//------------------------------//
// Act 4 
// Story: Rise 
// by Lapis-Lazuli and Stitch 
//------------------------------//


"Every truly great tale begins not with a hero, but with a simple, every day pony. 
It could be a unicorn, or a pegasus, or an earth pony. Rich or poor. Powerful or not. It does not matter.
All that matters is that there be a pony, and some evil for them to oppose.
One who chooses to do something about it.
Everything else follows that one, simple choice."
-Star Swirl The Bearded  



~~~~~~Somewhere... Somewhen....~~~~~~~


Trixie's consciousness floated on a soft sea of nothingness. At first, she could feel nothing physical - no pain, no pleasure - no... nothing. Then slowly sensation returned, but it was not pain. Her body felt whole, rested and relaxed in a way she had not felt in a very long time. She looked about this strange, vaguely luminescent place and wondered if perhaps she was dead. Her hooves found purchase on the ground, but there was no... feel to it. It was solid, but it had no texture. She walked slowly through the place. It was much like being surrounded by a calming blue light, with wisps of fog eddying about. If she looked up - she could see snatches of star scape and the moon and sun above her. "What a strange place." Trixie quietly observed, sitting down onto the nothingness.

Her hoof came up in an unconscious sort of gesture, and felt the soft fuzz of her heat - her cape a warm heat that hung from her shoulders. Good. All was where it was supposed to be. Well. Except her - Where was she, anyway? Trixie did not think she was dead. Although she supposed that could very well be the case - nopony really had any idea what happened after the end. Everypony had a different idea, it seemed - Trixie had always enjoyed the notion that she'd get to see her loved ones again. Perhaps this was some sort of spiritual waiting room?

That thought amused Trixie greatly, as she continued to wander aimlessly through the void - wondering idly what sort of music a spiritual waiting room might have. She imagined a grouping of comfortable chairs, and a smattering of old magazines nopony had seriously read in ages. She continued building the little room in her mind, filling out the details of the half-decent coffee and a fussy little secretary chawing on a big hunk of bubble gum and couldn't stop her giggles. This whole place was so utterly absurd, she half expected that annoying pink pony from Ponyville to show up and start talking to her.

That didn't happen of course. Instead, an altogether different figure slowly walked out of the mists - fuzzy and hazy at first, and then thrown into sharp relief. Trixie's steps and giggles stopped in an instant as she stared half believing at the mare that approached her - Her mane and tail a beautiful bright silver-white, streaked through with slashes of violet purple. Her eyes with a bright and soft lavender, and filled with the kind of love that stretched across time and space itself.  Her coat was the same bright soft purple that it had always been, obscured only a little... By that famed cloak and wizard's hat that fit her perfectly, gently laid across her shoulders with an artful flow. Trixie could only stare in disbelief, as the mare spoke softly, her voice soft and loving. "My dearest Trixie... I have missed you so." 

Trixie took one step, then another - the scent was right, the looks were right, even the hat was right... "Momma..." she whispered, the words dragged from her throat slowly. The mare nodded, a soft smile crossing her face. "Mom... Is... You're here... Momma... MOMMA!!" Trixie yelled out in a voice of steadily growing joy and disbelief. Steady steps became a canter, which became a trot - and then a full on run as she launched herself into the open and waiting forehooves of her mother. Tears flowed without cease from her eyes, and a sob caught in her throat over and over again. She couldn't speak - and she didn't want to. Alive, dead, it didn't matter. Mom was here. Everything was going to be okay.

"My dear one.." whispered Phantasma, slowly stroking her hoof down the cloak covered back of her daughter. "I am so sorry I have not been there for you." She shook her head slowly, and Trixie could feel her hoof lifting up her head to look up at her mother's. "You've grown so big and strong. A fine young mare, and so pretty too." There was a twinkle in her eye - and Trixie felt a smile tug at her lips even as tears continued to flow. Phantasma continued to speak, in a soft loving voice. "You've made me so proud, Trixie. But it is not your time yet."

That startled Trixie out of her tears, her mouth working for a moment, then her voice finally finding the means to speak. "But... What do you mean? I'm... I'm dead, aren't I?" She asked, her voice almost childlike. Trixie so desperately did not wish this moment to end - not now, not ever. "I can't... I don't want to lose you again!" Her voice cracked, and Trixie tightened her hooves around that familiar coat - those soft, gentle touches only half remembered from a childhood that seemed so long ago now.

Phantasma shook her head slowly. "Trixie... You are not dead. You are simply waiting for your body to be ready for you to awaken." She gently lifted Trixie's hat off her head with a touch of that familiar silvery white magic, and smiled, softly kissing her atop her head. "You never did lose me, child. I have always been here with you.." She gently brushed the cloak on Trixie's shoulders and replaced the hat on her head with a loving tug of the fabric onto her head. "Through thick, and through thin." She said with a soft smile. "Even if I have not been there in the way that I wished I could have been, I have never stopped watching over you." 

Trixie stared up at her for a long moment, and the words tugged softly from her mouth - her heart hammering in her chest.. "But then... What is this place? You didn't answer my question!" Trixie felt her stubbornness growing in her voice, and half glared up at the slyly smiling figure of her mother... "And what did you mean by not in the way you... wished..." Then she stopped, as Phantasma nodded  - very slowly at her, and Trixie quickly thought... Trying desperately to put the pieces together before it was too late.

Phantasma smiled slowly. "You have to go back now, Daughter. You have work yet to do." She softly leaned down, and kissed Trixie's cheek - then whispered, as quietly as a mouse. "Remember, there is nothing you cannot accomplish... so long as you have your hat..." She gently ruffled the garment atop Trixie's head. "And your cape." Trixie felt the cloth tugged around her shoulders - and a warmth blossoming in her heart. "And your magic." She finished gently, kissing Trixie's forehead - leaving a gentle wetness there.

Phantasma spoke firmly then, gently but firmly pushing Trixie to stand on her own four hooves before speaking. "I know you will make me proud, my Great and Powerful Trixie." Trixie's mouth opened, as a thought so impossible it had to be true rushed through her head. But suddenly, the void around Trixie began to fade away - along with the touch, and sigh and smell of her mother. Her mouth opened in a wordless cry of pain, wanting to voice that thought so desperately... silenced only by the words that whispered to her through that void as darkness claimed her once again...

"We will not be parted forever, my beloved daughter. We will meet again."


