Archmage - Chapter 36 “Constitutions and Constituencies”

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“Twilight! My goodness, I didn’t expect to see you!” Rarity beamed as Twilight slipped through the front door of her boutique, smiling warmly at her old friend. “You just missed Pinkie Pie, she was here for tea. What a fortunate day!” As Rarity approached for a hug, and Twilight entered the embrace enthusiastically. It felt like it had been far too long since she had seen any of her old friends.

“It’s been too long, Rarity.” Twilight smiled as they ended the embrace, and Rarity nodded towards the nearby table.

“I haven’t quite put everything up, and the water’s still hot. Would you like some tea?”

“I would love some, thanks.” Twilight smiled and took the seat Rarity offered. The delicious aroma of tea filled the air as Rarity set about brewing two full cups. Twilight hadn’t exactly come to drink tea, but she hadn’t come strictly on business, either. Rarity could tell there was something on Twilight’s mind. She glanced at the saddlebags Twilight wore, her inquisitive expression guessing what could possibly be inside. Twilight set them aside for now, knowing there would be a proper time to share the documents. But right then, she needed some tea with her friend.

“I could call Pinkie Pie back… I don’t think she’d mind at all…” Rarity mused, hovering a cup of tea to Twilight.

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary for today.” Twilight waved her off, sipping at the hot brew with a soft moan. “Hmm. I plan on meeting up with everypony soon anyways. It seems things have finally begun to settle down. I might actually have a little free time now that I have everything on lockdown.”

“So… You’re really doing it, aren’t you?” Rarity asked, looking across the table at Twilight with wide eyes. “You’re really becoming the Archmage.”

“I am.” Twilight returned. “It was a long, tough journey.” She remembered back to all of the things that had happened on the long, painful road to this position. All of the new magic she had learned in just a few short months’ time. As she looked back up at Rarity, she was reminded of the journey to the library, and how very close she had come to losing her dear friend. In the back of her mind, Twilight said a silent thanks to everything and everypony who had supported her all along.

“We’re all just glad you made it, Twilight.” Rarity beamed at her. “I’ll admit, it was a little tough taking a step back and letting you do your own thing, especially when we’d go so long without hearing from you, but we knew it’d be okay in the end. We had each other, and we knew you needed us then. Which reminds me…” Rarity slipped from her chair and went to a nearby desk cluttered with various papers and letters. Twilight was glad to see her limp was completely gone, and the pale scar was almost invisible through her coat. To anypony who wasn’t looking specifically for it, it’d seem as if Rarity was perfectly healthy. But Twilight knew the white unicorn was still in pain from the strange wound she had received from the beasts in the storm. Still, the fact that she wasn’t limping was a good sign indeed. Twilight made a note to take one last good look at her friend, to see if anything had changed. Rarity returned from the desk with a small slip of paper in her magical grip. She passed it to Twilight, smiling warmly.

“What’s this?”

“An invitation.” Rarity bubbled. “Applejack and Fluttershy will be visiting in a few weeks. The five of us were going to get together for a little party. If you have the time, I think it’d be great for you to attend as well.”

“Oh wow.” Twilight looked over the small note, smiling at the bright glitter and bubbly decorations. It was most certainly Pinkie Pie’s work. And if she attended the party, it’d likely be the occasion of a century. She checked the date against the mental calendar in her head, smiling as it fell directly into an open slot. “I’ll be there.”

“Oh thank you, darling!” Rarity threw her forelegs around Twilight, wrapping them both in another wonderful embrace. Twilight sighed as she relaxed a little into the hug. It had been a long time since she had felt somepony other than Luna. Not that she minded, but she had sorely missed her friends.

“I should be thanking you, Rarity.” Twilight sighed. “For everything.”

“Think nothing of it, darling.” Rarity smiled back at her, returning to her seat. “I’m just glad I could help. Personal health notwithstanding.” Twilight glanced at Rarity’s leg, and the wound that still pained her.

“How bad is it?”

“I think it’s gotten better, actually.” Rarity frowned, glancing over her shoulder. “There are times when it’s nothing more than just this dull, low ache. But other times, it gets a little intense. Sweetie Belle helps me out a lot. She’s going to make somepony very happy someday.”

“Hmm.” Twilight nodded, thankful that Rarity appeared to be recovering well. But at the mention of making somepony happy, she paused. With a smile, she remembered what she had in her saddlebags. “I think it’s time we talk about why I’m really here.”

