Oh wow I can't believe we are here, the final chapter. This has been hands down one of my favorite stories I have written. It has been just a blast to write. I am so glad I got to join this fandom and I'm so happy all of you welcomed me in and helped make this story such a success. Now let's wrap this up.
"Must be something," Twilight grabbed the first book in the library and started frantically flipping through it, "There must be something." All of Twilight's friends joined her in the frantic search for a spell that would bring their fallen friend back. Celestia and Luna themselves said that they had never used a resurrection spell in their more than a thousand years as ruler and didn't know if there was one. That didn't stop Twilight and her friends from trying though. Thunder died saving Twilight's life and there was no way she would accept his death without at least attempting to repay his favor.
"I think I have found something." Spike replied pulling out a book on far left corner near the back of the library. It was a book on controversial spells. Spells that even the most advanced masters in magic had ever attempted. Handing it to Twilight the two of them looked through it together before Twilight's face lit up.
"We got something," Twilight continued to read through it then her face became more and more nervous.
"What is it Twilight?" Applejack asked
"Uh oh, this spell is one of the most difficult spells in all of Equestria. It has only been performed once and that was by Starswirl the Bearded."
"Well you can perform it right?" Applebloom asked
"I might be able to, but it will take all of us to pull it off. Bring Thunder to the ball room then every pony form a circle."
Discord picked up Thunder's body and led him to the ball room like Twilight requested. Discord quickly realized why Twilight suggested the ball room. It was the only room big enough to hold the large number of friends and allies that Twilight needed to perform the spell.
"So when Twilight said every pony, she literally meant every pony?" Discord gasped seeing every pony gather in the ball room.
"Yep," Big Macintosh nodded.
Twilight ordered Discord to place Thunder's body in the middle of the room. Then as every pony formed a circle Twilight explained what needed to be done in order to successfully bring Thunder back from the dead.
"In order to give life, life must first be taken. In order to bring Thunder back, I am going to have to take at least a year of every pony's life that is in this room. I talked to Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Ash on the way here and we are willing to give the most life, being Alicorns and living longer that other ponies. But it can't just be us, all of you must be willing to sacrifice at least a year in order to pull this off. If there is any pony that is unwilling to do this I will perfectly understand and they are free to leave."
"Stop right there Twilight," Rainbow Dash interrupted "I will do whatever it takes to bring Thunder back, if I have to sacrifice a little of my own life in order to pull it off then I am more than happy to do it."
"Me too," Fluttershy nodded "Thunder is a hero, I am willing to do whatever necessary to make sure his sacrifice isn't for nothing."
"He was more than a hero darling he was our friend," Rarity nodded "And as his friends we can't just give up on him."
"Friends stick together like sap on a apple tree." Applejack replied "Thunder would be willing to do the same for us, I'm willing to do it for him."
"We can't have a victory celebration without Thunder, he was the biggest party animal ever," Pinkie added "One year is all I need to give? Let's do this."
Every other pony nodded in agreement, all willing to give what it took to bring Thunder back. Touched by the dedication and loyalty of all her friends Twilight cast the spell. Her horn lit up then a bright light suddenly passed through Twilight, then the Alicorns followed by every other pony and creature in the room until the light finally entered Thunder. The room became engulfed in light for a few seconds causing every creature to cover their eyes. Then when the light finally died down every pony turned to Thunder to see if the spell worked. There was nothing at first, then Thunder opened his eyes and looked around to see where he was.
"Twilight?" Thunder gasped then he turned to see he was in the ball room surrounded by every single pony and creature he fought alongside in battle. "What is going on? How am I..."
"Thunder!" Rainbow Dash tackled Thunder to the ground and planted a big kiss on his lips tears streaming her face overwhelmed with emotions. "Your alive, your really alive?"
"But how?" Thunder asked confused
"Twilight, she brought you back?"
"But how?"
"It's a very difficult story," Twilight responded.
"Thank you," Thunder whispered as all of his friends suddenly joined in a group hug.
"Now let's get this victory party started!" Pinkie interrupted. Before to long the ball room was transformed into a large party room. DJ Pon 3 was blaring music on her DJ set and every pony, griffon, dragon and yak alike was celebrating their victory over Shadow Reaper.
Every pony except Twilight. Yes, she was happy that they won, happy that she got her throne back and Equestria was saved. But she couldn't get over what it is cost her. Even after she was so hard on Orion over what he truly thought was the best way to save her life, he still sacrificed himself in the end to save every pony. He could of let Ash do it and no pony would have batted an eye, he could of let her or any of the princesses do it. But no, even after everything he had done, in the end, Orion sacrificed himself to save Equestria.
Celestia noticed Twilight staring at the sky and walked out to the castle steps to comfort her. "You okay Twilight? All your friends are inside, you should be celebrating, you won."
"I just can't stop thinking about Orion. I was so hard on him. I thought he had betrayed me, betrayed Equestria when in the end all he did was try to save me. He let me think he was a traitor in order to ensure my survival. I was so hateful to him because I thought he betrayed Equestria, and yet in the end he saved it. I don't know if I can forgive myself after the way I treated him."
