Their Names Across The Multiverse

Chapter 30: Getting Help From Others

Spark snapped back to reality, rolled over on her stomach, and slowly got up and stayed on her elbows and knees, looking at the ground.

"Even after meeting each other, they couldn't help each other. There was no hope for them..."

Lauren lowered her head, getting closer to Spark, asking what she meant by that. Spark looked and was surprised to see her teacher there.

"Teacher?"

Lauren smiled at her. "Hello, my hopeful student. Can you tell me what you meant by that? There is still hope for them, isn't there? There always is. You always believe in that."

Spark shook her head. "Not this time. My spark is gone teacher; I'm tired. My pain...my actions, my problems..." Spark started to cry as she looked back at the ground, her tears hitting the grass. "I only brought problems to others and started to drag others down with me into my pain. I only made things worse... I want everything to end..."

Lauren was worried. Spark had never given up on anything, and this wasn't like her. Lauren had to bring her student back. Before she could say anything, she heard voices. She looked and saw Dawn and Cozy rushing to her. The two stood before Spark, asking what was wrong and who she was talking to. Lauren remembered that since she's an author, mortals or, in this case, characters can't see her unless she wants.

Lauren looked back at Spark. Spark ignored the two, repeating that she was tired and like Fayth. Lauren didn't want to believe it, but Spark had given up. Lauren could feel a dark aura coming off her, growing. Spark was in pain, and it was hurting her.

"Spark, listen to me. Don't give up on your spark; you are a wonderful and caring girl. Please, don't do this. Don't give in." Lauren was begging her student.

Spark looked back at her, tears running down her face. She looked broken.

"I want it to end! I'm like Fayth, I'm so done with everything! The pain and hardship aren't worth moving forward anymore. I want it to end."

Lauren and the two girls could feel the dark aura getting stronger and stronger.

Lauren was about to say something, but she and the others were knocked back and thrown across the meadow of the lake.

Tomomo quickly saw this and used her powers to catch them. Lauren thanked her, but the two girls were confused about who had caught them. They all turned to Spark, who was slowly becoming Star Breaker again, but this time was different. She stood up; her flowing twilight mane with a hint of the rainbow was gone and completely replaced with black and dark purple. Her eyes lost the signs of life, and the spark she had since held within her was gone.

"There is no moving forward in this awful book we call life, teacher. We live, we suffer, and we die. Nothing more, nothing less. This is the fate we live in. It's better this way...to stop trying."

"Spark!?" Dawn shouted, not believing what she was hearing from her.

Tomomo turned to Lauren, asking what was wrong with Spark.

"Spark is the living embodiment of a moving forward, the very meaning of a spark within us all." Lauren could feel the dying hope coming off of Spark that she needed to step back a bit. "But what happens when that spark of hers is dying? She becomes the living embodiment of hopelessness. Blitz and Braver, her sisters, who is a copy of your Star Breaker but Spark? She is the copy version of Suguri and Sora. Sora pushed forward through the war, the hardship of living in one and ending it, giving the world hope. Suguri lived peacefully thanks to Sora, but even though she hated fighting, she would protect the earth from danger. Keeping the world alive, alive thanks to Sora's hope. That's what the spark is: hope."

Spark's body started to turn slightly black. Her puffy rainbow jacket was trying to fight off the darkness and stop it from replacing its rainbow colors with darkness.

"Spark also carries the copy of Star Breaker within because she allowed her sisters to feed off of her...this is Spark's version..."

Spark slowly had a twisted smile, her eyes becoming sadistic and threatening.

"Spark Breaker..."

"Hello, foolish teacher. I'm so glad to finally meet you in person." Spark Breaker walked to them; as she did so, the grass and everything she walked by died. "I'm finally out of this idiot self-consciousness and can regain control."

"What is she?" Cozy asked, scared. "That isn't Spark anymore!"

Lauren backed away, feeling the powerful aura coming closer to her. Tomomo did the same, as she had never felt this much power from Spark or any normal beings. This power rivaled even their own, and that scared her the most. She forced Cozy and Dawn back, much further away.

"Okay, this isn't good! We now have three Breakers in one universe!"

Lauren glared at her. "Only because you brought Star Breaker here! I still didn't understand why you chose her and not someone else. Hime would have been a better pick!"

"Look, Hime would stand no chance against Fayth! Even Suguri, being billions of years old, couldn't handle her, so there was no way in hell Hime would have done any better." she snapped back. "As for why Star Breaker, well, it was obvious."

"What's obvious!?" Lauren snapped, annoyed.

"Star Breaker is stupidly strong, stronger than anything in my written universes. She was the perfect candidate for this."

Before Lauren could fight with her with it more, Spark Breaker clapped her hands loudly, getting their attention.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I have a few words for you, dear teacher." Spark Breaker raised her hand in the air. She started to gather powerful negative dark energy. "Why do you keep holding on to hope? Why do you keep struggling? You know how all this ends, right? We beat Fayth, but she will restart everything at the last second." The dark negative energy became a tiny black hole. "The other versions of Spark, from the last rewrites, always fail, so there is no point in moving forward. She, or in this case, we will, will fail too. So why not skip a few pages and move forward to the ending?"

They watched as Spark Breaker's black hole slowly rose above her, and soon, a bright black flash of light blasted for a few seconds. That's when it happened. A black hole started to suck everything up.

"But this time, this ending will be permanent. No more rewrites; it's time to publish this awful story!" She turned to the-

