I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, am alone. Granted I have subjects now, I have my sister princesses, I have worshipers and Spike, but I all my friends, the ones who taught me about friendship and aided me in so many adventures, are gone. And now I know one of the terrible secrets the celestial sisters had to experience.
I watched as all my friends passed from this world, one by one. Their children lived on and had children of their own, but they lived their own lives, now I'm known as a princess that was there when an adventure happened. Discord, King Sombra, Tirek, Starlight Glimmer, Canterlot High, all victories that we won with each other and now stories, legends and myths are all that remain.
I remember how each of them passed too in so much detail, as a princess I found the ability to see and watch all my friends in my mind whenever I wanted to or needed to, the magic often took a life of its own.
Rainbow Dash was the first, it was a terrible accident that took her from us.
Rainbow Dash woke up to her child jumping on her bed, Rainbow turned over and pulled the covers over her head, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, it's time for breakfast, get up, daddy wants to give you breakfast, why are you so slow slow-poke, c'mon," the little one said as she began to nudge Rainbow in the back until she groaned.
"Daring Do Dash, you know I'm the fastest Pegasus in Equestria, I just don't like to move when I'm asleep," Rainbow said looking at Daring. Daring was a beautiful filly with a grey coat and yellow mane with the most beautiful brown eyes I had seen before or since.
"Mommy, daddy has food ready, let's go eat."
Groan, "Okay, let's get some of daddys famous food," she said as she sat up in bed. The mirror on her dresser reflected a gloomy sight of a cyan mare with a tangled and frizzy mane, sleepy eyes and obvious drool on her cheek. Wiping her mouth she got to up and shook her mane, That'll do for a start, race you to the table," Rainbow Dash said as she flew through the door at her usual pace, Daring right behind her mother.
Slowing her pace slightly so Daring would pass her she smiled as the filly made it to the table first, "I win again mommy, now I'm the fastest in Equestria, but I still love you mommy," Daring said as she took a bite of her morning oats.
"Good morning, Sweetie, I have your coffee ready and the table is set," Soarin said as he kissed Rainbow on the cheek and passed her a hot mug of coffee, "Enjoy breakfast, I'll be right there."
Sitting down Rainbow began to eat as Soarin joined her, a mug of hot tea sat in his spot, "Why do you drink tea? You're a wonderbolt, you need all the energy you can get," Rainbow said as she raised the mug to her lips then took several swallows nearly emptying it in one shot with a sigh of relief.
"Mommy, can we go see Fluttershy today? I want to see animals and feed them because they're so much more fun the birds only," Daring asked with a mouthful.
"Now, Daring, don't talk with a full mouth because it makes a mess and isn't very lady-like. Also, I don't see why not, what do you think sweetie?" Soarin asked Rainbow Dash.
"I'm down with the ground and Fluttershy always likes help. Wanna go after morning exercises?"
"You bet," he replied as he sipped his tea, gingerly garnering a snicker from Rainbow Dash.
The morning exercise went great for Soarin and Rainbow, they went through their obstacle course in a heated race in the clouds as Daring watched hovering and zipping left and right as often as she could to get her own workout in as she cheered on her parents. Rainbow won and landed by Daring followed closely by Soarin, all of them breathing heavily.
"Mommy, can I have some Ice Cream before we go see the ground, I want vanilla rainbow cloud flavor, pleasepleaseplease?" Daring begged with those puppy dog eyes as she began to fly around them.
"Oh, okay okay. Let's go to the shop and get some, it's been a few days and you've been a very very good little filly," Soarin smiled as Rainbow nodded.
"Wow that was really good, maybe the best ice cream I've ever had, I could die happy right now," Rainbow joked as she picked up Daring and did a loop, "now, let's get going to Fluttershys place."
Flying back to Soarin and Rainbows house they gathered a couple toys and snacks for the trip, loaded them into a cart and placed Daring in as well with a couple straps to make sure she was safe and then securing the cart to Soarin they left.
Taking to the sky side by side they flew together and talked as they kept a nice pace, not too fast but definitely not too slow as they enjoyed the wind in their manes and listened to Daring giggle and play in the cart behind them.
