It all started in Sugarcube Corner, on another sunny day in Ponyville. The Cakes were making their usual rounds at the front of the store, with Pinky working the back room, adding to the stores of cakes and pastries to be sold up front. After finishing the latest batch, she put her apron on a hook near the doorway, calling out to the front.
"I'm all done for now Mr. Cake! I'm gunna be upstairs playing with Gummy for a while!"
Said pony returned with an upbeat voice, "Alright Pinky. You go ahead, we'll let you know if we need you, OK?"
"Sure thing!" Pinky replied as she made a bee-line for her room. In typical Pinky fashion, she secured her door and catapulted herself onto her bed, Gummy already on her pillow, gumming his favorite ball. Moving behind her bed, she pulled out an object that should not exist in Equestria.
A Dell laptop computer.
Moving quickly, and with an odd ease despite her hooves, Pinky signed on to her account and began moving to her internet engine. Her first place to look was her e-mail, keeping tabs with a few of the human authors she collaborated with regularly. Pinky, ever since breaking the fourth wall the first time, found no end to the ponies, or rather 'bronies', that would help her or send her advice. All she could do in return was correspond as she usually does, doing her best to bring a bit of Pinky-style joy into their lives. Most never thought she was the real Pinky, and that was likely for the best. But the smiles she saw via their own Photo-logs said it all. The pink party pony quickly found an oddity though.
Normally, her tag handle on FiMfiction was rather generic, with a picture of her cutie mark as her image. She also, as a rule, only ever read the more adventure-based stories, or comedy if she could help it. Granted, she'd helped with a bit more deep or emotional works before, but by and large, Pinky's taste in fiction was rather particular. This time, a message, a PM at that, was there from an author she did not recognize. The message was simple:
Please read this, I think you might like it. I know I did, and I feel better for having read this.
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/16467/1/dreaming-with-ponies/dreaming-with-ponies
The link was for FiMfiction, and the title at the end, 'Dreaming With Ponies', seemed curious if harmless enough. Granted, Pinky had the misfortune of stumbling onto Cupcakes some time ago, and since then had to screen fiction suggestions like the plague ever since. Still, she clicked onto the link and was brought to the first page. Looking up, she noticed right away this wasn't the title page, where the rating and summary would be. However, there was a link for music that inspired it. Clicking the link so it would be in another tab, her heart melted at the sight. She saw an image of her and all her friends, drawn of course, all together seemingly napping while a beautiful melody played. She recognized it as part of the theme song to their show, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Smiling with warmth in her heart, she went back to the story. But just as she began to read, she heard how the music changed tone, more melodious, deviating from the theme. But it was still so beautiful, she could only laugh a bit to herself, wondering how those bronies made such melodies time and again. As she read the first few lines, she felt this was the usual set-up, but with such a wonderful music background, she could only find it magical as she read on.
By the end of the first section, however, Pinky's eyes were wide with shock. Twilight, old? Her interactions with them a dream? Pinky was already familiar with the fan's show, and how it had deviated from their world's truth. For one thing, there had been a lot more fallout from the Canterlot Wedding than just moving on with the union of Shining Armor and Cadence. The clean-up, the many ponies who'd insisted on Changeling revealing measures, and the apologies/counseling for Twilight. For a time, only her foal-sitter would be able to get an honest word out of the unicorn. It had been a sad phase, but one that had healed with love, time, and eventually forgiveness. By the day the Crystal Empire situation had come up, it had been nearly a year since the incident, bridges mended and friendship stronger than ever.
There had been other things lost, such as a few adventures including Princess Luna, her correspondence with the CMC at Sweet Apple Acres, and even the Sisterhood Social where the Alicorn sisters had participated. Surprisingly, that adventure had wound up being a fanfic, one Pinky would look up once in a while and laugh herself horse over.
Still, Pinky looked at the words, knowing it couldn't be true. Twilight was now an Alicorn, blessed with a youthful vigor that wouldn't quit. She was tied to friendship, the Magic of Friendship as surely as Celestia was tied to the sun. When their friendship ended, likely when the last of them passed, then she'd pass on right away never having to endure being old like her friends would. Pinky's thoughts froze then, another possibility coming to mind.
