The Division Bell

by FloydienSlip

Chapters

Generosity, or The Scrapbook
Magic, or The Invitation
Laughter, or The Change
Kindness, or The Memory
Loyalty, or The Approval
Honesty, or The Unanimity
Unity, or A Great Day for Freedom

Generosity, or The Scrapbook

Dedicated to SonicRainboomGirl, my first watcher

Beyond the horizon

Of the place we lived when we were young

In a world of magnets and miracles

Our thoughts strayed constantly

And without boundary

The ringing of the division bell had begun

It's been said that all good things must come to pass, and how true that is. As much as anyone would hate to admit it, there is no changing the will of the universe: As a great band once expressed, "All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be."

Twilight Sparkle sat alone in the Golden Oaks Library, rearranging bookshelves after a certain mailpony had crashed through her poor window yet again, spilling books everywhere. She knew that Ditzy meant well, but sometimes that pony just lived up to her name. As Twilight looked over the titles, a oddly shaped hardcover caught her eye. It appeared to be a tightly bound green book, though worn quite well. She opened it, and willed her eyes to stay dry.

It was their picture, all of them, posing for Princess Celestia. Twilight began flipping through the pages, smiling at the adventures that they had undertaken in years passed. The sonic rainboom, the snoring dragon, even a plethora of pink party ponies. Vividly, she recalled a certain event that taken place nearly ten years ago exactly.

*****

"Hurry up, Twilight! We're going to be late for Pinkie's party again!"

"Lighten up, Rainbow Dash! I'm nearly finished with my backup calendar for next year."

Rainbow Dash let out a groan of impatience. Rarity and Fluttershy were already at Sweet Apple Acres, helping with Pinkie's decorations and Applejack's catering, respectively. It seemed like every pony in Ponyville was going to be there, and Rainbow Dash really wanted to be there too, though she had once again refused to wear the dress that Rarity had crafted for her.

"Finished!" called Twilight from upstairs.

"Thank Celestia!" muttered Dash. "Let's get this show on the road!"

That party would become the beginning of the end. Almost nopony had known its purpose, shrugging it off as another random event in Pinkie Pie's unpredictable way of thinking. As the "party" got underway, however, one pony was not enjoying herself, and made an announcement at the very end to let everypony know why.

"My... acquaintances... I would first and foremost like to say thank you for the time I have spent with you all."

Confused looks towards the pony on the stage were beginning to appear.

"But it saddens me a great deal to tell you why this party has been... thrown. It's really... a farewell party... for me."

Gasps and conspiratorial whispers swept throughout the audience. Twilight and Rainbow Dash exchanged surprised glances. Fluttershy had rocketed off, searching for a table to hide under. Applejack and Pinkie Pie, unsurprised by the whole ordeal, bit their lips while trying not to let their emotions get the better of them.

"I've been chosen to create a new line of clothing for the elite in Canterlot," announced Rarity. "As always, thank you for your continued support of Carousel Boutique and... um, I..."

Rarity burst into tears, allowing herself to be led off the stage by Rainbow Dash and Applejack. The audience remained still for a moment before quietly filing out the door of the barn. Rainbow now bitterly regretted her earlier refusal, and looked down at her hooves. Fluttershy nervously stood up.

"Oh, I'm so happy for you, Rarity! Angel would be too, if he was here..."

Rarity cried harder, resisting all comfort from her friends.

"Look here, sugar cube, no need to make a scene. We're yer friends, and we're glad for ya."

"Ooh, ooh, ooh! Does this mean we get to visit? I love getting visitors!" Her friends stared at her. "What? I was trying to lighten the mood. They get it."

"Who's 'they?'" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Quit it!" snarled Applejack. "Rarity's hurtin', and y'all should be ashamed of yerselves for bein' insensitive!"

Bowing their heads, they huddled around Rarity and tried to make her feel better. Rarity sniffled.

"I-I'm dreadfully s-sorry to have c-caused s-s-such an uproar here," she murmured. "It's just- I'll m-miss seeing you, my best friends, every d-day of every week of every-"

"We understand," interrupted Twilight softly. "And we're sorry that you need to go. We promise to try to visit you when we can."

"We Pinkie Promise," said Applejack firmly, struggling to hold back tears.

True to their word, they visited Rarity in her new shop, the White Elephant Boutique. She seemed happy there... for a time. As the weeks went by, she became self-conscious about her works, occasionally refusing to admit her friends. They eventually stopped visiting Rarity altogether. Saddened as they were, the five friends were unable to change Rarity's mind. One evening, they walked slowly back to the train, and even Rainbow Dash flew overhead like a thundercloud of melancholy.

"Does Rarity... not like us anymore?" Fluttershy whimpered.

Applejack sighed. "No, darlin', it's not like that. Ah reckon that Rarity just wants to be left alone a while. She needs time to think about where this job of hers will take her."

Pinkie, angrier than usual, chimed in. "It would help if she wasn't such a greedy-pants! I mean, seriously? Money is the root of all evil! How can she just sit there, watching the bits pour in, while ignoring her best friends at the same time?" Pinkie swallowed. "It... just doesn't make sense..."

But Pinkie was wrong. It did make sense. After all, Rarity was always obsessed with current fashion trends and gemstones, for which her cutie mark can safely vouch. After being featured in Hoity Toity's boutique, she had positively radiated a happiness that was doubled as more and more ponies ordered more and more dresses and outfits from her. It was not only possible, but exceedingly probable that Rarity had become a "greedy-pants."

*****

And it was true, wasn't it? mused Twilight. Rarity and her bits... They were as tight as a rusted-on nut on a long-forgotten bolt lying in a defunct junkyard, with only the weather and the occasional rat for company.

The librarian thought for a moment, and turned the last page. Her pupils dilated slightly upon seeing the aged parchment. Urging herself to read it aloud, she pressed on.

"To my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle..."

Thank you very much for your last letter. I'm very glad to hear that you have made some progress on your Loop Quantum Gravity theory, and I'm sure that Dr. Whooves would be more than thrilled to help you test it. I also give my sincerest condolences to you about Spike. He was a great assistant and a loyal friend, but he's in a better place now. Remember him fondly as he was, not as he is.

However, I'm a bit concerned about the significant lack of friendship reports you've sent me. I understand that you are technically a full-grown mare now, and that you're going through a difficult time in your life, but that does not mean you are no longer my student. Quite the opposite is true, as a matter of fact; you can contribute far more detailed reports on the magic of friendship now that you have more time on your hands.

Remember that while it is important that you learn and work, friends are absolutely essential to life. Without friends, who would you have to rely on? Your parents? Maybe, but they also have busy lives. Friends are everything, Twilight. Never forget that.

