Author's Notes:

Thanks everyone for reading! This is the last chapter before I start my new job, so I apologize if I slow down a bit. Pretty happy with this chapter, so I hope you enjoy as well.
Thanks also to my proofreader who has chosen to remain anonymous

I grunted as I carried a tray in my mouth, pushing open the heavy wooden door to our room with a free hoof. The past few days had followed the same routine of me getting up early after sleeping next to my injured fiance, going downstairs and making a simple breakfast of eggs and toast, then bringing it back up to her.

I could tell… No, I could feel the pain that Rose was going through. My heart almost felt connected to hers, and although I didn't feel any physical pain, the emotional pain I went through was just as bad. Seeing her lying there helplessly, groaning in pain as she tried to make even the slightest movement was heartbreaking.

I opened the door and smiled warmly as I saw Rose sitting up in bed to pet Simon. The aged cat had made a point of spending as much time as possible with Rose, almost as if he knew her pain as I did.

Rose turned to me and offered a weak smile to me as she had done every morning since the accident.

“Hey, pretty girl. How you doin’?” Rose grinned before being interrupted by a fit of coughs. Unfortunately, on top of her injuries, the ordeal she had gone through also left her with a mild cold. It wasn't anything major, but it was pain on top of pain.

I rolled my eyes at her and lifted the breakfast tray over to the bed. Rose smiled after her small coughing fit and welcomed me with a hug as I leapt onto the bed.

“Thanks, Lily. I love you.”

“Love you too.” I blushed at her affectionate hold on me. We pulled away and ate our breakfast in relative silence, waiting until we were finished to begin talking again.

“Luna will be in to do another check up at around eleven.”

“Really, Lily, I know you're worried, and I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't worried, but Luna’s performed five scans in the last four days.” She placed a hoof on one of mine and held it tightly. “Breeze is fine. I'm fine. I just need time to recover, and you need to relax your cute little head.”

“My head is not little.” I said defiantly. “Nor is it cute.”

“Yes it is, you're the cutest little filly aroun-” Rose was interrupted as another fit of strained coughs wracked her body.

“A-are you okay, sweetie?” I asked in a panic and Rose lifted a hoof.

“Yes, I'm-” She coughed once more before clearing her throat. “I'm fine.”

“You don't need to pretend to be better to make me happy, you know that, right?”

“Lily, I'm being one hundred percent honest. I'm still recovering, but it won't be long before I'm up and helping out in the garden again.”

“Fine, I believe you. Luna’s still doing that check up though.”

“Alright, but no more for at least a few days. I know she's not actually seeing anything, but it still feels kinda invasive.”

“S-sorry.”

“Hey, don't worry about it. If you weren't worried, what kind of fiance would you be?”

“I-I guess you're right.”

“Of course I am.” She grinned a grin that sent warmth through me. A smile that said everything would be alright.

------

Another day passed and I felt my strength slowly returning to me. I knew it would be a while before I could properly help out around the house again, but getting up from bed made me feel so much better.

It was probably because I had been off my hooves for so long, but standing up again really extenuated how large my belly was becoming. Standing next to Lily, there was no way any passers by - not that there were any around here - would immediately be able to tell I was pregnant.

The thought sent a wave of happiness through my body. More than just happiness, I felt pride. Once we were in Ponyville, I'd be able to walk around, Lily by my side. Every passing pony would know by the affectionate gazes and nuzzles that we shared that we were together, and my distended belly would let them all know that we would soon be the proud mother of a beautiful little foal.

Luna’s presence brought me out of my little fantasy and I jolted as the door to her room shut behind her.

“Morning, Rose!” She smiled in greeting. The last few days had been great with Luna. She had really started to come out of her shell, showing not just confidence, but the want to be herself. Because of my immobility, we had spend a long time each day chatting about whatever came to our minds. Luna was incredibly inquisitive and loved hearing all of the stories I had to tell and information I had to share. I told her of my childhood, correcting myself whenever the lines got jumbled and I ended up recalling a pony memory as one of my human ones. Regardless, Luna was happy to hear what I had to say, and it even helped her start to talk to me about her life as well. Any pony with any sense could tell you that Luna was much more than her regality and leadership. Below that was the real Luna. A lonely, caring mare that only wanted the best for her subjects and to be appreciated. I knew I was only one pony, but I would be her friend no matter what. What little I could offer, I gave to her as we bonded closer throughout my recovery.

