Anyway... try to scare the DDs severely enough that they pretty much throw you and Trixie out of the kingdom.
That's the plan. you think as you carry the box of fireworks on your back into the castle while quickly writing a letter in your telekinetic grasp, the costumed Varangian Guards (1) giving you a respectful nod as you pass. You find Queen Trixianna is giving a speech about the Kingdom's first Nightmare Night on the castle's highest tower and call...
SnapDrakeGames comment
Down with Chrysalis comment
"Hey, Trixie! I've got the fireworks. You ready to give these mutts the greatest scare they've ever known?" as you finish the letter and put it under your Bowler hat.
"Oh, you bet it," Trixie replies, grinning maniacally, "While you were out, Trixie thought of the most devious visual accompaniment to our scheme. It's glorious if I do say so myself."
As you look down at the Diamond Dogs, you notice that you can see the rough shapes of trick-or-treating Diamond Dogs below.
"Well this is Dimondia's highest tower." you mutter-comment.
"Now sit back and watch this," Trixie grins. She turns to the sky, and fires a bolt of magic towards the heavens that explodes with an earth-shattering noise that rattles throughout the kingdom. Below, you see every Diamond Dog give a start with fright and turn their gazes upwards. Some smoke remains behind from the explosion, glowing dusty blue against the dark night, but now it's your turn to give a small gasp as the smoke shimmers and shifts, taking shape of something terrifying.
"Presenting," Trixie cried with glee, "The Storm-Vacuum Cymbals!" An indescribable sight fills the sky, an amalgamation of every canine's worst dreams, and it looks...
"Stupid." you mutter to yourself, staring at the strange sight filling the atmosphere before you realize what you said and quickly backtrack, "Uh, with all due respect your highness."
"...Buck. You're right." Trixie groans at the sorry image spread across the inky night. "I guess those things just... don't work in combination." Even now you can hear great peals of laughter rising from the throngs of dogs below.
"Don't worry," you say, gritting your teeth. "We aren't through yet. Clifford! Jip!"
At that call, a pair of Varangians dutifully appear,
"Go find Chancellor Jim and tell him his presence is requested at the main stage. Dismissed."
With a salute, the heavy tut-adorned guards rush off as you and Trixie run downstairs while the rest of the Diamond Dog audience continues to laugh at Trixie's 'monster'.
"Ow! This crown is getting tighter!" Trixie exclaims.
"They must have thought you were giving them a show to kick off this holiday." you suggest.
"In that case we better get this show on the road before Trixie's head pops off like a champagne bottle!" Trixie responds as you both reach the main stage in front of the castle. As Trixie directs the helper dogs in setting up the stage, you're about to help when you hear,
"Mr. Ritz?"
You turn and smile when you see Jim approaching.
"Jim, there you are." you greet, "I have a letter for you." you say as you start to take out the letter when he interrupts,
"Actually I have something for you." he says as he takes out a small purple velvet box.
"Ummmm... I'm... flattered, but aren't you married with pups?"
"What?" Jim asks in confusion before realizing what you meant, "Oh, this isn't a ring box, it's a medal holder."
You're about to say something in confusion when Jim opens the box revealing a badge in the form of a golden star with white enamel, with a red enamel pentagon behind it; the central disc bearing tiny diamond gem stars arranged in a hexagram on a blue enamel background within a golden ring; Golden hawks with spread wings standing between the points of the star attached to a purple ribbon with white edge stripes and a platinum bone between the stripes on the ribbon.
"On behalf of Her Highness, Lady of the First Order, Queen Trixianna the First and the canines of Dimondia, I am proud to bestow upon you the first Star of Zeal, our kingdom's new highest honor, in recognition of all the loyal service you have done for the Kingdom of Dimondia." (2)
Stunned at this declaration, you can't help but stutter a bit as guilt tears at your mind,
"I... I don't know what to say..."
Great, now I feel bad. Stupid conscienc- *poink* "OW!"
