I hear something…

Wind.

My ears twitch to and fro, trying to locate the noise as I slowly open my eyes.

White... Everything’s white.

I smile. I’m back. I’m back in that wonderful...

Wait. This white... it’s not a void. It has a texture.

Canvas... it’s canvas stretched across an interlocking system of wooden poles.

I move, only to find myself lying down and sandwiched between soft sheets. A pillow lies behind my head. I’m in a bed inside a large, round tent holding cabinets, shelves, and other amenities one would find in any comfortable home.

How... how did I get here? Beakbreaker and I... we were being pulled upwards towards the sun, and then everything went dark. I don’t remember anything after that.

I pinch myself. I’m not dead… not unless the dead can feel pain.

Breathing deeply, I sit up and... Wait. My left leg; it’s back! And not just the leg, but the rest of me that was smashed to pieces by that pillar. It’s not identical to my old body; it’s a little bulkier, a little heavier, and I can feel a powerful energy humming inside my chest.

Sitting further up, I look around. No one else lies asleep in here, and there’s no one rummaging around the shelves and various knickknacks.

“Hello?” I call out.

The door flaps open as a Royal Guard enters. He looks me over, then quickly retreats.

“Wait, where are-”

The flaps are pulled aside as someone else enters.

“Chrysalis?”

The Queen of the Changelings walks to my bed, relieved to see me awake. She’s in rough shape; newly healed scars line her neck, face, and limbs, and she walks with a limp. It takes her several seconds to ease herself into a chair beside my bed.

“So, you’re finally awake,” she says. “I was beginning to wonder if you were going to spend the rest of your life asleep.”

“What do you mean?” I ask. “What happened? Why am I-”

Chrysalis holds up a hoof. “If you give me a moment, I can explain everything.”

I have so many questions to ask, but I manage to quiet myself. Best to take things one question at a time.

“How did I get here?” I ask.

“You and your wife were saved by Princess Celestia.”

“The Princess?! Than we-”

“Freed her? Yes, you did. She managed to stop the sun from destroying us all, and then saved you and your wife before gravity could drag you to your death.” She blushes in embaressment. “She rescued me, as well.”

“Then Beakbreaker-”

“She is fine. Busy, but fine.”

Beakbreaker’s alive?! I sink back into the pillow, relieved.

Thank Celestia...

“You are lucky to even be alive,” Chrysalis continues. “You pushed yourself to the brink of death with that spell you cast. Had your beloved Princess not gotten to you in time, you would have been the last casualty of the war.”

“So... I didn’t die?”

“Some wondered if you were going to. You’ve been in a coma for two months, and-”

I shoot up from the bed. “Two months?!”

“Yes. Two whole months spent sleeping away while I was tasked with watching over you. An excruciatingly boring job, if I may be so bold.”

Two months?! That... that can’t be possible! It doesn’t feel like I’ve been out that long! Maybe a few minutes at most, but not months!

I breathe deeply. Okay... calm down, Silverspeak. Calm down. If you were out that long, then you must have needed the rest. But now you’re awake, and what’s important is getting your bearings.

“Look, Chrysalis. I’m grateful for you watching over me, but where’s Beakbreaker? Why didn’t she do it?”

“Doctors like her are in high demand,” Chrysalis says. She points to my repaired body. “You have her to thank for that new body of yours. It’s a miracle she was able to make it: metal and electronics are in short supply, but she managed to put most of you back together.”

“Most?”

“She couldn’t get you a new heart, and the backup crystals powering you were damaged. She had to replace them with a crystal harvested from what was left of Saddle Lanka.”

There’s a power crystal in me? Well, that explains the humming.

“Beakbreaker checks in on you whenever she can,” Chrysalis says. “She always hopes you’d wake up. I’m glad you have; I couldn’t have taken watching over you for another month!”

