//------------------------------// // The convention, part 2. // Story: Let's Trux it up! // by demondude123 //------------------------------// The brothers bypassed security and melded into the VIP line without issue, thanks to their passes, which struck a significant blow to Drake’s wallet and savings. But seeing a smile on Ty’s face after the passing of their father made it all worth it. Upon entering the building and asking for directions, they soon find themselves walking down a lively hallway, hand railings splitting it in half as pictures and screens depicting all manner of fiction—comics, manga, shows, and the like, are advertised in every direction. “It should be just around the bend here,” Drake said as he and Ty passed several registration desks tended by personnel dressed for the appropriate event.  “Convention space B-1, right?” Ty asked for assurance. “Yup. That’s the one. We just passed A-4, so B-1 should be-” They turn the corner, “Ah! There it is!” Drake shouts while gesturing at the room’s entrance, a line forming in front of the registration desk attended by two personnel. “Come on. Let’s get in line before it gets larger.” He lunges forward, “Race ya!” “H-hey!” Ty called out, leaning forward into a sprint. “That’s not fair!” “What’s that? Can’t hear you back there!” “Urgh! Drake!” “Hahahaha!” Having won the abrupt race, Drake shuffles into and secures their place in line, with only six other attendees ahead of him. “That was cheap, Drake,” Ty scolds, falling in behind the elder sibling. Drake chuckled and shrugged, looking back to Ty. “What can I say? Gotta get warmed up for the main event, right?” Ty dismisses his sibling’s antics with a roll of his eyes. “Whatever.” He suddenly becomes cheery as if a switch had been flicked, the brothers taking a step forward as the line progresses onward, and only five attendees remain in front of them. “Anyway.” Ty leans to the side, trying to sneak a peek into the vast space beyond a pair of propped-open double doors. “I wonder if- oh, wow, some Street Fighter cosplayers are passing by in there.” “Let me know if there’s a good Chun-Li among them,” Drake requested, moving forward with a goofy grin. “That girl can kick me anytime.” “Dude, gros- oh! Hey, yeah, there’s a Chun-” Ty’s eyes shoot wide open, and he leans back into place, standing firm with a somewhat displeased look. “O-on second thought, never mind. I-I saw nothing.” They step forward—only three more to go before they could check-in. “What?” Drake asked with some laughter. “Come on, don’t hold out on me,” he states while leaning to the side to peer in. “Drake, seriously, I don’t think you should-” “It can’t be that bad- and that’s a dude.” Drake shifts back into place, the brothers staring forward with stunted and abhorred looks. A moment of awkward silence takes hold, which is then broken by the elder sibling. “You, uh, got any Mind-Bleach, Ty?” “Enjoy the event, gentlemen!” One of the event handlers at the registration desk waved them off as they made their way through the doorway, the roaring masses within becoming louder as they approached.  “We will, sir!” Ty waved back, Drake saluting with two fingers as they then looked forward in unison, paused, and took in their wondrous surroundings. Booths and concession stands practically filled every nook and cranny of the large room and were organized in a way that made it seem like a whole city was shoved into the convention space. And like every great city, people flooded the streets, or aisles, in this case.   Cosplayers dressed as familiar fictional characters observed and passed by the booths while those who tended them advertised their wares and finalized transactions. “Man, I-I don’t even know where to begin…” Ty comments in wonder, but his eyes slowly fall to the floor somberly, Drake taking notice as he shifts his head toward his brother during his sight-seeing. “Hey,” Drake sets a hand on Ty’s shoulder, “What’s wrong, kiddo?” Ty slowly looks up to his older sibling, “It’s just… I really wish dad was here…” Drake clicks his tongue as Ty lowers his gaze, but the older sibling gently grabs the younger’s chin, lifts it, and turns their head forward. “We’re here now, Ty.” Drake steps forth and spins in place to face his brother with outstretched arms. “Let’s enjoy ourselves. You wouldn’t want to make Daniel think he’s holding us back from having fun, would you?” “O-of course not.” “Then what are we waiting for?” Drake turns away and walks toward the ocean of attendees, a look of conflict present on Ty’s face. “In any case, come join me when you’re ready to have a good time.” It didn’t take long for the conflict born of remorse waging within Ty to fade away. “Wait, Drake!” He shouts, lunging forward to catch up with his sibling. “I’m coming!” And so they began to enjoy what the event offered as the brothers disappeared into the crowd.  Meanwhile, in another world beyond time and space… Princess Celestia, the current sole ruler of Equestria, sat on her throne quietly and reflectively as rays of her celestial orb crept in through the windows. “And that, your highness, is why I strongly believe the current taxation laws should be reviewed again.” “Your request has been noted, Sir. Trotsworth. I shall see what we can do, but I can make no promises.” “Thank you, princess,” Trotsworth responds with a respectful bow before turning to take his leave.  As was the routine ever since she relocated Equestria’s capital from the Everfree Forest to a mountainside almost a thousand years ago, following the events of that night, she had to listen to yet another one of the nobilities’ obviously selfish or greed-driven requests. Regardless, she had a way of dealing with it by simply filtering the words they spoke while simultaneously thinking about one thing… Something that made all these years bearable despite the throbbing pain in her heart.    “On the longest night of the thousandth year, the stars shall aid in her escape.” Four years… She only has to wait for four more years until her sister returns. They would finally be together again, but before that, the solar alicorn’s relentless machinations had to be perfect. For this plan to work, one particular variable had to- The double doors of the throne room are abruptly parted by a duo of guards that were stationed beyond the door frame.  A loving smile forms on Celestia’s muzzle. ‘Speaking of variables…’ “Princess Celestia! We’ve arrived as requested and with several minutes to spare.”  “Thanks to me, of course.” “Oh hush, Spike.” “Hehehe.” A lavender unicorn mare, just barely considered to be an adult, greets Celestia with that same brilliant and faithful voice as she trots down and along an elongated carpet, followed by a particular purple and green dragon as they pass Sir. Trotsworth in the process. “Good afternoon, my faithful student. And to you too, Spike.” As Twilight approached, Celestia not only saw the student she had been melding into a fine mare and the dragon whose birth practically started it all, but every step her student took was a metaphor in itself. Each step was a step closer to saving Luna. “Thank you both for coming on such short notice,” Celestia said as they stopped a couple of feet from the ramp to the alicorn’s throne. “I apologize for any inconvenience my letter might have caused.” “It’s no problem at all, princess.” Twilight shifts her gaze to Spike, “Spike and I were just finishing things up at the Canterlot Library.” Spike grinned playfully. “If by ‘finishing things up’ you mean panicking because you thought you forgot to return a book.”  “But I have to keep my title as Best Book Burrower!” Twilight explodes in a panic and with a raised forelimb. “If I don’t, I’ll lose my picture on the wall!” Celestia’s entertained laughter garners their attention. “And we can’t have that now, can we?” She finished with a wink. “Heh. Who knows?” Spike asked with a playful shrug. “Maybe you’ll lose your place as the princess’s student, too.” A horrified gasp is let loose from Twilight’s horrified frame. “Oh my gosh, Spike, you’re right!” “A-actually, Twilight, that was just a-” The purple unicorn starts to walk back and forth worriedly as she interjects, “Oh no. As Celestia’s student, I’m expected to be on top of things like this. I mean, If I’m careless with one title, how can I expect to hold the others?” “But…you only have two-” Twilight suddenly gasps loudly, stopping in place and shooting her gaze over to Spike. “Flashcards! Of course! Spike, once we’re done here, I need you to make me some flash-” Realization dawns on her as her eyes widen even further, “Oh no! I completely forgot about why we were here! Spike, do you?!” “Well-” “Wait! Don’t tell me. I think I can figure it out--maybe!” Twilight turns to face Celestia in a panic, who looks down upon them neutrally but with hidden joy - a playful gesture on her part. And although Spike had long since caught onto the alicorn’s playful nature, it would seem that the princess’s student still had a ways to go. This was a trait Celestia would quell during these four years. For now, though… “That is to be expected, Twilight.”  The poor unicorn began to shake, her eyes darting around nervously. “After all…” Celestia paused, letting it all build up so that her coming punchline would make its effect.  “W-what, princess?” Twilight asked nervously. “What?!”  “I didn’t reveal why I wanted you to come here in my letter.” She giggles. “Only that I needed you to come and see me.” Those words had an immediate effect as dead silence took over the throne room. “O… Oh…” Twilight finally said in realization after a moment’s pause, followed by sheepish laughter. “S-sorry, princess.” “It’s quite alright, my faithful student. Now then, I’ve summoned you here because, as my student, there is something I’d like to ask of you.” Both Twilight and Spike share a glance. “What is it, Princess Celestia?” Spike asked. “I think you’re quite ready.” The inquisitive looks from the duo prompt Celestia to continue. “Twilight, I would like for you to organize the Summer Sun Celebration.” “P-princess…” Twilight managed with shock in her voice; Spike, equally dumbstruck. “You would entrust me with one of Equestria’s most important holidays…?” “I would, my faithful student. And I do believe that you are more than capable.” Twilight looked on in pure disbelief, imitating a goldfish. “Of course, if you don’t feel up to-” “No!” Twilight enthusiastically interrupts. She then clears her throat in embarrassment. “I-I mean, Princess Celestia, I'd be honored to do it! Yes! Please! Of course!” “Then the matter is settled.” Celestia rises up to her full stature and spreads her wings. “I, Princess Celestia Sol Invictus, hereby grant you, Twilight Sparkle, authority and unhindered access to the Summer Sun Celebration’s funding. I shall inform my assistant, Raven Inkwell, of our arrangement, and she will be working with you until she’s certain that you can make the arrangements on your own.  That said, I just want to be sure here, Twilight. Are you certain that you willingly accept this responsibility?” ‘Please…’ Celestia pleads internally but hides this behind an unreadable mask. ‘Please say ‘yes.’ I know that you’ve already agreed, but It all comes down to-’ “Yes, Princess Celestia,” Twilight unknowingly interjects, earning a low gasp from the alicorn. “I know it won’t be easy, but if you believe I can do this, then I will!” She hopped in place, excitement overtaking her as she then began to bounce around Spike.   “Oh, Spike, this is incredible! We have so much to…” Twilight’s words practically fade away as Celestia enters a trance, but one made from disbelief that rivals Twilight’s. It was all falling into place, and soon, in four years, the wonderful unicorn before her will… ‘Luna… My sister…’ Celestia’s gaze goes up to the ceiling in deep thought, and she is so lost and trapped in her trance that she hasn’t even processed Twilight and Spike taking their leave. Aside from herself, there was someone else who would be ecstatic to know of her sibling’s return. Their adoptive father… The absolute wonder from another world… ‘I’ll have to pay you a visit soon, Daniel… My beloved father.’