Carry on

by Soge

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Main 6
Length: 8769

Can friendship survive the calling of the future, or must we choose between it and our dreams?

When Rainbow Dash receives a letter inviting her to join the Wonderbolts, her friends are forced to think about their futures and their aspirations. But how can a pony choose between their dreams and their friendship?

Published 2011-11-09 04:24:06 UTC
Last updated 2011-11-09 10:37:33 UTC

Carry on

The party was almost over at the library. As annoyed as Twilight Sparkle got whenever Pinkie Pie did those without asking her first, enjoying a party with friends was always worth the trouble. Everypony was watching Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash competing to see who could forehoof stand the longest, so when Spike coughed up a letter, only Twilight paid attention. Catching it with her magic, she started reading, ignored by her enthusiastically cheering friends. However, she had to stop midway, her eyes wide open in awe.

“Rainbow Dash,” said Twilight, trying to call her friend’s attention. Her target, however, was concentrating too hard, blocking all outside influences.

“Rainbow Dash?” she insisted, more annoyed this time. If anything, that just caused her to be ignored even harder.

“Rainbow Dash!”

Twilight's magically amplified voice echoed through the room, making Rainbow Dash lose her concentration and to fall flat on her back.

“Twilight, what the hay? I was about to win that one,” she complained while trying to flip herself back up.

“No excuses, sugarcube, I saw your hooves trembling there,” said a smirking Applejack, moving back to a normal standing position without misplacing her hat.

Twilight eagerly shoved the scroll into Rainbow Dash's hooves. “It’s a letter from Princess Celestia, addressed to you!”

“Tell me what it says.”

“You must read this one for yourself.”

Rainbow Dash grabbed the paper doubtfully, still angry about the interruption. However, with each sentence her mood improved and her eyes grew wider and wider, until she finally exploded into a chant of “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.”

“What's in it? Wait, wait, let me guess. You won a cake!” chimed in Pinkie Pie.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.” The blue pegasus was paralyzed by joy, unable to do anything but keep repeating her mantra.

Rarity sighed. “Please read it to the rest of us, Twilight.”

Assuming a mockery of the Royal Announcer tone, Twilight proceeded:

My faithful student Twilight Sparkle,

An acquaintance of mine asked for the enclosed letter to be delivered to one of your friends, since she wasn't sure of a better way to contact her in such a short notice. Please give her my most sincere congratulations.

Yours truly, Princess Celestia.

To Rainbow Dash.

Hey dude, wassup? Listen, Flathoof decided to hang her horseshoes all of a sudden, quite a shocker actually. Something about becoming a monk or joining the Circus, one of the two. Anyway, we were short one totally awesome flier for our upcoming world tour, when I said “Hey, I know where to find an totally awesome flier!” and I knew it was you.

I know it’s sudden, and quite outside the regiment, but I am sure you are a perfect fit. Drop me a line if you can make it, okay? We begin practicing at Manehattan in 4 days, so if you are able to make it by then it would be great.

Your pal, Spitfire.

By the time she finished reading the last line Pinkie was already bouncing all over the place, Fluttershy cheering like a maniac, and she had to run to join the bone crushing hug Applejack and Rarity were giving Rainbow Dash, who kept her chant for at least 15 more minutes.

“You know what this calls for? A party party!”

“A party party?” asked Twilight, a single eyebrow held high.

“Yes! That’s when you have a party and something totally awesome happens and then you throw a party during that party, so it becomes a party party!”

“Pinkie Pie, you are so random!” said a giggling Rainbow Dash, finally able to speak coherently again, while Spike went to ready a new batch of cupcakes. It would be a long night.

Rarity could not for the life in her discern how she returned home last night. The party went on until a lot later than she was used to, and as a result she had a raging headache, only intensified by the furious glare of the sun. Still, celebrating a friend's accomplishments was certainly a good cause, and nopony she knew dedicated herself more than Rainbow Dash.

She went on groggily through her morning routine, slowly following the usual steps of washing her sleep face away, beating her mane into perfection, boosting up her looks, sorting the mail...

At the bottom of the usual pile of requests for clothes, designs she had to approve or modify, and the bills common to all business owners, was a lavish letter, red with gold accents. Rarity was bewitched by the beautiful paper, recognizing the source of the thoughtful composition and attention to detail, marks of a true work of art. Opening it up revealed a fine scrawl, such as she had seen before on her previous correspondences with the famous pony, with whom she had been communicating since her first incursion into Canterlot high society. She read the letter with rapt attention.

My dear Miss Rarity,

I thank you immensely for the design collaborations on your last mail. Your artistic sense is certainly divine, even if there are rough edges to be smoothed, but these are obstacles that may only be overcome through experience. So entranced I am by your talent, that again I insist that you come develop your art under my tutelage, working as my personal design assistant. I am ready to offer the finest lodgings for your person, and you would certainly have full creative freedom while working on my own atelier, so together we may build tributes to fashion.

Please answer post haste, I urge to see how far you may go.

Sincerely, Fashion Channel.

