Disease in the Darkness

by Kaii-Leiko

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Sad, Romance, Tragedy, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 39655

Unfortunately dabbling in dark magic has left Twilight with a deadly disease that there does not seem to be a cure for.

Twilight had been warned dark magic was dangerous. She thought she could handle it. Unfortunately dabbling in dark magic has left Twilight with a deadly disease that there does not seem to be a cure for. Will she succumb to the darkness, or will friendship and love be enough to make the remainder of her time happy?

Published 2013-01-28 19:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2014-10-11 10:34:26 UTC

Something Feels Wrong

Everything was dark around her, not a single shred of light could pierce the infinite blackness. Twilight had no sense of direction or time, nor could she move. There was only weightlessness and fear. The violet unicorn couldn't even use magic, which was what concerned her the most. It was then that she realized she was in a nightmare, one that had been plaguing her for several nights in a row.

Suddenly the silence was broken and the echoing sound of hoofsteps could be heard faintly. Somepony was trotting to her, it seemed. Twilight was only aware of how close the intruder was when she felt their warm breath on her face, though she was still unable to see them. For a moment Twilight thought that maybe it could be Luna, yet it seemed unlikely the princess would introduce herself in such a way. A faint light glowed dimly and illuminated the area. Twilight's eyes adjusted and soon enough she could make out the shape before her.

The unicorn in front of her had a darker shade of purple for a coat and spirals of black mixed with the mauve on her horn. Unkind eyes stared back at Twilight behind dark red irises. It proved extremely unsettling and it only got worse when Twilight realized she was looking at what was essentially an exact replica of herself, save those darker features. The doppelgänger gave her a cruel smirk and spoke.

You think you're so special don't you? So powerful, so strong, so good at magic. But you went and took it too far didn't you? And now you're going to pay for it. Her voice was similar to Twilight's except that even when her mouth moved Twilight heard the voice in her head. It was distorted and echoed painfully within her skull.

Twilight didn't understand what the doppelgänger meant. Instead she could only bring herself to ask as she finally found her voice. "Who are you?"

I'm you. All the dark parts anyway. The fun ones, too. Every bad thought you've ever had, every negative feeling you've ever felt... That's me, Twilight. I'm all of that wrapped into one neat little pony shaped package.

Twilight furrowed her brows and narrowed her eyes to glare at the unwelcome intruder. She was in a dream, she told herself. There was nothing to be afraid of no matter how real it seemed. "What the heck do you want?"

You're so friggin' smart so why don't you figure it out? It wasn't until the nightmare leaned in towards her that Twilight felt truly frightened. For the first time throughout all her nightmares she felt as though she were genuinely in danger. Twilight opened her mouth to scream, but never got the chance. The faint light fizzled out and Twilight was left in the darkness once more.

**

"Twilight! Twilight, wake up!"

Twilight was being rocked back and forth, a high pitched scream piercing into the otherwise silence of the night. She then realized it was herself who was screaming and she stopped. She was panting loudly and her fur was drenched in sweat. It was actually Spike that had woken her up. He was standing over her with a look of concern across his face.

"Twilight are you okay?"

"Y-yeah Spike...I'm fine." She took a moment to calm down and catch her breath.

"That's every night this week Twilight, I think you need to talk to someone about this. There's something wrong."

Spike had mentioned this to her before, but she'd always dismissed it. They were only nightmares and she had been sure she'd get over them at some point. She clearly wasn't though. Spike was right, and there was something wrong. "Yeah, I'll take care of it in the morning. Just go back to sleep, Spike."

He nodded. "Okay..." He hopped down from her bed and returned to his own. He was asleep in moments. Twilight on the other hand didn't sleep for the rest of the night. Images of her other haunted her until morning.

**

Neither she nor Spike had mentioned what had happened during the night. Twilight had promised she'd take care of it and Spike trusted her to. She went about her morning as usual. She'd had some breakfast and then started to hit the books. She focused on books about nightmares. Her books always had the answers.

According to her books it wasn't uncommon for somepony suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to have recurring nightmares, but she definitely was not suffering from that. Nor was it some sort of deep trauma rising to the surface. It didn't mention anything like the other image of herself in her dreams either and she was starting to wonder if it had more to do with her magic than the dreams themselves. After all in all of them her magic didn't work. Could it be some sort of manifestation of my fear of losing my magic?

She sighed. Twilight then shut the book and levitated it back to the shelf where she'd taken it from. Only it didn't levitate back at all. There was no purple aura around her horn, no flow of magic rushing through her; she felt nothing. She began hyperventilating. I'm just freaking out. I was just thinking about how worried I was of not being able to do magic, and then I can't do it. It's all psychological. she thought to herself. She tried to calm down but no matter how she tried she could use magic at all. As she kept trying there seemed to be some sort of pressure building in her horn. She heard that awful chuckling again, her other was laughing. Then something she didn't even know was possible could happen did. Her horn cracked.

She'd had her horn stolen from Discord before, but never cracked. Never under an strain, or pressure or using any difficult spell. Especially not for a simple levitation spell, in fact as far as she knew unicorn horns couldn't be broken. Hers had cracked though, and she felt it. She howled in pain. She fell to the ground and clutches her hooves to her head at the base of her horn. The pain didn't subside for several minutes, and after only one she couldn't even scream any more. When finally the pain cleared enough for her to think straight she forced herself to stand up. She knew this was bad and wasn't exactly sure what to do, so she attempted to use a simple fixing spell to mend her horn.

Immediately she was assaulted with pain again and the pressure returned. She noticed some kind of black smoke seemed to be oozing from where her horn had cracked as well. To make matters worse her chest began hurting too. She brought a hoof to her chest and began coughing. When she finally stopped she looked down at her hoof. Red had mixed with the purple of her fur, blood. That can't be good... was the last thing she though before she blacked out, unable to handle the pain any longer.

**

Twilight woke several hours later in Ponyville hospital. She hadn't yet opened her eyes but she knew she was there none the less. Spike had most likely found her and gotten help, then she obviously would have been brought to the hospital. She could hear the beeping of some kind of monitor beside her bed. She didn't want to open her eyes because that would mean facing reality. The only good thing at the moment was that she wasn't in pain any more. Then she heard concerned voices around her.

"Ah sure hope she's gonna be okay, poor gal."

"Can a unicorn's horn even break?"

"I have certainly never heard of such a thing happening."

"Oh my...This is just awful, I wish there were something we could do to help."

"Be quiet, you're going to disturb her!"

The last one was Spike. Twilight groggily opened her eyes. She was greeted with the sight of six very concerned friends sitting around her. She looked at each of her friends, she wasn't exactly sure what to say.

"How 're 'ya feelin, sugarcube?" Applejack placed her hoof onto Twilight's

"Spike came and told us what happened." Pinkie Pie.

"We were all so worried." Fluttershy's voice cracked a little as she spoke.

"What's wrong with me?" was all Twilight could think to say.

Spike climbed onto the bed beside her and spoke softly. "The doctors don't know what's wrong with you, Twilight. Nopony has ever heard of a unicorn horn cracking like yours did. When I got back home and saw you laying there and your horn like that, and the blood...I thought...You were..." He choked on his last word and suppressed a sob.

Twilight raised her hoof and patted her assistant's head. "Thank you Spike, for getting help. I feel a lot better, my horn doesn't hurt any more." She gave him the sweetest smile she could manage under the circumstance, and then turned to all her friends. "And thank all of you, for coming here." They all nodded, it was natural for them to have come to check on their friend. "I just wish I knew what happened."

"I think maybe I can help you there." Everypony turned towards the door. Princess Celestia stood there, her magnificent mane waving behind her. Her face wasn't kind and happy as it usually was. She seemed broken, somehow. She walked towards Twilight and her friends, the serious look on her face not subsiding. "Twilight, my most faithful student..." Celestia began. She lowered her head by Twilight's and nuzzled her softly. Her eyes were watery. "You have always studied hard and pushed yourself beyond your limits. All for the sake of knowledge, you thrive on it and this time I'm afraid it's been your undoing. I showed you a little bit of what dark magic can do for your test in the crystal empire. I should have warned you of the dangers of using such magic. You must have come back to Ponyville and began studying on the subject. I doubt you would have wanted to use magic for darkness, so all that I can think is for the sake of knowledge you attempted to learn what you could."

"But I never did any difficult spells, Princess, I swear. I would never do something so dangerous."

"I didn't expect you to come home and study it at all. I fear I am to blame for this, Twilight Sparkle. This is my fault. Certainly, in small doses a pony such as yourself could handle the magic, as you did in the Crystal Empire with Sombra's door. Only an Alicorn, however, possesses enough strength to handle such magic. Otherwise it can begin to rot your horn. It seems even the little you did study on your return has been enough to cause that. You now have a disease caused from exposure to dark magic. It affects the infected both mentally and physically. As I previously said, it rots your horn and the dark magic coursing through your body is several... Unpleasant side effects. I am so sorry." It was clear to everypony the princess was trying to keep herself in check, and keep her voice steady. She wasn't doing a very good job.

"Um, well...Excuse me your highness...I was just, um, wondering, um...How do you cure this disease?" Fluttershy shuffled a little as she spoke.

Silence hung in the air because Celestia didn't respond. All eyes were fixed on her and awaited her response. Her eyes were closed and when they opened she couldn't bear to look at any of the ponies before her. She turned away and tears began to freely fall down her cheek. "You don't. There is no known cure for this disease. I wanted to be here when you found out Twilight...You only have a few months left at the most."

Author's Note

So, this is a lot darker than what I'm used to writing This chapter IS going to feel a little rushed, compared to later chapters but I just really wanted to set things up with this one. . I do feel like I didn't do THAT great of a job with the dialogue in the hospital, but I tried. I am pretty proud of the narative though. I think I did fairly well on that. Next chapter things start to get intense. Hope you guys like it!

Letting It Out

A few days went by and finally Twilight was released from the hospital. All of her friends had offered in one way or another to help her. She'd declined all the offers though. She wanted to be alone for a little while. She even sent Spike to stay with Fluttershy (who was more than glad to welcome the baby dragon into her home.) The walk home was miserable. She'd kept her horn bandaged up to prevent people from seeing the crack in it. It made her feel embarrassed, even though it wasn't her fault.

When she returned home she thought she would be relieved. Maybe even a little happy at returning to all her books. Instead she felt nothing. Looking around her home she realized she just didn't care about anything. She didn't feel like doing anything. She didn't feel like studying, reading or writing; and performing magic was out of the question. She was told she may still be able to perform simple spells for a time but it wasn't worth the risk of that head-splitting pain she'd experienced last time.

For the next three days Twilight never left the library. In fact she spent most of her time in her bed. Sometimes she would pace around the house, thinking about her situation. She tried to not do that too often or she would just end up angering or upsetting herself. She didn't eat and drank only the occasional glass of water. Each of her friends had come knocking on her door over the last three days but she'd ignored them every time. She wasn't quite ready to see anyone. Deep down Twilight knew this was unhealthy and the opposite of what she should be doing but the unicorn couldn't help it. Every time she saw her broken horn she felt fragile and as though she'd lost so much more. In reality she had. She identified herself with her magic, had spent a lifetime studying it. Then in the blink of an eye it was gone. It was the most awful feeling in the world and Twilight wished it would just disappear.

On the afternoon of the third day though there came a gentle knocking on the door. There was only one pony she knew who knocked liked that. Even though the kindest of all ponies, literally, was knocking at her door Twilight couldn't be bothered to answer it. Much to her surprise though the knocking didn't subside. It would come back every few minutes, much to Twilight's annoyance. I guess I can't hide out in here forever. she thought to herself as she decided to answer the door. When Twilight did answer the door, Fluttershy (Twilight was right in her assumption of who was at the door.) was shocked at what she saw.

The purple unicorn had large bags under her eyes, this told Fluttershy that her friend hadn't been sleeping very well. Twilight's mane was unkempt. Her usual brilliant lavender coat had lost it's shine and much to Fluttershy's dismay Twilight's eyes seemed to hide only pain behind them. It broke the pegasus' heart to see her friend like this.

"Um, hi Twilight...I hope I'm not bothering you...I just haven't seen you in a few days and thought maybe we could, um, catch up. If you don't mind that is...Could I maybe, um, come in, please?" Fluttersy was careful with her words, unsure of Twilight's mental state.

"Oh. Sure, Fluttershy. Come on in."

Twilight waved the Pegasus inside. They both took a seat at the dining room table. The unicorn rested her chin on her forelegs looking up at her guest. She showed no intention of starting small talk so Fluttershy tried instead. Much to her dismay every attempt at beginning a conversation was either shrugged off or she was given one worded response's. The yellow mare desperately thought of something to say when the silence was broken by the gargling of Twilight's stomach.

"Oh my, Twilight. When was the last time you ate?" Fluttershy asked, a little relieved this had given her an excuse to say something.

"I think the last time I ate something was at the hospital." She replied in a monotone.

Fluttershy grew more concerned. Had her friend really not realized how long ago that was? "That was three days ago Twilight!"

"Has it really been that long already?" She seemed unconcerned with that news.

"We need to get some food in you!"

True to her name, Fluttershy fluttered about Twilight's kitchen. She was preparing a simple yet nutritious salad for her friend. She hummed a soft lullaby and Twilight couldn't help but notice the care her guest put into her cooking. She took her time to dice all the vegetables so they looked nice. She even arranged the salad so it was visually appealing in the bowl! Fluttershy placed the dish before her hungry friend. She blinked, giving Twilight an expectant look. Not wanting to disappoint Twilight gingerly began eating the salad. Much to her surprise she actually felt much better when she'd finished. She looked up at her friend as she licked her lips. She recalled what Fluttershy had said after saving Twilight and her friends from the Manticore. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness... Twilight thought to herself. It was true, Fluttershy's little kindness had went a long way.

"Thank you, Fluttershy." Twilight's voice had real emotion now. Her eyes softened as she looked at her friend and gave her a smile. The first smile she'd managed to form since receiving her tragic news.

"Oh, um, it was nothing Twilight. Just a salad..." Fluttersy's cheeks reddened a little, embarrassed at such a reaction over a salad.

"But it meant a lot to me. Thank you."

A few moments of silence passed and Fluttershy couldn't help but glance up at Twilight's horn. Twilight, of course, noticed and suddenly wished she'd kept it bandaged up. She knew Fluttershy wouldn't mock her, the pegasus better than anyone knew the pain words could inflict. Twilight, however, wasn't expecting her friend to ask what she did.

"Does it hurt, Twilight?" Fluttershy wasn't asking for the sake of asking, she wasn't trying to make small talk. She was genuinely concerned for Twilight.

Twilight didn't even have to ask what her friend meant. "Uh, no. It really hurt at first though. I'm just glad the pain is gone, but doing magic is out of the question. I don't want to risk even a little of that pain returning. I don't think I could handle it..." Her words trailed off as in her mind she relived the events of three days ago.

"I'm very sorry Twilight. That must be difficult." Fluttershy knew she wouldn't be able to understand what Twilight was going through, but she could definitely try and be supportive. She still hadn't stopped to think that in just a few short months from now she may never have the chance to support Twilight again.

"My magic is all I had." Twilght's voice cracked.

"Huh?" The pegasus' wasn't trying to be rude. With Twilight's current state she just hadn't expected the unicorn to start opening up like that.

"Ever since I was a filly my magic is all I ever had." Twilight continued. Her eyes grew moist as she spoke. "I've spent my entire life studying magic. Perfecting what I knew. I've always been eager to learn more. Heck my Element of Harmony is magic. And then in the blink of an eye it's gone. How unfair is that...?" Twilight's voice took a dark tone at the end.

"I know, Tw-" Fluttershy didn't have a chance to finish.

The unicorn looked up towards her guest. "This is happening to me because I tried to learn more." The sadness seemed to melt into bitterness. Twilight thought back to everything she'd done for Equestria. "I saved Princess Luna with the Elements of Harmony! I stopped Discord from sending Equestria into chaos! I stopped Queen Chrysalis from destroying Canterlot and I stopped Sombra from enslaving the Crystal Empire again!" Twilight was shouting now. "And for everything I've done I get to die!? It's not fair!

Twilight looked up to see Fluttershy's heart broken expression. Now it was her anger that melted away and she broke down. She'd been holding it in for three days and she couldn't take it any more. The lavender mare just let the tears fall freely. They stained the fur on her cheeks as the slid down only to shatter on the ground with the impact. She'd always tried to be a good pony. She'd never hurt anypony and now she had to die and she didn't understand what she'd done to deserve this.

Fluttershy reacted instantly. She made her way to Twilight. She wrapped her forelegs around the sobbing mare and held her head close against her chest. She hummed softly and kept whispering to Twilight that everything would be okay. Twilight knew this was a lie, but she was grateful for it. Hearing it come from Fluttershy she almost believed it. Twilight was unsure how long she spent sobbing into Fluttershy. She only stopped when she'd felt cried out and her eyes refused to produce any more tears.She'd been there to leave a large wet spot on the pegasus' fur.

Twilight looked up to her friend and between sobs managed to speak. "Th-there's so many things I've never been able to do or experience. There's so many books I still want to read. Still so-so many things I wanted to learn. I-I'm going to die having never been kissed, or gone on a first date. I've never even been able to confess to the pony that I have a crush on! I-I-I wasted my en-entire life r-reading and now I finally have fr-friends and I'm not ready to leave them. I'm not ready to leave you Fluttershy, or the others. I'm not!"

Fluttershy used her hoof to stroke Twilight's cheek softly. Every since they'd become friends Twilight had always believed in her. Twilight had always been there for her and it was Fluttershy's turn to be strong for Twilight. No matter what. Out of all of her friends Twilight is the one who'd always been by her side and never doubted her. Even when the others thought maybe Fluttershy would get in the way Twilight was first to stay otherwise. She leaned her forehead against the purple unicorns head, being careful not to accidentally hit her horn. She whispered soothingly to Twilight. Truth be told Fluttershy wasn't ready for Twilight to leave either.

"I'm here for you Twilight, and I will be so long as you need me. Right up until the...End." Fluttershy choked over the last word. She was holding her own tears back. She couldn't stand to cry right now, not in front of Twilight the way she was now. "And you still have time to do those things Twilight. I'll help you. Just tell me the stallion you have a crush on. We can go see him together. I'm, um, not very good at that stuff but I'll do my best. I haven't done any of those things either."

If you only knew, Fluttershy... was all Twilight could think to herself. The irony of those words almost made her want to laugh. Almost. She wiped her eyes and glanced up at Fluttershy. She was thinking of how to respond. She felt like such a baby, and so selfish. She didn't have to make Fluttershy feel bad over this, did she? Just because she was suffering it didn't mean she had to bring her friends down as well. Twilight just wasn't sure she could put on a brave face for the next few months.

She didn't have much time left. She thought back on all the opportunities she'd had to tell Fluttershy she loved her. Over the time they'd been friends she'd come to admire the pegasus' kindness. She found her shyness adorable and endearing. She'd never seen Fluttershy as weak like some other ponies, but instead saw the strength inside of her. Twilight had always told herself she would muster the courage to do it next time. Now there wasn't any time left though. There may not be a next time and she couldn't afford to wait any longer. She took a deep breath and raised her head up. She pressed her lips against Fluttershy's in a soft yet powerful kiss.

Twilight did panic a little at first but when Fluttershy returned the kiss she knew everything would be okay. She raised her forelegs around the pegasus' neck and brought her in for a deeper kiss. It was the first time she was happy to be feeling anything in the last three days. It made her heart speed up and made her stomach feel as though it were full of butterflies. During that moment she actually believed she might be happy again, even if only for a little while, before the end. Eventually, however, it came time to pull away. Twilight was panting softly. She'd been so reluctant to pull her lips away. Not only because of how good it had felt but also because she was not sure she was quite ready to deal with the possible repercussions. Fluttershy was looking down at her, still holding the unicorn against her chest. Her cheeks were red and she was clearly embarrassed. The yellow mare was using parts of her pink locks to hide her face.

"You're the one...I have a..." Twilight didn't even bother to finish that sentence. She wasn't even sure why she'd said it. From her actions it was obvious. "I'm sorry Fluttershy, what's happening shouldn't give me an excuse to just -"

"No, Twilight it's, um, okay...I know it's selfish but when I heard the news I was worried I might never get a chance to tell you...It's just, um, I, um..." Fluttershy stopped talking. She had to calm down or else she would just put "um" after every word. She took a calming breath before going on. "I've always been so impressed with you. You've always been so confident and strong and talented. You were everything that I wish I could be. You were so beautiful too, and always so kind. I couldn't help but start to fall for you...I hope you, um, don't mind..."

Twilight's eyes became moist again and she wasn't even sure why. The purple mare wasn't sure what this meant for her and Fluttershy. She wasn't sure if Fluttershy would want to truly be with her due to the circumstances. All she knew is that at some point her crush had evolved and she was now in love with the beautiful pegasus who had come here just to comfort her. She wasn't quite ready to say it aloud yet. All she could do was hope for the best. She'd finally managed to get thoughts of her broken horn out of her head.

She may not be able to mend her horn, but she could definitely bring hers and Fluttershy's lips together again.

.

Author's Note

To be honest I'm quite pleased with this chapter. I think I managed to keep Fluttershy and Twilight in character quite well...I'm sure if I didn't someone will tell me, hehe.

Hush Now, Quiet NowI

"You certainly seem to be feeling better, darling." Came a slight accented voice from the entrance to the dining room.

Both mares jumped and Twilight quickly scrambled to her hooves. She coughed and stared down at the ground. Fluttershy was simply mortified to have her first kiss interrupted by one of her friends. The new lovers glanced at each other from the corner of their eyes and then looked back to the ground. Fluttershy quickly covered her eyes with the strand of her mane that dropped into her face. Rarity, on the other hand, found the whole thing rather amusing.

"The door was unlocked and I was awfully worried for you Twilight. After all, nopony has seen you in days." She grinned towards the pegasus. "Forgive me, almost nopony." Rarity corrected herself. Fluttershy squeaked.

Twilight finally broke her gaze from the floor and shifted it towards the other unicorn. "Fluttershy came by to check on me. I kind of broke down and she made me feel better and I...Kind of...Well, you saw." Twilight was determined to not let Rarity get to her. After all she knew the white mare was only foaling around.

"Don't misunderstand me darling, I'm quite happy for the two of you. It's about time love blossomed somewhere within our little group." Rarity gestured her head towards a chair. "You two don't mind if I interrupt for a little bit, do you? I'd certainly like a chance to catch up with you, Twilight."

"Not at all." Twilight gave Rarity a small smile.

