One morning, Spike went to Starlight’s bedroom and knocked on her door. Starlight wasted no time opening it. She didn’t see anypony at her eye level and finally saw Spike as she looked down.

“Hey, Spike,” said Starlight as she came out of the room, “What’s up?”

“Just, uh, wanted to make sure you’re ready for your big ceremony today,” Spike said in a rather nervous tone.

“Yep!” Starlight replied. Behind the lilac unicorn, Twilight teleported into the room, “Wow, I still can’t believe my friends and I, along with Eric and his friends are getting medals of honor.”

Behind her, Twilight told Spike to keep quiet as she got to work with some measuring tape and a clipboard, Spike had his head tilted to the side to watch the purple alicorn as she spoke.

“Are you kidding?” Spike replied as he discreetly tried to watch Twilight as she was measuring the wall behind Starlight’s dresser, “You totally deserve it! After all, you...saved Equestria from...Queen Chrysalis! With the help of Trixie and Thorax and Discord and Jasper and Smokey and...”

“Uh, yeah,” said Starlight as a matter of fact, " I know what happened. I was kinda there.”

“Uh, right,” said Spike, trying to continue to stall until Twilight was finished, “Uh so...what are you wearin’?” Starlight was surprised by that question.

“Not sure,” Starlight replied and asked, “Why? Am I supposed to dress up?”

“No!” Spike interjected quickly, “I-I mean, you could. It’s like Rarity always says...” Spike then shaped his top scales to look like Rarity’s mane as he impersonated her, “There’s no such thing as being overdressed, darling. You’re just the best-looking pony in the room.” Spike then chuckled as his top scales returned to normal. He then quickly tilted his head to see if Twilight was finishing up or now. At the moment, the purple pony was jotting something down on a clipboard.

“What are you looking at?” Starlight asked curiously and went to look back, but Spike quickly grabbed her head to keep her from turning around.

“No, don’t look!” Spike yelped and then Twilight saw him give a quick nod and teleported away. Spike quickly went for another cover up, “’Cause there was a spider there, but it’s, uh, gone now, so, uh...thanks, Starlight! Byeeee!” Spike then zoomed away as fast as he could. Starlight looked back to find her room empty and saw nothing out of the ordinary.

“Huh?” Starlight asked, but just suspected nothing as she headed back into her room and closed the door.

Inside the master bedroom, Twilight and Storm were just pacing back and forth while checking a list together. Spike then walked inside the room with a smug looking smile on his face.

“Ha-ha! They had no idea,” said Spike, “We’re a good team, Sparkle and Blade!”

“’Sparkle’?” Twilight asked.

“’Blade’?” Storm asked. The two laughed.

“Yeah, we are,” said Twilight, “So do you think Starlight will like it? I wanna show this present to say, “I’m so proud of you both as a mentor and a friend. Equestria is safer thanks to you”.”

“Oh, I thought you were getting her a mirror like yours,” said Spike. He then pointed to a mirror that Twilight had containing various pictures of both friends, family, her husband, and even Eric.

“I am,” Twilight replied.

“Uh, maybe you should get her a card ‘cause I don’t think the mirror will say all that,” Spike remarked, “But I think she’ll like it.”

“Thanks for the honesty, Spike,” Storm remarked with an eye roll.

It’s just what her room needs,” said Twilight, “The first thing she’ll see when she wakes up is herself surrounded by all her friends.” She then looked into her own mirror and smiled, “I plan on giving it to her after the ceremony.”

“And what about Eric?” Spike asked.

“Oh, we’ve got something very special for him,” said Storm, “In fact, we’ve got a present for Eric and it’s for saving Equestria.”

“Don’t you two need to get the castle ready for the celebration?” Spike reminded them.

“Nah,” Twilight replied, “Pinkie Pie’s got that covered.”

“She said she’d summon me if she needed help,” said Storm, “But I think she can manage on her own.”

