Dear Princess Celestia,
I can't say that it's been a short time. You've been gone for three months now. Luna's really worried about you. She hardly sleeps. Where exactly have you been? We have no contact with you. Are you even still alive? I shouldn't ask that. Sometimes, you don't want an answer.
To be honest, almost nopony knows you're gone. The guards have kept it all hushed up, and Luna has just never left the castle. Cadence doesn't even know...
You are coming back, right? I mean, you're kind of the ruler of Equestria. Luna's not really fit for ruling at the moment, and I can't really say that your nephew is any better.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
Luna's refusing to see anypony. All we know is that she's in her room, constantly sobbing. You realize how much she's hurting, right? There are ponies asking to see you, and I can't really explain that you're not even here.
Are you even still in Equestria? We're all worried about you. I tried some calculations, but I either smudged the variable, or didn't carry the five. Whichever mistake I made, I can't find you, not with magic, nor math.
A response would be great. Spike's sending them directly to where you should be. We can't keep the whole country waiting, can we?
Hopefully you can get this, and send a reply. I think Luna would appreciate it.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
You're getting these letters, right? I wouldn't put it past Spike to send them to the wrong pony, as there's been no response.
Everpony's been coming in here, desperate for news about you. They're all convinced you're... dare I say it... dead. Of course, it can't be the truth, but nobody knows where you are. This is a stupid question, but do you even care?
What am I supposed to do? Luna won't show her face, and Cadence is much too far away. I know I'm technically a princess too, but what power do I have? You're the ruler everypony knows and respects. I'm just... me.
Enclosed with this letter are several calculations on your current location. Should you get this, please respond, and tell me how accurate they were.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
Half a year. What do I even say about this? I was forced to put myself in office, so Equestria wouldn't be completely messed up. The ponies are starting to accept that you're not here, but what does that even mean?
No matter what I experiment with, there's no possible conclusion. At least, not one I want to face. The one that keeps biting at me, is that you're not coming back.
Is Spike even sending these properly? Or are you ignoring them? Please Celestia, give us a sign. Luna needs you. She's broken beyond repair.
I feel that Equestria may suffer. Maybe I'm a princess, but I'm not THE princess. I'm me. Fluttershy's trying to convince me that it will be alright, but I can't believe her anymore.
Discord... what do I even say about him? He's still Discord, but he's different. He'll still make chaos, if given the chance, but he's straying. I'm positive he knows something I don't, but nopony can get it out of him. Not even Fluttershy.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
Rainbow Dash has been leading a search team, but they’ve found nothing. What does one say about this?
“Oh yes, the most elite search team in Equestria can’t find Princess Celestia. Sorry.”
Are you hiding? If so, this is no longer hide and seek. There’s blood on Luna’s bedsheets, and she refuses to explain it’s origin. Truth be told, I’m almost positive I know what it is.
Celestia, you need to come back. We can’t last forever with a replacement. When the Pinkie clones took over Ponyville, we survived because of the real Pinkie. How can we pull out of this mess, if Princess Celestia isn’t here?
I don’t know how much more this country can take. We need you back, before it’s too late.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
Now I know why it’s been over a year since we’ve communicated. The Search Team brought your body in this morning. Rainbow Dash could hardly believe it was you.
We’ve tried to get someone to speak to Luna, but she’s cursing anyone that comes near her door. I don’t think she’s been the same since you… went away.
What am I supposed to say to this? I suddenly find out my mentor’s dead, after moons of silence?
Cloud Kicker says that several rolls of parchment were found next to your body. I guess you had been getting my letters. You just couldn’t open them.
Princess Cadence has been informed, and it took several guards to stop her from coming right here. She had no idea you were even gone.
I don’t know what to make of this. Or why I’m bothering to write these letters any more. You’re dead, no matter what I do.
Completely mutilated, in the middle of Hollow Shades. Nopony even lives there anymore. Your crown, and the rest of your royal regalia were gone. Wind Chill claims that they searched everywhere, but there was nothing to be found.