The three sat around the dining room table. Talking to Rarity really helped Twilight get her mind off everything. Even more than she already had. Sitting there talking to two of her friends (well, Fluttershy had joined in after getting over Rarity interrupting.) gave a sense of normalcy to Twilight again. She truly regretted shutting herself in now. Even though Rarity seemed fine it was easy for the unicorn to see how worried Rarity had been. It was unfair of her to put her friends through that. After all, they were going through this too, in a way. If talking to them could ease the aching in her chest, even a little, then she was glad she was going to get to spend her last few months with such wonderful friends. She'd already accepted that the pain wouldn't truly fade until the end. After all, she was going to pass away. She didn't know anypony who would still be the same after that. Rarity was saying something but it seemed distant now.

"Twilight?"

Twilight snapped back to attention. "Oh, sorry Rarity. I was just thinking..." She trailed off momentarily. It was difficult for her to bring this subject up, the one subject Rarity had been careful to avoid speaking of. "That I don't want to let this situation change who I am."

"That seems like a good goal." Rarity gave her friend a smile. Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

"You'll always be you, Twilight." The pegasus chimed in.

As a unicorn Rarity was the closest to understanding what it would be like to lose a horn. "Is there nothing that can be done for your horn?"

Twilight's expression immediately changed. Her lips turned downwards to a frown. "No, not as far as I know. I might never be able to do magic again." The happiness in her voice faded to sorrow.

Rarity instantly felt bad. "Well for the record I think your horn looks positively smashing. It has character."

Twilight couldn't help but giggle, even if only a little. She knew it was Rarity's way of trying to make her feel better. "Thanks, Rarity."

"Of course." She glanced at the clock. "Oh my, I really must be getting back though. A lot of work to do." She turned back to Twilight, taking a serious tone now. "But if there is anything, absolutely anything, you need at all, at absolutely any time you can come find me at the boutique."

"I will, thank you Rarity."

"I should get going too. I need to get home and feed Angel and all the rest of the animals." Fluttershy managed to get in. She'd felt a littke awkward sitting there, but she hadn't known what to say. She was just happy to see Twilight having a good time again. It was better than seeing her cry. After she spoke she noticed Twilight's expression dim, but the unicorn was clearly trying to hide it. "I could, um, maybe..." She trailed off, glancing at Rarity. Rarity had made a point to pace around the door. She could hear everything but had enough tact to know when not to interrupt. "Come back and stay the night if you don't want to be alone." Fluttershy chewed her bottom lip.

"I'd really like that, Fluttershy."

"Okay then, I'll come back after I've taken care of the animals." Fluttershy smiled. Both mares glanced Rarity's way to make sure she wasn't looking and shared a quick peck on the lips.

The three said their final goodbye's and departed. Rarity and Fluttershy walked together, for now anyway. They were heading in the same direction. Twilight went inside to do something she'd been putting off for too long already. Seeing her friends had snapped her back into reality and despite her situation she still had responsibilities.

I guess it's time to break the news...

**

"My, my, my. You and Twilight?" Rarity was still gushing over the news. "How was the kiss?" The white unicorn could barely contain her excitement. During all their spa sessions she'd only hoped to one day be able to talk about such things with Fluttershy.

"It was..." Fluttershy trailed off, seeming to search for the right adjective. "Wonderful." She sighed.

Rarity squeed loudly. "Was it everything you hoped your first kiss would be."

Fluttershy nodded shyly and muttered softly. "It was better."

Rarity felt bad. As much as she didn't want to ruin Fluttershy's big moment she just had to ask. "Are you really okay with dating Twilight? I only ask because of the circumstances...I know you've had a crush on her for a long time. I don't want to see you hurt, darling. I fear that if you do this it may make things harder for you."

These thoughts had crossed Fluttershy's mind. She felt a little bad about having thought them at all. The truth of the matter was if she dated Twilight she was opening herself up to heart ache later on. Then she decided she didn't care. Seeing Twilight the way she had, Fluttershy felt as though her heart was going to break. That in itself was unbearable. The pegasus' feelings for the unicorn were strong and she wanted to explore them. Even if their time together would be cut short. The yellow mare wanted to do it for herself, for once she was going to go after something she wanted. She deserved to be happy too, and she thought being with Twilight would make her happy. The idea of being able to make Twilight's remaining time happy as well was another driving factor. The Element of Kindness decided in that moment she would do anything to make Twilight happy. Give her the best few months of her life. Twilight doesn't deserve to leave this world alone, so I'll be there for her. Until the end... She gave herself an internal pat on the back; proud of her resolve.

"I'm sure it's going to hurt when she's gone, Rarity. It's going to hurt no matter what. Being around Twilight makes me happy. I think I can make her happy too. I want to make her happy."

Rarity was impressed. Never had she seen Fluttershy so determined. The white unicorn put her hoof on her friends shoulder and gave her a warm smile. "In that case, I'm glad. For both of you."

**

Shining Armour,

I hope you're doing well brother. I have some important news to share with you and I really want to tell you in person. I was hoping that you and Cadance could come visit me here in Ponyville. I hope you have the time to come visit. I look forward to hearing back from you.

Your loving sister,
Twilight Sparkle.

This was the invitation Twilight extended to Shining Armour. It was not going to be a happy visit but she was excited to see her brother none the less. The moment she saw Spike she would ask him to send it off. She sighed, emotionally drained. She'd held back tears several times during the dozens of times she'd rewritten the letter. She briefly wondered if Shining would agree to come. If not she would just have to insist. Her musings were cut short from a series of light knocks at the door. Surely Fluttershy returning as promised.

Twilight trotted to the door and opened it to greet her guest. Fluttershy, as expected. Upon seeing the yellow pegasus a silly grin painted itself upon the unicorn's face. She didn't even realize it but Fluttershy did and the yellow mare giggled. Twilight leaned into Fluttershy's neck and nuzzled herself into the pegasus' mane. She sighed happily and then invited her in.

"Everything's good with your animal friends?"

"Yes, Angel was a little upset at being left alone tonight but I'm sure he'll be fine." Fluttershy replied as she entered.

Twilight nodded. Suddenly the unicorn wished she'd planned something out. She was glad to have her new marefriend here to spend time with her, she just wished she knew what they were going to do all night. At least until they retired to bed. Twilight didn't want her guest to grow bored after all. As the lavender pony thought of something to say Fluttershy glanced towards the letter on the table. "What's that?" the yellow mare asked as her curiosity peaked.

Twilight shifted uncomfortably. "That's...The letter I wrote to my brother. I invited him here. To tell him, you know..." The unicorn's gaze was brought to the ground.

"Oh my, the Princess hasn't told him?"

"She offered to, but I told her I'd do it myself. I feel like learning it from somepony else wouldn't be very fair." Twilight swallowed hard. "Maybe we could talk about something else though, please?"

"Of course, I'm sorry Twilight. I didn't mean to upset you." Fluttershy approached the unicorn and gave her a sweet peck on the cheek. She stroked the soft lavender fur on the back of Twilight's neck. "I know this must be hard for you. If you do want to talk, I'm here for you."

Twilight smiled and gestured her heads towards the flight of stairs. "C'mon." Twilight could have thanked Fluttershy but she knew it was unnecessary. She had no doubt the pegasus knew how grateful she was already. Twilight climbed the flight of stairs with Fluttershy following behind. When she reached the top she pounced onto her bed. Her body bounced a few times before coming to a stop. "You don't mind sharing a bed do you?" The last thing Twilight wanted to do was pressure Fluttershy. She had no hidden intentions other than sleeping but she knew how shy her marefriend could be. Twilight wouldn't mind setting up a second mattress on the floor for herself and giving her guest the bed. She certainly wouldn't mind sharing a bed either, though.

Fluttershy considered what Twilight had said, her cheeks reddening slightly. She doubted Twilight had any ulterior motives. They'd only confessed to each other earlier that day. Instead on focusing on the impure thoughts that made her want to request her own sleeping area Fluttershy focused on the sweeter things. Falling asleep beside Twilight is something she'd dreamt about on more than one occasion. . "I don't mind." was Fluttershy's soft reply. She climbed onto the mattress beside Twilight.

The lavender unicorn yawned loudly. She hadn't even realized how tired she was until her body hit the bed. It only made sense, it wasn't as though she'd been sleeping much since her release from the hospital. Twilight shifted and brought herself closer to Fluttershy, cuddling herself into the pegasus' chest. Another content sigh escaped her lips as she felt her marefriends forelegs close around her. Twilight wished she had something interesting to talk about, but she didn't. The studious mare wasn't even sure she wanted to talk at the moment.

It dawned on Fluttershy that Twilight must be exhausted. She'd noticed it earlier in the day and had apparently forgotten. The pegasus started to stroke Twilight's mane with one of her hoofs. She placed a kiss on Twilight's forehead. Within minutes the unicorn had fallen asleep. Fluttershy had no doubt that Twilight would feel bad about falling asleep so soon after she'd arrived. The yellow mare was happy that Twilight was getting some rest. She deserved it, after the hell that had been thrust upon her.

It didn't take long for Fluttershy to fall asleep either. It was easier than she'd expected. She thought she'd be too self-conscious to fall asleep. It was surprisingly comfortable though having your hoofs around the pony you loved. Everything about the moment was perfect. From the feel of the unicorn's body against hers right down to Twilight's soft breath against her neck. Fluttershy had never felt more at ease around another pony. As she drifted into sleep her mind was full of thoughts only of the beautiful mare beside her.

**

Everything was dark again and fear began gripping at Twilight's chest. She knew what was to come. She prayed it wouldn't but she knew it was futile. A dark, distorted chuckling echoed around her. Her doppelgänger appeared before her, the same twisted smile upon it's face. It trotted around Twilight in circles.

The fear that overcame her was inexplicable. The unicorn could not wrap her mind around the fact that she was in a dream, and that nothing could hurt her. Seeing her other, this dark part of her made her feel as though she were nothing. It acted so superior, was so confident when she wasn't and the news of her upcoming death. Then it dawned on her why that was. "You...You're a part of my sickness aren't you?"

The other Twilight chuckled ominously and flashed the real one a knowing smirk. "Darling, I am your sickness. A physical representation of it anyway. As you grow weaker I grow stronger." The other Twilight raised it's head proudly, as though by slowly draining Twilight's life away it was accomplishing some grand feat. "Not so strong anymore, are you?"

Twilight broke down at this point, it was too much for her. Everytime she happened to glance into her doppelgänger's eyes she would be overcome with painful memories. Or her thoughts would drift to darker thoughts, mean thoughts. It made the unicorn feel as though her and the other really were the same. She'd like to believe that she was better than that though. She sobbed and despite her efforts to hide her tears she knew her other would know. It knew everything.

The other Twilight grew angry. "Look at you, you're pathetic!" It spit at the ground in front of Twilight. "Such a selfish, disgusting creature. Hard to understand why you weren't overcome already, weak as you are."

The unicorn rubbed her eyes with her foreleg and looked up towards the evil half of her. Her brow furrowed and she shot it a nasty glare. She tried to sound tough, despite her voice cracking. "Because I have my friends. They make me strong."

"Like dear, sweet Fluttershy?" It's voice had hidden meanings behind it. It gave that awful smirk again, as though it had nasty plans for Fluttershy in the future.

"Don't you talk about her!" Twilight stood up abruptly only to be knocked down as her other rammed it's shoulder into the fragile unicorn.

"Yes, Twilight. Make her fall in love with you, make her happy only to leave her forever soon! How cruel you are, even I'm impressed. You're going to leave her heartbroken but that doesn't matter, so long as there's somepony to comfort you until the end." As the doppelgänger spoke it approached twilight until it stood over her, looking down with a nasty glare.

Twilight didn't even know what to say. That sounded almost...Accurate. It wasn't her intention but it was the reality of things, no? Fluttershy's been so good to me, how could I live with myself if I hurt her like that...?

"You won't have to." The other Twilight responded to the real one's thoughts. "Now go back out there. Make her comfort you, listen to her tell you everything is going to be alright when you know that in the end it won't." The other Twilight raised it's hoof and backhoofed twilight across her cheek.

**

The last time Twilight's horn had exploded in pain it was the most painful thing she'd ever experienced. Just remembering the incident would bring horrible memories to her mind. She always thought she would never be able to experience anything more painful than that. The unicorn was wrong. The pain was far worse than before, unbearable. Both of her hoofs went to her head trying to soothe the pain without any success. She howled as tears began pouring down her cheeks. Twilight began thrashing and fell of the bed. She was then unable to move, her vision was blurry and she felt as though she were going to be sick. The pain wasn't subsiding.

Of course, Fluttershy woke up. She lowered herself before Twilight. "What's wrong?" She called out. She wasn't sure what to do. The pegasus considered running for help but had no idea who to get. It wasn't as though she could simply go get the princess herself. Fluttershy watched as her marefriend lay on her belly, hoofs placed upon her head as she writhed in agony upon the ground. Soon enough (although to Twilight it seemed like an eternity) things seemed to calm down and although Twilight was still in pain it wasn't as sharp as it was even moments before. Fluttershy was doing her best to hold herself together, for Twilight's sake.

The lavender unicorn turned her head to look up at Fluttershy. Tears overflowed from the corner of her eyes, although they were no longer freely falling down her cheek. She spoke only two small words that nearly broke the Pegasus' heart. "It hurts." Twilight's voice was low and strained. She smacked her hoof on the ground, the unicorn couldn't think of anything else to do. She just wanted the pain to go away.

Fluttershy hoisted Twilight up. It took some doing, the pegasus wasn't as strong as some of their other friends. After a bit of effort she managed to lay Twilight back on the bed. She climbed in beside her marefriend and pulled her close just as she'd done earlier that day. Twilight head rested against Fluttershy's chest, her eyes shut tight. Fluttershy carefully raised a hoof and ran it softly down Twilight's horn. Of course the yellow mare avoided the actual crack. As much as Twilight wanted the pain to end Fluttershy wanted it to end just as badly. She began softly stroking Twilight's horn when she noticed Twilight's muscles relaxed slightly from their tensed up state.

Every now and then Twilight would spasm, but Fluttershy continued the soft rubbing of Twilight's horn. It seemed to alleviate at least some of the pain. The concerned mare lowered herself to the unicorn's ear and began to sing quietly.

"Hush now, Quiet now it's time to lay your sleepy head..."

Fluttershy continued to sing and massage Twilight's horn until the pain finally left. Exhausted the unicorn passed out in her lovers forelegs. Fluttershy didn't let go even once throughout the night.

Author's Note

I keep finding myself becoming emotional as I write this. It just makes me sad, but then again I'm a big softie. This is the last update I'm releasing for at least a week. It's a little longer than the other two chapter, so I hope that makes up for it. I went through the chapter and I think I found most of those annoying little issues that pop up in my writing...If not most I at least found some of them...At least I didn't accidentally spell creaming in there this time. Ugh, how embarrassing was that? At any rate I hope you lovely readers enjoy the latest chapter of this fic. I'll be back in a week, everyone! I'mma kill me some Necromorphs!

Every Sunday

Needless to say Twilight slept in the next morning. Fluttershy never left her side. She was still concerned and hoped that as the months progressed that this would not be a recurring event. She suspected things would only be getting harder for Twilight though. Eventually the purple unicorn began to stir and she groggily opened her eyes. The first thing she saw when she awoke was Fluttershy's smiling face so of course Twilight couldn't help but smile as well.

"Good morning." The unicorn whispered.

"Good morning, Twilight." Fluttershy leaned down to softly kiss her marefriend's forehead.

At first Twilight was confused. Not that she'd woken up with Fluttershy, more on how they were arranged. She expected to awake holding the peagsus, or have the pegasus holding her. Not being cradled to her chest as though something were wrong. Then Twilight remembered something was wrong. The events of the previous night came rushing back to her. Quickly Twilight sat up with wide eyes as she realized Fluttershy must have been awake the entire night.

"Fluttershy I'm so sorry!" Twilight was panicking. "I didn't mean for that to happen, I wanted a nice night with you. I promise I didn't ask you to stay just so you'd make me feel bett-" Twilight stopped herself before she said too much. She knew that wasn't why she'd ask Fluttershy to stay. She also knew that Fluttershy knew that too. The unicorn was letting what that monster said get to her.

"Oh my. Twilight what would ever make you think I felt like that?" Fluttershy was sincerely confused. Of course she knew Twilight had nothing but good intentions.

"Let's just say I had a talk with myself and it didn't go very well..." A sigh escaped the unicorn's lips.

"I'm sorry Twilight, I, um, don't exactly understand."

Twilight shook her head. It was time to get off of that particular subject. "Don't worry about it. Everything's okay. I can't thank you enough for last night."

Fluttershy felt as though the roles had been reversed. Twilight was looking down at her hoofs, fumbling with the sheets. She wouldn't look Fluttershy in the eye. A small shade of crimson graced each of her purple cheeks as she remembered Fluttershy softly singing her to sleep. Gently stroking her horn to take the pain away. These memories were precious to Twilight now. She'd hold onto them until the day she died.

Twilight didn't want things to get sappy. She hoped today would be a good day. Her goal was to focus only on the good and to have one entire day spent in joy. Perhaps she would go and catch up with the rest of her friends maybe grab a bite to eat with Fluttershy. At the end of the day if everything had gone well she would ask Spike to send her letter off to Shining Armour. It was time for her number one assistant to move back in. At that exact moment though it was time to regain control of the situation.

"Well, if you'll excuse me Fluttershy I'm going to go take a shower." Twilight expertly changed the subject. "Make yourself at home."

"Okay. You're sure there's nothing I can do for you."

"Well if you wanted to you could always join me." Twilight gave her marefriend a playful grin. "A sunday morning shower together."

The effect was instant. Fluttershy's eyes widened as she realized what Twilight had said. Immediately her cheeks flushed and she began muttering gibberish. "I, um...Oh my. Twilight, I don't think that...Um, well..."

Twilight giggled. Adorable she thought fondly to herself. "Fluttershy."

"Y-yes?"

"I'm kidding." She surprised the peagsus with a quick peck on the lips and quickly sauntered off towards her bathroom giggling the entire time.

Fluttershy was left there wide-eyed and blushing. She did smile though and thought to herself If you're joking around then you're feeling a lot better.

**

Twilight groaned when she spotted herself in the mirror. Her mane was a complete mess. She hadn't exactly cared about the style of her mane in the last few days; now things were looking up thought and the unicorn did not want to be viewed as a slob. Twilight turned the water on for her bath. Then She opened the cabinet which was concealed by the mirror to pull out a few necessities. Her toothbrush, toothpaste and other various items. When she shut the cabinet door she gasped and dropped everything. Her doppelgänger was there in there mirror, taunting her with a cocky grin.

The unicorn's immediate reaction was to panic. Then she realized there was nothing to be scared of. It was time to take back control of her life and make what remaining time she had happy. Twilight watched her other; eye-to-eye. Neither moved nor blinked for several seconds. Then with a huge grin Twilight stuck her tongue out towards the physical manifestation of her sickness. "Not today." she said and turned around. She lowered herself into the water and allowed a relaxed sigh to leave her lips.

**

Fluttershy didn't feel like just sitting there waiting for Twilight to finish bathing. She decided to keep herself busy by helping her marefriend out a little. She pulled all the blankets and sheets from Twilight's bed and brought them down to the washing machine. Twilight must have been really uncomfortable last night...The sheets were soaked. the pegasus thought to herself. She pushed them into the machine and started the wash cycle. "At least now Twilight will have clean sheets for tonight." Fluttershy said to nopony in particular. She fluttered into the kitchen and to keep herself busy started making lunch for herself and Twilight. Twilight clearly hadn't gone shopping in several days so another salad would have to suffice.

It was as Fluttershy was preparing lunch she heard a blood-curdling scream coming from the bathroom. Fluttershy dropped everything she was doing and ran back upstairs. She burst into the bathroom to find a soaked Twilight climbing out of the tub. The lavender mare was coughing violently and was clearly in a panic. The unicorn slipped as she was climbing over the bath. She smashed into the ground with a large thud. Fluttershy knelt in front of her and Twilight wrapped her forelegs around the peagsus' neck.

"She's there! Fluttershy she tried to drown me!" Twilight was barely speaking clearly, her words interrupted with coughs every now and then.

Fluttershy looked around the bathroom, nopony was there other than them. "Who tried to kill you Twilight?"

"Me! No, not me, the other me! She was there! I ducked my head into the water and I saw her looming over me. Fluttershy she held me down!" Twilight looked towards the tub, also realizing nopony was there. She turned back to her marefriend. "I swear she was there..."

Fluttershy could only nod. She had no doubt in her mind Twilight believed what she was saying. Twilight had seen something, that didn't necessarily make it real. This is bad... Fluttershy thought Twilight might become a danger to herself in her current condition. Still the pegasus kept her mouth shut, running a hoof through the lavender mane of her marefriend.

Twilight understood how crazy what she said had sounded. I felt it though...Her hoofs holding me down, or maybe I... Twilight looked down, embarrassed. Of course there was nopony there. More progression in her sickness was the only thing that made sense. It seemed as though she was going to be in for a difficult few months. With the beautiful mare holding her though, the student of Celestia was sure she would be able to handle it. She looked back up to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy I'm sorry. I was just...Seeing things. I didn't mean to worry you."

"It was no trouble at all." Fluttershy nuzzled her muzzle against Twilight's. It brought a smile to the unicorn's lips.

"I'm going to dry up okay?"

"Sure."

Fluttershy headed downstairs and several minutes later Twilight joined her. Her coat was mostly dry but a few drops of water still dripped down her mane. The unicorn pranced towards her house guest. She nuzzled her muzzle against hers, as Fluttershy had done to her earlier and asked "So what are our plans for today?"

"Well, I think we should go shopping. You're running out of food." Fluttershy gestured towards Twilight's fridge.

Twilight glanced at it only briefly. "Yeah, haven't really felt like shopping."

"And then if you want to get that letter out we should go see Spike." Fluttershy continued.

"Yeah, I'd like to see him. It's been a while...I'm sure he's worried." Twilight sighed, another reminder of her neglected responsibilities.

"And then I have to be home tonight for Angel and the rest of my animal friends."

Twilight's eyes widened. "Do you have to!?" She called out without thinking. The unicorn was more scared than she realized.

Fluttershy felt horrible. "I, um...Yes.I can come back first thing tomorrow morning okay?" She gave the unicorn a smile, hoping she hadn't upset her too much.

If Twilight were honest she would tell Fluttershy how scared she was. She didn't want to be alone, not after what had happened. She now knew it had all been in her head but if she had another "episode" like that she wanted Fluttershy nearby. Her doppelgänger's words came back to her. No, I'll show her...I'm not just using Fluttershy for myself. She locked her gaze with Fluttershy's, determined.

"Of course, I understand." Her voice gave her away though.

"Ohhh...I'll come back tonight." Fluttershy couldn't bear to leave Twilight alone in her state. "Tomorrow I really do have to go back though, okay?"

Twilight nodded and hugged Fluttershy tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're the best marefriend ever!"

Fluttershy blinked a few times. Best marefriend ever...Me? "I- really?" Twilight nodded with a smile glued to her lips.