N̷̡̕o̸̡͝,̷͔̓ ̴͖͑n̶̻̽o̷̰̐,̷̫͂ ̷̗̾I̷̠͌ ̵̝̽d̷̮̓ó̷̼ǹ̵̹'̷̧͐t̴̢̿ ̵̠́t̴̞̐ų̸̈́ṛ̶̌ň̷̻ ̴͕́t̴̛̳o̵̲͌ ̶͕͂t̷̺̍h̵̫̾e̷͈̓ ̶̺̄ǧ̵̨ŕ̴̤o̷̧̓u̴͖͌p̸̛ͅ.̵̤̃ ̶̬̽I̷̼̅ ̴͇̏t̴̛̥u̸͍͑ȑ̸̺n̷͙̈́e̴͔͂d̷̢́ ̶͍͑t̴̥͒o̵̩̚ ̵͎̊y̸͘͜o̶̮͘u̵̡̽,̴̤̃ ̵͙͌t̴̠̐ḩ̵̔ẻ̸̫ ̶̥̀r̶̢͝e̵̻̓à̷͈d̷͚̔e̵̘̊r̶̙͠s̵̗̅.̸̧̌ ̶̨̍Y̷̳̌e̴̡̓s̶͈͗,̶͍͝ ̴̗͒Ị̷͝ ̷͈̚s̶̹̑ẽ̸̜e̴̥͌ ̶̫̏ỵ̸̏o̴̲͝u̵̼̓ ̴̥̐o̵̤͒u̵̥̕t̵̝̿ ̵̞͆t̷̛͔h̸̻͌ḙ̵͛r̸̟̚ȩ̷̏.̵̹͋ ̷̪͂Y̸͖͗o̵͔̒u̷̧̒ ̶̦͐n̸̩̒å̶̬ű̸͚g̵̝̅ḧ̸͓́t̷̠͝y̴͔̅ ̸̞͂l̵̝̉i̵͉̓t̷̩̚t̸̩͊l̶̡̀e̸͙͋ ̶̜̑p̶̹̈́ë̴͓e̴̹̓k̷̰͠ḯ̴͜n̵̘̈g̸͍͘ ̸̗̌t̶̜͗o̵̳̓m̷͇̎s̷̯͌.̶͇̏ ̴̹̾I̷͇͝ ̷̱̎h̸̻́ả̶̬v̷̹͝e̵̡͠ ̵̹͝b̶̦̃e̵̠̚e̵̾ͅn̶̫̈ ̷̫̃w̵͕̓a̴͙͆t̵̥͛c̷̺̎h̷͖͗í̴̱n̸̡͝ġ̵͜ ̷̱̇y̴̡̑ỏ̶̭u̸̫͗ ̸̨͠a̷͔͠l̶̛̜l̷̳̏ ̴̫̿f̷̭͋o̷̺̔r̸͉̔ ̴̻́a̸͔̐ ̴̭̿ļ̷̆ǫ̸̀ň̵͍g̷̻͛ ̷̭͐ẗ̵̠́i̸͓̚m̶͍̍e̷̤̒.̵͙̿ ̶̻̉Ĭ̶͎ ̵̢̈́h̷̟̄å̶͜v̶̘́ẻ̸̼ ̶̦͒s̴͔̓ẻ̵̺e̶̟͑n̶̖̈́ ̴̩̾w̶̧̿h̷̗̊a̸̰͆t̵͓͊ ̵̣̋y̸͎̔o̴̤͌ǔ̵̬ ̶̱̇ṙ̷̤e̴̳̅a̵̖͌d̷̨̉.̸̪̄ ̸̥͘S̴̛̭o̵͓͐m̸̼͗e̷̬͒ ̶͙̒o̴̬͛f̸͚͗ ̵̝̈́ý̸͎ó̸̮u̵̞̚ ̸͖̆ẽ̶̳n̵̎͜j̵̧̉ȍ̷͉ỹ̷͔ ̶̞̉r̵̖͊ė̷̟a̷̛̦d̷̘̎i̶̛̠n̸͕͌g̵͖̕ ̶̭͋h̴̢͑ạ̶̃p̴̛̝p̴͎͐y̸͍̅-̵̯̄t̵͈͊ő̷̡-̸͕͝s̴̥͗h̷̉ͅi̴̠͗p̵̲͂p̷̗͛i̷̗̅n̷̖͝g̵͊ͅ ̷̠́f̸̯̾i̴̮͌c̸̳͑s̵̪̃,̸̙̃ ̶̣́b̶͉̐u̵͖̕t̵̉ͅ ̶̫̀ȯ̸̫t̵̯̍h̴̠̀ē̶͚r̸̠̋ś̶̫?̵̛̩ ̶̝̀Ÿ̸͇́ȯ̸̱u̷̙͊ ̴̝̓ẉ̶͛ȁ̸͓n̶̠͆ţ̵͠ ̸̱̿t̵̹͐h̸̢̋é̵̠ ̶̪͑ḓ̸̃a̴̦͘r̶͎͊k̶̤̒ ̶̰͐p̵̼͋a̷̼̕ŕ̶̺t̵̞̃ ̶̯͝ó̴̬f̷̈͜ ̴̮̏f̸̬͝ì̶̘c̵̟͝t̷͉́ȉ̶̞o̷̝̊n̵̼̏,̷̼̿ ̵͎́r̸̲̃ë̷̡́a̷̼͠ḏ̵̚ỉ̵̡n̸͖͐g̴̙̽ ̸̝̈́t̷̥̔ẖ̴͊ê̶̪ ̶͖͊h̶̹̓ő̵͜p̶̭̔e̷͖͘ĺ̴͍ē̶ͅs̴̜̕s̶̝̐n̴̛͙e̸͚͆s̷̬͝ŝ̵͉ ̷̝̕o̵̰͑f̷͕̑ ̸͕̆t̴̢̔h̷̤͊ė̷͕ ̴͕̒m̵̦͠ả̸̱n̴͈̍é̵̯ ̴̪̍ś̸̥i̶͈̓x̶̪̋ ̸̙́ŏ̸̱r̶̟̍ ̷͎̋o̴̟̓ẗ̸̮́h̷̦̔e̸͖͌r̵̖̈ ̸̰̓c̸̲̚h̷͉̄a̶̼̕r̷͙̈́ǎ̴̙c̶̳͝t̵͎̊é̸̠r̸͕̉s̸͚̍ ̷̩̉ị̷̏ṋ̶̕ ̴̀͜s̴̚ͅp̶̜̀ȇ̶͍c̴̞̔ǐ̴̤f̷̢͛ī̴̙c̴̙̒ ̴̲̒f̴͙̅ạ̸̀n̴̜̎ ̶͇̊f̶̬͛i̴̤͂c̷̰̄t̶̯̓ì̸̺o̴͎͠n̸̗̊.̴̻́ ̶̘̆Ŵ̴͓h̷͠ͅe̴̯͘r̷̢͑e̸̲̒ ̶̞̔t̶͈͗h̸͍̽e̸̾͜ỳ̸̜ ̷͊ͅl̵͙̎o̵͕͐s̶̜̍e̵͕̅,̴̳̿ ̴͍͌d̷̖̐i̵͇͛e̵͕̓,̸̨̆ ̶̮͂b̴͚̓ē̶͚c̴͍̃o̷̯͘ṃ̵̂ĕ̵͜ ̵̟̄e̶͎̕v̴̘̌i̶̘͐l̸̪̈́,̸̘́ ̷̢͆o̶̜͘r̸̖̉ ̷̠̎f̷̘͐o̴̲͝r̷̆͜ ̶̢͊y̵̧͘o̷̻͑u̸̘͝,̵̩̔ ̸̦̚f̷͇̂o̷̧͆r̶̜̓ ̴͍̀h̸̢͘o̵̰̒r̸̥̐ń̶̦y̵̲̑ ̸̭͐r̶̎ͅé̷̫a̴͑ͅd̵̘͂ę̶͂r̵͖̿s̸̋ͅ,̶͙̎ ̵͎͠b̵̪̓ḛ̵̕c̸̠̄ǒ̸̹m̶̻͌ḯ̷͍n̸͚͝g̵̭̅ ̸͓̌s̵̤͌ĺ̷͇u̴̘͒t̷͈̓s̸͙͆ ̷̘̅f̴̱̎o̸̩̊r̸̝̓ ̸̼̿y̴͈͝ō̴̜u̶̦̇r̸͔͆ ̵̞͑d̷͉͆ë̶̙e̸͖̚p̷͈̓ ̵̹̓ḏ̶̒ę̴̎ş̸͂ḯ̶̝r̵̡̅é̸̺s̵̖̅.̴̗̈́ ̶̘̕Ý̷̘o̸̹͊u̷̜̾ ̶͔̂l̶̫͆o̷̭̓v̷͎̚e̴͍͠ ̸̱̾ẗ̴͕́ö̷̘ ̶̦͘w̷̳̑ą̴͌t̶͕̅c̷̮̄h̵͉͊ ̶̜̈́t̷͖̆h̵̙̆e̵͕͂m̴̭͐ ̵̙̎s̷̹̆ṷ̶̇f̶̨́f̶̖̾ȩ̷̿r̸̞̈́ ̷̗͊a̴͛͜n̴̘͒d̶̥͛ ̷̝̾t̴̺̆h̸̦̾e̷̳̅n̸̜̆ ̶͔̓b̶̜̈ē̷̬g̷̹̽ ̴̦͘t̴̺̀ō̴̡ ̵̠͊b̶̲̐e̶̗͝ ̶̙̀ş̵̿ā̵̝v̴̥̊e̴͇̕d̵̥̾,̶͉̐ ̴̟̏b̶̞̄ụ̶̆t̷͙͒ ̴̧̀n̸̥̍o̸̓ͅt̷͗͜ ̵̯͊r̸͇̊é̸̗a̴̖͌l̸̨̂l̴̯̒ÿ̵̲;̷͈͗ ̴͉̀y̴̢̔ó̵̲û̸̢ ̴̭́l̸̘̄o̵̻͝v̷͔͑e̸̼͌ ̸̣̈ẅ̴̮́h̸̲̃ȩ̶͋n̵͇̎ ̴̯̓t̸̀͜ḩ̶̎e̴͕̾r̷̞̍ë̴̯́ ̵͍̎ǐ̵̟ś̷͜ ̸̫̚n̶̲͗ȏ̷͉ ̴͙̋h̶̩͆o̷̗͒p̵̨̎e̴̋͜.̵̤̋ ̸͇̍A̵͖͛n̸̟͒d̷̜̽ ̵̟͝t̵͓̓ḥ̴͂ȩ̷̅n̷̘͘,̴̮́ ̶̠͠ḭ̶̽ǹ̸ͅ ̶̰͆t̸̲͛ḧ̸́͜e̸̮̒ ̴̠͐e̶̖͛n̶̝̔d̴̠̃,̸̳͠ ̸̘̿ẁ̶̡h̵̥̚e̴̥͊n̵̘̏ ̸̠͋a̸͘ͅl̸̟̃l̸̖̊ ̷̙͑h̴̖͌ȯ̴̬p̷͍͂e̴̘͒ ̴̫̉i̴̤̓s̷͔͆ ̵̡̓l̸͓̍o̶̞͝ś̷̖t̷͈͠,̴̺̂ ̶̢̅t̴̙̑ḧ̸̝e̵̻͝ ̷͓͗e̴͙͝ň̷͈d̵̖̓ḭ̸̐ń̵̲g̴͍͛ ̸͈̃f̵̝́i̵͔͗ń̷̨a̸͉͆l̴̪͂l̶̥͒y̸̗͝ ̶̹̐á̷͜r̵̫͋r̷͙̈í̵͎v̴̙̿ë̴́͜s̸̟͠,̸͇̃ ̵̫̑a̴̰͂n̵͕͛d̵̹̅ ̸͍̑y̵͚͝o̸̘͐u̶̬͝ ̸͚̓g̶̠̓o̵͉͝ ̵͙͑a̵̹͐n̶̦͌d̶̰̀ ̵̰̉r̴̫̕ĕ̴̟ä̶̘́d̶̙̉ ̷̘̊a̵̹͝n̴͔̐ò̴͉ț̷̏h̵̙̓e̴̝̐r̷̯͗ ̵͑͜o̷̯͒n̸̐ͅe̵̞̓,̸̘̍ ̷̰̅ň̵͇ō̷͈t̶̢̓ ̶̬͠ċ̴͍å̵̪r̵͍̿i̵̜͝n̸̻̊g̵̘͛ ̴͉̆w̸̭̕h̶̹̀a̴̞̎ṱ̸̎ ̶̤͒h̷̨̾a̵͚̾p̶̥͘p̴͚̓ë̵̪n̸̞̈́e̸̮̍d̷̪́ ̶͖͝t̵̯̐ọ̸̎ ̶̼̀t̶̘͋h̸̦̓e̵̦̐ ̶͉̓ľ̷̡a̷̢̐s̷̙̆ẗ̵̬́ ̸̠̃u̸͙̚ṇ̶͝i̶͚̾v̷̫͂e̴͖̾r̷͎̄ș̵̌e̵̼̎ ̸̖̚ẏ̷̢ǭ̴u̴̠̐ ̶̖̉r̷̬͑e̷̥̕ā̷̼d̵̳̓.̷̘̊
̸̝͑Ÿ̵͈́o̴͚͝u̷̘̚ ̴̜̃d̵̻͂o̸̼͘n̸͈͝'̵͔͠ţ̴̈́ ̶͉͝c̴͉̿ȧ̶͈r̴͈̓ê̴͇ ̶̇͜a̷̋͜b̷͖̒ö̷͎́u̷̻͒ț̸͒ ̸̻̃t̸̰͗h̸̰̓ȩ̵͛ ̴̹̓ċ̷͖h̷̩͋a̴̮͂r̷̨͒a̵͎̾c̷͈̒t̷̲̔ḛ̵̓r̷̦͋s̷̺̄;̷͓͠ ̵̹̑ÿ̵͔o̴̪̔ù̸̪ ̵̼͑d̸̫̋ò̷̟n̵̝̈'̷̢͊t̷͙͠ ̶̫̓c̶͔̑a̶̰͌r̶̘̓e̵̎ͅ ̶̭͒i̶̗̿f̷̟̓ ̷̹̓t̷̼͝h̵̼͠è̵̘y̶͇͝ ̶͖̿h̴͔̍a̷̭̔v̷̠̓ê̴̳ ̸̤̂ḷ̶͝ȉ̸͇v̴̹͗e̶̙̿s̴̝͐.̷͓̊ ̵̱̿T̸̮͂h̶̨͘è̷̺y̸̯͑ ̸̠̒a̶̼͂r̸͍̆e̶̠͐ ̴̣͠j̴͇͘ŭ̴̼ṣ̶̀t̴͉̿ ̵̦̓w̵̧̎o̷̢̿r̴̖̊d̶̹̑s̵̹͛ ̴̻̾á̴͍ṇ̷͊d̴͈̆ ̶̳̄p̵̟̊i̵̹̍ć̶͕t̵̗̐u̶͚͒r̴̲̂e̶̝̐s̸̻͌ ̸̥̚f̷͉͒o̸̖͆r̴̡̿ ̵̻͝y̶͙̑o̶͈͋ū̸̜ ̷̠̊t̷̘̾ȏ̵̺ ̸̜̿e̸̢̐n̵̟̕j̴͓̊ô̶̗y̴̫͋.̵̈͜ ̴̠͘B̸͓͒ṷ̸̎ẗ̷̮ ̷͉͆l̷̗̓ë̶͉t̸͉̎ ̶͈̾m̴̹̀e̴̘͋ ̷̘̐a̵̧͋s̴̱̈́k̷̟̋ ̸̳̀y̵̨̽ỏ̶͇u̷̲̓ ̶̖͋á̷͇ ̶̯͘q̴͚̐ṷ̷̚ě̵͖s̶̜̀t̵̛͉í̸̟ȍ̶͇n̶̖̈́.̸͉̐ ̵͔̅Ḩ̵̉ô̶͓w̴̹̉ ̶̖̌d̵̫̓o̷͙͒ ̶̖̄y̸̟̑ö̶̮ů̶̯ ̷̰͒t̷̍ͅh̵̞͌ǐ̵͕n̷͓̈́k̷̰͆ ̷̪̌t̶͖̅h̴͖̅e̶͓̊y̵͔̏ ̵̗́ḟ̶̩e̴̖͋e̵͙̓l̸̙̈́?̶͎̋ ̷̮͛Ŵ̶̻h̶̢̋e̶̬͋n̸̰̈́ ̸̡͛t̸̮͂h̶̝̉e̸̜̍ì̵͉r̷̮͋ ̵̖̈́l̵̗̍ȋ̸̼v̶̬̂e̷̜̕s̵͇͘ ̸̦̃a̷̞͝ř̸͎ē̸̼ ̷̖͛r̵͓̚u̴̳͌i̶͕͝n̶̳̋ẻ̴͇d̴̮̕,̶̣͐ ̶̲̌ḋ̸̪e̶͕͛s̵̨͂t̵̙̾r̸̲̐o̵̯̍y̵̭̏e̶̟͝d̸̙̅,̵͍̈ ̶̩̏a̴̳̐ñ̸͍d̴͓̚ ̶̳̓f̸̗̊o̴̜̾ṙ̶͔ģ̸́o̶͕͂ẗ̷́͜t̸̳͊e̸̱̾n̴̳͑.̷̠̋ ̸͉͐H̸͔͋o̴͑͜w̴͔͠ ̷͍̆d̴͙͊ȍ̵͓ ̸̤͆y̵̤̅ő̴͜u̷̟͛ ̴̡̈́t̵̬̓ḧ̶̤́í̸͙n̶̜͝k̸̘̆ ̸͍̑t̶͔̑ḧ̵̙ę̸̾y̷͓̽ ̴̟͝f̸̍͜ě̵̘e̸̫͌l̶̘̎ ̵̡̓k̷̞̆n̷̰̂o̷̮̊ẁ̵͉i̷̹͒n̶̳̐g̸̛̻ ̴͎́t̸͕͗h̷͉̓a̸̺͘t̴̟͋ ̶͎̿ẗ̸̺́h̸̜͊e̶̻̒ĭ̵͚r̴͂ͅ ̴̙͠s̶͎̓t̴͙̅ǫ̸͘r̴͕͆i̷̝̒e̸̩̎s̵̤̋ ̶̺̀ā̴̳r̷̆ͅé̵̡ ̴̹͘g̷͚͐o̸͕͆i̵̫͑n̸̻͐g̷̢̚ ̷̛ͅẗ̵̹́ǒ̷̡ ̴̧͗e̶͙͠ń̴̖d̸̪̑ ̵̭͌i̴͍̓n̷͚̐ ̶̩͂p̷̤͝a̴͇͗i̴̭̇n̷͉̿,̵̦͌ ̴͈̐s̸̬̍u̵̻̾f̸̠̂f̴̫̈́e̵̗̐ř̵̪i̸̝͊n̷̤̓ğ̸͎,̶͓̀ ̸̛̖a̴̤̋n̶̖̐d̸̼̓ ̴̩͠d̸̤͆e̷̫̊å̴̧t̶̘̃ḣ̵̼?̴̠̅ ̷͉̑W̶͇͗h̵̲̀a̴͕͠ť̴̢ ̴͔̈w̶̰̅i̷̱͝l̵̠̒ĺ̵̟ ̷̭͐y̸̪͘o̴̰͒u̵̩͘ ̸̥͝d̴̥̚o̶̜̐ ̵̢͛ẇ̶̲h̵̗̓ė̴͚n̷̽͜ ̷̺̀t̶̳̒h̶̠̓e̶̺͋ÿ̵͈́ ̶̧̀c̷̰̀o̷̖̔m̶̤͘e̷͈͛ ̸̳̂f̶͔̕ò̴̫r̸̥͋ ̸͚̕ý̴͕ō̸̗ù̷̯,̸̧̽ ̵͕̍s̴̢̎ě̴͈ē̴̯k̴̹̎i̵͔̓n̷͖͒g̸̱̃ ̵͇͛r̴̦͑e̷͇͑v̶̮͑ẽ̵̮ń̶̞ġ̴̼ẽ̸͉ ̵̦͝f̸̬͑ǫ̵͐r̵͒͜ ̶͕̒t̶͕̎h̷͎͛e̵͇͂ ̷̟̾p̴̖̾á̷̱ỉ̵̠n̵͇͋ ̷̖̄ý̴̙ǒ̶̞ū̸̞ ̸̺̅p̴̹̑u̶̞̍t̵̖̆ ̶̜͘t̸͖̊h̷̡̽ĕ̷͙m̶̜͌ ̸̱̈́t̸̗̒h̶̪͂r̵̗̎o̴͍̎ǘ̶ͅg̷̣͂h̵̖̀?̵͕̐ ̸̪͌T̶͇̈́h̵̹̾a̴͖͗t̷̗͋'̴̡͛s̸͇͝ ̵̡̏w̶̢͌h̶̭͌ỵ̶̉ ̷̲̽w̴̫̒e̵͍̎ ̵̜͑w̸̻̐ę̵̄ŕ̷͍e̴̢̐ ̴͎̚ḇ̷̈ó̶̬r̶̈́ͅň̵̰—̴̙̎t̵̝̍h̷̙̀ȧ̵͙n̵̟͊k̶͕̿s̵͈̓ ̶̠́ṭ̸͆o̴̜̅[̶̮͠b̵͌ͅ]̴̨̿H̸̺̃E̶̞͛R̷͊͜[̵̢̀/̴̧̅b̵͈̓]̴̭̈́.̴̮̌ ̶̡͗F̸̜̃ā̵ͅt̴̯͋ě̶̡ ̵̲̇c̸̭͠â̵̪n̸͎͝ ̷̜̎b̷̗͝ę̶̔ ̸̼̃å̷͜ ̶̤̽ć̵̰r̴̺͋u̷̡̒ȅ̸̟l̷̺̈́ ̶̟̋m̸̖̍í̸͔ş̶̍t̶̞̕ŕ̶͚e̸͙͝s̸̟͠s̷̫̅.̶̛̜ ̷̖͊W̵̺͋ė̴̼ ̵̼̐a̴͚͂r̵̯͋e̸̤͛ ̸̮͗h̴̟́e̷̼͊r̶̠̈́e̵̪͗ ̴̤̕t̴͈́o̷̞̾ ̵̤̀p̵͚͐ù̵͈n̴̬̕ỉ̴̬s̴̼̿h̵̘̆ ̵͚́t̵͉͘ḧ̸͖́e̵̟͘ ̸̲̚w̸̳̚i̸̞͋č̶̹k̵͎͝e̶͚̽d̷̜̈́.̸̯̍ ̷̝͐F̶̗̓a̴̺͌y̴̛̯t̸͍́h̷̘͝ ̶̳̽i̴̤̓s̸̢̒ ̷̧̕t̴͙̂h̵̲͌ḙ̷͌ ̴̱̽k̵̻̂ě̶̥y̸̙͂ ̸̡̀t̸̞̏o̷͖̚ ̸̢̚o̴̖͌u̵̧̾r̴̗̄ ̵̐ͅs̶̻̾u̸̙̕c̸͓̐c̵͉̐ȩ̸̾s̴̟͆s̶̥͐.̸̩̑ ̵̗̋K̵̭̿e̶̛͇ĕ̸͜p̸̟̓ ̶̨͋r̴̗̈́ȩ̵͗s̶̞͛t̶̼̉ă̴̲r̶̫͌t̷̗͑ị̶͌n̶̨̑g̸̥̽ ̵̙̂e̸̖͗v̸̺̕ê̸̳r̷̳̀ȳ̸̰t̶̻͆h̴̳̉i̸̞̎n̵͇̄ǵ̶̱ ̸̞͑u̶̟̽n̷̡̏ṭ̶̈́i̵͙̓ḽ̶͋ ̷̺̒t̵̠̿h̶̞͌é̶ͅ ̶̟̍o̷̝̊u̵̩̚t̶̲̓c̷͚̏ö̷̥m̶̬̈́e̵̝͐ ̶̘̋t̴̞͛h̴͉͊a̵͙͝t̴͉̉ ̴̱͂w̴̪͛è̵͎ ̷͔̋w̸̙̌ḁ̶͝ṉ̴̀ţ̵̇ ̸̮̊î̸͓s̴͙͐ ̵̚ͅá̶͙c̴͇̔ḫ̷̕į̴͛e̸̖̾v̷̮̓e̷̟͝d̸̺̏.̶͍̎ ̷̱̏I̶̅͜ ̵̱̕h̸̛͔ö̶̼́p̶͕͋ę̵͌ ̵̩͒y̵̢̌ö̶̻ȗ̸̯ ̴̮̈́ḁ̴́r̸̛̹é̴̟ ̴̪̓r̴̥̽ë̵͉a̶̹̽ḏ̸̋ẏ̷̨,̶̺͗ ̵̺̏d̴̗͌e̷̜̊ȁ̸̳r̷̘̔ ̴̠̿ř̸̰é̶͇a̷̠̕ḋ̸̩ȇ̴͖ŗ̷̉s̵͚͗.̸̺͘ ̷̗͆I̷̻̽ ̴̲̂a̷̘̒m̶̹̐ ̷̳̓c̸̨͘ö̷̳́ṁ̸̨i̵̖͐ǹ̶͙g̵̻͋ ̴͔͆f̵̬͌o̸̝̐r̷̤͊ ̶̏ͅỳ̶̠o̷̜͝u̴͍̎;̷̣̋ ̴̤̈́y̴̜̒o̷̞͌ṳ̸̍ ̶͎̊w̶͍̽o̵̫̅n̵̝͒'̸̧͛t̷̪̍ ̷̱͐s̷̳̎ṵ̵̒r̴̲̂v̴̗͗i̷͕̾v̴̲̈́e̸̞̐ ̷̮̑t̷̝̀h̸̻̚ę̷̀ ̸̡̽d̶͙͘a̷̪̚r̷̤͝k̸̫͒ẽ̷͕s̶̗̿t̶̖͝ ̴̨̇e̶͉͝n̶̰̈́d̶̹͝ĩ̷̮n̵̥̅g̷̬͑.̶̀ͅ ̸̼̕T̵͖́ë̶͔ḻ̴̏l̸̆ͅ ̷̻̏m̷̉͜e̸̜̍,̸̦͝ ̷̭̐w̷͖͌h̵̪͐a̶̗̎t̵̟́ ̶̳̕h̸̫̀ȧ̷̙p̶̪͗p̸͚͐e̸̺͊n̵̩͋s̴̻͒ ̷̞̐t̸͙͠ơ̸̖ ̶̘͛ý̷̥ó̶̹u̷̮͗ ̶͉̚w̸̦̓ḩ̵͋e̷̘̅n̷̗̊ ̴̙̈t̸̯̅h̸̾ͅę̵́r̷͕͝e̴͉͑ ̴̤͐ä̵̗́r̵͕̈́e̷̲͛ ̵̻͘n̸̡̒o̵̦͠ ̶̪̆m̵̼̍o̸̟̎r̸̟̂ê̸̼ ̴̧̍s̸͉͒t̶̂ͅö̸̞́r̵̠̿i̴͔̚é̷͇s̷̻̋ ̴̡̂ẗ̴̫́o̵͎̔ ̷̹̃r̶̠̈́e̸̫͠a̴̙̔d̵͔̀?̷̡̓ ̴̿ͅW̸͇̓i̵̙̇l̸̠͌l̶̲͂ ̴̢͘ÿ̶̤́o̶̞̾u̶͈̓ ̶͉͆d̴͚͆ị̷͝e̴̙͆ ̷̜̕a̴̻̔ṡ̷̤ ̴̎ͅw̶͉̐e̴͇̊l̷͉̒l̴̠̔?̴̬̉

