> Because We Still Can
>  by Koekelbag
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Even now.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Now arriving in Ponyville! Now arriving in Ponyville! This train will still stop in Ghastly Gorge, Appleloosa, and Dodge City. Now arriving in Ponyville!"

After the old train came to a full stop, the well-worn doors of several carriages slowly slid open, and ponies started to exit and enter the wagons. Some were tourists getting on to ride back to their home towns, having visited the fabled home of the Bearers of the Elements as well as the Princess of Friendship, current ruler of Equestria, with its grand Crystal Castle and the School of Friendship, or hoping to witness one of the many outrageous incidents that seem to happen all too regularly here.

Others were getting off, returning from their work in various places in Equestria, their commute as usual made enjoyable by the excellent service the Express always offers, even if today there was a nearly one-and-a-half-hour delay to arrive. After all, Ponyvillians are known to be among the most amicable and social ponies out there, so the delay flew by as quickly as the actual ride.

Among those getting out were two somewhat peculiar ponies. One, a tall elderly grey unicorn with a magnificent white beard and clothes similar to the well-known travelling showmare Trixie Lulamoon, was anxiously looking around, as if unsure whether he got out at the right station.

To his side, a much smaller unicorn, though only a bit shorter than the average stallion height, wearing only a simply cloak and a cheap pair of saddlebags underneath, was looking excitedly at his companion, a small grin on his face. Neither of them moved, the latter seemingly waiting for the former to lead the way.

Nopony around them paid the two any mind, making sure to not bump into the two stallions, until finally the platform started to clear out and the train started to whistle.

"Now departing for Ghastly Gorge, I repeat, we are now departing for Ghastly Gorge!" the conductor shouted out, before getting on herself, and with a loud sigh the doors closed and the old train started to move again.

In the end, only the two peculiar ponies were still standing around, still yet to move forward.

The elderly unicorn looked to his companion, about to say something, but the smaller unicorn only nodded his head, as if knowing the question to come, the smile never leaving his muzzle. The gaze lingered a few moments more, until the older unicorn grumbled something under his breath and looked ahead, slowly starting to move.

The smaller colt followed with a slight spring in his step, easily keeping up with the gentle but steady pace, as they entered Ponyville proper.

As they walked along the many streets, the smaller unicorn looked around in glee, happily greeting anypony they came across, the elder only mutely but politely nodding.

Even though their reputation had once again been steadily growing while travelling through Equestria in its modern incarnation, Ponyvillians had known who the two visitors were from the start, and yet still treated them as if they would treat any other pony. So both were thankful that nopony stopped them to talk for much more than a few pleasant words, a smile and a wave enough to satisfy everyone's curiosity about the two travellers.

And so the two walked on, enjoying the warm winds on their coats and dirt beneath their hooves, until they finally reached their destination. Looking skywards, the smaller unicorn couldn't help but whistle.

"Quite the place, huh? No matter how many times I see it, I never would have thought all of this would grow from those tiny seeds you planted so long ago." he said, looking to his companion.

The other looked up as well, silently admiring the crystalline structure, before replying, "Honestly? Me neither."

This seemed to catch the smaller colt of guard, wanting to say something before being interrupted.

"Come, the princess has been waiting. She seems quite eager to receive us, considering-" The elder said, before raising his coarse voice, "that purple horn waving excitedly on the third floor."

At this, said purple horn quickly disappeared from sight, and the smaller colt let out a small laugh. The elder had a small crack on his lips as well, but he managed to keep his composure. As if on cue, the large yellow doors at the top of the stairs swung slowly open.

The two shared one last look between them. The point of no return, and they both knew it, though not with equal confidence. Still, they had been delayed long enough, and so they finally entered Princess Sparkle's Crystal Castle.

---

Shortly after the pair entered the grand entrance hall, the doors automatically closed behind them with a loud sigh. Had they been strangers, they might have been confused as to how exactly this was done, as there wasn't the tell-tale glow of magical manipulation nor were there any indications of mechanical devices operating as such. Yet, they were no strangers of course, and already knew that it was the very castle itself that had welcomed them in, alive and sentient in its own curious sense, much like the tree that had birthed it.

