The cool and crisp morning air whistled through the air as its chill awoke Trixie. Her was mane tussled into a bird’s nest with grains of glitter and gun powder staining her once pristine mane. Smacking her dry lips, she lazily looked around the tent, barely recognizing the interior; she had a brief moment of fear before realizing where she was.
She terribly missed her wagon. It was still sitting outside, one of the wheels finally falling off. There was little to salvage but some burnt curtains and small trinkets. She had spent most of her young adult life in it, and now it was destroyed.
Sighing, Trixie stretched out, popping something in her back before slipping out from under the blanket. She was nearly startled when something moved beside her. Oh, Thorax... well, that was awkward. Best not to think about it.
After finally being able to bathe in days, the unicorn brushed her mane and teeth before the showpony stepped out into the snow, feeling the chilled wind go through her wet mane. It was refreshing yet bracing at the same time.
For a moment, she just stood there and enjoyed this brief moment of silence. That was when her stomach decided to growl.
Rolling her eyes, the mare opened the wagon and surveyed their supplies. Nothing to eat; she had blasted through her bag of peanuts. Trixie sighed before turning around, poking Thorax in the stomach.
“Hey, wake up. Let’s go get breakfast.”
Thorax slowly opened his eyes and grumbled, turning over as he huffed, “Too tired… transforming into a dragon took it out of me last night….”
The changeling’s stomach growled; the gnawing pain forced him up, “...hungry and tired….”
Starlight swung the tent flap open as she announced her presence, “Gooood morning everypony~” she’d buzz in a sing-song voice that she hadn't used in a very long time.
“I got a surprise for you, Trixie, but first, Prince Rutherford has invited us to a royal banquet, and it’d be rude not to attend such an event, so let’s move on.”
“A surprise?!” Trixie couldn’t help but squeal, beaming, “Oooh, it must be for our performance last night!”
Thorax smiled at Trixie. Before his stomach growled loudly, causing the changeling to hiss as he snapped his jaw, “Sorry… but I seriously need a bit of love if I’m going to be able to make it to attend sort of gathering.”
Starlight rolled her eyes as she gestured for Thorax to come to her, offering her love to sustain the changeling. It didn’t take long before Starlight toppled over, completely drained of her energy and her love.
“That was a lot worse than last time…” whimpered Starlight.
“Turning into a dragon takes a lot of energy; if you want to blame anyone, well…” he’d slowly look over at Trixie.
Trixie rolled her eyes, “Oh, don’t blame me. I didn’t tell you how big of a dragon to be!”
“Now, come on, let’s get something to eat; I’m starving,” the showpony used her magic to help Starlight back to her hooves. “Go on, lead us to this banquet.”
Soon the three would be escorted to a large outdoor feast, with every yak in the village sharing a massive table with Prince Rutherford on the far end with his elders. Dozens of pastries, stews, and other meals line the table. All of the biscuits, bread, and oatcakes anycreature could need right there at the table. Freshly squeezed orange juice, lemonade, tea, and coffee filled the air with a fresh, delicious fragrance. Behind the prince was a massive covered wagon that instantly drew Trixie’s attention.
Trixie’s mouth watered as she took in the sights and scents. It had been a long time since she had eaten so well, never mind the little trip they had been on. And then there was the wagon; it was... she hesitated to say it was perfect; her opinion of her old cart was still of high regard. This wagon would have to impress her if she cared for it like her old one.
“Ah! The ponies awake from their slumber! We wanted to thank you for your great show, and as promised, we yaks got you a wagon to replace busted-up one. Yaks offer traditional Yakyakistan breakfast to show our gratitude for your hard work.”
Prince Rutherford offered a seat next to him as Trixie, Starlight, and Thorax sat next to the prince.
“Why, thank you, your Majesty. Usually, Trixie requires a higher price for displaying her skill, but you have been so gracious to protect us during our time of need,” Trixie bowed before grabbing the nearest oatcake and coffee, stuffing the pastry down her throat. “Mmmh-- and Trixie’s compliments to the chef! Delicious!”
Starlight took a cup of coffee, letting out a pleasurable sigh. It’d been so long since she had something so fresh and warm. She greedily shoveled the broth into her mouth from a large bowl of mushroom stew and devoured a fresh slice of bread.
Thorax sat quietly at the table and seemed uninterested in the extensive selection of food. Taking a small cup of orange juice as he sipped on it. That little cup would most certainly be more than enough for a creature like him.
