>The sun shines brightly on you as you carefully fit the new window to Fluttershy's cottage.
>It's been about a week now, and most of your injuries have healed.
>The memories still haunt you though.
>Other than the iron mask, there was no sign left of Akaname, apart from the damage she caused to Fluttershy's cottage, which you have mostly repaired.
>Starting with fixing the light in the bathroom.
>Securing the window in place, you turn to find Fluttershy behind you, bearing a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses.
>"Thanks again for all your help, Anonymous."
>You climb down from the ladder, wiping your brow with a bandanna.
"I felt a degree of responsibility for the mess, after all. Thanks."
>"At least no one was hurt badly."
>Fluttershy had checked thoroughly to make sure the animals she shared her home with were all accounted for.
>You pour yourself a glass of lemonade and drink, savoring it.
>Fluttershy makes the best lemonade.
>"Well! Look who's being so helpful all of a sudden!"
>Rainbow Dash flutters down from the sky where she had been breaking up clouds.
"Hey, look at you, back at work and everything!"
>Rainbow helps herself to a glass of lemonade.
>"It's like I told ya, getting knocked down doesn't mean you're knocked out."
"Clearly, you're right about that."
>"Heh, I know I am!" She playfully punches your arm.
>"Woo-hoo! We should have a new housewarming party for Fluttershy!"
>Suddenly, Pinkie Pie.
>"Oh, that would be nice, even if it isn't exactly a new house," Fluttershy replies.
"Any excuse for a party, you..."
>"Any excuse for a party is a good excuse for a party, Nonny!"
>You cast a suspicious glance down the road, seeing Rarity and Applejack also headed your way.
"You already sent out invitations, didn't you?"
>"You know it!"
>Rainbow holds up her invitation.
>"I just can't figure out how she gets them to me while I'm working!"
>"That's a trade secret!" Pinkie Pie beams.
>You laugh.
"Why not? With that window, all the major repairs are officially... finished!"
>"Yay!"
>Well, Fluttershy seems happy about that.
>Rarity and Applejack have baskets of food with them, and Pinkie Pie sets out a number of treats she made up specially at work.
>In no time at all, there is a party underway.
>Not a noisy, boisterous party; just a happy gathering of friends.
>Twilight Sparkle arrives in due course, having been detained by the duties of her station.
>It's the first time you'd been together with all of them at once since that night.
>The conversation remains light; the ponies are more interested in how you're getting along in Equestria now than in revisiting old horrors.
>Obviously, you're adjusting much better now.
>"I kinda wish you hadn't taken all that booze back to the store, Anon," Rainbow says. "You had some primo stuff."
"Well, I might have kept a few bottles."
>"Awesome! Maybe I could come over and sample them sometime?"
"Yeah, sure."
>Rainbow grins.
>"Don't go getting him started on his old habits again, Rainbow," Rarity warns.
"No worries, those days are gone forever."
>"I'm glad to hear of it," says a voice you haven't heard in a long time indeed.
>You turn in your seat to see the tall white pony with her majestic, flowing mane approaching from the sunset.
>The other ponies bow as best they can.
>"It does my heart good to see you gathering with your friends, Anonymous," Princess Celestia says.
>"Princess Celestia," Twilight Sparkle speaks up, "did you sneak away from your guards again?"
>The sun princess laughs mischievously at this.
>"There are many things more important to me than official duties," she responds. "And I'll be back before they know I've gone."
>She turns to you with a wink.
>"They do worry so much about what I get up to, don't they? I hope you saved me some cake..."
>"Of course!" Pinkie says, passing her a slice.
>"You've learned some things, haven't you?" She asks you, taking a small bite of her cake.
"Hard lessons, but yes. I will, from now on, stand by those who stand by me."
>"I'm glad to hear you say so. Equestria is a special land, that makes manifest the spirits of those who live here. Monstrous thoughts and feelings give rise to monstrous creatures."
>You nod in agreement.
>"Did you read my letters, Anonymous?"
>With a deep breath, you admit that you had not.
"But I shall read them, I promise."
>"You were once a hero of this land, and we will always think of you as a friend. It would upset me terribly to lose you to petty actions or feelings."
"Well, I guess you know this, but it isn't easy being the only one of your kind."
>Princess Celestia nods. "Quite so, Anonymous. Perhaps we should find you a companion."
>You blush at this.
>"In light of recent events, I don't know that I could ever... love a pony in that way."
>Princess Celestia sighs.  ”A shame, really. Not even a powerful pony who could take any form that pleased you?"
>She leans into your side a bit, giving you a look and making you blush harder.
"Please tell me you're pulling my leg..."
>Her grin widens considerably.
>"I couldn't resist, really, but yes, a friendly jest only. It was worth it for those reactions, though."
>She indicates the six furiously blushing faces on the other side of the table.
>You try and fail to suppress your laughter.
>"Oh my, for a moment there I actually thought..." Fluttershy blurts out.
>Pinkie Pie breaks into a giggling fit.
>"I wasn't fooled," Rainbow Dash huffs.
>Her wings tell a different story, however.
>Feathers have definitely been ruffled.
>"I hope you'll all forgive an old mare her playful indulgences. I so rarely get to have fun like that at the castle. Speaking of which," she finishes with a sigh, turning to go.
"Thank you for coming to see me, Princess."
>Princess Celestia spreads her wings.
>"Believe me, it was my pleasure. Please take care of my little ponies, Anonymous!"
>And with a few powerful wingbeats, she is away.
"A thousand-plus-year lifespan will certainly get you an interesting sense of humor, huh."
>Twilight shakes her head.
>"You have no idea.”
 
END
 
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