'But, what if she's tied to "Friendship" rather than "OUR Friendship"?!? Would that mean she'd last as long as Celestia, over 1,000 years?'
Pinky quickly moved to the music again, resetting it and continuing with the next section of the story, hoping she wasn't reading more into this than she should.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pinky couldn't stop, no matter how much she wanted to, her eyes just kept moving, absorbing ever word on the page. She occasionally moved her hoof to restart the music, but otherwise she had no other room in her thoughts.
Twilight, a Grandmother?
Twilight, a MOTHER?!?
With Caramel Apple as her Special Somepony?
Pinky absorbed all this while moving forward, the beautiful, haunting music gentle in her ears as her heart pounded in her chest. And then, she came to the flashback, and Pinky's poor heart broke to pieces as she read the last time they'd been together.
The song scene, her own line of, "Tons of Fun," she whispered aloud to the tune of the song playing, right on cue. Pinky's eyes were full of tears, ones she desperately fought off, trying to read more. Her strangled sobs caught in her throat, her hair was only half as straight as she might have thought it would get though, while her emotions ran off with her like this.
It took some time, maybe ten minutes, the song of course needing to be reset again. But still, Pinky continued onto the next section, her heart heavy, yet an odd sort of joy was there as well. Pinky never felt something like that before, it had always usually been one or the other with her. Now, as she continued to read, eyes scanning each word, those feelings were stronger than ever.
By the end, Pinky found she has still more tears to shed, but her smile was as wide as it was wet. Her heart ached terribly, but her joy for this Twilight was something that moved beyond the thought that she'd had to endure so much without her friends. It was this ending thought that gave Pinky pause, thinking of her own friends.
Her Twilight.
Her Applejack.
Her Rainbow Dash.
Her Rarity.
Her Fluttershy.
Ever since the coronation, visiting Twilight had been difficult, and getting her out of the Castle with everypony doubly so. Fluttershy's home seemed more and more to be devoted to the critters, who took up much of her time. Rarity with her business, now with branches from Canterlot to Manehatten, seemed attached to her desk at the hip. Rainbow Dash's tenure with the Wonderbolts was very busy, moving from City to City. Applejack was still busy working on her farm. Though she seemed to change the least, save for Applebloom's latest invention taking some burden off her siblings.
Pinky seemed to be the only one who's life hadn't changed much. Her place was still at Sugarcube Corner, throwing parties and generally making ponies smile. Yet, more than any of the others, she had the free time to visit each of them, helping plan events and catching up on events missed. She was, in her own humble opinion, the Peanut Butter that held them together even as life seemed to break them apart.
Still, after reading this, she knew it just wasn't enough. She didn't know if Twilight would live to a ripe old age, and then join them in the next life, or if like Celestia she'd linger on, carrying them in her memories but not joining them until the world's end, and maybe not even then? Pinky knew either way, that time was being wasted, and their golden times as friends should not be this easily ended by something like 'Royal Duties'.
With trembling hooves, Pinky moved to her writing desk, something she hardly used aside as a prop-up for her laptop these days, and took out parchment, ink, and quill. It had been a long time since she last hoof-wrote a letter, but she needed to get into contact with a few ponies, and she knew not all of them would be available for a personal visit. Determined with dried tear tracks down her muzzle, she began writing, "Dear Octavia,"...
_____________________________________________________________________________________
One week passed to the day, and all of Pinky's friends found themselves back in Golden Oaks Library for the first time in what seemed like forever. Oddly, Pinky seemed to the one who was missing.
"Girls, I know we've been busy lately, but do any of you know what Pinky's up to this time?" Twilight Sparkle, lacking her royal raiment, simply adorned with her old saddle bags looked to her friends, wondering if they'd been told more of what this gathering was about.
