…As they maneuvered their way back beside the bed, they gasped once again at the figure that now lay there. The monster that had taken over their friend was snarling at them, almost begging them to come closer so she could do them harm. "Wait, everypony," Celestia said, "I'm going to make sure this is safe." So she drew upon her power and created a bubble for them to walk in.
They walked right up to the new Twilight, who slashed her hooves at the bubble, but couldn't break it. Fluttershy looked sadly at what was once her friend. She couldn't believe that Twilight could turn into something so horrible. Twilight had always been so kind and so loving. Sure, she had her moments of weakness, but then again, didn't everypony?
Suddenly, all of their eyes flashed white and they were drawn out of the room. They flew through the fabric of space and time itself, caught up in some kind of unnatural wind. "Princess Celestia!" Applejack called. Celestia managed to turn and look at her, silently telling her to speak. "What the hay's goin' on?!"
"It's a spell!" Celestia shouted back, "just hang on tight and everything will be fine!"
As if like clockwork, suddenly they all found themselves standing in the middle of a library. The shelves were crammed full of books. The ceiling was made of grey smoke, and the floor was a checkerboard pattern. The ponies all looked around curiously. The room seemed to be endless, disappearing into the darkness a long way off.
There was a stairway in the middle of the room that apparently led to nowhere. Suddenly, the ponies and the dragon caught movement at the top of the flight. The figure rose, glowing as it did. Then it revealed itself: it was Twilight. She smiled down at them. Her beautiful purple eyes glowed with radiance. It caused a warm feeling to course through everypony, even Celestia.
Twilight was bedecked in a golden gown with a matching crown to boot. She looked regal, dazzling, and solemn in the best way. She slowly descended the stairs before coming out at the bottom. She stood for a moment looking at her friends, then broke into another smile. "Welcome, my friends," she said with a voice clear as day and smooth as silk. The ponies smiled. This was the Twilight they knew and loved.
"I am sorry for the forced way with which I brought you here," Twilight continued.
"Yeah, um…where exactly is 'here'?" Applejack asked.
"This is my mind," Twilight said, "and it used to be filled with knowledge and the sunshine of my friends. Now, all that's left are the books I know and the grey clouds of impending death."
At the sound of her voice, all the ponies felt like crying again. It was so amazing to hear the difference between this smooth, sweet vocal pattern and the horrific screaming that had come from her evil counterpart. "Please, Twilight," Fluttershy said, "please tell us you're going to be OK."
Twilight looked down sadly. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy," she said, "but my fate is certain. Death shall be the end for me." Once again, her friends tried to hold back tears. "But cheer up," Twilight suddenly said, "you'll make a new friend to take my place, and I know that they'll be wonderful!" She beamed at them.
"You sure are happy for a pony who's about to go the way of my Ma and Pa," Applejack said, "I mean, doesn't dying scare you?"
Twilight nodded a bit. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared of dying. I think everypony is. But what brings me joy are the memories of being with you. Every single one of you means so much to me, and no matter what's going on out there, in here you'll always be my best friends."
The other ponies ran up and hugged her, including Celestia. Their tears stained her gown, but truth be told, she relished each stain. Every tear drop represented something different. A memory made, an adventure had, a lesson learned. Each stain represented "liquid pride" as her brother called it. Every one of these ponies had her best interests at heart. They were truly her friends.
The ponies huddled for a minute before backing away. Fluttershy looked up at Twilight. She noticed that Twilight was absolutely beaming, even to the point of glowing. "Twilight," she said, "how were you able to transport us in here?"
"It's a newer spell, one I just learned before I became sick," she said, "I learned it on purpose just in case that evil, malicious Flamelight took over."
"Has that monster been inside you this whole time?" Rarity asked
Twilight nodded. "There's a monster inside each one of us. It represents all of our anger, frustration, fear and other negative emotions. Truth be told, it's not wrong to let those emotions out once in a while. Unfortunately, when the Shining Horn Disease takes over a unicorn, those emotions come out all at once and the monster ends up eating its hapless victim."
"So…you're already dead?" Dash asked
"No, but I might as well be. The monster has taken complete control of my physical functions. I can't fight it."
"But there has to be some way!" Dash suddenly yelled, her voice echoing throughout the chamber, "there's gotta be some way to turn things around! There always is! What about the Elements of Harmony or some other magical artifact? Can't we save you?!"
Suddenly, Celestia spoke up. "I'm afraid we can't save her, Rainbow Dash. As much as it hurts my heart to say goodbye, it is something we must all face."
The mood turned grimmer than usual with the realization that this would be the final time they would see their beloved friend. Dash ran back to Twilight and threw her hooves around her. "NO!" She wailed, "I WON'T LET THIS BE IT! I WON'T LET THIS BE THE FINAL TIME!"
She sobbed into Twilight's shoulder, but Twilight gently removed her. "Dash, my dear friend, please don't cry for me. There are other ponies out there."
"But there aren't any like you! You hold this friendship together! You're the element of magic! Without you, there is no friendship!"
"Dash," Twilight said softly, "you're wrong. Your friendship is as strong and as vibrant as it ever was. Even without me, you'll continue that journey."
Dash looked up at Twilight and her eyes betrayed the soft spot in her heart she had for her friend. She had built up a tough exterior and tried to drive away the tears and fears for a future without Twilight, but she just couldn't. She bent over and quietly sobbed into Twilight's shoulder.
"Oh, Dash…" Twilight said soothingly.
"I can't lose you," Dash said, "you…you're my best friend."
Twilight smiled. "But you have other friends standing right there behind you. Turn to them, and they'll help you through this time."
Dash turned and looked at the others. She didn't want to admit it, but she was scared to death. She had always gone to Twilight when she had a problem she couldn't solve. Twilight seemed to know everything. But here…here she wasn't sure she had a friend she could turn to when things got rough. Fluttershy might work, but she was frightened by leaves falling. Applejack was always busy, as was Rarity, and Pinkie Pie was just insane.
"I…I…I just can't do this," Dash said, "I don't want you to die. Please tell me that this is all some kind of nightmare and Princess Luna will wake me out of it! Please!"
"I'm afraid not," Twilight said, "you need to accept that this is happening, Dash. It's the only way you'll ever be able to be happy again. I want nothing more than for all of you to be happy again. I want you to find another friend to fill my spot. Please."
Dash backed away and rejoined the others. Tears still streamed out of her eyes. The other ponies took a final look at Twilight as she went back to the staircase and ascended it. Once she reached the top, a door appeared in front of them. "This is your future," Twilight said, "and I don't know what's on the other side. What I do know is that there will be more friendships to be made, and I want you to make them. Please."
Celestia took a look at her daughter standing there. This was the pony she had wanted Twilight to be. This was what she had so diligently taught her over the years. She wanted Twilight to learn the true value of friendship, and it appeared as though she had. "Twilight, my love," she said silently, "I will never, ever forget you." With that, she led the other ponies through the door and back into the room where this had all started…
