The second that the earthquake had subsided, Anim immediately moved up to Celestia. Unsure what Anim was planning, or what that earthquake was about, Celestia herself wanted some answers too. “What was that earthquake just now? And what did you and that book feel just now?” asked Celestia.
“I can explain, but I need you to do something for me,” said Anim.
“And that would be what?” said Celestia.
“I need you to free The Book,” said Anim.
Everypony stood still and processed what Anim said, Luna who was still shocked from the previous conversation didn’t know what Anim said. Twilight on the other hoof heard and knew Anim was either up to something… or something was going to happen. “In what right do you think that freeing this thing is going to help with whatever you’re up to,” said Celestia.
“Because, if you weren’t listening, the end of the world is coming… so either you listen to me for once, or you’re going to have a lot of innocent lives are your hoofs, is that clear,” said Anim.
Celestia, who didn’t know what was happening, made a quick glance at The Book. After that she stared down at Anim… and listened. Freeing The Book, Anim and it wait outside to meet with the others, with Twilight following behind. “Sister… I won’t say it was unwise of you to listen to Anim… but why did you listen to him?” asked Luna.
“I don’t know… but whether I trust him or not… Twilight does, and that’s enough for me to let him go,” said Celestia.
“Well, at least be more trusting to Twilight. Someday she’ll need to handle things on her own without your permission,” said Luna. “Now come, we need to find out what all the commotion is about.”
Outside everypony is staring at the sky from their homes, or out in the streets. Terror and panic are shown in everyponies faces, running every direction for protection. Anim looking up sees what all the panic is about, above him is the gigantic meteorite shard that was near Ponyville… now in mid-air, overshadowing the town. Anim is then approached by everypony who waited outside; the first to speak is Mina. “Anim, what’s going?!” asked Mina.
“The same thing that happened to that tower back in our world,” said The Book, hovering between the two.
Mina stared at The Book, then toward Anim, then back at The Book. She continued this process until she glared at Anim… both pissed and confused. “Anim… now… explain to me… but, why is that ‘thing’ out here, shouldn’t it be locked away?” said Mina, angrily.
“Well… I could explain that, but I think worrying more about that floating gigantic meteor shard above us is more of an issue than this,” said Anim.
Mina looked eye to eye at Anim, who was sweating and afraid he’d get pummeled by Anim. “After we’re done with this… I want you to stop making stupid decisions without telling me or anypony else about it. Is that clear?” said Mina, glaring more at Anim.
Anim gulps and grins back at Mina, patting her on the head. “Yeah… just, don’t try to break my limbs or anything,” said Anim.
Mina nods, and agrees with Anim’s terms. Once they’re down, everypony else wonders what’s happening. “Okay now your done with your little conversation, just what is happening right now!?” shouted Rainbow, panicking.
“The end of the world,” said Twilight.
“Uh Twi but could you repeat again, because I swore you just said ‘the end of the world’?” said Applejack.
“That’s exactly what’s happening, and more,” said The Book.
“No one asked you, you little…” said Rainbow.
“Hey… play nice,” said Anim. “Now please to The Book, he’s the only one who knows what’s really going on… and what he has to say might make you re-think about… him.”
Once nopony stopped to interrupt The Book, it continued retelling its original plans, memories and, more. At first nopony wanted to listen, but over time their view of the floating book changed… but held a bit of mistrust of today’s recent events. The Book mentioned about it foretelling two possible endings, one with Anim betraying the Mane 6… the other outcome, had Anim absorbing the void crystal’s power. After done explaining, it was clear which outcome was really happening… now all they need to do is find out what to do next.
“So let me get this straight. This thing here… the floating book, was actually trying to find a new life Anim, but after some sudden complications arrived… it had to fix these problems. But now… it wants to help us?” said Rainbow, confused.
“Help, yes. You, no… my only goal is to assist Anim and defend myself at the same time… and with this giant rock about to do who knows what… both of these are in high priority right now,” said The Book.
“Well at least you’re helping… I think,” said Applejack.