"Not a clue, sugarcube. This came outta nowhere for me too, and Ah'd seen her not two days before she sent me that invitation." Applejack's reply was punctuated by an official looking invitation, printed on rather expensive looking parchment. It read like more of a formal invitation than Pinky was known for using, though her hoof-writing was unmistakable.
You are cordially invited to a celebration at Golden Oaks Library this coming Sunday.
9:00AM to 9:00PM
All guests are free to come as they are, and may expect full catering services from SugarCube Corner.
Guests are advised that, while attendance is not required, it is heavily wished for: that means YOU Applejack!
Naturally, everypony got a kick out of Pinky's little dig at Applejack, which was inside every one of their invitations, even though she'd written them herself. Applejack felt herself flush a bit as Rainbow began chortling again at the mention of said invitation, while Rarity barely kept her giggles in control with a hoof to her mouth.
Fluttershy, of course, patted Applejack's shoulder with a hoof, "Now now. While that may have been rather...Pinky of her, we all know it was just a gentle reminder, to all of us, to remind Applejack if she forgot on the day. Right everypony?"
Even Twilight had a hard time stifling herself at Applejack's expression of gratitude to the butter-yellow Pegasus, though Rainbow's laughter became much harder to control, even as she managed to choke out a reply.
":snort: Yeah, like that time she forgot it was Spike's birthday, and went to find us at the Library. But she only found him sleeping there. Poor little guy forgot too, and the two were riding around Ponyville! They had no idea we were all hiding to keep Spike from finding the surprise party! You two actually sent a letter to Celestia asking for help since we all 'vanished', and to get Shining Armor and Cadence here in case it was changelings again!"
At this, everypony, even Applejack broke down laughing, the memory of the mare and dragon's face upon arriving at Applejack's barn was priceless. To say nothing of the sight they made: AJ with her rope in mouth, Spike wearing war paint with a bucket on head, a mop as his lance, riding on her back. Rainbow had gotten a picture or two off in their shocked state, and had a long-standing agreement for their safe storage...in exchange for napping rights to any Apple tree on the farm. Her likelihood of getting bucked out during harvesting, however, hadn't been part of the deal. Noted first by Spike and exploited by Applejack.
"Speaking of which, where is dear Spikey-wikey anyway Twilight?"
Rarity was rather curious, as her gem hunting partner and longtime 'suitor' had been seen less by her side as of late. She would admit it to no-one, barely even to herself, but the lack of dragon in her life had made things rather less fabulous. She might even go so far as to say, it was rather droll in her Canterlot studio without him.
Twilight's grin was eerily reminiscent of her mentor when she was up to mischief.
"Well, last I heard, he was training with my big brother up in the Empire for a while. He said he'd be back after a crash course in basic training. Though Shiny wrote ahead, saying that he'd likely be able to have Spike through basic in record time, six months or so. For once, his size seemed to work to his advantage, and he is stronger than he looks."
Twilight paused for a moment, a hoof to her chin as she recalled the letter.
"He also said, with some help from Dragon ambassadors, he hopes to help Spike control his Greed Growth. Said it was part of the natural growth cycle of dragons, and that by denying it for so long, he should be able to grow to full stallion size easily without negative effects on his intelligence now. He should still be able to go back to his smaller size though, that's a trick I'm told only works with 1 out of 10,000,000 dragons born a generation. Spike's time growing up with us seems to have been better for him than one might think."
Rarity, however, found herself imagining Spike her size, standing on hind legs and much more defined. His scales shining over newly discovered muscles and specially fitted armor. But the trait of her mental image, the one she lingered on, would be his face, the sheer adoration and care she's seen in his eyes for years now. The same look she dutifully side-stepped, despite seeing it time and again with other couples, and envying them. Wishing some stallion would look at her as they did their mare...as Spike would look at her. Shaking herself from such thoughts, she resolved to shelve it until Spike's return, and maybe plan an outing just for the two of them. If nothing else, she should do right by the gentledrake after so long. Her debt to him was far greater than any lady such as herself should allow.
