Aphelion

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter of Aphelion would not have been possible without the assistance of Plotscribbler, PreytorFenix, and CracklesCousin. My cheers to their gracious dedication!

Aphelion

III. The Crystal Eye of Celestia

BANG! A gavel.

“A Hearing before the Second Pegasus Senate will now come to order,” announced a graying pegasus, reading off a sheet. He sat behind a desk, on a cloud before a crowd of some thirty pegasi. Each pegasus sat on his own separate small cloud, facing the Speaker. “Presiding is Senate Leader Gray Snow—that’s me—,” there was laughter. “We will begin with opening remarks from Senator Empyrean Skies.” He nodded to a younger, red pegasus who flew to a podium below the desk.

“Thank you Senator Snow,” Empyrean gestured to the pegasus above him. “Let us not beat around the bush on the issue: We are very clearly divided between two schools of thought. The question we must ask ourselves is how much longer can Cloudsdale self-sustain before submission to the Celestial Monarchy becomes the only option?

“Equestria relies on Cloudsdale pegasi for weather control, but it is foolish to deny Cloudsdale’s reliance upon Equestria! We have not the Earth ponies to provide food, and we have not the unicorn magic for a sufficient mastery of our own architecture. Cloudsdale does not exist as a large enough settlement in order to survive through trade of resources alone. Every other pegasus society has already submitted to the Celestial Monarchy and—,”

“The other pegasus societies are weak,” a very old, and very large blue pegasus interrupted, lazily lying upon his cloud. “Cloudsdale is by far the largest and most prosperous—,”

BANG!

“There will be order,” Senate Leader Gray Snow snarled to the interrupter.

“Thank you Senator,” Empyrean Skies nodded. “It is the foolish mindset of those who still linger from the First Pegasus Senate that Cloudsdale can survive any longer on its own,” he glared to the pegasus who had interrupted. “To conclude my opening statement, if we do not submit willingly to the Celestial Monarchy, Cloudsdale will fall.”

* * *

“O, Princess of the Sun!” an armored male pegasus bowed as the pink-maned alicorn Princess landed on the cloud before him. “I call myself Sovereign Thunder, and I am to be your guide through Cloudsdale.”

“Cloudsdale?” Celestia spoke with curiosity. “That is the name upon which the Pegasus Senate has decided?”

“Yes,” Sovereign nodded, standing upright. “Please, allow me to escort you through our city.” He pressed onwards, leading the Princess up a stone set of stairs.

“And to what honor do I owe the Pegasus Senate with being so forward as to allow,” she tried to recall, “Cloudsdale, to operate under Equestrian rule?”

Sovereign laughed. “My dear Princess, I am but a guide; it is not I who runs the Senate.”

They passed underneath a white marble archway into the center of Cloudsdale. Pegasi bustled about through a town square surrounded by marble architecture.

“It’s unicorn magic,” Sovereign smiled as he led Celestia through the crowd, “holding all of this up, that is.”

“I assumed.” Celestia nodded as pegasi bowed to her, the Princess nodding in acknowledgement. “The Cloudsdale pegasi are on good terms with the unicorns then?”

“Yes, since the resolution was passed.” Sovereign started up a marble staircase, “Before we tour, I am to show you this.”

Reaching the top of the stairs, they passed underneath a marble arch that was the entrance to a large pantheon. Stepping inside, Celestia noticed inset carvings on the walls, each one displaying a famous battle in ancient Equestrian history. They were spectacular, obviously carved by a very talented artisan. Of course, Celestia didn’t remember those battles looking so glorious.

Sovereign grinned, as he and Celestia reached the end of the aisle, and she first noticed it. Celestia went wide-eyed. When you’re around for a thousand years, you are introduced to many cities, but Celestia had never seen anything like this. It was a carved stone statue of the Princess herself. The statue was perhaps twice her size, and displayed Princess Celestia reared back with wings spread.

“We offer this temple in your honor as a sign of our eternal loyalty,” Sovereign said, bowing.

Princess Celestia stepped forward, closer to the statue, examining it. A glint of light caught her eye, and she raised her head. Though the entire statue was stone, the eyes were two shining blue gemstones.

“I see the eyes have… caught your eye,” Sovereign smirked. “They are carved from the finest crystal we pegasi could acquire.”

Celestia remained silent, focusing her attention to the statue’s left eye.

“With the assistance of unicorn magic, the Crystal Eye of Celestia will continue to shine even through the darkest of nights, reminding every pegasus to whom his loyalty lies.”

Princess Celestia turned to Sovereign Thunder as her horn began to glow gold.

* * *

Celestia gave Twilight her old book of Deep Magic for reading material on the train ride back to Ponyville. This time Twilight didn’t sleep, her head buried in the book the whole ride, each spell more fascinating and terrifying than the last.

Regeneration (limbs): The regeneration of limbs is perhaps the simplest of spells in the realm of Deep Magic, however it requires the utmost focus. The memory of the limb(s) must be fresh and accurate, or else the results of the spell will be disastrous. When improperly performed, malformed, incorrect, or even cursed limbs may generate in place of the desired limb.

That was not quite what Twilight was looking for. She turned the page.

Resurrection: Resurrection of any deceased being is the most difficult, and among the oldest and most powerful Deep Magic spells. The spell requires an extreme emotional attachment to the deceased, and only will succeed when coupled with total self-sacrifice. The Resurrection Spell has only once succeeded in recorded history, when its creator performed it on his deceased child. The spell was banned in the pre-classical era, and all ties to its creator were erased from history, with his burial in the Catacombs of Tartarus. Due to its high illegality, no information on performance of the Resurrection Spell is provided.

Somepony had scrawled in the margin, see primary source SS.

It was still not what Twilight was looking for, but she couldn’t help her curiosity. She turned to the back of the book, the section of primary source documents. She passed source Q, then source R, then source S, and then she found something unlike anything she’d seen in the book before.

Wedged between sources S and T was a series of ancient, frayed papers, covered from top to bottom in quill-written text. These pages obviously came not from the archaic printing press that had produced the already ancient text, but had been pulled from some unicorn’s personal writings, and shoved into the book. The writing was faded, but clean.

Twilight started to read through it, but it was not easy. It seemed less a document than a collection of thoughts, scribbled at random. Several parts had been scribbled over, and Twilight was not sure if that was the work of the original author or the pony who had placed these pages into the book.

On this day, the brightest light in my life has burnt out. –S.S.

I have tried every spell known to unicorns, and she has not awoken from her eternal slumber. She cannot die; I must save her. –S.S.

Attempts to inject into her the necessary life force to live have continuously failed. There is something I am missing. –S.S.

A large section was inked over.

By pouring my heart and soul completely into her I enter a trance, in which I see her, and she is alive, but it is no more than a dream. I know I am closer, but I am still missing some key element. –S.S.

Most recently, upon seeing the vision of her, I focus every memory I have of her and try to pour those into that vision. It comes closer, and I can feel her begin to breathe. I have the confidence that if I put something more into her, I can bring that vision to life and she will wake once again. –S.S.

Another large section removed.

The idea came to me while I slept, perhaps I can make her fleeting breaths become whole again if I pour into her not only every ounce of energy and memory I can muster, but also all the life force I myself have to live. It is a risk, but I have confidence that with complete self-sacrifice she will awaken once again. –S.S.

The next attempt will surely be my last, and there is no way for me to document it, nor is there any way for me to know if it will succeed. However, I know that if the Resurrection Spell is a success, I will exist within her eternally. –S.S.

The writing then changed, much less refined, but less faded.

Post-Script: Let it be known to all of history that S—

The rest of the post-script had been inked over. Twilight would have given anything to know more.She closed the book out of reluctance and lay down along the seat to sleep in the dark and empty car.

* * *

Twilight woke to the whistle, which announced the train’s evening arrival in Ponyville. She stood and stretched, put her book into her saddlebag, and stepped out of the car onto the platform.

It was empty.

Twilight had expected everypony to be there on the platform waiting for her, since she’d written Spike that she would make a brief return. But Spike hadn’t replied, and it became suddenly clear to Twilight that her return was not as anticipated as she had expected. She tried to hold back her tears as she stepped off the empty platform and walked down the lonely road into town.

