> The Elements of Lunar Harmony
>  by Paganbrony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Part One: A Sister Reborn
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part One: A Sister Reborn

High above the land of Equestria the sun was reaching its peak as the occupants of Equestria's capital Canterlot continued about their daily pursuits, blissfully unaware of the dark figure sat looking out upon the city from the highest window of the tallest tower, situated within the sacred walls of the royal palace.

As the city bustled along the figure took a deep breath and if any pony had been around to hear it, let loose with the most depressing sigh, moments passed before another and then another.

To those ponies who had skipped history class this would appear to be just a severely depressed pony in a dark and forbidding tower who needed to get out more, except this 'pony' was an Allicorn and not the one with a sunny disposition either. 

Princess of the sun Celestia and her younger and somewhat ill-fated sister, princess of the moon Luna both ruled over Equestria although it was left to Celestia to attend all the high society functions since Luna was busy in her tower doing ‘important stuff’ but it was not always so.

The two princesses long back story was somewhat 'fluffed' up in the history books, thanks to princess Celestia's understanding of the power of words (since she invented the current language in the realm) and the use of propaganda (again her). 

So when Luna’s body and soul were taken over by the Demon Nightmare Moon causing all out bloody civil war, (a war in which many heroic insults were thrown and parasprite's were used for the first time as a replacement for napalm) it was a close fought thing until Celestia cheated and used the elements of harmony. 

She’d decided early on that she would need a heroic story-line to keep any future troublesome factions in Equestria from doing anything other than passing around leaflets; so she spread the story of her banishing to the moon the demon that had consumed Luna's soul.

The shocking truth was not that shocking as instead of the monstrous Nightmare Moon being sealed away in the moon itself, Celestia hoping to one day save her sister had instead magically locked away Nightmare Moon/Luna in the abandoned west tower of the palace.

Especially since Celestia doubted even an Allicorn could survive an indefinite spell on the airless moon, on which she blasted a giant profile picture of Nightmare Moon to scare the unbelievers at night which worked wonders.

A thousand years passed before the Demon escaped, and at the worst possible time as Celestia had been whisked away by a mad pony with a blue box to who knows where, so it had fallen to her prize if a little socially awkward student Twilight Sparkle to stop the malevolent former sister from taking over the throne and possibly wiping out the whole of Equestria in the process....again. 

The whole wiping out of Equestria was due to a slight miscalculation on the part of Nightmare Moon by not considering the effect of eternal night on life in general.

After a lengthy battle and having done all the things in the episodes, Twilight and her newly met friends from her adventure royally kicked Nightmare Moons ass to the point she relinquished her grip on Luna and after Celestia made a whole bunch of excuses as to explain her disappearance, she accepted back into her heart her little sister and all was well… 

…Well almost, after a millennia of being stuck inside the darkest depths of Nightmare Moons mind as well as a crumbling drafty tower with only old magazines, a basketball on which was drawn a smiley face and Luna’s record collection to keep either sane, Luna had descended even deeper into the emo. 

Where the princess Celestia in all her glory was always a sight to behold, as dazzling as the sun she controlled…

…Princess Luna generally made ponies want to write poems about death and sit in the corner of a dark room burning themselves with candles, Celestia's attempts to reverse this had ended in failure and banishment from Luna's bedroom after first suggesting she open the curtains.

Celestia was hardly the tyrannical dictator some of the papers or her sister claimed she was, she hadn't done half of what they claimed happened with Twilight and her friends at that nightclub and the hotel afterwards.

But regardless of her public image she dearly loved her sister and as she watched the dark shape in the window from the castle courtyard below, an idea formed and then for the hundredth time this month she hatched a foal proof plan on how to get her sister interested in something other than the hoofing pumpkins, the nine inch horseshoe nails or neighvana.

The chance to put the sun goddesses plan into action came later that evening when after Luna deigned to make an appearance at tea time to chase her greens around the plate with a fork and then order take out, Celestia made her move as her sister waited for it to be delivered giving her a whole thirty minutes in which to talk some sense into her.

"Luna…?" 

Celestia put her most affectionate face on as her overly depressed sister sat staring at the floor.

"Yes?" 

Celestia almost missed the barely audible reply.

"Are you lonely?"

"N-No."

"Luna I want you to make some friends."

"Huh… Why?" 

Luna’s quiet demeanor slipped as her surprise turned to suspicion.

Celestia began with her usual speech about how unhealthy it was to stay in all the time and how she worried about Luna, but as her sisters attention began to wander Celestia outlined her plan.

"I'm going to send you away on a royal tour of the outlying regions to get you away from the castle, hopefully traveling and meeting our subjects might help you to make friends like Twilight did.”

“Friends that can help teach you all about the magic of friendship, so you can see all the wonders our world has created since you’ve been gone."

"I-I don't want to go on some boring tour, I'm not like you Celly, because I was Nightmare Moon I scare ponies away".

"You have to learn to overcome dear sister so tough".

"B-But Celly..."

Damn, Celestia cursed as she screwed her eyes shut, the conversation halted as Celestia tried to avoid the inevitable end of her plan, as it happens the same end as the months previous ninety nine as Luna used her special submission move stare of the moon.

As Celestia sat eyes closed she swore bloody vengeance on her student Twilight's friend Fluttershy for teaching her the original stare move in the first place. 

For a while after a certain nightmare night, it had appeared Luna had made friends in the nearby Ponyville and in particular the aforementioned Fluttershy, after spending a fair amount of time around her Luna suddenly and without explanation stopped going to Ponyville refused to speak about it and began once again to hide in the west tower. 

(Historical Note: It was after this retreat that historians believe the last ever rainbow seen over Canterlot appeared before catching fire and exploding, accompanied by what those who were present described as the howling of a lost soul or a banshee screaming, but most agree it definitely sounded like 'DAMN YOU RAINBOW!!!').

Celestia felt her will beginning to falter under the stares power as even with her eyes closed she could still feel it burning through her eyelids, but just as she was about to cry mercy it ended.

“Luna?” 

Celestia warily opened an eye before blinking and then switching to a wide eyed slack jawed expression as the scene before her sank in, Luna was sat on her rump fore-hooves together in front of her chest with a rare smile on her face, almost as if a metaphorical light bulb were floating above her head.

“You're right Celly”.

“I AM?” Celestia went on alert as she dealt with the sudden change before her and then froze again as Luna clapped her fore hooves together excitedly.

"You said I should get friends like Twilight's”.

“No I said like Twilight did.” 

Celestia's correction went unnoticed as Luna continued.

“I'm nowhere near as good as Twilight at making friends but if I had a student too she would have friends just like Twilight's, then I can use my status as mentor to work my way in and make them my friends as well! It’s perfect Celly!”

Celestia wondered whether it was worth mentioning how bad Twilight was at making new friends or how creepy her sister suddenly sounded as she sat muttering away, a fresh excitement about her as Luna pictured it unfolding.

“And just who do you propose to take as a student; you can't just pick any pony? And you don't know any ponies that would fit the bill”, mentally she added 'or at all'.

Luna stopped her machinations and pondered for a moment then asked,

“Who is the most powerful unicorn in Equestria after Twilight Sparkle?”

“Luna I really think you should hold off on that train of thought, you're not ready for a student yet and I think...”

"B-But Celly..." 

Luna used her eyelashes to great effect as she caught her sister off guard.

“I suppose that any of the professors at Canterlot University would be considered quite powerful…”

Luna dismissed this immediately.

“I don’t want some dusty old professor; I want some pony Twilight's age.”

Celestia wracked her brain for the names of some of the most talented up and coming unicorns but as she considered the potential for this to all go wrong she began thinking of those who were either strong enough or expendable enough for the task of being her sister’s ‘first’ student.

The sun goddess arrived at the conclusion there was only one pony she could think of who could possibly cause Luna to give up on her suspect goals that was if Luna didn’t give up trying to find her first, the mare was well known for getting into trouble and traveling from town to town.

Celestia cleared her throat.

“Her names Trixie, she had a traveling magic show that toured Equestria but the last I heard she now lives in a small frontier town called Appleloosa”. 

Celestia kicked her forelegs as she said it but without really knowing why.

Luna ceased frowning and stopped her sister right there as she spoke in a barely controlled hiss.

“Had a magic show? I said powerful Celly not some side show performer.”

“She has a lot of potential and after her humiliation she’s learned a fair bit of more conventional magic.”

Luna still looked skeptically at her sister as Celestia tried to shake off the effects of the stare whilst remembering the details of the magician her student had written at great length about. 

“Humiliated? So she’s a fool?”

Celestia shrugged at the fool comment.

“I don’t know about that but I think Twilight and Trixie are supposed to have gotten into an argument about magic but it didn’t go well for Trixie…”

“How so…?”

“Her reputation was totally ruined after she met Twilight and her friends… Apparently she tried to destroy Ponyville by summoning an Ursa Major… Or was it Cerberus?”

Luna gave a low whistle at the last comment, this pony sounded promising purely down to the facts she was the ‘rival’ of Celestia’s own student and could already use summoning spells...

Celestia still slightly befuddled by the stare of the moon spent a moment trying to remember all the details of the Ursa incident, she also failed to notice she was alone until she turned and found her sister had disappeared.

“Oh dear...”
> Part Two: The Student, the Teacher and the Stallion.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Two: The Student, the Teacher and the Stallion.

Light faded in the land of Equestria as princess Celestia, divine ruler, dutifully lowered her sun from the sky and began to raise the moon in its place.

However this was not a happy event on this occasion due largely to the one responsible for raising/lowering the moon her sister Princess Luna, was nowhere to be found despite an exhaustive search by the palace guards.

As the stars appeared and the moon settled in place Celestia sighed, her sister was probably half way to Appleloosa by now. 

Luna was worrying at the best of times but she’d made the decision to take a student for the sole purpose of getting to know her and her friends unsettled Celestia greatly.

Luna was inexperienced at dealing with modern society and this in turn had prevented her from understanding modern conventions and situations.

Her tendency to ignite a situation with her antisocial manner had caused more than a few problems in recent times for Celestia.

Celestia stared off into the night and prayed to her mother for Luna's safety, and for all the ponies in Appleloosa, but most importantly the current focus of her sister’s attention the unsuspecting mare called Trixie. 

Spellbinder who incidentally was listening decided not to intervene since she knew what lay ahead and it was probably best not to give her eldest daughter nightmares, some things are better left unsaid she thought.

Far away from Canterlot between it and the frontier town of Appleloosa, princess Luna having left the castle with a rudimentary plan had forgotten a most important thing, at the very least a description of this Trixie or indeed any information beyond her name?

It was here that Luna also remembered she would be recognized immediately upon her arrival and since most ponies still ran screaming away from her it was going to be problematic. 

She tried to feel hopeful that they would gladly rush to help their princess find her would be student and future friend, but as Celestia had rightly guessed Luna was woefully unprepared for what lay ahead. 

(Historical Note: Appleloosa at this point was a burgeoning boom town but with little to offer beyond the main street and apple orchard and the rail-head.)

It was almost midnight when Luna landed in Appleloosa a little out of breath since it had been a while since she’d flown such a distance, and the late hour showed as the only lights on the main street came from the windows of the saloon. 

The sign above dubbed it 'The Salt Block', having never been in a saloon before and having mistimed her arrival by her impetuous dash from the castle Luna ventured forth towards the light.

Inside the only two ponies were at the bar itself an old prospector hung off the end his eyes fixated on the nearly empty bottle in front of him.

Sat at the bar also was a young stallion wearing a Stetson with a brown waistcoat, his hay colored coat and honey colored mane were offset by his green eyes which like the elder pony at the bar were focused on his drink. 

His face told a tale of heartbreak and excessive drinking, probably what locally was known as Appleloosian 'southern' comfort. 

Timidly the lunar princess approached the bar but as she did the stallion caught sight of something reflected in his half empty glass (or half full depending on your outlook) as she drew level to him, he turned in surprise and promptly slipped from his stool as his body unmoved for hours failed to function and he headed face first to the floor.

The stallion didn't move a muscle, instead of contact with a hard wood floor he felt like he was suddenly as light as a feather? Slowly he opened his eyes and while his vision was impaired it seemed like he was floating in mid air while being confronted with a larger than most midnight blue mare.

He shook his head and blinked, nope he was on the money and to make matters worse as his eyes focused he realized that what he thought was a unicorn had wings?

Luna carefully set him down and to his credit he kept his footing although a little unsteadily, she took a moment to blush as she considered his obvious good looks but hurriedly dismissed those thoughts as she felt unfamiliar feelings whilst looking at him.

“Would you be as kind as to tell me if there is a mare named Trixie in this town?”

The stallion flinched at the name then nodded slowly as he answered.

“Uh sure, that witch lives round these here parts.”

Luna cocked an eyebrow at the witch comment but she’d gotten distracted looking at the young handsome stallion and so ignored it as she hesitated slightly before shyly asking his name.

“Why certainly miss, its Braeburn... Ah mean my name is Braeburn Apple… W-welcome to Appleloosa!!!

He called out the name of the town as he said it, in doing so he awkwardly kicked his legs causing him to nearly fall over again.

Luna felt confident since this pony hadn't started screaming or run away, she couldn't help but smile at her good fortune at finding some pony who knew her soon to be student, and so far everything was going according to plan.

“But she ain't here, least not till tomorrow, Miss Trixie and Dr Quinn went to learn some of the medicinal and spiritual...”

The stallion hiccuped as he struggled to remember what Dr Quinn a lovely city mare who was the town’s physician had said prior to the door slamming in his face.

“…They are studying the lore of the local buffalo.”

Seeing the mare’s eye twitch he quickly added,

“But they should be back tomorrow...”

Luna didn’t like the sound of returning with empty hooves to the palace after she’d come all this way…

“Very well, I shall require a quiet room to stay in until her return.”

She paused slightly noting the cornered look of 'why me' on the admittedly handsome if a little inebriated stallion, thoughts of what Celestia would suggest she should do ran through her mind...

“To avoid pomp and circumstance you understand!” 

Braeburn nodded slowly still trying to focus, unsure what it was that made him feel really uncomfortable about the large blue mare.

“Well if you just put some bits in the jar on the bar ah can grab a room key for you since ah know the landlord?”

It occurred to Luna this stallion hadn’t recognized her as a princess and not sure what to do next she went quiet.

Luna's eyes dropped to the floor as did her mood, Braeburn took her silence for poverty and swallowed before without thinking replied the same way any member of the apple family would.

“Ah have a room set aside upstairs for me since the owner didn't think ah'd be too safe if ah walked home, your welcome to stay in mah bed, if you'd like?”

Luna felt her heart skip a beat, had he just propositioned her? Stuttering slightly and blushing heavily she began talking really fast,

“M-my sister warned me that ponies are more forward nowadays, are you asking me to stay with you tonight? But we've just met? I mean the process has to be more complicated than that surely? I mean is romance truly dead or is it because relationships have evolved that much in a thousand years?”

“Evolved? Ah didn't think bout it like... NO, ah mean no... Ah didn't mean that! Ah meant you can stay in ma room instead of me...”

Braeburn's heart stopped as the mare looked hurt and hid her face behind her mane like a school filly, the way she did reminded him of his cousin Applejack's friend, that yellow pegasi, despite himself he smiled before he remembered the mare in front of him.

“Ah uh that is, ah doubt you would want me.... ah'm just a simple pony…”

As he continued to bluster he noticed her peeking from under her mane.

“...Um shall ah t-take you to the room?”

Luna shyly nodded before following the unsteady and now especially uncomfortable stallion up the stairs at the end of the bar that led to the private rooms for weekly rentals or even for whole nights.

The old prospector had stayed quiet throughout the whole exchange and now found his hooves as he skipped from the bar all the way home happy since this story of a Princess slumming it with Braeburn would net him years worth of free drinks for the telling to new arrivals in town. 

(Historical Note: Many of the towns folk’s diaries show prior to the next morning repeatedly made references to the total lack of common sense Braeburn generally displayed when in search of a special some-pony, however after word spread of his 'conquest' it was declared open season on him by mares and stallions everywhere since only a lover of epic talent and 'proportions' would be chosen by a princess right?) 

(Additional Historical Note: Casapony the greatest lover in Equestria upon hearing of Braeburn's new found reputation swore an oath he would challenge the upstart and defend his title, let it be noted however that on his way he choose to climb just one more ladder with rose in teeth as a warm up, its said what he saw through the window convinced him not only to retire but to teach stallion's self help courses while also writing his first book entitled: How Classical and Electro changed my life).

Princess Celestia spent a lonely night in her Canterlot castle, in the morning she raised her sun and prayed for the safety of her little sister.

The sister in question was quite safe but as for her companion Braeburn it was a different story, having awoken late he had found himself in bed but far from alone as he’d expected. 

Instead he was led on his side underneath a blanket with a large blue hoof pinning him to the mattress.

“Uh excuse me... uh...”

“Mmmmmmmm?”

Luna opened her eyes a fraction, it was light outside and as the embodiment of the night this greatly displeased her before she realised that her stuffed Cerberus was talking.

Her memory came back as she realized her fore hooves were wrapped around what appeared to be a very startled looking young stallion. 

At the same time, as he turned his head slightly Braeburn saw in greater detail the mare who was spooning him, Luna's memory of the previous night was untouched by liquor and innocent of the ways of love and lust so Luna failed to understand the process his mind was now going through.

Inside Braeburn's mind:

Instinctive First Thought:
“IN BED WITH FEMALE...”

Reaction in part to long dry spell:
”YYYYEEEEEHAWWWWWW AH SCORED!!!!!!”

Second Thought:
“OH MA GAWD SHE'S AN ALLICORN!!! THAT MEANS A PRINCESS!!!” 

Reaction:
“AH SCORED A PRINCESS!!!”

Realization:
“WAIT, ONLY TWO PRINCESSES IN EQUESTRIA, ONE NICE, ONE NOT SO NICE... ”

At this point Braeburns memory of last night refused to fill him before the rest of his brain kicked in the door and told him to run screaming.

Several minutes passed before Luna gave up waiting for Braeburn to regain consciousness so she climbed over him out of the small bed, the room was sparse and had basic furniture so it would do while she waited for the stallion to wake up.

The moon princess walked to the one small window in the room and looked out onto the main street, without any clue how to begin looking for this student of hers she glanced at Braeburn's prone form whilst blushing slightly. 

As they had reached the room last night and just as Celestia did on occasion he'd passed out shivering with alcohol poisoning. 

So Luna had done what she always did for her sister at these times, which was to get him into bed and use the warmth of her embrace to soothe him while she stroked his mane, but tired from her journey she had relaxed too much and she'd fallen asleep next to him.

The royal court would call it scandalous behavior for a Princess but she didn't care she had innocently enjoyed the company even if he was passed out.

As afternoon came around so did Braeburn, as he took in his surroundings he couldn't help but notice the giant blue Allicorn sat reading an old farming magazine wearing a Stetson, his Stetson!.

“Princess Luna?” Braeburn shivered a little as she turned to look at him.

“Um ah plum don't know what to say, ah'm awful sorry bout me being indisposed an all”.

“Is there anything you would like say food or maybe a tour of the town?” 

(What would a princess want the morning after... …Braeburn hesitated he still couldn't remember what had happened…)

“I am fine, a young maid came by earlier she was most helpful once she'd stopped screaming.” 

Luna grinned sheepishly as Braeburn wondered if the saloons maid named Pillow Feather had recovered yet.

“Can you fetch the mare named Trixie for me?”

Braeburn rolled off the bed and in true if wobbly gentle colt fashion bowed and then spoke.

“Princess Luna, ah'm not the type to go disrespecting another but about last night ah was wondering if ah'd done or said anything improper ah don't rightly remember.”

Luna stared at him blankly, “about the mare Trixie?”

“No... Ah mean what happened last night between us.”

Luna broke into laughter as she recalled his drunken complaints about decency and how it wasn't right to stay in the same room as a single mare before passing out. 

However she missed the searching and confused look from Braeburn and happily replied.

“A most interesting experience getting into such a small bed with you especially since you had me up against the wall for most of the night.” 

Her slightly suspect use of modern language shone through as despite her efforts she forgot to add things like ‘moving about in your sleep’ or ‘while you were passed out’ at the end.

Braeburn’s soul nearly departed at the ‘against the wall’ comment, here was a princess (a living goddess) who had just spent the night with him now acting all coy, and to top it off now she wanted him to run errands? 

Then it occurred to him, maybe what she was doing was testing him to see if he would make a good consort? She didn't seem upset he passed out so he must have done well, but what if he refused her? Would he survive? Did he want to be a kept stallion? On the other hoof he thought, he could be set for life!

“I'll go immediately”, 

Braeburn turned to leave his mind in turmoil, but as he reached the door he turned slightly and in a small voice asked,

“Uh princess could ah have ma hat back please?”

Appleloosa was as busy as always but for just one pony in a crowd Braeburn realized he might as well have been a hundred hooves high for all the stares he was getting and the moment he turned to confront them they just smiled and walked away.

“Dang it” he muttered as he headed to Dr Quinn's place, ever since that damnable blue trickster had shown up in town she'd caused bar fights, brawls in the street, explosions and not too mention upset the mayor with her attitude towards helping other ponies in need (or lack of), which was why she had ended up staying with Dr Quinn as punishment for her brazenly unhelpful and antagonistic way's.

Now Braeburn was a princess’s plaything all because Trixie had been so hard to find! He fumed, as he stomped over to the front door of the doctor’s office just at the end of the high street it opened and the familiar blue coat and silver mane appeared in front of him.

Upon seeing him the blue mare rolled her eyes and with a flick of her mane addressed him sternly but with a whiff of dismissal.

“I thought the Dr Quinn made her feelings on your presence around here quite obvious, or are you as thick headed as that mare of a cousin of yours Applejack?”

“You leave ma cousin outta this y’hear, ever since you found that out you’ve been giving me heck about it, you gotta problem go deal with her.”

“Tut tut so angry, careful you might bruise easily, little apple.”

Braeburn snorted at the pet name she'd given him, but readied himself in anticipation of the now routine barrage of objects Trixie would pelt him with without warning for the fun of it.

“Ah'm here for you.”

Trixie stopped levitating several objects behind him which fell to the floor as she fixed him with a look of shock followed by pure anger, her face flushed crimson as she began to seethe and ethereal power built up around her.

“Y-you think you can just come around here and say it like that!”

“Huh, what do y...”

“You dare attempt to trifle with an innocent mare’s heart! Trixie has waited for you to say something for months and that is the best you can come up with after failing to score Dr Quinn only the other day!”.

Braeburn panicked as he caught up with what she was saying. 

“Wait does that… …You mean YOU have a crush on me?”

“…YOU INSENSITIVE BASTARD!!!”

Trixie screamed as she summoned all her power into one blast before walking back indoors, ignoring as she did the smoking ruin behind her in the street, so tranquil until mere seconds ago.

Moments later as an elderly couple passed a brand new smoking crater in the street they remarked on who would collect the town betting pool on how long it would take Braeburn to get desperate or foolhardy enough to try dating Trixie.

The explosion was heard across Appleloosa and it didn't take long for Luna to investigate considering the large pillar of smoke on the other side of town, although it upset her the local ponies immediately saw a correlation between Moon princess and explosion and responded accordingly by screaming then running away!.

Luna muttered to herself as she followed the smoke right up to the edge of the crater.

“Urrrgghh”

“Ah Braeburn good… Uh Braeburn are you OK? Did you find the one called Trixie?” 

Out of the crater a hoof pointed at the front door before collapsing back down, Luna looked down at the once again prone Braeburn and wondered what exactly her mother Spellbinder had made this generation of stallion's out of? …Although she had to admit he was cute.

“He will be fine”.

“Aaahhhhhhh”, Luna jumped in fright as a powder blue unicorn mare sat nonchalantly beside her.

“Y-You will announce yourself when ...so close”, Luna's heart was beating so fast Trixie could actually hear it.

“So what can Trixie do for you?”
> Part Three: One Of Our Spitfires Is Missing.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Three: One Of Our Spitfires Is Missing.

While any pony with common sense knows its suicidal to tempt fate, its generally accepted to tempt a goddess, say the one sat next to you is stark raving madness, to sit there and tease said god was especially daring since the goddess in question was Luna the moon princess of Equestria with her questionable history.

“It seems you've taken to him, well take him then, Trixie cares not.”

The him in question was Braeburn of Appleloosa who was currently comatose in a crater of Trixie's making.

“How dare you insinuate I would take a mate in the street!!”.

It was Trixie's turn to do a double take, “I said no such thing, I meant take him away if you fancy him I don't want him.”

“Oh, m-my apologies I haven't gotten used to all the changes in speech yet”, Luna blushed as she avoided the eyes of the blue unicorn the self-introduced Trixie, the mare she was looking for.

“Well, OK I suppose”, Trixie looked bored as she studied the slightly confused and embarrassed Princess in front of her.

“What are you doing here? Are you looking for Dr Quinn?”

“I was looking for you.”

This got Trixie's attention and she just stared for a moment before regaining her composure, something the princess was also doing in between glancing at Braeburn and fuming about the mere implication she would do such a thing, after all it wouldn't be right or proper or.....

“Princess Luna!” Trixie had to shout for the third time before she responded.

“What do you want from me?”

“Oh... Yes, that's it, Congratulation's on becoming my student miss Trixie!”

“Your what now”.

Luna's smile faltered at the unimpressed look on the mare in front of her.

“You are to be my personal student and I will teach you all I know! And we can like... hang out and do stuff... and see your friends?”

“No”

“But....”

“I said no, Trixie does what Trixie wants I have no intentions of doing anything like becoming some ponies student thank you”.

“But its a great honor”

“No thank you.”

Trixie stood up and then magically teleported, Luna's eye twitched as she magicked her back, annoyed Trixie vanished again, Luna brought her back but was ready and hit her immediately with her patent pending Stare of the Moon!! 

“STAY”, she said and Trixie did.

“YOU WILL BECOME MY STUDENT, YOU WILL BRING YOUR FRIENDS TO GREET ME, AND YOU WILL ADDRESS ME AS TEACHER FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR TRAINING!!! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD.”

“I can't”, Trixie whined in a small voice.

“WHY NOT?”

The powder blue mare hung her head as she recounted the story of her fateful stay in Ponyville and her retreat, her listless penniless wanderings and her eventual relocation to Appleloosa and the opportunities that awaited, in hindsight Trixie mused it sounded great until you realized it was pretty much all apple based.

“I'm not at all powerful enough to be your student, and I don't have any friends.”

Luna was taken aback and cursed her misfortune at finding a student who in reality had less faith in herself than she did and to top it off appeared to be such a cow that no pony liked her.

“But Celly.. I Mean my sister Celestia said you were second of the most powerful ponies in Equestria!”

“S-She did? Wait whose in first place?”

“Her own student, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Damn that mare” Trixie muttered as she got up without a another word and slowly wandered into town.

After a few minutes of indecision Luna regained her regal bearing, checked one last time Braeburn was still breathing then followed the stubborn mare. 

Braeburn slowly began to stir only to find himself alone in his crater so he decided to stay since it was surprisingly comfy and mare-less.

Appleloosa was deserted as Trixie made her way to the saloon for a stiff drink but she couldn't ignore the presence of the princess closing in behind and she finally gave in as she reached the front of the building.

“I am not becoming your student, so there.”

“Please?” Trixie had to admit Luna seemed somewhat pitiful as she pleaded with her.

“Why do you want me? Because your sister said I was powerful? 

"Or is it because of something else?”

Luna stared at the floor as Trixie tapped her hoof impatiently; Luna decided to risk it all.

“I don't have any friends and I was hoping I could get a student and be friends with them and...”

Trixie just stared at Luna as the princess rushed the rest in an effort to finish.

“…Get to know their friends, I would send them on an adventure and you all can write me reports of how it’s all going and we can all get together and I wouldn’t be lonely anymore…”

Trixie face hoofed as she worked through Luna's logic, a very small part of her long lost and buried deeper than she'd left Braeburn surfaced in her mind, it dared to feel sorry for the now sobbing princess and Trixie for a split second felt an urge to confess her own loneliness and go with her... 

...But only for a second before delivering the coup De grace.

“No!”

Luna’s face crumbled, she had expected any normal pony to be honored and privileged to be chosen to be the student of a princess? But as Trixie began to walk towards the saloon door Luna decided to appeal to what was obviously Trixie's better nature.

“I will teach you to be more powerful than Twilight!”

Trixie stopped, “for real?” Luna nodded and then cheered silently as Trixie made a sound of complete exasperation before flicking her nose in the air 

“What exactly do you intend to do, I don’t have any friends remember!”

Luna paused as she considered this, how had Celestia put it? Then it clicked and she spoke in a more confident tone this time.

“Twilight had to go on an adventure to find her friends if you went on an adventure you’d be sure to make friends!”

“That’s your plan send me off who knows where to make friends to bring back so you can have ponies to hang out with?”

“Don’t you want friends Trixie? Aren’t you alone?”

“I’ve never had friends so I live without, it’s that simple.”

“But think of what you could accomplish with the magic of friendship? With friends like Twilight's…”

Trixie was suffocating with laughter at the idea of magic friendship, led on her back she was laughing so hard she missed the light bulb appear and disappear above Luna’s head.

“THAT’’S IT”

Luna had a wicked grin on her face as she concocted a simple yet brilliant plan,

“We shall find you friends just like Twilight's! A racing Pegasus a party pony a fancy pony a farm pony and a shy pony!!! It’s perfect!!!”

Trixie face-hoofed as it sounded more like a line up at a dating service.

“You’ll need to catch the train to Canterlot so if you go buy a ticket I’ll go and…”

Trixie dragged herself to her hooves and silenced Luna with reality, 

“I’m broke so unless you are carrying a wallet in that mane you’ll have to carry me”

Luna’s face went crimson as she twirled her hoof in the dirt, Trixie blinked twice,

“You can’t be serious, we’re both mare’s you know.”

The moon princess hid her face in her mane as she replied softly,

“I’ve never done that before, I might not be strong enough yet to reach Canterlot with some pony riding me in one go… And if I miss raising the moon tonight Celly will ground me for sure.”

“Grounded, you're worried about being grounded? Jeez you’re some princess, look over there is a bank, go and get some of that royal pocket money you’ve been saving for like a millennia and fund your new ‘student’.” 

Trixie ladled on the sarcasm getting a kick out of tormenting the obviously confused princess.

Without a word Luna wandered towards the bank her face hidden in her mane as she tried to not lose her temper, that and she was both happy and sad at the same time. 

Happy because she had found a student (she glossed over exactly how in her recollection) and sad because she couldn’t understand why it wasn’t just falling into place like she’d imagined? After all, what was she doing wrong?

Trixie watched her depart then looked around at the still deserted town and wondered if the entire populace had run to the hills when she’d put Braeburn in his place yet again. 

She sighed, there was a lot of obvious pro’s and con’s to being a princesses student but Trixie had lost what little she had in Ponyville and she didn’t really know if what she wanted were the same things anymore.

After what seemed like ages Luna returned in high spirits, briefly Trixie wondered what it might take to get her to really break down. 

As Luna reached Trixie she levitated a pair of very heavy looking satchel bags to the ground with her magic and stood beaming at the reluctant student.

Trixie used her magic to lift the bags and was shocked to realise she could barely lift them without concentration, and staggered a bit when they lowered onto her back, 

“H-how much do you think a train ticket is you loony?”

“Don’t c-call me t-that no pony calls me that, besides there wasn’t any pony to help me, so I left a note.”

(This note was written hastily in ancient Equestrian which hadn’t been properly spoken in over five hundred years.)

“Hmph, well what do I have to do now oh great sensei?”

“Catch the train to Canterlot I’ll meet you at the palace and we will go from there… Thank you Trixie, we’re going be friends I just know it!”

With that and a regal nod Luna excitedly took off in the direction of Canterlot, Trixie could have sworn she’d started crying, what she wasn’t sure about was if she looked happy or sad?

A noise behind Trixie snapped her out of her dangerously emotional thinking as she felt almost… sorry for her again?

It seemed to Trixie like the entire townsfolk had chosen that moment right after Luna had left to comeback and from the look of their torches and pitchforks they weren’t happy either.

Trixie was about to go into a monologue about becoming Luna’s student and so would be out of their mane’s soon when Ink Blot the towns bank clerk let out a startled cry,

“That there are mah satchels! They got the apple workers wages in!”

Trixie stood for a second then hung her head in resignation, in doing so she heard a train whistle in the distance, giving her best smile she magically summoned a dust cloud that engulfed the attendant crowd and allowed her to make a break for the station whilst screaming bloody vengeance the whole way.

(Historical Note: Scholars all over Equestria have argued the reasons that led Trixie to begin her life of crime in Appleloosa but all agree it was a most daring robbery made universally known throughout Equestria by the country song ‘The Ballad of Trixie’ which altered events somewhat radically to sound even more exciting to the listener especially since the pony who wrote it wasn’t there at the time, or knew Trixie personally or in fact could find Appleloosa on a map.)

However, back In Canterlot…

Princess Celestia was curious, Luna had returned only to disappear into her room as soon as she’d raised the moon and judging by all the attendants going back and forth from her room she was up to something.

Unknown to Celestia Luna was busy collecting books items and artifacts she thought would help her and her new student find an adventure to go on, stopping for a second to think she noticed her sister poking her nose around the door.

“Yes dear sister how may I be of assistance?”

“Did everything go as you had hoped Luna? Did she agree to be your student?”

“Yes and what’s more she’s going on an adventure to find friendship.”

Celestia smiled in a confused sort of way… Trixie, the great and powerful Trixie who had caused nothing but trouble wherever she went was now off on an adventure to find friends? 

This nagged at the sun goddess who watched Luna bustle about inspecting lists and items even starting to whistle, Celestia wondered if she should ask Twilight for advice.

Once more in Appleloosa…

Another pony feeling out of the loop was Braeburn, after Dr Quinn had returned and told him in no uncertain terms to clear on out of his crater, he’d returned to the main street to be confronted by the sheriff with the whole town behind him.

It was then that they made Braeburn as a logical choice (and an expendable one) an honorary deputy in charge of a posse.

When Braeburn learned who he’d be chasing and why the townsfolk had to fetch whiskey to revive him only for him to start sobbing uncontrollably, the locals felt especially uncomfortable when the hastily assembled posse had to drag him to the train station and eventually restrain him after he tried to throw himself under the next train.

His swearing in ceremony was carried out in his absence, many onlookers offering to pay the postage to send his badge to wherever his mortal remains would be laid to rest.

And back to Canterlot…

Luna had finished her preparations, Celestia was asleep and Trixie was idly counting her money whilst ignoring the smell of the freight train she’d hitched her escape on, after all the commotion had died down the rest of the night passed fairly peacefully.

Morning rose in Canterlot with little fanfare and found a tired Luna sat ignoring the food in front of her as she awaited the arrival of her student who should be arriving at Canterlot mid morning by the timetable she’d been given by a servant the night before.

As the princess sat there she noticed one of Celestia’s morning papers, as she sat reading and marveling at the color pictures she noticed there was a full color spread advertising the Wonderbolts, Equestria’s universally loved aerial display team.

Luna’s thoughts switched to what she had said to Trixie, a fancy pony a shy pony a party pony a farm pony and… A racing pony!!!

The moon princess made a squee of pure joy since she could easily find a compatible friend for her student at the Wonderbolts HQ!!! She got up from the table and excitedly hurried to find a street map of Canterlot.

Just as the moon princess made her way from the table, across town a freight train pulled into the station and from it sneaked a rather disheveled blue mare weighed down by heavy satchels.

The mare then did her best to avoid the stares of several surprised station workers as she made her way off the platform towards the nearest hotel or anywhere she could have a bath and freshen up.

A little later Trixie felt a bit more alive as she dried herself off in a private room in a bathhouse across from the station, through the door she could hear the muted muttering of the owner who was trying to clean up the hoof prints she had left in the foyer.

Slowly Trixie hefted the satchels back in place and prepared to find a restaurant while she decided what she was going to do? 

After all she’d only run away from Appleloosa to avoid stupid questions and because they wouldn’t have listened so she switched her thoughts to her new ‘mentor’ and in doing so let her anger flow freely as she wrung the metaphorical life from her towel, at least Luna could sort it all out for Trixie and clear her name.

Trixie exited the bathhouse in reasonably high spirits that were crushed instantly when she saw who was waiting outside for her.