Seeing the joy that staying had brought Twilight made Fluttershy feel warm and fuzzy. It seemed a little cheesy but it was really how it made her feel. Everytime Twilight smiled, or every time Fluttershy was able to take her mind off her pain it made her feel good. Apparently Twilight wanted to make Fluttershy feel good too. Without warning the unicorn crushed her lips against the pegasus'. Of course Fluttershy was extremely embarrassed but quickly fell in line with the kiss. For several minutes they locked lips, over and and over again. Eventually they had to pull away, lack of oxygen getting to them. Neither let go of the other though, and even thought Fluttershy was extremely embarrassed she whispered into Twilight's ear.

"I can't be with you every second of everyday but I'll do my best. I want to spend as much time with you as I can. Even if I can't be with you all the time I at least promise every Sunday we'll be together." Fluttershy moved back a little to be able to look into Twilight's violet gaze. "It'll be like...Our special day. A day for only the two of us." When Twilight didn't say anything after what Fluttershy had said the pegasus blushed. "Oh my, I bet that sounded awfully corny, I'm sorry..."

Twilight shook her head. "Don't apologize. I'd love that, I was just getting a little...Emotional." A small peck was given to the yellow mare. "Now let's go, before I start crying again!" Twilight giggled softly, already having forgotten the events from earlier. As they left the library Twilight couldn't help but think about how perfect every Sunday was going to be from then on.

Author's Note

So, believe it or not I actually wrote this week, despite the release of Dead Space 3. Not exactly the best chapter, I'm more for of the beginning. Fortunately some very nice commenters have given me some really good advice and I'm going to try and make the next chapter a little better in overall quality. I'm sure you guys'll tell me if I've improved! I'm looking forward to it, and I'm hoping it makes the reading experience better for everyone. Heck, if I do better at all I may very well edit the prevous chapters! As usual thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it.

Oh also, for those wondering why this chapter is so short it's because the next one is meant to be a long one.

A Four Letter Word

It definitely felt weird to Twilight, being in town again. After spending so much time cooped in the library the unicorn was anxious about being outside again. It wasn't just because it had been so long but deep down she knew everypony was staring at her horn. It was as though with every step she took she could hear a new pony whisper about her fractured horn. It hurt her. Whenever she would start really panicking about it though one of Fluttershy's wings would extend around the lavender mare's body and bring her in close. Almost as though the pegasus knew when Twilight needed reassurance.

It wasn't easy for Fluttershy to freely show her affection in a public place. Since it seemed like it really helped Twilight she could push her shyness aside. Fluttershy was more than used to having ponies whispering about her, or saying nasty things about her. It made her angry that these ponies would even dare say a word against Twilight. After all the times Twilight had put her safety on the line to help the citizens of Ponyville. It was almost as though they'd forgotten all the good she'd done, or the fact that the element of magic had feelings. Ingrates... Fluttershy though to herself, surprised she was capable of such a mean thought.

Twilight sighed and tried to ignore the other ponies. At least it's a nice day out... was all she could think of to get her mind off the situation. Initially she'd been hungry when her and her marefriend had left. She'd hoped to maybe enjoy a picnic, hopefully with the rest of her friends too. Now she felt nauseous and only wanted to go back to the library. Fluttershy on the other hoof was growing concerned as well. The butter-yellow mare was growing worried that she wouldn't be able to cheer Twilight up at all. Just as Fluttershy went to open her mouth, the feeling of Twilight's body under her wing disappeared.

Twilight hit the ground with a large thud; she could feel something wrapping itself around her neck. Tiny arms, maybe? When the unicorn looked down she was welcomed to the sigh of her number-one-assistant. The baby dragon had tackled Twilight to the ground to get his arms around the unicorn. There were clearly tears in the young dragon's eyes and his grip around Twilight tightened.

"Ow!" Twilight yelped. "Spike, you're hurting me." His grip loosened a little bit, but he didn't speak yet. Twilight brought her hoofs around Spike as well. "I missed you too, Spike." Twilight whispered. Spike hadn't said anything, but Twilight knew he was thinking it.

Eventually Spike let go and Twilight was able to return to her hooves.

When Twilight stood up she was surprised to see Rarity standing beside Fluttershy. It quickly made sense though. Spike must have been with Rarity when he'd seen Twilight and tackled her.

"Twilight, where have you been?" Spike almost sounded angry. He wiped his eyes with his arm.

"I'm so sorry Spike. I just needed some time alone. I'm feeling much better though thanks to Fluttershy." The yellow pegasus blushed at the mention of her. "In fact you can come back home tonight if you want."

"I'm not crying!" A pause. "But I do want to come home." He gave a passing glance to Fluttershy, then back to Twilight. "You're feeling better? So you're going to be okay now, right?"

Spike was looking up at her with such a hopeful expression. Twilight felt her eyes growing moist. He'd taken the lavender unicorn's words out of context. Twilight wasn't sure how to break it to him. Telling him would just destroy him, but she couldn't exactly lie to him.

In the end she didn't have to. "What are you two doing out? Not that I'm not happy to see the two of you. Especially you Twilight, it's about time you came out of that library." When Rarity spoke Spike had turned towards her. This gave Twilight time to wipe her eyes.

"Twilight needed to go shopping. She's pretty much out of food at the library." Fluttershy cut in.

"How dreadful!" Rarity was making it more dramatic than it was. Anything to keep Spike from asking such difficult questions.

Twilight nodded, an idea having just sprung to mind. "Yes. We need groceries for the library." She turned towards Spike. "You're still my number one assistant right Spike?"

"You know I am." He replied, almost cockily.

"Then can you go pick up the food and bring it back to the library. We'll catch up with you later, okay?"

"But I want to stay with you." Spike complained. He didn't want to leave Twilight, he'd only just reunited with her.

"Please, Spike."

Spike wanted to argue some more but Twilight sounded so desperate he decided not to. He just nodded. Twilight gave him a pouch full of bits and sent him off. He knew what to buy; he always went with her when she did the shopping. The three ponies watched him walked away, bouncing the pouch up and down in his claw.

"He's been such a mess whilst you've been away, dear." Rarity said.

"I can imagine." Twilight sighed.

Just as they seemed to be getting onto darker subject they all turned towards the sound of their other friends. Two of them seemed to be squabbling.

"It's cheatin' ah tell 'ya!"

"It is not! My wings are part of who I am. You can't expect a peagsus to compete like an earth pony. Pinkie, tell her I didn't cheat!"

Pinkie bounced along beside Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "I think you two need to just try and- TWILIGHT!" Pinkie disappeared in a flash.

"Twilight? What in tarnation is that pony talkin' about?" Applejack dismissed it as another of Pinkie's weird quirks until she saw the purple unicorn a little ways ahead of her. At this point Rainbow Dash had seen her too and together her and Applejack caught up to Pinkie Pie, then to Twilight and their two other friends.

"Girls!" Twilight called out.

It didn't take long for it to evolve into a group hug. Everypony was please to see Twilight out of the library again.

"We should go somewhere a little more quiet. We have a lot of catching up to do." Twilight said, looking at each of her friends in turn.

With that the six of them headed to a quieter part of Ponyville, the spot they had their pet play-dates in fact.

**

It was good to catch up with her friends. Another time where her life felt normal. It gave Twilight time to forget everything. All the thoughts of what had happened that morning, or her horn or even the fact that she was going to die were pushed from her mind in the company of the most wonderful of friends. The friendly chatter and laughter were coming to an end though. Twilight had a few important things to share with her friends, although one of them could only be shared if her marefriend was okay with it.

When everypony seemed distracted Twilight leaned to the side and whispered into Fluttershy's ear "Is it okay if I tell them?"

Fluttershy froze for a moment. Every possibility ran through her mind and her initial instinct was to say no. Then she thought about it and realized there was nothing to worry about. Her feelings for Twilight were real and the pegasus felt that she was really falling for the unicorn. The fear of being made fun disappeared as well. These were Fluttershy's best friends. Nothing to concern herself with. So Fluttershy, mustering every ounce of courage she had, spoke up.

"Um, excuse me, everypony...I, um, have something I'd like to say."

Everypony stopped and turned towards their shy friend. Five pairs of eyes focused on a pony who had never been comfortable in the spotlight. One pair of eyes reassured her though, the eyes of the lavender unicorn who sat beside here weren't filled with curiosity. Only with shock.

Twilight was expecting to tell them herself, she would never put that kind of pressure on Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus impressed her though. Everything Fluttershy seemed to do lately was for her. I'll have to do something for her, as soon as I can think of something to do...

"I, um, have a sort of announcement to make. I, um, recently seem to have...Um....Fallen for a certain pony."

There were gasps all around, excluding the object of Fluttershy's affection of course and Rarity. The three friends who did not know what were going on began speaking all at once. Fluttershy squeaked and backed away a little. She knew this would be a big deal to her friends but she hadn't been expecting this. The yellow mare couldn't even get a word out to continue, she was being bombarded with questions from her friends.

Twilight whistled loudly. "Everypony relax. Give her a chance to breathe."

Everypony quieted. Still their eyes remained on Fluttershy.

"I, um, sort of kind of got a marefriend." Fluttershy exhaled.

Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie each exchanged a look; obviously trying to figure out who would be allowed to say something. Pinkie Pie quickly raised a hoof and began bouncing on the spot.

"Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked curiously.

"I'm raising my hoof to ask a question." The pink pony replied casually.

There were several amused chuckles shared.

"Oh, um, yes?" Was Fluttershy's response.

"Can we know who your marefriend is? Can we? Can we? I bet it's somepony nice, not as nice as you of course. You're like the nicest pony ever. I think I'm pretty nice too th-"

"Pinkie, I'd like to hear the answer." Rainbow Dash cut in.

Pinkie silenced and returned her stare to Fluttershy.

"Um, yes you can. It's, um...Twilight."

Another torrent of comments and questions assaulted Fluttershy's ears. She squeaked and withdrew again. This time Twilight stepped in, literally stepping in front of Fluttershy. Everypony quieted again.

"I care about Fluttershy a lot. With everything that's going on she's made everything feel better. She's been there for me the last few days like nopony has before. That's not to say none of you would have been there for me, you're all wonderful friends. I just have this...Connection with Fluttershy. She's..." Twilight couldn't find words wonderful enough to describe her marefriend.

Applejack gave the lavender unicorn a smirk. " 'Ya don't gotta explain, sugar cube. I think we all know what 'yer describin' here is love."

The two lovers blushed, sheepishly staring at the ground.

"Way to go 'Shy!" Rainbow Dash was by Fluttershy in a flash. Nudging her with her elbow and a large grin on her face. "I always knew you'd find yourself a nice colt or mare."

"I'm so, SO happy for you two! You two must be so happy as well. We need to throw a PARTY!" Pinkie was just being Pinkie.

Neither Fluttershy nor Twilight knew what to say. The two did, however, know they had the best friends in the world. Whilst everypony else was congratulating them the two lovers shared a look. The smiled at each other and Fluttershy unfurled her wing and wrapped it around Twilight's shoulders.

A series of "Awww's" echoed around causing the two to blush.

"Hey how come you're not congratulating them too Rarity." Dash asked, almost accusingly.

"Well, darling, I had a chance to congratulate them the other day." Rarity spoke sheepishly. "I kind of..Walking in on them."

"Bucking?" Rainbow asked casually.

"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack shouted. "That is none of 'yer business!"

"I was just wonderin'! C'mon it's all in good fun!" Rainbow raised her hooves in surrender.

Twilight decided it was time to take control of the situation. After all there was a reason she'd wanted all her friends together.

"As fun as asking questions about our personal lives is there's something I wanted to talk about too."

Fluttershy exhaled in relief. She was extremely relieved for the change of subject. That last comment almost made her want to run away.

Everypony gathered around Twilight. The time for jokes was over. They all knew this was going to be serious, after all they could only avoid the subject for so long until it came up. Each of Twilight's friends had an uneasy feeling in their stomachs, as though something bad were about to happen. None of them could think of a worse thing to happen than what already was.

"You were all there when Princess Celestia told me what was going to happen to me. In a few months I, unfortunately, won't be around anymore." Twilight swallowed back a sob. Talking about such things to her friends. A reassuring squeeze came from Fluttershy's wing. It gave Twilight the strength to continue. "It's not quite time to get all sappy. We'll have time for that later. That's a good thing girls because it means we still have time. Asking you all to come here like that wasn't just to break the news about Fluttershy and I. I also wanted to ask if one of you could watch Spike after I...I'm gone."

The weight of Twilight's words weighed down on everypony. Each seemed to be thinking of what she said. Rarity was the first to speak up though.

"I will do it. I know Spike is...Quite fond of me to say the least. I'm hoping that staying with me will perhaps make things easier on him. I'll do my best to help him through it of course, darling." In an attempt to lighten the mood Rarity made her next comment. "I promise not to overwork him, Twilight. He'll be well taken care of."

Twilight could only smile. "Thank you, Rarity."

Fluttershy spoke up. "If that doesn't work out I'd gladly look after him too."

"Thanks, Fluttershy." Another smile, this time directed towards Fluttershy.

"I also wanted to talk about my funeral."

"Not yet." Pinkie Pie cut in. Tears were overflowing from the corner of her eyes. "I know it's important to get this stuff out of the way Twilight but please not yet. I don't think any of us are ready to talk about funerals. I don't think you are either. Can we please just wait a little longer before talking about that?"

It was too much. Everypony was crying now. Some, like Rainbow Dash, hid it extremely well whereas other like Fluttershy could barely contain it and openly sobbed. Twilight tried to stay strong but in the end she broke down too. It seemed to Twilight that she'd been doing nothing but crying since the news had broken and she was hoping the cycle had been broken. At the very least it was different. This time she had the support of all her friends. They could all sense Twilight's sadness. As sad as they were they knew it was harder on Twilight. All five approached the unicorn and wrapped their front legs around her. Fluttershy snuck her head in a little closer to rest it on Twilight's shoulder.

Twilight wasn't sure how long they all stayed like that but she knew it felt good. The warmth of her friends would keep her okay. Until the end.

**

In time everypony departed their own way, excluding Fluttershy and Twilight who left together. They made their way back to the library in silence. Fluttershy kept her wing around her lover the entire way. Neither of them spoke but the did exchange loving glances. They crossed nopony on their way back, which Twilight was grateful for. It didn't take them long to reach the library and they entered it together. They shared a quick kiss only to hear a sharp gasp as they did. Both of them turned to see Spike standing there with his mouth open.

"Spike!" Twilight called out. She then turned back to her marefriend and whispered into her ear. "We really have to stop getting caught kissing."

Fluttershy nodded as a blush crept onto her cheeks.

"That explains why you haven't been around!" Was the first thing Spike said to them.

It was a whole lot more complicated than that, but Twilight didn't need to tell Spike that. "Yeah." Twilight caught a glimpse of the library. "Spike did you clean up around here?"

"I sure did. I put the groceries away too. I thought you'd be happy if you came home to a clean house."

"I'm very happy Spike." Twilight gave him a one armed hug.

Spike took the chance to whisper "Is Fluttershy going to be spending a lot of time here?"

"Yes. Is that okay?"

"Yeah. Just make sure I get to see you sometimes too."

Another smile. She'd been doing it an awful lot lately and it felt good. "I promise."

"Well. I'm awfully tired from all that cleaning. I think I'm going to go take a nap." He said it with a wink.

Subtle, Spike. Twilight shook her head from side to side with a roll of her eyes. "Oh, wait! Can you send a letter out to Shining Armor for me? It's on the table."

"Sure. The I'm gonna hit the hay." He seemed to think he was doing Twilight some big favor by getting out of the way so that Twilight could spend some time with her marefriend. Spike made his way to his bed, briefly passing by the table to grab the letter. Even though Spike was out of sight Twilight heard him send the letter out. It was only a matter of time now.

"That was embarrassing...Again."

Twilight giggled as she skipped to her marefriend and firmly pressed her muzzle against Fluttershy's. "Gosh, I love you."

Then everything froze.

Oh no.

Author's Note

So here it is. The next chapter. I think this one is kinda cute. ^^ I found myself crying again at some of the emotional parts >< I hope I get the emotions across properly. Like I've said before I don't think I'm good at writing scenes with multiple characters too many people to keep track of. Think it came out okay though. At any rate I hope you enjoy it!

Stop it!

Time really did seem frozen to Twilight. Letting things slip like that was unlike her. Those were some intense words to drop on somepony. Especially somepony one had only been dating for a few days a most. To make matters worse it was Fluttershy of all ponies. The kindest yet shyest mare in possibly all of Equestria. This was bad.

While Twilight thought about what she said, all while holding back panic, she realized she'd also meant it. It had come out at an inopportune time but it was heartfelt and meaningful. Fluttershy had been there for her more than anypony had ever been including Princess Celestia. It was Fluttershy who brought her out from the darkness, Fluttershy who had gotten her to feel when Twilight thought her emotions were dead. Fluttershy had saved her from herself and despite the impossible situation Twilight was in Fluttershy had managed to make her smile. All of those things were important, and Twilight would have to explain. Salvaging the situation came first though. Fluttershy's eyes were locked with Twilight's and neither of them spoke for the longest time.

Eventually the silence grew awkward and surprisingly Fluttershy was the one to break it. "What did you say, Twilight?"

Twilight opened her mouth to say something but time froze again, except this time it wasn't a metaphor. Time literally froze in Twilight's eyes and she didn't understand what was going on. All the color seemed to fade from the world around her. It all drained to a grey color, monotone. Fluttershy wasn't moving either, she simply stood there. Twilight looked around the room, trying to figure out the source of whatever was going on. Her blood ran cold when she heard a familiar distorted chuckle.

From seemingly nothingness her doppelganger materialized before her. It started as a black cloud and slowly it took the shape Twilight was familiar with. The other Twilight seemed to be in an unusually good mood. Twilight thought maybe it had something to do with her very recent love confession to Fluttershy. What could that monster possibly gain from my love confession though? Twilight mused. She had a feeling she was going to find out soon.

As usual the doppelganger enjoyed taking her sweet time getting to the point. It strolled back and forth in front of Twilight with that same twisted smirk upon her face. Twilight wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction. After all the last time she'd messed with this other version of her she'd tried to drown Twilight. Or had that not actually happened? Twilight wasn't sure anymore.

The doppelganger turned from the real version of herself and walked towards Fluttershy. It walked by Fluttershy's side and strolled behind it only to walk back towards Twilight from Fluttershy's other side. The other Twilight's eyes never left Fluttershy's body the entire time and the doppelganger let out a whistle before flashing Twilight a grin.

"Not bad, Twilight." She seemed almost proud of the real Twilight.

The way the doppelganger looked at Fluttershy made Twilight uncomfortable. Her others eyes were filled with a sick twisted desire for Fluttershy. Twilight couldn't deny she'd never thought of Fluttershy in that way. It was perfectly natural after all. When she saw her other look at Fluttershy that way though it was wrong, twisted. As though if the doppelganger were to become intimate with Fluttershy it would be wrong. It would be nothing like Twilight imagined love making would be like. It would be more like Twilight's other simply using Fluttershy to satisfy her carnal desires. It made Twilight angry, angrier than she thought possible.

"Stop looking at her like that!" Twilight shouted and then without warning she dashed forward and rammed her shoulder into her doppelgangers side. It knocked her to the ground with a loud thud. It had probably hurt but the doppelganger showed no sign of pain. Instead it just stood up and laughed hysterically. As though there were something ironically funny about what Twilight had just done. And to the doppelganger there was something ironically funny.

"Taking a page out of my book eh? Atta' girl." Another twisted smirk.

Twilight anger grew. She could practically feel it physically in her chest. A large hot burning ball of anger, something else too. Something Twilight had a hard time identifying because she never thought she would feel it towards anypony. Hatred. Pure unadulterated hatred. Even the anger gave way to make room for the hatred to take over. Twilight found herself wishing to hurt her doppelganger. It was only fair wasn't it? After all if one was to think about it it was this twisted version of herself that was killing her. Twilight was just thinking the other day how unfair the entire situation was. That after saving Equestria so many times she deserved better. Why shouldn't she destroy this revolting being? Twilight shifted her weight and leaned forward, her deformed horn pointing towards her enemy. She was ready to charge when she caught a glimpse of the frozen Fluttershy behind the other version of herself and everything snapped into perspective.

"Maybe we aren't so different, you and I, after all." The doppelganger said smugly.

What am I doing? Twilight couldn't believe herself. She shifted backwards standing back normally. Everything she'd just felt was so foreign to her. While she was feeling it she felt good but now....Now she wished she could take it all back. It felt awful. The hatred, it had felt as though it would consume her. She knew now that if she ever gave in to feelings like that she would lose herself. If she'd done what she was about to she would have never been the same again. Even if that thing before her wasn't truly alive, not truly a pony the simple act of doing it would have cost her everything she believed in.

"What do you want now!?" Twilight snapped, her anger still having not fully subsided.

"Temper, temper." The doppelganger said. She paused before adding "I just wanted to talk this time."

This time? "So you did try to drown me!"

The other Twilight looked to the side, feigning innocence. "I haven't a clue what you're talking about."

"You're just trying to make me think I'm crazy!"

"You are going crazy, darling! Or have you forgotten?"

Twilight wasn't sure what to say. Her other had a point.

"Back to the point though. True love, huh? "

"So that is what you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Yeah. She's a fine mare, Twilight." The doppelganger spoke tauntingly, yet with a somewhat sultry tone.

"I love her." Twilight said simply.

Her doppelganger ignored Twilight's statement. "Do you know the things I could do with a beautiful mare like that?"

Twilight couldn't figure out why what her other was saying was getting to her so much. It did more than make her feel uncomfortable. It upset her, far more than it should. "Stop it."

"She would be one hell of a buck."

"Stop it!" Twilight screamed.

"It's always the quiet ones that are the freaks." A chuckle.

"Stop it, stop it, stop it!" Twilight swung her head back and forth as she screamed it. No matter how loud she screamed it didn't stop her from hearing her other perfectly.

"I bet she's never even been with another pony. Let me take the reigns. I'll teach her a thing or two." A wink was thrown to Twilight.

Twilight shut her eyes tightly and all she could do was keep screaming "Stop it!" over and over again. That demented version of her was trying to upset her on purpose. The reason why wasn't clear but it was working. Maybe there wasn't a reason, and the doppelganger was just doing what it did best.

"Just imagine Twilight, that look on Fluttershy's face when you push her down onto the bed. She wouldn't even be expecting it..." The doppelgangers words became a very, very graphic account of what Twilight could do to Fluttershy. There was nothing sweet or romantic about it. The way the doppelganger made it sound it almost seemed forced, and that was a thought Twilight wouldn't ever approach.

Twilight fell to the ground on her belly. She put both of her front hooves into her ears and began screaming over and over again. She wasn't even saying words anymore she was just screaming to drown out the noise. Still she heard it though, and not just the other Twilight's sick ideas of what she wanted to do to Fluttershy. Everything her doppelganger had ever said to her rang in her head, overlapping. Twilight was being assaulted with horrible thought after horrible thought. What made it worse is they weren't even her thoughts, they were simply being pushed in her head.

