Universe 19884

“Yep… Looks exactly like the one back home,” Rainbow Dash commented as she and her friends approached the Tree of Harmony.

The tree stood tall, shining bright as the six ponies and the little dragon entered the cave. The Elements of Harmony were still inside, just as they left them two years ago. Naturally, the chest at the foot of the tree remained with 5 keys already inside.

“It hasn’t been touched at all…” Applejack remarked as she watched the tree. Except for some rocks around the cave, signaling that there may have been a light collapse, the rest of the cave was unaffected.

“As if it was stuck in time,” Rarity nodded, approaching the chest with everyone else.

“So… All we gotta do is put Twilight’s medallion and we’ll have the last key, right?” Pinkie Pie asked, glancing at the medallion around the alicorn’s neck.

“Yeah, then we have to turn the keys at the same time,” Rainbow Dash confirmed as they surrounded the chest. Huh, now that she thought about it, she and her friends also needed to touch the stone simultaneously to go back home…

“Okay, then! Let’s do it! We gotta beat Tirek already!” Spike exclaimed, making the ponies nod.

“Right! Let’s not waste any more time!” Applejack declared before placing her hoof on her respective key, an action the others did too… Except for one of them.

Twilight’s key was still missing. Pinkie raised an eyebrow in confusion, then looked the alicorn’s way.

“Hurry up, Twilight! You still haven’t put the thingy in!” The party pony gestured to her medallion, only for the lavender mare to slowly shake her head.

“No… I’m sorry… I can’t…” She stammered with wide fearful eyes, stepping away. “I… I’m really sorry… Ah!” She almost tripped on a rock while walking backward, nearly falling on her backside.

“What?!” Spike, who had been watching from the sidelines, shouted in incomprehension.

“What are you talking about, Twi? What’s wrong?” Rainbow Dash inquired as softly as she could, which could be understandably difficult knowing her temper sometimes.

“Y-You don’t get it… I’m scared. I’m scared that this isn’t gonna work…” She shook her head, tears already in the corner of her eyes.

“Is it because Tirek has all the magic in the world?” Rarity questioned.

“Sure, he’s probably stronger than he was in my universe, but I’m sure we can still take him,” Rainbow Dash assured the alicorn.

“No, no, no. It’s not about that! Don’t you get it?! This medallion won’t do anything!” Twilight snapped, tears spilling free this time. “It worked in your world because… Because I chose my friends over the magic of Equestria. But I didn’t here… I chose the opposite! I abandoned you! And because of that… Because of that… I killed you,” She whimpered. “I’m not a good friend, and the tree will know that…”

“Twilight…” Pinkie whispered sadly.

All of them realized it already, even after they convinced her to come, they knew it wouldn’t be so easy. Because unlike them… She hadn’t moved on. Pinkie and the others had each other, and the rest of Ponyville. They relied on each other and worked together to survive in this desolate world. Even if they could never forget what happened, and hated themselves for failing Equestria… They accepted what they lost. They grieved together and moved on together. Eventually, they were ready to live in this world despite their losses, without losing the hope of making life at least bearable for the ones they cared about. When they reminisced about Rainbow Dash, they would be sad, of course, but not filled with despair or horror. They didn’t think of her last moments, but rather of the life she lived.

That wasn’t the case for Twilight. She and Spike had been alone all this time. You couldn’t expect a baby dragon to take care of an adult mare successfully, especially when he had his own issues to deal with. Ultimately, she hadn’t moved on. And because they had taken so long to get to her, maybe she never could.

Perhaps that was why they fell silent, unable to find an adequate response. After all, what could they say? Yet, Rainbow Dash stepped up.

“Twilight… This is horseshit,” She bluntly declared.

“What?!” All of them exclaimed, not expecting such an answer.

“I told you already, you didn’t kill me! Well, the other me!” She stepped forward, making the alicorn flinch. “You fought a guy that could obliterate mountains! Someone who could toy with the princesses, I bet! He even stole Discord’s magic! And you still fought him head-on! How many ponies could have done that?! And maybe you would have even won if he didn’t take us hostage like a coward!” The cyan pegasus reminded her, much to her confusion.

“I… I don’t understand…”

“What I’m saying is, you did your best! Nopony else could have done better! And remember, we’re the ones who told you to keep fighting and give up on us! It was our choice! If anything, we’re to blame for this!” Rainbow Dash added fiercely. “But the other me’s killer is still Tirek! I could never hate you, and I know damn well, your Rainbow Dash didn’t blame you for this. If anything, I bet she was mad at herself for being taken out so easily,” The pegasus placed a reassuring hoof on the alicorn’s shoulder. “Twilight, you showed time and time again that you’re a good friend. One mistake won’t change that. You’ve gotta forgive yourself,” She spoke softly.

“No… If I forgive myself… Then that also means I have to accept that you’re gone,” She cried as Rainbow Dash gently embraced her with her wings, furling them around the alicorn’s body.