But Jim pins the medal onto your changeling "costume"... meaning he just unwittingly stabbed you in the chest.
"I must say the detail you put into making a chitin-like shell for your costume is incredible." Jim comments.
"Yes. Costume..." you say through gritted teeth as you force a smile onto your mouth and salute.
"Dimondia Star of Zeal Medal"
added to Inventory
"Ritz, go prepare the 'surprises' and get me an audience!" you hear Trixie order.
"On it! Guards! Order all citizens to the courtyard in front of the main stage. That's a Royal order!" you say as you run off to set up the fireworks...
30 MINUTES LATER
BrownDog77 comment
See a pink star surrounded by some white stars in the distance.
"Trixie doesn't remember buying that." Trixie comments, but seeing how you have an escape plan in progress, you both just shrug it off.
We now see you walking on stage before a gathered crowd of Dimondia's citizens before turning to them and declaring,
"GOOOOOOD MORNING, DIMONDIA!!!"
"But it not morning." one citizen points out.
"Yeah, it's night."
"Nightmare Night to be specific." one of the pups says, her education evident.
"Well saying 'good night' usually ends something plus it's morning for nocturnal beings so my point still stands. Anyway-" you correct before declaring, "You all enjoy that display earlier?"
The crowd cheers at that declaration.
"Well that's just the appetizer for tonight's full course meal of scares! Now presenting the entree of the evening, her Highness, Lady of the First Order, QUEEN TRIXIANNA THE FIRST!!!"
The crowd goes wild as you Force Pull the stage lever to pull back the curtains revealing Queen Trixianna in her purple cape and crown.
“Gaze upon your Queen you curs, and fear hear spectacular wrath!” she says as she starts setting off fireworks.
Many of the dogs fold their ears back and whine at the spectacular.
"My ears!"
"Too loud!"
"I GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE!" one dog screams before making a beeline for the exit-
*CRASH*
Only to smash facefirst into an invisible dome forcefield.
“No leaving until the performance is done by Royal Decree!” you declare from the side as Trixie had used her magic to place an invisible dome around the courtyard and stage.
“Please Queen Trixianna, this is too scary!” cry many of the adults, while lots of pups hug onto their legs. You feel a bit bad about that, but that crown has got to come off!
“It’s Nightmare Night! Being Scared is a Must!” you yell, setting off your own set of fireworks. They launch into the air and show images of cute animals, and happy smiley faces, but the Dogs all hunker down, whining and holding their ears.
“Too true Captain DeWitt, now listen to your Queen’s tale of how she defeated an Ursa Major!!” she yells, sending up another firework that magically shows an image of a giant bear.
“I thought that was a lie,” you whisper to her.
“Yes, but at this point, it’s all I got,” she says and begins telling about how she single-hoofidly struck down the mighty bear, complete with more fireworks of various colors when suddenly you see a bright pink six-point star surrounded by some white stars in the distance.
"Didn't even know rockets could fly that far." you comment.
"Trixie doesn't remember buying that." Trixie comments, but seeing how you have an escape plan in progress, you both just shrug it off.
“I can’t take it anymore!” a male dog says as he rushes to the bubble and starts trying to dig under it… only to find that the invisible forcefield dome is actually a sphere.
“I learned from last time,” she winks at you to which you smirk back.
“Please your highness, this little show is unpleasant to us. Think about your people.” Jim pleads.
“Whatever do you mean Jim? I am thinking of our people by giving them a true Nightmare Night!”
“But there was nothing in Mr. DeWitt’s report about fireworks!” he begs.
Trixie sets off another round of fireworks, causing dogs to hit the dirt clutching their ears.
“I have altered the report, pray I don’t alter it any further.”
Jim attempts to stop the display by running at the rockets, but you notice this and yell,
“TREASON!” as you tackle him off the stage. The dogs all start voicing their outrage and even the guards start looking conflicted as Jim looks up at you in sadness.
