Somewhere in an unknown location, Trixie was imprisoned. Water was dripping from the ceiling. Putrid smells hammered her senses from every single corner. Rats crawled around the wooden beams. Loud hoofsteps were heard coming through the main corridor until they stopped. An orange mare appeared from the darkness carrying an oil lantern. She looked angry.
“Wake up! How did you find me?!”
“What…?” mumbled Trixie, while rubbing her eyes. She felt exhausted.
The earth pony knocked on the bars. “How many are you? How do you intend to attack?”
“You already tracked me to Ambrose. What else do you know?!”
“W-What do you mean?”
“Playin’ dumb, Agent? Very well.”
“I’ll come back tomorrow and see if ya changed your mind. Until then,” said the orange mare while leaving. Darkness returned to consume the small jail cell.
Minutes later, once the hoofsteps echoed no more, Trixie tried to use her magic, but once again, she could not. It was gone, just like before. Her hooves tried to search for a gap or a window. There was nothing. The room was solid. She felt too tired to attempt kicking down the door. After seeing her options, she lay down.
*********
Water kept dripping from the ceiling, almost like a ticking clock. Many hours later, a sweet voice called Trixie. Very slowly, she woke up. In front of her gloom keep, a small filly was standing with a candle. It was Apple Bloom. She looked sad.
“I-I am so sorry.”
“I didn’t know what Applejack was going to do to you…”
Trixie approached. “You must be Apple Bloom, right?”
“Y-Yes” – the filly tries to smile – “I am Apple Bloom.”
“And you must be an agent of the Parsons Detective Agency…”
Apple Bloom put down the candle. “Listen, miss agent. My sister is not a bad pony.”
“When our parents died, she and Big Macintosh had to keep this family afloat. Gettin’ a real job is not that easy, specially on a region like this one…”
“Wait” – Trixie puts her hoof in her chest – “What makes you think I am an agent?”
“Because… unicorns never, ever come this far. You must’ve come to take my sister to prison, right?”
“And why, exactly, would I do that?”
“You know. Because… she is The Orange Ghost.”
The unicorn sighed. “Applejack… is a thief?!”
Apple Bloom’s face turned sick. Her ears dropped and her eyes closed.
“Please, please don’t take her away! She and Big Mac are my only family.”
“I know that stealing is not an honest way to live, but you’ve got to understand!”
“Listen” – Trixie approaches – “I am not an agent and I have no intentions to hurt your family.
My name is Trixie Lulamoon and I sell goods for a living in Alicornia.”
“Alicornia? Like the fabled city? That is just and old pony’s tale. That place isn’t real!”
The unicorn sighed. “If only I could use my magic, I could use it to show you my Solar Permit.”
“Oh, yeah? If that’s true, why are you here? Why did you were looking for Applejack in the first place?”
“Because… there was once another pony called Twilight Sparkle and she was friends with your sister…
on another life.”
“They were part of a larger group called The Mane Six and together, they fought evil and were in charge
of protecting what Celestia called The Elements of Harmony.”
“Who is Celestia?” asked the small filly with curiosity.
“Well, she is the current ruler of the Eternal City, and my friend.”
“You have met an alicorn?!”
“Pretty much. They invited me a month ago to attend their carnival at sunset, but two immensely powerful foes released a dark spell that turned everypony into soulless soldiers… puppets, if you will.”
“I came this far searching for your sister because I thought she would be able to help me free them from those two” – Trixie turns around – “But now that you have told me what Applejack has been doing, I don’t think she represents the Element of Honesty anymore.”
The unicorn remained quiet.
“B-But how did you know about me? We’ve never met before and yet, you were able to recognize me outside the saloon.”
“Twilight left a diary containing detailed information about her past life on Equestria.”
“That included your description… and the ones of your friends.”
“I… I have friends?”
“Seems like it. They are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. You made your own group called The Cutie Mark Crusaders…”
Apple Bloom sat near the bars. “Please, miss. I would like to hear more about them… if you don’t mind.”
