Chapter 9: A Hero Returns
Trixie woke slowly, rubbing her sore muzzle where she’d smashed it on the floor when she passed out. Her ear flicked gently at the sound of…laughter? Groaning at the dull ache in her face she peeked an eye open.
She was lying on a long wooden table in what appeared to be some sort of magical laboratory. Opened spell books lay haphazardly strewn about the floor and tables of the room mingling with quills, beakers (some empty some not), and what the mare suspected were various enchanted objects in varying stages of completion. A rather mundane and ancient looking walking stick leaned against the door, utterly ordinary save a single rune scribed at the base.
Another peal of high pitch giggling mixed with the occasional indelicate snort drew Trixie’s attention from the room. There was Jubilant Surprise, being regaled by what must be a hilarious story by Starswirl the Bearded, the legend come to life. Trixie’s breath picked up speed again and she nearly fainted a second time before she wrestled the hyperventilation down.
“You’re Starswirl the Bearded!” She shrieked her voice a bit higher than intended.
Her exclamation drew both ponies attention. The ancient sorcerer flashed a toothy grin. “Just Starswirl is fine or great to the tenth grandpa if you like.” He winked with a hearty laugh.
Jubilant joined in while Trixie just stared trying to find the words. “You’re dead!”
Now he looked surprised. “I am?” He looked in all seriousness to Jubilant. “Young filly am I dead?”
“Umm…” She scrunched up her face looking at him closely, even going so far as to prod him with a hoof. “I don’t think so! Unless…are you a zombie?!”
He rubbed his chin with a hoof giving the question serious consideration. “I DO admit I’ve been hungry for brains now and again but I’m fairly certain I’m not undead.”
The filly nodded in the affirmative. “He’s alive Miss Trixie! And he’s really funny!”
Trixie’s wits were gradually returning to her. “HOW are you still alive?”
With a faint snort Starswirl tilted his hat back fixing Trixie with his suddenly steely gaze. “In my day when you meet somepony new for the first time we were usually more polite. Especially when meeting family for the first time hm?”
She blinked at the admonishment suddenly finding the brim of her own hat very interesting. “O-of course I’m sorry. Ah…it’s a pleasure to meet you?”
“Likewise! Always nice to have family drop by. Even if I haven’t run into anyone in the clan for a good six hundred years or so.”
“Woooow you’re old!” Jubilant helpfully put in.
He only laughed heartily at that. “Very old! In fact I was old when Celestia and Luna were young. That makes me downright ancient!”
Trixie gasped softly. “You can’t say their names! The queen…”
Starswirl cut her off with a wave of his hoof. “Can’t hear what anypony says down here. She might have plenty of magical muscle but she’s a dimwit when it comes to intricate spell work. It’s why that lunatic can so easily lift the spell she used to rewrite everypony’s memory.”
“He’s not really a lunatic anymore, as I’m sure you know. Since you seem to know so much.” Trixie was getting over her awe; he was ancient but just a pony like any other. “How HAVE you lived so long?”
“Mmm.” He seized the gnarled staff in his magic drawing it closer. “I take it you’re familiar with the Arms of Harmony yes?”
At her nod he continued. “This was the one I wielded after I passed Mercy along. After what I did to the apes I…didn’t feel it was the weapon for me. You remember the ritual the core of the knighthood underwent don’t you? Once we became in tune with harmony so long as we kept that bond we stopped aging.”
“Oh. Oh yes of course your journal that I got from…ah…Jennifer.” She smiled a little. “It’s nice to say her name again. We weren’t terribly close but I like to think if we’d have more time…” Trixie sighed.
Jubilant’s ears splayed at Trixie’s words and she slipped to the corner of the room. “…lotsa ponies miss you huh?”
I guess so. I didn’t know she felt that way. We didn’t get along when we first met.
“I want to do it.”
Do what Jubilant?
“You know…it. Uh…bring you back.”
Jubilant you don’t have to do that. Sometimes pe…ponies die. It’s sad but it’s just life. Like Granny Smith.
“Yeah but Granny Smith died from being old. You died from being killed by a bad pony. That’s different.”
I guess it is a little. You’re a pretty smart filly Jubilant Surprise.
“Well you must be a pretty smart human than Jennifer.” Jubilant was smiling now, and though she couldn’t see the human spirit she had a feeling Jen was too. “So um…what now?”
Uhh…ask one of the grown-ups?
Jubilant huffed. “Aren’t YOU a grown up?”
I was sixteen when I died, and I don’t look any older here so I guess not!
“Sixteen?! I was OLD.”
