RaphShimmer: Matter of Family

Friendship Festival

Garrett's P.O.V.

I'm so glad to know Equestria's been saved! No thanks in part to my beautiful marefriend Twilight and her friends, and also my awesome brother in law and his brothers. It helps that Dusk and I also helped. Raph and I decided to walk out of the castle with Billy. As we walked, Raph then said, "okay Garrett, there's one thing I don't get... Why did you and Dusk decide to save Tempest and forgive her, after everything she did to you and your friends? You could have just let her die, and it wouldn't have been no biggie." Raph has a valid enough question. But it gives me enough time to say, "Well, when we saw Storm King double cross Tempest, I felt bad for her. She gave him nothing but loyalty for over a decade, and she got nothing in return. Dusk knows firsthand what it's like to be used and ordered to do horrible things, just for acceptance, only to be double-crossed. If we turned our backs on her, it would've been like when everyone turned their backs on Sunset. I couldn't live with that type of guilt."

"Huh, you got me there Garrett," said Raph, "especially since I had to travel back in time to save your sister. Still, the fact that you're letting Tempest in, it reminds me of when we let Miwa back into our lives. Really is good." I smiled, glad to know that Raphael got my point. "Besides, I had certain inmates that taught me that it's better to forgive than to let hatred consume me," I said, winking at Billy. My friend said, "I have truly taught you well my young student." Suddenly, I hear a familiar voice say, "Billy? Garrett?" It's Mero! Billy and I run over to our favorite red dragon and give him a big hug. "You're alive!" I say with joy. "I ain't the only one that's alive," said Mero, and then an old friend walks in. It's Capper! He smiled and said, "hey kiddo. What have you been up to?" I then ran to Capper and gave him a big hug, happy to see my favorite cellmate. "Capper, I'd like you to meet my brother-in-law, Raphael Hamato. Raph, this is my cellmate Capper," I introduced to Raph. He shook Cap's hand and said, "Well looks like I've met all of Garrett's friends. Nice to meet ya Cap."

"Nice to meet you too Raph," replied Cap, "by the way Garrett, I met that alicorn. You got fine taste in mares." Raph chuckled and said, "That's what I said! Look Garrett, my brothers and I would love to maybe stay for the Friendship Festival, but we got to go home. Sunset might get worried sick about us." I nodded, saying, "I understand Raph. Can you at least tell her that I'm okay?" Raph nodded and said, "I will." We then watched as Raphael and his brothers walked into the Crystal Mirror, back into the human world. After that, The Friendship Festival resumed.

As Songbird Serenade started to sing, Capper and I decided to catch up on old times. Capper told me of his adventures in Klugetown. And I told Capper what happened to Sunset after she thought I supposedly died. I explained the Crystal Mirror, how Sunset met Twilight, how everyone turned their backs on Sunset, who Raphael was and how he managed to save Sunset through the magic of time travel. Then I talked about the Sirens, and every other crazy adventure, and my singing career. We looked at each other, and laughed. "Well, we certainly ain't lived any ho-hum lives now, have we?" Capper joked. "No, we haven't," I replied, "I'm glad that I got to see you again, Cap."

"I am too Garrett," said Capper, "I'm also glad to know Billy and Mero are okay." I smiled and asked, "You planning on staying here in Canterlot?" Capper shrugged and replied, "I don't see why not. Wouldn't mind staying with my favorite friends. Klugetown was kinda getting a little boring anyway." I smiled, hugging him. Capper then gave a sly smile and asked, "you gonna ask that lovely mare to marry you?" I got out my proposal ring and said, "well it'd be such a shame to waste such a beautiful ring. Now's the perfect time." Capper patted me and said, "go get her man." I then walked on over to Princess Twilight. She and her friends were talking to Tempest Shadow. Turns out her real name is Fizzlepop Berrytwist. Pinkie seems to like the name. "Hey princess," I said to my marefriend. "Hello my beloved," replied Twilight. "Way to save Canterlot," I commended, kissing her on the cheek. "You and Dusk were no slouch either," replied Twilight as she nuzzled me. "Twilight, there's something I want to ask you," I said, getting ready.

"What is it Garrett?" Twilight asked curiously. "How much do you love me?" I asked, the ring behind me. "You make me feel happy," said Twilight, "I love you with all my heart Garrett. You're always there for me during the darkest of times, and you always know how to lift my spirits. If today has taught us anything, it's that nothing can drive our love apart. Because no matter what, we'll always be able to find each other again. I love you so much, that I would be happy to spend the rest of my life with you." I smiled and said, "I feel the same way about you. You make everything worthwhile for me. You bring out the hero in me. And so I have to ask you..." I then got out the ring and asked, "Princess Twilight Sparkle, will you marry me?" Twilight was at a loss for words, ready to cry. "Garrett Shimmer..." she said, covering her mouth, "YES! YES! Yes, a million times yes, I will marry you!" She was laughing and crying, and smothered me with hugs and kisses. I embraced every kiss, and gently put the proposal ring on her horn. We smiled and looked at each other. We saw our friends giving smiles of encouragement, happy for us. So this is what the beginning of Happily Ever After feels like.