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// 37 - End of Everything [2023.06] 
// Story: Bad Dragon's Short Stories 
// by Bad Dragon 
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It was at that moment that Twilight Sparkle realized why that particular experiment was marked as ‘unique’. Though the prototype spell successfully annihilated the dust on a book, it didn't stop there. The annihilation spread and nothing could stop it.

The enchantment truly was unique and unreproducible. Sure, many Unicorns were talented enough to cast it, but who would do that after they’re all erased from existence?

If it wasn't for her teleportation spell, Twilight wouldn't even be able to watch her castle crumple into the black hole.

But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore. By her calculations, the whole Equestria would be absorbed within a day. And the next day, the entire Equus would follow suit.

In all of the bad, she saw one silver lining. Finally, she got the answer to the pressing question: Why are we alone in the Universe?

The only explanation she could ever come up with was that there was some kind of a great filter that wipes out civilizations when they reach a certain progress level.

At that point, she understood why in a day’s time, there wouldn’t be any intelligent life left in the Universe anymore.

Perhaps one day, another civilization might spring up somewhere in the vast expanse. But it too will be destroyed because all it takes is one being trying to dust a book more efficiently.

It was only her wishful thinking, but a glimmer of hope remained in her mind that someday the Universe would give rise to a creature who would rely more on technology than magic. As long as they wouldn’t invent nuclear bombs, they should survive just fine.

She turned around, spread her wings and flew off. This was the first time she ever went out on a flight for the flying’s sake. It was one of the most profound experiences she ever had. The land below her was the same as it always was. It wasn't particularly beautiful on its own. And yet, it was extremely beautiful. It was all so beautiful because every bit of it was going to be destroyed.