One Last Letter
Dear Princess Celestia…
It is my time now, Princess. I’m not scared, we all have to die sometime, but I wanted to send you one last letter before my passing.
Today I learned that even when something seems very scary, something inevitable, with the help of your very best friends you can overcome your fears and face it head on, even if they are just as scared as you are.
I remember my first day of school. I was nervous, scared – it was the first time I’d had to do something like that without my brother or parents by my side.
I didn’t make any friends, but I didn’t have any bullies, and as long as I had my books it was fine by me. I was never confident that I would pass my tests, or get good grades; but I always did – and then the next day I’d be terrified all over again that I would fail.
I’d always come home with my good grades, report cards all decorated with smiley faces and stars. My parents would always be so proud. Shining Armor always cheered me on, telling me I could do anything if I put my mind to it.
I studied magic for as long as I can remember. Even when Cadance would foalsit me I’d always want her to teach me – being a princess and a winged unicorn at that…
She didn’t know much other than levitation and love spells. Kind of funny, really.
So I studied long and hard, learning everything I could from simple levitation to more complex spells.
And so my parents decided to enroll me in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. I’d never studied harder; I wanted to be the best I could possibly be.
The day I stood before that egg, with those professors watching me… I remember what I felt like it was yesterday. My stomach went from butterflies, to tying knots and then doing flip-flops. I don’t think I’d ever been so nervous.
I was devastated when I thought I’d failed, but then – it all happened so quickly. First the ground was shaking; then everything went hazy, and my magic went absolutely crazy.
I remember power surging through me; being unable to control it, I felt… magical.
And then it was over. Just like that.
And not only did I earn my Cutie-Mark, but you made me your student as well. Of all the other little unicorns, you picked me.
When Shining Armor heard, he actually shed a tear. Can you believe it?
I was both excited and sad when I heard I’d be moving into the Castle with you. On the one side, I’d be leaving my family. On the other, I was moving into the castle – living with Princess Celestia! Not as a maid, or cook or cleaner or a servant of any kind – but as your personal student!
I never got bored, that was for sure. Thousands of books, studying magic, and spending time with you always kept me entertained – and I think I sort of felt I had no right to be bored.
You know, at first I looked at you as not only a Princess, but a teacher. You were my teacher, and Princess of all of Equestria. But as I grew up, I came to look at you as a sort of second mother – at first we had the normal teacher-student relationship… but you’d tuck me into bed when I was sad, read me bedtime stories and sing lullabies.
You would pretend to be mad at me while trying not to laugh when I got into trouble. Remember when I was trying to sneak a snack out of the kitchens and fell face first into the cake the cook had prepared, and you walked in on me? I thought you were going to send me to the moon or something, but you just busted out laughing and wouldn’t stop!
The cook was angry, but he didn’t yell at me or anything – though I was sure he really wanted to!
Remember when Shining Armor got appointed captain of the Royal Guard? I was so happy for him – I got to see him much more often, and he was always so cheerful.
Our parents must have been so proud.
I’d never heard of there ever being a second Princess – I mean, there was Cadance, but I mean a Princess who raised the Moon. For my whole life you’d been the Princess of the Day and Night – it was just you.
Thinking back on it, you must have been so lonely. One thousand years without your sister… sorry, I shouldn’t be bringing it up.
I remember when you sent me to Ponyville to make sure everything was going well for the Summer Sun Celebration.
That’s the very same day I met all the ponies I now call my best friends.
I didn’t care about having friends at first; I don’t think I wanted friends. Everypony in Canterlot who ever wanted to hang out, or invited me over to parties or sleepovers I just brushed off. I wish I could go back and tell them how sorry I am.
The night that Nightmare Moon returned was easily the best day of my life. I met five amazing ponies, all of them destined to be my friend… and you got your beloved sister back.
The trials of the Everfree were… trying.
But we passed them, together, as friends and stopped Nightmare Moon.
