T'was the hour before the celebration. The celebration in Canterlot Castle. The celebration of the defeat of the Pegasi Lords. To celebrate the freedom of the pegasus race. A long battle to free the innocent winged ponies of the land. Giving them a better chance of life.
And those who helped to defeat the despicable Lords were the Solar Sisters, the ruler of the Crystal Empire, the Princess of Magic, the God of Chaos, the living embodiments of the Elements of Harmony and the Wonderbolts. Not forgetting the assassins of the Creed. Whose duty is to protect the innocents across the land. To rid those who wish to destroy the peaceful love of the land.

But now, the battle is over. The remaining Pegasi Lords are in the dark prison of Iuana Tartar. A place of death. And the pegasi are free to their own demise. Now, the land of Equestria can settle back to harmony and peace. Leaving the inhabitants to live peacefully.

Now, the princesses of the land are holding a small celebration. With those who helped, a hoof-ful of chosen assassins, the Wonderbolts and the Elements of Harmony.
The princesses hoped that this celebration, or party as it's referred to, would calm everypony down. Especially one particular pony.

~~~~~~

"Rraaarriitttyyy!!" A young mare whined with her high, childish voice.

The white unicorn stared at the pink pony, her ears flat and a sad look upon her face. Tears beginning to prick at her large sapphire eyes.
"You don't like them?" She croaked. She had spent two hours designing, and four hours making. Even she was amazed that dresses were made perfectly. But if her friends didn't like them, then she didn't.

"Like them? We don' like them!" An orange mare snapped. Making the unicorn whimper.

"We love them!!" The violet alicorn squealed. Her eyes as big as the moon. A grin as high as the stars.
"They're beautiful!"

"They're ammmaaaazzzzziiinnngggg!!" Pinkie Pie sang as she bounced over and hugged the seamstress. Catching her completely off guard.

"Y-you do?" Rarity squeaked.

"Of course. They're magnificent, Rarity." Fluttershy hushed. Stroking the a rose pink dress.

The dressmaker felt joy spread across her face. She stood up straight and nodded, with a smile across her pearl white face.
"Thank you." Her horn lit up with her beautiful light blue aura, as she hovered all of the dresses beside their new owners.

A bouncy blue dress was placed around Pinkie Pie. Her dress was made with light, thin material. So there were many layers of Pinkie's dress. Looking similar to a tutu. Glittering pink sequins dotted around the bottom of the dress. Pinkie giggled as the dress fastened around her neck, with a simple pink bow. A similar bow was gently placed into her crazy, curly hair, which was now put into crazy pig tails.
"Thanks, Rarity! I love it!!" The party mare laughed. Jumping up and down.

Next, a simple, very light blue dress was carefully draped around the shy yellow pegasus. Dark green leave were placed at the hem of the dress. Almost looking like leaves floating in the sky. A collar of leaves, buckled together in the middle with a pink butterfly went around her throat, and two white flower clips were placed into her now loosely braided hair.
"Wow. It's amazing." She blushed as she stared at the dress. Rarity smiled as her friend admired her work.

"Next up, Applejack." The unicorn sang as she levitated a dark blue skirt, with a brown saddle onto the orange mare. Lighter brown marks swirled into curls on the saddle. Applejack wore a simple white collar, with a small red apple in the corner. Along the trim of her long, dark blue skirt, was a simple swirl pattern. Dotted with sparkling red apples. Applejack's original hat was placed upon the bed as a darker brown, matching the saddle, hat was put onto her head. Her locks of gold were tightly plaited, and tied with a shining red ribbon.
"Ah am mighty grateful for this." Applejack thanked. Tipping her hat.

Rarity grinned as placed Twilight's dress onto the alicorn. It was a vibrant pink, with three wavy layers and three white stars on the top layer. A light violet belt buckled itself around her waist. And a swirling pink collar clicked together, with on large white star, around her neck. Twilight fluttered her wings as her straight hair was placed into a high ponytail. With another white star.
"It's amazing, Rarity."

"Thank you. Now Rainbow, I-...Rainbow?" Rarity titled her head as she turned to the pegasus. Everyone looked over to the assassin as she sat on the bed with her head down.
"Rainbow?"

"Don't worry about me. Just skip me out and leave me behind. I'll stay here tonight." She sighed. Twilight felt extremely guilty now. She made her friend more and more distraught everyday. She couldn't handle it any longer.

She was about to trot over, when she was stopped by a single white hoof. The violet mare stared at the hoof, before staring at the pony.

"Come on, dear. It's time to celebrate." Rarity said quietly.

"Go then. Just go without me. I don't feel like doing anything." The sitting pegasus replied.

Rarity carefully picked up the last dress, beside her own. It was scarlet red dress, that lightly hovered. It had no back as it was brought from under, to the chest. Where it was met with small, sparkling white pearl. Leading up to a red collar. Around the waist was a darker red belt. It was a simple yet elegant dress.
"You don't have to do anything. Just sit. Please, just come with us. It wouldn't be the same without you."

Rainbow looked up at the unicorn. Who gave a reassuring smile. Her bright sapphire eyes, tired but excited and happy. Rarity felt sorrow as she glanced at the pegasus mare's eyes. The usually bright rose gems that radiated confidence and determinationnow, that now only held guilt, pain and fear.

"Fine." Rainbow jumped off the bed. Flapping her non injured wing. As she stood up, Rarity gently placed the dress onto the pegasus. Knowing how hurt the mare was. The open back of the dress let the pegasus' wings free. Rarity thought it would be better to leave her wings, rather than have them wrapped in material. Finally, Rarity's magic put the cyan mare's mane into a large, tight bun. With two tufts of hair at the top, and one curl around her neck. One red band, studded with pearls, wrapped itself twice around the bun, and under the tufts. And to finish it, Rainbow's scruffy fringe was curled slightly and another red, pearl encrusted band rested on her hair. Behind her ears.

Everypony gazed at the pegasus, who kept her head down. The dress gracefully falling around her body. Rarity slightly tightened the belt, for when she made the dress, she used Rainbow's old measurements. Now, she was thinner due to the malnourishment the pegasus experienced.

Twilight finally trotted over and placed a hoof over her friend's shoulder.
"You look beautiful, Rainbow Dash." She hushed.

"Let's just go." Rainbow pushed Twilight away and trotted towards the door. Leaving the alicorn upset and even more guilty.

As the others left, Rarity put on a light, flowing purple dress. With a short, wavy, transparent overskirt. The dress glimmered underneath the artificial light. A thin purple collar wrapped around her neck, with a purple diamond gem in the middle. Rarity quickly put in several diamond clips into her already perfect hair.

Then, she quickly trotted out of the room and down the corridor, to hall. Not noticing the pegasus stallion further back, behind her.

