Chap 20

---Canterlot---

“They freed the elements!” Luna gasped as the lights from the elements of harmony flew towards the 6 fillies. “Tig.. ya did it!” Apple Jack smiled as she felt her element return to her. “Let’s do this!” Twilight looked at her friends as the elements sunk back into their owners. Their golden necklaces appeared once again. Twilight had the crown as her eyes shone. “That’s it my student…” Celestia watched as a torrent of rainbow energy gently surrounded her. “I shall do the rest!” Celestia’s eyes were glowing now as well. The light around her horn instantly intensified. With that Celestia jumped into the air and spread her wings out. A light so bright, that no pony could look at with their eyes seemed to flash from Celestia. With that, the monotone color of the sky seemed to shatter as far as the eye could see. As this happened, the warm rays of sunlight started to shine back down on Equestria. Color flooded through the whole world like a wave.

---PonyVille---

“Hahah!” Sol Lune laughed in joy as he saw the sky turn blue. “The nightmare is finally over,” Tiger Dusk sighed, but gasped suddenly as Lunar Flare was in front of him. “You.. think it’s over do you Tiger Dusk?” he’s eyes flashed fiercely. “It is Lunar Flare!” Celestia’s voice echoed as she appeared with Luna and the others. “You were too foalish with the Book of Darkness,” Celestia’s eyes narrowed at Lunar Flare. “I was smart enough to embrace its magic!” Lunar Flare glared at Celestia. “You let it consume your heart!” Luna joined her sister. “It is the ultimate magic! It was mine for the TAKEING!” Lunar Flare laughed as he thrust a hoof into Tiger once more. “Ugh!” Tiger’s eyes opened wide. “TIGER!” Apple Jack cried out. She was about to run for him but was stopped by a wing from Celestia. “I shall deal with this,” Celestia’s wings started to shine once more. “Wha.. what are you doing?!” Lunar Flare hissed. “Doing what I should have done when we first fought,” Celestia’s light intensified. “AHHHHHHHHHH!!” Lunar Flare screamed as the shadows from his body started to vaporize. He let Tiger Dusk go. “Return that gentle night to Tiger Dusk!” Celestia stomped her hooves as Lunar Flare collapsed pathetically to the ground. “N..no!” Lunar Flare shook. His body had shrunk and grown wrinkly and slowly disappearing, he was indeed more than a thousand years of age. “Light… cannot exist without shadow,” Lunar Flare coughed weakly. “You are right,” Celestia walked closer with her light, “but the shadow that a gentle light produces is a gentle darkness, not the malicious type that you have aimed for”. “Ah…” Lunar Flare groaned as he felt his energy leave his tired ancient body. As his body disappeared a soft light was left behind. It floated in the spot for a moment, and if one would take a closer look at it, its color was the same as dusk. “Ah’ve been meaning to ask Princess,” Apple Jack looked causiously at the light, “what exactly did Lunar Flare take from Tiger?” “He took half of Tiger’s spirit, what really makes him complete,” Celestia’s horn started to glow as she lifted the light. “His favorite time of day as he used to say,” Celestia smiled at Tiger Dusk who watched as the light surrounded him. “Ah…” Tiger breathed out as his mane and cutie mark had reverted back to their original black. “How are you feeling buddy?” Sol Lune asked. “Like a new pony!” Tiger got up and posed. “YEAH!” he cheered, “WE TOTALLY ROCKED!” “Hahahaha” Apple Jack laughed. “See?” Celestia winked, “without that, he just wouldn’t be himself”. “Ah think Ah git it,” Apple Jack giggled as she walked over to Tiger. “Hey there pretty filly,” Tiger nuzzled his love. “Ah missed ya… and Ah was so worried,” Apple Jack nuzzled back. “You did a fine job,” Tiger smiled. “Hay… when your colt friend is a Knight ya gotta live up to it,” Apple Jack winked, “Ah can’t be the princess in distress!” “Though it would be intresting to see you in a dress,” Tiger teased. “SEE?” Rarity found the opportunity to break into the conversation. “I.. I was only joking!” Tiger waved his hooves out in front of himself. He knew how much Apple Jack didn’t like ‘formal attire’. “Ah guess… just for one night,” Apple Jack smiled. “Huh?” Tiger’s eyes grew wide. “And we can TOTALLY have it at the PARTY!” Pinkie Pie bounced around them. “Sounds like a plan Dusk,” Sol Lune grinned, “you sly pony… you got all the fillies wrapped around your hooves”. “Hay no…” Tiger blushed, “Apple Jack here is the only filly for me” “Aww… that’s so cute!” Twilight giggled. “Hay Sol Lune, are you as fast as Tiger?” Rainbow Dash asked him. “Heh, I could beat him in my sleep!” Sol Lune grinned. “Really?” Tiger looked at him with a lifted eye brow. “Yeah,” Sol Lune smirked. “Fine… after the party, you, me and Rainbow!” Tiger smirked back. “YEAH!!! THIS IS GONNA BE… SO …. AWESOME!” Rainbow Dash’s voice squeaked with excitement. “Umm I’ll cheer,” Fluttershy smiled. “Alright then! It is settled!” Rarity declared. “Of course the Princesses are invited as well!” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Pinkie Pie! Mind your manners!” Rarity gasped. “It’s quite alright Rarity,” Princess Celestia smiled. “A party would be most delightful,” Luna nodded.

