//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty Nine // Story: The Crucible of Restoration // by Golden Paw //------------------------------// The memorial for the Battle of Dead Frost was erected near the palace of the Crystal Fiefdom, a simple square pillar of clear glass with the names of the fallen etched into it. Didn’t feel right to have a showy monument, war isn’t pretty and so we don’t want to make it sound glorious. I’ve heard you can clearly see it from the main balcony that the princesses use to address the citizens below on public occasions. I recall the ceremony given that day honouring those brave souls who lost their lives fighting. It had a melancholy over it which was something new for me. I’ve been a soldier for over ten years and I had never been to such a display. Thankfully we who live in Equestria have been spared large scale conflict for hundreds of years, our gatherings are therefore for fun and celebration. It was a sobering experience to have to attend the unveiling of that monument and I could see it in the faces all around, we didn’t know what to think. I heard many ponies saying we should just try to forget the short war, look to the good times ahead. But I don’t think that’s right. It seems an injustice to forget those who fought to defend our freedoms just because it was a sad memory. I for one don’t think I will be able to see the world as I once did. Too many of those I knew personally fell during the fighting, you can’t just forget that. The Princesses gave a good speech, it stirred our hearts and despite the sadness I felt proud to be there. To know that I played a part in keeping the freedoms we enjoy alive. I’m no expert, but I think the crowd shared in my feelings, we had been through hard times but we had overcome. We could hold our heads high and know we stopped a great evil from darkening the land. I have to believe that, or the painful question of why comes to me. I still don’t know to this day why the rams attacked us. Popular gossip among the troops say that Princess Twilight brought back something important which had been stolen years ago, others that the rams simply wanted to expand their own realm. The official statements certainly support the first idea. Either way I am happy to know they won’t be a threat anymore. I heard from my friend ‘Backup’ that the royals have plans to head north again for some big mission to finally eliminate the rams for good, but I can’t see them doing such. As I said before, I have to believe they had us fight them for the right reasons and having seen what the rams did I think we were right to fight them, even if we lost ponies doing it. Nothing that evil should be allowed to prosper. I can’t tell the others, but there is a mission to head north. I’ve been placed on escort duty for Princess Twilight and so I guess i’ll find out the truth soon enough. I’m sure it’s not for vengeance or to put the final blow to the rams, there is whispers of peace talks again. But I have yet to meet a ram who wasn’t using dark magic and trying to kill me so I don’t know how successful that could be. Still, after seeing what Twilight did during the final hours of the fighting I doubt we will see much trouble. I certainly hope not, I’ve personally had my fill of fighting undead and so I hope the rams have learned their lessons. Extract from Lieutenant Balwalk’s Diary, commanding officer of third earth pony infantry the ‘Stone Hides’. Awarded a medal of bravery for his part in the Battle of Dead Frost. Light, an endless light that illuminated the soul and bathed the mind with understanding. Twilight had never felt anything quite like it and her very being sang with the experience. Twilight felt as if she could reach out and touch the stars, that she could see the deepest mysteries of existence. It was wonderful and burning in its intensity. Then as quickly as the light had come it faded and left Twilight as herself. She opened her eyes to once again see the world again with all its mortal concerns. The illumination dwindled, leaving only the parting feeling of peace and joy it had brought Twilight. She felt her understanding fading, the grasp of everything settling back to the comparatively humdrum senses Twilight had known all her life. She was hovering with casual beats of her wings and it took Twilight a few moments to realise she was holding something. A small crystal sphere, which contained…. memories of the battle, being snatched from the Bloomberg and the terrifying imprisonment all flowed back but Twilight found that they didn’t trouble her all that much. It was like a bad dream, that faded with waking. Only Twilight knew it wasn’t a dream, she held Ornex in her hooves. The ram was tiny and to Twilight’s amazement looked utterly wretched. It was undoubtedly Ornex, Twilight was certain of that. But gone was the dark fire and the aura of terrible power, leaving only a pitifully frail looking creature which glared at her through the clear crystal. “He has been denied his magic, his power and bound within a prison that will last to