//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Equestria Noir Case 3 "Brothers in Blood" // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// Case 3 Epilogue It was late at night when I got back to Ponyville. The rain didn’t let up here either but thankfully I was inside. I looked out at the rain from my office chair. It was as if Equestria itself was crying over what I was about to do. I didn’t want to do it, but I knew I had to do it for Twilight’s sake. At least that’s what I kept telling myself. The door to the office opened and I could hear Twilight’s hoof steps. I didn’t turn around to face her. “You got my message?” I said, my voice betraying nothing. “Yeah, but Private we already solved the case…” Twilight said behind me. “You mean I solved the case…Twilight I wanted to talk to you about your actions on this case…” “Private! I thought I already told you I did it for my brother! The case is solved! It was discovered that a changeling was the culprit! Isn’t that enough?” “That’s preciously the reason why you are here…you forged evidence to try and get your brother off the hook. If this were to come to light you would be arrested for obstruction of justice” “But…Private…” Twilight’s voice was making it harder and harder to keep going. But I needed to be strong; I had to do this damn it! “I’m willing to overlook this and not tell the authorities about what happened, however I already sent a letter to Princess Celestia about it and…about what I’m about to do” “What are you saying Private?” Twilight said her voice choking up a little. “I’m saying in short…I’m firing you” I said my voice flat. “FIRING ME?!” Twilight shouted “Private how could you even think that?!” “You’ve been more of a hindrance then an asset on this case, I can’t trust you anymore to put your personal feelings aside for the sake of the case…” “But Private! After all we’ve been through? All we’ve done! Private I was only doing what was right!” “You let your love of your brother blind you throughout this case Twilight! What if it turned out that Shining was really the murderer!? Could I trust you to let me put hoof cuffs on him?!" Her silence answered that question "Twilight I can’t trust you anymore…I already cleaned out your desk for you…” I gestured to Twilight’s now empty desk. “Private…what about all we’ve done…” I could hear Twilight sobbing “The cases we solved…the ponies we’ve helped…the monsters we’ve stopped…does that mean nothing to you?” I sighed “Frankly my dear Twilight…I don’t give a damn…” Twilight was crying at this point…I wanted to turn around take her in my hoofs and hold her. I wanted to apologize to her, tell her I didn't really mean it. I wanted her stop crying because I couldn't stand seeing her hurt like this. But I couldn’t this was for her own good, and mine. I kept telling myself it was what needed to be done. I heard Twilight start to walk toward the door. She didn’t slam the door or anything and that’s what made this even more painful. I then heard her voice…oh Celestia why’d she have to say something “I…I thought you would be different…” Twilight walked out there and then, I felt something on my cheek. I reached up a hoof and felt a hot wet tear rolling down my cheek and onto my hoof. Keep in mind, the last time I really cried was when my mother died. That was years ago and I haven’t really cried since. I shook my head, what was I thinking?! Twilight let her personal feelings get in the way of solving this case. She had absolutely no right to forge evidence against an innocent pony! I should’ve fired her there and then instead of making this long drawn out speech! She was getting off easy! The police could’ve found out and arrested her! I was merely putting off the inevidetable. If I didn't fire her somepony would’ve found out what she did. But, then the tears started flowing. I slammed my hoof on my desk. Damn it why did it have to be so hard!? I shouldn’t be crying like I am! I should be in control! I can’t think like this! She did something wrong! I should be angry at her not myself! Then…why…did I feel such…oh Celestia’s flowing mane it can’t be…It just can’t! It doesn’t’ make sense! I shouldn’t…damn it… I sat down on the floor; a horrible realization just hit me like a slap to the face. Cadence was right…her power only works if…the love is there. I realized in that moment, that I was in love with Twilight. I started to think of everything I liked about her. Her simple beauty, her intelligence, her incredible talent for magic, her kind and caring nature...it was all floating in my brain and wouldn’t leave. I started imagining us two together, sometimes working cases other times…in more blissful moments. But like the day turning to night I realized the irony of it all. I realized how much I’ve loved Twilight just as I’ve told her to get out of my life. I felt hollow and the tears started flowing. I didn’t care anymore, I didn’t care that it didn’t make any sense. I didn’t care that I shouldn’t be thinking about her like this. I couldn’t buck it up and take it like a stallion! I just…I couldn't… I felt awful, I wanted to run to Twilight and apologize for everything. But after what I said to her? She wouldn’t even want to be on the same planet as me. I probably angered her mentor/mother figure as well. I could probably kiss my job goodbye but that was a minor consequence. I hated this. This wasn’t how it was supposed to turn out; I was supposed to be relived, like a weight off my shoulders or something. But no, every time I think about it’s always the same. I got up and looked out at the rain. I realized that the rain really was reflecting my mood. I wiped my eyes to get the water out. But every time I thought of Twilight they just came back. I can’t believe it…I found the one pony I could truly love…and I tossed her out.