The Harsh Future

by Fluskie

Rating: mature
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Discord, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Main 6
Length: 7396

Picking your happiness or your friends happiness..Who would you choose? And are they really happy with those descisions?

Big responsibility comes with risks and disapproval. Twilight wears her crown upon her head with confidence knowing her friends will always be by her side and there to help her when she needed it. But is she really planning ahead? Twilight is faced with immortality while her friends live their short and simple lives. With a simple spell, she could make them live with her for all of eternity. But with all choices come a risk..And that risk is Equestria.

(I added the mature tag just because sex is referenced and happens a little bit like one little scene. hahthroughout the fanfic. Nothing too huge however. I just did it just in case.)

(Also, I don't really care if you don't like it. Sorry. Just kind of tired of people putting down everything I do so say what you want but I don't really care. Sorry.)

Published 2018-10-13 06:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-10-13 06:30:01 UTC

Secretive Matters

It was a gentle and quiet night as a cool wind swept across Ponyville and moved along until it reached Twilight's castle. The six friends were seated on her balcony having a nice late night picnic when the breeze came along. Fluttershy shivered giving a small squeak as Twilight giggled a bit. She was enjoying a nice daisy sandwich while listening to her friend's conversations.

"And then I fell right in!" Pinkie giggled.

"Why do you need so much batter for a cake anyway?" Rarity asked.

"Why not?"

"Well, you're just gonna fall in again." Applejack replied.

"But that's the fun part silly! I get to swim in a bunch of batter! But..Then its not so fun when I get stuck."

Twilight shook her head, giving a small smirk at their conversation as she looked towards the stars now. She didn't exactly know what they were talking about but something about batter and Pinkie falling in? She'd have to catch up later.

"Heya Twi, what was that letter that came in this morning?" Rainbow asked as she was now sitting beside Twilight.

There was a bit of fear suddenly seen in Twilight's face. The other Mane Six had now lived with her in the castle and occasionally they would get stacks of mail for the each of them. Rainbow had just been looking for something she ordered when she found a letter in the pile addressed to Twilight. It even had the royal stamp on it. She was about to look further when Twilight suddenly snatched it from her and gave her a bit of a nervous smile, explaining that it was something important and she couldn't look. It seemed like a touchy subject of some kind however from the look on Twilight's face.

"Oh..That was nothing. Just..Uh..Me and Celestia sending back and fourth letters." Twilight tried to cover up whatever it was. However, Rainbow could see right through her lies.

"Come on Twi. I've known you for a long time now. I know how you act and when you're lying. Just spit it out."

"I wish I could..But its better off if nopony knows at the moment.." Twilight looked down at the ground now with a bit of guilt.

"Well, you better tell us sometime." Rainbow said as she now flew off to join her friends in their conversation. Twilight just kept silent after that as soon everypony went to bed in the castle for the night.

The next morning, Twilight woke up early as she galloped downstairs and began packing a saddlebag.

“Hello Twilight, going somewhere?” Twilight jumped slightly as she looked behind her to see Rarity sitting down in her throne sipping a cup of coffee.

“Oh, hey Rarity. Just heading out. I should be back in a few hours.” Twilight quickly said, not giving her a chance to respond before taking off with a gallop.

Within a few minutes Twilight was already sitting on a train watching the landscape pass by like a blur. She was on her way to Canterlot to meet with the other princesses. The reason why she hid the letter from Rainbow and everypony else was because she knew what it was for. Celestia had only asked her to come to Canterlot but she knew exactly what it was for and why. They had asked her to come because they were going to talk about her friends. A topic she really didn’t like. Which sounded quite odd for Twilight but it was true.

She suddenly felt the train come to a stop and the engineer pony shout they had arrived. Twilight levitated her saddlebag up from underneath her seat and began trotting towards Canterlot Castle.

When she made it inside, she seated herself in the hall of stain glass windows. The stained glass windows were one of Canterlot Castle’s most interesting aspects considering many of the beautiful portraits carried meaning and a story behind all of them. They also carried memories and nostalgia for Twilight as she almost teared up whenever she saw the stain glass of her friends defeating Nightmare Moon or any of them where she wasn’t at least a alicorn. She couldn’t cry now though, she was about to meet with the princesses in the throne room to discuss her friends. And in no time, she saw the throne room doors open a crack as Cadence peaked inside.

“Twilight, you may come in now.” She said as she now turned and started trotting back up to the thrones.

Twilight took a deep breath as got up and trotted inside. She watched as Cadence just made her way back to her throne and seated herself. Celestia and Luna were already there watching Twilight enter the room. As soon as she had walked far enough, she stopped, standing in the middle of a red rug they had that went up and down the room.