Your mentor and teacher,

"...Princess Celestia."

Twilight slowly closed the scrapbook and replaced it on the shelf. She sat down on the floor, gazing around at her vast collection of books and knowledge before slipping into deep thought. She wished more than ever that she had had the decency to respond to the princess. Twilight ran a hoof through through her mane, feeling the smoothness of her scalp before getting up once more. In that moment, she briefly thought of Spike with his ridiculous mustache he had used to grab a certain mare's attention long ago. Her tear ducts nearly betrayed her, but she purged the thought from her mind as quickly as it had appeared. If only she could find a way to make this all better...

A sudden thought came to her. Twilight nearly dismissed the idea entirely, but paused after thinking about it some more. Her idea scared her, but... there was something about it that seemed almost appealing, if not ideal. She was fairly certain that she could get her friends to go along with the idea, but what of the princesses? In that moment, Twilight knew what she had to do. Trotting over to her desk, she pulled out a fresh quill and a bottle of ink.

"Dear Pinkie Pie..."

Along the long road

And on down the Causeway

Do they still meet there by the Cut

Magic, or The Invitation

Music for this chapter:

"Honeybun, are you sure you don't want anymore cupcakes? I know that they're your favorite!" called Mr. Cake from the second floor of Sugarcube Corner.

"...No thanks. I'm not hungry..."

"Are you sure?" wheedled Mrs. Cake.

Pinkamena Diane Pie stood up slowly from the table, hooves by her sides. "Yeah. I think I'll turn in for the night."

"Oh, before you do, you got a letter from a friend today."

Curious, Pinkie took the letter in her mouth, nodded her appreciation, and trotted upstairs. Taking the envelope in her teeth, she ripped off the top and gazed wordlessly at Twilight's distinct hoofwriting. Her eyes drifted down the page, and suddenly widened in shock as they focused on the last paragraph. At first, Twilight's idea seemed... disturbing, to say the least, but Pinkie began to understand why Twilight would approve of the idea. In fact, it seemed reasonable to Pinkie as she thought about it, and she smiled briefly. She realized what had been the source of her relentless monotony as of late.

Twilight. Ever since Twilight had shut herself up in the Golden Oaks Library, things in Ponyville hadn't been quite the same. After Rarity had left, Twilight had become increasingly introverted and nearly as difficult to hold a conversation with as Fluttershy. She and the timid pegasus had one major difference, though: Fluttershy made attempts to speak, no matter how futile they were. Twilight had merely rejected the reality that the Mane Six had split up, and repeatedly denied any help or offers directed towards her. Twilight had, in vain, tried to find love in Ponyville, eventually resigning herself to the fact that, while still a respected mare, she was only the librarian of a town so small that it sometimes went unmarked on maps of Equestria.

Twilight Sparkle, the magical mare who had faced the greatest dangers known to ponykind, had become another run-of-the-mill equine who had practically lost her grip on reality. Twilight was the missing link to Pinkie's world, and it saddened her to realize that. She reread Twilight's instructions once more, and began writing out invitations.

While she was working, Pinkie thought of the now-disbanded Cutie Mark Crusaders and the day when all three of them (she was unsure about Babs Seed) got their cutie marks at the same time. Reflecting on it now, Pinkie realized that it had been the end of an era, and she sunk lower and lower in her bed, eventually dropping to the floor with a groan. How had she grown so old so quickly? She thought of Spike, and a sudden memory came rushing back.

"I'll remember you forever, Spike. I promise."

"It's okay, Twilight, really. I'll be fine."

"I know that this is as hard for you as it is for me!"

"Seriously. I'm fine. I'm a big dragon now, and I can take care of myself."

Twilight regarded Spike with a sad look and sighed.

"I know that, Spike... I just don't want you to leave and forget about me. When you go join the migration, you're going off to a new life, most likely without ponies. You need to realize that the ponies here care about you very much, and will want you to let them know what you've been up to."

Yet Spike, despite his earnest promises to the lavender mare, did forget about them eventually. He would be getting up there in age right now, and had contracted a form of selective amnesia that only furthered his forgetfulness. It's not that he didn't care about his old friends. Spike had just moved on in life. He was ready for a new chapter to unfold.

Pinkie reflected on this for a moment, coming to the conclusion that Spike was partially responsible for Twilight's current mental state. Had the purple and green dragon stayed with her, Twilight might have regained some sense of the world around her. Yet... it was not entirely Spike's fault. He was a dragon, after all, and dragons have different customs than ponies. Of course, Twilight might not have degenerated at all, if it were not for a single experiment.

Pinkie blinked a few times, redirecting the newly formed tears away from the front of her eyes. She was nearly done with the last invitation. But her thoughts kept returning to Twilight, who had had the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to revolutionize Equestria with one demonstration. A small, simple demonstration...

"Now then, show us what you wanted to do, Miss Sparkle."

The mare in question nodded. "Of course, Nexus. Everypony, stand back. This is a highly theoretical branch of magic that I'm about to delve into, and I don't want anything to happen to you because of a careless mistake."

Needless to say, the crowd hurriedly shuffled backwards. As soon as she was given the signal, Twilight's horn began to glow. The room became brighter and brighter, and sweat began to pour down Twilight's face. At last, something flickered briefly, then went out once. After a moment, it came surging through at full force and was projected into the air.

Twilight exhaled loudly. Whatever it was, it was still being projected through her horn. She cleared her throat. "This, everypony, is what is located at the end of the world, something nopony has ever seen before this moment, and most likely will not see ever again. This... is the Obsidian Arsenal!"

The room was dead silent.

"The what?"

"The Obsidian Arsenal!"

"Umm... could you perhaps... elaborate on what that is, exactly?"

Twilight internally groaned. Of course they wouldn't know! "The Obsidian Arsenal contains, in laypony's terms, the machine that is the world. If something cataclysmic were to happen today, the only way to prevent that would be to travel to the Obsidian Arsenal and activate the machine. Many ponies have tried to venture to it, but none have ever come back. Rumors say that the Arsenal destroys the ponies that come near it."

The Obsidian Arsenal in mid-air suddenly changed from a virtual green to a pitch-black.

"Fortunately, what you see in front of us is merely a holographic projection of the Arsenal, and not the real thing."

The projection began to flash.

"The reason I'm showing you this, everypony, is because we may eventually need to harness the Arsenal's power in case of emergency, which can be done, if one is prepared properly. However, in order for that to be attempted, every unicorn involved will need to see the Obsidian Arsenal in order to use the spell, since you can't use magic on something if you have no idea what it looks like. Any questions?"