Rainbow herself just snickered, seeing the look in the fashion designer's eyes, suspecting old Spike was in for a heck of a homecoming. Looking around the room, Rainbow allowed herself a small, soft smile as she took in the nostalgic atmosphere. It'd been some time since they'd all been in the same place, especially in Ponyville. Sure, they'd all come out to see one of her shows when they could, and they'd spend the day together. Other times, they'd meet up at Twilight's castle and have fun there, with Rainbow often donning some guard armor and strutting around as Twilight's "Official Wonderbolt Enforcer." Which most ponies took to mean Twilight was letting Rainbow mess around with the guards, while everypony else laughed. Rainbow found herself, more often than not these days, wishing to be back on the weather team, practicing her tricks without the rigid structure and napping whenever she liked. Sure, finally being on the team and being looked up to by many was great, but often times she missed just being able to wing over to her friends, and hang out at the drop of an apple.
Thinking of such nostalgia, of course, would in turn bring about their missing pink friend. Who...oddly enough, entered through the front door?!?!?
This event stopped all talking between the five, eyes glued to the party mare as she closed the door with her back hoof, a more subdued smile on her face than any of them were used to.
Rainbow was the first one to speak, "Ok, how bad is it? Is it the Crusaders? Is one of them with foal or something? What about the Cakes? Are they moving their store?!? :Gasp: Or is it YOU being with foal and they need to move in order for you to make the proper arrangements for..." Needless to say, Applejack's hoof met blue muzzle with great gusto, the look on the farm-mare's face somewhere between exasperated and a bit worried herself.
"Pinky, Ah think Ah speak for all of us when Ah say we are mighty curious as to why you got us all together here." Nodding from behind AJ's hoof, Rainbow showed her agreement, though her look at Applejack was nothing short of mutinous for interrupting her musing.
Twilight looked from Pinky to Rainbow and said her own piece.
"Please explain soon though, or I'm going to have to guess. And right now, my best one is you switched with Rainbow somehow and reversing a brain transfer is messy enough on a good day." The rest of her friends chuckled a bit at that, with Twilight frowning before saying, "I'm serious girls."
Pinky shook her head, her smile now much wider, genuine joy showing in her eyes which set the group's hearts at ease.
"Nah, nothing like that Twilight. The reason's actually a bit difficult to explain all at once. So first, how's about we get some food in us, and I can show you my super-special-awesome gift I got us all!"
Nodding their heads, the six moved to a large round table, the equine bust usually resting at the center absent. Six place settings were there. filled with fruit salad...which had not been there seconds before. Looking to each other, they merely rolled their eyes, any doubts that this was their Pinky gone the moment impossible stuff began happening.
As the group began eating Fluttershy spoke up, meaning barely audible to the other five.
"Um, girls? I'd like to share something, since we're all here. See, due to Big Mac's free time being spent with me and my animal friends, I've decided to ask if...he would like to...move in with me..."
"What was that? Sorry Fluttershy, but ya'll have to speak up."
Applejack had a smug smile on her face, already guessing where this was going from her talks with her brother. He was rather sweet on the Bearer of Kindness, and she had a rather good idea where this was going.
"I...I said that, I want Big Mac to...live with me..."
A pin dropped on a pillow would have made more noise, everypony's breath held as Fluttershy tried to somehow shrink into her mane. Yet the first pony to say anything was the mare Fluttershy sought the most approval from.
"Well land-sakes filly! It's about time you made an honest stallion outta my brother! Don't you worry none about his farming duties, between Applebloom's little inventions and our cousins having just moved back, we have plenty of help! Enough for him to finally pursue you proper." AJ then winked, nearly giving Fluttershy a heart-attack, "Does that mean Ah can finally call you sis then?"
This statement was met with a cascade of well-wishes from all of the animal lover's friends. Rainbow had flown over the table and hugged her, saying she was so proud of her friend for finally going after her stallion. Pinky was bouncing all over the place, bags left on her seat as she ranted about the 'FlutterMac Party' she wanted to throw. Rarity was gushing about how cute the two looked together and wishing them well. Twilight herself was rapidly shooting off questions, offering any and all help she could provide to help the two new lovers.
