I Can Still Recall
EOF 54 ~From the Annals of Princess Twilight Sparkle~
On the outskirts of Ponyville sits a decrepit wooden house. It’s nothing fancy, just a wooden cottage, once built of fine logs, now rotting away. The hill, no longer maintained, is overgrown with weeds and brambles from the nearby encroaching Everfree Forest.
The insides have been untouched for a decade now; tables and chairs covered in dust with cobwebs within the little breakfast nook. Against the wall rests the remains of an old sofa; now just springs and wilted vinyl. All over, twigs, rotting nuts, and berries lay strewn about, with branches and hay scattered here and there; denoting the animals that once inhabited the small cottage.
How long has it been since I last saw you, sitting in the sunshine, wings spread in excitement as he held you? How long has it been since you left? My advisors keep saying to let the past go and tear down that old house, to let both your memories rest in peace. I just can’t though. I still see you as you were back then, back when we were all together.
I still see that shy, butter-colored Pegasus you used to be. Time has gone by, and the memory is still as fresh as though it was just yesterday I met you and Angel Bunny. What I wouldn’t give just to sit on a picnic blanket with you, just once more. And it’s not just you.
~~~
EOF 64 ~From the Annals of Princess Twilight Sparkle
In the middle of Ponyville, sits an old boutique. Surrounded by the shiny new apartments, and department stores, it isn’t much to look at, nowadays. The once brilliant white paint with purple trim has long since peeled and dulled. Most of the windows are boarded up, and the door nailed shut. Some windows have been broken due to the local youth daring each other to go into the old haunted dress shop, as they say.
The inside has not weathered time elegantly; spray paint graces the interior, while many of the vintage relics have been vandalized and broken. The old wooden stairway has held up remarkably well, and at the top sit two rooms. One has been ransacked beyond all recognition, but the other remains untouched; locked from the inside, courtesy of my magic.
I often sit in there, on your magically preserved bed, and think of you...of how you used to be. I can still see the proud Unicorn, who once owned this boutique. Your generous spirit, and that smile. Even now, decades later, I can see you, talking to customers, selling your couture.
Heh couture, I only know that word because of you, you know. What would you say seeing your fabled home in such disarray? I wonder sometimes, what it would be like to order a dress from you, just once more. I would gladly trade my entire kingdom, just to hear you say ‘Darling’, again.
~~~
EOF 74 ~From the Diary of Princess Twilight Sparkle~
In the sky, just off of Cloudsdale, sits a house made of clouds. It drifts lazily, just like you used to. The Wonderbolts have declared it a historical landmark, the home of a legend, they say. For the general public, it is strictly off-limits, but I know they use it to welcome their new recruits. Many nights, you can hear drunken songs and rowdy applause coming from within the lower half. Even gone, you give inspiration to others.I suppose you would want it no other way, would you?
The upper floor, however, is as untouched as the day you left. On the wall rests the magically preserved Wonderbolts recruitment poster that brought you so much joy. The rainbow overhanging the property has dulled and crumbled with age. During thunderstorms, I lay on your bed and think of all those late nights we read Daring Do tales together, snuggled under the warmth of your quilted comforter.
Even now, I can feel your warm fur against mine as I read my old Daring Do books, huddled under this old blanket. The storm outside is quite loud, though not very exciting. I keep glancing out the window hoping to see you light up the dreary storm-filled sky with a blast of your sonic rainboom, right now. How awesome would that be?
~~~
EOF 103 ~From the Royal Stationary of Princess Twilight Sparkle~
After I raise the evening sky, I like to sneak out of the castle and sit under this old tree, you know the one, Sugarcube. Sugarcube...that’s what you always called me as we stargazed together. Glancing up, in the silvery moonlight I can see the plump apples and pears, growing ever-intertwined. It’s harvest time in Equestria, and your descendants are as hard-working as ever. What would you say if you could see your old homestead, today?
