Everyone Lives

by Lets Do This

Everyone Lives

The last few moments are the hardest.
Especially when you know.
Trust me on this...

Spike's cavern was set high on a hill overlooking Ponyville. It was to the north of the town, so that natural windflow from the south would carry away the smoke when he finally settled in for his first Long Sleep. And Spike had also made standing arrangements with the local weather pegasi for days when the wind wasn't cooperating.

Outside, it looked like a traditional dragon lair. Its entrance was a massive triangular gash in the granite... deep, shadowy, ominous. The landing area in front was scored with threatening-looking clawmarks. Along every trail leading up to it, six-foot-tall, razor-edged pylons of obsidian had been jammed into the ground at an angle, like stockade poles, as a psychological warning to unwary travelers:

And inside... well, Spike and Rarity had always prided themselves on being gracious hosts, whenever their friends did come to call.

The rock-walled rooms were warm and well-lit. The floors were flat and softly carpeted. The walls were hung with paintings and tapestries. And the living and guest caves were furnished with pony-sized chairs, couches, and tables. The single exception was Spike's hoard chamber, which had the traditional bare walls and natural stalactites, and a great heap of gold and gemstones for him to sleep on. Some of the gold was technically on loan from friends in the Dragonlands, until he was able to gather his own hoard, but it was the principle that mattered.

And, exception to the exception, there was a smaller, pony-sized bed in the hoard chamber. It was deep and plush, with soft silk pillows and a fine gauze canopy. It was Rarity's bed, on which the pony lay quietly, eyes shut, wheezing gently.

The doyenne fashionista had long since given up fretting about her looks, but for Spike's sake she'd insisted on having herself done up nicely these last few days. Her wispy mane and tail were recolored a rich violet, her eyelids were long-lashed. Just a hint of blush had been added to her cheeks. She'd joked with the stylist pony who visited the cavern that she was merely getting a jump on the mortuary workers, making sure they got her look right.

Spike was right with her, crouched by the bed and gazing at her raptly, not wanting to miss a second of the time they had left. By careful appeal to his dragon greed, Spike had accelerated his maturation past the gangly teenaged years, and was now a modest-sized young adult dragon. It was partly for Rarity's sake: she especially loved it whenever Spike took her up and held her in his claws, gently and caringly, like a fragile teacup. And in return, Rarity always made a point of complimenting Spike on his "ruggedly handsome, yet sensitive" looks.

But Princess Twilight Sparkle could see it in Spike's gaze: the small, frightened soul, peering out through those huge green eyes, desperate and powerless in the face of the inevitable.

The lavender alicorn sat on the other side of the bed, keeping both of them company, right to the very end. It meant letting work pile up back at the palace and the School, but that didn't matter. This was important. This passing would be the roughest on all of them, because it would be the last... the last of the original Element bearers, aside from Twilight herself. And Spike of course, who as a dragon was much longer-lived.

Sweetie Belle had already tearfully said her goodbyes that morning, her voice breaking. And then she'd suddenly left, unable to take it any longer, supported by her fellow Crusaders. Over the past week there had been a steady stream of friends, acquaintances, customers in the fashion and pop industry, plus a few old flames and well-wishers of all stripes, who had made the long journey to Ponyville, and the lengthy additional hike up to the cavern, to say their farewells to the Element of Generosity and Living Legend of Fashion.

So now, it was down to the three of them: Twilight, Spike, and Rarity herself... waiting for the end.

"Spikey..." Rarity whispered. A hoof lifted from the covers, weakly and searchingly. It immediately met his claw, which took hold of it. Spike gritted his teeth, and leaned close, pressing his snout to Rarity's mane.

"I'm here, Rarity," he rumbled. "Always!"

Rarity managed a smile, tried to tip her snout up to kiss him.

And... just like that... she was gone.

Twilight shut her eyes, turned her head away. If Spike saw how she felt right now, there'd be no stopping it. She'd never be able to keep it in, never be able to keep it together.

And she had to... because she had an utterly distraught dragon to comfort.

They say we're immortal because we're perfect, and can do no wrong.

Horseapples, I say... it's because we're good at keeping a secret...

Later, when all was said and done, Twilight and Spike sat together in front of the cavern, gazing down upon the crystal Friendship Castle, and Ponyville beyond. The town looked comfortingly tranquil and old-fashioned under the burnt-orange light of early evening.

