Just a tiny note, I will kinda go off-topic while answering your question. Moderators, forgive me.
What's keeping me going are the fondest memories I have made in this Cataclysm realm. The first time I leveled up my char with 3 other people, our strenuous journey through Azeroth, the first clash with Alliance players, discovering new things, seeing the sights, joining the guild and seeing how people were toward others. First time in RHC, then raiding, then a dash of PVP...
What I remember the most is having loads and loads of fun.
I remember back then, when Molten still existed, one char 85 defended me when 3 ally players had their jollies ganking me while I was level 48 and they were 80 and 84, he \ she swooped in and felled them all like they were timber, resurrected me, gave me 3k gold, /pat me and flew away on his \ her journey.
Needless to say, I've been returning the favor ever since. Helped many people on this server get their gear, showed them the fine points about their class and flaws regarding some things they did or were going to do.
I know this server is far from perfect, it wasn't that perfect when Molten was active but the community was different, more joyous and more active than it is now.
Nowadays, people lost something along the way, they became more jaded...
The Lone Defender would've been a nice title, if it existed. :D - Anyways, kudos to that friend of yours, tell him he's not alone at all.
I have no illusions, I know that one day, not soon but not in that distant future, this server will vanish... Until that happens, I will be playing on this server. I will be the last one left, keeping the tiny flicker of Cataclysmic light alive. ^^