Chapter 6 Return
Trixie felt her chest swell with pride as the audience silently watched her with amazement. The crowd hung on every word that Trixie spoke, standing entranced as she began the ending of her tale.
“They pulled the dirty and bruised mare in wrought iron chains; she felt the cuts the ground left on her body as the traveled the countryside. The guards sneered at the mare and often made it a game to see how far they could go to get her to react. She played along with them in hopes of avoiding any more trouble for herself until they got to the end to their destination.”
“The mare felt a jolt and shifted her eyes up, they were there. The inky darkness swallowed up any trace of light or glint off of the guard’s armor; she heard the faint drips of water as they landed on the stone floor. The guards chuckled and removed the mare’s shackles.”
“The mare momentarily collected herself and raced for the door, hoping to escape. But a line of guards stood between her and the caves mouth. She struggled and pushed her way against the wall of guards, but to no avail.”
“She felt the harsh pull of magic against her legs, dragging her ever closer. She felt her legs rise above her head and she was left dangling in the grip of the town’s council. The council ponies sneered and stared at her with contempt in their eyes.”
“Their leader stood up, letting his council robes flourish behind him as he approached the mare. He smiled at the mare, revealing perfect white teeth held in a malicious smile. “The council has decided that they have little use for a mare that attempts to spark any sort of tumult in the ponies of our fair city”.
“We do however,” he said with a quiet chuckle, “have a place for ponies that are very... dedicated to benefitting our city in any way they can. You, my dear mare, will be one of the very generous and courageous ponies.”
“The mare drifted closer to the stallion, feeling colder as she went. The stallion placed her on her feet and looked into her eyes.”
“Most of our fair city ponies just don’t understand the risks that happen to be so close to our town. There are many dangerous weather patterns and disasters lingering just beyond the borders of our city. Not to mention the great beasts that make their homes in the aftermath of these disasters; waiting to make a meal of any foolish pony that gets too close.”
“The stallion continued, “Fortunately for the council, many of the beasts were sentient or at least, aware that deals could be made for their benefit as well as ours.” He flashed the mare a sadistic smile, “and you, my little mare, will be the offering to one of our most intelligent but brutal beasts; hand wrapped and ready for him to do whatever he pleases with you. I say that because the council has seen him release offerings for them to make one last halfhearted attempt to run. They usually never make it out of the cave.”
“The stallion nodded towards one of the guards and the mare watched as he approached, brandishing an iron shod hoof. The last thing see felt was a jolt.”
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“Surprise!” Pinkie cheered, pulling Trixie and a squeaking Fluttershy in for a hug, “Im so happy you to could make it to your “Thanks for helping Trixie, Fluttershy! Slash Welcome back to Ponyville, Trixie party!” I mean, after all, it is a party for you two. And I don’t know of any party ever being thrown were the guests of honor didn’t show up. Well except for that one time were that stallion didn’t like other ponies very much, so when I tried inviting him he ran away. So I got a bunch of ponies together and we hid inside his house and waited for him to come back. He sure was surprised when we jumped out.”
Trixie pulled herself from Pinkie’s vice-like hug and frowned, trying to work out some wrinkles that their host’s hug had left in her cape.
Fluttershy nodded as Pinkie continued her story, preferring to let her friend carry most of the conversation while Trixie sat quietly next to her and gazed at the ponies that came to the party. She saw Twilight waving at her while talking to an orange mare and a little yellow filly, Trixie waved back towards Twilight and walked over to her.
“Good evening Trixie,” Twilight said, “I’m really glad that you felt well enough to come to the party. Pinkie was quite excited to find out that you’ve come back to Ponyville.”
“And I would’ve found out sooner, but I had a feeling that you wouldn’t be able to have a party for a little while.” the bubbly mare chipped in before quickly departing to serve treats to a few foals at the party.
“Well, I thought it would be a good idea to show ponies that I’ve come back to Ponyville no worse for wear.” Trixie said, “I plan on making my life turn around after I fully recover.”
“Well, I could help you out if you needed it,” Twilight said, “If you’re going to be a traveling magician you are going to need another wagon, supplies, and some friends to see whenever you’re in town.”