It was not the first time she had received such proposals, but something in this one gave her pause. Maybe it was the particularly elaborate letter, maybe it was the caliber of the requester, or, more likely, maybe something of the celebration last night had stuck with her. Filled with enthusiasm, and pondering her future with a critical eye, she came to the logical conclusion. She decided to leave all her other obligations for later, and rushed over to Twilight’s home to start spreading the great news.

It took quite a few knocks, but eventually a positively radiant Rarity greeted a incredibly sleep addled librarian.

“I am going to Mareis!”

“Whuh?” mumbled Twilight.

“Mareis, the city of lights, of fashion, of beauty! The great Couturière Channel has invited me to work as her personal assistant. Oh, I am so happy!”

Twilight's brain finally caught up with the meaning of the words reaching her ears, which instantly woke her up. “Rarity, that is great news! When are you planning to leave?”

“Soon I hope, but the date is not yet set in stone. Sorry dear, this is a lot for me to take. I still gotta go tell everypony, make all the preparations, but, oh! the heights I shall climb!” Lost on her own dramatic world, Rarity walked away in a hurry, leaving a very confused Twilight behind.

She went next to Fluttershy, whom just hugged Rarity for a long time, since she understood better than any of her friends how much this achievement meant to her, and promised to find Rainbow Dash and give her the news. Applejack didn’t really understand what was so special about it all, but was very happy for her friend nonetheless. Her last stop was at Sugarcube Corner. Before she could knock, Pinkie Pie opened the door with a bang.

“Hey Rarity, what's up?” said Pinkie while bouncing around her friend.

“Pinkie Pie, today I got the most wonderful news. Fashion Channel, the great Fashion Channel chose me to be her personal student in Mareis. I am so excited!”

“Oh, that is great, Rarity. You know what we need? A party!”

“Oh, no need to bother, Pinkie. This is such a small thing and-”

“No, we don't need only a party, we need a partay! For you and Dashie both, the best party ever thrown in the history of Ponyville. Yes, we are so doing that!”

“Pinkie, thank you so much.”

“No need, silly. It is the least I can do.”

There was a lot to be done before both the party and her departure, so both rushed off to their duties.

Twilight Sparkle was busy researching a magazine on Fashion Channel. She had precious little knowledge of the fashion world, and was very curious about what kind of pony Rarity would be working with. Lost in her reading, she barely heard a soft rap on the library door. Recognizing who it was, she magicked open the door, leaving the magazine for later.

“Fluttershy, it is so great to see you. Please, come in. Do you want some tea?” she offered, already removing her tea set from the cupboard.

“Don't worry, thank you." An extended silence followed, during which Fluttershy entered the library and closed the door, an anxious awkwardness on her movements. "Twilight, can we talk?”

“Of course we can. Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing bad has happened.” She paused, discretely looking around. “Is Spike around?”

“No, he went to ask Rarity for more details of her trip. Who knows, maybe this whole situation will allow him to confess, the poor thing. Why?”

“Listen, I really need to talk with somepony about a thing. Can you keep a secret?”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Fluttershy left out a halfhearted giggled at hearing Pinkie’s way of promising. “Okay... Twilight, not many ponies know this, but I have some distant relatives.”

“Oh, Fluttershy, that is nothing to worry about. I bet all of our friends have some of these too. I don't even talk much about my own brother! Are they giving you trouble or something?”

“No! Hmm... sorry... I mean... it’s not like that. I have a cousin that lives very far away, and she also works with animals.”

“Guess that runs in the family, right? But why all this secrecy? That is wonderful! You should become pen pals, I am sure you two have lots of things in common. Spike can send and receive the letters for you, it will be great, you won't even have to wait for the mail!”

“No, no, listen. A few months ago she visited me all of a sudden. Her name is Mate Tea, and that she lives in the Amarezon Forest working with all kinds of marvelous animals. We talked over lunch and really bonded. She is a great pony.”

“Oh Fluttershy, I wish we could have met her. Why didn’t you tell us?”

“She was in a hurry and just passing by. Something about birds migrating west. She didn’t even know I was here, we met by accident. But that is not important. She saw how I cared for my little friends, and seemed impressed about how I am able to talk to them. I really don't understand why, it is not like this is something special.”

Twilight just made an ambiguous movement with her head, not wanting to interrupt her friend's line of thought.

“Anyway, she asked me if I could help her take care of the animals there, since there are so many and she is always so busy. I was not sure before, but now with Dash and Rarity going away, I am thinking about accepting her offer. What do you think?”

She was taken aback by the news, but she rushed over to the pegasus, grabbing her hooves. “That is amazing! Of course you should go silly, it’s your calling. The biodiversity on the Amarezon is impressive, and just imagine, you would be able to meet so many different new friends!”

“Are you sure? What about my little friends here? Angel will feel so lonely. And how could I ever leave all of you?" She looked pleadingly with moist eyes.

Twilight had to fight back a lump in her throat. “Don’t worry about that. What kind of friends would we be if we were to prevent you from chasing your dreams?”

“I guess you are right,” she answered with a furtive smile.

“I also think you should try to tell the others about this. I will keep your secret as long as you want, of course, but I am sure it will feel much better after you let them know.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Twilight. You have no idea of the weight you just removed from my mind. I swear I am gonna think more about it.” She gave her friend a goodbye hug, and left the library with a new spring to her step.