"Well," Spike said, dispiritedly, "I suppose there's nothing left to do now. No one left to say goodbye to. I should just turn in on my hoard, and try to sleep the pain away."

Twilight put a hoof up to comfort him, even though she could barely reach his elbow now. "You were a loving friend to her, Spike. And a faithful partner. And a gentleman to the end. It's going to be rough, but I'll be here for you. I'll do everything I can to help."

"Which doesn't seem to amount to much!" Spike grumbled.

"Huh?"

Spike shut his eyes, looking away for a moment.

And then, Twilight suddenly found herself grabbed up in his claws, facing his anguished expression at close range. "Why, Twilight?" he roared. "Why does the most beautiful, most generous creature in the world have to leave us? You and the other Princesses are immortal! Why couldn't you find some way to share that?"

"Spike..." Twilight said, biting her lip to stop herself from answering. "I never asked to be a Princess," she finally said. "It's something I have to do now. It's my responsibility, to all my subjects."

"Rarity was one of your subjects, Twi! What about her?"

"Spike!" Twilight said, miserably. "If there was anything I could do, I would. It's just... there comes a time for everything. And in the end, all I really can do... is be there for those who need me."

"But, but... why..."

Dragons really aren't made for crying. It just doesn't look right on a creature that large and ferocious. So there was no hiding the pain, the loss, as Spike sobbed uncontrollably.

Twilight reached out a comforting hoof to touch his snout. Suddenly she found herself clutched tight to his chest, powerfully and desperately... yet gently as well. Even in the midst of his suffering, Spike never forgot, never let his strength get away from him.

Twilight laid her head against his chest, even though his moans were all but deafening. She stroked his claw with a hoof. "I know, Spike," she said. "Believe me, I know. It hurts. We'll get through this together, you and I. I'll be here for you. Right to the very last moment."

Spike's sobs halted briefly. "You promise, Twi?"

Twilight nodded. "I promise."

Spike was silent for a while.

"Pinkie promise?" he finally asked.

"Twilight promise," she assured him. "And you know I'm good for it..."

And then, unable to stop herself, Twilight finally lost it as well. They both cried together, Spike because he'd lost the light of his life, his reason for being...

And Twilight... because she knew how long it would be before either of them could see her again.

They tell me it's instantaneous. I'll have to take their word for it.

After all, what choice do I have?

Rarity sat up and looked around in surprise.

She was in a soft, comfortable bed, floating in a vast, light-blue, mist-filled void. Through the swirling mist, distant stars could be seen both above her and -- when she dared glance over the edge of the blanket -- below as well.

Suddenly, she looked down at her hooves, reached up to feel her face, her mane...

"Oh! Of all the times not to have a mirror!"

She could feel it: she was young again. She hadn't felt like this for, well, decades! It was a bit of a shock, when one had gotten used to eyes that didn't focus, knees that gave out, and indigestion that made warm oatmeal the Dish of the Day.

"Hey there, Rarity!"

"Applejack!" Rarity stared at her, amazed. The farm pony had passed on a few years back, the last before Rarity herself. It had been during a heatwave, which unfortunately coincided with the Zap Apple harvest. The elderly mare had pushed herself too far, overworked herself, right to the very end.

And here she was, looking as young and fit as Rarity felt.

Rarity tossed back the covers, hopped out of the bed, and nearly tackled Applejack with a overjoyed hug. The farm pony willingly returned it.

"Nice to see you lookin' fabulous again, Rarity. I recall how much it mattered to ya."

"And I see that you somehow managed to hang onto your hat, A.J.!" Rarity smiled up at it.

"Wayall," Applejack said, nudging the brim with a forehoof, "Just wouldn't be me without it, I s'pose!"

"So... where are we?" Rarity looked around. "Is this... you know, after?"

She felt nervous. And then felt silly for being nervous. After all, what could happen now? Plus there was something about this place: it felt calming, reassuring. Like coming home at the end of a long, hard work day... it felt like anything unpleasant that could happen had already happened, and so long ago that it no longer mattered in the slightest.

"After? That's a... tricky question," Applejack said. "I'll let Twi explain it. She can do a much better job than I can."

