Celestia sat on her throne taking in the sight of the room before her. The sun lazily trickled in through the window, giving the whole room a warm welcoming glow. The white marble floors shone with an almost otherworldly sheen adding to the sunlight filtering through the windows which gave the room a surreal quality almost like it was plucked from a dream. The soft gurgle of the fountains on either side of the dais added to the tranquility, which was enough to lull even the hardest Royal Guard to sleep on slow days. The tapestries, depicting a stylized version of her and her sister chasing each other, placed between each pillar muffled the sounds enough that if Celestia closed her eyes it wouldn’t be hard for her to imagine that she was miles away. Normally this all came together to make Celestia smile, normally this sight would put her at ease, normally this was her favorite time of day to hold court. But today Celestia wasn’t holding court, she could not find peace, and the smile that Celestia is known for was nowhere to be seen.
No, today all Celestia felt was a deep hollow ache in her chest, like somepony had ripped out her heart, shattered it and left the shards to scatter in the wind. It was all she could think about, it consumed her completely body, mind, and soul. She wanted to scream, smash something beneath her hooves, weep her eyes out, anything to make the pain go away. But no tears were shed, no sound escaped her lips, and no movement was made. All she could do was sit there on her throne and stare out at the horribly tranquil sight before her.
A flicker of movement drew Celestia’s eyes to a nearby window, where she saw a small group of pegasi flying through the bright unblemished sky. The group looked to be a family, a mother, father, and young foal. The mother watched as her husband tossed the young foal higher into the air and zoom around to catch her, much to their combined amusement. She could almost hear the foal’s laughter as she squealed higher daddy, higher. Celestia could feel her feathers bristle as she squeezed the throne’s armrest. A loud snap brought her out of her thoughts
“Why did today of all days have to be sunny?” Celestia asked in a hollow voice, wrenching her eyes from the sight before she did something she would regret. She went back to staring at the empty throne room to watch the dust dance in the sunlight trickling in through the windows. She let her mind drift off and memories of times past filtered through her mind. Times with a little filly that fell asleep in the sunlight as she waited for her teacher to finish day court so that they could start their lesson. Or the time when the same filly fell into the fountains when she leaned too far forward trying to catch a butterfly that found its way in through an open window. Then there was the time that Celestia allowed the filly to switch places with her on the throne for the last hour of court. Oh, the looks on the noble's faces when they walked in to see a little filly wearing Celestia's crown, torque, and golden shoe’s. She did try her best to look regal but with everything being several sizes too big it just came off as adorable.
“...ia, Tia, Sister?” a familiar voice said breaking her out of her daze.
Celestia looked to her right and saw Luna standing in one of the throne room’s side entrances. It was obvious that her sister had been crying what with her eyes being puffy and bloodshot, not to mention, the matted and damp fur under said eyes. Seeing Luna in such a state sent a stabbing pain through her chest. She was sure that a knife would have hurt less.
“Tia, it’s time.”
Celestia was unable to do anything but nod in acknowledgment, though Celestia knew that she had to do more for her sister. Celestia took a deep breath trying to gather the strength she needed to stand. It took more effort than she thought it would to rise, like the weight of the world had settled on her shoulders. She took another moment to look out at the throne room before walking over to her sister.
“Are you going to be alright, Luna?” she asked, giving Luna an affectionate nuzzle.
Instead of responding, Luna pulled away to study her sister’s downtrodden demeanor. After a moment of silence, Luna said, “I feel like I should be the one asking you that.”
Celestia tried her best to give Luna a reassuring smile. She knew that her sister would be able to see through it with little trouble but she had to be strong for Luna.
“I will be fine, I am not the one who lost my beloved after all,” Celestia replied as they walked toward the double doors at the front of the room.
“With you around, I’m sure I will be able to find a way to cope,” Luna said, leaning into her sister for support.
“I will always be here for you, Lulu,” Celestia said, nuzzling her sister. She leaned back into her sister to both offer her support and, if she was honest with herself, looking for support in equal measures.
