Rarity trotted up to the bay stallion who was seated on a park bench outside the Ponyville General hospital. The stallion gazed out at the nearby town, watching ponies as they passed by. His dark mane and copper hide glowed brilliantly in the evening light as the sun began its descent towards the horizon.

Rarity cleared her throat politely to gain his attention.

Atchmon craned his neck around, his lips parted and eyes widened at the sight of her.

Rarity's face and neck had a few criss-crossing bandages, while her legs and midsection were wrapped in gauze. Her coat had a light-green tint to it, from the alchemical bath she'd must've taken to kill off any fleas or other parasites she may have picked up from living in the Everfree Forest for nearly forty days and forty nights.

"Mind if I join you?" she smiled demurely.

"Sure." He said with a smile and a nod, before scooting over for her to sit.

Rarity sat down and got herself comfortable.

The mare and stallion sat in silence as they took in the sights of the small town, and pony-watched together.

"So darling, what do you think about my home?" Rarity asked curiously.

"It's amazing... it's a town... fulla ponies." Atchmon said slowly, as if trying to grasp it all. "I saw some that were flyin' and... I dunno what to say," he looked to her. She could see the joy and mysticism in his shimmering eyes. "It's awesome." He chuckled in jubilation. Sniff! "I'm out... I'm finally out, Rare..." His voice hitched while happy tears flowed freely from his eyes.

Rarity reached over and held his hoof to comfort him. He accepted and placed his other hoof over hers. She felt his caressing touch as they took it all in.

"What do you plan on doing now, with all your newfound freedom?" Rarity asked.

Atchmon sniffed as he gathered his emotions before speaking. "I dunno... I guess my new plan... is still the old plan. I'm gonna to write a book about my story." He looked to her and hesitated.

"Something on your mind, dear?" She said, looking up to him.

"I was wonderin' if you'd help me?" Atchmon started slowly. "To write it, an' maybe read it, an' tell me what to do better?"

"Of course I will!" She happily stated.

"Okay, surly there's a bunch of people out there that like a good epic adventure. Will you read it and let me know what you think?"

"Atchmon, I don't want to tell you this but..." Rarity started, getting his attention. "I hate epic adventures." She smiled knowingly.

Atchmon looked confused at her smirking face, before he smiled back and started to chuckle as he caught on.

Rarity started to giggle at her joke as well; and soon, both the mare and stallion were laughing heartily together as they sat side by side on the hospital park bench.

"So how are you... adjusting." Rarity asked, motioning to his new form.

Atchmon took a breath and let out a sigh. "Everything kinda feels the same, but it's all... different... but I think I'm okay with it for the most part." He nodded his head, then examined his new foreleg.

"There's so much I have to show you," Rarity sighed contentedly. "Is there anything you'd like to do?" Rarity asked.

"Can we jus'... sit here a little while longer?" he asked.

"Of course." Rarity smiled demurely with a nod.

"And maybe later we can get something to eat?" He suggested.

"Absolutely!" Rarity agreed.

Atchmon chuckled as he shook his head. "I feel like... this is the first day of the rest of my life."

"It sort of is, darling," Rarity quipped, getting another chuckle out of him.

Without thinking, Atchmon reached his forehoof around Rarity's shoulder, and pulled her closer to his side. Rarity felt this and hesitantly accepted, before placing her head and nuzzling against his neck as she relaxed into the embrace.

The pair sat in silence for a moment, enjoying each others closeness, before something startled Rarity, making her jump in her seat. "Oh!" She cooed, and looked to her flank to see it was glowing.

Miniature groups of three-diamonds were flowing inward to her Cutie Mark.

"Whoa... what does that mean?" Atchmon asked in astonishment as he looked between Rarity and her glowing flank.

Rarity smiled at Atchmon as she realized what it meant. She brought friendship, peace, and Harmony to the one being in all of Equus that needed it most.

"I believe it means... that my quest is complete." She smiled knowingly up at him.

Stay tuned for the Afterword. But BE WARNED. It will contain spoilers for the sequel. If you care about that sort of thing....
Changed my mind after thinking about it. The Afterword would make for a much better Epilogue for the next story.