//------------------------------//
// Letters of the Past (Prologue) 
// Story: Love's Light: Is it possible to love again? 
// by Phoenix Skyfire 
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Prologue: Letters of the Past
        The past few years had been hard on Celestia. Eighty-six years ago her faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, had fulfilled her destiny and had became an alicorn. She was so proud of her student at the time, even when Twilight asked to remain in Ponyville with her friends. So much had happened in that time, and everything made her even more proud of her student.

        Celestia was sitting in her study looking at Twilight’s old friendship reports, remembering the old days. Over on her bookshelf was a stack of letters that Twilight had sent, to tell her old teacher about what was happening, after she had become an alicorn. Using her magic, Celestia brought over the stack of letters to look at them. Opening the top letter on the stack, she noticed this letter was from eighty years ago.

Dear Celestia,

        After two years of being an alicorn, Celestia had finally convinced Twilight to stop addressing her as princess, and use her name instead.

        I’m writing you today to tell you something ********. I’ve found somepony to call my ******* somepony. Me and her get along so well together, and you won't believe who it is. It’s *******. I’m so happy when me and her *** together. I can’t wait to spend **** time with her. 
                Your friend,
                        Twilight.

        After all these years, some of the words were illegible, but Celestia still understood them. This letter itself had worried her when she had first read it. She had warned Twilight that she was immortal now and to be careful, some pains are greater when one lived for so long, such as loss.

        Rolling the letter up and putting it back, Celestia grabbed the next one. Opening it up, she noticed it was from seventy seven years ago.

Dear Celestia,
        I remember you warning me about the p**ns of being im**rtal. You warned me again when I started dating ********. You’ve always been there to look out for ** and no matter what happens, you’ll always be like a ****er to me.  

These past **ree years have been the greatest I’ve ever ***. Even with all these **ea* times I’ve had, I’ve always worried **out what you told me. So with a strong heart I’m writing this letter to you, to in**rm you that last night, I proposed to ********. I understand if you have the **** to remind me again, about the pain I might go through, but the love I feel right now. I can’t just ignore it.

                With Love, your friend,
                        Twilight.

        Reading this letter brought a tear to Celestia’s eyes. After this letter, Twilight was happier than she had ever been in her life. Rolling the letter up, she placed it back in the stack and pulled out the next one. It was from thirty-seven years ago, most of the letter was faded but it was still legible.
Dear Celestia,

        It’s been hard to keep a smile on my face the last four days. Pinkie has tried everything she could think of, and I still can’t smile. The only time I’ve been able to smile, even the slightest, bit has been in the presence of my wife. 

        Four days ago I lost two of the most important ponies in my life. My parents are gone. My father caught a virus. My mother didn’t know at the time, but it was contagious and she caught it herself trying to make my father better. While normally this virus wouldn’t end a pony’s life, because of my parent’s age it did more damage than normal.

They were always there for me, always thinking about my happiness. If it hadn’t been for them thinking about me and signing me up to enter your school, I would have never met you that day in pony, or become your student. Even when I told them I was dating another mare they supported me.

        I don’t think I’ve ever told you this, but the engagement necklace I gave to my wife... It was actually my mother’s, that father gave to her when they had gotten engaged. 

She gave it to me saying, “I love you, Twilight, and if your marefriend is the one who makes you happy, then I want you to give her this. Show her how much you love her, my little filly. I’ll always stand by you and so will your father.”
Hearing her say those words to me made me so happy. I loved her so much.

My father was always so kind and gentle to me. He was the one who gave me my Smarty Pants doll. I still have it, even to this day as well. I’ll never get rid of it, seeing how he hoof made it himself for my third birthday.

I’ll miss them both so much, and will always love them.

                        Your friend,
                                Twilight.

        Reading this letter again was hard on Celestia. It was this letter that started it all.

Putting the letter back in the pile she pulled another out, it was from twenty years ago, faded slightly from age but still legible. 