the end of time.” Twilight started as the triumphant voice of Luna drew her attention away from the ram. “A fitting reward for such as he I think,” Luna finished and Twilight saw the wicked smile on spread across her face. “But how?” Twilight began, doing her best to ignore the still raging prisoner in her grasp. Ornex stamped and ranted silently like a foal throwing a tantrum. It could have been comical if not the utter fury in Ornex’s eyes.. “You know what Twilight? I honestly can’t explain it,” Celestia added and Twilight realised the other princess was studying both Twilight and the trapped Ornex intently. “All I know is Luna is correct and it certainly has something to do with that.” Twilight followed Celestia’s pointing hoof and saw the Seed had taken the form of what was undoubtedly a star, it looked remarkably like the prominent symbol of Twilight’s own cutie mark. It was even the same colour, the warm reddish purple gem almost seemed to be smiling at her in a contented manner. “The Trees of Harmony have many properties which are a mystery even to us Twilight, Their ways are often hard to understand but always seem to come out alright in the end,” Celestia continued and Twilight felt her eyes grow wide with amazement. “Trees? As in Trees plural? I thought there was only one!” The idea poured like ice water into Twilight’s brain, “We call it The Tree of Harmony, how…?” Celestia laughed heartily before Luna explained further, “There is only one Tree of Harmony in Equestria Twilight and as far as we know it’s the only Tree of its kind that produced the Elements of Harmony. So it has earned the right for the capital ‘T’.” “Harmony or ‘The Voice of Harmony’ is what we call it when the ‘World’ itself chooses to communicate with us Twilight. It’s best to think of the Trees of Harmony as fulcrums or relay points for that voice, it’s how communication between us and the World is facilitated,” Celestia’s eyes twinkled with joy as she spoke and Twilight only now became aware of the sounds of cheering all around. The Equestrians were all cheering her name. Twilight looked out at a sea of relieved, joyful onlookers and felt only embarrassment, “But I didn’t do anything? It was the Seed that did all this.” Twilight protested as she waved a hoof, indicating the last burning undead before holding up Ornex in his crystal prison, “I wouldn’t have the first clue about how to cast magic of this scale.” “How many times do you have to be shown before it will sink in Twilight?” Luna asked in mock annoyance, “It’s not the power we have that makes us special, it’s our own choices that determine what is worthy of praise. Freedom to decide our actions is the only right that truly belongs to us.” Luna carefully took the crystal from Twilight and looked coldly at the suddenly fearful Ornex within, “Being born with power and skill doesn’t make one worthy of renown. We all have talents and attributes given to us when we come into this world, some to a greater degree than others. It is what we choose to do with what we have been given that makes us special.” “From a simple farmer to a gifted musician, all run their own ‘race’ as it were and should they improve on what they began with then they will all gain the same rewards in the end. Of whom much is given much is required,” Celestia added. Her face became stern as she regarded Ornex, “And just as the consequences of good choices leads to a good reward, poor choices have their own results.” The moment passed and Celestia graced Twilight with a radiant smile, “You just keep on impressing us all Twilight, you retain a noble heart despite all the glories and fame you have accrued. Enough to turn a lesser pony’s head.” Celestia looked uncomfortable, “You have stood the tests of character far better than we have so it’s little wonder the World saw fit for you to be a vessel for one of its Seeds.” Celestia shared a sorrowful glance with Luna and Twilight reeled at such a ‘compliment’. She quickly changed the subject, “So what do we do with Ornex now? Is he truly bound forever?” “Until the end of time,” Luna corrected, “Forever is a lot longer, at some point maybe he will be released but that is out of our hooves now.” Luna straightened, “As for what comes next for Ornex? We will take him into our custody and place him somewhere he will wait out his imprisonment.” The sounds of cheering were added to as fireworks began to zip into the sky, their glittering tails filling the air with colorful lines that ended in bright showers of sparks. It was really too early for fireworks Twilight thought as the blossoming lights shot up from the city below. The sun was still high in the sky, still I can’t blame them for celebrating. For two dark weeks the city had been under threat from the undead, yet that had all changed in one short hour. So sudden was the siege’s lifting that Twilight felt oddly unsettled, she’d almost become used to the idea that the fighting would go on forever. It was certainly the longest conflict Twilight had ever been through. “And you Twilight, your task is still