“And what exactly how we going to stop that thing!?” said Doctor Whooves, pointing toward the meteorite. “We need a massive explosive or something to eviscerate that thing!”
“Well no spell is strong enough to destroy it, and if there were one… the dust would block out the sun for months… maybe years,” said Anim.
“So… what do we do then, if we can’t destroy it… maybe we can teleport it?” said Derpy.
“That thing is a void crystal shard, magic of any kind isn’t going to make it go poof to another location,” said Anim.
“So what… were doomed?” said Rainbow.
Everypony was tired, exhausted… with no options, they can’t destroy nor move the meteorite… so Anim did what options that didn’t involve the meteorite. “Forget the meteorite; we need to get everypony into a safe distance. Doctor Whooves, Derpy, and Trixie, get everypony to the train stations or running to Canterlot, the distance from Ponyville and there is enough to shelter anypony from any shockwaves made by the meteorite. CMC, Discord, and Mina, head to Sweet Apple Acres, Zecora’s, and anypony who are unable to move quickly enough to safety. Finally, Twilight, you and the girls, see if you can get any nearby critters or ponies that need help evacuating, ask for help from the Wonderbolts Rainbow, we need enough help, now or never,” said Anim. “I’ll see if anypony was near the crater, and gotten themselves hurt.”
“Now don’t take all the responsibility,” said Celestia, appearing. “That is my job after all.”
“Princess!” shouted Twilight. “Is there any way you can slow down that meteorite?”
“Sadly no… but there are other ways I can help. With what remaining royal guards I have left, I’ll help with evacuating and make sure nopony is near the surrounding vicinity,” said Celestia.
“I’ll see to it that no debris fall down from the meteorite,” said Luna. “I won’t allow a single pony to be harmed.”
Everypony was ready to help out, in any way they can. Splitting to groups, Trixie stay behind, to give Anim a little peck. “You better survive after all of this,” said Trixie.
“Hey… I’m Anim, gone through worst. As long I can walk and talk, nothing will stop me,” said Anim. “Just be safe… okay Little Star.”
Trixie was going to send a hoof straight at him, but instead sighs and nuzzles around his neck. Afterwards Trixie leaves to catch up with the others. “Your taste in choices never changes,” said The Book.
Anim shrugs it off, and runs toward the crater site. Once there, the meteorite where it was is replaced with a deep hole. Looking around, there are two royal guards who’re in shock of seeing the spectacle up close. “Hey, Princess Celestia needs help with evacuating everypony,” said Anim, shaking one of the guards.
“Wait your Anim… and is that a floating book with you,” said the guard.
“Yes… now are you going to help,” said Anim.
The guard quickly stood up and picked his comrade, as the two head off to safety. Once gone, Anim began work around the surrounding area. “So… what exactly is the void crystal trying to do?” said Anim, looking through the rubble.
“Doing? Better yet, what is it trying to do? The void crystal only knows to absorb all other aura and assimilate it to itself. Soon this realm will be nothing but another part of The Void,” said The Book.
Anim knew if a void crystal wasn’t carefully monitored, it could destroy a whole country in a flash… a realm… in days. But now it’s one hundred times the size then it’s original size, this realm will be gone in a mere second… however, with it in pieces that’s impossible… so it repairs itself, calling in the other pieces slowing regaining form, and once done… this world’s story will end. “You know attempting to save this world is pointless… your simply ignoring the inevitable… giving a sweet lie to sweeten their own end,” said The Book.
“…That other outcome you mentioned before… you said I was ‘absorbing’ the void crystal’s aura... correct?” said Anim, emotionlessly.
The Book felt something… that it never felt before. What was it he wasn’t sure of, something that The Book hadn’t felt… for a long time. Anim though had no emotion in his face, was indeed thinking of something… that he wouldn’t think without a doubt. “If I know what you’re thinking… then you know… there is no coming back,” said The Book.
Anim sighed, taking in the memories from living in Equestria… the ponies his met, befriended, loved, cared for… so much… about to be gone in a blink of an eye. Anim wanted a day… where he lived in peace, where no one he cared for was harmed… but it ends… here and now… or risking losing it all. “I sent everypony away for a reason… so they wouldn’t see what I was going to plan next,” said Anim.