“Under the authority invested in me by the sheriff of Appleloosa I-I…”

Braeburn went silent as he realized his posse was stood a lot further back than he’d thought they’d been a moment ago, swallowing heavily and in a slightly less commanding tone he made to continue.

“A-as I was saying u-under the auth… wait… Trixie… n-no… please mercy noooooo!!!!!!.”

Trixie was enveloped in a maelstrom of incandescent blue flame as she summoned all of her power and with one look unleashed her fury on the pleading former ‘apple’ of her eye and once the smoke had cleared raised her nose in the air and trotted away.

Across Town…

Canterlot wasn’t a huge city compared to say Manehatten but at the Wonderbolts HQ on the other side of Canterlot from the station the explosion went unnoticed, mostly due to the explosion happening on the training field as the captain of the team Spitfire was venting her anger on her second the blue stallion and lover of pies Soarin.

The reason for this was Spitfire had injured her wing slipping on an empty pie tin and was determined the team would function regardless and was taking it a little far the team thought. 

Soarin however had thought this out loud and now Spitfire was berating him with increasing fury as her wing began itching to unfurl for the hundredth time that morning.

“Awww but Spitfire we’ve been up since dawn, we’re tired, why can’t we just have a break?”

“No.”

Spitfire gave Soarin a look of sheer malevolence as she reeled off a list of flying moves for them to continue with, at first she thought they’d stopped whining in resignation but saw they were looking right past her.

“Ahem”

“What do y… Princess Luna!”

Spitfire winced as she hastily bowed instinctively moving her wings back and up the resulting pain was sharp and immediate; the other Wonderbolts copied their captain as Luna stood looking a little uncomfortable before she spoke.

“I wish to see the captain of the team at once!”

The collective breath held by her team was released in a rush as they realized Spitfire would have to deal with it and before she could stop them they took off to practice in the only show of willing she’d seen all week.

“That would be me princess my name is Spitfire how may I be of service?”

“You are injured?”

“A slight accident involving a pie tin my princess, a couple of weeks rest and it should be fine in time for the new season in a few months.”

“A pie tin…? A few months to the new season… That’s good to hear…”

Luna sniggered slightly as the image of the fiery looking young mare in front of her comically slipping in said manner flashed before her eyes.

This however earned her a raised eyebrow from Spitfire who was rapidly loosing her patience.

“Excuse me princess but what was it you were looking for exactly?”

“I am in need of a pony looking for adventure!”

Spitfire had a nasty thought as she watched the lazy loop the loops and gentle barrel rolls the team were performing above their heads in a blatant display of the listening in while still doing something routine.  

“Is this adventure going to involve a lot of travel?”

“Oh yes most definitely along with the making of new friends!”

Luna mistook Spitfires grin as a good sign, Spitfire however was just imagining Soarin's face when she sent him away from his sofa, pies and other assorted distractions to toughen him up! Plus if it was anything to do with Luna she might get lucky and he wouldn’t come back at all.

Evil thoughts were flowing through the captain’s mind as she nodded and replied.

“That would be perfect!”

“Wonderful just wonderful I knew the moment I saw you that you would agree! I’m so happy!”

“Huh? Wait a minute princess I didn’t mean me! I can’t leave the team!”

Spitfire tried to continue but was nearly knocked off her hooves as Soarin landed out of nowhere next to her,

“Princess Luna the Wonderbolts would be honored to assist in anyway possible and gladly send the best of us to aid you, our captain is in need of some time away from HQ due to her injury and the rest of us are so busy with practice… So please be our guest.”

As Soarin bowed deeply Spitfire could scarcely believe this was the same lazy foolish idiot she’d been forced to pick as her second due entirely to his ability to fly straight most of the time and the fact the fans loved his boyish antics. 

Luna began nervously talking at full speed about how much she was looking forward to introducing her to her student and discussing assembling the ‘other’ ponies for their adventure. 

Spitfire distracted by her own worries about her duties zoned out as her mind conjured up visions of what would transpire with Soarin in charge and how princess Celestia would flip her lid if she left the team all alone yet again...

…Especially after swearing that oath…

…And signing that contract in blood…

…Fetching a box of cakes from the high street…

…As well as dressing as a banana and dancing… (At that point she’d grown suspicious of Celestia’s solemn vow it was all part of the job.)

“I-I can’t accept this h-honor prin…”

“Nonsense like our Princess said, you’re perfect for this!” 

Soarin’s smile was so wide Spitfire could almost see the future reflected in his innocent pearly whites only that future involved parties takeout little or no training and plenty of headlines involving drinking gambling nightclubs fighting and rude cloud graffiti.

Well if she were really lucky that is, her team unsupervised were like trouble magnets and leader of the pack, the biggest lout of them all and the next in line for command of the team was about to get her packed off to who knew where...

It was here that Spitfire snapped out of her miasma ready to tell Luna no when she stopped in her tracks, the princess was looking at her with an expression of pure joy. 

Spitfire had only seen Luna from a distance at a few royal gatherings the odd fly by and she’d certainly had never seen her smiling but now she was beaming and at least in Spitfires opinion it made her look like a true goddess.

“I-I would be honored,” Spitfire smiled weakly but flinched as Soarin snapped out of his airs and graces in a flash before turning and shouting to the team idly swooping and looping above.

“TOGA!!!”

The team responded instantly…

“TOGA!!! TOGA!!!”

And in that moment Spitfires life turned upside down as her team immediately exited stage left no doubt to find bed sheets, confused Luna piped up.

“What do they want with those? Do ponies still dress in those in this era? I have some beautiful togas in my wardrobe what colour would you suggest for this time of year?”

Luna experimenting with ‘mare talk’ as she attempted to practice ’bonding’ with the young captain beside her beamed a smile for barely a second as she registered the utterly devastated look on Spitfires face.

“They’re going to throw a toga party and drape themselves in sheets while drinking themselves stupid and probably burning the HQ down.”

“Why would they burn it down? Is it part of the ritual?”

“Who knows but they managed it last time I was gone for more than a day.”

(Historical Note: This was due in large part to the idea Soarin had to hook up both the HQ’s sound system with that of the DJ friend he’d invited to perform at the party. 

‘This one goes to eleven! ‘Tavi hit it!!!’ 

This was the last thing heard through the speakers before a grey mare hit the power button for the extra system which promptly exploded, as did Vinyl’s gear causing a pile of takeout cartons and a sofa to catch alight leading to the eventual incineration/destruction of the second HQ since Soarin had joined the team.

The first having just disappeared one night leaving only the foundations, dropping several sleeping Wonderbolts and trainees into the basement, Spitfire eventually discovered what happened after Soarin admitted to trying to double date a pair of very pretty and also identical unicorn twins who just happened to be magical demolition experts.)

“Shall we go princess before…?” 

Too late, the telltale thud of bass drifted from the windows of the HQ as Luna and Spitfire exited the field moments before the first window was broken and some pony spiked the punch.

Spitfire listened as Luna talked incessantly about her plans but as they walked along she realized she had no idea how long she was supposed to be on this adventure?

According to the princess she had a student who was in need of adventure and was to learn about the magic of friendship and she was to accompany this mare on a quest to find friendship, the princess said the rest was to be revealed when all the ponies required had been found.

“To be honest princess this sounds like something out of one of those Daring Do adventure novels Soarin reads,”

“I-It’s a little unusual yes, but I promise it’ll be so much fun, here this is for you,”

Luna used her magic to levitate a small chain from a small pouch hanging around her neck hidden by her mane upon which was a small silver crescent moon hanging alongside a letter L.

(Historical Note: Luna had previously made several of these before becoming Nightmare Moon for her personal guard as a token and link to each of them, but she hadn’t been given the chance to bestow them on her guards and now thought it would be a perfect opportunity to use them for their intended purpose…

To bring closer a group she hoped would become an important part of her life. )

Spitfire doubted that fun comment sincerely but she didn’t know what to do so she allowed Luna to place the necklace over her head, how exactly she was going to refuse a goddess was beyond her even if she sounded like a cross between a school filly and a lunatic.

They eventually reached the castle gates after Luna had gotten Spitfire to tell her all about the Wonderbolts to which she was enthralled the whole way, many ponies passing them in the street were stunned not only to actually see Luna out and about but with the captain of the Wonderbolts no less and smiling.

This was soon over as the two mares heard shouting off in the distance and the sound of an explosion,

“Maybe you should go inside princess it doesn’t sound safe,”

Luna nodded and made to enter the castle gates when her face lit up and she waved to a pony down the street that was jogging briskly towards the pair,

“Trixie you’re here, I’ve got great news!”

Trixie stopped in front of Luna with only a brief glance towards Spitfire tinged with curiosity, she closed her eyes sighing before she let rip at her new teacher.

“WHAT IN THE FIRES OF TARTARUS ARE YOU TRYING TO DO TO ME YOU IMBECILE!!! I’VE BEEN CHASED ALL THE WAY FROM THAT DAMNED APPLE TOWN BY A POSSE BECAUSE YOU TOOK THE WORKERS WAGE BILL FROM THE BANK… …Y-YOU IDIOT!!!?”

Luna shrank back for a moment then promptly sat down and burst into tears, Trixie just screamed in frustration as she jabbed an accusatory hoof at her cowering mentor.

“Well?”

“I left a note explaining everything, I didn’t realize it was important it was just lying in the safe.”

Trixie’s mouth twitched...

“In the safe?”

“Yes that’s what took so long I had to open it first.”

“Y-YOU…”

“I found our first companion.” 

Luna squeaked from behind her mane, Trixie looked at the yellow Pegasus mare with a bright fiery mane and flying goggles, her right wing in a splint.

“And you are?”

Spitfire winced at the acidic tone the blue mare used but barely held back her anger at seeing her princess reduced to a whimpering filly in front of her.

“Spitfire Captain of the Wonderbolts,”

If Trixie was impressed she did a great job of hiding it, with a flick of her nose she replied,

“I am Trixie, student of that miserable excuse of an omnipotent being over there.”

This caused Luna to whimper but before Spitfire could stand up for her princess against this bully a shout came from down the street, quickly followed by the sound of hooves, a whole lot of hooves.

Spitfire was amazed to see a host of grizzled looking frontier ponies (the Stetsons and beards were a dead give away) charging down the street while half following half dragging a young stallion which when she thought about it explained why it was taking them so long to reach them.

The Wonderbolt turned to the blue mare and asked with an eyebrow raised.

“I take it they aren’t friends of yours by any chance?”

Trixie turned to the princess for help but was infuriated when she ignored her and began waving to the oncoming group. 

“Braeburn what are you doing here?” 

As Luna called out and waved she clipped a passing wasp that stung her causing her to cry out.

One of the oncoming stallions whose eyesight was questionable at best cried out as he saw Luna jerk and stumble at the attack.

“Look the witch and that yellow mare are attacking the princess come on lads after them!!!”

The group were still at some distance thanks to Braeburn who upon hearing that suddenly reared up and with a rebel yell led the charge.

Trixie considered putting up a fight but after that shout she could hear every guard in the palace grounds running for the gates as more than a few burly onlookers along the street stepped forward towards the three of them.

Luna stood up straight wincing at the sting and was about to call for calm when a brown paper parcel plummeted straight from the sky and hit her square on the head. 

As Luna slumped forward unconscious both Trixie and Spitfire stood for a second in shock before Spitfire thought she saw a familiar looking mail mare disappearing into the clouds oblivious to her lost parcel.

Seemingly unfazed or concerned for Luna, Trixie took one look at the floored princess just to check before turning to Spitfire. 

“Hey Wonderbolt… Fancy sticking around to get arrested for robbing a bank and assaulting a princess?”

“But…”

“She wants us to go on an adventure and for us to live to tell the tale, can’t do that stuck here explaining everything right?!!!”

Spitfire hesitated before praying to Celestia for forgiveness as she began rapidly following the blue mare that was now running full tilt away from the oncoming mass of onlooker’s guards and frontier ponies that were a heck of a lot closer now than before.

Braeburn halted as he reached the fallen princess casting a glance down the street he saw the retreating rumps of the terror known as Trixie and another mare he figured must be an accomplice. 

As his posse gave chase Braeburn knelt checked the princess and then leaving her to the care of arriving palace guards, he reared up and swearing dishonor before death (if he could get away with it) resumed pursuit.

A passing squad of royal guard had briefly joined the posse in pursuit of the pair across Canterlot but were forced to break off soon after as they spotted a very large crowd of rowdy looking young ponies some in Wonderbolt uniforms but all in toga’s carrying alcohol and snacks and felt it necessary to investigate.

As they disappeared into the swelling crowd of party goers arriving at the Wonderbolt HQ the squad sergeant sent a call for reinforcements back with a messenger to the palace.

This would be the last any pony would see of the squad as the party to end all parties began in earnest…

> Part Four: Crouching Luna Drunken Pony.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Four: Crouching Luna Drunken Pony.

Trixie and Spitfire were laid out by a small stream that ran through woods located between Canterlot and Ponyville, the pair were trying to catch their breath after managing to escape at least temporarily those chasing them.

Celestia’s warm summer sun beat down on them and the light through the trees created a dappling effect with the light as Trixie who was led on her back exhausted from the long chase tried in vain to wiggle herself towards the cool water just inches from her nose.

The effort was too much and she gave up as her companion who was an all round athlete and captain of the Wonderbolts fared a little better managing to dip her tongue and at least lap up a mouthful or two before also giving up the ghost and just laying there.

The past three days for the pair had been desperate, without food water a map or any help they had been chased from pillar to post by the Appleloosian posse headed by the stallion Braeburn right across the Equestrian countryside between the capital and the small town of Ponyville.

Trixie was sure they had been going in circles but with Spitfires wing in a splint and Trixie’s only medical magic being for scrapes and cuts they were unable to get their bearings from the air.

The mood despite the heat was colder than a penguin called Chilly Cool McCool sat in an ice box drinking liquid nitrogen on the moon.

Spitfire despite not having a clue why the world was playing such a cruel joke on her had followed Trixie out of Canterlot and then been embroiled in this chase for three days all because a certain moon princess had asked her to journey with her student.

She didn’t know what was worse the constant running and hiding from the posse chasing them or the on edge bad tempered blue mare of a magician Trixie.

Spitfire had studied this mare between scrapes with the posse and had decided she hated every second with this scathing frustrating and indiscriminately violent magician who had so far nailed the leader of the posse no less than four times with variously devastating spells in the last three days.

Spitfire had serious respect for the one Trixie called Braeburn idly wondering if she could use that level of punishment on her teams second in command Soarin who at least in her mind was just as stupid as the intrepid cow pony.

“We should get going before we lose our lead.”

“Screw that I have to rest, my wing is hurting” the Wonderbolt replied wearily.

‘Crack’

The pair froze as the sound of a snapping twig broke the silence, as they looked around Trixie realized a mare was staggering towards them quickly her eyes unfocused and tongue lolling.

The Trixie rose up her magic charging as she summoned a fireball but was cut down mid spell as Spitfire barrelled into her causing them to collapse in an awkward pile of limbs and evaporating magic.

The oncoming mare passed right by shambling up to the stream and proceeding to immerse her whole head in the water completely ignoring the tangled pair. 

Trixie roughly shoved Spitfire off of her causing the fiery Pegasus to cry out as Trixie’s hooves caught her splint, glaring venomously at the magician the Wonderbolt tended her wing as Trixie cast an eye over the still partially submerged mare a few hooves away.

Moments passed as the reddish purple colored pony with a bunch of grapes and a strawberry for a cutie mark stood stock still except for the steady rise and fall of her chest, leaving Trixie to assume she was still breathing but not quite sure how.

Slowly the head surfaced to show the expression had changed to one of contentment and as the mare turned back on herself she noticed two grubby looking mares laying on the ground staring right at her with a mixture of confusion concern and apprehension.

“Hi?”

“Hi?” 

Trixie and Spitfire chorused before they exchanged looks, shrugging Trixie started blunt.

“Do you know where you are? And where is here exactly? Is there some pony taking care of you perhaps?”

“Trixie…” 

The Wonderbolt hissed at the impoliteness shown to a stranger.

“What? You got a problem Spitz.”

“Don’t call me that you witch it’s your fault and Luna’s I’m here instead of keeping watch over those preschoolers who dare call themselves a team.”

(Historical Note: Although it is difficult to establish a time line over this period it is reasonable to assume that at that precise moment the preschoolers in question were still partying. 

However the size of the gathering had grown substantially over the three days and was now encompassing the entire HQ and training field some of which was now taken up by an immense statue of Spitfire with flame colored clouds for a mane and tail with the body made out of empty beer cans.

The impressive statue was made all the more striking thanks to the inventive nature of a local post grad unicorn who had used his magic to make it continuously breathe fire and in a deep voice call out REMEMBER ME!.)

Trixie bit back her own sense of unfairly being hoisted from her life and focused her rage at the equally hayed off Wonderbolt in front of her, as the pair went face to face while continuing to slander each other and complain about the injustice they almost failed to notice the other mare collapse suddenly.

“H-Hey are you ok?” both mares quickly forgot their excessive differences and rushed to check the fallen pony.

The mare burped as her eyes fluttered open and she threw up, it was if a geyser had erupted in this mare and Spitfire and Trixie caught it full frontal.

On the other side of the woods and busy bandaging the latest burns and contusions Braeburn was chilled to the bone by the most hideous screams imaginable it sounded like two demons being tortured in a cacophony of anguish.

“I said I was sorry!” 

The mare had eventually recovered enough to speak and was meekly attempting to apologize to the livid mares stood looking both angry and shocked at the same time. 

After some persuasion she managed to get them to follow her to a nearby roadside inn that her father owned and she was currently visiting.

After several hours of immersion, scrubbing and lots more water and soap Spitfire emerged feeling at least somewhat recovered but Trixie was still cleaning herself relentlessly and in the last several hours had introduced with her loud voice to all of the inns occupants all of the expletives she’d learned on her travels which were extensive and detailed.

Eventually the pair was sat in the dining room slash bar when the slightly healthier looking mare that had brought them there reappeared looking a bit less plastered than when they met her and finally introduced herself as Berry Punch.
A winemaker from Ponyville she’d fallen ill after drinking at a best cider contest and decided on the way home to dunk her head in the local stream to cool off.

Judging by her stomach contents that had been thoroughly dealt with by the fugitives they exchanged glances when Berry Punch looked away momentarily as Trixie made a gesture with her hoof to imply Berry had been more than a little drunk, annoyed Spitfire frowned at her rudeness despite her agreement.

“So what about you two, why were you two out in the woods?” 

The magician and the Wonderbolt went silent and didn’t answer as Berry Punch sat and faster than the equine eye produced three glasses and a ruby colored bottle that bore her cutie mark on the label.

“My own creation, How about drinks on the house to say sorry for…”

Berry tailed off as the reminder made the pair scowl at her, instead she silently poured them each a drink and sat down again smiling she barely had settled in place before her drink had disappeared and she began pouring the next one.

Trixie snorted as she downed her own drink slamming the empty glass back down but as she swallowed the strength of the wine hit her full on and as she fought for breath choking she blinked back tears.

“Y-You… Trying to k-kill me…”

Berry gave Trixie a quizzical look as she finished off her third drink and shrugged her demeanor rapidly changing as she was obviously fast becoming even more inebriated.  

Trixie had barely regained control of her voice when she spied Spitfires glass which remained untouched on the table, fixing her with a look of ‘your turn’ the blue mare waited for the Wonderbolt to drink.

“What’s the matter Spitz not old enough to drink?”

Spitfire snarled as she replied, the contempt for Trixie boiling over in her voice.

“Wonderbolt remember, I can’t drink it’s the teams rules, my rules.”

“Do you think your team is being as ‘dedicated’ as you O’ Wonder captain…”

Spitfire looked at Trixie, then Berry, and then into the bottom of the glass.

As night settled in and the lights were lit in the inn by Berry’s father the trio of mares were alone in the bar, thanks in part to their constant arguing and raucous laughter but they were finally beginning to relax thanks mostly to the incredibly strong wine being served up by the now intoxicated Berry.

Berry who had been reasonably quiet right up until the fifth drink changed into a completely different mare, strong willed confident brash and happy in a way Trixie had believed impossible without some sort of magic dust.

Eventually Trixie took the barrage of hints from Berry concerning their earlier predicament so she reluctantly after a nod from Spitfire relayed her side before the Wonderbolt did the same.

Berry attempted to focus on the four mares in front of her and hiccuped causing all four to hit the deck just in case, as they resumed their seats Berry spoke in a slurred yet excited voice,

“So you’re on a mission for the moon princess which in the process she robbed a bank Trixie’s been chased all the way from Appleloosa, Spitfires worried about her team and you’re both being chased by a posse led by Trixie’s ex because you assaulted Celestia with her mail? Cool.”

“Nooo you drunken foal Braeburn’s not my ex just some pony I liked but is an idiot and it was Luna we assaulted not Celestia and I don’t know whose mail it was! Wait that’s not right..?” now she was confused and more than a little tipsy Trixie face-hoofed.

“So you attacked your own teacher..? Trixie that’s like wow! Is she that bad a mentor? But you said this stallion’s chased you all the way here to bring you your mail and you blew him up! That’s a bit cold isn’t it?”

“Oh shut up,” Trixie replied knackered out by the exchange and mildly annoyed at Spitfire who was giggling like a school filly with a rosy tint around her cheeks as she made it to half way through her fourth glass. 

Trixie who’d had seven glanced at Berry who only Spellbinder knew how many she’d had at this point but each one continued to fuel her as she became yet more animated, Trixie could feel an almost tangible energy around this strangely welcoming and friendly if a little shot away mare.

“It sounds like fun despite you hitting your ex and robbing a princess to open a bank?”

Trixie just sighed but couldn’t help but think about what she was supposedly doing way out here with captain tight flank and a two sided lop sided pony.

(Historical Note: Trixie herself has on many occasions since refuted Berry Punches claim about what happened next but even Spitfire agrees it was the first time Trixie did something that didn’t make her want to throttle her relentlessly until she quit moving.)

“Do you want to come with Trixie and Spitfire on our journey?”

Flim and Flam the brothers who had invented the super speedy cider squeezy 6000 were on their way out of Ponyville with their tails between their legs after losing a cider making contest at the sweet apple acres farmstead.

After a slow start they were on their way with their half land train half cider factory and despite the late hour were making progress towards the roadside inn they had stayed in on their way to Ponyville, but as the brothers slowly guided the giant machine down the country road they passed a most curious sight heading towards Ponyville.

Berry Punch that innkeepers daughter they’d met before was hooked up to a cart in which sat two other mares one blue with a silver mane and what Flam was sure was the captain of the Wonderbolts all three were singing a rude folk song at the top of their lungs.

“Hey Trixie do you know she’s a Whorse?” 

Berry called out and the blue mare obliged joined by a completely out of tune and obviously plastered yellow mare Flam was now convinced looked just like the Wonderbolt pin up Flim kept hidden in his clothes trunk (Flam blushed as he thought about the one of Soarin in his trunk).

As the mares continued slowly towards Ponyville the brothers exchanged puzzled looks as they too continued on too depressed to appreciate the merry scene they had just witnessed.

That was until they pulled up at the inn where they were met by a dogged looking bunch of cow ponies led by what appeared to be a walking advert for band aids and gauze with a Stetson who introduced himself as Braeburn Duly appointed Deputy of Appleloosa.

“Have either you two seen this felon and her accomplice who are wanted for a bank robbery and assaulting a princess of Equestria!”

Flam took the wanted poster one of the group offered up and in the poor lighting from the inn the pair studied the badly drawn approximations of the two criminals.

“The criminals name is Trixie we haven’t established the accomplices name yet.”

“Did you say Trixie? We just passed three drunk mares in a cart one was the innkeepers daughter she called the blue mare Trixie the other looked like a Wonderbolt I thought,” Flam was lifted bodily out of his seat as Braeburn got right up face to face with him a crazed look in his eye.

“WHERE WAS THIS..?”

Flam gulped and pointed back down the road, “That way maybe ten minutes..?”

Berry was slowing down as the booze started to wear off and Trixie and Spitfire had ceased singing and were swapping stories about their lives as Berry continued to plod along humming but increasingly feeling the burn.

Instead of staying at the inn Berry had offered to hide the pair at her place while they decided what to do next, packing supplies (mostly wine) and food (meaning snack food biscuits and nibbles etc) they had left the inn in high spirits.

Trixie and Spitfire were thrown to the floor as the cart lurched to a stop, as the two surprised mares untangled themselves from each other sharing a drunken blush and apologizing profusely they looked at the front of the cart where snores could be clearly heard.

As Trixie attempted to rouse Berry, Spitfire leaned back gingerly due to her wing which was aching slightly.

Spitfire perked up as she realized it was the kind of twinge she got when she was in danger when flying? 

Then a faint noise reached her ears and upon looking back up the road her jaw dropped before she recovered and turned around frantically.

“TRIXIE LOOK… THERE BEHIND US!!!” 

The blue mare turned and cursed as she focused on what had upset Spitfire.

A revitalized Braeburn forelegs crossed his Stetsons brim flapping in the wind stood precariously on his hind legs atop what looked like a multi colored runaway train being driven by half of a barbershop quartet and decorated by his posse who resembled the pirates of pony legend clinging to the sides of the monstrous machine hollering and waving their forelegs menacingly.

“Berry wake up!” 

Trixie cursed as the comatose pony merely snuffled and continued snoring, turning back to the carts interior Trixie began rummaging in the crate of bottles they’d brought with them.

“What are you doing? They’re going to catch us for sure, Do something Trixie..?”

“THERE… I GOT YOU!!!” 

The bottle came free from the crate and as Trixie uncorked it with her magic she turned back to Berry.

“What good’s that going to do idiot we’re done for.”

Trixie ignored Spitfire and tried unsuccessfully to force feed Berry the Booze but couldn’t get her mouth open and pour the bottle at the same time her magic control not so hot under the influence.

Infuriated and continuing to ignore the now pleading Spitfire Trixie twigged what had to happen, apologizing quickly to the sleeping pony she whispered 

“I’m sorry but we’ve got to get out of here.”

Rearing up Trixie came down hard and bit Berry Punch on the strawberry (on her cutie mark perverts).

Berry woke instantly and in a soft and gentle way cried out in surprise giving Trixie a look of hurt and surrender, she was about to start crying when Trixie jammed the bottle halfway down her throat and kept it there as the contents were poured straight down her throat.

Spitfire watched as the innocent look drained from Berry’s face and was replaced slowly by a lopsided smile unfocused eyes and with a rapid beating of her chest with her forelegs screaming “CHAARRGE” she moved, oh hay did she move as Trixie and Spitfire were once again thrown to the cart floor as the instant acceleration flattened them.

“What the horse feathers did you give her Trixie?” 

The blue mare smiled as she magically held up the bottle she’d used which had a different cutie mark as a symbol than the one’s they’d been drinking with Berry’s mark.

“When she was packing the crate I asked her about it and she said she had something that would knock the socks off you and give a special kind of boost...”

“I never wear socks…” 

Spitfire blushed slightly as Trixie smiled wickedly and leaned in she replied in a teasing tone,

“All ponies wear socks”.

Braeburn was furious, just as they had caught up it seemed the mare pulling the cart had stopped but in an instant suddenly shot off like a jack rabbit and despite the best efforts of the brothers Flim and Flam was pulling away at a fair lick.

“Faster!” Braeburn hollered for the brothers to accelerate but already reaching top speed the super 6000 was beginning to shake abnormally and beginning to smoke, they refused.
Undeterred Braeburn signaled his posse to throw them off if they refused again so after hastily agreeing to do as he said but with a prayer to Celestia they reluctantly increased it to maximum.

Despite the incredible speed of the mare pulling the cart the super 6000 was gradually gaining and as Trixie and Spitfire popped their heads over the back of the cart they could see Braeburn was now less than three or four cart lengths behind.

Trixie tried a spell but the rough surface of the road coupled with blurred vision knocked her aim off and the spell flew off target hitting a random posse member who was thrown from the train and disappeared into the bushes on the edge of road, Berry seemed to be automatically running on invisible rails on the road as Trixie took that second longer to aim her next shot.

“Recover from this bruise Braeburn Apple!”

The shot flew straight and true as Braeburn ducked the spell which flew over him and he dignified it with blowing a raspberry at Trixie until he realized she was smiling a little too much for her to have missed her intended target.

“Have a nice flight my little apple” Trixie’s use of her pet name for him panicked Braeburn and with a glance behind him confirmed his worst fears as the Flimflam Brothers sat in their seats with their hooves held in the air right where the controls had been only seconds ago before they disappeared in a flash of bright blue magic.

As Berry took the sharp left turn in the road at speed Trixie waved smugly and Spitfire saluted as the super 6000 carried straight on, Braeburn saluted no pony in particular as the Flimflam brothers hugged each other the posse however had the good sense to jump clear.

The super speedy cider squeezy 6000 sailed majestically into the night over the cliff that the turn avoided and so disappeared, both Trixie and Spitfire continued waving even when the following explosion illuminated the night and as the cloud of smoke and debris turned distinctly mushroom shaped.  

The cart carried on into the night towards Ponyville and as Trixie settled down she briefly considered her previous encounters in this town but brushed that aside as Spitfire also led down and as the cart rocked along they drifted off peacefully.

The last of the dirt and debris had come back down and settled as the posse reached the wreckage and were joined by their separated member who had unfortunately landed in stinging nettles then rolled into brambles before finally being stopped by a carelessly mislaid by the roadside bag of salt.

Despite the pain he’d tenderly made his way to the huge blast zone created by a volatile mix of booze, fumes and steam power.

As the posse collectively removed their hats a lone hoof punched through the dirt and like a phoenix rising Braeburn rose from the ground and after recovering his hat looked off into the distance and pronounced loudly for all to hear.

“Ah’m gonna get those mares if it’s the last thing ah do!” 

After a few moments the posse picked him up and carried him back towards the inn since he’d passed out still stood heroically after he’d finished talking.

Flam dragged his unconscious brother out of the wreckage just as the posse moved off; throwing Flim over his back he followed swearing they would get their revenge or at least compensation. 

Flam thought if that was really Spitfire then maybe he could be introduced to Soarin? He began whistling as for him (and his brother, of course) the chase was on.

Ponyville slept on despite the explosion blissfully unaware of unfolding events (due in part to the river of cider consumed by its residents at the cider contest throughout the day) and as Berry Spitfire and Trixie passed through the main street no one celebrated the return of the once great and powerful Trixie.
> Part Five: A Rose without Thorns.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Five: A Rose without Thorns.

The inhabitants of Ponyville dragged themselves out of bed as and when they could, heavy headed from cider after a most unusual and eventful opening to cider season the day before.

After the defeat of the Flim Flam brothers at Apple acres the ponies of Ponyville had gone on to enjoy the aforementioned cider a little too much and as a result were predictably feeling a little under the weather, the giant plume of black smoke rising from Canterlot in the distance was also worrying to say the least.

It had been like that ever since martial law had been declared four days ago and the capital was sealed off, most ponies were finally getting used to the random changes in the suns routine, most having woken at the usual time but found it to be totally pitch black outside without any stars and what looked like a moon hung by some pony who was in a hurry.

Unbeknownst to the general population this was due in part to the current situation rapidly developing in Canterlot, but also the mysterious wounding of Princess Luna.

Celestia sat next to her still unconscious sister’s bed staring out of the window while listening to the sounds of the capital and growing increasingly worried by them as she did.

Two days before cider season had officially begun Celestia had been holding court as usual when one of her guards arrived informing her that Luna had been injured and taken to her room unconscious and that the criminals responsible were being hunted down.

After a quick inspection of her sisters condition and satisfied she would survive her head injury Celestia made to continue her court while awaiting details of the attack.

Almost immediately she had been disturbed as the same messenger returned informing her that the guards who had pursued the assailants had disappeared and that a squad had been sent to find them.

The third report found her at teatime which was more successful than what it reported since the squad sent to find the missing guards had themselves gone missing.

Dispatching the messenger to find them personally had resulted in another messenger arriving to inform her of the now missing first messenger around eight o’clock at which time Celestia sent for her guard captains and ordered the mobilization of the entire daytime battalion of the royal guard.

What greeted her in the palace drill yard was a shock as fewer than three hundred out of five hundred guards had reported in, the rest were nowhere to be found.

As Celestia consulted her captains a deep rumble was beginning to be heard in the distance from across the capital and with each passing moment grew closer along with what sounded like giant metal hoof steps.

Celestia’s captains had managed to ascertain that the original squad had gone missing somewhere near the Wonderbolts HQ while pursuing Luna’s assailants in a joint effort with a posse from Appleloosa who were hot on the trail of these criminals for bank robbery. 

Another report from the second squad sent into that area before their disappearance mentioned encountering elderly ponies fleeing the noise of a large party. 

The last report received stated the squad had decided to investigate this after receiving yet more noise complaints from angry fleeing citizens, before of course continuing their search for their missing brothers in hooves.

Celestia blinked holding up a hoof as her captains voices tailed off,

“You said they all disappeared near to the Wonderbolts HQ?”

“Yes ma’am”

“You also said that there is a big party going on?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Did it occur to any pony this party might be at the Wonderbolts HQ?”

By the suddenly pale faces in front of her she realized they hadn’t, at this moment the second messenger returned with a report.

“All missing guards are still missing but word on the street indicates the captain of the Wonderbolts has also disappeared, on top of that a party has definitely started at their HQ.”

Celestia paused before responding “Spitfires gone you say?”

“Yes ma’am that would of course leave ‘him’ in charge,”

“Indeed a most worrying development, thank you for your report you’re dismissed.”

As the messenger left to continue his mission he took a sympathetic look at the now exceptionally worried looking assembly of guard’s ponies.

“B-But they promised they wouldn’t, they promised we wouldn’t have to break up any more parties!”

Celestia turned as the captain who spoke went white (an achievement for an already white Pegasus) his bottom lip trembled as tears welled up in his eyes his fellow officers were either silent, quietly praying or curled in the fetal position as she put a motherly hoof around the now sobbing captain, Celestia was convinced one of the other officers was writing his last will and testament.

(Historical Note: The unfortunate history between the royal guard and the Wonderbolts can be traced back nearly a hundred and fifty years to the first annual Wonderbolts end of season bash that was broken up by the palace guards after complaints of rowdy behavior. 

This in turn led to a long standing Wonderbolts tradition of pranks directed towards the royal guard in retribution which over the years had escalated with every interrupted party.

This had been forcefully ended by Celestia who made both sides sign a peace accord governing the use of extreme pranks after magically altered armor eating parasprites had been introduced to the guards barracks and a squad had been lost to an inter-dimensional rift conjured in the toilet. 

Which of course then mutated into life before breaking free of its fixings and chasing several maids, it then ate the court jester before surprising Celestia in the shower and promptly being blown to bits by the then freaking out goddess along with half the palaces southern wing.)

“Captain I want you to organize the guard and we will deal this together OK?”

The captain nodded and sniffled as he shakily returned the sun goddesses smile.

“Y-yes Ma’am, uh ma’am do you want me to declare marshal law… to help clear the streets that is?”

“No won’t be necessary yet, we may be able to contain this”

As the sun goddess comforted the captain she was only marginally surprised at this point to see what looked like a forty hoof high Spitfire stomp past the palaces outer wall with a full set of speaker’s attached to its back complete with DJ decks being ridden by a white unicorn mare with an electric blue mane. 

“Captain I need you to… oh bother”

Celestia looked around at the empty drill yard as the dust settled and wondered briefly if discord had gotten loose before realizing the captain she had her hoof around was desperately trying to slip away since he was now the only other remaining soul in the yard.

“Captain I need you to go fetch them back I don’t care how but get them back, also call up the reserves, we have a party to attend.”

That had been four days ago and Celestia was still regretting those words and the humiliating retreat from a crowd that had met her with stale fruit when she’d tried to spread calm among the party goers and halt the festivities. 

The guards that hadn’t fled far enough away after the yelling mob chased them back to the palace, had been forced to barricade the palace gates and pony the walls as the party spread like a colorful strobe lighted storm outside consuming all in its path.

Celestia had reluctantly called martial law and again sent her guards out to instill order but after witnessing the party first hand she wasn’t surprised when it turned into a rout for her guards after they reported having a party cannon repeatedly fired at them by a whooping pink pony.