The thought of Chrysalis being a nanny amuses me, but I push the thought aside. There are so many other questions I have. “What about the others? Luna, the Bearers, the Resistance? What happened to them?”

“They’re fine. Like your wife, Luna and the Bearers are busy. Always rushing back and forth, using the Elements to restore the world.” Chrysalis smirks. “When all is said and done, they’ll be the ones who will be sleeping for two months straight.”

“And the Resistance?”

“Still celebrating that they won the war… and taking every opportunity to rub it in the faces of Iron Hoof’s troops.”

“And the ponies Mangus captured?”

“They’ve been freed and are doing their part to help rebuild.”

“And what of Iron Hoof’s army? His soldiers, his cyborgs-”

“Celestia and Equestria’s best doctors have been doing their best to heal the cyborgs. From what I’ve been told, it will take time and years of therapy, but they will eventually return to normal. And as for Iron Hoof’s soldiers...” Chrysalis smirks. “Well, they’ve been put to work rebuilding all the cities, communities, and towns they’ve destroyed. With all the damage they’ve inflicted, they’ll be toiling away for decades.” She stands, wincing at the effort. “I imagine you’d like to see what our new world looks like.”

Nodding, I pull back the sheets, taking my time as I get out of bed; I don’t know how well my new legs are going to work. But a few moments of wiggling, shaking, and twisting reveal that they move just fine.

Chrysalis heads to the door flaps and pulls them aside.

Taking a deep breath, I follow Chrysalis out into the new world.

Light from the sun shines down on me, and I have to put up a hoof to block it. When my eyes finally adjust, I lower my hoof to find myself standing in the middle of a large meadow before a dense grove of trees. Dozens of other large, round tents have been set up around the perimeter, with ponies, changelings, yaks, griffons, and kirin bustling about, some rushing off on a task. It reminds of the Resistance after they escaped the moon. But unlike them, everyone here is full of hope. There’s no fear and no worry, only the eagerness of those privileged to participate in something vast and grand.

Chrysalis walks across the meadow to a thin path heading into the forest. We follow that path, emerging a minute later into an even larger meadow almos triple the size of the campw e just left. There are no tents here, only a seemingly endless array of flowers, bushes, and roses of every shape, size, and color.

Chrysalis pays no attention to the flowers, heading for an overlook at the garden’s end. And when I reach it with her, I’m treated to a glorious view of the landscape below: A vast plain blanketed in green fields that stretch out to the horizon in every direction, all lit up and shining in the mid-morning sun.

I stop and take it all in, awestruck at the beauty before me. Everything looks so new and pristine; perhaps this is what Equestria looked like millennia ago, before civilization came here.

“It’s... it’s beautiful,” I say.

Chrysalis nods, admiring the view.

A soft wind blows through our manes.

“So... where are we?” I ask.

“Where Canterlot used to stand,” Chrysalis tells me. “The mountain has been reformed, but until a new city is raised, that campsite is Celestia’s capital.” She spreads a hoof. “From here, your beloved Equestria will begin anew, spreading out once more until all was as it was.”

I doubt it; if a tree is all but cut down and then grown back, it won’t be the same tree. Who knows what the new Equestria will look like? I imagine all the old kingdoms will spring anew, with Equestria’s inhabitants and allies settling back down.

There’s one, I realize, who might have hard time doing so.

“What about you?” I ask Chrysalis. “What are you going to do in this new world of ours?”

Chrysalis sighs wearily. “Everyone knows that I freely pledged myself to Iron Hoof and helped him early in his campaign,” She says. “There are... many demanding justice.”

She doesn’t say anything else. She doesn’t have to.

Chrysalis turns to the horizon, hoping the beautiful view will bring her comfort.

“Maybe you can win them over,” I suggest. “After all, you helped me and the Resistance.”

“Only out of my own self-interest.”

“But you still helped. You risked your life to save others. You even tried to kill Mangus.”

“So I would have no competitors. That’s what others would say: That I was trying to eliminate anyone who could stop me from ruling over the planet.”

