Epilogue
Even was sitting beside me as the train made it’s way towards Ponyville. I slid into my chair, exhausted from the day. Luna’s moon hung in the sky, the stars shining brightly. Overall, it was a nice, quiet train ride back towards home.
Well, at least my home anyways, Even just stared outside as the rolling countryside passed through our window. I could tell that the kid was feeling nervous.
I finally spoke up, “You’ve never been outside Manehatten before?”
“No,” He said, his yellow eyes still looking on the world passing him by. “I’m one of those kids where, if you ask me to draw a map of Equestria, Manehatten would cover everything. Now, I’m on a train and Manehatten looks so small and far away.”
“You get used to it,” I said, and gave him a concerned look. “You can still head back you know, I’ll pay for your ticket.”
“No thanks,” He said, looking back at me. “I said I’d come to Ponyville, and well, I’m keeping that promise.”
“It’s not gonna be easy work,” I told him. “You’re gonna be in the line of fire quite a few times in my line of work.”
“Remind who saved who’s life when a psycho mare was about to stab him?” Even said, with a smirk.
“Point taken,” I said with a laugh.
Even turned back to looking out at the countryside. “You’re sure I won’t be too much trouble.”
“Well, so long as you’re happy with living in a library’s spare room.” I told him.
“You live in a library?” He asked.
“Well, my wife Twilight did for a while. Now we kinda sorta live in both the library and my house.”
“You ever think about getting just one place to stay?” He asked.
“Nah, nothing short of a lightning bolt from Celestia is gonna get Twilight to give up that library.”
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Perspective:???
So, he’s gotten himself a little sidekick has he?
Yes, and Insight is still on our leash. He’ll not be reporting us anytime soon.
Good, see that he knows who’s in charge.
I must ask again, how exactly is this necessary? I could easily-
You speak out of turn Spera, the only reason I tolerate your presence here is because you are one of the few that have gone up against my grandson and lived. But don’t think for a moment that gives you leave to do whatever you please.
Has he spoken to you lately?
Eager to change the subject our we? No, Malice has not spoken to me in a long while. Speaking to us in the mortal plane is...difficult for him.
Without reaching the attention of Celestia.
Exactly, that princess is growing more and more cunning in her placement of Private. She does not publicly speak of your crimes until she has had proof. The word of just one detective is hardly anything to go on.
You still believe her to know of our plan?
Oh, I know that she knows. In fact, it matters little in the end. My grandson is destined to fall, just as Prometheus did. And with that, everything will be put in it’s proper place.
Right, with you as king of Equestria, why am I not surprised?
You think it’s a kingdom I want? No, Equestria can burn for all I care.
Then why? You mentioned penance earlier…
Your memory is sharp…
Yes, now, what is this penance you speak of?
…
Adamus?
Did I ever tell you how I got my name?
No, though I can’t help but notice you are named after the first Earth Pony…
Yes...and the reason is very closely twined...to why I offer my legacy as a sacrifice….
Your legacy…?
Yes...for you see Spera, once all of this is over, I won’t be simply a king...I will be…
A god…
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Perspective: Private
The train pulled away as Even and I stood on the platform at Ponyville station. While having some lights, Ponyville was still darker and quieter than Manehatten. I could hear crickets in the background. You can see the stars more clearly, and it’s beautiful.
Even sat there, his large ears moving this way and that. “It’s, quieter here, a lot quieter than Manehatten.”
“Just how good are your ears?” I asked.
“Pretty good…” He pointed towards Sugarcube Corner. “There’s a lot of noise coming from there. A lot of noisemakers and party balloons being blown up.”
Hm, sounds like Pinkie is getting ready for Rainbow’s birthday.
“Over there…” He points over to Sweet Apple Acres. “I can hear an older mare giving a bedtime story to a younger mare. Though I can’t make out their exact words.”
“You care hear all the way to over there?” I asked.
“If I focus enough, my ears don’t pick up everything at once, I’d go nuts otherwise. Batponies learn at a very young age how to, sort of sift through all the noise to focus on one thing.” He then pointed towards Vinyl and Octavia’s apartment. “Doesn’t help if something is very loud though. I keep hearing, ‘wub wub wub’ coming from in there...along with some rather...uh, intimate noises…”
“Oh, you’ll meet all of them soon enough.” I said with a smile. “Got quite the characters living here.”
“If they’re anything like that lady from the dress shop singing about frocks and rocks, then I’m in for a show,” Even snarked as we walked towards my place.
