A Whimper
Rainbow Dash
No nightmares this time. Just blackness. The sound of knocking woke me up. I opened my eyes with a crunch, brushing crust away. It took one look at the ceiling for my lids to fall again. I turned my back to the door and pulled my blanket over my head. Didn't feel like living today.
With a startled realisation, I threw the blanket off and looked around. I wasn't in the gym; I was in my bedroom, one floor below. A dark stain spread on my pillow where my mouth had been. Outside, they kept knocking.
“Rainbow Dash?” came the voice of the pegasus guard. The nice one. “You up yet?”
I stretched my back, feeling every pop and snap. I cracked my neck with a circling of my head. “Yeah,” I said with a yawn. “Am now.”
I rubbed my eyes again. A curtain hung in front of the window, as dark as it was thick, but it couldn't fully block out the light of morning. Perhaps it wasn't morning at all – if the lovebirds had replaced the snoozers, it could've been pretty late. I usually got up before the changing of the guard, just after sunrise.
“A-are you going to come out?” asked the pegasus.
I rolled out of bed and shook my legs awake. “What're you doing up here? You're supposed to stay downstairs.”
“Sorry,” he replied. “You have visitors. Thought you'd like to know.”
I pulled the curtain open and stared longingly at the blue Canterlot sky. “Visitors?”
“Your friends have dropped by.”
I zapped to the door with the speed of lightning, throwing it open. The guard tumbled into the room, letting go of the handle a moment too late. He dusted himself and jumped to attention, clearing his throat quickly.
He greeted me with a smile. “Figured that'd get your attention.”
“Downstairs?”
“Downstairs.” He stepped aside, holding out a hoof and bowing his head like a humble butler. “Go on then.”
I rushed past him, but skidded to a halt halfway to the stairs. He was following me in a leisurely pace, but stopped when I turned to him. He returned my gaze by cocking his head and raising a brow. I looked at the wall for a moment, eyeing something that wasn't really there and looking for the right words. Finally, I walked over to him with a sigh.
“I think I passed out last night.”
“Yeah,” he replied. “The nighters wagered you were playin' it.”
“Well, I wasn't really...” I prodded at the floor, hoping I'd find my words between the carpet's fibres. “Did you drag me to my room?”
“Just doing my job.” He shrugged. “Wasn't hard, you slept like a log. I was starting to wonder if you'd wake up at all. See, we have to guarantee your well-being. Celestia was pretty clear on that. Now, you're not making that easy, but we manage.”
I drooped my ears and looked away, whistling in mock innocence.
The guard chuckled. “Honey gave those two jerkoffs a nice talking to. You should've heard him. Cap'n will definitely be hearing about this.”
“I'm sorry, who gave them a talk?”
“Honey. Honey Flower. My partner?”
I snickered. “You're kidding me. That's his name?”
“Riles him up real good when strangers say it,” the pegasus chortled. For a moment, he leaned closer and slipped into a conspiratorial whisper. “So you don't know his name, capisce?”
“You got it,” I replied through a smirk. “Say, all this time, and I still couldn't catch your name.”
He straightened himself, posing in an almost theatrical form and adjusting his helmet for show. “Sun Shield.” His impressive pose collapsed in a fit of giggles. “Yeah, I know. Guard family. As bland as it gets.”
I clapped a hoof on his shoulder. “Cooler than Honey Flower.”
He nodded. “I suppose it is.”
“So, Sun Shield.” I offered a hoof. “Nice meeting you.” He took my hoof and we shook on it. “Listen, I just wanted to say, you're alright. Alright? Were it up to me, I wouldn't spend another second in here, and I totally hate what you do, but you're okay.”
“So you're gonna stop making my life a living hell? I'm terrified to be the one who finds you dead stuck in an escape tunnel somewhere.”
I pulled my hoof back. “That I can't promise.” Sun Shield rolled his eyes. “Oh, my friends still down there?”
“They should be. Unless they got bored waiting on ya'.”
“I'm sure they're used to it.” With that, we turned for the stairs.
Honey Flower stood at the door, back straight and face devoid of emotion. A study in discipline.
Pinkie Pie was in the middle of the room, balancing a tray of cupcakes on her hoof. Brightly coloured crumbs marked the spots of missing confections. A warm, sugary smell filled the air. From the heat I felt emanate from the kitchen's direction, I figured she baked these right here. If I'd closed my eyes, I might have thought I was back in Ponyville, sharing a meal with my friends at Sugarcube Corner. Reality was harsher than that, though.
Rarity and Fluttershy sat on the couch, each with a cupcake of their own, and Sweetie Belle in between. Her muzzle was hidden behind a cupcake she held with both hooves, but she didn't seem to be chewing. Her eyes moved quickly, nervously, finally fixing on me. She was the first to notice me, but she didn't do anything but stare.
Applejack slumped backwards on a chair, her chin resting on her legs drooped over the backrest. Her hat dangled slackly from her hooves, swaying gently side to side.
Pinkie, still oblivious to my presence, was running her mouth about cupcakes and the proper preparation of frosting. I'd listened to Pinkie drone about baking before. From experience, I could tell she wasn't all too enthusiastic about it now. If I had to guess, she was just talking to relieve stress. From the way Applejack looked at her through dark-circled eyes, I could tell the rest of them didn't care much for what Pinkie was saying either. They probably appreciated the distraction, though.
As I took the final step off the stairs, Applejack's ears flicked my way. The rest of the group turned too, with Pinkie being the slowest to react. She didn't stop talking as she turned to me; her speech gradually slowed before she finally fell quiet. She never did finish that sentence about the advantages of using one and a half pinches of salt rather than just one.
An awkward silence. Gotta love those.
I raised a hoof. “Hey—”
“Hi Dashie,” Pinkie replied before the others.
Silence again; nods got passed around.
Behind me, I heard Sun Shield take a few cautious steps back.
“Didn't know you'd pop by,” I said.
“We didn't know what happened,” Fluttershy said.
A round of nods.
“But you do now,” I said.
“We arrived this morning,” Rarity said. “Shining Armor met us at the train station. He told us about... your lovely new home.”
“Hey Dashie,” said Pinkie, hopping over, bouncing the cupcakes on her tray before sticking it under my nose. “Have one. There's enough for everypony.” She gave a fake smile. I could tell. The eyes gave her away.
“Yeah, thanks.” I picked a cupcake. Pinkie didn't take her eyes off me until I took a bite. She skipped over to Sun Shield and stuck the cupcakes in his face, too. He took one without a word, quickly biting off a huge chunk for Pinkie to see.
Pinkie grinned and turned to the others. “It's nice, being together again. Don't you agree? Oh, Applejack, you're being such a quiety pants.” As Pinkie started for her, the cupcakes slid backwards, but none fell. “Remember, we're not playing 'ssh!' any more. You can talk now. We played it all the way to Canterlot. Remember?”
Without raising her head, Applejack looked at me, lips and eyes growing thinner. She took a deep breath and, without looking away, reached for a cupcake. She grabbed it by the top, mashing it as she moved it towards her mouth. She crammed the cupcake in whole, chewing a few times before taking her eyes off me. She chomped loudly, messily, morsels and spittle drooping at the corners of her mouth. From the corner of my eye, I saw a wide-eyed Rarity gulp.
“Look, she just loves it,” Pinkie said, a smile frozen on her lips. “It's the same kind I made for Twilight's welcoming party, back when she first came to Ponyville. Remember that?” She flicked the tray out of her hoof, catching it with her puffy tail. Hooves free, she leaned onto her front legs, craning her neck to stick her face into mine. “That party was a blast, wasn't it?”
“Sure was,” I said, slowly inching away.
Another overlong moment of silence.
I couldn't take it. “Say, I can't help but notice you brought Sweetie Belle along.” As I turned to her, Sweetie did her best to hide behind her untouched cupcake. I stroked her mane gently. “We don't talk nearly enough, do we, kid?”
Sweetie looked at me, then at her sister.
Rarity wrapped a leg around Sweetie's shoulder, pulling her close and almost making her drop her cupcake. “She really wanted to see you,” Rarity said. “She seemed very concerned. But then, I'd expect no less from a sister of mine. Right, Sweetie?”
“I...” Sweetie swallowed. “I'm happy you're okay, Dash.” She looked me in the eye, then turned back to her cupcake. She played with it, pushing the sides and turning it around the base. I didn't get what was so interesting about it. Anything to avoid looking at me, I suppose. But eh – scarring a kid for life was probably the tiniest of my crimes at this point.
