//------------------------------// // Epilogue B: The Choices We Make // Story: Marked // by Eisen //------------------------------// "Twilight! I give up, I surrender! Open the door!" The princess was back in front of the broadcast chamber, heart pounding as she listened to Far Reach yelling from the other side. "You'll be a murderer, Twilight! A murderer! A killer!" he said, his voice sounding slightly different. She closed her eyes and tried to ignore him, yet could not move away from the door. Thus, when she heard a third voice, she nearly yelped in panic. "She already is a murderer. She just can't face the facts," the voice said coldly. The princess opened her eyes to see Straight Arrow, his eyes glazed over and lifeless, standing before her. "Wha-- how--?" she began, backing up against the door. "You could have saved me, Twilight... but you didn't," he said plainly. "Murderer! You're a killer!" Reach yelled from behind the door, forcing her to back up. She found herself backed against something solid again, and as she whipped around, she was met with Arrow staring back at her. "It's time to pay up," he said, placing a cold hoof on her throat, beginning to push. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight awoke in a cold sweat, holding a hoof to her throat and panting, panicked, at the nightmare. She took deep breaths, trying to look around slowly and gather her bearings. The princess noted her room, the warm daylight streaming in through the windows, reflecting off of the dull floor. She lay back on her bed, holding her head in her hooves for a moment as she tried to clear her mind. Another nightmare... this is getting hard to take... she thought to herself, sighing shakily. Even now, a year later, she still had horrible dreams about Reach's death. Luna had agreed to help a few months back, that is, when she wasn't helping with Equestria's stability. But even Luna couldn't be there every night. Indeed, Luna, Celestia, Cadence... since the Trident disappeared, a very unexpected crime spike occurred, mostly in bigger cities. As a result, the leaders had to put quite a bit more effort into running their respective towns. Evidently, the strings that had been cut had been holding up more than Twilight had imagined. However, here in ber castle, she could look out and see Ponyville, which, even after the incident, really hadn't changed too much. Twilight continued looking out her window and thinking about how things had changed, in a attempt to shake off those dark dreams. She sighed, looking over at her clock. It was almost time for work, and today there was a very special appointment that she just couldn't miss. With a smile slowly growing on her face, she spread her wings and prepared to head to Canterlot Peak. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cold mountain breeze greeted her as Twilight landed in front of her new workplace in the peak. The formerly hidden door and subtle cave had been remodled into a comfortable, much more obvious entrance, and the complex door left unlocked for service. The baloon dock had been expanded to accomodate the Canterlot airships, and the princess was a bit relieved to see that a ship hadn't shown up yet. "It's nice up here today..." she noted to herself, walking towards the entrance. Yes. The place where you became a killer... She sped up her pace and walked inside, as if, in doing so, she would leave her darker thoughts behind. "Twilight! I was almost worried that something had happened! Glad you made it!" Mark Maker said as she flew into the grand hall of the facility. She reflected for a moment on how much better the lighting was in here now, at least from her perspective. Or, perhaps she just took the removal of the Trident seal from the wall as a brightening factor. "I'm alright, I wouldn't miss today and you know it!" the princess reminded him happily, earning a nod from the smiling stallion. She hadn't told him yet about the harsh dreams, because she felt that he might think himself guilty for asking her to do what she did in the first place. However, ultimately, she knew she had made the right choice, so the point was moot. "Ah yes, the special young lady. I made sure she was bumped up to the first appointment slot today! In fact, I think I hear the first airship arriving now!" Maker exclaimed, beaming. He definitely seemed a much happier stallion ever since the facility was opened to the public, and while dissolving the Trident may have caused initial societal disruption, the princesses over the last year had been doing a fairly good job of keeping the rate of issues low. The rate of problems started to drop six months ago, when the princesses expanded the royal guard to specifically include a civilian defense corps. "I'd best get to the Brander, I think you'll want to stay here and see her when it happens!" Maker said with a wink, trotting off before she even had a chance to thank him. Not two minutes later, Twilight beamed brightly as she saw a familiar, turquoise pony walk through the door,wearing a smile on her face as well. "Summer! My how you've grown! How are you?" she asked kindly, looking down at the not-so-little-anymore filly who unintentionally started it all. "I'm great princess! I can't wait for my new Cutie Mark!" Summer said with a short jump. Twilight looked over her to see her mother, standing by the door, wearing a proud smile on her face. "Well, it should be ready any minute now! Now I have to ask, are you sure you want one?" the princess asked, with a light smirk. It seemed silly to ask, but it was part of her new job to ensure the desire to be Marked. After all, this was permenant, and some ponies had second thoughts. "Ab-SO-lutely!" she said, holding her chin up high, warrenting a light chuckle from the princess. The hall's speakers crackled on as Mark Maker's voice was broadcast through the facility. "Attention! We are ready to begin the Marking! Please remain still!" Summer closed her eyes and stood frozen as her flank glowed brightly for a moment, until her Mark manifested itself. It was a deep blue butterfly, with waves rippling off of its wings. As Summer opened her eyes and looked back, she gasped in both surprise and glee, admiring it before turing around to the princess before her. "Wow... I guess you really ARE the princess of Cutie Marks now!" the filly stated gladly, running up to her ang giving her a surprisingly warm hug. Twilight returned it in mild shock, but grinned at her appreciation. The princess of Marks... After a moment, not wanting to hold up the others who were waiting, she ran back to her mother, yelling "Thanks so much! You're my favorite princess!" Before she was led out the door and back to the ship. The next patron would be in in a few minutes, and Twilight reflected on what was said. This all started because she asked if I was the princess of Cutie Marks, and now that it's all over... that's exactly what I am, isn't it? She really wasn't sure if she should feel happy or... or what she should feel. but, did the means justify the ends? she wondered, glancing over to the right doorway. She shuddered as she stared at it. To that day, she'd still never set foot anywhere near the broadcast room... but this was not the time for dark thoughts. She could push them aside... for a little while, anyways. She had given freedom and liberation to Equestria, and by making her choice, she allowed everyone to make their own choices. And so, Twilight Sparkle looked out on the crowd in front of the door, standing tall in her new position. After all she had been through, after the simple question that started it all... she had truly had become the Princess of Marks.