Two weeks after the Canterlot Castle was repaired, Twilight, Storm, Eric, and Spike were finished packing their stuff for the move to the capital city. Spike was sitting in a stack of two boxes, holding a checklist and ticking it off as Twilight and Storm ran around all the rooms. Eric was holding Midnight and had his pet otter Ron on his shoulder as he had his backpack on.

“You’re getting heavy, little bro,” Eric remarked.

“Twilight? Storm? Uh, I'm pretty sure that's everything,” Spike said.

“We’re just doing a final check, Spike,” Twilight replied as she and Storm ran by.

“But we did a final check. Of every room. Twice,” Spike pointed out.

“Ah-ha! See? An issue of Power Ponies,” Twilight said, planting the comic in his face, “Now, aren't you glad we triple-checked?”

“Thanks, but I already read this one. I don't need to take it to Canterlot,” Spike replied.

“No-no-no! You love Power Ponies. We're taking it,” Twilight said.

“Really, Twilight, we don't have to bring the comic. I'm not even sure how much longer I'll collect them. A lot is changing, and I am getting older,” Spike replied.

“Just because things change doesn't mean you leave everything you love behind!“ Twilight said with a sigh as she collapsed on a box.

“If you do leave it behind, who’s gonna read it?” Storm asked.

“Good point, Storm,” Spike replied, then asked, “You’re not both still worried about ruling Equestria, are you?”

“No. I know it took some time, but we’ve never been more ready for anything in my life. Just because we’re ready to sit on the throne in Canterlot, doesn't mean I'm ready to leave Ponyville,” Twilight said as she read a newspaper, “When we were all fighting to save Equestria from Glacio, Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow, we were too busy to think about it. But now it's all happening at once.”

“What is?” Spike asked.

“The coronation. Moving. Leaving our friends,” Twilight replied.

“I still don’t feel ready to move either. Especially since it’s gonna be hard to say goodbye to most of my own friends,” Eric added.

“I thought we'd all be ruling Equestria together,” Spike said.

“Of course we will, but it won't be the same,” Twilight replied, “They all have lives here. We're moving away and they're not, and I can't help but feel like we're leaving them behind. What if we all just drift apart?”

“I guess I hadn't thought about it like that. Maybe you should talk to them. I bet they're feeling the same way,” Spike said.

“You're right, Spike. Thanks. Sometimes talking to a good friend is all it takes,” Twilight replied.

“About that, I asked our friends to meet us here so we can all share our feelings. I also asked Jasper, Smokey, Forest, Spiracle, and even Cheese Sandwich to handle the preparations,” Storm explained.

“Might I suggest we teleport all our staff to the Canterlot Castle before we do anything else?” Eric asked.

“Good thinking, Eric,” Twilight replied.

Twilight and Storm went through all the rooms and managed to teleport all their stuff to theirs, Eric’s, and Midnight’s new rooms in the Canterlot Castle. It wasn’t long before Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow entered the now empty library. Eric was trying his best to calm down his brother Midnight, who was being fussy.

“I no wanna move!” Midnight said.

“I’m uneasy about moving too, Midnight. Please try to relax,” Eric replied calmly.

“All right, Twilight and Storm. Are you ready?” Applejack asked.

“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Storm replied.

“Storm and I have been meaning to ask, do you even care that we’re moving?” Twilight asked.

“Of course we care that you're movin', Twilight and Storm,” Applejack replied.

“What could possibly make you ask that?” Pinkie asked.

“It’s because Twilight and I can’t help but wonder if we might drift apart and if you feel the same way,” Storm replied.

“Before Storm and I moved to Ponyville, I didn't really know what friendship was since all I had was him. You've all taught me so much. We both can't believe it all might be ending. But when he and I imagine the future, all I can think about is that we won't be together! We’re literally moving away from you, and it's terrifying!” Twilight added as she teared up.

“I'm scared, too,” Fluttershy said.

“Me, too,” Pinkie added.

“Rattled to the core,” Rarity continued.

“Eeyup,” Applejack continued.

“I wouldn't say scared,” Rainbow finished, “Buuuut just because I won't say it doesn't mean I don't feel it.”

“I'm going to miss you two so much!” Pinkie said as she collapsed on the floor, tearing up.

“I just can't stop thinking about how much things are going to change!” Rarity added as she took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes.

“W... What if we don't see each other?” Rainbow asked.

“What if we don't talk as much?” Fluttershy cried.

“What if we don't stay friends?!” Applejack finished asking as she and the others began to cry.

“I know it's weird, but knowing you're all are as upset as Storm and I are actually makes us less worried,” Twilight said as the others gave them a group hug.

“That's nice, but you should be more worried about missing the train to Canterlot!” Spike replied, holding a pocket watch.