“So, uh,” I started again, “you said Shining filled you in, right? What exactly did he say?”
“That you were under...” Rarity put a hoof to her chin. “What was it again?”
“Indefinite house arrest,” Fluttershy helped.
“So since you couldn't come to us,” Pinkie continued, “we figured we'd come to you. Another cupcake?”
“We just wanted to say hello,” Fluttershy said.
Pinkie waved excitedly. “Hi Dashie.”
Applejack groaned. She sat up in her chair, grating her teeth. “Al-right,” she said, pushing that second syllable like the crack of a whip. “Looks like it's goin' ta have ta be me.” Her accent was more pronounced than usual. She hopped out of her chair, bucking it to the side with one hoof. The chair slid without tripping, leaving a trail in the carpet before crashing to a halt at the far wall. With a flick of her hoof, she slapped her hat onto her head, and didn't bother to straighten it. “Rainbow Dash, for the sake of all that is sacred in Equestria, how did you not notice Twilight?”
And so the bomb was dropped, and there was no shelter to hide in. I couldn't look at her. My gaze found a comfortable spot on the ceiling, and I rubbed the back of my head. “You know, there's a fascinating story behind that...”
Pinkie giggled nervously. “You know how it is. Sometimes things just completely slip your mind. Right?” She turned to Applejack. Applejack stared her down, making her slouch back. “M-maybe not something like this.”
“We're waiting, sugarcube.”
“Applejack...” Rarity got up as well. “Will you please control your temper. I'm certain Rainbow has a perfect explanation.”
“It boggles my mind, is all,” Applejack replied. She turned to me, her eyes showing more concern than anger. “How? I can't understand. It just doesn't go into my head.”
“We've seen Twilight,” Fluttershy added. “It's like it happened today. How long was she in the library?”
“Well?” Applejack asked.
I couldn't tell them the truth. They wouldn't have understood. They would've called me crazy, a liar, or both. And I couldn't fault them for it. Even if I did tell them, there was no telling what Celestia might do. She wanted this buried, I gleaned as much.
Twilight had always known what to say. No matter what happened, no matter what strained our friendship, she knew how to fix it. Me, I had nothing. Some friend I was.
I lowered my head, closing my eyes and biting my lips. I felt I could explode. There were no right words. The only one that could fix this was Twilight. I could bring her back. I knew I could. If only Celestia let me. I hated her. I hated the bars on the windows. I hated these damn walls, and I hated the guards that kept me here.
I couldn't stop shaking.
Applejack scoffed. I heard her take a breath, undoubtedly preparing to verbally rip my head off. I didn't blame her principles; I blamed her lack of vision.
“Leave her alone, Applejack,” said Sweetie Belle.
Everypony looked at her, and she flinched behind her cupcake. She looked down and licked her lips. Then she took a deep breath, putting the cupcake down and standing up on the couch. With her head high and chest puffed, she was almost at Applejack's level. Almost.
I mouthed a silent 'thank you.' Hope she got it.
“I don't know what's going on,” Sweetie said. Her act was good. She almost convinced me. “But did we come all the way to Canterlot so you can rail on Rainbow Dash?”
Applejack sighed, stepping back. “Look Dash, I'm mighty sorry. Really, I'm glad to see you're okay. I don't know why'd the princess lock you in here, but at least you're okay. With Twilight's funeral coming up, we all need to stick together, don't we?”
I put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. “I appreciate it, AJ. Believe me, if there was anything I could do to make this right, I would in a heartbeat. Nothing's gonna... nothing would come between me and a solution. This business with Celestia, I'm gonna sort it out, and then we can be together again.”
Applejack flicked the brim of her hat up to better look me in the eye before placing her hoof on my shoulder as well. “I hope so, Rainbow. I really do.”
Silence again. This time, the pleasant kind. I stole a glance at Sweetie, quickly jumping my gaze to Rarity. “So, where are you all staying?”
“Oh, oh!” Pinkie pounced at the opportunity to talk about ineffectual things. “Celestia offered us a suite at Canterlot Palace. She's so nice. If I didn't know any better, I'd think she's overdoing it. But there's no reason for her to do that, is there? She always accommodates us, since, you know, we're all friends.”
Pinkie stopped for a breath, taking the time to send each of us a toothy smile.
“Quite so,” Rarity said. “All friends.”
“Yup,” Applejack said. “Couldn't have said it better m'self.”
“All of us here, all friends,” Fluttershy said. She cast her gaze down, and prodded at the couch with a hoof. “This is really soft,” she remarked. “Is it cashmere?”
Rarity brushed a hoof across the couch. “I'd say so, yes.”
Another pregnant pause. Wow, talk about depressing.
“It's not the same without her, is it?” I asked. “When's the funeral again?”
“Tomorrow evening,” Fluttershy said.
“Lotta' ponies in Canterlot today,” Applejack added.
“You will accompany us, right?” Rarity asked. She turned to Honey Flower at the door. “She can come with us, can't she?”
Sun Shield stepped forward, replying in his partner's place. “Rainbow Dash is to stay here until Celestia says otherwise.”
“Then I might just have a word with the Princess,” Rarity said.
“Wait, tomorrow?” I asked. It only just sunk in. I turned to Fluttershy. “You said her body's still fresh?”
“I still say she's just asleep,” Pinkie said. “Did you see her, Dash? She's going to wake up and surprise everypony, I'm telling you.”
From her tone, it was clear Pinkie didn't believe her own words. She should have, though. A fire sparked in me again. Sweetie Belle, don't fail me now. I rushed up to Rarity and grabbed her shoulders. “You need to get me out of here.” My eyes were set on Rarity, but my words weren't meant for her.
Rarity raised her hooves defensively, shrinking away. “W-what are you talking about? I can't just—”
“Help me,” I continued. “I need this. I can do it.” In the corner of my vision, I saw Sweetie Belle peek at me from the cover of her cupcake. She clenched her teeth and her chest expanded slowly.
“Do what?” Rarity asked.
“What in tarnation's gotten into you?” Applejack asked.
“Help me.” I shook Rarity. “Help me. Help me!”
You might say I snapped. That something broke inside me. I'm not sure myself. Call it whatever you want: righteous determination or the lashing out of a complete madmare. All I wanted was to break out of that cage and do what must be done. I needed Sweetie's help. Didn't know how. But she needed to help me. I had to take drastic measures to make sure she understood.
Before I realised, Sun Shield was on me. He pulled me off Rarity and pinned my legs. Everypony looked at us with confusion.
“Sorry,” he said. “She has had a number of... episodes, these past days. Best not take chances. I suggest you leave.” He leaned closer to me, whispering in my ear. “Rainbow, what are you thinking?”
I tried to shake him off, but he only squeezed my tighter. “I don't care any more.” My eyes were still fixed on Rarity. Green-hot flames burned inside me. “One day. We have one day. You need to help me.”
“Dash, calm down,” Pinkie said. “You're scaring me.”
Honey Flower stepped up to Pinkie, and not so gently urged her towards the door. “This way, please.” He grabbed the tray and cast it to the floor, sending the remaining cupcakes rolling about.
“Deep breaths, Dash,” Sun Shield grumbled.
“Don't leave me like this!” I screamed. “I can do it, you know I can. I need this!”
One by one, my friends turned their backs and left. Sweetie stayed the longest time, staring, but when she turned, she didn't look back.
Nothing happened.
I wasn't used to that, nothing happening. On the night of Twilight's first arrival in Ponyville, Nightmare Moon sought to bring about the end of the world. Ever since then, it felt as though something interesting had happened every day. Dragons sleeping, parasprites infesting, reality-bending creatures breaking free... there was always something. We couldn't go a week without something to write to Celestia about.
After my friends left, nothing happened. I wasted away in my gilded cage.
The clock showed late afternoon; the Sun was barely visible above the high towers of Canterlot. In a few hours, the lovebirds would give their places over to the snoozers. I didn't like those guys at all. Straight-faced, stiff upper lip, raised chin, the full programme. Even Honey Flower didn't have as big a stick up his rump as those two.
Hot, late afternoons were the bane of my existence. They sapped my energy even on the best days. Even Sun Shield was too tired to talk. I wondered if Celestia cranked up the heat on purpose. I wouldn't have put it past her. I lay on the couch, sprawling out on my back and bouncing a pretend-ball with my hooves. I occupied my brain by imagining its movement, up and down, juggling, kicking big, kicking small, trying to keep it realistic.
