Pony POV Series Dark World Alicorn Ascension
My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic
Chapter 34
Welcome Home
By Alex Warlorn
Edited by Louis and Kendell2

"But...I thought..." I tried to ask the blue Alicorn.

"That Paradox overwrote me Twilight? She tried," Trixie explained, giving a smile. "After she won, I faced trials much like you did. And I accepted becoming a Concept."

"And the Trixie from the current timeline?"

"We are two leaves on the same tree, nothing more. I became a Concept in a previous timeline, every Trixie since has been different from me. Abbatissa said you were the only Major Arcana born from a mortal, not the first Alicorn born that way."

Trixie took a deep breath. "Twilight...do not assume becoming a Concept means your mortal life, your mortal connections will mean nothing. As the Concept of Magic, that includes the Magic of Friendship. But there are certain things a mortal is allowed that a Concept is not. Concepts cannot feel regret. We can feel sadness for our actions, but wishing we could take them back is something of which we are incapable. If you become a Concept, you will become the Perfect embodiment of that Concept."

"I will be Perfect?"

"Not Perfection as a whole...just Perfection of your Concept. For example; I am the Perfect Trickery, and I've been behind you the entire time."

I blinked, turning behind me to find her standing there. I jumped. "But I thought..."

They chuckled, the Trixie that had been behind me turned into light and reunited with the one I'd been speaking with. "I never said I wasn't in front of you as well."

I chuckled a little.

She then looked grave. "Twilight, if you become a Concept, it does mean giving up parts of yourself...including many of your mortal values. You'll see the world from before is really so small."

"Will I stop valuing all my friendships? My mortal friends?" I asked quietly. The image of a cold goddess, impassive and indifferent as an asteroid in space, rose to my mind.

That got a laugh out of Trixie. "You, especially, have no reason to worry about THAT. Remember: You'll be magic, and friendship IS magic. And if it wasn't, you'll be able to just say it is!"

She grinned at me.

"So I imagine you will still love your friends and hold their friendships dear. Again, since Friendship Is Magic, for all intents and purposes you will also BE Friendship, itself."

"THAT actually sounds fun!"

"As a Concept, it's impossible to predict exactly what personality traits you'll end up gaining and losing. For example: I, myself, had to give up a considerable portion of my vanity, because Trickery does not believe itself infallible. Ironic, given Morning Star."

"And you're all the better for it!" I say cheerily.

"Indeed, I am! But...my mortal family resides within my Father. While I may speak with them with His permission...I can never truly join them, ever. Really think this choice through, Twilight Sparkle. Because if you don't want it, if you're doing this merely because you think it's expected of you...well then, that'll be the one and only thing you WILL be able to truly regret as a god."

"Why'd YOU do it, then, Trixie?"

Trixie closed her eyes with a soft smile.

"Cadence forced Alicornhood on me when I was an empty shell of a pony, she woke me up to friendship's truths, rather unpleasantly. But I still never valued my biological family the way I should have as a mortal. I didn't take the chance to just move onto death when offered to take the trials. Maybe I wanted to become more than I was. Maybe I wanted to repay Cadence. Maybe it was just a power grab. Maybe I wanted to face your Nightmare Eclipse self again if given the chance to save the world. Maybe now that I could see the errors I'd made, I wanted to help others stop from making the same mistakes. Maybe it was to help you. But it wasn't until afterwards that proper appreciation for my mortal family came. But no matter how many times I say 'it was worth it', the question you need to answer is this; will this ascension be worth it to YOU?

"They'll be no turning back. To me, it was worth it. But if it's not to you, don't do it. I know that seems black and white, but that's the question you need to answer; will it be worth it to you?"

I paused to think. I think I'd thought about it for three years before I finally made my choice.

"You keep saying this should be about me, and what I want. But that's not the kind of spirit I'd want to be...When me and my friends all joined together to free the world from Discord, and then to keep Nightmare Paradox from making all our effort meaningless, I felt joy at the idea of those ponies freed from misery and able to experience just a bit more happiness and life if they chose to. And I want to share that joy. Unmake me and create me as a Concept."

Abbatissa sighed and decreed: "Then as the High Priestess Alicorn, I unlock your untapped wisdom and power, and gift you with the touch of my magic as well, and open the doorway for you to be recreated." The Alicorn of Prayer kissed me on the forehead.

And Fauna Luster, erm, well, she, I might be blushing, uh...she let me in.

I returned to where I came from. And I, Twilight Sparkle, for all intents and purposes ceased to exist, and I the Alicorn didn't 'come into being', I always was.

I was returned to what I was born from, untangled into yarn and then I was rewoven from the thread up. Abbatissa hadn't been joking. I really did have to die to be born again. You could almost say, (as Pinkie Pie said, she kept sneaking in to say hi, don't ask, she's Pinkie Pie), I was 'unbaked', She changed the recipe, and was cooked again.

I spent billions of years within Mother Fauna Luster, adjusting to being an absolute part of the cosmos. You don't remake a mortal pony into a concept and just send them on their way. No I wasn't imprisoned, Mother Fauna Luster is everywhere, so I was everywhere.

My brothers and sisters Alicorn stood in a circle according to the numerical order of the Major Arcana as I finally pushed my way out. Waves of pleasure and happiness rippled across Alicorns everywhere and those born of an Alicorn parent, Mother Fauna Luster was in joy. Yes, Cadence was there too. So was Anasi, with the rest of the known Minor Arcana (No, I'm not telling who was there, the Shadows-Who-Watch need some surprises), as were Pinkie and Fluttershy, little Fluttercruel holding her hoof. I exchanged smiles with them as I emerged. And when I did, I sent shockwaves across creation.