“I’m assuming you know why we are all here?” Celestia asked.

“Yes..I do.” Twilight replied solemnly.

“Twilight..I understand you don’t want to let them go and they are very dear to your heart, but you can’t keep them here forever. They will want to die and pass on. They probably already do.”

“Then why can’t I go with them? I want to be with my friends!” Twilight raised her voice.

“It doesn’t work like that Twilight. A alicorn can’t just simply pass on. We are not like other ponies.” Luna said.

“I don’t understand how you all can just live like this with no grief or sorrow that all of your friends are dead and you can’t go with them!” Twilight argued.

“We do feel grief and sorrow. I’ve made many friends during my lifetime. I know what’s it's like.” Celestia tried to reassure her.

“Then how come you don’t show it! You’re all like robots with no emotions!”

“Twilight! That’s enough!” Luna finally had enough as she yelled.

Twilight looked towards Luna now. Never before had she ever heard Luna yell like that. At least it wasn't really towards her. All the times she yelled was to fit in the crowd with her royal canterlot voice or perhaps Nightmare Moon? However, this was very different. Luna had used her raw voice to yell. There was no magical thing about it to make it louder or anything. Was this really Luna's true anger not covered by magic? Twilight folded her ears now as she stared at Luna.

"Calm down Luna.." Celestia said calmy as she looked into her sister's face, seeming to be looking for some control. Celestia then trotted down from her throne as she stood in front of Twilight.

She now rested her hooves on Twilight's shoulders. "All I'm trying to say is you can't hold on to your friends forever. Those elements and neither the tree of harmony can retain their old selves any longer. You need to pick a day to release them. No, not a thousand years from now, not a few months from now, a few weeks from now. But make sure to spend the weeks you have left with them fun filled and happy. Don't make it seem like its the end. Live your time to the fullest. Alright?"

Twilight stared into Celestia's eyes for a moment, studying them a bit before finally making a decision. "Fine.."

Celestia now backed away as she gave Twilight some space. "Now, go." Twilight nodded as she now trotted off back to the train station in Canterlot. She had a few things in mind to do first.

Author's Note

Yes, I keep switching the ways of how love Princess spells her name. I don't even know anymore honestly because me and her share the same name.

Some Good 'Ol Partying

Author's Note

HELLOOO. READ THIS PLEASE BEFORE CONTINIUING!! Ahem, yes. There's Fluttercord shipping in this fanfic. Please leave if you despise the ship or just hate it and such. However, if your willing to respect the ship and keep your comments to yourself you may stay. Thank you! Enjoy!

Some Good 'Ol Partying

In the afternoon, Twilight had returned back to her castle, seeing her friends happily chatting when she came back. They seem to be enjoying themselves as she began getting ready for what she planned for the afternoon. The others were just casually doing their own thing until Twilight called for attention and they all looked.

"Alright everypony, we're going to a party at Sugar Cube Corner today." And just as Twilight had announced it, Pinkie jumped up and did a cheerful 'yay' and then landed on the ground. Right, Pinkie hadn't been to Sugar Cube Corner in ages. Twilight had been so swept up in trying to protect the others from their elements possibly coming off or unbinding them she had made them isolated in the castle pretty much. She felt bad about it but she really didn't need them possibly dying right there without her careful care or watch.

She had performed a spell long ago that would keep them young and youthful for eternity. The elements were bonded to their necks so they couldn't take them off very easily but it was still a scare. If they fell off or were taken off, the spell would immediately fall off and they would return to their normal state. Possibly die from the age they are now. It had been years after all. The elements were what kept their youth with its magic. But Celestia was right. She couldn't keep using or straining the elements like this for her friends. It would have to be done sometime.

As everypony began following Twilight to Sugar Cube Corner, Fluttershy soon trotted up to Twilight's side.

"Um..Twilight?.." She asked.

"Yes, Fluttershy?"

"Would it be okay if um..Discord joined our little party? I haven't seen him in such a long time and it would be great to see how he's doing again and have some fun."

Twilight thought about it. Again, she felt bad about keeping them isolated in the castle. Maybe this could be a way to somewhat repay Fluttershy for all she had done? Even if Discord wasn't very enjoyable to Twilight. However, he was her friend. He deserved to see her before she had to go within a few weeks.

"Sure, that's fine." Twilight replied, giving a small smile to Fluttershy's now happiness.

They arrived to Sugar Cube Corner as everypony began going in. Fluttershy was about to go in when she was scooped off her hooves into the air. She did a small scream when she was lifted but suddenly stopped when she saw who picked her up.

"Discord!" She said happily as she threw her arms around Discord smiling.