“Ritz... why?” he asks hurt.
“Just play along, no matter what happens, there is a master plan in place,” you whisper to him as you slip an envelope into his clothes,
“Read this when it’s all over, you’re going to like what it says.”
He nods at this and goes along with your plan by lying still as you call to Trixie,
“Alright, I neutralized the heckler, tell them about how you defeated the dragon your highness.”
“Oh of course! Well you see, there was this giant red fire breathing DRAGON!!!” she shouts as Sparklers erupt on all sides of her.
“And I defeated him by giving him ALL THE DIAMONDS AND JEWELS I COULD FIND! WILLINGLY!”
“AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!”
“NOOOOO!!!”
“The Horror! The Horror!” cry out the dogs.
“Yes, and should I, Trixianna the first ever encounter a dragon problem, that shall be my plan as well, FOR WE HAVE PLENTY!” this is followed by a dollar symbol firework explosion... and then the boos.
“Booo”
“Get off the stage!”
“Boo-urns! Boo-urns!”
“No! Don’t throw all those conveniently placed vegetables at your Queen, she would hate it immensely!” you yell in a disguised voice from within the crowd, causing them all to look to their feet at all the vegetables you sneakily placed at their paws.
“Yeah, she wouldn’t like it." one dog says.
"Throw em!” and they all begin throwing vegetables on stage, pelting Trixie and ruining her clothes. She gives you the stink eye from stage, but you just chuckle.
“Why, is that any way to treat your Queen?!” she 'huffs.'
“You hurt our ears and ruined Nightmare Night!” they cry out indignantly.
“Why, it’s as if you all don’t have faith in me anymore!”
“That’s right! Booooo!” they chant as you start backing up through the crowd.
Trixie then grabs the crown on her head and lifts it up, crying convincingly.
“Well if that’s the case, let me introduce you to my next trick; The disappearing Queen!” before throwing the crown down and suddenly a blinding flash of light goes off in front of Trixie followed by the deafening crack of thunder and an obscuring thundercloud as all the Diamond Dogs scream in fear at this assault on their senses.
About time I got to use one of those orbs. you comment as you use this chaos to slip through the crowds and into the nearby shadows.
"3 Thundercloud Orbs"
remaining
As the cloud clears, the dogs notice that the dome is gone... as is Trixie and Ritz, all that's left being her cape and the crown where she once stood.
“Huh? Where did the Queen go?” they ask, not noticing her hauling tail into the distance.
“Oh no, we broke her heart and drove her away!” some of them cry out.
Erised the Ink-Moth comment
The dogs start to panic, thinking that yet another ruler has abandoned them: Ttheir most loved and successful one to boot. During the resulting riot as the dogs start upending food stands and dismantling the stage in search of Trixie, you see that the showmare didn't manage to get far before her smoke cover blew away as she's now hiding behind a dumpster in a nearby alleyway.
"Huh, well she's getting better." you comment with minor sarcasm. You can still remember when you could see her running away after using that trick; at least this time she had the good sense to hide.
"Sup?" you greet her from the shadows.
She gets startled and almost screams, but you quickly shush her with a hoof.
"Nice work out there." you compliment, "A little over the top though."
You remove your hoof as she flashes you a smirk. "Honestly Ritz, would the great and powerful Trixie provide anything less." she risks a peek out of her cover and whispers to you, "Now let's get out of here before they find us."
"Just a sec." you mutter and light up one of your heavenly cherry-vanilla cigarettes.
13 cigarettes remaining
"Really Ritz? You choose now of all times for a cigarette?" Trixie says raising a skeptical brow.
In response you puff a cloud of smoke in her face. "Yup. Why? Do you have a better way to stop them from smelling us?"
Trixie nods. "I can see your point. Ugh, the first thing Trixie is doing when we get out of here is buying some perfume."
