//------------------------------// // Epilouge // Story: Aria's Challenge // by Gear Works //------------------------------// We arrived back in our world next to the school statue. I looked at myself to make sure I was human again. “Well, we’re back,” said Sunset. “We might as well go back to my apartment so I can call Applejack, since she has my book.” “You guys go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you later,” said Aria. Sunset, Adagio, and Sonata started to walk away from us. But I was able to catch a bit of their conversation. “I plan to see Stalwart and give him one of my necklaces that I made,” said Sonata. “I thought you made them for your parents,” said Adagio. “I did. But this time, it’s for him and me,” replied Sonata. As we saw them walking out of hearing range, Aria said, “Why do I have a feeling that I’m going to have a brother-in-law in the future.” “Is that a problem?” I asked. “I don’t know. Hard to say.” Aria looked at me and said, “Look, I know you went through all this just to help us out. And…well, I want you to have this.” Aria took out of her bag the coral sword. “This is your father’s sword,” I said. “I can’t-” “Take it. You earned it.” We just looked at each other for a moment before she spoke again. “Look, if it wasn’t for you, none of this would have ever happen. I would have still been the same bully that everyone knew. Adagio would have still felt the pain that was caused to our hometown. And Sonata…well, you never know about her. For once I can finally feel at ease with myself. My father was the hero of Aquatica. But for me, you are my hero.” I decided to take the sword from her hands and placed it in my bag. When I looked back at her, she went up to me and planted her lips on mine. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I decided to wrap mine around her waist. It was the most passionate kiss I’ve ever felt from her. When she broke away from our kiss, we looked at each other before letting go. She grabbed her bag and started walking back home, but stopped and looked back to me. “Say, would you be looking for a roommate in the future?” I yelled back, “I don’t know. Why?” “Just keeping my opinions open. That’s all.” She turned around and walked until she was out of my site. “I wonder what she meant by that,” I said to myself. Then I realized what she was talking about. *** One Week Later*** “Alright, here’s the last one,” said Sunset, placing the last suitcase in my living room. After talking to my father about my girlfriend, Aria (minus the magic stuff), he said that to would be OK for her to live with me, as long as we both focus on school work and not on each other all the time. I think he might have laid a hint about seeing his future daughter-in-law one day. “You sure about this?” Adagio said to Aria. “It won’t be the same without you.” “I made my decision, Adagio. Besides, you have Sunset Shimmer with you…and Sonata at times. And besides, we’ll see each other at school anyway. I just…want to spend my free time with Gears whenever I can. I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for him.” Adagio looked at me and said, “You better take care of my sister, OK? Or I’m coming to get you and give you a good beat down, you hear?” “Don’t worry. She’ll be in good hands,” I said. Aria hugged Adagio, then Sunset, then Sonata (which I think Sonata might have squeezed too hard), before they all left my apartment. I sat down on the couch, to which Aria decided to do the same…on my lap. “So, how do you fell living with me now?” I asked her. “Nice for once. A bit quieter.” “Just so you know, we still have the shards in that crystal chest.” “As long as they are in there, I’m fine with that.” “So what now. Want to start unpacking?” Aria got up and said, “Maybe.” She started to walk towards my bedroom, but stopped and gave me that romantic look with her eyes once again. “Depends on how well you are in bed.” She started to walk again, but swayed her hips as she went into my bedroom. She stuck her head out and wiggled her finger at me. “You coming?” If I didn’t know better, I think she was ready to go this time. So I leaped out of my couch and made a mad dash to my bedroom, saying, “I hope you have protection, because I’m ready when you are.” I now knew that she was the one for me.