Both of them were reluctant to voice what was on their minds, so they continued down the hall in oppressive silence. Eventually, it proved too much for Luna and her pace faltered as tears welled up in her eyes.
“It doesn’t ever get easier, does it?” She asked her voice thick with held back tears.
Celestia came to a full stop and pulled Luna into her wings, doing her best to envelop her in them. She stroked Luna’s mane with her fetlock like she had so many years ago and Luna latched onto Celestia like a drowning mare before she broke down sobbing. Seeing and hearing Luna so broken up sent another dagger into Celestia’s already tattered heart. She wanted nothing more than to break down right there with her little sister but the tears refused to wet her eyes let alone fall. So, Celestia did the only thing she could think of; hold her sister as close as she could and hope that it was enough. For several minutes, they clung to each other as Luna cried and Celestia stroked her mane. Eventually, Luna was able to regain her composer but neither of them pulled away. Though Celestia wanted nothing more than to sit there and comfort her sister, she knew they couldn’t be late, not today.
“We best get going, the trip to Ponyville isn’t the shortest and we mustn’t be late,” Celestia said her voice hollow as she pulled away. Luna wiped her eyes and nodded, not trusting her voice. Luna stood and Celestia draped a wing over her back before they continued down the hall. Luna leaned into the hug grateful for the warmth that pushed away the hallway’s chill which prevailed despite the suns best attempts.
**********
Celestia looked up at the clear sky once again feeling like it was mocking her and recent events. Once again she felt anger well up inside at the injustice of the beautiful day and was tempted to lower the sun even though it was only mid-afternoon, just to spite it. She ripped her eyes from the sky with a grimace before she could do something rash, and petty. Celestia took a few calming breaths until the anger eased. She returned her eyes the peaceful meadow before her. Among the tall grasses, every variety of wildflower one could think of stood, each one in full bloom painting the soft rolling hills a myriad of vibrant colors ranging from the red of Fairy Trumpets to the soft blue and white of Columbines. Truly, a place a pony could find peace, and one of the biggest reasons they held the wake here instead of Ponyville City Hall.
Celestia let her eyes drift around until they landed on the other reason they chose the field instead of Ponyville’s city hall; the ponies wishing to send Twilight off. Most, if not all, of Ponyville, stood before her with a few ponies from all around Equestria mixed in. The sight of so many ponies wishing to ease her into the next life is enough to push the hollowness away if only a little. At the front of the group stood nine very familiar ponies, and one young drake, the family and closest friends of Twilight; Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Night Light, Twilight Velvet, Shining Armor, Cadence, and Spike. Directly to Celestia’s right stood Luna staring forlornly at an ornately decorated casket with the framed image of a smiling Twilight Sparkle resting on the top. Seeing that photo sent another stab of pain through Celestia’s chest. Never again will she see that smile, never again will she see the childlike glee when Twilight would recant some adventure she had with one of her friends. Never again will Celestia see the love in Twilight’s eyes when she would look upon her, or the warmth and pride that she felt when she saw Twilight.
Celestia turned to the sound of sobbing and saw Luna once again in tears. She placed a wing over her sister’s withers and pulled her close before laying her head on Luna’s withers as her sister tucked her head into Celestia’s chest. Celestia took another look at the sky confirming the time before squeezing her sister a little tighter and whispering, “It's time, dear sister, are you sure you don’t want to do the eulogy?” Luna nodded not able to form coherent words in her distress. Celestia nuzzled her sister before she moved to the temporary podium set up for the ceremony.
Celestia looked out at the gathered once more before she cleared her throat, which had the desired effect of bringing everyone's attention to her. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before she spoke, “I have spent many an hour trying to find the words, to sum up, everything that made Twilight who she was. I could write entire books trying to describe the wonderful pony that is Twilight Sparkle and still not do her justice. However, there are a few things that stand out to me and though they do not tell the complete story they do help show you the picture of who she was as a pony. She was a daughter, a sister, a loving partner, and a friend to many. She was a student, a teacher, a mentor, a role model of the highest caliber, and these are but small parts of the whole that made Twilight. Anypony that had the privilege to know her would tell you the same.
