Twilight awoke in the morning feeling as though she hadn’t rested at all. She had another rather convincing dream where she was back in the old days when she was still a unicorn. Her friends were all around her, laughing, playing games, and going on adventures. As she stirred in her bed, the castle walls whispered to her, reminding her of the reality she faced every day. For 250 years, she had been the sole ruler of Equestria. Time had changed everything, and yet, her heart remained tethered to the past.
Every morning now she got up like a puppet, her movements mechanical and precise. She threw off the silken covers of her royal bed and stood, her hooves making a gentle clack as they hit the marble floor. Twilight walked absentmindedly to the balcony to lower the moon and raise the sun. Her magic was strong, as strong as ever, but the joy that once accompanied this ritual was as lost to her as the friends she had once shared it with. The sun, a fiery orb of light, slowly began to ascend from the horizon, casting a warm glow across the land. The townsfolk of Canterlot stirred, the first signs of life appearing in the windows of their homes as they too began their days.
Some days Twilight wished she could just forget all about her past. To be free of the memories that would randomly stir in her mind. But today wasn’t one of those days. Today she felt a pang of longing so sharp, it was like a knife twisting in her heart. She missed the way Pinkie Pie's laughter could make the heaviest of moments seem light. She missed Applejack's no-nonsense wisdom and the comfort of her friendship. She missed Rarity’s flair for the dramatic and the way she could turn a simple problem into an epic quest. She missed Rainbow Dash’s boundless energy and the way she made flying seem so easy. She missed Fluttershy’s gentle touch and the way she talked to animals. And she missed the way Spike looked up to her, his little dragon face full of wonder admiration.
While Spike was still alive and well, his immense size made it was no longer possible for him to stay in Canterlot. Twilight had bid him farewell nearly fifty years ago now. He had chosen to live in the dragonlands, far from the bustle of city life. His growth had been a constant reminder of the passage of time, and his departure had left a void she had never been able to fill. Even though she got to see Spike every now and then, he was always that little dragon to her.
Twilight sighed heavily, watching the sun climb higher into the sky. Her thoughts turned to the council meeting she had to attend in a few hours. The kingdom's affairs called for her attention, and she knew she had to put on a brave face.
As the late afternoon approached, she made her way to the grand throne room. The once-familiar faces of her friends had been replaced by stern ponies with scrolls and quills, all eager to present their latest issues and concerns. Twilight sat upon the gleaming throne, her expression neutral, listening to the murmur of the court. The grandeur of the room, once filled with joyous banter and the scent of friendship, now held the stale air of bureaucracy.
Before her now stood an earth pony, her mane a wild tangle of colors and her eyes wide with excitement. "Your Royal Highness," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I've come with a most urgent request!" Twilight felt the urge to roll her eyes, anticipating another trivial matter that had been blown out of proportion. But she maintained her composure, remembering the promise she had made to herself and to her ponies.
"What seems to be the issue?" Twilight inquired calmly, her voice carrying the weight of centuries.
The young earth pony, her mane fluttering with each nervous twitch of her head, spoke rapidly. "It's the pegasi, Your Highness. They've been moving the clouds over my garden, blocking the sunlight! My plants are withering, and I fear for their wellbeing!”
Twilgiht wanted to facehoof on the spot. “Have you tried simply asking them to move the clouds a couple feet? Or maybe even ask another pegasus to move them?” she asked, trying to keep the exasperation from her voice. It had been a long line of these types of complaints today, each one seemingly more trivial than the last.
The earth pony looked surprised, as if the idea had never crossed her mind. “Oh, I suppose I could, but I thought it would be more... formal to bring it to your attention.”
Twilight forced a patient smile. “Well, I encourage you to communicate with the pegasi in question directly. Should that not work out then please bring your complaint to your mayor. Now, is there anything else?”
The mare shook her head, looking slightly embarrassed, and retreated. Twilight couldn't help but wonder if the simplicity of the solution was what had brought the pony to her. It was moments like these that made her feel like a glorified mediator rather than a ruler. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the next round of trivialities.
The doors to the throne room creaked open once more, and a young Pegasus filly trotted in. Twilight's gaze sharpened as she took in the pony’s features: a sky blue coat, rainbow mane and tail that looked eerily familiar. Her heart skipped a beat as she was immediately reminded of her long deceased friend, Rainbow Dash. The resemblance was uncanny, almost too much to handle. She blinked several times to make sure she wasn't imagining it, but no. This filly was an exact copy of Rainbow Dash.
The filly looked extremely nervous as she approached Twilight, her eyes darting around the grand chamber. Her tiny legs wobbled a little as she bowed. "Your... Your Royal Highness,” the filly greeted.