= big giant circles - Chivalry Begins =

I stood proud, spreading my wings. "With the rainbow of light in one hoof. And the rainbow of darkness in the other, I do not write the rules, I do not oversee the rules, I am the rules! I AM MAGIC!"

"MY LITTLE PONY, I GIVE YOU YOUR NAME: PRINCESS AMICITIA ZORYA SPES EQUESTRIA. THAT IS WHO YOU ARE, YOU WERE, AND WHO YOU SHALL BE."

"Princess...Amicitia Zorya Spes Equestria..." Just the arrangement of syllables alone was enough to make me laugh for joy. "There are those who said magic is telling creation what to do in words it can't refuse. They are wrong. Magic is not bullying the universe. It is guiding it along down the road you wish for it."

I am magic. I have said this. So it is so. And with it, I suddenly look back to my Mother, and truth dawns on me.

"I...I finally understand it all. How choices and destiny can march side by side, not as enemies but as partners. Same as life and death. Beginnings and endings...the sun and the moon. And I understand. I FINALLY AND FULLY! Fauna Luster and BDZCM. I understand you. I understand how and WHY you love! Why you ACTUALLY love! Just a little bit better. Not perfectly, for I am not the perfect understanding. I am the Perfect Magic."

My present family all stomped and clapped their hooves.

Rota Fortuna looks very satisfied.

Abbatissa looks apologetically at me.

Pensilis face was still, tears came down his face.

Trixie/Anasi is smiling as wide as she can. "Welcome to the family, little sister."

Fluttercruel seems a little scared, uncertain at the sight of me. Fluttershy smiles to me and nuzzles her daughter to comfort her. Pinkie asks the Alicorns if we can have a birthday party for me. I was only a few seconds old after all.

Cadence comes close and nuzzles me, "Sunshine, sunshine."

I nuzzled back, "Ladybugs awake, clap your hooves."

"And do a little shake. Twilight, no, Amicitia. My little sister."

"Twilight, please," I say, but it felt like a toddlerhood nickname now.

"I want you to know, I'm so happy to have you as a member of our family and-and-" Cadence stops herself, she looks sad? No, ashamed. Of what? She gently nuzzled me, covering me with her wings. It's simply for me to fold my wings around her at the same time. She must have seen the look on my own face, she said, "You don't fixate on things that haven't happened yet. I won't fixate on things that already have happened. I already know you're going to be a wonderful goddess, 'Twilight Sparkle.'"
+
I spent some time getting to know my siblings. We were family after all, and they wanted to welcome me. But eventually, I had to go. Waiting back home I still had friends and a responsibility. But I wasn't the only Alicorn with unfinished business.

"Amicitia, Twilight, may speak to you for a moment before you leave?"

Anasi/Trixie stood behind me, with one of those playful but caring smirks only she and Puerilis seemed capable of. "Yes, Anasi?"

"It's been a mark of accomplishment in my eyes that I was capable of leaving a mark on you before, but you said it yourself; what point is a grudge once the enemy has become a friend?"

I blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Anasi then gave me a nuzzle to the left side of my face. I felt magic flowing as I returned it. I was magic.

She pulled back. "I forgive you, that's what I mean, you're free of it."

I felt lighter.

"...Thank you, Anasi..." I said as I cried.

"What are sisters for?" She smiled with me.

As Clover, Meadowlark was the only sibling I had known. As Twilight I sometimes had the fantasy of Cadence as my sister, or maybe Celestia as another mother . . . but I never dreamed the day would come when Trixie would be my sister, or that I couldn't be happier for it! I hugged her! Our horns glowed and the stars danced around us.

However long later I noticed something floating in her telekinesis. "Huh?"

"Just something else I wanted to show you," she said, showing me the same Magician Card that Rota had shown me before...but now with my picture on it. I looked beautiful. "You earned it, little sister. Happy birthday."
+
I decided making my friends wait till the apocalypse for me to come out of my shell would be kinda sorta really heartless of me. So I repossessed my body a few minutes after Princess, heh, my big sister Luna had finished explaining everything. I didn't MEAN to knock them all off their hooves when I transformed my body, it just sorta happened.

"Baby sister!" Princess Celestia cheered as she flew up and hugged me before the light from the explosion had faded.

Yeah, Celestia called me 'Baby sister' even though she's the foal right now.

"Hey everypony, and Spike," I smiled awkwardly at them, "I'm back!"

Seven jaws hit the floor.

"Welcome back, you're beautiful...'baby sister.'" Princess Luna smirked.

"Don't you start too."

"Half-Light! Yer..." Apple Pie rushed towards me to give me a hug, and skidded to a halt, looking up at me with awestruck eyes, "Yer, yer big." I smiled and rubbed her head lightly.

"She's about average size for an adult Alicorn," my night sister said calmly.

Applejack said, "Twili, is that really ya?"

"It's me. Your friend." I nuzzle Applejack.

Spike looked at me and said drolly, "Well this is embarrassing, I thought I was the big and strong one who got to protect you now. Geeze."

"That is not all you contribute, Spike, and you did protect me, and us. Several times, you brilliant dragon don't sell yourself short. Derpy! Stop with the genuflecting," I said, while Rainbow Dash fainted, and Rarity caught her in her chaise lounge, and immediately set to work reviving her.

Minty Pie surprisingly didn't faint, she looked up to me and said. " I guess the Minty we came from will live forever now."

I didn't ask how she knew, she'd looked into Truth after all. I nuzzled her. "Minty will live forever."

"Just look at you, dear! You're naked! No good for an Alicorn! We have to do something about this at once!" Rarity cut herself across her side.

