Dream post (draft)
[She didn't often dream of the wasteland, most of her dreams being of her home in Ponyville. But tonight was a little different for Rainbow Dash, as she stood among what used to be Mayfield. And standing beside her was Pinkie Pie, of all ponies. Not that she was going to complain about the company, she liked having someone next to her in a place like this. And for a while, the two of them stood together and watched the ruined city before either one of them spoke up.
For once, Pinkie Pie was not full of her usual energy.
In fact, something seemed very wrong.]
"Hey Dashie, um, there's something I was supposed to show you.]
"...Whatever it is, is it better then this place?"
"....."
[The scene changes, and Rainbow Dash perks up at the sight of Ponyville! But...it seems very empty. Carts filled with rotten food are sitting out in the streets, the houses look ruined and desolate, and thick gray clouds seem to smother the small town. It's like every pony up and left...or worse.]
"It sure looks awful, huh?"
"I-I don't get it, what happened here?"
[Pinkie Pie looks geniunely sad for a moment, right before Ponyville fades to Mayfield again. The town still looks desolate and empty as Ponyville did, with no sign of Foster, Gash, Wally, or Hotaru around. None of the ponies either. But this time, Dash thinks if she goes inside one of the houses, she won't like what she sees inside.]
"The hay happened here, Pinkie?! W-where is everypony?! Did the town get attacked? What do we gotta do to stop-"
[And Dash shakes her head, trying to calm herself down.]
"...Okay, so what really happened here?"
"Well...I didn't wanna tell you this, but...it's because of you, Dashie. This kind of terrible stuff won't happen if you're here!"
[Pinkie gives Dash a sympathetic look, waiting for the shock to hit the other pony.]
"This happened...because of me?"
"Oh, it's not like that! You didn't cause it, but because you exist it happened! ...Oh, I guess that kinda means you did cause it then."
"But that's ridiculous! I couldn't...how could..."
"I'm sorry, Dashie! But there's a way to fix it, so cheer up! You just have to agree to never exist!"
"Agree to never exist...? But...but..."
"You'll know what to do, Dashie! After all you've got that Element of Loyalty thingie around you're neck! You wouldn't have it if you didn't earn it!"
[Dash looks down and - sure enough, the Element of Loyalty is around her neck. She sticks her chest out, wearing it proudly.
But...to be gone forever...
No. Those couldn't be her only options! The moment of pride Dash felt a moment ago fades, replaced by anger.]
"So those are my only choices, huh? Say yes and never exist, or no and everyone dies. What kind of choices are those?! That's stupid! Those are stupid choices! I just won't say yes or no, then!"
[Pinkie actually gives her a sad look, and for a moment Dash actually feels a bit ashamed of herself.]
"But Dashie, you have to pick something! And it's your choice, no one will be mad at you for what you pick!
Your our friend, and we'll love you no matter what!"
"B-but, if I say yes I'll never see you guys again!"
[Dash didn't even care if she was being selfish at this point, or if she sounded like a little filly. She didn't want to be alone. But...if her friends were all dead, she was going to be alone anyway. Did it really make a difference...?
Pinkie Pie slides a hoof around Dash's shoulders, pulling her close.]
"That's true...but you know, even if we do never see each other again, we'll always be friends! That won't change never ever ever! Not even if we forget each other, not even if years have passed, or millions of years have passed! We'll always be friends, no matter what!"
[Dash sulks a little. Friends forever, huh? Did that really matter if she never existed to begin with? But, her friends meant more to her then anything else in the world. And if that meant sacrificing herself so that her friends would be safe, then that was something she had to do.]
"You know, Pinkie, you're right. I'll...I'll do it."
[Pinkie Pie brightens, before dragging Dash into a big hug.]
"I knew you'd do the right thing! You're the bestest best hero ever, Dashie! Oh-!"
[She gasps suddenly.]
"I almost forgot, we gotta throw you a party! Come on, let's go! I just thought of the perfect song for this moment-!"
[Rainbow Dash smiles weakly as Pinkie leads her away. In the distance she can see the familiar house of Pinkie Pie, filled with balloons and music, and all of her friends outside waiting to give her a final farewall party to remember.]