Her voice, Twilight thought feeling gobsmacked, her voice is scratchy as well! Twilight felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at the young pegasus. "Yes, what can I do for you, Rain- I mean- young mare?" she asked, her words a little shakier than she intended.
The filly looked up to meet Twilight’s eyes and immediately turned away, rubbing the back of her head. “I’m not sure how to put it.”
“You can tell me anything you need to say. Would you feel more comfortable if you came closer?” Twilight asked, trying not to sound too hopeful. She really wanted to have a closer look at this filly without looking like a crazy pony.
The young pegasus took a tentative step forward. "Well, I read how that you used to be friends with the legendary Rainbow Dash, and I was wondering if... if I could maybe... talk? To to you about her?”
Twilight felt a rush of emotions, but she kept her composure. She hadn’t heard Rainbow’s name in so long, and to hear it spoken with such reverence was almost overwhelming. "Well, this time is usually meant for addressing matters of Equestria, but I suppose I can make an exception. What would you like to know?”
The filly took a deep breath and spoke softly. "She really hated pies, huh?”
Twilight’s eyes widened. How could this young pegasus know about Rainbow’s peculiar dislike? It wasn’t something that could be found in the history books. Twilight knew that for a fact as she owned every book written about her friends. "How do you know that?" she asked, her voice low and serious. “You’re not a descendant of Rainbow, are you?”
The filly looked surprised. "No, no, I'm sorry," she stuttered. "I’m an orphan. I don't have any family that I know of. I just wanted… I’m sorry. This was stupid of me. I’ll leave you alone.”
But Twilight had to know. She raised a hoof to stop the filly. "Please, don't go. I would very much like to know how you came by that knowledge."
The filly started flapping her wings to bring herself a few feet ahove ground Twilight was quick to recall how Rainbow Dash flew in place when nervous or stresed. Well," she began, “you see… promise not to laugh?”
"I promise," Twilight said, leaning in slightly.
“Cross your heart?”
Twilight smiled. “Hope to fly-“
“Stick a cupcake in my eye,” they both said in unison, finishing the old line Pinkie would say.
The young filly’s eyes went wide with shock, and she giggled nervously. Twilight felt a warmth spread through her chest, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in what felt like eons. It was such a trivial thing, but the memory of those days washed over her like a warm summer rain.
“I know this is gonna sound weird… but I’ve been having memories of her,” the filly admitted, looking embarrassed. “I mean at first I started dreaming about her. I didn’t even really know who she was at the time. It wasn’t until my teacher taught us about the Element Bearers that I realized it was Rainbow Dash. And ever since then things got weirder.”
Twilight's interest was piqued. Memories? It wasn’t possible for this young pegasus to have actual memories of Rainbow Dash unless... “Weirder how?” she asked gently, but inside she was screaming for answers.
“It’s no secret that I space out in class, but lately whenever I space out now I’m seeing the world from back when Rainbow Dash was alive. I’m seeing it through her eyes. And it’s not just seeing, I can feel it, smell it, taste it. It’s like I’m there with her, living her life,” the young pegasus confessed, her eyes pleading with Twilight to believe her.
Twilight felt a tremor of excitement run through her. Could it be possible that this filly was somehow connected to Rainbow Dash? Her mind raced with the implications, with the hope that she wasn’t alone anymore. Then doubt began to creep in. How can I be so quick to believe this? she thought. Am I really so desperate to relive the past that I'll cling to any thread that seems to lead back to it? No… no this has to be Discord. Discord was behind this. It all made sense now.
"I'm sorry young mare," Twilight said with a sternness she hadn't used in centuries, "But I am really not in the mood for insensitive pranks. It’s painfully obvious you had a certain draconequus change your colors. Your voice is probably fake as well. Well, the jig is up!”
The young pegasus’s eyes watered as she looked at Twilight, her idol. “No, I swear, I’m not lying!" she protested. "I don’t know how this is happening but it’s real! I’ve even been trying to make a sonic rainboom to see if there are others who are-“
“This has gone far enough!” Twilight stood up from her throne, her eyes flashing with accusation. “You tell Discord his joke was not funny in the slightest bit!”
The rainbow maned pegasus flew back several feet. “I don’t know Discord! I promise!” She cried. “And these are my real colors!”
But Twilight wasn’t convinced. “Get out! Get out of here! You should be ashamed of yourself for playing with my emotions like that!” she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the walls.
The young pegasus face looked as though Twilight had slapped her. Her shoulders slumped as she whithered down to the floor, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. Twilight felt a twinge of guilt, but she pushed it aside. It was all just too convenient. A perfect copy of Rainbow Dash? It had to be a trick. "See ya, egghead," the filly sniffled, turning to leave.