Anim sat down, in a meditating position, closing his eyes shut. Elsewhere, Trixie helped ponies to the train, clearing some space for more ponies. “Trixie think that’s everypony, okay Doctor Whooves, this train is ready to go!” shouted Trixie.
Doctor Whooves pulls a lever, as the train leaves the station. Derpy helped ponies onto some wagons heading their way to Canterlot. Even though they helped for everypony to evacuate, more and more ponies arrive at the train station. “When’s the next train coming? I don’t think we can keep doing this,” said Doctor Whooves, stepping out the train station booth.
“We need to wait a little longer, until everypony is out and safe. Anim is depending on us to make sure nopony is left behind… we can’t let him down, Trixie won’t let him down,” said Trixie.
Determined to make sure everypony is safe, Derpy and Doctor Whooves nod, leading ponies to safety. “We’ll do what we can, but we need to find ourselves a way out too once everypony are out and safe,” said Derpy.
“Don’t worry, we can take the Tardis, we’ll use it as a last resort,” said Doctor Whooves. “Now… let’s save some ponies.
Back with Anim, he breathed slowly in and out… his horn letting out a hue of light. Meanwhile at Sweet Apple Acres, the CMC with the assistance of Applejack carried what they can onto the wagon with Big Mac and Granny Smith. “I can’t believe this is happening… this farm been in the apple family for…” said Granny Smith, sad from leaving the farm she grew up in.
“Don’t worry Granny Smith, Anim has a plan and will do anything to stop this from happening,” said Scootaloo.
“Yeah, we just need to be in a same distance if something happens,” said Sweetie Belle.
“That’s the spirit girls. We just need to get going and make it outside of Ponyville,” said Applejack, pushing a box.
Applejack carried the last what they can bring, and helped Big Mac moved the wagon. “Okay everypony, let’s get going! You ready Big Mac?” said Applejack.
“Eeyup!” said Big Mac, pulling the wagon.
Once Big Mac and AJ pull the wagon, elsewhere at Fluttershy’s cottage, Discord and Fluttershy helped all her critters to safety. Picking up every bunny he can, Discord has bunnies all over him from head to toe. “Discord, is it safe you do that?” asked Fluttershy.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy, I won’t drop a single bunny,” said Discord, lifting one bunny on his tail.
“I know you won’t, what I meant is that the bunnies might block your view and you might hurt yourself… that’s all,” said Fluttershy. “If your fine with this.”
Discord was a bit embarrassed from how much Fluttershy worried for him with what situation they’re in. Discord carefully placed each bunny in a cart, with animals like squirrels birds and so on. The other bigger animals helped Fluttershy or went ahead to safety. Helped by her animal friend bear, Fluttershy made sure there was enough food for the animals if they had to stay longer outside of Ponyville. “I still don’t know if brining food is important,” said Discord.
“Discord, we don’t know how long this problem will last… we need to make sure for every situation,” said Fluttershy.
“Yes I can see that… but don’t you trust that Anim might have this problem fixed in a flash?” asked Discord.
Fluttershy knew Anim could handle himself… but if he can fix this problem… no, she knows more than to doubt a friend. Shaking that thought away she smiles and, responds back to Discord. “Anim will know what to do… he’s been with us for so long, selflessly helping us whenever he feels like to… never taking no for an answer,” said Fluttershy. “So no… I’d never doubt him.
“Well good… now come on, we need to get these animals to safety,” said Discord.
Fluttershy nods, carrying a bag of feed on the cart. At the Everfree Forest, Mina helped Zecora carry some potions, and other knick-knacks that were in the tree hut. “Just what exactly… is this by any… chance?” asked Mina, trying to keep her balance.
“These potions, rare and important, if lost will take days to complete,” said Zecora, putting another item on the already large pile.
“Well hurry up, if we don’t leave soon. We’re going to have a bigger problem than broken potions,” said Mina.
“Don’t rush, for it may bring more trouble than solutions,” said Zecora.
