In Sunset’s room back inside the Crystal Empire, the unicorn grabbed her journal and sat at her desk. Filled with nothing but grief, Sunset grabbed her pen and opened up her journal. Sniffling as she looked at the pages, Sunset couldn’t imagine the bad news she was about to tell her friends back in the human world. But bearing the pain she felt within herself, she wrote,

Dear Twilight,

It’s been awhile since I spoke to you like this. But I will tell you the good news first. We were able to defeat the monsters and save Equestria from total annihilation. But that’s where the good news ends…

***

Zecora took Cadance and Shining Armor back to her hut where they heard crying. Cadance and Shining Armor were afraid of what could have happened to Flurry Heart, but the zebra assured the pair that they had nothing to fear. Opening the door, Zecora brought them inside and went to go get Flurry Heart. After two minutes of being nervous, Cadance and Shining Armor saw Flurry Heart in Zecora's hooves. Tears of relief poured out of their eyes as they rushed over and hugged Flurry Heart as well as each other as tightly as they could. It was a teary reunion, but they were grateful to see their child alive and would never forget everything that was done for them while captured.

***

Inside the now-destroyed city of Canterlot, everypony was released from their prison cells by Sunset and Apple Bloom. When they were freed from their cages, the survivors wandered outside the dungeon. But instead of laughing or cheering, everypony cried and hugged each other after everything that had happened to them in the course of the Shadow’s reign.

Starlight was watching from a distance with Tempest, carrying a sad and hollow look. They had contemplated everything from the events they have witnessed, the losses they took, and the scars they now have to carry. Then Starlight turns around and looks at the blanket-covered Spike on the ground. Then she walked over to him and hoisted him onto her back with Tempest following suit.

***

Sunset continued to write to her friend, but her heart started to feel heavy the more she wrote to the Twilight of the human world.

...We have suffered so much. Everywhere we went, Equestria was filled with nothing but death and destruction. There was no other way around it. It was like a nightmare you could never wake up from. And to top it all off, the portal to your world has been destroyed with no way of coming back to you or any of our friends for that matter…

***

Starlight and Tempest moved their way through the forest, which was now filled with the corpses of the creatures and monsters that tried to kill them. The forest reeked of death and they wanted nothing more than to stay out, but Spike mattered to them more and they pushed on ahead while minding the corpses of their dead enemies.

***

Sunset sniffled the more that she wrote and she could hardly focus on her letter. But she had to continue, even if it hurts her more than it already had.

...Every last one of my friends were killed and all I can do is just write to you about what happened to me after all this. I mean, it's been lonely without you and I have nobody else to talk to. Equestria will never be the same again after everything that has happened. I have also received word that the Royal Sisters are dead and Cadance has now taken over as the Princess of Equestria with Flurry Heart to be next in line for the throne…

***

Starlight and Tempest have made it all the way up the mountain and entered a small cavern filled with crystals. They gently put Spike's corpse down and started digging his tomb.

***

...I know this letter is going to take forever, so this is where I say goodbye. Ever since the day we first met, I have always thought of you as more than a friend. Whenever I look at you, I feel nothing but the warm sunshine that comes to brighten my darkest days. Nothing will ever replace the time that I have spent with you when I was still in your world. You are everything anybody could ever ask for. Twilight… and everybody else that is reading this letter… if there is anything troubling you, do not hesitate to write to me. I will always be with you, no matter what. You have all made me so happy.

Yours and always faithful,

Sunset Shimmer

Sunset Shimmer closed the book and began wailing all over her desk like an awoken foal. Her tears were endless and she wouldn't stand up to leave.

***

Back in the human world inside Twilight’s room, Twilight felt her heart ache and Spike was concerned for her wellbeing. Her friends were there as well and they were as equally saddened as Twilight and her dog. They were at a loss for words and they had no idea what to say about the results. Other than comfort each other over what has happened to their friend.

***

When they were finished digging Spike's grave, Starlight and Tempest slowly and gently put him inside there. After setting him down nicely and slowly, they proceeded to bury him. Every ounce of dirt poured on him, every last memory she had during the time she spent with Spike, Starlight could feel her heart break after everything she did including the misery that followed. When they were finished, Starlight barely had anything to say after his burial. Her mind was filled with too many of the heavy thoughts that occured while preparing for Spike’s private funeral and all she could do was stare in sadness and sorrow as the realization finally hit her.

“It’s time to go…” Tempest said with a sad voice.

She pulled Starlight away and proceeded to walk out of the cave. But before Starlight could leave, she turned around and looked back at Spike’s grave. Her eyes were thick with tears and she could do nothing but cry. Tempest came back and gently pulled Starlight out with her as they finally exited the cave back to the now-destroyed city of the Crystal Empire.

Author's Note

The next chapter will be a double-chapter, one of which will be an epilogue with a nice surprise for all of you. I will publish the chapter the day after Friday the 13th (I am very superstitious of that day...). Anyway, enjoy the chapter.