Twilight woke to bird song. A gentle, familiar chirping outside the window. She opened her eyes and smiled at the songbird perched outside, taking a moment to fully wake.
Then she got up and stretched, feeling refreshed, unpressured, and calm. After all, this place was her home, the place she knew well, the place she loved. She was home again.
A knock on her door jarred her from her minor reverie.
“Princess?” she heard, Spike’s voice more than recognizable.
“I’m awake.” she said, finishing her stretches, wondering why he hadn’t just entered. After all, he always had before. Normally, he even woke her up. “Come in Spike.”
Spike did so, seeming a touch unsure. She saw that, and wondered, and at her slight confusion, his uncertainty grew somewhat.
“…Is something wrong Spike?” she asked, moving to him.
“No…You asked me to come in, do you need anything?” he asked.
“No, but you weren’t here when I woke up…” Twilight murmured, confused.
“…Should I be?”
“Yes? I mean, you,”
Twilight.
Twilight stopped, and blinked as Death’s cold chilled her. Spike watched, unsure and confused.
Recall where and when you are.
“…Never mind.” she said, though Spike showed no change in his demeanor. “Though… if you want to wake me up, you have permission to do so from inside the room.”
Spike nodded slowly, though he seemed uncomfortable. Twilight tried smiling at him, though that only caused him to gain a faint blush and to look away.
“…Breakfast is ready.” he said abruptly, leaving in a slight hurry. “And Trixie has something she wants to talk to you about.”
Twilight watched him go, her spirits a touch dampened.
He sees Rest, the princess. His behavior stems from your royalty and form, no more.
“I know. It’s just… hard.”
You can endure this Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight sighed faintly. It was hard, having somepony she knew so well acting so unfamiliar with her. Friends weren’t friends, and Spike wasn’t really her assistant anymore. She had to earn those things back. Starting from scratch so to speak.
She headed off toward the kitchen, to find breakfast. Best to start the day right after all.
She found Trixie waiting for her as she reached downstairs, though she continued to find breakfast, Trixie following after her.
“Did you have a good sleep Princess?”
Twilight hummed a yes, finding breakfast to be a few flowers. Roses to be specific. A slight memory came to her as she ate them; Celestia’s favorite flower was a rose. That memory made her recall happier times with the elder alicorn.
Times she had lost and likely wasn’t getting back anytime soon.
“That’s good.” Trixie said, Twilight more or less ignoring her. “You see… Trixie wanted to ask something.”
“What?”
Trixie flinched faintly at the neutral tone, but continued, “You see… Trixie… was wondering if, perhaps, we could… Trixie can show you around Ponyville!”
Twilight glanced at Trixie, and failed to see anything save unbridled optimism.
“Trixie knows all the best spots!” she proclaimed, puffing up with pride.
Twilight sighed faintly, but smiled a bit. Maybe Trixie, in her own way, could get her mind off sad things. Something to distract her.
“Alright Trixie.” she said, Trixie giving her a bright smile before gasping faintly.
“Trixie shall be right back! Trixie needs to clean up!” she yelled, darting off.
Twilight.
Twilight started a little, and after checking that Spike wasn’t nearby, asked, “Yes?”
There are three spirits that reside within Ponyville. One is a strong soul lingering near her place of death. The other is a hateful specter, and his touch can harm or even kill. Both will actively resist your tug, and must be forced to rest.
“I understand. And the last?”
She is a banshee.
Twilight paused, recalling Night’s explanation.
Her scream is not enough to slay an immortal Twilight. But take care:
She stays in the town, and often lingers near large groups. Should you give her cause to, or allow her to scream, you will have to guide many than just three.
Twilight shuddered at the thought, and asked, “Is there any way to make her not? What do you mean by allow her to?”
There are two ways to guide a banshee. The first is through force, where you will need to choke the soul to stop her scream. Care must be taken when doing this, as the soul can easily be hurt or even shattered by the force required to silence them.
The second is harder. Each banshee wails for a cause, a great pain of some kind. Should that pain be soothed, their voice will fail them, and may be guided as any other soul without concern.
Twilight nodded. “So what do I have to do to calm this one?”
There was no response for a time, as if Death was hesitating. Then a response came.
She wails for loss.
Twilight blinked, confused at that. That was… rather vague. Death hadn’t commonly withheld things from her before, and this was… strange. She found that she didn’t like it, and she frowned faintly.
Maybe he was testing her? But… why? What if she failed? Ponies would die…
She kept frowning, her anxiety growing before she took a breath and let it out with some purpose. She could do this. Loss. She should be able to handle that. She’d do well, she was sure; Death must have some good reason to not tell her.
Trixie returned then, and Twilight blinked seeing her. She had gone and brushed her mane and coat by the look of it, but the outfit was… well, it was the same, but also new. The hat was sharper, and gleamed with the telltale gleam of silk, fine silk. The cloak looked new as well, the blue deeper and the stars brighter. Both looked new.
“Trixie is ready!” the mare proclaimed, striking a pose. “Are you Princess?”
Twilight nodded and stood. “…Did Rarity make you a new outfit?” she asked, finally recognizing the material. Rarity loved a material known as arcane silk, a rare material known for its ability to be magically enhanced and one she imported at some cost from some ways. Rarity was the only possible place Trixie had gotten it from.
“Trixie made it herself!” Trixie proclaimed, a touch less proud than she had been a moment ago. “With her very own hooves, though Trixie admits a little help from Rarity. But just a little.”