unfinished. We sent you out to find a cure for the lithi,” Luna said with a measured glance at the Seed around Twilight’s neck, “Are you any closer to solving that?” “I…” Twilight began before a flash of certainty leaped into her mind. It was a vision so clear that Twilight knew it instantly. She saw the ruined castle of Aithisha and its tumbled towers. The vision passed by the ragged walls and focused on a rounded patch of earth surrounded by a low wall. It was tellingly empty... The understanding was thrust upon Twilight and she knew what needed to be done, “We are to return to the north and plant the Seed where it was always intended to be. We need to give those rams left a chance to recover and start anew.” Twilight smiled up at the surprised faces of both Celestia and Luna, “And how will that cure the lithi pray tell?” Luna asked with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t know, but that’s what we need to do next. I’m sure of it,” Twilight assured, her mind blazing with certainty. “Indeed. We need to salvage what we can of the ram peoples, they were noble once and with care and attention from others could be so again,” Celestia added, “There will be time enough for the lithi, they have waited over a thousand years and I think a few weeks more won’t trouble them.” Twilight looked out at the still celebrating Equestrian's and felt her own mood improve. They had all been through so much and to think that it was finally over sent a wave of relief through Twilight like an oppressive thundercloud suddenly lifting from her heart. Despite that peace, Twilight suddenly felt her weariness surface. She was tired, tired of fighting monsters and evil demigods. What Twilight wanted now, more than anything, was to simply see her friends again and….. “It was too late for Foresight and Impasse though wasn’t it.” The loss tugged at her, yes they had won but so many had died to get this far. She looked back to the Bloomberg, it floated over the city like a wounded whale. It’s hull was battered and scraped while bunches of exposed cables hung from rents in its sides. She studied the telling ragged hole in the bridge’s windscreen a keen reminder of just how close things had come to turning out far worse. Twilight took in the ruined and shattered homes of the crystal ponies and wondered if the city could ever be fully recovered. She had little doubt the buildings could be replaced, the cracked roads repaired but the stain of war on the ponies themselves? That was a far deeper wound, one that Twilight feared she and all those present would carry long after the tumbled walls were rebuilt. “They are tougher than we give them credit for. Don’t worry about them Twilight,” Celestia said as if reading Twilight’s thoughts. “Remember they agreed to this, they chose to hold the rams at bay here at the Fiefdom. We should be eternally grateful to them Twilight, they spared others the horrors which were faced by us.” The crystal ponies choosing to fight, that took some getting used to. Twilight was amazed how far the crystal ponies had come in a relatively short time. From a population of recovering slaves recently freed from Sombra’s tyrannical rule to a thriving city and a fearless example of sacrifice. These thoughts lead Twilight back to Foresight and Impasse and she finally pressed Celestia, “How exactly did Foresight and Impasse die Celestia? How could we not have known about such a threat hidden under the city?” Celestia’s confident manner faded. Oh Twilight saw the same smile and positive expression, but she also saw how the true happiness fled from Celestia’s eyes before she answered, “It was well hidden, deep in the ground under the city. A leftover from Sombra’s dark reign. You know how good he was at shadows and deceit.” Twilight studied Celestia’s face, having ruled together for many years now Twilight felt she’d gotten some inkling of how her fellow princesses acted. The little tells and actions that gave away true feelings, Celestia wasn’t being totally honest with her. Twilight felt her mouth begin to ask the question, yet she never did. The pain and sorrow hidden under Celestia’s mask of calm robbing Twilight of the will to press further. She instead took a deep, cleansing breath and with an effort put aside her own needs so as to spare Celestia having to admit something painful. There would be time enough, time enough for everything now that the ram threat was over. Twilight let that knowledge ease the hurt in her own heart. Evidently Luna could read Twilight just as well and so it came as little surprise when she stepped in, “You still haven’t told me how you think this will help the lithi dear Twilight.” Twilight never shifted her gaze from Celestia’s own even as she replied, “We will just have to do it and see, as you said, the workings of the Tree are often mysterious.” “Captain? Captain are you alright?” Bold shook his head as he realised he’d been staring out the windows again, his mind drifting. It had been doing that a great deal the last few days. It was nearly three months after the rams had