She laughed loudly and twisted, scaring Lauren and the others.

"Now, teacher, let me show you the truth and why moving forward is pointless." She increased the black hole strength. "Why moving backward is better."

The black hole was powerful enough to suck everything around her into it. She kept laughing, and Lauren and the others could only watch. Lauren tried to use her magic to stop her, but a blast of negativity from Spark Breraker stopped her.

Fayth, Star, and Breaker didn't notice the black hole below them. It was almost like something kept them from noticing as they kept fighting each other.

As Spark Breaker laughed, a rainbow bubble landed before her, and Twilight and the others were stepping out.

"Spark!?" Twilight and Twilah shouted, seeing what Spark had become into.

Spark Breaker stopped and looked at the group.

"Hello, mothers. Are you shocked to see the new me?" she eyed Nightfall, looking at her blankly. "Not you, though. I know why, too. That tiny hope that came to you won't be a thing. Her future is dead as long as I'm here."

Twilight, Twilah, Dash, and Dashie turned to Nightfall and Sky, asking what she meant by that. Of course, the two ignored their questions and smiled at them.

"Stay focused. We need to get Spark back to her old self so she can save her sisters." Sky looked at the burning red sky, seeing Breaker fighting and her slime body starting to melt. "We need to hurry! Their bodies are breaking down!"

Dash glared at Spark Breaker. "Okay, so how do we do that? Did Spark become like Nightmare Moon or something? Can the Elements can undo it!?"

Nightfall walked forward and sat down. She looked at Spark Breaker but smiled and looked to her left, seeing the purple-cloaked figure reading their book. The figure lowered her book and smiled back at Nightfall. She pulled out her feather pen and started to write something in the book.