“Hello my darling.” Discord said as he kissed Fluttershy on the lips, Fluttershy giving a giggle as it tickled a bit.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was about to enter the bakery when she saw the scene. She stopped, staring at them with her mouth hung open. She had no idea that the two perhaps had something for each other.

“Hold on, hold on! Fluttershy and Discord are dating!?” Rainbow said shocked. After hearing that, Twilight turned around to see Discord and Fluttershy hugging each other and happily chatting.

“How do you know that? Their just hugging.” Twilight exclaimed.

“No they aren’t! I just saw Discord kiss Fluttershy!"

“Give it a rest Rainbow. Ya’ gotta know that pegasus wasn’t gonna’ stay alone forever. Plus, ya’ll know how close they are. If tea parties every tuesday don’t give ya’ a hint ah’ don’t know what will.” Applejack said as she trotted inside.

Rainbow looked back to Fluttershy and Discord and to the entrance of Sugar Cube Corner and gave a sigh. She then flew inside joining her friends.

***

The party now was in full swing. However, it wasn’t like any party. It was just Twilight and her friends. That including Discord of course. Rarity and Twilight were casually sitting at a table with a cup of tea chatting, Discord was showing Fluttershy his moves on the dance floor as Pinkie joined them, and Rainbow was chugging a bowl of punch with Applejack cheering her on. All was well it seemed. Twilight’s gaze turned on to Discord who was doing some crazy dance move as Fluttershy was probably laughing the hardest Twilight had ever saw. He really made her happy. Then a thought came to her mind suddenly.

“Excuse me Rarity, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Twilight said as she got up from her seat.

“Of course.” Rarity replied as Twilight trotted off towards the dance floor.

Fluttershy now seem to be trying to copy Discord in his strange dance moves but was unfortunately failing. The pegasus was having too much fun to care however.

“Discord, may I talk with you outside?” Twilight yelled, hoping he’d hear her over the loud music. Gladly, he did as he nodded and they walked outside.

“I hope I didn’t do something wrong this time. Every time you pull me over like this, it's usually for my ‘bad’ behavior.”

“You’re right, you didn’t do anything wrong. I just thought you might like to know something considering you and Fluttershy are well…” Twilight paused, looking for a word to say.

“Together? Come on, it's not that hard to say. I don’t see why ponies act like I’m a living disease.” Discord said, a bit insulted.

“I’m sure they’re just surprised that Fluttershy of all ponies would date someone like you.”

“Oh, so I’m REALLY bad now?”

Twilight facehoofed. She really was making this worse. “No, you know what, forget it. What I’m trying to say is that you know that the Mane Six have lived way longer than they should have by now right?”

“Yes, I just thought that maybe Sunbutt extended their mortality or something by a thousand years.”

“Sunbutt!?” Twilight asked, annoyed that Discord would have the nerve to call Celestia, ‘Sunbutt’. How did she know who he was talking about? She had no idea.

“Excuse the nickname, continue?”

Twilight sighed. “No, she didn’t. I did. I discovered through a book on the tree of harmony that its power can be used to heal others. Not only that, but it can extend a pony’s life if binded to them.”

“Ooo, you bad pony. Experimenting with spells like that is quite EVIL of you. Maybe you aren’t such a goody-two-shoes after all.” He joked.

Twilight only gave him a unimpressed look before continuing. “So, I made them all wear their elements and cast a spell that binded the elements to their necks. If taken off, they could possibly instantly die. Its power is the only thing that’s keeping them alive right now.”

“So that’s why she wouldn’t take it off when we were in bed..” Discord mumbled.

“Excuse me, WHAT!?” Twilight yelled.

“Nothing.” He replied, giving her a nervous smile. It was obvious that was a awkward topic and something Twilight REALLY didn’t need to know.

“Focus Discord. Now, the princesses addressed that I needed to let them go sometime so I’m just letting you know. Fluttershy might not be able to stay any longer..” She said as her voice began to get a little sad sounding.

“Hold on, hold on. Why? The big tree thing had the power to keep my vines from sprouting out of the ground. If it can do that it can obviously keep them alive for thousands of years.”

“But not for long periods of time. The tree weakened. By doing what I’m doing I’m draining the tree of its power just to keep my friends alive. That sounds really selfish if you think about it.”

“I’m surprised you can admit to your mistakes.” He said, grinning.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I just wanted to say your time with her maybe limited.” She then turned to the entrance of Sugar Cube Corner, trotting inside without giving him a chance to respond. She truly felt bad to be the bearer of bad news but it was necessary. After all, he was too busy being a clown anyway. It wouldn’t bother him, right?