Celestia had a pretty good idea who the pony responsible was and shook her head in defeat, if she was here things were dark indeed.

She looked once more at her sister before moving to attend the matters at hoof.

Meanwhile over in Ponyville a pair of ponies were waking up late after their own adventures with alcohol the previous evening, after much groaning in the end they got round to trying to wake the third member of their unfortunate group. 

Who at least in Trixie and Spitfires hazy estimation seemed more passed on than passed out.

Trixie eventually left Spitfire in the large bedroom the three had passed out in still trying to wake Berry Punch, largely because the super fit athlete was having some trouble processing the minor volume of alcohol she had consumed contrary to her usual no drinking while training regime and since she was always training her tolerance was non existent.

As Trixie wandered around the ample town house and its attached winery she wondered if she’d overdone it with her magic the previous night and pondered if that idiot had survived and if he had how long he would be in traction.

Noticing a local flyer on the sideboard Trixie dismissed her rapidly heating thoughts about a defenseless Braeburn as she remembered where she had ended up. 

Slowly Trixie took in the rustic atmosphere of the kitchen as she was surprised to find she wasn’t bothered by the sudden realization of being back in Ponyville.

Trixie thought about the Ursa Minor incident for a moment, she had run from this town to places she had never even heard of thanks to her reputation being destroyed by the rumor mill and the outlying towns had been her only hope of work.

The powder blue mare shook her head as she tried to dispel those images from her mind focusing instead on her current predicament but being rudely interrupted by a knocking sound from the other side of the house, making her way to the sound she found what looked like the front door, Trixie opened it cautiously with her magic.

“Mail mare”

In the doorway stood a grey Pegasus with a blond mane and golden eyes that seemed to travel around by their own accord but still managed to look expectantly at her while motioning to take the newspaper wrapped and hanging from string held between her teeth.

Trixie drew the paper magically to her and then stopped as the mare continued to stand there staring expectantly at her,

“What?”

“Muffin”

“You want a muffin?”

The grey mare nodded enthusiastically as Trixie frowned.

“Aren’t you a little old to be delivering papers and expecting treats?”

The mail mare blinked and gave her a sad expression,

“Lost a package on delivery now boss says I’m to deliver papers until it’s found.”

Trixie felt something stir inside at the sight of the depressed mare and was almost tempted to call it sympathy,

“Muffin… Maybe Berry has…” 

The grey mare tried again hopefully.

“Nope” Trixie slammed the door and whistled as she trotted back to the bedroom swishing her tail as tried to push down a sudden pang of guilt at her treatment of the mare.

She’d hardly gotten a dozen wobbly hooves away when the knocking sound repeated itself.

Swearing she turned around and stormed towards the door ready to unleash hell upon that idiot mail mare, as the door was nearly ripped from its hinges by her magic she screamed.

“NO MUFFINS HERE!!!”

The scream attracted the brief attention of a couple of mares passing by the house who as they continued on the mint green mare of the pair turned to the cream colored mare with a three candy cutie mark and asked,

“Did that look like the great and powerful Trixie to you?”

“Nah she wasn’t wearing a cape and wizards hat” the candy mare replied as her and her partner kept walking.

Trixie heard that and grimaced as she remembered the pain at loosing her hat and cape after her trailer was destroyed the last time she’d been in town.

The magician looked around for the source of the knocking eventually settling on the prone mare laid out on her back on the doorstep, with a glance Trixie saw it wasn’t the mail mare but a cream coated young mare with a two tone red mane and tail with single a rose for a cutie mark.

Trixie sighed as she picked the unconscious mare up with her magic and brought her inside shutting the now wobbly door behind her, as she levitated the mare to the bedroom Trixie wondered who she had offended to be handed such a lot in life.

Spitfire had recovered enough to be at least concerned at Trixie appearing and then laying a strange mare on Trixie’s side of the bed, the fact that the three of them shared the bed last night causing a blush to appear on the Wonderbolt until she vaguely remembered Berries snoring and Trixie calling for her mother in her sleep and whimpering.

Trixie saw a strange look pass over Spitfires face,

“What”

“Nothing” Spitfire averted her gaze as she decided it wasn’t worth the aggro to ask about the blue mare’s mother.

“Where did you get the mare? Taken to kidnapping other poor souls for Nightmare Moon at random have you? Or are you that kind of mare.”

Trixie shot her a look of utter contempt before breaking into a victorious smirk as she magically tossed the paper to Spitfire and settled down on the end of the bed to watch having glimpsed the headline.

Spitfire eyed the blue mare warily as she used her hooves to open up the paper struggling slightly with the string much to the amusement of her audience of one.

The Headline jumped out from the front page followed by an artist’s rendition of a giant Wonderbolt stomping what looked to be the Canterlot opera house into dust.

WONDERBOLTS RANSACK MERCHANTS QUARTER PAY WITH IOU.

Spitfire paled as she read on, ‘Canterlot enters its fourth day of troubles as rampant party goers emptied the contents of many of the stores on the south side of the capital, law enforcement was a no show as thousands of boozed up ponies continued on into the centre of town to establish what many are calling the party capital of the newly formed radical pony political party the Party for politics party’.

The Wonderbolt captain swallowed as she turned the page to find her second in commands picture alongside the other three supposed ringleaders who the paper described as the four heralds of the apocalypse.

One picture she recognized as that accursed DJ friend of Soarin’s the other looked like an explosion of pink cotton candy the last picture was of a scowling grey mare in a pink bow tie that the paper seemed to think was a ringleader due to her constant proximity to the DJ.

Spitfire read the article that continued from the first page nearly choking when she realized the giant stomping Wonderbolt was a giant metal her, her forty hooves high homage had stomped and burned a destructive swathe through Canterlot.

Spitfire read on as the paper claimed at the behest of the grey mare they called a ringleader, it had leveled the Canterlot opera house, the grey mare was quoted as saying ‘that’ll teach those stuck up elitists! Teach them to discriminate against me the fascist’s.’ 

When the reporter had asked about what she was being discriminated against the grey mare had merely blushed and hidden behind the party parties head DJ and culture secretary, knowing that DJ mare’s reputation this made Spitfire blush deeply.

Trixie watched with undisguised glee at the mortified expression adorning the now despondent Wonderbolt. 

“So glad you came?” Trixie nearly rolled off the bed in fits of laughter as Spitfire threw the paper at her with an exasperated howl of frustration.

At this a small cry of fright startled the two mares as the previously collapsed young mare awoke with a start and stared with big emerald green eyes wide with fright at the now quiet mares on the bed with her.

On the bed with her, this was the first stumbling block, the second arriving with the realization she was now being scrutinized thoroughly by the blue mare that just looked at her with cold eyes, turning her head towards the other mare she was relieved to see the yellow mare seemed less threatening than the other.

“You knocked on the door and then feinted” the blue mare spoke with a disinterested tone as she concentrated on looking disinterested.

“I-I came to see my friend Berry Punch but there was this blue flash and there was this s-scream a-and I woke up here?”

“What’s your name” the yellow mare asked in a kindly sympathetic tone.

“Roseluck”

“Well Roseluck I’m Spitfire and my irritable companion here is Trixie.”

The sound of snuffling came from the opposite end of the bed as Berry Punch re-emerged into the land of the living among a cascade of empty bottles that adorned her side of the bed.

“Sup Lucky” the bleary eyed mare asked as she just barely managed to drape herself across Spitfire in an aborted attempt to reach her friend.

“You don’t look good Berry”

Roseluck’s voice wavered slightly as her timid nature overrode her curiosity.

“Nah m’fine Lucky, just need something to wake me up is all.”

All three mares tossed their eyes in unison as their companion smiled at no pony in particular.

The moment of shared mirth ended as through the nearest window sailed a large rock followed by the shouting of an angry sounding stallion.

“Trixie and her accomplices we know y’all are in there! Come out with your hooves up or by Luna we’ll burn you out.”

Braeburn stood somewhat confidently as his posse surrounded the house, the town librarian Twilight Sparkle and Braeburn’s Ponyville cousin Applejack beside him were open mouthed shocked at his uncharacteristic threat of violence.

Trixie and Spitfire made it to the window at the same time gingerly peaking out before ducking another projectile, slumped under the windowsill they shared a look of ‘not again’ before Spitfire just had to ask.

“Who’s the idiot in the hat and cape? Looks like a unicorn do you know her by any chance so we can talk to some pony with sense?”

Trixie’s face darkened as she took another glance out the window, forced to duck again her whole demeanor changed as her eyes were consumed with incandescent rage and magical blue death.

“I take it that’s a yes?” 

Spitfire backed away slowly as Trixie worked herself into a frenzy almost breathing blue flames as she built to a crescendo,

“Mine… Those are MINE YOU WHORSE!!!”

Spitfire dragged Berry Punch from the bed and stopped to coach Roseluck out from underneath it where she was now hiding from the scary blue mare,

“Trixie come on before they torch the place!”

The blue mare ignored her instead building a vortex of power around herself that lit the entire room with blue fury.

“Trixie! Please! I can’t do this alone.”

The infuriated magician slowly deflated, her magic dissolved as with tears in her eyes she turned to the stunned Wonderbolt and just nodded before dejectedly moving towards the door.

As Spitfire tried to find something to say the first fiery projectile flew through the window landing next to the corner of the bed, Trixie ignored this and simply picked Berry off of Spitfire and pulled a hyperventilating Roseluck out from underneath the bed with her magic and floated them out the door.

Spitfire took one last look into the room and at the bed now rapidly beginning to burn before following Trixie,

“So what do we do now? I think your cow-ponies lost it.”

“No idea” Trixie replied as Spitfire wracked her brain for a way out.

The blue mare halted, looked thoughtful then spoke “If I…”
> Part Six: One Bad Apple to Spoil the Whole Damn Bunch.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Six: One Bad Apple to Spoil the Whole Damn Bunch.

Fire, ever since the first stone age ponies stole it from the cave of the goddesses all those millennia ago it had kept ponies warm and happy, had forged metal and baked bread (and brewed cider etc) but now it was currently burning down the house slash winery of one Berry Punch.

Inside were four desperate mares but outside was a large posse led by an overzealous deputy seriously in over his head, his female Ponyville cousin and the town librarian.

“Um Braeburn weren’t you supposed to let them at least respond before you started throwing these… um what exactly are these again?”

Twilight the librarian stood pointing at a pair of bottles with rags protruding from the neck with her hoof,

“Molotov Cocktails invented in Stalliongrad”

“R-Right… But about the whole not giving them a chance thing, see it’s just you seem… angry?”

“Like ah said Trixie robbed a bank hurt the princess Luna and has a whole gang holed up in there for all we know, and besides she’s resisted arrest the whole time! Trixie’s gonna learn that no pony evades the law! Paybacks a mare…”

“But Berry Punch isn’t a criminal… yes she can be a bit of a handful but she’s not a bad pony you didn’t need to set fire to her house…”

“She aided and abetted a known criminal and deserves the same fate as that twisted witch… TO BURN!!! HAHAHA”

Twilight and Braeburn’s cousin Applejack shared a nervous glance as Braeburn turned back to the escalating inferno and at least in the two mares estimation seemed to be enjoying himself a little too much as he cackled away his eyes reflecting the fire as his memories burned with all of Trixies torments .

Inside the house the flames were spreading rapidly from room to room and leaving little choice but to escape to the ample winery which took up a whole end of the house, the four mares three still hung over one having a nervous episode, shut the inner door to stem the increasing smoke (the only other a large carriage door leading to the outside) and took stock of their situation.

“We’re gonna die… I want my mommy…” 

Roseluck still hanging in the air was curled tightly in a ball crying her eyes out as the scary blue mare Trixie and the not quite as scary yellow mare Spitfire shouted at each other as smoke curled underneath the inner door.

“That’s the stupidest plan I’ve ever heard you Wicca whack job, and how exactly to you intend to distract them oh great and homicidal one.”

Spitfire smiled as Trixie huffed at the whack job comment, she sniffed and with her nose in the air let the two floating mares drop to the earthen floor of the winery as she stepped further into the room.

Berry Punch landed with a soft thud and a grunt but Roseluck hit hard and was so shocked by it she ceased making noise and just lay there shaking heavily with her eyes firmly shut.

Spitfire wondered if she should do something but her attention had to be diverted to the task in hoof along with the now silent blue mare tracing patterns in the floor.

“What’re doing now you hack” Spitfire had no idea what else to say as she was totally ignored by the deeply concentrating blue mare.

After a few more lines of what looked like arcane mumbo jumbo to Spitfire the silent mare turned and gave a slightly creaky rendition of her old stage persona as she declared triumphantly,

“The Great and Powerful Trixie shall amaze you now! Behold my power as I… …what?”

Spitfire tried to stop sniggering as Trixie trailed off suddenly but managed despite her increasing giggles and snorts to answer the now very self conscious and hurt looking mare.

“What do you think you’re doing you look and sound like some sideshow trickster waving your hooves about like that, we’re stuck in a burning house not some foal’s birthday party.”

“It’s my…y-you k-know I-It doesn’t matter lets just get out of here.”

The Wonderbolt hesitated as her laughter died in her throat at the sight of the rapidly depressed mare who while avoiding her gaze had spied her reflection in one of the many bottles scattered around the room.

Trixie hung her head as she realized Spitfire was right and besides she hardly looked the part of the magician with unkempt mane and tail a grimy coat and rings under her eyes not too mention she was looking somewhat leaner since regular meals (or any for that matter) had been somewhat sparse lately.

“Look I need you to do what you were going to do ok Trixie? Then if you want you can let a… …friend listen to what upset you…”

“…A friend?” Trixie blinked back a tear as Spitfire nodded despite her laundry list of misgivings concerning this whole fiasco and its focus the unstable and bloody minded Trixie.

Not a million miles away from this awkward moment between possible new friends Canterlot the capital jewel of Equestria was also on fire, not because of an unhinged deputy but the mother of all parties that had somehow caused the total collapse of all civil order within the city limits despite martial law being declared (the decree having been immediately ignored by all, including those tasked with enforcing it who refused to leave the palace grounds).

Inside the walls of the royal palace the sun goddess Celesta waited at her sister’s bedside for Luna to regain consciousness.

The whole of Canterlot was acting like mad ponies loud music was booming on every street corner and revellers were drunkenly dancing in every window and doorway and anywhere they damn well pleased.

Celestia could have just flown around zapping ponies with her magic until they surrendered and returned peacefully to their homes but that screamed repression and it didn’t sit well with Celestia’s delicate sensibilities.

Even though she was no stranger in the olden days to roasting the odd uppity peasant who had sought to disrupt Equestria’s usually harmonic balance, Celestia had morals and the hope that all would be well.

(Historical Note: No proof exists of any actual deaths related to royal fireballs but it’s generally accepted the victims were less inclined to repeat offend.)

The sun princess had hoped the disorder would fizzle out if she let it exhaust itself partying but it had somehow snowballed into part party part cultural backlash as her little ponies had thrown the law books on the pyre and adopted total anarchy instead.

It was during these musings that the princess of the moon began to stir gently her eyes flickering open as she reluctantly came to.

“C-Celly”

“Yes dear Luna I’m here…”

“C-Can Y-you turn the music down my heads killing me already…”

Celestia sighed “I wish I could dear sister but I’m afraid it’s beyond my control.”

Luna gave her a quizzical look as she gingerly touched a hoof to the bandaged lump on the top of her head, 

“What hit me?”

Celestia blushed as she pushed a brown box across the bed to her sister a distinct buzzing sound emanated from it causing the younger sister to give her blushing sister a strange look.

The sun princess leaned in and whispered in Luna’s ear what she thought it was, Luna went silent as her face turned crimson… “Oh”.

Luna took a moment to clear her aching head before she asked another question,

“How long have I been out?”

“Four days.”

Luna nearly passed out from the head rush she received from sitting up suddenly as her head reacted painfully to her own cry of surprise,

“F-Four days” I’ve been out for four days? Oh my, is Trixie ok?”

“Trixie” I haven’t seen her, I’ve been here since all the trouble began…”

“Trouble what Trouble?”

Celestia explained what had happened during Luna’s incapacity as briefly as she could as not to alarm her younger sibling.

“And that’s pretty much it if we could only find Spitfire to get the Wonderbolts under control we might be able to end this anarchy, and then we’ll find those bank robbers who attacked you with some ponies mail and give them something to really make them rue the day they attacked a princess of Equestria!.”

Luna shifted nervously in bed her eyes suddenly everywhere but in her sister’s direction, something that didn’t escape Celestia’s notice as her eyes narrowed to suspicious slits.

“Luna do you know something dear sister?”

The moon princess rubbed a fore hoof against the back of her head as she adopted a wide grin and what she hoped was a look of pure innocence.

“LUNA!!!”

“I-I may have asked Spitfire to accompany Trixie on her adventures…”

“W-What…” Celestia stared blankly for a second before her sister continued,

“A-Also I-It was me that robbed the bank, well when I say robbed it was an honest mistake r-really…” Luna wilted under her sister’s furious expression.

“I didn’t realize the captain of the Wonderbolts was such a pivotal role, are they really so uncontrollable?”

“A bunch of adolescent frat house speed kings hopped up on beer and Spellbinder knows what else, what do you think? 

It takes a special kind of pony to keep a lid on that animal house, without Spitfire there’s no hope of stopping them or this blasted party.”

Luna quickly tried explaining her actions in Appleloosa and afterwards, as Celestia listened to her sister a nervous twitch developed on her top lip.

“Do you know where they might have gone?”

Luna shook her head at first but then stopped as a memory surfaced in her mind,

“No... But I know how to find them …”

“Luna if you can then do so, I’m going to try to come up with a back up plan in case you can’t find Spitfire since I can’t really leave the palace right now because I can’t trust the few royal guards left not to desert once my backs turned.”

“My guards would never desert their posts… I guess it can’t be helped if your guards don’t have the stomach for a bust up” Luna held her head high as she laughed at the mere idea her own guards would do such a thing.

“I haven’t summoned the Night guards and they haven’t shown up…” it was Celestia’s turn to look sheepish as Luna rolled her eyes at her sisters confession.

“Don’t tell me that you are still afraid of my guards after all these years? Besides you know they won’t just show up you have to shine the giant oil lamp on the roof at the night sky remember,”

“The one with the painting of the giant bat on the glass right…”

“That’s the one.”

“Look I’m not scared per se… but even you have to admit with all that hanging around in graveyards, wearing nothing but black… those poetry meetings and midnight gatherings they’re either just plain creepy or way too emo…”

“MY GUARDS ARE NOT CREEPY CELLY!!! …and not all of them are emo’s… Some of them are metal heads…” Luna huffed as she yet again attempted to make her sister understand the beauty of dark poetry and mass candle usage while living in a constant state of apathetic depression.

After an hour or so a messenger gave Celestia the excuse she desperately needed to escape her sister’s impromptu lecture, as she left she advised Luna to rest a while but not too long before she began her search.

With a wince and a groan Luna eventually pulled herself from her bed and after putting cotton wool in her ears to combat the pounding bass permeating the walls of the palace from outside, headed to her private study to gather the necessary items to try and find her wayward student and the all important captain of the Wonderbolts.

As the moon princess went about her mission the house that contained the targets of her search was burning merrily as Braeburn waited to see if Trixie would surrender or burn. 

Twilight and Applejack stood away from him muttering between themselves as to what they could do to stop this getting anymore out of control as the ponies in the house started throwing things from the top windows to avoid them catching fire (boxes trunks grandfather clocks etc).

Moments later a crashing sound came from the other side of the house and off down the road went racing a cart with a grape colored pony pulling and three ponies in the back.

With an angry hollering the surrounding deputies gave chase after the cart as Braeburn shouted for them not to let it get away.

As the cart disappeared around a distant bend Twilight paused watching the posse running head long after it.

“Uh Twilight what we’re gonna do ‘bout the fire an all?”

“More importantly what are we going to do about Trixie?”

“Huh?”

Twilight checked the posse had cleared out before she got as close as she dared to the front of the house and the fire as Applejack looked on confused watching Twilight stop next to a large clothes trunk and tap on it with her hoof.

“Twilight you ah… all right sugar?” If you’re in the market for boxes lets go shopping but ah don’t think Berry would appreciate you sizing up her stuff while her home burns down…”

Twilight rapped harder on the trunk lid ignoring her confused friend and hitting the lid with increasing frustration,

“TRIXIE I KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE COME OUT…”

“NO!” 

Applejack cocked her head as the response sounded from the trunk…

“TRIXIE… NOW”

Applejack blinked as Twilight began banging even harder on the trunk lid causing splinters to go flying.

“BRAEBURNS GONE SO YOU CAN COME OUT NOW I PROMISE IT’S NOT A TRICK… I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU…”

“P-PROMISE…”

“PINKIE PROMISE…”

“WHAT THE HAY’S A PINKIE PROMISE?”

Another voice sounded from inside the trunk causing Applejack to give up and just stare blankly at Twilight.

“One of Soarin’s friends uses something like that but if you break it she goes seriously off the chain, I’m talking major head case here…”

The first voice piped up again,

“FINE… BUT IF IT’S A TRAP YOU’LL BURN WITH THE REST…”

Applejack was slack jawed as Twilight stepped back, the lid of the trunk exploded open and two sweaty dusty ponies half climbed half fell to the ground in front of her.

“Nice going Trixie now my wing hurts more than ever thanks to your bony flank, why did I listen to you?”

“I got us out of there and my illusion worked that bunch of hicks are chasing the cart so why are you complaining?”

“And when they catch up to it and realize it’s a trick and it’s empty, what then?”

“We have a head start and besides when the magic wears off we’ll be better off far away.”

At that remark Spitfire cocked an eyebrow and concentrated on dusting herself off before digging the others from their modes of escape, Roseluck had been stashed in a grandfather clock and took a lot of coaxing from Spitfire to finally come out before shakily standing in quiet state of shock.

Berry Punch however burst from another trunk amidst a shower of junk with a bounce and a smile having found an old bottle of wine stashed at the bottom along with a bright orange traffic cone ringed with a white strip now balanced on her head.

Spitfire had to ask,

“Where’d you get that?”

“Don’t rightly know, I just keep finding them when I wake up, I have no idea where they come from.”

(As every pony knows, traffic cones are the universal language for having had a good time, because no one knows how or why but there’s always someone on a night out who ends up with a cone on their head.)

Trixie ignored this as she fished the saddlebags of bits from Appleloosa out of another box before magically dumping them on Spitfire’s back causing her to cry out as her wing in its splint was painfully crushed against her yet again.

“Watch it.” 

Spitfire narrowed her eyes as Trixie just shrugged and turned to Twilight.

“Why aren’t you helping that posse? Or are you going to try to capture us and claim the credit?”

Twilight’s eyes widened at the suggestion but she kept her cool as adopted a more confident stance as she answered.

“Something isn’t right, Braeburn was acting funny Canterlot is out of bounds and Princess Celestia keeps telling me to stay put for my own good, Pinkie Pie has gone missing and you two are wanted for robbing a bank?”

Twilight took a breath before continuing,

“Trixie what is going on… and is that Spitfire? Why are you on the run with a Wonderbolt? And what does this have to do with Berry and Roseluck?”

Trixie spotted several pairs of dark sunglasses that had fallen from Berry’s trunk, using her magic to put a pair on to shield her eyes from the bright sunlight, the direct result of her lingering hangover, she did the same for the other three as she gave Twilight a strained yet amused look,

“We’re on a mission from god.”

Twilight blinked,

“Say what now?”

“Well she’s a goddess actually… and anyway it was her fault we’re in this mess, ever since we’ve been chased from pillar to post.”

“Huh?”

Trixie fixed Twilight with a withering stare,

“Doesn’t matter, besides… The Great and Powerful Twilight needs to ask lowly old me for answers? What’s the matter does the sun goddesses favorite student not know all the answers herself? You being so perfect after all…”

“Trixie I haven’t seen you since you ran away from that Ursa Minor incident, I barely know you but I get the feeling you don’t like me? I’m sorry if I upset you but I just want to know what’s going on…”

“Wait… why did you just call me that? The Great and Powerful Twilight…”

Trixie tossed her eyes and clicked her tongue keeping her anger in check as she motioned a hoof at her cape and hat currently adorning Twilight who after several seconds realized what she meant.

“Oh I saved these from your cart after you disappeared, I’ve been keeping them safe in case I saw you again I mean after all I was hoping we could put the past behind us and maybe sit and talk about magic? I don’t know much about illusions and magic for entertainment.”

Trixie continued to just stare at Twilight as she continued

“But your cape and hat I couldn’t carry them here so easily, so I hope you don’t mind I wore them just this once.”

“Y-you did that for me? You want to get to know me? But after what happened after the way that I treated you and your friends before?”

The assembled ponies watched as a cascade of emotions passed across Trixie’s face as she struggled to accept what Twilight had said.

“Yes.”

Twilight used her magic to undo the clasp on the flowing star covered cape and floated it over to Trixie along with her wizard’s hat.

To her credit Trixie graciously accepted them with what almost seemed like a smile creeping across her face as a tear fell slowly from the corner of her eye.

“T…… Y…”

(Historical/Editorial Note: This may have been the first ever public instance of Trixie actually thanking some pony for something however in the interests of reader safety and not wishing to shock younger readers this apology has been omitted under Canterlot health and safety rule number twenty two B.)

Berry Punch watched her home burn down with mixed emotions mostly due to the excitement fire can cause in the alcoholically inclined, and the touching scene playing out before her.

Roseluck just stared into space shaking like a leaf as she stood near Berry her friend, still unable to get over the whirlwind of events her mind had effectively shut down.

Spitfire adjusted the saddlebags on her back again nursing her wing before she faced Trixie and broke the silence.

“So how long do you figure we have before that bunch of cow pokes figure out they’ve been had?”

Trixie shook her head and coughed before she looked off into the distance and tried to hide her emotional state with her usual bluster.

“Not long… that movement spell I put on the cart won’t last long and the illusions of us in the cart will give out at the same time so that just leaves what Berry did to keep them busy until we get away and find some way to stay further ahead this time so we’re not cornered again.”

Twilight and Applejack looked on as Trixie and Berry shared a knowing look and a smile as Spitfire cocked her head quizzically as she’d been too busy taking care of Roseluck and had missed this event.

The three pondered what they should do next, well except for Berry who started searching for another bottle in the discarded trunks as she’d already finished the last one.

Twilight was about to ask a flurry of questions when she noticed the now expanding crowd of Ponyville residents who standing a short distance away were watching with confusion the scene before them.

One of the more adventurous members of said crowd came forward pulling behind them a neat sporty looking cart the one pulling was a young looking earth pony mare.

“Uh hey there cousin Applejack, is there anything ah can do to help?”

Applejack shook her head,

“Ah’m afraid not Cobbles that house is doomed, be a waste o’ time trying to save it.”

“Did she just call you Cobbles? Is that your name?”

AJ and ‘Cobbles’ cocked their heads at the pair of Trixie and Spitfire who shared a momentary laugh followed by curiosity at the new arrival and her resemblance to the older mare AJ next to her.

“Mah name is Apple Cobbler, that’s what ponies call me… Well except for cousin AJ who calls me Cobbles, but she’s family so she can...”

The pair began thinking the same thing as they sized up the new pony that seemed almost a younger and smaller version of Applejack minus a Stetson.

Trixie and Spitfire held a hushed and speedy conversation, while getting blasted with Berry the night before Trixie had scornfully recited the goal to find Luna’s dream team.

Berry had immediately claimed the party pony spot but the pair looked first at Berry Punch then Roseluck finally turning back to Apple Cobbler and in quiet unison whispered, 

“A party pony, shy pony, farm pony…”

Spitfire spoke aloud first as Trixie nodded a wicked grin on her face,

“You a farm pony by any chance Apple Cobbler?”

“Why yes ah am… uh why’d y’all start looking at me funny?”

Trixie spoke next her voice matching the creepy looking smile she had, as she slowly rolled the young mares name off her tongue,

“Nice cart… Apple Cobbler”

“Uh thanks ah guess, wait why’d you say mah name like that?”

Trixie and Spitfire grinned like Cheshire cats as they nodded to each other, whispering while stealing glances at the confused mare they agreed to something before Spitfire put on her best ‘welcome to the team’ smile.

“Congratulations you’ve just made the draft.”

Twilight and AJ watched as Spitfire called to Berry and began dragging Roseluck still frozen like a statue towards the cart by her tail, Trixie approached Twilight and with her hat and cape still floating in the air with her magic Trixie bowed with a flourish and turned to leave.

“Wait Trixie… you haven’t told me what’s going on?”

“Princess Luna made me her new student so I’ll be seeing you in Canterlot if it doesn’t burn to the ground first.”

“Huh? Hey wait… LUNA DID WHAT???”

Ignoring Apple Cobbler’s threats to throw them off if they didn’t get down Spitfire leaned out of the cart, 

“Come on Berry move it, Trixie! Let’s get going already”

Berry finished putting all the bottles of booze she could find stashed in the trunks on the cart as Spitfire maneuvered Roseluck into the cart having broken her trance enough to get her to move.

As Trixie climbed onto the cart and stowed her hat and cape safely away she gave the shocked Twilight a dramatic wave to signal goodbye. 

Then focusing on Apple Cobbler who was beginning to really lose her temper and make even worse threats that were effectively useless since she was securely strapped into the cart and needed another ponies help to undo the fixings.

The blue magician assumed a position behind the farm pony within the cart and with a flick of her mane she conjured a spark of magic that curled outwards into the shape of a crackling electric blue whip.

“Hi Ho Cobbler… Away!!!”

Trixie cracked the whip on Apple Cobblers hindquarters as the mare instinctively reared and bolted, the extra weight on the cart was ignored as a testimony of the strength possessed by the whole of the extended Apple family.

As Twilight stared on dumbfounded at Luna’s choice of student her friend Applejack blinked before her mouth caught up to her brain,

“They’ve gone and made off with Cobbles,”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine… I think…”

Twilight watched as the cart picked up speed punctuated by whipping noises and frightened cries as it rapidly left Ponyville, turning to AJ she continued with even less confidence,

“I’m positive…” Twilight tried to smile before she shouted “SPIKE!!!”

Braeburn was breathing heavily as he finally grasped the back of the cart with Trixie in. 

“AH GOTCHA NOW YOU...”

He’d chased it for what seemed like miles and even after his posse had fallen to the wayside he’d continued and now he was inside the cart but as he straightened up he realized the four mares seemed to be in a frozen state.

“Now ah am not gonna fall for no more tricks you hear…”

The young and confused stallion watched the four mares fade out of existence right in front of his eyes as coincidentally the cart began to slow down then gently rolling to a stop as Braeburn hung his head.

“Darn it, ah really hate that pony”

‘CRACK…’

The despondent deputy’s brow furrowed as he looked at the floor of the cart, he noticed there was a canvas covering it and there seemed to be a lot of something underneath that had taken up half the depth of the cart.

‘THIS IS FOR THE HOUSE COLTCUDDLER’

Braeburn studied the note laid on the canvas with mounting apprehension as he shakily pulled back a corner of said covering,

“Aw…”

The scores of champagne bottles shaken by the carts travels finally hit pressure point and blew in unison.

In the opposite direction with a clean get away the escaping Trixie Berry and Spitfire shared a jubilant smile at the sound of the far off explosion as a terrified Roseluck continued to shake and a confused Apple Cobbler kept running in fear of the magical whip and its sadistic creator.
> Part Seven: Not Any Pony A Fancy Pony.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Seven: Not Any Pony A Fancy Pony.

As a new day began over a buzzing Canterlot the Moon Princess Luna was scouring the castle for assistance as she tried to find out where she could get supplies for use in finding her lost student.

This ordinarily would be simple but it was complicated by something her sister had neglected to mention before about the current crisis.

Canterlot castle had become a refuge, a sanctuary in the midst of chaos for all those wishing to escape the party outside the walls that had turned Canterlot upside down.

Among this tide of frightened elderly ponies disapproving traditionalists and the staunchest of patriots were the upper class of Equestria all seeking protection from the howling mobs of increasingly organized revelers roaming the streets and buildings.

It was the same upper class ponies who were taking over many of the finer rooms of the palace demanding constant service from the servants and guards, Luna wondered if Celestia would blame her if she opened the gates and let the chaos outside take them all.

As she made her way across the Palace Luna kept tripping over young colts and fillies that ran around screaming and hollering as guards who were needed to watch the walls chased after them on the behest of their uncaring snooty parents.

Turning a corner she failed to see the pure white unicorn coming the other way and stumbled as she sent the smaller pony flying with the impact.

“Oh my… Are you OK? I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you young one.”

Luna observed the pure white unicorn as she awkwardly got to her hooves and saw her pink mane and tail both with a streak of white and the way she held her head high as she regained her composure which made Luna immediately think ‘posh airhead’.

It was a moment before the still wobbly mare realized she had been asked a question,

“I am unhurt thank you…”

The pure white mare slowly thought about the pony that had knocked her down, she was definitely bigger than she was and she had a horn… but also she had wings even she knew only one pony had that.

“You are not the Princess Celestia.”

Luna blinked as the cultured and usually just eye candy kind of mare shook her head,

“Princess Celestia is pure white… that’s why my nanny said I was a little Princess just like Celestia because I am pure white.”

Luna blinked again as the unicorn that looked about Trixie’s age waited patiently for an answer whilst adopting a variety of small poses and flicking her hair,

“Um well I’m her sister… Princess of the Moon, Luna…”

Luna tailed off as it was plain the unicorn had no idea who she was,

“So you’re a Princess?”

“That’s right”

“So how come I haven’t seen you at any royal functions?”

“I uh don’t get out much… I prefer less bothersome things, do you enjoy them?”

“Fancypant's enjoys them so I enjoy them.”

“Fancypant’s who is he? Your stallion friend”

“Yes, he gets me anything I ask for and he takes care of me and he always takes me to the best places.”

“Wow he sounds nice you two are deeply in love then.”

“L-Love…”

Luna noticed the sudden change as the pure white unicorn seemed confused and backed off.

“Is everything OK I didn’t mean to pry or anything.”

“I make him look good… I am good at that but he’s never said that he… why… why… would he… no ponies have ever said that to me…”

Cursing Luna desperately looked for an escape route as the white mare began to well up and then let loose with a wail of anguish.

“WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH”

“No please don’t really I mean it… please… I’m not good at this…”

Stricken and with no place to run or fly Luna placed a hoof on the mares shoulder and began gently stroking her mane while making soothing noises whilst still desperately looking for a way out.

The aforementioned lost student of the unfortunate Moon Princess far away from Canterlot was herself dealing with two crying ponies, however she wasn’t dealing with it in quite the uncomfortable yet motherly way her mentor was,

“WILL YOU SHUT UP YOU ANNOYING PAIR OF FOALS SHUT UP.”

“TRIXIE, that is really not helping you know.”

Spitfire the captain of the Wonderbolts stood trying to calm not only a crying Roseluck but an angry and crying Apple Cobbler as the last member of the group Berry Punch lay passed out in the cart Apple Cobbler was strapped into unable to get free of on her own.

Trixie and Spitfire were in the middle of convincing, or at least trying to convince Roseluck to join their adventure willingly… Well Spitfire was, Trixie had resorted to implied violence and undisguised threats causing the nervous and frightened mare to burst out in tears.

Apple Cobbler was crying because Trixie during their recent escape from Ponyville had magically whipped Apple Cobbler repeatedly to get her pull the cart she was fixed into.

She was also angry at being forced against her will to drag said cart halfway to Manehatten before Trixie relented and allowed her to stop to rest, her strong legs still shaking from the effort.

“Look all we need is you to come on an adventure with us in the name of Princess Luna…”

At the mention of the night goddess both crying ponies tears trailed off as they both warily looked at Spitfire.

Roseluck plucked up the courage to speak as Apple Cobbler resumed staring daggers at Trixie unconvinced by Spitfires tone and Trixie’s snort of derision at the mention of her mentor,

“Princess Luna? You are doing this for Luna?”

(Historical Note: Roseluck and Apple Cobbler both residents of Ponyville and having been present when Luna had attended the previous Nightmare Night knew she was a good Princess and that she wasn’t as scary as they’d believed, but they couldn’t understand how this violent and downright disagreeable mare Trixie had been made her student and why she was being accompanied by the captain of the Wonderbolts?)

“What kind of adventure is it? And why me…”

“We don’t know and as for why you… well you just fit the bill OK?”

