> Resparked > by JPHyperX > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 1. Chapter: The last Spark > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Respraked 1. Chapter: The last Spark Loud sirens blared in Canterlot on this stormy night. The rumbling thunderstorm and loud downpour blended with the panicked cries of the fleeing citizens. A huge monster loomed over the capital of Equestria. Its black paws crushed every tower and every house. It had glowing red eyes and fur as dark as night, bombarded by bright magic lightning. Commander Whiteknife, a light grey unicorn in scarlet armor, galloped towards the chaos with two comrades. His shots had no effect on the monster, and he couldn’t think of anything better than simple incendiary spells. “This is the end,” shouted one of his subordinates, desperation etched into every word as they reached the heart of the dusty marketplace. “We're powerless against it! This darkness... It's overwhelming!” “I've never seen an Ursa Major this size,” said Whiteknife's sergeant, Shetland. The commander remained stoic. With bitterness, he snorted the dust out of his nostrils. “I hope the princess is safe!” “Do you mean Princess Celestia or Luna?” asked the lowest-ranking soldier a little confused. Whiteknife rolled his eyes. “Good, grief! You’re a bit slow, aren’t ya? Obviously, I’m talking about Princess Celestia! Princess Luna's off on some field trip, remember? If she were here, she'd handle that creature without breaking a sweat.” The bear began to attack Luna's tower, which had been a monument commemorating her return from her exile. For Whiteknife, it was ironic a creature of the night was destroying it. “Commander! Who are those ponies?” Shedland suddenly asked. Not far from the marketplace, three mares appeared. Whiteknife recognized their shimmering necklaces. One of them wore a crown with a purple star. “By grandfather's horn! These are the Elements of Harmony!” The young unicorn Twilight Sparkle knew her hometown very well. Every cobblestone was a part of her foalhood memory. It hurt her to see everything in ruins. While Canterlot was once beautiful, this attack had stripped away some of its dignity. Twilight couldn't do much to prevent it, but she refused to let the enemy escape unpunished. The Ursa Major must be stopped at all costs. She was ready for anything, and turned to her friends. “Fluttershy! You know what to do!” “Uhm… Are you sure he'll even listen to me?”, Fluttershy whimpered in her frightened squeaky voice. “Don't worry,” said Twilight. “You've had worse beasts under control! Maybe you won't quell his anger. But he will listen to you until we can use the elements together. Hopefully, the others can evacuate the citizens in time.” Fluttershy sighed and looked to the wet ground. “I don’t know. Couldn't we just rebuild Canterlot somewhere else?” “How the hay should that supposed to work?” Applejack shouted in disbelief. Twilight begged pleadingly, “Pull yourself together, Fluttershy! Canterlot needs your skills! Please, take off already!” Finally, the timid pony summoned all her courage and flew into the cold, rainy night, while the other soldiers watched eagerly as she disappeared into the darkness. As Fluttershy was halfway to eye level with the Ursa Major, she cleared her throat. “Uhm… Mr. Major? Mr. Major? – Celestia dammit!!! Would you listen to me???” The bear felt her louder words as a small breeze in its ears. It turned around and reared up in front of the small pegasus. The size of the creature was intimidating. Even the soldiers' knees started trembling. Applejack shouted frightened, “Holy horse apples, that thing is humongous!” Fluttershy gulped and made a wry smile. Then she waved sheepishly at the big bear. “He-Hello. I just wanted to say I don't think it's right how you're destroying our beautiful city! I mean, just look at Luna's tower! What do you think she would say when she comes back?” The bear looked at his work, grumbling, and seemed to show a hint of remorse. Fluttershy continued with a calming voice, “I don't know what's bothering you! But with a little of love and toleran...” “Fluttershy, Watch out!!!” Another pegasus pushed her away before a huge paw lashed out at them. A house was torn apart and its fragments fell onto the market square. Twilight's horn ignited with a brilliant glow. In an instant, a shimmering force field enveloped the entire square, deflecting the incoming debris with a resounding crash. The unicorn shut her eyes tight. As she reopened them, she saw Rainbow Dash whirling around the bear with Fluttershy in her arms. Eventually, Rarity and Pinkie Pie appeared just in time. “Girls! You made it!” Twilight shouted in relief. “The last train has just left the station! Canterlot is now clean and clear!” Rarity said with joy. “This party won't end like this without us!” Pinkie Pie shouted excited. Twilight felt a bittersweet happiness, like when they faced Nightmare Moon together. But as she looked at her friends, she couldn't shake a feeling of worry. They were heading into danger, and Twilight knew their friendship might face its toughest challenge yet. “Alright, girls! Let's do this! Just like in the good old days!” The Ursa was busy catching the two pegasi. Rainbow Dash circled the bear twice and pranced around on its head. The bear took a swipe at her, but the pony was far too fast for him. Fluttershy held back and kept trying with talking, unfortunately without success. It was difficult to find a suitable formation for the elements, which worried Twilight and Applejack very much. “It's nice y’all are here, but RD shouldn't ride this raging bull for too long!” The apple farmer said. Rainbow Dash executed a daring loop, accompanied by a series of provocative gestures unfit for public display. But before anyone could react, a massive paw hurled her towards the nearest tower with tremendous force, creating a gaping hole into which she vanished. Her friends screamed in horror. Commander Whiteknife was astounded and looked at his guards. It was clear from the outset that Princess Celestia would send the Elements of Harmony to the front if there were no other options. At this point the commander didn't see the mission quite as darkly as before. "We should follow them! You never know if we'll be needed!" Commander Whiteknife was known for his caring and helpfulness, which the soldiers greatly appreciated. "Yes, sir!" they shouted and ran after him. Rainbow Dash crawled out of the crater. Red lines of blood flowed under her messy rainbow mane. She spat and wiped the sweat from her forehead, but when she noticed the head wound, fury flashed in her eyes. “I’m going to kill you!” she snarled and shot out of the hole, heading for the bear's face. Suddenly, a magic spell held her tail. It was Twilight, standing on a broken rooftop with a serious expression. “Rainbow! Going solo won't help! We should retreat and attack together!” “But... Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash shouted, waving her arms. Twilight looked over. The Ursa Major had started chasing Fluttershy. He swatted at her angrily, like trying to catch a bee. “Leave it to me!” Twilight said determinedly and teleported away. Rainbow Dash sat down on the roof and watched her friend magically move from one house to another. “Man! I wish I could do that now!” she muttered. Fluttershy screamed in panic as she evaded swift strikes. Each new attack drained her strength. Suddenly, a radiant protective bubble enveloped her. Twilight had arrived, using her magic to remain airborne. As she floated beneath the Ursa Major's gaze, Fluttershy gasped in disbelief. “Twilight?” she breathed. “I'm sorry for dragging you into this!” The unicorn apologized without looking at her. Then, Twilight was ensnared by the bear's massive paws, squeezing her tightly until she choked. Twilight!!! Nooo!!!” Fluttershy screamed and struggled frantically in the magic bubble. The bear's relentless grip tightened around Twilight until her bones cracked. Despite the excruciating pain, she gritted her teeth and focused her mind, channeling her magic through the searing agony. As her horn began to glow with an intense light, Fluttershy's terrified cries faded into the distance. The Ursa noticed how she was fighting for her life and squeezed even tighter. Twilight let out a strangled scream as her spine snapped. Blood and saliva flowed from her mouth. Her horn grew even brighter and then her mane began to ignite. The Ursa Major, driven by its instinctual aversion to fire, released its grip on the engulfed pony. At that moment, Twilight was able to release her stored power. She shot a magenta-colored beam into the bear's head. The sky lit up brightly and shortly afterwards there was nothing left of the monster. As Twilight's powers faded, the force field around Fluttershy dissipated. Rainbow Dash had seen everything. Now she could no longer sit still. She made an explosive thrust to help Twilight and Fluttershy. But she missed her wingless friend by a long way. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Twilight disappeared into the dusty rubble of the palace. The rain had stopped. The blue pegasus pony soared through the biting dust and called for Twilight, but there was no answer. All that was left of the palace was an empty, dark gray ruin. A few fragments and broken statues could be seen here and there. Rainbow Dash hated this place already. She wished Twilight would show up the next moment. Then she heard footsteps behind her. “Twilight?” She turned around and saw a heavy armored soldier. “No! I'm Commander Whiteknife from the First Unicorn Company! Follow me! We've found your friend!” The unicorn soldier led Rainbow Dash to a tiled area of marble where the entrance hall once stood. Two other unicorns cleared away the rubble and uncovered a nondescript purple body. Rainbow Dash recognized the star-shaped cutie mark on its flank and gasped, eyes wide open. Twilight Sparkle had never looked so terrible. Her mane was soot-black from top to bottom, the deep wounds and dark blue marks had left her in a bad way, not to mention her bruised body. Rainbow Dash felt her battered face. She was still alive, which was a real miracle. “Raainboww...” Twilight breathed weakly and opened her tired eyes. Rainbow Dash couldn't bear to look at her. She pressed her head against Twilight's forehead and tried to find words of reassurance, making her voice literally shake. “Don't worry! We can fix that! You've always had a plan! Your whole egghead is full of plans!!!” “Rainb...hhh...” Twilight couldn't manage more than an unintelligible, weak groan. Her tired expression and gasping for breath gave Rainbow Dash an alarming sign. "No! Twilight! Stay awake! Say awake! Stay awaaake!!!" Rainbow Dash shook her screaming and pressed her hoof on her heart to revive her. But it was no use. Twilight had already fallen asleep. Commander Whiteknife placed Twilight's hooves gently on her stomach and saluted, as was customary for the fallen. Rainbow Dash stared at her friend's lifeless body for a long time. Finally, her tears could no longer hold back. “I... wasn't fast enough, Twilight! I just wasn't fast enough! I'm so sorry! I messed up! Why couldn't I save you? Why...? I learned so much from you... Hhhh... Without you, I never would have...” She broke down crying over Twilight's body. Her loud wail could be heard throughout the ruins, echoing even to the other ponies, who soon found her. The friends were in great pain. Pinkie Pie had clung to Rarity's neck, howling, Applejack sat in stunned silence, her expression frozen in shock. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash held each other tightly, tears streaming down their faces. Twilight Sparkle lay motionless on the ground, her once vibrant presence now subdued. Beside her, the crown remained untouched, a silent testament to the trials they had faced together. Yet, the spark of the element had been extinguished, leaving behind an emptiness that seemed to linger forevermore. The smoke over Canterlot finally cleared, revealing the cool, white full moon over the mountains. The inhabitants returned home, if their houses were still standing. Unicorns retrieved valuables from the wreckage, while the earth ponies and pegasi hauled the rubble out of the town. The repairs would take months, maybe even years. But Princess Celestia didn't care as soon as she heard the sad news. A few days passed. The gates of the cathedral, called the Hall of Heroes, opened on a dreary morning. Four ponies pulled a black carriage into a long hall. It was Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, standing in the harness with their heads hanging down. Rarity walked beside the carriage, accompanied by the young dragon Spike, who had hidden his face under a handkerchief. The ponies still wore the Elements of Harmony, because they wanted to. Their faces were as gray as the cold stone