“And yet, here you are,” I point out. “You watch over me for two months when you could have tried to take over. You let the Princesses and the Bearers do their work without tryng to interfere.” I smile. “If you keep helping, eventually everyone will realize you’ve changed.”

Chrysalis considers my suggestion.

“It’s a new world out there,” I say. “A fresh start for everyone... even you.”

Though she doesn’t say anything, I see the beginnings of a smile on Chrysalis’ face. But there’s something else too, something far more precious.

Hope.

There’s movement in the trees behind us. I turn just as the Royal Guard from the tent emerges from the trees. He hurries over, whispers something to Chrysalis, and then rushes back to the path.

“I must leave,” Chrysalis says. “It seems someone wants to meet you.”

“Meet me? Who?”

Chrysalis just smiles as she heads back to the path, disappearing between the trees.

Alone now, I look around, taking in the incredible kaleidoscope of colors about me, taking a moment to relax and loose myself in all this beauty. If someone wanted to meet me, they couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful spot… but who would that individual be? Chrysalis didn’t say. Beakbreaker? A member of the Resistance? The Bearers?

Birds chirp as they fly overhead, nestling among the branches of a solitary tree near the hedges, singing as they look down at me.

It’s so peaceful here... I can see myself staying here for hours. After the hell that was the war, this place is like paradise.

I look around once again, this time with a critical eye. The meadow’s wide open, and the greenery isn’t tall enough that someone could hide behind them. Yet, I don’t see anyone waiting for me. A glance at the sky shows no one flying down to talk.

Where’s my host?

The birds stop chirping.

Puzzled, I look up.

The birds are looking towards the forest.

Turning, I see several other colorful birds perched on the branches and vibrant, green leaves of the trees. They’re looking down the forest path towards someone I can’t see. Yet, they don’t fly away as they would at the sight of a predator or a stranger.

Someone appears on the path.

I squint, trying to see who it is. Whoever they are, they’re big, about the size of one of the princ...

I freeze.

My hoof goes to my mouth.

It... It can’t be...

Her coat is whiter than the purest snow. Two great wings lie folded against her sides. Her billowing, multi-colored mane and tail float behind her as she walks towards me. Though she’s smaller than a dragon, a minotaur, or even a yak, she carries with her an aura of unimaginable strength and unmatched magical might. Yet, she also brings wisdom and mercy with her, and has a smile warmer than a Hearth’s Warming fireplace.

I’ve read about her. I’ve dreamed about meeting her. I’ve spent my life looking to her for inspiration, but fate has always kept us from meeting... until now.

I can barely stand as Princess Celestia walks to me.

“Hello, Silverspeak,” she says with a smile.

I... I…

“I’m glad you’re awake,” Celestia says. “I’ve wanted to talk to you... and I understand you’ve wanted to meet me for a very long time.”

My mouth moves, but nothing comes out.

“I’ve wanted to meet you, too, Silverspeak, but now more than ever. I wish to thank you; If it were not for you and your wife, I would not be here.”

She puts a hoof on my shoulder, and I shudder.

Celestia... she’s... touching me...

“I owe you my life, Silverspeak.”

Closing her eyes, she lowers her head.

I should be honored. I should be awestruck at this, the highest honor any pony can ever receive: Being thanked by the ruler of Equestria herself. With all she has to do, she’s chosen to spend time with me. Thousands, if not millions of other beings are hurt and suffering, and she...

Wait.

Mangus’ spell...

I take a step back, guilt flooding through me, overwhelming me, threatening to suffocate me.

“Silverspeak?”

I turn away, squeezing my eyes shut, trying not to cry. “I... I don’t deserve your gratitude, your Highness.”

“Of course you do. You-”

“Did Luna and the others tell you about how I helped Iron Hoof? Did they tell you how I betrayed the Resistance to save my wife? About how it’s my fault that so many are dead?” I turn to my princess. “Did they?!”