Up ahead, they heard the hasty beats of flapping wings quickly approaching them, distinct from a pegasi's flight, warning them who it was that came to greet them. A few moments later, a purple dragon came barrelling through one of the doorways, somewhat out of breath. Said dragon seems to have grown quite a bit since the last time the pair saw him, at least having outgrown the smaller unicorn while still being a bit shorter than the elder pony.

"Starswirl! Stygian!" he shouted out, still flying towards them at a not-insignificant speed. Shortly before crashing into the pair though, he managed to break to a complete standstill, the ensuing gust of wind nearly blowing the elder's hat clean off.

"Greetings, young Spike." Starswirl replied, giving a small nod while righting his hat. "And apologies for the delay. Unforeseen circumstances on our train ride here seem to have significantly delayed us. We hope it hasn't inconvenienced the Princess and her companion?"

Spike hastily shook his head in response, having caught his breath. "No, no, it's.... Fine, really. It's Twilight, after all, she already made sure she was free today, especially after we got your letter, just in case something like this happened. She's, uh, prepared a lot of 'contingency scenarios', I think she called them. And we already got word of the, uh, runaway cow stampede, was it? Well, that, blocking incoming trains for a good while, at least until AJ came in and had a few words with them, so you don't need to bring that up either."

Stygian broke out in a small laughter. "Ahaha, yeah, yeah. We've already heard plenty of tales on the meticulousness of Princess Twilight during our travels. Very well, let us move along then, hmm? We have both been anticipating this meeting quite eagerly, as I'm sure our hosts have as well."

Starswirl gave an approving grunt at this. Spike agreed, turning around and waving a claw to follow, before slowly flying back the way he came.

And so the pair started to move again, the moment of truth drawing ever closer.

As they started to navigate the corridors and stairways of the curious castle, Starswirl couldn't help but admire his surroundings. Just like the last time he visited, theories and calculations flew through his mind on just how such a vast thing could have come from the seeds he and the other Pillars had planted, before being shaken from his thoughts when Spike spoke up again, as they had stopped a few steps before another set of doors. Loud mumbling could be heard from within.

"Here we are. Before we go in, eh... maybe I shouldn't say this, but, well, Twilight's kinda nervous to see you two again, I guess? The information you wrote in the letter, or rather lack thereof I should say, has got her a bit spooked, considering it came from, well, you guys. I half thought she might have another 'Twily-episode' when she read it... oh, right, you don't know what that is. Ehm, basically, Twilight has been running herself ragged just for this meeting, what with her being Twilight of course, so... Yeah, just a heads-up, I guess." He finished, looking up with a shy smile, realising he started to ramble at the end there.

Stygian frowned at this. "Oh, no, that was never our intention. We only came to bring good news, right Swirls?"

Whether Spike was confused at the curious nickname for one of the most important ponies Equestria had ever known, or by the sudden deep sigh coming from said most important pony before an affirmative nod, Stygian couldn't say.

Spike simply shrugged and turned around again, knocking on the doors and waiting for them to open, before heading in. 

Starswirl didn't move however, suddenly seemingly frozen to the ground. Stygian noticed, walked over to the elder pony instead of entering, and gently nuzzled his face against the side of Starswirl's head, whispering a few words only they could hear. At this, Starswirl seemed to relax, nodded, and finally started to move again, the pair properly entering the room now.

As they entered, Starswirl noted that the room must have been specifically designed for his and Stygian's arrival. He had admittedly expected to meet the Princess in the map room, but this would do just as well. Large, comfy cushions were strewn about, a large table next to one of the walls was filled with all sorts of delicious snacks and drinks from all over Equestria, and decorations were placed strategically around the room that wouldn't have looked out of place a thousand years ago, back in his own time. Spike had already taken place next to the table, seemingly ready to serve said snacks and drinks if asked... though not without eyeing the food himself, seemingly eager to take a bite here and there himself.

