Honesty
It was a bright and sunny day outside accompanied with a light breeze that flowed through the small community of Ponyville, now known for being a 'country bumpkin' town and also the residing home of Princess Twilight Sparkle herself.
Twilight gazed enviously out of her castle window, her chin resting on her hoof and a pen floating nearby. She saw many familiar faces each smiling and walking alongside their special some ponies or even little fillies. She saw griffins, travelling dragons and other enchanting species residing happily alongside each other.
Ponyville was now a town of co-existence and peace where everybody accepts each other and works together to make everyone happy. It no longer had ponies who resented other species for they had admittedly all passed on, and Twilight worked hard on sharing friendships with every pony.
Although now she resides in her castle and writes books on spells she's developed herself so that future generations could gain knowledge and wisdom with her insight. It should feel like an honor as it is a goal she'd desired since she was a filly herself but... once Spike reached an age and height that he could no longer live with her, she couldn't find the inspiration to write. A part of her left with him that day, leaving her to stay in a huge isolating castle. Even on days where she'd intentionally leave the doors open for any pony or any creature to visit, none ever did to seek her. It left her feeling more deflated and lonely, when she thought on how her mentors Celestia and Luna coped with being rulers she remembers that they have one another for company and presence, Twilight didn't have any pony.
Knock Knock.
The pen fell to the floor and ink spilled on the blank paper, she scoffed and threw it all with her magic into the bin next to the writing desk. She noticed just how full it was of scrunched up papers and made a mental note to empty it out later before walking briskly towards the door.
The mail ponies knew it'd take her a few minutes to get to the door so they waited patiently for her. They also knew she was prone to shutting the door before getting a signature so he waited with the parcel resting on his left front hoof and pen and paper was ready for her to sign before picking it up.
He heard the door unlock and the door opened with a bright purple glow, her majesty Twilight Sparkle stood tall and was adorned with a golden necklace with pink diamond embedded and shaped as her former cutie mark, smaller white diamonds were placed next to her own. She had gold bracelets on her hooves with similar markings and jewels as her necklace.
Her wings were tucked to the sides but her mane was lovely blends of pink, purple and yellow to show the harmony between night and day, creating a beautiful twilight sky which conveyed a never ending trail of little stars that glimmered and sparkled with her every movement. Between her fringe and horn was her crown that shimmered in the morning light. It had remnants of the tree of harmony embedded on it, it was the only thing that was bittersweet about the princess as it was a reminder of her friends---
"Can I help you?"
The mail ponies face went bright red, "I- I apologise! Your majesty! I have a parcel for you, would you please--?"
Before the pony could finish Twilight had already picked up the parcel and closed the door, retreating straight into her personal library. On her way she examined it, turning it upside down, sideways and even giving it a little shake.
"I hardly receive anything these days except letters from Celestia and Flurry Heart..." She muttered to herself.
Her closed off library housed her most prized and special books that for some wouldn't mean much but to her, they held memories of past adventures and of times where she and her friends had learnt powerful lessons that would help them stop whatever villain had threatened peace in Equestria. Their were also books that her friends had bought for her or even owned themselves. Some of her fondest books are the ones that her friend Rainbow Dash owned, ones that had little notes in that she'd sent off to Daring Dash for her to improve on or even grammatical errors, they were particularly hard to get back. But her status often meant she got her way.
Unlike the rest of her castle the library was also home to her dear friend Owlicious when she lived, now her offspring lived their was continued to thrive, taking care of her books and occasionally bringing Twilight ones that she could read when she felt particularly lonely. Right now they were looking after the babies that had hatched only a few days prior, leaving Twilight to sit in her comfy corner where she unwrapped the parcel with care, taking the green bow off first before taking the paper off with her magic.
She brought it closer to the light and grasped it with her hooves. It didn't surprise her much that it was a book but the fact that it was a dark purple with an odd scaly texture and no title, did strike it odd. It was old too judging by the worn corners and the smell, which was a mixture of coal and ink. It made her uneasy by how familiar it was.
Using her magic she brought a desk over to her seat and placed the book down, her back straightened, she flicked the first few faded pages until two unoriginal words caught her eyes.
'Dear Diary,'
She quickly closed it, a feeling of invading privacy thundered down her spine. "Should I read this?" Twilight pondered, she brought the wrapping back over, examined it over and over until she reached the conclusion that yes it was meant to be delivered to her and not some other pony. So naturally she had rights to read it. She carried on.
'Dear Diary,
I've been given this blank book or 'diary' to record any thoughts or feelings that I have, now that i'm no longer considered a baby. I've had my wings for a few months now and almost became king of dragons before that but it's only now that I'm recognised and actually taken seriously because of Applejack.'
