//------------------------------// // Epilogue: A Night of Rest // Story: A Canterlot Ghost Tale // by volrathxp //------------------------------// A Canterlot Ghost Tale Epilogue: A Night of Rest *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*         Bon Bon's eyes fluttered open to the soft beeping noise of a heart monitor.  She grunted under her breath.  She was in a hospital bed.         “Not another hospital,” she said quietly.         “I think you will find this one is much more to your liking,” a deep voice said in response.         Bon Bon's eyes fully opened and she took in the alicorn sitting next to her bed.  Princess Luna looked haggard, but still somehow eerily beautiful.  A soft smile graced her face.         “Princess?” the cream-colored mare said.  “What happened?”         “You escaped the clutches of that terrible creature,” the Princess of the Night said.  “However, I am reluctant to admit that we were not as lucky to capture it.  It has escaped our grasp yet again.”         “You mean... Archibald?  He's out there somewhere?” Bon Bon said.         “I do not know of this... Archibald of which you speak.  The creature you encountered is a most unusual beast,” Luna explained.  “It's roots are said that it used to be a changeling that delved into terrible forgotten magic and turned itself into something far more dangerous.  A daemon.  A thing of pure evil.  It was sealed away centuries ago, and has been seeking re-entrance into Equestria ever since.”         “Where... where's Lyra?” Bon Bon said, grimacing.         “Your wife is just fine,” Luna replied.  She motioned across the room with a wing, where the still form of Lyra lay sleeping.  “She has been through just as much as you have, I'm afraid.  The touch of raw dreamstuffs is not for mortal ponies, but it can be done by a strong heart.  Her love for you must be powerful, indeed.”         “She... she nearly sacrificed herself for me... for her...” Bon Bon said.         “Yes... the foal inside of you,” Luna said.  “We are certain that she will grow to love just as fiercely.  Take care of her well.”         “I will,” Bon Bon said.         “Then I am afraid that I must end my visit with you, dearest Bon Bon.  Royal duties await me back at the castle, and I must speak with Princess Twilight about this latest development,” Luna replied.  “Perhaps her keen mind will share some insight into how we may capture this creature for good.”         “Thank you, Princess,” Bon Bon said, bowing her head.         Luna bowed in return and stood.  She trotted out of the hospital room as Lyra began to stir.  Luna smiled and nodded at the seagreen mare before leaving.  Lyra's eyes drifted over to Bon Bon.         “Bonnie?  Are you awake?” she said.         “Yeah... I'm awake,” Bon Bon replied.  “Are you alright?”         Lyra stood and made her way over to the side of the bed.  “I feel like several hammers have been pounded into my skull, but other than that... I'm fine.”         “Good,” Bon Bon said, sighing.  “It's... it's not over is it?”         “For us, it is,” Lyra said.  “With Luna on the lookout for that thing, it won't bother us anymore.”         “I suppose... I suppose you're right,” Bon Bon said.  “I'm just glad you're alright.”         Lyra glanced down at her hooves.  “Right... I'm sorry about that.  I was hoping to try and catch him off guard...”         Bon Bon smiled and grabbed her love's hoof.  “It's alright, Lyra.  I love you.”         “I love you too, Bonnie.”         “Now that we've got that squared away, it's time for a little rest,” Bon Bon said, smiling as she laid her head back against the bed.  A sharp pain echoed up her sides and she suddenly felt... warm and wet.  She glanced down, seeing Lyra's eyes widening.         “Umm... I think my water just broke,” Bon Bon said, blinking.  “Lyra... our foal... she's coming!  Go get the doctor!”         Lyra stood, an amused smile emerging on her face.  “Alright.  I will go get the doctors!  This is wonderful!  Our foal is coming!”         For a brief second, Bon Bon thought she saw a flash of green in Lyra's eyes before the other mare turned to leave.  The cream-colored mare's own eyes widened and then shut immediately as the first contraction hit her with a realization that struck fear into her heart.         It wasn't over.