---The next day---

Ponies had come back to PonyVille and had started a celebration. Streamers and balloons flew everywhere. Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack and Tiger had worked hard earlier in the morning to bake one of the biggest cakes that PonyVille had ever seen. Apple Jack had gone home a little after that and had put on a really classy dress that Rarity had made especially for her. Tiger had put on his tuxedo and was waiting by the gates of PonyVille, it was just past afternoon. “Sorry Ah’m late sugar Tig,” Apple Jack walked up to him, “it’s just darn hard to walk in this thing,” Apple Jack explained. “My gosh,” Tiger breathed as he looked at her, she had a fine white dress and her hair was down rather than the usual pony tail, “you look amazing in a dress too Apple Jack”. “Hay remember it’s jus for tonight!” Apple Jack winked at him. The two of them entered the party and started to enjoy. They met up with Rainbow Dash who was performing her new tricks in front of a lot of the town’s ponies. Then they paid their respects to Princess Celestia who was with Luna and Twilight chatting about the magic of Friendship. Fluttershy was conducting her bird choir which sounded very pretty. Tiger bowed to Apple Jack as she awkwardly curtsied back as the two started to dance. Rarity was showing off her latest and greatest dress to many of the fillies which had crowded around her, gasped as she watched the two “it’s so ROMANTIC!” Rarity’s voice squealed as she watched the two. “You dance very well” Tiger said as he held Apple Jack close to him as the music number had come to a end, “ah… well it’s cause you took the lead there Tig,” Apple Jack blushed. Tiger and Apple Jack had finally met up with Pinkie Pie. She could not contain her excitement as she bounced around the two talking about fireworks later that night. Then Tiger and Apple Jack had found Sol Lune who was relaxing in front of sugar cube corner and started to chat and laugh with him, till the sun had started to go down. “Hey Dusk, don’t you have to show your filly friend something?” Sol Lune asked as he nudged Tiger. “What? .. oh yeah!” Tiger realized and thanked Sol Lune. “Hey no problem, I’ll just tell them you are spending some private time together,” Sol Lune smiled as he watched Tiger walk up to Apple Jack. “Hey Apple Jack,” Tiger brushed the back of his mane, “can you come with me for a bit?” “Sure thing Tig, what’s up?” Apple Jack started walking with him towards the exit of the town and down to Sweet Apple Acres. “It’s just something I wanted to show you,” Tiger smiled as they climbed up a hill with a lone apple tree sitting on the top. “Yeah?” Apple Jack smiled back at him. Tiger sat down and leaned his back against the tree and motioned for Apple Jack to sit beside him. “Check it out,” Tiger nodded towards the sun set. “Yer right… it is pretty amazing Tig,” Apple Jack said as she leaned her head against Tiger’s shoulder. “Cause you’re here with me Apple Jack,” Tiger softly kissed the top of Apple Jack’s head. “It’s cause you’re here with me Tiger Dusk,” Apple Jack leaned up and kissed him, “who ever thought that dusk in PonyVille could be so amazing?” Apple Jack snuggled close to him. “I’m just glad to be home,” Tiger smiled, “where I belong… with you Apple Jack”.

~Fin~