//------------------------------//
// Beginning of the End 
// Story: The Lifespan of a Princess 
// by Henyoki 
//------------------------------//

           It has been quite some years since Twilight Sparkle became a princess. She has grown, now she is Princess Luna's size, that is, if Luna weren't as big as Princess Celestia now. Twilight sits alone in her castle, the circle of the mane six's chairs empty.  Twilight heaves a small sigh as she steps off of her chair onto the cold floor. Walking through her large castle, her steps echo throughout the large corridors. It seems so quiet, and dark. As Twilight steps outside, she is met with the blazing light of the warm sun, along with Princess Celestia. 
"My most faithful student, Princess Twilight Sparkle. How are you?" Twilight gives Celestia a weak smile as she bows to her. 
" I am fine, Princess. I just...." 
"You miss them, right?" 
Twilight looked away, "Yes..." she gives a brief look of sadness as she stands up. 
"My apologies, I cannot stay here for long. Feel free to come to the castle. Luna and I will always be there for you." Celestia said with a smile. 
"Thank you, Princess." Twilight watches Celestia fly off towards Canterlot, as she stands silent. 
Twilight begins to walk towards Sweet Apple Acres, her golden shoes, and tiara glimmering in the light. Not one step after passing the Sweet apple Acres gates, a large scooter is hurled towards her face. Twilight looks to her right and ducks, the scooter going straight over her, and spinning, making dust get kicked up, stopping the scooter in its tracks. An orange pegasus mare takes off her helmet, her purple mane puffing upwards. 
The mare runs to Twilight and bows. 
"I'm so sorry Princess Twilight! I swear I didn't see you there!" 
Twilight ruffles the mare's mane, and giggles. 
"It's ok Scootaloo. I haven't seen you in ages."
"Yeah, it's been a while!" Scootaloo's tail looks different. It's cut short,reaching only to her gaskin. Twilight assumes it's to avoid getting caught in the wheels of her scooter. Scootaloo notices some dust covering her flank, and dusts it off to reveal a flaming wheel. 
"You're living up to your cutie mark, I see. Or should I say, your cutie mark is living up to you", Twilight said with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you haven't broken that scooter yet. You've already gone through so many of them." 
Scootaloo blushes of embarrassment, and puts her hoof behind her head,closing one eye nervously. 
"Yeah, well It's what I love." 
"So, how are those wing  prosthetics working out for you?" Twilight asks, pointing to Scootaloo's wings. Scootaloo opens them, showing silver skeleton-like attachments to the underside of both of her wings. 
"Yeah! They work great! I tell ya, Applebloom really knows how to craft! I can fly now, not great, but I can get myself off the ground enough to help out during winter season." Scootaloo answeres gleefully, closing her wings again.
Twilight smiles, then remembers her purpose for travelling to Sweet Apple Acres. 
"Oh, where's Applebloom?" 
"She's inside, making zap apple jam. Sweetie Belle's helping her. I got thrown out cause I messed up. Oh well, Better luck next time, right?" 
"Yeah. Well it was nice talking to you."
"See ya later!" With that Scootaloo grabs her helmet and places it on her head, clips it, then grabs her scooter and spins it, before jumping on and speeding off. 
Twilight walks to the barn,The dirt scuffing her elegant shoes, and knocks on the door. A melodic voice is heard from inside, "I'll get it!" A unicorn mare opens the door, her lavender, light pink tresses flowing around as she does so. 
"Twilight! oh, I mean Princess Twilight. What brings you here?" 
"Hi Sweetie Belle. I'm here to see Applebloom. I have some business with her." 
"Oh, ok, I'll go get her!" As Sweetie Belle turns, a flash of her cutie mark is seen, a lavender bell with a green music note in front of it. Her tail wisps around, flouncing as she gleefully prances into the other room. "Applebloom! Twilight's here!" 
A moment later Applebloom steps into sight, her hot pink mane pulled back into a ponytail. She rubs her hooves on a nearby towel,The rainbow covered muck smudging off, staining the towel, then walks up to Twilight, giving a small bow. "Hi there Princess Twilight." 
Twilight gives a small bow back. "Hi Applebloom. Can you take me to her?" 
Applebloom smiles, "Of course, Twilight."