The Ash

by Raging Mouse

Summons

“Remember to visit us for a check-up if you start feeling faint or being sick.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Rainbow Dash waved her hoof dismissively to her side. The nurse who had spoken to her noticed the gesture, even with both Spike and Fluttershy in the way, and smirked before turning back towards the hospital entrance. Dash was lying on Twilight’s makeshift mobile bed, slowly flapping her wings in big strokes, luxuriating at finally having the space to do so again. This meant her friends had to keep their distance, both so as to not get hit by the wings and so the snow Rainbow Dash was stirring up wouldn’t get into their eyes or mouths. Only Spike, who was pushing the modified trolley Dash lay on, and Fluttershy, who was fussing ceaselessly over her pegasus friend, kept close. Applejack, Pinkie Pie and especially Rarity kept their distances far to the sides of the small, churning snowstorm.

Twilight walked slightly ahead of the trolley and kept glancing back over her shoulder. That jury-rigged vehicle now holding Rainbow Dash had been her primary means of moving about outside her home for three weeks. Twilight had anticipated Dash’s need for it and so decided not to dismantle it once she herself had regained enough strength to walk around on her own. It had been further modified, the small, squeaky wheels replaced by much larger ones, enabling it to move with relative ease even through the ankle-high snow now covering the ground.

Dash wore an expression of tired bliss as she inhaled the wintry air.

“Applejack, could you pick up their anemometer the next time you head to the Weather Service Bureau and bring it over to Fluttershy’s? Just tell them I want it and they’ll give it to you. Gotta get back to training these poor babies pronto!”

She gave both her wings a small kiss while Fluttershy gasped.

“Oh my, are you sure you wouldn’t like to rest a bit longer? You could hurt yourself if you worked too hard right now.”

Rainbow Dash didn’t look at the yellow pegasus, instead letting out a frustrated growl while increasing the speed of her wingbeats.

“I. Want. To. Fly!”

She managed to produce at least some lift, as her torso actually rose from the trolley, but not for long. After a few moments of furious flapping she gave up, folded her wings and laid her head against a pillow, panting heavily. Spike and Fluttershy were still trying to shield themselves from the worst of the intensified flurry of snow that Dash’s outburst had stirred into the air. This meant that Spike had his hands covering his face and mouth rather than gripping the handles on the trolley, which momentarily gained speed thanks to the sloping road before being slowed by a purple aura enveloping it.

“Spike!”

The dragon grabbed the handles again, flinching from Twilight's admonishing.

“SorruuUURK!”

He burped a gout of green flame, causing Rainbow Dash to duck down nervously and lie flat against the trolley. Everyone focused on the miniature fireball roiling slowly in the air and shrinking to reveal a rolled-up piece of parchment which Twilight grabbed with her magic. She unrolled the parchment and managed to catch the smaller piece of paper that had been nestled together with it. She stared at both for a moment before her eyes started scanning the parchment. She stopped walking after a few seconds. The others stopped as well. Rarity walked up to Twilight, though not so she could read the correspondence, and spoke softly.

“What is the matter, Twilight?”

Twilight’s lips moved silently. Then she took a breath and read out loud.

Twilight Sparkle,

We are aware We do not usually contact you, as Our dear sister does, though We feel the need to make an exception. Celestia has been heavily affected on a personal level by recent events and has taken to brooding, withdrawn from the public. Compounding the matter is a delicate situation which is developing regarding one of her pet projects here at the Castle.

Make no mistake: We are meddling in affairs that technically are none of Our, and certainly not your, business. We make this clear so you will decide upon your response with vision unimpeded. We empathically point out that We cannot order you to do anything. I merely bring this situation to your attention due to the love I feel towards my sister. I think you understand. She should seek strength among her friends like you have, and your presence might remind her.

You will find the attached document greatly beneficial in finding and reaching Celestia.

Guarding your night,
Princess Luna

Twilight’s gaze shifted to the smaller paper. The text there was much smaller and more closely written. A large watermark depicting the moon-and-sun seal of the royal princesses covered it almost completely. She had never seen such an intricate version of it before, and she seemed to be able to pick out detail down to the limit of her vision. She focused on the text and read it aloud as well:

§1: The appointed bearer of this document, miss Twilight Sparkle, daughter of Twilight Velvet, granddaughter of Twilight Spinner, grand-granddaughter of Lace Spinner, Bearer of the Element of Magic, Most Faithful Student of Princess Celestia, Head Librarian of Ponyville Library (henceforth referred to as the rightful bearer), has been entitled full, unrestricted and unhindered access to all areas of Canterlot Castle (henceforth referred to as ‘the estates’) and all domains, dwellings and locales considered attached or belonging to the estates. She has full authority to visit, inspect, study and peruse any and all items found within. All darkness shall be lifted at her request and all doors shall be unlocked in her path.