Spilled Pancakes, Spilled Truths

The next morning, the girls were at the cutie map table enjoying some breakfast. It was quite like there pancake breakfast they had long ago but a little different. They had more variety this time to choose from. Of course they had the usual pancakes piled up high on a plate but they also had waffles, bowls of berries, breakfast sandwiches, and even some toast with jams lied all around the table awaiting to be opened. Each pony was busy piling their plate with the different choices happily. Pinkie was about to grab her usual stack of a dozen pancakes when the pancake tower began to shake.

"Uh oh! Watch out! Falling pancakes incoming!” Pinkie yelled as she hid under the table.

The girls looked toward the tower of pancakes just as it came down. Pancakes fell all over the place like the floor, the table, and even including right on Applejack’s hat. There was a splat noise as they all came down as Applejack could no longer see with the pancake in her vision.

“Who tipped em’ over? And could somepony please get this off me.” Applejack said as Rarity levitated the pancake off Applejack.

“Well that’s a disappointment. Now there’s no more pancakes.” Fluttershy replied.

“Not exactly! They’re all over the place! We can just eat them where they are.” Pinkie now galloped over to a pancake on the floor and scarfed it down within seconds.

“Ew..I prefer being sanitary..” Rarity said disgusted as she shielded herself from watching Pinkie’s disgusting act.

“I for one find it quite delightful.” A voice was heard as Discord was watching the pink pony eat whatever she could find on the ground.

“Discord? What are you doing here?...Again.” Twilight asked.

“Oh nothing, just seeing that not one of you invited me to your little breakfast or deal here. How rude.” He complained.

“I don’t recall you being our best friend or anything. Plus, you’re kind of annoying.” Rainbow said, flying right up in his face.

“Ah, yes. Such a hypocrite you are. You really don’t think your over sized ego isn’t annoying either?” Discord asked, snapping his paw as Rainbow’s head suddenly became very large and heavy. She began to wobble around until she fell to the ground with a bang.

“Why Rainbow, your head is even larger than your ego!” Discord laughed.

Twilight shook her head. “Fine. If you want to be apart of our breakfast then you can. But you have to behave. No giving ponies random limbs or well..Oversized heads.” Twilight said, glancing over to Rainbow on the ground as she groaned.

“Perhaps I can comply with that.” He replied as he snapped, giving Rainbow her normal sized head again.

“Ooo! Maybe you can give us another stack of pancakes! Pleasseee?” Pinkie begged.

“Fine, but I better not be used as some genie or something.” He snapped, appearing another plate of pancakes on the table.

“Woo!” Pinkie cheered as she dived head first into the pancakes, knocking them all over the place again.

“Well that was a waste.” Rainbow commented.

Twilight giggled, shaking her head as their breakfast continued on.

***

It was now the afternoon as the girls were lounging around and doing their own thing. Discord had decided to stay longer as he watched the others do their thing. Currently Rainbow, Pinkie, and Twilight were playing Go Fish.

“Do you have..A five?” Pinkie asked as Twilight shuffled her cards, checking for it.

“Nope, go fish.”

Pinkie moved over to a pile of cards and grabbed one out of the pile, adding it to her deck.

Discord was gently watching them when a perhaps ‘evil’ idea appeared in his head. He didn’t exactly think it was evil. He was rather more..Curious. He quietly sneaked behind Pinkie as he hid behind her so neither Rainbow or Twilight could see him. His eyes fell on her element of harmony around her neck. He could only see the necklace part since Pinkie was faced back to him but his curiosity only grew more. He carefully lifted his paw and claw to it as he carefully wrapped them around the necklace part, hoping she wouldn’t notice or at least feel him doing so. He gripped on to it tight as he looked quickly back and forth making sure no one was watching. He then pulled suddenly.

“Ow! Hey!?” Pinkie squeaked.

There was a sizzling noise as he kept pulling on it, not even caring if anyone noticed now. He looked to see the necklace coming off slightly. Underneath was Pinkie’s neck of course and a sizzling looking magic from the necklace being binded to her.

“Discord, what are you doing!?” Twilight yelled.

He gave one last yank with a huff as he fell backwards with the element fully off. He held the Element of Laughter in his claw and paw as he looked up to see Pinkie now not wearing no longer and having a bare neck once more. Pinkie seemed to be dazed or in another world as her pupils were about the size of a pea. He heard the girls gasp and Twilight galloping over to Pinkie.

“Pinkie, Pinkie! Are you okay? Wake up!” Twilight said frantically as she had her hooves on her shoulders, shaking her.

