It was a bright and sunny day outside accompanied with a light breeze that flowed through the small community of Ponyville, now known for being a 'country bumpkin' town and also the residing home of Princess Twilight Sparkle herself.
Twilight gazed enviously out of her castle window, her chin resting on her hoof and a pen floating nearby. She saw many familiar faces each smiling and walking alongside their special some ponies or even little fillies. She saw griffins, travelling dragons and other enchanting species residing happily alongside each other.
Ponyville was now a town of co-existence and peace where everybody accepts each other and works together to make everyone happy. It no longer had ponies who resented other species for they had admittedly all passed on, and Twilight worked hard on sharing friendships with every pony.
Although now she resides in her castle and writes books on spells she's developed herself so that future generations could gain knowledge and wisdom with her insight. It should feel like an honor as it is a goal she'd desired since she was a filly herself but... once Spike reached an age and height that he could no longer live with her, she couldn't find the inspiration to write. A part of her left with him that day, leaving her to stay in a huge isolating castle. Even on days where she'd intentionally leave the doors open for any pony or any creature to visit, none ever did to seek her. It left her feeling more deflated and lonely, when she thought on how her mentors Celestia and Luna coped with being rulers she remembers that they have one another for company and presence, Twilight didn't have any pony.
Knock Knock.
The pen fell to the floor and ink spilled on the blank paper, she scoffed and threw it all with her magic into the bin next to the writing desk. She noticed just how full it was of scrunched up papers and made a mental note to empty it out later before walking briskly towards the door.
The mail ponies knew it'd take her a few minutes to get to the door so they waited patiently for her. They also knew she was prone to shutting the door before getting a signature so he waited with the parcel resting on his left front hoof and pen and paper was ready for her to sign before picking it up.
He heard the door unlock and the door opened with a bright purple glow, her majesty Twilight Sparkle stood tall and was adorned with a golden necklace with pink diamond embedded and shaped as her former cutie mark, smaller white diamonds were placed next to her own. She had gold bracelets on her hooves with similar markings and jewels as her necklace.
Her wings were tucked to the sides but her mane was lovely blends of pink, purple and yellow to show the harmony between night and day, creating a beautiful twilight sky which conveyed a never ending trail of little stars that glimmered and sparkled with her every movement. Between her fringe and horn was her crown that shimmered in the morning light. It had remnants of the tree of harmony embedded on it, it was the only thing that was bittersweet about the princess as it was a reminder of her friends---
"Can I help you?"
The mail ponies face went bright red, "I- I apologise! Your majesty! I have a parcel for you, would you please--?"
Before the pony could finish Twilight had already picked up the parcel and closed the door, retreating straight into her personal library. On her way she examined it, turning it upside down, sideways and even giving it a little shake.
"I hardly receive anything these days except letters from Celestia and Flurry Heart..." She muttered to herself.
Her closed off library housed her most prized and special books that for some wouldn't mean much but to her, they held memories of past adventures and of times where she and her friends had learnt powerful lessons that would help them stop whatever villain had threatened peace in Equestria. Their were also books that her friends had bought for her or even owned themselves. Some of her fondest books are the ones that her friend Rainbow Dash owned, ones that had little notes in that she'd sent off to Daring Dash for her to improve on or even grammatical errors, they were particularly hard to get back. But her status often meant she got her way.
Unlike the rest of her castle the library was also home to her dear friend Owlicious when she lived, now her offspring lived their was continued to thrive, taking care of her books and occasionally bringing Twilight ones that she could read when she felt particularly lonely. Right now they were looking after the babies that had hatched only a few days prior, leaving Twilight to sit in her comfy corner where she unwrapped the parcel with care, taking the green bow off first before taking the paper off with her magic.
She brought it closer to the light and grasped it with her hooves. It didn't surprise her much that it was a book but the fact that it was a dark purple with an odd scaly texture and no title, did strike it odd. It was old too judging by the worn corners and the smell, which was a mixture of coal and ink. It made her uneasy by how familiar it was.