What’s happened to Equestria? I can’t rule alone, but Luna’s nowhere near fit to, and Cadence has her own duties.
You’re not really gone, are you?
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
So I was told today, that you were going to be buried in the gardens. According to Shade Wing, there’s a small graveyard in the back. I’m assuming the other graves are for your parents.
I’m not one to ask.
Luna’s not the same. She’s shown her face a few times, since the formal announcement, but she’s cold and distant. Applejack says she just needs more time, but she’s not healing.
So far, ruling Equestria hasn’t been too difficult. Then again, I doubt anypony is feeling ready to come to me, with their troubles. I haven’t been around for over a thousand years.
A gray haze fell over everywhere, since you left us. Pinkie Pie hasn’t thrown a party, and Rarity won’t design anything more than a funeral gown.
We’re struggling here, despite the easy outside. Equestria is mourning you, and we don’t know what to do about it.
Why did you leave? Couldn’t you have just stayed? Then we’d never have been through this.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
Luna’s dead. We found her in her room, gone from this world. There was a note on her table, explaining her reasons.
She missed you so much.
So far, it’s been quiet here. Not a single calculation, nor plan, not even a checklist could solve this. Everything has changed, and for the worse.
I’ve been wearing only black since they found your body. Why should it change now? We’ve already lost somepony else.
Why do I bother to write these? I have no reason. Your body is buried at the edge of the gardens, in front of your parents, and beside your sister.
You’ll never read these. I’m being a fool for writing these.
But I suppose I need a way to write out Equestria’s demise.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Dear Princess Celestia,
It’s been five years. But I forced myself to pick up this quill. In these years, I’ve been accepted as the new princess. But it’s not real to me.
The way ponies act, it’s as if you and Luna never existed. What can I say to that? You two are the reason Equestria exists.
Without your influence, we wouldn’t be the culture we are today. I’ve tried to be strong, but why should I?
Books can’t fix real problems, can they? If so, I’ve been terribly misguided.
Celestia, what am I supposed to do? I’m not perfect. I’m nowhere near what you and Luna were.
Is it even Equestria anymore?
I’ve pondered this for too long. There is no point to these letters. I've been alone for far too long. We shouldn't be surviving, without you to lead us.
Goodbye Celestia.
Your once faithful student, Twilight Sparkle
Author's Note
Twilight doesn't die. She just stops writing the letters.
I should have made that clear...
Luna,
Yes, I've been gone a week or so. I know this looks bad, but I have a reason for this departure.
While this may seem ridiculous, there's been a breakthrough. While doing some research at our old castle, I found a scroll containing some odd message.
I know this is suspicious, but I had to listen. The note... it said that there was proof of our family. Our family Luna. I know, our mother is dead, and our father has been gone for a while, but this feels like it means something.
I felt the need to follow this. If you had gotten the note, you would have too. Please, don't worry about me. I'm just going to find out what this means, and then return to Canterlot. The ponies will not miss me.
Tell Twilight what has happened to me. I do not wish for her to worry, nor anyone else.
You are very capable of watching over everyone. I won't be gone for much longer, I promise.
-Tia
Luna,
Okay, I lied. I know you're probably very angry with me, but I've made a discovery.
When I travelled to Hollow Shades, I met with a cloaked pony, who promised me the truth. But this truth I've been chasing just seems to get further, and further away...
Whoever this pony is, I don't fully trust them. But... I have a need to find this out. Luna, what if we can find our father? I spent ages secretly searching for him before, and now, what if he's out here?
Please respond to my letter. You didn't answer the last one, and I admit, it made me rather nervous. Is Canterlot holding up? What about Twilight? And you, my dear sister, do you worry?
I won't be gone forever. It's only been a month, correct? Surely there is no crisis stirring. But do tell me how you are fairing. I miss you, Luna.
-Tia
Luna,
Have you gotten a single letter of mine? I've sent them myself, and I'm starting to wonder. You have not sent a single letter, even a note of acknowledgement. You are okay, correct? I worry for you. I can't even reach you by dreams.
