-------------- Finale: Part 4 --------------

"Rarity's dead."

Those words drilled into Lily's ears. Bore straight to her consciousness.

"Lily?" Twilight said gently. Lily found it hard to respond. Twilight sniffed and wiped her face. "We couldn't reach her... The link went dead from her end a long while ago... I was kind of in a funk going from town to town... I couldn't really focus on anyone. I hardly even noticed..." Lily began to shiver, feeling suddenly very cold and slightly sick. She groaned and closed her eyes as Twilight continued talking. "Dash broke the news to me. They just recovered her body. Dash and the Wonderbolts are flying it here... Out of the fight." Twilight tucked closer to Lily, seeking comfort that had been denied her since the news. Lily found herself idly pulling the magi closer, the slight, almost imperceptible motion of Twilight pressing against her side doing a surprising amount for the funk she threatened to descend into.

Lily wrapped Twilight in a hug, turning her head just enough to bury her face into Twilight's hair. She groaned and inhaled the magi's scent, but when she exhaled... It came with tears. Lots of them. Through her sorrow, Lily managed to choke a few words.

"How many more people am I going to kill?"

Twilight had no answers. Through a crack in the door, the woman taking care of them listened. Silently, she walked away, and left the two women to weep.

-----------------

"Doing okay?!" Soarin called out to Dash over the roaring winds. Dash only gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod of her head. She had carried Rarity this far. Only another few miles to Appleoosa. Celestia had done the world a favor when she restored the bearer of the element of Generosity to her physical state...

Dash had discovered Rarity on the battlefield. The magi's remains were...

It wasn't pretty.

Celestia was merciful enough to spare everyone else the sight of Rarity in that broken, mangled state... She had cast a spell that restored her to a respectable state. Now, Rarity's body was whole, if lifeless. Dash pulled her friend closer to her chest and flapped harder. Appleoosa crept over the horizon, signalling home.

"Dash, are you sure you-"

"I'm fine." She growled, almost too quiet to be heard over the wind. Just a few more miles... Then Rarity would be home.

Her final home.

------------------

"Sister, are you sure that was a wise decision?" Luna asked quietly. Celestia waited a few long moments before she nodded slowly, her arms crossed beneath her breasts.

"As wise as any I can make in this situation... The elements NEED to be fulfilled, sister... Just because dear Rarity has passed does not mean there cannot be an element of Generosity..."

"Yes, but-"

"Do you deny that she has not given more than anyone else? Do you have a better candidate to propose?" Celestia countered, her arms still crossed. The two sisters stood on the balcony of their castle, the very same one they had frequented so many times over and again...

"I suppose not..." Luna admitted, taking her place aside her sister. Both of them were mirrors of the other, arms crossed, one leg straight, the other resting... Their eyes turned down towards the battlefield below. Even at this late hour, changelings and guards were involved in skirmishes across the city. The guard was holding the line well, but as with any war, they were suffering casualties. Celestia knew each guard could kill four or five changelings before they succumbed... Less, if they were swarmed. It wasn't a game of numbers, she knew, but still... The odds weren't in their favor at the moment. What they needed was more soldiers like Rarity... Twilight herself would have been envious if she could have seen the havoc the fashionista had wrought on the changeling masses...

"Missing her already?" Luna asked quietly.

"Yes. I miss them all. Just because we've seen it happen millions upon millions of times doesn't lessen the sting any." Celestia sighed and pinched the brow of her nose. It seemed her words to Lily two short months ago were coming back to haunt her... Even those whose lives ended in a fit of rage and murder could still make it to the better place... But still... Rarity was young and had a full life ahead of her. Celestia considered the magi a friend. And after many late nights sewing or repairing clothes, so did Luna...

Both sisters took a moment to reflect on the life of a beautiful soul...

----------------------------

"Dash." Twilight said softly, greeting her friend as she landed. "Soarin, Spitfire... The rest of you. Words can't say enough."