“I’m… Not good at these kinds of speeches. So I’ll do it in a way we can both understand. Do you remember the third volume of Daring Do?” Rainbow Dash asked while the mare was still in the warm embrace of her wings. The others looked at each other, wondering where she was going with this. “Doctor Violet was dying, and I remember I even felt sad while reading it,” The pegasus released a weak snicker, which actually managed to get a small smile out of Twilight. “Do you remember what Violet told Daring Do?”

“I won’t die… Because my spirit will live on… Through your memories of me,” Twilight softly recalled Violet’s words.

“Yeah, it was something along those lines,” Rainbow smirked, slowly pulling away from the other mare. “Now, can you think of your Rainbow Dash and tell me if she would blame you for this?” She inquired. Twilight lowered her head, and it was enough of a response for the pegasus. “You can’t fix what happened, and that’s okay. But we can avenge her now, and we can put an end to Tirek,” She added determinedly.

Before Twilight could give her answer, a rumbling made the entire cave shake as if an explosion occurred nearby.

“Something’s happenin’ outside!” Applejack voiced everyone’s thoughts worriedly.

“Yeah…” Rainbow Dash looked at the ceiling, then turned her attention back to Twilight again. “Are you ready, Twi?”

“Rainbow… I’m terrified of being right,” She sniffled, wiping away her tears. “If I am… Please, please, don’t…” She began to beg, only for the pegasus to cut her off.

“I won’t leave you, I promise. None of us will,” Rainbow confirmed, gesturing to the others, who all nodded in agreement.

“If that doesn’t work, then we’ll kick Tirek’s arse without our magic!” Applejack assured confidently.

“Gonna stick my party canon where the sun doesn’t shine!” Pinkie added with a seemingly sadistic grin?

“A bit crude, but I agree with them. Look how disastrous my hooves got because of Tirek! Now, there’s no way I’ll let him get away with that!” Rarity smiled.

Naturally, they knew that if they fought Tirek without their magic, they wouldn’t survive, let alone win. However, this time, they would all fight together, and if that meant dying together, so be it. It would be worth it if they could stick it to Tirek one last time at least and show him the stubbornness of ponies!

Twilight’s eyes watered again, though the mare shook her head to throw off any other tears. Slowly, she took the medallion off her neck, looking at it hesitantly. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash placed a hoof on it. The alicorn weakly widened her eyes and looked up to see her other friends doing the same, each putting a hoof on the medallion.

“If you’re still scared, then let’s do it together. If that stupid thing doesn’t accept the medallion when we put it in as a team, then it doesn’t know anything about friendship,” Rainbow Dash affirmed, meeting Twilight’s gaze.

“Girls…” The alicorn whispered. After a few seconds of silence, she finally nodded, a small smile creeping up her face.

Thus, they marched toward the chest. Together.

A few minutes earlier, on the surface…

Discord turned around in shock once something heavy made the ground shake from behind him. No! Of everyone, why did it have to be him?! Lord Tirek stood before the draconequus, a smug smile across his lips. He wasn’t as tall as he expected, but Discord didn’t let himself be fooled. He knew that this size was only what was convenient for the centaur. In reality, he was as big as a mountain! Of course, the white stone around the Tirek’s neck was hard to miss. It looked like how Rainbow Dash described it. This was her way home!

“What a surprise! Discord! I didn’t expect to see you here!” Lord Tirek exclaimed, clearly faking surprise, in a mocking tone.

“What are you doing here?” Discord questioned, clenching his fists.

“Well, a little birdie told me I missed a spot, that there was still someone with magic nearby!” The centaur replied as a timberwolf revealed its presence, climbing off Tirek’s back. “And since I remember taking your magic, I know you aren’t the one I’m looking for. Where are they hiding?” He asked, still smug as ever. It pissed Discord off even more.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! You stole all the magic in Equestria already!” The draconequus retorted, making Tirek sigh in disappointment.

“You are making this so much harder than it needs to be… Old friend,” He crossed his arms, allowing the timberwolf to do its job.

The moment it jumped down, flying in Discord’s direction, the draconequus reached for his spear and quickly ran it through the beast’s skull, killing it in one blow.

“Too afraid to face me on your own?” Discord snarkily remarked. While he displayed a confident exterior, he was shaking in his boots! He had no chance of winning here! However, all he needed to do was buy time until the chest was open, and then Tirek would be dealt with.

“How pathetic. You resort to using cheap weapons? You have fallen quite low, Discord,” Tirek chuckled.

“If only someone hadn’t taken my magic! Think you can give it back, so we can actually see who wins in a fair fight?” Discord suggested though he didn’t expect any success.

“That is laughable! Once I have taken magic, I can’t give it back, I grow too attached to it too quickly,” The centaur laughed. “Your magic has become quite a good friend of mine!” He joked, stomping closer to the draconequus.

