A Fading Mirage of Friendship
“Brings back memories, doesn’t it?” Spike said, watching with the rest of the group as Luster Dawn and her friends ran towards the center of Ponyville.
With the sunset behind the—now aged—Twilight and her friends, the scene was like a perfect manifestation that the end of one day is the beginning of another.
“Yeah, this seems familiar. Especially the part about a young nerdy unicorn rejecting friendship because she needs to ‘study,’” Rainbow Dash snickered, the group quickly followed. “Seriously, Twi, what’s with the unicorns and that obsession with studying?”
“That’s because, unlike you, Dash, some ponies want to finish school.”
“Hrmph! Buck you, Applejack!” The little frown of annoyance radiating from Rainbow’s face only widened Applejack’s sly grin.
“Promises, promises...”
“Oh, heavens, darlings! Using such foul innuendos in public? Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves! Not everypony here has a sweetheart to cuddle with during the long, lonely nights. Think about how they must feel when the two of you share such dirty jokes.”
The scolding coming from Rarity’s wrinkled face put a light blush on Applejack’s and Rainbow’s cheeks. But just as they were to babble an apology, her chilling expression melted into a sly grin of her own.
“Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
Before the group could even glance at her, Twilight was already grumbling in annoyance. A second later, a sack of bits materialized out of thin air and floated towards Spike’s already extended claw. Betting that this topic would not come up again was a bad call. Her only consolation was that this time, Fluttershy was passing a bag of money too.
“Thank you, Fluttershy, you’re a true friend. It’s good to know at least one of you thought the rest would listen and not mention that subject, as I explicitly asked…”
“Oh, sorry, I totally bet it would come up. I just thought Applejack would start it this time…”
Twilight furrowed her brow. “I take that back, you’re a backstabber like the rest of them!” Fluttershy and the others just smiled at the friendly insult. “Do you guys always have to do this? I’m very happy alone! Frankly, my romantic life is nopony’s business.”
“Sorry, darling, but since you’re a princess, it is our business. Who you date is a matter of… national security. Plus… another wedding would certainly help the economy.”
Twilight aimed her arched eyebrow at the smirking unicorn. “Ah, I see. I should marry someone so you could sell more dresses?”
“Well, excuse me, but do you have any idea how much taxes my business pays?”
“Yes…” This time Twilight put on a grin. “I also have an idea of how much taxes your business doesn’t pay—”
“Don’t change the subject!” Rarity interjected with a dramatic tone. “My point is that my good fortune is your good fortune. It’s for the good of Equestria!”
Twilight rolled her eyes, thinking the drama was over. But then, Rarity’s lips curled into that lecherous smile only a lady could do.
“That wedding would be especially good if it would include a handsome hippogriff...”
The sudden dilatation of Twilight’s eyes, plus the open mouth was a dead giveaway that Rarity’s comment took her by surprise. She desperately tried to stop the involuntary blush from filling her cheeks, but the forest of nosy eyes around her forced her body to give in. With her face burning, she looked guilty as a filly caught with a hoof inside a cookie jar.
“Twilight has a boyfriend! Twilight has a boyfriend!”
“Pinkie! Be q-quiet, please!” Twilight whispered, frantically scanning her surroundings. Fortunately, the closest ponies were outside the hearing range. “Rarity, how did you even...”
“Find out? Please...” This time Rarity was the one to roll her eyes. “You’re the ruler of Equestria, and he’s a respected hippogriff general. A general who came to my shop, asking for a dress worthy of a princess. As soon as he started describing his love interest, I knew who he was talking about.”
Rainbow Dash smirked. “What did he say? I’m looking for a dress for a crazy alicorn bookworm?”
If Twilight got the joke, she didn’t show it. Instead, she lowered her head, piercing Dash with her gaze. “You know, I heard the royal garden could use a new pegasus statue.” Judging by the audible gulp and sheepish smile, Dash got the message. “Anyway, Rarity, are you telling me you figured out he was talking about a dress for me, because of how he described me?” Twilight shook her head; something wasn’t right here. “There is no way that’s all. How did you know for sure?”