Using her magic she brought a desk over to her seat and placed the book down, her back straightened, she flicked the first few faded pages until two unoriginal words caught her eyes.
'Dear Diary,'
She quickly closed it, a feeling of invading privacy thundered down her spine. "Should I read this?" Twilight pondered, she brought the wrapping back over, examined it over and over until she reached the conclusion that yes it was meant to be delivered to her and not some other pony. So naturally she had rights to read it. She carried on.
'Dear Diary,
I've been given this blank book or 'diary' to record any thoughts or feelings that I have, now that i'm no longer considered a baby. I've had my wings for a few months now and almost became king of dragons before that but it's only now that I'm recognised and actually taken seriously because of Applejack.'
'I've just starting writing in this and Twilight is already telling me that it's wrong. She wants me to start with my earliest memories first and then I can write what I want now. But I don't think their are enough pages to write all my memories so... maybe I should just start with my most fondest memories?'
'I guess one of my fondest is growing up with Celestia and Twilight. When I was old enough (maybe a year old?) Twilight tells me how I moved in with her and her parents. They made changes to the house with funds from Celestia so that it could accommodate me and my fire (Note: I couldn't control it back then!). I think personally it was a test from Celestia herself to see if Twilight had the natural ability to care for others, likely to see if she could be a good ruler herself one day. Celestia always planned ahead and I guess it paid off.'
'We have had our good days together me and Twilight but also bad ones... I don't want to write them down. I ca-- rem--ber t-- o--e ti---e whe---- - sn---k ---o --- ---------- a-d ---------- up --------- havoc and even ------- up ch----ing a -------- -air into an afro. -- ------- I -------- in -------- --oves but ---- so I ca---- hel----- bu----t--------g back -- ---- -------- an- -h--e----- la------.'
'Page one... spilled ink on it... Good job Spike.. maybe I should try that old trick! Apple juice Think that's enough for today.'
She couldn't read anymore so with care, Twilight closed the book and wiped the tears that threatened to fall. "Oh Spike..." She sniffed, "I miss you..."
Sensing her distress, Owlicious's son perched on the table, he tilted his head and floofed his feathers to get her attention.
"I'm sorry." She suddenly stood, her magic pushing the desk aside slightly as she walked by, her eyes downcast, "I need to see her..." she muttered.
Owlicious's son's head turned towards her, seemingly understanding what she meant, he flapped his wings and took off towards the roof. Their was a click and a small patch of the roof opened up, Twilight spread her wings and took flight outside the castle.
The skies were clear save for the city for Cloudsdale which had grown significantly over the years, due to expansion of Equestria and demand of consistent weather. Though her interest wasn't in the city, her eyes stayed focused on the ground until the houses in Ponyville thinned until it was nothing but dirt trails which lead to the faded wooden gates.
With practice and grace she landed before them and read the sign, a feeling of nostalgia hitting her head, making her heart swell with memories and love.
'Sweet Apple Acres'
She could've flown straight to the barn but she wanted to see for herself how much time hadn't seemed to have affected this small portion of Equestria's most important history. It had been documented as many things over the years but anyone who took a step here felt the strong work ethic but the even stronger family bond.
In the distance she could here ponies bucking the apple trees and faintly she could see some Pegasus ponies with watering cans in their jaws. She laughed to herself, they were never ponies that liked to rely on technology even if it would've made their lives easier. "It makes the apples taste even sweeter when made with love."
The path was long and bumpy but it brought many memories, though none compared to seeing the old barn itself with a new fresh batch of paint on it. It still had the same markings as the day she moved here. It looked more worn from the weather but it still stood strong and proud. Like her dear friend Applejack.
Walking out the barn was a young mare, her mane was light brown from the long hours of work, she had grassy green eyes and little freckles dotted on her face. Alongside her was an older pony, her mane had little colour left from the years of exposure to the elements but was tied back with little stray hairs loose, she looked tired but smiled as she walked, her old knees were wobbling a little as she walked with a little wagon attached to her, it was filled with jars of various jams, both apple and pear.
