As word spread about Twilight’s triumphant return, ponies all over Equestria celebrated. The vigil at the Ponyville castle was replaced by a welcome home party. Everypony was glad to have their princess back safe and sound.

It took a while, but the six exhausted ponies finally made it back home. It had been quite a long time since they last saw their own beds. They parted ways shortly after their arrival at the Ponyville train station – each of them eager to return home and get back to their normal routine. The stress of adventuring had worn them down, and they needed to recharge.

Twilight went back to delivering her signature smile and wave combo as she rode through town near the close of the day. Just as the sun was setting, she made it back to the castle. Curiously enough, waiting for her just outside her door was a small package. It had a sloppy, hoof-written note attached which she picked up to read.

She reached down and opened the package revealing a delicious looking muffin tied up with a yellow ribbon. I have the best friends a pony could ever ask for, she thought to herself as a tired smile spread across her face. Picking up the muffin in her magic aura, she went inside—her quest to find the elusive bed and the rest she so greatly deserved at an end.

Author's Notes:

Author's Notes:

I want to thank everyone that read along as I wrote this second story for all the amazing comments. It wasn't easy making it through. It took me nearly 3 times as long to write this one as it did the first. I hope it shows in the writing.

When I sat down to write my first story - The Evolution of Harmony - I wrote the entire thing, start to finish, without really coming up for air. The second time around was quite different. I started with the same kind of outline and general chapter format, but found as I worked my way through writing out the details of the story, things changed quite a lot. I always had an idea of where I was going with it and where I wanted to end up, but the details of how that was going to happen poured out as I went along. I really like the way the final chapters came together. I hope you did as well.

Having the extra time to think about the previous chapter and then sitting down to write the next one gave me some perspective. I rewrote entire chapters before I ended up publishing the version I came out with. My outline looks nothing like it did when I first sat down to knock out the first few chapters. There are multiple chapters where I thought I would only have room for one. There are some elements I glossed over looking for the more engaging moments to focus on. In the end, it came together.

The one thing I would ask of you, my dear reader—if you liked the story, please tell me why. Share the part or parts that you felt worked the best. If you didn't like it, and merely found your way here out of shear boredom—tell me what you didn't like. I would really like to know what you think.

Book three is out there. I hope you can come along for the ride and that my stories will entertain you and expand upon the universe that I have come to love.

Thanks again,

Thornwing