"Oh, no!" Rarity put a hoof to her snout in horror. "Is Twilight here? I thought she was immortal! She didn't...? She's not...?"

"Naw, Rarity! She just comes to visit," Applejack said, with a smile. "Kind of a perk of being Princess and all. Though we haven't seen her for a while now. But of course, that's on account of she's waitin' on Spike."

"Spikey?" Rarity gasped. "Why, what's the matter with him?"

"Rarity! Calm down! It just takes a dragon a while longer, is all. They live hundreds of years, from what I understand. And Twi... wayall, she said she wouldn't feel right, comin' here and chattin' with all of us, and then having to go back and face Spike, all 'lone back there."

"Oh... Spikey dear..." Rarity looked heartbroken. "You were worried about leaving me behind! And here I've left you..."

"Now, don't get yourself all worked up, hon." Applejack put a comforting hoof around her shoulders. "This happens to all of us. Twi and Spike'll be along, just as soon as they can. Time works differently here, you see. In the meantime, c'mon and meet the rest of the gang. We've been waitin' on ya! We almost had to draw straws to see who'd come fetch ya, and in the end we decided I'd be the one to break the news, so to speak, since I'm the honest one. But they all want to see you again!"

Applejack led the way along a trail of glowing light, which wound its way through the mist-shrouded space towards no obvious destination that Rarity could see. The fashion pony peered around a little anxiously. "It's... certainly pleasant here," she allowed. "Though a little... uncluttered? Is this what it's going to be like for... well, forever?"

"You mean the stars and mist and stuff? That's just how it looks when there's no one around, tellin' it what to be," Applejack said. "Kind of like the sky, sort of. It's just a backdrop for whatever folks want. Like for instance, where'd you like to meet the ol' gang? Maybe a nice restaurant? Or a picnic on a summer hillside? Or how 'bout one of Pinkie's parties?"

"Pinkie still does parties?" Rarity asked, astounded. "Here?"

"Wouldn't be her if she didn't, bless her!"

"Well then! How about a nice afternoon tea... at Sugarcube Corner? With cupcakes for everyone?"

Applejack smiled, and then called out to the mist around them. "You get all that, Pinkster?"

"You got it, Rarity!" Pinkie's voice called from nowhere.

And without warning they were walking in through the shop's front door. The front seating area was lit with a warm sunny glow, the shop's shelves were well-stocked with deliciously fresh baked goods as always. It didn't look all that different from an ordinary weekday afternoon...

... except when you looked out through the windows and saw the mist-shrouded expanse, stretching away to infinity outside.

The other Element Bearers were waiting at the table by the front window. There was Rainbow Dash, who had been the first to pass, in an accident during her final performance as an active Wonderbolt. Beside her was Fluttershy, who'd passed away comfortably in her bed one lazy afternoon, surrounded by her critters. And of course there was Pinkie Pie... who at the end had gotten a little turned around loading her party cannon, accidentally firing herself into a cinderblock wall -- and then dying of heart failure, laughing herself silly at her own foolishness.

All of them looked just as Rarity remembered: young, energetic, and confidently cheerful, like there was nothing the day could throw at them they couldn't handle.

They all jumped up from the table and rush-hugged her. Applejack willingly joined in as well, once she'd found an open spot to squeeze in.

"Rarity!" Pinkie Pie shouted, practically in her ear. "We missed you! It hasn't been the same without you! Gummy says Hi, by the way!" She glanced up at the alligator clamped onto her mane.

Rainbow snickered. "Hey, Rarity! Finally decided to kick the bucket, huh? I figured Applejack would draw the long straw, but you held on like grim... uh... well, you held on the longest, that's for sure!"

"Oh, Rarity!" Fluttershy said quietly. "You look lovely again! I mean, not that you didn't always... but, well, I mean, um..." She fell silent, blushing.

Rarity gazed around fondly at them all, as the group moved to the table and sat down to the tea that Pinkie had laid out for them. "It's such a relief, seeing you all again. I actually wasn't sure what to expect, if anything. Oh, I wish Spikey was here, just so I could tell him I'm all right now!"

"Speaking of Spike," Rainbow asked, "did the two of you finally tie the knot?" She scratched at her mane in embarrassment. "I, uh... kinda missed that part."

"Well..." It was Rarity's turn to blush. "Spike proposed in the sweetest, most gentlemanly manner possible. How could I turn him down?"

