Chapter 8: Coming Home At Last
It was almost midnight, Twilight and her friends giggle while hugging each other. It is now high time for the princess, Ben, Spike and Phobos to finally go back home, and quickly.
"You'll look out for her, won't you?" Twilight ask her new found friends in concern.
Twilight of course is referring to Sunset Shimmer who decided to stay behind. The girl right now is sadly fixing up the front entrance of the school that she messed up during her madness. Vice-Principal Luna is nearby sternly supervising Sunset and Snips and Snails, who are bringing in bricks and cement, to clean up the mess as punishment for their actions.
The students and Hobo Ken, no longer afraid of Sunset, Boris and/or the goons, finally told Celestia and Luna as to what Sunset has been doing. That, along with the photographs and the girl's confessions, are enough for them to punish Sunset and her goons for what they did. The girl may have changed but she in guilt must accept her punishments for the crimes even if Sunset was indeed manipulated by the Superior.
"Of course we will." Rarity said with a smile though frowns a bit. "Although I do expect some sort of apology for last spring's debacle."
"I have a feeling she'll be handing out a lot of apologies." Twilight giggles a bit. It's true, Sunset Shimmer will have to go through a lot if she wishes to regain the trust of everyone that she and her pals has broken during her time in this world.
"I wouldn't worry much about Sunset Shimmer being trouble anymore, now that she'll have friends to keep her on the good path, right Twilight?" Ben came near Twilight to have his arm around her shoulder in smiling to what the girl said about Sunset Shimmer no longer being a threat and to start fresh with a new start. "Besides, I've also asked Hoboken Joe to have Boris & his gang have quite the janitorial work for making a big mess. Not to mention fix the blackmail stuff & find Miss. Mona Craft's prize artwork the guy's been trying to get back." As Ben stated this, he saw with a smiling Hoboken Joe looking back to him with the same expression, while staring back to Boris, Dum Dum & Boxco in enforcing Vice-Principal Luna's task of having the students work hard to fix & clean up this mess.
"Hehe; bet they'll be cleaning up their bad act for a long time." Nyx giggled under her breath in seeing what Boris & his stooges in this world are gonna be doing to fix their behavior. "What about Snips & Snails?" The girl remembers the colt versions of the two, so shouldn't the ones here be the types as to be goofs, but not exactly evil minion material?
"They're just going along to help out, they were just blindly following orders without much thought to what they get out of it in the end." Ben explained to his daughter about what Snips & Snails will be doing at the time. "It's almost like Trixie from our world how those two behave to be complete obsessive followers to the ones that they think is great." He knows about the Snips & Snails that were troublesome goofs to deal with in Ponyville, but they were nothing of evil back there as they are here in this world, it'll be tough but fair for their case.
"What about the Trixie here?" Phobos asked about recalling about how they know a human version of Trixie they've come to know, what will be her issue?
"As much as it's strange, let's just say…Trixie might get through to Boris." Ben rubbed the back of his neck in slowly stating a fact, about Trixie somehow getting Boris of this world, to like her, maybe even love. "Hugh, if that ever happened back home, we'll all be amazed." The guy sighed from such a thing that if that happens with their own pony versions of Boris & Trixie, then they'll all be surprise to see that.
"Agreed," Twilight nods in thinking that Trixie & Boris being together, if that were to happen in their world like it did here, that be someday for the ponies.
"We better get going." Spike said in concern, reminding his friend that it's time to get back. The portal will soon close and won't open again for another 2.5 years.
"Right, well, time to go!" Phobos exclaims with a smile.
"I know we've only been friends for a short time, but I'm going to miss all of you so much." Twilight said, sighing as she hugs her friends, the human ones, for what may be the last time. Who knows, though? The princess could see them again, right?
Unknown to the group, a familiar figure in a hood is about to head home through the portal...though he spots Derpy spotting him, saying happily, "My love, wait!"
"Look, a muffin!" Lorcan exclaims quickly while pointing at nothing, making Derpy runs off excitedly in search of the 'muffin' itself.
"Where, where?!"
Lorcan chuckles a bit and jumps into the portal quickly. Hopefully no one is there is greet him as he has to come home with less trouble as possible. As Twilight says goodbye, Pinkamena came up to her and says, "Twilight, what that creep said about me, well, after all we are like your friends in the other world but if you ever meet me, no, the real one in your world, tell her I said hi, ok?"
"Uh ok," Twilight said with a shrug of confusion.
Pinkamena then hugs Twilight. As she returns the hug, Golden Heart says in his mind, 'I would not be surprised if the real me's little sister may do that one day when she no longer needs to hide."
Flash shook Ben's hand while smiling. The prince said, "Thanks for everything, Flash. You're a great friend. I'm very sorry for everything: being jealous, hiding secrets and putting you in danger."