“Right! The train leaves at exactly five o’clock, and we’ve got ten minutes!” Storm said.

Eric, his parents, the other mares, and Spike rushed out of the Castle of Friendship and closed the door. It was then that Starlight approached them, carrying something for Twilight and Storm.

“Sorry, I'm so late. I actually thought I'd missed you—” she tried to say.

“No time!” Spike replied as they ran past Starlight. This made her spin and fall onto her back.

It was long before Eric, his parents, Midnight, Ron, Spike, and their friends reached the train station.

“Eric! Over here!” Sweetie Belle called out.

“Good to see you and the others, Sweetie Belle,” Eric said, giving his girlfriend a hug and kiss.

“We wanted to meet you at the station,” Pincer replied.

“There’s no way we’re missing the coronation,” Slapstick added.

“We gotta get goin’. I reckon Nightshade’s waiting for us,” Apple Bloom said.

Once they got their tickets, Eric, his family, and all their friends boarded the train. It was then that the train left for Canterlot.

“I hope Rumble is there,” Marina said.

“Same with Pip,” Zuni added.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the Wonderbolts perform,” Scootaloo replied.

All of a sudden, the train came to a complete stop.

“What’s happening? Why did the train stop?” Holly asked.

“Let’s find out,” Eric replied, then turned to his changeling friend, “Pincer, can you please go see what the holdup is?”

“I’m on it,” Pincer said.

He flew up to the engine and asked the engineer, “What’s the holdup?”

“We got sheep on the track,” the engineer replied.

“Allow me to handle it,” Pincer said as he transformed into a sheep.

He bleated to the other sheep, asking them nicely to move off the track and they did. Pincer got back on the train and assumed his normal form.

“You’re clear,” Pincer told the engineer as he went returned to Eric and the others.

It was then that the train began moving again, continuing onto Canterlot.

Once it was sunset, guests from all over Equestria and beyond were gathered for the coronation. Among them were King Thorax, Dragon Lord Ember, Queen Novo, King Aspen, Prince Rutherford, Lord Gander of Griffonstone, King Greenleaf of Prance, Prince Haakim and Princess Amira of Saddle Arabia, Prince Abraxas of Farasi, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Maretonia, Queen Catterine of Abyssinia, and Princess Ocypete of Ornithia. Celestia and Luna were looking on from one of the castle windows as Twilight came in wearing her coronation dress with Storm alongside her in his coronation uniform. His uniform was dark gray and dark capri blue with the outer collar being light brown with gold patterns, a dark capri blue inner collar, and gold patterned purple epaulettes. Storm also had a rounded-shape pin with a purple gem embedded on it and a glowing star spider silk sash, same as his wife’s dress.

Just then, the trumpets were playing as Celestia and Luna approached Twilight and Storm.

“It is time,” Celestia said.

“Are you two ready?” Luna asked.

“We are,” Twilight and Storm replied in unison.

“Citizens of Equestria and beyond! My sister and I have ruled this land for quite some time, but even we know that change eventually comes to us all. And though we know it can be unsettling, it's as natural as the rising and setting of the sun and the moon. Both of which my sister and I feel confident leaving in the hooves of the ponies who will come after us,” Celestia announced as Eric and his friends, along with the other guests cheered and looked on.

“And so without further ado, I give you the new rulers of Equestria: Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Storm Blade!” Celestia finished as Twilight and Storm came onto the balcony.

Twilight nearly tripped on her dress, but Storm caught her as they stood between Celestia and Luna. The two sisters took off their crowns and magically transformed them into new ones. Twilight’s crown was golden with her cutie mark on it and Storm’s crown was silver with his cutie mark on it. Just then, Fluttershy and Spiracle fed the birds upon their arrival. The couple sent them and the butterflies to the balcony and they began their performance. The swans grabbed the crowns and placed them on their heads.

On a hill just outside the city, Forest, Spitfire, and the other Wonderbolts were waiting for Rainbow Dash. She quickly flew over to them so their performance could begin.

“Right on time, Dash,” Spitfire said, then turned to the others, “Wonderbolts, roll out!”

As Rainbow, Forest, and the Wonderbolts began performing their stunts, Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich lit the fireworks with help from Gummy. The fireworks went off as the Wonderbolts finished their performance. Everyone looked on and cheered as Twilight and Storm were crowned. The servers came with the sparkling apple cider and poured everyone a glass.

“To Twilight and Storm!” Applejack said as she and the others, along with Eric and his friends did a toast. It was then that Twilight and Storm began a speech.

“Our fellow citizens, today is a day that will be etched in the annals of Equestrian history. As we stand here now, this marks a day of majestic ascension and responsibility. In the face of great challenges, we find the strength to unite and forge a brighter future. Today, we embark on a journey guided by the principles of friendship, loyalty, and harmony. May our coronation serve as a testament to our unwavering commitment to a future filled with the magic of friendship and the pursuit of a better tomorrow!” Twilight announced, using the Royal Canterlot Voice.