In the room where the party was going to take place. Pinkie quickly looked around for a moment. Then she pulled a rope chord. This set up all the party decorations and tables in just a couple of seconds.

“Phew!” Pinkie replied since her job was done...easily.

Then the party had begun. The room was packed with guests from all over Equestria. They were all gathered toward the back end of the room, which had been turned into a stage for the big ceremony. Twilight and Storm were at the center of the stage with Celestia, Luna, and Emerald right behind her. The rest of the Mane Seven were off to the right side of the room. Surprisingly, Cadance and Shining Armor were able to make it to the party after all, same with Flash and Misty Sky. Flurry Heart, however, had fallen asleep and was snoozing some place quiet for the time being. Eric was overjoyed to see them again. On the stage with Twilight, Storm, Celestia, and Luna were Trixie, Thorax, Forest, Jasper, Smokey, Discord, and Starlight. Eric, Nightshade, Zuni, Marina, Slapstick, Holly, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Spiracle, and Pincer were also on the stage.

“Starlight, Trixie, Thorax, Jasper, Smokey, Forest, and Discord were brave in the face of danger,” Twilight spoke, “resourceful when things got challenging, and proved that the bonds of friendship, no matter how unlikely, are stronger than any adversity.” Several Ponies smiled in the audience, especially Night Glider, Party Favor, Sugar Belle, and Sunburst, who waved at Starlight. Starlight saw the orange unicorn waving and smiled timidly at him.

“By stopping Queen Chrysalis, not only did they save Equestria, they set the changelings free from her reign,” Twilight continued.

“Go, Discord!” cheered...a Discord copy wearing some sports fan items on himself, “Yahoo!” He then laughed heartily. Starlight giggled as Trixie rolled her eyes.

“Twilight and I also want to address the heroism of our son, Eric and his friends in defeating Glacio’s pet basilisk, Grimlock,” Storm said.

“And that’s why, we’re proud and honored to give them the Equestria Pink Hearts of Courage!” Celestia continued, making Storm and Twilight feel a tad embarrassed. The special medals were resting on a pillow, which was on a special pedestal. The crowd cheered as Starlight, Trixie, Discord, Jasper, and Smokey, as well as Eric’s friends bowed respectfully. Celestia, Luna, and Emerald placed the medals around the necks of Starlight and Trixie, as well as Eric and his friends. Discord, showing off, disconnected his head from his neck to get his medal on. Thorax, due to his new antlers, gave Luna a hard time as she was trying to get his medal on.

“Yeah! Oh,” said Pinkie when she realized Luna was struggling and winced, “Oh, no. Not quite. Uh...” Then Luna finally got the medal around Thorax’s neck, “Ah. There it is! Yay!” Luna was sweating heavily, but Celestia smiled at her for a job well done.

“We’re proud of you, Eric,” Twilight said as she and Storm hugged him.

“Thanks, mommy. You too, daddy,” Eric replied, hugging both his parents.

A few minutes later, Storm was at some loudspeakers and the DJ turntable with Equestria’s most famous DJ.

“Take it away, DJ-Pon3!” Storm told her as the white unicorn put on some music and several ponies began to dance. A few others were just enjoying themselves. For the moment, Eric and the other Crusaders, as well as Holly, Nightshade, Zuni, Marina, Slapstick, and Pincer were with Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Rumble, and Pipsqueak.

“We’re so proud of you!” Holly, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon said in unison hugging Pincer.

Marina and Zuni also received hugs from their respective boyfriends.

“Yeah, congrats on the medals, everyone,” Rumble added, with Pip and Featherweight nodding in agreement.

Not too far away, Trixie was with Sugar Belle, Party Favor, and Double Diamond.

“It was the Great and Powerful Trrrrixie’s pleasure to save you from your imminent doom,” Trixie boasted.

