Lightning lit up the night sky as Twilight Sparkle slowly climbed the tallest hill in Ponyville Cemetery where her friends Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were laid to rest. Twilight normally talked to her friends in the Hall of Elements but she felt that this was a more appropriate approach this time. The thunder rumbled as she reached the crest and began to organize her thoughts.
"Hey girls. I know we've not talked in awhile but I just wanted to give you a heads up of what's going on," Twilight said. "I'm headed to Canterlot tomorrow for our traditional Mare's Day Out that we have every five years. It's hard to believe it's been 200 years since we first met here in Ponyville."
She paused a moment to wipe the rain and tears from her eyes. It was a futile endeavor as the deluge was so heavy she could barely see more than few feet in front of her. Still, it helped her keep to stay somewhat composed.
"I know Tia is going to have a fit about it due to the events of last time, but we've been doing this over 100 years and I'm not about to stop," continued the heartbroken princess.
The glistening of the tombstones from the lightning flashing was the only response she received. Twilight bowed her head in respect and slowly turning around to retreat back down the hill.
"See you tomorrow," Twilight softly said as she looked back one last time before leaving the vicinity of her deceased friends.
"Why do you insist on doing this every five years, Twilight?" Celestia asked her former student. "I get worried each time you do this. You've been inside the Hall of Elements longer each time you cast the spell."
"It's because of a special bond I have with the girls. I can't explain it," Twilight replied nonchalantly. "If I could, I'd do it everyday. but it takes roughly five years to recharge enough of my magic do cast this spell. I've explained this to you numerous times."
"But they're not your actual friends," Celestia argued. "They're statues that gain the ability to move after becoming enchanted by your friends' spirits."
"I know that but it's the closest I can come to be able to physically interact with them," Twilight responded defiantly.
"Well can you at least tell me why the last few times you haven't resealed the door after entering the Hall?" Celestia asked. "Are you expecting something negative to happen to you?"
Twilight just sighed at the question of her former mentor. The last few times that she had cast her animation spell, it's taken more magic each time and it's been taking her longer to regain consciousness after using it. So as a precaution, Twilight began leaving the door unsealed in case something were to happen.
"Twilight, I know we've had some rough patches in over the last 150 years or so that's affected our relationship negatively but I still love you like a daughter," Celestia said with a sigh.
"I feel the same way, Tia, but I've been doing this for over a hundred years," Twilight replied. "The girls look forward to this interaction and I don't plan on stopping."
"I really wish you wouldn't call me Tia. But back to the subject at hand, how long do you think your magic will allow you to keep doing this?" Celestia continued to argue. "I remember you telling me that you had asked Discord to help recharge your magic last time.”
Twilight slowly turned her back to the sun goddess to walk out of the Royal Chambers and responded emotionlessly "I'm sorry, Tia. I have to get going. If you wish to escort me like always, you may."
A bright light appeared to Twilight's right, followed by a multi-colored flowing mane. Twilight looked to see that Celestia had teleported next to her as she walked to the Hall of Elements.
"Twilight, I... I'm sorry," Celestia apologized as she slowly walked next to her former protegé.
"I know, Princess," Twilight said. "But you and I both know that if I wasn't an alicorn, we wouldn't have this argument every five years. I..."
Twilight's train of thought was lost when she looked at the stained glass window commemorating her and her friends victory against Nightmare Moon as she and Celestia walked past it. For the first time since beginning this tradition, the memories of the final interactions with each friend began to flood into her mind.
"Applejack?" Twilight said quietly as she entered the hospital room. "Are you awake? It's Twilight."
Applejack remained motionless in the middle of the bed, her breathing somewhat shallow. Twilight walked up to her bed and gently grasped one of the farm pony's hooves.
"I'm not sure if you can hear me but if you can, I'm proud to have been your friend," Twilight said as single tear slid down her cheek.
"Tw-Twilight?" Applejack quietly said, as she slowly began to regain consciousness.
"Oh, Applejack," Twilight said softly. "I'm so glad you're awake."
"Me too," replied Applejack with a weak smile. "B'cause Ah'll git ta say goodbye to all of y'all."
"What? Don't talk like that, Applejack," Twilight told her, trying to hold back tears. "You're going to be just fine. You just need more rest and you'll be back on the farm bucking trees in no time."
"Listen, sugarcube," Applejack whispered, as her eyes began to water, "Promise me that y'all won't tell nopony this, 'cause Ah... Ah'll tell them mahself when they visit."
