//------------------------------// // The Final Day // Story: The Interrogation: Spared Change // by Post Script //------------------------------// The Headless Horseman was almost empty when Sunny arrived. There was only one other patron there, a pony with a mane the colour of charcoal. He nursed his drink, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Sunny took a seat, but said nothing. A few drinks later, he started rambling out loud, as he always did when he had one beer too many. “I’ll show her! Talking about my past like she was there… Celestia, I’m gonna show you there’s at least one thief in this city you can’t change!” he proclaimed proudly, draining his mug with little effort and slamming it down hard against the counter. “...if you’re going in expecting a fight, you’re in for a surprise,” the mysterious stallion said simply, shaking his head. Sunny turned towards him. “And just who are you? I’ll prove I can handle her, that she’s nothing to be afraid of! I’ve already survived two days of her nonsense, and tomorrow's the last! After that I-” “Two days, huh? You don’t seem like you’ve spoken to her at all yet… or maybe you’re just that stubborn. She’s really not all that bad.” Sunny sighed. “I guess you’re another one of the thieves she caught, huh?” “Yeah, I am. She was pretty patient with me, though. After a while talking to her just made sense, I guess. Once I started listening I actually began to appreciate the things she had to say… well, some of them.” Sunny turned to his drink, staring into the tiny island of bubbles that floated along the top of the glass as he reflected on what his ‘interrogation’ had been like. “I… at first I thought it would be a battle, but now I’m not sure what it is. I don’t get her at all. What does she want from us? I guess I’ll never know that much…” “She… well, in my case all she did was listen and it was infuriating. She played innocent, mocked me, pressed all the right buttons...and showed me who I really was." "What did you find out?" Sunny asked. The stallion looked up...almost distantly before he said anything back. "That despite all the masks I wore, that's all they ever were...masks. And when removed, there was nothing left but a frightened child." "A child?" "Yeah," he chuckled, albeit bitterly. "She showed me who I was...and I both respect and hate her for it." “It’s weird, I went in there planning to ignore her every step of the way myself, but its feels like she knew the way I was going to confront her beforehand, like she had planned for this. Then again, she is an alicorn… there’s no telling what she does and doesn’t know. Any advice on what to say to her when I go back?” “None whatsoever, that much is up to you. The name’s Chase, by the way.” “I’m Purse Cutter, but I go by the name Sunny Skies these days. See you around.” Sunny said, walking from the bar with a renewed sense of purpose. *** When Sunny returned to the castle he found Biggs and Wedge standing by the door to Celestia's room. “Oh, hey guys, you left early. Weren’t you supposed to stay with me? What if I had tried to run? Some guards you are…” he said. “Kid, Celestia has a gift for you. I can’t really explain what… just thinkin’ about it gives me a headache. But it sorta comes at a price. Y’see, if you go through these doors you won’t come out the same way. Are you ready to take that risk?” Biggs said, a little concern in his voice. “Wait, after everything she said about not brainwashing ponies, she’s actually going to go back on her word?” She’s even worse than I thought she was… “It’s your choice. You can either risk it all, or take the money and run, so to speak.” “And why the hell shouldn’t I just leave right now?” he said, already turning to leave. “Because the thing you desire most in the world lies just moments beyond us.” Celestia said warmly. Sunny turned and saw her, smiling warmly at him. “I will tell you nothing more. Make your choice, child.” The thing I desire most? What could it…! If I do this, what will I become? Will I even be me anymore? But… I want to see him again. “I’ll do it. Princess Celestia, before I open this door, I need to tell you one thing.” “What is it?” “I don’t like you… but I don’t dislike you as much as I thought I would. If the pony that walks out of this thinks differently, just try to remember that the real me didn’t hate you outright either. Goodbye.” As soon as he stepped through the doors he was enveloped in a brilliant light. The space he was in was nothing like the room where he had spoken to Celestia- in fact, it was no longer a room at all. It was a grassy field on a bright summer’s day. When his eyes finally adjusted to the light he saw a figure in front of him. He was an adult now, but his features were unmistakable; it was his brother, Warm Winds. “...Windy?” Sunny said, his voice hesitant. “This is just an illusion, isn’t it? Smoke and mirrors. Some pleasant elevator music as my mind descends into the dreary mists of a mundane life.” “Well, your