Flash chuckled, "C'mon, stop it. I told you for the last time. It's okay and no harm's done. Everything I do is for you, my best friend. You're doing this and get the crown is for everyone and Twilight. That's what Prince Charming do." Ther student smile making his pal smile right back.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks."
"I'm gonna miss you girls." Nyx said, preparing to say her last goodbye to the human version of the CMC.
"Me too, Nyx; Thanks; Yer're a great friend." Apple Bloom said with a smile on her face.
"Me three; this is the best and last night we ever had." Sweetie said with a smile.
"All of us made an awesome friends, along with you sis- I mean, your mom and dad.": Scootaloo remarks, then groans a bit. "Aw man, I'm still getting used to that."
Nyx smiles as she said, "Don't worry, you don't have to get used to it. Pinkie said that this world had my Human form, and probably a sister to Twilight. I think she would make a good friend to you all."
CMC smiled, saying together, "Maybe. But thanks."
Nyx and CMC hugged together. Sunset Shimmer, allowed by Luna to say some final goodbyes, approached Twilight and her friends; the alicorn ask her new friend, "Are you sure you don't want to come home? Princess Celestia may give you a chance to become her student."
Sunset smile gently and shook her head, saying, "Thank you, Twilight. But no thanks; I have so much damage I have to repair. But thank you for everything, you teach me something I have not realized since I left Equestria: friendship. I will do my best to be good as you are."
"I know you will." The purple girl said as Twilight patted on Sunset's shoulder. The former villainess then turned to Ben. She gave the piece of paper and golden sun necklace to him.
"Can you give him this? And please tell him for me, I'm truly sorry for everything I had done to him. Tell him, I love and miss him so much."
Ben smiles, knowing that Sunset is referring to the Pegasus version of Flash; He said, "I will." Turning to Flash, the boy asks, "Can you look after her? And I don't mean to be her boyfriend again since you broke up with her."
Flash chuckles, saying, "Of course. I'll do it, your majesty." Ben gave an annoyed glare to Flash making him chuckled, "Just kidding, Ben."
Flash gave Ben a noogie on his head after he grabbed his head. They both laughed. With that, the heroes from Equestria then heads to the horse statue, hoping that the portal is opened long enough for them to make it through.
"That crown really does suit you, Princess Twilight." Spike said to Twilight with a slight smirk.
"You know what, Spike? I am starting to feel a little more comfortable wearing it." Twilight said as she looks at her crown in approval while the gang heads to the statue.
"Still worry about the nightmares? You know whether you should be benevolent or a tyrant?" Ben asks Twilight, pondering if the girl is still worried about those nightmares.
"Are you sure that you can handle being a leader? It's not an easy job." Nyx said to her mother in concern.
Twilight smiled, explaining, "Being a princess doesn't have to do with benevolent and a tyrant, it has to do what you think, do and believe in right and best for everyone and everypony. Even if I had become evil, I know that I will return to myself because I had you, my friends and family, no matter what. I'm not afraid anymore."
"That's good to hear, Twilight. You really had me worried." Ben said, hugging Twilight.
Twilight smiled, adding, "Not anymore."
Nyx smiled, happy to hear that her adopted mother will be all right. She said, "That's good enough."
"And the wings," Phobos ask, knowing Twilight will be getting her wings back upon returning to Equestria.
"I've been walking on two legs and picking things up with these!" Twilight laughs as she motions to her legs and hands which the girl won't have anymore upon returning home, "Wings? I'm thrilled that's all I'll be dealing with back in Equestria!"
Spike laughs a bit, "That crown really does suit you, Princess Twilight."
The others laugh with Spike as they all goes through the portal Pinkie pauses a bit then rush after as if wanting to go into the portal...only to slam right into the base of the statue before falling back onto her butt onto the ground. The portal is now closed for another 2.5 years.
"Oh, bummer," Pinkie groans a bit in disappointment. She wanted to see Equestria too! Oh well, maybe when another 2.5 years is up...
"I'm going to miss them." Fluttershy said with a sigh. It won't be the same without Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike and Phobos around. The school was back to the way it was before Sunset Shimmer thanks to them.
"Me too," The trio of CMC said at the same time. They too will miss their good pal Nyx.
Pinkie, recovering, grins as she bounces back up, saying happily, "Remember girls, if Equestria has Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Phobos and Spike, then this world probably should have too."
"If yew say so, but fer someone we know isn't going 'ta be easy." Applejack said to Pinkie in concern.
"Why?"
"First, Spike and Phobos are dogs, not talking like the ones we know of. Second, we can't simply say 'Hey, my friends. How do we know you? Because we've made friends with your pony forms'; they will think we're crazy. Third, Nyx won't be Twilight's daughter, but sister. It's going to hard to get used to it." Flash explains to Pinkie. He's right. The Twilight, Ben, Nyx and dogs of their world won't be the same as the ones from Equestria so it may be complicated to be pals with them all.