~~~~~Hollow Shades Hospital~~~~~~


"She's waking up! Quick, get Doctor House!"

Trixie slowly opened her eyes - then squinted them shut at the bright lights of the room sending a thrill of pain through her head - which slowly began to subside. Slowly, Trixie. Ow. She cracked open one eye slowly, inhaling deeply and slowly, feeling a tightness around her chest - and then opened the other one - adjusting slowly to the bright lights of the room. Once that was done she focused on trying to figure out everything else around her. She was lying on a rather soft bed, and covered with a thin linen sheet. There were the faint whirring and beeping sounds of medical equipment around her - well, that tracked. She was probably in a hospital - or someplace built and equipped like one.

A sharp, stern male voice began to speak as Trixie shifted her weight in preparation for sitting up. "I'd prefer if you let us do that, Miss Lulamoon. Just a moment." there was the sound of gears biting into one another, and the soft ratcheting of some kind of lever moving back and forth and working a mechanism. Slowly, Trixie found herself rising into a sitting position, the mattress of the bed moving her up, rather than any movement of her own. Slowly, the familiar Nurse Cross and a unicorn stallion with a goatee and a doctor's jacket came into view. 

The stallion was leaning on a heavy wooden stick of some kind, and he had a half-bored, half fascinated expression on his face.  "Well, I've got to admit, Miss Lulamoon. I've seen unicorns screw themselves up trying to cast spells they hadn't a clue how to use, and I've seen them do it from pure overwork and stress. But I've never seen one do both at the same time, and never quite as impressively as you have." He said with a sharp, amused tone to his voice - he was admonishing her, and probably making fun of her too - but he did sound impressed. "I'd recommend not using magic, by the way. You're incredibly lucky - Most unicorns don't recover from cracked horns like that." He paused, and gave a slight grin. "Then again, most unicorns that happens to don't get treated by me."

Trixie could only stare at him, then swallow softly. "Does... Will Trixie ever be able to use her magic again, then?" The air left the room for the few seconds the Doctor glared at her... until he nodded once, and Trixie let out a soft, relieved breath. Even if she couldn't be a showmare, she wouldn't be a complete cripple. "I... Thank you, Doctor. I am in your debt." She bowed her head to him, truly meaning those words.

Doctor House waved it off with his stick. "Thank the crown for paying my fee. I just did my job." He stabbed the stick towards her. "You ought to be able to completely recover, by the way. It was a segment crack, not a fissure.  Result of nothing but extreme overstress of your horn. We sealed it, got a magical poultice on it after fixing up some of the damaged nerves and tissues in there. You are on strict no-magic for the next two months, at minimum.  I'd recommend four, but no one ever listens to me anyway. " he turned to the nurse. "Make sure she doesn't hurt herself leaving here. I'll be going back to Canterlot now."  And then he stalked out of the room without another word. 

