Twilight Sparkle's death is coming near. She says goodbye to Celestia, who gives her one last gift.
Now with a prequel, Celestia's First Sunrise!
Twilight is old and weak. She has lived a good, long life, and as the last of the Elements of Harmony, she accepts her death. She goes to Canterlot now, to say goodbye to the princesses. But they have one last gift to give the student. The chance to meet their creators and see something truly wonderful...
Twilight Sparkle groaned as she got up, Celestia's light touching her dull purple fur. Her body was not what it used to be. Not that she was ever a prime physical specimen. No, that was Applejack, or Rainbow Dash...
She turned her wrinkled face to the picture of her friends and a smile pulled at her dry lips. She allowed herself to bathe in the sunlight for a few more moments, before she began to pull the covers off and get out of bed. A purple light covered her glasses and they floated over to her, gently landing on her head. Her magic quickly made her bed for her, as she walked into her bathroom to freshen up.
How long had it been since she could have done with this in a few seconds? Years? Decades? It didn't matter.
"Miss Sparkle do, oh my." The door opened to reveal a white unicorn with a golden armor. He ran over to the mare and placed a hoof, gently, on her back. "Miss Sparkle, you're supposed to ring your bell when you're up."
"I'm supposed to ring my bell when I need help. I appreciate the offer, Helpful Hoof, but I'm not that frail," Twilight chuckled. Despite this, the colt still walked her over to the bathroom and politely stood outside, ready to assist her in whatever needed to be done. He was not needed though. Twilight noticed the young colt awkwardly looking at his own hooves, and decided to break the silence. "How's your father, Helpful?"
"Oh, quite well, Miss Sparkle! That medicine you suggested worked perfectly!"
"I'm glad. Learned it from a wise zebra I knew." Twilight finished up with brushing her teeth and spat into the sink. She checked her mouth, before wiping herself with a towel. "Tell me, Helpful Hoof, what's on today's schedule for me?"
"Yesterday you said you had a meeting with the Princesses, Miss Sparkle. You...said you wanted to say goodbye."
Twilight felt her mind kicking itself. Remembering things was so hard now....She had to struggle to remember basic knowledge she knew as a foal. She didn't let the self-pity go too far though and she walked out of the door with a smile. "Thank you, Helpful Hoof. Just one more thing. You have taken care of me for over a year. Call me Twilight."
"Oh! Uh...Y-yes, T-Twilight. Um...Twilight? Permission to speak freely?"
"I'm not your captain, Helpful, but yes, you may," she teased.
"Thank you. It...It has been an honor to know you! You are Equestria's greatest hero! You...you honor me by saying my name!" Twilight looked at the young stallion and she recognized the spark in his eyes. It was the same spark that Twilight had whenever she spoke to Celestia. Admiration, inspiration, respect, love...
So this is how her teacher felt.
"I just want to say thank you, Twilight Sparkle." The guard bent his head down, and Twilight placed a hoof on his head.
"There is no need. Now then, I am going to Canterlot. Would you be so kind as to escort me?"
"Yes, Miss Sparkle. It would be my honor."
The volunteer and Twilight left the retirement home with smiles on their face. The receptionist waved goodbye with a smile on her face. The other residents did the same when they had their chance to see the living legend.
As they walked out, Twilight turned her head to look at the sign outside the retirement home.
PINKIE PIE RETIREMENT HOME We work real hard and do our best to turn that sad frown upside down!
-----------------------
The two passed the town's center on their trek. The usually bustling part of town fell silent as they saw the hero of millions. Not just of Equestria, but of all those that sought harmony. The old mare looked at everyone, before looking up. She saw the statue that had been erected....five? Eight years ago? She couldn't remember.
Either way, it was still spotless, cleaned at least once a week, usually by volunteers.
Twilight gave an awkward smile to the masses and waved hello. It wasn't like they hadn't seen her before. She took walks outside of the retirement home often.
No...This was different.
Though she may have denied it, the other ponies knew. They could feel it. They would not be seeing her again after this.
So they watched her. Watched the old heroine's every step. They looked at the legend, the messiah, the Element of Magic, the leader of the Elements of Harmony, the last of the six great heroines.
And they applauded.
Where it started, it didn't matter. The ponies of Ponyville cheered for their hero, basking her in thanks and love.
"Thank you, Twilight!"
"You rule, Sparkle!"
"You're the greatest!"
The old egghead blushed and continued walking. Only to be stopped by a unicorn and pegasus.
"Aunt Twilight? We...uh...made you this," Pumpkin Cake smiled.
"We were going to give it to you tonight, but...Well. Here you go," Pound Cake finished, as the mare used her magic to float a batch of cookies in a basket. Red lightning bolts, orange apples, pink butterflies, blue balloons, purple gems, pink butterflies, and a magenta star.
"Cookies? In the shape of the Elements? Awww! Pound Cake, Pumpkin Cake!" Twilight embraced the two and they hugged back. "You two have grown up so well...I know your parents would be proud of you, just like Pinkie was, and just like I am."
"We love you, Twilight," the two whispered.
"And I love you. Thank you, again."
The twins said their goodbyes to their 'aunt' and watched her continue her journey.
"You weren't leaving before you said goodbye to your number one assistant, were you?"
"Spike!"
Spike had changed much over the decades. He was bigger. Taller. Muscular. He was nowhere near the size of most of the dragons Twilight had met in her years, but he was soon going to rival the size of boys that had bullied him years ago.
It pained her to know that she wouldn't be able to see him at his full size. Still, it brought much joy to her heart to see him acting as protector of Ponyville, when she and her friends could not.
Twilight felt her frail body being embraced by the dragon and she giggled a bit. "Spike..."
"Off to Canterlot?"
"Yep. Want to come with?" She smiled.
