About two weeks later, the big day came. The sky was grey and the air was sombre. The obsequies would take place in the fields rather than in town. Twilight loved reading in fields, where it was quiet, instead of reading in the busy city of Canterlot. Those who attended the funeral were her friends, her family from Canterlot, some ponies from Ponyville, and a few ponies Rarity had contacted. Right now, they were giving gifts. Most of them brought flowers or books, but Twilight's friends had more sentimental keepsakes.
Rarity had the courage to go first. Her mascara was running from her crying, but she didn't care about how she looked. Sweetie Bell was right behind her big sister as Rarity pulled a magnificent dress out of her pouch. It was much like that of the gala, but this one had diamonds placed methodically to represent the constellations. It sure attracted much attention, but still kept a sense of simplicity like Twilight wanted.
Rarity sniffed, "Hello, Twilight. I remade your gala dress. It was very expensive to make, but I couldn't just give you rubbish, now could I?" Rarity smiled.
"I helped her make it! We stayed up all night! Well, Rarity fell asleep, but I didn't even blink. I hope you like it, Twilight," Sweetie Bell chimed. Her voice cracked towards the end.
"Yes, well, I was tired," Rarity continued, "I had to do research on constellations and get specific sizes of diamonds that Spike had helped me find. But enough about the dress; this is your funeral," Rarity cleared her throat, "I want to say that you are probably the smartest pony I've ever met. Who would have thought that it would end like this? I thought we would see everything to the end. It's okay though; you had a great life in my opinion. You died a hero and a good friend. If it weren't for you, I might have never learned the true importance of friendship and-" Rarity choked on her words. She was determined to finish, though, "I wished I had told you how much you meant to me as a friend!" Rarity immediately broke down. Sweetie Bell had to help her return to their seats.
Next, Pinkie Pie decided to go. Her mane wasn't straight anymore, but it wasn't as bouncy as usual either. She went up to Twilight and placed her 'secret recipe' in the coffin. She smiled in a soothing, unlike-Pinkie-Pie way, "Hey again, Twilight. I'm sooo sorry I couldn't convince you to stay with us. But I hope you'll like my recipe. It's the recipe for Pinkie Pie's Super Special Amazing Ultra-Tastic Fudge-Waffle-Taffy-Éclair-Mousse-Donut-Marzipan-Ma scarpone-Merengue-Madness-Cake. It's my own special version of the MMMM. Take real good care of it! Okay? And I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed partying with you. We all miss you, so make sure you write, okay? That's probably impossible, but you're smart, so I'm sure you can think of something, right?" the mare blinked and a tear rolled down her cheek, "Right…? Of course you can. I believe that you can do anything."
As Pinkie Pie sat down, Rainbow Dash nudged Fluttershy's side. Fluttershy refused to go since she was the most sensitive of the six and would like to avoid more tears, "Rainbow, I-I can't. D-don't make me do th-this…Please."
Rainbow Dash felt a tinge of guilt from trying to force her friend to go up there. She knew it was hard for her, but Rainbow also knew that Fluttershy would hate herself for not going up there, "Listen, Fluttershy…I know you don't want to cry anymore. Believe me, I want Twilight to be alive as much as you do, but since she's gone…we need to say goodbye, okay?"
"I'm s-sorry, Rainbow Dash, but I c-can't go up there and look at-" Fluttershy choked on her tears. At least I didn't need to finish my sentence. She thought as she coughed violently.
Rainbow Dash patted her on the back, "Why don't I go up there with you while you say goodbye and you stay up there with me while I say goodbye? If you feel like you're about to cry, I'll be right there with you, okay?"
Fluttershy looked up at Rainbow Dash with misty eyes, "Y-you promise you won't leave me?" Fluttershy asked, thoughts rushing through her head about the past. She didn't want to be left alone to cry.
"I Pinkie Pie Promise-" she vowed while making the matching movements, "that I won't leave you're side. Remember, I'm the Element of Loyalty after all."
The yellow pegasus took a deep breath, "Okay, let's go."
Fluttershy's steps were shaking with hesitation. It was like flight camp all over again, only worse. This wasn't just her problem. Everypony was upset about Twilight's departure from the living realm. What was worse, she died hating someone. After what seemed like an endless journey, they were finally in front of their friend.