Why is the walk home always so much shorter? Twilight thought, recalling the long journey to the train station on the day she left Ponyville. It felt like so long ago. Reaching the library she sighed, pushing open the door. It was dark and empty.

“SURPRISE!”

Twilight looked up as the lights came on. Before her stood all of her friends, with a large banner that said, “Welcome Home, Twilight!” Everypony ran up and pulled her into a hug, cheering greetings over each other. Now she could no longer hold back her tears.

“Everypony, it’s so wonderful to see you all again!” Twilight said with a smile, looking around. Pinkie Pie ran to the corner to grab a party hat, which she placed atop Twilight’s head.

“An’ the same t’you, sugar cube,” Applejack said, patting Twilight’s back.

“Darling, we’ve missed you so much!” Rarity looked Twilight over. “I can see Canterlot has treated you well, have you had your mane trimmed differently?”

“Oh no, I—,”

“Alright, I’m back!” shouted a purple dragon as he pushed open the library door, carefully carrying a large layer cake. “Okay, let’s hide, I think the train’s coming soon!”

“Spike!” Twilight laughed. “You’re a bit late.”

Spike nearly dropped the cake. “Twilight?!”

She ran up and hugged him, Pinkie Pie taking the cake out of his hands and moving it to the table.

“Oh, Spike, I’ve missed you so much!” Twilight hugged him tightly.

“I’ve missed you, too, Twi,” Spike lurched, “But can you not squeeze me so hard? I think my head might pop off!”

They both laughed and Twilight let off of Spike. She looked up; he’d gotten even bigger.

“You’ve grown.”

“I know!” He beamed. “Three whole inches!”

“I’ve been taking his measurements,” Rarity interjected. “The challenge of fitting a dragon is a rare feat for anypony.”

Twilight smiled and looked around. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were at the table, trying to keep the layer cake from falling over—“Push the top a bit more t’the left!”—, Rarity was explaining the various obstacles of fitting clothes for a dragon, but something else had caught Twilight’s attention: the mysterious absence of two ponies.

“Where’s Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.

The room went quiet.

“Well, y’know Rainbow Dash is in Cloudsdale a’course,” Applejack broke the silence. “And uh, well, Fluttershy—,”

“Fluttershy doesn’t come out as much as she used to,” Rarity spoke up.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“Well, Twilight,” Applejack approached her, “since you n’Rainbow Dash left, she’s been much quieter, and doesn’t so much like to uh, leave her house anymore than she has to.”

“We tried to get her to come,” Pinkie Pie started, “but she said she didn’t wanna—,”

“She said she’d try!” Rarity interrupted. “But obviously, something has come up. Perhaps Angel is sick, or—,” she stopped, unable to think of anything else.

A silence befell the room again.

“She’s jus’ been real sad since y’all left, ‘n we haven’t had any luck ‘n cheerin’ her up,” Applejack said, bringing a stein of cider to Twilight. “Try not t’think about it for now, jus’relax ‘n have fun.”

“It’s just… I’m going to miss you so much.”

Twilight pushed away the cider Applejack offered her. “Everypony, listen up. I’m going to go talk to Fluttershy, I know what’s wrong.”

“But darling,” Rarity stepped in front of the door, “you just returned!”

“I know,” Twilight said. The door glowed pink and opened. “And what better thing to do upon my return than help a friend?” She left, closing the door behind her.

Before anypony could even let out a sigh, there was a crash. Rarity, Applejack, and Spike looked back to see Pinkie Pie on the floor, covered with a fallen layer cake.

“Darn it!”

* * *

Fluttershy’s house was dark as Twilight approached, crossing the babbling stream and walking up the path. She knocked on the door, unsure if Fluttershy was even home.

No answer.

Twilight pushed open the door, stepping in quietly.

“Fluttershy?”

The main room was empty. Twilight crept up the stairs.

“Fluttershy?” she whispered.

She pushed open the door to Fluttershy’s room, to see a quivering yellow pegasus curled up on the bed.

“Fluttershy? Are you alright?” Twilight said as she went over to the bedside.

“Twilight! You’re home!” Fluttershy sniffed and wiped her eyes. “I didn’t expect you back.”

“Fluttershy, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“Oh, no reason Twilight, I wasn’t crying,” Fluttershy smiled. “I was just, sleeping. I had a very busy day.”

“Fluttershy.”

She frowned. “Oh, Twilight, I’ve just missed you and Rainbow Dash so much. And Rainbow Dash has been living with Spitfire and—,”

Twilight put her hoof to Fluttershy’s mouth.

“Shhh,” Twilight pressed against Fluttershy gently. “You really love her, don’t you?”

Fluttershy nodded, wiping a tear from her eye.

“Would you like to come with me to Cloudsdale tomorrow?” Twilight asked. “We could visit Rainbow Dash.”

Fluttershy buried her head into her pillow. “Oh, I don’t think I could do that.”

“Why not?”

“I just don’t want to see her with Spitfire, okay?”

Twilight hugged Fluttershy.

“Oh, Fluttershy,” she laughed, “You don’t even know for sure if they’re together or not.”

Fluttershy blushed.

“Well, no,” she mumbled. “But I can feel it!”

Twilight rubbed Fluttershy’s back and walked to the door.

“Try not to let it eat you up inside. If you need anything, or if you change your mind, I’m at the library,” she said as she left.

Fluttershy sighed and rolled over.

* * *

The library still bustled with excitement when Twilight returned, as everypony had had her fair share of cider. Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were on the ground, giggling over nothing, and Spike had fallen asleep in the corner.

“Everypony listen up!” Twilight announced to the giggling ponies as she closed the door behind her. “I really appreciate your welcome home, but I have an assignment from Princess Celestia to which I must attend.”

“Ooh! Princezz businezz!” Rarity snorted.

“Looks like somepony’s had one glass too many!” Applejack swatted at Rarity.

“Listen everypony,” Twilight sighed. “I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon for Cloudsdale.”

“Cloudsdale?” Applejack asked. “How’re ya gonna get there, Twi?”

“Balloons!” Pinkie Pie burst with laughter and fell over.

“I know of a spell,” Twilight said, shaking her head at Pinkie Pie. “But, I’d like to ask that you all leave—,”

Applejack burped.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” she laughed.

“So uncouth!” Rarity scoffed.

“I’ll uncouth you!”

“I am sure you’d love to,” Rarity winked, making Applejack blush.

“Kiss her!” Pinkie Pie screamed from the floor.

“On second thought, I’ll just borrow the Boutique,” Twilight said, lifting her saddlebags onto her back and heading out the door.

* * *

Twilight pushed open the door to the Carousel Boutique, emitting a glow from her horn to light the dark room. The glow left her horn, slowly drifting across the room, splitting into several parts, each of which made its way to a lamp, illuminating the room. She set down her saddlebag on the table, pulling out her book on Deep Magic.

Rarity won’t mind if I use the boutique for the night, Twilight thought as she started to flip through the pages, combing for a certain spell.

“Rarity? Is that you?” called a voice from up the stairs. Twilight jumped, startled. She was unaware anypony else lived with Rarity. She turned, took a candle, and slowly made her way up the stairs.

“Hello?” She called out.

“Twilight?”

Twilight turned a corner, entering a small bedroom. Tucked into the covers was Rarity’s little sister, a violet-and-pink-maned, white-haired unicorn filly.

“Sweetie Belle!” Twilight smiled. “I’m sorry, did I wake you? I didn’t know you were living with Rarity right now.”

Sweetie Belle sighed, and rolled over. “Yeah, I guess she didn’t tell you about it.”

“What?”

“Nuthin.”

“Is something wrong?” Twilight asked, approaching the bedside.

“Nah, don’t worry about it.”

“Hmm,” Twilight thought to herself. “Well, I’m sorry for waking you Sweetie Belle. Rarity’s back at the library, I just needed some quiet to perform a bit of a difficult spell.”

Sweetie Belle shifted.

“Need anything?”

“G’night Twilight.”

