Resparked

The light shone through the stained glass of the old church. The large mosaic of Celestia and Luna showed them as proud protectors and rulers of the ponies. Since Rainbow Dash was in Canterlot, she took the opportunity to visit Twilight's grave. Ponies buried in this dome were given a great honor. Rainbow laid flowers on the grave and sat in silence with her eyes closed.

Now she knew that death was not the end of everything. For the first time, she could hope again. With half a spirit inside her, she would complete Twilight's journey to paradise and give her life again. Celestia had explained everything to her: Twilight had suffered great torment when her soul was split, but this was the only way she could withstand the power of the Ursa Major. Now one half was in paradise and the other was stuck in Rainbow Dash. She had to embark on a long journey for Twilight's sake.

“I know your pain, Twi. It must be unbearable to be stuck halfway in paradise. But I’ll make it right, and Celestia will be my witness. I’ll make it right because I couldn't save you,” she murmured softly.

“Do you really blame yourself for her death, Rainbow Dash?” asked a familiar voice behind her back.

Rainbow recognized Twilight's brother, Prince Shining Armor. He was dressed in his captain's uniform, flanked by the unicorns who had fought in the battle. Commander Whiteknife nodded a greeting to Rainbow Dash. Shining Armor sat down beside her, maintaining a respectful silence. Though displaying emotion was discouraged in service, Celestia allowed exceptions in the church, especially for family. “You don't need to blame yourself,” Shining Armor said. “Twilight saw it coming, and the Ursa Major is entirely to blame.”

“Right!" Shetland spoke up. “The post-mortem revealed that Twilight's lungs were so crushed that there was no chance of her surviving.”

“Goodness gracious! Spare the prince and the pegasus these details!” hissed Commander Whiteknife angrily.

“It's okay!” said Shining Armor, raising his head. Then he turned to Rainbow Dash. “I heard what you're up to! It's a really hard thing to do, but you’d be doing my family a big favor! Twilight deserves a full life in Paradise.”

Shining Armor only knew that Rainbow was to take Twilight's half-soul to Paradise. The resurrection rite was a secret shared only between Celestia and her. Perhaps it was best that Shining didn’t know everything. “I would love to accompany you, Rainbow, but I have my duties to do. I wish you the best of luck!”

He gave Rainbow Dash a quick hug before standing up. His final glance lingered on the grave before he exited with the guards. Rainbow Dash felt a deep sympathy for the Sparkle family. Shining's words resonated with her, bolstering her resolve to carry out the mission.

As Rainbow Dash walked towards the palace entrance, she could already hear Trixie's grumbling voice. “Why should I go along with something like that? That's her problem, not mine!”

She left the palace indignantly. Princess Celestia followed her with a severe look. “You will escort her! That is an order!”

Trixie stopped and grumbled to herself.

Celestia sighed, shaking her head. “What am I going to do with you, Trixie? It was your decision to continue your studies!”

“But it's not my duty to help Rainbow Dash with a breakneck action! I've got better things to do!” scolded Trixie.

“Why won't you let me finish?” asked Celestia in a softer tone, “If you help Rainbow Dash, you'll win a great award and I'll teach you the next levels of magic. Maybe you'll even be in some history books!”

Trixie's eyes suddenly grew wide with excitement. She could seemingly envision the glory that awaited her, fueling her desire for adventure. With a confident flair, she turned around. “Well, it's time for the grrreat and powerful Trixie to claim the recognition she deserves! Trixie will achieve such great glory that she’ll have her own constellation!”

“Oh, please don't!” thought Rainbow Dash shocked.

“Great! I knew I could count on my faithful student!” said Celestia, throwing Trixie's heavy pack onto her back. She trotted off, panting and full of energy. Rainbow Dash didn't feel comfortable with the whole thing.

“Um... Is it really necessary to have her with me?” she wanted to know.

The princess smiled. “Her expertise is now such that she will soon be allowed to study outside Equestria. I have something for you too, Rainbow!”

Next to Rainbow's luggage, she pulled out an old granite sphere with a star engraved on it: the element of magic. It had changed from the crown back into a stone sphere.

“It happened just before the funeral,” Celestia explained. “A clear sign that this element is destined for a new carrier. You need it for your task. And here is your element. Loyalty!”

Celestia showed her the golden necklace with the red lightning bolt. When Rainbow Dash saw it, her heart suddenly became very heavy. “I can't take it... I no longer deserve it...”

The princess looked at her in astonishment and sadness at the same time. After a deep bow, Rainbow Dash turned and walked down the wide white marble staircase that led to the gates of Canterlot. At the sides, the guards saluted in farewell. Rainbow Dash thought of everything she had to leave behind. It was almost like self-exile. But in the end, she had made the decision to help Twilight.

Trixie was waiting impatiently at the foot of the mountain. She had put on her typical starry cape and pointed hat for the journey. Rainbow Dash trotted past her.

“Finally, there you are! The great, all-powerful Trixie is tired of waiting!” she shouted, but Rainbow ignored her and trotted on.

