Thirty-six years since the coronation of Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight stepped hesitantly into the clinic, blinking as the sterile white interior clashed with the dull grey landscape she had just entered from. Four pairs of eyes flicked to her as soon as she set a hoof on the tile floor and one of the receptionists approached her cautiously.
“Second door on the left, Your Highness,” she mumbled, pointing down the nearby hallway.
Twilight nodded and wordlessly walked through the doors labeled ‘intensive care’. Reaching the second door, she stopped as she lay a hoof on it and took a deep breath to steel herself for what was to come.
When she had finally worked up the nerve, she pushed through, finding herself in a small waiting room filled with her friends — all but two. Applejack was staring blankly out of a window, Luna and Fluttershy were asleep in the corner, and Rarity was speaking quietly with a familiar pair of mares in another corner.
Almost as soon as she entered, an elderly grey mare stepped up to her and bowed her head. “I’m glad you came.”
“Hi, Maud. How is she?” Twilight asked her hesitantly.
The older mare was silent for a moment, staring past Twilight absently. “...Worse than dad was.”
Twilight’s heart leapt into her throat. “Can I see her?”
“Excitement isn’t good for her, so they won’t let us go in more than one at a time. When Rainbow Dash is finished, you can go in,” Maud said with a slight nod. “We... We’ve all had our turns.”
“Okay,” Twilight whispered. Feeling completely lost, she glanced around, but was spared from having to decide what to do next by the sound of a door slowly opening. She quickly trotted over as Rainbow stumbled out, eyes swollen and red. As the pegasus tried to pass by, lost in her own little world, Twilight stopped her and hugged her, eliciting a gasp of surprise from the mare, and for the first time ever Twilight saw Rainbow Dash cry.
Applejack quickly came over and ushered Rainbow away so Twilight could go see Pinkie herself. The Princess slipped into the smaller, dimly-lit treatment room and silently approached the bedside. She sat down and took one of Pinkie’s hooves in hers, causing her friend to give a feeble start. Pinkie turned to her and gave her an unfocused stare before grinning joyfully.
“Twilight! You’re here!” she said weakly.
“Yes, Pinkie. I’m here,” Twilight murmured.
“I’m so happy, I... I,” Pinkie trailed off with a wheeze.
“I can see that,” Twilight replied quickly, remembering Maud’s words. “So, how are you feeling?”
“Tired,” Pinkie sighed. “It doesn’t hurt any more though.”
“Well that’s good,” Twilight replied, barely holding her composure. “Is there anything I can do for you? Anything you want?”
“No, not really. I just wanted you to come see me, and you’re here, so I have all I need,” Pinkie said with an attempt at a giggle.
“I’m sorry it took me so long, Pinkie, I tried-”
“Oh, stop it, Twilight. You’re a Princess! Lots and lots of ponies need your help. It wouldn’t be very nice for me to keep you all for myself,” Pinkie grinned.
“No, I guess it wouldn’t...”
“Hey, Twilight? Can we talk seriously for a bit?” Pinkie asked. “I’ve got some things I want to say.”
“Of course, Pinkie,” Twilight murmured.
“I wanted to say thanks. Without you, I wouldn’t have had all the super amazing times I did with our friends. I wouldn’t have even had such great friends,” Pinkie said softly.
“That’s not true, Pinkie. You had a ton of friends when I met you.”
“Yeah, I had a lot of friends, but no really really good friends,” Pinkie mumbled. “Do you know how many times I hung out with Rarity, just Rarity, before I met you? Zero, Twilight. Zero. It was the same with Dash and Applejack. And heck, I totally never would have even met Spike or Luna and they’re like two of my bestest friends ever! So I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for being such a great friend.”
“Oh. Well, it was my pleasure. You’re a great friend too,” Twilight muttered, trying unsuccessfully to blink back tears.
“There’s more though.”
“Okay, I’m listening,” Twilight said, shifting herself closer.
“I just wanted to say that you’re the best of us,” Pinkie said with a smile. Twilight’s confusion must have been apparent because Pinkie snickered and continued. “There’s a reason you were our leader, it’s because magic has all the Elements in it. We all did our part, but we couldn’t have filled in for each other. Applejack’s honest, but she’s not always the kindest, and Fluttershy would sometimes tell a fib when she thought the truth might hurt somepony’s feelings. Heck, let’s face it, I wasn’t always the most generous pony with my food. But you... You had the best part of all of us in you. I just wanted you to know that.”
“T-thanks, Pinkie. That really means a lot to me...” Twilight whispered.
“Hey, Twilight? Can you do me a favor?”
“Of course, Pinkie. Anything you want,” Twilight said, leaning closer.
“Can you smile for me?” Pinkie asked, giving Twilight her best puppy-dog eyes. “I just want to see it one- I want to see it again.”
Twilight felt herself crack an involuntary smile in spite of her inner turmoil. Pinkie just... had that effect on ponies.
“There it is. You have such a pretty smile... You should do it more often. Can you do that for me?”
“Of course, Pinkie.”
“At least once a day. You can do that for me right?” Pinkie asked, desperation leaking into her voice. “Promise? Pinkie promise?”
“I promise, Pinkie,” Twilight murmured, silently going through the motions.
“And the others too. Make sure. They’ve all been so serious lately, I think they forget sometimes,” Pinkie mumbled.
“Of course. I promise,” Twilight sniffed.
Pinkie grinned and settled down into her bed, snuggling into the mattress. “Good... That’s good.”
Twilight felt it happen. There was no noticeable change, but she just knew. She leaned over her friend, searching Pinkie’s face for some sign of life as her breathing grew heavier and more labored. Finally, after a few agonizing seconds, she pulled away, whining to herself helplessly.