"No need. Rarity was as close a friend to us as Dash is. You all are. If there's anything we can do-"

"No, thank you, Spitfire." Twilight cut the avian off with a sigh and a gesture. "Keep fighting the good fight. That's about all I can ask of you. Of any of you..." Soarin was uncharacteristically silent, but he still nodded his head. "Dash, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Twi... Thanks. Just... Show me where I can put her." Rarity, dressed in a plain white gown that hung to her ankles, looked almost like she was just asleep in Dash's arms. Any moment, Lily expected the magi to stir about and complain about how sleeping on the fly was murder for her hair. Instead, her legs swung about woodenly as Dash turned to follow Twilight. Just south of Appleoosa, in a wide field full of lush grass, Twilight had done some work...

"Put her here." Twilight said, setting a hand on the stone table. She had wrought the simple slab of granite from pure magic, and Lily had watched as she began engraving a spell into it. When she was finished, the whole thing glowed faintly, the moonlight shining off the dull surface as if it were polished by a professional. Lily was in awe at the intricate bit of magic. Dash, careful as ever, gingerly set Rarity down, her body laying flat on it's back. Together, Dash and Twilight crossed her arms, adjusted her dress. When they were finished, Rarity looked... Serene. Happy, even.

"She looks beautiful." Spitfire said quietly, slipping up to Lily's side. The changeling could only nod, her throat tightening again... When Twilight turned around to walk back towards them, her cheeks shined with tears. She made a beeline for Lily, almost knocking her off-balance as they met for a hug. The wonderbolts all gave the friends some time, walking a short ways off and flapping away into the night sky. Dash, Twilight, and Lily all shared a moment to shed tears together.

"Oh, Lily, you don't know..." Dash said, wiping her cheeks. It was odd to see the brash avian cry. Lily was touched. "AJ and Pinkie are on their way down here now... I think they're about a week out. Fluttershy's flying as best she can to get here, too..."

"Wait, they're coming here?" Lily said, but realized that was probably for the best. "Right." She muttered almost immediately after. "But... What about her-"

"That's what the spell is for." Twilight said gently, gesturing weakly back towards the stone slab Rarity lay upon. "She'll be... Preserved... For a while." Twilight groaned and rubbed her puffy eyes. Lily had to admit, even she was feeling exhausted. The last two days, waiting for Dash to arrive, had been killer. They had to have been worse for Dash, though... Lily guessed it was the whole Loyalty thing... She had probably flown straight from Canterlot with the body...

"Dash, go get some rest." Lily urged. "Braeburn is letting us stay at his place. It's just about a quarter mile from here, straight towards that plateau, on the southern edge. Can't miss it, the farm is about as big as Applejack's." Lily nudged the tired avian towards the indicated direction, concerned she was gonna collapse sooner than later.

"Thanks, Lily..." Dash mumbled. "I know what happened with you and Nyra... And Twi explained to me over the link... I don't blame you." Dash gave a brave smile and flapped off towards the farm, moving markedly slower than she had upon arrival... Her words left behind a few more tears, but Lily fought breaking down.

"She's right, you know..." Twilight said softly. "No one blames you at all. I explained more about the changeling primes to them in the past few days... Applejack was stunned at first, but she was probably the quickest to defend you..." Lily nodded and wrapped Twilight in a hug, burying her face in the magi's hair with a soft whimper.

"I'm sorry, 'm not interruptin' or anythin', am I?" Braeburn's voice cut into the hug, but Lily and Twilight didn't pull away. They held hands as their gracious host approached the stone table.

"Not at all. You're just in time, in fact..."

"Is that her?" Braeburn asked, nodding towards the body. Both women turned and nodded. "Can... Can I pay my respects?"

"Please, do so..." Twilight waved a hand. Braeburn removed his wide-brimmed hat and approached the table, laying it across his heart as he started speaking in a low tone neither of them could hear. Not that it mattered, they were walking hand-in-hand towards the farm. "Lily," Twilight said once they were out of earshot of anyone. "How do you feel about the whole thing?" Lily waited a few long moments before answering with a sigh.

