Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned one of the hardest lessons anypony will ever have to learn. I learned that in every pony's life, there's a chance you might lose a very close friend. But even though they've left us physically, the impact they've left on our lives will stay with us forever.

"Excuse me Ms. Sparkle, are you okay? You look like you're about to cry."

Twilight quickly scrambled some papers around the top of her desk, effectively hiding the old letter she had written to Celestia a few years ago.

"Of course I'm okay, just lost in thought I suppose, now please return to your seat." Twilight replied, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Well class is almost over, maybe we can be dismissed early today and leave you to your thoughts."

"Haha, nice try. Now listen up class, I want you to all write me an essay on the practical and impractical uses of magic in today's unicorn society."

Twilight then dismissed her class and watched all the dreary ponies mumble on their way out over their recent assignment. She was now a well respected professor at the Canterlot University of Magic and Research. Appointed to the position by Celestia herself. Once the students were cleared out of the classroom, Twilight shut and locked the door with her magic. She then quickly uncovered the old letter to Celestia she had nearly completely forgotten about.

And more importantly, the loss of one friend, will strengthen the bonds between you and your other friends. Making everyday you spend with them more precious and valuable then ever before, because you can never be sure which day you spend together will be your last.

Twilight grabbed the letter and placed it tightly against her chest, this was the last letter she had written to Celestia before she had decreed that her time studying the magic of friendship was over and it was time for her to begin her career in Canterlot. Twilight then opened a drawer, put the letter inside, and pulled out the official notarized letter from Celestia, appointing her to her prestigious position, professor of magical literature and head of the research team. She was currently doing studies and research on linking the magical fields of unicorns to cast spells that require more magic than any one unicorn could ever produce. Tedious work, but essential to fully understanding the potential capabilities of magic.

A few minutes later she prepared to head out to the White Mare Cafe and Diner, she was meant to meet Rarity there to see how her presentation for the Royal Eclipse Festival dresses went. Twilight decided to walk, it was a gray cloudy day out much unlike the morning, but Twilight found the gray sky and dim lighting relaxing. It wasn't long before she reached her destination, she was in fact a few minutes early. She walked in and grabbed a seat in the back corner next to a window.

"What can I start you off with miss?"

"Just a coffee for now, I'm meeting somepony here and don't know how long they'll be."

"Sure thing." The waitress smiled and walked away.

The waitress soon returned with a freshly poured cup. Twilight gazed into it, watching the thin layer of white bubbles swirl around and around. She took a deep breath, inhaling its rich aroma. She then looked outside, there were quite a few busy ponies walking back and forth in a seemingly endless stream. Twilight lost focus and began to refocus on her own reflection in the window. She looked into her own eyes, they were tired, faded, and uninspired. She began to realize she had been there for quite some time now, and was still alone.

"Stupid mare." She muttered under her breath.

"Probably just going to go on about how she ran into another career opportunity when I ask her what happened."

Twilight decided she may as well get something to eat while she was there, it'd be her first meal of the day so she was rather hungry to say the least.

"Excuse me, waiter."

"Need another coffee?"

"Yes and I'll also have a spinach oat salad, thank you."

Twilight looked back outside, the traffic was beginning to slow, and the sky was getting darker.

"When did we all grow so far apart?"

A chilly wind blew the leaves across the sidewalk outside the diner into a swirling whirlwind that soon dissipated into a pile of small brown leaves and garbage. A couple raindrops tapped on the window, somewhat startling Twilight as she stared out onto the city streets.

"Here's your coffee, your salad will be out in a moment."

Twilight gave her a quick smile and nod. Then her attention was again brought to the city streets. A bag blowing in the breeze, ponies carrying briefcases and wearing trench coats. A long sigh fogged up the window as Twilight was thinking about how dull her life really was now that she lived in Canterlot, allowing her to shift her attention to her coffee. Once again she felt captivated by the swirling aromatic beverage. She noticed how easily she was focusing on such minor and insignificant details today.

"Was I always so dull?" She pondered, as she sipped the hot drink.

"No, I definitely was not, not til somewhat recently."

