//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 : The Gifts... (Part 1) // Story: The Memory Remains // by PeriodicBrony //------------------------------// Chapter 2 : The Gifts... ‘Knock Knock’ Rainbow was standing in front of a library awaiting her friends response. “Twi! Are you in there?” She called out making sure she had heard. Then there was a sound coming out of the library. “I’ll be there in a moment! Just wait a bit.” Twilight replied. When she open the door Rainbow was met with a pair of violet eyes. She kept staring into them until she heard a distant voice. “Hello? Rainbow?” She asked and there was no response. She waved her hoof in front of a pegasus. “Are you still there?” She asked her again. “Err… Oh! Hi! Twi! I’m here to read latest Daring Do. That you said it would come in today, Right?” She stumbled a bit and turned away quickly trying to hide her blush. “It’s here. Come on in! I just finished reshelving my library.” She quickly trotted back inside and Rainbow decided to follow her. “This is going to be awesome!” Rainbow excitedly exclaim while she was squealing in delight. “I know you you are excited, Rainbow.” she giggled. “It’s getting pretty late right now. Did you eat something yet?” asked Twilight. Soon as the question was asked Rainbow stomach was already grumbling. “I’ll take that as a no.” She said laughing. “Sorry, I just want to read Daring Do as fast as I could, so after I got up from my afternoon nap and did my stuffs. I just flew here without thinking.” She was blushing in embarrassment. “I know you would do that, so I have already prepare some daisy sandwich for you in the kitchen.” She gave her a smile that make Rainbow blush even harder. “Thanks, Twi! You’re the best,” said Rainbow while she walked to the kitchen. After a while, Rainbow had finished her meal and Twilight was had been arranging the room in order to make it comfortable for two ponies to sit and read together. She was using her magic spell to levitate books, quills and paper out of the way. Rainbow just caught herself staring at her friend. ‘She’s does look kinda pretty... I wonder if...’ She shook her head to clear the wild thought. ‘What am I thinking? She’s your friend. How could you think of her like that!’ She growled. Twilight turned around and noticed that Rainbow was looking quite upset. “Is there something wrong, Rainbow?” Twilight said giving her a concerned look. Rainbow was startled by a sudden question. “Oh! It’s nothing. How about we start reading right now, Twi?” Rainbow said quickly trying to change the subject and began to avoided eye contact with her. Twilight gave her a questioning look, but she quickly let it go. “Okay, How about we sit over there?” Twilight said, pointing her hoof towards the couch and blazing fireplace. Rainbow nodded in response as she followed alongside Twilight towards the couch. “And here is the book! This story is-” “This is AWESOME! Daring Do and The Lost Island!” Rainbow yelled in excitement and began squeeing like a filly. She sat down on the couch that was near the fireplace. Twilight rolled her eyes and walked to sit beside her. “Every time a new Daring Do came out, you are always acting like a school filly.” She giggled “That’s not true!” She quickly denied with a blush on her face. “Next time I should put a recorder around here. We’ll see who’s lying.” Twilight laughed again. “Just read the story!” She yelled a blush still upon her face. “Okay Okay, I will read it out loud if that’s okay with you.” Twilight turned to smile at her. Rainbow was stunned by her friend’s smile. She couldn’t put a single word to describe it. She kept staring at her for a while before Twilight spoke up and brought her back from her fantasy. “Hello, Rainbow? You keep staring at me. Is there something on my face?” Twilight worried. “Err… No! Um… I just want to say that you look pretty today.” Her eyes went wide when she realized what she had just said. “Oh… Thanks, Rainbow.” Twilight blushed. The silence filled the as they both turned around from each other. “Let’s continue reading, Twi.” Rainbow quickly said changing the subject and avoiding eye contact with her. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” Twilight replied. Twilight started to read the book out loud for both of them. “Daring Do and The Lost Island...” ------------------------------------------------------ Rainbow woke up from her daydream. The memory of her last visit at the library still hung in her head like it was yesterday. She began stretching. She walked to the bathroom and quickly took a shower. She walked out of her room only to find Tank, who was smiling at her. She patted his shell and gave him his food. She looked around her cloud house and what she saw is a completely mess. She decided it might be a good idea to start cleaning up around her house. After she finished. She lazed around for a bit before she decided to go visit her friends. She started out at Fluttershy’s cottage, which she always go when she need some company. ‘Knock Knock’ She knocked on her door. “Hello, Fluttershy. Are you in there?” As soon as she finished, She heard a loud noise inside and a creature inside growled. Rainbow Dash quickly worried that Fluttershy might be in danger; she quickly rammed into the cottage door which opened on impact all in one motion. As she checked her surroundings all she could see was the shocked faces of all the critters, all of them were staring at her. She soon located Fluttershy who was hiding behind her sofa; a part of her pink mane poking out from above. “Oh! R-Rainbow Dash? I thought someone was trying to break in!” She said standing up and wiping the forming tears from her eyes and walked towards her giving her a hug. “What’s with the rush? Did you need something?” “Uh… What are you doing, Fluttershy? I heard a loud noise and I thought you were in danger so I came as quickly as I could.” she gave her a concerned look. “It’s nothing. We were practicing on how to defend ourselves from dangerous animals. So I had Harry the bear here pretending to be a dangerous creature. I’m so sorry that you misunderstood.” She gave her an apologetic smile. “No, Fluttershy. It’s my fault that I broke into your house without thinking, I hope I didn’t hurt or scare you guys to much.” She frowned. “It’s okay, Rainbow. at least I know you’ll do everything and anything to protect your friends. You are indeed a perfect example of Loyalty” She smiled. “Thanks, Fluttershy.” Rainbow blushed at the compliment before she continued. “Anyway, Have you seen Twilight?” “No, but she said she would be back today right? Why do you ask?” She quickly noticed the disappointment in her face. “It’s nothing. I’ll leave you to continue what you are doing. It’s nice talking to you anyway. Bye!” She said dashing out of the cottage. “Rainbow, wait!” She shouted with all her might, but Rainbow didn’t seem to hear it. ‘I wonder what’s bothering her.’  She shook her head and turned back to her animals to continue her teaching. “All right! Next, we will be learning about how to hide properly.” After she flew out of Fluttershy’s cottage. She still couldn’t find a reason why Twilight had been cooped up in the library for so long. She never missed their pony pet play date, but now she never bothered to show up. Yesterday she went all the way to Canterlot without telling everypony too. ‘What was she doing anyway? Why did she go to Canterlot without telling everypony?’ She thought to herself. before she noticed she was flying to a wrong direction. ‘I have to stop thinking when I was flying. One day I might crash into a tree or something else. Speaking of trees, I seemed to have headed towards Sweet Apple Acres. I might as well pay a visit to Applejack while I’m here.’ With that she headed towards the open fields in search of Applejack. Arriving at Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow flew around trying to find Applejack and she found her on the field doing her favourite routine, bucking apples from the apple trees. Applejack soon took notice of her and waved. “What are ya doin’ here, Rainbow? I thought that you’d be way to busy nappin’.” “Just passing by, AJ, and It’s not like I’m napping everyday.” She stared at her. “Ha ha, I believe ya, sugarcube,” She chuckled and asked, “So! What can I do ya for?” “About what Spike said yesterday. I’m a bit worried about Twilight. Do you think there’s something bad happen to her?” She frowned. “Ya still worried about that? I thought you said she would be fine.” She gave her a confused look. “I know, but...”  Her voice trailed off. “Don’t worry, Rainbow. I know she’s fine. After she’s back we will asked her, okay?” She put her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. “Fine.” She answer, her head lowered towards the ground. “So… How are things goin’, Rainbow?” Applejack said trying to change the subject. “It’s pretty much boring. Nothing to do except for the job as a weather patrol and my practicing for the Wonderbolts.” She answered. Applejack looked at the sun and know that if she didn’t continue her work it would get pretty late to finish. So she decided to tell Rainbow. “Sorry, Rainbow. I have to finished this work before sunset. Can I talk to you later?” She asked nervously. “Oh... okay, I will go see Pinkie then. See you later, AJ!” She waved goodbye and flew away. “I hope she’s not worrying too much...” She sighed and continued her work. After a while Rainbow arrived at Sugarcube Corner. She walked up to the door and before she could knock. She was pinned down by Pinkie. “Hello, Pinkie.” She said in annoyance. “Hi, Dashie! I know that you would come to visit me, because my knees are wobbling and that means one of my friend is coming to visit. So I decided to surprise you! Do you surprise? because I like surprises and-” Once again Rainbow had to put her hoof on Pinkie’s muzzle in order to stop her rambling. “Pinkie, I came here to talk to you, but can you please get off of me first?” She glared at her friend. “Oops! Sorry.” She quickly jumped off, “Come on in, Rainbow!” She smiled before she walked inside the shop. ‘Well, here goes nothing.’ She thought and quickly followed her. Inside the Sugarcube Corner. She saw Pinkie talking to Mr. and Mrs. Cake, who stood behind the counter. She walked to Pinkie and began to greet them. “Good Afternoon, Mr.& Mrs.Cake!” Rainbow waved her hoof. “Well, hello there, Rainbow. Were you here to see Pinkie?” Mrs. Cake smiled at her. “Yeah, just here for some quick chat, Mrs. Cake.” She smiled back. “Oh! Here some cupcakes I just finished baking. It’s on me.” Mr.Cake handed her a few cupcakes from the tray. “They looks delicious, Rainbow! Do you know cupcakes that baked by Mr.cake are the best?” Pinkie spoke excitedly. “Haha, Pinkie. No need to flatter me like that, but thanks anyway.” He smiled proudly before he turned to look at the clock. “Oh! look at the time! Honey, we need to deliver those sweets to Canterlot.”  He quickly darted to the kitchen. “Pinkie, I will leave you to take care of the shop. You can throw a party, but don’t use too much supplies like the last time, okay?” instead of waiting for an answer, she began to pack some of her baked goods into the bag and finished just as Mr.Cake came out of the kitchen with an eleven-layer cake. “See you later, Pinkie and Rainbow!” They both bolted out off the shop leaving Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie inside. “Do they usually be like this?” She turned to ask her friend. “Not that much. Anyway, what do you want to talk about, Dashie?” Pinkie asked. “I’m… err… I…” Before she could say anything Pinkie interrupted her. “It’s about Twilight, isn’t it?” Rainbow noticed that Pinkie’s cheerful tone had gone. “Actually I was worried about her too. I don’t want you to worried , Rainbow, but I have a bad feeling about this.” She said worriedly. Rainbow was surprise. She was coming to ask about Twilight to make sure that her Pinkie’s sense is right, but right now it made her even more worried. “I’m sure she will be fine.” A third voice interrupted them. “Rarity? What are you doing here?” Both of them spoke in unison. “I am here to pick up some lunch.” She walked inside and hugged them.  “Anyway, I’m sorry I overheard your conversation. Are you still worried about her?” She said with an uneasy smile. “Of course, we are . Why are you not worried?” Rainbow asked. “Your Pinkie’s senses are never wrong, right, Pinkie. And I believe in our Twilight.” Rarity smiled at both of them  “But, Rarity, it was the worst kind of ‘doozy’ I had experienced. I’m not sure…” Pinkie’s voice trailed off. “Did your Pinkie’s sense tell you that she would come here today?” Rarity asked. “It did.” She replied. “Then that means she going to be alright.” Rarity tried to cheer her up. Rainbow, who had been listening to the conversation quietly spoke up. “Pinkie, are you sure she’s gonna be back?” Rainbow turned to ask her friend, “Yeah, why do you ask?” Pinkie was curious. Rainbow sighed in relief before she answer, “Nothing, I’m just glad I was here and thanks to you too, Rarity. I have some stuff I got to do so, I gotta go now. Bye!” She soon flew out of Sugarcube corner back to her home. “I’m sure she planned something for our little Twilight.” Rarity watched as her friend took off to the sky and smiled at herself. “Aww, I wish I had someone to love too ya know.” Pinkie was smiling too. “You’ll find one someday, but now I need some lunch.” Rarity stomach was growling. “Okie Dokie Lokie!” Pinkie smiled before she was bouncing her way to the kitchen while Rarity sighed and followed her inside. ------------------------------------------------------ "How’s my faithful student doing?” A sudden voice entered Twilight’s mind as she slowly open her eyes and saw the two Princesses walk into her room. “I’m fine princess.” She gave them both a smile. “Have you made up your mind yet?” A silence filled up the room before Twilight decided to break it. “Yes, Princess Luna. I have, but I need to get back to Ponyville and settle a couple of things first.” With a determined look on her face both princesses knew that she was ready. “Oh! I almost forgot, Princess Celestia. I have something for you.” said