"I don't think I'm ever going to stop blaming myself for the death of both Nyralith and Rarity..." She said softly. "It's so ironic that I'm the one who brought them together for real, but I'm also the one who tore them apart..." Twilight chose her next words carefully.

"That wasn't you that did that, Lily..." She said softly, stopping them both at the edge of the first trees. "That was something else entirely. Something you had no control over. If anything, blame Chrysalis for being so weak. Blame-"

"Blame myself for being a changeling?" Lily countered, the tears threatening to build again. "Blame myself for becoming a mindless monster? Blame myself for-"

"Shush." Twilight cut her off with a finger. "Lily, you're stretching. I was wrong to say the word blame. There is no blame for this. Listen, lives are lost every day. One way or another, Rarity's time was going to come. So was Nyra's. So will mine, and so will yours..." Twilight slid her arms around Lily's waist, pulling the sobbing changeling close once more. "It's all we can do to make the best of the time we have. Thanks to you, Rarity at least knew Nyra as well as she did. They had almost eight full years of life together. Some people hardly get one." Twilight muttered quietly, the words almost lost as they muffled into Lily's hair. "I hope we get as much time as they did..."

"We will." Lily choked, clinging to Twilight for the umpteenth time in three days... "We will..." They held one another for a few more long moments before weaving their fingers together once more and making for the farmhouse. The walk didn't take long at all, and soon enough they were slipping inside the rather large home. The apple family had a long-standing military history, and were almost always the first to volunteer in times of crisis. The home was all but empty at the moment, belongings packed and persons moved out. Braeburn probably stayed back to do what he could with the harvest... Though Lily heard a whisper of a rumor on a don't-ask-don't-tell slipup with their host. Rainbow Dash was asleep on a couch in the living room, still half-dressed. Twilight fetched a blanket and a pillow from a nearby closet while Lily worked at removing the military suit the Wonderbolts all wore... It was tough doing, and she regretted waking the slumbering avian with her motions, but when Dash helped strip it off, she was much more comfortable and mubmled a tired 'thanks' before slipping off once more.

"Come on," Twilight said softly. "Let's go to bed..." Lily and Twilight padded up the creaking stairs to the bedroom Braeburn had offered them. Together, the two women dressed down to borrowed flannel shirts and panties before sliding in to bed together.

It started innocently enough. Twilight pressed close and kissed Lily, turning her back for their usual spooning position to sleep. Lily kissed her cheek gently, and then Twilight groaned. That little, miniscule vocalisation led to another kiss. Twilight's hands tightened on Lily's arms. The next kiss lowered down to Twilight's jawline, and the magi's lips parted in a hot breath. She couldn't handle it anymore. Twisting around, Twilight pressed her lips firmly to Lily's, a sort of passion igniting between the two in that moment... Lily slid her hands down to Twilight's sides, pulling the magi against her firmly. Twilight's fingers clumsily began pulling at the buttons on Lily's borrowed shirt. With each new inch of skin exposed, Lily grew more daring with her kisses. They ranged from quick, teasing pecks to full-on makeout tongue, writhing and wrestling Twilight's own hungry appendage. Lily felt her chest exposed soon enough, and she shrugged out of the fabric smoothly.

"Hmm..." Twilight groaned as her own lips pressed to Lily's neck, sending a shiver over her entire body. Twilight pulled the blankets up over her head as she dove under, moaning into Lily's collarbone now. It felt incredibly warm, being kissed like this. Lily gripped the edge of the heavy quilt as Twilight's lips travelled lower. Despite the warmth underneath the comforter, Lily's nipples soon grew hard, just as Twilight began teasingly circling the flesh with the very tip of her tongue. Lily gasped as shivers ran into her torso, making her whimper and draw a lip inbetween her teeth. Twilight didn't leave her neglected for long... One hand rose to rotate her nipple just as Twilight opened her mouth to suck on the other.

