The Price of Harmony Ch26 and Epilogue

Chapter 26
The Price of Harmony

                The announcer stepped to the side of the ballroom entrance as he called to the herd, “May I have your attention please! May I Present! Princess Luna of Equestria and her Escort Commander Star Bolt of Equestria!”
The announcer turned to the doorway and bowed as both Princess Luna and Star Bolt stepped inside wearing formal attire. As they entered the doorway of the ballroom, everypony in the room aside from Princess Celestia, Twilight, Cadence, and Prince Armor who were standing on the other side of the room. As Star Bolt stood overlooking the bowing crowd, he opened his wing slightly as he looked at Princess Luna and smiled, “Your majesty?”
Luna smiled as she stepped closer to him and interlocked their wings, “Very smooth commander.”
Star Bolt could only laugh, “It’s the first Grand Galloping Gala since the Canterlot rebuild, and here I am with the princess of the night… I'd say that a stallion with that kind of reputation should be smooth.”
Luna leaned her head on his shoulder as the two began trotting down the center of the ballroom, “I love you for you Star Bolt… no need to act any different.”
Star Bolt smiled as they continued through the opening in the crowd, “and even that is more than I could hope for.”

                As the couple reached the other end of the ballroom where Princesses Celestia, Cadence, Twilight, and Prince Armor were standing, they turned around and faced the crowd as Princess Celestia stepped forward, “Welcome my little ponies to the first Grand Galloping Gala of the new and improved Canterlot! Though this isn’t the usual date of the gala, the main reason I’m hosting this particular gala is to celebrate the final reconstruction of Equestria. Four years ago, this city was destroyed in a merciless wave of terror that spread across the world. But thanks to princess Twilight, Commander Bolt, commander Gilda and their friends. They were able to successfully destroy the dark alicorn and save the kingdom by returning all who were killed in the disaster. Nevertheless, today the final building of the old Canterlot has been finished and now the city is exactly the way it was the day prior to the horror of four years ago. And we owe it all to not only the group of heroes who defeated the dark alicorn, but the will and strength of each and everypony who so valiantly pushed themselves to return Equestria to its original glory. So raise your heads high my little ponies! For us do not owe our lives to the alicorn race who were so highly spoken of by the darkness that sought to destroy us all… but to the Pegasi, the Unicorn, The Earth ponies and the griffins who proved that no matter the challenge, we will fight for what’s right, and never give into darkness even if harmony isn’t strong enough.”

                With her speech completed, the crowd gave an uproar of cheers and applauding that echoed throughout the ballroom. As the night continued, Luna, Twilight, and Cadence were socializing while Star Bolt made his way to the punch bowl. As he arrived at the table, he saw Pinkie Pie pouring a big bag of sugar into it as he asked, “umm… Pinkie? What are you doing?.,.”
Pinkie gave him a blank stare before she tried to make something up, “I… um… Hey look!!! Um… Over there! It’s a… Thing!...”
as Star Bolt looked into the direction she was pointing, Pinkie Pie quickly ran away leaving nothing but a pink haze in her place and the bag of sugar to fell completely into the punch. Star Bolt could only laugh as he shook his head, “Same old Pinkie... wouldn’t ask for any other.”
As Star Bolt continued looking at the punch bowl, he noticed Flash Sentry standing on the other side of the table blankly staring in the distance without even noticing Pinkie’s actions or their conversation.

                 As Star Bolt approached Flash, he noticed that whatever he was looking at had his full attention as Star Bolt leaned close to him to see exactly what he was looking at. As soon as he realized Flash was looking at Princess Twilight he could only smile as he nodded his head and leaned back, “Ahh… I see.”
Realizing somepony was talking to him, Flash started to turn to Star Bolt, “what? Did you sa… C-Commander Bolt!”
Flash immediately stood at attention as he saluted and spoke in nervousness, “I… um… The area is secured Mr. Bo… erm… Sta… Um… Commander!... um… SIR!... N-nothing to report sir!”
Star Bolt gave him a serious look and examined the nervous expression on Flash’s face. Then he sighed as he replied, “At ease soldier… this is a formal event that doesn’t require you to be so official.”
Flash dropped his salute as he replied, “oh… um… th-thank you comm… um… Sir.”
Star Bolt turned towards the socializing princesses as he smiled, “she’s beautiful… isn’t she?”
Flash nervously replied, “Um… w-who are we talking about sir?”