Twilight, however, kept staring at the closed door for a long time afterwards, a strange feeling welling up inside her, a feeling that as much as she tried to repress kept bugging her, like a belt constraining her heart.

She knew that all her friends were well deserving of success. Rainbow Dash trained very hard since she was a young filly to number amongst her idols, Rarity poured her very soul into designing her dresses, and to see good Fluttershy, who would never ask for anything while helping anypony, have great things come her way was a real delight. Still, why did it hurt so much?

Unable to find any answers by herself she wandered the streets, those thoughts festering in her head. All around her ponies were starting to prepare party fixtures, but she barely paid attention them. When she noticed, she found herself at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres. Knowing that Applejack was always very honest with her feedback, and since she should be facing similar issues, she decided that sharing her doubts was the perfect course of action.

While approaching the gate she saw three earth ponies leaving, all wearing fine suits. She accidentally overheard some of their conversation.

“No doubt it was the right call. All those trees! Nowhere in the country we see such a large production,” said the middle one, a well groomed orange stallion with a faint resemblance to Big Mac.

“Not to mention how fast they recover from winter,” added a green mare to his right, her blond mane tied neatly in a bun.

They went out of earshot before she could grab anything else, so she went straight to meet Applejack, who was waving them good bye from her porch.

“Hey Twi’, how ya doing?” she said with a smile.

“Oh, just fine. Who were those three?”

“Ah, nopony important. Just some distant cousins,” said Applejack, suddenly interested into looking at the trees.

“Seems to be lots of those around lately...”

“Wha’ was that?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” She amended with a silly grim.

“Say Twi’, could ya keep a secret?”

Twilight had a gut feeling for what it was. “Anything for a friend.”

“Come in then, let’s have some pie. I bet you're hungry, right?”

Twilight’s stomach rumbled in approval before she could say anything.

They continued the conversation sitting on Applejack’s dining room, a generous slice of fresh baked pie in front of each.

“You see Twi’, ah gotta be honest with ya. These ponies are the business ponies of the Apple Family.”

“Business ponies?” she said with a cocked eyebrow.

“Yeah, business ponies. The apple family is very large ya see, and they plan where we plant and sell apples all around Equestria, so we can have our apples served to as many ponies as we can.”

“Wow, I never knew. Did they plan Appleloosa too?”

“Actually the city was founded before we decided to plant there, but they oversaw the expansion. Normally they just look for a place needing apples, and then find ponies that can go plant and sell them. Good, no?”

“I never heard about that before. Your family sure is impressive! But why do you want me to keep this a secret?”

“Well Twi’, they are planning some kind of project in a harsh land, even farther than Appleloosa. Lots of ponies live around there, and there is a lot of land to plant, but there is precious few planting going around, since the soil is hard to work with and few ponies are willing or know how to do the job.”

“So you are giving them tips on applebucking?”

“Nah, nothing so simple. They heard about how we helped Appleloosa, and how we deal with this farm here. Something about best winter investimant turnaround synergy thingamajing or something. They threw a lot of words at me, but ah guess it means we are doing well."

Twilight tried to recall some old acting lessons, fighting to prevent her growing desperation from slipping into her talk. “You sure are amazing. I know you can give them all kinds of great ideas.”

“Actually, they said something about needing some kind of ambitious young go getter to capitalize on comparative advantages or something like that. The thing is, they want me to lead the new farm.”

Twilight’s stomach sank. The pie stopped seeing so appetizing now. “Near Appleloosa?"

"A little bit more distant a think."

"Just where are you going?"

"It is a place called Saddle Arabia. Have you heard 'bout it?"

She let out an inaudible sigh. "Yes, of course I have. So you too have decided to go.”

“Well, they have been asking for over a year now. Big Mac tried to talk me out of it, and ah was thinking that too, but with Dash and Rarity going away ah thought that maybe ah should try doing just that. It's a great deal, ah'll have everything I need there, and they agreed to fix our leaky roof, pay for granny’s hip replacement, and even pay some ponies to come and take up my duties.”

Keeping her true intentions hidden was growing harder by the second. “That is great, just great! Applejack, imagine how much this will help your family, not to speak about all those ponies over there. Oh, I know you will have a blast.” She wore her best fake smile, despite how hollow the words sounded to her.

Element of Honesty or not, Applejack was too focused on her issues to notice the signals she was receiving. “Oh thank you Twi’, your support means a lot to me. But, please don’t tell anypony else, 'kay? Ah wanna do that on my own.”

“Yeah, I imagined you would. No problem, I would never break a promise to a friend. But if you want my opinion, I think you should go tell Fluttershy first. You might be surprised.”

“Ah was thinking about going to look for Dash first, but now that you say it, she can help me find her. Seems like ever since getting that letter she is too excited to stop flying around. Thank ya Twi’. You have been a great help.”

“Oh no problem, always happy to help a friend. So, I guess I will be going now. Spike needs some help to send a letter.”

“‘See ya later then. By the way, what did ya want before?”

“Oh, I was looking to tell you that... oh yes! I think Pinkie Pie is gonna throw a party.”