Fluttershy, in a display of relief and joy, found herself smiling widely, even laughing with her friends as she gathered as many into her forelegs as she could, hugging them all with her heart fit to burst. As the group hugged, Twilight and Pinky around her as she held her other three friends firmly herself, she whispered out, "You're the best friends ever. I could never have talked to him, let alone gotten to know him if it weren't for all of you. Thank you, for being my best friends."
Her statement caused Pinky's smile to shift to one even more heartfelt, as she wiggled out and produced her saddle bags. Reaching in, she pulled out a rather ornate music box, the golden shape of an equine head on its top, much like the book they found the Elements in during Discord's initial release. Around it, on each side was their cutie marks. Applejacks on the left side, Rainbows on the right, Fluttershy's on the back near Rainbow's, Rarity's on the back near Applejack's, and Pinky's right in the middle on the back. Twilight's cutie mark was in fact, the clasp that kept the box closed.
Everypony looked at the box, seeing the crank on the back. Looking to Pinky, she just smiled, opening the box, with the melody coming out, very familiar to her.
(Play this now, please.)
Pinky's voice began singing with the first bars, quietly, but no less sweetly:
"My little pony, my little pony,
What is friendship all about?"
It took all of a second for all her friends to join in, voices sweet and gentle as the continued the song...their song.
(All)
"My little pony, my little pony,
Ah, ah, Ah, AH!
My little pony,
I used to wonder what friendship could be.(Twilight)
My little pony, (All)
Until you all shared it's magic with me.(Twilight)
Big Adventure!(Rainbow)
Tons of Fun!(Pinky)
A Beautiful Heart!(Rarity)
Faithful and Strong!(Applejack)
Sharing Kindness(Fluttershy)
It's an easy feat!(All)
And Magic makes it all complete!(Twilight)
You have my little pony,(All)
Don't you know you're all my very best... (Twilight)
Friends! (All)
You're my very best Friends!!
You're my very best Friends!!!
Even after their song, beautiful chords continued to come out of the box, none of the friends could tell why, but they felt tears in their eyes as the music continued to play. Looking to Pinky, they could see her smiling, but on the verge of crying as she began to speak.
"G-girls, I know we have a lot going on in our lives. I know, we've got our dreams and stuff that need tending to...but, but just for now. I wanted, t-to, to sing with all of you again. I wanted something to l-l-last, even if we were apart for a long time. I had this made, so that anytime we got together, we'd..." Pinky broke off, her voice failing her.
Twilight, looking at the box, suddenly felt a vision. One of herself, an old graying mare, still a unicorn, sitting in a rocking chair, with this same box. As soon as the flash arrived, it was gone, Twilight looking from the box to Pinky, seeing another vision, this one different from the first. She saw herself, sitting alone in her castle, this box beside her, the view from her widow showing Ponyville long gone from the world, even as she sat looking into the sunset. Moving with speed to rival Rainbow Dash, Twilight had Pinky in a hug, desperately nuzzling the mare as her own tears began to fall.
With a raspy voice, Twilight choked out, "Pinky, thank you! This is so beautiful, I...I don't have a single word that would do it justice. I've, I've wanted to be back with you girls so much! All the things I'm doing are just so...so pointless! Parties with dignitaries here, hobnobbing with the famous there! I just, want to be back here, back home, with all of you! This...this princess thing hasn't been worth the change!!"
Looking onto her back, at her wings, Twilight felt more like herself than she had in a long time. Here, in her library, with her pink friend in her hooves, Twilight felt more like Twilight Sparkle than she had in a long time. Looking to her other friends, tears were streaming from every eye as each of them approached. Rainbow, seemingly ignoring the rivers falling from her eyes, cracked a smile.
"Hey, would you look at that? It seems my tour of duty with the Wonderbolts is up today, and if I don't renew in a few days, then I'm officially retired. Moreover, I think I see some serious clouds in town these days. Might want to see a pony about weather management around here. Wouldn't have happened on my watch back in the day. Maybe I should, I dunno, show them how it's done? And if I run a little too late to sign back up with the Bolts...well, my house is still nearby, so I won't exactly be hurting for shelter anytime soon."
