When Twilight arrived back home, she was surprised to find the library dark. as she shut the door, she squinted and lit the tip of her horn. As the glow lit surfaces in the centre room, Twilight noticed a few additions to the usually sterile environment. Balloons, streamers, and a punch bowl loomed around the library like unfamiliar faces in a class she had taken a hundred times.

Before She had time to react, Lights flicked on, and twilight was accosted by an explosion of confetti, compressed air, and Pinkie Pie.

"Surprise!" She shouted, as she barreled towards her friend.

Twilight didn't have sufficient time to duck, or put up a force field, so her eyes simply widened and she shrieked in surprise as she, Caspian, and Pinkie became a Katamari ball that rolled into the wall behind them.

As the two disentangled themselves, Twilight Sparkle demanded answers.

"Pinkie, what are you doing here? and...what is...everypony else...?" Twilight trailed off as she realized that she and Pinkie were not alone in her library. Around her stood her other four best friends, each with amused smiles on their faces as they looked down at the spectacle before them.

"What's going on is your 'Welcome Back to Ponyville, Sorry We Haven't All Been More Supportive of Your Journey, But We're Here Now' Party!" Pinkie enthused.

Fluttershy was the first pony to step forward.

"Twilight...I'm sorry I was so withdrawn when you told me what you had done. I was worried about my animals, and I was confused, but you're my friend and I should have been there for you," Fluttershy looked out from under her hair apologetically.

"And I should have been more aware and not let you amble on off like that. Mighty sorry Twi," Applejack spoke up, with a sincere smile on her face.

Rainbow Dash just looked at her altered unicorn pal, and asked, "Hey Twi, got any more?"

"Really darling, this is supposed to be a way of supporting our friend during what is probably a confusing time, NOT a drug parlay," Rarity glowered at Rainbow Dash.

Twilight looked at all her friends, circled around her, ready to help her through any problem she had ever had.

"Oh, girls, I love and care for you all so much. Thank you for everything," Twilight's eyes welled over with joyful tears, "I'm fine Rarity, this has been so enlightening, I've had so much fun, I've learned a lot about myself, I'm just so happy to have ponies like you in my life."

Twilight looked around, and realized that she wanted nothing more for the rest of her trip than to be here, with her friends.

With that, the six of them and Spike pulled into a big group hug. Caspian escaped only by a mouse hair, lest he be squished betwixt giant walls of equine flesh.

For the rest of the night, the girls laughed, talked, and reminisced on all the great times they had been through together, and finally all ended up falling asleep on the blanketed floor they had set out. All except for Twilight, that was.

Twilight, unable to sleep as the rest of the magic worked its way out of her system, sat up and penned a letter.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

Today I learned several amazing lessons, like not to steal doormice, and practical uses for the Bubblehead charm. But the most important lesson I learned is that your real friends will always be there for you, even when you make a decision that puts you in an alienated position. They want to see you happy, and will stick with you, whether you're having fun playing 'What's in my hoof", or crying because seaponies have invaded the upstairs and are going to come down and turn you into one of their crazy overcult. They love you, and they are truly the most important asset a pony can have.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle"

She opted not to wake Spike, and sent the letter herself, using the transportation spell Celestia had taught her last summer. A doozy for sure, but worth it.

In Canterlot, Celestia chewed a mushroom, and read over Twilight's letter.

"Huh, wonder if she has any more?"

Author's Note

Well, here it is, the end of this story. TADA!!!