“Hah, everypony knows that Twi’. Me and Granny are baking a ton of pies for that. It’ll be the greatest party in the history of the town!”

“Oh, good to know that you know. I will be going now, bye!” She ran away as soon as she finished speaking, not bothering to wait for a response.

“What got into that pony? She even forgot about her pie...” Applejack decided to leave that thought for later. She had much to do before leaving, and talking to Fluttershy and the others was her priority for now.

Twilight traced her steps back to Ponyville with her head hung low. Applejack too!? It was clear that her now successful friends were leaving her behind. But what would she ever do without them? Sure, she could return to Canterlot, but she had never been happy there, and besides, returning would be such a big step back and, with so many other things she still wanted to accomplish, an admission of failure.

Maybe she could make her friends stay. A few letters to Celestia, a botched fashion show, some sick animals, maybe even get the Cutie Mark Crusaders to plead to their sisters. Or she could take a page from Trixie's book! That dome certainly did the job.

Then again staying on the way of their success would only make them grumpy. If if things were to stay as they are, she had to give them positive reasons, just like a good friend would. Maybe she could marry off some of their friends. Four days would be plenty of time, and if she got Pinkie into the plan she would just need one other pony. Or she could keep Dash here as leader of the new Ponyville Wonderbolt Chapter. Now, if she could just get some elite fliers to help her, maybe from the Royal Guard...

She gave her head a sharp rap. Desperation had never helped her with anything. Decided to change her current situation, she went to go visit Pinkie Pie, as her only other friend still staying behind. Nothing could keep Pinkie down, and some laughter would certainly help her clear her mind. Luckily, her absent minded path had already took her back to the town center.

Pinkie Pie was busy decorating the central plaza, seemingly in two different places at the same time, putting up colorful streamers and balloons while instructing a group of ponies in setting up a massive stage. She noticed Twilight, and suddenly appeared in front of her.

“Twilight, good to see you! Wanna help me? There is so much left to do! Of course you wanna help me. Look, streamers! You can help me decorate.” Twilight was showered with paper strips.

“Er... sure!” She levitated some into completely random places.

Pinkie looked disapprovingly at her work. "Okay, don't worry, I got this.”

“What do you think about Rainbow Dash and Rarity going away?” she blurted out. Caution be damned, she had to get to the bottom of this.

“It’s the best! I am so happy for them. I am even throwing a party, have you heard!?”

“I am also happy Pinkie, but I mean, they are leaving. Don’t you feel a little sad to see them go?”

“If it was sad we wouldn’t be having a party, silly. Besides, I decided to move to Neighon!”

“What!? Why? With whom!?” Half her mane hairs decided to spontaneously burst out, as the dome started again to seem like a good idea.

Pinkie answered by bursting into a musical number.

[1]After my wild party at the gala
I met a pony called Discozilla
A party pony
That throws the best parties
Of the world.

One day he met me at the bakery
We traded all of our best party tips
to make ponies as happy as they could be

He called me, to join him back at his land of Neighon
Where are the best partiers of the world
But I decided to stay in Ponyville with my friends

But now that Dashie and Rarity
were called to go after their own destinies
I decided to hear the call
And now I am going to leave
and follow this road!

After partying wild at the gala
I met a pony called Discozilla
He told me that I was the happiest pony he has ever seen

And if we join forces as a team
we would certainly complete this dream
And so throw parties
To bring the largest smiles
to all the world!

“Whew, I had this ready for so long, I really wanted to use it,” said a panting Pinkie Pie, while her support dancers went back to setting the party up.

Twilight stared in disbelief. “Pinkie? Wha- how- Since when have you decided this? Why didn't you tell us sooner!?"

"Oh, I kinda had forgotten about the whole thing until you talked to me just now. Sure, I had thought about going before, but I decided that since all my friends are in Ponyville it could wait. Me and Discozilla have been trading letters since we met, and he gives me these great ideas, and then I remembered that his offer was still open, so I thought that, hey, with Dashie and Rarity going maybe I should go too, see the world, eat new cakes. And that is what I will do! Is that not the best thing ever?”

“T-that is so great, Pinkie. I guess this party is also for you then?”

“No silly, you can’t throw a party for yourself. That would be strange! But maybe somepony could throw a party within my party." She batted her eyelids at Twilight. "That somepony could even ask for help from others. I would be okay with this kind of farewell to Pinkie Pie party. What a great idea.”

“Oh it is nothing, Pinkie. I better run, Spike needs my help with the thing at the place and I can’t leave him waiting. Bye!” She teleported before Pinkie could answer.

“Wow, she must be so eager to do it, she can’t even wait to get started!” Pinkie said before going back to work on multiple decorations.

Spike entered silently into the library. He had been with Rarity all day, and was exhausted from running around selecting dresses or sending scrolls cancelling orders. The building was dark, with not a single light on. Only after lighting up the central area he noticed Twilight lying in the couch. She looked terrible, her mane disheveled, and her ear moving spasmodically, the effect amplified by her bloodshot eyes looking straight at him in a particularly disturbing way.

“Wow Twilight, what happened? You look terrible,” he said in a caring tone.

“My so called friends happened, Spike. They are going after their wishes and leaving me behind, that’s all.” She floated a letter toward him.