Back at the library, Lucy was helping the others with the wounded. Everyone who didn't take part in the battle with Fayth was here.

"You're going to be okay, Flare," she said, holding Flare's hand as poor Supermare was dying.

Lucy looked around, seeing the others. They were severely hurt to...dead. She could see Aaira holding the remains of Little Star. Lucy feels so useless right now, being the only average human here.

"Lucy!"

Lucy turned around and became happy to see Sunny and Wallflower were okay. Not only that, but they were with the rest of their friends. Before they could reach her, a weird white flash of a star appeared.

"What was that?" she asked, looking around.

"I don't know...huh?" Flare answered. She sat up and realized she was fine again.

Lucy noticed this, too, and looked around. She was beyond confused by what she saw. Everyone was fully healed and okay...but when she turned to Aaira, she could see that Little Star was still gone. But the weirdest thing was that the town was back to normal as if no big battle had happened. The only battle that was going on was at the top of the dam. Lucy and everyone there could feel it; the hopelessness that was growing as a black hole could be seen, but even though it was sucking things up, the surrounding area was still normal. It didn't make sense.

Before anyone could act, they were all gone...

...and reappeared behind Twilight and the others.

Eirika drew her rainbow sword, wondering what had happened, but she lowered her sword as she and the others could see Spark in what she had become. Nightfall thanked the figure, who nodded and returned to reading her book.

Nightfall turned to her daughter, who looked angry, as she, too, noticed the figure. "You aren't Spark, my daughter, but her trauma and fears made real. You were born from them, a twisted version of her."

She laughed. "I see what you are doing, trying to change who I am in this chapter." she eyed the cloaked figure, who was writing again. She looked back at Nightfall. "I'll allow it because it won't matter. In the end, everything will be gone. Nothing will matter."

Nightfall gave her a severe look. She then did something that no one realized she could do. Not even Twilight and Twilah knew, as Nightfall's eyes glowed bright purple, and she used the royal Canterlot voice.

"RAINBOW SPARK! YOUNG LADY! COME TO ME NOW!"

The voice echoed across the entire planet. Even the three above stopped fighting and finally noticed what was happening below.

"Did...did Nightfall just use her Canterlot voice?" Twilight asked, not believing her ears.

Sky had her ears covered and turned to Twilight. "She's been able to do it since the day she met you, Twilight. She has been practicing it for years."

"WHAT!?"

They turned back, watching Nightfall. Spark Breaker had her hands over her ears, her body trembling. She slowly removed them. She was smiling, but they could tell she was scared—scared like a little filly being caught doing something bad.

"You really think...I'll let her-"

"YOUNG LADY! I'M NOT FOOLING AROUND! COME TO ME RIGHT NOW BEFORE YOU GET IN BIG TROUBLE!"

"Okay, Mommy..."

Everyone was shocked when Spark Breaker suddenly became her original self and started walking towards Nightfall, but soon, the Breaker self reappeared, trying to keep Spark from gaining control.

"No! I won't you take over because you are being yelled out at from stupid bitc-"

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME, YOUNG LADY!? I THINK YOU NEED TO BE PUNISHED FOR THAT, TOO!"

"NO! MOMMY!" Spark shouted, her ears lowered, and she held her rear. She gains control, but the way she sounds sounds like she is in a trance. She hurried over to Nightfall and sat before her, not daring to look at her.

Spark Breaker reappeared and struggled to look at her. Spark Breaker's eyes were filled with burning rage.

"How!? HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS!?"

Nightfall placed her hoof on her Spark Breaker's head, softly petting her.

"You never had a mother, have you? You were born out of hatred, but still, I pity you." She looked at her daughter, who was in her trance state. "Spark, honey. Please return to yourself."

The Spark Breaker self tried to stop her, as in Spark's self-consciousness, a war was happening, and the original self was losing the battle.

"Mom...please...no, she is...my body...my mind, I don't-"

"It's okay. Sweetie. Your mother is here."

Spark slowly opened her arms, waiting for Nightfall's hug, but nothing. She looked up, seeing her mother smiling and shaking her head.

"Not me, sweetie. I'm not really your mother, and you know that from the start. Your real mother is gone. She died when Star Breaker took over your sister's body." Nightfall explained while Sky walked over and continued for her.

"We are just the Elements of Harmony, carrying their memories. We became them because of your talent, overcoming anything. You allowed us to overcome the rules that held us to our purpose." Sky got closer to her, nuzzling her. "By creating your own Element based off ours. Even with the memories and feelings of your mothers, we will see you as our daughter. We love you, but it's time. Time to finally let go."

Sky backed away, and Nightfall spoke as she tried to hide her tears.

"It's time we finally say goodbye to you. We love you, sweetie."

The two mares step aside, revealing Twilight, Twilah, Dash, and Dashie to her.

"Your real mothers are here for you."

When Nightfall said that, the four hurried over and hugged Spark, surprising her. She finally allowed herself to cry, but Spark Breaker took over.

"DIDN'T TWILIGHT TRY TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOU, LIKE FAYTH SAID!?"

Twilight shook her head, crying. "I didn't do that! I just needed you to be asleep to enter you and get..." Twilight and the others looked up, making Spark do the same. Spark couldn't believe what she was looking at.

Spark shook her head in disbelief and slowly raised her hand to the sky, trying to reach out to them—to her sisters, who were as Breaker and fighting Star and Fayth again.

"Blitz...Braver...how?" she whispered.

"You really think we allowed those to die, Wet Blanket?"

Spark and her mothers looked at JA and the rest of the Elements.

"When they broke down after freeing you from them, we used our magical powers to keep them alive. We had hoped you would return to your Element to visit us, but you saw that place as only pain," she explained.

Flutterwonder spoke next. "Pain because it was the place where you thought you killed your sisters."

"You carried the belief that you didn't earn it, living outside of that prison you created for yourself." Remedy stated.

Quartz pulled out a very long handkerchief from her mane. She blew her nose in it, making silly clown nose noise. She looked at Spark, smiling. "But you did earn it, silly willy. You deserve to live a happy life!"

All four looked up, looking at Breaker. All four spoke in unison. "Same with them! You and your sisters deserve to be happy!"

Spark was going to cry, but Spark Breaker took over, trying to get out of the hug.

"No! I refuse to make her believe that! THERE IS NO HOPE! NO SPARK!"

She screamed and forced herself free, and her body went into a state where it started to shift between her and Spark's form, her voice changing between the two.

"NO SPARK ! THERE IS NONE! THE CYCLE WILL CONTINUE! YOU ARE JUST A WEAPON, A CLONE! REMEMBERED THAT! END THE SUFFERING NOW!"

"That's not true, Spark!" Twilah shouted, but her sickness made her cough, causing Dashie to hold her tight.

"SEE! YOU MADE HER SUFFER! YOU ALLOWED TO SHOW MERCY TO FAYTH! YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN HER! YOU TWO ARE THE SAME! GIVE IN LIKE SHE DID! YOU ARE NOTHING! YOU ARE-"

"Enough!" Twilah screamed, pushing Dashie off and struggling to stand and walk. She could feel the pain in her body; she felt so weak, but she didn't care. Her daughter needed her. She looked at her and shouted at her, not wanting to hear more of Spark Breaker's lies.

"That's enough, Spark. Listen to me; listen to what I wanted to tell you." She fell on top of her. She could hardly hold her as her arms felt so weak. "Spark, you aren't Blitz or Braver or a clone of your parents. You were raised alongside your sisters and picked up our best parts, the ones we want our kids to have. That's why." She closed her eyes. "Your sisters loved you when they learned of your existence and wanted to share their world. You keep thinking you stole their lives to have it, but you are wrong." Twilah opened her eyes, smiling. "We always felt you were with us, and you always will be, no matter what happens. Because you're part of our family,"

Spark leaned back, being herself right now.

"But-"

Twilah hugged her again. "No buts or what ifs or anything that makes you doubt yourself. Just believe in yourself, my child. That is all we want. Spark. We always had room for you."

Spark smiled, feeling the warmth in her mother's body...but Spark Breaker returned, hugging Twilah too hard.

"Shut up! Don't listen to the lies, damn it! I won't allow-"

"Spark."

Spark returned and looked up, seeing Suguri floating above her. She landed and gave her a warm smile.

"Remember what I told you? Listen to the story you were telling the others. Remember what happened to those kids and all those you gathered."

Spark looked down and shut her eyes. She remembered what happened to them...

Shrine of Magic

No matter what Twilight did, Alice wasn't calming down. She was lost in what to do. She felt so helpless in helping her human counterpart. She didn't care why they were in some shrine; all she cared about was what was helping Alice...and that help did come, not just for Alice but for herself. She suddenly heard footsteps entering the place. She and Alice looked at the entrance and saw the cloaked Twilight, but others were with her.

"Alice! Younger me! I have returned, and with Spark's help, she brought others who will show you that you two aren't the only ones who suffered. To help you move forward in life!" she said.

Shrine of Loyalty

Dash and Rozelle could see the blind Rainbow Dash and brought a group with her.

"Dash. Rozelle, you can still fly! Please listen to them. Listen to what they have to say to you!"

All four kids glared at them, and in unison, they said, "NO!" Above the shrines was Fayth, who had just finished writing her book. She controlled them again, ensuring those kids wouldn't be saved. The kids spoke as their dark emotions took over.

"No, how can I take those steps when I lost the means to run..."

"It has always been like this! I have always been alone! No one ever wanted to know me because I acted like a boy! My life has been hell, and I can't handle it anymore."

"How can I take those steps when the only thing that keeps me going, the one thing that made me, ME, are gone!?"

"I'm a failure; I couldn't even get a cutie mark since I was a filly! I'm an outcast, an embarrassment to my family, and I can't make friends. How can I continue like this? All I do is bring misery to others and myself. Why can't I have a happy life?"

"I'm scared; I remember the burning pain as I fell! I became so scared to look at the sky that I became a shut-in! I can't sleep without having nightmares and wake up crying."

"It's not fair, it's not fair...I want a happy life and friends, but why can't I have one!? I wish it would stop, and everyone would be my friend and not hate me. But it never does."

"Why can't it stop!?"

"I can't keep doing this!"

"I'm done."

"I have no purpose, and I'm a failure. The world would be a better place without me."

"I lost everything that made me, ME! I want my old life back; I want the old me back!"

"I lost myself that day, the person I was always meant to be. My dreams were broken, and my heart was shattered."

"HOW CAN WE MOVE FORWARD!? WE SAW OTHER VERSIONS OF US WHO HAD IT BETTER THAN US! NEVER HAD TO SUFFER! THEY NEVER HAD TO FEEL PAIN! NEVER HAD TO FIGHT FOR EVERYTHING! NEVER HAD TO GO THROUGH TRAUMA! WHY WERE WE THE ONLY ONES TO GET IT LIKE THIS?! TELL US!"

Soon, the four released a black mist covering everything in pure darkness...

But there was a flicker of burning light that couldn't ever burn out...

"...please, tell us..."

Alice and Twilight sat in the darkness, holding on to each other. Their eyes were lifeless. The darkness started to change. The two could see a destroyed bedroom; it was Alice's bedroom. Alice let go of Twilight and stood up. She could see the burned remains of her family and Cadence. She shook her head, as she didn't want to remember this.

"Stop! Please! I don't want to remember this!"

She dropped to her knees, seeing Cadence's badly charred face looking at her.

"It hurts, doesn't it?"

"Huh?"

Alice looked up and saw Petra on the ceiling. She landed alongside her, removed her mask, and sat down.

"This wasn't your fault, Alice. What happened was out of your control."

"I'm the reason why this happened! I was the reason why Cadence died! MY PARENTS," Alice cried.

