Twilight blinked a few times in confusion, not aware of where she was. Taking a look around her, she noticed she was no longer in the endless blackness of the void nor the bright white emptiness. For the first time in years, she found herself in the kitchen of Swift Digger's house. She was alone, standing right in the middle of it. Everything inside seemed completely ordinary; it was whatever was outside the window that troubled her.
Taking a look outside the window, she saw nothing. No forest, no sky, not white, or black, it was just something her eyes, her very brain, was unable to comprehend. She had felt like that a long, long time ago in a place called Ponyville.
Whatever fuzzy static was outside the building Twilight didn't want to touch. Instead, she began walking through the house, looking for anyone, anything that could explain where she was. Where were her dear friends? Were they free?
Each room Twilight entered was empty, until all she had left was the basement. With quick steps she walked down the stairs, eventually reaching the bottom where a single pony was sitting.
"Hey, Princess Twilight Sparkle. How are you?" asked the pony, Swift Digger, as she approached. He didn't look directly at her, instead looking at a desk, while fiddling with a record.
"What's going on?" asked Twilight, quite direct.
"Relax. You won. Herobrine is gone forever."
"What about my friends?" asked Twilight, taking a step forward.
"Please, be calm. Your friends are fine, like mine. I checked, and they are coming back from the void right as we speak. I really missed them, you know? Anyway, I'm just getting distracted." Swift Digger turned around and looked her in the eyes. Twilight felt a slight relief to see that they were no longer white and terrifyingly hollow. "It's kind of weird, isn't it? Like, we've actually known each other for years now, but this is the first time we actually meet." He took a deep breath. "Hello, I'm Swift Digger. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Where are we? What's going on... Swift?" asked Twilight. "Also... I'm Twilight Sparkle, nice to see you," she added quietly.
"Alright. Right now, the formula me and my friends created is doing its thing. It's actually supposed to be instant in creating the new world, but I'm actually slowing it down so that I can talk to you. This is just a temporary space I created, one of thousands. The other ones are for... well, potential goodbyes," said Swift.
"Are you going to elaborate on that?" asked Twilight.
"Right. Twilight, I wanted to talk. First, I have to thank you and your friends for what you've done. You helped us finish this! We're finally done with it! It took an eternity, basically, but we're done! This is such a big thing! We... we did so much to get here, had so many moments, and it was a good run. It had its moments, good and bad and really sucky ones, but it was never boring. You saved us from that monster we made, and we're sorry you had to do that. I'm sorry. This was our mess, and because of our mistakes that monster was able to draw your right into it."
Twilight looked at him for a while. "Well, at least it's finally over. I'm just glad everyone is safe again."
"Yeah, it's also everyone that I want to discuss. I want to talk about you, all of you, and what happens next," said Swift.
"What do you mean?" asked Twilight.
"Did my... my dearest Minny Miner tell you what would happen once the formula would be used?"
"That I would have to make a choice between making everyone else forget and go back to Equestria, or stay here to continue with our new lives," said Twilight.
"That's still true. This is that moment. I just now helped to buy you a bit of more time to make that choice, or, well, I bought some time because I wanted to ask you to make a specific one."
"I've already made-"
"Please go back," said Swift, looking at her very seriously.
"What?" asked Twilight. "Why in the world would we? Despite... despite what I promised myself so long ago, this is our home now, this is the place where our children are. We have made so many memories here, both on our own and with them. So many of us are so different now, why would we just throw that all awa-"
"Because this... this whole mess was my fault to begin with. Sure, Herobrine was the one that brought you into our world, but Herobrine... he came from me. Spiders, zombies, they came from our 'collective subconscious', but Herobrine came from just me. If he... What he did will cause so many ponies to just... imagine what losing an entire town of ponies would be like for your families back home. You must have families back in your world, right? Like, sure, maybe it's been so long you can barely remember, but they are still there, right?"
"That is horrible, yes, but this isn't about them. This is about us. We are different ponies now! All of those around me, if they just forget years and years, what will happen to them?"
"Is that any worse than having all of us living in a... a constant world that never really changes, that is just weird blocks!" yelled Swift Digger.
Twilight stopped, just stopped. "W- what?"
"Like, I know this is a very scary choice, but you need to look at this in long term. Like, for crying out loud, I know it's a bit dark, but I'm happy to just finally be able to die for real! Sure, I'm in no hurry, but at least we're not stuck here anymore! But this new world will be static if you don't leave! There won't be much room for change, or development, or- or- or... There's just no future for the new generations here! It's like what me and my friends experienced, but just repeating itself over and over and over..."
"Wait! Swift, what are you talking about?" asked Twilight.
"Hang on, you sound like you-"
"Listen, explain to me what my choices are, in detail," said Twilight.
