Chapter 16

The silence that followed the explosion of light was almost palpable. The wind had died down to a gentle breeze, and even the animal life had been subdued in the aftermath of the struggle. The storm that had raged only a few moments before had faded as fast as it arrived.

Twilight and the others pushed themselves off the ground, shaking their dizziness away.

"Ugh," Rainbow muttered. "Did we win?" They collectively looked back to where Tyranny had been.

Their eyes widened in denial, and they gasped loudly as Tyranny still hovered in the air above them. He appeared battered and beaten, and one eye was closed shut. He was panting through gritted teeth, glaring at them with pure disbelief. He slowly lifted one hoof towards them.

Or at least he tried to, as his arm dropped limply to his side. With a cough, he fell to the ground. The snake crown fell from his head and rolled in the grass before disintegrating into nothingness. He slowly pushed himself up, supported only by his front legs, wisps of black miasma drifting off of his body and vanishing.

With his one good eye, he glared hatefully at Twilight. "How is this, possible? I can't lose to somepony like you."

Celestia stood slowly and gave him a look of regret. "If only you would have changed a little, Tyranny, and used your powers for good, it would not have come to this. You brought this upon yourself, and it is finally over."

His laughter sounded like a weak cough. "All this time and still you know nothing, Celestia. As long as the desire for order and control exists, so will I." He glared at her. "I will be back again!" He stood painfully on all fours as a low rumbling started. "Enjoy this victory while you can, but don't you dare think this is over…"

"It is over, Tyranny! You have lost!" Luna snapped at him.

He managed a contemptuous scoff. "Poor, little, Luna… You fool. You will see the truth of my words...You will see…" He slowly levitated into the air. "From the depths of darkness… I will return… to rule again." The rumbling was growing louder and louder.

Twilight glared at him defiantly. "Come back as often as you want. You won't ever beat us!"

Tyranny wanted to retort, but a severe spasm of pain caused him to wrap his forelegs around his barrel. With a look of disbelief and a shout, he threw his forelegs outward, and a loud, violent eruption of light came from him, causing them all to shield their eyes from the bright glare.

-0-

The outpost along Equestria's eastern border stood as empty and bare as it had since Twilight and the others had arrived. The stillness was suddenly broken as a flash of light appeared. In its place was the unicorn commander who had been Tyranny's first victim. He looked around in confusion as more flashes of light brought back his soldiers. All across Equestria, the ponies who had been banished to the Realm of Shadow reappeared in a similar manner, the magic binding them unravelling. The soldiers could only look to each other with confusion before the commander just shook his head and muttered, "I need a vacation."

-0-

In another part of Equestria, a certain blue unicorn showmare appeared by her wagon. Her violet eyes glanced to and fro, clearly confused, before they settled on her nearby magic cap and cloak. A pinkish aura surrounded the garments, and with a dramatic flourish, they settled in their usual places.

"Trixie has returned!" she declared grandly to nopony in particular. Her smile was as wide and genuine as the breeze that blew through her silvery mane.

-0-

In the Crystal Empire, an orange-pelted and blue-maned pegasus picked himself up and looked at his fellow guards.

The commanding officer was quick to assert control. "Find the Princess and Prince, we need to find them! Flash, get to Canterlot and seek Princess Celestia's aid."

"Yes, sir." Flash Sentry saluted before flying southward.

-0-

In Canterlot, the guards picked themselves up and looked to the nearly destroyed castle in disbelief. They jumped in surprise as Discord appeared and muttered his annoyance while dusting himself off.

"Finally!" he huffed. "Took them long enough. Next time, I'll remember to draw them a picture."

The guards simply looked to each other. "Do you have any idea what is going on?"

"Not a clue."

-0-

Once the glare began to dim in the clearing, the ponies squinted at its center. Instead of the dark velvet stallion, an auburn-colored earth pony floated listlessly in the air as the last of the dark miasma vanished from his body. He floated in the air a moment more before plummeting to the ground.

"Wanderer!" screamed a panicked Tourmaline. She took off with a speed born of adrenaline and caught him before he could hit the ground, but the two tumbled in a heap. She was quickly back on her hooves and at his side.

"Wanderer, please wake up!" she pleaded. She pressed her ear against his chest, listening for a heartbeat. "Wanderer, please don't do this to me. Wake up! Don't give up now! Wanderer!" she cried out, her voice cracking.