“I remember the day I met Twilight, she was experiencing a magical surge the likes I have never seen before and most likely never will again. On that day I knew that she was special and that she would do great things. The time I spent with her after that fateful day when I got to know her just proved to me how special Twilight was. She was kind, smart, and so passionate about everything around her. I remember the first day I tutored her I asked her what she would like to learn most, she looked at me and said, ‘Magic.’ Wishing to clarify what it is she meant I asked what about magic she would like to learn, she responded with a gleam in her eyes, ‘Everything.’ I couldn’t help but giggle at her enthusiasm, at her youthful excitement. Throughout the years that I taught her, she never lost her thirst for knowledge always eager for the next lesson, and she never lost that look of wonder when she found something new to study. The more she learned the more she wanted to know and she was the same way about friendship.
“She was the type of pony that would do anything for a friend without question and would do so without fail. Be it something small or large she would be there with a smile and probably several books about the subject.–” A little laugh ran through the group and several ponies could be seen nodding in agreement.–“And nowhere was this more apparent than her final sacrifice, when she… She…” Celestia’s voice caught in her throat, her mouth moved but nothing came out. She had practiced the eulogy at least a couple dozen times since she finished it after the news of Twilight’s passing. She could recite it forward and backward in her sleep, yet the words would not come. She took several deep breaths trying to regain her composer, but each breath caught in her throat.
Celestia looked behind her hoping to gather strength from her sister, but her eyes were caught by the picture of her beloved student smiling back at her. Something broke at the sight of that bright and wonderful smile, something deep within herself gave way and the tears that had refused to fall for so long finally found their way out. Celestia’s strength left her, and she collapsed no longer able to hold the burden that had been pressing on her. Thought left her as her mind was consumed by that single image. Nothing else mattered but that one reminder of that beautiful soul. The one pony that had become her whole world and the one she will never see again.
“S-she's gone, s-she’s gone… Oh, Maker, she i-is g-gone,” the words drifted from her hollow and defeated. Celestia’s sight swam with the tears falling from her eyes. “T-Twil… Twil-light is gone.”
The finality of the situation finally sank in and Celestia lost herself in the grief.
**********
Luna sat in silence behind her sister her tears falling freely she half-heartedly listened to her sister speaking. She had overheard Celestia reciting the eulogy over a dozen times so she knew it by heart now. “And here, she is going to talk about how my Twilight sacrificed herself to defeat that… that thing. That thing is lucky that it did not survive what Twilight did to defeat it, for nothing would have been able to stop me from ripping it limb from limb, but not before I tortured it till it begged me for death! Oh, the things I would hav–” Luna was ripped out of her thoughts by the sound of a heart-wrenching wail that blanketed the area. She looked over to where the sound came from, expecting to see Twilight’s mother clinging to her baby’s coffin. Instead what she saw was infinitely worse.
There on the ground just before Twilight’s coffin lay Celestia gently cradling Twilight’s photo as if it was a foal. The fur around her eyes wet and matted from the stream of tears falling from her eyes. Her mouth opened, and a pain filled sob escaped her lips as she pulled the picture closer to her. To see her older sister, one that had always been the strong, calm, and collected of the two, so distraught was one of the hardest things she has ever seen. Without thought, Luna went to Celestia and wrapped her in her wings as best she could
“T-Twi… Twil-light is gone.” Luna began to stroke her sister’s mane and rock back and forth trying her best to comfort the distraught mare. Celestia didn’t even seem to notice Luna, she was so lost in her grief, but Luna didn’t let that deter her. She continued to hold her sister even as the sobbing increased.
“No, no, why oh Maker why? WHY-hy-hy?! This… This has to be some sort o-of horrible n-nightmare!” She screamed. “Yes this is just a nightmare and I just need to wake myself up and everything will be as it should be. Twilight will be in the Golden Oaks Library and everything will be fine.”
Celestia tried to pull herself out of Luna’s grasp but Luna held strong, preventing Celestia from escaping her embrace. “Yes I just need to wake myself up and everything will be right again,” Celestia whispered barely loud enough for Luna to hear.
