Trixie was alone in the cold and empty Graveyard. She looked around but could see no sign of the next spirit. As she walked past a large statue their was a sudden flash of lightning, which made Trixie jump. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed that the statue had changed into a tall figure shrouded in a deep black garment which hid its entire body and obscured it's face. The only thing she could see was a tall horn protruding from the hood. It was difficult for Trixie to detach It's figure from the night and separate it from the darkness which surrounded it.
Trixie was shaking as she was finally able to speak "A..are you the spirit whose coming was for told to me?
Another flash of lightning illuminated a pair of eyes and teeth from the hood. The figure nodded Slowly but spoke no words.
Trixie had never felt such darkness from a pony in all her life. "I fear you more than anything I have seen tonight! But I know you purpose is to do me good." Another flash of lightning spread across the sky and when Trixie could see again she saw the figure was now by her side. Slowly it raised a front leg to reveal a hoof adorned in a blue shoe. It pointed to the arch of a mausoleum. Trixie new what she had to do. "I'm ready to follow you spirit. Please lead on. The night is waning fast and it is precious to me"
They passed through the arch and came out onto a street in Canterlot. The rain was falling heavy and the snow on the ground was being turned to sleet. It was the kind of day when most ponies would stay indoors in the dry. But a few were walking the streets under the cover of their umbrellas. They came upon a group of unicorns who were talking to each over.
"No I don't no much about it, either way. I only know she is dead."
"When did she die?"
"Apparently last night."
The third unicorn finally withdrew himself from his pastry. "What was wrong with her?"
"Pneumonia apparently. The assistant walked in and found her slumped over the desk.
The second started to yawn. "So what becomes of the money and her building?"
The third unicorn spoke with a mouthful of food. "Didn't leave it to me. That's all Know."
They all roared with laughter.
With a bored tone the second on talked . "I hear the funerals tomorrow. Any of you fancy going?"
"I might. As long as lunch is provided."
Another roar of laughter followed as they walked away.
Trixie had a sickly feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. "Spirit. Who were they talking about. And why were they so mean to her?" Their was no response from the figure apart from a raising of a hoof to point at a small shop which had three golden balls hanging outside. They walked in and saw a mint green unicorn and a cream coloured earth pony with a dark blue and pink mane talking to a large stallion unicorn behind the counter.
The Stallion had a thin smile across his lips. "Now what do my favourite couple have for Joe today then.
Lyra opened her saddle bag with her magic and pulled out a set of red blankets. "what about these Joe. None finer bed curtains unless you go raid the palace."
Joe levitated one to inspect it. "You took down her curtains and the rings! Won't any pony notice?.
Bonbon just laughed. "Unlikely. Nopony but us two go to that place. Besides, after the way she treated us, why shouldn't we get something in return!"
Joe could only laugh "Ha ha. A pair of mares after my own heart. Now how bout you my dear."
Bonbon pulled out a bundle of clothes and dropped them on the counter with the rest of the wares. "I've got some of her clothes." she showed him some cashmere socks, some night shirts made of the finest cotton, then Trixie saw something that caught her eye. It was a piece of blue cloth with stars of different colours all over.
Joe looked over them. "Very fine, Very fine indeed."
The sickly feeling came back to Trixie's stomach again. "That can't possibly be mine?" she thought to herself.
Joe looked up from the counter. "I'll give you 33 Bits and six pence for the lot."
Both Lyra and Bonbon spoke together. "Thirty three and six!" Lyra spoke by her self. "Your a hard pony Joe!"
He chuckled at the comment and smiled. "Tell you what. How about I take you out to Mrs Miggings pie shop for a slap up dinner. My treat"
With that the shop disappeared into shadow, when Trixie could see again found that they were back in the graveyard. The clouds in the sky were black and the sun was going down in a red sky. It felt as if all the happiness in the world had been taken away, leaving nothing but fear and sadness.
"Spirit, why have you brought me back to this place?" As before their was no reply but a hoof pointing to a tiny hill with a tree, a short way in front of them. Their were two ponies standing their looking down at a tiny wooden cross.
As Trixie got closer she recognised the two. It was Scratcher and his wife. "Oh no, Spirit please tell me it's not so." Scratcher picked up the crutch and leant it on the side of the cross. Tears were streaming down his face at the loss of his young son. He turned back to his wife and the two walked away, comforting each other for the loss of dear Tuppence.
Even Trixie had tears in her eyes. "Spirit why do you show me these things?" Again nothing but silence. she suddenly herd a bout of laughter from behind her.
She turned around to see a pair diamond dogs standing next to a open grave with spades, a lantern and a pile of earth to one side. "What a sorry excuse for a Funeral eh"
The other lit his pipe illuminating his face. "Yeah, no mourners, no friends to bid her farewell." he replace the pipe in his mouth.
The first on pulled out a fob watch from his jacket to check the time. "I say that's time for a break, before we fill her in. It's not like she's going anywhere just yet." He picked up the lantern and they walked off talking. "we'll tell our friend in the pub, theirs a fresh one for the surgeons slab. Might as well get some use of her." With that they both laughed out loud as they disappeared into the night"
Trixie walked up to the deep hole and looked down into the blackness. The figure stood at her side, silent. "Spirit? Whose lonely grave is this?" suddenly the figures horn glowed to illuminate the headstone. It was short
"R.I.P TRIXIE"
Trixie couldn't speak for the lump which was in her throat. So the figure spoke for her "Why it's yours Trixie. The figures robes disappeared to reveal who she was.
She was the wicked mare of darkness, Nightmare moon! Trixie felt a sharp kick to her side, sending her tumbling into grave "The richest pony in the graveyard! HAHAHAHAHA"
Trixie clung for dear life to a tree root a few feet from the surface. Nightmare moon was laughing maniacally as her horn glowed again. Beneath her Trixie could see the shape of a coffin, which to her horror began to open to reveal a almighty pit of fire and brimstone. Trixie was holding on as tight as she could, but the root was breaking!
"Please!" The root slipped. "I'll change!" the Root snapped "I'll chaaaaange" she fell towards the pit of fire and her doom!