The wind ruffled his mane, but it was the only movement from the unresponsive stallion.

"Wanderer…" she uttered softly, and she let the tears flow unabashed.

Tormod rested a hoof on her shoulder, and she looked at him with grief-stricken eyes. Her brother's own eyes were rimmed with tears, but he held strong for her.

"Tourmaline—"

"No! He's not gone! Not after all we've gone through, not now!" She turned a pleading look to Celestia. "Princess Celestia, please help him! Don't let him die!"

Celestia walked up to the still stallion and lowered her head to listen to his chest. After a moment, she looked at Tourmaline with saddened eyes. "I am sorry, Tourmaline, there are some things not even I can change."

"No! I won't believe it! Wanderer, please don't do this to me! Wanderer!" She looked back at him and buried her face into his neck, her sobs shaking her entire body.

All around, tears of sadness and pity were shed for the pegasus's loss. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie wept openly. Twilight tried to hold the tears back but failed. Rainbow Dash and Applejack did their best to hide their own.

Tourmaline cried more and uttered her friend's name a final time before resting her head on his neck.

It was then she heard it, a faint thump, which was followed by another. She looked at his face and saw his eyes flutter a bit before he drew in a breath. A soft groan escaped his mouth.

"W-Wanderer?" she asked quietly, her eyes widening in hope.

He grunted again and pushed himself up slowly, looking at her in confusion. "Tourmaline?"

"Wanderer!" She wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug, tears of loss replaced by tears of unrestrained joy.

He grunted in pain from the viselike grip of her hug. "Tourmaline… my ribs… ow."

She gasped and let him go, but when he smiled weakly at her, she tentatively hugged him again.

They heard shouts of surprise from behind them. A blast of confetti and streamers showered over everybody—a show of Pinkie's unrestrained joy.

Luna looked at the two in shock before looking to her sister, who wore a perplexed expression as well, though it quickly warmed up at the sight before her. "How is this possible?"

Celestia shook her head softly. "I don't know…"

"Tormod, what's going on? Where am I?" Wanderer asked his friend. The unicorn stood by quietly, a relieved smile on his face.

Before he could answer, Princess Celestia approached. "There is much to speak of, but first we need to make sure you are alright."

"Princess Celestia," he breathed and lowered his head respectfully. The bow would have sent him back to the ground had Tourmaline not been there to steady him.

Celestia smiled warmly. "Do not worry. You and your friends can stay at my castle to heal and enjoy the celebration."

"Celebration! Party! Whoo hoo!" Pinkie cheered and danced around, rubbing her hooves together eagerly.

As everyone laughed and congratulated each other, Twilight looked around and noticed that Chrysalis was nowhere to be seen. The changeling had likely disappeared shortly after Tyranny had been defeated. Twilight could only shrug. If Chrysalis tried to make a move on Equestria, they would be ready for her. Twilight, however, silently hoped that Chrysalis had learned a thing or two about friendship and trust while she had been with them.

-0-

The mood in the train car was one of joy and relief as the ponies agreed that they should all return to Canterlot together. Smiles and laughter were shared as they all excitedly talked about the upcoming celebration. Princess Celestia watched Wanderer as he sat quietly next to Tourmaline, watching the others talk and laugh amongst themselves. He was leaning against Tourmaline, and—to Celestia—he seemed to enjoyed the pegasus's presence as much as she was his.

"Wanderer, would you be willing to tell us what happened to you while under Tyranny's control?" Princess Celestia asked.

His gaze snapped to her, and he lowered his head a bit. The mood in the train cart changed, just like that, as all gazes were on him.

He rubbed the back of head. "I'm not sure how to describe it. It was like being in a small room to myself, with only a single window to look out of. Through the window, I could see and hear everything he did but couldn't do anything to stop him. Anytime I screamed or yelled at him to stop, he taunted me. He told me over and over how powerless I was to do anything, and that I should consider myself fortunate to witness his dominance over Equestria and not end up like everypony else he had sent to the Realm of Shadow." He shuddered. "I wouldn't wish that upon even my worst enemy."

"So, how did you break free?" Fluttershy asked. "I thought I saw your eyes for a moment before Tyranny stopped attacking us."