Mina looked at the distance, seeing pieces of the meteor gather toward Ponyville. Thinking how Anim is handling, Mina sighs hoping that his safe. “Be safe Anim, be safe,” said Mina.
Anim’s horn changed colors, as the hue of light began as a whitest glow… changing to as black as darkness. Going back and forth between the colors… Anim took in deep breaths, trying his best to concentrate on his objective. Somewhere at Ponyville, Twilight, and her friends went to help ponies, while her other friends went to their homes to evacuate. “Rarity, I need some help here!” shouted Twilight, levitating a piece of rubble.
With the help of Rarity, they moved some rubble, letting a group of ponies who were stuck, now free. Pinkie guided everypony to safety, using her Pinkie sense for any sudden dangers ahead to the train station, the three repeated this process. It was slow but they needed to get as much ponies to safety as they can. Then there was Spike who was also helping by moving pieces of rubble one by one, making piles of rocks which surprisingly didn’t fall over. “Twilight… if we continue this anymore, we won’t be able to escape ourselves,” said Rarity, exhausted from overusing her magic.
Twilight was also tired, but knew if they stopped, many ponies would be stuck under the countless amount of rubble. Taking a quick breather, Twilight heard something above, looking up she thinks it’s a piece of rubble, but instead it was Rainbow with the Wonderbolts. “THE CAVALRY IS HERE!” shouted Rainbow. “You miss me ladies?”
“For once darling… I wished you didn’t do the dramatic entrance,” said Rarity.
“Rainbow, could you help with Spike on moving all that rubble. Rarity and I aren’t able to carry anymore rubble in this condition,” said Twilight.
“Sure thing Twilight, the Wonderbolts and I can move all the rubble. You two can go and rest,” said Rainbow. “Come on you ponies; let’s get this debris out of the way!”
Rainbow with the help of the Wonderbolts moved whatever debris they could, helping ponies to evacuate and such. Twilight and Rarity, who been using spells to move debris are taking a break. Looking up Twilight wonders how Anim will stop the meteor that’s floating above Ponyville. “Twilight, don’t worry, Anim is smart he can think of a way to stop all of this… so don’t give up,” said Rarity.
Twilight smiled, the two unicorns rested thinking of how everypony else is doing. For Rainbow and the Wonderbolt, they helped Spike move debris, clearing a large pile of debris, Spitfire wonders how all of this is happening, and where the princesses are. “Hey Rainbow, not to be distracting you or anything but, where are the princesses, and what’s exactly happening?” asked Spitfire, lifting some debris away.
“The princesses are helping evacuate ponies near Ponyville, to get them as far as possible. Princess Luna is trying her best to stop as much debris from falling… for what’s happening… that’s a long story,” said Rainbow, heaving some debris.
Spitfire could tell more was going on, but continues moving more debris. Back with Anim, his nearing the final stages of his meditation, where his fur and mane darkened, turning darker and darker. Still incomplete, Anim’s transformation continues, as his mane starts to darken into a near black. Meanwhile far in the sky close to the meteor… Luna teleports or eviscerates as much debris she can.
Firing off another spell toward a falling piece of the meteor, she destroys it, nothing remaining not even dust. Luna who was an alicorn was able to do for hours but… how long will it take for the meteorite to form into one massive rock. Shaking whatever thought in her head, she continues to destroy more debris. “I must focus, if I let a single piece fall… no, I won’t let that happen!” Luna thought, destroying another piece of debris.
Far off in the distance, Celestia and her royal guards, make a perimeter barrier around Ponyville surroundings. Looking afar, she sees the meteorite from a trench that her guards made. “Princess, should we make the trenches more spacious incase more ponies come for cover?” asked the guard.
Celestia distracted moves her focus to the guard. “Yes, if some ponies were left behind, we can take them here for safety. I won’t leave a single pony behind,” said Celestia.
