Across Ponyville, the night laid a soft blanket of night over the town. The lights from the houses appeared to be but glitter from the distance of the Everfree Forest where a lone shadow stood just inside of the tree line. Eyn Spyyr stared out at the town, but his vision sharpened onto the castle in the mountains above it even though he only saw darkness.
“Canterlot…”
He continued to walk across the boundary of his domain and the one he had been locked from. He knew of the ancient magical barriers that had been tailored just for him. He reached out to the end of the nearest tree and saw the sparks of the magic push him back into the forest, leaving a black scuff on his metal hoof. It didn’t seem to bother him at all as he turned away from the barrier, a hair like flicker caught his eye, a flicker so easily out of place in his blindness that he had to look back. He turned back toward the barrier, looking through his clear mane. Through it, he had seen the intents and secrets of everything, from magical to the natural.
He smiled to himself, seeing that he wasn’t quite in the right position before walking to the past the few trees that stood in his way. His mane flowed past him again revealing a clear hole, crackling and fizzing from the rest of the field, which gave everything a fuzzy distortion. A smile cracked on his face as he neared the hole in the field, making sure that the Elements of Harmony cleansing blast had weakened the field as he had planned. One foot, two feet, head, he smiled as he walked out of the woods and into the outskirts of Ponyville.
“Free at last…” He chuckled and shook his head. “Free!” His laugh increased in volume has his wings opened fully and he kicked into the air.
He took a deep breath of the air as if it were new. “Now… let’s see what is first….”
-
I rose from the bench that the doctors has placed beside Octavia’s bed for me to rest and stay beside her. They protested against it, but they were quick to fulfill my demands. I stretched my back and listened to the soft beeping from the machines that made sure that Octavia’s heart was still beating. My eyes were being dragged down by the desire to sleep, but it wasn’t something new to me. Galloping, I made my way back to the house and opened the fridge to grab one of my energy drinks that had saved me countless times before. The trip back was just as quick, if not quicker as the drink began to kick in. I stepped back into the room and smiled at the sleeping mare.
Rounding the corner, a purple glint caught my eye, and I looked down to see my shades sitting on the bench, a small piece of paper resting underneath of it, addressed to me.
Vinyl,
The gifts I’ve given you does not compare to the never-ending gifts that you and Octavia will share. I know I put you through a gauntlet so this is my way of saying thanks for all that you have done for me. I found your glasses at the bottom of my crater and decided to fix them for you. I also had to have a small chat with Octavia about her future. Everything is the way it should be and everything is going to get better in time. Let your love flourish and keep your ears open, you never know if you will see me again.
Thanks,
Bunny.
“Bunny?” I had to ask out loud as I stifled a laugh.
“He doesn’t want us to reveal his existence… didn’t want you to show that letter to anyone.” Octavia spoke in almost a whisper.
I transfixed my vision to her and saw her cracking her eyes sleepily at me, as she turned in the bed to sit up.
“You shouldn’t be moving that much.” I objected as I galloped over to her side.
This was the first time I saw her body without it being covered up by the blankets and saw the rest of the bandages and gauze pads extending down her body blending into the cast on her leg. “I’m fine, Vinyl…” The grimace as she grabbed at her ribs told me otherwise.
“Lay back down, Tavi. A few hours won’t stitch those shattered ribs any faster.” I tried to chuckle, but found the sight of how tore up she truly was began to set in. Her being alive still made no sense, nor was the empty box that only held my gift. Where was Eyn’s gift for her?
Everything began to sink in as I pieced the puzzle together. He gave her life… I could only appreciate him more. He didn’t always work for us, but in the end, he saved everything dear to me.
“What did Ey- Bunny need to talk to you about?” I giggled at the code name that we had given him. “Was it through your dreams like before?”
“He was here, Vi. Standing right over me.” Her tone grew more serious just as quickly as mine had when I heard those words.
“Didn’t he say he couldn’t leave the forest?” Did he lie to us?
“He’s out, Vi. He found a way out.” She started to lie back down, looking like she was feeling dizzy.
“I guess we should be happy for him. He’s been locked inside of the Everfree for so long, away from everyone… it might be a good change for him.” I chimed happily.
“Did you ever wonder why they locked him inside of the Everfree Forest with such a powerful barrier just for him? Doesn’t it seem like something about him is a bit off?” Octavia argued.
