Just Keep Laughing

by Drax99

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 7109

Taking place ~30 years after the events of "Angst Much?", Drax writes letters to his beloved Pinkie.

Taking place ~30 years after the events of "Angst Much?", Drax writes letters to his beloved Pinkie Pie.

Warning, this starts out sad as hell, but gets better, as all things do, in time.

Published 2011-11-17 17:24:54 UTC
Last updated 2011-11-18 00:07:56 UTC

"Just Keep Laughing"

“Just Keep Laughing”

My Dear Pinkamina,

I know I promised to write to you every week, and a promise is a promise. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but then Derpy said she would deliver them herself. Even though she retired four years ago, and her eyesight has gotten so bad she can barely see, She says she still knows the way. Who am I to deny our old friend the chance to feel useful again in her old age. And after all I’ve seen her do, I half believe she really does know the way.

It’s been only a few days since the party, and a week now since you left, and we all miss you so much. You would have loved it. Nopony wore black, just like you asked. I even got a spell to change my coat color. All the decorations were colorful, and everypony partied, everypony danced, everypony laughed, just how you wanted us to.

Rainbow Dash lead the Wonderbolts in an awesome show over the ceremony, and Twilight Sparkle arranged a massive fireworks display with the help of some other unicorns. Dash looks so much more mature now in her captain’s uniform, and Scootaloo joined her on her own first performance since joining the Wonderbolts as well. It’s no surprise to anypony that she chose to follow Dash. Remember how we used to joke that her cutie mark would be a image of Dash, the way she was always following her around. It only made sense that Dash adopted her when her parents died in that storm. It helped Dash to grow up a little, and now they are both living their dreams.

Twilight and Rarity both gave beautiful speeches. Rarity was beautiful as always, even at her age, she carries herself like a lady. I was so glad I was able to help her open her mind all those years ago, and now her and Spike are very happy together. Rumor has it they want to adopt an orphan baby dragon, just like Spike was long ago. Twilight cried through her entire speech, but it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever heard. She truly was a master in the art of friendship, and all her years of study came to the fore that day. Not a dry eye in the house.

Everypony attended the party, except Princess Luna. Celestia didn't know why she wouldn't come, and said she has locked herself in her room, refusing to talk to anypony. Things have been strange with Luna since you started to get sick. She has acted very nervous around me, and barely talks to me anymore. It’s like she’s afraid of me now. I don't understand, since we were aways rather close before, despite her living all the way in Canterlot. She always had time for a kind word, and it was her that helped tutor little Figment on his Alicorn magic. I hope she comes back around soon, but I guess every pony deals with things in their own way.

Even though it’s only been a week, it seems like a lifetime has gone by. Our little Figment Imagination is all grown, soon to be married, and our Midnight Song was just declared pregnant with her second foal. Her and that stallion of hers are such proud parents, and I wish you could be here to see your second grandchild. It’s comforting to know you at least got to see little Pinkie Surprise before you left.

Poor Pinkie keeps asking where Grammy Pie went, but none of us have the heart to tell her. For now your vacation to far off lands will be taking longer than expected. I think Figment took it the hardest. He was always closest to you, and nopony has seen him since the party. Last we heard, he was flying towards Fillydelphia to see his fiancé there. I can’t blame him. I wanted to fly away somewhere myself. I’m sure he will come around when he is ready.

Myself, I keep wearing my mask as always. Need to keep up appearances, now that I am running the shop in your absence. But it’s getting harder to smile, an my laughs just feel fake to me. Without my party pony, things just aren’t as fun anymore. I need you to make me happy, just as you needed me. Apart, we are just pieces of a broken puzzle.

Oh god, Pinkie. Why did you have to leave? How do I keep smiling without you to make life worth bearing. I knew living forever would be as much a curse as a blessing, but living something is alot harder than just knowing it. I miss you so much, and I would so anything to see your smiling pink face just one more time. I cried for the first time since our little foal was born, and I’m crying again right now. I can remember your smile in my mind, trying to cheer me up, but it’s just not working this time.

I will keep trying. I still remember the promise you asked me to make. It was with your last breath that you made me Pinkie Promise to “Just keep laughing”. I don't feel like laughing anymore Pinkie, but a promise is a promise.

