A new day (Epilogue)

>You wake up and open your eyes slowly
>Your vision clears with time
>First thing you recognize is the brightness of the room you're currently in
>You feel something on your chest. It's a soft blanket made of wool
>It feels good on your skin
>You take a look around, coming back to your senses
>This is your room and it's day already
>The curtains are pulled back and the window is opened allowing fresh air and birds' twittering to enter
>You lean forward carefully, bringing yourself into a sitting position
>The blanket slips down, uncovering your chest, and shiver a bit because your room is pretty chilly
>You take a look to your left side
>Somep0ny hung your clothes over a chair
>Your hammer and your knife are lying on the table in front of the chair
>You perceive blood staining your hammer
>Nasty...
>You don't feel like thinking about the past events right now
>As you try to stand up pain hits you like a train and you are forced back on your bed
>How could you forget your injuries?
>You brace yourself and give it another shot
>This time you were prepared but it's still hard to keep standing
>You stumble towards your chair and sit down
>You realize bandages wrapped all over your body
>So they also took medical care of you
>Taking piece by piece of your clothes you get dressed slowly and you try to make up your mind for the upcoming
>You will have to thank your friends first
>Without their help you would have died, or even worse
>Pushing yourself up you make your way to the bathroom
>Apparently you're not able to perform the triple S because you don't want to get your bandages wet, plus you already had a hard time getting dressed and you don't want to repeat the whole procedure
>You brush your teeth and do your business
>You don't shave because shaving is for sissies
>And you're not in the mood for shaving right now
>You take a last glance in the mirror before going downstairs
>Your coat is fixed and so are your other clothes
>You take a sniff
>...marshmallows?
>In other words they have brought you back home, tended your wounds and fixed and washed your clothes
>You wouldn't wonder if a breakfast is awaiting you downstairs
>But why? Do they consider you a hero? or something? You know for sure that you're everything else but a hero
>You shake your thoughts off
>There are bigger concerns to deal with at the moment
>You manage to go down and head straight for the kitchen
>There is a covered basket and a card on the counter
>You open the card first
>"Get well soon!"
>Signatures are all over the card written in many different colors
>You look at the cover
>It shows a nice panoramic picture of Sweet Apple Acres
>You uncover the basket and find some fresh red apples in it
>Your eyes start to burn as you feel yourself being overwhelmed by guilt
>-"No, you don't have time for this."
>You take a big bite and chew on it thoughtfully
>First you want to see Applejack and apologize for assaulting her and also thank her for the apples
>You probably should visit Fluttershy, too, but ... you do not feel like doing it yet
>You finish your breakfast and kick off
>You leave your weapons in your room. There is no need in taking them with you. They only cause harm
>You step out of your home and take a deep breath
>Fresh and cold air fills your lungs
>You stretch a bit feeling refreshed
>Walking to Applejack's you weigh your next words
>How would you explain your behavior? Would they forgive you, all six of them? But you still hurt them. How could you make up for that?
>Time flies and you arrive at Sweet Apple Acres
>Okay, you are ready. Let's do this.
>You knock at the front door and wait
>After a good minute you knock again, this time louder
>Somep0ny inside groans
>The door opens slowly and an old p0ny shows up
>"Oh, hello there, Anon. What brings ya here, boy?"
>Basically you tried to kill one of her granddaughters and if her brother haven't showed up you would have been successful probably
I - I want to speak with A-Applejack. Is she here?
>You feel VERY uncomfortable
>Granny Smith is smiling but her eyes ... her eyes reveal a depth you haven't ever seen in your live. They are calm and somehow analyzing. You're pretty sure she is looking right into your soul or heart or mind or ... whatever
>"Nah, sonny, she isn't here. She went off half an hour ago. She didn't tell me where she was going."
Oh. Alright, thanks for your help anyways, Granny!
>"You are always welcome."
>She smiles and closes the door
>What next?
>Maybe you should visit Rarity at Carousel Boutique
>You walk back to Ponyville
>While walking you watch the other p0nies passing you
>Nop0ny knows what you did, meaning that your friends haven't told anyp0ny what happened
>You don't know how you'd have react in their spot, but you are thankful
>The p0nies in Ponyville, they seem to be so ... happy. Everywhere you look you see them smiling or laughing
>Some of them even nod to you
>You nod back by courtesy
>You're definitely not supposed to be here. You just don't seem to fit
>Carousel Boutique pops out of nowhere in front of you. You were thinking too much again
>Rarity ... you owe her an apology. Like you owe everyone an apology
>She fixed your clothes obviously
>You knock at her door
>After a little while a squeaking mini-marshmallow opens the door
>"Oh, hi Anon! You're here for Rarity, am I right?"
Uh, yea ...
>"But she isn't here at the moment. I don't know where she is though, but I'm sure you will find her!"
