The Lifespan of a Princessby HenyokiChaptersBeginning of the EndApples Don't Just FallThe Tree Of MemoriesA Dragon's AdviceA Princess's AdviceBrotherly LoveA Princess's Life:ConcludedBeginning of the EndIt has been quite some years since Twilight Sparkle became a princess. She has grown, now she is Princess Luna's size, that is, if Luna weren't as big as Princess Celestia now. Twilight sits alone in her castle, the circle of the mane six's chairs empty. Twilight heaves a small sigh as she steps off of her chair onto the cold floor. Walking through her large castle, her steps echo throughout the large corridors. It seems so quiet, and dark. As Twilight steps outside, she is met with the blazing light of the warm sun, along with Princess Celestia. "My most faithful student, Princess Twilight Sparkle. How are you?" Twilight gives Celestia a weak smile as she bows to her. " I am fine, Princess. I just...." "You miss them, right?" Twilight looked away, "Yes..." she gives a brief look of sadness as she stands up. "My apologies, I cannot stay here for long. Feel free to come to the castle. Luna and I will always be there for you." Celestia said with a smile. "Thank you, Princess." Twilight watches Celestia fly off towards Canterlot, as she stands silent. Twilight begins to walk towards Sweet Apple Acres, her golden shoes, and tiara glimmering in the light. Not one step after passing the Sweet apple Acres gates, a large scooter is hurled towards her face. Twilight looks to her right and ducks, the scooter going straight over her, and spinning, making dust get kicked up, stopping the scooter in its tracks. An orange pegasus mare takes off her helmet, her purple mane puffing upwards. The mare runs to Twilight and bows. "I'm so sorry Princess Twilight! I swear I didn't see you there!" Twilight ruffles the mare's mane, and giggles. "It's ok Scootaloo. I haven't seen you in ages." "Yeah, it's been a while!" Scootaloo's tail looks different. It's cut short,reaching only to her gaskin. Twilight assumes it's to avoid getting caught in the wheels of her scooter. Scootaloo notices some dust covering her flank, and dusts it off to reveal a flaming wheel. "You're living up to your cutie mark, I see. Or should I say, your cutie mark is living up to you", Twilight said with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you haven't broken that scooter yet. You've already gone through so many of them." Scootaloo blushes of embarrassment, and puts her hoof behind her head,closing one eye nervously. "Yeah, well It's what I love." "So, how are those wing prosthetics working out for you?" Twilight asks, pointing to Scootaloo's wings. Scootaloo opens them, showing silver skeleton-like attachments to the underside of both of her wings. "Yeah! They work great! I tell ya, Applebloom really knows how to craft! I can fly now, not great, but I can get myself off the ground enough to help out during winter season." Scootaloo answeres gleefully, closing her wings again. Twilight smiles, then remembers her purpose for travelling to Sweet Apple Acres. "Oh, where's Applebloom?" "She's inside, making zap apple jam. Sweetie Belle's helping her. I got thrown out cause I messed up. Oh well, Better luck next time, right?" "Yeah. Well it was nice talking to you." "See ya later!" With that Scootaloo grabs her helmet and places it on her head, clips it, then grabs her scooter and spins it, before jumping on and speeding off. Twilight walks to the barn,The dirt scuffing her elegant shoes, and knocks on the door. A melodic voice is heard from inside, "I'll get it!" A unicorn mare opens the door, her lavender, light pink tresses flowing around as she does so. "Twilight! oh, I mean Princess Twilight. What brings you here?" "Hi Sweetie Belle. I'm here to see Applebloom. I have some business with her." "Oh, ok, I'll go get her!" As Sweetie Belle turns, a flash of her cutie mark is seen, a lavender bell with a green music note in front of it. Her tail wisps around, flouncing as she gleefully prances into the other room. "Applebloom! Twilight's here!" A moment later Applebloom steps into sight, her hot pink mane pulled back into a ponytail. She rubs her hooves on a nearby towel,The rainbow covered muck smudging off, staining the towel, then walks up to Twilight, giving a small bow. "Hi there Princess Twilight." Twilight gives a small bow back. "Hi Applebloom. Can you take me to her?" Applebloom smiles, "Of course, Twilight." Apples Don't Just FallAs Twilight follows behind Applebloom, she glances at the walls as they make their way to the stairs leading to the second floor. The walls are covered with many pictures of the Apple family, ranging from oldest to newest, the further upstairs they venture. Twilight noticed many of the more recent pictures did not have Applejack in them. When she sees this, she tears up a bit, a warm salty tear rolling down her cheek. She wipes it off when Applebloom stops at a light blue door. "She's in here. I think she's awake, but I'm not sure." Applebloom says quietly, as she silently, and slowly, opens the door. Applebloom slowly walks away, her cutie mark splattered with rainbow jam; a red apple with a hammer in front of it. "Thank you Applebloom." Twilight quietly makes her way to the bed, flying slightly to lift herself enough to reduce noise as much as possible. She stands next to the bed, looking at the sleeping orange mare. Twilight sits next to the bed, the floorboards making a light creak. Twilight puts her hoofs on the side of the bed, and rests her head down gently. The bed's blanket feels warm, and cozy. Within minutes, Twilight feels a hoof being gently placed on hers. She looks up to see the mare turned her way, smiling at her. "Applejack..." Twilight tears up again. "None of that, sugarcube." Applejack smiles at Twilight, and wipes her tear away. Twilight places her hooves on Applejack's, and closes her eyes. "Are you ready, to see the others?" Twilight asks, putting Applejack's hoof down. "Yes. Could you get my wheelchair out for me?" Applejack asks, in a hoarse, fleeting voice. "Of course, old friend." Twilight stands up, as her horn begins to glow, bringing an old brown wheelchair from behind Applejack's nightstand. She sets it up next to Applejack's bed, and walks over to the side of the bed, closest to the window. Applejack pushes her blanket off of her, and slowly sits up, her old bones creaking. "Let me help you." Twilight says, looking concerned. "Well, alright", Applejack chuckles, "I can't be holdin' on to my pride at this age." Twilight uses her magic to gently lift Applejack out of her bed, and onto her wheelchair. Applejack begins to put her hooves on the wheel-turning devices, but Twilight places her hooves over them, and puts Applejacks hooves back onto her lap. "No, Applejack. I'll push you. You shouldn't exert yourself." "Well, alright Twilight. You're always right." Applejack gives a smile. Twilight smiles back. Twilight and Applejack make their way out of sweet apple acres, Applejack holds her wrinkled hoof out. "Wait, Twilight. There's something I want to get before we go." Applejack directs Twilight into a small greenhouse, with many flowers inside. The room is warm, and feels as if you could easily fall asleep in it. "When did you do this?" Twilights asks as she gazes at the multiple arrays of beautiful foliage. "After Granny Smith passed away. I started growing flowers 'cause Granny Smith always loved 'em. I never thought I'd be