Hey everypony! It's the final chapter! This is just wrapping up all the loose ends and tying it back into the series, so you can imagine the rest of the story taking off after this. Enjoy!

Disclaimer as usual.

The next morning, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were all set to head out bright and early. They hugged Twilight and Rarity goodbye before setting off for their individual destinations. Rarity only stayed for breakfast before rushing off to check on her boutique.

Twilight and Spike were kept busy cleaning up the damage caused by Nightmare Moon's attack throughout Canterlot. As one of the last unicorns who hadn't exhausted her magical energy, Twilight was high in demand. They also checked in at the magical school where the depleted unicorns were recovering. Twilight had been hoping to have a talk with Princess Celestia, but she saw neither princess all day. Flash Sentry, who appeared close by her at regular intervals, informed her both were resting after the events of the past week. Twilight was sorry, but was quite happy to spend time talking to Flash.

Rarity appeared again at the end of the day and assured her that all was well with the boutique. The two unicorns worked together over the next few days, helping wherever they could, which kept them extremely busy. It was amazing how many people wanted to talk to them, and Twilight was quite embarrassed about all the attention. Thankfully, Flash Sentry was always there to help turn away the over-zealous fans.

Pinkie returned within a week, and since most things that needed attending to were done, immediately started planning the big party. With the help of Spike, who had the ability to send and receive letters to anyone anywhere instantly, she sent out the invitations. They and Rarity got busy planning and decorating, so Twilight decided to take the opportunity to finally talk to Celestia.

She found the princess in her private library with Luna. The sisters were laughing about something, and both of them looked up with a smile when Twilight entered.

"Twilight, what can we do for you?" Celestia asked warmly.

"Well… I was just wondering if I could ask you a question."

"Of course. You are my student, after all."

Nervously, Twilight explained about the vision she had had when the Elements of Harmony had exploded with light.

The two princesses listened carefully, and when Twilight was finished, looked at each other thoughtfully. Finally Celestia said, "I am not sure exactly what this means, Twilight. All I can say is that it appears that your role as the Element of Magic, and your friends' as the other Elements, is not over."

Luna nodded gravely with agreement. "I agree. You seem to be destined for great things, Twilight. I am sure you will prove yourself worthy of your role to come, as you have once already." She bowed her head in acknowledgement.

"Oh, uh…thank you." Twilight bowed and excused herself, her mind spinning with even more questions.

When the day of the big ceremony rolled around, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy were back in Canterlot, being eagerly greeted by the other three Element bearers in the form of a massive group hug.

Fluttershy had brought Discord with her of course, as well as a pair of quiet pegasi who had to be her parents. Rainbow had her parents with her, who were as loud as Fluttershy's were quiet, as well as a retinue of griffons, led by Gilda. But it was Applejack who had brought the most ponies, even if one didn't include Rarity's sister Sweetie Belle and the Pie family. Twilight thought she must have brought all of Ponyville with her, until Applejack introduced them all ("…Apple Fritter, Apple Bumpkin, Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apple, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp…") and she realised this was just her extended family. Twilight was amazed that the palace was actually large enough to house them all.

They made up about a fifth of the crowd that piled into the massive hall where Celestia and Luna were holding the ceremony, the rest of the ponies being those from Canterlot. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were asked to stand at the front of this massive crowd, just to the right of the princesses, while Discord, Shining Armour and a few other important ponies were on the left.

"Greetings, everypony," Celestia called to the crowd, her regal voice carrying easily in the echoing room. "It is with great pleasure that I welcome back my sister, Princess Luna!"

The audience stomped their hooves as Luna bowed.

"But we must thank those who were able to defeat the evil spirit of Nightmare Moon and bring her back. Shining Armour, Captain of the Guard, and his deputy Joust Guardwell, who both fought bravely alongside their soldiers and citizens, even refusing to rest. For your personal efforts and for all those you represent, thank you for defending Equestria."

The audience stomped again and roared with approval.

