When Time Catches Up
Epilogue
I walked back into my library, it was funny how empty is seemed these days. It was still full of books, it still had all my stuff, and a large amount of Rainbow's, but it still seemed empty. But I guess that's what happens when you haven't been alone for 50 years.
Spike moved to Canterlot some time ago, saying he wanted to go to school there. I was in no place to argue, and he comes and visits me sometimes, so I guess I can't complain. He left a few years after I got married.
51 years... it's hard to believe that I was married for that long. I still remember our first date, our first kiss, our wedding. Every single detail. Thinking about it now always made me cry, I feel my eyes start to water even now, a single tear rolling down my aged, wrinkled face.
Sighing quietly I walk into into the living room and glance over to the fireplace, a lone picture sitting on the mantle above it. It was always my favourite picture; my wedding day. With a flick of my horn I drew it closer, examining it.
I was there, in a beautiful, white wedding dress (designed by Rarity, of course) and beside me sat another mare. She, too, was in a dress designed by Rarity. I lift up a hoof and touch her face in the picture, what I wouldn't give to hug her, just one more time. A few tears fell off my face and onto her rainbow mane. Blurring and distorting the colours.
“I miss you.” I whisper as a few more tears roll down my cheeks. It had been 4 years now. 4 years ago today she died. It was a peaceful death; dying in her sleep while I held her hoof. Peaceful for her, but not for me. I didn't leave the library much after that. Spike came back for 2 months for me, he even became my assistant after that. Cooking me food, cleaning, whatever I needed done. He had grown up so fast.
All my friends were there for me, but I still went through hell. It was terrible not having her around anymore. I came home and called out for her, like I used to, but I am forced to remember she is no longer here. Sometimes I wake up in an icy sweat, reaching out for a mare that no longer sleeps beside me. When that happens I have nothing to do but cry myself back to sleep.
I'm mostly over it now, though sometimes I still dream about her, and I still cry when I remember. My friends are still there for me, as is the Princess, but I still feel alone. She always knew how to make me feel better. She always knew just what I needed, whether that be a shoulder to cry on, somepony to talk to, or sometimes just to have a bit of fun.
Fun. That was always one word to describe her. She was always happy, no matter what life threw at her she took it in stride. I know she wouldn't want me to be unhappy, so I soldier on. Day after day, week after week, year after year.
Wiping the tears from my cheeks I levitate the picture back to it's place on the mantle. 4 years ago she died, and I haven't been myself for 4 years. Glancing quickly at the clock I read the time. It's not late, just a little past 7, but I feel my eyes drooping.
With a heavy heart I climb the stairs to my room. A room that used to contain so many happy memories now only holds pain and sleep. I am less like a pony and more like a machine. I ignore my feelings so I can keep functioning. So I can keep living, just like she would have wanted. I reach the bedroom, it looks the same as it did 20 years ago. A Wonderbolts poster on one wall, a few weights in the corner. I didn't change a thing after she died, it just seemed wrong.
I walk up to my bed and slowly lay down on it. My old joints creaking and popping as I do so. Just one more problem that comes with being 89. Crying silently I lay back, adjusting myself to a comfortable position under the covers. There was no comfortable position without her, but I do what I can.
Like so many nights before I cry myself to sleep, images of her fill my head. I feel sleep slowly take hold, I feel myself slip from consciousness.
In my dream I open my eyes, and I realize I am still in my room, still in my bed, still alone. Sighing I get up from my bed, but I don't move. I can't move, I'm frozen in place. I feel a tingling sensation as I feel myself start to rise up. I feel a slight tugging, something pulling me down, but eventually it stops as I float a little higher.
I start to rotate in the air so I am upright, though I still cannot control myself. Looking around the room I notice a purple unicorn laying in the bed. I recognize her from pictures in mirrors. A strange relaxation washes over me, I know exactly what's happening, it's happened before. If I could move I would be smiling, relief flooding my senses. I know what's going on, and I welcome it.
Slowly, I start to float a little higher, eventually passing through the roof of my house and even further into the sky. I don't resist like I did last time, there is no reason for me to stay anymore. Floating higher I pass above the clouds, the sun almost completely gone behind the mountains. The sky filled with brilliant violets and purples.
I begin to go faster, Ponyville becoming a smaller and smaller dot below me. I finally reach what I've been waiting for; a second cloud layer. High above Equestria. I pass through the clouds again, a bright gold light welcomes me, my eyes sting for a second from the intense light.
A voice echoes around me, “What is your name?”
“Twilight Sparkle.” I answer calmly, not a single doubt in my mind as to what I want.
“Ah, welcome back. I trust you had a full life this time?” He says, recognizing me as I recognize him.
“I did.” I say, not questioning or curious, just a numb acceptance.
“Welcome.” he says, before a bright flash of light blinds me. Suddenly I am in what a appears to be a library. My library. Suddenly, the door cracks open, just a little at first. Slowly, it opens further, revealing a young cyan pegasus, no more then 25 years old.
“Twi?” She asks timidly. I smile as she walks further into the library. She smiles back at me. It's been a long time since the last time I saw that smile. Her smile turns to a grin as she sticks her head back out the door.
A few seconds pass before she pulls her head back in, bringing with it 3 other ponies. Ponies I haven't seen in a long time.
“Mom? Dad? Shining?” I say, disbelief thick in my voice, tears already spilling from my eyes. They all look as if they are only 25 years old, but I recognize them all. They just smile back at me and nod. I gallop over to them and drag them into an embrace. My shoulders shaking as I cry into Rainbow's fur.
“Shh.” Rainbow says, slowly rubbing my back, “It's alright, we're all here, it's okay.” She comforts.
“I love you.” I say quietly, slowly calming down with the aid of the ponies I thought I would never see again.
“I know, Twi, I love you too.” She says calmly, the rest of my family nods in agreement.
“Let's go, there are a few others that want to see you again.” My mother says, backing out of the warm embrace.
“Rainbow can come too, right?” I ask. I know it sounds silly, but I can't stand the thought of leaving her now. Not ever again.
“Of course I can, Twi. I will never leave you again.” She says, her eyes filling with tears.
“Promise.”