By the end of it Twilight didn't even know what she was screaming. It had evolved from a steady stream of "stop it" to simple screaming and now she wasn't sure why she was screaming what she was. With her eyes shut tight she never knew when time resumed for her. She didn't know Fluttershy was kneeled beside her possibly more worried than she'd ever been watching Twilight scream.

"I love her! I wouldn't hurt her! Stop it, stop it, stop it...-"

"Twilight."

"Stop it, stop it, stop it,...-"

"Twilight!" A hesitant yellow hoof reached out to touch Twilight's shoulder gently.

Twilight flinched when she felt something touch her shoulder. "STOP IT!" Finally she opened her eyes. "F-Fluttershy? What happened?"

"Twilight, I was so worried about you! I-I don't know what happened. You just started muttering to yourself, I couldn't hear what you were saying. Next thing I knew you went to the ground and started yelling. I didn't know what to do. Spike came in here and he was so worried, I had to ask him to leave because I couldn't handle both of you at once." Tears threatened to overflow from Fluttershy's eyes.

Twilight quickly recovered at the threat of a crying Fluttershy. She kneeled up quickly. "No, no, no don't cry Fluttershy."

"Why won't you tell me what's going on?" The tears began to fall.

"I don't...Understand."

"Every time something like this happens you push the subject aside, you tell me everything's fine when I know it's not. I keep letting it go because I just assume you'll tell me when you're ready; but you never do. One one hoof you tell me you love me on the other you won't talk to me. Maybe you're not the only one who's in love Twilight!"

Time froze again, this time in the good way.

Fluttershy loves me? "You love me?" Twilight repeated aloud.

"Of course I do, do you think I'd be here if I didn't?"

"You love me." Twilight repeated again.

Fluttershy took it as a question again. "I-I just said I did."

"No, no sorry." Twilight exhaled. "I just. I love you too Fluttershy." Twilight was subconsciously trying to push the subject away from her 'episode'.

It didn't work. "Then tell me what's going on, please? Just talk to me about it and then we can spend all night cuddling, and being lovey dovey. If you want me to I'll tell you I love you all night long if it'll make you happy but please just talk to me." There was so much desperation in Fluttershy's voice, it hurt Twilight to see her like that.

Twilight didn't really want to talk about it, then again a few days ago she didn't want to see anypony either. Fluttershy had saved her and done so much for her. This was the least Twilight could do.

"I...There's this...Thing. I don't know what to call it, it's part of my sickness. It talks to me, Fluttershy. It's in my head and it's always watching. It shows up in my dreams." Twilight's voice was slowly descending to fear. "It says it's a physical manifestation of my disease. It's like it's there to hurt me."

"What happened this time?"

"It...Time stopped. For me, but I guess you saw things just fine. It appeared and it talked to me. It said horrible things about you, Fluttershy. It made me so angry. The way it looked at you. I shoved it and I felt something I never felt before. I hated it, and I wanted to hurt it. Kill it." Twilight spoke so quickly, almost Pinkie-like. She wanted to get it all out. She was ashamed to admit this. She had a whole new perspective on herself.

"Oh, my..."

Twilight felt as though Fluttershy were disgusted with her, even though she knew that the pegasus wasn't. Perhaps some emotions stemming from her doppelganger? How long before her other would be able to affect her for real, if she would even be able to do so at all.

"B-but then I saw you and I got a hold of myself. I feel so...Bad, like I'm a bad pony and now I'm just worried as time goes on I'm going to hurt you Fluttershy." There it was. Everything was out in the open now.

"Twilight, you won't hurt me." Fluttershy sounded so certain, her tears were starting to dry.

"You don't know that..."

"But I do. People always talk about how kind I am but the only reason I'm kind is because I have friends, and now a marefriend, like you."

Since they seemed to be on an honestly role Twilight decided it was time. With confessions of love in play it changed everything. "What happens when I'm gone Fluttershy? I feel like I'm just building you up to knock you down...I'm so selfish. All you do is help me."

"Is that really what you think or is that what 'it' tells you?"

"I-..." Twilight stopped. The only reason she'd thought that at all in the first place was because of her other.

This entire time Fluttershy had been stroking Twilight's mane, and Twilight hadn't even realized it until then. Fluttershy was so good at calming her down, so good at being there for her. It was no wonder Twilight had fallen for her as quickly as she had.

"I'm going to be sad when you're gone." Fluttershy's voice cracked. It was her turn for honesty. "I think about it all the time. It's so, so worth it though. I always felt lonely and scared and you're changing that about me. It's no wonder I fell for you so fast. How could I not when you're the best part of me. I've never felt more complete than I have in the last few days, and when you're gone it's going to be like losing a large part of myself. I'd regret it more if I didn't see this through though. That's how much I love you."

Twilight was sick of tears, but these ones she was happy for. In a sudden movement she pounced on Fluttershy, knocking her to the ground. Their lips met in a glorious kiss and Twilight didn't pull away until her brain was desperate for oxygen. They'd had their moment of honesty, of sadness. Now it was time to move on.

"Everytime you have an episode or anytime she bothers you I'll help you. She's just a bully Twilight. And for you I'll gladly stand up for."

"Thank you, again Fluttershy. For everything." Another, shorter kiss.

"So...You love me huh?"

Twilight blushed and giggled. "Yeah. I love you."

**

After that they'd gone to bed and Twilight had finally gotten a full night's sleep. She awoke next to a still sleeping Fluttershy. Fluttershy had been doing so much for her Twilight figured it was her turn to do something for Fluttershy. She snuck out of the bed, being as quiet as she could. She didn't want to accidentally wake Fluttershy. She tiphoofed downstairs and started making breakfast. She hadn't felt so rested in a long time, after all when she'd crawled into bed with Fluttershy it had still been the middle of the afternoon. Oh well, it's not like it did me any harm.

A knocking came at the door. It was still early so Twilight hadn't the faintest idea who would be visiting at such an hour. She thought maybe it would be Spike, returning from when Fluttershy sent him away. He'd probably been worried sick all night. The knocking came again and Twilight hurried towards the door before whoever was on the other side knocked again and woke up Fluttershy.

When she answered the door her heart skipped a beat.

"Twily!"

Next thing she knew she was scooped up into her big brothers arms and pulled into a crushing hug.

Oh no. Again.

Author's Note

Wow two chapters in one night!?!? I'm on a roll. This one came out much better than the last one. I feel as though this may be one of my best ones, at least the sequence with the doppelganger anyway. I usually make it a point to reply to every person who comments on my stories, it's just polite after all. I'm sorry I haven't recently, just been more focused on the writing. Don't think I've forgotten about, readers! I see your comments and I love them all. They really make my day and I'll get back to each of you tomorrow. But it's 1:30 am and I need some sleep, so I hope this chapter makes up for it in the mean time!

Brotherly Love Pt. 1

No, this can't be happening. Twilight desperately thought to herself as her body was crushed against her brothers. She returned it and after several seconds began struggling. Shining Armour finally let go of her and she took a nervous step back. Her gaze drifted upwards to look upon her brother, a colt that had always supported her and took care of her. She now had to tell that colt she was going to die. He had no idea either, with a huge smile on his face he looked down at his sister.

"Twily!" He repeated.

If only he knew what was coming... Twilight's heart skipped a beat.

"Aren't you glad to see me, little sis?" Shining teased.

Time for the best acting I've ever done... Twilight thought sadly. She forced a smile to her lips. "Of course I am."

"I got your letter yesterday." Shining began to explain. "It was weird, but somehow seemed urgent. So I rushed over here. With a surprise too." His grin grew as he ruffled her mane.

Twilight flashed him a sour look. "Surprise?"

"Unless I'm not good enough to count as one." Another teasing voice, this time female.

"Cadance!" Twilight wasn't completely surprised. She had invited her former foal-sitter, and now sister in law, after all. She just hadn't been expecting both of them to be able to get away from their royal duties. A second person to inform... She could feel her smile waver.

Cadance pushed her way past her husband. "Sunshine, Sunshine ladybugs awake. Clap your hoo-" She started the movements but when Twilight wasn't returning them or singing stopped. A frown crossed her face. "Is everything okay Twilight?"

Twilight had been momentarily distracted. Cadance had snapped her back to reality though. "Uh, yeah. Sorry. Just a little..." Twilight tried to come up with a good excuse. "Tired. I just woke up."

Shining ignored what Twilight had just said. "Mind if we come in, sis?"

Yes...Leave. Now. Then you're heart won't break... "Of course not." Another fake smile.

**

Twilight set everypony up at the table. She offered each of them toast and a cup of coffee, only her brother accepted though. Now the three sat at the table exchanging pleasantries and catching up on recent events. As far as Twilight's guests knew everything was perfectly fine. Twilight had completely forgotten about Fluttershy who was peacefully sleeping upstairs. The unicorn was being pushed to her emotional limits, sitting there lying to her family. They still didn't suspect a thing, whereas she felt she was dying inside. Oh, wait. I am. She thought morbidly.

The conversations went on. The smiling, the laughing all of it went on for what felt like hours when truthfully it couldn't have been more than half an hour. The entire time Twilight thought about what she was going to do, what she was going to say. Time was running out. It was only a matter of time before one of them brought up her invitation. The distressed purple pony was even considering not telling them anything yet, starting to think maybe she wasn't ready to. Of course then her thoughts went back to how unfair that would be. She couldn't keep it from them. They deserved to know. Twilight could only imagine her brothers response if he learned only after she'd passed. She imagined it would be something similar to when she had found out he was getting married; only a million times worse.

"So, Twily." Shining Armour began and Twilight knew what was coming. "Why did you invite Cadance and I here? Your letter was cryptic, at best." He started quoting her letter. "I have some important news to share with you. Out with it then, what's so important you had to call royalty to your humble abode?" he said, always with the jokes.

This was it. No, Twilight wanted to stall some more. "I wasn't expecting the two of you so soon. You never even replied to my letter."

"No, we wanted to surprise you. It's been a pretty long time. We can't stay past the end of the day of course but we thought it'd still be nice to visit for the day." Cadance spoke with such affection in her voice. She really had been looking forward to seeing Twilight. "And when you said you had some important news to share with us it was the perfect excuse to come see my favourite sister-in-law."

"Your only sister in law." Twilight grinned, the first real one since her two guests had arrived.

"You'd still be my favourite." Cadance said sheepishly.

"You're my favourite sister too, for the record." Shining Armour chuckled.

"Thanks, BBBFF." Twilight looked down as guilt over run her.

"So come on! I'm dying to know why we came here!"

A poor choice of words.

"Well...I...The truth is. Cadance. Shining Armour." She turned to each of them in turn. "I-"

"Twilight?" Fluttershy's voice came from the top of the stairs.

All three of the ponies sitting at the table turned towards the staircase. All three of them were greeted to the sight of the yellow pegasus taking her time coming down the stairs. She had clearly just gotten out of bed, her mane was proof of that. It was messy, but not overly embarrassing, thankfully.

Fluttershy had woken up to find the space beside her empty. She worried about Twilight, thinking perhaps she'd had another 'episode'. She decided to investigate, find her marefriend. Now she had three ponies all staring at her, so she had a feeling Twilight had neglected to tell them that she was upstairs. Fluttershy's cheeks quickly took a crimson colour. She recognized both Shining Armour and Cadance of course, but it didn't make the situation any less embarrassing. She squeaked and spun on her hooves. She ran back upstairs and shut the door behind her with a loud smack.

Now Twilight had two sets of eyes on her both with confused expressions. Twilight slowly turned to face her guests. She was blushing almost as intensely as Fluttershy had been moments before. There was of course nothing to worry about, neither of them would guess that Fluttershy and her were dating based on what had just happened. That didn't make the situation any less awkward though.

"I'm so sorry! Your sudden appearance made me completely forget about Fluttershy upstairs. We were having a sleep over and obviously I wasn't expecting you."

Both of her guests laughed hysterically. It was so unlike Twilight to forget one of her friends.

All three heard the door to Twilight's bedroom open again and then the sound of Fluttershy's steps as she slowly descended towards them. She'd fixed her mane a little bit so that it didn't seem so unkempt. She definitely did not seem any less embarrassed though. When she reached the other three she managed to stutter out. "I-I'm sorry for interrupting. Twilight invited me over to help her with a new spell yesterday. We must have lost track of time and I just fell asleep. I'm so sorry Twilight, I didn't mean to spend the night here like that."

Fluttershy thought she was doing a good deed. She doubted Twilight had told her brother and sister-in-law about their relationship. In the spirit of being a good marefriend Fluttershy wanted to help her keep that secret. If that meant lying for a little bit that was okay. Fluttershy figured that her marefriend would tell her family when she was ready. Fluttershy was wearing an abashed smiled. She couldn't understand why everypony was staring at her oddly.

"Uninvited?" Shining Armour raised a brow, quizzically.

"I just finished telling Shining Armour how I invited you over for a sleep over." Twilight spoke every word with a distinct pause between each word. She wasn't upset with Fluttershy.

"Don't worry about it dear. I'm sure Twilight and Fluttershy have their reasons." Cadance gave Twilight a knowing smile and a wink.

Shining Armour had a feeling something was up but he let it go. "Let's get back to the reason you invited us here."

Fluttershy only then realized what she'd interrupted. "Oh my, I think I should go." Fluttershy started making her way towards the go.

Twilight's heart skipped a beat for a second time that morning. "No!" She practically shouted it. "Fluttershy, I need you here. Please." Twilight's voice had gone to an almost desperate tone. The look of fear on her face convinced Fluttershy that Twilight really did need her there. The pegasus could only nod as she made her way back to her mrefriend. Of course Shining Armour and Cadance now knew something was really up.

"Twily, what's going on?" No more jokes, his tone and experssion were completely serious.

Fluttershy leaned down to whisper into Twilight's ear. "You can do it, love."

Everypony was expecting her to say something. She didn't want to blurt out she was dying. It wasn't something she could just spring on those she cared about like that. What other choice did she have? Then it came to her.

"I invited you both here to tell you I have a marefriend. I'm dating Fluttershy."

Shining Armour gasped.
Fluttershy blushed.
Cadance smiled, obviously delighted at such news.

Twilight felt as though she'd just lost a part of herself for not telling them the truth.

Author's Note

There's a reason this chapter is split into two parts. Not the best chapter, but that's why I wanted to divide it into two parts. The next one is going to be intense, in a manner of speaking. I hope you guys aren't too disappointed with this chapter. I swear the next one will be better. Heck, if I'm not satisfied or this one really comes out worse than I think it will I may just delete this chapter and start over. x.x

Brotherly Love Pt. 2

Twilight was mortified at what she had just shouted out like that. She'd deceived both Shining Armour and Cadance. If they didn't suspect that anything was wrong before now they were convinced of it. To them this entire visit was now about breaking the news about Twilight's love life. Nopony seemed upset about her announcement, not even the shy Fluttershy. At this point Fluttershy wasn't embarrassed about her relationship with Twilight. Twilight could tell everypony for all Fluttershy cared. Her feelings for the lavender unicorn were real and the pegasus had come to the decision that she wouldn't be ashamed of this. She was shy about a lot of things but she refused to be so about Twilight. She loved the unicorn a whole lot. Hiding their relationship may make one of them think that they were embarrassed about the other and Fluttershy would never let that happen. She had taken it as her mission to keep Twilight happy, after all.

Cadance had the biggest smile upon her lips. "When I saw Fluttershy come down those stairs I knew." It was an absolute. There hadn't been a doubt in her mind.

"How?" Twilight asked. What could she have done to make it less obvious, she wondered.

"Twilight I hold a certain power over the element of love. I could practically feel the love you hold for Fluttershy in your heart, I could also feel Fluttershy returning those feelings. The blush on your cheeks didn't help your case either." Cadance took a look at the two lovers. "Congratulations Twilight. You two really make an adorable couple." Cadance seemed absolutely thrilled. She would be, anything to do with love she adored.

"Y-you think so? Thank you." Twilight then turned her gaze towards her brother. "Shining Armour, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't know how you'd react to my dating another mare...I hope you understand."

"I do. Just know, little sis, you can always count on me. You have my congratulations as well. It's nice to see you get your head out of the books a bit. I always knew you'd find somepony nice, Twily."

Both of them were so sincere, the complete opposite of how Twilight had been.

"Is it serious?" Shining Armour spit out casually.

"That's none of our business either, honey." Cadance's voice took a more serious tone, but the smile on her face made everypony know she was foaling around. "Honestly, he always sticks his muzzle where it doesn't belong." Twilight giggled softly at that comment. She was all too familiar with that. "In all seriousness though I'm happy for you too Twilight. Love is the most powerful element if you ask me. It has the power to do so much, even more than friendship. It can keep you strong in the darkest of times."

"I know, I've learned that all too well." Twilight shifted uncomfortably.

"I hope Fluttershy and yourself have a long and happy relationship." Cadance wasn't aware of the damage she'd just done.

Long and happy. Twilight thought to herself. Long.

No. Her relationship with Fluttershy wasn't going to be long at all. It had only just started but already it was approaching it's end. Twilight couldn't help herself from fantasizing about an alternate future. A happier one. One where she got to live on with Fluttershy. They would live together until they both died a natural death. Together they would spend their lives happy and carefree. No pressure, no time limit. Twilight could even see the two of them donning wedding dresses and getting married. That would never happen though. Twilight wasn't allowed to just be happy. Every time that the dying mare would try to forget her situation and be happy she would end up getting metaphorically slapped with something she would never be able to have. It wasn't fair, but then she'd known that for a while now.

Fluttershy had caught on to Cadance's choice of words. It upset her too, probably not as much as it had Twilight and she realized that. Knowing you only had a short time with the love of your life, especially because of events beyond your control was possibly one of the worst feelings in the world. It made making decisions difficult and forced one to carefully choose words. Talking about the future was always out of the question. It was difficult but Fluttershy maintained that it was worth it. That was partially why it was so difficult to watch Twilight at that particular moment.

Twilight was aware of Cadance and her brother speaking to her but it was like background noise to her. None of it seemed overly important to her because this was the moment where the realization hit her. She'd managed to keep it at bay for so long but she'd reached her limit. The thing that had caused this crash was finally realizing that she wouldn't have as much time with Fluttershy as she wanted. As she needed. As they needed. The thing that she realized above her short time with Fluttershy was something so painstakingly obvious she wasn't sure how she'd managed to keep it out of her head for so long. She was going to die. Soon. I'm going to die.

No! I'm not going to die, it's not fair! I won't let it happen! I want to be with Fluttershy! I don't want to say goodbye to my friends!

It was so quick. The tears came so quickly Twilight barely had time to register she was crying. For only about the millionth time in the last several days tears freely flowed down her cheeks. They slowly dripped down her face and fell to the floor with an almost silent crash. Shining Armour and Cadance both stood up. They were concerned for the unicorn. Neither understood what was wrong.

"Oh my, I'm going to go get everypony a drink. Twilight could you help me, please, if you don't mind? I really need your help." It was a lame cover story but it would do. Fluttershy was sure Twilight's guests would not be fooled. Nor would they ask questions. It was rather evident why Fluttershy wanted to see her marefriend in private. Fluttershy grabbed Twilight and dragged her into the kitchen. As soon as they were out of view Fluttershy crushed Twilight against her into an unusually strong hug.

Twilight pushed her face into Fluttershy's neck as she had so many times lately. It made her feel better, safe. There was nowhere that Twilight would rather be than in the hooves of her loving marefriend. She knew she was becoming too reliant on her, too attached. It normally wouldn't be a bad thing but Twilight knew that she would be spending the night alone. She'd promised Fluttershy she wouldn't make a big deal about it either. She would swallow her emotions and let her marefriend go later in the day. It was only one night after all, everything would be fine. She hoped. She pushed those thoughts aside and focused only on the wonderful feeling of Fluttershy's mane against her cheek. She always felt bad for allowing her tears to fall on Fluttershy's fur, but as usual Fluttershy was the perfect marefriend.

"Twilight I'm so sorry. Princess Cadance didn't know." Soft strokes were delivered down the back of Twilight's head. Fluttershy was trying to be as comforting as she could. Every time she watched Twilight break down like this she felt a another fragment of her heart shatter. She hoped her heart would hold together, for Twilight's sake. Oh, how she wished she could take all of Twilight's pain onto herself. Even if it was just for a little while. If she could just give Twilight one pain free day...

Twilight tried to keep her sobs as silent as possible. She didn't want her brother and former foalsitter to hear her cry. It was all becoming so difficult, too much for her. Why couldn't at least the last little while of her life be spent peaceful? Everything that she was pushing onto Fluttershy must be unbearable. She wished she could find a way to stop but she needed this, needed her. Without Fluttershy Twilight was even beginning to think she wouldn't be able to make it through everything. After several minutes of silent sobs Twilight finally pulled herself away. Fluttershy tried her best to give Twilight a reassuring smile, something the unicorn was grateful for.

"I love you, Twilight Sparkle. What can I do? What can I do to make you feel better?" The softest of nuzzles was delivered to Twilight.

Twilight hiccuped and giggled as quietly as she could. "A kiss might help me feel a little better..." Twilight murmured, embarrassed.

Fluttershy leaned forward and gave Twilight a soft peck on the lips. "Feel better?"

"Yes but I think another one might make me feel even better." Twilight gave her marefriend a sly grin.

Fluttershy's lips curved upwards as an idea formed in her mind. "In that case..." Fluttershy approached the quizzical Twilight. Fluttershy suddenly leaned forward and delivered several quick, small kisses to Twilight's lips. They came so quickly and uncoordinated that Twilight couldn't even return all of them. The quick pecks delivered onto Twilight's lips evolved into pecks delivered onto her cheeks. Fluttershy then pressed slower, more delicate kisses down Twilight's neck then back up her cheek to playfully nip at her marefriend's ear.

Twilight let out a continuous stream of giggling as Fluttershy showered her with kisses. In that moment Twilight's mind wasn't thinking about her problems any more. Even if if the pain was going to return soon she was happy at that moment. And that was all that mattered.

"Feeling better now?" Fluttershy asked.

"Much. Thank you for that and for everything you put up with." This time it was Twilight's turn to kiss Fluttershy.

"I'm glad to, so long as it's for you." An affectionate nuzzle. Fluttershy sighed. She didn't want to have to bring this up, especially since she'd only just cheered Twilight up. "You need to tell them,...L-love." Fluttershy stuttered on the term of endearment.

Twilight tilted her head and Fluttershy only blushed in response. "I'm sorry. Would you...Prefer darling? Or something else, maybe...?"

"No, I liked the first one. Just, you've never called me that before. I remember reading that couples often have special terms of endearment for each other. I liked it when you called me that. It was...Sweet." Twilight said.

"Thank you, but-"

"I know, I have to. I guess it really is time isn't it?" Twilight's mood instantly dropped again.

