It was the smell of breakfast that woke Twilight not the alarm. She slowly opened her eyes and raised her head to look into the kitchen. There was Flash, already showered and dressed, busily cooking. They had rented a small apartment together and had been living together for the past year. She propped her head up with her left hand and just watched with a cute, little smile on her face. She wasn't surprised. He did things like this all the time. Anyone could make a show of grand gestures of love; but it took someone really special to do the small things constantly.

He looked over and saw her looking at him. Flash had let his hair grow out to about shoulder length and had a well trimmed beard (beards which seemed to trend here in 2017). It gave him a rugged, yet cuddly appearance, and it felt nice and soft when they kissed. He smiled a big smile and said, "Good morning my love," in a voice so cheerful that anyone else but Twilight probably would have ground their teeth in annoyance at the sound. "How is the most beautiful woman in the world today?"

Twilight just smiled for a bit longer before replying, "Thinking how lucky she is to be with the most handsome man in the world."

"As well she should," he retorted in a faux aristocratic accent.

Twilight giggled. Twilight kept her look pretty much the same. She had grown her bangs out briefly but decided to get them back. She still wore skirts but now wore jeans a lot more. She would also wear slacks and sweat pants as well but refused to wear yoga pants (or as she called them, "why bother" pants). As tightly as they clung to the body, she felt she might as well go nude.

"Thank you," she said sweetly. "You ready to meet everyone today?"

It had been three years since she and the others had battled Chrysalis, Morgorith, and saved, well, everything. They graduated, all but Apple Jack went on to college. Most stayed somewhat local, Flash had enrolled in Cantorlot University to study sound engineering. Twilight joined him two years later as a Physics major. It was originally a toss up between anthropology and physics, but her love of physics was just a little greater. Rarity went to England, Fluttershy to Seattle, and Rainbow Dash went to Scottsdale, Arizona. Still, thanks to modern technology, they all still talked almost everyday. Today, however, was the first time since graduation that they would all get to meet in person. They had all made a vow to meet once a year for the rest of their lives.

Flash plated the eggs, sausage, and pancakes he had made. He didn't say anything, didn't even look over. He honestly had mixed feelings about the meeting. On one hand he really did want to hang out with everyone again. On the other hand; something about seeing everyone back at their old high school, it brought back too many bad memories. Three years on, the wounds still felt too new, too fresh.

He eventually looked over at Twilight who he saw was growing a bit concerned. "I'm ready to meet; just not ready to go back to the place though. I know we're not that far away; but it's been far enough." He then smiled a not totally fake smile. "I'll be ok once I'm around everyone else."

Twilight smiled a sympathetic smile. She rolled over on her back and stretched her right hand out. "Come here," she said.

"Of course, I got your food here," he said with a laugh. He brought their plates over, handed one to her and sat down beside her on the bed.

**********************************************************************************************

"Babe, babe, time to get up!" Sunset called out to Adagio.

Adagio groaned from the bed, pulled the pillow over her head, stuck her arm out, and raised her middle finger. Sunset laughed, walked over and gently pulled on her arm.

"C'mon sleepy head. We're getting to see everyone again."

"We see them all the time," Adagio grumpily protested.

"Yeah, but not in person," Sunset teased back.

Adagio raised her head and gave Sunset a look of utter annoyance. "Sunset, Flash and Twilight live an hour away. Pinkie and Sonata go to school here, with us. We literally see them everyday. Apple Jack is thirty minutes away."

"But not Rarity, Rainbow Dash, or Fluttershy," Sunset answered back in a sing song voice. "We made an oath, all of us, including you."

Adagio sighed. "Fine. I'll get ready."

"Good," Sunset said with a happy smile and kissed Adagio on the forehead. "Oh, and Pinkie and Sonata will be riding back with us."

Adagio just groaned and cursed.

**********************************************************************************************

Flash and Twilight pulled into a gas station. He wasn't super low but thought it'd be a good idea to fill up none the less. Also both he and Twilight could use a drink. He paid at the pump for his gas and then he and Twilight walked into the store. As soon as they walked in; they could feel something was off but decided to go ahead anyhow. He got a soda and she got a tea.

Behind the counter were two white men. One appeared to be about forty, the other mid twenties. Both had beards but the youngers was far longer and bushier. The young one also had a shaved head while the older had a nineteen fifties style hair cut. The two looked at each other with smirks on their faces and then looked at Flash and Twilight with vicious grins. The two put their drinks on the counter and Flash pulled out his debit card.

"Sorry there son, we don't take card here in the store," the elder said in faux friendliness.