Wanderer frowned faintly in thought. "When he was fighting all of you together, I guess it put a lot of strain on him. The room I was in suddenly cracked open, and I jumped through without thinking. I only got to see the clearing for a second before I was put back in the room. But then there was the light, and his yell before… I don't know. I can't honestly tell you." He shrugged helplessly.

The royal sisters shared a glance before Applejack spoke. "So is Tyranny truly gone fer good, Princess?"

She shook her head. "No, it is as he said. As long as ponies desire order and structure, he will continue to exist."

"Despite what we may want otherwise, our world needs order just as much as it needs chaos. Without it, the world could not maintain harmony," Princess Luna said.

"So we'll have to keep things from getting too chaotic for him to come crawling back again," Rarity said, still trying to fix her mane after the brutal beating it had taken from the storm's wind.

"Oh, where is the fun in that? A little bit of chaos isn't such a bad thing." Wanderer's eyes widened as a voice drifted around all of them. He jumped a bit as a draconequus appeared beside Rarity, idly flicking at her mane.

"Discord!" shouted many ponies. Happy tears ran down Fluttershy's face as she enveloped him in a fierce hug.

"Good to see all of you again, though you certainly took your sweet time." He released Fluttershy from the hug. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to play I Spy in the Realm of Shadow? It is no walk in the park, let me tell you."

Wanderer looked quickly to Tourmaline for an explanation.

"A friend," she said, nodding to Discord. "He was the one who helped Tormod when he was turned into a statue."

"Another absolutely boring experience, that is. It's horrible when you have an itch that needs scratching and you can't move your petrified arms to get to it," Discord said.

Tormod smiled weakly. "Indeed."

Discord looked at Wanderer. "Well, I'm certain that being turned to stone would have been preferable to being stuck in your own mind with that insufferable Tyranny as your only company. I'm glad to see that you don't have to suffer that anymore."

Wanderer smirked wanly. "He was a bit of a blowhard."

Discord laughed. "That he is, that he is. Well said."

"There is one thing I don't understand," Rarity said. "Why didn't the Elements turn Tyranny to stone?"

The draconequus rolled his eyes, but the others seemed thoughtful. Twilight looked at Wanderer for a moment and was about to say something but caught herself.

"What were you thinking, Twilight?" Princess Celestia asked her.

"It's… a theory. I don't have any proof," she admitted.

"Let us hear it," Luna said.

"Well, I think that you had something to do with it." She looked again at Wanderer.

His head snapped back in surprise. "Me?"

She nodded. "I theorize that because Tyranny was in control of your body, that the Elements didn't turn him to stone. If they had, they would have sealed you in stone along with him." She shook her head. "That would have been far too cruel, and the Elements would not have done something like that."

He glanced to the side. "You have no idea…"

Again, she nodded. "I don't know where Tyranny has gone. His essence might have been scattered or banished, but I do not know where it could be. Tartarus maybe?"

Celestia frowned faintly. "Perhaps, I will speak with Cerberus when we return to Canterlot."

"Well, I can't say much on the subject. The only experience I've had with the Elements is being made into a lawn ornament," Discord muttered.

"You are never going to let that go are you?" Rarity asked him irritably.

"Not in my lifetime or yours," he said matter-of-factly and showed her a mirror that appeared in his hand. Her expression turned to pure horror as she saw her purple mane had been turned into a solid black.

"My mane! You fiend! A black mane with a white coat is so monochrome. You dastard!" she cried with a horrified voice.

Discord wagged a finger at her. "Now, now, language. A proper lady would not use such vulgarity."

"You know exactly what I said, you hooligan. Change my mane back, now!"

"Oh, if you insist." He snapped his fingers again and changed her hair to crimson.

"Discord!" Her shriek almost hit ear-piercing levels.

"So much for keepin' things from bein' too chaotic," Applejack remarked dryly.

-0-

For three days, the celebration was shared all over Equestria. Tyranny's defeat was one of joy and merriment. In Canterlot, Pinkie Pie and Discord made sure the celebration was extravagant and would never be forgotten. The storm of confetti clouds and uncountable amount of cupcakes had made for an unforgettable event.