Celestia’s silence speaks louder than words every could.

I turn away, too ashamed to face Celestia. For so long, I’ve wanted to meet her; it’s been a dream that I’ve had my entire life. But fate is cruel...Only when I’m old, when I realize all the pain and suffering I’ve inflicted during my life, do I finally meet the pony I admire above all others.

I’m not worthy to be in her presence.

I wait for Celestia to leave.

She doesn’t.

Celestia walks beside me, tenderly placing her hoof on my shoulder. “I know what you’ve done, Silverspeak,” she says softly, like a mother reassuring a shamed foal. “Many have called for vengeance, for justice for all that you’ve done. And I told them that justice would be done.”

“And what are you going to do?” I can barely get the words out; Gods, I can’t remember the last time I felt so afraid, so guilty, and so ashamed all at once.

“I know about the mistakes you’ve made, Silverspeak. I know about the ponies you’ve harmed, and how you were used against your will to spread a message of intolerance and hate.” Celestia softens her voice. “But you are not the first pony to hurt others.”

I stifle a sob.

“There are many who have done far worse than you.”

“Like who?” I gasp. “Discord? Tirek? Grogar?”

“Yes... and me.”

What? “No... your Highness, you-”

“I carry the responsibility of caring for not only my subjects, Silverspeak, but all who live on our world.” She lowers her head, her smile vanishing as memories come forth, memories she doesn’t want to relive. “I have failed treaties, negotiations, and peace talks. I have broken relationships with our neighbors beyond repair. And... I have dragged Equestria into wars that didn’t need to be fought.”

She goes silent, hurt by memories almost too painful to bear.

This... this can’t be. Celestia, the role model all ponies look to for friendship, forgiveness, and compassion... she couldn’t have done all those things. I know that she’s not perfect, but for her to do all that...

Celestia looks to me. “I know the shame and the guilt you carry, Silverspeak. My failures have destroyed friendships, families, and entire countries.”

“But... everyone on the moon...”

“Their deaths were caused by Iron Hoof; not you.”

“But I let him know where they were.”

“You were in a position no one should ever have to endure, and forced to make an impossible choice.”

“But did I make the right one?” I plead.

“I cannot say,” Celestia says.

“Princess… if you were in my position… what would you have done?”

Celestia’s caught off guard at my question. She ponders it for a long moment, thinking hard.

“I don’t know, Silverspeak.”

All my life, I’ve asked myself what Celestia would do if she faced the challenges I have. I’ve always imagined her reacting quickly and easily, without hesitation or doubt.

Never did I imagine she wouldn’t know what to do.

Celestia’s gives a grim chuckle. “No one is perfect, Silverspeak. Rarely do we know what the right choice is, if there even is a right choice. My first thought would be to save Beakbreaker, but Mangus could have killed her before I could act. I could have tried to teleport her away, but there might have been spells in place to prevent it. I could have tried to subdue Mangus, but he could have overpowered me, and then killed all his hostages in retribution... I simply cannot say what I would have done.”

I try to put on a brave smile; Celestia’s trying to help me feel better, and I’m so grateful that she’s even doing that much… but her words only soothe the sting of my crimes. They haven’t erased them.

“I still feel guilty.”

Celestia tightens her hoof upon my shoulder. “Silverspeak, you are like Iron Hoof and Mangus. All of you hurt others. All of you have killed others. All of you have brought suffering to others.”

My stomach drops, and my guilt comes roaring back with a vengeance.

“But unlike you, Iron Hoof and Mangus felt no guilt or remorse for all the lives they took. Any lives you ended were accidental, or done to save a life.” Her hoof takes my chin, and she gently turns me to look at her. “What separates you from them, Silverspeak, is that you have tried to make up for your mistakes. You have tried to heal the damage you’ve caused.” She smiles. “Those are the actions of a pony with a good heart.”