“What is this, Twilight? You are scaring me...”

“Send the letter Spike.”

Spike took a peek at it. It was not sealed, and written in an angry scrawl.

Princess Celestia

Today I learned the meaning of a broken heart.

Twilight Sparkle.

“Twilight, I don’t think-”

“Send it now, Spike.”

“But the princess-”

“SEND IT!” she screamed, tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.

“O-ok.” Fearful of her for the first time in his life, he folded the letter, and soon it was flying away towards Celestia.

“You wanna wait for the response?” he said, hoping to making her open up.

“Good night, Spike.”

“Are you sure? I am sure Celestia will-”

“Good night, Spike.” Her tone allowed no further arguments, the threat against further inquiry barely concealed.

A distraught Spike watched Twilight march into her room. Before shutting the door, she poked her head out. “Not a word about this to anypony. Not now, not ever!” Her voice was menacing, with an edge of madness, punctuated by the way she slammed the door close.

Spike had not seen her in such a bad a mood since Discord’s attack, and it scared him. He kept awake as long as he could, awaiting for a response that never came, listening to the sobs coming from Twilight’s room.

Twilight woke up amidst an avalanche of ponies. Her head was still pounding from lack of sleep, and she had no idea where she was or what was happening. She could identify flanks of various colors, what seemed like manes and hooves, but her mind was too busy sleeping to help her body process the situation. She tried to mumble something.

“Twilight, wake up,” somepony said.

“We got great news,” another voice answered.

“Yeah, get up, it is late!” a third chimed in.

“Guys, calm down...” she finally managed to say in a hoarse whisper.

“Great, you are up. We have much to discuss.” She could now identify that voice as belonging to Rarity.

Twilight shook her head. “Oh, sure, about what?”

“We all want to thank you,” Fluttershy said first.

“Yeah, you were great! I was second guessing the whole thing, but after hearing how you talked to our friends and convinced them I am pumped up again,” added Rainbow Dash, who was flying above her head.

“Calm down, calm down. I am still waking up! Who helped who to do what?”

“You, silly! You see, everypony was thinking about how awful you would feel being left behind, but you talked to us all! You are such an wonderful friend Twilight!”

“There ah was eating my hooves of fear for how y'all would react and then you appear at the right time to calm me down. Dang it, if ah didn't know best, ah'd say you used some kind of magic on me, Twi’."

“Oh. Oh! That! That was nothing, I swear, just my luck to be there for you. How did you find out about that?”

“We all wanted to share the news with everypony else, but when we started talking we found out just how you convinced each of us to go after your dreams.” Rarity's look irradiated gratitude.

The irony smashed Twilight like a truck. “Nah, it was nothing, anypony would have done the same in my place. I just happened to be there.” Preventing the truth from reaching her voice was becoming harder by the second. “So, how are the party preparations going?”

“Oh, very well. We changed it, so now it is a party for all of us, so nopony needs to feel alone. Great, huh!?” said Pinkie Pie.

“Yeah, nopony will feel alone...”

“Well Twi’, ah guess we should let you wash up. There is a lot left to do, so we will see ya later,” said Applejack, as all the five marched back out.

Despite not feeling like it, Twilight decided to help with the party preparations. Keeping herself busy would prevent her from thinking about certain things, and besides, this would probably be one of her last chances to interact with her friends.

Night was falling, and Twilight returned home thoroughly defeated. Her coat was dirty with cake, her mane ruffled with several deflated party balloons stuck in it, and her horn was wrapped in streamers. Helplessly entangled in her tail was a bizarre contraption made of twisted steel parts, its original purpose discernible only to its creator, if even that.

"Nice costume, Twilight!" Spike welcomed her, roaring with laughter.

She was trying to untangle those various objects with her magic, and doing a great job in failing to do so. "Let's never speak of this again. This never happened!" Frustrating as the day was, it all failed so spectacularly that the whole thing lightened her mood by quite a bit.

"How should we report this? Dear Princess Celestia, today I-"

"Never again!" She crumpled the unfinished letter. "No reports for today, Spike. I just want a bath and my bed."

"Wait here, I will go fill the tub".

An uncomfortable 20 minutes passed in silence, with Spike sorting the scattered books, while Twilight worked on scrubbing the frosting off her coat. Spike was the one to finally break it.

"So... Feeling better?" he asked, ready to dodge objects coming from the bathroom. He was answered by a long sigh.

"I don't know, Spike. Look, I am sorry for yesterday. I shouldn't have treated you that way, and I feel so bad for thinking they were being mean on purpose, for feeling they were abandoning me. They value my friendship so much, and I don't wanna lose them. Yet..."

"Yet...?"

She fought a knot in her throat. "Yet I don't wanna be alone, and asking them to throw their dreams away would be selfish. No true friend would ever do that."

Spike smiled. "How could fulfilling dreams ever be bad?"

"You can be such a baby, Spike. They are going away! Next time we see each other it will be like we were strangers."

"Common, you should have more faith in your friends."

"But what if they forget about our friendship!?" She was approaching hysteria yet again.

"Why, then I guess you never actually were friends," Spike said with finality.