The dragon sighed and released her, dropping her gently on the ground. "Oh, you know I'd love to, but I heard there was a fire by Sweet Apple Acres last night. Apple Bloom asked me to help her clean up the mess."
"I understand...."
"Twilight...I...You know you're my best friend, right? I mean, you practically raised me."
"I know, Spike." The old mare nodded her head and closed her eyes as she was once again hugged.
"I wanted to say thanks. For being there for me, for teaching me, and for putting up with my...well...me-ness."
"Spike. I love you for your you-ness," the egghead giggled, rubbing a hoof against his scales. She stroked his neck for a moment, looking at how her assistant had grown, before hugging him tightly. "I am so proud of who you are, Spike..."
"Thanks, Twi...." A drop of sadness landed on the pony's mane and she sniffled. She didn't want to cry. Not out in public. Spike fought back the rest of his tears as he forced himself to release her. He didn't want to. He didn't want to never see her again. But he knew he had to. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Spike."
-----------------------
"I believe this is where we go our separate ways, Miss Spark-Twilight."
Canterlot Castle had not changed much over the years. Some new towers here, a new garden there, a few thousand bricks to repair the damage the castle received from the previous year's Equestria-threatening evildoer, and maybe a new fountain or two.
"Thank you for walking me here, Helpful Hoof." Twilight Sparkle walked through the opened doors, but was stopped by the guard's voice.
"Twilight? Is there anything else I can do? I mean, you've done so much for everyone....Is there anything else I can do?"
The elder turned to the young colt and gave a smile that would have made Pinkie Pie proud. "Live. Make friends. Protect them. Live a life worth living." With that, she walked into the castle, the doors closing behind her.
It was amazing how Celestia and Luna had not changed over the years. True, the unicorn knew the two were immortal, but the realizations never occurred to her as a foal. They would never change. Never age. Never die. Luna was stoic, while her older sister had a gentle smile on her face.
"Princesses," Twilight smiled, bowing her head.
"Twilight Sparkle?" Luna's stoic frown died and a beaming grin was reborn on her face. She flew down from her throne and landed on the ground before the unicorn. Celestia followed, slower though, her smile becoming melancholy. "Twilight!"
"Hello Princess Luna, hello Princess Celestia."
"Hello, my dear student."
"What is the meaning of this most joyous visit?" Luna loudly asked. The volume made it easy to mistaken her her tone as angry, but one look on the smile on her face said differently.
"I came to say goodbye."
The smile fell, just for a moment, and when it did, Twilight could see sadness. The same sadness Luna had felt for most of her life, most likely. After all, Twilight was not the first friend to have left her. Still, she was one of the greatest...
A smaller smile replaced her grin and she nodded her head. "I see."
Celestia raised a hoof to gently stroke the the mane of her protege. "You honor us, Twilight."
Twilight groaned as she felt her old body ache from all of the walking. "I can't see how."
"To be immortal and to do good is kind. To be mortal and to do good is something truly amazing. You have lived your life with kindness and benevolence." The older sister looked down at her sibling and asked her a wordless question. Luna replied with a quiet nod. "Which is why we had prepared a final gift for you. We knew you would not leave us without saying goodbye. We have had this gift ready for nearly a week now."
"A gift? Princess, you don't have to! I-"
"NO BUTS!" Luna quickly shouted. She glared at the unicorn, and said, "You have been a wonderful student and a heroine to all of Equestria. You have saved this land countless times. You deserve this final gift. Captain!"
The Captain of the Guard ran into the room at his call and he bowed his head. The strong stallion quickly rose up and asked, "Yes, Princess Luna?"
"We are going to escort Twilight to our private chambers. We will be back momentarily."
"As you wish, my Highness."
Twilight stared at Captain Pipsqueak, amazed that the small colt from Trottingham had grown into such a...stallion. He had a build that rivaled Big Macintosh in his prime, and a stern look of strength on his face. His eyes stared directly forward, but suddenly moved down to see Twilight.
"Goodbye, Twilight," he smiled, before bowing his head and leaving.
The three left the throne room and began their walk to the private rooms of the sisters. Nothing stopped the trio. Nothing except another alicorn.
"Twilight..."
"Princess Cadence?"
Twilight was embraced once more, and this time she did cry. With her family and friends gone, her only friends were those that shared the gift of a long life. Before Spike, before even Celestia, her foalsitter Cadence had been there.
She was one of the first, and now, she was one of the last.
Twilgiht cried into the forearms of her old friend. She was still just as beautiful as the day of her wedding to Shining Armor. Like her aunts, never ending. No words were needed. No, 'I am proud of you,' and no 'Thank you.' Nothing but the sound of tears.
The music of their pain was enough for anyone listening to know how close the two were.
"May I?" Cadence inquired. Celestia nodded her head and the pink alicorn smiled as she looked at the old mare. "Thank you...."
"May you what?" Twilight asked.
"I want to be there when you get your final gift...If that's okay with you, Twilight."
"Of course! I'd love for you to be there. But I wish one of you would tell me what this gift is."
"The gift you have always loved. Knowledge." The quartet arrived at their destination and Celestia and Luna used their magic to unlock the doors.
Twilight watched them open. She was ready for many things. Scrolls. Books. Her friends brought back to life. Even Discord. What she didn't expect was a group of strange aliens inside the room, awaiting the four.
They were bipeds. Two arms. They resembled Spike in a way. Some of them had fur on their bodies, but it was nowhere near the amount that the average pony had. One of the strange bipeds stepped forward and spoke, and by her voice, Twilight determined that she was female.
"Hello, Twilight."
"Who...What....I.....What?"
"Twilight, these are OUR creators," Celestia smiled.
"...Creators? You mean....I..."
"A long time ago, we found this planet being ruled by an angry, malevolent being," the female explained, slowly.
"Discord," another said.
"We saw him hurting and torturing innocent ponies. We wanted to help."
