Return

The Emptiness

The following morning seemed much darker than any other morning.  Celestia rose her sun to peak just above the horizon, and left the castle, along with Luna and Cadence.

They slowly rode through the streets on a carriage neatly covered in black silk.  Crystal Ponies opened their doors silently, observing the Princesses as they went by with tears in their eyes.  Some of them placed flowers they had neatly on the carriage.

Celestia only looked down in shame.  She had let Twilight go, not thinking of what could have happened.  Twilight was gone.  Every tear she wept felt like a memory of Twilight, slowly fading away in the crisp morning air.  Luna gently placed a hoof on her sisters shoulder

"I'm sorry Celestia..."She spoke.  "I know she was a dear friend to you...to all of us."Celestia held her response briefly.

"She was more than a friend to me...I looked at her as if she were my own...she was family."Celestia looked into Luna's eyes.  Luna pulled her sister in, and held her in a comforting hug.

"I know she was..."The carriage came a stop upon a river that flowed through the city.  Celestia picked up the small picture of Twilight she had retrieved, and climbed to the ground.

Many of the crystal ponies followed, each with a candle which would float on the water.  Celestia wrapped the frame in black fabric, covering the picture.  She slowly brought it to the river side, where she carefully placed it in the water.

As she released her magic, the current took the picture, and it slowly floated away.  Candles weren't short to follow, as they were placed carefully, and released to follow the picture.

"Rest In Peace..."Celestia quietly spoke.  "My daughter."

The weakened Unicorn groaned as a quiet, distant voice filled her mind.  She felt herself become aware of a wetness spreading over her forehead.  Slowly, her eyes rose, and came to see a familiar face treating her need of aide.

"Yes, open your eyes.  Can you hear my voice?"Zecora spoke softly.  "I'm glad I found you.  You were in a terrible condition, very close to death."

Twilight lied still in the bed incredibly weak, and very sore.  She looked down, and saw a cast around her right foreleg.  "Easy Twilight.  You must rest if you are to regain your strength and might."

Twilight simply nodded and closed her eyes again to return to a sleep which her body so deeply needed.