Never again
Never again
I awoke feeling the same as I always did, tired and old, but knew I had to put on a good mask and go about my duties; for Equestria and my little ponies. First on the list for beginning of the day, was raising the sun. So I climbed out of my bed and trotted over to the balcony to get a good look at the sky, and to my surprise the sun was already rising. ‘Luna, must have raised the sun for me today.’ I thought annoyed.
I shook my head and trotted back to my bedroom and quickly noticed that one of my servants had laid out my morning tea. I trotted over to the serving tray, picking up the tea with my magic, and sniffed the plume of steam that rose from the cup. After taking a few sips, I began to drift into my thoughts.
‘Twilight will be turning three hundred today, but I doubt she will want to celebrate it. Ever since pinky Pie died, Twilight has stopped celebrating her birthday, and Applejack is the last of her friend’s still alive; long life seems to run in that the family. Twilight hasn’t been happy in a very long time.'
I was interrupted from my thoughts by the clicking of hoof steps coming into my room. I swiftly turned my head to notice it was my sister Luna staring at me, concern etched across her face.
“Why are you crying?” Luna asked puzzled.
With a heavy sigh I reply. “Twilight is in a lot of pain, and I’m worried she might do something drastic. She has lost all of her closest friends and eventually Applejack will follow. I’m worried Luna, Twilight has always been a bit crazy when things don’t go her way, and I fear she might do something extreme.” I finish brushing the moisture from my eyes.
“I know Tia, that’s actually why I came to see you,“ she said pointing a hoof at me.
"Oh?" I asked, surprised.
“Twilight and I have been exchanging letters these past few weeks, and it seems Applejack isn’t doing so well. I fear she may die soon Tia, and you need to be there to help pick up the pieces when that happens.” I watch as Luna wanders over to the balcony staring out at the royal gardens. “I will take over your duties and handle the raising and setting of the Sun. Twilight is going to need you to comfort her; you should go to her”
I followed my sister outside with a gloomy smile. “Are you sure you can handle all that Lulu?”
Luna smirks. “You did it for a thousand years Tia, I think I can handle a couple of weeks.”
I smile tenderly at my sister “Thank you Lulu, I wanted to go to Twilight and help her through this, but I have been so busy lately, I haven’t found the time; I feel like such a terrible friend” I said lowering my head frowning at the ground. Luna pokes a hoof into my chest.
“You’re not a terrible friend Tia, you just have other responsibilities that take priority, and Twilight knows this. You just forget sometimes I’m here to help shoulder the burden” Luna finished sincerely.
“Thank you,” I said hugging her tightly “I love Lulu.”
Luna chuckles, “I love you too Tia, now go before I change my mind.”
I pull back from the hug and with a swift motion I launch myself off the balcony and glide through the air. ‘I always loved flying.’ I thought, smiling, heading for Sweet Apple Acres.
_____________________________________________________________________________
(Twilight Sparkle)
I sat next to Applejack in the rocking chair that old granny smith sat in ages ago, reading a book over candle light. I wasn’t concentrating on my book, my thoughts were elsewhere.
‘Applejacks breathing terribly lately, and now she can barely walk without me or her granddaughter helping her. She doesn’t like it when we do that, she constantly gets annoyed when ever we jump to help her. I sometimes wonder if it’s pride or stubbornness; maybe both.’ I thought, staring holes in my book. “Twi?”
I was interrupted from my thoughts by Applejack calling my name, and I swiftly turned to look at my friend on the bed next to me.
“Can’t sleep either huh?” I asked, watching her labored breathing.
She looks at me clearly troubled “How can ah…when you’ve got that dang candle shinnin in my face; Do ya ever sleep!?”
I blow out the candle “Sorry AJ, I don’t have to sleep as often as I used to.” I apologized.
I notice her breathing becoming very strenuous as she tries to speak “Twi, theirs somthin… that’s been naggin at me… for some time now. Why haven’t ya…found any pony special? I mean you’re just as old as me, and ya haven’t even tried to settle down once in your life.”
I was surprised by this question, and I really didn’t know how to explain I liked mares, and didn’t want to try “W-Well” I stammer. “I’m always busy studying, or being princess for everypony, and the only pony that I would love to be with, doesn’t return my feelings.” I finish sheepishly, hoping I dodged a rather embarrassing question.
Applejack arches an eyebrow. “It isn’t me, is it?”
