Epilogue: Worst Punchline Ever
---{Dilan Shier}
"So, yeah. That's about it," I said with a nod.
I wasn't entirely sure what drove the recipient to silence. Was it the sheer scope of everything that I told her, or was she still trying to figure out the best way to properly vanquish her first large-scale foe? My tail wasn't twitching involuntarily, so there wasn't any hidden animosity. Still, I couldn't help but feel my leg tensing up at the suspense.
"I still have a lot of questions."
I chuckled and shook my head. "That's not surprising. I would too in a reverse conversation."
"How exactly did dying in your world draw you to this one?"
I shrugged my wings. "I'm afraid your guess is as good as mine. If even magic can't answer that, I don't know what will."
"Why would a good pony be trapped in the deepest pits of Tartarus?"
I sighed. "I've started having doubts regarding how good and bad really work as far as the afterlife is concerned. I'd speculate that there's something even bigger out there. Beyond that, I guess it will demand some time for me to look into further."
"So, you really don't know why you were brought back as Nightmare Moon?"
I shook my head. "For all I know, I was randomly selected to act as an outlet for Luna's burdens. But that's just speculation."
"What about the other voices in your subconscious? Can they be trusted?"
"Those that I've spoken with have either promised to act according to my will or remain on the sidelines." I blew some of the steam off my cup and took a couple sips. "So far, none of them have broken those vows."
All the while, she busily scribbled some notes down. At least, I assumed they were notes. Maybe they were just scribbles and random illustrations. I didn't know and I wasn't going to pry.
"It's going to take me some time to consider you a friend rather than an enemy."
"Oh, no rush there," I insisted while waving a hoof dismissively. "It's probably best if you went about your days without my influence. Like I said before, I'll be spending most of my efforts helping out Princess Celestia and Luna as needed. I've got cover as a medical clerk anyway."
"Speaking of which, how is Luna doing?"
"Well, I spoke with her a couple of times during her rehabilitation." I chuckle once. "She ended both of those conversations with sarcastic remarks at my expense. She's fine."
She hummed. "Well, as long as somepony over there trusts you."
"Is there anything else you wanted to know?" I inquired.
She set her quill and paper down. "How do you deal with all of this? Your circumstances seem to be the result of somepony's sense of humor that's drier than Discord's."
"The Aristocrats."
She blinked blankly.
"Darn, that sounded better in my head," I muttered.
"I guess that's it for now. Just don't betray Celestia and Luna's trust. Otherwise, I'll be the first you answer to."
She's still the most intimidating princess I've ever met, I thought with a gulp. "Duly noted."
I felt a tap on my leg. "Nachos for the road?"
"Oh, thank you," I told the assistant, accepting the food box with my mane.
---{Third-Person}
The door closed as Dill Anne Shear was escorted out of the castle.
"What do you think, Twilight?" asked the assistant.
The lavender alicorn shook her head. "I don't know, Spike. I really don't know."
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