“Morning!” I chirped, the sight of the pony that had quickly become my friend bringing a smile to my face. “How are you feeling?”

“Quite well, Rose. I conversed with my sister using the communication tome I brought here for your parents, not just as a test, but also to check in with her. She was… perturbed by my decision to come to earth during this last month, but luckily, we were able to patch things up.”

“That's good. I'm glad your sister understands why you're here.”

“Well, it, uh… It wasn't exactly that. She knew full well why I was coming, it was more that it might have been a tiny, itty bit… risky coming here.”

“R-Risky? Luna…”

“Fear not, my sister was just being overprotective. It had only been a few years since my return when I offered to come over, and she feared that I would be damaged by the lack of ambient magic your world has. She feared that I may have not regained all of my strength.”

“Well, have you?”

“Not exactly, but-”

“Luna! Did you put yourself in danger to come here?”

“L-Let m-me explain…” The stammering princess protested. “My magic has not completely regenerated, but it is perfectly safe for me to be here. Alicorns have a much larger reserve of magic and magic regeneration, so there is no problem at all.”

I relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Sorry for scaring you, Rose.”

“It's fine, I just… you’re a friend, Luna. I don't want to see you hurt.”

“Rest easy and relax. Oh gosh, silly me, this whole situation made me forget why I called you here! Probably might be a good idea to call Lily in for this as well.”

------

After we retrieved Lily, who was busy helping my mum out with gardening again, Luna laid me down on the bed and performed another scan on my belly.

“Uh, I thought we were gonna at least wait one more day before doing another scan. Did you put her up to this?”

Lily frowned and shook her head.

“N-no, I even apologized for making her perform so many scans.”

“All is well, girls.” Luna smiled as she finished the scan. “I did not bring you here only for a scan, I only did it because it had the chance.”

Luna closed her eyes and her horn began to glow. An ethereal looking square appeared next to us and Luna smiled again.

“This is what I brought you here for. Would you like to see your foal?”

My heart filled with warmth and I found myself nodding before I could even think of something to say.

“R-Really?” Lily gripped my hoof with hers. “You can do that?”

“Yes, but on one condition.”

“What is it?”

“I have heard you speak of this “Final Fantasy” game on your electronic games device. I would like to play it with you.”

Lily and I let out a simultaneous giggle and I nodded. “I accept your terms, Princess.”

“Good.” Luna smiled in satisfaction before directing her attention to my belly again. A bright glow, similar to the one that could be seen when she did her scans was emitting brightly from her horn.

I felt a slight tingle in my belly before a blurry image began to form on the ethereal screen.

“Just let me adjust that a little…” Luna whispered as her horn glowed again and the image began to sharpen.

My heart pounded in anticipation. I didn't even stop to think before my mind dispelled any negative thoughts. No matter how she looked, she was our foal. Nothing could take that from us.

I held my breath as the blurry image slowly became less and less blurry, a vague outline of something appearing amongst the mass on the screen. After a few more seconds, the image focused and…

“Oh my gosh.” Lily said, tears brimming her eyes. Her hoof tightened its hold on mine and her face lit up with a wide, beautiful smile. “That’s our baby.”

She was beautiful. She was hardly formed yet, but she was beautiful. The small, almost unrecognizable form of our child floated before us, remaining completely still.

“It looks like you have a…” Luna squinted, moving closer to the screen as her magic glowed again and the image shifted slightly. “A wonderful little pegasus filly. Congratulations!”

I could do nothing but sit in awe and watch the screen as Lily nuzzled up against me, rubbing her face lovingly on my shoulder and smiling with absolute joy.

“Oh gosh, she’s so beautiful, Rose.” Lily took a break in nuzzling me to plant a soft kiss on my cheek.

“She is.” I said, wiping my own tears away from my face.

