Author's Note

Well here it. The Epilogue. I hope you enjoyed reading it as I did writing it. I am sorry for all the errors. *sighs*

Also, I am rather surprised by the number of people who wanted to see the confrontation of Cup Cake. I originally planned to post it up but when I showed the summary to my friends they all said I should leave it out since I laid out a plan in chapter 2. They felt it was unnecessary and since I am rather new to this I wanted to do things the right way. Guess I should have listened to my gut. huh?

So because I don't want to leave my readers hanging. I will post up a Bonus Chapter soon
that take place after chapter 2 that will have Cadance confronting Cup Cake.

So for now, I hope you enjoy this epilogue.

Epilogue - Each Breath that I take will be Mine!

Life was good

Cadance, with a smile that rivaled the brightness of even her auntie’s star was soaring through the nearly cloudless sky. Currently, she was wearing the same brown cloak and satchel she carried on her form all those weeks ago but unlike the last time she wore this combination her emotions were much different. Within the satchel wasn’t the proof of ongoing affair. No, this time it contain some essentials for survival, some food, compass and a map of the outside world that her aunt allowed her to use. Also strapped next to the small bag was a canteen full of water, it was a rather simple set up that most ponies would argue would be beneath a mare of her station, but now it was a wonderful luxury. She couldn’t ask for anything more.

The last time she soared this high In the air she was in a VERY different mindset. Upset, frustrated, distraught, devastated, shattered….those words were close to the truth but some how they didn’t seem strong enough. No, if she had to sum up how she felt in just one word during that time it would have to be broken.

Yes, that was appropriate because that is exactly what she was that night, completely and utterly broken. Torn apart and thrown away like a toy that didn’t have any more use for the foal playing with it. What a perfect analogy to sum up her marriage with Shining Armor. She was a toy that would be played with only when he had that certain itch for her, but not for Mrs. Cup Cake oh no he got plenty of use out of her.

“Hum, Perhaps I should call her Ms. Cup Cake now or maybe Slut Cup.” The Pink Alicorn giggled at her own tasteless joke.

Much to her delight, it seems things worked out rather well not just for her but for Carrot Cake. Confronting his now ex-wife had been smoother that she originally expected but truth is it most likely would have been harder if Pinkie Pie and Applejack wasn’t there to help them; bless those two wonderful mares. It was a bit of a challenge but both she and Carrot managed to convince them of the sick debauchery that was going on all under their snouts. Pinkie was so torn up about it that her hair lost it’s poofiness, she just couldn’t believe that Cupcake and Shining would be capable of such depraved actions and honesty, she couldn’t blame her. Even at this very moment she couldn’t fully believe it herself, but of course that is where Applejack came in.

While the country mare was more stubborn than a jaded mule, if the pieces fit and the truth was presence she would accept it how matter how hard it was for her to swallow. She didn’t like it but she wouldn't deny it and being the element of honesty it was nigh impossible to truly lie to her and once they enacted their plan faced Cup Cake, she didn’t have a hoof to stand on especially with the photos and Applejack present. Needless to say, to see that bitch break down and sob uncontrollably asking for forgiveness and begging her was a mixed feeling. She knew that delighting in a pony’s misery was wrong even if they have done something horrible to you but she just couldn’t help but feel at least a twinge of excitement from it but mostly it left her calm.

She made sure to remind Carrot to tell Pinkie Pie exactly how he felt about her and don’t hold anything back. Even though she made some suggestions on how he should ‘punish’ his wife if he choose to do so; she would leave that decision ultimately up to him because she knew that if he wasn’t the one to issue it then he wouldn’t be able to grow as a pony. He had to be the one to stand tall on his own four hooves, it wouldn’t mean anything if she did it for him. She would help but in the end it has to be his decision and actions.

