//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: The Adventures of Shadow Chaser: Octavia in the Wolves' Den 
// by RangerBeef 
//------------------------------//

	A few weeks after Rainbow had gotten out of the hospital and life had returned to normal I got a visit from Vinyl Scratch.  When she entered my office this time it was under much happier circumstances.  She sat in the chair provided in my office and spoke in a chipper voice.

“Hey, detective, I just wanted to thank you for finding Octavia.  She explained everything and I have to say I’m a little shocked.  I could hardly believe it all.  We’ve seen some crazy things go down in this town; Nightmare Moon, Discord, and the changeling invasion, but I never imagined that a secret society would want to bring any of those people back.  It’s just crazy, ya know?”

I nodded.  “Yea, I’ve seen some crazy things in my day but this one was a little over the top for me too.”

“It’s cool now though.  You stopped the bad guys and saved the damsel in distress.  That’s something to be proud of.  But hey, I came in today because I brought someone who wanted to say something.”

Octavia walked in slowly, looking a bit shy at seeing me again.  Perhaps even disappointed that she was here.  Vinyl must have dragged her along.

“Hello, detective.”

I walked around in front of my desk to talk to them.  “Hello, Octavia.  It’s nice to actually meet you.”

She smiled softly.  “Yes, I think these conditions are a bit more..  pleasant.”

I could sense her inability to voice what she wanted to and looked to Vinyl silently for advice.  She lifted her purple shades and mouthed slowly.  “Hug her.”  I didn’t feel comfortable just hugging someone who looked so awkward but decided that Vinyl probably knew best in this instance.

I approached Octavia and embraced her lightly.  She quickly hugged me back, squeezing me tightly and pressing herself into me.  I could hear her soft sobs and felt my coat begin to soak up her tears.

“Thank you.”

I smiled and answered her quietly.  “Just doing my job.”

She giggled through her tears and squeezed me extra tight for a moment before releasing me and wiping her eyes.  “How did you know where to find me?  I thought no one would ever come.”

I explained my entire story to her and Vinyl and they stared at me wide eyed as I recounted it all, purposefully leaving out the parts about Rainbow Dash, explaining that the mare Octavia had seen was another detective, which, at this point, wasn’t wholly untrue.

“Detective, that’s..  amazing,” Octavia said in shock.  “Truly I was lucky to have you find me.”

Vinyl jumped in with some humor.  “Hey, I’m the one who hired him!”

We all laughed softly as I ushered them toward the door.  “That’s very true but I did it for free, so we’ll say 50/50, Vinyl.  Now if you girls would excuse me, I’ve already got a new project I’m working on that I have to get back to.  Stop by any time.”

Vinyl waved and said her goodbyes and walked out but Octavia lingered for a moment.

“Is something wrong, Octavia?”  Genuine concern in my voice.

“No, detective, I just wanted to thank you again.  I truly will never be able to repay you.”

“You don’t have to, Octavia.  I really was just doing what I do best.”  I smiled at her.

She embraced me tightly once more.  “Thank you.”

I smiled and gave in.  “It was my pleasure, Octavia.  Now go, live your life.  Go try out for the Boston Trots.  I hear they’re looking for a cellist.”

She smiled and walked outside running to catch up to Vinyl.

I turned back to my desk and finished the letter I’d been writing.

“…  In closing, I apologize for lying to you but it was necessary.  But here are the tickets I promised.  I wish your family many years of health and happiness.  Signed, Detective Shadow Chaser.”