Spark

Chapter 11

Just... how... how did I get stuck in this mess?

I awkwardly mixed a nasty looking substance inside a bowl with a disgusted look on my face. I had definitely no idea of what I was doing. I was covered in flour, icing, and other strange things and the place I was in was a complete disaster. It was supposed to be a kitchen, but it actually looked like the ruins in the Renegade's forest at Nicardia, just that instead of remnants of houses, nuclear bombs and who knows what else, it had broken eggs, candy, milk, and other stuff I'd rather not know about.

I sighed. A deep sigh of defeat and guilt. I knew that I was supposed to make something edible but what was inside the bowl actually looked like some kind of poison that would cause the poor pony who drank it a nasty, slow, painful and pitiful death.

I'm sure there's no pony stupid enough to eat this... thing.

Well... a pinkie promise is a pinkie promise. I can do nothing about it unless I want to be stalked forever by a pink hyperactive earth pony... and now that I don't have my wings running away would be... challenging.

It had only taken me a week to understand the dangers of breaking a pinkie promise, something that everypony in Ponyville knew. A week ago, I was fighting against changelings, trying to protect the three beings that mattered most in my world, though I failed miserably. And now, I was fighting against...

Cooking. And it seemed like I was also failing miserably.

A week ago, I had woken up (again) in a place I did not recognize. But later I knew it was a hospital. One of Dawn's... Twilight's... friends had found me near her cottage and brought me here (after panicking for half an hour). I had severe injuries all over my body, and even though the doctors acknowledged that I was special and was recovering incredibly fast they would not let me go find 'the ponies I needed to find', until I fully recovered.

Of course, I would not tell them their princesses had been captured by changelings and were probably being tortured in a distant kingdom. I knew that would bring a huge uproar and... things would get worse. I panicked and cried in that hospital room until I saw a familiar face show up. Rarity.

Somehow, I started feeling how much I had missed that mare and how happy I was to see her. What surprised me was that she didn't bombard me with questions, but was calm and understanding. I couldn't have felt happier that moment. Well, happy is not the word... I think relieved is a better way to describe it. A feeling that I was actually not alone. Not anymore.

She reminded me that we were actually talking about two of the most powerful princess and the most powerful unicorn in Equestria, who was also a former alicorn princess. That they would of course be fine, and that I had enough time to recover and go look for them. But there was something that puzzled me... How could she stay so calm, knowing that her best friend and the princesses were missing? Who would manage the kingdom?

She reassured me, telling me she had a plan, though she didn't want to tell me what it was. So I decided to trust her.

I smiled. And Rarity smiled back. I thought how lucky Dawn was to have a friend like Rarity, and I was exited to meet her other friends. The rest of the mares that knew Twilight Sparkle, who perhaps was the luckiest and happiest mare in the world.

The next day I met Fluttershy, who was the mare who found me, as well as Rainbow Dash, who was actually in a bit of a hurry and left like fifteen minutes later. Fluttershy decided to stay and we talked for a couple of hours that seemed like minutes. In the afternoon I met Applejack. She apologized to me for not coming earlier because she was very busy with the farm, or Sweet Apple Acres. Mere minutes later came the door opened and a just second later the room was filled with party decorations. In the doorway stood a pink pony with a party hat and in front of her a sky blue cannon.

The only thing I remember from then was the introduction; the pink mare was another one of Dawn's friends and she was named Pinkie Pie. The rest was blurred since I was having an awful headache provoked by the constant yelling of the hyperactive pony.

Oh, I also remember absentmindedly doing a pinkie promise... to go to Sugarcube Corner and bake some pastries with her once I was well enough to at least walk around by myself.

If I had been in my right state of mind I would have refused without a doubt. Not because I specially disliked cooking, but because I was so bad at it (and still am) that it was dangerous. And that did not exclude baking. I simply could not be standing near a kitchen.

And that day I had once again proven why. The green... blue... or brown... or even black... slimy substance inside the bowl looked like it could come to life at any moment, start reproducing at an increasing rate and eat the whole town, leading to ultimate chaos and the next universe destruction...