Sweetie Belle rolled over again, the covers falling down below her torso. As Twilight reached to tuck the filly in, she saw it: where once had been Sweetie Belle’s left front leg, there was nothing but a scarred and stitched stump. Her eyes went wide in shock.

“It’s not polite to stare,” Sweetie Belle muttered, feigning sleep.

“What happened?” Twilight asked.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” Sweetie Belle sighed.

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t know,” Twilight said, in shock. “Rarity never told me.”

“Of course she didn’t,” Sweetie Belle scoffed. “Rarity only talks about beautiful things.”

“Sweetie Belle, when did this happen?”

“A little after you left.” Sweetie Belle rolled over. “A runaway cart smushed my front leg, and then had to cut the whole thing off.”

A tear ran down her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Sweetie Belle.”

“It’s just not fair!” She yelled. “I don’t even have my cutie mark yet, and now I’ll probably never find a special talent. Not like this!”

She was crying. Twilight approached her bedside.

“Sweetie Belle, I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to deal with this, but I know that you’ll still be able to go onto great things.”

“I won’t!” She huffed. “I’m gonna be stuck living here with Rarity taking care of me forever! And I’ll never get my cutie mark because I’ll never have a special talent!”

She wept. Twilight climbed up onto the bed and put her hooves around Sweetie Belle.

“Shh,” Twilight consoled, “Shh… It’s alright.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight; I just can’t handle it!”

“It’s okay, Sweetie Belle.” Twilight laid the filly against her. “It will take time, but you’re a strong unicorn and I know you’ll work through it.”

“I’m just so scared, Twilight.” She nestled into the unicorn who held her. “Things are never going to be the same.”

Twilight sighed. “You’re right,” she said, matter-of-factly. “They won’t. But change is an inevitable part of life, and you have no choice but to adapt to it—whether you’re ready or not.”

Sweetie Belle looked up to Twilight.

“I think Rarity hates me,” she said.

“Now I know that’s not true.”

“It seems like it!” She argued. “Since she’s had to take care of me all the time, she hasn’t been able to make as many dresses for everypony. It’s really starting to get to her, I think. Sometimes I wish that cart had just—,” she paused. “—I wish it’d just killed me.”

“Don’t say that!” Twilight said, in shock. “Rarity loves you! She’s just still getting used to all of this, just like you are.”

Sweetie Belle pouted. “It’s not the same for her.”

“Of course it’s not the same, Sweetie,” Twilight rubbed the back of her head. “But things are suddenly new and different for her, too. I know she loves you with all of her heart and could not be happier than to take care of her little sister while she recovers.”

Sweetie Belle pressed her head against Twilight’s chest.

“Will things ever be normal again?” She asked, looking up.

“Yes. They will,” Twilight smiled down at her. “It won’t be exactly the same, but it will all be normal again. You’ll go back to having adventures with Applebloom and Scootaloo. You’ll find your way into trouble again, too, and your friends will help you out of it. And just like always, you’ll come home every night to a big sister who loves you more than anything in the world.”

Sweetie Belle wept again, but this time the tears were not of sadness.

“And I’ll still get on that big sister’s nerves?”

“I know that for a fact,” Twilight laughed, watching Sweetie Belle smile and close her eyes.

Twilight sang:

Sweet and low, sweet and low

Wind of the Western Sea

Low, low, breathe and blow

Wind of the Western Sea

Over the rolling waters go,

Come from the dying moon and blow,

Under the silver moon;

Sleep my little one,

Sleep, my pretty one,

Sleep.

And Sweetie Belle slept. Twilight slid out of bed, tucking in the filly and planting a soft kiss upon her head. She blew out the bedside candle and carefully crept back down the stairs.

She opened her book, flipping through to the W section.

Wing Generation: Unlike the simplicity of limb regeneration, the specific spell of Wing Generation is of utmost difficulty. A comprehensive understanding of wing anatomy is imperative, in order to have the focus to create something from nothing. Even when conjured by the most skilled unicorns, Wing Generation has never yielded a result much longer than twenty-four hours, the longest recorded success of a Wing Generation spell to be one week. If done improperly, results can be disastrous. See Instructional Section WG for information on casting.

Twilight leafed to the necessary page and started to work.

Wing Generation requires a most specific tribute: the spell caster must first cut two incisions into his body where he intends either wing to appear. The wounds must be left open for the duration of the conjuring.

Twilight gulped.

Perhaps I can skip that bit, she thought, but then recalled the words of Luna:

Deep Magic spells are tied to the pony who casts them, and will drain tribute from them, if they do not forfeit it up front.

She took a deep breath. Across the boutique, a drawer glowed violet and opened, a pair of Rarity’s sewing scissors floating through the air to Twilight. She turned to look at them.

“I’m sorry, Rarity.”

She closed her eyes, slowly moving the scissors towards her bare side. She shook from nervousness, but couldn’t find the power to hurt herself. The scissors dragged along her body, scratching a bit, but not even cutting the hair.

Twilight grit her teeth, realizing it would not be so easy. With all the bravado she could muster she took a leap of faith: she jabbed the scissors into her side as hard as she could.

She went immediately numb, and started to shake as her legs trembled. She bit down on the edge of the table before her, pushing the blood-covered scissors along her side, making a roughly wing-sized incision. Pulling out the scissors she collapsed on the floor. Twilight opened her eyes to see blood pooling around her.

“Halfway there,” she panted to herself, mustering the energy to keep going.

While still lying on the ground, she brought the scissors to the other side of her body and created another wing-sized laceration. Twilight growled as she finished, tossing the scissors across the room. She shakily pulled herself up to the table, trying to focus on the book.

Reprinted below is a comprehensive analysis of wing anatomy. Remember that it is imperative one understands this before attempting the necessary tribute.

Twilight groaned, closing her eyes.

She opened them immediately.

“This is no time to sleep, Twilight Sparkle!” She snapped at herself, focusing back on the written word.

Analyze the bone structure of the wing. There are seven main bones, which are single fused ossifications of smaller—

Everything turned to black.

* * *

“Well, what do we have here?”

Twilight opened her eyes, and looked up to see a dark blue pony standing before her.

“Princess Luna, how did you get here?” Twilight asked.

“How about you answer that for me?”

Twilight looked around at the boutique. But there was no boutique. There was no blood stained floor. There were no lacerations upon her body.

“We’re in a dream.”

“As with most of our meetings,” Luna japed. “But we do not have so much time, Twilight Sparkle.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are dying.”

“What?!” Twilight stared in disbelief.

“You are on the floor of the Carousel Boutique, bleeding heavily. I am certain you remember that,” Luna said.

“But how am I supposed to complete the spell if I’m asleep?” Twilight pulled herself to her hooves.

“This is where your teachings in Subconscious Magic come into use. You have witnessed the great power that is Deep Magic. Combat its power with subconscious magic: complete the spell in the dream state.”

“I don’t know if I can focus enough to give myself wings,” she cried out.

“You should have thought of that before paying tribute,” Luna laughed. “Let me give you some incentive.”

Twilight began to fall as the blackness around her became the sky. Luna disappeared upward as Twilight tumbled through the air. Her speed increased as she approached a nonexistent ground. She closed her eyes and focused, trying to feel wings on her sides. She imagined the way wings would feel, on her sides, the feathers brushing up against her body.

Twilight opened her eyes and looked back, but she was still just a unicorn. She groaned, and noticed Luna swooping around her.

“You can’t just imagine being winged! You must be winged!” Luna shouted over the sound of air blowing past them. “Clear out everything else!”

“I’m trying!” She shouted, closing her eyes again.

She cleared her mind, and ceased all movement—even breath.

For the second time, the world around her faded out. There was no more tickle of her mane blowing in the wind, and no rush of air to her face. Her limbs did not flop as she fell. There existed nothing in the universe except a singular Twilight Sparkle.

She focused on her body.

This my head, she thought as she moved it slowly. This is the head of Twilight Sparkle.

And these, she thought, lifting her hooves, are the hooves of Twilight Sparkle.

She continued the pattern, from head, to hooves, to horn, to mane, to tail, until finally…

And these, she thought, spreading her wings to their full length, are the wings of Twilight Sparkle.

* * *

“Twilight, wake up!”

Twilight moaned and shifted.