The unicorn stared for a while, but then she ran after her. “Well, I'm not volunteering to help you, but I'm afraid we have to go through with it!”

“Do you think I'll let you come with me willingly?” Rainbow Dash murmured.

“Hmph! Good point!”

The mares continued their taciturn journey on the country road that led past Ponyville. The weather was glorious. The pegasi had already cleared the sky. A cornfield spread out on the left, buzzing with butterflies and other insects. Somewhere, someone was roaming through the tall field and heading straight for the ponies. Rainbow Dash became aware of the rustling.

“Somepony is following us!” she hissed, her ears twitching.

“Well, how about that? A fight right away? Don't worry, Trixie has been well trained in all magical fighting skills!”

The noises grew louder, the clattering of hooves echoing through the air. Rainbow Dash reared up on her hind legs, while Trixie lowered her head, her horn glowing. Their pursuer snorted and quickened its gallop as the two scanned the area with keen eyes. Suddenly, a shadow leaped from the field, kicking up dust as it landed on the path in one powerful bound. It was Applejack, and she was not pleased.

“That might suit ya, just runnin' away! What in tarnation is wrong with ya?” she yelled.

Rainbow Dash's mouth remained open, but Applejack wasn't done yet. “And now you're goin' with her?? I thought y'all hated each other! Consarn it, Rainbow, is that what ya call friendship? What in Equestria did Celestia teach ya? What did Twilight teach ya?!”

Applejack started to cry. “And just so ya know! I'm sure she wouldn't have wanted it this way! We're still friends, ain't we? Without us, you won't get one step further!”

“Oh, AJ!” gasped Rainbow Dash. They fell around each other's necks, crying. Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy emerged from the field. Water was in their eyes too.

“That's right, Dashie!” gasped Pinkie. “We can't cope with losing another friend!”

Rainbow's heart leapt, even if not particularly high. Now she wouldn't have to face this alone. As they continued their journey, she filled her friends in on the mission.

Trixie glanced back at Canterlot. The mountain was already miles away, but the castle with its shimmering towers and scaffolding was still visible in the distance.

“Friendship...” she murmured.

The princess returned to the living room with mixed feelings. Had she perhaps been too optimistic about Rainbow Dash and Trixie? She knew that no one who tried to revive someone came back. If the same thing happened to them, she could never forgive herself.

A magic mirror standing on a counter began to light up. Luna came forward. When Celestia looked into it, her sister's face appeared. “Hello, did you get our message?”

“I have, Luna. And I'm deeply concerned! Obviously, it was the same as it was with you back then!” said Celestia. Luna seemingly didn't like remembering that.

“This is far worse, sister! The Ursa Major was driven by nothing but hatred and senseless violence. It sought only to destroy and kill. Poor Twilight fell victim to a brutal and senseless murder. Something, or someone, must have provoked the Ursa Major into such a monstrous act.”

“I understand, sister! Keep me informed.”

Luna disappeared and the mirror only showed Celestia's exhausted face. “Good luck, Rainbow Dash!” she thought.

The ponies had already come a long way. Ahead lay the Everfree Forest, their first obstacle. In the meantime, Rainbow Dash had finished telling her mission.

“Really? It’s possible to bring ponies back to life?” Applejack repeated in amazement. Rainbow Dash nodded.

“And Twilight's soul is in your head?” Pinkie Pie asked, flabbergasted.

“Yes, but only a part of her,” said Rainbow Dash, looking up, although there was nothing to see.

Suddenly Trixie spoke up: “Um, oh! This might sound a tad silly, but Princess Celestia has entrusted me with another task! I must cast a protective spell on you, and I must do it daily!”

Rainbow Dash was confused. “Why? Isn't it enough that you've been crawling around in my head?”

“Well, Twilight’s soul can do a number on you too. The longer you tote it around, the more it melds with your own spirit! That can spell trouble! If we don't act, you'll end up a loony, dribbling pony!”

The pegasus mare jumped up in alarm, causing Fluttershy to squeak in fright. “Wha...wha...what? Why didn't you tell me sooner?” Rainbow cried in horror.

“Sorry! I forgot! -Squee!”- Trixie smiled, embarrassed.

Rainbow Dash broke out in sweat. It was weird. As soon as Trixie had said that, she felt a few years older. “That won't hurt, right?” she asked cautiously.

“It won't! Just hold still!” After these words, Trixie's horn began to glow. When she touched Rainbow's forehead, she felt a brief flutter in her skull and she could have sworn she heard Twilight whimper. Then Trixie let go of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow had never seen such a look on her face before.

“I don't want to say how much Twilight is suffering, but I wouldn't even wish this for my enemies!” She turned around and stared into the depths of the forest.

The others didn't want to think about what Trixie had seen or felt, but it seemed to have hit them hard. Rarity went to her. “Where exactly is this paradise, you speak of?”

“It can be anywhere! Celestia said we must follow her sun and bask under Luna's moon at night! We've got a tremendous, stupendous, colossal journey ahead of us!”

Pinkie Pie groaned: “Aww! Is there really no shortcut there or anything?”