"Auntie Fluttershy, I'm here and so is mommy and daddy," Daring called into the cottage as she flew to the door. There was no answer so Rainbow took to the sky and looked for Fluttershy. Seeing Fluttershy in the distance she called to her family and pointed in her direction, then flew ahead.
"Fluttershy, what's up, how's the critters?" Rainbow asked as she flew in. Fluttershy smiled and waved, scattering the seeds she had in her hoof around as birds surrounded her to get some.
Flying above the torrent of birds Fluttershy met Rainbow in the air, "It's so good to see you again, it's been a week since I last saw you, is Daring here too?" Fluttershy asked with a hopeful smile then a squeal as Rainbow nodded.
Having become a much stronger flyer at her middle age she flew as fast as she could and met Daring as she was making her way a few feet off the ground in Rainbow Dashes direction with Soarin just above her.
"Auntie, auntie, I missed you so much," Daring called as Fluttershy flew into to embrace her, "auntie, you smell like critter poop."
Laughing she excused herself for being so close to the animals that day and guided them all to her cottage where she quickly washed in the shower then joined them in her living room.
"I am so happy to see you all again, and I appreciate your honesty, Daring, I do need a rinse after spending a day with my little friends," Fluttershy said as she sat on a chair opposite Soarin and Rainbow Dash while Daring played with a group of squirrels that lived inside the walls, playing hide and seek with her.
"It's so good to see you again, Fluttershy, I imagine you're doing well, as are your critters," Soarin asked casually.
"Oh, yes, three little ones died two days ago, but they were very old and it was their time. Their memorial was short but a lot of their friends came to pay their respects. Other than that everything has been very good, how about all of you?"
"Well," Rainbow Dash started with a long story about how she won a few races and was practicing a new move with a double sonic rainboom and how it was almost ready.
"Oh, I know you've been practicing something, there have been a dozen of your sonic rainbooms this week, I hope you make it," Fluttershy said with a casual smile as she watched Daring play tag with a few birds, "Daring is so adorable, I wish I could have one but, well you know."
Fluttershy lowered her head briefly as she remembered having a two year relationship with a great stallion before finding out she was barren. She winced and began to sniffle as she remembered the pain of him leaving her early one morning since she couldn't bare him a child.
"Fluttershy, I'm sorry he left you, he was a jerk and didn't deserve you at all," Rainbow Dash reassured her as she got up and hugged Fluttershy until she felt the golden mare calming down, "Fluttershy, you're an awesome pony and caregiver and the best friend any pony could ask for, don't ever forget that. Now, let's get over this and I'll show you my new trick, well, as much of it as I have."
"Oh, okay, that would make me feel a lot better, I love rainbows. I'll just need to tell my little friends to get ready for the noise," Fluttershy said as she hopped up and went talking to her critters, then went outside to tell the others and to pass on the word.
Twilight began to sob as the memories began to flood back of that moment as she watched with her own eyes what happened from the castle. She didn't think she needed to be anywhere near the trick to see the double rainboom in action, or at least the attempt.
Flying high and fast Rainbow Dash began her tricks and reforming clouds as she wowed her onlookers feeling her confidence soar.
She prepared herself for the final trick, the double rainboom.
"Now, watch Daring, I bet this time mommy does it and it will be the magnificent. It'll be something you'll tell your children about," Soarin said while holding Daring under his body, shielding her from the sound waves that would hit them.
Here I go, time to do this right and make history again, no one will ever forget me after this." Rainbow Dash thought climbing higher and higher.
Diving at nearly her top speeds she performed a sonic rainboom just like she had nearly a hundred times since she was a teenager at that fateful race.
She sped off on a slightly higher than horizontal tangent and sped up again, the second rainboom worked, she sped faster and faster, then it happened.
The force was too great for her body to handle and her wings snapped, then both shock waves struck her, shattering many of her bones including her legs and fracturing her neck, also deafening her and making her lose all coordination.
She fell almost to the ground before Soarin caught her and flew her straight to the Ponyville hospital where Fluttershy and Daring arrived a few minutes after. Rainbow was already in a room with a team of doctors and nurses casting spells, giving her medication and trying to assess her condition.