“He is strange, but he isn’t a bad alicorn. He saved both of us and even helped Twilight and her friends take out Discord with that Rainbow explosion. Boom!” I didn’t share as much fear toward the pony that had saved Octavia’s life. “He saved your life Octavia, he can’t be evil.” I reasoned, though my voice sounded off.
“I don’t know, Vi… When he was controlling me, I could feel his emotions. He’s hurting about something, angry about something us, and equally as cold and logical. He’s planning something. He’s always planning something.” Octavia sounded frightened by the thoughts.
“Tavi. Tavi… you need to calm down. We will see how things pan out, but I doubt he is going to be doing anything. I don’t see him doing anything extreme.” I tossed a disarming grin to her as I trotted to her side. “Now get some sleep for me.” I kissed her softly on her forehead before taking my place back on my bench.
-
Weeks passed before Tavi was allowed to leave the hospital. Some of her bandages had been removed revealing scar tissue of deep wounds which they said magic could clear up, but a large gash the side of her leg still had stitches in it along with the cast, though unicorn magic had sped up the healing of her bones dramatically and she would have it off by the end of the week. Her limp was much weaker than it had been when I saw her stumbling into the house. I turned my head slightly to her and saw the pink bow with the jewelry hanging in the center. It warmed my heart to see her wearing it so often.
We arrived back at the house where she could only smile at for what seemed like forever. Her smile eventually began to crimp at the edges as she held back tears.
“Home…” She managed to say happily as tears of happiness fell from her face. “Finally…”
She managed to start moving again as I opened the door for her. Everything gave her problems as she moved which only made me wonder how she managed to get into the house before when her wounds were fresh. The smell of strong cleaner hit my nose as I entered causing my eyes to water.
“Ditsy! What are doing?” I coughed.
I mop came around the corner, wiping the floor down. I followed the wooden shaft up to the pony holding it and found Doctor Whooves staring back at me, irritation across his face. He spat the mop out and smiled at the site of Octavia entering the house.
“Ditsy decided to take her muffin break. She’s in the kitchen.” He moved his head to show where as if we didn’t know where our own kitchen was.
We made our way past him as he continued to clean the spots around the house where Octavia’s blood had dried and stained. I had hoped to have all of this finished before she could come home, but having completely forgotten about the blood three days before her arrival, things were a bit rushed, but Octavia seemed happy enough with being home at last. The kitchen smelled strongly of muffins as we entered and upon looking at the countless muffins laying around on the counters and dinner table, we were sure that Ditsy had gotten herself carried away with the baking. The oven door was open and a gray flank with bubbles and a blond tail poked out from it as she rose out, her eyes crooked as she tried to speak with the pan in her mouth.
“Mommy’s glad to see you!” Dinky popped out of one of the baskets that had been filled with muffins, eating her own as she finished speaking.
“Dinky!” Octavia chimed, she had always loved to see Ditsy’s daughter. I was surprised to see that she had managed to halt her tears and dry her face almost immediately, though knowing her, everything feels amazing to see given her romp with death.
Ditsy finally managed to get the pan out of her mouth as she gingerly flew over and nuzzled her head under Octavia’s. “I’m so happy to see you!” Ditsy giggled and began to jog in place with happiness. She pulled away from Octavia’s head and smiled the largest smile that Ditsy had ever smiled in her life. Dinky popped out on top of her head, dropping a muffin down into Ditsy’s awaiting hoof before inhaling it with a smile.
“Try one! They are made with my special ingredients of Love and Bunnies.” She fluttered off with Dinky standing on her back with the same grin.
“Bunnies?” I had to ask.
“What about them?”
“You put bunnies in the muffins?” I shrank from the muffins on the floor.
“Why would I do that? Do they taste like bunnies?” She took another muffin and ate it just as quickly as she had eaten the first. “Bunnies taste good.” She laughed.
“So you didn’t put bunnies in the muffins?” Octavia had already started giving a restrained and dignified chuckled over the whole exchange.
“No… Fluttershy would stare me to death…” Ditsy turned and tried to mimic her stare, but with her crooked eye, it only made me choke on my muffin as I laughed.
“Anyone home?” Yelled a familiar voice from the hallway. We returned to the entrance hallway to see Lyra and Bonbon. Lyra had her usual plastered smile as Bonbon held her calm smile.
“Lyra and Bonbon, good to see you.” I smiled.
“Likewise.” Octavia added, giving her best attempt at a dignified bow, but flinched at the last second from a sharp pain.