Even though Celestia knew nopony would be harm… she felt that something… really horrible will happen… but what was it? Back at the crater, an ever growing light began to shine from the crater’s depths. Appearing out of the crater was a dark figure, with an even darker aura surrounding it, opening its eyes… no pupils showed. The figure’s eyes were completely white, but were able to see with them. Beside the figure was The Book… which floated calmly beside the figure. “Are you really going to go with this? What will happen is something that even I won’t even be able to stop. I myself won’t even know what will happen. The end maybe… but you’d be lucky so far… can’t say that luck is running out now,” said The Book, a tint of worry in its voice.
The figure revealed to be Anim, who was in his Void form. Slightly moving his head toward The Book, but also not looking directly toward him, Anim speaks with his voice echoing loudly. “Luck you say? The only luck I’ve gotten so far is that thing hasn’t sucked the entire aura out of this world yet,” said Anim, referring to the meteorite. “But… whether this is luck or a miracle… what I’m going to do is going to be one miracle that I’ve wished to never come true…”
The Book, who floated calmly, shook some dust off itself. The Book proceeded to move to Anim’s eyes, making sure his looking toward The Book. “Now… whether anypony will realize what will happen… it’s best we do this quick, and fast so nopony goes trying to stop us… to stop you. However, there is one pony in particular that you never thought of… Mina is not from this world. If you go ahead with this, she’ll be left behind in this world… alone,” said The Book.
“Don’t worry… she’s smart, besides she is my future regeneration, so she and I can someday meet once more,” said Anim, a small smile forming.
“That’s not how it works…” said The Book, sighing. “But… you go do what you do… and try not to screw this up.”
The Book floated to a safe distance away from Anim, watching. Anim began to float to the sky, toward the meteorite. Once he began to float higher and higher, Anim began to remember all the memories he had in this world. Anim remember meeting the Mane 6, his welcome to Ponyville party, meeting the CMC and joining them, befriending Discord, Anim’s first Nightmare Night. This collection of memories was precious… Anim had a deep care for memories whether it is his or somepony else’s… but Anim would sacrifice these memories… so he can protect everypony. Opening his eyes, Anim was floating before the meteorite shard… the void crystal’s core. Placing both hooves in front of the void crystal, Anim began chanting… as the void crystal’s aura was being absorbed. As this happened, the meteorite shards the fell onto Ponyville and across Equestria began to form and stick to the massive meteorite shard. Ponies, both running in Ponyville and afar, watched as the chaos suddenly stopped.
Twilight felt the sudden decrease of the void crystal’s aura decreasing. Immediately standing on all hooves, Mina ran toward Twilight who also felt the sudden decrease. “What’s going on, where is the void crystal’s aura going!?” shouted Mina.
“Mina what are you talking about?” asked Rarity, confused.
Suddenly, everypony else appeared, both sweating and worried. “What in tarnation is going on, I was moving my family cart with Granny Smith, Big Mac, and the CMC when suddenly everypony stopped running!?” said Applejack.
“Yeah what’s happening, I was in the middle of lifting some debris… when a piece of that meteorite whizzed pass me. It nearly crushed me!” shouted Rainbow.
“Twilight… what’s happening?” said Spike, rubbing Twilight’s leg.
Twilight looked around for an answer… until she looked up. She saw the dark figure, and knew who it was. “Anim happened,” said Twilight, running toward the crater.
Everypony else followed, Luna and Celestia noticed Twilight and everypony else running toward where Anim went. “Stay here, there’s something I need to do!” said Celestia.
“But princess—”
“Stay! I’ll be back, but don’t follow me,” said Celestia, ordering her guards.
The guards listened and stayed… even though Celestia could get herself in danger. “We… we will wait, but be careful,” said the guard.
Celestia nodded, and ran off. Once Twilight and everypony else arrived to where they were running, before them was the crater, but Twilight was still looking up. Following what she was looking at, it was Anim… who was absorbing the void crystal’s aura.
“WHAT IS HE DOING!? Didn’t I say for him not to make any stupid decisions without our saying!” screamed Mina.
“Well you did say after this problem was over,” said Pinkie, giggling.
Everypony looked at Pinkie, who moved her hoof to her mouth, making a zipping motion. Back to staring at the sky, The Book appears in front of them. “What’s going here you damn dusty book,” said Rainbow, gritting her teeth.