"Hnn!" Lily groaned, lifting her hips with a smooth, eager motion. Twilight groaned into her nipple, her tongue ever so gently spinning slow circles around the hard nub of pleasured flesh. Twilight laid her one free hand on Lily's stomach, rubbing small, slow circles. Lily relaxed, feeling the sensation of pleasure flow fast and free through her veins. She writhed still, but kept her chest in place so Twilight could focus.

"Mwah." Twilight released her nipple with a smack, the same sound they made when they kissed. Lily watched through half-lidded eyes as the lump of Twilight's head slid lower and lower... Lily lifted her hips at Twilight's insistence and felt her panties smoothly slide off. Twilight smoothly lowered her head inbetween Lily's parted thighs, setting to licking her with an eager, passionate touch.

It was so different from their standard fare... Normally, Lily would be dominating the magi, making her pant and beg and plead... But at that moment, Lily only wanted to lay back and let Twilight do what she would... Groaning and arching her head into the pillows, Lily felt the pleasure begin to roll through her in waves. Twilight's tongue alternated between probing her aching hole and flicking her clitoris, sending shocking waves rolling through her to counter the smooth, warm pleasure of penetration.

"Aahn!" Lily groaned, feeling her limit approach rapidly. How long had it been? Lily didn't even know... The entire hike from Canterlot, it was all she and Twilight could do to collapse in eachother's arms, fighting the nightmares and darkness that threatened to overwhelm them with every step... Now, in the warmth of this bed, being truly loved by Twilight, Lily was moments from her orgasm. One final slip of the tongue, and Lily was over the edge. She drew a shuddering breath, every muscle in her body quivering as she climaxed. It wasn't even that wet... Just... Intense...

Twilight pressed their lips together smoothly, and Lily's post-orgasmic mind hungrily pushed at her shirt and panties. The magi was just as eager, and between the two of them, Twilight was soon nude. Lily rolled on top of her, settling inbetween Twilight's legs as she started trailing wet, eager kisses down her moaning lover's front. Her chest heaved with heavy breaths as Lily nipped and sucked her nipples, teasing her flat stomach with a gentle touch. Twilight's hands tangled into Lily's hair, stroking and combing the fiery strands smoothly. She didn't move her head, didn't push her, she just... Touched her. It was so passionate and sensual... Lily smoothly slid lower, her lips kissing the edge of Twilight's belly button before dipping down inbetween her legs.

The taste of her slick womanhood filled Lily's senses with the first lick, her tongue rejoicing as it finally began to return the favor. Twilight inhaled shakily and let it out as Lily began dragging her tongue up and down. Her hands tightened for a moment in Lily's hair before leaving entirely, falling to the sheets or maybe up to the headboard... Lily didn't care, as she was only eager to please her love. To return the favor.

No... It was something more than that... This was what she had heard spoken of in trashy romance novels and bad plays. Giving without taking, recieving without asking... Who knew they were all right? So many more cliche' moments made themselves known to Lily in those moments... They were all true... She loved Twilight with all her heart, with every fiber of her being... It was so...

Heartfelt.

"Aaahhh!" Twilight flexed suddenly, and Lily felt her love shudder underneath her. Breathing heavy, both women stretched out next to one another, arms and legs loosely wrapped together. They closed their eyes, just feeling each other... Lily could sense every little nuance in Twilight's skin, the contours of her ribs against her sides, the smooth slope of her breasts, the way her neck and collarbone met... Once the two regained their breath, they pressed close, feeling at peace with all the grief both had endured over the past month...

No nightmares plauged them that night.

------------------

It didn't take very long for the others to arrive. Fluttershy arrived in three days, and almost as if on que, Applejack and Pinkie Pie arrived in a week. Each time, the friends shared tears and embraces. Applejack, in a surprising display, actually skipped past Twilight to hug Lily. Needless to say, she was stunned. Applejack's heartfelt embrace made Lily blush slightly, but she returned it warmly. Once the six were all gathered, they made their way to the stone table with her body.

"She looks so peaceful..." Pinkie Pie said, in an odd moment of quiet contemplation. "Like she isn't even worried... Almost like she's happy."

