The Epilogue

>Tonight was the night.

>Tonight your life was going to change.

>Tonight you life was going to become perfect.

>Or so you hoped.

>Maybe all those hints were just your mind messing with you.

>But nothing was going to stop from making this night perfect anyways!

>Except for maye your hair.

>No matter how hard you tried, you couldn't make it look good.

>You had to make it look at least somewhat nice, since tonight would change the rest of your life.

>Brushing it to the side, you decide it looks kind of pretty.

>You walk over to your closet and pull out your special dress.

>With a smile, you walk down to your kitchen and look at the clock.

>7:23

>Only seven minutes till you need to be there.

>Good thing it's only a five minute walk.

>Picking up your saddlebag on your way out, you begin walking down the familiar walkways of Hollow Shades.

>You are Moonshine.

>And tonight is your three year anniversary date with a very important stallion.

>Practically prancing down the walkways, you're so happy for tonight.

>You're so happy, you almost walk right by the retaurant.

>Stopping in from of the restaurant, you walk up to the door and walk inside.

>You are greeted by a mare as you walk in, who leads you to an open table.

>The restaurant was very high-class.

>What if he accidently does something that gets you kicked out?

>Just like last time...

>Well, all you had to do right now was wait for him to show up.

 

>And wait you have.

>He's thirty minutes late.

>You've already drank three glasses of blood waiting for him.

>Hearing the bell on the door ring, you look up to see Aux entering.

>Looking around, he spots where you're sitting.

>With a smile, he comes over to the table and sits across from you.

"What took you so long to get here?"

>"Sorry, I was busy preparing something and lost track of time."

>Preparing what?

>Maybe it really would happen.

>Waving the waiter over, you turn back to Aux.

"You know what you want, right?"

>"Um..."

>Skimming through his menu, he looks back up to you.

>"Sure. What are you getting?"

"Since you took so long getting here, I've had plenty of time."

>Blushing, Aux scrathes the back of his head.

>"W-well, I promise I'll make it up to you."

>As the waiter walks from another table over to yours, Aux folds both of your menus and puts them on the edge of the table.

>"Are both of you ready to order?"

"Yes, I'll have the filet mignon."

>Putting a hoof over his nose, Aux acts as if he's gagging.

>As the waiter turns back to him, he stops before he sees.

>"And what would you like sir?"

>"Could I just get a salad?"

>Nodding, the waiter walks back over to the kitchen.

>Giggling, you look back at Aux.

"I know you don't like meat, but could you at least deal with me enjoying it?"

>"I'm fine with it, don't worry, I just don't like how it hurts animals to get it."

>After chatting with your date for a while, the waiter comes over carrying your meals.

>Setting down the food in front of both of you, he walks away leaving the two of you alone again.

>With a fork Aux picks a small piece of fruit out of his salad.

>"Look a mango! I love these!"

"You know, if we went somewhere tropical, you could have lots of those."

>"Well, why don't we go somewhere like that on our honeymoon?"

>As you take a bite out of your meat, you almost choke a you realize the importance of what he just said.

>Coughing, you look at Aux.

"D-did you just say..."

>"Yes."

>With a smile, he pulls a small black box out his coat pocket, and returns your gaze.

>As he gets out of his chair, Aux walks next to you and gets onto his left knee.

>This was happening so fast.

>"M-moonshine, I know I'm n-not the most perfect stallion, and I probably never w-will be. B-but ever since I met you, I've been the happiest one that ever lived. Would do me the great honor of being my wife?"

>Opening the small box, it reveals a beautiful gold band with diamonds encrusted around it.

>It was the most beautiful thing you had ever seen, and even better it was from the sweetest stallion you had ever dated.

>Why would you ever say no?

>As you try to speak, nothing comes out.

>Wait, what was happening?

>Trying again, all that comes out is a beep.

 

>Opening your eyes, you look around.

>All around you it was dark.

>You could hear a faint beep coming from a machine to your left.

>How many times have you had that same dream now?

>Raising up your head, you look back up at the saddest sight you had ever laid eyes on.

>Aux was laying in the bed you were resting your head on the edge of.

>He had an oxygen mask on his face, helping him breath.

>It had been two weeks since that night where he almost died.

>You actually thought he had died.

>His breathing had stopped completely.

>Seeing him now, was terrible, but adding that dream just made much worse.

>It brought tears to your eyes that that day may never happen.

>The doctors told you not to get your hopes up.

>But how could you not?

>You loved him with all your heart.

>You weren't the only one though, everyday many people came to visit him.

>Echo, Speck, Midnight, Night Watch, Luna came once, the mayor came, even Jasmine came sometimes.

>They all seemed to care so much.

>And he may never even open his eyes again to see you or them.

>Bunching up the sheets, you feel tears coming to your eyes.

>As you start crying, you put your head down on the bed and weep softly.

>Hearing the door open, you look back up to see Speck entering the room.

>"Hey, I thought I'd stop by and check on both of you."

>Between sobs, you manage to tell her thanks.

>Speck walks over to you and sits next to you in another chair.

>"Moonshine, you haven't left the hospital for four days now."

>Looking up, you wipe the tears from your eyes.

"Wh-what about it?"

>Speck sets a hoof on your shoulder and stands up.

>"I think it's time you go home for a little bit, maybe get some rest."

"No, he needs me here. I can't leave him."

>"Come on Moonshine, I'm sure he'd understand. He loves you!"

>Sniffing, you look back at the stallion laying in the hospital bed.

>It bothered you how slow his breathing was.

"I... I guess you're right."

>Standing up, you walk over to Aux.

>With a kiss to his forehead, you walk back over to Speck.

"Let's go."

>Walking over to the door, you hear a faint noise.

