//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Baking Perfect Pie // by Kumare Tanamaru //------------------------------// "Chocolate, Paprika!" Travis called out into the twilight air. "Time for dinner! You're mother is waiting!" "Aww, but grandpa, it's not even dark out!" Chocolate called back. "I didn't say it was. I said it was time for dinner, now come on inside!" he said gently. "Darn, I thought we were gonna get to catch fireflies! C'mon Paprika, lets go inside..." he said goose-stepping his way towards the door. "Wait!" Paprika called to her brother. "I think I see one!" Chocolate's ears perked and he turned around. "Really?" he said with his eyes lit up. He trotted back to his sister and laid down next to her looking at the grass. "I saw one land just there!" she said to him. "Are you sure...? It looks like it's just another bug..." he said frowning. The bug lit up and Chocolate jumped back in surprise. "Whoa! Git em! Don't let him get away!" he said to his sister who tried to get it to go into a jar. "I almost... Got it!" she said hopping into the air. The jar was filled with light, and both the foals stared into the glass jar in awe. "Whoa... Just like Dad said!" Paprika pointed out. "And just what do you think you two are doing out here?" I said to the children. "Uh, hi d-dad!" Chocolate began. "W-we were about to come inside! Honest!" "And why didn't you come inside after Grandpa told you to?" "We were catching Fireflies!" Paprika said bouncing up to me. "Oh? Well then you must know what time it is." The foals looked at each other. "What time is it??" "It's a very special time." "Tell us!" "It's time to go inside! Oh BOY!" I said with an enormous smile on my face. The two looked down in disappointment as Chocolate put the jar in my hoof, and started walking towards the door. "Come on, don't look so sad you two. Your mother made your favorite meal~" "All right!" the two said dashing into the house. I looked down at the firefly in the jar and sighed. You know, somehow I think that this firefly represents me. How I was contained by fear, and was driven by sadness back in Trottsten. I opened the jar and watched the bug fly out and join the rest of the fireflies in the air. "Have a good life. You deserve it." ***** "So," I began after swallowing a bit of fruit. "Is there anything you two specifically want for Celestmas this year?" "Well, not really. We have family! What more is there to want?" Paprika said with a huge smile on her face. "You're your mother's daughter alright." I said laughing a bit. "Chocolate?" Pinkie Pie said. "What about you dear?" "Not really. I can't think of anything at the moment." he said pondering. There was a knock at the door and I got up to answer it. I opened the door and there were the Cutie Mark Crusaders, all grown up. "Hay there Pineapple!" Apple Bloom said. "How are you doing Apple Bloom? I haven't seen you in a while! You've really been growing up!" "Yessir! C'mon Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo." Both of the ponies came up the walk and I greeted them both. "So, what can I do for you girls?" "Applejack wanted me tuh give this tuh Pinkie Pie, and Scoot an' Sweetie Belle wanted to see the little ones!" "Oh, well come on in!" "Are ya hungry? We have leftovers!" "Sure! I'm starved!" Scootaloo answered. "Well, help yourselves. We've got plenty." ***** "So, have any of you seen Twilight recently?" "Not that I know of." Sweetie Belle answered. "I actually haven't seen her in a while to be honest." "Hm... Strange. I think I'll go try to find her tomorrow morning." "Why?" Scootaloo asked. "I... Have a job I've got to do for Princess Celestia." I said. "It's pretty important." "Oh... Well... We have to be goin' really. Our sister's are gonna get worried." "Yeah, and Rainbow Dash promised me I could stay at her place tonight!" "Perfect timing! The little ones have to get to bed." "Night Mr. and Mrs. Spice! Night kids!" the former crusaders called to us. "Goodnight!" we all called back. "I just can't get used to that!" Pinkie said closing the door. "Getting called Mrs. Spice? Yeah, neither can I. Anyways, time for bed kiddos!" "Aww, can't we stay up a bit longer?" "No, not tonight." Pinkie said "Fine..." they said going into their room. I tucked them into bed, and went to turn off the light. "Wait!" Paprika said. "Yes?" "Can you tell us a story?" she said with her eyes lighting up. Pinkie entered the room. "Oo~! Yeah! Tell us a story!" she said sitting patiently on the floor. "Haha, alright. What story do you want to hear?" "Tell us about how you and mom met!" Chocolate suggested. "You want to hear that story, huh?" "Yeah!" they all yelled." I looked around the room and took a seat in a chair in the corner of the room. "Let's see... Where shall I begin?" FIN....?