Even when their gone,
They will be close at heart.
The mid-evening sun gently glinted off the gold accents that adorned all of Canterlot. The soft light gave the capital of Equestria a warm welcoming and inviting feel. From afar one could say, that the light glinting off the capital was like a beacon. Beckoning for a lost soul to come home. "A beacon that has shown for far too long." Twilight thought as she looked at the city from a distant cloud.
Twilight picked up her quill and started to write on the last few pages of a book.
Sunsets are one of the most beautiful things I've seen on this planet. My journey started many years ago. When the sunset one last time for somepony. Since then, I've seen many things. But the only thing remained constant. Sunsets. But now, I long for something familiar and constant. So after all this time, I think it's finally time. To go home.
Twilight put the quill and journal back into her saddlebags. She slowly stood as and moved to edge of the cloud. Slowly tears formed in the purple Alicorn's eyes as she pulled her hood of her cloak over her head and jumped off the could.
After a few seconds of freefall, Twilight extended her lavender wings and caught the rushing air. Then proceed to slowly glided towards the main gate of the capital. She touched down a good distance away from the gate and joined the stream of ponies heading in for the night. Once she got closer to the gate Twilight stopped. Every fiber of her being was telling her to turn tail and run. That the pain would go away. If she just ran away.
But Twilight's thoughts were interrupted by a city guard "Is everything alright Ma'am?"
The Twilight looked at the city guard he wasn't young nor was he old. "Everything is fine, sir. It's just been a long time since I've passed through these gates."
The guard nodded his head "You know standing there, won't make you feel any better. You can run all you want but the pain will still be there. Sometimes you have to face those fears and accept what happened. Only then can the healing start."
"You're right, and thank you." Twilight gave soft smile as she crossed under the archway.
...
Over the many years, the Great capital city had changed in a few minor ways. Most of the changes were done to the city walls to increase the city's protection.
So Twilight decided to take one of the evening tours that were offered just to see if anything else had changed. For the most of the tour, Twilight's thoughts were confirmed in that very little had changed. But towards the end of the tour, the guide announced that their next stop would be Friendship Park.
I don't remember any park being called friendship park. Twilight thought as she kept up with the group, in a slightly confused haze. Till she saw the park. To many ponies Friendship Park was just a little park with a weird name. But to the lavender alicron, it was more than just a park.
The tour group walked under the rod iron gateway there in the center of the small park where six statues. Five of them were arranged in a semicircle around the sixth one. The tour group gathered in front of the central statue. "Here we have a memorial to the six heroes of Equestria. Many, many, many moons ago, this group of ponies saved Equestria no less than twenty times. But historians are not completely sure whether or not this particular group of ponies even existed, due to unclear documents." The tour guide informed the group.
The group of ponies gave various signs of approval. As they spread around the small park to take pictures or, to sit down on some of the benches to rest a bit. But Twilight remained in front her statue looking up at it. "So this what's become of the memories of my friends and I.
"A bit, for your thought's" A voice called out.
Twilight looked around and found the auburn coat and violet maned tour guide standing next to her. "So what do you think?"
The mare gave Twilight a sidelong look "About what?"
"About the six heroes?" Twilight motioned with her head.
The mare look at that the statues "I think that they did exist and they did save Equestria. What about you?"
A small smile adorned Twilight's lips "They existed. So which one is your favorite?"
The tour mare sat down on the grass and held a hoof to her chin "Well If I had to pick one it's the one in the center. I really wish I knew there name."
"It's Twilight."
The mare looked at Twilight who had taken a seat next to her. "What?"
Twilight raised her hoof and pointed at the statue in front of them "Her name was Twilight. Twilight Sparkle."
"Twilight Sparkle? It's a beautiful name. what how did you know that?" The tour mare asked.
Twilight looked at the statue "One day I found myself here, I wasn't in the best of places at the time. I was sitting here and looking that these statues and wondering who are they? Why do they seem so happy? What are their names? What was their story, and why did they look so happy? So I set out and searched everywhere for their names."
The mare was stunned "So did you find the other's names?"
"Yes, I did. In order from left to right Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and, Applejack." Twilight recited by heart.
The mare looked around at the statues "So how long did it take you to find out?"
"I don't know. But when I found their names I decided to find out the whole story."
"What did you learn from their stories?" The mare asked in bewilderment.
"The stories I found were that of triumph, generosity, perseverance, loyalty, bravery, kindness, shenanigans, laughter, romance and, honesty," Twilight replied.
"Could you tell me one of these stories?" The mare asked.
"let's go with, the quest to save the Crystal Empire. It all started when.." Twilight told the mare and the few others that had gathered around them the story of how she and her friends saved the Crystal Empire. "When the Crystal Heart was placed back on its pedestal and the Crystal ponies fill it with love. The energy was so great it caused a pulse of pure magic to be sent out and Sombra the King of shadows was destroyed." At the end of the story tour group thanked Twilight for the story and move back to looking around the park.
