It was over. Equestria was ravaged by these storms that so relentlessly took away, what these ponies had spent hundreds of years building up. As lives were taken and the hope of redemption faded away, Princess Celestia, stood helpless to watch, as her lands slowly died. She and her sister, Luna, had tried on for days on end to stop these storms. But to no avail, the storms would disappear for a day or maybe two, but they would return, harder and stronger. The princess of the sun was exhausted, the great power once stored within her, had vanished. After her sisters defeat, Princess Luna was devastated, and focused her strength, to expel the storms from Equestria. But her fate, was no different than her sisters. As Celestia saw the end on the horizon, she sent one last letter, to her dearest student.
And so my dear Twilight, I am truly sorry. But the upcoming tragedies cannot be avoided. I'm afraid that Equestria will fall, today. Goodbye my dearest student. Give my regards to every pony else.
Princess Celestia
The lavender unicorn's hear sank as she read the last few sentences of the princesses letter. After all they had done, everything that friendship and magic had conquered over, it was all to end. Here and now. A tear ran down the side of her face, and fell to the floor. She turned around, where a lone pegasus stood, by the front door. Twilight looked up and into the eyes of Rainbow Dash.
The cyan pegasus took a step towards Twilight. The helpless look in Rainbow's eyes, Twilight had never seen it before. The brave, loyal pegasus, now cut down to a shadow of her former self. When the storms began, Rainbow Dash attempted to stop them, as she always had. But the black clouds that levitated over Equestria wouldn't move. The force of rain and wind combined, proved to be too intense for the pegasus to handle. Twilight remembered that day clearly. Rainbow Dash fell from the sky and landed in the middle of Ponyville Park. She was unconscious for the next few days. Upon awakening, she found herself in a bigger nightmare than before. Half of Equestria was in shambles, and that was when the brave stubborn pegasus was broken.
Twilight stared into the pegasus's magenta eyes. She extended her hoof, holding out the letter from Celestia. Rainbow Dash recognized the parchment in her friends hand. Her eyes perked up and a smile grew on her face. But the smile quickly faded as she looked at Twilight, who only stared back at her. She slowly shook her head. The cyan pegasus's smile turned into a frown. She knew what Twilight meant. The pegasus took the letter, and slowly read over it. She held the note down and looked in shock at her friend.
She opened her mouth to speak, but no words left her lips. Instead, she muttered only a light whelp, and burst into tears. As her friend stood there sobbing, the lavender unicorn walked towards the hysterical pegasus. She placed her hoof on the pegasus's head, and slowly stroked her hair. She leaned down, and whispered in her ear...
"Go. Tell every pony else..."
Twilight paused. She began to choke as she tried to hold back tears.
Rainbow Dash picked her head up, and backed away from Twilight. With tears still running down the side of her face, she slowly opened her mouth and said,
"It's OK Twilight. I'll tell them. Goodbye."
Rainbow Dash opened the front door and disappeared into the rain and fog that enveloped Ponyville.
Twilight slumped her head down and laid down on the library floor. She began to cry once again as thoughts began flying through her head. She could only imagine her friends reactions when they heard the news. She imagined Fluttershy, the sweet innocent pegasus, completely breaking down. She could imagine her going completely insane with fear, in complete denial of the situation. But with no comfort other than the animals that she lived and cared for. Her friends wouldn't be there for her, they couldn't be. Only a strong pegasus could even go outside at this point, and Fluttershy was far from strong. She cared for those animals ever since she met them, she got them through everything, and now she couldn't. The thought of her friend being in such a state drove Twilight to sob even harder.
She could only wish, that death brought them to a safe place. Where they could live in peace for all eternity. It was things like these that drove the unicorn mad. What was waiting for them on the other side? Was it a state of everlasting peace? Or would they roam an empty void for eternity? Or would they live in a state of unending torment? Twilight shook her head violently as she imagined what would become of them.