Two of the cushions were already occupied when they entered. One seated one of the most talented unicorns Starswirl had ever seen in his long years, Professor of Great-level magics and the Prinicipal of the School of Friendship, a pony that just like Stygian had once felt enmity against Equestria, yet she too overcame those feelings, becoming one of Equestria's foremost defenders. Starlight Glimmer. Immaculate in appearance, with only a clip of a silver, engraved 8-pointed star in her hair indicating her position as principal of one of the foremost schools in all of Equestria.

The other of course seated the grand ruler of Equestria, Princess of Friendship and former Bearer of the elements, and the one pony besides Celestia, Luna, and... well, one of the few that Starswirl truly considered in magical talent if not equal to him, then far and away above him, a truly remarkable mare that stood unwavering in many a trial even he himself would have found great difficulty in. Princess Twilight Sparkle. She too has certainly grown since last they met, already taller than himself yet not quite reaching Celestia's or Luna's heights. Curiously, her hair looked somewhat frazzled, and when her gaze landed on Starswirl, her eyes looked exhausted.

Oh dear, I must have quite upset you, didn't I? My apologies, young one. You won't have to worry much longer...

Twilight sprung up, quickly walking over the guests, before deeply bowing. "Starswirl, Stygian, welcome. It's good to see you two again." She said while getting back up, a warm smile on her face. She seemed to visibly relax somewhat now that he and Stygian had finally arrived, thankfully.

"Likewise, Princess Twilight." Starswirl replied, and he and Stygian both bowed as well. "We thank you for having found the time to meet us here in Ponyville. We know you as the Princess must have your hooves full back in Canterlot, as might you, Starlight Glimmer, so we are grateful that you could see us so shortly." Starswirl replied. Stygian chimed in with a "It has been way too long, Twilight, Starlight, Spike. It's a pleasure to meet again."

Twilight motioned for the two to put their belongings to the side and to sit down, before returning to her cushion. "Oh, no, no, it's fine. It's all fine, really. My friends are making sure there's not some kind of Equestria-ending threat unfolding there, ahaha... ha. Well, I mean, I still have set up a long range notification crystal that would warn me in case something like that does happen, but I'm, eh, kinda hoping it won't go off..." She said, a light blush on her cheeks. Starswirl could spy the light eye-roll of the dragon in the corner of his eye, but decided not to comment on it.

"And I have Trixie looking out for things back in the School. It's not everyday the Starswirl the Bearded asks to meet you personally, if you catch my drift." Starlight replied as well, levitating some of the snacks over to her.

The princess continued, a small hint of fear, perhaps, apparent in her voice. "Right. Soooo.... what's this all about, Starswirl? Stygian? The letter you sent only said something along the line of, 'We need to meet, with you and Starlight Glimmer, as soon as possible, privately', which is, you know, kinda omnious, I guess? Please don't tell me you discovered some ancient thousand-year old threat or the like on your travels, one which would force Equestria into a panicked frenzy if word got... did you?"

Starswirl was taken a bit back by the rather specific wording, and looked to his side, only to find Stygian gazing encouragingly at him. Well, here goes nothing.

He looked back to Twilight, voice resolute. "No, no, it's nothing of the like, my dear. We have come here today to share news that, while big, is also undoubtedly good, in any sense of the word."

At this, Twilight's ears perked up, as did Starlight's.

"Before I do share it, I want to specify just why I am telling you this now, and why we asked for both of you to meet us here like this." Starswirl paused for a bit, thinking of what words to use best for what was to come.

"Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, the two of you are perhaps the two single most important ponies I have met in my long, long life."

Said two ponies shared a look between each other, surprised and taken aback by those words. Even Spike stopped leering at the food and was leaning forward now.

"Indeed, for if either of you two had not been there on that fateful night, if the both of you had not convinced both me and my friend sitting here next to me that he too could yet still be saved, I would not be sitting here, telling you what I am about to say soon. Were it not for your actions, I would have sealed the Pony of Shadows again with a second thought, and would have potentially made the single biggest mistake of my entire life." He continued, a slight wavering in his voice but going on all the same.