“Always straight to business with you.” Rarity rolled her eyes with a playfully sarcastic smile. Twilight scrunched her nose at Rarity before hoisting her saddlebags onto the table. She withdrew a thick sheaf of paper, handing the large bundle over to Rarity.

“You worked a lot with Regal when he was drafting the new charter for his preservation society. So I want you to take a look at these, and tell me what you think.”

“Oh… Okay.” At the mention of Regal, Rarity’s expression darkened considerably. She took the papers nevertheless, frowning as she began to read through the first page. Twilight sat by patiently, watching Rarity as her expression shifted time and again; from confusion to shock and even concern. After about fifteen minutes, Rarity looked back up at Twilight with wide eyes. “Twilight, this is-“

“The charter for the Equestrian Preservation Society. And I need your help, Rarity.” Twilight reached a hoof out to tap the page. “Included are seventeen different copies, one for each correspondent I could find.”

“I see that.” Rarity muttered, fanning each small bundle out until there were twenty of them on the table. “But I count twenty. What are the other three?”

“That’s what I need your help with. Rarity, I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn’t think you could do it. So keep an open mind here.” Twilight settled herself with a breath before launching into her explanation. “Seventeen of these are different charters for different cities and towns, where I could find somepony who could head that individual branch satisfactorily. Of the other three, one of them is instructions to whoever takes these charters to their respective cities. Who to seek out, what to tell them, and how to go about setting up the society again. The second is a summary, mainly for my own benefit, detailing the differences between this society and Regal’s. The last one…” Twilight smiled as she pulled the final bundle out from beneath the others. This she held up to Rarity’s face. “Is your itinerary.”

“M-my itinerary?!” Rarity stuttered, looking at it. “Twilight, you want me to deliver these?! I couldn’t possibly- there’s just too much, and I-“

“Rarity.” Twilgiht set the one sheaf down and pulled another out. “Read this.”

“But… This is Trottingham’s charter.” Rarity took it with an apprehensive look, but opened it at Twilight’s suggesting look. She read through it slowly, but her frown only intensified. Twilight watched, her own lips spreading in a small smile as Rarity continued to read. Then, when she reached the very end, she saw it. Rarity looked up at Twilight with wide eyes, her jaw hanging open.

“I hope you’ll reconsider.”

“Twilight, he’s-“

“Go to him, Rarity.” Twilight cut her off yet again, smiling kindly.

At the bottom of Trottingham’s charter, signed with his simple yet graceful style, was one name.

-Cross Stitch

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“That was awfully nice of you.” Luna nudged Twilight’s side.

“Well… It took some doing. I’m just glad I managed to track him down.” Twilight closed the book she had just finished, turning her head to either side to relieve the tension. “I didn’t think he’d want anything to do with Rarity after the way she treated him, but when I told him about how she had gone to the library with me, he seemed to change his mind a little. It’ll be a long, rocky road for the two of them, but I think things will work out in the end.” Twilight smiled up at Luna warmly. “Love always finds a way.”

“Indeed it does.” Luna leaned in to kiss Twilight. Their necklaces snapped together, making a reassuring sound Twilight rather enjoyed. She groaned into Luna’s lips, sighing as her lover stepped a little closer. “I’m sure Rarity will be happy again soon. When does she leave?”

“The day after the party.” Twilight muttered. “She’ll be gone for almost three months. Each city will need some help getting the charter set up, but with the experience she has helping Regal and my instructions, Rarity will do perfectly fine. Think about it, Luna… In four short months the Equestrian Preservation Society will be up and running.”

“You never did tell me what it was all about.” Luna teased, kissing Twilight’s ear. Truthfully, during the time Twilight had been working on drafting each city’s charter, she hadn’t told Luna what it was about.

“Well, let’s just put it this way… Who says Canterlot is the only city that deserves a preservation society? There are unicorns and traditions all over Equestria. From Appleoosa to Ponyville, up to Trottingham, Baltimare, and Manehattan… Each one of these cities has plenty to share with the world. The new preservation society will focus on just that: preservation. Not just plants, or heavens forbid, a harebrained scheme to kill you or Celestia.”

“Thank you for that, by the way.” Luna muttered. Twilight laughed and gave her a soft nuzzle.

