Worth It
Twilight Sparkle stopped by the small office she maintained, mostly for recreational reading or keeping up with her correspondences. And correspondence would seem to be the order of the day: a letter from Rarity, another from a low-level griffon attache—one whom she’d met on a diplomatic mission some time ago—and a rather fancy scroll.
Years later, Celestia still felt the need to use those archaic things, complete with the reed paper, charcoal ink, official wax seal, and ribbon tie. In what century had she finally decided to forgo smoke signals?
Twilight chuckled and waggled the rolled-up letter as if at a nonexistent guest, then sat in the worn chair behind her desk. Whoever had shown up for work first would have brought up the contents of the mailbox and left it in the sorting room. And then one of the staff would have distributed the mail throughout the castle. Not a personal assistant—she was no more special than anypony else, and she could get her mail at the same time everypony in the castle did. Not a minute sooner.
Of course, Celestia’s letters took a little longer to get here these days, what with Spike gone gallivanting off his own way. The mental picture brought a soft smile to Twilight’s face. Her number one assistant no more, but still the same Spike she’d always loved.
She tilted back in her seat, the aged springs protesting, and closed her eyes. More and more images washed over her mind, like Spike lighting the torch at a few more Equestria Games ceremonies, helping out with Winter Wrap Up—Applejack had decided that dragon fire didn’t count as magic. He could clear snow faster than—how had Applejack put it?—a jackrabbit on a date. He’d always kept the library in such good order after Twilight’s duties had limited it to a part-time job for her. And he’d always insisted on making Twilight’s tea every afternoon.
But by the time the next Great Dragon Migration had come around, he couldn’t resist the call. So she’d given him the same space as before, and he’d actually left, but he came back to visit every few weeks. On that first one, she’d hugged him so tight that she thought she’d never let him go, even though she could barely reach her hooves around him anymore. But he’d found his own life, which still included her, and she couldn’t be more proud of him.
With one last sigh, she cracked the scroll’s seal and unrolled it. Just as much as one of Spike’s visits, she enjoyed hearing from Princess Celestia, but… that business again.
Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,
I thought I’d send another friendly reminder, on the usual day, of course. Forty-two years since your coronation. Happy anniversary, by the way. You’ve had an admirable reign, and not a day goes by that I don’t rejoice in choosing you as my student so long ago.
And to that end, I’m sorry to hear that your most recent student has left. I know you invested many years in him, and I hope you will not take it as a failure on your part that he chose this path. Make no mistake: he chose it. A general study of magic is not for everypony, and while the piano teacher may grieve the obvious talent who simply has no interest, they, like you, will learn to live with it.
As always, another will come along to whom your tutelage will make all the difference. Have faith in ponykind, Twilight, and it will have faith in you.
Of course, it is about choices that I also must speak. I wonder if you’ve expended any more thought on the matter this year? No, there is no reason to hurry at this point, and perhaps refusing to make a decision is your way of choosing. Inaction has its own consequences, however, beyond which option it gives you by default. You are not getting any younger, after all.
I don’t mean to pressure you. Please, consider it carefully, and I am always available to talk.
Yours,
Princess Celestia
Twilight had to laugh. Apparently, “I don’t mean to pressure you” somehow meant bringing it up at least once a month for decades. She tossed the scroll back on her desk—she’d file it away with the rest later—and glanced at the letter from Rarity. More a postcard, really, from her vacation in Marezatlan. A nice, sun-soaked beach in the photo, and a brief message of friendship on the back.
She could attend to the third letter in the afternoon. Another friendly correspondence, but one that a few hours wouldn’t hinder. “Bronze Javelin,” she said to her Captain of the Guard. “I’m going out for my weekly picnic with the girls. Well, except for Rarity—she hasn’t returned yet. But I’ll be back after lunch.”
He saluted smartly and escorted her to the main gate. Really, she didn’t need that either, but try telling him that. Just as duty-bound as his father, Bronze Patina, who’d served Princess Celestia for so long now that she didn’t care to count back to when she’d first met him.