“This is not my doing… Anim decided this,” said The Book.
“And you didn’t do anything to stop him!” said Applejack.
“I follow his choices… it’s my only purpose,” said The Book.
“But what his doing could kill him,” said Fluttershy, worried.
“Kill? What Anim is doing is…” said The Book, silent once more.
“Anim is doing what?” said Rainbow, moving up to The Book.
After no response, The Book speaks once more… but more worried this time. “Look whatever is happening, I have zero knowledge. All I know is two outcomes would happen; one is that Anim betrays the Mane 6. The other is where Anim absorbs the void crystal’s aura… but I don’t know what would happen afterword or why his doing it in the first place. If I had a body, I would be trembling right now!” shouted The Book, fear in his voice.
For the first time The Book was showing fear. Everypony felt bad about The Book… except for Rainbow, who sighed and simply patted The Book. “Okay, I’m sorry. Don’t go freaking out on us,” said Rainbow.
“Thank you,” said The Book.
After Rainbow stepped back from The Book, Celestia began to ask what was going. “Now with that done… what is Anim planning?” asked Celestia.
“The last time he did this… Anim had a sort of boost… but this much aura… hasn’t happen ever before, anything could happen,” said The Book.
Then everypony heard a loud bang, looking up everypony stood speechless. The meteorite was finish forming, and was now its full size. Anim who was still absorbing still continued to float in front of it. Twilight was afraid what would happen screamed toward Anim. “ANIM GET OUT OF THERE!” screamed Twilight.
Anim didn’t respond… only continuing to float. The giant void crystal was ready to assimilate the entire aura of this realm… and soon everything will be part of The Void. Sensing the end, everypony closed their eyes… for all hope was gone.
…
…
…
…But nothing happened. A massive shockwave was heard, sending a wave of dust in all directions. Once the dust cleared, everypony opened their eyes. Realizing that a bubble shield made by Celestia and Luna blocked all the dust. Once they unsummoned the bubble shield, they noticed Anim was on the ground now, still in his void form… but had something levitating with him. The object was the void crystal which was compressed to its original size.
“How… did… Anim… do that,” said Rainbow, speechless.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” said Applejack.
Anim returned to his normal state, his fur and mane going to his mahogany fur and red and blue mane. Anim had the void crystal in safely in a levitating bubble, as it floated beside him. “Anim how did you—”
Anim placed his hoof on Twilight mouth. Removing from her mouth, Anim didn’t show any expression but responded. “Magic,” said Anim.
Twilight felt a little annoyed for Anim stopped her like that, ready to complain… Twilight saw another surprise. “Anim… your… cutie mark… you have your cutie mark,” said Twilight, shocked.
Hearing this, everypony immediately began staring right at his flank for his cutie mark. “My-my Anim, guess that’s what your good at,” said Discord. “Well I can’t say that I’m surprised but… good for you Anim.”
Anim looked for himself still expressionless, his cutie mark was a big red letter A, and a green S that was a snake, there was also a pen that was between the A, pointing upwards. Anim moved back to look at everypony happy faces… opening his mouth to speak. “Heh… well isn’t that ironic… heh heh heh… heh…” said Anim.
Something felt wrong with how Anim spoke… suddenly, Anim collapsed. Picked up by Mina, she worried that something went wrong when Anim absorbed the void crystal’s aura. “ANIM, OPEN YOUR EYES! WAKE UP, WAKE UP!” screamed Mina. “What’s wrong with him you damn floating book?!”
Just like Mina, The Book too was shocked… but realized what really happened. “So… that’s what happened,” said The Book.
“What you mean that’s what happened?” said Mina, her eyes furious with anger.
“He absorbed the entire void crystal’s aura to shrink it to its original size. Since Anim can handle void aura, this shouldn’t do much damage… but Anim isn’t Anim,” said The Book.
Mina realized what’s happening, turning back to Anim. “Those who touch or even use void aura without any immunity to it or some sort of protection… will have their life-force slowly drained… in turn will become nothing,” said The Book.
