//------------------------------// // Epilogue - Onward // Story: Some Redemption // by Cupzy //------------------------------// I'm no longer a Necromanecer. I'm just an average colt. Storm finished his sentence and put down his quill; a black raven feather that Twilight had got him for his birthday. He smiled to himself as he closed the book he was writing in. After he closed the book, he heard a knock on the door of his room. He opened it and smiled when he saw Twilight standing there, she walked in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Did you finish it?" Twilight asked, pointing at the book he had just closed. "I did indeed. I suppose it will be a reminder to how we met." Storm said. "I thought you were going to try and get it published?" Twilight asked. "I would, but I think Equestria could do with forgetting the incident ever happened." Storm muttered. "You're right, that's probably a good idea. You finished it at a good time, you know what today is, right?" Twilight asked. "Yes. I'll go visit it later today. I might take Starstruck with me." Storm said. "Don't you think the Everfree Forest is a little dangerous for him?" Twilight asked. "It may have been a while, but I still have some fight in me, Twilight." Storm said. It had been three whole years ever since Storm had arrived in Ponyville. During the first year of Storm starting his new life, Celestia and Redblade had a daughter, Celestia vouched for the name "Aurora" which Redblade agreed to. Aurora was unfortunately born with a small scar on her side, as it appears that The Queen hadn't fully healed Celestia since the battle. It was still unbeknownst what place Aurora would take in the way of royalty, but she was welcomed nonetheless. Luna certainly seems to enjoy spending time around her. A few months after that, Twilight and Storm had gotten closer and closer, and eventually, when Pinkie Pie found the time to plan one, she threw a party properly welcoming Storm to Ponyville. Storm picked that specific moment to propose to Twilight, it was certainly an expression of happiness that Storm would never forget. Needless to say, the answer never came out, Twilight merely wrapped her hooves around Storm and whispered "I love you." Which Storm took as a "yes" The party continued on flawlessly, and unlike the last party, Storm managed to keep himself uninjured. Speaking of injuries, one of Storm's wounds in particular was extremely damaged, and he had shortly developed a scar running down the side of his muzzle. Twilight and Storm married the following year, with Pinkie Pie actually running out of decorations for the party afterwards, a feat not easily accomplished. Around halfway through the second year, Twilight and Storm decided that they wanted to take the relationship further and have a foal. Storm was hesitant at first, considering his past experiences made him uneasy around foals, but Twilight managed to coax him into it. And only a few months ago, the colt named Starstruck was born. Today, however, happened to be a special day. Today was Storm's milestone for staying in Ponyville for three whole years, and it was also Starstruck's first day at school. Storm planned to show Starstruck a surprise in the Everfree Forest. "If you say so. But if he does so much as fall over, I'll hurt you. Badly." Twilight joked. "I'm sure we'll be fine, Twilight. It's only a short walk into the Forest and back." Storm said, trying to reassure Twilight. Suddenly, the sounds of somepony slowly walking towards Twilight and Storm's room was heard, Storm peered out to reveal a drowsy Starstruck standing at the doorway with his eyes half-lidded. Starstruck was born a Unicorn, and already showed great interest in the prospect of magic. His coat was a magenta slightly darker than that of Twilight's, his mane and tail were black, with his mane styled in a way similar but not identical to Storm's. He had not yet received his cutie mark, but it was natural, considering he was a foal. "Uh... Dad? Why did you wake me up so early?" Starstruck asked. "It's your first day of school, and I want to show you something really important in the Everfree Forest." Storm explained. He shot a glance back at Twilight before making a playful "shush" gesture at Starstruck. He let out a small laugh and nodded quietly to Storm. "Great! Now, go grab your saddlebag. I've put all the things you're going to need for school in there." Storm explained. Starstruck nodded and rushed off to his room. Storm felt happy when he was around his son, he could feel that a strong father-son bond would be shared between them. Starstruck returned moments later with his saddlebag on, he grinned happily at Storm. "Come on dad! Let's go!" He shouted excitedly. "Alright, alright, calm down young one." Storm replied, returning Starstruck's smile. Twilight gave him a quick goodbye kiss as he trotted towards the door. "Goodbye, Starstruck. Have a great day at school!" Twilight enthused, Storm rolled his eyes as he saw the nostalgia cloud over in Twilight's eyes. "I will! I'll be as great as you one day!" Starstruck said enthusiastically. Starstruck had certainly inherited his mother's addiction to learning. Storm led the colt to the door and waved goodbye to Twilight as he closed the door behind him. Storm gestured for Starstruck to follow him. They eventually came to the opening of the Everfree Forest, where Storm turned around and looked at Starstruck with serious eyes. "Now, if you see anything dangerous, you tell me right away. Got it?" Storm explained, desperately trying to fill Starstruck's brain with knowledge about how dangerous the forest was. "How far are we going in?" Starstruck asked. "Rather far. I want you to stay close to me, okay?" Storm said, Starstruck nodded started to follow Storm into the Forest, keeping directly by his side. After about ten minutes of walking, Storm held out a hoof to stop Starstruck from taking another step. "Hm? What is it, dad?" Starstruck asked. "We're here." Storm replied. Starstruck looked ahead to see what Storm was looking at. It looked to be a grave, a dirt mound that had long since collected grass complimented the large headstone that sprouted from the ground. "W-Who... Who died here?" Starstruck asked. "Somepony... Somepony that was very dear to me..." Storm lied, he was looking at the grave of his former Queen, he and Redblade had collected her corpse a few days after they returned to Ponyville and gave it a proper burial. "Dad... I'm sorry..." Starstruck muttered. Storm had to resist a tear falling from his eye. He was sure that Starstruck couldn't see it, but his old sword was actually behind the headstone, probably collecting moss over the many years it had rested there. "It... It's nothing, son... Come on... Let's get you to school." Storm muttered. Starstruck nodded solemnly and started following Storm as he started to walk back to Ponyville. Storm looked over his shoulder once more to look at the headstone. "You fought honorably... I'll never forget that day..." Storm thought, almost expecting an answer from the grave. Storm quickly shed and wiped away a tear, continuing his walk back to Ponyville. The End