Ghosts of the past

by Timstro59

Rating: teen
Tags: Other, Adventure, Main 6, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 4209

A strange force works from behind the scenes to unsure that certain events play out.

A strange force works from behind the scenes to ensure that certain events play out. This force is familiar to Equestria, but only to a select few who knew it a year earlier. Events will play out and they will changes those involved, but will it be for the better? Who knows?

Story 2 in the Dashing Light Cycle.
Story 1 is Life and Death

Note: If there is any problem with spelling or grammar, please PM me about it, don't leave a comment about it..

Published 2013-05-15 04:00:06 UTC
Last updated 2013-07-10 13:31:22 UTC

Chapter 1

The Pegasus guard Cloud Striker asked Twilight “What do you mean he’s still alive?” She replied “Look his eyes are open, they were closed before.” He looked up at the crystal and gasped at what he saw. “We need to tell the princess right away.” They both left and once they got to the entrance to the tower, they started full gallop toward the throne room. Once they got there, they were stopped by a pair a unicorn guards in front of the door.

“The princess in court right now. No visitors are permitted.” Cloud spoke up, “Something has developed that the Princess needs to be made aware of.” The guard said, “She is very busy, whatever it is, it can wait.” Cloud asked, “What about Princess Luna?” The other guard said “She is in her study.” “Good enough.” Cloud galloped toward Lunas study with Twilight in tow. “What could Princess Celestia be doing that requires so much attention?” Twilight asked, Cloud replied “There’s no way of knowing without asking her yourself. When the guard are instructed to let no one pass like that, it’s usually ‘future of Equestria’ type stuff.” Twilight stopped suddenly, “Would the guards let me through? I am one of the elements of Harmony.” Cloud stopped and replied “She would have sent for you if that were the case. In any case, they still wouldn’t let us through even though you were standing right next to me. Our only option is still to see Princess Luna.” They began their journey once again.

They found themselves standing right outside the doors of Lunas private study. Cloud knocked on the door and a voice replied “Come in.” Cloud gave Twilight a quizzical look and she just shrugged. They both walked in, and Princess Luna was at her desk studying a particularly interesting nameless volume. “Cloud, Twilight. ‘Tis a pleasure to see with you again.” Cloud replied “Likewise Princess, but this isn’t a social visit. We came to inform of a situation involving a certain pony.” Luna replied “What is it you wish to say?” Twilight said “It’s Dashing Light, He’s alive.”

Luna jumped out of her chair and said “Take me to him, so that I may see.” Cloud said “Of course.” They left the study and went toward the tower, on the way Luna asked “Are you certain he’s alive?” Twilight replied “ I am certain, When I went up to see him, his eyes were closed,” Cloud spoke up “And I can confirm this.” “, And after I spoke to him I looked back up and his eyes were open, when I took a closer look to confirm if my eyes weren’t playing tricks one me He winked at me.” Cloud spoke up again, “When I went to check on Twilight after I heard her scream I saw his eye were open too. That’s when we went to tell Princess Celestia. But we were stopped by the guards at the door, saying that the Princess was very busy and that no pony was allowed to see her.” Luna replied “That’s not unusual. We are here.”

They climbed up the stairs to the top of the tower and when they got there all three ponies gasped at what they saw, or more accurately what they didn’t see. “He’s gone.” Cloud said, shocked. Luna Replied “Very astute observation.” She walked closer to the empty crystal and her horn lit up as she scanned the crystal. “There is very unusual magic surrounding the crystal. Similar to my own but also very different from Alicorn magic, or any kind of pony magic. There of strange forces at work here.”
Meanwhile off in an empty field not too far from Ponyville, a blue mist floated down toward the ground and a voice came from it “I remember this place. It’s where I was reborn as what I am now.” The cloud shifted its attention upward to see a race taking place, a black Pegasus stallion racing against others and there were some Wonderbolts racing as well. The Black Pegasus stallion had draconic wings and looked like Lunas night guard and was tied for first with Spitfire. The mist could hear various insults being thrown from Spitfire. The mist couldn’t make out most of them, but one of them had a choice phrase thrown in, “Blank flank”. The mist looked again, and the stallion did indeed not have a cutie mark. “Unusual, but not unheard of.” It thought. “In any case, I need to set my plan in motion.” The mist began to glow brightly, then separated into six other clouds of mist, each one settling down into the form of a pony. Two earth ponies, two Pegasi and two unicorns. A green earth pony colt with a brown mane, an orange earth pony stallion with a red mane, a light blue unicorn mare with a mint green mane, a purple unicorn mare with a pink mane, an orange Pegasus stallion with a green mane and a red Pegasus stallion with a light green mane.

