Author's Notes:

Hey everyone, I'm very sorry about the long wait, but the Nineteenth chapter (and also the first Ponyville chapter) is finally finished. I've been contracted to work on a games project recently, doing 3d arts and whatnot, so my writing progress is very slow as a result. I still haven't given up on any of my stories, the chapters will just come a lot slower than they used to.

Most stories or movies describe portals as very simple things. One way it’s described is like a door, you just kinda pop your hand through and it comes out the other side. Another, you're kinda sucked through and thrown out. All those TV shows definitely didn’t prepare me for what really happens. Your body locks up and it feels numb. If you could look down, you'd see your body dissolve and almost turn into dust. Your conscious mind feels like it's floating in endless nothingness until eventually, the pieces are put back together and you become you again. Now, with the whole situation described, I'm sure you won't judge me for my reaction.

“Shh, it's okay.” a very pale faced Lily said as she held my mane away from my mouth. A bucket had been prepared for me on arrival, apparently, and I now had my head over it, trying to keep the contents of my stomach from separating from me.

“I-I'm sorry, Rose, I completely forgot about portal sickness. I don't feel it anymore, but I should have known you two did. Though Lily seems to be holding up.” Luna said with an apologetic expression on her face as she sat next to us.

“I wouldn't h-ugh…” Lily lurched forward before righting herself. “I wouldn't talk too quickly.”

“Luna?” a rich, mature, yet feminine voice called out and Luna turned around as the door to the room opened, an enormous white pony walked in, covered in gold regalia, not unlike Luna’s black regalia from when we first met.

“There's no way that's not Celesti-hurk.” Lily covered her mouth with a hoof before reaching for her own bucket. With my own nausea starting to lower, I held Lily’s mane back now as I watched the exchange between the two princesses.

“Celly!” Luna called out and ran forward, throwing her hooves around the other, taller princess.

“Luna! You look…” She pulled away from the hug and glanced down before looking back up. “Happy. And your mane… Did the portal cancel out your mane spell?”

“Well, not exactly…” Luna said, turning away from her sister slightly. “Celly, I… I have something to say. I know what I want and I’m not backing down.” She turned back and stood confidently. “I'm a real pony. I want… I want what other ponies want.”

“I don't understand. Are you okay, sister?”

“I am better than I have ever been. Living with Rose and Lily… has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. With them, there was never really this sense of… rulership that I have over other ponies. They talked to me from the heart, and became good friends with me. I'm constantly scared that I'll always be Nightmare Moon in their eyes, and so, for my sake and for everypony else's sake, I'm… I'm moving to Ponyville with them.”

Celestia stepped back, shock showing over her body. She pursed her lips before closing her eyes and breathing in slowly.

“I accept your decision. Granted, it still is out of the blue and therefor, a little bit surprising. ”

“W-wait, really? Do you not have worries for me?” Luna looked shocked.

“Oh sister, of course I do. You’re my sister, and I love you, but this time, you've made one of the best choices you could have, despite it coming as a bit of a shock.” the older Alicorn giggled. “I have seen the sadness grow in you, dear Luna. The fear of failure, the worry of your appearance in our subjects eyes, and don't think I was deaf to the words of nobles as well. Move to Ponyville with your friends. I shall be completely fine in your absence.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Luna rushed forward and threw her hooves around her sister again, hugging her tightly as her sister hugged back.

“Now, there is the matter of these friends that I have been waiting so long to meet.” She pulled away from the hug and looked to us just as Lily was pulling her head out of the bucket.

“Oh, uh… Hiya, princess.” I waved nervously and smiled at her.

“You seem well, despite the travel sickness.” Celestia smiled as she approached me. She glanced downward and smiled again. “Your foal seems to be developing well additionally.”

“L-Luna did a pretty good job, despite fate's decision to throw me into a river.”

“A river? Oh dear. Well, you seem to be alive and well despite these hardships.” She let out a low giggle. “Are you excited for your foal to arrive?” She asked calmly.

“More than anything else.”

“I am very glad. You two will make wonderful mothers.” She righted herself with a relaxed smile. “Preparations are complete, and whenever you two - or I guess, you three - are ready, we can depart for Ponyville.”

“I think I might be a few more minutes at least.” Lily said, dipping her head into the bucket again.

Luna suppressed a giggle while Celestia calmly smiled.

“I will be traveling with you, now that your living arrangements must be sorted, sister.” Celestia turned to face her sister with that same smile.

“Thank you. I was hoping, until I… get a job and have enough money to move out, that I could stay at Twilight's castle.”

“My thoughts exactly, but I was thinking you'd stay there until you wanted to return. “

“Well, part of this whole thing is that I feel… like I'm not a real pony. Don't get me wrong, I know my calling, and it is to rule by your side, but I… I don't want to risk becoming Nightmare Moon again. I want to create bonds with our citizens. Treat them more like friends than subjects. Part of that is making my own way in life, and I’m not sure that living in a castle is going to help me do that.”

“Luna, you have no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that. I am so proud of you, dear sister.”

