“Friendship can never be measured through physical means. They can be as strong as diamonds or as fragile as rice paper. The only constant is that eventually all friendships come to an end.”

“Why Applejack? Why did you force me to take action? I have always thought of you as one of my greatest friends.” Twilight Sparkle was standing in front of the headstone that marked her friend’s grave, “You made me take you away from Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom. What were you thinking?!” There was only silence, “I’m so sorry Applejack, how did all of this happen?” again there was only silence.

The tears started to flow down Twilight’s face as she stood there, she laid the flowers she brought onto the grave and walked away. What do I do now? she thought to herself as she walked, Apple Bloom blames me for what happened even after I tried to explain. I can no longer live in this town surrounded by the guilt of what I did. I guess I have some good byes to make and one last letter to write.

As she moved down the road that lead into town she came across Pinkie Pie pulling a covered cart. "Hey Twilight, you visiting Applejack again?" she said as she stopped, "You have to stop blaming yourself for what happened. I'm sure in the same position any other pony would have done the same thing."

Twilight was still not used to the new Pinkie, she seemed to have gone through a drastic change overnight a few months ago. "Yeah I'm sure you're right, but I just can't get over it. I'm going to leave Pinkie...forever."

"Forever? You can't do that! What will everyone do without your magic? Furthermore what would Celestia do if she finds out the element of magic just up and left?"

"The elements are already broken. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy are still gone, and Applejack is dead. Even if they needed to be used again it wouldn't work."

Tears welled up in Pinkie's eyes, "So you're just going to leave me and Rarity here alone? What happened to the magic of friendship? Does that not matter to you anymore?"

"As soon as I had to take action against Applejack, I lost all faith in friendship." Twilight moved forward and hugged Pinkie, "Good bye, I'll never forget you." Breaking the hug she held back her tears as she walked away from the now sobbing Pinkie Pie.

Traveling slowly into town Twilight had some time to think before reaching Rarity's boutique. I can't believe it has come down to this, saying good bye to my friends after all they've done for me. Spike is going to take it the hardest, he has been with me his entire life.

She stopped at Rarity's door and knocked before entering. Turning from her latest dress Rarity pulled off her glasses, "Why hello Twilight, what are you doing her?" Her voice was still raspy from the damage Applejack inflicted.

Twilight couldn't help but to cringe when she looked at the still visible bruises, "Hi Rarity, I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Yes there is, I can't stand living with the guilt of what happened so I've decided to leave Ponyville." She felt tears running down her face, "I...I was just wondering if you could take care of Spike fore me."

Rarity looked shocked as tears of her own appeared, "What are you talking about Twilight?" She started to yell, "You can't leave! We have been through so much! How can you even think of leaving?!"

Twilight started sobbing, "I'm scared! I'm scared of leaving, of Apple Bloom, of...of myself! Will you just please take care of Spike?"

"Y-yes Twilight I will, I just don't want you to leave!" Rarity hugged her friend, "Please don't leave me."

"I'm so sorry Rarity but I have to." she broke the hug and kissed Rarity on the nose, "Good bye, dear friend, I will always love you." And so she left another friend behind as she walked out the door. Now to write one last letter to the Celestia and say good bye to Spike, she thought to herself as she worked her way to the library.

She arrived, pausing at the door before entering the library to see Spike organizing books and papers. Moving over to him she pulled him into a big hug, startling the little dragon.

"Twilight? What are you doing?" Spike said, not sure if he should return the hug or not.

She didn't respond at first, Twilight just cried while she hugged her life-long companion. "Spike...I'm leaving."

"No Spike just me...I'm leaving Ponyville forever, you are going to stay with Rarity."

"Why? Why can't I come with you?" He started to cry, now returning the hug. His tears were hot on Twilight's skin.

"I...just don't know if I can take care of you anymore. The guilt of killing Applejack is tearing me apart. I'm not sure if I can take care of anypony now."

She broke the hug and looked at him with a false smile, "Rarity will take good care of you. Now, I have one last task for you before I leave, do you think you can do it?"

"Good. I'm going to write a letter but I don't want you to send it until I leave and you get to Rarity's. Can you do that for me?"

"That is why you will always be my number one assistant." Spike continued to cry as she walked to her desk, his tears steaming on his scales.

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For a long time I have always thought friendship was something that could never be broken no matter how hard you try. However, during the last week I learned that friendships will always end, even if you don't want them to. I had to learn this the hard way...by killing Applejack. I know that she was trying to kill Rarity and I was trying to stop her, but even with all of that it filled me with guilt. Now her little sister is blaming me for what happened and I'm afraid of what she might do. The Apple family has always been some of the strongest ponies in Ponyville.

I'm scared Princess, I don't want to live a life of fear. My friends have all changed since Fluttershy's accident and most were for the better. I am afraid that if I continue to live in Ponyville I might one day have to kill the rest of my friends for some insane reason. Bringing me to why I am writing this letter. I am leaving Ponyville forever. I don't know where I am going or what I will do but this will be my last letter I write to you.

Please do not be mad at me Princess I am doing this for my own good and the welfare of others. I know you might not understand right now but in time I hope you will forgive me. I will be leaving Spike with Rarity so you can always keep in contact with him and keep him happy. The elements have broken and I am truly sorry about that, but there is nothing that can be done to repair the damage that has been dealt. I hope that someday I might speak to you and my friends again.

Facing Your Demons

by Naryyn

The Breaking of Friendships