The Timeless Chronicle

The scenery has changed. Bright fluorescent tubes hum quietly over my head. The floors tiles, and the smooth white walls stand in stark contrast to the stone wall in front of me. It almost looks as if the old building was fighting against the new built, loosing. The flecks of old stone look like ragged cancer on the new skin.

I hear voices approaching from around the corner. A distinct voice I recognize, the Princess's. The other one I do not, but it sounds collected, calm, almost cold.

They emerge. It is the Princess, and her companion is the green mare I have seen quite a while ago. Greenfall? I'm not sure how Pinkie Pie remembered the names of everypony she encountered.

I float after the pair, their conversation having halted for now. They trot through the white, empty halls in silence. As I float by her, I see Celestia has a tear, drying in the corner of her eye, however they have assumed their regal, benevolent expression.

As they stride, the spots of stone become more and more frequent. The tiles give way, and soon I even see the occasional torch in a less frequented side corridor. The castle feels familiar again.

The pair stops, we reach our destination. Yet another closed door. Princess Celestia opens them.

I see light. Bright colours reflected off stone. Windows. And glass panes, colourful ones. I recognize the room, it's the gallery. I look around and see various scenes, telling of victory and defeat, simple life and complex plots, all in simple images, in stained glass.

The Princess stops before one in particular, and Greenfall walks up to her. It's my friends, and me. The bearers of the elements of harmony.

"I," the Princess started, "knew it wouldn't last forever. Nothing does. I did not want it to end this quick though." She sits down, and gestures Greenfall to do the same. "What do you know about Twilight Sparkle?"

The mare politely sits down, and thinks for a while. "My Highness, a lot, I would say." Her expression lightens and she joyfully continues, "She was an inspiration to me. The top of her class in Your School for the Magically Gifted, still being the youngest graduate to date. Then the first in five hundred years to be your private student. She rediscovered and improved many hundreds of Star Swirl the Bearded's spells, and has at least as many on her own account. And that are only the accomplishments of hers in the field of magic, while she improved in all directions possible. One of the most powerful and most talented unicorns, and the most talented generic by far. And all that whilst saving Equestria in times of need." She tells all of this in one breath, and now breathes in heavily.

I look at her and back to the Princess, and feel a tingling sensation in my chest. I am proud of myself. I have accomplished things that last past my death. In this moment, among the familiar walls and windows, the warm feeling spreading through my body and able to see my mentor I feel alive again. Not as alive as if my friends were here, but I take what I can get. My sorrows fade away.

Celestia raises a brow. "Generic?"

"A neologism," Greenfall explains, "meaning someone not limiting their talent to one specific field, but rather applying it to everything they can. One could say, they are the new ponies of Renaissance."

The Princess lightly laughs at that, and closes her eyes, thoughtfully. "A marvelous little pony wasn't she. But she was more. Not a scholar, but mainly a friend. She was the one who made the elements of harmony meet, and who first discovered the bearers. Being in her heart a learner, she also adapted her friends characteristics. She never abandoned a friend in need, showing loyalty. Was always willing to help her fellow citizen in quests of knowledge, in bouts of generosity. Offered anyone knowledge she attained, without asking in return, a honest source of accessible information. Tolerated traditions of others, and their differences with radiating kindness. And all the while she still managed to just have a fun time with those she felt were close to her, in the true spirit of laughter." Celestia looks aside at Greenfall smiling. "And while I would not call her generic, she was definitely an outstanding mare, one like no other."

They sit again in silence and look at the glass.

"No other" Celestia finally breaks, "may have been the wrong words. There are others like her. Strong spirits able to ride the winds of knowledge, for the sake of everyone." The silence returns.

"Can you remind me," the Princess asks, "at what age Twilight graduated and became my student?"

"Princess, at the age of fourteen."

"And who was second?"

"For now, Oxen Bridgeworth, at the age of seventeen."

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen years have passed, Princess."

"And you graduate next year, don't you? Congratulations."

Greenfall kneels up, and thanks.

"You remind me of her. The curiosity of everything around you. The feeling that every answer must be in a book somewhere. Thank you for being here for me. The loss is greatly lessened since you came."

"It is my pleasure. But to her. I do not compare."

"Don't be this humble. Your magical potential is rising by the day. You consume knowledge like wild, especially since the new media have arrived to help. I hear the inter-net is a great resource nowadays. Under proper care, under the right mentor, you will blossom beautifully." The Princess looks at Greenfall, scanning her from top to bottom.

The corners of her eyes rise and she changes the subject, "Your hair, it is not naturally this, is it? Or are you already greying? What is your natural colour?"

Greenfall mutters a silent "Oh" and her face widens too. She answers, "It is actually mostly white, although you have keen eyes my Princess. I have a strand I colour to match the rest of my mane. A pink one."

The lights flicker.