She began to think of all the fun times she had, the adventures, the new experiences she had in Ponyville, the fillyfooling, she used to be quite the exciting mare. But she felt those times were behind her, despite the fact that she was still so young and full of energy. She didn't want to do anything that would cause her to stray from her career, not again. Still, she remembered how everything used to seem so fun and new, never repetitive, unlike her life today. She remembered everything perfectly, especially the day that set everything until now into motion.

The storm had just ended, Pinkie Pie's body still under investigation. She had run to tell Applejack what had happened, then followed her back to Rarity's house. As Twilight walked up to the house, Applejack came storming out violently kicking the door shut behind her.

"Don't bother Twilight, this one ain't a true friend to nopony, I wouldn't trust a thing she says about anything!"

"Slow down Applejack, what do you mean?"

"She's saying Rainbow Dash might have done this to Pinkie!" Applejack yelled, clearly holding back her tears in an attempt to appear strong for her friends.

"I'll go talk to her, just go find Fluttershy for me okay? Someone should let her know what happened."

Applejack stormed off in an outrage, while Twilight went to investigate Rarity's apparent accusations. Upon entering she discovered Rarity, on the floor, flailing her legs around crying out in an almost comically over dramatic manner. However due to the recent circumstances, this yielded no humor for Twilight Sparkle. Rarity spotted Twilight and began to pour her heart out to her.

"Oh Twilight, I'm such an awful pony, and a worse friend!" She cut herself off with her own sobbing and heavy breathing.

"Twilight, I can't believe the horrible things I've said and done recently. What's happening to me?" Her voice went into an unreasonable high pitch.

"Rarity! Pull yourself together, we have more important things to worry about than your self pity." Twilight harshly pointed out.

"I'm... I'm sorry, its just, what Applejack said to me really hurt me, I never thought she would say something like that." Rarity talked with intermittent sniffling.

"Its fine Rarity, now come with me, we have a lot of planning to do within the next few days." Twilight's voice was harsh and serious, much unlike the way she was seen by Rarity only a few minutes ago. Twilight decided to make all the funeral preparations along with everything else that went with Pinkie's death.

Days came and went. The search for Rainbow Dash continued. The distance between Rarity and Applejack became increasingly apparent. Fluttershy didn't take part in the searches, she allowed herself to become completely estranged from the rest of the group. She couldn't stand to see her friends constantly arguing and fighting, she only ever saw each of them one at a time, and very rarely.

Days came and went, residents of Ponyville began to move towards Appaloosa, due to its ever growing economy. Twilight stopped writing her letters to Celestia after the day Pinkie died. Applejack spent most of her time in the orchard, trying her best to make the trees produce as much crop as possible. Twilight and Rarity began spending more and more time together, then one day to Twilight's surprise, she received a very important letter from Celestia. This one was trimmed in gold, signed by not only Celestia, but Luna, along with an array of official seals and other signatures. This letter was in all legality appointing Twilight to her new found position in Canterlot. Twilight was at first sorrowful about having to leave Ponyville behind, but then convinced herself that any reason to stay had died along with Pinkie Pie. Although she had grown quite close to Rarity.

Twilight was scheduled to begin teaching her first class at the end of the summer the following year. The winter was just beginning and Twilight was determined to spend it in a more well maintained city than the left to rot Ponyville. A couple weeks had gone by and Twilight had finally finished clearing her things out of the town library. She looked out her window and felt a pang of remorse as she saw the plank covered doors, the for sale signs, along with an assortment of garbage blowing through the empty streets. She took a special note of Sugar Cube Corner, a wave of depression washed over her as she thought of all the times Pinkie used their facilities to make treats for her various parties throughout the years. Twilight looked down at her hooves and closed her eyes in a moment of silence for her friend.

"Were you really the only thing holding us together?" Twilight thought to herself.

Just then, Rarity came bursting in through the front door.

"Twilight! Look!" She shoved a piece of paper in Twilight's face."

It was a letter from CanterVogue, the hottest fashion magazine in Equestria.

Dear Ms. Rarity Belle,

Your Fashion lineup in The Best of the Best Boutique in Canterlot was a best seller and a boom to the fashion industry. We now cordially invite you to join our designer roster here in Canterlot as lead coordinator. If you so choose to accept the position, you will have a full paid apartment located in a prestigious area of this beautiful city. You will also be paid in advance for your work. We do hope you choose us as your home for design.