“Well I aren’t dead yet,” said Anim, coughing.
Everypony sighed, quickly surrounding Anim. Anim eyes glazed over to see everypony… lifelessly staring at everypony. “Well I’m having a bad day,” said Anim, laughing quietly.
“There was no reason for you to do this Anim,” said Rarity.
“Yeah, we could have done something else,” said Rainbow.
“Impossible. The void crystal would devour the entire aura in this realm and nothing would remain… just emptiness,” said Anim. “So I did something that was both risky… and dangerous.”
“So why’d you do it?” asked Applejack.
Anim stopped smiling, but grinned. “To hit two goals at once of course,” said Anim.
Everypony had no idea what he was talking about. “Two goals at once?” said Pinkie, confused. “I thought the saying goes—”
Applejack shushed Pinkie’s mouth closed, letting Anim speak. “My first goal was to shrink the void crystal so it wouldn’t be able to destroy this world. The other goal… well, I used a partial bit of void aura to make… this,” said Anim, pointing his hoof.
Everypony looked what Anim was pointing at, as a portal appeared. Shocked Mina realized where that portal led. “That’s… the way back home isn’t it?” said Mina.
Anim nodded, in which Mina shed a tear, then another. She then hugged Anim, but slowly realized about what would happen to Anim. “But what about you? You’re dying, why risk making this if you won’t come back?” said Mina.
“Because… I don’t plan to,” said Anim.
Mina was quiet… she wanted to shout but, was quiet. Wiping a tear, she knew that Anim wasn’t going to return from this… ever. “So… what about the void crystal?” asked Mina.
“The Book will use what abilities he can to keep the void crystal sealed until you guys can seal back in our world,” said Anim.
“So his coming…” said Mina, coldly.
“Don’t worry, once I enter our world, I won’t be able to move, talk, or use my abilities. The only reason I can in this world is because, this world’s aura is more immense than ours, which gives me… these abilities and such,” said The Book.
Mina nodded, and knelt down and hugged Anim. Before she would leave she said goodbye to everypony. “See yeah everypony… I don’t know if I can return and visit, but for now… we’ll meet again, so goodbye,” said Mina.
“We’ll miss you,” said Derpy.
“You’d make a great companion. You, Derpy, and I, could travel everywhere,” said Doctor Whooves.
“Trixie… will miss you… so…” said Trixie, having a hard time to say anything.
“It’s okay Trixie… I’ll miss you too,” said Mina.
“We’ll miss you Mina,” said Applebloom.
“You’re an honorary member of the CMC now,” said Sweetie Belle.
“Yeah… so… come back if you can,” said Scootaloo.
“Will do,” said Mina.
Finishing her goodbyes, Mina was ready to go to the other side… but something stopped her. Turning around it was The Book, unsure why they stop The Book explained. “Remember, Anim is a clone I made… which means his a part of me so… we have to wait until he… goes,” said The Book.
Mina’s eyes widened, but returned to their normal size… sighing, she stood there watching. Everypony understood, comforting Anim as much they can, they help him to his hooves. “Why can’t we do anything to help him sister,” said Luna.
“This is beyond us Luna… and if we did try to help, the portal would soon close, and Mina would be stuck here forever,” said Celestia. “So… we must wait for now.”
Luna hated the idea of watching somepony she cared for… but there was no other choice. The Mane 6 stood there… afraid what would happen to Anim… unable to do anything.
“…You know… there was a reason why I did this,” said Anim.
Everypony was confused, when Anim said he had a reason. A reason for what exactly, deciding to risk his life, and end up in this condition. Nopony understood what Anim meant, but… when he explained… everypony would be speechless even more. “Even though I have these memories with you girls since I came to this world… the kindness you’ve shown me… but after seeing all of you hurt, and scared… I couldn’t stand and do nothing… so; I rather forget you then lose you girls,” said Anim.
Everypony was quiet, tearing up. Discord grabbed a large hanky out of nowhere and blowing into it. Saddened that this is happening to their friend, they wanted to do something for him. “Before you, go… maybe we can do something or maybe…” said Twilight.