Petra placed her hand on Alice's shoulder. "You didn't do this. It would be best if you saw that. You had no idea that was going to happen. There is nothing you could have done."

Alice shook her head. "You are just like Spark! You don't understand me; you weren't in my shoes! Because of how smart I am, I killed them and many more!"

Petra touched Alice's chin. She was making her look at her.

"But I do."

Soon, the bedroom became a hallway of some building. Alice and Twilight could see posters of wrestlers on the walls. Soon, they could see Petra walking out of an office, holding a small amount of cash.

"Jerk, paying me so little money for that cage match."

Petra walked away, not noticing a man entering the office. Petra headed to the end of the hallway, to the elevator. She pressed it and waited. She waited until she heard some yelling and turned around. She could see a man running out of the office, holding a bag of cash. The manager of the wrestling company shouted at him.

"STOP HIM! HE STOLE MY MONEY!"

Petra saw the man coming her way. She heard the elevator doors opening and stepped aside, allowing the thief to enter it without stopping him. He looked at her and smiled,

"Thanks, kid."

The door closed, and he was gone. Soon, everything changed, and Alice and Twilight could see they were outside. It was raining, and a group of people was gathered around something. Alice pushed through the crowd and saw Petra holding an old man.

"Uncle Ben!" Petra cried, holding her dying uncle.

He smiled. "Petra, my dear niece. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have fought back...he wanted the car..."

"Save your strength! An ambulance is on the way."

Uncle Ben touched her cheek. "It's too late, my dear. Just know that with great power comes great responsibility. Take care of your aunt for me."

Petra watched as the life left her uncle's eyes, and the heavy rain covered her tears. She held her uncle and screamed out in sadness.

"The carjacker that killed my uncle was the one I let onto the elevator, the very same man I could have stopped," Petra said, standing next to Alice. "But I didn't because of that. I killed my uncle, Alice."

Alice turned to her. Her eyes slightly gained life again.

"You didn't! It wasn't your fault! You couldn't have known that was going to happen!"

"And yet, it did. I blame myself for what happened, but..." Petra looked at her, smiling as she held her mask up. She was making Alice look at it. "My uncle's last words of wisdom were about power and responsibility. I took that to heart. I decided to fight crime, not just as Petra Parker but as Sunset-Spider. I have the power and responsibility to help others. A person asked me what was more important, saving just one life or many more, and you know my answer was?"

Alice looked up, tears in her eyes. "What?"

Petra put back on the mask, being Sunset-Spider, and answered her. "You can't ignore someone who's in danger. What's important is not standing by and allowing someone to suffer or die because you do nothing. Great power comes with great responsibility. They might be right that we can't help everyone, but it's our responsibility to try!" She got on her knees, holding Alice's hands. "Don't be afraid of your intelligence and the helpful things you can do, Alice. What happened to your family and those caught in the EMP blast was not your fault. None of it is; only one person is to blame, and you know who it was. So.."

Alice watched as Sunset-Spider stood and disappeared into the darkness, but she could still hear her voice.

"Helping others to move forward! To keep fighting! That is your responsibility, kid! Don't give up!"

Alice looked down, trying to think, but soon, the darkness changed. Twilight could see she was back in her house. She could even see her parents fighting like always—yelling at each other, blaming each other for how Twilight was acting, failing, and becoming worse over the years. Twilight quickly covered her ears. She didn't want to hear the screams anymore.

"It's been rough, hasn't it?"

"Huh?"

Twilight saw Soraya standing beside her, watching the fighting unfolding before them. Twilight answered.

"Yes...my parents were never like this...they never fought!" She started to cry. "It's all because of me! Because of how much of a failure I am! I want to give up! They don't need a daughter like me!"

Soraya turned to her and petted her head.

"It is easy to give up. But it doesn't suit you."

"Huh?"

Soraya turned back to the scene and continued to speak.

"Let's start here! From square one!" She pointed to Twilight's parents. "FROM ZERO!" Twilight suddenly saw her parents frozen, and Soraya pushed her forward. "Tell me, you do believe what you just told me? Thinking your parents don't need you?"

Twilight nodded. "Yes, they always fight because of me! There is nothing but fighting! All they ever do is yell at each other! There is no love because I took it away..."

"You need to face it."

"Huh?"

"That's why you can't accept yourself and keep telling yourself you are worthless. You keep pushing away and denying the truth."

Twilight turned to her, her eyes confused. Soraya pointed to Twilights's parents once more, and time returned to normal, with the yelling and screaming returning. Twilight held her ears.

"STOP IT! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE! I KNOW THEY HATE ME! I KNOW THEY DON'T LOVE ME ANYMORE! THEY ALWAYS YELL AND BLAME EACH OTHER FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!"

"A lot about what you said bothers me, but you know what's the worst? You wanted them to hate you, so you tried to achieve that by lying to yourself." Soraya stated.

Twilight could feel Soraya's hands around her hooves, pulling them away from her ears. She started to hear her parents, but something was different...

"W-What?"

She could hear crying and her parents blaming themselves for Twilight's problems, then each other now.

"I'm sorry, Velvet, I didn't mean it..." Night Light said, holding his wife in his arms as they sat on the couch. "It's my fault, not yours. I should have been there for her more but failed her instead."

Velvet held her husband closer, telling him to stop it. "It's not. We both are to blame. We failed our daughter."

"B-but...I didn't hear them cry or say any of that! They were yelling and blaming each other! They hated each other and blamed each other for what happened to me!" Twilight shouted to Soraya.

Soraya closed her eyes. "You saw what you wanted to hear."

The memory changes to show Twilight leaning on the wall and not listening to her parents. She is just whispering to herself, saying she is a failure to herself. Soraya stands next to her, showing Twilight hearing herself saying those things.

"All this time, you lied to yourself, and all your life, you tried to make them hate you. But they never could because...' Soraya forced her to look at her. "They are your parents! They didn't have you because they wanted you to do something for them. They had you because they wanted to do something for you."

"B-But," Twilight tried to protest, but she stopped when Soraya held her hoof, and the scene changed. Twilight could see herself going to the kitchen, getting food, and heading back to her room to keep researching magic. Her mother stopped her, asking if she wanted anything else, but Twilight stopped and then ignored her as she went to her room. What Twilight heard next made her break down in tears.

"Take care, honey." said her mother with the most caring and loving tone.

Twilight turned to Soraya, who was smiling. "Your parents are like mine; they are there for you when needed. Even if you push them away or are a failure, they will always be there for you. You need to open your eyes and see that."

Soraya disappeared into the darkness, but her voice remained.

"There's nothing wrong with crying. You can cry all you want. Everything will be fine if you smile when you're done. What matters isn't how you start or what happens in the middle; it's how it ends."

"You mean as long as things turn out okay in the end, nothing else matters?"

"Nope. From zero, Twilight. You're not a failure; you're not a mistake. You are their daughter, and they love you, no matter what. You have a loving and caring family, and they want the best for you. You must learn that again, even if you start from zero again. Start fresh and become better than you were."

Twilight lowered her head, joining Alice in thinking what was said to them.

Within the same darkness, Rozelle and Dash were sitting beside each other. Dash was freaking out from the darkness, but Rozelle held her, trying to keep her calm...until Rozelle and Dash found themselves on a track field with the blue sky above them. The two didn't understand what was happening until they saw Elly and Hikari before them.

Elly pointed to Rozelle.

"Race me!"

"Huh?"

"I challenge you to a race! One pass of the track. If you win, I will leave you alone, but I get to make you listen to what I say if I win." she reaches out her hoof to Rozelle, wanting to shake on it. "Deal?"

Rozelle didn't want to do it, but deep within her, her runner spirit was awakened, and she accepted the challenge.

"DEAL!"

Hikari and Dash were sitting on the bleacher and watched as Elly and Rozelle took their positions. Dash was nervous. She knew Rozelle wasn't used to running with her prosthetic legs.

"She's going to lose!"

But Hikari placed her hand on her shoulder. "You don't know that, Dash. She may have forgotten that, but deep within her, the spirit of a runner still lives. It will come back. Have faith in her."

Dash looked at her and then back at the track. Both girls took off, running down the track. Elly was ahead, and like Dash believed, Rozelle's running form wasn't good, and she was struggling. Elly looked back, saw Rozelle struggling, and thought she was winning.

"Give up! You will never beat me!"

"SHUT UP! I WILL BEAT YOU! I NEVER BACK DOWN FROM A CHALLENGE!"

Elly smirked and slowed her pace. She was now next to her as they ran.

"Oh really now?"

Rozelle looked at her and smiled. "Really! I will win this, and you will leave me, my friends, and her alone!"

Elly smirked and got closer. "Her? You sure put a lot of feeling behind that word just now. Is she your girlfriend? Someone you like?"

"S-Shut up! Leave her out of this!"

"Or what?" Elly started to pass her. "If you care for her, don't hide it. Don't be so stubborn. You remind me of myself, you know?" Elly looked back, seeing Rozelle giving her a look. "After what happened to me, I kept anyone who got to know me close but far away. I didn't want anyone to be ripped away from me again." Her cheerful expression became a sad one. "I lost the things I treasured the most, and I didn't want to lose anymore...until..." Her cheerful smile returned. "I met him. He always supported and cared about me as we got closer."

They ran to the corner of the track. Elly had no problem, but Rozelle wasn't used to running on her legs, so she fell. She started to get back up but stopped as she saw Elly's hoof near her face. Elly came back to help her up.

"I'm stubborn, way too stubborn for my own good. So much so that I didn't notice I was about to lose someone again, but this time, it was because of my own actions." she helped Rozelle up and dusted the dirt off. "I can tell you are going down that same track. You want to distance yourself from her, don't you?'

Rozelle looked down and answered her.

"...she said she killed her parents and others. She blames herself for the deaths, but being around her..." Elly could see her crying. "I refused to believe she's a murderer! I don't want her to think that she was the reason she took away my legs or my friend! I could tell she was already suffering, and I didn't want to add more to her burden. That's why I didn't go after her...stupid..." Rozelle covered her eyes. "STUPID! SHE NEEDED ME! AND I JUST LET HER GO!"

Elly sighed and held her hands. "Do you know why I wanted to challenge you to a race?"

"No."

"Because, like you, I am a runner. And as a runner, we don't back down from a challenge. You have a lot of pride. You don't want to lose, not even to yourself."

"W-what?"

Elly pointed to her. "Don't let your pride get in the way. You might have lost your legs, but that doesn't mean you must give up what makes you special. If you love her, don't let go. Don't let the past take her away. Go after her and help her. You know what's right." Elly faced away from her and started to run; as she ran, the darkness covered the track.

"Stop worrying about the future because there's nothing you can do about it. You need to realize that if you're going to live in the moment, you don't need to do it alone! If someone who deeply loves and cares about you is by your side, you can face the future together. As long they are around."

Rozelle looked down, thinking what Elly told her.

Dash held Hakari as the darkness became the big open blue sky. Hikari was also scared, but she turned to Dash and made her look at her.

"You are scared, right?" Dash nodded. "Scared of what?"

Dash looked away from her and could see the blue sky becoming flames. She held in Hakari's chest and answered.

"THE REMINDER! I REMEMBER THE BURNING AS I FELL FROM THE SKY!" she hyperventilated. "I REMEMBER THE SOUND OF FLAMES BURNING MY SKIN! I REMEMBER EVERYTHING! HOW I BECAME LIKE THIS! WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY! she started to hold her bandages, trying to keep them from falling.

Hakari carefully pushed her off and spoke.

