The Humble Grave

The lightning flashed and the thunder cracked like a whip, acommanying the heavy rain which came down in dense sheets, soaking anyone and anything unfortunate enough to be exposed to the unforgiving elements. Most ponies were wise enough to stay inside, as they knew that only a few seconds in such a terrible downfall had the potential to cause pneumonia.

Any and all doors in the beautiful city of Canterlot were shut tight, their inhabitants huddled inside, speaking with one another, dining, reading...anything to keep their minds off of the inescapable monster outside.

Little did they all realize, death was just as inescapable as the storm, even for someone as old and wise as their ruler, Princess Celestia.

The storm stretched far and wide, affecting not only Canterlot, but also Ponyville and much of the surrounding area. In Ponyville, inside the Golden Oaks library, was Twilight Sparkle. The storm, which had gathered early that morning, had made it impossible for her to do much except read. And read she did. Spike gladly slept in, and, after eating a late breakfast, went back to bed. He had been there up until now.

Twilight was curled up on the library floor, one of her books laying open on the floor, propped up and open by yet another book. Suddenly, her reading was disturbed by the tell-tale belch and flash of green light coming from up the stairs. An audible groan drifted down and Twilight giggled.

"Bring it here, Spike!" she called.

Another groan and, soon, she had a scroll in her hooves.

"You know, Spike, I've never been able to understand your love of sleep."

Her only answer was a grumble as her assistant climbed the stairs to return to his basket.

Twilight giggled again and, using her magic, unrolled the scroll. What she saw surprised her. She was expecting a letter from Princess Celestia, telling her about a new assignment, a response to an earlier letter, or something similar. Instead, all she saw were two, very hastily written words: Come. Quickly.

They were sloppily written, obviously in utmost haste. Twilight's eyes widened.

Oh no.

"Spike! I'll be back!"

Twilight hurriedly gathered the energy required for the soon-to-be teleportation spell and let it loose. The spell went perfectly, and, soon, Twilight found herself just outside of the massive, ornate double doors that led inside the massive Canterlot Palace.

The Princess bolted over and pushed them open, not bothering to knock. The two guards on the inside were surprised, to say the least, but let her through anyway; she was a Princesses after all.

She whirled around to face one of them and asked, "The Princess, Princess Celestia, where is she?"

The guard was shocked at Twilight's haste but answered, "Uh, I believe that her majesty is inside of her bed chambers..."

Twilight didn't say another word and bolted down the appropriate hallway. She had to hurry. Something terrible was happening, and she was needed. She knew it.

The dim room was quite, utterly silent. The only audibilities were the storm outside, and the quite breathing of two Alicorns. One was inside of her bed, tucked tightly under her covers. Her mane was a mess, her eyes closed, with heavy bags under each of them. Her body was racked with a violent cough or two every now and then, and each one came up with blood. The white sheets were already becoming wet with the ichor.

"I...is Twilight here yet?" The mare in the bed spoke.

The other, smaller one answered her, saying, "No, my dear sister. Not yet."

A single tear trailed its way down the smaller Alicorn's cheek.

"But I am here, now. You must rest."

"O...okay..."

Both of the present Alicorns jumped in fright as a third entered the room, unannounced.

"I'm here! What's wrong? What's happening? Can I...help?"

The smaller Alicorn, Princess Luna was looking at Twilight with solemn eyes.

"Whats...whats going on?"

"Come, Twilight Sparkle."

The mare in the bed, Princess Celestia, spoke once more, "Twilight? Is that you?"

Twilight approached the bed and gasped.

"Is...is that blood? Ohmigosh, Princess..."

"Yes, Twilight, I'm afraid that it is," Celestia answered quietly.

"Why? Are you hurt?"

"No, I am...I am ill."

"Wha...what?"

Luna turned to Twilight.

"Twilight, I must tell you something about my sister: she has been deathly ill for quite a long while."

"What? How long?"

"Several weeks."

"Why-why am I just now hearing about it?"

Celestia answered, "Twilight....this illness was, and still is, going to claim my life..."

"What...what do you mean? Princess?"

Another tear streaked down Luna's muzzle.

"Twilight. Come here."

The purple mare complied and took the remaining few steps. Despite herself, Twilight felt ill at the sheer amount of blood staining the Princess's coat and sheets.

Celestia seized up and coughed again. Blood came forth from her mouth and nostrils.

"Twilight...my dear Twilight...I love you...I adore you almost more than anything..."

"Y...yes Princess?"

Silent sobs now wracked Luna's body, as the dark mare sat behind Twilight.

"Twilight...I am dying, and I know this..."

"N-no, P-P-Princess...you...you can't be..."

The bed-ridden mare was hardly audbile.

"I am."

Twilight began to cry.

"How? Why? Why am I just now l-learning this...?"

The bloodied Princess only smiled.

"I did not want you to worry about an old mare like me..."

Twilight, still crying, gave a small laugh. That was something that Celestia would do...

There was silence for a few more seconds, and then Celestia spoke.

"Luna...come here."

The Princess of the Night complied and was soon sitting on her haunches next to Twilight.

"You two...are my best of friends...and I love both of you with all of my heart...my student...my sister..."

All three mares's faces were becoming sticky with tears.

The solemn mood in the room was unmistakable.

"I must now ask both of you to remain strong. I am passing, and I am appointing both of you as my heirs..."

Twilight nodded rapidly, whereas Luna was only silent and unmoving.

Another cough renewed the tears on Twilight's cheeks; she could not bear to see the Princess like this, a once proud and majestic ruler, bedridden, and bleeding.

"Think not about my passing, but the kingdom, and it's subjects...think about what is best for them..."

She was really dying. She was going to go away. Forever.

"Remember...above all...I love both of you...and I wish you the best of life and love..."

Twilight threw her arms around Celestia, not caring about the blood and the stains it would undoubtedly leave on her own coat. Celestia was surprised, but relaxed and began to stroke her student's mane.

Luna circled the bed and sat down again. Her own hoof found its way onto Celestia's shoulder.

"I love you too, sister. I promise that I will not let you down."

"Me...m-me t-too, Princess...I love you, and I will miss y-you..."

So it was like that, each of them touching one another, comforting each other, that Celestia passed. She looked at each of her visitors and smiled, making eye contact, sharing a moment of utmost intimacy with each of them, before she closer her eyes, a smile still on her face, forever.

Princess Celestia of Equestria, the Wise and Almighty Solar Queen, was dead.