“Lily, Rose…” Luna said, her own tears beginning to form. “I am so proud of you. You both have endured much confusion and hardships to be here right now, but through it all, you have remained strong. You have not let anything get in the way of your love, or your friendship, as such a jarring experience must have strained you.”

I smiled at Luna and returned Lily’s kiss before turning back to her.

“Luna… When we first changed, I was in absolute shock. I thought my change of gender would destroy me, but… I found myself feeling more at home than I ever had been before.”

Luna smiled at me and Lily as Lily held onto my hoof.

“Then, when I found out I was pregnant, I thought... I thought my life was over. I thought I had lost all I had worked for, even though it wasn’t very much. My world came crashing down on me, but I didn’t even realize at the time that I had a safety net.” I glanced toward Lily. “My love.”

“Rose, I…” Lily started, wiping away her tears. “I don’t know what to say, I just… I love you so much. You gave me hope. My life had already fallen apart, and I was just biding my time. You saved me from myself, Rose. Now, we’re going to be starting a new life together. It’s more than I could ever hope for.”

Suddenly, I heard a sniffle from the other side of the room and gawked when I saw my mother's face, peeking in from behind the door. She stopped when she saw me and began to pull away when I called out to her.

“Mum, wait!” She froze in her tracks. “Please, don’t go.”

She apprehensively turned back to us and opened the door. There were tears of happiness in her eyes and I smiled at her, opening my forelegs wide and motioning for a hug. She rushed toward me and hugged me, gently, yet firmly.

“Oh, Rose, I'm so proud of you both.”

“Thanks, mum.” I said, straining a little under her embrace. She pulled away and took her seat next to us.

“I'm sorry, Rose, I knew this was private, but I overheard you talking and just peeked in. I'm so sorry, Rose.”

“Mum, calm down!” I laughed playfully. “This isn’t like last time, I don’t mind you coming in.”

“R-Really?”

“Of course!” Lily replied for me, excitement filling her voice. “We want you to see Brisk Breeze too! Luna, bring up the magic ultrasound thingy again.”

She smiled and nodded before her horn lit up again and the glow encompassed my belly. It wasn’t long before the screen was back and the image focused in on our little Breeze.

“Oh god, she’s so tiny.” my mum whispered out excitedly. “What’s those things on her side?”

“She’s gonna be a pegasus.” I explained and my mum smiled widely.

“Ooh, so she can fly? That’s incredible! You two are gonna have a lot on your plate once she’s born.”

“Your mother is surprisingly accurate, pegasus ponies often go through spurts of flight at a very young age as a muscle growth mechanism. It helps kick start their development, and while it is great for them, I've heard it can be quite the hassle for the parents.” Luna explained.

“I'm sure we’ll be able to deal with it together.”

“I wish we could see her.” My mother said, bowing her head in sadness.

“Well,” Luna started. “I could organize a little trip to earth again in a few years time, but unfortunately, the time Rose and Lily have spent here will take a toll on their magic reserves. If you’re willing to wait until both they’re settled in, and maybe a while after the foal is born, I could set up a-”

“Yes!” My mum said and pulled Luna in for a hug that she apprehensively returned.

“Err, no problem, Mrs Linden. It really is no big deal”

“Princess, you’ve just given me a chance to see my baby again. It is most definitely a big deal. Thank you so much.”

“You’re very welcome, Mrs Linden. Rose and Lily are my… my friends.” She said with a sense of pride to her voice. “I’ll do anything for my friends.”

------

After informing our, now very ecstatic, dad about both the foal and the possibility of us returning for a visit, he immediately started preparing for yet another one of his barbeque dinners. As much as I was happy to spend time with my family, it was getting quite boring having similar food. I held back my protests, knowing that this was what my dad wanted to do, and even though we’d still see eachother again, it would be quite a while until then. For now, I was more than happy enough to go along with it.

After dinner, Luna, Lily, and I went up stairs to our room and I plugged in my Playstation.

“I still have no idea how this device works.”

I laughed as I set up the console. “Well, I don’t really know either. I know that there’s a bunch of information in the disc and the console lets us see and interact with that information, but I guess that’s really all I know.”