Knocking. My ears perked up. Way too early to change the guard. Sun Shield pointed his spear at me – routine, nothing personal – as Honey Flower undid the numerous latches and locks on the door. I poked my head over the couch's armrest.
At the doorstep stood Pinkie Pie. A bright red flower decorated her mane, and a gift box hung by a ribbon from her mouth. “Hi,” she mumbled past it. “I'ss a giff' for Rainbow.” She tried to step inside, but Honey blocked her. “Hey Dash, you can take presen's, right?”
“Celestia never said I can't,” I said, more to the guards than her.
“The Princess never said she could,” Honey said, putting a hoof on the doorknob.
“Oh, just let her in, will you?” Sun asked with an exasperated sigh. “My hoof's going numb from holding the spear out like this.”
Honey rolled his eyes, then stepped aside. “Fine, whatever.”
Pinkie came inside, and Honey locked the myriad latches on the door.
Sun relaxed his posture and slung his spear over his shoulder, holding out a hoof for Pinkie. “Now, let me take that.”
“Thanks,” Pinkie mumbled, giving it over. She giggled nervously. “It's for Dash, really. No, don't shake it.”
Sun set the box on a desk, then took a step back. “Celestia would probably want me to open it, but do go ahead, Rainbow.”
“You're being far too lenient,” Honey grumbled.
“Just go back to being a statue,” Sun responded.
“Bite me,” Honey said.
“Yeah, maybe I will,” Sun said back.
I cleared my throat, to which they both fell quiet. Sun Shield nodded encouragingly towards the box. There was a little card attached. 'Sorry you've been incarcerated!' “Wow,” I said. “Thanks, Pinkie.” She giggled.
I undid the wraps and opened up the box. Inside was a tall, fragrant cake, accompanied by an equally tall, dark bottle.
“Wow,” I said again. “Really, Pinkie?”
“Sweetie and I spent the whole afternoon working on this,” Pinkie said, stretching her hooves for effect. “Do you like it?”
I craned my head, looking at the colourful cake from this way and that. “It looks amazing.”
Sun leaned closer, sniffing. “It smells amazing.”
I turned to Pinkie. “Hold on. You said Sweetie helped?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “You wouldn't believe how hard it was to convince Rarity to let her come with me. She practically had to beg her. Since she disappeared, Rarity's been watching her like a hawk. Or a griffon, I don't know. At least she came back, not like...” Pinkie bit her lip. “You know, I was thinking, after Celestia lets you out, we're going to have the biggest party ever. All five of us. J-just like, just like old times.”
Her smile didn't convince me. I wondered if it even convinced her. I extended my hooves and hugged her close. She needed it. I needed it.
“Thanks, Pinkie,” I said. “It means a lot. Really, it does.”
She nodded, brushing her cheek against mine. “Oh,” she said, pulling away. “Sweetie bought this for you, actually.” She took the flower out of her mane and placed it in my hoof. “I didn't know where to put it, and it was just so pretty. Sorry.”
“It's fine,” I said, looking at the flower. It reminded me of something, but I couldn't tell what. I'd seen it before, but where? Definitely a rare kind. For a recipe, maybe?
“Sweetie made the drink for you, too,” Pinkie said. “She said it was your favourite. Wouldn't tell me how she knows.”
“Did she now?” I looked at the bottle. The glass was thick and dark, so I couldn't exactly make out the colour of whatever was inside. “She's a smart kid,” I added without taking my eyes off the bottle. “I must have let it slip to Scootaloo sometime.”
Pinkie smiled, shifting her weight to her hind hooves. Then back to her front hooves. She gave an uncertain nod. “Yeah. That's it. That's why I came. Yeah.” Another nervous giggle. She turned for the door. “I should probably—”
“Pinkie.” I put my hooves on her shoulders. “Thank you. Now trust me, Pinkie. Everything is going to be fine.”
“Really?” Her smile was a little more genuine now. Though she drooped the corners of her lips, I could tell she really did have faith in me. I flicked away a tear from her eye.
“Yes, Pinkie. Really.”
She beamed, smile whole and sincere now. I'd known her long enough to tell.
After Pinkie's departure, I was left with the box and two guards. Eager as Sun Shield was, I had to refuse his proposal to help me eat the cake. It was indeed on the large side, but I could only assume that was for a reason. As for the drink, I questioned whether I was really supposed to drink it. And of course, the mysterious flower...
I requested a knife – they trusted me with a plastic one – and took my gifts upstairs, telling them I'd like to savour this alone. I locked myself in my bedroom and closed the curtains, unpacking the box on my desk.
I toothed the bottle open and took a quick whiff. That made me light-headed for a moment. Whatever that stuff was, it was rather potent.
Next, I cut the cake. Slowly, I sunk the knife deeper and deeper, breaking the layers of frosting, filling, and pastry. I wondered if I was thinking too much of Sweetie. This could've been nothing but Pinkie's genuine attempt at cheering me up. Would've fit her.
Then, at the very bottom, the knife touched something. I made another careful cut, dissecting the cake with the precision of a madmare who re-animates corpses. Not so different from extracting a liver. I found a small sack, mouth hastily stapled together. Tearing it open, I found a brownish, mushy substance inside that smelled like a toilet after a good meal.
If being too kind had been Celestia's first mistake, then this was her second. She was far too trusting. She never anticipated that my friends might go against her word and bust me out. Much less that it would be Sweetie Belle. Oh, the deviousness of a fertile young mind – and the carelessness of an ancient one.
Unless the cake itself was part of the puzzle – by the looks of it, it wasn't – then these were the ingredients. The flower, the bottle, and... fertiliser?
And suddenly, it dawned on me. I knew what this was. It was exactly what I needed. If Twilight's funeral was tomorrow, I had no time to waste. It was tonight or never.
The tools of my escape I hid under the bed. The cake I shared with the guards downstairs. I'd almost forgotten how magnificent Pinkie's cooking was. The guards, well, these two earned it. I couldn't blame them at all; they had a job, which they fulfilled to the best of their ability. I bore no ill will, really.
But then again, they did just fall for the oldest trick in the book, so I had to subtract a few points. Not that it mattered. Tonight, I'd fly free.
I went to bed early, and tossed around until around midnight. The changing of the guard happened somewhere along the way. I didn't say goodbye to the lovebirds. That might've given me away.
My blood boiled. My hooves ached to move. My wings spasmed eagerly. When the night was at its darkest, I jumped out of bed and spent a moment stamping in place, trying to work off my excitement. I climbed under the bed and fished out the ingredients.
I remembered the recipe. Or the end of it, anyway. All I needed. Sweetie had nearly finished it for me. I put the flower in my mane – even I had to admit it was awfully pretty – and headed downstairs with the bottle and sack of fertiliser in tow. I didn't like it, having to show myself to the guards. The bottle needed to be boiled, though, and the only kitchen was at the bottom.
Downstairs, the unicorn sat slouched in front of the door. His spear lay on the floor before him, as if fallen after his magic had gone out, and he never bothered to pick it up. From behind his drooping eyelids, he cast longing glances towards the couch – taken by his pegasus comrade, who snored loudly with his tongue out and a hoof over his eyes.
As I turned into the kitchen, that zombie of a unicorn craned his head my way with a startled snort. Placing the bottle onto the stove, I saw a faint glimmer of light shine in from the other room – the unicorn picked up his spear. With the flick of a switch, I cranked up the heat.
“Oi,” barked the unicorn from the other room. “Hey, clouds-for-brains, get up, get up.”
This was followed by the animalistic moan-yawning of his comrade. When he managed to get his tongue under control, he slurred, “Whaaat? Wha'ssup?”
I pattered the tip of a hoof on the floortiles impatiently. The bottle fizzed. It would take a minute to boil.
The pegasus guard dragged himself into the kitchen with heavy steps. Rubbing his eyes with a hoof, he hit the lightswitch with the other. The kitchen lit up with bright, stabbing light. I used my wings to shield my face.
The guard fared no better. He held his spear clumsily, squinting, blinking rapidly. “Wha-what are you do-ahh...?” he asked, stretching that last word into a yawn.
I fixed my stare on the bottle and bit my lip. I could feel a grin coming on. “Oh, you know, just making a drink.”
“What do you mean, making?” I heard him step closer, and his shadow stretched over my shoulder. “You're not allowed to use any chemicals.”
