestria, the Crystal Empire, Staliongrad, Nova Griffonia, Yale, Riverland and there are ponies, thestrals, griffons and so many more !"
Shadow Swirl was really impressed. He hadn’t ever learned about this meeting before but now he knew why princess Sparkle sent him here.
"But how do they communicate ? They come from so many places."
"Well thai is also the occasion for them to learn new languages and better prepare for the global revolution."
"Wait what ?"
"Ha ha it’s a joke. No seriously we don’t plan to overthrow a single government, this is a fully peaceful meeting. Even Stalliongrad gave up the idea of the armed revolution since they voted out GenSec Vassily."

Now it was evening. Shadow Swirl was typing the beginning of his article when his Aquileian roommate, Robert, invited him to join him for a party on the roof. At first the journalist tried to refuse as politely as he could, arguing that he was tired and that it was probably illegal to party like that on the roof of a building but Robert insisted. Finally Shadow Swirl gave up and followed him. On the roof there were around ten diverse creatures around a firecamp (that was completely illegal but who cares it didn’t hurt anypony). There were ponies from all across Equus, Herzlanders and even a changeling. When he saw him, Shadow Swirl began to feel a mixture of anger and fear. The dead body of Lucy Light came to his mind again. Seeing this, all the creatures understood what he felt and invited him to sit. Shadow Swirl complied, but everything felt silent and so it was for a long moment.
“I know that you are angry against my people, " said the changeling. “But you have to understand that we have changed. We regret what we’ve done to Equestria and to you. I am too young to know how it was on the front but I know you were there and you probably lost friends. So please, in the name of my people, accept my apologies.”
Shadow Swirl now really didn’t know what to think. The changeling seemed sincere. He remembered what Twilight had said before the trip : You cannot live with your ghosts forever. That was true, giving forgiveness to the former enemy didn’t mean forgetting Lucy Light. It was exactly what he had to do to honor her memory. Harmony was meant to be lived in friendship, not in hate, just like Luna and Celestia forgave each other’s faults many years ago. During his trip he had seen many ponies and other creatures overcoming their scars and differences by listening to each other. So, the journalist took the leg of the changeling in his hoof, in a sign of friendship. The creatures around the fire camp shouted in joy and the party started again. Shadow Swirl was surprised that politics wasn’t the main conversation topic. The creatures, wherever they came from, mainly talked about their home, their hobbies, their friends and families. Of course, politics always came back a little bit but not as much as he would have thought. Robert explained how he had experienced the Aquileian Revolution, Gunther who came from Yale, the crazy stupidities he was doing to the priests with his friends etc. There was above all a good mood, typical of a student meeting. Also, weird cigars with strange plants cultivated by the natives in the nearby jungles were moving around the fire camp along with grilled marshmallows.
'So, do you enjoy your stay ?" said Golden Delicious behind Shadow Swirl, who didn't even notice she climbed on the roof.
"Affirmative comrade Goldie" responded the journalist with a large smile.
In the middle of the night, he finally decided to try one of these cigars while his companions began singing “The Internationale”.
“Stand up, all victims of oppression,
For the tyrants fear your might!
Don't cling so hard on your possessions
For you have nothing if you have no rights!”
Shadow Swirl felt more than good as large clouds of blue smoke passed in front of his eyes and the energy of the song flowed inside of his body. He was so relaxed that suddenly, he slept.

The trenches, everywhere were the trenches. In Tall Tale fields, countless bodies of ponies and changelings would soon make the poppies blow. Like Lucy Light, they lived, felt down and simply died. Shell steel exploded around Shadow Swirl but he was unfazed. It was a dream, he knew it now because he wasn’t scared anymore. He had forgave the changelings and buried the sadness of having lost Lucy Light in order to embrace the joy of having known her. Then in the darkness of the sky, a tearing of light appeared and from it emerged none other than princess Luna, goddess of night and protector of dreamers.
"Do you know why I’m here ?" asked the princess
"Because I’m in the middle of a nightmare" answered Shadow Swirl.
"Are you scared ?"
"No."
"Then it’s not a nightmare."
"So what is it, why are you here princess ?"
"Because it’s your last test."
"A test ? What do you mean ?"
"My friend Twilight Sparkle sent you on a redemption trip, and it seems that it worked because you’re not afraid anymore."
"Redemption ? Why, because of my regrets, the scars of war ?"
"Well, yes. She knew you were the one made for the job of helping everypony to turn the page, but first you had to face your own past and your own scars."
"And what is the meaning of that one dream, and why are you appearing only now ?"
The princess stayed silent for a few seconds before continuing.
"I’m here to apologize. Millions of ponies suffered like you in the trenches or elsewhere and the Great War seriously perturbed the realm of dreams. Even though I am a princess, I don’t know if I will ever be able to cure the scars of everypony in Equestria."
After saying these words, the dark princess turned her back and began to return in the tearing in the sky.
"Wait" shouted Shadow Swirl. "I would like to ask you a final question. You know, it’s my job after all."
Luna turned her look towards the journalist.
"Ask it."
"What about you, do you have any scars yourself ? Considering there is no one to help you in your dreams, how do you handle the problem ?"
Luna had a smile on her face.
"Your test is over."
Then she returned to the light. Before she completely disappeared she said these final words : “I recognize myself in you a lot Shadow Swirl, farewell”
At this moment, Shadow Swirl began hearing voices around him.
“I think he smoked to much, he is in the middle of a bad trip”
“Réveilles-toi mec, t’es vraiment parti trop loin là !”

As Shadow Swirl was now on the deck of the boat, he was deeply touched by the amount of students on the dock. They wished him good luck for the end of his trip and praised him for coming to the next students meeting. Shadow Swirl had spent among the best moments of his life among these young peoples. So he had promised to come back. The journalist was extremely sad of having to go away to continue his trip, at any moment tears were ready to flow. Then, the boat began to leave. Shadow Swirl raised his hoof to address a final goodbye to the students. He stayed like that until the port disappeared behind the horizon. He then locked himself in his cabin and cried a little bit before beginning to write his letter to princess Twilight.

Dear princess Twilight,

First, I wish to apologize for how I began this trip across Equestria. On my way across the country I met many ponies and other creatures sharing the joys of summer and I finally understood the true meaning of harmony. It’s not simply an ideology or a political wing, it’s a way of life. It’s the choice of accepting other peoples despite their differences with us. I also wish to thank you for sending me on this wonderful adventure across Equestria. Thanks to you I was able to reconcile with myself and turn the page. Now I know that the best way to overcome regrets is to share them with friends because that’s how we realize that we are not alone. But I also discovered many misery and it motivated me to help everypony to overcome the scars of war. There are many ponies who suffered much more than me and I wish to help them.

At the beginning of the trip I asked myself why you and the other princesses let such misery and suffering exist in Equestria despite your great powers. But now I know that harmony is based on the participation of everypony, not only the ones who are the most powerful with magic. I really hope my articles will help open the eyes of the ponies about the help some of their co-citizens need.

I’ll conclude this letter with a message of hope, the hope that summer, heat and holidays will be the occasion for every creature on Equus and beyond to overcome the scars of the Great War and begin living in peace once more. May the warmth of friendship triumph over the coldness of hate.

Your faithful reporter Shadow Swirl.

PS: I write this letter on my way to Griffonia, but I think I’ll stay there a little bit longer than planned. Now I wish to explore the summer among the griffons and the river ponies. Don’t worry, the article about my trip in Equestria will come to you in time. I called it “A veteran’s journey”.