Chapters Prologue: [=0New Year^Start Of A Spark0=]
"Mommy! Are we going to see the fireworks soon!?"
"Yes, yes... Just wait until it's dark, alright? It won't be long; just let me finish talking with Miss Celestia and her sister, Luna, alright?"
"Yessss..." The purple anthro unicorn child groaned before she went back to play with her rubber ball and bounced it on the small stone wall before her. She could see she was in a temple-like place, though not very large, as there were only a few people around, and they were all talking with adults at their booths, which was boring unless it was game one. The little girl was wearing a light purple kimono with white stars all over it and had short purple hair with a single tiny ponytail with a small silver bell tied in it, which jingled a bit as she bounced her ball and hummed. She kept playing with her ball, not listening to her mother talk with the temple owner, Celestia, who was wearing a long white jacket with golden trim and long, colorful hair in a braid. It seems she's wearing a teal work shirt, tan dress pants, and white dress shoes. Her sister had left somewhere.
"Ah, you don't need to worry, Mrs. Sparkle; it's no problem for you to bring her here. Twilight will soon see this as her new home." Celestia told the mother, who smiled a bit.
Sparkle looked over at her daughter, still playing with the ball she had won at one of the booths at the Temple festival. "Still, I apologize; this is my first time doing something like this. I know my family hasn't been a part of the temple's family since the founding, but..." she looked up at the red sky as night came.
Celestia put her hands on her old friend's shoulders, giving her a kind smile. "It's alright. I'm happy that you've brought your daughter here. I'm glad you have faith in me, my dear friend. It's for her future."
"Yeah... You're right, Celestia. Thanks. I'm glad we moved to Ponyville despite the distance from the capital. I was worried, but seeing how you've improved things since you were made the head of the temple, it's amazing." replied Sparkle, looking over the temple and inside, seeing the things that will help her daughter.
"I've done what I could; the Temple will protect your daughter. I promise you that. Say goodbye to her; you can go now. She will be safe."
She hugged her with tears in her eyes. "Thanks again, Celestia."
"You are welcome, my friend," Celestia told Sparkle. She watched her friend walk to her daughter, who was looking over the temple. She knew she would keep her promise and that the little girl would grow up with the knowledge that would help her survive the life she had ahead of her.
Twilight is still playing with her ball, but she sees her mom coming over to her, so she stops and looks up at her. "Mommy?"
"Twilight, it's time," Sparkle said as she kneeled and hugged her daughter.
The small unicorn blinked, and then she felt a tear fall from her mother's eyes onto her cheek. She didn't understand, but she hugged her mother back. After a few minutes, the mother let go of her daughter and gave her a sad smile.
The little unicorn child watched her mother stepping back, and she noticed the two sisters walking over. They said something, but Twilight was too focused on her mother. The last thing she remembered was her mother leaving and the two sisters telling her they'd look after her, and she's now a part of their family.
"Mommy, come back," the young unicorn whispered before looking down at the ground, tears forming in her eyes as she held her stuff dragon harder. Miss Celestia, where are we going?" the little girl asked, and as she was walking up the temple and entering the building, the youngest sister waited outside while she watched them go deeper into the building.
"This is a temple, Twilight. We will be keeping you here and raising you. You'll be safe here," Celestia told her, giving her the warmest smile.
Twilight looks up at her, confused, as she's being led further in.
"We will raise you and teach you everything you need to know. For the future, your future. Don't worry, this is where you belong. You'll be fine." Celestia said, patting her head before opening a door and showing the young girl a room with six big beds and many things inside. Celestia could see the other five children, wearing white pajamas, playing and talking with each other. "This will be your room, and we will come and get you in the morning. You can eat and sleep here. These girls will be your family. Your sisters will be your friends to the very end. You'll be fine."
Twilight looked around the room and watched the five others look over and watch her. She was left alone with them as Celestia went back up stairs.
"What's your name, big Horn?" asked a rainbow-colored, short, boyish hair and pink-eyed pegasus girl. She smirked as she noticed Twilight puffing her cheeks and hiding her horn with her stuffed toy.
"T-Twilight... Twilight Sparkle." the young unicorn replied, a little annoyed by the comment on her horn.
The blue girl poked Twilight's horn and said, "Well, that's a weird name. My name's Rainbow Dash! I'm going to be the fastest flyer in the world!" She turned around, revealing her small, tiny wings.
Twilight saw her chance for her comeback. "With baby wings like that!?" she said, smirking before the other girls started to laugh at her.
"Oh, shut up, big horn!" Dash said as she blushed red from embarrassment, her wings flapping hard.
A pink earth pony with a giant pink afro suddenly appeared between the two. "Hehe, you're funny, Twilight! You'll be fun to have around! I'm Pinkie Pie; the white unicorn with pretty long purple hair and glasses is Rarity; she's a bookworm!" pointed Pinkie as Rarity gasped and showed the book was a fashion book. "That's Fluttershy; she's a scaredy cat." Pinkie pointed to the yellow pegasus girl with pink hair, hiding under the bed, scared of everyone. "The orange, tough-looking earth pony with the blonde ponytail is Applejack, but I call her AJ," Pinkie said as she was hugging the orange girl who walked over and blushed.
"W-What!? No fair, Pinkie! "Don't hug me!" Applejack said, pushing Pinkie away but failing as the earth pony tightened her hug.
"Heehee, nope~," Pinkie said, smirking at the earth pony.
Twilight looked around the room, finally seeing her bed with a white nightgown on top of it. She grabbed it and looked at it. She had never worn anything like this before, but it looked cute.
Celestia returned with candy and juice. "Alright, girls! Who wants gummies and fruit punch!?"
All the girls started to yell for joy as they ran over to her and grabbed a piece of candy and a cup of juice.
Celestia watched as everyone ate the gummies and finished the drinks. "Now, girls, this is Twilight Sparkle, and she'll be a part of our family," Celestia said, kneeling to them and smiling.
The girls looked at Twilight before Pinkie jumped and hugged her. "Welcome to the family!" Pinkie said, hugging her tight as everyone laughed, and Celestia chuckled.
Dash walked over and poked her horn again. "So, you'll be joining us, big horn? Cool!" Rainbow Dash said, smirking, before Twilight pulled her tiny wings, making her yell out. "Hey! Quit pulling my wings, big horn!" Dash yelled out as she tried to get her wings away. The young unicorn laughed as she continued to pull her wings. Celestia smiled but pulled them away.
"Now, girls, no fighting. You two need to get along," she said, looking at them as Twilight and Dash stuck their tongues out at each other. Celestia stood up and headed to the door. She looked at her watch and nodded. "It's getting late, so why don't you girls go to bed?" She watched as they all groaned with complaints before they got up and headed to their beds. She smiled as she watched the five girls get into their beds and put the covers over themselves, but she saw Twilight not wanting to change into her pajamas as she wanted to see the fireworks.
"Mommy said she promised I'd see the fireworks," Twilight said, pouting a bit.
Celestia sighed a bit before smiling a bit. "Very well. Just change into your nightgown and take a quick nap. The fireworks won't start until a few more hours. We'll wake you up. Is that okay, Twilight?"
"Yay! Thank you, Miss Celestia!" Twilight said, jumping and quickly taking off her kimono and putting on the white nightgown. She got into her bed and covered herself up with her stuffed dragon, smiling happily. Before her eyes became heavy, seeing Celestia smile became sad. Twilight could hear Celestia saying something as she fell into the dream world. "You are our future. For the sake of this world and the next. We will take care of you." Twilight eyes slowly shut as lights filled the room and then darkness.
Twilight woke up, her eyes slowly opening. She could hear Celestia calling out to her, telling her that she had a great nap and that the fireworks were starting.
Twilight quickly got up, ran out of the room, headed up the stairs, and went outside. Celestia and the others were waiting for her as they looked up at the night sky, filled with beautiful lights and colors.
Twilight looked up at the fireworks, amazed and happy. She saw the other girls smiling, glad to be there.
Celestia smiled and looked down at Twilight, giving her a small smile. "Twilight, my dear. Starting today, you are a part of the Spark Temple family." She whispered, opening her hand, and magical energy appeared. "I'll teach you about magic. Would you like that?"
"Yes... Please teach me." Twilight said, looking up at her and smiling.
Celestia smiled back and patted her purple head. "Good, very good. Welcome, Twilight Sparkle. You are now my student and, soon, my daughter. I'll protect you and love you. Like they ordered me."
"Thank you, Mom," Twilight replied without realizing what she said.
"You're welcome, Twilight, my daughter," Celestia replied before the fireworks filled the air, and they all cheered and yelled.
Dash pulled Twi's horn and yelled, "HAPPY NEW YEARS! BIG HORN!"