Flash turned and looked at the door with the MasterCard and Visa sign on it. He immediately knew what was going on. Still he tried to play it off.

"That's ok, I got cash," he said, pulled some money out, and handed to the clerks. The clerks looked it over, looked at each other with that same crap eating grin, then back to Flash.

"Well I'll be," the younger said with just too much emphasis, "their money's green like ours. And here I thought it'd be yellow like them." With that they both busted out laughing.

Flash seethed with anger. Twilight noticed and touched his arm. He looked at her and she shook her head. He calmed down enough to talk in a normal voice. "Listen guys, we just want the drinks, that's all. Don't bother with the change, ok? We'll just take our drinks and go."

"Oh, you'll be goin' alright," the elder said menacingly. "You and all the other slant eyes, towel heads, darkies and wet backs. This is Trumps' America now boy and you ain't welcomed here no more. So how about we keep the money and the drinks and you just get your little yellow butts outta here?"

"I dunno Dale, the girl is kinda cute. Tell me, I've always wondered if it was true if you Asian girls had slanted pu . . ."

Before the younger could finish, Twilight sent him flying across the store. The elder gasped and Twilight spun around to glare at him with glowing eyes. She thrust her hand upwards and Dale went crashing into the sealing. She lowered her arm and he fell back to the ground. She turned around again to see the younger trying to run off and with one tug of her arm; he went flying back through the air and landed behind the counter.

"How about this," Twilight said in a half rage, "we keep our money and take the drinks and you just sit lay there and think about what scum bags you guys are? Deal?"

"D -d -d -deal," replied Dale in pure terror.

The two took their drinks and cash back and started to walk out the door when Twilight stopped and turned around. "Oh and I just erased your video footage." She then walked out.

Flash turned to them and smiled. "Should've just taken the card man," he said and left as well.

*****************************************************************************************************

Apple waited at the airport gate. She was picking Rarity up. She and Rarity had developed an interesting relationship. During senior year, Rarity actually confessed to Apple she had had a crush on her. They both laughed it off but then they actually caught each other flirting with the other. It was never super serious, still it was never not serious either. It was just a weird situation they were in for a while. They even kissed a couple times. Once again, they didn't like, but they didn't not like it either.

Even after Rarity left, they would talk online and it would just have a weird vibe. Neither really knew what to make of it. There was an emotional attraction but not a sexual one. Apple had even talked to Sunset about it. All she said was take it easy and see where it leads. Rarity was a bit miffed Apple had told one of their friends but quickly forgave her.

It wasn't like Apple wanted to date anyone. After Chip, she found she really had no interest in romance. Also, with a son to raise and farm to look after now that Big Mac decided to go back to school to peruse an acting career, she didn't have the time even if she did have the desire. Maybe that was all this was, misplaced frustration.

Rarity, likewise, was exclusively focused on her studies and career. Sure boys, men would ask her out, some she really did want to go out with; but she remained vigilant in her work. Apple Jack was the only person she allowed herself to somewhat flirty with (except when she thought it could get her something). Whatever it was between them, it wasn't romance, it wasn't sexual, but it was more than friendship.

Apple Jack looked up and down the seething throngs of people looking for Rarity. She figured she wouldn't be hard to miss and sure enough, she wasn't. Dressed in what looked to be a sixties retro sheik, complete with oversized sun hat and shades, Rarity came strolling down the terminal as if she were a celebrity on a read carpet.

"Apple Jack darling, hello!" she called out. Her upper crust accent now beefed up with a faux English accent that made her sound to anyone but her closest friends like a pretentious poser. "I simply love your new short hair cut! Where's my little Chippy at?"

"He's with Chips' parents this weekend." Once Apple knew she was having a boy, she decided to name him after Chip; including his last name. That was important to Apple Jack. He needed to know who he came from and who his daddy was. She still asked for permission from Chips' parents first though and they agreed without hesitation and tears of joy in their eyes.

Once Rarity put her bags down, the two hugged and Rarity did the double kiss on the cheeks. Apple felt uncomfortable, not so much with the public display of affection but just how showy it looked. Still, she went along with it.

"So, what made you decide to cut your hair?" Rarity asked.

Apple Jack shrugged. "I was fixin' for a change. It was getting to bothersome to look after anymore, and I've had short hair before. So I decided just to chop it off."

"Well you look marvelous darling." Rarity stepped backed, put one hand on Apples' shoulder and said, "I'm so looking forward to all of us getting together again."