"So, we looked for two ponies with a desire to help others and the traits suitable for leading the land."
"Celestia and Luna."
"You...You made Celestia and Luna into alicorns?"
The woman nodded as she crouched down, to better face the unicorn. "And the Elements of Harmony. In turn, they defeated Discord and locked him away."
"I...B-but what about Cadence?" Twilight stammered.
"Made by the Princesses. A pony they chose to be worthy of godhood."
"I-is that why I'm here? I'm going to be made into an alicorn?" Twilight panted. This was almost too much for her old heart to take. It was....maddening? Improbable? Outrageous? She didn't know!
"If you choose it. Really, we actually came here by request of my daughters," the woman explained. "Twilight, what would you say to seeing the universe? And maybe a few other universes."
"..."
"Someone catch her if she faints, please," one sighed.
"Yes. Yes! YES! I-I would be honored! Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, you asked them to do this?" The old mare looked to the two goddesses and watched them nod. For the first time that day, Twilight was the first to hug somepony else. She embraced the two immortals and her tears returned to her face. The hot drops of raw emotion traveled down her face and onto their coats.
"I would hope you would enjoy this gift..."
"The chance to see the universe? To learn things nopony has ever learned? It's amazing! It wonderful! It's...." Twilight stopped and looked to the strange bipeds. "Will I ever be able to return?"
The female beamed and stroked the purple unicorn's mane. "Of course you can. We're not going to force you away. This is a choice, Twilight. What happens now is your decision."
"Then yes. I would be happy to go with you. Will Luna and Celestia and Cadence come too?"
"We have our place here, Twilight Sparkle. We cannot leave the ponies of Equestria," Luna answered.
Cadence hugged her little foal once more, as Twilight released the two sisters. She smiled and pecked the unicorn's forehead. "Have fun, Twilight. If you do choose to come back, know that I'll be here waiting."
"Are you ready, Twilight?"
"I...I suppose I am."
"Here, place your hoof in my hand," the woman said, like a mother speaking to a daughter.
Twilight did so, and felt a strange glow encompass her body. She looked to her mentor one last time and smiled, before she and the bipeds vanished.
"Goodbye, Twilight...."
-----------------------
"Where are we?"
"The outskirts of your solar system. There's your planet, right there."
"What?! Where?"
"Exactly."
"H-how did we get here? How are we breathing?! Is it magic? Some sort of alien technology?"
"A little bit of both. For us, traveling to the edge of a solar system is as easy as walking down a street."
"Our race...Sorry, humanity, has evolved to a point where science and magic have blended together to form a single utopia on our planet."
"C-can I see your planet?"
"Sure. It's few solar systems away though, so it'll take a few seconds."
"...This is unbelievable. There's so much out here. Stars. Planets. Can I really see it all?"
"If you choose so, Twilight." One of the bipeds....one of the humans floated over to her and held up his hand. With a simple motion of his fingers, her purple eyes became pure white, much like when her magic went out of control, but this was far different. She saw...something. Like tiny rainbow colored dust particles, flowing like an ocean. They formed inverted falls and parallel horizons. It reminded her of Rainbow Dash, in a way.
"What am I looking at?"
"Quantum foam, the foundation of the universe. Imagine your universe is a sweater. This is the yarn made to create it. Smaller than an electron, visible only at 0.00000000001 yoctometers."
"T-that's small..."
"There are quarks. There are the electrons. Those gamma waves."
"That's not all we can show you, Twilight." A female interrupted her friend and pointed off into the distance. "After you visit Earth, we can bring you to visit a nearby planet called Jupiter. We can visit the cities made there. After that, we can show you the center of the Virgo Supercluster."
"Thank you so much...This...this is nearly unfathomable. I'm surprised I haven't fainted yet."
"Well, that's probably because we're making it so you don't. As long as you wish it, we can keep your heart pumping and your body strong. As long as you choose it, you're effectively immortal."
Twilight's eyes widened and she tried to comprehend the power these strange two legged creatures must have had. After all, they made Celestia and Luna. They were able to see things nopony could. They were able to travel faster than light. Now she finds, they can control her body simply with thought? So many questions ran through her mind...
"How many ponies get this chance?"
For once, the humans seemed quiet. It still didn't take long for one of them, the leader, Twilight assumed, spoke. "This is a very rare chance, Twilight. We only give it to those who have proven themselves as someone truly special. Then, we have to judge whether or not they could accept this much knowledge without threat of insanity. Many ponies could not know what you know now, without going mad from the revelation. The few that are chosen rarely choose to go back to Equestria. Cadence, your foalsitter, was one of the few who chose to return. To be allowed back, means to be turned into an alicorn, though and made truly immortal. Including you, we have only offered this position to eighteen lifeforms from your planet."
"Were any of my friends offered this chance?"
A hand was placed on Twilight's head, and the leader smiled down at her. "Only all of them. Pinkie Pie lives with our fellow humans on Earth. She entertains and assists and in planning celebrations. She's very popular. Rainbow Dash entertains herself by racing between the stars, going from galaxy to galaxy, leaving a rainbow streak behind her. Fluttershy spends her time on various developing planets, tending to the young life. We gave Rarity an entire section of space, all to herself. She forms beautiful constellations for several planets. Applejack? She actually spent much of her time supervising Apple Bloom. It was only until recently the others convinced her she was ready to stand on her own. Now, she usually visits various young civilizations, helping their agriculture. Anonymously, of course."
Twilight was dumbfounded by the answer. She blinked her eyes, several times, before she finally asked, "You...you let them do all that?"
"We watch them. But we trust them, as well. Back on Earth, we don't assume that our neighbor is planning our harm. Same goes to our children." The lead human looked at Twilight and stroked her mane. "You and your friends are truly amazing ponies, Twilight. Never have we seen so many worthy of our gift in a single generation. It is truly something unique, even to beings as old as us."