Twilight chuckled and smiled. It was nice, thinking of it. A friendship between the pair was a good thing to hear. Particularly since Rarity had once proclaimed Trixie’s outfit to be pretentious, gaudy, and stupid. That Rarity had given her the material to use, and then helped Trixie to remake her old outfit spoke volumes about the friendship they must share.
Rarity didn’t tolerate things like that for just anypony. Twilight had seen her grimacing over even close friends’ attempts at fashion.
“Then lead the way Trixie!” Twilight said, Trixie energy making her feel a touch energetic herself. Sometimes, Trixie’s boundless energy was fun. Sometimes.
Twilight was soon feeling happy as she followed Trixie through Ponyville. Seeing the town again was nice, and better still was that Trixie had a whole new perspective on things. That helped her not to have an attack of memory.
And the showmare was a nigh perfect attention deflector. As an alicorn, Twilight generated lots of attention, but Trixie was fantastic at getting the nearby ponies to look at her, and not Twilight.
Twilight might have felt a little bad for that, but Trixie was obviously loving every moment of it. She almost made it like a show in and of itself, and Twilight found herself enjoying it. Really enjoying it.
“Up ahead is Ponyville town hall.” Trixie told her, speaking loudly. Technically, Twilight supposed, she was also speaking to the ponies following them. Not many weren’t working, but a few always had some extra time to wander after Princess Rest, and now, Trixie.
“The center of Ponyville, and one with some importance to the town itself, and not just for paperwork!” Trixie continued, stopping near it to turn back. “Celebrations and parties often take place here, in front of the town hall. Trixie herself runs her weekly magic extravaganza for any who care to come on the steps!”
Twilight smiled, and Trixie beamed a little more at her approval. “I’d like to see that.” she said. She saw Trixie’s smile shift, and she noted the difference. The first was just a ‘show smile’, like what Rarity used from time to time. That grin was true happiness.
“Trixie would be,”
“Princess!”
Trixie stumbled on her words, as Mayor Mare looked out from the town hall, and then headed over, more or less ignoring Trixie in favor of Princess Rest.
“I had thought to find you in the library.” the older mare said, “This saves me the travel time.”
“What is it?” Twilight asked her.
“The mayor wants,” Trixie began.
“It’s nothing much Princess.” the mayor interrupted again, Trixie giving a faint frown. “I and the other members of our fair town talked it over and we decided to give you these!”
Mayor Mare produced a large set of keys, and held them out.
“Over in the larger cities, they have the ‘keys to the city’.” The mayor explained. “Around here, they’re more keys to the hall, but the idea is much the same! We’d be honored if you were to accept them Princess.”
Twilight nodded, touched at the gesture. She focused, and lifted the large, and more importantly, durable keys in her magical grip, she asked, “Isn’t this normally a large event?”
“Yes, but Pinkie came by to talk to me, and mentioned that you were a little… camera shy.”
Twilight nodded, setting the keys on her back for the time being. “I am, and thank you for being understanding. Is there anything else I should know about?”
“Oh, there will be more, but we need to plan for those. I’ll make sure you know what happens when Princess. I have to return to my own work now. I do hope you love Ponyville; we work hard to make our little town perfect.”
Twilight nodded as the mayor returned to the hall, and Trixie headed over.
“Trixie can carry the keys for you Princess.” she said. “So as to not burden you with them.”
Twilight thought for a moment, and then nodded. Trixie smiled and lifted them from her, keeping them floating nearby. Twilight watched, and asked, “They are rather heavy… Maybe we should put them back at the library, and then continue?”
“Trixie can carry them all day!” she proclaimed, swirling the heavy keys around. Twilight watched, seeing that she was… struggling a little, but Trixie knew best for Trixie. Right?
Look
She paused, and then saw it. A ghost, looking from one window in the town hall. She darted away the moment Twilight saw her.
She glanced at Trixie, and with a quick action, cast the time stop. Everything near her froze in place, perfectly still. Twilight wasted no time, and hurried toward the hall.
She found mayor Mare just inside, talking with her assistant, both frozen mid conversation. She spotted the ghost for a second before she moved through the wall. She followed after her, and spotted her just beyond.
She acted and grabbed her before she could escape again, and she felt strength in her struggle. She was strong, though nowhere near as strong as the stallion at the farm. “Come to me.” she called, straining slightly. “Time to go to rest.”
“I don’t want to!”
Twilight sighed. “You really have to. It’s not good for you to stay.”
“No! I’m not going until I’m buried!”
Twilight stopped at that. “…Until you’re buried?”
The ghost nodded firmly. “I was never given a proper burial, and I’m not going until I get one, you hear me?!”
“…How did you not get one?” Twilight asked, wondering.
The ghost huffed. “During construction, I wound up on the wrong end of a wall and got buried alive.” she said rather bluntly. “They never found me.” She huffed again before noting Twilight’s look of horror. She paused, and for a moment, seemed as though she was trying to recall something.
“…I… do I know you?” the ghost asked.
“I… don’t think so.” Twilight said, still thoroughly disturbed by the death. Trapped, unable to get out, dying of thirst and hunger, suffocating alone in the dark… “I just… I’ll get you both the burial and rest you deserve.”
“…Do you need a moment?” the ghost asked, suddenly kinder than she had been. “I wouldn’t have thought I could disturb death, but… I’m sorry.”
“No, no it’s fine,”
“It really isn’t.” the ghost sighed. “You’re so kind, and I really got you, didn’t I? If it helps any, it was quick.”
Twilight nodded, taking some minor relief from that. The ghost seemed unsure yet though.