>Squeakie Bell is talking way to fast with cracks in her voice every now and then
>It can be annoying but she is so cute that you don't mind
Woah, Sweetie thanks, but you have to slow down. I will go and search for her, alright?
>She nods
>"Mhm! See ya, Anon!"
>She smiles confidently at you and closes the door
>Where could you go next?
>Your bandages itch a bit and you try to adjust them
>There is something sticky smeared beneath them and that scent ...
>Honey
>You facepalm
>How could you not notice? Fluttershy is the one with the most medical experience
>She takes care of different critters and animals and she likely took care of you, too!
>They certainly didn't want to take you to the hospital for two reasons
>Nop0ny knows your anatomy so Fluttershy could tend you as well and they didn't want to have to answer where you got your wounds from
>Everything seems to remind you of Fluttershy
>There is no way around it. You have to apologize to her, too, you might do it right now
>You go to her cottage
>This time the walk takes an eternity
>Your mind is empty, you don't know what to say or how to excuse yourself
>Finally you are in front of her house
>You raise your hand
>Can you really do it?
>Before you're able to knock, a white bunny hops out of the bushes next to you
>It stomps rapidly on the ground to get your attention
What is it Angel Bunny?
>You kneel down
>He points at the cottage, waves his little arms and shakes his head
>You sigh. Fluttershy isn't at home either. Where the hay is everyp0ny?
>He signs you to follow him
>You go after him and soon you approach Twilight's library
>He points at her house
Thank you, Angel!
>You bend down in order to pet him
>He just bites your hand, leaving a deep cut and hops off
>You earned it
>He still remembers what you did to Fluttershy and you're sure he will never forget it
>You suck your thumb and walk to Twilight's door
>You knock but the door is already open
>You push it open and enter
Hello? Twi-
>You cut your own sentence recognizing eight pairs of eyes looking at you
>All of them are gathered here
>Applejack, Rainbow , Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy
>Also Princess Celestia and Spike
>Your appearance disrupted their conversation
>Awkward silence fills the room
>Their glance are literally piercing you
>They start to circle you without breaking eye contact
>You look back at them and try not to move a muscle
>You are afraid, but whatever they plan to do you would take it willingly
>Rainbow Dash takes the word
>"Oh, look who's here! Isn't it our great fella Anon?"
>You gulp
>"Yea, the one who saved us, eh?"
>Applejack's wounds haven't healed completely and you're sure the scars will never disappear
>Luckily they aren't very big so Applejack's fur would cover them eventually
>You hear a giggle and look to your right
>"I don't remember anything, someone will have to tell me what happened. I felt so sleepy weepy and when I woke up everyone was standing around you. Seems like you felt asleep, too?"
>"Well, I for myself couldn't sleep for at least a day or two. I am still haunted by nightmares and they are-"
>The voice turns into a whisper
>"-Horrifying."
>Now that Rarity mentioned it you realize the little swollen pouches underneath her eyes and her mane was also ruffled a bit which was odd for her
>Tears build up in her eyes
>Twilight walks over to her and tries to comfort her best she could
>"Hush, don't think about it Rarity. I know it's hard sometimes but try not to think about it."
>Twilight seems to be also awake the last few days
>You take a look around
>They are standing in front of you in a half circle formation and they're getting closer
>Fluttershy is the only one who haven't said anything yet
>You watch her while  the rest is coming closer and closer to you
>You stand your ground
>It's not like you didn't expect this outcome
>The whole time you listened to them, straight-faced and without saying a word
>You see Fluttershy blush as you eyes meet
>That's strange
>You close your eyes and brace for your final encounter
>You hear hoof steps and moments later you feel them jumping at you
>Arms/forelegs embrace you from all sides
>You keep your eyes closed and wait a few seconds
>Nothing happens
>You open them carefully and see them ... hugging you.
>You are totally taken aback
>Raising your arms slowly you hug them back gently
>Until this very moment you were able to keep a hard and strong front
>But now you're not able to hold yourself back
>Tears stream down your face, blurring your sight
Y-y-you for-forgive m-me?
>"Forgive you? Why? We wanted to thank you for saving us!"
Saving you...
>You were absolutely sure that they said these words in pure sarcasm
>Well, you're proven wrong
>You break away from them and kneel down to get at the same height as them
>Still crying you clear your throat and try to get the stinging pain out of there
I need to ... I need to apologize. To everyp0ny. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. I regret every single thing I did.
>You look especially at Applejack and Fluttershy
Still you're willing to help me and ... to let me be your friend. Long story short ...
>You take a deep breath
>Tears drop on the floor
>You've been crying much lately but you don't care
Thank you.
>You're not the only one crying
>You look up and recognize your friends looking at you, dropping silent tears
>They smile and their glances emit gladness, comfort and empathy. Simply warmth. The same warmth you felt once
>"Anooon!"
>Fluttershy shrieks and swoops down on you
>You land on your back while she hugs you tight and the others start to laugh
>On after another jumps on you and soon you were buried under a pile of p0nies joining their laugh
Come on, girls! I need to breath!