“W-What… You don’t know… But how do I fit the bill you know nothing about me? ”

Trixie shouted ‘BOO’ really loudly causing Roseluck to cower again the blue magician laughing loudly as Spitfire joined the farm pony in wishing a harsh end to her existence.

“Trust me your perfect.”

Trixie sat on her haunches as she continued laughing while Spitfire just looked on trying not to make it obvious she agreed wholeheartedly Roseluck was more than shy enough to fit Luna’s somewhat broad requirements for this so called mission they were on.

“And me… what do ya’ll want from me, or am ah just your ride?”

Spitfire nodded,

“Yep you too… And thanks for the ride…”

Apple Cobbler snorted as she wiped away the last of her tears with a hoof and tried to look calm and not at all bothered by the stinging sensations still randomly occurring across her flanks.

“So you expect us to believe you? Do you have any proof?”

Spitfire looked briefly at Trixie before shaking her head, Apple Cobbler was about to speak when Trixie beat her to it,

“Come with us and when we see Luna she will confirm everything we have said.”

“Do you plan on whipping me the whole time we’re traveling?”

“Why is that a request? I admit it would be amusing… for a while I suppose… But you’d have to promise not to get too excited and crash.”

Apple Cobbler shivered as she got the distinct impression Trixie would do it on principle just to annoy her and because the thought of that much control obviously pushed her megalomania-cal buttons.

“You know what ah mean.”

“I suppose if you volunteer to pull the cart I can hold off giving you ‘encouragement’.”

Trixie looked vaguely truthful if you ignored the faint hint of repressed evil in her smile and since if they were telling the truth this mission was for royalty then Apple Cobbler could be like her older as well as famous cousin Applejack.

After all Apple Cobbler looked up to her cousin and anyway wasn’t this Spitfire a Wonderbolt? She could be trusted right? She obviously had some element of control over Trixie’s behaviour as the captain gave Trixie a disapproving frown that the blue mare actively tried to ignore.

Anyway if Berry Punch was with them then they couldn’t be all bad. 

Berry may be an unpredictable mare she thought but even in her constant state of inebriation she always could tell the good from the bad and was fiercely loyal to the good ones.

“Ah suppose ah can trust you for now but if Roseluck doesn’t join you ah will take her home and be done with y’all.”

All eyes turned to the still cowering and now self conscious Roseluck (except Berry Punch who was still gently snoring in the cart),

“O-OK, if Apple Cobbler comes along and Berry too… I’ll go too…”

Trixie smiled as she felt Spitfire lay a hoof down on her shoulder, turning Trixie saw the Wonderbolt was grinning as they went one hoof closer to their objective… 

…Whatever it might eventually turn into.

The inventor of said vague goal was hard at work in her personal study as she prepared to invoke a spell to locate her wayward student but every few minutes stole a sideways glance at the other pony in the room.

Princess Luna had brought the white mare to her chambers after failing to find any other pony to take charge of the tearful but now silent white mare that had remained quietly watching Luna’s work with a curious expression.

“You may speak if you wish”

Luna watched as the white mare just continued to sit oblivious to the question and not even acknowledging it.

“EXCUSE ME…”

“I’m sorry were you speaking to me?”

The white mare gave a startled expression and shifted her focus from the arcane books and charts that adorned the room to the now irritated Princess.

“That was the second time you have ignored a question from me and acted surprised even though we have not been with other ponies but alone?”

Pondering the question the young mare put a hoof to her chin and pouted as Luna watched the cogs tick slowly through her mind until the mare’s eyes widened and she spoke.

“I’m sorry”

“What are you apologizing for? I asked why?”

“I don’t know…”

It was Luna’s turn to look perplexed as she studied the innocent looking yet slightly simple seeming mare.

“What do you do when you aren’t making your stallion friend look good?”

“Um… I spend my time shopping”

“Shopping? Surely that is not all…”

“Oh no I also go to the spa and the tea and cake shop!”

“And your cutie mark is what exactly? What is your talent?”

Slowly the mare cocked her head looking at her cutie mark of three Fleur de Li’s then gave it some thought but after a few moments Luna lost her patience and took a not so wild guess.

“Is your talent modelling of some sort?”

“Yes that’s it… Ponies take pictures of me all the time and I always look good for Fancypant’s.”

“How remarkable,”

Luna hid her expression and the rolling upwards of her eyes as the emo in her instantly urged her to despise such an example of everything she should rebel against and shy away from.

“But…”

The Princess raised a skeptical eyebrow as the young white mare hesitated then continued.

“It can be some what lonely… no other ponies except for his friends bother to acknowledge me… and they don’t like me to talk too much since I’m a mare and I wouldn’t understand business or politics…”

“Look…”

Luna blinked as she realized something she had forgotten to do…

“Um… Sorry but I didn’t ask your name young mare…”

“Oh… It’s Fleur, Fleur de Li’s”

“Well… Fleur… What else do you want out of life? Surely you want more than to look good and be treated in such a way? I do not like the sound of this ‘fancy’ lifestyle.”

“Y-Yes I do have things I want to do…”

Luna wondered if she would regret her next decision but plowed on regardless suddenly realizing by going over what she’d just said this mare might lead to a solution to her student’s ongoing mission.

“Tell me all about it if you would be so kind… Miss Fleur.”

As Fleur was caught off guard by possibly the first time she had ever had a pony interested in more than gossip or photo’s Luna prayed to her mother silently wishing that the mare’s hopes and dreams weren’t either too sordid, out of this world or too silly, what she got was the furthest from her expectations any answer could be.

“I want to make lots of friends and go on an adventure and do lots of things and maybe see the big green bits of Equestria I saw on a big map back in school… And not have to be afraid of whether or not I look my best or have to care what any pony thinks of me!!!”

“R-Really…”

Luna was taken aback as the previously quiet and reserved mare exploded with enthusiasm a fire alight in her eyes a sparkle that shone as Fleur replied.

“Oh yes… It would be a dream come true!”

The Moon Princess wondered if her mother was looking down and in her own way trying to help her daughter complete her goal. 

In fact Spellbinder was instead watching her other daughter while laughing as Celestia attempted to stop the tide of upper class twits from completely taking over the royal castle and failing miserably as the cacophony of their insolent demands on her and her guards and the etiquette involved threatened to overwhelm the normally calm goddess.

“So… If say some pony were to offer you the chance to go on an adventure… you would say yes?”

“Who would want me?”

Fleur deflated as negativity punctured a hole in her hopes and dreams Luna saw her chance.

“I would.”

“…”

“Honest…”

“…”

“I really mean it…”

Fleur responded in a hopeful yet cautious voice,

“A-Are you serious A real adventure? Me?”

“I have a student who is searching for companions to share an adventure with in the hopes of creating bonds of friendship and reporting back to me the results!”

Luna decided at this point it would be detrimental to point out her student and her first companion were missing and currently wanted for a crime they didn’t commit.

(Historical Note: Not the first group of ponies to be on the run for a crime they didn’t commit Luna desperately hoped that Trixie and Co wouldn’t follow the same path as the last lot, a quartet of royal guards who had escaped from a military prison and gone underground becoming mercenaries for hire, although admittedly they did represent the common pony by only taking jobs that were just cause’s… That of course depending on if you could find them.)

Fleur sat apprehensively watching Luna for any hint of a prank or a laugh at her expense but as the moments passed and the Moon Princess began tapping a hoof, the now calmer Fleur gently smiled and without a pose or a flick of mane she nervously nodded.

“HUZZAH!!!”

Luna startled her new recruit as she threw a hoof in the air, pausing only to smile encouragingly at Fleur she resumed arranging the collection of herbs gems and arcane and mystic objects around a large map spread out on a nearby table.

“So… What are you doing?”

“I’m going to use a spell to locate on this map my student and then go to her…”

Luna started to wonder if she should check Trixie was OK first hand before introducing Fleur but at the same time her impatience was successfully convincing her it would all work out no problem. 

Certainly Trixie wasn’t exactly the model student like Twilight nor was she exactly a diamond in the rough thought Luna but she had potential and transforming her into something might earn a little more respect from her own sister Celly.

“Are we going to teleport to see her?”

“I don’t do that… I-I can’t carry…”

Luna remembered Trixie’s comments when she had refused to let her ride her, and besides Luna’s survival instinct kicked in to not tell Trixie she was probably too heavy for such a journey for the inexperienced Princess… 

(Had she been paying attention Luna might have noticed the currently very thin state Trixie was in and realized instead of sending her on a strenuous mission she should have sent her to a hospital.)

She looked Fleur up and down, the mare was very lithe so Luna figured it might be OK, especially as Trixie had pointed out they were both mares.

“I… Will carry you…”

“Y-You mean F-Fly?”

The Moon Princess watched as the happy smile explode across the face of Fleur, whose look of pure joy meant she was about to tick something off a mental wish list, most presumably flying Luna guessed silently.

As Fleur watched Luna begin a most complex and difficult spell that the young white mare didn’t understand and if she did and she was to write the whole description of how it went down she would quickly run out of space in the chapter she was writing and most assuredly would end up cutting a humorous aside involving the Wonderbolts and Royal Guards.

On the map shone a small silvery light the size of a tack pin, as both ponies leaned in it faded away leaving a small burn, Fleur had never seen a map so large or complete but Luna knew instantly where Trixie was… smack bang on the road between Ponyville and Manehatten!

Smiling the Princess began to prepare for her first passenger included flight while Fleur contemplated the beginning of the biggest adventure in her life, the socialite pony who had dared to dream of making her own choices for once.

Some hours later back with the five now very hungry mares on the road to Manehatten, the group were busy arguing over why continue on to Manehatten, but Trixie was adamant it was the best place for fancy ponies apart from the now smouldering spires of Canterlot.

This reasoned argument, an electric blue whip a bottle of wine and a hoof on heart promise not to shout BOO (immediately broken to Trixie’s own amusement) won the day since Spitfire seemed strangely not to really care where they were going.

Apple Cobbler slowly stomped along cart in tow as the others then fell into silence since no pony could think of anything to say, the obvious gap in similarities of profession and taste not to mention Trixie and Spitfires somewhat strained comradeship coupled with the others all hailing from Ponyville meant large divides between the group.

Across this gap of silence came the sound of snoring as Apple Cobbler who hadn’t had the chance to sleep since the night before at last drifted off while she still managed to head straight down the road failing to notice the midnight blue goddess with a pure white passenger land in front of her.

As Apple Cobblers nose bumped into something she awoke finding herself face to hoof with the princess Luna… 

Luna who was a little puffed from flying managed to speak.

“Um have you seen a Trixie?”

(Historical Note: The following extract is from a diary, part of a testimony taken at saint mare’s hospital from a royal guard a survivor of the Great Canterlot Bash as the party/social upheaval cultural revolution and all round shindig currently devastating Canterlot would be known as by future generations among other things.)

Day Five

The morning began with dub and then electro, the party rages on… but its been three days since I and my fellow guards pony sought shelter in this basement.

The small windows in the basement look out onto a local square about which are dotted cafe’s and restaurants and bars, the revelers had completely emptied the assorted venues and moved on to other parts of the city so its been quiet but since the Party for Politics Party had taken over and industrialized the party onto a mass scale there have been patrols…

Yesterday I watched as four of my comrades were dragged into the square by one such patrol… A group of Wonderbolts, I watched as they were put up against a wall and blindfolded…

After a few moments one of the ringleaders appeared wheeling what seemed to be a giant speaker she called a ‘bass cannon’ that was then set up in front of the now crying guards, the white mare hit a button and the device boomed bass electro and dub the stallions were left where they fell… paralyzed, bodies and minds purged by the thumping tribal and aggressive beats…

(Historical Note: This next extract was taken from the same period and recalls what happened mere hours later…)

Looking across the square I could only see broken cafe chairs trampled and burnt bushes cobbles littered with party junk… then… they came back for the still twitching forms of my comrades… they were dragged from the square… 
I don’t know where…

I only turned for a second…

But it was too late… When I turned back a Wonderbolt was looking in… before I could move two hoses were smashed through the glass.

(At this point the patient becomes agitated, begins crying.)

Oatmeal… it was oatmeal that poured through into the basement! I… I…
Can’t remember… Tried to escape… I turned a corner… Pink pony… So much pink, that… that... Cannon…

(Historical Note: Many of these ‘Dubstepcutions’ have been furiously denied by the members of the Party Political Party along with the numerous accusations of electro torture and bass discrimination against royal guards.)  
> Part Eight: The Gangs All Here.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Eight: The Gangs All Here.

Apple Cobbler wondered if she was still dreaming, no… more like wished she was dreaming, Luna stood before her meant she would have to accompany the mad blue witch if only to protect Roseluck and Berry.

“Have you seen a pony named Trixie on your travels by any chance, she is traveling with a fiery looking mare called Spitfire?”

Apple Cobbler muttered something under her breath as Trixie hailed her mentor and princess.

“Back here idiot, what’s the matter? A thousand years of boredom turn you blind?”

Trixie’s inappropriate hoof gesture gave all assembled bright red faces and set Luna’s triumphant entrance back a bit as she stumbled over a retort and trailed off…

Luna looked past her offending student and spotted Spitfire who to her disappointment was laughing along with Trixie, the pair seemed to be getting along but being the focus of this mirth caused Luna to bristle somewhat at the slur. 

Luna was however overjoyed inside at her student possibly making friends even if it seemed she would have to learn the complicated language of humor to keep up, but the princess was ashamed about her impending bad news for the captain and the effect it would have… 

She wondered how to break it to her and Trixie as the blue magician gracefully floated off of the cart and landed beside it her silver mane billowing in the light breeze passing by at the moment.

“So I have been chased continually, then nearly burnt to death in a winery, generally all round plagued by misfortune and you just glide in like a real goddess would as if the last few days hadn’t happened, well? Where have you been? It’s been a nightmare since we had to run from Canterlot.” 

The Moon Princess taken aback once already was reeling as the acidic tone of her student bit deep.

“I was unconscious…”

“You were out for that long? What was in that box?”

Luna stepped up to the cart and Trixie like a contact in a spy thriller, her expression and resulting whisper made even Trixie turn a tinge red before cackling loudly and openly repeating it to the group causing a second round of blushing and yet more laughter from Spitfire.

“Things did not proceed well then? But who are these ponies with you then?”

As Trixie debated her response Luna studied the two as yet unknown ponies who both fidgeted in front of Luna who in turn tried to reassure them with a smile. 

This was meant to be a friendly welcoming one but Luna still lacked her sister’s ability to smile convincingly without having the peasants offer up their foals in sacrifice to appease the dark goddess before them.

Trixie awkwardly got down from the cart by letting down the tailgate and gingerly jumping out.

“This is Roseluck and Apple Cobbler from Ponyville and in the…”

Before Trixie could finish the sound of falling bottles ripped through the introductions as Berry slid off the floor of the cart out of the back and landed on all four hooves before stumbling on air and finishing up legs splayed at all angles flat on her face with her rear sticking up for all nature to see.

“…Was in the cart that’s Berry Punch, hey Spitz the wonder filly, grab a shovel let’s do the right thing and bury her.”

Spitfire’s eyes narrowed as she bounced out of the cart and squared up to Trixie pausing only to wince at her wing hurting as she landed but unlike Berry she remained upright.

“Don’t call me that if you want to stay above ground yourself cheap trick.”

“DID YOU JUST CALL ME A HOOKER YOU… YOU… HORSEFLY… ”

Trixie’s anger boiled over as the fragile bond that bound the two loosely with their supposed quest shattered and so the pair began eyeing each other up and readying for battle having previously been unable to vent various pent up aggression.

“Hah! What I meant was all you can do is entertain foals little miss magic filly.”

“Enough!!!”

Luna stomped her hoof as a bolt of lightning shot out of nowhere across the blue cloudy sky as the moon princess let her immense yet fragile power slip out irritated by the sudden change in the two and her desire to restore order.

This was quickly followed by a crash course in the true order as both the mares each shot Luna a glance that together caused her to back peddle immediately and lose any confidence that Roseluck and Apple Cobbler had in the younger princess.

Desperate to win back the admiration of her two subjects and to assert her pack dominance over the other two (Berry it seemed was out for the count.) Luna used her special move ‘Stare of the Moon’.

Trixie and Spitfire stricken by constant disappointment failure and the lonely drudgery of their lives were now far beyond any stare preformed by any pony other than that of a ‘stare master.’ 

The nearest in Equestria was Fluttershy of Ponyville, who as it happens was currently apologizing to a Jabberwocky (for a strict diet plan she had prepared as part of being a carer of sick and lost animals, mythical beasts and other assorted things that go squeak in the night).

The result of this was the total and utter defeat of the princess by ‘Withering Stare’ used by Trixie and ‘Fiery Glance’ by Spitfire both honed by constant practice, one used for punters and the uneducated and the other to deal with Wonderbolts who dared question the absolute authority of the team captain at bedtime.

As Roseluck and Apple Cobbler tended the fallen princess the verbal abuse continued as each tried to out do the insults of the other equally determined mare.

“Why the long face you sit on your pointy hat or something?”

“That the best you could come up with? Have you always just winged it through life? Or does your butt whistle in strong winds.”

“Hah all that time learning magic didn’t any pony tell you it’s your nose you put to the grindstone not your face.”

“Hmph I bet they had to sew an extra big corset into your costume, or do you use butter to get into it and that’s why you’re yellow?”

“You calling me fat? That’s rich thunder flanks…”

Spitfire ignored Trixie’s next comment as she suddenly snapped back to reality and the realization that Trixie was thin, really thin, her ribs could be seen and her face was gaunt in fact as the Wonderbolt looked closer she realized the magician was looking ill.

Why hadn’t she seen it before? Her mind flashed through her memories from the moment they had met and saw the truth…

Trixie saw her eyes and knew what Spitfire was looking at, she wasn’t ashamed to admit she’d missed a meal or twenty but as the fire left her, she saw the shock on Spitfires face, Trixie ignored the look of concern that followed then gave a derisive sniff as she replied.

“We can’t all get room service on demand, besides now I’m the student of Luna I can at least demand an allowance.”

“What about the stolen bits from Appleloosa haven’t you used any?”

“Of course I have except after a bath and a sparse snack at Canterlot and what we had at Berry Punches we’ve spent the rest of the time running from that idiot Braeburn and his insane posse of clowns.”

“Oh! That gentle colt from Appleloosa? He was so helpful and sweet.”

All eyes turned to Luna as she regained her composure and tried to stand if a little shakily at first slightly more regally.

“When I saw him last was just before I was knocked out by the flying…”

“…Mares best friend?”

Trixie exploded with laughter as Spitfire delivered the line with a deadpan expression, Luna however thought for a second then caught up just as Apple Cobbler noticed something white stood a few feet away out the corner of her eye.

“I would not know of such things besides he was in a hurry I-I think he was in a rush but I was hit by the… …mares best friend?”

Luna used the metaphor with a hesitant voice but a look of seeking approval for being one of the mares and a slight nervous smile (whilst blushing furiously mind you).

Spitfire gave her an encouraging nod which made Luna feel more relaxed and confident until Trixie finally picked apart her last words.

“He’s chasing us…”

“Sorry what was that?”

“He’s been chasing me since Appleloosa.”

“Wow he must really like you.”

Trixie closed her eyes as she reluctantly tried to withhold the anger building inside as Luna gave her a confused look.

“HE’S CHASING ME WITH A POSSE YOU FEATHERBRAINED FOAL… FOR THE BITS YOU TOOK IN APPLELOOSA!!!”

“You can stop shouting anytime you know it’s giving me a headache.”

Trixie seemed a little frantic as she waved her hooves as her eyes stared into the future before her as she ignored the sarcastic remark from Spitfire.

“NO!!! YOU DON’T KNOW… NONE OF YOU… HE’LL DO HIS JOB OR DIE TRYING…”

The group all gave Trixie a disbelieving look of ‘I think you’re overreacting’, but as she continued to lament her misfortunes, Roseluck who wasn’t paying attention noticed Apple Cobbler wasn’t paying attention either and was looking at something intently so Roseluck followed her eye line towards possibly the most beautiful mare she’d ever seen.

“But he was so funny when he got all embarrassed at spending the night with me.”

Even Roseluck and Apple Cobbler snapped back to the conversation on that one as Spitfire just blinked in shock but it was Trixie’s reaction that got every pony as her frantically loud voice dropped to a stunned whisper.

“You spent the night with him? You and Braeburn were together…”

Trixie slowly sank to her rump, her face a mask of disappointment and unrealized if somewhat sadistic interests gone south.

“But no mare has ever been interested in him, not any good ones… and that day he said he was there for me…?”

(Historical Note: The conversation referred to by Trixie was in fact Braeburn’s ill fated attempt to find the magical mare for Luna which ended prematurely when Trixie misunderstood his intentions and blew him up.)

“Y-You royal bitch the first stallion in ages that even interests me and he gets taken home by an airhead like you! And now to top it off he thinks I’m a criminal.”

“Take him home? I did not take him anywhere he took me to his room we shared a bed for the night, what requires such a reaction I do not understand you must be sick I have neither air for a head nor am I a female dog, are you hallucinating my student?”

Spitfire despite her worries about Trixie’s weight became very worried by the vacant look and the twitch she was fast developing in her right eye that skewed the unnerving smile across her face. 

The young captain was no stranger to stallion trouble and despite her reservations felt once more the tug of compassion and the awkward feeling of friendship/camaraderie towards the vulnerable looking magician.

“Ah don’t want to butt in or nothing but ya’ll going on about Braeburn Apple right, wears a waistcoat and a Stetson who kicks his legs whenever he utters the name Appleloosa.”

Trixie and Luna nodded to her description as Apple Cobbler kicked her legs in response to the town’s name, with no clue as to why.

“He’s ma cousin.”

“You’re serious? That’s great! You can tell him Trixie is innocent and it was all Luna’s fault then he’ll stop chasing us like a dog on heat.”

Spitfire tried to act positive but the look from Apple Cobbler was less than reassuring to her.

“What’s the problem your family he’ll listen to you won’t he?”

“Well he might if it was princess Luna who told him but he still treats me like a little filly, hey wait why is he chasing ya’ll anyway, if that witch did something wrong she should be brought to justice ah won’t travel with a criminal no where.”

“It’s OK Braeburn thinks Trixie robbed the workers pay roll from the bank in Appleloosa.”

“She did what now…”

“It was really Luna but Braeburn’s convinced Trixie’s some kind of evil witch and dangerous criminal and hasn’t given up since.”

“That’s our Braeburn, once an Apple family member gets the bit between their teeth there ain’t no stopping us, but wait, ya’ll just said that Luna robbed the bank.”

“It was a simple misunderstanding, after the townsfolk fled town I was merely borrowing it since I forgot to bring relevant currency.”

Luna’s reply did little to assuage Apple Cobblers worries as she looked blankly from Luna to Trixie.

“Uh why in the blue sky did the townsfolk run away?”

Trixie shrugged looking away as she answered.

“Braeburn started it… The Idiot, I thought he’d come to ask me out so I kind of blasted him with magic for his arrogance… (A tinge of regret sounded in the magician’s voice) it would be just like him to ask me just like that...” 

Trixie took a deep breath and with a sorrowful sigh she continued.

“I guess the townsfolk must have run for cover because afterwards the town was empty, but turns out I was wrong he wasn’t there for me he was just a messenger, he’d hardly be interested in me after he’d spent the night with our glorious leader over there.”

As the venom and latent anger in her tone increased the princess Luna gave her a confused look as she still didn’t realize they all misunderstood what had happened due in part to Luna’s lack of a coherent explanation.

“Um… Princess Luna…”

Luna switched her attention to Roseluck who interrupted in a very soft manner and shied away when all eyes turned to her.

“I don’t mean to be rude but who is the pony stood over there?”

Luna gasped as finally she remembered one of the main reasons she had come all this way apart from locating her student and her business with the young captain.

All eyes turned as Luna puffed out her chest as she prepared to introduce her ace in the hole which she hoped would please her furious student and lessen the damage of what she was yet to reveal.

It also made a great distraction from the venom being broadcast through the murderous looking eyes of Trixie.

Pausing for dramatic effect and allowing a smile to creep onto her face Luna failed to notice all present were actually focused on the frankly stunning and rather confused looking unicorn mare.

“May I introduce the newest member of your group Fleur de Li’s she’s going to accompany you on your quest.”

Fleur who had remained silent throughout all of this choosing instead to observe the strange ensemble arguing by the side of the road, hid her face behind her mane and adopted a fancy yet practiced pose as all eyes continued to stare either enviously at her looks or with slight suspicions.

Trixie rallied her wits as she assessed the young mare as she tried to look friendly after Spitfire nudged her viciously and whispered for Trixie to drop the scowl on her face which to Spitfires surprise she did. 

Roseluck trembling slightly trotted up to Fleur as the shy mare met the fancy mare the Apple of the bunch joined them still pulling her cart.

“H-Hello… I’m Roseluck I come from Ponyville this is Apple Cobbler also from Ponyville…”

“Howdy there, well ain’t you just the prettiest thing ah ever saw.”

“C-Canterlot…”

“Huh? Is that where you’re from Fleur, Canterlot?”

“Yes I am from Canterlot… Although I spend a lot of time in Manehatten, at least Fancypant’s does but I’m always by his side so I guess I’m there after all… ”

Confused the two Ponyville mares noticed Luna gesticulating wildly and as they turned they saw the white mares face start to crack as the weight of what she had done started to impact on her.

“I… I left him… I left him back at the castle… Will he even notice I’m gone? Oh no what if he’s looking for me… What if he’s worried?”

“Uh hey why don’t we introduce you to the others?”

Roseluck’s voice and her sympathetic eyes broke Fleur from her worries as the fragile mare backed up by her farm pony friend pointed out the others.

“That mare over there is Spitfire she’s the captain of the Wonderbolts.”

“Yup and that there witch with the silver mane is Trixie, ah would steer clear of that one if ah were you missy.”

Apple Cobbler ignored the irritated ‘hey watch it…’ from Trixie as Fleur overcome with curiosity could no longer stay quiet.

“And the mare on the floor is she OK? I don’t think I’ve seen her move since she fell over?”

True to form Berry indeed hadn’t moved and as Spitfire moved closer to her and tapped her with a hoof the inebriated mare snorted and began to stir.

“Fleur this is Berry Punch don’t worry too much she’s a professional.”

Spitfire’s light hearted humor again brought a smile to the group as they all (yes even Trixie) gathered in a rough circle.

“So great mentor and leader how exactly did you find us?”

Luna grinned as she reached under her mane and retrieved a small pouch with her teeth that she untied and emptied using her magic as the others looked on curiously.

“Spitfire, remember when I gave you that chain when we met?”

Spitfire lifted a hoof and touched the silver chain that held a silver letter L that was around her neck.

“Yeah you said it was important…”

“It is… It’s a magical chain made of Mithril imbued with the power of the moon.”

As Luna magically floated five more chains just like Spitfires each with the letter L to their new owners (for Berries chain she laid it across a splayed hoof) she continued to explain.

“Each chain is linked to the others and myself, as a result with a spell I can locate you anywhere and eventually I will teach you how to use them to contact me!.”

“I helped the princess make the spell.”

Fleur was happy as she proudly announced her part in Luna’s successful efforts at relocation.

“Definitely her assistance was indeed helpful I would not have gathered everything necessary in good time otherwise.”

The white mare swelled with pride as Roseluck and Apple Cobbler both were suitably impressed and let Fleur enjoy the moment as did Spitfire but Trixie had more important things to discuss.

“Great… that means you can keep tabs on me when ever you remember I exist, so anyway that makes six of us so now are you going to tell us what this important mission is?.”

The moon princess faltered as the weight of her duty was too much for her, as Luna’s eyes roamed over the expectant faces of the group before finally coming to rest on Spitfire.

Luna’s twitch above her left eye was hardly noticeable but upon seeing it Spitfire exhaled and as she looked in any other direction any other than that of Luna, Spitfire in a slightly hesitant and weak sounding voice whispered just loud enough for all to hear…

“…I won’t go back.”

> Part Nine: Goodbye Spitfire?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Nine: Goodbye Spitfire?

Trixie Roseluck Fleur and Apple Cobbler exchanged glances as they all switched between looking at Luna then Spitfire, after a moment or two the Wonderbolt gave in and faced the stoic princess who spoke in a dramatic tone.

“You have to go to the Wonderbolts HQ; the whole of Canterlot is in flames and only you may be able stop it!”

“Wait is this going to be our mission? Why don’t you want to go back Spitfire? You’re the Captain of the Wonderbolts?” 

Roseluck asked this nervously at the dangerous sounding idea of going to a burning Canterlot, a single tear escaped Spitfires eyes as she shook her head.

“No it isn’t and I won’t go back, I don’t care if it all burns to ashes.”

Trixie skipped the usual sarcastic remark for once and interrupted with an attempt to understand the situation thus breaking the confused silence fast enveloping the small gathering.

“What can only Spitz stop?”

“H-Hey quit it with that stupid nickname already…”

Spitfire reacted to the bait but quickly turned away again as Luna caught her eye and the Wonderbolt avoided prolonged contact.

“As Captain of the Wonderbolts… …She has certain duties to fulfill that prevent her from continuing on this mission!”

The reaction to this was mixed but for the most part disbelief and confusion reigned as Trixie then spoke.

“And what pray tell are those? Photo shoots or endorsement deals or flank kissing at a royal soiree.”

Trixie’s angry tone and her hoof pointing at Luna’s chest once more put the flustered princess on the spot and Luna failed miserably as she stuttered tripped over her words and all round died on stage as Trixie grew impatient for an answer.

“The Wonderbolts threw a party that caused rioting to break out which in turn snowballed, Canterlot is under marshal law but civil order is in tatters and the royal guards are barricaded behind the palace walls and they refuse to go out to restore it since they’re seriously outnumbered… 

…and without Spitfire to get the Wonderbolt’s under control and eliminate the heart of the troubles Celly says its curtains for Canterlot.”

Luna went into more detail about the other ringleaders and the utter hopelessness of the situation involving thousands of partying ponies without an immediate and ‘Spitfire’ shaped resolution.

She rushed the last part of the explanation but the impression it gave left all present in shock and awe at the damage a bunch of hot head flyers a DJ and to Roseluck and Apple Cobbler a suspiciously familiar sounding pink pony with a cannon could achieve.

“Like the mare said… Let it burn we have an adventure to go on.”

Trixie’s casual yet worrying writing off of her civilizations main form of government and its capital in favor of Luna’s as yet undisclosed mission got her some funny looks. 

But not half as much as Spitfires sudden exit as she walked away towards a large wooded area running parallel to the road not too far away and which looked as though you could easily get lost in it.

As the other three exchanged worried glances both Luna and Trixie watched rooted to the spot unable to think of anything to say.

Spitfire soon reached the edge of the tree line, her head was held low her normally fiery tail and mane hung lifeless it’s usually vibrant colors seeming to just fade to a dull orange, without a look back she stepped into the wood and disappeared from sight. 

The remaining group stared after her and looked about unable to break the following silence, except Trixie who gave Luna a disparaging look and with a sniff and a flick of her mane that left Fleur feeling like a newborn in her field of expertise the magician left after the captain.

As she too disappeared Luna turned to Fleur and did a better impression of an encouraging smile and the friendship starved mare brightened up and returned her smile (as aforementioned a rarity for Luna, no reference/pun intended.) 

This gave Luna a warm fuzzy feeling of happiness, maybe this making friend’s thing isn’t so difficult after all she thought.

It was as this was going on Apple Cobbler took a moment to take stock of her surrounding area and the ponies still present.

“Uh Roseluck darling, ya’ll didn’t see where Berry went did you?”

Roseluck looked like her nerves were almost shot away her body was trembling as she replied.

“No.”

Apple Cobbler came to an executive decision regarding the situation as she scanned their surroundings for any hint of the now missing mare.

“Ah’m sorry princess Luna but after I find Berry Ah’m taking her and Roseluck home, Ah ain’t letting them go on no mission if that Wonderbolt ain’t here to hog tie that evil witch… …b-begging your pardon princess but you’re student ain’t all there and when she is she’s worse than a timber wolf gone crazy…”

Words like ‘crazy’ and phrases like ‘mad as a hatter’ or ‘freaking sadist’ made up the following descriptions that poured from Apple Cobbler as the mares flanks continued to ache firing up her injustice fueled plea to the princess. 

Roseluck nodded her head repeatedly as her friend described Trixie as an entity entirely constructed of malice and hate capable of immense destruction if ticked off.

It’s always worth noting that Roseluck confronted with any form of anger aggression or loud noises would immediately freeze or hide but for once she spoke up and gave her views on the blue mare.

Unfortunately for Luna Roseluck’s mindset was the same as Apple Cobblers, to her Trixie resembled something akin to a greater demon of chaos as her imagination twisted and skewed her memories and terrified her into a cowering tearful mess once again at the thought of all the scary things that had happened so far.

Meanwhile Apple Cobbler used this by pointing a hoof at Roseluck to demonstrate her case.

Luna sat back slowly as she realized she would have to face up to her impetuous decision on a student and tried desperately to think of something to say to validate it.

After failing miserably she gave up and just looked sheepish as her own successful find Fleur sat looking frightened as she processed the deluge of information this tricky situation was made up of and listened to the (pretty accurate) descriptions of the aloof blue mare.

Spitfire however was at a personal and professional low as she laid down in a small clearing she had found that contained lush green grass and a small spring that bubbled quietly from a nearby grouping of rocks and flowed down into a small trickle of a stream that passed out of the clearing into the thick woods.

She failed to see Trixie approach but as she heard less than subtle hoof steps get closer she raised her head and without acknowledging her traveling companion lowered it again and closed her eyes.

A minute or two passed before Trixie lost her fragile temper and began lightly kicking Spitfire then with increasing force kicked harder, she bit her lip as not to break her silence and just ask Spitfire what was wrong like she wanted to.

Somehow she couldn’t understand why, but somehow she knew it mattered, after all why be interested what this mare thought, it wasn’t like she was a real friend or anything…

“For the love of all that’s Celestia, what is it! Come to take me back huh?”

“No, why is there a reward?”

Spitfire wondered just how much her flank would have to be worth for Trixie to consider taking a bounty, and then she decided it was better not to think too hard about it since her own self worth was low enough as it was.

“Very funny, now get lost.”

“Can’t do that,”

“Oh yeah why not little miss magic.”

“I have a map I found it lying around in the cart.”

The Wonderbolt captain looked at the small map that Hovered around Trixie encased in her magic, on it was a label with the letters AC.

“Well can you at least stop kicking me?”

“Nope”

“Ouch… …I mean it… Stop it…”

Trixie sighed and ceased putting the hoof in as Spitfire forcibly sat up and shifted so her still splinted wing rested more comfortably and she was less open to attack.

It was the tear streaked cheeks and red eyes that made Trixie decidedly uncomfortable after all why had she followed Spitfire and why did she even care?

“So are you going to do this properly?”

“Huh?”

Trixie sighed again,

“You know that stuff you do with ponies who are upset, listen to them whine then talk it out and something about listening to all the past events or some such thing or other all about how they got to the point their at, am I right?

“Close enough I suppose, so do you care if I stay?”

At this Trixie hesitated but finally answered,

“Yes, yes I do.” 

Spitfire didn’t outwardly react except for a small nod and a weak smile but inside at least she was happy to be wanted, but the way Trixie was now scuffing her hoof in the dirt and staring down at each blade of grass in turn studying each one intently whilst ignoring her companion made the Wonderbolt take note.

Spitfire spotted a slight creeping blush on the blue mare’s cheeks that piqued her curiosity.

“Just how much do you care?”

Spitfire asked in as nonchalant a voice as she could but afraid the answer might be more than she could deal with right now… …Trixie however saw the awkward looks she was getting from the Wonderbolt and blushed deeply.

“Not that much Y-you loopy stunt pony! What kind of mare do you take me for!!! I’m the Great and Powerful Trixie!!! ”

“OK, OK… Great and Powerful huh, I knew it… you’re a magician who does birthday’s aren’t you.”

“I AM NOT SOME LOWLIFE TRICKSTER!!! I AM TRIXIE THE GREAT AND POWERFUL AND I DO NOT PREFORM AT FOALS BIRTHDAY’S… SO THERE.”

“Wow OK calm down, so you’re a real top class magician, no parties then.”