Something clicked inside Twilight, her eyes flashing wide open from the realization. "Spike, you are a genius!" she screamed before teleporting away.

With nopony around, Spike uncovered the body sized mirror on the corner. "Looking real good indeed, Spike."

Fluttershy was finishing the arduous task of putting all her little friends to sleep when Twilight Sparkle appeared inside a full bathtub in the middle of the room. The shy pony ran behind her coach as all animals woke up scared, while a soaked and oblivious Twilight jumped out screaming "Eureka! Eureka!".

"T-T-Twilight... W-what happened?" she managed to say amidst the screams of joy.

The unicorn stopped, barely noticing what she had done and the mess she was leaving behind. "I found it, Fluttershy! Quick, get Rainbow Dash and come to my house." She teleported away as soon as the words left her mouth, taking half the bathtub with her on the process.

Fluttershy watched helplessly the soapy contents of the other half spread through her floor, ruining the carpet, and sighed. "And I had just cleaned up..." Leaving this mess for later, she went on to the inglorious task of waking Rainbow Dash up.

Twilight threw the library door open, slightly less wet than before, but still enough to make a mess on the floor. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were not far behind, and a keen listener could pick up Applejack’s hooves thundering on the distance.

"Twilight, at least dry yourself up!" said Spike while covering his mirror again.

Absent minded, she cast a spell to remov the water from her fur, leaving it as a puddle in the ground instead.

Spike face met his claw, him knowing very well who would have to clean up that mess. "Are you okay, Twilight?"

"I am great, better than ever. Finally I understand it all!"

"Understand what?"

"Wait for the others."

Just as she said that Rarity entered through the door, skillfully dodging the puddle. "Twilight, I must know, have you gone insane!?"

"Yeah, the party is tomorrow, silly," added Pinkie Pie, pouncing into the puddle and splashing water everywhere.

“Look you two, this is not what you think. I just-”

“Dropped a full bathtub on my head while I was sleeping! And then jumped on me, told me to go to your house and disappeared with nary a word!” said a furious Applejack, rushing through the door while still dripping wet.

“Great job, Twilight. Some day you will challenge me for queen of pranks if you keep up like that,” said a giggling Pinkie Pie.

“No, wait, you have to understand! Wait for the others and-”

“Okay Twilight, what's the big idea? You scared Fluttershy, never mind what you did to her house! A bathtub, really?” said Rainbow Dash after entering through a window.

Pinkie started shaking the purple unicorn. “Fluttershy? Twilight, are you crazy? You can’t play pranks on her, it is against the code! What if she becomes a hermit and decides to go live in the mountains with bears? What would you do then?”

Fluttershy was just entering at that moment. “Bears are very friendly, Pinkie. And I am sure Twilight had a good reason to-”

“Can you let me talk please?” She was still euphoric from her discovery, and knew that falling into their pace would be the worst thing she could do right now. “Look, I have a confession to make. I lied to you all, but most importantly, I lied to myself. I wasn't happy about you all going away. In fact, I was jealous, and even worse, I was scared that we would not be friends anymore, and that I would be left behind in Ponyville while you all were doing amazing things. But Spike made me finally realize something, maybe the most important thing of all. We are friends! Even more, we are real friends. And real friends are still friends no matter what happens, no matter who we become, no matter where were go! Stupid things like distance and life can't make we lose this. Can you forgive me for being so blind?"

They stared at each other for a split second, and as one ran together into a group hug. How long it lasted, none could tell, as they talked without words what they meant to each other.

When she finally broke from the embrace, tears were glistening in Rainbow Dash's eyes. “You have no idea how stupid I was! It was terrible, I thought I would lose you all, but I couldn’t bring myself to share this with you!”

“Twilight, thank you so much, I think we all needed that.”

“But can you forgive me for being so-” Twilight started asking, but was interrupted by a bump from Applejack.

“Stop that right now. We all were wrong, nopony saw how bad you felt!”

“You should never forget you mean a lot to us. No gem in the world is more precious to me than what we have."

“Okay guys, I am happy and stuff but we all need to rest before the party,” said a yawning Rainbow Dash.

They all agreed, and with lighter hearts went back to their respective homes. Twilight went to help Applejack and Fluttershy clean up, but instead of the weight of the past few days, this time she felt fine. It was like she was full of a new energy, different from anything she had ever experienced before, even while wielding the elements of harmony. She quickly cleaned both rooms, and when thanked by her friends, could finally feel good in earnest, unencumbered by the issues she had been facing.

She was very tired by the time she returned to the library, but still filled with a sense of purpose. After helping Spike clean her mess, she penned a letter.

Dear Princess Celestia,

today I learned a very important lesson in friendship. No matter the circumstances, no matter the distance, or even what their goals may be, true friends are eternal, and knowing that you still have a friend even while they are on the other side of the globe makes any friendship shine brighter than a thousand suns, be more colorful than a rainbow, and, indeed, magic.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

Spike sent the letter, happy to see her change of mood. While they finished preparing to go to bed, he coughed out a response. Opening the scroll, she couldn’t help but notice a couple of moist patches on the paper slightly smudging the ink.

My faithful graduate, Twilight Sparkle.