Fluttershy opened her satchel with her left wing and took out something rectangular-shaped wrapped in brown paper, "Um, hi, Twilight. I-I know it's not much, but it's the painting Angel made for us during the summer, remember?" It-it's the one that he made when we were all in the pasture at sunset and I told you guys he wanted to paint a portrait. Remember? I-I hope you do, but...I suppose you might have forgotten. Th-that's okay. I don't mind as long as you don't forget your friends. I won't f-forget you, Twilight. None of us will forget you. Y-you were so kind, a-and you were okay with my timidity. Not everypony has always been okay with me. You taught me s-so much about friends. Pony friends. I only had my animals before you came around. Thank you." Fluttershy immediately began sobbing quietly, but strongly.
Rainbow Dash put her right wing over her crying friend. My turn. She opened her own satchel and pulled out the Daring Do movie. "H-hey Twilight. Um…wow. I can't believe this happened. You know, I always thought smart ponies like you were lame. Heh. After meeting you, I guess I was wrong. I do want to know, though: Did I…did I make you do it? I didn't right? I didn't. Please, tell me I didn't!" Rainbow Dash swallowed a lump in her throat. She felt Fluttershy nuzzle her cheek to comfort her. Right. This isn't the time to blame myself for what happened now or then. Rainbow Dash sighed, "Sorry. Well, I hope you're okay now. I wanted you to watch me become a Wonderbolt, but I guess you'll get a much better view of my awesomeness from the sky. And thanks for giving me that Daring Do book at the hospital. You taught me so much, and gave me really cool friends, and-" Rainbow felt a warm tear escape her control and roll down her face, "I'm gonna miss you, Egghead," She finished as her voice cracked. Her wing retracted from Fluttershy's back, and she placed a hoof over her eyes.
Fluttershy stared at her friend for a moment. She had never seen her cry. Then, it was Fluttershy's turn to place her wing over the cyan pegasus's back. Rainbow looked at her, and Fluttershy smiled weakly. They returned to their seats once Rainbow Dash had dried her eyes. Only Fluttershy would know about that moment.
Now, Applejack went up with Applebloom. She pulled out a tag with the number forty-two on it and laid it in the coffin, "Howdy, Twi. That there was your number in the Runnin' o' the Leaves. We sure had good times then. I remember that day clear as crystal. Rainbow n' I were gonna race, then ya'll came along after we were fightin' and all and taught us a thing or two. Thanks for that, sugar cube," Applejack sniffed, "Y' know, I-I'm glad ya'll came to Ponyville. You helped me so much on the farm. Hay, everypony from the Apple family owes you a lot! I know you were goin' through a lot, sugar cube, but at least it's all over now. I promise, we'll never forget you, darlin'." Applejack walked away with a small smile and a streak of tears on both cheeks.
"Goodbye, Twilight. Thanks for giving me advice on Cutie Marks. You're a Crusader in mah eyes," Applebloom said before following her older sister.
Finally, Spike and Luna went up together. Both of them had tear marks on their faces. Once in front of the coffin, Spike took out an old scroll, while Luna took out a strange and obviously hoof-made object. Spike spoke first, "Uh…hi Twilight. Um…how-how should I start?" he asked himself rather than Luna, "Well…uh, that scroll, if you remember, is the first letter I wrote for you-a practice letter, not a real one. I couldn't bring the first one because it was for- um… I think I lost it. Clumsy me…heh. Anyway, uh, I just wanted to say that you're my best friend and…I-I can't believe you're gone. If it weren't for you, I might have been selfish and stupid. You were so smart that even before you started studying the magic of friendship, you were able to teach me about it. I'm going to miss you so much. Life without you is going to be so lonely," Just then, Luna draped her wing over Spike's back to remind him he is not alone.
With a smile, he continued talking; "Oh, and Luna and I made you something last night. It's a bookmark. I know it's not much, but…" Spike took a deep breath, "It's made out of candy wrappers from Nightmare Night and it has a drawing of you're Cutie Mark. We tried our best so I hope you like it."
