Epilogue
Perspective: Private Eye
“You can’t do this to me! I demand you let go of me this instant! I will have your heads I tell you! I will have your children enslaved! I’LL DESTROY ALL!” Was the last rant that Soleil gave before her own former guards tossed her into a prison carriage provided by Celestia.
Phoenix and Twilight stood together as the guards took the former princess away. Twilight looked to the newly transformed Alicorn. “Will you be alright?”
Phoenix looked at Twilight and slowly nodded, “It, will be difficult the first couple of weeks. Adjusting to a new ruler is never an easy task for any country. But, I shall do my best to make sure that Soleil’s corrupt regime never happens again.”
I smiled as I joined the pair, “I’m sure you’ll do fine Gloam. Just, don’t be like Soleil and you’ll have everybody following you in no time.”
“Soleil will no longer be an issue.” Celestia said as she too came over. “The guards loyal to her have been rounded up and will be returned to Calvaria to face trial. I am proud of you Phoenix, and I am glad to see the sun is in good hooves.”
Phoenix smiled wide at Celestia’s compliment and said, “I promise to do my best.”
“I know you will,” Twilight said, hugging her newfound princess friend. Phoenix gladly returned the hug.
“Gloam…?”
All looked to see Blaze Warden walking over. His armor was gone and a group of bandages were covering when he was hit. When he looked at Phoenix, his eyes were wide and, I could see a fear in them.
Phoenix let go of Twilight and slowly walked to Blaze. “Blaze...it’s still me, Gloam. I, have wings and a new name now…” She said, scuffing her hoof on the ground.
Blaze’s face turned from fear, to anger,and then, disappointment. Finally, he simply bowed his head. “Your, highness, I live to serve.”
“Blaze, please, my name and body may have changed but it’s still me inside…” Phoenix said.
Twilight and I looked at each other, we knew where this could go and it wasn’t good.
“Milady I-” Blaze began.
“Blaze wait, I told you…”
“You're the princess now, I have certain protocol…”
“But, I thought you cared about me…”
“I do, it’s just that…”
“That what…?”
“You’ve changed and…”
“Blaze,” I walked to the dark stallion and said, “I… I felt like you a long time ago. When Twilight was transformed into an alicorn. I made the mistake of thinking the Twilight I knew was the only one I wanted.”
Twilight went on, putting a wing over her friend, “Ponies change Blaze, not in the ways we can expect or want. At the end of the day, the mare you fell in love with is still on the inside, even if her outside has changed so much.”
Blaze looked like he was about to argue, then he looked to Phoenix. His eyes slowly left their disappointment and worry. All that was left, was a longing simply to be with the mare he cared about.
“Blaze,” Phoenix said with a little sniffle. “I love you, I always have. Please, don’t let me becoming a princess destroy what feelings I know we share.”
Blaze slowly walked to Phoenix and then he threw his arms around her neck. Princess and Guard embraced one another and their kiss was one straight out of a romantic movie. All that was missing was a musical choir and rain.
And you all thought we’d go a case without Private getting a couple together!
Pinkie...the mood is so good I can’t bring myself to berate you for taking a sledgehammer to the laws of reality.
______________________________________________________
Perspective: Celestia
“The rest of the summit went without a hitch. With Soleil dealt with matters proceeded as normal. Phoenix would return to Calvaria as it’s new princess, declaring she was going to reform the country out of the pit Soleil had dug itself into,” I said.
He was quiet, he was a very good listener, like in the old days.
“Twilight and Private handled things marvelously. I hope that they continue to grow. Although I hope my love doesn’t take too much of an offense to being used as, essentially, bait.” I said with a smile. “But, all will be forgiven with...oh I really shouldn’t say it’s rather embarrassing to talk to you about it.”
I could just see him trying to keep a straight face as he told me it was alright. He was never comfortable about me growing up. Especially when it involved a certain Dracorn.
My face slowly developed into a frown however. “Though, I have to wonder, what Soleil would have been like had she been born under different circumstances. Seems no matter where I go, I always seem to bring trouble to others.”
He was quiet...always quiet…
“And, it’s only going to get worse from here. What I am about to do, what I have to do, I’m worried. I’m afraid, for the first time in a long time, that somepony’s faith will be shaken in me. I hate that I have to do this. I hate to have to always shoulder the burden on ponies other than myself…”
Still quiet…
“When I do this...Equestria will be saved...all will be saved...but…I will lose Twilight...my student...my daughter in everything except blood…”
I felt myself crying, I had so much to let out...I took his hoof.
“Before I left the palace I would not have had this much hesitation...I would never have questioned what had to be done...I would’ve...I would’ve just thrown her to the wolves...but...Voidera changed me...Izanami changed me…”
I held his hoof tighter.
“But when I lost Luna...I closed my heart again...it was all my fault and I keep living as if it doesn’t bother me...the mask...oh the mask I wish I could rip off this facade for everypony to see...but I kept it on...for my ponies…”
For a minute I imagined him hugging me...but I know he can’t….
“Then...Twilight came...I knew for a fact she was the one...the one destined to become Magic. But….with every danger I put her through...with every trial I have her perform...I realize that...I could never keep my mask on for her. She made me happy, giving me hope for the future…”
“Then, Private came. He continued to bring joy to her...but I knew once those two had crossed paths, it would begin. The final battle between those who follow Faust’s light...and those who relish in evil...and those two will be right at the center…”
Tears flowed openly as I quivered out, “What...wha...what should I do…? How can I...after all I’ve done...keep this horrible truth...from a mare I’ve grown to love as one of my own…”
“Papa…” I said weakly.
I looked on at my father’s sleeping face as he slept so soundly on the bed. Life support systems feeding him mana and nutrients keeping him alive….
“Papa...let me hear your voice again...and tell me what I’m doing...is right…”