Minute bubbles swarmed on the liquid's surface. This concoction, if memory served, reached its boiling point faster than water. Just a few seconds now. I flipped around, looking my captor right in the eye. I leaned uncomfortably close with a wide grin on my face. That made him recoil. “That depends on your definition of chemical, don'cha think?” I batted my eyes innocently. “Tell me, what's a chemical exactly?”
His eyes shifted about and his brows furrowed as he searched for his words. Perhaps the late hour had clouded his brain. “Well, a chemical is, it's a, like in chemistry...” Maybe he just wasn't very smart.
Hearing the concoction seethe, I turned around again. I pinched the tip of the fertiliser sack between my teeth and tore it open, pouring it right in before the guard could ask what it was. It seemed just the right amount. I made a mental note to give Sweetie a pat on the head later.
“Stop,” the guard said, putting a hoof on my shoulder. “Whatever you're doing, stop.”
I brushed his hoof off. “Excuse me, mister guard sir, but your job is to ensure I live a peaceful, comfortable life inside these walls. I don't feel comfortable with you touching me.”
The guard took a step back to set his hooves, breathing out through clenched teeth. He flared his wings and flourished his spear. “You don't seem to understand. We don't take orders from you. I said drop what you're doing.”
“Or what?” I asked right back, taking the fiery-red flower out of my mane. I bit the head off and let the stalk fall to the floor, chewing through my words. “You can't hurt me. That spear's just for show.” Normally, I'd just use a knife to dice the petals, but that was no option now. The flower's juices burned my tongue and made me tear up, but I smiled through it.
The guard reared, lifting his spear high. “Step away.”
I slouched back, putting my hooves up in innocence. “Hey, hey, alright.” I flicked a switch on the oven to kill the heat. “See, I stopped. Calm down, big guy.” I reached for the bottle and spat the pulpy, chewed flower into it.
“Now, what is that?”
I held the bottle up. “It's nothing at all. Just water with bits in it. Totally harmless. See?”
The guard raised a brow, reaching for the bottle. I pulled it back before he took it.
At the same moment, the unicorn guard turned into the kitchen in a rush, near well slipping on the squeaky-clean tiles. “What's she doing?”
“Don't know,” the pegasus responded. “She cooked something up. Take it from her.”
The unicorn frowned and his horn lit up. A faint glow scintillated around the bottle, and I felt it slip from my hoof. I grabbed it with both hooves and tore it from the light-bubble. “Now, now.” I raised a hoof in warning. With the other, I started shaking the bottle, careful not to splatter too much. “That's nice and all. But I can do magic too. Watch me.”
In a bright flash of light, the bottle lit up red, shining through the dark glass. The liquid frothed and seethed like the roiling depths of a volcano ready to erupt. The guards both stepped back, jaws slack and spears raised in alarm.
“What is that?”
“Drop it!”
I glanced at the nearest window. No more walls. No more bars. No more cage. It was time to get out. I reared, flinging the bottle above my head with all my might, sending it at the base of the window. As the glass left my grasp, I turned and jumped to the floor, wings and hooves shielding my head.
The glass shattered. For a split second, the room turned dark as the concoction sucked in all the light. For that moment, there was complete silence. I heard one of the guards gasp out one last “What—” before the explosion. Infernal heat filled the room and scorched the tips of my hairs. Pieces of the building's structure rained on my back. Tiny, burning bits; all fallen to cinders before I looked up.
The beauty of the Phoenix Fire Potion was how concentrated and thorough it was. The wall and half the room was gone, and it took with itself a portion of the next room, too. But just a few steps away from the blast, the destruction stopped sharp, leaving the rest of the room intact.
The explosion left nothing behind but red smoke. The last piece of debris I saw was a wooden beam that fell from the ceiling, burning in white-hot fire. Colliding with the ground, it evaporated in flames before my eyes, getting erased from existence in a fog of embers.
The smoke of the blast quickly filled the room and began pouring outside, rising into the night sky like a red-hot cloud. I heard the two guards cough and stumble somewhere in the smoke. From the clattering I heard, one of them either dropped his spear or snapped it in half in fear.
I wouldn't wait for them to come to their senses. In the blink of an eye, I was on my hooves, and then on my wings. One flap, two – and the curtain of smoke parted before me, revealing the majestic spires of Canterlot.
I closed my eyes for just a moment, taking in the cool night air. I was free.
I had no time to waste, however. Soaring above the streets, I saw that a few lights had already come on here and there. Good, I thought. The more concerned ponies the guards had to tend to – the more guards that swarmed to the blast – the less of them would be out here looking for me.
And I needed the guiding lights, anyway. Turning my gaze upwards, I couldn't see the sky; a dark blanket of clouds hid them. Only the Moon shone through in a blotched patch of light.
After finding my bearings, I quickly dove under the line of buildings. Didn't want to get caught, after all. For a while, I zapped through shadowed backstreets and dark alleyways. Didn't even look back. If I had any pursuers, I'd lose them here.
When I was certain there was nopony trailing me, I took a sharp right. My destination was the suites of Canterlot Palace. I was sure Sweetie Belle wouldn't mind my dropping by.
Dodging the guards was easier than I thought it would be. It seemed that the city was entirely devoid of them, actually. Looking back at the mansion, and the swarm of pegasi above it, I could guess where they'd all gone.
Window by window, I checked the spires of the palace. Most of them glowed with light now, and silhouettes looked out into the commotion in the night. High up on a spire, I saw a dark window. Strange that the room with the best view wouldn't be used by anypony curious. As I approached, the window swung open, and a little white unicorn peeked out.
I perched on the windowsill. “First thing, how did you—”
Sweetie Belle put a hoof on my lips. “Ssh. Rarity, other room. I think she's waking up.” She glanced at the door – still closed – then back at me. “You'd be surprised what you can find in the Canterlot market. And what they wouldn't sell to a little filly with a lot of bits.”
The sky rumbled, and the first drops of rain fell on my back. “But the Phoenix Tulip, Sweetie. That thing is highly illegal.”
“Yes.”
Thunder. From the other side of the wall sounded a terrified yelp.
Sweetie clambered under her bed and pulled out a syringe. A greenish liquid glistened inside. “Just add the feather, and it's done. You'll need the tip of a big one for this.” She put the syringe into my hoof, but didn't let go yet. “I wasn't part of this, okay? Never.”
Hooves clopped in the other room. “Sweetie, who's there? If anypony lays a hoof on you...”
I took the syringe with a pat on her head. “Part of what?”
Sweetie's door slammed open. Rarity's hoof was still on the knob, nightgown draping loose, and a sleep mask tucked over her horn. She stared at me, jaw dropped. Lightning struck somewhere nearby, illuminating the room in a flash of light. Rainy wind rushed by my ear and the draught waved my mane.
Grinning through the syringe between my teeth, I sent Rarity a wink.
“Rainbow, what are you—”
I jumped from the window. For a second, I enjoyed the fall. Then I unfurled my wings, and the wind caught me. Sun Shield had told me that Twilight's body was on display at one 'Star Swirl Square.' I had no clue where that was, but it didn't sound like something that was easy to miss.
Up in the highest district of Canterlot was a square lit by magical lights. I alighted on a low terrace of a looming spire. Even through the night storm, the square was bright as day. At the centre stood a lone building in the shape of a hexagon. Six sides; one gigantic pair of gates.
The diamond-walls glistened in the lights. The ceiling was one great pane of stained glass. In it, a memory: Twilight's cutie mark. I wondered if only the ceiling was new, or if Celestia had the whole place built in a matter of days.
Looking every which way, I saw no sign of pursuers. The swarm at the mansion swelled, though, its radius expanding. I didn't have much time. I hopped from my perch without a second thought.
The handles of the gates were large and ornate. Designed to be operated by multiple guards, I imagined. From the tracks of dirt in the ground, I figured they opened outwards. Well, now's as good as ever. I wrapped my hooves around a handle and pulled. It was still raining heavily, of course; my coat was soaked, my hooves were wet, and the handle was as cold and slippery as it could be. My hind hooves sunk into the mud as I strained against the door.
I pulled and I groaned. The syringe was still in my mouth; I almost cracked the thing, clenching my teeth in exertion. Finally, the door yielded. It budged an inch, only to stop right away. A burst of heat radiated from the handle, burning my hooves, making me fall back into the mud.