“Okay we need names.” The Green earth pony colt said, the purple unicorn mare said “We really don’t need names until our chapter comes up.” The orange Pegasus stallion said “So I see we learned a bit from Pinkie during our short time with her.” The green earth pony colt spoke up “We’re getting off topic. We need a plan. I’ll go after Pinkie.” The Orange earth pony said “I’ll go after Applejack.” The light blue unicorn said “I guess I’ll go after Rarity.” The purple unicorn said “Twilight is in Canterlot, I’ll have to find a way to make this work to our advantage.” The Orange Pegasus said ”I’ll go for Fluttershy, That shouldn’t be too difficult, right?” The other just stared at him “Okay, so maybe I got the most difficult one of the all.” The other just shook their heads. The red Pegasus stallion said “The leaves me with Rainbow Dash. I already have a plan for her, I just need to make sure that things and ponies are where they need to be. Wish me luck.” He then flew off toward Ponyville. “I wonder if Rainbow knows that Scootaloo is alive? Or is she even in Ponyville again? I’ll just have to find out.”

Author's Note

Story 2 of the Dashing Light cycle begins.

Chapter 2

As the Orange Pegasus stallion flew towards Ponyville, he began to think of a good name for him to go by. Firestorm? Firestorm? AHA, I know a good one. Firestone. He began singing along to an old song that he remembered. “There ain’t no stone like Firestone, where the rubber meets the road” He sing out loud. It was then that a proper cutie mark appeared on his flank. “Huh? What’s this?” he asked out loud, “A burning stone? Shouldn't that be an earth pony cutie mark? Oh well, It’s fitting for my name.”

He began testing the limits of his body, pushing himself to his limits. Attempting tighter and tighter turns, until he found himself performing perfect 90 degree turns with difficulty. Now for a speed test. He brought himself to a hover and took off as fast as he could, testing himself at climbing, acceleration, deceleration and top speed. He climber up to an appropriate height and then put himself into a steep dive. He felt the wind tearing at his face. Why don’t I have goggles?, he thought to himself.

He began to feel a mach cone forming in front of him, and he began pushing his wings harder and harder in an attempt to break the barrier. He struggled and struggled until finally he stopped moving completely. “uh oh.” He said before being flung back by the barrier like a stone in a rubber band. He went screaming through the air until he finally landed, well crashed is more the word, in the Ponyville “mane” square.

A yellow Pegasus walked over and asked, in a very timid manner, “Are you alright?” He replied, “I’ll be fine once my eyes stop spinning.” He got up onto his hooves and for some reason starting spinning in a circle. “WHY AM I STILL SPINNING?!?!?!” he shouted. The yellow Pegasus shied away from him. “Sorry for yelling. I’m just a little confused.” He said while still spinning. He then felt a hoof stop him from physically spinning, although his eyes kept right on spinning. “Are you trying to make an idiot of yourself?” He heard a tomcoltish sounding mare ask. “Not really.”
“I saw you flying, you’re a pretty good flier. We should race sometimes.” The mare asked. “Maybe, but first, could you smack me in the back of the head?” The mare asked, “Why do you want me to do that?” he replied, “It’ll help make my head stop spinning.” After he spoke she didn’t hesitate. “Ouch. Did you really have to hit so hard?” She replied, “You asked for it. Did it help?” He focused for a second. “Yep, it worked perfectly. And Sorry for being so brusque, but I have some stuff I need to take care of. Oh Do you know if a little filly by the name of Scootaloo lives here?” The mare looked downtrodden at the question, “She died over a year ago.” Hmmmm, she doesn’t know yet, He thought. “Well, what about….never mind. I’ll find out myself. And thanks for the help.” He flew off leaving two confused mares.

