Epilogue

Four years later

“Wow, the place looks the same as before.” Shadow said, walking up to the door of the farmhouse.

He knocked on the door, and after a few seconds, a brown bat mare opened it and smiled at him.

“Shadow, you made it!” Hazel said.

“I did. Nice not to get dropped from the sky this time.”

Hazel gestured with her wing to come inside. He did just that, and the inside of the house was definitely different than before. So much cleaner than he remembered, that had to be Lantern’s doing. The decor was a mixture of the old and new. The mares had turned the home into a perfect blend of their respective styles.

“So, how have you two been? I’m sorry I missed your wedding. Worst possible timing to be sent to Mount Aris to hunt a kraken.” Shadow said apologetically.

“Nah, don’t worry about that. Lantern and I understood. Besides, you’re making it up to us today.” Hazel said cheerfully.

“Oh? How so? And where’s Lantern?” Shadow asked.

“She’s waiting for us in the living room.” Hazel said, pushing him along.

“Ok ok, what’s the deal?” Shadow said, stepping into the room.

But as he did, he saw something that made him freeze in place. His eyes went wide at what he saw.

There, sitting on the couch, was Glowing Lantern. She was holding a small bundle in her forelegs, smiling at it before she noticed Shadow had arrived.

“Hello Shadow.” She said softly.

Hazel pushed past the stallion and stood next to Lantern, smiling from ear to ear in excitement. She gestured him over with her wing. Shadow walked up to the two mares and as he got closer, he looked down at the bundle in Lantern’s hooves.

Lantern opened the bundle and revealed a little filly. More of the bundle was removed, revealing a little pair of bat wings on the baby’s back. Her coat was the same color as Lanterns, her mane was a mix of Lantern’s colors and Hazel’s. Her eyes were purple, a perfect mix of color from her mothers.

“Who is this?” Shadow asked.

“This is our daughter. Our little miracle. Cakewalk.” Lantern said, brushing the filly’s cheek.

“Yep, cause that’s what her life will be. A cakewalk, nothing will keep her down.” Hazel said proudly.

Shadow chuckled, “She’s a cute little filly. I guess those rumors of experimental magics were true. She looks too much like both of you to come from a donor.”

“Nope, that’s only us in there. She’s perfect.” Hazel said, nuzzling the filly.

“Would you like to hold her?” Lantern asked.

“Oh no, I’m not much for babies.” Shadow said.

“Come on, hold her. How can you say no to this cute little face?” Hazel said, rubbing her nose against the filly to make her giggle.

Shadow sighed, “Alright. Just for a moment.”

Lantern levitated the baby over to him, he held her for a moment, looking down at her. She was pretty cute.

“I have a feeling you will be quite the little adventurer.” Shadow said.

“Shadow, there is something we wanted to ask of you.” Lantern said.

Shadow looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

“This baby wouldn’t have been born without you. You saved us all those years ago. We would never have found happiness if not for your bravery.” Lantern said.

“I think you give me too much credit.” Shadow said.

“Nope, you totally saved us and brought us together.” Hazel said.

“So, because of all you’ve done for us, we would like you to be Cakewalk’s godfather.” Lantern said.
Shadow’s eyes widened, looking down at the filly, who was now currently sleeping against him. Godfather?

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t really think I deserve that honor.” Shadow said.

“Sure you do. I bet you’ll be the coolest godfather ever. She’ll adore you, I know it.” Hazel said.

Shadow smiled and looked down at the filly, “I don’t know about that. But I guess it wouldn’t hurt to come visit every now and then. See what trouble this little one gets up to.”

“She will get up to no trouble!” Lantern said sternly.

Shadow smirked, “Not if I have a say.”

Hazel just laughed as Lantern glared daggers at the stallion, taking her baby back from him and holding her protectively.

Shadow burst out laughing, feeling a warmth in his chest.

Back in the streets on Canterlot, a lone figure walked down the bustling streets. No pony seemed to notice her as she weaved around to avoid ponies. As she stepped towards a modest little house near the suburbs, she paused.

“Another beautiful day in the city of greed and bureaucracy. Such a lovely place brimming with despair and deceit. Our kind of town, don’t you agree?”

“Leave me alone.” The mare said.

“Aww, don’t be like that. We both know how much you hate being alone. But don’t worry, I’ll always be with you.”

The mare’s body shuttered and she quickly went inside her home, slamming the door behind her.

Author's Note

Hey guys, Hades here.

And that's all she wrote for Hazel and Lantern. But don't worry, they might return another day. Hope you guys enjoyed this little short story. Hope to have more for you soon.

Hades