~~~~~~

Banners hung from the ceiling, along with multicoloured streamers. Different coloured balloons hovered around the large hall. Along the side was a very long table. Holding treats of all sorts. A couple of ponies danced to the music in the middle of the hall. Pinkie Pie danced along with a mint green unicorn, also known as Lyra. Both of them giggled and laughed. The unicorn dragged another pony to dance, who was also her special somepony. Bonbon. The three of the bounced around to music.

By the table was a draconequus, with a simple black suit on, and an orange mare. The both of them stuffing their mouths with the food.

Princess Luna trotted over, licking her lips before biting into the large chocolate cake. The frosting coating her midnight blue face.

By a small table, sat five mares and a stallion. All with drinks that were either alcohol or punch.

Fluttershy and Twilight both had punch. Both being the less experienced drinkers. While Celestia, Rarity and Cadence had wine. Beside Princess Cadence, was a white unicorn stallion. Her husband, Shining Armour. In front of him, upon the table, was a large mug of cider. His white foreleg wrapped around his wife.

Princess Celestia chuckled as she saw her sister inhale the food upon the table. Remembering the times when they were both young ponies. Playing among the castle halls. Hiding in their secret places. Pranking each other until the day ended and Celestia had to rest.

"Ah Luna. You never change. Always stealing my cake." The sun goddess laughed. She felt a sudden rush from the extreme amount of alcohol, but she remained quite sober.

"Is that your cake?" Fluttershy asked. Giggling along with the princess. Despite her not having alcohol, she let the party spirit carry her away. Her shy demeanour pushed aside as she let her hapy, party side loose.

"Fluttershy. All cake is mine." Celestia hovered a glass of dark red wine. Sipping it quietly. Watching her intake. She was still a Princess. And she had to raise the sun later. Also, a hungover alicorn is not ideal. But the guards were used to this. Every so often, a guard will stumble upon a drunk sun or moon princess. And sometimes, the guards were the victims of the sisters' pranks.

"And you need to lay off it." Twilight snorted. All the ponies at the table laughed heavily. Ignoring the dull pegasus in the corner of the room. Sitting alone at a table, nursing a drink.

Fluttershy grinned until she remembered what Twilight had told her earlier. Quietly, she nudged the alicorn. Quickly grabbing her attention.

"What is it?" Twilight whispered. Thinking that shy pegasus just wanted to pester her.

"Aren't you forgetting somepony? Somepony very important." The butterscotch yellow mare replied. Pointing over to the cyan mare.

Twilight's eyes opened wide as she suddenly remembered.
"Now?"