"Wow. What those six ponies, did it sounds crazy, like it was a work of fiction. And the way you told the story, it sounded like you were there yourself." The guide pointed out.
"Well, it's a bit out of habit now. I learned so much about them it feels like I was there and experienced every event with them," Twilight responded as she stood up and looked towards the castle.
"So.. if you're not doing anything after the tour, could. Would mine. umm.. sharing some more of their stories?" The mare asked hesitantly.
Twilight felt a warmth within her that she had missed and longed for. "I would love to share our stories, what was your name again?"
The tour mare smiled "I'm Retrospective Antiquity."
"That's a mouth full of a name do you have a nickname?" Twilight asked.
Retrospective Antiquity nodded her head "Yeah tell me about it. My friends call me Rety."
The words friends swirled around Twilight like the magic that made her into an alicorn "So does this mean we're Friends?"
Rety turned her head to a bit to the side "Not quite. But you do seem like a nice mare and quite knowledgeable. So I guess we can be friends. by the looks of it, you need some."
"I.. Thank you Rety," Twilight replied with a smile. After a moment Twilight had a question. "Hey Rety, Say you been on a trip that's lasted for years and now you're back where you started, what would you do?"
Rety was quiet for a minute "Well if that's the case I would go to my home to my loved ones even if there's only one pony left. Their still family and if none of them were still around I would go find my friends. If they were gone, I would find new friends. Because when you have either you'll find that your home. So what will you do?"
Twilight let her head drop as she looked down "I don't know. For so long I wanted to know and now the path is somewhat clear, but I'm afraid. I lost all but four of them and I don't know if I can face them. What do I do?" As she spoke tears slowly rolled down her muzzle.
"The only thing you can do is go back to those four because I have a feeling that they miss you as well." Rety replied in earnest. "I guess I'm not the first one to say that."
Twilight shook her head "You're not wrong. Countless ponies have told me that throughout my travels. But I don't know how they'll react after so long."
"Well, do they love you?" Rety asked
"Yes, each in the're own ways." Twilight replied.
"Well, then what you're waiting for! An invitation!" Rety exclaimed.
For the first time, Twilight really thought about the night she fled. There was one sentence that stuck out the last thing she heard When you're ready to come back know that we will welcome home you home with open hooves. Twilight looked back up at the statues. she got up and walked up to each of her friends and whisper a prayer for each of them.
She then found her in front of her own statue again and noticed the words inscribed on it.
A little while ago my teacher and mentor Princess Celestia sent me to live in Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which was something I didn't care much about. But now on a day like today, I can honestly say. That I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I made with all of you. Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful.
A hoof was rested on Twilight's shoulder, which caused her to look at Rety. Rety who wore a small smile "So what will you do now?"
"I think it's high time I stop beating around the bush and head home," Twilight affirmed as she turned towards the park's entrance.
"Hey I didn't get your name and what about our promise?" Rety called out.
Twilight turned around to see Rety and the group all looking at her. "Rety I won't forget but not tonight. If you're free tomorrow around noon meet me outside the castle gates." With that Twilight turned around and looked up at the castle.
"What about your name?" Retty called out again.
Twilight closed the distance between them and whispered into Rety's ear. All the while Twilight carefully unfurled her wings under her cloak."It's Twilight. Twilight Sparkle The Princess of friendship." Twilight gave mighty flap of her wings and made her towards the castle. leaving behind a stunned and flustered Rety
....
Twilight let the late evening sun guide her towards the Canterlot Castle gates. She touched downed a few blocks away and pulled her hood back over her head It's all the same. Even throughout all these years, it's still the same. Twilight thought as she walked towards the castle gate. The gate that was a few thousand years old and it still stood strong and forever there. Much like the rulers that lived behind it.
It took no time for twilight to reach a crowd of ponies that stood at the front gate. All shouting different things.
"Everypony if I could have your attention." A guard called out over the crowd. The crowd slowly quited down so that they could hear what the guard was about to say. "Thank you for your patience but due to safety concerns Canterlot Castle is closed to the general public until further notice."
The crowd was unhappy about the what said but slow one by one they left till only Twilight was left. She started to walk towards the gate. One of six guards that stood in front of the gate approached Twilight. "I'm sorry but the castle is closed for the time being."
Twilight nodded her head "I do know that I heard the announcement. But if I'm not mistaken Canterlot Castle is closed to the general public."
"Yes, that is correct." The guard confirmed with a bit of confusion in his voice. Twilight horn lit up as she pulled a small gold badge and gave it to the guard. The badge shape of the shield; on it's front a sun and with an opened book in its center. The guard flipped the badge over to reveal the Immaculate script
discere a praeterito.
The guard looked it over and then looked back at Twilight. "I must say in all my years of being stationed here I have never seen a such a high-quality forgery of the Princess Celestia's personal student seal." The guard said with a hearty laugh.