“As the new rulers, we shall do what we can to ensure that future comes to pass as there is another matter that must be addressed. Two weeks ago on September 11th, a date which will live in infamy, Equestria was suddenly and deliberately attacked by army forces of Glacio and his allies. The Battle of Canter Fields proved again that our kingdom is vulnerable to attack by invasion from outside enemies or by enemies from within. Although we won the battle with help from our allies, our military forces were underprepared for this as it has been almost a century to over eighty years since Equestria fought in a full scale war,” Storm continued as he spoke in the RCV, “As of these two weeks, the Great Equestrian War has begun. During the time that the Canterlot Castle was being repaired, my wife and I had have directed that all measures be taken for our nation’s defense. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this crisis, Equestria and its allies in all their might will win through to absolute victory.”

“Let us be inspired to join forces and create a realm where the magic of friendship prevails over the forces of evil. May the magic of friendship continue to illuminate our path as we embark on this new chapter, and may the spirit of unity shine eternally in the heart of Equestria!” Twilight finished.

Eric and his friends, along with the Mane 5, Spike, all their families and the others in attendance applauded. Once the coronation was over, the Mane 7, Eric, and his friends were seated at two tables.

“Very good speech, Mom and Dad,” Eric said.

“Thanks, sport,” Storm replied.

“Whew, that was something,” Twilight added.

“I was just about to say the same thing,” Starlight spoke up as she and Spike approached them.

“We wanted to give this to you before you left Ponyville, but things got a little hectic,” Spike said, presenting their gift.

“Since you're moving away, we thought if you missed any of us or Ponyville, this might help,” Starlight added.

Twilight and Storm got off the chair and opened their gift, revealing a book. She opened it as they knew it was a magical photo album.

“Awww,” Twilight smiled as the others leaned in and took a look.

“It's a book of memories,” Pinkie said.

“And we all chipped in some,” Applejack added.

“No matter how much things change, you'll always have this to look back on,” Fluttershy finished.

“We love it. Thank you so much. But we don't want to only look back, we have to maintain our relationships,” Twilight replied.

“But now that we'll be living in different places, I'm not exactly sure how,” Rarity said.

“We are. Storm and I suggest we meet once a moon. In fact, our first royal decree as rulers of Equestria is to establish this Council of Friendship!” Twilight replied.

“Not to mention meeting every birthday and Hearth’s Warming,” Storm added as everyone else cheered.

“And what a wonderful decree it is!” Celestia remarked as she and Luna walked up to them.

“We always knew that whatever adversity you faced, you and your friends would find your way through it together,” Luna said.

“We know Equestria is in the perfect hooves with the both of you and your friends looking out for it. And while we'll always be here if you need us, it's time for us to be on our way,” Celestia added.

“You're leaving?” Twilight asked.

“We hope you'll come and visit us in Silver Shoals,” Luna replied.

“But now it's time for you to rule on your own. You're all more than capable,” Celestia added.

“Thank you. For everything. Mmmm!” Twilight said as she, Storm, Spike, and the Mane 5 gave the former princesses a group hug. Eric and his friends joined in as well.

“Mom, where am I supposed to go to school now that we’re living here?” Eric asked.

“Sweetheart, your dad and I thought about it and believed it would be best for you to attend the School for Gifted Unicorns,” Twilight replied.

“That means you’ll get to go to school with Nightshade,” Storm added.

“I’m gonna miss seeing you guys every day,” Eric said with tears in his eyes. The others also had tears in their eyes.

“We’re gonna miss you too, Eric. Me most of all,” Sweetie Belle replied as they shared a quick kiss.

“You made a real difference in our lives,” Holly added.

“We’ll see each other again. I’m sure of it,” Scootaloo finished.

“I promise to visit you guys every weekend,” Eric said.

“So do I. Especially you, Apple Bloom,” Nightshade added.

“We also promise to visit you and Nightshade every other weekend,” Apple Bloom replied as she and Nightshade shared a quick kiss.

“We’ll be around when you need us, Eric,” Zuni added.

“Agreed,” Marina, Slapstick, and Pincer finished in unison.

“Bye everyone! See you next weekend!” Eric said as he and his friends shared a group hug.

It was then that Zuni, Marina, Slapstick, Holly, Pincer, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo went back to the train station along with the Mane 5 and Starlight.

“See you soon, Twilight!” The Mane 5 said in unison as Starlight waved.

“Bye, everypony!” Twilight and Storm replied, waving their hooves.

Once they said their farewells, Eric and his family went inside the castle.

Eric Sparkle will return.

Special thanks to GoebelTron for helping me with Twilight and Storm’s coronation speech.