“…To think I was going to…” she murmured softly, before shaking her head. “Never mind. You don’t deserve me being a stubborn horse. I’ll do what you want.”
She floated closer on her own, and Twilight gave her a thankful smile. She summoned her jar before pausing.
“Wait, I need to know where,”
“Right under the mail room.” the ghost said. “Shouldn’t be too hard. By the way, a jar? Really?”
“That’s only temporary.” Twilight said, before thinking. With a thought, she dismissed it again, and let the spirit free of her grip. The ghost blinked, confused as Twilight smiled at her. “You want a burial, and I’m going to give you one. And I’ll have you see it with your own eyes.” she said.
“…What? You would really…” the ghost almost looked like she was tearing up. “That’s… I mean… Tell me there’s some kind of satisfaction form I can fill out or something. I have to make this up to you somehow.”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
“No, no this is too… Death herself giving me the time to see my last wish come true? Nopony was ever that kind to me, ever. Not even my own mother. You’re like… being near you, it’s like… I feel warm and good, and I haven’t felt anything for so long...”
“My name is Rest.” Twilight said, smiling. “And this is my duty, and my pleasure. You owe me nothing.”
“…If I was alive I’d give you my life.” the ghost murmured. “My name used to be Buttercup. And… if I can do anything, and I mean anything, tell me.”
“I’ll keep you in mind then. Can you only linger here?”
“Mostly.” Buttercup said, thoughtful. “I kind of get pulled back if I leave, but I can leave… I just never had a real reason to.”
“I’ll be seeing you in a few days or so then.” Twilight said. “Enough time to have you found and then time for the burial. Stay here, so I can find you again, alright?”
“For you Princess, anything.”
“Anypony I should know of? Family?” she asked.
“…I can only think of mom and my brother, but I died a long time ago.” Buttercup said. “This place is fairly old you know. If I have any family left, it’ll be my brother’s grandchildren or even their children. I just want a burial, even if that means it’s just you there.”
“I’ll be sure to make it better than that.” Twilight said, turning to leave. “Stay strong!”
“I’ll be waiting!” Buttercup called back as Twilight headed back to her place. She thought for a moment, orienting herself in front of Trixie, and then let the spell go.
“So you don’t have to…” Trixie said, before pausing. “…Princess?”
Twilight took a breath, dong her best not to shudder. She was cold. Very cold, like she had fallen into a snow drift, though she warmed fast. “I’m fine.” she said after a second, perfectly normally. “Shall we keep going?”
Trixie nodded, though she seemed somewhat thoughtful as she turned to continue.
Twilight warmed again as they went, and spent a little time thinking about Buttercup. Wondering if, perhaps, each ghost was simply stubborn due to not wanting to go, and anticipating a cold and unfeeling guide. Like the one Death used.
She smiled at the thought. Her own methods seemed to work wonders with the dead, and seemed to literally warm them to her. Maybe the next two wouldn’t be so hard.
Trixie continued to lead her through Ponyville, telling her of the buildings they passed, and occasionally taking the time to detail something. As they went, more ponies followed them, Trixie starting to include little additions to her talks. Nothing special; just the odd flourish and gesture.
Twilight didn’t mind; it was both entertaining and also directed attention away from her. She felt perfectly at ease amongst the growing crowd, and a few seemed there for just Trixie, and ignored her outright.
That would eventually fade, she told herself. Eventually, ponies would acclimatize to her presence and treat her like anypony else. Or at least not like a walking celebrity anyway.
“Along this road, you can look out to see Sweet Apple Acers.” Trixie said, bringing Twilight back to the present. “The apple trees aren’t currently in bloom, but in a few months, the harvest starts and cider season begins!”
“Shall we visit?” Twilight asked, and Trixie seemed to freeze for a second before shaking her head.
“No, no it’s… we should hurry, so we can get lunch!” she said.
“We could eat there…”
“Trixie knows a really nice place in town Princess!” she said, and Twilight paused at the mildly pleading tone. She wondered why Trixie was like that, and decided to acquiesce. Who knew; maybe Trixie just didn’t like apples. Sometimes ponies didn’t, it wasn't particularly odd.
“Alright.” she said, giving Trixie a small smile. Trixie smiled back, and Twilight thought she saw something like relief in the expression for a moment.
“Also along this way is Ponyville’s animal sanctuary. Just over this way.”
Twilight followed Trixie, already knowing she was talking about Fluttershy’s house. Though was Trixie simply naming it on her own to make it sound more official, or had Fluttershy actually done something? It was something she might do, or at least have done.
The pair soon arrived at the small home, and Trixie stopped just before the small bridge, turning back to Twilight and the few followers still with them.
“Ponyville’s animal sanctuary is home to Fluttershy, the bearer of kindness! And the home itself is home to nearly a hundred animals, most of which are of different species.” Trixie said, and seemed not to notice Fluttershy’s bear, Bruno, lumbering over. He stopped just on the other side of the bridge, watching her.
“So why don’t we go and,” she said, turning to freeze in place. Bruno glared at her, and Twilight, though unsure, thought she saw aggression in the otherwise peaceful bear.
“…This is Bruno.” Trixie said, turning back with a small, somewhat weak, smile. “He’s a big softy really, as are all the other carnivores one can find here.” She turned back to him. “Hello Bruno! You remember Trixie, don’t you?”
She went forward and patted his head without any hesitation.
Twilight and the others gasped as Bruno swiped at her, narrowly missing her head as Trixie ducked and then stepped back as he snapped as well. She walked back, Bruno remaining in place, and turned back with a flourish.