Discord snarled, gripping his spear tighter, then charged forward. Tirek’s grin left as quickly as it came as he watched his enemy desperately run toward him.

“Hya!” Discord lunged forward, raising his spear to stab Tirek’s leg with it. However, the centaur casually grabbed it between two of his fingers, then shook it hard enough to throw Discord away. He broke the spear in half as the draconequus landed on the ground with a thud.

“Enough playing around. I don’t know where she found magic, but this must be the princess and her friends! No one else would be foolish enough to defy my rule now!” Tirek stomped the ground.

Discord grunted while grabbing one of the weapons the girls left behind, and taking Pinkie’s sword.

“Shut it! I won’t tell you anything, and I certainly won’t let you leave anytime soon!” He shouted at the massive magic stealer.

“Are you seriously going to fight me? Without magic?” Tirek questioned, unamused. Frankly, he felt insulted that Discord even believed he had a chance.

“Whether I have magic or not doesn’t matter!” The draconequus shouted, charging at the imposing centaur. Tirek lifted one of his hooves to stomp Discord like a bug, only for the lord of chaos to jump aside and plunge the sword right under the centaur’s nail. Lord Tirek screamed in pain, lifting his leg to take out the sword buried inside. “I’ll fight for my friends until my last breath!” He declared before running to take Rarity’s mace, and Fluttershy’s axe, holding one in each hand.

“You little…” Tirek growled, snapping the sword to pieces in his fist after he had taken it out of his nail. “I could erase all of Equestria with a thought! I’m just toying with you, you realize that, don’t you?!” He shouted as he tried to crush Discord under his palm. “I could squash you like a bug!”

The draconequus miraculously dodged again; however, before he could attempt to hurt Tirek’s hand with either weapon, the centaur swiped left, knocking him off the ground. With a snarl, Tirek lit up his horns and melted the weapons he previously held, as well as Applejack’s hammer lying nearby.

Discord grunted while trying to lift himself up. It was only a little swipe, yet, Tirek had certainly broken one or two bones. He couldn’t believe how weaker he was without magic, and how much more powerful the centaur got.

“You have no pride, do you?! First, you betray them, and now that you’ve lost your magic, you’ve gone running back and sucking up to them? This is pathetic, even for you, Discord,” Tirek scoffed before quickly wrapping his hand around the draconequus and lifting him to his eye level. “Are you hoping they’d get you your magic back? I didn’t know you could be so desperate, but that works even better for me! If you tell me where they are and what they’re doing, I may be lenient on you,” He smirked.

“You’re wrong about one thing… You’re right that I betrayed them. I’m scum, I don’t deny that…” Discord clenched his teeth as Tirek’s hold slowly tightened around him. “But… I’m not doing this to have my magic back. Even after everything I’ve done, they kept me around… I couldn’t have blamed them if they kicked me out of Ponyville, yet… They didn’t! And I see the looks they give me… So much anger, and they’re still willing to try for Fluttershy’s sake…” He stammered between breaths as Tirek squeezed him, making the draconequus yelp in pain.

“What are you blabbering about? If this is an attempt to gain sympathy, you should know how foolish it is, Discord,” Tirek scoffed, disinterested.

“If they still try to forgive me even after I tried to selfishly throw their friendship away, then they’re so much… more than I deserve… The only way to repay them is to fight by their side until the end… And I REFUSE to betray their trust again! All I want… All I want is to be allowed to call them my friends again,” Discord declared proudly, making Tirek flinch in disgust.

“They really have you whipped!” Tirek slammed the draconequus on the ground so hard the crash made cracks around him. Discord coughed out blood but was unable to do much of anything else. He grunted, trying to will himself to stand up, but in vain. As he moved his hand around him, he felt a sting on his finger. After probing more carefully, he realized it was the tip of the sword Tirek snapped. With a determined groan, he clutched it in his hand so hard it drew blood. “Tell me where they are or I will turn you to dust!” The centaur screamed, leaning down to do it in Discord’s face.

“Right… Here!” Discord shouted before throwing the blade as hard as he could and successfully stabbing Tirek in the eye with it.

“GRAAH!” Tirek stepped back, screaming in pain as his hand shot up to his bleeding eye. “M-MY EYE! HOW DARE YOU?!” He continued to wail while holding his injury.

“Ha ha… Ha…” Discord weakly laughed, his hand falling by his side. He was completely drained, but at least, he left a mark. “That will… Certainly… make your perception checks harder…” He joked with heavy breaths.

Tirek’s remaining eye burned with the fury of an entire army as he glared at the draconequus. With his injured, bleeding eye tightly shut, he let out a low, menacing growl.

“Enough games! Since you will not talk, I will vaporize all the surroundings!” He yelled before lighting his horns in an orange, threatening glow.