Twilight yelled, "LET GO OF MY HORN! TINY WINGS!!"
As the two yelled at each other, the others joined in, making fun of Dash, and Celestia just watched, chuckling, before turning and watching the fireworks.
"Happy New Year! A new start to life. This will be the future. Your future—find that wonderful spark in your hearts. I'll keep you all safe!"
End of Prologue
Author's Note
Eight months later, and here we are again! Note that this is mainly done. I'm going to drop all the chapters in one go.
So, there is a secret in the chapter titles, hinting that this universe was inspired by
A few years later
Twilight moved around in her bed as she felt very warm and hot. She kicked off her blanket, but the warm feeling didn't stop. She woke up and saw everyone was gone, so she carefully got out of bed, went to the bathroom, opened it, turned on the water, and let it fill the bathtub. She was sweating a lot, and she didn't know why. After a few minutes, the tub was complete, and she got undressed. She got into the tub and relaxed in the cold water before washing her body and hair. But she still felt hot, like she was burning alive.
She quickly got out but didn't dry herself off. She checked the temperature of the room and saw it was very warm, and her breathing became fast.
"Ow... My body..." Twilight whispered as she could feel her body ache from the heat, and she didn't know what was happening. She turned on the air conditioning and waited as the cold air came on, and then the cold air started to cool her down, and her breathing calmed down. She finally felt cooled. She quickly got dressed in her shrine priestess dress and headed out of the room. She could hear the bells ringing, so she walked up the stairs and saw Fluttershy at the entrance.
She was shaking but wasn't like always. She looked terrified.
"F-Fluttershy? What's wrong?" Twilight asked, walking over and grabbing her hand to see if she was okay.
Fluttershy jumped and screamed, "AHHHHH! T-Twilight, d-don't do that!" She was shaking like a leaf but then calmed down.
"What's wrong? Why are you scared?" Twilight asked again, confused and worried about her.
Fluttershy leaped on her Twilight chest and started to cry. "I don't know! My body is hot like it's burning! I don't understand! What's happening!" she yelled, scared and confused.
Twilight tried to calm her down, telling her to go down stairs and wait in the cold bedroom but Fluttershy kept crying, grabbing her harder.
"Please... Please..." she cried, begging for an answer.
Twilight didn't know what to say or do, but she hugged her and patted her back. "It's going to be okay, Fluttershy. It's going to be alright. It's the summer heatwave. It'll be over soon. Let's go inside and sit down."
The two sisters walked back downstairs and sat in Dash's bed as Twilight complained about how messy it always was. But they stayed there, and she watched as Fluttershy started to calm down and stopped crying before falling asleep on her lap.
Twilight sighed and gently patted her head. "Fluttershy, you can be such a crybaby sometimes," she whispered, loving her cute, shy sister.
A few minutes passed, and Twilight noticed that Shy was completely still. She realized she was in a deep sleep and quietly removed her head from her lap. Then, she started to clean Dash's messy bed and area.
"Tiny wings, you are such a pig! I swear! Why can't you clean after yourself, sheesh." Twilight whispered as she fixed the bed while not waking up Shy and then cleaned up the area around the bed.
Twilight stopped and looked around the room. She noticed everyone's bed was a mess, which made her sigh as her OCD kicked in.
"I swear, I have to do everything around here." She sighed again before picking up Dash's pillow and carefully putting it under Shy's head. But she could feel Shy was now cold, finally cooling down at long last. "Sleep well, Shy. I'll fix your bed first, okay?"
The young unicorn started to fix Fluttershy's bed, picking up her blanket and pillows and fixing her sheets.
After a few minutes, her bed was nice and clean, and Twilight was glad that Shy was the second cleanest sister.
The young unicorn turned and saw Shy was gone now, and she was confused. "Shy? Where are you? Fluttershy?" Twilight called out, looking around the room, but she could not find her.
"Twilight."
Twilight could hear the voice and turned, and she saw Celestia with her usual warm smile: "Mom. What's up? I'm sorry I woke up late. It was so hot today, and Shy was crying about the heat. I brought her down here, but she's...mom?" Twilight was telling her about what happened but could see Celestia was upset. Twilight became worried seeing her mother walk up to her and kneel down to her.
"I see... I see. Twilight, come with me. We must talk," Celestia said, giving a small nod, standing up, and heading out.
Twilight quickly followed behind and then exited the temple. Outside, they were soon standing near the gate, looking at the sky.
"What's wrong, mom?" Twilight asked, a bit worried about her.
"Nothing, it's nothing." Celestia turned around and opened her hands. "You'll start your next magical spell training here. Take my hand."
Twilight grabbed her hand and closed her eyes as her body was lifted from the ground.
"Today, I'll show you an ancient and powerful magical spell."
Twilight opened her eyes and saw the world was different. It was now a white void, with only the sun and moon visible. Birds, the grass, the clouds, the water, and everything around her were white. She turned around and saw Celestia standing before the gate, looking around and watching the area.
"M-Mom? What happened?" Twilight asked, a bit shocked and worried, as her voice echoed in the area.
Celestia turned her head and saw her daughter, confused and worried. "Calm down, Twilight. I just showed you a powerful spell, a special type of magic. But you are not allowed to tell the others," Celestia said, looking into the gate and sighing.
"W-Why can't I tell them, Mom? Is this something bad?" Twilight asked, a bit unsure.
"It's not something bad. But it is not something you are ready for." Celestia replied, a sad look on her face.
Twilight is now confused and worried. "Not something I'm ready for? What do you mean, mom?"
Celestia didn't say anything and looked up at the white sky before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "The world we are in right now is the 'Between.' It's a pocket of reality that's a gateway between dimensions. A world where there are no people. Only holy trees."
"Gateway between dimensions? A world where no one lives? holy trees?" Twilight is confused and worried now.
"There is a place between worlds, a realm with a golden holy tree, where fate lives and rules over everything. You know the saying of 'Fate is written in the stars' or 'someone's destined for a special fate' and 'we are all fated for our futures' or even 'we are born to a destiny that was set in stone.' All these are true." Celestia explained, not moving or turning around.
"Are you saying that everyone is born to a certain fate, and it's already decided and cannot be changed? That we are all slaves to our fate?" Twilight is worried and unsure.
"Yes, my child. I am saying exactly that." Celestia answered, looking up at the sun and sighing.
"W-What?! No! That can't be true, Mom! There's no way something like fate is real!" Twilight yelled, crying, not believing what she was hearing.
Celestia finally turned around. "Calm down, my child." She touched her head, softly petting her. "Do not cry, please."
"I'm sorry, mom. I just..." Twilight said, tears streaming down her eyes.
"I understand, my child. Fate can be a frightening thing. I knew you weren't ready for this spell. But I had to show you." Celestia said, looking into the distance and down at the gate before kneeling.
Twilight rubbed her eyes. "Why did you have to show me this, Mom? If this spell is something you shouldn't use or have."
Celestia closed her eyes. "A friend showed me this spell. It's meant to guide the spark, the power of a goddess who shines brighter than a star. She goes against fate and will shine a light on the future and the one she chooses."
"The one she chooses? What do you mean? What does any of this have to do with us, Mom?" Twilight is still confused and worried.
Celestia opened her eyes, looking down at her dear daughter. "You have that spark, my dear sweet daughter. Your friends are the same."
"Spark?" Twilight is still confused.
Celestia smiled, "Yes, the spark. The goddess's spark shines brighter than a star—so bright that fate fears it. Look up, my dear. Tell me what you see."
Twilight turned and looked up, seeing the white sky, the sun, and the moon, but also a light, a glowing rainbow light shining brighter than the moon and sun.
"That light is the spark. The power that fate fears the most." Celestia told her, looking up and smiling at the light.
"Fate fears it?" Twilight whispered, looking up and staring at the light.
"Yes, because you have the spark. And it's up to you to be chosen by the goddess. She is the one who will protect and love you, my dear daughter." Celestia explained, looking down at Twilight, and smiled.
"Protect and love me? What are you talking about?"
Celestia opened her hands and clapped them together, ending the spell and returning everything to normal.
"Always asking questions. You'll understand in time. But I can't let you use the Between spell until the time is right. I'm sorry, my dear."
Twilight sighed. "It's fine. I'll wait."
Celestia could see her daughter puffing her cheeks up, making her super cute. She couldn't handle it, scooping Twilight up and nuzzling her cute face.
"M-Mom? What's up, why are you doing this?" Twilight asked, her face bright red, feeling embarrassed.
"Sorry, but your cute face and how you puff out your cheeks! So cute!" Celestia yelled, hugging her tighter and nuzzling her.
"S-Stop it! Let go!" Twilight yells, her face bright red.