"I didn't know Orion like you did Twilight. I just met him right before the battle. But what I noticed at the end of his life, when he took that orb and refused to let any of us die, was the most selfless pony I had ever met. He didn't hold a grudge against you, he understood why you felt the way you did. Part of him felt he needed that redemption. Orion cared for you Twilight even in his dying breath. This will hurt, but in time you will come to forgive yourself. Just like Luna forgave me after I banished her for a thousand years. No pony expects you to be perfect. Your as prone to mistakes as every other pony."
"Yes but my mistakes don't just effect myself but all of Equestria."
"I was the one that turned Ash to stone, I was the one that allowed him to become the bitter, angry pony he was until Screwball freed him. I made just as many mistakes as you Twilight as princess if not more. Your still early in your reign, you will make mistakes. But that's the beauty of mistakes though, once you realize them, you learn from them and grow from them. Just like I did, just like Luna did, just like Ash, and Screwball, and Orion did, you will as well."
Twilight couldn't help but let the tears fall as she gave her mentor a hug.
"Now I do believe there is a certain filly you need to make amends with."
Nodding Twilight entered the ballroom and found Screwball doing the limbo with Pinkie, Discord and Derpy. After the game ended and Screwball won Twilight approached her.
"Screwball, I owe you a apology."
"A apology, for what?" Screwball was surprised to see this side of Twilight.
"I doubted you. When you came to me you was this immature filly that had powers she didn't know how to use properly. For these past few years I only gave you simple tasks afraid of giving you huge responsibilities afraid you wouldn't mature enough to handle them. I treated you so horribly when I found out you freed Ash. Not so much because you disobeyed be but because I thought you didn't no what you were doing. Now I see what you have done with Ash, reformed him into what he was when Celestia took him in, and now I see I should have put more faith in you from the beginning. I couldn't be more proud of you Screwball. Which is why I am apologizing."
"Oh your majesty, I knew you meant well."
"There is also something else I want to discuss with you."
"Really, what's that?"
"You was the only one who truly understood Ash, you understood him because you walked in his hooves. You two are both different from other ponies, you have had to face challenges because of your differences. I highly doubt you two are the only ponies facing that challenge right now. You always thought your cutie mark meant you was a expert prankster and screwball just like your name suggest. But I think it stands for much more than that. You are different from other ponies, so you understand them. When Celestia sent me to Ponyville she gave me an assignment and now I am giving you one as well. I want you to find other ponies like you and Ash. Help them to realize that they are special, that they don't have to be afraid or ashamed just because they are different. Show them that it is their oddities that make them special. I believe that this is your calling. I believe this, as well as teaching Ash, is what your Cutie mark is truly telling you."
Screwball was in tears of joy now, this type of faith from Twilight was something that she had been waiting for from Twilight for years. "I will not let you down."
On the other side of the party Thunder was finally telling Rainbow the truth about himself, how he wasn't the awesome pony that he let on how he had actually made himself out to be cooler because he didn't think he amounted to much.
"I don't deserve your love Rainbow, you are the coolest pony in Equestria, and I am just a fraud trying to prove myself to be something I'm not."
"Stop right there Thunder." Rainbow replied putting her hoof up. "I never fell in love with you because of the things I thought you could do. I fell in love with you because of what I knew you was, the kindest, most caring pony I ever knew. You don't have to try to impress me Thunder. I know not every pony can be as awesome as me, if I those kind of expectations I would be single my entire life. I love you Thunder for what's on the inside, not for your talents."
"That being said maybe I can still give you a chance to move up at the center." Fluttershy replied, overhearing the conversation.
"What are you saying?" Thunder asked getting excited.
"Well, it's nothing official yet, but I have noticed the hard work you have put in these past years despite your obstacles and I believe now is the time to truly give you the opportunity to move up. I will allow you to assist me these next few weeks in actually caring for the animals. Assisting me in nursing and bandaging up their wounds, and if you can prove to me that you can handle this bigger task, I will make you my official assistant in animal care."
"Oh thank you Fluttershy!" Thunder lifted Fluttershy up in a big hug and spun her around. "I will not let you down."
"So what will you be doing now Ash?" Screwball asked Ash as the party was starting to wind down.
"You know I don't know?" Ash replied "I always thought my future would be with Star Gazer but that's not possible now. Then after I went bad and tried to take over the kingdom I thought that would be future. I guess I don't know what to do now that I am being given a second chance at a honest life."
"I will help you." Screwball replied "Twilight has given me an assignment, to find other ponies like us. Why don't you assist me? I can teach you all the lessons on friendship that she taught me, and you can help me show ponies that are different that they aren't so different after all. What do you say?"
Ash smiled "I would be honored. After what you did for me Screwball, I would love nothing more than to help you in your journey to teach others like you have taught me."