"Yes, now. Do it." The assertiveness of the pegasus made her push the alicorn off her seat. Who madly flapped her wings to gain balance. She coughed before trotting over to the door.

~~~~~~

"Told you. Told you, told you."

"I get it. Shut up."

"I told you he would leave you. No-pony has ever stayed with you."

"Please. Just be quiet."
Rainbow Dash picked up the small glass, containing ice and brown liquid. She quickly poured the liquid down her throat, wincing as the burning drink slid down her throat. She fluttered her wing.

"Drinking isn't going to help."

"Pttf. How would you know? You're just a voice in my head."

"I'm you. And I'm helping us."

"Some help you are."

"Rainbow. I know you are sad, but downing drinks won't help."

"It might."

"All you're doing is drowning your sorrows."

"Drowning is an idea. I was thinking something more swift. Drowning is more painful."

"Rainbow!"

"Maybe stabbing myself in the heart...too messy. No. I know! My medicine cabinet! It's full of stuff! I'll overdose. With a side of vodka."

"Rainbow Miriam Dashery!!"

"..."

"Death is the cowards way out. You, my dear, are an assassin. You may slaughter others for the land's freedom, but death to them will lead to an eternity of torture. You however, as an assassin, a master assassin, the leader of assassins, the heart of the Creed, death will leave nothing for you."

"But-"

"I don't care!! Soarin may be dead, but suicide is not the answer."

"It's not the answer, but it's an answer."

"What of your friends? Your family?"

"My family is dead."

"Really. What about Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie and Applejack? Twilight and Rarity? You are all sisters. Fate has brought you together, to live by each other's side."

"Funny. Fate has a way of destroying that."

"I know you care deeply about Soarin. Howev-"

"It's not about Soarin!!"

"...what is it then?"

"...Twilight. She was right."

"Right? Right about what? Speak."

"About....about me. I-I can't have a family."

"...you fear you will endanger their lives."

"Of course....Why? Why an assassin? Why couldn't I be in a weather pony family? Or a baker family? Why an assassin? I hate the Creed!"

"How. Could. You!? After all you have been through. After all you have done. Making the Creed stronger than before. Protecting those who can't protect themselves."

"I just....I just want a family."

"Rainbow Dash. You are stronger than this. Just take each day slowly."

"No. I have a better idea."

"Rainbow?"

"Rainbow?" The violet alicorn asked. Staring at the mare before her, sitting at the table. Rainbow had her eyes gently closed as she sat up straight. Her bandaged wing tightly closed to her side.
"Rainbow Dash. I know you are very distraught right now, but I am so sorry for everything I said earlier. You didn't deserve it. So I'm apologising. And if you could just turn arou-"

"I already forgave you." Rainbow interrupted. "After all, you were only telling the truth." She croaked. Still turned away from Twilight.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked. Confused. She quickly made up the stuff earlier so she wouldn't blab. She didn't think at all. And yet again, she has destroyed her friend's hope.

"I'm leaving tomorrow. At sunrise. I will still serve Princess Celestia, but I will not be seen. I'm moving from Ponyville as well. It's the only way to protect you girls." Rainbow explained. Twilight's eyes opened wide in shock.

"No. You can't leave." Twilight whispered. "Please. Just turn around." But Rainbow heard none of it.

"I can and will, your highness. I'm nothing but an assassin. That's it. I shouldn't even have friends or family."

"No! You are not leaving! You are staying with us! I-I-I command you! I order you to stay!!" Twilight began to beg. Forgetting the pony beside her. Who was equally shocked.

The music screeched to a stop. Everyone in the room stared at the two arguing mares.

"Sorry, Princess. I am refusing your order." Rainbow sighed.

"Fine. Whatever. You stupid mare. You don't even follow orders. Only your own. If you followed what you had been told, you could have saved Soarin." Twilight spat. All she wanted was for the pegasus to turn around.

"I follow every order. But I couldn't save him. I can't save anypony."

"I know. That's because you're weak. Too weak to do anything. Really Rainbow, I thought that you were the strongest out of all of us. I guess was wrong." The princess watched as Rainbow growled quietly. Her cyan wing fluttering. "Weak. Febble. Pathetic. The only reason why you are leaving is because you're scared. Frightened. Like a stupid little filly. Maybe if you grew up, could handle things better. Like actually protecting ponies instead of killing them." Twilight snorted. "But you don't. That's why you got sent away. Cause you deserved it. Every little bit of pain. And I don't even know why you fell for that retarded Wonderbolt. He was thicker than two planks. I'm glad he's dead." The others staring absolute shock. The youngest princess was verbally assaulting the most dangerous pony in Equestria. The pony beside the princess moved aside. As the angry pegasus mare slapped the alicorn.

