For As Long As I Live

Numerous crystals both great and small surround Princess Twilight Sparkle, each shining in the light of the sun and showering the area in a wonderful rainbow of colors. Some lie on the ground, scattered, as though dropped or having fallen while others are stacked or arranged in the shaped of buildings or other structures. Twilight feels a small tug in the depths of her mind telling her she knows this land. Yet the familiarity is lost along within the vast reservoir of knowledge. There is a tinge of fear as curiosity takes hold, pushing her to explore the crystal field further.

As she walks down the pitted pathway she looks ahead to see two young unicorns climbing on and around several massive crystals. One is a gold colored colt with a bronze colored mane and tail. The other is a silver filly with a pure white mane and tail. As she draws closer Twilight spots the cutie marks of each. The colt’s mark depicts two silver locks, each opened and hooked to the other. The filly’s mark depicts a pair of golden keys crossed over with a scarlet ribbon swirling around them.

The inquisitive looks of the young ponies and the thrill they display as they explore the shimmering stones brings a smile to the princess. Her thoughts drift to the many young ponies she once taught throughout her long life. She recalls the fascination and wonder as they learn and discover. As she recalls the many faces and smiles though the names and voices of each are lost.

Sadly, the cheerful and happy memories betray her as the darker, more somber memories are recalled. Each happy life ended with the death of the pony who was once her faithful student. No matter how full or how long, each eventually ended. Such a thought reminds her of her lonely, immortal life. Sorrow and fear begin to take hold as she watches the memories of each student’s funeral, leaving her alone once more.

So much death in life. So much suffering. Why must I go through such an ordeal?

Her memories taunt her with the many happy faces of her students only to replace them with a stone marker of their grave. Twilight grasps at each happy face only to watch as it slips away. Pain follows the sorrow and she drops to the ground. Tears begin to drip from her eyes as she weeps for those who are no more.

I am haunted and tormented by the pains of the past and forced to endure it alone.

The pain of enduring such loss in her life leaves the princess crumpled on the ground, weeping. The joy that each life once gave drips away as it is replaced by that terrible pain. She hears soft trotting and looks up to see the two young ponies standing above her. They bend over to comfort her, wrapping their hooves around her in a warm hug.

Such kind souls these ponies. Who are they? I feel that I should know these two.

Twilight feels a brutal snap in her head as the realization hits her and fear invades her sorrowful mind. She has met these young ponies before, though her dwindling memory prevents her from recalling exactly where or when. At the time they were younger and without cutie marks. Why are they here? Did she not say that their first meeting should also be the last?

No! There has been enough death in my life. I will not witness the death of these two.

The princess struggles to stand, staring at the two young ponies in a mix of fear and love. “I am sorry,” she says as she turns and leaves, never looking back as her tears stain her face. She moves quicker and quicker to escape the future memory of more death. They will die one day, but she will not bear witness and endure more suffering from the loss. Better to be alone than endure more life being torn away from her.

Now at a full gallop, Twilight charges through the crystal land only to witness more horror. The land flashes before her as the structure shaped crystals flicker and settle as burning homes and other buildings. The street bears the scars of magical blasts and craters from violent explosions. This land of wondrous gems and colorful stones is little more than the ruins of what remains of a once mighty land. Yet now, she is once again witnessing its destruction. Colorful stones crack and crumble while shimmering ponies flee in terror from fire and lightning. Twilight watches in horror as bodies begin to line the gleaming streets.

Twilight skids to a halt upon reaching the center of the crystal city. Before her stands a massive spire scarred and cracked. Sitting up under the spire, a pair of crystal spikes holds a blackened heart-shaped crystal. The princess watches as the crystal heart cracks and shatters into scores of small shards. A second later, a magic blast streaks past her and rocks the ground as it impacts the street. Twilight looks over at the crater as the head of a large crystal sculpture rolls across the ground. The head is of some kind of young dragon, one she feels she should know.

