//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: My Little Dashie: The Return // by Brony MACH //------------------------------// The Princess and the five other ponies back in Equestria gave every bit of energy they had to sustain the portal for as long as they could. When the magic of the Elements finally ran out, the white sphere in the middle of town hall dissipated. The last shreds of light finally disappeared, as the air became still once more. Rainbow Dash’s friends looked eagerly toward the center of their circle to welcome back the joyful pegasus and her long lost father. Instead, they saw Rainbow Dash, lying on the ground, weeping bitterly. The carrier stone appeared next to her, devoid of light and devoid of a holder. Silence fell across the room as the other ponies stared at their pegasus friend with utter despair. The princess was heartbroken at the sight in front of her. The ponies beside her stared at each other, holding whispered conversations. Twilight, utterly confused at this final outcome, stepped forward toward her sobbing friend. “Rainbow Dash…?” she whispered. The pegasus struggled to regain her breath. She pulled herself up on her hooves as the tears dripped onto the floor. “Daddy…Daddy’s not coming…” she replied. “He said…he’s not coming…” It was then that Twilight and her friends realized what must have happened on the other side. Twilight lowered her head and said, “I’m so sorry, Dashie…” The other also bowed their heads, realizing the pain inside Rainbow Dash’s heart. Even the princess herself found herself inundated with pity for the daughter forever separated from her father. Celestia turned to the others. “Let us go.” * * * The sun was setting on Ponyville. Ponies slowly made their way back home as shops and stores began to close down. Parents called to fillies and colts playing outside, commanding them to come in before it got too cold. In the sky, the weather team was preparing for another spring shower. All of the pegasi were busy at work. All of them, except one. Rainbow Dash sat on her bed and gazed at the setting sun. Her eyes were red from all the tears she had shed, and her heart was still aching from her crushed hopes and dreams. Rainbow Dash was never the type of pony to accept her circumstances, but this time she had no other choice. Her father had a purpose to serve in his world, as did she. On her nightstand laid a worn out photo album, opened to the middle. Pictures of Rainbow Dash and her father filled the pages, photos of them doing all sorts of crazy activities and making all sorts of crazy faces. This was the closest that she would ever get to living with her father. A bright purple light flashed behind Rainbow Dash as she continued to gaze out the window. “Rainbow Dash,” said Twilight. The pegasus turned around and saw her unicorn friend standing in her bedroom, holding what appeared to be a shoebox. “I believe this belongs to you,” said Twilight as she placed the box on the floor. “Thank you, Twilight,” replied Rainbow Dash. “Are you going to be ok?” asked her friend. “Yeah…I’ll be fine,” said the pegasus as she glanced at the open photo album on her nightstand. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to stop by,” added Twilight. “I’ll always be your friend no matter what.” “Thanks,” said Rainbow Dash. Twilight turned to leave the house, but the pegasus stopped her suddenly. “Wait,” she shouted. “Yes, Rainbow Dash?” asked Twilight. “I’m…I’m sorry for what happened in the library the other night…” said Rainbow Dash with a nervous tone. “Can you forgive me?” Twilight gazed into her friend’s eyes with a smile. “Yes, Dashie, I forgive you. I don’t hold anything against you,” she said. “And neither do I,” replied the pegasus. “Although I do have to admit that you’re a pretty bad actor.” “Haha, that’s one thing I never learned in the Canterlot Academy,” said Twilight with a smile. “Also, Twilight, do you happen to have a quill and parchment on you?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Why of course! I wouldn’t dare leave my library without them,” replied Twilight as she used her magic to grab a quill and parchment from her bag and place it on the nightstand. “Just let me know when you’re ready to send it.” “Thank you,” said the pegasus. “I’ll let you go now.” “Alright, take care, Rainbow Dash,” said Twilight as she vanished with a purple flash. Rainbow Dash stared at the box on the floor, already familiar with its contents. She picked it up and placed it on a nearby shelf next to her Wonderbolt posters. The remnants of her past life and the purpose of this life would become one, just as her father wished. She turned to the quill and parchment on her nightstand, thinking of what to send to the princess. Finally, she took the quill in her mouth and began to write. Dear Princess Celestia, I would like to thank you for helping me in my time of need. None of this would have been possible without you or my faithful friends. Even though the ending we arrived at was not the one we were expecting, the journey was what truly mattered. I now realize why you attempted to erase my memories the day I returned. Those emotions from my alternate life would have destroyed the Rainbow Dash that my friends know and love. Those feelings would have eaten mind and paralyzed me had I not learned a very valuable lesson from my father. You see, despite being known as the bold and headstrong pegasus that flies into the face of danger, I was very afraid on the inside. I was scared of the future, scared of not knowing what would happen the next day or who I would become in a few years. And when the memories of my father came back, my fear grew even more. I needed his love and guidance more than ever. I needed him to come back into my life and show me the way. Looking back, I find this to be very ironic. In hopes of gaining certainty about my future, I began chasing a memory. My father, who had faced this same problem years before, taught me perhaps the most important lesson of my life. He told me that life is not defined my memories, but by purpose. My father wrestled with the day of my departure for years before realizing the truth. And yesterday, he made the choice between living out a distant memory here in Equestria and fulfilling his calling in the human world. Perhaps when I grow older and wiser, I will fully understand his decision. Nevertheless, I will always remember his words. Today, I promise that I will no longer be controlled by the memories of my past lives. I will overcome my fears of the future, and I will find my purpose. I will fulfill my duties as captain of the weather team and the guardian of the Element of Loyalty. I will continue to cherish the friends I have now and the friends I may encounter in the future. Like how my father promised he would live his life to the fullest for me, I will do the same for him. I will accept my past and look to the future. This is who I am. This is who I was meant to be. Your loyal subject and friend, Rainbow Dash.