//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: The Chronicles of Moonshade // by Kix //------------------------------// Sound, the first thing I become aware of is the sound of various machines close by, some beeping in a steady rhythm as others whirr or hiss. However, above these sounds a voice can be heard, sounding as if the owner is pushed past his limits but still trying to remain calm and respectful. “Again Princess, we have no idea how much longer she will stay asleep, just as I have explained it every time you have visited over the past year. Now please your high---” The steady beeping of one machine begins to accelerate rapidly as consciousness returns to me, alerting the stallion and the other pony to my return to the land of the living. Following on the heels of the various sounds around me I can now begin to feel and smell. Wherever I am it smells clean and full of disinfectant while silky softness surrounds me, except for multiple prickling sensations in my left arm, a mask over my muzzle and sticky pads on my chest. “What… what is happening, doctor? Is she… is she alright?” “Yes your highness, she is just starting to wake up. Now please, let me examine her real quick.” The professionalism and calmness in the stallion’s voice is exactly the opposite of the frantic mare and soon the clopping of hooves is followed by a closing door. “Moonshade, can you hear me? You are in Canterlot General Hospital.” The mask is gently removed and soon I am breathing on my own after nodding my head slowly to answer yes. My body feels numb, I can barely feel my own hooves or tail. “Good, does it hurt anywhere, do you feel sick or dizzy?” I shake my head to answer his questions,unable to find my voice due to the intense stickiness of my lips and the dryness of my mouth and throat. Suddenly my eyes are forced open and brightness is the first thing I am able to see, making me flinch weakly in an attempt to get away. “Sorry, Moonshade. But I had to check to make sure there is no signs of concussion. Here, drink this, but slowly.” A thin plastic object is pressed into my lips gently, breaking the stickiness a little as I obey, cold relief splashes against the burning dryness as something cold and metal is pressed against my chest multiple times for a couple of seconds each. “Heart and lungs sound good, no problems there. How are you feeling?” “N… numb and… tired. W- what happened?” My question takes a few minutes to form, which during that time something is stuck into my ears as the bright dots slowly fade from the blackness of my vision, and soon I am able to see after a couple of attempts to keep my eyes open. “My… my magic. Why does it feel like my magical energy is gone?” “You have been in a coma for a year now. As for your magic, you must have pushed yourself beyond your limits casting something. So far there has been no hint of it recharging, which does worry me. We will keep an eye on it to make sure it is not permanent.” The stallion finishes checking over a clipboard and a couple other things as he answers me. “You do have a couple ponies who are anxious to visit you, are you up for it or do you want to wait?” “No, the sooner I get this over with the better.” What has happened while I was out? What is now to become of me? My thoughts are pushed aside as two figures enter, taking me by surprise as I never noticed that the stallion left. “Welcome back, Moonshade.” The first to speak is a large, white alicorn with a multi- colored mane and soft voice. The other figure is slightly smaller but also an alicorn with a star filled mane of night blue and a dark blue coat, tears stream down her cheeks as she nuzzles me gently. “Thank you for what you have done. Not just for myself, but for all of Equestria.” The alabaster alicorn joins her sister in nuzzling me, to which I respond by trying to wrap them both in a hug. “I… I am sooo… so very sorry for what I have done, mom, auntie.” My tears mix with their as somehow I am able to hold them tight against me, and for a couple of moments we just stay like that, tears of joy, sorrow and guilt being shared by the three of us. As the sisters pull away, reluctantly, I just look up at them, and despite the hoarseness of my voice I try to keep it strong as I make a decision. “If… if it is not too late, I… I will surrender myself to the Equestrian justice system.” “Are you sure, Moon? You do not have to.” “Yes, I do. I have a lot to answer for, even if I was a… different pony. All I ask is that this be a closed trial, just myself and a tribunal. Maybe… maybe if I am allowed mercy I could your earn forgiveness.” Luna just wraps me in another hug as Celestia stands there, nodding a bit in understanding. Throwing a large, white wing over her sister’s back Celestia begins to lead Luna out the door, only to stop and look over her shoulder at me. “Whatever happens, Moonshade, thank you for returning my sister to me, and for being willing to face punishment. Those are marks