Trixie began to grin ironically. “Oh, there is one! Just jump off a cliff! That's the quickest way to paradise!”

“Suicide is not the answer! That's simply unethical!” Rarity scolded and turned her back on Trixie.

The ponies trotted through the depths of the mystical forest. As time passed, the surroundings grew darker. They watched as the last rays of sunlight vanished behind the dense canopy of leaves, transforming the forest into a spooky tangle of branches, bushes, bugs, birds, and other unseen creatures. Fluttershy was the first to become frightened, and soon the others began to shiver as well as the temperature dropped.

“We oughta take a break!” Applejack finally said. “Let's find ourselves a good spot to rest.”

The others looked around. There was only darkness far and wide. The chirping of the crickets and the hooting of the owls irritated them.

“How about that dilapidated ruin there?” asked Trixie suddenly.

Rainbow Dash snapped to attention. “Ruin? What ruin?”

Trixie pointed to a small clearing cut off by a ravine. Only a small suspension bridge led to a large stone ruin. The walls looked familiar to the friends.

"Great galoshes! That's the ruin where we found the Elements of Harmony! Do ya remember?" shouted Applejack in amazement.

“It hasn't changed a bit!” said Rarity.

Everyone rushed across the bridge to the other side, with Rainbow Dash leading the way. As she reached the end, memories of that adventure flooded back. It was Twilight who had brought her to this place, where they had all faced various tests. Rainbow Dash had proven her loyalty at this very bridge. The memories stung, bringing a pang of sorrow to her heart.

“What are you pondering over, darling? We must keep moving! Otherwise, you might catch a cold,” Rarity remarked as she walked past.

The ruin was darker than outside. Fluttershy hid behind the tail of Pinkie Pie. The ponies looked around. Nothing, almost nothing, had changed in this place. Some things were missing, for example a columnar structure with six arms on which the six fossilized elements once stood. Trixie eyed the area boredly, as if in a museum, but she was glad to at least be under a roof. Applejack took care of the firewood, which Rarity lit with a spell. The fire wavered high and cast large, flickering shadows on the walls.

“So, this is the ancient palace of the princess sisters that Celestia told me about! What a sad, boring place!” said Trixie.

Applejack eyed her critically but decided not to pursue it further. She turned to her friends, who were gathered around the fire. “We gotta figure out where we're headed tomorrow, and keep an eye out for some grub while we're at it!”

“Don't worry, darlings,” said Rarity with a delicate wave of her hoof. “The forest is teeming with fruits and grasses. But for now, we simply must find a suitable place to sleep. This hard ground will give us bruises, and I certainly despise fancy sleeping standing up!”

The ponies discussed their tasks. Applejack and Pinkie Pie set off in search of food, while Rainbow Dash shared some provisions and straw she had brought along. Rarity suggested weaving six mats from the straw, and Fluttershy tended to the fire. As always, they worked together seamlessly, though Trixie remained in the background.

Eventually, the sleeping areas were prepared. The ponies ate their fill from Rainbow Dash's provisions and the food Applejack had gathered. It was already quite late, likely halfway through the night. Applejack let out a loud yawn, prompting Rarity to pull a face of offense. “Applejack, please! Keep a hoof in front of your mouth!”

“Well, let me tell ya, my brother's yawn could wake the whole barnyard!” Applejack laughed.

Lost in their own thoughts, the others gazed silently into the dying embers of the fire. Eventually, one by one, they settled down to rest.

But Rainbow Dash woke up again after a while. She had felt something. A subtle breeze stirring through the broken windows catching her attention. She glanced upwards, her eyes fixating on the tower she had last visited two years prior. There was an inexplicable pull drawing her towards it. Quietly slipping past the sleeping Applejack, Rainbow made her way through the chilly ruins, ascending the spiral staircase leading to the tower. As she reached the top, she entered a vast chamber, its symmetry striking. The wind whispered through the cracks in the walls, and in the center stood a raised platform. Bathed in the ethereal glow of Luna's moonlight filtering through the slender windows, the empty expanse held a mysterious allure.

Only then did Rainbow Dash realize where she was. The battle against Nightmare Moon was taking place before her eyes. Twilight ran towards the black mare with her horn held out and suddenly fizzled out.

Then the room was empty again. Nightmare Moon was defeated and became Luna again. That day, Rainbow Dash realized what Twilight Sparkle meant to her: a true friend. The pegasus pony stepped forward into the moonlight.

“Oh, Twi! I hope you can hear me. If only I could tell you how sorry I am. Your brother doesn't think I should blame myself.” Rainbow Dash's knees went weak and she lay down on the wide staircase, leaving her thoughts out loud to the hall.

“I... I had a moment of doubt, Twilight. I... I know I'm not entirely to blame, but maybe I could've spared you some of this pain. I just... I need you to know that I'm sorry. I'll bear this burden with you, every step of the way. I can't fly anymore... it feels like... like I've been punished enough. But I promise, I'll make it right. I'll make it right... for you.”

Then she fell asleep. What Rainbow Dash didn't realize was that her head was lying on the lap of a purple ghost who was gently patting it.