I'd rather think I have just... brewed some sort of poison...

And to think I was supposed to be baking cupcakes...

I stopped mixing, putting the spatula that I was holding with my magic, which had changed it's color to red, aside and looked at a small paper with a list (does this even deserve to be called a list?) of very vague instructions.

"Add stuff, mix stuff, put the mix on the molds, to the oven they go, and just have lots of fun."

This explains why I just randomly added everything I found on the shelves... But I guess is time for the oven...

As I stared at the substance, I immediately knew it would be another bad idea. It wasn't the first time I had done a kitchen disaster after all.

...No, I can't do this. Who knows what might happen.

I threw away the apron I was wearing with another but deeper sigh of defeat. I was so frustrated I could just scream. I peered my head through the door and looked to the sides, to see if Mr. or Mrs. Cake were around. I sighed in relief. Fortunately, they weren't around, and I didn't have to face them and tell them I had just made a weapon of massive destruction in their kitchen. I felt guilty for the mess I made, but at least I had kept my pinkie promise, even if it wasn't such a good idea. No, it was the worst possible idea I could have had, but what mattered was to keep the promise.

Just as I made my way to the stairs, a pink pony who was shaking uncontrollably came down, muttering something a bout a Pinkie sense. She made her way to the kitchen, and adrenaline suddenly started flowing through my veins.

"NO! PINKIE! DON'T--"

Too late. I ran to the kitchen and found Pinkie staring at the bowl suspiciously. Then sniffed it. And then made a gasping sound.

"I-I'm sorry Pinkie!" I bowed. As a princess, I was taught a lot of manners (by my mother) "I was always bad at cooking but I knew I couldn't break the promise I made you and--" I was suddenly enveloped in a tight hug by Pinkie. The next thing I knew, I was holding my head with my hoof, everything around me spinning. I shook my head and everything came back to normal.

"Goldie! You are the best! You just discovered a way to keep the parasprites out of Ponyville forever!" she said the last word with a strange and eerie tone, doing awkward moves with her hooves.

I knew about the parasprites. I knew about their destruction power. But I always thought they were a legend only meant to scare children and force them to eat their whole meals even if they didn't like the food. Pinkie told me there was once a huge parasprite invasion in Ponyville but she had managed to banish them by playing several instruments at the same time. But that didn't keep them away for too long. There had been several attacks and ponies were tired.

"...And now we have the permanent solution right here!" Pinkie finished explaining. I had just learned something new about her. She could speak incredibly fast...

"But, wait" something had caught my attention "how do you know this can keep the parasprites away?" I knew this thing could scare anything and keep them away for a long time, but parasprites were actually something new for me and it had picked my curiosity. If it could even eat buildings... could it eat this? Not even I had any idea of what I had just created, or the exact properties of the substance, and it would take me several hours of studying to figure it out, but this pony had just... sniffed at it and already knew its potential.

"Oh, my Pinkie sense told me!" she said with a smile from ear to ear, like it was the most trivial thing in the world.

Pinkie sense...?

"And... what is this Pinkie sense thou speakest of?" somehow I had unconsciously switched to archaic speaking, something that often happened when I was lost in thought. But it surprised me since I had thought I had left that bad habit centuries ago. "I-I mean... you understand..."

"There's no time to explain!" she said, balancing the bowl in her head while searching for something inside the shelves. She took out a bottle and poured the contents of the bowl inside it. "Gotta go! See ya!" and left in a flash. A second later, she reappeared "and don't worry about the kitchen!" and left again.

"...I can't catch up with this mare..." I said with a sheepish green. But I noticed something... a tear was running down my cheek... and I started feeling very lonely.

This only happens when I don't remember something... but my heart does... At least that was what the Spark told me... weird...

But lets think about it... I actually feel like I've known this pony for a really long time...

Pinkie Pie...

I sighed. I was now feeling tired. Both physically and mentally. I wiped my tear and rubbed my eyes in exhaustion. It was just two in the afternoon but I wanted a nap, though if I left the kitchen as it was I would not be able to deal with my conscience. I made up my mind to try and clean it as much as I could.

