Princess Celestia stared at the letter. She dared not open it. Her eyes glistened with tears. She hadn't read it, but there was a deep feeling in her stomach. Like Nightmare Moon had dropped an icy boulder in there. All the carrier had said was: "I'm sorry."
No more, no less. Those two words had shattered her regal aura. Sure, she had spent hours weeping over her, but the tears still flowed. It is said that the tears of an alicorn can run forever. Celestia hoped it wouldn't come to that. She felt a presence in her room.
"Sister. You knew this day would come. She could not live forever. Nopony can. Even we have to die someday." Luna placed her hoof comfortingly on Celestia's shoulder. "There is always this risk. You pushed her to far, didn't you realize that? Twilight Sparkle could have had a full life, maybe even a few foals of her own. A family. But you had to take her in." The Princess of the Night circled her elder sister. "Sometimes, even you disgust me."
Celestia sniffled as Luna walked away, her hooves striking against the marble floor. She was right. If Twilight Sparkle hadn't become her student, this would have never happened. The Sun Princess warily reached for the letter. She didn't trust her magic. Magic could become dangerous if handled with a broken soul. Taking a deep breath, Princess Celestia unrolled the scroll.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
Hello. It's me, Twilight Sparkle. I wrote this letter in the hospital. The nurses tried to tell me everything was going to be fine, but I know they're lying. I'm going to die. No magic, love, or medicine can cure me. I suppose I should let you know how my friends are doing. Applejack... oh, Applejack. She's splintered so many trees. Dead, alive, even saplings. It's interesting to watch a pony that would give her life up for her family destroy its future. Pinkie Pie is gone. Gone, gone, gone. Her mane is flat, Allie ever does is starve herself in her room. Rarity went on a camping trip. To the Everfree Forest. I don't know why she went there, something about gems and cave ins. Whatever. I'm going to die in here anyway. Alone. The only ponies who ever come to see me are Nurse Redheart, Fluttershy, and Spike. He believes what the nurses say. He stands at my bedside every afternoon, telling me that I'm going to get better. Spike is a good kid. Can you make sure that he gets to you or Cadence? I don't want him to stay in Ponyville. It'll just make things worse. Too many bad memories and whatnot. he might blame you. Just... if he does, show him this letter. Spike, if you are reading this, I want you to know that I'm always there for you. Celestia once told me tat the ones we love never leave us they just move to our hearts. Don't you ever forget that.
Back to you, Princess. You may wonder how I got this way. I guess I should tell you. It's not like I can do anything else in this ridiculous hospital bed. If you ask me, the best thing to do is let me get some fresh air. But what do I know about my own health? I... was torn. I went on a gem investigating hunt with some unicorn who was worried about cave ins. So that's what Rarity was talking about. My memory isn't so good these days. I'm always so tired... so very tired. I try to remember the good times, before I got lost. I... was hunted. Chased.Those timberwolves. Oh, it hurt when they found me.. But not as much as when my friends discovered me. I was supposed to be strong. The one who never broke. And there I was. My body broken. I won't go into the details, but I'll tell you that my ribs had snapped and the bottom part of my spine was splintered. The doctor said that even if I survived, I could never walk properly again. But I don't mind. I'm going to die anyway. Who cares? You might think its mad of me to be laughing right now, but I feel like... so much. I have so many emotions, I don't even know why I'm crying. That's okay. Just remember these next words. You're a wonderful teacher, don't give up. Don't just lock yourself away. I know that even though I'm dying, I'll just move to your heart. Maybe then you'll be proud of me.
With Love For The Last Time,
Twilight Sparkle
PS- Enclosed is a copy of my will. Please give the to-be owners their respective items."
Princess Celestia wiped her tears away. She smiled slightly and tapped her chest. "Of course I'm proud of you, my faithful student." Twilight was right. She couldn't give up. Luna wasn't ready to take on the responsibility of both sun and moon. Besides, where would she go? Nowhere nice. Sighing sadly, she picked up the will. "Oh, Twilight..." She murmured, scanning the page. Celestia glanced out the window. The dawn was two hours late. She straightened her regalia and walked out on the balcony.
"It is said that the tears of an alicorn can run forever."
Luna once again entered. "Sister, do not forget the past, but do not dismiss the future. This was going to happen someday, regardless of being your student or not. Twilight Sparkle wouldn't want you to forget her, would she?" She closed her eyes. "Thou shall live on."
"Twilight would say that." She whispered, then with a graceful arc of her horn, spread her wings and raised the sun.