“As you see, Trixie is also a trained animal handler!” the show mare proclaimed, though she seemed to be…trembling a little. “And now, back to Ponyville! More to see there! Goodbye Bruno!” she said, waving behind her. Bruno growled.
Twilight wondered about that as she followed Trixie away. Bruno was normally a big softy, just as she had said, but… had Trixie just taught him that trick to amaze ponies? A dangerous stunt to catch attention? Or had that been all too real? And if it had been, why on Equestria would Bruno react like that?
It had to be an act Twilight decided. Trixie was lots of things, but brave in the face of danger was not one of them. If Bruno had been actually swiping at her, she’d have screamed, surely.
Twilight.
Twilight nodded, and looked. She soon spotted a ghost again, a stallion that time. He seemed… oddly firm. Like only a part of him was defined, the rest reduced to a faint cloud.
He also seemed to be stalking the group for some reason as well. She frowned faintly, and cast the spell once more, seeing the land around her freeze.
Be cautious Twilight. His touch pains the living.
She nodded, watching him watch her. He seemed odd. Somehow whiter than previous ghosts she’d seen, and something about him worried her. She stepped toward him.
“Come here.” she called, not using her grip, reasoning that maybe she’d be able to talk with him without having to fight him first.
He floated away from her, and she followed after him. “I won’t force you!” she called. He didn’t respond, and kept floating away from her. Twilight kept following him slightly, wondering what he was doing. After a bit, he began circling around her, and she watched him go, wondering what he was doing. He seemed to be in a hurry…
Catch him Twilight!
She blinked, and realized as the stallion moved faster. He was charging the group of frozen ponies, aiming at Trixie.
Her grip whipped out and caught him. A heave got him to just barely miss the ponies, and he less yelled than he screamed in rage and denial. Twilight pulled back, and he pulled with some power, reaching toward the ponies all too near him.
“No!” she yelled, firming her stance.
“Life! Warmth! Mine!” he screamed.
Specters hate the living. Jealousy drives them, and they try to steal life. Though they are forever unable to take the warmth for themselves. Most are maddened by their desires, and all are capable of causing harm and even death in their vain pursuit of life. They steal energy.
Twilight nodded, and pulled harder, starting to draw him toward her. She summoned her jar in preparation.
Then he abruptly turned, and Twilight nearly tripped as he stopped resisting. He changed directions completely, and rushed at her, using her own grip to help propel him even faster.
He went right through her, and Twilight gasped, staggering. The feeling was like a piecing numbness went through her, and left a piercing pain in his wake.
She heard him laugh behind her, and he grabbed hold of one wing.
It was like having said wing encased in ice, and throbbing pain began radiating from it.
“Life!” he yelled. “Warmth! Mine!”
Twilight closed her eyes, grimacing. Then she acted, and she less grabbed him more so than slapped him with her grip, sending him tumbling with a surprised yell.
She shook as she turned to see him again. Her spell grabbed him once more, and seeing her face, he seemed to panic slightly, flailing in her grip.
She didn’t let him escape. With a fairly savage yank, she pulled him close, and stuffed him into her jar, each inch a screaming battle as he fought to escape and she shoved him inside.
Until at last, he was in, and she stopped, panting and shaking. She felt cold and weak and hungry.
A specter cannot kill an immortal. Death whispered. A kind of numbness came to her, one she happily took; the pain was gently swept away, and her weakness bolstered by an unfeeling kind of strength. But you must take care. A stronger or smarter specter would have rendered you helpless. They do not deserve your mercy Twilight.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” she murmured. “Thank you master.”
My power shall hold you strong, but you will need rest soon. A specter’s touch is countered by food; eat and regain most of your strength. The rest will come within a few hours. The banshee can wait until you fully recover. Cease your spell; you have spent a long time already, and you are weak to it’s effects.
Twilight nodded, and went back to her place. She dispelled her spell, and that time, she couldn’t help but to gasp.
Trixie turned to see her in slight surprise as the ponies with them did the same. Trixie blinked, and asked, “Princess? Are you feeling alright?”
Twilight nodded, not trusting her voice. The numb strength was helping, but it did little to help her weakness. She did her best to stay strong, but one leg shook for a second before she stopped it.
Trixie stared, and Twilight saw concern and worry in her eyes. “Should we stop? Trixie can stop here if you need to wait.”
“I… I’m fine.” Twilight said, shaking herself. “I…just need something to eat.”
Trixie seemed a little unsure. Twilight gave her a small, reassuring grin, but even then, Trixie seemed to worry. Then she nodded and continued forward. Walking a little slower.
“Falling Waters is Ponyville’s one and only café. Trixie knows you will love it Princess; she herself recommends it very much! Trixie also suggests the daisies over basil, paired with mineral water.”
Trixie seemed to hurry along, also taking time to allow Twilight to walk. Once at the town, she looked around and nodded.
“To your right is Carousel Boutique, home to Rarity, the bearer of generosity. Trixie thinks we can go there next Princess!” She glanced back with a smile and Twilight smiled back. Trixie was trying to help her get her mind off of her weakness it seemed. “And up ahead is Sugarcube Corner, were the best pastries and sweets are made fresh daily! Pinkie Pie, the bearer of happiness, works there and she makes a really good dessert!”
Falling Waters was a small café, but a well-known one. Right near Sugarcube corner, the café itself had an unrivaled view of the marketplace nearby. Trixie and Twilight were seated with some speed, and Twilight found her hunger nigh endless.