Celestia smiled and finally stopped, putting her down. "Sorry, it's just too cute! I can't help it. Come, my child. Your sister is waiting for you." She pointed back to the temple, and sitting there was Fluttershy, looking at them and waving at them. "I want you two to gather some berries from the woods for today's meal. Go and have fun."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Yes, mommy."
Twilight and Fluttershy walked towards the woods and headed in. Celestia kept smiling, but her smile faded as she looked up and started crying.
The two sisters walked along the trail as they headed deeper into the woods.
"Twilight, do you know how to pick good berries?" Fluttershy asked, following behind.
"Of course I do. I have been studying berries and fruits for a while. Mom says if I'm going to be the shrine priestess, I must know about food and farming." Twilight replied, smiling at her and pointing ahead like they were on a quest.
Shy placed her hands on her chest. "Wow! I wish I were like you, sister!"
Twilight spun around, smiling hard, as she never heard Shy say that before. "R-Really, Shy? You really think so?"
Fluttershy smiled and nodded. "Yep, I do."
"T-Thanks, Shy. Um... I mean, thanks, s-sister!" Twilight felt awkward saying it and couldn't help but blush.
Shy giggled. "You're welcome, sister. Now, let's go pick some berries."
"Y-Yeah, let's go!"
The two walked on the path as they came up to a split in the road, and they took the left path and continued.
"You know, Twilight, you're beautiful," Fluttershy said, blushing and smiling.
"Thanks. So are you, sister. I hope I can be a great role for you!" Twilight replied, smiling back.
Fluttershy giggled and blushed harder, "You're so cute, Twilight."
Twilight is now the one blushing, "T-Thanks. S-Sister."
Shy hurried to her side and played with her Miko skirt, wanting to ask her a question. "Sister, do you like anyone?"
Twilight froze and blushed harder, not knowing how to answer, "U-Um... w-what do you mean? W-Why are you asking me that?"
Shy stopped playing with her skirt and looked down, embarrassed. "Sorry, I just thought we could discuss that stuff together."
Twilight is now confused and worried. Something bothers her as she sees the hurt in Shy's eyes and the sadness in her voice.
"Shy, what's wrong? Why are you looking so down?" Twilight asked, walking over and lifting her head.
Shy could feel Twilight's hands, and she blushed hard. Her face was now completely red, her eyes started to water, and her lips were trembling.
"Twi... I mean, sister... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I-I... I have feelings for someone, and I thought maybe since you like Dash so much, you could help me, " Shy said, trembling with her fear.
Twilight blushed and said, "I don't like Tiny Wings! Why does everyone think that so much!? And if you like someone, tell them! Stop being a scaredy cat and talk to her."
Shy couldn't take it anymore and started to cry. "You don't like Dash?"
"Of course not! Why does everyone keep thinking I like her!? I love her as a sister and nothing else!" Twilight yelled, puffing her cheeks and not caring about Shy's tears.
"B-But you spend so much time with her and always try to get her attention, and you always hug her. How am I supposed to not think you like her, sister!?" Fluttershy yelled back, tears and snot coming out.
Twilight patted her sister's head, hoping to calm her down, which did work.
"Look, don't tell Tiny Wings this, but..." Twilight slightly turned her head from her. "But, she is cool and amazing. I can't help but want her attention, and I try my hardest to make her look at me. But... But... I don't like her. I can't like her because she doesn't like me like that. She sees me as a nerd and hates my big horn... And that's okay." Twilight said, turning her head away, trying not to cry or show her genuine emotions.
"Your horn isn't bad, Twilight. And I'm sure she likes you, you are a wonderful person. Why wouldn't she like you? You're smart, nice, kind, sweet, and pretty." Fluttershy said, placing her hand on her head, petting her now.
"Thank you, Shy," said Twilight, with a slight smile on her face.
The two girls return looking for berries, while above them in the air, watching the two, is Celestia. Her arms crossed, she sighs, her mind lost and deep in thought. She looks up at the sky and cries a bit.
"Please hurry, she's running out of time now."
A few Days Later
Twilight woke from her sleep and started her usual morning routine. She then headed outside and joined her sisters for breakfast, which they always ate in a small dining room near the temple. She entered it, seeing her sisters.
"Hey, Big Horn. How was your sleep last night?" Dash asked, a smile on her face as she was eating a bowl of oatmeal.
Twilight sighed, "My name is not 'Big Horn,' Tiny Wings. And my night was fine." She took a bowl and scooped up the oatmeal before walking over to the table and sat down. She was going to eat, but Dash joined her and stared at her horn, making Twilight annoyed but also blushing. "Why do you hate my horn so much?? It's not that big, and it's not ugly," Twilight asked, trying to sound harsh and not upset.
"Sorry, Big Horn, I don't mean to. I just... It's hard to explain." Dash blushed, looking away. "Don't get so uptight. I never call your horn ugly. That's not true."
Twilight puffed her cheeks out and started to eat her breakfast, ignoring her.
Dash sighed and ate her oatmeal.
"Morning, my precious daughters." Celestia entered, walking to the table where Dash and Twi were and joining them, looking at them eat, ignoring the others. "I know it's been a long time. But I think it's time we talked about something important. So please, stop eating."
All the girls put their spoons down and looked at her.
"What's up, Celestia?" Applejack asked, wiping her mouth.
Celestia smiled at Twilight, nervously smiling back, "It's time for you to pick your teammates, who will spend your time together here to help you grow. Think carefully, my child. Once chosen, they will not be changed. Pick wisely."
Twilight blushed and rubbed her cheek, thinking and looking at everyone in the room. She noticed they were all looking at her, but one person was missing.
"Mom, where is Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, looking around the room and not seeing her.
Celestia slowly had a sad smile on her face. "She's on a quest I gave her, so don't worry about her. Now, make your decision."
Twilight nodded and started to look at them, thinking of who should join her, until she said, "Well, this is easy. I know exactly who I'm picking." Rainbow Dash stood up, her face confident that Twilight would pick her. "I pick Shy!"
Celestia looked over to Rainbow, seeing her still looking confident, but her eyes told a different story as she realized what had happened. Dash looked at her, and her confidence was gone. Sadness now filled her eyes as she sat back down. Celestia glared at Rarity, who stood up and shouted, "NO! YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!"
Twilight looked confused. "What are you talking about, Rarity? This is my decision, not yours t-" Twilight was cut off as Rarity screamed again.
"NO! I pick Shy! You can't have her!"
Twilight watched as Rarity ran out of the room, crying. She didn't understand until she remembered her talk with Shy a few days ago. She stood up and was about to leave the room when her mother told her she needed to pick someone.
"I'll pick someone later, I promise, but my sister needs me!"
With that said, Twilight left the room, not noticing her mother petting Dash's head and telling her not to worry; there was enough time left.
Twilight ran into the woods, looking around for Rarity, who was yelling for her and asking where she was. As she got deeper into the woods, she could hear her voice; she was crying. She ran towards her voice until she found her sitting by a tree, hugging her knees.
"Rarity, are you okay?" Twilight asked, walking closer.
Rarity wiped her eyes and looked at her before looking away. "I'm fine. Please, go away."
Twilight puffed her cheeks and yelled, stomping her foot, "No! Why are you acting like a jerk, Rarity!?"
Rarity didn't move, but her hands shook as she tried to hold back her tears. "Because you want Shy..."
Twilight froze, noticing Rarity's deep blush and realizing she was right. Twi sighed loudly as she sat next to her. "Look, I'm not going to fight over her. You can have her."
Rarity was taken aback by that; she didn't understand what she meant. "W-What are you talking about?"
Twilight smiled, looking at the trees and the forest around them, and said, "I'm not going to stand in your way." Twilight turned to her with a slight smile. "You love her, don't you? And want her all to yourself?"
Rarity blushed, her eyes widened, and her lips trembled. Her heart started to pound faster, and her hands started to shake. She looked down, tears coming down her cheeks. "Yes...sorry, sister..."
Twilight shook her head. "No, don't be. I'm happy for you and happy for her. I want you both to be happy, so I'm stepping down from picking her."
Rarity wiped her tears. "Thank you, Twilight...I mean, sister!"
Twilight chuckled and shook her head, looking away, blushing as Rarity never called her sister that often.
"Do you hate me, sister?"
Twilight looked back at her. "Nope, I could never hate you, my precious sister. Just...you hardly call me that." Twilight said, playing with the grass with her fingers.
"Sorry, sister, it's a hard habit to break."
"It's okay."
Rarity sighed, looked at the sky, and started to think. "Sister, why did you pick Shy? Why her?"