"One step at a time babe. Aquilla talon." you tell her and activate your bracer. You offer her a hoof which she takes and holds on to you as you use your grappling hook to carry you both to the top of some nearby buildings before the two of you manage to Assassins Vow your way across the rooftops to the edge of the kingdom.
As panic starts among the dogs, you briefly stop and watch from a distant wall as Trixie goes on ahead to wear her fake cake of luggage as while Jim takes out and reads the letter.
Dear Jim,
Trixie was unhappy with her life and even though she didn't want to break the hearts of her subjects, she had to. We hope that you won’t be too angry with us, and that you keep expanding the Kingdom and remember our legacy in good light. We apologize for bailing, but as a condolence, here is the directions and coordinates to a recently discovered Gem Field.
Live Long and Prosper My Friend,
Captain Ritz DeWitt and Trixie Lulamoon aka ex-Queen Trixianna.
P.S. You’re the king now Jim. Hail to the King Baby.
You see Jim chuckle as he calms everyone down and declares that he has been appointed ruler and that a new Gem Field has been found causing everyone to cheer. With a smile, you take a mental snapshot and continue on your way, knowing that everything will be alright and that Diamondia is in his capable paws as chants of "Trixie" fill the night sky.
When you get back to the wagon, you see Trixie just arriving with her (partially broken) cake full of suitcases, looking back at the kingdom in sadness.
“Well that went smoothly, could have done without the vegetables, but it is done. I still feel bad about hurting their feelings though,” she says.
“Oh don’t worry about them, they’re in good paws,” you say as you pat her back.
She nods and sniffles before turning around.
“So… Where to now? You ask.”
“Well, without money, nowhere in particular,” she says downtrodden.
“Oh yeah, I forgot, I may have snagged a few chests of gems from that new field,” you smirk as you open the Wagon's door to reveal the gleaming jewelry.
Have Trixie be so happy to get the crown off. She end's up kissing Ritz in her excitement. After she realizes what she did she apologize and explains she got caught up in the moment. All while blushing so strong her blue coat is now dark red.
“Ritz! You magnificent bastard!” she exclaims as she wraps her forelegs around you and presses her lips against yours in joy. When she lets go she starts squeeing,
“Why with this, I can afford advertising, new equipment. Maybe even theatre space!”
"Uh... Er..." you say while in a post-kiss stun.
Suddenly Trixie turns dark red as the realization of what she just did dawns on her,
"O-oh Ritz! I-I'm so sorry for that! I just got caught up in the momen-"
Shaking your head to snap out of it, you blush and quickly say,
“T-think nothing of it. Anyway where should we head first then?” in an attempt to change the subject.
“Well my father always said, go big or go home, but seeing as how I have no home..." she ponders, thankful for the change in subject, "Let’s go for broke Ritz, let’s go to Carneighie Hall!”
You choke as she says that,
“Carneighie? Don’t you think that’s a bit of a jump?” you exclaim.
“No guts no glory! Trixie has had alot of time to perfect her craft while Queen of Dimondia and with this chest of gems I'm sure to get a spot!" Trixie exclaims confidently as she uses her magic to put on her magician's hat along with another cape, "Now help me load my wardrobe and props into the wagon so we can put some distance between us and our former Kingdom. Trixie knows of a train station a few hours northwest of here."
As you and Trixie start loading the suitcase from the 'cake' to the wagon you think,
Manehattan huh? Not the best city for feeding on love, but still the best for blending in...
THE NEXT MORNING
We now find you and Trixie in the dining car of a train heading to Manehattan. You both had just woken up a few moments ago so Trixie is dropping some sugarcubes (that you loaned her) in a cup of coffee while you're wearing your 47 Suit, Red Scarf, and Bowler Hat while speaking to the waite-
"What do you mean I can't order 5 eggs and bacon platters with 5 plates of biscuits and sausage gravy?" you demand.
"I'm sorry sir, but those are breakfast menu items and dining car policy is that we stop serving breakfast at 11am and it's currently 12:24."