I love you, I miss you,

Your Silly Draxy

My Dear Pinkamina,

Life still marches on without you, my love. Figment finally came home, after three weeks away. He and his fillyfriend had a long talk and they decided he would move out of Ponyville to her home in Fillydelphia. I don't blame him at all, it’s just not the same here without you. I would leave, but I still have the shop, and our daughter. Not to mention all our friends. It’s my home now, and as painful as the memories are, they are still memories of you. In the end, that is all I have now.

The amazing thing is, Figgy brought me home a gift. Remember the fire we had at the shop years ago, when I though I lost my old iPod? Well it turns out he had found it, and it was buried in a box in his stuff. He found it when packing to move, and brought it to me. I found some of the old songs I never recorded for Vinyl, and one of them was like losing you all over again. I can’t bring myself to delete it, but I cried myself to sleep again listening to it. I wish I coulda let you hear it as well, it’s sad, but it’s one of those songs that reminds us to cherish what we have.

There is good news though. One of the reasons Figment and his fiance are moving together is they are planning to start a family. I think your leaving has made alotta ponies think about things like that. Rarity and Spike were approved by Celestia for an adoption. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo are looking to adopt as well. They are such a sweet couple, they deserve to have a family after all their years together. It’s too bad that Applebloom still wont talk to them after the big falling out they had. I may have to step in and talk some sense into that little red head of hers. Those Apples can be so stubborn.

Midnight Song and her mate came to me the other day. They have seen how out of sorts I have been trying to run the shop after you were gone. She’s always been such a good help and he was the one that helped me rebuild after the fire. They made me an offer to buy the shop outright, and let me retire if I wanted to. I had to laugh at the offer. I’m sorry honey, but that was the first real laugh I’ve had in weeks. I told them there was no way in hell I would ever sell the shop to my own daughter. The shop belongs to Pinkie. It will always belong to Pinkie. And since you are gone my dear, that leaves little Pinkie Surprise as the owner. You shoulda seen their reaction, I thought that stallion was gonna fight me for a moment before he realized what I was telling them. They never knew that the shop was transferred to Pinkie’s name when she was born, and now I was handing it to them, as caretakers. I think it will be a good thing to have a family running the place again. There needs to be laughter and smiles in a place like that, and Pinkie looks just like you, anyway. Well, except for the purple hair...

So me, I will be moving back to our old house in the Everfree forest. I’ve kept it in good repair all these years, since the Cakes passed away and left us the shop. Some alone time will prolly do me good. I still need to lick my wounds and heal from losing you. Plus I will have more time to visit Fluttershy. I am still determined to find a way to reverse that damn tree spell she cast on herself. I’d like to strangle Dash for suggesting it to her. When I told her one day she would be able to control plants, I never thought she’d try to do it by becoming one. That poor silly foal. At least her animal friends are there to keep her company. Losing Angel was very hard for her, and it took years for her to start talking to ponies again. Now I can at least talk to her, and remind her she is still a pony.

Speaking of Rainbow Dash, can you believe it? That silly foal wants to retire. Twenty hears in the Wonderbolts, five as captain, and finally she’s ready to retire. I thought that filly was gonna fly till she dropped outta the sky dead. I just can’t imagine Dash without her uniform, it’s just unnatural. She told me the other day that it was a younger mare’s game, and she wanted to finally relax. She spent her entire life reaching for her dream, and now that she has it, she can take a little time off. I’m not buying it. I predict she will be back in the air in less than a year. She never started a family, outside of adopting Scootaloo, so what else does she have, besides her flying? But then, what else did I have, besides you?

Dammit, I made myself cry again.

Still loving you,

Your Silly Draxy

My Dear Pinkamina,

I have the greatest news! Little Pinkie Surprise got her Cutie Mark today! It was so amazing. When Midnight took over the shop, they decided to have a big sale to celebrate the new management, and my “retirement”. Well of course, since little Pinkie takes after her Grammy Pie, she decided to turn it into a party! She spent two days decorating, and set up the biggest party Ponyville has seen in years. She did you proud, honey. When the event was about to start, nopony could find her though. After about an hour, people started to worry, but they had to start without her. Soon as the music started, the giant cake exploded, and out popped little Pinkie. It was so funny seeing all the guests splattered with cake. She reminds them all so much of you that they all just laughed and enjoyed the joke. It was after we managed to get her to stand still enough to clean her off that we noticed that she now had a picture of a wrapped gift on her flank, and Pinkie Surprise lived up to her name, and her grandmother’s legacy. You would be so proud of her.