"You two looked right purty together," Applejack said. "Whenever I saw him flying overhead, bringin' you down to the Carousel, or headin' back up again. Lifted my spirits every time, knowin' how much you cared for each other."

"I was a bridesmare," Fluttershy said happily. "And Twilight officiated -- obviously!"

"And I catered everything!" Pinkie said gleefully. "The shower, the bachelor party, the reception, the after-party, the after-after party..."

Rainbow put a silencing hoof to her snout. "We get the picture, Pinkie!"

"Twilight..." Rarity turned somber at the memory. "She was so good to us, Applejack, after you passed on. She was with us right to the end, right up to the moment I..." She put a hoof to her mouth, and looked ready to cry.

Applejack put a comforting forehoof around her shoulders. "Now, that's Twilight for ya, sugarcube! Ain't never been a Princess like her. Nor a friend, neither."

"Ah, excuse me?" asked a regal voice from the doorway. "May I join you?"

"Princess Celestia?" Rarity said, turning. "Why of course --"

Her words dried up, seeing the tall, authoritative lavender alicorn who had stepped into the shop. She was Celestia's height, her ethereal mane and tail billowing behind her in varying shades of lilac, iris, and periwinkle. Her horn was an orchid-hued sword, gleaming with power. She wore a peytral and shoes of purple-worked onyx. (*)

And she smiled at all of them with a familiar mixture of uncertainty and hope. "Rarity?" Twilight asked. "I can come back if you need more time..."

"Twilight?" Rarity replied, staring at her.

"Uh, Twi," Applejack said, waving a hoof, "you're a mite taller than she's used to..."

The alicorn looked down at herself, then winced. "Oh my gosh! How could I forget! One moment..."

Her horn shimmered, she was surrounded by a nimbus of warm magenta power... and then suddenly she was the alicorn Twilight Sparkle that Rarity remembered, standing before them and grinning sheepishly. "I've just gotten so used to it, over the centuries. I keep forgetting!" She started towards the table, then stumbled a little, looking at her hooves. "Woah... it's been a while since the floor was this close!"

Arriving at the table, she smiled hesitantly at Rarity. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I wanted to be here, right when you arrived, but there's always a million things to do back home to be sure everything doesn't fall apart while I'm away. And then I had to explain everything to Spike... and give him time to get over it, and..."

Further speech was cut off by Rarity's forehooves wrapping around her, hugging her tightly. Twilight returned it with a sigh of relief. "Darling," Rarity said, "it's only been a few minutes, but I feel like it's been forever since I saw you last!"

Twilight grimaced. "For me, it has been forever. I'm sure Applejack mentioned that I needed to wait for Spike and..."

"And you were a perfect dear, thinking of all of us like that. Where is Spikey, by the way?" Rarity asked, looking around. "Isn't he with you?"

"Yes, he is." Twilight nodded. "He just wanted me to ask you first... well, how you want to see him? We have a choice of how we look now, you know."

"We do?" Rarity shook her head. "Well! I see I've got a lot to learn about this place! But... thinking about it, that gives me a marvelous idea! Appearance fashion! Now I can not only advise ponies and other creatures on how to dress fashionably, but I can advise them on how to be, fashionably! Yes!" She pumped a hoof excitedly.

"Seriously, Rarity?" Rainbow smirked. "You just never hang up that measuring tape, do ya?"

"Oh. Ah. Well. Sorry, force of habit, I suppose! Now..." She looked Twilight square in the eyes. "I want to see the dragon I married, with all his scars, and flaws and imperfections... and that warm, loving heart he hides inside it all!"

"Well!" Pinkie declared. "That means we're gonna have to take this party out on the patio!"

She waved a hoof ostentatiously. And in the blink of an eye, they were all seated around a table on a grassy area in front of the store. And seated next to the table was a large, looming purple dragon... cringing miserably, and holding a tiny ruby heart amulet in his huge claws.

"Um, hi Rarity!" he boomed nervously. He offered the gem to her. "You gave this to me to hold onto, remember?"

"Spikey..." Rarity breathed, taking it and putting it on. Then she put up her forehooves. And Spike grabbed her up, holding her close. For a long while there were only relieved sobs, and a fair bit of smoke from Spike's huffing breath, which Rainbow thoughtfully wafted away with her wings.

