GOB sat quietly in his office. The only noise being the constant ticking of his clock that hung on the wall behind him. He twiddled his thumbs as he glanced around his office, taking in all his decorations he took the time to add to his workspace. From his prized moose head to his prized red and black OC head that hung on the left side of the clock. With the moose on the opposite side.
“I remember that day… What a day it was.” GOB said to himself as he conjured a small glass of what seemed to be a light brown almost golden colored liquid. “The day I shot down my first red and black! I believe his name was Venom Rain… Quite cheesy really, the things juvenile authors come up with… It’s so ridiculous…” He took a sip of his drink and sighed after his drink. He looked at the glass and smiled.
“That’s some good apple juice…” He heard a knock at his door. “It’s open!” He called out, and seconds later the door opened to reveal Candle Light. GOB’s co-chairwoman and apprentice.
“Sir, the three contestants are here to see you!” She informed.
“Wonderful! Let them in!” Candle responded by stepping aside to let the three contestants who were in their anthropomorphic forms. Each of them wearing formal attire. They each took a seat in the three chairs that were placed in front of GOB’s desk.
“So, here we all are! You three did a wonderful job in completing your jobs. But as you all know there can only be one winner. Each of you wished for something, two being the same thing. Ms. Darkeye, Mr. Veterani, both of you wished to have a normal life with one another. Which I find not only beautiful but inspiring. All you two want is to live a normal life with one another. To live in a world where you, Mr. Veterani don’t need to kill for money, and you, Ms. Selune can cuddle with a loved one.” GOB preached. He took another swig of his drink and continued. “It’s quite lucky too since one of you only made third place…” GOB informed, causing Merc and Selune’s eyes to widen with shock.
“Who was it then?” Selune asked. GOB slowly looked at her and sighed.
“Miss Selune, you’re a very smart and might I say, a beautiful mare who worked very hard to get here. I respect your spirit and personality. You’ve managed to find love and make friends and I’m glad for that, but I’m sorry to say you made third place. Your wish will not be made true. Keep the gem I gave you as a token of gratitude…” GOB said. As he finished he noticed tears begin to form in Selune’s eyes, he couldn’t help but feel bad for the mare. He pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Selune. “Now now, no tears Ms. Darkeye. Chin up, everything will be fine. Trust me.” GOB reassured. Somehow, this was enough to help Selune to stop crying a little and only hiccups and whimpers escaped the mare. Merc did his best to comfort his lover while GOB turned to First Spark.
“Ms. Spark… You’ve done an amazing job getting here. You’ve worked very hard and overcame so many obstacles. I hope you know I have so much respect for you. Especially after your selfless offer to assist me, and even though I do need your help in some cases, I know that these problems are mine and mine alone. I thank you for your offer Miss Spark. I’m sorry, but I have to tell you that you did not make first place. You’ve placed second. My apologies, your wish will not come true. You can keep the gem, however, as a little souvenir.” GOB stated, to which First Spark only nodded. Every fiber in her being wanted to protest and insist she help, but GOB gave her a smile, a smile that reassured her that things will be fine. She took his word, and he knew it. GOB finally turned his attention to Veterani who waited with his arms crossed.
“So that’s it then?” He asked.
“You already know, do you?” GOB asked.
“Kinda gave it away when you were talking to Selune… I know.” Merc explained.
“I still have to announce it,” GOB informed. Merc nodded in agreement. Basically knowing how the whole procedure will work. He winked at Selune and arose from his seat. GOB approached the young stallion and put his arm around his shoulders.
“Come along lad. We have things to discuss.” GOB said as he led Merc out the office. As the two went down the hall and into the lobby, he turned to Candle Light and requested her to entertain and show the remaining contestants around the building. Give them a small tour. GOB led Merc through a series of halls and rooms until they reached an elevator.
“You ready for this?” GOB asked.
“Ready for anything you throw at me,” Merc replied, seemingly ready for anything and everything GOB could think of. GOB smiled and waited for the elevator. Eventually, the elevator arrived and opened. GOB pressed the roof button and the elevator began to rise all the way to the roof. Moments of silence passed until they reached the roof and the elevator doors opened. Immediately Merc noticed the large helicopter from his heist waiting for the two with Barrel Roll in the pilot’s seat.
“We’re going on a little trip,” GOB said with a smile. Merc eyed GOB for a second but proceeded to follow him to the aircraft. GOB led Veterani to the helicopter where Merc and Barrel exchanged welcoming glances. GOB took a seat across from Merc and moments later, the chopper began to lift into the air.
“So, you’re the winner. Congratulations, your wish will come true, and everything you’ve ever wanted will become a reality. You’ll live a happy life with Selune and live in a world where you don’t need to kill for money, and there is no violence. But there’s one catch… I may or may not have mentioned this before…” GOB said which caused Merc to give a serious, concerned look.
“What is it GOB?” Merc asked, wishing it wasn’t what he thought it could be.
“Well… You, Selune, and First Spark won’t have any memory from what’s happened here during this tournament. You and Selune will still be an item, but how you two met will be an entirely different story. Instead of meeting during a contest, you two met during a small vacation at a luxury hotel. You met her on the roof and the rest is history. Kinda like how you two actually met, but without the memory of having to retrieve weapons or a nuclear reactor. First Spark will also have her memory wiped, will she be in your universe? Well, if you’re willing to look for her, that’s all on you.” GOB informed. Although it worried Merc when GOB first began to explain what would happen, he would, at least, remember who Selune was and they would still be a couple.
“Will I know the things she’s told me still? Like her disease and whatever else?” Merc asked.
“As I said, you’ll still remember everything about HER, but you won’t remember me, or this whole tournament. You do get to keep the gem I gave you, however, it’ll be nothing more than a precious stone. Speaking of which, do you still have it on you?” GOB asked. Merc presented the gem GOB had gifted him before. GOB smiled a toothy grin and exclaimed ‘great’ and arose from his seat. The chopper itself was pretty high up, higher than the clouds even. GOB told Merc to arise too and he obliged. GOB finally put his arm around Merc and began to speak to him one last time.
“Merc, I wish you luck with your new life. Spoiler alert, you and Selune will have tough times here and there, but those times will be the best, for they will strengthen your relationship. You two will live to be old ponies, still together, bonded with love… I don’t want to give away too much Mr. Veterani, but I will say this last thing… Make sure to hand down the gem as a family heirloom… I’m sure you know what I mean. Anyway…” GOB led Merc to the opening of the chopper, and Merc suddenly realized what was happening. “Remember to hold on tight to that gem! Oh, and don’t nose dive this! It will hurt more! Try to land on your back!” Suddenly, GOB pushed Merc out of the chopper, sending his hurdling towards the ground. Although Merc was very angry at GOB for pushing him out of a chopper, he still took his advice and turned and rotated so he would land on his back.
Suddenly, when it felt as though he would hit the ground any second he blacked out. Everything was dark and silent. Moments passed until his eyes jerked open to find himself on a carpeted floor next to what seemed to be a bed. Confused, he got up and looked around and noticed a lump under his covers. A smile graced his face as he crawled over to the right side of the bed. He gently shook it until the mare beneath the covers woke up.
“Morning, babe…” Merc whispered as the mare with white stripes against her black as coal coat glanced at him.
“Morning Merc…”