“What!” I gasped, “No-no Applejack it’s not you.” I answered nervously, rubbing a hoof through my mane. ‘Wait, does she know I like mares, or was she just messing with me’ I thought, with my face scrunching up into a frown. “AJ, what did you mean by that?” I inquired.
Applejack rolls her eyes at me “What? It’s not like it’s some big secrete… ya like mares ya know… I’ve known for some time, but ah never said anything… because ah figured it was none of my business… but right now I’m making it my business… I’m just worried about ya Twi… I just want to see you happy. Applejack said struggling for breath.
I look over at Applejack, my heartbreaking. “Ok, its Celestia” I said holding back tears. “AJ please stop talking that way, you’re upsetting me” I said getting up from the rocking chair, trotting over to Applejack on the bed, laying a hoof on her side trying to comfort her best I can.
“Sorry Twi, it’s just ya need ta face facts… I’m dying Twi” After a long pause, Applejack arches an eyebrow. ”Wait a minute did ah hear ya right, did ya just say Celestia?” she said surprised, holding back a cough.
I nod my head. “Yes I’ve had feelings for her since I was a filly, but she keeps treating me like I’m her daughter. That got old two hundred years ago, I have wanted something more from her for a long time, but as I said before she doesn’t return my feelings” I watch my friend lay her head down on the pillow trying to get comfortable.
Applejack looks at me quizzically “Well have even told her yet… ah mean what’s stopin ya” She asks sounding almost like a whisper.
I stare at Applejack troubled by her breathing “You should try and rest AJ, we can talk about this tomorrow” A tear rolls down my cheek.
“Twi I hate leavin ya here alone with nopony, so would ya do me a favor an just ask, ah mean what’s the worst that could happen…she says no” she finishes struggling to breath.
“Ok AJ, I’ll ask, I promise, just try and get some rest ok” I begged.
I watch as she drifts off to a peaceful sleep and I get up and make my way back into the rocking chair with a huge sigh and slowly drift off to sleep.
I awoke the next morning to find Applejack died in her sleep. Her family buried her under the largest and oldest trees at Sweet Apple Acres. I stared at the grave of one my oldest friends, even after everypony left, I remained. I had no more tears left; my heart was in a constant state of dread and lose, I couldn’t think any more. It’s like there was nothing left to live for, my life was always defined by what a good friend I was.
I remember all the times I spent with my friends, the parties, the adventures, and how it seemed at the time it would last forever. I remembered the bad times as well; the fights and the hardships, the times when I needed them, and the times when they needed me, and now, they were gone.
I have never felt more alone in her life, and at that moment I felt a warm embrace, as wings wrapped around me. “I’m here Twilight, and I always will be.” As if the voice knew exactly what I was thinking.
I burst into open tears, unrestrained, hoofs pulling me into the embrace. I let all the pain I felt out. Celestia stroking my mane, coos softly in my ear “I’m here Twilight, I’m here” I hold my old mentor close soaking her coat with tears as I cried. I reluctantly pulled away, trying to compose myself.
Choking back some tears I look up at my old mentor. “How do you deal with such lose Celestia, I mean, how do you deal with it without becoming an emotional wreck.” I said stifling back tears.
Celestia broke the embrace; I was looking up at her, with pleading eyes for answers. “I’ve loved many ponies in my long life Twilight, and the best advice I can give to you is this…..remember them and don’t ever forget them. As long as you’re alive, they will live on.”
I move away from Celestia and try my very best to compose myself again. “Celestia I think, I’m ready to go back to the castle, I’m tired, and I think I could sleep forever.” I said wiping the tears in my eyes. ‘A part of me wants too’ I thought to myself. I got to my hooves and stared up at the night sky “Celestia I don’t want to be alone tonight.” I pleaded.
“I said I will always be there for you and I meant it Twilight” Celestia said softly.
“Good because there's something I want to ask you. A favor I owe Applejack”
“Oh, what is it?” Celestia asked with curiosity.
“Nothing that can’t wait till morning” I said firmly. “I’ve been here far too long, and I would like to have some time to think, about, well everything.”
“Ok Twilight” Celestia said with a sympathetic tone.
I spread my wings and launched myself into the air. I watched Celestia do the same, following me into the air to Canterlot Castle.
Author's Note
This is my first attempt at writing anything in regards to fan fiction. I will not get offended in any way over criticism, I could use the help. Also, feel free to give suggestions on where the story should go. Thank you for reading.
OK I think I fixed this travesty of a fic and I'm very proud of it. Well, I'm at least happy that it doesn't suck as bad as it used too.