on the walls and pillars. The carriage was decorated with roses, tulips and an array of other flowers and carried a glass coffin with golden accents. All citizens of Canterlot and Ponyville were present just to pay their last respects to a pony. The funeral procession moved slowly through the crypt, towards the new grave on the right-hand side of the aisle. The tombstone was adorned with intricate inscriptions and gentle illustrations, and a small alicorn figurine gracing its center. At the foot of the stone slab, a narrow opening awaited, perfectly sized to accommodate the coffin. As the ponies detached themselves from the cart, Princess Celestia gave the signal to ring the bells to mark the start of the funeral ceremony. All the ponies looked up. A golden spell lifted the coffin with the flowers and carried it slowly to its final resting place. Here they would see Twilight Sparkle one last time. Her parents and her brother, Shining Armor and his wife, Princess Cadence, stood in the front row. There was no question that the mother, Mrs. Sparkle, cried the loudest for her foal. As the coffin sank into the hole and the choir began to sing, the five friends had to control themselves. Rainbow Dash shook her head with eyes closed, unable to bear this bleak period. She ran towards the grave to see Twilight once more. The unicorn lay in the padded bed of the coffin, surrounded by flowers and grasses as provisions for her final journey. She was wearing this simple dress that had been a birthday present from Rarity. Then the thick granite slabs slid back over the hole. Rainbow Dash tried to catch a last glimpse through the notches between the stones, but rough hooves dragged her away. She didn't resist, because there was no reason to. Rarity and Pinkie Pie, in her long, sleek hairstyle of grief, looked at her angrily. But Rainbow Dash didn't care. The funeral slowly came to an end. One by one, all the visitors left the crypt until finally five ponies and a small dragon remained. They stayed even longer than Twilight's family. Rarity released a heavy sigh, her voice laden with disbelief. “I still can't believe she's really gone!” “She died for us and for Equestria!” said Applejack monotonously. Rainbow Dash's sobs echoed through the chamber, tears streaming down her cheeks to pool on the stone floor. “I couldn't save her! She looked to me, but I... I couldn't do anything!” Rarity turned her head. “What’s in your mind, darling?” “Do you know what it's like when... when a friend dies in your own hooves? She was badly wounded; I was with her and yet... I've so rarely cried in my whole life and now... now it's all coming out like a waterfall.” Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash kindly. “Right now, you can cry all ya want.” Her eyes became moist. “That ain't no shame!” Pinkie Pie looked lost in thought at the royal mosaic pictures showing pegasi, unicorns and earth ponies. She closed her eyes as she recalled all the memories with Twilight. “I can still clearly remember our first meeting. I was so happy to see a new face. Then she became a great friend.” She lay down on her back. Her long, straight hair scattered across the floor. “I hate it when friends leave! But I love the memories of them even more! Don't you, Fluttershy?” Everyone looked at Fluttershy, who had barely spoken since Twilight's passing. She was still silent, but the ponies could see thick tears hanging in her long mane. Applejack nudged Pinkie Pie. “It’s better to leave her be! She ain't done reckonin' with the shock jest yet!” Suddenly, the door at the other end of the hall swung open, revealing none other than Princess Celestia. She stepped into the room bathed in the morning sunlight, casting a solemn glow over the six mourners who gazed at her with tear-filled eyes. “You've been here for two hours!” she stated, her voice carrying a mixture of empathy and sorrow. “We miss her very much!” Pinkie Pie replied and sat up. The princess walked up to the grave and looked at it scrutinizingly, as if she wanted to speak to the deceased. “Twilight did her best,” she said, “but we couldn't prevent her fate.” “I don't want to seem rude! But don't you feel sad for Twilight?” Pinkie Pie inquired with curiosity, earning a stern glance from Rarity. Celestia turned away from the grave, meeting the ponies' gaze with sincerity. “I am very sad! I just process my grief differently than you do! I've had many friends who have long since been buried. With my long life, friendships don't last!” Rainbow Dash began to sob again, louder this time. “But Twi was too young! She didn't deserve such an end!” “No! She really didn't. But unfortunately, that is what happened, there's nothing we can do about it!” These words sounded hard as steel in Rainbow Dash's ears. Twilight was dead and not even Celestia's magic could bring her back. This realization ate her up inside. She bit her arm to keep from losing control as she let out a stifled sob. But then a gentle hoof patted her back. Applejack looked at her like a good old friend who hadn't been seen in years. “Come here, RD,” Applejack said softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Life will go on! Somehow!” At the same time, Pinkie Pie snuggled up to the two of them. Then Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike joined them. Rainbow Dash felt as if she had fallen into a warm pool. Her friends were always there for her. They suffered with her and shared her pain, yet she felt another heavy burden. A deep sense of guilt... > 2. Chapter: The new Pony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Chapter: The new Pony A serene calm embraced the idyllic village of Ponyville. The sky stretched clear and boundless overhead. Sunflowers adorned the landscape in a vibrant array of colors, adding to the picturesque scene. Melodic chirps filled the air as birds nestled in the treetops sang their own tunes, while most of the ponies went about their day in contentment. Amidst this tranquil atmosphere, the train from Canterlot pulled into the station, marking the arrival of midday. As Spike entered the library after his long journey. A deep feeling of emptiness came over him. The usually so lively room felt eerily quiet and deserted. Of course it had always been quiet here, it was a library after all. But this silence was different. It made his heart so heavy he had to kneel. