One Final Day

       Prologue

Twilight looked at the group of weathered tombstones in front of her. Moss had claimed the majority of the surface, and what remained visible was a drab gray. The breeze in the brisk cold air lazily lifted Twilight’s mane, which had grown ragged in the last few years. Neglect had made it lose its luster; now being a dull purple with a single dark pink stripe running down the middle. The unicorn lifted her gaze from the grave and moved towards the nearly bare trees that littered the cemetery. Once a vivid green array of leaves, the trees were now a multicolored hue of fall colors: red, brown, and orange. Every so often, a leaf would clumsily drift down to the ground towards the embrace of its former friends. This created a small pile in the graveyard they had resided in their entire life, a reminder that even trees had to say goodbye to things they had known for their own short life.

 Twilight raised her head to the sky as a small tear escaped her eye. It trickled down her face, leaving a moist trail alongside her muzzle before slipping off and falling to the ground. The clouds hung lower to the ground than usual, preventing any light from escaping their cover. The weather pegasus ponies had been slacking recently, unable to keep the sky completely clear over the last year. They had definitely improved, at least, but they just weren’t good enough to keep up with the loss they had sustained. Storms had been more devastating, rain showers nearly caused floods, and winter had been full of unplanned blizzards.

This is all my fault... Twilight thought, as a small pool of tears formed underneath of her. If I had been a better fighter, I could have saved all of my friends... I should count myself lucky though that the hydra did knock me into a small cave. If it wasn’t for that, I would’ve been dead, too... but what’s the point of continuing on with this dreary life when all of my friends have been ripped out of it? I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye, and I’ll never get the chance to again. Ponyville hasn’t even fully recovered! Well, it has, I guess.

Twilight's train of thought was broken as a leaf landed on her muzzle.  For several seconds she stared at it, dumbfounded, before blowing it off with a snort. The leaf flitted into the air before leisurely drifting towards the ground. Twilight turned her attention back towards the gravestones, then reached back and pulled open the satchel that rested by her side. She took a red rose out and laid it in front of the tombstone, on top of the pile of other flowers, all of which were either dead or wilting. Coming to the graveyard had become somewhat of a hobby for Twilight, and she returned each week to repeat her previous actions: staring at the grave, staring at the trees, and staring at the sky. Ultimately she laid a carmine flower on top of the dirty patch, watching as it slowly rolled down the mound to the bottom. With a sigh, she turned back and began to walk out of the cemetery.

Twilight turned her head in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres, which appeared to linger in the horizon. The apple field seemed to share in the depression that afflicted the town. The harvest numbers were at an all time low; the zap apples didn’t even grow this year. The tree trunks had a grayish tone. The orchard had grown smaller, now roughly three quarters of the size from a year ago. Big Mac had taken to hiring helpers in Ponyville, but nopony had the experience Applejack had. Even in droves, they still lacked the strength, willpower, and skill the mare held. They couldn’t plant properly, save a few, and their applebucking skills were sub-par. They’ll get it in time, I hope. Otherwise Ponyville will go through an apple shortage... Twilight thought.

After trotting out of the cemetery, Twilight took in her surroundings. A myriad of multi-colored buildings loomed over the unicorn, beckoning her. Ponyville had become overcome with grief after the day when five of the Elements of Harmony had been taken from them. One house outshone the other buildings, though not in a happy way. A giant gingerbread house, adorned with different pieces of candy ranging from lollipops to candy corn. Sugarcube Corner stood glumly, almost spectral to ponies that walked passed it. Without Pinkie, the small town had lost its love of parties. A few were thrown, but they were never enjoyed; nopony could throw a party quite like Pinkie could. Without the randomness and laughter the party pony brought, the quaint little town began to lose any cheerfulness it once held. It wasn't long before parties disappeared entirely from Ponyville. Most birthdays were celebrated with only a small number of friends, never anything more.

Twilight continued trotting down the road but was stopped as a group of bunnies crossed it, halting all movements by ponies who were trying to continue on with their lives. The despondent unicorn sighed. Unfortunately, there was nopony left to feed the animals.  Ever since Fluttershy died, animals became more wild and had taken to raiding Ponyville of any food left in the open. The animals had taken to stealing from the citizens of Ponyville in order to feed their families instead of tending the garden Fluttershy left behind. The pegasus’ cottage had been overrun with vines and various types of foliage, falling into a dilapidated state. Flocks of birds built nests on the roof while burrows for snakes popped up sporadically around the house. A quick shake of her head brought Twilight back to reality as the last of the rabbits finished crossing. The unicorn continued her journey back to the library she called home as a tear escaped her face and fell to the ground.

Twilight looked ahead. Her house was in view, but so was another she hated to see. Rarity’s Carousel Boutique was near the library, and the unicorn had to pass by it every time she left her tree. Ponyville hadn’t lost just one pony when Rarity died, it had lost two. Sweetie Belle was taken by her parents, as they had moved far away, much to Twilight’s dismay. The only ponies who were hit harder with this than Twilight were the other two members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The duo had nearly completely given up on trying to earn their cutie marks, instead now waiting for something to just come along. Their lack of excitement only seemed to add to the dreariness that hung over the small town. Anypony famous that had regularly visited the town to get a hold of Rarity’s dresses didn’t come anymore, dealing a blow to Ponyville’s economy.

Twilight shook her head as she neared her humble abode. If it wasn’t for the magic embedded into the roots of the tree, it would’ve become much like Fluttershy’s cottage. Even then, vines still fought valiantly against the magic in an attempt to overtake the library. Grasping the door with a spell, Twilight pushed the entrance open.  She turned her attention to a small purple and green dragon who was mostly covered underneath a light-blue blanket. His snores seemed to echo in the bare library. With an audible sigh, Twilight made her way up the stairs intent on going to bed early.

Oh, Celestia. Twilight thought, continuing her slow ascent up the stairs towards her room. What I would give to be able to spend one more day with my friends..."

End of prologue

Editors: Angelhood101, MadJedi, MyDreamName

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