Twilight's hooves were heavier than mountains, and so were her eyelids. She illumitated her surroundings with a light spell and shambled forward. She could see the brightly coloured treetop in the distance. Soon she'd make a campfire, prepare a place to sleep in, and...
...
Ponies surrounded her. Happy, smiling ponies.
"Praise the savior of the world!" one of them shouted. "Long live the Princess of Equestria!"
Tears flowed from Twilight's eyes. "No," she mumbled. "Leave me alone. I don't want to celebrate!"
"Huzzah!" the ponies cried, their smiles growing too large and their pupils fading.
"Be quiet!" she shouted. "Go away!"
"Huzzah!" they shouted, their voices distorted.
She galloped away, but ponies were all around her. Smiling, colourful ponies. Her subjects.
Their smiles had twisted into macabre grins and their eyes were blank. "Huzzah!" they screeched.
Twilight crumpled up and lied on the ground, sobbing.
The moon above shined brightly. The ponies around her were turned to dust.
She sniffed and looked above.
"...Luna?"
The dark blue alicorn descended. She had grown as tall and wise as her sister had once been. "Rise, friend," she said with a smile and landed near her.
Twilight wiped her tears and stood up. "I thought you-"
"My duty never ends, Twilight, for I will not abandon it. Why did you abandon yours?"
"I don't want it to be my duty," she said. "Not anymore."
"Then what do you want?"
Twilight was silent for a moment. "I want my old life back, Luna."
She sighed. "I'm afraid that life only remains in your memories."
"I know. And it's all my fault," Twilight said and stared at her hooves.
Luna approached her and placed a hoof on her back. "Twilight, you're always rough on yourself. That's something we've always had in common. Remember how you helped me forgive myself all those years ago? I am in debt, and now I wish to repay it."
"You forgave yourself with the help of your friends. I don't have them any longer."
"You have me, Twilight. Am I not your friend?"
"Sure, but you've always been so... distant."
"Twilight, you have to return. Your subjects need you. They look up to you. They love you. You must forgive yourself for what you did and once again embrace your destiny."
"I will not go back. Not yet, at least. I need to repent in this wilderness, and I need to discover my true destiny, because this isn't it."
"Friend, my sister once told me that the very day you were born, the stars themselves whispered 'Twilight Sparkle'. This has always been your destiny."
"I don't want it to be. Not without them. Not after what I did to them."
Luna sighed. "Very well then. Ponder your life if you so desire. But eventually, you'll have to make the decision. Princess Twilight Sparkle, your subjects await your return."
"Wake up."