“Hmpf… Even if we don’t stop you… Someone else will, Tirek,” Discord grinned confidently through the pain. It only made the centaur rage harder. It was utter nonsense! He had all of the magic in Equus! No one could stop him, and no one ever would!

Suddenly, a gigantic pillar of magic exploded out of the fissure behind Tirek. The centaur widened his only eye in shock, spinning around to face the pillar of light. From the fissure, came out a ball of swirling magic, inside of which were six ponies.

“What? None of you should have magic!” Tirek exclaimed. After all, the timberwolf had told him only one pony had magic, and there were six of them! Not only that, but they were ponies who he stole magic from!

The mane 6 had changed drastically, their manes and tails growing wider, with different streaks of colors over their bodies, matching their original color schemes.

“Y-You! You’re the pony I killed! That’s impossible!” Tirek stepped back, actually feeling fear for the first time in 2 years.

“It takes more than killing me to kill me!” Rainbow replied, making Spike arch an eyebrow as he watched from the ground.

“And her name is Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie added fiercely.

Discord smirked, watching from where he lay as the girls were ready to bring Tirek down. He could feel himself getting weaker. He supposed his injuries were worse than he thought, or perhaps, he was never meant to live that long without magic. He closed his eyes to enjoy the centaur’s cries as he was to be defeated; however, a light suddenly flickered around him. Discord hesitantly opened his eyes to see the light was coming from the six ponies! The magic surrounded him, empowering him as he was lifted off the ground.

Tirek took a step back as the foe he had been relentlessly pummeling suddenly joined the other ponies, beginning to transform as well. Discord’s body stretched longer, his claws sharpened, and another, broader horn sprouted out of his forehead. Streaks of brown and green appeared in his mane, which grew longer and wilder.

“This doesn’t change anything! I’m still the strongest!” Tirek’s horns glowed in a vivid orange light while his body grew bigger and bigger. However, before he could even do anything or reach his real height, the orb of light the ponies and discord were in exploded in a blast of colors, emitting a light so bright that it could be seen across all of Equestria.

Lord Tirek let out a deafening scream, his body consumed by searing pain as though he had been cast into the sun itself. Desperately, he raised his arms to shield himself, but it was futile. The unknown magic coursed through him, relentless and unyielding. To his horror, he watched his arms grow thinner, his once-mighty frame shrinking and withering, wrinkles etching themselves across his form. He… He was losing his magic! Tirek released one final, anguished roar before he reverted to his frail, former self... and then encased in black stone, turned into a statue.

The ball of magic shrunk as 7 streaks of different colors shot out of it, flying around the globe while returning the magic Tirek had stolen. In less than ten minutes, all magic had returned to Equus.

Creatures all around the world would say that Tirek’s reign seemed endless. After 2 years of pain and terror, which no one believed they could ever escape from, a mysterious light suddenly flew through the sky, unstoppable and filled with hope. Just like that, they were given their magic back as if it had never been stolen in the first place. Whoever these saviors were, they earned eternal gratitude from millions of creatures.

Just like in Rainbow Dash’s universe, the Chest of Harmony flew to Ponyville and created an entire castle made of crystal. The six ponies, the draconequus, and the little dragon watched the castle in awe while the powers they received suddenly vanished. It seemed it had even healed their injuries, along with their atrophied muscles.

“A castle!” Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing in place.

“Yeah, that’s what happened in my world too after we opened the chest,” Rainbow explained with a nostalgic tone.

“But… Whose is it?” Twilight inquired curiously.

“Twilight, it’s ours. Well, yours,” Rainbow gestured to the ponies before turning to the alicorn. “You’re the princess of friendship, Twi,” She smiled.

“But… What? No, there’s no way I can live in that,” Twilight immediately shook her head.

“Sugarcube…” Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder, already knowing the alicorn had too much guilt to accept such a title. The earth pony looked at Rainbow Dash, seeking any words that might help from the pegasus.

Ponies always relied on her, but they wouldn’t do it often if they needed help on the emotional side. Rainbow always had an easier time expressing herself through actions rather than words, so having to be so… Delicate with words was strange. Boosting someone else’s confidence at such a rapid rate was strange too. Honestly, she didn’t think she was any good. Fluttershy would have been better for this, but she couldn’t let them down. She did manage to convince them to fight, at least. Right as she opened her mouth to reassure the alicorn, a shout cut her off.

“Rainbow!” Her parents yelled in relief, running up to her. Before she could even say anything, they slammed into her to embrace.

“You did it!” Her mother ruffled her mane proudly while Bow quickly moved behind Rarity and Pinkie and pulled them into a hug.

“Oh, you won! You won! I knew you could do it!” He exclaimed, nearly choking them with his forelegs.

“Can’t… Breathe…” Rarity choked out while Pinkie giggled.

“Of course we did! This time, Tirek had to fight us fair and square! He stood no chance!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed pridefully.