Princess Cadence and Shining Armor returned to the Crystal Empire to bring the news to the crystal ponies and assure them that all was well. The Crystal Heart was soon set back in its pedestal, and happiness flowed forth once again.

After the third day, the adventurers took their leave of Canterlot. Twilight found herself with Princess Celestia in the throne room as the three announced their departure. She stood beside her mentor as they spoke to the three. The damage done to the throne room had been repaired by a simple snap of a draconequus's fingers.

"So, you are leaving?" Princess Celestia asked them.

"Yes, Princess, I'm getting the urge to move on," Wanderer said, his friends beside him. "It usually means there is more adventure ahead for us."

Celestia smiled and nodded. "You will take care of them, yes?" she asked, turning her gaze to Tourmaline.

Tourmaline smiled wide. "I will, Princess. I promise we won't get into too much trouble."

"Except for the trouble you inevitably start," Tormod muttered.

"Care to say that a bit louder, dear brother?" Tourmaline asked acidly, glaring daggers at him.

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said with aplomb.

Wanderer laughed, which earned him an elbow to the ribs. "Every day's an adventure, Princess. As long as you have great friends with you, it's never a dull moment."

Twilight smiled at them. "You three will visit Ponyville one day, right?"

He turned his easy smile to her. "You can count on it, Princess. The Everfree Forest is one place we all want to explore one day. Keep an eye out for us."

"Of course, farewell to you all." With that, the three politely took their leave. Wanderer and Tourmaline walked closely together as they left.

Twilight smiled warmly at them. It was good to see happiness in others. For her, happiness had been restrained during the celebration. Her long awaited talk with Celestia was at hoof, and she would finally have the answers she so desired to her questions.

"Well, Princess Twilight, are you ready?" Princess Celestia turned to her with a serious expression.

Twilight took a calming breath. "I am, Princess. For better or worse, I am. However…" She hesitated a moment. "I want to say something."

Celestia looked to her curiously and gave a nod of encouragement. "Speak on then."

"Even if it was just for a moment that I doubted you. I never would turn my back on you. Not for anything. Even if it means that I will have to see my friends and family move on without me. You are still my friend, and that will never change. If I have to live forever too, I know I will have you, Luna, Cadence, and Spike with me."

Celestia looked to her for a long moment and smiled warmly. "There is something I must show you before I speak." She raised her head up, and her horn glowed brightly. Twilight could feel herself slipping away, her essence leaving Equestria.

-0-

She opened her eyes and looked round slowly. She stood in a place of ethereal light where every color of the spectrum shown brilliantly. They flowed and ghosted around her as she looked around at the marvelous display. She recognized where she was; it was the place she had gone on the day she had become a princess.

Small "screens" floated by. They showed images of other alicorns as they went about their lives, and there were even images of male alicorns, few as they were. Twilight could only look on in wonder, as there were dozens of them. From what she saw of the backgrounds in the screens, she could tell that they spanned centuries in time. Yet, none of them were alicorns she knew of. All of the faces and names had been lost to history, remaining in the memory of only one pony.

"They all felt the same as you, Twilight. They all had questions of what it meant to be an alicorn, or what it meant to be a princess or prince," Celestia said as she joined her student.

"Who are they, Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked, her eyes wide as she looked to the various images.

"They are my recollections of others whom I had adopted and given the title of Princess or Prince of Equestria. It is here, in the Realm of Light, where I can see their faces and hear their voices again—even if I cannot do so in Equestria anymore." There was a tightness about her voice, and Twilight saw that Celestia had tears rimming her eyes.

"So they are…?" Twilight asked, though she knew the answer.

"Dead and passed on, yes," the princess said with no small amount of grief. "But here, I keep their memory alive and with me forever."

"So that means that I…" she let the thought hang, not able to give it voice.

"Will not have to endure the loss of your friends through aging without you aging along with them. I would not be so cruel as to have you learn what true friendship was, only to have you see it pass on in front of you. Nor could I let Cadence marry your brother if it meant she would have to helplessly watch him leave her behind."

"Princess Cadence… So she does know?"

"Did you not ask her?" Celestia asked with a raised eyebrow and small smile.

Twilight blushed sheepishly. "I was afraid to ask her, just in case she didn't know. I didn't want to upset her at the time, considering the situation we were in."

Celestia nodded in understanding. "Tyranny likely planned it that way and influenced your thoughts."

