//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: To End a Story and One to Come 
// Story: Victory Over the Light 
// by Star_Shade 
//------------------------------//

“Well then, this should be a good finishing spot to end our story for tonight. I believe it is getting late, and I would hate to keep you two up past your bedtime,” stated the stallion.

“But, but, you aren’t done with the story yet! This is just a cliffhanger!” exclaimed Orin, pouting. 

“Yeah!” added Ava, annoyed. “What happens next with Dasher?  Does she rejoin the resistance? When do you come into the story? This can’t be it!”

“Ah well, we will pick up the story tomorrow. There is still much more to come, but for now we must take a break. I am glad your mother brought us food, since you two were so engrossed in my tale and wouldn’t budge for anything.” He chuckled, rising from his seated position and stretching his aching limbs.

“It isn’t even that late! You still have time to tell us more,” argued Orin, moving over to check a nearby window. 

“Oh, but if I didn’t stop now, the two of you would ever be able to fall asleep,” countered the old unicorn and smiled. 

It was at that time that their mother entered the room. “What’s this I hear? Is the story already over? I would have thought you would stay up all night telling them,” she remarked, smiling fondly. 

“I didn’t say all of it, of course. Just ended with a good spot.” The stallion winked.

“Was it right after Flutter Moon’s death? I hated when you stopped there when I was just a filly. Though you would drive me crazy whenever you chose to end at any place, really.” She giggled.

“But Mo-om! We want to hear what happens next!” grumbled Orin.

“And you will, honey, later. Trust me, your grandpa does not disappoint. Right now, however, it is time to get ready for bed. Be thankful that I let you stay up this late,” the mare remarked with a tsk, nuzzling the two.

“But what if I can’t fall asleep?” wondered Ava weakly.

“Oh, you will. Why not dream up all the fun adventures you could have?” she stated. “And the sooner you fall asleep, the faster tomorrow will be.”

“But what if we…” began Orin before letting out a big yawn, which caused his sister to do likewise. The adults shared a knowing look and a chuckle as they both picked up the quickly tiring forms of the foals. The two carried them on their backs and dropped them off into their beds. 

“Grandpa,” asked Ava after she was tucked in by the older unicorn. “Will you tell us the rest of the story tomorrow?”

“Of course, Ava,” said the stallion softly.

“Do you promise?” she continued, smiling.

“I promise, now get some sleep. That was one interesting story, aye? Try not to stay up too long thinking about it,” he whispered, nuzzling her cheek before leaving.





“So, you ended with Flutter Moon and the feather, I assume?” asked the mare.

“Of course, Velvet. That was your favorite spot to stop anyway. You always needed a momentary break to feel for the character,” reasoned the old unicorn.

“I know, but I also knew what was to come. They, however, are experiencing all this for the first time. You might shatter how they see the world after this,” proposed Velvet.

“Perhaps, but maybe that is a good thing. Sometimes ponies need to grow up. I certainly had to grow up fast when I was their age. Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.” He sighed.

“I know that, but are they ready for everything? Like your scars for instance. How you got them was pretty graphic. I know that when you finally told me, I had nightmares for weeks,” Velvet cautioned.

“I have already thought about this story and a way to eclipse that out. I’ll water it down and cut the more intense parts. Just like for you, I will keep the events vague and watered down enough that it will be sufficient to quench their curiosity,” the unicorn explained.

“How will you go about that? I didn’t believe you when you said you ‘fell down’ and kept them.” She huffed, rolling her eyes at the memory.

“I know, I know, that was a pretty bad way of explaining it on my part, but you were young, and I didn’t want to scare you. My past was a dark and awful time to live in, you know,” he added. “Now, I seem to recall that it’s your bedtime as well. Remember when you used to doze off when I told you my stories?”

“How could I forget; your voice was the only thing that lulled me asleep,” Velvet said, rubbing up against her father.

“Ah, those were the days; you were so cute when you fell asleep. Your mother would throw a fit if you stayed past midnight.” He chuckled.

“She always did worry about us. She was so pure,” she stated.

“And I was so dark. She helped me get out of that darkness. It’s why I married her,” 

“Yeah, I miss her songs. She had the most angelic voice, both of you are forever ingrained in my memory.” 

“Yeah, I miss her too. I am getting old, Velvet. I’ve passed a normal unicorn’s lifespan twice now. And I can feel my mind slipping. That’s why I love telling stories, it helps exercise it,” he confessed.

“Yeah, it’s crazy to think how long ago all that was. Come on, you need your sleep too. I know you might be a legendary figure, but even legends need to sleep. Maybe I can join the foals as you tell us the story tomorrow,” Velvet offered.

“That’s a great idea. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten the chance to tell you a story. Good night, my little Velvet,” the old unicorn whispered, drawing his daughter closer and kissing her forehead.

“Good night, Dad, sweet dreams,” giggled Velvet, hugging her father and slipping off to her room.