It was as if suddenly all life was drained from her when her eyes fell closed and she fell limply back in her chair. Twilight was in shock as she stared at the lifeless body now. Tears slowly formed in the alicorn’s eyes as she stared at her once more. The others gasped and they too began to weep as well. Twilight panted as she looked at Discord on the ground, anger rising within her.

“You..WHY!? WHY DID YOU DO THIS! I TOLD YOU THAT THEY WOULD..Grr..” Twilight yelled at him as she placed her hoof to her face, rubbing her face.

Her purple eyes filled with tears once again stared at him. Discord backed up now, getting up quickly in case she perhaps tried anything. Her eyes narrowed as she yelled in anger and shot at him. He dodged either way as he still held the Element of Laughter.

“Look, look. You have to know that when you tell someone a few things and not the full story their going to be curious. I just wanted to see what would happen if I took it off alright?” He tried to reason with her.

"You wanted to know what would happen? I told you! Not only that but you shouldn't even be experimenting with something like that!"

"I didn't know alright? I didn't now she'd actually die."

"I told you she would!"

"I..Forgot?.."

"Forgot huh? WHAT IF THAT HAPPENED TO FLUTTERSHY! Oh, I forgot that if I took it off it would kill your so called wife!" Twilight yelled.

Discord suddenly went silent as his eyes widened at her.

"T-Twilight?.." Fluttershy softly asked, looking at her slightly frightened. It was the look on Fluttershy's face that gave Twilight a hint she shouldn't of said that.

Discord now narrowed his eyes at her. Fluttershy put her hooves over her face shaking, expecting the worst when there was a poof noise as Discord disappeared.

“That could've gone better..” Applejack said quietly.

Twilight now glanced around, staring at the lifeless body of Pinkie again.

“I-I’ll go check on him..I’m sure he couldn’t of gone far.” Fluttershy replied as she hopped out of her throne, trotting out of the room and outside.

***

Fluttershy flapped her wings as she soared through the cool air. By now it was about late into afternoon as the sun was slowly going down behind Canterlot Castle. Dusk was slowly approaching as the sky began to take colors of purple and orange from the sun setting. It was the perfect time for anypony to perhaps sit outside and think. Perhaps even the large hill just outside of Ponyville. Fluttershy glided over to the hill, looking around for any signs of a draconequus around. There maybe just one.

Down on the hill, she could see a oddly neon colored tree. It stuck out like a sore thumb apart from all the green trees around. That must of been where he decided to go.

Fluttershy swooped down now and landed on to the hill beside the neon tree. She looked up to see in fact Discord lying on a large branch of the tree, face in paw.

“Discord?..” Fluttershy asked slowly as she flew up to the branch.

“Oh! Fluttershy, I didn’t know you followed me.” He frantically said, quickly removing his face from his paw and giving a small smile to her.

“Well, I can leave if you’d like..”

“No, no! You can stay dear. I just wasn’t expecting you to follow.” He explained, grabbing Fluttershy and bringing her on to the branch with him. She carefully climbed on to him nervously and lied down on to him.

“Now, what’s the matter? You disappeared after Twilight well..Um..”

“Nothing’s the matter dear. Don’t worry about me. I’m not the one who had their friend die.” He now placed his paw on to her back, gently rubbing it. “By their lover..I’m surprised you still want to be around me after that.”

“Of course I want to be around you Discord. It was just a accident. Sure, it's really unfortunate but I know you didn’t mean it..Right?”

Discord now glanced elsewhere, seeming to have a bit of guilt in his face.

“You didn’t mean it..R-Right?” She repeated.

He now placed his paw and claw over his face. “Would it be bad to say I did a little?..”

Fluttershy now placed her hoof over her mouth, gasping.

“I-I was curious okay?..Not everything that comes out of that purple pony’s mouth is true. I wanted to test if her theory was correct. And seeing as it is now and she has the nerve to say such about you.”

“Everypony gets angry sometimes but that’s no excuse to kill somepony either! Not even for your own curiosity. You should of just listened to her.”

“Yeah well I didn’t. I wanted to know exactly if that could happen. Especially for you.” He now stared at her sadly.

“So what if I died? If I died at least maybe Pinkie would still be here. I’m not a party pony or someone important or even somepony who makes others smile!” Fluttershy argued.

“You make me smile and you are very important.”

Fluttershy sighed heavily and was about to leave when Discord pulled her back, holding her to his chest.

“Fluttershy, wait. Look, just because you aren’t a Princess of Friendship or a party planner doesn’t mean you aren’t important. You’re kind, caring, loving, including, and appreciative. No other pony have I met is exactly like you or does exactly what you do. If you died, I would be so lost without you. I love you Fluttershy. You’re the only good thing I have left..” He said, his voice slightly cracking from being emotional.