“Hot, hot, hot...” I shook my hooves and blew at them. The storm actually helped, there. I grasped to my mouth and found the syringe gone. I dove right into the mud, ploughing through it to find the syringe again. After a tense moment edging on a heart attack, something touched my hooves. I pulled the syringe out, whole and unbroken. Whew.
Getting up, I took it into my mouth again. The door shimmered before me. Instead of the gentle, magical glow that previously radiated from it, now a slanted square-pattern danced across its surface. It blinked in and out for a while before dissipating completely, returning to the old, simple glow.
I might not have been a brilliant unicorn, but I knew a magical lock when I saw one. That's when I noticed a small, circular hole where the gates met, undoubtedly meant for a unicorn's horn to release the spell.
Gah! I stomped in place, kicking mud this way and that. Why can't Celestia use a piece of metal like everypony else? If it was a simple key, I could just steal it, or something. Heck, I was prepared to trample somepony for it. But I couldn't steal a spell.
I bucked the door in frustration. No effect, of course. If I didn't raise Twilight soon, decay would set in, and then everything would have been in vain. Either Celestia caught me again, or I'd live in exile for the rest of my life. All for nothing.
Growing tired of stomping, I just stood there, head hung and legs shaking. I almost lost the strength to hold the syringe between my teeth.
“Rainbow Dash,” called a stallion.
The words whipped at me, instantly bringing me back to my senses. The pair of lovebirds stood not far from me, just coming around the bend of the hexagon.
Sun Shield looked to the sky, at the pillar of smoke above the residential district. “What did you do?”
I spat the syringe into my hoof. “Escaped. Had to blow up the mansion. Sorry.”
Honey Flower said nothing. His horn glowed and his spear came up, enveloped in his sparkling aura.
“And you two?” I asked. “I figured Celestia ordered everypony to the mansion.”
“All the active guards,” Sun said, pointing at the swarm of pegasi in the distance. “Which is why she pulled us up from leave and told us to patrol here. And you can bet that the Night Guards are looking for you, too.”
“Big city,” I replied. “Hey, you had to take the day shift, and the night shift? Boy, is Celestia demanding.”
Sun sighed and flourished his spear. “Look, I'm sorry, but you were supposed to stay in that mansion. I like you, I really do, but I'm under an oath to serve the Princess. Please, make it easy for all of us, and step over here.”
“Or I could turn tail,” I replied. “You'd never see me again.”
“You can bet on that,” Sun said. “Believe me, if you leave Canterlot, you're not coming back. You'll never see your friends again.”
I eyed the pair of guards for a moment, tension mounting within me. Then I broke, slamming a hoof into the mud in impotent anger. I had to look away. Then, with a deep breath, I looked back at them. There was that fire inside me again.
I began walking closer, wings spread wide, taking long, stomping steps. “You have no idea why I was in there. No. Clue. You think you know me, but you don't. Let me introduce myself. I am Rainbow Dash. The Element of Loyalty. Fastest flier in all of Equestria. Personal friend of the princesses.”
With one last step, I stopped right before them. The two exchanged a look, but did nothing else. Sun pulled away ever so slightly.
“I saved the world from eternal night,” I continued. “I was there to defeat and reform Discord. Does the name Sombra ring a bell? How about Chrysalis?” I took another step forward, coming too close to Sun for comfort. He took a step back. “A princess of Equestria, my friend, is dead.” I lifted the syringe, poking the needle towards him. He took another step back, and I took another forward. “I've felt the power of the Elements course through my veins. I've done things once thought impossible. And now I'm telling you, kid, I am going to bring Twilight Sparkle back to life.”
Sun raised his spear with a jerk, only for me to kick it out of his hoof. I leaned at him, and he slouched down like a cornered, terrified animal.
“You will not stand in my way,” I finished. A strike of lightning punctuated my last word.
Light flashed behind me. I turned to see Honey Flower pulling his horn out of the gates. His horn glowed, and one wing of the gates lit up as well.
“Get inside, then,” he said. “Those idiots up there aren't paying attention here, but if this gate opens, they'll certainly see it.”
I shook my head. “Really?” was all I could say. If anything, that speech was supposed to be more like a bad-ass final line before my life was over.
“Are you nuts?” Sun Shield snapped, voice shaky. “If Celestia finds out...”
“Maybe she'll punish us by locking us in a mansion,” Honey responded. “Or not. Whatever. I've had enough of this guard gig anyway. Two shifts in a row, my big meaty rump. If anypony asks, you tried to stop me.”
I got to the door, and nodded at Honey. He nodded back, and one of the gates slowly swung open. I clapped a thanking hoof on his shoulder before rushing inside. Before the gate shut behind me, I heard him shout one last thing my way. “You owe me, you hear? You don't know my name!”
As the gates shut, the entire building rumbled.
Before me, a hallway stretched wide and shone with light, the many colours of my mane dancing on every surface. Shame about all the mud and dirty rainwater I brought in; it ruined the whole picture. But that was the least of my worries.
From the hallway, I emerged at the centre of the hexagon. In the middle stood an elevated podium, barred off by a red rope barrier. Rolling hills of flowers surrounded it, their scent filling the air.
On the podium lay a pedestal, and on it, a glass coffin: inside, a purple form. I jumped the rope barrier and skipped onto the podium. With quaky hooves, I pushed off the thick, heavy lid of the coffin. It skidded off the podium and cracked in two atop a pile of flowers.
Twilight was beautiful. Last I'd seen her, her coat was discoloured and patchy. Her mane had been clumped together and soggy with goo. For the first time in a long while, I finally looked at her face without a layer of green slime separating us.
She wore a splendid dress. Her coat was spotless, and her mane brushed to look her best. I hadn't seen her like this since her coronation.
The only thing they couldn't get rid of was the smell. The stench of the Preservation Fluid lingered, overpowering even the flowers. All the better, though. It was what kept her body pristine all this time, even outside my – our – laboratory. Pinkie had been right: Twilight seemed only asleep. I didn't know how long the fluid's effects would last, but with her funeral coming the next night, I didn't want to find out.
Spitting the syringe into my hoof, I leaned into the coffin and pinched my teeth on a purple feather. One quick pull, and pluck – I had it. I snapped off the tip and hoped with all of my being that Sweetie had done the maths.
Carefully, I took the needle's tip into my mouth. With my hooves, I pulled out the plunger, sucking on the needle to keep the fluid in as I stuffed the feather-tip inside. I pressed the plunger back in. Got it.
I felt a tinge of blood on my tongue. It may have swollen a little, too. A small price to pay. Inside the barrel, the feather-tip boiled. One good shake, and it was all gone. The dull green fluid came alive with a bright glow. The light of my soul.
There came an explosion at the end of the hallway, making me jump. I looked in time to see the unhinged gates fly inwards as the lock disintegrated, the crash echoing through the hexagon. As it subsided, the walls still whistled with the vibrations.
Guards began pouring in, and behind them walked Celestia, horn and eyes white with her spell's afterglow. She let the guards rush forward, taking her time with long, deliberate steps.
I touched the needle to Twilight's neck, bending to her ear. “I'm sorry,” I whispered
“Stop right there,” a guard said.
The needle was in.
I pressed the plunger.
I'd done it.
I pulled the spent syringe out, throwing it behind my back.
I really did it.
I laughed in the face of Celestia.
“Step away from the princess!” a guard yelled.
The glowing in Celestia's eyes receded. “It is not too late,” she said. “Just come down.”
Guards surrounded the podium from every side. They inched closer, spears and wings at the ready.
“But you are late, Princess.” I pointed at the spent syringe on the floor. Then I hopped onto my front legs, bucking the glass coffin and cracking its side. “Wakey-wakey.”
Twilight's eyes jolted open. Her pupils dilated, then quickly constricted before returning to normal. With a gasp, she took a rattly breath. Her chest convulsed, and she started coughing and wheezing. Her whole body began jerking.
“Stand away!” thundered Celestia.
A bright aura surrounded me. I dove into the coffin and wrapped my legs around Twilight just as Celestia's spell yanked me upwards. Celestia held me in the air, with Twilight over my shoulder. As the guards approached, I stared Celestia down, with the choking Twilight held close.
A guard reached for me. Locked in Celestia's spell as I was, it took all my might to move a muscle – but managed to kick the guard's hoof away. Celestia flinched, and for a split second, her concentration faltered. I snapped my wings out and flapped with everything in me. Breaking from Celestia's spell felt like tearing myself from my own skin.