*********
Nighttime painted the skies above a small shack. Some of its windows were covered with planks. Around the complex, there were several rusty minecarts and rails. Next to a rock wall, the entrance of a mine shaft laid. Deteriorated signs written in an unknown language polluted the view. Apple Bloom came out of the shaft, very slowly.
“Where were you?!” asked Applejack. She looked mad.
“I-I… I was with her, the unicorn.“
“WHAT!?!”
“She is not a bad pony and she is not even an agent!”
“Sister, she is innocent” – the filly approaches – “We must set her free. There’s still time to right this wrong.”
Applejack raged. She used her powerful hind legs to kick down some barrels. Big Macintosh rushed to investigate the noise. He looked scared.
“What is going on?!” asked the stallion.
“Our little sister believes the unicorn isn’t an agent… that we must let her go.”
Big Mac stared. “What else did she tell you?”
“The only reason for her to come to Ambrose was to recruit Applejack on her mission to save Alicornia!”
replied Apple Bloom, stuttering.
“Alicornia?”
“Yes. She told me many nice things about us. Big Mac, you have to believe me!“
“YOU FOAL!” – Applejack rages – “That wasn’t kindness, it was cunning!”
“She was trained to tell anypony what they want to hear, and she won’t stop until the job’s done…
that’s how Parson’s agents work!”
“Big Mac” – the orange mare pointed at a building – “Take Apple Bloom and lock her inside the Hoistroom.
We cannot risk anything at this point.”
The massive red stallion picked up a barrel and captured her little sister inside. With caution, she took her where Applejack suggested. With his raw strength, Big Macintosh pushed a minecart to block the cabin’s front door.
“I am sorry, but this is for your own good,” said the stallion before leaving.
Inside the shack, the filly tried to kick down the door to no avail. The walls were strong, despite their age. At the very top of the room, a small window was open. Apple Bloom took a deep breath and climbed the cables leading upwards. Midway through the window, her own weight pulled her down outside the cabin. She landed on top of dry grass.
*********
“Wake up!” shout Applejack. She was carrying a bucket of water.
Trixie was sleeping next to a lit candle left behind by her sister. After hearing no response, the orange mare threw the cold water unto her. The blue pony waked up immediately, scared.
“Listen, you filthy agent” – Applejack approaches – “I don’t want you talkin’ to my little sister no more.”
The unicorn broke into tears.
“You can cry all what you want, but you are not going anywhere because we need you.”
“As soon as the rest of your fellow agents show up, you will be our trump card for a safe passage away from this forgotten hole.”
The orange mare laughed. “Hopefully, you won’t starve by then…”
********
Water kept dripping from the ceiling. Having no other source of light, Trixie was left in the shadows inside her cell. She was shaking. Her mane and hooves were still wet. Suddenly, Apple Bloom appeared pushing a large crate with an oil lantern on top of it.
The filly opened the box. “Trixie, I am so sorry…”
“Everything is my fault. I shouldn’t have said anything to Applejack…”
“I’ve tried to be patient” – Apple Bloom opens the cell – “but I don’t want to continue livin’ this life no more.”
“Please, take this… your stuff. Everythin’ is inside. Big Mac brought it from Ambrose a few days ago.”
Trixie trotted outside, very slowly, and put on her saddle. Twilight’s diary was intact, just like the rest of her money. She nodded to the sad little filly and patted her back. Before leaving, Apple Bloom trotted forward.
“Hey, since we are not enemies anymore… can I go with you?”
The unicorns stopped. “Seriously? But… but what about Applejack? Your family’s in here.”
“I know. I know. It’s just that… I don’t want to continue being part of them. I am tired of robbing other ponies’ belongings. That’s no way to live.”
Apple Bloom closed her eyes. “Please, Trixie. Let me go with you. I can help you save Alicornia…”
The blue mare thought about it for a minute. Her common sense demanded to decline her offer because she was not even an adult capable of taking such complex decisions. On the other hoof, she could understand Apple Bloom’s exasperation with her dishonest way of living.