§2: By presenting this document to anypony or anybeing or anything located within the estates the rightful bearer becomes entitled to their fullest cooperation, and refusal to cooperate with the rightful bearer after being presented with this document shall be treated as a refusal of royal order issued by the Princesses Luna and Celestia in person, a crime of High Treason. The rightful bearer is entitled upon presentation of this document to interrogate any who dwells within the estates, and the subject is duty-bound to answer to the fullest extent of their ability. Withholding or falsifying information during interrogation after this document has been presented by the rightful bearer will be treated as obstruction of royal business, oathbreaking and perjury.

§3: The rights, privileges and freedoms laid forth in this document can be co-assigned and shared by anypony while in the presence of this document and the rightful bearer, if the rightful bearer expresses desire to do so. The assigned party enjoys the full effects of this document except for the right to co-assign and share said document’s effects.

§4: This document holds no sway over Princesses Celestia and Luna.

§5: This document has been issued on the third day of Frostmoon in the year of the leaping salmon, and shall have the force of law until further notice.

Signed, Princess Luna

By the time Twilight reached the end of the second document, her eyes were watering and there was a sharp throbbing pain behind her horn, though the headache receded immediately as she looked away. It appeared something about the watermark made looking at the paper for longer than a glance very uncomfortable. She shook her head and blinked until her vision cleared. When she looked up, her friends were standing in a half-circle in front her, gazing at her wide-eyed and with mouths half-open. Even Rainbow Dash had turned her head and was staring at Twilight with one eyebrow raised. Applejack was the first to break the silence.

“What’s all that about? Why is Princess Celestia raising birds while she’s upset? Has that crazy firebird of hers gone and dropped dead again?”

Rarity made a noise somewhere between a short laugh and a sigh.

“Silly, not that kind of brooding. It means she can’t stop thinking about whatever it is that is making her upset. Luna is obviously asking Twilight, and indirectly all of us by the way, to come to Canterlot and help bring Celestia out of her mood.”

There was a dramatic noise of someone clearing their throat. Everyone looked at Pinkie Pie, who grinned.

“When someone is feeling down, what do we usually do?”

Twilight spoke in a low monotone, carefully enunciating.

“We are not throwing a surprise pyjama party for Princess Celestia. Not even if you bring the chocolate ice cream.”

She held up a hoof to prevent Pinkie from objecting.

“Yes, some kind of party would definitely be fine eventually, but first we need to get to Canterlot and see for ourselves what’s going on. This letter is leaving out all the details! What’s this ‘pet project’ that Princess Luna mentions and what's wrong with it?”

Rarity smiled, tilted her head and regarded Twilight from the corner of her eyes.

“Luna did admit in a roundabout way that she’s manipulating things. Are you not simply champing at the bit to go to Canterlot and find out what this is all about? She’s almost teasing you, saying she can’t order you but at the same time implying that she can get you to do what she wants all the same.”

She turned to look straight at Twilight and her smile broadened.

“The question is, do you mind? She does have her sister’s welfare at heart.”

Before Twilight could answer, Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“Why is this coming so out of the blue, Twilight? Don’t you and Princess Celestia exchange letters all the time?”

Twilight’s ears fell and she stared straight ahead. Her lower lip quivered slightly and she drew a shuddering breath.

“Not since... the disaster. I’ve been so busy that I forgot all about it. Getting better from my accident. Studying the ash from the fallen mountain. Helping organize the repairs around town.”

She rubbed at her forehead with a hoof.

“Have I really not dedicated even a single thought to Princess Celestia in nearly two months?”

She closed her eyes and sat on her haunches, bent into a hunch. Twilight’s friends watched her mounting depression with alarm until Pinkie spoke up.

“Okay that’s enough Tiredlight Mopeypants for all next year! You’ll just catch a cold if you sit in the snow like that. You go home with Spike and get some sleep, and Pinkie will be over first thing in the morning to help you pack!”

“All right.”

Twilight drew a deep breath and rose up on her hindlegs.

“You’re right. I’ll go home and— wait.”

Her gaze flitted to all of her friends.

“We haven’t talked about anypony accompanying me. I haven’t even asked!”

Rarity laughed a light, breathy laugh.

“Don’t be silly, darling. Of course we’re coming with you. I simply can’t resist the intrigue!”

Applejack nodded at the fashionista.

“What she said. We’re your friends, Twi, in case you need reminding, and friend help each other. Right now we’re sticking to you like horseflies!”

This elicited a series of “Yeah!” from the rest of her friend, including a weak one from Rainbow Dash and a weaker still from Fluttershy. Twilight turned and peered at Dash.

“Dash, you really aren’t strong enough yet to walk, so I don’t see—”

“Walking schmalking! I’m a pegasus, see these wings? Fluttershy can fetch me a small cloud and I can go wherever I want on it, and if I get tired, well hello fluffy bed!”

Twilight looked into Dash’s eyes.

“You’d do that? For me?”

Rainbow dashed grinned widely while returning Twilight’s gaze.

“Don’t even dream about trying to stop me.”

Laughter and excited conversation filled the air, mixed in among the snowflakes.