I felt Celestia's aura grip me again, but I zapped away, flying as high as I could before hitting the ceiling. It wasn't easy, manoeuvring with the jerking, twitching Twilight in my hooves. I couldn't keep dodging Celestia for long, not to mention the guards.
A pegasus flew for me. No time to think. I stormed above Celestia, right into the wide hallway. The guards that blocked it put their spears up. I held Twilight forward, refusing to slow down. Her body was an untouchable battering ram. After the first guard dropped his spear in confusion, so did the others; they'd rather roll out of the way than risk hurting Celestia's protégée.
In a split second, we were outside. Maybe you shouldn't have blown up the door, Celestia. The storm soaked Twilight's beautiful dress and mane in seconds. That only added to the weight. Twilight jerked, gasped, and spat, making it all the harder to hold on to her. And the water made my grip all the more slippery, too.
I looked around, facing the wind and the rain. Guards surrounded me from every side: they swarmed in the air and perched on every terrace. Below me, the streets were filling up with ponies, all watching the spectacle. No place to hide there. From the hexagon, yet more guards poured out, tailed closely by a furious Celestia.
As I was looking down, a duo of guards surprised me from above. One pinned my wings, and the other tore Twilight from my grasp. I jerked my head, slamming the back of my skull into his nose. As he recoiled, I tore my wings from his grasp and bucked him in the stomach before he recovered.
I dove at the other guard; he didn't see me coming. One swift kick at his teeth made him drop Twilight. Undertaking him with a roll, I caught her and rocketed forward. As the two tried to catch up to me, I twisted into a turn too sharp to follow with their heavy armour.
On the streets, too many ponies. Below, Celestia. All around me, a swarm of guards. No way but up, directly above the hexagon. I strained every last muscle in my body to stay ahead of my pursuers.
“Please!” I screamed in Twilight's ear. “Wake up. Tell them to stop. You're their princess. They'll stop, tell them to stop, please.”
Her only response was more spastic kicking and coughing. Her eyes opened and closed randomly, gaze darting about without direction. While my breaths became heavier with each tug of my wings, hers grew shallower with each intake. I was losing her. Didn't the potion work? Did I stress the body too much? Did I misjudge the feather?
Then I realised, finally, why Twilight struggled. The same way that Bulk Biceps had failed to complete his re-animation, now the potion burned within Twilight's body, pushing it beyond the limits of mortality. But that was not enough. The potion was enough to restart the machine that is a pony's body, but every function ran amok, unable to find sync.
She needed a kick – something to control the chaos before it melted her mind. If I was late, Twilight might have ended up a gibbering shell like Bulk. I had to act quickly, like I had done with Granny Smith.
Twilight needed a shock.
With the swarm of Royal Guards closing around me, I had no more time to think. No thought, but going up – up above the clouds, where I could catch the thunder. Grasping Twilight tight, I beat my wings with all I had.
In seconds, I reached the heart of the storm. The air became thick with vapour, and I couldn't feel my hooves from the cold. My hairs stood on end as they gathered charge from the static between the colliding clouds. I knew the feeling well – as a pegasus, this was my playground. It would become the womb of Twilight's rebirth.
As I broke the upper layer of clouds, I clenched my teeth and let go of Twilight.
I slammed my hooves at the clouds, and saw the shockwave burst across its surface.
Air seethed, rushing away from the cloud, the wind pushing against my body.
Air rushed back, seeping into the cloud, sucking my mane towards itself. I covered my ears.
Lightning struck, bright enough to shine through the clouds. I saw the bolt curve and twist – missing Twilight and striking a Sun-shaped ornament atop the closest spire.
“No!” was all that went through my head as I dove for the plummeting Twilight.
If I could catch her, I could still bring her up for another try. I had the time. I had to have the time.
My wings were numb from exhaustion and soaked from the rain. No matter how hard I flapped, I was little more than one rock falling after another. The hexagon closed in too quickly.
I could reach her. I was so close. I would grab her. Bring her up. The lightning had dispersed the guards. That gave us a few crucial seconds. We could still make it. I grabbed Twilight's hoof. Then I heard thunder again.
Light blinded me, my eyes popped, and my ears rang.
My body burst aflame.
I couldn't scream.
Sweetie Belle
“You heard the guards,” said Rarity. “Rainbow's dangerous. You're staying in here, young lady.” They key floated towards the lock in blue light.
“No.” I put a hoof in front of the door before she could swing it shut. She didn't hit me.
“Yes you are.” She pushed me back. “I don't know what's going on outside, but I'm not letting you out into that mess. You're not getting lost on me again.”
“Rarity, please.” She wanted to lock me into the apartment while she went outside. She loved me, and was terrified of having me disappear again. I knew this. I understood this. But I didn't care, did I? “If Rainbow's doing something, I need to see.”
Rarity flared her eyes. “Just what did Rainbow want with you, exactly? I wanted to leave this for later, but you, Sweetie, you...” She paused for a moment, looking down, taking a deep breath. “What do you know that I don't?”
I stepped back. “W-why would I know anything? I don't know what Rainbow's doing, that's why I want to see.”
Rarity stepped above me, face burning red under her white coat. “What do you take me for, Sweetie? You disappear, and come back right after Rainbow turns up. You ask desperately to come visit her, even though you barely know her. You stay out all day making her a gift with Pinkie.”
She bent down, putting her forehead to mine and casting flames from her eyes. “And now Rainbow drops in, pursued by guards, to say hello in the middle of the night.” She pulled up, putting a hoof to her forehead. She closed her eyes for a sigh. “Please, talk to me.”
I cast my gaze down. Should I tell? She wouldn't believe me. I bit my lip. If I lied, she still wouldn't believe me. Inhaling deeply, I puffed out my chest and turned back to Rarity. I suppose it was only a matter of time. “Rainbow Dash wants to bring Twilight back to life.”
“What?” Rarity forgot to close her mouth after the word. She blinked at me once, twice, then shook her head. “What?”
“She can do it. Rainbow was already at the Golden Oaks that night, when I ran away. I was scared. I walked in on her doing... things. Rainbow can bring the dead to life.”
Rarity's eyes went wide. “This is no time for jokes. What's got—”
I stomped. “What do you think happened to Opal? I'm not joking. I wish I was.”
Hearing her name, Opalescence walked into the room, giving a tired meow as though asking what the commotion was about. Rarity stared at me for a moment before she looked at her. In turn, Opal rubbed her cheek on one of Rarity's legs. Rarity sat down, pulling Opal into her lap to pat her. She ran her hoof down her back once. When she did it the second time, she stopped at the neck.
She forgot to close her mouth again.
“I did kill her,” I said. “I did. I ran over her with Scootaloo's scooter. I was afraid to tell you. I felt like a monster. When you found her...” I swallowed a lump in my throat. “I panicked. And I ran. When I saw Rainbow... when she told me what she can do, I asked her to prove it.”
Rarity looked at me for a moment, then back to Opal. She bent to bury her muzzle in Opal's beautiful white hair. She'd spent the morning grooming her, even longer than she usually did. Opal purred, content.
She knew the truth now. Or half of it. As the momentum of my words carried me, I was tempted to tell her about my involvement, about the tome. It would've been easy, spilling it all right there and then, the complete truth.
My legs trembled. I swallowed again. My tongue didn't move.
“Can she really do it?” Rarity asked, eyes still on Opal.
“If anypony can, then she'll be the one.”
Slowly, Rarity nodded. She put Opal down and opened the door wide. As an umbrella floated closer, she turned her back to me and lowered her rump. “Well, then. Hop up, Sweetie. Don't you dare jump off.”
And so we were off, off into the storm and chaos of the crowded streets.
With all the ponies in Canterlot that night, it was hard to move. Rarity followed the flow of the crowd, and after sluggishly pushing our way through the muddy streets, we reached Star Swirl Square.
A wall of guards cut off the hexagon from the crowd. The crowd, in turn, was live with questions. “What's happening?” “What happened to the princess?” “Why's Celestia here?”
They swayed left and right, craning their necks up and forward, trying to make out anything. Rarity pushed forward as much as she could. I had to hold on to her really strong, else the crowd might have pushed me off. A guard's chestplate eventually stopped Rarity's advance.
“Hey,” came a voice from behind the guards. “Let her through, let her through.” Shining Armor cut into the wall and pulled us through.