But even then, she ate slowly, looking around. The marketplace had lots of ponies, and lots of them were looking at her. That she was eating made that sensation worse, and made it difficult to actually eat or even enjoy her food.
Trixie watched that for a few moments, and then looked out at the crowd itself. She focused, and a small fog of sorts draped around the pair, shielding them from stares. Twilight blinked, surprised.
“Is that better Princess?” Trixie asked.
“…Much.” Twilight said, relaxing. “Thank you Trixie.”
Trixie smiled a real smile again. “Trixie knows you are uncomfortable with lots of ponies. But you can rely on Trixie to distract them or hide you from them Princess! With Trixie by your side, nopony gets to upset you!”
Twilight blinked, and smiled. “…I’ll be relying on you then Trixie. But if I can ask… why?”
“Because…” Trixie seemed mildly embarrassed, and looked away for a moment, Twilight eating again, and taking the opportunity to near inhale her food. “…Well… have you enjoyed the day Princess? Has Trixie made it good? Entertaining? Fun?” she asked, as if she worried Twilight might tell her she had hated it.
Twilight hesitated long enough to finish her mouthful, and then nodded, wondering at Trixie’s mild worry. “Trixie, I loved it.” she said, making the show mare stare. “I was feeling a little sad when I woke up, and you made it better. I have really enjoyed spending this time with you.”
Trixie kept staring, open mouthed. A faint blush covered her, and she blinked after a moment. “…You mean that?” she asked softly.
Twilight nodded firmly, “You made this day Trixie. In fact, I want to spend more time with you. Maybe visiting other places, and having you tell me all about them. I’m going to bet your magic show will be something to remember too.”
Trixie seemed unable to respond, simply staring at her for a few moments, gaping.
“…Trixie?” Twilight asked, wondering.
“…Trixie…” Trixie whispered, eyes wide. “Trixie…” She swallowed, shook her head, and near emanated pride. “Trixie will do her best! Trixie will be ready! Her magic show will be dedicated to you, Princess! Trixie is going to do so much more than she’s ever done before!”
Twilight nodded, smiling as Trixie near pranced in place, overjoyed. Twilight chuckled seeing that, and felt happy. Felt…
Twilight nodded to herself. She might have had doubts before, but no more.
Trixie was her newest friend.
Trixie, for her part, only reinforced that, paying for the food despite the owner’s insistence that it was free for the Princess. As they left, Trixie dismissed the fog, and pranced as she walked, giggling every now and then, still too happy to remain still.
Twilight. She is watching.
Twilight glanced, and spotted the ghost instantly. She was floating over the crowd. Glaring at her.
She uses the living as a shield. Beware; if she feels threatened, she will scream. She is confronting you; you cannot leave her. You must act without failing to contain her, or somehow calm her, and it must be done now.
And this time, you cannot use the time stop. Your body will be unable to handle the time you must spend, and her scream will kill despite the magic.
Stand strong Twilight. She has chosen her place and time well, and this will prove taxing to you. Meet her with courage and wisdom, and do not allow her to gain control.
Twilight winced. She had to handle her now. And handle her in a massive crowd, knowing that the banshee could, quite easily, kill many, many ponies. And said crowd would notice, and look at her when she was doing it. Because they couldn’t see or hear the ghost, which would make her sound like a madmare.
She looked to Trixie, and despite her dread of what was ahead, she took some hope. Trixie helped before.
And right then, she really, desperately needed her help.
“Trixie.”
“Yes Princess?”
“…Follow my lead. I need your help for this.” Twilight said, turning toward the ghost and walking forward, into the crowd.
Trixie followed her, mildly confused, but feeling ready. “Trixie won’t fail you Princess!” she declared, matching her pace, giving Twilight another boost to her courage.
Twilight focused, thinking. She had one real chance at this, or… best not to think about that.
She had to calm the ghost. Had to not let or make her scream, and the only way she could guarantee that was to try talking. To somehow root out why she was screaming, and solve it before she just chose to scream anyway.
And if Trixie wasn't there, she would have had to do it in front of at least a hundred ponies. She gave great thanks for the blue show mare as she went.
As she approached, she slowed and then stopped a few yards away from the ghost. Trixie and a few others noted her line of sight, and looked up, trying to see what only she could.
Twilight took a deep breath. This was going to be hard.
“I’d like to talk!” she called to it, and winced as all sound nearby simply stopped, the whole of the marketplace turning to look at her.
“…The moment you act, I will scream.” the ghost warned her.
“I only want to talk.” she repeated, her breathing faster. She was all too aware of the stares, and the growing murmur. “We needn’t fight.”
“I’m not going. And if you try, I’m not going to go alone.”
Trixie looked at Rest, seeing her tension growing and growing fast. She was already near panicked. Not sure what she was seeing or talking to, but fully aware of her discomfort, Trixie glared forward in some determination.
She headed forward, and once she was a few feet away, accidently directly underneath the banshee, yelled, “Let the show begin!” at the top of her lungs, clearing the area near her, and getting ponies at least somewhat away from the banshee.
Some looked toward her, and Twilight took some relief from that, focusing on the ghost more. “I know you’re upset, and sad. Tell me what happened. I’ll listen.”
“With the help of Princess Rest, Trixie shall now do her greatest magical trick ever!” Trixie cried, taking a guess as to what Rest might possibly be doing. “Trixie shall calm and help… a ghost!” she proclaimed, using her magic to throw a number of bright lights into the air, doing her all to catch and hold the attention of the ponies around her and Princess Rest.
