True Love Never Dies

"Mah sister is a what now?"

Twilight was very surprised at the anger in Applejack's voice, "Well, I don't know for sure. But, I do have my suspicions that Applebloom is, in fact, the Alicorn of the Earth." She explained, "She fits all the right categories; she's a filly, she's an earth pony, and she hasn't got her cutie mark." Though not technically required, the last one did help Applebloom's case.

Applejack was much calmer now, "Well, Ah don't like it, Twi. Ah don't like it one bit." She continued, "But if mah sister does have some greater purpose in life, Ah wouldn't be surprised." She smiled softly, "You can do yer little test."

Twilight let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, "Oh! Thank you Appleja-"

"But-" Applejack put a hoof in Twilight's face, "-if you hurt one hair on her head, Ah will make you pay." She retreated and smiled wide, waving merrily, "Thanks fer visitin', Twiligh'! See ya tonight!"

***

As Twilight neared Canterlot on her carriage she thought of Rainbow Dash. She wasn't surprised in the least that Rainbow was destined to  be in charge of the sky, but that brought up some questions for Twilight. What about the stars? Were they actually Luna's? Or was she just watching over them until Rainbow Dash ascended?

What if Rainbow never ascended? Did that even happen? And Majesty? Now that she was in the Crystal Empire with her parents and Rainbow was back in Cloudsdale, there was no way Twilight was going to be able to monitor them as much as she would like!

It was then that she realized, she would never see her friends again after they died! She'd just be born over and over ag-

"Uhh...Your Majesty? Are you okay? We're here..."

She jumped at the sound of the carriage puller's voice, "Oh! Uh... yes! I'm fine! Thank you! For your service... hehe." She blushed.

***

Twilight smiled at the sight in front of her, the Cutie Mark Crusaders ran about in the royal gardens, clad in capes and wizard hats; they had been brought here under the pretense that they were coming to watch Twilight help lower the sun. She didn't want to get their hopes up about anything. And Applejack had insisted the other two Crusaders come in order to avoid suspicion.

Scootaloo ran up to Twilight, "Twilight! Can we have Twilight Time again soon? We miss you!" She gave her best puppy-dog eyes.

Twilight felt bad; she hadn't had time to spend time with the girls since she'd moved to Canterlot permanently - since the eruption. "Well, Scootalo, I-"

She was saved by the moon, "I am sorry to interrupt, Twilight Sparkle, but it is time."

***

As Twilight opened her magic reserves to Luna, she felt her anticipation grow with each second. This was it, tonight she would find the earth alicorn, Applebloom or not. All she had to do was tweak a few points in her spell to exclude Rainbow Dash from the process.

She could feel the sun pushing on her horn, and for the first time since that fateful day, she heard Celestia's voice. Twilight Sparkle. Do not-

"C-Celestia?" All heads in the room turned to her, "P-Princess? Is that you?" She looked at a confused Luna, "It's Celestia! I heard her!" Her face fell, "Didn't you?"

The sunset had faltered, so Luna shook her head, and turned back to face her task, with a heavier heart than before. "No, Twilight Sparkle. She chose you. But it is your turn, now."

"Chose me? B-But I he-"

"Now, Twilight Sparkle."

Shakily, Twilight stepped forward and cast her spell, the magic from her horn permeating the room. Swirling through the the air, in a magenta haze, Twilight's magic created a screen of sorts. Colors burst forth and merged into a picture only to show, not Applebloom, but-

"Sweetie Belle?"