“Shining,” Rarity began, “what in the wide world of Equestria is happening?”
“It's Rainbow Dash,” he replied. “She took Twilight's body, she's escaped Celestia, and she's just, she's just...” Shining flailed a hoof towards the hexagon. “Just flying up with Twilight. She's gone insane. You're her friend, Rarity. Do you have any idea what's going through her head?”
Rarity looked at Shining for a second too long. I grabbed her tight, and a bolt of lightning struck something high above.
“How could I possibly know?” Rarity asked. I relaxed my grip.
Shining stomped. “If I get my hooves on her, I'll...” His gaze shot up, and his jaw dropped. “Twilight.”
Above the hexagon, the clouds broke for a moment. Two small dots fell from the sky, one purple and one blue. They spun in the air, the blue one grasping towards the purple, the purple doing its best to throw the other off. Guards closed in on them from every side.
Rainbow grabbed Twilight, and the two plummeted in an uncontrollable spiral. The clouds roared with a deafening thunder, and lightning split the sky in two.
The lightning struck fast and hard, cutting through the pair before arcing to the side of the hexagon.
In the last moment before impact, Rainbow pulled Twilight closer, turning to her back as they crashed through the glass ceiling of the hexagon. The whole structure shattered and came down, the crash drowning out even the roar of the storm. Gasps and screams swept through the crowd.
Shining rushed inside the hexagon, Rarity close behind him. Rainbow, what did you do?
The hallway that led to the centre was flooded by shards of glass. As Shining, Rarity, and dozens of guards behind us ran, their steps echoed with crunches, splinters cracking and pattering under their hooves. Almost like walking on fresh snow.
Rainbow had landed smack on the podium, right on the glass coffin, breaking in pieces. Twilight lay on top of her, both of them motionless. A myriad more shards filled the entire space as the storm battered the glass-covered floor.
Celestia was the last to arrive, steps short. Rarity stopped before the layer of shards became too thick; the rest of the guards froze in their tracks at Celestia's approach. She walked slowly, eyes wide, ears perked towards the pair.
At the centre, the collecting water gained a red tinge.
Twilight's wings sprouted up, startling a guard enough to make him fall into the glass with a gasp. Her wings stayed up for a moment, their tips black. Then they fell slack. A second later, Twilight's eyes snapped open, and she let out a horrible, raspy gasp. She jumped to her hooves, stamping, turning in place. She looked in every direction, eyes twitching, before staring at Celestia. Even she was frozen still now.
“What happened?” Twilight cried. “Where am I?”
Under her, Rainbow coughed. Twilight jumped off her with a frightened yelp.
“No, no, no,” Twilight mumbled, eyeing Rainbow and shaking her head. She got on her knees, coming close to Rainbow. “What are you all looking at? Help her!”
Rainbow's coat and mane were all charred black, with red cracks running through her patchy skin. Her back canted back too far. She opened her eyes, all red, and looked at Twilight without raising her head. She extended a hoof towards Twilight, twitching and twisted the wrong way. When Rainbow breathed in, it sounded like somepony shaking a tin can full of tiny pebbles.
“Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow...” Twilight's gaze danced frantically on Rainbow. She reached for Rainbow's extended hoof, but was afraid to touch her. “You'll be okay, Rainbow, stay with me.”
Rainbow grinned, showing chipped, scorched teeth. Her lips moved slowly, uncertainly, mouthing something. I made out a 'w' shape. Then an 'e.' Her tongue curled for an 'l.'
Her hoof went limp. She closed her eyes and clenched her teeth as her face painfully contorted. She breathed out, spurting red-tinted liquid between her teeth. Twilight gasped, grabbing Rainbow's hoof with both of hers and pulling it to her chest.
A grin crept up her lips one last time before her face went numb.
I was the only one, I think, that understood what Rainbow wanted to say.
Welcome back to life, Twilight.
Celestia really had to scratch her head to explain to the general public why Princess Twilight Sparkle's funeral had been indefinitely postponed. Something about the Elements of Harmony, residual magic, spellcasting mishaps, immense arcane power inside the Element of Magic... it was all bogus anyway.
Twilight was physically fine, save for minor burns. Her magic returned after a week.
I kept the tome. I told myself I'd get rid of it, but I never got around to it. At first, it was Rarity keeping her eye on me every waking minute. Then it was me forgetting it. I may have purposefully let it slip my mind.
Twilight never came asking about it, either. But one time when she was over, I heard her mention to Rarity that she never goes down to the basement any more. I think she must know what happened.
So the tome collected dust in the bottom of some drawer, back in my room. My real room, at home, not in the boutique. Oh, speaking of home, Mum and Dad were in for quite the story when they returned from their vacation. What a week to miss. The news of Twilight's discovery hadn't even reached them.
I was anxious. I didn't know much about Celestia, but I never heard she was a dumb pony. If she ever investigated how Rainbow escaped that mansion, she'd have to find out about the potion. And if she found out about the potion, that would lead her to Pinkie, then to me.
My conscience urged me to tell everypony the full story. I could reveal the tome, give it to Celestia, say I'm very, very sorry, and hopefully put it all behind myself. I was just a little filly who didn't know what she was getting into, after all. But something stopped me.
I thought back to Rainbow's story about Twilight. I thought about Twilight's original research, and how she roped in Rainbow Dash. How she ended up killing her. And then there was me, getting tangled up in the mess.
If there was one thing I gleaned from all this, it was that sometimes, some secrets are best kept to yourself. Rainbow had given her life to save another. How could I trample over her legacy by giving up the tome?
And if Celestia was ever to find out about me... well, I had the tome on my side, at least. It's pulled me out of bad situations before. I was sure it could do it again. Not that I would use it. I'd probably just tell Celestia everything anyway, I thought. But it was good knowing that it was there.
For all her madness, Rainbow did create something great. She overcame death. And she didn't just fix her own mistake. She fixed mine, too. Opal was still alive and well. Sometimes, I wondered if she'll ever even die.
Maybe I could repay the favour by keeping Rainbow's secret safe.
Or... maybe I could do something more.
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Gah damn it.
Ho-lee-shit
What an ending!
The everything was amazing. I didn't think it'd ever be done. But now it's complete. And holy shit was it an amazing read.
"Or maybe I could do something more."
sequel?
but great story
Twilight lives. Dash dies. Sweetie Belle can bring her back!
Umm! Now that is quite an ending. It's certainly much more in keeping with MLP than the other crossover material (happy ending, burying your mistakes) but was still a hell of a ride. Certainly not the direction or destination I expected, but a great trip all the same.
Ran over a few technical issues for ya to fix:
She flicked the brim
the cupcakes bounced
wouldn't have known anything
No idea quite what you wanted here.
Still, a magnificent read, one that I'm sorry has come to an end and that I shall no longer be able to eagerly anticipate its updates.
Hopefully you'll fix that soon with something else
Fucking Celestia, amiright?
Although, is Dash's body completely, absolutely ruined? Because it would be cool if Sweetie could bring her back.
And that end...Does that mean Sweetie is going to grow up to be a medical researcher, spread the knowledge, and cause a revolution against Celestia with Twilight, ushering a new age of enlightenment?
After reading the first chapter I checked the tags for "sad", probably wouldn't have continued had I found it. But with the lack of sad confirmed I soldiered on and thoroughly enjoyed the story. Perfect ending, though it would seem to me that if anyone could have figured out what happened it would be Twilight. Maybe she did though, with the line about not going into the basement.
All in all, quite enjoyable. I think I need to read Night Shift again now...
Something more indeed, Sweetie.
5128986
Yeah it'd be cool if she was brought back to life. And if Twilight learned from Sweets all that Rainbow Dash did for her.
Impressive. Can't wait for your next story.
Okay, now you HAVE to write a sequel where Dash comes back to life.
Too bad there wasn't more rainbow & sweetie time... would have loved to see a Sweetie Chronicle in this universe.
5134624
Agreed.
5130655 Twilight isn't stupid. She knows everything. She knows how close the spells she was studying line up with recent events. She remembers Rainbow's last words were that she would fix this, then she "wakes up" with rainbow over her grave. Twilight knew she died and never looked for the tome.
She didn't need to find out what happened all the evidence died in her arms in her crypt.
Read this all in one go! Bravo, bravo. I stayed up ti'll six AM because this was fantastic. I was going to pass this up, but then I took a chance and oh boy am I glad I did.
You can bet I will be promoting the crap out of this in my next author's notes or a blog post.