usin' 'em until now. I got flowers for everypony, even you." "That's so nice, Applejack. I'll get them all, ok?" "I got a bucket over there for 'em, if'in you don't mind putting them in there." "Of course not." Twilight spots a large brown bucket in the corner of the room, and places the plants Applejack specifies in the bucket. After they gather the flowers, Twilight and Applejack make their way out of Sweet Apple Acres once more, heading towards the Everfee forest. The Tree Of MemoriesAs Twilight and Applejack make their way towards the Everfree forest, Applejack heaves a small sigh. "Applejack? What's wrong?" "It's just that, I won't be with ya very much longer. Us apples are real resilient, but even we have our time to go. I miss all the fun times we had together, us six. We were quite the group." "I wish there was some way I could stop this." "It's alright, Sugarcube. I ain't blamin' ya. You tried your best, but I can't live forever." "I know..." Twilight was a bit down after this conversation, wondering what she'll do, once Applejack is gone. Twilight and Applejack make it to a large cave, the Tree of Harmony sitting in the middle of it, the Elements of Harmony happily sitting in its branches. Twilight stops pushing Applejack's wheelchair when they stand closely in front of 4 marble graves. The graves each have a different cutie mark carved into them. From left to right, they have Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and to the far right, Fluttershy. Twilight used her magic to set the bucket filled with flowers in front of Applejack. Twilight begins to lay the flowers in front of the graves. Blue Evolvulus flowers for Rainbow Dash, peachy pink roses for Pinkie Pie, White Calla lilies for Rarity, and Woodland Poppies for Fluttershy. Twilight looks at the two remaining groups of flowers. "What do I do with the Asiatic lilies and the Purple Glories?" Twilight asks, a bit confused. "Well, the Purple Glories are for you, Twilight. The Asiatic Lilies are to bring back to Sweet Apple Acres. For me." Twilight smiles and plucks a single Purple Glory from the bunch, tucking in into her tiara. Applejack smiles at Twilight. "That looks a might lovely on you, Twilight." "Thank you Applejack", Twilight flashes a smile, and puts her hoof atop Applejack's. "It was very kind of you. Shall we head back now?" "Yeah, It would be best." Twilight and Applejack begin walking back to Sweet Apple Acres. Once Twilight and Applejack make it to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack starts to cough roughly, making Twilight worried. She hurriedly brings Applejack back to her room. "Hang in there Applejack, it'll be okay." Twilight begins to tear up a bit. Once Applejack is in her bed, Twilight sits by her, crying into the bed, the sheets becoming warm with her tears. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle stand by Applejack's bed. Applebloom holds Applejack's right hoof gently, crying while telling her over and over, "It's gonna be okay." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stand silently by, Scootaloo holding her tears, trying to make a straight face, and Sweetie Belle quietly humming while tears flow down her cheeks. Applejack turns to Applebloom, and takes her hat off with her left hoof. "Applebloom.", Applebloom turns to Applejack, tears in her eyes. "Yes, Applejack?" Applebloom says in a quivering voice, trying her best to speak through a volley of tears. "I want you to have this." Applejack hands Applebloom her hat, and smiles at her. "Y-your hat, Applejack, are you sure?" "Yes. You deserve it, fer bein' my best sister ever." "I swear to always cherish it." Applebloom puts on the hat, giving a big smile, while a continuous stream of tears flows down her face. "Twilight", Applejack turns to Twilight, smiling, "Could'ya hand me those Asiatic lilies now?" Twilight smiles at her, a wet spot left on the bed from her tears. "Of course." Twilight uses her magic to grab the bouquet of Asiatic lilies from the bucket, illuminating them with a soft purple glow, and places them gently on Applejack's chest. "Thank you kindly", Applejack places her hoof on Twilight's, "You've been an amazing friend over the years, don't you ever forget that. You've got a great heart. You're a truly dependable friend." Twilight smiles, and grabs Applejack's hoof, bringing it close to her face, smiling while crying softly. "I'll never forget you, Applejack..." Applejack smiles, before closing her eyes, her hoof going limp, and falling onto the bed once more. Her breathing ceases, and her face, peaceful.All present at Applejack's last moments cry at her bedside, weeping for the loss of the most dependable pony in Ponyville. Scootaloo finally lets her emotion take over, and she too begins to weep. A week passes, as Twilight finally comes out of her castle to attend the burial service for Applejack, at the Tree of Harmony. Twilight and the others stand at Applejack's grave, watching her casket being lowered into the ground. Sweetie Belle sings a sweet, melodic song after the burial service ponies finish covering her grave, neatly packing the dirt onto it it to keep it from being dug up by wild animals. Twilight places a bouquet of Asiatic lilies at Applejack's grave, and thanks her for all the good times they've had. After the burial service is finished, and all the other ponies have gone home, Twilight lingers for a few hours, before going home and shutting herself in, reading book upon book. A Dragon's AdviceTwilight hides in her castle for about a month, not coming out, mostly reading books and hiding under her covers. Her room is a complete mess, and her heart feeling empty and cold. Twilight finally gets enough courage to come out of her home, walking solemnly through the castle corridors once more. Once outside, the warm, blazing sun meets her, she cringes at its blinding light. Twilight makes her way towards a tall cave, inside a mountain, (The same one From 'Dragonshy' episode) making use of her wings. Twilight has gotten quite used to them by now. Twilight flies to the top of the mountain, finding the dimly lit cave. She lands herself among the plentiful rocks and gravel, dusting herself off, she begins to walk towards the entrance of the large lair, her shoes making scuffing sounds on the gravel. "Hello?" Twilight's voice echoes loudly in the large cavern, making her way to the largest part of the cave, she sees a sleeping figure under loose gravel. "Spike?" Twilight calls out as makes it closer to the sleeping figure. The huge mass begins to move, shaking the gravel off, and looking at Twilight, the huge purple dragon yawning before speaking in a gravely, deep voice. "Twilight. So, you've come to see me?" Spike smiles a large smile, one of his fangs poking out underneath his lip. "Yes. I've come to talk to you, about some things." Twilight replies, looking solemnly at Spikes huge mass of scales. "Come, let's go outside. I'd like to feel the sun on my scales." Spike gets up, all the gravel shifting, he shakes the dirt off, and lets Twilight climb on his claw, while he walks out of the cave onto the outer side of the mountain. Spike, sets Twilight down, and stretches his large scaly body, some dirt falling out from in between his scales. His purple and light green scales glisten in the light of the sun as he cracks his joints. "So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about, Twilight?" Spike looks at