Chapter 1: The Letter

An Unfinished Letter

Author: RainbowSnow

Dear Princess Celestia,

I must begin with a thank you, a thank you for everything, for taking me as your student, and helping me become who I am today.

I remember the entrance exam I almost blew, and in the end I wound up as your personal student! It feels like yesterday, certainty not all those years ago! If it had not been for you I would never have met my amazing friends, or had so many amazing adventures with them.

I remember when Pinkie would always cheer me up and sing. I remember when she used to throw huge parties, nopony in attendance could help but have the biggest grin possible. She was always so happy, she was even happy when....when she left us.

She told us, even as she lay there paralyzed in that hospital bed, to never EVER stop smiling for her. And then...she was gone, still smiling her usual smile... It hardly feels like 4 years since that day, heck it hardly feels like a day has gone by. I still go to Sugarcube Corner expecting to see my friend there, smiling and bubbly as ever...

I remember how Rainbow would always be so competitive. She would race and out perform anypony, even if it wasn't her pride on the line. I remember how she turned down the Wonderbolts after she realized she would only get to see us for a few days every couple months. I still almost still can't believe she gave up on her dream for us.

And then she was racing some young colt, which was completely crazy for a mare her age. She was winning too, until...well I don't really know what happened. It was such a shock, I mean sure we knew it wasn't a good idea for her to race but...we didn't expect it to be her last. It's funny, I still check the clouds to make sure she's not going to pull a prank on me like last time!

Ahh Rarity. I remember when she would make us beautiful dresses, I still have every single one. She told us she was going to make us all some new ones, with her retirement from dress making she tended to do that a little less, so when she said this we were all excited. She still went through and made Pinkie's and Rainbow's, even though they had passed. She said it wouldn't feel right, not making one for ALL of her friends.

She had apparently finished all but mine, when Spike awoke to find her, she was laying over it, still unfinished. She looked so happy, it almost seemed wrong to be so sad...

Spike mourned over the loss of Rarity more than anypony else, and with good reason. It must have been hard to see his wife go. I know it was hard enough for the rest of us to see another dear friend go, I really can't imagine what Spike went through. He's still around and back in the library with me. He helps out like he used to, but I can tell his heart is still, and may never, recover.

Applejack was strong as ever, she was still bucking apples too. She could be such a stubborn pony sometimes. I remember when she tried to take care of Applebuck Season all by herself. She was so stubborn she wouldn't accept anypony's help.

Needless to say, she wouldn't listen when we told her to retire and stop bucking apples. She didn't lie when she said she was going to buck 'em till the day she died. She was working harder than she usually did, because....well that's the only way she could cope with the loss if her big brother. Applebloom found her under a tree, taking a break. Only she wasn't ever going back to work... Doesn't really feel like a year and a half have gone by.

I go see the Apples every once in awhile, Applebloom is doing a good job of running Sweet Apple Acres until somepony else takes over. She and I both admit that the farm just isn't the same anymore...

Fluttershy really became kinda secluded after all of this. She would come and see me every other day, but she seemed pretty down. She was real happy when she was with me or when she was taking care of some animals, but when she was just doing...anything else, she seemed so sad.

She hadn't been over in a few days, do I decided to check up on her... She didn't answer her door. So I opened it carefully and went in. And there she was... In her chair cuddling with her rabbit, Angel. She looked so...peaceful. She didn't have that sad look on her face, she looked happy again, just like the old days.

Spike misses them all so much, it hurts me to see him like that. He is always worried about me nowadays, he tries to be as close as possible at all times. It's kinda cute really.

Truthfully, I miss them. I miss them so much, it hurts. With all of them gone, I've started thinking. I haven't written to you in awhile, a long time actually. I've also started thinking, well, it only leaves me. And that means....I'm next. I couldn't go without one last letter.

I guess what I learned this time is to die as you lived, and to know your friends loved you. To die doing something you love, and that's why I'm writing this. Because I love everything about my life, and writing these letters. And it couldn't have been possible with out you.

Your Ever Faithful Student,

Twi

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Celestia looks away from the letter, with the her student's name unfinished and messed up, and looks to her wall of students long gone, she felt most reluctant to add her to their ranks. She looks to the picture of her faithful student, in the middle of the wall just bellow a very large engraved piece of wood. The words upon which read:

Though you may be gone,
and I may never join you.
Know that I think of you,
in every moment of my life.
You smile will never again grace my presence,
nor will your knowledge, tenderness, or care.
But your love shall remain,
for I love you all, as you loved me.
Farewell, and thank you all.

Celestia looks back to the letter and reads it again, tears streaming down her face. "I will miss you Twilight, farewell."

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*note: I don't think/know if I was able to portray everything right in this. But it was sort of a test (and a break from my other stories) for myself. Hope y'all liked it!