"Mama let me carry that for you, it's too heavy." The mare fretted, she attempted to unlatch the wagon from the older pony but she shook her off.
"Nonsense lil filly ah am stronger than ah---" She stopped her eyes met with Twilight's and swelled with tears, "Ah don't believe my eyes..."
The mare took this moment to take the saddle off her mother, "Princess Twilight Sparkle?" she watched as her mother moved with haste to the princess.
Twilight walked to her friend faster and held her close. She felt tears flow down her cheeks as she could feel every bone in her friend's body, all the years of working on the farm taking a toll on her bones. For Applejack it was no surprise her friend looked near exactly the same as she did nearly sixty years ago, becoming an alicorn slowed her body clock, it would take her thousands of years before she looked anything like her.
Applejack pulled back to have a look at Twilight, "Look at you, you haven't changed much." She looked like a princess.
"Applejack, I'm sorry--"
"Come on inside, Sugarcube will grab us some sweeet~ apple juice." She turned towards the house, "Won't you sweetie?"
Twilight and Sugarcube exchanged looks but before Twilight could let on that she felt hurt for being ignored Sugarcube got her attention, "Don't worry none. Mama's hearing isn't so great."
"Oh." Twilight sighed, following Sugarcube into the house.
"Mama has a chair in the room there, take a seat whilst I get refreshments."
Sure enough you could hear the creaking of an old rocking chair and when Twilight poked her head round the door way she could see Applejack resting on the chair, her hooves up and back resting comfortably on a fluffy cushion. She recognised it as Granny Smith's old chair though now it had, had a fresh coat of paint and new pillows.
"Come on in sweetie, let's have a lil talk." Applejack said gesturing to the couch, she waited for Twilight to sit down before speaking, "Ah ain't seen you for a long time... why is that? and don't lie, I may be older but I still can sniff out a lie when I hear it."
Twilight smiled sadly but spoke a little louder then when she was outside, "I've been reading and writing to Celestia and Luna."
Applejack shook her head, "Now that ain't nothing new sugarcube. Ah wanna know why you haven't seen any of us in so long? Did we upset you?"
"No! Not at all! I just... ever since Spike left I...."
"Sorry to interrupt but I have the apple juice... here you go mama." She put the drink next to Applejack's chair but Twilight used her magic to grab her drink, "I'll be making jam if you need me." She excused herself quickly.
Applejack picked up her drink and guzzled it down, leaving hardly anything left, she swirled it and contemplated what to say. Twilight took a few sips, she had words on the tip of her tongue but she felt ashamed. For being a princess of friendship, she had unintentionally failed at maintaining her own friendships in favor of helping others. Then expected her friend to just welcome her back with open arms unchanged? Time waits for no one and for Twilight it was harsh, forty years of her own life was nothing but to the ponies like Applejack it was precious.
Twilight wondered if maybe she should just leave? Maybe coming here wasn't a good idea. Though now she wondered just what brought her here to begin with. She read a page of Spike's personal diary that mentioned Applejack and felt compelled to be here, a reminder of her friend. Applejack put the cup down on a table next to the chair, it creaked and Applejack laughed, cutting the silence with her hiccupped laughter. Twilight smiled and put her own cup down, when it creaked again the two laughed together, it broke the horrible mood and made them smile.
"Haha, sounds like me does that ol' table..." She wiped the tears from her eyes, "Ah reckon that you had your reasons for not being here, and ah understand. What matters to me is that you are here now and well we'd best make the most of it ah think... sweetie what's wrong?"
Tears fell from Twilight as she couldn't believe how her friend forgave her so easily and without so much explanation. She felt regret from not being here, Applejack had fillies of her own and Twilight knew nothing of them, she didn't dare let her mind drift to her other friends for it heart was breaking enough.
Lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear Applejack shuffle out of the chair. She felt her warm body holding hers, her wings and hooves pulled Applejack closer, "I'm so sorry..." she hiccupped, "I've missed so much and..." Twilight sobbed as Applejack rubbed what part of her back as she could, "Now your older and I can't do anything!"
She cried for a while but Applejack didn't pull back once or stop rubbing her back to comfort her. She nodded as Twilight rambled and cried, she hushed her as she had many times for her young fillies. Slowly she rocked them until Twilight eventually stopped crying, she held her close, the only noise left was the ticking of the grandfather clock.
"You are here now sweetie..." Applejack whispered her voice tired, "Make the most of your time with us now."
Sugarcube came into the room as the clock struck two, "Mama are you and Twilight ready for lunch? The boys are already tucking into the food."
"You tell them boys we got guests and they should be more respectful." Applejack huffed, pulling out of Twilight's embrace.
Twilight put her wings back to the sides and rubbed the tears from her sore eyes but couldn't stifle the chuckle as the two playfully bickered.
She enjoyed the rest of the evening at Sweet Apple Acres, meeting the whole family, a fine mixture of Apples and Pears. She toured around the farm with Applejack by her side and even bucked a few trees. She used her magic to bring and place a few flowers in respect for Big Mac and Granny Smith which were picked from a botanical garden in the castle. By the time the sun was setting she helped Applejack back to the barn and placed her in her favorite chair.
"Come and see me again sometime." Applejack smiled, "I'll ask Applebloom to bring her fillies, oh! And of course you must try Sugarcube's zap apple jam, it's beautiful." she yawned.
"I'd be happy to... in fact would it be okay if I wrote you letters? I'll send Owlicious's son to bring messages to you and if you want, you can send one back?"
"Sounds wonderful darlin'."
Twilight saw her friend fall asleep from the long day, Sugarcube politely walked with her to the gate, "I hope to see you more often Princess Twilight."
"Oh, you can just call me Twilight." She said casually as she opened up her wings.
"Okay, Twilight." Sugarcube smiled and waved the princess off.
The flight home was brief but she looked forward with a smile, excited for what tomorrow could bring.
Twilight woke that morning feeling cheery and refreshed, the events yesterday still filling her heart with happiness and love. A pen and paper hovered over towards her and wrote down thoughts on her mind, a habit she made since becoming an official princess was to document her earliest thoughts and ponder over them later on for inspiration.
'I feel great this morning after making amends, I want to rekindle friendships so we may all sit together once more and be happy.'
As her magic set the pen and paper down she threw off the soft violet blankets and hopped off the bed. She didn't have to consciously think to put on her royal trinkets as her magic was accustomed to putting them on every morning, as well as comb her hair and straighten out her long wings.
"I think I'll read some more today." She said to no one in particular though she always imagined that the baby owls that were exploring their shared home would be listening.
It was a few minute walk to her secluded library, on the way, their was a spot where a desk was put next to a large window with no art on. It was a place where she'd sometimes hope to find inspiration from the ponies in her hometown. The bin full of paper caught her eye again, she trotted over and was about to lift the contents out when her ears perked up upon hearing a distant clap of thunder, it went silent for a few minutes before it was followed by torrential rain.
She looked outside to see ponies, dragons and animals flee from the weather change. A particular trio of ponies caught her eye, quickly, she dashed to the front door and unlocked the door with speed that she was sure that one of the locks have broken with the sudden act. She didn't care at that moment, however, and opened it.
Her eyes darted around for the ponies, they weren't initially visible due to the amount of rain pouring down. "Can some pony let us in?!" One of them called but it was drowned out by the heavy rain and thunder, "Please! My friend is due soon, she needs shelter!"
Twilight still couldn't see them, so she stepped out into the rain and cast a spell that illuminated around her, with her loudest 'Canterlot voice' she yelled and waved, "Over here!"