There is nothing more I could hope to teach or have you learn by now, so I guess calling you a student would be a misnomer. There is an open research position in CERM[2], available to you as soon as you want. I am now more certain than ever that you can push the boundaries of magic with wisdom and temperance, for the benefit of all of Equestria. I know you will make me proud on this as in all matters.

Your former mentor, Princess Celestia.

Her screams of joy echoed through Ponyville.

The morning of the party came, and it was a glorious day. No clouds on the sky, and no pony to make rain come. Visitors flocked from near and far, Ponyville never having seen so many ponies since its inception. The whole town was filled with party tents bearing all manners of foods, drinks and activities. The centerpiece was at the central plaza, in the form of a massive stage.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders stole a slot to try getting their marks in stand-up comedy, followed by a particularly impressive stunt by Scootaloo. The loudest cheers, however, were for an excellent magic show, performed by a mysterious masked magician, whom disappeared soon after. Between acts like those, musicians of various styles took to the stage, ponies dancing and partying to their hearts' content. Even the Royal Sisters decided to crash the party, arriving unannounced, but still drawing all the stares, specially after Celestia challenged a very outmatched Luna to a cake eating contest.

The sun was setting when the time for the main event came. The lights got dimmed, and attention was called to the stage, where the Mayor stood on the spotlight.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to this grand farewell party! Today we join in celebration as we say goodbye to six very special ponies, and also one special dragon. Please, clap your hooves as we start with her, the unicorn that brings magic to Ponyville. Come to the podium, Twilight Sparkle!”

The spotlights focused to her. She was dressed wearing a trimmed down variation of her gala get-up, and floated a neat stack of papers by her side. She waited for the cheering to subside.

“My dear friends, colleagues, and inhabitants of Ponyville. It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that, starting from tomorrow I, Twilight Sparkle, librarian of your local library and friendship researcher, will be leaving this fair village for distant lands, pursuing new venues in the field of magic. In honor of all the friendship I was shown since here I came so long ago, I’d like to say that-”

Applejack bumped her out of the stage. “What my friend here wanna say is that we are all going away, and we all love you so much, and will miss each and every one of you.”

Spike came in next, and talked while fiddling his tail. “Hello? I am going with Twilight, but I guess we can come to visit sometime. I hope you are not afraid of big strong dragons by them!”

The spotlight shone then on Rainbow Dash. “Awww yeah! Next time you see me, I will be here, on this very stage, on this very town, as leader of the Wonderbolts, so be prepared to be rainbow dashed!”

Rarity was the next target of the lights. “My dear friends, I am so happy to see you all here today. I am sad that Ponyville will be losing my touch, but be assured that I made arrangements so that this fair town shall not lack for fashion while I am gone.”

Fluttershy tried to hide from the light using her hair, but felt forced to speak something. “Ahnn... Hmm... I... I... I like you all...” she said in a barely audible voice.

Pinkie Pie took the center, and the whole stage became flooded with light, all the leaving ponies – and dragon – lined up on the back. “All right! You all know why we are here tonight, but don't forget that we won't be here tomorrow! That is right, all of us, at the same time, so nopony will need to feel left behind. So remember to party and say to us whatever you need now, since the Mane Six reunion tour will have to wait a while. Berry Punch, I declare you the new Pinkie Pie, use this power with responsibility. But less talking, more partying! DJ-Pon3, take the house!”

After that the party raged on through the night. Celestia and Luna spent some time in the celebration, with Celestia falling for one of Pinkie’s pranks, much to her sister’s delight, before both having to return to their duties in Canterlot. As the night advanced other ponies started to leave to their homes, or simply find some place to fall asleep, but not the six.

Long after only they were left standing they kept partying, singing, dancing, telling histories, knowing very well that sleep and the sunrise would mean the end of something special, and a leap towards the great unknown. Each song, each thrown pillow would be another memory to be cherished, to be engraved on their very souls. And each second of laughter was another second the dawn would be held back. And held back it did, for Luna decided that the world could live one day with a longer night, if it meant that the magic there could be extended. Only after they finally fell asleep in unison out of absolute exhaustion did the sun rise, leaving many to wonder if Nightmare Moon had returned, and giving the royal sisters a real PR nightmare.

They slept together huddled under the shadow of a party tent. Eventually the sun woke them up, and after agreeing to meet back at the central plaza in two hours, each went to gather the things they needed for their undelayable date with destiny.

Rainbow Dash grabbed a small saddlebag and threw in her poster of the Wonderbolts, the letter detailing the place where she would join them, and the headdress Rarity gave her for the gala. She found Scootaloo on her door waiting to say goodbye, and went to watch her showing off some of the tricks she had been working on. The filly got from Rainbow Dash an autograph, and the promise of tickets for the next Wonderbolts show in Canterlot, with the condition that she took care of Tank. She spent the rest of her time enjoying the sights of a still sleepy Ponyville. Weather would certainly go unregulated today, but nopony was in a position to care.

Rarity had shipped most of her things ahead of her already, and took her time brushing her mane, and saying goodbye to Sweetie Belle and her parents. All that was left for her to carry were two large bags full of beauty supplies, magazines, and the hearth-shaped gem she kept as a memento from Spike.

