The Republicans immediately got to work repairing the barricade after Twilight left. However, Their work had less zeal than before. Though they managed to get it done, there was no cheering or banner waving. Instead they just tapped the cider barrels and started eating what will probably be their last meal.

Applejack went upstairs to where Fluttershy lay on a cot of hay. The sleeping mare was tended by Ms. Cheerilee. Nervously AJ asked, "Is she gonna be alright?"

The schoolteacher hung her head, "I don't know Applejack. I'm a teacher not a doctor. Some of the vets helped me get the ball out, but other than that... I can't believe its happening again."

The mares hugged each other like sisters. AJ noticed she still wore the bow Big Mac gave her. She had forgotten Mac proposed before he left for the war. They all planned to have a big wedding once it was over, but it never happened. Just another thing Twilight and Celestia took away.

"I've been wanting to ask you? What was he like... you know when he..."

AJ thought for a moment, "he died like he lived. Quiet as a mouse."

Cheerilee smiled a bit, "I never thought... well I didn't think a lot of things would happen. It seems like yesterday the Crusaders slipped that love potion in our punch... I guess I'll be seeing him again soon and Apple Bloom too."

Applejack wiped Cherilee's tears, "Some day we will, but it ain't gonna be today."

"But, without Princess Luna-"

"Nopony is here because of Luna or Rainbow Dash or any one pony. We're fighting for something much bigger." Applejack pointed to Mr Cake curled up next to a column. His now motherless foals were snoozing next to him. They both wore red capes around their necks. Just like the ones Apple Bloom and her friends used to wear. "These young'uns deserve a chance to chose their own destiny for a change. That freedom ain't gonna come on its own. Soon enough others will realize this and they will come."

"I hope your right."

Applejack sighed as Cheerilee went back to Fluttershy, "So do I."

"Hey AJ! Over here," Rainbow called from a corner leaning on a cider barrel. Gilda, Scootaloo, Sweetie Bell, and a still deflated Pinkie Pie were with her. They all held a mug in hoof, or claw it Gilda's case.

Applejack joined them and filled her own glass of cider. "What should we drink ta?"

Rainbow swirled her cider, "I don't know. Let's just sit here and drink."

[Sweetie Bell]
Drink with me to days gone by
Sing with me the songs we knew

[Scootaloo]
Here's to all of the memories we share

[Gilda]
Here's to all the adventures we have dared

[All]
Here's to them and here's to you

[Pinkie]
Drink with me to days gone by
Can it be you fear to die?
Will the world remember you
When you fall?
Could it be your death
Means nothing at all?
Is your life just one more lie?

[All]
Drink with me to days gone by
To the life that used to be
At the shrine of friendship, never say die
Let the well of friendship never run dry
Here's to you and here's to me

[Rainbow]
Drink to our friend Fluttershy
She needs all our strength tonight
She's weak and we have
No doctor at all
Would you weep,Equestria
Should she fall
Would you weep, Ponies
for her

Twilight burst into the throne room in tears. The truth in Applejack's words hurt a lot. It was so difficult to accept it, but Twilight knew she couldn't just close her eyes and make it go away. The flood gates have been opened.

She collapsed in the middle of the throne room surrounded by the dusty thrones of her friends. Their cutie marks, immortalized in crystal, staring down at her like omniscient eyes peering into her soul. Into her guilt.

Shining Armor entered the room with a pair of guards at his side. When he saw his sister crying he immediately ran to her side,"Twiley, are you alright?" He turned to his escorts and ordered them, "Leave us." The gold plated ponies obliged.

"Talk to me Twilight. what's the matter?"

Twilight sniffled,"I can't keep doing this. I- It hurts too much."

Shining gave Twilight a supportive hug, "Shhh, It's okay Twiley. It'll be over soon. Celestia will be here soon and we will never have to hear about the Lunar Republic ever again."

"Wh- What?" Twilight asked.

"We just received word a few minutes ago. Celestia's bringing a thousand troops with her from Canterlot. She plans to arrive at dawn. We just need to soften those rebels up for her."

"What?!"

Shining was a little confused, "It means we've won. I thought you'd be happy about this. Are you okay Twiley?

"Yes... no. I don't know. It's just... They're all there Shiny. Rainbow, Pinkie Pie, Rarity's sister, even...Fluttershy" Another wave of guilt overcame Twilight. The pressure was too much to bear. She looked her BBBFF in the eye, "I can't hurt them anymore. I've already done too much and I don't think I can just sit by and let them die either."

"What about Celestia. We owe her our obedience."

"I know! I know! I can't betray Celestia either."

"Is there anything I can do?"

Twilight eyed the pistol holstered to Shining Armor's side, "give me your gun."

"What?!"

"Shiny, give me your gun."

The look on his sisters face told Shining Armor exactly what she was planning. "Twiley, whatever your thinking-"

"Oh for pete's sake!" Twilight snatched the pistol in her magic and threw Shining Armor out the door. She slammed the double doors shut and lowered the cross bar. Nopony is going to stop her.

[Twilight]
What is this guilt
That has taken over me
Have I been blind all this time
And only now do I see
Have I become the monster
That everypony now fears
Am I the one
Who has brought them all to tears
All I wanted
Was things back to the old
Now they tell me
My heart has turned hard and cold

Damned if I force Equestria to kneel
Damned if I defy Celestia's law
I am a princess, I must play the part
But the elements chose the other side
There is no way that I can be both
It is either Celestia or my friends

All this land's spit apart
Is the monarchy dead?
Will they respect a Princess?
Should these ponies be freed?

And must I now begin to doubt
Who never doubted all these years
If all I have done is justified
or if the good I have known is lost in shadow
Was it for good or for evil?
How should I know?
But after what she said today
I can't continue either way

I am hoping in despair
But the path is naught but dark
There is no way I can choose
Without leaving all I know
I refuse to make a choice
Between one or another
There is nowhere else to turn
There is no way to go on

Twilight cocked the hammer back. She raised the barrel to her chin. She closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.

Author's Note

Two songs to make for none last time. I honestly didn't think I would do Drink With Me until the last chapter exceeded the 2,000 word mark. The first part is really just some filler mixed with a couple more feels for the Apples. As I expected, the Suicide was fun to write. In my opinion it is the one of the best written so far. please comment, like, critique.