Chronic Reincarnation

Once more I was born as a mare. Life as a mare is never bad, I usually end up with a talent that focuses on aesthetics, which is something that I like. This time around I was born to a nice, somewhat wealthy, family and while some would think that the parents in a wealthy family would be really lax about the rules it isn't true. My parents weren't harsh by any means, but they were a bit strict at times. Though I supposed that they did so to try and teach me what I needed to know and it wasn't like it was that bad. I had to help out around the manor and clean my own room, and sometimes I had to help clean up after dinner. My home life was just fine and I was even able to find my talent in my first few weeks of school, I was playing around with some quartz that I had found on my way home from school.

When I started to tap them with my wing the crystals would shift slightly. When I noticed this I started to try to shape them into something. The first thing I ever made with the crystals was a small sculpture of my mom, my dad and I. In the process of shaping the pieces of quartz I was able to purify it. The quartz shone very nicely when it was done and that was when I noticed that it had become completely clear. When I showed it to my mom she was proud of me. I was so happy that I didn’t even notice that I had my cutie mark until my mom pointed it out to me. My cutie mark was two wings on either side of a crystal with a hoof touching the base of it.

After a year’s worth of school I was ready for the summer. When I learned that my dad was going to take me with him to a crystal mine that was near Canterlot I was so excited. I remember that when we went there I was having so much fun. I was able to get tons of cool crystals, even some rose quartz, which is my favorite kind of crystal. I spent days molding the quartz that I got into all kinds of cool things. I made miniature statues of the Princess, and statues of the royal guard. I also made small statues of some of the popular places in Equestria. Though my best statue had to be the one of Canterlot that I did. Most ponies wouldn’t even notice, but if you looked close enough you could actually see the defined shapes and figures of ponies that were on the streets of Canterlot.

When I decided to set up a stand to sell my creations I didn’t expect that ponies would actually care too much for them. I received a lot of praise for my detailed work with my statues and especially of my sculpture of Canterlot. By noon I had at least two ponies who wanted to commission a sculpture from me. I was so pleased by this that I immediately set to work on the commissions. I used the last of my crystal to make the commissions, one was of Princess Celestia and the other was of the great waterfall of Canterlot. The second one was much harder than one would think. To suspend the crystal beads that looked like water with crystal that so thin that it was practically invisible was really difficult.

With time I started to make more crystal statues, I even began to make crystal bracelets. Soon I was able to even make my own crystals, but that was very difficult and I rarely did it. Before I knew it word reached Princess Celestia and I found her at my stall in the market. Here I was, just out of elementary school and the Princess herself wanted a commission from me. I was more than happy to oblige. Doing a commission for a Princess was a big deal for an artist, it really gave them a boost and to get one so early on in my career, was amazing.

Celestia must have known that I was her once personal guard, because she challenged me to do something that I hadn’t ever done before. She asked for a life sized statue of someone she once knew, who I later discovered was Princess Luna. She gave me a three-sixty degree sketch of the pony she wanted me to do and she even gave the pony’s height. I spent over a month making and perfecting it. I had the pony down to the very last detail, from the texture of the pony’s fur, to the sparkles in her mane, it was the best work I had ever done, and likely ever will do.

When I was done I sent a letter to the palace to notify them that I was done and before the day was out the Princess was at my door.

I bowed to her, “The statue you requested is complete your Majesty.”

“Please rise,” Princess Celestia said, as she looked at me, “I would like it if you would show me to the statue, and I would love to look at some of your other works.”

“As you wish Princess, now if you will follow me,” I said as I started to walk towards my work area. Princess Celestia followed behind me as I led her through my storage room “In here is where I keep all the smaller pieces that I make.”

Princess Celestia stopped in front of one of the shelves, specifically the shelf where I kept the pieces that came from strange, and random, bursts of inspiration. There were statues of ponies that I had never seen before, yet I knew somehow. There were other things on there too, like a sculpture of a castile that was, as far as I could tell, really made of crystal. I had no idea how I knew these things, but I did. I noticed that Princess Celestia was focused on one particular piece. It was a sculpture of a castle, not the one in Canterlot, but one that was now in ruins. It was a perfect replica of what was probably the original, and not ruined, castle. “Young Starlight might I be able to buy this off of you?”