been defeated and still Bold was having flashbacks. Bold used to think of himself as a tough but good bull, but the things he’d seen during the fighting had tested even his stoic nature. He’d never been so angry in all his life and that had scared Bold more than any horrors the rams had thrown their way. Grief and loss had almost turned him into some mindless savage for a time on the bridge of the Bloomberg. Bold had never seen that side of himself before and silently never wished to do so again despite its effectiveness. May we never have to fight again. “Yes Gossip I’m fine, just thinking that’s all,” Bold finally replied. The Bloomberg was restored again. The broken glass, the charred consoles had been replaced and yet the bridge still felt incomplete. Bold found his gaze drifting up to the refurbished scrying dome above and knew why the pain of loss was still eating away at him. “I miss him too sir,” Gossip said softly, his sad eyes looking at Bold from his scarred face. The burns from the overloading console had proved to be terribly hard to treat.The magical fire used by Ornex having proved far more vicious than normal flames. When it had overloaded the Bloomberg’s shields and systems it seemed to take particular delight in maiming the crew as well. Normal unicorn magic just couldn’t heal the wounds caused by the malicious power. Bold had seen the casualty lists, he’d forced himself to read each and every name carefully as doing anything less felt disrespectful. He’d been sure to personally thank everyone who’d survived the battle for their part. He tried not to think about the pile of letters still to be written to the families of those who hadn’t. The scars of war now found home on many present about Bold even now. Many of the original crew had returned to the Bloomberg for this new voyage, every one of them carrying some sign of the conflict. Thin lines that told the story of shrapnel wounds, replacement limbs that whirred as they moved and one or two glowing mage-tech eyes painted a picture of just how much defeating the rams had cost them all. Bold marveled that they would do so after their last adventure. Then again Bold felt he could understand why they they chose to come back. They wanted the same thing he did, closure. To see the task they had started completed. Closing his eyes, Bold could still see the remains of Skyeye in his mind and winced as it came back to haunt him. Try as he might Bold still could smell the singed hair even after everything had been cleaned…. Poor colt, hooked up to so much gear, he hadn’t stood a chance. Bold would see this through even if it killed him. It wasn’t just the crew either, Twilight had been distraught when she’d found out the terrible potential for ‘etheric-feedback’ within the scrying dome. Bold had heard she’d shut herself up in her lab for weeks with the promise to make sure such a thing could never happen again. He looked to her now, standing at the prow of the Bloomberg with her eyes fixed resolutely forward. She embodied the feelings of determination Bold now felt and he took strength from that.      Dragging his thoughts back to the now, Bold shared a look of shared pain with Gossip, “There’s a lot of people we’re going to miss, but that doesn’t change the fact we have a job to do,” Bold added, more for himself than for the other crew. “Tell the chief that we’re ready to get underway will you Gossip?” “Captain, Appleboom is on leave….” Gossip began and Bold cursed himself. Old habits died hard. “Of course. Please tell master technician ‘Power Cell’ to have the engines warmed up,” Bold corrected himself before he found his eyes drifting to the horizon beyond the Bloomberg’s freshly replaced view screen, “We’ll finish this, for them.”   “They’re taking well Pip, I think you’ll be galloping about in time for the big day at this rate.” Pip tenderly put his weight on the new limb and frowned at the odd sensations. He secretly admitted doctors had done some mighty fine work, but the new hoof just wasn’t the same. Pipsqueak flexed his leg and winced at the accompanying whir of servos. That noise was Pip’s constant companion these days. The ‘clunk’ rather than ‘clop’ of the replacement telling loud and foreign as he trotted. It still didn’t really feel part of him, still the polished brass took his weight well enough. “He’s a fighter, he’ll be up and outta here in no time just yer wait n see doc,” Applebloom said with confidence. The signs were really showing now Pip noted as he looked to his wife with a grateful smile. Applebloom was heavy with foal yet still refused to slow down, the extra weight only seemed to spur her on. With Pip resting up, Applebloom had been a whirlwind in their home doing far more than he would have wanted yet he had the good sense not to question her. Their house gleamed like never before , stocked with the latest gizmos and inventions while the work on the new bedroom was quickly nearing completion. The whole local Apple clan had pitched in, lending their skills to the build. Pip’s brother in law ‘Big Mac’ and even