"She's in a better place now." Twilight said, resting a hand on Pinkie's shoulder. "Celestia told me about it... It's like revisiting all your best memories at the same time, forever... She says it's blissful." Applejack stepped forward then, removing her hat as she spoke her final words to her friend.

"Rarity an' I were friends for a long time. Almost as long as you n' Dash, Fluttershy... We didn't get along all the time, but we was as close as two gals could be without... You know..." Applejack flushed. "Ah was jealous of her when she had Nyra, really..." Applejack flushed even deeper. "After the whole thing blew over, o' course... But still. She was always so moody an' picky... But when Nyra came along, she didn't complain as much, and started to unwind more an' more... She just started... I dunno... LIVING more... I guess ya could say." Applejack laid her hand on Rarity's, brushing the back of it with her thumb. Two tears spilled down the tip of her nose, landing on the prone woman's cheek. "Ah cain't believe she's gone..."

Applejack turned away, wiping her sleeve across her eyes as Fluttershy took her place. "Uum..." The shy woman said softly, fidgeting. "I-I never was good at much of anything... To say little of how much I let others t-take advantage of me... But thanks to Rarity and Pinkie, I really learned to stick up for myself. Life became so much better after that. I started realizing how much others were using me... It took a true friend to stick up for me like she did... Even with all the... Bad things I said. So, thank you, Rarity... You showed me how kindness can be tempered with assertiveness."

Pinkie slid up next, unnaturaly quiet. She quivered visibly with the tears she was holding back, and eventually, even laughter couldn't win out against the sorrow. Without saying any words, Pinkie sobbed and cried, her tears falling onto Rarity's prone body... She bawled for a few minutes while everyone watched, tears of their own streaming down their faces. Pinkie stepped away without saying a word, unable to think let alone speak past her grief.

Dash patted Pinkie on the back before stepping up next to the table. "Rarity, I never was one for all that frou-frou stuff you were into... All the spas and high-brow parties and all that... But I'll be damned if you weren't one of the best friends a girl could ever ask for. It didn't matter if it was a manicure or money I needed, you'd drop what you were doing and help me out. The world could learn a lesson from generosity like yours... I see it everywhere I go, people acting mean and greedy... Fighting over the stupidest things. But you fought for something tangible. Something cool. I can't even tell you how much of an impact you had on my life. On all our lives... Thank you." She leaned over and put a kiss on Rarity's forehead. The gesture was so tender, Lily could hardly stop as a fresh flood of tears streamed from her eyes. Lily stepped forward next, sniffling a little.

"You were awfully annoying the first time I met you," Lily said. Everyone chuckled but let her continue. "You kept talking about all this gossip and stuff I honestly didn't care for. But I saw shortly after you were just concerned about making a good impression... I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to make friends like that in the first place... But you did it. You made some of the best friends in all of Equestria, and for that, I can't even begin to thank you... You, Fluttershy, Dash, Pinkie, AJ, Twilight... I owe it to the six of you for showing me what life was really like..." Lily sniffled and dropped a few tears as she laid her hand on Rarity's cheek, cupping the beautiful woman's face gingerly. "I wouldn't be who I am today without you." Twilight took her place, inhaling a deep breath as she spoke.

"No one can match your beauty, Rarity... I'm honored to have known you. You gave freely, loved openly, and always knew what someone in trouble needed. Such intelligence and beauty did not go unrecognized. You will live on forever in the hearts and minds of us all." Twilight's hands were enveloped in her purple aura as she laid them on Rarity's body. The entire table glowed with her magic as Rarity slowly began to fade... Each small portion of her body that faded away turned into a dazzling pinpoint of blue or white light... As they began to raise towards the dark night sky, they swirled in an elegant pattern. Tears were stilled for a moment as the women watched the light ascend towards it's rightful place... However, something seemed off... Rarity's form was faded... Almost transparent, even. But she wasn't gone yet.