“Yes,” said Discord as he made himself appear out of her hat, “because you did it all by yourself.” Trixie was most annoyed at being called out. Starlight just watched the scene a short distance away and giggled to herself. It was then Sunburst walked up to her, along with a green and cyan changeling.

“I can’t believe you managed to do it without magic,” Sunburst told Starlight, clearly impressed.

“It was amazing!” said the cyan changeling.

“No one’s ever stood up to Chrysalis like that!” added the green changeling.

“Oh, I just did what anypony would have done,” said Starlight modestly with a fore-hoof over her heart.

“Jasper and Smokey were also amazing as well,” said the cyan changeling.

“Especially when they went raging minotaur on Chrysalis’s guards and stood up for us,” the green changeling added.

“It’s a wonderful feeling, isn’t it?” Celestia asked as she walked up to the purple alicorn, “Watching your student shine the way you always know they could.” Twilight laughed as Storm arrived beside her.

“My cheeks are sore!” Twilight replied, “I don’t think I’ve ever smiled this much in my life!”

“I can only imagine the feeling,” said Celestia, giving Twilight a wink and walking off. Storm was feeling a little down.

“Aww...” Storm groaned sadly, “None of our romantic moments ever topped this?” Twilight blinked and then blushed.

“Oops, my bad,” said Twilight, “Actually I can think of quite a few moments where you made me smile so much my cheeks were sore. In fact, I can remember the day we confessed our love for each other. I woke up the next morning to find my face was stuck in a smile. I had to message my cheeks for an hour just to get the feeling in my face to come back.” Storm just raised an eyebrow at her.

“You’re just saying that, Twilight Sparkle,” Storm replied. Twilight then gazed into his eyes and wrapped her fore-legs around his neck.

“Would I ever bluff about how happy you make me, Storm Blade?” Twilight asked in a flirty tone. Storm chuckled.

“No, of course not,” Storm replied and they leaned in for a kiss.

A short distance away, Jasper and Smokey each shared a kiss with Rarity and Applejack, Flash and Trixie also shared a kiss, same with Rainbow and Forest. Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around Spiracle’s neck and pulled him into a kiss. After they broke it, Spiracle was mingling with Lyra and Bonbon.

“Spiracle, ever since we got to know you, Bonbon and I have been crushing on you,” Lyra said.

“Yeah, you’re such a nice and sweet gentle-colt,” Bonbon added.

“I’m flattered you think that way about me the way you obviously feel about each other. You see, changelings are able to have more than one mate. I still want to check with Fluttershy if she’s okay with sharing me with you both,” Spiracle explained before turning to his pegasus girlfriend, “Are you alright with me including Lyra and Bonbon in our relationship and sharing me with them?”

“Of course, Spiracle,” Fluttershy replied.

Spiracle nodded, then gave Lyra and Bonbon a kiss.

One hour later

Celestia and Spike had already returned to the party. Storm and Twilight then entered a few minutes afterward each of them carrying a present in their magic grip. The crowds fell silent as they watched the couple head to the back of the room and put their presents down. It was then a spotlight shined on them, nearly blinding the two, and then...

“D’oh!” Storm yelped as he and Twilight were bopped on the head with a boom mic that was being held by Discord wearing a camera-pony’s outfit.

“I may have let it slip that you’d be unveiling your big plan for Starlight tonight,” Discord remarked, “Silly me. But we’re all very excited to hear what you’ve cooked up.” There was a long silence as Twilight and Storm noticed that the entire crowd was staring at them.

“Oh boy...” Storm remarked as Twilight looked away and winced.

“You weren’t coming up with a plan just now, were you?” Discord asked in disbelief, “Oh, dear. This could be pretty embarassing for you.” Discord smirked.

“Gee, thanks, Discord,” said Twilight sarcastically.

“Like you would ever set up my wife to be humiliated in front of all our friends,” Storm remarked in the same tone.

“Anytime,” Discord replied, disregarding the sarcasm, as he patted Twilight’s fore-hoof, “I really love being helpful.”