Twilight was already putting the pieces together, so she just nodded as the dam holding her tears back broke.
"Ah... Ah know fer a fact that this is mah... mah last rodeo," Applejack sobbed as the purple alicorn leaned down to hug her. "Ah... Ah..."
Neither pony could say anything because of their crying, but the message was clear. Twilight was about to lose her friend in a few hours.
Twilight gently knocked on the door of Fluttershy and Vinyl Scratch's cottage and patiently waited for one of the residents to open the door. After a couple minutes the door slowly creaked open as Fluttershy pulled on the doorknob.
"Hi, Twilight," Fluttershy said as she greeted the princess. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm doing great. How about yourself?" Twilight replied with a smile.
"I, I'm fine. Come on in. I just made a fresh kettle of tea and some cucumber sandwiches. Would like some?" Fluttershy offered quietly.
"Yes, thank you," Twilight replied as she sat down on one of the sofas as Fluttershy went to retrieve the tea and sandwiches. "Where's Vinyl at?" Twilight called to the pegasus.
Fluttershy rolled back into the living room with a tray across her lap. "Scratchie went to get a few groceries from the market and a cake from Sugarcube Corner. I wasn't feeling well so that's why I stayed home. She should be back in a little bit though."
"Okay," replied Twilight. "In the meantime, I heard you did something amazing the other day."
"Um, okay?" Fluttershy said as she hid behind her pink mane. "What did somepony tell you?"
Twilight got off the sofa and trotted over to the paralyzed pony before putting her right foreleg around Fluttershy's neck. "I heard you managed to do something for the first time in sixteen years" Twilight whispered in Fluttershy's ear.
Fluttershy's face turned a bright crimson as she twisted her mane in her hooves. "Wh-who told you that?"
"Vinyl did yesterday when I saw her delivering a drumset to somepony," Twilight smiled.
"It really wasn't anything special," Fluttershy humbly said.
"Nothing special? Fluttershy standing on all four hooves, even for a minute or two, is extraordinary for a pony that's paralyzed," Twilight beamed.
Fluttershy sipped at her tea as she slowly turned red from embarrassment while Twilight made her way back to the sofa to snack on one of the sandwiches as an awkward silence filled the room.
"Would... would you like to see, Twilight?" asked Fluttershy nervously.
"That would be spectacular but I'm not going to force you," Twilight replied with a smile.
Fluttershy set her cup on the table next to her and slowly leaned forward to allow room for her wings to unfurl. With a flap of her wings, Fluttershy landed on the floor in front of the alicorn.
"Give... me a minute," Fluttershy requested as she began focusing on moving her hind legs.
"Take your time. There's no rush," Twilight told her.
Fluttershy tried to flap her wings to assist in raising herself up, however only the right wing moved.
"Fluttershy? What's wrong with your wing?" Twilight asked worriedly.
"I-I don't know," Fluttershy replied. "I jusht used it a minute ago."
"What's going on Fluttershy? You're slurring your words."
"My whole left shide ish tingly," Fluttershy slurred. "I can't even move my left foreleg. Twilight, I'm getting shcared. Help me please."
Twilight picked up Fluttershy with her magic and gently set her on her on her back just as the pegasus lost consciousness.
Vinyl Scratch was returning home just as Twilight burst out of the cottage.
"Yo, Twilight! Where you going?" Vinyl shouted.
"We're going to Ponyville General. I think Fluttershy is having a stroke."
"How did you sleep last night?" Twilight asked Rarity as she entered the castle library.
"Same as always, darling," The ivory unicorn replied. "The odd dreams keep coming."
"Care to talk about any of them?" Twilight pried as she levitated a pair of teacups and a kettle between them.
Rarity nervously looked at the crystal floor as she thought about the best to describe her most common dream.
Twilight, noticing her expression, added, "Of course if it makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to talk about it."
"No it's okay, darling. It's just... well, I've been having this one dream over and over where I'm woken up by a pounding on the front door. I always make my way to the door but either Lonely or Happy will open it before me," Rarity told her friend as she breathed heavily.
"What happens when they answer the door?" Twilight asked her as she walked around the table to sit down next to Rarity.
"As soon as one of them answers the door I wake up in a cold sweat," Rarity told her with a look of fright in her eyes. "It's been happening more and more. Sometimes more than once per night."
