Slender stands on a stage, and Celestia floats a medal over to him. The way to mark a national hero.
Celestia smiles, “Slender, for your services in saving Equestria and defeating the one known as Jeff the Killer, we name you Captain of the newly formed Supernatural branch of the Equestrian Guard.”
The ponies erupt in applause, all wanting to show their thanks for their hero. Slender looks at them, and his mind calms a bit.
They could have all been killed. He stopped it. It was needed.
He nods to the crowd, and to Celestia, “Thank you, Celestia. I shall take my duties seriously, and make sure that Equestria stays safe of Supernatural threats. Never shall there be another Jeff, not if I have anything to say about it.” He sighs, and then looks to the crowd, “I would like to give my thanks to the true hero, however. Slenderman, the previous monster, is the one who truly fought Jeff, I only landed the last blow. He put his own safety at risk in order to protect you, and has redeemed himself of his previous crimes.”
Celestia nods, “Very well then. Under Royal Decree of Princess Celestia, the nation of Equestria hereby forgives Slenderman for his previous actions!”
The crowd erupts into applause again, and Slender simply waves as friendly as he can.
———
Slender stands in the middle of the clubhouse, scrubbed clean of blood. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stand on either side of a podium, and Apple Bloom stands on it. She looks towards Slender, “We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, are gathered here today in order to introduce a new member into our order. Slender, do you accept to always help foals in need to find their Cutie Marks?”
He nods, “I will always help a needy foal find their Cutie Mark.”
She smiles, “Do you, Slender, agree to continue your crusade until you find your own Cutie Mark?”
He nods again, “My crusade shall not cease until I have found it.”
She nods, and bangs a gavel, “Welcome, Slender, to the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”
The other two rush out with a red cape, and jump up in order to tie it around him.
Slender looks back, and admires the bright red. A shield with a foal in it stands out, the icon of the Crusaders.
Apple Bloom bangs the gavel again, and speaks, “And do you, Slenderman, accept to always help ponies in need, and to never harm wrongly?”
Yes.
“He says yes.”
Apple Bloom smiles, “Then we welcome you, Slenderman, into the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”
The two take out step ladders, and climb up to Slender’s head. They take out a little cape, and wrap it around his head. Sweetie Belle smiles, and explains, “Well, if Slenderman is in your head, he needs a cape around the head.”
If I had a body, and if I had a mouth, I would be blushing and smiling uncontrollably at how absolutely heartwarming and happy that little cape makes me.
Slender looks down at them, “Well, allow me to give you something back.” He kneels down in front of the two, “This world is going to need more guards. So, here, close your eyes.”
He puts his hands on both of their heads, and summons a large amount of Sigma. He puts it all into their bodies at once, making two new proxies.
He stands back up, and pulls out a badge, “Apple Bloom, with my position as Captain, I introduce and promote you to Vice Captain of the Supernatural branch of the Equestrian Royal Guard. Scootaloo, I hereby declare you the Sky Master of the Supernatural branch of the Equestrian Royal Guard. Sweetie Belle, I hereby promote you to Archmage of the Supernatural branch of the Equestrian Royal Guard.”
Scootaloo jumps up in the air, “Yes!” But the newfound strength in her causes her to accidentally jump into the roof. She lands on the ground, and rubs her head, “Ow.”
Sweetie Belle takes a step back, and looks off into nothing, “Slender, what’s this voice?”
Hello everyone.
All three of the foals jump into the air from the unexpected voice. Slender holds up a hand, and calms them down, “That is Slenderman. He’ll be residing in your mind to help you and keep all three of us in touch. He can talk to each of us individually, collectively, or choose who he wants to hear.”
The three of them look at each other, and shrug. Apple Bloom looks up at Slender, “What do we learn first?”
Slender goes to the ground, and sits cross legged, “Peace and tranquility through meditation.”
———
Slender stands in the hospital room, his hand resting on Rarity’s bedside.
He looks down at her, her wound healed, yet a scar still on her throat. She breathes quietly, dreaming.
Slender turns around, and goes to exit the room. He is stopped by a raspy voice, “Don’t, please.”
He looks to see Rarity suddenly awake. He shakes his head, “It’s my fault you are this way, Rarity. I didn’t watch out enough.”
Rarity smiles. Her voice speaks once more, now sounding akin to sandpaper, scratchy and rough, “Oh, shut up. You saved my life... and I’m thankful that you were there. Sweetie Belle already lost her parents... she can’t lose me as well.”
Slender turns back around, “I should leave you to your peace.”
She stops him, “Please, stay. Nopony has visited, and you are very pleasant company, Slender.”
Slender slowly walks to her bedside, and pulls up a chair. He sits down, and sighs, “I don’t know much about you, Rarity. I don’t know anything, so why are you treating me so friendly?”
Rarity smiles, “Well, perhaps I could tell you about myself.” She looks up, and laughs, the sound not too different than a cough, “It all started with a rock...”