“Riiiight, helpful,” Storm remarked with a heavy eye roll as Discord teleported into the crowd. Twilight then grabbed a spoon and empty drinking glass from the table Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Smokey, Jasper, and Spiracle were sitting. She then used her magic to clink the spoon against it.

“If we could have everypony’s attention!” said Twilight as the ponies focused on her.

“The floor is yours my love,” said Storm as he pecked her cheek. Twilight giggled as she cleared her throat.

“As you all know,” Twilight told to the crowd, “Starlight Glimmer’s been my pupil for a while now, and I’d hope she’d be my pupil for a long time to come. But it turns out that’s just not meant to be.” The crowd gasped. Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst were complete shock.

“Starlight, you have proved yourself to be a kind, loyal, strong, and truly magical friend. Just looking around this room at all the new friendships you’ve made, I know there’s nothing more I need to teach you. So we have a second reason to celebrate today. Three cheers for Starlight Glimmer on her graduation day!” Twilight said.

“Congratulations!” Storm cheered as he tossed some confetti into the air. The other ponies smiled as Twilight spoke, but poor Starlight was overwhelmed. her flustered feelings grew when Twilight announced her graduation and everypony cheered. Pinkie squealed.

“What a great surprise!” Pinkie Pie giggled with a big smile and watery eyes.

“The future’s in your own hooves now,” Twilight told Starlight.

“Wow,” said Starlight, still recovering from the shock, “I was not expecting this!”

“Mmm...” Trixie and Thorax hummed and giggled as they gave Starlight some hugs. Twilight and Storm shared smiles with each other as they watched the three friends embrace each other.

“Darn it,” Discord remarked as he reappeared beside them, “I was hoping you would send her to my realm. We could’ve been roomies. Way to not pick up what I was putting down,”

“Oh, give me a break,” Storm remarked as he and Twilight rolled their eyes and walked away. It was a second later that, Thorax, Trixie, and Starlight pulled away from their hug.

“How do you want to celebrate?” Trixie asked eagerly, “Girls’ trip to Las Pegasus?”

“We could throw you a changeling Gorbfest!” Thorax suggested as Starlight and Trixie cringed.

“Uh, it’s more fun than it sounds,” Thorax said with a sheepish smile. Starlight just smiled until Discord tapped her shoulder.

“Or we could go cause a little mischief,” said Discord, “I know a trick that’ll turn Celestia’s castle into cheese. Do you think it’s a “gouda” idea?” Discord gave a chuckle, “That’s just the first of many cheese jokes if we go down this path.” Starlight just looked at her friends, unsure of what to say or do.

“Well, that all sounds wonderful,” said Starlight slowly, “But, um, give me a minute, would ya?” Starlight then headed over to Twilight, Storm, Spike, and Eric who were giggling as the boy was about to open his present from both Storm and Twilight as Celestia and Luna watched quietly.

Eric opened his present revealing a golden locket with a picture of him, Twilight, and Storm.

“Is this really for me?” he asked.

“Yes, it is, Eric,” Storm replied.

“Really?” Eric asked as he put the locket on.

“Indeed, sweetie,” Twilight replied, “Whenever you feel alone, you can always look at it and remember that we’ll always be with you.”

“Thanks, mommy. You too, daddy,” Eric said, hugging both his parents.

“Your new sibling is due in a month,” said Storm.

“I can hardly wait for my new sibling to be born!” Eric replied jumping excitedly.

“Settle down, sweetie,” said Twilight.

“Yes, Mommy,” Eric replied.

Starlight giggled a little before getting the couple’s attention.

“Congratulations,” said Twilight and Storm together.

“Thanks,” Starlight replied.

“So how do you feel?” said Twilight asked.

“Happy, surprised, overwhelmed,” Starlight replied honestly, “I mean, not that I’m not grateful, but are you sure?” Twilight looked back toward Celestia, who gave her a smile. Storm reached out and held one of Twilight’s fore-hooves.