"Headmaster Trancer, every single one of your unicorns stood alongside me during the whole of the attack. For your personal effort and for all those you represent, thank you for defending Equestria."

Another storm of applause.

"Mayor Sleighthoof, you are here on behalf of the citizens of Canterlot, who, during this time of need, rose up to defend their city and restore it to its beautiful state. For your personal effort and for all those you represent, thank you for defending Equestria."

Another round of applause.

"Discord, Lord of Chaos…" The crowd went strangely still as they stared at the draconequus. "On your own, you were able to defend the city and the ponies until the Elements of Harmony were retrieved and have proved through your actions to have undergone a transformation quite as dramatic as Nightmare Moon's." Celestia smiled as she said, "Equestria thanks you."

The applause for Discord started out hesitantly, but eventually grew to be as loud as any of the others, even if it was rather short.

Celestia stepped back, allowing Luna to say the final piece. The blue alicorn stepped forward, gazing around at the upturned faces, some curious, some cautious, some eager, and felt a fresh surge of guilt, as she had been feeling on and off since she had reverted to her regular self.

"It is I though who have to thank the six that saved all of us the most. Without the Elements of Harmony, I would have been consumed by my hatred and jealousy, and forever lost sight of what is truly important. I vow to prove myself once again worthy of your trust in me, and honour those who brought me back." She turned and knelt to the Mane Six. Celestia knelt as well, and the entire hall followed their example, except Discord, who clapped and whistled enthusiastically. No one seemed to mind.

Afterwards, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy all gathered together to say their goodbyes. At least, Twilight thought they would be saying goodbye.

"My boutique in Canterlot is doing splendidly!" Rarity announced. "So that means I can go back to Ponyville!"

"That's great!" Applejack cheered. "I've missed havin' ya around."

"I think I'll be there too," Fluttershy murmured.

"Really?" they asked.

The pegasus nodded. "I was considering moving there before, but I didn't know anypony, and then I met Discord and decided to stay with him in the Everfree Forest…" She blushed slightly, but continued, "But now I think I'll convince him to move the cottage to Ponyville. Or at least, just outside it."

Applejack and Rarity smiled and hugged her.

"Well if Fluttershy's going, I might as well come too," said Rainbow. They all gawked at her and she shrugged. "Gilda's got everything going smoothly with the griffons, and they've gotten pretty sick of me hanging around, to be honest."

"Well if everyone's going to be in Ponyville…" Pinkie giggled.

"Ya don't wanna stay with yerr family, Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

"Nah. I love them, but the rock farm's kind of a drag. Besides, I can always visit, and this way I can throw even more epic parties!" The others laughed and pulled her into a group hug.

"What about you, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked, looking at the unicorn who hadn't yet spoken. "Are you going to be staying in Canterlot?"

"Uh…" Twilight hesitated. For the first time in her life, she felt lonely at the thought of all her friends going away and being together without her. But she didn't see how she could justify moving to Ponyville. She had her studies here.

A shadow fell across her and Twilight looked up to see Princess Celestia. "No," said the princess. "Twilight is moving to Ponyville too."

The other five squealed and hugged her with joy, but Twilight looked at her mentor in shock. "What do you…why?" she stammered.

Celestia smiled mysteriously at her protégée. "Do not worry, Twilight. You will continue to be my student. But I feel it is time to take a new direction with your studies, to prepare you for the part you will have to play, and it will be important for you to be your friends."

Twilight still looked stunned. She looked to her friends and then back at her and asked, "Why?"

"Because you will be studying the magic of friendship."

Twilight's face split into a huge grin. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow and Fluttershy looked at each other with wide smiles and then tangled themselves and Twilight into a massive group hug. Twilight squeezed them back, then looked up at Celestia. "Oh thank you, Princess Celestia. I'll study harder than ever before!"

THE END

Thank you SO MUCH for reading my first ever multi-chapter fanfic. I love you all, and would definitely like to hear what you thought of the story and how I might be able to improve in the future. So please give me a review!

Special thanks to those who followed the story, you guys are awesome!

OnlyHere4Puckabrina

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