“Oh, darling, I didn’t know for sure... until now.”
Twilight’s lips curled into a grimace of confusion, but it ended a second later… with a loud facehoof of realization. She fell into Rarity’s perfectly placed web, there was no way out. All she could do was let out a nervous giggle and admit defeat.
“Busted!” Rainbow Dash said with a cackle, nudging Twilight to her side. “So, who is it?”
“... General Firestreak.”
“Firestreak?” Dash tapped on her chin, then suddenly pointed her hoof back at Twilight. “Hey! I met him during one of our Wonderbolts shows.”
“You... have?”
“Yeah! I remember him because he asked us out for a hayburger after the show and told some funny stories about hippogriff nobility. He was pretty cool! A down to earth, yet funny kind of guy.”
“Yes, that’s him.” Twilight added a warm, caring smile to the blush on her face. “He’s not only funny but also intelligent, charming, and kind.”
“Aw, sounds like a true gentlecolt. I see all of my lessons about picking the right stallion did not go to waste.”
Rarity’s words only intensified Twilight’s blush. “I hope so... Of course, some of the few pony nobles who had noticed my interest decided to hint, how unfortunate it would be to let a hippogriff into Equestria’s nobility.”
Rarity’s smile suddenly flattened a little. Politics was one thing she did not consider. “Um, Twilight, I hope that won’t stop you? Princess or not, they cannot deny you love!”
“Oh, don’t worry, I hinted back that it’s not their business. I also told them about the rumor I heard, that the Moon is pretty chilly this time of year.” Twilight put on a wicked smile. “Surprisingly, that shut them up for some reason...”
“That’s… devious!” Spike let out a chuckle. “I like it!”
“I think we all do,” Rarity said. “But, Twilight, just so you know, if you ever need any advice...”
“I know where to turn,” Twilight said. The reassuring, gentle smiles and winks around her were proof that she could count on the gang no matter what. But aside from the happy faces, something, or rather, someplace else caught her eye. “Hey… What would you guys say for a juicy hayburger?”
“Do you want another article about ‘Twilight Sparkle Princess of Fast Food’?” Rarity cringed at the thought. “I still remember the pictures they took of us back then. It was.... uncouth and scandalous!”
“Aw, but those poor tabloid writers need to eat too, you know? Besides, remember—their good fortune is your good fortune.” Seeing Rarity cocking her head in confusion, Twilight put on a sweet grin of revenge. “Don’t tell me that little scandal back then didn’t boost your sales.”
“Well… Yes, but...”
“Come on! I will tell you how Firestreak took me for a hayburger on our first date.”
“He... WHAT?!” Rarity’s frozen, shocked expression forced a smirk on the alicorn’s face.
“Whoa, Twi, hold on!” Applejack said, her face shocked as much as Rarity’s. “He really took you, a princess, to a... hayburger joint?!”
“Well, it wasn’t officially a date back then, but... yeah. Firestreak asked me for a burger. Also, when we were discussing matters in my private chambers, he ordered some pizza. Turns out, I’m not the only one who’s not exactly fond of the royal cuisine.”
“You were discussing matters in… your private chamber?”
“Oh, yes! We did it many times…” Twilight said, but couldn’t figure out why her friends were suddenly smirking again. It took her a second to finally put two and two together and realize what she just implied. With the blush back on her face, she shook her head in denial. “Wait! It’s not what you think!” But the seed of innuendo was already planted.
“This guy is ruining our Twilight!” Rainbow Dash yelled with the most dramatic voice she could muster. “We need to do something!”
“On it! The first thing in the morning I’m gonna… send him a bottle of my best cider!” Applejack said with a grin.
“Just make sure to add a note, so he gets the point! Something… subtle!”
“How about... ’If you break Twilight’s heart, we’re gonna break your spine’?”
“Perfect, Rarity! Just perfect!”