Twilight kept focusing on the banshee, Trixie's aid allowing her to relax, and more and more, Twilight gave her all to focus on the banshee, forgetting about her surroundings. The ghost glanced to Trixie below her as a few lights passed through her.
“…Vain idiot.” the ghost muttered, before looking back to Twilight. “Why should I tell you anything?” she asked Twilight, glaring at her. “My pain is my own, and nothing you can do will help me.”
“Talk to me. I’m listening, I promise. I’ll help.”
“As you can see, Princess Rest is, right now, preparing the stage for Trixie!” Trixie yelled, most of the crowd looking to her, though Twilight continued to generate some attention. “Very soon, the ghost will,”
“Trixie!”
Trixie winced as Applejack moved into view, upset.
“Yer makin a disturbance, again! Can’t I ever get a normal day at th market with you around!?”
“Just watch the show!” Trixie said, getting back into form perfectly. “Because unseen above us is… a ghost!” she declared, rearing up and gesturing as powerfully as she could. She threw more lights skyward, and didn’t particularly pay attention to their path. A few kept going instead of stopping as they should have due to her mild distraction.
“Ghost’s ain’t real!” Applejack objected, her opinion mostly carried by the crowd. Trixie struggled a little under the murmurs and looks, but she stayed strong, continuing to make a spectacle of herself.
“Like you would know the pain of loss.” the ghost said. “I should scream right now.”
“I’ve lost before.” Twilight said.
“Name it.” the ghost snapped.
“Very soon, Trixie will!” Trixie yelled looking up, and then ducked abruptly, a rainbow blur shooting overhead. “Rainbow!” she yelled indignantly as she got up again. “Trixie is working!”
“What’s with the random lights thrown in my face!?” Rainbow demanded, flapping back to hover near Applejack, glaring at Trixie. “I thought you agreed to stop that kind of horse apples! Or are you trying to start something new!?”
“Trixie is busy with calming a ghost!” Trixie yelled at her. Rainbow gave her a dull look.
“As if.”
“Really! Really, just you watch!” Trixie said, stomping. “Trixie shall prove you all wrong! Princess Rest is already doing her part!” Trixie gestured toward her, and they looked to her.
By that time, Twilight was more or less in her own world, just her and the banshee through mental focus. She didn’t hear their words, nor was she aware of the crowd anymore as she spoke. “I’ve lost home, friends, and family. I’ve had to step away from them all, and never look back. Every day, I think of them, and every day, I can never go back.”
The ghost hesitated at that, as did most of the crowd nearby. “…You’re not lying to me.” she murmured, thoughtful. “You really… you really did lose all that…”
“Talk to me, tell me what pains you. Why do you scream?” Twilight asked, her voice carrying true concern for the ghost.
“…My daughter.” the ghost softly told her. “She just up and disappeared one day, so long ago. I never found out where she went. Spent the rest of my life searching, and I never found out.” She looked away, lowering her head to glare at nothing. “Sounds… sort of stupid compared to your losses.”
“No, it isn’t.” Twilight said, giving the ghost a small smile, making her look again in surprise. “No pain of the heart is small, and yours is no greater than my own. What was her name?”
“…Buttercup.”
Twilight paused. “…Did she disappear around the time when the town hall was being built?”
The ghost started. “Yes! But how do you know that!? Nopony’s left to tell you, nopony!”
Twilight grinned, knowing the key now. She just had to get Buttercup over here, and fast. But something had to stay the banshee, and nopony could see or hear her.
Twilight. Use this
A spell came to her, and she cast. The ghost flinched before relaxing again, a kind of dust cascading over her. Sticking to her, making her form visible
Trixie spotted her first, and screamed, “There! There, the ghost!”, pointing up wildly, her pupils shirking as she registered the sight more or less directly above her.
The crowd looked, and saw. All stepped back, most paled, a few screamed in fear, and a couple even fainted. Applejack paled and Rainbow ran as if it was chasing after her.
“What is this?” the banshee asked, before noticing the looks, and then the reactions to her voice. “…They can see me? They can hear me!?”
“Please, wait here for me. I shall be right back.” Twilight said.
“Hang on, what do you mean?! If you leave!”
“Speak to Trixie!” she yelled, running toward town hall, ponies before her parting. “She’ll talk to you!”
“Listen spirit!” Trixie yelled, making the ghost look down at her. “We’re here to… to help you pass on!” she yelled, her eyes wide and more than a touch afraid.
“…You aren’t even a small fraction of her.” the ghost said. “Stop it. You’re just upsetting me.”
Trixie stumbled a bit at that, but came back strong. Making it up as she spoke, working with half-recalled scary stories from her fillyhood. “Trixie knows that you want something! But hates and grudges only hold you here to suffer, even as you pass your suffering to others! Who do you haunt, spirit!?”
Pinkie stepped next to Applejack. “…What’s Mrs. Delicate doing out here?” she asked after a moment.
It took a moment for that to register, and Applejack looked to Pinkie with perfect confusion. “What?”
“Did Trixie make Mrs. Delicate visible?” Pinkie asked her, behaving as if this was normal. "Why's she yelling at her?"
“Mrs… Pinkie, you… what? I don’t… What’s goin on!?” Applejack yelled, trying to comprehend both what was happening and what Pinkie was saying.
Pinkie only stepped forward. “Hello Mrs. Delicate!” she called, waving.
The ghost paused, and then grinned. “Pinkie! Now there’s a mare I can put up with! And you know my name! I thought you heard me before! Why’d you never respond?”