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he clenched his claws into tight fists against the floor. “Oh, Twilight!” Spike's voice cracked with anguish as he sobbed uncontrollably. “Oh, Twilight! Why… Just why?” “Hoo?” An owl had perched on a wooden railing while Spike hadn't been looking. It was staring at him curiously with its dark brown beady eyes. Spike wiped the tears. “Hi, Owloysius! Looks like there's two of us left.” Twilight's pet blinked with a meaningful silence. Even if it didn't look like it, Owloysius showed a lot of understanding and listened to the dragon. “Yeah, you heard it, right? Twilight was a real gem. She fit right in here, you know? All she ever wanted was to bury her nose in books and make friends... But now that she's gone, what's gonna happen to all her stuff? What's gonna happen to us?” The owl flew to Spike and took a handkerchief from her feathers. Gratefully, Spike snorted into it. Despite Owloysius' gesture, he found no comfort. Everything around him was a painful reminder of Twilight. The books, the scrolls of parchment, the smell of dried paper – all were reminders of her absence. Even her rumpled bed. She must have been rudely awakened from her sleep when she received the call from Canterlot last night. Spike pondered; What should he do now? “I can't stay here! I have to move out!” “Hoo?” Owloysius cocked his head in confusion, observing Spike's decision with keen interest. The young dragon gathered all things that held significance to him. Then after a moment of contemplation, Spike extended his claw towards the owl. “See you soon! Take good care of yourself and look after the treetop. I'll visit you later, but for now I need to be close a good friend!” After these words, he left the house and Owloysius with Twilight's belongings. Spike wasn't about to leave Ponyville. Not yet, but maybe one day. Rarity's colorful house, the Carousel Boutique, stood in front of him. At first, he wasn't quite sure whether he should ring the bell. Like everyone else, she was quite distressed. Perhaps she wanted to be left alone. With his head down, Spike turned around and waited. Suddenly the front door opened. The white unicorn stood in front of him with tousled hair. “Spike! Come in! I've already seen you!” She seemed very happy about his appearance. Maybe it was the right thing to visit her after all. “Tell me, Spike, what brings you here?” she asked as they both walked into the kitchen. “I couldn't stand it in the library... Too much loneliness, you know.” Spike answered. “I... understand,” Rarity replied as she put the tea on. Spike noticed her trembling hooves, but that wasn't all. Rarity was in a flurry of activity, sewing furiously. Arrayed before her were six white pony models draped in colorful fabrics, surrounded by scattered sketches. The drawings were hastily done, with wild, scribbled lines, as if Rarity couldn't quite capture the perfection she sought. “Oh! I totally forgot!” she suddenly called and ran into her workshop. Spike switched off the machine and poured himself a cup of tea, listening to her bustling about in the other room. “These should be for our friends! I thought the clothes might perfume like us.” She tore the sheets off the dolls and presented her creations. The little dragon walked into the room with the cup. “Well, what do you think, Spikey?” she asked. He was just about to give an opinion when Rarity interrupted him. “Dazzling, isn't it? I put a lot of extra magic and time into it, but...” Abruptly, she fell silent, her gaze shifting to her work with a newfound intensity. The dresses before her were adorned in various colors, each reflecting the unique character of her friends, including herself. There was one for Applejack, another for Fluttershy, one for Pinkie Pie, and another for Rainbow Dash. And then, Spike's heart clenched as he realized the last dress was meant for Twilight Sparkle. “There are six dresses!” stuttered Rarity. “How long have you been working on this?” asked Spike. Rarity shook her head in despair, a sense of overwhelming realization washing over her. One dress was too much, but she had either failed to notice it while working or chose to ignore it. With a heavy heart, Rarity began to breath loudly, a mixture of frustration and sorrow mingling in the air. “Such a waste of time!!!” She roared, her voice becoming hoarse with frustration as she tore the dress in half with her magic. The once-beautiful creation now lay in tattered purple shreds scattered across the floor. With a swift motion, the doll flew out of the window in a high arc. Collapsing to the parquet floor, Rarity couldn't contain her agony, her cries echoing through the empty room. Someone gently patted her back, offering a comforting presence in her moment of despair. Spike, with tears streaming down his face, enveloped her in a tight embrace, silently sharing her pain. She cried to him, “Spikey! I don't know what to do! Twilight helped me in so many things and I can't accept she's gone. I just can't...” Spike’s tears welling up in his eyes mirroring Rarity's, “I've come to ask you something... Can I be your number one assistant like I was for Twilight?” As he met Rarity's gaze, he felt a wave of emotion. Her willingness to take him in showed the bond he had shared with Twilight. In that moment, he knew he wasn't alone in his grief. With a nod and tears in her eyes, Rarity accepted Spike's offer, who found solace in her generosity. Rainbow Dash had the hardest time dealing with her feelings. She lay sprawled across a fluffy cloud, her gaze fixed on the bustling activity in Ponyville below. Ordinarily, this would have been her time for a leisurely nap, but today sleep eluded her. Despite her attempts to distract herself through flying and tasks, the weight of depression lingered heavily on her shoulders. The other ponies below seemed happy and carefree. Many had heard about the attack on Canterlot and that someone had died. They called Twilight Sparkle a hero, but her fame didn't bring her back to life. She leaped from the cloud and soared over the small houses, her usual greetings to passing pegasi left unspoken. The rainbow mare felt adrift in this familiar world, haunted by countless painful memories that resurfaced whenever she dared to close her eyes. She landed in front of the Sugarcube Corner. No pony was working at the counter. Rainbow Dash had no idea why she was suddenly here. Just as she was about to leave, Pinkie Pie appeared. “Oh, hi Dashie!” she called. “Pinkie! What's with your mane?” The latter