While they celebrated together, Twilight still couldn’t take her eyes off the castle, wondering where she would go from there. So much had happened… Did she deserve such a thing? She wasn’t allowed to go deeper into her retrospection as two flashes materialized nearby, revealing… Princess Celestia and Princess Luna! The lavender mare widened her eyes, her lower lip weakly quivering.

“Princess!” She screamed, pulling the attention of everyone else to them. Without warning, she ran up to both of them and threw her forelegs and wings around them. “You’re okay! Y-You’re safe!”

“Of course, and it’s all thanks to you and your friends,” Celestia softly whispered while caressing her former student’s mane.

“We never stopped believing, Twilight. Not even once,” Luna assured the younger alicorn, returning the hug.

“Glad this hasn’t changed…” Rainbow whispered to herself. She had been wondering if Tirek had hurt the princesses here or thrown them in Tartarus as he did in her world.

“W-Where is Cadance?” Twilight pulled back worriedly.

“Don’t worry. She had left to check on your brother, but she’s fine too,” Celestia quickly reassured her, making the young mare breathe in relief.

Luna looked back at Ponyville, noticing several ponies approaching them with curious and awed stares. Some were still crying tears of joy and relief, others laughed cheerfully. It was as if everyone lived the best day of their lives, and perhaps it was. However, they would need to settle some matters privately first.

“We should talk in the castle, sister,” Luna suggested.

“Yes, I feel my little ponies have a lot to tell me,” The sun sister’s eyes wandered over the ponies who welcomed them.

They quickly entered the castle, though Celestia made sure to tell the ponies outside that she would talk to them as soon as possible. As they wandered the halls of the castle, the bearers of the elements finally told them how their first encounter with Tirek went… How they lost, and how one of them died. Then, how 2 years later, a Rainbow from another universe appeared and led them to victory.

It was… A lot to take in.

“Rainbow Dash… Passed?” Celestia uttered in shock. All this time, she believed in them, believed they would be fine, yet… They suffered such a loss. Of course, she was hurt by the pegasus’ death too, but she had lost countless ponies. It was something she could heal from because she already had it thousands of times throughout her life. But she couldn’t imagine the suffering her little ponies went through. Was it her fault? Was it because she hadn’t come up with a better plan than to trust Discord?

“She was killed,” Twilight somberly corrected. Wordlessly, Celestia pulled her to her side with her foreleg.

“I’m so sorry,” She whispered.

Noticing the cold and somber atmosphere emanating from the other ponies too, Luna tried to deviate from this conversation.

“Multiversal travel, we hadn’t thought it possible. It has always been beyond my sister and I’s power,” She stated.

“So, you knew there are multiple universes?” Rarity inquired in surprise.

“Indeed. Starswirl the Bearded had told us some things about it. He developed a way to glimpse into other worlds,” Luna clarified.

“Could we have used that to get some help? Like Rainbow over there,” Applejack questioned; however, the alicorn shook her head.

“Unfortunately not. As we said, we never had enough power for such a feat. Moreover, Starswirl seemed to fear all the possibilities he witnessed while looking into them,” The alicorn of the night explained.

Finally, they reached the throne room. The room was spacious, with six large thrones encircling the center, with a smaller throne positioned beside the one bearing Twilight’s cutie mark.

“Thrones!” Windy pointed out, noticing they bore different cutie marks.

“Yep. It would be weird if the princess of friendship ruled alone,” Rainbow Dash explained before Celestia could even speak. However, there was one glaring detail that the pegasus would have missed if a certain draconequus hadn’t pointed it out.

“Is this… My throne?” He slowly approached it, running his paw on it. It was undoubtedly his since his face was on it. However, it was also where Rainbow Dash’s throne should have stood.

“He’s got a throne?” Bow arched a disbelieving and critical eyebrow. He didn’t seem too happy about it, but Rainbow couldn’t blame him. That did prove one thing, there was someone to take the Rainbow Dash from this world’s place. As long as she was certain her friends would be fine, she was happy. However, that also meant it was time for goodbyes. The pegasus looked at the stone around Discord’s neck, which he took from Tirek after he was turned into a statue.

“I think he earned it,” Fluttershy softly said, smiling at the draconequus.

“A-Are you sure?” Discord questioned, wondering if this was some kind of illusion. After what he did… He was considered for such a seat?

“Of course,” The yellow pegasus assured him as he pulled her into a hug.

“I’m with Rainbow’s dad on this one,” Spike muttered, though he didn’t complain much since the timing likely wasn’t right. Also because he had a throne too.

“Hate to bring the mood down again, but… I think it’s time for me to leave,” Rainbow spoke up, attracting everyone’s eyes to her again.

“What? So soon?” Pinkie exclaimed disappointingly.

“Can’t ya stay to celebrate, at least?” Applejack asked.

“I’ll even cook you your favorite pie!” Windy added, only for Rainbow to shake her head.