Trixie nodded and excused herself to the treat table; she felt her mouth water as she spied the piles of treats and drinks Pinkie had supplied for this party. Trixie opted for a cupcake covered in blue frosting and a glass of punch. She took a generous bite out of her cupcake and looked around the room. Most ponies were chatting in small groups or dancing in the middle of the party room. Trixie lightly tapped her hoof to the music while pony watching. Fluttershy took a quiet place next to Trixie, quietly sipping from a soda bottle.
“Twilight and Pinkie are really glad that you’re back in Ponyville,” Fluttershy said between sips, “You already have some good friends in Ponyville.”
“Im glad that I do,” Trixie agreed with a nod, “Hey, I’ve got an idea, finish that bottle and get Twilight and Pinkie, we’re going to dance!”
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Trixie discreetly nodded to Comet, who began loading fireworks as Trixie readied to start the finale chapter of her story.
“A barring weight held the mare in place, forcing her to lay prone against a cold hard floor. She opened her eyes to pitch black and the scent of decay.”
“A deep growl began to echo of the walls of the place, filling the mare with dread. She heard heavy footfalls hit the floor and the foul heat of a beast’s breathing against her whole body.”
“A spark lit up a collection of torches against the wall, revealing the creature to be rare and dangerous Ursa Major. This realization sent the mare into a fit of panic as she struggled against her chains even harder.”
“The Ursa let loose a thundering roar, shaking the entire area. The beast raised its giant claws and prepared to strike down the mare.”
“The mare closed her eyes and heard the crack of stone and the creaking of broken metal. She flew through the air and landed with a great crash. She heard uproarious laughter and the clink of glass.”
“The mare felt her bindings loosen as she continued to struggle and began to free herself. By the time that she freed her fore hooves, the Ursa was upon her again; it began to charge her down as she struggle even harder to free herself. She pulled herself free just as the Ursa Major brought another heavy paw down, smashing the rock.”
“The mare, free from the chains looked around. She saw the vile council of ponies watching her from a large ledge, either enjoying the show the mare was being put through or talking amongst themselves. She saw their leader, coolly and confidently staring down at her.”
“The mare turned to face the Ursa. The Ursa’s eyes were shrouded in shades of hunger and cruelty as it charged towards the mare, preparing to strike her down. The mare sprinted away from the beast, trying desperately to put distance between herself and her demise. She screamed in panic and ran, pushing her body as hard as it could go. The mare tripped, landing against the hard stone wall of the pit. The Ursa, too blind in its charge for the mare, dashed itself against the stone wall; causing the stone walls to shiver and crack under the beast’s weight. The mare quickly leaped to her feet to flee from the beast.”
“As the mare sprinted away from the beast again, a flash of cunning crossed her mind. She grabbed one of the stones and threw it at the dazed Ursa as hard as she could. The stone struck the bear in the eye, now enraged, the Ursa roared and charged the mare.”
“The mare placed herself as close to the ledge the council was on as possible. She taunted and threw more stones at the Ursa, sending it into a deeper rage. Before the Ursa’s great jaw could snap up the mare, she leaped out of the way. The Ursa collided headfirst against the ledge, once again causing huge cracks to form on the walls. However, the cracks slowly rose to the ledge; many council members didn’t see this as they were too enthralled with the action.”
“The cracks slowly began break the ledge; a few rocks began to crumble from the ledge. The ledge started to give way as the weight of the ledge became too much to bare. A loud crunch of stone and screams of ponies was all that the mare heard as the ledge fell, toppling the dazed Ursa and bringing the council ponies along with it.”
“The mare leaped onto the broken stone and ran towards freedom.”
“Upon returning to the village, she gathered as large an audience as she could. She weaved the townsponies a tale of the leader’s betrayal and her escape to the ponies, causing the ponies to band together to find the council ponies.”
“Alas, the townsponies were unable to find the council. The mare knew that they would undoubtedly return, so she stayed near the village to quietly watch over it in case anything happened.”
“Legend says that she still watches over that little village. The council returned, unaware that the citizens knew, and were found guilty. Yet the mare continued to watch over the village; hidden from danger in a cloak and a mantle of stars.”