Life's a Drag On
The howls of the rushing wind went unanswered as the cloaked figure forced themselves through the snow. Every imprint the figure had left behind disappeared almost instantly. Dark grey storm clouds hung overhead, serving as a impenetrable wall that sunlight simply could not pass through. Even when hidden beneath so many layers, the equine figure continued to shiver. A bright blue glow engulfed the brown scarf around their neck and tightened it more securely. They took another step forward toward the vast cave before them. A large crystal tower stood in the distance behind the figure.
Suddenly, the wind began to die down, and the snow fell less heavily. The figure set down the forelimb they had been using to shield their face. With all four legs now on the ground, they began to make more visible progress. The distance between the cloaked being and the cave shrunk as they approached. The figure's steps became quicker and more frequent as the shelter in front of them grew larger.
They paused at the mouth, taking a moment to catch their breath. A few lit torches with purple flames illuminated the entrance, but beside the cloaked figure, there was no one in sight. Timidly, they peeked into the cave, scanning for more signs of life. They turned and looked to the mighty tower behind them. Even at this distance, the light the turret seemed to emitted was brighter and warmer than the weak collective glow of the purple torches in the cave.
With a sigh, the figure moved forward into the cave. The click of their hooves against the stone floor echoed loudly throughout the entire cavern. If there truly were other living beings here, they would most definitely have been alerted of the figure's presence.
Following the light of the torches, the pony marched further inside. They loosened the scarf's grip around their neck, but the hood remained on, covering a majority of their face. They shivered once more at the sound of the returning wind, and pressed onward. The number of lights hanging from the walls increased as the pony went deeper into the cave.
They stopped and took a minute to marvel as the rocky walls transitioned to crystal ones. The pony's right front hoof made no noise against the soft red carpet that suddenly covered the ground. They tore off their hood, revealing a white horn that spiraled out from the forehead, and looked around the room they had walked in.
Several golden coins littered the ground. Dozens of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, garnets, and amethysts laid scattered about, not mention a dozen other kinds of stones the pony was not familiar with. Silver statues of mares stood against the walls, three on either side, each unique. The surprisingly clean carpet led to a set of giant doors.
The unicorn raised a brow as she ran a hoof through her blue mane. "So this is a dragon's hoard, huh? Thought it'd be larger," she said to herself quietly. Her voice resonated loudly as the acoustics of the cave threw it further, and she instinctively covered her mouth. "N-no offense," she added nervously.
No answer. Except for the mare, the room was devoid of life.
The mare stopped in front of the doors. Taking a deep breath, she pushed, creating a small crack large enough for her to peek through. "Hello?" she called out, leaning against the doors. "Princess?"
The doors suddenly swung open, and the mare tumbled over onto the other side. Slowly, she got back up on her feet, groaning as she did so. Once she had recovered, the mare looked around. Her focus fell upon the scaly colossal with sharp green spines running down its back at the very end of the hall, a sight that sent a chill down the pony's spine. Old campfire tales of dragons and trespassers ran through her head.
"Please don't scream."
The mare shut her mouth, forcing back the squeal that had crawled up her throat. Calming down, she turned to the mare that spoken. She sat right in front of the massive beast, with her back turned toward the newcomer and her wings tucked against her sides. A horn could be seen sprouting out of the head through a purple mane that seemed to shimmer, shine, and float. Both she and the giant shared a similar purple shade.
Cautiously and quietly, the cloaked mare approached. "Princess Twilight?" she began. "Oh, I, uh, should probably bow or something, shouldn't I?"
"A little late for that, don't you think?" the princess said with a soft short chuckle. "It's fine, I haven't given you much reason to bow, have I?"
"Uh, yes?" the mare blurted out. "I mean no! No wait, was that rhetorical?"
"Indeed, it was." Without turning from the purple mountain of scales, the princess beckoned the mare closer. Slowly, she made her way to the alicorn's side, keeping her eyes on the dragon in front of them. She was near enough to see its chest rise and fall with each breath it took, but its eyes remained shut, and it hadn't stirred since she arrived.
"You'll have to forgive him," the princess said softly with a small smile. "He's a very heavy sleeper."