Rainbow nods, saying, "Flash's right. We don't know where their Human forms live. We have to get used to it, and not telling them about our pony friends."
"And if they do?" Rarity asks in concern.
"Then, you have to tell them the truth." A familiar voice spoke up. Everyone looked surprised and confused as they see a smiling Principal Celestia coming up. Somehow, the woman knew the truth all along! "Tomorrow, I'm having a visit from my family. My son is Benjamin Mare while his girlfriend is Twilight Sparkle."
Everyone was shocked of it. Applejack is the first to speak up, "They're coming here tomorrow?"
"That's shocking and unexpected." Rarity said in amazement.
"If they ask about the mess, I guess we should tell them everything." Fluttershy said shyly. If the human versions of Twilight and Ben want to know what happen, hopefully the truth can set everyone free.
"Might as well. I only hope that they are same or at least good as the ones we know of." Rainbow said pondering about what the human versions of her new friends would be like.
"I'm sure that they are. But first, we go easy on them first by introducing ourselves. We then tell them about ourselves before the truth." Flash explains, wanting everyone to go easy on the newcomers before getting to the truth part.
"I got it! How about we celebrate the party for our visitors," Pinkie squeals excitedly.
Celestia smiles, nodding as she said with a nod, "That's an excellent idea, Pinkie; my family would love it."
"Ah can't wait 'ta meet Nyx." Apple Bloom said, eager to meet the human version of Nyx for real. It would be like having a fresh new start.
"Hopefully it's not being a mother and daughter thing. Or else it's going to be awkward." Sweetie said in concern.
Scootaloo nods, adding, "No kidding; It will be weird and awesome. But being friends is important and magic."
Everyone but Celestia put their hands together in middle and shouted, "Yeah!"
-
Back in the world of Equestria, the princesses and the Mane Five waits anxiously. Shining, who has got his business done a while ago, was there, waiting in hopes that his sister and the other would come back before the portal closed. Luckily for Lorcan, he manages to get out of the mirror and leave before they came to see the progress.
To the group's delight, Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike and Phobos came back...and back to their ponies and Dragons selves, the ponies standing fell back onto their four hooves once, all of them are butt naked.
"Twilight," Fluttershy exclaims with a happy smile on her face.
"Ah, you're back!" Rainbow remarks with a smirk.
"You got your crown!" Rarity squeals, seeing that Twilight's crown is back on her head. She blinks upon seeing the new Fall Formal prince crown on Ben's head, "Uh, Ben darling? Are you wearing a crown of your own?"
"Oh that." Ben said with a slight chuckle while tipping the Fall Formal crown on his head. "Well, it's kinda a long story, yeah."
"I knew you could do it!" Pinkie giggles happily, this call for a party big time!
"Oh, we were so worried." Applejack said with a sigh, relieved that her friends came back safe and sound.
"Awww, I was getting used to being so cute and fluffy." Phobos said, disappointed that he is back to his somewhat dull Dragon self and not his cute and fluffy self.
Nyx giggles, petting Phobos while saying, "I don't know, you're still cute and fluffy to me." This made the Moon Dragon grin widely.
"Arf arf."
Princess Celestia, pondering about the fate of her ex-student Sunset, ask, "Sunset Shimmer, is she alright?" The Alicorn of the Sun is worried if she is all right.
Twilight smiles to the ones who came with her, saying in amusement, "I think she's going to be fine. I left her in good hands."
"What are hands? You mean those things that Megan and her family have got?" Rainbow asks Twilight, a bit confused by that part, unaware that her friend meant that Sunset will be fine and will be helped from now on.
Shining Armor hugged Twilight, looking concerned as he scold the little alicorn princess, "Twiley, you had me worried! Don't you go do something dangerous and stupid, young lady! You've seriously gotta stop making me worried. It's getting embarrassing."
Twilight shrugged, pointing out to her worried big brother, "I can't help it. I couldn't let Equestria or another world be in danger. As princess, it is my duty to protect my home, my people, my friends, my family and my loved ones." Geez, and ponies say that she is freaked out when it comes to her big brother.
Shinning chuckle, "Sounded like you've mature well; I had the feeling that you're getting used to being a princess very well since that going after the crown."
"I learn a great lesson, from my friends, my mentor, my family, and especially you. 'My decision is always stick with my family especially you, Twiley. Even if I'm the prince, it doesn't mean that I'll change because I have you and everypony I remember and love. My decision is always what's best for everyone.' Sounds familiar? So, I'm going to be myself and do my best for everypony."
Shinning sobbed in happiness, "Atta girl. I was so worried that you won't overcome your nightmare. But now, I'm happy and proud of you."