"Rarity! You don't need-" Too late, her blood crystalized, and shaped how she saw fit, and with telekinesis slipped on a crown shaped like the tiara of the element of Magic, and created pieces of Alicorn armor shaped for me perfectly and slipped them on me. Of course my symbol would be the Element of Magic. Rarity had shaped a ruby in the crown and peytral to match. My new armor had more artistic flourish to it with more flowing contours. It was also snow white that didn't feel so ironic anymore.

"Rarity, you're still quite a fashion genius."

Rarity gave an over-dramatic bow. "Perhaps it's not too late to reopen my boutique."

Apple Pie finally asked, "Half-Light, how's yer mane movin' when there ain't a wind? And why is it all glowy and looks like the colors the sky's been for a while on the ends?"

"Those are the colors of twilight. And the leylines are what move my mane."

"Ley-what? Oh yeah, Magica talked about those. Magic-world-line-thingies."

I felt a little agitated at her referring to me as a 'thingie.' Yes me. I am Magic remember? Leylines are Magic, thus I am the Leylines...in addition to Friendship, and all the other thingies I am.

Rainbow Dash came to and shook her head, and genuflected. I was going to have to get used to this.

"Trust me, it'll go easier if you just enjoy it," Luna said seeing my face. "Celestia!" Luna exclaimed seeing Celestia was bowing now!

"Just havin' some fun Lulu."

"Just when I thought we had run out of surprises," Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh we haven't Rainbow Dash, not by a long shot."

"We've saved ourselves, the world, and now you're a Alicorn, I really want to just take a nap now," Rainbow Dash said almost irritated.

"Don't worry, Rainbow, I promise you can rest as much as you want now."

"About time."

"More respect please," Luna said sternly to the pegasus, odd coming from a filly.

"It's okay, big sister," I told Luna. "I don't mind."

"SISTER?!" The others all said.

"Like duh!" Celly chirped, "We were all born from Mommy!"

"I'll explain," I said, and did. No, a temple of soapboxes did not come into being thank you. I merely provided soapboxes for them all to sit.

"Oh, and our Mother says 'I love you.'"

Luna looked shocked. "So all our siblings...they're alright?"

Celly was confused. "Why wouldn't they be?"

Luna and I looked at each other then Celly, "No reason..."

I never realized how tiny and fragile my friends were, if it wasn't their choice and we'd been out of options, I'd have felt sorrow for putting their mortal lives in danger before, but I didn't feel regret.

With things settling down, we noticed what had been cast aside when Paradox had been defeated. My vessel was my original body from this world, Nightmare Paradox had been using another. When Paradox had been exercised, the body had again reverted back to its original form, its soul still with Father.

Unfortunately, Celly had been the first to see it. "Wind Whistler?" she asked, approaching the cold body. In the dream world Discord had given her, Mortis had never once treaded.

She nudged the body. "Wind Whistler? Wake up...come on, we're celebrating."

I gave a look of sorrow as Celly kept trying to 'wake' her friend. I don't think any of us could bear it anymore. Luna walked over and put a hoof on her shoulder. "Celly...Wind Whistler is with Father...She's okay, she just...isn't here."

I can't tell you how much it hurt to see not just a filly, but my sister and mentor cry. To realize her friend was dead. Rarity once more made a coffin and we held a small funeral. Luna had so much more she wanted to say, how the Pegasus had given her life for her friend, but held it back, so our sister could enjoy the third childhood Discord had given her in his rare moment of genuine selflessness. I knew it from my memories, he'd done it not just so she could be happy, but to protect her from Paradox, from me.

After the funeral had ended and Celly had stopped crying, I enacted my first use of my divine magic: I created from memory seven thousand copies of every volume, edition, side-story, adaption, and version of the Daring Do franchise! Yes, even 'Daring Do And The Crystal Skull.'

Though I will never, ever bring that horrible Con Mane/Daring Do Crossover back into existence in any form.

Next, I restored every comic book, graphic novel, and cartoon series of Super Stallion I could remember for Apple Pie.

Then I transform Fluttercruel's torture chambers into a new library wing, washing away the blood and sin. I teleport all the books and multimedia neatly into their shelves. I felt the castle's gratitude. Now if only AJ would stop prostrating at me. Apple Pie began shooting her mouth off, asking me to do any number of carnival tricks.

"Apple Pie! Twili' ain't a circus clown."

"It's alright, AJ," I said, falling back on what Celestia did in her Princess days when fillies asked her to make the day longer or shorter: I simply smiled and nodded as Apple Pie jabbered on.

"Hey! Look at what I can do!" Celestia said as she then did several cantrips to impress the small filly.

"Sister! Magic is not a toy!" Luna snapped.

"Ahhh. It's not?" Celestia pouted.

"No. I am not a toy," I said as the final authority.

"Twili'?" Applejack asked, a part of me blushes at that name now, "Did it hurt? Becomin' like this?"

"...Yes. Kind of. But it wasn't a bad pain. Like when a butterfly spreads their wings and pumps blood into their wings for the first time. They bleed a little, but it's just part of them getting ready to fly."

"Ya know, nopony is gonna believe us, that we're the ones who 'beat' Discord, then beat a Psycho-You to save everything. Even if the Apple Family and the Diamond Dogs know we're the good guys, not everypony is gonna be as forgiving or tolerant as your number one fan, Twilight," Rainbow Dash said.

"What would you beat Discord at? Checkers?" Celestia asked innocently. "And forgive you for what? Did he go over the top on a prank he talked you into? There was this time with help from Surprise he switched the gummy worms for real worms in the kitchen, but he was really sorry after."

We all shut up about Discord for then.

Rainbow Dash then turned to me directly. She looked at me with pleading eyes. "Are...are they still there?"