"Miss Sparkle?"

"Yes?"

"Is it normal for your projections to... ah... flash?"

"F-flash? No, why?"

She turned to her hologram, which had begun to flash faster and make whirring sounds.

"Oh, buck me in the-"

SCRRROOOOOOMMM

The Obsidian Arsenal manifested itself in Twilight's horn, sucking her life force greedily.

"AAAAAAAAAUGH!"

"Make it stop! Somepony make it stop!"

"Twilight! Hold on-"

CRACKOWWWW-BOOM

Twilight was suddenly lying on the ground, semi-conscious and covered in burn marks.

"Somepony get Nurse Redheart in here!"

That was the last thing Twilight heard before she blacked out.

*****

"...rgle... Mysp... Miss Sparkle, are you awake?"

Slowly, Twilight opened her eyes. Everything appeared blurry, as if she had just had one too many of Applejack's ciders. She could barely make out the shapes of what appeared to be her friends before she started closing her eyes again.

Then she sneezed.

"Oh, good, you're awake!"

"Ugh... B-barely..."

She sat all the way up this time, gazing around the room. It seemed that she was currently residing in a hospital room, which was confirmed as she was able to hear a quiet beeping sound from a machine next to her. Twilight glanced up and saw a jagged green line spike up and go down, then repeat over and over. A green line... Green...

Instantly, Twilight flew into a panic. "What happened to me? The Obsidian Arsenal? Where is it? Is it gone? Did they get rid of it? Oh please oh please-"

"Everything has been attended to, Twilight. There is no need for such outbursts, dear," said Rarity calmly.

Twilight jerked her head around. "Th-then how? How did you...?"

"She didn't. It just... disappeared all by itself. Though, now that you mention it, it did look... familiar..." Rainbow Dash pondered this revelation for a few moments before shrugging and began to fly around the room.

"Ah... Sugarcube, there's somethin' that Ah reckon you'd like to take a look at," murmured Applejack.

Pinkie and Fluttershy were standing in front of Twilight, their mouths hanging agape as they stood stock-still. The doctor had been watching her from across the room, and rose suddenly. "Miss Applejack, considering the state she's in, I do not think that that is a good idea, at the moment. What Miss Sparkle needs-"

"What Twilight needs is the truth!" exclaimed Applejack hotly. "She's gonna find out sooner or later, but if y'all reckon that lyin' would work for the time bein', then by all means go ahead!"

Twilight shook her head. "What is it, doctor?"

He bit his lip and flared his nostrils. "Really, Miss Sparkle, I'm not sure that you are in any condition to handle this."

"I want to know."

The doctor internally debated. After a while, he quietly said, "Fetch a mirror, Nurse."

"Of course, sir."

The doctor sat down beside Twilight's bed. "Now, you may go into shock at first, but I assure you, you will get used to it after some time. It's... rather unfortunate for you, given the circumstances, but I know that your friends will guide you through this... rehabilitation."

Nurse Redheart returned with a mirror on her back.

"Right, then. Bring that mirror in front of Miss Sparkle, nurse."

The nurse complied, carefully propping the large object against the wall. She turned and went back to her desk, muttering something about "saying please."

Meanwhile, Twilight's eyes were closed. The doctor, hesitating for a split second, said gently, "It's alright, Miss Sparkle. You can look now."

Twilight ever so slowly did. Her first reaction was not of shock, nor of anger, and not even of sadness. Twilight's initial reaction can be defined as complete confusion.

"What?" asked Twilight. "What's the problem? I don't see why you're so worked up over me. Nothing looks out of place."

Squirming in his seat, the doctor said, "Look harder, Miss Sparkle."

Twilight, still confused, nodded. Leaning forwards, she scrutinized her reflection, mentally ticking off points of interest. Hooves look fine, cutie mark still present, mane... slightly different, but nothing out of the ordinary.

She magicked the mirror closer to her. Or, at least, she tried to. The mirror stayed exactly where it was. Concentrating harder, she tightly shut her eyes and willed the mirror towards her. Nothing happened.

"Why isn't my magic strong enough to do this!?" she shrieked in frustration. Pinkie nervously glanced at Fluttershy, who nodded and motioned towards Twilight.

"Twilight," began Pinkie in an unusually serious tone. "Your horn... it's... how should I put this... it's gone, Twilight."

Twilight's heart stopped cold. That was physically impossible.... wasn't it? After all, a fair amount of time is needed to detach a unicorn's horn. Trembling, she ran a hoof through her mane. It felt perfectly smooth, with not a rough spot to be found.

"You'll be in here for a few months," sympathized Fluttershy. "We'd love to visit you, but... the doctor has ordered that you remain in the ICU for the time being. He informed us that it might be possible for the horn to regrow, though, and I'll bet anything that it will. Twilight? Twilight, are you feeling okay?"

Twilight fainted.

Pinkie sent the invitations and hugged herself tightly. I'm the reason for her mental state. I'm the spark. As her mane sadly deflated, she began to do what she hadn't done in a very long time.

She cried.

There was a ragged band that

Followed in our footsteps

Running before time took

Our dreams away

Leaving the myriad small creatures

Trying to tie us to the ground

To a life consumed by slow decay

Laughter, or The Change

Music for this chapter:

A carrot flew across the small cottage and landed at Fluttershy's feet.

"Angel Bunny... YOU EAT THIS CARROT RIGHT NOW!"

Wincing at the harsh volume, the rabbit slowly crept across the room, not daring to meet his master's eyes. Grabbing the vegetable in question, Angel scampered away to a corner of the cottage and began gnawing on the orange root.

Sighing in frustration, Fluttershy busied herself with cleaning up her cottage. Retrieving a broom from a corner closet, she swept her kitchen in a harsh, rhythmic pattern.

There came a knock at the door.

"Letter for a Miss Fluttershy. Hello? Is there anypony in there?"

Ignoring the queries of the postmare, the yellow pegasus held her breath, not daring to move. A fluorescent pink envelope was pushed under the door, and the postmare's hoofsteps gradually became less and less distinct.

She exhaled. Fluttershy marched over to the letter and picked it up. She gave Angel a final, solitary glare before carrying the letter to her room. She tore it open, and gasped upon seeing the watermark on the front.

This... It can't be... I haven't seen her in years...

Closing her eyes, she gingerly opened Pinkie's invitation. Scanning the bold message within, she raised a hoof to her mouth. And this had been Twilight's idea? It seemed impossible, but...

Clearing her throat, she reread the invitation again. It appeared to be a somewhat reasonable idea, but her animals...

No. Get a grip, Fluttershy. There's a time and place for everything, but not now.