What about Sweetie Belle? And Scootaloo and Applebloom? How would they take the news? They were only kids, they weren't supposed to be faced with these kinds of situations. At least Sweetie Belle and Applebloom had families or someone to turn to. But what about Scootaloo? She was alone, the only pony she could turn to was Rainbow Dash, but no pony knew where Scootaloo was. She would be alone until the moment she died. Alone and helpless...
Twilight cringed at the thought. She stood up and looked at Spike, who was still asleep in his bed upstairs. The lavender unicorn slowly walked towards the front door. She took one last look at Spike, and said softly,
"I'll be back Spike. I promise."
The unicorn pushed open the doors and stepped outside into the pouring rain. The wind was so forceful it knocked Twilight down, and the pressure of the rain prevented her from getting up. Her legs strained, but she couldn't find the strength to stand up. She dragged her body away from the library and towards the streets of Ponyville.
The rain pounded against Twilight with such force that it felt almost like knives digging into her skin. She felt her skin burning from the friction of the rain drops. Her skin began to glow red from the hits. The pain was almost unbearable, but she had to find Scootaloo. If every pony had to die, she didn't want her to die alone. She deserved to die in the comfort of some pony else. And right now, Twilight was the only one left who could be that pony.
For what seemed like hours, the lavender unicorn dragged herself through Ponyville. Multiple times she tried to cast a spell to somehow protect herself from the rain, but this storm was no joke. If Celestia couldn't stop it, Twilight's spells wouldn't do a thing. So she had to brave the storm if she was going to find her.
The lavender unicorn dragged herself into a small alleyway to take quick shelter in between two buildings. She stood up and brushed the water out of her face and eyes. As she recollected her thoughts and prepared to set out again, she noticed something on the ground just a few inches away. There lying on the ground, were a few strands a dark purple hair. Only one pony in Ponyville had hair like that. Twilight picked up her head and walked to the other side of the alley.
As the unicorn reached the end of the alleyway she noticed a small figure at the other side of the street. She backed up, and charged through the rain towards the figure. On the ground, laid a small orange pegasus, surrounded by a pool of blood.
"Sweet Celestia no..."
Twilight stood over Scootaloo's body, she began to weep as she had memories of the cute orange pegasus. Always so headstrong, just like her idol Rainbow Dash. But she was just a kid, there was no way she could survive a storm like this. But for her to die alone, was depressing. The poor kid wanted nothing more than to be like her idol, but now, she was doomed to the same fate as every other living thing in Equestria. And this, this street, was her deathbed, while everyone else would die in the comfort of their friends and family, she did not. Twilight picked up Scootaloo's body, and began the trek back to the library.
It was a lot easier to get back since the wind now pushed her in the direction she need to go. But rain still pounded against her skin, leaving reds marks on her lavender coat. Finally, she reached the front door of the library, and threw herself inside and shut the door. She laid Scootaloo's body down on the floor. She sat down next to the orange pegasus's body and began to cry once more.
"Uhh. Twilight?"
Twilight instantly jumped up and spun around. Spike fell back, startled by the unicorns sudden reaction. The small dragon stood up, and looked at the figure lying on the floor next to Twilight. He became shocked and began wildly pointing at Scootaloo's body and started making loud screeching noises.
"Spike! Calm down."
The baby dragon took a deep breath and sat down on the floor.
"Twilight, is she. Dead?"
The lavender unicorn was silent. She put her head down. A teardrop slipped off her eye and fell to the floor.
"Yes."
"Oh... no. This, this isn't happening! Twilight please tell me this is just a dream!"
Twilight drowned out Spikes voice with her own thoughts. She hated to see him like this. He was just a kid and just like the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, he shouldn't have to worry about death. With only a few years of life experienced, and so much more to live for, this shouldn't happen. It wasn't fair, that every one was going to die. They had done nothing wrong, what were they paying for?
"Spike... just calm down. I'll explain..."
Twilight was interrupted as the front door burst open. Standing in the doorway, the cyan pegasus, Rainbow Dash. Just by the depressed look on her face, Twilight knew what had happened. She quickly hid Scootaloo's body, to prevent any further sadness in the rainbow maned pegasus. Just like Scootaloo, she had no pony else, and Twilight was going to stay with her until the very end. She wished that she could see her parents and brother one last time. But it was too late for that.