“Sister, I know this is hard and, oh, how much I wish this was a dream as well, you and I both know that this is real. Twilight was forcibly taken from us,” Luna said and she felt Celestia collapse on her so she pulled her sister closer trying her best to cocoon the mare in her wings. She resumed stroking her mane just like Celestia did when they were younger.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, your majesties but what would you like to do?” Luna looked over at the guard who spoke confused as to what she could mean. It took longer than it should have but she remembered where they were and what it was that they were doing. With embarrassment coloring her cheeks she looked over the shoulder of the guard to look at the ponies gathered.
She looked back at her still sobbing sister cradling the photo of Twilight in her hooves. She nuzzled her sister before turning back to the guard, “I don’t think my sister will be in any state to continue, so have anyone else that wishes to share her stories do so.” The guard nodded and walked over to the podium.
**********
Luna checked the position of the sun, it had been nearly an hour since ponies started to share their experiences and memories of Twilight. So many ponies, so many wonderful memories. It warmed her heart to see how much her beloved Twilight had changed the lives of so many, how much love her friends had for her, and how much she would be missed. For she knew that her Twilight will continue to live on if not in the flesh then at least in the hearts of the people she knew.
Luna felt her sister shift against her, she had calmed down enough that she wasn’t sobbing anymore, but the tears still fell freely. Luna couldn’t be sure Celestia had listened to the stories but she had a feeling that one of the reasons Celestia had calmed down was because she had heard at least some of them. As the current speaker sat the guard from before spoke up, “Would anypony else like to speak?” When nopony rose she continued. “If nopony else wishes to tell their experiences then we will move on. If the Pallbearers would kindly step forward, we will begin the procession.”
Shining Armor, Cadence, Night Light, and Twilight Velvet stepped forward and took a corner each. Luna looked down at Celestia, still cradling the photo of Twilight in her hooves, and nuzzled her before asking, “Sister do you think that you are up to bear Twilight to her resting place? Nopony would fault you if you are not.” After a moment with no response from Celestia, Luna went to tell the waiting Pallbearers to continue without them but she was interrupted when Celestia shifted against her.
“Yes, I think that I am,” Celestia said as she stood wiping away her tears. Luna watched her sister closely as she walked over to one side of the casket. Every step looked labored as if she was carrying a great weight but Celestia pushed through and took her place behind Night Light and in front of Twilight Velvet. Luna took her place between Cadence and Shining, in unison, they lifted the casket. Never did Luna think that she would find it so hard to lift something so deceptively small.
**********
It felt like the entire world was pressed against Celestia’s back as she walked alongside the other Pallbearers. Each step was a challenge like she was trying to walk through deep snow drifts. The hollow pit in her chest had been replaced with glacial waters that made every breath a challenge and made every beat of her heart painful. Her eyes stung with held back tears as she pushed forward down the path that had been set out beforehoof.
It took all of her concentration to prevent her levitation spell from faltering. The casket felt like it weighed more than the combined weight of Canterlot and the mountain that it sat upon, but she persevered. They continued down the trail and the gentle meadow broke away to the lightly wooded area known as the Whitetail Woods. They continued to follow the path deeper into the woods.
The soft smells of Forest combined with the gentle breeze managed to calm Celestia some despite her turbulent emotions. She looked down at the casket but quickly diverged her eyes as her grief rebound, lest her strength fail her again. The tears she had been holding back once again fell and Celestia tried in vain to wipe the tears away with a wing.
“Princess, there is no shame in showing your tears for the ones you love,” Twilight Velvet said. Celestia looked back to Twilight’s mother as she continued. “I would say that it’s not only a dishonor to those you love but to yourself as well to hold back those tears. And we both know it is no secret that you held Twilight close to your heart. I would even go as far as to say that you loved her like a daughter. So, please don’t dishonor Twilight and your feelings by hiding them away.” With her peace said Twilight Velvet let the group fall back into the silence that was only broken by the occasional sob or sniffle. Celestia took Velvet’s words to heart and stopped trying to wipe away her tears.
