The sun was just starting to set by the time Twilight and her two friends finally made it back to the centre of town. However, despite the passage of all that time, Spike's enthusiasm for discussing his whole life had not diminished in the slightest. Although somewhat amused by hearing him continue to talk about it, Twilight wondered to herself how he could go on for so long about it. More to the point, she mused, how does he even remember all this stuff? A thought then occurred to her. Then again, I do have a whole extra lifetime's worth of memories myself at this point, so who am I to complain? Still, as she looked back, watching as Fluttershy was utterly transfixed on the tiny dragon speaking to her, Twilight let out a chuckle. Well, at least this helped bring Fluttershy out of her shell a little. I'll have to remember to help her out with that more when things have settled down later. So, she continued walking, listening to everything Spike was saying.

"...and that's pretty much the story of my whole life until today. Oh! Do you want to hear about today?"

Fluttershy smiled enthusiastically at that.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful!"

Spike smiled proudly at that before clearing his throat, ready to continue speaking. However, before he got the chance to do so, he was stopped by a sudden jolt, as Twilight came to a complete stop. Fluttershy too was taken aback by this abrupt end to their walk, and as Spike recovered from it, he turned around, looking rather annoyed at this. However, his annoyance soon disappeared as he saw the look on Twilight's face. She was utterly focused on what lay before them, her mouth hanging open. Looking forward, Spike saw what she had seen, a massive tree in the middle of Ponyville, with what looked like a house built into it. Although he was confused as to why Twilight was behaving this way, the unicorn herself was completely lost in her own thoughts. It's...it's here! The Golden Oaks Library! My...my home! It's here! It's whole! No burns. No destruction. It's like nopony has ever made a scratch on it. This...this place...it'll mean more to me than any home I have ever lived in. I never appreciated it until it was gone. But this time...this time no monster will ever take it away from us!

Her memories of her life that had yet-to-be once more resurfaced. Memories of happy times in this place. This place, where she had never set hoof before today, carrying with it a lifetime of joy and feelings of belonging. A feeling she had never known before she came to this town. This is my home. And it will be my home for as long as I can keep it. This...I swear! As the happy memories of this place flooded over her, Twilight failed to notice that, not only had she broken into a soft and affectionate smile, but her eyes had started to well up with tears. As the first of them finally started to fall down her cheeks, only now did she notice that Spike had hopped off her and was now starting to stare at her, worried at why she was crying. Concern gripped Twilight's heart as she considered this. You fool, Twilight! You can't go around acting this way! Spike and everypony else will think something's wrong with you if you keep losing yourself like this! Get yourself together! Quickly, Twilight began wiping her tears away, all while Spike looked up at her, maintaining his earlier sense of concern.

"Twilight? Are you okay? Why are you crying?"

As Twilight continued to wipe her tears away, Fluttershy began to speak up in her usual meek manner.

"Oh! It was my fault, wasn't it? I knew I shouldn't have followed you like this!"

Chuckling a little at that, Twilight looked at both of them nervously before focusing her attention on Spike.

"It's nothing, really. It's just...well...you know I love books, so...I guess I got worked up about being near a library."

Spike raised his eyebrow at that, regarding those words carefully. For a moment, Twilight was worried that he might try and press the manner, given her, abnormal behaviour just now. However, thankfully, he didn't, instead looking away from her, albeit reluctantly. He knows I’m keeping something from him, she thought. It was a difficult thing to consider, that Twilight had just deliberately deceived him like that, and that he perhaps knew it. Even so, Twilight tried to shake herself out of that thought, instead returning her attention to the library. Her ears began to perk up as she began to hear sounds coming from within. Guess Pinkie's already invited everypony in. Clearing her throat, Twilight addressed her two friends.

"Well...it sounds like there's quite a party going on in there. It'd be rude to keep them waiting. Oh, and Fluttershy? You're welcome to join us, if you want."