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

"The other Nightmares, are they still in you just...you know, not evil?" she asked, it wasn't suspicious...it was hopeful. And it broke my heart when I realized why. "Or are they Alicorns too and coming later?"

It killed me a little to tell her. "No...they aren't...I honestly don't know what happened to them. I don't know where they are. They're no longer with me or in this world, Rainbow...Maybe they moved on to the afterlife or the spirit world when Paradox...when I lost, since their lives were chained to mine when they entered this world with her, not independent like Paradox...Maybe they're on their own journies?" I offered even though I had less than zero proof of that.

It hurt me that my five friends, yes, my five friends I had twisted into monsters, were gone somewhere, and I hadn't had the chance to tell them I was sorry for what I had done to them. To heal them. To restore them. To make amends for what I had done to those who loved me if any friends ever did. Hopefully wherever they are, they're looked upon for who they were, rather than what my manipulations tricked them into becoming. AJ, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Spike, I really did fail you, wherever you are, I hope you'll forgive me someday. As I have judged others to have their friends be ripped away, so too was I judged...That wasn't some divine curse of Fate...it was consequences of my own actions, my punishment.

Rarity heard this and hugged Applejack for support, AJ gently hugged her back. Spike's tail joined in the hug.

Rainbow's head fell. "So...so Pinkie Pie...Fluttershy...they're really gone for good..." she said, crying.

I trotted over and put a wing on Rainbow's back. "I know...For what it's worth, they're both happy...They were there when I became Amicitia..."

"Even if I know they're happy...I...I..."

I pull her close and put a barrier to block us from sight and earshot. I cover her with my wings, giving her the privacy she needs. "I know...I'll always miss them, Rainbow Dash...There's nothing wrong with grieving...Just let it out..."

Derpy, and my sisters let us have our grief. Minty sighed, looking at her reflection in the Sword of Seasons, then looked up at the sky, her eyes a tiny bit moist, "Good bye, Pinkie Pie."

And we just hugged silently as Rainbow cried it out. Letting everything go and crying. I don't think any of us NEEDED it as much as she did, all the pain she'd kept inside her for so long...all the loss.

She finally looked up at me. "...Thanks, Twilight."

"What are friends for?"

"Yeah...just don't tell anypony I cried, alright?"

Of course, Apple Pie, the ever observant and innocent little filly, was the one to notice something else once that was done. "Half-Light, Celly and Lulu said ya kinda joined with Paradox and made her all nice, right?"

I sighed, not running from it. "Yes... I am all the ponies I was before this, not just Twilight and Eclipse."

"Uh, er, okay. Then what happened tah tha scar?"

I blinked in complete shock. "Wait...what?!" I asked, remembering the scar. The wound that had never healed. That NOTHING could heal.

"Rarity! I need a mirror!" Yes, laugh it up, I was so shocked I forgot I could will one into existence.

A second later, I was looking at myself in a crystal mirror. My face was fine. The horrible burn that Anasi's last strike had managed to leave ingrained so deep a being as powerful as Paradox could not heal it, that new bodies could not heal, that no amount of fusions with unscarred selves could...was gone...Just purple fur...

"But...that's impossible...When did..."

Had I lost it when I ascended? No, that isn't possible, nothing I'd done, no matter how powerful I got, could heal that scar. The ponies I'd met in the tests never mentioned me having it, but why would they? It wasn't in the context of the situations to even KNOW I had a scar, and Razzaroo would have had no reason to mention it...So when could it have...

"It's been a mark of pride in my eyes that I was capable of leaving a mark on you before, but you said it yourself; what point is a grudge once the enemy has become a friend?"

"Halflight, yah ok? Yer cryin'."

I gave a smile. "Yes...I just realized how lucky I am to be forgiven..." Thank you, Anasi...

We stayed there, on the top of Castle Chaos, no, on top of the Castle of Canterlot. It may have been twisted and warped, but it wasn't Discord's anymore.

None of us had a watch to keep time, and Luna and Celly weren't changing the day yet, but we spent at least a day there, considering the headache from that telepathic spell I'd used on Rainbow Dash kicked in. AJ provided fruit from her garden.

We laughed that we were out of all-powerful psychopaths trying to kill us. We cried that Sparkler, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie and Apple Pie's friends were gone. We smiled that we were still alive. Minty Pie, Apple Pie, Celly and Lulu played hopscotch.

With Celly distracted by Apple Pie and Luna, we compared notes on Minty's crazy adventure and ours. Minty admitted she had broken down a couple times thinking how she was tempted to simply walk away after stumbling into things before she overcame the silly idea a rock farmer had no business being a hero.

Rarity (and Spike at her request) both began writing a list of political, economic, social, and spiritual points that were going to have to be addressed now that Discord wasn't destroying pony efforts every five minutes both constructive and destructive. Then Rainbow Dash tore it up telling her to get with the program and enjoy the moment of victory a little.

Derpy did the sweetest, most wonderful thing she could do after a thousand years: she rested.

Apple Pie and AJ said the Castle liked that the fighting was over so the damage done to it was over. I did the Castle the kindness of healing its wounds. Apple Pie suggested we name it.

"Maybe it should pick its own name," Rainbow pointed out. She hadn't taken long to accept the Castle was a sentient creature, she was so tired I think she'd have accepted that Celestia was her father.

Apple Pie looked down at the stone blocks. "So, what name do yah want?"

I think the entire castle jumped in surprise. I think that was the first time in its entire existence anyone had asked IT what it wanted. Rainbow smiled. "I know how yah feel, take all the time you need."

Stones moved slowly on the ground and rearranged themselves into the name the Castle had chosen for itself (or HERself, as the case may be); Eden.

