Things Are Not What They Seem: CYOA - Epilogue

You wake to a clean, white room, covered in blankets, drowsy from what must have been a long sleep. Blinking, you try to sit up but quickly lie back down when pain shoots through your side. You let out an audible wince at the sudden discovery of your injury, which also reminds you what you're doing here.

 

You almost died.

 

You slowly move a hand over your side where the worst of your injury was. The skin was still a little tender, but touching it directly didn't seem to hurt much. When you turned your attention from your injury, you were met with a very large, enthusiastic smile.

 

"You're awake! You're awake you're awake you're awake! Ohhhh, everyone is gonna be so happy! I'M so happy!"

 

Pinkie practically leaps on top of you, embracing you much, much tighter than you're comfortable with... but you're caught up in the moment, and ignore the pain for now. After a few seconds, Pinkie releases you and gallops for the door, pausing only a moment to say, "Wait right there!" before leaving.

 

Like you were going anywhere.

 

Before Pinkie can return with a the host of her friends, you hear the clopping of a single pony entering the room. The pace of it brings a smile; you'd recognize that gait anywhere. Opening one eye to stare at her from your place in the bed, you greet Princess Celestia with a simple nod.

 

"It is good to see you awake again, Anon."

 

Chuckling, you hold your side and do your best to sit up for her, but she rushes over and pushes you back down, concern plain in her face.

 

"Ah, Celestia, you're always so formal. Why not a, 'my heart ached for you', or 'I'm so glad to see you!' And I'll be fine. I've had worse."

 

She gives you an amused smirk. "Force of habit, I suppose. I know you'll be fine, I did the healing myself. Had to move some things around in there," she says, tapping your chest, "but with a little improvisation, everything worked out well."

 

You gape at her, unsure of whether or not to scream or to laugh. When a chortle escapes her mouth, you flatten your eyebrows and frown.

 

"Ha ha, very funny. That's my guts you're talking about, and I like them very much where they're meant to be."

 

"I can tell I'm going to have a lot of fun with you in the future."

 

Your eyes widen at the implications of the statement. Did she...?

 

"'In the future'? Does that mean you want me to live with you? Or something?"

 

"There's plenty of room in the castle, I'd love to have you join me. If that is truly what you want," she adds after a short pause.

 

"Y-yeah! You kidding? That'd be great!"

 

Her face animates into a reflection of the joy you're feeling right now. Somehow, though, her voice keeps the same even tone you're used to. "I'm very happy to hear that. I'll go make arrangements right away." With that, she starts out the door, but stops a moment before leaving your sight. "And Anon, I am so glad to see you."

 

You smile and nod. 'Close enough,' you think to yourself.

 

As Celestia's hoofsteps fade off into the distance, you hear a thundering approach to the room. Pinkie's probably back with her friends, about to assault you with a hundred different kinds of attention. You figure you're alright with that.

 

There's one last thing to do, though.

 

You lift your right arm, shape a gun with your hand and point it at the ceiling. You know there's still there, still watching. Maybe you'd meet them again someday, maybe not.

 

"Thanks, guys. I'll catch you later."

 

You squeeze the trigger.

 

"Bang."