“Princess Luna, I think I—,”

“Twilight, are you okay?!” Rarity screamed. “There’s blood everywhere! You have—,” she stopped. “You have wings!”

Twilight opened her eyes, looking up to see Rarity in glow of the morning sun that shined through the boutique windows.

“Twilight, what happened last night?!” Rarity came over to Twilight as she rose, helping her to her hooves.

“I—,” Twilight stopped. She wasn’t quite sure. “I performed a very power spell.”

“All this blood!” Rarity whined. “Are you okay, Twilight?”

“Yes, Rarity, I’m fine,” she smiled. “I’m sorry I got blood all over your boutique, I just—,” she watched as Rarity’s attention went back to her wings. “I just had never done it before.”

“My dear, those wings!” Rarity ogled. “You’re an alicorn! In Celestia’s name, how did you do such a thing?”

Twilight looked back at her stunning wingspan, still not quite used to the feeling.

“Rarity, I wish I could stay and explain,” she closed her wings against her sides, accidentally knocking her book onto the floor, “but I’m not sure exactly how much time I have.” She went to close the book and noticed the passage:

Regeneration (limbs): The regeneration of limbs is perhaps the simplest of spells in the realm of Deep Magic, however it requires the utmost focus.

She tugged the page from the book, and folded it.

“I understand, my dear,” Rarity sighed. “You have business to attend to for the princess.”

“I’m sorry Rarity,” Twilight said, lifting her saddlebag onto her back, shifting her wings underneath it. “I wish I could help you clean up, but this is real important. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” She looked down at the folded paper that she held in the air beside her.

“It’s okay—I can clean everything up,” Rarity said. “When will I see you again, Twilight?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure I’ll be coming back to Ponyville for a while.” Twilight made her way to the stairs.

Rarity twitched. “Wh-where are you going?”

“To see Sweetie Belle before I go.”

“How did you know she’s—,”

“She and I spoke last night,” Twilight turned to Rarity.

“I’m sorry,” Rarity lowered her head. “I should have told you sooner.”

“Maybe you should have,” Twilight said, coming back over to Rarity. “But what’s done is done, and you have a little sister who needs you more than anypony else in the world right now.”

“I feel dreadful, Twilight!” Rarity exclaimed in a whisper. “I want nothing but for her to be happy and recover, but—,” she lowered her head. “But nothing I had ever planned for included this.”

“Sweetie Belle said something similar,” Twilight said, lifting Rarity’s head with the gentle prod of her muzzle. “I think you should talk to her.”

Rarity smiled.

Twilight turned and crept up the stairs, so as not to wake the sleeping unicorn filly. She set down the folded paper on the table by Sweetie Belle’s bed, pulled the covers back over her, and left the boutique.

When improperly performed, malformed, incorrect, or even cursed limbs may generate in place of the desired limb.

* * *

Fluttershy awoke to the knocking on her door. She climbed out of bed and made her way downstairs. Yawning, she opened the door to see Twilight Sparkle.

“Oh, good morning, Twilight,” she smiled, rubbing her eyes.

“Hi, Fluttershy! I know it’s a bit early, but I was hoping you could help me with something.”

“Of course, Twilight! Anything at all!”

“Well, if you can’t come with me to Cloudsdale,” she grinned and spread her wings, “do you think you could teach me to fly there myself?”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened.

“Twilight! You have—,” she stuttered, “Wings!”

“I suppose this is a bit of a shock,” Twilight laughed. “It’s a rather difficult spell I performed last night, and I’m not sure just how long it’ll last. If you could help me figure out some flying basics, I would really appreciate it.”

“But Twilight, you know I’m not a very good flier,” Fluttershy said, embarrassed.

“You’re better than me,” Twilight sighed, showing off a bruise on her flank. “I took a bit of a tumble trying to fly out of Rarity’s Boutique earlier.”

“Oh my!” Fluttershy covered her mouth. “Of course I’ll help you Twilight. It’s just I’m no Rainb—,” she stopped. “I’m not as good as most ponies.”

* * *

“Well, um, I think the problem is that you’re not flapping them at the same time,” Fluttershy giggled, watching Twilight from the air.

“It’s so hard to keep coordinated!” Twilight groaned, trying to synchronize her wing motions as she stayed planted on the ground. “Why am I so heavy?”

“Try going slower,” Fluttershy instructed. “It’s not so much how hard you try but getting the wings to match up, I think.”

Twilight stopped and started over, slowly.

“That’s it, just flap them in unison.”

Twilight began to increase the speed as she flapped her new wings. Not focusing on power, but on maintaining uniformity, she began to lift of the ground.

“Oh yes! You’re doing it Twilight!” Fluttershy cheered.

She opened her eyes and looked down, seeing her hooves dangling above the grass.

“I’m doing it!” Twilight whooped, losing her concentration, and starting to wobble. She straightened back out.

“You’ll get used to it,” Fluttershy smiled. “And then you won’t have to think about it so much.”

Twilight focused, trying to raise herself to Fluttershy’s height.

“Very good! You’ll be soaring in no time!” Fluttershy giggled.

Twilight looked down as she reached the same height as Fluttershy, shaking nervously.

“Oh yes, it can be scary so far up,” Fluttershy flew over and wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s middle, making sure she didn’t fall. “But you’ll get used to that too, I think. Why, I don’t even think about it anymore!”

Twilight smiled, losing her sense of nervousness.

“Since you’re getting used to it now, why don’t you try to fly back and forth a bit?” Fluttershy instructed. “Um, fly to that tree maybe?”

Twilight shakily started to maneuver herself forward, making her way through the air. She loved the way the wind felt blowing through her mane, and her confidence in flying grew.

“I think I’m really getting this,” Twilight laughed as she turned to Fluttershy.

POMF!

With a dash of rainbow, Fluttershy went from smiling in the air to squirming on the ground, underneath a familiar pegasus.

“Hello, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash squealed, covering the pinned pegasus’ muzzle with short kisses.

“Dashie!” Fluttershy protested. “T-Twilight is—,”

Dash turned, her jaw dropping as she saw the hovering purple alicorn just a ways away from her.

“Twilight?!” She was agog. “You have wings!” Rainbow Dash immediately shot through the air, tackling Twilight to the ground.

“Umf!”

“TwilightthisisamazinghowinEquestriadidyou—,”

“Gerroffme!”

Dash let off of Twilight, who stood and brushed herself off.

“Sorry, Twilight,” Dash smiled sheepishly. “I just—how did you—?”

“It’s a temporary spell,” she explained. “It’s just for the next couple of days, as I have some business in Cloudsdale and—,”

“You’re coming to Cloudsdale?!” Rainbow Dash beamed and shot up into the air, twirling with excitement. “This is awesome!”

Twilight laughed nervously. “Yes, well, I do have an assignment to attend to and—,”

“I know! You can come see the next Wonderbolts show! It’s the biggest yet, and it’s gonna be amazing!” Rainbow Dash squealed. “And you can come and stay with me n’ Spitfire, and—,” she stopped immediately realizing what she had said. She turned and looked to Fluttershy. “I mean, anyway, you can come and stay with me, and I’ll show you around Cloudsdale and—,”

Fluttershy ran immediately back to her house in tears. Dash gritted her teeth and inhaled sharply, turning back to Twilight.

“Look, Twi, I gotta—,”

“Go ahead,” she nodded, spreading her wings for some more practice in the meantime.

Dash sighed and flew over to Fluttershy’s cottage and knocked on the door.

“Hey Fluttershy!” She yelled through the door. “Hey, look, I’m sorry!”

The door opened a crack.

“Sorry for what?” Fluttershy said sternly through tears as she peered out.

“I—,” Dash stuttered. “I—,”

Fluttershy closed the door.

Dash sighed and went to the open window.

“Fluttershy, listen!” Dash pleaded. “I came here to invite you! I just got so excited over seeing Twilight and—,”

“And was I going to stay with you and Spitfire?” She yelled.

“I—,”

“I’m sure she’d like to hear about all those kisses you greeted me with and—,”

“Fluttershy!”

She coughed, choking on her tears. “Rainbow Dash, please just leave me alone!” She slammed closed the window.

