"I'm really sorry, Trixie." Spike sighed from next to the mare. "I tried."
Spike found himself tied to a chair next to an equally bound Trixie. Pit Boss paced in front of the two, silently thinking about what to do to them.
"Don't blame yourself, Spike. Trixie should have tempered herself in the beginning." Trixie glummly replied. "Working in Las Pegasus is a dream come true. When I got the opportunity, I didn't even hesitate to sign up." Tears began flowing from the mare's violet eyes for the second time that day. "This is all my fault."
Spike's heart dropped. "Don't blame yourself. Its this bonehead's fault for being such a lowlife." Spike nodded his head at Pit Boss.
"Shuddup!" Pit Boss flipped Spike's chair backwards, leaving Spike staring up at the ceiling. At least my arms are tied to the armrests. Spike though, thankful for small miracles.
"Meat Shield! Bring me one of the contracts. We're about to have a new employee." Meat Shield responded by rifling through one of the filing cabinets on the far side of the office. "Weren't you saying last week that you could really use an assistant for your shows, Miss Lulamoon?" Pit Boss had an amused tone to his voice.
"Leave Spike alone! I promise I'll cooperate from now on, just don't get him tied up in this!" Trixie called, struggling against her ropes.
"Very poor choice of words. It looks like your little friend is already- Hey! Meat Shield, tie the dragon's mouth!" Spike had been trying to burn away the ropes binding his wrists to the chair. Having been caught, he quickly found his mouth tied tightly shut.
"Now, I've got an offer of employment here for you... Spike was it?" Pit Boss held a new contract up. A pre-made document of employment, from what Spike could read from his position. Spike glared from the floor, hoping his expression said exactly how he felt about working for such a shady pony.
"I said leave him alone! Cut my pay, make me do double shows! Just don't force him into your terrible schemes." Trixie whimpered from the floor. Spike felt a wave of gratitude wash over him.
"I told you to shut up! Meat Shield, tie her muzzle too." Meat Shield grunted and complied. "Now, Spike. I just need you to sign this contract and I'll untie the both of you.
"Working for me ain't so bad. You get your own room, free meals, and even-" A knock came from the office door, which Pit Boss realized in hindsight should have been locked from the beginning. He had done so while Meat Shield had seen to the 'employees'. "Who is it?! I'm busy discussing business!"
No reply came from the door. Pit Boss growled, a few more strands of his mane coming loose from their perfect position. He opened the door a crack and glared out. Tied up employees being spotted were bad for business after all.
"What do... you..." Pit Boss' voice trailed off as he stared up at the pony interrupting him.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but may I come in?" A matronly voice responded.
Pit Boss found himself staring at Princess Celestia herself. The Princess Celestia. As in the one who ran Equestria. Flowing mane and crown and everything.
"I-I-I'm in the middle of some important business. Is there any chance this can be rescheduled?" Pit Boss stammered, glancing inside at Trixie and Spike, who had no idea the princess was there.
"Well, I'm here to discuss that actually." Celestia responded warmly. "I've just recently gotten word that some of your contracts have some very unfair clauses in them. When I found out, I figured I'd simply teleport here and see if this was in error."
"I, um... I'm not sure what you mean. What kind of word did you get? I mean, I assure you, all of my employees are treated quite fairly."
"Well, that's just it. I was sent what I can only assume were copies of some of your contracts by a dear friend of mine. Perhaps you've met him? He's a young dragon. Goes by the name of Spike?" Celestia smiled down at Pit Boss, who had broken out in a cold sweat.
"I uh, can't say that I've ever met a dragon. I'd be too afraid of the green flames to stick around anyway." Pit Boss let out a nervous laugh.
"Funny. I didn't say he had green flames." Celestia raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Maybe you should let me in so that we may discuss this in a more professional manner?"
"Like I said, I'm in the middle of negot-"
"I'm certain that they'll allow a princess to interrupt." Celestia didn't allow the shift stallion to finish his sentence before she gripped the door in her magic and forced it open, pushing Pit Boss away from the doorway in the process.
Princess Celestia stepped into the office in all of her resplendent glory. Spike had never been so happy to see Celestia. Not that he'd ever been unhappy to see her.
"Hello Spike. I'm sorry to to interrupt when you're all tied up. I got your letters." Celestia smirked at the dragon. A golden magical aura enveloped the ropes around Spike and Trixie's ropes, deftly removing the bindings. "I must say, I'm very proud of you for bringing this to my attention." Spike blushed deeply as he stood up.
Meat Shield had taken to grovelling before the princess. "Please don't hurt me! I was only following orders!" Pit Boss took the opportunity to bolt from the office.
"Oh, I have no intention of hurting one of my subjects. I have, however, alerted the local authorities. They'll be taking you into custody any moment now, along with your boss. I'm must say, I'm very disappointed that any of my subjects could act so cruelly." Celestia glared down at Meat Shield in the way that an angry mother would scold a filly for playing ball in the house.
"Thank you so much!" Trixie threw herself at the hooves of Celestia, her tears now those of joy.
"You shouldn't be thanking me. It was Spike here who brought the matter to my attention." Celestia nodded to the dragon, who turned an even brighter red.
Trixie threw her hooves around the dragon. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou! How can the Grateful and Powerful Trixie ever repay you for helping me?" Trixie was now standing on her hind legs and twirling Spike in circles.
"You can start by putting me down." Spike replied, Trixie quickly aquiescing to the request. Spike flopped dizzily onto his but. "Thanks."
Celestia cleared her throat. "Thank you again for bringing this to light, Spike. That was very brave. Now if you'll excuse me, I must see to other business" Celestia flared out her wings before vanishing in a golden flash, leaving Spike and Trixie alone in the office.
~~~
The next day, Trixie had packed up her things in a new cart. She was eager to leave Las Pegasus far behind. As far as she was concerned, if she ever came back to Las Pegasus it would be too soon.
"So where are you gonna go?" Spike asked.
"I don't know. South maybe. Trixie has been off the road for a long time, and would like to visit an old friend." Trixie stared towards the rising sun, saying another silent thank you to the Princess of Sun for her timely interference in what could have been a horrible situation.
"Sounds fun." Spike replied, Winona barking in agreement.
"And what about you? Where will you travel to next?" Trixie looked back down at Spike, who she could never repay for his assistance.
"Dunno. I haven't thought about it. I just want to see new stuff, ya know?"
"Trixie knows that feeling all too well. It's the same one that spurred me to travel as well, you know."
Spike laughed in response. "Well, good luck on the road then."
"And to you, my scaly friend." Trixie smiled. She slipped into the harness of her cart and started walking down the road. Spike waved after the mare, who made it roughly ten feet before stopping and turning around. "Would you like to come with me Spike? Pit Boss wasn't wrong when he said I was looking for an assistant."
Spike pondered for a moment before responding. "Sure. As long as you don't mind Winona coming too, of course." Winona barked exitedly.
"Of course." Trixie smiled softly, not unlike Twilight's smile.