"Have you had any interactions with Applejack or Rainbow Dash recently?" Twilight asked Rarity as she draped her right wing over her.
"Not since the dreams have started," replied Rarity. "I have been wondering if they might actually be connected somehow."
Twilight levitated one the teacups to her lips before responding, "It's entirely possible that it is. The voices started almost a moon ago and up until last week, you've been hearing them on a regular basis. Now that you're having this same dream and they're no longer communicating, I don't mean to sound morbid, but might be getting close to your time."
The thought of passing away caused Rarity to lose her concentration which caused her to drop the cup onto the library floor and shatter.
"You... you really think so, darling?" Rarity asked Twilight as she began to cry. "I'm not ready to leave Happy Hooves or Lonely Heart yet. It's too soon."
Twilight moved closer cradled her frightened friend in her forelegs, allowing Rarity to cry her eyes out into Twilight's shoulder.
"Rarity, everything will work out fine. I promise."
"I... I... I don't want to leave my... my family, Twilight," Rarity cried. "I... I love them too much."
Twilight held the ivory unicorn tightly in her hooves and draped her left wing over her back. "Everything will be okay," Twilight whispered softly.
"How is she today?" Twilight asked Cheese Sandwich.
"Not too good," Cheese Sandwich said sadly. "She almost wandered out of the house again this morning."
"You think she'll recognize me even though it's Sunday?" Twilight wanted to know.
"Maybe," Cheese sighed. "Some days she remembers ponies, other days she can't even remember her own name. Why do you ask?"
"I have to go to Appleloosa tomorrow morning for yet another land dispute with the buffalo. I more than likely won't be back until Wednesday or Thursday."
"I understand what you're saying," Cheese nodded. "Is somepony else going to visit in your place?"
"Starlight and I swapped days so that she won't get too upset, hopefully. Is she upstairs in her party room?" said Twilight.
"Yea. Her latest 'work' is, well, interesting" Cheese answered with a small chuckle. "I'll leave it to her to tell you about it."
"I have to hoof it to you and the boys with your patience," Twilight told him. "A lot of ponies would've given up and put her in a rest home."
Twilight reached the top of the stairs and made the left turn into Pinkie's party room. Upon entering, she noticed her friend was under the bed with just her head and forehooves poking out from underneath.
"Pinkie? What are you doing?" Twilight asked with her right eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Planning parties, Starlight," the pink pony answered. "This one's a doozy."
"I'm not Starlight, Pinkie. It's me, Twilight," the alicorn corrected her.
Pinkie furled her brow and took a better look at the pony that was sitting in front of her.
"Noooo you're not," said Pinkie. "Today's Sunday. Only Starlight visits on Saturdays and Sundays. Twilight visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays."
Twilight just smiled and played along. "Okay, you got me. I thought I could play a little joke on you and try to be Twilight. But you saw through it."
Pinkie giggled before responding to Twilight. "Hey, take a look at this." Pinkie spun around the parchment she was writing on. "It's a 'Thank You For Being Awesome' party. I never did one of those before."
Twilight looked over what Pinkie had put down on the parchment. Even with her mind mostly gone, she somehow was able to put some good parties together. One thing Twilight noticed was who the party was for.
"What do you think?" asked Pinkie.
"It looks super, Pinkie. I just have one question," Twilight replied.
"What's that?"
"I'm not familiar with the name of the pony the party is for. Who is Argodaemon?" asked Twilight.
"Oh he's..."
"Rainbow, I always admired the self-sacrifices that you've made over the years," Twilight softly said as tears escaped her eyes. "While I don't know what happened to you at the park yesterday, it had to have been extremely devastating to your daughter for her to act the way she has."
Twilight paused for a few minutes so she could get herself composed to resume. Gently taking the bandaged foreleg of the cyan pegasus in her hooves, she leaned forward and pressed her forehead against the hoof of the rainbow-maned mare.
"I-I'm so sorry, Rainbow Dash," sobbed the princess. "I-I'll do what I-I can to help your family. I'm... I'm going to miss you badly Rainbow Dash."
Twilight set her friend's hoof back down on the bed and noticed something that made her begin crying uncontrollably.
A dark blue line appeared that ran from Rainbow's eye down toward her neck.
"I... will... miss... you... Rainbow and... and I-I'll never forget y-you," Twilight whispered through her sobbing.
"...Bad feeling about this," Celestia said as Twilight snapped out of her trance.