cheesy metaphors are as painful as ever,” Warm Winds smiled. “And as for this being a dream…” he walked over and slapped his brother in the face. “Ouch! What the heck, a pinch is more traditional, y’know!” Sunny said, clutching his cheek. "But... how is this happening?" "The Sisters... Luna's created a sort of dreamscape for us to talk, and Celestia's letting me appear before you like this. I can't stay, they're breaking enough rules so I can talk to you for a mere instant as it is." Warm Winds turning away, staring up into the deep blue sky. He sighed before speaking. “I didn’t die that night to watch you mope and whine from the other side. I gave up everything, and you became a thieving little rat scurrying amongst the shadows. Great job, bro. Really makes me feel it wasn’t all for nothing.” “Are you kidding me? You’re on her side as well?” Sunny said, disappointed. “I’m on your side. I may not have been that nice to you in life, but I was always on your side. Maybe you don’t like her, and that’s fine, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t make a good point .Thievery is a dead end, and you know it. You’ll end up wasting away behind bars for years, and then you might as well be as dead as I am!” “I thought you’d be different… you’re not my brother. You’re just another one of her tricks. Tell me then. Tell me something only you would know, so I know you aren’t just a puppet on her strings.” Sunny crossed his arms, waiting for a response. Windy leaned forward and whispered “You wet the bed ‘til you were seven.” “...well alright, I guess you are the real deal. Nice choice of answers, by the way.” he muttered, embarrassed. ”I wish you weren’t siding with her on this, though.” “Sunny, all I’m gonna ask is one thing, and if you answer honestly then I’ll accept whatever that answer is. Are you happy with your life as it is now? Please don’t answer straight away; really think about this.” Sunny thought back, remembering all the good times he had spent as a thief; his first heist, the day he had stolen more than any of his friends, the rare Black Pearl he had plucked from the Canterlot Museum of Art, which had been his biggest success to date. “Yes. Yes I a-” Then he remembered Moonshine. “...no. Not entirely.” “Bro, why is that? You seemed so sure of yourself a second ago.” “I hurt someone. I ruined their life.” “Moonshine, right? Celestia told me already. You know, I had an idea…” he whispered something to Sunny. “Wait, really? But do you even think they would let me joi-” “I’m sure of it. Big bro, I gotta go now, my girlfriend’s gonna kill me if I keep her waiting any longer! Heheh, ‘kill me’...” He laughed at the irony of the expression. “Wait, what? You have a girlfriend up there?” “Sure do, can’t let a little thing like death get in the way of enjoying life!" he laughed, "Anyway, just walk through those doors and you’ll be outta here.” Sunny stared at the doors, and a heavy, intense feeling of fear entered his stomach, as if only oblivion lay beyond them. “Bro… Celestia said once I entered this place I wouldn’t come out the same way. What’s gonna happen to me?” “I don’t know. Seeya in about fifty years, Sunny.” Warm Winds said, as he floated up towards a light in the sky. Seconds later he was gone. Sunny turned towards the door, a feeling of dread in his heart. He blinked, and the room became Celestia's chambers once more. Well, I’ve gotten what I wanted, now it’s time to pay the price. Goodbye, old self. I hope this doesn’t hurt… He opened the door, and saw a darkness. There was the distant sound of rushing water as well, for some reason. After a few minutes he managed to gather the courage to jump into this bizarre exit. The ride was a strange one; he was being washed along at a frightening speed, and to his surprise he saw several foals and fillies ahead of him, laughing and screaming with delight. To his shock, he could hear Princess Celestia’s laughter echoing from nearby. In just a moment she was right next to him, laughing. “P-Princess Celestia? What are you doing here?” “Having the time of my life! Get ready, this is the best part!” The two crashed into the water, and after a few terrifying seconds they were outside in a nearby amusement park. “Thank you for riding the Sonic Rainboom! Please purchase a photo at the gift booth.” said a pony at the exit. “An amusement park? You sent me to an amusement park?” he asked, incredulously. “Well, it was rather amusing.” Celestia’s voice said. “B-but you said that once I entered that door I wasn’t going-” “You weren’t going to leave the same way. Technically, you left by a very different exit. I’m afraid I might have a bit of a mischievous side myself!” she said, winking. “Princess, I’ve spoken with Windy, and I know what I want to do with my life now.” “Oh, and that is?” “I’ll tell you about that the next time we meet. I can visit you again someday, right?” “Anytime. Goodbye, Purse Cutter.” “Please call me Sunny, your highness.” he said smiling.