No, she needed only light thoughts as she headed off to her meeting. Just her and four friends, plus whatever pets any of them still kept. She’d bring along Rarity’s postcard, but they’d all gotten one, no doubt.
Out in the sunlight again, she trotted off to the park. For some reason, she always felt like she shouldn’t fly there, not in Ponyville. Tradition or something. Even though Rainbow Dash and Tank would certainly do so.
She really hated putting Celestia off so much, but it really wasn’t a pressing matter, so why—?
Light thoughts. Twilight glanced around the town she loved so much, smiled broadly, and continued on toward her picnic.
Bronze Javelin opened the door to Twilight’s study and opened his mouth to announce a guest, but he stopped at the glare she gave him. She’d told him time and again, no need to stand on ceremony where friends were concerned. And this was certainly a friend.
Spike squeezed through the doorway and took a seat on the rug instead of trying to set up a few chairs side by side. She wondered how much longer he’d even fit in here, but once he outgrew it, she’d have a section of the main hall walled off or just arrange to meet him outside somewhere.
But no way would she let him get away with plopping down on the floor before getting a hug.
She rushed around the desk and flung her hooves around him. Years ago, that would have tackled him, but now, even standing on her hind legs, she barely came up to his chest. He curled his long neck down to nuzzle her cheek.
“So, what news do you have?” She pulled up a chair close to him and sat in it, then leaned forward attentively. “How did your trip to the far north go? Find anything exciting?”
“No,” Spike answered with a shrug. “Not much that previous exploration teams hadn’t noted already. Just a few more roosting spots in the mountains that the Dragon Council can make available for the waiting list. Maybe a couple of good mining areas. Of course, we’d only want the gems and gold. It smelled like there’d be a lot of metals that ponies would find useful. You’re welcome to them.”
Twilight grinned. Always looking out for things that could help Equestria, which set him apart from other dragons. Though not so much anymore, again thanks to Spike. While not serving in an official capacity, he’d been the most effective ambassador between their governments. “What else?”
“Um…” He scratched his chin with a claw that would have easily scored the crystalline wall. “I met Twist for dinner out in Vanhoover. She was there for a trade show, and my flight took me over there anyway, so I figured I’d catch up. Hadn’t talked to her in ages.”
The way he wouldn’t look her in the eye… “You’re not telling me something.” She mustered up the best frown she could manage under the circumstances, which only made him shake his head. And he did blush a bit. “Out with it.”
Spike opened his mouth to speak but didn’t scrounge up any words until the second try. “Twilight, I… I’ve found someone.” He scuffed a foot over the rug, and his blush deepened. But that little tremor in his voice. The poor guy… why would he be scared?
“That’s wonderful!” Twilight gushed, and the usual warm smile returned. Good. He must have felt a bit self-conscious, but… still something there. She adjusted her bifocals and stepped back enough to see his face. “Who is she?”
Instead of scraping his chin, Spike’s claw started picking at the back of his neck. “You—you don’t know?”
Twilight’s mind raced for a moment, then her face brightened as she beamed up at him. “That… that one who went with you on your last three exploration flights north, right? Yes, I thought it was a little unusual to have the same wingmate assignment multiple times, but I never—”
“Her name is Blaze,” Spike said, clasping his claws behind his back. “Yeah, my… my wingmate. I asked for her, since the duty commander owed me a favor.”
“And how long were you going to keep this from me?” Again with the disapproving frown, and as usual, she couldn’t keep it up for more than a few seconds.
“I dunno,” he replied. His gaze stayed riveted to the floor. In some ways, he hadn’t changed from the child she knew so long ago.
He only stopped in every few weeks, so he could have easily kept it a secret for some time now. “When did you start dating, then?”
“Right about when those recon flights started. Year and a half, two years ago.” Somehow, his cheeks turned an even darker shade of red. “We… we want to share a hoard. Somewhere near here.”