****************************************************************************************************

"OH MY GOD TWILIGHT! IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Pinkie screamed as she came running towards Twilight and gave her a big hug.

"Uh, thanks Pinkie," Twilight said, trying to breath in Pinkies' iron hug. "But we just saw each other last week."

"I know, it's been forever!" Pinkie replied before finally letting go.

The statue, the place where all this began, was where they were all meeting at. Twilight and Flash had arrived first. Sunset, Adagio, Pinkie, and Sonata arrived second. The six talked and joked a bit until Apple Jack showed up with Rarity. Pinkie ran over to Rarity and Twilight feared for Rarity's safety. Luckily Pinkies' hug yielded no broken bones for which there was much relief. Not long after, Rainbow arrived on her motorcycle. Gone was her multicolored hair. It had been replaced by dreadlocks in her natural black color.

"Hey ladies, and Flash, what's shakin'?" she said as she dismounted.

Rainbow had forgone a sports career and was now an archeology major. After their battle with Morgorith; she had begun to wonder what other ancient threats were buried out there (plus her love for Daring Do), made her decide to become an archeologist.

"DASHIE!" screamed Pinkie and off she went.

Finally Fluttershy arrived. Her once strawberry blonde hair was now dyed black with red streaks through it. She wore a leather jacket, ripped jeans, and had a My Dying Bride t-shirt on. After the battle, she embraced her new sense of self and power. Gone was the mousey girl of old. Now she was a no holds barred, mess with me and I'll rip your head off, butt kicker.

"Dashie, Pinkie, get over here!" she called out.

Twilight and Sunset looked at each other and smiled. Then they turned to look at the others. Everyone else mingled but they held back. They would join in the reverie later. Now it was their turn to talk privately.

"Today, on the way here; we ran into a couple racists at a gas station," Twilight started. "A lot has happened in the world since two thousand fourteen. Some good, most bad. We saved them all you know. The good and the bad, saint and sinner, murder and healer; we saved them all." Twilights' voice was thoughtful, quiet, a bit detached, with an undercurrent of sadness.

"Yes, yes we did," Sunset agreed but with a bit more happiness in her voice.

"I know we can't, it's against the rules; but sometimes I want to make things right. Take out the guilty, heal the innocent, remake this world into a paradise. Then I think about that earth saying, 'the road to hell is littered with nice guys with good intentions'. And it's true. The worst crimes in history are usually done in the name of goodness. People who thought that they were doing the right thing, bringing about Utopia.

"I then think about how most people turn their heads to the suffering of others. They look away from the slave labor used to make their consumer goods, derive entertainment from watching other people get hurt like in football, boxing, or MMA. It makes me wonder if anyone truly is innocent and deserved to be saved. Of course once I reach that stage I come to my senses and realize why we can't interfere. I went from wanting to bring about Utopia to killing everyone in about ten minutes."

"True security is oppression," Sunset started saying, "and true freedom is chaos. Humans, life, wobbles back and forth between chaos and oppression. Maybe it'll get it's act together someday, maybe it won't. That's not for us to decide. Our job is to merely keep it safe long enough for it become whatever it will become. Maybe it's right, maybe it's wrong, maybe, in the end, there's no way to actually judge one way or the other - it simply is what it is."

"'Those who seek power don't deserve it and those that deserve it would never want it'. That's another Earth quote," Twilight said as she turned to face Sunset.

Sunset turned to look at Twilight. "It's a paradox. All of existence is a paradox. That's what we're here for. Life is just the multiverse trying to figure itself out right? Maybe The Goddesses and even The First Ones are part of that as well. Life is messy and it's complicated and it's hard to come up with any hard and fast rules to describe it. Wrong, right, in the end I guess it's all irrelevant. It simply just is."

Twilight turned back to look at the others. "They've changed so much. We all have. Yet, in a lot of ways, we're still the same. That's also part of life as well. All of us, moments in time." She sighed, a deep, heavy sigh and turned back to Sunset. "Well we aren't going to figure this out now or today or possibly ever; so we might as well join them."

Sunset nodded her head and the two walked back together.

THE END

Author's Notes:

There it is guys. I'll do a full write up in my blog about it then; but for now, let me say this - Thank you.

Thank you for reading, commenting, and staying with me until the end. Sometimes I thought I would never finish. Sometimes I thought I didn't even want to. Yet I slogged through. Hopefully you enjoyed. If not, then I hope you at least weren't miserable. Either way it's been (mostly) my pleasure. And as I said, I have one more blog post to do explaining the whole Goddess Saga and then I'm out. But thank you again for an amazing two years.

Love,
Shannon