Not everything was as fun this week, however. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo were approved for an adoption. I may have had a little hoof in that. It’s good to have connections with royalty. Y’know? As a bonus, they also announced a wedding, making their family official as well.

Unfortunately, Applebloom didn’t take it very well. I finally had to take her aside and talk some sense into that stubborn filly. At first she tried telling me some horseapples about despising filly foolers, but I called her on that. It was almost as bad as the time I had to help you deal with Pinkamina, all those years ago. Finally I broke her, and she admitted she had been hiding a crush on Scootaloo for years. She had been telling herself she hated her friends because she couldn’t have what they had. The worst lies of all are the ones we tell ourselves, after all. Finally I helped her see that sometimes, if you love someone, all you can do is just be there for them.

Thankfully, after alot of crying, she seems ready to move on, and just be happy for her friends. She is going to be the maid of honor at the wedding now, and the CMC are back together again. I’m just glad she didn't try to drag me into bed like you did that time. That would have made things rather awkward, to say the least! You were such a Kinky Pinkie back then.

Missing you dearly,

Your Silly Draxy

My Dear Pinkamina,

Things are still so quiet here without you. Back in our old home, I keep myself busy with the garden, and cataloging plants and animals of the Everfree Forest. I still can’t believe how little information is known about this dark and wild place. Most ponies never venture near it, from fear of the wild creatures that live there. It’s actually a rather beautiful place, and reminds me a bit of my old world, where everything isn’t controlled by ponies. I’ve taken up writing as well as a result. I am working on a book for all the research I am doing, and Twilight promised to edit it for me so it can be printed and placed in the Royal Library when it’s done.

Royal Librarian Twilight Sparkle. It’s still funny hearing myself call her that, although nopony was surprised when she got the job. Her first love was always to books, even if she finally branched out to become much more. Her short stint as Mayor of Ponyville is still remembered as some of the most prosperous years, even though the stress nearly drove her crazy. She was a good organizer, and an even better leader, but just wasn't ready for politics.

I’ve also started writing my memoirs. I decided I should get some of it down on paper while I had enough ponies around to actually remember any of it. I may keep on ticking, buy everypony around me is slowly getting older. It’s depressing at times, until I see the children. Then suddenly I remember that life doesn’t end at death, but transforms into something new. I still haven't accepted losing you, but it is getting easier to bear. I can once again look myself in the face, and seeing the children helps me to laugh again.

I have been spending time with Fluttershy as well. I know we tried to visit her as often as we could, but things always got in the way. Now I have plenty of time to talk to her, even though she can’t talk back. I can still sense her emotions when I am near, so I know she is still there, trapped in the tree form. She doesn’t seem lonely, with all her animal friends near her, but she definitely seems happier when we have our talks. I gotta admit, Shy was always a good listener, but now she is the champion at it. Hah, I told her that joke, and it made her happy.

One last note before bed. the date of the wedding has been set. Sweetie and Scoots have asked me to perform the ceremony. I think they want to thank me for reuniting them with Applebloom, and think an Alicorn would lend extra weight. Why they didn't ask one of the Princesses is beyond me, but I feel proud to be able to help them with this. I hope they let little Pinkie throw the reception party. She’s well on her way to being the next Party Queen, and we really do need one since you left.

Thinking of you always,

Your Silly Draxy

My Dear Pinkamina,

Oh how I wish you could have seen the wedding. It was simply amazing. Rarity outdid herself making the dresses for both of the mares. While some friendly ribbing was said about one of them wearing a suit, they both wore their dresses with a grace that even Rarity was awestruck at. I’m sure you know what it takes to make her stay quiet, but she actually broke down in tears as they walked down the aisle.

Scootaloo’s dress was an almost scandalous affair. Form fitting to show off her acrobat’s physique, it was the same color as Rainbow Dash’s pelt. Dash was rather embarrassed by this, blushing the entire time. Scoots didn't care, and wore her bit of hero-worship with pride. Besides, the blue set off her mulberry mane and orange wings like a summer sunset. That was also the only time anyone ever accused her of looking “Filly”. Well, without losing teeth, that is.

Sweetie Bell, on the other hoof, has always had her sister’s grace and beauty. Having taken up her career as a singer, she was used to dressing well and making the most out of her appearance. Rarity labored for a month to find the gems, and crafted what could only be considered her greatest creation. Made entirely of enchanted silversilk, and woven with a massive fortune’s worth of diamonds, it shimmered like living water. She was a sterling silver goddess as she moved, and she knew how to make every movement count. Is it any wonder that her last album went triple platinum?