Twilight stared back, open-mouthed. The longer she did, the more he fidgeted and wrinkled his brow. She needed to find some words quickly, before he got even more nervous. “I’m so happy for you, Spike!” Finally, he met her gaze, but still something… “In fact, just recently—”
“I thought—”
They let out matching embarrassed giggles in the sudden lull, and then Twilight took the initiative. “You first.”
“Well…” Spike began, but at least he didn’t look away. “You know I used to have a crush on Rarity—” He quickly craned his neck and peered out into the castle’s main hall.
“Don’t worry. She isn’t back from her vacation yet. Didn’t you get her postcard?”
Spike twiddled his thumbs. “No. I didn’t stop by home before coming here.”
“Ah.” Twilight gave him a little reassuring poke in the ribs. “Yes, I remember about Rarity. I also remember how mature you were with the whole thing when she finally had to put a stop to it.”
“Yeah…” He looked away again and rubbed one claw up the other arm. “You know how I get with gems, and she’s so good at finding them. Maybe it wasn’t any more than that.”
Twilight pursed her lips. “C’mon. Don’t sell yourself short. You saw something extraordinary in her, as well you should.”
“I guess. She is beautiful.” He coughed into his fist. “Still.”
She took his claw in her hoof and smiled up at him. “It’s okay. I understand.”
“Yeah, but…” Spike slumped to his haunches and muttered, “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this.”
“Telling me what?” Twilight patted his claw and cocked her head.
“N-nothing.”
“C’mon. You obviously want to.” Her eyes twinkling, Twilight released his claw and scooted her seat closer. “You had a reason to think it necessary. If I know you, it’ll bug you until you do.”
A rumbling sigh sounded from his throat. In fact, a little too much rumbling—she glanced toward her desk to make sure she wouldn’t need to put out a fire.
“I…” Spike quickly buried his face in his claws and looked away.
If she could, Twilight would have taken his chin and turned it back toward her, but she wasn’t tall enough. He’d never had trouble speaking to her before. Best to make as relaxed an atmosphere as possible. She leaned back in her chair. “Just like old times,” she said softly. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Twilight…” His face still hidden, Spike shook his head. “I once had a crush on you, too. Not serious, but… I don’t know. You were always like a big sister, a mom, a teacher.” He finally uncovered his face, but he didn’t look at her. “Seems odd to have a crush on someone like that. Maybe not a teacher, I guess, but the other two.”
Twilight gave him a very controlled nod. She had to appear neutral and supportive. No way she’d let on how cute she found it. “That’s normal, Spike.”
“I mean, it never got to what I’d call romantic thoughts—just sweet on you.” Spike had covered his head as if expecting a rockslide, but he quickly lifted it and stared back at her. “Wait, that’s normal?”
Twilight couldn’t hold in a chuckle, and Spike frowned a little at it. “Do you know how many colts say they’ll marry their mommies when they grow up? It happens all the time. Don’t worry—I don’t see it as any more than that.”
“R-really?” His shoulders relaxed, and a guilty smile spread across his face.
“Yes,” she said. “It’d be completely normal, even if we were really related.” At that word, he cast his eyes down. Twilight stood again and held a hoof against his arm. “I don’t mean that to say we aren’t family. Nothing of the sort. You know I love you.”
Twilight wrapped him in a hug as he let out a long breath. “I-I don’t even know why I wanted to tell you that,” he said through his sigh. “Seemed important somehow.”
“I know. So it’s important to me, too.” She strained upward to kiss him on the cheek, then straightened her glasses. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Spike looked her in the eye once again and gave her a more genuine smile. “Thanks, Twilight.”
“And in a minute you’re going to tell me all about Blaze. But first—” She kept hold on both of his claws as she took half a pace backward. This moment, right now, would stay etched in her memory. Just like the first time she ever saw Princess Celestia in person, the day she got her cutie mark, when she met all of her closest friends… Yes, she’d count this day among the most treasured times in her life. “I thought I should talk to you about something I’ve discussed with Princess Celestia. Well, she’s wanted to bring it up for years now, but I’ve mostly avoided the topic. I think I’ve finally come to a decision.”