If anything, Twilight's plan seemed... incomplete. As much as Twilight would have protested, she really didn't think things through sometimes, and nopony else was going to suggest any changes. Especially not Pinkie...

Pinkie. The Element of Laughter. The one who threw the wildest parties and made everyponies' day. The one who had developed the nasty habit of blaming herself for every single thing that went wrong.

The one who hadn't been herself for ten years.

"Look Pinkie, it's not your fault. There's no way you could have known."

Twilight gesticulated with her hoof, emphasizing her words.

"These things happen, and we as ponies are powerless to stop them from occurring. The universe acts of its own accord, and the tide rises and falls no matter what."

"I know... but... I should have seen it coming. My Pinkie Sense... it's never failed me before, so why didn't I notice?"

"Pinkie." Twilight stood up and glanced around the library. "You cannot hold yourself accountable for what happened. You tried, and we can't ask for anything more."

"The Cakes-" Pinkie moaned.

"Will heal in due time," interrupted Twilight. "Yes, they will be very mournful for a while, but I believe that they will - to put it bluntly - get over it."

"Excuse me..." Fluttershy entered Twilight's abode. "I couldn't help but hear your conversation, and... um... I-I have something I'd like to say... as long as I'm not speaking out of turn..."

"Oh, by all means, Fluttershy, go ahead. You don't mind, do you, Pinkie?"

Slowly, the decidedly grayer mare shook her head.

"Okay then... the Cakes... they..." Fluttershy swallowed. "They forgive you, Pinkie."

"How could they ever forgive me for what I did to them!?" she exclaimed incredulously.

Taken aback by the harsh volume, Fluttershy yelped. Twilight interjected.

"They have, Pinkie. They can't possibly blame you in any way for your actions."

Sobbing now, the earth pony shook her head violently. "You have no idea! You have no idea what it's like! The guilt and blame..." She trembled, tears still streaming from her eyes. "All of my life, I've tried to make everypony happy. And now... I've ruined everything!"

"No, you have not," Twilight said firmly. "If that was the case, why are we still your friends? Why are we here for you in your time of need? Pinkie, what don't you understand about not being the scapegoat? You have nothing to worry about. Now, let's go. It's about to start."

The distraught mare jumped to her hooves with wild, staring eyes.

"No! I'm not going! To feel all those accusing glares upon you... it's the worst feeling in the world."

Twilight sighed impatiently, motioning to Fluttershy to say something.

"Um... Pinkie, you really should go with us. It would as... assw...

"Assuage," prompted Twilight.

"Yes... It would assuage a lot of ponies' fears. They need to know that you were not the one responsible for this... occurrence."

Pinkie sniffled quietly. "I... guess. You're right, at least. But I still don't want to go. Not after what I put the Cakes through. I would deflate under all of the humiliation and be driven out of town for the rest of my life. Rock farming sounds pretty good right about now..."

"Pinkie..."

"No, Twilight. Hear me out. Do you have any idea at all what it feels like to have your entire life's work negated by a single mistake, a blunder so fantastically large that you lose all meaning of what it means to be yourself?" She sighed. "There's not a chance in Tartarus that I could ever forgive myself for this. I can never again truly be what I once was, because I've destroyed that part of myself."

She sighed wearily. "I wish that, somewhere, I was just a name. To be not known by anypony for the rest of my life... that's my dream right now. A place where nopony would need to know of what I've done. Where I could live my life in safety, not paranoia. Where I could meet new ponies that don't know my past. A place where I could be... myself again."

Twilight stood stock-still, trying not to believe what she just heard. Fluttershy was trying not to cry, and Pinkie began to sing, softly at first, but gradually getting louder and pouring all of her emotion into the song.

"One slip, and down the hole we fall

It seems to take no time at all

A momentary lapse of reason

That binds a life to a life

The one regret, you will never forget

There'll be no sleep in here tonight..."

Fluttershy paced endlessly around her room, ignoring the muffled huffs of Angel below. She really needed to get him some counseling. Willing the thought away, she focused on the current issue. She couldn't just flat-out reject Twilight's plan... but as it stood, she couldn't go through with it.

On the one hoof, it would be nice to be free... free from this cruel world filled with anger and sadness. She could be with her friends again, just like how things used to be. On the other hoof, she couldn't imagine not seeing her animals every day. She bit her lip and grabbed a piece of parchment. She had a compromise to make with Twilight, and she would not jump on board with her idea unless it was met.

Pinkie would understand her choice.

The grass was greener

The light was brighter

With friends surrounded

The nights of wonder

Kindness, or The Memory

Music for this chapter:

Rainbow Dash frowned. Applejack should have been here by now. If something were to happen her, Rainbow didn't know what she'd do. If her body was lying in a ditch, bruised and bleeding...

Seriously, Dash, get a hold of yourself. There's no way that could happen in Ponyville, of all places.

Her ears perked at the sound of approaching hoofsteps. Rainbow squinted, and was just barely able to make out an orange pony appearing on the horizon.

Oh, thank Celestia! I thought she'd never show up!

She unfurled her wings, tested the wind, and flew straight at the earth pony, who yelped in surprise as she was tackled to the ground. Both mares were panting heavily, and Applejack mustered a deep breath. She spoke five words, full of aged wisdom and clarity.

"Yer... crushin' mah ribs... sugarcube."

Rainbow blushed as she quickly got off Applejack's chest.

"Whoops, my bad. Hehe..." She trailed off. "Uh, Applejack? Are you feeling okay?"

Grunting, the orange mare straightened her legs and stood up, wincing slightly as she breathed in. "Ah'm fine, you ol' rascal. But what in tarnation was that for? You knew perfectly well that Ah was comin', so Ah don't reckon you have a good reason for knockin' me down." Applejack sighed wearily. "You owe me for that, Rainbow. That was downright painful."

Suddenly, hundreds upon thousands of mental images came rushing back to Rainbow Dash, and she felt an overwhelming sense of déjà vu coming on. She remembered something an old friend of hers had told her, once upon a time, when Rainbow couldn't bear to not know.

I understand now, Fluttershy. I know you said I would, but I never believed you... until now. I understand why you couldn't tell me... why you were surprised that I knew, that I had known all along. Why you had tried so hard to hide it...

It's hard to be hurt by somepony you love.

"Fluttershy, it's time for dinner. I don't want you staying out too late."

"But, um, mother..."

"No 'buts,' missy. It's dangerous outside, especially for a pegasus who doesn't like to fly."

"Oh... um... if you say so..."

"I do say so. Now come on!"