Moreover, her magic was missing still. She was completely helpless without it and the path ahead seemed really dangerous. They were inside an ancient mining complex. For the third time on her journey, Trixie was in a dilemma. She sighed heavily.
“Alright, you can come with me and help me… under one condition.”
Apple Bloom smiled.
“You must do as I say from now on and I don’t want you to take any unnecessary risks. If you want to get back here, with Applejack, I can do it whenever you want. You don’t owe me anything, okay?”
“Alright. Sounds fair,” giggled the little filly.
“Do you know how to get out from here? Somepony told me Aero is nearby this area.”
“Sure, I know about a secret tunnel that will take us directly to it. This way,” said Apple Bloom before trotting away from the jail cell. Trixie soon followed her with the lantern.
********
Hours later after heading deeper into the mines, the traveling ponies found an abandoned mine cart turned sideways next to a tunnel. The entrance was blocked by planks as big as tables. The size of the cart was also massive compared to them. The poor lighting revealed a sign written in an unknown language on the very top of the cave. Glowing mushrooms could be seen around them.
“This tunnel was first discovered by my granny fifty years ago…”
“Although no pony was able to read these signs, she and her cousins ventured inside and found a way that led directly to Aero, the city of pegasi!”
“This mine cart” – Apple Bloom points to her left – “has been in here since the beginning.
It was probably left behind by the original owners.”
“And over there” – the filly points to her right – “you can see the original entrance made by them.”
“What are we waiting for? Let’s go!” cried Trixie.
“We can’t… it’s blocked.”
“A year ago, an entire section collapsed due to an earthquake. Applejack and Big Mac destroyed the remaining catwalks and sealed the entrance.”
“Our only option is that mine cart.”
Trixie approached to the rusty wagon. Her hooves tried to push to no avail.
“I could lift it if only I had my magic…”
Apple Bloom’s face turned sick again. “Jada Stones.”
“What’s that now?”
“Applejack… she must’ve used them to capture you.”
Trixie remained serious, almost angry. “And what do these rocks do?”
“They… they cancel the magic power of any creature, including unicorns and changelings alike.”
“But hey, y-you… you will be back to normal in no time!”
The unicorn touched her face with exasperation. “That Applejack sure is special when it comes to fight for what she holds dear.”
“ANYWAY” – Trixie comes closer to the tunnel – “help me break one of these planks. We will use it to put this minecart back on the tracks.”
With caution, both ponies began hitting the lowest plank with their hind legs. A thick dust cloud polluted the air. After many hits, the ancient piece of wood yield. By using their combined force, they pulled the heavy plank and positioned it under the trolley. A medium-sized rock was used as a pivot.
Trixie helped Apple Bloom get on top of the wagon. She later joined her in there. The poor light of the lantern illuminated their intended landing zone.
“On the count of three, we jump at the same time. Our combined weight should be enough to flip it.”
“Alright!”
“One… Two… Three-“ shout Trixie right as they jumped.
Just as it was expected, the plank withstood their weight and flipped the mine cart. Before it could roll away, the unicorn launched her saddle bag inside. She used her strength to help Apple Bloom board. After hanging the oil lantern, she boarded it too. Very slowly, it began speeding.
All of a sudden, coming from behind them, Applejack appeared trotting at full speed against them. She was carrying her own lantern on a saddle bag. She looked really angry, but among all, worried.
“COME BACK!” shout the orange mare.
“DON’T TAKE MY SISTER AWAY!”
The mine cart accelerated.
“I AM SORRY… COME BACK!”
Apple Bloom approached to the edge. “Applejack… I can’t continue doing this…”
“DON’T!”
“I’ll come back… I promise,” said the filly just as the mine cart began gaining more speed.
Applejack kept trotting through the tunnel. Her sadden face was lost to the shadows of the mine. The little filly sat on a corner. Trixie remained quiet. She took out a hoofkerchief from her saddle and gave it to her. The wagon’s heavy screeching drowned Apple Bloom’s painful sobbing.
