Lazy Bones

~Epilogue~

Who would have thought that defeating seven ancient spirits of pure evil was the easy part? But that’s exactly what it was when the time came for Celestia to try and have Twilight and her friends extradited back to Equestria. She knew the government of Panchea would feel the need to press charges, and she also knew they would never accept possession as an acceptable defence. What she didn’t expect was the sheer list of charges that were presented to her during her discussions with numerous ambassadors.

There was of course Pinkie Pie’s original charge of attempted cannibalism, and added to that was the large sum of theft and burglary charges for Rarity, Criminal damage charges and attempted murder for Applejack, arson for Spike, conspiring to corrupt public morals for Fluttershy, and murder and treason for Twilight (Iron Heart didn’t survive, in actually fact he had been dead ever since Twilight walked in on him with Fluttershy, and she’d been stringing him along as a puppet since then). In fact the only one was all in the clear was Rainbow Dash… or at least she would have been, if she didn’t attack politician who proposed bringing back the death penalty.

However after a great deal of political manoeuvring and ‘behind closed doors’ deals, Celestia managed to have all charges dropped… well she agreed to charge them for their crimes in Equestria as they were Equestrian citizens, but she immediately dropped them without feeling the need to tell them that. Luna took personal charge of ensuring the cube was securely locked away, while Envy’s fate remained to be discovered, it was still of the utmost importance, that the remaining six spirits never be allowed to escape, perhaps even more so than before as without Envy’s guidance they would be more chaotic and unpredictable.

Besides that the Hamlet castle vanished along with Envy, it appeared it was only ever an illusion created by it, not that there was ever any doubt, after all what kind of building is bigger on the inside than it was on the outside, and lastly the old tear in the floor was also sealed up, leaving no traces it had ever been there.

~

Once back in Canterlot Castle, Twilight and her friends were free to be exactly what the last few weeks had stopped them from being, just friends.

“I’m mighty sorry about the way ah put you down RD, hope you can forgive me,” Applejack said, scratching her head nervously.

“Are you kidding, you were right to tell me off, I needed somepony to punch me back to earth,” she replied.

“Can’t believe we argued over something as meaningless as whether jus Ponyville or all of Equestria would be in trouble,” Applejack added laughing, Rainbow joined in.

“I know, what a stupid thing to bet fifty bits on,” she agreed, “which by the way, can we get those back Rarity?”

Rarity’s eyes opened wide, “oh yes, about that, well I, um, I kind of spent that on burglary tools.”

“You did what!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash shouted at the same time. Then at once, they all fell to the ground, rolling with laughter. It was just so… ridiculous, they couldn’t help but laugh. When they stopped Fluttershy was the first to speak up.

“I’m so sorry as well,” she announced to the group, “I didn’t mean to spy on you while you were using the toilet Applejack. And I’m sorry for using you Rainbow. And… I’m sorry I betrayed you Twilight.”

“Darlin ah already forgave you for that,” Applejack stated proudly.

“Yeah, I don’t mind, I mean it was weird but… I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it,” Rainbow Dash chipped in, then blushed heavily, “but obviously, I just want to be friends.”

“Okay,” Fluttershy said relieved, then she became nervous again as she looked at Twilight, “Twilight?”

“Did you actually like him?” she asked, Fluttershy hesitated.

“I… really don’t know,” she said honestly, Twilight nodded.

“Yeah, me too,” she said sadly, “but it’s behind us now, friends?”

Fluttershy beamed at her, “friends.”

“Well I think you both would have made lovely couples,” Rarity said sounding disappointed, then she turned suddenly to Applejack, “oh and I forgot to mention, your hair… it’s absolutely stunning!”

Applejack blushed, ever since she lost her hair bobbles, she had decided to keep it down, and now that Rarity brought it up, she once again found herself thinking that she had a point, it really did look good.

“Well thank ya Rarity,” she replied, flattered.

“Yeah it really suits you,” Twilight agreed, “also… your speech back at the castle… I never knew you could speak from the heart like that.”

“Yeah, it was beautiful,” Fluttershy added, “even Rainbow Dash cried a little.”

Rainbow Dash choked as the others broke into a fresh wave of laughter. When they were done it was Pinkie Pie who spoke up, who had been surprisingly quiet throughout the conversation.

“Hey everypony, you know what this calls for?” she asked, Twilight smiled, it was obvious to all of them but she didn’t want to deprive of the chance to say it. “A party!”