Fluttershy slowly made her way inside, head hanging low. Ever since her mother found out that she was scared of flying, Fluttershy was always under her mother's watchful eye. Fluttershy had failed to make any friends in Cloudsdale, and she could blame her mother for that. If only she could move away from this place... her social issues might be solved once and for all, and she could finally face her fear of flying.

"Fluttershy! Where are you?"

"I'm right here."

"Oh! For Celestia's sake, you nearly gave me a heart attack. Wash up, young lady. I don't want your father to see you in this state when he gets home. After all, it was his idea to... erm... loan you to the weather factory. I'm sure you remember that, right?"

Tears welled up in the young filly's eyes. How could she ever forget that? It was the worst day of her life. The betrayal by her father... the cruel laugh of the doctor... and the pegasus who volunteered to take her place. She was the only reason Fluttershy was here right now.

After eating dinner, the young pegasus sat down on the floor. It was not her choice to do this; it was simply what she had been taught - or rather, forced - to do ever since she could remember. Gazing around the room, she sighed heavily, hoping that she wouldn't be punished tonight.

A navy blue pegasus suddenly burst through the cloud door. "Honey, I'm home!" he called loudly. Not bothering to wait for a response, he dug around in a colder section of the cloudy house. "Where did I put my...? Ah!" The pegasus triumphantly brought forth a jug of hard cider from the cloud, and lazily flew over to an overstuffed armchair, where he promptly sat down, quaffed the jug, and belched. He sighed happily. "That hits the spot. Where's my wimpy little filly at?"

The pegasus in question gulped before presenting herself to her father. "R-r-right here, sir," she managed.

"Glad to see you've remembered your manners, young lady. Dismissed!" her father bellowed. Fluttershy scampered away upstairs to her room, where her mother was waiting.

"Shh, it's okay, Fluttershy. Your father had to fly across the ocean today, and you know how he grouchy he gets with his long commutes. In the morning, he'll be fine, don't you worry," soothed the elder mare. "Did you clear away the table like I asked?"

"Y-yes, m-mother."

"And washed your hooves and brushed your teeth?"

"Yes, mother."

"Good." The mare looked questioningly at her daughter. "There's that look in your eyes, again, Fluttershy. Is there something you wish to tell me?"

Fluttershy fidgeted. "Um... well, yes... but I... I-I mean..."

"Let it all out. Don't worry about how it sounds."

"Mother... I'd like to move out of Cloudsdale."

The elder pony froze. Slowly, she made eye contact with her daughter, who had also stopped, apparently not wanting to risk losing her case.

"Would you care to repeat that, Fluttershy?"

"Um... I'd like to move out of Cloudsdale, mother," she repeated, her rare assertiveness shining through.

"And what in the Spark's name makes you believe, for one measly second, that I will allow you to do that?" her mother yelled, anger and shock punctuating every syllable. "You don't even like to fly! Where would you go? The ground?"

"Actually... yes."

That caught the mare off guard. She let out a breath. "I was afraid that this would be the day. I suppose that if you really want to leave, I don't have a say in the matter. Just remember, you'll always be my baby until the very end, Fluttershy."

"FILLY!"

Fluttershy yelped and bolted downstairs, leaving her mother sitting upstairs, who did her best to cover her ears to block the shouts she knew would come from her husband and daughter.

*****

"Please, Fluttershy? I won't tell anypony else! Promise!"

"No means no, Rainbow Dash!" The normally passive filly stomped her hoof on the ground. "Besides," she added, "it's not that big of a deal."

"Yes, it is!" Rainbow Dash blurted. "Everypony's gonna wanna know where you got those... things from, Fluttershy."

"I'll tell you when I'm ready, okay?"

Rainbow huffed in frustration. "Fine, fine, whatever."

Looking back on it now, it was so blindingly obvious as to why Fluttershy was as timid as her name, and also why she represented the Element of Kindness. How Rainbow Dash could have missed it at the time was unbelievable, and she mentally chided herself for her density. Of course, Fluttershy's parents had moved on since then, although not in the way the yellow pegasus had hoped.

Rainbow Dash shivered, and there was suddenly a hoof on her back.

"Hey, you okay, Rainbow?" asked Applejack.

"Y-yeah, I think so. Goose walked over my grave, I guess. Uh, no offense," she added quickly.

"None taken," said a nearby goose, who proceeded to spread his wings and fly away.

*****

"Did you know it was all going to go so wrong for you?" inquired Rainbow Dash, not without a touch of sympathy.

Fluttershy slowly shook her head. "Of course not. I thought my father loved me up until he sent me to flight camp. It was then that I realized he had never wanted me in his life. I was just an accidental by-product, something that was never meant to be." Fluttershy took a deep breath. "I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all!" she wailed.

"Hey now, that's no way to think! Your friends are here for you, and we all love you."

"I-I suppose..."

"Look, Fluttershy. I get that you had a hard foalhood, but you really need to let it go. I mean, I had two moms! That raised a lot of questions when I was a filly, and I didn't know how to handle it. But then I became my awesome self and accepted the fact, and people stopped bothering me about it."

"But I'm not awesome... or agressive..." Fluttershy objected.

"I know that," said the cerulean pegasus, "but you are special in your own way, and nopony can take that away from you. Not your mom, not your dad, and especially not anypony else! Your dad's gone now, right?"

"W-well... yeah..."

"Then what are you worried about? Your mom's not hanging around you all the time anymore, is she? Learn to let it go, Fluttershy. You're the only one who can do that for you."

*****

"Dash!"

"Bwuh?" Rainbow Dash blinked in confusion. "Land ho! I'm awake, Applejack!"

"It's the memories again, isn't it?"

Dash squirmed. "Yeah..."

Looking beyond the embers

Of bridges glowing behind us

To a glimpse of how green

It was on the other side

Steps taken forwards but

Sleepwalking back again

Dragged by the force

Of some inner tide

Loyalty, or The Approval

Music for this chapter:

Applejack nodded in understanding. "It's alright, Rainbow, let it happen. Ah reckon there ain't nothin' you can do."

Rainbow, her teeth tightly clenched, acknowledged the earth pony's statement with a flick of her ear. Her eyes briefly turned yellow, then reverted back when Rainbow Dash blinked. She winced, then collapsed to the ground with a dull thud. Applejack sighed wearily, and trotted over to the pegaus' side. Ever since her accident, Rainbow Dash had become prone to these vivid flashbacks to her fillyhood, and frequently lost control over her mind for brief periods of time.

Two pinpricks of blood appeared on the top of the cerulean mare's head, which the pegasus in question quickly wiped from her being. Shakily, she made her way to her hooves once more. Thankfully, she seemed to have regained her stability, though she panted heavily from her effort.