We wanted all the old gang to be together, so we held the ceremony underneath Fluttershy’s branches. I could feel her joy at this, and was happy we made the choice. Flowers of every type grew there, and the birds all sang a chorus as the happy couple made their debut. I get the feeling that despite her condition, Fluttershy still holds sway over her animal friends. I haven't seen a performance like that since she orchestrated her last Sun Festival.

Rainbow Dash escorted Scootaloo down the aisle, looking quite dashing in her uniform, no pun intended. Rarity escorted Sweetie Bell, and she cried the entire time. In fact most of the mares were crying, and even Big Macintosh looked kinda misty eyed. Applebloom almost showed up the two brides, however. Her red mane was styled by Rarity, and the amazing fall colors of her dress made her look like a living flame. I’m pretty sure she will be getting quite a few visits from suitors in the near future.

The ceremony was a simple one, since the couple had already been together and said all that needed saying years before. They exchanged their vows, professed their love, and then there was the most tender kiss I have ever seen. Bah, they even had me crying by time it was done. I’m turning into an old softy in my advanced age.

It made my heart leap, and brought back all the memories of my years with you. I saw again your smiling face, and this time it did make me happy. I remembered our own wedding, Twilight practically stuttering the ceremony after we burst into her office at 4am and demanded we be wed. No child of ours was gonna be born out of wedlock. I never cared myself, but you were such a traditionalist back then. Crazy Random Pinkie, actually had wanted to follow tradition. Of course, you still had to write those crazy vows. Gah, they were so corny.

But I am getting off track. The party. Oh, YES! The party was amazing. I swear that little Pinkie was channeling your spirit, and about a dozen cups of coffee that day. She lived up to your name again, throwing a party that lasted a whole two days. All of Ponyville attended, and we had to party in shifts. Ponies would pass out, then get up hours later to dance and party some more. And during the entire thing, I don't think little Pinkie slept a minute. She was everywhere at once, and sometimes it seemed more than one place at a time. Where she found the time to make so much food, or the energy to keep going we will probably never know.

Finally after the second day, she fell asleep, cake in her hair and holding a bunch of balloons. We took that as the sign to wrap things up, and the party wound down. She slept all day and we cleaned the party up as the newlyweds were taken off to their honeymoon. I booked them a week stay at that resort I visited the first night I arrived. Apparently its rather expensive and exclusive, when you aren’t just teleporting in at 2am and helping yourself to the facilities. Oopsie!

There is one spot of sad news however. I found out afterwards the reason for Pinkie’s manic energy. Apparently she had overheard her parents talking about you, and it finally came out that you weren’t coming back. She cried at first, and they had to explain about the whole death and cycle of life thing. But she perked up afterwards, and told them she was going to honor your memory by becoming the best party pony in all Equestria, just like her Grammy Pie. I love that little filly so much. It’s like seeing a little piece of you come back to us. I look at her, and I see you, and I no longer have any trouble smiling and laughing. I’m doing it honey, I just keep laughing, just like you asked me to.

Love and laughter,

Your Silly Draxy

My Dear Pinkamina,

Today was a glorious day for Ponyville. The baby that Rarity and Spike had been waiting for was delivered by Celestia herself. Of course she had her bit of fun, by delivering it still unborn, in the egg. I thought Spike was going to eat his own tail when he saw this, and Rarity just fainted. Fortunately, Twilight was on hand to help the happy couple, and explained what was needed to hatch it. She had found out that not all entrance exams were of this kind, and Rarity had never even tried to get into the academy.

After a few false starts, and Spike fainting himself, Rarity managed to get the spell right, and a new dragon was born. It was a female dragon, bright red and orange. They decided to name her Pyre, after her flame colors. It was the cutest thing I’ve seen since little Pinkie was born.

Rarity also announced that she was retiring from running her business, so she can be a full time mother to the new baby. She will be staying on as advisor, but had handed the business over to her vice president. The new president of the company is an energetic young filly with a talent for making enchanted fabrics. She was the one that made the silversilk for Sweetie Bell’s wedding dress. Hopefully she will have as much business sense as she does talent.