Twilight, curious. "We've lost Applejack. I...I knew this day would come, but Spike...What happens when you leave as well? I don't know what I'll do..." "Twilight, It'll be alright, I am not going to leave for a very long time. You know us dragons have very long lifespans. You mustn't worry." "I just don't see how you're so content about this, Spike..." "Oh Twilight, I am a mature dragon now. Our emotions are much more developed than a pony's. We can control it easily. You know I will always be here for you, until the day I die." "Don't say that Spike..." "You know it to be true, Twilight. Come here." Twilight gets close to Spike, as he gently picks her up, hugging her. "Now, doesn't this make you feel a bit better?" "Yes, Spike. Thank you." Twilight and Spike hug for a while, until he puts her down again, looking at the sun. "You must appreciate the sun's beauty while it lasts. Not every pony can become a princess. Their days are limited, and so they spend them enjoying life. You, too, must enjoy life. It will not always be there for you." "I know Spike. I'm in such dark times, I...I don't know if I'll ever be able to recover..." "You will, Twilight. You will recover and be the best princess you can be, I know of it." "Thanks Spike. I just, miss them so much..." "We all do, Twilight. Princess Celestia, and Luna, have gone through so many losses as well, you should talk to them. They can help you more than I." "That's it!" Twilight jumps up, her eyes sparkling with inspiration. "Oh thank you Spike! Thank you, thank you!" "You're very welcome." Spikes smiles, sitting as if he were a gargoyle, looking majestic in the sun's light. "I will go to see the princesses right away!" Twilight gives Spike a quick hug, feeling the warmth from his body on hers. She then flies off in the direction of Canterlot. Spike stretches as he watches her fly off, then begins to walk back into his cave, his tail whipping around as he turns. A Princess's AdviceTwilight flies to Canterlot , the royal guards blowing to her as she passes the gates. Twilight swiftly makes her way to the castle of the two sisters, eager to talk to Princess Celestia. Twilight runs to the castle gates, the guards letting down the draw-bridge for her. Twilight runs through the entrance, her royal shoes making loud clacking noises on the floor, her tiara almost slipping off her mane. Twilight finds Celestia sitting on her throne, reading manuscripts and sending letters. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight calls out, out of breath, as she enters the room. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful stu- are you alright?" "Y-*huf* yes, Princess, I'm fine, I just *huf* hurried to get here." Twilight sits down on the floor, catching her breath. Princess Celestia puts down the manuscripts and walks over to Twilight, her multicolored mane flowing gloriously about. "My Twilight, whatever is the matter?" Celestia looks at Twilight, curious about why she rushed to Canterot in such a hurry. Twilight clears her throat, and looks up at Celestia, with a mixed expression of sadness and happiness. "I just...I lost Applejack about 37 days ago... I'm having trouble dealing with it." "Oh, Twilight...I am so sorry for your loss. Applejack was a very kind, dependable Pony, but there was nothing we could do to stop nature's course." "Y-yes...I know that, Princess. If there was some way I could have helped, I would still have the others too...But, I'm useless...I couldn't help anypony. My magic is useless..." Twilight begins to sob lightly, as she sits on the floor. Celestia looks at her, saddened by her struggle. Celestia hugs Twilight in a soft, warm embrace. "It's OK, Twilight, please don't be sad, my student." Twilight hugs Celestia back, still crying. "B-but I couldn't help them, all of them. Th-they are gone because of me. I...I miss them all so much, I wish there was some way I could bring them back, I, I-" "Hush, Twilight, it's okay...such is the lifespan of a princess...it is much longer than that of normal ponies. I know, it hurts, I know what you are feeling. There are so many wonderful ponies that are gone now. I, too, wish I could bring them back. It's ok, Twilight, please don't cry..." Twilight cries in Princess Celestia's arms for a while, before calming down, her tears drying on her cheeks. Celestia helps her up, and dusts her off. "Now, let's try to talk about this without all the tears, alright?" Princess Celestia flashes a kind smile at Twilight, before walking to her throne, signalling for Twilight to sit next to her. Twilight walks over, her shoes tapping on the floor loudly, she sits on a soft, red pillow, and faces Celestia. "Now, what is troubling you, exactly. If you feel like crying, you may take a moment to cry before continuing." Celestia Smiles gently, and sits motionless, awaiting Twilight's answer. "Well...I miss all of my friends. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy...and now Applejack. Spike has grown too big to live alongside me, and my castle is so empty and cold. I miss their friendly faces, sitting with me, laughing with me, playing with me. I miss all of it. I even miss our arguments. I wish I could bring them back. I...." Twilight begins to tear up again. She wipes her warm tears with her hooves ".I-i'm okay...I...I don't know if I can be a princess without their help. They've always been there for me in my time of need, but...I couldn't be there for them, when they needed me most." Princess Celestia looks at Twilight patiently. She looks towards the hall, and makes a slightly sad expression, with a dim smile. "I, too, have felt hopeless at times. When I banished Luna to the moon, I thought I would never see her again. I have gone through many students as well, each time feeling grief for losing them. I have gone through much pain, but what is the alicorn's gift of immortality, is also our curse." Twilight looked at Celestia, about to speak, before Luna appeared from the side of the wall, out in the corridor. "Sister, urgent business for you." "Ah. I am so sorry Twilight, I will finish this later. My apologies." Celestia quickly stands up and walks off, following a guard, while Luna is left looking at Twilight, immediately knowing what her face of sadness means. "Come with me." Luna beckons Twilight over. Twilight walks over to her, as Luna shows her to a balcony. By now it is quite dark, the sun is just on the brim of the horizon, as Luna walks to the edge of the balcony. She stretches her wings outwards, as she begins to fly upwards, raising the moon, bringing night upon the land. Twilight watches in awe as Luna does this. Luna flies down onto the balcony, and beckons Twilight to the edge. She places her hooves of the railing as Twilight walks over. Luna looks out to the moon, and begins to speak to Twilight,her voice calm, and unnerved. "You see, Twilight Sparkle, the sun must set so that the moon may rise, such as the moon must set for the sun to rise. Such is life. Ponies must fall, while others rise. When one pony dies, another is born. The cycle of life is never ending. In the course of an alicorn's life, you will see many deaths, and many new lives. One candle is blown out, as another is lit. You are the princess of Friendship. You will always make new friends, and you will always lose friends. Life has much sadness, but also, equally as much happiness. Mourning the deaths of those you love, is a natural process. I do not feel you will