"Nice to meetcha Castle Canterlot Eden," Rainbow Dash said.

Luna looked a little awkward and annoyed that her and her sister's castle was now alive. For Celly it was another new exciting thing to explore.

There was still the Ursa Major in the living room, but I just teleported it somewhere fairly distant from ponies and with enough prey around to support it. But we also had the major issues none of us wanted to talk about: the seaponies, who hadn't 'conveniently' all died, turned into Earth ponies, or been swept under the cosmic rug like they'd never been. How much had they seen? Sky Ocean continued to float in the sky in the distance, their bodies glowing in the twilight.

"They are beautiful," I said.

After the battle, neither AJ nor RD were in the mood for wresting. For the first time in a thousand years, both tomboys settled for just talking. Minty was eager to learn some history from both of them, and they the finer points of her own death-defying adventure. But I could tell something else was on her mind.

Minty Pie looked up to RD when she got to the point in her story when she arrived to help defeat Paradox. "Rainbow Dash...are you sorry you weren't a part of that?"

"Part of what?"

"The big...harmony thing we did," Minty said, I think by then it'd have hit Minty, Minty'd basically been the keystone of the entire spell.

"Naw! Being loyal means being there IN CASE you're needed, besides, it means I got a ring side seat to a one time show!"

"Plus," Applejack interceded. "We'd all be dead if you and the Princesses hadn't thrown a wrench in Paradox's works."

Rainbow chuckled. "Like I said, in case I'm needed, not just WHEN I'm needed."

Minty then asked Rainbow about Pinkie Pie, and both talked about the pink pony that was both their friend, even if Rainbow only knew half of it.

I conjured up a mountain (more like a very large hill) of jewels for Spike.

"All yours, Spike. Consider it a thousand years' worth of backpay as my number one assistant."

Spike kissed Rarity, and dove his head into the treasure and began to fill his belly.

"Are you going to..." I whispered in her ear, "Unplug yourself when Spike's had his run?"

"Maybe, maybe not. That's the thing about greed, it's never enough. There's always more to have. I no longer need to worry about Spike leaving me after he dies if he still loves me enough to stay with me. I'll just have to make sure he doesn't try to eat himself when/if give his soul a gem body."

"Part of life is letting go."

"But greed never lets go." She didn't say this hatefully or intensely or even indifferently. It was calm, wistful, almost warm. "I didn't let go of Tom, even if he's gone to your Father, a part of him will always be with me. Some part of Spike will always be as well. One way or another."

"So you aren't envious of me?"

"You're confusing me with the Rarity that existed a thousand years ago. I'm no longer fixated on my outward image. Envy is where you hate somepony for having something you don't. Jealous on the other hoof is where you are protective of what you have.

"Greed wants it all, and that includes your godhood, but I have no desire for is having to go through ghastly Nightmaredom to get it, thank you very much. Besides, myself and Dinky are the last unicorns."

"The unicorns survive in the Virgacorns, same as the Zebras."

"I know. But there's a comfort of being unique, and you are quite unique now, Twilight."

"What I've become is not with responsibility Rarity: it is responsibility."

"Good. We've spent the past thousand years controlled by someone who had power WITHOUT responsibility."

"It's more than that Rarity, I've given up eternal rest, it's an eternal burden. My family, our friends who are gone? I can't be with them."

Rarity looked a little startled at that one. I could practically see the images of her parents and sister flashing across her eyes. "I see."

"I need to ask you something: I'm the Concept of Magic, maybe even Happy Endings...If I knew how to give this world a happy ending, even if it came at a great personal cost...would you say it's worth it?"

"Depends on the exact nature of that 'great personal cost,' Twilight."

I look up at the sky. "Rarity, you can't see them, but there are stars out there, numbering roughly ten to-the-twenty-second-power. And that's not counting the vigintillion and growing number of universes for every thought and choice made. Rarity, when you can do anything...really, do ANY-thing. You need to prioritize. I have bigger responsibilities than this one little planet I happen to love. If I stayed, I'd be selfish."

"Twilight-?!...Don't be absurd! Celestia, Luna, Cadence? They ALL stayed here! Why wouldn't you!? What makes you different from them?!"

"It's complicated."

"Try me!"

I sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.

"They stayed here, because that was their responsibility, and part of their growth. Normally when an Alicorn is born, they live as a spirit and then as a mortal to appreciate both ends of the scale. I've already lived as a mortal, so now I have to live as a spirit. And...you can't feel them, Rarity, but I can. Ponies, countless ponies, across so many threads, meeting final fates they don't need to. Because the darkness wanted them to. Maybe I just want them to meet a kinder fate but...It's too much Rarity! It's torture. I can't just tune them out. There's already a Happy Ending to this story, this world doesn't NEED me anymore. The other worlds DO...so I can't stay."

"Horseapples! You're so fixated on the vastness of the Universe, Little Miss Magic Goddess, that you've forgotten where you are! Who you're with! Forget the beyond! Look around you at the here and now! What's real! What's in front of you! What you can see and touch! LIVE, blast it! Live! This world! Where we make our choices that'll determine everything of what's waiting for us! Here, now, us, the past is frozen and the future is vapor, this one moment is when we're alive!"

"That's the truth to you?"

"It IS truth!"

I smile, "And that's why it's you, Rarity."

Her confusion was epic. "Why's what me?"

"The reason I chose to come back was all of you and those I love. The reason I had to come back: was you. Thank you, Rarity, for setting me free. Now I will give you what you desire."

I spread my wings. My horn glows. Every dragon and pony stops what they're doing and turns their heads. They can feel what's happening in their bones, in every fiber of their being. Some primal instinct stirring inside them. My aura intensifies as I actively touch all that is. Everypony, everyone everywhere feels my magic. From Dinky, to the Lemon-Ponies, to the seaponies to Tiamat, to the hippogriffs.