Wait, that would mean it's noon. Uh... stand by...
THE NEXT MORNING CORRECTION: NOON THE NEXT DAY
We now find you and Trixie in the dining car having lunch, understandably sleeping in late due to Nightmare Night and those hours getting to the train station, purchasing train tickets, making sure the wagon was securely onboard the box car, boarding the late-night train for Manehattan, and sleeping in the cabin (separate bunk beds... in different sides and ends of the car due to what happened last night).
While the correction to the time card was being made, Trixie stepped into the argument and reminded you that there's no meat in Equestria and places her order,
"Trixie just woke up so she'll just have the fruit salad and more coffee. Extra Prench Vanilla Cream."
"Get me 6 plates of grilled cheese with chili cheese hayfries, 3 bowls of creamy tomato soup, 2 Blooming Onions with thousand island dressing dip, a whole cherry pie a la mode, and-"
"A diet cola?" Trixie snarks.
"Pfft, to Tartarus with that 'diet' nonsense. I'll have a pitcher of Roy Rogers. Oh, and a newspaper." you order causing Trixie to roll her eyes at your appetite.
"Your meals will be here shortly and that'll be two bits for a paper."
You hoof the waiter a pair of Bits and he hooves you a newspaper back as Trixie continues drinking her coffee.
54 Bits remaining
As you're about to open the newspaper to get an update on the pony world, the headline makes your eyes bulge out and your jaw slam into the ground (if it wasn't held in by your scarf) in shock,
Welcome Princess Twilight Sparkle!
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Is something wrong wrong Ritz? Trixie ask's worriedly after seeing you're expression.
Um Trixie you should see the headline. But i have to ask you to try to keep calm. Ritz say's than show's his friend the top story in all of Equestria.
Trixie expression just freezes her left eye starts twitching like crazy. Scene changes to some birds on a tree just outside of Manehattan. All is peaceful till suddenly a loud cry shakes the word and sends the birds off flying. WHAT THE BUCK!
Scene changes back to our heroes. How can Twilight Sparkle be a Alicorn? Trixie shouts.
Now how is Trixie suppose to keep up with her? What kind of rival can i be to a princess? Trixie sadly mumbles to herself.
You proceed comfort Trixie and show her she's still the Great and Powerful Trixie.
Tell Trixie Twilight is just a newly ascended Alicorn. Nowhere near Luna or Celestia's levels yet. She has a long way to before she reaches that level. If anything her new form will probably give her problems for a while. Not only does she have to get use to wings. But if her becoming a Alicorn has made her more powful. Than she has to learn to control that power. Heck she might have trouble casting spells she use to cast easily.
Also explain to her Alicorn or not Trixie isn't out of the game. Just because Twilights a Alicorn doesn't mean she could beat Trixie any easier.
You heard stories about one evil unicorn named Sombra who fought both Celestia and Luna on equal ground. Okay bad example since Sombra is one of the worst villains in Equestrian history. But he's proof it's possible for Unicorns to keep up with Alicorns. Ritz explains to Trixie that it's possible especially with her determination to reach that level as well. WITHOUT all the evil Sombra had.
Last but most importantly Ritz tells Trixie if she's still worried about keeping up with Twiligh now that she's a Alicorn. Than Trixie should fight fire with fire. Twilight's proven it's possible to ascend into Alicornhood if one proves worthy. Trixie could consider this a new goal to reach. To prove worthy and become a Alicorn herself. The right way no using any artifacts like the Alicorn Amulet.
A moment of silence passes, "Well, I now have more reason to avoid Ponyville, the residents hate me, the Elements hate me more, and Twilight can squash a lone changeling with her magic" Another moment passes, "Okay, she could do that before but still, it's not like I needed another complication to my continued survival"
You turn to look at Trixie, "And that's not even counting on the shenanigans that Trixie will drag me into"
With that in mind, you pull out the 'Dao of the River' book, hoping to find something useful while waiting for the food to arrive.