ever stop losing those you love. We are the immortal, the gods. We will forever see the light and dark of this world. It is okay to cry, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight is touched by Luna's words, and begins to tear up a bit, but wiping it away with a smile on her face. Princess Luna smiles, and gives her a small hug, before putting her hooves on Twilight's shoulders. "Twilight, you must got to the Crystal empire. You must see your brother. It is urgent." "Y-yes. I will." Twilight is confused as to why she must go to the Crystal Empire, but heeds Luna's words, and makes her way to the nearest train station. "I wish you luck, Twilight Sparkle!" Luna calls out, as Twilight leaves. Brotherly LoveTwilight takes the last late night train to the Crystal Empire, and rides it, solemnly sitting by herself, avoiding other ponies. Her wings wrapped around herself, she quietly mourns the loss of her dear friends. Thinking about all the times they've had together, she doesn't notice when the train stops, and has to be informed by the conductor that she reached her destination. Twilight steps off of the train and stretches her legs, then makes her way to the Crystal Empire palace, walking swiftly. Once inside the Castle's town, she hears whispers of the crystal townsfolk. Twilight becomes worried about what's going on. She decides to ask a towns goer what is going on. "What's going on here?" Twilight asked curiously. "Haven't you heard? Prince Shining Armor is dying." The towns goer answered. "WHAT?!" Twilight quickly rushed to the castle, bursting in. "Brother?! Brother!!" Twilight hurriedly runs around,until she runs by a room where she hears Cadence's voice. Twilight walks into the room, seeing Princess Cadence sitting on the left-hand side of a blue bed, holding the wrinkled hoof of Twilight's brother, Shining Armor. "Twily!" Shining Armor says in a hoarse voice. He tries to get up, but Cadence keeps him from doing so. "No, honey you mustn't exert yourself." Cadence seems very distraught. "Oh, hello Twilight-Princess Twilight." "What's going on here?" Twilight goes on the opposite side of the bed, shocked. "It looks like Shining has reached the end of his days...I've been keeping him alive longer using my love magic, but it seems mother nature is taking him back." Twilight begins to tear up, grabbing Shining Armor's hoof. "No! Hang in there! Y-you'll make it through this", Twilight puts her head down on the bed, still holding his hoof, "I lost Applejack....I can't lose you too... please hang in there." Shining armor gets a bit sad, and pulls his hoof out of hers, brushing her hair gently. "It's ok Twily, I can't live forever *cough*, I have to go sometime. I really love you sis. Please take good care of Cadence. And honey", Shining turns to Cadence, "Take good care of Twilight." Shining Armor gives Cadence a soft kiss, before laying back down. "I love you so much. I love you too, Twily. I love both of you so much. Who wants a *cough* hug?" Twilight and Cadence hug Shining Armor. He wraps his hoofs around them, hugging them tightly before going limp and unmoving. "Brother? Brother!! No!" Twilight begins to cry very hard, while Cadence silently mourns for her husband. Shining Armors body lay limp in the bed, a smile on his face, as if he were in peace. Twilight stays in the Crystal Empire castle comforting Cadence until the burial service is held, a few days later in Canterlot. Twilight watches solemnly as she watches Shining's casket being lowered into the grave, Cadence next to her weeping. A volley of shots is fired into the air as a royal guards' goodbye. Twilight and Cadence stay in Canterlot for a few weeks, until Cadence travels back to the Crystal Empire to take care of her duties. Twilight stays longer, to mourn in silence in her old bedroom. A Princess's Life:ConcludedTwilight lies on her bed, in her Canterlot room, staring at the sky. Dried tears running along her cheeks, her tiara and shoes in a pile in the corner of her room, her bedsheets completely off of her bed. Her pillow damp from crying into it, it being across the room, from Twilight throwing it in an angry rage. Twilight lies silenty, putting her hooves in the air, and looking at them. "These are the hooves of a pony who has let all of her loved ones die." Twilight lets her hooves drop back onto her bed, as she stares at the peach colored ceiling, using her magic to bring multiple pictures of Shining Armor in front of her. As soon as she sets her eyes upon them, she begins to tear up again, bringing her hooves up to cover her eyes, crying into them. Twilight stops holding the pictures up, dropping them onto the bed around her, her legs sprawled out, her tail and mane ruffled from lack of care. Twilight sits up, wiping her tears away,staring at the door to the outside world. Twilight grabs her pillow using magic, and brings it over to her, hugging it tightly. The pillow is dry now, with a softness unlike any Ponyville pillows, it being cold, almost as cold as the floor. Twilight snuggles it for about a minute before throwing it at the door in frustration. She then plops face down onto her bed yet again. "Useless, useless." Twilight hears a soft knock on her door, accompanied by Princess Celestia's voice. "Twilight? Can I talk to you for a moment?" Celestia's voice is very calming, and Twilight decides to talk to her. She goes to the corner of her room and puts on her shoes and tiara, walking over the cold floor to the wooden door, opening it. Once Twilight opens the door, she cringes at the bright sunlight, and Celestia gets a good luck at her face. Twilight's eyes are red, and puffy from crying, her lips chapped and dry, and her mane and tail a complete train wreck. "Oh my me! Twilight, we must get you cleaned up." Twilight silently obliges. Celestia brings Twilight to the bathing chamber, where royal bathers bath Twilight, she solemnly and silently letting them bathe her. An expert man stylist cleans up Twilight's mane, making it look shiny and new, her tiara looking marvelous atop it, being freshly polished. "If only I could wash my feelings..." Twilight still being in a depressed state, Celestia hugs her tightly. "It's ok Twilight...these things happen, we deal with these things very often, and now it is a part of your life." Twilight hugs back, in a warm embrace. "I know...Thank you Princess." After the two finish hugging, Twilight takes some hours to herself, getting various apologies and many ponies trying to relate to her troubles. Twilight goes out on a balcony, to be alone. She stands, leaning in the edge, looking out at at the sky, watching the birds flying and the animals roaming the lands. She heaves a small sigh before becoming calm, and accepting her reality. Twilight goes into the throne room, and sits among the two sisters, spreading her wings, and closing her eyes, as she accepts what her life has become. The life of a princess is filled with sadness and doubt. It is a reality all alicorns must accept. The End Author's Note This the first feels fiction I've ever written, I hope I did well, and I hope you all like it. (And a small part of me hopes you cried :^))