~ Sincerly, Emerald Star

"Well Rarity, congratulations."

"That's it? Congratulations?!" Rarity proceeded to jump onto Twilight, knocking her over and landing on top of her.

"Do you know what this means?"

Twilight just stared at her with a confused look on her face.

"It means we get to be roommates!" Rarity announced with unnecessary enthusiasm.

"Oh, well yeah, I guess it does, heh heh." Twilight was a bit unsure about living with Rarity, due to their exceptionally different personalities.

"Well, we better get to packing your stuff up too then." Twilight spoke with a reassuring smile.

A few more days went by. It was snowing out now. It was a calm snow, one that captured Twilight's imagination as she watched flake by flake fall while she and Rarity waited for their carriage to arrive. Down the road Applejack came running towards them. Her mane slightly snow-covered.

"Were you really gonna leave without saying goodbye?" Applejack asked, pained by the thought.

"I didn't know where to find you, but I'm glad you're here now." Twilight stood up to give Applejack a goodbye hug.

Over Twilight's shoulder Applejack and Rarity glared at one another as if they were sworn enemies. Twilight began to quiver as she felt a deep sadness fill her mind. Tears began to drip on to Applejack's soft coat. Applejack's harsh glare quickly turned to a sympathetic teary eyed expression of sorrow.

"Don't you cry now Twilight, it'll be okay, you'll visit soon right?"

"Of course I will... why wouldn't I?" An obvious lie if there ever was one. Twilight knew she had no intention of ever returning to the Celestia forsaken dirt hole that had become of Ponyville.

"Don't waste your sympathy on that old farm mule Twilight, she's hardly worth it." Rarity stuck her nose up feeling somewhat jealous of the attention Twilight was paying to Applejack rather than to her.

"What did you just say?" Applejack snarled at the insult.

"Oh well maybe I shouldn't use such big words when talking to such a simple animal." Rarity showed off an evil grin. Twilight gave Rarity a glance of disapproval.

"Come on you two, this is the last time you'll see each other for a long time, please try to make up before we leave."

Rarity had no intention of making friends with Applejack, who in her moment distress only shoved a knife deep into her heart and twisted it around with her words of hatred. Nor did Applejack plan to forgive Rarity, who was so quick to turn her back on a friend who was clearly in desperate need of someone to let her know she would be forgiven.

"Look I see the carriage coming now." Twilight pointed into the sky at a very large and luxurious carriage pulled by four valiant steeds. Once landed, Applejack helped load Twilight's things into the cargo area.

"I'm really gonna miss you Twi." Applejack shared one last embrace with Twilight Sparkle, they touched hooves as Twilight boarded the carriage, Rarity rolled her eyes at the gesture. Applejack stood there as the carriage took flight into the sky, tears escaping the strong emotional wall she had built in front of Rarity. Twilight waved one last time as they began to fly into the clouds, watching her as the snow fell, covering Applejack's mane and hat.

The sound of a plate landing on the table snapped Twilight back into reality. The waitress smiled in amusement knowing she had startled the daydreaming pony. Twilight picked up a fork and began poking around at the salad. A sense of sadness lingering in her stomach suppressed her appetite. Instead she found a longing to visit Rarity, she requested a carry-out box and took a couple bites of food as she waited. She packed her food up, paid the bill, and left a very generous tip on the table. She began to trot down the busy streets towards Rarity's new apartment. Along the way she was stopped by the sight of a young couple walking down the street in the opposite direction. They were walking close together occasionally bumping noses or touching face to face, all gestures of young love. Twilight felt a vaguely familiar pain in her chest, only this time it wasn't caused by depression or regrets. It was remembering what if felt like to have ever loved another pony. She sat on a bench and continued to watch them walk away, now hoof in hoof. Twilight began to remember the first and only time she had ever experienced something that she imagined those young loverponies must be feeling.

They were now approaching their destination, Twilight had nearly suppressed all signs of remorse for leaving her old home behind. Rarity and Twilight exited the carriage and someone from the luxurious apartment complex came out and grabbed their bags for them. He signaled them to follow, Rarity followed first, Twilight then hit her with a surprise snowball from behind.

"Hey stop that, you'll mess up my mane, hmph."