"And how old are you? If that's okay to ask! I mean, I understand if its not! I meant no disrespect!"
"Do not worry, Twilight. No harm was done. My species is in our ninety sixth millennium, as of now."
"N-ninety sixth millennium?! That's nearly a hundred thousand years! Celestia and Luna can't be older than three thousand years!"
"Amazing, isn't it?"
"I...This is....I don't even know what to say anymore."
"What do you say we start by visiting an old friend? I'm sure Pinkie will be giddy to see you again."
"Yes...That sounds good..." Tears fell down the cheeks of the unicorn as she felt her stomach churn and twist in excitement. "Thank you...Umm...I'm sorry, I don't believe I know your name."
"You can call me Lauren. Come on, I'll introduce you to my friends, before we arrive on Earth."
"Earth...I'm sure Pinkie has a party already set up. I bet she's been expecting me."
Earth was once a blue and green planet, with scattered deserts and cities throughout it. Time had long changed it. It was now a rainbow of colors. Chrome streets and buildings could be seen from the cities on the nearby moon. Green forests and plains still littered the planet. Wild, new rivers and seas were scattered throughout. A beautiful aurora filled the air, melding with the night sky.
Earth's people, humanity, walked down the stone and metal streets. They looked so normal to the unicorn. True, their bodies were different, but they smiled like ponies. Frowned like ponies. Talked and laughed like ponies. When they looked at her, some smiled, others looked indifferent, just like ponies. Different shells, same souls. It was hard to imagine that these beings were capable of recreating entire universes at the drop of a hat.
Speaking of which, surely such powerful beings had no real need for walking anymore. Why, Lauren had returned Twilight to her youth with a barely a thought! The dull purple pony was now back to being a vibrant magenta, with her skin unwrinkled and smooth. "Lauren? Why are there people walking? I mean, can't your species teleport? Why are they walking around like...."
"Mortals?" Twilight nodded. "Twilight, you are capable of teleporting. What's the point of walking?"
"Because...teleporting is taxing?"
"And?"
"And..." The unicorn racked her mind. "To see my friends on the way?"
Lauren smiled at her little pony. "You'll find Twilight, that something immortals sometimes need is some simply mortality." Twilight raised her brow in confusion to the strange statement, when another human, one of Lauren's friends, named Jayson, cut in.
"Besides, some of us don't even exist in this plane."
"What do you mean?"
"A few millenniums ago, our species discovered a way to build structures in the fourteenth dimension.. A large portion of our race lives there now. Its roomy," he explained.
"F-fourtteenth?"
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Going from three dimensions to twenty is not an easy switch."
"We can show you one of the other dimensions, after we visit Pinkie."
Pinkie's home resembled Sugarcube Corner, but it had subtle differences. While it still resembled a giant gingerbread house, it had a bit more color to it. Red, orange, pink, purple, blue and magenta sprinkles decorated and caused the store to shimmer with a beautiful glow.
Twilight took a deep breath and felt her heart race. How long had it been since Pinkie passed away? Years, she was the first, sadly. Twilight had attended her funeral for Celestia's sake! She had intended all of their funerals. Twilight strengthened herself. This was going to be the first of many strange meetings that the unicorn would have never expected having. Best to just get it over with.
"Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! What can...?" Pinkie had been serving a pair of humans when the group walked in. She had thankfully put the meal on their table before looking to see who walked into the bakery. She would have no doubt dropped the plate in shock at seeing who walked in.
Twilight expected a loud gasp, just like they had met long ago. She expected confetti and streamers to rain down upon her, with a 'About time!' She expected a 'duh!' and some sort of joke.
But Twilight saw tears in the earth pony's eyes. She felt a hoof gently touch her cheek. The pink pony looked at Lauren, expecting something, her lower lip quivering like a lost foal in the cold.
"Its her, Pinkie. We wouldn't insult Twilight by making a fake one to visit you. This is the genuine thing."
"...Twilight?"
"Its really me, Pinkie. I'm-OOF!"
Twilight felt the earth pony's forelegs wrap around her body and hold her tight. She felt warm tears landing on her neck as the pony held her.
"Twilight! Twilight Twilight Twilight!"
"Ack!" The unicorn gagged at the tight hold, but smiled still. She tried to copy the strength of the hug to the party planner, though she was far weaker.
Pinkie still got the message though and pulled away only to show her brightest smile. "You were picked too? Really?! That's great! I hope you weren't afraid? I was! First I was like, 'WOW! What's that?' then I was like, 'WOWEE! What's that?!' then-Oh, Twilight, its so good to see you again!"
"Its good to see you again, Pinkie...I...I never imagined I could." Tears openly fell between the two friends, and the unicorn felt her heart soar. It was going to be wonderful to see all of her friends again! She was going to feel this breathtaking surge of joy at least five more times!
"This is great! We need to have a party! We need to celebrate!"
"Agreed! We can invite the girls over and we can throw a classic Pinkie Pie party!"
"You bet we...can."
Wait...Something was wrong. Twilight was overjoyed, but she could tell something was wrong. You're not friends with somepony for over sixty years without getting to know them well. Pinkie sounded sad.
"Pinkie..." Twilight wiped a tear away with her hoof from the earth pony's cheek. "What is it?"
"..."
"Pinkie. Please, talk to me."
"The others...we don't really hang out anymore, Twilight. I haven't seen any of them for over a year. We're not really friends anymore..." Pinkie looked away and, her mane 'popped' and deflated, reducing to a sad waterfall of hair. Twilight, on the other hand, was stupefied.
"What?! But...Why?!"
"Godhood."
Twilight looked at Laura as the other humans stepped back and gave their leader the limelight. The redheaded human rubbed her forehead as she tried to form the words. "An entire omniverse out there to explore, and near limitless power to do whatever they pleased. I'm afraid your friends were a bit...overwhelmed. Not to mention, without you, their greatest link, they did not have the same bond."
