Stars Are Foreverby The Autumn PrincessChaptersi.ii.iii.iv.i.Stars Are Forever by The Autumn Princess The stars had never been this bright before. Then again, two ponies were controlling the skies for once. It was a bit of a collaboration -- with rays of magic dancing along the constellations. The celestial bodies were targeted, and every time a beam of light would hit one, it would burst into sparkles. Laughter would soon follow, and the source of it came from the palace. The scene up on the Castle balcony was actually quite heartwarming, no matter which way you looked at it. Standing side by side, with matching priceless smiles, were two of the Princesses. Luna bestowed a bit of a smirk, and aimed her magic straight for the brightest star in the sky. In the blink of an eye, that same star instantly lit up in a blue swirl that was beyond dazzling. Taken aback by the beauty, Twilight Sparkle took a moment to observe the masterpiece. This moment was enough to allow Luna to make the move she had been waiting to do for a while. Her small smirk twisted back into a sweet smile and she leaned forward, stealing a quick kiss from her fellow Royal. As expected, Twilight’s face was now the item to light up -- with a bright red blush. “You’re too adorable sometimes,” Luna murmured. This did nothing to lessen the rapidly spreading blush that was turning Twilight’s face and neck a fair shade of red. “You caught me off guard.” “As was the point,” Luna teased. “You’re far too serious. If you aren’t caught off guard, there’s no reaction from you.” It was true, of course, but Twilight didn’t dwell too long on the fact. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t enjoyed the surprise. After a few wonderful years of getting to see Luna every day, and nearly as many even more wonderful years getting to wake up each night beside the mare, Twilight had grown to love everything Luna threw at her… including the off-guard kisses. Twilight’s smile melted into compassion as she nuzzled Luna, who happily returned the affectionate gesture. This was it -- the part of the fairytale every Princess got. Happiness, contentment, and a sure promise for everlasting love. Granted, the classic tales never involved two Princesses falling in love with one another, but sometimes, tradition was meant to be broken. ...then again, the other part of their fairytale was unspoken at this moment. It was called a happy ending for a reason. At some time, sooner or later, it would be over. But in this moment, they could focus on their life now -- together as lovers and married for almost two years. “Tell me something,” Twilight whispered. “Is the legend of naming stars true? That if you gift one with a name, it’ll grant a wish?” She smiled bashfully. “I heard it about as a filly, but I never took the time to marvel over such silly things.” Luna let out a soft laugh. “It used to be, when I could keep track of them all,” she replied. “Now there’s more than you could count,” Twilight sighed. Still, the smile never left her expression and she set her sights on one of the stars she had hit with her magic earlier. It had a violet aura around it, and was twinkling like a true jewel. “I’ll call that one--” She pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “--Astra. It’s Ancient Pegasus, it literally means star. The meaning is a bit obvious, but the name is exotic.” “Well, then, your wish is my command,” Luna declared. “What is it you desire?” Twilight looked over to her beloved, and intertwined their hooves. “For this moment to stay here, frozen in time,” she whispered, placing a brief, soft and sweet kiss on Luna’s lips. “Just you and me.” A lopsided smile made it’s way on Luna’s expression. “I can’t control the world, even if it seems so, but I could give you a promise to make it seem like every minute feel as wonderful as this one is,” she murmured, as she wrapped her wing around Twilight. “Because my word is all that I can give that really matters.” Her blue eyes met Twilight’s sparkling lavender ones, and Luna giggled. “Did I ever tell you that your eyes are like amethysts?” she said. Another twinge of a blush was enough of an answer. Twilight released a content sigh, and leaned against her beloved. “So we can be happy forever?” she asked. “Why wouldn’t we be?” Luna inquired. “Forever is a long time,” Twilight said simply. It was this statement that took the final piece in the puzzle to fall, and Luna released a deep breath as she stared up at the night time sky. “It is, isn’t it?” she realized. “But even I can’t go on forever. No one can.” Twilight’s expression threatened to show a slight frown -- but in the presence of Luna, she just couldn’t. “I knew you would bring this up sooner or later, but just not this quickly,” Luna continued. “Why don’t you look at the stars? I think if I explain this to you in a manner you might understand, then you will also realize what I’m seeing at my angle.” Slightly perplexed, but going through with the request nonetheless, Twilight turned her gaze back up to the sky. Her eyes darted all around, looking for whatever Luna was trying to say. “Tell me, how old are the stars?” “Well, they were created before you and Celestia were born, and you’re both well over a thousand years old, and your parents’ ages were never recorded so--” “--not mathematically,” Luna said, with a soft laugh. “Philosophically, I mean.” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” she questioned. Luna shot another sapphire-colored beam of magic to one of the tiniest stars, causing it to light up and start flying across the horizon. Then, it exploded, and thus, smaller specks decorated the sky. “See?” she said, pointing to the new creation. “Even when they are destroyed, stars last. They give us new ones to marvel over. It starts out with one, but evolves into something more.” “So… what’s your point?” Twilight said. “I’m lost.” “If something as simple as a ball of gas and chemicals and atoms could last forever, then the magic bond between you and I -- the purest love, it can outlast that tenfold,” Luna declared. Twilight frowned. “But … we have one major difference,” she muttered. Luna sighed. “I thought we agreed not to bring this up,” she said. “Agreed or not, it’s always going to be there. Just because we don’t talk about something doesn’t mean it will no longer be a problem. You and Celestia were both born with your gifts. I was given mine by a bunch of shiny rocks. You’ll get to live forever, and I won’t.” “Twilight Sparkle,” it wasn’t often that Luna used her full name these days. “Immortality is not all you would think. Yes, my sister and I will live forever, while you and Cadence will not. But there is not as much good as you would believe. I will have to live on and watch as I lose you, but you will not know that pain. You will not have to suffer the losses of your friends, as Tia and I have done in the past.” Twilight wanted to say she understood and drop the matter there, but something kept her from doing so. “I don’t care,” she said, quietly at first. “I don’t want t-to keep aging while you remain frozen as you are. I don’t want to get old and die while you still look so young.” I don’t want you to stop loving me because I age and you don’t. Twilight didn’t need to say the last part. It hung between them, an unspoken worry and a thought that had never once crossed Luna’s mind. “It’s a price I’m willing to pay,” Luna said. Her voice was serious, stern and at the same time, loving. “Why?” Twilight asked, with a rueful laugh. “Why take a mortal lover?” “Last I checked, there were no immortals for me to go browsing through for possible love matches,” Luna replied. “And even if they were, they wouldn’t be you.” She noticed Twilight’s hesitant expression and continued. “You think I’m just saying that to make you feel better.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement -- almost as if Luna could read Twilight’s mind. “Twilight, if you were as petty as you think, I would have never taken the time to try and push our relationship beyond friends. Just because you are mortal doesn’t mean I love you any less, you know that, don’t you?” “Yes, but--” “--if anything, it makes me cherish this even more so. Think about it, if I knew you would go on forever, then perhaps you wouldn’t be here with me right now. Maybe I would have kept pushing back the urge to request a date. During that time, it is likely that you would have fallen for somepony else,” Luna said. “Then what? Where would that leave me? Brokenhearted. But, knowing that if I never took the chance, realizing you were like anypony else, I knew that I had to ask you.” She gently brushed Twilight’s tricolored mane out of her face. “Now do you understand? Because we have limited time, I won’t waste a minute of it. And I never have, if you can recall.” Twilight slightly smirked. “I have to admit, after only six months of dating, I was a bit shocked when you popped the question,” she teased. Luna playfully rolled her eyes. “But I’m sure you get the point by now,” she murmured. “I don’t care if you’re mortal or immortal, unicorn or alicorn -- or even not a pony at all, you would still be the same Twilight Sparkle I know and love. If aging is your enemy, so be it. I’ll take what I can get with you, because you’re one in a million.” “I… suppose when you put it that way, it does make sense,” Twilight murmured. “And the past three years of courtship has been enjoyable, hasn’t it?” Luna said. “Enjoyable doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Twilight replied, with a priceless smile. “Then just let it ride through. Don’t worry about the future, be happy with the present and smile back on the past,” Luna declared. “Out of all my years, that’s the most valuable lesson of life I’ve learned. And you are the priceless gift I’ve been given.” “Y-you’re doing that on purpose!” Twilight stammered, as she felt her cheeks heat up. “Quit complimenting me!” Luna’s sweet laughter echoed off of the Castle walls and down below for all of the land to hear. “You’ll have to force me,” she teased. Twilight smirked. “You’re the worst sometimes,” she playfully shot back. With a soft hum, Luna nodded, and placed a kiss on her lover’s neck. “Yes, I know,” she said. “But you don’t really mind, do you?” “Not at all,” Twilight smiled. Their lips connected, and the kiss was sweet and spine-chilling. Luna released a heavy breath, her smile twitching. “Just promise me that you’ll always remember I love you,” she whispered. “I could care less about mortality. You will always be the same young and beautiful mare I fell in love with. Years will pass, and I’ll still see this adorable face of yours.” Twilight giggled, and nodded. “I promise,” she murmured. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ii.* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * A cry shattered the silence of the afternoon. It shook Luna out of her sleep, and she let out a sigh as she shifted in bed. However, Twilight yawned and placed a hoof on her shoulder, urging her wife to lie back down and get some rest. “I’ll get her,” Twilight muttered. “You need the sleep more than I do.” Luna opened her mouth to protest, but it was useless. The minute her head hit the pillow, she was back in the comfortable spell of slumber. Twilight let out a soft chuckle, and took a minute to marvel over her beloved. Goddess was the only description to fit such a beautiful mare. ...however, Twilight was snapped out of her trance, when another wail was heard. Releasing a groan, Twilight shuffled out of bed and across the bedroom. A small navy blue bassinet decorated with white stars and moons was in the corner, and inside of the crib was a tiny little filly -- yet another Princess. “Hey there,” Twilight said softly. “What is it?” Her daughter continued her shrieking, and Twilight hesitantly picked the little one up. She cradled the baby, trying to quiet its piercing wails. “Astra, please,” she muttered. “Don’t wake your mother.” Astra was the only name fitting enough for the daughter of the Princess of the Night and the Princess of Friendship. How Luna had remembered it was beyond Twilight’s thoughts, but it was still perfect for their child. Unfortunately, their daughter’s behavior was anything but perfect right now. “Why can’t you talk yet?” Twilight groaned. The three-month-old screamed loud enough for all of Equestria to hear, and Twilight could’ve sworn she was deaf for a solid minute. She blinked rapidly from the impact, and released a sigh. She kept rocking her daughter, but was getting nowhere. Little Astra kept whining and wailing. As far as Twilight could see, nothing was wrong with her child, so what was it with the constant crying? “Is she alright?” Luna spoke up. “I’m sure she’s fine,” Twilight replied. But the howl Astra let out said otherwise. Luna got up from underneath the covers and trudged across the floor. “Come now, give her to me,” she muttered. “She’s most likely just cranky. Something must have woken her up.” She levitated Astra up, and smiled at the sniffling baby. “Hello, little star. Aren’t you tired?” Letting out a soft whine, Astra waved her hooves. “Are you sure that holding her up like that is healthy?” Twilight asked in concern. “She was created by magic,” Luna pointed out, with a tired grin. “She’ll be fine.” Twilight gave a halfhearted shrug, and let out a soft chuckle. “I guess you’re right,” she said softly, just as their daughter began to calm down. The baby cooed and babbled, doing cartwheels in midair while Luna’s magic kept her safe and secure. Still, that didn’t prevent Twilight from grabbing their daughter and holding her close. “No, none of that,” she said sternly to the little one. “You’ll get hurt.” “Every foal has been dropped at least once,” Luna pointed out, with a half smirk. “ Foals are built to survive more than we give them credit for. This one is made out of especially tough stuff.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I’m not taking any chances,” she declared. But she was quite surprised when she suddenly saw her daughter escape out of her arms and float in midair, with no magic required. With her little wings buzzing, Astra burst into a fit of adorable laughter, waving her hooves victoriously. The reaction from her mothers was mixed -- Luna’s expression radiated pride, and so did Twilight’s, but at the same time, her jaw nearly fell to the floor. So much chaos over the past few months -- what with false alarms, and then the birth, and now taking care of an infant… the shock finally wore in. The code of the Alicorn. “I… need some fresh air,” Twilight muttered, as she brushed past her wife and made her way onto the balcony. “Make sure she’s alright.” Luna instantly caught Astra in her magic and watched as Twilight slowly walked out. The foal babbled, and cocked her head to the side. “Your mother worries a lot,” Luna said softly, as she kissed her daughter’s forehead. “More than she should.” She placed the filly back into the crib, and tucked the child in between the covers. “Hush now, quiet now.” With a quick flash of magic, she cast a temporary slumber spell on Astra and the baby was out like a light. Releasing a tired sigh, Luna walked outside, wincing at the sunlight. There was Twilight - standing alone, staring up at the sky and deep in thought. “Something troubles you,” Luna declared. “Take a guess,” Twilight sighed, as she drifted her gaze downwards. “I just woke up, love,” Luna muttered. “No offense, but now isn’t the time for me to do any thinking.” “It’s… Astra,” Twilight admitted. “Don’t get me wrong, I love her to bits, but I’m upset now. I mean, the first time I held her, I was ecstatic and I still am -- she’s our daughter. But,” She frowned. “She’s an alicorn. She got the blessing. So now, I’m just wondering, what’s next? You and her--” She swallowed. “You’ll live on for centuries. Millennia, even. And I’ll be missing so many things.” Luna hesitated. “Twilight, we’ve discussed this--” “--for you and me, yes, but the unexpected happened, and now what?” Twilight replied. “As I told you a little over a year ago,” Luna declared. “We cherish the time we have. ‘Tis only natural for children to outlive their parents anyhow.” “But--” Twilight was at a loss for words. Instead, she just hung her head. Wrapping a wing around her beloved, Luna let out a sigh. “Twilight Sparkle, how old do you think you are?” “How… what?” Twilight stared in confusion at Luna. “You’re still young, even by mortal standards. You have years yet with Astra, and because she is immortal, she will mature quickly. You’ll be able to see her grow into a beautiful mare, Twilight. You’ll get to raise her. There is no doubt of you missing out on the important stages of her growth.” “Her growth, maybe, but what about her life? I might not get to see her first coltfriend, or marefriend. I won’t get to see her wedding, or her first heartbreak, or any of the things she’ll need us both for!” “And how do you think Shining Armor and Cadence feel? They are both mortal, but you don’t see them dwelling on the inevitable! They are focusing on doing what is best for Skyla while they can, not on what will happen to her when they are gone. I will not discuss this anymore. I will see you tonight, Twilight, but I am going back to bed.” Luna left Twilight standing alone. The Princess stared at the clear blue of the sky, contemplating. It was easier for her to think during the day, despite her switch into nocturnal hours to spend more time with Luna. A few years back, Twilight knew the risks of falling in love with an immortal Goddess. She just didn’t think that it would hurt this much to realize the truth. And what in the world did Luna mean by “how old do you think you are” -- Twilight wondered. What did thought have to do with reality? By some standards, Twilight was still young, pushing thirty, but years had flown by. It seemed like just yesterday, she had become a Princess. Now, here she was, a ruler of a nation, married and now a parent. Deep down inside, though… Twilight almost longed to be worry-free again. Almost. This life was beyond wonderful. She couldn’t dream of anything better. “I need to sleep on this,” she muttered to herself. Releasing a sigh, Twilight shuffled back into the Castle, and headed over to the bed. However, the sight she saw there was completely heartwarming. Luna was fast asleep, curled up on the covers, with little Astra snuggling next to her. The sight was adorable, sweet and just plain perfect. Utterly irreplaceable. Just looking at this simple view, it kicked Twilight’s thoughts into motion. Luna never told her exact age, but it was known that she was at least two thousand years old. Yet, everyday, she acted like an optimistic shining star, with a hint of sincerity and a bucket full of mature wisdom thrown in there. Her personality didn’t match up with her age at all, it was like… somepony who was roughly in their late thirties. Still stuck in the whole faze of feeling invincible, but knowing the facts of life nonetheless. Was that what she had meant? If one were to believe something, is that what they felt? Twilight sat down next to her wife and child, marveling at the moment. This really was all that mattered. The future was worrisome, but right here, right now… that was the more important issue. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * iii.* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * “How has it been twenty years?” Twilight sighed, as she smiled sweetly and laid her head on her wife’s shoulder. They were intertwined on the bed, with the starlight shining down on them and the moon was their spotlight. The night couldn’t have been more beautiful. Luna smiled, and nudged her wife. “It seems like just yesterday, you were too scared to walk down the aisle,” she said softly, with a small smirk. Twilight laughed and gave a bashful, embarrassed grin. “I seriously contemplated flying out the window and ditching you at the altar,” she confessed. “Oh, and let us not forget about three years later, you fainted at the sight of me going into labor with our daughter,” Luna teased. “I was scared to be a mom!” Twilight admitted, with another chuckle. “And I didn’t know what to do!” “Still sticking with that excuse?” Luna mused Twilight rolled her eyes. “Well, did you forget about how you dropped my engagement ring and it fell down through the gating of the balcony, all the way to the ground?” she playfully shot back. “Then you forgot the entire speech you had planned? I was laughing too hard to say yes.” Luna slightly blushed. “Definitely not one of my finest moments,” she muttered through a soft laugh. “I have to admit, though, proposing to me in Maris, Prance on top of the Eifilly Tower was quite the romantic gesture,” Twilight assured. “I try,” Luna said. She wrapped a foreleg around her wife and placed a soft kiss on Twilight’s lips. Even throughout all of these years, it never changed -- they always had the same awkward movements and cautious spirit, yet sweet, heartfelt emotion and fiery passion. The flame of love dared to flicker out from time to time, but everytime when it almost faded out, it always came back and was ignited brighter than ever. “I love you,” Twilight whispered. Luna smiled. “And I love you more,” she murmured, as she began peppering kisses along her wife’s neck. She released a sigh against Twilight’s fur, and smiled sweetly. “You’re so beautiful, you know that?” She didn’t even bother to look up. “You’re blushing, aren’t you?” “Yes,” Twilight admitted, with a stifled laugh. “How is it possible?” Luna questioned, placing one last kiss on the crook of Twilight’s neck before she hovered back up to meet her wife’s gaze. “All these years, and you still get flustered from time to time.” “I guess I never got used to it,” Twilight said. “Sometimes, you think of new things, and even if not, it makes me feel embarrassed that I could never give a compliment that triumphed yours. After all, it’s coming from you, for pony’s sake.” Luna traced the contour of Twilight’s face with a hoof. “You don’t need to outdo me,” she assured. Twilight nodded slightly. “I know,” she replied. “But I want to. And I try, it’s just--” “--you fail miserably everytime,” Luna chuckled. “Our fifth anniversary, when you tried to draw a portrait of me in the stars. I will never let you live that one down.” “For the last time, I didn’t mean to make you look like a minotaur!” Twilight groaned in between a laugh. “Art certainly isn’t your forte.” “I know, I know, and remember Hearth’s Warming a few years ago?” Luna smirked. “You did look quite adorable tangled up in all of that red lingerie,” she crooned. Twilight cleared her throat, and stammered at the memory. “That corset was really hard to tie all on my own,” she quipped. “And the socks were impossible.” Luna shrugged. “I certainly didn’t mind it,” she mused. “Still,” Twilight said, with a smile, as she playfully poked her wife’s chest. “I want to repay every favor you ever did for me. I just don’t know how.” “Don’t ever feel obligated,” Luna assured. “I only shower you with affection because you deserve it.” “Well, so do you.” “Perhaps, but you should at least let me have my fun--” She kissed Twilight sweetly and sincerely. “--and besides, you are definitely worth spoiling.” She straddled her wife and intertwined their hooves, interlocking them into a passionate embrace. Twilight stared deep into those never-ending ever-lasting blue eyes she had loved for so many years… ...and a certain question sprung to mind. “How do you remember it all?” “I beg your pardon?” “Everything, it’s like… I just don’t understand it,” Twilight thought out loud. “I remember a few things, here and there, but you--” She sighed and shrugged. “I just don’t know.” Luna hesitated, and her smile twitched. “Astra had to get her photographic memory from somewhere,” she said. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “And--?” she said. “I know there’s something more.” Luna bit her lip, falling silent for a moment. The room filled with quiet, and not the good kind, but Twilight eventually spoke up. “Well? What is it?” she asked. “Is.. is it the immortality gene?” Luna’s gaze fell, and she unraveled herself from the grip of her wife, lying down next to Twilight, and staring up at the ceiling. “You’re such a smart mare,” she muttered. “I’m surprised you didn’t pick it up yet.” She screwed her eyes shut, and rubbed her forehead for a minute. “Yes. It is. I can easily remember things from a hundred, or even a thousand, years ago, which is a blessing and a curse. You know the rest.” Twilight snuggled up against her wife. “I understand,” she murmured. The two of them laid down next to each other, side-by-side, with the passion fading away, and bittersweetness taking over. They draped their wings over one another and shared soft little kisses and nuzzles, just as the sun began to peek out over the horizon. “I have a delegate meeting in an hour,” Luna sighed. “Shame I can’t stay. At least the good thing is I can sleep through it.” “It’s fine,” Twilight said. “Tonight, we can pick up where we left off.” Luna smiled. “Don’t tease me, dear,” she murmured, nudging Twilight. “Care to take a shower with me before I leave?” Twilight returned the grin. “I’d like that,” she replied. Luna stole another sweet kiss, giving a playful wink as she rolled out of bed, and headed for the bathroom. A stupid smirk made it’s way across Twilight’s expression as she watched her wife’s hips swaying a little more than usual. She released a yawn and stretched, sitting up and shuffling across the room. She made her way over to the vanity, and winced as she noticed how frizzy her bedhair was. She rubbed her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror for a second. She was about to turn around and join Luna in the bathroom, when she noticed something she hadn’t before… ..among navy blue, bright pink and purple hairs, a single grey strand stood out. Twilight’s jaw nearly fell to the floor. She was only forty-eight. That wasn’t old, was it? “No way,” she muttered, carefully using her magic to pull out the strand. She smoothed down the part of her mane, and blinked slowly in shock as she noticed a few more grey streaks. “Twilight? Aren’t you coming?” Luna called, as she stuck her head out. “One minute,” Twilight mumbled, as she leaned closer into the mirror. Luna frowned, tilting her head to the side in confusion for a moment. Her wife was never one to fuss over her appearance -- why, if it were up to Twilight, she’d show up to a conference with a tangled mane, no crown and ruffled feathers. Then again, that wasn’t how things were done. Every now and again, Twilight’s horn would light up and she would wince slightly, levitating something in front of her. Her smile faded more and more each time she winced. “Twilight, what are you doing?” Twilight had found and pulled at least five grey hairs, and there were still several littered through her mane. She looked to Luna. The miniature galaxy was flowing, the only hint of grey being the sparkling silver of the stars that were scattered across the midnight blue. Twilight looked back at her reflection. The grey was painfully obvious against the rest of her mane. “I’m getting older,” she whispered. “Twilight,” “My mane, Luna. Look at my mane.” “It looks as beautiful as ever,” “It’s turning grey.” Twilight plucked another long strand of silver from her mane, staring at it in disgust, horrified that her body would betray her this way. She wasn’t even fifty yet. She tried to think. Did any of her friends have grey hairs yet? “Your mane is beautiful. You are beautiful. I thought you were joining me?” Luna nuzzled her wife’s cheek, but for the first time in years, Twilight pushed her away. “I’m not in the mood anymore, Luna,” Twilight sighed, looking harder into the mirror. She had small wrinkles under her eyes, barely noticeable unless somepony was looking, but to Twilight, they were drawing attention, taking up her face and drawing the eyes of anypony looking at her. She mouthed the word ‘wrinkles’, unable to say it aloud. She didn’t know how Luna was being so kind, so caring. In a few years, she would be the beautiful princess, married to an old hag. Their daughter would be the beautiful young mare with the stunning mother and the old bat that couldn’t be shaken off. They would stay young. Beautiful. She would not. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * iv.* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Twilight coughed, her breath wheezing in her throat. Luna stood beside her, placing a cool cloth on her wife’s forehead. Astra was temporarily in charge of raising the moon, thus allowing her mothers to have the alone time that they deserved. “She did an exceptional job tonight,” Twilight observed, as she looked out the window and gazed at the sky. “She’s a fast learner. She gets that from you,” Luna mused, never taking her eyes off of her beloved. She hesitantly reached out, and held Twilight’s hoof, squeezing it lightly. Now… there was no denying reality. Half a century ago, it was easier, but in this present time frame -- Luna couldn’t deny the fact that her wife was old. Twilight had changed, like any normal pony would over the years. Her mane was now practically all grey, with a few pink and purple streaks here and there. Wrinkles decorated every inch and crevice of her face, while she wore glasses that had somehow gone lopsided. A bittersweet smile made it’s way across Luna’s expression and she reached forward, carefully adjusting Twilight’s glasses. Twilight dared to grin, but instead, she just heaved out another breath. “Luna,” “Yes, dear?” “Tell me something,” Twilight mumbled. She didn’t even bother to hesitate, or stammer in the slightest. “I need to know, how old are you? The Winter Solstice is the day you recognize as your birthday, but you never tell anypony your age.” Luna blinked slowly. “You never needed to know before--” “--Luna, I’m dying,” Twilight practically shot back. “I’m ninety-nine years old, practically on my death bed. Just tell me. I’ve gone through seventy years of marriage not knowing how old my wife is. Don’t you at least owe me that?” With her expression falling, Luna darted her gaze downwards. “I don’t like hearing you talk that way,” she