“Yes!!! And no, no parties…”

“So why follow me?”

“I don’t have any pony to travel around with… Every extrovert needs a companion or two…”

“Companion… What are you talking about? I thought you said you didn’t care THAT much about me… ”

“A FELLOW TRAVELER FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAVELING AND GOOD COMPANIONSHIP YOU IDIOT… YOU KNOW A FR…”

Trixie stopped as she realized Spitfire was open mouthed and staring.

“You nearly said friend, Trixie you think of me as a friend?”

“No… …Maybe… …Just a little… Look just please forget it OK.”

“I meant what I said you know back at Berries when I thought we were going to all die, about listening.”

“Really… You meant that?”

“Yes.”

“Wait when you thought we were…” 

Trixie stopped as she saw Spitfires smirk.

“OK then…”

Trixie went for broke in front of the stunned Wonderbolt since she had little or no experience of friends as an adult, and her friends as a young filly had all stopped playing with her after that fateful night all those years ago.

(A Trixie Historical Note: Trixie’s birthday hadn’t been celebrated since it was held in a circus tent on her sixth birthday, this was due to her circus performing father who fond of performing to any crowd given a chance, and thanks to the age old circus traditions of his family he tried to steal the spotlight, Trixie still welcomed it unreservedly however.

On the other hoof magic was her true love, watching her mother perform was one of her greatest joys but being timid and shy was her mothers downfall as her demanding attention seeking husband would always get his way and so that night things would forever change for the young Trixie.

The party proceeded well until Trixie’s mother older brother and father at his overbearing insistence climbed up into the rafters to perform high flying stunts to amaze the youthful audience of Trixie’s friends.

(Of which there were many since she was the popular one in her class, caring open and wonderfully behaved, a beloved daughter and a real model student talented in magic.)

It was as they reached the top of the tent and prepared to begin that a rope snapped causing Trixie’s family to fall to their deaths in front of the forever scarred young filly. 

This in turn would lead to her running away from her circus home and becoming a traveling magician like her mother had once been, but Trixie had been unable to deal with her circus heritage and her hatred of her father and so to avoid ending up like her mother Trixie made sure she made her own decisions from then on.)

As Trixie relayed the tragic events of her past and described the pain of constantly traveling alone and unwanted, usually begging and stealing to feed herself and always moving until discovering her cutie mark and her own talents for performance.

She failed to see Spitfires horrified expression mixed with a look of sheer sorrow.

Before Trixie continued onto her cutie mark story and into her difficult teenage years coupled with her growing power she was interrupted by a stunned Wonderbolt.

“Wait just wait OK, are you serious? That all happened your not just gonna crack a smile and laugh at gullible old Spitfire are you?”

Trixie’s slowly falling tears, the pained look in her eyes and her fragile expression gave Spitfire no reason to doubt her and made her guilty for thinking it.

“I’ve never told a soul, never, not one pony…”

“And you told me because you want me to understand you and be your friend…”

“Yes.”

“…And traveling buddy…”

“Yes.”

“You do realize you are the most difficult argumentative and downright frustrating pony I’ve ever met including my team and that I must be crazy…”

“Yes… …H-Hey!!!”

Spitfire sighed and looked away from her unlikely new friend before replying.

“I wish I could but Luna’s right I have a duty to my team and to Equestria…”

“Maybe you could rejoin us after you put them in their place…”

“I can’t Trixie it’s like intensive care or a nursery, if just one of them is out of my sight for more than a moment you wouldn’t believe what can happen, not to mention my second’s the worst of the lot for getting into trouble.”

“Can’t you appoint a proper second? Or a foal sitter?”

“I’ve tried dear Celestia I’ve tried…”

“Surely you can’t be the only one who can run the team? What about what you want?”

“I wanted to be a Wonderbolt the Captain no less so after flight school I applied but… …I should have realized sooner when the previous captain took me on without experience or any training and gave me her job on the first day and flew away laughing…”

“Gee so how long after that did you take to realize something was wrong… …Idiot.”

“Hey did I interrupt your over complicated heartfelt back story?”

“Yes…”

“Oh… …Well then, I don’t know I’ve tried everything and I just can’t take it anymore but it’s my life… All I ever wanted to be and known.”

As tears slid down the Wonderbolts cheeks Trixie did something even she didn’t believe could happen, she closed the gap and embraced the now weeping mare and for just a moment the pair let go of their own pain and shouldered the burden of the other in a so far unique and unprecedented display of solidarity and friendship.

After a few minutes of gentle whispered reassurances to each other the pair attempted to end the moment but were halted as the small silver chain around Spitfires neck caught in Trixie’s mane and they were left with their muzzles only a hairs breadth away from the others.

Through the trees a wind came and gently ruffled their manes and crickets chirped as they sat frozen breathless and frightened in a daze of curiosity and so far unconsidered possibilities, neither could speak or move and began to doubt if they actually wanted to and more to the point which way, away from the other or closer to each other???

More minutes passed before with an awkward cough and her heart pounding Trixie relented using her magic to pick free the chain and free them but as they both scooted backwards they were startled by an angry and disappointed cry.

“AWWW COME ON…”

“BERRY??? Is that you?”

“Yup”

Berry Punch was poking out from behind a bush on the other side of the clearing near the stream.

“Uh Berry what you didn’t see happen just then, didn’t happen OK?”

“You mean the soft cuddle the longing eyes and the almost right ending?”

“Yeah… I mean No!!! we weren’t cuddling it was a friendly hug and we weren’t looking longingly into each others eyes… and exactly what is the right ending anyway… …never mind I get what you mean.”

“Just what are you doing hiding and spying on us?”

Trixie asked Berry Punch while she felt the heat rise to her face as the unexpected private moment was broken up by jokes and accusations against her sexuality.

This only served to enrage her further as she tried to put the intimacy and its budding questions behind her and focus her anger on the smiling cheerful Berry.

“I thought you said nothing worth spying on happened hmmm?”

“Oh shut up, besides are you feeling OK? You look well… …Almost sober for once, did you run out of booze.”

Trixie asked this in a desperate attempt to take the focus off of her and Spitfire and onto the unusually straight edge looking Berry, who as the seconds passed suddenly and spontaneously took a turn for the worst at the reminder of her own personal predicament and the reason she had wandered off (to look for a new source of booze of course).

“I’m perfectly fine, thank you for your concern my dear Sir I shall retire immediately.”

With that she saluted then teetered then fell into a heap on the grass her eye lids flickered as the early stages of withdrawal kicked in and her legs began twitching.

After a slightly awkward silence and a few stolen glances to make sure the other wasn’t secretly doing the same Trixie and Spitfire managed to haul Berry Punch onto their backs and between them began moving slowly back to the cart and their other companions.

“Trixie”

“Hmmm… What?”

“Do you think all the stress must have got to us… …You know… made that more awkward than it should have been perhaps?”

“Maybe… Yeah I think it must have.”

“So are we good?”

“Yeah I guess we are.”

The two normally quiet ponies continued to pick apart the reasons for the awkwardness in their own minds as they lapsed into silence and continued on.

As the pair reached the edge of the woods they both paused but before Trixie could make her well thought out joke about carrying Berry meaning they were packing a punch to relieve the tension Spitfire spoke first.

“I kissed a filly.”

“Isn’t that a folk song?”

“I mean I kissed a filly at flight school just to try it…”

“Okay…”

“It was soft and gentle…”

“Are you coming on to the Great and Powerful Trixie?”

“No I’m not I… I like stallions, but back there if I had… Would you have stopped me?”

“No.”

“WHAT… WHY THE HAY NOT?”

“Beggars can’t be choosers besides you’re practically a stallion what with your tomboy attitude and you have the stones to stand up to me, believe me not many fit that bill, stallion or mare.”

“Are you just making fun of me per chance Trixie?”

“Maybe a little, but seriously apart from that snake in the grass Braeburn I’ve not met any stallions really worth the effort.”

“I hear you, I just wish there existed the perfect stallion, a good and true, hardworking a real family stallion… Not bad in the looks department…”

“Don’t forget a big…”

“I was getting to that.”

“Just saying…”

As Trixie and Spitfire continued to elaborate on their ideas (and measurements) both came to realize if such a stallion existed the chances of him being single were non existent or he would be into other stallions so they gave up in embarrassed silence. 

(Concurrent Note: Back in Ponyville on Sweet Apple Acres a large red stallion the focus of many a pony’s wet dream sneezed whilst suddenly feeling like he was being talked about, but it was short lived and so he continued his work.) 

Trixie turned to her new friend with a better understanding of her tastes and spoke confidence filling her voice.

“Don’t worry about the loony princess, I have an idea just follow my lead.”

“Glad you do, so are we good right?”

“Guess so, as long as you don’t mind me telling stallions at bars we’re together if I don’t like them.”

“Huh? W-well I guess that’s OK, as long as you don’t mind me doing the same… Hey why are you laughing?”

“You expect stallions to pay you attention when I’m about? Oh that’s precious.”

“Screw y… Oh never mind…”

The strange trio reached the remainder of the group just as Luna was beginning the ritual for raising the moon and ushering in the night, since she hadn’t done this outside of the castle for a thousand years a little nervousness kicked in and in several observatories across Equestria it was noted some of the stars seemed a little off trajectory (in one case causing a meteor shower that annihilated a small planet whose occupants were just about to discover rock and roll music).

Luna finished her work and received a standing ovation from Roseluck Apple Cobbler Fleur and a semi conscious Berry but Spitfire and Trixie gave a slightly more reserved show of appreciation.

Trixie waited for every pony to quiet down then with a flourish of her hoof and a flick of her mane she managed to dislodge Berry and flinched as she hit the ground.

“Forgot you were there, I’m sorry Berry.”

“Ssss…OK…”

Shrugging it off and ignoring the arched eyebrow from Spitfire who was surprised at Trixie apologizing for once, not that she said anything mind you she continued to listen with the others as the blue mare addressed them.

“I’m the leader of this group as appointed by the so called princess over there… I have something to say and its non negotiable so shut up and do it.”

Trixie smiled as she monopolized the attention of her group and with practiced ease she used her magic to retrieve the hat and cloak she had stashed in Apple Cobblers cart, as they floated over Trixie changed her magic and used it to wrap the cape across her shoulders and slowly place firmly on her head the wide brimmed hat.

Despite desperately needing a bath and some time to spruce herself up Trixie cut a fine but fragile figure as she lifted her head and her face became visible, Luna and the others were taken aback by the fiery and determined look behind those eyes

“Luna’s mission can wait, we have to go to Canterlot and return Spitfire to her team and peace to Equestria.”

The obligatory tumble weed slowly rolled through the silent scene as the breeze blew ponies hair this way and that.

“I’m serious…”

Spitfire blinked back a tear.

“You said you had an idea to sort this? That’s it, that’s your great idea… SEND ME BACK, AFTER WHAT YOU SAID BACK THERE?”

“Will you let me finish, just count stars or something.”

“I really hate you, just wanted to put that out there.”

“Like I was saying back to Canterlot then we tell Celestia we’ll sort out the Wonderbolts, in return our payment will be Spitfire gets to step down as captain of the Wonderbolts and then we go on Luna’s quest.”

“And if she doesn’t agree and won’t release me?”

“Then we see just how stubborn a goddess can be when her castle’s burning to the ground around her while we sit back and wait.”

“Y-You’re my student… You can’t blackmail my sister that’s wrong…”

“Sorry I forgot you were a royal sister for a moment there.”

“…I hate you too.”

“Bite me.”

The looks being shared by the group all agreed she was mad but the way Trixie seemed to be shimmering with unreleased magic, determination and a new reason to feel confident swayed them slightly.

“That’s your plan… Hold up our own royalty… We’re already on the run if you remember and you want to escalate matters with this?”

“Yes I do, you’re in an impossible position so we’re going to return the favor.”

“Because we’re friends now, Trixie you really want to do this?”

“Why not, for the first time I have some pony to share the brilliance that is The Great and Powerful Trixie and look we have roadies.”

“Ah ain’t no ponies roadie gets yourself your own servants you silver tongued harpy.”

As Roseluck and Fleur helped to put out Apple Cobblers mane and Spitfire berated Trixie for setting it ablaze in the first place, Berry just laid there clutching her skull with all the screaming going on drilling into her already aching messed up head.

After another cool down period (literally in the case of the farm pony) the gang managed to settle down and after more helpful comments and threats from the magician agreed to go along with Trixie’s idea.

The magician stood and in an attempt to rally the troops morale (Spitfire’s idea) Trixie addressed them once more.

“Are we gonna let one of us get kicked around by the system!”

Apple Cobbler Roseluck Berry Punch and Fleur all punched the air with their hooves and cried in unison, “NO.”

“Are we going to Canterlot to sort this out?”

Apple Cobbler Roseluck Berry Punch and Fleur all punched the air with their hooves and cried in unison, “YES.”

“Right then first thing tomorrow we head to Canterlot.”

Luna sat a few hooves away from the others, she was happy… Her plan was working (somewhat) as she realized then by looking at them she had managed to assemble her own elements of harmony even if they lacked the unifying magic and the friendship.. 

A group of friends (even her own mind thought she was kidding on that one) who would have adventures and help her be more accepted and respected.

Luna was however more than a little scared by the plan Trixie had concocted since it involved blackmailing her sister, which she very much doubted would make things at the dinner table any easier for her, not to mention having to clear up the whole bank robbery business.

The princess let her worries subside slightly as she watched her student take charge and with Spitfire’s help plan their journey back to the capital on Apple Cobblers map.

After of course Apple Cobbler still angered by her singed mane berated Trixie for stealing her map without asking.

As Luna continued to watch them she took mental notes on their banter and on the relaxed way they argued and discussed what was sounding more and more like a con job as they talked about how they planned to hustle Celestia.

Luna decided it was better to just follow along for now and try to change Trixie’s mind as to how strongly she was going to present her argument as they traveled. 

Meanwhile as the night hung over the scene, far away back in Ponyville Twilight Sparkle was one hoof short of a straight jacket as she tried to catalogue all the changes in the night sky’s routine but kept coming up with the same conclusion, there was a new constellation in the stars.

Amongst the other traditional constellations sat six ponies two of which looked distinctly like a pony with a hat and cape and a flying Pegasus.

(Authors Note: This chapters intimate events and suggestions and any that follow are in no way an attempt to ship any pony or turn this into a clopfic, it’s just an exploration of the characters when presented with no viable suitors of the opposite sex and the closeness of traveling with one another in times of stress. 

However Trixie X Spitfire and the comedic possibilities therein are hard to pass up, so feel free to debate in comments and tell me what you think.)

> Part Ten: Luna’s Mission of Mercy.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Ten: Luna’s Mission of Mercy.

Princess Luna was led somewhat comfortably by a large fire that had been arranged by the group around her, nearby Apple Cobblers cart stood it’s shape casting shadows in the glow of the fire which lit the gathering of ponies encircling it, proud of their effort despite Trixie’s overkill on the immolation of fire wood that had singed a few manes and tails.

The group however were not exactly acting like a well oiled machine having several immediate problems to deal with including the painful withdrawal symptoms of Berry Punch, the increasing discomfort of Spitfire and her injured wing along with her vocational predicament and the fact every pony had murderous thoughts about Trixie (well except Roseluck who would have been satisfied with a light maiming).

For the most part the rest of the group were fine, Roseluck was starting to unwind a little despite the anguished moans of her friend Berry, Apple Cobblers flanks had calmed down from their previous beating her mane had been extinguished again and Fleur was sat next to them having successfully managed to be so inoffensive that they had all gotten along with her swimmingly.

Spitfire and Trixie though had pretty much taken control of things by a mixture of natural managerial conduct by Spitfire and a more dictatorial means by Trixie, this left the group with the task of escorting Spitfire to Canterlot to blackmail Celestia into letting her leave the Wonderbolts, then start Luna’s still as yet undisclosed mission.

This had however left a somewhat bad taste in the mouths of the other ponies and one princess but Trixie was adamant to the point of explosion and terror that it was the only way and that Spitfire was integral to their newly formed team.

Trixie’s passionate plea backed by threats of brutality surprised the others as it almost smacked of compassion, that was until she pointed out no pony else was worth the time and effort of a conversation.

“Ah don’t remember signing up so we can be all under hoofed and blackmail our princess, this is Celestia we’re talking about ah don’t reckon she’d turn down a reasonable request for Spitfire to leave.”

“Two hundred and thirty one…”

“Ah beg your pardon…”

“How many times I’ve hoofed in my notice.”

Apple Cobbler just stared at the Wonderbolt for a second then just said…

“Oh.”

Fleur chimed in as she hit a snag in her own understanding,

“But if you’ve hoofed it in why haven’t you left.”

“Because Celestia always gives me the, I need you and Equestria needs you speech and…”

It was Luna’s turn to cut in after remaining silent pretty much throughout the previous exchange over plans due to her total confusion on how her idea had snowballed into even more of an all round disaster. 

“The puppy eyes and the sorrowful look of hopelessness am I right?”

“That’s the one.”

Luna knew Spitfires suffering; her sister’s ability to ignite self sacrifice in a pony for the good of all was legendary but usually used only to get the best out of said pony of course.

Luna guessed the reason Spitfire hadn’t been allowed to leave was because she really was the only suitable candidate, in which case the team’s trip to Canterlot and Trixie’s plan were futile. 

But Luna knew it would be pointless to argue that with Trixie who was so determined for some reason (Luna really hoped it was showing a new side to Trixie but inwardly knew it was more likely she just wanted to show off and stick it to Royalty having seemingly got a taste for it with Luna).

“Who gives a damn how she did it, it just proves you’re a bigger idiot than you look.”

“You try and tell a goddess no.”

“It’s not that hard, Luna’s a pushover and Celestia’s too wrapped up in being omnipotent to really give a damn since she always leaves the dangerous stuff to her prize student so I’ve heard.”

If that’s so how did you end up on this quest? Tell me that O Great and Powerful.”

“I allowed myself to be cast in the role of student for one reason only.”

Spitfire and the rest gave Trixie an inquisitive look all except Luna who hung her head a little in guilt.

“I promised I’d teach the skills and magic needed for her to become the most powerful unicorn in Equestria…”

“That’s right I’m already the second most powerful so it won’t take long…”

The shocked expressions and open mouths said it all as the assembled ponies each gave Luna looks of pure disbelief, it was Spitfire who recovered first taking a second to give Trixie a strange look almost like she was seeing her in a new light before weighing in with her thoughts.

“You’re going to teach her how to be the most powerful pony short of you and your sister… Not to seem slow… But are you insane?”

“It was agreed between us that she would become my student, I don’t think there will be any problems other than her lack of inter pony skills.”

Trixie laughed mockingly as she mimed ‘speak for yourself,’ her mood was more relaxed but her confidence and the way she held her head high showed a different side to Spitfire who wasn’t used to seeing her so alive?

“And what if she decides she wants to be more than the student, you do know she’ll be pretty much unstoppable by any other unicorn and with an ego that rivals the dark lord Discord you’re dooming all of Equestria to ruin you know that.”

“Trixie is my student she would never attempt to seize power in such a way…”

“We’re about to set off and blackmail Celestia into conceding to our demands taking full advantage of her current situation.” 

Luna stopped looking at Spitfire and stared blankly at Trixie as it dawned on her the blue mare seemed to be deep in thought as if she was considering it.

“Would you?”

“The Great and Powerful Queen Trixie… It has a certain appeal… Maybe even Empress…”

Judging by the looks from the others it seemed they had the same thoughts as Luna as they stayed silent, Luna and the others then descended into a pit of instant emo as they considered the possibilities of an Equestria under Trixie’s rule.

It was Berry who now took the main stage as her writhing in agony and despair at her sobering up became too much to bear and she screamed loudly surprising all and sundry and causing Roseluck to faint.

“Need… Booze… I need it Now… I NEED BEER WINE SPIRITS CIDER ANYTHING!!!”

Berry stood on her hind legs and spread her fore hooves wide and throwing back her head she screamed a long tortured cry of sheer longing and withdrawal she until collapsed unconscious.

“Ah think that mare needs a drink.”

“You think so do you, what gave you that impression dumb hick, judging by Applejack and Braeburn your bloodline mustn’t have a rule against cousins or farm animals.”

Every pony’s reaction to Trixie’s sharp put down and her general behavior towards Apple Cobbler was so strong that it even occurred to Trixie her irrational spite against Apple Cobbler might be purely down to her relatives. 

Trixie wondered briefly how to apologize to the now very angry mare when she also asked herself why she should? 

Not used to considering how others felt and also feeling like she should make an effort just to improve her new friendship with Spitfire Trixie began to form the words.

Distracted by the developing tension along with a moaning Berry the group only heard Apple Cobblers reply with half an ear without paying too much attention to the actual words and meaning.

“Watch it magic mare don’t think ah couldn’t buck you right here to humiliate that fat plot of yours that’ll teach you a lesson O great and powerful student.”

Trixie’s expression of shock and the blush that followed leaving her speechless mimicked that of the other still conscious ponies; even those who spent time around farming earth ponies like Roseluck misheard that one word. 

Fleur had almost completely turned red all over and was silent as Luna and Roseluck just sat quietly not saying anything but furiously staring at the ground with slight tinges of red across all their faces.

“What did I just say to make ya’ll start acting like a bunch of school fillies.”

Fleur overcame her blushes long enough to whisper what it had sounded like she’d said.

“Ah said BUCK, what are ya’ll deaf ah meant I’d kick her hide south of the border if she calls me that again, wannabe sideshow performer.”

“Just try it hayseed I’ll show you how the Great and Powerful Trixie deals with country folk, with you I’ll make it an apple hat trick having proved I’m better than you and your two hillbilly cousins.”

“Is that so… Well how about you just quit you’re yapping and worry about where your mouth is going... straight into my hoof.”

Trixie sniffed at the thought of lowering herself to common brawling as the fighting spirit of the Apple clan surfaced in the young farm pony, Spitfire moved sluggishly to break it up as her body felt hot like the beginnings of a fever as her injured wing became increasingly painful. 

Despite this she raised her best training ground voice and attempted to stop it escalating before some pony (Apple Cobbler in this instance) got hurt.

“Look this is no time to be fighting, Fleur and Roseluck tend to Berry, Apple Cobbler go and fetch the saddle bags from your cart and Trixie stop sticking your tongue out at her.”

Reluctantly Apple Cobbler gave in and did as she was told grumbling as she wandered to her cart Trixie blew one last raspberry at the back of the farm pony before finding a reason to examine her hooves for specks of dirt as Spitfire glared daggers.

Luna watched as the group dispersed and gave Spitfire a curious look that was returned with a bright smile and a beckoning hoof.

“Would you be willing to go on a mission of mercy in the name of our newly assembled troupe?”

“Of course I can! What is it you require?” 

Luna was eager to move past the argument as she answered but as she watched Spitfire glance at Berry with a look of concern she cottoned on.

“You wish me to help Berry?”

“You guessed it… We need you to go on a beer run for us.”

“You wish me to do what?”

Luna got to her hooves as Apple Cobbler brought back the bag of stolen bits from Appleloosa and unceremoniously dumped them by the fire as she tried to stare Trixie down who flat out ignored her with a sniff of derision.

Spitfire walked over to the prone Berry Punch and gently stroked her forehead, Berry who was laid out on her back with her hooves in the air and gurgling sporadically was having cold sweats and shaking all over.

“We don’t have any supplies, food etc… and Berry needs alcohol, you’re the only one with wings and we’re a long way from anywhere so you’re the best choice.”

And so it was that Luna princess of the night, protector of Equestria and guardian of all ponies emo's and small fluffy things got sent on a beer run of mercy.

As Luna took off into the night in the direction of Manehatten to one of its all night hay markets for said supplies it could be said that the mood enveloping the remainder was apprehensive indeed.

“Well now we just wait for her to return I suppose… Does any pony know any good ghost stories?”

“T-Trixie… Can’t we tell nice stories or how about we get to know each other?”

“Hmph next you’ll be wanting to link hooves and sing campfire songs, Roseluck you need to stop being so scared of everything don’t expect me to save you if you’re in trouble you’ll just get left behind.”

Roseluck blinked back tears as she settled once more by the fire, her latest bout of confidence over she was shaking, and the exasperated look from Trixie wasn’t helping.

Spitfire however gave the blue mare  the nastiest of looks and motioned for Trixie to apologize, shock and awe followed what happened as Trixie huffed and did! 

Even if it was barely audible Spitfire nodded and smiled encouragement first to Trixie and then Roseluck who responded in a much quieter voice than before.

“I’ve always been scared of loud noises and the dark and angry ponies and...”

“Are you scared of spiders?”

“W-Why…”

“There’s a really big one right next to your hoof.”

“Trixie stop trying to cause Roseluck permanent damage will you.”

“You are accusing me the Great and Powerful Trixie of being a liar you trumped up air jockey.”

Spitfire frowned at the insult but looked to where Trixie was now pointing.

“Um… Roseluck you might want to slowly move closer to Berry.”

Apple Cobbler and Fleur who were closest to Roseluck saw the spider and decided to both scoot to the opposite side of the fire near Berry Punch each with looks of fear and disgust on their faces.

Roseluck looked down at the rather large spider, the spider who had been warming it’s self by the fire before being noticed simply looked back and blinked it’s multitude of eyes and clicked it’s fangs.

Seconds passed as the group waited for the inevitable scream that never came.

“Oh hello there, I’m sorry if they’ve offended you please stay and make yourself comfortable.”

As the spider curled up by her hoof and gave one last click of it’s fangs it settled down to sleep, Roseluck turned her head to face the onlookers who were still waiting for screams and panic.

“I love spiders they help keep my roses free of creepy crawlies and my house free of them too, and their great listeners.”

“You’re afraid of everything including the dark and you just sit there like it’s a puppy?”

Spitfire voiced the opinion shared by all but Trixie who had a taste for the macabre having always liked dark and foreboding architecture bats spiders and the lure of black magic, was wondering if it fancied a job in show business.

“Like I said they can be a great help around the house.”

“Even if the darn things the size of ma cousin Applebloom…”

“She isn’t that big, don’t exaggerate or you’ll hurt her feeling’s.”

“What the hay you expect me to just lay down and sleep with that monster sitting pretty right there and any how how’d you know it’s a girl?”

“Because I just do OK, now stop making a fuss and sit down you big filly.”

Apple Cobbler blinked at Roseluck of all ponies telling her to stop being a filly then shared a pained yet confused look with Fleur who also had an overriding fear of spiders since she was a filly and both looked to Spitfire who wasn’t fond of them either and silently begged her to do something about it.

Spitfire watched as Trixie stayed led where she was unconcerned with the current situation developing in her team and not in least bit concerned that apart from her and Roseluck they were all quickly crowded around Berry looking grudgingly at the blue magician for an answer.

This answer came hours later as Luna returned to find Roseluck and Trixie curled asleep by the fire but the others wide awake sat by Berry who was still suffering greatly as they all kept staring in the direction of Roseluck.

“I have returned from the shopping trip my little ponies.”

Luna landed shakily whilst weighed down by shopping bags and stolen bits with a look of having been more than a little ticked off, as it turned out mostly at the shoddy service she’d received in Manehatten but not just that as it soon became apparent.

Earlier that night…

After reaching Manehatten the moon princess had had trouble finding one of these all night markets mostly thanks to ponies fleeing in panic every time she landed for directions.

Luna had considered that a previously vilified princess landing right in front of ponies out of the blue at night might be a bit scary for them, but after eventually cornering one she’d been directed to a store next to an establishment that appeared to offer all night dancing on laps, this confused Luna greatly since that sounded somewhat of a strange notion after all wouldn’t it be easier to dance on a stage?

Despite her curiosity at the bright lights and the crowd of stallions and a few mares outside she ignored this intriguing scene and entered the market apprehensively having never needed to go shopping before.

“H-How may I help you. Wait are you… P… Princess Luna?”

Luna nodded as she studied the youthful mare in a red apron with a badge that read ‘Sales Assistant’ the mare stood shaking in fear wondering if it was too late to fund her college course by lap dancing at the club next door.

“I need food for six ponies and as much alcohol as I can carry.”

“O-OK… What sort of food and what kind of Alcohol do you require your highness?”

It was Luna’s turn to stop and stare as she hit the first snag in the plan due to her own naivety.

“W-Well just everyday food and as for the alcohol you mean there’s more than one kind?”

With a feeling of ‘Why me?’ the sales assistant gave up and tried to be professional about the whole weird situation.

“A-Allow me to show you around… And maybe you will find what you’re looking for…”

After giving the princess a quick tour and an explanation of how the shop operated she began taking her around to get the basics of food then onto the alcohol aisle.

The young assistant had underestimated how sheltered Luna was and as she tried to explain the simplest of concepts she tried to keep from face hoofing but when Luna asked what the difference was between beer and lager the poor mare nearly called for the manager and ran away.

After a series of explanations that just further confused the socially inept princess she seriously began considering what being showered in bits while throwing away her modesty felt like.

“And this is strawberry flavored cider it’s fizzy and tastes great with strawberry cake.”

Luna looked into the wooden trolley she was now pulling behind her with magic and frowned.

“I do not have strawberry cake… where do you keep this strawberry cake?”

“Uh that would be in aisle…”

The sales assistant looked around for help but her colleagues seemed to all have disappeared for their breaks suddenly, so hanging her head she left Luna examining a stack of small toys for foals that were hanging near the end of the alcohol aisle she was on and went towards the cake aisle.

Luna stood looking at the toys and was shocked to find a cheap toy set that was entitled ‘Good Vs Evil’ (You too can recreate the defeat of nightmare moon by Celestia and the Elements of Harmony!!!) looking closer she was dismayed to find the figurine representing Nightmare Moon was a dead ringer of her as she was now… 

“I found you some strawberry cake princess… Uh p-princess you OK? You seem a little angry?”

“WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS… …OUTRAGE!!!? I AM NO LONGER UNDER THAT VILE DEMONS CURSE!!! IS THAT HOW PONIES SEE ME AS A VILLAIN? EXPLAIN THIS TO ME...”

As she began to literally glow with anger Luna noticed at the bottom of the packet it read ‘Made in Manehattan at Hoofbro .inc’.

Witnessing the unchained fury of Luna as her magic began cascading throughout the store in wide arc’s of lightening was the last straw for the unfortunate student slash assistant who right then knew what her future held.

Two assistants and one night manager later a still furious Luna stood at the checkout with a pile of food and booze that the remaining staff struggled to pack as fast as they could after being forced by the magic to abandon their hiding places.

The day manager who had been called in from home after the night manager had quit tried to keep the princess from becoming any angrier by showing her the latest offers before asking how she wished to pay, to which she angrily dumped what she’d been given by Spitfire in front of him.

Counting the pile of bits in front of him the day manager briefly wondered where his daughter had gone, when he’d left work at the end of the day shift earlier she had just begun her duties as store greeter but now was nowhere to be found.

As Luna left the store, the staff voted unanimously to close up and go to the lap dancing club next door to calm down with a drink or two.

Settling down in a chair facing the stage as the lights above dimmed and a voice announced to the assembled drooling stallions (and a few mares) the introduction of the next dancer, the voice continued that the crowd should go easy on her as it was her first time.

The applause grew as he joined in, then as the dancer swayed seductively onto the stage and gave a few twirls the day manager decided it would be better if he just neglected to tell his wife about this whole evening as he hurriedly exited blushing furiously as his daughter found her true calling.

(Historical Note: This particular evening would be forever remembered as the night the greatest lap dancer in Equestrian history made her debut and the oldest and most successful toy factory in Manehatten ‘Hoofbro .inc’ burned to the ground mysteriously in a fire.

A fire that the night janitor claimed was started by what looked like a vengeful demon carrying at least a dozen shopping bags who was screaming about misrepresentation, a claim he backed until his death many years later in the local asylum.

Back with her student and ‘friends’ (even Luna knew it was hopeless to say that without despairing) the princess set about trying to organize the food she’d brought back.

Spitfire gave up wondering how exactly Luna had flown back with quite so many bags but upon spying the bottles of alcohol Luna had purchased she moved into action fetching a bottle out and pulling the cork.

Before any pony could move and before Spitfire had even spat out the cork Berry had managed to appear suddenly in front of her as fresh as a daisy sat down with a look that matched even the thirstiest explorer lost in a desert as she drooled whilst looking at the open bottle.

“Wow Berry that was a fast recovery… Uh Berry you can stop looking… no… Berry please wait a minute let me… Berry! No…”

Spitfire was bowled over as Berry launched herself with a wild primal look in her eyes at the Wonderbolt who she then remained sitting upon as she drained in one go the bottle and let rip with a belch worthy of the worst fat ass imaginable.

“More.”

As Berry jumped off the prone Spitfire she attacked the pile of shopping and discarded anything other than booze, the others who hadn’t eaten in some time tried to rescue as much as possible as Luna sat down exhausted next to Roseluck and marveled at the biggest spider she’d seen in a while.

As Berry consumed bottle after bottle in an attempt to obliterate any memories of her suffering Apple Cobbler managed to swipe a bottle of bourbon from the decreasing pile and offered it after a mighty slug to Fleur who after a few gentle sips coughed heartily and passed it to Spitfire who in desperation at the pain in her wing (doubled by Berries impatience) downed as much as possible.

This was a bad idea as she managed to get falling over drunk really quickly and decided to tell Trixie exactly what she thought of her before collapsing in a tearful heap and bemoaning her situation.

Trixie to her credit just listened to the Wonderbolts ranting before Spitfire finally drunkenly dozed off, then to the incredulous stares of the group Trixie got up and gently covered the now sleeping mare with her cape before sharing a look with the others that clearly dared them to question it.

The rest of the night went without a hitch as after eating their fill and drinking whatever they could rescue from Berries onslaught the remaining mares settled down to sleep around the fire somewhat reluctantly after further failed attempts to convince Roseluck to send the spider away.

As the group fell asleep or in Berry and Spitfire’s case passed out, the night continued on the stars the only witness to the strange scene of one cart six ponies and a princess sleeping below.
> Part Eleven: A Dark Intervention.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Eleven: A Dark Intervention.

Morning broke in Equestria once more with a dawn chorus of birds that were rudely sent packing as several empty bottles were hurled in their direction by an angry Wonderbolt with an injured wing and a splitting headache induced by the previous nights ill advised downing of alcohol.

Spitfire settled back down slowly careful not to agitate her injured wing any further than necessary, as she did Spitfire noticed that she was draped in what appeared to be Trixie’s cape.

This brought several urgent questions to the forefront,

‘What happened last night and how’d I get covered by this…?’

‘Oh no… What did I say…? Or do…?’

“What did that Wicca Witch do…?”

Spitfire’s last memory was shouting… …At Trixie…! Spitfire seriously wondered how she’d not been incinerated for some of the insults and things she’d said…

Looking around frantically for signs of violent magical misconduct (craters or burning pyres of ponies etc…) Spitfire quickly counted and was relieved to find all of her strange bed fellows alive and well not realizing she’d miscounted and forgotten a most important pony.

Laid out sleeping around the burned out campfire each of them seemed peaceful in their dreams, Spitfire noticed Trixie and Roseluck were on the opposite side of the campfire to her and the others and wondered what had brought that about.

Trixie lay with her mane covering all but her nose and mouth, Spitfire watched as the sleeping mare mumbled something under her breath and with the faintest glow of magic from her horn a nearby flower was consumed instantly by a flash and a poof of smoke.

‘No wonder every pony is over this side…’ Spitfire whispered while shaking her head before having a hazy flashback that caused her to check if Roseluck’s spider was still there… To her dismay it was.

As much as the Wonderbolt enjoyed the sensation of the well made cape of Trixie’s across her she still shivered as in it’s sleep the spider clicked it’s fangs softly which made Spitfire consider offering Trixie anything in return just to blast it…

…Well maybe not ‘ANYTHING’ she mused, the magician and her had had an awkward moment that left Spitfire feeling uncertain about what she felt about the magical mare, but at least she was sure on one thing she hated spiders and Trixie at least as a ‘friend’ could incinerate the giant hairy nightmare.

Spitfire paused as she reflected on thinking of Trixie as a friend after all she was only used hanging out with other flyers, so ponies usually made their own minds up about what she liked due to her age profession and how strong of wing and heart she was.

In truth she didn’t think about such things she’d had relationships with stallions but it had never worked out in the end mostly due to the jealousy of the stallions as she spent nearly all of her time with her team made up mostly of stallions.