“Don’t mention it. But the new preservation society will focus on preserving spells, traditions… Well, everything. Even stuff like cooking recipes and public records. Stuff like student’s grades or projects. It could even go as far as preserving wildlife. It’s a large undertaking, and I doubt every branch will cover everything there is, but it’s a labor of love. Ponies everywhere can get involved. Archaeologists, teachers, bakers and chefs, dress designers like Rarity… All of the things the new preservation society documents will be publicly available, and eventually, each branch will export its documentation to other branches. Other ponies will learn of traditions and spells outside of their own jurisdiction.”

“Impressive.” Luna smiled down at Twilight. “I’m proud of you.”

“I have a few copies of the charters left, if you’d like to read them.”

“That’d be good. I’ll get on that tomorrow.”

“I’ll bring them to the library after breakfast. Speaking of meals, though…”

“Aah, say no more.” Luna stopped Twilight just as she was about to head to the kitchens. “I’ll cook for us tonight.”

“Really? Ooh, can you make that crumb bake you did last week? That was so good.”

“I’ll get right on it.” Luna gave Twilight a quick, parting kiss, their necklaces breaking from one another as she slipped off. Twilight smiled as she watched Luna retreat to the kitchen, but her gaze was soon drawn outside. The late-day sky was beginning to turn from blue to a dusky, amber sort of color. Twilight opened the window to the moderately cool air, inhaling deep the scents of the city. When she opened her eyes, she could see everything outside of the window. The expansive grounds of the castle stretching away in each direction were well-kept and lush green this early in the season. Past them was the fence surrounding the castle, and after that the streets. Ponies bustled about, finishing up their late-day chores or eating at open-aired restaurants. Twilight could barely make out the sounds of laughter and conversation, just barely audible over the sound of the rest of the city.

Canterlot was peaceful. All of the foreign advisors said there were no threats from anyone nearby. The gryphons were happy with them, and the trade between the two was booming. The dragons were causing very few problems within Equestria’s borders, and the wildlife in the Everfree Forest was both quiet and relatively docile. The problems Equestria was facing at the moment were not very problematic at all. In fact, very few of them even required Twilight’s attention. It seemed she would have a long while to focus on research and development, helping to further the magic of Equestria. She spent the rest of the time waiting on Luna’s dinner brainstorming ideas for new spells and procedures. By the time dinner was ready, Twilight had sketched a few notes about four new spells she wanted to develop.

As they ate, she and Luna chatted amicably about the day they had had, though it was all relatively dull and boring. Before long they had moved on to discussing advanced theories regarding elemental and shadow magic. They spent a long while at the dinner table, talking and theorizing and taking notes. When it came time to lower the sun and raise the moon, they cleaned their dishes and made for the observatory balcony. Celestia was waiting for them, and she smiled as the two approached.

“Good evening, Twilight. Luna.”

“’Evening, Celestia.” Luna smiled and gave her sister a quick embrace. “How was your day?”

“Decidedly boring and unfulfilling. Yours?”

“Pleasant.” Luna shared a smile with Twilight. If Twilight herself had to choose a word to describe the day, and indeed the entire past week, it’d be just that. They went about their routine raising and lowering the massive celestial bodies, and saying their good-byes. Twilight didn’t quite feel fatigued, so she and Luna resigned to staying up the entire night. Twilight felt like stargazing anyways, and she wanted to hash out the notes she had on the few spells she had thought up. Together, she and Luna re-located to the observatory balcony, Twilight with her notes and telescope, and Luna with a full plethora of books. The two spent the rest of the night watching the skies and talking, reading, generally just being together.

Twilight could say with certainty she was finally happy, comfortable, and relieved to be doing what she was doing. To be the Archmage.

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“Twilight!” Pinkie Pie’s exuberant embrace came with a full-body tackle that sent both ponies sprawling to the ground. “We missed you!” Pinkie Pie ended up on top, bubbling as she nuzzled and hugged Twilight with all the passion the pink party pony could muster. Which was quite a lot. Twilight laughed as she was showered with affection, first from Pinkie Pie and then from the rest of her friends.

“Aw shoot, sugar! Y’all shoulda told us you were comin’ to this little hodown!”

“No WAY! I can’t believe the Archmage is at our party!”

“Y-you look good, Twilight.”

“Goodness! I’m so glad I managed to keep it a secret.”

“Wait a gol-darn minute. You mean you knew she was comin’?!”

