//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: The Struggles of Running a Book Store // by arcanica_scripta //------------------------------// “And that about sums it all up.” The seven Elements of Harmony were hanging out in Arcanica’s sitting room. Pinkie had decided to throw Arcanica a “Welcome to the Elements” Party upon their return to Ponyville and the party was winding down. As the celebration started ending, Arcanica had decided to explain the powers the Outer Beings had given her and the truth of her writings. “Wow…” Twilight was amazed at all the information presented to her. “That explains so many of the weird things in your memories. Who’d have thought that there was a whole other form of magic that nopony had ever heard of.” Rarity shuddered. “Unfortunately, these Outer Beings sound most unpleasant to gaze upon, let alone picture.” “Oh, they aren’t so, bad,” reassured Pinkie. “In fact, that Shevy guy was super normal to look at and was super cool!” Arcanica facehoofed at Pinkie’s comment. “Pinkie I swear. Please stop referring to Shevkiral like that.” Fluttershy clung to her punch as Rainbow Dash laughed. “Oh please. We all got together to stop Discord and we’ve got you on our side. How bad could one of these guys be?” “Well, Anzagtik only has real power in the dream world and can kill through dreams.” Except for Pinkie and Arcanica, everypony screamed at the sudden appearance of a green dragon pony and a pink chimeric unicorn. “Hello, everypony.” “Hi Stormy! Hi Runey!” Pinkie held out a plate of cupcakes to the two specters. “Cupcake?” “Sure, Pinkie.” Rune grabbed a confection with one of her claws before snapping it up in one bite. Storm Breaker unhinged his own jaw and several barbed tentacles extended to drag a couple cupcakes into his gaping maw. He grunted in appreciation as he slowly chewed the sugary treats. “Um, forgive me darlings, but um… How to put this delicately?” “Who or what they hay are these two?!” snapped Rainbow Dash as she pointed at the two former Heralds. “Everypony, meet Rune Cluster and Storm Breaker. They’re both the spirits of former Heralds who occupy their unlives by haunting the current Heralds and bothering me.” Arcanica looked at the two with a raised eyebrow. “More importantly, how is everypony able to see you? I thought they usually had to see one of the Outer Beings or be a Herald to see you two.” “They looked directly into your memories, Arcanica.” Stormbreaker gestured to the gathered mares with a grin. “I’m certain they saw plenty in your head to be able to see us and the others.” He snatched up another cupcake as the other mares stared at the two chimeric spirits. “So, you two are former Heralds?” Twilight’s eyes suddenly lit up as she came to a realization. “No.” She blinked at the three ponies’ answer. “Excuse me?” “Twilight, none of us are teaching you the powers of the Void if we can help it.” Arcanica took a sip of punch before leveling a flat stare at her. “Nothing good ever comes from non-Heralds learning the powers of the Void. I intend to put off teaching anypony as long as possible.” “I… suppose that makes sense.” She laughed awkwardly before sheepishly smiling at the two spirits. “Sorry about that.” “It’s fine, Miss Sparkle.” Rune Cluster grabbed a glass of punch and took a long sip from it. “We’re just here to let Arcanica know that the Outer Beings are now paying attention to all of you.” The mares looked between themselves at the revelation. “This is because of Discord, isn’t it?” Storm Breaker nodded. “Partially. Discord, like all Spirits of Chaos, is a byproduct of the Outer Planes. As such, his release got the attention of several of the Outer Beings who have now taken note of you all. Especially considering it’s believed you all play a part in a prophecy that was recently given.” The original six elements shared looks of confusion. “Prophecy?” Twilight looked at the former Heralds in interest. “What prophecy?” “So the Harmonious Magic in Hurashten’s vision was the Elements, then?” Everypony looked at Arcanica in confusion. “Akzin informed me of the prophecy, and I was already aware of it referencing Princess Luna’s return to Equestria. But now, I think I’ve established two aspects of it.” “Madness, and the harmonious magic?” asked Rune. Arcanica nodded. “Then so far your correct.” She noticed the confused looks on the other six mares’ faces. “You see, girls, some time ago, the Being known as Hurashten, the Eyes of Eternity, had a vision of a cycle of change unlike anything Equestria has ever known. Arcanica was informed of its existence and has been left to discern the prophecy’s meaning.” “So far as I’ve been able to interpret, the Prophecy is started with Luna’s return, and Discord’s return was the next section. And best I can tell, the Elements are a prominent part in it.” Arcanica smiled at her friends nervously. “I would have mentioned it sooner, but… you know…” “It’s fine, Arcanica. We get it.” Twilight laid a comforting hoof on her neck to reassure her. “But now that we’re all in the know, we can help you as best we can.” “YEAH!” “As touching as this all is, I’d like to bring us back to where this conversation went off track.” Everypony turned their attention back to Rune Cluster. “Thank you. Now then, as I said before, the Outer Beings are now paying attention to you all. This on itself isn’t something so great, but something to be aware of in the event that something unusual happens around you all.” “They’ve interfered with Equestria before in order to better comprehend the current Heralds, but this is one of the first times they’ve taken an active interest in multiple non-Heralds,” continued Storm. “We’re not expecting them to suddenly drag you away to another Plane and make you into one of their avatars in Equestria, but they all have a number of eccentricities in regards to mortals.” “Just be grateful Cosmos wasn’t around to notice everything that happened yesterday.” The two Heralds shuddered at the name. “Is she another one o’ these, ‘Outer Beings’?” “Worse.” Storm Breaker shuddered again as he thought on the mentioned being. “She’s another one of their ‘offspring’ and is nothing but mayhem. Be grateful you just had to deal with Discord and not another one of Their offspring.” “So if we see something weird happen, it’s probably one of them trying to mess with us? Hah! No biggie. We can handle anything they throw at us!” The Heralds rolled their eyes at Rainbow Dash’s bravado but chose not to comment. The two spirits hung around for a few more minutes before taking their leave. The new guests gone, the party was finally able to end. Once the other Elements were gone, Arcanica went back to her study and smiled when she saw a scroll resting on her desk. It was bound in a blue ribbon with a crescent moon medallion holding it shut. She picked it up and looked out her window at the setting sun. She wasn’t sure how, but Pinkie’s parties managed to take up so much time with nopony realizing it. “Sis! I’m home!” came Bookworm’s call from the dining area. “I’m in my study!” she called back. She looked back out the window and clutched the letter tightly. I may not know what’s coming next, but I have my loved ones alongside me. No matter what gets thrown our way, I just know we’ll make it through.