After that bit of unpleasantness, she continued with the rest of her plan by visiting the royal sisters. As expected dealing with her aunts was more of a challenge and while there was shock, disbelief and lots of arguing, she finally managed to convince them of the truth in no small part thanks to Applejack. Celestia finally agreed to issue an immediate divorce for both her marriage as well as Carrot’s and even though she didn’t have to, Auntie Luna also placed her signature on the papers just to drive the point home even further. Applejack wanted to tell Twilight what her BBBFF was doing all this time despite making that ‘pinkie promise’ but Cadance told her that Shining Armor himself should be the one to tell his family and she reluctantly agreed. It was only right, but to put her mind at ease she told the apple farmer what she had plan for the cheating stallion but didn’t give her to many details, if nothing else it seemed to have the desired effect in putting her mind at ease if only for a little bit.

After she sent AJ home with Carrot’s own divorce papers to be delivered, she would begin to tell her aunts what she had experienced right after she found out about the betrayal. They both had looks of disappointment on them but listened none the less and the faces they made when she told them that the former king, Sombra was still alive and was the one who helped her in this trying time was absolutely priceless. They insisted that they check to see if there was any trace of dark magic on her which she agreed. It was logical after all, the dark stallion was known for fear and corruption not to mention other things and given the history between him and the princesses how could she blamed them.

Oh, they were quite adamant that she should tell theme where he was currently located so that he could face justice, but no matter how hard they pressured her to divulge the information she refused. Even speaking in his defense that he wasn’t that type of pony anymore. They didn’t trust Sombra but they did trust her and would allow him a ‘probation’ as long as she was the one to watch over him. Which turned out to be perfect for her all things considered. She then told the royal sisters what she was going to do, her plan for Shining armor, leaving Flurry Heart in their care, travel the world with the former king.

That last part certainly brought new life into the room as the royal sisters came up with at least a thousand and one reason on why that last part alone was insane.

It is too dangerous!

You can’t trust Sombra!

You don’t know what’s out there!

but she quieted them down by raising a single hoof and spoke three simple words.

“It’s my choice…”

With that one phrase, they saw that she was determined to do this. To live her life the way she wanted for no pony else but her self. They sadly understood and agreed but on one condition. She would have to send a report about her travels and Sombra AT LEAST once a week. If she didn’t know better, it seemed like she was being task to give friendship reports about Sombra. The thought of it made her giddy.

She would be back of course. She couldn’t leave her precious Flurry Heart for too long, but she had to do this, for the sake of herself and her mental well being she needed to do this. She was not going to be one of those passive aggressive mothers projecting their frustrations onto her own foal. She could NEVER put her little Flurry through that, she was the most important pony in her life.

And now here she was, leaving it all behind; on the day where Shining Armor left early to go to a ‘business meeting’ outside of the crystal empire. It seemed fitting to spring her departure on him today. He left the empire that morning in the hopes of having yet another sinful romp with a married mare while at the same time she would leave in order to set her self free. Of course with Cupcake exposed she wouldn’t dare meet her former husband for that particular meeting, she personally made sure of that.

She couldn't help but chuckle when she thought about the last 'gift' she left Shining Armor. She was tempted to stay just a little long just to see the look on his face when he noticed it, but her imagination would have to be enough. The smile she was sporting grew even wider as she shifted her wings to catch the wind current in order to bring herself even higher. The sight of this beautiful luscious landscape before her was truly breathtaking.

Her eyes shifted down and saw a large hill in the far distance, this was her destination. As she slowly lowered herself closer to the ground below, she could see something on top of the hill. It appeared to be only a speck at first but the closer she got the more its features became apparent. Her heart began to pound in her chest as she got closer and closer to the now distinguishable Pony. There he was, standing tall and proud, a similar cloak covering his own body and wearing that stupid smirk on his face. The Dark Pony himself, Sombra.

“Well well, Milady. It sure took you long enough to get here. I was beginning to wonder if you gotten lost.”

“Oh My apologizes your grace.” She replied giving him a mocking bow in midair. “I didn’t know I had to be expedient for you.”

The two looked at each other for a moment until finally they chortled with glee. Princess Cadance landed in front of him and gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek and nuzzled him who responded in kind, though his was more reserved he still meant it just a much as she did.

“Oh, by the way, don’t call me Princess or by my official full name, or milady or anything like that. Just Cadance.”