“Believe me, I’ve thought long and hard about this,” said Twilight.

“Of course you did,” said Starlight as a matter of fact.

“Well, it wasn’t easy with Discord nagging us to tell you about our plans for you,” Storm remarked as Twilight nudged his side.

“Let it go, honey,” said Twilight, “We outsmarted him in the end and we found Starlight’s path. That’s all that matters.” Storm smiled and nodded in agreement. But they noticed that Starlight still looked uncertain. Twilight lifted Starlight’s chin so they were making eye-contact.

“Starlight, trust me,” said Twilight, “You’re ready.”

“Yeah!” said Starlight as she walked away, but only took a few steps before turning around and stopping, “No, I’m not!”

“What are you talking about?” Twilight asked.

“What’s wrong?” Storm asked as well.

“I’m not ready to leave!” Starlight cried out, getting the attention of some ponies in the foreground. To her, surprise Twilight and Storm were smiling.

“Oh, good!” said Twilight quickly with relief as she hugged the lilac unicorn, “’Cause I’m not ready for that either! Here!” Twilight then used her magic to bring over her present.

“I got you this present,” said Twilight as Starlight used her magic to unwrapped it and looked at a mirror that had pictures all around the frame, “It was going to be a “congrats on getting a medal of honor” present, but then I was afraid it would have to be a going-away present, but now it’s an “I couldn’t be happier you’re staying” present! It fits perfectly over your dresser! I know. I measured.” Starlight was just crying as a large smile appeared over her face.

“Thank you,” said Starlight as her tears continued to flow.

“I may not know what comes next for you, but whatever it is, I promise I’ll always be there for you,” Twilight said sympathetically.

“And most importantly,” Storm added as he put a fore-hoof on the unicorn’s shoulder, “we love you Starlight.”

“Yes we do!” said Eric as he appeared between his foalsitter and his parents, “I mean...” Now Eric was crying, “I didn’t want to be selfish...because I know Mommy is only thinking what it best for you, but...I was gonna miss not having you around. I call you my foalsitter after all...” Starlight was touched by the boy’s honestly and pulled him in for a hug.

“I love you,” Eric sobbed.

“I love you too,” said Starlight, “There was no way I could say goodbye to my dear little friend.”

“Group hug everypony!” Storm called out. He pulled them as well as Eric in for a group hug.

“Oh,” Starlight cooed.

“Oh,” Twilight cooed as well. The ponies stayed in their group hug as Celestia, Luna, and Emerald smiled at each other. The former gave an approving nod over what had happened.

Once the party was over, the area was a mess. Pinkie just looked around, smiled, and quickly zipped away. She then placed her own patented vacuum cleaner in the center of the room and pushed a button.

VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS-POP!

Within seconds, the vacuum sucked up everything inside the room.

“Phee-yew!” said Pinkie as she wiped her brow.

Later in the day, after dinner, Eric was thinking about his heroism and what that might mean for his future.

“What’s gonna happen to me now that I am a famed hero?” Eric asked.

“Your dad and I have been thinking about this for a year now and we believe the right path for you is to be the future Prince of Friendship,” Twilight replied.

“What if I’m not up to the task? This is a very big thing for me,” Eric asked.

“It’ll be part of your responsibility to keep the peace within our borders and between us and our allies. It’ll also be up to you to spread friendship across our world and protect our land from the forces of evil. That’s currently our responsibility as the Princess and Prince of Friendship,” Storm replied.

“It can be full of challenges, but if you believe in yourself and your friends and not give up, then you can work through those challenges. When you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything,” Twilight added, then started singing.

Eric recognized the song from a movie that he’s seen years ago and sang a small part representing his own questions about being able to be his own person.

(All credit for this song goes to Disney)

Soon, Eric was fast asleep in his bed, hoping to have good dreams.

Next Chapter: Chapter 2: A Flurry of Emotions Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 60 Minutes