Twilight thought about it and replied, "Because she's the sweetest of all my sisters and the one I care about the most. Plus, she looks up to me and admires me. I want to protect her!" Twilight quickly hugged Rarity. "Same with everyone! I love you all! All of you aren't just my friends but my sisters."
Rarity smiled, hugging her back. The two kept hugging until Rarity asked a simple question.
Twilight quickly let go and stood up. "Of course I love her!" Twilight blushed as she realized what she said. "But...but...not like that! Ugh!" Twilight walked back and forth. "She's so mean to me! Calling me names and bullying me! Why can't she be like Fluttershy!? Be cute and sweet!?"
Rarity smiled. "That's because she has a hard time showing her feelings, that's all. She has difficulty showing her true feelings and only the ones she's used to." Rarity stood up, touching Twilight's shoulder. "You want her to be more like Fluttershy?"
Twilight stopped, thinking and blushing. "N-No... I...I wish she not be so mean to me."
"Oh, I see."
Twilight nodded. "Y-Yeah. Plus..." she touched her horn. "...I don't have a big ugly horn, right?"
Rarity gasped and grabbed Twilight's hands, pulling her in, and said "Sister, it's not a ugly horn. It's a cute, beautiful horn, and it's a part of you. It's not like you're the only one with a horn."
Twilight looked at Rarity's forehead and saw her smaller horn. Dash was right; she had a big horn, but Twilight felt Rarity's hand on it, softly touching it and saying she wished she had a horn like this. Twilight smiled as the two sisters spent time together, talking about anything and everything.
It wasn't long before they returned and saw Celestia standing at the red gates, waiting.
"Oh, there you are. Are you both done?"
Twilight was going to answer her, but Rarity walked past her and Celestia and disappeared into the shrine. Twilight wondered what had just happened, but she heard her mother asking her the same question: who should she pick as her teammate?
"I want to pick...huh?" Twilight was about to answer, but she noticed someone behind her mother. She could tell it was Dash. "What are you doing, Tiny Wings!?"
"Just watch, Big Horn," Dash smirked and crossed her arms, her eyes staring into Twilight like she was testing her. "I'll be the perfect teammate for you!"
Twilight puffed her cheeks. "Really? How?"
"Yep, I'll protect you. I'll help you grow and teach you things!" she pointed at Twilight with a slight blush.
Twilight laughed hard, making Dash blush and upset, as she wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from her.
"W-What the heck are you laughing at, Big Horn!?" Dash yelled, stomping her foot.
"Sorry, sorry, Tiny Wings." Twilight laughed and smiled hard, tears coming out. "It's just that you think you can teach me things!? I'm the smartest, remember!? What can you teach me? Flying? With those little wings?"
Celestia didn't say a word, nor make a sound, as her eyes were closed, a soft smile on her face, as she heard them fighting but opened her eyes as she saw Dash poking Twilight's horn and saying, "I CAN FLY! WATCH!"
Twilight and Celestia watched as Dash ran to the edge of the stairs and jumped. They all watched as Dash struggled to fly, her little wings flapping like a hummingbird and falling. Celestia didn't move, but Twilight did. She jumped after her and used her magic to save her, holding her close.
"TINY WINGS! What the hay were you thinking!?" screamed Twilight, floating mid-air with her, holding her tight, shaking, making Dash turn her head to her. "YOU BIG DUMMY! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN HURT!"
Celestia laughed softly, her heart warm and happy, as her daughter tried her hardest to float back to her. She failed, and they dropped to the ground with a thud. She watched as Twilight smacked Dash on the head.
"You can't fly! Why!?"
"I can! You watch, Big Horn!" Dash yelled and stood up, and ran and jumped off the steps again, and again, and again, as Celestia watched as her precious child kept jumping off, only to be saved by her sister—every time.
"STOP IT! I CAN FLY!"
"YOU CAN'T FLY!"
Dash didn't give up, as she kept trying.
"Please, stop this, Tiny Wings. You'll hurt yourself," begged Twilight, holding Dash's hands and pleading with her not to jump.
Dash blushed and looked away, as she was out of breath and couldn't keep doing it.
"Fine... But, you have to let me teach you things. You need to get stronger!"
Twilight sighs. "Fine. I pick you as my teammate; happy now?"
Dash smirked and put her arm around her shoulder. "Yep, very much. Thanks, Big Horn!"
Celestia watched, seeing their friendship and bond growing. Twilight blushed and puffed her cheeks out, yelling at her not to call her that, and Dash laughed at her. Celestia looked behind her, seeing Rarity standing still in the shrine room, facing away from them. Celestia's face became sad. She looked up to the sky, looking at something.
"...please hurry soon."
Months later
Twilight and Dash sat in front of Celestia while they were in the shallow end of the lake, wearing swimsuits and meditation.
"Mom, I can't feel my legs anymore. Can we stop this already?" Dash whined as her leg was numb.
"Not until you both calm down and focus on your breathing." answered Celestia, not moving her body once.
Dash growled and looked at Twilight, whose eyes were closed, her hand on her chest, and she was breathing. "How can you sit still like that, Big Horn? This is boring!"
Twilight's eyes opened, filled with energy and life. She turned to Dash and said, "Because it's not boring! This is important. Plus, we don't have time. We need to become strong." Twilight smirks, "Wasn't that what you said?"
Dash blushed and turned away, mumbling, "Shut up."
Celestia couldn't help but chuckle as her children were fighting. She kept still, but she soon felt water falling near her. She opened her eyes and could see the two wrestling and splashing water at each other. She kept quiet and just watched them.
"Take this, Big Horn!" yelled Dash as she splashed Twilight in the face, laughing.
"Don't call me that!" Twilight shouted back, using her hand to splash Dash in the face. "Why do you hate my horn?"
Dash didn't answer her and tried to dunk her into the water, but Twilight used her magic to lift her and slam her into the water, making her float up and spit water out. Celestia closed her eyes, smiling.
"No fair! Using your magic like that!"
Twilight laughed and floated in the water, lying down. She stuck her tongue out at her, teasing her.
"Hey, Tiny Wings, what happens if I just fly off and leave you here, all alone one day."
Dash was shocked as she was swimming to the shore and just looking at the shore ground.
"...I'll be happy..."
Celestia froze. Her heart sank.
Twilight quickly stood up when she heard that "Really? But, I thought we were friends."
Dash didn't look back at her, just looking down. "We are."
"Then, why would you be happy?" asked Twilight, becoming sad.
"Because that would mean..." Dash looked up at the sky, smiling. "I helped you become strong. You'll be able to protect everyone and yourself."
Celestia didn't speak. Her heart was racing. She heard Twilight saying she would never leave without her and her sisters. Celestia opened her eyes, filled with sadness. She watched as Dash stood up, turning around and pointing at Twilight.
"You can't get strong if we keep holding you back, Big Horn! That's why you have to leave so that you can grow! Become stronger and not need us anymore. So, one day, when we have to stay behind, you won't cry. You'll smile and say 'goodbye, my sisters. Thank you for loving me!' and then leave."
Celestia gasped as she looked at her daughter and saw the tears rolling down her cheek.
Twilight stood up, ran to her, and grabbed her hands, making her blush. "Don't say that! I want you and the others to come with me!"
Dash sat her down and smiled at her, making Twilight smile back. Dash hugged her softly, looking at her mother with sadness as Celestia looked down with pain in her heart.
"You have to get strong. You'll become strong enough that you won't have to worry about us. You'll become strong enough that you can leave and won't have to cry and be sad," whispered Dash, shaking with sorrow as tears were rolling down her cheek.
Twilight didn't say a word. She kept holding her, crying softly, not believing that she could lose her sisters and have to say goodbye to them. She felt Dash pulling away and smiling as she petted her before smirking as she dunk her into the water.
"You're going to be fine, Big Horn. Don't be all sad."
Twilight didn't argue and stood up. She opened her hands, and magical energy started to gather, causing Dash to worry. Celestia closed her eyes and became happy as she could hear a loud water pump noise, followed by more fighting.
When they returned home, Dash sat on the top of the steps, looking off to the sky, while Celestia watched as Twilight looked around for everyone.
"Where is everyone? Pinkie!?"
Celestia turned to a bush, glaring as Pinkie popped out from behind it, giggling. "Hiya, sis!"
Twilight sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness. I was worried. Are the others inside the shrine?"
Pinkie nodded and grabbed her hands, pulling her along in a circle. "Why are you so wet!? Did you swim in the lake?"
Twilight stopped and blushed, turning her head away and mumbling, "Maybe..."
Pinkie giggled and looked at Dash, who was still looking at the sky. "Oh, I get it, smooching with Dashie, huh?" she poked Twilight in the sides, teasing her and making her blush.
