Dawn of the Final Day

How pathetic am I?"

"Ponies face death every day, and here I am, cowering like a sniveling child."

"What makes my life any more valuable than theirs? They are all far stronger than I."

"No. No, I know I'm not alone. There is another who understands what I'm feeling."

"She tried to help me and I pushed her away, like always."

"How could I be so blind? She needed me just as much as I needed her, and I ignored her."

"I have to find her. I have to make this right."

"Luna, please... forgive me."

I hope it's still here. It's been so many years since I've come looking for it. What if something happened to it? I really don't need this right now.

No.

Not there.

There either.

It's not... oh wait, found it. Let's see here. Key goes in lock, quick turn and... there we go. I hope the preservation spell has held.

Thank goodness. I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't.

It's a shame I didn't think to cast that spell sooner. I can barely read it, the words are so faded. Such a shame. I can think of a few ponies that could have learned something.

I can think of one princess in particular who should have known better.

Huh. I think I can still make out the imprint of some of the words that used to be written here. Makes sense, I suppose. Dragons aren't usually delicate with their claws. It's very faint, there's only a few words that are clearly visible.

Your Faithful Student

Hmmm.

Not much to go on. That's alright. I can still remember what it used to say.

Her last letter.

There are very few things permanently etched in my mind. History is long and tedious, and I've lost track of what is true and what is simply rumor or legend. Perhaps I should have studied more. It's funny, I've made it my duty to instruct each new generation of magical talent, but I very much doubt that I could pass a simple history exam. What would my students think?

No, I have forgotten much over the years. Some of it on purpose, and some merely lost to the ravages of time on a weary mind. Earlier, I couldn't even recall the names of the early element bearers. I could have tried harder. I should have. They deserve better.

I have forgotten so many of their names, but never hers. Why didn't it occur earlier when I couldn't recall? Her name should have popped into my head immediately.

Perhaps, I never really thought of her as just another forgotten hero. Myths become twisted, more fantasy than fact. Legends fade over time. Notable figures become larger than life, until nothing of the real individual remains.

But, I never forget my friends.

I think I'll keep this with me for now.

I don't think I can face this alone.

I almost didn't visit. It was just too painful, but I couldn't do that to her. Not when she needed me. Not after everything she had done for me.

"Princess, is that you?"

I still don't know how I kept my composure back then. Hearing her voice like that, so weak, so fragile. I still get choked up thinking about it, but I needed to be strong, for her sake.

"I'm here. I'm right next to you."

She was a fighter, right up until the end. Robbed of her sight and too weak to stand, she still managed to push herself up to look me in the eye. Her eyes gave me chills. They were dead already, looking everywhere and nowhere at once, yet they still locked with my own. I knew at that moment, she was stronger than I could ever be. Fearless, even in the face of death.

"Princess..."

"Please, don't push yourself."

"Princess... I..."

"What is it? Do you need anything?"

"I... I left a letter for you... on the desk by the door."

Either fearless, or completely oblivious.

"I would have had Spike send it, but-"

"Shh... please, don't worry about that now. Just rest."

I shouldn't have been surprised that her top priority was still those friendship reports, even at the very end. I was actually frustrated at the time, thinking that she had spent her last days of life working on a homework assignment for me. She never thought of it as a burden though, that's just how she was. Now that I look back, I'm glad she wrote it.

Doctors hadn't expected her to hold on quite as long as she did. It was only a few extra days, but it was still seemed like a miracle. I know better now though. She couldn't let herself go. Not until she was done. Ever the faithful student.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I used to think it a shame that all ponies aren't blessed with your longevity, but I know better now. I always thought that I would fear death. I'm still not sure whether I should consider myself lucky to have outlived my friends and family. Each of their deaths scared me more than anything else, and only served to cement my own fear of the great beyond. Now that I face it myself, though, I find myself strangely calm.

I still feel like there is so much left to learn. It was always my goal to understand everything, but I don't think that was ever possible. There are some things that have always remained out of reach, even to the most diligent of scholars. There is so much left to learn in life, but life isn't eternal. Life is ever changing, and death is just the natural next step. Ponies fear the unknown, which I believe is the root cause of our fear of death. As a scholar, I have always made it a point to explore and explain the unknown, and now I realize that death should be treated no differently.

I am not afraid. Not anymore. On the contrary, the vast quantity of unknown information regarding death excites me. Will I meet my friends again? Will I simply float in a void? Regardless of the outcome, I will find an answer to a question I always thought out of my reach. I couldn't ask for a greater gift.

I know now why I used to fear death. One by one, my friends and family all left me, and a piece of me died with them. I feared death not because of pain or regret for a life unfulfilled. I feared death for its ability to tear ponies from their loved ones, and I hated it for taking my own from me. I know better now. I never feared my own death. What I truly fear is an eternal life surrounded by the deaths of those I love. Given that context, I consider death itself to be a mercy.

I know you will be around long after I am gone. This may sound odd given the circumstance, but I sincerely hope that we will meet again someday. I will continue my studies on friendship until then. Expect to read my magnum opus when that day comes.

Your Faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

"I'll be looking forward to it."

"I thought I'd find you here."

"Luna."