Ahh... finally... nothing like a nice hot bath...

It had taken me half an hour to leave the kitchen shinning. I smiled, content with my work, and made my way to Fluttershy's cottage, where I was currently staying until I recovered. On my walk back home, I noticed many ponies looking at me and midway I remembered I was still covered in ingredients. I gave up on it and kept walking.

And there I was. Finally relaxing after a long and disastrous day inside a kitchen. I remembered all the hot springs I used to bathe in when I went on adventures. All those hidden treasures of nature, destined to be found by those who still believed in the beauty Nicardia could still possess. I did not believe in such a thing, but I did believe that we could still find peace. Somewhere Origin could not reach...

Origin...

I was afraid. I did not know Origin's limits, or even if he had any. My mind was set, no matter what I had to leave this town as soon as possible, or else more innocent ponies would be hurt... Or else Dawn's... Twilight's friends would end up hurt... or even worse.

"Passion! Are you there?" I heard a soft (perhaps too soft) knocking at the bathroom door. I immediately knew who it was.

"Yes, Fluttershy!" I answered to the gentle voice at the other side of the door. "I'm sorry for using the bathroom without telling you first!"

"Oh, its okay, I only wanted to know if you came back" the pegasus answered calmly. Applejack had told me earlier it was very unusual for her to open up so suddenly to someone who she was only known for a week.

Fluttershy's interruption had reminded me this wasn't a hot spring, and this wasn't even my own bathroom. As I left the bathub with a towel covering my hair, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I observed the empty spots at my sides, a sight I wasn't used to yet. I missed my wings, at that moment flying could relax me a bit. The sky was another good place to be alone with my thoughts.

I removed the wet red hair that covered my left eye. My abnormal eye was revealed. It emitted a soft green light. I looked at it suspiciously, just like Pinkie did earlier with my poison. I was worried this could mean something else...

That explosion of power back then...

I remembered the time I was held inside that prison cell at Canterlot Castle. Afterwards I was able to see normally with my left eye, almost as if it was healed. But instead...

I wonder if that was really... healing...

I acknowledged how stressed I was. I indeed needed a break, but there were just too many questions that I knew wouldn't know the answer for in a while.

At least... I'll have some fun in the short time I stay here...

I went downstairs with a towel wrapped around my hair. I found Fluttershy serenely reading a book on her sofa. Her bunny, Angel, was already sleeping, though it was kind of early. I wondered how could they stay so calm, like nothing happened, knowing that Twilight could be in danger. Something was going on. Feeling suspicious, I decided to confront Fluttershy, but before I could do anything...

"Passion?" Fluttershy called. She was standing and the book was already back in the bookshelf. I must have missed her movement while I was lost in thought.

"Yeah?" I answered, signalling her that I was listening.

"Would you... um..." I noticed her nervousness. That's when I knew I was right. There was definitely something going on "come with me to Twilight's library?" she requested while staring at her hooves, which were randomly poking the ground.

"...Alright" I replied with reluctance in my voice.

I opened the tree house's door for Fluttershy to enter, and then entered myself. The first thing I noticed was that all of Twilight's friends were there, with gentle smiles on their faces. Fluttershy joined the group while I was just standing there without knowing what to say or do.

"Passion, darling" started Rarity. I noticed her horn was shinning and so was something behind her. "There is a little something we would like to show you" she levitated a letter in front of me. I eyed it with confusion, and noticed it had no seal.

"Open it! Open it!" urged Pinkie bouncing up and down, though she was a mess. She had leaves tangled in her fluffy hair, and her coat was covered in dirt. However her energy remained unaffected.

I proceeded to open the letter... and immediately recognized the writing. It was Dawn's hoofwriting; for some reason she had always preferred to write by hoof instead of using her magic.

I gasped in surprise, wide eyed. I put a hoof against my chest, feeling my heart beating faster, as well as my accelerated breathing. I decided not to waste any time and read the letter.

