The Planet of the Changed

Fire... Green fire was all that they could see seeping across the land and trickling into any open places on the surface of the barren wasteland. The green flames were engulfing everything that they touched, turning it to ash. The world was falling apart. Smoke and ash blotted out the moons, not as if they could tell if it was day or night on that planet. The earth groaned in agony as its end was nearing. The green flames licked viciously around the rock as if they were waves of liquid. Upon the rock sat six figures, bloodied and bruised.

“I can teleport you all to the portal but you have to promise me you'll get out of here and get back to Equestria!” roared Twilight, trying to speak over the hissing of the fire.

At that moment the planet shuttered as if it were bouncing across the cosmos. Applejack spoke up and asked Twilight “You're not comin' are ya...”.

Twilight sadly looked over to all of her friends with a look of despair in her eyes. “No I'm not and for that I am sorry... Just know that I've loved you all as if you were my own sisters. You are all very dear to me and I wish I could come with you but I can't teleport you guys and myself. I simply don't have the power to do it..." she lied. "Can you tell Celestia that I-”

The rock was giving way and slowly falling into the green sea of fire. She smiled sadly as she looked at each of them in turn.

She looked toward Pinkie Pie and couldn't help but shed a tear. Her mane lay flat on her head as if it were soaked in water but singed at the ends. Pinkie Pie had gotten hit with the vile green magic that the changelings used and was now limping around on an open-wounded leg. Her face was half burned by the evil green flames, showing the tender flesh and bone underneath. It was obvious that some kind of infection was spreading inside the wound. It would be a long time before she would ever smile again.

“Oh don't cry Twilight! It's only a little cut and a itty-bitty burn. I'm sure it'll heal right up!” said the pink pony as her balloon-shaped necklace of Laughter glowed faintly, as if it were slowly going out. Even with words of encouragement from Pinkie, tears slowly made their way down Twilight's cheek. Pinkie Pie started limping toward Twilight but tripped on a loose piece of rock. Immediately Twilight caught her in her magic and brought her in for a hug. There, Pinkie did something she had never done before. A tear rolled down the mares face and buried itself into Twilight's mane. Twilight broke the embrace and moment later and looked Pinkie Pie in the eye. Pinkie Pie simply nodded and Twilight's horn started to glow and in a flash Pinkie Pie was gone.

Twilight then turned toward the Applejack, the one that held them together. Applejack's hat was lost in the fire and her mane was burned at the ends. She had scrapes all over her body and blood was seeping out of a vicious looking wound on her head, obviously a fracture, but somehow still managed to stand up strait.

“It's not your fault sugarcube. Ya didn't know any of this would happen.” at this point she was sobbing but she trotted up to Twilight and put a hoof around her and Twilight returned the embrace with tears soaking the orange mare's mane.

"Please forgive me...” said Twilight barely above a whisper.

“I forgive ya Twi...” said Applejack. Applejack's necklace looked like it also was flickering dangerously as if it too were about to go out.

“It's been... fun...” she said as she smiled sadly.

“I suppose it has...” said Twilight as another avalanche of tears sprouted from her eyes but swiftly said “Now hold still.” Yet again a bright flash illuminated the gloom and Applejack was gone.

Twilight then turned to Rarity, the unlikely hero of the mission. Even though Rarity's mane was tattered and her coat was black from soot she stood with elegance and beauty. Rarity had found courage when all others had lost faith. Her horn was blackened from taking on the hive's queen one on one to get her friends back and to their knowledge was unusable.

“Don't worry about this daft old thing Twilight. I'm sure that I can break the spell on my own if I use enough magic with the right motivation...” said Rarity.

Twilight then remembered something as said “Can you promise me something Rarity...”

“Anything Twilight!”said Rarity.

“Promise me that you'll make sure that Spike is taken care of.” she said. Rarity nodded. The pendant around her neck was still glowing but very dimly.

“And Rarity... Remember what happened here and most of all remember what happened to her...” said Twilight.

Rarity nodded again. “Farewell Twilight... It's been an honor meeting you...” Twilight's horn charged up with magic and in a flash Rarity was gone.

Twilight's magic was failing and she knew it. She looked over to the shy pony sitting a few feet away. She locked eyes and knew that all there was left in them was fear and pain. Twilight tried to trot over to her but her eyes widened in horror as she approached. The Element of Kindness glowed weakly around Fluttershy's neck and was growing dimmer the close Twilight came to her. Twilight looked at the ground and many more tears fell to the surface of the rock. She was a monster and even her friend was scared of her. She cried until she felt a hoof patting her back and was surprised when she looked up to find the yellow mare starring back at her. Twilight immediately grabbed her and took her into a tight embrace and Fluttershy hugged her back.

When she broke the embrace Fluttershy said “I'm sorry Twilight... It's just that... I'm sorry...”.

Twilight jerked back and said “There's no need to be sorry Fluttershy. I know...”.

“Just remember that we love you Twilight” said Fluttershy. And with that Fluttershy was gone whisped away by the blinding light. Twilight's knees buckled this time.

Twilight then turned to the final piece of their company. Rainbow Dash had scars covering her from head to hoof and her wings looked like they had been through a hurricane (Which she had in a way) and looked like they were broken.

“Rainbow Dash... You know I can't go with you...” said Twilight.

“Yes you can! Don't say that! You're a princess of Equestria and right now Equestria needs you.” said Dash with many tears slipping from her eyes. Though she already knew that this was the end. The end of their time together and the end of the Elements of Harmony. This was the last time she would see Twilight Sparkle. The realization hit Rainbow Dash in the face. She couldn't speak or even breath. Her stomach felt like she had swallowed a fist full of clay.

“Goodbye Dash...” said Twilight. Rainbow Dash's world went black.

Next thing she knew, Rainbow Dash was laying on a giant stone slab, silently sobbing as the others made their way towards her.

“Dash it's time to get up!” said Applejack. She didn't budge. “Dash this world's coming apart at the seams! GET UP!” yelled Applejack

But she couldn't. Her Element was laying in front of her on the cold ground. She watched as it's last light flickered out of existence.