Her eyes opened. The six of them watched as the ghost of Rarity stood from the table, slipping to the ground on bare feet. Her feet didn't indent the grass... Rarity's face broke into a calm, serene smile as she slowly walked up to Lily.

"Rarity, I-" The ghostly visage raised a finger, silencing Lily as it advanced. Her calm smile had an effect on all of them... The tears stopped as they watched Rarity raise her arms and wrap them around Lily. Surrounded by the image of her dead friend, Lily closed her eyes...

And dove into madness.

----------------------------

Anger and this seething hatred pulsed through her very being. It fueled her magic, made her this restless, tireless being of rage and destruction. She walked, unfazed, through the streets where a full-tilt battle was underway. Shouts and screams of the dying and the triumphant filled her ears, but they were lost upon the madness... Rarity only saw red and black.

Another changeling slid apart as her magic cut through him, shearing the entire being in half. Then another after him. Rarity advanced towards the areas dense with the most changelings, many of them turning their attention on the new threat. All of them were cut down. Rarity's magic was one focused on details. A single thread would never escape her attention. She could sharpen her wits and her power to razor-thin lines and needle points. Any who advanced on her were smoothly cut apart. Members of the guard embroiled in their own fights were saved at the last moment by a mysterious blue line cutting their would-be attacker apart, then vanishing and leaving only an eviscerated corpse in it's wake.

Rarity's hands lifted and twisted restlessly. She orchestrated this grand display of carnage and destruction, never once getting pushed back or even touched. Black blood spattered her dress, turned her into this frightening visage of pure destruction and rage. Frightened, the guard scrambled out of her way, though they didn't have anything to fear. Rarity was only targeting changelings. Indeed, they all started to falter and run away, fleeing from the vicious woman targeting them with her needle-like, destructive magic. None survived attacking Rarity.

She would throw up a barrier, then lance straight outwards with more magic, piercing, slashing, killing... The guard began to fall back whenever Rarity arrived on the frontline. Rarity was still human, though... She would stop and eat now and then, sleep maybe four hours a day, but at least sixteen hours of her day she would spend walking straight into the horde. She would walk into the heart of changeling-controlled territory, kill all who she came across, and walk away, killing every single one that followed her.

The guard would tolerate her. It wasn't that they were happy she was decimating the enemy forces... Indeed, soldiers would cheer whenever she stoically walked into the fray. But commanders couldn't order her. She wasn't theirs to control. Anyone asking for her help was recieved with a blank stare before Rarity brushed past them and on to killing again. Every now and then, they would offer her a cot or some supplies, but for the most part, Rarity made her own way. Many times it seemed like it would be over for her... She had been swarmed before. She wasn't without her fair share of battle scars. But the attackers always fared worse than she did. In her anger, she saw Lily's face on each and every one of them.

Until the day she met Chrysalis.

Rarity was deeper into Changeling lines than she had ever been before. Surrounded on all sides, picking them off when they'd raise their heads, Rarity would just keep walking, deeper and deeper into their territory. She remembered this part of the city well enough... In fact, she had been here before... She turned down one particular street, passed a large, fizzling neon sign, and then on to the unassuming brick building...

The sign that read 'Maggie's' hung on it's side, and the door had been blasted off it's hinges. Inside, the furniture was torn apart, ripped to pieces. The bottles of alcohol had either been plundered or smashed, the stringent smell of liquor filling her nostrils. She blinked blankly, wondering what exactly had brought her here... Absently, she padded towards the stairs, her face still that same stoic blank that it had been. Inside was the writhing, searing sensation of anger still... But Rarity felt herself pulled upstairs for one reason or another. The second door on her right was kicked open, the frame splintered and broken.

"Come on, then..." A voice called from within. Rarity piqued an eyebrow and smoothly stepped inside. The faceless rage came forth in an instant. Her hands glowed with that dense, radiant magic as the first spike flew towards the changeling in the middle of the trashed living room. "Really, now..." The magic dissipated just as easily as it was flung, and Rarity followed it with another spike. "I thought you had better manners." The third was the same as the first two. Snarling, Rarity let the full force of her rage rear it's ugly head. Her magic crackled audibly as it crashed upon the invisible defense of the changeling queen, Chrysalis, watching Rarity helplessly throw everything she had at her.

