Eternity s End

Twilight had just finished the paperwork for the day, and decided to walk and stretch her legs a bit. "I m going for a walk spike, be sure these get delivered for me" she told spike before heading for the doors.

"Alright twilight-don t take too long though, Celestia lowers the sun soon. I think we're schedules for a storm too" he said, hoping she heard him. 'Eh...I m sure its fine' he thought, knowing his constant urging got through to her.

Twilight left her castle and looked up, seeing the dark clouds overhead. "Guess spike was right...maybe a quick stop to sugarcube corner will be fine." she said to herself and headed down the path. She waved in kind to the towns ponies as they passed, thankful no one was over-excited to see their princess walking among them like it was nothing. 'Hehe...much better than the last little incident with the cmc'. She thought to herself remembering twilight time so long ago.

"Good evening princess, how are you"? Asked SkyBright.
"I am good SkyBright, how are the little ones" Twilight asked still surprised how much she resembled her grandmother, CloudChaser.

"Great, thanks for asking. We better hurry though, the rain will be starting soon you know" She said wanting to stay dry as she rushed home. Twilight watched her run off before resuming her walk.

A few minutes passed as Twilight took her time, before finally reaching her destination. She walked into sugarcube corner and sat at one of the tables. It wasn t long before the waitress came and took her order "just a muffin please-blueberry" she said warmly before asking "how is your grandfather ChiffonCake"? She asked kindly.

"Pound is doing the same as usual, giving the nurses at the center a hard time. He's still strong after all." Chiffon said with a light chuckle.

"Hehe...he always did have a strength superior to earth ponies, even as a foal he gave Pinkie a hard time" Twilight said remembering the stories she was told. Chiffon left and came back a few minutes later with 2 blueberry muffins

"I only ordered one muffin" twilight protested

"it's for taking care of the nursing home bills...you won t let me thank you any other way Twilight" Chiffon said matter of factly

"oh...thank you, and you're welcome. It s the least I can do, aside from spike, you're the last of those I used to know. at least-aside from pound cake" Twilight said suddenly feeling a change in mood.

On her way back home, twilight bought a bouquet of Acacia(rose, white), Adam's Needle, and Adonis. She thought about grabbing some Bellwort but decided not to and took a detour. The talk with chiffon got her to make a visit to her friends; it had been a while since the last visit. Twilight walked absent mindedly as she recalled her last trek this way, which was when the last site was made.

~Flashback~

"Princess Twilight, Applebloom has sent for you. She says it s her sister s time" The guard said knowing this wouldn t be easy for her.

"Thank you Captain" she responded and made her way to sweet apple acres quickly, leaving Luna to cover for her at the castle.

Twilight reached the farm a few minutes later, flying to make up time. She knocked on the door and was greeted by Applebloom, who showed her to applejacks room. It was simply decorated, pictures of friends on the dresser and family on the walls. Applejack lay in bed, clearly too tired to sit up. "Hey Twi, hope you weren t busy" She stated

"Never too busy for a friend Applejack, besides-even if I was I would come here instead" Twilight replied as warmly as she could.

She knew she couldn t fool applejack though, and was proven just that when Applejack said "it's alright Twi...I m tired. I need my rest now, but look after Applebloom for me will you"?

"Of course Applejack...but now only pinkie is left, youngest of us all as she was. I don t know how much more I can take applejack" Twilight said with sadness in her voice.

"Twi...you have the other princesses, and even spike to keep you company. Besides, you can always visit me in the lot. Here, I want you to have this-I know it s worn a bit...but take it anyways sugarcube" Applejack said kindly, Applebloom handed twilight her Stetson. Applejack had come to terms with her life s end already; having known it would come soon. She didn t know how hard it was to watch everyone pass before you, but wanted Applebloom to keep her company long as she could.

~End Flashback~

Twilight came back to reality as she reached the graveyard just south of Ponyville. She placed flowers on all her friends resting places, regretful for not coming by more often. Twilight used a reversal spell on the gravestones, and made them younger by half a century. They were worn and starting to be unreadable from the erosion of the elements. Then

"Hey girls...sorry I haven t been by sooner. I ve...been avoiding you...and I know it s not fair to you." Twilight started as the rain started coming down. She cast a low level barrier shielding her from the elements. "Applebloom told me she kept me company at your request applejack...thanks." twilight smiled weakly at her friend s thoughtfulness, even in her last moments. "Your boutique has many stores throughout Equestria Rarity...your family has kept it going. Despite showing no interest while you were here. See? I told you they just didn t know how to show they cared. Colts...am I right"? Twilight tried at humor...with no results. Her visit was getting to her.

"I ve got your Wonderbolts suit at my castle archives Rainbow...sorry I took it from your home. Or...should I say Scootaloos home; she asked to wear it during her time as a Wonderbolt. You should have seen her, your encouragement helped. She was...great...refused to break any of your records..." Twilight trailed off as she began to choke up. Tears began falling down her face. "The Cakes grandkids are doing great with the store Pinkie; I even taught them your recipe...for..." Twilight couldn t hold it in anymore, as the tears came in larger streams. She broke down, falling to the ground as she cried hard, finally letting the near century and a half of bottled up feelings out. The storm around her raged onward and the rain soaked her mane and tail to her body, having lost concentration on anything else.

Some time later Twilight felt a wing drape itself over her and pull her close in a tight embrace. The soft glow of unicorn magic shielded them from the storm, making twilight open her eyes for a moment. She saw Luna next to her, with a sad, knowing expression on her face. Luna smiled so very kindly at her "it is ok to let it go Twilight...you are lucky, I did not get to say goodbye to those whom I cared for" She said as she laid her head on twilights tightening the embrace lightly. Twilights eyes widened a little as she leaned against the princess of the night and let it all out...not caring how she must look. Over a century old and crying hysterically...and yet Luna merely comforts her...as she cries herself to sleep.