//------------------------------// // The Light At The Shore // Story: Sparkle // by Quill of Filth //------------------------------// Twilight exited the giant threshold into the daylight, her horn alight. She sauntered down the stone path, examining the vast garden in front of her, looking for a spot for the table. Her hooves soon met dirt as she passed hedges with elaborate fencing and bouquets of flowers and beautiful trees. Eventually she reached a clearing, with the beauty of the garden surrounding her, and a glimpse of stone statues and a familiar hedge labyrinth ahead of her past a few dozen trees.  With a creaking thud, in the clearing now sat a slim rectangular table, with a firm and thick wooden base. Her horn still channeling magic, a white mat was rolled over it with gold embellishments and highlights at its edges. Seven plates were placed on the table, seven sets of three pieces of embellished silverware were placed adjacent to each of them along with seven glasses. Satisfied with the symmetry, she magically pulled a cart forward full of various goods. She levitated a giant pitcher of water and a large bowl of fruits with more than a dozen apples surrounding the mound's circumference at its base. She put a few bowls of various vegetables on either side of the fruit bowl, with a few sweets as well. More sweets than usual. She finished it all off with chairs with mauve cushions.  She pulled one out near the center at one side and sat down, waiting for her friends' arrivals. Time ticked by as Twilight stared at nothing. Eventually, part of her wondered if they'd show up at all. "So how's it hangin'," a raspy but still somewhat young feminine voice called. Looking over, she saw a familiar cyan pegasus with her signature semi unkempt prismatic mane and cerise eyes. Rainbow Dash floated over before sitting beside her. "Sheesh, you look tired," Rainbow noted. "Yeah," Twilight replied. "Wow," a soft hush voice said, "you picked a really good spot, Twilight." A butter colored pegasus with a long curled grayish rose mane and cyan eyes floated over. "Hey, Flutters," Rainbow greeted. "Hey, don't forget about me!" A borderline shrill but cheerful feminine voice chirped. Bouncing forward past Fluttershy was a grayish raspberry earth pony with a brilliant raspberry poofy mane and light cerulean eyes. Pinkie Pie gasped upon seeing the table. "Wow, that's a lot of food!" She pulled a chair out and sat down. "Woah, these cushions are comfy," Pinkie proclaimed giving comfy an extra syllable as she bounced up and down. Suddenly, a starry flash appeared at the table, revealing a certain draconequus. "Why hello, everypony. Or would it be everycreature now? Whatever," he dismissed clawing the air. "Oh, boy," Rainbow droned. "Anywho," Discord muttered before resuming his pretentious cadence, "may I offer you a paw and claws?" He asked, pulling a seat out. Fluttershy gave him a nervous smile and almost blushed but obliged, taking the seat. Discord pushed it forward before sitting in a chair beside her with his hands clasped together on the table. Twilight's ears flicked as she heard more commotion approaching. Sauntering forward was a white unicorn mare wearing a large tan hat partially concealing her stylish curled indigo mane and who also wore a pair of sunglasses covering her would be azure eyes. But alongside her was Spike who appeared to be talking with her with his hand on the back of his head. "So are we waiting for the others before we eat or?" Pinkie asked. "According to proper eating etiquette," Discord stated, "I'm in favor of waiting for our fellow companions." "That's surprising coming from you," Rainbow noted to Discord. "So yes?" Pinkie asked. Rarity eventually arrived at the table laughing at something Spike said before taking a seat. "Twilight, darling! It's so great to see you," Rarity gushed, opening her forelegs for a hug. Twilight obliged and wrapped a foreleg around her. When Rarity pulled away, her visage dawned one of concern. "My, did you not sleep well? It looks like you have the world on your withers. Whatever has happened must've been absolutely dreadful." "I'll tell you after we eat," Twilight replied. "Sorry I'm late, y'all. Big Mac had trouble gettin' up today and there was minor flooding at the orchard."  Approaching was a gamboge earth pony mare with emerald eyes wearing a brown stetson over her blonde mane. "Wasn't me," Discord replied. "Besides, you all know I prefer ice skating over water skiing. "Oh, boy," Applejack mumbled. "That's what I said," Rainbow added. "Was it because of the beavers?" Fluttershy inquired. Applejack took a seat next to Pinkie. "These chairs are mighty comfortable." "That's what I said!