After the party was over Twilight called a special meeting with the five of her best friends. The other ponies was confused as to what the meeting was about since they thought everything had been wrapped up.
"What is it Twilight?" Fluttershy asked confused.
"I know I have been busy ever since I have been Princess, and I know all of you are busy with your own lives. I know it's impossible to see each other as much as we used to. But I have been doing a lot of growing during this adventure and one thing I have learned is that we are the best versions of ourselves when we are together. Three times a year being together is not enough for me. I need you all in my lives the same way you need me. Which is why I am wanting to make you my official friendship council."
"Friendship council?" Pinkie screamed "That's amazing."
"We will meet once every month, we will hang out, we will catch up, and we will just do what we have always done as friends. I believe monthly meetings will be easy to fit into our schedules. I was so lonely as Princess before all of this happened. And I don't won't it to go back to that now that this is all over."
"Oh Twilight we will always be there for you no matter what." Applejack ensured wrapping her hoof around her friend.
"Applejack is right darling," Rarity ensured "No matter what."
One year later wedding bells was ringing in the Canterlot castle. Rainbow Dash and Thunder Soar was getting married and Twilight insisted it be held at the castle so that she could officiate the wedding. Rainbow Dash wore a wedding dress that Rarity had made herself. Rarity had also made all the outfits for Thunder, his groom ponies and the Bridesmaids. Ash was Thunder's best pony while Discord and his duplicates acted as groom ponies. Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie was Rainbow Dash's bridesmaid while Photo Finish was the official photographer.
"I now announce you husband and wife you may kiss the bride."
Rainbow Dash grabbed Thunder and planted the biggest kiss she had ever given on his lips.
"Every pony, it's time to get down!"
At the wedding reception Pinkie Pie had DJ Pon 3 drop and as every pony danced Twilight grabbed the mic and started singing.
"We were separated for to long, to busy for things to be like they were
But then we discovered, since we're back together, that our friendship is now and ever.
Without you in my life I was weak, to depressed to do what my subjects depended on me.
But now that your back in my life once again, I have turned from depression to glee"
Rainbow Dash sang the next part as she held hands with Thunder
"Our futures had taken different paths, we had all gotten to busy with our life.
But now we are back and their's no going back, we are all together to see me become your wife!"
Every Pony sang the chorus
"We are stronger together, friends forever together we can't fail.
We are stronger together, friends for ever, together we will prevail.
You ponies complete me, your ponies are what make me, you ponies helped me become what I am today.
And I can't imagine my life without you, I can't imagine a world without you, my life would be dark and grey"
Rarity sang the next part
"Without you in my life it was sadness, my art would be meaningless and empty.
But when I'm surrounded by you, all of my friend's my motivation is full and plenty."
Applejack sang the next part.
"I know I work long hours on the farm all day. My job is tiring and hard.
But when I'm with you, you brighten up my day, and then my work doesn't seem that hard.
Fluttershy sang the next part.
"Without you I'd be nothing, a shy pony to scared to chase her dream
You all helped me get out of my shell and now I'm so happy I could scream."
Every pony sang the chorus.
"We are stronger together, friends forever, together we can't fail.
We are stronger together, friends forever, together we will prevail
You ponies complete me, you ponies are what make me, you ponies help me become what I am today
And I can't imagine my life without you, I can't imagine a world without you, my life would be dull and grey."
Pinkie grabbed the mic and had DJ Pon 3 drop a new beat as she suddenly popped up with a bucket hat, a long over sized blue hoodie, a gold chain and started wrapping while every ponies mouth dropped on the floor.
"Yeah we are all what completes each other even though none of us are the same.
Some ponies thought we would never make it but you better put respect on our name.
Our friendship only saved the world like a gazillion times.
And it's the magic of friendship that got us through each time.
Undefeated and untied that's how we roll our friendship will never broken or cracked
As long as we understand what all makes us the same our friendship will always remained intact.
So go ahead and try to separate us try to keep us apart.
But our friendship will always be alive inside our heart.
Pinkie dropped the mic and after each pony got over their shock of seeing Pinkie rap they all got together to sing the chorus again one last time.
We are stronger together, friends forever, together we can't fail.
We are stronger together, friends forever, together we will prevail
You ponies complete me, you ponies are what make me, you ponies helped me become what I am today
And I can't imagine my life without you, I can't imagine a world without you, my life would be dull and grey."
As the song ended the mane six wrapped each other up in a big hug. There was no denying it, as long as they were together, they were strong enough to take on anything.
Original song title: Stronger Together
And that my friends is a wrap. Now I will have the deleted scenes up like I promised. I will update that as a separate one shot either later today or tomorrow so keep an eye out on that.
Now that this is over some of you might be wondering, is this going to be my only MLP fanfic? To that I say "Heck no!" I have plans for some other stories. I have a couple of one shots that I am hoping to get up within the upcoming months as well as a M rated crossover with another animated kids property that I will explain in more detail at a later date.
Hope you enjoyed this and I will see you all later.