whispered. “It isn’t you. Where’s the Twilight Sparkle I fell in love with? She would worry about things, but… not like this. She’d work through it, and sometimes with a smile no less.” She nudged Twilight and released a sigh. “To ease your mind, I’ll tell you. I’m exactly two thousand, ninety hundred and ninety-nine years old. Forgetting an age like that isn’t easy.” “Two thou--” Twilight bit back a frown. “--you really are a Goddess. Practically three thousand years old, and you’re still stunning. Meanwhile, I’m close to a hundred, and look at me.” A sound that resembled a scoff and a wheeze escaped her. “You aren’t the first pony I’ve seen like this,” Luna assured. “Still, I’m your wife,” Twilight choked out. “The pony who’s loved you all of these years and now what? I’m probably going to be replaced in a few centuries.” Luna let out a restricted gasp. “Is that… really what you think?” she muttered. Twilight gave a faint nod. “I know you’d rather have some young and beautiful mare here,” she murmured. “You want somepony to love, not having the burden of taking care of a senior whom you used to adore. We both knew that this day would be here, Luna. It just… came here faster than we expected.” “No,” Luna said, with a ragged tone to her voice. She held her wife’s face in her hooves and let out a breath she didn’t know that she was holding. “Twilight Sparkle, you are a savior of Equestria, nothing could replace you. I don’t care if the most popular models waltzed into this room, I would still find you irreplaceable and beautiful. Do you know why?” She didn’t give her beloved a single second to even think before she continued. “Because I love you. You aren’t just a hero, you are the only pony I have actually, truly, loved. Before you, I had affections for others, but never did I want to settle down, build a life, and live happily with them. You changed everything. I knew the price of loving you the second I laid eyes on you, but that did not stop me. And it certainly won’t do that now. You are not some object that can be replaced, do you understand? You are beyond amazing. Even now, I see the same adorable, beautiful mare I was wed to seventy years ago. I can look past your wrinkles, grey hairs and ailments. Love isn’t blind… it just sees what it wants to.” “Luna--” “--let me finish,” she pleaded, as a single tear slipped down her cheek. She leaned in and kissed Twilight’s lips softly. “In our wedding vows, I said I would be there for you, no matter what. This is one of those moments. I will never leave you. Even if Equestria was burning down to the ground, I care about you too much, especially right now.” Luna swallowed. “Answer me this -- if you really believe that you are just something for me to keep busy with, would I have married you? Trusted you when all hope seemed lost? Carried your child? Most importantly, if I really did not care, would I be here for you in your time of need?” Twilight was an absolute loss for words. She stammered and stuttered, only before hanging her head in shame. “I guess not,” she muttered. “I just… I don’t understand why you’re so kind to me, even after all these years, I thought the spark would fade away.” A breathless laugh escaped Luna. “Twilight, my love, do you know which Elements of Harmony I carried long ago?” Twilight shook her head. “Laughter, Honesty and Loyalty. Two of which are the most important things in any relationship. Over the years, you can tell I am very transparent when it comes to my lies, and as for loyalty… well, I’m here, aren’t I? When I was Nightmare Moon, I lost that trait, but you destroyed that demon. You were my second chance.” Twilight was absolutely silent. All she could do was let out a soft sob and curl up into her wife, enjoying the sweet embrace. Luna swallowed hard, holding her beloved closely. “I’m sorry,” Twilight muttered. “I wish I could turn back the clock or make some kind of spell to keep me young. I want to stay here, with you but here I am--” She released a light wail and kept crying quietly, staining Luna’s coat with her tears. “--I don’t want to leave.” “You won’t,” Luna rasped. “Not now.” Twilight sniffled, and looked out the window yet again. Her eye suddenly caught a shooting star, and she breathed heavily. “Are you still in the wish-granting business?” she said softly. “Only for you,” Luna assured, with a lopsided, bittersweet smile. “I’ll name that star Lunetta,” Twilight whispered. “After you. I wish, and I hope, that you’ll never forget about me. And that wherever I go when I die, I can see you. It’ll feel like the forever you promised me.” Another tear threatened to fall, but Luna blinked it back and she shot a single beam of blue light outside, causing it to hit the star. It exploded into a fireworks-like display and soared across the horizon once again, putting on a spectacular show, until it blew up, thus forming smaller stars. She looked down, and took a deep breath as she leaned in and placed another kiss on Twilight’s lips. It was sincere, sweet, soft and passionate… ...a sort of spark that hadn’t been ignited in a while. They embraced and kissed for a while, holding onto one another as if they were trying to stop time-- --but when they broke apart, they fell back down to the present world. “I love you,” Twilight said, as a bittersweet smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. “I love you even more,” Luna whispered. “I always will.” Twilight nuzzled up against her wife, and heaved out another breath. “If you say so,” she mused. She released a light yawn, snuggling with her beloved. The chill of the night time breeze danced in the room, stars were twinkling, and the moon finally rose to it’s highest peak in the sky. Midnight officially struck. The two Princesses were still intertwined, and Luna just observed carefully as her wife drifted off into sleep. She draped a wing around Twilight and placed a kiss on her wife’s forehead. Long ago, Luna had promised a forever. This was as close as they would get. After all, every fairytale’s Happily Ever After had to fade into a Happy Ending eventually… * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Luna sighed as she began to wake, her sister’s sun blinding her for a moment. She wasn’t sure when she’d started waking up with her sister’s sun and going to bed with her daughter’s moon, but she was starting to get far too used to it for comfort. Twilight was still asleep beside her, and Luna carefully rose out of bed to avoid waking her. For a second, Luna was afraid her efforts had failed, as she moved too quickly, dropping Twilight’s hoof. It landed with a soft ‘thud’ on the bed, but Twilight didn’t stir. “Mother, the doctors say that Mom should wake up and take her medicine soon. She should have taken it an hour ago, but you were sleeping so peacefully...” Astra looked exhausted. She was trying to do her studies and keep up her duties as princess, failing to get enough sleep in the process. “Go to your room and rest. I’ll make sure Twilight gets what she needs,” Luna nuzzled her daughter and the young alicorn smiled. She blew a kiss to her sleeping mother and left the room, leaving Luna alone in the still quiet of the morning. “Twilight darling, wake up.” Luna said softly. Twilight didn’t respond. Luna called to her wife again, a little louder than the first time. Still, there was no response from the other mare. Luna was growing worried now. She knew Twilight’s hearing had become worse as she’d gotten older, but this was almost too much. Luna nudged her wife softly. Nothing. Luna began to panic now, shaking her wife roughly, begging her to wake up. Twilight still didn’t move. Luna felt her voice get caught in her throat, and all she could let out was a strangled cry. She held Twilight’s face in her hooves and looked at her wife for a moment. Not a single movement. There wasn’t even the slightest rising and fall to notice breathing. It took all of the courage in the world, but Luna hesitantly leaned forward, laying her head on Twilight’s chest, listening in for a heartbeat… ...but there was nothing. “No,” Luna rasped. “No, no, no, Twilight--” She looked up and noticed the emotionless, yet all the while peaceful, expression her wife had. “--wake up. Wake up, please.” She released another soft sob and let a few tears fall. They blended into Twilight’s lavender coat, and Luna carefully traced her hoof along the contour of her wife’s face. ...her dead wife. With that realization finally settling in, a loud heart-shattering wail slipped out of Luna. She had cried many times, and felt heartbreak more than once, but this was the worst pain she had ever felt in all of her years. The love of her life had literally died in her grasp, and there was nothing she could do to bring her back. “No!” Luna practically shrieked. No response only caused her to cry even harder, and suddenly, the door swung open to reveal Celestia, standing there with a concerned expression. “Sister? Is everything alright?” she asked. All Luna could do was keep crying over Twilight’s still body. It took a minute, but the pieces of the puzzle fell into place in Celestia’s mind. Her jaw nearly fell to the floor as she too figured it all out. “She’s gone,” Luna muttered. “She’s gone!” This day was inevitable… but not now… it wasn’t that soon, but still… Luna found it hard to breath as she let out nasty sobs and cries of heart-shattering terror. The moment she had always feared -- her worst nightmare -- it was here, lying before her. No chance of turning back time now, there was nothing left. “I still love you,” Luna choked out, as she took Twilight’s cold hoof into her own. “I always will.” A heavy sigh escaped her and she couldn’t hold back any more tears. “Forever.” ~ la fin ~ Author's Note This is easily one of the longest stories that we've done. Anyway, this was all Jocelyn's idea. She was kinda obsessed with Lana Del Rey's "Young & Beautiful" song, so naturally, she wanted to write something for it. I obviously blew it out of proportion. Oh well! --The Princess Rarity If we don't make featured, I'm cutting a bitch. --RushingAutumnLeaves What am I gonna do with her?