Celestia still wont tell anyone where the egg came from, even when I cornered her and try to pry it outta her. Strangely Luna did not attend again. I am starting to worry, since I hadn't seen her since you became ill, and I am hoping she didn't become sick herself.

Alicorns are immortal, and can heal most any damage, but this was a different kind of sickness. Everfree Death, that's what they are calling it now. We don't know where it came from, but it had killed over a hundred ponies, including you, before we found the cause. That was why nothing we tried worked, it wasn't a disease, it was a curse. An honest to goodness curse, that slowly drained the life force from it’s victims, and spread by touch. Only earth ponies were affected somehow, and we still don't know what caused it. Once we knew it wasn't a disease, we were quickly able to find a counterspell, but not before losing you, and many other ponies. I can’t help but feel that if only I could have seen it sooner, I could have saved you. But it’s best not to dwell on that. Time now for the future.

Speaking of which, Celestia did tell me to stop by the castle in a few days. Apparently Luna finally wants to talk to me about something. I’m burning with curiosity to know what has had her acting so strangely lately. Hard to believe an entire year has gone by though since you have gone, and I haven't seen her at all in that time. Maybe she has been mourning you as I have, since you two were pretty close for awhile. Always ganging up to pull pranks on the castle staff. Who woulda guessed that the Princess has such a naughty streak?

So in the meantime, I am gathering my latest report on the Everfree forest to bring to Twilight when I go. I am still tracking down the source of the curse, but all I can tell is it came from the deep in the Forest. I will keep searching until I find the cause, so that nopony ever dies from something like that again.

Still laughing for you,

Your Silly Draxy

My Dear Pinkamina,

I have the greatest news! Little Pinkie Surprise got her Cutie Mark today! It was so amazing. When Midnight took over the shop, they decided to have a big sale to celebrate the new management, and my “retirement”. Well of course, since little Pinkie takes after her Grammy Pie, she decided to turn it into a party! She spent two days decorating, and set up the biggest party Ponyville has seen in years. She did you proud, honey. When the event was about to start, nopony could find her though. After about an hour, people started to worry, but they had to start without her. Soon as the music started, the giant cake exploded, and out popped little Pinkie. It was so funny seeing all the guests splattered with cake. She reminds them all so much of you that they all just laughed and enjoyed the joke. It was after we managed to get her to stand still enough to clean her off that we noticed that she now had a picture of a wrapped gift on her flank, and Pinkie Surprise lived up to her name, and her grandmother’s legacy. You would be so proud of her.

Not everything was as fun this week, however. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo were approved for an adoption. I may have had a little hoof in that. It’s good to have connections with royalty. Y’know? As a bonus, they also announced a wedding, making their family official as well.

Unfortunately, Applebloom didn’t take it very well. I finally had to take her aside and talk some sense into that stubborn filly. At first she tried telling me some horseapples about despising filly foolers, but I called her on that. It was almost as bad as the time I had to help you deal with Pinkamina, all those years ago. Finally I broke her, and she admitted she had been hiding a crush on Scootaloo for years. She had been telling herself she hated her friends because she couldn’t have what they had. The worst lies of all are the ones we tell ourselves, after all. Finally I helped her see that sometimes, if you love someone, all you can do is just be there for them.

Thankfully, after alot of crying, she seems ready to move on, and just be happy for her friends. She is going to be the maid of honor at the wedding now, and the CMC are back together again. I’m just glad she didn't try to drag me into bed like you did that time. That would have made things rather awkward, to say the least! You were such a Kinky Pinkie back then.

Missing you dearly,

Your Silly Draxy

Oh god, Pinkie, what have I done?

I’m writing to you under house arrest. It’s as much to get my thoughts in order as anything. I am so ashamed of what has happened. You would be so ashamed of me, and I deserve it. You taught me to love everypony, and to find joy in everything, but I have shamed your trust in me. Oh god Pinkie, forgive me.

It was that bitch Luna. She actually tried to make a pass at me. I can’t believe she would be so crass as to try and play on my feelings like that. I thought she was my friend. She was a monster.

I went to see her at the palace, and was welcomed as an old friend. Celestia seemed distracted, and excused herself for some official business. Luna, acted all shy at first, making small talk about Ponyville and our friends. Like a year hasn't passed since she would look me in the face. She talked about being so lonely, and sad. She tried to fucking kiss me. Can you believe that? The bitch made a move on me! You and her were best friends, and she tried to move in on that. I rebuffed her, of course. My heart is given to one pony at a time, as you may remember. As much as you may have wanted to share me, my heart just doesn’t work that way.

