A week had passed since Applejack's funeral and she was once again teaching young unicorns about magic. She was writing on the board, her brain on autopilot. Her mind was drifting from one train of thought to another, but she had taught this lesson enough times she could do it in her sleep. The thought that she had taught this lesson when she had heard the news of Fluttershy's disappearance flitted across her mind, making her think of her friends. I really need to write a letter to Applejack- the chalk she was using to write on the board behind her came to a screeching halt, waking a few students from their stupor. But I can't do that now, was her sad thought.
I have nopony to talk to, to voice my concerns. The chalk fell, hitting the chalk holder on the bottom of the chalkboard. She began to tear up, thinking of all her friends, the good times and the bad. She shut her eyes and ran out of the lecture hall, not caring. She ran and ran, passing ponies. She felt her magic expending itself more than once, teleporting to seemingly random places. She didn't care; she just needed to run, to get away.
She ran through a pair of double doors, throwing them open. She didn't stop running until she ran into someone. She looked up to see a surprised Celestia and hugged her, sobbing. She heard her say something, but her mind had shut down, barely processing anything. She felt Celestia's forelegs surround her and cried harder.
It was several minutes later that she recognized her name being called to her. "Twilight Sparkle, my dear Twilight Sparkle, I haven't seen you in years. How are you doing?"
Twilight took a second to stop bawling to look up at her mentor. She noticed a surprised look cross Celestia's face before resuming her tears. "They're all gone! My friends… they're dead! I-I don't know what to do. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie; they're all dead. What do I do? Oh princess, what do I do?"
"My faithful student, death is another aspect of life. We must all one day grow old-"
"But I haven't even aged!" Twilight screamed out. "I just keep outliving everypony!" Her tone changed to a whisper. "I'm scared. I don't have anypony else to turn to. I'm just… scared."
"Twilight Sparkle, had I known you would outlive your friends, I would have prepared you. I should have seen the signs. But I didn't want to see you age. I'm so sorry, my faithful student, for putting you through this. I am so sorry."
Twilight felt something wet hit her back. Celestia, crying? The thought caused her mind to reel. Why would Celestia cry? She's an immortal Alicorn who can move the sun. Why would she… "Princess Celestia?"
"Yes, my faithful student?"
"How do you cope… with this? With living forever?"
Celestia got up and took a step back, looking her student in the eye. "It is not easy. I see so many of my little ponies devoting their lives to frivolous pursuits, only to look back and wonder if it was worth it. Or those whose lives are taken before their time. I have also seen the ravishes of age and those whose death was a relief," Celestia tone had turned cold, clearly remembering her own friends and family.
Twilight placed a forehoof in front of her mouth, gasping. "Oh, I'm sorry Princess Celestia, I didn't mean to-"
"It is fine, Twilight Sparkle," Celestia said shakily. "I have lived many generations, and I will live many more." Her voice had taken on her normal, kind tone again. "Do not worry for me, my little pony. I have weathered this adversity before, and I shall do it again."
A moment of silence fell on the two ponies.
"Twilight Sparkle, I have something I wish to show you. Please, follow me," Celestia ordered, walking out of the throne room. Twilight followed, casting apprehensive glances to her sides every once in a while.
Celestia led Twilight to her bedchambers in silence. The room itself was fairly large, with a big bed at one side. On the wall facing the door there was a large bookcase with numerous books. A writing table was on the opposite side of the room from the bed.
"Welcome to my private library, Twilight Sparkle. Here are books that I deem too hazardous for ponykind in general to have." Celestia's horn glowed and a book flew off its shelf, hovering in front of Twilight. She took it in her own magic, reading the title; The Birth of The Royal Pony Sisters. "My sister and I were not born Alicorns," Celestia stated. "I will not regale you of the tale of our 'ascension,' but sufficed to say we were born Unicorns and became Alicorns. We have also felt the pangs of loosing friends and family. Twilight Sparkle, I want to help you during this trying time. Don't be afraid to talk to me or my sister. We know what you are going through, and we will help if we are asked."
Twilight leapt at Celestia, hugging her neck and thanking her profusely. "Oh thank you, Celestia! I… I don't know how to… this has been a trying day and I- oh thank you."
Celestia chuckled. "Although I'm surprised you haven't grown your wings yet."
Twilight backed away from Celestia in shock. "Wait, wings?"
The story continues in Growing Some Wings