“I never saw you silly!” Pinkie responded, Trixie looking back and forth between the pair with some speed.
“…Pinkie, Trixie has this under control!” she yelled, losing it a little. Her eyes showed the strain she felt.
Pinkie gave her a look, and sighed faintly, unamused. “You’ll only end up throwing those big keys right through the window and into the cake display case, breaking them. Again.”
“Trixie will not! Trixie is a master of the arcane and ghostly arts!” Trixie yelled, starting to lose composure. “Trixie will see this done!” she added, swirling her cloak.
“…That’s my cloth!”
Trixie screamed in some frustration as Rarity headed toward her, frowning.
“I thought I went missing! What have you done to it!?” the white unicorn demanded.
“Trixie is working!” Trixie wailed. “The ghost!”
Rarity glanced upward, with only a faint response to seeing Mrs. Delicate. It was more surprise to find her floating than anything else. “…Are you busy with Trixie darling?” she asked Mrs. Delicate.
“Oh, no.” Mrs. Delicate said, grinning all too much suddenly. “Go ahead dearie.”
“Good. THIEF!”
Applejack shook her head, and Fluttershy moved next to her, staring in confusion.
“…What’s happening?” she asked softly, somehow audible over Rarity’s screeches and Trixie’s matching screams. “Rainbow wasn't speaking too well.”
“Well, Trixie’s over there, claimin that she’s tryin ta calm the ghost. That’s Mrs. Delicate, up there.” Applejack explained. “Rainbow took off when Princess Rest made her visible, and Pinkie is busy makin small talk wit Mrs. Delicate while Rarity is screamin her lungs out at Trixie bout stealin her cloth.”
“…This is going to be just like the tea party all over again.” Fluttershy murmured, looking deeply worried.
“Doubt it.” Applejack said, sighing. “Mrs. Delicate ain’t no Bruno, and I’m fairly sure ghost’s can’t be lit on fire. Hey Trixie! This gonna be done soon or are ya gonna keep on posin!?”
Trixie, at her wit’s end, snapped.
“STOP!” she screamed with enough force to make even Rarity silence for a time. “TRIXIE IS FINISHING THIS RIGHT NOW!”
Her horn lit, and she turned to Mrs. Delicate with a fierce, slightly mad, look. Mrs. Delicate glared at her.
“You don’t want to girl…” she warned.
Trixie paid that no mind, her horn glowing bright. She clenched her eyes and put forth her very all. Several things happened in a few instants.
The first and most obvious was that a rather potent, albeit misaimed, magical bolt missed Mrs. Delicate, and blew the top off of Sugarcube Corner, disintegrating it outright. The second was that the keys, still held in Trixie’s grip, whipped overhead widly, and flew perfectly to go right through the window of Sugarcube Corner, and smash into the cake display beyond. The last was the she knocked over just about everypony in the nearby area with a kind of magical backlash, not unlike being shoved.
Mrs. Delicate frowned. “I almost felt that. That almost hit me. You just tried to killed me.”
“Trixie!” Pinkie yelled, upset, soon drowned out by the multitude of other voices that joined in to yell for one reason or another. Rarity forwent words, and just outright attacked her the moment she was up again, and the pair began fighting like cats, screaming incoherently.
“…That’s it.” Mrs. Delicate muttered, staring at the chaos below. “I ain’t putting up with this.” She opened her mouth, the jaw expanding far beyond what was possible, and she inhaled.
Only to stop as a call of “Mom!” came.
Twilight landed heavily and somewhat badly in the center again, making the varied voices stop with a glare thrown around her. Trixie and Rarity stopped their fight to jump upright, staring at her in sudden fear of authority. She didn't say anything, and huffed, looking up, everypony following her example.
Mrs. Delicate stared as Buttercup ran to her, both ghosts glittering.
“…Buttercup.” the older mare murmured, her voice weak. “It’s… It’s you.”
“Mom, don’t scream!” Buttercup yelled, skidding to halt on nothing as she reached her mother. “I’m here! I never left! I just died!”
Mrs. Delicate put a hoof to her mouth and reached out to touch her daughter, as if not quite believing her eyes. “…I looked for so long…” she said, her voice a hoarse whisper.
“Well, I died mom.” Buttercup said, her voice dripping with mild annoyance. “Not like I could do anything.” She huffed, and shook her head. “Princess Rest told me everything, so please, don’t scream. You don’t have to scream anymore. I’m here.”
Mrs. Delicate seemed to lose her voice totally, crying ghostly tears as she hugged her daughter in perfect silence. Buttercup sighed, and hugged her back after a moment, patting her mother, a fair number of eyes twinkling at the sight.
“…There.” Twilight said, panting. “Almost done.”
Buttercup pushed her mother back. “It’s time to rest mom.”
Mrs. Delicate nodded mutely, smiling in her tears.
“Go with Princess Rest. I’ll be coming with you soon enough.”
Twilight, sighed. She glanced up briefly, and Mrs. Delicate nodded. The ghost flew up, and with a small illusion, Twilight made a beam of light hide her from view. One that also hid her jar, waiting up above on a cloud of magic for her.
“Bye mom!” Buttercup yelled. “I’ll be with you soon, I promise!”
Twilight dismissed her jar, and dispelled the light the moment Mrs. Delicate was inside, and sighed in relief.
Buttercup smiled at her. “You’re the best Princess.” she said. Then looked around, and looked thoughtful for a moment. “…Somepony get around to digging me up! The mailroom, under the floor in town hall!”