Thinking back… Did you know I was going to be the Element of Magic all along? Did you take me in as your student because you knew?
Pinkie Pie was the first pony I’d met. She was just walking down the street, and the moment she saw me she jumps into the air, gasps like she’s seen a headless horse, and gallops off mid-air. I still don’t know how she does it.
She always knows how to cheer ponies up. She’s always laughing, and making ponies smile. And even the more serious things… she makes them seem not so bad, without being insensitive. She really is the Element of Laughter. I remember when if first learned about her ‘Pinkie Sense.’ I didn’t believe her, even when all of her predictions came true. It was her that taught me that just because we can’t prove something, doesn’t make it any less true. She was the one who taught me to laugh in the face of my fears.
Applejack was the next pony I met; she was preparing the food for the celebration. Her whole family was there… I still haven’t memorized them all.
The invited me for lunch, but when I said no Apple Bloom used those big ‘puppy dog’ eyes. How could I say no to that?
So I ate. Way too much. They all put something in front of me, and I didn’t want to offend anypony!
Applejack… Element of Honesty. She never gave up, no matter what was thrown at her. Be it a threat to her crops, or a threat to her family or friends; she was as honorable as you are eternal.
I remember when she had to harvest the apples all on her own. She refused to let us help, and ended up half-crazed from sleep deprivation. She fed half of Ponyville cupcakes filled with worms and other undesirables. Yuck!
Ah, Rainbow Dash. Brash, bold, loyal. I met her when she crash-landed me into a mud-puddle that was in the middle of the street for some reason.
It was her who helped me earn my Cutie-Mark. She helped all of my friends earn their Cutie-marks, all because of her Sonic Rainboom. Isn’t it funny how those things turn out?
She had a heart of gold. She was… honorable; in a… unique way. She bragged, she was stubborn, but she was always there for us. I remember when she labeled herself a hero, after saving ponies lives several times. She was so blinded by her own pride, AJ, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and I dressed up as the ‘Mare Do Well.’
I’m honestly surprised the Wonderbolts never recruited her. Fastest flyer in Equestria, an Element of Harmony, and the only pony to ever perform a Sonic Rainboom. You’d think they’d have been all over her.
Rarity to this day continues to be beautiful, and generous as can be. The moment she saw me for the first time, she dragged me back to her dressing room and dressed me in all sorts of things. All because my hair was messy.
You know, I think I still have marks where the corset hugged me too tightly. Ouch!
She tends to overreact about small things… (I forgot the plates! This is the worst possible thing!) but I think that’s part of what made her so endearing. I remember back when she offered to make Gala dresses for all of us. We were… ungrateful. I still feel bad about that.
But she went and made us the dresses we wanted, and they were, to be frank, hideous. But she made them for us anyway. That’s the Element of Generosity, for you.
Fluttershy. Fluttershy was the sweetest, kindest, softest pony I’d ever met. She was so shy when I first spoke to her; she mumbled and hid behind her mane. It was actually Spike who coaxed her out of her… ‘shyness’ just by being him. Apparently she’s always wanted to see a baby dragon. She always had some problem to get over, she was always scared. And when she tried to be tough, she got too tough and then felt sorry and was shy again. A never-ending cycle it seems. She was kind; I don’t think there’s an animal existing that she wouldn’t be able to turn into a teddy bear! Figuratively, of course.
I hope this doesn’t hit Spike too hard. He’s known my time has been getting closer, but I think he’s shut it out. Refused to believe it.
Spike has always been the most reliable little guy; even when he felt neglected. My Number One Assistant. He’s always been there even when it seemed nopony else was.
I really hope this doesn’t affect him too much. I hope he will be able to move on. Friends never truly die. Not if you keep them forever in your heart.
Well, I’m feeling rather tired I can barely keep my eyes open and my magic feels like its fading. I’m going to lie down… close my eyes. I love you Celestia, my Princess, my teacher. My friend. Goodnight.
Your Faithful student, Twilight Spar---