Twilight tried to interject, "I, uh, am not sure where this is going-"

Starswirl cut her off, "But you both were there indeed. You both were the only ponies convinced that Stygian was not the Pony of Shadows, the only ponies willing to yet give him a chance, and in doing so also convinced both me, him and everyone else, allowing him escape the grasp of that vile Shadow right before we would have cast him into limbo again. For this, I, no, we, are forever grateful, for it meant I was given the opportunity to find my eternal light, even now. And so we thought it was only right that you two were the first to hear this news."

Twilight and Spike seemed utterly confused by those words, but Starlight seemed to slowly understand just what was happening, a small grin forming on her face, muttering lightly, "You mean..."

Both Starswirl and Stygian nodded, before Starswirl took a deep breath and spoke loud and clear.

"Yes, my dear. I have called you here to formally announce that I, Starswirl the Bearded, and this special somepony right next to me, Stygian, have previously declared our love to each other, and now plan to marry in the near future."

As Starswirl finally finished those words, Stygian leaned in to him to softly nuzzle him, while the room went silent, everyone else too stunned to react.

Starswirl was, perhaps, somewhat tense, even as he felt the comfort of Stygian's body. He had anticipated this silence, of course, but what comes next? Will those who heard the news start to cheer, applaud, celebrate? Will they be confused, unbelieving of this outlandish couple, what with the age gap between the two of them? Or might they...

Starswirl never did get to finish that thought. For he did not anticipate the current ruler of Equestria, arguably the strongest and most talented pony in all the land, to simply and suddenly fall to the ground with a loud thud.
> For as long as it may last.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike hurriedly entered the room again, a tray of heated water balancing in his claws while a towel was slung over his shoulder, walking over towards where his lifelong friend and teacher was resting on the ground, still sleeping soundly. Small drops of sweat were starting to form on her forehead.

Stygian and Starlight were examining Twilight from close up, one with his hooves while the other had her horn aglow. Starswirl was standing at a short distance, a deep frown visible on his face.

Spike set the tray and towel down next to them, clearly nervous. "And? Is she okay? What happened?"

Stygian and Starlight shared a look, nodded, and Starlight dipped the towel in the hot water before wiping it over Twilight's face, while Stygian spoke up. "Exhaustion, combined with the, ah, shock of the good news, I think. A light fever, nothing threatening though, as far as we can tell. She just needs some good rest... Spike, had she been acting weirdly before this? I remember you mentioning something about a 'twily' episode or the like before?"

Spike looked a bit longer at Twilight, shaking his head. "Dammit, sis... yeah, yeah. It's, uh, a period where she gets really stressed about something. She's, uh, been really serious about the whole, you know, ruler of Equestria thing, these past few years. She did a great job looking out for the nation, you know, but, well, she sometimes, how do I put this... she forgets to look after herself as well? Yeah, like that. Right, Starlight?"

The mare looked up, dousing the towel she had swept some sweat up with back in the tray. "Yeah, that's our Twilight alright. Your letter probably only exacerbated the stress that had been building inside of her, her worries disrupting her sleep shedule, and then came the meeting and announcement..." She gave a short nod, looking at Starswirl and Stygian. "Apologies, to the both of you. This is fantastic news, honestly, and I'm sure our little sleeper here thinks the same, if my spell measured her emotional levels correctly. We're all very happy for the two of you, from the bottom of my heart." She said, a large, warm smile on her face. Her eyes darted to the top-left, before she broke in a small laugh.

"Heh, if Twilight reacted like this, I can't even imagine how Luna and Celestia took the news, let alone the other Pillars."

Starswirl and Stygian shared a look at this, in turn confusing Starlight. Stygian spoke up. "Well, actually, Silver Shoals was going to be our next destination, where the Princesses are awaiting us. Swirls did mention you two were the first to know, I think?"

Hearing this, Starlight seemed to be for a loss of words, not sure what to say. 

Starswirl let out a small cough. "My dear, you seem to have caught a wetness around your eyes. Are you alright as well?"

This seemed to finally shake Starlight away. She couldn't help but hide the smile on her face, wiping away at the stains that had formed under her eyelids. "I... yes, I'm fine. I, ah, was a bit too shaken before as well, I suppose."