Applejack’s bat pony husban ‘Shadow Guard’ gave their part both night and day to make the extension a reality. When Pip had made his vows he had never truly appreciated just how big a community he was joining in the Apple family. They pulled together, each supporting the other in a close knit bond that amazed Pip to no end. Being an only child with only the odd distant relative Pip had found it all a massive culture shock, still he couldn’t argue with the results. “Far be it for me to question you Miss Bloom, but I still insist you both take it easy. You’re going to do yourselves no favours by over exerting either. First time mothers need to...” The doctor was cut off by an angry snort from Applebloom. “Yer listen here ‘Soothing Dose’, my big sis was bucking apple trees right up ter a week before she had her first young’un. Don’t yer be telling me ter take things easy,”  Pip smiled as ‘Dose’ actually drew himself up and glared right back at her. “Well I wasn’t her doctor, but I am yours so I’ll tell you the best advice I can despite what you may do with it. You have been through more stress and trauma than many ponies during this pregnancy and I think it’s time you gave that foal and yourself a proper rest.” Pip watched as the very air crackled between the two before, to his amazement, Applebloom backed down. “Aww yer probably right, I just hate sittin around. All this takin things easy ain’t my style Dose,” She actually grinned at him, “Now I know why A.J recommended yer. If she thinks yer all right then I’d better listen proper.” It had been the same since the first day they’d gotten back to Ponyville, the weekly visits for his therapy, the sage words of Soothing Dose and Applebloom’s eventual relenting. Life had certainly been different since they’d taken their leave. Pip looked back at his replacement hoof and flexed it experimentally. It worked pretty much like his own lost one, a little slow to respond but the doctor had assured that with time that would fade. Still the nagging feeling that he was somehow diminished wouldn’t leave him. It was silly but he had the strange fear Applebloom would somehow think less of him because of it. He wasn’t whole any more. “Well?” Applebloom asked and Pip realised he’d been lost in his own little world for a moment. “Pardon Honey?” He tried only for Applebloom to roll her eyes at him. “The doc n I were talkin about possible coverins fer yer hoof. Now we know yer takin to it fine we can think about maybe tryin ter match yer coat?” Applebloom held a collection of colour examples. After glancing at them for a time Pip eventually responded in a thoughtful manner, “You know. I think I’ll keep it brass, it’s simple and well….” Pip paused. he wanted to say that it would be a reminder of what they’d been through together, but that didn’t quite fit. “I.. I think it’s important to have something to remind us of just how precious life is. I don’t want to cover it up and pretend it never happened. So I can see it and don’t take things for granted, does that make sense?” “Well it’s your prosthetic Pipsqueak. You can have it bright pink with pretty bows if you really want,” Dose replied with a grin and Applebloom chuckled. “No no, that’s not necessary, I...I will stick with just the simple brass thank you, it’s not too far off my own spots anyhow,” Pip concluded feeling somewhat better about the whole thing. “Plus you’ll have some war stories to tell the youngsters,” Dose added and Pip felt that ‘distance’ again. Kind and soothing as Dose was, he simply didn’t understand. He hadn’t been through the sleepless nights, knowing the monsters were only a shield’s width away, nor the terror of fighting those who’d once been your fellows but were now undead…. A sudden urge to be away gripped Pip’s heart, right at that moment he wanted for himself and Applebloom to be with Repose and the other soldiers. They had been through it, they had felt it and Pip needed that familiarity. He certainly didn’t want to be in the danger again, but a strange need to be with those who’d stood by him welled up. We’re set apart now, joined by shared trials. We’ll always be ‘us’ and ‘them’ now, those who were there and those who weren’t. The peaceful life of blissful ignorance had been taken. Pip was starting to understand that now, he wasn’t the same pony who’d left Ponyville four months ago. Not just because of the physical changes, but in the head too. He’d seen a far darker world beyond their safe home and...and… “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to cause offence,” Dose said anxiously before Pip gave him a sad smile. “Not to worry doc, I’m just tired,” Pip said and to his immense relief Applebloom hugged him tightly. He saw the understanding in her beautiful eyes at least and took comfort from that. They had made it through nightmares together and were stronger for it. Pip had often heard that trials brought people together or drove them apart and he was infinitely grateful that in their case at least they seemed closer than ever before. “Yer fine doc, it ain’t nothin ter worry