Pinkie felt Twilight hold her, protectively, and the earth pony nuzzled against the unicorn as Laura continued. "We've tried talking to them, Twilight. Pinkie has tried. We need you to try now."
"You're gods! Can't you do something? I mean..."
"We've tried words, and we refuse to use force. Friendship isn't friendship if its forced by gods."
"...Pinkie." The pink pony looked at her old friend and she saw a face of sadness and melancholy. Those blue eyes had their tears wiped away as Twilight said, "Pinkie. Would you do me the honor of being my friend and helping me bring the others back?"
"R-really? You think we can do it? I've tried talking to them! I've tried inviting them over! I've-"
"I Pinkie Pie Promise! Cross my heart."
"And hope to fly?"
"Stick a cupcake in my-ERAAH!"
"Heheh. Oh, Twilight. You always did have a hard time with that part!" Pinkie giggled.
----------------------------
"She made that?! Its beautiful!" Twilight admired.
The pair found themselves sitting on a sun, after Lauren had teleported them, looking at a constellation being formed by their old friend. They watched the white speck, who had not noticed them yet, zip around the constellation, moving stars back and forth.
"I almost feel like we should wait to talk to her...I'd feel awful taking her out of the zone," the scholar commented.
In an instant though, the lines of stars vanished, cast away and thrown off into the distance. The two looked at each other in confusion.
"Why did she do that? It was beautiful! Come on, Pinkie, let's go talk to her!" Twilight stood up on her legs, only to stop and look down for the first time. "...Were we sitting on a sun?"
"Yepperoni!" Pinkie wrapped her forelegs around the intelligent egghead, not giving her anytime to truly think about her most recent revelation. The earth pony kicked against the sun, sending the two flying at the artist. "Rarity, catch us!"
"Wha-Pinkie-!" The couple collided against the white pony, and the three spiraled out of control into a nearby pile of stars. Rarity was the first to escape the pile of hydrogen and helium gases. She pushed a star off of her and rose out of the pile. "Pinkie! What do you think you're doing?! I am trying to create a masterpiece!"
"Rarity! Looky looky look!" Pinkie pointed to a purple butt sticking out of the pile. "Okay, now look!" The earth pony pulled the unicorn out of the pile and patted her back, helping her cough out a bit of star that might have fallen into her mouth.
"Oh. Twilight, how pleasant of you to visit me."
"Ack...That's it? No tears? No gasps? No fainting?" Twilight asked, looking at the fashionista
"I expected your ascendance as soon as I was accepted, darling. Lauren would have had to be completely ridiculous NOT to accept you."
"Oh, why, thank you," Twilight smiled.
"But, I am afraid I must return to my work. Beauty never rests, and now, neither will I."
"...What? Rarity, do you even remember the last time you saw Pinkie?!"
"Of course I do...! What day is it today?"
"Tuesday," Pinkie answered.
"I believe I saw her last Fri-"
"No! You haven't seen her for over a year!"
"What!? That's impossible! I could have sworn I saw her...Oh...No, no, that was the Pinkie Pie constellation I made." The three looked off to the distance to the shining, pink light show a few light years away.
"Wow, you made that for me!?"
"Please, darling, I made one for all of us. Now then, I need to get back to work. My quality has been lacking as of late, and the universe is in dire need of something of decent quality."
Twilight Sparkle teleported in front of the artist with a frown. "What are you talking about? That last constellations was gorgeous!"
"Oh, Twilight, please, it was no where near as beautiful as your constellation. I need to be better. If I can just capture just an essence of the Applejack constellation's beauty, I know I'll-"
"Rarity, listen to yourself! You miss your friends. That's why you refuse to believe anything you make is beautiful, unless it reminds you of us!"
"Twilight, that's...sigh...true." The white unicorn morphed a nearby star into a sofa and fell upon on it. "I was so obessed with this new form of art when I found it! I didn't even help poor Fluttershy get used to the universe. Some best friend I was....And Applejack! Pinkie and Fluttershy went to go talk to her, but did I? NO! Because I was too obsessed with finishing a constellation! Oh, I've been a dreadful friend, simply dreadful!"
Tears fell from her eyes and she would have cried into her new sofa had it not been for Twilight. She placed a hoof on Rarity's head and pulled her into a tight hug, nuzzling their cheeks against one another. "Rarity...Its okay."
"No, its not...I owe all the girls an apology! Starting with you, Pinkie Pie. I'm so sorry for never going when you sent me invitations to your parties. Its just...at first I was busy with making beautiful constellations, but then it was because of fear. I was so afraid you were all mad at me, I always told myself next time I-"
"I forgive you, silly billy filly!" Pinkie giggled, before jumping over to the two, joining in the hug. "Does this mean we're friends again, Rarity?"
The white unicorn couldn't have stopped her smile, even if she had tried. She wiped away a tear and nodded her head. "If you're willing to be friends with a work obsessed fashionista."
"Well, duh! Course I am!"
------------------
Applejack waved her hoof in the air. Trees rose from the ground and over a hundred acres of apple tree filled the land. The apples were ripe, the trees strong, and the leaves were stunningly green. They were perfect. Over a hundred acres of perfection.
Applejack hated it.
Well...Honestly, hate was too strong of a word.
AJ hated how easy it was. How any critters that tried eating her harvest could be shooed away by simply thinking about it. How now all it took was a simple thought to grow a tree. When she was mortal, it took hard work. Each tree was grown and tended to. Each one had a name. Here? They were mass produced by the thousands with ease. None of them were cared about as individuals.
Care....
Applejack knew what it was liked to not be cared about .
When she agreed to stop worrying so much about Apple Bloom, she was told she'd be visited by the others. Now here she was, away from Apple Bloom, but where were her friends? Nowhere.