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Without that country twang," Pinkie added, emphasizing twang. Applejack gave her playful smirk, before gazing past her at Fluttershy. "Uh, we never found out what caused it. Ah reckon it coulda been the mornin' rain. You can come over and check if you want." "The weather team probably left the clouds out for a little too long," Rainbow noted. "You could stop by and let me know if it doesn't clear up tomorrow," Fluttershy replied. Twilight's frown deepened ever so slightly. "Can we dish up now?" Pinkie asked. "We're all present so I don't see why not," Rarity replied. Pinkie pounced, beginning to take slices of a wide range of desserts. "Darling, don't you want a little more healthy things in your diet?" Rarity asked, placing a few vegetables on her plate and some hay. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," Applejack added. In response, Pinkie grabbed an apple and placed it beside her plate. "I still don't know how you're slim, Pinkie," Rainbow said. "Exercise silly," Pinkie replied. Rainbow rolled her eyes. After dishing up, everyone began eating. Except for Twilight. "I wish there were some ruby cupcakes," Spike noted, his sharp teeth piercing into an apple. Discord raised his talons, his middle finger and thumb pressed together. "Found some!" Pinkie called. Out of nowhere, Pinkie pulled a small tray of cupcakes with various gem pieces sprinkled over the frosting. Twilight felt a nudge from her right side. "Why don't you have a plate?" Rainbow asked, still chewing. "I'm not really hungry." "Um, Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked. "Could you pass me a slice of banana bread?" Before Rainbow could reach the plate, a slice of banana bread levitated into the air. Discord directed it with his paw, floating it onto Fluttershy's plate with a snaggletooth smirk. Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Also, Rainbow," Rarity started, "would you mind trying these on?" Rainbow noticed Rarity's shades floating in an azure aura. "Uh, sure?" The shades were gently placed onto her face. "These feel lame," Rainbow responded after a few seconds. Applejack chuckled. "Yes, I tend to agree," Rarity said, " they don't really fit on you." "Can I try?" Spike asked. Smiling, Rarity magically pulled the shades off Rainbow's face and placed them on Spike's. Pinkie began to chortle, with Fluttershy hiding her muzzle behind her hoof. "That bad?" Spike asked. "I actually quite like how they look," Rarity replied. "Is the cake any good, Pinkie?" Rainbow asked. Pinkie swallowed, "It's nothin' to go home and rave about," she dismissed waving a hoof, with a sly smile. "But I think you should try some of the lemon cake!" An empty plate was placed in front of Twilight. "My apologies for the plate not being pristine," Rarity said, her voice a hush. Twilight stared at the plate and particularly at the star shaped symbol at its center closely resembling her Cutie Mark. "So Twi," Applejack began. "Are ya ready to tell us what happened? You look tired and you've been mighty quiet through the whole dinner." Twilight glanced at Discord, his eyes repeating what he said last night. "You don't have to tell us right away, we don't want to make you uncomfortable," Fluttershy said, her soft and soothing voice unable to soothe the misery within Twilight. "Um, well…" "Come on, Twilight," Rainbow encouraged "we've always got your back." Twilight sighed and hung her head. "Starswirl passed yesterday." "Good heavens, that's simply awful," Rarity replied. Applejack took her hat off and placed it over her chest while Fluttershy stared at the table. "That sucks," Rainbow replied simply, also staring blankly at the table. A heavy silence hung over the table, each second adding weight, as everyone wilted from diminishing spirit. "That's quite the downer," Pinkie said. "I know it's easier said than done, but we should move forward and live the best life we can while we still have time. I'm not saying we shouldn't be sad but we should smile and celebrate the fact he was here. Even despite everything that's happened. Like us. It can get really, really, dark but if you wait, and see, that's when the light shows itself. And I'm sure he's in a good place. So let's make some of those sad tears into happy tears." "Well said, Pinkie," Applejack said. "Starswirl was a hero and went through a lot. And we've been through quite a lot too, and we're stronger for it." "Mhm," Fluttershy nodded. "Our journey has been quite profound hasn't it?" Rarity said. "Borderline divine." "Yeah!" Rainbow exclaimed. "And I'd be willing to die for you guys just to keep it going." The smile that graced Twilight's lips was the catalyst for a thought that provided an answer to her past resentment.  