"Oh the horror, we sure wouldn't want anything like that to happen would we." Twilight's blatant sarcasm taunted Rarity into succumbing to Twilight's game.

Suddenly Rarity lifted a large clump of snow with her magic and hurled it at Twilight, who was quick to duck out of the way. She then retaliated with her own snow ball barrage, Rarity dived out of the way, accidentally allowing a snowball to hit the stallion carrying their bags square in the back of the head.

"Do be careful." He stated, suppressing his anger.

Twilight and Rarity each quietly laughed together and followed him into the building.

"And you're absolutely certain you won't be needing separate apartments then?" He looked at them over his shoulder with one eye cocked, as if he were trying to imply something.

Rarity was quick to answer, "No no, one is fine. Thank you very much." She spoke with uncharacteristic glee.

The stallion then unloaded their things into the already fully furnished apartment. Rarity immediately ran into the slightly larger of the two bedrooms and claimed it as her own. However Twilight didn't plan on surrendering the larger room so easily. First she opened a pet carrier allowing Opalescense to roam around and make herself at home. She then leaped over Rarity directly on the Equine King size bed and spread out as much as she could.

"This ones mine!" Taunted Twilight. Sticking her tongue out at Rarity.

"I don't think so sister!" Rarity countered, and leaped on top of Twilight, pinning her arms down to the bed.

Twilight wrestled her way out of Rarity's grasp and found herself sitting on her back with two hooves forcing her face into the extra fluffy pillows.

"I can'fft breeffff!" Rarity's muffled cries escaped the pillows she found her face buried in.

"What was that? You said this is MY room, and you surrender to my will?"

"Yesssss" Rarity cried out in discontent.

Finally Twilight let the poor white mare up, who gasped for breath immediately after being released. She then gave Twilight a menacing look.

"You could have killed me!"

She tackled Twilight, her mane in tangles. Twilight returned the playful gesture. After quite some time of playful fighting, the two agreed to share the room. It had been a long day so they both found themselves feeling more than a bit tired, especially after burning so much energy playing their fillyish games. They both covered up on their respective sides of the bed, a good pony's length between them.

A few hours later they awoke, nose to nose. Twilight was the first to wake, seeing Rarity literally touching noses with her came as quite a shock and was followed by a quiet shriek. Rarity didn't wake, but instead reached out and wrapped her arm around Twilight, who was now feeling pretty awkward. Twilight backed up out of Rarity's reach and got up to go explore the rest of her new home. She opened the curtains to discover an amazing view of the night city. Millions of tiny lights illuminated the entire area, making it impossible to see the stars, much unlike Ponyville. Next she walked into the bathroom, a huge Jacuzzi style tub surrounded by stairs decorated the center, along with a sink in front of the largest mirror Twilight had ever seen. She then ventured into the kitchen, where she found a very elaborate setup of cooking utensils along with a six burner stove and two deep ovens. It all seemed like so much, this is much more than the library Twilight had grown so accustom to.

"Twilight?" Rarity woke up.

She wandered into the living quarters where Twilight was comfortably sitting on a sofa watching tv. Rarity soon joined her in her half awake state of mind.

"This place is really something isn't it?" Rarity noticed how nicely set up everything seemed to be. She still felt drowsy and found herself resting her head on Twilight's shoulder. Twilight felt a bit unnerved by it at first, but then decided it was harmless. She began to notice how soft and well kept Rarity's mane really was, as she brushed her face up against it. Twilight closed her eyes and rested her head on Rarity's, she felt taken by the sweet sent of her mane and coat filling her senses. She opened her eyes and became captivated by the many hairs in her mane that flowed elegantly together and seemed to form one beautiful piece. Twilight began to remember the countless days they had spent together, she had become so much closer to her in the past few months. Rarity let out a small yawn and Twilight felt a pang of pure joy fill her entire body. This wasn't a sensation she was used to, she had never felt anything like this towards another pony, especially not another mare.

Rarity got up, stretched, and headed into the shower. Twilight let herself lay down flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Her heart bursting with pure happiness as she thought about Rarity. She began to question herself.

"What am I doing, I don't get it, why do I feel like this when I think about her? What's happening?" Twilight searched the deepest regions of her mind for answers, but could only find herself once again thinking about how amazing Rarity was.

