Trixie's Redemption: From Cinders and Flame

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The first dogma which I came to disbelieve was that of free will. It seemed to me that all notions of matter were determined by the laws of dynamics and could not therefore be influenced by human wills. ~Bertrand Russell
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Twilight sighed as she listened to Luna's tale, finally nodding once all was said."So...what, I'm supposed to believe this tale? That the magic right there is actually Trixie from an alternate timeline than I know...and that she died to fix her timeline, which is our timeline that had been splintered by Nightmare Moon's influence?"

Luna's posture slouched some as she nodded."That is correct~"

"So now that you know this, and believe this is really Trixie, she can speak to you because of the mind link...and now you're have problems bringing her to pony form again?" Twilight's face was one of complete uneasiness as she tried to organize the premises the princess had given her.

The midnight alicorn nodded."I'm afraid so..."

Twilight breathed out loudly from her nose once, looking at the spell-book Luna had been reading from."You won't find that spell in a book like that. I'll contact Zecora and see if she can't find something of this caliber." Luna's eyes widened as she watched the unicorn trot forward, shaking her head and effortlessly flipping through page-after-page of incantations."No...no...no...nope. This book is too dated. It only shows concrete spells and methods. If we're going to do something so specific, Trixie has to put her faith in the hands of a shaman like Zecora."

"Shaman? Twilight, I hope you know that contact with the deceased is strictly forbidden in Equestria." Luna slowly looked to the unicorn, meeting her eyes before looking away."I-I know it's our only hope, but I will have to supervise the situation...if it comes to that."

Twilight nodded slowly, scribbling a quick note and wisping it away with her magic."Alright, I hope she's home...because we have an enchantress to speak to."

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Luna delicately placed her hooves on the cobbles leading to Zecora's hut. Since it was protected by rudimentary incantations, the zebra's home had been safeguarded from and spells that she did not strictly approve of. This caused Twilight to transport them a few meters away from the residence of that dangerous Everyfree Forest environment. They approached softly, Trixie's form keeping within the alicorn's mane. Since her color was so near to Luna's mane, she decided it safe to conserve magic by hitching a ride with the mare."So...will this work?" Trixie let out softly, only able to address Luna at the time.

"It's as good of a chance as we'll get, I'm afraid. Shamans are normally dissuaded from using spells and potions to speak to deceased in fear they'll learn magic beyond myself and Celestia's control. I will, however, allow it, being as Twilight seems to trust this mare. If all is as she says, this mare may have a great advantage from this 'Zecora' character." Luna's words went silent as they fell upon the door to the zebra's abode. Twilight's hoof slowly banged against the course, wooden door, repeating that another two times before it creaked open.

Luna was surprised at the host of this event, rushing forward and looking her over slowly."A zebra? Amazing..."

Twilight blinked, looking at the mare."Luna, you saw Zecora at Nightmare Night...don't you remember?"

"I had assumed she was in costume. This is stupendous, I've never had formal discussions with your race, Ms. Zecora." she extended a hoof, which was slowly responded in kind. Luna turned back to Twilight, filling her in."You see Twilight, Equestria had been in a stalemate since the alicorn wars, becoming isolated in fear of being involved in future conflicts. Celestia informed me that diplomats began reappearing in their name around two hundred years ago. They still feel weary of residing with us, and as such, I'd been on the moon when that occurred."

"She speaks the truth," Zecora added, grinning lightly,"that we had been far from your kind. Though my peaceful Zebra race has always been looking for relations to bind. It is for this reason you see my people not. Another war would surely cost us a lot." While she wore a smile on her face, she quickly dropped it for the task at hoof."Regardless, the time is short and we need not tarry. The mere idea of this potion has me wary. Come and sit, for I must call upon my powers. Lucky I have my plants, lest this take many, many hours." She ushered the mares in, making lingering contact with the added mass trailing behind Luna's mane."And to this Trixie for which we will help, please be calm. Nothing can't be fixed with my potions and balm."

Zecora began speaking once everyone was ready."This spell is tricky and will require skill, and lucky for you my requirements those do fill. For the reincarnation of this mare, is far to dangerous for any of you to bear. It is then good that I have been called, even if dear Luna seems quite appalled. My skill with the dead is surely just, for I am not doing this out of wealth or lust. Now we shan't not tarry, and our spell should begin. A touch of rosemary, and a bit of blue fin." The Zebra smiled as she grasped a few bits of each, making the pot crackle and pop softly.

