Author's Notes:

This was the original final scene of the story. I decided I didn't like it as the reveal, so I set it aside and rewrote. I still liked this scene, though, so I figured I'd include it here. Think of it as a special feature on a DVD; it's not exactly canonical, though it might be.

Twilight Sparkle lay in her bed. She was very old, and very tired, and very close to death. The stars shone in her window, a final gift from Luna.

All her friends had passed on long ago; the magic within her had kept her spark burning, but no longer. She let a rattling sigh escape her and closed her eyes.

Celestia entered the room, and quietly shut the door behind her. Her hooves made no sound on the lushly-carpeted floor as she approached, but Twilight’s head still turned towards her.

“Hello, Princess,” came a soft voice.

“I do wish you would call me Celestia,” admonished the princess.

“Old habit,” her student murmured.

Celestia sat next to the bed, keeping vigil. Hours passed.

“Princess?”

“Yes, Twilight?”

“What happens?”

Celestia turned and looked down at her. “When?”

“When I’m gone.”

Celestia leaned over and kissed her student on the forehead. “The world will turn, the sun will burn, and I will be here.”

“Oh,” whispered Twilight. “Good.” And then she was still.

There was movement in the corner of the room. Celestia kept her face pressed to Twilight’s for a moment longer, before pulling away.

“Twilight... I’d like you to meet an old friend of mine.”