“Don’t strain yourself Octavia. We are glad to see you.” Bonbon spoke calmly and softly to us. She seemed quite different from how Lyra acted. I could only try to guess how they acted alone at their house together.
“We tried to bring some candies to the party, but because Pinkie wasn’t here, we figured they would go to waste.” Lyra chimed.
“I don’t want her to see me like this, if you don’t mind keeping that secret for me.” Octavia smiled with her usual degree of prim and proper about her.
“Of course. Hey, what’s that wonderful smell?” I managed to catch the scent as well, noticing that the alluring smell of a muffin avalanche had permeated from the kitchen and into the living room and entranceway.
“Muffins!” Ditsy fell through the doors of the kitchen followed by Dinky riding a batch of muffins out the door. How does she bake them that fast? “Five hundred muffins!” Her laugh was infectious as it filled the room and brightened the atmosphere even more.
Lyra turned to Bonbon as if she needed permission, which she only nodded. Lyra galloped past us and leaped through the double doors and into the kitchen. We could hear her loud voice yelling. “How did you make so many?”
“Bunnies are quick!” Ditsy and Dinky jumped back into the muffins that now filled out kitchen.
“That makes no sense!” Lyra’s laughter now filled the house, causing Bonbon to chuckle and blush herself. “I love it!”
Doctor Whooves finished the last of the cleaning and finally walked to see the kitchen. The pained expression spreading across his face told us that he hadn’t known what Ditsy was up to.
“When I say take a break, I don’t mean cause another mess!” He laughed as he shook his head.
Even more muffins slid out as the grey pegasus slid out and touched noses with the brown earth pony smiling. Dinky jumped onto his back. “Yay!”
The scene was cute and manage to make us all smile before Ditsy’s eyes popped back open and she glided around him, hoisting him into the air and carrying him into the kitchen, Dinky humming and swaying her head back and forth, standing on her mother’s back.
“Come look at my muffins… muffin.” She giggled again.
I was glad to see Ditsy like her old self, and seeing how much the Doctor and Dinky hit it off romantically, only made her happier. It was nice to see them meshing so well. Eventually, a green unicorn walked out of the muffins and back toward Bonbon, covered in crumbs.
“Too many… Save me Bonbon.” She hugged on Bonbon.
Octavia had stepped closer to me as well, but feeling her kiss the side of my cheek made me freeze and my glasses almost fall from my face.
“Thank you for all of this, Vinyl. I appreciate it greatly.” She smiled. Her eyes lit up quickly. “This makes the perfect song!” She limped to her study and quickly began to scribble in notes after having promptly torn out the work she had already finished. She stared at me, and smiled, her eyes soft and happy.
“Don’t be too long, Octavia, all work and no play makes Octavia a grouchy pony.” I laughed as I walked toward the kitchen. “Here’s Vinyl!” I jumped through the doors, making a slashing motion with my hoof as I broke through the door.
-
“I stared at the musical notes appearing on the paper as they played in my head. It was finished without even breaking half an hour. I stared at the paper, content as I searched the right words to call it.
“Love’s Caption: Never in the Background.” I felt content with the title. I gave it a kiss as I moved from my stand and to the kitchen where Bonbon stood staring into the mess inside.
Through the ruckus of them playing inside of the kitchen, I barely noticed that it had started to rain outside. I could only smile. I wondered if this was how Bonbon felt everyday amid being so different from Lyra. Loving her for her amazing personality, that’s how it should always be.
-
Eyn walked along the path that had quickly melted into mud from the rain, but he walked without care. His mane had stopped moving unnatural and hung at his sides, drenched from the rain. His blank, clouded stare never moved from the road in front of him as he walked as if he was trying his best to see the road. He stumbled a few times, and ran off from the road a few times, but his progress was steady. He raised his ragged robe over his head and hid himself from everything as he neared the front gate of Canterlot, feeling its presence.
A guardpony walked up to him, eyeing him up. “Can I help you?”
Eyn smiled at the pony and turned and locked his blind eyes directly onto the guard’s. “If you don’t mind… I would prefer to help myself!” A crack of lightning filled the area around them in light, and the guard was gone. Eyn continued his limping march into Canterlot, hidden by the shroud of the storm, chuckling to himself.
The End.
Thanks to those that have read my story. I'm sure the ending speaks for itself. I'm not finished with this story.
Link to sequel for ease: Everything Ends...