                 Star Bolt smiled as he shook his head in hopelessness, “if you want to ask her to dance… just go, and do it.”
Flash stood at attention as he replied, “Um… sir? I don’t understand. I’m only here to provide security for the princess… that’s all.”
Star Bolt smiled, “really? Which one? Because since you’ve been standing here, you’ve been watching only one princess and it isn’t the Crystal princess. If you want to ask Princess Twilight to dance you might as well do it already.”
“B-but sir… I’m only a gua…”
“So was Prince Armor… and so am I. but I think we’ve proved that even somepony as pathetic as a guard can have a shot if he tries… don’t you think?”
Flash Sentry tried to think of an excuse, “um… yea… but…”
Star Bolt shook his head in hopelessness, “Just do it already.”
“Um… is… is that an order sir?”
Star Bolt sighed, “take it how you want, but you better do it soon.”

                 Hearing Star Bolt loud and clear, Flash nodded his head and replied, “You’re right sir… I'll do it.” Flash took a sip of his punch and coughed it up as he dropped the glass, “Agh… what the!?!”
Star Bolt shrugged his shoulders, “Don’t mind the punch… Pinkie got a hold of it. Just focus on what you want to do.”
Flash finished coughing up the extremely sweet punch as he nodded his head, “got it sir… I'll do it.”
with that said, Star Bolt watched from his distance as Flash Sentry trotted across the room and approached princess Twilight, “Um… y-your majesty?”
Princess Twilight turned to him and replied, “oh… um… yes?”
Flash stood at attention as he spoke with an official tone, “Ma’am! I’ve been ordered to ask you to dance!”
Princess Twilight blushed as Star Bolt could only put his hoof on his face, “ugh… that idiot!...”
as the awkward conversation continued across the room, a voice replied to Star Bolt’s comment, “Idiot?”
Star Bolt removed his hoof from his face as he looked to the voice and smiled, “Oh, Dash, Spitfire. How are the Wonderbolts treating you?”

                 Rainbow Dash smiled as she replied, “Awesome, as usual. This will be our last night in Canterlot for a while.”
Star Bolt nodded his head, “That’s right; you got that Round World Race in a few day in Prance. You think you got a shot at winning?”
Spitfire replied, “You kidding? With our secret weapon here, we are unstoppable right Dash?”
Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment as she replied, “Well… I'd hate to brag or anything but the captain and I will hold the front of the formation for the start. I mean, what else would the top two flyers in the Wonderbolts do?”
Star Bolt nodded his head as he replied, “Well I'll let you know that all of us in Canterlot will be rooting for you.”
Rainbow Dash smiled, “Thanks commander, coming from you, that’s an honor.”
Spitfire then spoke up, “Hey Dash, I think Soarin wants to talk to us, he keeps waving us over.”
“Rainbow Dash looked towards Soarin as she nodded her head, “Oh, ok well it was nice talking to ya commander. Take it easy.”
Star Bolt nodded his head, “You two Dash, Captain.”

                 As Spitfire and Rainbow Dash trotted away, Rarity and Niether approached as Rarity greeted him, “Good evening commander.”
Star Bolt smiled, “Good evening Rarity, as usual your gown looks one of a kind. I wouldn’t expect any less from your collection.”
Rarity smiled, “Thank you commander, and you look handsome yourself. By the way, I finished fixing the seams of your cloak. I had the guards take it up to your room for you.”
Star Bolt nodded his head, “Thanks… once again I owe you one.”
Rarity shook her head, “And I owe you much more. By the way Sweetie Belle says hi.”
Niether added, “Rose says hi too, right now she is in a gardening competition in Trottingham so she wasn’t able to make it this time. Although, I want to give you some good news.”
“News?”
Neither smiled, “Well… I was planning that when she returns that I… would ask for her hoof… in marriage.”
Star Bolt and Rarity both smiled as Rarity replied, “Wow this is great! Can I design your attire?”
Neither nodded his head yes, as Star Bolt added, “Well congratulations. I’m happy to hear that.”

                 Neither gave Star Bolt a skeptic look as he replied, “So… when pray tell will you be asking your lovely princess the same?”
Rarity gave Star Bolt an anxious look as he stepped back in surprise, “Wait… what?”
Rarity added, “Well commander? It has been a while and you and Princess Luna have been together for quite some time now… so will you be asking for her hoof soon?”
Star Bolt looked across the room at Princess Luna who was laughing at a separate topic that she and the other princesses were talking about as he started to smile. But not one second later, his smile quickly turned to a depressed expression, as he sighed, “No…”
“I… I beg your pardon?”
Star Bolt repeated himself, “I said no.”
Niether tried to understand, “You mean, no as in not any time soon? Or no as in…”
“No… as in not ever.”
Rarity tried to ask, “But… why? You two seem so perfect for each other and yet you still won’t consider taking that final step into happiness?”
Star Bolt replied as he looked at the ground in sadness, “I… I love her too much… to put her through that.”
“But command…”
“I said no!... Now drop it!”