The Zebra withdrew a blade, looking at Luna, who widened her eyes."What is that for!?"

Zecora blinked, looking at the other's hoof."She is your protégée, am I correct? If that is true, your commitment here that will reflect." She offered the knife, which Luna hesitantly accepted before the mare continued."A drop of alicorn blood is infused with the magic of generations past. The potion will require a little if we could hope for it to last."

Luna's hoof shook softly as she pressed the sharp dagger against her leg. She would do anything for Trixie, but any magic that used blood is destined to lead to trouble. But this was Trixie, and Luna promised she'd do whatever it took. She closed her eyes, whimpering as she dragged the blade along her foreleg quickly, emitting a groan as blood slowly began dripping from the small gash. She winced, giving it back to Zecora and wiping her blood with a rag.

The shaman hummed softly as she leaned the blade in, coating it in the brew which mixed with the blood."Now please Trixie, come to me. This next part I shall not do with glee." Zecora spun the hilt of the blade in her hoof, watching the cloud sheepishly approach. Trixie's eyes winces as they looked around, down at the wound on Luna's leg before turning to face forward and glare at that dagger. She shut her eyes as Zecora roughly jabbed it into the magic mist, making it crackle as the green potion and blood reacted and became a catalyst in the spell."Be it sword or spell, knife or wand. Bring Trixie back from the great beyond!" the mare hollered out, launched backwards by the spell as the cloud exploded. Luna winced as she was sent skidding along the ground, bumping against the back wall as she squinted."Trixie?"

The mare groaned out, rubbing her chin with her hoof as she looked up."Guh...Luna?" Trixie twitched, widening her eyes as she looked around."Luna!" The unicorn rose, scrambling to her hooves and rushing to the alicorn's side."Princess Luna, a-are you alright?" She helped the mare up, feeling the mare yank her into a hug.

"Oh Trixie...you're back. I knew it'd work!" Luna smiled wide, tussling the unicorn's mane. She flinched back abruptly as the cyan unicorn's mane zapped her."Huh...strange~" she let out softly, pushing that doubt away and smiling again at her protegee.

Trixie was normal, every bit of her recreated and back to it's regular self."I-I can't believe it. This is unbelievable" Twilight let out, bounding towards Trixie and prodding her side."I can't believe magic could do this..." she looked to Zecora, who had slid the blood-coated blade back into it's sheath.

The zebra made her way to the silver-maned pony, yanking out a single hair from her head, which evoked a soft yelp."Pain and sensitivity recreated anew. The concoction even made your coat the right shade of blue. You are free to continue on. I shant make you my pawn~" she grinned, diluting any threat she may have posed.

The three slowly made their exit, thanking Zecora for everything and hoping they could make it up to her in time. Luna and Twilight agreed that it would be best to have Trixie stay with Twilight for the next few days. That way, she could keep an eye on Dash and the Trixie from this dimension while Twilight kept watch on her. It was a long trip back, and no matter how hard Twilight tried, Trixie just, couldn't speak. Now that she no longer was forced to focus her magic on staying afloat, she was able to think about everything that had happened.

"So...how long do I have" Trixie asked, finally breaking the silence when Luna flew off to Canterlot.

"T-Trixie?"

"Twilight, I'm not stupid...things like this don't just permanently fix themselves...I'm not going to be here forever...what do you suppose my half-life is?" Trixie's stride slowed lightly as she looked to the violet mare, who's own pace ceased entirely.

"N-Now don't do this to me, Trixie...we don't even know..."

"Guess...I don't know either...but you don't just go from powder to pony without something going wrong...even Zecora isn't perfect!"

They both sat there, looking around at the foliage of the forest before they began trotting again, slowly. Twilight's lip quivered lightly as she retorted "Years? If I had to guess, I'd say a few years. Does it matter?"

"Matter?"

"We could find a permanent solution in that time...it's not a big deal...this buys us time."

"Time?" Trixie scoffed softly, looking at the treeline split lightly and allow them to leave."Time's never been my friend..."