about.” She had never looked so beautiful to Pip. He gazed longingly at Applebloom’s smiling face and savoured the shared look of understanding there. She understood and loved him. That was all Pip needed right now and he returned to the tender embrace while struggling to keep his eyes from watering. With her by his side he could be tough, he could be the stallion she needed. Deep down he knew Applebloom wasn’t so different inside either, for all her rough and tough outside Pip knew the truth. Applebloom hid her tenderness behind a wall of fierce independence, but once welcomed in Applebloom made you hers and protected you like a she wolf and her cubs. To be loved and needed was what every pony wanted in the end. “Well if you’re sure I guess we’re done here then,” Dose finished as the pair broke apart. “Unless there are any complications I’m happy to let you get on with things Pipsqueak.” “Thanks doc,” Pip replied, only half listening as he let Applebloom’s mere presence fill up all the worries in his heart with glowing warmth. Together, that’s the important thing. We do this together.   The Seed weighed heavily on its chain about Twilight’s neck. Since the defeat of Ornex its presence had seemed to increase with every passing day. It didn’t grow or swell, but still the aching need pressed in on Twilight. It longed to be planted, to sprout and become the tree it was destined to be. The impressions and enlightenment that Twilight had felt had yet to return. The glimpses of light and knowledge fading even as the Seed became more restless, yet she didn’t feel at all diminished by its loss. The seed practically throbbed with anticipation as Twilight stood in the ruins of Aithisha. Where it once been a haunt for the forces of darkness the castle had become the nexus of their efforts to redeem the rams. Its cracked walls and decrepit towers were being given a new lease of life by Equestrian stone masons. The workers now thronged the long decrepit walkways, working methodically to clear the debris and hidden beauty under all the decay. Their efforts were watched over by ever attentive soldiers as some undead still lurked within the ruin. Leaderless and feral they proved little threat to the Equestrian forces and Twilight was confident that they would have the castle cleared of their taint soon. Even as Aithisha was reclaimed messengers had been dispatched to find out if there were any rams willing to negotiate. Twilight had dearly hoped that Ornex and his followers had been a minority faction; a group of misguided zealots taken in by Ornex’s evil ways. She had been sorely disappointed as all the scouts reported evidence of roaming warbands and power hungry overlords fought over the sudden void left by Ornex’s removal. The rams had no order, no government or laws beyond ‘might made right’. Even with Ornex defeated they now squabbled with each other over the meagerest gains instead of uniting and rebuilding. The goal of salvaging the once great kingdom was going to be an arduous task and Twilight secretly thanked the heavens that Celestia had taken on the responsibility of overseeing it. Twilight still had her part to play here however and so with great care she undid the chain around her neck. Holding the Seed before her eyes, Twilight gave it a solemn look. It had remained as a star, finally settling resolutely on a shape and design chosen by itself. Modeled on Twilight’s own heart. She liked to think it was a compliment to her, but instead all Twilight felt was a terrible weight of responsibility. Had her own heart been the best model to use? She thought of all the flaws to which she may have exposed the germinating Seed. How the whole event fitted together Twilight still didn’t understand. She had touched the very powers of creation, briefly linking her heart with a fragment of something so ancient and powerful and it had become more. Was it a two way process? Did that mean that Twilight was now something different too? She certainly didn’t feel any different, that moment of illumination when Twilight had swept away an undead legion and imprisoned a First Born had faded. It had left her wondering if it was just a dream. While lost in the middle of it Twilight felt as if she could have sculpted worlds, but all that understanding had left, along with the power that had suffused her whole being like fire. Probably for the best. The Seed just glinted in the frosty light and Twilight knew no instant answers would be forthcoming. Silent now, apart from its compelling drive to be planted, the Seed almost hummed with hidden strength. So with a final prayer that she was doing the right thing Twilight pressed the Seed into the freshly turned dirt and covered it with a few simple movements. Stepping away from the round garden plot, recently cleared for the Seed’s planting, Twilight waited with pounding heart to see what would happen. She stood there as the harsh Northland wind continued to blow and the sky remained a stubborn sullen grey. Twilight continued to await some miracle to happen. The time drew on and Twilight