"Twilight? Twilight!" Rarity called from Twilight's bedroom.

"Rarity, she wasn't in the basement! Where could she be!" Rainbow Dash called as she flew into the room where Rarity was searching.

"I don't know dear, she just disappeared!"

"What if we sent her to the moon!"

"I'm sure she's alright... She's probably be back soon..." Rarity tried to reassure the element of Loyalty, but the idea that Twilight might have been banished to the moon was a very real possibility, even a likelihood even given their track record. That scared her.

Rarity was now seriously considering she may have just sentenced one of her best friends to the same fate as Nightmare Moon.

Pinkie appeared to be faring no better as she came up the stairs. Her usually poofy cotton candy mane was nearly touching the ground as the grey-pink strands fell strait like a waterfall to the left side of her head.

"I couldn't find her anywhere in Ponyville~" Tears were building in her eyes. "Did we~ *sniffle* Did we~ Twilight!" the mare cried pathetically, breaking down on the floor.

"Cheer up Pinkie! I'm sure she's alright! She wouldn't want to see you upset now would she? She'll be~ She~ Oh Pinkie..." Rarity joined Pinkie on the ground.

Rainbow watched as two of her closest friends wept on the ground. She wasn't going to disturb them, but even she couldn't take seeing her friends so sad. She left so she wouldn't break down herself.

As she went downstairs she met Fluttershy, Applejack, and Spike in the library's central room.

The mood down there was no better, in fact, it only appeared more grim.

"Why are you all here and not out looking for Twilight? She could be in danger! Or- What is that?"

"Ra- Rainbow, the letter to the princess… we got the reply... she..." Rainbow's heart sank as Applejack's words continued, "Celestia said... she..." Applejack's tears started falling before before she could finish. Despite her tears, she walked over to the embracing pegasus and dragon and retrieved a letter from his loosely griped claw.

Head down, she passed the letter to Rainbow. She took the letter, fearfully opening it.

"Spike,

Pardon the informality of this letter, but the subject of your last correspondence constitutes rapid action. I have attempted to trace Twilight's magical signature, but I can no longer detect her within the mortal world.

If the Elements have acted so soon to allow Twilight Sparkle to transcended flesh. I will do what I can, but the ways of the Elements are volatile.

Keep hope,

                       Princess Celestia"

"Does this mean..." Rainbow asked as despair overtook her as it did the other occupants of the room.

She couldn't take it anymore.

Rainbow Dash joined Fluttershy and spike in their embrace.

How could this have happened? One minute Twilight restores their memories and saves the day, the next she and her friends are responsible for... for... She would not say it, even to herself. She couldn't. She was the element of loyalty and she killed her best friend.

She looked to Spike with teary eyes. She had orphaned him.

She looked at the shelves and shelves of books that no one would take the time to read and care for as Twilight did.

Upon some of the shelves were pictures. Pictures of Celestia, whose student she took from her. Pictures of Twilight's parents, whose child they'd never see again. Pictures of Twilight with all her friends, herself included, that had betrayed the mare that trusted them with her life -and had paid with her life for it.

Rainbow screamed. Dash screamed as loud as she could. So loud that she hoped the very heavens would open up and give her friend back.

Suddenly a burst of light filled the room. Blazing in the night sky like a midnight sun.

Rainbow felt compelled to see what cruel and twisted prank fate would pull on her next.

Rarity and Pinkie came down the stairs in time to follow the other occupants out the front door.

As they exited they saw a great sight, for the night sky was ablaze in the symbol of magic: Twilight's cutie mark.

As the light of the mark faded a lone mare descended from the light, it was Twilight.

As the unicorn landed, Rainbow's heart soared with joy. She was alive!

...And apparently had wings!

Well, a new flying buddy wouldn't hurt.