“Th-Thanks.” She smiled bashfully.

There was a short, brisk knock on the door and with a golden glow, Celestia opened it with her magic. Behind it stood a pony, large in stature, wearing bulky armor.

“Your carriage is ready, Princesses.” He said with a brisk salute. “Awaiting your orders.”

“Thank you. We will be out shortly.” Celestia nodded as the guard took his leave. “Are you ready to go?”

I nodded confidently and Lily nodded as well, putting a hoof around me. She leant toward me and placed a kiss on my cheek before giggling happily.

“We're gonna go home!”

“N-never. Never again.” I shivered, holding Lily tightly with my hooves. Lily seemed a little more calm than I did did and was stroking my mane, but I could tell she was also a little scared.

“You didn't mention we'd be flying.” I said to a laughing Luna. “How are we flying.”

“The Pegasi driving the coach filter their magic into the wood, letting it fly along with them despite its weight.”

“Woah, magic.”

“Idon’tcarejustpleaselandthisthing.” I quickly blurted out, my nerves getting the better of me.

Luna laughed a little, again unsuccessfully stifling her laugh with a hoof.

“I guess I could levitate you the whole way there. Would that suit your needs?”

“Oh, haha. Just cos I'm a huge wuss…”

“She was only trying to lighten the mood.” Lily smiled and wrapped her hooves around me in a hug. I felt a lot safer in her hooves, but ultimately, she couldn't save me from plummeting to my death.

In a few minutes time, I felt the carriage shudder and rumble as it presumably landed and rolled on the cobble a little.

“We have arrived!” Luna announced and opened the door to the carriage. She stepped out into the sunlight and disappeared from view.

It was out there. All I had wanted since this whole thing started… home. A place to belong. A place to spend the rest of my life with the two ponies I loved the most. A place to raise Brisk, a place to watch her grow and be happy. I stood up, nervously looking at Lily, who was still clinging to me. She looked up at me, worry on her face.

“Rose, what if-” I silenced her with a quick peck to the lips. She pulled away and smiled nervously. “Right. Sorry. No more freaking out. Let's catch up to Luna.”

She pulled herself to her hooves and held one out to me, helping me stand with the additional weight of a growing foal. We walked together toward the door and stepped out together.

“Oh my gosh, Rose…” Lily mumbled as we stepped down from the carriage. The sights before us were incredible. More incredible than I could have ever imagined.

Ponies walked around, talking to others, buying groceries from stalls, just kind of going about their daily lives. The town was filled with beautiful, thatched roof cottages, their cobble stone chimneys dotting the horizon.

The smell of the countryside mixing with the smell of a nearby market filled my nostrils and I breathed in deeply. A warm, fluttery feeling filled my belly as a sudden rush of memories flooded my mind, almost like the flashes of memories we had experienced on earth, but hundreds of times more intense. I knew this place. I remembered the ponies I could see walking around, I remembered the joy and serenity of living in this town, and I most definitely remembered my life here with Lily.

“Lily…” I gawked as I turned to my lover and best friend. “Did you just…?”

Tears were falling from her eyes as she nodded shakily.

“I remember… I remember! Rose, I’m… I’m so happy!” She started hopping up and down on the spot, the smile on her face stretching from ear to ear. She only stopped when a purple aura surrounded her and Luna approached us.

“Now now, calm down.” Luna said with a smile almost as wide as Lily’s. “I know you’re-- We’re excited to be here once more, but we do have an agenda. Princess Twilight is expecting us any second now.”

As if on cue, a short, purple Alicorn approached, several sheets of paper floating beside her in a lavender glow. As her sight landed on Luna, a large smile appeared on her face and she quickened her pace.

“Princess Luna!” She said joyfully as she came to a stop in front of us. “I’m so happy you’re here! But… Why are you here? I thought Celestia was going to be showing our new-- uh, new again, friends around the town?”

“Did she not tell you in a letter? No bother. I have decided that I have become detached from society during both my time on the moon and after you saved me from the nightmare.” She explained. “So, with my sister's blessing, I have decided to live amongst the ponies here in Ponyville. With my… friends.”

“Friends!?” Twilight looked to Lily and I as I waved a hoof. “Oh, I’m so happy for you, Luna! Rose and Lily were wonderful mares when I knew them before, and I’m sure they’re just as wonderful now, so you’ve chosen your friends well. I can’t wait to see what other friends you make.” Twilight leant forward and hugged the lunar princess, eliciting a smile and a blush from her.

“Th-thank you, Twilight. Uh, I have… a request for you as well.” She said nervously. “Would I be allowed to stay in your castle for a while until I secure myself employment and a residence?”

“Of course!” Twilight smiled brightly. “I’d be more than happy to let you stay for as long as you like.”

As she finished talking, a second carriage landed softly next to our one and the door opened. Celestia stepped out and approached us while Twilight walked closer to close the gap.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight bowed to the princess. “I’m very happy to see you.”

“Now, Twilight, what have I said about bowing? You’re a princess too, you know.” She teased playfully.

