//------------------------------//
// Old Nightmares 
// Story: Shadowfall 
// by Lunaftw 
//------------------------------//

Twilight sat in the library, Thinking. Thinking about the fact that while she didn't look a day older than she had all those years ago, other than how her mane sparkled now and had begun to flow, her friends were getting older and older. Spike had sprouted wings, though he was growing much slower, and would live much longer,  being a dragon growing off of love instead of greed. Rainbow Dash's once lightning fast wings wouldn't fly so fast. Pinkie's once bright and vibrant mane was turning grayer every day. They were getting older. She was not.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
I would like to meet you in the library Wednesday at noon. 
There is a matter I would like to discuss with you. Please bring tea.
Your faithful former student,
Princess Twilight Sparkle."
The days until Wednesday were long and slow. Twilight wondered if the princess would agree with her. She has to, she just has to! Thought Twilight. I don't know what I'd do if she doesn't. Twilight sat down, forlornly thinking of what would happen if fate was against her.
Finally, Wednesday arrived. Twilight opened the door to let her former teacher, mentor, and friend into the house.
"Hello Twilight, you wanted to talk with me?" She said, her voice as smooth as cream pouring over silk.
"Yes, Celestia. Lets sit over here," She suggested, gesturing to the table and chairs in a small cozy alcove. The sun princess nodded, and took a seat across from Twilight.
"Celestia, now that I'm an alicorn, doesn't that make me immortal?" Twilight asked. Celestia was slow to respond.
"Well, since you weren't born an alicorn, you're only immortal in the sense that you don't age." she replied, taking a small sip of tea before daintily setting it back down. "So, in a way, yes."
"Well, um, Princess? Could I ask you a favor?" Twilight asked.
"Of course, Twilight," Celestia responded, taking another sip of tea.
"Well... could you.. make them alicorns too?" 
Twilight didn't have to say who "they" were. Celestia sighed, and set her tea back down. Twilight watched in horror as the next words came out of her mouth. 
"I'm sorry, Twilight. I cannot."
Twilight stood as still as Discord's statue once stood. Her mane stopped it's majestic flow. She felt a million emotions rush toward her at once. Sadness. Despair. Anger. And then they all came out at once, in a mangled, broken cry. 
"How could you!" Twilight screamed at her former teacher. "Why would you make me a princess if my friends couldn't be too?!"
"Twilight! Listen! I didn't make you a princess!" Celestia said. 
"Well, then who did? Cadance? I know it was you! You were there!" She shouted in reply. "Destiny is a force stronger than any magic! The choices we make determines our destiny, and your choices brought you here!" Celestia argued.  Then her voice took a gentler tone. "Twilight, I've lived for thousands of years, Luna the only one immortal like me. Even then I had to spend a thousand years without her." she soothed, stroking her former student gently with her downy wing. "I cannot control your friend's destinies, nor can I forsee them. Spike will be here for thousands of years with you. You have everypony's support. Isn't that enough?" But it wasn't enough. Celestia knew it, even as she spoke the words. And immediatley regretted it.
"Enough? It will never be enough! Enough is my friends! Enough is them!" She screamed. "If I can't have my friends, then Nopony CAN HAVE THEIRS!" As the words escaped her mouth, the room was thrust into darkness. Oh no, Celestia thought. This can't be good. Then the darkness lifted. Celestia looked up. Before her stood something she had hoped never to see again. Wicked cackling echoed around the vast room. Celestia looked with horror at what used to be her student.
"Twilight!" she desperatley called.
"Twilight Sparkle is no more!" a voice shouted. "Shadowfall Star has arisen!"