********
Bright sparks came out of the large metal wheels. With the help of her magic, Trixie used the brake to stop the trolley. Very slowly, it halted its thunderous march. With caution, they jumped out of the vehicle and trotted to a nearby exit. Nighttime ruled the exterior above them. Mountains as high as the sky towered before them.
The wind speed through the majestic rock facades. Trixie looked around searching for something or somepony. Apple Bloom, suddenly, pushed the unicorn’s leg and pointed. In front of them, a pink pegasus with violet mane was staring at them. She looked surprised. With caution, they approached to her.
“Evening” – Trixie salutes the stranger – “My name is Trixie and this Apple Bloom.”
“Where are we, exactly…?”
The pink pegasus remained quiet. Her face and eyes seemed troubled.
“Can you understand me…? Are we on Aero…?”
“Y-You… h-how did you get here?!” asked the pegasus.
“By cart… we come from the Millennium Mines,” replied Apple Bloom.
“My, y-you are the first non-pegasus ponies to ever set hoof this far on Aero.”
“I-I am Cadenza, but you can call me Cadence.”
“Do you know, by any chance, Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy…?”
“Not really. But… are they important from where you come from? Last year, another unicorn like you came here and searched for those two.”
“She told me I reminded her of somepony really special… somepony that used to foal-sitter her.
Her name was… Twilight, I think.”
Trixie smiled.
Cadence pointed to her right. “Maybe if you two head to the local tourist center, they might know something. Here in Aero we don’t have lists of our citizens like you do down there, land ponies.”
“Farewell and be careful. A fall from this height would be your doom,” said Cadence before taking off.
“Wow, did you see her wings?! They were gorgeous!” giggled Apple Bloom.
“To be honest with you, this is the first I have ever seen a pegasus… they are like alicorns, but of course,
without the horn. Interesting,” added the unicorn.
With caution, they followed the mountain trail hinted by Cadence. The speeding wind pushed them from time to time. Some clouds could be seen floating next to them above the chasms. The view was really breathtaking, and it could not be compared to anything previously seen by them. Several purple and yellow oxeye daisies were growing in the trail. Trixie picked up a few and store them inside her saddle bag.
After trotting for a couple of minutes, they found the tourist center. The complex consisted of two small log cabins built next to each other. Their size was not bigger than a regular house. Large torches illuminated each side of them. With caution, like always, Trixie approached the counter. A pale persian blue pegasus saluted her.
“Hello and welcome to Aero’s Tourist Center!”
“My name is Cloud Chaser… and you two, my, must have come from a faraway place.”
The earth filly stood up to reach the counter. “Actually, yes. I come from Ambrose and Trixie, here, she comes from Alicornia.”
“Alicornia?!” – the pegasus touches her face – “You are our first guest that has ever come from there.”
“Tell me, blue pony, what is like to be in the presence of an alicorn?”
“Actually-“
“Can they really control the weather like we do? Can they fly at great heights like we do?
PLEASE, you have to tell me!”
“HEY, FLITTER. We have a visitor from Alicornia!”
Another persian pegasus, with a bow, approached from the other hut. “Awesome!”
“I’m not really from Alicornia, but I’ve been in there,” replied Trixie. She looked nervous before
the curious stare of both pegasi.
“What brings you here?” asked Cloud Chaser.
“I’m looking for two pegasi, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Do you know them?”
“Never heard of the second one” – the pegasus touches her chin – “But Rainbow Dash, sure. She lives on the other side of this mountain range.”
Flitter points to her hut. “If you are interested in taking a tour around, you can do so in my office.”
Cloud Chaser stomps the counter. “OR you can stay at our local inn and wait for her to deliver the morning newspaper like she always do.”
Trixie and Apple Bloom stared at each other in silence.
“Listen, miss unicorn” – Cloud Chaser smiles – “You clearly look like a smart unicorn. Obviously, you were able to climb our extremely dangerous mountain, somehow. And now it is time to spoil yourself, to rest in my luxurious inn… at a very reasonable price, of course, because I like you.”