It seemed to work as she could hear them dashing over, two of the three ponies grabbed the third and carefully dragged her over. One of them used their magic to hover a large leaf over the third ponies head. Twilight kept the spell on until they were close to her, her mouth dropped at the shock of who the three were. She knew that the colours of them were familiar.
"Oh my gosh, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and... Apple Bloom?"
"Good to see you Twilight!" Scootaloo said a little wave but her hooves were supporting her friend for her to properly wave.
The four of them went into Twilight's castle and with more care, she closed the door behind them.
"I can't believe it's you, you've all grown up." Twilight was smiling so happily, "Here I'll dry you off." She closed her eyes as her magic flared up, warming the four ponies until they were dry.
The three of them had hardly changed over the years; Scootaloo's mane was a little longer but had pins to keep it out of her eyes, Sweetie Belle's mane was the same as it was when she was younger but she also wore a little more make-up now with the help, no doubt, from her older sister, only Apple Bloom's mane was noticeably different with it being longer but combed back, it looked similar to her older sister's now but instead of the bow in her hair, it was a bandana around her neck.
"Ah can't believe my lucky stars." Apple Bloom started, "I thought you'd moved up to Canterlot Twilight."
"Yeah!" Came Sweetie Belle's still high pitch voice, "We all thought you'd gone to live with Celestia to become the next ruler or something."
"Rainbow Dash hasn't spoke about you so I thought you'd gone or something." Scootaloo said with a shrug as she flapped her still small wings.
"No... I've always been here..." Twilight rubbed her back hoof awkwardly on the other, "I guess I lost touch with everyone near me..." She shook her head, "But I wanna make amends!"
"Hehe you never change huh Twilight?" Scootaloo smiled.
"I dunno." Sweetie Belle hummed, "She looks like a princess that's for sure."
Twilight felt a little blush on her cheeks, "Do you girls want some scones? I got a package from Sugarcube corner just the other day."
The trio looked at each other for a moment before nodding in agreement, "That'd be wonderful Twilight." Apple Bloom nodded.
The four of them trotted to the 'friendship room' where their were seats for each of the elements, including Spike. It wasn't far but it passed some of window murals of their many adventures for Equestria.
"Wow! These look amazing Twilight!" Scootaloo said excitedly, "I can't believe what you and our sisters did for Equestria..."
"Yeah it became so normal at one point, we all just kinda didn't notice."
"It's ah wonder how ma sister managed to work the farm and save Equestria." Apple Bloom laughed, "I can barely cope as is!"
"We all supported one another back then. I suppose..." Twilight replied with no ill intent.
They entered the grand room and the trio gasped together as they took in the beautiful memorial to the home Twilight once lived in and the new memories made in this one. The colours bounced off the walls and their was an unshakeable vibe of happiness through the air.
"This room is closest to the kitchen so I hope you don't mind if we sit in here?" Twilight gestured to the table.
"Why is it next to the kitchen?" Scootaloo asked, her head whipping around to see the whole of the grand room.
"Oh, that's because Pinkie used to make us cakes when we'd meet up." Twilight said offhandedly as she walked over to the door, "I won't be a moment, please take a seat."
On the counter was a pink box with blueberries painted on the sides, on top was see through so customers could see their baked cakes. She trotted over and her magic was quick to grab plates, cutlery, cups and saucers, milk, sugar, cream, jam and was capable of putting the kettle on the oven to boil. It all hovered nearby as she grabbed herself the box of scones, which were a mix of blueberry and cherry.
As she neared the door she could hear the three of them giggling at each other and she smiled herself at the thought of entertaining guests again. She opened the door and her magic placed everything before the trio. With Scootaloo sitting at Rainbow Dash's seat, Sweetie Belle in her sister's spot and Apple Bloom resting on her sister's seat.
Their attention was brought to Twilight as she put the scones down in front of Apple Bloom, of whom was seated in the middle of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, "Pick any, I have cherry and blueberry scones."
"Oh Twilight this is too much!" Apple Bloom said though her mouth was near watering with the treats nearby, "Although ah don't suppose it'll do much harm to have one..." She picked a cherry scone.