Rainbow glared at the alicorn. Growling. Her eyes staring daggers at the princess. Twilight gulped and slowly walked away. Her check stinging and lightly glowing red. But Rainbow followed. Like a cat and it's prey. "Weak and feeble says the pretty pony princess. Do you deserve to be princess, really? You're too oblivious to everything." Rainbow Dash ignored the stallion behind her. Despite him trying to get her attention. Twilight began to panic. Sweat dripping from her forehead. "Do we really need four princesses? I don't think we do. I especially think we don't need the last princess."

"I-I-I..." Twilight stuttered. Fear erupted in her mind. But as she saw her friend, she couldn't know what to feel. Rainbow was extremely angry, but tears were brimming her eyes. Her empty eyes.

"I will make sure every drop of your precious blood is put to use." Rainbow snapped. But stopped immediately as somepony began pulling her dress and tail. She turned around to be met with a handsome stallion with glimmering emerald eyes. Rainbow's anger drained away quickly as she stared at the stallion.

Shining blue, windswept hair. Ice blue coat. Large masculine wings. A cocky yet friendly smile.

Rainbow Dash gasped. Her tears streaming down her cyan cheeks. Her heart ached to breaking point as she stared at him.
"I-....I..." She stuttered. Unable to say anything as she cried.

He was alive. Her lover. Standing before her with his childish grin.

"Long time no see, huh. " Soarin smiled. Staring at Rainbow Dash. She looked so beautiful. How her eyes sparkled like gems under the light. The way the dress fell elegantly over her feminine, slender body. He loved her dearly. Even if she was an assassin, he still loved her. He remembered trying to gain the confidence to ask her out in the Wonderbolts academy. Saying that he'll never be with her. He tried helping her out as much as possible, and eventually became a friend.

But now, he was something better than a friend. A lover. To embrace the young mare's love. To be with her till the end.

Rainbow's mouth hung wide. Her tears falling to the floor. The two pegasus felt their hearts ache, but only stared at each other.
"I-....I...." Rainbow began to breathe heavily.

"I know. Amazing, aren't I?" Soarin joked, chuckling. But his laugh quickly turned into a gasp for air as a set of cyan hooves was wrapped around his neck. The mare crying into his shoulder. Wailing uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry!! I broke our promise!! I'm sorry I left!! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I love you!!" She cried into his shoulder. Soarin felt his own tears build up as he returned the hug. He was finally hugging Rainbow. He was finally with her.

"It's okay, Dash. There's nothing to be sorry about." He hushed. Smiling with his tears. Rainbow stood back up and stared at him again. Happy, but utterly confused.

"H-how? How are you alive?" She asked, wiping a few tears off her cheek.

"The Princess. Twilight. She saved my life." Soarin pointed to a near scared Twilight Sparkle. Still shocked from earlier. But when she saw the couple together again, her heart fluttered.
Rainbow looked over to Twilight.

"I performed an unfinished spell that Starswirl had begun. But never had the chance to finish. I had the mental and physical strength to perform it. Along with the magical strength." Twilight slowly trotted over to the pegasus mare. "Rainbow. The reason I did this was not just because Soarin didn't deserve it, it was also because I believe you deserve him. You both click together like nothing I have seen before. You've both been through physical and emotional pain. Through losing each other. And I felt so helpless to do anything to aid you. Especially you, Rainbow. Not only do protect Equestria, but you're my friend. You're our friend. And even if your real family are dead, we are family. All of us. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy and me. We are family. Till the very end."

"T-Twilight?" Rainbow squeaked. Every emotion suddenly exploding. Especially happiness, regret and guilt. She glanced at the smiling alicorn, and the happy mares around the room.

"Rainbow. You deserve a family. You have us, but not only that, you have Soarin. I was wrong, Rainbow. You can have a family of your own. Even if you are an assassin, you can live your own life." Twilight hushed. Rainbow hugged the alicorn. Holding her tight. The princess smiled and returned the hug.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." Rainbow whispered. Making the alicorn grin madly.

