It took a lot of persuasion to get Rainbow to leave the hut with Pinkie unconscious. But Zecora told her she needed assistance and there was only one pony to do this, and Rainbow Dash was the only pony who could go and get them and come back quickly. To all’s surprise, the pony she wanted was Apple Bloom.

It was a bigger surprise when Rainbow Dash barged in on Miss Cheerilee’s spelling test and insisted there was a medical emergency and Apple Bloom was needed for it.

Dinky, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon (who both had become better friends with the CMC’s after Twilight saved Diamond from expulsion from school), were worried for their friend. They thought something was wrong with Granny Smith, Big Mac or Applejack.

Rainbow told Apple Bloom on the way that Zecora had requested her assistance. This was no surprise to Apple Bloom. But Apple Bloom did thoroughly enjoy the ride on Rainbow’s back. She could see why Scootaloo was so stoked about the flying lessons Rainbow was giving her.

When they arrived at Zecora’s hut, Apple Bloom got off Rainbow’s back but was courteous enough to thank her for the ride.

On entering, Apple Bloom and Zecora greeted each other in words the rest of the ponies didn’t understand, then gave formal kisses to each other’s cheeks.

“Salamu bwana mganga(1),” said Apple Bloom.

“Salamu mwanafunzi(2) ,” replied Zecora.

Rainbow stood by the bed so she could be by Pinkie, she was being reminded of a similar time with Pinkie laying on a bed comatose, not that very long ago. Rainbow didn’t know if even her daredevil nerves could take that again. Rainbow was stroking Pinkie’s mane and speaking quietly.

“Hold on Pink,” said Rainbow, “I won’t let anything happen to you, I swear. I love you too much to lose you.”

Then Rainbow leaned in and kissed Pinkie lightly on the lips.

Zecora was consulting some scrolls and then turned to Apple Bloom and spoke;

“Empty the caldron and fill it anew;

Fresh water must be had for the next brew.”

“Ndiyo, bwana mganga(3) ,” answered Apple Bloom

Apple Bloom walked over the cauldron as if to size it up. Twilight knew that the filly couldn’t move such a large vessel full of liquid by herself, at least the Earth Pony way. Twilight started to go over to help her, when Zecora put a hoof out to stop her.

“I thank you for your offer, but I must insist;

The apprentice is able to handle this.”

Apple Bloom stood in front of the cauldron, she lowered her head and closed her eyes. The filly started chanting something in a quiet voice. Nopony could quite hear it or at least, understand it.

Twilight looked at Zecora who was smiling proudly, then Twilight looked back at Apple Bloom.

“Now you will heed;

Why your help she didn’t need.”

Twilight was used to the workings of magic, but this was new to her. There was no magic aura around the cauldron, at least what she was accustom to. She thought she could detect the air around it shimmer. Then to the surprise of all but Zecora, the cauldron rose about a foot off the fire and proceeded Apple Bloom out the door.

“Would you look at that,” said Rainbow.

“I didn’t realize that Apple Bloom was studying under you, Zecora,” said Twilight. “If I can be any help in the future, please let me know.”

Zecora smiled and nodded.

Apple Bloom came back with the caldron. She maneuvered it on the fire. She then went out and quickly came back levitating more firewood. It was stacked around the caldron neatly. Then again to everyone’s astonishment (except Zecora) the filly said a word of command which caused the wood to burst into flame:

“Kuwasha!(4)”

“I didn’t realize Apple Bloom had such abilities.” Said Muffins.

“I’m not ‘llowed to use anythin’ I’ve learned without Zecora’s supervision,” said Apple Bloom.

“A wise policy,” said Twilight chuckling, “I’ve seen reasons why when I was in school. We weren’t sure if we could get Lemon Hearts’ head out of that flask before she suffocated.”

Zecora started to gather some herbs from a chest against the wall. Twilight recognized what she was using.

“I beg your pardon, Zecora, but aren’t they poisonous?” asked Twilight.

“If eaten without care, poison they’d be;

But used the right way, the results you’ll see.
I’ll not lie, the risks are high;

But to go where you must, you must all but die.
But to save Pinkie’s soul, then it is a must;

My words you must heed and my skills you must trust”

“Are you saying we must come close to death, and there’s a possibility we may not come back?” asked Twilight.

Zecora gravely nodded her head. She informed them it must be Twilight and Rainbow that’d have do this.

Twilight looked at Muffins. There was fear in her eyes. Twilight knew from memories shared at Dawn’s birth, Muffins had watched her husband die. The same look was now on her face.