Trixie stared as he left, and the young nurse smiled a little. "If you're willing, you do have another visitor who would like to speak with you, Miss Lulamoon." Trixie blinked and nodded slowly, cautiously with a slight wince of pain. "Ah, let me handle that..." The nurse noted, and quickly trotted over, her hoof coming up to fiddle with a dial on some nearby machine... Trixie took this moment to look around a little - noticing the IV plugged into her left forehoof and the gentle moonlight shining through the small window. 

"How long was Trixie out?" She asked softly, her other hoof stroking a little at the one with the needle in it - as the pain from her movement began to ebb away. Must be some sort of drug in that thing. She thought, eyeballing the machine the Nurse was fiddling with, and wondering what else it did. 

"This is the fifth day." Nurse Cross said softly, turning with a slow smile. "After your rather dramatic stand, the attacks came to a complete halt all over the city." Her voice took on a matter of fact tone then. "You on the other hoof were suffering from shock, backlash sickness, magical contamination, bruised bones, a sprained ankle, a micro-fractured left foreleg, a badly cracked horn, and an extreme lack of rest and sustenance when they brought you in. You were in surgery for two days. You've been on life-support for four." She shook her head slowly. "You were very lucky, Miss Lulamoon."

Trixie felt her throat go dry, and licked at her lips slowly. "No...Trixie was not lucky." She whispered softly, feeling a tear slowly slide down her cheek, remembering the sight of her mother in a dream. Or was it a dream? "Trixie did not wish to survive. I'm...I wasn't worth it to save." She whispered again, miserably as the emotional reality of the past few days crashed into her like a wave. How many had gotten hurt? How many more lives, ruined? How many could have been saved if she'd simply been willing to swallow her pride?

Then she felt the firm hoof of the nurse grab her chin and force her head up, to stare intensely into her eyes. "I watched you, you know. I was there in that crowd." Nurse Cross said, softly. "I saw you dive into the middle of that chaos, battered, wounded, with absolutely zero regard for your safety. I watched you stand up for ponies you didn't know, put your life, your very magic on the line for them." Her voice rattled with intensity, and Trixie felt herself unable to move from that steely gaze.

The nurse continued, though her voice was much softer now it was no less passionate. "So don't you dare try and say you aren't worth it. You saved countless lives that night." She gently let go of Trixie's chin and turned away. Trixie stared at her as she reached the door to her room and paused at it, turning to say in a gentle voice. "We've got an old saying here in Hollow Shades, Trixie. A hero is nothing more than a coward who is afraid to run away." There was... pride in that voice. A fierce sort of pride. In her, she wondered? The nurse opened the door and stepped outside. "The patient will see you now, your Majesty."

Majesty!? Trixie thought with a thrill of panic and disbelief in her mind, shattering any notion of processing what Nurse Cross had just said to her - and sure enough, the figure who slowly walked in a few moments later was nothing less than Luna, herself. Standing there, in all of her royal glory with mane alight with the magic of the stars. She was smiling at Trixie, too. "Well. You certainly carried my request to quite the extreme." She said, with an amused smile upon her face, her voice redolent with a gentle power that made Trixie very nervous. "I hadn't expected you to work yourself into quite this state, else I would have sent you with some assistance. Though I would have preferred it if you had not turned Night Scythe into a mare." Luna paused, with a sly smile. "A very fetching mare I admit, but I am afraid he demanded he be restored to his original form."

Trixie coughed softly. "That was not... entirely intentional on Trixie's part. Trixie was..." She looked to one side, trying to avoid the direct gaze of Luna's unnerving eyes. She exhaled softly. "Trixie did not act particularly wisely." There. That was true enough, and avoided the direct subject of her acting like a complete flankhead. "So. Did they catch whoever was responsible for this madness, then?" She asked, looking back towards Luna and feeling an odd... something at those words. Some emotion conjured up in her chest that she couldn't immediately identify. Was it anger? 

Luna shook her head. "I fear not. Though your actions did break her power over the town, she escaped from Our good justice." Trixie felt a hot fire burn in her belly, and continued to wonder, confused at the sudden onrush of emotions. Why in Equestria did she care about this Sorceress getting away? "And yes, we are quite certain now that it is a she. Her magic was laced with a feminine tone to it." Luna tilted her head towards Trixie, looking curious. "Why do you ask? You have completed your task here admirably."

