//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Equestria World, Book 1: Surviving Canterlot High // by Gear Works //------------------------------// “Hey Jack, see you next time.” “You too, Flash. Get some rest. You earned it.” “Same for you.” Flash was the last to leave, with the exception of Coach Iron Will in his office. I was able to place both blades back in its case and closed the locker. All of my gear was already placed in a storage bin to be cleaned next week. I walked towards the coach’s office and knocked on the opened door. “I’m the last one out coach.” “OK.” I started to walk away before he caught my attention. “Hold up, Jack.” I went back to see what he wanted. “There was something I wanted to ask you.” “Seeing that you just said ‘I’ could only mean that it must be personal.” “It is. When I heard that you and Sunset went into the Realm of Souls, I knew that you would be able to make anything happen. I’m just wondering what it was like in there.” “It was all…white. Nothing else. But it’s only a bridge point that allows the gifted to be reborn.” “Are you sure that was all you saw, besides Master Blades in that realm?” “There was one other thing there, but I rather not say for now.” “The Tree of Harmony?” When he said that, I was a bit shocked. He continued. “The legend in the library isn’t just some legend, but the truth. All of us know this.” “As in all of the staff members in our group?” “Yes. Including Coach Tirek. Remember the story I told you about how the Dark Star Organization was trying to make a god? One of the things that the Equestrian Knights and Riders knew was that they were looking for some magical tree that could give them the power to complete their experiments.” “That could explain why they have yet to perfected the process, even if they are still around now. Maybe lacking a male victim isn’t enough to complete what they were doing.” “Maybe so, but we still don’t know how they are doing it. And we’re not sure what the Tree of Harmony has a role in all this.” “There was one thing that Master Blades told me when I asked him why it was there. He said that it was waiting for ‘The Awakening.’ Would you know anything about that?” “Not really. Unless what’s in the library could explain its meaning. I’ll talk to Tirek about this. Maybe he would have an idea about this, once he speaks to you.” “You mean he wants to talk to me?” “You and the rest of the group. He’ll let us know when the best day and time is to meet. For now, you need to relax for a while. Clear your head, and be ready for what’s to come.” “If that’s the case, I want Professor River Song on this as well.” “Already on it. Now go home and get some rest. You earned it, Jack.” “Thanks coach. I’ll see you on Monday.” I left the locker room and out the school door with my case in hand. I went up to where my truck was and saw six girls waiting next to it. I was shocked to see Sunset with the Elite 5 next to my truck. “Took you long enough to get here,” said Indigo Zap. “Just had a quick chat with the coach before I left,” I replied. “So what does the Elite 5 want now?” “Nothing much. Just your support,” said Sunny Flare. “We understand why you and Indigo decided to keep your friendship a secret from us, and we understand.” “We don’t hate her for doing so,” said Sour Sweet, “but we wish she just told us sooner!” Sunny glared at her. “Sorry.” “We can guess that Long Shot no longer has his gift, but it doesn’t answer our question as to why we have these gifts,” said Sugarcoat. I said, “We’ll find out in due time. For now, we need to take it easy until then.” “Dude, can’t argue with you there,” said Lemon Zest. Indigo said, “Well, we need to head on back. Talk to you later.” “Same here,” I said. As the Elite 5 started to leave, Indigo looked back and yelled, “You better take good care of him, girl. You hurt him, and we’re coming for you, you hear?” “Don’t worry, I will,” replied Sunset. Once they were out of view, I looked at Sunset and said, “I would have guess that you would have gone with your mother afterwards.” “I thought that too, but since you were going to be here a bit longer, I figure I stick around a bit longer. Besides, I needed to talk to Indigo anyway, since she and her group decided to stay as well.” I asked, “So were they all part of your plan?” “Just Indigo. Sunny was shocked when we told her about the plan. We hoped that she would step in for her mother. That was all that we need to get Lightning Dust to confess.” “You just waited for me to issue the challenge first so you can get the wheels turning.” “Yep, but I wasn’t expecting your fellow knights to show up to help.” “I know. At least Coco decided to step up and support me in my decision.” She started to wrap her arms around my neck. “So what happens now?” I decided to wrap my arms around her waist. “We relax…for now.” “So…I’m guessing that things will never be normal, will they?” “Do you want them to be?” “I know that Twilight would, but we all know that it would never happen, after what you did tonight.” “What happened tonight was just the beginning. What happens next is anyone’s guess.” “Then how about you take me for a ride.” “Home?” “Actually, I was hoping you take me to that same spot we went to after homecoming.” “It’s going to be chilly this time of the year.” “I’m fine with that. Besides, we may never get another chance for some quiet time again. My mother did say that you should live your life like there’s no tomorrow.” “Wise words. Well, if we plan to go, can you text my dad for me. I want to make sure he knows that I’ll be late.” “Agreed.” And with that, we got into my truck. As I started it up, she took my cell and sent a text to my dad that I would be running late coming home. With that out of the way, we drove off to where the sparks went off for the two of us, never knowing what would happen next.