The Wonderbolts had a strict no inter team relationships rule that Spitfire was thankful for since she knew no pony would try it with her and the fact none of them were suitable prospects anyway.

Especially that pie stuffing lay about Soarin who despite everything Spitfire felt very strongly about but in a sisterly or motherly fashion like her team, this train of thought continued into sentimentality until her wing began to twinge… The kind of twinge Spitfire felt when in danger whilst flying, an instinctual feeling of peril.

Spitfire cast her eyes about and counted heads then despite her hung over state she finally realized Princess Luna was missing… 

Removing the hoof from her face Spitfire looked around, her eyes eventually coming to rest on a large seemingly deliberately placed rock near the fire with what appeared to be a folded scrap of paper poking out from underneath.

She was about to move to retrieve it when a shadow loomed over her from behind and a whisper interrupted the silence.

“Howdy there miss, would you be so kind as not to scream…”

The Wonderbolt captain had little choice as she was grabbed from behind and dragged away a hoof over her mouth with Trixie’s cape used as an improvised covering for her head. 

As the remaining ponies continued to sleep on despite their companions impromptu rustling Roseluck’s spider awoke and with her many eyes watched the unfolding events and after failing to wake Roseluck clicked it’s fangs and followed the Wonderbolt and her kidnapper.

As the sun continued to shine down it was Fleur who woke next, stiffly and awkwardly she gained her hooves and tried to forget about how much she missed her soft bed and all the things that denoted her as a city mare and then cursed the uncomfortable cold hard ground that had served as a bed last night.

Fleur hadn’t given herself time to really think about everything that had happened since bumping into the Princess, she knew she wasn’t the most capable pony and she’d always been told she was ‘air headed’ by other ponies but now she was out doing something new for the first time in her life.

It scared her but at the same time gave her hope that she could maybe contribute something to this mismatched group.

Fleur took a moment to study her new friends in turn and as she did ran through her initial impressions, the pony Roseluck and her friend Apple Cobbler were both friendly and easy going as long as you didn’t make loud noises or as she had, asked why the farm pony spoke so funnily.

The white unicorn stretched her legs some more as her eyes fell on Berry Punch who was laid out snoring atop a small pile of bottles that when she breathed in and out they rolled back and forth giving the effect of a rocking motion that clearly soothed the party hard pony.

Fleur didn’t have a problem with her she seemed quite fun when she’d imbibed her fill, but it was that blue mare she was wary of and according to the farm pony with good reason.

Trixie was definitely scary and it surprised Fleur that such a sensitive caring and lovely princess could have her as a student, the Wonderbolt was pretty strong willed too and together they were pretty intimidating in a no nonsense kind of way even daring to speak to the princess and each other in such an insolent flippant way…

Fleur cast her eyes over whole group as it finally dawned on her… Luna… Where was Luna? Fleur rapidly checked around and finally came to the conclusion she couldn’t see her anywhere, which meant…

“Miss Trixie…”

“Miss Trixie!!!”

“…”

“Miss Trixie please can you wake up…?”

“Uh Fleur darling… You might want to step back a little there.”

Apple Cobbler awoken by the white unicorns agitated voice barely had her eyes open before it sunk in Fleur was rapidly shaking Trixie with a hoof.

Fleur stopped but as she looked at the farm pony she failed to notice Trixie arise behind her and when she felt hot breath on the back of her neck Fleur turned only to come face to face with a very volatile yet sleepy looking Trixie whose horn was beginning to glow brighter with the build up of magic.

“YOU DARE AWAKEN TRIXIE IN SUCH A MANNER…?”

“But Miss Trixie the princess is gone.”

Roseluck like Apple Cobbler was just snapping back to reality and the now very tense situation before them as undisturbed Berry snored on, Roseluck was however momentarily frozen in fear at waking suddenly to find Trixie in full swing as the power build up continued.

“And that warranted waking me like that… What do I care if that idiots not here I’m not her nursemaid she is a goddess after all.”

Fleur swallowed nervously as the anger and volume from Trixie lowered to a venomous growl that left the white unicorn shaking but resolute in the face of certain magical repercussion.

“Ah think it’s a mite worse than that, Spitfire ain’t here neither.” 

“W-What…?”

Trixie stopped mid spell selection and turned to Apple Cobbler who was pointing at the ground where the Wonderbolt had lain the previous evening.

“My Spider she’s gone…?”

Roseluck unfroze chiming in suddenly as she too noticed a missing companion from the group and was so wrapped up in her surprise she missed the annoyed looks and relieved sighs from the others.

“Maybe their answering the call of nature...?”

“Fleur ah doubt it… It wouldn’t take them this long…”

Apple Cobbler pointed to a small slug that was happily crossing a small dip in the grass that denoted where Luna had lain, the slug seemed so slow as not to be moving at all but had managed to cross at least halfway.

Trixie along with Roseluck and Fleur watched as Apple Cobbler put into practice all the things granny Smith had taught her about nature as she’d grown up around her cousin’s farm.

The farm pony began studying the ground around the group and the campfire before moving to check both Luna and Spitfires chosen sleeping spots.

“Well…?”

“Ah sure wish ah had my cousin’s dog Winona right about now…”

The stern and still angry face of Trixie belied a storm within as Trixie used to abandonment and disappointment fought her conflicting emotions at the possibility Spitfire had left without her.

Had she gone back to the Wonderbolts? Trixie knew Spitfire as the type to self sacrifice but after everything that had happened? 

Then Trixie remembered all the things Spitfire had said about her last night and the anger and frustration in the Wonderbolts voice… Had she decided Trixie wasn’t worth the effort of friendship?

Then Trixie remembered her cape! Spitfire must have left it? But as Trixie retrieved her wide brimmed Magicians hat and searched for its companion piece she realized like Spitfire it was gone.

“Ah think we may have a problem…”

All eyes turned to Apple Cobbler as her voice dipped in concern.

“Luna’s been gone a while… But there’s this.”

The group all crowded around as Apple Cobbler unfolded the note she’d just found under a rock that hadn’t been by the fire last night which read…

“Dear Friends.

Ah have much to discuss with ma sister and ah must see how dire the situation is in Canterlot and if possible find out if there’s any replacement Wonderbolt Captains that can be hired.

Will find you all after, just head for Canterlot and have a safe trip.

Luna.”

Trixie resisted the urge to snigger at the attempt Apple Cobbler made to sound educated and instead switched to an insult to relay her contempt of her mentor.

“Replacement Wonderbolt… Ha… We need a replacement for her…”

Roseluck interjected on behalf of her princess coming to her defense if a little nervously and with a small sounding voice.

“W-Well if any pony could find one I’m sure princess Luna can… And you shouldn’t speak about her like that.”

As Trixie just rolled her eyes Apple Cobbler quickly moved on.

“Ah don’t think Spitfire went with the princess… And ah don’t think she went peacefully neither there’s signs of a struggle and drag marks leading off in that direction…”

Apple Cobbler pointed a hoof at the woods that Trixie had followed Spitfire into the night before.

“Drag marks! She could be in danger! What will we do? Maybe a monster took her… Maybe that spider took her and strung her up in her web and…”

“FLEUR… Will you calm down, that spider couldn’t have dragged Spitfire away even if she didn’t struggle she was a nice spider.”

“Ah hate to agree with Roseluck on this one but she weren’t dragged off by any spider unless it was the size of stallion and had four hooves.”

Apple Cobbler showed the others the large hoof prints in the disturbed mud.

“She was taken by a pony that much is for sure.”

Trixie’s face darkened as Apple Cobbler gave her honest opinion and family orientated experience.

“What are we waiting for then… Get tracking…”

Fleur interrupted in a small voice since Roseluck was still trying to grasp unfolding events and Berry was still snoring.

“Shouldn’t we wait for the princess Luna…? She’ll know what to do…”

“I’m going to find the one responsible and blast them and if I find they’ve hurt a hair on Spitfire’s mane I’ll do a lot worse…”

Roseluck plucked up a momentary burst of confidence only to stammer quietly…

“W-What’s worse than blasting them?”

“Uh sugar ah don’t think that’s something you want to know, lets just hope that Wonderbolt is ok or we’ll be accomplices to well… Ah hope she’s ok.”

Trixie had had enough of waiting around and began furiously stomping towards the wood her magic beginning to course through her body as her eyes reflected the fury within but was stopped as Roseluck quickly ran in front of her and appealed to her common sense.

“W-Wait… What if it’s some kind of trap…?”

“Now Roseluck who would be stupid enough to try to bait this wacko… …Aw shoot…”

Apple Cobbler watched Trixie continue towards the wood as she remembered exactly who was chasing the blue so called criminal, the farm pony had always been fond of her cousin but she knew he was enough of an idiot to do something like this.

“Don’t kill him!!! Please…? Ah don’t think ma family would be too pleased… He’s harmless really… Ah don’t wanna watch him get his butt kicked…”

Trixie called back while Fleur and Roseluck looked on. 

“Then don’t follow me.”

Apple Cobbler and the others stood completely silent as they watched Trixie disappear leaving no doubt that she was angrier than they had ever seen before.

Continuing on Trixie made her way out of sight of the others with the lack of team understanding Trixie had, she’d failed to even consider they may have been of some use in locating their missing companion.

But as Trixie made her way into the wood her anger triggered something in her magic, at first she failed to notice it but the small chain that Luna had given her drew her attention as it started to glow faintly at first then growing in strength.

Trixie’s concentration was broken when something brushed past her, spinning around Trixie saw nothing and angrily dismissed it.

Turning to continue she was startled as it happened again but again there was nothing there… Trixie already angry was in danger of flipping into homicidal rage at any moment but even she panicked when a voice as if carried by the wind whispered in her ear.

“I… Feel your anger…”

Trixie swung her head about in all directions but couldn’t see any pony so in true Trixie fashion she challenged it.

“Come forth and show yourself… The Great and Powerful Trixie is not afraid.”

“Oh… But you are afraid… …In fact you’re becoming more scared by the second.”

After that response came from behind Trixie she once again turned but found nothing, growing concerned (after all Trixie would be the last to admit that this was indeed beginning to freak her out) the blue mage once again spun around as she thought she’d seen something move out of the corner of her eye.

Even as she did something brushed against her flanks causing her to cry out in alarm firing a spell straight ahead and torching half a dozen trees along with several now featherless birds who’d been in them as she did yet another one eighty on the spot.

Trixie drew the line right there and blasted wildly about with her magic hoping to catch the invisible pony off guard (at least she hoped it was a pony).

Stopping to catch her breath and having created a not so small clearing with her magic Trixie breathlessly stood defiant despite not scoring any hits other than a few now blackened and smouldering squirrels that were left wondering what they’d done to deserve getting their nuts roasted in such a manner.

“…I... …See why… ….She… …Chose you...”

Trixie was about to send a powerful blast in the direction of the disembodied voice when as she turned she came face to face with…

…The captain of the Wonderbolts.

“Spitfire…?”

Spitfire stood shakily against a tree but smiling as her mane and tail gently waved in the breeze, Trixie saw the exhaustion in her eyes as well as what appeared to be deep wounds.

“Oh no…”

Trixie rushed forward to aid her friend but Spitfire’s expression changed startling Trixie who came screeching to a halt unable to find the words to react to the Wonderbolts reappearance and the now strange look she was receiving which made her shiver a little.

“S-Spitfire where have you been…? That dumb hayseed said it looked like you’d been kidnapped…?”

Spitfire ignored the question and moved away from the tree walking suddenly without the need for aid until she had gotten right up to Trixie still smiling and leaning forward as her wings gently unfurled.

“H-How did you fix your wing… …And why are you looking like you’re going to…”

Trixie recoiled as Spitfire’s whole body changed in a flash before her, distorting into something for lack of a better word evil looking.

This altered image shot forward and before Trixie could react she was bowled over and as she landed on her back the horror jumped on her pinning her to the ground all the while shrieking with laughter.

Pushing the Wonderbolt off her didn’t work, the creatures strength was incredible, so Trixie tried magic instead which also failed as she couldn’t muster a drop, her panic overwhelming her.

In her desperation and the fear that was now taking over she forced her head backwards and screamed…

...She continued to scream until she realized the altered image of Spitfire had let go, opening her eyes she realized she alone, the only sound a mocking laughter floating on the wind followed by the same haunting voice.

“You desire power… …You desire respect… …You will need me… …Soon… …Then you will have it all… …And you will forever belong to me…”

Trixie’s remained on the ground and tried not to cry as her mind ran rings around itself with all the questions.
> Part Twelve: Braeburn’s Revenge.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Twelve: Braeburn’s Revenge.

Trixie had barely recovered from the shock of what had happened but she figured if something that nasty was roaming the woods then Spitfire could be in serious trouble… 

It wasn’t long before she was once again searching for Spitfire putting the horrific events, the questions unanswered and the fear that still gripped her aside instead focusing on her search… 

Deeper into the woods in yet another clearing and only just coming around  from passing out earlier Spitfire found herself propped up none too comfortably on a pile of stones tied up and with Trixie’s cape still over her head.

Every now and again she would hear the shuffle of hooves and hushed voices that let her know she wasn’t alone, but whoever had tied the ropes around her had cut into the splint and bandages on her wing and this now left her in tears as the pain continued to build but still she refused to cry out or beg for help.

After what seemed like ages the cape over her head was dragged off roughly and she came face to face with a familiar and not so welcome stallion.

“Braeburn… WHAT THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING…?”

Spitfire’s face flush with involuntary tears along with her angry reaction and the level of pain evident in her voice startled the cow pony who hesitated, as the Wonderbolt scanned the clearing spotting his posse who nervously milled about and sneaked worried looks to each other and at Braeburn when he wasn’t looking.

This gave Spitfire the impression Braeburn had lost his standing within the group, no doubt she thought the idea of kidnapping and tying up a young injured mare had made things uncomfortable for the rugged yet fair morals of the pioneer ponies.

Braeburn could sense the unease at his hostage so he decided to get his plan underway sending half of his posse into the woods like he’d planned before he continued.

“Ah want the first group to spread out and take your positions get your traps ready and if you manage to catch her holler”

With a large grin on his face and as posse members disappeared into the woods Braeburn turned his attention back to the bound mare.

“Why are all those ponies with you at your camp, are they part of your gang…? What is your leader up to, what is that witch planning next?”

“Dumb hayseed… She’s not my leader… Well not technically…”

Spitfire stumbled over her words as she remembered she was in actuality part of Luna’s group and therefore under the leadership of her student the violent and reprehensibly bad tempered Trixie.

“Ah knew it! That no good mare she’s become a hardened criminal and formed her own gang with which ah bet she’s planning a whole string of robberies across Equestria.”

“Um seriously… Braeburn you need to slow down and think… When Trixie finds out what you’ve done you’re toast you silly foal.”

Spitfire seriously hoped this was true and would be sooner rather than later but her thoughts drifted into what she’d said the night before, would Trixie even bother? Or would she just walk away? And would she be able to find her?

“Who are you…? What’s your name…?”

“I’m Spitfire… …The Captain of the Wonderbolts.”

Spitfire blinked as Braeburn and his remaining posse burst into raucous laughter at her statement.

“Well ah do declare ah was right! It is her… That’s her alright…”

Braeburn who was focused on the Wonderbolt jumped a little as the voice interrupted and the laughter from the posse died down as the idea they might have just tied up one of the good guys sank in.

The voice seemed surprised but more than a little excited but as it came from behind Spitfire due to her restraints she was unable to see who was speaking.

Braeburn snorted derisively before adopting a more commanding tone as he tried to reassure his remaining posse who were now huddled in a circle whispering.

“This witch is so evil she even corrupted a Wonderbolt, the captain no less which means she must be stopped at all costs for the safety of Equestria…!”

The posse hesitated for a moment as they stared confused first at Braeburn then Spitfire before the fire in his eyes and the passionate way he spoke once again fired their resolve.

(Historical Note: Of course since the Wonderbolts were known to be the prime example across Equestria of everything good and true in the land thanks to careful manipulation of the papers and the fact they spent most of their free time at Cloudsdale wrecking bars instead of causing trouble for the earth ponies below…

…Those not privy to the teams secrets rarely heard of their exploits and therefore believed the Wonderbolts were practically saints and so the posse knew in their hearts any pony capable of tainting that reputation had to be stopped.)

Just then the sound of a distant scream interrupted matters as it echoed through the forest followed by an explosion then silence, it had seemed distant but as those still visible to Spitfire began to pray or just tremble as another scream and another explosion but this time seemingly much closer served to once again shatter the nerves of the posse.

“You’d better get ready she’ll be here soon enough.”

“That sir is fine with me we shall return in but a moment.”

Braeburn’s curt order to the disembodied voice ended the discussion followed by the sound of retreating hooves.

Another short scream sounded through the woods this time there was no explosion but it sounded closer a lot closer.

Spitfire winced as she turned to see the posse members near the tree line who seemed about ready to break and run, slowly she turned back to Braeburn.

“Well there little miss Wonderbolt care to tell me exactly why that heinous villain who has no heart would go out of her way for you?”

“Because… Well… She’s my…”

“SHE’S MY FRIEND YOU SONUVA B…”

KA-BOOM!!!

As several of his posse sailed past him with surprised expressions and wide eyes Braeburn turned his attention towards the flashes of blue light as Trixie entered the clearing her intentions as clear as the fear that stabbed into his heart rooting him to the ground.

“You’re criminal shenanigans are over witch… I’m here to see to that!”

Braeburn lowered his hoof from the dramatic pose he’d struck to boost his confidence, unfortunately it was also in time to see the last of his posse being propelled away by ever increasingly powerful blasts of magic that shot from Trixie’s horn.

The stallion barely got the chance to wonder what had motivated the witch so intensely before she was mere paces away.

The answer was simple, rage pure unadulterated rage and all the other names that sum up the emotions that were running through every nerve in Trixie’s body as she closed the gap and came face to face with her pursuer. 

It was at this precise moment the sound of rumbling came from the forest along with the sound of numerous falling trees as all concerned turned to see a giant machine burst through into the clearing.

At first glance the machine seemed familiar but as it entered the clearing whilst uprooting trees on the edge that had stood in its path it was clear to Trixie and the semi conscious Spitfire this was a whole new beast.

As the monstrous creation shuddered to a halt Trixie hid her shock momentarily at the size and array of spikes that adorned the mobile horror.

The steam driven land train was indeed familiar but the design had been given an overhaul that now included black and red paint plenty of armour and spikes several weird looking claw like devices and what appeared to be a giant carnival cannon…?

Any further study was interrupted as from the machine came two voices that began speaking the same sentence but taking turns in doing so.

“INTRODUCING…”

“…THE NEXT LEAP IN STEAM DRIVEN ENGINEERING…”

“…AND CIDER PRODUCTION AND CRITTER EXTERMINATION…”

“…THE SUPER SPEEDY CIDER SQUEEZY 9000!!!”

From behind the armor the brothers Flim and Flam vaulted up onto the top of their monstrosity and struck their usual pose while grinning madly with perceived victory.

(Historical Note: After their last encounter with Trixie, Flim and Flam had sworn to help capture Trixie and in doing so had fetched their SSCS6000 prototype the SSCS3000 then after the aforementioned modifications renamed it and had rejoined Braeburn to hunt Trixie.)

Trixie acted less than impressed but grudgingly admitted if only mentally that at least those idiots had a modicum of flair and an unexpected talent for engineering.

Trixie began focusing instead on her anger at Braeburn who seemed a little more confident but still intimidated by her mere presence despite his backup.

Flim used this opportunity to activate a switch next to his hoof, Trixie barely registered the claw as it shot towards her, one of the many on the SSCS9000 now moving in an erratic and menacing fashion as they snapped open and shut.

The blue magician jerked out of the way and with a concentrated blast disintegrated it but quickly had to jump to avoid the next one that swung in from another angle. 

Landing face down and having to hold a hoof to her hat to keep it from slipping Trixie landed closer to Spitfire.

Spitfire tried to speak but the pain overrode her vocal chords as fresh tears escaped and she whimpered instead as her body continued to stiffen up.

Trixie forced herself to her hooves too late as with the flick of another switch a flap opened on the front of the SSCS9000 from which flew another mechanical arm but much smaller than the others that caught Trixie squarely around the neck.

Struggling Trixie felt something tighten around her neck and heard what sounded like a clasp or a lock click shut.

“AH HA…! Surrender witch you have no hope of winning now.”

The claw released Trixie and retracted into the SSCS9000 leaving her standing unharmed but confused, slowly Trixie raised a hoof to her neck and found there to be a collar of what appeared to be metal with a single red gem embedded on the front.

Flim and Flam were practically beside themselves as they celebrated and danced while Braeburn recovered his pep almost instantaneously upon seeing the collar in place.

“W-What do you think you have achieved exactly… This is hardly Trixie’s style…”

Trixie ran her hoof across the collar and thanks to her knowledge of magic and all the time in the world to read endless books on the subject on account of having no friends on her travels she knew instinctively she might finally be in trouble.

“Oh on the contrary my dear… I think it suits you perfectly and us so we can take you in…” 

Bowing her head Trixie tried to summon her magic but only a feint spark shot from her horn as it refused to build in strength.

Raucous laughter followed this attempt as the brothers celebrated it was Flim who spoke in between laughs.

“Ha… Ha… Ha… You can try all you like but that’s a magic blocking collar our father used to use in his act to show no magic was involved… It’s quite useless to resist no magic user can cast anything whilst it’s on… And we’re the only ones who know how to remove it.”

(Historical Note: Barnabus Flimflam a world renowned stage performer and charmer of mares would attempt tricks and feats of daring without the use of magic thanks to the collar that included freeing himself from bonds whilst underwater and other amazing acts.

Unfortunately his main draw was the act of catching an arrow fired straight at his chest, not being stupid or insane he would for this trick only substitute the real collar for a fake one and guide the arrow gently without alerting the audience to his deception.

On the night he died he’d had a little too much home brewed cider at the home of a certain Apple family and after being caught with the mare of the farm in the barn was chased away by the husband and his mother.

As Barnabus had hurriedly made his way to his stage in the center of Ponyville he forgot in his nervous state to change collars and began with his most daring feat this resulted in Flim and Flam becoming orphans when instead of catching the arrow it killed him stone dead much to his own confusion as his last words were ‘Whoops’ then ‘Oh.’

He never learned of the daughter he’d sired that night named Applebloom.

When born the color of her coat and mane matched that of Barnabus and ergo Flim and Flam’s causing the hick husband father of two to loose it and later was to drive a cart with his wife tied up inside off a local cliff in his agitated mental state leaving the now three children to be brought up by their granny who somehow always forgot to mention the details to any of them.)

Spitfire barely noted the angry yet wary look on Trixie’s face as she halted her attempt and watched as Braeburn stepped around the mare to between her and the SSCS9000 and with a gloating voice spoke all trace of his earlier fear and trepidation gone.

“As ma friends here were saying… It’s pointless so if you’d be so kind as to sit quietly while ah tie you up.”

Spitfire was beginning to pass in and out of consciousness and her heart sank as her vision that was already blurry began to darken.   

As Braeburn and his companions reveled in their triumph and Braeburn fetched a rope from nearby. Trixie glanced at Spitfire who was getting worse and despite the hopelessness she felt she gave her magic one last go.

Trixie drew herself to her full height and using every ounce of her strength summoned her magic.

To no avail, Trixie strained until her head felt ready to explode but even with her eyes closed she still couldn’t see the familiar glow through her eyelids and as she started to pull back in defeat that same windy voice echoed in her mind.

“Do you want to save her…?”

Flashes of what had transpired earlier ripped through her mind forcing her to cry out.

“Do you want the power to free yourself…?”

Suddenly the collar started to tighten around her neck slowly beginning to choke Trixie as she clawed at it with her fore hooves, Braeburn the brothers Flim and Flam watched as Trixie first cried out then began choking as the stallions just stared on baffled.

“Do you want to be truly great and powerful…? …Answer me child…”

“Y-Yes…”

Although forced Trixie was desperate scared and without any pony to help her she relented knowing she couldn’t beat the collar without help and Spitfire was looking in terrible shape so she silently cursed the voice as she felt her magic flow back into herself.

The anger and fear of not being in control she had felt earlier returned in force as the voice whispered urgently to her to use her magic against the stallions, yes it was to save her friend but as she summoned all the rage all the anger and frustration she could to fuel her magic something went wrong…

Stored for years and usually kept locked deep down inside her very being, the darkest part of her heart awoke… 

The rage and hatred the loneliness that she had always known had somehow been freed rising to the surface despite her best efforts. 

The intensity of her magic and the multitude of dark emotions that were now driving it quickly began to overpower her, usually her magic was like a blinding light that gave Trixie a deep sense of inner contentment and joy when used but now it felt hot inside like fire and the light versus dark battle inside Trixie’s mind ended as the light was extinguished.

Rearing back her eyes mane and tail awash with magical blue fire Trixie rose up onto her hind legs and brought her fore hooves together.

Spitfire’s last memory before toppling over unconscious was of the blue mare’s eyes finally draining of any hint of control as she began to chant in a cold monotone voice devoid of her usual triumphant personality.

“Power beyond the twilight and crimson blood that flows,
Buried in the stream of time is where your power grows,
I pledge myself to conquer, 
All the foes that stand before the mighty gift bestowed, 
In my unworthy hooves,”

As Trixie’s fore hooves still together across her chest began to separate, between them appeared a small spinning globe of magic that increased in size and power as the distance grew.

“…DRAGON… SLAVE…”

Braeburn closed his eyes against the blinding flash that followed but was unable to escape the blast as it landed square in the middle of the clearing.

No pony saw Braeburn after he was hit by the concussive force of the spell but had they, they would have seen him be thrown high into the air and sent far over the horizon followed by a small twinkling light.

The spell like an expanding bubble of destruction shot out in all directions at a speed too fast to run from, too massive to miss as the SSCS9000 the brothers Flim and Flam and the remaining posse members were similarly thrown far into the distance by the force of the magic.

The trees of the wood weren’t as fortunate as the blast wave hit them they were torn from the soil and were sent high into the air or disintegrated entirely as the blast wave consumed the entire woods.

As the light the magic fire and the concussive noise died down and silence slowly returned to the scene Trixie heard mocking laughter ringing in her ears as she came to rest back down on all four hooves before they wobbled and then gave out entirely.

Magic, Dark magic or whatever kind that was Trixie had never used that much power in her life and before she would have said (only to herself mind…) that her using so much would have been impossible let alone use a spell forbidden by the highest echelons of society and magic.

Trixie slowly staggered to Spitfire and just as her body gave out and she collapsed beside her she used what little time she had before she too passed out to think.

The blue magician knew deep down what ever the hay had messed with her mind had supplied the exact words of the spell and the power and for the first time ever Trixie was in fear for her sanity and her own life and the lives of those around her as her mind slipped into the waiting darkness.
> Part Thirteen: The Other Guy’s.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Thirteen: The Other Guy’s.

The magical storm that engulfed the woods blasted all of its trees into the surrounding fields and nearby road or into matchsticks as it was razed to the ground, on the very edge of this destruction and cowering behind a small overturned cart the four remaining companions of Luna’s group waited it out.

Eventually the storm dissipated and as they carefully moved out from behind the cart the devastation was clear to see and the four exchanged horrified looks as the embers of what had been a thriving wood burned brightly.

As the magic dissipated so did the fire and this left just blackened tree stumps and blasted earth as far as the eye could see which wasn’t far considering the thick black smoke and ash that had engulfed the surrounding area.

“Ah’m guessing that witch did it.”

“I-Is she that powerful… …I thought she was bragging…”

Roseluck watched as Apple Cobblers face went through a variety of contortions as she concentrated hard on her response without using words that might offend the rose tinted mare.

“Ah didn’t think she had that kind of power that’s for sure.”

“…Ouch… Some pony… …Mind telling me what happened…”

Three sets of eyes turned to Berry Punch who was upright but had a look of frailty and at any moment might collapse or be blown away on the wind.

Berry had been woken up seconds after the storm had begun finding that she was being quickly and unceremoniously dragged by Roseluck and Fleur to behind Apple Cobblers cart which the farm pony had only just bucked onto its side after two or three attempts. 

After the others had explained this and they had spent a moment in silence still surveying the shattered landscape it was Fleur who spoke next.

“Are we going to look for Spitfire and Trixie…?”

“Ah reckon we’d better find out what happened… …Give them a decent burial.”

Roseluck and Fleur both gasped at Apple Cobblers fatalism but jumped when Berry snorted loudly and began woozily making her way into the remains of the woods.

“H-Hey… Wait for me…”

Fleur dashed forward to catch up with Berry but her upper class upbringing meant that she practically pranced through the piles of still smoking ash whilst trying to maintain her beautiful appearance but had she a mirror she would have realized it was already futile as her coat was now more of a mottled grey pattern than the pure white she was usually.

Berry watched the two or possibly three Fleur’s as they drew level with her and when her vision began to settle a bit more she gave a smile of reassurance to the nervous pony and a nod and set off again this time with Fleur close by to help her walk in more of a straight line.

The normally pristine white pony looked visibly upset but earnest in her desire to find the missing pair as they wandered off calling Spitfire and Trixie’s names (not too loudly due to Berries latest hangover, all the effects of the previous nights booze already wearing off). 

Roseluck and Apple Cobbler both wondered what it was that was motivating Fleur, after all the two didn’t have a problem with her in fact they both had gotten to know her a bit better and both would agree she was quite fun once you got past the upper class facade she kept adopting out of pure habit and as long as you kept conversations and jokes simple and clean then she was a very sweet and gentle pony to know.

Fleur however was scared, she didn’t know if these new friends of hers were safe or not and she was near panic at the thought her great adventure may already be over… 

She thought of Luna and how it would hurt her if she were to lose her student and a Wonderbolt to boot… All these things raced around her mind as she slogged through the debris with Berry who now seemed to be getting frailer by the minute.

Shrugging wordlessly Roseluck and Apple Cobbler followed the other two as they all continued to marvel at the apocalyptic level of devastation as their minds fought to deny the fear that was coldly creeping into all of their hearts as they continued…

…Were they dead…?

…Well not quite but the ethereal pony now stood over the pair was waiting patiently for them to shuffle off the mortal coil as his huge black cloak billowed in the wind, a pair of small hour glasses were floating in a swirling blue aura in front of him its color matching his eyes that of cold blue fire in their sunken pits.

Nearly an hour passed and the four hadn’t covered but a fifth of the ground where the wood once stood and already they were covered from mane to tail in dirt and ash mostly thanks to Berry slipping into a small ditch hidden by debris and the others being pulled in after her when they’d tried to rescue her.

Led in the ditch and exhausted the four laughed at each others complexions and shared a moment as their cares were momentarily forgotten but as they settled down it was clear to all they would need help and soon.

“What in the Hay are we doing out here anyway…?”

Roseluck cocked her head as did Fleur both looking at Apple Cobbler as she lay back sprawled out staring up at the sky.

“Ah mean ah got press ganged an all but what about you three? Don’t seem like something you’d do lucky… And begging your pardon Fleur but it don’t seem like you get out the city much.”

It was Roseluck who spoke first a smile hovering on her lips.

“At first I was scared… I mean I didn’t get much of a choice at first… but I don’t know I’ve never been so scared in my life yet… …I want to try.”

“Ta what survive…?”

“No… …Well yes obviously but I want to try and do something no pony would expect me to do something brave or adventurous or just plain different…”

At this Roseluck giggled at the surprised look Apple Cobbler gave her and turned to Fleur who at first shied away and blushed but eventually responded.

“P-Pretty much the same except I’ve never done anything except look good I don’t know who I am if I’m not beautiful…”

“Well sugar you might not want to look too closely at yourself right now but you look like a Fleur to me you just need to do things so you know you can do them an if you like it you do it again.”

Roseluck nodded sagely at the advice as Fleur pondered it.

“I do exist… …I’m pretty sure anyway if I’m not dreaming…”

Roseluck replied sheepishly as the wine maker huffed,

“Oh… Sorry Berry… …Why did you join Trixie and Spitfire?” 

Roseluck paused before she continued…

“And you haven’t told me why they were there at your house in the first place…?”

Roseluck thought back to her first encounter with the witch and the Wonderbolt at Berries house and how events had unfolded…

“And why were you all in the same bed…?”

This immediately perked the interest of the other two as Berry first belched loudly then scratched her chest with her hoof and licked her lips. 

“Well…”

Fleur Roseluck and Apple Cobbler listened intently as Berries hazy recollection stuck close to the facts.

She began by describing how they had run into each other in the woods and how she threw up on the both of them (to accompanying cries of ‘Ewww’ from the others). 

A night of drinking followed by the high speed chase to Ponyville and passing out after arrival on the bed after a modest crate or two as a nightcap, much to the disappointment of the assembled trio of mares who had hoped for something saucier… 

Berry continued onto her waking up after Roseluck arrived and the eventual fiery destruction of her home and the recruitment of Apple Cobbler which said pony strongly corrected her on some of the details since Berry could have sworn Apple Cobbler had volunteered...

As Berry finished Apple Cobbler struck the nail on the head as she piped up with a nagging question…

“Uh that’s great sugar but that don’t explain why? Why’d you decide to follow those mares?”

“Damned if I know, guess because it sounded fun I suppose or maybe I was bored and there was nothing else…”

“Or because you were drunk…”

Roseluck blushed at the frank way she said it but it rang true regardless so she just stayed silent waiting for Berries reaction.

“I don’t get drunk all the time you know…”

The guilty way she said it and the nonchalant look of disinterest in any further discussion would normally have put any further inquiry or debate to bed but after the events of the day Roseluck was going to say what she’d always wanted to say to her friend for a long time.

“Berry… I think it’s time you maybe cut down… A little perhaps… …Or maybe quit…?”

“Don’t need to I’m fine as I am.”

“You’re not Berry… You’re always drunk and it’s bad for you, you’re only hurting yourself…”

“Every pony thinks you drink because you blame yourself for your mother leaving… …Is that why…?”

“Not my fault she couldn’t hack a little competition…”

Roseluck tossed her eyes as she remembered the drunken row between mother and daughter in the middle of Ponyville town square on market day.

“You drank almost all of her wine…” 

Roseluck gave the best stern look she could manage but failed.

“And her beer…”

Apple Cobbler chimed in helpfully then remembered something and added…

“…And her cider…”

“Yes thank you Cobbler… Like I was saying…”

“And all the spirits…”

Berry raised an eyebrow and went to get up unwilling to discuss the matter further, she immediately regretted it as her head thumped and her bones ached, each sobering up period for her was different depending on what had been consumed previously and the situation in hand.

On this occasion it would be fast and painful as she forced herself wobbling as she did to stand.

“My mother understands as I do the importance of being drunk to our family, it’s not my fault I have such a need for the stuff to keep me… Well… Me.”

Apple Fleur and Roseluck all shared strange looks as Berry huffed and crossed her hooves before realizing she would have to explain it now… She began in a quiet serious tone.

“I can get a little dark when sober.”

“You mean you go all emo or something right?”

Berry gave Roseluck a sarcastic roll of her eyes as she continued.

“What I mean is I can get a little crazy when I’m not relaxed from drinking…”

Every pony gets withdrawal symptom’s and I can help you get through them, we all can, the others all nodded enthusiastically as Berry laughed in a hollow depressed way as she gave them all a sympathetic look.

“For generations the mares in my family have suffered from a curse…”

The others exchanged yet more looks as Berry sighed deeply taking a deep breath she revealed her deepest secret, her Achilles hoof.

“It started a long time ago… An ancestor of mine once served in the royal guard and when the dark god of chaos Discord was defeated by Celestia… …His last act was to throw a curse at Celestia… …My Ancestor sacrificed herself by jumping in its path to save the princess.”

Checking she had their attention Berry took a deep breath and carried on.

“At first she suffered no consequences but as time went by she became more and more aggressive and violent…”

“…Discord had cast a curse that removed all of the victims inhibitions and moral dilemma’s would no longer effect them since the curse’s victim would no longer have any sense of right and wrong…”

Fleur piped up first as Berry paused, Berry raised an annoyed eyebrow at the interruption to her soulful recollection of a tragic past.

“What…”

“W-Well your ancestor served the royal guard… Surely I’d bet princess Celestia removed the curse… …right…?”

Snorting loudly causing her head to ache Berry replied a little too sharply.