cleared her throat as she slowly approached. “Um, I haven't been feeling too well lately. You know, work, babysitting, and then this thing... But it'll pass.” “I'd love to have your optimism! I feel like someone has taken something important out of our world.” Pinkie Pie knew immediately what her friend meant. “Aw! We feel the same as you and it's hard to get over... Do you want a cupcake to cheer you up?” “Thank you, Pinkie! But I'm not hungry! Maybe I should take a nap or... read something...” She left the store, Pinkie Pie looking after her worriedly. As Rainbow Dash walked out, she heared two ponies talking. The conversation was about the attack on Canterlot. The mares were concerned about the safety of the town, but Twilight wasn't mentioned. Lastly, the pony with the orange hair changed the subject, “I heard that the library is vacant again. It's supposed to be only inhabited by an owl now.” “Someone new will be moving in soon, won't they?” replied the other. Rainbow Dash turned around in surprise. “What about Spike? Did he... Oh, no!” She flew up quickly to check on him. To her relief, she found him with Rarity, not far from the fashion mare's garden, helping her hang up the washing. It was clear that he couldn't manage his grief on his own. Rainbow Dash flew straight at them, and Spike was the first to notice her. “Hey, Rainbow! You look exhausted!” She didn't say a word. Rarity peeked from behind the white sheets. “Oh, Rainbow! I thought you were working.” “I took some time off, wanted to check on you.” Rainbow Dash mumbled. Rarity didn't like her friend's expression. “You've seemed so stranded since we got back. Why don't you treat yourself to half an hour's sleep?” she said worriedly. "I tried that!" she answered. “Or a manicure? A massage?” But Rainbow rejected all suggestions, shaking her head. “I don't know what to do myself! Everything around me feels so different.” Suddenly Spike began to retch. His green fire breath spat out a scroll of parchment. It was the first message from Princess Celestia since Twilight's death. Rarity opened the sheet and scanned through the princess's writing, then made a surprised face. “A new student will be moving into the library. Seems Celestia has found someone to take Twilight's place.” “What? No way!" shouted Rainbow Dash, “Twilight is irreplaceable. You can never find another one like her!” The white unicorn looked at her, frowning. “I'm a little skeptical too, Rainbow. But let's let it come to us! Who knows, maybe she'll be nice!” “Anyway, we'll pay her a visit tomorrow. I can't wait to see who it is,” said Spike and went into Rarity's house. “See you tomorrow then!” Rainbow Dash had a restless sleep that night. As she wriggled, faint outlines hinted at something stirring in the room, drawing closer to her bed. The mattress formed beneath an invisible weight, sending a shiver down Rainbow Dash's spine. Then, the outlines began to glow, gradually revealing the form of a pony, similar in size to Rainbow herself. In her sleep, Rainbow stirred, her face illuminated by the ghostly figure. It watched her silently, its presence casting an eerie aura over the room. As it drew nearer, Rainbow Dash flinched and jolted awake. “Twilight??” As she sat up, panting, she could still sense a lingering presence, though the figure had vanished into the darkness. A familiar scent remained in the air, and Rainbow Dash couldn't shake the feeling that Twilight was somehow nearby. She shook her head, trying to dispel the haunting sensation, but the memory of her friend left her heart heavy with longing and uncertainty. “No, no... That was just a dream. Twilight is dead...” The morning was foggy and dewy. Rarity had decided to meet up with the others for breakfast at the Carousel Boutique to visit the new arrival later. “Did the princess mention the student's name anywhere?” asked Applejack to start the conversation. “Unfortunately, no.” Rarity replied. “She mentioned that she has to catch up on some research and needs important documents for it. So, she won't be occupying the library forever.” Rainbow Dash wearily propped her head up, her appetite waning as she observed her friends. Pinkie Pie's mane drooped, Fluttershy spoke softly, and though Applejack and Rarity seemed composed, Rainbow sensed their attempts to mask their grief. “Sugarcube, ya haven't taken a bite! Mind sharin' what kept ya busy yesterday?” Applejack finally said. Rainbow Dash sighed. “I had some crazy dreams last night and could hardly sleep a wink.” “Well, shucks! I reckon I felt the same way! Workin' hard can sure catch up with ya.” Applejack said and took a bite from her jam bread. “I've seen Twilight!”, Rainbow Dash said. Everyone suddenly fell silent. By now, the topic had become a red flag for the friends. Fluttershy lowered her head, depressed. “I can understand that,” Applejack said kindly. “We all miss her somethin' fierce, but it ain't healthy to dwell on it all the time!” “But I saw her, clearly! She was standing right there in my room!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Rainbow!” Applejack nudged her on the shoulder and cast a worried glance at Fluttershy, who seemed to shrink even more into herself. I reckon it was just a dream after all,” Rainbow Dash sighed, pushing her food around on her plate. After everyone had eaten their breakfast, they made their way to the library together. The sun was shining, and a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The library looked inviting, with its freshly cleaned windows and tidy balcony. “Let's look, who it is” Rarity said decisively, and knocked on the door. It swung open, revealing the new occupant inside. She was busy organizing books, but looked up in surprise when she saw the familiar ponies standing there. “Trixie!?” they shouted in unison, recognizing the unmistakable blue unicorn with a flashy personality. > 3. Chapter: Twilight's Legacy > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Chapter: Twilight’s Legacy The friends couldn't believe their eyes. Trixie, who described herself as all-powerful, was the new resident of the library. They no longer understood the world. This unicorn hadn't been seen for ages. “Well, well, well! The great, all-powerful Trixie could have guessed she would meet you again," she laughed. Even with these words, the blue unicorn became unsympathetic. Fluttershy looked confused. “Uhm... You know us?” "She’s been in Ponyville once, showin' off her cheap magic