"Celestia… no…" The ponies all cried to themselves.
"Girls, please. I am at the limit of my power. I only have enough for one last spell, and so I must ask you a favor. I will send you to the past one week ago, with a letter from me to my past self, ordering the arrest and death of Twilight from the past. I need you to give it to that Celestia, and when you do, have her teleport you back. Do you understand?"
"But, Celestia! You'll die!" Rarity exclaimed.
"I am going to die, anyway, Rarity."
"We can't kill Twilight! She's our friend!" Rainbow said.
"I know that, Rainbow Dash. But this is the only way. Killing her in the past is our only hope to saving Equestria. Please, here is my letter. You must do this." She handed the scroll to Rainbow Dash and, leaving no time for any of them to argue further, she shot them into the past. Celestia smiled gently with a spark of hope in her eyes, and then she drew her final breath. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she was gone.
The five appeared in past Celestia's courtroom one week in the past. Who knew so much could change in just a few days? Everything seemed peaceful, and full of light. Nopony had any idea of the horrors to come, and the five were envious of this blissful naivety.
"Oh! Girls, you frightened. What do you need? Where's Twilight?" Past Celestia greeted them. The ponies teared up, seeing their Princess still alive.
"Princess, we are here from the future. Celestia of that time sent us here to give you an important message." Rainbow Dash said as she handed the scroll to the Princess.
"The future? Well, let's see it, then. Yes… yes… oh, my. I… I simply can't believe this… But, that is indeed my seal. Must we really destroy Twilight? I cannot imagine she'd do anything like this!"
"Yes, Princess, we are afraid that if we don't she will destroy every pony in a week's time. Even you, Celestia…" Rarity confirmed with a break in her voice.
"Well, I can't say that I'm entirely on board with this plan. But if this is what future Celestia's judgement is, then I must obey… my own wishes… I shall have Twilight summoned immediately. The guards will have her arrested." Celestia's eyes began to tear up, but she remained strong. The ponies looked at each other with forlorn faces, crying as they waited for Twilight to show up.
When Twilight finally arrived, the ponies were hiding. They didn't want Twilight to see them just yet, because their past selves probably were still in Ponyville. They didn't want Twilight to be suspicious of anything.
"You called, Princess?" Twilight said, approaching Celestia. Celestia tried to look as cheerful as possible, despite the whole situation.
"Yes, I need you to do something for me. Do you see that circle over there next to the door? I need you to stand on it."
"Sure, but why?"
"I-It is a magic circle. It will show me your status in progressing to the rank of a high-level unicorn." Celestia lied. Celestia had never lied before and she felt as though she might cave from all of the pressure. If Twilight didn't turn around soon, Celestia might ruin the whole ruse! And with dark magic coursing through her veins, Twilight could easily best even Celestia in a duel.
"Of course, Princess." Twilight trotted over to the Circle, happy to be of service to her teacher. Once she stepped inside, a cage dropped over her. Its bars hummed with magical energy. "Celestia? W-what's happening? Is this a test?"
"No, my dear Twilight Sparkle, this is a cage. You are under arrest for crimes that you will commit in the near future." Celestia said with a grim expression on her face. Her eyes couldn't meet Twilight's. Celestia knew that if she looked at that pony's face, her love for Twilight would overpower the need to destroy her.
"But Celestia! I haven't even done them yet!"
"But you will, and by then it will be too late. I am sorry, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia nodded to the captain of her Royal Guard and out spewed from the top of the cage a twinkling dust that put Twilight to sleep.
"Ce-les-sti-a…" Those were Twilight's last sounds as she fell asleep. This was the last time she would ever see the Princess.