Rainbow was struggling with thoughts she’d had before. Could she willingly give up her life, the life she loved so much for a friend, or even for her beloved Pink.

She looked over at Twilight and Muffins, they were embracing. Muffins had just told Twilight she knew Twilight was ready to die for Pinkie and Rainbow once before, and even if she could talk Twilight out of it, Twilight would regret not taking the chance for the rest of her life.

Rainbow felt shame, Twilight had nothing at risk with this but she was going to do this for Pinkie and for herself. For a pony who hadn’t known anything about real friendship just a hoof-full of years ago, Twilight was willing to practice the highest level of friendship, that of love. The words returned to Rainbow;

‘No greater love has anypony than that they lay down their life for another pony.’

Did Twilight love Pinkie more than she loved Pinkie? She’d denied Pinkie for so long, and now she’d accepted her as the love of her life. Why did Twilight love Pinkie so much, then Dash also realized Twilight also loved Rainbow as well.

The most random of thoughts hit her at that time, perhaps being around Pinkie so much was having an effect on her. She remembered Twilight’s love crisis after Bon-Bon and Lyra’s wedding. When Twilight mistakenly thought Rainbow was wanting to marry her and have sex.

Now, just out of a newly perceived understanding, and yes, love for this friend, she wished she had at least once, had sex that is.

Then Rainbow heard her name;

“Rainbow, are you in?” asked Twilight.

Not wanting to appear reluctant she chimed in;

“Of course, what are we waiting for?”

They placed the unconscious Pinkie on the floor. Zecora had drawn with chalk many strange glyphs around her unmoving form. Zecora then mixed up her brew, it smelled nasty. She instructed Rainbow and Twilight to lay on either side of Pinkie and hold her hoof.

Muffins stood off to the side, not sure if she wanted to watch this or not. But love made her strong.

“After you drink the brew,

I can not assist you.
You’ll know what you’ll have to do;

You’ll come back only when your task is through.
If Pinkie can not be spared;

Then her fate you’ll share.”

Then Zecora did something Twilight had never witnessed before. She repeated her warning in plain words so to give weight and understanding to what she was saying.

“You understand you don’t have to do this. But once started it can’t be undone until you’ve accomplished your task,” Zecora paused, “or you’ll expire.

All of Pinkie isn’t here, nor has all of Shooting Star gone away. This is the task you must accomplish, you must go and get the rest of her from the underworld.

Also realize, this is probably just what he wants you to do. So beware, you’re probably expected.”

Muffins was trying not to cry. She walked to Rainbow bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Good luck, bring Pinkie back,” said Muffins.

Then she went to Twilight and gave her what she hoped wasn’t their final passionate kiss.

“Bring them both back, My Love,” she said.

“Don’t worry,” said Twilight trying to be brave, “I will.”

“Hey!” said Rainbow trying to lighten things up, mostly for herself. “Twilight gets an awesome kiss and I get one I would’ve been disappointed with if my mother had kissed me that way.”

Despite the grave situation all got a chuckle.

“I’ll let Pinkie fix that for you,” said Muffins, “when you get back.”

“When you’re done and a path you do lack;

Follow the chant and drum, to find your way back.”

Zecora then levitated two drinking bowls and dipped them in the brew.

“You must drink these dry;

Or else all you’ll do is die.”

The bowls floated to Rainbow and Twilight, they opened their mouths and the foul liquid poured in. It was the worst thing they’d ever tasted.

Zecora started to chant and Apple Bloom started to beat a steady beat on a drum.

It didn’t take long. Twilight felt her stomach on fire, it spread through her quickly. Twilight was about to panic, afraid that Zecora miscalculated and she was truly dying. She was thinking how much she would miss her friends, her parents and brother. But most of all, her wife and daughters. Her will kicked in and she remembered Zecora telling her that she had to trust her skills. It was a superpony effort, but she let her mind relax and accept what was going on, she only hoped that Rainbow could do the same.

Rainbow felt the brew having its effect. She knew that this was perhaps the closest she had ever been to death, despite all her ‘death defying’ stunts. She was about to jump up and try to vomit the stuff out. But then she remembered that Zecora said she had to trust the zebra’s skills. Rainbow tried to relax and let it happen. She could see Pinkie’s beautiful face, she was telling Rainbow to believe and come help her. And even if she failed, they would be together always. Rainbow found reason to give herself totally to what was happening.

