I had been waiting for years to hear the outcome of this trial. Long, long years that played with my mind incessantly. Spike was a good friend of mine in my college days, and had been almost like a son to me during my brief time in Ponyville. I had since returned to Canterlot, continuing my studies with the Princess far from the judgmental eyes of my friends. I don't think that they truly blamed me for Spike's actions, but we couldn't really talk about anything but poor Fluttershy and her unfortunate end. Plus, I couldn't face the rest of the town after everything. After all, I had brought Spike to Ponyville, introduced him to everypony, gave him my seal of approval...
"Twilight? Is that you?"
I jumped at the sudden interruption of my deep thought process. I had thought I was alone in the cemetery save for a few young fillies bringing flowers for their grandponies.
"Hello, Pinkie Pie. It's been a long time," I sighed quietly as my long-time friend bounced up to the bench I had been sitting on.
"Yeah, Twilight! It seems like nopony wants to come to my parties anymore. I don't get it... Everypony used to love my parties!" The dejected look on her face broke my heart.
"I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I don't think anypony really feels in the mood to have a party anymore. Not since Fluttershy," I paused, searching for the correct turn of phrase, "well, since she passed away."
Pinkie Pie's cotton candy mane deflated slightly at the news that nopony liked parties anymore.
"You don't like parties anymore, Twilight? Not even ones with cake, and ice cream, and balloons, and-"
"No, Pinkie," I cut off what was sure to be a very long list, "I don't like parties anymore."
"Okie dokie, Loki. Then I guess you don't want an invitation to the party I'm having at Sugarcube Corner... I got the Cakes' to make their special triple-berry spice cupcakes, and I even got Dashie to say she'd go!"
"No, Pinkie. I don't- Wait, did you say that you got Rainbow Dash to agree to go?" I asked in disbelief, and my shock only grew as the fluffy, pink mane of my old friend bounced vigorously in affirmation.
"Yup! I had to buzz Cloudsdale about a bajillion times before Soarin would agree to pass on the message, and even then, Spitfire delivered the answer. It may not have been directly from Dashie, but it was still a yes, though," The incessant bouncing grew more pronounced.
"Fine. I'll go to your party, Pinkie," I sighed as Pinkie's eyes widened.
"YAY! Thank you so much, Twilight! You'll have so much fun you'll never have a frowny face again! Just wait until I tell everypony! YAY!" Pinkie threw her hooves around my neck and nearly choked me in her squeezing hug as she bounced out of control.
I cought myself chuckling quietly as I watched my overzealous friend bounce away, happier than I'd seen anypony in a long, long time. I truly admired her strength for being so joyful over something so small, even though her best friend was gone. I had to wonder what the hay I had gotten myself into by agreeing to go to this shindig of hers, and I hoped I would not come to regret this decision. It was at this time, the first time in a long time that I felt the need to consult the Princess on matters not strictly concerning my studies.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I don't know what to do. Pinkie Pie has invited me to a party that might bring my friends together. We haven't been a group since Fluttershy's memorial service. Am I supposed to forget about Spike and the whole debacle that followed his actions? I don't want to go to the party and be upset all over again, but I made a promise to my friend. What should I do?
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle"
I poofed the scroll onto the Princess' desk and rose stiffly from the bench in front of Fluttershy's grave marker. I wished so badly I could go back to that fateful day and change it all, but I knew how much one simple change could set the whole of Equestria out of harmony. With a final, heavy sigh I levitated the bouquet of pink and yellow roses on to the grave of my fallen friend and slowly trotted away.