With Spike having a day off in town, Twilight and I were left to our own devices. After how well we reconciled our emotions, I didn't want to toss up the aspect of me eventually leaving, once Celestia found all the ponies necessary for my journey home. I figured I'd tell her the next time the princesses contacted us...
...giving me time to build up enough trust between us before shattering it again. Great, just great. I huffed, but figured I should just enjoy the time I still had with this interesting people- ponydom, poneple? Whatever. Once we cleaned up after breakfast, we basically were at a lack of things to do. Twilight felt she should cross-reference the information I've given her with all of the library's books on ancient history. I offered my aid.
"Do you want any help with that, Twilight? I'm not too educated concerning Equestrian history, but I know what to look for, well, since I supplied the information."
Twilight smiled at the offer.
"Thanks, Robin, but - not to brag, I know this library inside and out. I feel I'd be able to search more quickly on my own."
I was going to insist until I watched her simultaneously pull out five books with her magic and sift through them. Even then, she still managed to speak fluently.
"Besides, I think you need to inform the others about, uh, your past."
She threw me another sympathetic look as she placed two of the books back on their shelves. I quickly looked down to break her gaze, feeling a bit guilty, and attempted to cover the blatant display by looking at the door.
I responded, "Yes, I should probably get to know them better, as well. Hmm, I guess I'll stroll around town and see which of them I run into."
Twilight nodded her approval.
"Just remember that today's a working day, so chances are that Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack will be busy for a while, and the kids will be in school until three. You might run into Rainbow Dash, because she normally finishes work early. Also, keep an eye out for Fluttershy. She's normally out and about during the day, per her occupation, but she's not the most... noticeable pony."
She smiled affectionately, talking about her friends. I grinned at the feelings she showed, and felt warmed by such honest emotion.
It reminds me of my own friends...
I shook my head and made my way to the door.
"Thanks for the advice, Twilight, and for everything else."
She giggled contentedly at this. My hand was on the doorknob when she called to me again.
"Oh, and Robin?"
The knob was already halfway turned, but I stopped and turned my head in compliance.
"Yes, Twilight?"
What she said next made my breath catch in my throat.
She said, "Just remember that it doesn't matter who you were or who you're supposed to be. We love you for who you are, and that will never change. Just be honest with us, and we'll understand. Always. Okay?"
After a moment of silence, I shakily opened my mouth to respond, but I couldn't speak. I merely nodded my head, abruptly turned back around, and forced myself through the door. I firmly closed the door behind me before Twilight could say anything else. Immediately, I started walking, hoping she didn't notice the single tear that formed in the corner of my eye.
Once the tear started rolling down my cheek, I wiped it with my hand. The fine material in my glove didn't absorb it immediately, so I was greeted with a miniscule reflection of my face. I gazed upon myself, and thought deeply...
...Why? Why are you doing this, Robin? What do you hope to accomplish through lying to all your friends?
~~~
TIME TO HAVE A VOTE!
The author suddenly appeared through the Outrealm Portal from the vast lands of wallet-draining DLC and announced, "Hi guys! I'm getting back into the swing of things after a Thanksgiving family vacation, and I considered what I had to be thankful for. On this website specifically, I'm both very thankful to the authors who contribute to this thriving community, and to you guys: my followers and favorites, who give this story life. Therefore, I'm giving you guys a part in the story, so to speak, as I feel Fire Emblem is all about choice and player guidance."
"So, you get to choose what Robin will do next! Oh, and these options will all be action or comedy oriented, because I feel this story has been dark and heavy for far too long."
1. Hang with Rainbow Dash [Available]
2. Help Fluttershy with wildlife [Available]
3. Get to know the kids with Spike and the CMC [Available]
"Also, options 4 through 6 will only be unlocked after Robin does one of options 1 through 3 to kill some time. Rares, Pinks, and Jack still have got some work to do 'till they're free for the day, but I'll include them here anyway to pique your interest."
4. Get fabulous with Rarity [Not Available]
5. Pinkie... [Not Available]
6. Hoedown with the Apple Family [Not Available]
The author started walking back through the fourth-wall-shattering portal and said, "I'm excited to see which one you guys pick. Just remember, using the magic of writing, I can modify time itself! In other words, picking one option won't lock Robin out of the others, but the options you pick first will have effects on what happens in the later ones, just to keep it slightly realistic. I'll tally the few votes I get in a couple days, and get crackin' on the next chapter when I do. See ya then! PEACE." He then vanished completely through the portal, which slowly sizzled and withered before disappearing with a pop.
~~~
Whoa, Robin... What was that?
I pondered a bit to myself. I had a pressing feeling in my gut that an extremely simple solution to returning home had just vanished into thin air.
But surely, such a magic miracle portal couldn't exist. Not in this world, at least.
I shrugged it off as an incorrect premonition and wondered what I was going to do with the time I had left that day.
I suppose I have a few options. Let's see...