"Oh." The mare relaxed and sat down. "So, um, I'm not too sure how to begin."
"Take your time."
"Okay, well...oh! Introductions!" The mare cleared her throat. "Right, my name's Ordered Hall, I'm--"
"A governor of the current Equestrian government, first elected seven years ago on a platform of improving intercity and domestic infrastructure, representing central Equestria, including Ponyville, Canterlot, and New Rainbow Falls City," the Princess cut in. "Sorry," she apologized, giving Ordered Hall another weak smile. "It's been awhile since I could do that. I haven't been receiving many visitors as of late. Congratulations on your reelection, by the way."
"T-thank you, princess," Ordered stammered. She coughed and cleared her throat. "So, you follow politics, then?"
"But of course," said the princess. "I'm quite impressed how far Equestria's progressed without my direct guidance. Soon, perhaps I won't even have the right to call you my little pony."
"Well, without you Equestria wouldn't have gotten anywhere," Ordered argued. "I mean, if it wasn't for you and the Bearers, there wouldn't even be an Equestria around to begin with. I-I mean, if you don't mind me saying, with all due respect," she added quickly.
"Perhaps." The princess sighed. "I'm curious, how did you find this place?"
"One of the ponies from town found me at front of your tower and told me you were here instead," the governor explained.
"Oh?" The princess frowned. "Odd, I'm certain I told everypony I desired privacy."
"They were reluctant," Ordered said, "but I managed to persuade them after explaining the situation. I had to see you. I need your help, princess."
The princess was silent. Ordered flinched as the alicorn placed her hoof on top of a giant wrinkled claw. Ordered waited patiently for a signal to continue. Several minutes passed and the governor soon became restless.
"Equestria needs you, Princess Twilight," she said. "This winter, it isn't natural. It's been too long. The pegasi can't control it at all. We've even tried using unicorn magic, but nothing's working. It's too cold for the earth ponies to farm, transportation's almost completely shut down, and we can't get any communications out for foreign aid. Even the government's frozen, now that we had to suspend parliament."
"Not the wisest decision," the princess said, closing her eyes.
"We had no choice!" Ordered protested. "Ponies just couldn't cooperate and kept refusing to compromise. There wasn't anything we could do!"
"Perhaps. Oh Celestia," the princess whispered, "was all this a mistake?"
"Princess Twilight?"
"It's nothing, Governor," the princess said. "Just thinking about friends long gone." For the very first time, the alicorn turned and faced Ordered, staring at her with tired eyes. "Tell me Governor, why have you come to me?"
"I...the Equestrian democracy has fallen. We've tried, and for awhile, it was working. But now, everypony's arguing, and nothing's getting done. Some ponies want one thing, and others want exact opposite. We're just standing around shouting at each other as Equestria freezes over. Please, Princess Twilight," Ordered pleaded, "we need a guide, somepony wise to direct us through this disaster. We need a princess. We need--"
"Do not say it," Twilight warned in a low voice. Immediately, Ordered became quiet and sat back down. Twilight sighed. "And what makes you believe I am qualified to lead, Governor?"
"What makes you qualified?" Ordered repeated, her eyes widen. "You're a princess!"
"My crown rests behind a glass case in a museum collecting dust, not on my head. Do I look like a princess to you now?"
"The headwear doesn't make the mare," Ordered asserted. "Everypony's heard of the legends of the stories. Everypony knows of you. None would argue if it were you to restore the aristocracy, not after everything you've done for Equestria." The mare drew closer to Twilight. "I can't think of any pony more qualified to lead us. Please, if there's any pony that could save Equestria now, it'd be the princess of friendship."
Twilight winced and pursed her lips tightly. "Princess of friendship?" she muttered wearily. "Governor, look around you. How many friends do you see?" Twilight knelt down next to the colossal, gently patting its enormous snout. "It's been so many many years since I've made a new friend. I've tried, my dear, oh how I've tried, but soon I will be alone. And what good will your princess of friendship be without her friends?"
"B-but the legends! You defeat the magic thief Tirek on your own! A-and the golden years of your rule, the golden age, that was because you were Equestria's guide."
