“…are you okay, Twilight?”

“I…I’m fine, Spike…just a little nervous…”

“…I’m just as shaky as you are, Twi. I understand perfectly if you don’t want to do this…it’s been a whole year.”

“I said I’m fine. I have to do this, or I’ll never be able to continue with my life; not properly. So…take a letter…”

Dear Princess Celestia,

I’m…sorry I haven’t tried to send you a letter for a whole year. I’ve just had a lot of feelings to sort out. It’s not been easy; this sort of thing doesn’t come in books, and you can’t even learn it from other ponies. It’s just something that one has to endure and overcome by themselves, in their own way.

Anyway, I’m doing fine in Ponyville. The town hasn’t changed much in the past year. Everypony is a little bit less…happy now, but they’re all trying their hardest.

Applejack has dropped her dream to become a big-time apple-seller. She’s just running the place at a slow pace, just making enough to get by. I’m worried about her, especially since Big Macintosh broke his back again – it’s been happening a lot more often lately – but she’s gotten through worse in her time. And I’m sure if she needed the help, she wouldn’t be afraid to ask us.

Rarity is still selling dresses. She’s taken on an apprentice and started teaching her all she knows; things are a little hairy at the moment – the blue paint incident last month almost gave her a heart attack – but she shows promise, and Rarity stands by her decision. I wish her and her apprentice all the best for the future.

Fluttershy has become more assertive in spirit, if not in voice. She still takes care of her animal friends, but she finds time to go out and mingle with other ponies, something she used to avoid if she possibly could. I heard she’s going on a trip to Trottingham later this year. I’m glad that she’s found some more friends beyond the seven of us. However, just because she’s found new friends, doesn’t mean she’s any less our friend now.

Pinkie Pie is less lively since then, but to be honest, she was the only thing keeping us all going for the first few weeks, and for that I will always be thankful. She still parties a lot, but the thought always lingers at the back of everyone’s minds, and that puts a little bit of a dampener on spirits. She’s been noticing it more lately, so I think we should throw her a party for once, to remind her that she’s not alone.

Rainbow Dash has slowed down, giving up on her dreams to join the Wonderbolts. Instead, she’s been pushing for promotion within the weather team, and three months ago she was made into Chief Supervisor; an incredible feat at her age. She still likes to fly fast every now and again, but when she needs to think, she slows down and wanders the sky at a solemn pace. She’s learned to enjoy life for what it is, and to appreciate what the world has given her.

Spike is the same as always. He’s still a thoughtless, disgusting kid at times, but he’s still an important assistant, a good friend, and – as I think of him – a wonderful little brother. I’m sure he’ll grow up someday to be a grand dragon.

Princess Luna has taken to her responsibilities well. Since she decided to set the world’s rotation in motion, she no longer has to raise the Sun or the Moon, and can now fully devote herself to serving Equestria. She’s still learning, though. Just last week, she had to publicly apologise for the mess she made in Canterlot when a celebration didn’t quite go as planned; I’m sure the main square will be smelling of cabbage for days. But she’s shaping up to become a fine ruler.

And me…I’m still studying friendship, as well as other forms of relationship like family and love. That’ll never change. But whenever I find myself with nothing to do, I go to my favourite field, lay under my favourite blossom tree and turn to the blue sky. Sometimes I think deeply about my studies, sometimes I just drop my thoughts from my mind and let it wander. Sometimes hours pass without me realising, but I’ll never feel as though those hours were wasted.

I...I never thought I'd have to write this. It was just so sudden. I'm not sure I'll ever get over it entirely...but I'm hoping this letter will help.

And so, I finish with my final report to you. I have learned that life is short, and one needs to take everything they can get from life. One comes into life with nothing, and they leave it with nothing. That’s why, before one leaves this mortal coil, one must take everything they can from life. Not material possessions, but memories. I don’t know if one can take those memories with them, but those that remain will remember, and one will live on through them; that alone is enough.

You gave me so many memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Your kindness reached out to me, and I was always in awe of your grace, beauty and wisdom. I thought of you, not only as my beloved mentor, but as a mother. I cannot thank you enough for the time I spent with you, and I am very grateful to have been one of the many whose hearts you have touched.

Your forever-faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle

“…I’m done, Spike.”

“That was mighty purty, Twilight.”

“Yeah. You really know how to make a girl shed a tear.”

“One…” *sniff* “…one must agree. That was divine, Twilight. It cannot have been an easy thing to do.”

"Thank you, everypony."

“That was beautiful, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Thank you, Princess Luna.”

“It is I who should thank you, and all your friends, for coming today. I know my sister is loved across Equestria, and she’s very happy to see you all here. It’s been a whole year, after all.”

The Royal Botanical Garden, a good 30 miles away from Canterlot, was situated on the east coast of Equestria. It had been designed with a great multitude of colours, and both mathematically and artistically perfected in layout. No matter where one walked, one could easily lose themselves among the full spectrum of foliage.

At the edge of the garden was a large cliff, one that looked out to sea – today’s ocean was very calm, serene even – and an open space with a single path leading to a simple monument: a spire, 10 feet tall, unremarkable in every way except for the inscription on its leading edge. Around it, a large crowd had gathered, with the Princess and the Elements of Harmony front and centre.

Not many had said anything since they arrived; even of her friends, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie had remained silent. Twilight slowly stepped forward along with the dragon.

“…Send it, Spike.”

He merely nodded, and within the familiar blaze of green the letter disappeared, with no particular destination. With his task complete, Spike stepped backwards again, and every last pony in the garden, be they young or old, lowered their head.

Two minutes of silence. That was the requirement, though the actual silence stayed for much longer. Finally, Twilight raised her head again, and everypony followed suit. She stepped forward once more and read the inscription on the spire:

As the last few words left her lips, the Sun began to rise over the flat horizon of the ocean, the light glinting in the unicorn’s tear as it slowly fell down her face. Even now, their departed Princess was blessing them.

Twilight felt a soft breeze brush her mane. She could almost hear it say…

-fin