You know, I always imagined that my death would be boring. Sleeping alone in my bed at an average age, withered and weak. An utterly average, boring end. I certainly didn't imagine that I would be blinded first.
White light fills my vision, causing tears to stream down my face. My body doesn't hurt, although as I hit the floor in a cower I feel the jostling. My mane conceals my face but the light burns through it, and I realise that although I'm not dying, I'm certainly in a fair bit of pain. All seems to fall silent, and as I manage to lift my face, something shines through the blankness.
Dash? I rub my eye, ignoring the burn as my hooves brush past the sorest area. It isn't dash. But it is... a rainbow? Not the form of rainbow I've ever seen in the sky, no, it's far too blinding for that. Luckily my already strained eyes have given up, and simply allow me to stare into the glow as I watch the multi-coloured strip snake up, up, up into the sky, where it seems to focus more.
I glance down, toward the source of the magic. It's Twilight Sparkle, of course, her eyes glowing white with effort. I stand on shaky hooves, reassured that this is only a consequence of her magic. Around her stand the other five, all floating a few metres up. The charms around their throats shine, and I try to resist sighing about all of the shiny, glowing light in this picture. Even so, I step forward, my vision now restored, and watch the Elements of Harmony's rainbow as it collides with the golem at such a speed that I'm knocked back to the ground, mane blown back by the force of the blast.
“Sweet Celestia,” I whisper, as the rainbow circles the bellowing beast. If I had a camera, and if that camera could withstand light brighter than the Princess's sun, then I would have to take a photo as a momento of this. This scene, this moment. It's harmony.
I close my eyes, and instinctively reach out to all of Trottingham. It takes but a second, inspired by the overwhelming strength of the magic surrounding me. Once my connection is established, I allow everypony to enjoy the sensation of the moment, and feel a sigh coming from them all as they watch the Elements save our city. I make the image especially bold for Maize, and I sense him smiling as the images fly through his mind.
Suddenly the connection breaks – a cry rings out and I snap back to reality. The rainbow is gone, the golem is infuriated, and the Elements of Harmony are backing up in horror.
“What happened?!” cries Rarity.
“I-I don't know!” shouts Twilight, “Is it not strong enough?”
I step back too, watching the golem tear a bronze statue from the ground and lob it into the school building. Fluttershy screams, and Rainbow pulls her out of harm's way at the last moment.
“Twilight!” I yell, “Why didn't it work?”
She darts out of the way of falling rock before answering.
“It isn't enough!”
“B-but you're the Elements of Harmony! You defeated Discord and Nightmare Moon! Surely a Golem isn't stronger than them?”
“No, it's not – but we've been to three different cities today. Looks like we're too tired, and can't quite reach our normal standard. It needs to be stronger.”
My eyes widen with fear as I realise that they can't save us. Some deep-rooted instinct begs me to turn and run, but I fight it. If Trottingham is going to be destroyed, then surely I, its loyal broadcaster, can remain here until the end.
“Ooh!” screams Pinkie, launching herself into me. I hit the ground hard and groan, opening my eyes to see the earth pony pinning me down.
“What are you doing, Pinkie Pie?!”
“I have an absolutely, positively super-terrific idea!”
“Look, we need to-”
“Try again! Only this time, you help us!”
Everypony stops and shoots identical looks at her.
“What?”
“How in the hay is she gonna help?” demands Applejack, before turning to me, “No offense hun, but there are only six elements, you know?”
I nod in agreement before a pink hoof wraps itself around my neck.
“No, duh! What I mean is, the broadcasting thing is like, magnifying sound and pictures, right? So what if... she used the broadcast to magnify our magic and make it stronger?”
A moment's pause.
“Pinkie Pie...” starts Twilight.
“Yes?”
“You... are a genius! That might just work!”
“It will?”
“Yes! Let's try it!”
They form their position once more, leaving me standing with my mouth agape.
“How was this decided without my opinion...?”
“Come on, hurry up!”
The light erupts once more, but this time I'm ready for it. I lower my head to avoid the glare and instead focus on my magic while the rainbow forms.
I've never attempted this before. While technically broadcasting does involve magnifying magic, it's normally just the effects of the magic rather than the magic itself. Accessing that magic is almost as terrifying as seeing directly into the sad, strong heart of Princess Celestia. I find it difficult to harness, and by the time the rainbow forms I'm on my knees, unable to remain standing. My body shivers as though the entire Golem were resting on my back. But I've got it. I've got a good, strong hold of their power.
When I feel a tug, I open the floodgates, pushing through the unbelievable magic and adding my own, which only serves to broaden each stroke of colour in the already enormous rainbow. The Golem yells, an unearthly sound that causes my ears to sink back against my head. The elements give a last push of their magic and then it's over.
The golem crumbles in the distance while the elements return to their senses. Water streams down my cheeks. Thank Celestia. Everypony's going to be okay.
And with that as my final thought, I happily collapse to the ground, unconscious.