Sweetie Belle looked up at Aqua Sapphire in wonder. Had she really just heard that correctly? “You’re going to give me a wish?”

She nodded. “Correct.”

“I can have anything I want?” Another nod. “Um… um…c ould you turn us all into alicorns?”

A reserved look came to her face. “I could…”

“Or tell us exactly what our cutie marks will be?”

“Yes. So... is either of those your wish?”

Sweetie Belle responded easily, “Nah! I was just testing. A big part of our victory was about how our differences can actually bring us closer together and give us more strength. To make us all the same would be an insult. I know I’m young and dumb, but I’m not ithat dumb. And it would take all the fun out of things if you just told me what my cutie mark would be.”

Sweetie Belle looked thoughtfully at the ground, trying to decide on a wish. When absolutely anything was promised to you if you asked it was hard to find something that didn’t seem way too small for it.

After a few minutes she turned around to the others. “I can’t decide. I know that she decided to let me make a wish because I helped inspire you all, but I couldn’t have won by myself. None of us could have. We all worked together, so I say we should all have a say in this.”

“Are you sure, Sweetie Belle?” asked Rarity. “You don’t have to do that. She chose you, after all.”

“I’m sure!” Sweetie Belle responded cheerily.

Celestia settled down onto the ground and closed her eyes. “I’ve lived long enough that the only things I ever wish for is the safety of my family, friends, and the lands I rule over. That was accomplished with his defeat, thus I have nothing I need now.”

Luna sat down next to Celestia. “Agreed, Sister.”

Cadance joined in, also agreeing with that assessment.

Twilight looked between the two groups, unsure which one to go with. Because she was a princess should she also sit herself out of the decision process and just be happy with a well-earned victory? In the end she decided to be a part of the wish-suggesters. She soon found that she had no better luck than Sweetie Belle coming up with a really meaningful wish. Everything she could come up with was either selfish or petty.

Fluttershy looked around at everyone, seeing their indecisiveness. As she went to say something Scootaloo spoke up. “I have a wish.”

“Yes?” replied Aqua Sapphire.

“I know that it’s kinda selfish, but I’d like to be able to fly. It’s something that has been on my mind so much in the past few months. I’m not asking for a ton of skill. I want to earn it myself. I just… I’m tired of never knowing if I’m ever going to be able to succeed at getting off the ground.”

“Well, we have one idea. Does anyone else wish to throw in another?”

Fluttershy was looking around again. “I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“This wish. Do you actually mean we can wish for anything? Even something that would be impossible for a regular alicorn or unicorn?”

“As the chosen four of nature our powers were immune from the regular magical restrictions. Thus, yes, anything you can think of or imagine is at your disposal.”

Fluttershy looked ready to start hyperventilating she felt so relieved. “T-then I have a wish.” Tears were streaming down her eyes.

“Fluttershy… why are ya crying?” asked Applejack.

“B-because I’m scared that you guys won’t agree. Scootaloo has a good wish, but this is the most important wish we could ever make.”

Pinkie Pie walked up to her and nuzzled her. “Then go ahead and ask, silly. We’ll take a vote.”

“My wish… I… I wish… I want to bring Discord back to life!” Looks of shock and surprise followed her statement. “Scootaloo flying is a maybe right now, but if we don’t do anything Discord will definitely stay dead. He sacrificed his life to save mine. Should I turn my back on him now that I have a chance to return the favor and save his life? Wasn’t the lesson all of us learned today that we should never abandon our friends? Will we abandon him now for our own selfish pursuits?” Fluttershy looked to be on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

Scootaloo looked down at the ground. “Let’s vote then. Everyone who agrees with Fluttershy’s idea raise your hoof.” She raised her own hoof right after that. Each of the rest of them, almost at the same time, raised their hooves in turn.

Fluttershy fell to the floor and began sobbing, her feelings overwhelming her. She could have her friend back. She didn’t have to live with the guilt for the rest of her life.

Rarity smiled as she walked over, helping pull Fluttershy up and hugging her. “There, there, Darling. It’s okay.”

When she settled down she wiped her face, a big grin on her face. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Aqua Sapphire had a serene look on her face. “You passed my final test. I hoped you might.”

“Final test?” asked Twilight.

Fluttershy looked crushed. “You mean that whole wish thing was a lie?”

“No,” she responded. “It was not a lie. I made an offer to you and I intend to keep it. However, I had to see what you would do when offered ultimate power, and you proved yourselves more than capable.