It all barely takes a thought. I'll admit it, I honestly scared myself. After all, responsibility and power should NEVER be separated.

"I, Princess Amicitia Zorya Spes Equestria, Concept of Magic, 1st Tarot, The Magician, By Divine Creed, by the blessing of my Mother and Father, who are all that is, make this so in this moment, and having always been so, and always will be so:

"Miss Rarity Belle, Rarigreed, Lady Desire:

All the world, universe, and, everything, one, and all, within it, and you: all belongs to her, now, always before, and always after. May this be reality! Recognized and acknowledge by all."

Rarity stared at me, trying to speak.

"T-Twilight, you c-can't just...do that."

I give a small smile. "Rarity, Paradox was the ruler of the universe, even if she conquered it. I was her, therefore, I am the ruler of the universe. But I don't want the position any more. You do. So I abdicate my throne to you."

"B-but Celestia and Luna are the rightful rulers of Equestria."

"You're right, Rarity, and they are my sisters. Celly, Lulu, I move that Rarity is the one most fit to rule, what say you?"

"Seconded!" Celly chimed in.

Luna looked thoughtful for the second, then nodded. "If you believe it to be best, as do I."

I give them a nod. "Alright, then," I said, then clear my throat. "WITH THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY MY PARENTS, WHO ARE EVERYTHING, AND THE APPROVAL OF MY SISTER, THE SUN AND MOON, I DECLARE RARITY BELLE RULER OF THE MORTAL UNIVERSE AND ALL IN IT!"

And it was so. The castle belonged to Rarity. The Daring Do books I created belonged to Rarity. All of Sweet Rock Acres belonged to her. The jewels I had just given to Spike belonged to her. Equestria and Neighpon belonged to her. Magica's severed horn belonged to Rarity. AJ's hat belonged to Rarity, the same way you knew that fear was something to listen to, or that the sun's warmth felt good. AJ belonged to Rarity. And everypony there knew it, and accepted it, the way you accept having four legs and a face. Which is precisely what it was.

I put my horn to Rarity's head. I stopped pretending this body was all I was, I reached out across the magic that lived in all things. The leylines were me. All magic everywhere was me. And now, I connected Rarity to all of me. I was everywhere, and now Rarity felt through me, saw through me, heard through me.

She felt herself. She felt Spike not that far from us. She felt the Breezies in Neighpon. She felt Tiamat in Dracotopia. She felt the robot ponies Strife had had declared life on their homeworld circling a distant star. She felt their homeworld and the star. She felt EVERYTHING. She heard EVERYTHING. She saw EVERYTHING.

She began trembling, sweat running down her face. "W-what is this?! What are you doing?!"

"IT IS YOURS! ALL YOU SEE, ALL YOU FEEL, ALL YOU HEAR, ALL YOU SENSE RIGHT NOW IS YOURS. FROM YOUR OWN HORN TO THE BREEZIES IN NEIGHPAN TO A DISTANT SOLAR SYSTEM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COSMOS! YOU, RARITY BELLE, IT IS ALL YOURS!"

I finally broke contact, she was trembling like she was in an earthquake.

"But...but...but...but...but...but...but...if...if...if...if...if...if...if..." Rarity was shaking like mad. Spike tried to come to her side, I reluctantly kept him away with a simple barrier that could withstand an atomic bomb at point blank range.

My horn glowed. "You will say it, Rarity."

Her eyes were pin pricks, "If I own everything, THEN I CAN'T GET ANY RICHER! What am I supposed to want for now-?! There's nothing more for me to want! There's nothing for me to be greedy for!" Rarity cried out in dismay. "It's not fair."

My horn glows. "It is perfectly fair. You wanted everything, you have everything. I GAVE you everything as a gift. Why is it so wrong?"
+
I DID want everything! Now I DID have everything! What was this?! Was it just a dream? A vague goal? No! I HAD wanted everything! Just other things sooner than later! Didn't I?

Isn't this the final goal of greed? Isn't this where my immortality would bring me anyway? Where all is mine? And now, I was born to own the world? Wasn't the joy of greed MAKING things yours?

But...when it's all done. Is it all empty? Just to guard it forever? Was this really the end result? 'When you grasp for more, the less you have' some ponies say, but what if you even could grasp for all and have it? What then? What am I supposed to do? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO WANT? My greed has no purpose!
+
"Rarity!" Rainbow Dash tried to come to her only to be lifted in the air by Luna's magic.

"Wait for it."

+

I wanted all six Elements of Chaos! To be complete! To be whole! To be the best and most I could be! For my friends AND myself! But what now?! Now that Discord was gone, what was the point?!

When you become a liar, you leave a mark on yourself that can never truly go away. A mark of distrust that you can never completely wash away. And what happens when your lie grows beyond your control? When it multiplies in the hearts and minds of others? And ignorance spreads?

+

Cracks appeared in one of a set of six dark gems.

+

When you're angry, you give away your reason to the wind. Tranquil fury is the savage wearing a pretty mask. Throw away the lemons and demand oranges, then all you have is nothing.

Tragedy is random suffering, nothing more, nothing less, the way it binds other together is with chains, not with growth.

When you're cruel, you close your heart off to others. You become all alone. You have nothing. And what goes around comes around, when you send your cruelty out into the world, it'll eventually find you.

Despair serves no purpose other than to drag you into the depths and keep you there forever, unmoving, unthinking, unliving, like you've ceased to exist!

As for greed, the more you take, the larger your burden. The more you have, the more you can lose. The larger your grasp, the more things that passes you by!