Dash plopped to the ground, breathing heavily.

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight approached with caution. “Is everything alright?”

She sniffed, but hid her tears. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

“If you still want to, I’d love to stay with you and Spitfire in Cloudsdale,” Twilight said.

Dash smiled.

“I don’t want to be a third wheel or anything,” she laughed nervously.

“Of course not, Twilight!” Dash sprang up and hugged the alicorn. “I know Spitfire would love to meet you!” She flew up, Twilight struggling to follow behind just as quickly. “If we get there by tonight, I can show you around Cloudsdale, and then you can see the Wonderbolts show tomorrow morning!”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight thought for a moment. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to make the show if it’s tomorrow. The spell’s duration is variable and—,”

“Aww, c’mon Twilight!” Rainbow Dash pleaded, spinning back around to wait up for her slower companion. “This is our biggest show yet, and you can’t miss it! Not when you have wings!”

Twilight did the math in her head. “Well, the spell should last long enough. I cast it this morning, and the book said it lasts about a day.” She thought for a moment. “I think I’ll be able to see the show, since it means so much to you.”

“Whoopee!” Dash did a flip in the air. “C’mon, let’s go to Cloudsdale!” She started to speed off.

“Whoa, hold on!” Twilight called to her. “I’m not that fast!” She made a shaky swoop down to pick up her saddlebag, which she threw around her neck.

“Hold on, Rainbow Dash!” She yelled, trying to catch up to the speedy pegasus. “I’m coming!”

* * *

Twilight collapsed in a heap on the cloud, panting.

“C’mon, Twilight! It was only like five miles!”

She rolled over and Dash stepped over to her.

“It’s like you haven’t ever flown before!”

“I haven’t ever flown before!”

Dash laughed, helping Twilight up.

“My wings are killing me,” Twilight groaned, following Dash along the path of clouds.

“Don’t worry, Twi. We’re almost there!” She said with a smile.

Twilight looked up to the towering marble structures of Cloudsdale that rose over the hazy distance.

“Is it just me,” she panted, “or is Cloudsdale even more beautiful when you have to fly five miles to get there?”

Dash laughed. “It’s not just you.”

They trotted across the cloud walkway to the marble staircase that rose to Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash led Twilight through the market square that bustled with pegasi milling about through merchants’ booths. The alicorn amongst pegasi did not go unnoticed. Twilight avoided eye contact with the inquisitive ponies as she followed Dash through and out of the town square.

“Ugh,” Dash scoffed, as they upped a marble staircase, leading to a row of houses. “Some ponies have no manners.”

“It’s fine,” Twilight smiled.

Dash led Twilight up to one of the small row houses. She pushed open the door, and Twilight followed her inside.

“Spitfire! I’m home!” Dash shouted, closing the door. Twilight looked around: the room was small, but comfortable. The floors and walls were marble, just as most of the architecture in Cloudsdale, but a stone fireplace, a divan, and some rugs made it much more cozy.

“Hey Featherhead, welcome back!” A bright yellow pegasus, with a mane like fire, came into the room. She nipped at Dash’s flushed muzzle. “And who’s this?” She asked, turning to Twilight. “She’s not the pony you said you’d bring home.”

“Oh! Yes!” Dash blushed. “This is Twilight Sparkle, she’s a friend of mine.”

Spitfire nodded, eying up the alicorn.

“I’m Spitfire. ‘S’nice to meet you.”

“Hello Spitfire,” she smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh have you now?” Spitfire grinned at Rainbow Dash. “What has Dashie been telling you?”

Dash smiled nervously and gulped.

“Anyway, Twilight,” she stammered. “I guess I haven’t really said this before but uh—,” Dash searched for words. “Me n’ Spitfire have a—a sort of a thing.”

Twilight smiled at Dash’s embarrassment.

“Is that what you’re calling it now?” Spitfire laughed. “A thing?”

Rainbow Dash blushed even more.

“We’re a couple,” Spitfire said, nonchalantly.

“I suspected as much,” Twilight smiled. “I think it’s great that you two have both found somepony you love.”

Dash let out a sigh of relief.

“That wasn’t so bad, was it, Featherhead?” Spitfire nipped Dash’s ear and laughed.

“Anyway, Spitfire, I was gonna show Twilight around Cloudsdale,” Dash said, pulling her ears away.

“I assume you’re bringing her to the show tomorrow?”

Dash nodded.

“Actually, Spitfire, I’m here first and foremost on royal business,” Twilight explained. “I have an assignment from Princess Celestia.”

“Of course you’re royalty: you’re an alicorn.” Spitfire smirked.

“I’m actually not royalty,” Twilight blushed. “And I’m actually not an alicorn—,”

“Anyway,” Rainbow Dash interrupted, opening the door. “I’m gonna go show Twilight around Cloudsdale.”

“It was nice to finally meet you, Spitfire,” Twilight smiled.

“You too,” she winked. “So Dashie, is she gonna be staying with us tonight? ‘Cause if not then I’ll change into those socks you like—,”

Dash turned beet red as Twilight burst out laughing.

“No!” She blurted out. “Not tonight!”

“If you say so,” Spitfire winked again and closed the door.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” Dash blushed as she led Twilight back up the path.

“Don’t be so embarrassed,” Twilight nudged Dash. “I think you two are really cute together.”

“I just feel so bad about Fluttershy,” Dash said, lowering her head as she continued to lead Twilight down the road. “I feel like it’s really affected our friendship.”

Twilight thought back to comforting the quivering pegasus.

“I’ve been trying to get her to come visit Cloudsdale since I moved here,” Dash sighed. “But she’s been too mad about Spitfire to ever come.”

“She seems to really love you,” Twilight said.

“I know,” Dash nodded. “I love her too. But she’s my friend. I mean, we fooled around a bit before, but it was never anything too serious. Of course, I still think about her and all that but—” She took a deep breath and ruffled her feathers. “—but I’m with Spitfire now! Even though sometimes I wish—No, I shouldn’t be saying all this.”

“It’s alright,” Twilight said. “I know you just need to get it off your chest. But perhaps you should try talking to Fluttershy.”

“I’ve tried talking to Fluttershy!” Dash groaned, heading down the set of stairs to the market square. “But she’s just so mad at me about everything, I can’t get through to her!”

Dash stopped in the middle of the square, looking around.

“Oh wait, where are we going?” She mused, looking around. “Well, you’ve been to the stadium before. There’s not too much to see in the square here—,”

“Actually,” Twilight interrupted, “I’d really like to see the Celestial Pantheon if you could show me that.”

“That?” Dash shrugged. “Eh, that’s just some dumb old temple thing. Not really worth seeing.”

“Please?” Twilight smiled. “I’m really looking forward to seeing it!”

“Sure, I guess.”

Dash turned around and led Twilight to the other end of the market square. They made their way up a large set of stairs, and they passed underneath a marble arch into the Celestial Pantheon. Following Dash inside, Twilight noticed inset carvings on the walls, each one displaying a famous battle in ancient Equestrian history. The carvings were old, and some had been chipped away from time.

Dash yawned, as she and Twilight reached the end of the aisle, and she first saw it: the worn stone statue of Princess Celestia. At its base was a plaque:

Posthumously dedicated to Sovereign Thunder, who died at its base.

She stepped forward to look over the statue. A glint of light caught her eye, and she raised her head to see two shining blue gemstones, which shined as brightly as they did hundreds of years before.

“The Crystal Eye of Celestia!” She exclaimed. It was just as Celestia had described.

“Yeah, it’s kinda cool, I guess.” Dash shrugged. “But it’s just some gems.”

Twilight looked around the pantheon, looking for any sort of guard.

“Most ponies don’t come here?”

“No,” Dash said. “It’s just a tribute thing. I don’t know anypony who ever comes here.”

Twilight remained silent, focusing on the statue’s shining left eye. It’s glow almost seemed irregular.

“You sure you don’t wanna see the Cloudsdale Library?” Dash asked. “Or something cool, like the pegasus racetracks, or—,”

Twilight snapped her attention away.

“Sure, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight smiled, her gaze drifting back to the left eye. “Wherever you want to go, I’d love to see.”