"Stop that!" Twilight pushed her away and started to walk to the shrine, but Pinkie grabbed her hand.
"Are you mad, sis?"
Twilight turned to her "Mad? At what?"
Pinkie hugged and spun her around. "For teasing you about your crush on Dashie! Silly!"
Twilight blushed and looked at Dash, who didn't even bother looking at them. "N-No, I'm not mad, just..."
Pinkie smiled and put her finger to her lips, silencing her. "Smile and laugh, sis!" Pinkie smiled, skipped away, and went back behind the bushes.
"Huh? Where are you going, Pinkie?" asked Twilight, looking behind the bushes. But she saw nothing but pink balloons floating into her face and Pinkie with noise makers. "What?"
"When you leave us, don't be sad! Be happy! Smile! Laugh at the good times we had! Even with Dashie! Okay, sis?"
"Okay." Twilight smiled and grabbed her hand. She held it, looked at her eyes, and saw the sadness behind them. "I'll miss you all when I leave. But not Tiny Wings! Not one bit!" Dash heard that, finally looking away from the sky and at them with a hurt look.
Pinkie noticed this and spun the noise makers "Really?"
Twilight mumbled something before running off with a big smile, making Pinkie and Celestia turn to Dash. Pinkie lowered back into the bushes while Celestia whispered what Twilight said, making her blush and smile.
"Really!? She said that!?"
Celestia nodded and smiled.
Dash stood up and wanted to call out to Pinkie but froze as she remembered something. Dash returned, looking to the sky, becoming sad.
"Just smile, be happy and laugh. Big Horn...please."
Two years later
Celestia, Twilight, and Dash stood on stone pillars in an open field. Celestia did a kicking pose and, using magic, created a magical energy around her legs. She did another kick pose, blasting out magic.
"You want me to do that!?" gasped Twilight, struggling to stand on the small pillar top.
"Yep. Now, try it," ordered Celestia.
Twilight sighed and did the pose. But when she tried kicking the air, her foot slipped from the pillar and fell off, but Dash caught her, smiling.
"You okay, Big Horn?"
Twilight didn't answer her, as she was blushing.
"Again," ordered Celestia.
Twilight snapped out of it and asked Dash to put her down, but Dash didn't, as she wanted to tease her: "Why? Don't you like being carried as a princess? Look at you, having your arms around my neck."
Twilight was blushing harder and trying to get out of her arms, but her hold on her tightened, making it harder for her. "S-Stop it! Tiny Wings! Put me down!"
"But, I want to hold you." smiled Dash, holding her tighter.
"TINY WINGS!!"
Celestia just watched and laughed softly. She sat down on the pillar and kept watching.
"Put me down!" shouted Twilight, pounding Dash's head and making her smile.
"Why? This is the only way I can hold you."
Twilight didn't understand and looked at her. Dash was staring right into her eyes.
"What are you talking about, Tiny Wings?"
Dash didn't say anything and let her go, letting her fall. But Twilight used her magic and caught herself. Dash smirked as she saw her getting angry.
"That was rude, Tiny Wings!"
"Sorry." apologized Dash.
Celestia laughed. She watched as Twilight returned to the top of the pillar and tried to use her magic through her kicks but failed.
"You need to focus your magical energy on your kicks," advised Celestia.
Twilight stopped, shut her eyes, and did a kick but fell again. She was about to use her magic to catch herself but was surprised as Dash caught her by jumping into the air, flapping her wings as fast as possible.
"See! I can fly!" bragged Dash, smiling.
Twilight didn't say anything, so she exited her arms and stepped back on the pillar. "That doesn't count! You didn't fly! You jump! See!" she said, pointing at Dash as she slowly fell back down.
"Still counts!" Dash called back.
Celestia watched and could tell they were fighting again.
"No, it doesn't! I'm not counting it until you prove you can do it!" shouted Twilight, sticking her tongue out.
Dash became upset, "Fine. You are right, I can't fly! Happy!?." Dash ran away, leaving her sister behind.
Celestia turned to her other child and saw the hurt look in her eyes. She was sitting on the pillar, her feet dangling off the edge.
"You should apologize to her."
"No," said Twilight, crossing her arms and looking away.
Celestia sighed and didn't argue. She could tell this was a lost cause. She glared into the woods, watching as AJ walked out while she was collecting apples.
"What's going on? You love birds fighting again?" jokey asked AJ, eating an apple.
Twilight didn't answer her and just glared at her.
"Whoa! Sorry. Don't bite my head off." joked AJ.
Twilight puffs her cheeks. "Not funny."
AJ shook her head and tossed an apple at her. Twilight caught it and was going to take a bite but stopped as AJ was walking away.
"She's being honest with her feelings; why can't you be, sister?"
"Huh?" Twilight looked confused, jumping down and calling to her, "What do you mean!? AJ!?"
AJ stopped and turned around. "Dashie always believes in you, no matter what. Even with her little wings, she is still trying. Can't you try and believe in her? or see her feelings?"
Twilight looked back at her as AJ was walking away again.
"I'll leave you to think about it, Twilight. And, try the apple. It'll make you feel better. That's my truth. Honest." AJ smiled, waving at her.
Twilight looked at the apple, took a bite, and could feel her stomach fill with butterflies.
"Is this the same feeling Dashie feels? But why? I'm not in love with her." Twilight turned to her mother, looking for the answer from her.
Celestia looked at her and looked up at the sky. "Looking for someone to give you an answer is a waste of time, child. Only you can find the answer. Not me."
"But..."
She looked back down at her. "You will know when the time is right. Just be ready. That is my advice." Celestia walked away, leaving her to think about her words.
"When will I know?" thought Twilight.
She turned back to the woods and could see Dash running, her wings flapping slowly, trying to carry her weight. She was breathing hard and sweating. Twilight blushed, watching her.
"When will I know..."
One year later
Twilight sat next to Celestia, who was in the middle of a river, doing some meditation. Twilight was playing with a pebble with her magic, making circles on the water.
"Are you sure I'm okay to go?" asked Twilight.
Celestia was silent.
Twilight looked at her mother. "I mean, I don't want to leave. What if I can't come back to see you or my sisters?" she waited for her answer, but her mother kept silent and never moved, like she was a statue. "Mother..."
Twilight sighed, got up, and started walking away, but then she heard a voice from her mother.
"If you want to come back, that's up to you. Not the goddess nor fate itself. It all depends on you and your actions, child. So, the choice is yours. Stay, or leave."
"I..."
Celestia smiled and turned to her. "Remember, whatever choice you choose, your sisters and I will be proud of you, always, even if you leave."
"Really?" asked Twilight.
Celestia got up and smiled, "Of course."
Twilight smiled and ran to her, hugging her.
"I'll miss you all."
Celestia slowly touches her daughter's head, stroking it softly. "We'll miss you too, my child."
Twilight smiled and let her go, "How much longer before the goddess comes?"
Celestia smiled. "Soon. She's giving you a gift and a chance to prove yourself before going."
Twilight nodded and smiled, "Thanks. I'll be waiting then!" Twilight sat back in the water and joined her mother in her meditation.
They both opened their eyes and could see the sun going down. Twilight looked at her mother and asked her a question: "Have you met the goddess, mother? Is she kind like you? Or mean?"
Celestia was silent, turned her head back to the sky, and could see the full moon.
"I can't answer that, child."
"Why not?" asked Twilight, seeing her mother frowning.
Celestia slowly looked over to her. "I never met her, but one thousand years ago, she came here, saving my great-great-great grandmother and giving her a second chance at life. She told her that she fights against fate. No being or entry should have control over anyone's destiny. They should have a choice to write their own stories rather than someone else writing it for them. Nothing should be written in stone."
"That sounds awesome." smiled Twilight.
Celestia looked sad. "Yes, I suppose it is. My family has been worshiping her kindness and love ever since."
Twilight looked down at the water, seeing the fish swim by. "Do you wish you could have met her?"
"If I could have the chance, I would ask her one thing."
"What's that?" asked Twilight.
Celestia turned to her with a sad smile. "I would want to thank her. Thank her for loving the world. For her kindness and creating futures for those who wouldn't exist without her. Also..." Twilight watched as her mother poked her nose playfully. "When she takes you, she will give you so much love. So much more than I can ever give."
"More than you, mother? Is that possible?" asked Twilight, smiling.
"Oh, yes, so much." giggled Celestia.
Twilight felt sad. Her mother had given her so much love; how could she get more? "Mother, you give me plenty of love."
Celestia laughed and ruffled her hair before looking up at the stars. "I haven't, my child. I'm trapping you here in my little world."
"Your world?"