"Rainbow?"
The pegasus took a few steps in, and laid down on the floor. Her legs and wings were exhausted from pushing through that storm. Braving that storm was like trying to tackle a bus at this point. The rain and fog were instantly blinding, and the roaring winds halted any kind of movement.
"Rarity, I told her."
Twilight focused her eyes on her friend.
"She didn't believe me at first until I gave her the note from Celestia. She went into shock, and ran upstairs to find her sister."
Rainbow Dash paused to stop herself from crying. She recollected her thoughts and continued.
"And Sweetie Belle, she wasn't there."
Twilight jumped up in shock.
"She left a note in her room."
Rainbow Dash pulled out a soaked piece of paper. She got up, and slowly brought it over to Twilight.
Dear Rarity
I'm sorry sis. I love you and all but, I can't leave Scootaloo alone out there. Don't bother to come look for me. I'd rather only one of us risk our lives. I promise I'll come back, but I can't leave my friend all alone... goodbye.
your sister
Sweetie Belle
Twilight's heart sank as she read the note. Sweetie Belle had braved the storm trying to do the same thing she had done. But it didn't matter, Scootaloo was dead, as was likely the case for poor Sweetie Belle now too.
"When Rarity came back downstairs, the look in her eyes made me feel suicidal. Do you know, what it's like, to look at a pony, who's just lost the only thing she ever loved? She can seem neglectful at times, but there is no doubt in my mind, she'd give up everything for her sister. And now she's gone."
The pegasus began to cry once again, burying her face in her arms. Twilight stood too, with tears in her eyes. She held them back, and went over to comfort her friend.
"Then, it gets worse. After I tried to calm her down, she rushed out. She went looking for her. I... I tried to stop her, but when I tried to lift off, the wind gusted and knocked me back. By the time I had figured out what just happened, Rarity was gone."
Rainbow Dash stood up. She began walking around the library trying to keep herself together. Twilight prayed that she wouldn't find Scootaloo's body. It was the last thing Rainbow needed to see right now.
"Then, I went to Pinkie Pie... So I went to Sugarcube Corner. The place is still barely standing, the glass panes were completely broken, the chairs and tables are scattered throughout the first floor and there are cracks in the walls everywhere. When I got there, I found Mr and Mrs.Cake hiding in a corner with the twins."
She paused as it began to thunder outside. The deafening sound startled both ponies as it roared.
"Twilight!"
The lavender unicorn whirled around as Spike came running down the stairs, obviously frightened by the thunder.
"Spike, calm down. Calm down."
Spike began to cry, he was so clueless about what was going on. He was scared beyond belief, and had no one to turn to except Twilight. She wanted to tell him the truth, but it would only make things worse. He was hysterical as it was, telling him what was to happen, was worse than a death sentence. To hear it's all going to end, when you're a child, it's just not right.
"Spike, sit down."
Twilight turned around again. She nodded her head at Rainbow Dash.
"So, I asked them where Pinkie was..."
She put her head down. A tear slipped off her cheek onto the floor.
"Rainbow Dash. What happened to Pinkie!?"
The cyan pegasus remained silent.
"Rainbow Dash!"
She grabbed her friend and shook her violently.
"Where. Is. Pinkie!?"
Rainbow Dash pulled herself away.
"She left."
"What do you mean she left?"
Rainbow Dash started to rub her forehead.
"She went, back to the farm where she grew up. She wanted to see her family."
Twilight stood in horror, mouth agape.
"When did she leave?"
Rainbow Dash was reluctant to answer.
"She left last night, when every pony was asleep. She must have slipped out then, because she was there during the day, and disappeared the next morning."
Twilight couldn't take anymore, two of her friends were likely dead, Sweetie Belle too, and Scootaloo was already dead. What could have happened to the rest of them. Twilight wasn't so sure she wanted to know, but she couldn't die not knowing the fate of her friends.
"Fluttershy, and Applejack. What about them?"