Nowadays, machines pick apples. Oh, that famous Sweet Apple’s Acre Cider will make its rounds tomorrow at the running of the leaves. The citizens will swoon over the silken texture as that soothing sweetness of gala apples hits their gullets with just the hint of sour granny smith to chase it down. The machines have made harvesting a breeze. No more pained hooves, no more back-breaking. And I suppose that makes it better, but some things simply can’t be improved.
Machines can’t do that adorable little drawl you spoke with. Machines can’t spend precious moments under the stars on a blanket, with a basket of only apples, because some mare felt a picnic meant only apples. Machines can’t fill the void you left. No, machines can’t do that, can they?
Watching you, standing there filled with pride and dripping with sweat, as you brought the harvest. I miss that sight, I miss that strong orange Earthpony that would slam her well-toned hooves against the trees, causing it to rain apples. I miss my iron pony. That sensitive family-oriented mare that could bring warmth to any room. Maybe one day, you and Applebloom could introduce me to your mom and dad. I’ve always wanted to meet them. I like to imagine you are very happy together.
Once I finish penning this little letter, I’ll pin it in the usual spot...the one we used to...oh you know what I mean. Even though I know you’ll never see it, I still do it once a week. Maybe it’s silly like my advisors tell me, but to see that old stetson on your head and that sparkling smile, I would gladly give away every book in my collection.
~~~
EOF 163 ~From the Video Diary of Princess Twilight Sparkle~
At the entrance to Ponyville, sits a fancy bakery. The customers love it and it gets rave reviews on all the websites. It has all the latest gadgets and gizmos for making the best cupcakes...or so they claim. I tried them today, and I guess they were nice tasting, but the magic just wasn’t there; that magic that hasn’t been there since you left me. The new bakery’s interior is shiny and sparkly, but I can still see the old Sugarcube Corners that once proudly stood there. I can still recall that old counter and register, and you.
You with your mane and tail, fluffy, like pink bubblegum, with that bright gleaming smile. Standing there behind the counter, you would always find some way to make me smile, but that was just your way, wasn’t it? Cupcakes fresh and hot from the oven, made with love...I miss that. I miss that bubbly personality, that excitement...I miss you. Life as a royal is boring, parties just don’t pop like they used to. It was always a bit more exciting with you around, and you certainly made every party memorable.
Hey Pinkie, when we see each other again...Do you think I could finally try that chimicherrychanga you were always going on about? I keep hoping you’ll pop out of nowhere, like always, and answer me, but those days are long gone aren’t they, my party pony?
~~~
EOF 1645 ~ From the Royal Virtual Database of Princess Twilight Sparkle~
I went to the royal auction today, my therapist said maybe a new book would brighten my mood. Curse Starlight’s descendant...she knows me too well. I didn’t get a book though. No, something else caught my eye, little brother. A genuine set of Ogres and Oubliettes, series 3.5. It reminded me of you. I don’t care what my advisor says, I didn’t pay too much.
Do you remember? I guess I would have to do a perception check to know, wouldn’t I? Hey what do you know, an 18. I guess you do. For me, it’s almost impossible to forget those Saturday nights; that blacklight shining down, those smokey effects Rainbow provided with clouds. Those snacks Pinkie baked, and the music we ‘borrowed’ from Vinyl.
It’s been one year since you left. Don’t worry, your cave and treasure are just as you left...left it before you went. I go there sometimes just to...just to feel closer to you once more. I miss our talks, I miss my number one assistant. I miss...my little baby dragon.
~~~
EOF 2798 ~ From the Crystalline Neural Interface of Princess Twilight Sparkle-
Last Known Recovered Entry~
Hey girls, I know it’s been a while but I have good news. I found a promising heir to ascend the throne. I guess that means we’ll be seeing each other soon. Well, no not exactly; you see, I have more that I need to do before I join you. Even now, thousands of years after you left, my work still isn’t done. I know I said it would be soon, but don’t give up on me. I promise when we get together it'll be a reunion for the ages, but they still need me here. You know how it is. Oh, please don’t cry, when the time is right, I promise we’ll be together, forever.