Twilight frowned. "Why would he say such things? Surely he knew the truth."

"He did, but he took the risk and assumed you did not. Once he knew, he used you. Because of that, I take the blame, Twilight. Can you ever forgive me?" Celestia asked.

The way Celestia had said it, Twilight knew her answer would be important. After a moment of thought, she smiled warmly. "Of course, Princess. I would be a horrible pony if I didn't. You only wanted to protect me until I was ready, and Tyranny took advantage of it. You couldn't have seen it coming. So yes, I forgive you."

Celestia smiled warmly, and the two shared an embrace.

"But, Princess, how is it that you and Princess Luna have lived for so long? Whereas Cadence, the others, and I don't?"

Celestia closed her eyes a moment, and spoke honestly. "My sister and I were born as alicorns, Twilight, and with that came incredible longevity. Not immortality, but a long lifespan. One that has spanned well over a thousand years."

Twilight looked to the screens of the deceased alicorns as they moved past and felt sympathy for her mentor. "How do you do it, Princess Celestia?"

She looked to her curiously, and Twilight explained further, "Each of them and me—how do you stand seeing them live and pass on? It has to hurt anew each time."

Celestia watched the images float past for a time. "It is hard, Twilight, but I find comfort in knowing they all lived their lives to the fullest. It does not lessen the grief, but it certainly helps me cope."

Twilight considered that. "You are strong, Princess Celestia, stronger than I will ever be."

The Sun Princess smiled. "Do not sell yourself short, Twilight. When you faced Tyranny, you showed strength that I would be hard-pressed to match." She nuzzled her student affectionately. "Seeing you and your friends lead happy, full lives gives me my strength. Remember that."

Twilight smiled warmly and felt herself returning to Equestria. Her heart felt lifted after so many days of despair.

-0-

Twilight and her friends stepped off the train at the Ponyville train station. Twilight could see that nothing had changed in the sleepy little town. She saw the Cakes still ran Sugarcube Corner. Big Macintosh was selling apples at the local market. She saw Autumn Leaves happily unloading a wagon full of new books with the help of her sister, Winter Blossom, who looked dejected as she helped unload the wagon. Twilight made a mental note to get to the store as soon as possible to browse the shop keeper's new inventory.

Twilight was truly happy to be home. After so many weeks of being on the road and so much frustration, heartache, and eventual closure to many questions, she was glad to be home. She saw that her friends felt the same way as she, as each of them wore wide, eager smiles.

"Alright, better see if the weather ponies have been keeping things running smoothly while I was gone," Rainbow Dash said as they stopped for goodbyes. "I'm sure that without me around, things have gotten hectic."

"Oh, I bet Angel and all the woodland critters will be so happy to see me. I can't wait to see them." Fluttershy pranced excitedly in place.

"Ah better be getting on home too. Ah'm sure Applebloom is going ta chat mah ear off askin' questions, and sure enough, Ah'll hear about all the trouble she and her crusader friends been in while we were gone." Applejack smiled wanly.

"Oh, oh, I gotta let Mr. and Mrs. Cake know I'm back in town. Pound and Pumpkin Cake will be so happy to see me." Pinkie Pie bounced excitedly, her saddlebags overflowing with treats and goodies left over from the celebration.

"I'm sure Sweetie Belle has left quite the mess for me to clean up once I get back to the boutique. No doubt there are orders that will need to be seen too as well." Rarity sighed. "A lady's work is never done."

"I'm sure Spike has a surprise for me waiting at home too. I know he's been missing us all since he came home without us," Twilight said.

"He's probably glad he didn't stay with us," Rainbow joked.

The girls all shared a small chuckle and turned for home.

"Same time this next weekend at the watering hole?" Rarity asked.

Applejack tipped her hat. "You betcha."

"Indeedy," Pinkie Pie added.

Rainbow gave a confident smirk. "You know it."

"I'll be there," Fluttershy said quietly.

Twilight smiled. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Alright, see you girls soon." Rarity waved in parting, and turned down the lane towards the boutique.

As each went their separate ways, Twilight watched after them. She truly felt blessed that she would have excellent friends no matter what came their way. Together, they would see it through as the best of friends for the rest of their lives. With a happy, content sigh, she turned for home.