Dear Celestia,

        As you may know, I’ve been in the Crystal City for the past week with Cadance to help her through my brothers death. I’ve been taking it hard myself, but she got hit worse. Seeing her like this has got me thinking about my wife.

        I’m scared Celestia, more than I’ve ever been. I’ve always worried about what will happen when she passes on, but with this. I’m worried even more. Never in my life have I seen or even heard about Cadance crying. This last week though, she’s been crying her eyes out. What will happen to me?

        I’m worried, but I won’t leave my wife. I was the one who asked her hoof in marriage. I won’t back out just cause I’m scared. I love her, and if I have to go through some pain, well then, I’ll live with it.

                Your friend,
                        Twilight.

        This letter had given Celestia a smile when she had first read it, since her former student would never back down, even when scared. Now, when facing the thing that scared her most, she still didn’t back down. She would see her marriage to the end. Placing the letter back in the pile, she grabbed another one. This one was from fourteen years ago.

Dear Celestia,

        I hope you will forgive me for not writing sooner. This last week was hard. Six years ago I lost my big brother, and then a week ago Rainbow passed on from an illness that she’s had her whole life. She told us she never told anypony because she didn’t want her friends to worry.

 I tried everything I could think of to try and help her, to save her life, but no matter what I did I couldn’t do anything except ease her pain slightly. I felt so helpless as I looked over Rainbow in the hospital. 

        Throughout her Wonder Bolt career she was always so strong. She wouldn’t stop for anything until her stunts were perfect. The only thing that could stop her was when her friends needed help. Rainbow was always loyal, thinking about her friends. Her last wish was for all us girls not to cry, to stand strong. And we did just that, for her. The last thing she will remember is all of us girls smiling.

        Your friend,
                Twilight.

        Reading this letter made Celestia remember when Spitfire, former captain of the Wonderbolts, had made the announcement that she was retiring and giving rein of the Wonderbolts to Rainbow Dash. Spitfire said that she saw the potential in Rainbow to make a great leader, thanks to her loyalty to her friends, to risking her own life to save the ones she cared about.

        Using her magic, Celestia poured herself some tea, as she returned the letter to the pile and grabbed another. Opening it she saw it was from twelve years ago.

Dear Celestia,

It’s hard for me to keep a smile on my face. Pinkie Pie passed away last night.  She always managed to keep a smile on our faces, even on the hardest moments like when Rainbow Dash died. Pinkie got a mortal disease when she decided to go to a poor town to try and make them smile and bring them food, but she caught a virus that ended her life two days later. Despite all my efforts, I couldn’t save her. 

But she didn’t want anypony else but her closest friends and the Cakes to know about that, she decided to leave like she lived, with a party. She organized one last party and invited all the ponies she knew. When the party was over, she asked us to stay with her in her room. She asked us to always remember the time we had together. A few minutes later she joined my brother and Rainbow Dash.


I know what you are thinking Celestia, it is soon going to happen, my wife may follow them next, but I don’t regret my decision, I’ll remain with her until the day she passes on. I will be there to hold her hoof until the day she passes on. I’m not going to abandon her.

Your friend,
        Twilight.

Upon reading this letter Celestia remembered when she had asked Pinkie, to throw a surprise party for Twilight’s birthday one year. She had invited all of Twilight’s family, her wife, mother, father, brother, Cadance, and all of her friends including Luna, to give her a grand surprise. Twilight had commented that it was the best party of her life, because everyone close to her heart was there. 

Smiling to herself at the memory, she rolled the letter up and put it back grabbing the next one. Opening it she noticed it was from ten years ago. 

Dear Celestia,

        Two days ago one of Equestria’s most successful fashion designers passed away. Rarity was on her way to Canterlot by carriage. Along the mountain side, a rockslide forced her carriage off the side. She was still alive after the accident, but was rushed to Canterlot for medical treatment. When I heard about what happened, I teleported straight to the hospital to see her. 