~~~~~~

"You did what!?!" Celestia coughed. Choking on her drink. Twilight was now sitting in her seat again. After the others watched with sore hearts as the two pegasi were reunited, they asked how Twilight did it. How Twilight saved Soarin.

"What? It was only a spell." Twilight muttered. But her teacher growled with fury.

"A dangerous spell! That could have killed you!"

"It didn't! It work! It work because I believed in myself! It worked because I had to!! I had to!!" The alicorn snapped. The others around the table shuffled to the other side. Not wanting to be near the two alicorns in their heated argument.

"It was an unfinished spell by Starswirl! Unfinished! Not even Luna and I had attempted it!! Because it would be too dangerous!" Celestia huffed. She was so angry at her student. For being so reckless. For risking her life. "You could have died!!"

"Celestia!!" Twilight's horn lit up as a set of zips formed around the pearl white alicorn's lips. Also, a purple glow surrounded her white horn, preventing any magic from her.
"Princess. I know you worry for me. A lot. You're like a second mother. Always there for me in my troubles. But Celestia, I am a grown mare. I make my own choices. I make my own life. I've also taken a page out of Rainbow's book. That you live on risks. For the future is always full of surprises and chances. I knew that if the spell backfired, it would have fatal consequences. But it didn't. Because I believed in myself that I could help. I needed to help Rainbow. Because without Soarin, she was no longer Rainbow. And without Rainbow, we would have all lost a dear friend. I'm sorry I upset you, your highness. I was reckless, yes. But it's what I needed to do."
Twilight slouched with her head down. Her dark blue mane covering her face.

