//------------------------------// // The After // Story: Futility // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// In a small corner of the world, a weirdly shaped spike vanished, revealing three Alicorn forms. The pink one was the first to awaken, and seeing her world restored her wings spread in open love to see that it had recovered so well. The second, a mare a dark as the night merely opened one eye to the sun overhead, and her horn sparkled to life. Her sister’s horn copied the action, and the sun set willingly. Finished their routine, the three stood together and touched horns and closed their eyes, flaring their wings. They opened and their combined magical power activated a second spell, crafted by a talented mare who had cast a failsafe on her deathbed. The spell cast, the three collapsed and fell straight back into slumber. It would be a full night before they would awaken to merely perform their duty before falling back to rest. This would occur for a full three days before a ragtag group of five ponies finally found them. “Did the spell work? Are my little ponies revived?” They all nodded at the white Alicorn, her coat fluttering gently in the breeze. “The spell worked, just like Twilight said it would.” They all glanced toward the hill, and the three Alicorns raised their heads to look at the lone figure on the hill, and smile warmly in relief. “Maybe she held a little hope after all.” Twilight log 50 Day 4 after I died Life…Ponies seem to like to pretend they are never going to die here anymore. They seem to think if they perish the great Twilight will bring them back to life. ‘The great Twilight’ as they call her died pouring everything she had into the spell so that anypony could activate it with a small magical talent. I…cannot explain what happened, for I cannot describe the difference since I died. I mean, of course this is heaven, so of course the world is bright and lush. It is strange, it’s so familiar. The archives have been unsealed, vast tomes of knowledge beckon me at every corner of my new home. I also find it strange my diary was in the nook I left it in, but it is of no importance. After the night fell for the first day, I noticed that I could see shapes in the distance, so I packed my belongings and followed them. They found me following, and they were so happy to see me ‘alive’ for some reason. They seemed to understand my confusion, and said it did not matter as long as I was alive. It… I would have to be stone cold not to feel slightly warmer at that thought. After a few days of travel, actual days, we arrived at where the three Alicorns I head read about were. When they saw me they showed the same looks at the others had. It’s been a rollercoaster since then. So much work has to be done, I’ve even started keeping checklists so I don’t forget all my duties as ‘archive unlocker’. I’m even allowed to take 5 books from each archive and use a spell I was taught to transport them to my ‘home’. It is always so hard picking JUST five, but it is always better then none. Speaking of this being heaven, there is something else that appeared when I woke up. I find it strange, but I welcome it all the same. It certainly makes traveling easier. The ponies speaking about living forever, if this is indeed heaven there is a chance there is a forever. One can indeed hope. Ah… Hope… It’s…nice… I hope heaven lasts forever. But while my doubt tells me it won’t, I can’t help but enjoy the feeling of the world around me. This hope, it’s… Amazing. Almost as good as friendship. Almost.