Fluttershy now turned around, looking at Discord who seemed to be slightly tearing up now. She turned around and hugged him.

“Promise me you’ll never leave me.”

“Well, I can’t promise that. I’m not immortal like you. But I can promise I will stay as long as I can.” Fluttershy said, feeling herself begin to cry as well as she buried her face into him.

***

The two took an hour or so to calm down their emotions and mostly socialize alone before returning to Twilight’s castle. When they arrived it was complete chaos. Which Discord would usually enjoy but he wasn’t exactly in the mood at the moment. There were books being tossed off shelves, the sound of ponies crying, and Twilight having a complete meltdown. Both Fluttershy and Discord just watched from the entrance unsure what to do. Twilight was surrounded by a mountain of books, levitating one every so often and quickly skimming through the pages. She seemed to be looking for a spell to perhaps revive Pinkie? Fluttershy shook her head sighing before trotting over to her stressed friend.

“Twilight, are you alright?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yup! Everything’s fine!” She said quickly before teleporting another book and flipping through the pages.

Everything and her clearly wasn’t fine however. Twilight’s mane would usually be all over the place and messy when she was stressed. She also had a certain tone that made her sound scared or rather maybe excited at the same time. Fluttershy knew that she wasn’t from these simple signs.

Fluttershy placed her hoof on the book she was currently holding and knocked it out of her magic’s grasp.

“Hey!”

Fluttershy now placed her hooves on Twilight’s shoulders. “Twilight, leave the book. You don’t need to find a spell to help Pinkie Pie right now. You need to help relax your friends and relax yourself.” Fluttershy assertively said.

“But..”

“Pinkie can wait. I’m sure she’s fine wherever she is right now. Come on.” Fluttershy helped Twilight up, putting her hoof on her back and guiding her over to the rest of her friends.

Rarity was currently being comforted by Applejack as she weeped while Rainbow Dash played a game of catch with the castle wall.

“What’s wrong with Rarity, Applejack?” Fluttershy asked.

“Hard to explain kinda. She misses Pinkie but the death of her reminded her of when Spike left..” Applejack tried to explain.

“H-He’s too young to go! A-And Pinkie..”

Fluttershy now hugged Rarity.

“We all miss him Rarity.” She reassured her. “But I’m sure he’ll come back someday. He has friends here.”

Not long ago, Spike had left not for the Dragon Lands but for on his own. The little dragon had grown into a teenager and was wanting to experience adventure on his own. Twilight and Rarity didn’t like the idea really but they knew they couldn’t stop him either way. He needed to do something’s on his own of course. Pinkie had thrown him a goodbye party and a lot of Ponyville had got him gifts. By the time the party had ended, Rarity and Twilight were already crying as they said their goodbyes. Rarity had a hard time but Twilight had a even worse time considering she was pretty much his mother. She had raised him since he was only a tiny egg into the dragon he was now. Now, she tend to not dwell on it so she wouldn’t burst into tears when ever she saw his empty bed at night. One thing that was nice was he took plushies of Rarity and Twilight with him before he left so he could always remember them.

“I hope you're right darling.” Rarity said, sniffling a bit before hugging Fluttershy back.

“Now, I know Pinkie can’t be here but I think we should try and think of happy things for now.” Fluttershy announced as the other ponies left nodded, giving a small smile.

There was a sudden poof noise as a sign appeared on Fluttershy’s chest. It read, “Best Leader” as she looked over to Discord now. He gave her a sly smirk and she returned it, giving a giggle.

“But..What should we do with her..Uh, ‘body’.” Rainbow asked as everyone turned to see Pinkie’s lifeless body on the floor now.

“Nopony dealt with that?” Fluttershy asked as everypony shook their heads. “Well, I guess somepony is going to have to do it.”

“I don’t want to completely dispose of Pinkie’s body just in case I find a way to revive her but, maybe if we can keep her in some kind of magical force field and store her somewhere then that would be good.” Twilight replied.

“I can do that.” Discord said as Pinkie’s body began to float. A yellow aura wrapped around her and created a small magical ball as she sat in it. The magical ball floated up to the ceiling and stayed there, carrying Pinkie within it.

“Are you sure she’d be safe up there?” Twilight asked worriedly.

“I’m sure. Besides, it's not like she can feel anyway.” He joked as Twilight gave him a death glare.

“Yeah, because of someone..” She said bitterly.

“You two are going to have to apologize sometime.” Fluttershy said, putting her hooves on each of their shoulders.

“Well, she’ll have to apologize first then.”

“Excuse me!? You’re the one who killed my friend!” Twilight yelled.