Twilight reclined in an overstuffed chair in Canterlot Castle and breathed in the scent from her cup of tea. Celestia had invited Twilight into her private study, of course. Not the one the public saw—the one only her closest associates knew about, where she could go when she needed a moment of peace or some time to give a dear friend her undivided attention.
She’d asked Celestia for the recipe to this particular blend of tea on many occasions, but Celestia had always declined to reveal it. Usually with some flowery language about how it was important for there to be some mysteries left in life. Of course, Twilight could easily analyze it on her own, given the right equipment, but Celestia had a point.
“So is that your final word on the matter?” Celestia said.
Twilight gave her the kind of grin that might pop up by reflex for a lifelong friend. “Yes. And you were right—I’d put off my decision for so long that I’d relegated myself to what would happen by not choosing. But I see what value it holds for me now.”
Nodding, Celestia levitated her teacup back onto its saucer. “Luna and I didn’t have a choice,” she answered. “But Cadence did, and so did a number of others whom you’ve never met. I bet you wouldn’t even recognize some of the names. A few preferred to live in anonymity. Still, they all made the same decision.”
“I know.” Twilight’s thoughts ranged back to Spike again, sitting near her and fiddling with his claws like he did as a hatchling. She hoped he’d never lose that habit. And she played his words back in her mind, every one committed to memory, and in his voice, or at least as close as she could approximate in her head. “I’ve had many discussions with Cadence over the years.”
“You’d see them all grow old. You’d see every one of them through disease, heartbreak, old age. And you’d see every one of them die.” Celestia’s eyes flicked toward the room’s one small window, but they never lost their gleam. “On the other hoof, you’d see what Equestria becomes, and you could have a direct influence on what shape it takes. You’d see the world’s constant renewal, and you’d find that it will never lose the capacity to surprise you. You’d see every new generation of children discover what you helped to create.”
Celestia’s tea gave off less and less steam as the minutes dragged on. There on its saucer, forgotten now. Twilight loved it when Celestia got like this. She always watched the sky, but what did she see?
Twilight could wait. She knew well the value of meditation, and whatever ran through Celestia’s head in these moments never failed to calm her. At long last, she took another sip, her eyes still fixed beyond the horizon, then wrinkled her nose. “Cold. Time makes some things worse,” Celestia said as she freshened her drink from the pot.
“You assume I think about it the same way everypony else does,” Twilight replied. “Did you hear Spike’s news?”
Celestia chuckled and shook her head, the way she might for a child’s antics. “This was his next stop after telling you. I wouldn’t have expected so, but I’m glad he’s maintained a close friendship with me. And I have to admit that I wondered if I’d hear from you after his visit, but not quite so soon.”
Twilight’s own tea had gone cold, but a short burst of magic fixed that. She’d long since learned to like reheated tea or coffee, a relic of her time spent doing research, often late into the night. But she certainly couldn’t begrudge anypony who hadn’t managed to develop a tolerance for it. “You know me that well, huh?”
Princess Celestia didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. “So you understand why, then?” Twilight asked.
“Dragons are long-lived,” Celestia said, gazing over the rim of her cup, “but even he will die.” Her mouth formed a tight line, but otherwise, it was a mere statement of fact. One Twilight knew well. The emotion behind it was hers and hers alone, and so Celestia had left it to her. Only that would inform her decision.
“I’d have to accept that inevitability anyway. Yes, I’ll have to watch everypony die, but the possibility already existed that I might have to watch any given individual die. It’s a bigger scale, but no different a concept.” Nopony else would have noticed the slight tic in Celestia’s cheek. Twilight had learned to spot it as a filly, whenever she gave an answer that Celestia particularly liked. Whether in class or in private, whether correct or wrong but with an interesting insight.