"Hmm, useless, useless, more meditation nonsense, ad, oh hello" The page you stop on, the title reads 'More Force to Your Punches'
The following pages outline how to use the Force Pull on yourself in combination with a punch to break obstructions down, however it also states that while it's useful, there is risk of serious injury to the limb if done improperly.
-------------------------------------
Well, that's all I got.
You notice that you've been putting on some weight, that shouldn't happen unless you were spending alot of time with somepony that genuinely loved you.
Wait a minute, Trixie has been kissing you alot.
Nah, it's probably you just eating too much.
twis a princess? you must have really been out of the loop, you decide to flip through the news paper to seewhat else, if any, has changed.
[inset nother guys comment here cuz im lazy]
after informing trixie of this rather shocking event you reilize something:
twily was miles away from you.
she couldent touch you, heck she probably thought you died or something.
good. probably best to keep a low profile...... but knowing trixie something was bound to happen eventually....
now however, you had a more pressing matters to tend to:
A. this train ride was quickly becomeing boring as fuck.
B. that guy diddint say how much that food cost..... mabey one of those gems would cover it? you wernt exactly to keen on giveing the guy all your cash. if not.... fuuuuuu-
C. you still havent taken that medal of zeal out of you chest, haveing forgotten about it (due to it only piercing your chitin it only hurt... a lot...... initially but soon after it became something more on the level of a really annoying itch) becuase you were doing something else at the time. you decided it would be more useful on your suit instead.
D. you and trixie needed a place to stay in manehatten, havenig left the cart behind in favor of the train(?) and sleeping on the sidewalk sure wassent going to cut it, youve tried it once, (you assumed most if not all ponies were to nice to do anything to bad) when you first visited the place on a mission to spy on celestia (she was visiting for some reason) and woke up missing literally everything that wassent a body part (very expensive gear from the qeen herself, along with a relic thousands of changeling hives have fought over 5 centuries to simply hold, and although you cant quite remember what it did due to your amnesia, you do remember she was not happy. you should try and locate it when you have the time though...) and to top it off you been rolled into a sewer drain. yeah thats not happening again.
6625115
Articles of interest for the newspaper:
Princess Luna: Princess of the night, or Mrs. Sandmare?
With evidence gathered by our surveyors across Equestria, it would seem that our beloved Princess of the night, once thought aloof and shut away from us all, has become closer to us all than we ever thought possible! One little pegasus filly from the small town of Ponyville told us her tale.
"It was Awesome! I was really scared on a camping trip with my friends and their sisters; I couldn't get any sleep at all. But Princess Luna came into my dream and helped me face my fears! Ten outta ten: best Princess."
Many other sources can report the same. And while skeptics fear this kind of power breeches their privacy, many others are quick to denounce their worries. So for all of you laying restless in bed, rest assured, Princess Luna is there for you.
"Oh buck me..." you mutter through a mouthful of toast and painfully swallow. "Princess Luna can see into my dreams? Why is she allowed to do that? I mean for buck sake, what if there's something I really don't want her to see?!" like the fact that you're a changeling, for instance. "Welp... I guess it's more creepypastas for me then. Maybe nightmare fuel will keep her at bay."
You continue to ponder the implications of Luna's dreamwalking as you move onto the next articles.
Wonderbolt Cadet "storms" out
An incident during a training session at Wonderbolt Acadamy went horribly awry, and several ponies were put in mortal danger. The perpetrator, whose name shall not be disclosed, was swiftly expelled from the academy for reckless behavior. We caught her on her way out, and she had this to say:
"It's not fair! I worked harder, I was made lead pony, I pushed myself further! It should be me getting into the Wonderbolts! Mark my words, Eqeuestria hasn't heard the last of me! Equestria hasn't heard the last of Lightning Dust!"
She then rudely assaulted the reporter team when they attempted to question her further. One thing's for sure, this pony is driven, but headed in a very bad direction.