“Oh, no, no, no” – Flitter flies next to Trixie – “My associate here clearly has mistaken you for a lone wanderer with no duties or social life whatsoever. Clearly you must be terribly busy, with no time to waste sleeping in a two-star inn. I bet many important folks are waiting for your return in Alicornia... SO, why don’t you take my two-hour tour instead?”
The two pegasi began fighting over Trixie. Apple Bloom was shocked.
“Hey, hey, hey! I just want… to find Rainbow Dash, if possible,” cried the unicorn while covering her eyes.
“If I take your tour, will you take me directly to her…?”
“Absolutely. Although her house is currently not considered as a place of interest, but sure. No problemo.”
Flitter stuck out her tongue at Cloud Chaser. “Follow me.”
********
Inside a cave, right at the edge of a cliff, a black wooden chariot was standing in front of an improvised runway. Each side of the strip was illuminated by small red lanterns. Snow was falling outside. Apple Bloom and Trixie passed through an old turnstile to access the hangar. Flitter was checking everything before takeoff.
“I don’t know, Trixie. This doesn’t look very safe to me,” said the worried filly.
“I’ve come this far searching for Twilight’s friends and I still have nopony to help me. The last thing I want is risk your life. But… she did recognize the name so, maybe this is the best option.”
Trixie pointed at the exit. “You don’t need to come if you don’t want to, Apple Bloom.”
“But sometimes, we have to take a leap of faith…”
Flitter approaches. “I’m ready. Are you ready?”
“Yes” – the filly comes forward – “We are ready.”
Very slowly, they boarded the wooden chariot and secured themselves with belts. The persian-bowed pegasus put on her aviator goggles and strapped herself to the vehicle. After clearing her throat, she spoke.
“Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome onboard Flight R334. The weather is expected to be good... somewhat cold. Keep all parts of your body inside the vehicle at all times.”
“Thank you for choosing Nimbus Airways. Enjoy your flight,” said Flitter, just as she began trotting at full speed through the strip.
Moments later, they were in the air, flying above the imposing mountain range of Aero. Distant rivers and lakes could be seen flowing through the landscape below. Pine trees, tall as buildings, now looked like saplings. The desert region of Caballo Viejo was perfectly delimited, almost like if somepony drew it with a pencil. A full Moon crowned the firmament.
Apple Bloom was so happy, yet so scared of the thrilling sites she was witnessing. Trixie took out her leg and touched a nearby cloud. The edges of the vaporous sky-rider dissipated through her hoof. This was an emotional experience for them. The pegasus pointed to her left. On top of a cloud, some pegasi were sleeping.
“We haven’t seen a sunrise for over a month now.”
“With no heat to use, fluffy clouds are harder to find.”
Flitter pointed to her right. “That… hole next to the mountain is thought to be the original entrance to the Millennium Mines!”
“Some ponies believe alicorns were the first miners of the project. Based on the characteristics of these lands, it is possible that they originated from here before heading west more than two thousand years ago!”
“Hold on” – the pegasus tilts forward – “Rainbow’s house is nearby.”
********
“…”
“Rainbow Dash…!”
“RAINBOW DASH!” screamed Trixie.
Standing on top of a small rocky ledge, they called the sleeping pegasus. Several attempts later she woke up. Very slowly, Dash left her cloud and approached to them, yawning. Her sleepy eyes looked angry.
“What do you want, chumps? Can’t you see I’m napping?!”
Trixie tried to smile. “Are you really Rainbow Dash?”
“Of course” – the pegasus yawns – “I am Rainbow Dash…”
Her eyes suddenly opened.
“W-What… w-why… h-how d-did you manage to get here?!”
“Ponies like you can’t tread on clouds like we do…”
“Am I dreaming?” asked Rainbow Dash, scared.
“I don’t think so… no.”
“ANYWAY” – Trixie takes out the diary with her magic – “You are Rainbow Dash, one of Twilight Sparkle’s best friends, and current master of the Element of Loyalty.”