S-sixteen isn’t old! I’m still a teenager!
The filly huffed again. “Sixteen is old. That’s old enough to live by yourself old.”
Oh just ask Starswirl or Trixie!
Jubilant turned around to do just that, only to find both ponies staring at her. The mare confused and the stallion grinning in gentle bemusement. “Who in Equestria are you talking to Jubilant Surprise?”
Starswirl approached giving Jubilant a wink. “Why herself of course. Isn’t that right?”
With a grin she nodded. “Yup! And…I’m ready now.”
The ancient stallion eyed her quietly. “Are you certain young filly? There’s no changing your mind once it’s done.”
Realizing what she meant Trixie lapsed into silence. Jubilant nodded firmly. “I am. Mom needs me at my best. I want to make the whole world smile again!”
“Well then!” Starswirl took up his staff. “We’d best get things started than hm? Follow me ladies, if you please.” He lead the way from the lab, Jubilant and Trixie close behind. Stepping out into the outside of the citadel they were greeted by relieved cries from the others left behind by the barrier. Tsking softly Starswirl dispelled it allowing them to enter.
The three ponies galloped in immediately while Spinner entered more cautiously. Fancy looked Jubilant over head to tail. “You had me worried Jubilant Surprise! What did Rarity tell you about running off?”
Instantly her ears splayed back. “S-sorry Mister Fancy Pants I just…I felt like I should…y’know…go in.”
Eyeing the supposedly deceased legendary unicorn who was busy drawing magical diagrams in the cloud stuff of the floor Fancy’s ire eased. “…I suppose you’re alright and that’s the most important thing.”
Seeing everypony was okay, Echo let herself into the keep within the citadel’s walls happy to explore the ancient structure she’d heard Jennifer talk about so excitedly.
Dinky kept a cautious distance from Jubilant, watching her reunite with Fancy with a faint smile. The filly spied her and approached to the mares’ quiet alarm. She had no idea what to expect as their last parting was less than pleasant.
Jubilant stared up at the nervous mare and snorted softly. “Are you sorry?”
Dinky blinked. “F-for what?”
“For taking me from my mom.”
“O-oh…” Dinky scuffed the ground with a hoof. “I am Jubilant. I’m truly sorry. Nopony should be separated from her mom. I would know. And if it weren’t for the queen’s spell I would never take you from Pinkie. She’s a great mom.”
Jubilant nodded sternly. “The BEST. But if you’re sorry…I forgive you.”
A relieved smile spread across Dinky Doo’s face. “That means a lot to me Jubilant Surprise. Thank you. I was very close with Jen you know? I thought of her as my big sister.”
“Yeah? So that means I’m your big sister now?” The filly was grinning.
Dinky blinked in surprise at how casually she was talking about her past life. Then she laughed. “I guess so!”
“Good. When we get home you can do my chores. Mom makes me do so much work.” She stuck her tongue out to the delight of the older unicorn.
“It’s a deal.” At ease now Dinky settled on the ground beside Fancy Pants, watching Starswirl work.
Trixie was following close at his side. “This looks like a teleportation spell matrix but it’s so big!”
“Well I’m teleporting in three ponies at once from who knows where. It has to be big.”
Eyes wide Trixie studied the diagrams more closely. “You can do that? I thought only the princesses could do something like that!”
The old unicorn barked a laugh. “Who do you think taught those two little monsters in the first place? Ugh now THEY were a hoof-full. Crazy mare shows up on my doorstep, dumps them off with their lunatic mother than off she goes.” He shook his head, though he was smiling a little. “…hm. Anyhow! I need to bring the rest of Discord’s elements of harmony here. And Discord himself of course.”
“You know about all that?”
“Well of course I know about all that. I’ve been keeping an eye on him since he got loose the first time. And when one of the most powerful beings in the world is out to collect THE most powerful magical artifacts in the world it’s hard not to notice. Unless you’ve got your nose so far up your rear you can’t see anything else like the queen does.”
Trixie snickered at that. “I suppose that makes sense. Still just seeing a regular unicorn wield such powerful spells…”
“Any unicorn with a special talent for magic can learn spells like this. If she applies herself.” He left Trixie to contemplate this as he stepped toward the magic circle. “If everypony and ah…” He eyed the imposing Prince Spinner. “…and spider would please step back.”
The group complied backing toward the gates. Mystic currents swirled about the courtyard of the keep as Starswirl’s silvery aura of magic began to manifest. Stronger and stronger the magic whirled about the area gathering around the mage’s staff and infusing it with a blindingly bright silvery sheen. The spectators were forced to look away as it grew too bright for their eyes to stand. When it faded a confused Discord, Lyra, and Moon Dancer stood within the magical circles.