As if on cue, a young, wingless dragon, strikingly similar to the decimated sculpture, leaps out and stands on the cracked head. He is purple with green spikes lining his back and a green stomach. He stands about as tall as Twilight and his body is lean. He breathes green flames and charges the invisible foe. As if defying his bravery, a cruel beam of magic bursts forth from the shadow that covers the sky and strikes the young dragon. The princess can only watch in horror as the dragon vanishes before her eyes in a fiery death.

Don’t die. Don’t die. Why do you have to die? Give him back! Don’t leave me alone!

Tears etch rivers down her face as Twilight feels her stomach wrench within her. Her heart sinks as sorrow and terror overwhelm her. She knew the young dragon and the bond they once shared. Now she has witnessed his death once more in all its horror. She screams out but hears nothing. Her voice has fled from her along with the name of the deceased dragon. She tries to turn and avenge the fallen soul but her hooves stand firm. Her legs loose strength and buckle underneath. Twilight gives in to the anguish and closes her eyes tightly as she falls to the ground. She can only weep amid the destruction and death that surrounds her.

Have I lost everything? Is there nothing for me but pain and suffering, death and destruction?

A gentle touch on her back eases her mind and calms her racing heart. The images of horror fade away and are replaced by the haunted remains of the present. Twilight turns and looks through tear filled eyes at the one who has calmed the storm and banished the terror. Next to her is the white unicorn who is always there for her. His armor gleams in the sunlight and a gentle smile is on his face.

“Silver Spear,” the princess says as she throws herself onto him. She wraps her forelegs and wings around him and buries her face within his embrace as she weeps. The royal guard says nothing as he continues to caress her mane.

Several minutes pass before the weeping subsides. Twilight wipes the tears from her eyes and Silver Spear aids her in standing. “It is time to return home, princess,” he says, to which the princess silently nods in agreement.

The two stand to leave but are stopped by the sound of clicking hooves on the crystal ground. They turn to see the two young foals Twilight had seen earlier. The foals stop and shift in agitated regret and guilt, staring at the ground. They stand and fidget for half a minute as they ponder their words.

“Um…Princess?” the young colt says. “We’re sorry for being here.”

“What do you mean young ones?” Twilight asks, curious as to what these two have to apologize for.

“Well…um…we saw you leaving Canterlot and really wanted to play again,” the filly says. “It’s been a long time since we played last time. So we snuck onto the train with you.”

“We’re really sorry for running off on our own and scaring you.”

“Please don’t be mad at us and tell our mommy.”

The sight of the two foals begging and pleading brings back new memories for the princess. Again, she sees the many ponies she has taken as students in her life and watches as each apologizes and pleads for mercy for everything from a simple mistake to full mischief. Then a more personal memory hits Twilight which elicits a soft smile and tears of joy.

She thinks back to a time long gone, staring up at a dull purple mare and a blue stallion who look down with cross expressions. Sounds of apology and accusations against a nearby unicorn with a blue mane echo from her mouth. The memory flashes and is replaced with shifting images of the five other ponies that haunt her memories. Numerous adventures and trouble that they each got into flood her mind.

Her mind eases and slowly flashes numerous images of kind expressions of scores of ponies, caring voices of those she once called dear, and a lifetime of wonder and joy. The tears of joy streak down her face like a flood, washing away the fear and pain she had suffered with for so long. As with her first encounter with the young foals, Twilight recalls memories she once thought lost for eternity.

Her smile grows as she gathers the little ones in a warm embrace. “Don’t worry young ones. This will be our secret.”

The foals return the hug and give a soft giggle of excitement. Twilight stands, releasing the foals and turns to Silver Spear who wears a weary look. He relents to the princess’s happy moment and smiles. Twilight turns back to the foals.

“Come now, it is time to go home.”

Such dark times I have lived in. Such pain and suffering I have endured. Perhaps instead of avoiding the past, I should embrace the present and seek after the future. Could these little foals help as Silver Spear has? There is only one way to know for sure.