"Twilight Sparkle, so good to see you again." Trixie said smugly as she looked down her nose at her. Twilight was in awe as she stared at her, mouth open wide. Trixie the famed self declared most magical pony in all Equestria was sitting on the princess's right hand side. The same Trixie who botched against the Ursa Minor and had half of ponyville destroyed with the help of her fan club.
"You should close your mouth Twilight, a bug might fly in." Trixie teased her as Sam and Dean regained their composure. They were going to have a extensive discussion later on that night, it went without saying. It took Twilight longer than she cared to admit to recover from her shock, and only fully understood what was happening when Celestia spoke.
"Twilight, I'd like you to meet my sister's star student although it seems you two already know each other."
"Why, yes princess Celestia. Twilight and I did previously engage in a contest of skill and strength."
"Yeah, a contest that you lost!" Rainbow Dash flew up into her face, but Trixie didn't lose her cool.
"That's enough, Rainbow Dash. I'm happy to inform you that Trixie has reformed herself. In fact she has become quite adept in her studies, so much so my sister has appointed her as her newest apprentice."
"WHAT!?" The girls spoke in unison. The news came as a genuine shock to them. They're disbelief was not lost on the Winchesters as Dean jumped into his brother's arms in fright. It didn't take longer than two seconds for Dean to start fussing and for Sam to drop him.
"Princess?" Twilight began, "Are you saying that Trixie is trying to heal princess Luna?"
"It's more like she's lending a hoof. We're all trying to help out anyway we can, which leads me to the reason I invited you over." Celestia said with a smile.
"Don't worry Princess, you can count on us to cheer up Luna." Twilight said confidently.
"Good, now perhaps you can introduce me to your two new friends?"
"Of course, Princess I'd like you to meet Doodles and Chevy Impala they're detectives from... uh..." Twilight stopped mid-sentence unsure of where they came from.
"We're from out west." Sam said. "Where exactly isn't important."
"How dare you speak that way to the princess. I demand you tell us where you come from at once."
"Sorry toots, that's top secret." Trixie grew angry as Dean responded, but the princess interjected."Now Trixie, if these colts don't feel comfortable giving out delicate information we shouldn't force them too."
Trixie sighed. "Very well Princess, as you say." She said with a refined air as she lifted her nose.
"Good. Twilight my sister is in her room resting right now and I think she might be pleasantly surprised to see you all. You can stay with her as long as you wish, but remember that I've arranged a small soiree in honor of your friends tonight."
"We wouldn't miss it for the world. Oh and about the..." Celestia stopped her.
"There will be a time and place to discuss such matters. For now let's just try to make Luna comfortable. Trixie could you show them the way please?"
"Of course, your majesty." Trixie bowed deeply along with everyone else and led the way out of the throne room. "Walk this way." Pinkie caught up to her and started mimicking the exact way she was walking with her head held high. Rainbow Dash chuckled as Dean took a last look over his shoulder at the princess, trying to discern what she really looked like even if his eyes bled out.
…...
"We're here. I know the princess said you could stay as long as you wanted but the princess tires easily so you'll have to keep it short." Trixie stopped in front of a large door with a large crescent moon over the threshold.
"What's wrong with her Trixie? Do you know?" Twilight asked.
"If I knew, don't you think I would've been able to cure her by now?"
"Depends on who you're asking. Last time you came through our town you were just a prancing little show pony showing off your magic and making up stories." Applejack said.
"I can assure I've surpassed all previous expectations I set for myself thanks to the help of the princess."
"That's another thing, how did you become Luna's top student? I didn't even know she ran her own school of magic."
"Twilight I would love to entertain your quizzical little mind all day but we are on a tight schedule. Now wait here until I call you in." Trixie said as she stepped through the door. "Your highness you have some visitors."
From outside the group could hear Luna's weak voice ask who wanted to see her. She sounded tired and groaned a bit as if she were in pain. Trixie called them in and they had their first look at the princess's bedroom.