Trixie frowned, her jaw tightening and her eyes narrowing. Why did she care? She'd done her job, cleared her name (At great personal pain and suffering, she might add) and there was nothing more she could do... Wasn't there? You care because the job isn't done, Trixie. She thought, softly. Because you haven't caught who did this. Who hurt Shadow Song, and all those other nameless ponies. You care because somepony has to care. She continued to think, her hooves crossed in front of her in silence. Luna did not speak - she was simply watching Trixie work her way through these thoughts.

She's giving you a way out, you idiot! Trixie's other thoughts yelled into her head. You can be done! You did the best anypony could have possible asked for! Do you want to get yourself hurt again!? That little voice continued to shriek loudly into her mind. Logically, it was right - she had done more than anypony had expected of her.   And... yet... Trixie couldn't leave well enough alone.  She'd never been able to, after all. "Because the job's not done yet, your Majesty." Trixie said quietly, even as her inner voice shrieked at her to stop. "Because the pony responsible hasn't been caught, and that's what you told Trixie to do."  She finished quietly, knowing she was just digging herself right back into same the hole she'd been in before. 

But no. Much as Trixie wanted to run, to hide away, to shut out the world and forget every mistake she'd ever made... She had a responsibility. Mom had even said so herself, that she had work yet to do.  Trixie looked up, and felt a little thrill of amazement at the slowly nodding head of the Night Princess - and the broad, proud smile that graced her face. "I knew there was more to you than met the eye, young one." Luna practically purred out, a bright gleam of mischief in her eye. "That was exactly what I hoped you would say." Luna slowly trod across the room, and gently lifted a silver-clad hoof to touch her shoulder. "I decree any and all crimes you may have committed to be purged from the records, Trixie Lulamoon. Officially, the Crown expects no further action from you in this matter." 

Trixie gawked at her, and Luna's smile got even more mischievous. "However, We shall contact you when We have actionable intelligence as to this rogue sorceress and her whereabouts. Her capture will be but the first task We shall set you, in your service to me and to the Crown." She whispered softly. "Rest now. Recover. Restore your body and mind to its fullest strength, and know that We have blessed you with Our favor..." Luna slowly began to fade from sight as she stepped back into the moonlight, vanishing before Trixie's own amazed eyes as her last words whispered upon the wind....