"I'm sorry. What was that you were saying?" Twilight asked.
Celestia let out a deep sigh before repeating what she had said.
"I said, I know how much this tradition means to you but I've got a really bad feeling about this," Celestia responded flatly.
You have no idea, Twilight thought before responding audibly. "What makes you say that?"
"Twilight, tell me the truth," demanded Celestia. "Are you just casting your usual animation spell or are you going to try something different?"
"Geez, it's just going to be a normal visit," Twilight lied as the two alicorns approached the sealed door that led to the Hall of elements.
These arguments over the last couple decades had worn down her patience with the Equestrian ruler. Now Celestia was demanding to know what her plans were, something she hadn't done before, it took a lot of emotional strength not to fly off the handle. Twilight had no intention of telling Celestia that she was planning to revive her friends. As it was, resurrection of ponies was illegal and if Twilight told her the truth, she would probably be banned from entering The Hall, thrown in prison or even revoking her alicorn status.
"Twilight... I know I've already said this, but I'm sorry," Celestia quietly said. "I'm not saying this in reference to our earlier argument. I'm sorry for what I've said and done over the last century and a half that caused us to become distant."
The two alicorns stared at the door before Twilight stepped forward and raised her head to focus on opening the door, completely ignoring Celestia's apology. In response to Twilight's indifference, Celestia lowered her head and slowly made her way back to her sleeping chambers, informing her guards that she was not to be disturbed until further notice.
Twilight looked back once more at the grief-stricken princess before closing the doors. It's now or never, Twilight thought as she made her way down the long entrance to where her cutie mark was painted on the floor.
"Hey girls, I know you've been waiting for today. So have I," Twilight said to the statues while she walked around each of them. "In a few minutes we'll be on our way to the train station bound for Ponyville. Just give me a chance to charge up."
Twilight stood in the center of her cutie mark, took a deep breath and uttered Starswirl The Bearded's friendship spell.
"From one to another, another to one. The mark of one's destiny singled out alone fulfilled."
She lit her horn to begin charging up for the second half of the spell, which also caused the floor to glow a bright pink. As Twilight summoned more magic the glow became brighter and five small orbs began to orbit her body.
It's time, she thought before lifting herself about five feet off the floor. Once she was in position, Twilight shouted, "From all of us together, together we're friends. With the marks of our destinies made one, there's magic without end." She then did a mid-air flip to send the magic orbs into the statues.
As the orbs hit their targets, Twilight's wings vanished and she collapsed onto the floor and lost consciousness the instant her hooves landed. The now purple unicorn opened her eyes as five silhouettes filled her vision for a moment until they came into focus. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack all looked down at their friend and smiled as Twilight returned the gesture.
"Girls? Is that you?" asked Twilight weakly.
"Yes indeedily," shouted Pinkie as she tackled Twilight. "It's time for us to have a 'Together Forever' party! It's gonna be sooo awesome. Oooh. I need to make a cake..."
"And AJ can supply the cider. Special Reserve, of course," Rainbow Dash interrupted as Twilight was processing something in her mind.
"Um, Twilight? Is there something wrong?" Fluttershy asked quietly as she landed next her.
Twilight now had a slight look of fear in eyes as what Pinkie said finally began to click in her mind. Nervousness taking over, Twilight asked, "Did the spell work? Was I able to bring you all back to life?"
"Umm, not exactly," Applejack said with an uneasy smile as she rubbed the back of her head. "Take a look at th' floor over yonder."
Twilight looked in the direction where her body had landed moments earlier and saw herself still laying on her side, lifeless.
"Am... am I..." Twilight choked out.
"Yes, darling. The instant you relinquished your alicorn status, your age caught up with you," Rarity told her with a few tears filling her eyes.
"Y'all died from ol' age immediately," Applejack finished.
A wave of emotions ranging from confusion to joy flooded through Twilight as she began crying.
“What's wrong there, sugarcube?” asked Applejack as she and the other four ponies joined in a group hug with Twilight.
“I-I was hoping the spell would allow us to be together in the living realm,” Twilight sobbed.
“But we're all still together. Doesn't that count?” Fluttershy asked.
Twilight sniffled and nodded her head. There was a feeling of regret slowly surfacing as the friends continued their embrace of each other. Twilight realized that somehow she needed to reconcile with Celestia before she could truly be happy with her friends in the afterlife.