It was many years later and Twilight was still in the library, a full fledged unicorn. Her mane had just begun to show streaks of grey and she was considering buying reading glasses. She planned on visiting Fluttershy soon. But she had a few minutes until then and she decided to gaze through a few old photo albums.
She selected ones from her first few years in Ponyville. The first page was of Spike smiling proudly in the upper floor of the library. Spike was gone now, he had joined the dragons a few years ago after finally sprouting wings late in his teenage years. It had been a sad day for the both of them, but Twilight received letters from him from time to time. They told of his friends and even a pretty she-dragon he was with. He fit in well enough and was happy, but he did miss the old life occasionally.
The next page was of Rarity. In some pictures the unicorn was showing off new creations; others were candid shots. Twilight laughed at one that showed her snoring in her sleep. The white unicorn in question had moved to Canterlot a few years ago. She opened her own botique there and settled down with Hoity Toity. Sweetie Belle had gone with her and had become a regular city pony, fitting in well with the upper class just as Rarity had hoped she would. The younger unicorn had a talent for singing and made her living off of that, but she did occasionally help her sister out with her shop.
Twilight couldn't help but chuckle at the splashes of pink all over the next page. Every shot of Pinkie Pie seemed like a candid shot. There was one of her eating an entire cake of one bite, one of her and Gummy playing catch, one of her hugging Fluttershy. The pink pony had taken over Sugarcube Corner and was still as wild as ever. Gummy had grown into a fine alligator and even made himself busy as the mascot for the sweet shop.
Light yellow dominated the next shop and Twilight let a soft smile sweep over her face. The shy pegasus and her had been together for a few years now. She savored all the photos of Fluttershy and her animals. It was one of the many things she loved about her, the way her mane fell just so, the soft lilt of her beautiful voice...everything about her was amazing in Twilight's eyes.
Quickly moving to the next page she couldn't help feeling just a touch of sadness. Rainbow Dash had left early on in their friendship to join the Wonderbolts. They still met up occasionally, but the cyan pegasus had turned all business and rarely liked to leave her work.
That left only one more pony. Without turning the page, Twilight shut the book. She didn't want any reminders of Applejack. After their fight they had never spoken again, and the purple unicorn bitterly regretted it. She had tried to find her again, but she had had no luck. Sighing, she replaced the book and headed over to Fluttershy's cottage.
But even her chats with her marefriend could not take the lingering guilt away. There was nothing for it. She had to do the only thing she could. Apologize. But how? That was the question she put to Fluttershy.
"I suggest writing it down. You're great at writing, Twilight", Fluttershy said, giving her a quick hug. "In fact, I would do it right now."
Twilight shook her head. "No, I don't want to interrupt this", she protested.
Fluttershy gently brushed the unicorn's mane back from her forehead. "Oh, Twilight, you're unhappy. And you know I can't be truly happy until you are." With a quick kiss she was gone, trotting into her room to get quill and parchment.
A smile crept unbidden over Twilight Sparkle's face. Fluttershy was the only thing that made her truly happy anymore. And when she gave her the quill, Twilight knew immediately what to write.
Dearest Applejack,
I cannot apologize enough for what happened oh so many years ago. Wherever you are, I wish you as much happiness as I have found in Fluttershy. That's right. We're together now. And, oh, how I wish you could be here to celebrate with us. But you aren't and I know in my heart you never will be. But I feel as if this letter, somehow, will get through to you. As if you'll know. And I hope you do. I truly do. But, dear Applejack, I have finally found peace and solace. It turns out that this was the perfect thing to do. Now I would like to say that I should have respected the opinions you expressed and I realize that now, when it is far too late. However, I think three words will heal the hole in my heart. I love you. I always have and I always will. And I hope, someday, you can say the same.
Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle
With a final flourish, Twilight Sparkle tossed the letter into the flames, watching it burn into ashes. And as the smoke dissipated so did all the pain and anger she had been feeling all those years. She turned her eyes, misted with tears, to Fluttershy. "I love you", she whispered. And she wasn't just talking to Fluttershy.