Both Shinning and Twilight sobbed and hugged together. Princess Celestia looked at her son with a stern face. Ben sighs as he knew what he should do. Face his punishment for disobeying her orders not to come in the first place.
Ben sighs as he trots up to his mother, saying in regret, "Mom, I'm really sorry for disobeyed you, and go off without thinking of the consequences. I'm a terrible son."
Princess Celestia approached Ben. Using her wing, she gets her son closer to her and hugged him. Celestia smiled which made Ben confused. She doesn't seem angry at him!
"You've made me proud, my son. If you and your family had not gone with Twilight, I would've feared the worst for her." Celestia said to her adopted son gently, "Disobeying the order is one thing, but helping friends and family is utmost important of all. You are so much like your father, Ben."
Ben smiled, saying, "Thanks." The stallion hugged his mother. He then realized something, "By the way, mom, who is my father? You seem to know him, even though I'm your adopted son."
"When you're old enough, I will tell you everything. But for now, I believe you should rest and spend time with your family."
Ben smiled, planning on telling his mother his thoughts later, "I guess you're right. I'm just glad that all of us are home."
-
As the group walk through the palace halls, the girls couldn't help but bugged Twilight with questions about her stay in the other world. Fluttershy ask eagerly, "Where did you stay?"
"What did they wear?" Rarity asks anxiously to Twilight.
"Did you have fun?" Pinkie ask playfully while bouncing u and down.
"What'd yew eat?" Applejack asks Twilight curiously.
"Would you say she's just as awesome as me?" Rainbow asks eagerly. Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike and Phobos has told their friends about the other Main Five who lived in that world, the other girls were amazed that there are indeed human versions that exist.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down, calm down!" Nyx laughs to her honorary aunts with a laugh, "One at a time!"
Twilight sighs a bit, "I want to tell you all everything, I do, but I'm just so exhausted from all the dancing."
Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Princess Cadance ask in surprise and disbelief, "Dancing?" Twilight herself actually danced? Bizarre, she isn't much on dancing, even on one of her birthdays!
Before the alicorn could respond, Twilight bumped into a familiar Pegasus guard from before, causing her to fall o the floor as they both yelp, "Oh!" Flash gave a smile to Twilight, kinda like the same one that his human self has done
"We've got to stop bumping into each other like this." Flash remark. He chuckled while helping Twilight up. "Seriously, your Prince Charming is so gonna kill me when hanging out with you."
Ben chuckled, "Not anymore, old friend." The prince approached Flash and hugged with him, "So good to see you."
Flash smiled, hugging back as he said, "So good to see that you're back. I knew you would return home safely."
Ben smirked while asking skeptically, "You sure?"
Flash chuckled, "Seriously? After so long being best friends, you'd still doubting me? Now why would I lie to you when we're good friends?"
"No, I still doubt you." The stallion said suddenly. Flash is shocked upon hearing this before Ben laughed. "Of course, I still trust you, and I'd prefer to hear that sentence since our foal hood. It is a habit to remember."
Flash smiled as he remarks, "Of course. Is Sunset alright?"
Ben gave the sun necklace and notes to Flash. The stallion sighs as he said to the Pegasus guard, his eyes widen upon seeing the two, "She's not coming home but she said she's sorry for everything she had done to you. And she miss and love you so much."
Flash took it. He read the notes: 'It's been three years since I've left Equestria. But to be honest, I'd really miss you so much. You had stolen my heart. I will never forget about you and the things you've done for me. I will always love you; Love Sunset Shimmer.'
Flash sobbed and cried softly as he knew that Sunset is still the same Unicorn that he loved: kind, generous and gentle before she turned into a selfish and cruel pony.
Flash calms down enough as he spoke up, "Thank you, Ben for everything. You sure it's not fake?"
Ben smiles as he use some familiar words on Flash, "Now why would I lie to you when we're good friends?"
Ben and Flash hugged again. Twilight, Nyx, the Mane Five, Princess Cadance, Spike and Phobos except Shining Armor were confused and worried. What is this all of the sudden? These two acted like old pal!
Twilight is the first to speak up, "Who's that?"
Ben smirks, motioning to Flash as he begins to introduce his best friend, "Everypony, I would like you to meet my very first and best friend since my foal hood: Flash Sentry."
Twilight, Nyx, Spike and Phobos gasp in surprise, "Flash Sentry?"
"What's wrong? Do you know him?" Cadance ask her sister in-law in surprise.,
Phobos shrugs a bit, "Sort of."
Spike adds in, "And kind of." After all, who could remember someone like Flash Sentry, right?
Shining chuckled, helping out, "Ben's right; Flash Sentry is Ben's first friend." Everyone looked at Shining Armor, amazed that he knows about this. "I kinda met and talk with Flash when he was a rookie and I first join the Royal Guard. He was so lonely when hearing that Ben disappeared, you know what I'm talking about."