As it hit Twilight’s brain, everything grew dim. She felt colder than when she was in the arctic on the way to the Crystal Empire. Soon she couldn’t feel her limbs, her sight was going, and the last thing she saw was Muffins crying. There was a ringing in her ears which was growing softer and softer until the only thing she heard was the chant and the drum. It felt as if she was holding her breath but try as she might, she couldn’t take a breath. Then all was black, there was no longer the feeling of breathlessness, no numb feeling in her limbs, no feeling at all, not even the cold. There was only the chant and the drum.

The black gave way to a misty, half dark world. The mist started to lighten up, she saw Rainbow laying on the ground, if ground it was. Twilight stood up and walked to her friend and shook her.

“Rainbow!” she said loudly, “are you with me?”

The Pegasus moaned then slowly opened her eyes, looked around then focused on Twilight.

“So this is the place Pink tells me about, when she feels like talking about her crash.”

Rainbow got up, helped by Twilight. Somehow Twilight’s touch gave her strength and reassurance.

“Let’s get going and find Pinkie,” said Twilight concerned, “I don’t think we can spend too much time in doing this.”

“Nor do I want to,” answered Rainbow. “I don’t think living ponies were meant to spend too much time here.”

They looked around and saw ghostly shapes of ponies all going in one direction, just on the edge of sight. There was also the sound of the chant and the drum.

“I guess we go this way,” said Twilight, pointing in the direction of the way the specters were headed.

Rainbow and Twilight walked together so close they were touching. The feel of the warmth of Rainbow was the only physical sensation she was having. It was comforting. Rainbow was feeling the same.

The touch also awakened something in Twilight. She could remember, or was it a premonition? In here, time wasn’t certain. She and Rainbow were grieving together, finding comfort in the forelegs of the other. Passion was the only solace for the pain they’d been feeling for years. Twilight could feel they were in love. There was the memory of making love with Rainbow. It wasn’t better or worse than with Muffins. It was different, and that made it special. But this was another time, to come or gone by, she couldn’t tell.

Twilight looked at Rainbow, Rainbow was looking back at her.

Rainbow lowered her head as if embarrassed and said;

“I’m sorry I may’ve hurt your feelings in the past, your flanks are actually hot, they were never too scrawny.”

“I’ve always admired your body, the way all that activity has sculpted you. I only call you a show-off to hide my feelings.” Said Twilight, “I just wanted you to know just in case we never make it back.”

There was a sudden urge to embrace each other, but they fought it as neither the place or the time.

As they went along, they saw a glow, they weren’t sure if it was coming toward them or they it. Then the mist around it cleared.

“Princess Celestia!” cried both ponies at once.

Muffins looked at her love and her two friends. Twilight and Rainbow were pale, deathly pale. She could hardly see them breathing. She was frightened beyond words. She’d so many things she wanted to ask Zecora, but she was told not to say anything while the chant and drum were going. It had been hours and sometimes she felt the urge to breakdown and cry. But she was afraid she’d distract Zecora or Apple Bloom, and then there would be no way back for any of them. So Muffins would go outside until she got her crying under control, but she’d stay at the window to see what was going on.

“Yes it’s me,” said the Princess. “You were going to learn about this quality of my position soon anyway Twilight. I’m indeed the guardian and guide of Equestria’s dead. I exist here and in the world of the living at the same time. You’ll learn this one day, but now isn’t the time to talk about it.”

“We’re so glad you’re here, will you help us with getting Pinkie back?” asked Rainbow.

“I’m sorry My Dear Rainbow, here I can’t interfere with the natural course of things. I’m only a guide.” Said the princess, “but as guardian I couldn’t allow even you Twilight to hinder those who’ve already gone. There’s time for Pinkie, but not much.”

“Then as guide can you tell us where to go to find Pinkie?” asked Twilight.

Celestia smiled and pointed in the direction they’d been going.

“There’s only one way here, normally. Just follow the other ponies,” said Celestia. “But beware, I sense great magic, there could be obstacles.”

With that Celestia faded and no other questions could be asked.

The two friends walked on, this time afraid to touch. But they’d glance at each other from time to time. They walked on for what seemed like forever. Twilight couldn’t take the awkward silence any longer. She stopped and turned to Rainbow, who stopped as well.