The elder pair recovered quickly while Lyra looked like she wanted to heave up her lunch. Moon Dancer rushed to Starswirl tackling him to the ground in a tight embrace. “It is so good to see you again!”
Laughing the stallion returned her hug, getting back to his hooves and reclaiming his fallen hat. “And how’s my favorite student doing hm?”
With a small shrug she looked over her far diminished form. “I feel like a filly again. Everypony is so tall now, and my magic is perhaps half what it used to be.”
“Bah. It’s not how much power you have, but what you do with it. That was one of the first things I taught you young lady.”
Unable to hide a smile at being admonished so, Moon Dancer shrugged helplessly. “True enough. But it is hard to recall such lessons when fifteen hundred years of accumulated magic is sheared to a fraction of its former self. Still it was a sacrifice I made willingly, and would do so again to stand here.”
“Mmm.” Starswirl was eyeing Discord carefully now. “Well I need to fetch something from the keep. You sit tight for a few moments hm?” He headed back to the keep.
Jubilant walked up to Discord staring him hard in the eye. “You lied to me.”
He sighed and looked away. “I know. I should have thought things out a little better. Never my strong suit I’m afraid.” Finally he looked back at the filly. “Can you ever forgive me? For all of this?”
Seeming to take the request under great consideration Jubilant frowned, crossing her forelegs over her chest. “I can on ONE condition.”
“Of course. Anything.”
“That you’re never late for my birthday again. And you never give me such a crummy present as you did this year.” She delivered her condition in all seriousness.
So serious Discord didn’t even smile as he accepted her terms. “I think that’s fair. From now on I solemnly swear to never miss your birthday again, and to make every present better than the year before.”
His worried look eased into a warm smile as the filly threw her hooves around his neck. “I love you Uncle D. I always will…ok?”
Gently he rubbed her back. “I love you too Jubilant Surprise.” Nopony seemed more surprised by this than he did, but they kept their silence allowing the pair their moment.
Finally Jubilant stepped back. “Alright! Let’s do it!”
Discord seemed more hesitant than ever. “You’re sure? You’re absolutely sure Surprise? I don’t want you to do this because you think it’s what I want, or what anypony else wants for you.”
With a resolute nod she stood tall, (as a five year old filly could). “I’m sure Uncle D. I’m ready to be all of me again. We both are.”
After a moment of staring at her quietly he nodded and summoned the case containing the elements. “Gather up everypony. It’s time.”
Moon Dancer, Fancy Pants, Dinky Doo, and Lyra approached Discord and the open case holding the elements of harmony. Without hesitation Moon Dancer claimed the element of magic for herself. As the tiara settled about her head the gem shifted from a star to a crescent moon.
The others were slightly more hesitant to touch what basically equated to holy equestrian artifacts. Discord motioned Fancy Pants over. “Generosity is yours sir. Just slip it on if you please.”
The other stallion complied after a moment’s hesitation, lifting his wife’s necklace from the case and settling it about his neck. The diamond instantly became a crown reflecting his own mark.
Lyra was next, looking over the remaining elements with a frown. “Which one is mine?”
Discord smirked. “I don’t know which one IS yours?”
Rolling her eyes Lyra looked the remaining three over again before gently plucking the element of loyalty up with her magic. As it fastened around her neck the lightning bolt became a lyre.
“Miss Doo?”
Swallowing the lump in her throat Dinky tore her gaze away from the expectantly watching filly and looked into the case. There was little hesitation on her part as she claimed the element of kindness. The pink butterfly becoming the bandaged heart of her own cutie mark to reflect her love of easing orphaned foals’ hurt feelings. With a deep breath she joined the other four.
Casting his gaze at the keep Discord gave an irritated snort. His horn flared and with a pop a surprised looking Echo appeared. “Hey what’s the big idea!?”
“Get your element you ninny, we’re ready for the spell.”
“O-oh, heh…sorry. That keep is really cool.” Like Dinky she claimed her element without pause. Flipping the element of honesty over her neck the apple shifted to the sound waves on her flank with a silver flash.
“Your turn Surprise.”
Lifting herself over the edge of the case with her forehooves Jubilant lifted her mother’s element of laughter fastening it carefully. She was grinning gleefully down at the gem expecting to finally discover her cutie mark. With a flash it became a…
“…a BALL? What kind of cutie mark is that?!”
