Always Faithful

“Princess... Please stop looking so gloomly, it’s not going to be that bad.” The purple unicorn whispered, smiling weakly. The princess lifted her head to look at the unicorn laying on her bed, she looked so weak. Her coat was ragged and wrinkled, eyes were puffy and she looked sleep deprived.

“Twilight... I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be making this any harder than it already is.” Celestia said putting on a fake smile. Twilight looked at her, wanting to hug her so much, but her old body didn’t have the strength to move. Instead she simply smiled and nodded her head.

“I’m just glad Spike isn’t here too see this, he grew up and has probably forgotten about me. I guess that’s for the better.” Twilight sighed. “Don’t speak like that!,” The sun goddess gasped. “I’m sure wherever he is, he is always thinking about you.”

The old mare laid back on her bed looking up at her ceiling. “Yeah... maybe you’re right,” She said. “On the plus side, I get to see all my old friends again.” she spoke, trying to push a lump in her throat down.

Celestia reached out and started stroking Twilight’s mane in a smoothing pattern. Twilight turned to look in her mentor's eyes. “I never thanked you did I?” Twilight asked. “Thanked me? For what? You have nothing to thank me for.” Celestia whispered, a little confused.

Twilight sat up too fast causing her back pain, ignoring it she turned to the Princess again. “Of course I do, you took me in as your student, taught me so much wonderful stuff and most importantly you’re the reason I had friends,” She smiled. “Some of the most amazing ponies in Equestria.” Twilight cried a single tear now rolling down her cheek.

Celestia trying to fight back her own tears moved closer to Twilight and embraced her in a hug. “Please Twilight... lay back down and save your strength. I have something I want to tell you,” The princess whispered. Celestia let go of Twilight and laid her back down on the bed. “Please listen carefully Twilight,”

Celestia moved away from twilight and sat near the end of her bed, trying to collect her thoughts for what she was about to say. “Twilight, I’m sure you’re already aware of this, but you know you are not my first protégé,” Twilight simply nodded.

“I have had many throughout my time as ruler and sadly they have all... left me too,” Celestia struggled to get the last words out, tears starting to appear in her eyes as she began to think back to all her old students.

“But... you are different, you are the one I loved the most. The reason why I took you in as my student is a selfish one and you deserve to know the truth,” Twilight could see talking about this was causing the Princess great pain, but she was curious to hear what she was talking about.

Celestia gave up and let the tears flow down her face, they looked almost majestic, sparkling and beautiful. If only they weren't there to show sorrow. “I took you in because you reminded me of my younger sister Luna. The one I banished... I needed companionship and then I found you,” Whimpered Celestia.

“But I didn’t lie when I said I wanted to teach you everything I knew. You showed remarkable talent. I remember the days we spent together learning everything Equestria has to offer. Even the days we did nothing but sit around talking and sipping on hot coco. You were like the daughter I never had,” Celestia moved to lay down beside Twilight.

Celestia wrapped Twilight in her hooves and continued her story. “I love you Twilight... You are my daughter, I only wish I could join you.” Celestia whispered. Twilight with the little strength she was only able to say “Princess... please don’t say stuff like that.”

Celestia began stroking her mane again “You still have the strength to lecture me.” Celestia giggled causing a little smile to appear on Twilight’s face. “Princess... please listen to this and promise it to me. I have something underneath my pillow. When I... leave I want you to retrieve it, promise me you’ll do that.” Twilight cried, tears now falling uncontrollably down her face.

Celestia, hugging Twilight closer, just nodded to showed she understood. She was in to much pain to respond. The two of them just laid on bed doing nothing. Feeling the time pass, they didn’t move an inch. Then Celestia did something Twilight didn’t expect. She began to sing in the most beautiful voice.

“My little pony, my little pony
I used to wonder what friendship could be
until you all shared your magic with me.”

Twilight sat silently listening to her song. Paying close attention to the lyrics, she figured out they were about her. She stayed silent, crying to herself, listening to her only friend in Equestria sing.

“Big adventure,
tons of fun,
a beautiful heart,
faithful and strong,
sharing kindness,
it’s an easy feat
and magic makes it all complete.
You are my little pony
You are my best friend...”

Celestia finished her song, more tears falling from her face as she hugged Twilight. She looked at her purple friend to see that she wasn’t moving. She moved her a little whispering in her ear. “Twilight... Twily?” She moved off the bed to confirm her fear, she looked more closely at her.

The mare on the bed was frozen still, frozen with a small smile on her face. Celestia couldn’t hold back anymore, she fell to the floor pouring her heart out. A couple of minutes had passed until Celestia remembered Twilight’s last request.

She stood back up, her eyes puffy and bloodshot red. She lifted up the pillow beside her old friend to find a note underneath it. She picked it up and began to read it.

‘Dear Princess Celestia

I’m afraid I might not be here much longer. So, I thought to make one last friendship report.

Friendship is truly an amazing thing, you can make bonds with ones you have never met. Everyone comes in different shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities.
But we all can become friends with one another, and that friendship can last forever. And that’s wonderful to know. Friendship, is truly magic.

I’ve had an amazing life, and it was an absolute honor being your protégé.

Thank you so much Princess Celestia, thank you for everything.

Your most faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle.

Celestia placed the letter on the bedside cabinet and moved closer to Twilight. She grabbed her once more and simply whispered “No... Thank you Twilight Sparkle. For everything.”