//------------------------------//
// 13: Epilogue 
// Story: The Night Mare: Risen 
// by InkCrescent 
//------------------------------//

Ink Crescent sighed as she sat down at a table in the Hay Burger. It had been one of the busiest work days at the Hay Burger today.

"So." Bright Sky slid into the seat in front of her. "I want to know about your past. How did you even become Luna's apprentice? You promised you'd tell me."

Crescent scowled at her. "And you promised to tell me about what it was like to live in a village outside of Equestria. And, yet, you haven't, so I guess we're both in the same boat," she snapped.

"Please?" Sky asked. There was a pleading look in her eyes.

"I'd like to hear it, too!" Spirit Shadow Moon called from where she was cleaning off the tables. "It must've been interesting growing up as an alicorn."

Crescent sighed. She remembered how upset Spirit had been when she had found Crescent was an alicorn. Spirit hadn't talked to her for at least one or two weeks after they defeated Cristall, but Crescent had still been happy that she could walk around without having to use dark magic every day.

Knight Shields trotted over. "Orange smoothies, ladies? Courtesy of Spirit Shadow Moon." He slid the smoothies onto the table.

"Thank you!" Sky beamed.

Spirit walked over, looking at Crescent. "Will you tell us?" she asked.

"Fine," Crescent groaned. "But you" -- she gave Sky a pointed look -- "have to tell us your past when I'm done."

"Agreed!" Sky replied, nodding her head. "Hey, Knight! We're going to need some popcorn! This should be good."

Crescent scowled at her, before starting her story. "It all started when I was a filly. And, trust me, this is going to be rather . . . dark." Crescent glanced at wach of them. "It's not for the lighthearted."

Spirit leaned forward eagerly, while Knight continued sweeping. Sky blinked expectantly.

"It started on the best day of my life," Crescent began. "Or so I thought."