A warmth spreads me through. I’m surprised to find myself smiling. A pained smile, but a smile nonetheless.

“We still have to decide what to do about what you’ve done, though. I will not put you in a dungeon as others have asked, nor will I banish you.”

“But what can I do?” I ask. “I... I’ve hurt so many. Thousands... hundreds of thousands... I can’t make it up to all of them.”

“No,” Celestia says quietly. “You can’t... but you can still make a difference. There are many suffering from what they endured during the war, and the grief of losing those they loved. Your talent can can help heal them: Your words can help mend broken hearts, give courage to those who have none, and help others find meaning when they’ve lost all reason to go on. And in doing so, you will help bring hope to all of Equestria, and help to repair the lives you damaged... will you accept this task?”

“Yes!” I say! “Yes, I will!”

Celestia smiles. “I’m delighted to hear that, Silverspeak. Together, you, me, Luna, Twilight, and all her friends will restore the hearts and souls of our world... starting with your own.”

What? What does she mean by that?

“A pony cannot heal others until they have been healed, Silverspeak.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need healing, Princess. Others do. Not me.”

“But you do.”

Celestia smiles once more as she takes my hoof in hers.

“Silverspeak, I know about your mistakes. I know about all the harm you’ve caused, and those you’ve hurt. But I also see that you only want to make things right. I have seen that you have never embraced evil, nor will you ever do so. Therefore, let it be known to all of Equestria that I, Princess Celestia... forgive you for all that you’ve done.”

My lips quiver.

Celestia... she... she...

She forgave me...

I try to hold back my tears.

Celestia’s legs go around me, pulling me me in, holding me close to her.

I reach out and wrap my legs around Celestia, clutching her like a child would hug its mother. But Celestia doesn’t push me away.

She holds me tighter.

I let go.

I cry in Celestia’s embrace.

Eventually, the tears stop. My guilt and shame slide away. Sighing, I let go of Celestia, wiping the last tears from my cheeks. “Thank you, your Highness.”

Celestia’s smile never wavers.

Taking my glasses off, I wipe them clean. “Princess, there’s something you should know... Before the end of his life, Iron Hoof realized all the pain and damage he had done, and tried to make up for by helping me stop Mangus. Without him... well, you and I wouldn’t be talking now.”

Celestia’s surprised at learning how her most dangerous adversary had a change of heart, but she’s also pleased. Perhaps not pleased enough to pardon him, but she might look back on him with pity instead of malice and disgust.

“Chrysalis also helped,” I say. “She-”

“That, I am aware of,” Celestia says. “I must admit, I had thought Chrysalis would never accept our friendship, but I am pleased she has.”

“Will you let her help us?” I ask. “Help us to rebuild? I believe she deserves a chance to prove she wants to better herself.”

“Of course. It would give me no greater pleasure than to see her reformed. Throax has hoped she would join him. Together, they could do much good.”

I look around, studying the garden, relishing in how peaceful it is. This place is a sanctuary, a safe haven the likes of which hasn’t existed for years, maybe decades. But there’s still much work to be done beyond its borders.

“So... what happens now?” I ask.

“The Elements have restored Equestria, but it is up to all of us to rebuild our lives,” Celestia tells me. “The path before you is a long one, Silverspeak, and at times it will be painful. But in the long run, the path of a healer brings the greatest satisfaction, and the greatest joy.”

I know, and I can’t wait to get started.

There’s movement behind us. Two Royal Guards have come to the garden’s edge.

“Ah, she’s here,” Celestia says.

She? Who’s she? Another pony who-

The Royal Guards part, allowing Beakbreaker to pass through and enter the garden.

“Silverspeak!”

She runs to me. Without thinking, so do I, and we collide, throwing our legs around each other as we collapse into the grass.

“You’re awake!” Beakbreaker gasps. “You’re awake, you’re awake, you’re awake!”

“Yes,” I chuckle. “Yes, I’m awake.”