“Sorry, but I really can’t. I’ve got friends who need saving too,” The pegasus refused. However, before she could take the stone from Discord, she paused. Leaving in such a hurry would leave a bad taste in her mouth. However, she had no idea what kind of final words she could possibly give to them. After all, they would never see her again, probably.

“Perhaps… This could be an opportunity for some closure,” Celestia suddenly offered as if she had read the pegasus’ mind. They looked at the tall unicorn curiously, waiting for her to explain further. “Many things were left unsaid. After all… Rainbow Dash was taken from you all so suddenly. If you have any final words you wish you would have given to the one you knew and cared so deeply about, now is the time to share them,” She gestured to Rainbow Dash.

All of them understood what she meant. Essentially, they act as though she were the Rainbow they already lost, to tell her how much she meant to them, and hope those words would reach her, wherever she was. It would be difficult, but necessary.

“I don’t mind,” Rainbow lightly nodded her head. No matter how strange it would be for her, she understood the importance of it.

“I suppose now is a better time than any,” Rarity whispered, her voice slightly cracking.

Naturally, the first ponies to step forward were her parents. Rainbow braced herself, expecting them to go on a gigantic tirade, talking about how great she was, how she was the best at everything, and how…

“We’re proud of you,” They stated in sync, making Rainbow freeze in surprise. “We’ve always been, and maybe we were expressing it a little too loud before,” Windy chuckled.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better daughter, and it’s not even because you’re a hero or because you saved Equestria multiple times, or that you’re a great flier… Even if you are all those things,” Bow snickered, ruffling Rainbow’s mane. “It’s just because you’re our pride and joy. Every day we spent raising you was the best years of our life, you were the greatest source of our happiness,”

"And we would have loved you, no matter who you became. You’ve been the greatest gift life could have given us,” Windy added softly.

Before she even knew it, Rainbow sniffled back tears, quickly wiping them away with her hooves. She knew it wasn’t directed at her! Yet why did it make her so happy?! And of course, her parents found nothing better to do than pull her into a group hug.

“That’s our mushy daughter!” Windy joked as they pulled back a few seconds later.

“I’m not mushy!” Rainbow rebutted stubbornly, making everyone snicker.

“Let’s not take more of her time, dear. I think her friends will have a lot to say,” Windy told her husband as they moved away, giving room for the next pony to step up. This time, it was Fluttershy.

“So… This is goodbye?” Fluttershy asked hesitantly. Rainbow Dash simply nodded solemnly. “You’re my oldest friend, Rainbow Dash. You’re the only one who ever took my side and helped before we came to Ponyville, so much so that I didn’t think I deserved it,” The yellow pegasus smiled, recounting those years. “Actually, I wanted to be like you back then,” She revealed, making Rainbow’s eyes widen in surprise. “You always seemed so brave, to go against anypony to defend your friends, so fierce. Oh, and you were loud, and it didn’t look like there was an end to your energy. You were such a good flier too. You just seemed to be my opposite. I thought if I was more like you, I’d be more popular. Then we met everypony else,” She gestured to their friends. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still admired you, but you and the girls made me understand that I didn’t need to be you, or anyone else. I can just be… Me. Thank you, Rainbow Dash. For everything. For being my friend, my protector, my inspiration. I love you, and I always will,” Fluttershy choked on her tears. “Sorry, I wish I could say more, but I don’t want to take up the others’ time,” She apologized through her tears.

“Oh, come here, Flutters,” Rainbow Dash’s wings wrapped around the other pegasus.

The others also hardly held back their tears as they watched their small moment. They were aware they had to contain them because it would be their turn soon to say goodbye. After a few seconds, Fluttershy nuzzled the cyan mare, then stepped back making room for the others.

“Dashie!” Pinkie immediately pounced on her, hugging her firmly.

“Pinkie! Too… Hard…” Rainbow Dash choked out, making the party pony snicker.

“Sorry!” She giggled before backing away. “It’s… Well, it’s kinda the last hug we’ll have so…” Her expression quickly turned downcast. “Anyway… You’ve been the best prank buddy anypony could have asked for! You could always keep up with me, and I thought that was so cool! You were one of the most fun ponies I knew! Who else would challenge me to a cupcake-eating contest and actually keep up with me? But you weren’t just cool, Dashie… You could make so many ponies happier than ever. At least, you made me happier than ever… You stood up to one of your oldest friends because she was a bully to me,” She softly remembered, her voice wavering. “I’ll never forget you, Dashie. You’ll always be my friend, my prank buddy! And don’t worry, I’ll make the biggest, greatest, coolest, and most awesome party in your honor, so… Thank you for everything,” She wiped a tear away before leaning down to whisper one last word in the pegasus’ ear. “Also, you’ve always been Best Pony to me, but don’t tell that to anypony,” She winked before stepping away.

“My lips are sealed,” Rainbow whispered back with a small smile.