The look in Dash's eyes showed just how easy the choice was for her, and how much she had missed being with her friends too. Pinky was soon in the blue mare's hooves, eyes still shut as endless water fell from them, her heart soaring as high as Rainbow herself ever dared. Rarity herself found her voice missing, but upon looking at her friends, she made a decision that felt more right than leaving had ever felt to her.
"Well darling," Rarity began haltingly, her voice rather shaky, "That is a coincidence. It seems I have a few truly gifted seamstresses back in Canterlot who were looking for a more senior position in my shops. I do think, after all the hustle and bustle from the nobles, I should let one of them manage that branch of the business. This would give me the chance to get back to my roots, find inspiration again. And where better, then where it all started...where all the ponies I love are gathered." Rarity ended her statement with a sob as she galloped over and hugged the pink mare, her own tears falling freely with her statement.
Fluttershy and Applejack, overwhelmed with the thought of two of their number coming home, were side by side, watching the display. Applejack herself had a hard time not bursting into tears, and with one look at her, Fluttershy had the tough mare in her hooves. Patting her back the damn broke, Applejack was now sobbing as she whispered to Fluttershy, "They're coming home, home sis!! By Celestia Ah missed them so MUCH!"
The yellow Pegasus nodded, her head nuzzling her friend as she replied, "I know, sis, I know. We'll finally have them back. I never dreamed this would happen, but I'm so happy! All we need is Twilight and it'll be right where we left off."
The two were soon joined by the rest, Pinky sobbing openly, but with more joy than ever at the thought of having her friends close again. It was an odd flash that brought the group from their embrace, looking at Twilight as she sent off a letter. Looking to them, the purple Alicorn smiled as they looked at her in confusion. It was not 30 seconds later that another flash occurred, and Celestia, the White Alicorn of the Sun stood among them. Moving to bow, she spoke to them gently,
"My little ponies, how many times have I told you? NONE of you have to bow to me. You are heroes of this land so many times over, often I feel I should bow to you all the time, if it wouldn't make you so uncomfortable." A giggle welled up in the five hugging mares, even as Twilight approached her mentor with a serious expression.
"Celestia, there is something important I must share with you. I've given it a great deal of thought, and after today, I feel I'm ready to make a statement I should have some time ago." Turning to her student, or pier now, though they still exchanged letters and lessons as time went on. "Of course Twilight, your letter did sound rather important, and it's better to hear it from you directly rather than in a letter."
Twilight's face took a mischievous turn once again, this time in full view of Celestia. Knowing that look, the Alicorn actually groaned, somehow knowing that a letter was exactly how Twilight will phrase it. Sometimes, she wondered if it was just because it was more comfortable for the mare, or if it was just to annoy her. At the smattering of laughter at her reaction, Celestia suspected the latter.
"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight began, her friends outright laughing now, and the Solar Princess sighing before sitting down on the floor with a plop.
"It has been some time since my coronation as a Princess of Equestria. In that time, I've learned many things about how our country is run. I've learned much about the surrounding societies, their customs and intricacies, and I've also learned much about the history of our land and the magic that maintains it."
Celestia wasn't born yesterday, she knew a lead-in when she heard it. Looking to her friends, she saw that they themselves were rather confused as to where this was going themselves. She then noted the tear-stains on all of them, the fur matted most on the pink pony still clutched in the forelegs of nearly every other pony in attendance. Curious as ever, she returned her attention to Twilight, who's paused for breath ended.
"Most of all however, I've learned something important about myself. You see, you said it was my destiny to become a princess, and you were right. And thus, I've become one and learned very much. But unlike yourself, Cadence, or Luna, I wasn't sure what I was a princess OF at first. Now, however, I finally know where my domain as a princess is."
The purple mare looked to the other 5 ponies gathered, her own eyes watering with a sad smile before she continued.
