They had all felt it. It hit them like a mighty force. The time had finally come. They had hoped it would happen after they had died, but they knew that was an incredibly slim chance. After all, she was much, MUCH older than they were.
Princess Celestia was dying.
They all walked into the princess’ luxurious bedroom to see Celestia laying in her plush bed. She was breathing heavily; a slight wheezing sound could be heard with each intake of air she took. They all take a spot around her bed, now like six guardians protecting her in her final hours. Twilight looked over at Applejack. She looked so…old. Granted, they were well over 2,000 years old, but because of her transcendence into Alicornhood, and the Elements of Harmony that her friends bore, they didn’t look a day over 50. But still, it was sad to look at her. Wrinkles that are usually unnoticeable were now deeply etched into her face. Twilight continued to look around. Her other companions looked older as well. Pinkie ran a hoof through her silvery pink mane. None of them knew what to say to her. Somepony...please, speak up. Rarity cleared her throat,
“Celestia darling…I don’t know if you can hear us right now, but we’re here for you.”
Celestia coughed and opened her heavy lidded eyes. Her eyes were still bright, full of life and power.
Life and power that her body no longer had.
“Thank you, dear Rarity.” She spoke in a raspy voice. “Thank you, my brightest pupils and most faithful friends. It’s good to know you all were by my side in the end.”
Our hearts drop. She knows she's dying…
“Come on now. There’s no need for you all to be sad.” Celestia states. “I lived to be 35,924 years old! That’s a long and fulfilling life.”
“That doesn’t mean we want you to die.” Fluttershy stated in a calm, but sad tone.
Twilight glanced over at Fluttershy. She felt so bad for her. She's probably taking this worse than the others. She has endured a lot in her long life, watching every creature she ever loved and cared for taken by Time. Her real parents abandoned her, and now the closest thing she had ever had to a real mother was dying before her eyes. Things would’ve been okay if Princess Luna was still here…
Luna…Things just haven’t been the same since she died eight years ago. Celestia’s old age had already started kicking in, and the death of her sister just made her deteriorate even faster than before. We had all changed after that. Not even the once super bubbly Pinkie Pie would laugh for more than a few seconds. But even with all the years of maturity, and the many walls they put up,
Who knew how each of them will act now?
“I want you to know, I’m so proud of each and every one of you.” She looked up at Rarity, “Rarity...time and time again, you have literally given until you have nothing left to give. While you may try to be this uptight and sophisticated pony, I know that you’re quick to get into the rough and tough things as well if it means keeping Equestria safe. Your generosity to the community is unsurpassed, and the Element that you bare is well deserved.”
She used some strength to turn her head to Dash, “Rainbow Dash...for centuries, you have spent your time keeping the balance of nature in check. Your loyalty to your friends and the safety of all ponies made you turn your back against the many opportunities given to you to be a Wonderbolt. You may not be one now…but instead, you have become the Royal General of Canterlot’s Pegasi Army. I thank you every day for keeping a watchful eye in the sky.
She looked at Applejack, “You helped end the war between Equestria and the Underland Dragon Kingdom, and brought peace to this land. You have spent many centuries guiding the younger Apple generations, giving life to the land, and giving all of Equestria the food that we eat, making sure that nopony goes hungry. Your sheer honesty has also led you to become one of Equestria’s top political advisors, although I must admit…it was not expected.”
They all lightly chuckled at the joke as she turned to Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy…My little Fluttershy...While you may not see yourself being as powerful as your comrades, others would not hesitate to state otherwise. Your kindness has the ability to change beings like the King Of Chaos into tamed companions to the Kingdom, and reach the hearts of many. You are not just one of Equestria’s most loved ponies, you are also one of the most feared, for when we are in a great struggle, you have proved a million times over, that you are a force to be reckoned with.”
She glanced over at Pinkie, “Pinkie Pie, through ways that are unknown to even myself, you are one of the few ponies in all of the lands that can defy the laws of physics, alter time, and break reality. Not only that, you were able to do that long before you became and Element Bearer. That alone makes you one of the most powerful ponies that has ever existed, or will exist. Yet, you use these powers to spread laughter and joy on a massive scale. No words can describe the joy you put in ponies’ hearts…”
The Alicorn sighed and closed her eyes. They all rested a hoof on her. Twilight put her hoof on top of hers. For the first time in 1,674 years, the old, innocent Pinkie Pie showed up.
“Please don’t leave us, Celestia.” She pleaded in a child-like tone.
Celestia opened her eyes once more, “I’m not leaving. Not until I see ALL of my companions accomplish their dreams.”
She slowly flipped her hooves, and closed them around Twilight's. She looked up at the lavender mare,
“Twilight Sparkle, it’s time for you to take your place as the Highest Princess.”
Twilight's eyes went wide. Highest Princess? She had dreamed of being that for over 1,500 years. She had trained myself to be just like one. She went with her mentor to meetings to watch them. She would spend days in different towns, so that she could have better knowledge of the ponies that resided in them and their culture. But now...was she ready to take the throne?
“I, Princess Celestia , relieve my duty as the Highest Princess of all the lands. I pass the title and the duty of the Highest Princess to you, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
She slowly struggled to sit up. With the help of the others, she managed to do so. She reached around her neck, and took off the amulet of the Highest Princess. She slowly put it around her neck,
“You will make for an excellent Highest Princess. You’ll be better than I ever was.”
She shook her head, “I’ll never be as good as you, Celestia.”
She chuckled, “Of course you will be. I hope that you are. A mentor always wants their pupils to be better than they were. Sort of like a parent, which I know is something that you understand.”
An image of her daughter's face flashed through her mind. She smiled, knowing Celestia was right.
Coughs began to rack through her body, bringing her back to the situation at hoof. Celestia sighed again,
“I finally got to see all of your dreams come true. Now…I may leave this world.”
She closed her eyes and slowly breathed out. She slumped forward, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight catching her. Her body started to glow brightly, before bursting into a million balls of white light.
A million tiny suns filled the room with their light and love…
As quickly as they appeared, they faded into the nothing. None of them cried. They wouldn’t in front of each other. Twilight wouldn’t at all. She was the Highest Princess now, and she needed to act like it…
Author's Note
*throws hands up* I don't-I don't know what happened. May the rage comments begin.