“This way,” Twilight continued, “I’ll get to tell his children all about him, and then their children, and…” She paused to wipe away a few tears off her face. She had no idea why this would make her cry, but she didn’t try to stop it. “Ponies get lost to history. Nowadays, most don’t have much of an idea who Starswirl the Bearded was, much less his personality, his passion, his dreams. Except in the minds of a few enthusiasts, he’s little more than a name in a textbook. But Princess Luna felt such an affinity for him that she made sure nopony forgot him or his contributions. And now, look how long the traveling museum she organized has operated, with fan clubs in most of the big cities.”
Celestia turned toward the window again, but she closed her eyes. No far-off gaze—she pricked her ears and listened.
“Nopony I loved will ever be forgotten. As long as I can tell the stories, my friends and the amazing things they do will be as alive as they were when they first happened.” Twilight tried to hide the tremor in her voice, and with Celestia not watching, she could sneak away one of the napkins and dab at her eyes. “More than just saying, ‘My friend did such-and-such grand feat,’ I can tell ponies how Applejack’s amazing strength wasn’t in her body, but in her sense of family; how Fluttershy, in her gentleness, was the fiercest friend; how Rarity would rather suffer herself than see somepony in need; how Pinkie Pie knew just when you needed to laugh, even when you didn’t realize it; and how Rainbow Dash would put her own dreams on hold if they meant compromising yours. That’s what will never die.”
Twilight sniffled. She didn’t care anymore if Celestia heard. “And then Spike,” Celestia said with a slight nod.
“Spike. Everypony will remember that he was the dragon no other dragon could be.” On a whim, Twilight set her tea down and went to Celestia’s side. She hugged her mentor tightly, and Celestia’s eyes opened slowly. “And that he was my dearest friend. You gave me that. I will never stop thanking you for it.”
Celestia ran a hoof through Twilight’s mane. “You could have realized all this before you started turning gray, you know. You’re stuck with that now.”
What? Twilight burst out laughing, even through her tears. “I guess so. But I think it fits. Don’t you?”
Breaking into a wide grin, Celestia nuzzled her and hugged her back. “Twilight Sparkle, I will enjoy spending eternity with you.”
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Wonderful story, though how'd you get it in EQD so quickly?
4867332
I submitted it unpublished a while ago. When I saw it got accepted and wouldn't require any changes, I published it.
4867343 you can do that? I'm probably not, still working on even getting one of my stories featured. Don't suppose you could help? But either, great job as always
As a great man once said: a real man doesn't die until he's forgotten. And one of the benefits of immortality is you can make sure nobody you love is forgotten.
Well, unless you run out of memory space and start forgetting things yourself. But, details.
I've got to say, I love it.
You really know how to capture their emotions very well.
Whoa, an immortality-positive story?
Color me impressed; it's a well-written, refreshing change from all the usual woe-be-immortality fare around here.
Thumbs up!
I'm beginning to think you have it out for me. Every time I get my reading list down, you just have to go and write another story. So inconsiderate
Soooo sad
4867565
Hey, at least this one's short. Your bribe will be delivered at the usual place and time.
4867352
I do some private reviewing on the side, but my plate's full for the near future. There are good groups around here that serve that purpose, though. I can personally recommend WRITE.
It really was worth it to read this.
I liked how you addressed "the issue" without actually coming out and saying what it was.
Also, everyone always ends up marrying their parent, didn't you know that?
I love this story. So many people have such a grey outlook on immortality. Yes, it is sad. But this story shows the good in it. How even if your friends pass before you do, you can still help them live on forever..... Fucking feels, man. Fucking feels.
Really wonderful! This is exactly the kind of story I love. It's very heart-felt, and doesn't face the immortality issue with so much angst, doom, and gloom. Indeed, yours is the first "immortality based" story that I've actually enjoyed.
Dear lord this was amazing.... I cant even.... Bravo man, bravo.
You really tugged at the feels here. I applaud you for that. The ending really got me and made me have to read that part twice.
Finally, a story that doesn't go on about doom and misery just because Twilight's immortal. She's going to see ponies die whether she's immortal or not, it makes no difference. I really love how you portrayed the good part of it, to put it simple.
wait... fanfic writer who actually understands why eternity is a price worth paying?
I'm not hallucinating or something am i?