“Of course Princess. If you would like, you can place it on the table near the door so that I don’t forget about it before you leave,” I say, giving her a smile and I nod towards the aforementioned table. Princess Celestia gave a smile back and placed the statue of the castle on the table. “Now, allow me to show you to the statue that you commissioned.” I led Princess Celestia through the last door in my studio/warehouse and when she saw the statue she was stunned.

The statue was a perfect replica of the pony that she wanted me to make a statue of. The statue pony’s mane and tail were sparkling like the night sky, her horn and wings were perfectly shaped and her body matched the sketches perfectly. “This-this is perfect. It’s almost like… like the pony is real.”

“It’s my best work. Better than anything I have ever done before.” I said smiling at her, “it’s work that is fit for a Princess. I am really glad that I got to make something so amazing that it stunned even you.”

“It truly is beautiful.” Celestia said as she continued to gaze at it. “Thank you, I will cherish it for as long as I live.” Celestia said that and then did something that I never would have dreamed of, she hugged me. In that moment I felt loved, protected and completely at peace.

When she let go she looked at the door, “I have just one question. How am I going to get this out of here?”

“Simple Princess,” I said as I walked over to the door. I placed my hooves and wings against the frame and the door expanded to be large enough to take the statue through. “All doors in here are made of crystal, I can shrink and expand them at will, normally they would have been smaller than they are now, but I knew you were coming so I made them larger.”

“I wish more ponies were as skilled with crystals as you are. You have a truly incredible gift.” Princess Celestia said as I moved a flat-cart over to the statue. With a few quick taps of my hooves and wings the crystal below the statue rose up and I was able to move it onto the cart.

“I’m glad you think my gift is incredible, but sometimes it feels like it’s just something that I can use and that it really isn’t useful for much. Sure, I can create a super thin sheet of crystal that I can use to lift up twice my weight, but that’s not really useful for much more than just shopping.”

“You have a wonderful gift,” Celestia said as she looked me in the eyes, “it is something that is very useful. You could easily shape crystals into a set or armor or a shield to protect others. You could even make an entire palace from it, the gift you have has limitless possibilities. As long as you have the imagination to see what you want you can make it.”

“I… I suppose you’re right. It is my imagination that helps me make these sculptures.” I say as I look up at her. Looking into her eyes I could see the reflection of my own green eyes. I realized I was staring and I looked away. Looking into the crystal of the statue that I was moving I could see my reflection clearly. My green eyes standing out against my white coat, my dark blue-ish mane just barely reflecting in the crystal, I had seen myself in mirrors before but looking at myself reflecting in crystal always helped calm me down.

“Celestia, can I ask you something?” I ask still staring at the crystal as I move it to the front of my studio, and also grabbed the other piece that she wanted.

“Certainly, you can ask me anything.” Princess Celestia replied, a smile gracing her lips.

“This pony you had me sculpt out of crystal, why… why do I know her? I know who she is, yet I have no idea why.”

Princess Celestia just smiles at me and places a wing over me. After a few moments like that she finally speaks, “It is probably because you are a gifted pony, after all, you are very talented with your crystal work. Like that castle that I’m getting. It lies in ruins right now but you were able to recreate the original perfectly.”

“Thank you for the praise Princess, but I still don’t get why. I know that pony’s name, her talent, her personality yet I just don’t understand why.” I said as I moved closer to Princess Celestia. I could feel her regal, and multi-colored, mane tickling the back of my neck. Her white coat was pressed against me and her purple eyes staring down at me.

“It is because you have memories and knowledge of such past events. You may not know it yet, but you are a very special pony, especially to me. You have knowledge because you have… I’m sorry… I’ve said too much already, but please trust me, in time you will learn all about what I mean. When you meet a certain pony you will understand everything.”

“I understand. If I don’t need to know now then I will simply wait.” I said while I moved away to enlarge the last door.

“Thank you Starlight. I will send my guards to deliver the payment for your commission and for that castle statue.” The Princess said as she gave what I can only describe as a motherly smile.