Swift took a deep breath. "Right, seems like Minny herself didn't know the details. Alright, you've got two options. If you go back to your world, to Equestria, everypony but you will forget what has happened and you'll continue your lives like this never happened. The children born here will stay with me and my friends, be cared for, grow up, live their lives in a world where there's change, and everything is like a real place."
He looked down at the floor. "If you stay, you can never go back home, but this world, new as it might be, will be just more blocks. It will be basically what you've experienced for the past several years, just finite random blocks. Nothing new, just always the same things. Little variation, little wonder. Each generation will be like the last, forever, and we won't be able to change it. This world will be one without cutie-marks."
Again he looked Twilight straight in the eyes. "Twilight, I've seen what it's like to just have endless expanses of blocks for so long. While we won't have the horror of immortality anymore, it will just be a repeat of the same thing again and again. It's not good, and living like that it will never lead to anything better. That's why I want you to make the choice of leaving. The problem is simple: Herobrine's trap that he used to get you here is also what is keeping you here, and it's a part of the blocky-universe rules we made. To break the rules we need to remove what he made. The only way to make the world a good one for your children and everyone that comes after is to make it real."
Twilight looked at him. "Why... this isn't-"
"Fair? No, I agree, but Herobrine didn't really care about fairness, did he?" asked Swift. "Please, Twilight, make the right choice. If you do, I can guarantee that everyone will know and have a chance to say goodbye to each other one last time, have a while to talk out their issues before you leave. It will seem like a second to you."
"I- I want... I want us to..."
Swift digger reached out and gently grabbed her hoof. "You're a princess. You have to make tough decisions. I could make this decision for you, honestly, but I respect you too much. I'm too grateful. This is your decision and your decision alone."
"I know."
Swift waved his hoof to the side, and suddenly a static object appeared in the room, floating just to the side of them. It was the same object that had caused them to get there, but it was different. The vague shape was no longer a cube; it was a sphere.
"If you decide to go home, you only need to touch it."
"How long do I have to make the decision?" asked Twilight.
"Little less than an hour, but you should only need a minute," said Swift.
"I'm not sure I have the right. I never had a child. I know they are sweet but I can't rightfully count the changeling children. Those are Timey's and Cara's. What would Rainbow say about Lively? Does she even love her own son because of what Herobrine did?"
"I think she does," said Swift. "I wouldn't know, I'm sorry."
"Honestly, the only pony I can think of right now is Applejack. What would she want for Rosy?"
But, the answer there was obvious. Applejack had risked her life to protect her daughter, loving her unconditionally despite the circumstances around her birth. She would do everything to make sure Rosy had a future. Heck, perhaps even Sharp Edge would have done so?
Twilight took a deep breath. She wanted to speak, but was unable to for several minutes. She just thought it over, and over, and over, until finally... "I... I think that, despite... despite..."
"How awful it can be."
"It's still... I think I want this blocky world to end just as much as you do. Let's... let's have a fresh start, all of us. You'll take care of the children, won't you?" asked Twilight.
"Me and my friends will protect them with our lives, I promise. Though, there probably won't be that many dangers in the peaceful new world. That's something, at least. What about the changelings? Will they be alright without Timey and Cara, and you?"
"They are prepared for such a situation, and I trust they will do well."
"Well, I'm happy you've made your choice... You know what comes next. Thank you for everything."
"Say hello to your friends for me," said Twilight.
"Safe travels, Twilight. Who knows? Maybe we're more than just our memories? Maybe this will be like a dream?"
"Yeah... know knows?" said Twilight, and then reached out and touched the sphere.
***
Suddenly, the little mysterious cube stopped rotating, solidified, fell over and smashed into a thousand tiny shards. Within moments, the aura had vanished, leaving a whole town of confused ponies looking up towards the sky.
"What was that?" asked a young voice next to Twilight who turned to look. It was Spike, a cute little baby dragon, peeking up over the corner of the table at the mysterious artifact. His eyes were wide with shock, but also filled with curiosity.
Twilight, however, just stared at her assistant. He was so young. She had completely forgotten how his voice had sounded at that age. She looked around, turning her head so fast it hurt. The ground was rough, dirty, complex. The trees had details, bark, fine textures. Leaves moved in a warm breeze that caressed her face and mane.
To her side stood Applejack and Pinkie Pie, both looking young, healthy and untouched by years of hardship.
"Well, that was fun. Who's up for ice cream? Feels like I haven't had it in years!" said Pinkie Pie.
"I- I- I- I think- I... I'll have to pass for now, Pinkie Pie," said Twilight.
"Alrighty!" said Pinkie Pie and bounced off without a care in the world.
"Hey, Pinkie Pie, wait up a minute, would ya?" shouted Applejack. "I'll be with ya in a sec. So, Twi, was that something we should worry about?"
Twilight looked down at the broken shards. "Well, probably not. Artifacts like these pop up from time to time. Believe me, if it had been anything, we would have known by now. I'll look into it and see what I can find. If it's anything important, I'll get back to you." As soon as I can determine how, and even if, I should tell you that you have a daughter, she thought.