i.Stars Are Forever by The Autumn Princess The stars had never been this bright before. Then again, two ponies were controlling the skies for once. It was a bit of a collaboration -- with rays of magic dancing along the constellations. The celestial bodies were targeted, and every time a beam of light would hit one, it would burst into sparkles. Laughter would soon follow, and the source of it came from the palace. The scene up on the Castle balcony was actually quite heartwarming, no matter which way you looked at it. Standing side by side, with matching priceless smiles, were two of the Princesses. Luna bestowed a bit of a smirk, and aimed her magic straight for the brightest star in the sky. In the blink of an eye, that same star instantly lit up in a blue swirl that was beyond dazzling. Taken aback by the beauty, Twilight Sparkle took a moment to observe the masterpiece. This moment was enough to allow Luna to make the move she had been waiting to do for a while. Her small smirk twisted back into a sweet smile and she leaned forward, stealing a quick kiss from her fellow Royal. As expected, Twilight’s face was now the item to light up -- with a bright red blush. “You’re too adorable sometimes,” Luna murmured. This did nothing to lessen the rapidly spreading blush that was turning Twilight’s face and neck a fair shade of red. “You caught me off guard.” “As was the point,” Luna teased. “You’re far too serious. If you aren’t caught off guard, there’s no reaction from you.” It was true, of course, but Twilight didn’t dwell too long on the fact. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t enjoyed the surprise. After a few wonderful years of getting to see Luna every day, and nearly as many even more wonderful years getting to wake up each night beside the mare, Twilight had grown to love everything Luna threw at her… including the off-guard kisses. Twilight’s smile melted into compassion as she nuzzled Luna, who happily returned the affectionate gesture. This was it -- the part of the fairytale every Princess got. Happiness, contentment, and a sure promise for everlasting love. Granted, the classic tales never involved two Princesses falling in love with one another, but sometimes, tradition was meant to be broken. ...then again, the other part of their fairytale was unspoken at this moment. It was called a happy ending for a reason. At some time, sooner or later, it would be over. But in this moment, they could focus on their life now -- together as lovers and married for almost two years. “Tell me something,” Twilight whispered. “Is the legend of naming stars true? That if you gift one with a name, it’ll grant a wish?” She smiled bashfully. “I heard it about as a filly, but I never took the time to marvel over such silly things.” Luna let out a soft laugh. “It used to be, when I could keep track of them all,” she replied. “Now there’s more than you could count,” Twilight sighed. Still, the smile never left her expression and she set her sights on one of the stars she had hit with her magic earlier. It had a violet aura around it, and was twinkling like a true jewel. “I’ll call that one--” She pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “--Astra. It’s Ancient Pegasus, it literally means star. The meaning is a bit obvious, but the name is exotic.” “Well, then, your wish is my command,” Luna declared. “What is it you desire?” Twilight looked over to her beloved, and intertwined their hooves. “For this moment to stay here, frozen in time,” she whispered, placing a brief, soft and sweet kiss on Luna’s lips. “Just you and me.” A lopsided smile made it’s way on Luna’s expression. “I can’t control the world, even if it seems so, but I could give you a promise to make it seem like every minute feel as wonderful as this one is,” she murmured, as she wrapped her wing around Twilight. “Because my word is all that I can give that really matters.” Her blue eyes met Twilight’s sparkling lavender ones, and Luna giggled. “Did I ever tell you that your eyes are like amethysts?” she said. Another twinge of a blush was enough of an answer. Twilight released a content sigh, and leaned against her beloved. “So we can be happy forever?” she asked. “Why wouldn’t we be?” Luna inquired. “Forever is a long time,” Twilight said simply. It was this statement that took the final piece in the puzzle to fall, and Luna released a deep breath as she stared up at the night time sky. “It is, isn’t it?” she realized. “But even I can’t go on forever. No one can.” Twilight’s expression threatened to show a slight frown -- but in the presence of Luna, she just couldn’t. “I knew you would bring this up sooner or later, but just not this quickly,” Luna continued. “Why don’t you look at the stars? I think if I explain this to you in a manner you might understand, then you will also realize what I’m seeing at my angle.” Slightly perplexed, but going through with the request nonetheless, Twilight turned her gaze back up to the sky. Her eyes darted all around, looking for whatever Luna was trying to say. “Tell me, how old are the stars?” “Well, they were created before you and Celestia were born, and you’re both well over a thousand years old, and your parents’ ages were never recorded so--” “--not mathematically,” Luna said, with a soft laugh. “Philosophically, I mean.” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” she questioned. Luna shot another sapphire-colored beam of magic to one of the tiniest stars, causing it to light up and start flying across the horizon. Then, it exploded, and thus, smaller specks decorated the sky. “See?” she said, pointing to the new creation. “Even when they are destroyed, stars last. They give us new ones to marvel over. It starts out with one, but evolves into something more.” “So… what’s your point?” Twilight said. “I’m lost.” “If something as simple as a ball of gas and chemicals and atoms could last forever, then the magic bond between you and I -- the purest love, it can outlast that tenfold,” Luna declared. Twilight frowned. “But … we have one major difference,” she muttered. Luna sighed. “I thought we agreed not to bring this up,” she said. “Agreed or not, it’s always going to be there. Just because we don’t talk about something doesn’t mean it will no longer be a problem. You and Celestia were both born with your gifts. I was given mine by a bunch of shiny rocks. You’ll get to live forever, and I won’t.” “Twilight Sparkle,” it wasn’t often that Luna used her full name these days. “Immortality is not all you would think. Yes, my sister and I will live forever, while you and Cadence will not. But there is not as much good as you would believe. I will have to live on and watch as I lose you, but you will not know that pain. You will not have to suffer the losses of your friends, as Tia and I have done in the past.” Twilight wanted to say she understood and drop the matter there, but something kept her from doing so. “I don’t care,” she said, quietly at first. “I don’t want t-to keep aging while you remain frozen as you are. I don’t want to get old and die while you still look so young.” I don’t want you to stop loving me because I age and you don’t. Twilight didn’t need to say the last part. It hung between them, an unspoken worry and a thought that had never once crossed Luna’s mind. “It’s a price I’m willing to pay,” Luna said. Her voice was serious, stern and at the same time, loving. “Why?” Twilight asked, with a rueful laugh. “Why take a mortal lover?” “Last I checked, there were no immortals for me to go browsing through for possible love matches,” Luna replied. “And even if they were, they wouldn’t be you.” She noticed Twilight’s hesitant expression and continued. “You think I’m just saying that to make you feel better.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement -- almost as if Luna could read Twilight’s mind. “Twilight, if you were as petty as you think, I would have never taken the time to try and push our relationship beyond friends. Just because you are mortal doesn’t mean I love you any less, you know that, don’t you?” “Yes, but--” “--if anything, it makes me cherish this even more so. Think about it, if I knew you would go on forever, then perhaps you wouldn’t be here with me right now. Maybe I would have kept pushing back the urge to request a date. During that time, it is likely that you would have fallen for somepony else,” Luna said. “Then what? Where would that leave me? Brokenhearted. But, knowing that if I never took the chance, realizing you were like anypony else, I knew that I had to ask you.” She gently brushed Twilight’s tricolored mane out of her face. “Now do you understand? Because we have limited time, I won’t waste a minute of it. And I never have, if you can recall.” Twilight slightly smirked. “I have to admit, after only six months of dating, I was a bit shocked when you popped the question,” she teased. Luna playfully rolled her eyes. “But I’m sure you get the point by now,” she murmured. “I don’t care if you’re mortal or immortal, unicorn or alicorn -- or even not a pony at all, you would still be the same Twilight Sparkle I know and love. If aging is your enemy, so be it. I’ll take what I can get with you, because you’re one in a million.” “I… suppose when you put it that way, it does make sense,” Twilight murmured. “And the past three years of courtship has been enjoyable, hasn’t it?” Luna said. “Enjoyable doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Twilight replied, with a priceless smile. “Then just let it ride through. Don’t worry about the future, be happy with the present and smile back on the past,” Luna declared. “Out of all my years, that’s the most valuable lesson of life I’ve learned. And you are the priceless gift I’ve been given.” “Y-you’re doing that on purpose!” Twilight stammered, as she felt her cheeks heat up. “Quit complimenting me!” Luna’s sweet laughter echoed off of the Castle walls and down below for all of the land to hear. “You’ll have to force me,” she teased. Twilight smirked. “You’re the worst sometimes,” she playfully shot back. With a soft hum, Luna nodded, and placed a kiss on her lover’s neck. “Yes, I know,” she said. “But you don’t really mind, do you?” “Not at all,” Twilight smiled. Their lips connected, and the kiss was sweet and spine-chilling. Luna released a heavy breath, her smile twitching. “Just promise me that you’ll always remember I love you,” she whispered. “I could care less about mortality. You will always be the same young and beautiful mare I fell in love with. Years will pass, and I’ll still see this adorable face of yours.” Twilight giggled, and nodded. “I promise,” she murmured. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