tricks,” Applejack replied with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Trixie walked towards them and started to explain, “About that. Everypony knows my tales were just made-up stories. That's why I took a break from showbiz. Now I'm focusing on my studies to become the most powerful and magnificent magician there ever was!” Rainbow Dash and Spike couldn't help giggling. Trixie looked at them angrily. “Mark my words! I've picked up a thing or two in Canterlot. If it weren't for that Ursa Major incident, I'd be onto my second level by now.” Trixie glanced around. “And where's your other friend? That oh so talented unicorn?” The other ponies fell silent, as their expressions turned dark. “So you're not aware?” Applejack's voice grew heavy as she gazed at Trixie. “What am I supposed to know?” “Well, the Ursa Major in Canterlot! Everypony knows about it…” As Trixie continued to stare questioningly, Applejack decided to break the news, “Twilight Sparkle defeated the Ursa Major!” “With a single shot to the head!” Pinkie Pie added proudly. Trixie's expression was priceless. Applejack had anticipated that dumbfounded look, and it delighted her to see Trixie looking utterly clueless. And we’re the witnesses of her heroic deed! She stood up in the name of Princess Celestia, fer her friends an' fer all o' Equestria! She made a mighty sacrifice! Yes, she died as a hero! Thanks to her, Canterlot still exists!” Applejack fought back a tear, but the effect on her friends was much greater. Trixie raised her eyebrows. “So, she's..." Suddenly she turned, gritting her teeth. “That annoying mare!” “Heh! Seems like somepony got ahead of you!” Rainbow Dash chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eye as she faced her. “Yes, but unfortunately she's dead,” Trixie hissed back. Rainbow Dash gave her a piercing look and the unicorn continued to speak in the same tone. “What's the point of having fame if you can't bask in it because you're buried six hooves under? This is just perfect for me! That means my time to shine has come!” Rainbow Dash seized her by the neck and pinned her against the bookshelf. “Rainbow! Knock it off!” shouted Applejack, but she wasn't listening. “Don't you dare talk about my friend like that!” Rainbow yelled. “Enough!” Applejack shouted a little louder, but that's when the fight started. Trixie unleashed a forceful magic wave, knocking Rainbow Dash off balance. Before Rainbow could recover, she lunged forward, ready to retaliate. As things started to escalate, Applejack intervened. “Cut it out, both of ya!!!” Her voice boomed, surprising the others. Rainbow Dash's nostrils flared, her eyes burning with a level of hatred they had never seen before. “You got Twilight's blood on your hooves! Bringing that Ursa Major into town was your doing!” “That's absurd!” said Trixie indignantly, “I've been looking for ways to stop him! Why should I have a reason to endanger Canterlot just to get a pony out of the way?” Tension hung heavy in the air, casting a pall over the group. Without a word, Applejack guided Rainbow Dash out of the library, her expression grave. The others trailed behind, their gazes alternating between Trixie and their departing friends, a mix of emotions swirling within them. Outside, Rainbow was on the verge of a mental breakdown. “That phony hag!” she wailed. “Hehey! Calm down, sugar cube! How about I treat ya to an apple cider? I reckon that'll perk ya right up!” Rainbow Dash grinned briefly. Applejack knew just how to lift her friends' spirits. The two ponies reclined in the meadow near Sweet Apple Acres, sipping on apple cider. Rainbow Dash stared blankly ahead, lost in thought. “Trixie sure wasn't nice, no doubt about that!” Applejack remarked, breaking the silence. Rainbow Dash merely grumbled in response and she continued, “But yer outburst back there... That ain't like ya at all! I've never seen ya so riled up before!” She grumbled again, but seemed to reckon with the point. They sat there quiet-like for a spell, gazing over the sprawling apple orchard, jointly run by Applejack’s family. Rainbow Dash broke the silence, her gaze fixed on the drifting clouds above, “Do you know how much we owe to Twilight? She was the one who brought us together. I mean, we knew each other before, but we weren't really close friends. As she moved in here, we became an amazing team!” Applejack nodded, her mind drifting back to all those wild adventures they'd shared. Memories of adventures flooded her thoughts, each one tinged with a touch of sadness. She realized, with a pang in her heart, that she hadn't even had the chance to properly thank Twilight for all this. After the brief scuffle, Trixie needed to comb her hair again. She cursed Twilight and her friends inwardly as she used her magic to remove some splinters and heal small wounds. Then she left the bathroom to look around the library. There was much to do, but above all, Trixie yearned to uncover one thing: How had Twilight managed to defeat a fully grown male Ursa Major with a single shot? Despite her disdain for reading books, Trixie begrudgingly acknowledged the necessity of delving into more advanced studies. With a resigned sigh, she made her way to the study area to commence her homework. When she arrived, she was eyed curiously by an owl perched on the back of her chair. “Who are you?” "Hoo?" the owl cooed, signaling that she was asking the same thing. “Well, you! Trixie doesn’t have time for this silliness!” “Hoo?” made the owl again. “Come on! Go! Shoo! I've got work to do!” Trixie approached the desk, and the owl reluctantly made space for her. On the desk lay a small book bearing Twilight's handwriting, labeled “Notes.” Trixie had never laid eyes on the book before. As she perused its contents, a chuckle escaped her lips. “By the stars, that unicorn was a total oddball!” The next morning, Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, finding them still moist from the night before. Twilight had visited her again, silently observing from the corner of the bedroom. Rainbow Dash shook her head. Anger simmered within her at Trixie's callous remarks about Twilight. Today, she wanted to steer clear of that pony. Rainbow Dash rose from her bed, perplexed by the recurring visits of her departed friend. Was there a hidden message? A lingering sentiment Twilight couldn't express in her final moments? As she pondered, Rainbow decided to get up and make her way to the bathroom. But