Endgame

Endgame

Devastation and Loss

Moonshine The Brony

Six hours since 'it' began. The casualty rate is rising just like I predicted. If things don't change, Ponyville, no Equestria is finshed. The apocalypse is upon us. Celestia help us all.

Twilight Sparkle set her quill down and looked out the window. The rain was pouring down now, the wind shaking the branches of her tree house. She looked around at the chaos that was her home. Books lay strewn about, scientific instruments of which only Twilight knew the name of leaned against the walls, and several beakers with some type of fluid lay bubbling over hot plates. Twilight narrowed her eyes, searching for a particular missing detail. "Spike! Come down here!" she shouted, irritation flashing in her eyes. Spike ran down the stairs and stumbled over a book, landing on the ground with a thud. Instead of seeing if Spike was okay, Twilight simply nodded and turned to the window.

"Ouch," grumbled Spike as he caught up to Twilight. "What is it, Twilight?" he asked, somewhat disgruntled at Twilight's ignoring him. Twilight was quiet.

"Spike. Get your things packed up. It's time."

Spike's jaw dropped. "You mean...?" he asked, disbelief evident in his eyes. Twilight nodded solemnly.

"It's time for Plan X."

~ ~ ~

The hospital was in uproar as the nurses and orderlies rushed to Rarity's room. Nurse Redheart was in charge of the operation, and she wasted no time in ordering the others.

"We're losing her!"

"Prep the blood transfusion!"

"There is no more! We've given her all we've got!"

"Then find somepony willing to donate!"

"Ma'am, she's fading!"

"Code Blue! Clear!"

"It's not working!"

"No! We can't lose her!"

"She... she's gone."

Nurse Redheart closed her eyes and sighed. "We were too late." There was a solemn silence as the doctors and nurses took in what was just announced. Some were crying, others comforting those who were. There were others, those who were trying to figure out why, and those who blamed themselves. Nurse Redheart looked out the window at the black night sky, tears in her eyes. "Somepony's gotta tell her friends," she said solemnly. The rest of the medical staff was quiet for a moment. "Well don't everypony jump up at once!" she snapped, storming out the door.

As Nurse Redheart traversed the familiar hallways, she started thinking. Is there any reason for this to be happening? The world is ending, but why? No sooner had she thought this than she ran into a familiar orange pony. "Oops! Sorry, dear," she said, a fake smile on her face. Years of working with the hospital taught her how to lie and fake. But Applejack wasn't one to be fooled easily.

"Nurse Redheart, how is Rarity?" she asked. Redheart froze in place, her fake smiling dying on her lips. Applejack seemed to notice that her cheery facade was gone. "How bad is she?" she asked gently. Redheart bowed her head, tears coming to her eyes again.

"She's... she's gone." Applejack's eyes widened in horror. "What? No, that can't be right! She was fine when Ah left!" Applejack rounded on her suddenly. "This better not be some kind of sick joke!" Redheart flinched as if slapped. Then she snapped.

"Miss Applejack," she began coldly, "I never, and I repeat, NEVER joke about death. Both of my parents died of cancer when I was three! My own sister killed herself a year ago! Why do you think I went into the medical business anyway?" Applejack opened her mouth to answer but was cut off. "The fact that you even implied that I was joking offends me to no ends, and I frankly have no time to wait and mess around with somepony who refuses to believe me. There are several more wounded out there, and you questioning my honesty doesn't help."

Applejack held up a hoof. "May Ah speak now?" she asked. Redheart only grunted. Applejack took that as a sign to continue. "How... how did she die?" she asked quietly. Redheart was taken aback by the question. "Are you... are you sure you want to know?" she asked. Applejack nodded. Redheart sighed. "She... punched the mirror and grabbed a shard of glass. After that..." she trailed off. Applejack listened, trying to fight off tears. "She... killed herself?" she asked quietly. When Redheart nodded, Applejack stopped fighting off her tears. She started sobbing and ran outside into the dark night. Redheart tried to run after her but didn't make it in time. "Wait! Applejack!"

Her pleas fell upon deaf ears, however, and Applejack was gone.