Epilogue the Second: Error

Kai lifted himself from the steel grate that had served as his bed as the door creaked open loudly. "Out," demanded the guard in a harsh tone. Kai was used to it by now. He had been locked away for the last eight months, only coming out for his community service or for cleaning.

Today was different, though. Today wasn't wash day, and he had long since completed his community service. Today he was being released.

He stepped out of his cell into the hallway and smirked at the guard. This earned him a strike from the butt of the guard's spear. As he fell to one knee, the guard growled at him. "You're not free yet, criminal scum. I suggest you wipe that smile off your face until you're out of view of the castle."

Kai let out a chuckle, but straightened his face. He was in a good mood today. He was nervous, to be sure, but he was certain that it would pass. The guard escorted him to the dungeon entrance, where his belongings were to be returned.

"Akaitora, prisoner thirty-six," mumbled another guard as he brought out a large box. "Contents are as follows: One rusty knife." Kai's knife came out of the box and was returned to him. It hadn't been cleaned since Fluttershy's surgery, causing rust to accumulate along the edge. "One ugly traveller's cloak." Kai was returned the cloak that he received as a gift.

"I'll have you know that this is an original Rarity." Kai said as he wrapped it around his shoulders.

"Like you could ever afford an original anypony," sneered the first guard. "It's obviously a knock off." He raised his spear. "Unless you're admitting that it was stolen."

"A gift," responded Kai. "From a wealthy friend. It's custom, you see?" Kai proved his ownership by showing his cutie mark against the design of the cloak.

"One scuffed ring," said the second guard, pulling Scruffy's ring from Kai's box. Kai took it and pocketed it quickly, as well as his knife. "One piece of modern art." The guard strained as he lifted the mangled metal wings out of the box. "And finally, your business card."

"Business card?" Kai took the card and examined it. It was for a security company in Manehattan. "Turnkey Security Solutions. I remember now." He would have to reconnect with his brother later.

The first guard gave Kai a swift smack with the butt of his spear. "You have your trinkets, now get out of the castle, scum."

Kai sat quietly on the train. Usu had left, alongside his business card, enough change to take Kai to Ponyville. He was excited, but also nervous. Fluttershy hadn't come to visit him at all. He hadn't seen her since the hospital, in fact. He was ready to see her again, but he didn't know if she was ready to see him. At any rate, he wanted her to know that he was out of prison.

He looked around the train car. The only other pony in there with him was a teal stallion with a fiery blue mane. He was eating a soft pretzel with cheese, but quickly covered his mouth and looked away when he saw Kai. For just a moment, Kai could have sworn he saw fangs beneath the stallion's lips.

The train arrived in Ponyville and Kai disembarked. He didn't plan on staying particularly long. At most, he would spend the night. He had a long journey ahead of him, he just wanted to resupply here before he set out.

When he came to Fluttershy's cottage, she was outside. He watched her take care of all of her little animal friends for a few minutes as he worked up the courage to go talk to her. Finding it, he began his approach.

Fluttershy looked up from her work to see Kai approaching. She had gone to see him twice, but had been turned away both times. Now he was coming to see her. She rushed inside. She wasn't presentable yet. She hadn't brushed her mane today, and she had been bathing Winona earlier, so she smelled of wet dog. If she could quickly settle the mess in her mane and cover up that stench, she would feel presentable, as long as he didn't pay close attention.

Three minutes passed, and she returned from her house. She wore a welcoming smile, but it faded quickly. Kai had left already. She sat down on the steps. Perhaps he would return, she told herself. Maybe he'll come back. Two hours passed before she gave up waiting and went back inside. She didn't do much else that day, as her mood had soured.

A week later, Fluttershy opened her mailbox to retrieve her mail. Aside from what she had been expecting, there was a yellowed envelope with two symbols on it. The first was a blue pentagram, and the second was Kai's cutie mark. It was adressed to her, but there was no return address. She opened it and began reading.

My Dearest Fluttershy

Two days prior to starting this letter, I was released from prison. I wanted to stop in and ask how you were healing, but upon seeing me, you ran into your house. I took this to mean that you still need time away from me.

As a result, I've decided to expedite my journey. I wasn't telling a joke when I said I wanted you to be proud of me. I'm going to better myself. I'm sorry about this, but it will be difficult to keep in touch, as I will be moving around quite a bit. I encourage you to write letters anyway. I promise you, if you do, I will read them all when finally you can stomach to look at me again.

I cannot express my sorrow at seeing you walk away from me. I had hoped that we could at least be friends. I don't expect that I'll ever be welcome in your bed again, but I'd love to share with you a kettle of tea. Then again, even that may be a bit much.

I write all of this down, but I have no idea if you're even going to read this far. For all I know, you've shredded and burned this letter. I doubt you would, but I've now spent more time separated from you than I spent with you, so I may be wrong. It doesn't matter. One day, even if I have to have one of your friends as a messenger, I want to have a civil conversation with you again.

I may have saved your life that horrible night, but you saved mine long before that.

Akaitora, the metal-winged monster

Fluttershy was in tears. She immediately ran back inside and started her response letter.

Author's Note

And that's it. While I plan of rewriting Failure Isn't In Store For You, I have another project that needs my attention first.

If I do rewrite it, I really hope I come up with a better name. That one sucks. It also killed my momentum when I wrote it. It just felt like a formality.

Anyway, we'll see if I still have the drive to write after I finish my new project. It's not a subject I'm accustomed to, so we'll see if I'm worth my weight in salt. Or no, something more valuable. Cumin? Creole, mayhaps. I don't know, I'm rambling now.

Point is, the story's over. For now, at least. New one's coming soon.

Edit:

The Sequel is out now. It'll be in three parts. You can read it here.