When I reached the hospital I was allowed in to see Rarity. I noticed that her horn was gone, it must have been destroyed during the accident . The spot on her forehead where her horn used to be was bleeding. I did what I could using my magic, but was unable to do much. While I’m sure my wife would’ve wanted to see her as well she was out of town at the time visiting her parents’ grave. While I sat there at Rarity's bedside I started crying. Me and Rarity had always been close friends, and watching her pass on was horrible.

After she had drawn her last breath I returned home and continued to cry till my wife returned. I ran to her and wept into her shoulder and told her what had happened while she was gone. She held me close while I grieved. I know it’ll come soon. When I’ll lose her to the ever flowing sands of time. When fate will pull us apart. I won’t say I’m not scared because in reality, I’m more scared now than I've ever been. 

        Your friend,
                Twilight.

Looking in the corner of the room, she eyed an elegant dress on a ponyquin. As Celestia looked at the dress she remembered when Rarity had asked her to let her make a dress. At first Celestia was reluctant, but gave in and let Rarity make her a gown. The gown Rarity had made for Celestia was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She had thanked Rarity and had even worn the gown to the Grand Galloping Gala that year. 

Turning away from the ponyquin, Celestia returned the letter back to the stack and grabbed the next one. Opening it she remembered it was from nine years ago.

Dear Celestia,

        Two nights ago Applejack left us. She did not pass away from illness or injury. She passed away in her sleep from her long life of hard work. While I’m glad she wasn’t in pain in her last moments, I'm saddened by the fact that I didn’t get to say goodbye to her. Whenever I needed an honest answer to anything, I would go to her. If she wouldn’t have given me the courage to propose that day sixty-eight years ago, I would’ve never married. I owe her a great deal. Without her help, I would’ve never known love like I do. 

        After Applejack’s death I’ve been thinking about my wife. She’s as old as Applejack now, so I know she doesn’t have much time left. I talked to her about it and we’ve decided to move to Canterlot, into the old home my parents left me, so that she can be closer to better doctors. We’ll be leaving this weekend on the train. 

Your Friend,
Twilight.

Reading this letter again, Celestia remembered when the royal gardener had passed away. She had sent a letter to Applejack asking if she would be so kind, to take care of the gardens around the castle till they could get a replacement. She had said in her letter that she would be paid the same amount as the royal gardener for her time. Applejack had agreed, so long as it wouldn’t take too long. During the month she was in Canterlot taking care of the gardens Celestia was able to talk to her and learn more about her.

Replacing the letter in the stack, she took the last one. Opening it she noticed it from six years ago.

Dear Celestia,

        Last night my wife started having small seizures, so I brought her to the hospital. At the moment she’s resting peacefully, but the doctors told me she may not make it. I don’t wanna say goodbye to her yet. I hope I get a little more time with her. I’m sorry Celestia, I can’t write anymore. This is hard for me.

                Your friend,
                        Twilight.

        Celestia noticed that even after six years she could still clearly see tear stains on the letter. After receiving that letter Celestia had left to see her former student to help her through this, but when she had reached the hospital she had seen Twilight sleeping with her head at her wife's side as her wife slept soundly too. Sensing she didn’t have a lot of time, Celestia cast a small spell to ensure they were able to speak one more time before she returned to the castle.

‘After that day, you were never the same, my faithful student,’ Celestia thought to herself as she put the letters back on the bookshelf. ‘The pain of loss is one of the worst things to feel. I’ve tried to help you these past years, but you’ve let the pain overcome you.’ 

Pulling a blank parchment out and some ink, Princess Celestia started writing a letter of her own.

Dear Cadance,

        I know events in the Crystal City these recent years have made you unable to visit Canterlot, but I would like to ask you to come here on my behalf. I am in need of help and not sure who else to turn to.

Your loving Aunt,
Celestia.

 After looking over the short letter, she rolled it up and sealed it. Lighting up her horn, the letter disappeared in a flash of magic.

Walking into her bedroom, Celestia removed her regalia and laid in bed, falling asleep almost instantly. The act of ruling the kingdom, and the emotions brought up by re-reading Twilight’s letters had exhausted her.