Now, the moon princess spoke, "If you're wondering, the Nightmare Night candy wrappers are a keepsake of when I first visited…when I first made new friends…when we became friends. I can't thank you enough. If you hadn't helped me, ponies would have just looked at me, recall Nightmare Moon, and flee from me. I would be so alone and since I am a princess, I am unable to…escape the solitude. I know you were suffering, and I am so, so sorry. I should have been a better friend, and I should have stopped you! It's all my fault for not trying hard enough to get Celestia to write back. I should have tried harder, but I didn't and I am sorry. "
Before Luna could get carried away, Spike led her back to their seats. Once they sat, he whispered, "It's not your fault, Luna. Don't be so hard on yourself."
Luna's eyes went wide for a moment. In that one second, she remembered Celestia saving her life…
"Luna, how about we have a race for old time's sake? Don't be telling me you're too old to have fun!" the sun princess yelled as she neared her sister's room. When she pressed her ear against the door, she heard something…sniffling? Sobbing? "Luna? Are you okay?" Celestia tried to open the door, but it was locked. Desperate to comfort her sister, Celestia used an unlocking spell, "Luna! Are you hurt? Did somepony-"
Celestia only had a moment to react. She tackled Luna from the side with all of her might. The knife in the younger sister's telekinetic grip fell to the ground with a clang. Luna moaned in pain, tears in her eyes, "Sister! Wh-what in Equestria are you doing?" Luna stuttered nervously.
"Me? What are you doing, Luna? I came in worried somepony was trying to hurt you! I didn't think that it would be…you yourself," Celestia got up from on top of her sister and helped her to her hooves. Luna didn't dare to look into the white alicorn's eyes, but Celestia ignored it, "Why? Why would you attempt suicide?"
Luna looked down, "I wasn't attempting suicide, I was…" Luna trailed off. She was never good at lying.
"Luna, the knife was aiming for your heart! And you looked like you were about to end everything too. Now, tell me what is wrong."
Luna looked to her right rather than her sister, "I don't want to talk about this. You have, yet again, invaded my privacy and I would like you to exit my room and leave me be. This is none of your concern."
"None of my concern?" Celestia looked more infuriated than worried, "You are my little sister! I am certain that you trying to die is of my concern!" Celestia calmed herself, "Now please, tell me what the matter is? Did somepony hurt you or is it Nightmare Moon?"
Luna sighed, "If you must know, I wanted to free myself from everything, not just Nightmare Moon."
"What do you mean by 'everything'?" Celestia asked slowly.
Luna finally looked at her sister with tears streaming down her face, "I mean everything! This life! The blame! The guilt! The nightmare! My mistakes! Everything!"
"Luna…" Celestia's throat swelled up, "What do you mean 'blame'?"
"Like you do not know! I am Nightmare Moon! I told you I let it overcome me! I'm also the reason Mother and Father died! They tried to stop Nightmare Moon, but...they couldn't. Now they're gone. Forever."
"Luna, maybe you were jealous of me, but that doesn't mean that you wanted Nightmare Moon to control you," Celestia placed a hoof on Luna's shoulder.
"Perhaps, but I still-"
"Hush now, my dear." Celestia interrupted, "Stop thinking about it. Now, promise me you will forget about the past and race with me." Celestia smiled.
"Fine. I promise. Now let's go," Luna chuckled.
"Oh, and Luna, it's not you're fault. Don't be so hard on yourself, okay?" Celestia removed her hoof from Luna's shoulder and led her out to the balcony.
…
Just as Luna escaped her flashback, everypony turned to see a gold and white chariot making its way toward the field. Luna squinted, then she opened her mouth in shock. She shouldn't be here. The chariot landed and from it, the sun princess appeared. She had the same expression as everyone else, melancholic and empty. However, now all of their faces were amazed, except for Twilight's friends and parents who knew about the situation. They just glared at the alabaster alicorn. Twilight's mother couldn't even look at Celestia. She could only dab her newly formed tears with her handkerchief.
Princess Celestia calmly made her way to the coffin where she placed Twilight's Element of Harmony, the tiara and a purple rose. I hope you like it. I placed a spell on it so it shall never rot, nor will your corpse as long as you have it. Goodbye, my friend. She thought.
Twilight's father stepped up behind her. Celestia turned to face him with an expressionless face. He was obviously not amused but still kept as calm as could be, "With all due respect, your majesty, I request that you leave now."
Celestia didn't move. She just looked at him with that expressionless face.
"Princess, I beg of you, just leave us to mourn in peace!" Celestia, again, gave no response.