Then she started telling me things that made my skin crawl and my mind lock up. My powers. My power as a creator in this world. They weren’t gone. The power to shape reality, which I had when I first appeared here. It was blocked. She had blocked it. Her and her sister didn't trust me so they put a block on the power I had.

Power I could have used for good. Power I could have used to find a cure for the curse. Power I could have used to change Fluttershy back. Power I could have used to save you. Oh god, I could have saved you. I could have saved over a hundred ponies that died needlessly to that horrid curse. You could still be here with me, instead of me sending these damn letters to a grave, where they will never be read.

I’m so sorry, my love. I lost my mind as my heart broke all over again. All the shame, guilt and self loathing that I have been hiding from came back, and my mind went away. I was drowned in sorrow and hatred, and I lost control for the first time since that fight with my darker half. Even then I had some self control. I truly went berserk in a way I haven't done since I was a child.

I attacked the princess. I remember breaking two of her legs, and savagely beating her over and over. I may have lacked my creator magic, but I was at least her match as an Alicorn. She didn’t even fight back as I attacked her over and over again in my blind rage and despair. I remember she was still begging for me to forgive her as I snapped her neck.

Damn her for being immortal. I cannot kill her any more than I can kill myself. And you know as well as anypony how close I have come to that in my past.

And now I sit, awaiting sentence from Celestia. She has confined me to our house, with guards outside. I could easily destroy them. Even the magical barrier around the house I could dismantle if I wanted to. But to what end? Where would I go? My only home is here now.

Princess Celestia. I almost attacked her as well when she appeared. I was still crying over the body of her sister when she appeared to stop me. She had no qualms about using the creator magics to restrain me. She stripped me of any magic I had, and held me in place like a foal.

It was only at that moment that I realized that Luna too could have used that power against me, but hadn’t. She too has the creator magic, and could have defended herself against me easily. She had chosen to let me rage against her, never lifting a hoof against me in defense. It wasn't til that moment I realized that she truly was sorry for what she had done to me. What she had done to US. But I was too much of a foal to see this. All I saw was my hatred and the loss of you that had driven me to madness.

I am so sorry, my love. You and your friends taught me the value of love, tolerance, and forgiveness. In my moment of grief, I threw that all away for a bit of revenge, and forever lowered myself in your eyes. How could you ever forgive me for betraying your love.

I’m so sorry Pinkie. I just can’t keep my promise to you today. There is no more laughter left in my heart now. I see only blackness and despair. I feel only shame and sadness. I have failed you, and I have betrayed your trust in me. I am no longer worthy of your memory, or your love. I await my fate, and long only for your forgiveness, which will never come now.

I am so sorry

Drax

My Dearest Pinkamina,

Thank you so much. I received your message, and I will have to be sure to buy a case of muffins for Derpy. She really did deliver my letters, didn’t she? How else could you have known. All this time I wished and hoped, but never really believed or knew. I’m not sure if I am writing this for you, or for myself now, but I made a promise and I will write this either way. You may already know what happened, but I need to get it down on paper.

Little Pinkie came by today, and she was serious again. This saddened me, since seeing her happy is one of the few things that have kept me going lately. She told me she had the dream again, and that this time Grammy Pie gave her a message. I thought maybe she had remembered something you told her from before you passed, but she insisted that she had talked to you, and you told her I was in trouble.

She told me, “Grammy Pie says that she forgives you, and that you need to forgive Auntie Luna.”

I was floored by this, it made no sense. How did this child know anything about what had been happening? She hadn't even seen Luna in a year herself.

She looked like she was scared out of her wits, but she had more to say. “Grammy Pie also said that the most important thing, is that you forgive yourself.”

For what? I hadn't done anything wrong. Well, perhaps I regret attacking Luna, but I was provoked!

The little filly saw my expression, and must have thought she had done something wrong. She started to cry, and it broke my heart. I held her, and told her everything would be fine. I told her I loved her very much, but that Grammy Pie was gone. She had just had a bad dream, and none of it was real. Oh lord, Pinkie, I wanted to believe that so much. I was trying to fool myself, but I knew that something amazing had happened.

