A Look Forward. A Glance Back.
Twilight stood in the wan light of the spring dawn, surrounded by memories. She looked down at her bed, an old unicorn there lay as if sleeping. Spike, her dear friend, knelt at her bedside fast asleep, his head resting on the thick bedspread. He clutched one of the old unicorn’s hooves in one claw. She took in the sight of her room, filled with trinkets and books, pictures and dust. Her life had been exceptional as far as ponies go, but not through any real effort of her own. She had been fortunate enough to have wonderful friends.
Their friendship was so strong, their bond so tight, that they couldn’t even bear more than a month apart. Rainbow Dash was the first to move on, being the eager one as always. Not a week passed before Applejack followed after her long time friend and rival. Pinkie Pie decided that she was going out with a bang. Twilight had no idea how she did it; somehow Pinkie rigged several confetti cannons, sequestered throughout town, to go off at the same time. Fluttershy’s departure was quiet and soft, just as she had lived her entire life. Twilight was afraid that it would be hard on her animal friends, but they seemed to understand more than even she. Finally, less than a week ago, Rarity passed on in her beloved boutique, surrounded by friends and family. Spike hadn’t been the same since, it must have hit him harder than he had anticipated.
With every departure, Twilight could feel her heart giving out. A piece of herself left with each of her friends. She was present for every single one, to say goodbye, or at least a heartfelt “See you later.” She knew her time was soon coming, and so had prepared. She wrote her thoughts and feelings down for her family to have, making copies for her sons and daughters. She left a journal for Spike, there was a lot to say, and included her last will and testament in it.
The Evermind appeared beside her, as she knew he would eventually. It wasn’t sudden or startling, he was just there, as if he had been the whole time.
“Are you my angel, come to take me away?” she asked.
The teal stallion smiled. “I am what ever you need me to be. Are you ready to walk with me?”
She turned back to the bed, her eyes falling upon the sleeping and ever faithful Spike. “I don’t want to leave him. He has been by my side since pretty much the beginning and there he stayed until the end... I don’t want loneliness to be his reward.”
The Evermind nodded. “I understand, but the road of his life is long and he has much left to do. Do not worry, he will hardly be alone. I too can feel the currents of time, and it brings to me the knowledge that he will be great among dragons. You have taught him well, and he will see that your teachings are put to good use.”
Twilight smiled at the purple dragon, wishing she could give him a hug, just one last time. “I knew he would. I... I guess I never realized how hard it would be to let go.”
“You lived a full life, Twilight Sparkle. You created a shining legacy of knowledge, love and peace. You leave behind a strong and wonderful family who will continue in your example for many years to come. It is not so much letting go as it is moving on. Your time has come, your work is done. Follow me, to your rest.” The Keeper of Wisdom turned his back on the old unicorn and the sleeping dragon. Twilight followed suit.
Not a sound they made, as they walked through her beloved library. Her home for many years. The old tree had grown, some on its own, most with help from magic, to accommodate her growing family. Her sons and daughters were grown and had families of their own, foals of their own. All of them beautiful and wonderful ponies. Some of them slept in the other rooms, unaware of her leavetaking. The heavy door of her home opened to let her out into the spring light. The smells of blossoms and wet earth from the morning dew encompassed her. The air was cool and crisp, the breeze warm and soft. Thatched roofs of other pony’s houses dotted the landscape, crowding together as if for warmth near the town square. So many memories here.
She reflected on her life as she walked beside the silent Evermind. She came to this place a lifetime ago, searching for something she didn’t know she needed at the time. The destined friendship she found here was magical in every sense. There was no happier pony than she, even now at the end of it all. They walked the cobbled streets of the town, passing through silent as the hopes and dreams of its slumbering citizens.
On the road to Canterlot, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the Sisters Royal, awaited her. Celestia shone in her glory, radiant as the sun soon to dawn. Luna stood regal and proud, shrouded in the cloak of night’s passing. Deep smiles blossomed on their faces, reflecting the glimmer of their soulful eyes.
In unison they spoke, “Well met, Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic.”
“Hey, Twilight, what took ya so long?” From the unseen realm, Rainbow Dash flew, calling her salutation as she alighted from aloft.
“Yeah, about tahm ya turned up, sugarcube.” Applejack materialised from the morning mist, a smile on her lips and a swagger to her steps.
“Well, hay! The gang’s all here again!” Pinkie Pie bounced onto the road, her curly pink mane quivering with joy.
“Oh, there you are. Good morning, Twilight.” Fluttershy’s soft voice came on the warm breeze as the pony herself glided to the road.
“What a wonderful morning! All the better for the delight of seeing you, my dear.” Rarity’s kind voice rippled in the air like birdsong.
There they were, her friends. They all appeared as they did those many years ago when they first met, young and spry, full of life and ambition.
“Sorry to have kept you all waiting. There were a few last things to see to.” Twilight’s smile grew ever wider as she gazed on her dear friends. She turned to the Princesses, giving each a bow that both acknowledged with a nod of her head. “Princess Celestia... Is this, goodbye then?”
The white mare of the sun smiled one of her loving smiles. “For a time, yes. The unseen realm is not closed to either myself or Luna. We will visit you from time to time, it is good to converse with old friends and seek their advice, after all.”
“Advice? From me, Princess? Surely there still is more I could learn from you than you from me.”
Celestia laughed lightly. “Oh, Twilight. You spent your life trying to learn all that you could, when all the while you taught us more than what we could give you. This world is in your debt and owes much to all of you. Of all the ponies to learn from this experience, Luna and I have reaped the largest reward.”
The Evermind joined the alicorn sisters and spoke in a solemn tone, “Indeed, the Keeper of Light speaks true. If it were not for you, dear Twilight, none of this could have been. You taught me a lesson I have learned time and time again; fear, no matter how strong, is nothing in the face of even the feeblest of love.”
“And you taught me, Twilight Sparkle, to accept my past--and myself--as they are, but to hope for a better future. You taught me that, if given the chance, love will find a way to change even the darkest time into a cherished memory.” Luna proclaimed.
The three Keepers bowed to the six little ponies, saying as one, “We are forever in your debt.”
“There is no debt among friends,” Twilight breathed. “We owe just as much to you for your guidance and help.”
“Time is short. The transition comes to a close. Are you ready to pass?” The Evermind spoke.
Twilight Looked to her right and her left, her friends smiled and nodded. “We are. Lead on, Evermind.”
Passing through that invisible wall between the realms was much as Twilight had expected. She felt like she was going home. Home, where she would wait for her family to follow and in the meantime, learn and laugh with her friends.
For what waits beyond these mortal ties?Is it truly the end when we must die?Or can there be something more?A timeless expanse, for our souls to soar.A new opportunity that echoes still,Creation’s destiny to fulfill.
Dedicated to the Victims of the Aurora Movie Theater Shootings