“Yeah, but you also neglected me many times in the past.”

“Maybe because you made it very hard to even like you.”

Fluttershy facehoofed. Bickering foals in this castle was going to make this a long week.

***

The sounds of trotting silently echoed against the castle walls as Twilight silently made her way up the stairs. It was way into midnight as everypony was asleep and Twilight was the only one up. Her horn glowed, illuminating the dark staircase as she made her way up. As soon as she was at the top, she trotted over to the balcony and sat down. She let the cool breeze blow her mane as she stared at the moon.

She was about a few weeks late with her promise to the Princesses and she was a little worried that they might come for her and do it themselves. Life was already hard without her smiling party friend to keep her going. If she lost the other four...She couldn’t even think about it. Without her friends by her side, she would be a very lonely princess. It was like Celestia once said. ‘What’s a Princess of Friendship without her friends.’ It was true. What was she without her friends? A self absorbed egghead with no purpose? She couldn’t even be called a Princess of Friendship anymore. What was the point?

She heaved a sigh as her gaze fell on the moon again. However, something was off. There was nothing she could see in the sky currently that was off...It was what she felt. She had this strange feeling that something wasn’t quite right. And usually her feelings were correct. She always got it before Equestria was in deep trouble. Was she physic? A bit of anxiety raised within her as she looked around. What could it possibly be? Then, she saw something. A pink glow reflecting off the side of her balcony. It pulsed as she turned her head around to look. There on her dresser was her element of harmony pulsing and glowing pink as small cracks formed on the element. Then she knew something was wrong.

Author's Note

Rest in peace pink pony. You tried eating pancakes but died.

The Time Has Come

“Wake up, wake up!” Twilight yelled, running down the halls leading to each of the girl’s guest rooms.

Applejack’s door opened as she yawned. “Twilight, what are ya’ll doin’? Some of us are tryna sleep.”

Twilight stopped instantly to see Applejack awake. Her focus however turned to Applejack’s pulsing element. It to was growing cracks within it.

“Twi, ya’ll alright?”

“Oh no, no, no! We need to go to the Tree of Harmony now!” Twilight bolted down the hall again and began trying to wake up the other girls.

Twilight began to hear small noises from a room and stopped instantly. Perhaps her shouting worked? She looked to see it was Fluttershy’s room. She put her ear to the door and..Oh dear. That probably wasn’t something she should intervene in. This was a life and death situation however. She’d have to do something. She carefully opened the door with her magic just a crack before casting a spell that made thick smoke into the room.

“Hey! Whoever did that, get out!” She heard Discord call out.

Twilight saw the smoke slowly clearing, grabbing the yellow pegasus with her magic and bolting down the hall before anymore could be done.

Eventually she had gathered all the girls together and teleported them all the closest she could get to the Tree of Harmony. It wasn’t too far of a walk either way if Twilight hadn’t kept rushing them. None of the girls had any idea really what was going on until they saw the Tree of Harmony.

The Tree of Harmony was in a sort of state the girls had never seen before. It drooped as it seemed to be dying. Its once beautiful colors seemed to be drained as it struggled to keep itself alive with the magic it had left.

“Oh my goodness, this is horrible!” Rarity said.

“And..It's all my fault.” Twilight said sadly as she hung her head.

“Darling, you can’t be the cause of this. What in Equestria would be able to harm the Tree of Harmony like this?” Rarity asked, her hoof pointed to the tree.

"The Elements of Harmony..”

"That makes no sense though. The tree created the elements. Plus, the elements are suppose to do good. They can’t harm. Only if they’re used to the advantage of some bad guy or something.” Rainbow explained.

Twilight sighed. “You all don’t understand. That day you woke up on the ground in my home..That was me. I’ve been using the Elements of Harmony to keep you all alive. I just erased your memories of me casting the spell so you wouldn’t question it or be furious with me about it. You probably will be now but...The Princesses have already warned me that I can’t keep the spell up forever. And now that I see the damage that it's done..” She stared at the Tree of Harmony and then her friends.

“Wait..So. All those times you told us that bad things would happen if we took off our elements..You were just doing that so you could keep us alive!?” Rainbow asked angrily.

“Yes..I-I just didn’t want to lose you.” She folded her ears.

“I already knew..Discord told me shortly after.” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Do you know how selfish that sounds!? You kept us alive just for yourself?” Rainbow yelled.

“Rainbow, let Twilight explain herself at least.” Fluttershy attempted to reason with her.

“You know what Twilight, we’re all going to die anyway because of you practically draining the Tree of Harmony for us so I’m just going to end it now.” Rainbow said as her hooves placed themselves on to her necklace.