She ground her teeth for a moment before sighing sadly and glancing back at Pinkie.
“E-even now, she’s smiling,” she whispered to herself. She leaned over the bed and pressed her lips against her friend’s forehead. “Goodbye, Pinkie. Make sure Celestia’s smiling too, okay?”
A fleeting, out-of-place moment of joy in her heart was the only answer she received.
It was the only answer she needed.
She pulled away again as her composure began to break down, pushed herself to her hooves and stumbled out.
Oh... right in the feels...
I... but... I... no! Things were going well!
I mean, things are still going well, but...
I was happy, but then you hit me right in the feels Why would you do this to us
wow, Pinkie being first. well I bet Celestia was waiting for her and now the others will have welcome parties when they go.
Okay hold one. 36 years after cornation and let's put Pinkie at about 20 something when Twilight became a princess that leaves her dying at 56. Come one Granny lasted over 100. It's too soon unless it was an illness.
WAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! NO!!! PINKIE!!!
5836835 You seem to be under the false impression that there's a "why" to anything I do.
No foals / grandfoals for The Pink One?
Damn you, Death... taking somepony so precious from us
Oh, Pinkie... In a way, it's fitting that Laughter is the first to go...
It's started. I knew this would happen. We ALL knew this was going to happen. Even still, this wasn't easy.
And the first one was Pinkie Pie? You really know how to make drama. I want to say that I hope everything will be okay, but I know it won't be. This is just the beginning.
fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/051/5/0/cry_liquid_pride_by_potatoevomit-d5vorzg.jpg
5836847 Let's be honest, with all the candy and pastries she consumed. She didn't exactly have the most healthy lifestyle. Besides, it was (maybe) hinted that it was something that went in the family, refering to Mauds comment about their father.
This chapter perfectly captures the scene and the emotion.
Why? Why?! WHY?!?!
5836857 she would probably be about seventy or something by now.
5836899 she also breaks reality so i bet her magic would keep her alive longer.
Still that's got to her Maud, she's the older sister and is now outliving her little sister. OUCH.
I bet Shiny is next.
5836849 that statement goes will with your profile pic, and damn you, right in the feels.
Oh god he's going to kill them all and force us to watch it happen.
You did this very well. This chapter was well made, great job! So sad though...
5836899
I play a long game.
Excuse me, but hoW DARE YOU
5837082 the plot, that's how he dare people.
My man pride. It hurts
... Well, that happened...
Deus tecum.
One down...
Sorry to be cold, but you knew this was coming, Twi. Take comfort, though. Eventually, you will be with them again.
You'll lose them all eventually, it's the price of immortality. But your greatest gift--one you're painfully aware of--even immortals are mortal. You'll see them again one day. You'll see them all one day. Until then, Pinkie and Celestia will be there watching over you, waiting for the day you'll join them on the other side.
5837196
Goddammit I saw the song's name and started cackling madly while I have tears in the corners of my eyes. I'm trying to have a moment here!
the feels
5836913
36 years after season 3.
I would have guessed 60 tops still ... I can't wait to see the veritable horde of decendants of the pink wonder.
So Pinkie is the first to die, but I feel its not the last. Well keep up the good work.
The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
That seems very appropriate for Pinkie Pie. Plus given that she has a bad genetic disease given the father hint it might have been best that she didn't have descendants to pass it down to.
5837605
5837562
My logic was simple: can you really see Pinkie settling down?
5836958
Personally I would feel like the strain on her body from her diet, extreme hyperness, and the stress of controlling magic that can effect time and space would force her to live a rather short life.
Her diet was not healthy in the slightest for the amount of physical activity she did (She basically ate pure sweets, little nutritional value).
Going off of the popular headcanon that magic is similar to a reservoir (Several major fanfictions and even FiM uses it), the pressure she had to endure might have crippled her other body functions, shortening her lifespan.
5837769 Someone else tried and gave up. Honestly, I don't care either way.
Yeah, this is like watching a train wreck happen. You know it's terrible but you can't look away.
And yes, I know I butchered the saying/quote.
5837005 that chapter had stuff about the count in it, too. you've been planning this.
i wonder what's next.
that was beautiful sad but beautiful
Well, this is pretty much what I expected to happen eventually. On the one hand, we've got a long-lived (but not immortal) princess. On the other, we've got the very mortal people she befriended back when she was one of them. In the fullness of time, we could well see the advent of any number of new Mane Sixes.
5837630
Sure I can. Just happened, didn't it?
... Ow.
RIP Pinkie :(
does this mean the following chapters all contain the passing of another mane 6?
5836813 Babylon 5 was awesome
WHY CAN'T I HOLD ALL THESE FEELS?!
Pinkie!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I'M GETTING READY FOR WORK TOO!! I DIDN'T NEED THESE FEELS! But... someone was bound to get it. Still a good chapter... MY FEELS ARE GONNA BLEED ALL THE WAY TO WORK!
Oh, a new chapter. Probably some more court drama or some adorable TwiLuna shipping. Certainly nothing horribly sad and heavy on feels. I can't wait to read it.
Why is every single story I am following (that updates regularly (which to be fair is only 2)) dealing with death? This is not helping my own anxieties.
Things just got serious.
5841483
Way to respond to two year old comments.
5839765
If you ask me to put a trigger warning up, Ima seriously lose me shit.
5841836 Confirmed, now you need to kill off the entire main cast...
Trigger warning: triggers trigger me, cause I know guns aren't lethal, but the triggers make them lethal... So whenever someone says trigger warming, I have a bout of PTSD...