"Why." Crash. "Won't." Smash. "You..." Thump. "DIE?!" Rarity screamed the last word with another blast of razor-thin magic, only to have it disappear without hitting anything solid. Chrysalis' visage flashed as she stepped closer, closing the distance between the two of them. Panting, Rarity did her best to summon another blast of magic, but in the blink of an eye, Chrysalis was upon her, grasping her wrist. Rarity cried out as Chrysalis wrenched her arm upwards inbetween the two of them, her neon green eyes glinting from her jet-black face.

"You know," Chrysalis said softly, her tone low and dripping with venom. "Lily used to live here..." Lily. The name nearly ignited the anger within Rarity once more. She glowered at Chrysalis, struggling to get her arm free. "Makes me wonder..." Chrysalis held her arm as she turned, looking at the wrecked apartment about them. "How she ever made it through... No self-respecting changeling would tie themselves down with these... These..." Her bare foot kicked a chunk of the wooden frame that used to be Lily's couch. "Trappings... No... Lily, she wasn't a changeling." Chrysalis' gaze turned back to a suddenly still Rarity. Her blue eyes wide with what the queen said next. "She was just like you." Her tone was low once more, the malice almost audible as she spoke.

"Just like a human."

"I'm sorry." Rarity whimpered.

"Sorry?" Chrysalis repeated, arching her eyebrow.

"Lily, I'm sorry..." Rarity's voice was thin as she whimpered. When she looked back up into Chrysalis' eyes, her brilliant blue irises shimmered with the tears she held back. "So sorry."

"AAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!" In a flash of magic, Chrysalis' arm sheared off just below the elbow. Rarity was out of the door before the first splatter of black blood hit the floor.

Gone was her rage, her anger... Rarity only felt a profound sense of sadness over how she had spent the last three weeks, mindlessly killing each and every changeling she would hunt down. Unable to summon the same powerful magic that had fueled her angry rampage throughout Canterlot, Rarity fled. Her tired legs pumped as she made her way down the stairs, out of the blasted front door, and into the street... Right into a mass of changelings.

"I'm sorry!" Rarity cried as her now-feeble magic did it's best to push the changelings aside. She made a hole in their lines, barely managed to push her way through them as she ran. Teeth and claws tugged at her as she pushed through, sending flashes of pain through her body. Still, her legs carried her, faster than she could ever recall running...

"Oh, Lily..." Rarity panted as she rounded a corner, fear and pain driving her to run faster than she ever had before. "I'm so sorry, I was wrong all along..." She skirted another group of changelings, recieving another cut to her shoulder as she shot past them. "You're just like any of us... You're just another human... Caught up in this mess..."

"KILL HER!" The cry followed Rarity's flight, made her push her muscles faster. Buzzing filled her ears as the changelings took flight behind her. "END HER!"

"Please forgive me..." In the absence of her anger, Rarity was tired. Tapped. Weak. Tears streamed from her eyes as the first set of changeling claws caught her. The pavement filled her vision as she tripped and fell forwards. Again and again, the claws fell upon her, ravaging her flesh.

Rarity could only weep until life fled her torn body.

-------------------

"I forgive you, Lily." Rarity's ghost called her back from the haunting vision. "And I ask for the same... I shouldn't have left you then... If I hadn't been so foolish, maybe I would have lived through this ordeal..." Lily shuddered as Rarity's arms left her, the ghost stepping back as she spoke in this hauntingly thin, otherworldly voice. "Ever since I met you, you've been nothing but generous towards me. Towards everyone... Lily, you've given yourself in one way or another to everyone you've met... Wether they were customers..." Rarity's face turned to the group of women behind her. "Or friends..." She smiled serenely, stepping back towards the glowing stone table.