He flew over to Sweet Apple Acres, he landed nearby to an orange earth pony mare, who was busy bucking trees. “I might have to try that someday.” She looked up. “Howdy pardner, what can I do ya fir?” “I need to ask you sister about something?” he asked politely. “What do ya need to ask her ‘bout?” It’s about her friend Scootaloo. I need to ask if she’s in town.” The orange mare replied, “Ah believe she’s still over in Cloudsdale. No one’s bothered to go git’r yet. She’s spent an entire year in Cloudsdale and only a few here in Ponyville even know she’s alive. It’s a darn shame I tells ya.” He replied, “Thanks for the info, I need to be off.” “Not a problem, and if yer ever interested in learnin’ how the buck trees, Ah’d be happy to show ya how.” Thanks for the offer.” He flew off.

He flew over to where a Rainbow maned Pegasus was lounging in a cloud and he asked “Are you planning on going to the Wonderbolts show tomorrow?” She replied “Heck yeah I am. It just won’t the same without Scoots though.” He replied “Cheer up, You’ll see her again, and sooner than you think.” He flew off leaving the mare confused. I need to talk to the princess.

After arriving in Canterlot He spoke to the Princess about his plan for Rainbow Dash. She seemed intrigued by it. When she asked why, she got a lecture. “Because Loyalty is an offshoot of Honesty and Generosity. If you are loyal to a someone, a friend for example, then you are honest with them and generous to them. Rainbow hasn’t exactly shown those qualities to this filly. And I’m going to help her out.” Celestia replied “I hope you are right.” He replied “Me too.”

In Cloudsdale, a few of the Wonderbolts were clearly annoyed at a new addition by royal order. Spitfire was somewhat annoyed, but that went away quickly once she saw him in action. “You pretty good. For a newb.” “How many perfect 90 degree turns can you pull off in a row?” Soarin’ replied “About 3, after that she gets gassy.” “Dammit Soarin’.” So, do you mind giving me the details of the Routine ?” “Uhh, sure.”

After spending a while taking in the details of the show routine. He decided it was time to work out his plan. He put on his Wonderbolt uniform and went out into Cloudsdale looking for a fuchsia colored filly, And he found her in an alley crying. After landing near her, he asked “Why are you so sad little one?” The filly asked “Because I’ve been trapped in Cloudsdale for a year now and nopony from Ponyville has come to get me.” She continued crying “That’s sad. I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you a special V.I.P. pass to the Wonderbolts show tomorrow, Would that make you happy?” The filly jumped with joy, “Would it!!!?!?!?!” I think she’s bipolar, He thought to himself. He pulled a pass seemingly out of nowhere and gave it to the filly. “Show this to the guards tomorrow and they’ll escort to a special vip booth. You’ll get a seat all to yourself and no one the bother you.” She jumped for joy. “I heard you’re good with a scooter. Do you mind showing me?” “I would if I had one.” “Not a problem, There’s a scooter store not too far from here.” “A scooter store in Cloudsdale?” He shrugged and said “Don’t ask me, I just saw it while flying by.”

After visiting the Scooter store and buying a top-of-the-line scooter for Scootaloo. They when to a nearby skatepark. (WHY DOES CLOUDSDALE NEED A SKATEPARK?!!?!?!?!?! WHY!?!?!?!) “Okay, show me your stuff.” She kicked off on her scooter and performed some tricks on it that left Firestone gawking. After a while of showing off, she rode back over and collapsed, gasping for breath. “Are you alright?” “I’m alright, I just need to catch my breath.” She caught her breath “This scooter is AWESOME!!! It must have cost a fortune.” “750 bits.” Her jaw dropped at the statement. “Keep it. I’ve had the money saved for a while. It’s even got a hitch that you could hook a trailer to.” She looked over and saw he was telling the truth.

The next day. Scootaloo was in her booth, she was looking out at the crowd looking for Rainbow. She saw her on one of the cloud seats and tried waving. Rainbow looked up and rubbed her eyes, thinking it was an illusion; She shrugged and continued waiting for the Wonderbolts, who showed up shortly after.