began to fidget, her breath leaving small clouds of vapour in the crisp air. She glanced about at the work of restoration continuing all around and felt frustration building within her as the ground before remained unchanged. The small mound of pressed earth showed no sign of movement. “I did what you wanted, why aren’t you sprouting?” Twilight finally asked the neat bulge when nothing continued to happen. Twilight wished Applejack was here, if anypony knew how to…. Twilight felt something, a change in the air and a sudden drop in the wind, as if for one still moment the world held its breath. There wasn’t a huge rumble, nor was there a blaze of light as Twilight had been expecting. There was instead the tiny shift in the Seed’s covering soil. Quietly and tenderly a small shoot appeared, pushing its way upwards before reaching for the sky above. Twilight watched eagerly but even as she leant forward the growth slowed, only rising a few inches before a couple of glittering leaves unfurled. It was certainly a tree of harmony, the crystal like nature assured Twilight of that. It held a greenish hue however, a still subtle sapling and Twilight frowned. After all the efforts and trials to be greeted by such a little thing seemed woefully anti-climatic. Twilight waited further, but the little tree appeared had done all it was going to for the moment. She looked about at the workers still restoring the castle all around and saw that none of them had even noticed the event, each still toiling away to clear the cluttered pathways. “Please do something more than just that,” Twilight pleaded quietly but the sapling remained inert. They were all counting on Twilight, the lithi, her fellow princesses, the others who followed her and she just didn’t know what to do. Still the little tree just sat there expectantly and Twilight felt the doubts begin to resurface. “The greatest things don’t have to happen in a huge explosion,” Twilight started and looked around in shock, no one else was nearby yet she’d definitely heard a voice. Twilight knew that voice, she must have misheard, Celestia had told her that pony was dead. “Don’t be afraid Twilight, you’ve done exactly what you were meant to do.” Twilight looked back to the sapling and then she saw her, a pale shade of a dark unicorn sitting by the little tree and watching her with those slitted eyes. Twilight felt her breath catch in her throat, “Foresight?” Foresight nodded with a smile before answering, “It’s good to see you again, sorry I didn’t get to say a proper goodbye.” Foresight wasn’t talking, well not with her mouth anyway and Twilight didn’t know weather to smile or frown at seeing her. “You are dead right? Celestia told me you died stopping something terrible,” Twilight asked and Foresight looked uncomfortable. “That’s pretty much true I guess,” Foresight said with a frown, “I looked for answers in all the wrong places. If you walk too long in darkness you have a habit of bumping into things you can’t see. Still in the end it worked out for the best.” “But you’re here?” Twilight prompted. “Yes, yes I am and very glad I could be here for this,” Foresight tilted her head towards the small sapling. Twilight frowned, “It isn’t growing anymore, it was meant to give me a way to cure the lithi but I’ve got nothing.” Foresight laughed softly, her voice sounding distant and quiet despite her streaming eyes, “There you go again, looking for some huge dazzling event when the answer is so simple.” Twilight’s confusion turned to annoyance, “Look I’m tired, I’ve been through enough and would dearly like some clear answers now please.” “Alright alright, if that’s what you want I can explain it,” Foresight replied with a wink and Twilight was taken aback, this wasn’t the same Foresight she thought she knew. There was a playful happiness about this shade that had never been apparent when she was alive. “Love, plain and simple. I was looking for some amazing, world changing spell that would remake the lithi. But in the end it is love. A bit cliche I admit but still true,” Foresight said with a grin. Twilight blinked before shaking her head, “If it were that simple then we’d have found the answer by now surely.” Foresight only smiled wider, “Look at what you did in your journey Twilight, you have brought life back to a desert, stopped a corrupted First Born, destroyed his army of undead and even now are working to bring light and happiness back to the rams. How did you do all that hmm?” “I had help, lots of help,” Twilight mumbled. “Creatures a great deal more powerful than you have been trying to achieve for centuries what you have accomplished in a few short months, what’s different? Why did you succeed?” Foresight pressed and Twilight bit her lip as her brain struggled to find the answer. “I thought you were going to explain it clearly,” Twilight grumbled finally. “Answers simply given don’t teach or improve. If you truly want to understand Twilight then you have to find the explanation for yourself,” Foresight added, “I’m just here to give you a little nudge.” “Okay