                 With the serious tone of his voice slightly scaring the two, Niether and Rarity looked at each other on confusion as another voice cam in before either of them could reply, “Commander Bolt? I came to the gala like you asked, and I also brought what was kindly tasked.”
Star Bolt looked away from Niether and Rarity as he saw Zecora approach him wearing an exotic formal gown. As Star Bolt saw Zecora he smiled, “I’m glad you could make it. So you brought it then?”
Zecora nodded her head as she held up a long item that was wrapped with a white cloth. As Star Bolt took the item from her, Rarity had to comment on Zecora’s appearance, “oh, darling that dress is simply fabulous… you must tell me where you got it.”
Zecora blushed as she replied, “tis an ensemble from home, though forgotten till today. I decided to wear it, on this most occasional day.”
Star Bolt unwrapped the item to reveal his sheathed sword, then he drew the blade and examined the alterations as he smiled, “Perfect…”
With that said, Star Bolt sheathed the sword and wrapped it back up as he spoke, “Thanks Zecora, it looks great. What do I owe you?”

                 Zecora could only shake her head, as she replied, “No payment necessary, for a friend I can’t charge. For the debt we owe to you, is much too large.”
Star Bolt smiled as he put away the sword, “Thank you… you’ve always been there to help me Zecora. Chief Rafi would be more than proud of your friendship.”
Zecora smiled as she started to turn away, “a friend of an ancestor is what you started to be, but now, I do this, cuz you’re a true friend to me. Now I must go, for my trip I must embark. Since the Everfree Forest, isn’t safe when dark.”
As Zecora trotted away Star Bolt nodded his head, “Thanks again, have a safe trip.”
After Zecora was gone, both Niether and Rarity wanted to go back to the previous discussion but due to his awkward outburst, both ponies tried all they could to avoid that particular topic. The rest of the gala seemed to go as planned and ended just after midnight. From then Star Bolt continued his usual routine of commanding the night shift of the royal guards until morning.

                 The following morning, just as Princess Celestia raised the sun on the top balcony of the rebuilt Canterlot castle, Star Bolt stood on the balcony of his and Luna’s bedchambers as he watched Canterlot slowly wake up after another peaceful night. As Luna trotted onto the balcony from behind, she couldn’t help but notice that his usual peace filled expression that he welcomed each morning with, was replaced with a depressed stare as if he was in a deep troubling thought. As Luna approached him, she had to ask, “Um… Star Bolt? Is everything ok?”
Star Bolt turned around and smiled at her as if the previous expression was nonexistent, “Of course I am Luna? Why wouldn’t I be?”
Princess Luna hesitated as she replied, “Well you just seem a little… distant.”
Star Bolt nodded his head as he replied, “It’s just been a long night. I think the gala wore me out a little. But such is the job of the night commander. Anyways, I think I'll be fine once I get some rest.”
Luna didn’t seem convinced as she replied, “Are you sure there isn’t anything bothering you?”
Star Bolt leaned in and kissed her then he replied, “Luna, I’m fine. Really, I’m just thinking about your sister’s speech. I think it’s kinda funny how after everything that happened, everypony can just turn around and jump back from the pit that Osiris dug us into. It just goes to show that you can never underestimate true harmony.”

                 Luna couldn’t help but giggle at his comment as she spoke, “listen to yourself, right now you sound like an old grandpa.”
Star Bolt smiled as he replied, “Well, I am pretty close to one thousand and thirty now. So what does that make you?”
Luna gave him a serious yet joking stare as she replied, “Watch it Star.”
The two laughed at the joke for a few seconds as Luna forgot their previous subject and began turning to go inside, “Well, I’m going to get some rest. You coming?”
Star Bolt shook his head as he replied, “No, I think I’m gonna breath in a little more of the morning air before getting some rest. I'll be in in a sec.”
Luna smiled as she continued inside, “Suit yourself.”
As Luna trotted inside, she used her magic to close the curtain to the balcony entrance so the light of the morning sun wouldn’t shine inside.