You're forgetting something, partner, she told herself.
Okay. So she also promised she'd visit them. But she had responsibilities! Unlike them! Rainbow Dash was playing around, flying around stars, and Rarity was busy making the sky pretty. Fluttershy....Applejack wasn't entirely sure what Fluttershy did. The mare barely spoke about it, and she seemed so....distant. But AJ? AJ worked! She filled planets with food for the folks who needed it!
They did visit at first, but ya brushed them off like yesterday's rotten apples. That's why they stopped.
AJ sighed as she overlooked the fields. They reminded her of her home...She wondered how Apple Bloom was doing. Did she meet any nice colt?
"Actually, Apple Bloom is dating Spike."
"What?" AJ asked herself, before realizing the voice was behind her. She turned to look at the source and was flabbergasted. "Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?"
"Applejack!"
The farmer felt the scholar hug her and the orange pony toppled over. She laughed though, and hugged the unicorn back. She was about to say something, when something heavy landed on the two.
"YAY! More hugs!" Pinkie cheered, laying on the two.
"Pinkie?"
"Applejack."
"Rarity," AJ huffed, glaring at the white pony. "Twilight, Pinkie, ya mind getting off?" The two ponies obeyed and the orange mare smiled at them, and even at Rarity. "I'm guessin' those fancy human folk brought you here two, eh Twi?"
"They did. How could I not, when they told me all of my friends were out here?"
"Well, I'm happy to see you again, Twilight. But somepony may not be..."
"Applejack, what are you talking about?"
"Rainbow Dash was the last pony before you came around, and she's changed, Twi. All she cares about is flying around and exploring the universe. She doesn't care about us."
"I can't believe that and you shouldn't either! Rainbow is the most loyal pony there is! I bet, if we just go talk to her, you'll see she's still her."
"I don't know, Twilight..." Applejack looked at the ground, shaking her head. She closed her head and sighed, only to feel Twilight's magic lift her head, making her face the purple pony.
"I made a Pinkie Pie Promise that I would get us back together. I intend to do just that, and I'm not the only one." Twilight looked to Rarity as she walked forward.
"Applejack, we've both been a bit obsessed with our work. You feed young worlds, and I give them beautiful constellations. Both of what we do is important. I am sorry for insulting what you do, and I'm sorry for being a terrible friend. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, darling."
"Rarity...Shucks, I'm sorry! I'm sorry I called your work easy, and I'm sorry I haven't tried to visit you."
"We've both made mistakes. What do you say to starting over? Friends?"
"Sugarcube, you gone and taken the words right out of my mouth!"
Twilight smiled as the two hugged one another, before being knocked over by Pinkie hugging her. "Twilight, we're doing it!" She giggled. The unicorn beamed and embraced her pink friend back.
"Of course we are, Pinkie. I promised we would."
------------------
"Wow, ya really made an entire constellations based on Sweet Apple Acres?" Applejack inquired, as the four walked through the forest of a another planet.
"I did indeed, darling. Once we are done here, I would be happy to show you them."
Twilight smiled as the two spoke. It was just like old time, and the smiles the two mares had showed they were well on their way of rebuilding their old bond. Suddenly a soft voice could be heard on the wind and Twilight closed her eyes as she listened to it. "Hear that?"
"Yeah! It sounds like Fluttershy singing!"
"Come on, girls. This way!"
The four ran pass the trees, their hooves stomping on the lush, green grass beneath them as they followed the voice. It had not changed, if anything, it was even more enchanting. They found Fluttershy in a small clearing, sunlight raining down on her. Small, alien critters surrounded her. The strange creatures were just as entranced by the mare as creatures from Equestria were.
"You haven't changed at all, Fluttershy." The purple unicorn walked forward, revealing her presence to the pegasus.
The yellow mare gasped at the sight of the four mares, stepping out from behind some trees. She placed her hooves to her mouth as she stared at them, before uttering a single word. "Girls?"
"Howdy," Applejack greeted.
"Darling..."
"Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie, for a lack of a better word, glomped the pegasus. The earth pony smiled as she hugged her blushing friend, as the others walked closer.
"W-what are you doing here?"
"We're here for you, sugarcube!"
"Twilight's...joined us, for a lack of a better word, and she convinced Applejack and I to take a break from our work. We were hoping you would do us the honor of joining us?" Rarity smiled, before her eyes took a look of concern. "Fluttershy...I know Applejack and I have not been the best of friends. We have been nothing short of discourteous and boorish to you!"
"Not to mention we were plain ol' impolite, sugarcube!"
"Indeed." Rarity's face returned to a smile, though her eyes showed the regret and sadness within her soul. "Please, could you ever find it in your heart to forgive us?"
"We're both real sorry, Fluttershy, and we want to make it up to you, hone-"
Applejack and Rarity were silenced by a tight hug. Fluttershy ran out of Pinkie's hug and embraced the two, as tears silently ran down her cheeks.
"I-I was so afraid you were mad at me! That it was my fault you didn't want to see me...I was afraid I did something wrong."
"Fluttershy, darling, you did nothing of the sort. It was us."
"Rarity's right. We're sorry for making you think that. Please, forgive us?"
"I could never stay mad at any of you, you know that!"
The three friends hugged it out as Twilight smiled and Pinkie looked at a nearby cloud. While Twilight was happy to see the old friends hugging things out, Pinkie was focused on something else. She leaned over to Twilight and whispered, "Rainbow's in a cloud above us."
"What? Pinkie, are you sure?"
"She's right, Twilight...I've noticed Rainbow watching me every few days. I...I think she just wants to make sure I'm okay."
"What? " Rarity gasped, she spoke in a hushed tone, trying not to look for the blue pegasus.
"I think she's spied on all of us. But she's too scared to actually say anything..."
"Fiddlesticks," Applejack replied, before pulling away from the hug. "Rainbow! We know you're up there! Come down!"
