You're more valuable than you think
A sombre, cloudy day had settled outside. It seemed just the perfect weather for the day's occasion. I was lying in bed, ready to breathe what would be the last few. I stirred ever so slowly as in my old age, I couldn't move any faster. Not like I used to.
Not that leaving would mean so much. I am, after all, just a pony in the background. Ordinary as can be. I carry on with life while watching the six heroes rush off again to save the day. I remembered how me and my consort had spent long hours palavering about those six. I told Bonbon how normal I felt when they were around. Bonbon disagreed and told me I was just as special. Of course, she did. She was my best friend, then my girlfriend, and then my wife.
She passed a few years before me. I had felt terrible that day. I'd broken down and sobbed as Bonbon let out her final words. She told me to not worry as I would join her in the next world in just a bit. Turns out, she wasn't wrong.
However, I still had enough energy to meet with a certain pony. I still couldn't believe it. The very ruler of Equestria wanted to see me. Sometimes, even I can't help but feel proud when I realize the very filly I went to magic school with is now a monarch. Powerful and overly achieving. What had surprised me more, though, was that she had remembered me. She hadn't long forgotten me like I thought she did.
So now I waited for her arrival.
A half-hour passed until I heard a knock on the door. I used my telekinesis to open the door and let her in. She stepped through, allowing me to get a clearer look at her.
She was as tall as Celestia now. Her wings were larger than they were when she was a scholar princess. Her horn was longer, as well. Her mane flowed with its non-existent wind like that of the previous royal sisters. Her hooves, neck and head were adorned with garments the color of gold. I had to admit she looked beautiful.
Twilight came closer and sat down at my bedside. Her eyes softened with a sad, lonely gaze. "Greetings, Lyra Heartstrings. How are you feeling?" There was a faint wobble to her voice. I knew she was trying with all her willpower to not lose it and burst into tears.
I felt bad for her.
"I'm feeling bored," I responded.
The monarch nodded. She dipped her chin downwards, but I caught the quivering of her lips, the liquidy glisten to her eye. My gut told me she wasn't going to bear the next few minutes of this so brightly. I grieved for her.
It must be awful being in her place.
I reached out and placed my hoove over hers. I had to do something to comfort her. "Hey, listen. It's not that bad. Please don't let this damage you. It's not like you caused it. It happens naturally to every mortal." My efforts did little to nothing.
Tears were already pouring down her face. After a few attempts at controlling herself, she spoke. "That's right. You're a mortal. I'm immortal. That means every time I befriend a mortal pony, I'll have to watch them die. And this cycle will happen repeatedly."
I gazed at the wall sadly. There was nothing to say about that. "I know. I guess that's the price of immortality."
Twilight took off her crown and placed it on the bed. "You're lucky, you know? To be mortal. You will die alongside every other mortal and that means you will get to see your loved ones again. You will be with your friends, your family and your lover again. Whereas me? I live on. I continuously watch ponies come and go. And... I don't know how much longer I can live with that."
I tilted my head thoughtfully. "That's funny. I always thought you were the lucky one to at least have the type of legacy everyone will remember. Me though? I was just a pony in the background. Is that worth remem-!?"
"Stop right there!" Twilight snapped. "Don't you dare finish that sentence! The fact that you're a pony in the background is the main reason why I envy you. Do you honestly think that I like being special? Well here is your answer. I don't like being special. I don't want to be special. I don't want to be an alicorn. I don't want to be a princess. Sometimes I wish to straight up rip these blasted wings from my back. I don't want them. I! DON'T! WANT! THEM!!!!!!"
She was a complete mess by the time she stopped talking to catch her breath. Her body was shaking and loud, heartbreaking sobs escaped her lips. I suddenly regretted all those times Bonbon and I thought Twilight and her friends secretly liked all the attention. I wasn't too sure about her friends. But the way Twilight was slumped against my bedside looking sorrowfully, I could see with perfect clarity how she hated being who she was now. I felt really bad.
I reached out and brushed her bangs out of her eyes. "I understand how you feel. Maybe not directly but sympathetically. But look, you were given those wings for a reason. Your former teacher, Princess Celestia trusted you and believed you would make a great leader. If you rip them off, Princess Celestia likely won't be pleased."
Twilight wiped her eyes, not that it did much. "You're right.," she mumbled sadly. But then her head jerked up again. "But you're wrong about you. I don't care if you're just a pony in the background, everyone matters. And besides, you were the first pony I spoke with in magic school. You made a difference to me and others like Bonbon. You are worth remembering Lyra. And I will make sure of it."
I smiled at her. "Thank you."
Twilight smiled back. "Trust me, Lyra. You're more valuable than you think."
Then I felt a sudden darkness overtake me. I felt my body drifting off. I knew what that meant. And even if I didn't want to, I had to tell Twilight.
"Twilight," I said, my voice small.
"Yes?'
"It's time."
Twilight's eyes widened with terror instantly. Her wings dropped. All hope and brightness left her demeanor like a candle flickering off. She lunged forward and grasped onto my shoulder. Tears were streaming out of her eyes already. "No, no, NO!!!!"
I felt tears coming out of my own eyes. "It's okay," I assured. "Please don't damage yourself. Nature does this, not you." My efforts were useless.
"Please don't go!!!" Twilight sobbed. "Please don't-hiccup-leave me!!! Please Lyra. Can't you stay a bit more?"
I squeezed her hoof. Wishing I could do anything to help the broken alicorn. "I'm sorry. But I can't. Nature says it's time to go. I'm very sorry."
I laid my head against the pillow. I felt my soul going towards the sky, beyond the stars.
"NOOOO!!!!" Twilight screamed. Her voice wasn't so loud though. It got quieter and quieter every second. "NO LYRA!!! Don't leave me."
The last sentence I heard was the same.
"Don't leave me."
It was a whisper. A few more seconds passed and her voice went quiet. A blackness rushed to my vision, causing me to close my eyes. The last breath left my body.
I drifted off like falling into an endless dream.
Author's Note
I don't know why exactly I wrote this. It was sad.
