Author's Note

I figured I should let you guys know ahead of time there's some pretty heavy stuff in this and the next chapter. Even horror rarely touches on Suicide, and I'm handling it the best I can with my current writing skills. Please try not to take what you read here too much to heart, and help anyone who's struggling with suicidal thoughts. There are hotlines and things like that you can use to help. Seek whatever constructive outlet eases your pain or someone else's.

Breaking Point

"Shining Armor, calm yourself," Princess Celestia told the white unicorn standing before her. He earlier arrived short of breath and in a panicked state.

"Listen Princess, Something terrible is going on with Twilight! I need to find her, fast!"

"Please, relax and quickly tell me what's going on."

"She's at risk of succumbing to self-destruction!"

"What do you mean!?"

"I read about this a long time ago! If a pony is exposed to long periods of isolation and solitude, they become convinced that the world around them is fake; that something isn't right about it! It's commonly mistaken for some kind of psychological disorder, but it's a rapid personality change that can lead to excessive alcohol consumption, tendencies of self-harm, and even suicidal impulses! I should've seen this earlier when her magic was being suppressed by her own mind! That's why Sombra didn't cut off her magic flow too! He didn't know she was more powerful than I was!"

"Oh my goodness! Is it really that dire?"

"I'm afraid so. Please, tell me where she went!"

"If you must find her, she is currently residing in the forest of dreams. However, the next train doesn't leave until tomorrow, and if I'm not mistaken, you can't teleport, can you?"

Shining growled in frustration.

"We will prepare a place for you to rest. I know your journey here was difficult. I assure you, we will see to it that you and Twilight are reunited."

"Fine," Shining mumbled. Now he was just trying to control the urge to slam his head into a wall.

Shining spent most of the night thinking the situation over. It was like an intrusive drill spinning through his skull. Even though he knew the condition existed, there was no information on its cause. There were only a few experiments done, and every time, the subjects were so distant from everyone that no other results could be gathered. The only other thing he knew was that in unicorn cases, their energy couldn't be properly measured. Because of the risks involved, all research into the subject was dropped. All he could do was hope Twilight's mental strength allowed her to last a little longer.

"What will I even say to her once I get there...?"

The train station was empty, save for the princesses and Twilight's friends. The air was exceptionally cool for the time of year, and a breeze was blowing the strands of their manes.

"Shining, will you please explain what's going on," Rarity demanded.

"We believe you at least owe them that, soldier," Luna advised.

"Okay, but promise me you'll all stay here where it's safe."

All Twilight's friends nodded at once.

"You know how it's possible to read magical energy with the right abilities. I didn't realize it on our original journey to the crystal empire, but Twilight's magic was being suppressed by something even more dangerous than anything we've ever faced before: her own mind."

"Wait, what the heck are you sayin'," Applejack questioned, "You're telling us Twi's gone crazy upstairs?"

"Not quite. Have you ever been through long periods alone before; at least a few months at a time?"

All of them shook their heads. It was rare these days most of them stayed home for a week without going anywhere.

"There's a type of condition that was found a long time ago. It was like extreme schizophrenia, but the victim maintained awareness of their own actions and could still control themselves. The downside was that they became convinced something was wrong with the world, like there was something missing that was supposed to be here. When it got to a certain point, every single pony that developed the condition...Well..."

Shining dragged a hoof across his throat; a classic indication of death. Twilight's friends, and even the princesses, winced in horror.

"And I'm afraid to say that's not all either. The type of training she's trying to put herself through could kill her too. I don't even understand why she wanted to do this in the first place. Murder has never existed in Equestria."

"Shining Armor, maybe there's something else she's trying to stop as well," Celestia suggested.

"Huh?"

"Murder as we know it doesn't exist in our world, but there's something that does..."

"You mean...?"

"Suicide."

The mention of the word caused every living being in the area to hang their heads in solidarity. It was such a heartbreaking thing to consider, but it was true. While a rare occurrence, suicide, the act of taking one's own life, was something that persisted, even in one of the most beautiful worlds of them all.

"The condition you described to us is one we were unfortunately unaware of. However, there are other causes that result in the elimination of the self."

"But I don't get it. Why didn't she mention it in the letter if that's true?"

"...She probably didn't want to talk about it," Pinkie Pie interjected. The tone of the words from her voice caught everyone's attention.

"Pinkie, is something wrong," Fluttershy asked with deep concern.

"I've...wanted to do that to myself before," she cracked.

"Pinkie, how long has this been going on," Rarity wished to know.

"Ever since I was little..."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't know how."

"Shining Armor, your train has arrived," Luna proclaimed.

"This is one heck of a day...," Shining grumbled with a tinge of sorrow, "You guys take care of pinkie. I have some family business to take care of."

Twilight's friends nodded except for Pinkie, and Shining boarded the train.