"..." Rainbow Dash peeked her head from behind the white cloud, looking down at the five. They saw her sigh, before jumping off the cloud and slowly descending down to the them. "Hey, guys..."
"Rainbow, have you been watching Fluttershy and the others long?" Twilight questioned.
"..." Rainbow nodded.
"Well? Are ya gonna make us ask why?"
"Just to make sure you're all okay..."
"Why didn't you just come and talk to us, darling?"
"..."
"Dashie...?"
"I was jealous, okay? I mean....All of you have some important tasks out in the universe and I...All I do is fly around. Fluttershy takes care of animals, Applejack grows entire forests, Rarity makes constellations, and Pinkie? Everyone practically begged her to stay on Earth and hang out with them! They haven't even given Twilight a job yet, but I know she's going to get some high honor! I mean...." Rainbow Dash sighed and closed her eyes, facing away from the five. "I was just afraid you all had better things than hang out with-"
"Rainbow Dash, you should know better! Whatever happened to Rainbow Dash, the fastest pegasus in all of Equestria?" Twilight smiled. "You're the loyalest, fastest, and most radically awesome fliers in all of Equestria! You're one of the very few pegasus to ever earn a place in the Wonderbolt Hall of Fame! Foals looked up to you as an inspiration, and still do! More importantly than that, you are our friend!"
"Best friend," Fluttershy added, with a soft smile.
"The bestest, Dashie!" Pinkie shouted.
"There shouldn't be anything more important than being with our friends. We're sorry we made ya'll feel that way."
"It was wrong of us. No pony should think that their friends are too busy for them."
Rainbow Dash was silent as the five looked at her. Her eyes shifted from each pony, before she spoke. "...Just like that? We're all...cool?"
"If you're ready to hang out again, then yeah. What do you say?" Twilight inquired.
"I say...I'm sorry for not visiting you girls! Pinkie, we need to have a party to celebrate, don't you think?" Rainbow grinned.
"Duh! Streamers, punch, and cake! Lots of cake!"
"I know a lovely planet a human told me about. He said, looking into the sky was like staring at the center of a comet, stretched across the sky, and that there are falling stars everynight!" Rarity sugested.
"Oh, that sounds simply lovely," Fluttershy gasped.
"Come on, girls! We have an entire universe out there to explore! Let's do it."
"TOGETHER!"
Out there, in space, there are endless possibilities, endless forms of beauty. But even paradise can be boring when you're all alone. Friendship has the magical power to change everything. Heaven itself can be a punishment without it, and Tartarrus can be turned into something wonderful. Friendship can change everything.
For Twilight Sparkle and her friends, the adventure had only just begun...
It had been decades since the passing of Ponyville's protector, Spike. With his passing, the impact the Elements of Harmony had made on the world was no longer so obvious. Sugarcube Corner had long closed down, the Elements had yet to find their new bearers, and Celestia and Luna had taken new apprentices.
Still, none were worthy of alicornship. Heroes and heroines they were, but none were Twilight Sparkle.
Celestia looked to the stars, and she imagined her old student dancing among them, playing with them like little balls of clay. Molding and shifting them. Simple playthings.
She smiled at the thought, before she saw something peculiar. A cloud was leaving its place from the sky. Was a young pegasus searching for a bed? No, it was too small....It looked barely enough to rest one's hoof on.
The cloud suddenly turned, shooting at Celestia, as she stood on her balcony. It raced towards her, before it shot into the air, rolling into a spiral. The purple cloud solidified, and gently descended as a piece of paper.
Celestia stared at it with shock. The paper had evidence of being rolled up, like one of the scrolls the palace was filled with. The sides were clean of ripples and rips. Too clean. The paper was smooth and even warm, giving the goddess a sense of calmness and ease.
Dear Princess Celestia
"Twilight...?"
I wish you could see what I've seen. I've seen the universe born and reborn. I've seen planets made of diamonds and skies made of jewels. I've seen seas of lava and streets of wood. I've seen things that I could have never imagined in my wildest imaginations, and yet, I cannot help but think that it would all be boring without my friends.
Half the fun of seeing the universe (and neighboring universes) is seeing what my friends think about it! Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash have all made my time here wonderful!
But it wasn't always like that. I have learned that while friendships can be hard to maintain, they can be even harder to rebuild. Friendship can easily be broken by one's own feelings or by misunderstandings, or even by learning about the rest of the world. Growing up, we all saw what life really had to offer, and it overwhelmed us, I think. It almost overwhelmed me. Responsibility to family, those who look up to us, and to our own dreams can tear apart the bonds between friends.
But if you really care, if they really care, then you can rebuild. You can balance responsibility and fun. You can still be overwhelmed, but you will never be alone.
Some friendships are strong enough to do that. Those are the friendships that will never break. Those are the kinds that are eternal. They're the ones that make you think it must be magic.
"Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."
Celestia's eyes widened and she spun around, once more stupefied by what she saw.
"Twilight?"
The purple unicorn ran over and rubbed her immortal teacher's neck with her own. The alicorn did the same as tears came to their eyes.
"It has been far too long, my dearest student...Though, I suppose I can no longer call you that. You have learned far more than I have."
"You will always be my favorite teacher, Princess," Twilight smiled. She then turned her head, and stared into the dark night sky. "It really is beautiful out there...To move a star with magic is one thing, but to mold one? To make one with one's own hooves? Its just one of the most fantastic things out there."
"I envy you. The sights out there, the things you must have witnessed after all these years..."
"I know. Which is why I 'm here."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Twilight! You really are here!" Luna, Cadence, and Twilight's fellow immortal ponies walked in. The two alicorns ran to the purple pony and embraced her, before looking around them. "Why do I get the feeling this isn't a simple visit?" Cadence inquired.
"We wanted to trade places!" Pinkie Pie blurted out.