                 After Luna was gone, Star Bolt looked back into the city as he sighed, “Yea… suit myself… if only.”
About thirty more minutes had passed before Star Bolt finally went inside the room to see Luna resting in the bed. On the other side of the room Star Bolt could see the Carousel Boutique box that Rarity had delivered the night before, so Star Bolt quietly made his way to the box, picked it up and went into the walk in closed in hopes that he wouldn’t disturb Luna’s sleep. Once he was in the closet, Star Bolt opened the box and pulled out his refurbished cloak. As he ran his hoof along the repaired seams of the old fabric, Star Bolt couldn’t help but remember events from the last time he had worn it. It was almost four years since that disaster, but despite all that time, he still had one more task to complete. The very same task he agreed to the day Eden was destroyed. So with a heavy heart, Star Bolt put on the cloak, secured his sword to his side, and trotted to the mirror to look at himself. As he looked at his reflection, he drew his sword and held it out to reveal all the addition to the blade that he had asked Zecora to make. Then he sheathed his sword and mumbled to himself, “Well… it’s time to go.”
Sheathing his sword, Star Bolt left the walk in closet and made his way to the bedroom doors. Before he got there, Star Bolt paused as he looked at the beautiful resting princess in the bed.

                 Feeling guilty for what he was about to do, Star Bolt trotted to the bed and approached Luna as she continued resting peacefully. A tear started to roll down his face as he moved a part of her mane off of her face and kissed her cheek as he whispered to her, “Sweet dream Luna, I love you. And I always will.”
Star Bolt then turned around and put the hood on his cloak up as he trotted out the door and gently closed it behind him. Just as the door clicked shut, Princess Luna opened her eyes and slowly looked around, “S… Star Bolt? Is that you?”
Curious to where Star Bolt was, Luna sat up and looked around the room. But when she saw that he wasn’t in the room or on the balcony, she had an uneasy feeling in her heart, so she put on her crown and left the room to try and find him. Not long after trotting down the hall, Luna came to the doors that entered the throne room as she could hear Star Bolt, and Princess Celestia talking inside.

                 With no intention on interrupting their conversation, Luna stood outside the doors as she cracked them just enough to hear the conversation, as it continued with Princess Celestia sighing, “You’re sure then…”
Star Bolt replied, “Yes…”
Celestia continued, “And, today is the day that this must happen?”
“According to her instruction… yes.”
Celestia asked, “Then… I have nothing to say other than, thank you. I know this is a hard decision for you to make. But, must you still keep the secret of the Elements… I was hoping you would pass it on before you go.”
Star Bolt shook his head, “No… The Elements of Harmony are too dangerous for anypony to try to create. I plan to take that secret to my grave, just as my father did before me.”
Princess Celestia nodded her head, “That’s right, Traipse knew it too… so, does Luna know?”
Star Bolt shook his head, “No… I haven’t told anypony about how to create The Elements of Harmony.”
Princess Celestia shook her head, “No, I mean about what you’re doing… does she know?”

                 Star Bolt looked at the ground in depression, “No… I didn’t have the heart to tell her. I didn’t have the heart to tell anypony… I’ve kept this secret to myself for four years and nopony knows about it… not even Zecora.”
Princess Celestia sighed, “Would… would you like me to break it to them all?”
Star Bolt nodded his head as she replied, “I was hoping you would. I don’t have time to do it myself so it would be better if you did anyway. As for me, I gotta get going.”
Princess Celestia stood from her throne as she spoke, “Well Commander… I mean, Star Bolt… I guess this is goodbye.”
Though it went against his vow, Star Bolt bowed in respect to Princess Celestia as he replied, “It was an honor to serve you your majesty. Goodbye…”
With that said, Star Bolt turned and began trotting towards the door as Luna quickly hid herself behind one of the marble pillars as she watched Star Bolt exit the throne room and continue down the hall towards the Castle doors.

                 After Star Bolt had trotted out of her sight, Princess Luna entered the throne room to see Princess Celestia using magic to write multiple letters at once while she asked, “Tia? What was that about?”
Princess Celestia looked at Luna in surprise as she replied, “Oh… sister… um… h-how much did you hear?”
Luna replied, “Not enough… what’s going on? Why does Star Bolt seem so… depressed. And what was all that about not wanting to hurt me?”
Celestia hesitated as she tried to reply, “Um… well… you see…”
Luna’s expression became serious as she replied with an annoyed tone, “Sister… What’s going on here? And don’t lie to me. I want you to tell me the truth.”
Princess Celestia sighed knowing she couldn’t avoid this as she replied, “Luna… I have to tell you something. Its… it’s about Star Bolt… and… the agreement he made with mother four years ago…”

                 Just under an hour later deep in the Everfree forest, Star Bolt emerged from the tree line surrounding the Thunder Grounds as he sat down and peacefully looked at the glowing zap apple tree. As he looked at the symbol that has always captivated him, he shook his head as he mumbled to himself, “funny, of everything that’s happened in the past thousand years… this is the one thing that hasn’t changed at all. To me, this is where it all began… and… where it will end. But, not yet.”
Feeling like he had one more thing to do, Star Bolt stood up as he got close to the edge of the crater surrounding the ancient zap apple tree that stood in its center. With a bracing sigh, Star Bolt took a step into the electrified crater as arcs of electricity began jumping from the ground and making contact with his hoof. Though he felt this pain many times before, he still had to cringe as he started trotting slowly over the electrified soil towards the zap apple tree in the center of the Thunder Grounds. As he approached the tree, Star Bolt continued bearing the pain of the continuous electric shocks as he drew his sword and began focusing on what he was going to do.