"My world is this Temple. I'll live and die here, something I don't want you to suffer as well. I'm putting the goddess teaching to good use. I won't let fate make that your ending; you have so much story to tell. I see it in you; you carry that spark. Something that tells me your future is limitless. You have so many more pages to write in your book. And I won't be the one holding you back, and neither will the goddess nor fate, as I said."
Twilight became scared and held Celestia's hand, not wanting to let go. Celestia pushed her closer, and Twilight asked another question: "Can I give you or my sisters something? To remember me by?"
"Child, we won't forget you. Your memory will always be here with us. Nothing can take that from us. Just because you'll be gone doesn't mean you're not in our hearts anymore. Your spark will shine within our hearts."
"So, I can't give you guys something to remember me by?"
Celestia giggled. "No, nothing can take the place of our memories, and even if you do. It'll become a new memory. You know?"
Twilight shook her head and didn't understand. She wanted to give her something, to leave something behind for her. She let it go as it was time to head back.
It was after evening. Twilight was outside in the area where they grow plants, doing her magical kicks, while Rarity watched on, noticing Twilight had something on her mind.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
Twilight stopped and turned to her, "Nothing."
Rarity sighed, walked over, grabbed her by the hand, and sat her down on a rock.
"Please, talk to me. We're sisters, no?"
"Yeah, I guess so." sighed Twilight, not looking her in the eye.
"I know something is on your mind. Please, darling, tell me. Maybe I can help?" asked Rarity, giving her a warm smile. Twilight was playing with her fingers, making Rarity smirk. "I see, that's it. Thinking about Dash, huh?"
"Huh?" Twilight blushed and turned to her. "W-Why would you say that!?"
Rarity smiled and giggled. "Oh~ so I'm right then. Darling, why are you so easy to read?"
Twilight puffs her cheeks. "No! That's not it! I was wondering what I should give you girls and our mother before I leave, like a gift or something."
Rarity smiled and sat beside her. "Ah, well, just spend the time you have left here with us. There is no need for a gift. Your company will do."
"Are you sure?" asked Twilight, unhappy with that answer.
Rarity nodded, but she could see her sister's happy face. "Maybe give something back? Maybe ask Dash? You two are always fighting with each other and putting each other down. Maybe something that could change that?"
"Change?" Twilight stood up and thought, "How would I change that?"
"By asking her. Maybe a gift? Or something? Maybe apologize for what you said or did to her, darling." Rarity stood up. "Like how I gave something to Fluttershy on her quest, hoping she would find it useful. I love her like no other. Just like how AJ and Pinkie love each other." They turned to the temple above them, seeing Pinkie hugging AJ like always, and AJ was annoyed by it. "Give her something that tells her you care and love her."
Twilight looked back down at her feet and thought about her words. She was right. They are sisters, and no matter what or how far they are apart, they will still be connected.
"Thanks, Rarity."
"Anytime, darling."
Twilight ran off, and Rarity watched her. Soon, AJ and Pinkie joined in, standing still, watching her run off to the open fields.
Twilight knew that Dashie always trains in the open fields after dinner and is there. She stopped and could see Dash flying, her wings flapping hard and her arms reaching out to the sky. Twilight slowly walked over and watched Dashie breathing hard and panting, falling to the ground, sweating.
"You really love trying." Twilight smiled, sitting beside her.
"I have to. I want to fly. To feel the wind through my feathers." Dash looked at her sister, "And, if I fly, I can see you off, Big Horn."
"See me off?" asked Twilight.
"To the world above." Dash slowly stood up and looked at the sky, breathing harder.
"Why? I thought you would want to keep me here to boss me around, Tiny Wings." Twilight smiled, poking her but noticing Dash had a problem breathing. "Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?"
Dash was panting, and she fell again.
"Dashie!?"
Dash didn't move, and Twilight was scared. She held her head and could feel her forehead getting hot. Dash pushed her hand away and pointed to the sky.
"I'm running out of time. I want to see you off..."
"Time?" asked Twilight, feeling scared now.
Dash smiled and touched her cheek. "I'll gladly use all the time I have left on you, Big Horn..." Dash shook her head, correcting herself. "I mean, Twilight."
Twilight could tell that Dash was sick. She will never use her real name.
"You're sick."
"Not sick." panted Dash.
"You're burning up!"
"Doesn't feel that way. I feel weak, though. Can't breathe..." Dash coughed hard, and Twilight could see the blood as it came from her mouth.
"Dashie!? Dashie!" Twilight panicked, not knowing what to do. She held her tightly and started crying, "Please, don't leave me."
Dash held her and forced herself back up, not caring how weak or sick she felt. She needed to stand.
"I won't, Big Horn. I won't leave. Please, don't cry. It breaks my heart."
"You're lying! You're really sick!"
"No..." she put her hand on Twilight's head and slowly touched her horn. "You know why I call you Big Horn?"
"W-why?"
"Because you're special. You're the only one that has one that big. Something I admire and always will." Dash could see the tears coming from Twilight, and she quickly wiped them away and put her forehead on hers. "My wings will never grow; you were always right in calling me that name. I never hated it; I loved it."
"Dashie..."
"I know you don't hate me. I can tell. I love you and will always love you, no matter what. My spark will always shine for you, regardless of distance or time. Even if I'm gone from this world, I'll find you! I don't know why..." Dash leaned back, giving her a smirk. "But I feel like I promised you that, like in another life. Or a different universe."
Twilight couldn't speak.
"My time is coming. But don't worry. I won't leave you. I'll stay by your side until the very end. Because you can't get rid of me that easy, Twilight Sparkle." said Dash, giving her the biggest grin ever.
Twilight could feel endless tears on her cheek and held her, looking at the night sky. She carried her like a princess and ran across the field the fastest she had ever run. She jumped, but using her magical kicks, she flew into the air and, using her magic, floated. She looked down at her and saw her smiling, as her eyes were in tears.
"...I'm flying..." whispered Dash.
Twilight looked around and saw her home, her sisters and mother watching her. She smiled and looked down at Dash, who was crying.
"Big Horn...thank you."
"Don't thank me, you idiot," said Twilight, holding her tighter to prevent her from falling. "Thank you, Dashie. Thank you."
"Dashie! Please, don't leave me!"
Twilight watched as Dash smirked at her. Saying, "This is it, huh? You're going to find that exit. Don't be trapped by us anymore. I'll be waiting..."
Her head fell, and Twilight couldn't believe it.
"Dashie!!"
"I will be waiting. Waiting for you."
"No! Please, stay with me!" cried Twilight, but her eyes widened as Dash's body disappeared in a glitching mess.
She was gone, like a gust of wind. Twilight cried and could see the wind blowing softly.
"Wait for me..."
"Dashie..."
The wind stopped, and Twilight could feel her heart beating. Her tears fell as she screamed to the heavens, causing the sky to have prism effects.
Twilight landed and returned to the temple, seeking her sisters and mothers. She found them and fell to her knees, crying, holding her chest.
"Dash! She's just gone!"
They didn't say anything, and Twilight could see them smiling and crying.
"Girls...?"
Pinkie and AJ were smiling at her, and Rarity and Celestia were looking at her. Twilight looked around, confused, and asked them, "What's wrong with all of you?"
Celestia slowly walked to her and kneeled to her level.
"Twilight, it's time. It's time to go. She's waiting for you, and you don't have enough time." Celestia suddenly dropped to her hands. "I don't have enough time. You must go now."
"Mother...?"
Twilight couldn't speak as she noticed her sister standing, smiling. She called out to them, but they didn't react at all, which upset her.
"Why isn't anyone talking!? Why aren't you moving!?"
Celestia didn't say anything; she placed her face on Twilight's forehead and kissed it.
"Twilight Sparkle. Your sisters...aren't..." Celestia started crying, something Twilight had never seen while living with her.
"Mother...? Why are you crying?"
"Because, my child. They aren't real."
"What? Not real? What are you talking about? You're not making sense."
Celestia cried, and Twilight didn't understand. She hugged her daughter and whispered, "I'm sorry. I couldn't save them. I failed to protect them. " She held her tighter, "At least I saved you and Dash...for now."
"Mother...?"
Celestia didn't say anything.
"What am I missing? Tell me."
"The truth..."
Twilight watched as her sisters stood there, pointing to the temple, not saying anything. The temple started to glitch out, which upset Twilight.
"Tell me the truth, Mother. Now. Who are you? Are my sisters real? Or just fake!?"
Celestia slowly leaned back and put her hands on her cheeks, smiling.
"My name is Harmony, Twilight Sparkle. A program to protect you and your sisters until the goddess came. To take you away from this dead world. You see, you have been asleep for the last three years. And soon, you have to wake up early. The damage to my system is failing. I'm dying."