Twilight couldn’t quite follow the conversation through the flurry of activity and emotion, but it made her smile nevertheless. All of her friends clamored about, trying to get close for a warm hug from Twilight. She made it to each in turn, smiling and laughing all along. Shortly after the introductions were made, punch was passed around, cake was to be had, there were games and music and laughing and dancing… Twilight hadn’t enjoyed herself like this in a long, long time. The music got quieter and the festivities less exuberant, allowing them all to settle down with some delicious punch for some meaningful conversation. Twilight had been so swept away in the first part of the festivities that she hadn’t really had time to actually catch up with her friends.

“Tell me, AJ. What have you been up to?”

“Aw, nothin’ too important, really.” Applejack sat back, ready to share her story. “We’re all just settlin’ in at the farm. Applebloom’s been such a huge help, I hardly have anythin’ left to do. We’re talkin’ with mah cousin Braeburn about openin’ up a store somewhere in Ponyville or Appleoosa. Iffen that all goes well, we might start sendin’ our crops out to other cities an’ whatnot.”

“I thought you already exported, though?” Twilight perked up a little bit.

“Well… Not a whole lot. Some o’ the stores in Ponyville will take our apples, but we don’ really send ‘em out to other towns. Most of what we grow goes to market. Which was part o’ the problem. Ponies everywhere have started comin’ to Ponyville more an’ more. Ah’m sellin’ out o’ what I bring in a few hours. Sometimes ah gotta go back and fill up again. Big Mac’s been helpin’ me haul into town, but sometimes we jus’ can’t keep up. So we’re thinkin’ about takin’ over Rarity’s old boutique and turnin’ it into a full-blow apple-sellin’ store. We got a unicorn named Starry ta help out with some o’ our other products. With his help we cin make different products like applesauce, or even some fancy-smellin’ colognes and whatnot.”

“Wow.” Twilight breathed. Applejack was taking steps forward, turning her farm into a business. A thought struck her then. “Do you still have issues with cider supply?”

“Well… Ah’d be lyin’ if ah said we didn’t get more ‘n a few angry customers once a year.”

“Rarity.” Twilight turned to the white unicorn. “What was in your basement?”

“Eer… Nothing, really. It wasn’t furnished, but it wasn’t dirty either. I kept old sewing machine parts down there.”

“Was there a water tap at all?”

“I… I think so, yes.”

“Applejack. If you move into Rarity’s boutique, I can send you schematics for a still that functions with a water tap. With some help, you might just be able to have cider on-tap at all times.” Twilight’s statement had Applejack’s eyes wide open. She appeared to be thinking over all of the intricacies of setting up such a thing. It dawned on the orange farmpony in the form of a wide grin.

“Ah think that just might work. Shoot, I know I jes got here, but now ah’m excited to get back home!” At that, they all shared a hearty laugh. Twilight grinned as she turned her head to Dash.

“What’s up with you, then? How has the weather team been treating you?”

“Oh wow!” Rainbow Dash perked up, her face splitting in a wide grin. “I totally forgot to tell you! I actually got drafted by the Wonderbolts a month ago. I’m on their reserve list, so if one of them can’t make it for a performance, I get to fill the spot. But I practice with them twice a week now. I gotta tell ya, it’s like… The most awesome thing ever.” Dash’s face turned wistful as she looked up at the ceiling. “Flying with Spitfire and Soarin… It’s just awesome. I don’t have any other words for it.”

“Wow, really? That’s awesome, Dash. I bet not a lot of ponies get to make that list.”

“There are only six of us total. But two of them are in Cloudsdale, and one up in Trottingham. So if they ever come to Canterlot, it’s only me and two others they can pick from. But they’re way cool about it. We’re all really good friends. Actually, you should come to one of our practices sometime. I mean, if you have the time…”

“Hmm… Let me think.” Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. “I have Friday evenings free… But I’ll be coming up from the shields, so I might be a little tired.”

“It’s not that hard to sit there and watch, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash aimed a punch at her shoulder. Twilight hardly flinched when it impacted, which seemed to shock Dash.

“You’re right.” Twilight teased, smiling at Dash’s shocked expression. “How about Friday after next?”

“Th-that’ll work.” Dash muttered, trying hard to hide the expression of pain on her face. Twilight chuckled as she watched the cyan pegasus hide her aching hoof under the table. Dash hadn’t expected Twilight to be as strong as she was. In fact, none of her friends were aware of how much development Twilight had shown. Rather than dwell on it, she turned her head to Pinkie Pie.