                 Not far from the Thunder Grounds, Princess Luna was flying as fast as her wings would take her as she frantically tried to get to the Thunder Grounds to stop him. All the while the conversation that she had just had with her sister continued to cycle through her mind, “What do you mean he wasn’t honest with his payment? Exactly what wasn’t he honest about?”
Princess Celestia continued, “Luna… Star Bolt agreed to become our commander and serve us until the day that everything was as it was supposed to be… but. His agreement was to be our commander only until that day.”
Luna sat down and tried to understand, “so… okay, he isn’t our commander anymore… so what. That doesn’t explain why he was so de…”
Realizing something important, Luna took a step back in disbelief, “Wait… is… is he leaving again?”
Princess Celestia nodded her head, “Yes… he’s going to the Thunder Grounds… but this time… he… he won’t be coming back.”

                 Luna didn’t want to guess so she asked, “But… why won’t he come back?”
Princess Celestia hid her face in pain as Luna shook her head in denial, “No… no… he… he can’t… you mean he’s going to…”
Celestia didn’t reply, instead a tear rolled down her face as she continued looking down trying to hide her face. Seeing the tear fall, Luna rushed out the doors of the castle as fast as she could in hopes of catching him before it’s too late. And now as her wings became exhausted by her frantically fast flying, Luna had no choice but to land and continue on hoof, but that still didn’t slow her down since she was now using her hoof’s and wings to push her along to try to stop what she was greatly worried about. As she continued, tears began to fall as she mumbled to herself, “Please don’t Star… I… I can’t let you do this! Not now.”

                 Back at Thunder Grounds, just as Star Bolt finished carving the text into the tree, he sheathed his sword and turned back with the continuous electric arcs surging from his body to the ground around him. Being used to the feeling of the continuous electrocution, Star Bolt’s mind started to focus on something else as he made his way back out of the crater. His mind now started to play back everything the Queen has said to him all those years ago. Though it was a long ago, Star Bolt could hear her voice as if it were yesterday as she leaned close to him and whispered into his ear, “In order for me to return the lives of all who were lost… you must return with them and take the position of commander under my daughters as they strive to rebuild the kingdom of Equestria. However, you will only hold that position until Equestria is back to the way it was before… and not one day longer. For on that following day, you must return to the place where your life began… so that it may end. Only if you proceed with this action, will my gift to you remain permanent.”
As Star Bolt returned to the outside of the crater, he took a few deep breaths in exhaustion from his electrified stroll, then turned back to the tree as he smiled at the text that he carved into its base as he smiled peacefully, “I couldn’t have said it better with my own two lips.”

                 Staring into the Thunder Grounds for the last time, Star Bolt put his hood on his cloak down and mumbled to himself, “Your majesty?... I’m ready…”
Just then, with one final push of determination, Princess Luna jumped out of the tree line a few feet behind him as she called, “Star Bolt!!!”
Surprised, Star Bolt turned to look at Luna as he smiled, “Lu…”
Just then before wither ponies could say or do anything more, a large gust of wind whistled through the trees and it blew through the Thunder Grounds causing Princess Luna to shield her eyes by reflex. But as the wind died down, she could only open her eyes, to find that the stallion she was looking at, The one responsible for finishing Osiris and bringing everypony back, the very one that she had fallen in love with… was gone. Out of fear, Luna rushed to the place Star Bolt was standing but the only thing that remained of him was his cloak and sword that were sitting on the ground where he stood.

                 Trembling in both worry and sadness, Luna reached down and picked up his now empty cloak as she held it against her chest and started to cry, “St-Star Bolt… no… it’s… it’s not fair. You fought to save us all… but, in the end, you couldn’t save yourself… Why… why must your life be so cruel? I… I never even got to tell you…”
With a deepening pain in her heart, Luna sat down and continued holding the cloak as she closed her eyes and mourned her fallen love. Without her realizing it, a large number of ponies emerged from the forest behind her as one approached Princess Luna and spoke, “Princess Luna… I see you made it here first… is Commander Bolt here too?”
Princess Luna looked up to see Princess Twilight standing there as she asked, “Twilight Sparkle? W-why are you here?”
Princess Twilight used her magic to raise up a letter and show Princess Luna as she replied, “we all received a letter from Princess Celestia telling us to come here immediately. She said it was urgent.”
“Us?”