"My young Apprentice."


~~~~~~~~~~~~


It was three more days until the hospital cleared Trixie to leave for Canterlot. Most of which Trixie spent sleeping and in various forms of hurt - but by the end of that third day she could at the very least walk (If unsteadily) and carry the weight of her saddle bags. That was good enough for the hospital to transfer her to the care of her family back home - where she would make her more prolonged recovery. Trixie had packed up what few things she had into her saddlebags - except for the fireworks, which were already as packed as she could manage.

She now waited patiently on her bed for the return of her cloak and hat - which the hospital laundry had taken away for repairs and restoration. Even now, three days later, Trixie wondered and fiddled with the final words of Luna. On one hoof, the words terrified her - Luna had well and truly claimed her as one of her own, and it was a well-known truth that the Princess of the Night did not suffer failure lightly. She was a hard Mistress to please, even though she was just as protective and rewarding - and sometimes moreso - than Celestia was.

On the other hoof, it sent a wave of pure exultant joy through Trixie so powerful it bid fair to send her collapsing in a fit of giggles. At long last, she had drawn to parity with Twilight Sparkle. In truth, there was a great deal more for her to learn if she was ever to be fit to call herself the equal of that unicorn - but now? Now she had a chance. Now she had a patron Princess to guide and teach her the mysterious ways of magic. Greater still, Luna's power was often much in line with those of Illusionists - and that would mean she'd know secrets and tricks not even Celestia herself could master. It was the opportunity of a lifetime... once Trixie had gone through the horn-therapy and fully recovered her magic, of course.

A few moments later, a wrapped package of clothing was delivered to her room by a cheerful little batpony colt. He'd given her a big sunny grin before Trixie had tossed him a ten-bit coin as a tip. He bit down on the coin in his teeth and trotted off. Slowly, Trixie unwrapped her cloak to find it looking as good as new - if one ignored the holes in the cloth where not even soap could save it, and the desperate need of the thing to be patched up. Still - the hat was pressed and poofed out perfectly, the cloak's waterproofing had even been replaced... and the bright blue crystal clasp she'd so long used was gone - replaced by a crescent shaped piece of moonstone, set into a bright silver fixture, with a little star of sapphire set above it to look like her Cutie Mark. She had to smile. Luna's doing, no doubt.

Trixie donned the garments, and settled the soft weight of the cloth over her head and shoulders with a practiced ease. Then, one step at a time - took herself out of the hospital building. She had refused the use of a wheeled chair, or a stick. Trixie would walk herself to the train station, thank you. It only hurt to walk a tiny bit. The only way to regain ones strength was to push one's body to the utmost. Although she certainly was sweating and panting by the time she reached the foyer of the hospital building - after having vastly underestimated her old nemesis: Stairs.

Soon enough though, she was walking outside under the bright moonlight - and even as she stepped out under it, she could feel a new strength flooding through her limbs. No longer did the townsfolk look upon her with suspicion or curiosity either - They tipped caps to her, bowed heads in respect or acknowledgement - some even hailed her with a greeting or a gesture of thanks. For a long moment, Trixie stood quietly by the side of the street outside the hospital, and felt a powerful warmth formed in her chest. For the first time, in a very long time... she belonged somewhere. The townsfolk were not looking upon her with awe, or fear, or hatred... They simply looked at her like one might look at a well-known neighbor or citizen of the town.

It was a powerful emotion that swelled up in her chest and set her fit to bursting with happiness - when along came a wheeled, solidly built cart slowly pulling up in front of her made of pitch black wood, and bearing a familiar looking thestral wearing a deeply hooded cloak - with a white bandage wrapped around her head and a smile on her face. "Offer you a lift to the train station, Miss Lulamoon?" said Shadow Song, with a grin. "You look a mite unsteady on your hooves there."

Trixie found herself smiling brightly, and slowly clambering her way up on top of the cart.  For a moment, nothing had to be said between them... and then, Trixie fiercely grasped the cloaked pony in a hug. "Thank you." She whispered softly, her eyes shut tight. "You saved me. In ways you could not possibly imagine."

Shadow Song chuckled softly and nuzzled back - a little bashfully, it had to be said. "No, Trixie Lulamoon. You are the one that has saved us. I simply did my part so that you could do yours." The hood lifted a little, and Trixie saw a bright, purple-colored eye wink at her in mischief. "The Queen was right about you yanno. You are worthy of the name Lulamoon." 

Trixie smiled a little, settling down into the cart for the ride. Then she spoke softly, looking off into the distance. "Not quite yet, I'm not."


~~~~~One Day Later, Canterlot.~~~~~


Trixie gently limped her way up the alleyway streets in the wee hours of the morning. Only those merchants preparing their stalls and shops for the day ahead were around to see her slow trek up the street. For once, that was exactly how Trixie wanted it. Tucked into her saddlebag, a rolled up newspaper blared the headline: "Mysterious Unicorn saves Hollow Shades!" above a grainy picture of a cloaked and hatted unicorn blasting a beam of magic into the sky. The thing was of horrible quality, but even if nopony else ever knew, Trixie would always have one little shred of proof that she was more than just a showmare.

Three days of bed-rest and a day of silence on a south-bound train had been enough time for Trixie to mull over her choices in life - and the answer was clear. She had to come clean to Uncle Crackle and Aunt Snap. Completely, totally clean. About the Ursa Minor, about the Alicorn Amulet, about the cart, about her... career. Then... Then she was going to ask for a job. I have work to do. But it has nothing to do with the stage any longer. There was no career for her any longer in show business. She'd burned all hopes of that down when she'd rolled into Ponyville and lost her cool in front of the hecklers, and scattered the ashes to the wind when she'd tried to banish Twilight Sparkle with that thrice-damned amulet.  

No. Trixie had a new job. A new responsibility. To a pony who she didn't know very well at all, who had saved her life without a moment of hesitation. To another pony, who had also saved her life, and then taught her something so incredible that Trixie was still trying to process how it would affect her magic. And now, most importantly of all, a responsibility to herself... to live up to the example laid down by her mother. To be fit to wear this hat, and this cape To become something more... so that nopony would ever have to get hurt because of her.

She would always love the stage - the attention, the glamour, the thrill of a perfectly executed trick, the warm ripple of applause. The press of the crowds aching for her attention. That unforgettable rush of pleasure that came from a show filling an entire audience with smiles. The peaceful road, after a long hard show - and the gentle satisfaction of knowing she had left a little more joy behind her than when she'd arrived. That warm feeling, deep inside, when she imagined her mother sitting out in the crowd and applauding her. She would miss those things, those moments.