Twilight as she handed over her paper to the princess. Celestia put up a curious face as she began to read her students work. A smiled began to form on her face as she turned to give Luna a nod. Luna smiled back and trotted up to a purple unicorn. “Here take this pill and don’t forget that this will only help to make your pain go away for only one day. You’ll be able to use magic too, but be sure to make it quick okay?” Luna used her magic to levitate the pill to Twilight's mouth. “I will princess!” with that reply she got up from the bed and swallowed the pill. “Ugh! This tastes terrible!” Celestia giggled as she saw the scrunched face of her student. “You know, I wouldn’t mind if you wanted it to be inject into your body.” Luna teased. “No! I would want that either. I hate needles.” Twilight replied with a pouting face. “Haha, you’re such a child, Twilight.” Luna laughed at her. “Hey! I’m not-” She growled before she had been cut off by her mentor. “The clock is ticking you know.” Celestia smiled at them. “Oh… Right… Well… I guess I’ll see you later princesses.” She gave them a nervous looked. “We’ll be waiting for you, Twilight” Celestia smiled gently at her. “Don’t take too long, Twilight. I don’t know how long the pill can hold you up.” Luna warned her. “I will keep that in mind. See you tonight!” She quickly get up and began channeling her spell. Suddenly, with a magenta glow her horn lit up and she disappeared in a flash with a teleportation spell. “I hope she’s okay...” Both Celestia and Luna looked in the direction of Ponyville and sighed.   ------------------------------------------------------ Twilight had teleported back to the library within a second. ‘Phew, Finally I can use magic without dealing with all of that pain anymore.’ she thought to herself.   “Let’s get started.” She mumbled.   But before she could begin to work, she heard a loud snore, Spike; who had been sleeping on her desk, lay there with a tear-stained letter. She picked it up and read it.    ‘Twilight; I know you have had something bothering you lately. I just want you to know that I really care about you so don’t leave me hanging like this. I want to help you, I’ve heard you crying some nights and it’s really painful for me to be unable to help you. You’re like a sister to me and I don’t want to lose you. Is there anything I can do to help? You know you can count on me. I’m your number one assistant right?’   Your number one assistant…   ~Spike~                    She finished reading with tears and smile on her face as she walked to Spike. She levitated him with her magic and walked upstairs. She put him down gently on his bed and pulled a blanket over him.   “Sleep tight, my number one assistant.” she whispered to him and smiled.   Then she walked to her room. “Let’s do this, Twilight.” She said to no one in particular. She walked to her bed and pulled out her diary out from under the pillow. ‘Friendship is Magic’ was labeled in big embroidered lettering; it was her diary with a picture of her and her friends in a group hug. She opened the book and began to read. It was a book that she had recorded all of her discoveries, her findings and everything of her and her dearest friends after she had traveled to Ponyville. She read through it with lots of emotions. She laughed, she cried and sometimes she looked like she was in deep thought.  After a while she closed it up and began to cry again, but this time she cried with happiness. They were everything to her, she would do anything and everything to be able to stay with them, but she knew that it was impossible; not right now.                  She began to levitate her diary with her magic; she focused hard on the task at hoof. ‘I hope that this spell works on the first try, I don’t want to risk doing it again in this condition.’ She thought to herself. Then suddenly her horn started to flare and it was growing bigger and bigger every second. She began to sweat and the light began to grow around her room.   “Ugh! This is even harder than I thought.” She grumbled yet, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes to focus more on the book.   Until a white light flash in Twilight eyes as she opened them. ‘Thank you for everything my friends.’ She smiled and a full bright light filled her room.                  Everything returned to normal with her diary now fill with holes that looked like symbols of the ‘Elements of Harmony.’ A small five lockets appear beside it. Each one of them shaped like her friends cutie marks. Twilight looked very tired but pleased with her success. She adjusted her breathing to normal before she grabbed the lockets, put it in her bag and teleported outside. ------------------------------------------------------