before she could take another step, the ground beneath her feet gave way, and she tumbled through the floor. “What the…?!” She fell through her living room and further. Her house was mostly made of clouds. Only pegasi could walk on them. Earth ponies and unicorns would simply fall through them, as was the case with Rainbow Dash now. She flapped her wings desperately, but the air just wouldn't carry her. She tumbled out of her house screaming, not a single cloud would stop her fall. "That's impossible! What's going on?" she screamed in confusion. A sturdy branch briefly halted her descent before it snapped. Rainbow Dash plummeted to the ground like a lead weight, her face meeting the dirt upon impact. Gritting her teeth, she swiftly rose to her hooves, her wings flapping frantically in a futile attempt to regain altitude. Yet, it seemed as though an unseen force held her to the earth below. With each effort to ascend, she found herself drawn back down. She fell on her face, again and again. After the twentieth attempt, she gave up. Her wings hung limp and sad, as if they no longer wanted to belong to her body. But it was even worse. “I can't feel them anymore!” Her gasps grew louder, a hot wave of panic surging through her veins. “I can't feel my wings anymore!” She lay there with a dirty, sweaty face and simply couldn't comprehend the situation. Fallen from the sky, like a chick from the nest. As the wind blew through her mane, she decided to scream for help. The cries for help were heard by three foals. “Do you hear that too, Applebloom?” asked Rarity's sister, Sweetie Belle, as she was about to enter the Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse. Applejack's sister leaned against the railing. “Looks like someone's in serious trouble! What do ya think, Scootaloo?” The third member of the group listened carefully and became worried. “I don't know! But I think it sounds like Rainbow Dash.” The other two looked at each other. Knowing Rainbow Dash, had rarely needed help. Rainbow Dash was on the verge to cry again, when she felt the trampling of small hooves on the ground. She turned her head and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo! Thank Celestia! Please get Applejack or someone else quick! Something's wrong with me!” With Fluttershy's help, the Cutie Mark Crussaders took the distressed pegasus to the nearest hospital. After the check-up, the doctor, a brown unicorn, strode into the waiting room where Rainbow Dash anxiously sat with her friend. With a wide grin, the doctor brandished the x-rays triumphantly. “Both wings are in tip-top shape!” Fluttershy sat up. “Well, you see, Rainbow! Everything's fine!” “Nothing’s fine, Fluttershy!” she complained. “They are numb, I can’t fly and the worst thing is, I can no longer touch a cloud anymore! My life is ruined!” She threw herself onto an armchair. The doctor took another close look at her wings. “That's quite strange! Perhaps you should see a specialist doctor for pegasi, but there are plenty of other options!” “Umm... What exactly?” asked Fluttershy quietly. “Magic! Then it probably won't be so bad, because it'll go away!”, the doctor said. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed into angry slits. Suddenly, the fury surged within her once more. “She'll pay for this!!!” she roared, bolting towards the exit. Fluttershy and the doctor watched her in bewilderment. “I hope she's not planning what I think she is!” he muttered and left the waiting room. Rainbow Dash rushed to the library. With a thunderous crash, she burst through the door, her voice echoing in the empty room, “Trixie! You've crossed the line this time!!!” The unicorn had a notebook with her when she was caught off guard by the raging pegasus. Rainbow Dash stormed towards her like a furious bull. Trixie quickly flipped through the notes until she - poof! - disappeared and reappeared half a meter away. Rainbow Dash missed her and fell, but the notebook lay right in front of her nose. “But that's...” She picked it up. “...Twilight's notebook!” She scorned at Trixie, who was slumped over in exhaustion. The spell had been too much for her. “What did you do with that? Stop imitating my friend! You're nothing like her and you'll never be as good!” Rainbow Dash scolded, stomping towards her. “And before I crumple you up like a hoof cloth, undo the spell you cast on me! Now!” “What... spell?” asked Trixie, her face beaded with sweat. “Don't play innocent!” Rainbow Dash roared. Trixie met her gaze, seemingly clueless, and the longer Rainbow stared, the more her anger dissipated. Eventually, the pegasus mare collapsed to the ground, overcome with tears. “I miss Twilight!” “You’re such a mood! Best to take it easy in a situation like this!” Trixie advised. “Oh, just shut up! You have no idea!” Rainbow whimpered and clutched the book. “That Twilight sure made a mess of you!” Trixie giggled, turning to the shelves where Owloysius was sleeping. “She's got some interesting stuff written down! Check out her latest pages.” Rainbow Dash eyed Trixie suspiciously before opening the notebook. The date was marked as one day before the attack on Canterlot. Among all the strange pentagrams, runes, and formulas, she spotted a note in the margin: Souls. “I don't get it!” replied Rainbow Dash. “Only a unicorn could understand that! Twilight had been working on a new spell, a very complicated one to be precise. Unfortunately, I don't understand much either. I was going to give it to Celestia in hope she would have an answer.” Rainbow Dash stared at the runes while Trixie continued, “I can't stand Twilight, you have to understand that! But you're her friend! Do you know anything about that?” Rainbow Dash closed the book. “Even if I knew something, I'd never tell you, Trixie! You're the last pony I'd trust with anything!” “That's what I thought! You have to know, I'm Celestia's new student! It's important that she knows about this, but I see. You know nothing and I know nothing, so the book is useless to both of us, you can keep it and cuddle it like a teddy bear!” Rainbow Dash fell silent, but then those dreams came back to her. “Wait...!” She told Trixie about last night's experience and the loss of her pegasus abilities. Trixie became curious and looked at her wings. “Total loss of abilities, you say? You must be insanely powerful to accomplish something like that.” “But what is it then? Flying is my life!” Rainbow complained with a tight throat. Trixie