* * *

Twilight yawned as she and Dash came in from the dark to the small row house.

“I didn’t realize Cloudsdale was so big,” she said, stretching her wings. “I hope I never have to fly this much again!”

“It’s great once you get used to it,” Dash closed the door and Twilight plopped down onto the divan, before the fire.

“Hey, Featherhead, welcome home,” Spitfire came around the corner as Dash sat on the rug. “Had fun?”

“Oh yeah, I showed Twi all around Cloudsdale.”

“It’s a beautiful city,” Twilight agreed.

“Great,” Spitfire smiled. “So Dashie, I was thinking we could set Twilight up on the divan for the night. If that’s alright with you, of course.” She looked at Twilight.

“Oh yes, that’s perfectly fine.” Twilight smiled.

“Sorry I don’t have anything better,” Spitfire looked at Dash. “We only have one bed and Rainboom here didn’t exactly bring home the pony I expected.”

Dash blushed.

“Hey, you know, it’s getting late!” She said quickly. “We should probably be getting to bed. Big show in the morning, you know.”

“Good idea, Featherhead,” Spitfire leaned into Dash. “As long as Twilight doesn’t mind.”

“Of course not,” Twilight laughed. “This is all perfectly comfortable. Thank you both for letting me stay in your home.”

Spitfire grinned and nipped Dash’s ear, making her squeak.

Spitfire brought out some blankets and pillows for Twilight.

“I know Dash went to get these, but she lay down and fell asleep.” Spitfire laughed, making the divan.

“That’s alright,” Twilight smiled. “I know she’s real tired and has a big show tomorrow.”

Spitfire started to blow out the candles throughout the room.

“It’s a big one, alright,” she laughed. “You’re gonna love it.”

Twilight crawled under the covers of the divan, snuggling up onto the pillow as Spitfire extinguished the final candle.

“Night Twily,” Spitfire whispered, planting a kiss upon Twilight’s cheek.

…

Twilight sat up, but Spitfire had gone to bed.

That was odd, she thought to herself.

She listened to the silence, hearing nothing from the rest of the house. Content, she stepped out of bed, and lifted her saddlebag, draping it over her back. Twilight crept as quietly as she could, opening the door and disappearing into the night.

* * *

“Well, my Faithful Student, I have good news.” Celestia stood, coming over to Twilight. “You’re going back to Ponyville immediately!”

Twilight’s heart sank.

“Princess Celestia, what did I do wrong?” she pleaded, “I’m sorry I’ve missed so many combat lessons, I just—,”

Celestia laughed, and interrupted. “I’m sorry Twilight, let me explain before I scare you any further. I’m sending you back to Ponyville with a task to complete.”

“A task?” Twilight asked.

“Yes,” Celestia nodded. “There’s something of mine that I need you to acquire.”

“What is it, Princess Celestia?”

Celestia sat down beside Twilight.

“In Cloudsdale, there is a rather large statue of—,” she laughed, “Well, of me. It is a weathered old stone, but the crystal eyes of the statue glow this brilliant bright blue. I need you to get for me the left eye.”

“But why, Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked. “You’re the princess! I’m sure you could have any gem you wanted.”

“I know that,” Celestia rubbed Twilight’s back gently. “But of all the gems I could want, this is the gem that I need.”

“Hmm,” Twilight thought. “But Princess, how will I get to Cloudsdale? The only wing spell I know is a bit of a crock, and it’s a mess to coordinate a hot air balloon—,”

“How about you take my book on the train,” Celestia smiled. “I am sure you will find in it plenty of worthwhile spells.”

“Why do I need to go to Ponyville then?” Twilight asked. “I could just perform the spell here, and then go straight to Cloudsdale.”

“Because somepony else needs to go to Cloudsdale too, and I think you may be able to help her.”

* * *

Twilight lifted the chisel from her saddlebag, standing before the statue in the Celestial Pantheon. It glowed pink as she lifted it to the left crystal eye, and began to carefully chisel away at the stone. She raised her saddlebag to sit below the head of the statue, ready to catch the crystal as it fell.

After about a minute, with one final chip of the chisel, the blue shining crystal fell from the stone statue, into Twilight’s saddlebag. She smiled, closing the bag and draping it again over her back. She turned to leave.

“So that’s what you came to Cloudsdale for,” Spitfire smirked, standing in the entrance to the pantheon.

“Spitfire!” Twilight shook. “It’s not what it looks like, I—,”

“I heard you get up and followed you all the way here,” Spitfire grinned as she came down the aisle towards Twilight. “It’s exactly what it looks like, Twily: You came to Cloudsdale to steal the Crystal Eye of Celestia.”

Twilight lowered her head.

“It would be such a shame if Dash’s friend was arrested before she could even see the Wonderbolts show,” Spitfire came close to Twilight.

“What are you saying?” Twilight looked up.

“Well,” Spitfire pressed her muzzle against Twilight’s head. “You’ve obviously noticed how empty the Celestial Pantheon is at night.” She started to chew on Twilight’s ears. “Perhaps I could keep my mouth shut if you did some things for me.”

Twilight stepped back, aghast.

“Spitfire! You’re with Rainbow Dash!”

“Meh,” she shrugged. “Dashie’s soooo prude!” She laughed. “And besides, what Featherhead doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” Spitfire brushed up against Twilight, feeling her warmth.

Twilight stepped back again, her horn beginning to glow pink.

“Spitfire, if you come closer to me again, I’ll have no choice but to use force.” Twilight warned. “Think about what you’re saying! This isn’t right!”

“Use force, eh?” Spitfire laughed. “I’m afraid I might like that too much.” She came forward and pulled Twilight into an intimate nuzzle. Twilight’s eyes widened, the pink glow that came from her horn shooting instantly in every direction, engulfing her and Spitfire.

And then everything turned to black.

* * *

“It’s odd to be on the other side of it at first, isn’t it?”

Twilight opened her eyes. She was in the ballroom, at the Grand Galloping Gala.

“What?” She felt woozy.

“Focus Twilight,” Luna said, putting her hoof around the wobbly unicorn. “This is an excellent and incredibly interesting lesson for you.”

“Luna,” Twilight looked around. “I’m dreaming again!”

“For once, you are not!” Luna laughed. “You accidentally performed an impressive bit of magic just a moment ago, and you now have the opportunity to be the intruder in the dreams.”

Twilight looked around the ballroom. It wasn’t as bright as she remembered.

“What are you doing here, Princess?”

“What I always do, Twilight. Following you around.” Luna giggled and nudged Twilight’s side. “But I think I’ll let you alone this time. Don’t worry about getting too close to Spitfire—she won’t notice.”

And then Luna was gone.

“Hey, I know you!”

“Excuse me?” Twilight turned to see Spitfire and Rainbow Dash.

“You’re the pony that saved us in Cloudsdale and won the Best Flyer Competition,” Spitfire pointed to Dash.

“Hey, yea!” Dash smiled. “Name’s Rainbow Dash.”

“Well, Rainbow Dash,” Spitfire grinned. “Looks like your skills saved us again.”

The images of the Gala melted away. Twilight suddenly stood in front of Pony Joe’s Donut Shop. She watched as all of her friends walked out of the shop, Spitfire running up to Rainbow Dash on the tail end.

“Hey Rainbow Dash,” Spitfire said, “I’ve been looking for you.”

Dash blushed.

“You’ve been looking for me?” She asked, blushing.

“Yeah, I think you’re pretty cool, ya Featherhead.” Spitfire laughed, planting a peck on Dash’s cheek. “Find me if you’re ever in Cloudsdale. We’ll spend some time together.”

Pony Joe’s melted away. Twilight suddenly stood within Spitfire and Dash’s home.

“Dash, do you still have feelings for her?”

Spitfire and Dash came into the room in a huff, and Twilight ducked behind the divan.

“I don’t!” Dash yelled, going to the door. “She’s just my friend!”

“You call her name while you sleep,” Spitfire said, looking over to the divan. She raised her brow.

Spitfire and Dash’s house melted away. Twilight suddenly sat on the sideline of the Cloudsdale Stadium. Spitfire, Dash, and the rest of the Wonderbolts flew in, getting ready for practice.

