//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Imperfect Stasis // by Mocha Star //------------------------------// The elevator doors opened to the concourse and they gasped at the foliage that grew wildly. Flowering vines from nearly every level of the room for a distance from the giant tree at the center that was surrounded by wild flowers and smaller trees and fresh grass growing freely, all living at their own pace under the weeping willow. A small cottage made from paneling from the royal suite and nearby areas stood firmly at the far side of the tree. The ship’s command crew took in the sight and glanced up to see the planet they were tasked to habitate barely in view. A shining blue dot, much like the one they’d left. Approaching the cottage they were careful to not step on any flora that they could. Looking in they took in the sight of two ponies, cuddling in eternal slumber, with a tablet at the foot of the luxury bed they rested on. Hello to whoever found this and us. I am former Princess Twilight Sparkle and this’ my love, my being, my reason; Shining Smile. We woke up early and, after a few adventures, decided that this was the best thing for us and the future of the planet we’re heading to. You see, I’m not fit to lead the world we’re going to. As I’ve learned, I’m a little neurotic, obsessive compulsive, controlling… and that’s not what the new world needs. It needs a calm, competent, composed ruler that doesn’t have years, ages of baggage to weigh her down. In the medical bay you’ll find our daughter in the autodoc. Her name is Shining Sparkle. It just seemed to fit her when we saw her for the first time. She’s an adorable five year old alicorn and is as smart as I was when I was twice her age. I think it’s because her parents were really great at what we did, to be honest. She’s not too good at magic yet and hasn't had time to practice flying, but she's great with gardening, as you can see. She’s in need of love to replace what we can’t give her anymore, and she’s the leader you need and deserve. I’ve left several tablets full of plans for cities, infrastructure, trade agreements, and even embargo practices and rules if a settlement chooses to sequester themselves. We came to the decision to do things this way because it’s the right thing to do, not the easiest. Love isn’t easy, it turns out. It’s as complicated as inhabiting a new world, because you’re making a new world, in a way. Teach our daughter magic and flight. Teach her to lead and rule rightly, truly, humbly. Make sure she knows we love her, always and forever. She’ll always do the right thing, as long as she follows her heart and, no matter what, let her know we, her father and I, lived happily and died in love with each other. We believe in the future of the world we’re creating and know it’ll be the Shining beacon in the Twilight of space that we always knew it will be. To our daughter: May Luna guard you, may Celestia light your path. May your lives be as magical as Starlight Glimmer’s and as full of love as Cadences. May you find friendship in all places like me, and may you rule as nobly as Flurry Heart. Above all else, live like ponies: Fun and free of the shackles of hatred and anger. Live for each other and help all the others grow with you until the day you die, as we have. Goodbye and live well. Following the message were photos of the two as they lived their lives. Images that stayed with the new world for the ages. Photos of the two shaved bald and smiling, the scars adorning Twilight were barely noticeable, but still drew attention. Splashing each other in the pool. Acting out a play. Dancing in the arcade. Having birthday meals. Growing older in each photo that passed until only he remained; smiling under the willow tree and holding the magical tome that Twilight and Sunset had shared. At the end, the last photo had them holding their baby girl, wrapped in a blanket and yawning. The smile they shared while looking at her said they loved each other and their baby. They died as they’d lived together, happily and in love. Their daughter’s work, in the ages that came and went, was built on the love her parents had shared with her and the lessons she was taught by the pioneers that raised her to be the Alicorn of Kindness she was meant to be.