"You alright, Rainbow?" queried Applejack.

"I... I'll manage..." replied Rainbow Dash weakly. Extending her wings, she tested the wind around her. "Come on, let's get going. Granny Smith and Apple Bloom will be waiting, right?

Applejack hesitated, then sighed. "As long as you still feel up for comin', then yeah. We should go."

"Pull up, Rainbow! Pull up!"

"Relax, Spitfire. I've done this hundreds of times."

"Pull up now! That's an order!"

"Look, I told you not to worry about it! Get off my tail!"

"Rainbow!"

A sickening crunch. An inequine screech. A cloud of pegasi rushing towards the ground. Commands being barked and general expressions of disgust and fear. Then, blessed silence.

*****

"How is she doing, doctor?"

"She appears to be stable, but we have yet to see any significant movement from her. Whatever she hit, it could have easily killed her."

Slowly, the cerulean mare stirred and opened her eyes warily. Blinking, Rainbow Dash took in the view of her current residence. It was a rather simple hospital room, with white walls, ceiling, and floor - Like a box, she thought - as well as her own bed. Reaching to push her sheet off of her, she realized that her hoof hadn't moved an inch. Looking up, Rainbow saw that an IV had been attached to her left foreleg, which happened to be suspended above the bed.

"Buck this," she muttered to nopony in particular. Looking up, the pegasus concentrated on the two equines in front of her. A brown stallion, with an hourglass for a cutie mark, was dressed in a white lab coat, and Dash correctly assumed that he was the attending doctor. The other pony...

"'M sorry, Spi'fire..."

The yellow pegasus sighed, and laid a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder, causing the injured mare to wince slightly. The offending pony quickly removed her limb and sat down beside the cerulean daredevil.

"Rainbow... maybe you should take a break for a little while."

Rainbow Dash sat bolt upright and glared at Spitfire. "Meaning what, exactly? Leave the Wonderbolts?"

"No no, just a... vacation. Look, the team and I can send you someplace nice. Manetucket is very nice this time of year, you know. Or maybe Hosston? I've heard that those Bitalians in the North End have great food," she enticed.

A look of pure shock and horror dawned on the rainbow-maned pegasus' face. "You don't want me here. You... you're going to replace me..." Dash lost her previous vitality and buried her head in her pillow, her shoulders shaking as her sadness and disappointment poured forth.

Spitfire shifted uncomfortably. "Rainbow..."

"No! Get out of here! I never want to see you again! It's my fault anyway, I should have pulled up like you asked! Look at me! 'Element of Loyalty,' my hoof. I didn't care about you guys at all. It was always about me. Me. Me me me me. I wanted to reach the top like you, Spitfire. That was my life's dream, but now... I just wrecked that, haven't I?"

Wincing, the yellow mare folded her ears and seemingly became very focused with a spot on the floor.

Rainbow groaned in frustration. "That's not fair, Spitfire. As your right-hoof mare, I'm begging you: don't kick me off the team. Give me another chance." She paused. "Please."

"Look, Rainbow Dash, you're a great addition to the team, and I appreciate everything that you've done for me. I really do. But you're in no condition to fly right now, and several members have already left." Spitfire sighed wearily. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't agree with you. It was always about you. You were the youngest to make the team, and your sonic rainboom wowed the crowds all over Equestria.

"But it all went to your head. You blew off practice. You skipped appearances. You didn't want the team to tie you down. You wanted to live the high life, the kind of life a superstar has."

The pegasus in question hung her head. "I... I know... and I'm sorry. But we can work this out, right?"

The flame-maned flier shook her head. "Rainbow... I don't know. I'll... I'll think about it, alright? But no promises."

"If you two don't mind, Rainbow Dash really needs her rest," interrupted the doctor. "We also need to check her vitals again, seeing as how this is the first time she's woken up since she was admitted."

"Of course, doctor," Spitfire consented reluctantly. As she trotted out of the room, she heard Rainbow sigh heavily.

She did not look back.

Applejack couldn't remember the last time somepony had tried to make up for something to such a degree. Well, except for Spike, but he wasn't really a pony. Shaking herself out of her stupor, the blonde-maned mare cast a glance of longing at Rainbow Dash, only to find her staring back.

"You alright?" asked the pegasus.

Applejack sighed. "I reckon. Just thinkin' back to... you know, your accident."

"Oh..." If Applejack was the worst at hiding her emotions, Rainbow was certainly the second. "That was before us, you know. You shouldn't worry about it. Spitfire was... certainly justified for doing what she did, and I've learned to keep my head down since then."

"What?"

The cerulean mare chuckled. "Just an expression, AJ. Come on, we've wasted enough time already."

*****

"Aaaaaaapple Bloom!" called Granny Smith from the front of the barn. "Applejack an' Rainbow 're back!"

"Hi, Applejack! Hey, Rainbow," said the big-bowed earth pony. "You two got yerselves a couple letters."

The two mares looked at each other in confusion, then back at Apple Bloom.

"Really?" inquired Rainbow Dash. "Who were they from?"

"Fluttershy an' Pinkie, from the looks of them. Here, take 'em."

Applejack took the mail in her right hoof and tore them open with her teeth. The first letter was a light yellow color, and as the orange equine read it over, she visibly paled.

"What...?"

Taking the second letter (this one a fluorescent pink), Applejack scanned it for significant details. If it was possible, she blanched even more. Rainbow had a look of absolute fear in her eyes as she watched Applejack's emotions change from confusion to shock to thoughtfulness. Clearing her throat, the normally composed pony stared directly at the pegasus.

"Rainbow... could Ah talk to you? Alone?" she asked pointedly. Motioning for Rainbow to follow her, Applejack galloped towards the farmhouse as fast as she could.

"Hey! Wait for me, ya melon fudge!" Turning to a stunned Granny Smith and Apple Bloom, she chuckled nervously and shrugged. "I'll, uh... I'll be right back." Unfurling her wings carefully, the cerulean mare hovered off the ground and flew to the farmhouse as fast as she dared.

*****

"Okay, okay. Calm down."

"How can Ah possibly calm down, Rainbow?! Did you even read those letters?" Applejack huffed and shot Rainbow Dash the dirtiest glare she could muster.

"Yeah. Fluttershy's suggestion was a really good corla... colar..."

"Corollary."

"Yeah, corollary to Twilight's idea."

"But this is permanent! Both letters said that!"

"So? Twilight's idea is actually really good. Fluttershy changed it a little bit to make the end result better, and I'd rather fight a giant centipede than not go along with this!"

Applejack paused, then sighed. "Well, when you put it that way... Ah suppose it's better than bein' stranded alone on some island in the middle a' nowhere."