“Thank you Princess, but that castle statue is free of charge. No one ever seemed to want it, like it was cursed or something, but if you really like it then it is all yours, completely free.” I give her a smile and then I hug her. She was a bit taken aback by the sudden hug. “Having someone like you commission something from me, it means a lot to me. Thank you, thank you so much. I have never done work that was quite like that statue required. I really helped me expand my skills, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

“You’re welcome young Starlight.” Celestia said as she returned my hug, “but please, call me Celestia, seeing your work humbles me and I would be honored if you would be my friend.”

“I would be honored,” I said as I let go of her.

That was one of the best days in my life. I would send letters to Celestia every week and we would meet for tea whenever we could. I lived a happy life, working my crystals and making ponies smile with beautiful works of crystal art. Then came the time when I met Willow. I was in my fifties, which for me is still young. Willow and I reconnected at the Summer Sun Celebration. The celebration of Celestia’s peaceful rule of the lands of Equestria was indeed something to celebrate. Meeting Willow there was completely by chance. I was working my crystal statue booth and he happened to come and check it out. At the time I was surprised to find him standing there, staring at me, like he had seen someone he knew. Of course the fact that I fainted just after turning to see him gave away exactly who I was.

From that day on Willow would come to visit and eventually he moved in with me. Before long the two of us were a happy couple again. Then came that fateful day, where Willow and I went to see Celestia. Celestia and I had planned to have tea and I asked her if I could invite my lover. She had said that it sounded like a perfect idea and so, I did. When we arrived at the palace we were escorted to Celestia’s favorite meeting room. We were surprised to find her sitting there with a book that I recognized instantly. I remember what happened like it was only yesterday.

“Celestia… why do you have that book?” I asked as eyed her suspiciously.

“I see you are still recovering your memories. You asked me to keep this safe until you returned.” Celestia said as she floated the book over to me. The book was about all of my lives, at least, after the whole nightmare moon incident.

“So… Willow, I see that you’ve found your way back to your soul mate. I take it that you were the pony who happened to send a few criminals to me by throwing them through the palace gates.”

Willow chuckled deeply, “yeah, that was me. I may have put too much power into it, but when your lover is in danger you tend to lose control.”

“It’s fine, though Starlight, I must say you are positively glowing.” Celestia complemented, as she looked me over. This earned a blush out of me.

“Thank you Celestia,” I said as I sat down at the table with her.

“So Celestia, aside from knowing her well enough to be complementing my lover, how long have you two known each other?”

“I have known her since she was twelve. We have had tea together many times and it was always something that brightened my week.” Celestia said as she levitated her cup to sip her tea.

“I see, well it’s nice to see that you two are friends again. A friendship that lasts lifetimes really is something that is quite beautiful.”

“Yes, it sure is a beautiful sight. So Starlight, what are you going to name her?”

“Hmm,” I said as I tilt my head, “what are you talking about Celestia.”

Celestia blinked as she looked at me, “You do realize that you’re pregnant, right?”

That got a response out of me, specifically I spit out the tea that I had just taken a sip of. Willow and I had only… been intimate once since we reunited. The more I thought about it the more I realized what had happened, it was just around the end of my cycle and we were in the mood so… well, you get the picture. The realization dawned on me that I was pregnant, which would explain those weird cravings.

“I… I never realize until now.” I said as I started to panic a little, I was always aware of what was happening to me and to have missed it so completely was shocking.

Willow wrapped his hooves around me and held me close “It’s okay Starlight. Everything will be fine.”

I snuggled closer to Willow before looking at Celestia, “How do you know that it’s a girl?”

She smiled at me and said, “Intuition.”

That day was one of the most surprising days of my life. Though I was very happy. Having a child, for all the pain that came with it, it was worth it. Before long I was a proud mother of a beautiful unicorn daughter. She had a white coat and a white mane with purple stripes, and the most gorgeous violet eyes. For years I looked after my daughter Glimmer, and when she could learn, Willow taught her magic. We lived together for years and years, as happy family.

When my one-hundredth birthday rolled around I was panicked. I die ever one-hundred years and am reborn shortly after, but that didn’t happen this time. I kept living, and as each year passed by I worried less and less. Perhaps my life was just going to be a long one this time. So I enjoyed the time that I had left and when the day finally came, I was one-hundred and twenty five, an age I could have only dreamed of achieving. On my one-hundred and twenty fifth birthday I left for the next life.