“You… I… Ugh! I hate you, guys!” Twilight yelled at the giggling ponies, but then smiled and spread her wings. “Aw, come here!” she said, hugging them tightly. “I don’t know what I would do without you…”
The group exchanged a warm hug for a few moments until a loud gurgle filled the air. Seeing the eyes of her friends locked on her twitching stomach, Twilight let out another chuckle.
“So, how about that burger?”
“You betcha, hon!” Applejack said. “Lead the way!”
And so they went. The whole gang sat outside and munched on the fast food like there was no tomorrow, sharing jokes and stories. When the paparazzi came, Twilight just stuck her tongue at them and kept still, making sure they took a nice picture of her ketchup-covered snout. If she were to be The Princess of Fast Food, she was going to be the princess with style!
***
A lonely gray unicorn mare was observing the view from a distance through puffy red eyes. With a somber expression filling her trembling face, she was an image of misery and despair—a total contrast of the joyful scene playing in front of her.
“How is she?” The voice from behind asked.
“Happy and surrounded by friends… same as always...” The sight of giggling Twilight put a bitter smile on the unicorn’s face. “Is it time?”
“I am afraid so. It will start soon.” A guilty sigh filled the air. “I wish... I wish we could have done more...”
“I know you did what you could. At least, I know she’s happy here...” There was a momentary silence, but then, the unicorn turned. “Would you like to join me until the end?”
“I... I w-would like that.”
After a quick exchange of sorrowful glances, the unicorn motioned at the place next to her. The alicorn didn’t hesitate for a moment.
***
Back in the hayburger joint, Twilight and her friends were laughing.
“She broke into the library because she forgot her card?!” Spike let out a chuckle, munching on the food. “Darn, Twi! Luster Dawn is crazier than you!”
“She certainly has her moments,” Twilight said, squinting her eyes. “Am I crazy, or is my mom and Celestia sitting over there?” She waved, smiling.
The two mares glanced at the waving Twilight to see a grin of joy on her face, and a wave of white consuming everything around her. Sniffling through the tears, they both smiled bitterly and waved back, just when the wave reached the lavender alicorn, and everything faded to white.
When both mares regained their senses, instead of Ponyville, they were in a small hospital room, surrounded by Twilight’s family and friends. On a bed in the center lay the bandaged body of Twilight Sparkle, still connected to tubes and wires. The buzzer from the cardiac monitor was trying to drill a hole through everyone’s skulls. The irritating sound disappeared a moment later, but what came after was even worse.
“Time of death... 2:47 p.m.” The doctor said, noting it on the chart. Then, he turned to the group of ponies surrounding the bed with a somber, yet professional expression. “I’m sorry for your loss. We will come for her in half an hour.”
The doctor left the room then, leaving Twilight’s family and friends behind…
Postmortem report
Subject: Twilight Sparkle
Species: Unicorn
Cause of Death: Due to the accident involving magic overload that happened six years ago, the patient had suffered severe brain damage and had to be kept on constant ventilator support. Thanks to the experimental magical ‘slumber-land’ simulation implemented by Princess Luna, we were able to protect the patient’s higher brain functions from atrophy for several years. Unfortunately, all attempts to restore the damaged part of the nervous system (including highly experimental magical treatment implemented by Princess Celestia) have failed.
With a multi-organ failure initiated due to prolonged comatose state, and negligible chances of recovery, and after consulting multiple specialists, the family decided to cease the artificial life support. The patient was declared dead soon after.
Personal note: Sadly, this case is a perfect example of why inexperienced unicorns should NOT try to fiddle with magical spells they don’t understand – especially spells created by legends such as Star Swirl the Bearded.
Author's Note
The idea here was, what if Twilight dreamed everything that happened after Magical Mystery Cure, while really lying in a coma? Probably not the most original thing, but what the hell. It came to my mind after seeing this:
https://www.derpibooru.org/260248
and this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbzelYD26_o
What do you think 
?
