Epilogue - Where Do We Go From Here?

It's been several months since that fateful day, and for most ponies life had already returned to normal. There was one, however, that would never be the same. Scamp didn't stay long at the palace, nor had he found a place of his own to live in. He felt he was undeserving of anyone's hospitality after what had happened. He was still unable to forgive himself. Then there was the matter of the nightmares. Ever since that day, he had been plagued by terrible nightmares, of shadows and green energy.

As he walked through the park in Canterlot, Scamp's thoughts turned, as they usually did these days, back to his old life, back to his parents and the childhood that was robbed from him by that terrible demon. A familiar voice spoke to him as he was lost in thought, snapping him out of it.

"Hello, dear."

Scamp looked up at Celestia and attempted a weak smile. He bowed his head in reverence. "Princess..."

"How have you been?"

"Oh, fine... just fine." He tugged at the cloak he had taken to wearing, making sure it still hid his cutie mark, and adjusted the hood.

"What will you do now? You never did tell me why you left the palace, or where you were going."

Scamp sighed, his eyes full of sorrow. "I don't know. I suppose I'll just lay my head wherever I can." He turned and looked toward the horizon, admiring the beauty of the setting sun. "I don't feel I deserve your hospitality, princess. I just feel like there's more I could have done. The demon said that he wanted me because of my willpower... well, why couldn't I use that willpower to stop him?"

"Demons are very powerful creatures, my dear. What you did manage to do against him was amazing enough all on its own, you can't expect more than that."

"I guess so."

"So, you're committed to staying homeless, then?"

"Yeah, I guess I am. Applejack even offered to let me stay on her farm and help out with the daily chores, but... I simply cannot bring myself to accept such an offer." He felt a familiar stinging in his eyes as they began to tear up. "You're all so wonderful, for forgiving me, and giving me a chance. But, I simply cannot allow myself to be a burden to anypony."

Celestia smiled. "If that's truly what you wish, I will not stand in your way." She glanced briefly at his hood, and a question formed in her mind. "If you don't mind my asking... how did you manage to fit your horn inside that hood?"

Scamp looked at her with tear-filled eyes, then lowered his head and slowly pulled off the hood, revealing a horn that had been broken off near the base.

Celestia gasped in surprise. "What have you done to yourself?"

"I don't expect you to understand. I have these... nightmares. In them, I can sense that the demon is getting close to me. I feel it drawing near. Upon waking, I still feel it close by... and I touch my horn and realize it had somehow miraculously regrown as I slept. So, I snap it off... and the feeling of the demon being near me fades away. Somehow, it's using my magic to find me, sort of like a beacon... I'm perfectly content with not being able to use my magic if it means that... thing... won't be able to find me."

"You know there are spells that either myself or Twilight could perform to protect you..."

"I prefer it this way, if you don't mind. I'd rather not have the ability to use my magic at all. It... scares me."

Scamp turned and began to walk away, putting his hood back on. "It's been nice chatting with you princess, but I'm tired, and nightfall is approaching. I should start looking for a place to sleep."

Celestia looked at him with pity and sorrow in her eyes, feeling helpless. "Very well. You know where to find me if you need anything."

Scamp turned and nodded, smiling. As Celestia flew off toward the palace, Scamp noticed a chill in the air. He shivered briefly, and set off to find a place to sleep.

"Those wretched fools. They really think they've gotten rid of me... one day I will return, and I will claim what is rightfully mine. You can't hide from me forever, Scamp..."