Author's Note
I wrote this story after the video by Argodaemon titled Remembrance kept me thinking well into the morning. It's mostly what I pictured the ponies would be doing/thinking/saying in the events leading up to that scene.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZDhMKk4tfg&list=FLfJ3JAiTOMnEnl7PXdjhPmA&index=2
If you had to choose...
If you had to choose
Between friends and forever
What would you decide?
********
Princess Celestia walked besides her student and fellow princess, Twilight Sparkle, down one of the many hallways of Canterlot Castle solemnly. This particular hallway was special, because it held the stain glass windows that depicted many heroic deeds. No words were said between the two, each lost in a similar thought which led to them walking down this hallway together.
***Flashback***
“Celestia….” Twilight said softly as she stood before both princesses, Celestia and Luna, while looking at the ground. She hated herself for what she was about to say but at the same time, she felt it in her heart that this would be the right thing.
“What’s the matter, Twilight?” Celestia asked, her voice was warm, though her eyes noticed Twilight’s body language and the only time Twilight acted like that, was when she was afraid to tell her something.
“Celestia, I love you. Ever since I hatched Spike, you’ve been my teacher, my mentor and had things turned out differently, probably my lover as well.” Twilight had to bite her lip to stop the tears that were threatening to form. “I know our relationship has only begun, but I’m afraid I can’t do this anymore.”
Luna looked away having a better idea as to what Twilight was getting at as she had seen Twilight’s dreams nearly every night for the past two months as a sniffle escaped her. Barely a second later, she felt Celestia glance at her before the gaze returned to Twilight.
Celestia heard the sniffle and began to worry, barely noticing that she was about to be proven right, that she wasn’t going to like what Twilight was about to say. “Can’t do what anymore? You can tell me, Twilight.”
“I love you and you’ve been there my entire life.” Twilight said, her voice hitching but she forced herself to continue. “But it’s my friends that made me who I am today. I could only stand by them the entire time and could only watch helplessly as they died while I continued to look the same age.” She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing anymore, nor did she attempt it. “It hurts too much to keep living without them.” She choked out with her voice breaking.
Celestia felt like she had her magic sucked out by Tirek again, along with being pierced by a lightning bolt through her heart at Twilight’s words. Stepping off the throne, she walked down to where Twilight stood and pulled her into a hug as she began crying. “Eternity is not for everypony, Twilight. There are some who are up to that task, but many more realize that while it’s a blessing, it’s also one of life’s greatest curses.”
Twilight tightened the hug for a moment, then she stepped back. “Like I did.” She saw Celestia nod and Luna joined them. She had outlived her friends by nearly fifty years and the pain of losing them was still fresh in her heart, she couldn’t possibly imagine living much longer before she grew depressed. “You’re not mad are you?”
“Mad? No, Twilight.” Celestia said honestly. “I’m deeply sadden, but I’ll respect your wishes. I’ll miss you, that’s for sure. Though I’ve had many lovers and watch them pass on, you’ll always remain my favorite student and lover.”
“We wish you didn’t have to leave.” Luna said, finally speaking up as tears ran down her face. “Though we shall honor your wish as well.”
“Thank you, Luna.” Twilight said as she hugged Luna before looking at Celestia. “It’s not something I thought of just now, I’ve been thinking about this for a few months.”
“I understand, Twilight.” Celestia said softly and nuzzled Luna a couple times to comfort her. “Do you have any last wishes?”
“Just a couple, could you name a library after me? And walk with me tomorrow, please?” Twilight asked and Celestia’s eyes widen, not expecting to have to part so soon, instead, she swallowed and buried her emotions down before saying a single word.
“Yes.”
***End Flashback***
Celestia and Twilight were nearing the middle of the hallway when Twilight took in the details of the castle one last time, she stole a glance at Celestia before quickly looking away and focused on the guards. She noticed they stood a little straighter as they passed, even if two princesses weren’t walking by, they seemed to know this would be the last time without anypony having told them. Twilight was afraid to see the second to last stained window that had been made in their honor of the six utilizing the Elements of Harmony and defeating Nightmare Moon. As they reached it, she sighed and paused for a moment to look at it once more as her mind replayed the battle that allowed Celestia to be reunited with Luna. Twilight forced herself to continue walking before her loneliness overwhelmed her.
Ah shucks, Twilight. Ya never really were left alone. Applejack said as she walked near Twilight’s side.
That’s right. Even though we aren’t here… Fluttershy said from behind Twilight.
You’ve kept us alive in your heart. Rarity finished Fluttershy’s thought as she appeared next to Twilight.
Yep. And when you get here, we’ll throw this big super-duper party just for you! Pinkie Pie said cheerfully as she bounced along behind them.
Rainbow Dash flew above them. Don’t worry, Twi my love, we always had your back. And now it’ll be a hundred and twenty percent cooler with you here.
Twilight gasped as she could have sworn she heard the voices of her friends and felt their presence near her but she blinked back tears and suddenly it was only her and Celestia. They reached the end of the hallway where it split off into two different directions. Can I really do this? She asked herself holding back a new wave of tears. This time when she glanced up at Celestia, she saw her mentor was looking down at her with sad eyes before they blinked and were replaced by a reassuring smile until they reached a set of large double doors.