"Now then," Rarity said, when both of them were able to talk again. "Twilight, I hate to call upon you to lecture at a time like this, but well... where are we? And how does it all work?"

"Well, simply put, Rarity, this is the universe. The real universe." Twilight gestured with a hoof to the star-filled, mist-like infinity all around them. "Before us lies the cosmos, on the grandest scale we know. (*) And everyone comes here, eventually... poor or rich, good or bad, young and old alike..."

"Excuse me, Twi, but..." Rarity stared at her. "Everyone?"

"Everyone, Rarity." Twilight said flatly. "That's the thing about the universe. There are no judgments. Everyone lives."

She pointed into the distance, and through the mists Rarity thought she could momentarily make out hurrying, skulking figures here and there: a Changeling Queen; a wraith-like cloud of black smoke with glowering green eyes; a looming, red-armed centaur; a small pink filly with blue hair; a grim-looking grey unicorn wearing a gold medallion; a slovenly, overweight green dragon; a blue, scowling ram...

"This is the hardest thing to accept, I think," Twilight said. "There's no revenge, no payback... and no account to settle for anyone. Of course, it's not gonna be easy for them either..." She waved a hoof, and the skulking forms faded from view. "They haven't learned how to handle it. They're still trapped by their own fears, doubts, and paranoias. It'll take time for them to unlearn all that, learn how to make friends... and then they'll truly be part of all this."

"Twi here, she's working on that." Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder. "Whenever she can spare the time from back home. She's not about to give up on 'em."

"Well..." Rarity looked around at her friends. "So long as we're here together, I don't mind so much. But why..."

"... why do we have to go through the whole born-live-die thing?" Twilight anticipated. "It's important for everyone to pass through mortal existence, Rarity. It's part of growing up. It's like... training wheels, almost. Back there, you have a fixed reality gifted to you. You only have to accept it, and learn how to deal with it. But here, you have to define your own reality... with the help of those around you. Harmony, friendship, science, curiosity and understanding, all the things we were studying and teaching and sharing back there... they're essential to being able to move on to this form of existence!"

"And that means," Rainbow said proudly, "that aside from being Princess of Friendship, and Princess of Equestria, Twilight's now pretty much Princess of the Universe -- because she knows so much about how it works and helps everyone learn how to live here!"

Fluttershy smiled. "We always knew Twilight was destined for greatness. We just didn't realize how great!"

Twilight smiled sheepishly, blushing. "Yeah, well! I do my best. I'm still learning the ropes as much as anyone!"

"And I'm certain you'll do a smashing job," Rarity told her. "You always do. Now, I have a million other questions but they can wait. But there's one that can't. Twilight, dearest, I'm assuming that you knew all this, when you became a Princess. And perhaps even before. So... why..."

"... why didn't I tell you and Spike?" Twilight winced. "I wanted to, Rarity! To reassure you and Spike that it wasn't forever, that you'd see each other again. But as Princess, I'm required not to tell anyone back home what I see here... because it would basically destroy society as we know it! It would destroy the will to live, even for those with the peace of mind to handle the truth. Ponies and other creatures would be rushing to get here, without any of the knowledge, skills, and maturity they need in order to handle it. They'd be dropping out of the very lessons they need, in order to properly move on and be their best here!"

Twilight sighed, her head lowered. "And it's hurt, Rarity! For hundreds of years I've had to keep it to myself, stay focused on my studies, my students, on Equestria, and everything else! That's why it's such a relief, now that you're all here. No more secrets! From now on, we can all be together. The Elements of Harmony, together again... forever and ever..."

"All for one!" Rainbow cheered.

"An' one fer all!" Applejack replied.

"And jam rolls for everypony!" Pinkie crowed. (*)

She pushed a plate in front of Twilight, on which there was a massive, delicious-looking jam roll. Twilight stared at it, in wonder and joy, and then around at all her friends...

... and then her eyes pooled with tears. Her head drooped again, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

Rarity gave Spike's claw the gentle nudge that meant Down, right now!. When he quickly set her on the ground, she pulled Twilight into a warm hug. "Twilight, dearest! What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong, Rarity," Twilight gasped. "This is how I've longed for things to be, for what feels like forever. For all of us to be together. And we have that, now. And I'll visit you all, whenever I have the time. Because I want us to be together..."