+

The lights within the six dark gems' cracks shined brighter, connecting to each other.

+

To take is to imprison yourself, adding to the chains one by one. Greed's joy is to always take more. But always more to guard. More to have, more to lose.

Things won't hurt you, things won't disappoint you, things won't deceive you.

Things won't heal you, things won't surprise you, things won't love you.

Things are weights, and when you have anything, it's crushing.

If everything is mine, then what is there to define it by? I have nothing.

Isn't a pony entitled to the sweat of her flanks? 'No!' says Mayor Mare, 'It belongs to the poor!' 'No!' says Canterlot 'it belongs to Celestia!' 'No!' says Pinkie Pie, 'It belongs to everyone!'

And when all you go for is yourself, when all you work for is yourself, when all you rely on and trust is yourself, you are an tiny island, in a vast, vast ocean.

Be generous to yourself, care for yourself, love yourself, because you're the one that deserves it the most.

And everypony is a 'yourself.' We aren't meant to be alone.

+

"It's true." Tears fell down Rarity's face, and hit the ground.

+

The six dark jewels exploded from within, changing shape and form and fittings, all becoming bright white, shining with a mother of pearl, like all the colors together, the framings connecting to each other, becoming inseparable, and joined with a seven piece, this was truth.

+

="Sorairo Days" Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann=

White hands erupted like an army of ghosts from within Rarity, wrapping around her like threads in a cocoon. Like a caterpillar covering itself in fast motions, Rarity's body was enveloped in the white threads. They closed in around her tightening like a second skin, leaving only her white outline that began to glow mother of pearl. The entire planet rumbled.

Rarity wasn't waiting like I did.

"Here she comes!" Big sister Celestia cover her ears and opened her mouth. Luna did the same. The others mimicked them, even Spike as he tried to get closer to his once crush now love of his life.

Rarity blew up into a pillar of light. It pierced the green sky which shattered revealing a blue sky with blue clouds that carried water rain.

In a shockwave across the checkerboard ground, green of various colors grew from the ground, spreading form the castle, across Equestria, across the planet, closing in a circle in the Breezies' home. The sky and the earth, they gave life again. Death wasn't taking anymore trophies today.

"I finally understand," was Rarity's voice, but not Rarity, like it was more Rarity than Rarity, like it was the Rarity who had existed before was the faded photograph and this was the more real Rarity.

She was beautiful, but that was given. But her beauty was omnipresent, in rag or dirt her beauty would have shined through. In the depths of the earth or in a castle or a flower mill it would have shined. She was beautiful the way the ocean was beautiful, the way the sky was beautiful the way life was beautiful.

At the base of her throat was still a familiar jewel.

Her mane was as curled and flowing as ever, but this was now its natural state, not done by hours and hours of curls every night. Her now much longer mane moved the way the world moved underneath you hooves, wavering with every geothermal ripple. It sparkled like every thread was flexible amethyst. Her eyelashes were no longer false.

Her coat was polished white, no dust nor grim could touch it. Her eyes much the same, except they how held knowledge and experience they hadn't before.

She moved with purpose and grace that all the world flowed around.

Her cutie mark, had become a single reflective jewel.

The new Alicorn had been surprised she was one who gave the Diamond Dogs the name 'Lady Desire' to give her via their visions.

She looked at the others, and Minty, Derpy, Rainbow, AJ, Apple Pie, Luna and Celly all bowed their heads to her, like we all had for Celestia in the past. Luna and Celestia did it more seemingly out of politeness, like you would with the master of the house you were staying. Spike stared in teary eyed paralysis at her loveliness.

On the other side of the planet, breezies and unique ponies in Neighpon bowed in Rarity's direction.

Still bowing Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack, "I won't turn into a goddess if you don't, deal?"

"Deal."

"Alter-Server," Derpy seconded.

Luna smiled and said in a tone opposite of her words, "Well it's about time."

"Yeow-mama!" Apple Pie got up and looked on as her entire world changed.

Minty Pie overlooked the castle's edge, thinking how she was witnessing the end of an era.

The entire castle shook as it and Rarity's horn glowed, "Oh don't worry my dear, I already know that you're going to love this make over," The white Alicorn teased like a hair-dresser.

The curse of ever-twisting mad-reality within the castle's countless entry halls was erased. Then the castle changed, greatly. It transmuted before their eyes into a style and shape much closer (but not exact) to Canterlot Castle, though with a crystal and jewel motif rather than sun and the moon. For Derpy, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, it was a return of the castle of the past.

"This is fun!" Celly shouted. The Castle responded by forming a rock slide out of the roof for her to play on.

Luna frowned slightly, "My bedroom better be back to normal. Discord turned it into an underwater prancing-broom closet."

"I promise you, big sister, it is intact," The white Alicorn said.

"RARITY!!!!"

Spike finally got close and hugged the white Alicorn with the might to crush boulders. He didn't so much as bruise her. "Are you okay?! Are you sick? Do you feel fine!? Are you still you?! Rarity!"

"Spike, be calm."

And so Spike became calm.

"Rarity, is that still you? Twilight! What did you do?!"

And here it comes. I saw the angry, somewhat suspicious glares coming once the awe of the moment ended. And no, I wasn't insulted. Wouldn't you be suspect of the pony who (by your time) a few hours ago was a time warping insane proto-goddess who'd warped...warped five of my friends into the same thing?

"It's alright Spike, if anything, I feel more whole than I've ever been." She nuzzled him, and Spike felt like he was touched by the whole mortal universe.

"Twilight..." said Rainbow Dash, looking a bit betrayed. And yes, I do feel sorry for making Rainbow feel that way.