"Besides, Apple Bloom can take care of Granny Smith and Big Mac can take over the farm work. Think about it, AJ. We can get away from it all... forever."

"Yer right. Ah reckon we should tell Fluttershy and Pinkie that we're on board with the idea."

Both ponies exited the farmhouse. Neither looked back.

At a higher altitude with flag unfurled

We reached the dizzy heights

Of that dreamed of world

Honesty, or The Unanimity

Music for this chapter:

"Sir! We've got movement over here!"

"Flush 'em out, men!"

Hundreds of soldiers flooded a section of the Everfree Forest, their shouts of anxiety and joy mingling with the calls of wildlife. Though some ponies staggered and fell, the vast majority took to scouring their surroundings. Many shouts of frustration or false hope rang forth as the hours dragged on. Suddenly, there was a violent uproar.

"Y'all had better let us go, else you're goin' get what's comin' to ya!"

"I think not, you little-"

A loud snapping noise, punctuated by a blood-curdling wail of pain, was all it took for the rest of the soldiers to zero in on the location and aim their mana-rifles with deadly precision. The cry came from a pony who was currently occupying several square feet of the ground, clutching his jaw and moaning. A team of medics rushed in, placed him on a stretcher, and hustled off. Another soldier spoke to those under his command.

"Excellent work, men. Bring 'em in."

Angry, muffled protests sprang forth as a pair of earth ponies - a mare and a stallion - were forced into a makeshift cage barely capable of holding one equine, let alone two. The unicorns among the soldiers carefully focused their magic on the cage, careful to not let it slip onto the prisoners.

"Take 'em into town. You know what to do."

The unit of cage-carrying ponies trotted their way out of sight. The leader of the pack, an old mustachioed veteran raised up his front hooves for silence. Everypony in the immediate vicinity fell still at once, their eyes eagerly awaiting the four words that would allow them to live again, to see their families again, to return home.

"This war... is over!"

For a moment, everything was still. Then, one pony began to applaud. Others quickly joined in and added whistles, cheers, and yells of joy, creating a veritable, thundering mass of sound and emotion. No one noticed the two voices taken by the wind, the two voices of anguish and despair, wailing at their cruel fate.

Even if they had noticed, it was doubtful that they would have cared.

*****

Suits. Everywhere. Objections and mutterings of assent flying across the room. Legalese filling the air, so thick that even a certain red teenage colt wouldn't have been able to put a dent in it.

"Do you deny the charges against you?"

A pause. Then, with a gruff voice, choked with sadness, a stallion spoke. "No, Your Honor."

Sobbing quietly into the pony beside her, a mare shakily looked at the jury. Through blurry vision, she could just make out twelve multicolored faces, none of which seemed particularly friendly.

"Then by the power vested in this court system-"

Her vision cleared a little, allowing her to distinguish the facial features of the jurors and the judge. All had grim expressions on their faces.

"-I hereby sentence-"

princesses have mercy on our souls please princesses do anything you can don't let them take us away from our foals

"-the two of you to-"

princesses oh princesses where are you is there anypony out there help help

"-death by guillotine."

Mac Apple Bloom Applejack forgive us we didn't mean for this to happen I'm so sorry I love you take care

goodbye

Rarity awoke with a start, beads of sweat running down her face. Even after so long, she was still unable to get rid of this particular dream. Years of counseling that yielded absolutely no results, hundreds of bits spent to try and forget.

It wasn't her fault, not really. After all, she'd only been the same age as Applejack when the events in her dream had transpired. Nevertheless, Rarity feared the memory was permanently inscribed into her mind for as long as she lived. She shook her head. It was still unbelievable to think that her friend's parents had been living double lives for so long. How many lies had they told their daughter? How many nights were spent wide awake in fear, constantly surveying the area outside the farm?

Applejack's parents had started a revolution and had almost come out on top. She didn't know that she would have to take up the burden of being head of the family, to work to a dead halt day after day. Her parents had been confident, perhaps too confident, that they would succeed in their uprising.

But something had gone wrong. A breach in the forces of the resistance. A mole. Somepony had been caught delivering a message directly to the crown. They had been executed on the spot, but it was too late. The damage had been done. A set of coordinates was the only content of that letter, but it had been enough to cripple the entire movement and apprehend the two leaders of the group. Tried and convicted, the couple had left behind their five-year-old filly, forever sealing her fate as the hardworking and stubborn leader of the Apple family.

It really was no wonder that she strove towards the truth. Applejack had a duty to fulfill and a debt to repay, and she would never had had it any other way.

A sudden knock on her door interrupted her thoughts, and Sweetie Belle stuck her head in.

"Hey, sis." The younger unicorn winced. "Oh. You had it again, huh?"

"Yes, Sweetie Belle, but do not worry yourself over my lowly issues. Is there something with which I may be of assistance?"

"Oh, right! You have two letters here, sis."

"Really? Let me see them, please." Sweetie happily turned over the letters and scampered off.

Breaking the seal on the pink envelope, Rarity quickly read through the letter. Then she stopped and reread it. And again. And again. She gulped.

"It's been years since I've gotten anything from her... I don't have the faintest idea whether I should be a part of this or not."

Frowning in thought and indecision, she opened the second letter. Reading through it, she let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Well, that certainly makes the decision easier. What kind of friend wouldn't be there for her best friends?" she asked out loud. "Sweetie Belle!"

Quick hoofsteps grew louder and stopped outside Rarity's door. "Yeah, sis?"

"Run a message along to Fluttershy and Pinkie. Tell them I will be in attendance. They'll know precisely what I mean."

"Sure thing, Rarity!" called the other unicorn, already on her way out the door.

Rarity tutted to herself. "She really needs to calm down, I think." Checking the invitation and the clock, she started. "Oh goodness! I've only a few hours! It's a shame that I'm barred from bringing anything. Still, I'd better look my best.

"After all, it isn't every day that you get to spend time with old friends for a lifetime."

Encumbered forever by desire and ambition

There's a hunger still unsatisfied

Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon

Though down this road we've been so many times

Unity, or A Great Day for Freedom

The grass was greener

The light was brighter

The taste was sweeter

The nights of wonder

Twilight waited impatiently at the designated meeting spot - a canyon with a roaring river beneath it - and strained her eyes for any signs of her friends. She sighed, realizing that they had all either ignored her or chosen not to come.

"Hiya, Twilight!" shouted a certain physics-breaking pony.

Startled, Twilight turned to face Pinkie and was quickly embraced by her old friend. Twilight released her and stepped back, noting her friend's appearance out of sheer habit. She looked better than she had after the... incident with the Cakes, but still had that slight melancholy appearance about her. Pinkie's hair was still a bit flat, but she had definitely perked up upon receiving Twilight's letter.