that show you have indeed changed. In light of your request we will get things setup so you can have your trial once you are medically cleared. For now there are other ponies wanting to talk to you.” As the pair heads out I take in my surroundings as best I can. A large window frames a full moon on a clear, star filled night. A black cloud drifts lazily in front of it, and I can’t help but chuckle at the resemblance to my cutie mark. The room is a pure white and littered with equipment you would expect in a hospital room. My attention is brought back to the door and four ponies make their way inside. A light pink, earth pony mare with a white and light red mane is flanked by two earth pony stallions, one has a yellow coat with a spiky mane and tail of white and brown while the other stallion has a neatly cut mane and tail of yellow and red while his coat is a vibrant orange. Leading the trio is a lavender uni- no, alicorn. I have to do a slight double take as I notice her wings, first thinking they were just a trick of the mind. My first words are to the earth pony trio, ignoring the alicorn for now. I have much more important things to deal with right now. “Hi Lily, Almond, Sunstreak. Are you… are you three doing alright?” “Yea, we have been doing alright. How are you feeling?” The tenseness in Almond’s answer is so thick it is almost cuttable and his return question seems forced and more out of etiquette than general concern. Not surprising though, I did almost kill them, at least three times. I am curious as to why they are here though. “Like crap. If it means anything, I’m sorry for what I tried to do to you three. I don’t expect you to forgive me now, or ever, but I have surrendered myself to the courts once I am cleared. I have a lot to answer for.” A pink hoof rests gently atop of mine and I just stare at it, unable to look at them any more. “We cannot forget so easily what you have done and tried to do to us, Moonshade, but if you have honestly changed it is something we are willing to work past, no matter what happens at your trial.” “Thanks Lily, I… I’d like that.” “Lily, I know you three want to talk some more, but we were given only so much of an extension to visit and I do not want to push it.” The newest alicorn steps up next to the trio and lays a comforting hoof on the mare’s shoulders. “I will see if I can get you permission to visit again soon. Once I leave, the royal guard will be here and take her into custody.” With nods the trio leaves, reluctance wars with their desire to get away quickly as the close the door behind them, leaving just the two of us. “Congratulations on your ascension, Twilight.” “Thank you, it was surprising to me as well. I am curious to know how you were able to cancel the power of the Elements of Harmony. I have never met anypony or anything able to do that before.” “It… it was very difficult to find. If I am not executed or locked away for life I will explain it to you one day. And Twilight, I am sorry for what I have done to you and your friends, especially deceiving you like I did during our last fight. I hope you understand why.” “I think I know why, but I would like to hear it come from you.” With a deep breath I just stare up at the ceiling, and I can swear I am watching a replay of it on the white paint, though it is pretty faint. “After… after I was forced to drink that potion, I… I witnessed the aftermath of the fight between Celestia and nightmare Moon. Celestia did do her best to try and find me, she really did, no, does, care about me. But at the same time I was brainwashed by the Nightmare spirit that was living inside of me.” A coughing fit interrupts me and Twilight magically presses the straw against my lips, from which I drink greedily before continuing. “I… I realized I was being used, like a tool. I didn’t like that feeling nor the fact that I was lied to. As for the deception in our fight, it was part of my plan. I needed Nightmare Moon to be at her most vulnerable so I could cancel out the protective charm she had cast on her.” Once again my gaze falls onto the moon. “I am fairly certain that once my trial is over, I will be executed. I am just too dangerous to be left alive.” “I would not be so quick to think that, Moonshade. You may have yes done some… evil deeds, but in the end you chose to take the path of good, and that alone will speak volumes. If you ever need somepony to talk to, do not hesitate to ask for me. I will relay your apologies to my friends as well, though some of them may not be so easy to accept.” Her hoof presses gently against my chest, resting just above my heart as she stares into my eyes while she speaks. Unfortunately a knocking at the door is some kind of signal and she goes to take her leave, stopping long enough for one last piece. “Do not count yourself finished yet, Moonshade. A mare of your talent, abilities and brains can easily find ways to show you have indeed changed, but only if you do not lose hope.”