//------------------------------// // Goodbye, My Love // Story: Its All So Bittersweet, But That Doesn't Mean It Wasn't Worthwhile // by sourrisk //------------------------------// When she awoke the next day, Twilight ignored the pang in her heart and cleaned her room using her magic. She left her room with a straight face and a slight frown. She would do what she needed to. She was the princess, after all. “You’re majesty!” A cleaning pony exclaimed, “I went to clean your throne room and- and your throne-” “I’m aware.” Twilight interrupted, “No need to fret, I’ll fix it.” The cleaning pony tilted his head confusedly, “Um, okay.” “I want nopony to clean my throne room or personal chambers anymore. Tell the other service ponies that.” Twilight said, still monotone. The cleaning pony nodded, “Yes your majesty.” He said, bowing. He rose and walked away. Twilight huffed, walking through the hallway once more. She passed Pinkie-Pie’s door, then paused. Everypony else had left the castle one by one over the years since they were beginning to start families and have careers, all except for Pinkie-Pie. Twilight turned, knocking on the door. No answer. A swirling, nervous feeling set deep inside Twilight’s chest, so she opened the door. “It’s rude to come in without being given permission.” Huffed Pinkie-Pie, who shoved a jester hat into a suitcase. Twilight looked around the room. It was almost empty, almost everything is put in a box or bag. “You’re leaving?” Twilight asked, standing in the doorway. Pinkie-Pie sighed, “Yes. I need to leave and go do my own thing like everypony else. It’s not like I’m wanted here anyway.” Twilight stepped into the room but kept her distance from the other pony. “Pinkie-Pie, I didn’t break up with you for us to hate each other. I still do love you, and I want you to be happy and do great things.” Twilight paused, looking at Pinkie-Pie who finally turned around, “I have so many responsibilities; if we stayed together I would only continue to hurt you. I know how sad you get when I would be too busy to do something or go to bed with you. It’s for the best, for both of us.” Pinkie-Pie looked down, “I know, I’m sorry for yesterday. It just hurts.” Twilight wiped her eyes before she could start crying, “Please don’t apologize. It does hurt.” Twilight walked next to Pinkie-Pie, sitting next to her. Pinkie-Pie didn’t move. “You’ll at least write to me every once and a while like the others, right?” She asked. Pinkie-Pie nodded, “Of course.” Twilight smiled slightly, “That’s good.” She looked around the room, “If you’d like, I’ll help you pack.” Pinkie-Pie smiled, “Okay.” So Twilight helped Pinkie-Pie, ignoring the golf ball in her throat and the sinking feeling in her stomach. “If you don’t mind me asking, where are you moving to?” Asked Twilight as she rolled up a poster and put it in a tube. Twilight had the ability to pack the entire room with a flash of her horn, but she didn’t. If she did it would be over and Pinkie would leave. She was sure Pinkie-Pie knew this too. “I’m going to be staying with Maude for a bit in Appleoosa.” Replied Pinkie-Pie, zipping up her suitcase, “She and her roommate have a huge house to themselves and have wanted me to come and stay with them for a while. I’ve just been… avoiding it.” “I see.” Responded Twilight. No matter how slow they moved with Pinkies hooves and Twilight using a minimal amount of magic, everything was eventually packed. Twilight used her magic so that Pinkie-Pie didn’t have to carry anything. Twilight carried everything, all the way to the train station. It was strange to know that Pinkie-Pie already had a place to be, a place to go. But she stayed, for Twilight, who was busy most of the time. Twilight set all of Pinkie-Pie’s luggage on the luggage train. She walked back over to Pinkie-Pie, who was sitting on the bench at the train station. She sat next to her, not on the bench for she was too big. “I hope you enjoy yourself.” Said Twilight, looking over at Pinkie-Pie. Pinkie-Pie smiled, “I’ll be fine. Don’t overwork yourself, okay?” “Okay.” Responded Twilight. They sat for an unknown amount of time before the train arrived. Pinkie-Pie stood, as well as Twilight. Twilight ignored all the staring ponies who questioned why she was at the train station, she only looked at Pinkie-Pie. “Well, I guess this is goodbye, for now.” Said Pinkie-Pie solemnly. “Um-” Twilight fought herself for words, struggling to articulate exactly what she meant, “Yeah.” “Yeah.” Pinkie-Pie turned, starting to walk away. Twilight panicked, “Wait!” She pulled Pinkie-Pie back over to her and gripped her in a hug. To her surprise, Pinkie-Pie returned the hug, burying her face in Twilight’s chest. “I hope someday you find somepony who loves you as much as I do.” Whispered Twilight. A few tears fell from Pinkie-Pie’s face, “Oh, Twilight…” She mumbled sadly. Twilight let the other go from her grip, looking down at her, “I love you. Good luck to you and your travels.” Pinkie-Pie laughed, “I- I love you too. Goodbye, Twilight Sparkle.” And then she was on the train, gone. And Twilight was alone once more.