"Ten years ago in my home...during the night of my birthday, there was a fire as we slept. When my mother awakened, she shielded me from the raging flames, but..." She breathed in and rolled up her jacket's sleeve, showing the scars on her whole arm. She then lifted her shirt, revealing half of her torso had burn scars. "Half side of my body was burned, as you can see." She lowered it and could see how sad Dash looked. "But I survived. My parents didn't. I became a shut-in, someone who wanted to be alone from the world, but since I started to do that, others began to see me as weak, frail, a burden that needed to be taken care of."

Dash didn't understand until, within the flames, she could see herself back in her house. She could see her parents doing everything for her, to the point they didn't have time for themselves. Dash hated it and wanted to learn to do things for herself. Soon, she could see Fluttershy. Dash knew that Shy only saw her as someone who needed to be taken care of. She told herself that she had pushed Fluttershy away because of that, but she knew the real reason. She didn't want Fluttershy to be like her parents.

"... I wanted to be strong again...So, I started to learn how to do things on my own, without anyone's help, but no matter what, I still felt like I was a burden. Like I was a weakling who couldn't do anything."

"But you can! Look at what you have done!"

They looked back in the flames, seeing Dash stepping out of the house. She was too busy worrying about being burned if she looked up at the sky, and she never noticed her parents, who were so proud of her. They were proud that she was slowly improving but doing it her way and her time. They didn't want her to hurry and never thought she was a burden.

Hakari hugged Dash and cried, both remembering the good memories of their parents and their lives before the incidents.

"You never will be a burden to others as long as you push forward. That's what I did, and I met someone special to me. He helped me, he showed me his scars, and I showed him mine."

Dash could feel the darkness taking Hakari away, leaving her alone with Rozelle.

"We lowered our walls for each other and allowed the other to see who we are. He helped me, and I did the same for him. We didn't judge each other, and we didn't treat each other as weaklings or something to be fixed. You have that special someone, don't you? Be strong for them and push forward. Please show them your true strength. Let them know you will stand by their side no matter what. They love you and will be with you no matter what. Even if your past haunts you, they will stand by your side, no matter what."

Dash held her body, crying as she called out for Twilight...

Alice and Twilight were still thinking when they heard footsteps in the darkness. The two turned to see Raina and Shiko. Raina walked to Twilight while Shiko went over to Alice.

Raina lowered herself to Twilight and smiled as she spoke to her.

"You have to face your problem, kid."

Twilight looked at her but looked down. "I already do...I'm a failure..."

Raina gave her a stern look and shook her head. "Not that. You need to face what happened that day.'

The darkness became a classroom. Twilight started to panic a bit, seeing the entrance exam classroom again. She could see her filly self trying her hardest to hatch the dragon egg, but no matter what she did, nothing worked. She then watched as her past self started crying and saw Celestia walking in.

Filly Twilight saw her and became more worried as she remembered what Celestia had told her: she saw something special in her. She couldn't let her down. She needed to show her magic skills and pass the exam. Filly Twilight wiped her tears and went back to trying to hatch the egg. But, the result was the same. She couldn't hatch the egg, and Celestia watched with a sad look.

"Stop it..." Twilight cried out, not wanting to look, but Raina made her look, even if it hurt.

"This is your biggest mistake, kid. You have been telling yourself you failed the test. You have been telling yourself you are a failure."

"BECAUSE I AM!"

"No, you're not. Look! Keep looking to the end!"

Twilight kept watching, seeing that the exam teachers had enough and requested that Twilight's parents stop their daughter, as more kids were in line for the exam. Filly Twilight refused and kept trying until a burning fire wave shook the school from outside, making Twilight unleash her powers. Her stress and fears created a feedback loop. Soon, there was a bright light. Twilight covered her eyes, and when she opened them, the classroom was in ruins, and filly Twilight was crying.
Celestia protected everyone from the blast with magic. She lowered the barrier and walked to filly Twilight. The little filly looked up at her, begging her to give her a second chance that she could do it.

"Please! I can do it! I studied so much!"

Celestia sadly lowered her head. "I'm sorry. I have seen enough. Maybe you can try again next year. That's all I can do for you."

The teachers agreed and left, but Celestia stayed behind with one more teacher. Filly Twilight didn't want to give up. She started to walk over to the dragon egg, but Celestia grabbed the egg with her magic.

"I was wrong about you, little one. I thought I saw something special in you, but I was wrong. Please go home. There's nothing for you here."

Filly Twilight was shocked and ran out of the classroom with her parents behind her. Twilight remembered the pain and how her life was ruined after that.

"Keep watching."

Twilight looked back up and saw a teacher walking up to Celestia.

"My Highness, are you sure about letting her good? Her magical output is very high. She needs someone to teach her how to control it, and I feel you should do it. It would be a waste if you just let her leave."

Celestia shook her head in disagreement. "No, look what happened here. This is my fault, and I put too much hope in her. If I had taken her under my wing, I would have been repeating the same mistake. She deserved someone who could help her grow. I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can do."

"You can't just-"

Celestia raised her hoof and interrupted her. "No. There's nothing I can do."

Twilight couldn't believe what she was looking at.

"You didn't fail. The one you looked up to failed you! You needed someone to be there for you, to help you grow, but you didn't have it. She gave up on you and let you down."

"B-but I was a failure. I couldn't hatch a dragon egg. I didn't have control over my magic and-"

Twilight stopped, seeing the memory change to Celestia's throne room; she just finished writing a letter. She looked at it and nodded. She handed it to the guard to bring it to the mailing office.

"Send it off with haste."

"Of course, my princess."

Twilight believed this was the day Celestia sent her a letter, wanting to know how her magic training was going. Soon, she could see letters being sent back and forth, and she saw Celestia writing promises to Twilight. Nothing but promises, like allowing her to try the test always and asking her to send reports to her on her research in channeling magic for the exam. But it was all the same subjects, not asking how she was or anything else. Nothing else.

"She failed you again. She made you feed into your insecurities without knowing. Made you into the mare you are now, making you not let go of the past. She kept you there and let you suffer. She never even thought of helping you grow. She just felt sorry about what happened. That's why you are here now, trapped inside a nightmare. You didn't fail the test or your parents, but you failed to let go of the past and grow up and let go. You are not a failure, Twilight." She made Twilight look at her now. "Darling, our actions can have consequences. Our actions can cause problems for others. Sometimes, the outcome can be tragic and sad, but you mustn't let those mistakes get to you. You have to push forward. You must let go of the past, let the spark guide you, and make the future brighter." Raina fixed Twilight's messy mane and smiled. "It's okay, darling. Let go of the past. Move forward."

Raina slowly faded, and Twilight looked back up at the memories.

"You are not a failure...you are not a failure..." Twilight whispered as the tiny spark within her was growing.

Alice and Shiko sat next to each other. They were looking into the darkness.

"We are the same, you know that?" Shiko said, not looking at her. Alice asked what she meant. "I couldn't save the people I cared about, like Kaoru," she answered, finally turning to her. "You couldn't save your family, which still haunts you? That's why you are here. You are still letting the past hold you back, right?"

Alice placed her hands on her head, crying.

"Sometimes, I still see their bodies in my nightmares! I can still smell the burning flesh! I can't let go! How can I let go of all that?!"

"You have to. You can't keep blaming yourself. I know you feel responsible for their deaths, but you aren't. You didn't kill them, and I know you can let it go one day and move forward; I believe you can!"

Alice stopped crying and looked at her. "How? How can I? How can I let go and forget the fact that I lost everyone I loved? I can't move forward."

Shiko looked up at the nothingness.

"You already have."

"HUH!?"

Shiko kept looking at the darkness above them. "You are still here! Even though you hurt yourself, you never once tried to end your life. You kept going, through all the hardship and pain, you kept pushing forward." she finally looked at her. "One day, you find that resting place where you can finally look back and be happy that you survived and lived on. The pain will still be there, but you have someone or something that can help ease that pain, and it's okay if that person is yourself."

As Shiko said this, Alice looked into the darkness, and she could see someone in the darkness. To her, it looked like her brother, Casey, and...

"Rozelle..." she whispered, seeing the back of Rozelle.

"You know, I can see it too." Alice looked at Shiko, who was also looking and seeing the people that Alice had seen. "This resting place you created for yourself, you earned it. Never forget."

Shiko disappeared into the darkness, but her voice remained.

"You need to keep pushing forward and move on. You can't let the pain create holes and consume you. That's no way to live. It's no way to be happy. So, don't stop moving forward. Because we create our own stories and where they lead. You are the ones who decide which way your story will go. So, don't let those sad memories consume you. Move forward for the sake of the ones you love and the ones who are gone..."

"Letting go..." Alice whispered, putting her head on her knees and hugging her legs.

Rozelle and Dash were sitting together until they heard footsteps and looked to see Miro and Violet standing before them. Miro walked up, picked Dash up, and placed her on her shoulder.

"H-Hey! Put me down!"

"Nope, sorry darling, but we need to talk alone!"

Dash refused and called out to Rozelle to help, but Rozelle was looking at Violet, whose arms were missing, but that didn't stop her from carrying her briefcase in her mouth. She split it, letting it fall to the ground.

"Can you open it for me?"

Rozelle opened the suitcase and was amazed at the sight. Within it was a typewriter. Violet sat down next to her and pushed it toward Rozelle.

"Huh?"

"Write a letter."

"I don't understand..."

Violet looked at her. "You have feelings that you keep inside of you, and you want to tell them, right? You have to write a letter to tell them. Write a letter."

"B-But who should I write it to? What should I say?"

Violet closed her eyes, remembering the letter she wrote for the Major. "To the ones you love and miss the most. Write a letter to them, tell them how you are feeling, and let them know they are never forgotten. Let them know you are doing okay or not. Spill out all of your emotions."

Rozelle sat there, unsure what to do. She wanted to do it, but her body refused. She looked at the paper, but her hand wouldn't move. She tried, but her body wouldn't do it. She looked at her legs, remembering Reginn.

"I want to write a letter to someone, but they are...gone."

"Write it still."

"Huh?"

Violet looked at her and smiled. "It's never a waste to write a letter to a loved one. It's a way of keeping their memory alive."

Rozelle understood, grabbed the paper, and placed it in the typewriter. She started to type her letter to Reginn.

"Dear Reginn

I miss you so much! I remember how much fun we had every day, and I regret not spending more time with you. But even though you are gone, you are still watching me. I know you are upset with me for giving up like I did. I bet you are booing at me, from whatever you are. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry! I know you taught me to keep going, but losing you and my legs, I feel so lost, and I don't know how to keep going."

Rozelle stopped typing and wiped her tears from her eyes. For the first time in a long time, she felt better. She went right back to typing.

"But I'm going to try. I promise you that! I know that's what you want from me, like always. Oh, by the way, I dyed my hair and took your advice! My hair is a rainbow! I wish you could see it; it doesn't look great; I think I did a shit job. A bit of my white hair is still showing. I guess I can't cover up everything. Oh yeah-"

Violet smiled as she continued listening to Rozelle type and talk out loud. She watched as Rozelle kept typing, but then she stopped. She started to blush. She smiled as she began to type.

"I met someone. She looks like a tomboy, but she's a big Egghead. Like a super nerd! She calls me fat, do you believe that!? ME! FAT!? She makes my heart beat when she acts nice towards me, and for the first time, she was the only person who sees me, for me, while having these stupid legs. She doesn't treat me like someone who needs to be pitted, and I guess...I love her. I wish you could meet her and tell me if I should tell her."

Rozelle stopped typing and took a breath.

"She told me that she was the reason that I lost my legs and you. When I heard that, I wasn't mad and didn't know why. She took what made me, me. She took you away from me, yet I can't hate her. I don't know. It's because of what happened to her and her family. She told me she killed her family and those who were caught in her device. She calls herself a murderer, but the way she is, the way she keeps hurting herself, that's no murder! She's a loving girl! I don't know how to help her, who is hurting! Will being there with her trigger her? I don't know. I don't know. But what I do know is that I have to do something. I will find a way to help her. I won't abandon her like I abandoned myself."