"It is..." Fluttershy tried to put a good spin on it. "But I'll be there with you every step of the way, okay love?" Fluttershy smiled to herself. She thought she could get used to calling Twilight that.

Twilight hesitated. There were still some things she wanted to talk to Fluttershy about, some of the things she'd thought about as she'd broke down only minutes before. It would have to wait though. Telling her family was important. "Let's do it." Twilight started heading back towards her guests.

Break a leg. came an all too familiar voice.

Twilight froze on the spot and watched as the world once again faded to grey. Fluttershy froze, the world froze and so did her heart. The lavender mare was so sick of having her doppelgänger interfere in her life. She definitely wasn't in the mood either, she had enough to deal with without having psychotic episodes. At least she knew how things would work. Thanks to her previous encounter she knew it would appear as though she were talking to herself. As though she were crazy, which Twilight supposed she was at this point.

Twilight looked around, trying to locate whom she knew would appear at any moment. She spun on her hooves over and over again, straining to figure out where her demented self would come from. Eventually she stopped, she was just beginning to think maybe her other wasn't going to show up when without warning she appeared in front of Twilight.

"Boo!" She shouted forcing Twilight to squeal and stumble backwards, landing on her rump.

"Not again..." Twilight murmured to herself. She lay on her belly as she had last time. Her hooves were firmly planted in her ear. I just want it to stop...Please, make it stop.

Nothing was happening, no voices in her head and no painful images. Twilight hesitantly looked up, the unicorn was praying the darker side of her would be gone; nowhere to be seen. Her wish wasn't granted. Her sickness stood atop her but something was different. She didn't possess a smirk on her lips and there was no malice in her eyes. Instead with a hoof gesture she invited Twilight to sit up; not knowing what else to do the unicorn obliged.

Darklight, the name Twilight had cleverly just come up with to separate herself from Darklight, sighed. A guilty frown was on her lips and she turned to face Twilight. "I really have been pretty bad to you lately, haven't I?"

Twilight blinked. That wasn't what she'd been expecting at all. "I..." The lavender mare couldn't even find a response.

"Going through what you are must be difficult, and deep down it is all my fault." Darklight seemed so...Sad.

"I don't understand." Twilight wasn't going to allow herself to be lulled into a false sense of security. "You hate me, you're essentially draining the life from me." These were facts. Indisputable and judging from their previous encounters Twilight was sure Darklight was enjoying her job.

"I know. It's not my fault though. It's just what I am but now I want to help you." A smile twisted itself onto her lips. It seemed genuine on the surface but it looked wrong on Darklight's lips. "For real."

"H-how?" Twilight asked hesitantly. A cure? Am I going to be saved? Am I going to get the life with Fluttershy I want? All these questions raced through her mind and despite her best efforts she felt something she didn't want to. Hope. Her nature was forcing her to make the best of the situation, believe in Darklight. After all Darklight was essentially a part of her, and Twilight knew that she was genuinely a good pony. Twilight was good, but of course she had a bit of darkness in her too. Therefore it stood to reason that Darklight, although essentially bad, had a bit of good in her as well. Perhaps she was tapping into it.

"I don't know that it's a perfect solution, but you won't have to suffer any more Twilight. Your sorrow, your pain you can take it all away. You have the power to do that, you know. Nopony will worry about you anymore, your friends will be free from their worrying too. It would help everypony. Isn't that what you want?" Darklight's voice was honey-coated. It all sounded to good to be true. Twilight felt as though she were falling into a trance, simply listening, ready to obey without question.

"I'd like that." Twilight whispered. Her eyes glazed over, and an overwhelming sense of freedom washed over her.

"Then do it. You can be free, finally. Take freedom. For yourself."

It sounded so good, a smile came to Twilight's lips. "Freedom..."

"Take this, Twilight and reclaim what you've lost." Darklight whispered almost seductively into Twilight's ear as she pushed an object into Twilight's hooves.

None of it made sense, yet somehow it made complete sense. Twilight knew what she had to do.

Twilight nodded and slowly raised the object. She was indescribably happy. The images going through here mind were some of the oddest she'd ever seen, she couldn't even truly describe them. Her friends were there though, and happy for here. They were waiting for her and she could hear them calling for her. Especially Fluttershy. She was screaming louder than all the others, desperate for Twilight to join her. Twilight smiled one final time before raising her hoof to her neck and...

Author's Note

Holy crap? Did I actually just do that? I think I did. I had two options, and I chose the one that involved splitting this chapter up into three as opposed to two. This is nuts, I honestly never planned to have something like this happened. Obviously we all have to wait until part three to find out what really happened in the, uh,..."real world" I guess. I promised intensity and longer so I hope this fits the bill. Now to go find those pesky errors that keep appearing....I challenged myself to have none.

Hope you enjoy!

Brotherly Love Pt. 3

Nothing made sense to Twilight. She felt her back hit the ground with a loud thud. What happened? she thought to herself. She remembered being happy, but now she was anything but. Darklight had pushed a knife into her hoof and she'd brought it up to her throat to...Oh no! That was why Fluttershy was screaming louder than the others. Why her voice had sounded different. Fluttershy had not been screaming for Twilight to approach her but to return. To stop whatever Fluttershy could see her doing. Twilight had just attempted to kill herself.

I couldn't have! Twilight was almost convinced she'd killed herself. She realized now everything was dark, and she panicked. She then became aware of a pressure on her entire body. Both her hooves were being held above her on each side of her head. There was pain on her throat and it felt wet, probably blood. All around here there was sobbing, three distinct voices. Obviously Fluttershy, Cadance and her brother. Twilight was relieved she hadn't done it, she hadn't wanted to. It was like something had taken control of her body and to prevent her from fighting it was showing her a good outcome. Telling her exactly what she wanted to hear. Darklight was responsible for this. She'd manipulated Twilight and Twilight had believed her like a fool.

Twilight was scared to open her eyes but she knew she had to. There was no choice in the matter. Slowly she forced her lids upwards to reveal the world to her. The first thing she saw was Fluttershy's tearful face. When she saw Twilight's eyes open instead of a relieved sigh like Twilight thought she might release Fluttershy only began to sob harder. Her head practically bashed itself into the crook between Twilight's neck and shoulder. She sobbed out, almost incoherently "H-how could you T-Twilight?"

Twilight couldn't find the words to respond to her sobbing marefriend. Instead she turned her head to the side a little. Cadance wore a horrified expression whereas her brother had a stern expression. He shook his head, Twilight wasn't sure with which emotion. The unicorn just wished that they knew this wasn't her fault. She opened her mouth to speak but it hurt her throat to do so. She groaned.

Shining Armour had obviously become aware of her pain because his horn began to glow and an aura surrounded it. A cool sensation came to the wound on Twilight's neck and she felt it close. It didn't hurt but it was certainly unpleasant. It wasn't perfect, Shining Armour's magic was mostly used in the Royal Guard not for healing.

"It's not perfect but it'll get the job done. At the very least it won't hurt." He swallowed hard and turned around. He went back into the dining area and resumed his seat as though nothing had happened. As though his sister hadn't just inexplicably tried to take her own life. Cadance followed her husband and wrapped a leg around his shoulder, cuddling into him. It was the only thing she could think to do to offer support.

Meanwhile Fluttershy hadn't stopped crying. Twilight tried saying something several times but Fluttershy simply wasn't ready to listen to anything. She wanted to keep holding onto Twilight. She thought that by holding Twilight against her she would be able to keep her there, prevent her from trying to leave her again. Eventually though Fluttershy's tears ran out and her sobs came less often. Finally she'd calmed down, even if only a little and was ready to listen to Twilight. Fluttershy whispered only one word. "Why?"

Twilight swallowed and turned her head away. She was more ashamed than she'd ever been even if it wasn't her fault. How could she have put Fluttershy through that? "Wasn't my fault." Twilight croaked out and Fluttershy raised her head to get a look at her marefriend. "It was her, Darklight is what I call her now. She made me do it, she tricked me and manipulated me. I didn't even know what I was doing Fluttershy, I swear." Twilight kept her tears at bay. She'd been so weak recently, now she had to be strong for Fluttershy.

Fluttershy started sobbing again, she didn't think she'd be able sure. She was so certain her tears had run dry but apparently she had a few more. "Oh Twilight, thank goodness." She managed to get out between sobs.

"Huh?" Twilight didn't understand.

"I-I thought that I wasn't doing a good enough job. I thought you tried to kill yourself because I wasn't keeping you happy enough. I thought it was my fault. I know it's probably bad of me to be happy right now but I am. I'm sorry."

"No, Fluttershy. I'm sorry." Twilight brought Fluttershy's head back down into the area between her neck and shoulder and stroked her mane softly. "I didn't do it on purpose but I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you. Forgive me, please."

"O-of course. Just please don't do something like that again Twilight, you h-have to fight her." Fluttershy crushed Twilight tighter.

"I will, but I have to get up." Twilight said. She didn't want to but she had to explain herself to her brother. She would have all the time she needed with Fluttershy later. No, that wasn't true but she would have enough time to comfort her from recent events.

"O-okay..." Fluttershy squeaked out before unwillingly letting go of Twilight.

Twilight forced herself to climb to her hooves and peeked her head into the dining area. "Shining..." she called out. Her brother didn't even turn to face her. Cadance briefly glanced at her but she was focused mainly on her husband. Fluttershy followed Twilight as she made her way to her brother and former foalsitter. Fluttershy stuck to Twilight like glue. No way was she going to let Twilight out of her sight after what had just occurred.

"Shi-" Twilight was brutally cut off.

Shining Armour rose from the chair, angrier than he'd ever looked before. "What were you thinking Twilight! I know you're smarter than this because I know my sister isn't stupid enough to try and kill herself!"

"I-I didn'-"

"Don't pull that crap on me! I know what I just saw Twilight!"

"Dear, give her a chance to explain..." Cadance ran a hoof over his shoulders.

Everypony was disappointed in her. Twilight looked down. She wanted to cry. Again. Only one tear fell and hit the ground before Twilight got a hold of herself. She looked up and even though she wasn't crying she seemed so distressed that Shining actually looked surprise. "I'm going to die."

Shining advanced now. "Don't say that!"

He didn't understand. "You don't understand!" Twilight sighed in frustration. This was already hard enough without these types of reactions. "I'm going to die!"

Cadance stepped in this time. She didn't understand either. "Twilight, please stop. That's such an awful thing to say."

Twilight was about to snap and Fluttershy could tell so she stepped in front of her marefriend. "Please, um, listen if you don't mind....You actually don't understand."

All the attention was on Fluttershy but this was too important to shy out. "You see Twilight's contracted a disease from studying dark magic. Princess Celestia told us she only has a little while longer to live. She wanted to tell the two of you in person...And she didn't try to kill herself. Part of her sickness made her do it. It's some kind of manifestation of it in her head. It made her do what she just did, Twilight would never do that." It all came out so wrong to Fluttershy. She was doing her best though.

Both Cadance and Shining Armour directed their gaze back to Twilight. They both looked aghast, shocked. Neither could believe what they had just heard. Surely they would have been told before hand. If Princess Celestia knew she would have informed them, wouldn't she? Unless Twilight really did want to tell them in person, which made sense.

"Is...Is this true?" Shining Armour asked, even though he already knew it was. Nopony would joke about something as serious as a fatal illness.

Twilight nodded. Her gaze was kept down because she couldn't bear to look at her brother as he broke down, as she knew he would. Cadance broke her though. Twilight heard her soft sob first and it was quickly followed but a husky, broken sound by Shining Armour.

"Why...Why didn't you tell me sooner, Twily?" Shining Armour was fighting his emotions but they were kicking his flank.

"I've only known for a few days. Fluttershy's been taking care of me. I spent the first few days alone, then Fluttershy came to cheer me up. She never left, she's been with me this entire time. Sometimes my horn hurts so badly I can't even move. Fluttershy makes it better. When Darklight tries to hurt me Fluttershy is there to keep her at bay. Princess Celestia offered to tell you, but I wanted to do it myself. It was important..." Twilight trailed off. That was a poor recap of everything that had happened, but it would have to do.

"What's wrong with your horn, Twilight?" Cadance asked. "Maybe I can help, maybe I can fix it... Maybe, maybe..." Cadance started repeating, desperate for an answer.

Twilight still wouldn't look up. It now dawned on Twilight that they'd never asked what was wrong with her horn and she wondered why that was. It wasn't that important but if she'd walked in to Shining Armour having a bandaged horn she would definitely be worried. "Why didn't you ask about it earlier." She pitifully spit out.

"We assumed you just hurt yourself practising magic. I mean, it wasn't too far-fetched. You study and practise so hard we didn't think it was a big deal." Shining Armour didn't understand how that was relevant.

That made sense. Still her gaze would not rise. "You asked what was wrong..." Twilight raised her hooves up to her horn and carefully removed the bandages. She would occasionally bump her horn and she would wince in pain. Fluttershy's wing found it's way around her as it always did whenever she needed comfort. Twilight discarded the bandage. Shocked gasps came from Cadance and Shining Armour.

"Twilight, your horn..." Cadance said. Just like the others she'd never seen anything like that. "There has to be something we can do. Maybe we can mend and that will make you better. There has to be some way. The Crystal Empire has tons of books on diseases. I'll head back and see if I can fin-"

"Cadance, stop." Twilight raised her gaze finally. It was awful. Seeing the broken gaze of her brother and sister-in-law. "If there were a cure Princess Celestia would have told me. I know it's hard but...I've kind of come to terms with this."

"Twily, there has to be something we can do..."

"There is, Shining Armour..." Twilight swallowed. "Cadance and you. You guys can be here for me. I just want to spend my last little while with you and the ponies I care about. Please, Shining Armour, Cadance...Don't go looking for something you won't find." It was a desperate plea from Twilight. She didn't want those she cared about wasting their time on things like that. Instead of wasting their time searching for a cure that wasn't there they could spend more time with her. Any moment they had free from then on Twilight wanted them to spend it in Ponyville. Or she would go visit them in the Crystal Empire. Hopefully her friends could come, or at least Fluttershy.

Shining Armour and his wife exchanged a glance. There was nothing they could do. They approached Twilight at the same time and they pulled her into a hug. Of course they broke down, all of them. How could they not? They held Twilight as though she were dying right there. They felt as though if they let go everything would shatter, nothing would be the same because they would have to deal with the situation. After an undetermined amount of time they grew apart and seemed to remember a certain yellow mare was there too. Fluttershy stood awkwardly, she couldn't bring herself to interrupt something like that.

"Fluttershy..." Shining Armour called. Fluttershy's ears perked up and she turned towards the white stallion. "You...You helped my sister through all of this."

The pegasus' cheeks turned red. "I, um, tried my best sir."

Shining Armour ignored the 'sir' comment. "Well you've done a good job. And my sister is obviously very fond of you. I always knew you, her and the rest of your group of friends were close but now you're more. I can never thank you enough for what you've done for my sister, Fluttershy. You're part of the family now." He gestured her over with his hoof.

For once Fluttershy didn't feel shy at such words or that invitation. She made her way to the rest of them and her hooves found their way around Twilight as well. She joined the little group hug of the family she was now a part of and she felt like she belonged. Her relationship with her own family had never been great and she hadn't seen her parents in years. She had no siblings. Now though she had Twilight. She had Shining Armour and Cadance as well. It wasn't the best of circumstances but maybe the little family could pull through everything if they stuck together.

For Twilight things definitely weren't ideal. The hard part was over though. She wouldn't need to have this conversation again. It was done with, and Shining Armour and Cadance knew. They would be there for her, just like Fluttershy and the rest of Twilight's friends. No, it wasn't ideal but it was a glimmer of light when everything seemed dark.

Author's Note

Gosh, I'm not sure what happened but some people seemed pretty upset about the last chapter x.x I never intended to actually have Twilight kill herself, that would be a horrible ending. I just wanted to string you folks along for a bit but I think I should post this now instead of waiting a few days like I intended. I hope this chapter warms your hearts a little more than the previous one. I think the last chapter was possibly one of my best written ones ever though. In my opinion anyway. Anyway as I said I hope you enjoy this one.

PS. Also I think I managed for the most part the no errors in the last chapter thing so...Yay me .^_^

Life Goes On

Despite Twilight's fast approaching demise, life had to go on. For her, her friends and even her family. So it did. Several weeks had passed since she'd broken the news to Shining Armour and a surprising amount of things had happened since then. Cadence had to stay in the Crystal Empire to rule; Shining Armour, on the other hand managed to get away. He was staying with Twilight and intended to do so until the end. Twilight was glad for the company. When Fluttershy couldn't be around, her brother was.

Fluttershy and Twilight had grown much closer over the last few weeks. They spent as much time together as they could and it still wasn't enough for them. They knew that if there wasn't an invisible timer that was counting down their time together they would be satisfied with how often they saw each other; so they did their best. Fluttershy was often busy taking care of her animal friends. She kept her promise and every Sunday was reserved for Twilight and herself and nothing could stop them from having their day together. It was what kept Twilight going when there was a week where she hadn't seen much of Fluttershy. Twilight stayed at Fluttershy's cottage every now and then but it was rare. The first time she'd stayed there was the same day she'd broken the news to Shining Armour and Princess Cadance. They'd discovered it wasn't the ideal set-up. Fluttershy's animals would demand a lot of attention when she was around; especially Angel. They would constantly be interrupted so they stuck to the library unless it had been a really long time.

Spike had moved back into the library as well. Spike had known from the beginning that Twilight was going to pass away soon. It turned out that he'd overheard Princess Celestia. He'd kept it to himself and acted as though everything were fine. He was in denial, and refused to believe what he'd overheard to the point that when Twilight told him herself he'd told her she was wrong. It had been difficult and many tears were shed, but Twilight was getting used to it. Twilight felt awful when she realized she had to tell Spike though; as she'd forgotten about him. She thought after Shining Armour and Cadance had been dealt with it was over. She'd been proven wrong twice since then, Spike being the first and her parents being second.
It had been a long time since Twilight had even spoken to her parents.

They'd sent her to live with Princess Celestia and had hardly spoken to her since. Twilight didn't even want to tell them but her brother convinced his sister otherwise. He'd made several good points. Once she was gone there would be no more opportunities to fix the relationship with her parents. Nothing she could do to make amends. It had been a good decision to fix things with her parents. She'd gone to Canterlot to see them (Fluttershy and Shining Armour had accompanied her) to break the news. It had, again, been difficult but Twilight pulled through it. Personal matters and space prevented them from staying in Ponyville with Twilight as well, but they wrote to their daughter all the time. They knew she would be safe with Shining Armour and were thrilled that Twilight had found a nice pony to love her, even if she was a mare. Twilight's mom had always wanted grandfoals so it was, of course, a little disappointing but as Twilight was going to pass soon anyway it wouldn't have mattered if she'd met a colt anyway.

The rest of Twilight's friends weren't forgotten. Each tried to help her in their own way. Rarity always invited Twilight to join her and Fluttershy at the spa. Rarity that believed being pampered would maybe get Twilight's mind off of her situation, and it worked, to an extent. Applejack liked to act as though nothing were wrong. She knew what was going to happen but treating Twilight any differently than she always had wouldn't save her. Rainbow Dash was having a more difficult time than Applejack and Rarity with coping. She was angry that Twilight had 'given up' so easily. Dash had thought that Twilight of all ponies would at least try to find a cure, do something. In truth part of her held it against Twilight, but she would stick with her friend to the end regardless. Dash had to understand she had no control over Twilight's decisions. Pinkie Pie simply hadn't been the same. At first she'd been okay but as time went on things had only gotten harder on the party-loving mare. Out of Everypony Pinkie was possibly the one who was the most attached to her friends so the idea of losing one forever was heart-breaking. Still, as a true friend she also did her best to help Twilight.

All was not well though. Darklight's harassment had not ceased in the least. It had grown exponentially. She hadn't been lying when she had said that as Twilight grew weaker she grew stronger. It was easier for Darklight to manifest herself. Sometimes, time wouldn't even freeze any more for Twilight. Even in the physical world, although she couldn't touch Twilight, Twilight could almost feel her. It was scary. She hadn't tried to get Twilight to kill herself again; or it was more she lacked the power to. Twilight's will to live out her days with her friends and family was too strong. Such an approach was meaningless so she'd given up. That didn't mean the hard times were over. The intense pain in Twilight's horn was growing more frequent. Several nights a week her horn would explode in pain. It used to be only for a few minutes but now the mind-searing agony went on for at least an hour each time. Those were special situations where Shining Armour or Spike would go to get Fluttershy right away. The yellow pegasus would gladly drop anything she was doing to go help Twilight. She was the only one who could help when Twilight got like that.

As for Twilight herself she could tell her time was becoming short. Extremely short. It was almost time, as unfortunate as it was. It seemed even shorter to her. She thought it would pass by slowly but instead every day made her wish she had more time. There was nothing she could do. Twilight did her best to keep it together, but it wasn't easy. Her mind was going through a steady descent into insanity. Darklight was a testament to that. When she'd asked Princess Celestia about it the Princess had assured her she would pass before it got bad enough that Twilight wouldn't be able to handle herself. It was a relief, but not a comfort. Physically she was growing worse as well. Twilight caught herself growing exhausted frequently. Her muscles ached often and she'd even coughed up blood every now and then. It was a bitter-sweet thing that soon she wouldn't be able to feel the pain any more.

The Sun was now drifting lazily up into the sky. The morning was only beginning in Ponyville, but it promised to be a beautiful day. Twilight stretched and she heard her back crack satisfyingly as she did. A smile formed on her lips as she realized it was Monday morning. She knew what that meant. When she opened her eyes sure enough there was Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus gave Twilight the sweetest smile as she watched her marefriend open her eyes.

"Morning, love." Fluttershy whispered.

"Morning." Twilight returned. The two then leaned in to share a quick kiss.

This was their routine; Every Monday morning at least. Neither left the bed until both were awake. The two lovers crawled out of bed and lazily headed downstairs; not even worried about their bedmane. Shining Armour had caught them doing far worse things so seeing them with an unkempt mane was the least of their worries. Fluttershy was impressed with herself. At how comfortable she'd become around Twilight and Shining Armour. They truly were here family.

"Good morning, you two." Shining Armour's cheery voice called out. A cup of coffee floated over to each of them and they gratefully took it. He already knew what each of them took and every morning he had it ready for them. Or at least for Twilight. He wasn't always sure when Fluttershy showed up. "Do you two have any plans for today?"

"No." Twilight said with a yawn. She went to take the first sip of her coffee when it was knocked from her hoof. The cup crashed to the floor and the hot liquid quickly spread. A twisted, grinning face winked at Twilight before disappearing. Twilight glared. She didn't retaliate verbally though. If knocking Coffee out of her hoofs was all Darklight felt like doing that day then maybe it would be an excellent day. Any time Darklight wasn't assaulting Twilight with horrible visions or words it was a good day.

"Oh my, are you okay." Fluttershy asked. She knew it had been Darklight but didn't say anything. Of course she'd seen how things had been getting worse.