Having cleaned up, she looked at the pair again. "Thank you, both of you. Truly, this is... the gesture, the knowledge, that we were the first, means so, so much to me, as I'm sure it does for Twilight as well." She suddenly bowed deeply. "I truly wish you two a fantastic life together."

She kept the gaze between her and the pair a bit longer, enjoying the moment, before she looked down again. "Now, let's get you to bed, Princess. There's a lot we have to talk about when you wake up again, and it's not just going to be the happy news that knocked you out." She said, her horn glowing a soft bluish green while Twilight's body was enveloped in the same coloured glow, before being slowly levitated in the air.

"Spike, can you bring the tray along? Starswirl, Stygian, could you wait here for a while? There's still a lot of snacks and drinks we prepared for you, after all, we should be back shortly."

The pair nodded, and Starlight slowly walked out of the room, Twilight floating beside her while Spike was trailing behind, leaving the two lovebirds alone again.

Neither pony said anything for a few moments, simply enjoying the moment, until Stygian stood up. Walking over to the table, he nodded approvingly at what he saw.

"Well, that was quite unexpected, to say the least. Here's to hoping the rest won't be as shocked when they hear the news, heh." Stygian said aloud, choosing and picking some treats here and there he knew his love enjoyed, before walking back, holding some of the snacks out to the older stallion.

"Here you go, your favorites." He finished, having hoofed the goodies over before stuffing a few things into his own mouth, humming in delight. "Oh wow, I can tell these ones must have been Pinkie Pie's handiwork. These are, really good."

He finished with a swallow, nodding in approval, before noticing that his partner was still looking at the snacks in his hooves, as if lost in thought.

"... Swirls, something wrong?" Stygian asked, surprising the elder pony. 

"Ah, well, I... I'm fine, my love. Thank you for the treat." He half-said, half-mumbled, before too taking a bite. 

Stygian moved in closer, giving a light hug before sitting down next to him, on his right side. "Now, now, we just announced we were going to get married. It won't do to already keep secrets from each-other, right?" He said in a joking tone, before continuing in a quieter voice. "You've been hesitant and anxious all day, you know. It's a big announcement we had to make, sure, but I feel there's also something... else. Swirls, can you tell me? Please?"

Starswirl looked to his side, to his partner, his love, before looking down again and being silent for a few seconds, seemingly conflicted about what to do next.

Having breathed in and out a few times, his gaze flickered to the right again. "Before I do, can you tell me again why you proposed to me, my love?"

Stygian seemed to be taken aback by this, yet all too easily stood his ground. "Ah, a tad late to bring that up now, don't you think?"

Starswirl only shook his head. "Please, Sti, I really need to hear this."

The younger pony furrowed his brow, but didn't hesitate in his answer now. "Because you're, well, the greatest pony I had ever met, I suppose. Courage, wisdom, talent, confidence... You exemplified them all, while I had none of that, before I met you and the other Pillars."

"Hmm, but you were the one who brought us together, no?"

Stygian slightly blushed at this, before pressing on, looking in front of him, as if recalling those times.

"Well, yeah, but precisely because I couldn't make a difference, yet still wanted to see Equestria shine while all those threats were bearing down on us, did I go out to find ponies that, you know, could make that difference. I don't really remember if I ever told you this already, Swirls, but... even back then, I already, ah, had somewhat of a crush on you. All those glorious stories I heard about you, and yet none turned out to do any real justice to the pony you were, it's... Well, I had meant to confess when we finally settled down, defeated all the dangers, until... you know, the misunderstanding, and how we ended up here."

At this, neither managed to hold a laugh. Stygian took the moment to clear his throat with a small drink, and continued.

"After I was finally released from the grasp of that... horrible abomination, and we found out that Equestria not only persevered during our absence, but even cultivated a new group of defenders, I was so, so happy. Because Equestria was save, sure, it didn't need our presence any more, but also because I could finally work on, well, confessing my love. It, heh, did turn out to take a few years us of travelling across Equestria before I finally build up the courage to do it, but I did, and you reciprocated, and I had never been happier in that moment. And a few months later, though we felt the need to keep our relation a secret for a while longer, I found the moment and courage to ask for your hoof, and you didn't deny me again, making me even happier still."