>"M-moonshine?..."

"Did you hear that?"

>"Hear what?"

>Maybe your head was just messing with you.

>You haven't had much sleep for a while.

>As you exit the room, you steal a quick glance back towards Aux.

>Closing the door behind you, you think you see a pair of green eyes looking back at you from the hospital bed.

 

---------

 

>Are you dead?

>You didn't feel dead.

>How would you know what that felt like?

>You've never been dead.

>Flickering open, your eyes see nothing but pure white.

>It hurt your eyes.

>After blinking a few times, you realize why you couldn't see anything.

>You were in a hospital room, and the light were on, plus the sun was shining through the open windows.

>What kind of hospital puts a dead pony in a hospital room?

>Maybe you weren't dead.

>Trying to raise your head, you find yourself unable and fall back onto your pillow.

>"Best you save your energy, Aux. You're going to need it if you want to make a full recovery."

>That voice...

>Was it her?

>But why would she be here?

"L-luna?"

>Coming into view, Luna steps over to the side of your bed.

>"Yes Aux, I came here to visit you as soon as I found out you were close to waking up."

"H-how would you know that I was going to wake up?"

>With a smile, Luna sets a hoof on your bed.

>"I know when all the bat ponies sleep and when they're awak. I do watch over their dreams after all."

>That kind of makes sense.

>There's still one thing you don't understand.

>"But why would you come and see me of all ponies?"

>Turning towards the window, Luna's face turns serious.

>"I came here because of something very strange."

>Was she talking about your cutie mark?

>Wait, did that even really happen?

>With a swift motion, you pull back your covers to reveal that your cutie mark had changed to a heart with a small blue heart on it.

>"So you know?"

"Yes, it was the last thing I saw before I died, or at least what I thought was me dying."

>Turning back to you, Luna walks back over to your bed.

>"Aux, cutie marks don't just change. They determine our destiny. But yours did, and it was right after Moonshine told you she loved you."

>What was she talking about?

>This was making your head hurt.

"What are you getting at, princess?"

>"Think about it. What kind of terrible talent is not being able to find love? But as soon as you found it, your cutie mark changed into something amazing."

>This STILL confused you.

>"Another thing Aux. You should be alive right now."

>WHAT!?

"WHAT!?"

>Laughing to herself, Luna gives you a reassuring look.

>"Don't worry Aux, you're here now. But this is what amazes me. There was no way you could have survived what happened. Not even Shining Armor and Priness Cadence's love or any kind of magic has the power to do something like this."

>Is she saying that Moonshine is the reason why you're still here?

"What do you exactly mean?"

>As Luna walks towards the door to your room, she looks back at you.

>"It's simple, she literally completes you."

>Turning back towards the door, she leaves without another word.

>That was probably the cheesiest thing you've ever heard.

>But here you are, breathing and well.

>After a few minutes of thinking to yourself, you hear a knock on your door.

"C-come in!"

>As the door opens, the last person you ever imagined to see enters your room, followed by your best friend.

>Jasmine and Echo walk over to your bed.

>Jasmine also appeared to have grown all of her mane back

>It looked like Jasmine was holding a cup of something.

>Reaching your bed, Jasmine offers you the cup.

>"Here, I made this as soon as Luna told us you were waking up."

>Hesitantly reaching out to the cup, you take it.

>It looked like tea.

>Slowly taking a sip, your thoughts are confirmed.

>This was the best tea you had ever had in your entire bat pony life.

>Quickly drinking more, you look back at Jasmine and Echo and stop.

"Why would you m-make this for me?"

>Scratching the back of her head, Jasmine turns away from you.

>"It was the least I could after all of the crap I've done to you. And I just wanted to say sorry."

>Was this really happening?

>As you feel tears starting to form in your eyes, Jasmine turns back to you.

>"Could you forgive me?"

"Of course I can. Why wouldn't I?"

>Before Jasmine can reply, there's another knock on your door, followed by Midnight, Night Watch, and Speck entering your room.

>Walking over to your bed, Speck has a large grin on her face.

>"It's great to see you back Aux!"

"D-did I ever leave?"

>As all the girls turn to look at each other, they all start laughing.

>Why was that funny?

"Why are you all laughing?"

>Realizing you had no idea, all the girls stop laughing.

>Stepping forward, Echo sets a hoof on your shoulder.

>"Did no one tell you yet? Aux, you've been gone for three months."

>What!?

>What's happened while you were asleep!?

>Obviously seeing how worried you are, Midnight speaks up.

>"Nothing much has happened though. The Diamond Dogs haven't come back once, you scared them off for good."

>Well that was some good news.

>But what's happened with Moonshine while you were gone?

>As if the world was reading your mind, you heard your doorknob turn.

>Walking through the door, the love of your life appears.

>Moonshine.

>Noticing you, Moonshine begins tearing up with a giant smile.

>"AUX!"

>As she shouts your name, Moonshine runs over to you and wraps her forelegs around your neck, pulling you into a hug.

>"Never do anything like that ever again! I missed you more than anything!"

>At least you knew she still loved you.

>Tears streaming down her cheeks, she lets go of you and looks at you smiling.

>Turning back to the other girls, Echo begins walking towards the door.

>"Maybe we should give the love birds a little privacy.

>After all of the others had left, Moonshien turns back to you.

>"I missed you so much. Why did you do that?"

"I-if I didn't, you could have gotten hurt."

>Sitting next to you on your bed, Moonshine leans in and kisses you.

>After a few seconds, Moonshine pulls away and puts her hoof on your face.

>"Thank you, Aux."

"I'd do anything for you Moonshine, I love you."

>Laying next you on the bed, Moonshine wraps her forelegs around you again.

>"I love you too."

 

The End.