“Yaks make the best breakfast; why yak so strong in cold!” declared Rutherford as he smashed his hooves against the earth beneath them, rocking the table, “But we need to talk about invasion from evil pony princess.”
Starlight swallowed a large chunk of mushroom as she quickly retained her attention on the yak, “Oh, well, with the proper preparations and your big strong yaks, they should be running back down the mountain and to the Crystal Empire without much of a fight.”
Prince Rutherford smirked, pride beaming from his eyes, “Crystal Ponies sound weaker without King Sombra; how that old fool must be turning in his grave! Ha ha ha!” the prince bellowed before he smashed his face into a mountain cake, smearing frosting all over his beard.
An elder would turn to Trixie, “Do you think your magic can stop them, oh great and powerful, Trixie?”
Trixie, with her mouth full of biscuits slathered in honey. Choking the food down, she’d daintily wipe her mouth with a napkin before giving the elder a wide smile.
“Why, of course, I can. That is why the Great and Powerful Trixie came here, after all!” She couldn’t help but beam as her ego was stroked.
Starlight shot a look at Trixie before looking toward the elders, “I have had many encounters with the princess in question, the one who leads her scouting party to you; she may appear to be another friend. But she intends to subvert your rule and subjugate you.”
Prince Rutherford turned his snout to the air as he huffed, “Yaks NEVER will be subjugated; we held off King Sombra for over a thousand years! In fact, tomorrow is the annual Yickslurbertfest celebration! Where our great leader, King Gustav Khan, first SMASHED King Sombra and sent his dark magic away from our lands!”
“Of course, you won’t be subjugated; you’ll have Trixie on your side. We will banish their leader and send them back to Equestria!” Trixie picked up a cup full of mead before raising it in the air, “For yak freedom, for Yakyakistan!” She shouldered Thorax to do the same.
The elders would raise their cups before guzzling down their contents and slamming them down on the table.
Thorax awkwardly raised a nearby mug of mead before chugging along with the elders out of courtesy. Clearly not enjoying the strong taste the booze had as she slammed the cup down. Starlight bit her lip nervously as she began to lose confidence in Trixie and worried for Thorax’s health.
She’d clear her throat, “Well spoken, Trixie… but we should discuss HOW we plan to do that.”
“We’ll send our strongest yaks to intercept them, and I will personally lead them to victory! If these ponies dare attack us after my stern warning, then… WE SMASH!” the prince quickly slammed his hooves against the earth again.
“Of course, you three will be by our sides to ensure they don’t use their pony magic to get an advantage!”
Thorax slowly reached over to grab another kuksa of mead as he quickly began chugging it; Starlight slowly snatched the beer from the changeling as she smiled, “Well, that’s… great!”
“We leave at dawn then! Today we celebrate, and tomorrow we defend our lands just as King Gustav and our ancestors did from King Sombra!” thundered Rutherford.
The yaks quickly erupted in excited stamps as they exploded into cheers, nearly knocking over the freshly set table.
Trixie celebrated as well, taking another hearty swig of mead before taking a chunk out of a loaf of bread, sighing contently. Now, this was the kind of worship she should experience every day.
As she took another sip, she realized what Rutherford had just said, her ears lowering. That meant they would expect her to fight Twilight Sparkle... it would have been laughable when the purple pony was a unicorn, as it was when she had her amulet, but now? She had no chance!
Slumping in her seat, the mare nibbled at her food, not quite as voracious as before.
Starlight sat in her seat with the biggest smile on her face; suppose she could check off leading an army off her bucket list. There was no way Twilight would stand up to a literal army demanding her to back down. It just wasn’t in the alicorn's nature.
She leaned back in her chair, sipping her coffee contentedly; this was already in the bag, and victory was already in her grasp; she raised a kuksa as she took a sip of the strong beer before sipping it back into the mug. A new sour expression took the place of her content smile. Coffee and beer did not mix.
Thorax licked his chops as he continuously went for the mead, as he chugged back another mug as he belched loudly, much to the amusement of the elders and prince, who quickly began drinking with the changeling.
"Haha! Bug-Pony like yak drink!? Drink more than our treat as friends!" roared Rutherford.
Thorax smiled as he sloppily began chugging another kuksa of beer, “They’re starting to like me,” he’d hiccup.
Trixie would swallow a mouthful of oatcake before turning to the changeling, watching him guzzle down more and more. Didn’t he say he couldn’t regularly eat pony foods?
“Er... my Great and Powerful Assistant, perhaps you should slow down.” She’d gently pat him on the back, looking uncertain. “You don’t want to be sick tomorrow, y’know. Plus, remember your uh... allergy?”
