//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: The Hungry Eyes 
// by Ammie Kindheart 
//------------------------------//

           Zecora had insisted that Morgan allow her to treat the wounds that had been inflicted in the killer’s cabin. She also gave her patient a medicinal drink that allowed Morgan to get a full night’s sleep. Though Morgan would be stiff and sore, she would have no lasting ill effects, physically.
The next morning, the town square was abuzz with the news that the killer had been caught. When the clock in the town hall chimed noon, the citizens of Ponyville were surprised by a special train. The officers and Sgt. Stan unloaded, and, from another car, the Royal Guard stepped down as well. Another car seemed to explode with activity, brimming with news reporters who were there to interview those involved with the case.
The last car opened and, to Morgan’s dismay, Captain Mason Longmare strutted down the ramp and into the midst of the reporters. Morgan had no desire to face the press, but even less desire to talk to her father. Knowing that putting it off would only prolong the agony, she began to step forward nevertheless. A hoof on her shoulder stopped her in her tracks. She looked up into Zahn’s blue eyes and felt suddenly lighter.
“You stood up to a killer on your own. Don’t let these squawking geese bother you, okay?” he said with a smile that made her want to dance.
“Thanks. I needed that,” Morgan said.
Morgan walked up to Sgt. Stan and thanked him for coming to help. Thanking both the officers and the Guard, she asked Twilight to escort them to the Town hall. Then, turning, Morgan saw the press and her father moving closer. She pasted a smile on her face and allowed Mason to embrace her, as he was playing up to the press. When asked for a statement, she said that there would be an announcement at two P.M. She then invited the group to the Town Hall, where they would have lunch.
Once they were in the building, her father whispered that they needed to talk. Morgan motioned to a small meeting room where they could step out of the limelight. The instant the door closed, Mason went off like a bottle rocket.
“How could you humiliate me like this?” he demanded. “I had to hear from the press that my daughter was involved with a serial killer. Your incompetence knows no bounds. You have likely messed this up so that I will be the laughingstock of all Equestria! How could you be such a fool?”
Although surprised at his outburst, Morgan kept an impassive face and let him blurt his accusations. “Are you quite finished, sir?”
“For now.” Mason stormed to a chair and sat down.
“Okay, number one, there has been no press release made, so how they knew is anyone’s guess. Number two, you are a guest and have absolutely no jurisdiction here.” Morgan saw his face getting redder and redder, but she had to finish. “You have never taken an interest in me or my accomplishments, or lack thereof. For the sake of your ‘embarrassment,’ there will be a public announcement and we can pretend to be friendly. But from this day forward, you will speak to me with respect, or don’t speak to me at all.”
“How dare you speak to me in that manner!” Mason seethed, his voice barely above a whisper, his face beet-red. “You will apologize to me and get yourself back home to Manehattan where you belong. Along with that slovenly housekeeper I’ll be sure to fire.”
Morgan smiled. “Once, I would have been crushed by all this, but no more. If I return to Manehattan, it will be on my own terms. Peach and I will be staying here for the time being with our family. Where there is someone that loves us. Do you remember love? Or have you ever loved anyone besides yourself?” Mason reached out to restrain her, but Morgan quickly moved to avoid his grasp. Mason growled, “I am the only family you have, girl.”
Morgan laughed. “No, Peach is my mother’s aunt, Ammie is my cousin, and you have just pushed me past my limits. If you wish to still have this press conference, we can, but you had better be prepared to do it decently.”
Morgan turned to walk away, but Mason grabbed her and started to slap her. He was challenged by a voice as cold as ice.
“Do not touch her!”
Mason jumped and turned to see a well-muscled unicorn with ice-blue eyes that crackled with anger. Mason puffed up himself and said, “I don’t know who you are, but you have nothing to say in this matter.”
In an instant, Zahn had covered the distance between them. Grabbing the collar of Mason’s suit, Zahn easily lifted the older pegasus up so he could look directly into his eyes. In a quiet but deadly voice, he said, “Morgan told you she is done with you. If you touch her again, you will answer to me. Do you understand me?”
Mason’s face was red, and it was easy to see he was furious. He tried to get down without responding to the warrior that held him fast. Finally, he blurted out, “Okay!”
Zahn gently set the older stallion down and smoothed his collar. Turning, he offered Morgan his foreleg, and they walked out of the room together.