"Clumsy as always, Twily." Shining Armour's horn glowed and the liquid quickly vanished. The cup appeared on the table, now intact. He noticed Twilight staring longingly at his horn. "Shoot, I'm sorry. I really shouldn't..."

"No, no. It's okay Shining Armour. It's not your fault I can't do magic." Twilight sighed. Her brother only nodded in response.

"Maybe we could go out for lunch today, Twilight." Fluttershy suggested to get the subject away from magic.

"Sure, that'd be gr-" A smile had started to form on Twilight's lips but it stopped midway. Her vision blurred and she could feel herself falling. She never felt herself hit the ground though, or heard her two concerned guests rush over to her. Her vision faded to black as she passed out.

**

Twilight wasn't even surprised any more and Darklight didn't bother to hide herself. There was no longer any point. The two stared at each other. It was like a stand-off. There was always a reason for these visits but Twilight couldn't understand the reason for visiting at that time.

"You're almost out of time." Darklight spurted out matter-of-factly.

Twilight snorted. She knew this. "I know. I still got some time though."

"You're so stupid, you never even realized it did you?" Darklight shook her head back and forth. It was as though she'd expected more from Twilight; as though in some twisted way she viewed the real Twilight as a rival.

"What do you mean...?" It was at this point Twilight was getting worried.

"When I say you're almost out of time I mean you're super close." Darklight paused. She wanted to see how Twilight would react. Twilight didn't see the difference between the previous statement and that one. "Oh, Twilight. We've had a good run, you and I but unfortunately for the both of us our time together will be over next week."

"I'm not falling for any more of your tricks!" Twilight still had a scar on her neck from the last time her twisted counterpart had deceived her.

Darklight could only force another chuckle. "Oh, sweet Celestia! Now of all times you decide to go into denial? You can feel it, can't you? Your body's been growing weak. It's shutting down, Twilight."

Twilight swallowed hard. This couldn't be happening. She'd planned her remaining time out. How could everything fall apart like that. Why did her time shorten? Had she done something wrong?

"The only thing you did wrong is communicate with me. You've kept yourself open to me. You talk to me, respond. You don't even try to shut me out. Do you have any idea how easy that makes it for me to drain you?" Darklight grinned. "Well, I guess you know now."

The world was spinning for Twilight. Being told she was going to die was already awful enough. Being told she's going to die sooner was hardly a fair fight. It was as though she never had a chance to begin with. Anything she wanted to say was stuck in her throat. There was nothing she could say. Once again she'd brought this on herself, no matter how unfair it might be.
"That's all. You can wake up now. No tormenting today, I think I did quite well with the news I broke."

Twilight felt as though she were being pulled backwards. Darklight grew smaller and smaller until she vanished. Before Twilight woke up she heard Darklight speak one last time. "I'll be seeing you soon, 'love'." She mocked Flutershy's tone. Another trick just to hurt Twilight. Unfortunately it worked.

**

Twilight sat up with a start. She quickly took a look around the room. She was in her bed. Shining Armour and Fluttershy must have brought her there. She could hear them talking downstairs. Initially Twilight was a little hurt that they'd left her alone but she understood that with as many 'episodes' as she was having lately she couldn't expect ponies to waste their own lives watching her lose hers. She crawled out of bed and made her way downstairs.

While she walked downstairs she heard the sound of laughing. Twilight frowned. She wondered what could be so funny. It was then that Fluttershy head her marefriend and turned around. Upon seeing Twilight well Fluttershy's face simply lit up and Twilight could only smile back. With such a smile how couldn't she?

"Are you feeling better?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah" When Twilight reached them she looked down at what they were looking at. "What are you guys doing?"

"Oh, I was just showing Fluttershy pictures of the wedding." Shining replied. The book floated towards Twilight and began flipping through the pages to show her the pictures. This managed to bring a smile to Twilight's lips. It was momentary though. More bad news to break. "This one's my favourite." Shining Armour said freezing on a picture of himself and his bride standing at the altar. Twilight couldn't help but notice neither of them had ever seemed happier.

It was looking at that picture that made Twilight realize what she wanted to do with her last week or so. It was so clear in her mind. It would have to be quick, nothing too fancy. Her close friends, family, maybe even Princess Celestia if she could make it so. She wanted this more than anything. It would be the last thing she would do with her life, yet also probably the best. While all these thoughts whirled around in her mind the unicorn never even realized she had zoned out.

"Twilight?" Fluttershy asked for the third or fourth time.

Twilight turned to her marefriend. "I want to get married."

Both Fluttershy and Shining Armour gasped.

Author's Note

So there you have it. The first chapter that begins the last..."arc" of Disease in the Darkness. I hope it turned out okay, this chapter was used mostly to set up the events for the last few chapters. Not everything is as it seems though and I think, readers, you will be surprised at how events play out. I hope you enjoy it, and everyone give a big thank you to MisterMissusMaster for his proof reading!

Plots And Planning

Twilight was starting to think she should start to filter through things she said. If she didn't she was sure she might die of embarrassment before her time was up. Not that I have much of that left now. Twilight thought sadly, instead of bitterly, for once. Marriage. That was one heck of a thing to ask a pony you had only been dating for about a month. Desperate times called for desperate measures though. Twilight wanted this. More than anything before she died she wanted to be wed to Fluttershy.

Both Shining Armour and Fluttershy stared at Twilight as though she had gone crazy. They too agreed it was something that shouldn't be asked on the spot like that. Twilight shifted her gaze downwards. "I found out that I've only got a week left..." Her guests gasped and both tried to talk at the same time but Twilight raised a hoof to silence them. "And seeing those pictures made me realize something I want more than anything before I go."

Twilight turned to the object of her affection. Love swelled inside her and for once she used her heart to speak; not her brain. "I love you, Fluttershy. I know how unfair it is to ask this but I love you. You make me happy, you make smile, you make me feel like living out the time I have left is worth it. It takes somepony special to cheer somepony up during a time like this. You're the best marefriend a pony could ask for, and I'd never ask for anything more because I have you. If I'm going to die soon I want to die making sure you knew how much you meant to me. I believe that we would have gotten to this step in the future, were I to live. I know this is a lot to ask, Fluttershy so don't feel pressured to say yes. If you're not okay with this my feelings won't be hurt and I'll understand. There was just...No harm in asking, I hope." With that Twilight kneeled before Fluttershy and took her hoof between her own. Her cheek nuzzled the soft fur on Fluttershy's hooves. "So Fluttershy, what do you say?" Twilight looked up towards her marefriend hopefully.

Fluttershy was blushing intensely, probably more so than she ever had. She was put on the spot. Twilight was asking her such a question not to mention Shining Armour was watching the whole scene. It was something that was difficult to answer, Everything Twilight said was true, even the part about being selfish but Fluttershy didn't blame the purple unicorn. Twilight just wanted to be happy but in this case Fluttershy had to look out for herself too. Was she emotionally strong enough to handle a wedding with a dying unicorn? Did she truly want this? If she said yes would it be for herself or only to fulfil one of Twilight's dying wishes. If Twilight were to live would they truly reach this point? I think we would. Fluttershy thought to herself. This was true love, in her heart Fluttershy knew this. She could see herself marrying Twilight. Imagine the blush in her cheeks as she made her way down the aisle, or watched Twilight do so. Staring into each others eyes in front of all the ponies they cared for to pronounce their love. Then, finally, forever sealing their love with a kiss. "I want that." Fluttershy said outloud; responding both to Twilight's question and the images in her mind. "Twilight I want to marry you too."

The smile that graced Twilight's lips was practically blinding. She stood up almost instantly and began hopping up and down around Fluttershy; the way she'd done many times before when she'd been ecstatic about something. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes..." She cried out. It took at least a couple minutes for Twilight to grow tired and stop, and stop she did her breathing a little ragged. Shining Armour and Fluttershy laughed as they watched Twilight's hopping. Twilight ran out of the room to where Spike's bed was. She lifted him up and held him against her as she spun around. "Spike, I'm getting married!" She cried before setting the baby dragon down.

"Huh?" He said. He wobbled on his feet. Dizzy and not fully awake he was having trouble understanding what was going on.

Twilight gasped. "I have to tell the others." Twilight galloped out the front door of the library, forgetting to shut the door.

"Oh my..." Fluttershy said out loud to herself.

Shining Armour chuckled again. "I think we should just let her have her fun."

Fluttershy only smiled.

**

Twilight had found each of her friend's. She'd barely been comprehensible and none of her friends knew what she'd been talking about. The only thing they did understand is that Twilight wanted them to go to the library so as soon as the purple pony left them they'd each made their way there. They'd never seen her in such a state, so most of her friends hurried as well.

Most of her friends had reached the library before Twilight had returned. Running all around Ponyville had drained her and she'd needed to stop and rest before heading back to the library at a more casual pace. When her friends had arrived they asked Fluttershy and Shining Armour what was going on. They refused to answer though, promising nothing but good news. Twilight was too excited to share their news so they stuck to their own advice and decided to let Twilight have her fun. .

When Twilight got back she burst through the library door, once again forgetting to close it. Her friends jumped and immediately bombarded her with questions. Twilight didn't bother to stop them, only smiling through their questions. They showed no signs of calming down though so Twilight just shouted above all of them "I'm getting married!" and they were suddenly all very quiet. Rarity was the first to respond to this news.

"Twilight, that's wonderful darling! I assume Fluttershy is the lucky mare?" She asked.

Twilight nodded and opened her mouth only to be interrupted by Rainbow Dash's hoof wrapping around her shoulders. "Way to go Twi, you get what you want."

"Does this mean there's going to be a big party!?" Pinkie was bubbling over with excitement as usual.

Twilight nodded again, then before she was able to speak was interrupted again.

"Ah'm mighty glad 'ta hear that Twilight. 'S there anythin' ah can do 'ta help?" Applejack asked.

This set off another series of questions.

"Ooooo, can I help plan the wedding Twilight and Fluttershy? Can I, can I?" Pinkie screamed.

"I absolutely insist on making the dresses for the both of you." Rarity said.

"If you guys are looking for an awesome backdrop, like say a sonic-rainboom when you guys kiss, I got 'ya covered guys!" Rainbow Dash said, somehow sounding boastful. Her intentions weren't bad though.

"Ah guess ah could scrounge up some food for y'all." Applejack cut in.

"I'd appreciate help from all of you." Twilight smiled.

Fluttershy approached her marefriend and nuzzled her cheek softly. "I would too, so long as all of you don't mind."

"You're getting married Twilight?" was heard from the open door.

Everypony turned to the door to see the mailmare, Derpy, standing there. There was a small stack of letters on the ground. The assumption was when she'd made her comment just then they'd fallen from her mouth. Her hat was on sideways and her eyes were crossed. A goofy grin graced her lips. Everypony in Ponyville was aware of Derpy's...Problem. That didn't mean she wasn't as loved as any other pony. She was a hard worker and always looking to help; even if she did frequently make mistakes.

"If you want I can deliver invitations for you." Derpy said.

Twilight approached the grey pegasus and smiled gratefully. "Thank you Derpy. I'll make sure the invitations get to you. I appreciate your help."

"Oh boy!" She jumped in the air. "Gee, thanks Twilight. I gotta go finish delivering these letters now okay?"

"Okay, Derpy. Have a good afternoon, okay?"

"I will."

Twilight shut the door to the library and turned to her smiling friends. Together they only had, literally, a few days to plan a wedding. Luckily it didn't have to be big or fancy. Twilight and Fluttershy were only worried about getting married in time. With the help of her friends Twilight was sure it would be done in time. In fact, she knew her friends would make sure of it.

With the door closed however, Derpy was forgotten. Nopony noticed the malicious smirk that appeared on her lips nor the fact that she headed towards the Ever Free Forest and not towards the centre of Ponyville.

**

Derpy headed into a deep part of the Ever Free Forest. Where not even some of the braver ponies dared venture. It was too far in and the risk of getting lost was too high. She stepped out into a clearing and as she did her skin seemed to peel back. When finally she resumed her true form she was no longer a pony but a changeling. The clearing was full of changelings; at least a dozen. The unnamed changeling crossed the real Derpy, whom was tied up and on her belly by a tree. The changeling approached her queen, bowing respectfully.

"And what news do you bring?" Chrysalis asked. She'd had her changelings build what looked like a throne which she was currently residing on.

The changeling lifted itself. "Another wedding, my queen. Twilight Sparkle is getting married."

"How ironic. It will be the second wedding we crash that Twilight Sparkle will be at. Is that all you bring me though?"

"No Queen Chrysalis. There is more, and this is the important part. Her horn is...Damaged."

"Damaged?" Chrysalis' interest peaked.

"Yes, my queen. Cracked, broken it seems. I doubt she is capable of doing magic."

Queen Chrysalis laughed hysterically, the plan beginning to form in her mind. "Very well then. We will wait until Twilight Sparkle's happy day and we will attack. It should prove easy this time. Without magic to defend herself we will drain Ponyville of everything it has.

Author's Note

This is really it guys, the end is coming close. This fic is almost done. I'd warrant 3, maybe 4 chapters left depending on how long they are. I want to thank everyone again for sticking with me this long and reading all the chapters that come out. For putting up with my sometimes mediocre writing. It's great, and I'm grateful for all of you.

This Day Is Going To Be Perfect

The wedding would be coming soon. In under twenty-four hours Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy would be married. Everypony was working hard to make sure the wedding went on without a hitch. Twilight had sent the invitations out the same day Fluttershy had agreed to marry her. She'd only invited her four friends, her brother, Princess Cadance and both the princesses at Canterlot Castle. She wanted it to be small filled with the ponies she cared about the most. The very best part of planning the wedding was that it kept Twilight's mind off of the time passing. Darklight had been unusually quiet and that worried Twilight but she pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. No point worrying about that any more.

The worst part, by far, for both Twilight and Fluttershy was the dresses. Rarity had gone over dozens of designs with them, separately of course. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, and in this case we have two incredibly beautiful brides!" Rarity had said. It was tedious but neither pony fought it. Indulging their friends wasn't only for ease of planning but it helped keep their friends' minds off of the other upcoming, darker party.

Fluttershy was contributing to the wedding too. Her bird friend were all adamant about singing at the wedding. Twilight still couldn't comprehend how her marefriend, no fiancée, could practically speak to animals. It was endearing though. This also meant music was taken care of. The less things to deal with the better.

Twilight felt so useless though. Anything she could do to help would have required she had magic. Luckily her big brother was there to fill her shoes magically. Rarity's magic was too preoccupied with the making of the dresses to deal with anything else. Twilight felt as though she were a filly again. Relying on her older brothers magic to help her out. It definitely made her feel inadequate but she was grateful to have such a wonderful older brother. Him and Twilight had been at Sweet Apple Acres for almost the entirety of the last two days. Applejack had kindly offered the land for the wedding. It seemed like the perfect spot in Ponyville. It would have enough room and was far enough away so that the rest of Ponyville wouldn't be too close to disturb or for the wedding to disturb them. It was set now, ready for the party the following day.

They'd set up a beautiful arch at what would be the end of the aisle. White lace was strewn across it's entirety. the bird would be atop it humming as Fluttershy made her way down the aisle. It had been decided Fluttershy would be the one to walk down the aisle. They weren't sure why they had decided that. It just seemed like it would suit her best. Chairs were set facing the arch. Only three or four rows. there weren't going to be that many ponies after all. A carpet was lain in front of the arch. it went from the barn all the way to where the marriage would be taking place. Rarity had insisted to make sure grass did not accidentally stick to the dress she'd made.

"Looks like you're all set Twily." Shining Armour looked down towards his sister.

"Yeah." She replied almost inaudibly.

"Something wrong? You're not getting cold hoofs are you?" He spoke with a chuckle softly bumping his sister with his hips to get her out of her daydreaming.

Twilight snapped back to attention turning towards Shining. "No. This I'm sure about. It's just overwhelming to think that this is going to be one of the last things I do."

"Speaking from experience Twilight it could also be the best thing you've ever done." Shining replied honestly.

"You like being married?" Twilight tilted her head.

"Yeah, I love it." He smiled at his own memories. "It means Cadance is always going to mine and I'll belong to her forever."

"You think this means Fluttershy will know my heart belongs to her even after I'm gone?" Twilight voice was almost inaudible again, worried.

"It guarantees it." He said reassuringly.

Twilight smiled and took one final look at the spot where she would be getting married the following day. "Let's go home, big brother."

**

The moment Twilight walked into the door Fluttershy pounced on her, knocking the purple unicorn to the ground. The pegasus had a large grin on her face, not that Twilight got to see it for long as next thing she knew her face was being pelted with small pecks. The unicorn giggled under her fiancée's lips and finally their lips found each other and they settled into a long, soft kiss.

"Get a room." Shining Armour called out playfully as he nonchalantly made his way past them.

"Maybe we will!" Twilight called back just as playfully.

"Not tonight we won't. I have to get home Twilight. It's bad luck to see me before the wedding." Fluttershy nuzzled herself into Twilight neck. Her words said one thing but her actions another. She didn't want to leave but didn't want to risk any more bad luck.

Twilight flipped them over in a sudden movement. Another soft kiss was delivered to Fluttershy's lips before she got up. Fluttershy followed suit. "I've gotta go now." She said again, mostly to convince herself she did.

"I'll be waiting for you at the end of the aisle tomorrow." Twilight grinned.

"I'll be walking down it." Fluttershy retorted with an equally big grin.

With that she left to get a good nights rest before the big day. Twilight decided she should do the same. "I'm gonna go to bed Shining Armour. You'll make sure you wake me up in the morning right?"

"Sure thing, sis!" He called as his sister was already halfway up the stairs.

Twilight smiled. She couldn't remember a time where she'd felt more excited and nervous at the same time. Maybe when she was told she was going to be Princess Celestia's student but even then it was close. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach they almost made her way to vomit; but in a good way of course. This is really happening. She thought to herself, still having trouble believing it.

Suddenly the unicorn's vision blurred. She fell to the side, her body hitting the wall only to slide down and hit the floor right there in the middle of the hall. Try as she might she couldn't call for Shining Armour, she couldn't move; she couldn't do anything. She cursed angrily under her breath because there was only one who could be responsible for this. She knew she was right the moment her vision faded to black.

**

Twilight was standing in the centre of the darkness. Similar to the night this entire thing had began. This time she wasn't scared though. She had nothing left to fear, nothing left to lose. Even if she were to die right there it would be tragic but it was beyond her control. "I thought I was rid of you." She called out. Twilight couldn't see her twisted counterpart but she knew Darklight was around.

"Rid of me? Now that's just absurd." Darklight chuckled. "Excited for the big day?" She called out from the darkness.

"You bet I am. What are you planning to do to ruin it?" Twilight was sure Darklight was plotting something.

"I'm not planning anything, darling. Everything's ready to go as it is. I just hope you enjoy yourself as much as you can tomorrow. It's going to be one hell of a party." She pushed Twilight away. Back towards the world of light.

"What are you planning!?" Twilight screamed again, but it was too late.

**

"Twilight! Wake up!" She was being shaken from side to side. She groaned, wondering what was going on. She opened up her eyes to see her very worried big brother looming over her. It seemed like almost no time had passed at all but it was already morning. Twilight groggily pushed herself to her hooves.

"Are you alright?" Shining Armour asked.

"Yeah. I guess I was so tired I never even made it to my room." She lied, but flashed him the sweetest smile she could muster. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she didn't want to worry anypony. They might consider cancelling the wedding.

For all you know you could drop dead during the vows. Came an all too familiar voice from the back of Twilight's mind.

Twilight groaned again. Now Darklight was able to speak to her at will. "Not if I can help it." She muttered under her breath.

"What?" Shining Armour asked.

"Nothing! I have to get ready!" She distracted her brother.

"You bet, the wedding's in an hour." He said it casually, as though nothing were wrong/

"WHAT!?" Twilight screamed.

"I overslept, I'm sorry!"

Things are going so well already. Darklight cut in.

Twilight silently shushed her unwelcome guest before screaming "Rarity!"

Rarity was the only pony who could make sure she was ready in time. She barrelled down the stairs and ran to Carousel Boutique without stopping once.

**

Rarity was a real lifesaver. The ceremony was mere minutes away and Twilight was ready. She was looking at herself in a mirror and still was stunned at how beautiful she was. She'd never considered herself girly or anything remotely close but it still brought a tear to her eyes. She held it back though, she didn't want to see Rarity's face if she ruined the mascara.

Her dress was perfect. It clung to her form and waves of white silk travelled down her back and ended a couple of hoofs behind her. Her headpiece hid her horn nicely and the white fused with the colours of her horn so that it stood out. A beautiful centrepiece atop her head. Her mane was styled similar to how it had looked at the Crystal Empire. Twilight spun on her hooves to admire the dress.

"Are you ready, darling?" Rarity asked from beside her friend.

Twilight nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak.

"Let's get you to the aisle then, dear. Let's let everypony see how smashing you look." Rarity was almost as excited as Twilight was.

"Thank you Rarity. For the dress, for being here. For everything." Twilight was close to letting her emotions get the better of her.

"It was my pleasure, dear." Rarity paused her attempts to get Twilight outside. It was clear this was important to her friend.

"I-I know you know that. It's just that if I didn't tell you now what if I didn't get a chance to later?" Twilight suppressed a sob.

"Oh, darling. I would have known. Dry your tears now. You don't want Fluttershy to think you're sad do you."

"No, no." Twilight resisted the urge to wipe her eyes.

"Then let's get you out there." Twilight nodded as Rarity guided her towards the end of the aisle. "Oh, one final thing. The princesses are going to be late. They sent a letter to Spike, no worries though. They'll be here after the ceremony."

"That's okay, I guess." They were princesses after all. Twilight was sure they had more important things to deal with than her wedding.

Finally she reached the aisle and turned to the 'crowd'. There was everypony she loved, excluding the princesses who would soon arrive. Rarity took her seat by the rest of her friend. Each of them was looking at Twilight who was the centre of attention. Pinkie Pie even waved excitedly. Twilight returned it with a suppressed chuckle. Her parents were in the audience too. They held each other, silently sobbing to avoid ruining the happiness of the moment. They offered her hesitant smiled. Twilight nodded at them. Her brother was beside her giving her the goofy grin he always had on his face. He nudged her softly as if to say 'It's about to happen, Twi!'. Behind her is where Cadance stood. She would be performing the ceremony herself. She'd insisted and Twilight was more than happy to agree.

Taking a look at everything you're going to be leaving behind? Darklight sneered. Today's my day as much as yours.

No, it's not. Today is my day and you can't have it. So hush up and mind your own business. Twilight replied angrily in her mind.

She didn't want to admit it but Darklight was right. There was no need to be sad though. She knew that now by looking at all her friends. She would be gone but she would never be forgotten. Ever. She would be kept alive in the hearts of all her friends. In the memories they'd created and they adventures they'd shared. In all the times they'd saved Equestria. They formed the Elements of Harmony and that was proof enough that they would always be friends. A piece may be missing, but they could always look back and know that Twilight passed without regrets.