Beginning of the EndIt has been quite some years since Twilight Sparkle became a princess. She has grown, now she is Princess Luna's size, that is, if Luna weren't as big as Princess Celestia now. Twilight sits alone in her castle, the circle of the mane six's chairs empty. Twilight heaves a small sigh as she steps off of her chair onto the cold floor. Walking through her large castle, her steps echo throughout the large corridors. It seems so quiet, and dark. As Twilight steps outside, she is met with the blazing light of the warm sun, along with Princess Celestia. "My most faithful student, Princess Twilight Sparkle. How are you?" Twilight gives Celestia a weak smile as she bows to her. " I am fine, Princess. I just...." "You miss them, right?" Twilight looked away, "Yes..." she gives a brief look of sadness as she stands up. "My apologies, I cannot stay here for long. Feel free to come to the castle. Luna and I will always be there for you." Celestia said with a smile. "Thank you, Princess." Twilight watches Celestia fly off towards Canterlot, as she stands silent. Twilight begins to walk towards Sweet Apple Acres, her golden shoes, and tiara glimmering in the light. Not one step after passing the Sweet apple Acres gates, a large scooter is hurled towards her face. Twilight looks to her right and ducks, the scooter going straight over her, and spinning, making dust get kicked up, stopping the scooter in its tracks. An orange pegasus mare takes off her helmet, her purple mane puffing upwards. The mare runs to Twilight and bows. "I'm so sorry Princess Twilight! I swear I didn't see you there!" Twilight ruffles the mare's mane, and giggles. "It's ok Scootaloo. I haven't seen you in ages." "Yeah, it's been a while!" Scootaloo's tail looks different. It's cut short,reaching only to her gaskin. Twilight assumes it's to avoid getting caught in the wheels of her scooter. Scootaloo notices some dust covering her flank, and dusts it off to reveal a flaming wheel. "You're living up to your cutie mark, I see. Or should I say, your cutie mark is living up to you", Twilight said with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you haven't broken that scooter yet. You've already gone through so many of them." Scootaloo blushes of embarrassment, and puts her hoof behind her head,closing one eye nervously. "Yeah, well It's what I love." "So, how are those wing prosthetics working out for you?" Twilight asks, pointing to Scootaloo's wings. Scootaloo opens them, showing silver skeleton-like attachments to the underside of both of her wings. "Yeah! They work great! I tell ya, Applebloom really knows how to craft! I can fly now, not great, but I can get myself off the ground enough to help out during winter season." Scootaloo answeres gleefully, closing her wings again. Twilight smiles, then remembers her purpose for travelling to Sweet Apple Acres. "Oh, where's Applebloom?" "She's inside, making zap apple jam. Sweetie Belle's helping her. I got thrown out cause I messed up. Oh well, Better luck next time, right?" "Yeah. Well it was nice talking to you." "See ya later!" With that Scootaloo grabs her helmet and places it on her head, clips it, then grabs her scooter and spins it, before jumping on and speeding off. Twilight walks to the barn,The dirt scuffing her elegant shoes, and knocks on the door. A melodic voice is heard from inside, "I'll get it!" A unicorn mare opens the door, her lavender, light pink tresses flowing around as she does so. "Twilight! oh, I mean Princess Twilight. What brings you here?" "Hi Sweetie Belle. I'm here to see Applebloom. I have some business with her." "Oh, ok, I'll go get her!" As Sweetie Belle turns, a flash of her cutie mark is seen, a lavender bell with a green music note in front of it. Her tail wisps around, flouncing as she gleefully prances into the other room. "Applebloom! Twilight's here!" A moment later Applebloom steps into sight, her hot pink mane pulled back into a ponytail. She rubs her hooves on a nearby towel,The rainbow covered muck smudging off, staining the towel, then walks up to Twilight, giving a small bow. "Hi there Princess Twilight." Twilight gives a small bow back. "Hi Applebloom. Can you take me to her?" Applebloom smiles, "Of course, Twilight."
Apples Don't Just FallAs Twilight follows behind Applebloom, she glances at the walls as they make their way to the stairs leading to the second floor. The walls are covered with many pictures of the Apple family, ranging from oldest to newest, the further upstairs they venture. Twilight noticed many of the more recent pictures did not have Applejack in them. When she sees this, she tears up a bit, a warm salty tear rolling down her cheek. She wipes it off when Applebloom stops at a light blue door. "She's in here. I think she's awake, but I'm not sure." Applebloom says quietly, as she silently, and slowly, opens the door. Applebloom slowly walks away, her cutie mark splattered with rainbow jam; a red apple with a hammer in front of it. "Thank you Applebloom." Twilight quietly makes her way to the bed, flying slightly to lift herself enough to reduce noise as much as possible. She stands next to the bed, looking at the sleeping orange mare. Twilight sits next to the bed, the floorboards making a light creak. Twilight puts her hoofs on the side of the bed, and rests her head down gently. The bed's blanket feels warm, and cozy. Within minutes, Twilight feels a hoof being gently placed on hers. She looks up to see the mare turned her way, smiling at her. "Applejack..." Twilight tears up again. "None of that, sugarcube." Applejack smiles at Twilight, and wipes her tear away. Twilight places her hooves on Applejack's, and closes her eyes. "Are you ready, to see the others?" Twilight asks, putting Applejack's hoof down. "Yes. Could you get my wheelchair out for me?" Applejack asks, in a hoarse, fleeting voice. "Of course, old friend." Twilight stands up, as her horn begins to glow, bringing an old brown wheelchair from behind Applejack's nightstand. She sets it up next to Applejack's bed, and walks over to the side of the bed, closest to the window. Applejack pushes her blanket off of her, and slowly sits up, her old bones creaking. "Let me help you." Twilight says, looking concerned. "Well, alright", Applejack chuckles, "I can't be holdin' on to my pride at this age." Twilight uses her magic to gently lift Applejack out of her bed, and onto her wheelchair. Applejack begins to put her hooves on the wheel-turning devices, but Twilight places her hooves over them, and puts Applejacks hooves back onto her lap. "No, Applejack. I'll push you. You shouldn't exert yourself." "Well, alright Twilight. You're always right." Applejack gives a smile. Twilight smiles back. Twilight and Applejack make their way out of sweet apple acres, Applejack holds her wrinkled hoof out. "Wait, Twilight. There's something I want to get before we go." Applejack directs Twilight into a small greenhouse, with many flowers inside. The room is warm, and feels as if you could easily fall asleep in it. "When did you do this?" Twilights asks as she gazes at the multiple arrays of beautiful foliage. "After Granny Smith passed away. I started growing flowers 'cause Granny Smith always loved 'em. I never thought I'd be usin' 'em until now. I got flowers for everypony, even you." "That's so nice, Applejack. I'll get them all, ok?" "I got a bucket over there for 'em, if'in you don't mind putting them in there." "Of course not." Twilight spots a large brown bucket in the corner of the room, and places the plants Applejack specifies in the bucket. After they gather the flowers, Twilight and Applejack make their way out of Sweet Apple Acres once more, heading towards the Everfee forest.