“Listen Rainbow,” said Twilight, “we can’t go on like this. I’m sure you’ve had the same thing happen to you as I did. I don’t know if it was a premonition, a memory from a past life (if there’s such a thing), or just a fantasy. But we have to work together on this to save Pinkie. We have loving wives to go back to and we can’t become afraid to interact with each other because of amorous feelings that we might have or had or will have for each other. So I want to clear the air, as it were, and then we have to go on with what we have to do.”

Rainbow looked intensely, Twilight swallowed hard.

“Before Muffins, I was never really drawn to anypony, and you know it. But even before the thing after Bon-Bon and Lyra’s wedding, I’d always thought you’d be a pony, if I was to give into feelings, I would’ve wanted to be with. You’re outgoing, athletic and not afraid to say and do what you wanted. Everything I’m not. But I never followed up on it because of my studies and my inexperience, but most of all, I was afraid of rejection. You were and still are a very popular pony and I was sure that you had enough ‘relationships’ that I wouldn’t have been of any interest or at least any challenge to you being the ‘Egg-Head’ you always accused me of being.”

Rainbow looked into Twilight’s eyes, she was trying to figure the right way to say what she was thinking.

“That first day we met, when I plowed into you, knocking you in the mud. I did it on purpose. I’d seen you from a distance, and what I saw was a very cute pony. You know my ‘proclivities’, so seeing a cute mare I hadn’t met, I wanted to get to meet you. So I did the ‘Rainbow Dash’ thing and tackled you. Even though we were laying in the mud, the feeling of being on top of you, you being warm and soft, it was all I could do not to ‘take you’ right then and there. And if I hadn’t just had a fling with Berry Punch a couple hours earlier, I might have come on stronger than I did.

But after that I tried to do my best not to think about it. To just be friends was, and still is a very hard thing. I said the scrawny flanks thing to mask my true feelings.”

“True feelings?” asked Twilight.

“There were and to a point, still are times, when you’re walking in front of me, your adorable flanks in plain sight, you’d be distracted and slightly relax your marehood, it happens to all mares. I’d see it peeking out from under your tail occasionally. I just want to stick my muzzle between your flanks and, as Pinkie says, ‘eat you with a spoon’.”

“I never knew any pony had any kind of feelings for me. I’d thought Muffins was an exception. I thought I learned everypony just ‘loves Twilight as a friend’.”

“Twi,” said Rainbow with an odd gleam in her eyes, “there are friends and there are friends. You know what I mean? I could name several ponies who’d trade their best set of horseshoes for the opportunity to take you to their beds!”

“No way!” said Twilight astounded.

“If you tell anypony I told you this, I’ll deny it. But Davenport, the pony at the Quill and Sofa shop, I overheard him say after one of your visits that he’d love to break in one of the new sofas with you.

That artist, Claude Ponet, told me once he’d really like for you to do some erotic poses for him, some he’d even paint.

And now you’ve come over to the mare-lover side, I can tell you it’s not just the stallions.

Cherry Berry will always turn and check out your rump as you walk past.

Candy Mane, the pony that runs the Children’s Home where Scootaloo lives. I was talking to her while waiting on Scoot, the subject of you came up and said she’d love to make a romantic dinner for you and let the chips fall where they may.

And Sea Swirl, the one mare who looks kind of like Sparkler, but a little lighter in color and has a two dolphin cutie mark. She was a little more direct. She told me she’d love to cover your marehood with honey and take a whole day to make sure she’d licked it clean.”

Twilight was shocked.

“Twi, you’re loved and even lusted after. Don’t sell yourself short. Given the chance I’d...”

With that Rainbow kissed Twilight a fairly passionate kiss. Twilight experienced a different kind of breathlessness. Twilight wanted to push Rainbow away and break the kiss, but she didn’t, and she didn’t understand why she didn’t. Nor why she and Rainbow were embracing so tightly.

After, they both just stood there looking into each other’s eyes.

“I don’t know if it’s this place or what we were talking about, I’m not even sure we’ll remember all this, if we get back. But I’ll explain to Muffins if I have to, it was I who kissed you. But I had to try once, just in case we don’t make it back.”

“I won’t lie to Muffins,” said Twilight, “so if she ever asks, I’ll have to tell her the truth.”

“Fair enough,” said Rainbow with a wink, “let’s get moving before we both have some explaining that neither of us would want to do.”

They smiled at each other and trotted off in the proper direction. Still careful about touching, but no longer afraid to. Wondering if this is one of the obstacles Celestia spoke of.

Author's Note

1 Greetings master healer.
2 Greetings student.
3 Yes, master healer.
4 Ignite