"I'm honor to meet you, Princess Twilight." Flash said with a smile. Ben smiled as in it's okay to kiss his fillyfriend's hoof for a while. He kissed Twilight's hoof. "Ben sure picked the right friend and filly." He chuckled. "Trust me; I was so worried that Ben wouldn't make it without me."
Ben chuckled, rolling his eyes as he answers, "Not anymore. I've learn to be brave and heroic from you, old friend."
"Seriously; If Flash Sentry is your first and best friend, then why do you had problems with Flash's human form when we first met him?" Nyx ask her adopted father puzzled. Why would her father be fine with the pony version if the human one gave him problems in the other world?
"Yeah; Why?" Twilight ask Ben in amusement.
Flash chuckled, then turn to Ben, asking, "Ben, did you learn the Royal Guard's strategy: observe, analysis and concluded lesson?"
Ben blushed, saying sheepishly, "Sort of. I just want to make sure of it, and especially the words I'm familiar with about Flash's Human Form. Guess what? I can trust him since he and Flash are the same."
Flash chuckled, "Of course. After all, I taught you well about being a hero and a Royal Guard. You are a hero now. Well done."
Ben smiled, saying, "Thanks."
Applejack smirk a bit, saying, "Oooh! Better be careful, Ben! Somepony may have a crush on 'de new guy!"
"No. No, I don't." Twilight insists to Applejack in amusement. "Besides, we just settle this, remember?"
Rarity gasps, "She does! She absolutely does!" Some of the others look at her oddly. "Well, I would say that if Twilight does has a crush, I was only practicing."
Twilight admit, "I admit I like him, but not enough to betray Ben or him." Anyway, don't be ridiculous. I don't even know him more. He just..."
"Totally reminds you of a guy you met in the other world who played guitar, was in a band, and helped prove you didn't destroy all the decorations for a big dance, so you could still run for princess of the big dance, and then asked you to dance at that dance but does so as a friend and is a human pal of Ben!" Pinkie spoke a bit longer. The others look at the pink pony who took a long breath in amazement; some of their jaws almost hit the floor. "Right?"
"How did you know that?"
"Just a hunch!"
"Well ain't this a nice little picture worth seein'?" A voice from a familiar red-neck was heard as who should enter around now then...Hoboken Joe, aka Hobo Joe, the pony version that Ben, Twilight, and those that went into the other world know him.
"Hobo Joe; why are you here?" Ben responded surprise to see an old friend of his all so sudden.
"Well the princess requested that I come clean up the Crystal Empire's library for the festivities, being that I live in the Canterlot Castle in the Library, and been made as Honory Task Volunteer, and I thought I surprise you Benny boy. Plus, it's been about so long since I've seen you." Hobo Joe came over to give a little hoof tap on Ben which made them both smile off in being glad to see one another after sometime.
"Heck, me an' 'de rest here were surprise 'ta learn 'dat yew all knew a member o' 'de Apple Family ways back? Applejack responded to state what surprise the Mane Six that remind learn about who they came across.
"Right, he's told us some interesting stories." Rainbow Dash nods in hearing some great stories from this guy.
"About how Twilight & Ben knew another when they were young." Pinkie Pie smiled to bounce in hearing a story when Ben & Twilight were little.
"And how he and Ben were both in love, it was very nice." Fluttershy smiled to nod in finding such a story, a nice thing to hear.
"And how this fine gent managed to inspire Ben & encourage Twilight during their hardest moments before the whole Demon Pony fiasco, it was truly a divine story to hear to pass the time while waiting, darlings." Rarity wave motion how from what Hobo Joe has told them, he helped Ben out when he was shy & needed another friend's help on his dealings with love for Twilight and how the old stallion helped Twilight when her special pony went missing when he was turned into a Demon Pony, very old stuff indeed.
"So, what did ye all see?" Hobo Joe asked off in what this gang musta seen during their trip through the magic mirror.
"Would you believe crazy stuff and about another you doing stuff no hobo janitor ever does?" Phobos spoke off in pointing out something majorly weird in what they saw and another Hoboken Joe to boot.
"Yeah, and that you're a retired veteran soldier with a cool bike driving motion to fire off mud pies from a tennis racket machine," Spike issued off in how he saw the other Hobo Joe fight off the demonic forces against Sunset Shimmer when she was evil, it was crazily awesome.
"If that's how awesome you were back there, then you must be just as cool here." Nyx spoke off in issuing about this pony being something else.
"Well, I wouldn't say I'm 'all' dat great. I just do what seems right." Hobo Joe rubbed the back of his neck in feeling a little overwhelmed, he didn't do nothing like that around here and he's not all that great, or maybe he's just being modest.