Of course, she would also not terribly miss the lack of financial success, nor the difficulties of road travel. She'd miss her cart - it had been 'home' to her for quite some time. But not the difficulty of hauling it - plus all of her not inconsiderable gear - from small town to small town, desperately trying to build a reputation good enough to get into the theatres. She would not miss the blank, terrified stares of some country folk who thought her some kind of monster. She would certainly not miss the lack of companionship. There were far too many things Trixie had not done in far too long, enough so that it put a little blush on her cheeks. 

There were many other things too, that she would not miss. In spite of all those things though, it still hurt terribly to surrender the dream. Of bright lights and a brilliantly lit stage - of an audience held in rapturous awe at her feats of legerdemain. Finally, her mother’s daughter in truth - and not merely in name.

And it was that thought which brought all of her musing to a crashing, sixty-car train wreck of a halt. 

Trixie's thoughts went immediately to that white marble statue, hovering over the resting dead in the Hollow Shades graveyard. Of a mother who had once slain a dragon, and saved a town.  Who had done so when she was not much older than Trixie was now. Oh, Trixie had no illusions about sallying forth to slay a dragon herself... for now.  But perhaps... Perhaps there was more to the world than merely show business, now. She thought of Luna's words, and for the first time in days, felt a smile cross her face. And perhaps I am being prepared for a much bigger stage... with much greater stakes, and a far bigger audience.

Trixie realized suddenly that she'd been standing in front of the door to the shop, her head bowed in thought for some time. She lifted up her hoof and gently pushed open the door.  Early though it was, Uncle Crackle opened the shop up when he woke up - and she'd never known him to wake up anytime but obscenely early. The interior of the shop was softly lit by the first rays of sunlight streaming through the windows, and the cheery bell that jangled as the door swung open was a lovely counterpoint to it. For a brief moment, Trixie felt like she was... passing through some kind of barrier as she crossed the quiet showroom. 

Then the feeling passed, as the door to the rear of the shop swung open. Aunt Snap's glided through the door with bright and curious eyes focused on her - that then went far wider than Trixie had seen them in a very long time. Aunt Snap had a stack of small boxed tucked under one wing, and looked like she'd forgotten all about them as her eyes ranged over Trixie. "I'm home, Aunt Snap." Trixie said softly, slowly walking around the counter. The word home seemed to resonate through the shop, and through Trixie.

Trixie had to wonder just how bad she looked from the outside though, all things being equal. It must have been pretty awful, given how Aunt Snap still looked like she'd swallowed a live mouse. That mental image called up a smile. Soft and genuine, it spread overTrixie's face as she spoke again. "I don't suppose that offer of a room still stands, does it?"

Aunt Snap dropped  the bundle of boxes to the ground and quickly swept Trixie up in her forehooves, her wings flapping mightily. Trixie felt herself soaring through the air in the embrace of the pegasus, Aunt Snap's voice ringing out firmly and sharply through the back room. "Crackle! Pop! Bring breakfast up to Trixie's room immediately!" Her tone brooked no argument from anypony involved - especially when she turned far softer words onto Trixie. "You are going into bed this instant, young lady. You need rest, and care. And don't even think about giving me any lip." Her last words were just as sharp as Trixie remembered from a childhood long, long ago. So she simply nodded in acquiescence.

Within minutes, Trixie found herself being flown into a very familiar bedroom - one still bedecked in the bright purples and violets that were once her favorite colors. Filled with books on illusion magic, and old posters of a particular showmare's career. Aunt Snap gently flicked the bed covers back with one of her wings, and tenderly laid Trixie into the too-soft mattress. She turned and pulled the curtains open a bit, throwing the small room into a sharp relief of color and vibrant life - the thin sunlight of the early morning shining against the glass of the picture frames showing a little blue filly wearing a hat far too big for her head.

Trixie swallowed for a moment - everything was exactly as she'd left it. Not so much as a scrap of paper or book out of place. Her Aunt ruffled her wings a little as she pulled open a window, and they flapped hard for several long seconds, pulling a large dose of fresh air in from the outside and driving away the slightly musty smell of a room long kept shut up. Then she turned, and Trixie felt the blush of shame already in her cheeks. "Aunt Snap, there is... There is something I need to tell you." Trixie said softly, her hooves gently tapping together in nervousness.

Her aunt paused, and then slowly pulled a small stool from under an old writing desk to perch upon next to the bed. Her wings flicked, and a soft sheet was tucked up under Trixie's chin - her cape and hat divested from her as Aunt Snap spoke. "I'm listening little one." She said softly, the cloak and hat settled onto the rack right next to the bed - not a word said about the new clasp that held the cloak together.