“Hey Spitfire, is it cool if I invite Fluttershy to stay with us and see the show this weekend?” Dash asked as she stretched her wings.

“Stay with us?” Spitfire playfully swooped past Dash. “Are we talking stay with us, or… stay with us?” She laughed.

“N-no!” Dash blushed. “I mean, I don’t know what she’d want, but she’s just my friend!”

Spitfire looked over.

“What’s she doing here?” Spitfire said, pointing straight to Twilight on the sideline.

Cloudsdale Stadium melted away. Twilight suddenly stood in the entrance of the Celestial Pantheon. Her eyes went wide as she saw herself and Spitfire in front of the statue.

“Spitfire! You’re with Rainbow Dash!” Dream Twilight said, aghast.

“I know,” Spitfire stepped back, and lowered her head. “But she’s not really into the relationship. And neither am I.”

Twilight and her doppelganger both tilted their heads.

“What do you mean, Spitfire?” Dream Twilight asked, moving closer.

“She’s in love with that Fluttershy,” Spitfire sighed and turned away. “She says she’s not, but I know it’s true.” She furrowed her brow as she saw a second Twilight in the entrance to the pantheon.

“Twilight!” Spitfire yelled. “You’ve been spying on me!”

“Wait, no—,” Twilight said.

“Liar!” Spitfire interrupted. “It’s some alicorn magic! I knew I couldn’t trust you!” Spitfire began to fly towards Twilight, a gleam of anger in her eyes.

“Spitfire—!”

Twilight was interrupted by the collision, during which everything turned to black.

* * *

Twilight opened her eyes, the sun shining bright through the entrance of the Celestial Pantheon. She lifted herself up, groaning at her sore side. She looked around: Spitfire was gone, and so was her saddlebag. She sighed.

“Who soars through tornadoes and sudden jolts?!” Twilight heard a call off in the distance.

The show was starting! She ran as fast as she could out of the pantheon, galloping through the market square, all the way to Cloudsdale Stadium.

“And the newest member of the Wonderbolts,” the announcer called, as Twilight made her way through the crowd to her cloud in the first row. “Rainbow Dash!”

Just as Twilight sat down in her seat between two pegasi, Rainbow Dash, dressed in the blue Wonderbolt uniform, swooped into the stadium. Everypony cheered as she performed several flips through the air. Dash made a point to wave to Twilight as she flew by the crowd.

All six of the Wonderbolts shot into the air in unison, each one breaking off after the other, creating a fabulous jet stream behind them. Four of them then came back down, the trail of clouds behind creating a “WB” in the air, and Rainbow Dash next to it formed a Rainbow “!”. Spitfire broke off from the group and flew in front of the crowd.

“How ya doin’, everypony?” She shouted. Everypony cheered as each Wonderbolt lined up behind her. “How ‘bout we start this show with some speed?!”

As she spoke, Fleetfoot, Highwinds, and Lightning Streak shot up into the air behind her, swirling entwined with each other as they flew as one being. Rainbow Dash, Wave Chill, and Spitfire all flew down to the sidelines while the other Wonderbolts performed. Fleetfoot, Highwinds, and Lightning Streak came back down, still flying in an entwined whirlwind, flying in circles around the stadium, right over the audience. On cue, Wave Chill flew out from the sidelines and seamlessly joined the Wonderbolt whirlwind as it circled over the audience.

“Mind the wind direction. Don’t crash on entry this time, Featherhead,” Spitfire grinned and nestled against Dash as they watched the other Wonderbolts do their routine.

“That was one time!” Dash pouted as Spitfire flew off, joining the circling whirlwind with ease, to the awe of the audience.

“Excuse me, are you alright?” The pink pegasus sitting next to Twilight asked.

“Hm?” Twilight turned. “I’m fine, why?”

“Your wings!” She pointed.

Twilight turned her head back to look at her wings: the feathers started to molt into ash, and the bones shriveled and crumbled.

“Oh no!” Twilight gasped. She got to her feet, but immediately screamed as she fell through the cloud.

Dash took a deep breath and prepared herself. Just as she readied herself for entry, she heard an out-of-place scream. She turned her head to look as she shot off. From the corner of her eye she saw Twilight, plummeting toward the ground as she screamed in terror. With a double take, Dash changed direction immediately and started to race towards Twilight as fast as she could.

She grit her teeth, unable to fly quite as fast as she needed; Twilight had already started to fall before Dash noticed, and now there was considerable distance between them. Dash shut her eyes as the ash of Twilight’s shriveled wings briefly clouded the air.

Dash coughed, and then opened her eyes as the ash cleared, only to see Twilight even farther below than before. She furrowed her brow and increased her speed, flapping her wings faster. Twilight got closer, and Dash got faster. As the wind picked up against Dash’s direction, she flapped her wings faster, wobbling. She got closer and closer to Twilight as the ground approached below both of them. Closing her eyes, Dash stretched her hooves out in front of her and reached to grab Twilight.

As she pulled Twilight safely against her body, she suddenly felt a twinge in her right wing. It suddenly seized up and ceased flapping. As the other wing kept flapping, Rainbow Dash began to spiral out of control. She held tight onto Twilight as they both plummeted through the air.

“I—I can’t get my balance!” Dash shouted, squirming as she tried to even out through the air, both of her wings waving randomly with the wind. She looked to see the approaching ground and gulped. She pulled her wings taut against her sides, screaming through the pain of moving her seized-up wing. Attempting to stop wobbling, she aligned her head straight toward the ground.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shrieked as they evened into a straight fall, the ground getting ominously closer. Pulling Twilight nearer, Rainbow Dash inhaled a determined breath and grit her teeth. She spread her wings to the full wingspan, grimacing at the pain of her injured wing in the wind.

Using the drag on her wingspan, Dash did her best to slow their fall. As the growing sight of the ground flashed before her, Dash leaned forward, bringing her and Twilight into a glide. Dash did her best to orient her back parallel with the ground, holding Twilight tight against her stomach.

“Brace yourself!” Dash screamed, as her back met the ground with a loud crash. Dash slid and spun along the grass, her wings being torn apart as the friction slowed her down quickly. Through all the pain, she still held a vice grip on Twilight. The sliding ceased as they crashed against a tree, Dash coming to a complete stop and Twilight flying out of her grip, landing a few yards away.

Twilight took a deep breath and pulled herself to her hooves. Her whole body ached, and she was covered in bruises and cuts.

“Rainbow Dash?” She called, slowly walking forward.

“Twi,” came a whisper from behind a tree. Twilight gasped as she turned the corner, seeing Dash in a heap against the tree trunk, her wings cracked and destroyed, her body mangled and bleeding.

“Rainbow Dash! Sweet Celestia—,” her legs bucked under her at the sight.

“Twi,” Dash coughed. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, Rainbow Dash, I—,” she lay down beside Dash. “You saved my life.”

Dash smiled. Twilight had seen that same beam before: on the face of a pony who had just achieved her dream of becoming a Wonderbolt.

“I’m still the fastest of ‘em all,” she let out another small cough, as she breathed heavily.

Twilight leaned in, moving closer to Rainbow Dash.

“Is somepony coming, Twi?”

She didn’t know. “Yes,” she smiled, looking into Dash’s eyes. “Somepony’s on the way, and we’re gonna get you to the hospital so you can get all fixed up.”

Dash closed her eyes.

“Guess I have some reading ahead of me then,” she whispered, laying her head back against the tree. She coughed and a few drops of blood splat onto Twilight’s face.

“I’m sorry, Twilight,” Dash whispered in embarrassment.

“It’s okay.” She laid her warm head underneath Dash’s chin. “Somepony is going to be here real soon.”

“I don’t think I’m gonna make it,” Dash looked stone-faced. “I just want to sleep.”

“No, Dash, don’t say that! It’s just going to be a few minutes before somepony finds us and—,”

“I can feel it, Twilight,” she strained to lower her head and touch Twilight’s forehead. “I’m just happy you’re okay.” She closed her tear-filled eyes.

Twilight shook too much to get to her hooves.

“Rainbow Dash—,” she choked out.