Despite the hardships she endured, she lived because she loved her friends, loved the times she had, the joy she felt. She valued all the experiences. If she could, she would do it all again. Something surfaced from the depths and dreary undertow of her mind, a profound thought that felt different and exotic from the rest. So much so it caused other thoughts to cease. The idea was grim but it offered a chance. "Geez. I wish I was as inspiring as you guys," Spike said. "Discord can I talk with you for a minute?" Discord glanced at Twilight, seeing she had stood up and nodded for him to approach. "Excuse me ladies and gentledrakes, important business to attend to." Discord walked beside Twilight, speaking low enough for her to hear. "Quite eloquent and elegant speeches," he noted.  Twilight said nothing and continued ambling on the grass further into the garden. "So where are we headed?" Twilight stopped under a tree, pivoting to face him. "Don't make me regret telling you." Discord raised a brow. "I thought of something at the table. What if we used magic to go into space, and created a barrier to block the beam to lessen the blow against the atmosphere?" "The amount of magical energy required would be preposterous, and if we somehow succeeded, there would be no way we would have enough energy to make it back." "I know." Discord was silent, his gaze falling to the grass. After what felt like a minute, he turned around, his red tail creating a breeze of wind before he began back toward the table. Twilight watched with a frown as she was left alone under the tree. Eventually she sighed, making her way back toward the table. Once she had arrived, she noticed two seats were vacant. "What did you two talk about?" Rarity inquired. "Royal matters," Twilight replied, taking a seat. "Pinkie, could you pass me a slice of lemon cake." Twilight entered her chamber, sauntering to her desk before taking a seat. She pulled out two scrolls one for her friends the other for Equestria. She began with the scroll to Equestria, the quill elegantly flowing across the page.  She started with an apology for the circumstances of her absence. She labeled the forms and changes in power and new wielders of certain responsibilities that should be maintained or shifted before delving into a backup plan if all else fails, ending in the construction of a relic of requiem. Finishing the long scroll she signed the end. She then began on the final scroll. She started with condolences, and an explanation for her disappearance and an attempt to soothe any anger or misery. She moved on to thanking each and every one of them, pouring her soul into the quill that left the ink. Until she finally reached the end of the paper. Her eyes traveled to the clock, noticing it was the time. The amulet floated beside her as she entered the balcony. The sun slowly descended toward the horizon, the light fading to reveal a purple starry sky. She floated the amulet back toward her chamber before flapping her wings. She sprung from the ground, flying up into the sky. The air eventually started to thin, causing her to alight her horn, encapsulating herself in magic. With a final flap, she pushed into zero gravity.  She could feel the oppression of the cold trying to smother her magical barrier. She floated forward into space, leaving the planet further away. But once she had gone for around a minute, she stopped.  Her horn still channeling magic, a bright white ball formed at the end of her horn before a purple curved barrier formed in front of her that slowly started to expand. Once she started to strain, she stopped, examining how large it was. It was roughly half the size she wanted it to be.  Hope was flickering inside of her until she noticed another strange unstable magical barrier forming beside her. Looking over, she saw Discord with both hands in front of him, his brows furrowed. She felt a smile tug at the corners of her muzzle. But eventually she looked away and into the vacuum of space, before bowing her head and closing her eyes, waiting for the end, with and for everlasting love… A powerful blast of energy collided with the barrier, its energy dispersing away and around it. But after a few moments, the barrier began to crack, before shattering.