As she spoke, Twilight prayed that they would be OK. She didn't want Fluttershy to die frozen in fear, she couldn't picture what the pegasus would think as she saw the end approach.
"I went to Fluttershy's cottage."
Rainbow Dash laid down once again and closed her mouth. She didn't want to continue. At this point, Twilight feared the worst, if Rainbow Dash didn't want to talk about it, something had happened, for sure.
"I opened the front door, and... all the cages. They were all broken open. I looked outside and the chicken pens were smashed too. There was no sign of Fluttershy either."
Twilight heard Spike start to cry again in the background, but she focused her attention on Rainbow Dash.
"When the storm started, I suppose that the cages were broken open, the animals escaped, and Fluttershy followed them."
It was terrible, but it was the only logical explanation. Even with good intentions, nothing would protect her from the fierce weather. No doubt she had suffered the same fate as Rarity and Pinkie Pie.
Rainbow Dash broke down, the loss of her friends was too much for her to bare at this point. She had lost her competitive and stubborn personality. She had lost 3 of her friends, and who knows what happened to the rest of Ponyville's residents? But what about Applejack? Was she OK? What about the rest of her family.
"Last, I tried to get to Applejack. But I couldn't."
Rainbow Dash was now struggling to speak, talking softly in between her sobs.
"The storm picked up, and the wind changed direction, and blew me back, away from Sweet Apple Acres. I tried, believe me I tried, but there was no way. I felt like I was flying into a brick wall the whole time. Eventually, my wings gave out and I had to come back."
Maybe Rainbow Dash could have made it through, but she had exhausted all her energy trying to get rid of the storm when it started.
"I can't die not knowing what happened to her."
Twilight rushed towards the front door. She felt herself being held back.
"Twilight, don't go."
The lavender unicorn stopped. She turned around, and saw Rainbow Dash lying on the ground begging.
"Please don't go, I can't lose you too. And even if you made it, and Applejack is gone... I... I just can't. I want to die knowing that she could still be OK. Thar she died with her family, like every pony should. Even though, our friends died trying to be with theirs..."
Twilight put her hoof on her chest, heartbroken at the pegasus's last few sentences.
"Ok Rainbow Dash."
She put her hoof on the pegasus's head.
"I'll stay."
Rainbow Dash stood up, and hugged her friend. For this was the last time they would ever see each other. Twilight looked at Spike, who was still balling in the corner of the library, underneath Twilight's desk.
"Hang on, I'll get Spike."
The lavender unicorn began to walk over to the hysterical dragon.
Just as she turned around, out of the corner of her eye, Rainbow Dash noticed a small red sheet at the far end of the library. The mare walked over to the sheet, and lifted it up.
"OK Rainbow Dash..."
Twilight paused, as she saw what Rainbow Dash was looking at.
The cyan pegasus looked down, at the body of an orange, purple maned pegasus...
She turned around, with tears in her eyes. Her eyes glimmered in the faint light of the library. She pointed at Scootaloo's body, and opened her mouth, but no words escaped. She simply let out a soft whine.
The pegasus ran in the far corner of the library and sat down and began balling.
"Rainbow Dash. I'm sorry. I just... I couldn't bring myself to tell you."
At first she was silent, but then, the cyan pegasus softly began to speak.
"First Sweetie Belle, then Rarity. Then Pinkie and Fluttershy. Now this."
Twilight stood back in sadness. She felt terrible for not telling Rainbow Dash.
"Scootaloo, the closest thing I ever had to a little sister. Were you even planning on telling me? Were you? Best friend!?"
Twilight shuddered as Rainbow Dash uttered those last sarcastic words. Nothing felt worse than having her only friend want to murder her on death road.
"I... I'm sorry Twilight. I... I just, I can't."
"It's ok Rainbow Dash."
The cyan pegasus opened her eyes. She pushed Twilight out of the way, and rushed towards the front door. The mare stumbled to keep her balance, and saw as Rainbow Dash sped out of the library.