After three hours the doctors and nurses came out of her room with their heads low, I knew it had to be bad news, but this was Rainbow Dash we're talking about, she's the toughest pony in Equestria. Give her a month and she'll be back on her hooves acting like this was nothing. Scootaloo and I also made it to the hospital and were anxiously waiting for the news on her recovery while doing our best to console Soarin and Daring.
"Princess Twilight," the doctor bowed to me, then addressed us all, "I'm terribly sorry, but her injuries are too severe, she has been broken beyond anything we can repair in time, she won't make it through to Lunas night, she's not going to wake up."
We all looked at him in shock and disbelief, how can this be, how could this happen, why couldn't they do more, maybe there is a spell they don't know of yet, maybe she can be put into stasis. There has to be a way. I thought of everything I could while I tried to find humor in his words, maybe it's a prank by Rainbow Dash, I thought as Daring spoke finally.
She's such a strong filly, but so young she didn't understand, "Can I see mommy now, I wanna tell her how cool that was and I wanna do it too."
All of us began to cry right then; How can we ever explain to her what was going to happen. She would never hear her mothers voice again, she would never show her mother so many things and her mother, the great Rainbow Dash, would never see her daughter grow up into the great mare she would become.
As inconsolable as we were we took turns saying our goodbyes to Rainbow Dash, then we all stayed by her until she passed. The doctors were right, she didn't make it until sunset.
Never had I known the pain of loss and it never got easier.
It was a cold winter morning in Ponyville when I looked to the Carousel Boutique. A gaudy purple tent of a house and business that stood contrast to the entire scenery of the town, especially during winter. The sun had risen and a few ponies were stirring from their homes and beginning their day, each oblivious to the loss that had transpired a few days prior to the owner of the establishment before me.
I took a deep breath in and held it. It was cold and bitter, it hurt a lot at first. Then I let it go and watched the vapor blow away in the light breeze. My heart was colder at the moment.
How? How can I have lost two friends already? Within five years? Within the same decade? I haven't aged a minute and now... I raised my hoof and shook it free of the snow and wiped a lone tear from my right cheek before turning to return to my castle. Rainbow Dash to a stupid aerodynamic flaw and now this? Why did I have to be cursed with immortality? How do they do it? I looked to the sky.
The sun was rising which meant the moon had set, in sixteen hours the sun will set and the moon will rise for exactly eight hours. The process will repeat until the end of time. They will live forever, as will I.
How many will I love, befriend, and lose?
The train ride to Baltimare was so exciting and full of joy; Rarity and Fluttershy were talking about the latest fashion styles and I still have no idea how Fluttershy knows so much about fashion. I'll ask her someday, but today was about a girls day, plus one baby dragon, to a different city to spend a short time shopping and seeing sights. Applejack was talking with my Spike about different foods they were going to sample; starting with Big Wheel's Donut Hole.
All our adventures had never taken us there and of all the places to go it seemed like one of the more common cities, smaller than Manehattan but just as busy. When Rarity had suggested it over our tea time I thought it was a fantastic idea. I had been burdened with solving personal issues now.
Instead of the celestial sisters having to settle simple disputes over land and relationships; that fell on me now. They were free to handle more important issues like preventing the Gryphon nation from going hungry or the Centaurians from attacking our south west and taking our land, and the land of the Buffalo, for their own.
I had taken three weeks to work my own schedule, with Spike's help, so I could have five days off. I slept most of the ride but who can sleep comfortably with Pinkie in the same car as you? If it wasn't a random story with emphasis on random words then it was that infernal Party cannon. Twice I woke up with the whole car decorated in her usual party theme with no pony having an answer; apparently we went through a tunnel and in the seven seconds that took she had turned our car into a party.
The conductor was very... displeased each time but relented when he saw I was on board. I thought the title of archmage was grand, but now to have everypony bowing to me and addressing me as 'your highness', it's never gotten to be comfortable. Not the least in the last thousand years from the time this tale began.
Anyway, we arrived the following morning from Ponyville and departed the train with so much pent up energy Rainb-... Erhm, Rainbow Dash would have gone stir crazy and flown out of the car before it stopped. The weather was warm for fall but we were ready to have a fun weekend so, first stop was the hotel. We dropped off our bags and left Spike to set our beds and dressers up while we went for a real meal. He was to join us as soon as he was done.
