//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Transcend // by Anonymous Pegasus //------------------------------// Cee walked through the cottage, stopping every now and again to peer at the photos on the mantle over the fireplace or on the shelves. Evergreen lay on the bed, unmoving. Not even the steady rise and fall of his breath was there, his chest still and heart no longer beating. He had passed away sometime in the night, succumbing to the greatest enemy of all: time itself. Sunlight streamed through the windows, lighting up the interior of the cottage. It was autumn, and the sunlight was still weak, barely granting warmth to the old mare’s body. The years hadn’t been unkind, but they showed. Weathered lines of age crossed her face. Her mane and tail had long-since become silvery grey, and her mane was tucked up in a bun, foregoing aesthetics for the practicality of keeping her mane out of her eyes. Cee was old now, and the photos showed it. They showed a progression of age; from a young pony couple smiling, growing older through the years, always together. She found it nice to place the photos in an orderly procession like this so she could remember where she came from, remember the years they’d spent together. Cee had learned the alchemist’s trade and together with Evergreen the two had become a one-stop shop for rare ailments. They made enough coin to get by offering medicine for rare maladies, the kinds that Zecora was too busy to treat or had no knowledge of. But they were never wealthy. They had preferred it that way. Gaze shifting over to the fireplace, Cee moved to observe the next set of photos. Soft tears fell down her cheeks as she looked over the memory-inducing scenes. The first was from the Ponyville hospital, showing a much younger Cee an d Evergreen. The unicorn was lying in the hospital bed, the stallion beside her. Each of them cradled a cloth-wrapped bundle in their hooves. Two earth ponies; twins. A boy, and a girl. The next photo showed four grinning faces sitting at the dinner table: Cee, Evergreen, and their two beautiful children. Further down the line and the two parents were closer to their current age; their children were all grown up. The latest photos showed a family reunion with nine ponies all around a food-laden table, laughing and having a good time. Cee’s daughter had had a wonderful set of twin boys, and her son had a little filly. Looking at the picture of her children, Cee felt her heart swelling with joy and warmth. Evergreen had lived up to his promise; he had made her final days the happiest of her life. Sighing contentedly, the old unicorn moved over to the still form of her love. She gently brushed a lock of mane from his face to lean in and kiss his cheek. A faint smile lingered on his muzzle. She had no regrets. She was happier than she had ever been. And soon, she would join her beloved Evergreen in whatever place awaited them after this life. But first, there was a small matter to attend to. “Ah know yer there.” Cee said, as she lifted her head, not bothering to look towards the door. The pony cleared her throat and pushed the door open, stepping into the cottage and regarding the unicorn. “Chrysalis,” Celestia said by way of greeting. “Yer daft. Yer know ah don’t go by that name anymore,” Cee said with a dismissive wave of a hoof. “Very well then, Cee,” the princess corrected with a slight nod. “Yer come to check up on me, huh? Always knew yer were keeping yer eyes out for me,” the unicorn stated, turning to face the princess, raising a brow. “Well? Don’t be shy now. Ah’m not gonna be here much longer.” The alicorn perked a single ear. “Planning on going somewhere?” A soft laugh rolled from Cee’s throat as she shook her head, and stamped a hoof firmly. “Ah plan on staying right here.” Celestia took several moments to process what Cee meant. “You’re dying?” “About time, too. Thought Ah’d be the first ter go, given how old Ah am. But life's funny like that, isn’t it?” Cee said conversationally. “...Why? I saw you kill your changelings. I saw Evergreen with you. I saw him comforting you. And then you came to the castle like that... And after you just stood there, waiting for the girls to use the Elements of Harmony on you. I can guess that they changed you. But...why? Why did you give up your life for... this?” Celestia lifted a hoof to point around at the cottage and the desk stacked with alchemical tools, her expression one of confusion. Cee gave a soft little chuckle and made her way over to the princess, lifting a hoof to gently touch at her cheek. Celestia flinched as though she were expecting a blow. The former changeling stared up into the princess’ eyes. Cee gave her her most serious look, holding her gaze. “Celestia. When yer fall in love. Yer’ll know why.” With nothing else to say, Cee turned around and hobbled her way over to the bed, pulling herself up then into her love’s hooves. She gently stroked a hoof against his cheek before leaning up and kissing his lifeless lips. She curled into his form and closed her eyes for the final time. A conversation she had had with him a week previously filled her mind; “Cee... Do yer regret anything?” Evergreen had asked, holding her in his hooves. “Ah regret nothing,” she whispered, resting her nose against his chest and smiling. “Ah regret nothing, too. Ah would do it all again, were ah given the chance. Ah’m not good at the sappy stuff, as yer know... but thanks, Cee. Thanks fer all the years together and thanks fer making me so happy,” Evergreen whispered, gently nuzzling against her. She had stared up at him for the longest time, gazing into his eyes, feeling tears brimming in her own. She wanted to tell him how much he meant to her, how he had changed her life completely. But the words failed her. Evergreen just nodded knowingly and kissed her gently, whispering soothingly, “Ah know, Love. Ah know.” Cee’s face split into a grin and she kissed him back, smiling warmly. He knew her so well. And the only thing she could respond with was, “Stupid oaf. I love you.” A thoughtful Celestia left the cottage, leaving the couple to lie on the bed in their final resting place. Turning, her horn started to glow brightly, and the cottage began to turn to black marble. Every edifice of the home changed, hardening into impenetrable stone; a monument for the simple ponies inside. Before she left, Celestia scratched an epitaph into the front door of the petrified cottage: Here lie Evergreen and Cee Whose unshaking love was destined to transcend all barriers R.I.P