Stygian cocked his head a bit, not having forgotten his goal. "That's, enough, right? So, your turn."

Starswirl closed his eyes for a few beats, letting the words sink in, savouring them, before looking back to Stygian.
"That... will do, yes. And I too was... indescribably happy, for what you did, for I fear I might have... never done it myself."

"Swirls?" Stygian asked, not quite liking the tone he was using here.

"Oh, Sti, It's... I... I'm afraid, Sti." Starswirl said, looking away.

Stygian only leaned back in again, nuzzling him intimately. "What are you talking about, Swirls?"

Starswirl took a deep breath, and spoke up. "My age, Sti, it's, my age. I'm afraid that I... might not have that much more time in this world. That you'll see me... that you'll see me wear down, as any old pony that nears their natural lifespan does, as even magic is not allowed to interject there, and I... I don't want you to, the thought haunts me. I said yes to your proposals, both times, almost impulsively, in the heat of the moment, for I too have come to, oh so much, love you as well, Sti, without stopping and thinking about what those simple words could eventually lead to." 

Starswirl properly looked Stygian in the eye now, tears forming on his eyes, unable to hold back anymore. Stygian's gaze had become a lot softer at those words, wanting to speak up, but Starswirl wasn't done yet.

"I was never a pony for love, having long, long ago discarded it in my never-ending quest for more knowledge, more magic, more... that I never looked at those around me, until it was far too late to stop. And then I met you, and after all we've been through, I finally realized that even my old and aged heart could still yearn. Yet, I truly fear that I am too late to start now, before I... Tell me, Sti, is this really still worth it?" Starswirl finished, pleaded, desperate for the answer.

Stygian silently shook his head, the hug becoming tighter. "Oh, you silly pony, you had me worried there. Of course it's worth it, no matter when you ask me."

"Even if I... might not have that much longer? If I... might start to suffer, and cause you suffering in turn?"

Stygian touched foreheads now, making sure the horns aren't bumping each other. "Than that just means that every moment I was given to spend with you now will be all the more precious to me. Because we still can be together, even now, for as long as it may last. And if I was so stupid as to pass up on that one-in-a-lifetime chance, I'm only going to suffer that much more for the rest of my moons. I have already decided and proclaimed my wish to stay with you, until the very, very end, no matter what may come. So please, have some faith in me, okay?"

Starswirl broke the touch, before diving into a big hug himself, the tears now flowing freely over his cheeks.

"Oh, ancients above, why did I ever doubt... thank you, Sty, truly. I love you, heavens above, I do."

"As do I, Swirls, as do I." Stgyian could only reply, not even thinking of letting go, and the two simply continued to sit there in silence, their thoughts only about the pony in front of them.

---

"Are we, eh, just going to keep waiting here, or..." Starlight asked, standing outside the room she had promised to return to, only to find the doors had firmly closed sometime between her leave and now. She had been waiting for a short while now, and started to get a bit irritated. She couldn't even hear any sounds seeping out, so she wasn't sure her knocking could be heard by those currently occupying the room.

Spike simply nodded, having already taken a seat on one of the many benches lining the hallways. "Until we're being let in, I guess, yes. Whatever's happening in there, apparently, the castle has decided that we weren't allowed to disturb it. It does that, sometimes, sentient castle and all that, which I have been all too grateful for lately."

Starlight looked at Spike, uncertainty clear in her eyes, the drake clearly not realising the implications of what he just admitted to. "Riiiiiight... I'm just, gonna, ignore that, and go check how Twilight's doing. Just, eh, come get me when we're allowed back in." She said, and turned around to leave again.

Spike, only realising what Starlight might have interpreted from his words after she already turned the corner, blushed fiercely and started to fly after, desperate to clear up the misunderstanding, leaving the two ponies in the closed off room to quietly enjoy their embrace just that little bit longer.