* * *


The day was further complicated by the surprise arrival of Princesses Celestia and Luna. They both requested an audience with Twilight. Then, a few minutes later, they asked Morgan to come into the room.
Morgan was in awe, since she never expected to ever meet the Princesses, but she handled herself well under the pressure. They asked her to sit with them and they discussed the case. Morgan, unlike her attention-seeking father, gave credit to all the ones who had helped through the crises and downplayed her own role. She apologized for not capturing Rodolfo sooner. All three Princesses told her that she had managed admirably, given the circumstances. They asked her to not only help start a local police force, but to be its Captain. After some resistance, Morgan agreed. They then promised her six fully trained officers and an expense account to build or buy whatever she deemed necessary.
Next, the Princesses called in the officers, Sgt. Stan, the Royal Guard, and Mason. The news about Morgan’s assignment as Captain and the rest was announced to them all. Morgan glimpsed her father out of the corner of her eye—he was flushing red again. Morgan knew he was angry that she had been promoted, but at least he tried to act like he approved.
The press conference went smoothly. The details of the case that were safe to share with the public were given to the hungry reporters. The news of a local police force and Morgan’s appointment was next. The wise Princesses, somehow sensing Mason’s bad relationship with Morgan, turned the situation around by praising him for raising such a talented daughter and detective. A surprised Morgan glanced at Twilight, who winked at her. Yes, they were wise indeed. Morgan, Zahn, Big Mac, Zecora, Jaberi, and several others were recipients of the Medal of Valor, which was one of Equestria’s highest honors.
After the press conference, the police and Guards brought out the prisoner, preparing to load him onto the train. Against Jaberi’s advice, they removed the rope, thinking that, with twenty of them, there was no hope of escape, instead restraining Rodolfo in chains. As they led him across the town square, Mrs. Grimes ran up to him and slapped his face. She poured out her rage and pain on the monster who had taken her son. This was the distraction that Rodolfo had hoped for. Without the binding that contained the old magic, he was able to cast a spell that made the chains drop off. With a wave, he knocked all the Guards over and, clutching Mrs. Grimes like a rag doll, roared, shaking the square and all within it. His eyes began to glow red as he drew his captive closer to his mouth, preparing to feed. Before he could make another move, he froze and his hold was lost on Mrs. Grimes, who Morgan quickly pulled to safety. Rodolfo’s eyes lost their glow, and he blinked in confusion, not understanding why his forelegs were not working. Looking down, he saw an arc of blue-white light, then a river of red coming from his throat and falling like a waterfall.
Jaberi stepped from behind Rodolfo, an ancient staff in hoof. A large, blue orb wrapped in silver topped the staff with swirls of white and blue light that reached out and began to surrounded the captive. “The age of your tyranny is complete! Because of your crimes in Equestria, Zebrica, and many other realms, you have been sentenced to death. The voices of our ancestors demand it; the voices of your victims demand it,” Jaberi raised the staff and bellowed, “Come!”
To the astonishment of all those assembled, smoke appeared to come from the staff, then it began to take form. Hundreds of misty shapes formed, and each pointed to Rodolfo. A single voice rose in a mighty chorus, demanding the death of he who had caused their demise. The two forms that frightened Rodolfo most were the image of his father and Lesede.
His name had been Rodolfo, which, translated, meant “Legendary Wolf.” His father Suluwo’s name had also meant “wolf.” They had thought that their dark magic and evil could give them power that no being could withstand. But, in the end, both lost their lives in the same way, the life force spilling from their throats as they looked on, helpless to stop it.
When Rodolfo took his last breath, the smoke drifted away, taking the forms with it. All except one. The youthful vision of Lesede still stood before him. Pointing at the corpse, she began to chant and sway. The evil body began to glow green, then the light began to dim and finally went out. What appeared like a white powder formed on the body, then, in seconds, it shrank in on itself. Finally, all that remained was a pile of white ash. From the air, Lesede pulled an old jar with ancient symbols on it. With a wave of her hoof, the ash rose, swirled, and drifted into the bottle, which she sealed. Chanting again, there appeared a circle of fire before her. She tossed the jar into that flame, and a column of fire streaked skyward. An instant later, it was gone.
Lesede then moved to Zecora. Her smile spoke volumes, healing to the granddaughter who had felt lost and alone for so many years. Jaberi moved beside Zecora, his eyes memorizing the faces before him. Those who watched this display were amazed when the vision of Lesede began to take on more solid form. She took a hoof of Jaberi and one of Zecora in each of her own.
“You have both helped to defeat our enemy,” said Lesede. “No longer will our family need to fear the evil ones. From this day on, you will be blessed.”
Both Zecora and Jaberi began to glow and shimmer. The crowd stood in shock as they watched the two middle-aged zebras changed and suddenly became young again. The years they had lost were given back. Before she withdrew, Lesede gave both of her dear ones a hug. Turning, she gave a nod of respect to each of the
Princesses, then walked toward the edge of town, growing fainter as she went.
The crowd stood still in amazement for a moment, then began to cheer. The press wondered how to tell their readers what had happened here. Nopony would ever believe it. They didn’t believe it!
The trains left later that day, bearing passengers that would spread the story. The outside world never could believe that story, leaving it instead to fall into legend.


* * *


The following months were busy. A building downtown was donated to Ponyville for the police station. The work began to remodel it to fit in offices, cells, a lab, and other needed rooms. It was going to be perfect and even better than Morgan had even dreamed. The promised officers had arrived and were a great help to the town and surrounding areas.
Zahn and Big Mac had become close friends. It seemed that they were often up to mischief and even running and playing with young fillies and colts in the afterschool sports rallies they had begun. It was good to see the once-reclusive and somber Zahn learning to enjoy life again.
Zahn always had a special smile for Morgan and would stop by to see how the police station was progressing. Although he had not ever asked her for a date, there were some in town that bet he would.
Though Morgan worked from sun-up until she nearly dropped, she was happier now than she had ever been. Her father’s disapproval of her was no longer a driving force in her life. She did, however, receive a shock one day when she got mail from Manehattan.
Opening the letter, she found a note from Sgt. Stan, along with a news clipping from the Manehattan Times Daily. In the article, Mason was telling about the capture and demise of the serial killer dubbed “The Legendary Wolf.” The surprising part was that Mason actually claimed to be proud of his daughter, who had been the lead detective in the case. In the note, Sgt. Stan wrote that he knew Morgan would get a good laugh about that one.
Who knew? Maybe you could teach old ponies new tricks.


* * *


Zecora and Jaberi spent most of their time together. They had both lived through years of heartache and loneliness and had finally found a peace they had never thought possible. To also regain their youth and the chance to be with each other was a blessing beyond measure. Often, they were seen together walking the lanes around Ponyville or gathering ingredients for their many remedies. Once, while watching the sunset, they were seen kissing, while Coal flew, joyously looping, overhead.