Trixie took in a deep breath and exhaled. "I've...I don't have a showmare's career, Aunt Snap. My cart was destroyed months ago. I...I let my temper get away from me on stage and... Everything sort of fell apart from there." Trixie could not cry now - she needed to get all of this out. She needed to tell her aunt at the very least. "I...I did some bad things, Aunt Snap. I... I hurt other ponies. I screwed up everything I worked so hard to build and now there's... Nothing left but this." She gently tugged on the cloak, sadly with one hoof. "Nopony wants to see me. Nopony wants to see my act, or any of the tricks I've devised. I'm completely broke except for what I've left from what the Princess gave me. I've failed, Aunt Snap..." And now the tears came, slowly sliding down her cheeks.

Aunt Snap said nothing at first, her hooves gently gathering the crying Trixie into her embrace and holding her there softly. Her wings wrapped gently around Trixie like a warm, feathery blanket and she made soft hushing sounds under her breath. For a while, Trixie simply sat there and let the last of her tears out. It was done. No more lies, no more secrets. "I know, Trixie. I have known for months." Aunt Snap said, softly - Trixie's head coming up in shock., "Oh come now." She continued, with a saucy smile. "You didn't really think you could hide anything from me, now did you?" She was smiling broadly, though there was a hint of stern reprimand in her voice.

Trixie couldn't help it - she smiled back even though her eyes were still leaking tears at a prodigious rate. Aunt Snap squeezed her in the embrace. "You are one of mine, Trixie. I will always love you, and always be here for you - no matter what you do, or what happens to you. I simply wished to give you the chance to do things on your own terms." Aunt Snap whispered hotly into Trixie's ear... and for a moment, Trixie could feel a touch of wetness on her cheek that had nothing to do with her own tears. 

It wasn't until the door creaked open to reveal her fiery-maned Uncle Crackle and the bright curious eyes of the young filly peeking through the door that Trixie tried to take hold of herself. Her uncle was floating a platter with a delicious smelling bowl of oatmeal - plenty of brown sugar and butter, just how Trixie loved it - and a big glass of Orange Juice to go with it.

Aunt Snap gestured to him imperiously to come in, with all the dignity fit for an empress. Her uncle trotted into the room, with the little filly in tow, setting the platter down on the table side without a word. Then he wormed his way under one of the broad yellow wings of his wife and wrapped his own hooves around Trixie in a wordless hug. Trixie's breath caught in her throat, and she took a deep breath, exhaling it. "Uncle Crackle, I was wondering if there was still a job for me here?"  She asked quietly, sniffling a little.

Her uncle looked up at her and smiled broadly, lovingly. His accent growing thicker with the emotion in his voice, "Course there is. Toldja there always would be, didn' I? You gots a job here s'long as you need one, Trixie." Uncle Crackle said solemnly, and Aunt Snap smiled in gentle approval of them both. "You kin stay here fer free too, as long as ya need. Till ya can get yerself back on yer hooves." He added, with a soft, gentle smile.

Then, suddenly - the bright eyed, orange coated little Sparkle Pop wiggled her way into the middle of the hug, and piped up in a bright voice. "Does this mean I get a big sister to play with!?" She exclaimed, so enthusiastic about the prospect that she promptly tumbled off the bed into a gentle heap - and Trixie could not help herself. She laughed. 

It was good to be home. 

As for her future?

