Matthew awoke to find himself in an endless sky. Very few clouds were present, and any that were made the atmosphere seem even better. Matthew lifted himself up off of the cloud he had been resting on. He looked around, mesmerized by the beauty that surrounded him.

“Matthew?” a voice called to him. He knew that voice. He turned to see Fluttershy. She was still a human, but all of the marks and wounds she had suffered over the last two years were gone. This drew Matthew’s attention to himself. The markings he had gained from his shadow powers were gone, and he was wearing only the lower half of his outfit. Fluttershy was wearing her entire outfit of course. Matthew returned his attention to Fluttershy.

“Yeah, it’s me Fluttershy. So, this is paradise huh?”

“I guess so.”

“I’d say it’s perfect. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be with you.”

“You’re such a charmer Matthew, you know that?” Fluttershy teased. Matthew chuckled and walked towards her. They took each other’s hands and kissed. They soon heard another voice.

“Matthew? Fluttershy?” the voice said. Releasing their kiss, Matthew and Fluttershy turned to see Princess Celestia. “I… I have no excuse for my actions. These past two years have been spent pursuing, and for what? Death. I… I’m sorry. I know that my apology may not mean much to you, but it is all I can offer.” Matthew and Fluttershy simply smiled at the Princess.

“Celestia,” Matthew started. “I forgive you.” Celestia was in complete shock.

“How? After everything I have done, how can you forgive me?”

“I don’t know. We’re dead, so I see no reason to have any negative feelings anymore. Besides, I get to spend an eternity here with Fluttershy. But, truthfully Celestia, I forgive you, and I also apologize once again for what I did.” Matthew’s kindness must have rubbed off on Celestia.

“I forgive you as well Matthew.”

“As you should Tia,” a voice called out. Celestia turned to see her sister. She started to cry.

“Luna?!”

“Yes sister, it is me,” Luna replied, starting to cry as well. The sisters rushed to each other and held each other close.

“I missed you so much sister!” Celestia said.

“I missed you too,” Luna replied. Matthew and Fluttershy stood and watched the beautiful scene play out in front of them. Paradise just kept getting better.

“Just as I told you Matthew,” Luna called out to him. “Your love was powerful enough to persevere through every challenge you faced. And now, it is strong enough to give the both of us life once again. But, the way I see it, I think it would be fair enough for us to grant the three of you your lives once again as well,” Luna stated. Celestia nodded in agreement. Matthew and Fluttershy were slightly confused though.

“Three? Who’s the…” but Matthew stopped himself as the realization finally sunk in. He and Fluttershy turned around to see Rainbow Dash. All three of them started to cry as they rushed into each other’s embrace.

“I missed you guys so much! I knew you would win, I just knew it!” Rainbow said.

“We missed you too Dashie,” Fluttershy replied. After releasing from the embrace, Rainbow scanned Fluttershy over.

“Hehe, when did you become human Flutters?” she asked.

“That’s a story for another time Dashie,” Fluttershy replied. “Right now, I think we should go for a little fly around paradise, wouldn’t you agree?” Rainbow immediately smiled and nodded in reply.

“You mean to say you do not wish to be reborn?” Celestia asked the three. Matthew turned to the Princesses.

“With all due respect, we appreciate the offer, but, I think we’d just like stay here now. I personally don’t want to cheat the cycle of life and death. Dying twice sounds weird. Besides, I’ve got an eternity to spend with the girl of my dreams and our best friend. What more could I need? What do you two think?” Matthew asked, directing his question to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

“Well, if you’re staying, then of course I’m staying Matthew,” Fluttershy replied.

“Same here Matt. As long as I’m with my best friends, what more could I need?” Rainbow added. They smiled at each other and then looked to the Princesses. Celestia and Luna smiled at each other.

“Very well. It may take the ponies of Equestria a little time to understand that I am truly my old self again, but all good things will come in time. I just hope your friends do not think ill of me,” Celestia said.

“Just tell them we love them, and I’m sure they’ll be fine,” Matthew responded. Celestia smiled.

“Thank you Matthew, for showing me how strong love truly is. Now, if you will excuse us, Equestria is waiting for the return of the Royal Sisters.” But before Celestia and Luna could leave, Matthew asked a question.

“Wait, how long have we been dead?”

“About one month,” Luna replied. Normally, Matthew would have been extremely surprised by this, but now, he didn’t really care.

“Well, ok then. Fair enough I suppose. We wish you the best of luck back on Equestria. Goodbye Celestia, and to you as well Luna.”

“Farewell Matthew,” both Celestia and Luna said together. A light shined through the endless sky, and in a matter of seconds, Celestia and Luna were gone, leaving Matthew, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash together. Matthew turned to the girls.

“So, now what?” he asked. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash smiled at each other, unfolded their wings, and flew off into the sky. Matthew chuckled to himself. “I hope I still have my eagle powers.” Low and behold, he did. He transformed into the eagle and caught up with the girls.

The three of them just flew through the sky. Coming to a cloud, they landed and looked out to the endless sky. Matthew changed back into a human. Fluttershy landed next to him on his right, and Rainbow Dash landed on his left. The three just stood there, smiling. They didn’t need to have it any other way. Just a man, the girl of his dreams, and their best friend. Matthew turned to Fluttershy, and she turned to him. They didn’t even need to speak the words, because they knew them all too well. But, they did anyway.

“I love you Matthew.”

“I love you too Fluttershy.”

“What, I don’t get any love?” Rainbow chimed in. Matthew and Fluttershy turned to the Pegasus and laughed.

“We love you too Dashie,” Fluttershy said. Rainbow joined in on the laughter.

The laughter ended, leaving the three to themselves. They were finally at peace.

Matthew reflected on everything he had been through. He had been living a shitty life. He just so happened to find a 14 year old Fluttershy one day, which changed his life. Loving her brought many ups and downs in his life. He loved her, and she loved him. He fought to defend that very love in Equestria. He proved that his love was strong enough to change even Princess Celestia. Matthew had fulfilled his life. He didn’t need anymore. He realized, even with the company of Rainbow Dash, what he had known since that very first day. He realized that it was, still is, and always would be…

Author's Notes:

I told you there would be a happy ending. So ends the story of Tortured Love. I had a great time writing this story, not as much as the original Fluttershy and Me, but definitely a lot of fun. I hope you all enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Happy reading people.