The others were all laughing uproariously as Discord ruffled her mane. “Since you don’t have your cutie mark it went back to its original shape. This is what the elements look like before they have owners.”
Snorting she flopped on the ground with a pout. “That’s not fair! I wanted to know what my cutie mark would be…”
Moon Dancer lifted her from the ground. “You’ll know when it is time Jubilant Surprise.” Her warm smile eased the filly’s feelings somewhat. The mare looked over at Discord. “We are still missing one piece of the spell are we not?”
He blinked. “We are! That bearded bumbler summoned us here for no reason!”
“You’re not one to comment on anypony’s choice in facial hair DANIEL. As I recall you wore a rather sad excuse for a beard for the past millennia or so.” Starswirl returned bearing the blade of Mercy in his magical grip. “Did you really think I’d just leave my old sword laying around for anypony to pick up? Now what do we need to do to get this spell going?”
It was Discords turn to look superior. “You mean the great Starswirl the Bearded doesn’t know?”
Starswirl merely rolled his eyes and laid Mercy at the other stallions’ hooves. “Just get on with it would you?”
All mirth gone Discord gave a nod. His horn shimmered as he drew five circles on the ground in the courtyard then drawing lines from them to a sixth circle in the center. “If everypony would pick a circle. Surprise the one in the center is for you.”
As Jubilant took her place in the center Discord leaned down giving her a gentle nuzzle against the cheek. “I’m very proud of you Surprise. And if your mother was here she’d be proud too.”
Jubilant returned the gesture with a grin. “It’s not really a big deal. Besides being a grown up again will be cool! I get to stay up as late as I want and…and eat what I want and never go to school again!”
Looking highly amused the others took their places. “Yes that’s exactly what it’ll be like Surprise. Would you bring the sword into your circle with you?”
She scooted Mercy over into the circle with herself, running a hoof on the reflective metal. “It’s pink! Just like my mane!”
“It is. You ah…always loved that it was pink.” Another round of laughter from the others. Jennifer’s disdain of the pink blade of her sword wasn’t something she tried to hide. “Now all everypony has to do is focus on their love for Jennifer. Picture whatever your favorite moment was with her, then let your magic do its stuff. Whenever you’re ready.”
Discord stepped back to join Starswirl, Trixie, and Spinner away from the others. Trixie looking incredulously at him. “That’s it? Think about happy times and you can bring the dead back to life?”
“You can if the deceased was somepony with a lot of magic and left behind a token infused with her magic, a lot of love for her special somepony, liquefied hope, and the magic of chaos within her, a strong bond with six ponies wielding the elements of harmony…then yes. That’s it.”
With a little ‘oh’ Trixie returned her attention to the six in the circles. “W-well I suppose if all that is taken into account it should be easy.”
Echo was first of course. Her eyes shut tightly to keep the tears from sneaking out. The element of honesty around her neck shined brightly, the glow spreading to her circle and sending light racing toward the center circle. Dink was next, and then Lyra close behind. Their own lights mingling with Echo’s.
Giving Jubilant one last, long look Fancy Pants closed his own eyes adding his thoughts to the rest. Finally Moon Dancer smiling warmly for the brave filly sent her magic along. She was the only of the five who didn’t look away as Jubilant’s own element glowed.
The filly had never physically met her other half but they’d talked enough over the years. When it was dark and she was feeling scared Jennifer’s voice had always been there to comfort her when her mother wasn’t. Always whispering a little bit of encouragement when things were tough.
A brilliant pillar of light rose from the circle around Jubilant reaching to the cavern ceiling. She reared at its sudden appearance but didn’t try to run. It wasn’t scary. It felt warm…comforting. Like her mom hugging her tight at night.
Moon Dancer could see Jubilant’s golden eyes glowing just as brightly. The heart stone pendant around her neck added its light, than her horn shined with Discord’s chaotic swirl of colors. Finally Mercy floated into the air hanging before the filly. The colorful lights became an opaque rainbow hued wall of magic cutting off everypony’s view of the pony within. It burst apart with a deafening boom sending everypony in the cavern falling to their flanks.
Darkness descended.
***
“…and so you open the chest to claim your well-earned reward. When suddenly the dragon’s remains begin to stir and…” Jennifer was cut off in mid-narration as she simply disappeared from the table the original knights of harmony were clustered around.
The five great unicorn warriors stared at the spot she’d occupied seconds ago. The youngest of the bunch, Sunshine sat back letting out a deep breath. “That filly is a master of suspense.”