ii.* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * A cry shattered the silence of the afternoon. It shook Luna out of her sleep, and she let out a sigh as she shifted in bed. However, Twilight yawned and placed a hoof on her shoulder, urging her wife to lie back down and get some rest. “I’ll get her,” Twilight muttered. “You need the sleep more than I do.” Luna opened her mouth to protest, but it was useless. The minute her head hit the pillow, she was back in the comfortable spell of slumber. Twilight let out a soft chuckle, and took a minute to marvel over her beloved. Goddess was the only description to fit such a beautiful mare. ...however, Twilight was snapped out of her trance, when another wail was heard. Releasing a groan, Twilight shuffled out of bed and across the bedroom. A small navy blue bassinet decorated with white stars and moons was in the corner, and inside of the crib was a tiny little filly -- yet another Princess. “Hey there,” Twilight said softly. “What is it?” Her daughter continued her shrieking, and Twilight hesitantly picked the little one up. She cradled the baby, trying to quiet its piercing wails. “Astra, please,” she muttered. “Don’t wake your mother.” Astra was the only name fitting enough for the daughter of the Princess of the Night and the Princess of Friendship. How Luna had remembered it was beyond Twilight’s thoughts, but it was still perfect for their child. Unfortunately, their daughter’s behavior was anything but perfect right now. “Why can’t you talk yet?” Twilight groaned. The three-month-old screamed loud enough for all of Equestria to hear, and Twilight could’ve sworn she was deaf for a solid minute. She blinked rapidly from the impact, and released a sigh. She kept rocking her daughter, but was getting nowhere. Little Astra kept whining and wailing. As far as Twilight could see, nothing was wrong with her child, so what was it with the constant crying? “Is she alright?” Luna spoke up. “I’m sure she’s fine,” Twilight replied. But the howl Astra let out said otherwise. Luna got up from underneath the covers and trudged across the floor. “Come now, give her to me,” she muttered. “She’s most likely just cranky. Something must have woken her up.” She levitated Astra up, and smiled at the sniffling baby. “Hello, little star. Aren’t you tired?” Letting out a soft whine, Astra waved her hooves. “Are you sure that holding her up like that is healthy?” Twilight asked in concern. “She was created by magic,” Luna pointed out, with a tired grin. “She’ll be fine.” Twilight gave a halfhearted shrug, and let out a soft chuckle. “I guess you’re right,” she said softly, just as their daughter began to calm down. The baby cooed and babbled, doing cartwheels in midair while Luna’s magic kept her safe and secure. Still, that didn’t prevent Twilight from grabbing their daughter and holding her close. “No, none of that,” she said sternly to the little one. “You’ll get hurt.” “Every foal has been dropped at least once,” Luna pointed out, with a half smirk. “ Foals are built to survive more than we give them credit for. This one is made out of especially tough stuff.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I’m not taking any chances,” she declared. But she was quite surprised when she suddenly saw her daughter escape out of her arms and float in midair, with no magic required. With her little wings buzzing, Astra burst into a fit of adorable laughter, waving her hooves victoriously. The reaction from her mothers was mixed -- Luna’s expression radiated pride, and so did Twilight’s, but at the same time, her jaw nearly fell to the floor. So much chaos over the past few months -- what with false alarms, and then the birth, and now taking care of an infant… the shock finally wore in. The code of the Alicorn. “I… need some fresh air,” Twilight muttered, as she brushed past her wife and made her way onto the balcony. “Make sure she’s alright.” Luna instantly caught Astra in her magic and watched as Twilight slowly walked out. The foal babbled, and cocked her head to the side. “Your mother worries a lot,” Luna said softly, as she kissed her daughter’s forehead. “More than she should.” She placed the filly back into the crib, and tucked the child in between the covers. “Hush now, quiet now.” With a quick flash of magic, she cast a temporary slumber spell on Astra and the baby was out like a light. Releasing a tired sigh, Luna walked outside, wincing at the sunlight. There was Twilight - standing alone, staring up at the sky and deep in thought. “Something troubles you,” Luna declared. “Take a guess,” Twilight sighed, as she drifted her gaze downwards. “I just woke up, love,” Luna muttered. “No offense, but now isn’t the time for me to do any thinking.” “It’s… Astra,” Twilight admitted. “Don’t get me wrong, I love her to bits, but I’m upset now. I mean, the first time I held her, I was ecstatic and I still am -- she’s our daughter. But,” She frowned. “She’s an alicorn. She got the blessing. So now, I’m just wondering, what’s next? You and her--” She swallowed. “You’ll live on for centuries. Millennia, even. And I’ll be missing so many things.” Luna hesitated. “Twilight, we’ve discussed this--” “--for you and me, yes, but the unexpected happened, and now what?” Twilight replied. “As I told you a little over a year ago,” Luna declared. “We cherish the time we have. ‘Tis only natural for children to outlive their parents anyhow.” “But--” Twilight was at a loss for words. Instead, she just hung her head. Wrapping a wing around her beloved, Luna let out a sigh. “Twilight Sparkle, how old do you think you are?” “How… what?” Twilight stared in confusion at Luna. “You’re still young, even by mortal standards. You have years yet with Astra, and because she is immortal, she will mature quickly. You’ll be able to see her grow into a beautiful mare, Twilight. You’ll get to raise her. There is no doubt of you missing out on the important stages of her growth.” “Her growth, maybe, but what about her life? I might not get to see her first coltfriend, or marefriend. I won’t get to see her wedding, or her first heartbreak, or any of the things she’ll need us both for!” “And how do you think Shining Armor and Cadence feel? They are both mortal, but you don’t see them dwelling on the inevitable! They are focusing on doing what is best for Skyla while they can, not on what will happen to her when they are gone. I will not discuss this anymore. I will see you tonight, Twilight, but I am going back to bed.” Luna left Twilight standing alone. The Princess stared at the clear blue of the sky, contemplating. It was easier for her to think during the day, despite her switch into nocturnal hours to spend more time with Luna. A few years back, Twilight knew the risks of falling in love with an immortal Goddess. She just didn’t think that it would hurt this much to realize the truth. And what in the world did Luna mean by “how old do you think you are” -- Twilight wondered. What did thought have to do with reality? By some standards, Twilight was still young, pushing thirty, but years had flown by. It seemed like just yesterday, she had become a Princess. Now, here she was, a ruler of a nation, married and now a parent. Deep down inside, though… Twilight almost longed to be worry-free again. Almost. This life was beyond wonderful. She couldn’t dream of anything better. “I need to sleep on this,” she muttered to herself. Releasing a sigh, Twilight shuffled back into the Castle, and headed over to the bed. However, the sight she saw there was completely heartwarming. Luna was fast asleep, curled up on the covers, with little Astra snuggling next to her. The sight was adorable, sweet and just plain perfect. Utterly irreplaceable. Just looking at this simple view, it kicked Twilight’s thoughts into motion. Luna never told her exact age, but it was known that she was at least two thousand years old. Yet, everyday, she acted like an optimistic shining star, with a hint of sincerity and a bucket full of mature wisdom thrown in there. Her personality didn’t match up with her age at all, it was like… somepony who was roughly in their late thirties. Still stuck in the whole faze of feeling invincible, but knowing the facts of life nonetheless. Was that what she had meant? If one were to believe something, is that what they felt? Twilight sat down next to her wife and child, marveling at the moment. This really was all that mattered. The future was worrisome, but right here, right now… that was the more important issue. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