"I am the Alicorn of Magic, more specifically, The Magic of Friendship. It was this power that awakening in me so long ago, which gave me my cutie mark. It was this power that brought my friends and I together during that Summer Sun celebration, those years ago. And it was that same power, through all our struggles that saw us through. Finally, that same power gave me the wings on my back, bringing me to my full potential as a magic user, and as a Princess of Equestria."
Celestia's own eyes began to shine, seeing her student's growth more clearly than ever before. Even as she watched a little filly bounce around her for passing a test, once upon a time, she knew this day would come. Now to see her, Twilight Sparkle a full grown mare and realized Alicorn, she felt a completion in her soul she'd never known before.
"So it is with great pride I announce my official retirement from Equestrian politics forthwith."
And just like that, the warm feeling was replaced with shock. Celestia, for the first time in centuries, was genuinely dumbfounded. Likewise, Twilight's friends were standing there looking like somepony had slapped the lot of the with a giant trout. Only Pinky, with slowly dawning realization, seemed to differ, if her slowly growing smile was any indication.
"It is for the betterment of Equestria that I, until such time as I am no longer needed in my capacity, continue to foster this magic where it is most needed. After all, friendship cannot happen without friends around to share it with. Moreover, it is my personal belief that my duty shall encompass the rest of my natural life-span, whether this is greater by any magnitude than my closest friends, makes it all the more imperative that this action happen swiftly. It is with great pride I also declare my reports on the Magic of Friendship to be continued, and they shall be sent to you as my primary editor in my endeavors."
Looking to Celestia, her gob-smacked expression giving way to somepony who was barely holding in tears of joy, bringing Twilight's smile even wider. Her friends could barely contain themselves, Pinky fidgeting so hard the group was nearly vibrating in excitement from her alone.
"You are, of course, welcome to do with my castle as you like. As, with much of my current capitol, I intend to purchase Golden Oaks library outright, filling it with my own tomes in addition to its already impressive display, and returning to Ponyville. You will of course be welcome always, and have a standing invitation with Princess Luna to any gatherings, social or private we may plan.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
Alicorn of Magic,
Retired Princess of Equestria."
In a mass of colored fur and hooves, Twilight was dog-piled by her friends, the hugs and tears coming back full force. The sense of unity between the six had never been stronger, the declarations and sobs of happiness more than enough to melt any heart who'd cared to watch. Celestia herself was crying, her pride, if possible, somehow greater than it had been mere moments before. Looking to her student, the center of a six-pony-pile-up, she cleared her throat before making her inquiry.
"While I am very impressed, my faithful student, how did you come up with the idea of retiring from the courts in Canterlot? Moreover, citing your domain as a valid reason to do so?"
Twilight chuckled, before replying, "From some of the very things I learned as a Princess, actually. More specifically, how different countries have ponies who step down from active political life when they feel they've done all they can or are too old to maintain office. Granted, the latter may never be a consideration for me. But seeing as how I have another responsibility aside from listening to the whining of nobles, I did what you and Luna should have done some time ago to get away from them."
Celestia, her expression once again pole-axed, suddenly had a thousand yard stare, her mind turning over Twilight's proposal. She loved her little ponies, and would always do her best to hear them out about their problems. But with such ponies as Blueblood often taking their time in drumming up ridiculous ideas just to waste her time on...She suddenly felt the need to return to Canterlot with all speed.
"Dearest Twilight, I thank you for your official resignation from politics, and will gladly pass this along to the Equestrian elite right away. In the meantime, I need to wake my sister, I think I just remembered a few new laws that needed ratification that I need her council on."
With a turn and a flash, the Solar Diarch was away, only Twilight understanding her departure with a grin that would rival the Cheshire Cat for wideness. The next to get it was Rainbow Dash, who fell to the floor howling with laughter, her hooves beating the floor unable to stand the thought that just popped into her head. Poor Applejack and Rarity were so confused, looking to Pinky, Rarity plead with the Pink mare.
"Dear, please tell me you understand what those two are on about?"
Pinky's reply was typical Pinky, "ALICORN RETIREMENT PARTY!!!!”