The Tree Of MemoriesAs Twilight and Applejack make their way towards the Everfree forest, Applejack heaves a small sigh. "Applejack? What's wrong?" "It's just that, I won't be with ya very much longer. Us apples are real resilient, but even we have our time to go. I miss all the fun times we had together, us six. We were quite the group." "I wish there was some way I could stop this." "It's alright, Sugarcube. I ain't blamin' ya. You tried your best, but I can't live forever." "I know..." Twilight was a bit down after this conversation, wondering what she'll do, once Applejack is gone. Twilight and Applejack make it to a large cave, the Tree of Harmony sitting in the middle of it, the Elements of Harmony happily sitting in its branches. Twilight stops pushing Applejack's wheelchair when they stand closely in front of 4 marble graves. The graves each have a different cutie mark carved into them. From left to right, they have Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and to the far right, Fluttershy. Twilight used her magic to set the bucket filled with flowers in front of Applejack. Twilight begins to lay the flowers in front of the graves. Blue Evolvulus flowers for Rainbow Dash, peachy pink roses for Pinkie Pie, White Calla lilies for Rarity, and Woodland Poppies for Fluttershy. Twilight looks at the two remaining groups of flowers. "What do I do with the Asiatic lilies and the Purple Glories?" Twilight asks, a bit confused. "Well, the Purple Glories are for you, Twilight. The Asiatic Lilies are to bring back to Sweet Apple Acres. For me." Twilight smiles and plucks a single Purple Glory from the bunch, tucking in into her tiara. Applejack smiles at Twilight. "That looks a might lovely on you, Twilight." "Thank you Applejack", Twilight flashes a smile, and puts her hoof atop Applejack's. "It was very kind of you. Shall we head back now?" "Yeah, It would be best." Twilight and Applejack begin walking back to Sweet Apple Acres. Once Twilight and Applejack make it to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack starts to cough roughly, making Twilight worried. She hurriedly brings Applejack back to her room. "Hang in there Applejack, it'll be okay." Twilight begins to tear up a bit. Once Applejack is in her bed, Twilight sits by her, crying into the bed, the sheets becoming warm with her tears. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle stand by Applejack's bed. Applebloom holds Applejack's right hoof gently, crying while telling her over and over, "It's gonna be okay." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stand silently by, Scootaloo holding her tears, trying to make a straight face, and Sweetie Belle quietly humming while tears flow down her cheeks. Applejack turns to Applebloom, and takes her hat off with her left hoof. "Applebloom.", Applebloom turns to Applejack, tears in her eyes. "Yes, Applejack?" Applebloom says in a quivering voice, trying her best to speak through a volley of tears. "I want you to have this." Applejack hands Applebloom her hat, and smiles at her. "Y-your hat, Applejack, are you sure?" "Yes. You deserve it, fer bein' my best sister ever." "I swear to always cherish it." Applebloom puts on the hat, giving a big smile, while a continuous stream of tears flows down her face. "Twilight", Applejack turns to Twilight, smiling, "Could'ya hand me those Asiatic lilies now?" Twilight smiles at her, a wet spot left on the bed from her tears. "Of course." Twilight uses her magic to grab the bouquet of Asiatic lilies from the bucket, illuminating them with a soft purple glow, and places them gently on Applejack's chest. "Thank you kindly", Applejack places her hoof on Twilight's, "You've been an amazing friend over the years, don't you ever forget that. You've got a great heart. You're a truly dependable friend." Twilight smiles, and grabs Applejack's hoof, bringing it close to her face, smiling while crying softly. "I'll never forget you, Applejack..." Applejack smiles, before closing her eyes, her hoof going limp, and falling onto the bed once more. Her breathing ceases, and her face, peaceful.All present at Applejack's last moments cry at her bedside, weeping for the loss of the most dependable pony in Ponyville. Scootaloo finally lets her emotion take over, and she too begins to weep. A week passes, as Twilight finally comes out of her castle to attend the burial service for Applejack, at the Tree of Harmony. Twilight and the others stand at Applejack's grave, watching her casket being lowered into the ground. Sweetie Belle sings a sweet, melodic song after the burial service ponies finish covering her grave, neatly packing the dirt onto it it to keep it from being dug up by wild animals. Twilight places a bouquet of Asiatic lilies at Applejack's grave, and thanks her for all the good times they've had. After the burial service is finished, and all the other ponies have gone home, Twilight lingers for a few hours, before going home and shutting herself in, reading book upon book.