On the door, in the very middle was her cutie mark, the six pointed purple star nestled into a golden eight point star. In the upper left corner side was Rarity’s cutie mark. Pinkie’s balloon cutie mark was under Rarity’s near the floor. Fluttershy’s cutie mark sat on the other side lined up with Pinkie’s. Applejack’s cutie mark rested above Fluttershy and across from Rarity’s. Above her own, Rainbow’s cutie mark rested in the middle of the doorway.
The two alicorns walked up to the door and stopped, Celestia sighing and closing her eyes so Twilight wouldn’t see the tears forming in them. Glancing at Twilight, Celestia wondered if her student was having second thoughts about this.
Twilight took a couple steps closer hesitantly, not wanting to see the other side of the door that stood imposing above her. It was this point that Celestia realized that Twilight had made up her mind and there would be no going back, and just as Celestia was about to call out to Twilight, Twilight’s her horn glow lavender so she respectfully remained silent.
The golden star began rotating as Twilight’s magic reached it until the lock clicked open. Putting a hoof to her chest, Twilight mimicked Cadence as she took a deep breath before slowly exhaling and extending her hoof to push the negative thoughts away. Willing the door to open, it obeyed and she was momentarily blinded by the sunlight pouring in through the windows. Good bye… Celestia. Holding her head high, she walked towards the other end of the room where five statues stood, each one standing in front of a stained glass window depicting her friends. Each of her friends were solid grey granite with only their manes and tails showing the colors. Applejack was on the far left, then then Rarity, Rainbow in the middle, Pinkie, and finally Fluttershy on the far right, with each of their cutie marks sculpted on the front. In front of them was a larger version of Twilight’s cutie mark on the floor. For now she ignored the pictures that were placed around the room and only the ones that had all six of them together were allowed to be displayed.
Twilight looked at Rarity, the last one of her friends to pass away. Her business bloomed and she was able to live a long life before passing away peacefully in her sleep one night.
Pinkie was the second friend to die. Having tried so hard to keep her friends smiling and happy, that she eventually suffered from depression before taking her own life.
Applejack had been the first one to pass away in a freak accident where one of the barns had caught fire and she had gone back in to make sure there was nopony left inside. After finding Big Mac’s colt trapped, she held up the burning wooden beam so the young colt could escape but she wasn’t able to follow as the smoke inhalation caused her to pass out.
Fluttershy had stayed with her and Rainbow long as she could but soon passed after Rainbow Dash due to a broken heart born from her grief that one of her closest friends died.
Lastly, she turned her attention and walked up to Rainbow’s statue before putting a hoof onto it. Rainbow Dash hadn’t wanted to go, but she and her squad of Wonderbolts had been called into action to defend Equestria. Loyal to the end, she stayed behind so her squad mates had enough time to escape when things became too much for them. Twilight had been presented with the highest honor a Wonderbolt could receive in Rainbow’s place and that day all of Equestria learned just how much Twilight loved Rainbow.
As Twilight looked at each of her friend’s statues, tears formed in her eyes and she began sobbing from the memories all six of them had shared in the past, no longer holding the tears back as she walked back to her cutie mark and stood in the center before turning to face her friends once more. Glancing up at the stain glass windows, she knew it was time to see her friends once more.
Rainbow, Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy… I’m coming home. She thought as she began charging her magic for what would be the last spell she’d ever cast in her life. With an anguish cry, she unleashed the magic letting it flow around her as the five cutie marks began to glow brightly. Looking at the statues, she saw they were beginning to crack as well as feeling a sharp pain in her body but she forced herself to concentrate on completing the spell. Putting more magic into the spell, the cutie mark on the floor pulsed as it came to life as well with the magic arcing around and over Twilight.
Just a little more! Twilight thought as the pain became unbearable. Flapping her wings once, she gave a final yell and unleashed everything she had, causing the statues to break and the stain glass to shatter into several hundred pieces. At the same time, her wings disappeared in a burst of magic. For a brief moment, as the glass rained down, she felt lighter, like she didn’t have the weight of Equestria on her shoulders anymore. Without her wings or magic, gravity took a hold of her and pulled her back down to the ground. Landing on her hooves, she stood upright for half a second before falling over onto her side as she took her last breath and her eyes growing dull as she gave up her alicorn powers and drifted off to sleep.
Sensing shadows were blocking out the light, Twilight opened her eyes and looked up to see her friends smiling down on her.
How are ya Sugarcube? Applejack asked.
Welcome home darling. Rarity told her while Pinkie jumped up and down happily, Rainbow smiled at seeing her lover again, and Fluttershy looked like she was trying not to cry.
Great news, we can have the super-duper awesome party now! Pinkie cheered as she jumped up and down before tripping over a hoof and crashing to the floor while Twilight sat up with a smile.
Twilight knew she made the right choice upon seeing her friends once more. Sounds great Pinkie, I missed your parties. She told her and was immediately glomped by Pinkie, with Fluttershy hovering over to make sure Twilight was alright.
Girls, can we stay here a little longer? She asked them while getting up and walking over to the pictures before sitting down with her friends. Hours passed with them sharing their life memories and having a good time.
It’s time love. Rainbow said as she got up and stretched before kissing Twilight, who gladly kissed back, having nearly forgotten what Rainbow’s lips felt like. Walking towards the light, Twilight smiled happily and draped her wing over Rainbow’s back before all six stepped into the light as one group while the candles flickered and burned themselves out.
~Fin.