Applejack face-hoofed, knowing that would be the part the party pony would fixate on. Looking to Fluttershy, she plead with her little sister's famous puppy-eyes.
"Sis, please tell me ya understood what just happened here? Ah'm as lost as a filly in the Everfree Forest!"
Smiling gently at Applejack, Fluttershy explained what she could.
"W-well, it seems to me that Twilight found a loophole that kept her Princess status intact, while allowing her to skip most of the political meetings. I mean, if that's right of course, I could be wrong."
The yellow Pegasus looked to Twilight for confirmation.
The Purple Alicorn nodded, her smile still huge as she replied.
"That's right. And of course, my dear mentor and her sister have been looking for a similar loophole for centuries, at least enough of one to get more personal time for themselves. Likely they'll follow the model I left for them on Luna's mirror. It details how to modify the laws, and present the concept that both Alicorns need time off, alternating with each other to better commune with the Sun and Moon respectively. They'll slowly take more time to themselves, setting up competent offices to govern in their place, starting with temporary ones. Then, over time the seats will be permanent, with strict monitoring from them for corruption. As they still control the Moon and Sun, no one would dare suggest against them, even if they retire anyway. This way, they still have the authority to help everypony, while having more time to themselves."
Rarity and Applejack had their jaws hanging freely, from the high-level subterfuge Twilight had helped engineered. Rainbow, finally getting enough air to talk, gasped out.
"T-t-Twilight found a way to play hookie, and still graduate! And now the other princesses want to play hookie too!!!" She collapsed back onto the floor laughing, Twilight blushing from the rather crude, but accurate description of the plan she'd helped engineer.
Pinky, herself coming down from the plans she had for the grand party, looked around the room. Seeing all her friends, she felt something inside herself become whole. She hadn't felt like this since her first, (And so far only), surprise birthday party. She felt as though the universe itself had heard the plea in her heart after reading that fanfiction, and answered in a way she'd never hoped to dream of. Everypony soon looked to Pinky, finding her smiling in a way they'd not seen in a long time. Once more, they gathered in a group hug, this time no tears were shed. The familiar warmth, the joy and bond all six of them shared, now stronger and brighter than they ever known before.
Looking at each of them, Pinky said, "Girls. Without a doubt, this has been the second happiest day of my life. I'm so happy to have you all coming home to stay. You've all meant so much to me. You really are, my very best friends."
Rainbow looked at her puzzled, "And what was the happiest day then?"
Shaking her head, Pinky replied, "The day we all became friends, Silly-willy!"
Every pony nodded, their heads together, so much filling their hearts, they wished this moment would never end. Looking to each of them, Twilight smiled and asked, "So, who's up for a sleep-over?"
With enthusiastic agreement from all five friends, they each broke off together their things for an overnight stay. To their amazement, each mare's joy hadn't faded one bit with their friends out of sight. Rather, they each felt the other five, still somehow nearby, almost close enough to feel their touch just beside them. Rushing back, it wasn't more than a half-hour before all of them were back in the library. Each of them looking to the others, somehow trying to convey with their eyes how much they felt in that very moment.
Taking charge, Twilight lit her horn, arranging all their sleeping bags in a big, soft nest in the center of the room. Looking to the others, they all smiled and nodded, gathering together, and laying down, safe and happy with their best friends beside them. Despite the Sun's continued presence, each of them felt so tired, no one voiced discontent with the idea of a nap. Eyes dropping, the group cuddled murmuring wishes of sweet dreams, before dropping off into the land of
slumber.
It was Pinky who remained awake, if only just. Looking to the music box, left alone on the table. She smiled sleepily, silently thanking the author ROBCakeran53, and the musician PhillyPu, for helping her bring her friends back together again. Looking out into the world beyond, she said quietly, "Thank you both, so much. And thank all of you, for supporting and loving us."
She tucked herself back in, snuggling up to her friends before drifting off. Soon, she was Dreaming with Ponies, just as she'd wished. And soon, she'd be Awakening to Ponies, those same friends that made her life complete.
"We'll make is special every time." ~My Little Pony, Extended Theme Song.