“I have terrible news, my dear flier. Something truly awful has occurred and I need you to come with me
and save Alicornia from evil!”
“Alicornia you say?”
“YES. If Twilight’s diary is correct, and for what I have seen it is, only you can claim this power back. In Equestria you saved the world from Nightmare Moon and Discord. Now you must do it again… except this time we do not have the rest of the Mane Six, unfortunately.”
“Uh-huh.”
“So, what do you think? Are you ready to follow me into the Eternal City and be a hero once more…? Do you accept your destiny?” asked Trixie with excitement. Her eyes were wide open with joy.
“You see…”
“Trixie.”
“Yeah, Trixie. I don’t even know where to start.”
“First” – Rainbow Dash moves her right leg – “You come to my house in the middle of the night and tell me all these crazy nonsense about somepony I don’t even know!”
“Second, you expect me to believe everything you said and come with you to Alicornia, which, by the way, does not exist?!”
“I genuinely appreciate your effort of… climbing to the top for me, but being a hero is not my thing. I deliver newspapers everyday… and sometimes I nap. A lot.”
“Sorry. I am not the one you’re looking for,” said Dash with a serious expression.
“What if I told you that I know how to stop this unending night? And despite what you may think, Alicornia is very real. So real, that I can show you my Solar Permit!” replied the unicorn with a serious face.
With the help of her magic, Trixie appeared a piece of paper signed by Celestia. The ink was glowing bright, and the text was written in alicornian. The blue pegasus took it and stared at it for a moment.
“I have to admit, this looks really good. But it is a cheap prop, nonetheless…”
“Sorry, Trixie… I am not your pony,” said Rainbow Dash just as she took off. She flew away with her cloud.
Trixie closed her eyes and fought not to break into tears. Apple Bloom sat next to her.
“What’s next?” asked the worried filly.
“I… I don’t know.”
“Time is running out and the only Mane Six I could find were your sister and this so-called Rainbow Dash.”
“Oh my, I-I don’t know that to do next. I am so tired of trying to be like… Twilight Sparkle. She is so better than me. She knew all these amazing spells and used them to help others.”
“My only expertise is selling stuff. I travel from town to town trying to keep alive my parent’s business. Money has been my only motivation in life and right now, one of the best ponies I have ever met is a prisoner. I feel so useless right now,” said Trixie. Her eyes were watery.
Apple Bloom sighed. “Despite what you may think about my sister, Applejack wasn’t always like that.
She was a decent pony that used to sell apples on Ambrose.”
“When I was born, our parents had the idea of traveling west and search for the legendary city of alicorns. They were planning to leave everything behind and start again.”
“They died before trying, Trixie. I grew up and heard this from my good ol’ granny.”
“Tell me. Why did you start this quest in the first place? Was it for… a reward?”
“No.” replied Trixie, annoyed.
“Then why?”
“Because… I was there, Apple Bloom, and saw what those two foes did to Celestia. They used her, and all the guests of the carnival, to attack me. They didn’t care if they could get hurt or even… well, you know.”
“I decided to do something about it” – Trixie takes out the diary with her magic – “And this thing was supposed to taught me something I still cannot understand!”
Trixie threw the diary away. “I failed everypony…”
Bitter tears ran through the unicorn’s cheeks. Her sobbing echoed in the mountain. Apple Bloom closed her eyes and stood next to her in silence. Distant clouds kept moving through the mountain tops. Very slowly, the persian-bowed pegasus approached. She was not carrying the chariot nor using her goggles anymore. She looked sad too.
“Forgive me for eavesdropping… but I think my sister and I can help you.”
Trixie stared at Flitter. “R-Really?”
“Now that I know why you wanted to find Rainbow Dash, I want to help you set free those innocent ponies.”
“Come on, you two. We have to get back to the tourist center!”
Apple Bloom picked up the diary from the floor and put it in front of Trixie.
“Sometimes we have to take a leap of faith…”