"Sweetie Belle didn’t selfishly hog the wish. She willingly chose to share it with all of you. And each of you seemed to struggle with finding something worthwhile to use it on. In the end you settled on a gift for a friend. The greatest gift of all. Watching all of you... it gives me hope for the future.

"Though there will always be trials, and at times you may get into disagreements, your ability to bond together is impressive. I’m actually a little jealous. I think the fire of your hearts has touched me as well.” Her horn began glowing, and the six jewels of the elements came toward her, entering her body.

She flew up into the air, her magical energy creating a giant sphere around her that extended almost twenty feet in all directions.

“W-whoa…,” muttered Sweetie Belle.

“What power!” stated Cadance.

“The Elements of Harmony were originally pieces of her own power,” Twilight responded. “And if she was also stronger than Shadow Blaze it’s not that surprising.”

Aqua Sapphire said, “I see bright times ahead for this land. Although I will no longer be here once my spell is done there is nothing to fear. All of you have shown me there is nothing you cannot accomplish when you work together. The Elements of Harmony were created for the purpose of teaching others to come together in friendship. You no longer need the elements. Your power will be enough on its own.

“I entrust the future to you. Goodbye.”

The energy around her contracted, and then shot down towards the ground, engulfing Discord's body.

The glow slowly faded. There was a groan, and Discords eyes opened.

Fluttershy’s eyes opened wide with joy as she squealed with glee. “Discord!” she cried out in happiness, running over to him and jumping at him as he started to rise. “You’re alive! You’re alive!” She nuzzled him repeatedly like a cat. “I’m so glad!”

Discord looked around, trying to figure out what was going on. “Fluttershy?”

She looked up at him. “Yes?”

He was starting to remember what had been going on. “You were attacked.”

“Yes, but you saved me.” Her entire being was awash with delight. “We managed to beat that guy, because I had you to help me. You’re an amazing friend.” She nuzzled him some more, just so relieved he was alive.

Discord looked around surprised as all of them began clapping their hooves for him.

“Thank you, Discord,” said Twilight. “You really proved yourself back there. You did something totally unselfish for a change.”

Discord was feeling weird. Fluttershy’s continuing affectionate actions and their words, as well as his knowledge of what he himself had done, was beginning to make him feel… moved. With a touch of hesitation he began petting the kitten on his lap. “You’re alive and well. I’m… happy.” And for what was the first time in his life he felt a tear come down his eyes. Not out of laughter at others, but simply because he was just so relieved she was okay.

Celestia walked forward. “Even though I wanted Fluttershy to help redeem you, I certainly never thought you would go that far. You have done Equestria an exemplary service. I think your actions are deserving of being etched in our history. I also can’t believe I would ever be saying these words, but I will document your heroism upon one of the windows in my throne room.”

“You hear that, Discord?” Fluttershy said, snuggled in close to him and practically purring as he continued petting her. “You’re a hero! I’m so proud of you!”

“I am? I… I am.” With a snap of his claw a bunch of confetti rained down upon the area. His heart was soaring for one of the few times in his life. “Well, let’s get out of here while you tell me all about what happened after I got hit.” With a poof he disappeared, reappearing mini-sized and wrapping himself around Fluttershy’s neck like a scarf. “I hear Discord’s are in fashion this year.”

Fluttershy laughed as she patted Discord’s head.

As they went to leave Twilight took one last look at the Tree of Harmony. It was quickly losing its luster and beginning to wilt. They no longer had the elements as a safeguard. From now on they would have to keep the lesson they had learned today of relying completely on each other for true strength.

On the other hoof, as she looked around at the forest she could see that some of the creepiness factor was also disappearing. The feeling of oppression and unwelcomeness that had pervaded her every trip there was fading. In time the Everfree Forest would be safe for habitation again.

The next day there was a huge gathering in Canterlot for an important celebration of recognition.

Every pony was definitely shocked that Discord, the one who had nearly destroyed their world with chaos, was actually a hero who had willingly given his life to protect someone else. When Celestia was done explaining the events of the previous day all the ponies clapped.

“Go on, Discord,” said Fluttershy, giving him a gentle push. “Say something.”

Discord walked forward, addressing the group. “Greetings, everypony. Thank you all for your support. It is a most glorious day because my dear friend Fluttershy is unharmed because of my actions.” Fluttershy blushed, a smile on her face.

“I have to say I’ve never felt this way before. I’m feeling so emotional I might just cry.”

Their thoughts of being touched rapidly faded as his tearserupted into a waterfall that got everyone listening soaking wet.

Fluttershy sputtered, shaking some of the moisture off. “Discord!” she called out sternly.

Discord shrugged, an innocent playfulness on his face. Old habits die hard.