Twilight scowled "It's not a fake."
"Look, kid, I know that a lot of unicorns are not pleased with Princess Celestia's new personal student. But I have a feeling that she can do a great many things. If you give the lass a chance." The guard said as he gave Twilight back the badge.
"I didn't know she had a new student. When did this happen?" Twilight asked
"About ten months ago." The guard replied.
Twilight nodded her head as she placed the badge back into her saddlebag. "Well, that is interesting. So the closing of the castle has something to do with Celestia's personal student."
The guard nodded his head "Is there anything else?"
"Yes, could you please look at this." Twilight passed a scroll that she pulled from her saddlebag. The guard took it and unfurled it. A few seconds later he looked at Twilight then back to the scroll. "As you can see I'm allowed access to the Canterlot Castle even when it's closed to the general public," Twilight smirked as she took the scroll from the guard. "Now could you please open the gate?"
"Yes of course, right away ma'am." The guard moved quickly back to the other guards.
....
A little bit later Twilight found herself wandering the halls of Canterlot Castle. After a while of wandering, Twilight found herself in The Record of Time. The last rays shown through some of the stained glass murals that casted colorful shadows, that caused many memories to surfaced, as she walked down the hall. Twilight came to the one that had six elements and the tree. she recalled what she had said that day "It's, not the elements that will keep us connected, it's our friendship." The lavender pony felt a pang of in her heart as she thought of those times.
"What does that mean?"
Twilight looked around and found a young navy blue earth pony filly with a snow white mane and tail. Her saddlebags were embroiled with a light blue magical circle. "It means that even if something that brought ponies together is lost, you'll still be together. No matter distance or time."
The navy blue filly looked at Twilight "So who are you? I mean I know all the staff and you're not one of them."
Twilight thought carefully of what to say next and a small chuckle "I'm a wise old friend of the Princess, Young one."
"Oh. Can I get some advice on something?" The young filly asked as she rubbed her front hooves together nervously.
Twilight gave a soft smile "Yes of course. Tell me what is the matter, young one."
"it's Lilly."
"So what is wrong little Lilly."
Lilly took a breath "I'm Princess Celestia's personal student and.... I don't... how."
"How can you get other ponies to accept you?" Twilight inquired.
"Yes." Lilly replied quickly
"That is not an easy task for you. Many ponies want to be where you are and finding those who will stand by you when you need it, is a hard task." Twilight saw Lilly's head drop "But knowing Princess Celestia for as long as I have, I've learned that when she picks ponies to be her student they always find a way. No matter how hard the challenge will get, they persevere."
Lilly looked up into Twilight's eye's "How do I do that?"
"Simple my dear you make a friend," Celestia said from behind the two of them.
"But what if I can't find any." Lilly retorted as she turned to face Celestia.
"You will in time little Lilly," Luna replied in her ever wise tone.
"But what if they don't like me?" Lilly asked.
"Lilly, those who chose to be your friend will stand by you," Candace answered in a gentle tone.
"What if they leave me?" Lilly proposed.
"They won't, for friends that we speak of are ones who stand with you no matter what. For some bonds are thicker than blood." Flurry Heart said as she hugged Lilly.
Twilight keep her back to the group of ponies behind her as they spoke and joined into a group hug. she felt the sting of hot tears well up but she forced them down.
After a little bit, the group of ponies separated and Celestia spoke: "So Lilly who's your friend?"
"Oh that's umm, actually I don't know her name." Lilly replied.
"Then how did you meet?" Celestia asked.
"Well I was wandering around the Castle and I saw her looking at the murals and then she said something that was confusing. but she then explained it. Also, she said that she was an old friend of yours" Lilly summed up her interaction with Twilight.
"Old friend?" Celestia said quietly as she searched her memories.
Twilight took a breath and brought her hoof up to the clip of her cloak and unclipped it "It's been quite some time since we last saw each other. We all have changed of those years but one thing has remained the same." she stood up "You're all still here." Twilight turned around all the while discarding her cloak. She faced them all with wings extended low and a bittersweet smile adorned her muzzle. Over the years Twilight had changed she stood taller, and her wingspan had also increased. Her eyes were filled with a lifetime of experiences. And finally, she wore a necklace with five charms on it.
Twilight saw a mix of emotions in the room that start as confused looks then slowly changed to warm loving smiles. As Twilight looked at four other alicorns felt something well up inside. It was like a warm fire on a cold winter day. A moment later it clicked in her head. Twilight had heard other this filing before many called it Familial love, now she understood what she had missed all this time. With tears of joy in her eye's Twilight spoke as she hugged the other four "I'm home."
Author's Note
First off thank you for reading this story. I started writing this ten months ago on a wim and, after many iterations I finished it. I want to thank several people for all their help in making this story poseable Erina Tail Yellow, Applety, ShadoHawk.
Till next time. Keep your head up and stand resolute.