"As usually, you never change in our eyes." Twilight spoke from coming over, and then giving Hobo Joe a hug, like she did when she was a filly unicorn long ago. "But it's thanks to you in more ways than you think that you helped me & Ben in our tough lives." The now alicorn Twilight gave praise to Hoboken Joe that without his own efforts, even from another version of himself, things would have been hard for the girl and her love Ben without...their dear hobo pal.
"Hoboken Joe, you've been like the second closest friend to me ever since I was young before I disappeared, and if you saw me in peril, I can almost believe for sure that you save me no matter what." Ben approached to put his left hoof on Hobo Joe's left side to proudly issue how much he appreciates the guy and in seeing that if there was trouble with him needing aid, he can feel alright knowing that an 'old' friend like this retired veteran hobo can be there to bail him out.
"Aw shucks, you fillies & colts are making me blush and almost makin' me cry for joy!" Hobo Joe sniffs from feeling so much joy & happiness; it was enough to make him cry. "Sniff, whatever the case maybe, I'm always here to help. No matter how messy it maybe," He issue off before hugging Ben along with Twilight.
"As usually, he makes a statement from his janitorial work." Phobos rolled his eyes in seeing that was a clear pun use from a janitor, even a hobo one.
"Aw, lighten up, the guy's as much a good pony to know he's there even if he's only a hobo!" Spike shrug off to not bother, this pony's okay.
"Yah; Mr. Hobo Joe has that special magic touch, even as an Earth pony, he just makes us feel glad when we're sad." Nyx smiled to come over to join the hugging moment with her folks with their old friend, a special hobo even.
-
After some rest from Twilight's group that went to the other world, did they, the Mane Six, Golden Heart, Luna & Candace along with Shining Armor were in the Crystal Empire's throne room.
"So let us get something straight. Not only did you stop Sunset Shimmer, but you fought a NEW Enemy?" Rainbow Dash held up her hoof in trying to see that Twilight & the others with her fought the one that stole the crown and a NEW enemy foe.
"An' Sunset said 'dis guy was on a near comparison 'ta 'de guy called Grimmore fro' 'dat battle wit' Lorcan?" Applejack spoke off in knowing that the new enemy the others fought is on a near level of power to the Overlord King himself.
"The very same being Celestia warn us of his imprisonment while he made poor Spiky-Wiky a guinea pig to using what he snatched to copy Ben's Triforce to burn Lorcan's in a most….devastating display?" Rarity gasped in horror in remembering the very fiend that tried to use Spike to destroy Lorcan with Ben's on power he obtain and he did it all while still trapped in his prison.
"Gulp…and he calls himself…the Superior and is a superior being that could bench press us without even trying?" Fluttershy gulps in fear, not liking the sounds of things that now a new enemy could appear and almost be more than they ever handled of enemies.
"Holly-Mollie; this is almost sounding more super bad in a super-duper moment before we even went on our adventurous journeys!" Pinkie Pie yelped to grasp her mane in reacting to this action as something completely unbelievable.
"Right, the guy was not easy." Ben shook his head in feeling that when they fought the Superior, he's no ordinary opponent. "I even thought I finally got the drop on him, but he still had much strength and yet, I don't even know if that was truly the real deal we fought or not." Ben was troubled on many scales of questions rising, the Superior that Twilight and her human friends fought could have been real, or not, but that strength was no lie…and that's not a good thing to keep in mind.
"You are over thinking things nephew. But in lack of this, it still calls our highest attention." Luna came to pat Ben on the shoulder to release tension that was distracting the stallion on what to do about this new enemy that the ones that went to retrieve the crown came across a hard obstacle to overcome.
"But now I'm confused, Sunset also said the Superior was responsible for he did by summoning Discord during the great conflict years ago which led to Morning Glory being discorded and the Flutterponies isolated from us after Discord's imprisonment." Golden Heart spoke to hold his chin in pondering what was going on here; the story about the Superior didn't sit well with him. "However, that was Smaug the Great's work, and it's been years, the guy shouldn't even be around since Discord's defeat." The alicorn male knows very much about what happened involving Discord & Smaug with the conflict and this Superior character made things even harder to follow.
"But he could have found a way to live out those years, and even with the strength of the elements & daddy's own. He said that in the past his power was not even at Nightmare Moon or Discord's level." Nyx spoke off in mentioning a major fact about the Superior's strength being at something that it wasn't from other foes.
"Yah, but now after that battle, the one girl from those previous battles that beat nasty Nightmare Moon…" Phobos was stating off to say until…
"Gah-hum," Nyx cough to remind Phobos that 'she' and Luna were Nightmare Moon from long ago from different events.
