What do we truly fear in death? Can an ageless alicorn keep a promise to her beloved?

Can she remember who Rainbow Dash was?

What do you do, after you've made the impossible, possible?

With the Wonderbolt tryouts looming just around the corner and rumors of Spitfire being able to perform the Sonic Rainboom at will, Dash is at wits end. She needs something greater, awesomer, more epic than just a mere Rainboom. After all, to perform that trick a second time would label her a one trick pony and if Spitfire could pull it off, then what was the point?

So what trick could possibly be greater than a Sonic Rainboom?

10 years ago Nightmare Moon returned, Successfully bringing about eternal night. That day Twilight lost everything she held dear. In that time, she has been preparing for the day when she can take Equestria back from her.

What if Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been too late to save Twilight from her fall in the Everfree forest?

Twilight Sparkle has too much magic, and it will take her decades to learn to control it. Her spectacular loss of control during her entrance exam only proves that fact. She is a danger to herself and others.

After Sunset Shimmer’s disappearance, Princess Celestia needs a new student to bear The Element of Magic to defeat Nightmare Moon. With all of Equestria at stake, Twilight Sparkle…is not the pony she needs.

Princess Celestia seals Twilight Sparkle’s magic with the distant promise of one day teaching her.

But there are two diarchs of Equestria. Amidst a lucid dream, an offer is made.

“Hello, Twilight. Would you like to be my student?”

Cover art provided by Lafiir.

She had a choice to make, the most important one she would ever make in her life. In this side of the story, the choice she made was her very own.

Sometimes, behaving selflessly is the most selfish thing you can do.

Thanks to Nitrouspony for permission to use this image.

Nightmare Moon won. She defeated Celestia, broke the Elements, banished the sun. This all happened a very long time ago. So long ago, that she has had plenty of time to change her mind.

Of course, fixing our mistakes is never so simple, and never without consequences. Even with particularly potent help.

"If you came to conquer, you'll be king for a day. / But you too will deteriorate and quickly fade away."
— "No Control" by Bad Religion

A big thanks to Craine, Sorren, and Idylia for prereading and editing. If you enjoyed the story, don't forget to check out their pages.

Equestria Daily
Royal Canterlot Library (FIMfic version)
Russian translation by Doof
Chinese translation by Dreams Set Free

Kitsune Heart has done a dramatic reading of this story! Find it over here.
ObabScribbler has done a dramatic reading of this story! It includes a full cast of voice actors. Find it over here.

Comments contain spoilers.

Sometimes, bad things happen to good ponies. A year following a tragic incident, Twilight Sparkle returns to Ponyville to visit what she has been missing - her town, her memories, and most importantly, her friends. But will everything be as she remembers it?

This story has a sequel titled "In History, Maybe".

Follow-up to "The Things We Leave Behind"

After years and years of hard work, Rainbow Dash has finally achieved her life's goal: becoming a member of the Wonderbolts. But when things don't go entirely as planned in her first Wonderbolts Derby, a promise from her past drives Rainbow Dash to tears. Will Rainbow Dash be able to overcome what she calls her only fear with the help of friends both old and new, or will the pressure simply be too much?

Title inspired by the song by SoGreatandPowerful.

Thanks to all of my proofreaders! You know who you are.

A few weeks after Scootaloo's camping trip, and her experience with those nightmares, Luna's concern for the filly still persists. Intent on making sure that Scootaloo is alright, she goes to visit her one morning.

(This takes place just after Sleepless in Ponyville)

(No icky pedo-junk in here.)

(Not fanfiction on Equestria Daily)