The pegasus did not move. Frozen as stone was the smile on her face and the tear that rolled down her cheek.

Twilight broke down into tears, pushing her head against the fading warmth of Dash’s body.

On this day, the brightest light in my life has burnt out. –S.S.

With a wisp of memory, Twilight looked up to the stone face of her fallen friend. She sniffed and attempted to focus, a glow of pink emitting from her horn. The glow engulfed her and Rainbow Dash as she focused. She let the world around her slip away as she attempted to pour into Dash all of her heart and soul. Everything turned to black as she could feel life and energy draining from her.

“Stop!”

Twilight looked up. Before her in the nothingness stood Rainbow Dash, just as fresh and alive as she had ever appeared.

“Rainbow Dash, I—,”

“I know what you’re doing,” Dash said with curtness. “Stop. It’s not worth it.”

“But Rainbow Dash, I’m the reason this happened to you!

“No you’re not,” Rainbow Dash said, coming closer to Twilight. “And I don’t want you to ever think that again, you hear?”

“I know I have the power to bring you back, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight fought through sobs. “Just let me try!”

“Twilight,” Dash smiled and pressed against the distraught unicorn. Twilight felt a living warmth, that just moments before had been absent. “I’m never going to really be gone. I’ll be with you as long as you still remember me.”

Twilight looked up and buried her muzzle into Dash’s mane.

“But how can I ever grasp that you won’t return?”

Dash sighed, and put a hoof around Twilight.

“I guess that’s not so easy to say. But you know, it’s something everypony has to go through.” She pulled Twilight close to the beating of her heart. “You may never quite feel the same way again, but you’re a strong pony. I know you’ll make it through this.”

“Rainbow Dash—,” she choked, “—I’m going to miss you so much.”

“I know,” she embraced the trembling unicorn as if she were merely a filly. “And I’ll miss you, too. But I know that someday we’ll be together again. Beyond our lives there is a great white plain, where you, me, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack will all meet again. And things will go back to just how they were before, and we’ll be together eternally. How does that sound?” She wiped a tear from Twilight’s cheek.

“That doesn’t sound so bad at all,” Twilight smiled.

Rainbow Dash leaned down and nuzzled Twilight.

“Never forget, Twilight: all of you guys are the best thing that could have ever happened to my life. I love you.”

She let Twilight out of her embrace, smiling as she turned to ash, blowing away with a gust of wind.

And then there existed in the universe only a singular Twilight Sparkle.

* * *

Her friends decided to lay Rainbow Dash to rest in a field of flowers. It was impossible to count the number of ponies who attended, standing in mournful rows. From everypony in Ponyville, to Dash’s friends in Cloudsdale, to the countless fans of the Wonderbolts who trekked from every corner of Equestria, the meadow on the edge of town filled to the brim with ponies who arrived to mourn or pay tribute to the fallen mare.

Spitfire and Fluttershy brought a small, white cloud to the ground upon which Twilight delicately laid Rainbow Dash’s body. Twilight lead the procession through the crowd of sobbing ponies. Each Wonderbolt saluted as their fallen comrade passed. Rarity stood with Sweetie Belle, holding her closer than she had ever before. Beside them stood Applebloom and Applejack, both with heads lowered in mourning.

As Dash’s body passed Scootaloo she could no longer keep composure, collapsing to the ground. Fluttershy stepped from the procession, letting Spitfire continue alone, as she comforted the quivering filly who had always been like a little sister to Dash. Fluttershy could not even fight her own tears, but her warmth against Scootaloo made both ponies feel a little less alone.

Pinkie Pie and Spike stood together near Applejack. Pinkie’s look consisted only of shock, the happy-go-lucky pink pony unable to conceive that her friend would not return. Spike sat, his face buried in his hands. He was not shedding tears, but could no longer lift himself upright.

Spitfire and Twilight reached the end of the procession, the cloud that carried Rainbow Dash floating lazily before everypony. Twilight turned and looked to Spitfire, staring into her eyes for the first time since the pantheon.

Her face was serious, almost stern. She aired a sense of professionalism about her, as if her duties in the procession were a final tribute to her lost love. Her eyes screamed weakness, however. As she and Twilight shared a moment, tears began to well in her eyelids. Spitfire nodded, and Twilight did, too. Spitfire moved aside and Twilight stepped forward, standing in front of Dash’s body.

“Everypony,” Twilight began, choking up momentarily. “We have reached a day that nopony could ever have imagined would come.”

Fluttershy held Scootaloo close.

“Rainbow Dash said something to me before she died. She said, ‘I’m never going to reallybe gone. I’ll be with you as long as you still remember me.’ No truer words have been spoken by anypony. Rainbow Dash will always be with us as long as we keep her in our hearts.

“There is no way for legacy to replace the magic of a life. Rainbow Dash touched all of us, and made us all better ponies through her friendship. And I know that she believed each and every one of you did the same for her. She loved her friends more than anything.

“Somewhere far beyond Equestria there is a silver cloud upon which Rainbow Dash now sleeps, lazing away an eternal summer afternoon. And then, in the light of the sunset sky she will rise to fly once more, forever soaring against the wind. A flip, a twist, a twirl—putting on a show.”

But for no audience.

Twilight turned to face Rainbow Dash’s body, looking to that empty smile.

“I love you too, my friend.”

She closed her eyes and her horn glowed pink. The aura left her horn, surrounding Rainbow Dash’s body and lifting it into the air. Everypony watched as the sun shined upon the fallen pegasus. Twilight focused the spell, and with a spectacular rainbow shot of light, Rainbow Dash became ash, blowing off in every direction, to float forever amongst the clouds.

And then, there came an unexpected round of applause. Everypony clapped, cheering the spectacular display. Rainbow Dash had performed one final Sonic Rainboom. Though as everything must come to an end, the cheering ended and a silence once again befell the mourning crowd.

The ceremony began to disperse, heartbroken ponies reluctantly returning to life as they knew it. As Twilight turned to go rejoin her friends, Spitfire stopped her.

“Twilight,” she said. “You did Dash an amazing justice. She would not have been happier with how you sent her off.”

Twilight did her best to smile.

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you, Twilight,” Spitfire came closer. “I know there’s no way to apologize for my actions, but—,”

“Please,” Twilight interrupted. “Let’s just pretend it never happened.”

Spitfire shook her head.

“No, that won’t help anything,” she said. “I was stupid. I didn’t realize what I had, and now she’s gone.” Spitfire choked. “Look, Twilight, I want you to know I am seriously sorry for what I did to you.”

“I forgive you, Spitfire,” Twilight said, brushing up against the pegasus.

“Thank you, Twilight,” she half smiled. “It means a lot. Given all that happened.” She sighed. “Just… Let’s not let it keep us from being friends in the future.”

“Agreed,” Twilight nodded.

“And I have something for you,” Spitfire said. “Your saddlebag. I took—uh—,” she hesitated. “You left it by the statue in pantheon, and I didn’t want anypony to steal it while you were asleep. So I dropped it off with Spike in the library earlier today.”

Twilight raised her brow.

“Everything’s still inside.” Spitfire lowered her head. “Everything.”

* * *

The doors to the Entrance Hall opened as a small, purple unicorn entered the castle. She walked in silence, down the long aisle toward the raised thrones at the other end of the hall. Her sudden and unannounced presence caught the attention of the two Princesses who stood above, addressing members of the Royal Guard.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia called, diverting her focus to her student’s unannounced arrival.

“There is a darkness that surrounds her,” Luna said with concern.

Twilight continued to move forward down the long aisle in complete silence. Celestia dismissed the Royal Guard members. She and Luna came down from the balcony, both dashing to Twilight.

Twilight opened her saddlebag and pulled from it a blue gemstone. It dropped to the floor with stunning force, landing between the three ponies.

“This,” Twilight said, her head lowered. “Was this worth it?”

She could not hold herself anymore and collapsed to the ground, breaking into tears. Celestia and Luna came to her sides to comfort her. The three ponies stayed there, a thousand silent words filling the great Entrance Hall. On the floor before them, the Crystal Eye of Celestia shined just as brightly as it did hundreds of years before.