Finally the music began and Twilight was drawn from her daydreaming. The birds Fluttershy had coached over the last few days began humming their song. It was not the traditional melody of a wedding. It was more peaceful and calm than the traditional wedding march. Slower which contrasted with the speed Fluttershy was making her way to the altar; clearly eager to meet her soon to be bride there.

Fluttershy was just as stunning as Twilight. Her dress trailed much farther behind her than Twilight's did. It was to have more of an impact as she made her way down the aisle. Her mane was kept mostly the way it always was although moved behind her ears so it didn't cover her face. She flew, only a few inches off the ground with her trademark blush strewn across her cheeks. For once, whilst flying, Fluttershy seemed grateful and unworried. She kept her gaze focused on Twilight and when finally she reached the unicorn she felt as though her heart would burst from her chest.

Everypony watched as the two lovers met. They were all feeling the same bitter-sweet sorrow. It was such a beautiful moment. Seeing two former friends who'd found love in the most hopeless place. The supposed happiest day of their lives was overshadowed with despair. Their happiness could only last so long yet the fact that they were trying was an inspiration to everypony. This would be a wedding everypony would remember. Not because it was grand but because of what it meant. The symbolism behind the event.

"Everypony." Cadance called out suddenly. It shocked Twilight and Fluttershy. Staring into each other's eyes they had almost forgotten they were around anypony else. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two very special ponies. Two very close friends of mine." Cadance couldn't hide a fond smile. "These two ponies have overcome more adversity than any pony should have to. Today they stand together as a testimony to the adversities they overcame together. Just by looking at the two of them it's plain to see how much they love each other. Before you two are wed is there anything you'd like to say to each other?"

Twilight immediately nodded and Cadance gave her the go-ahead.

Twilight faced Fluttershy and took a deep breath before beginning to speak. "It's no secret that soon I won't be around any more." Twilight stated matter-of-factly and most ponies had to stifle a gasp. "I know it's sad to say on such a momentous occasion but it's true and it can't be ignored." Emotions were beginning to overcome Twilight and her eyes were growing moist. She wasn't ready to break down quite yet though. "I've been dealing with so much over the last month and it's been difficult, as you can imagine. I'm not ashamed were it not for Fluttershy I never would have made it." Fluttershy blushed intensely. "When I was a filly I never wanted to find a special somepony. I wanted to study. Get better at magic. It's ironic because in the end that's what cost me everything. I'm not bitter about it any more though because losing everything allowed me to find something so much more important. Love. I love my friends, yes but I love Fluttershy in a completely different way. This mare has been beside be the entire time and lent me her incredible strength." Fluttershy felt like crying at the incredible compliments Twilight was giving her. "She was by me night after night when I felt like I would drop dead from the pain. When I lost myself and didn't want to be found Fluttershy pulled me out from the abyss and made me feel again. I love you so much Fluttershy. I know it's odd, getting married so soon but it feels so right. I know you feel it too or you wouldn't be standing here in front of me right now. You mean more to me than anything and this is the ultimate way I can show you I love you. Like this, when I'm gone you'll know I loved you enough to want to spend my life with you. And I'll always be with you, I hope you remember that part above all else." Twilight had so much more she wanted to say but couldn't bear it any more. Tears were flowing freely now. Not only from her but from Fluttershy, Cadance, Shining Armour, her parents and the rest of her friends too. Never had they heard something so beautiful, so honest and so heartfelt. She wished she had time to say everything she wanted but she could go on for hours. There simply wasn't enough time.

Fluttershy spoke suddenly. "T-that was mean Twilight. H-How am I supposed to speak properly when I'm crying so hard." She was teasing her marefriend, obviously. Twilight let out a mix of sobs and giggles. It was Fluttershy's turn to talk now though so Twilight did her best to suppress her sobs. "Twilight Sparkle. You spoke of my strength but you have to understand I got so strong by watching you and the rest of our friends. I've watched you overcome so many things and when I saw you so broken and needing someone I tapped into the deepest parts of myself to help you. How could I not? Since you've come here you've been nothing but an inspiration to me. From fending off Nightmare Moon to stopping Discord and saving the Crystal Empire. I've watched you do so many amazing things so it's really not so far-fetched to believe when you needed it somepony was there for you. I know you feel like all of this is unfair, and it truly is. Nopony deserves what is happening to you. Not everything is unfair though. I'm here for you, Twilight. I've tried to be a source of inspiration for you now. And despite all the hard times you made me fall for you. I fell hard, Twilight Sparkle. You're everything I always wished I could be. If there were anything I could do to help you if you asked, Twilight, I would do everything to make it happen. I love you too, Twilight. I love you sooooo much. My words feel like nothing compared to yours but I don't know what else to say other than that I do love you. I'll never forget you Twilight, I promise you that. You'll always be in my memories but more importantly in my heart. We're connected, forever." Fluttershy accidentally let a sob escape her and she couldn't go on either. "I love you." She finished, in her opinion rather lamely.

Everypony in the audience was sobbing and they no longer cared about hiding it. In all honesty they all felt like running up and giving each of the lovers a big hug. It was all they could think to do to try and quell the sadness they were feeling. It was impossible to believe the speeches they had heard. Nopony was sure whether they were written beforehand or if they had come up with on the spot but it had been beautiful. The ultimate declaration in love. In front of friends and family and soon it would be complete.

Princess Cadance did her best to steady her voice. "Without further ado, I'd like to...Huh?" Princess Cadance didn't even have time to react. A green beam hit her directly in the side. She crashed into the arch, toppling it over. Everypony gasped as Cadance hit the ground with a loud thud and a groan. It only took seconds for the dozens of Changelings to drop out of the sky. Their Queen fell between the guests and the lovers with a sadistic chuckle.

"Now!" The evil queen screeched.

The changelings had formed a circle around the entirety of the ceremony. They gathered their magic and together shot green beams into the sky. They all connected at a single point and a bubble spread from that point, surrounding Twilight, Fluttershy and all the guests at their wedding. The barrier was set, no escape for anypony.

Shining Armour rushed to his wife's side without thought. Chrysalis had anticipated this and attacked him as well. The magical beam hit him square in the side as well. He screamed in pain, the beam having been far more potent than the one that hit Cadance. He hit the ground equally hard. His hoof was reaching towards Cadance, but he couldn't quite reach. He whispered her name under his breath before his hoof hit the ground.

In the mean time whilst everypony was panicking and unsure what to do the changelings had their orders. They surrounded the guest and formed another smaller barrier around the set of chairs. It trapped Twilight's parents and her four friends. Rainbow Dash crashed against the magical bubble a few times in a vain attempt to break it. They glared towards the chuckling changelings.

Queen Chrysalis was pleased. So far everything had gone off without any problems. She turned towards Twilight and grinned. "Surprised?"

Twilight glared, Fluttershy had cautiously made her way behind Twilight. "Crashing a dying pony's wedding? That's low, even for you."

"Oh Twilight Sparkle, how you flatter me. Since the wedding I've thought of how to extract my vengeance from you. Then you go and lose all your magical abilities and throw this grand ceremony for me to ruin. You're too kind."

"You've got a lot of ne-"

Fluttershy squeaked suddenly. She was lifted into the air and dropped to the ground in front of Chrysalis' feet. Fluttershy was trembling, she'd never been so scared before. It was different than the wedding. She wanted to hurt Twilight and it was clear the best way to hurt Twilight was to hurt her. It was personal.

Twilight was shaking, not with fear but fury. The beautiful dress Rarity had laboured over was ruined, covered in dirt. Instead of happiness Fluttershy was trembling at the feet of the changeling queen. There was unfair and then there was just plain messing with somepony's existence. "You're lucky I don't have my magic or-or I'd.."

"You'd what, Twilight Sparkle?" Chrysalis laughed. "Even at your best you think a lone unicorn could defeat I, the queen of the changelings? Are you a fool?"

You're in trouble now. Darklight chimed in happily.

Not now!

"Don't you dare lay a hoof on her!" Twilight screamed!

"As you wish then." Chrysalis' horn glowed and Fluttershy was lifted in the air. This time it wasn't a squeak that escaped her lips but a scream. She howled in agony and she couldn't but wonder if this were the type of pain she'd helped Twilight face recently.

"Stop it!" Twilight screamed. She was crying again, but there was no joy behind those tears. Chrysalis only responded by laughing.

Want my help? Darklight chimed in.

No! Twilight screamed back.

She's going to kill Fluttershy, Twilight!

Oh no she's not.

Not if you let me help. Open yourself to me and I can end all of this. Her voice was layered with honey again as it had before.

Twilight couldn't focus on Fluttershy's screams and on Darklight at once. She was overwhelmed and the situation wasn't helping her fight off Darklight at all.

I can't trust you! Twilight screamed internally.

You don't have a choice!

Then something happened that settled the deal. In mid-air between her screams Fluttershy opened her eyes and turned her head to Twilight. She whispered softly "Help me..." It was like reliving that night, only with reversed roles. When Twilight felt as though she were going to die from the pain Fluttershy helped her. Fluttershy had saved her and now when Fluttershy is the one who needed help Twilight was powerless.

Her heart broke and she felt as though she died right there. Her emotions shut off and she retreated into the darkness of her mind. She let go and gave Darklight control. Twilight went through a transformation. Her fur darkened into the sickening purple of Darklight's fur. Her eyes shifted colours to the blood red. The worst part was her horn. With dark lightning it mended but it also changed forms. Spikes protrude from it. The tip of the horn was now black the colour changed to red the closer it got to the base of the horn. Darklight was laughing hysterically. She had won.

Red light formed at the tip of Darklight's horn and with incredible speed shot out in the form of a focused beam. It struck Chrysalis in the face and she was shot backwards with enough force to slam into the barrier. When the queen was shot back she lost her hold on Fluttershy and the pegasus hit the ground with a broken cry. Darklight slowly approached Chrysalis with an eerie smirk.

"You fell right into my hoofs. Queen of the changelings? More like queen of fools." Darklight could not stop chuckling. "I'm a rather strong dark entity myself, dear Chrysalis. I could sense you lurking in the Ever Free Forest the moment you got there. It didn't take a smarty-pants pony like Twilight Sparkle to figure out what you were after. There's also the fact that I have access to all of Twilight's inner thoughts and feelings. I could see her desire to get married, anything to live return a sense of normalcy to her life. She still had a few months left to live, but I convince her she's going to die in about a week and what happens? Sure enough lickety-split she puts together a wedding as quick as she can. I was betting you would show up today of all days. The dramatic irony was something you simply couldn't pass up. Once again, don't have to be super smart to figure out you'd hurt Fluttershy. I spew some nonsense about saving her into Twilight's head and then BAM! Twilight loses it. She can't hold me back any more and now I'm in control! It's only for a short while, Twilight's body is too far gone but at least I can have fun with it before we expire." Her head turned back and she winked towards Fluttershy. "Isn't that right sweetie?"

Fluttershy shuddered. She'd heard Twilight talk about Darklight and the things she said. The way that when she spoke things sounded wrong and twisted. Now Fluttershy knew what Twilight was talking about and she didn't want Darklight anywhere near her. The things Darklight might do to her made Fluttershy cringe at the very thought. There was no love for her behind those eyes and Fluttershy buried her head into the ground and began to sob.

Darklight laughed again turning her attention back to Chrysalis whom she had just reached. "Now, let's clear out the trash, shall we?" Darklight began breathing heavily as more magical energy formed at the tip of her horn. For at least a minute she focused as everypony watched on in horror. When finally Darklight was ready a nasty smirk took form on her lips "Here we go." She let out a blood curling howl as the magic released itself. Both the barriers around Twilight's friends and the barrier surrounding them shattered as though they had been fragile all along. All the changelings were blown in random directions, much farther than the outskirts of Ponyville. The queen was thrown along with them. Blasted away to Celestia knows where. Darklight had single handedly defeated the queen of the changelings and all of her underlings. Something Celestia herself had no been capable of.

Everypony got back on their feet still recovering from the blast. Darklight turned to face Twilight's friends with a cruel smirk on her face. One monster had been defeated but it seemed like they had a new one to deal with.

Author's Note

Here it is guys. The single longest chapter I've ever written for anything. It took a lot of work and there might be a few errors here and there but for once I'm not too concerned as I think I got them all. I'm so excited to share this chapter with you guys. This means the next chapter is the last one folks. Is this what you guys had been expecting? I hope not, I was trying to make it unpredictable. I'm personally fond of Twilight's speech. The beginning of the chapter wasn't the greatest imo but I feel that once the wedding hit things really picked up. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Strength of Heart and Final Goodbyes

It was hard for Twilight's friends and family to accept what was going on. Twilight had always been the first to help her friends, no matter the cost. This time however it seemed the cost was too high. Everypony trembled as Darklight faced them a wicked smirk on her face. She gazed at each of her other self's friends and took pleasure in their fear. It would make everything so much easier. She then turned to Fluttershy who was still near where the altar had been; her head still firmly planted in her front legs, hidden. Darklight started making her way over to her.

"Hey, stay away from her!" Rainbow Dash yelled. Her wings unfurled and she rushed between Darklight and Fluttershy.

Darklight simply sighed. Clearly they hadn't a clue who they were dealing with. If they thought Twilight Sparkle was impressive these ponies were in for one hell of a show. Her horn sparkled red and all of Twilight's friends, excluding Fluttershy, were lifted from the ground and fathered above the cowering pegasus. With more force than necessary they were slammed to the ground beside Fluttershy most of them letting out soft cries as they hit the soil. Shining Armour watched in horror and began struggling to stand. Darklight prepared for another attack.

**

This was different than the other times Twilight had visited this place. It was suffocating and she could tell there was no escape. She sobbed, completely aware of the damage Darklight was causing on the outside but unable to do anything. This was all her fault. She'd blindly believed what Darklight had said and had acted rashly. Now her friends had to pay the consequences. It wasn't fair. Fluttershy...I...

**

Shining Armour rushed towards Darklight. He wasn't sure he'd be able to cause harm to her but at the very least something had to be done. Before he could even come close however he was blasted away slamming next to his wife again. This is bad... he thought to himself. It wasn't only about Darklight causing trouble. If she seriously hurt any of them in Twilight's body he knew his little sister would never forgive herself.

Darklight seemed all but invincible. Her plan had worked perfectly. Sure, her time free would be short but it was better than being cooped up in Twilight's mind watching as the stupid unicorn squandered what remained of her life. Her horn glowed again as she prepared to lift everypony again; an assurance to make sure they wouldn't get up, when next thing she knew she was the one being attacked. The twisted unicorn never even knew what hit her. She was lifted from her hooves and thrown a good distance away. Using her magic however she slowed her fall and managed to land without harm.

**

Twilight writhed in agony. The pain was excruciating. She wasn't exactly sure how it worked but every time Darklight used magic Twilight felt as though her body was burning from the inside. When Darklight had landed safely in the outside world and stopped summoning magic, for the time being anyway, Twilight struggled to her hooves. This had to stop.

**

"What is going on here?" Called the princess of Canterlot, her sister, ruler of the night, landing beside her only moments after.

"Well, well princess." Darklight spat at the princess' hooves on her last word. "You're just in time. I hope you pose more of a threat than the Elements of Harmony did." With a head gesture she pointed towards the 5 ponies behind her. "Let's not forget the royal guard or whatever. He wasn't much better."

Princess Celestia looked at the ground. She was overcome with sadness. That it had come to this. She thought Twilight would be stronger than this. She knew her favourite student would pass away regardless of what happened but she trusted her enough to think she wouldn't allow herself to be taken over. Had the princess known this would be the outcome she would have locked Twilight at canterlot where she could be monitored but she thought she owed it to her student to let her be with her friends. It was a mistake; she should have treated Twilight as a threat. Now there was a threat, not just to Twilight but to all of Equestria. No matter how short of a time that threat would be around it would have to be eliminated.

"Sister, allow me." Luna spoke softly into her sisters ear. "I know this must be difficult for thee so allow me to take the burden. I fear you may never forgive thyself if thy fights the former Twilight Sparkle."

Celestia considered it. "No, Luna. I'll have even more trouble forgiving myself if I don't do something." The princess turned towards her former student. "Twilight, if there is even a part of you still in control please let me know. I don't want to have to do this." The princess was doing well at keeping her composure even though her heart was already fractured. Thousands of years of practice.

**

"Princess Celestia, I'm right here!" Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs even though she knew her voice would never reach her mentor. She'd been the princess' student long enough to know when she was sad or troubled. Her eyes betrayed her even now and Twilight sobbed angrily. "This...This isn't your fault Princess, please..."

Twilight curled up again. This is what it would be like to die alone.

**

Darklight laughed, "Dear Princess Celestia..." She imitated Twilight's voice perfect. "You're a fool of a princess. You always have been and you always will be. I'm far more powerful than you could ever hope to be. I'm going to destroy you now, so prepare yourself."

Princess Celestia sighed again. She wiped a tear away with her hoof and hardened her stare. There would be time for tears later. "Twilight...I hope you forgive me." She rushed forward and to her surprise Darklight did the same. They clashed, their horns meeting with magical sparks. They both pushed with everything they had but soon the princess found herself being pushed back. Her hooves planted themselves firmly in the ground as she tried to keep her ground; but to no avail. Darklight began laughing hysterically. She was more powerful than the princess of Equestria! Then for the second time she was knocked off her feet, and without enough time to recover she hit the ground hard, rolling along it. She quickly got up.

"Don't worry Princess, I got you back." Rainbow Dash gave the princess a small grin.

"Rainbow Dash." Celestia couldn't hide her surprise. "Thank you, but this is dangerous. I must request you stand back."

"No, princess. I'm sorry but that's an order I can't follow. Twilight's my friend too!"

"It doesn't matter how many of you there are, I will still be the one to walk out of here victorious!" Darklight screamed as frustration overtook her. Didn't they understand it was hopeless? Just like Twilight they fought when there was nothing to win. It angered her.

She only saw the blast coming from the corner of her eyes. She barely had time to jump back and watch as the blast passed mere inches from her muzzle. She glared towards Twilight's brother. Shining glared back, his face showing only determination hiding the heart break he felt as well. Cadance stood by his side, equally determined. Things were starting to look grim, although Darklight would never admit it.

"Give up." Celestia said simply. "You're outmatched."

All this planning, for nothing? No, Darklight would have none of that. Magic began building in her horn again, but she was assaulted with magical blasts. Over and over again every pegasus and alicorn attacked. She kept blocking them with blasts of her own as she backed up. Even that fool Rarity was attacking her. Meanwhile the pegasus and earth ponies were advancing on her from the sides. She wouldn't be able to keep up much longer. In desperation she hatched a final diabolical plan and she turned her gaze to Fluttershy and whispered "help me..."

Fluttershy's ears twitched. She was reluctant to raise her head and expose her tear stained face. How could she bear to watch as the mare she loved turned from lover to monster? It didn't help matters that now all her friends were attacking her. Her own brother and sister-in-law and even the princess' of Equestria were determined to end the life of her love. She would have no part of it. But that voice. Twilight needed her...She knew it. She raised her head and although it wasn't Twilight whom she saw she clung to the hope that maybe the real Twilight was reaching out for her.

When Fluttershy raised her head Darklight knew her plan had worked. Fluttershy hesitantly got up. She watched as all her friends advanced on the former element of magic. She knew what they would do to her. She couldn't let that happen. No. "No! Stop it!" she screamed. Much to everypony's surprise the assault stop. Fluttershy screaming had surprised everypony. There was even hope maybe she'd thought of a way to stop Darklight without injuring the dormant Twilight.

Darklight seized her opportunity though and with a dark laugh levitated the yellow pegasus towards her. Fluttershy landed in front of Darkligh, a shield towards any magic attacks that could be launched her way. As for the non-magic ponies they were dealt with easily enough, weak as they were. She built magical pressure around Fluttershy's neck, making sure there was a visible magical aura around the pegasus' neck so that everypony knew what would happen if they so much as glanced at her the wrong way. Any sudden movement and she would snap Fluttershy's neck without hesitation. She could always find another pony to 'play' with over the next few weeks.

**

Twilight rose from her sobbing. She could see it all so clearly and even thought she was in excruciating pain she focused herself to block it out as best she could. Threatening Fluttershy was going one step too far. She'd stayed out of the fight. Fluttershy wanted no part in what was going on. The entire situation had probably been difficult enough. From having her wedding ruined, to torture to watching her fiancée turn into a monster to then having her life threatened. No.

"You won't use me! Not for this!" Twilight screamed and much to her surprise Darklight appeared before her. Or at least a version of Darklight, as she was still very much in control of the unicorns body and threatening her lover.

"Now's not a good time sweetie, can't you see I'm busy." She wasn't fooling around, the tone of her voice made that apparent.

"Using my body to stop Chrysalis is one thing but you will NOT use me to hurt Fluttershy." Twilight screamed. She'd found a new strength in her desire to protect Fluttershy.

"What can you do without your magic, you idiot!? Stay out of this." Darklight screamed back.

Twilight rushed forward and her broken horn clashed with Darklight's as Celestia's had. The broke apart and crashed together again several times, neither of them gaining the upper hand. Yet Darklight didn't once use magic, and Twilight may have lost hers but she didn't lose her intelligence. They broke apart again and Twilight jumped backwards instead of attacking again. "If you're using magic out there you can't use it in here!" She cried excitedly. That meant it was a fair fight. Maybe she could do something after all!

The look on Darklight's face was enough for Twilight to know she was right. On the outside however she heard Fluttershy let out a soft cry as pressure built around her neck, crushing her airway. Celestia and the others didn't know what they had done to cause Darklight to hurt Fluttershy, they hadn't moved a muscle. They couldn't know it was meant as a threat to the real Twilight.

Twilight flinched, seeing her marefriend being treated like that. She took a few stumbling steps backwards then stopped. Ever since this had started she'd let herself get pushed around by Darklight. She'd let her sick, demented other rule the remainder of her time without so much as a fight. Enough was enough. Twilight felt a new sensation, she could feel her body. The real one. It was faint, and she had no control but she could feel it there. It was like an illusion; something you could see but not quite grasp. Her mind reached out to regain control and she screamed. "This is MY body and you WON'T use it to hurt her!" Twilight knew she wouldn't have enough power to stop Darkligh, but if she could get her to free Fluttershy and give the others time...

**

Fluttershy hit the ground with a thud as Darklight but a hoof to her head and began having spasms where she stood. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she fought to maintain control. That stupid, little... Darklight howled in rage and unknowingly released a blast of magic that sent everypony toppling to the ground. Much to everypony's surprise Fluttershy was the first to rise. Instead of running as she knew she should have done she began hesitatingly walking towards Darklight.

Darklight finally regained control, having somewhat subdued Twilight in her mind. She turned to Fluttershy and prepared to attack, but the pegasus didn't seem to pose a threat. Instead she only spoke.