pondered for a moment, a rare sight for Rainbow Dash. Finally, the unicorn lifted her head and closed her eyes. “Let me try something!” Suddenly, the room spun around Rainbow, morphing into a scene etched in her memory: The fight against the Ursa Major. Wild, pain-wracked screams echoed from somewhere as a biting wind whipped against her face. She found herself perched on a shattered house, helplessly watching as Twilight was crushed by the massive bear. A sharp pain shot through her back, the screams growing louder and more agonizing until a swift slap to her face jolted her back to reality. “Sorry! I had to do it!” huffed Trixie. Apparently, she had seen and felt the same thing when Rainbow had plunged into her memories. "What was that?" gasped Rainbow Dash. Trixie wiped the sweat from her forehead and cleared her throat. “Whatever it was! I think it’s a severe trauma!” “That doesn't explain why I dream about Twilight and lost my abilities. What am I supposed to do? By all the clouds, what am I supposed to do?” Rainbow Dash paced back and forth. She was at a loss, she had to find an answer to all this. The notebook in her hooves could be a final clue. In the lofty towers of Canterlot Palace, Princess Celestia surveyed the city below. The majestic capital was now encircled by towering scaffolds, bustling with the activity of ongoing repairs. The clamor of machinery shattered the city's usual tranquility, causing many ponies to hesitate before venturing outside, still deeply shaken by recent tumultuous events. Celestia herself bore the weight of sorrow. The Ursa Major's attack and the tragic loss of her most cherished student had struck her to the core. Though she maintained a façade of steadfastness, her shoulders felt heavy with grief. The focus shifted to Trixie, a far less talented but obstinate unicorn who persistently shirked her responsibilities. The princess returned to her living room and read through her sister's letter again. Celestia had sent her on a field trip to study the behavior of the Changelings, but the situation had changed. “So, this is what has come upon us,” Celestia thought aloud. Luna had sent the letter with haste. She had been deeply shocked when she had heard about Twilight and her tower. Suddenly a servant came in. Trixie asked to speak to her. What did she want this time? When Celestia received them in the throne room, she was surprised to see Rainbow Dash in attendance. Trixie regarded the audience with the princess as a solemn affair. Unlike the rapport she had shared with Twilight, there existed no friendship between her and Celestia. What one shouted into the woods, echoed back. Celestia treated Trixie with the same cool authority. “What news do you bring, my student?” she inquired, a hint of irritation in her voice. Trixie recounted Rainbow Dash's troubles. When she mentioned Twilight, the princess grew attentive. Rising from her throne, she approached the pegasus. “I understand the ordeal you must be enduring. Perhaps Twilight has left something behind that could help us. Follow me! Trixie, you will remain here!” commanded Celestia. Trixie grumbled softly to herself as Rainbow Dash followed the princess. Celestia led Rainbow Dash into a darkened room. The ceiling was a large dome with an artificial starry sky. In the center of the circular room was a round table with several star charts and a control panel. “This is Luna's favorite place!” Celestia said before Rainbow Dash could ask anything. “We call it the planetarium! Twilight also visited it when she was studying in Canterlot.” Rainbow Dash found the place very mystical. Twilight had a feeling for such things and often talked about the stars. Rainbow Dash was bored by such topics and had often waved them off. Now she regretted that she had never listened to her. “Cheer up, Rainbow! It's a nice, quiet place, and helps to think,” Celestia said kindly. Rainbow Dash slumped into the chair; her gaze heavy as she faced Celestia. “I... I couldn't bear it!” Her voice quivered with emotion. “I was right there, but I couldn't save her. All I could do was watch... watch her slip away.” Rainbow's hooves pressed against the table and turned white with tension. Her voice cracked with sorrow; the weight of her grief palpable in the air. “But I tried! I tried my best! I was there with her till the end! She... she wasn't alone!” Celestia must have adjusted something on the control panel, because the planetarium's sky began to move. “I’m sure Twilight was very happy about that!” she said. “But now she's supposed to have left something behind that I don't understand! I often dream about her, what's wrong with me? I'm completely crazy and not even my friends can help me.” As Celestia gazed up at the stars, she seemed to seek an answer from the artificial firmament. "Pass me the book, please,” she requested. Rainbow complied, watching anxiously as Celestia pored over each page of Twilight's notes. The princess's expressions ranged from thoughtful to amused, occasionally punctuated by a smile or a nod of approval. As dawn approached, Celestia finally spoke, her voice carrying a mix of intrigue and revelation. “This is quite fascinating indeed. It seems that Twilight's soul fragmented in her final moments, with one part becoming intertwined with you. The loss of your abilities may be an unforeseen consequence of this connection.” Rainbow Dash opened her mouth in horror. “But why did she do that?” “She was in agony. When a pony nears its physical end, its living, breathing spirit escapes and embarks on a long journey to paradise. It is not easy to kill a unicorn, they are extremely tough and there are ways to keep them alive a little longer. Twilight knew that and wanted to spend her last moments with you.” As the sun slowly ascended in the sky, Celestia's mane caught the morning light, shimmering with ethereal brilliance. Rainbow's ears perked up as a stirring sensation tugged at her heart. “Are there any spells that can bring somepony back?” Rainbow asked hopefully. Celestia closed her eyes and turned her head to the side as the light shone across the faces of both ponies. “There is something! But no one in history has ever done it! A ritual that can give ponies who have died too soon a second chance,” the princess replied. “Wow, that sounds awesome!” Rainbow Dash's eyes widened, resembling melons in size. Celestia smiled warmly as her mane danced in the golden sunlight streaming through the planetarium.