> To My Loves Back Home
>  by Twilicorn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Dear Zap Apple,
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


November 18, 1116 ALB

Dear Zap Apple,

This is hard for me. You cannot imagine how near impossible it is for me to write this to you. I know you will never see me again, and never remember me. I apologize for that. But what I'm about to do is so you and your mother can survive. Two is better than none, right? Something like that. That's what Twilight always says said. For the love of Celestia and Luna alike I miss her. Maybe your mom told you about our friends. We were the Elements of Harmony, but I'll tell you about those later. Right now, I just want to say I love you.

I'm doing this for you. I know, it sounds like a terrible excuse. But I am. This war started six years ago, ten years after the Elements had been discovered. They almost changed the yearline because of us. They were going to make sixteen years ago year one, and instead of After Luna's Banishment, make it After Elements. We all declined, except Rarity. She always wanted to go down in history. She did, of course. But I'm off topic, again. And I sound nothing like my old self. I miss that. Back to the story now, right Zappy? This war started because of Gilda. I'll tell you about her, of course, later. When she came to Ponyville, she was doing more than looking for me. She was looking for weakness. The Griffin Kingdom trained her well in the ways of war, and I wish I had learned faster. Seen what she was doing. But I didn't, and it started a war ten years later. Technically nine years. Or maybe it was ten. Twi could've told me.

Gilda came first. Then more, claiming to want to coexist with the ponies. The Princess was willing, because she didn't see it either. None of us did. Until they had infiltrated us, invaded our very homes. Then they fought, and we lost. We won some, of course. And after I do this, we'll have all won. The very griffin species will nearly cease to exist, except those few our Search and Rescue teams deemed worthy of salvation. It sounds cruel, but it's what we can do. Save a few, repopulate the GK with good griffins.

I'll tell you about Gilda now. I'm running out of time, and I want to tell you everything, so I'm sorry it's so sloppy. Maybe your mom can read it to you. We both have terrible mouthwriting. Gilda was a griffin, like so many others. But back at Flight Camp? We were best of friends. A little closer, if you know what I mean. When I broke it off at the end of camp, she was hurt, but she got over it. When she came back to Ponyville, I assumed she wanted to tie up loose ends. I was so wrong. She had been a good griffin. Is a bad griffin now, since she lives in the Canterlot Dungeons. She'll rot there too, for both attempted harm of an Element of Harmony and, well, attacking us of course. It's hard to say what makes a pony, or a griffin, or even a zebra go bad. But I've tried to explain. I've thought about it, while I sat in those trenches, hovered in those clouds. I think I know.

When a pony, griffin, zebra, alicorn, or anything goes bad, they don't usually mean to. They think they're benefiting someone. Typically they think they're benefiting someone else. In this case of war, we've learned from the griffins. Their leader, who will be gone in a mere half hour, told them it was good. That we were simply evil creatures who wanted to kill them. He was convincing. Got them to believe him. So they attacked. They took so many lives, of innocent ponies.

Twilight, when she was simply studying them! They wiped out all of the ponies that were there first. Then they took care of Fluttershy. She was close to the border, was easier to get to. The poor thing. I hope she's okay, where ever she is. Where ever I hope I'm going. They almost got your mom, but we were out, in Appleloosa. They got your great-grandma, your aunt and uncle. I feel so bad for them. They didn't deserve it. Then they got Rarity. She was in Canterlot, fulfilling her life's dream of becoming a famous designer. At least she got to before she was... before she became gone. Everypony got their dream, except me. But it doesn't matter. I'm not selfish anymore. Then they got Pinkie. She had reconciled with her parents, taken over Sugarcube Corner. I always wanted to join the—

There they go now. The Wonderbolts. Not only a famous flight team, but Equestria's Air Force. They fight so hard for us. I feel bad for Spitfire though. I might have always had a crush on her. She was great, captain of the Wonderbolts and everything. She's gone now. So many ponies are. Listing them would take a hundred more scrolls, I'm sure of it.

I did say I'd tell you about my friends, didn't I? I may as well. I was the Element of Loyalty, though it was joked that I was the Element of Honesty more than once. Now that we're at war, my loyalty can't be doubted. I was always wild, though I napped more than I should've. At least I was physically fit. I was the first pony to do a Sonic Rainboom ever. Ever. I did it when I was just a kid, but no pony believed me. I'd bet they do now, since I've done it so many times it's almost a chore. I got close to a Light Rainboom, but had to pull out. My wings still hurt from that.

Your mom was Honesty, and ponies joked she was Loyalty. She worked so hard on the farm. I remember when she tried to buck the entire harvest in about a week. She was feisty, but in the end she let us help. She was always willing to take help after that, or lend a helping hoof. She was so loyal to her family, and now they're gone. I'll always miss little Apple Bloom. She was a construction mare for the war before they got her.

Twilight was Princess Celestia's personal student. She lived in Canterlot for most of her life, until she was forced to come to Ponyville. That's where she met us. She was the Element of Magic, and she lived up to it well. She was always the head of our group, if we had to choose one. She loved to study, and she was always hilarious when she went a little crazy. She always solved the problems, always had the aha moments. Not like we minded. We were all friends, willing to make sacrifices for each other.

Rarity was the Element of Generosity, and no pony would disagree. She was always dramatic, and everypony loved that about her. She had big dreams, and I'm glad she achieved them. She was so, well, generous. Even with her theatrics, with her little bit of crazy, she was the most generous mare to live ever.

Pinkie? What can't I say about her? She was the Element of Laughter, though the Element of Wild, Crazy, Happiness may have been more fitting. She was always willing to go pranking with me, back when there was times for such foalishness. I miss that though. Black ink around Twilight's telescope, missing fabric from Rarity. Sure, Pinks had her drawbacks. She needed us, like, well, you need me. She got all depressed if we weren't around. We didn't mind though.

Fluttershy. Dear, sweet, innocent Fluttershy. She literally couldn't hurt a fly. She loved everything, from the smallest ant to the biggest manticore. She was against our war anyways. She was unarmed. I still don't know why they got her. She was so helpless. She couldn't have done a thing to them. Maybe waved her paws like that rabbit of hers. Yeah, she could do that.

I have to go. I need to do this now. I know you'll get this letter. I sent it with Derpy, and even though she crashes once or twice, she always delivers the mail. Please, understand that I'm not taking my life. I'm taking all of the griffins'. And I'll miss you. Damn it, I'll miss you Zappy. I love you so much. I love you, don't you ever, ever forget that. There's rumors ponies in heaven can come down and visit. If that's true, I will. I'll miss you so much.

Lovingly,

Rainbow Dash