The timid Pegasus looked down at the ground after hearing that request, considering it carefully before looking up again. It was clear to Twilight that she was still at a point in her life when she was uncomfortable around others, but even so, she'd managed to create at least a semblance of a friendship with her this afternoon, and it seemed to be enough to cause Fluttershy to give a small smile and nod. Smiling back, Twilight turned to look at Spike, who was already waiting at the door and ready to go in. The two mares soon joined him and, after opening the doors, they entered together. In an instant, Twilight was immediately swamped with many of the town's residents, all of whom had been gathered by Pinkie to greet Ponyville's newest arrival. Okay, Twilight thought, make a good impression this time. So, putting on her most convincing smile, Twilight began to shake hooves and offer greetings to everypony she encountered here. All of them welcomed her with the kind of friendliness that Twilight had not known before today, at least, not in the original life. But now, she knew these ponies, and seeing them again, for the first time, brought a deep warmth to her.

All of them...they don't know me, at least not beyond this meeting. But that'll change soon enough. Still wearing her smile, Twilight soon found that she had offered greeting to everypony that had come here, and soon, she caught sight of her best friends. Aside from Fluttershy, who was quietly standing to one side trying to avoid eye contact with others, there was Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow, all of whom, were mingling with others. Smiling at the sight of them, Twilight began to walk towards them, eager to get the group together. However, she was soon intercepted by Pinkie, who leapt out of nowhere and surprised the young unicorn.

"HIYA, TWILIGHT!!!"

Needless to say, this caught Twilight off-guard somewhat, but she nevertheless caught her breath and let out a chuckle as she regarded her most energetic of friends.

"Pinkie! Hello! Wow, this party is wonderful! I can’t thank you enough for throwing it for me!"

Pinkie smiled even more widely than normal after hearing that, after which she embraced Twilight in a hug.

"Aw! Don't mention it! After all, we're friends now, right?"

As the pink earth pony backed away from Twilight, the latter heard those words and let them sink in deep. Friends...yes. Yes, Pinkie, we are friends. You don't know it yet, but I'll consider you one of my closest companions, along with all the others. But, she didn't say those things, and instead simply gave a small smile and placed a hoof upon Pinkie's shoulder, acknowledging her point. Pinkie smiled yet again before bouncing off elsewhere to make sure everypony else was having a fun time here. Twilight chuckled at that, walking over to a nearby bowl of fruit punch, ready to take a drink. However, her future memories kicked in yet again, and a sly smile crept onto her face. Well...maybe I'll stick to water tonight. Using her magic, she levitated a nearby glass of cool water over, taking a single sip before turning around. She looked all over, knowing this place would be a beloved home to her for many years to come, and smiled contentedly. My first night here...the first of many happy times.

Looking down, she watched as Pinkie was darting all over the place, trying to convince the other mares to start dancing. Fluttershy, of course, was terrified about doing to in public, but others, like Applejack, were more than willing to go along with it. As Twilight watched her friends start to get along on this night, her smile remained. However, in this moment of solitude, she had the opportunity to take full account of why she was here, and not just regarding the return of Nightmare Moon. Other thoughts and memories flooded her mind, threatening to bring her down from this moment of joy. They're here. All of them. My friends. The best friends I ever had. They're happy. They’re content. Not a care in the world. None of them have any idea the kinds of things that will happen in future. The dark moments, the days of heartbreak. All the foes that will come to try and drive us apart, or worse. A grim look crossed her eyes as her memories delved even further than that. And none of them know, that one day...one day...they'll...

"Twilight!"

The unicorn was shaken out of that train of thought as she heard her name, looking down to see Spike who, as expected, was currently wearing a lampshade over his head, looking up at her eagerly. Giggling at the sight of him like this, Twilight listened as he spoke.

"Come on! Everypony's dancing! Let's join in!"

Twilight regarded her number one assistant, giving him a gentle pat on the top of his head, before nodding to him.

"Sure, Spike. I'd love to."

Spike smiled at that before getting back to everypony else, and Twilight kept on her smile, pushing aside those grim memories for the time being. I know things won't always be this good, this happy. I know many things lie ahead that I'll have to deal with. But...right now...

She sighed.

"...everything...is perfect."