Trixie's Horrible Error; Twilight's Fading Light

Twilight broke into a sweat, unused to running so far. Occasionally, she tapped her magic to throw herself into a teleportation glyph, flashing herself a couple miles down the road. There was a farm in the distance, and the contrail seemed to be headed that way. She gasped for breath, almost at the end of her physical stamina. She concentrated, pouring her magic into one last glyph. In an instant, she was before the farm, which she now recognized as Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack's farm. She gasped, collapsing in front of the barn as the cyan pegasus landed next to her. She turned to face Twilight, already in a battle stance. She snorted, stomping her hooves and flaring her wings.

"Wait a moment...I think..." She slumped onto the ground, hoof outstretched. As Trixie finally galloped upon the scene, she struggled to her hooves, gasping for breath still. She brought her head up to gaze levelly at the pegasus before her.

"Rain...bow...Dash..." was all she could say coherently, before gasping for breath again. As before, with the other two ponies, Rainbow Dash relaxed immediately, walking over to Twilight. She smiled.

"You're back! You remember! This is fantastic!" Of course, Dashie couldn't contain her excitement, shouting aloud. A few minutes later, after Twilight had recovered her breath, there was the sound of a door opening, and Applejack walked out of the house, looking around blearily. Of course, it was late at night now, and everypony was asleep. Twilight grinned sheepishly at Applejack when she walked up to them.

"What th' hay is goin' on wit' all th' shoutin' an' stuff?" Applejack demanded. Rainbow collapsed, laughing her head off. Applejack understood. She had just found Twilight as well.

"Jus' keep it down, ya'll. Someponies are trying to sleep around here." With that, she turned and went back into her house, slamming the door behind her. Twilight rounded on Rainbow eagerly.

"Can you...Can you take me to our other friends?" Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head, confused. She debated internally for a while before nodding.

"Sure. You've met Applejack and I, so the next one should be Rarity." As she spoke, she picked up Twilight in her hooves and Trixie jumped onto Twilight, not wanting to be left behind again. With that, Rainbow Dash lifted a few feet off the ground, high enough to fly back to Ponyville without much issue. The flight went without much issue, and they soon landed in front of Carousel Boutique. The landing left a little to be desired, mostly from Trixie, but it was a three-pony ride on one pair of wings. As Twilight stood up, recovering from the tumble she had taken after dismounting Dashie, Rainbow trotted to the door and knocked.

"Rarity?" she called, anxious. "Rarity, it's me, Rainbow Dash!" She knocked again. A light came on inside, and the door cracked. "Rainbow...? What brings you here at this time of night?" Rarity rubbed her eyes with her forehooves before walking out. She saw Twilight and screamed, dashing back inside and slamming the door, pulling Rainbow with her. Dashie looked a little confused.

"Umm, Rarity? Why did you just slam the door in Twilight's face? She's still your friend." Rainbow, once recovering from being suddenly inside, started lecturing Rarity until she agreed to open the door for Twilight. As the door opened, Twilight looked Rarity in the face for a minute before collapsing, just like every other time. Rarity huffed.

"Well, I never. I try to be polite, and she goes to sleep right here in front of-..." Her tirade was cut short as Trixie shoved a hoof in her mouth.

"Shut up, you. Just. Shut. Up." Trixie looked furious as she removed the hoof, obviously still super protective of Twilight. Rarity nodded quickly, then stared as Trixie pulled Twilight to her feet. After a few moments, her eyes flickered open, and she stared at Rarity with new eyes.

"Rarity!" Twilight gasped. "I remember you now! Apparently, after everything I've been through, seeing my friends is returning my memories. Little by little. I have all my memories of you, Dashie, Fluttershy and Applejack. That should leave one more..." Twilight looked down, once again feeling bad for forgetting everypony. Trixie held her in her hooves, nuzzling her mane to try and comfort her.

"It's okay, Twilight, I'm sure they forgive you. It wasn't your fault." Twilight smiled at Trixie in thanks before looking over to Rainbow Dash. "Who's next?"

"Uhmm...If you've already visited Fluttershy, there's only Pinkie Pie left. She'll probably throw you a spontaneous party when you remember her." Rainbow picked up the two unicorns, leaving Rarity to go back to bed, and took off in the direction of downtown Ponyville. They arrived quickly in front of Sugarcube Corner. Twilight took the initiative to knock on the door herself this time. The top door opened and a pink mare with a cherry red mane peeked out. She gasped, attempting to close the door, but Rainbow tackled her away from the door, allowing Twilight and Trixie to enter undeterred.

"Pinkie, listen to me. Twilight is not here to hurt you. You're gonna be fine. Trust me." With that, Dashie helped Pinkie to her feet and then Twilight stared at her for a few minutes. When nothing happened, Trixie approached Twilight, concerned.

"Are you okay, my little Sparkle?" Trixie stroked her mane, already feeling that Twilight was about to have a reason to cry. As the two mares stood there, staring at each other, Twilight lowered her head in shame, shaking her head.

"Nothing. I don't know this pony, Rainbow." Dashie looked mortified. Twilight turned and walked out of Sugarcube Corner, Trixie following closely. Pinkie looked up at Rainbow Dash in confusion,

"Uhh, what just happened?" Rainbow facehoofed. She stared at Pinkie.

"Why you, of all ponies? You're the one that Twilight can't remember. She knows the four of us, but she can't remember you still. We don't know how, but every time she saw one of us, she remembered all of the things she was supposed to know about that pony. Nothing happened when she looked at you, which broke the trend." Rainbow flew out sullenly, deep in thought. Pinkie sniffled, going back upstairs without another word.