Years ago, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria helped show a group of humans the magic of friendship, and they've never forgotten how much it meant to them. Since then, Twilight has continued to return to visit her friends in their world, and even as her coronation looms large on the horizon, they'd been confident things would work out.
But when a serious malfunction renders the device keeping the portal open useless and seemingly irreparable, Princess Twilight is left struggling to come up with a solution, or even answers. As the possibility that they might never see their old friend in person again grows, the Rainbooms decide to send a series of letters to the Princess, expressing their personal gratitude for the influence she's had in their lives, well-wishes for her rule in Equestria and cautious optimism for the future.
Cover art by D+CON! Used with permission.
Written for Bicyclette's The Twilight Files contest. See the other entries here! Pre-read by The Sleepless Beholder. The chapter "Letter 1: Rarity" ties in with the Bean's Writing Group prompt "An Artistic Touch", while "Letter 7: Fluttershy" ties in with "Someone is Missing".
Featured on 7/19/22 to 7/23/22!
Note this story only considers animated media as canon, and deviates from the depiction of events seen in literary or comic media like The Fall of Sunset Shimmer and Twilight's Sparkly Sleepover Surprise.
This is probably going to hurt, but I still look forward to seeing where you go with it. I'm sure this will involve some great character exploration, especially if Rarity's letter is anything to go by. Still, it's the double-Twilight letter I'm most looking forward to.
At least the Journal still works. Same with the copies. I give Pinkie a week before she runs out of pages.
Well, the beginning is good, it's both touching and cute, go on, these 2 chapters are pretty good
11305797
Great to hear! New chapters will publish
every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdayuntil complete. (EDIT: Now daily!)Man, this is a really interesting idea.
Heck, it could be the setting of an EG finale.
Can't wait to read more.
Man, I really felt you captured Rarity's tone of voice.
I am excited to see what you have Rainbow and Pinkie write.
So, what happens when the journals run out of pages since Sunset wouldn't be able to go to Equestria for more?
I love this idea, but man does it hit you in the feels.
Ugh, these are going to leave me an emotional wreck, but in a wholesome good way. I have to concur with the others that you chapters Rarity's voice exquisitely, bravo! I look forward to more chapters!
11305813
Just kidding! I'm so thrilled with the reaction to this story that I'm pushing the schedule forward - by a lot. Letters will now be published DAILY at roughly 3pm Pacific Time.
(because Twilight doesn't have one)
You're not crying. I'm crying.
Dash isn't sophisticated, but that's not the same as dumb. Wonderfully heartfelt message here.
Is this legitimately something we need to worry about? Or am I forgetting something from Equestria Girls?
11307929
This is the same Pinkie Pie who initially attributed Sunset's time-looping to a devious conspiracy by the calendar industry to save paper. Not all her theories are entirely on point.
11307937
... I just realized that I was reading this paragraph wrong 😱. Now I feel silly 😋.
11307944
No worries
Oof. The subtle but inevitable progress of time in the background's going to be a theme, isn't it? Still, Pinkie has the right approach in mind. Don't be sad that it's over; be happy it ended. (But also keep trying to make sure it isn't actually over so you can have more fun with your friends.
)
11308377
To clarify, all of the Main 7's letters are being written within a short period after the prologue.
i really enjoyed this chapter, this is a great story so far
Gotta say, I was expecting this one to be the final letter, not come in between.
11308883
I didn't want to hold back all of the most exciting material to the end. And I like to play with expectations of order a bit.
I didn't think Hasbro, or IDW, ever said what happened after that final scene in Friendship Games. So I'm not sure what, if anything, this chapter is cutting out.
11308900
I know the book Twilight's Sparkly Sleepover Surprise has its own version of what happened after the movie, but I've never read it. The author's note is to clarify that in case someone noticed.
Good job on this chapter. I still feel the Rarity chapter was your strongest with how well you captured her voice. Looking forward to more letters!
That was really good, you were able to capture Pinkie's sporadic thought process well and still make it heartfelt. This is something I should not be reading at work.
Dear Celestia you weren't holding back on this one.
This one is by far my favorite as you really nailed Twilight's heavy moments and how Twilight (pony) was able to comfort her and help her strive to be the best version of herself. I'm definitely sharing this with my friends!
I'm telling you, not having more interactions between the twin Twilights truly was the biggest missed opportunity.
Exquisite. I love seeing counterparts interact, even at this distance, and Twilight making friends with another instance of herself just feels right. Great work with this one.
If AJ thinks she has had a bad run on boats Ranma Saotome has had it worse.
Definitely Rainbow Dash. Crude and insensitive, but with heart all the same.
You have a knack for capturing the voices of the characters.
Reading this, Sci-Twi really needed a hug.
In this, you capture AJ's determination, stubbornness, and tenderness.
Can't wait for how this ends.
i'm not crying......i'm not.............okay i am
Poor Sunny...
Again, I was expecting this one to be the last letter in the story. Imagine my surprise. Well, looks like there's only one more to go. I can only wonder what Fluttershy has to say.
Sunset's totally craving hayfries!
Oof. Yeah, AJ's stance is entirely understandable.
As is Sunset's. She best understands how much of a long shot reactivating the portal really is, but she didn't get where she is today without hope. And hay fries. Seriously, she will claw open the fabric of space and time with her Tartarus-banished wriggling monkey hooves if she can't ever—
Ahem. In any case, looking forward to Fluttershy's letter. I didn't expect her go last.
11311259
I can't be the only one who would pay to see that
Twilight needs to get that portal working again pronto.
Well, that was lovely. I can only imagine what will happen in the last two chapters.
Before my heart is crushed into a million tiny pieces!
Well hopefully not.
Morbid, but understandable. Let's not forget what Twilight pulled during lunch that first day.
Beautiful sentiment. In hindsight, it makes sense that Fluttershy would take more time to figure out just what she wanted to say. (She may be the only person who actually wrote a rough draft outside of the journal.) Looking forward to whoever else wants to say something. The princessipals, maybe?
Oof. Well, if anypony can maintain seven long-distance relationships, it's Twilight. We'll see what the epilogue has to say. I can't help but suspect it could be Argyle offering commentary on the ancient manuscripts.
Fries... it's all about the fries!
11312796
Or they finally get the portal working (years from now) in time for one final goodbye.
This chapter was just so...beautiful. Bittersweet and longing, but hopeful and optimistic.
I am pumped for the next chapter.
And so it ends, either because there's no need to keep it purely in correspondence, or because it hurt to much to write any more for some time afterwards. But I, like Twilight, have confidence that it was the former. Great study of characters and their interactions. Thank you for it and best of luck in the judging.
I was concerned at what the outcome was going to be, but honestly, good call leaving the ending open.