//------------------------------//
// Ch 7 Trick Star (rewrite) 
// Story: Enforcing Change 
// by Scootaboom1 
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Nightlight

Since I had little to actually do till something major happens. Especially since Velvet had her final year to focus on I would have more free time. Velvet recommended that I travel a bit for some actual experience with travel and the areas around Equestria.

I felt that was a good idea, while I was deciding on where to go I worked on a few magic items that I felt like I would have to make.

Using the time magic that I had learned in the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing I created what was basically a pair of stasis chambers. I also created a amulet that used changeling magic to let the wearer grow or improve their wings to fly. The amulet was still in the testing phase though.

I volunteered for a few missions as a guard as well. I focused on missions that let me travel to verious areas around Equestria. Such as investigating timber wolf sightings in the Whitetail Woods. Turns out that about a hundred years ago some timber wolves were driven out of the Everfree Forest and as a result they moved to the closest wooded area.

I also chose to investigate the Hollow Shades where they fought the Pony of Shadows. Despite it having been centuries since any pony has lived there it still had traces of a magic that I coined despair magic. Unlike hopelessness magic which is caused by a lack of hope, despair magic is caused by an excess of despair.

Eventually I heard about a rather interesting location thanks to Moth Ball. In the ruins of Fort Trothoof on the north east border of Equestria defensive spells are more powerful. It should be perfect for my future plans, but I will need to check it out myself.

For now though I plan on getting back home and sleeping. Though I was stopped when I noticed something about the house across from mine.

I knew that some pony was moving in but seeing them for the first time and helping bring in the last of the boxes. My first thought was Trixie.

I planned on slipping into my house without being seen but I was not so lucky.

Before I could make it to my door I heard a stallion shout, "Excellent!"

In a flash of smoke standing before me was Trick Star the one who I had to thank for my new life, and if I had to guess Trixie as well.

I growned and after way to long of a pause for my taste he began to introduce himself to me, "I am The Great and Powerful Trick Star!

As your new neighbor I hope we can get along."

Well he seemed nice enough. I introduced myself and had a quick chat with him back told him that I was tired from guard training and need to catch a train tomorrow so I would like to go to sleep.

This got him to leave me alone, apparently he had to prepare his home for a few friends who were welcoming him back to Canterlot. Well at least he won't be bothering me...

Well I was right sorta. I did not mind the sound of the party but someone else did and made a noise complaint. Since I was the only neighbor who he met I'm the one he blamed apparently.

I had a train to catch so I just ignored him for now and made my way to the train station. Since it was a two day train ride to my stop. Because of the somewhat famous nearby inn where I will be staying.

While I was settling in my room in the overnight car while Trick Star snuck under the bed completely undetected, at least if he was not narrating it.

During the first day where he tried to act hidden I decided to ask a costume maker on another cart for a favor. As it turns out they were the neighbor who made the noise complaint last night.

On the second day he stopped trying to hide out of hunger, and declared me to be his eternal rival.

My only question was in what since if we were to have magic duals of any kind I would win.

In response he looked away and scoffed. I took that moment to switch places with a copy double, and turned invisible.

When he looked back and asked what made me think that the copy slit it's throat and collapsed. When he was in shock I got behind him and tapped his shoulder while making a sly grin.

In his state of shock at my alive self I dispelled the clone. When he asked how I did it I merely said a true magician never reveals their secrets.

Eventually we began to discuss where he would be staying since the inn I was staying at was reservation only, and he forgot to bring money.

When he suggested that he camped I informed him of the blizzard scheduled for the first night and how he will freeze to death.

With a concerned expression he asked me if there was any way I could get him into the inn.

Fortunately there was, since I was a lesser noble I was a noble. Since nobles are often jerks they often forget to make reservations for their servants. I could just say he worked for me and pay a fine for him to be allowed in, but he needed a uniform of some kind to make it believable.

So before the train made it to our stop we went to the costume maker who I mentioned lived in the house on the left side of Trick Stars' house.

Since he had nothing he could part with that worked as a butler uniform we had to settle with something else.

As we entered the lobby of the inn the smell of walnut and heat of the fire place washed over us like a wave. The mare at the front desk raised a questioning eyebrow as we entered.

While signing in I asked her for the for the needed paperwork for a unexpected extra guest for my room.

Glancing between us she said sure but hesitantly asked why he was in a maid uniform. With the neutral expression I had throughout the interaction I said I didn't know beyond how weird he was.

She handed me a room key and I looked to Trick Star asking if he was ready.

He had a slack jawed expression of complete shock. In an irritated voice he asked why he even had to wear the maid uniform if I could just have done that.

I pulled some pictures from my saddle bag to show him and said, "Blackmail material."