One thing I, and Rarity, could never complain about is the royal treatment. The best room at the hotel, free spa treatment, meals, even a tour of the city. All I had to do was have my picture taken outside the establishments and with the mayor. A simple price to pay; they get recognition and we get a vacation. Simple enough. I used to hate to take advantage of my title but the past few years had been rough on us all. Rainbow being taken from us, then a plague had begun to spread and, while it was easily destroyed and nonfatal, had left a mark on the nation that took time to heal.
I digress, again. This tangical thought process of mine has never gotten better, I apologize.
We were at the diner and all was well, I had ordered a soup and salad. It was okay but nothing compared to Spike's food. He was a true chef in the best sense of the word and the best assistant anypony could have. Well, we finished our meal and waited almost an hour for Spike to join us before we decided to just catch up with him that night. He'd have to see the town on his own and we left a few bits and gems to keep him satiated.
The day was pretty normal. Rarity took us to several shops for inspiration, Fluttershy had us stop in the park to feed a few animals. And by a few I mean about a dozen squirrels, more birds than I cared to count, dogs, cats, the list went on until we finally decided to leave her to her own devices. Applejack led the way to Big Wheel's Donut Hole where we expected to find Spike, but again he wasn't there.
"Where in tarnation is that dragon? Ah got a hankerin' fer some grub and I aim ta share with him. He's a late as a rattlesnake in winter, Twilight, ya know where he is?"
"I don't know AJ, maybe he's sleeping in the room. You three wait here and I'll go check on him. Pinkie, can you check on Fluttershy? I don't think she knows where we are and I'd hate for her to miss out," I asked and she grinned widely. With a hop she began poinging out of the restaurant and back the few blocks to the park.
I smiled to the others and formed the spell in my mind and the world was awash in purple for a second before it returned to normal and I was outside our room in the hotel. I opened the door and walked in to see the room setup perfectly. I expect nothing less after all this time from Spike. "Spike?" I called, "are you here? We're gonna eat some do~nuts," I sang. No reply.
"Hm, maybe he left a note?" I asked the room as I began looking at each bed, then on each dresser, table, counter, inside the icebox, then on the entrance door; both sides. "Huh, well maybe he's checking out the town. He did say he wanted to surprise Rarity with a gift."
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention Rarity had agreed to take Spike to dinner while we were in town. She still had no interest in even trying to have a relationship with a dragon, but loved the attention he offered her. I shrugged and left the room, closing and locking the door behind me. Princess or not, thieves are everywhere and a chance at royal jewelery was an opportunity some couldn't pass up.
I decided to walk back to the shop and check a few places along the way when I heard a commotion outside the hotel. Not one to pass up a chance to help solve a problem I rushed to the gathered gaggle group of growing gents who were gangly and grand in size... Erhm. I went to the gathered group and asked what the ruckus was.
"Somepony was hurt and sent to the hospital. Something about an alabaster unicorn-"
My eyes widened and I formed the spell instantly teleporting myself to the others.
Three of them were at a table. "AJ, 'Shy, Pinkie? Where's Rarity and Spike?" I asked with slight panic.
"Rarity said she forgot something she was gonna give Spikey, Twi Twi. She galloped out of here right after you teleported."
"Yeah sugarcube, she got all flustered sayin' she forgot to hide her dress for their dinner."
"Oh no," I said aghast. The others sensed my worry and got up from their seats. "I think there's been an accident. Hurry, we have to get to the hospital. Are you mister Wheel?" I asked the... rotund stallion behind the display case.
"Eeyup." We all took into account the phrase for a second.
"If a white unicorn or baby dragon show up tell them to go back to the hotel and wait for us."
He looked at us then me. His eyes widened and he lowered his head. "Eeyup, yer highness."
A smirk formed on my muzzle as I nodded and turned to the door, opening it with my magic, and dashed... Erhm. To the outside.
Taking a minute to gather my surroundings I knew nothing about the city. Had I read a map I'd have commited it to memory and know exactly where to go. As such I had to ask a cabbie to take us. Without a pause Applejack and Pinkie hopped in while the rest of us followed above.