"What?!"
"Pinkie, I was getting there!"
"Whoops! Sorry, Twilight!"
"Trade places with us? You cannot simply do that on a whim, Twilight! There are obstacles! What would Lauren have to say-?" Luna was interrupted by the purple unicorn.
"We already asked her. She's fine with it."
"Fine? But how will you explain your return?"
"We'll make a story. Don't worry, we won't let them know the truth, but we're sure we can think of something."
"None of you know anything about leading a country!"
"We'll learn, and you're free to stay for the first few weeks, to make sure we have it under hoof."
"And what will we do while you rule in our stead after that? We cannot be simply cast aside!"
"Silly, loony Luna! We're trading places, not replacing!"
"Princess Luna, Princess Celestia...You've ruled over Equestria for over two thousand years. You've had the responsibility of choosing ponies worthy of true godhood. Yet you have never had the chance to know what it was like out there. We want to take your place here, and with your permission, rule over Equestria while you go and experience what the universe has to offer."
"This is most...alarming. I...do not know what to say."
"Twilight, are you sure?" Celestia asked. "Are you all sure?"
"Shoot, of course we are! Why, you princesses ain't never had a break! You deserve this vacation, and if the only way to get that vacation is by ruling in your place, then we're all for it!"
"While I do not share Applejack's exotic dialect, I do share her willingness to return to Equestria and to help it grow."
"Do you even have to ask?" Rainbow grinned.
"It would be our honor, if that's alright..."
"You betcha!"
"What about Princess Cadence?"
"They've already spoken to me about it. I've already seen what its like out there, now I want to stay, and help them."
"Princesses, you've just done so much for all of us. We just want to return the favor," Twilight explained.
"They do seem adamant about the matter, sister, and if there is anypony worthy of replacing us, it would be Equstria's greatest heroes."
Celestia looked at her hesitant sister, before looking at the six ponies. She smiled at them as she gently nuzzled her sister's head, comforting her. "We have always dreamed of what it was like out there." Tears fell from the alicorn's eyes once more as she closed them. "Thank you, Twilight. Thank you, everypony. You honor us."
"So you're okay with this?" Twilight beamed.
"We will, of course, need to help you catch up to current events, and we will need to think of a story to tell the populace, but yes, we are."
"I also believe that Twilight Sparkle and her friends should give my sister and I a list of some of their favorite sights out there," Luna added, before the nine ponies shared a brief laugh.
"It would be our honor, Princesses!"
-----------------------
Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria. There were six, benevolent friends who ruled together.
Princess Rarity, who gave us the night sky, bringing forth the moon and the stars.
Princess Applejack, who taught us how to grow and nurture our forests.
Princess Rainbow Dash, who commanded the weather and inspired thousands with her stories.
Princess Fluttershy, who cared for everyone, as if she was their mother.
Princess Pinkie Pie, creator of our dreams and giver of joy to all.
And Princess Twilight Sparkle, the leader of the six, the alicorn of the sun, and the greatest of teachers.
Thus, the six ruled over Equestria, protecting and guiding their subjects, all the different types of ponies, and all of the neighbors that coexisted with them.
But as time went on, a being from the six's past struck. Once a normal mare, now a being full of jealousy and hate, Envy, attacked the six. She attempted to destroyed them and everything they protected. The six tried to reason with Envy, but she would not stop, so they were forced to banish her, locking her away within the moon, by using the most powerful artifacts known, the Elements of Harmony.
With the threat defeated, peace has been maintained with Equestria for generations since.
"Elements of Harmony...Consarnit, now I know ah've heard about them before." Turnip Cart scratched his head through his baseball cap, as he picked the book up with his mouth and placed it back on the bookshelf. "Hmm..."
"Turnip Cart! You still in there, boy? This cart ain't gonna move itself!"
"Comin' pa! Hey, you mind if I go to the library while we're in town? There's a book I'm lookin' for!"
Unbeknownst to the farm hand, six pairs of eyes were watching him thanks to magic. The six alicorns looked at one another, silently. The dramatic tension was quickly broken, by one of them giggling.
"Its like if Twilight had Applejack's accent! Oh man, that's hilarious!" Rainbow laughed.
"Hey, you sayin' my accent's funny?"
"Are you saying its not?"
Twilight rolled her eyes as the two poked fun at one another, Pinkie now joining Rainbow in laughing at the young colt. She looked down at the magical pool and saw the pony helping his elderly father push the cart up a hill. He was generous, there was no doubt to that.
As she stared at the pool, she realized. This was the same way Princess Celestia had seen them, and had known they were worthy of the Elements of Harmony. She smiled to herself, proud to be like her mentor, when a golden light appeared before her. A postcard floated before her face, along with a dozen of photos..
"Greetings from the Big Bang. Wish you were here. Love, Celestia and Luna," Twilight read.
She passed the photos to her friends, who beamed at the sight of old friends. It seemed by the way the two sisters were posing with the cosmic egg, they were truly enjoying their vacation. Smiles were on each of their faces, as they teased one another, both wearing the classic tourist shirts for added humor, a camera around Luna's neck.
Sadly though, Twilight had to play the wet blanket. "Come on, girls. Time to go. We still have a lot more planning to do."
"Hey, who wants to stop by Donut Joe Jr's place when we're done?" Rainbow inquired.
"Race ya there," Applejack challenged. "Hooves only."
"You're on."
"Ooh! Ooh! Can I narrate!? GASP! Fluttershy, Rarity, wanna be my narrating buddies?"
"Oh, well...I...I don't really have the voice for-"
"Oh, come now, Fluttershy. One should never be against trying new things. We'd be happy to join you, Pinkie."
"WHEEE!" As the six alicorns walked out, Twilight looked at the postcard hovering before her. She used her magic to turn it around, and read the back. Her lips curled into a smile as she read.
