Death is What Makes Us

It's been a while since Twilight's studies came to a close, however, the young and eager princess still wants to learn more. The feeling of insatiable curiosity when she did research is what she misses to this day. The blissful silence that filled the air as she read hundreds upon thousands of books was what she lived for.

Sadly, due to her special princess duties, her free time has been distracted by floods of unforeseen work day after day. She has had enough of this hiatus from one of her favourite hobbies. She needed something to get her back up on her hooves. Something to get her heart pumping. Her thirst for knowledge needed to be satisfied.  Last month she decided to tackle one of the biggest questions of pony kind. Although, she can't believe how empty-hoofed she still is.

The lack of conclusions drove her to head towards Celestia for some guidance. She never does this. She never asks Celestia for anything. Despite Princess Celestia's vast knowledge of nearly everything, she was never quite fond of that trump card. Twilight refuses to be spoon-fed with answers. She enjoys seeking for them.

"Too easy," She kept saying. "Too easy."

But here she is, entering Celestia's chambers on a blissful night where the moon shines bright and the nature is at peace. Hopefully she's not bothering anything.

Celestia raises her muzzle from her book as she senses a pony entering her room. She smiles at the sight of Twilight. "Ah, Twilight, good evening," She closes her book. "Something you need help with?"

Twilight has no intention of returning that smile. She barely even has enough energy to walk.

"Good evening, Princess," Twilight says, tirefully. "Yes, I do have something I need assistance with."

"Oh?" Celestia says. "How surprising."

Twilight, with the little energy she has, gives a chuckle. "I'm tired."

"I can tell." Celestia gives one more look at the tired mare before deducing that she is, indeed, exhausted. "Here, have a seat." She levitates one of her queen sized cushions next to Twilight, in which she responded with a full, heavy body drop on the soft material.

Celestia raises her eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to talk now? You seem fatigued like I've never seen you before."

"No," Twilight sighs. "Even if I can't keep my eyelids open right now I still would rather have some solid answers asap."

"I see." Celestia gravitates a tea cup ever so carefully towards Twilight, making extra sure that not a single drop stains her hoof-crafted carpet. Twilight looks at it with her dead-like baggy eyes and takes a sip. "I've put some Malgrite Flower petals in your teacup. It'll keep you from passing out for the time being." Celestia smiles.

Twilight says nothing.

"So what was that you wanted to talk to me abo-?"

"What comes after death?" Twilight finaly asks.

Celestia blinks a few times. "Wh-what?"

"You heard me." Twilight frowns. "What comes after death?"

Celestia starts to subtly dart her eyes around the room. "I don't know," she answers.

"Crap," Twilight spits out. She would be lying if she said that she didn't expect that answer.

Her sudden use of this word leads Celestia to be a bit surprised. "Why such vulgarity, Twilight?"

"Why do you think?" She replied. "I've been working on a single subject for the past month and I came up with nothing! I could have researched whole space phenomenons and discovered astronomical objects in this timeframe! It's stupid that I can't even find an answer to this simple question! It's STUPID! STUPID STUPID STUPID! The answer isn't even THIS CLOSE to me! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO HARD?!" Her face turns red.

Celestia stays emotionless, waiting for her protégé to calm down. It's clear that Twilight has worked herself to the bone. This research was not conducted just for fun, probably because she really needs to know. After twenty seconds of Twilight gasping for air, Celestia finally breaks the silence.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Twilight nods. Luckily she's calmed down. Celestia's wise purchase of those soundproof walls has proven useful. If not, the whole building would be filled with guards by now. As if she needs them for protection.

"I see why you're stressed," Celestia continues. "Being an Artificial Alicorn doesn't mean you are immortal like me." There's a silence. "You'll still die of old age."

"Thanks for reminding me." Twilight frowns.

"Consider yourself lucky, Twilight." Celestia refills her teacup. "That you don’t have to be immortal, like me." Shortly after her argument, Celestia quietly murmurs something to herself.

Twilight ignored her, she focused at what her mentor said before that. Of course she has a point. Twilight, just like other normal ponies, will meet her end. She will have to move on from life when the time comes and she knows she has to accept that.

"I get your point," Twilight answers. "But still. You get to live your life forever with your sister who is also immortal."

Celestia takes a deep breath. "I see why you came to me for help on this particular subject. However, as much as you may think it otherwise, I'm not god. The universe created me, and I saw everything unfold. From the beginning, to the end."

"The end?" Twilight asks. "What do you mean the end?"

In that moment, Celestia feels a disruption in the universe. The beat of a rapidly pounding heart resonates throughout her body. She realises that she's made a mistake. "Nothing. I merely mixed up my words, Twilight."

"What do you mea-"

"Quiet," Celestia snapped in the most highly educated way.

Twilight's cheeks turn red from the slight embarrassment. She doesn't recall Celestia ever hushing her before.

Although, the sensation she suddenly felt after is much more complex. Her heartrate starts to rise as she becomes slightly nauseated. She feels as if the paintings, walls and bookshelves are going to fall on her.

For the first time in her life, Twilight's senses are working overtime. Despite having a demi-god by her side. She feels weightless, like her body cannot function beside Celestia anymore.

She starts to regret everything.

As if she read Twilight's mind, Celestia goes to the adjacent room while opening the exit door for Twilight. "It's late. Leave."

Twilight leaves in a heartbeat.

Afraid.