'I've just starting writing in this and Twilight is already telling me that it's wrong. She wants me to start with my earliest memories first and then I can write what I want now. But I don't think their are enough pages to write all my memories so... maybe I should just start with my most fondest memories?'
'I guess one of my fondest is growing up with Celestia and Twilight. When I was old enough (maybe a year old?) Twilight tells me how I moved in with her and her parents. They made changes to the house with funds from Celestia so that it could accommodate me and my fire (Note: I couldn't control it back then!). I think personally it was a test from Celestia herself to see if Twilight had the natural ability to care for others, likely to see if she could be a good ruler herself one day. Celestia always planned ahead and I guess it paid off.'
'We have had our good days together me and Twilight but also bad ones... I don't want to write them down. I ca-- rem--ber t-- o--e ti---e whe---- - sn---k ---o --- ---------- a-d ---------- up --------- havoc and even ------- up ch----ing a -------- -air into an afro. -- ------- I -------- in -------- --oves but ---- so I ca---- hel----- bu----t--------g back -- ---- -------- an- -h--e----- la------.'
'Page one... spilled ink on it... Good job Spike.. maybe I should try that old trick! Apple juice Think that's enough for today.'
She couldn't read anymore so with care, Twilight closed the book and wiped the tears that threatened to fall. "Oh Spike..." She sniffed, "I miss you..."
Sensing her distress, Owlicious's son perched on the table, he tilted his head and floofed his feathers to get her attention.
"I'm sorry." She suddenly stood, her magic pushing the desk aside slightly as she walked by, her eyes downcast, "I need to see her..." she muttered.
Owlicious's son's head turned towards her, seemingly understanding what she meant, he flapped his wings and took off towards the roof. Their was a click and a small patch of the roof opened up, Twilight spread her wings and took flight outside the castle.
The skies were clear save for the city for Cloudsdale which had grown significantly over the years, due to expansion of Equestria and demand of consistent weather. Though her interest wasn't in the city, her eyes stayed focused on the ground until the houses in Ponyville thinned until it was nothing but dirt trails which lead to the faded wooden gates.
With practice and grace she landed before them and read the sign, a feeling of nostalgia hitting her head, making her heart swell with memories and love.
'Sweet Apple Acres'
She could've flown straight to the barn but she wanted to see for herself how much time hadn't seemed to have affected this small portion of Equestria's most important history. It had been documented as many things over the years but anyone who took a step here felt the strong work ethic but the even stronger family bond.
In the distance she could here ponies bucking the apple trees and faintly she could see some Pegasus ponies with watering cans in their jaws. She laughed to herself, they were never ponies that liked to rely on technology even if it would've made their lives easier. "It makes the apples taste even sweeter when made with love."
The path was long and bumpy but it brought many memories, though none compared to seeing the old barn itself with a new fresh batch of paint on it. It still had the same markings as the day she moved here. It looked more worn from the weather but it still stood strong and proud. Like her dear friend Applejack.
Walking out the barn was a young mare, her mane was light brown from the long hours of work, she had grassy green eyes and little freckles dotted on her face. Alongside her was an older pony, her mane had little colour left from the years of exposure to the elements but was tied back with little stray hairs loose, she looked tired but smiled as she walked, her old knees were wobbling a little as she walked with a little wagon attached to her, it was filled with jars of various jams, both apple and pear.
"Mama let me carry that for you, it's too heavy." The mare fretted, she attempted to unlatch the wagon from the older pony but she shook her off.
"Nonsense lil filly ah am stronger than ah---" She stopped her eyes met with Twilight's and swelled with tears, "Ah don't believe my eyes..."
The mare took this moment to take the saddle off her mother, "Princess Twilight Sparkle?" she watched as her mother moved with haste to the princess.
Twilight walked to her friend faster and held her close. She felt tears flow down her cheeks as she could feel every bone in her friend's body, all the years of working on the farm taking a toll on her bones. For Applejack it was no surprise her friend looked near exactly the same as she did nearly sixty years ago, becoming an alicorn slowed her body clock, it would take her thousands of years before she looked anything like her.
Applejack pulled back to have a look at Twilight, "Look at you, you haven't changed much." She looked like a princess.
"Applejack, I'm sorry--"
"Come on inside, Sugarcube will grab us some sweeet~ apple juice." She turned towards the house, "Won't you sweetie?"
Twilight and Sugarcube exchanged looks but before Twilight could let on that she felt hurt for being ignored Sugarcube got her attention, "Don't worry none. Mama's hearing isn't so great."
"Oh." Twilight sighed, following Sugarcube into the house.