"Pardon, the 'old' Nightmare Moon, not the one about Nyx or Luna, though mostly was them, but isn't now. Anyway, moving on, and then the battle with Discord before he got beat, then reformed." Phobos spoke off in correctly issuing the manner of the situation from understanding what foes that Twilight & her friends have fought to defeat.
"I have to agree, Twilight beat them alright, but the Superior's movements & skills, even magic and Forbidden magic, made us thinks he was much worser today then he might have been in the past!" Spike responded in feeling the fear that the new enemy could be much more worst present time than he was long ago. "And to top it off, that one guy in a cloak, that wielded my brother Lorcan's beam sword, fought almost like Lorcan, but even skills with a weapon & fighting experience only helped a little" Spike issued this off about what the other cloak character, who was Lorcan but his existence is kept a secret, fought the Superior to a near standstill, but that was only temporally.
"To think such a powerful foe was running loose without us being alerted." Candace spoke with worry, this doesn't sound good to any of them in learning a dangerous villain is on the loose, worse than the still escapee members of the Brotherhood under Lorcan's leadership.
"We thought the worst could be Grimmore's freedom if the seal keeping his entire being in Tartarus would ever break, but this new enemy, the Superior, seems to be on a near scale with the guy." Shining Armor spoke with a very serious look of worry about seeing that what's worst then one major villain is two of them to watch out for. "Only this time, what may fear us most might be that there are 'others' almost as strong as this Superior is!" What Cadance's husband state sounded a far more worse thought then anything anyone wanted to know.
Now everyone was worried that if the Superior was indeed very tough on Twilight & Ben's own handling the situation, then more of unknown enemies serving the same guy would be equally terrible. Worst, there were said to be thirteen in all with the Superior included, and if Sunset Shimmer succeeded in the evil plot would have been Number Fourteen, but that one got scrapped. So the bigger question is, who are the other twelve to watch out for, and are they nearly as dangerous as the Superior in question, plus…what is their objective?
"But tell me Twilight, you said you felt something when you stopped the Superior's Killer Curse?" Celestia asked to change the subject in wondering about something that has caught her interest.
"It felt like magic from my element, yet not, it felt like it was almost in the stars." Twilight spoke from being a little unsure at the moment about what she did that was performing a spell move by instinct. "Even weirder was Star Swirl the Bearded's picture came into my mind as I almost made something from magic alone…but it failed to be stable enough." Twilight held up her hoof in studying it, she definitely felt something was in her grasp, but the magical forming of what she almost made slipped away before she fully understood how it worked.
"Perhaps…it's another secret Star Swirl the Bearded discovered, and that only a certain pony in the arts of magic could summon." Luna spoke in thinking about what the once great father of magic had uncovered long ago is about to rise anew in this day of age. "Perhaps with time, you'll uncover the truth." She gently stated to Twilight that in due time, the new princess may discovered something that may even help in their times of need.
"Everyone, if you please let us be for now to enjoy the peaceful moment of everyone's return, my sister & Golden Heart wish to discuss the matters of learning another new enemy to be on highest alert for." Celestia kindly ask that those here to let the ones staying behind to discuss matters of what the situation is turning out to be.
Soon everypony was turning to leave the room without arguing or making excuses. Well, almost all of them.
"Hay mom? Can…can I ask you something?" Ben turned to stop himself from leaving as he wanted to speak with his mother, the princess of the sun, while the others went ahead.
"Of course Ben, what is wrong?" Celestia kindly spoke in allowing her son a moment, what mother wouldn't hear their child's needs?
"The Superior said something about me that…kinda got me worked up." Ben spoke in feeling that just bringing up the subject got him on some edge in emotion. "The Superior said I was arrogant like my…" He was about to say something when he was cut.
"Hope he wasn't stating about your mom or aunt; that be just rude." Golden Heart interrupted to say that if the enemy was gonna insult the two princesses of the sun & moon, bad idea.
"About my father," Ben addressed off while looking to the ground in confusion. "You know, the same one that I asked about my mother about earlier.."
"Your father," Celestia responded surprise to hear this in almost shock to believe it. At the same time, the alicorn appears to be worried for some reason.
"WHAT MANNER OF DECEIT IS THIS?" Luna roared out in the royal calling tone about the enemy trying to trick them with lies on Ben Mare's past that was a mystery of his birth parents.
"I don't know, but…mom, you told me that you found me abandon and took me in? You never found out who my parents really were?" Ben spoke off in understanding everything about Celestia taking him in as a baby colt when none of the other royal guards ever found his real parents. "What if…what if the Superior knows who my birth father is, and my…oh." The boy was about to finish his claiming statement until…he realized something he should have thought ahead for.
"Your birth mother," Celestia spoke with some sorrow that for Ben, she was his adoptive mother after all.
"Mom please, I didn't mean to sound disgraceful, but….maybe this can be the chance to learn about my past and where I came from." Ben was speaking an apology for not being considerate, but thought that perhaps there is a chance that his life into this world from those that brought him here are something that leaves him deeply puzzled to wanting to know…whatever happened to them.