“How have you been, Pinkie? How’s the new bakery?”

“Ohmigawsh!” Pinkie bounced in her seat with a giddy smile. “It’s the best! We’re doing really, really good with sales. There are lotsa ponies all over Canterlot who come for our cookies and cakes! I had SO much work all piled up I just had to hire some others to help me. We’re actually thinking about opening another store all the way out in Manehattan! But we’re going to need a lot more help if that’ll happen. Still, though! It’s so nice waking up each day and getting to bake cakes for all the happy ponies! Pound and Carrot come to visit a lot, too! You should see them, Twily! They’ve grown up so much!”

“Hehe. I’m sure. But really? You’re thinking of moving to Manehattan?”

“Of course, silly! I go where I’m needed!” Pinkie bubbled with a cheery smile. Twilight made another realization. Her friends really didn’t have to stay together to be as close as they had ever been. Here she was in Canterlot, with Applejack and Fluttershy in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash made frequent trips to Cloudsdale on weather team business. Rarity had no problems with dropping everything she had to follow Twilight halfway across the world, too… Twilight knew distance didn’t really matter when it came to friendships, but now that they were all getting older, it mattered less and less. They would be friends no matter how far their lives took them.

“I’m happy for you, Pinkie. I think you’ll really like it in Manehattan.”

“You could come visit sometime!” Pinkie bubbled, bouncing over to Twilight for a warm hug.

“I’d like that very much.” Twilight returned the embrace with a hearty smile, and her friends joined in. One, however, seemed a little reserved. “Fluttershy? Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, Twilight.” Fluttershy said quietly, giving them all a soft smile. “It’s just strange… We’ve all changed so much.”

“I’ll say.” Dash rolled her eyes. “Think about it. Just five years ago we were all in Ponyville… Now we’re all over the place!”

“Ah don’ think it’s all that bad. It jes means we’re all growin’ up more an’ more.”

“We’ve all made significant strides in our own development. We’re certainly more different than we were when we first met.”

“But we’re all still friends.” Twilight wrapped up with a smile. “And I don’t think anything is going to change that.”

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“Are you sure you’re going to be okay, Rarity?” The train hissed on the platform, and Twilight saw the conductor prepare to call for all aboard. Rarity was weighed down with a few more bags than she had taken to the library, but it was still less than Twilight had expected from her. Perhaps Rarity was becoming just a little bit more sensible.

“I’ll be fine, Darling. Truth be told, I’m honored you’d pick me to this.” Rarity smiled confidently, her face set with determination and eagerness. “I think I should get going.”

“Right.” Twilight glanced back at the train, which appeared to be ready to depart. “Well, I’m very glad you’ve decided to do this for me.” She smiled back at her friend. The two of them stood opposite one another for a few moments, smiling at one another. After a short moment, Twilight’s horn lit with her signature lavender glow.

“Promise me you won’t open this until you arrive in Trottingham, okay?” She handed an envelope off to Rarity, who took it with a quizzical expression.

“I suppose so.”

“Promise me, Rarity.” Twilight’s expression was serious. Rarity was taken aback a little, but she nodded as the envelope made its way to her luggage.

“I promise, Twilight.”

“Thank you, Rarity. Well… I suppose you should be going. This is good-bye, huh?”

“For now, darling.” Rarity wrapped Twilight in a bittersweet hug, both of them fighting farewell tears. Twilight wasn’t sure why she was so choked up right then. Still, as the train whistled shrilly, Rarity boarded and began to chug away from the platform. Twilight watched her go with a certain sort of heaviness in her heart, but behind it all… Was excitement. She knew Rarity was off to spread the charter for the new preservation society, and to eventually meet up with Cross Stitch.

The months went by normally. Twilight spent much of her time instructing Archer, teaching him to be more logical than passionate. She started by giving him logic puzzles. Specifically, the kind that grew more difficult the more one struggled to solve them. It took him a lot of time and much frustration, but Archer finally began to learn that as soon as he reached and obstacle, his best choice was to step back and analyze it, to move on to a different part of the problem, before acting. After his first triumph over his own emotions, he progressed rapidly. In just a short time, he was studying the magic of the light and friendship. He was becoming more and more closer not only to Gable, but his significant other. Twilight prodded frequently, but only got a loose promise that Archer would introduce the two of them soon. The way he spoke, it sounded almost like it’d be somepony she knew.