The procession continued forward until they reached a small glade on the edge of a lake. The lake though small was beautiful. The water was crystal clear allowing one to see the bottom even in its deepest parts. In the clearing, of to the side, sat a piece of polished marble at the head of a hole just wide enough to fit the coffin in. The face of the tombstone read ‘Here lays Twilight Sparkle one of Equestria’s greatest heroes. May she, nor her final sacrifice, ever be forgotten. 1980 AD - 2005 AD’ with Twilight’s cutie mark on the top center of the stone.
“This is real, my little Twilight is really gone. The casket really contains her body… I… I…” Celestia cut off that line of thought before she completely lost control again. She needed to keep her composure until she could speak Twilight's Last Words. Celestia, laughed though there was no humor to be had. “Twilight was always over-prepared, I just wish that this was one preparation that wouldn’t have been needed.”
Celestia was brought back to the world by the clearing of a throat. She looked over to see that Luna was trying to get her attention. “Yes, Luna?” Celestia asked.
“I asked if you would mind if I read Twilight’s last words. That is if Twilight Velvet isn’t opposed to the idea.” Mrs. Velvet shook her head in reply, Luna then turned her attention back to Celestia and gave her a look that spoke to her more than simple words could. A look that said ‘If you’re not up to it then let me,’ and ‘you needn’t do all of this on your own.’ Celestia nodded, thankful for Luna’s assistance. Celestia knew that she wouldn’t be able to give Twilight’s last words in her current state. How she managed to keep the levitation from slipping from her for that matter, she didn’t know.
“How can anypony hold the weight of the world with a simple levitation spell. Even with the help of the other ponies, I can barely hold it. When did Twilight become so important to me… No, the better question is why didn’t I notice sooner.” Celestia couldn’t bring herself to look at the box floating next to her, instead took to staring at the hole marring the grass. The hole that would become the resting place of one of the most important ponies of her life. She continued to stare listlessly at the hole as she came to stand next to it along with the other Pallbearers. Once everypony was in position, they gently lowered the casket down almost like they were afraid if they did it too fast it would shatter. Celestia watched as the casket lowered into the ground and with it the last hopes that this was all a horrible nightmare.
Soon the coffin reached the bottom and the Pallbearers cut off their spells and took their places next to the dirt that once filled the grave. Each one of them took a clump of earth in their hooves before walking back to the grave and tossing it onto the coffin. Celestia sat and watched as the rest of the Pallbearers went through the ritual. A ritual she remembered had once only been performed by Earth Ponies but after the unification was adopted by the rest of the tribes. “I how many times have I seen this ritual performed. How many friends have had to see put into the ground, how many ponies have I seen lose their lives for that matter? I lost count long ago. Whoever said it gets easier is either a liar or can no longer be called a pony. Why did the Maker curse me with such a long life, why did She give me the ability to feel loss? Why couldn’t She take m-”
“-stia, Tia it is your turn to Cast Earth,” Luna spoke breaking Celestia out of her darkening thoughts. Celestia could see Luna’s concerned look almost as if she could see where Celestia’s thoughts were going.
Before Luna could do anything more than open her mouth Celestia stood, grabbed a hoofful of soil and cast it on the coffin before she took a spot off to the side so the next pony could do the same. She watched as each of Twilight’s closest friends and family Cast Earth onto Twilight’s grave, not really paying attention to who was doing it but watching as more of the wood was covered by the freshly dug soil. As each hoofful of dirt was placed she felt more and more of her heart giveaway as if each bit of soil was taken directly from it. Yet Celestia was unable to take her eyes from the grave even as more of her heart was lost to the sight before her.
Celestia felt something warm settle across her back she looked over to see Luna with her wing spread over her trying to give what comfort she could. She leaned on her little sister as she spread her own wing to reciprocate the hug. In this manner, the last of Twilight’s closest friends and family came to stand around her resting place. Normally at this time, the last words were spoken but for ponies like Twilight with such a large gathering of mourners they had to wait until the last pony found a spot. They watched as the glade was packed to the brim. If it wasn’t for ponies giving the ones closest to Twilight space there wouldn’t be any visible grass. Pegasi even took to finding clouds so they could hear the last words.