“Rainbow Dash,” Applejack walked forward with a serious expression.

“Applejack,” Rainbow retorted with an equally serious face, only for it to break a second later when they both snickered. “Come on, lay it on me,”

“You’ve been a stubborn mule for as long as Ah’ve known ya, and a show-off. Ya think ya have to be tough, that ya aren’t allowed to be a softie, and ya always wanna come up on top,” The earth pony ranted. The other ponies looked at each other in confusion while Rainbow Dash grinned. “And Ah guess that's why we always bickered for the smallest things or had to compete in everything,” The farm pony added with a small smile. “Because you and I are the same in that aspect. I wish we wouldn’t have bickered so much for so long; it was so stupid when I think about it, so… Ah just wanna say Ah’m sorry,” She apologized with a slight bow of the head. “Ah’m sorry we fought so much, and Ah wish we could have spent more time with each other. Still, Ah reckon yer one of the best friends Ah could have ever asked for. Yer one of the strongest ponies Ah know. Ah could always count on ya, and for that, thank ya. You’ll always be like family ta me,”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes softened as she gazed upon the other mare.

“Wow, Applejack… Can’t believe you managed to hold your tears, why do you wanna be tough now?” The cyan pegasus teased with a light chuckle.

“Oh, shut up, ya,” The earth pony rolled her eyes amusedly before giving the pegasus a quick hug. “Ah guess Ah’ll see ya on the other side,” She muttered.

“Feel free to make her wait, though,” Rainbow whispered back, patting the farm mare on the back.

After Applejack backed away, it was Rarity’s turn. The graceful unicorn quietly approached her, already sniffling tears away. Rainbow Dash grinned, but she couldn’t call the unicorn a drama queen this time, those tears were warranted;

“If you had told me we would have been such close friends before, I likely wouldn’t have believed it,” Rarity began speaking.

“Gee, thanks,” Rainbow playfully rolled her eyes.

“We’re very different, you and I, darling. Your boldness, your athleticism, your... unique sense of style. Frankly, I do not know what kind of dresses you would have been wearing if I hadn’t been here,” Rarity quickly stated in the last sentence. “But maybe it’s those differences that made our friendship so strong. We could tell what the other thought with a glance. It was the first time I’d grown so close to a group of ponies… and you’ve left a mark on all our lives, on my life. A mark I could never forget, that I would never want to forget. Your undying loyalty was an inspiration for me too, Darling. I wish I could have told you that earlier, but still… Thank you for everything,” Rarity embraced her in a warm hug, small tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I’m sure she knew it, Rarity,” Rainbow said softly as the unicorn pulled back. The pegasus breathed out, barely containing her own sadness before glancing Twilight’s way, the alicorn was looking down, clearly hesitant to step forward. However, before Rainbow could call out to her, something little pulled on her leg. “Hey, little guy,” She greeted Spike.

“I know I wasn’t as close to you as the others, but you always made me feel like I belonged like I was part of the team, especially since you would include me in your and Pinkie’s pranks,” The little dragon rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Honestly, I kind of wanted to be like you sometimes. Brave. Cool. The kind of friend who would stand by others no matter what. So, I guess I’ll try to be! For everyone’s sake!” He pumped up his fists determinedly.

“I don’t doubt you will, Spike,” Rainbow Dash patted him on the head, making him grin.

The dragon suddenly seemed to catch something in the corner of his eyes, prompting him to run up to the others and give the approaching pony some space.

“Twi…” Rainbow whispered.

“I…” Twilight started to speak, only to close her mouth again. “You’re one of the first ponies I met when I came here, and it was also the first time I’ve been in awe in so long… I mean, I learned under Princess Celestia, and you still impressed me more than you can imagine when you showed your speed. I’ve replayed those memories so many times in the past two years, along with every minute we spent together, with our friends,” The alicorn quietly recalled. “When I saw you do a Sonic Rainboom. When I caught you liking Daring Do. When you chose your friends instead of winning. When you taught me to fly. When we watched the sunset together on the clouds… I could never forget any of those, and more,” Twilight softly continued. “But I don’t want to remember them with sadness. I can’t just… Accept that you’re gone. I thought I’d never lose my friends, that we’d always be together… You were supposed to be my side forever!” She exclaimed, looking at her other friends with tears swelling up in her eyes. “Until I… I ruined everything. I never wanted any of this pain! W-Why couldn’t it be me instead of you? It’s not fair! You’ve had a wonderful dream, and you would have been the best Wonderbolt there ever was! You’ve had so many ponies who cared about you, and it’s no wonder! You don’t let them down. You’re kind, and strong, and thoughtful, and… And… Don’t leave! Please, please, stay here!” She suddenly begged, openly crying this time.

“Twilight… You know…” Rainbow Dash shook her head sadly.