After a short while, the console was set up and I smiled as the familiar sounds of the Playstation booting filled our ears.

“There we go!” I lifted myself up and away from the console, hoofing the controller off to Luna as I took my seat next to my beloved.

“This one looks different than the other.” Luna said, observing the controller with her magic, like she had done with the previous one.

“It’s a little more complex, but you’ll get it soon enough.”

“If you’re sure, then I shall try my best.”

-

“I do not like this “Zidane” character one bit, and what I dislike even more is that he’s the protagonist of this game!” Luna complained as she played, beating down another monster, the victory fanfare playing as she did so. “He is a womanizer, a thief, and a scoundrel.”

“You sound like Steiner.”

“Steiner? I do not sound like Steiner, although I do sympathise with his princess somewhat. The only difference being that when I… threatened to bring eternal night to equestria, I was in the wrong, Garnet is most justified in her actions against the queen.”

“Well, Zidane gets better. He’s cocky, sure, but he has a lot of redeeming qualities. He’s already gone out on a whim and protected Garnet at many times.” I explained.

“That may be, but he’s still… still a dick.” Luna giggled naughtily and smiled at herself.

“Luna, such language!” I laughed along with her.

“I-I'm sorry, I d-don’t know what came over m-”

“Luna, relax. Rose was joking.” Lily said from her seat next to me.

“Ah, yes.” She looked back to the screen nervously. “I knew that. Where do I go now?”

“Weren’t you reading?”

“I may have been... distracted.”

“So you were skipping through the text?”

“...Maybe.”

I giggled playfully and walked over to the screen, pointing to a spot on the map.

“Head that direction, there should be a town filled with those black mages around there.”

“The black mages? Were they not our foes?”

“You’ll see.” I added knowingly, making my way back to my seat. I missed this. It felt so long since I had just relaxed with friends and had genuine fun. Or had I ever done this to begin with?

-

“Rose…” Luna said, pausing the game. Lily let out a quiet snore as she snuggled up next to me, dead asleep.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think… I don’t belong?”

“What? Of course you belong.”

“Where?”

I sat in silence, contemplating what she had said.

“What do you mean, ‘where’?”

“Vivi has been searching for meaning his whole life, and now, he has come across a village he might fit in only to realize that the black mages there only live for one year, yet instead of spending time around his kind, he chooses to leave?”

“Well… I guess Vivi feared what might happen and left, promising to return and tell them about the world.”

“Do you not think that he belonged there?”

“No, I think he belongs with Zidane and Garnet. The world was in danger, and I guess if he didn’t help out, the world could be completely destroyed.”

“Where… where do you think I belong?”

“I don’t really know.” I replied

Luna sighed.

“I'm sorry, it was silly to think you could find an answer to my problems.”

“Luna, where do you think you belong?”

She sat in silence, the light buzz of the tv shining off her eyes.

“I don’t know. I was foolish to expect a positive reaction to my return from the nobles. When they talk with me, they are kind and respectful, but I can see past that. I have heard the rumors. ‘Luna is dangerous’, ’She’s only one accident away from becoming Nightmare Moon again’, ’I wouldn’t trust her with my cat, let alone the country’. Do they think I am deaf?”

“Luna…”

“The only pony with any respect or kindness left more me is my sister and the Elements of Harmony, but they all live far away.”

I said nothing and just let Luna think for a short while. After a minute or so she spoke up again.

“I… I think I am jealous of Vivi.”

“Why?”

“Because he has a place to go back to. If they are successful, Vivi can go back to the black mage village. If he doesn’t want to go back, he can stay with Zidane or Garnet. I am sure they would take him in, but… I don’t have that.”

“You don’t think you belong by your sister's side?”

“...No. I do not. I am also jealous of Vivi because he… He is in the opposite situation as me. Alicorns are not immortal, but we live for a long time. A very long time. Vivi fears his life span may be very short, but in knowing that, he can live in the moment. I spend so long thinking about the future and what I do that I fear I've had no time to think about myself, or where I belong.” Her voice raised to a small panic.

“Where do you think you belong?”