                 Princess Luna started to look around as she saw all the ponies around her. As she looked over the herd, she realized that it was everypony involved in the fight against Osiris. Princess Twilight and the other five element holders, Princess Cadence, Prince Armor, Spitfire, Niether, Zecora, and even Gilda and a talon full of troops were there. As Luna looked around tears continued to roll down her face as she sighed, “I’m sorry everypony… but you’re too late… Star Bolt, he’s gone… and… and I'll never see him again.”
Everypony looked at each other in disappointment as Princess Twilight sighed, “so… Star Bolt is really gone then?”
Shining Armor sighed, “He… he was a good friend and rival.”
Princess Cadence put her hoof on his shoulder as she added, “He was more than that.”
Fluttershy nodded her head, “he was a very good, and kind pony… trust me, I know.”
Rarity nodded her head, “to be frank, I think he held aspects of all our elements.”
Rainbow Dash added, “Not to mention he was pretty hardcore.”

                  Gilda stepped forward, “Seriously Dash? That doesn’t even begin to describe him. Not only does the story of his past say it, but we saw it ourselves. He continued forward without fear, or backing down.”
Shining Armor nodded his head, “Yea… he truly was the soldier of soldiers.”
Spitfire stepped forward, “And one of the best fliers I’ve ever seen. Even if he liked to travel on hoof.”
Niether nodded his head, “A wise stallion with great experience. We all learned something from him.”
Zecora added, “In all my time in hope of no ends, he remains still one, of our greatest friends.”
Everypony in the area nodded their heads as Luna smiled at all the positive talk about him, but then her smile faded as she continued, “And through all that, I still don’t know if he regrets his distant past. I don’t know if he ever got over Nightmare Moon and his family.”
Zecora smiled as she pointed at the zap apple tree in the center of the crater, “Zecora can tell, from what I see, the proof is carved, on the base of that tree.”

                 Everypony turned their attention to the zap apple tree as they all smiled at the words carved into it. Applejack nodded her head in agreement, as she spoke, “Finally Free… Yep. That sounds to me like he went peacefully with no worries.”
Princess Twilight  nodded her head in agreement, “Come to think of it, I do remember him saying from time to time that he felt trapped… maybe this is his way of saying he is finally content.”
Princess Luna smiled as she picked up his sword and drew the blade just far enough to see his cutie mark, “Well… if, he is content with this… then I guess I can be content knowing he can finally rest in peace.”
Everypony nodded their heads as Luna looked at his cutie mark, but before she sheathed the sword, she caught a glimpse of something else painted further down the blade. As she drew the sword completely, she could see a new cutie mark added to the blade. Luna could only smile as she saw her own cutie mark painted just below his. As Princess Luna smiled and sheathed the sword, she looked at the tree one last time, “I'll never forget you Star… I… I love you.”

                 With a content tear filled expression, Princess Luna turned towards the forest as she spoke, “Everypony… and griffin, I think it’s obvious to what we should do now. Star Bolt did this for us all… and since this was his choice, we should honor it as we continue our lives. But never forget… because even if we can’t see him… he is still here with us. And I for one will make certain that future generations know his sacrifice. Especially since he gave so much for us.”
Everypony nodded their heads as they all followed Princess Luna back into the forest. But just before Niether entered the tree line, he looked back at the zap apple tree and mumbled to himself, “Rest in peace commander. We know what you did for us and we are grateful. I guess in a way… this is The Price of Harmony.”

Epilogue
The Cloaked Mare

                 Everything was silent as a mare wearing a black cloak made her way through the Everfree Forest until she emerged from the tree line at the place she was searching for. As she stepped closer, she marveled at the harmonious glow of the ancient zap apple tree in shadows of the night as she read the text carved in its base, “Finally free… I hope it’s a good feeling.”
As the mare stood next to the craters edge, she jumped in surprise as an arc of electricity jumped out and shocked her hoof. After jumping in surprise, a dark voice came from the surrounding forest, “Careful miss… though it’s pretty, it’s also deadly.”
The mare adjusted her hood to hide her face as five ponies emerged from the forest and quickly surrounded her. As she sneered at the armed ponies, one of the stallions spoke up, “Now what would a mare be doing in a place like this? You lost little missy?”
The mare tried to position her stance to cover as much of her body with the cloak as possible as she replied, “Not really… actually I’m looking for somepony.”