Well. She'd figure that out when the time came. For now, she'd earned a little rest.


~~~~~~~~Canterlot Castle~~~~~~~~~


"You did what?"

Luna winced a little - though she could not stop grinning - at the sharp voice of her beloved sister, Celestia. Luna held up her hooves as her humorless sibling slowly began to glare at her, trying to ward off the killing look. "Peace, sister! I beg of you, allow me to explain my motives. I assure you, they are quite benign." Luna put on her very best winning smile - and that was usually enough to get Celestia to at least stop and let her explain herself.

Blessedly, it looked like today would be no exception. Celestia gusted out her cheeks and took a seat. "Very well. Please, do try to explain how this..." She wiggled her hoof in midair. "Plan of yours is anything more than madness. That unicorn is a threat to the peace of my Kingdo-" 

Luna cut her off in mid-word - something she'd normally never do - but Trixie deserved a little support from her end. "That unicorn, Celestia, just fought off a powerful Dissonance sorcerer with absolutely no knowledge of Harmony magic. She did so in defense a civilian population with nearly no outside assistance, and at great personal risk to herself." Luna stamped her hoof on the ground and held her head high. "She deserves the chance, Celestia. There is great potential in here - I can sense it."

Celestia took the rebuke with good grace, lifting a golden shod hoof to stroke at her chin in interest. "A Dissonance sorcerer, you say? That does put a different light on things..." She tilted her head back and forth in slow thought. "You have always had a powerful sense for the potential in others, sister. Do you truly believe she has the makings of a Sister within her?" Celestia asked, her voice earnest and surprisingly gentle.

Luna smiled slowly. That was easier than I remember it being. "Yes, dear sister." Luna said sharply, punctuating her words with a firm nod. "I believe that young Trixie, properly guided and taught, could one day prove herself worthy enough to join even our ranks." She said with a ring of quiet conviction. All of it true - though Luna secretly doubted Trixie would ever possess such inner Harmony, she was strong enough to be an invaluable asset to her cause.

Celestia paused and exhaled deeply. "Oh, very well. I suppose it is a good thing she is not beyond redemption." Celestia said, in a turn of phrase that sent Luna to puzzling over the meaning of it. "Besides which... If she truly wishes to walk in the righteous hoofsteps of her mother, she will need a proper guide." Celestia turned her eyes to Luna, a slow smile on her face. "I am so very glad to see you are finally adhering to the ways of Harmony, sister. Are you certain you can handle a Student of your own?"

Luna bowed her head deeply. "Of course, Celestia. It will be my pleasure to guide her in the ways of the high path." She said, and smiled softly as Celestia's frown turned into a bright smile of her own. Celestia was always cheered by the thought of a new soldier in her righteous cause. Luna was cheered at the prospect of showing her sister the proper way to instruct an apprentice. And I can only but hope, Sister dear... that you realize your own errors before I have to act upon them myself. Luna thought with determination. 

Celestia startled Luna out of her thoughts after a moment, with a bright smile and a thoughtful tone to her voice. "Hmm... You know, I think I ought to send her the book." Luna blinked at Celestia, and her sister chuckled softly at the shock plain on Luna's face. "You did say she was a very careful reader, did you not?" Celestia turned to walk down the hallway, her voice musing. "Yes. It will be good for her... Perhaps even good for us all." Celestia finished, with a slow, bright smile on her face. "And who knows? Perhaps there truly is the makings of a Sister in her. She does have quite the heritage, after all."


~~~~~~~~~~~


Three days later, Trixie mulled over the small paper bound package she had received that morning. It had weight, but not overly so. It felt like a book, but why in Equestria would Luna have sent her a book? Especially one with a message scribbled on the cover of the paper wrapping the book, reading only, "For when you think you are ready for something more."  Well. Trixie never did know when to back down from a challenge!

Her hooves tore at the paper and twine, casting them aside to rub her hooves over the exceptionally fine hydra-hide cover. The superb, masterful stitch work in the binding - and the gently inlaid, gold filigreed words upon the cover. It was a book of legend, of myth. A book that wasn't supposed to exist. A book embossed with four simple words that sent a fluttering feeling of excitement into Trixie's heart. 

Her hoof tip traced the words on the cover out, hardly willing to believe the words themselves, her voice softly speaking them as she read...

"The Code Of Harmony."

Trixie swallowed softly. It was impossible, inconceivable, and yet, there it was - right there in her own two hooves. A book out of legend. A book - it was sometimes said - that only found its way into the hooves of the worthy. Of those that Harmony had a higher purpose for. A book of heroes...

With a trembling hoof, Trixie gently lifted the cover of the book. Her nose assaulted by the smell of ink and parchment, and something else. Something more subtle. Fitting for the stuff of legend, the very first page had only a few words of its own upon it. Words that whispered of a promise... a promise not of power...

But of hope.

To Trixie Lulamoon,

May the words within this book illuminate you, as they have often illuminated me. The Code of Harmony is the path of redemption, and it is one I am happy to see you traveling of your own accord. We do not choose Harmony because we long for power, or position - we choose it because sometimes, the world needs those of us who will give selflessly for the good of all. 

It is my fervent hope that one day I shall be there to guide you along to the ascendant path - to join myself and my sisters as a Princess of Harmony. 

May you walk in Harmony, Trixie Lulamoon. Your mother would be proud of you.

By my horn and seal,
Princess Celestia Solaris, Sun's Glory.

Chapter 1 - There is no Wrath, There is Kindness.


~~~~~~~~To Be Continued....~~~~~~~~~~~