Twilight watched her go, her eyes narrowing as she considered the situation. The way she talked, the way she moved, it was all so eerily similar to Rainbow. But she couldn't let herself be fooled. She had been the guardian of Equestria for too long to be caught off guard by a simple impersonation. She had to remain strong, to not let the hope of a rekindled friendship cloud her judgment. Yet, as the filly reached for the door, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Was it just nostalgia playing tricks on her, or was there truly something more?
“Stop.”
The word hung in the air, cutting through the tension like a knife. The young pegasus froze, her hoof hovering over the door handle. Twilight took a deep breath and approached her, her eyes searching the filly’s tear-stained face for any sign of deceit. “I’m sorry,” she said more calmly now. “But you must understand why I’m skeptical. This... it’s just too much to believe. Could you tell me more about these memories? Something between Rainbow Dash and I?”
The filly wiped her eyes with the back of her hoof and nodded. “Remember that time when you woke up to that rancid smell in your bedroom? You and Spike blamed each other for days but I- I mean, it was actually Rainbow Dash who snuck a stink bomb under your bed while you slept. She was hiding outside while you two bickered. Though, she felt bad after awhile since you and Spike argued longer than she thought.”
Twilight felt the color drain from her face. That was true. That incident had indeed occurred. Neither she nor Spike told anypony else about it, because they never shared their arguments with others. Definitely something not in the history books. This revelation shook her to the core. Could it be possible that this filly truly had some kind of connection to her long-lost friend? She could feel hope and anger swirling inside her like a tornado.
“I think… maybe… I could be Rainbow Dash’s incarnate?” The young pegasus spoke as though she could hardly believe it.
Twilight had read about the possibilities of reincarnation in her studies but never has there been a proven case. Yet, the way the young pegasus spoke about the stink bomb incident, an event that had brought her and Spike closer despite their squabble, it was like a secret hoof bump only she and Rainbow knew. "Why don’t you come with me to my room? We can talk more privately there," Twilight suggested, letting herself believe more and more one of her best friends had returned to her.
“Don’t you have more ponies to see?” The pegasus filly asked.
Twilight waved a hoof dismissively. “They can wait. This is more important than any court meeting. Besides, I can always read their reports later. Right now, I’d love to talk to you some more.”
***
Princess Cadance worried about her sister-in-law these days. The last time she came to visit Twilight was all smiles and cheerfulness, but the weight of her rule was etched into her face. It was only a couple weeks ago and Cadance still wondered if perhaps Twilight needed a break from it all. She had suggested a vacation, or even a simple weekend in Manehattan, but Twilight had waved off the idea, saying she had too much to do.
But Cadance had noticed the way Twilight’s eyes had lit up at the mention of her friends, the way she talked about them like they had just left the room. It was as if she was still holding onto a piece of the past so tightly that it was crushing her. So, Cadance had decided to come back to Canterlot without announcing it. She had hoped to catch Twilight off guard, to get a glimpse of how she truly was without the façade of rulership.
Finding out that Twilight had suddenly closed court for the day left Cadance intrigued. Either Twilight had finally realized she needed a small break or something was wrong.
Approaching the grand doors of Twilight’s quarters, she gently knocked. The door opened by a creak and Twilight angrily whispered out, “I said I am not to be disturbed!”
“It’s me, Twilight. I’m sorry if- woah!” Cadance’s words were cut short as she suddenly pulled into Twilight’s bedroom and hugged tighly.
“Oh Cadance! I’m so happy you’re here! The most amazing thing has happened! I think- I think my friends are coming back!” Twilight whispered excitedly, pulling back from the embrace, her eyes shining with hope.
“What do you mean by that?” Cadance asked, chuckling a little at Twilight’s enthusiasm. It was good to see her looking legitimately happy for once.
“Look! Look over on my bed! Guess who it is!” Twilight gestured to it with a big grin. “She’s napping right now of course. Classic Rainbow Dash!”
Cadance followed Twilight's gaze and then looked back at her sister-in-law. “Twilight, I don’t-“ she began but Twilight cut her off.
“Can you believe it?! I mean I didn’t myself but it’s Rainbow Dash, Cadance! It’s really her! She knows everything, every little detail of my friend’s lives!” Twilight practically pranced in place.
Cadance took another look at the bed, her face etched with concern. “Twilight…”
“We have plans to get her to try and make a sonic rainboom! We figure since-“
“Twilight!” Cadance's spoke firmly now. “Look at me, please. There’s nopony on your bed.”
Twilight blinked, her excitement fading into confusion. She glanced back at the bed, finding the young Rainbow Dash snoozing away. “What do you mean? She’s literally right there! Plain as day!”
Cadance shook her head. “Twilight… there’s nothing there.”