Twilight's father was about to charge when Luna teleported in front of her sister, "Wait, please! She may have made a mistake not writing, but she is still my sister. I cannot allow you to hurt her. Please, for Twilight's sake, do not raise your hoof against her, but against me. I should have done a better job at coaxing her to write," Luna bowed her head to show submission.
"Very well. My apologies, Princess Luna, I was about to lose my temper, but I shall not harm her. I respect your orders more than I do hers," he spat.
As Twilight's father sat down, Celestia placed her hoof on Luna's shoulder, "We have to leave right now, Luna."
"But we haven't given the eulogy yet," she said, turning.
"I'm sorry, but we must leave immediately. I know you hate me right now, but please, just come back with me. I need to fix this. I need to end this right," Celestia's face seemed threateningly serious.
"I…fine."
The sisters walked toward the glorious chariot. Luna waved goodbye and they left. The entire ride was completely silent. Luna watched the beautiful lights of Canterlot come to life as the sun was setting. Celestia just seemed to sit motionless, as if she were going to be judged if she moved.
The chariot landed in front of the castle and they exited it. Acknowledging the guards at the entrance, they went through the doors. Luna went to the balcony to set the moon. Celestia was sitting in the dining hall alone, drinking chamomile tea to clear her thoughts. However, the task had to be suspended when a certain dark blue alicorn came in.
Luna looked at her sister. Ironically, she seemed to be acting more mature than Celestia. The sun princess sighed, "I'm sorry. I know it was foolish of me to just abandon her like that. It's all my fault and I deserve all the hate in the world as punishment," she said, not daring to look at Luna.
Now it was the moon princess's turn to sigh, "Although everypony might hate you, I forgive you," Celestia's smile was something to be thankful for, but Luna wasn't about to change topics, "Of course, my forgiveness does not make your actions acceptable."
Celestia's smile slowly faded, "I understand. I am willing to answer any questions now."
"Alright then," Luna pulled out a chair to sit in, "Let us begin by explaining why you did not answer in the first place. Did you find her words to be just boring prattle? Did you, and please tell me this theory is wrong, suddenly decide to be cruel? Or do you perhaps have an actual reason?" the dark blue sister asked with a voice that seemed indifferent, concerned, and infuriated all at once.
"Well, besides the shock, I already knew how this would end. Twilight is-was one of the most outstanding pupils I have ever taught. Not only that, but she also became a great friend. I had gotten far too attached to her. I mean, be honest, how many ponies out there befriend me for who I am and not my position? Take away the crown, the wings, and the horn, and I'm just another pony. Twilight was able to see past that," Celestia smiled as she stared at her now lukewarm tea, "Unfortunately, she had found better friends in Ponyville. I lost her to them, and then the ischemic heart disease…I just couldn't deal with so much pain for an eternity. I figured that if I just kept my distance, it wouldn't hurt as much. It became hard when she kept writing to me, but I persisted."
"And so you found it appropriate to destroy her letters? I've been in your room, sister," Luna stated.
"I know it was very selfish of me, but you need to understand that I was desperate. Those letters were tempting me, but I couldn't respond. Especially not then, after I had hurt her so much. She would just get angry. Word reached me that she had-" she was cut off by a hiccup. She looked up from her cup and at Luna. Her eyes were overflowing with tears, "and I just can't forgive myself now, and it gives me solace that you do," she sobbed.
Luna mentally cursed herself for spilling her own tears when she was trying to be cross with Celestia. Her sister had far too much charm to be angry at. She always had a good reason for something. Luna cleared her throat, "I…I'm sorry. I suppose I thought I knew exactly what was going on, but…once again I find myself to be the foolish pony that wants to judge everything she believes."
"No, no. I should be sorry. I did something unforgivable, and it cost some one their life." Celestia smiled apologetically.
A few moments of silence passed. Finally, it was broken by Luna's query, "Well…how do you plan to fix this, sister?"
Celestia bit her lip in thought. She stared into her cold tea until she thought of something, "I think…I think I know what to do."
And with that, Celestia got up from her chair and trotted into the corridor. Luna was quite curious about her sister, but she decided to ask after Celestia had cleared things up. The moon princess smiled and went to her bedroom. Perhaps Luna and everyone else would receive closure after all. That was all that they wanted.