After a lifetime spent with you, I had stopped questioning the amazing and bizarre things you could do. I have seen you appear out of thin air, without magic, I have literally seen you be in two places at once. Yes, I never said anything, but I saw it. I remember knowing that I had fallen for a force of nature, and anomaly that was even stranger than myself. And I knew that you had no idea what you were or how you did it.

Pinkie finally stopped crying, and looked at me. She was still very serious. It scared me. Then she finished her message, “Grammy said you would say that. And she told me to remind you of your promise. She said you need to remember to just keep laughing.”

I was shocked. I had never told anypony of the promise made that day. It was only between you and I, and nopony else could have possibly found out, especially little Pinkie Surprise. I had no choice but to believe. My denial was shattered, all my arguments fell away. I knew as sure as my love for you that you had found a way to send me a gift through our little Pinkie. You had sent me your forgiveness for what I had done. It was my turn to cry, and for little Pinkie to comfort me. I cried tears of loss, tears of joy, and most of all, I cried tears of forgiveness.

Finally we parted, and I was overjoyed to see our little grandfilly smiling again. She was relieved of her burden, and had returned to her normal happy self. She saw my smile, and returned a wider one in response, bouncing around the room, cheering. Just like you used to do whenever you were trying to cheer me up.

I hugged her again and thanked her for the gift, and she giggled at my being so serious still. As she was about to leave, she turned to me and remembered. “Grammy said one more thing. She wanted me to tell you, the party isn't over, but her dance is.” She seemed to think very hard about the next part. “Grammy says you need to find a new dance partner, because this party will last FOREVER!”

I mean really, Honey, how do I react to that? I have our dearest grandfilly telling me you want me to move on? Gah... if it was anyone else. Well, you know what happened to the last pony that wanted me to move on. That is something I still need to address. But I would do anything for you, my love. I’ll even do that. I assume you are talking about Princess Luna. Who else could dance with me forever?

I sure as hell hope that I haven't ruined that already. I’m not sure yet if I can forgive her, but I will try. Even then, she will have to forgive me in turn, and lets not even start with what Celestia will do. I still don’t know if she will punish me. But I will try, as always, I will try for you. And maybe I can laugh again, just as I promised.

Forever your love,

Your Silly Draxy

Dear Pinkamina,

And so it came to pass, that Drax was brought before the sisters of the sky. He was still stripped of magic, and Celestia watched him like a hawk. Luna, however, was still mournful of what had passed, and clearly heartbroken. Her wounds were still healing, and she was weak from the pain, but it was her spirit that had taken the most damage. She asked one more time for the dark alicorn to forgive her, and to everypony’s surprise, he did.

In his usual overdramatic way, he prostrated himself before the two regents, and gave his own forgiveness to both of them, asking only to be forgiven in return. Luna was overjoyed, and forgave him immediately, however Celestia required some pleading from her younger sister. In the end, forgiveness was had all around, for harsh deeds had been done by all.

It took a period of healing, but at last the friendships were mended, and both Luna and Drax sought out a relationship together. In time, he took up a position at her side, and the entire kingdom rejoiced at the union. With his skills of persuasion, and knack for making friends, the dark pony spent many missions abroad as the ambassador for Equestria. Many good deeds were forged with his skills in diplomacy, and all trusted him for his iron-clad honesty.

Despite all this, he never once accepted any title, other than that of Royal Consort. He also never took up the mantle of his powers again, not trusting himself after the last time he lost his temper. This was a good thing, in that the powers no longer belonged to him, having passed to me long ago.

This secret will need to be kept, for there is no telling how Drax would act if he knew. I still mourn the fact that, despite the powers I wield, I was unable to save you either. Each pony has their time, and fate will not be denied. Some live longer than others, but we eventually all come to the end of our journey.

Sadly, I fear this may be the last letter that will be delivered by Derpy. She refuses to give the secret of how she delivers them. In her advanced age, she has taken a turn for the worst, and refuses any help to cure her ailments. She says that she has had her time on this earth, and it is time for her to deliver her soul to another pony. Postage has been paid, and the muffins wont keep forever. She is such a silly pony. Equestria will lose something great when she is gone.

So with that said, I will make my own farewells. I know that father will continue writing, although what he will do with the letters, we do not know. Myself, I will keep mine, and use them to remember you always. Both he and I are still keeping your promise, mother. We are both still laughing. We just needed to find new things to make us laugh. Drax has Luna, and I have my new family. But we will always still have our memory of you.

Your Loving son,

Figment