The hospital was a ways out, and even though he refused I paid the cabbie with what I thought he deserved plus a tip; it was a reasonable amount. We dashe- Rushed in and asked the receptionist about any recent emergencies. After the whole lobby had bowed to me she began searching the database and found a recent admittance. A baby dragon and a unicorn.
Without hesitation I asked where and galloped where she had pointed. The others followed and caught up as I stopped suddenly by an opened door. I looked in and couldn't believe what I saw. My heart ached and I couldn't breathe.
In the bed was my Spike, Rarity crying over him. His belly wrapped in bandages and blue dragons blood seeping through.
"What in the name... Spike?! Rare, what happened?" AJ shouted as she and the others galloped in ahead of me. I didn't realize I was still in the hall, staring into the room, until a mare bowed and addressed me. Ignoring her I flew into the room and beside my number one assistant.
For once I was at a loss for words. My mind was blank and all I could do was stare at him, lying dying before me. I cast a spell to see the damage and... it was extreme.
"He was robbed of his bits and gems outside the hotel. The culprit was caught; a gryphon down on his luck he said," a voice said from behind me.
"D-d-doctor, w-will Spike be alright?" Fluttershy asked, tears, as always it seemed, in her eyes.
"He's not going to make it. We don't have any dragon experience so we can't heal him."
"Gems," I said softly.
"Excuse me, miss- Oh, your highness-"
"Don't bucking bow, answer me. Do you have gems? Dragons eat gems to heal themselves... We need gems, hurry!" I ordered him. Without delay he turned and left the room in a gallop that was far from safe in a hospital setting.
"Twi Twi, are you okay? You don't look okay. Can I help?"
"Pinkie! You have everything in your mane, give me your gems... NOW?!" I shouted louder than I had in years. She and the others cowered back while Rarity said up and scowled at me.
"Silence, please. Let my Spikey Wikey rest in peace."
He stirred after she spoke. "R-Rarity? T-T-Twilight?" he said softly. "Got any gems?"
We looked to Pinkie who had lost her cotton candy puff of hair. It was flat, she didn't have any gems.
"I-I gave him all mine before I left the hotel. I'm so sorry Twilight," she said softly as she laid down on the floor. AppleJack rested a hoof on Pinkie and glared at me for a second before beginning to comfort Pinkie. Fluttershy had joined Rarity and was petting her back softly, reassuringly.
"I have a gem Spike. Please, eat it and get better," Rarity said reaching into her saddlebag and producing the fire gem he had given her those years before.
He smiled wide and took it from her and for a moment everypony was elated. We gathered around his bed and looked closely at him as he raised the gem to his mouth; and kissed it. Taking a small bite from it he lowered his arm and let it fall to the floor from his claws.
Then he was gone.
He was gone.
Spike was gone.
Taken from me by a senseless crime.
Gone. My number one assistant.
He... Would never cook again, give me a hug, help me organize. Listen to me when I'm sad, advise me when I'm confused... Stop me from hurting myself when the pressure was too much and I wanted to end my immortality before it became to heavy.
The thoughts raced through my mind until I looked to the others. Tears in their eyes and sobbing; Rarity was screaming his name, but I heard nothing. The world blurred as my eyes began to flood with tears as I looked to the blue stained bandages. Then the doctor ran in with a sapphire. A small sapphire ring to be exact. A ring from a newlywed pony. The ring was new. Somepony was willing to give their gem to help a strange creature while another was willing to kill for a few bits and gems.
I lost it. I had never cried so hard in my life. I wrapped him in my forelegs and wings and screamed with the others at the loss of such a noble creature who had done so much and had so much more to offer. The crowd grew around the door and began to filter in, and even though they didn't know Spike to see any lifeless body was a heart wrenching event.
Ponies began to sob and I could feel the sorrow in the room. It was tangible. I had never felt another's sorrow and this was so much; a new alicorn power unique to me. I couldn't block it yet, my screams got louder and my tears ran over his tiny body.
'Friendship is loss as well as gain.' The words flew into my mind as I grit my teeth and tightened my hold on him.
He was gone and a piece of me was too.