“I’ll throw you the best party you ever had if you stay, Dashie!” Pinkie interjected, crying just as much as her alicorn friend. Unfortunately, it wasn’t getting any easier as her other friends couldn’t hold their emotions down anymore, spilling tears without stopping.

“Ya’ll be the first to get our cider, and our best apple pies!” Applejack exclaimed.

“I’ll make you the finest dress I ever could for when you become a Wonderbolt!” Rarity added.

“Uhm… I will find Tank a little girlfriend…” Fluttershy offered hesitantly.

Rainbow Dash’s gaze shifted from one pony to the next, overwhelmed by their sudden begging while the other occupants of the room could only watch.

“See? We all want you to stay! Please, don’t go!” Twilight pleaded.

“I-I’m sorry, girls. But you know I can’t stay. I can’t let my friends down,” She firmly declared, making their ears drop. They continued to cry quieter while the pegasus barely held her head up. It was hurting her too, but she couldn’t imagine how much worse it was for them. “Besides, those words weren’t meant for me,”

Her friends looked up in confusion, slowly understanding what she meant.

“What Rainbow Dash is trying to say is that even if she stays, you’ll be the ones who notice most that she isn’t the pony you knew. You’ll be the ones who feel the pain most deeply,” Celestia thankfully put it into words.

“Exactly,” Rainbow nodded as the others rose to their hooves again. “Though, I wish I could, I don’t know, be in two places at once. That I’d stay here and also…”

“It’s alright. I know you do, Rainbow,” Twilight softly interrupted her. “I suppose it was worth a shot, though… I never expected you to accept. Princess Celestia has a point,” She slowly nodded before meeting Rainbow Dash’s eyes again. “Your friends are lucky. I guess I can only say goodbye,” She sniffled. “I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for your death, but… I will try. I’ll try for as long as I live,” She assured the pegasus.

“You’ve got nothing to forgive yourself for, Twi, but I’ll hold you to that,” Rainbow smiled wholeheartedly, using one of her wings to wipe the alicorn’s tears away. The pegasus paused, taking in their faces one last time, then breathed out. “Well, I guess this is it. Discord? Hoof over the stone,”

“Here you go, and… Thanks, Rainbow Dash,” Discord whispered as he threw the stone to her, which she caught in her hoof. The pegasus nodded in acknowledgment, and closed her eyes, ready to be transported back into her universe… Only for nothing to happen. She hesitantly opened one eye before looking around.

“Oh, well… This is awkward. I thought I’d be the last to hold that thing… Guess I’m not,” She mumbled awkwardly while looking at the stone in her hooves. “See, ‘cause we’re all supposed to hold it at the same time, then it’ll turn on or something and… Yeah… Wanna go for lunch, maybe?” She chuckled nervously.

Twilight’s expression softened as the stone suddenly began to shake, which didn’t go unnoticed by anyone.

“Goodbye, Rainbow,” Twilight finally said as the stone rose in the air. A radiant burst of light erupted out of it, tearing through the air to form a shimmering portal behind Rainbow Dash.

Without warning, the pegasus was yanked inside with a startled yelp. Her final glimpse was of her family's and friends' smiling faces before the portal sealed shut. She found herself once more in the strange realm where her multiverse journey had first begun, soaring past countless mirror-like swirls, each reflecting a different picture, a different universe.

Again, she couldn’t control where she was going, yet, she could feel she didn’t need to. She was pulled exactly where she needed to be.

“I’m coming home,” She whispered, closing her eyes and allowing herself to be pulled.

Back in the universe she had just left, silence fell over everyone as they watched the portal snap shut, the cyan pegasus vanishing from sight… forever.

“She’s really gone now, isn’t she?” Twilight weakly questioned.

“Yeah… She is, Sugarcube,” Applejack replied, matching her tone. The five friends wordlessly embraced each other and cried, letting their emotions out without restraint.

Perhaps they would never truly heal. Perhaps this world, ravaged by Tirek's destruction, was already beyond saving. Perhaps nature would continue to wither, and ponies would gradually lose themselves to despair. Perhaps the bearers of the Elements of Harmony would remain consumed by grief, unable to find solace.

And yet, they would try. No matter what the future held, they would fight—for a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow. They would honor the memory of the friend they lost to the tyrant known as Lord Tirek.

Author's Note

It is done. This was the final chapter of Rainbow Dash's side of the story! What a ride, huh? For those who expected a more exciting fight against Tirek, sorry, but he just stood no chance against the Rainbow Power (talking about the chest here, and not Rainbow Dash, though I guess she can apply as well haha).

This chapter was meant to focus on their farewells more than anything. This won't be the last we see of this world, though, once every side is done, there will be an epilogue separated into different parts (so not in one chapter), each focusing on a different universe. You'll see how this world progressed after Rainbow left, but you'll have to wait until we get there! Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed this universe as well as Rainbow's adventure. It ends on a hopeful note, at least!