Twilight learned to not press him too hard for information. He tended to get moody. She decided patience was the best policy to use with him. It was also the same policy she used when dealing with the new preservation society. Correspondence flooded into her office daily, letters from the cities and towns Rarity had already visited. Most of them were just drafts of individual charters, but a good portion were finalized copies, or letters asking for input or guidance. Twilight patiently replied to each one, and was pleased when a new city would officially launch their branch of the preservation society. She was reminded that she would have to open Canterlot’s branch soon enough, and she began her search for a suitable candidate. It was mostly fruitless, but Twilight knew one would surface before long.

Twilight never heard from Rarity, though she did come across her friend’s signature here or there. Rarity didn’t send letters of any sort directly to Twilight. The most she got was a note attached to Manehattan’s drafted charter, informing her that she would be moving on to Trottingham soon. It was the beginning of summer when Twilight finally got a letter from Rarity, though it contained an extra surprise as well. One short day after the Summer Sun celebration, Twilight received a letter, with the return address from Trottingham. She tore it open to find two separate sheets of paper with two distinctive writing styles. She grinned and began reading exuberantly.

Twilight-

I’m incredibly glad you’ve sent Rarity back to me. After the whole fiasco with Regal, I was ready to never see her again in my life. Much to my surprise, then, when you sent me that letter four months ago. I could hardly believe it when you told me of all the things Rarity had done and seen with you. And I was incredibly intrigued by the new charter you were working on. As you can probably guess, Rarity arrived in Trottingham just last week. She and I have been working on the charter together for the past five days or so, but she’s resigned herself to a short break. I’m only all too happy to oblige.

Your idea is superior to any of the charters I managed to glean from Regal and Rarity back then, and I’m happy to be a part of it. I assure you, things here in Trottingham are progressing smoothly. I know you didn’t specifically ask for them, but the abundance of old ruins and points of interest around the city have attracted many archaeologists, and we have a group of about twenty who are passionately excited about being a part of the Equestrian Preservation Society. With their assistance, I anticipate things will be up and running in just under two weeks.

Thank you so much for everything. You’ve taken a bitter pony and showed him how important forgiveness and love can be. I think Rarity and I will be happy again.

Sincerely yours,

-Cross Stitch

Twilight smiled at the letter, glad she had accomplished something significant. Cross Stitch had been apprehensive in their previous communications about forgiving Rarity. While he was on board for the society, he didn’t seem to want to have anything to do with Rarity. Now, though, it seemed the two of them would be happy once again. She flipped to the second letter with a warm smile.

Twilight-

Cross Stitch and I have met and are working hard on the charters for the preservation society. I’ve already been around to Manehattan, Baltimare, and everywhere aside from Ponyville. When we get everything set up here, Cross Stitch and I are both going to visit to help set up the charter and catch up with old friends. I also have to be there for some legal matters involving the boutique and Applejack taking over.

Words cannot express how thankful I am that Cross Stitch and I are together once again. He showed me all of the letters you two sent back and forth the whole time after we got back from the library… I never would have guessed you played such an integral part in this. Those, along with the letters in that envelope you gave to me, show me how much you cared about the two of us.

I owe you so much, Twilight. I can be happy again with him by my side. Thank you. A hundred times over, Twilight. Thank you.

Yours,

-Rarity

Twilight smiled as she tucked the two sheets of paper together once more. Rather than shred them and toss them like the rest of her letters, she tucked it into a spot on the cluttered table that served as her desk. There would always be a place for this letter, both in her heart and her life. It would help serve as a reminder for all parties involved. Twilight stood and walked to the same window she had looked out countless times, her lips fixed in a seemingly permanent smile. As she watched the sun slowly descend towards the horizon, she felt a sense of contentment and happiness. Archer’s studies were progressing admirably well, and her friends wrote her more often. Applejack was eager to open her store, Fluttershy had taken up a veterinarian position at Ponyville’s hospital, Rainbow Dash had moved up to the top spot for the Wonderbolts relief squadron, and Pinkie Pie had moved to Manehattan two weeks ago.

All around her, Twilight’s life was progressing well. She had no complaints about anything. Ahead of her, all Twilight could see was happiness and prosperity. Looking down at the city, Twilight smiled. A smile, it seemed, that would never fade.