A guard nodded to Luna signaling everypony was present and that she could start. Luna nodded back and hugged Celestia a bit tighter before she pulled away. She walked out to stand at the base of the grave, looking out at the gathered ponies before she cleared her throat. All the conversations came to a timely stop.
“Thank you all for showing up. It truly warms the heart to see how many ponies cared for Twilight. As is tradition it is now time to recite the last words of Twilight Sparkle.” Luna paused to summon a scroll. She unrolled the scroll, her eyes moving back and forth over the paper until she found what she was looking for.
“Ah, here we are,” She cleared her throat again and looked out at the crowd before she started. “First off I would like to thank whoever is reading my last words. I can only imagine how hard it is to speak for somepony so close to you. Though I know it is probably wishful thinking I do not want anypony to mourn for me. The mere thought of causing grief to those closest to me for any reason hurts. Even if it is beyond my control it pains me to think that anypony is crying for me.
“Next I would like to let the ponies closest to me know that I love them. Shiny, Cadence, Mom, Dad, and Spike, know that you guys are always on my mind and that I feel like I don’t say this enough but I love you guys so much. I know I wouldn’t be the pony that I am without you guys. Without you, I couldn’t imagine where I would be but I know it wouldn’t have been one of the Princesses of Equestria or the personal student of Princess Celestia. There is no way that I could truly say how much you guys mean to me.
“Spike, I wish that I could have been there for you until you reached adulthood and helped you through that time. I know that you are a good young drake and you will do great things when you are older. I want you to know that I am so proud of you and how much you’ve grown in the last few years. I want you to know that even though I am gone you will never be alone, not with the wonderful friends and family that we have,” Celestia looked over to the mentioned drake and found him sobbing in the embrace of Twilight Velvet as she stroked his head. “I know it will be hard but you will make it through this in time.
“Girls, thank you, each of you, these last few years has been the happiest of my life and I have you to thank for that. If it wasn’t for you five then I would still be a shut-in thinking that the only thing that I needed was the books in the library. I wouldn’t have seen Equestria in the way that I have, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to ask out the one that had become the-” Luna’s words were broken by a barely held back sob. She took a few deep breaths to regain her composure and wiped her eyes with the back of her fetlock. “Had become the love of my life, so know that I can never thank you, enough.
“Celestia, you are the pony I look up to the most. Ever since the day that you took me under your wing as a filly I have spent my entire life trying to be somepony that you could be proud of, somepony that was worthy of your time, and tutelage. I don’t think that I ever felt like I could live up to your expectations, well that is until I had earned my wings. That was the first time that I felt like I had earned my place as your personal student.
“Last is Luna. This is the hardest one to write. What can I write that even remotely makes what has happened okay? What can I say that will ease the pain of the one that had become my whole world? The more I think about it the more I realize that there is nothing that I can do, and I hate it.” Luna’s voice had become thick with tears and every breath a shuddering gasp and her tears fell freely from her eyes. But she persisted, determined to finish Twilight’s last words. “I hate how powerless it makes me feel to think that you are suffering while somepony reads this and I can do nothing to stop it. Though I may not be able to do anything to ease your pain I do know that you will persist, that you will be able to make it through this. You will smile again I know it. I know it will be hard and I know that it will be a while before your heart can heal. But I know it will heal and as such I want you to promise that if the time comes when you find somepony that catches your eye not to let it pass by because of fear.
“It may sound harsh hearing this when the pain of loss is so fresh but know that I don’t do this out of malice. I do it because I love you and I want you to be happy, even if your happiness isn’t with me. I hope that you can see that and I hope you can see that I love you with all of my heart, nothing will change that.”
Luna rolled the scroll back up and teleported it away before she walked over and sat next to her sister. Celestia leaned into Luna as she wrapped a wing around her. Memories of Twilight as a filly filled her mind as she leaned into her sister. Twilight’s bright and eager eyes when she showed up for their private lessons, the excitement when she figured out a new spell. The times when she fell asleep reading inside one of her book forts. The tea parties that she would have with Smarty Pants out in the gardens. A small smile played across her lips despite the hollow ache that filled her chest.