iii.* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * “How has it been twenty years?” Twilight sighed, as she smiled sweetly and laid her head on her wife’s shoulder. They were intertwined on the bed, with the starlight shining down on them and the moon was their spotlight. The night couldn’t have been more beautiful. Luna smiled, and nudged her wife. “It seems like just yesterday, you were too scared to walk down the aisle,” she said softly, with a small smirk. Twilight laughed and gave a bashful, embarrassed grin. “I seriously contemplated flying out the window and ditching you at the altar,” she confessed. “Oh, and let us not forget about three years later, you fainted at the sight of me going into labor with our daughter,” Luna teased. “I was scared to be a mom!” Twilight admitted, with another chuckle. “And I didn’t know what to do!” “Still sticking with that excuse?” Luna mused Twilight rolled her eyes. “Well, did you forget about how you dropped my engagement ring and it fell down through the gating of the balcony, all the way to the ground?” she playfully shot back. “Then you forgot the entire speech you had planned? I was laughing too hard to say yes.” Luna slightly blushed. “Definitely not one of my finest moments,” she muttered through a soft laugh. “I have to admit, though, proposing to me in Maris, Prance on top of the Eifilly Tower was quite the romantic gesture,” Twilight assured. “I try,” Luna said. She wrapped a foreleg around her wife and placed a soft kiss on Twilight’s lips. Even throughout all of these years, it never changed -- they always had the same awkward movements and cautious spirit, yet sweet, heartfelt emotion and fiery passion. The flame of love dared to flicker out from time to time, but everytime when it almost faded out, it always came back and was ignited brighter than ever. “I love you,” Twilight whispered. Luna smiled. “And I love you more,” she murmured, as she began peppering kisses along her wife’s neck. She released a sigh against Twilight’s fur, and smiled sweetly. “You’re so beautiful, you know that?” She didn’t even bother to look up. “You’re blushing, aren’t you?” “Yes,” Twilight admitted, with a stifled laugh. “How is it possible?” Luna questioned, placing one last kiss on the crook of Twilight’s neck before she hovered back up to meet her wife’s gaze. “All these years, and you still get flustered from time to time.” “I guess I never got used to it,” Twilight said. “Sometimes, you think of new things, and even if not, it makes me feel embarrassed that I could never give a compliment that triumphed yours. After all, it’s coming from you, for pony’s sake.” Luna traced the contour of Twilight’s face with a hoof. “You don’t need to outdo me,” she assured. Twilight nodded slightly. “I know,” she replied. “But I want to. And I try, it’s just--” “--you fail miserably everytime,” Luna chuckled. “Our fifth anniversary, when you tried to draw a portrait of me in the stars. I will never let you live that one down.” “For the last time, I didn’t mean to make you look like a minotaur!” Twilight groaned in between a laugh. “Art certainly isn’t your forte.” “I know, I know, and remember Hearth’s Warming a few years ago?” Luna smirked. “You did look quite adorable tangled up in all of that red lingerie,” she crooned. Twilight cleared her throat, and stammered at the memory. “That corset was really hard to tie all on my own,” she quipped. “And the socks were impossible.” Luna shrugged. “I certainly didn’t mind it,” she mused. “Still,” Twilight said, with a smile, as she playfully poked her wife’s chest. “I want to repay every favor you ever did for me. I just don’t know how.” “Don’t ever feel obligated,” Luna assured. “I only shower you with affection because you deserve it.” “Well, so do you.” “Perhaps, but you should at least let me have my fun--” She kissed Twilight sweetly and sincerely. “--and besides, you are definitely worth spoiling.” She straddled her wife and intertwined their hooves, interlocking them into a passionate embrace. Twilight stared deep into those never-ending ever-lasting blue eyes she had loved for so many years… ...and a certain question sprung to mind. “How do you remember it all?” “I beg your pardon?” “Everything, it’s like… I just don’t understand it,” Twilight thought out loud. “I remember a few things, here and there, but you--” She sighed and shrugged. “I just don’t know.” Luna hesitated, and her smile twitched. “Astra had to get her photographic memory from somewhere,” she said. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “And--?” she said. “I know there’s something more.” Luna bit her lip, falling silent for a moment. The room filled with quiet, and not the good kind, but Twilight eventually spoke up. “Well? What is it?” she asked. “Is.. is it the immortality gene?” Luna’s gaze fell, and she unraveled herself from the grip of her wife, lying down next to Twilight, and staring up at the ceiling. “You’re such a smart mare,” she muttered. “I’m surprised you didn’t pick it up yet.” She screwed her eyes shut, and rubbed her forehead for a minute. “Yes. It is. I can easily remember things from a hundred, or even a thousand, years ago, which is a blessing and a curse. You know the rest.” Twilight snuggled up against her wife. “I understand,” she murmured. The two of them laid down next to each other, side-by-side, with the passion fading away, and bittersweetness taking over. They draped their wings over one another and shared soft little kisses and nuzzles, just as the sun began to peek out over the horizon. “I have a delegate meeting in an hour,” Luna sighed. “Shame I can’t stay. At least the good thing is I can sleep through it.” “It’s fine,” Twilight said. “Tonight, we can pick up where we left off.” Luna smiled. “Don’t tease me, dear,” she murmured, nudging Twilight. “Care to take a shower with me before I leave?” Twilight returned the grin. “I’d like that,” she replied. Luna stole another sweet kiss, giving a playful wink as she rolled out of bed, and headed for the bathroom. A stupid smirk made it’s way across Twilight’s expression as she watched her wife’s hips swaying a little more than usual. She released a yawn and stretched, sitting up and shuffling across the room. She made her way over to the vanity, and winced as she noticed how frizzy her bedhair was. She rubbed her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror for a second. She was about to turn around and join Luna in the bathroom, when she noticed something she hadn’t before… ..among navy blue, bright pink and purple hairs, a single grey strand stood out. Twilight’s jaw nearly fell to the floor. She was only forty-eight. That wasn’t old, was it? “No way,” she muttered, carefully using her magic to pull out the strand. She smoothed down the part of her mane, and blinked slowly in shock as she noticed a few more grey streaks. “Twilight? Aren’t you coming?” Luna called, as she stuck her head out. “One minute,” Twilight mumbled, as she leaned closer into the mirror. Luna frowned, tilting her head to the side in confusion for a moment. Her wife was never one to fuss over her appearance -- why, if it were up to Twilight, she’d show up to a conference with a tangled mane, no crown and ruffled feathers. Then again, that wasn’t how things were done. Every now and again, Twilight’s horn would light up and she would wince slightly, levitating something in front of her. Her smile faded more and more each time she winced. “Twilight, what are you doing?” Twilight had found and pulled at least five grey hairs, and there were still several littered through her mane. She looked to Luna. The miniature galaxy was flowing, the only hint of grey being the sparkling silver of the stars that were scattered across the midnight blue. Twilight looked back at her reflection. The grey was painfully obvious against the rest of her mane. “I’m getting older,” she whispered. “Twilight,” “My mane, Luna. Look at my mane.” “It looks as beautiful as ever,” “It’s turning grey.” Twilight plucked another long strand of silver from her mane, staring at it in disgust, horrified that her body would betray her this way. She wasn’t even fifty yet. She tried to think. Did any of her friends have grey hairs yet? “Your mane is beautiful. You are beautiful. I thought you were joining me?” Luna nuzzled her wife’s cheek, but for the first time in years, Twilight pushed her away. “I’m not in the mood anymore, Luna,” Twilight sighed, looking harder into the mirror. She had small wrinkles under her eyes, barely noticeable unless somepony was looking, but to Twilight, they were drawing attention, taking up her face and drawing the eyes of anypony looking at her. She mouthed the word ‘wrinkles’, unable to say it aloud. She didn’t know how Luna was being so kind, so caring. In a few years, she would be the beautiful princess, married to an old hag. Their daughter would be the beautiful young mare with the stunning mother and the old bat that couldn’t be shaken off. They would stay young. Beautiful. She would not. * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
iv.* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Twilight coughed, her breath wheezing in her throat. Luna stood beside her, placing a cool cloth on her wife’s forehead. Astra was temporarily in charge of raising the moon, thus allowing her mothers to have the alone time that they deserved. “She did an exceptional job tonight,” Twilight observed, as she looked out the window and gazed at the sky. “She’s a fast learner. She gets that from you,” Luna mused, never taking her eyes off of her beloved. She hesitantly reached out, and held Twilight’s hoof, squeezing it lightly. Now… there was no denying reality. Half a century ago, it was easier, but in this present time frame -- Luna couldn’t deny the fact that her wife was old. Twilight had changed, like any normal pony would over the years. Her mane was now practically all grey, with a few pink and purple streaks here and there. Wrinkles decorated every inch and crevice of her face, while she wore glasses that had somehow gone lopsided. A bittersweet smile made it’s way across Luna’s expression and she reached forward, carefully adjusting Twilight’s glasses. Twilight dared to grin, but instead, she just heaved out another breath. “Luna,” “Yes, dear?” “Tell me something,” Twilight mumbled. She didn’t even bother to hesitate, or stammer in the slightest. “I need to know, how old are you? The Winter Solstice is the day you recognize as your birthday, but you never tell anypony your age.” Luna blinked slowly. “You never needed to know before--” “--Luna, I’m dying,” Twilight practically shot back. “I’m ninety-nine years old, practically on my death bed. Just tell me. I’ve gone through seventy years of marriage not knowing how old my wife is. Don’t you at least owe me that?” With her expression falling, Luna darted her gaze downwards. “I don’t like hearing you talk that way,” she whispered. “It isn’t you. Where’s