4868337 its a shame if you have immortality that you have to watch those who you love and care about age and die and only you and the next generation who were born from those who you held so close to your heart and many more generations can tell the story of the generation before and keep their names and memories alive.One can only imagine what pain an immortal being is going through after watching so many loved ones die of old age or other natural causes or tragedies.
Sweet!
This story was very well conceived and executed. Given my father's own failing health, it covered an idea which strikes a chord with me. Even if they die, you have the power to keep those you love alive just as long as you tell others about them, about who they were and what they did, what they meant to you. In this way, they will never truly die.
Oh.
Somehow I knew there'd be feels despite the lack of the Sad tag. But I love the fresh take on immortality. 
4868512
...because, of course, ordinary mortal people don't have to suffer through seeing their own friends and families die.
Because of course, it is completely impossible to eventually get on with one's life, and if you mourn someone you will never, ever, stop mourning them, never mind that they also would tell you to continue living.
Why, I'm still mourning the death of my pet turtle ten years ago, and of course it will lead me in a spiral of depression which will make my life unlivable.
Same goes for the deaths of my grandfather, or my uncle, or so on and so forth.
This story was excellent. I particularly liked the fact that Twilight kept putting off the decision; it's a very believable act, and it serves to humanize (ponynize her?) a lot.
Well, that certainly was a refreshing change in tone from most "Twilight the Immortal"-type stories. I enjoyed it.
I wonder, though, if "Romance" as a tag isn't more than a bit misleading here. Combined with the title image, you might attract or repel readers who expect this to be a Spilight story, and while the romance triggers Twilight's decision, it doesn't involve her and isn't really a part of her story. (Am I the only one who feels the need for a "Friendship" tag sometimes? Though that might be covered by "Slice of Life", considering what the show is about.)
4869065 There are other reasons why not to be immortal - I'd probably take it anyway, but I completely understand anyone who believes that death is preferable to eternal life while most everyone else dies.
One such reason is that almost (not quite, but it's more likely than not) inevitably, you'll become an anachronism. Either you'll be out of place in the future, with memories of the past that, while not necessarily overwhelming the present, at least heavily influence them such that you have a hard time fitting in; or you'll be keeping the world around you on your level. You'll have to be very good at adapting to the new present, and while you'd certainly be powerful and likely a revered member of pony society, you'll never truly be a part of the society. Unless you hide and never reveal your status as immortal. Which might be alright, I guess.
And yeah, there's the death thing. Deaths in a lifetime are probably difficult to deal with, but yeah we overcome them. But as the years fly by, and more and more people die, how many will it take for them to really weigh down on you? Will there be one final straw to break the camel's back? Which one will do the trick, if any? How many deaths can we experience (wrong word, experience implies that you're the one dying, but I don't know the right one so...) before we begin devaluing life, if we do? Do we, as humans (or ponies, as the case may be) wish to take the risk that we may someday stop seeing fellow people as people because of our status as immortals?
It's not a deal-breaker for me - I'd still pick immortality anyway, if only because immortality means more chances to do good and potentially find a more widespread form of immortality, as well as bring forward memories of the past - but it's certainly something I placed onto consideration.
(made multiple small edits, but nothing major. I didn't rewrite the entire thing while you weren't looking)
THANK YOU.
We see far, FAR too few stories that present a sensible view of immortality... They're all about how terrible it would be to see everyone you know age and die... And missing the point that without immortality YOU WILL ANYWAY - if you don't die young yourself. (I personal speculate (with only the knowledge the modal age of fanfic writers tends to be a bit younger than me) that the authors of such stories are possibly younger folks who haven't had to start to watch their loved ones die off. )
A fact that resonates especially with me at the moment, as my maternal grandfather died last week, after a steady deterioration (fortunately only seriously over the last year or so, and with his faculties intact).
Losing people to old age is a thing that will happen no matter WHAT you do, you will experience it: so unless you plan on taking the easy way out and dying young to preserve your precious feelings (easy because that just puts all the pain and pressure of dealing with loss on your family instead) then you're going to have to learn to deal with it.