"So it's you. You're the one who's been hurting Twilight...?" Fluttershy asked. She had stopped only a few hooves away.

"Indeed, I am. What of it? Are you going to cry, and beg me to return this body to Twilight? Because if so, darling, you're out of luck." Darklight sneered as she finished talking.

"No, I don't plan on doing any of those things." Fluttershy replied simply.

"Then what do you want?" Darklight no longer understood.

"I want Twilight back, but that doesn't mean I'm going to beg. That wouldn't work on somepony like you."

Everypony wanted to yell at Fluttershy to get out of there. What she was doing was far too dangerous. One wrong word and Darklight would blast her into oblivion, yet somehow Fluttershy, considered the coward of the group, didn't seem at all phased.

"Are you stupid? I could kill you without even trying." Darklight spat towards the pegasus.

"But you won't." Another simple reply from Fluttershy.

"Why's that?"

"You're Twilight. It hurts to say it but you're her as much as she's you. You may be complete opposites but you're still the same. Twilight's strongest feelings since you've been around have been for me. They must have seeped into you or something because earlier when you were threatening to 'kill' me I could feel to hesitation behind it. Then instead of just doing it you needlessly threatened me. Twilight's fighting you. And I think she's going to win."

"No, I'll kill you! Shutup!" Darklight's anger grew. She wasn't even sure if Fluttershhy was right or not.

"Do it then. I'm not...I can't fight you. I'm just a simple pegasus." She began walking towards Darklight again.

"One more step, and I'll...I'll!" Darklight screamed. Even as the magic came to her she was unwilling to release it. "Why aren't you scared of me!?"

"I am." Once again, a simple reply. Fluttershy smiled, but the tears were still there at the corner of her eyes. "But I love Twilight more than I'm scared of you, and if I love Twilight I guess that means I love you too." It sounded odd to say, but in some ways it was true. "There's not a part of Twilight that I don't love. Besides, nopony is born bad. I think you're just...Misguided. It must have been hard being trapped inside Twilight since the moment you were formed. Trapped with only Twilight's negative emotions and bad memories. Her bad experiences and her pain. That's what you are aren't you? A collection of those things. Twilight told me once."

"You..What do you know about that!? You don't know anything about me!"

"I don't have to." Fluttershy replied. She was now so close to Darklight she could kiss her, should she so choose. "I just want you to know one thing." Fluttershy whispered.

"What's that, huh!?" Darklight screamed.

"I love you, Twilight." Fluttershy mustered the sweetest smile she could.

Darklight's face contorted in rage. It wasn't her she loved. It was that stupid Twilight. She'd never had a choice, it wasn't her fault she was like this! But she'd show them, oh yes she would. They would all pay! They all sat around and hated her for causing Twilight's death. They all blamed her when it was the stupid, 'clever' unicorn that had brought this on herself. She was the symptom, not the cause! As much a victim as Twilight, forced to die with only months of life under her not to mention never having the chance to experience life. She screamed again, and she wasn't even sure at what anymore, she was just filled with so much rage and hatred. For everything and everypony. Then everything stopped, because the teary-eyed pegasus in front of her pressed her lips against hers. She knew what she should feel, but her heart was cold and she felt nothing.

**

Twilight felt everything. The weight of Fluttershy's words and actions. The kiss. She could and couldn't feel it. Her lips were tingling pleasantly as her mind knew her body was being kissed even if she couldn't feel it. She loved that pony so much. She knew even if she gained control her body was done for. Her weak, sick self wouldn't be able to handle the strain her twisted counterpart had put her through but she didn't care. Maybe she'd be able to say goodbye. She wasn't scared, or angry any more. She looked to Darklight and simply said. "I'm taking my body back."

"I know." Darklight replied bitterly. There was no point in fighting, victory was hers regardless as Twilight would die in mere minutes.

"I hate you, you know." Twilight started. "I hate you so much. You may only be the symptom but how can I not blame you." There was so much more Twilight wanted to tell Darklight, and Fluttershy and all her other friends too but there just wasn't enough time, so she simply ended it with "But with that being said, I am sorry." She smiled a little as she was pulled back to the light.

Darklight screamed as the darkness closed in around her. Over and over again she screamed until her voice could no longer come and her throat was throbbing with the pain of her shouts. There was no escaping the darkness for her this time, she was the one who would die in it alone. Despite all that and both Fluttershy's and Twilight's effort she didn't feel regret. Just anger and hatred.

**

Twilight returned Fluttershy's kiss. Her hoof came up to stroke the pegasus' cheek softly and wipe away some of the tears. It was a perfect moment but of course it couldn't last. Her heart skipped a beat and her entire body throbbed for a moment and she fell forward. Her chin landed on Fluttershy's shoulder and the pegasus' struggled to keep Twilight standing. "Twilight?" She whispered and the unicorn could only not in response as Fluttershy could no longer handle the weight and stepped back. Twilight's body hit the ground and all of a sudden everypony was around her. Each was saying different things and she wished she could respond to all of them, but time truly was running out this time and she said the one word that came to her lips. "Wedding." Twilight then managed to croak out "Cadance." she hoped the would understand, and the did.

Shining Armour put his head under one of his sister's legs. He helped her stand and her led her towards the altar. He stood there with her, supporting her. Fluttershy was there too, standing on front of Twilight and Cadance rushed to the altar as well. Everypony could tell there wasn't enough time. Twilight's parents had been quiet during the ordeal, after all what could they do. Now however the went to their daughter's side. They intended to stand by her as she was wed.

"Everypony. We're here to wed Twilight and Fluttershy. We're going to skip some of the more official formalities but I'm assuming nopony has a problem with that?" Cadance paused briefly to make sure. "Good. In that case do you, Twilight Sparkle take Fluttershy to forever be your special somepony and to love her until..." Cadance paused as tears came to her eyes. She sobbed once but pressed on. "Until the moment you die, and even after."

"I do." Twilight answered simply. Of course she did. She swallowed hard.

"And do you, Fluttershy, take Twilight Sparkle to be your special somepony. To cherish her forever until the moment she dies and even after?"

"I do." Fluttershy replied.

"In that case you may now kiss the br- each other and I pronounce you mare and..Uh, married." Cadance finished. She didn't have time to think of the proper things to say. The important things is that the ceremony finished.

They leaned forward again and shared what would be their last kiss. Somehow they managed to keep their tears at bay, for the moment anyway. They stayed together for what seemed like forever, and each wished that it truly would be forever. Unfortunately Twilight was feeling weak, and needed to lay down. At her request Shining Armour rest her on the altar and everypony gathered around her. Twilight could feel their tears hitting her belly. She was on her back, looking up into everypony that cared about her and for some reason she was overcome with happiness instead of sadness.

"I love all of you so much." Twilight managed to say.

There was so much to say to the purple unicorn, but everypony knew it wasn't the time for that any more. They watched in silence.

"So much." Twilight repeated. "You've all given me so much and now at the end of my life all I can manage to say is thank you. I know it must seem silly but I'm so grateful to all of you. Thank you all for being there for me. Thank you for being my teacher, Princess Celestia and Shining Armour thank you for being my brother and-and Cadance thank you for being there for me." She turned to her five friends and the sobs began. Her heart was starting to beat slower but there was so much to say. "Thank you all for being my friends. You taught me everything I know about friendship and I couldn't have found better friends. And Fluttershy." Twilight focused on her new bride. "Thank you, for loving me. I don't know where I'm going but no matter where it is I'll never forget what you did for me. I love you, so, so much. Don't ever forget that, please." Twilight words were urgent. There wasn't much time.

"O-of course, Twilight. I love you too. And thank you. If there were more time I'd..I'd..." Fluttershy couldn't even speak anymore, she rested her head on Twilight's chest and sobbed into it. She could hear Twilight's heart slow down. The length between heart beats grew with each breath. "I learned how to be brave from you, Twilight. How will I be brave now that you won't be around any more?" It took a moment for Twilight to understand what Fluttershy had said with all her sobbing.

Twilight heart slowed further, barely pumping at this point. "It'll be easy. You'll see... You're the bravest...Mare....I know..." Twilight closed her eyes and her heart stopped completely. She knew it wouldn't start again. She heard all her friends screaming her name, calling out for her. She tried to get back, to go to where there voices were but she couldn't. Soon, their voices faded and so did everything else. A sense of peace overtook her, and with that she was gone.

Author's Note

So...That's it. All I can say is I hope you like how it turned out. There's still the epilogue too, but that's going to be short as heck.

Epilogue

It marked exactly one year since the death of Twilight. For a while her friends and family thought that life wouldn't be able to go on without her. It made no sense. How odd it was to not see her in the library any more. Their were no more adventures with Twilight for her friends. No more family visits to the Crystal Empire to see Shining Armour and Cadance and no more friendship reports delivered to Princess Celestia.

As fate would had it the one year anniversary of Twilight's death was a Sunday, and Fluttershy was at the place where her wife had been lain to rest; as she was every Sunday. It was there day after all. Every time she went she promised she wouldn't cry, and every time she broke that promise. It was no different that day. As she laid the lone lavender flower on Twilight's grave the tears took over and she spent several minutes crying. When she finally calmed down she began talking. She would never know if Twilight could hear her, but it made her feel better to think that Twilight could. She spoke about everything and nothing. Then silence took over, only briefly though.

"I miss you, you know? I think about you every day and what our lives would be like if you'd stayed. I feel so empty now and I think the others do too. Nopony talks about it because by now we're expected to have moved on but I don't think we have. I know I haven't. I never even got to tell you how pretty you looked in your dress." The tears came again. She knew they would. " You were the most beautiful bride a pony could have asked for. And I never got to tell you it was thanks to you that I mangaed to stand up to Darklight. In a way you saved yourself, because it was your strength that made me strong. And- And I still love you. As much as the day you kissed me in the library. It's so hard to be without you now Twilight. And I feel so bad because I feel like I'm forgetting things about you. I forget the way you felt in my legs when we'd wake up tangled together. This is gonna sound weird but I can't smell you on the pillow you'd sleep on any more but I know that it comforted me for a long time after you were gone. So many things about you are leaving, and if one more pony tells me I need to move one I think I'm going to scream."

There was more, of course. There always was. Fluttershy had a lifetime worth of things to tell Twilight. Saying them all at once was hard though, so that was enough for now. "I miss you...." Fluttershy finished lamely. "I'm trying to move on but it's so hard. Maybe one day I won't feel the need to come here all the time, but I feel like that would be wrong. Like somehow I didn't really love you, which I do..." Fluttershy sighed. "Oh, Twilight...I'll come back to visit you soon, okay? I love you."

Fluttershy turned around and began walking away. As she always did she glanced behind her once. Of course Twilight wasn't standing there, smiling at her. She wished she was though. She turned around and kept walking, making her way home. One day she would have to let go. It was all part of moving on.

Author's Note

Now this is the real end. I have to thank all of you for your support. You all know how grateful I am for everything. I hope you do, anyway. You guys are great and it means a lot that you stuck by me this long. Now, here's what I've been talking about in my blogs. I'm thinking of a sequel, a short one that deals with Fluttershy handling the loss. You guys think it's a good idea?

Sequel

I thought this would be the best way to inform those who enjoyed this story but aren't following me that the sequel, titled moving on is up. Link below

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/88919/moving-on

Hope you enjoy.

Bonus: Thanksgiving

Author's Note

Please note this is not my best work, as well as a few other things.

Don't look for this to perfectly fit into the continuity of the original work. All these holiday bonus chapters that are coming, they're not meant to tie in perfectly or anything like that. Think of them as one-shots, because I do. I didn't want to be restricted by a timeline or anything like that but I thought the idea of Fluttershy wanting Twilight to live every one of her final holidays to the fullest was sort of sweet. So I wrote it.

Secondly, yes that reporter part is totally weird and I literally used it just to advance the plot. The pacing is off, and none of the other charcters really had any dialogue or anything but that's because I really wanted to focus on the two lovers. With that being said it won't always be like that, not all these chapters will be so short or anything like that. In fact I think the halloween one will be quite good, but I'll leave that ot all of you.

And finally, I'm back! Yes, crazy right? It's good to see you all and this chapter, and all the future ones are dedicated to all the kinds messages and comments I returned to!

Bonus: Thanksgiving

The more time Twilight spent in this dark realm of her twisted counterpart the more she began to believe maybe she belonged there. Was it that she was getting used to the darkness or that it had always been there, creeping up on her? It was ready to consume her now, swallow her forever and extinguish what little light remained. There wasn't much light left anyway, so why should she fight anymore? As always, however, when these thoughts came to her mind the image of a certain butter-yellow mare came to her and renewed hope. She called on Fluttershy for strength, borrowing it to be able to go on even if it was just for a little while longer. Her light would go out sooner or later, but it would not be due to her own failings. She would fight this, until the end. The darkness began to fade, but as it did her laughing grew louder, causing Twilight's heart to speed up. Thankfully it was quickly replaced by soft, loving whispers and gentle hooves stroking her mane, each touch promising everything would be alright.

The unicorn's eyes fluttered open and finally the darkness faded completely and her heart began to slow at the sight of her lover, then pick up again but for a far better reason. Their gaze met, and despite Fluttershy being the one prone to shyness they both blushed but neither turned away, which for Fluttershy was quite a feat. She refused to look away until she was assured that her marefriend was okay, safe from whatever nasty nightmares haunted her. Assurance came in the form of a nod, and although Fluttershy believed her lover it was obvious it was beginning to take its toll on her. What was once perhaps a weekly occurrence was beginning to happen with far more regularity and she prayed that it would not become a nightly thing, deep down she knew it would. Fluttershy borrowed strength from Twilight, just as Twilight did from her, strength to remain composed and help her lover through to the bitter end, whenever it may come. Finally their eyes broke apart.
"It's getting worse."
"I'm fine." Twilight replied. She gave her lover a grateful smile and rolled to her hooves.
It was a short exchange. It took all of Twilight's strength to maintain any sort of composure so Fluttershy didn't press. That didn't, however, mean she didn't wish Twilight would let her in a little more. It hadn't been that long since Twilight had learned she was doomed to die and they had been together together even less time. The brevity of their relationship meant nothing to Fluttershy though, she'd loved Twilight since the beginning and regretted never telling her before hand. Under different circumstances the two could have found nothing but happiness, not the most their love could ever be was bittersweet. The shy pony shook such thoughts from her mind. She wanted to help Twilight, not make her feel worse.
"It's thanksgiving..." Fluttershy called out to her friend, who was now combing her mane and getting ready to face the day. A monotonous "Oh." was her only reply, so Fluttershy continued talking but the lack of responses was shredding her confidence. "I, um...Well, the leaves are really nice this time of year and I, um...I thought, um...Maybe...We could take a walk. I bet it'd be good to get out of the house." She swallowed hard as Twilight came back into view. "If you, um, want to, that is..." she added meekly.

A glance out the window confirmed what Fluttershy had said. Twilight hadn't even noticed, which was quite surprising but she supposed there had been an awful lot on her mind lately. The ground covered in leaves was quite beautiful, and renewed her with hope for some reason. She forced a smile and nodded.

**

The orange and yellow of the leaves mingled nicely on the ground, seemingly creating a warm glow that put everypony in a good mood. Everypony save a certain lavender unicorn. As they galloped down the path Fluttershy was trying to be more talkative than usual but the constant lack of replies from Twilight as well as the scowl she sported quickly got the shy mare quiet. The short conversations they were having faded into silence and their pace slowed. Secretly, Fluttershy hoped the slow pace was because Twilight was finally taking a moment to admire the leaves, deep down she knew otherwise. As bad as things were, they were about to get far worse.

A stallion who's coat was white as snow seemed to come out of nowhere, stepping between the two lovers aside and knocking poor Fluttershy to the ground with a loud thud. He didn't even turn to see if she was okay, he was focused intently on Twilight. A white aura surrounded his just now noticed horn as a quill and piece of parchment floated beside him.
"Twilight is it true you don't have very long to live?" All questions, no sympathy.

Fluttershy blinked, her jaw hung open as she forced herself back to her hooves and the look on Twilight's face broke her heart. The unicorn seemed torn, tears threatened to stream down her face, the only thing keeping them at bay seemed to be the shock she was experiencing that somepony would have the audacity to pose her such questions. She hadn't been expecting anything like this to happen but she supposed she should have. It wasn't everyday the Princess' student was dying, after all. Twilight took a hesitant step back as Fluttershy found her way back beside her lover and after taking a closer look at the stallion she recognized him as someone who had come knocking at the library many times asking for Twilight. She'd always politely said Twilight wasn't up to it or came up with some other excuse, had she known he was some sort of reported she never would have even allowed him near Twilight.
"I-I-Um, well...." Twilight stammered, before she could even begin to formulate a reply or ask him to leave he began to assault her with more questions.
"What is the nature of this illness? Do you know how long exactly you have left to live? How does it feel knowing you're never going to experience another thanksgiving?"

That seemed to be what sent her over the edge. With each question he took a step towards the baffle mare, and both her and her lover stared at the stallion in horror. Purple surrounded Twilight's horn but it quickly turned to black, and she howled in pain falling to the ground. As she did the quill went wild, scribbling back and forth as Fluttershy helped her lover up.
"Twil-" Fluttershy began but Twilight was already running off, presumably back to the library.
"Good grief, did you see her horn? First stallion to write about the Princess' #1 student's death! " He was clearly speaking to himself.
"How could you...?" It was almost a whisper. Fluttershy was now the one who felt like she was going to break down. This was after all her fault. If she'd never asked Twilight to go out with her she never would have been harassed by this jerk of a reporter. She knew when Twilight got back to the library it would be worse. She didn't have time to sulk, or even to tell the stallion off, assuming she'd been able too. She quickly ran as fast as she could, hoping she could get there to diffuse the situation in some way.

**

"Why are you all here!?" Twilight's voice cried as Fluttershy burst through the door, everypony turning towards her as she did, causing her to stop in her tracks. She kneaded at the ground with her hoof, taking in the scene before her. All her friends were there, each doing a different task, most being food related, but there were a few decoration oriented tasks as well. Shining Armour and Princess Cadance were there as well, both of them also engaged in some form of Thanksgiving preparation. Whatever fun they had all been having had been interrupted at Twilight's return. Twilight was supposed to know they were all going to be there by the time her and Fluttershy returned, but Fluttershy hadn't had time to let her in on the surprise. With everyone's eyes focused on Fluttershy it didn't take a genius to figure out who had set this up. "Did you do this?" Twilight asked accusingly.

The way Twilight said 'you' almost reduced Fluttershy to tears. It was so full of anger and disdain, it almost sounded like Twilight was speaking to someone she truly despised, not the mare she claimed to love. Fluttershy took a step back and her eyes widened. Fear overcame her, and she began to stutter horribly. She had difficulties talking normally most of the time, but under Twilight's glare she wasn't even able to form a sentence. "I-um-well-I thought-No-I-Um-...." It went on and on but Fluttershy fell silent as Twilight stomped one of her front hooves down. Fluttershy flinched in response, much to the horror of their audience which now seemed forgotten.
"What made you think I wanted this?" Twilight growled, her voice distorted and with that sudden change Fluttershy cowered on the ground. Another string of desperate stutters left 'Shy's lips but not coherent answer was given, much to Twilight's annoyance. "Stop stuttering and answer me!" she screamed, stomping again to get her point across. At this point Fluttershy's face was covered by her forelegs, and she sobbed silently into them, unable to even muster a simple apology. Cadance took a step towards her sister-in-law, reaching a hesitant hoof out. Of course everyone was aware that Twilight was only acting this way due to her illness, they all knew of the moments when she lost control to that nightmarish version of herself. That didn't make them feel any less worse though, and Twilight's fit clearly wasn't over. She knocked Cadance's hoof away and shrieked.

Twilight continued, in a mocking voice now "Let's gather all of Twilight's friends together, let's remind her of all the people she's going to lose. Let's all show her how thankful we are for not being in her situation, while showing her she truly has nothing left to be thankful for!" she finished, panting.

A look of shock crossed her features and she immediately felt awful. The anger was still there but with nowhere near the intensity it had been mere moments ago. She looked around to all her friends, looking to Fluttershy last. Still hiding her face, it seemed unlikely she would show herself any time soon. Her friends obviously had nothing to say either and after what seemed like forever Twilight calmly trotted up the stairs to her bedroom, kicking the door shut behind her. She crawled into bed, buried her face beneath her pillow and did everything she could to shut her brain off.

**

Well over an hour had passed when Fluttershy decided it was finally time to check in on Twilight. The others were still there but all agreed it was best to give Twilight time to cool down, just as they all agreed Fluttershy should be the one to check on her. The pegasus opened the door and poked her head in. She saw her lover turned away, laying on the bed. It looked like she could be sleeping, but Fluttershy knew she wasn't. That meant it was time to talk. She trotted towards the bed, silent enough to believe she was gliding along the floor and crawled into the bed beside her marefriend. She nuzzled herself into the midnight purple mane, lavender immediately assaulting her nostrils and giving her a feeling of total calmness.

"I'm sorry..." Was all she could think to say. It was lame, but truthful. She couldn't hide her surprise when the response given to her was a sad chuckle. Twilight shimmied and shook until she was turned towards Fluttershy and wiped her eyes dry.

"I'm not surprised you're apologizing. You don't need to though, I should. I'm so sorry for freaking out on you like that, Fluttershy. I'm not normally an emotional person, I don't know what came over me, and I hope you can forgive me." Classic Twilight through and through.

"Yes you do." Fluttershy replied, and upon seeing Twilight's confuseion she continued. "You do know what came over you. It wasn't you Twilight...We both know that." she averted her gaze now. "Besides, you really, um, didn't seem to want this party after all I just thought..." she swallowed hard before continuing. Be strong... "Who knows how long you really have left? If this is going to be your last Thanksgiving I want you to spend it with the people who care about you the most. If you're never going to see the leaves change color again, I wanted you to really see them one last time. Last times are important Twilight and it's important you celebrate these holidays while you still can."

A smile formed on Twilight's lips and Fluttershy looked at her, confused. A purple hoof reached to stroke the fur on Fluttershy's cheek and Twilight whispered softly "You didn't stutter..." before pressing her forehead against Fluttershy's.

She realized this wasn't just her last Thanksgiving, it was her friends' last Thanksgiving with her. She needed this, just as much as they did. If she didn't do it she'd regret it for the rest of her presumably short life. Fluttershy saw it, and even knowing how Twilight would react, and how much worse it would be for her with her usual shyness and fear of confrontation she did it anyway. Another reminder of how much you care...Of how kind you are...

"We have food ready, um, if you want...And I, um, I know everyone would really like to see you..."

A nod in return was all that was needed. With a deep blush she gave Fluttershy a quick peck on the lips before getting up and heading towards her door. Twilight had only seen more reasons to give up when the very idea of this Holiday had been brought up. Now, as she paused at the top of the stairs, looking back and catching a glimpse of Fluttershy she couldn't help but think I guess I really do have something to be thankful for after all...