We came up to my small home. “You can stay on the couch tonight until we can get you settled at the library.” I said, “Twilight’s probably there now studying anyways. Something about Aj having a bat problem. So we’ll just sneak in here.”
“I don’t mind, anything’s better than an old mattress.” Even said as I rang the doorbell.
The door opened and out stepped Sparkler, Ditzy’s teenaged daughter. Hmm, come to think of it her and Even are about the same age. Her purple eyes shone as she smiled at me. “Hey Private, put Tailspin to bed a while ago.”
“Good to see you Sparkler.” I said, reaching into my wallet to give her some bits for her trouble.
“Hey thanks for the tip,” She replied. “College isn’t gonna pay for itself. Til I ace all the tests anyways.”
“You really are a relief to have Sparkler,” I replied. I suddenly realized we went five minutes without Even making a snarky comment.
Turns out, it’s cuz he was standing there staring at Sparkler like an idiot. Sparkler took notice of him and trotted over, offering a pink colored hoof. “Hey there, I’m Sparkler, haven’t seen you around here. You new?”
“Uh,” Even stammered, “Ye-yeah! I’m Evenstar! Nice to um-...” He then blinked. “You aren’t, freaked by seeing a batpony?”
“You kidding me?” Sparkler said with a laugh. “Between an alicorn, a changeling, and a draconequs all living within walking distance of my house, you’re the least freaky thing in this town.”
“Um, thanks.” He replied, his face aflush with nervousness.
“Hey, just pop by my place, I’ll give you the tour, I always like meeting new ponies.” She said, “Oh, but I gotta go now. Mom will worry if I stay out too late. See ya.” With that, she trotted away, leaving behind a staring Even.
“Nice going there ace,” I teased.
“HEY!” Even said, his face red.
“So you have another reason to stay in Ponyville it seems,” I said with a laugh.
“I-I..she was just nice is all,” Even said, trying to remain cool and failing miserably.
“Don’t worry, I’ll try to keep the teasing to a minimum, just don’t say anything in front of my sister in law Cadence. She’ll follow you until you practically propose to Sparkler.”
“Your friends are weird…” Even said.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
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A couple hours earlier…
Perspective: Potso
Ah, another day, another successful run at that my pizzaria. I was justa getting ready to close her up for the evening. My store felt barren and a little empty now that all the i clineti are gone. The bustle and the buzz of the day were replaced by the soft sounds of my broom on the floor.
I sighed, Linguini left me here, all alone while she went out with her amiches. To say that I would not be able to handle myself responsabilmente around them. The absolute nerve of my beloved sister.
But, I pressed on and sweeped the last bit of dust from the floor. I wiped my hoof over my brow, cleaning was such hard work. At the very least I didn’t have strange changeling mares invading my home. At the very least I know to launch the power of my accordion at them. Melt like mozzarella they do, every time…
Now, with everything clean I should-
*Ring*
A customer? At this hour?
“Perdonami, we are closed for the eveni-”
I dropped my broom in utter shock…
Standing in the door. I could not believe it was her! The teal mane, the cream colored coat, those bella turquoise eyes. She was even wearing that cute little collar with the mauve bow, and the carnation in her hair. It was the mare I saw so long ago. Am I dreaming? Did I bash myself with the broom while sweeping? My goodness, she was looking back at me with the same expression of surprise.
I had to say something, anything.
I cleared my throat and said, “Signora, we are closed at this hour. I was just cleaning up the shop…”
“Oh! Uhm… Sorry for the intrusion,” she said in a soft, sweet voice. “This… this may sound a bit… strange, but were you in the train station in Mainhatten… about ten years ago?”
“Ten years ago…” I replied.
It couldn’t be...am I truly dreaming? Or…
“Si signora...I was, going to pick up some of my familia. That’s, when, I saw a mare who looked just like you signora. I…” I felt myself turn even redder than-a any of my tomatoes. “I had not seen more-a beautiful mare in all my life…”
“Oh! So that was you,” She said beaming. “Uhm… I guess we should finally introduce ourselves… I’m meeting you again, for the first time, after all… I’m Coco. Coco Pommel.”
“Potso, Potso Roll,” I replied, beaming. It is true...it is her, and..she was not a dream as Private always said…
“Coco...shall we, how do you say...catch up?” I said, still very nervous.
“I’d love that, Potso,” Coco said blushing. “I… I could help you clean up, if you like… You know, while we talk?”
“That...would be più bella…”
Più bella indeed…