The slow and steady beeping of a machine could be heard, even from behind the closed door. It was so silent, you could hear the breathing of the ponies inside. Princess Luna was the first to break the silence, "Oh, can't we do anything Tia?" The dark Alicorn gave her sister a pleading look, sighing when her sister shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Luna. For it's her time, we can only be there for her." Both Alicorns looked down at the smaller Alicorn in the bed, her eyes were closed tightly, as if having a bad dream. Twilight Sparkle had been Celestia's prized student for many years, she had been there for her friends and mentor for many years, even been a motherly figure to her assistant Spike. Celestia remembered the day when Twilight's friends had passed, the purple pony had shut herself in her room for days, refusing to come out. They had passed only a few years after Shining Armour and Spike, who had given their lives protecting the Crystal Empire from Sombra. Luna sighed, Celestia knew she was thinking of it too. The small Alicorn had been through so much, she had even been there when Cadence had died, it was truly a tragic sight. Twilight had only outlived every pony else by fifty years, having picked many new students through the years. Twilight interrupted the silence with a low moan, causing Luna to flinch, "There has to be something, she's suffering Tia." Luna whispered, her voice cracking.
"Even our magic is limited Luna, we can only sooth the pain," She sighed and continued. "You remember when Cadence died?"
Luna nodded, her face grim. "How could I forget? It was awful." Celestia nodded, recalling the day herself.
"Each Alicorn is different Luna, you and I were born as Alicorns, Twilight and Cadence were made into Alicorns."
"I don't understand, what does that have to do with anything?" Luna stared at Celestia, a confused look on her face.
"It all starts, with when Alicorns are born."
"You see, Luna, when an Alicorn is born they have an unbelievable amount of power. Like you and I. We were born Alicorns, our magic is stronger than any unicorn could ever have, it's so strong that our manes flow. Now, Cadence and Twilight were made into Alicorns, they gained more magic then they first had, but they still aren't as powerful as us." Celestia finished, turning her gaze back to her student. Using her magic to sooth the pain of the younger Alicorn.
"But Tia," Luna murmured, "How does that affect our life span?" Celestia glanced at her sister, surprised.
"Isn't it obvious, Luna? Our magic. Cadence and Twilight lived longer because their magical energy was raised and it kept them strong. When I turned them into Alicorns all those years ago, some of my magical life force was given to them, gifting them with a longer life along with wings and stronger magic." The ancient Alicorn bowed her head, tears falling down her face as the realization hit her sister.
"You mean, when their life energy runs out they die?" Celestia nodded, tears still streaming down her cheeks. "But, what happens to it? It's life energy, not magic, it shouldn't disappear."
"It doesn't." Celestia chocked out, wiping her tears as she straightened herself out. "It comes back to me, my magic gave them life, and when it runs out it takes it away and comes back to me. That's why it's so painful, her life is really being ripped from her body." Luna slowly nodded, sorrow once more overcoming her as she collapsed, her head bowed. The thought of some pony having to go through this pained the princess, she felt her heart break. She had attended the funerals of all of Twilight's friends, along with the ones of Spike, Shinning Armor, and Cadence. Now she was going to have to sit through Twilight's, she couldn't hold it back anymore, Luna let the tears flow. She bowed her head in defeat, the hot tears staining her cheeks, the fact that she had to endure another funeral broke the night goddess. The room fell silent once more, the only sounds heard were the machine beeps and the breathing of the ponies inside. Just then, the silence was broken with the sound of someone teleporting inside the room. "I'm here! Is she still alive?" Both princesses turned their heads at the sound of the voice they knew all too well, though normally cheery, it sounded concerned and even fearful. "Yes, she's still alive. But I'm not sure for how much longer, thank you for coming, Discord."