Dear Passion,

This is the first letter I've sent you in years, but this time I write to you to let you know that I am safe and managed to escape the changelings. However, I don't really know where I am located right now, nor know about the whereabouts of Celestia and Luna.

I also want to tell you to relax for at least a couple of days; you need it. I've already taken care of most of the problems that would have been caused by the Royal Sisters' absence, and I am confident that Princess Cadence (you remember her, don't you?) is taking care of the rest. I am also taking care of finding the Sisters, so as soon as I find any clues I will tell you right away.

I hope you find it nice in Ponyville, and that the Elements of Harmony make your brief stay comfortable. And just in case you were wondering, I was the one who teleported you there. It was the first place that came to my mind when I thought of somewhere safe and peaceful.

I can't wait to see you again and have a proper conversation with you. There are many things I'd like you to tell me, and many things I'd like to tell you as well. Perhaps we can keep communicating by letters, but I'd personally rather see you in person. Anyway, I've got to go already.

Bye, sis. See you later.

"Sis..." I gave a chuckle, while wiping a tear that escaped. However, I quickly frowned; there was something about this letter that bothered me. She usually ended her letters with her name, but it almost seemed like she was unsure of who she was. She didn't know if she was Dawn Shine, or Twilight Sparkle. Then, I realized we indeed had to have a very long conversation. I looked at the five mares that stood in front of me, looking at me like they were expecting me to say something "H-how did you receive this?" I said, furling the letter again.

"Well, darling" Rarity begun "it seems like somehow Twilight managed to send the letter through Spike... I'm sorry if my explanation is somewhat vague but that is all I know" she apologized with a troubled expression and lowered her head, feeling disappointed with her lack of information. I put a hoof on her shoulder, reassuring her, which worked since she gave me a small smile.

"I thought only the princesses could do that stuff" Rainbow Dash muttered to no one in particular.

"It doesn't surprise me. Ah mean, Twily spends most of her time reading her books. Ah reckon she must know her couple of fancy tricks" Applejack answered Rainbow's muttering, and they engaged in a discussion. I turned my attention to Fluttershy and Rarity.

"I guess this explains how you could be so calm all these past days..." I said while looking at the floor. I was feeling myself blush due to their kindness. I felt happy for knowing I could finally trust someone.

"...I-I was actually a little nervous..." confessed Fluttershy, copying my actions. "But I was happy to know Twilight is okay..."

"We actually didn't know what that letter said" assured Rarity "Twily had sent us letters telling us about the situation and giving us instructions." what Rarity said also explained why they didn't demand any explanations, and how they weren't afraid of trusting me.

But... where's Pinkie Pie?

I was lying on the sofa (it actually took some effort to convince Fluttershy that sleeping on the sofa was ok), staring at the ceiling. Everybody was asleep but me. I was lost in thought about today's events and was feeling very frustrated. There were many things I wanted to tell my sister, many things I wanted to ask her but I couldn't because I had no idea of where she could be. Worst of all, I couldn't even go looking for her because of my injuries.

I sighed. Even if my sister had told me to relax, I just couldn't... Slowly, sleep started to overcome me. Because I was tired I decided to ignore the strong déjà vu feeling I got before falling asleep.

I opened my eyes and found grass underneath me. I stood up and recognized the place as my heart, like the Spark liked to call it. But there was something different about this place... something wasn't right. I surveyed my surroundings looking for a answer, and noticed something next to the empty tomb; it was the silhouette of a mare. It seemed like a unicorn but there was something odd about her horn. I also noticed that the leaves of the red tree were falling... and there was a faint voice...

"Be careful..."

Chapter 11

Trust

Closed

Author's Note

For a while I abandoned this fic and recently I started to think it would be better if I just cancelled it but... Suddenly I felt like I should give it another shot.
Just in case, Passion fell unconscious when the Changelings attacked Canterlot Castle in the ninth and tenth chapter and Twilight thought of teleporting her to somewhere safe: Ponyville. That's how she ended up there. This chapter takes place a week after that.
Anyways, critique is encouraged. Please tell me if you spot any mistakes.