Gasping, Beakbreaker wipes away her tears. “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?! How afraid I was that you wouldn’t wake up?!”

“Uh... sorry?”

Giving a nervous laugh, Beakbreaker embraces me even tighter, relieved that I’m just talking, and not a dead pony lying in a morgue somewhe...

Wait.

Gently pushing myself free of Beakbreaker’s hold, I turn to Celestia. “Your Highness? One of the reasons I wanted to free you was because... well, there’s-”

Celestia walks over. “A tumor in your brain,” she says. “Luna told me about it. I inspected it while you were unconscious.”

I bite my lip, trying to slow my racing heart. “And?”

“Silverspeak, my healing skills are considerable... but I can’t cure your tumor. It’s too advanced.”

My stomach drops. A moment later, so do I, sitting on the grass.

My last hope – my only hope – is gone.

“However...”

I look up.

“Though I cannot heal or remove the tumor,” Celestia says, “I was able to cast a stasis spell around it, ensuring that it cannot grow or spread any further.” She smiles. “You have nothing to fear from that tumor for many years to come.”

I struggle to find the right words. “Then... I’ll...”

“Yes, Silverspeak. You will live.”

Beakbreaker shrieks, grabbing me as tightly as she can. Then, looking to Celestia, she runs to her and grabs the princess, jumping up and down for joy. Only after a moment does she realize what she’s doing and lets go, turning bright red with embarrassment.

“I, uh, heh... Sorry, your Highness.”

“Think nothing of it,” Celestia says with a smile. “It’s the least I can do for all that you have done.”

I’m going to live? I... I don’t know what to say, or to think. I’ve been a dead pony walking, death an ever-present specter, making me think that my days were numbered. But that weight is gone. It’s vanished, and all that’s left is a feeling of lightness like I’ve never felt before.

I’m... I’m going to live!

“However... I have something to ask of you both,” Celestia says.

I turn to her, as does Beakbreaker.

“Everyone will be needed to help rebuild our world,” Celestia says. “Whether it’s in physical labor, use of magic, healing, or comforting. But I have a special task for you both... Many have been hurt by Mangus’ war, and many families have been torn apart. Many children, I am afraid, have lost their parents.”

Celestia looks like she’s going to lose her composure for a moment, but she steels herself, then gestures to someone nearby.

Another Royal Guard emerges from the bushes, carrying a small bundle in the crook of his foreleg.

“Beakbreaker,” Celestia says, “I was told that, before the war, you wished to have a child.”

Beakbreaker goes pale, grabbing her mouth as she realizes what Celestia’s saying.

The guard reaches us. Gold Wing looks up at us both from within the bundle, smiling and reaching up with her tiny legs.

Shaking, barely able to hold back her tears, Beakbreaker takes Gold Wing in her hooves.

“I ask that the two of you take this child and raise her as your own,” Celestia says. “Will you accept this task?”

The tears flow as Beakbreaker nods. “Yes!” she gasps. “Yes! I will!”

“And you, Silverspeak?”

After all that Celestia has done for me, I can’t imagine saying no. And seeing Beakbreaker so happy, at having a dream come true... I can’t deny her that.

“It will be an honor,” I say.

Celestia beams.

Turning, Beakbreaker embraces me, sobbing. Not with grief or sadness, but with joy. Pure, unaltered happiness.

I hold her back.

Gold Wing squeaks, wrapping her tiny legs around mine.

The three of us sit under the warmth of Celestia’s sun, and the warmth of her pleased gaze. All my fears, all my worries about the future, about everything, all falls away. I have a purpose again, a chance to make up for the past: To help heal those who have been hurt, and to help raise a child. It will be a large task, a burden that will no doubt be hard to bear… but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I can’t help but smile.

The future has never felt so bright.

Author's Notes:

Well, it took six years, but the meeting everyone wanted finally happened. I hope it was worth the wait!