//------------------------------// // Epilogue: Together Forever // Story: Together Forever // by CodenameOne //------------------------------// Epilogue: Together Forever Twilight, by the time you read this, I’ll be gone. I went to see Rarity last night, she called me the usual ‘fag’ and ‘freak’. To be honest I don’t care any more. She is what she is, and there’s no changing that. But I found a way, a way to see Lickety again. With the doctors pulling the plug on his life support soon I know that Lickety will die, and he’ll be all alone without me in heaven. My heaven. Our heaven. I found a way, a way to ensure he won’t be alone in heaven. I found a way for us to be together...forever. I’m sorry, Twilight, but it’s the only way. It’s OK, though, ‘cause I know I’ll see you again someday. Love, Spike. -=-=-=- The weight of solemn hung heavy in the area outside Ponyville Town Hall, where everypony in the town was gathered for a commemorative speech dedicated to Spike. The funeral was in a few hours, and they all wanted to share their words regarding the baby dragon. It’s all my fault; if I had been home he wouldn’t have read the letter, and I could’ve gently let him know and helped him through Twilight thought. Pinkie and Fluttershy were leaning on each other, crying heavily. Applejack was holding her hat against her chest, and even Rainbow looked depressed. Rarity was nowhere to be seen. “Today, is a very heartfelt day. We are gathered in memorial of Spike, loyal assistant at the Ponyville Library, and friend to us all. I remember the help he provided to even me, as a friend and as a royal advisor. May we never forget him, and all he did for us” the Mayor stated, addressing the crowd. “But now, we have a special speaker here today. One who was very close to Spike. You may come out now” the Mayor said, stepping back from the podium and standing to the side to make way for-- Rarity. The Unicorn fashionista took her place at the podium and scanned the crowd; many of looked at her in angry disbelief, others curiosity. Her mane was a frazzled mess. Her gaze reached Twilight, and she saw the face of fury and scorn staring back at her. Rarity gulped and began to speak. “I...I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the way I acted. I’m sorry for the things I’ve said. I’m sorry for how this all turned out. I’m sorry for attacking Lily. I’m sorry for trying to kidnap Spike. I’m sorry for...everything, really. But most of all I’m sorry and disappointed for myself. I was stupid, and that cost Spike his life. I wish I could take it all back. I wish I could bring Spike back to life and Lickety out of a coma, but not even alicorn magic is powerful enough to undo what will eventually befall all of us, and what has befallen Spike. Much too soon, as well. The truth is, Ponyville...I am a lesbian, and I have hidden under this mask of scorn for gays all my life because, that is what I was taught as a filly. That is how I was raised. But you know what the worst part of that is? The part that is like a knife in your gut being twisted? A pony in this crowd came to me a week or so ago, confessing to me that she too is a lesbian, and I told her that it was OK. That I still love her as a dear friend... I live...I lived in a state of hypocrisy, shunning gays whilst accepting and being a lesbian myself, that is why I never once mentioned the possibility of any fillies or mares coming out when telling any of you why I treated Spike the way I did, and for that I know I am going to hell. My hell will be terrible beyond any other, because it will torment me not physically, but emotionally as it forces me to watch over and over again the pain and suffering I have caused these last two weeks... I’ve learned something through all this; that all in Equestria are equal under our Princesses, regardless of their orientation... I’m sorry, Spike. You were my friend, and I am sickened by myself to say that I was your friend. I do not deserve to say this, but...I will miss you, and already do” Rarity said, the tears never once ceasing to stream from her eyes. When she opened them to look at Twilight in the crowd, she saw the look of fury and scorn replaced by sorrow and compassion. She would never be forgiven, not by her friends, not by the townsponies, not even by the Princesses. And certainly not by herself. “I’m sorry.” -=-=-=- Princess Celestia hung her head in sorrow, still saddened from the funeral she and her sister had just returned from. The two sat alone in their room, the guards instructed to not interrupt them for anything. “This catastrophe could have been prevented had we intervened sooner” Luna lamented stoically, more angry than sad. “Yes... I think it’s time we declare that all ponies in our kingdom are equal, regardless of race, gender, or orientation” Celestia replied. “I concur, but it won’t change the past. Spike will still be dead, and his mate will be soon. Nothing we can do will change the past” the Princess of the night stated. “No, but it will save the future.” -=-=-=- All of Ponyville was slow to get over the death of Spike; it was the darkest moment in the town’s history. Attacks from Everfree monsters, Cerberus, even their enslavement at the hands of the corrupt Trixie were nothing compared to the death of Spike. The doorstep of the library was bombarded with flowers and pictures of Spike happy, and having fun with his friends, of which there were many. Princesses Celestia and Luna quickly forced the ‘Equine Equality’ decree into law, allowing all under the care of their sun and moon the right to live as they are. Rarity was punished appropriately for causing the suicide of a royal advisor and friend, she lives in perpetual guilt. The stallion who assaulted Lickety Split, Buckshot Smiles, is still at large in Equestria. There is a bounty on him for being brought to the authorities alive; the reward is 200,000 bits. Applejack soon came out as the mare who confided the secret of her orientation to Rarity; she was quickly accepted by all in the town. Rarity was further punished by her former friends by demanding she never talk to any of them ever again; business at her boutique declined almost instantly, and she was forced to close up and move back with her parents, who had caught wind of who she really was. The last time she was seen was the night her parents went to the police, claiming she had nearly killed them in a fit of rage. The last words she was heard saying were “I’m taking Sweetie Belle with me, and I will surely raise her better than how you miserable BASTARDS raised me!” Twilight’s friends helped her overcome Spike’s death, and she runs Ponyville Library to this day. Every night she flips through the pages of the scrapbook Spike started as a little hatchling, titled “me and twilite”. A sad smile comes to her face at the backwards “e”s and her misspelled name. -=-=-=- Ms. Split looked on in sorrow at her comatose son, having cried all the tears she possibly could over what was about to happen. “It’s been a week, Ms. Split. I’m sorry, but this is for the best. He’ll be happy in heaven, with Spike” Dr. Stable said to her, attempting to comfort the mare. It had been a busy week for the Dr., what with doing the autopsy on Spike, caring for his other patients, and keeping an eye on Lickety. His comforting didn’t work. “I just want him back... Let’s get this over with” Ms. Split said. “Any last words you want to share with Lickety?” The mare nodded and approached her son, stroking his mane and kissing him on the forehead. “It’s OK, sweetie, you’re going to a happy place where no one can ever hurt you... Say hi to Spike for me, OK?” She kissed him on the forehead again, remembering all those times she had done so when he was ill as a little colt. Remembering all the times they had stayed up late on weekends and watched scary movies. Remembering all those times she had said “I love you” to him and earning the same in return. It was the hardest decision of her life, but there was no better alternative. “OK...I’m ready, doc” Ms. Split finally said, turning to face the medical machines as she watched the green line indicating Lickety’s heartbeat and listening to it beep in tandem. Dr. Stable had just put his hoof on the switch and was about to turn it off when they heard a loud gasp and a thrashing, turning to look at the bed and seeing Lickety awake and looking around the room in a panic, his eyes wide and breathing shallow and erratic. “W-WHERE’S SPIKE?!” the colt yelled desperately. -=-=-=- The end of Together Forever!