So, yes, THANK YOU for a story that is council for the other side. (And for the fortuitous timing.)
Her immortality was a choice? A choice came to after careful consideration, weighing pros and cons, and eventually coming to a logical decision?
What heresy is this?!
Nice story, brother.
4869065 I agree with you I've lost alot of family members and pets over the years as well as some friends but I can't forget who they are.
I was expecting this to be a typical "Twilight is secretly Spike's mother" stories. But it turned out to be something much better.
I dunno. This was very well-written, but at this point I kinda feel like there are actually fairly many immortality-positive stories, and quite few immortality-negative ones. Maybe I just don't see them.
Maybe the immortality-negative ideas just tend to be more obvious, and so written in less thoughtful fashion. But I do think the idea of immortal Twilight is completely at odds with all the ideas of the show. It just doesn't work for me. Twilight is the Princess of Friendship. Friendships grow, and change, and even fall apart over time. They are dynamic. Immortal Princess Twilight, on the other hand, is static. She won't grow with her friends anymore, she won't share in any of their experiences. You can't really be friends with ponies who only know you as a goddess, and so Twilight might never form any real friendships ever again, except with a tiny number of other powerful immortals who might not be very friendly.
Then of course there's the bit where eventually the universe burns out and Twilight is fossilized within the heart of a dead star, still immortal, and the billions of years of her life before that point eventually shrinks down to only an infinitesimal fraction of her existence after. People don't really think 'eternity' through.
We must band together and showcase the skill it took to craft this. And hope--to every manifestation of God--weary authors understand that THIS is what writing is. THIS is how it's done. Thank you so much for sharing, you've made my morning.
Craine...
Nicely done, and a good take on the choice of immortality. It's been done before, of course, but most good ideas have.
The Romance tag, groups, and cover art threw me. I agree with 4869179 that it looks for all the world like a SpiLight story. I don't care for those, and almost skipped reading this because of that. The story isn't about romance and it plays only a minor role in Twilight's narrative. I'd call Romance a mis-tag here, which might be the only misfire in an otherwise fine piece.
Also:
Should the opening "What?" be in quotes? Or was it an internal thought?
Well, that was a pretty enjoyable read. I'd probably change the tags and the picture though, because they don't really fit the story at all.
4869362 I don't see Celestia's immortality as "no event in the universe can end her life".
And I don't think "not aging" necessarily implies the inability to connect with people that do*, and even if so it's to less extent IMO than being a freaking princess in a crystal castle tree thing, so I really don't see how the objection that it's out of step with the friendship theme of the show holds water.
*For one thing, this implies that the relationship between Twilight and Celestia is shallow. Hero worship has certainly colored their friendship but they are clearly very close.
Yes, there definitely is something to say here. I've seen good arguments for both mortality and immortality; this story presents a good one for the latter. And it's very enjoyable read, which is even more important!
That was a beautiful story.
You really strike the feels in this one.
-Spirit
It seems like cheap, fatalistic nonsense to believe Spike will have to move out of the society that brought him up just to "be with his own kind", but if he has a job to do over there and returns home often enough, I guess that changes things.
Oh, and Twilight's thing there was good, too. Yeah.
It would be quite depressing to watch almost everyone you know die off, so it's natural that that's the thing everyone jumps on when crushing an alicorn's or dragon's optimism with extended or eternal life. Acknowledging that death is part of life—and therefore part of the cycle of their relationships—seems like a simple enough solution. It's all about perspective.