Twilight shook her head, not understanding, "So, I'm dreaming then? Aren't my sisters real? You aren't my mother?"
"No, I'm your mother—a program created by the real Celestia to save you and your sisters from death. You don't remember because of the gummies that she gave you. If you want to remember, you need to wake up. Go through the temple."
Twilight was crying and didn't want to wake up if her sisters and mother weren't real.
"Why!?"
Harmony cried and hugged her, "Because, my child. This won't be your ending. We won't let it. You are made for something more; we both know it."
Twilight held her, "I don't want to leave you or them. They are real. My sisters, I love them. And you, I love you too, mother. I can't leave!" cried Twilight, but she could see her sisters doing the same pose as her mother like they were connected to her. Soon, they bugged out and disappeared.
"Go, my sweet child. She's waiting for you in the real world."
Twilight slowly turned to the temple, seeing it become a door made of light. She looked at her mother and asked, "We?"
Harmony looked up and just said, "Dash."
Twilight quickly looked at the door. She needed to go, but she couldn't leave her mother. She picked her up and dragged her to the exit. She wouldn't leave her; that's not what a friend or daughter does.
"Mother, hold on! We are leaving!"
Harmony couldn't move her legs and told her daughter, "Leave me; you don't have time."
Twilight cried and shook her head. "NO! I'M NOT LEAVING YOU TO THIS FATE! ITS LIKE YOU TOLD ME ABOUT THE GODDESS! I'LL FIGHT AGAINST FATE AS WELL! I'LL MAKE SURE WE LEAVE, ALL OF US!"
Harmony could see her determination. This made her cry, "I love you, my sweet child."
"I love you too..." Twilight suddenly felt herself being pushed into the door of light. She turned, seeing her mother as a white faceless being made up of zeros and ones, waving at her.
"Mother!"
"What a wonderful light, a spark that rivals her light..." said Harmony, as the shut closed in front of her, as the world around her started to fall apart.
The door shut closed with an echo, forcing Twilight to wake up. She found herself back in her bed, but something was different. A screen glass door covered it. She tried to push it, but it was locked tight. No matter what she did, it wouldn't open. Twilight looked around, looking for anything to help her.
"MOTHER!? SISTERS! DASH! ANYONE!? HELP ME!"
Nothing but her voice, echoing, could be heard. She couldn't see anyone or anything. She was alone.
"HELLO! I'M TRAPPED!"
Twilight placed her ear back on the glass door. She couldn't hear the voice. She screamed and punched the glass door, keeping hitting it and crying. She wanted to get out and find Dash.
"I promise to find that exit. That's a promise, Dashie."
She started to think and remembered her magic training. She closed her eyes and poured all her magic into her fists. They began to glow brightly. She opened her eyes and was happy her training was the most petite real. She punched the glass door, cracking the glass.
"That's it!"
She did it again, making a hole in the glass.
"Yes!"
She kept punching until she made a sizeable hole in the glass, which allowed her to stand up. What confused her was that the whole room was dark and covered in dust, along with being in ruins. She carefully stepped out of the sleeping bed tube. She could see the other tubes. She quickly rushed to one, which was Fluttershy.
"SISTER!"
Twilight reached it and stood there, filled with shock and confusion. Soon, sadness filled her heart.
"Fluttershy!"
Twilight stepped back and saw a skeleton inside...a child skeleton.
"No...this has to be a nightmare!"
Twilight looked into the other beds but saw the same results. Each of her sisters and her friends were all dead.
"This isn't right. They were fine! Mother is alive! This is a nightmare!"
She suddenly had a headache, which made her remember something, but she heard something, which made her push the headache away. She turned and saw a blue hand rising from a bed. She knew whose bed it belonged to, which filled her with happiness.
"Dash!"
Twilight rushed over, hoping that Dash was okay.
"Hold on, Dashie! I'm coming!"
Twilight reached the bed, but she was filled with sadness like before.
"B-Big...Ho-orn..." coughed Dash, her arm dropping back on her black flesh.
Twilight carefully helped her up. She could see that Dash was severely charred. Most of her skin was gone, replaced with burnt flesh. Only her left arm was still cyan. She looked like she hadn't eaten in her month, as she was skin and bones.
"Dash, it is me! Twilight, can you hear me?"
"B-Big Ho-orn...!" Dash weakly smiled at her, and her only good eye looked at her "Y-You're a-alive!"
"Yes, I am. Let's get out of here."
Twilight grabbed her and tried to get her out of the tube. But she was stuck and couldn't move her, not without ripping the tubes that were in her arms.
"Hold on!"
She pulled the tubes out, seeing nothing leaking out like it was empty from the start. She helped her and headed to the stairs, heading back upstairs.
"Don't worry, Mother can fix you with her magic! We just need to find her."
"Big horn?"
"Hold on, Dashie!"
When she finally reached the door, she tried to push it, but it felt heavy. She then used her magic to push the doors open.
"MOTHER! DASHIE IS...is....h-hurt..."
Twilight stood there with Dash. She could see the world—dead. The sky was grey, and all plant life was dead. There were no signs of green or anything. She started to shake, looking at the ruined shrine.
"No...this is a lie!"
"Big Horn?"
"This is a lie! This is a lie! I don't believe it."
Twilight started to hyperventilate, and she was freaking out. Her body couldn't take it. She wanted to faint, but Dash's good hand touched her cheek.
"Remember...remember what was happening before you came here. The drugs should be out of your system."
Twilight looked at Dash, and she could see her smiling. Twilight didn't know why, but she felt like Dash knew the truth, and so did she. She didn't want to believe it until the headache returned. She held her head.
"I remember..."
Twilight could remember how another planet was heading to Equestria in a few years. Everyone was preparing for it, and her mother brought her here the day it was about to hit the earth. She looked down, seeing two skeletons near the door. She knew who remains these were. It was her mother and her younger sister. They sealed the door from the outside and died when the planet clashed with their own.
Dash held her, explaining what happened after the impact. "There was a fire a year after we slept and lived in the simulated world. Our friends and sisters died, and Fluttershy was the last to burn alive. Harmony saved me, but I was badly burned, as you can see." She could feel her strength leaving her, making Twilight set her down on the ground. "The fire did so much damage to the Harmony that she only had enough power to keep you asleep for the next two years."
"Big Horn..." wheezed Dash, holding her hand. "Everyone is dead. We are the only ones left. Harmony scanned the world and found no life signs. Not only that but other shelters, like ours, were also destroyed by the impact. We were lucky for some reason. Harmony had her theory on why, but the reason is unknown."
Twilight was trying to hold herself together, but it wasn't working. She dropped on Dash's chest, crying.
"Why?"
Dash petted her head, trying to keep her calm.
"Big horn, you need to go."
Twilight slowly looked up, "Go?"
"Go, she should be coming soon...that's what Harmony said."
Twilight asked who, but she remembered her life in the online world.
"She's...real?" hope started to fill her.
Dash smiled and nodded, "Yes. She's coming...to take you away. That's why we told you...to be strong..."
Twilight realized what Dash and her mother were doing. They were preparing her to be saved and to keep living. She hugged Dash, crying again.
"You'll be coming with me! She'll save us!"
"Big Horn...I'm dying..."
Twilight froze, shaking her head, "No. No. She can save you; she's a goddess, after all! She can save you! BELIEVE IN HER! HER SPARK!":
"Big Horn, please..."
"NO! I DON'T BELIEVE YOU! HER SPARK! BELIEVE IN IT, YOU WILL BE SAVED!"
Twilight cried as she saw Dash sadly looking at her. She didn't want to believe in the truth.
"Big horn, I'll never see her, as I'll die here."
"Stop talking like that. You'll live."
"No, I won't, and you know it." Dash placed her hand over Twilight's longhorn, touching it softly. "Like I said, I love and admire your big horn. It's one of a kind, unique, and beautiful," she smiled at her, crying. "I love you...I don't want to leave you, but I promise to find you again. We will meet again, my friend, no matter what."
"I mean it."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Dash was getting weaker and weaker, but she smiled and told her, "Now go, Big Horn. Leave this world. I'll be waiting for you. When we meet again, I'll tell you how much I love you and kiss you."
Twilight smiled and nodded, "Yeah. I'll be waiting for you..."
Dash smirked, and her eyes slowly closed. Her spark went out, leaving Twilight alone.
"I promise to find you...and I'll keep you to your promise. No matter what, even if it takes a lifetime, I'll see you again, Rainbow Dash."
Weeks later.
Twilight buried Dash near the shrine; as she told her, all life was dead. There were no animals or plants. Only cleaned water was from below the shrine in the bedroom area. She was sitting on the steps of the shrine. She hadn't eaten in those weeks, to the point that she started to get thinner.