Celestia's expression softened. Her horn fizzled with a golden glow as the purple grip disappeared like a mist. And the zips disappeared as well. She removed her cream gold shoes from her forelegs, and lifted Twilight's head up with her hoof. Her musk rose eyes filled with tears.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. I have never met a pony quite like you. Strong, determined, beautiful and intelligent. With the power to be a great mare. Yes, I guess I am like a mother to you. And that was only because you reminded me of one pony. A pony who was drowning in her troubles. But I ignored. If I had listened and helped her, she would have been by my side. And not on the moon." Celestia turned to look at her younger sister. Who was confused, but still held a small smile. "You reminded me so much of her. And....I didn't want to lose you like I lost her." Celestia wrapped her fore-legs around the young violet mare. Who embraced her mentor's warmth. "I needed somepony to fill the gap that lil Luna left. Sunset Shimmer and other many of my students...just didn't fill the hole in my heart. But you, my dear Twilight, you are so much like her. Clever, witty, crazy, gentle, sophisticated. And you loved the night. The moon and stars.

I'm happy. I'm so happy you helped Rainbow in her time of need. I'm so happy that you have become the great mare you are today. You deserve to be a princess." Celestia smiled before crying quietly into her student's shoulder. Who's own deep violet orbs were dripping salty tears. The others around the table smiled and hugged the two alicorns.

~~~~~~

"I missed you. I missed you so much, my little Dashie." The ice blue stallion smiled. His heart beaming with joy as his special mare leaned against him. His own masculine wing wrapped around her petit body.

"I missed you too. I couldn't live without you. But then....I couldn't see you in the hospital." Rainbow looked up at Soarin. Both of their eyes meeting. Shining with their love for each other.

"Well, we're together now. And I'll be by your side....forever."

"You promise?" Rainbow asked.

"I promise." Soarin lifted his hoof to cross his chest. As he did, he lifted Rainbow's chin up so she was looking directly at him. He moved a few of her prismatic curls out of her face. So he had the clear view of her beautiful rose eyes.
"I will...never leave, Rainbow."

Rainbow sat up slightly. So their noses were touching. Feeling each other's warm breath against their fur. Their eyes locked together. Their hearts aching to burst out.

"I love you." They both whispered in unison. Before locking their lips together. Sharing the love they had kept for each other the day they were separated. Rainbow leaned onto Soarin, so she was closer to him, placing her hooves on his shoulders. And he wrapped his forelegs around the mare. Bringing her body closer to his own.

Everyone in the turned to the couple as their love blossomed. They felt their hearts melt at the sight, as the two were finally reunited. Finally together. Twilight in particular felt a rush as she told herself that she did this. She made Soarin better to get them both together again. And it made her so bloody happy. Pinkie Pie bounced and giggled, while the others just smiled lightly. Watching the two pegasi.

"I've never sensed anything quite like this, except for Shining and myself." Cadence whispered to her aunts. "But the love they have for each other is...is overwhelming."

"She's a strong mare with many emotions. Before, they were wild. Everywhere. And most of the time, she felt nothing. But now...she's finally happy. She's found someone to get her through." Celestia replied quietly. She knew Rainbow very well. As she was the protector of Equestria. But, she never had the chance to bond. Or talk. Twilight had to tell Celestia about Rainbow. And she also used Luna to walk into the pegasus mare's dreams, or nightmares.

But now, she felt peace. Not from the war of the Pegasi Lords was over, but from the war of the young assassin. Rainbow was still a young mare. The youngest in the Elements of Harmony. And she was still learning in life.

And now she has learnt to love. But there is so much more to learn.

Author's Notes:

This is Rainbow Dash's dress if you're wondering. I got bored and decided to draw it.

Over. It's finally over. It was only supposed to be 10 bloody chapters. Not 45. Holy crap.

Sorry for the long update. Half the chapter disappeared, then I had a week of thinking about the ending. But it's here now. And yes, I left the Wonderbolts out. I couldn't think where to put them.

Thank you for reading. It means so much. And thank you for supporting me through this as well.

Yes. There will be a sequel. Soon. After a short break, I'm writing a different story. I may start writing the sequel half way through, I don't know. But expect great things to come.

Goodbye my fellow chums!!!