then, if it is love then how do I get that to work?” Twilight snapped, feeling her patience wearing thin. “You’re smart and gifted, think it through,” Foresight prompted. Twilight looked back at her adventure and felt a glimmer of an answer, “It’s less about the ‘how’ and more about the ‘why’?” Foresight nodded in encouragement and Twilight scrunched up her muzzle. Foresight was infuriatingly silent and Twilight groaned. Why had she done all this? Why had she really done all this? If it was so simple then how could she still be missing the answer? All Twilight had wanted was to help, she’d come this far even without her friends to… The Sapling gave a little shudder and Foresight clapped her hooves together with a chuckle, “There’s the ‘Sparkle’ everyone can count on!” Twilight froze, catching hold of the feelings within her. She missed the gang terribly, she’d been forced to do this quest without them. The tree sprouted a tiny bit more and Twilight narrowed her eyes as the suspicion crept over her. “If this is another lesson about the magic of friendship then how in the world was I meant to understand it without my friends!” Twilight muttered. “I’ve practically been to Tartarus and back and you’re seriously telling me the answer was the Elements of Harmony all along?” “Of course there is more to it than that. The biggest truth about life is that you never truly stop learning. This journey was for yourself as much as it was for all those you helped and this place,” Foresight waved a hoof to take in the surrounding castle, “Is the culmination of that journey.” “Since when did you become all knowing huh?” Twilight asked and Foresight actually giggled. “I’ve been spending some time with a lot of wise and kind people and have picked up a few details. But enough about that, we’re talking about you. You’ve proven that friendship in its purest form is in fact love.” Foresight added with a wink. “Well I do love my friends and Equestria, that’s easy because they are…” Twilight began and then the ‘spark’ struck her. Lighting danced about her brain as the evolution of the concept began to take shape. “But in this quest I have also showed love to those we’ve met, I’ve helped total strangers because it was the right thing to do. That’s what makes the world a better place.” The sapling glowed before emitting a tinkling chime and Twilight knew she was on the right track now. Foresight smiled proudly, “And now you’re even going as far as to help your enemies too. The rams are a fallen people who would kill and destroy everything Equestria stands for and yet you’re here helping rebuild their capital.” “It’s easy to be friends with those who do good to you, hard to love those you have never met, but how much more love does it take to befriend your enemies?” Twilight said slowly and the sapling visibly grew a foot in less than a second. It’s trunk sprouted several branches and Twilight thought she even felt the ground shake. “To help a stranger was your second step and you have now taken it even further. You have risked your life to try and save even those who meant you harm,” Foresight practically glowed with excitement the tree’s trunk thickened throwing the soil around its base in every direction. Twilight could see several flowers beginning to blossom among the leaves. “If everyone could live by that example the world truly would change,” Twilight whispered as with a final shudder the tree’s blossoms tumbled away to reveal several star shaped fruits nestled between its branches. Several gasps of amazement surrounded Twilight and she saw the other Equestrians were now all staring wide eyed at the new tree. But that wasn’t all, even as she looked Twilight could see the tree’s roots had spread far and wide. They had risen up and rebound the broken towers, solidified the cracked walls. The tree had made Aithisha whole again. “Noble acts prompt others to do the same Twilight,” Foresight said before she reached up to a low hanging branch and plucked a fruit from it. “Take this, use it to finish my quest. Save the lithi.” Twilight took the offered fruit and a feeling of warmth spread from it along her forelegs, “And the rams?” Foresight’s smile dimmed, “Just because you put in the effort doesn’t mean that everything will turn out. We’ve given them a chance, this place will be a sanctuary for any who want to change, want to be more than their greed and hunger for power.” Twilight nodded, “Freedom to choose.” Foresight hugged Twilight and she felt as if a slight wisp of cold air had stroked her coat. “Thanks Twilight, thanks for giving me a chance despite your fears about me. I was able to prove to myself that I was stronger than my own obsessions before the end.” “What?” Twilight asked but Foresight had gone. She was left alone with the majestic tree and yet more questions, but at least she now had the cure in her hoof. Taking a deep breath Twilight looked up to the sky and saw the sun, so long hidden behind an overcast veil, finally breaking through and bathe her in its warmth. “I will Foresight, I’ll finish what you started.”