After the show, Firestone came over and asked Scootaloo to follow him. After a bit of a walk and some unanswered questions she found herself out on the Cloudaseum main floor. It had been modified to match a skate park. “Your time to shine.” He said. “W-w-w-w-what do I do?” “Just do what comes naturally.” She looked over and saw him putting knee pads onto his legs and a helmet on his head. “Catch.” He threw her new scooter over. And she caught it in her hooves, doing a spin in midair as she caught it, landing perfectly. “I’m surprised you haven’t discovered your special talent yet.” He said as he kick up a skateboard. It was then that she noticed his Wonderbolt uniform was gone. (She’s not very observant is she?) “What are you going to do?” “I’m joining you out there? Why? Nervous?” “Yeah, a little.” “First time’s always the hardest. Now Allon-sy” He jumped onto his board and rode out into the open followed shortly by Scootaloo. The Announcer shouted “And now for something completely different. Let’s give a round of cheer for Wonderbolt Firestone and the little filly Scootaloo, There here to show a thing or two about how earth ponies do their tricks.” A resounding “WHAT!?!?!?” was heard in the crowd. Scootaloo was frozen in her tracks by all the attention, “What if I mess up, what if I embarrass myself?” “Don’t think about it, just do what come naturally.”

(I find it difficult to properly write down how the show went. All I can say is that it was amazing.) After the show, Firestone and Scootaloo were standing on top of a podium. “Let’s give a huge round of applause for young Scootaloo. She has lots of potential and may, one day, become a member of the Wonderbolts.” She basked in the cheering and applause she was getting, she was enjoying it so much that she didn’t see a flash of light come from her flank. “Hey, check it out.” “Check what out?” “Your cutie mark.” She looked over and just as she was about to ask, she saw her cutie mark. A wheel with two wings flanking its sides. The grin that appeared on her face so wide it nearly reached from ear to ear. “YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!! I’ve finally earned my cutie mark.”

After things had settled down after the show, Rainbow Dash showed up. She poked Scootaloos side with her hoof. “You’re alive?” she managed to gasp out. Scootaloo was a little mad at here, “You didn’t know?” “I didn’t. No pony told me. Scootaloo, there’s something I was going to tell you before…..you know. I was planning on adopting you.” Scootaloos eyes went wide and she went slack-jawed. “That would be AWESOME!!!!!!” She grabbed Rainbow in a hug, “I love you mom.” Rainbow went teary, “I love you too, daughter.” Firestone found himself getting emotional as well. One down, 5 to go, he thought. “Hey Rainbow, I hate to ruin the moment. But can I ask you a favor?” “Sure. What is it?” “Can you meet me in Canterlot in two days and Bring Scootaloo with you?” She replied, “I’ll be there.” “Excellent, see you then.”

As he flew off, he began to wonder if any of the others had any luck. He shrugged and flew off towards Canterlot to inform the Princess of his success.

Author's Note

I LIVE!!!!!

Chapter 3

As a green earth pony colt walked up Sugar cube Corner he thought about walk he would call himself. ‘dirt? Nah, too racy. Grass? Nah, still too racy. Ah I've got it. Green Pasture.’ A flash appeared from his flank. ‘huh? What’s this? The sun shining over a green field of grass. Appropriate to say the least.’ He thought about it for a second. 'It’s still a bit strange.’

On his way to the corner, he happened to look up and a saw a green motion trail flying through the air. Then he saw it stop in the air then take a dive straight towards the ground, He saw the trail grow longer and longer as the Pegasus making it go faster and faster until, its stopped completely. Then he saw an orange Pegasus tumbling through the air. He then facehoofed at the sight and groaned. ‘He should have known our abilities were diminished.’

He arrived at Sugar cube Corner shortly after witnessing the crash landing, he didn't feel the need to check on the Pegasus, even after hearing him shout out “why am I still spinning?”. He walked in through the front door and saw a blue earth pony standing at the counter. “Hello, welcome to Sugar cube corner. What can I get for you?” (I bet you’re tired of seeing that written by now. Aren't you?) Pasture asked “I’m actually looking for Pinkie Pie. Is she here?” The blue mare looked at him for a moment before replying “She’s upstairs in her room. She’s very depressed right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she won’t let you see her. Give me a second I’ll let you know you’re here.” Pasture spoke up, “No need. I’ll be fine.” He started up the stairs. “Her room is the third on the left.” “Thank you.”