"RAINBOW! NO!" Fluttershy yelled, probably the loudest she ever had as she jumped in the air, landing on her friend and tumbling on to the ground with her.

“I can’t lose another friend!” Fluttershy said through tears.

Twilight watched her friends. She honestly had no idea what to do for them now except one thing..One thing she didn’t exactly like. Not one bit. But, it wasn’t about her now was it. Not anymore.

She stepped forward and raised her voice. “I know how to fix this.” She said, everypony turning to look at her now. “Everypony, gather around me in a circle." Everypony followed the instructions, making a circle around Twilight.

Twilight sighed as she looked at her friends for the last time. Rarity’s long purple curled mane..Fluttershy’s turquoise eyes full of tears..The elements..She was ready. It was time. Twilight closed her eyes after looking at each and every friend of hers as she ignited her element up top on her head. It glowed pink now as its light slowly seeped out from the cracks within it. One by one each of their elements began to glow on their necks as they looked at Twilight in confusion. All of their eyes turned white however as they began floating in the air. Tears started to slip down Twilight’s cheeks as she continued to stay in concentration and continue the spell. There was sudden glass shatter noises as all of their elements shattered to pieces and fell to the ground. It was if they all fell into a deep sleep as their bodies became transparent and they slowly faded away to nothing. Twilight now stopped as she watched the rest of her friends disappear to nothing before letting out a cry of both pain and despair, falling to the ground.

“NO! You did it!” She heard Discord say as she looked up, seeing him running over. “How dare you..You didn’t even let me say goodbye! You just..Did it.”

She stared up at him as even he seem to get emotional.

“I-I’m sorry..There was no other way..” Twilight said, stuttering before breaking into a complete breakdown, crying hard.

To her surprise however, Discord wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. She never expected that the one who possibly hated her most would ever give her a hug. Sure, he had hugged her before with her and her friends but this was different. It seemed as if he actually meant it. Suddenly, she felt the need to apologize for everything she did.

“I-I’m so sorry Discord..I’ve been horrible to you and my friends..There is nothing I can do that can fix this and what I’ve done..” She said, giving another hard cry into his shoulder.

“It's fine..I’m not concerned about that now..D-Don’t worry about it.” She heard Discord say, surprised to hear him crying for once. Of course, who wouldn’t.

***

“Are you sure its over here?”

“Of course it is. Would you really doubt my knowledge?”

“Yes.”

“Oh quit it you!”

Twilight said giggling as her and Discord made their way up to the beautiful Tree of Harmony. It was surprising it was still alive since it no longer had its elements but it was healthy and living just fine. By now, Twilight was about the size of Princess Luna. It had been many years since she had put her friends to eternal sleep and she was living life just well. She had become great friends with Discord and would normally talk and hang out since they both shared the same grief for their friends or friend being gone. Normally they would do something fun to forget. But one thing they always did was visit the Tree of Harmony on a special day. It wasn’t like they never visited it except for this specified day but this one was very special. Today was the day they died many years ago and Discord and her would always have a nice picnic by the tree to see maybe if any of their friends would come to say hi or even just remember them.

Discord threw down a mismatched blanket by the tree as Twilight set down some food from a picnic basket. Their choices were both delicious and a bit odd since the both of them chose food for the picnic. Either way, it would be a nice afternoon to enjoy by the tree.

“Discord, did you forget to bring the caramel apples?”

“Oh really, you think if we bring caramel apples that your country friend is just going to poke her head out and say ‘howdy!’”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at Discord as he shrugged.

“No, most likely not but its still worth a try! Ooo, here they are.” Twilight replied as she levitated some delicious looking caramel covered apples with plenty of different sprinkles on them. “I don’t remember these having sprinkles on them.”

“Perhaps I ‘cursed’ them a little.” He snorted.

“Well, I’m definitely not eating those if you touched them.” She levitated them down on a plate.

“Aw come on, just a little bite?”

"No."

“Fine, you’re no fun.” Discord sat on a imaginary floating chair.

Twilight rolled her eyes as she levitated herself a chocolate chip cookie. At least she knew she made this one and not Discord. She took a bite of it as she felt a sudden breeze move past her. She looked around as she gasped.

Discord felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah, what is-WOAH!” He gasped as well.

Right before them they could see their friends transparent like and glowing. They looked exactly like they did before as they looked at them smiling.

“What kind of disney trash ending is this!? I demand to speak to whoever wrote this terrible trash." He complained, supposedly 'breaking the fourth wall'.

“Be quiet, Discord.” Twilight told him.

Author's Note

Yes, I had to have him break the fourth wall at least. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this thing that took me surprisingly a month to write. See youu!!