She burst through the front doors of the library and looked around. Where was Rainbow Dash? The unicorn looked up, and stared in shock, as Rainbow Dash rocketed toward the storms clouds above.
"Oh no."
Up in the clouds, the pegasus muttered to herself,
"You've taken my friends. You've taken innocent lives and for what? If I'm going to die, it's not going to be huddling in a corner waiting for my impending doom."
As Rainbow Dash felt herself getting closer to the clouds, she heard a faint voice coming from the ground.
"Rainbow!"
She ignored Twilight's voice and continued flying. Her wings began to strain. She clenched her teeth and began to squint to keep her view focused.
"I'll remove this storm from Equestria... or die trying. To my friends, I love you all. I'll see you soon."
Rainbow Dash wiped the tears from her eyes and rushed towards the dark black clouds. As she approached them, a breach appeared in the cloud, and down came a bolt of lightning. The pegasus spun around to get out of the way, but to no avail. The bolt struck her port wing, sending her in a downward spiral. She felt her wing searing as she plummeted towards the ground. As she closed her eyes, she muttered to herself.
"I'm sorry. Twilight"
The last thing she heard was Twilight's voice calling her.
"Rainbow!" The lavender unicorn sprinted towards the pegasus as she fell to the ground.
Rainbow Dash hit the ground only a few yards from where Twilight was standing. She moved over to her friends body, and stood over her mangled corpse. She knelt down in front of her, and began to weep over her body. She ran her hoof through her hair, and spoke in between her sobs.
"Why Rainbow Dash? Why?"
Just, then, Twilight stopped. She knew why Rainbow Dash had done it. Rainbow Dash always fought for her friends, she remained loyal. But she had lost 3 of her friends, the fate of another unknown, and the last one, had delivered the message, the message that handed them all a death sentence. In her anger, she was ready to die fighting off the storm that would be the death of them all. So why not for her too? This storm was going to kill her, she knew that. But she, of all ponies, wouldn't die sitting in a corner scared of death, fearing that her last moments were upon her. Instead, she chose when she died, and rushed into the storm clouds.
"I'll see you soon Rainbow. Give my regards to every pony else when you see them."
The unicorn stood up and wiped the tears off of her face. She turned around, and walked, with her head held low, back towards the library. Her last moments would be spent with the dragon who needed her the most. She looked on the horizon behind her. She squinted, and stepped back in shock, petrified at what she had just saw. She ran inside, slamming the door behind her. While behind her, a roaring tsunami flew over Equestria, coming directly at them. The storms had caused a tidal wave to form in the Equestrian Ocean and that wave, was what would kill them all. The end of existence, came with that wave.
"Twilight? Is something wrong? Where's Rainbow Dash."
The mare said nothing, she only took steps towards Spike. She extended her arms and hugged the little dragon.
"I'm sorry Spike, but this is the end."
The baby dragon backed up in shock.
"Wh- wh- what? No, no Twilight it can't be. It can't end now! Not after all we've..."
Twilight covered his mouth with her hoof.
"Shhh. I need to talk to you."
Spike lowered his arms and shut his mouth.
"Spike. You've been my friend ever since I was a filly, and I'm happy that we've spent our lives together. I've cared for you for so many years, keeping you of danger. But I'm afraid, that... there's nothing I can do."
The baby dragon wiped the tears out of his eyes and sniffled. He didn't want to believe what he was hearing, but he could tell by the look in Twilight's eyes, that this was the end.
"Our friends died trying to be with their families, and now, you're the only family I have. I'm happy that I can spend my last moments with you."
Twilight stopped as she heard the roaring of the wave behind her. Spike leaned his head and looked out the window.
"No Spike. Don't look. You have to be brave now, and I promise you, this will be a lot easier."
Twilight moved Spikes head away from the window.
"Twilight... Will it hurt?"
"No Spike. It will come and go as quickly as Rainbow Dash's flight. I can promise you that."
Twilight closed her eyes, and felt the wave come up behind her. Just before she felt the blow, she quietly said to herself,
"To my friends, and my family, I love you. Now, and forever."
And then, the element of magic spoke no more...