the Twilight Sparkle I fell in love with? She would worry about things, but… not like this. She’d work through it, and sometimes with a smile no less.” She nudged Twilight and released a sigh. “To ease your mind, I’ll tell you. I’m exactly two thousand, ninety hundred and ninety-nine years old. Forgetting an age like that isn’t easy.” “Two thou--” Twilight bit back a frown. “--you really are a Goddess. Practically three thousand years old, and you’re still stunning. Meanwhile, I’m close to a hundred, and look at me.” A sound that resembled a scoff and a wheeze escaped her. “You aren’t the first pony I’ve seen like this,” Luna assured. “Still, I’m your wife,” Twilight choked out. “The pony who’s loved you all of these years and now what? I’m probably going to be replaced in a few centuries.” Luna let out a restricted gasp. “Is that… really what you think?” she muttered. Twilight gave a faint nod. “I know you’d rather have some young and beautiful mare here,” she murmured. “You want somepony to love, not having the burden of taking care of a senior whom you used to adore. We both knew that this day would be here, Luna. It just… came here faster than we expected.” “No,” Luna said, with a ragged tone to her voice. She held her wife’s face in her hooves and let out a breath she didn’t know that she was holding. “Twilight Sparkle, you are a savior of Equestria, nothing could replace you. I don’t care if the most popular models waltzed into this room, I would still find you irreplaceable and beautiful. Do you know why?” She didn’t give her beloved a single second to even think before she continued. “Because I love you. You aren’t just a hero, you are the only pony I have actually, truly, loved. Before you, I had affections for others, but never did I want to settle down, build a life, and live happily with them. You changed everything. I knew the price of loving you the second I laid eyes on you, but that did not stop me. And it certainly won’t do that now. You are not some object that can be replaced, do you understand? You are beyond amazing. Even now, I see the same adorable, beautiful mare I was wed to seventy years ago. I can look past your wrinkles, grey hairs and ailments. Love isn’t blind… it just sees what it wants to.” “Luna--” “--let me finish,” she pleaded, as a single tear slipped down her cheek. She leaned in and kissed Twilight’s lips softly. “In our wedding vows, I said I would be there for you, no matter what. This is one of those moments. I will never leave you. Even if Equestria was burning down to the ground, I care about you too much, especially right now.” Luna swallowed. “Answer me this -- if you really believe that you are just something for me to keep busy with, would I have married you? Trusted you when all hope seemed lost? Carried your child? Most importantly, if I really did not care, would I be here for you in your time of need?” Twilight was an absolute loss for words. She stammered and stuttered, only before hanging her head in shame. “I guess not,” she muttered. “I just… I don’t understand why you’re so kind to me, even after all these years, I thought the spark would fade away.” A breathless laugh escaped Luna. “Twilight, my love, do you know which Elements of Harmony I carried long ago?” Twilight shook her head. “Laughter, Honesty and Loyalty. Two of which are the most important things in any relationship. Over the years, you can tell I am very transparent when it comes to my lies, and as for loyalty… well, I’m here, aren’t I? When I was Nightmare Moon, I lost that trait, but you destroyed that demon. You were my second chance.” Twilight was absolutely silent. All she could do was let out a soft sob and curl up into her wife, enjoying the sweet embrace. Luna swallowed hard, holding her beloved closely. “I’m sorry,” Twilight muttered. “I wish I could turn back the clock or make some kind of spell to keep me young. I want to stay here, with you but here I am--” She released a light wail and kept crying quietly, staining Luna’s coat with her tears. “--I don’t want to leave.” “You won’t,” Luna rasped. “Not now.” Twilight sniffled, and looked out the window yet again. Her eye suddenly caught a shooting star, and she breathed heavily. “Are you still in the wish-granting business?” she said softly. “Only for you,” Luna assured, with a lopsided, bittersweet smile. “I’ll name that star Lunetta,” Twilight whispered. “After you. I wish, and I hope, that you’ll never forget about me. And that wherever I go when I die, I can see you. It’ll feel like the forever you promised me.” Another tear threatened to fall, but Luna blinked it back and she shot a single beam of blue light outside, causing it to hit the star. It exploded into a fireworks-like display and soared across the horizon once again, putting on a spectacular show, until it blew up, thus forming smaller stars. She looked down, and took a deep breath as she leaned in and placed another kiss on Twilight’s lips. It was sincere, sweet, soft and passionate… ...a sort of spark that hadn’t been ignited in a while. They embraced and kissed for a while, holding onto one another as if they were trying to stop time-- --but when they broke apart, they fell back down to the present world. “I love you,” Twilight said, as a bittersweet smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. “I love you even more,” Luna whispered. “I always will.” Twilight nuzzled up against her wife, and heaved out another breath. “If you say so,” she mused. She released a light yawn, snuggling with her beloved. The chill of the night time breeze danced in the room, stars were twinkling, and the moon finally rose to it’s highest peak in the sky. Midnight officially struck. The two Princesses were still intertwined, and Luna just observed carefully as her wife drifted off into sleep. She draped a wing around Twilight and placed a kiss on her wife’s forehead. Long ago, Luna had promised a forever. This was as close as they would get. After all, every fairytale’s Happily Ever After had to fade into a Happy Ending eventually… * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * Luna sighed as she began to wake, her sister’s sun blinding her for a moment. She wasn’t sure when she’d started waking up with her sister’s sun and going to bed with her daughter’s moon, but she was starting to get far too used to it for comfort. Twilight was still asleep beside her, and Luna carefully rose out of bed to avoid waking her. For a second, Luna was afraid her efforts had failed, as she moved too quickly, dropping Twilight’s hoof. It landed with a soft ‘thud’ on the bed, but Twilight didn’t stir. “Mother, the doctors say that Mom should wake up and take her medicine soon. She should have taken it an hour ago, but you were sleeping so peacefully...” Astra looked exhausted. She was trying to do her studies and keep up her duties as princess, failing to get enough sleep in the process. “Go to your room and rest. I’ll make sure Twilight gets what she needs,” Luna nuzzled her daughter and the young alicorn smiled. She blew a kiss to her sleeping mother and left the room, leaving Luna alone in the still quiet of the morning. “Twilight darling, wake up.” Luna said softly. Twilight didn’t respond. Luna called to her wife again, a little louder than the first time. Still, there was no response from the other mare. Luna was growing worried now. She knew Twilight’s hearing had become worse as she’d gotten older, but this was almost too much. Luna nudged her wife softly. Nothing. Luna began to panic now, shaking her wife roughly, begging her to wake up. Twilight still didn’t move. Luna felt her voice get caught in her throat, and all she could let out was a strangled cry. She held Twilight’s face in her hooves and looked at her wife for a moment. Not a single movement. There wasn’t even the slightest rising and fall to notice breathing. It took all of the courage in the world, but Luna hesitantly leaned forward, laying her head on Twilight’s chest, listening in for a heartbeat… ...but there was nothing. “No,” Luna rasped. “No, no, no, Twilight--” She looked up and noticed the emotionless, yet all the while peaceful, expression her wife had. “--wake up. Wake up, please.” She released another soft sob and let a few tears fall. They blended into Twilight’s lavender coat, and Luna carefully traced her hoof along the contour of her wife’s face. ...her dead wife. With that realization finally settling in, a loud heart-shattering wail slipped out of Luna. She had cried many times, and felt heartbreak more than once, but this was the worst pain she had ever felt in all of her years. The love of her life had literally died in her grasp, and there was nothing she could do to bring her back. “No!” Luna practically shrieked. No response only caused her to cry even harder, and suddenly, the door swung open to reveal Celestia, standing there with a concerned expression. “Sister? Is everything alright?” she asked. All Luna could do was keep crying over Twilight’s still body. It took a minute, but the pieces of the puzzle fell into place in Celestia’s mind. Her jaw nearly fell to the floor as she too figured it all out. “She’s gone,” Luna muttered. “She’s gone!” This day was inevitable… but not now… it wasn’t that soon, but still… Luna found it hard to breath as she let out nasty sobs and cries of heart-shattering terror. The moment she had always feared -- her worst nightmare -- it was here, lying before her. No chance of turning back time now, there was nothing left. “I still love you,” Luna choked out, as she took Twilight’s cold hoof into her own. “I always will.” A heavy sigh escaped her and she couldn’t hold back any more tears. “Forever.” ~ la fin ~ Author's Note This is easily one of the longest stories that we've done. Anyway, this was all Jocelyn's idea. She was kinda obsessed with Lana Del Rey's "Young & Beautiful" song, so naturally, she wanted to write something for it. I obviously blew it out of proportion. Oh well! --The Princess Rarity If we don't make featured, I'm cutting a bitch. --RushingAutumnLeaves What am I gonna do with her?
