Home: Epilogue (Batpony)

Previously

http://pastebin.com/pJsAMjtR

 

Some time after the trial.

>http://youtu.be/vG-vmVrHOGE

>There's something calling your name.

>A friend, perhaps.

>Outside your home, once again, you see her sorrowful face.

>“I abandoned you. I abandoned both of you.”

>It seems like a regular occurrence, apologies to and fro with this mare.

“Lyra. Don't fret.”

>“It was an awful thing to do! I don't understand... Everything is a blur. It was just an instinct, I swear it!”

>You hold up your hands to her, praying she stops this frantic plea.

“Look. I'm free. She isn't. I'm just glad it's all over.”

>The unicorn looks conflicted.

>“So... you're not mad at me?”

>You pinch the bridge of your nose.

>Then you explain.

“Why would I be? That part of my life is a distant echo now. Hollow Shades, the Chronicle, Princess goddamn Luna, for crying out loud. That isn't what I want from life. You know me well enough. I keep to myself. But now... Sh-they're all pretty much out of my life.”

>“I suppose you're right...”

“Of course I am. And I'm happy this way.”

>Slightly reassured, she relaxes.

“I've told you this a hundred times. I'm long over what you did.”

>The conversation very quickly dies.

>“So...”

>She stops.

>“What are you going to do now?”

“Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll get back to work with Twilight, like I should've done long ago. Who knows? I've yet to decide.”

>She brings a hoof to her chin, puzzling.

>“I worry about you.”

“Why?”

>Out of nowhere, a pair of hooves wrap around your waist.

>A head plops on your shoulders.

>“Oh, Lyra.”

>She backs away upon seeing the mare.

>“...You.”

>Politely, Lyra greets your friend.

>“As I was saying Anon, I thought you had nothing to distract you from your thoughts.”

>Slightly raising your brow, Lyra's previous grimace turns sweet.

>“I can see that's not going to be a problem.”

>The hooves drop to the floor, and Echo pops her head out from behind you.

 

“Hey! What's that supposed to mean?”

>She chuckles at the pair of you.

>“Oh come on, anypony with a brain could see it.”

>What's she getting at?

>“You and Anon... Heh. Heh.”

“What are you talking abo- Oh.”

>Despite your best efforts, there's no stopping the flush of red from your cheeks.

>Cheeky Lyra bumps her brows up and down.

>“You know what I'm talking about, right Anon?”

>He pulls at his collar.

>“Uh... Is it hot in here?”

>You plant a hoof in your face.

“Anon, we're outside.”

>His face droops disappointedly.

>“Oh. Right.”

>Lyra persists.

>“Come on! Admit it, you two...”

>Both of you look at each other.

>Then look back at Lyra.

“You can decide that one.”

>You wink at her.

“Don't you have to go see your dad about something anyway?”

>She looks towards the clock in the centre of town.

>“Oh f- I'll catch you later guys, I'm running super late!”

>The pair of you laugh, and call out to her.

“Bye Lyra!”

>The door shuts behind the pair of you as you walk inside.

>“The couch looks comfy. Wanna sit?”

>You smile at him.

“Of course.”

>“Any word from your dad?”

>Ever since this whole incident, you and your father had decided to send a letter to each other every so often, if not just to check up on each other.

>Sometimes there was lots to say, others, not so much.

“Yes, he told me there was a brawl at the tavern in Hollow Shades, and he even drew a little 'illustration'.”

>“This should be good. Let's see it?”

>You go through to the kitchen; the note lies on the counter.

>When you come back through Anon takes it from under your wing.

>What he's greeted with...

>Is a stick-figure drawing of ponies fighting.

>There was something meant to be a smashed bottle... but it looked more like some random grass.

>Anon tries to hide his chuckles.

“Well, there's a reason his cutie mark isn't a pencil.”

>He giggles beneath his breath.

>You lie down on the couch, sleepy.

>With no warning, you feel the warmth of Anon's arms sliding their way along your body.

>A comforting sensation, one not felt since...

>Well, only a few minutes ago, really.

“Whatever we are Anon, friends, special someponies, whatever else Lyra can possibly come up with...”

>Anon laughs again.

>He shifts, moving his head above to look in your eyes.

>A shining smile can't help from making its way onto your face.

“Thanks to you...”

>He says nothing, but you can feel his heartbeat quickening.

“I'm so glad that I finally have a place I can call home.”

 

The (real) End.