>They descend slowly and you stand up, still smiling
>You look past your friends and see Princess Celestia still waiting for something and smiling at you
>You start to wonder why she was here
>Before you could ask she raises her voice
>"Girls, I need to talk to Anonymous in private-"
Anon is fine.
>You somehow don't like the name Anonymous anymore. Maybe it reminds you on everything what you did, you're no psychoanalyst
>"I need to talk to 'Anon'. Would you please wait outside?"
>You hear miscellaneous 'Yes, your highness' and watch your friends walk out, smiling at you occasionally
>You turn to Celestia and bow down
Your highness.
>"Stand up, Anon, I have plenty of things I need to discuss with you."
>You aren't able to focus. Your thoughts still spin around your friends. The princess notices it somehow
>"They really missed you. And they were concerned about you. You passed out for three days. The struggle within in you must have been a big one. But your friends never left you. They visited you every day and took good care of you, hoping you would wake up."
>You don't even bother to ask how they fed you
>Probably magic
>But one thing makes you curious...
What happened after the fight? What did you do with me? And what was the point of your spell?
>She smiles. An old and wise smile
>"After the fight I casted the spell on you. You fell asleep, not moving anymore. It wasn't certain to this point when you'd wake up or if you ever would wake up again. We brought you home and took care of you."
>You wait a few moments, but she seems to have finished
Okay, I am awake and standing in front of you. What does that mean?
>"You were successful."
Little more details, please~?
>"I saw your true nature back then. Well, in fact you have two 'true natures'. Your heart is in the right place, but it was overshadowed by concerns, struggle and other things. Our world reacts very sensitive to these kind of things and beings like Discord are attracted to these like bees round a honeypot. It was only a matter of time until one would try to exploit you."
Why did you let that happen if you knew the danger?
>"I gave you the chance to reveal your true nature determined by your choice. The moment you helped you friends when they needed you most showed that your good will and your steely determination are stronger than the hate and despise within you. You made the right choice, even though 'right' or 'wrong' are very vaguely in that case."
I could have made a different choice!
>"I was ready to fight Discord if it came to the worst. I was waiting outside the globe, aiding you best I could."
>That's why you felt better during the time Discord kept you captured
>"I proudly saw you taking the right decision and in the middle of your sorrow I gave you the opportunity to prove and stabilize you true nature."
You mean...?
>"Yes. The shadows darkening your heart are wiped away. You are free to live as you like. It may have changed your personality, though."
>Changed? No.
You shattered my personality! Even though it was the darker side of me, it was still a part of me!
>"I never said it would be that easy. I helped you to take the corruption in your heart away! It was basically your decision. Sadly, I am not able to say which consequences you will have to face. But I did nothing to you. You decided it yourself."
>She is right. But you really do miss the anger. Not.
Fine.
>Another thought flashes your mind
What happened to Discord? Is he a statue again?
>"Most likely not. I wouldn't like to have a half smashed statue standing in the royal maze."
>She looks at you and you start to sweat
>"He disappeared."
What? Where is he?
>Your voice is very timid because he should've been dead because of you
>"I don't know it either. But Anon.
Yes?
>"Never judge someone by one's appearance or deeds. You never know the true motives of one until you know the person itself! Remember this, it's very important."
>You blush and look down
Yes, your majesty.
>She goes to the window and you go through your mind
>Your cape. She said she would give it to you so you could protect your friends. She told you about an upcoming threat. Did she know everything beforehoof?
Princess Celestia, did you-?
>She interrupts you
>"Oh my, it's evening already. I am very sorry but I have to leave. Princess Luna should wake up any moment."
>She smiles at you
>You open your mouth but close it again and smile back
>Just before she reached the door she turns back to you
>"One last thing. Or two to be exact. First of all I need strong guards down here in Ponyville. That's why I want you to join the security p0nies down here and to have an eye over Ponyville. Of course I will pay you for your troubles."
>She winks. With her eye.
No problem! And the other issue?
>"Ah, I think you will like it. Since I saw how much you care for your friends and vice-versa I want you to study the magic of friendship as well. My faithful student."
>You don't find words to express your feelings. Instead you go to her in big steps and engulf her in a deep hug
Thank you!
>She seems flustered and hugs you back awkwardly
>You let her go and step back
>"Err yeah, um, I have to go. Good bye, Anon."
>Her cheeks are as red as Big Mac's coat and you can't help yourself but to giggle
>So the all-knowing and all-powerful princess has also her weak points
>As soon as she disappears you step outside and wave at your waiting friends
>The last golden shine of the sunset surrounds you and paints the whole scene in warm and bright lights
>Applejack approaches you first
>"So, What did she tell ya, Sugarcube?"
>You lay your arms around her neck and pull her closer
I will stay.

END of EPILOGUE


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