A Dragon's AdviceTwilight hides in her castle for about a month, not coming out, mostly reading books and hiding under her covers. Her room is a complete mess, and her heart feeling empty and cold. Twilight finally gets enough courage to come out of her home, walking solemnly through the castle corridors once more. Once outside, the warm, blazing sun meets her, she cringes at its blinding light. Twilight makes her way towards a tall cave, inside a mountain, (The same one From 'Dragonshy' episode) making use of her wings. Twilight has gotten quite used to them by now. Twilight flies to the top of the mountain, finding the dimly lit cave. She lands herself among the plentiful rocks and gravel, dusting herself off, she begins to walk towards the entrance of the large lair, her shoes making scuffing sounds on the gravel. "Hello?" Twilight's voice echoes loudly in the large cavern, making her way to the largest part of the cave, she sees a sleeping figure under loose gravel. "Spike?" Twilight calls out as makes it closer to the sleeping figure. The huge mass begins to move, shaking the gravel off, and looking at Twilight, the huge purple dragon yawning before speaking in a gravely, deep voice. "Twilight. So, you've come to see me?" Spike smiles a large smile, one of his fangs poking out underneath his lip. "Yes. I've come to talk to you, about some things." Twilight replies, looking solemnly at Spikes huge mass of scales. "Come, let's go outside. I'd like to feel the sun on my scales." Spike gets up, all the gravel shifting, he shakes the dirt off, and lets Twilight climb on his claw, while he walks out of the cave onto the outer side of the mountain. Spike, sets Twilight down, and stretches his large scaly body, some dirt falling out from in between his scales. His purple and light green scales glisten in the light of the sun as he cracks his joints. "So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about, Twilight?" Spike looks at Twilight, curious. "We've lost Applejack. I...I knew this day would come, but Spike...What happens when you leave as well? I don't know what I'll do..." "Twilight, It'll be alright, I am not going to leave for a very long time. You know us dragons have very long lifespans. You mustn't worry." "I just don't see how you're so content about this, Spike..." "Oh Twilight, I am a mature dragon now. Our emotions are much more developed than a pony's. We can control it easily. You know I will always be here for you, until the day I die." "Don't say that Spike..." "You know it to be true, Twilight. Come here." Twilight gets close to Spike, as he gently picks her up, hugging her. "Now, doesn't this make you feel a bit better?" "Yes, Spike. Thank you." Twilight and Spike hug for a while, until he puts her down again, looking at the sun. "You must appreciate the sun's beauty while it lasts. Not every pony can become a princess. Their days are limited, and so they spend them enjoying life. You, too, must enjoy life. It will not always be there for you." "I know Spike. I'm in such dark times, I...I don't know if I'll ever be able to recover..." "You will, Twilight. You will recover and be the best princess you can be, I know of it." "Thanks Spike. I just, miss them so much..." "We all do, Twilight. Princess Celestia, and Luna, have gone through so many losses as well, you should talk to them. They can help you more than I." "That's it!" Twilight jumps up, her eyes sparkling with inspiration. "Oh thank you Spike! Thank you, thank you!" "You're very welcome." Spikes smiles, sitting as if he were a gargoyle, looking majestic in the sun's light. "I will go to see the princesses right away!" Twilight gives Spike a quick hug, feeling the warmth from his body on hers. She then flies off in the direction of Canterlot. Spike stretches as he watches her fly off, then begins to walk back into his cave, his tail whipping around as he turns.
A Princess's AdviceTwilight flies to Canterlot , the royal guards blowing to her as she passes the gates. Twilight swiftly makes her way to the castle of the two sisters, eager to talk to Princess Celestia. Twilight runs to the castle gates, the guards letting down the draw-bridge for her. Twilight runs through the entrance, her royal shoes making loud clacking noises on the floor, her tiara almost slipping off her mane. Twilight finds Celestia sitting on her throne, reading manuscripts and sending letters. "Princess Celestia!" Twilight calls out, out of breath, as she enters the room. "Ah, Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful stu- are you alright?" "Y-*huf* yes, Princess, I'm fine, I just *huf* hurried to get here." Twilight sits down on the floor, catching her breath. Princess Celestia puts down the manuscripts and walks over to Twilight, her multicolored mane flowing gloriously about. "My Twilight, whatever is the matter?" Celestia looks at Twilight, curious about why she rushed to Canterot in such a hurry. Twilight clears her throat, and looks up at Celestia, with a mixed expression of sadness and happiness. "I just...I lost Applejack about 37 days ago... I'm having trouble dealing with it." "Oh, Twilight...I am so sorry for your loss. Applejack was a very kind, dependable Pony, but there was nothing we could do to stop nature's course." "Y-yes...I know that, Princess. If there was some way I could have helped, I would still have the others too...But, I'm useless...I couldn't help anypony. My magic is useless..." Twilight begins to sob lightly, as she sits on the floor. Celestia looks at her, saddened by her struggle. Celestia hugs Twilight in a soft, warm embrace. "It's OK, Twilight, please don't be sad, my student." Twilight hugs Celestia back, still crying. "B-but I couldn't help them, all of them. Th-they are gone because of me. I...I miss them all so much, I wish there was some way I could bring them back, I, I-" "Hush, Twilight, it's okay...such is the lifespan of a princess...it is much longer than that of normal ponies. I know, it hurts, I know what you are feeling. There are so many wonderful ponies that are gone now. I, too, wish I could bring them back. It's ok, Twilight, please don't cry..." Twilight cries in Princess Celestia's arms for a while, before calming down, her tears drying on her cheeks. Celestia helps her up, and dusts her off. "Now, let's try to talk about this without all the tears, alright?" Princess Celestia flashes a kind smile at Twilight, before walking to her throne, signalling for Twilight to sit next to her. Twilight walks over, her shoes tapping on the floor loudly, she sits on a soft, red pillow, and faces Celestia. "Now, what is troubling you, exactly. If you feel like crying, you may take a moment to cry before continuing." Celestia Smiles gently, and sits motionless, awaiting Twilight's answer. "Well...I miss all of my friends. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy...and now Applejack. Spike has grown too big to live alongside me, and my castle is so empty and cold. I miss their friendly faces, sitting with me, laughing with me, playing with me. I miss all of it. I even miss our arguments. I wish I could bring them back. I...." Twilight begins to tear up again. She wipes her warm tears with her hooves ".I-i'm okay...I...I don't know if I can be a princess without their help. They've always been there for me in my time of need, but...I couldn't be there for them, when they needed me most." Princess Celestia looks at Twilight patiently. She looks towards the hall, and makes a slightly sad expression, with a dim smile. "I, too, have felt hopeless at times. When I banished Luna to the moon, I thought I would never see her again. I have gone through many students as well, each time feeling grief for losing them. I have gone through much pain, but what is the alicorn's gift of immortality, is also our curse." Twilight looked at Celestia, about to speak, before Luna appeared from the side of the wall, out in the corridor. "Sister, urgent business for you." "Ah. I am so sorry Twilight, I will finish this later. My apologies." Celestia quickly stands up and walks off, following a guard, while Luna is left looking at Twilight, immediately knowing what her face of sadness means. "Come with me." Luna beckons Twilight over. Twilight walks over to her, as Luna shows her to a balcony. By now it is quite dark, the sun is just on the brim of the horizon, as Luna walks to the edge of the balcony. She stretches her wings outwards, as she begins to fly upwards, raising the moon, bringing night upon the land. Twilight watches in awe as Luna does this. Luna flies down onto the balcony, and beckons Twilight to the edge. She places her hooves of the railing as Twilight walks over. Luna looks out to the moon, and begins to speak to Twilight,her voice calm, and unnerved. "You see, Twilight Sparkle, the sun must set so that the moon may rise, such as the moon must set for the sun to rise. Such is life. Ponies must fall, while others rise. When one pony dies, another is born. The cycle of life is never ending. In the course of an alicorn's life, you will see many deaths, and many new lives. One candle is blown out, as another is lit. You are the princess of Friendship. You will always make new friends, and you will always lose friends. Life has much sadness, but also, equally as much happiness. Mourning the deaths of those you love, is a natural process. I do not feel you will ever stop losing those you love. We are the immortal, the gods. We will forever see the light and dark of this world. It is okay to cry, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight is touched by Luna's words, and begins to tear up a bit, but wiping it away with a smile on her face. Princess Luna smiles, and gives her a small hug, before putting her hooves on Twilight's shoulders. "Twilight, you must got to the Crystal empire. You must see your brother. It is urgent." "Y-yes. I will." Twilight is confused as to why she must go to the Crystal Empire, but heeds Luna's words, and makes her way to the nearest train station. "I wish you luck, Twilight Sparkle!" Luna calls out, as Twilight leaves.
