You finally got home. Four months spent bringing Celestia’s decree to the far cities of Equestria, but now you’re home. You’ve seen some shit on your trip, but it’s all over now. The war ravaged the land, but still life kept going. Epuore’s declaration of war came from nowhere. First you were drafted, and had to leave Ponyville for the war. Seventeen months across the ocean, and more than thirty different battles.
You walk down the street listening to the cheering as you, the only stallion drafted from Ponyville, finally return home. It’s been too long, and you see all familiar faces. At least, all but two. The two faces you wanted to see more than any others, and they aren’t there. You know where they’ll be, though. The same place as always, but that doesn’t matter right now.
You watch as Pinkie brings out the cake that she had prepared for you. It’s a massive cake, shaped like a heart. She has tears in her eyes, and you wipe them away with your hoof. She quickly embraces you, but doesn’t linger too long. You celebrate with the town for hours.
You see all your old school friends, and even some new people to the town. You stand firm under a barrage of questions, and you take the time to answer them all. Some are simple, and some are dark. After more questions than you can remember, you finally start for your love. You walk past Sugarcube Corner, and even past the Carousel Boutique. Your trip takes you past all the places you know and love.
Memories swirl about your mind, and you find yourself reminiscing about the “good ol’ days.” You remember when the Diamond Dogs kidnapped Rarity, and the “rescue attempt.” You finally arrive at the cemetery, and you head to the graves of your parents.
You feel tears slip down your face as you are welcomed home in the usual fashion by your parents. They only died a few years ago, but you knew they’d be proud of what you’ve done in the short time since then. After a few minutes there you move past, and head to the area that you’ve been dreading. You look over to where you’ve gone in your mind more times than you can remember, and just as you thought she’s standing there.
You move next to her, and give her neck a nuzzle. She leans into you, and you see the tears running down her lavender coat. She’s been crying, and it doesn’t surprise you. You just stand next to her for a bit, simply enjoying her presence. Eventually, though, she turns to look at you.
You hold her gaze for a full minute, before you lean forward, and hug her. She returns it with all the strength she can muster, and you do the same. She is still crying, but you are too. Eventually she breaks the hug, and you both turn to look at the gravestone.
Starlight Sparkle
Taken too soon, but never forgotten
May Celestia’s light guide her always
Your first daughter, taken just three months after she was born. You remember the day it happened. You also remember the reason why it happened, and you can’t tell which makes you sicker.
Equestria and Epuore had been in a strained relationship for years, but it had never come to violence. There were rumors of spies, and even assassination attempts, but nothing had ever come to Ponyville. That all changed on a pleasant summer afternoon, though. You, Twilight, and Starlight had all gone to the lake for a picnic, and then the mysterious pony approached. He wanted to speak to Twilight about something, but he seemed off to you, so you didn’t let him pass.
Sadly, though, he managed to overpower you and attack Twilight. She fought him off for a moment, but then he used some bizarre explosive stick to try and kill Twilight. You watched in horror, though, as the weapon malfunctioned, and instead shot Starlight. The mysterious pony just looked on in shock as Twilight fell onto Starlight and began weeping.
You still don’t know exactly what happened, and Twilight refuses to tell you what happened, but the next thing you remember was being in the hospital with Twilight weeping by your side. Ever since that day she was always nice to you, and it made you incredibly sad. Nopony had ever told you what happened, and it scared you.
Three days later Princess Celestia herself came, and told you why that stallion did what he did. It turned out, that Epuore wanted to destabilize Equestria by killing the Elements of Harmony, and so they came after Twilight. This was the first public attack, and so it meant war. Just two days later the draft started, and the war went into full swing. Two months later you got your letter.
You’ll never forget the look on Twilight’s face when she read the letter.
Now, though, you stand at Starlight’s grave, and you find yourself weeping once more. You spend an hour there, simply standing with Twilight, and being with your daughter. You eventually get back to the library, and enter with Twilight.
You go upstairs, and lie down on the bed. Twilight comes up a few minutes later, and sits next to you, and strokes your cheek gently. You feel the tears spring up again, and Twilight wipes them away. A moment later you hear some more hoofsteps, and there they are. The Elements of Harmony are here with you.
They all share your sadness, and it brings a sad smile to your face. They all embrace you, and you just enjoy the love in the room. Everyone is there for you, and they want you to know it.
The hug slowly breaks up, and the others give you their condolences, once more, and then slowly exit the library. Now you are here with just Twilight. She sits next to you once more, and you give her a hug, and a kiss. You look at the clock, and even though it is only eight, you decide to go to bed. Twilight joins you, and she curls up next to you.
Even with all that’s happened, the war, the killing, and the death of your only child, you are content here. You pull Twilight closer, and she gives an appreciative sigh.
“I love you,” she whispers. “Don’t ever regret what happened. Just promise me that you’ll stay this time.”
“I promise, Twilight.” You kiss her on the nose, and feel sleep starting to worm its way into your mind. “I love you too, and I’ll never stop.”