//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Equestria Noir Season 2 Case 5 "Shadowhoof" // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// Epilogue I heard a quiet beeping sound as I eventually came back to consciousness. I was lying down on a bed of some sort. All I could make out was a purple blob in front of me. Slowly but surely my vision came into focus. I was in a hospital, on one of the beds. My left leg was hooked up to an IV and I could see my hat and trench coat hanging off to the side on a coat rack. My whole body felt like it was run over by a carriage fifty times. The worst pain came from my right leg, which was bandaged up. The blob came into focus and I saw Twilight’s relieved face as she sat beside the bed. “Thank goodness you woke up!” She said, hugging me as best she could. “Twi?” I said weakly. “Where am I? How did I get here?” “You’re still in Manehatten, Flash and the guards brought you to the hospital,” She said. I looked up and saw Flash Sentry standing there with a pair of solar guards flanking him. He gave a smile and said, “Good thing you woke up, we were worried about you for a second.” “How did you find me?” I asked. “Princess Celestia told us you were running around Manehatten for some reason,” He replied. “After we heard the explosion we came running. Found you passed out on a roof.” So, Celestia knew what was going on? “Either way, I can’t thank you enough for finding him,” Twilight said, smiling at Flash. The guard bowed his head and said, “Anything for you guys. After all, it’s not every day you get to save a savior of Equestria.” He chuckled a little and looked to his guards. “Come on guys, let’s give them some privacy.” All three guards left after that and I leaned back against the soft pillows. “I was damn lucky.” I said. “Private, just what happened?” She said. “Flash said when he found you, you were beaten up, had a bruised leg and were barely breathing. Just what were you doing?” “It’s a bit of a long story…” I said, sighing. “But, Big Mac and Fluttershy? Are they okay?” Twilight smiled and nodded. “Yes, they are back at Ponyville right now. They told me they were mostly unconscious during the whole ordeal. They don’t remember where they were or who took them. But, they seem to be okay, that’s all that matters.” I smiled, and reached my head up to kiss her. She kissed me back and I said, “Twi, just, stay here for a while okay?” She smiled in turn and pressed her muzzle to mine, “I almost lost you once Preventus, I’m never losing you again.” With that, I closed my eyes and pressed into my mate’s muzzle. I love her so much… As soon as I’m out of this hospital...I’m thinking foreplay… ______________________________________________________ Perspective: Voidera Once again I found myself in the stained glass hallway. Tia and I were looking on the recently added window depicting the Battle for Ponyville. It was midday, Luna was sound asleep in her room, far away from what we were discussing. “The Enemy’s Agent has made his move,” I said. “To come so soon after Lunard’s return,” Tia said, shaking her head. “I had hoped to give Private and Twilight more time. But, it seems he’s made the choice for us.” “What are we to do?” I asked. “Shall we cancel the Royal Princess Summit? I’m sure Cadence would understand if we told her.” “Told her what?” Tia said, looking at me. “That Sombra was merely the tip of an ice glacier of evil coming this way? No, we cannot allow the enemy any chance to find out the plan.” “So we do nothing?” I asked. “Just train our students as best we can?” “Unfortunately that’s our only option at this point,” She said, looking down. “I hate to put Twilight at risk again. But if she is to become a true Element of Magic and a princess, this is what needs to be done.” “You know,” I started. “Don’t even speak of it. There’s a reason why she went into that mirror and you know it.” “I’m only saying she’s had experience, I’m not suggesting we give her the crown. We both know what could happen.” “I made the mistake of letting that mirror show Sunset what she could become,” Tia said as she began walking towards the door, where behind it lay the elements of Harmony. “After she learned, she became obsessed with finding out what it took to become an Alicorn. I never wanted Twilight to seek the power. I wanted her to earn it of her own accord.” “What of my student?” I asked. “You can’t ask me to hide things from Private. He’ll learn eventually what he’s capable of. Let’s just say he’s not as patient as your student.” “Are you suggesting I made the wrong decision?” She asked, an edge in her voice. “I’m merely saying we are poking a dragon while it’s sleeping,” I said. “At least let me tell Private of why he has that dark magic within him. Why Prometheus fell as he did.” She stared at me for a long time, her violet eyes pondering it. Slowly, she shook her head. “He is a detective, he’ll find the truth for himself. As for the dark magic, Twilight is there to temper it. She’ll make sure he doesn’t fall.” I closed my red eyes and nodded. “So, the summit goes as planned...you know how long it’s been since Sunset went in that mirror…” “Her last entry was thirty moons ago,” Celestia said with a nod. “She’s been going in and out on occasion, and she will use this opportunity to look for the crown.” “You and I both know the spell Izanami put on the Element.” I said. “To ensure nopony hoping to use magic for evil will be able to use it properly.” Celestia said. “I’m well aware, I helped her cast it myself.” “So, if Sunset were to use it,” I began. “She’d find that Izanami does not take kindly to those who try to use her power for evil. But I fear the darkness inside Sunset will twist the spell beyond it’s intention. Twilight may still have yet to face her should worse come to worst,” She said. “While I trust your judgement, Tia, I fear that the Enemy will be thinking as many steps ahead as you are,” I said. Slowly Tia smiled. “That’s the thing about Hope and Magic, both tend to throw wild cards into even the best made plans.” _____________________________________________________ Perspective: Shadowhoof “He’s not here anymore…?” “No sister, he is recovering at the hospital, the battle took quite a toll on him and my office.” “Are we going to kill him now and the mare with the nice mane?” “No not yet my dear, have patience. Private’s battle with me was very public. I guess you could say we need to lay low for a while.” “When are we gonna kill her, Big Brother?” “Really soon, my sister, because soon, Private Eye will join us. He’ll see how much injustice there is in this world. Sooner or later….” “He will join the true master of this world…”