"Correction: we beat Tirek. We were Equestria's guides." Twilight shook her head. "Tell me, Governor, how versed are you in regards to the Bearers of Harmony?"
"How versed?" Ordered Hall rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Well, I remember that there were six in total, you included. There were two earth ponies, two pegasi, a unicorn, and yourself. They were representations of the six virtues, honesty, laughter, kindness, loyalty, generosity...and friendship, the binding element."
"Do you know their names?" Twilight asked.
"Names? Well, no, not exactly."
"What about their birthdays? Their hobbies and habits? What they liked? What they didn't like? What their dreams were and how they felt once those dreams fell apart? How to comfort one of them?" The alicorn's voice began to grow louder and more shrilled. "Do you remember the date they left, the time, their last words? Do you remember the last look they had in their eye, the last twinkles, the final good byes, how heavy the casket was? How--"
Ordered swallowed and took a step back. "Princess?" she said fearfully.
Twilight stopped herself. "I-I apologize," she said, turning away. She folded her wings back down. "Did you know there were actually seven of us?"
"There was a seventh virtue?"
The alicorn shook her head. "He wasn't a bearer, but he was still there, right beside us, right beside me. A friend, before I had even recognized friendship. He was always there for me."
"There was never a stallion involved in the stories," Ordered said, biting her lip.
"Well, he wasn't exactly a stallion," Twilight replied with a subdued chuckle. "There used to be a statue of him in the old Crystal Empire many years ago. I still wish I had been able to save it," she said sadly. "Still, that look on his face when he saw that crystal effigy of himself missing a head was priceless." She smiled and leaned her head against the giant's smooth cheek. "Wasn't it, old friend?"
"Princess, with all due respect, what's the purpose of this parable?" Ordered asked.
"Purpose? Hmm, what indeed." Twilight shrugged. "Have you every lost somepony close to you, Ordered Hall?"
"I don't see how--"
"Please, indulge me."
"...my father," Ordered said softly after a moment of silence.
"It hurt, didn't it?"
"Well, yes, but it was a long time ago."
"There was a mourning period, I imagine," Twilight said. "A time where ponies let you grieve."
"I did take a couple of weeks off work," Ordered admitted. "But I don't understand, what does my father's death have anything to with anything?"
"Nothing directly," Twilight answered. "A rhetorical question: how many ponies have I had to personally bury? I've lost count after it became too depressing. Friends, family, students, assistants...and yet I've never been allowed to mourn. I could not, not as a princess, not when Equestria still needed me, not when there was still so much work to be done. I simply had no time to grieve, until now."
The alicorn placed her hoof against the massive scaly cheek. "This," she said, "is my first friend and my last. When everyone else left me, he remained. He's been with me forever, he at the very least deserves a proper mourning once he leaves. I'm sorry, Governor, but I will not leave his side," Twilight declared firmly. "Not until he has breathed his last, and I have grieved and lamented and remembered him and all he's done. Him, at the very least, I must mourn for."
"You can't just ignore Equestria's situation," Ordered protested. "Please, Princess Twilight, we need you."
"You are mistaken, Governor," Twilight said. "Equestria does not need an old broken mare. It hasn't had for a very long time. Why do you suppose I encouraged a democratic Equestria ruled not by a princess but by her little ponies? Governor, Equestria doesn't need a princess, it needs ponies like you."
"We've tried, princess, believe me, we've tried."
"So try again. Have a little more faith in your fellow ponies," Twilight said. "I have more faith in you than in myself. Equestria was not founded by an alicorn princess who could fight back the forces of Tartarus, but by ponies just like you, and it will be ponies just like you who will save Equestria now." She looked up toward the roof of the room. "It sounds like the storm has died down, you'd best leave soon if you want to get back to town before it picks up again."
Reluctantly, Ordered got up. She turned from the alicorn to the exit of the room, then back to Twilight. "Are you certain?" she said. "Are you sure I can't convince you to retake your crown? Think about the good you could do."
Twilight slowly shook her head. "You still don't understand. It's been too long, I simply don't have the will anymore. I can't trust myself, not how I am now. You don't want an unmotivated mare in charge to lead you out of this mess. I'm sorry, but for me, life's a dragon."