Sweetie Belle was quick to pick a blueberry scone, as well as Scootaloo who picked the same. As the three of them buttered and put either jam or cream, or both on their scones, Twilight grabbed the tea and poured them a cup full, before finally taking a seat herself and grabbing a cherry scone.
"I saw your sister the other day Apple Bloom. The farm hasn't changed much, nor has your sister." Twilight said before taking a sip of her tea.
Apple Bloom was stirring milk into her tea, "Yeah, only thing that'll ever change is the paint. Hope this weather doesn't ruin it." She sighed, letting the spoon sit in the cup.
"It'll be okay Apple Bloom, me and Sweetie Belle are more than happy to help out again. Won't we?" She gestured towards Sweetie Belle, who was about to take a bite out of her scone.
It hovered near her, "Of course!" She said enthusiastically before taking a bite.
"I can also help if you ever need it." Twilight pitched in.
Her cheeks were pink from their kindness, she shrugged, "That's mighty kind of y'all but we actually are pretty good right now. Most the family is over to help with the apple bucking season so they can help whilst their here."
"Oh that's right! How is Vanilli?" Sweetie Belle asked, "Y'know considering..."
"She's okay, we all knew he wasn't well... I just wish he could've met my young uns."
"Yeah---" Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked to their sides.
"Wait! what do you mean?" Twilight cutting them off, her hoof hitting the table.
They were taken aback for a moment but quickly realised her confusion, "Oh! Silly me!" Apple Bloom put her scone down and leaned back a bit, "I'm expecting fillies any day now." She blushed as she rubbed her tummy, "This is ma last lot of fillies."
"You said that last time!" Scootaloo huffed though she was quick to roll her eyes, "I still think you're gonna have another foal."
"No! I wanna filly, all my others were foals." She rubbed her tummy, "It'd be nice to spoil her... uh... Twilight?"
The three of them looked over at her, she was wiping her eyes but tears kept falling down her cheeks, "Sorry." she laughed, "I just can't believe you are all grown up and having fillies of your own."
"Wait till you meet mine," Sweetie Belle said as her magic grabbed another scone, "I only have one, he runs Carousel Boutique with his cousin."
"Come over soon Twilight, before the apple season ends! I'm sure ma sister would love to introduce you to our family."
"I'd love that." Twilight smiled.
After the rain had cleared Twilight saw the trio off. She waved until she could no longer see them. Her magic was already clearing their mess away, she could feel it, a reminder of the many times she'd help clean one of Pinkie Pies parties.
She was about to go back inside when she could see the start of a beautiful rainbow being made in the sky by adolescent Pegasus ponies. Usually the leader of the unicorns would be in front of them, guiding them, the action would be so quick that normally you'd only see the finished product.
It finished nicely and Twilight watched on as they all scrambled back up the sky, presumably back to Cloudsdale but one caught her eye. It drifted apart from the others and headed towards Ponyville, going such speed that Twilight could hardly keep her eyes on it long. It got closer and closer, the sound unbearably loud, her eyes cringed and wings automatically covering her ears, faintly she could hear, "WATCH OUT!"
Her eyes opened and the Pegasus was close, she took a step back but couldn't move fast enough. Pure instinct cast a spell that cushioned them both as they crashed into one another. They tumbled back into the castle, pulling the carpet with them and dust. Her head hurt and she coughed as the dust settled.
"Are you okay?" Twilight asked, the pony was laying on top of her now and her wings were wrapped around them, "Sorry!" Twilight unwrapped her wings and felt her heart skip.
The pony sat themselves upright, she rolled her shoulders and stretched out her messy wings, "Not my best landing huh?"
She couldn't believe it.
"Rainbow?"
Author's Note
This is an in-between kinda chapter. I wanted to introduce other characters 
and also hopefully include their own young fillies or foals.
I hope it's okay... I'm not as confident about this chapter as the other.
Any critique or good thing about this chapter, i'd love to read it!