Starlight sighed, “Trixie, why don’t you take our friend and the wagon back to our little spot? I’m sure you two need time to… digest.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea, wagon puller. See what other important information you can gather from our gracious guests to defeat our foes while I take care of my assistant,” Trixie would get out of her seat, sneakily tucking some pastries into her cape for later.
Thorax wobbled in his seat as he chuckled, his cheeks beginning to look flushed as he had a satisfied expression on his face. The changeling was buzzed, if not drunk, obviously not having had alcohol before.
“Ha ha! Clearly, he enjoys good yak drink! Have another for the road!” Rutherford said as he handed the changeling another mug.
Thorax quickly slammed it back before his smile widened, “Now thissss is friendship….” he'd slur.
“Why... thank you,” Trixie smiled uncomfortably towards Rutherford before grabbing Thorax by the hoof, “Come now, my Great Assistant. You need your strength for tomorrow!”
The showpony half-dragged Thorax away from the banquet, sighing to herself, “Oh.. what am I going to do...?”
Turning back to the changeling, she wrapped a layer of magic over him, keeping him from falling over. “C’mon, you little drunk bug. You had way too much for your first time.”
Thorax chuckled, “Drunk? Is that what it was? It tasted like bitter water… oopsie.”
Trixie rolled her eyes, “C’mon... let’s get you settled.”
Starlight sighed, rubbing her hooves against her face; at least, it could’ve been worse.
After breakfast, Starlight found a nice open area outside town where she could look at the hundreds of mountain peaks across Yakyakistan. The sun just barely peaking over the frosted tips of the mountains. She practiced her magic and studied the few books she had with her on a hard patch of frozen dirt. Just in case Twilight and her friends actually did want a fight.
“A Fiducia Compelus spell, in conjunction with Cogeria and Persuadere, could produce a strong mind control spell if all else fails.” she’d quickly skimmed through the pages of her books as she sighed.
“Perhaps something like a Hyperbeam into a mountain to cause an avalanche would finish them off quickly, too… but I could use them if I did the Fiducia Compelus spell with Cogeria and Persuadere….”
The crunch of snow was heard behind Starlight, “Pony talk funny. No talk like Yak.”
Behind the unicorn was a smaller Yak, a heifer or a young mare of her species. Her mane was braided ornately and pinned behind her ears with two large pink bows. While covered in a thick pelt, she still wore a small saddle cloth on her back.
“Did pony really come to help Yak?” she questioned, tilting her head. “Yona hear from Elders, you wagon-puller?”
Starlight turned to face the young heifer offering her best smile, “So I have been told, and yes, we came to help your people. It’s our… moral obligation.”
She’d quickly slam her books shut before stuffing the spell books into her saddlebags, “My name is Starlight Glimmer; what’s your name?”
The young yak would study Starlight and put her books away, intrigued by her natural use of magic. Looking back up at the mare.
“Yak are 'mor-el'. yak are strong; uak can protect themselves,” the heifer snorted, “Yona is Yona, daughter of Elder Yasamin.”
“Pony don’t look like wagon-puller, pony too small and weak.” Yona poked at Starlight’s upper legs.
Starlight rolled her eyes, scoffing playfully at the young yak, “Have you come to insult the humble wagon-puller, or is there something you’re looking for? ‘The Great and Powerful Trixie’ and ‘The Great Thorax’ are inside the village.”
Starlight quickly retrieved a large book as she began skimming through its pages, “Ice Storm… chain lightning… hmmm….”
She’d slowly turn to face Yona, perplexed that the yak was still there.
“What is on pony flank?” Yona pointed at Starlight’s cutie mark with curiosity, “Pony been branded?”
“Oh, that? It’s a cutie mark; all ponies have one. It’s symbolic of our special talent…mine happens to be magic,” she’d quickly hum to herself, “Ouu… poison spray… No, no, too dangerous for everyone around us….”
“Cutie.. mark?” Yona cocked her head, raising a brow in confusion, “Yak, no need brand to be talented, all yak talented!”
She’d glance at Yona, “What’s it like living in Yakyakistan? I’d assume we’d be staying here awhile; anything sticks out to you personally?”
Yona huffed, “village is perfect. Yak farm what yak can in spring and forage when yak cannot. All yak have purpose; all yak must work if yak want to eat. Pony better work for meal. Oh! Yak celebrations are best! Yak eat and drink and sing and SMASH!” Yona slammed a hoof down, breaking a large stone.