He walked up the stairs thinking ‘I hope she isn't in Pinkamena mode right now.’ As he approached her room he could hear a quiet sniffling sound. He knocked on her door, and the sniffling stopped. “What do you want?” the pink pony inside asked through the door. He replied “I heard you were sad and I came to help.” The door opened slightly and Pasture could Pinkie through the gap. Her coat was a darker shade of pink than normal and her mane was completely deflated. “How can you help?” “Let me in and I’ll show you.”

The door opened up slightly more, “Come in.” He walked into her room, thinking it to be filled with party supplies. It wasn't, it was in fact the perfect picture of a neatly kept room. Bed perfectly made, what little clothes she owned neatly filled away in drawers, her few dresses neatly hanging in a closet and a nice nightstand next to her bed. It was a room that Twilight Sparkle would be proud of, and it just left Pasture standing there gaping at the picture of perfection that was Pinkies room.

“What’s wrong?” He shook his head, “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. I just wasn't expecting your room to be so neat.” She shied away “Is that a bad thing?” Pasture looked at her and smiled “No, no. It’s actually a pleasant surprise.” He walked over to her and asked “Now, what’s wrong? Why are you so sad?”

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “Are you sure you want to hear?” Whenever Pinkie is this serious, it’s usually a sign that whatever problem she has is very serious. Pasture just looked at her with a smile and said “Of course. Whatever it is, I’m sure I can handle it.” She looked at him with doubt in her eyes, but yet started her story.

“Today is the anniversary of my grandmothers’ death. I was closer to her than I was to my parents, even closer than I was to my sisters, Inkie and Blinke. She died in an accident that I caused. I was moving some rocks on top of a hillside, and one of them fell off the side of the hill and it started a rock slide and I shouted that a rock slide, but by the time she could react it was already too late. She was crushed by 16 tons of solid rock and boulders. Her body her eventually recovered but it was so badly crushed and torn that we had to hold a closed casket funeral. Every year since then I just very, very , very depressed. If you want to leave now, go ahead.”

She looked up and saw Pasture gaping at her. “Aren't you going to leave?” Pasture shook his head and tears started forming in his own eyes, and he said in a quiet, almost Fluttershy-like voice. “No I’m not going to leave until this memory is just that, a distant memory.” And before she could react, he grabbed her in a tight hug. She struggled in his gripped, eventually she gave in and started crying, full unrestrained tears. Pasture was with her the entire time, comforting her as she cried her heart out.

Once the tears started to slow, he said to her “It wasn't really your fault.” She asked “What do you mean? I started the rock slide.” He released her. “But did you mean to do it?” She replied “No, but I..” “Then it wasn't your fault. Accidents happen and there’s nothing we can do to prevent them. But what we can do is remember those who are claimed in such accidents and take measures to ensure that the same thing doesn't happen again. That came out wrong.” Pinkie looked at him quizzically. “Things can happen, bad things. But sometimes the ones who cause them aren't bad ponies. They just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and then the unforeseen happens. You are not to blame because it was just an accident. And besides even though she is gone. Do you really think she would approve of you locking yourself away from the ponies who need you?” Pinkie thought about it. “I don’t think she would.” “Then try to move on. Remember, as long as you keep her in your heart,” He put his hoof to her chest, “, she is never truly gone. Her spirit remains with you every day, throughout everything.”

Pinkie looked at him with newly reformed tears in her eyes, Pasture spread his forelegs and Pinkie embraced him, crying once again. “Let it all out, Pinkie, just let it all out. Don’t hold back.” After a few moments of crying, She released him. He said “I know this is a painful memory and it will take a long time for it to not make you sad anymore, but I’ll be here to help you anytime you need it.” She looked at him, “Pinkie promise?” He did the motion, “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. I will always be here to help those who need it.”

Her mane started to re-inflate and her coat started to return to its normal shade. Just then her fore-hooves clacked together. “You need me to meet you in Canterlot in two days, right?” “That’s right.” She smiled and said “Meet you there.” And she bounced out of her room. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.’ At that moments he heard a massive explosion from outside. He turned to look out the window and at moment he saw a rainbow colored mushroom cloud in the distance. Facehoof.