Brotherly LoveTwilight takes the last late night train to the Crystal Empire, and rides it, solemnly sitting by herself, avoiding other ponies. Her wings wrapped around herself, she quietly mourns the loss of her dear friends. Thinking about all the times they've had together, she doesn't notice when the train stops, and has to be informed by the conductor that she reached her destination. Twilight steps off of the train and stretches her legs, then makes her way to the Crystal Empire palace, walking swiftly. Once inside the Castle's town, she hears whispers of the crystal townsfolk. Twilight becomes worried about what's going on. She decides to ask a towns goer what is going on. "What's going on here?" Twilight asked curiously. "Haven't you heard? Prince Shining Armor is dying." The towns goer answered. "WHAT?!" Twilight quickly rushed to the castle, bursting in. "Brother?! Brother!!" Twilight hurriedly runs around,until she runs by a room where she hears Cadence's voice. Twilight walks into the room, seeing Princess Cadence sitting on the left-hand side of a blue bed, holding the wrinkled hoof of Twilight's brother, Shining Armor. "Twily!" Shining Armor says in a hoarse voice. He tries to get up, but Cadence keeps him from doing so. "No, honey you mustn't exert yourself." Cadence seems very distraught. "Oh, hello Twilight-Princess Twilight." "What's going on here?" Twilight goes on the opposite side of the bed, shocked. "It looks like Shining has reached the end of his days...I've been keeping him alive longer using my love magic, but it seems mother nature is taking him back." Twilight begins to tear up, grabbing Shining Armor's hoof. "No! Hang in there! Y-you'll make it through this", Twilight puts her head down on the bed, still holding his hoof, "I lost Applejack....I can't lose you too... please hang in there." Shining armor gets a bit sad, and pulls his hoof out of hers, brushing her hair gently. "It's ok Twily, I can't live forever *cough*, I have to go sometime. I really love you sis. Please take good care of Cadence. And honey", Shining turns to Cadence, "Take good care of Twilight." Shining Armor gives Cadence a soft kiss, before laying back down. "I love you so much. I love you too, Twily. I love both of you so much. Who wants a *cough* hug?" Twilight and Cadence hug Shining Armor. He wraps his hoofs around them, hugging them tightly before going limp and unmoving. "Brother? Brother!! No!" Twilight begins to cry very hard, while Cadence silently mourns for her husband. Shining Armors body lay limp in the bed, a smile on his face, as if he were in peace. Twilight stays in the Crystal Empire castle comforting Cadence until the burial service is held, a few days later in Canterlot. Twilight watches solemnly as she watches Shining's casket being lowered into the grave, Cadence next to her weeping. A volley of shots is fired into the air as a royal guards' goodbye. Twilight and Cadence stay in Canterlot for a few weeks, until Cadence travels back to the Crystal Empire to take care of her duties. Twilight stays longer, to mourn in silence in her old bedroom.
A Princess's Life:ConcludedTwilight lies on her bed, in her Canterlot room, staring at the sky. Dried tears running along her cheeks, her tiara and shoes in a pile in the corner of her room, her bedsheets completely off of her bed. Her pillow damp from crying into it, it being across the room, from Twilight throwing it in an angry rage. Twilight lies silenty, putting her hooves in the air, and looking at them. "These are the hooves of a pony who has let all of her loved ones die." Twilight lets her hooves drop back onto her bed, as she stares at the peach colored ceiling, using her magic to bring multiple pictures of Shining Armor in front of her. As soon as she sets her eyes upon them, she begins to tear up again, bringing her hooves up to cover her eyes, crying into them. Twilight stops holding the pictures up, dropping them onto the bed around her, her legs sprawled out, her tail and mane ruffled from lack of care. Twilight sits up, wiping her tears away,staring at the door to the outside world. Twilight grabs her pillow using magic, and brings it over to her, hugging it tightly. The pillow is dry now, with a softness unlike any Ponyville pillows, it being cold, almost as cold as the floor. Twilight snuggles it for about a minute before throwing it at the door in frustration. She then plops face down onto her bed yet again. "Useless, useless." Twilight hears a soft knock on her door, accompanied by Princess Celestia's voice. "Twilight? Can I talk to you for a moment?" Celestia's voice is very calming, and Twilight decides to talk to her. She goes to the corner of her room and puts on her shoes and tiara, walking over the cold floor to the wooden door, opening it. Once Twilight opens the door, she cringes at the bright sunlight, and Celestia gets a good luck at her face. Twilight's eyes are red, and puffy from crying, her lips chapped and dry, and her mane and tail a complete train wreck. "Oh my me! Twilight, we must get you cleaned up." Twilight silently obliges. Celestia brings Twilight to the bathing chamber, where royal bathers bath Twilight, she solemnly and silently letting them bathe her. An expert man stylist cleans up Twilight's mane, making it look shiny and new, her tiara looking marvelous atop it, being freshly polished. "If only I could wash my feelings..." Twilight still being in a depressed state, Celestia hugs her tightly. "It's ok Twilight...these things happen, we deal with these things very often, and now it is a part of your life." Twilight hugs back, in a warm embrace. "I know...Thank you Princess." After the two finish hugging, Twilight takes some hours to herself, getting various apologies and many ponies trying to relate to her troubles. Twilight goes out on a balcony, to be alone. She stands, leaning in the edge, looking out at at the sky, watching the birds flying and the animals roaming the lands. She heaves a small sigh before becoming calm, and accepting her reality. Twilight goes into the throne room, and sits among the two sisters, spreading her wings, and closing her eyes, as she accepts what her life has become. The life of a princess is filled with sadness and doubt. It is a reality all alicorns must accept. The End Author's Note This the first feels fiction I've ever written, I hope I did well, and I hope you all like it. (And a small part of me hopes you cried :^))