*they
**their
4869856
Well, I don't think living in a big and impressive house is nearly as distancing as being a centuries- or even millenia-old force of colossal magic who might, every time she looks at you, actually be thinking of your great-great-great-great-grandmother and the fun they used to have together
Of course Twilight and Celestia's relationship isn't shallow. But it's not a friendship either. From Twilight's side, it's a relationship of abject hero worship and borderline religious devotion, and from Celestia's side it's like motherhood, with Celestia trying to raise Twilight to be the best person she can be*. In a friendship, this dynamic would be... disturbing
Thing is though, nothing we have seen anywhere in the show suggests that Celestia has any friends whatsoever, and there's plenty to suggest that everyone around her treats her with the same kind of idolization that makes a friendship impossible. The closest Celestia has to a friend is Luna, and when your best friend tried to kill you and forced you to banish her for a thousand years, you know friendship isn't your strong suit. I can't help but feel that immortal Twilight would just be walking down that same road.
*: Or, less charitably, a master manipulator directing someone else's entire life for her own private purposes, which she never actually discusses with her target.
4869362
4870135
You, my kind brony, deserve a cookie, and not a "simple cookie", but a chocolate cookie!
And you also got an awesome avatar, I'm jealous now
You are the first person in this fandom to have almost given me one reason to not consider Mortal Princess Twilight senseless!
You just have to fix those things:
Following your reasoning then Discord can't exist, because he's immortal, but he's also the
PrincesSpirit of Disharmony, and if friendship is dynamic, also is hate.Well, Lauren stated specifically that the princesses aren't goddessYes but, unlike Celestia and Luna, Twilight insists to be treated as a normal pony, and that's probably because of the "Princess of Friendship" thing.Yes, but the show is not only about friendship, just take Twilight for example: she also represents hard working, responsibility and finally self sacrifice.
Also Celestia did a pretty good job spreading harmony through Equestria for over a millennia, even if she had no friends. (well, we are assuming that last thing)
....and Twilight was supposed to become Celestia heir from the beginning, in Lauren mind!
I love this story! Not so much because it's an immortality - positive story, I've seen plenty of those. What sets it apart is that Twilight makes the choice based on her relationship with Spike, rather than her 5 pony friends. Rather than basing her decision on her friends who have lives of their own, she's not forgetting about the creature she raised from an egg, who has literally devoted his life to serving her, and who would be mostly alone without her.
Assuming Twilight doesn't become indestructible, she can always kill herself after Spike dies.
4869516 Even if it is, it should be marked in some way (I usually use italics for thoughts, and I've seen it in a lot of other people's stories).
Huh. I don't read a lot of fics like this, but this was expertly done to the point that it could possibly have been it's own episode in the show. I for one enjoyed it and found it good.
Most impressive.
4870159
Thanks, although considering your avatar, I'm not entirely sure I shouldn't read these lines in tones of withering sarcasm
My avatar is from issue 19 of the comics. Star Swirl the Bearded is best Princess.
Hmmm, not sure how I feel about this one. The story seemed to meander a bit, which I suppose fits the whole slice of life concept. The problem is, conversations happened that seemed to serve no real purpose. The stuff with Spike, while endearing, seemed... rushed, and ultimately pointless. The mane six were briefly mentioned, but not seen beyond a post card. I feel like they would be told about such an important decision as well, not instead of Spike, but certainly not left out of the discussion. Then again, this Twilight seems content to avoid things that make her uncomfortable, so maybe she'll just let her friends assume she'll die just like them. The romance tag is unneeded, and only serves to distract from the focus of the story, which is the decision.
Not a bad story, but it seemed to want to go in other directions and then just stopped before branching off into those paths.
4870135 Twilight's power in the show isn't contingent on agelessness, and as for the other thing, I guess you'd also argue that you can't be friends with people in your grandparents' age bracket?
Excellent. A story with a good and positive outlook on that choice. There aren't enough of them around here. Good job.
This was a short, but very interesting way of bringing the subject of immortality to the story. You've treated the character's personality with respect and creativity and that's what makes it a great fanfic. Great job!
4870949 That kinda rules out Celestia as one of Twilight's friends
After all Celestia is the same age as Twilight's Great I don't know how many times grandparents
No kidding.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this one. I always love a timeskip fic with a nicely developed future, and the ending message was right up my alley.
Is the Romance tag there for a very subtly hinted Twilestia? I can't quite decide if Twilight's conversation with Spike is suggesting the same for her and Celestia.