“I don’t know!” Luna shouted all of a sudden, shocking a sleeping Lily out of her restful slumber.

“Huh, wha…?” She stared around the room.

“It’s okay, beautiful. Nothing’s wrong, you can go back to sleep.”

“Hmmmkay…” She trailed off before resting her head down again.

“I'm sorry, Luna, I didn’t mean to.”

“No, it is I who needs to apologize. I should not have shouted. I guess I just… I don’t deserve to belong anywhere.”

“That’s not true at all, Luna. You deserve to belong, and you do belong somewhere, it just might take a while to figure it out. You do have something else in common with Vivi, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have friends. Like Zidane and Vivi, you have the Elements, and you have us.” I said, brushing Lily’s mane with a hoof. “I think you even have your very own black mage’s village too.”

“My own...?”

“Ponyville! The ponies there adore you. You have ponies that you know, ponies who would welcome you with open hooves. Ponies like Lily and I.”

“Are you seriously suggesting that I move to Ponyville?”

“Don’t reject it just yet. It’s just that, a suggestion. Just like with your mane, I don’t think you should do anything without careful consideration, but do consider it.”

“B-but moving to P-Ponyville is much bigger than just a mane style! What of my sister?”

“What of her? She lead the nation for a thousand years, Luna. She can deal with a few extra on her own. You said it yourself, you spend so much of your time thinking of other ponies that you forget about yourself. Why don’t you do just that and think about yourself, your happiness?”

“I… I…”

“You said that you live for a very long time, so what is it to you that you spend a while living in Ponyville and just be yourself for a while. Let yourself live, Luna. Come stay in Ponyville with us.”

Luna said nothing but gazed blankly at the screen in front of her.

“I will… think about it.”

------

“Rose! Heya, how’ve you been?” Lyra shouted a friendly greeting as I trotted toward the cafe. I smiled as I returned her greeting and took my seat next to her.

“Not too bad, Lyra. How was your date?”

“Bon Bon took me to the same place she did last week, but it was nice. She isn’t very explorative, but I guess I can’t blame her. You spend enough time moving around like she did and you just want to settle a little, y’know?”

“Yeah, I get that. I spent so long in one place when I lived with my parents that I think moving to Ponyville would have been inevitable. Maybe wouldn’t have been this soon, but I didn’t want to live in Manehattan my whole life.”

“Gah, Manehattan’s a drag, girl. You did good getting out of there when you did. I'm sure you’d prefer it be under different, uh… circumpants?”

“Circumstances, Lyra.” I giggled.

“You know what I mean! So how’s that business deal with Lily going?”

The mention of my… *ahem*, “Friend” made my heart simultaneously race, yet stop at the same time.

“Uh, g-good! Yeah, r-really good.”

“Great, so you two will be running the stall together now?”

Together.

“Y-Yeah.”

“Good, that means you can ask her out!”

“Wh-What!?”

“Oh, come on! I'm not blind, Rose! I can see how your face lights up when you see that girl.”

“Uh… I may have… Kindaalreadyhadsexwithherlastnight.”

“YOU WHAT!?” Lyra’s face lit up with a smile as she placed her hooves on the table, not noticing as a few other ponies turned their heads to face me.

“Not so loud, Lyra!”

“Oops, heheh.” Lyra grinned nervously and took her seat again. “You have to fill me in, Rose. Wait, was she your first? Oh Celestia, she was your first!”

“Lyraaaaaaa…” I covered my face with my hooves, hiding my blush.

“So how did you woo her?”

“Uh, we just went out for drinks after work, which turned into dinner, which turned into coffee at my house, which turned into… y’know…”

“That’s so sweet!”

“I think it shocked her more than me, honestly. She didn’t exactly… know she was attracted to mares.”

“Dude, did you turn Lily gay!?”

“No, more like I think she realized that she was bi. Maybe, I think. She’s still kinda figuring it out for herself.”

“You totally turned her gay.” Lyra said, offering a sly grin.

“Did not.”

“Did too.”

“Whatever, Lyra. Hey, thanks for coming out with me today.”

“No problem, girl. I'm always here for a friend.”