***
Soft groans and the sounds of stirring ponies filled the cavern. Ponies helping their nearest neighbor to their hooves they checked on one another after the explosion ensuring nopony was harmed. It took them several moments to realize the cavern was being illuminated by a warm green magical glow. As one the assembled group turned to the center circle.
Standing within it was a young alicorn mare. Large wings flared from her sides. Green feathered wings, each outlined with a pale pink coating. She stood taller than the average mare, just about Fancy Pants’ height. Her deep green coat shone healthily in her magics aura as she stood with her head lowered and eyes closed. Her tail and mane the same dark pink they had been when she’d been a filly moments ago. Mercy hung in the air just barely touching her nose.
Eventually she blinked her brilliantly blue eyes open and took in the group in the cavern. Her gaze drifted from Starswirl, Discord, Trixie and Spinner over to her dearest friends. All five stood staring in awe, even the ordinarily stoic ex-princess of the night. Again she closed her eyes and her horns glow intensified.
Now a human woman stood where the mare hard a moment ago. Her wings the same green and pink, her hair bounced in cheerful pink curls about her shoulders. Slowly she reached a hand out to clasp Mercy by the hilt taking a deep breath. Even in adulthood she remained modest of curve, but the muscle in her arms, legs, and abdomen stood out far clearer. The awkward gangliness she’d had most of her life was gone, replaced with the strong sleek tone of a swordswoman.
Perhaps most noticeable of all at least to those who knew her best were the tattoos adoring both hips. A shield bearing the standard of the Order of Harmony and a pair of sword crossed behind it. The standard on her mark was different than the one hanging from the walls, in addition to the hoof, wing and horn it had the image of a crystal and a slit-pupiled eye as well, representing all five pony tribes.
Discord approached first. “You’re naked young lady.”
Jen blinked a couple of times looking from the stallion then down to herself. With a strangled urk she crossed her legs tightly and threw her free arm over her chest. This seemed to snap friends from their awed staring and with a chorus of laughter she was buried beneath five excited ponies.
Many happy tears were shed and tight hugs given all around. It took quite some time for Jennifer to extract herself from the pile of over joyed ponies. Even Moon Dancer hadn’t held herself back from the emotional moment. Jennifer just sat on the ground of the courtyard smiling around at her friends. “It’s so great to see everypony again.”
Echo was draped over her back, seeming content to remain cheek to cheek with her returned special somepony. Lyra couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “So what was it like? Y’know…up there?”
Jen wrinkled her nose in confusion. “I…remember sitting by the gates. It was really warm, like fuzzy warm y’know? And I remember the old knights coming out to fight with me. Train fight not like…to the death fight. But I don’t remember what it looked like really.”
Settled on the ground with the others Moon Dancer nodded slowly. “Such things are not meant for mortals to know. Not entirely anyhow.”
“Yeah I guess not. You look so cute now Luna!” Jen was grinning playfully.
The former princess huffed. “I look like an ordinary unicorn. And I will continue to go by Moon Dancer. I am not Princess Luna anymore…and to be honest I would like as few ties to my mother as possible. I am Equestrian through and through now, a proper Equestrian name should be mine.”
Jen frowned thoughtfully. “Is it…permanent? Y’know your uh, change?”
“I believe so. I expelled all of the power that set me apart from other ponies. I could perhaps take a human shape like you used your bracelet to do but I have no reason to.”
Fancy Pants had been quiet for some time now. “Are you Jennifer, or Jubilant?”
His question gave the woman pause. “I’m…well I’m both. It’s a little confusing to be honest. Having five years of little filly mixing with sixteen of human teenager. But I’m sorting it out.” She laughed a little. “Thank you though Fancy. For taking such good care of me. I’ll have to thank Rarity too. I know I must have made life a little difficult for you both.”
He waved it off. “Nonsense. It was a delight for us both. Rarity’s certain to demand a foal of her own when all this is done. Assuming she wishes to remain married to me of course.”
The three Ponyville residents rolled their eyes at that. Even Lyra and Dinky knew of Rarity’s designs on Fancy’s’ affections. She wasn’t a very subtle mare. Jen was grinning at Dinky. “You’re so big now! And you have your cutie mark!”
Dinky giggled. “So do you.”
“I do?” She twisted around to see her hip. “I do! What is it? I can’t see it!”
Her friends made room as Discord approached, summoning up a mirror for her to see. “It looks like the emblem on my shield! Only there’s a crystal and…a night pony? What’s that mean?”
Starswirl stepped closer. “It means young lady that you’re the new commander of the Order of Harmony, and you have a lot of work to do.”