"Hey, don't talk to Twilight like that to her," Minty said to Rainbow Dash. Luna and Celly flapped to Minty's side and nodded.

Applejack stood by Rainbow Dash wordlessly.

Derpy looked at both sides at the same time, staying netural. Apple Pie stayed put rather than side with a Pie or Apple against the other only looking at me hopefully that I'd give the answer that made all sense.

Friendship is Magic, and I AM Magic. If I couldn't feel guilt for hurting my friends, even if I needed to do so, I'd be going against my own concept, myself (even Morning Star and D____ at their worst couldn't betray their concepts).

"Don't fight." Rarity looked to the others. "And don't be angry with her. Amicitia gave me the option to become a Concept, I was offered a chance to turn back and thoroughly told the price of Concepthood by my sisters and brothers. I never expected helping Melody with her highschool musical would count as a test of worthiness of godhood, and Lickety Split, Masquerade, North Star and Gusty know how to make a seamstress feel wanted. Then there was the game of tag in Unicornia before I was allowed to meet Mother. But I am an Alicorn by my own choice, Amicitia merely recommended me."

Rainbow walked over to Rarity, ignoring over half of what she said. Without being asked, the Alicorn nodded and allowed Rainbow to touch her hoof to her chest. "Free Will."

My baby sister didn't change at all. "I stand by what I just said."

Rainbow nodded, then turned to me. She still looked a bit upset. "Twilight...you're not going to run around turning us all into Alicorns, are you?"

Spike and Apple Pie looked excited at the idea. Minty and Derpy surprised. AJ's expression didn't changed.

I shook my head. "No, Rainbow Dash." Apple Pie and Spike's faces fell. "I helped Rarity ascend because it was the happiest ending I could give this journey. And while I can't say it often, I am sorry I had to trick my friend to do that. But no, I swear to Fauna Luster, the Mother of All Things I'm not turning the rest of you into deities." Apple Pie kicked a rock and Spike snorted in disappointment. "I've gone down that road once, I'm not doing it again." I said fearful at the idea.

"Why darling, do you want to be one Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked looking right into Rainbow Dash's heart smiling, "You might be simply dashing as one." She took trot towards her.

"Wha?" Rainbow Dash blushed taking a trot back, "Uh, no no no of course not!" Rainbow Dash waved her hooves and fixed her glare back at me. "And what if I say I don't forgive you?"

Applejack nodded in agreement, hiding all emotion. "Yeah, Twi...what if we don't?"

I'll admit, that did hurt. The worse pain however was how that question hurt Apple Pie and Minty. "...Then I accept that. Forgiveness is to be given, and I accept its your choice if you don't. I won't make you forgive me, that wouldn't be right."

"You mean that?"

I nodded. "Yes. I swear on Fauna Luster and the Father of All Alicorns I do."

Rainbow kept it up for a few minutes. "...Hehe, alright, I forgive yah," Rainbow said, giving a chuckle. "I was just making sure you still had your right head on your shoulders. I get that you had to choose between two hard things...I get it that better than anyone."

"Nothin' ta forgive." Applejack smiled. "Ah played along so Rainbow could tell she just wasn't immune tah some mind control."

"AJ!"

"Hey, Element of Kindness and Deceit here."

And then we hugged.

"Isn't there something you've forgotten?" Luna asked Rarity.

The white Alicorn blushed, "Oh yes of course."

Rarity chose to go for straight forward for her armor's material and made the most polished bronze in the history of Equestria, polished past a mirror's shine. Out of all the decorations for her armor, she had chosen pearls. Why not? Pearls represented truth. Her armor's symbol was the occian. A lot more humble than I thought it would be. All the world's trappings were her barding.

"Not what I meant, little sister. Can you tell me what name you were given when you were born?"

She stood proud and brought a hoof to her heart, "I, am Queen Liberalis Hera Sif Elpis Nuptias Equestria. The Tarot Queen Of Coins. I am the Concept of the mortal world."

"That's a mouthful," Rainbow Dash said.

"Ditto," Apple Pie agreed.

Derpy just nodded.

"Why can't I have a really long name like that?" Celly asked. "Let me try." She took in a deeeeep breath, and Luna put her hoof over her mouth just in time.

"Maybe later sister."

Flowers with a tiny gem at the center (functioning as a seed), grew in beautiful patterns around the castle.

"Princess-Queen, Liberish, Hera, Sith Ellip Nuptih Equestria?" Spike tried to repeat.

"Queen Libra is simpler, darling. We Alicorns prefer to keep our admittedly long-winded names down to three or four syllables at most." She beamed at Spike. "But you can still call me Rarity, dear."

"I appreciate that very much, Rarity," Spike breathed.

"I hope you don't mind sharing me, Spike."

"WHAT?!" Spike's voice boomed.

"I am the bride married to all of Equestria, to all the world, and all that lives within me." She looked at the sky. "But we'll be needing a wedding ceremony worthy of a goddess," her horn glowed, "As written in the stars above."

Then in an undertone, she breathed, "Big Sister Galaxia...please indulge me, just this once," A new set of constellations formed in the heavens, a dragon, a giant diamond, and five ponies familiar ponies. But in place of Rarity in the group of new Elements of Harmony, in her place was Fluttershy's likeness in the stars.

Rainbow Dash looked in tears in her eyes at the beautiful sight. She whispered to Libra.

"As you wish darling." A constellation of three balloons appeared in the sky in harmony with the other lights in the sky.

Rainbow Dash smiled through her tears at the diamonds in the sky. "Simply dashing."

Author's Notes:

Art by Morningstar-1337 http://morningstar-1337.deviantart.com/art/Cosmic-Pony-Vectors-wave-3-317621349