                 The surrounding group moves slightly closer as one of them spoke, “Such a softly sweet voice… sounds to me like we got a noble on our hooves.”
The same stallion who spoke before replied to the comment, “Now, now colts… let’s not get ahead of ourselves. So… you’re looking for somepony right… does this pony have a name?”
The mare replied, “Yes… he calls himself, Commander Bolt... Do you know him?”
The surrounding group laughed as a random pony looked at the previous speaker and smiled, “Sounds like she heard of you boss.”
The mare sneered at the lead stallion as he bowed in a sarcastically shown respect, “Look no further. For I, am Commander Bolt. And these ponies… they are my soldiers, The Nightmare Legion.”
Her cloak covered her trembling rage as she spoke up, “Really… then I only have this to say… I want you to surrender yourself now… and I promise I won’t hurt you… fatally.”

                 The group started to laugh as the leader replied, “Excuse me? You’re in no position to be making empty threats missy.”
“And you're nothing but a pathetic waste of life claiming to be somepony who you clearly aren’t. You have some nerve. Coming to this sacred ground, robing innocent travelers and parading yourself as Commander Bolt, disrespecting not only his legacy, but the legacy of the Nightmare Legion as well. You make me sick to my stomach. I’d vomit if the though didn’t please me more than standing in the presence of a disgrace like you.”
The group went silent as they looked at the expression on their bosses face as it went from amused to annoyed, “Well, well, well… looks like our little pampered poodle likes to snap at a wolf pack. Ya know, I was just going to rob you and send you back to Canterlot with your tail between your legs… but after hearing that, I think we should make an example of somepony like you.”
After saying that, the rest of the bandits slowly drew their swords, as they got even closer to the mare.

                 The mare didn’t even brace herself for a fight. She only stood there as she smiled confidently, “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
The imposter sneered as he replied, “Don’t worry… I won’t… KILL HER!”
With that said, one of the bandits attacked from her side, but as he swung his sword, the mare ducked as she opened her wing and flung it under the pony's hooves causing him to fall to the ground. Before the pony could pick himself up, the mare grabbed him by his head as she swung him around and hit another charging pony coming from her other side. After the two fell to the ground, two others attacked from both sides as the mare held her ground. First, the pony attacking on her left tried to swing his sword for her neck only to have her duck under the blade. Then the pony on her right swung his sword for her right side hooves as she raised them up to dodge his attack, while at the same time head butting the pony on her left on his muzzle. With the left pony covering his muzzle, the right pony tried again to swing at the quick mare as he tried aiming for her head this time.

                 Continuing her fast reactions, the mare shifted her body and lowered her head so that she was now facing the pony on her right while dodging his attack. After the blade passed over her head the mare brought up bother her front left hoof and her rear right hoof, punching the pony in front of her in his jaw and kicking the pony behind her in his face sending them both flying in the air from where she was standing. With the leader being the last pony standing, he sneered at the mare as he drew his sword, “You’re no normal mare… But you won’t beat me!!!”
With anger, the stallion charged towards the mare and swung his sword vertically, but before the blade made contact, the mare quickly reached into her cloak and drew a short sword as she raised it up and blocked the incoming attack. With the sparks from the impact still in the air, the impost looked at the cutie marks painted on the blade and gasped in shock, “That sword is… that means you’re...”
The mare sneered at her opponent and moved too quickly for him to react as she parried his blade and used the back of her blade to bash the stallion across his face tossing him a few feet from where he was standing.

                 As the stunned stallion laid on the ground, the mare approached him as her tone got angrier, “That’s right… that’s the reason why I know you’re not Commander Bolt… if you were, then even your soldiers could have beaten me… but they can’t, and neither can you. Now I would take your actions and make an example of you … but I'd rather bring you back alive so you can tell the world that you aren’t who you claim to be. I don’t care what name you take this time… but if you even think to claim Commander Bolt’s again… then I'll kill you… I'll kill you, with his sword.”
Out of fear, the other four stallions picked themselves up, sheathed their weapons, and tried to flee into the forest, but as their tails disappeared into the tree line, they slowly reappeared as the four stallions slowly backed into the clearing followed closely by royal guards who were pointing spears at them. The mare looked around to find that not only were the guards surrounding the tree line, but they were surrounding the entire Thunder Grounds. Seeing the guards in all directions, she could only sigh, “Uh oh… I’m in trouble…”
“I should say so!”