Not to mention, I got a letter from Twilight a few days ago, talking about how it had been three months, and that you feared for me. If this is the truth, then I assume none of these have reached you.
Luna, you mean so much to me, and I want you to know that I am fine. The foolish journey I have put myself on is having no results. But really, I have this feeling that there is some truth.
Oh my dear sister, I could not leave you for eternity. I made that mistake once, and I refuse to make it again. Those thousand years were a struggle for myself, and you are one of the two who know this is the truth.
This reminds me of something. What is Discord up to? I don't care that he's 'reformed.' He has always caused trouble, and you know this almost as well as I do. He was never the same after...
Just tell me that he hasn't enslaved Equestria in chaos again.
One more thing, before I end this letter off. You are my sister, and I love you. Do not fall back to your old habits. I have seen those scars on your legs. You cannot hide them from me.
-Tia
Luna,
I have come to the conclusion that these letters do not reach you. Why? There is decisive proof. When I went looking for that cloaked pony again, I found a pile of scrolls. When I opened them, they were my letters to you. I don't know why this one is being written. To ease my pain?
Oh Luna, this journey was meant to be simple. But I am not the pony you know. I have made such a fool's choice. Desperate, and wanting. I do not deserve your love.
But just know this, my sister. You mean the world to me. I would give up everything, just for you. Do not give up on this world. There is so much for you, and I could not let you leave it, not now.
Do you believe in me, Luna? Because I will always believe in you.
I will not always be around, but I am here now. Do not let yourself go. I promise, that if you need me, I will always be here for you, no matter what.
I will only be gone, when there is nobody who remembers me.
As much as I wish to return now, I cannot. This journey was meant to be completed. I can’t abandon it.
Oh, what to do, I will never know.
Is Equestria safe? Are Twilight and Cadence alright? Discord… he’s not causing trouble, is he? And you, my dearest Luna, are you still with this world?
I lost you once, and I will never lose you again.
I love you, Luna.
-Tia
Luna,
I found the hooded figure. He says he can show me the truth now. Half a year, I have spent, absolutely desperate. Twilight’s letters are not helping this.
I tried to respond, but I believe my magic is fading. After Tirek had a hold on it, I believe it has weakened greatly.
Luna, I do not belong in this wild, and you do not belong alone. Please, my dear sister… I cannot survive in this world, without knowing of your well-being.
The figure, he showed me to a crystalline pond. And there, in the water, there was an image that I wish to wipe from my memory forever.
First, it was gentle. You and I were standing with our parents, happily. And Discord was with me, standing to the side.
It was beautiful, and I couldn’t look away. But look away I did, when the vision changed.
Everyone in the picture… died.
First, our mother sucumbed to the sickness that had overpowered her. Then our father, now coated in blood, simply faded.
Discord, he had a look of hatred etched upon his face. He tried to kill you, but I threw myself in, attacking him.
I murdered him Luna. He died by my hooves.
And then, you had a look of betrayal. As if I had killed you, instead of him. Your fury… you became Nightmare Moon, and tried once more, to destroy me.
I fought, but only because I was afraid. Then, you vanished, and I stood alone, coated in scars and blood.
I was no ruler.
The figure said this was the truth. This was the world I would be fated to live in.
I ran away.
Such cowardice, I have shown. Luna, oh my sister, what if this is the truth? When I return, I kill Discord, and you vanish?
This cannot be the fate of this world. I lost you all before. Not again. I could not bear to live with myself.
Please Luna. Keep everyone safe.
I am too afraid to return.
-The coward, that is your sister.
Luna,
Wolves. Wolves got me. I cannot write well. They have savaged me, and I am bleeding out. Please Luna, don’t be gone.
Luna… I love you. I won’t be able to come back. Your are the heir to this throne. Please… save them.
Tell Discord that I am sorry. For everything.
Tell Twilight the truth. Tell her what I lied about.
And tell yourself that I will always be with you.
