Steelhorn landed besides Espirit, a hoof reaching out to lift her head up. “Easy there, easy. It's going to be okay.”

The zebra whimpered. “I-I don't think i-it is. I-I've been feeling... weird, ever since we got back. Since I got... out of Tirek. Since I... released all that aether. I-I think I did too much. I-I don't think... I don't think this body can take it. He took too much a-and I sent it all back to the earth. L-like the princesses. I-I've been losing aether since... since I...”

“Shush!” the changeling said, smiling down at her. “You're going to be fine. You're a strong girl, you've been through more than this. You're going to be okay.”

“Steelhorn,” Clearpond said softly as she walked up behind the mare. “Tirek has fallen. This was what she was meant to do, the world is just taking back what--”

“THE WORLD CAN'T HAVE HER!” the changeling screamed, her hooves tightening around the mare. “It's okay, Espirit. You're going to be fine. Just... just take more aether from the land.”

“I-I have. It's not... it's not staying,” the zebra said softly. She began to shake. “I... I can't feel my legs. S-Steelhorn. I can't... I can't...”

“I-it's okay,” the changeling said, tears forming in her eyes. “Y-you're not going anywhere. You're still young, you've got a whole life ahead of you. A whole world that's going to idolize you. You're a hero, remember? Just like you wanted. Just... just like you dreamed.”

Espirit gulped and gave a little nod. “I-it's... it's going to be okay. I-I don't think... I don't think we can stop it. But it's going to be fine. We all have to g-go sometimes. I-I already died once, so it's going to be fine. It's a lot less painful this time.”

Steelhorn slowly leaned down, kissing the zebra's forehead. “Espirit... I...” She tried to think of something to say, but she couldn't. All she could do was hold the zebra as more and more of her turned to aether.

Espirit held a smile on her lips until her front hooves fully disappeared, before letting out a terrified scream. “I can't do this! I can't! S-stop it, stop it please!” she begged, shaking her head. “S-Steelhorn, help me, please help me. I-I already d-died once I-I don't want to die again please, please don't let me.” Her voice cracked from the fear and soft sobs echoed from her throat.

The changeling pulled the zebra's head to her chest, holding her close. “It's going to be okay. Espirit, it's going to be okay.”

“I-I'm scared,” she sobbed softly. “I-I don't... I don't w-want to go again. I-I like being alive. I don't... I don't want to leave... p-please... please stop it...”

“C-Clearpond, i-isn't there anything you can do?” the changeling asked, gently rocking the disappearing zebra. “S-she's just a child.”

“I'm sorry, but there isn't,” the pegasus said gently before she trotted forward and put a wing against the mare. “Espirit, I'm sorry. But you have to face this. Your... end is here. It--”

“I-I don't want it to be here! I don't want to die!” Espirit screamed, sobbing into Steelhorn's chest as her legs and lower torso disappeared. “P-please... s-stop it. Please make it stop...”

The changeling slowly pulled back, making the zebra look her in the eyes. “E-Espirit. I... I'll find you. You... you came back to us once, as a spirit. W-we'll find a way to... to bring you back a second time. I promise. I-I swear.” She could barely hear as the tears flowed down her face. “You're a... you're a hero. Everypony will know what you did here. I swear they will. You won't--” Before she could finish, the last pieces of the zebra disappeared, leaving nothing but sparkles of aether flying from her hooves. She let out a wail, a moment later feeling a warm arm wrap around her. She looked up at Ganry.

“It's... it's going to be okay. She's... in a better place now.”

“She... she was in a better place now.”

Clearpond sighed. “We should join the battle.”

“We've won,” Ganry muttered before spreading his wings. “Steelhorn has done enough, the centaurs will fall without us being here. I'm taking her away from this.”

“Wait,” Clearpond said, gripping Steelhorn's side with her hoof. “Steelhorn, you... have to know. Bringing her back, as a spirit again. We can't--”

“I-I know,” the changeling muttered. “I... I just wanted her last moments not to be... not to be of terror.”

The pegasus sighed and gave a small nod. “I'm sorry. Do whatever you two must.” She stood and watched for a few moments, watching the two take to the air and fly off from the battle. She then turned her attentions to the battle. Their victory may have been assured, but they still had a long way to go.