//------------------------------//
// The Kind and Modest Trixie 
// Story: Big Mac's Journey to Nightmare City 
// by cheesemeister 
//------------------------------//

	“Ah, there you are,” said a silver-coated pony wearing a shabby indigo cloak and a weathered wizard’s cap. “I’m glad you all got here safely. Dear Big Macintosh, I’m so sorry that my magic drew you to this terrible place. The spell I cast petitioned the powers that be to bring to us the one who could help us be free of the tyranny of Nightmare Moon and her followers. I assumed that the spell would free Harmony. Instead, it brought you to us.”
“Aw, well that’s all right,” said Big Mac. “I just hope I can help you, and I hope that maybe once I’m done helping you, you can send me back where I belong.”
“I’m sure that between Harmony and myself, we can,” Trixie said. “The fact that you look like the brother of one of Nightmare Moon’s generals is a great help to us. All you really have to do is take us to the armory to get outfitted in the garb of the palace guard. Then you can take us into the courtyard and tell the guards on duty that they’re relieved. Believe me, they will jump to obey the orders of Bad Macintosh. Just follow me, and we’ll be in the palace in no time.”
The Kind and Modest Trixie led the group into the cellar of the palace. Skeletons hung from chains in the cells, and there were instruments of torture in the center of the room.
“This is the dungeon,” Trixie said. “The armory is just down the hall. You go ahead and tell the guard he’s relieved of duty.”
“You got it,” Big Mac said.
Big Mac assumed the demeanor of his brutal counterpart.
“You! Go take a break!” he snorted to the guard. “I’m gonna need some time for me and my team to get outfitted, and I don’t want to be disturbed by the likes of you.”
“Yes sir, Bad Macintosh,” the intimidated guard said, saluting and scurrying off.
Big Mac led the others into the armory, where they chose suitable clothing. Gilda opted for a cloak which covered her face and feet.
“Wonderful. Now to the courtyard!” Trixie declared.