"Alright, got mighty scared there. Hey, Pinkie, I'm coming! I've been digging holes all day! I could use a break!" With that, she trotted over to Pinkie Pie and they left together, chatting happily and enjoying their day.
Twilight, however, just sat down on her chair. She was having trouble breathing properly. Had she done the right thing? Had it been a mistake?
"Twilight? You don't look so good," said Spike. "Hang on, did that artifact just brainwash you into welcoming the alien overlords or something? I know how this usually goes."
"I- Well, no, Spike, I just... I lied. Something really big just happened. I'll tell you all about it tonight, okay? It's pretty big. It's a long story. But, for now, could I... write a letter to my parents, and Shining Armor, and Cadance, and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and Rarity, and Rainbow Dash and... and basically everyone I've ever known?"
"Uh, sure, but why?" asked Spike, still sort of suspicious of the alien theory.
"I need to tell them how much I love them and how happy I am they are in my life. I realized that I never really got a chance before," said Twilight.
"Alright, I'll get some paper," said Spike, about to leave, but not before Twilight pulled him in close to hug him tightly.
"I love you, Spike, never forget that."
"Okay, okay!" said Spike, laughing as he sort of just pushed her off. "I get it, you don't have to get all cheesy. I'm still watching you, though," he said as he backed away from her, gesturing towards his eyes.
Twilight took a deep breath, happy to be alone... but she remembered that she probably wasn't. She looked around, and indeed Time Turner, Timey in disguise, was right next to a corner, pretending that the eye contact was an accident. Sure, she needed more time to herself to think, but she wanted to get it done before she would continue with anything else.
Just getting off her seat and down on the ground felt awkward. Her body was different, younger and not as fit as it once had been. The ground itself felt incredibly unsteady and unpredictable, like it would fall apart from under her. As she walked, she passed through the shadow of a nearby building, the darkness made her uneasy.
She walked up to Time Turner. "Greetings, Princess. Lovely day, do you not agree?"
"It's, very lovely," said Twilight. She had looked up, but paused when she noticed the round thick clouds, like she had seen the sky for the first time.
"Is everything alright, Princess?" asked Time Turner.
"Yes, but, I believe this would be a good time to talk to you. I want to be honest with you, because you deserve it. Time Turner, I know that you are a changeling."
"I... what? What are you talki- what?"
"I understand that you want to make sure I'm not a threat to your hive. I assure you that your hive will have my support. I will await an ambassador or equivalent so we can have a thorough discussion regarding this matter. And I would like for you to personally be present. I need to have a very long talk to you regarding some important matters."
"Princess, do you jest?"
"No. I hope to see you soon, and I wish you and your family a good day," said Twilight, and then turned away. The moment she looked away, she dropped the facade of an official monarch doing a duty. She dropped her kind smile, simply sad to see that what had once been a good friend had been turned into a stranger.
***
"So... that's what happened," said Twilight. They were in the Ponyville library, her library. It was strange yet familiar. It was home yet a strange place. The day had been very long, and Twilight had finally gotten her secret off her chest. It was late at night, and they were sitting under a light with blankets wrapped around them. She was right next to her telescope, looking out the window into the night sky.
Spike glared at her, his face blank, his grip on the cup of hot coco almost gone. "Are you serious? That's what it did?!"
"Yes."
"Wow, like, at first I didn't believe it, but, well... There are two options: either all of it actually happened, in which case, wow, or that magic thing just sort of made you think it happened. But, like, I get that's not the important part. What's important here is that you think it did. That's real enough to me. Twilight, I'm so sorry it went like that."
"Do you think I did the right thing?"
"I hope so. Like, I think so."
"Should I tell the others?" asked Twilight. "I'm going to anyway, but I want to hear your opinion."
"I think so, yeah, but remember to take it slow, alright?"
"Of course," said Twilight.
"Good, this is pretty crazy no matter how you look at it. I'm just glad you're alright, and also that we didn't get controlled by a horrible monster."
"Thank you for at least listening to me, Spike. You don't have to believe it," said Twilight.
"No, no, I do, because stranger things have happened. It's just a bit much to take in, you know?"
"I know."
"Okay," he sighed, quite tired. "I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted."
"I'll be up a bit late," said Twilight.
"Not too late, I hope. Are you going to sleep soon?" asked Spike.
Twilight nodded "Yeah, I just have to check something."
"Good night."
"Good night, don't let the spid- bedbugs bite."
As Spike walked up the stairs into their room, Twilight continued to peer out into space, searching the skies with an observant eye. Hour after hour passed as she looked at the stars, noting down any irregularities. It had been years, but it was familiar, she had picked up the skill again quickly.
And, finally, before the last of the stars would fade, she noticed a single heavenly body that had not been there the night before. It made her smile a melancholy smile.
The End