They had an agreement they weren’t going to be an official couple or anything like that. She was no where near ready to give her heart out to another pony after what ex-husband put her through. She was much to raw for something like that and thankfully Sombra agreed, Though she didn’t know all the details there were hints that something similar happened to him in his own youth. So they would remain as close friends and if something more would grow between them then it was going to be on both their terms and no pony else. Both sides had to be ready for something like that or it just wasn’t going to happen, period. If they choose to just remain as just good friends then that was great as well. Perhaps eventually friends with benefits?….maybe?

One things for sure, she would always be thankful to him for saving her. She never would have made it through all of this without the former king in the north. She made sure to visit him rather often after that first night. They would talk for hours on end about gossip, opinions about certain ponies, and about whatever came to mind. They even had debates about friendship and harmony actually work in Equestria. They both came up with some good points but she did have some satisfaction as she could tell her arguments force Sombra to actually reevaluate his stand when it came to the subjects.

Even if it was weird and random at the time she remembered one particular night where she visited him and they didn’t even talk much beyond simple greetings. They just sat in silence reading a single book together. It was wonderful to just have a simple evening like that with a pony she came to care about and not have to worry about anything other than just enjoying the moment and each other’s company.

She was looking forward to traveling with him, exploring the world outside of Equestria and while Sombra was still against the idea that ‘friendship is magic’ she felt up to the challenge. She would had plenty of time to convince him of that truth. Princess Twilight wasn’t the only one who could change a pony and she was going to prove it.

“Understood P-…Cadance.” His smirk softening into a gentle smile. “So are you ready to go?”

She didn’t answer him right away, she turned her head and took one last look behind her. She could see Canterlot just faintly in the distance. The Capital of Equestria, it seemed right that with this sight she would say her Silent Goodbye. She would return, that was a fact. She wouldn’t be away from her homeland for too long, and would make sure to bring souvenirs from her time in the outside world. After a few more moments she finally turned her head back towards Sombra and nodded.

“I am ready to go.” She shifted her wings slightly under her cloak. “It is too bad that you don’t have wings, we would cover a lot more ground in the air.”

Sombra merely grinned as his horn glowed with dark magic and a second later, Black, bat like wings spouted from underneath his cloak. Fully extended for all to see.

She was floored when she saw the extra limbs. “How…I…Wha?!”

Sombra gave a hearty laugh from her reaction. “They are not real wings Cadance, they are magical constructs, surely you don’t think that I would take on the Alicorn Sisters and not find a way to match them in the air, do you? Flight is a huge advantage in combat. One that I wasn’t going to allow my enemies to have over me.”

Finally calming down from her initial shock, she moved closer to get a better look, and sure enough she could see the magic. How the constructs seem distorted and magic energy constantly seep off of them like black smoke, but she has to admit this was really impressive. She can’t recall any Unicorn in history preforming such a spell that would allow them to take flight just like a pegasus expect perhaps Twilight for what she did for Rarity.

Sombra’s grin turned a bit sour as he seemed to recover a bitter memory. “Of course such a spell requires a continuous flow of magic and concentration. The spell alone it is not much of an issue for me, but when you are doing a spell like this in the middle of an intense battle with two enraged and determined Alicorns well….”

He trailed off, and she nodded in understanding.

“It’s alright, I must say you are full of surprises Sombra.” She softened the mood by giving him a friendly smile and a playful punch in the arm, which seemed to help his mood a bit. She then extended her own wings and hovered from the ground. “Shall we?”

“Lead the way Cadance.”

The two ponies took off into the air, heading for the Equestrian borders to the east. As the wind traveled past her body she took in a huge lungful of crisp morning air. It was like she was taking in her very first breath. She felt she was breathing new life into her very soul and in a way, she was. Life was better than good, Life was great!

She didn’t know what the future had planed for her and she didn’t know what was out there waiting for them in the unknown world. Would she see wondrous sights? uncover dangerous mysteries? meet all manners of creatures both docile and hostile? She honestly couldn’t say but one thing she knew for certain. Whatever was out there, no matter what the future holds.

She would face it on her terms.