Chaos reigns is a whole new light
Discord, former lord of chaos and current aspiring movie producer has teamed up with none other than M-night Shamalamadingdong! Together they plan to bring about a revolution in cinema, starting with The Last Spellbender 2, which has already received a green light. We interviewed the draconequus, asking why he chose to go into the movie-making business.
"When I was reformed by Twilight and her friends, I'll admit I had my doubts. Having friends for the first time in eons is all very nice. But you see... Twilight Sparkle has never been one to allow... unruliness. So I thought I'd never be able to express my special brand of creativity ever again. Then I watched The Town, and I realized that I didn't have to give up chaos in order to keep my new friends, I just had to deliver it in a slightly different way."
When asked about the outcry from the fans of the animated series the film was based on, and their thought that this movie would be The...Worst... Possible thing, he merely gave a devious smirk and teleported away.
You spew your Roy Rogers all over the current page when you finish reading that. The drink ruins the next article, something about the Crystal Empire hosting the Equestria Games or some-whats, but you don't really care that much.
How could this be allowed to happen?! You loved that series; it was your number one cartoon for years, and the first movie got everything wrong! Curse you M-night! Curse you Discord!
So much has happened while you were gone it's enough to make your head spin. "I need air!" you scream and shove your way to the train compartment door.
After cooling off from realizing how much you've missed while you were in Diamondia, you decide to head back inside, but something catches your eye before you do. Sitting inside an open tool compartment next to the door, you see some kind of metal bar, but it's definitely not supposed to be in there.
You pick it up in your hoof and examine it. It looks like the cross-guard from an old sword, work and nicked in several places, but decently heavy for its small size. On one side, cut into to flat of the guard, is a small engraving.
"Lee-Ob." you read it. "The buck does Lee-Ob mean? Feh, forget this piece of junk."
With that you toss it over the edge of the car and turn to go back inside, but hear a clunk on the metal floor. You turn and see that the cross-guard has mysteriously reappeared, and it's just sitting there... like it's staring at you, waiting for something.
You pick it up and turn it over in your hooves again, not really noticing anything special about it. "You're not going to let me get rid of you, are you?" you say blankly to it.
You then realize you're talking to a piece of scrap metal. Good thing noling's around to make fun of you for it. You shove it inside a fold of your scarf and head back inside.
Mysterious metal cross-guard added to inventory.
“Ohhhh……Buck…” you say as Twilight becoming a princess actually hits you.
“I told her off and insulted her and blew smoke in her face right before I left,” you mumble. “Now she has the authority to jail and execute those she hates…”
“Yeaaaahhh…I think I’m going to avoid Ponyville for a good long while,” you mutter.
“Well…it matters not, so what if Sparkle became a princess, Trixie was a Queen. By definition that means I was royally better than she can ever get so ha!” Trixie rationalizes.
“Well she did get wings as well,” you tell her.
“Oh pfft, what would I need with wings anyway? I am not keen on leaving the ground thank you very much. Also, she most likely will have to deal with preening and feathers in her bed now. Either way, Trixie is still better off.”
“If you say so Trix.”
“Indeed I do…changing the subject, have you ever been to Manehattan before?”
“Oh yeah, plenty of times. We always went there. It was a place you could really blend in and not get noticed,” you say before realizing how suspicious that sounds.
“Oh, you and your family?” Trixie asks, apparently not finding your speech suspicious.
“Well…yeah, I guess you could call them my family…” you say.
“Oh, I’m sorry, is that a sore subject?” she asks sympathetically.
“No, no, nothing like that…”
“Oh, well it’s just that you don’t talk much about them or anything. I mean, you’ve told me plenty of your past careers and things you enjoy, but nothing about them,” she says.
You think back on the past month you’ve spent with her. Running Diamondia was hard work, but even then you never told Trixie about The Organization, only stories about many of your cover jobs and other stuff you had done.
