Opaline stands alone atop the mountain her castle is built into. The normally spectacular view is muddied by the overcast sky. There is a sort of glowing quality to her horn and wings that hasn't been there for hundreds of years, obviously caused by the return of some of her magic. She should be overjoyed. In fact, for a time, she was. Today, however, the expression on her face is enough for anyone who might see her to know that she is not okay.
The sound of thunder in the sky interrupts the silence, but Opaline doesn't react. She hangs her head low, her body in a slumped position and her eyes shut tight. She looks to be experiencing great sorrow, but no tears fall from her eyes. Opaline Arcana does not cry.
In front of her, a semi-circular stone has been planted into the ground. A bit of moss has collected around the edges and back of the stone, indicating that it has been there for quite some time. However, the front of the stone remains immaculate. On said front, a few words have been neatly carved about half an inch deep into the stone.
"...I'm sorry, my little human." Opaline never opens her eyes. When she speaks, her words are quiet and shaky. "I lost Misty to those... cretins. Plus, she..." Opaline winces before finishing her thought. "She destroyed the Dark Eye Necklace that you worked so hard to get for me." Opaline places her forehead on top of the stone, her dark expression never changing as she lets out an empty chuckle. "Heh. I suppose it at least served its purpose, huh?"
Opaline feels a cold drop of water hit the back of her neck. She never lifts her head off of the stone as the windy evening air becomes filled with a light drizzle, then a heavy downpour. The result is a sight that has only ever been seen by one other creature: Her mane is down, the curls completely straight. When not done up as it typically is, her white-and-opal-colored mane nearly droops all the way to the floor, especially when weighed down by rainwater as it is now. Her makeup runs down her face, but she pays it no mind.
"I am alone once more. But, then again..." Opaline stops for a moment. "It's never been the same since you left. I can't help but wonder if taking in Misty was a mistake. There was no way she could ever live up to the standards you set."
A flash of lightning briefly illuminates the mountain, but Opaline doesn't even flinch.
"But apparently it wasn't enough for me to lose my only servant to that accursed Sunny. Now, all of Equestria knows who I am. It won't do them any good, of course, now that my magic is finally returning to me, but... things are no longer going according to plan."
Several minutes pass as Opaline sits next to the stone, the somber moment only interrupted by the occasional boom of thunder or flash of lightning. Eventually, she lifts her head off of the stone, choosing instead to crane her neck backwards and face the sky despite still not opening her eyes.
"I blame you for this, Anon. In my prime, I never would have had to bear the burden of these terrible feelings! Why must I face regret?! Why must I be doubting myself NOW?!"
Finally, she lowers her head and opens her eyes to look at the stone. She doesn't even notice that the storm above her has passed, but in spite of the rain no longer hitting her, hot liquid is still streaking down her cheeks. Her voice is filled with both immense fury and absolute sorrow.
"WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?!"
Her voice echoes across the mountain and in the valley below. With the storm having moved on, the night is still and silent. Opaline, unsure of what to do, lowers her head and closes her eyes once more. There, on top of that mountain, in the same spot where Anon reaffirmed his loyalty to her many, many years ago, Opaline cries for the first time in her life.
Anon was many things. He was brave, he was foolish, he was strong, and most of all, he was loyal. He did all that he could to help his queen, Opaline Arcana, until the day he died. Although history would forget him, his will would forever live on in the heart of one mare. And, unbeknownst to him, his actions would directly lead to the return of peace and prosperity in Equestria.
Today, however, he is mourned by Opaline Arcana, the mare he loved with all of his heart.