“I was getting to that… …Ha… Not even Celestia could remove the curse…”

Noticing Fleur wince at her tone Berries expression softened as did her voice as her friends all looked shocked by the idea that something magical was too much for even Celestia to be able to break!

“The curse was meant for the princess so it was a pretty powerful piece of magic and so tainted by chaos my ancestor left the service and traveled far and wide to remove the curse.”

“She caused havoc by being totally out of control with no care for social etiquette or convention, where ever she went her behavior was so unacceptable that after a particularly hedonistic weekend in some small town she was arrested by the local guard… Since they had no jail they threw her in the cellar of the local ale house.”

“It was while she was down in that cellar she decided to drink all she could before she was run out of yet another town, drinking everything to hoof she came across a barrel of something that wasn’t ale or cider… …It was something she had never tasted before… A liquid that didn’t fizz or bubble and that tasted of Berries and Grapes…”

“Wine..?”

Berry nodded as Apple Cobbler smiled at her own smarts at guessing the right answer.

“Now the stallion who ran the ale house was an inventor who liked to invent new drinks and his latest was sat in four barrels in the cellar awaiting it’s unveiling to the world of alcoholic connoisseurs in a few days time.”

“When he returned home to find guards stationed outside his cellar he immediately demanded they let him past to make sure it was safe…”

“Let me guess she’d drunk the lot…”

Berry nodded her head gingerly as the three all spoke at the same time the chorus ringing loudly in her ears.

“She’d drunk the lot… All four barrels which thanks to the way it was made would take a while to replace, but contrary to what he’d been warned by the guards he found a drunk yet quite friendly young mare that seemed quite harmless…”

“…Struck by her beauty he threw the guards from his business and took her in…”

“Aw that’s so romantic…”

Fleur blushed as the other two made hushing sounds as Berry just continued on.

“Of course when she sobered up she returned to her cursed self and nearly destroyed his ale house by getting drunk on ale trashing the place and escaping before the guards could be called for.”

“Sometime many moons later she once again came through town causing a ruckus and vaguely remembering something happened at this place so she made her way to the ale house, well in her absence the inventor had brewed more of this liquid which then had become a huge commercial success that he had expanded to the point he shipped the stuff to the four corners of Equestria.”

“Well her reputation hadn’t dimmed and the townsfolk evacuated the bar leaving the inventor all alone to suffer the scattershot antics and violent tendencies.”

“Still confused by the two sides of my ancestor that he had seen and their totally opposite personalities he decided to try to talk with her… …after a fair bit of singing smashing of glasses and other unmentionables he found out about the curse and as he listened he noticed that as she consumed more ale she only got worse but when her attention turned to his new drink she began to calm down becoming once again the quiet and demure mare he had met in the cellar…”

“Right then he figured it out… His invention suppressed the curse!!! Other spirits and similar drinks also repressed it but only in considerable volume.

But if she was kept topped up with his concoction… Sick of traveling and doing the things she had done she agreed to his request for time to see if this liquid could be altered to cure her, from that moment on she lived with him in relative peace.”

“Years passed and eventually after so long looking for a cure and many drunken nights experimenting with different brews it became more and they married and had a foal together… A little mare who when she came of age also began to display signs of the curse…”

”…The sheer amount of power contained in that curse meant for a goddess had forever and irreversibly tainted the bloodline… From then on only mares would be born to the line and when of age they too would become slaves either to the curse or the drink the inventor named wine… …After my ancestor whose name was Wynn…” 

“Ever since then when their daughter has come of age one of them  leaves in search of the cure in the hope they can end the curse and because one drunken mare is more than enough in one house...”

The others sat speechless, Apple Cobbler was skeptical as was Roseluck but Fleur was entranced and took in every word.

“So your mother left to search for the cure and when you have your own foal so will you?”

“That’s the plan or so it’s supposed to be…”

“What do you mean supposed…”

“Well if I don’t have any foals then the curse ends.”

The three young mares gasped in unison at the thought of never being a mother or having a family, together they cried in sync.

“But how can you not have children? Or have a family!”

“That’s the reason I exist… The allure of love and the desire for family has every generation proved too strong and the curse continues.”

“So you are going to just spend your life drunk until you’re a spinster and then just die alone is that it…?”

“Pretty much Roseluck that’s my lot in life, nothing I can do about it unless I want to have a foal who one day will suffer as I and my ancestors have for all this time.”

“So you really came on this trip as one last chance to find the cure for yourself and thereby give yourself the opportunity to find your prince charming and become a mother!!!”

Fleur’s mind was filled with images as in her minds eye the curse and the legacy caused by it came across as a fairy tale tragedy of which Berry was the plucky young mare who would be the one to break the curse while on a journey of self discovery in the name of the princess Luna.

Berry sat back down as she hadn’t thought of it quite like that before, even though it made for a great summing up of the whole affair in a perfect world.

She would have replied or at least tried to convince Fleur it wasn’t like that but her voice died in her throat as she felt something large climbing up her back…

…The giant spider clicked its fangs twice as it reached Berries shoulder before making frantic motions with its front legs as its multitude of eyes blinked repeatedly.

“AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Berries scream and the screams of Fleur and Apple Cobbler ripped through the silence that permeated the remains of the wood.

“WILL YOU THREE KEEP IT DOWN I THINK SHE’S TRYING TO TELL US SOMETHING IMPORTANT,”

“What is it little one, what can we do…?”

Roseluck focused intently on the rapid signalling from the slightly charred spider.

Earlier that night:

When Spitfire had been captured the spider had followed to find out what was going on and after pursuing the captive Wonderbolt as she was dragged through the woods she had been witness to what had transpired after and the following explosion. 

Her relatively small stature had been what enabled her to hide in a hollowed out log that barely escaped the destruction of the entire rest of the woods.

After escaping the inferno and waiting for the ground to cool she had gone in search of the kind pony who had shared her fire with her to tell the kind pony where to find her friends in repayment for that kindness.

The spider hopped down from what appeared to be the most lifelike of statues and scuttled up a small mound of ash using her legs to point urgently in a particular direction all the while clicking her fangs.

“She wants us to follow her… …she knows where the others are!!!”

Roseluck hurriedly got up and made to follow the spider but had to stop and turn to her friends who remained motionless as they quaked in fear despite the urgency of the situation.

“Oh come on will you… We have to find them… She seems really worried I think she’s trying to tell us to hurry…”

Roseluck’s voice broke as she rallied her resolve despite her imagination running away with itself as to the fate of the missing ponies, turning she forced her tired legs to move as she took off in pursuit of the spider that had began to head off deeper into what had been the woods clicking it’s fangs furiously.

Galvanized by this the others followed her at speed albeit at a conservative distance from the spider and taking into account the shambling pace of Berry who followed the rest as best she could.

Meanwhile in the direction the spider was headed a black robed pony stood watch over the missing pair impatiently tapping his hoof as the last few grains of sand fell to the bottom of one of the pair of floating hourglasses in front of him.

As the spirit of the unfortunate pony rose from its previous home it took a moment before it spoke, the voice sounded distant and inevitably in shock as she took stock of her surroundings before settling on the mysterious looking pony.

“Right then well I guess… …I mean… “

“… …”

“…Aw screw it that’s not fair...”

Silently the robed figure summoned from the air in a flash of magic a long pole made from what looked like bone with intricate carvings of ponies and long forgotten beasts and horrors all along its length, plucking it from the air with his teeth and with a practiced flick of his head that caused a long magical blue blade to spring forth from one end. 

Raising his head in a swift motion he brought the blade down on the thin line of spirit energy that connected the body and spirit...
> Part Fourteen: Death Battle. 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Fourteen: Death Battle. 

The scythe came down cleanly on the strand of wispy energy and as it made contact the area was lit by supernatural light as the blade snapped upon contact.

Deaths skull rang with the force of the impact and as he shook his head as he spat out the broken bladed scythe.

His vision cleared as he focused on what had interrupted his work and broken his favorite Scythe.

In a voice that was as deep as the deepest ocean that echoed through the stillness.

“OH IT’S YOU.”

Death would have frowned had he not been a skeleton but somehow he still managed to convey the sense of frowning as he continued.

“IT’S NOT POLITE TO INTERUPT SOME PONY IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS WORK.”

No Response was given.

“THERE’S NO NEED TO BE RUDE YOU KNOW I’M JUST DOING MY JOB, NOT THAT I EVER GET ANY THANKS OF COURSE.”

The other pony opened its mouth to speak but Death just carried on distracted by the last thought.

“ITS NOT EASY YOU KNOW BEING DEATH… NO PONY CAN SEE ME IF THEIR NOT DEAD AND ONCE THEY ARE ALL I EVER GET IS THEM CARRYING ON ABOUT BEING DEAD!”

Annoyed the other pony tried again.

“OF COURSE YOU GET THE OLDER ONES WHO JUST ACCEPT IT AND ARE READY TO GO ON, BUT THEN ITS ALWAYS ABOUT IF THE CAT WILL BE OK OR WHETHER OR NOT THE UNGRATEFUL KIDS CRY WHEN THEY SEE ITS ALL GONE TO THE DOGS HOME…”

More than a little peeved the other pony went to interrupt but Death just continued.

“ITS VERY LONELY YOU KNOW…” 

“I DO HAVE HOBBIES THOUGH…”

The spirit of the freshly dead pony finally found her voice and with a high pitched and stressed tone stopped Death dead in his tracks just as he mentioned something about building ships out of matches.

“Sorry… Can I just stop you there… …Uh… I’m dead right?”

Death stopped in the middle of describing his trouble getting the masts straight and the rigging done and replied in his deep tone that just commanded attention.

“YES… WELL ALMOST…”

“I beg your pardon…? What do you mean by ALMOST…?”

“YOU’RE HANGING BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH IT SEEMS THAT SHE DOESN’T WANT YOU GOING OVER…”

“…I’M NOT SURE WHY… BUT NO PONY EVER TELLS ME ANYTHING.”

Death motioned a hoof at the mare stood a short distance away who looked infuriated at being ignored.

Looking at her the nearly snuffed pony blinked slowly her mind barely taking all of it in.

Nightmare moon laughed at her confusion and for show flapped her wings in an intimidating way as she addressed the spirit.

“I need you to live child…”

“What for… If it’s you it can’t be anything good…”

Nightmare moon laughed heartily as the spirit frowned.

“Very perceptive… Revenge… …I want Revenge…”

“Huh like that wasn’t predictable, jeez you sound a side show villain, don’t you get tired of the same old spiel?”

Nightmare moon was taken aback by the sarcasm that dripped from the pony’s voice as she sniffed and put her nose in the air in the most arrogant display of dismissal that Nightmare moon had ever seen outside a mirror.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie wishes to move on now so if you will excuse me I’ll be off.”

Turning to Death Trixie adopted a slightly different tone as she addressed him.

“Will she live…?”

Death looked at the other hourglass and then down at the pitiful form of Spitfire laid out at his hooves as he looked back at Trixie and for just a second into the distance.

“FOR NOW IT IS NOT CLEAR, THE NORMAL CHAIN OF EVENTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY HER…” 

Death gestured with a barely perceptible nod past Nightmare Moon.

“SHE MAY YET SURVIVE OTHERS ARE ON THEIR WAY.”

Trixie breathed a supernatural sigh of relief.

“C-Can I go now… I don’t want to stay any longer…”

“I haven’t finished with you yet petulant one you will help me take my revenge on Luna and all the others…” 

“…You wish for power and control… I can make that happen, help me and I will help you take whatever you want.”

Trixie stared at her for a moment before she laughed at her, an idea had struck Trixie and after a quick run through and a couple of modifications she just ignored her as she once again turned to death and drawing close whispered to him.

“WELL YES I SUPPOSE THERE ARE WAYS… BUT THEY ARE NOT WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES…”

Nightmare moon blinked as she was cut completely out of the equation as Trixie pondered while tapping a see through hoof on her chin before again leaning in to whisper once more.

“YOU WOULD GET WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE HAD IF SHE HAD NOT INTERFERRED BY GIFTING YOU THAT MAGIC.”

Trixie gave Nightmare moon a look of pure disdain before asking Death how long she would have had, the answer surprised her as did how it would happen.

“OH DEAR I SHOULDN’T HAVE TOLD YOU THAT…” 

“IT’S DIFFICULT YOU KNOW TRYING TO REMEMBER NOT TO TELL PONIES THINGS LIKE THAT WHEN YOU DON’T GET TO SPEND MUCH TIME WITH THOSE WHO MIGHT ACTUALLY GET TO PUT IT TO USE….”

Trixie shook off the surprise at the rather heroic death in store for her and the impending nature of it.

Whispering again she asked Death a curious question.

“THAT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO BREAK THE RULES I DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE LIVING REALM…”

Trixie studied Death for a moment then sticking her tongue out at the incandescent Nightmare moon she return to animatedly whispering to Death.

Nightmare moon unaccustomed to such treatment fumed. 

“YOU WANT ALL THAT… THAT IS FIRST TIME ANY PONY HAS EVER ASKED SUCH A THING…”

Death cocked his head to one side.

“AND IN RETURN…?”

Trixie’s answer was the first time Death had ever in all of time itself been rendered speechless.

The mare formally known as the mare on the moon was near cataclysmic as she could only hear what death was saying and it seemed Trixie had had a flash of brilliance by the sound of it Death seemed to think so too.

“HMMM… I SUPPOSE JUST THIS ONCE… AFTER ALL THERE IS A PRECEDENT BY HER INTERFERENCE…”

Death nodded to Trixie as he magically retrieved his scythe and without effort it seemed to repair itself but as it did the images depicted changed and it grew slightly in length as did the already wicked looking blade which when finished sent shivers down the spiritual spines of the two watchers.

“YOU WILL LEAVE NOW…”

Nightmare moon narrowed her eyes as Death once more wielded his blade this time entirely with magic and as it slowly span through the air it made whooshing sounds as if it was cutting the very air itself.

“I will not allow her to pass on I am in need of her, she will make a great vessel…”

“I AM NOT ACCUSTOMED TO SAYING THINGS TWICE…”

Nightmare moon just stood as she weighed her options.

“You will leave or I will make you.”

Death merely stared at her with his baleful eyes which burned with a renewed fire, driven by the most eventful ‘moving on’ in centuries.

At a speed almost imperceptible to the naked eye Death’s scythe flashed past Nightmare moon before returning as quickly.

It took a few seconds before she reacted but when it did Nightmare moons eyes widened in shock, part of her mane had been cut from her and was dissolving as it floated to the ground.

Since her defeat she had been stuck between worlds left a spiritual husk that had taken a long time to return to power enough to interfere with natural events.

However as a spirit normally nothing could harm you other than the most powerful of dispel magic’s, but she’d just been cut by a lowly farming implement!!!

In her rage she summoned all of her energy and with a blast of energy that in the living realm would have torn any pony maybe even a princess in half she watched as it just vanished upon impact.

“ARE YOU QUITE FINISHED…?” 

“IT’S JUST I DO HAVE PLACES TO GO YOU KNOW… THEY’LL BE WAITING AND I DO HAVE A BACKLOG…”

Nightmare moon switched her glances between Death and Trixie, snarling she hung her head slightly and made to retreat.

Unfortunately she was too stupid to have ever paid attention to anything she had ever heard that didn’t click with her and so as she lunged in a full frontal attack her lack of knowledge about Death was her undoing.

As the mares hoof came into contact with Death she touched his exposed bone….

Trixie watched as with screams too terrible to describe Nightmare moon reared back and as she screamed she began to fade from existence itself and as she did her face betrayed the fear she so dearly loved to inflict.

“I WARNED HER… STILL… IT WAS WRITTEN AFTER ALL…”

“Wait you knew she was going to die?”

“OF COURSE NOT… BUT NOTHING LIVES FOR EVER… WELL PERHAPS ME BUT ONE CAN NEVER BE TOO SURE…”

Trixie watched as Death summoned another hourglass from thin air and studied it, leaning closer she could see the name engraved on a small silver plate on the wooden housing that was blackened wood engraved with strange symbols of an arcane nature.

…Nightmare Moon… 

“Wow…”

Trixie saw the last grains hit the bottom and looked up as the last things to disappear were her eyes which just stared into nothing before they were finally gone.

The pair watched the hourglass turned to dust in the wind, Death and Trixie shared a look of understanding. 

Trixie took a second to look down at her own corpse…

The blue mare allowed all the pent up fear, emotions like anger and her shock at the way her life seemed to just be one disaster after another and wept.

Death let her have a moment then solemnly turned his attention to the task in hoof.

Summoning the pair of hourglasses that had remained motionless in the air throughout the entire encounter Death summoned the smallest spark of energy that once it floated into the space between them latched onto both of them and created a link…

Trixie began to fade back into her body and before she disappeared into the mortal realm once more she nodded to Death a wicked smile on her face.


> Part Fifteen: A Return to Canterlot as Braeburn Sails On.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Fifteen: A Return to Canterlot as Braeburn Sails On.

Such a wonderful sky…

Such a wonderful view…

The expanse of Equestria lay out beneath Braeburn as he flew through the air his mane blowing in the strong head winds his hat held firmly against his head with a hoof as he sailed on.

Previously his journey had been a source of worry for him since he’d been blown into the horizon by a crazed witch the sheer force of the blast propelling him far away…

Trixie!!! That damned witch had caused Braeburn no end of trouble for him and despite his best efforts he’d remained unsuccessful…

…Now Braeburn wasn’t bothered about the fact he would have to hit ground at some point… 

At which time he was going to be one giant red stain at the velocity he was traveling…

…He’d been going for some time and had had plenty of time to make his peace.

Elsewhere below in Equestria…

Princess Celestia was defeated… Between her own loyal guard and those toffee nosed upper class waste of spaces that had fled to the castle they had successfully managed to wear her down…

In the days since the party began it was obvious Spitfire wouldn’t be coming back straight away so Celestia had begun work into finding a temporary replacement.

Not easy when she was confined to the castle, her decision not to use her powers to repress her subjects was beginning to sound a bit fanciful to her after so long without sleep due to the pounding bass coming from outside.

The Princess wondered if maybe going and joining them would be a good idea, after all she wasn’t a prude or stuck up, especially if you went by the performance of the higher class…

What Celestia resorted to was to send out messages to all her outside contacts (outside of the partying Canterlot that is) in search of any Pegasus daft enough to try and restrain that damned team of hotshots.

As she waited for responses she was pleasantly surprised to see Luna return but before they had even spoken and before Luna had even got a chance to explain events a feeling of dire dread had overtaken the pair and without a word Luna had just left, a strange look on her face.

Along with thudding baselines Celestia’s heart began beating louder as a feeling of deep unease overcame her.

Canterlot…

One of the architects of this escalating disaster in the capital was stood on the roof of the wrecked city library as her companion a grey mare stood behind her frowning.

“What…?”

The Grey mare hesitated… What had begun as one heck of a party had turned into something far beyond expectations for her and it scared her a bit.

“Um don’t you think we should call it day…? After all it has gone a bit far…?”

The white and electric blue colored mare watched as phalanx after phalanx of drunken ponies marched past (mostly in good order…) below.

Flags waving erratically on poles as their bearers staggered on, one at the head of each phalanx behind which an assortment of siege equipment looted from the museum and hastily assembled bass cannons followed.

The assembled ponies all wore the armbands of the Party Political Party and saluted as they passed.

“Nah…”

Octavia sighed and hung her head as another of the ring leaders appeared suddenly from thin air beside them, Pinkie Pie spoke in a cheerful and singsong voice.

“We’ve finished turning the frowns upside down on those misery guts guards, Canterlot is ours!!! Now no pony can stop this party!!!”

“Not yet…”

Pinkie and Octavia both exclaimed loudly as Scratch pointed a hoof at Canterlot castle.

Octavia eye’s open wide in disbelief watched as Scratch rose up onto her hind hooves crossed her forelegs and laughed manically as the sound of out tune singing and massed hooves marching past continued on.

Meanwhile no longer as far above Equestria…

Braeburn was finally beginning to descend and from the looks of it somewhere very similar to his home Appleloosa… 

Thoughts of home pervaded his mind as he watched the ground grow ever closer and as he prepared to hit he realized that he was going to come down right in the middle of what looked like an orchard…

Not so far below a cream colored mare was speaking to a grey mare at the gate to the orchard.

“You lost my package! Ma dear I hope ya understand when I say that it was of the up most personal importance to me to get a hold of that there order post haste…”

“A lonely mare has certain needs that need a taking care of, if you know what ah mean …”

The grey mares apologies fell on deaf ears as the cream mare chewed her out and gave her a note to take to the firm who sent it to send a replacement forthwith…

The mail mare sniffed the air momentarily before whispering to her self ‘apples’…

Watching the mare take off into the sky the cream mare was more than a little surprised when moments later she returned carrying a rather handsome looking stallion grasped in her hooves…

“That’s… That’s one heck of a compensation service ma dear…”

The grey mare just cocked her head nodded then flew off in a different direction as she disappeared into the distance, the cream colored mare could have sworn she was flying upside down at one point…

“Well howdy there stranger…”

Braeburn lay on his back his eyes closed as he prayed to Celestia Luna and the Equestrian postal service.

He opened his eyes to come face to face with a slightly older earth pony mare with bright green eyes that was now stood over him quivering with excitement.

“H-Howdy there… Miss…”

The mare giggled like a school filly at being addressed as miss by the young stallion, studying him up and down the mare liked what she saw…

“Cherry… Cherry Jubilee…”

“Where am ah…?”

“This here is ma farm… Ah’m sorry ah didn’t catch your name?”

“Uh Braeburn… Ma names Braeburn of Appleloosa!”

Braeburn instinctively waved his hooves and as they brushed the underneath of Cherry Jubilee, he stopped his hooves on her chest.

“Ah… Ah… Ah’m sorry miss ah didn’t mean to…”

Cherry Jubilee rubbed her hoof on his chest as she moved his waistcoat aside…

His golden coat long mane and firm strong body proved too much as the mare took a step back and bending down she took his tail in her teeth and dragged him steadily backwards towards her home…

“Ah… …Miss!!!”

Cherry Jubilee stopped and spat out his tail.

“What is it dear…?”

“Where are you taking me…?”

“Ah’m taking you to ma home, ah need a good strong stallion round here and ya’ll do just fine... Any objection…? You got somewhere to be…?”

As she resumed dragging him without waiting for a reply Braeburn watched her rump sway as she dragged him unceremoniously towards a large rustic looking house.

Laying on his back traveling through the dirt and dust he shrugged, after all he couldn’t show his face in Appleloosa again and he’d failed to catch Trixie and in reality Luna was beyond his league…

…The answer was honest…

“Nope… Ah’m free to do as ah please…”

“But ah don’t want to make a dishonest mare out of ya…”

Cherry Jubilee laughed through his tail as she replied coolly.

“How Sweet… Trust me darling there ain’t no cherry on this here tree but you feel free to buck it anyway…”

Braeburn stayed silent as he was dragged on-wards as red as the cherries on the flank of the now humming mare…
> Part Sixteen: The Road to Canterlot.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Sixteen: The Road to Canterlot.

Trixie was furious, in fact in all her life she’d never felt so angry even at the death of her parents…

It was only minutes since she’d been returned to her body after a pretty up close near death experience, a mite closer than most since having had an actual conversation with Death… 

As she struggled to get up from the ground she saw again the prone form of her friend laid out next to her and as she unsteadily crouched down to check on her she found she was barely breathing.

The anger came from the fact that as she desperately looked around at the devastation caused by her burst of borrowed magic, she had no idea what to do to save her.

Trixie sat back and laid a hoof on her friend gently as she began to cry, it wasn’t fair… 

Trixie knew her friend was safe for the moment but that didn’t mean she would be that way for long unless she got help, her deal with Death still fresh in her mind.

So wrapped up in thought and also feeling the effects of coming back from being nearly dead and the spell and its power that almost killed her, Trixie failed to hear the soft sound of hooves meeting the ground behind her…

“Trixie…?”

Trixie looked up at the speaker who made her way to her side and then to Spitfire who she checked over as she awaited a response.

“Take her…”

Princess Luna looked up from Spitfire to Trixie as the blue mare continued…

“Take her… To a hospital…”

“W-What about you…?”

“I-I’ll be fine just hurry up and take her…”

Luna paused for a second and then mind made up she nodded and as she levitated the fallen Wonderbolt onto her back and took off she called back to Trixie.

“I’ll take her to Ponyville… Find the others… Meet me there!!!”

And with that the Princess of the night flew away at a pace that would have made a certain mare with a rainbow mane quit calling herself the fastest flyer in Equestria…

Trixie slumped back down to the ground and as she lay there for the first time for ages in her short life her mind was completely geared towards the well being of a pony who wasn’t her.

As she lay there for what seemed like hours in a daze and feeling rotten she was brought out of this by the sound of scuttling nearby. 

Before she could even look up a large familiar looking spider appeared next to her its fangs clicking loudly as it moved to the highest spot it could find and began waving its legs at something in the distance.

Trixie squinted into the distance her vision blurry and hard to focus…

Then she saw them…

The other four members of her ‘group’ were fast approaching and from the looks of it they hadn’t fared much better since they were covered in ash along with scrapes and cuts as they made their way towards her.

Trixie felt the surge of relief and the emotion at seeing the four but as they got to her she mustered all the traditional arrogance and bluster she could and angrily called out to them…

“Well you certainly took your sweet time…”

Apple Cobbler was the first to speak after catching her breath.

“Ah didn’t run here for you witch… Where’s Spitfire… You didn’t roast her along with the woods did you…?”

“She’s alive but hurt… I’m fine though, thanks for asking…”

It was Roseluck’s turn to ask a question as she finished congratulating the spider on a job well done.

“Well… Where is she..?”

Trixie feeling sleep overtaking all other considerations as the last of her willpower and strength wore out and in a yawning reply as she began to pass out she said…

“Luna… Took her… Ponyville… Got to meet her there…”

As Roseluck and Apple Cobbler exchanged confused looks as Berry Punch and Fleur both watched Trixie lay down and lapse into unconsciousness.

Roseluck feeling buoyed by the relative safety of her friends began motivating the others into action, that and because the other three despite the situation were still nervously eyeing the spider that was now sat obediently beside her, Roseluck stepped up to the challenge and in a strong voice made her decision.

“Apple Cobbler will carry Trixie back to the cart, Fleur you and I will help Berry…”

As the farm pony began to argue she was cut off mid sentence by the spider moving towards her, as soon as she’d stopped complaining the spider stopped.

Roseluck suppressed a smile as Apple Cobbler reluctantly bent down as Berry and Fleur gently laid Trixie across her back, raising up and shifting the magician to a more comfortable position Apple Cobbler stared daggers at the spider and wordlessly began walking.

Fleur helped the worse for wear Berry to also start the long walk back to the cart as Roseluck offered a ride on her back to the spider that was more than happy to jump on as the strange procession moved off through the heaps of burned wood and piles of ash.

…Far Away In Canterlot…

Celestia had become depressed, so much so that as she stared forlornly out of the window at the top of the western tower she began flicking through Luna’s record collection as she broke her diet with a mountain of cakes stolen from the kitchens…

Down below the mood among the remaining Royal Guards was becoming desperate as lack of sleep and concern over the increasingly organized and now well armed mob that kept marching about in plain view outside.

Vinyl sat staring at the walls of Canterlot as she and Octavia took a well earned rest from the party and assessed their strengths. 

Octavia however was less than thrilled and like many involved in the longest most destructive party in Equestrian history she was beginning to lag a bit.

Vinyl had already arranged the music so that during the day they all could rest a bit with chill out music then as the night would fall whack it back up to eleven and re-energize the crowd/mob.

As both sides made preparations no pony realized what would occur in the next few days was going to be the most talked about event for the next thousand years or at least until a certain wedding involving a pink princess who at the moment was nowhere to be seen…

Luna was touching down outside Ponyville, she’d come here instead of Manehatten which had been closer because she knew ponies here.

Her problem lay in the fact that she still didn’t have a clue where the doctor’s office was so she speedily set off towards the town library to ask her sisters student.

Back down the road, halfway between Ponyville and Manehatten…

Apple Cobblers cart was more than a little battered and wonky as she unsteadily made her way to Ponyville the others were sat in the back of the cart but apart from Trixie who’d passed out they had all fallen asleep…

Tiredness plagued the young farm pony as she slowly trudged back down the road towards her home and hopefully her own bed, a bath could wait…

It was only about ten minutes into the journey when she fell asleep her hoofs carrying her along as she snored her head hanging down as the scenery passed her by.

A very, very long nap later Apple Cobbler was awoken by the feeling of falling, as her eyes snapped open she found herself suspended in mid air held only by the harness of the cart which was right up to the edge of the large ditch Apple Cobbler had walked into.

Apple Cobbler checked to see if any of the others were awake and breathed a sigh of relief as they remained asleep. 

Quickly she stretched her rear hooves to the edge of the ditch and with her powerful earth pony strength she gradually managed to manoeuvre the cart back as she got her hooves back on solid ground.

Checking her bearing she saw that she’d covered over half of the distance to Ponyville and as she pulled the cart back on the road she once again set off as she yawned deeply.

Unbeknownst to the sleeping ponies or the overly tired farm pony, Berry punch who was snoring gently in the back began to twitch as her wine/booze to blood ratio started to reach the lowest level in years…
> Part Seventeen: A Town Revisited
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Seventeen: A Town Revisited.

Death stood atop a hill on the outskirts of Ponyville watching a small cart make its way into the town; in the distance he could see Canterlot…

…Well that and hear it too, the strobe lighting and bass had been pounding away for hours since the night time had fallen.

Death was about to leave when he sensed a presence behind him, without turning he spoke in a ponderous tone.

“STRANGE FOR YOU TO MAKE AN APPEARENCE…?”

“Perhaps… But I’ve been keeping an eye on things.”

“HMM SO WHAT WILL YOU DO?”

“I can’t interfere you know that.”

“THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?”

“My Luna’s been somewhat… Intense on the emotional level and her sister has been very down of late… It makes it difficult to concentrate on other things.”

Death left it a moment as he studied the mare as she drew level next to him, he was about to ask a question when she changed the subject to his own presence.

“…And you? Why are you here? Don’t tell me you are regretting your deal…?”

“NO.”

“Then why, may I ask.”

Death paused a moment, he’d always been fascinated by the living, their lives and what they did with them.

To him they all did such curious things in such a short space of time, but in the end even if they accepted their own death they had always been afraid of him…

As he explained this the other pony asked him.

“And her…?”

“SHE WAS NOT AFRAID…”

In Ponyville Apple Cobbler had just pulled up outside the doctor’s clinic and was waiting for Roseluck to unhitch her when a familiar southern drawl heavy with concern reached her ears.

“That you there cousin… You look like y’all been barbecued…?”

The stare she received killed the forced laugh that died a horrible death in her throat.

Apple Cobbler was out of the carts harness as soon as AJ could manage to unhitch her, Apple Cobblers face a mixture of relief and worry as she questioned Applejack on the whereabouts of Luna and Spitfire, and could she help get Trixie and Berry inside.

Applejack had already been made aware of most of the situation by Twilight and as she held up a hoof for silence Roseluck and Fleur both trotted up with concerned looks on them.

As she adjusted her hat and opened her mouth to speak her eyes that had been traveling over the three ash covered ponies and their beaten up and singed cart, fell upon the creature sat on Roseluck’s back…

The spider nodded and clicked its fangs as it waved a leg, Applejack too stunned to think waved slowly back to it.

“N-Now… …Where was ah… Oh that’s it… Luna’s inside, Spitfire too but it don’t look good ah’m afraid… You’ll have to ask the princess but she ain’t been talking too much.”

The three didn’t say anything as they helped Applejack unload the still comatose pair from the back of the cart and move them gently into the clinic, stopping momentarily for Roseluck’s spider to hop off into a bush and disappear with a wave of it’s hairy leg. 

The only thing any of them saw as they went inside and past the reception area was a room with its doors open, at the other end was a curtained off area from under which Roseluck spotted a dark blue tail poking out that shimmered like the night and another resembling that of Twilight Sparkle.

Applejack led them onto the only ward, a doctor and nurse Redheart who had just arrived along with another nurse took to caring for Berry and Trixie, placing them on beds at the end of the ward as they buzzed around them talking too fast for the exhausted trio to follow.

The doctor after whispering several orders to the nurses left the unconscious pair and stood appraising the conscious trio, deciding none of the various cuts and scrapes on them could be dealt with until they had cleaned off the layers of ash and dirt that caked their whole bodies he ordered them to use the ward shower.

It was sometime before this was accomplished but when done the trio were feeling slightly more invigorated and certainly looking more like their usual selves. 

After being given the once over by nurse Redheart who kept frowning as she half listened to their constant appeals as to the condition of the others, the only answer they could get out of her was to be patient and wait for the doctor who would be along once he’d finished his examinations.

This hope was quickly extinguished when the other nurse appeared and whispered to Nurse Redheart who only nodded in reply, turning to her charges as she finished her work.

Now covered in bandages and stinging from all the ointments on their scrapes and cuts the three were unceremoniously booted off the ward and told to return later since it was taking longer than expected for the doctor to assess the others.

Nurse Redheart felt her charges disappointment and promised to send for them once there was any news and as she watched them leave she turned and with a sigh went to fetch the generous bottle of medicinal alcohol from under her desk that she kept for special occasions and when Berry had gone without a drink for a few days.

Taking the bottle from its hidden place she was shocked to find it all but empty, she then remembered the week before when she’d been stuck with the night shift at the clinic which all week had had no patients in this usually quiet town.

Only slightly fazed the usually caring pony then went to the supply cupboard to find the shelf empty of any medicinal alcohol as well, for her sins she had been getting a lot of lonely nights lately...

Nurse Redheart was usually a calm and responsible pony who inspired the same in all who met her, currently she was panicking as she tore the place apart looking for any alcohol medicinal or not.

For Nurse Redheart was privy to the tale of the Berries family ancestry and its curse, she was most definitely worried as she bellowed for the other nurse who after running at the noise breathlessly listened as she was given instructions very different from any she’d ever had.

As the young nurse ran from the place with Redhearts panic spurring her on she dashed towards the nearest bar in the name of medicine…

Applejack followed the trio out into the center of Ponyville where upon reaching the market they took a seat and wearily ordered from the waiter that appeared without any real interest in what exactly they asked for as they were running on auto pilot and near collapse.

After a while the waiter returned with their orders and patiently waited as they sent Applejack back to the cart to fetch a certain pair of saddlebags, when she returned and after her and the waiter had gotten their speech back upon seeing the contents the trio tipped him heavily and continued to stare at the table, all of them too exhausted to speak any further.

This was broken somewhat as they watched the unnamed nurse run past them down the street and into the nearest bar her face a mask of confusion and panic as she launched herself through the swing doors of the bar nearly flattening a customer as he exited.

“Must be something to do with Berry…”

Apple Cobblers voice croaked as she observed the bemused looks on her companions who nodded slowly in both recognition and agreement, Apple Cobbler then turned her attention to her sandwich and nibbled the corner as she failed to muster the energy to tuck in.

Fleur just remained staring into her tea watching it swirl in the cup for a moment before simply lapping it up like a dog too tired to use her magic she ignored the other customer’s murmurs and whispers as Roseluck just stared at the sky trying to fight back tears as she voiced everyone’s concerns.

“I hope she’s OK… I mean they all are… OK I mean…”

Applejack watched unable to think what to say as the three continued oblivious to the world around them as the time passed by slowly.

This malaise lasted until the nurse started her return journey laden with bottles in bags across her back and levitating an impressive load in front of her as she pelted out of sight in the direction she’d previously appeared from.

It was Applejack who mentioned the idea to go to the library to rest since Twilight had said previously before their arrival that she would probably take Luna there once no more could be achieved at the hospital.

A consensus was reached and the trio left their meager orders and after some awkwardness over carrying the stolen bits Applejack led them to the library, but Twilight and Luna were nowhere to be seen…

Upon their entry they had been fussed over by Spike the resident dragon who arranged pillows and covers so that they could rest in the main room of the library which he then closed for their privacy.

It didn’t take long for them to fall asleep and as they each settled down wordlessly they descended into their own dreams filled with worry and nightmarish conclusions about what she thought would be reality upon waking.   
> Part Eighteen: Hyde that Booze, Berries Rolling …
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Eighteen: Hyde that Booze, Berries Rolling …

Time passed unseen by the trio sleeping in the library and when they eventually awoke it was slowly and without enthusiasm that they regained their hooves and forced their tired limbs to move.