She stopped and tried to keep herself together. "I'm sorry! I know I can improve, but it's hard without you here. I don't want to keep failing you, but I can't help it. I'm sorry, but I'm so pathetic and can't move forward! Please forgive me!"

Rozelle stopped. She realized she was done with the letter, but she didn't want to end it; she needed to, but she didn't know how until she heard Violet talking.

"People will leave you, but it's not always that they want to...maybe goodbyes are just a painful way to say I love you."

Rozelle slowly looked back at the paper and started typing as it hurt her so much to do.

"Goodbye, Reginn. From Rozelle Reinbold."

Rozelle took out the paper and folded it. Violet told her there were envelopes in the briefcase. She found it and placed the letter in it. Rozelle looked at it; she wanted to return home and read the letter at Reginn's grave. She held the letter to her chest. She turned to Violet and asked her question.

"...can I write another letter? It's for someone special to me."

"Yes, you can."

"Thank you."

Miro set Dash down and pointed at her.

"Okay, darling. Listen up. I want you to fly! No! I demand you to fly! No excuses. I need you to get a handle on yourself! You must let go of the past, move forward, and let your wings out."

Dash was shocked by what she wanted. She looked up, seeing the darkness above them. Even though the blue sky wasn't there, she could still feel her fear.

"I can't..."

"Yes, you can. You are stronger than this."

"NO, I'M NOT!" she shouted at her.

Miro sat down and closed her eyes.

"So, answer me something. Is there anyone you care abo-"

"TWILIGHT!" Dash shouted without letting Miro finish. She covered her mouth when she could see Miro trying to hold her laughter in. "W-Why are you laughing!?"

Miro stopped and smirked at her.

"I'm laughing at the fact you didn't hesitate. You didn't even think. You said her name right off the bat."

Dash lowered her hooves and looked down, embarrassed.

"W-What's the point of this anyway?"

Miro remembered and placed her hand over Dash's head.

"If this Twilight is in danger as she's fallen off a building. You are the only one who can save her. Will you do it, or will you let your fear keep you from saving her?"

"..."

"Your fear will control you. It will keep you from living and being happy. Your fear will stop you from being there for those you love. Are you okay with that?"

"NO!"

Miro opened her eyes.

"So, will you fly again or let this fear keep you down?"

Dash opened her wings and tried to fly but couldn't. She cursed herself, but Miro clapped.

"No matter how scared you are, you must be willing to face danger. No matter how hard the battle is, if you can't do it alone, know you can't win if you have a weak mind and heart," she pointed to Dash's heart. "As long as your heart is filled with a strong desire and your mind is focused, you will overcome any obstacle. That's a promise. So, will you fight through it, or will you stay down here and keep hurting yourself and those around you?"

Dash was silent. She thought of her family and Twilight. She closed her eyes and tried again, but this time, she could fly off the ground as she saw Twilight in her mind. She opened her eyes and saw she was alone with Rozelle, who was holding two letters. Soon, Dash realized she was off the ground, flying. It was short as her fear returned, but she could fly nonetheless.

Alice and Twilight soon found themselves meeting Amelia and Tanya. Tanya walked over and dragged Alice away while AJ walked up to Twilight.

"Hey there, sugar cube," Amelia said with a smile.

"...hi?"

"We are going to have a little chat. So, sit down, and let's talk."

Amelia sat down, and Twilight did the same.

"So, how are things?"

The question took Twilight back. "H-How are things? Uh, I mean, I'm okay..."

Amelia said nothing but nodded. Twilight waited for the next question, but Amelia looked at her like she wanted more. So Twilight answered the same question but in more detail.

"I'm doing fine. I met Alice. We became friends after we shared our problems...we had a hard life."

"Is that the only person you met?"

Twilight shook her head, saying how she met Rozelle and Dash. Twilight suddenly went into detail about Dash, how Dash can bake, very caring, etc. Amelia let her talk, smiling as she could see Twilight's happiness.

Twilight finally stopped, realizing she was talking too much.

"Sorry."

"Don't be. It's nice to hear someone is happy."

"I am happy."

"Well, then, I'm glad. So, let me ask this." Amelia reached out and held Twilight's hoof. "Do you still feel like a failure? Even when you are around Dash? Does she make you happy and feel safe? Do you love her?"

Twilight smiled. "She does make me happy. I haven't felt like this in years. She makes me smile, and she's so kind to me. I want to love her, but..." Twilight remembered trauma; even though she was feeling better, she knew it would always be there. "We can't be together. I know it won't work out. No matter what happens, I will never deserve her. I know I will fail her, not making her happy. I don't know what she sees in me. But yes, she makes me happy, and she's special."

Amelia nodded, placing her hand on her chest.

"Good women mean well. We don't always end up doing well."

Twilight was confused, but Amelia kept speaking.

"I had a family...once." She could see Twilight's ears lowering, knowing what she meant by 'once.' "I always believed I didn't deserve them, that I ended up pushing them away. I had problems, and when my problems became worse, I did awful things." Amelia closed her eyes, trying to hold her tears back. "But someone told what I told you about good women mean well. " she opened her eyes, rubbing Twilight's hoof. "Listen, honey, we will make mistakes, and we will fail in things, but that's only because we are human...well, in your case, a pony." she smiled as she saw Twilight giggle. "But no matter what happens or how hard things get, we must remember that we are doing our best. We will sometimes fail, but it doesn't mean we will give up." she disappeared into the darkness but kept talking. "Don't push away the one pony that makes you happy. Do the best you can, even if you or she mess up. Just remember that we don't always end up doing well, but as long as we try, it's the best we can do."

Twilight sat there, thinking about what she had told her.

"LET ME GO!" Alice shouted, feeling Tanya pulling her by her jacket collar.

Tanya stopped walking and finally let her by tossing her before her, making a loud thud.

"Okay, kid, listen up. I know what you have been through. Stepping through that doorway, we all remembered what Spark told us. You are thinking it was your fault in all those deaths when that machine or whatever blew up." she got closer and poked her chest. "It's not! Fayth did that! She made it blow up. It wasn't a malfunction."

Alice grabbed her hand. "How can you say that!? Fayth been kind to me and-"

Tanya grabbed her chest and raised her to her face.

"Look, shithead, why are you defending her so much? Because what? She was kind and made promises to you. That she will end your suffering by ending the multiverse?" she tossed her back on the ground, but Alice landed hard on her back.

"S-Shut up! You don't understand. I don't want to live in a world of pain. I want a world where there's no more pain, no more suffering, no more hate, and no more-"

Alice stopped when Tanya placed her laser sword near her chin. She could hear the buzzing noise and felt the heat coming from it.

"If you want something like that, you aren't getting it by taking the easy way out! You are no better than her if you are killing the multiverse!" Tanya took her sword back and placed it away. She stood tall. "So, what are you going to do? Will you keep crying like a baby, or will you do something and finally find that exit to paradise?"

"..." Alice was quiet, looking up at Tanya, smiling and holding her hand out.

"Don't make the mistake I did once. You can still find it, that exit to all this, and I'm not talking about killing yourself. There is a clear path where you can be happy again, away from the pain and problems you currently have. The exit is still there, so don't give up."

Alice took her hand and helped herself up. When she looked back at Tanya, she was gone, but her voice was still in the darkness.

"There's always an exit; just keep looking. The door to paradise!"

Alice and Twilight were quiet as their lifeless eyes slowly returned to life.

Rozelle and Dash turned around to see Amber carrying Nono on her back. Amber set Nono down in front of Dash while she sat down in front of Rozelle. The two smiled at the girls, and Amber spoke to Rozelle by pointing to her legs.

"Nice legs you got there. I can tell it's well made."

Rozelle shook her head. "These prosthesis legs are cheap! I can't run well in them."

Amber slightly got closer and asked if she could touch it, and Rozelle nodded.

"They may not look good, but they are well made. My automail is made by someone I like, and she's very good at designing and making metal limbs. I have been using her prosthesis for years to the point I have somewhat an eye for spotting good ones." she set Rozelle's legs down. "Even if these are cheap, whoever made them knows how to make the best out of limited resources."

Rozelle remembered how Alice said that as well.

"Who gave you these legs?" Amber asked, soon learning that Rozelle's friends, family, and kind strangers had contributed money to buy her legs. "I see. So why do you dislike these legs? Your loved ones and kind people chipped in and bought something so you can walk again. No doubt caused them a pretty coin, no?"

"Yes, they did."

"Then, why are you so quick to complain about the legs?"

The question took back Rozelle. "W-Well, I-I-I mean, I can't run-"

Rozelle stopped talking when she saw Amber taking off her coat and shirt. She was now in her tank top but pointed to the scaring on her shoulder, where the automail was connected.

"See that? After I lost my arm here and my leg down here. In my universe, prostheses need to be attached and hooked up to the nervous system, and trust me, shit hurts like hell." she stood up, showing how she could still move around. "It took me a year to fully recover and use them with no problems." she sat back down and asked her a question. "How long did you take to recover and use them? Don't lie to me, please."

"Uh...a few months? Like three, if I remember right..."

Amber whistled at that, saying how fast she recovered and that it seemed quite a feat.

"Wow, three months to walk again. That is no way normal, right Nono."

"Yup, yup!"

Amber leaned in, asking how she felt using them.

"Uh, uncomfortable? Like they weren't made for me? When I use them...I can't run too well, like I said." Rozelle became heartbroken, remembering her dream of running was over.

Amber could see that and placed both her hands over Rozelle's shoulders.

"Don't give up on your dreams. You can still run!" she said, pointing to her legs. "Even if these legs break down and become junk, keep going by replacing them! These legs don't make you who you are! It's not a part of you! It's just an extension of you! No matter what you have, you'll keep moving forward. So don't ever give up! Okay?"

Rozelle's eyes widened as she looked at her legs. Amber's words hit her hard, making her realize she could still have her dream. She was so focused that she believed these new legs were the only reason she couldn't run. She didn't think that maybe the prosthesis was wrong or needed to be adjusted for her. Perhaps even getting a new one. There was still hope.

"Even if your dream is far away, don't stop going after it. Even if it takes a lifetime, you will have no regrets and can move forward without worries. Keep that determination and hope. Keep dreaming big, and you'll see it."

Amber soon disappeared. Rozelle slowly stood and tried to run, still having trouble, but she continued.

Dash watched her, smiling.

"You are strong too, you know that."

"Huh?"

Dash turned her attention back to Nono, who had a big smile.

"You are strong. You can fly again."

Dash's eyes widened, not believing Nono was saying that.

"What? B-B-But how-"

"I saw it, silly! I saw you fly a bit off the ground. You do have the strength to fly again. So why do you keep being scared? Why are you hiding your wings?"

Dash looked down.

"Because...because...I'm scared of getting hurt again. What if I pull off that sonic rainboom again and burn up? I don't want to get hurt again! I DON'T WANT TO GET BURNED AGAIN!" Dash was going to cry but stopped as she saw Nono fall in front of her, face first on the floor. Dash screamed in a panic and helped her up. "OH MY GOSH! ARE YOU OKAY!"

"Yup, yup. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yup." Dash held her in her arms. "Sorry, I was going to hug you, but silly me, I have no limbs!" she giggled, making Dash blink her eyes in confusion. "Anyway, listen to me. Your strength and willpower don't come from your body but from your heart as long as you are filled with a strong desire! A goal to reach, no matter how hard it may seem! As long as you are motivated by the will to achieve it," she turned attention to Rozelle, who was still at it. Dash looked as well. "No matter what happens, you won't lose sight of that goal; even if your body breaks and shatters, your will will never break." Nono looks back at her. "You can fly, don't trust in your body but heart. You can still fly!"