5166893 Of course. Did you really have to ask, having read the story?
Now all we need is "Sweetie Belle Re-Animator"! *hint hint*
Also epic conclusion, I love how you didn't go the standard route these type of stories tend to go so thank you for writing this!
First of all this story gains THE BADASS SEAL OF APPROVAL but I'm curious is this based off one of h.p lovecrafts stories
5180615
Of course it is.
5241368
I was going for a bit of "camp" with this fic, so I'm glad the comedy aspect shone through despite not being an "actual" comedy. I did debate with myself, for a while, whether I should tag this as comedy or not. Eventually decided against it.
I have a collection of Lovecraft's stories sitting on a shelf here. "Herbert West" is one of the stories included -- the back-of-book cover describes that particular story as "grotesquely comic." I've seen it called "darkly comedic" in other places. And that's exactly what I wanted to do with this fic. I'm aware of the several cases of plot contrivance in the story -- but those were all intentional. And since they're usually contrivances that put the characters into trouble, as opposed to getting them out of it, I think it's fair. "Then, things got worse..."
As for how Dash came up with the Re-Animation Potion, I figured it was the same way West did, particularly in the movies where he's much younger: he just did. Buying that is kind of your entry into this fic. Is it silly? Yes, but so's the whole thing.
If you're looking at the chapters' publish dates, note that they're just that: dates of publishing. I've been working on the fic for a lot longer; I only started releasing chapters when it was mostly done, though.
Overall, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Tell your friends.
5282843 That's synonymous with "dead cat", actually.
What a beautifully wrought final chapter. What an ending. I've already upvoted this story, but if I could upvote again I would, because this chapter is a magnificent crown upon this short story.
This short story is truly underrated. I haven't been so invested in any FiMfic for a long time. I was pumping my fist, whispering "You can do this, Rainbow Dash." This coming from someone who'd put RD near the bottom of the Best Pony personal list. You wrote the entire Starswirl Square scene so beautifully, I was seeing the entire thing play out in my mind like an anime or a comic (I'm an artist).
And that final 2-page panel spread, when RD died on top of the glistening hill of red-tinged glass shards, flashes of lightning illuminating the column of rain descending like a long curtain onto her and Twilight, while she whispered "Welcome back, Twilight." Oh god I can see it. If I wasn't so busy illustrating my own FiMfic, I'd draw it for you.
I absolutely love her poignant and pyrrhic send-off; that's the ending she'd have wanted. I love this Rainbow Dash. This story gave her the best death I've ever seen her die. Hell, the best death any hero has had since Fate Stay Night. No mare deserves it more.
P.S. And to think that she came upon the final ingredient by chance, to create the perfected Resurrection Serum that will never be reproduced again. Without it, Twilight may have ended up a damaged gibbering shell of a mare like Bulk. The secret final ingredient? One drop of blood from a true, true friend.
*Heartfelt Salute*
Sleep well Young Flier, your task is done
your war is over and your battle won
No chains now to weigh you down
Cast it off into the treaded ground
Ease your fevered mind, look to the sky
For my friend it is your turn to die
You fought bravely and with honour died
You leave your friends so full of pride
Sleep well Young Flier, your task is done
your war is over and your battle won.
5351068
Wow. It's really hard to reply to praise like this, but I wouldn't want to leave you without some sort of response. All I can say is, really, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
I read the story a while ago but I have to admit: One of the best stories I ever read. I just have to ask: Is there potential for a sequel? I would like to see Sweetie and Twilight trying to bring RD back under Celestias eyes.
But then again, I can live with this ending, RD has made the last sacrifice and should rest in peace.
Thank you.
This story made me think of this Iron Maiden song:
5548364
Hey, cool!
You've already commented exactly this, though. It's right under your comment now. I didn't respond at the time, but I have read it (and listened to it
).
5548517
Sorry about that. I hadn't read the story in months, and when I posted the comment I thought that I hadn't posted it. I will edit the second posting to be of another song that this story also reminded me of. Thanks for not being an understandable dick about the situation, as you would have been well within your rights if you had been. I sincerely appreciated the kind way that you told me that I had already posted that comment. Others wouldn't have been as forgiving as you, and so I thank you. By the way, did that song also make you think of your story? I like to think that I was onto something the first time that I posted that comment. Oh, that reminds me. Will you be doing a sequel? The ending certainly hinted towards that, but that could just be an indefinite cliff hanger. Or would that just be a regular cliff hanger?
This...
This is absolutely fucking beautiful.
I don't think RD was mad. Necromancy is a perfectly good way to extend your lifespan. Necromancy is GOOD. She was a bit off in the head, and desperate as hell to bring her best friend back to life, but I'd never go so far as to call her crazy.
There need to be more stories exploring the idea of necromancy.
5549722
Why would I be mad for someone commenting on my fic? You're alright. I like you. And yes, I can see how this song relates to the fic. As for a sequel, well, nothing is set in stone. I'm not planning one right now, however.
5551674
And I'm glad to hear you liked it!
5553417
I do appreciate how the thought of being angry about that specific detail never even crossed your mind, apparently. I am also very happy that you agree with me about the song being like the fic, seeing as how you are the author of the fic and therefore are the person that has the opinion that matters when it comes to things like that. I say that because I'm pretty sure that the story wasn't in any way inspired by that song, so the similarities between that song and the story are purely coincidental. 
Not for someone commenting on the fic, but for the same comment being made twice.
I love that Rainbow got to do that. Is Sweetie gonna bring Dash back? Please? (Rainbow Dash is my favourite pony.)
5661999
Mmmaaaaaaaaybe.
5673412
Aw yay! Maybe is good enough!
I'm sorry, but that title font is forever burned into my brain as "PewDiePie font".
5134933 Omigod that would be awesome!
5673412
It's probably too much to hope for a sequel though, huh?
5750116
Not any time soon, I'm afraid. Working on other things.
This was amazing, very well written and I loved it, I haev a suggestion, you don't have to use it at all, but I just thought I'd share it with you if you want to write a sequel.
Please make a sequel where Sweetie ropes in Applebloom and Scootaloo and they help her to bring Rainbow back, but because Rainbow is all, fried and crackly and stuff they have to keep her hidden and fix her up, and the Mane Six get suspicious as to why the Cutie Three are spending so much time away from home and come looking and they find RainbowDash alive. Don't know what else could happen but that's just a suggestion
As a fan of the original Re-animator story I must say you managed to capture many of the elements and 'feel' while still making it a unique story that fit the new cast.
5759649
By original, I assume you mean the movie. In which case I'm glad I succeeded -- I was trying to emulate its "feel."
5777285
Actually I was referring to the original story by Lovecraft. I thought you managed to capture the sort of creeping desperate madness/mania overtaking the at least originally well intentioned narrator quite well.
5777422
Oh? That's interesting. I was actually trying to go for the movie's sillier/campier feel. Well, all the better if you feel I stayed true to the original.
5777668
Well yes to be honest the original story was a lot less funny, but as I said this is an adaptation. Plus the character development of the narrator was always the main focus of the story.
I, admittedly, feared for the ending of this after the first chapter or 2. Given how Rainbow was acting, it seemed that she had already lost it and had no hope of ever finding the right mix.
After a while of reading on and looking past the madness, you could see that she was making progress. A few small successes, and several large failures all eventually lead to a large success. If it wasn't for Sweetie then all would have been lost in the end.
Despite the dark and grim nature of this story, I actually liked it. It's kinda rare that I actually like any grim stories, but that aspect wasn't emphasized as much as it is in other stories. That actually helped to keep me interested and come to like how this was written. A life was traded in the end. But there is a good possibility for a sequel to this that I hope gets written at some point.
Great story and ending. I really hope a sequel is made though. :D
5853156
...I would never have thought anybody's going to catch that. Yes!
Wow. I have an unhealthy fascination with fics like this where the mane cast end up getting pretty morally dark, and also with the thought of that happening to Dash in particular, but the fact that it had a "good ending" (bittersweet and karmic all at once) is the icing on the cake. In any case, you stayed true to the characters through it all. Somehow.
i.imgur.com/mUNJfRz.jpg
Made an account just to comment on this.
This was amazing, definitely one of the best fics I've ever read. Thank you for creating this marvelous thing.
5936548
Thank you! Glad you liked it. Feel free to recommend it to your friends.
Wonderful, wonderful story. Just the right nuances to make it perfect.