Who We Are
I have so many memories of a life past. From my youngest years until now on my death bed. I want to share a few of these memories so they won't be forgotten.
Memories deserve to be shared so that a part of you is never forgotten. So somepony out there will think about you when you are gone and cannot make any more memories.
My name is Twilight Sparkle, and these are my memories.
While my memories are many, there are a few which stick out the most to me. One of them is one of my earliest memory, where upon my big brother Shining Armor went to take me out for some ice cream after a bad day in magic kindergarten.
I was dragging my hooves on the sidewalk after a long day at school. Everypony was laughing at me because I fell asleep in class. At the time I though it was a perfect idea to study all night. I learned my lesson there.
Shining Armor was walking with me because he still went to the same school as me. He noticed that I was all glum and asked me what was wrong. I told him what happened and he was quiet for a second. I thought he was going to tell mom but then he just whispered to me, “I know what will make this day better... Ice cream!”
This surprised me because my brother never broke the rules and mom always said to come straight home after school and no sweets before dinner. The filly me always looked up to her brother and so when he decided to break the rules, it was like an epic journey was laid out in front of me.
“Really?!” I asked and he replied saying, “Anything for my little sister.” And our course changed to go to the ice cream parlor in town.
We acted like ninjas when anypony came around and hid from view so no one could witness the act of defiance. We almost got caught to, when we forgot that our dad was in town at that time. It took some
quick hiding skills behind a few potted plants to secure the safety of the mission.
Finally after what felt like forever -which was probably about five minutes really- we ended up at the sweet shop. I ran in so quickly, all you could see would be a trail of purple if you were looking in that direction.
We sat down at the table and eagerly ordered. When our well earned ice cream arrived, we gobbled it up faster then you could say 'Twilight Sparkle'.
Then came the problem. The problem came when a worker trotted over as we finished and said, “That'll be six bits please.” I looked to Shining Armor quizzically and he looked dumbfounded and just shrugged at the waiter. That earned a full blown facehoof.
We hadn't even thought about the cost that the savory treat warranted. Luckily for the establishment, but not for us, the owner knew our parents and brought them to the store so they could pay the bill. Let's just say we got our ears lectured off and no dessert for a whole month.
But, it was all worth it because that's when me and Shining created a real bond that lasted til the day he died.
That memory is one of my worst ones, but even if I was given the chance, I wouldn't choose to get rid of it because memories, even the bad ones, always deserve to be remembered.
The day it self started out like any normal one. Wake up, eat breakfast, and then open up the library and read until noon.
I was around forty-five and he was around fifty at the time, but that never got in the way of my schedule.
Shining Armor was happily married to Cadence and still running over the Crystal Empire. They even had a kid! But the long hoof of death doesn't take any of that into consideration. At least he died honorably, protecting his kingdom from harm.
It was about lunch when Spike came to me with a letter from Princess Celestia. Spike was a young adult dragon at the time, but he still would never stop being my number one assistant. Letters from the princess were a little slower because I didn't have a lot of friendship reports anymore. I still got around with the girls, but we were getting a little to old to do what we used to. Except for Pinkie. That mare never slows down.
I put my book down and open the scroll, always eager to hear from my mentor. I did not expect at all what I read. The letter wasn't even from Celestia at all. It was just a death notice. It said that Shining Armor had died on 8/12 protecting the Crystal Empire in the line of duty from an unforeseen changeling attack.
It was the same notice of death given to every family that had a relative killed in the line of duty.
I remember being stunned into silence for who knows how long. Finally, Spike just took the letter and read it himself. Apparently he was asking me what was wrong that whole time, but my whole world was stunned into silence. That one motion was all it took to snap me back to reality as I broke down crying.
It was a long day.
The next day, I had taken a train to the Crystal Empire with my friends for his funeral. Amazingly, Shining had been able to keep the changelings at bay until Cadence could get everypony who wasn't already taken away by the creatures to fill up the crystal heart. It was perfectly coordinated the way the changelings had done it. Right before the crystal heart was renewed with more energy to keep the empire safe so they could get in. And yet, it came at the expense of my brother's life. I've had an extreme vendetta against them that still lasts to today.
The funeral was a very somber event. Even Pinkie was looking sadder then usual. I had never been to one before that one and I hoped to never have to go to one again. But, we all get old someday. And oldness is just one step closer to the grave.
But, it is always better not to dwell on the sad parts of you're life. If you do that, you'll never get anywhere. It's like chasing you're tail. I choose to remember all the good times I've had with him then some of the bad.
Good memories are what keep you going after rough times. You can decide to listen to them and let them guide you in the right direction or you can ignore them and never get anywhere or worse down the wrong path.
My favorite memory is one Hearths Warming Eve around my thirties. All the girls came to the library so we could exchange presents and enjoy eachother's company. It was going great and we were just about to open gifts when there was a knock at the door. We were all confused because we didn't invite anypony else over, but I still went and got the door.
Outside was Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor. Apparently they decided to spend the holiday with us instead of being on there lonesome. I had freaked out because I hadn't wrapped their gifts because I didn't know they were coming. They didn't care though.
We had all sat down and had some hot chocolate while trading stories that we hadn't had the time to tell eachother yet.
Finally it was time to open gifts. I wouldn't say all I care about was presents, but I knew that some pretty sweet books had come out that I didn't have yet. Like Your Magic and Quantum Physics, which I did happen to get with a few subtle hints. I also happened to get a banana rack from Princess Celestia. I'm not really sure why she thought I needed one, but it's the thought that counts.
I'm honestly not sure why this is one of my favorite memories. It just always strikes a cord with me whenever I think about it. I believe it's because it was just so simple enough and that I was there with all my close friends. I may never understand why I love it so much, but memories work like that.
These are the memories I want to pass on. I don't want them to be forgotten. They represent me in my good and bad ways.
Thank you for the memories.
Remember them so I'm not lost in the fog.
Because memories make up who we are.