“I’m going to miss her so much, Lulu,” Celestia said barely above a whisper.
“As will I, sister,” Luna replied nuzzling her sister. Luna pulled Celestia closer before laying her head across her sister’s withers as much for herself as for Celestia. The two took what comfort they could from the embrace as they watched the ponies file out of the little grove. There were a few well-wishers that came up to the group offering their condolences but the names and faces all blurred together. Twilight’s family and closest friends stayed until after the grave was filled, but they too left after saying their last goodbyes. Luna and Celestia watched all of this from their positions next to each other.
When the last well-wisher had left the glade Celestia summoned power to her horn before casting a levitation spell. She took the remaining dirt and filled in the hole making sure that it was even before using a rapid growth spell. The only evidence that there was a funeral held in the clearing was the marble grave marker. She moved over to sit next to the headstone and ran her hoof across Twilight’s name her mind once again drawn to the past. Time ceased to matter to Celestia as she let the past wash over her the centuries that she had lived through flashed past her mind's eye. Everypony she had ever known, the happiness they shared with her and, the sorrow of saying goodbye to each came and went in flashes of memory. Celestia was brought out of her introspection by a nuzzle to her shoulder.
“Sister it is nearly time to bring the day to an end and bring forth the night,” Luna said in a soft voice. She wrapped a wing across Celestia’s back and laid her head on her shoulder. “Do you wish me to lower the sun?”
“Thank you but no, I will lower it myself,” She replied and laid her head on top of Luna’s making sure to avoid her horn.
“You needn’t carry the burden all on your own, I am here to help you,” Luna said, pulling away. She gently moved Celestia’s head so that she could look her in the eye’s before continuing. “So, please don’t shut me out.”
“Thank you, Lulu, and I will talk to you, but right now I need a few minutes by myself. I will meet you at the castle after I lower the sun.” Luna gave her a stern look as if to say, ‘you will keep your word or so help me’ but left it at that.
Luna gave Celestia a hug and whispered just loud enough for Celestia to hear, “I love you.” Celestia returned the embrace and added a nuzzle to before replying in kind. They broke the embrace and Luna signaled for the guards stationed around the glade to follow her. She gave Celestia one last glance over her shoulder before taking wing for the chariot waiting in the meadow. Celestia watched the group disappear from sight. She sat there for a moment gathering her thoughts before she turned back to Twilight’s resting place.
“I am so sorry Twilight, I-I have failed you. If I was stronger, if I was faster, if I could have thought of a different way, but I didn’t. I could play the What If game all I want but the truth is that even now I can’t think of a way that this could have ended differently and I it makes my failure all the worse. I don’t want my last goodbye filled with self-pity. I know I have said how proud of you I was, I have said it countless times because I-I truly am so, very, proud of the mare you became. You surpassed all of my wildest expectations, and you remained humble through it all…” Celestia’s speech was cut off by the familiar tug signaling that the sun needed to be set. She lit her horn and set the sun on the final leg of its journey.
As the sun was nearing the horizon Celestia put all of her experience she had gained over the years to make this twilight as spectacular as the one she held so dear. The sky was bathed in pinks matching the highlights in Twilight’s mane. The sun sank lower and the pinks shifted to purple the same hue as Twilight’s coat, and as the last of bits of the sun sank below the range that housed Mount Canterhorn the sky turned a deep violet. With her task done Celestia passed the sky's care over to Luna. Celestia placed her hoof on Twilight’s gravestone and gently ran it across its surface like a mother removing an errant hair from her sleeping foal's muzzle.
“Goodbye,” Celestia whispered, and without another word, she took wing to return to Canterlot the moon casting its gentle light on the glade promising peace.
Author's Note
I did a little touch up here and there. Expanded a few scenes and changed a bit of my word choice. hopefully, it reads better than it did.
Let me know what you think.