"It's so good to see you, Pinkie."

"You too!"

Pinkie bobbed from side to side, anxiously waiting for the others to arrive. A small voice spoke quietly over Twilight's shoulder.

"Um... hi, Twilight."

Though she was more shocked at the pegasus' sudden appearance than Pinkie's, Twilight betrayed no signs of her fright as she slowly turned around and wrapped Fluttershy into a tight hug.

"Hi, Fluttershy, I'm glad you came."

"Of course I came, what kind of friend would I have been if I hadn't? It's partially my idea, too."

Grinning widely, Twilight nodded her assent. "That's right, and a very good suggestion it was, too. I'm... actually a bit embarrassed that I hadn't thought of it myself."

"Don't feel bad, Twilight. It was Pinkie's letter that reminded me, really. She was the one who originally told you all about it, and I figured she'd be on board with it."

Pinkie suddenly jumped in front of Fluttershy, causing to her to wince in fear. "And you were right, Flutters! I can't believe I'd forgotten about it!"

A familiar orange mare and a cerulean pegasus appeared on the horizon, chatting amiably to each other.

"Hey!" Pinkie yelled to them. She jumped up and down, waving both hooves in the air. "Over here, AJ! Come on, Dashie!"

Both ponies looked surprised. Glancing at one another, they let out a laugh and ran to the rambunctious earth pony. Rainbow enveloped the Pinkie and the rest of the girls in her good wing.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

"Howdy, everypony."

Pinkie's eyes shone, and she scrunched up her face. "D'aww, you two look so cute together! I'm going to call it the RainbowJack! No, wait, the AppleRainbow! No, wait..." The perfect term suddenly dawned on Pinkie, and she visibly brightened. "AppleDash! Yes! That's it! AppleDash!" she sang, prancing around the couple, both of which facehoofed at the whole ordeal.

"Hey, Applejack?"

"Yeah, Rainbow?"

"Same old Pinkie." Both started laughing, the others quickly joining in. All of a sudden, Twilight froze, panic gripping her.

"Where's Rarity?"

A hush fell on the group of ponies. Fluttershy looked slightly uncomfortable, while Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at each other without saying a word. Pinkie had a huge grin on her face.

"Don't worry, she'll be here!"

"Pinkie... there's no way you could possibly know that!"

"Yes, there is! Didn't you read the last chapter?"

"What?"

"Never mind, you'll see! Rarity should be here in a few minutes!"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Sure, Pinkie, sure."

"Hello, my little ponies."

"Princess!" five voices shouted in unison, their owners bowing low.

The princess of the sun chuckled. "Rise, my little ponies. I have come to wish you luck. I realize that you have been planning this for some time, but I can assure you all that you have my full support in this endeavor."

Twilight hugged her. "Thank you," she whispered into her mentor's ear. "It means a lot to us that you are here now." She fell silent, allowing a single tear to fall, before stepping back and returning to her friends.

"Luna sends her regards," stated Princess Celestia, "but she had more pressing matters to attend to. She regrets that she could not be here, but instead sends you all her best wishes."

Fluttershy smiled. "That's okay, Princess. She knew that we would understand."

Celestia beamed before adopting a somewhat amused tone. "Discord... also would have liked to be here, considering where you are going, but I refrained him from doing so, seeing as how he has yet to patch up the hole he created in the throne room."

Rainbow smirked. "Oh boy. What did he do this time?"

"Apparently, he thought it was good idea to light a bathtub full of peanut sauce on fire. Unfortunately, the incendiary capabilities of said peanut sauce proved to be catastrophic."

Applejack guffawed. "Oh, shoot! He was makin' peanut bombs? Ha-HA!"

Celestia gave a polite smile. "Yes... anyway, he's fixing the damage as we speak." Celestia paused, head tilted in thought. "Oh, that's right! He wanted me to give this to Pinkie Pie," she remembered, producing a fluffy, pink cloud.

Pinkie gasped in shock. "For me? Yes yes yes!" She danced around in ecstasy and cut through the cloud, causing it to spill chocolate milk from its inside. Wallowing in the delicious dairy product, she cheered wildly. The others laughed, and even Celestia cracked a smile.

"Hello, girls! Oh, you all look marvelous!"

"Rarity!" The fashionista was quickly bombarded by five multicolored ponies, and she fought valiantly for a breath.

"We were worried that you weren't going to be here," remarked Fluttershy.

"Yes, well... I had indeed considered it, but I've broken free of my selfish lifestyle," said Rarity proudly. "I'm ready for the journey-" She paused and pulled out a pair of fancy sunglasses. "-Of a lifetime."

"Yeaaaah!" shouted a bulky albino pegasus from nearby.

Celestia cleared her throat. "My little ponies, I believe it is time."

They nodded, and Twilight stepped forward. "Goodbye, Princess. You probably won't hear from us again, so I guess this is it." She nuzzled her teacher, who returned the gesture. "Thank you for everything that you've done for us, Princess."

"Not at all, my most faithful student. Take care of your friends for my sake."

The purple unicorn smiled. "Of course, Princess."

As the other equines said their last goodbyes, a skinny pegasus in a swell hoodie approached Twilight. "Take care of yourself, Twilight."

The mare in question raised an eyebrow. "Do I... know you? You look familiar."

The red-maned pony shook his head. "We've never met, but I caught wind of your plan from a gray mailmare. Just... watch out, okay?"

Twilight shrugged. "Will do!" she replied.

The stallion released a breath. "Thanks. Good luck!" he called, flying away.

"Twilight!" yelled Rarity. "We're ready!"

Snapping out of her daze, Twilight pivoted to face the alabaster unicorn. "Okay, then. Everypony ready?" she asked, receiving nods all around. "Alright, Rainbow. You first."

The pegasus nodded and approached the edge of the canyon. Inhaling deeply, she flapped her wings once, twice, and dove straight down. Twilight nodded. "You're next, AJ."

Applejack backed up and took a running leap off the edge. Fluttershy then flew down, much like Rainbow had. Pinkie, ever the enthusiastic one, cartwheeled to the edge and did a backflip over the side. Rarity was next, performing a graceful dive as she leapt from her position.

Twilight pushed her mane out of her face, and shared one final glance with Princess Celestia, who merely nodded and flew away, presumably to check on Discord's progress. Twilight sighed, steeled herself, and jumped.

When the child-like view of the world went, nothing replaced it, but that doesn't mean it ever left.

With friends surrounded

The dawn mist glowing

The water flowing

The endless river

Forever and ever