It had been years since Twilight had seen her friends. She would frequently visit their burial grounds, but it was never the same. She missed them, more than she could ever have imagined. It was worse than when she had first left Canterlot. She hadn’t known what true friendship was. But now… she had lost every one of her friends.
Her first friend Pinkie Pie, with her joy and laughter. And of course there was Rarity, with her beauty and generosity, Rainbow Dash with her speed and loyalty, Applejack with her strength and honesty, and Fluttershy with her shyness and kindness.
Beyond her closest friends, there were the ones she grew to love despite their rocky starts like Trixie, Starlight, and Discord. And even worse, there was her family. Her parents were never the closest especially as she grew older… but her BBFF Shining Armor, he was the one who truly meant the world to her. The one that hurt the most though, was her most loyal of friends, and the one she really grew up with from start to finish, Spike.
Twilight wandered out to the garden where there was a big bright statue of her dearest mentor, Princess Celestia. She rested her hoof on the stand and looked down. “I wish I could have your guidance again,” Twilight blinked as tears fell.
She looked up to the stars. A constellation of Celestia, Luna, and Cadance were prominent in the sky. They had retired their powers too.
Twilight so badly wanted to join them, but she knew she couldn’t abandon Equestria. Not without being certain that it wouldn’t fall into disharmony. While she could easily have passed her power down to Luster Dawn, she would never wish her grief onto somepony else. Not even if it meant preserving the hierarchy.
Twilight sat down as she stared into the crystal pool. “Twilight?”
Twilight froze as she looked into the reflection of the pool. It was Sunset… “I’m sorry… did I wake you?”
“I was already awake,” Sunset said, her wings moving to wrap around Twilight. “I see you’re in the garden again.”
Twilight nodded. Sunset was the only friend she had left. After Sunset’s own friends had passed on, Sunset had moved back to the pony world as a fully ascended alicorn. The fact they had come so far, grown so much. “I miss them,” Twilight said as tears fell from her eyes. “I knew Celestia wouldn’t live forever… but…”
Sunset embraced Twilight, allowing her to rest her head on her shoulder. “I know how you feel. When Twilight… I mean when the other you… passed… I… I felt so helpless. We had grown in love, and then… and then she was gone. I couldn’t save her.”
“Oh Sunset… I didn’t even think… you never talk about her…” Twilight said as she looked up and into Sunset’s watery eyes.
“It’s okay,” Sunset said. “Because everytime I think of her, I remember that I still have you. The only way we can make it through these times is… together.”
Twilight nodded as she kissed Sunset. “I know… it’s just… hard. I wish I could… I wish I could move on, but how can I abandon Equestria?”
Sunset smiled sadly. “That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking too, and I think I’ve finally found the answer. But let’s deal with it tomorrow. You need sleep.”
Twilight smiled. “Thank you. For everything.”
Sunset smiled back and turned around ready to head back inside. “Hey, Sunset…” Twilight said, causing Sunset to turn back.
“Yeah?” Sunset asked.
“Do you ever think about how we started? I mean how we met?” Twilight said as she kicked her feet looking a bit nervous.
Sunset nodded. “Everyday. Now, come on.”
Together they walked back inside, the two of them in silence as they climbed back into their beds and snuggled with each other.
“I love you, Sunny,” Twilight said.
“I love you too, Sparkles,” Sunset said as she shut her eyes.