“I-I know. Sorry. Anyway, I’m sure Roseluck and Lily would like to see their home, so would you like to follow me?” She asked as she turned to us.

“S-sure.” I stuttered, the overwhelming situation still bearing down on me a little. Lily and I followed close behind as the three princesses walked through the town. I barely even noticed the excited expressions of ponies seeing three of their rulers as I stared at the scenery. Even more memories of this lovely town filled my mind. I remembered coffee dates with Lily and other friends, and early morning pastry indulgences as we passed by Sugarcube Corner. I was tempted to ask if we could stop by for a bite to eat, but the excitement of seeing our home again caused me to dispel that thought.

I remembered browsing through the large selection of clothing that Carousel Boutique had on offer as we passed by the stylised building. I remembered, with a giggle, the panic that the bunny stampede had caused, and then blanched when I remembered what happened to our flower beds.

Shaking my head, I turned to look at Luna as she idly chatted with Twilight in front of us. Luna… I really did hope she would be happy here. In the short time I had gotten to know her, she had quickly become one of the best friends I had ever had. She smiled widely and laughed as Twilight told a corny joke, she herself giggling at the silliness. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. I could only hope that Luna’s friendship with Twilight would blossom as brightly as it had with Lily and I.

“Rose…?” Lily said, tapping my shoulder with a hoof.

“Hmm?" I said, slipping out of my train of thought and looking toward her.

“I think we’re here.” she gaped, her voice almost in a wonderous tone.

I followed her eyes and stood just as wide mouthed as she was. It was a house. Besides its cottagey look, the only thing that stood out was its overwhelming familiarity. I knew this house.

“L-Luna, is this…?”

“Yes, my dear friends. Welcome home."

I silently walked forward, every sound but the sound of my hooves hitting the path fading away from focus. The planters under the windows were woefully bare, but my memories were filled with images of beautiful gardenias and blossoming daisies. The windows were coated with dust and grime, but all I could see in my mind's eye was sparkling clean glass.

Lily walked up past me slowly and stepped up onto the stairs leading to the door. She placed a hoof on the door and slowly pushed. It let out a loud creak as it opened, revealing the dusty interior. I stepped up beside her and felt myself naturally gravitate toward her until our sides were touching. The contact was reaffirming and Lily breathed in and out shakily.

“You ready?" I asked before placing a soft kiss on her cheek. She nodded quickly before taking a deep breath and we stepped forward together.

As we entered, an immediate musk hit my nose. The furniture around the room was covered in thick white canvas with a thin layer of dust coating them. I slowly walked through the room, ghosts of memories floating in my vision. Time spent on that couch with Lily, laughing together as we cooked dinner.

Lily walked by me to the stairs that led up to our bedroom and started climbing them. She beckoned me with a wave of her hoof and I trotted to catch up before following Lily up the stairs.

She eventually stopped at the door to our room and slowly pushed it open. She stood at the border between the hall and our room and I stepped up beside her.

“You okay?” I asked, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

“Y-yeah, I just… Oh gosh, I remember it all. I remember our first time.”

A blush crossed my cheeks and I giggled nervously.

“Heheh, yeah, I do too.” I said taking a step into the room and offering a hoof out to Lily. She took it confidently and stepped into the room with me.

Just as the rest of the house was, our room wasn’t anything special to look at, especially with the white sheets covering every piece of furniture, but as I looked around, even more memories rushed in. I glanced over to Lily and could tell by the awestruck look on her face that she was experiencing the same thing.

“Oh my gosh…” Her expression changed to a wry smile. “We totally banged here.”

“L-Lily!” I looked around to check that no-one was in listening range only for her to giggle in response.

“You are such a tease, but I love you for it.” I said grumpily and she kissed me on the lips lightly before pulling away and walking toward our bed. She slid the white sheet off, revealing the bare, coverless mattress beneath. We both sat down together and I laid my head on her shoulder, letting out a satisfied sigh.

“We’re really home, aren’t we?” I said quietly, closing my eyes.

“We are. Gosh, it really does feel like a dream. But… It’s not. We’re really home.”

“Hey Lily?”

“Hmm?” She said, turning her head slightly toward me.

“Thank you.”

“For what? I haven’t done anything that you haven’t done for me.”

“Well, I won’t mind if you thanked me too, but you really have brought happiness into my life. You supported me through the panic of all this happening so fast, you’ve helped me through nightmares, and through all of the struggles life has thrown at me.”

“Well… Thank you too then. You’ve helped me too, and I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life. I love you, Rose.”

“I love you too, Lily.”

The sound of hoofsteps coming up the stairs broke us out of our reverie and we looked to the door as Luna slowly peeked her head around the corner.

“Hello, you two. I hope I’m not interrupting anything, but there’s somepony outside who’s very excited to meet you.”

“Oh?” I said as I lifted my head off of Lily’s shoulder.

“Yes. Somepony very, very excited.” She gave us a look of mock dread before smiling and heading back down the stairs.

“You ready, Rose?” Lily said as she hopped off the bed and held out a hoof to me.

“When I’m with you? I’m ready for anything.”