//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Immortal Question // by jdb1984 //------------------------------// Twilight couldn’t sleep. After tossing and turning countless times for a good hour, she finally gave up and started pacing back and forth. Her mind spun with the decision she had to make, as well as the pros and cons of each side. “It’s hard to come to a huge decision such as this, and I don’t think I’ll get another chance,” Twilight thought, as she stopped pacing and looked out the window towards the moon. “I have no idea when things would align again, but given the urgency, it’s probably not anytime soon. There may not be another chance until I'm an old mare.” As she turned away from the window, she thought, “I wish my friends were here.” Then her head shot up, as she realized something. Her friends weren’t there physically, but she knew them well. Possibly well enough to know what they would pick if faced with a similar decision. And figuring out what they would pick and why may help her. With a purpose, she heads to her desk, levitating some parchment and a quill pen as she went. After about an hour, she lied on her back on her bed, six pieces of parchment hovering in front of her. --- Name:Applejack Species/Gender:Earth Mare Thoughts:Family, friends, and the farm are the three most important things to a member of the Apple family. Applejack would hate the fact that she would never be able to bear children of her own, and she would hate the fact that she would watch her friends and family die one by one. Though she may be able to find some happiness taking care of her families descendants and taking care of the farm, it would just be a reminder of what she lost. Conclusion:I believe she would reject. --- Name: Rainbow Dash Species/Gender: Pegasus Mare Thoughts: Rainbow Dash would probably like the fact that she could be with whichever stallion she wanted without the risk of pregnancy. Though she does hang out with and guide Scootaloo as a mentor and surrogate sister, foals of her own are probably not something she wants in her future. The immortality would also mean she has unlimited chances to join the Wonderbolts, and could stay one for as long as she wanted. And if she got bored, or found out it wasn't what she expected, she won’t feel like she wasted her life. And she’ll even have time to explore and go on all the adventures she wants. Conclusion: I believe she would accept. --- Name: Rarity Species/Gender: Unicorn Mare Thoughts: Rarity does want to find a spot among the Canterlot elite, and she seems to be well on her way there. She’s also someone who would love to keep her beauty as long as possible, the makeup she wears is testament to that fact. Judging from how Celestia and Luna look, the spell would keep her looking young and beautiful. However, she’s also someone that would like to have a foal of her own. Being the lady that she is, she would see being barren as the. worst. possible. thing! Conclusion: I believe she would reject. --- Name: Pinkie Pie Species/Gender: Earth Mare Thoughts: If I had to use one word to describe Pinkie, it would be “fun”. She loves parties, and would probably like that she can throw them for anyone, forever. And upon figuring that out, she would probably give an enthusiastic yes when asked. However, she probably wouldn't think of the long term consequences. First off, she loves kids, and may try to have some of her own someday. Also, she would be heartbroken if any of her friends die. Even if she made new ones, those ones would die as well, and continue throughout eternity. Conclusion: I believe she would accept, but live to regret her decision. --- Name: Fluttershy Species/Gender: Pegasus Mare Thoughts: Kids may or may not be a part of her future, with her animals keeping her hooves full. But she may want the added responsibility, though discipline may be a struggle. Also, she has told me that she believe there is a “paradise” where good ponies go when they die, basically the opposite of Tatarus. While Tatarus does indeed exist, there has been no reports on whether her paradise does or does not exist. Because of the lack of scientific evidence one way or the other, I’m holding off my opinion until something confirms it either way. But regardless, she does believe. And she would believe that’s where we would be after our death, and would be sad that she would never join us. Conclusion: I believe she would reject. --- Name: Spike Species/Gender: Dragon Male Thoughts: Since he has a few thousand years in front of him, impending death is not on his mind. And since he’s a baby himself, he’s not concerned about kids either, despite his crush on Rarity. Basically, all he really seems to want right now in life is my friendship and being able to help me out. He will grow up someday, and he will have to leave when the library gets too large for him to live in. But that day will hopefully be a long way off. And when he leaves, he’ll probably find a nice drakaina to settle down with. At that point, he would probably reject, but it’s hard to tell what he would say if he was offered now. Conclusion: Inconclusive. --- As they floated in front of her, and she read them off, she thought how different they all were. How they each had their hopes, their dreams, and their choices unique to that pony. She then thought about how much she cared about each and every one of them, and how sad she would be when they pass away. At that point, she had an answer. With that thought in her head, she was able to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.