Then Twilight looked Rarity right in the eye. The Princess of Friendship, the Princess of the Universe, the ultimate authority on How Things Worked, looked her in the eye seeking... comfort, reassurance?

"Just promise you won't forget about me, while I'm away, all right?"

Rarity looked puzzled. "Why ever would we do that?" she asked. "How could we do that? We will never forget you, Twilight Sparkle!"

Twilight smiled, relieved. And then Pinkie called for a group hug, which took a long while until everyone was satisfied. Including Spike, who simply picked them all up in his claws and held them close, like a multicolored snowball made out of ponies.

And then Twilight had to reluctantly excuse herself and get back to "the real world" as she put it, with hoof-quotes. She transformed herself back into her ethereal-maned, regal form and, with a friendly wave of a hoof, vanished in a shimmering wash of magenta energy.

And the memory of her lingered, long after she was gone.

Every time, I tell myself, this will be the last time. I have to let them move on.

But then, what will be left for me when it's all over?

"Aw, good ol' Twi!" Applejack said, nodding happily. "She's always been a worry-wart. But," she added, her expression turning somber, "no one can say she don't have a reason."

"Why so?" Rarity asked, concerned. "I thought she was just upset that she had to leave us for a while."

"Wayall, the thing is," Applejack took off her hat and scratched at her mane uncomfortably. "She cain't stay, Rarity! It's part and parcel of being an immortal Princess. She can never die... so she can never come here for good. Just visit, once in a while, whenever there ain't a thousand things keeping her busy back home."

"Not ever?" Rarity was shocked.

"Well..." Applejack shrugged. "Not until back there is wrapped up. And who knows how long that's gonna take. Might as well be forever, from her point of view."

"Oh, that's awful!" Rarity said.

"Yeah, it really sucks!" Rainbow groused. "After all she's done for all of us, she doesn't even get to live here!"

"You said it, Rainbow!" Pinkie said, pouting. "She's always been so friendly, and happy, and kind, and generous, and honest, and loyal, and... wait, I did mention happy, didn't I?"

"Ohhhh!" Fluttershy said, "I wish there was something we could do. To show her how much she's meant to all of us."

Rarity looked up at Spike, then around at all of her friends.

"There is," she said.

The others looked at her, surprised... and excitedly curious.

Rarity looked around at the blue, mist-filled void surrounding Sugarcube Corner. "We're going to re-create Ponyville... and Canterlot, and all the other places we've spent time in. Down to the last detail. So that when Twilight comes to visit, she can spend time with us in a place that's familiar to her. With all of us, just as she remembers us."

She looked around at them. "Because she deserves that from us!"

They all nodded.

"I'll get to work on the clouds," Rainbow said. "And the stuff I remember from the air,"

"I'll do the buildings and trees and things," Applejack said.

"I'll make sure there are plenty of friendly critters," Fluttershy said. "Oh, and ponies, too! I'll ask around, see who else might be willing to spend time here, whenever Twilight comes to visit."

"And I'll make sure there's always a party!" Pinkie said, stotting gleefully.

"You always do that," Rainbow told her.

"But it'll always be the best parties I remember!" Pinkie retorted.

"Fair enough," Rainbow agreed.

"And Spikey and I," Rarity said proudly, "will ensure that everything looks simply fabulous... and that Twilight won't have a moment to feel lonely, whenever she's here with us. We'll turn this place into a veritable heaven for her!"

"So let's get started!" Rainbow shouted.

"Yay!" Pinkie cheered.

Most of the ponies discorporated, to get busy on things from the more efficient perspective of pure thaumic existence. But Rarity, Spike and Applejack remained as they were, gazing around as the illusion of Ponyville gradually emerged from the mist around them.

After a while, Rarity sighed.

"We will grow out of this one day, won't we? That's what Twilight was saying. We'll grow up, and move on..."

"Sure," Applejack agreed. "Everypony does. But for now, why rush it? Ain't like we're on a timetable here. And sharin' things with friends, wayall..."

She shoved the brim of her hat, tipping it back on her mane.

"... it's what gives it all meanin', don't it?"

I used to wonder... what friendship could be...
Until you all shared this magic with me...
Do you know you're all my very best friends?