"You must realize that the enemy must have tried to psych you out with false senses of who your parents were." Golden Heart spoke with reason about Ben being played into the hands of the enemy by a false claim.
"Not likely, but he said I learn the truth when the time comes. Meaning, something must have happened to which cause a moment that I was endangered. A spell even that might have been cast, I…" Ben Mare was speaking with a much focus mind and serious sounding voice about what was gonna happen about learning what became of his parents, and what it all meant of his abandon, and if they were….
Please nephew, you're thinking 'too' far into what the worst might have come." Luna came over to hold her nephew on his shoulders to gently wish he not push all thoughts together so suddenly. "Please, whatever the mystery maybe, we'll all help in solving an unsolvable mystery about you." She spoke in wanting to assure Ben, that whatever the mystery behind his birth parents by what the Superior said, it will be solved.
"Sniff…thanks Aunt Luna." Ben sniffed some loose tears from his eyes while smiling to his aunt.
"Ben, please, come closer." Celestia spoke to which Ben left Luna to approach his adoptive mother…before she wrapped her wings around the stallion; giving him a hug. "What I want is to always see you happy, and if doing this will help you, then just know that no matter what…you'll always be thought of as the son I always wanted." The princess of the sun spoke in wanting to make sure Ben had his happiness ahead of him, and if learning the truth is what he wants, then even she will still always see Ben as her own son.
"And no matter what, you'll always be my own mother that raised me with good kindness. I love you mom." Ben spoke with a smile while also returning the hug to the princess he always saw as a mother to him when growing up.
"I love you too, son." Celestia responded from feeling this moment lasting for some time now.
Soon Ben was leaving with his feelings now assured by his mother, Celestia. The stallion was now leaving out the doors while they closed behind him to allow those inside to discuss things of importance.
Celestia sadly whisper, "I just hope that when Ben does find out, he wouldn't be angry."
"Excuse me, Celly?" Luna ask her sister, wondering what Celestia meant by that.
"Never mind that for now."
"Is it safe?" A familiar voice spoke up. Lorcan came out of hiding from the shadows, hiding the whole time. "Sorry for not speaking up but even I can't let my old 'pals' see me too soon, especially after what I went through in the other world."
"Lorcan, you risk too much going to that world." Celestia scolds Lorcan a bit. "I let it slide because I know how important my son, Nyx and the Dragons are to Twilight but..."
"Please not now, Celly. I did it to save em."
"Right, you got to admit, Celly, Lorcan is important to his brother as Spike is to him." Luna points out to Celestia with a grin.
Celestia sighs, both Luna and Lorcan did indeed have a point. Changing the subject, she spoke up, "It appear that our enemy and his organization has made their first move. Luckily, it didn't do too much damage yet. I'm surprised Trixie didn't mention that to me before."
"Wait, wait; hang on. Trixie; You mean..." Golden Heart begins to ask, suspecting the truth.
"Oh bother. So that's why you didn't have my 'former flame' be arrested after the Alicorn Amulet incident?" Lorcan laughs a bit in disbelief. "She is your little spy in..."
"Ssssh, we don't know who may be listening." Celestia said quietly. Even the Royal Sister can't take the chance of the Apocalypse Ponies listening in. "Still, I do believe Trixie still has that grudge against Sunset Shimmer."
"Grudge," Luna ask Celestia, arching an eyebrow at this.
"Let's say that my two ex-students aren't exactly the best of friends. We don't know how far that the new group would...but we need to take precautions because they are now targeting the new princess for elimination."
"I will make arrangements but not too much. May the Ma'gne help us all..."
-
Twilight, Ben and Nyx headed to the balcony while the others followed them. But they were stopped by the curtain when it closed them. Flash smirked as he waves them off, saying, "C'mon, ponies, let the couples have time together."
"Yeah, Flash's right; Ben and Twilight need time alone." Spike said with a grin. After all that Twilight and has gone through, they need some alone time.
"Unless you want us to do the something bad at you when you're alone with somepony special," Phobos said with a mischievous look on his little Dragon face.
Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance nodded their heads as they agreed to leave Twilight and Ben alone. Outside on the balcony, Ben and Twilight looked at each other and smiles. Nyx smiles as well as she watched her parents sing together.
Ben and Twilight: Let me share this whole new world with you.
Ben: A whole new world.
Twilight: A whole new life.
Ben: That's where we'll be.
Twilight: That's where we'll be.
Ben: A thrilling chase.
Twilight: A wondrous place.
Ben and Twilight: For you and me.
After the singing is done, the prince and princess kiss as the moonlight glowed brightly. Nyx smiled happily. It's going to be an interesting future for them all.