"You gave them pleasure, laughter, an ear, a shoulder to cry on... All of these things and more." Her outline began to fade. Rarity's feet left the ground as she began to follow the fading pinpricks of blue and white light above her. "I see no one more fit to carry the element of Generosity than you. Goodbye, Lily... My friends." She was all but gone, just a white whisp now. "Don't weep for me..." The last echo of her voice followed her into the heavens.

"I am at peace."

-------------------

Lily?

Hmm?

You alright?

I... I guess... Just a lot to absorb, you know? Twilight squeezed her hand.

You'll get used to it, sugar... Personally, I couldn't be happier. You know, what she said... Before she left... It's true. You've given a lot to all of us. We owe you for all the things you've done fer each of us. Applejack's words were surprisingly comforting. Lily smiled and squeezed Twilight's hand back.

Guys, I'm bushed... I'm gonna grab some sleep.

Night, Dash.

Nighty-night!

Pinkie, how are you so happy?

What? She said 'Don't weep for me,' right?

Heh. She's got a point, Dash.

I guess... Anyways. Night.

Flying back to Canterlot tomorrow?

Yup.

Be careful?

Always. And Lily?

Hmm?

I think I speak for everyone when I say it's good to have you. Lily actually smiled into Twilight's hair. The magi responded by nuzzling further into her neck and curling closer.

Thank you. All of you.

I need to get some sleep, too...

Goodnight, Pinkie. See you tomorrow.

Night, Pinkie. Lily felt the two sort of fade away from her mind... Being in the link was an awfully new and admittedly strange experience... She wasn't just hearing their thoughts, but Lily could almost... FEEL what they all felt. The exhaustion and fatigue seemed to compact, and all six of the elements of harmony were going to bed for the night.

Welp, time ta get mah fourty winks. Night, y'all...

Sleep well. There were only three now.

Uum, Twilight?

Yes, Fluttershy?

Can... Can I talk with Lily? Twilight frowned but didn't deny the request. Lily felt her presence fade from her mind, but still felt Twilight against her side... Fluttershy's thoughts, probably the first since Lily had acquired the link, came slow and quiet.

I don't want you to think the wrong thing, so... Please let me finish before you say anything?

Of course, Fluttershy...

Okay... Thank you... Lily could feel apprehension, and maybe a bit of... Was that anger?

You aren't Rarity. Lily frowned.

But don't get the wrong idea! I just... I wanted you to know that... Just because you're, you know... The new element of Generosity... You don't have to act like Rarity. I... I don't think she would have wanted that. I don't want that... None of us do... A hint of sadness. Lily's frown faded, but she felt her chest begin to rise and fall as she fought tears again. Twilight squeezed her gently, helping her deal with it.

Just... Be yourself? Don't think you need to change to fit in with us... You were already a good friend to all of us. Especially Twilight. Now, I just think it's... Official. So please. Stay yourself?

... I wouldn't have it any other way, Fluttershy...

Oh thank goodness... I was worried you'd think you had to... I don't know... Replace her or something. Lily wiped away a tear as she smiled.

Hardly. I could never replace Rarity... No one can. I'm just... I don't know, I'm still shocked at everything...

Tell me about it... I need to sleep. Tell Twilight I said good night?

Of course. And good night to you, Fluttershy... And... Thank you. The shy avian's smile made Lily feel warm inside... The feeling transferred through the link. Fluttershy's presence faded from her mind, leaving just Lily... After a few moments, Twilight joined in.

Lily. Turn your link off. You need to get some rest.

Right... I just... Twilight smiled as she rose up, looking down at Lily. The two were wearing the flannel shirts once more, stretched out in bed. They held hands softly.

"Just what?" Twilight teased, smiling down at Lily.

"... How do you turn it off?"

------------- Notes from the Author -------------

There are three chapters left in A Different Kind of Love: The Lost Chapters

Lily and Twilight may have buried their friend, but they have yet to move on. Chrysalis, injured and angrier than ever, has a few surprises up her sleeve yet... Appleoosa may not be as safe as they think it is.