Ch.10: Lionwing's Life Anew

"And Discord was like 'Yeargh!' and Discord was all 'Augh!'…" Lionwing chuckled as Rainbow Dash told the Cutie Mark Crusaders and her friends all about how he defeated Discord to save her and Princess Celestia. They've all accepted him more now that they know he really loves Rainbow and sacrificed himself to save her and the princess.

Devon, Cornwall, and Ayden have been returned to their home world, but Princess Celestia gave them a magical necklace that will allow them to travel back to Equestria if they wish to visit Lionwing and the others. The gryphon then turned to said princess, seeing her sipping her tea. He smiled before getting up and leaving the library.

Once outside, he looked up at the stars twinkling above him. He now knows he's going to start his life anew, and he'll do it with Rainbow at his side. The gryphon now knows that he doesn't need to serve someone like Ruber or Discord to be accepted into a group. All he had to do was show what a true friend he can really be. And because of his learning this lesson, he has earned Devon, Cornwall, and Ayden's friendship, some Pony friends, and Rainbow's love.

"Lionwing?" The gryphon snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see Rainbow approaching him.

"Are you okay?" she asked as she sat down beside him.

"Yes," he answered, turning away with closed eyes and a slight blush. "I was just thinking about all we've been through." He then turned to her again, this time with sad eyes. "I hope you can forgive me for what I did. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Lionwing, you shouldn't talk like that," she replied, placing a comforting hoof gently on his bandaged shoulder. "You just wanted to be a part of something…to never be alone. And Discord tricked you; he's known to be a sly one."

"I just feel terrible," he explained. "I never wanted to be alone…no one to talk to, no one to have fun with…my previous life was terrible."

"You think you're alone, Lionwing," Rainbow said before placing her head under his throat, "but you're not. I'm here for you, and so are the others. You can start your life over now."

"I know," he said, looking into his rosy eyes, "and I have you to thank for that." He then wrapped his wings around her, pressed his lips into hers, and kissed her, feeling happier than he ever thought he would.

As Rainbow returned the kiss, Princess Celestia watched them from the doorway before getting out her red book and opening to a blank page. She then used her memory spell to place a picture in it. It shows Lionwing hugging and comforting a crying Rainbow Dash after he defeated Discord in battle. Under it, the Princess wrote down its title: The Wind Beneath Rainbow's Wings. After she was done, she put the book away and returned to inside the library, leaving the two winged lovers alone under her sister's twinkling stars.