Two Thousand Birthdays

Princess Twilight Sparkle's magic wavered slightly as she held the envelope in front of her. Years of weathering had left stains of mould on what would have once been vibrantly pink paper, but the three balloons (and everpresent scent of cupcakes) left no doubt who it was from.

"... Princess?"

Twilight looked up at Arid Plains. It was unusual to receive mail at this hour and he had followed her down from the castle's reading room. One of her closest friends, he was a dusty brown earth pony of slightly below average stature. With a tumbleweed cutie mark, Twilight had often said his lazy eye was keeping watch for invasive flora as he worked out West. He was one of the few ponies that she allowed to call her "Twily".

And he never called her "Princess" unless something was wrong.

"What's the matter?" she asked back.

"You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I... oh," she took a moment to notice her body. Her breathing had sped up - as with her heartbeat - and she wiped away the tears that had started to form. She continued, voice wavering ever so slightly before steadying herself,

"I feel like I have seen a ghost. I've just received a letter from Pinkie Pie," she looked at the letter again, "or at least I think that's what this is."

Arid let out a humourless chuckle. "She passed away, what, fifteen years ago? That's some impressive organisation for a dead pony."

"Nearly fifteen years, yeah." Twilight sighed.

"What do you think it says?"

"I can't imagine. She was a party planning master when she was alive, and I have a weird sense that this is another one of her master plans."

"Maybe she's trying to organise your hundredth birthday from beyond the grave."

Twilight laughed at that. "That sounds like something she would do." It was still a few months before her birthday anyway.

The two ponies sat in silence for a few moments while Twilight contemplated what to do.

Arid broke the momentary silence, "how about I'll make you a tea and you can read the mad-mare's letter."

"That would be nice, Thanks Arid."

Twilight didn't even notice him trot away as her attention focused back to the letter. She felt her chest tighten once more as she thought about her earliest friends. She reminded herself of the time that had passed, the new friends she had made and the life she had lived, but this time she couldn't stop the tears as she remembered the meaning that these friends had given her life.

"If only I could see you one more time," she said quietly to herself as she opened the envelope and started to read.

My dear friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle,

HEY GIRL, MISS ME??? If you're hearing this message it means I'm already dead (kinda suspicious if you ask me). I can't believe Luna and Celestia never made me Princess of Party Planning. It must have been because I would be too powerful and sexy. Anyway.

We're coming to visit! See you in two days!

Ciao ciao,
Pinkie Pie (Princess of Party Planning)

"What?" Twilight couldn't help but utter.