"Mama has a chair in the room there, take a seat whilst I get refreshments."
Sure enough you could hear the creaking of an old rocking chair and when Twilight poked her head round the door way she could see Applejack resting on the chair, her hooves up and back resting comfortably on a fluffy cushion. She recognised it as Granny Smith's old chair though now it had, had a fresh coat of paint and new pillows.
"Come on in sweetie, let's have a lil talk." Applejack said gesturing to the couch, she waited for Twilight to sit down before speaking, "Ah ain't seen you for a long time... why is that? and don't lie, I may be older but I still can sniff out a lie when I hear it."
Twilight smiled sadly but spoke a little louder then when she was outside, "I've been reading and writing to Celestia and Luna."
Applejack shook her head, "Now that ain't nothing new sugarcube. Ah wanna know why you haven't seen any of us in so long? Did we upset you?"
"No! Not at all! I just... ever since Spike left I...."
"Sorry to interrupt but I have the apple juice... here you go mama." She put the drink next to Applejack's chair but Twilight used her magic to grab her drink, "I'll be making jam if you need me." She excused herself quickly.
Applejack picked up her drink and guzzled it down, leaving hardly anything left, she swirled it and contemplated what to say. Twilight took a few sips, she had words on the tip of her tongue but she felt ashamed. For being a princess of friendship, she had unintentionally failed at maintaining her own friendships in favor of helping others. Then expected her friend to just welcome her back with open arms unchanged? Time waits for no one and for Twilight it was harsh, forty years of her own life was nothing but to the ponies like Applejack it was precious.
Twilight wondered if maybe she should just leave? Maybe coming here wasn't a good idea. Though now she wondered just what brought her here to begin with. She read a page of Spike's personal diary that mentioned Applejack and felt compelled to be here, a reminder of her friend. Applejack put the cup down on a table next to the chair, it creaked and Applejack laughed, cutting the silence with her hiccupped laughter. Twilight smiled and put her own cup down, when it creaked again the two laughed together, it broke the horrible mood and made them smile.
"Haha, sounds like me does that ol' table..." She wiped the tears from her eyes, "Ah reckon that you had your reasons for not being here, and ah understand. What matters to me is that you are here now and well we'd best make the most of it ah think... sweetie what's wrong?"
Tears fell from Twilight as she couldn't believe how her friend forgave her so easily and without so much explanation. She felt regret from not being here, Applejack had fillies of her own and Twilight knew nothing of them, she didn't dare let her mind drift to her other friends for it heart was breaking enough.
Lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear Applejack shuffle out of the chair. She felt her warm body holding hers, her wings and hooves pulled Applejack closer, "I'm so sorry..." she hiccupped, "I've missed so much and..." Twilight sobbed as Applejack rubbed what part of her back as she could, "Now your older and I can't do anything!"
She cried for a while but Applejack didn't pull back once or stop rubbing her back to comfort her. She nodded as Twilight rambled and cried, she hushed her as she had many times for her young fillies. Slowly she rocked them until Twilight eventually stopped crying, she held her close, the only noise left was the ticking of the grandfather clock.
"You are here now sweetie..." Applejack whispered her voice tired, "Make the most of your time with us now."
Sugarcube came into the room as the clock struck two, "Mama are you and Twilight ready for lunch? The boys are already tucking into the food."
"You tell them boys we got guests and they should be more respectful." Applejack huffed, pulling out of Twilight's embrace.
Twilight put her wings back to the sides and rubbed the tears from her sore eyes but couldn't stifle the chuckle as the two playfully bickered.
She enjoyed the rest of the evening at Sweet Apple Acres, meeting the whole family, a fine mixture of Apples and Pears. She toured around the farm with Applejack by her side and even bucked a few trees. She used her magic to bring and place a few flowers in respect for Big Mac and Granny Smith which were picked from a botanical garden in the castle. By the time the sun was setting she helped Applejack back to the barn and placed her in her favorite chair.
"Come and see me again sometime." Applejack smiled, "I'll ask Applebloom to bring her fillies, oh! And of course you must try Sugarcube's zap apple jam, it's beautiful." she yawned.
"I'd be happy to... in fact would it be okay if I wrote you letters? I'll send Owlicious's son to bring messages to you and if you want, you can send one back?"
"Sounds wonderful darlin'."
Twilight saw her friend fall asleep from the long day, Sugarcube politely walked with her to the gate, "I hope to see you more often Princess Twilight."
"Oh, you can just call me Twilight." She said casually as she opened up her wings.
"Okay, Twilight." Sugarcube smiled and waved the princess off.
The flight home was brief but she looked forward with a smile, excited for what tomorrow could bring.