Fluttershy tried for the last time to convince Angel to come with her, but his refusal eventually got through her. She spent the rest of the time saying goodbye to all her other animal friends, making sure they would be able to take care of themselves on her absence. Her luggage was very light, since she had to fly for a good part of the way, just some herbs, a short guide for communicating and finding her way in Amarezon, and the beautiful feather that Philomena once gave to her.

Applejack took her time being assured by Big Mac that he would be able to handle the farm until the new ponies came, since he wasn't so stubborn as to not ask for help in the village. Granny Smith looked torn between happiness and sadness, and gave her a simple hug, warning her against those foreigner colts. Apple Bloom cried silently on her hooves for a while, before saying that the next time she visited, she would have the most awesome cutie mark ever. Applejack would travel light, just some apples, a work saddle, and a few leaves from her favorite trees, since most of the stuff she needed would be provided at her new location. But in the bottom of her bags, carefully packed in hay, was a tree branch sculpted in the form of a pony, made by Rarity during their sleep over at Twilight’s.

Pinkie Pie took her time eating all the things she could find in Sugarcube Corner, since all the Cakes were sleeping. Her bags contained confetti, party balloons, musical instruments, her party cannon, pranking implements, cupcakes, a bucket of turnips and, protected on its very own compartment, a banner written in five very different styles that said “Happy Birthday Pinkie Pie!”. Gummy rode on her mane with his his eternal gummy expression.

Twilight Sparkle had to really rush. Spike had already arranged Doctor Whooves to work as a temporary replacement librarian, and together with Twilight they tried in vain to make the whole place presentable, and also fit tons of scrolls, ink pots, and quills in her relatively small bags. Spike was sure that CERM would have all the books and office supplies she would ever need, but she insisted on bagging some nonetheless, such as her worn copy of “Slumber 101”, with all activities annotated and checked out multiple times. With a last look at the library, she affixed the bags to her back, Spike perched Pee Wee on his head, and they walked side by side towards the meet-up.

The time had come at last. All reached the central plaza at about the same time, it being deserted due to exhaustion and respect. Rainbow Dash was the first to get there, and she distracted herself cleaning the sky of stray clouds. The others soon arrived, and they stood on a circle, saying nothing for a while, just looking at each other eyes. Pinkie was the one to finally break the silence.

“Forever,” she said while extending a front hoof.

“Forever,” replied the others in unison, repeating the gesture and touching hooves at the center.

At this exact moment Spike coughed a scroll with the royal seal. He grabbed it, and with the others looking curiously towards the paper, started reading out loud.

My dearest little ponies,

as my gift to you, enclosed are six pictures, so you may never forget what the most important thing is.

Proudly, Princess Celestia.

As he finished reading, a sheet of paper flew magically towards each pony. It was a picture they took long ago, of the six in a field of flowers, content just to be together.

Rainbow Dash grabbed hers without warning and stuffed it into her saddlebags. Saying something garbled beyond recognition she flew up at a dazing speed, fast enough to disperse the trail of tears. Barely stopping to look for the right direction, she kept flying at maximum speed, producing a Sonic Rainboom right above Ponyville and leaving a magnificent rainbow over the town.

But as she faded away in the horizon the blue of the rainbow also faded away.

“I- I can’t- I can’t keep my train waiting,” stuttered Applejack, face hidden on her stetson. She dashed off towards the train station where a pony pulled train waited for her.

The sound of the engine starting matched with the fading of the rainbow’s orange.

Pinkie Pie took a last look at the other three ponies, working her hardest to keep smiling. After saying a final “Oh well, see ya!”, Pinkie bounced towards Neighon.

Her jumps caused the rainbow’s red to also go.

“My dears, I also need to be away. I hope you do fabulously well in your new homes,” said Rarity with whatever grace she could still muster. However, nothing could hide the tears running down her face. She stepped daintily into the simple but elegant pegasi pulled carriage that had been waiting for her.

It was as if the flutter of their departing wings caused the rainbow’s green to be blown away.

Fluttershy was quite caught up between crying and not wanting Twilight to notice, so she decided to go away with a quiet “If you don’t mind, I have to go”. She still had quite a flight ahead before getting to the boat that would carry her the rest of the way.

Her timid flight caused the yellow of the rainbow to also hide.

Twilight Sparkle stood there, gazing at Fluttershy’s form until she disappeared on the horizon. She was alone again, just like at the start, when she arrive in Ponyville. She took a last look at the village that changed her life, some ponies now starting their days, and then turned her head to the single line of violet on the sky.

“Twilight-”

“We gotta go, Spike,“ she said with finality, and after securing the photo into her own bags, teleported herself and her assistant towards distant lands.

And just as that, the rainbow was gone.

And so it was that Ponyville became an emptier place, for the six had went away. But, while they themselves would never be able to see it, in place of the rainbow that day shone in the sky a band of the most beautiful color, a color just now born in the world.

Author's Note

[1]: Sung in the rhythm of "Dan Dan Kokoro Hikareteku"
[2]: CERM - Center for Equine Research in Magic.

Thank you very much for reading. Comments, pointing out errors and critiques are all very much appreciated.