A Truth Revealed, A Smiling End

A huge rumbling traveled through Equestria, scaring every creature at the apparent looming threat of a new form of villain.
Celestia looked at the sky from one of the balconies of Canterlot castle, and witnessed as a huge black crack appeared, like if reality itself was being damaged.
The elements of harmony ran towards her, panic in all their faces, except for Pinkie.

“Where’s Twilight? She maybe knows what’s happening,” asked Applejack, and Celestia could only give her a concerned look.

“I don’t know, she and Luna have disappeared.”

“Not yet.”

Everypony watched as Twilight and Luna, no, Nightmare Moon, walked towards them.

“Luna? What happened?” Asked Celestia, her heart confused and sad to see her sister in that state once again.

“Why do you look so old Twilight?” Asked Rainbow, confused as to what to do.

“I know it’s confusing, but we prepared an explanation. We just need to broadcast it.”

Nightmare Moon lighted her horn, and a magical screen appeared in front of them.
All around the world, more magical screens appeared in front of all the creatures of Equestria, showing the faces of the two princesses, whose new look made them feel like something very wrong was happening.

“Attention, all creatures of Equestria and beyond!” Twilight called out, her voice reaching every part of the world. “I know you are scared and confused, and yes, this is indeed the end of all of us.”

Celestia and Twilight’s friends looked in shock at the statement, and the world was about to enter a massive panic, but Twilight continued speaking.

“There’s no use in fighting it or enter a panic, but we want to give you the chance to say your goodbyes and leave this world in peace. And for that, you need to know the truth.”

Twilight and Nightmare Moon lighted their horns, and a sphere of pure white magic formed over their heads.
The sphere raised up into the sky, and started to divide itself into dozens, then hundreds, then thousands, then millions, then billions of spheres that flew away to all the corners of the world, still dividing themselves while they traveled, one even passing through the mirror portal.
And as the spheres reached the creatures of the world, each one of them fell on their heads, entering their minds and deliver the message Twilight and Nightmare Moon had prepared.

It took years to prepare the right words, to select the thousands of memories to reveal to them, to give them the comfort that even if this was the end, they would leave this world having lived more lives than any creature ever in Equestria.

“We have removed the restrictions of the dream so you may move freely over the world and connect to your loved ones. I hope this is enough to make your last moments as happy as I can.”

After the deed was done, Twilight’s friends approached them.

“I can’t believe it,” whispered Applejack, still shocked by the revelation.

“I think we all saw it darling. And I don’t think Twilight would lie to us with something like this.”

“You really gave everypony a happy ending? There must be millions all over the world!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash extending her arms.

“If there was someone that could do it, it would be Twilight,” said Fluttershy with a smile.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you at the end. This was the best I could do.” Twilight looked at the ground with a sad expression, but Pinkie lifted her head while giving her a big smile.

“Don’t gloom Twilight, what you did was the most beautiful and selfless thing anypony could ever do. You didn’t only give us happiness; you gave us a reason to smile at the end. Dream or not, your actions made the lives of millions matter, because they were so precious that a simple pony confronted the cold world of reality for decades just to put a smile on their faces. That’s something that even I couldn’t do.”

Pinkie hugged Twilight, making the unicorn’s eyes fill with tears.

“She’s right. This may be the end, but it’s the end of something beautiful that you made with your own hoofs. And we are thankful for it.” Applejack joined the hug.

Rainbow flew over them, doing the same as Applejack.

“You are officially the most awesome pony ever! Doomed world or not, I’m very happy to be your friend.”

Rarity also joined the hug.

“Even before knowing the truth, you gave us so much to be grateful for meeting you. This just cemented that notion and I’m happy to know it, so I can thank you the best I can.”

Fluttershy was the last.

“You carried the weight of the world on your shoulders, a did so just to make people enjoy life to the fullest extent before an inevitable end. The way I see it, you saved us. Not just your friends, all of Equestria.”

Tears ran down Twilight’s eyes, and she embraced her friends as much as she could.

“Thank you. You are the best friends anypony could have. I’m so happy to have met you that day. And being able to see you one last time.”

Slowly, Twilights body started to fade away, until she finally disappeared.

Celestia walked towards Nightmare Moon, who had been seeing the scene with a sad smile.
The dark alicorn looked at her sister but couldn’t make eye contact.

“I’m beyond sorry I destroyed your world, sister. I can never forgive myself for it.”

Celestia moved her head so her eyes met hers.

“But I can forgive you.”

Nightmare Moon looked at her sister in disbelief.

“But I killed you, the real you. I killed your little ponies. I killed the world that we protected for centuries.”

“And you regretted it ever since, and even tried to save everypony and gave them something to live for. For that, at least I, can offer you my forgiveness.”

Nightmare Moon shook her head while tears ran down her face.

“You can’t forgive me; you are just my memory of the real Celestia.”

“That makes me the only person that can. You made me from your memories of the real me. All our past together, and all that I’ve learned and experienced over the years have made me who I am. I’m probably more Celestia than the real one. And after seeing you tear yourself apart trying to fix your mistake, and then find a way with Twilight to make the world a better place, I can forgive you. You have suffered enough, now I want you to rest.” Celestia hugged her sister, and slowly, Nightmare hugged her back. “I hope you find a way to forgive yourself someday.”

“I’ve missed you so much sister.” Were the last words of Nightmare Moon as she also faded away.

Celestia turned away from the ponies, not wanting them to see her tears.

“Go to your families my little ponies. And know that I’m proud of every one of you.”

She then walked away, and the rest of the elements moved through the vail of the dream to reach their homes.