Dash looked at her body, not knowing how she could still fly. But, when she looked back at Rozelle, she saw Rozelle falling and tripping. She watched Rozelle struggle to stand back up, but she did. She didn't let her body or fears hold her back. Her heart was stronger than anything else. Dash's wings flapped slightly, and Nono giggled.

"You can fly."

"Y-Yeah..." Dash smirks with hope. She turned to Nono, but she was gone.

The darkness suddenly changed, and all four girls returned to the shrines. However, this time, all four were together again. Twilight and Dash are happy to see each other again, and Rozelle is glad to see Alice, but Alice isn't pleased to see Rozelle as she still feels regret about what happened to her. But before they could do anything, they realized they were in a different shrine they were in, which was rainbow-colored this time. A rainbow tree shaped like an Alicorn was in the middle of the room. They opened their wings, and the last four remaining folks to help the girls appeared while the tree pony was gone.

Snake and Haze walked up to Alice and Twilight. At the same time, Brigitte and T2 walked up to Dash and Rozelle.

Snake stood in front of Twilight, smirking and offering her a sugar stick. Twilight blinked and wasn't sure if she should take it.

"Take it."

She did and ate it.

"Why did you give me that?"

"Cause you needed some sugar. Besides, if I were in your shoes, I would've needed something sweet after everything I been through." Snake pulled out her last stick and tossed it to Alice, who caught it. She then turned her attention back to Twilight. "Look, kid, I am not a hero or a role model. I'm just an old soldier trying to make things right in the little time she has left. Many ponies believe and expect me to be the perfect role model for others, but I'm not. I'm flawed. I have issues and things I'm not proud of, and I was second-guessing myself if I was the right pony to help you. But when I heard your story from Spark, I couldn't help but feel the pain you had. Do you know why? Because I was there." she rubbed the back of her neck. "You aren't alone, and your problems aren't unique. We all suffer that." she turned to Alice. "We all suffered and have a painful past." she looked back, making Twilight and others do the same.

Everyone who spoke to them was there. "We all do. Everyone has problems, no matter who we are or where we came from, and sometimes those problems can be a little overwhelming."

Haze took over. "Sometimes, we believe we are better off alone or can handle everything. Sometimes, we even give up, feeling that our problems are too much and too overwhelming. But we can be happy if we can push past our pain and suffering. We can also let others in and let them help us. Just know you are not alone and are not the first person to have suffered. We have all suffered. We all had a dark time in our lives. How we deal with it matters, and it's okay if you are scared."

T2 loudly tsk and continued. "But there's a damn limit in being scared. You must face it at some point; the best time is now. If you don't, your dreams or goals won't be in reach. Instead, you are destroying who you are even more. You'll never grow or improve. You will lose who you are and end up a stranger to yourself. Don't do that."

Brigitte took over and smiled at all four of the girls.

"Look, I see good lives wasted in my universe, good people, even kids like yourselves. I'm not saying you should forget or ignore your past. What I'm saying is you should learn from it. Let others in and talk, talk out what's wrong, and not ignore others who want to help you." she unpinned her badge and looked at it. "You can't let the past or whatever hurts you strangle your future." She took her badge and flipped it like a coin repeatedly. "You can't forget or ignore the past or your pain, but you can get better, and one day, you can put it to rest. Holding on to something that wasn't your fault or remembering a painful time is the worst feeling in the world. The best thing you can do is let go of it." she caught her badge and pinned it back on her black jacket. "You need to keep moving forward. Not looking back."

Soon, the others joined them by their sides. All of them spoke in unison.

"Moving forward isn't easy sometimes; Sometimes, you just need a little help from others. Others who will help you find your spark. The spark to start over, the spark to live, the spark to keep going...a spark that will never burn out within the darkness..."

Spark was still passed out in a hole in the prime tree, but her body started to glow with a powerful rainbow aura. She could hear everyone.

"A spark that will never burn out in darkness, never going out. A spark that will not be destroyed and will light the path. A spark that will keep us alive and ensure we move on..."

Spark started to stand and walked toward the hole exit, spreading her wings.

"That is our spark that will keep us moving forward and allow us to live. We'll find our spark. We'll keep going. We will not stop, and we'll keep moving forward. We can't keep looking back at the past. We need to look ahead and move forward..."

Spark opened her eyes, revealing Twilight's star cutie mark within her eyes, which was glowing like a rainbow light.

"All it takes is just a spark. A different kind of spark. The spark that resides in the hearts of all." Spark whispered as she joined in the speech before taking off and heading toward the tree's top.

Snake and the others backed away, allowing the four girls to look at each other.

"Friendship!" they all said, seeing the four girls looking at each other.

Spark kept flying forward. Moving forward again...

Spark let Twilah go, standing up.

"That's right. How could I forget that? I'm never alone. I have others to help me—someone to talk to about my problems. I have others to share my burdens. I have others to help me find the way."

Spark Breaker tried to gain control, but Spark stopped her by digging into her chest, where her core was. She pulled out her hopeless side and tossed the darkness onto the ground.

"No, you won't control me. I won't be weak anymore! I won't let my fears and doubts hold me back. I won't let my past control me. I'll keep moving forward! I'll find a way and find my spark. A spark to start over, a spark to live, a spark that will never burn out within the darkness, within you!" Spark looked at everyone, all of them smiling and proud. "A spark that will keep me alive. A spark that will not be destroyed. A spark that will light the path, A spark that will make sure I move on! Because I have friends..." She looked at them all, then turned to Dawn, surprised at how she looked but still happy to see her. "A loved one." She then faced her mothers and their family. She then looked up, seeing Breaker as she fought. "I have....a family." She faced her darkness. "Family, friends, and love make a home, and a home is where the heart is. The heart beats within me because of the spark of love and friendship. You can't beat the spark that will not be extinguished and the spark that will keep burning, even if I'm gone one day!"

Spark Breaker glared at Spark and then at everyone, not believing what Spark told her. She finally turned to Spark's mother.

"Family? Having a mother? I don't understand."

Nightfall gave the darkness a soft smile.

"What do you mean you don't understand? You're part of her, so you must know. Family isn't a place or a bloodline; it's not the family you are born with. It's the people you love, care for, and who will never leave you. That's what a family is—making bounds, growing together, helping one another. The only thing we have is each other. So please, don't be so lonely. Join her. Join her and your family."

Spark Breaker looked away, not understanding a word she said. Instead, she just laughed as she was disappearing.

"What foolishness, you're so delusional. I was right; there is no place for me."

Spark ran and hugged the darkness, making everyone gasp.

"Stop! Don't say that!" Spark cried, not wanting her darkness to die with those sad thoughts. "You have a place. You have a home! You are part of me. You are me."

Spark Breaker just glared at her and finally closed her eyes.

"I'm not you, you stupid girl...but I want to understand. What is it like having friends and loved ones?" She opened her eyes, looking up at the red sky, seeing Fayth blasting Star Breaker cannons to dust. "...a mother..."

With those final words, the darkness disappeared. The cloaked figure, already writing in her book, smiled as she closed it.

"There, this should make that future the set one now. Slightly different than the last ones, but this should be it." She turned her back to everyone; no one knew she was there; the only ones who knew she was there were Nightfall and Sky, as they looked at her. "The endless cycle will end now. The true ending can finally be reached now. No more rewrites, no more redos, no more. This is the ending."

Suddenly, a portal appeared before her.

"Time for me to go and be ready." She was going to walk through, but she stopped and turned around, looking at Nightfall and Sky. She removed her hood, revealing her long white mane. She waved goodbye to them. "I'm happy to see you two again, even if you aren't the originals. I'm happy."

Nightfall and Sky smiled, waving goodbye as the woman entered the portal, and it vanished.

Spark wiped her eyes and stood up, looking up at the sky. She sees her sisters but sees them melting slightly. "If my sisters are still alive...but without a strong magical source to feed off, they will die, and this time, for good." She looked at the Elements, who explained their plan to her. She shook her head, not agreeing with it. "Braver will be saved if you four do that, but you four will be trapped within her again. I can't let that happen, you-"

JA walked up to her and removed her hat. "We aren't going to be trapped within her. Wet blanket, we are taking a lesson from you, and when we fully recharged the shard Element pieces, we will fuse them. They are being made into a new Element, an Element made for Braver. When that happens, we won't exist anymore."

Spark's eyes widened. "WHAT!?!?"

"Don't worry, we have no regrets. We lived a good life thanks to you and being within Braver. So, this is-" JA couldn't finish as Spark hugged her and cried.

"No! You were friends to me! You were there for me when I was a little filly, as I was alone in my Element. You can't die!"

JA became sad. "Wet Blanket..."

Spark held her tighter. "Stop calling me that! I haven't wet the bed since I was a little filly."

JA chuckled and forced her off. "Right, our little rainbow is grown up. Spark, thank you."

The other three joined JA's side, becoming colorful lights. All four spoke in unison.

"Thank you for letting us have a life, meeting you and your sisters. But it's time to say goodbye and move on. We love you and your sisters. Be brave, like Braver. Remember, a spark keeps us alive."

The four lights became four shards and combined again to form an orb with unfit pieces. Spark took it and held it to her forehead.

"Goodbye..."

Spark turned to Nightfall and Sky, fearing they would be going away for good. They explained how they would save Blitz by giving her the Element of Loyalty, but Spark looked at Nightfall.

"Wait, what about you, mother?"

Nightfall smiled and explained, "I'll go into someone else, sweetie. I can't say who, but they are unique and deserve it." She got closer to her and hugged her, crying. "They carry the same spark as you do but much brighter. They need a guiding hand to help them through the storm. And I'm glad it's me. Besides, we will see each other again one day."

"Mother? I don't understand?"

Nightfall kissed her cheek and stepped back, allowing Sky to hug their daughter.

"Our little pony is all grown up now, and we can't be prouder. Spark, keep living, don't give up, and never forget you aren't alone. You won't have us anymore, but you will have your sisters and your new mothers. Remember that." she let her daughter go. She looked to Nightfall, knowing they wouldn't see each other again.

Sky and Nightfall held each other. Nightfall smiled as she spoke. "I love you. I've always had and will always will."

Sky felt her tears and held her tight. "I love you too. I wish we had more time together. I'm going to miss you."

"Me too, but you know what we have to do. Not just for our daughters but also for the ones that will come after. The future depends on them, and we must ensure they have us to guide and teach them."

Sky nodded, holding her tight.

"Let's do it together, my love."

They closed their eyes as they kissed one last time. They became bright lights, the orbs of Elements of Magic and Loyalty. Loyalty slowly flew over to Spark and landed in her other hand. Magic flew over to Twilah, letting her grab it.

"Nightfall?...huh?" Twilah suddenly heard Nightfall's voice and was telling her something important. Twilah was shocked as she quickly turned to Spark. Twilah's face was filled with sadness, but Nightfall's voice said something else, which made Twilah smile and nod. "Okay, I understand. I'll keep you safe until the day comes when 'she' needs you."

"Thank you," Nightfall whispered. Her bright purple light started to dim, almost like it went into a deep sleep as the light was gone.

Spark had no idea what her mother was doing, but she didn't have time to question it. She looked up at her sisters, knowing she had to save them. She squeezed the Elements in her hand.

"Blitz! Braver!" she opened her wings. "BIG SISTER IS COMING!" She took off, heading to the three-way battle. Everyone looked up to the sky, watching as a rainbow star flickered, heading toward the dead rainbow comet...

End of Chapter 30

Author's Note

One more to go! Then it's the Epilogues for this and Our Names.

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