“Hm… that’s rather funny actually, that sounds very similar to my own village…” she’d begin to reminisce as she slowly turned to Yona, seeing an opportunity to educate, “I’ll give you one thing, you have the right way of seeing things. I personally never liked having a cutie mark. I’d much rather be like a yak, perfectly talented, perfectly content… perfectly equal.”
“Pony had village? What happened?” the heifer asked curiously, “Why would pony not want her brand? Does pony not want magic talent?”
“Well, I had a village like yours. It was perfect, with plenty of happy faces content with their lives. You see, I know a magical spell that can remove a ponies cutie mark, and many of these ponies were apprehensive at first. But I soon showed them the error in their ways.”
“If everyone is different, and if some ponies are better than others, it creates an imbalance with some ponies thinking they’re superior, creating disharmony. It’s not that I don’t want my talent. It’s just that too many people are… irresponsible and abuse their talents for evil. Like the very princess who seeks your subjugation, she destroyed my village! Turned the ponies who were once my friends against me with her lies and sewed the seeds of inequality. Now because of her, I can guarantee that all my former friends are miserable and without purpose.”
Starlight smiled at Yona, “Unlike you yaks, who clearly have everything down to a perfect science. Which is why I am so adamant on your self-preservation, because I understand what it’s like to have your home taken away, and so I dedicated my life to spreading the message of equalism and defending others from Twilight Sparkles tyranny.”
Yona would raise her brow curiously, digesting everything the pony had said. Her words seemed genuine and authentic, but something about the way she spoke made the heifer hesitant.
“Then pony will fit into yak village no problem. Yak will welcome anyone who wishes to hide from evil pony princess.” Yona nodded her head, snorting steam out of her nose into the dry cold air, “Yona don’t know if Yak are all equal, Yona isn’t as good at braiding as Elder, but Yona learn.”
Starlight chuckled, “Some talents just take a little time to learn, but as long as no yak is better than any other yak, then are you not equal?”
Yona would cock a brow, clearly not grasping what Starlight was trying to say, “But Prince Rutherford is strongest yak in village; he is better Yak.”
Starlight suppressed a scowl as she quickly distracted the yak before she’d carefully grabbed Yona’s braids as she adjusted them, perfecting them with her magic, “There we are as my gift to you, friend.”
The young heifer would reel back, pressing her hooves to her braids. “No touch yak braid!! Traditional Yak braid only undo when yak reach maturity!! Pony know nothing of yak tradition?”
Starlight gasped, feigning shock and surprise, hiding her relief that Yona had forgotten her question, “Oh, um, sorry! I hadn’t a clue of how important that was… to be fair, our knowledge of yak history is a thousand years outdated and limited, but why don’t I make it up to you? You yaks like smashing, right?” Well then…” She’d quickly scan her book, “Erupting earth would be perfect….”
Yona sighed, “Pony did not mean harm, so Yona forgive pony,” she cocked a brow, “Pony smash?”
“You might want to step back….” her horn glowed as she stamped her hooves against the earth, causing the terrain to move like a wave as rock shot up like spikes before snapping back into place as if nothing happened.
Yona's jaw hit the floor, impressed with the unicorn’s abilities, “Are all pony this strong?! Why is pony wagon-puller if pony can do that?”
“Not strength, magic. It’s an advanced terraforming spell,” Starlight corrected. She sighed at the mention of being relegated to being a wagon-puller, “Somebody has to do it, I guess….”
“If you want raw strength, you’ll want an earth pony; some could probably smash with the best of yaks…” smirked Starlight.
“Yona never see earth pony before, only unicorn and bug-pony. What other pony are there?”
“Well, there’s the pegasi; they can fly and control the weather, unicorns with our magic, earth ponies are strong and handle our harvests, and there are the bat ponies who are the guardians of the night. And of course… the bug-pony… he’s special….”
“Can pony teach Yona how to do spell?” Yona jumped up in excitement, nearly bowling over Starlight as she ran up to her.
Starlight smiled, “Well… I can’t teach you magic, but I can teach you how to make potions. I’d be happy to help you, Yona.”
“Yes! Yona want to learn, be good for village!”
Yona paused for moment, as if another question had crossed her mind. She soon turned to Starlight, “How will all pony be equal if some pony can fly? Can earth pony fly?” The heifer seemed to be finding holes in her logic, “Can pony make earth pony fly if pony does not have wings?” she asked earnestly.
Starlight sighed, “You’re certainly full of questions… Everypony is different, but I strive to make them equally good for society at large. But enough about me, how about we start on those potions….”