“It’s just that I haven’t seen them in awhile. I mean, I know they’re out there, but I guess I kind of got caught up meeting you and all,” you say.
“Oh…” Trixie mumbles as she looks down in contemplation.
“But yeah, enough about them, what’s the plan for Manehattan?”
She looks up and her face brightens again, “Oh, well first of all, we are going to have to find a cheap but nice place to stay whilst we buy props, and acquire a spot at the hall. Do you know of any affordable places?”
“Umm…” you say as you think back.
Flashback
“Sarge? How come we have to stay in this homeless shelter?” a younger recruit you asked, disguised as a long haired stallion in a tan trench coat and orange and blue beanie.
“Because Private, ponies don’t spare a second glance at a homeless beggar, they choose not to. Also, because hotels in this city cost a horn and a leg, these beds are decent, and we even get free soup!”
“OK…but aren’t we supposed to be disguised as rich ponies to get onto Fence Street and disrupt the prices of Frozen Orange Juice?”
“Exactly, we blend right in,” he says pointing to a group of shabby business men.
“Oh…”
Now
“Well I do know of…” you begin.
“Any place besides a homeless shelter. Trixie once got dysentery from a batch of bad soup, and fleas, so I swore never again,”
“…nowhere at all, unless you want to spend all our jewels.”
After getting off the train, you and Trixie did find a place that was easily affordable and was clean. A travel trailer park.
“Cheap, quiet, and I don’t have to sleep in a strange bed,” says Trixie as she unhitches in the designated spot.
You then both go to the hall.
Trixie is able to sell the owner on a grand magic show the likes of David Clopperfield.
“Hmmm…I suppose a magic show could be a change of pace. And you’re in luck. After the Book of Horsemen moves on with their tour in a few weeks, the stage will be open.”
“Really? That is great news!” shrieks Trixie happily.
“Yeah, We were originally going to host Spidermane: The Musical again, but after all the mayhem and destruction it caused, we decided to cancel the whole thing.”
A spike of horror rams it’s way into your brain.
During one of your stealth missions, your unit was told sabotage the play since the concept of an Bug Like Pony was offensive to the Queen.
Suffice to say the plan went too well, as a few trips, cut ropes, and smashed power lines led to a clusterbuck the likes of which you would not see again until the Canterlot Invasion. And the vomit, oh dear Queen, the vomit!
“Are you okay Ritz?” asks Trixie noticing your shaking form.
“I’m fine…” you squeakily say.
Anyway, after procuring the spot, the Director says he wants to see a demonstration tomorrow, so you and Trixie go about gathering supplies.
“Oh my gosh, this is going to be so exciting! Ritz, I’m actually going to be on stage. And the Great and Powerful Trixie will not embarrass her audience on the stage, and thus they will love me!” she squeals as she purchases a dozen fancy daggers.
“Well of course they’re going to love you Trix, you’re gonna knock them dead,” you say as you purchase paint, plywood, and tools to build sets with.
“Oh, was there any doubt?” she says jokingly as she purchases plenty of black powder and blasting caps.
“This place sure has everything doesn’t it?” you say.
“Wally’s Emporium of Hardware and Explosives is a magician’s best friend Ritz,” she says with a smirk.
At one point, you bump into a mare at a clothing store since Trixie needs to buy costumes. She is a pale mare with blue hair, and a fancy hat as a cutie mark. She is flippin adorable.
“Oh, I-I’m sorry,” she says as she starts picking up the clothes.
“Oh no, It was my fault, please,” you say as you immediately help her up.
“Coco, quit playing around and get that fabric over here!” orders a snooty looking purple mare.
“Y-yes ma’am,” she says before scurrying past you.
“Huh…what a bitch,” you mumble about the purple mare.
Trixie spits her coffee in your face in shock at this news... Her very HOT coffee...
Being Manehattan somepony tries to mug you. The poor stupid bastard..