                 The mare quickly looked to the night sky as she saw Princess Luna glide down and land in the area. The mare sighed as she sheathed the sword and slowly trotted to the annoyed princess with her head hung in shame. As she approached Luna, she put her hood down revealing that she wasn’t just a normal pegasus, but an alicorn. As she looked up a Luna, she tried to explain, “M-mother… I…”
“What were you thinking? I told you before that this was a matter that the royal guards could handle on their own.”
The mare hung her head as she replied, “but… I couldn’t just sit by and let them do this. Dad’s name was on the line. Do you expect me to just sit on my preppy little thorn and listen as the ponies of Canterlot disgrace him because of what these bandits are doing?”
Luna shook her head as she replied, “No… and despite my personal feelings to this matter I chose to stay out of it. But matters this small don’t require the actions of a princess. That’s what I’m trying to teach you.”
The mare looked away and spoke disrespectfully, “I only did what Dad would have done.”

                 Luna sighed, “Princess Umbra… your father would have considered his option before storming out here with his blade drawn. What you did was reckless.”
Umbra tried to make her point, “Mom I’ve been trained on how to defend myself by both Prince Armor and Commander Gilda. I’ve been taught magic by Princess Twilight and the Elder Zecora. And even Major Scootaloo agrees that I could do this on my own.”
Princess Luna looked at one of the royal guards as Scootaloo shook her head, “Oh no… leave me out of this one princess.”
Princess Luna looked back at her daughter as she replied, “That doesn’t matter… you didn’t know your risk and there for, you put yourself in danger.”
“Mom the reports say it was only five po…”
“And what if there weren’t? What if five turned out to be fifty or one hundred? And furthermore, what if this imposter knew the Lighting Orb? Do you think you could face a challenge like that?”

                 The younger princess looked down in disappointment as she mumbled to herself, “I’m almost eighteen… you could at least give me some confidence.”
Princess Luna sighed, “Umbra… I do… I know you can defend yourself and I know that you carry your father’s strength… I only worry that you may become too reckless. You may be an immortal alicorn… but your mortality is only by youth and beauty. A cut to the throat, an arrow to the heart and a spear to the chest will kill you just like everypony else. And I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you to something as pointless as your ego.”
Princess Umbra hung her head in shame as Princess Luna saw this and smiled, “On a brighter note, though he would have thought about it first… you did exactly as your father would have done. And you did exceptional. I’m proud of you, still annoyed… but proud.”

                 Princess Umbra smiled at her mother as she unstrapped the short sword from her side and gave it to her mother, “Thanks mom… I'll try not to be so reckless next time.”
Princess Luna took the sword from her daughter and gave it to Major Scootaloo as she smiled, “and that’s all I ask. As for these bandits, arrest them and take them with us. Their leader has an announcement to make to the ponies of Canterlot.”
Scootaloo nodded her head as she smiled “You got it your majesty.”
As the two princesses started trotting towards the tree line, the guards chained the four standing bandits as two other guards started to pick up the imposter. As the stunned pony stood up, he glared at Princess Umbra from behind as he sneered, “You're telling me that I was beaten by a princess… no… I won’t stand for this. I'll KILL YOU!!!”

                 After yelling, the bandit punched one of the guards as he grabbed the other guard’s sword, and drew it as he pushed the guard out of the way. Then with rage-filled eyes, the bandit charged at the two princesses as they turned to see what all the commotion was about. However, the bandit could only take three steps before, a cloud quickly appeared over Princess Umbra’s head as a bolt of lightning flew from the cloud hitting the bandit and causing him to fall to the ground unconscious. As soon as the bolt was gone and the cloud dispersed, Princess Luna gave her daughter a stern stare as Umbra shrugged her shoulders with electricity still arcing in her eyes, “What?... He started it!”
Princess Luna looked at the guards who were quickly surrounding the bandit as she asked, “Well?”
The guard checked him and replied, “Your majesty, he is stunned but alive.”
Princess Luna shook her head as she spoke, “As I said… you’re just like your fath…”

                 Before Princess Luna could finish her sentence, she looked passed the Thunder Grounds crater and could see a cloaked stallion standing in the shadows ahead with a smile on his face. As she watched, the figure slowly vanished as Princess Umbra spoke, “Mom? You ok?”
Princess Luna shook her head as if she were clearing the vision from her eyes and replied, “Yes… I’m fine… I was just thinking about how much you remind me of your father. That’s all. Now come. Dawn is approaching and I don’t want your aunt to worry if we don’t arrive on time.”
Princess Luna started to trot forward as Princess Umbra took one last look at the Thunder Grounds before speaking, “See you later dad… next time I’m feeling down, I'll be here so you can cheer me up. Okay?”
Princess Luna stopped and smiled as she waited for her daughter to catch up with her. When Princess Umbra caught up the two continued side by side into the tree line followed by the chained bandits, and the guards. As soon as the Thunder Grounds were once again empty, the cloaked vision appeared next to the zap apple tree as it smiled and replied to Umbra’s words, “And I'll be here when you do. Now… and forever.”

End…