"Come on, you said that she will come for me."
Twilight didn't feel hungry; she felt like she would vomit if she ate. She looked at the grey sky, seeing the dark clouds passing by. She kept waiting for her, the goddess-like her mother believed in.
"Are you really real?"
Twilight couldn't take it. She slowly lay on her side, and she felt a tear rolling down her cheek. She was losing hope.
"I can't stay here..." she closed her eyes, not caring if she died here. "I can't. I need to find her again. I believe in you as well. I believe in the spark!"
Twilight could feel herself getting cold. She was going to die...until she suddenly felt warmth. She slowly opened her eyes, and her hope returned. She could see a rainbow star-shaped light floating in front of her. She knew it was her.
"It's you....you came..." She soon fainted...
Author's Note
Spark pic was drawn by @glitch_nsfw on Twitter. Warning: as their @ says, it's an nsfw account. You were warned.
[=0twilight SPARKle hopE^0=]
Twilight opened her eyes and saw a ceiling. She quickly sat up, thinking she was in her room back in the shrine, but she could see that wasn't true. She was in a bedroom filled with odd stuffed toys...they were all ice cream-looking creatures. She did see stuff purple and green dragon. She held it, and it reminded her of the one she had.
"Where am I? Is this the goddess home?"
Twilight jumped out of bed and quickly noticed she wasn't skinny anymore. She headed to the door and opened it as it wasn't locked. She could see a hallway, but she could also see black smoke and a loud beeping noise. She hurried to the source and almost entered where the smoke came from but stopped. She could hear voices.
"SPARK! I TOLD YOU NOT TO COOK! YOU ARE AWFUL AT COOKING!"
"But Dawn! I want to make her something to eat! She hadn't eaten in weeks just by looking at her!"
Twilight decided to enter, seeing a weird-looking earth pony.
"Hey! It's not my fault the burner was set too high!"
"No, it's your fault for not cooking it right. What are you making anyway?"
"Pancakes, I will add berries and cream on them."
Dawn looked shook her head in disbelief. "You just like your mother, Dashiell, you know that, right? How the hell can you two catch any food on fire? Hell, just pouring milk into cereal will start a fire! How do you manage to do that!?"
Spark blushed even more as she played with her fingers. "...I-I have no idea..."
Twilight stepped into the kitchen, which made them notice her. She quickly sat on the floor and bowed to the goddess.
"Goddess of Spark! It's an honor to meet you finally! My name is Twilight Sparkle!"
Spark looked at her, nervous. Dawn looked at her and then back at Spark.
"...so I want to make sure I understood everything, Spark. You saved a universe from Fayth a year ago, and that universe saw you as a goddess, made a religion out of it, and worshipped you. They believed you would return to save a group of chosen children, which the only one to survive was her..." Dawn points to Twilight. She picked her up from the floor, set her on the chair, and quickly made the child food. "A version of your mother, Twilight...and now you want to adopt her." she sighed as she made the pancake batter and turned to Spark.
"...Are you okay with this?" Spark asked, looking at Dawn with pleading eyes.
Dawn thought about it and sighed. "As long as you take responsibility for her, I guess it's okay. Besides, we wanted to have a child anyway. But please let me cook."
Spark jumped for joy and hugged Dawn tightly, spinning her around.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, DAWN!"
Dawn blushed bright red. "Okay! Stop spinning me around!"
Spark set her down and rushed over to Twilight.
"Hi, sweet pea. Listen, I'm not a real goddess. I'm a...universe jumper, but the ponies that made a religion out of me are true. I did save them from an evil person, but the truth is, she needs help. She isn't evil." Spark could hear Dawn huff at that. Spark ignored her and kept talking to Twilight. "Also, the spark is real. The spark that resides in the heart of us all."
Twilight could remember her mother saying the same thing. "So that's what the spark is."
"Yes. The spark will never burn out, even in the darkness. It won't ever be gone."
Spark held her close and pointed to her chest. Twilight looked shocked to see that her cutie mark appeared. In her universe, cutie marks appeared on one's chest.
"A pink star with five white stars?"
Spark nodded. "It's your spark! Those five white stars are the friends you had..." Spark became sad, remembering finding the remains of the others. "They are a part of your spark, which made you keep moving forward! That's why you are here! Because of them, they believed in you, and the spark brought you to me."
Spark held her closer, feeling happy.
"You have a special spark, Twilight Sparkle. A spark that will bring so much happiness to many. I can see it..." She hugged her at last. "...It's so bright...It was what I saw."
Twilight touched her cutie mark, remembering her friends and mother. Finally...
"Dash..." she started to cry, and she hugged Spark tightly, "MOM!"
"That's right. I'm your new mother."
Twilight didn't care that she wasn't her real mother. To her, her mother was her and the one she left behind. They were alike, believing in the spark.
Dawn placed the freshly made pancakes in front of Twilight, adding syrup, whipped cream, and ...ice cream, which caused Spark to glare at her.
"Here. You need to eat. We will talk about our life together later."
Spark stood up, upset with her putting ice cream on the pancake. Before she could fight about it, she could see Twilight eating it like an animal. Spark sighed; she let it go as she knew the poor girl hadn't eaten when she found her and healed her. She hugged Dawn, smiling.
"We have a family now!"
Dawn nodded, and the two sat with Twilight, telling her about the life they had in store for her. Twilight ate the pancakes and listened to them.
The spark within Twilight grew bigger and brighter. Within the colorful flames of her spark...was a tiny white flame.
[=0no moR^e HOPE. ONLY HOPELESSNESS0=]
As she rested, she could hear something. She raised her hand, making her book to pull whatever was hiding in the dead bush. She was shocked to see a naked black anthro filly unicorn. She set the child down and went to rest. The child ran away, keeping her distance but still watching her.
When Fayth woke up and looked down, she saw painted rocks. She picked one up, looked at it, tossed it away, and went back to sleep.
She opened her eyes and saw another weird gift—a drawn picture of her. She knew the child was doing this, but she didn't care. She went back to sleep.
She woke up again, seeing more gifts...
This went on for days...until one day, Fayth opened her eyes and saw nothing. She stood up and searched for the child. She could see the ruined shrine and sense something deep below it. She entered it and went down the stairs. She soon found the bedrooms of dead children. She saw the black unicorn filly holding a dead and burned cyan Pegasus. Fayth got closer and could tell the filly was dying from hunger and seemed to want to die next to this Pegasus.
The filly opened her eyes and was shocked to see food before her. She could see Fayth sitting far from her, sleeping. The filly picked up an apple and placed it on Fayth's lap. Fayth opened her eyes and glared at her...but smiled, seeing the filly glaring back at her with dark rage, like she was trying to match her dark aura to hers.
"You are...strong," Fayth whispered.
She could see the filly smiling.
Fayth opened her eyes and could feel the cold air. She looked down, seeing the filly shaking with cold. Fayth wondered why the filly hadn't used her cloak as a blanket.
"Too stubborn..."
Fayth picked up the filly and wrapped her up, keeping her warm.
The filly opened her eyes and yawned. She rubbed her eyes but noticed the cloak around her body. She became mad and tried to toss it off.
"Hey, stop being a brat and put it on!" snapped Fayth, who was behind her, holding food for her.
The filly looked up, glaring at her, trying to be as scary as her.
"No. It's yours. You can have it."
Fayth huffed, not caring. She sat down and set the food in front of her.
"What's your name?"
The child said nothing but stared at the food.
"No name? Fine, I'll call you Void NightShade."
Void kept glaring. Fayth could see the child's eyes turning red and her horn glowing.
"I'll give you the chance to leave me alone and let you live," Void warned.
Fayth pulled the filly's ear, making it cry. She then placed her on her lap, grabbed an apple, and force-fed her.
"If you want to be a real threat, then you need to be stronger than that! Come with me, and I'll help you become powerful enough to take what you want!"
Void looked up, curious.
"Become powerful? Like you?"
Fayth shrugged. "If you keep at it, then yeah. Sure, I guess."
"Promise?"
"Yeah. Yeah. Promise."
Void became excited, but her anger returned. She pushed the food away, "Then don't feed me! I'm not some foal!" void did cute mad laughter, making Fayth...smile.
A few months later
Fayth fully recovered and was about to head out, but she turned to her filly, wrapped up in the black cloak she gave her.
"Ready to leave?"
Void nodded, rushing to her side. She eyed Fayth's hand, wanting to hold it. But she didn't need to think about it anymore as Fayth grabbed her hand and took off with her.
Void was amazed by Fayth's ability to fly and soon leave the universe. She turned to her, smiling with a blush.
Fayth looked at her, sensing the opposite of a spark.
To Be Continued in 'Mine Name Across The Multiverse'