"Oh dear, have I become Spike?!" She joking thought to herself. Spike long since went back to live with his original dragon family. Twilight missed him, but he was where he belongs.

Thinking about Spike took her mind off Rarity for a grand total of about five seconds. She once again found herself laying there thinking about the beautiful white mare.

"I need a book, now." Twilight began to search the apartment for a book that might help explain what she was experiencing. Nothing, she decided to flip through tv channels to help focus her mind on something else.

No such luck. Now Rarity was coming out of the shower, Twilight got exceedingly nervous. She slouched on the sofa, trying to hide herself from Rarity's sight. She quickly rushed around Rarity into the shower.

"Well that was odd." Rarity thought to herself. "Well no matter." Rarity went on to dry and style her mane.

Twilight splashed cold water on her face.

"Okay Twilight, you can get over this little random out of the blue infatuation you seem to have quite annoyingly developed in a matter of seconds!"

She shook her head back and forth rapidly, almost hoping to disorient herself into another state of mind. She finished showering, then she slowly cracked open the door, there she saw Rarity, sprawled out on the sofa, her long drying mane draped over the edge, flowing and curling down to the creme white carpet. Twilight gulped, she dried herself as much as possible and walked out towards Rarity. Nervous not to let her new found emotions show.

"Oh done already Twilight?" Rarity looked back at Twilight, meeting her nervous wandering eyes. Twilight was almost immediately entranced by the deep blue eyes now locked with hers, they almost seemed to be glowing as Twilight felt herself being drawn in by her alluring gaze.

"Something on your mind Twilight? You seem, well, off to say the least." Rarity looked back at the tv, stretching herself out even further along the sofa.

"Oh no, nothing on my mind, I'm just thinking about normal things, the same old boring things I'm always thinking about."

Rarity easily detected such an obvious lie, but now was wondering what was actually on Twilight's mind. She looked back up at the clearly nervous pony trying as hard as ponily possible to act nonchalant. Rarity called her name, "Twilight dear, feel free to join me on the sofa for some late night television. We should relax, we'll have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Umm okay." Twilight replied, followed by a deep gulp. She eased herself on to the far end of the sofa, slightly nudging Rarity's back hooves.

"Oh come here you silly filly!" Rarity reached out and wrapped her arms around Twilight's neck, pulling her down on top of her.

"That's better, nice and cuddly."

Twilight's normally purple face was now beet red, as she lay there in Rarity's arms. Rarity decided to roll over in front of Twilight, Twilight's heart was pounding heavily as she decided to put a hoof on Rarity's shoulder, she moved her hoof up to her mane, now gently stroking it and twirling it around. She pressed her face up against her freshly conditioned mane, its soft cool touch sent chills down Twilight's spine. Rarity wiggled herself closer to Twilight, arching her back and pressing herself against her. Twilight shuddered as she felt her heart explode in delight. Twilight pushed her arm up underneath Rarity's, hugging her tightly.

"Lets get some sleep then, shall we?" Rarity whispered as she shut off the tv.

Twilight silently agreed, adjusting herself so that as much of her body was touching Rarity's as possible, her heart throbbing with bliss. The room was dark, dimly illuminated by the city lights shining outside their window. Rarity rolled over to face Twilight. She placed her hoof on Twilight's face, brushing the hair away from her eyes. Twilight noticed the slight hint of blush on Rarity's white cheeks. Then she became more captivated and entranced than she had ever been before, as she found herself gazing into the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. Rarity's deep blue eyes were illuminated by the millions of reflected lights shining through their window. Of all the amazing magic Twilight had seen, this was truly the most beautiful sight any pony would ever have the privilege of enjoying. Despite the cold air outside, the two mares had never felt warmer. And Twilight, for one, had never been happier.

Twilight reached the bottom of Rarity's new apartment.

"I wonder if she even wants to see me right now." Twilight couldn't help but doubt it.

So she stood outside for a few minutes, admiring the beautiful memories that filled her mind. She wondered if it was worth it to taint them further by risking an unfriendly visit after reliving such a happy part of her life. Twilight stood there for a few minutes, then sat on the stairs leading to the front door of the complex, trying to force herself to make the right decision, whatever that may be.