“You girls done so much for me… so you could say this… is my thank you to you,” said Anim.
Anim moved up to everypony, slowly thanking those close to him. “Thank you girls, for being my friends since I arrive here, supporting for this long. Rainbow you been a good friend, probably the one pony who reminded me of someone else. Applejack, you’re the only other honest pony I know… it’s good that there was somepony I could relate to a little. Fluttershy, you’ve been kind and would find the good in anypony… so thanks for not doubting me. Rarity, thank you for being generous and supporting my choices,” said Anim.
“Spike… you and I been through a lot, and you been a great friend to talk and hang with. Trixie… Little Star,” said Anim.
“Oh no, don’t start that with Trixie,” said Trixie.
“Well… I just wanted to say that, you been the one pony I’ve been happy to meet. After what you been through, it reminded me of my past mistakes and choices. Seeing you alone, it reminded of how I felt for so long,” said Anim, hugging Trixie. “So, thank you for being my special somepony.”
“Trixie… Trixie is also happy, Trixie met you too Anim… so… thank you for being my special somepony too,” said Trixie, hugging Anim.
After that, Anim moved to thank Luna next. “Luna, you’re the only friend I met and befriended in Canterlot… and I hoped to see and meet other ponies… but you’ve shown me that everything has a light to it… even the darkest of creatures,” said Anim, smiling.
Anim then moved to Mina, in which she simply looked away. “I know your mad… but it won’t stop me from saying this,” said Anim. “Daughter, sister, it doesn’t matter, you been so strong… not wanting to believe I was gone… so stay strong… not for me but for yourself. Protect those you protect back home, and be the best you can.”
Mina didn’t say anything but, sighed and had a few tears drop to the ground. She then gave Anim a light hug, and continued to stand.
After saying thank you to everypony, Anim moved to the final pony that he had to thank the most. “Twilight…” said Anim, silent for a few seconds.
Twilight stood motionless unsure what Anim had to say, but wasn’t sure what she did for Anim to thank her. “You out of anypony cared for me the most. Even though you were told to watch over me originally, the honesty of how much you worried for me in the hospital was enough to tell me that… you weren’t ever leave a friend behind. For the countless past months, you wondered who was I, about my past, what I liked, what my old life was like… you genuinely cared about me, and would do anything to know more about me… to know the real Anim,” said Anim, continuing. “You’ve been the one friend that been by my side, whether you disagree with me, you worry of me more than yourself. So… thank you… for being my first friend when I first came to this world.”
Twilight cried, emotional from hearing Anim, that she lunged toward him hugging him… never letting go. “You can’t leave… you can’t. We… we can find a way, maybe we can remove the void aura from you like with those animals that were sick from that dust,” said Twilight.
“Removing the aura from someone is like removing the life-force out of a creature… if we did that… it might end far worse than I am in this state,” said Anim.
Twilight continued to hug Anim more tightly, not wanting to let go… afraid he be gone forever. Anim knew his time was coming soon… so he quietly sighed, looking up. “You know… I’m okay with this… I’ve accepted that this is the only way and you know what…” said Anim, looking down toward Twilight. “I’m happy with this… and I’m happy I met you all.”
Twilight immediately looks up toward Anim, but once she did… she saw nothing but air. In the sky were pieces of paper, fluttering in the air… carried away by the wind… slowly disappearing in the distance. The Book whispered something in which only Mina heard. “Even though he was not Anim… he was something close to him. Like a story being made, he was a story that was alive like a real person, living its own life… and so, this story’s end came… the end of Anim’s story,” said The Book. “Now… let’s go, before the portal closes.”
Mina and The Book stepped through the portal with the void crystal. And then the portal closed… both worlds now were separate apart from each other. Twilight sat their continuing to stare at the sky, watching what remained of Anim… what remained of her friend… only to be pages of an old story… the story of someone else… slowly ending. These two worlds slowly closed off from one another… where both remember a story of a character that forever is remembered. For the character may have sacrificed everything… all that’ll remain…
Are the memories of that character.