“Buttercup wants a proper funeral before she passes on.” Twilight explained to those confused by her words. The crowd at large, already teary from the reunion of the pair, nodded. A fair number departed toward town hall, Buttercup floating after them.
Then and only then did Twilight finally look back to the bearers. She paused. “Where’s Rainbow?” she asked.
“Rainbow’s afraid of ghosts Princess.” Fluttershy said.
She nodded, and took in the others. Applejack, annoyed, Fluttershy, normal, Pinkie, sniffling. Rarity, huffing and looking disheveled, and Trixie, panting, worse for the wear physically and mentally. Rarity had her hat for some reason.
“She stole my cloths Princess.” Rarity explained without prompting, holding the hat close.
Twilight blinked at that, and looked at Trixie. She couldn’t tell what she saw there, so she looked to the missing, slightly burnt top of Sugarcube Corner, and then to the broken window, and half saw the keys inside, sticking upright in a large cake.
“Trixie blasted the top trying to attack Mrs. Delicate.” Pinkie said as she looked back in mild confusion. Trixie lowered her head. “And broke the window and display case with the keys. Again.”
“…And the rest of you?” Twilight asked, seeing something she hadn’t expected to find in her friends’ eyes:
Anger, disappointment, even hate. And all of it was pointed at Trixie.
“…Why are you all upset with Trixie?” she asked them, confused, frowning, mildly upset already.
Rarity only shuddered. “I’d sooner forget the true reason if you don’t mind Princess. If I ever can.” she added in a near inaudible mutter, turning away from the show mare.
“…She ruined a whole harvest.” Applejack said after a moment, making Trixie flinch as Applejack glared. “An killed a whole group o trees. She’s not allowed at th farm anymore cause o that.”
Fluttershy seemed unsure, but at Princess Rest’s look, she whimpered a little bit and spoke. “Trixie… wanted to do a show for the animals, and… lit a few things on fire, but… was an accident and… she’s not… that… bad?”
Pinkie hesitated before saying, “She crashed one of my parties, and… messed it up. Then she came by the bakery the next day and destroyed the whole kitchen. And that wasn't even when she broke the window and display case the first time.”
“Her an Rainbow had a real nasty back an forth goin fer a bit there too.” Applejack added. “Princess Celestia had ta step in afore they killed each other.”
“…Trixie?” Twilight asked, looking to the show mare at last.
“…Trixie is going home.” the show mare mumbled, getting to her hooves. She flicked her cloak at Rarity who snatched it, and kept her head lowered, her face hidden as she exited the group.
“Why did you do these things?” Twilight asked, frowning as she began plodding away. “Trixie? Answer me.”
Trixie paused, and lifted her head and flicked back her mane, magic dusting off her coat. She stood tall again, though she didn’t look back. After a moment, she spoke as she began walking forward again, and Twilight found herself speechless at what she said:
“…Trixie is the best. Trixie, the talented and witty. Trixie, the wise and smart. Trixie, the swift and strong. Trixie, the kind and understanding. Trixie, the great and powerful. Trixie, the perfect and wonderful leader of the bearers of harmony, the holder of magic itself.”
“Because Trixie is the best at everything, Trixie… doesn’t have to explain herself.”
They watched her go, and none followed her.
“…Maybe she learned something?” Fluttershy suggested weakly, earning a snort from Rarity.
“Mare’s like her don’t change darling.” Rarity said, staring after the retreating mare with obvious contempt. “They keep going, no matter what.”
Applejack huffed, and nodded in agreement, looking tired and annoyed. “She’s done it before, she’ll do it again.”
Pinkie nodded as well, though she stayed silent.
“She’s always been trouble.” Rarity sighed, her face furrowed. “She can’t be in polite company at all. She keeps on hurting everything she goes near with that ridiculous ego of hers, and she never apologizes. I don’t even understand how she got to be the bearer for magic some days. A less fit pony I can’t imagine.”
Then she huffed, and stood up with Trixie’s outfit. She looked to it with a mixture of disgust and sadness. “…I’d burn these if they weren’t so valuable. Maybe I can salvage them somehow.” she murmured to herself.
She looked to Princess Rest, and her face softened, almost apologetic. “…I am sorry you had to see that Princess. I… should be heading home. I will make sure to go to Buttercup’s funeral.”
She headed off, and that seemed an invitation for the rest to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and begin moving in their own directions.
“I’ve got to help the Cakes clean the mess.” Pinkie said, heading into Sugarcube Corner. “I‘ll get your keys to the library later on Princess, and I’ll make sure Buttercup gets a really good funeral.”
“Nuther market day, ruined.” Applejack muttered, leaving. “Least somepony got a happy endin.”
Fluttershy lingered near as the others left, and looked up to Princess Rest. Her eyes were pained as Twilight looked to her.
“…I know she’s not… easy to get along with.” Fluttershy said. “But… please don’t hate her Princess. Trixie… she’s not a bad pony.”
Twilight only nodded mutely, and Fluttershy kept looking into her eyes before she sighed, and gently flew away, greatly saddened. Twilight looked around at the lingering ponies, and they too, began to leave.
She heard many murmur their own versions of what her friends had said. It seemed as if everypony had their own Trixie horror story, or at least knew of somepony that had.
She looked toward the distant library, and slowly, she gained a deep frown. Then a glare. She tensed, and one hoof pawed at the ground as her tail whipped. She scowled and snorted.
Then she looked away, still glaring and angry, very angry. She began heading toward the town hall, and any who saw her flinched and stayed out of her way.