Muttering or nodding to each other they found themselves alone in the library, a note quickly scrawled by the resident dragon informed them he had gone to fetch some food for them and Applejack had gone to check where Twilight and Luna had gone.

The note also made mention of the three glasses of milk and plate piled with biscuits on the table beside it, it was as they were quietly munching and drinking said snacks that Applejack returned with Twilight and a concerned looking Luna. 

It was with a tearful expression that Luna descended on the group checking each and everyone of them over and embracing them wordlessly before regaining a somewhat regal pose and addressing the now questioning ponies.

“I am so relieved to see the three of you well, I am so sorry for all of this I am ashamed I put you in such danger…”

Roseluck surprised all by speaking first with a voice that grew in volumes as she protested.

“It wasn’t your fault! It was that idiot Braeburn… He kidnapped Spitfire and Trixie went spare… It wasn’t your fault…”

Fleur seeing Luna’s distress at Roseluck’s show of support piped up with the question on every ponies mind but her voice nearly gave out as she asked the last part.

“How are they? Are they going to live?”

Luna closed her eyes for a moment then with all the solemnity in the world opened them and shook her head.

“Trixie is going to be OK once she has recovered her strength as should Berry, but Spitfire… She’s really sick and…”

Luna lost her composure her voice cracking as Twilight took over after placing a comforting hoof against Luna.

“The doctor say’s the injury that Spitfire had to her wing wasn’t properly cared for, as a result of the obvious beating it’s had since your adventure began has caused the bones to shift about and even splinter…” 

Twilight paused swallowed and then continued her eyes not looking at any pony directly as she spoke.

“The effect is that it’s become seriously infected and with the blood poisoning she’s hanging between life and death…”

Fleur Roseluck and Apple Cobbler all hung their heads as Twilight elaborated on the Wonderbolts chances that she would recover.

With the prognosis looking dire the trio were left looking at Luna who cleared her throat before telling them what actually caused the devastation of the woods.

Apple Cobbler declared Trixie as being at fault but was surprised first at Luna shaking her head and then the real explanation that followed, like the other two the story took her completely by surprise.

“When Twilight and her friends freed me from Nightmare Moon they failed to destroy her completely, since then she has been apparently rebuilding her strength.”

Luna approached Roseluck and with her fore hoof lifted the small silver chain all of them wore from her chest and sighed.

“The demon retained a small link to me despite her banishment and through that and these chains I imbued with my own magic she must have tried to take over Trixie…”

The three gasped loudly as they exchanged frightened looks first at each other and then Luna.”

“So Trixie’s been possessed… Should we stake her?”

The room looked as Apple Cobbler blushed and hid her face behind her mane as the others tried to grasp the situation at hoof.

“So does that mean she needs an exorcism… I mean more than usual?”

Roseluck a hoof on her silver chain followed it immediately with another question as it occurred to her.

“Will Nightmare Moon try to take control of us? Are we in danger if we keep these on?”

Luna shook her head as she tried to smile in a reassuring way, promptly stopping when it quickly unnerved all present.

“No… It is okay, Nightmare Moon has vanished I cannot feel her anymore… I do not understand but it must have been something Trixie did, what ever it was nearly killed her… All that power almost consumed her very soul…”

Fleur asked the next question and with some trepidation for the future and like her companions made it without reservations as she spoke clearly and confidently.

“What do we do now? Apart that is from waiting for Spitfire to get better or Trixie and Berry to wake up?”

Fighting back her tears she broke down as she asked.

“Is our adventure over?”

Luna watched as their faces lapsed into confusion as they tried to remember all of the events that had gotten them there.

It was at this point she made herself a promise to if possible see this all through and make all their sacrifices and their adventures so far mean something…

…Silently she cursed Celestia as she realized her sister would be lecturing her relentlessly for all her mistakes so far, but with that she remembered the situation in Canterlot It was up to her to see this all through.

“NO… A-At least not yet… We still have Trixie’s plan to enact… But we had better keep that to ourselves…”

Luna awkwardly motioned a hoof at Twilight who merely looked confused as the trio nodded back, none of them wanting to explain their plan to blackmail Celestia to her protégé.

“For the moment I need the three of you to look after the others as they recover, in the meantime I have to do some investigating to try to decipher our next move!”

Luna managed a confident almost normal smile that was joined by the trio who despite knowing the precarious health of their companions were bolstered by Luna’s rare show of confidence and leadership.

The group all breathed out and began to relax and discuss what they would each do now, their thoughts remaining with the missing three members of the group.

Returning to earlier events on the ward with Trixie and Berry, Nurse Redheart was pacing nervously as she stared in frustration at the pile of bottles that the other nurse had heaped next to Berries bed.

“I told you only to get spirits or wine, there’s only ale or lager here… AND ARE THOSE ALCOPOPS!!! WHAT BLOODY USE TO ANY PONY ARE THOSE!!!”

Nurse Redheart closed her eyes and rubbed between them with a hoof as she listened to the other nurse give her explanation.

“W-Well the barkeep said he’s out of spirits and wine and his consignment of champagne blew up apparently, he gets all of his supplies like every other bar in town from Miss Punch… And since her place was burnt to ground…”

Nurse Redheart closed in on the unfortunate nurse and in a low tone full of promise of retribution ordered her to scour Ponyville high and low and go door to door if necessary.

Watching her disappear once again, Nurse Redheart turned towards the beds that contained Trixie and Berry. 

She cocked her head and frowned as she could have sworn Berries eyebrows were looking suspiciously shaggy and her mane despite having been carefully combed out when she’d been washed was also looking very unkempt along with her tail.

Unlike Berry Nurse Redheart was not immune to the lower forms of alcohol and with a worried prayer to Celestia she made a start on the ale wincing as the flavor hit her.

Unnoticed Trixie twitched in her sleep replaying random bad memories from her past as her body agonisingly slowly began its road to recovery her mind however continued to torture itself wallowing in all the misery and the weight of what was to come.

For two days it continued like this, Spitfire still hung in the balance between life and death, Trixie remained asleep and slowly Berry began to recover her strength and on that second day awoke to find an inebriated Nurse Redheart crouched in a corner surrounded by empty bottles.

“Uh you OK there Redheart? You look a bit um… Out of sorts are you feeling OK…?”

“I’m Fine… How are you feeling?”

“Is one of those going spare by chance?”

Berry pointed a shaky hoof at the pile of untouched booze next to the frightened nurse.

“Berry there’s nothing but alcopops and lite beer left… There’s no wine or spirits in the whole of the town since your place burned, we checked… …TWICE!!!” 

Nurse Redheart continued under the withering glare of an increasingly frantic looking Berry.

“Um since Canterlot’s been cordoned off we can’t get any from there and Manehatten won’t send anything either on account of violent bandits on the roadways, news it seems travels fast, that and some of Braeburn’s Posse had landed near there…”

Looking about her she questioned Nurse Redheart about the others, only nodding upon hearing of the three who were OK and Trixie’s condition, but hearing Spitfire’s situation she grunted loudly and forced herself up.

Berry Punch slid off her bed and staggered without a word out of the ward and out into the unsuspecting world. 

Nurse Redheart slid back against the wall and comforted herself that now Berry had voluntarily checked herself out any and all consequences were not her responsibility anymore.

Never mind the fact Berry looked just like the Stone Age ponies from the history books, what with her bushy eyebrows topped by an overgrown mane and tail.
> Part Nineteen: A Liquid Solution Found?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Nineteen: A Liquid Solution Found?

Roseluck Fleur and Apple Cobbler had all followed Luna’s advice at the library and after she had flown to Canterlot, taking to visiting their three comatose companions that evening and the next day and so on.

Fleur had stayed with Roseluck after Apple Cobbler admitted her place wasn’t really that tidy and had gotten quite embarrassed about it.

So for two days they tried to carry on as best they could, Roseluck however convinced Apple Cobbler to keep the stolen bits at her place, Since none of them could decide what to do about the bits after that.

All three preferred to wait for Trixie to regain consciousness before asking what was to become of them. 

Thanks to her own description, the other two reasoned since Apple Cobbler claimed to not being able to find most things on any given day that’s where it was safest.

Apple Cobbler huffed at this her unwillingness to harbor stolen goods plain as the wrinkled nose on her face as she stomped off laden with the loot.

It was on the second day they met up and visited the ward to find Spitfire still hovering on the edge and Trixie still out of it, Berry however was gone and Nurse Redheart was in her bed sleeping off all the alcohol she’d consumed.

The doctor having spent the last two days along with the other nurse present caring for the critical Spitfire, had left Nurse Redheart alone to care for Trixie.

Since watching Spitfire twenty four seven was taking all of his time he’d failed to notice the steady decline of Nurse Redheart’s sobriety. 

Even now sat next to Spitfire checking her vitals he was unaware the nap was the direct result of heavy drinking, of course had he known the reason he would have called out of town for more nurses.

It was as the three left the ward and ventured outside that they heard from not too far away the sound of breaking glass, straight away they moved as one towards the sound.

Turning a few corners they came across a bar which now was missing a large window through which the sound of fighting could be heard along with various shouts presumably from the combatants and one very recognizable voice stood out.

“Ah reckon that’s our girl right there… …Sounds like she’s giving some pony a-kicking for sure!”

Apple Cobbler was the first to the window and peek through, just as quickly she ducked motioning the others to do the same.

Fleur still unused to running or exercise of any kind gasped for breath as Roseluck fought the urge to glance in asking her question instead. 

“W-What’s happening? Is it Berry?”

“Yup, looks like she’s fighting about a dozen stallions.”

Fleur and Roseluck both shot up and as quickly ducked back, astonished Fleur repeated the act and then in a high pitched tone squealed a little too loudly in Roseluck’s ear.

“Those are royal guards!!!”

“OW!”

“S-Sorry Roseluck… But I’m right! A-Aren’t I?”

“You’re right sugar, but what in the hay are they doing here?”

Roseluck still rubbing her ear with her hoof replied with a few questions of her own.

“Are they here for Trixie? Or are they on their way to Canterlot?”

“Maybe but ah don’t think Berry beating seven shades outta them ain't gonna help much…”

“Perhaps if she leaves one alive… We can ask?”

Fleur shrugged as the trio shuffled closer and in unison poked their heads up as if stuck in a muddy trench somewhere about to go over the top.

“Ah figure it’s up to us to stop this and try to reason things out… It’s what Luna would want.”

“I’d say Berries taking the Trixie approach to diplomacy… Is… Is she actually winning or am I seeing things? And is it me or is she looking a little more hairy than usual?” 

Roseluck surveyed the situation as the other two struggled to find the words.

The visibly hairier Berry Punch was doing just that and as she stood like a rock on her hind hooves upright and punching with her hoof a semi conscious royal guard who whimpered as she threw him aside and stepped off the two stallions sprawled on the floor underneath her.

Coming down on all four hooves she advanced towards the second to last guard of a bakers dozen who already sporting a torn and dented uniform tried vainly to mount a defensive stance but was felled by a thrown bar stool.

Berry began to approach the last guard but her three friends intervened as they burst through the door only stopping when Fleur went head over hooves as she tripped over a couple of the prone guards.

“Berry Stop! Please hon, ah’m guessing you want a drink huh?”

Berry turned to face them slowly and with a big lop sided smile she tilted her head sideways.

“You ought to be careful fancy pony, could be a scandal.”

All eyes turned to Fleur as Berry pointed out her precarious position; Fleur was straddling the stomach of a large stallion, a royal guard who despite being unconscious wore a happy smile.

Scrabbling to get up Fleur blushed from mane to tail as she resumed standing next to the others who appealed to Berry and the guard for calm.

“Hey if you girls wanna finish him off help yourselves I’m bored now anyhow.”

“That’s not funny Berry; you should be on the ward recovering what’s got into you..?” 

“Aww Rosy I’m just having a little disagreement with these guy’s since they tried to stop me from talking to the barkeep!”

At this point the remaining guard chipped in with a deep authoritarian boom.

“Excuse me Miss but remind me exactly at which point did your ‘talking’ to the barkeep start to involve throttling him?”

“He cheated on a promise; I was just showing my displeasure that without immediate reparation, he failed to meet my expectations.”

“You can expect a long stint in jail for assaulting members of the royal guard! By your appearance I’d say you’re no stranger to trouble… Berry was it?”

“Hah say’s the only guard who didn’t fight…”

The guard took a few steps forward and as the assembled ponies got a better look at him it was obvious he was veteran of the guard the edges of his white coat tinged with grey.

His uniform was immaculate and covered with decorations and medals, the rigid stance and his piercing eyes denoted a manner accustomed to bellowing orders but more than capable of backing it up with experience and training.  

“I must be getting old when a dozen cadets couldn’t restrain one mare in a bar; I’m not so easily dealt with however so I ask that you surrender.”

Berry hissed a dismissal at the guard as the others tried to close their mouths which had fallen open during the exchange.

Apple Cobbler recovered first and blurted out the first thing she could think of that didn’t involve the over abundance of violence.

“Wait… What are you doing here? Shouldn’t ya be in Canterlot trying to keep the peace?”

The guard gave her a far away look as he surveyed the debris strewn bar for his troops.

“I was given these wet whistles to foal sit, ha! Take them somewhere and teach them what you know… Some orders…”

Roseluck tried next but she was unnerved by the guard who seemed to be studying each of them in turn like he was memorizing every detail.

“So are you returning to Canterlot?”

Laughing loudly surprising every pony the guard shook his head.

“Take these foals into the middle of the biggest Wonderbolt’s party ever seen? Ha! I’m no lunatic or murderer for that matter; I saw the last really big one when I was a young guard… …Never again!”

It was obviously going to be a long day as the somewhat standoff continued silently for a few moments as those there ran out of things to say.

Finally the guard broke the silence and in an effort to ascertain more about this strange mare and her surprisingly young and obviously non violent companions, he asked simply.

“So why were you in the hospital?”

What he got in return was the truth, it was how Berry put it so brazenly that caused three facehoove’s and a low respectful whistle from the guard.

“I’m traveling with a witch wanted for bank robbery and assault of a princess along with her accomplice a Wonderbolt Captain who went AWOL from her post, these three also form the rest of our gang, a whole Appleloosian posse two sideshow ham’s plus a dozen cadets couldn’t stop us, so good luck jarhead.” 

Berrie’s new attitude continued to worry the three young mares as they bundled their friend out of the bar under the watchful eye of the veteran guard who chose to let them go in favor of checking his fallen now mostly stirring moaning charges.

“Come on Berry… Jeez did you have to tell him that?”

“What? He asked Rosy.”

“But still I don’t think… Wait, could you stop calling me that…”

“But it’s your name Rosy… It just slips off the tongue… …Rosy.”

Roseluck shuddered as the sultry tone and mischievous look she was getting from Berry made her blush and swish her tail as she walked on ahead suddenly feeling very self conscious.

“Now Berry you’d better start behaving you’re self now, ya hear me?”

“Sure thing Cobbles… Or is it AC?”

“Doncha start that nonsense with me Berry, and anyhow why did you start scrapping with those guards? He said it was on account of you having a crack at the barkeep?”

“That rotten old sod made a promise to my mother to keep something hidden away that she might need one day.”

This perked the interest of her friends as they began to follow her as she made her way down the street.

Seeing an explanation was required Berry rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue before huffing and relenting under their quiet curious stares.

“You all remember what I told you about my family?”

All three nodded.

“Well… After all this time only a few bottles of my original cursed ancestors own brew wine remains… My mother hid one bottle in our house and left the other she had in the care of that thieving runt of a barkeep… He sold it the cur…”

“So anyway… The stuff is supposed to be so strong that too much can keep a pony wasted drunk for whole year and it’s supposedly has magical properties.”

Berry who had led the trio through from the bar to the center of town stopped momentarily to scoop up a sandwich in her mouth from the plate of customer at the very café the three others had briefly visited only a few days ago.

Whilst belching after having knocked out cold the angry customer, she ignored the startled cries of her friends shrugging her shoulders in response as started walking again.

“Just shut up and keep up …”

And so they did all the way back to Berries house which lay in total ruins before them, as Berry seemingly untouched by this kicked down the remains of the front door. 

Despite a severe lack of intact walls she entered through the charred door frame and began climbing across the debris towards the door that used to lead to the winery.

As her friends gathered around her she started to dig down in the doorway, after exchanging shrugs the others joined her and after only a few moments they found what she was looking for.

Embedded in the floor underneath the door frame was a large ring set into the floor, it took considerably more effort to clear the rubble away within a good distance before Berry gripped the ring in her mouth and pulled hard.

The floor lifted up slowly before the sound of a creaky mechanism caused the four of them to scramble backwards as it lifted to reveal a set of stone steps leading down.

“So whose going first then? Rosy you like spiders and creepy stuff right?”

‘Rosy’ shot Berry an angry glance before nervously peering into the dark depths.

“Apple Cobblers braver than me, I think she should go…”

Apple Cobbler just stared blankly at Roseluck as she tried to think of her own excuses.

Fleur chimed in with her contribution.

“I’m afraid of the dark…”

Berry was still laughing when she descended the step as she was when she returned moments later cradling a lone bottle caked with dust.

“So that’s gonna stop you acting like a colossal… Trixie is it?”

Apple Cobbler voiced her relief a little too much and was unsettled by the smile she got in return. 

“Nope there’s barely a shot left in the bottom and that’s needed by somepony else…” 

> Part Twenty: The Kiss of Death.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Twenty: The Kiss of Death.

Given that Berry was sober and that the three ponies with her were learning what that meant, the trip back to the Doctor’s was pretty uneventful except for Berry wolf whistling a passing stallion followed by loudly calling out to him what she would do if she had the time. 

Berry topped this by making obscene gestures at the shocked nearby Ponyville residents who happened to be just going about their business.

Roseluck and Apple Cobbler agreed the stallion was worth the whistle but the somewhat awkward explanations to Fleur the nature and practicalities of some of Berries suggestions made the other two begin to blush deeply.

This was exacerbated when most of it went above their own heads also, since their own experiences of such things were incredibly limited, mostly being second hand descriptions and vaguely remembered sex Ed classes.

Berry Punch however was able to interrupt the increasingly quiet and mumbling pair and give all three an education in great detail about the ‘ins’ and the ‘outs’ and by the time they reached the doctor’s all three were the color of beetroots from tip to tail.

“D-Does it really happen like that? With the… You know… The naughty bit… And it goes…”

Fleur looked dumbfounded as she asked the very first question she had thought of but only now had gotten out due to the deluge of descriptions given by Berry having shorted out her train of thought.

Berry just nodded as Fleur blinked and replied in a far away voice.

“Oh”

The three of them followed Berry into the Doctor’s and through the reception but instead of entering the quiet room reserved for Spitfire she instead made her way towards the ward with Trixie on.

Roseluck and the other two questioned this when the four of them were gathered around the blue mare’s bed, Berry however just ignored them as she looked down at the sleeping mare.

Almost half of Trixie was covered in bandages, paper stitches and with almost non existent breathing it was clear to all Trixie was in bad shape but would in time heal...

Expectantly the three watched as Berry uncorked the bottle with her teeth and held it under her nose as the first whiff of aroma escaped the bottle.

For a moment, just a moment Berry looked as if she was her usual drunken self.

But that instant was gone and as she roughly pushed Trixie's head back she emptied the contents of the bottle down her throat and upon the last drop threw the bottle to one side and stood well back.

The other three however remained by the bed more curious about what would happen next than their own safety, but minute’s passed before Trixie’s eyelid’s began to twitch.

Then her whole body stirred as her eyelids flew open and she awoke with a deep gasping breath that caused her to choke as she breathed out.

“A-Are you trying to kill me… What in the hay was that…?”

Trixie struggled to focus on the shape more than a few hooves away as her mind failed miserably to function properly, sluggish from the enforced sleep due to exhaustion it took her awhile to put another sentence together.

In the meantime she moved her aching head to the other side and tried to identify the three mares next to her bed that were holding their collective breaths, after what seemed an age she finally remembered the key points of her adventures up until now.

Followed that is by a very sudden remembrance of her conversation with Death and the reasons she’d ended up in that encounter.

“S-Spitfire did Luna Bring Spitfire?”

Three voices answered her in unison explaining the state of Spitfire and pretty much everything else on top in their excitement, a weight lifted from their hearts seeing their ‘friend’ awake and responding. 

Regardless of course the fact that if asked later whether or not they liked Trixie their answer wouldn’t always be less than truthful or forthcoming, certainly in her presence at least. 

It was the deluge of information and ‘worry’ which made Trixie’s head swim being unused to ponies actually caring, she suddenly felt very sick and without time to warn any pony reared forward and let loose spewing forth what little remained in her stomach after all this time.

Berry was in fits of laughter on the floor as the three now furious and squealing mares dashed to the ward shower room, reaching unsteadily for the water jug on the table next to her Trixie swilled her mouth out and spat the contents on the already covered floor and painfully pulled herself off of the other side of the bed.

Trixie lay against the side of the bed as her near inanimate muscles and multitude of smaller injuries stopped her from regaining her hooves.

Berry who was bored of laughing at this point roughly grabbed Trixie around her waist and put her on her unsteady hooves and gave her a light punch on the shoulder as a friend would, she then started laughing again as she for the second time stood Trixie upright.

“Where is she?”

“She’s in a room down the hall, can’t miss it.”

“Is it me or are you looking…”

“Sober?”

“Yeah, I mean that and… Seriously you need to have your mane shaved and… Your eyebrows are…”

“You’re one to talk Miss Great and Powerful.”

Trixie looked down at herself and decided to ignore it in favor of what she had to do first before any personal concessions.

Slowly and awkwardly and with no help whatsoever from Berry, Trixie stumbled into Spitfire’s room and after Berry persuaded the doctor and nurse present (Redheart was still sleeping off the effects of her boozing having slept through the previous commotion) to vacate the room, Trixie approached the bed.

Spitfire was underneath the covers laid out on her side exposing the busted wing and in its infected state despite all the hard work by the doctor to the contrary it smelled awful as it continued to ooze through the wounds where bone shards had pierced the skin.

For all of the doctor’s ministrations Spitfire was barely breathing as Trixie lent forward whispered something into Spitfire’s ear.

“What now, do you know magic to help her?”

Trixie looked over at Berry and shook her head.

“No I don’t know any magic like that, but some pony gave me the solution in return for something…”

Berry was perplexed as she watched Trixie lift Spitfire’s muzzle and lean forward.

At first it was just a kiss but as it deepened a small glow of blue light passed from Trixie’s mouth to Spitfire’s where just before it disappeared it changed into the flaming orange of fire except one small spark reversed course and returned to Trixie who unknowingly absorbed it causing a faint glow to appear around her for the briefest of moments.

Almost imperceptibly Spitfire began to glow and then gradually grew brighter and brighter as Trixie and Berry both had to shield themselves from the light pervading the entire room.

Once this was over and they were able to see clearly, the effect of the exchange was immediately obvious, instead of a clearly ruined wing there was smooth skin and coat with all feathers intact and no obvious signs of their having ever been an injury!

Quietly the pair watched as the mare in the bed stirred and then moments passed before she woke up and began to try to move, Trixie settled her back with a hoof and gave her reassurance all the while soothingly stroking her mane in a motherly fashion.

Still recovering Spitfire without opening her eyes fully, strained to speak.

“Were you just… Kissing me…?”

“Yes…”

“Oh”

“You’re breath stinks… Like rancid…”

“I threw up on the others first.”

“C-Charming real nice… Couldn’t you be like a prince in shining armor or something…?”

“Quit complaining already, you’re alive, Braeburn’s toast and now we just have to gather our strength and go to Canterlot and get you replaced!”

“Great… Blackmail and unemployment… Oh joy.”

“Hmmph well it’s better than the alternative the universe had in mind.”

“Which is?”

“Missing out on spending all your time traveling around with me and Berry on a loony mission from Luna!”

“Hooray maybe now it will be some pony else’s turn to get kidnapped while you’re all snoozing…”

Trixie coughed awkwardly and looked away as Berry finally sidled up next to her and looked down at Spitfire.

“You look like crap Spitfire.”

“Hey Berry how are you…?”

“Sober.”

“Oh… How’s that going?”

“I got into a fight with a bunch of squaddies…”

Trixie raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Oh… Did they hurt you…?”

“Only my hooves after I’d been hitting them for awhile, that armor is tough.”

Berry was rubbing her fore hooves together absentmindedly as she relived the scene in her mind.

Trixie and Spitfire both exchanged glances as they remained silent out of confusion and sheer exhaustion, but still managing weak smiles.

It was sometime before the other three mares reappeared now slightly damp but at least looking normal for themselves, shooting daggers with their expressions they took up a semi circle position at the foot of the bed as Spitfire forced herself into a sitting position.

During the following chorus of ‘how are you’ and ‘Thank Celestia you’re alright’ and the far more sensible ‘How did this happen’ from Roseluck, that the sense of unity however impractical or implausible between them was renewed once more. 

Finally assembled the group sat facing Spitfire as they each gave their own version of events from the morning at the woods, their arrival in town, Berries fight and Trixie’s and Spitfire’s recovery.

This was followed last by Trixie who skipped the whole part about Death and bluffed her way through defeating Nightmare Moon’s power claiming the demon had been consumed when she couldn’t possess Trixie, destroyed by her own power backfiring, and then some of this power was siphoned off by Trixie who then of course used to bring Spitfire back.

The group accepted this in varying degrees of disbelief shock and awe, luckily the only other unicorn Fleur had absolutely no knowledge beyond absolute basics of magic and in no way could dispute this ‘fanciful showdown.’

Although it took a while to explain everything and the fact Trixie and Spitfire were fighting to stay awake, by the time every pony had caught up with current events all of them looked as though the next few years would be spent in bed.

At this point a confused and hung over Nurse Redheart entered having been woken by a confused doctor and the other nurse; they had sent her to deal with this reunion since their attention was now taken up by a bunch of broken and battered looking royal guards who were only now entering the clinic having taken a while to get there in their current state. 

Nurse Redheart had rolled off the bed and stepped hoof first in the result of Trixie’s ‘outburst’ and with her head banging she was not in the best of moods. 

“Will some pony please tell me what’s going on?”

They did, Nurse Redheart went home.

Watching her leave the group were about to sort out what to do about rest, when Berry who was itching to be anywhere else than a boring hospital room opened the door before rapidly closing it again and swearing.

“It’s those guards again! They followed us here!”

Apple Cobbler looked doubtful.

“They’re probably here cos you gave them the hoofing of their lives…”

“True… But their still here aren’t they? We’ll have to sneak out, AC you grab Spitfire, you two carry Trix.”

“What did you say?”

When Trixie spoke first Apple Cobbler contented herself with an indignant huff at the shortening of her name, Trixie however stared at Berry her face a mask of indignation.

“What did you just call me?”

“I called you Trix”

“I do not like that nickname; you will call me by my proper name.”

“Why don’t you like Trix?”

“No…”

“I’ll bet you’re good at turning them though…”

Like a bomb going off the rooms supply of oxygen disappeared as the onlookers and Trixie open mouthed processed what had been said, Trixie’s delayed comeback however was interrupted by a rapping at the door.

Roseluck hesitantly approached the door and called through it to ask who was out there, the reply alleviated some of the tension but as the knocker entered the room the door was closed again by Berry who started to barricade the door.

The newcomer glanced around the room slightly bewildered but she recovered her wits and launched into a torrent of questions.

Once finished and her questions answered the mare nodded her head sagely and without a clue what to say next she brought in front of her with her magic a box that had been obediently hovering next to her the whole time.

Trixie would have never have admitted it but she really envied how magic came so naturally to the purple unicorn now sat before the group, so she asked the obvious.
.
“So Twilight… What’s in the box?”
> Part Twenty One: Twilight Brings A Bottle To The Party.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Elements of Lunar Harmony

Part Twenty One: Twilight Brings A Bottle To The Party.

The whole group of ponies gathered around Spitfires bed waited in silence as Twilight walked to the other side to Trixie and laid the box gently down and then opened it.

The six ponies watched as next she brought forth a bottle made of green glass that literally sparkled in the room’s light, it’s contents swirled around as Twilight placed it on the bed and began to explain.

“Some time ago not long after I first came to Ponyville Princess Celestia came to spend a night at mine (in a separate room she hastily added) and catch up over a meal and drinks, it’d been a while since I had the chance to just talk to her… So I wanted the best…”

Berry chimed in with a low whistle…

“How did ‘YOU’ convince that rat barkeep to part with it?”

Twilight recounted how when questioned the barkeep had in a low sneaky tone implied he was in possession of a bottle of finest quality fit for a Princess with a very intriguing back story she had marveled at (she spared a glance at Berry who just nodded back).

It hadn’t taken much persuasion from a frantic and very broke Twilight to convince him to give it up for what remained of her allowance after her latest book buying spree.

That and she’d made several threats concerning the mayor the city council and the health board citing her influence with royalty and having saved the world on numerous occasions… After all she was determined Celestia would get the best!

“We had but half a glass each and then… Well we spent all night talking trash about all sorts of things and kinda passed out.” 

Twilight remembered some of more embarrassing things she’d said that night and hurried on.

“I poured what was left back in so it’s mostly full.”

All eyes turned to Berry who just flicked her mane put her nose in the air and crossed her hooves.

“Not thirsty.”

Trixie spoke first her mind whirring.

“Did you really flatten a dozen guards?”

Three damp companions nodded furiously as Berry just nodded once, Twilight gave Berry a shocked look as she struggled to picture the scene.

“Then for the time being I think it’s best if… I’m sorry… ”

Trixie stopped mid sentence and gestured apologetically to the others at the mistake prompting looks of confusion and shock more so for Twilight who wasn’t privy to the changes the group had gone through.

“I meant to say we need you to be sober… Super strength is going to be useful if it all goes to hay when we get to Canterlot…”

Twilight finally questioned why that would still be a thing after Luna had explained there were good reasons for all of the mayhem recently surrounding those in her little group.

She was surprised by the sudden scratching of necks and averted looks that pervaded the room, none of them fancied explaining their plan concerning Twilight's teacher...

“Look you’re really good at magic and I pale in comparison but do you think you could teleport us out of here? We really can’t go out the front door none of us have the energy for a last stand yet….”

Once again stunned silence… Trixie ignored this and her friend’s faces as they coped with the shock of what she’d said.

Trixie ignored them and with a more familiar air of nonchalance and attitude to boot she frowned and asked again.

“Well? Can you?”

“Well yes of course but it may take a few trips… But I think I can do it…”

The guards who were still being tended to outside the door were definitely far too busy groaning and whimpering to pay attention to the series of popping sounds as Twilight materialized back and forth.

Finally Twilight brought the remaining members of Luna’s group out of their predicament and into her front room which was strewn with books and magical paraphernalia evidence of her work towards helping Trixie and co.

As they settled down around the large living room Spike appeared laden with tea and biscuits after receiving orders from Twilight who’d teleported in suddenly with Fleur and disturbed his indexing of his trading card collection.

Trixie wasted no time in asking Apple Cobbler to retrieve the stolen bits before individually asking every-pony how they were feeling, and making sure that Spitfire got the most comfortable position on the sofa.

The silence was deafening as six pairs of eyes watched Spike exit the room as Trixie took over pouring the tea, when she started to hum absently as she focused her tired eyes and concentrated on her magic so she wouldn’t spill any.

As strange as the scene had become the others slowly stuttered into conversation about what to do after recuperating, Trixie who was now passing a plate of biscuits around the assembled ponies piped up.

“We should rest up here until Luna gets back from where ever she’s disappeared to!” 

Twilight interjected as they all realized they’d forgotten all about her resulting in some guilty looks.

“She told me she going to find help for Spitfire involving ancient magics.”

Trixie ignored the purple mares drooling at the thought of books unread and old magic unknown to her, secretly she felt a pang of jealousy return at Twilight’s drive to learn.

“Fine then we wait for her to finish her dust bath and then we head into Canterlot on the cart and try to find Celestia in the castle, sort that out and then find out what this quest is Luna wants us on...”

The genuinely worried looks on her companion’s faces caused Trixie to blush deeply and look away shyly causing them to exchange a mix of shrugs and much shaking of their heads.

Apple Cobbler wary of this display and those before cocked her head as she summed up their collective thoughts.

“Uh Trixie you OK? It’s just that you’re acting strange, not at all like your usual self?”

Trixie shuffled awkwardly and scuffed a hoof on the floor before she answered in a muted tone worthy of Fluttershy at her most shyest.

“Just trying to be nicer to you all… After all we’ve been through…”

“That’s kinda what ah meant sugar… You’re a bitch…”

All the ponies in the room died of shock at the way Apple Cobbler had summed it up but they all silently agreed she was acting weird but what came next left them totally speechless.

“T-Thanks y-you… You tramp!”

Trixie bristled with indignation but couldn’t maintain it and the wind was knocked out of her as she slouched back looking at the floor as tears fell and she started to sob uncontrollably.

Stunned Apple Cobbler struggled for words as she watched her break down as the others all rose up and rushed to surround Trixie with concern and the love only friends true friends could give someone… 

“Ah didn’t mean to make you cry jeez… One near death experience and you turn into… This?”

Apple Cobbler gestured at the scene before her as the others all reached out and gave Trixie comforting pats with their hooves before Spitfire just flat out embraced her causing her to cry even louder as she released all of her pent up emotions from all that had hurt her in her short life.

It took a while for Trixie to regain a sense of composure noticing Twilight had remained sat where she’d been and was observing with some incredulity the strength of the magical bond that seemed to emanate from the six radically different ponies.

As Spitfire awkwardly extricated herself from her uncharacteristic display of affection for the sobbing blue mare she reflected on the chain of events that had caused all of them to display different sides to their characters.

“What’s the matter Great and Powerful pain in our asses?”

That achieved a small smile from Trixie who wiped her eyes with her hoof before breathing out and coming clean.

“I’m really sorry… I’m just scared…”

Eyebrows raised the others spoke in unison.

“You…? Of what…?”

“This whole ‘adventure’ of ours has been one giant cluster buck running back and forth from one lunacy to another… I nearly got possessed by Nightmare Moon, we all nearly died in a fire and Spitfire was about to die and I…”

“But you saved me and we’ve gotten out of all of our scrapes… No this is something else… Please Trixie tell us…”

The blue mare looked at each of them trying to smile but wavering as her normally stoic resolve failed her and fresh tears slowly fell.

“Cobbler is right I did have a near death experience… Actually more of an up close and personal one… It made me realize I actually care what happens to you all, I haven’t had friends before and despite being a bitch as Cobbler put it I want to try to be a good friend in return...”

“So I wanted to try and be a bit nicer…”

Fleur and Roseluck trilled in unison.

“Don’t!”

Apple Cobbler and Spitfire who were wracking their brains for reactions to Trixies admission turned to look at them as Berry spoke next.

“What they’re trying to say is that’s great and all but if we’re going to go to Canterlot then we need a bitch not another Rosy, no offense Rosy but you are  a bit sensitive…”

Trixie noted the ironic tone used before Roseluck just huffed and let Fleur reply.

“Um no it’s that I haven’t really had the chance to get to know you that well but I do know that you have a really strong personality and by strong I mean you’d terrify a lot of the stallions I know…”

Fleur blushed as she pushed on trying her best to sound grown up and responsible in lieu of the sombre nature of her surroundings.

“Please what I mean… I meant that you are who you are… I’m happy to be your friend… You saved Spitfire and despite what you’ve done or said to each of us you have tried to keep us safe and lead us… Sort of…”

“You don’t have to change… Too much…”

Trixie Sniffled a little as she straightened up curious at how rational Fleur suddenly sounded, mentally she noted to pay more attention to the usually ditsy white mare.

The others all joined in as they admitted they’d gotten used to her bitchiness as one they tried to reassure her, it was confusing for them to say the least but they all agreed that Trixie being nice was far too creepy.

After further awkward platitudes the group sat back down and for the most part were lost in their own thoughts as one by one Twilight made sure they all had a shower and with Spike in tow arranged as many pillows and cushions and quilts as they could find.

When Apple Cobbler returned after going for the bits they all sat and ate a small dinner before settling down to sleep, nothing else was planned or achieved as the quiet pervaded the whole atmosphere…