Princess Luna was laying on her fluffy silken bed with the veils closed around her, glinting any light they could find like little diamonds. The windows were shut and the curtains drawn, a small fire was burning in the fireplace. There was an easel set in a corner and a pile of papers stacked on a nearby desk. A large bookshelf was next to the desk with several books missing and displaced which were placed on the floor dogeared and open to specific pages with highlighted passages. Sam and Dean were already taking in all the information they could without asking questions.
Luna shifted in bed and pulled back her veils, her face instantly lit up as she saw Twilight and all her friends. As she spoke to them Twilight noticed the great difference in her voice from the last time they met. Her once proud royal voice which boomed from her mouth was now more of a hoarse whisper that she could hardly hear.
"Twilight Sparkle, it does me good to see you all again. As you can tell I'm not quite as lustrous a ruler as I once was, you'll have to forgive my appearance." It was true, Luna's hair had stopped flowing in its usual hazy form and had regressed to her old mane, which was tangled and unkempt. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her ears were drooping.
"Don't worry princess, that's what we're here for, to help you feel better any way we can."
"I am glad, just seeing you all has already lifted my spirits."
"Aw, buck up princess. You'll get through this soon enough." Rainbow Dash flew over next to her.
"Yeah, why shoot I bet you'll be feeling better faster than roadrunner going down a steep hill with butter on it's feet."
"Yes, and while you're on the road to recovery perhaps I could help tidy up a bit around, and perhaps comb your mane for you too, it is looking a bit drab."
"Rarity." Twilight scolded.
"Well, it's true."
"Ooh, and I could look after the nocturnal animals for you, princess. It's not everyday I get to work with bats, and owls, and possums, and oh there's just so many."
"Don't you worry about a thing princess. We all know you're going to get better, and when you do we're going to throw a BIG party to celebrate!"
"It is good to know I have such good friends who all want me to feel better, and rest assured I won't let you all down. With the help of my assistant I'll be back on my feet in no time." Luna smiled again but blushed when she finally noticed the the two strange colts in the room. "Oh, and who may I ask are you?"
"Princess, I'd like to introduce you to Doodles and Chevy Impala, their special agents who have come to investigate the recent kidnappings in Canterlot. They also came here to see if they could use their special talents to aid your recovery."
"My, it is good to make acquaintance agents. You'll have to forgive my appearance I don't usually receive gentle-colt callers."
Dean withheld a comment but acknowledged her anyways. "Princess how long ago did you start feeling sick?"
"For an eternity it seems, but I suppose it's only been about two months."
"The day you fell ill did anything unusual happen?"
"Unusual?"
"Yeah, did you maybe smell a strange odor like rotten eggs, or maybe felt some cold spots around your castle?"
"Actually, I do remember the day I fell ill I felt this unusually cold atmosphere."
"Was there anyone with you when you felt this cold?"
"No, I was alone in the middle of the night, as I usually am. Not that many ponies can stay awake long enough to accompany me." Sam walked over to the easel and started looking through the stack of papers. Dean kept talking.
"Princess this might seem like an odd question..."
"Odder than asking her about rotten eggs, agent?" Trixie broke in, but Dean ignored her.
"Princess, do you know if you have any enemies or, um, ponies, who might not wish you well? Maybe someone who wouldn't mind laying a curse on you?"
"I would hope not. It is true several of the ponies in our kingdom are still adjusting to my new demeanor but none seem to be so belligerent."
"Agent Impala, I don't think anyone around these parts would be brazen enough to just outright curse the princess."
"Really? Because it wasn't two days ago we were looking at Equestria's first bonafide murder." Twilight became quiet along with everyone else in the room, even Trixie was left aghast. Sam paused in between pages.
"You draw much princess?" He asked as he turned around and displayed the easel to her. Luna blinked as she drew her attention from the grim agent to his partner.
"Y-Yes, I'm constantly trying to find new constellations to fill the night sky with."
"And how do you do that exactly?
"Whenever I want to create a new constellation I just rearrange the stars in the sky. Sometimes I'll change them according to the seasons, others I'll just change on whimsy."
"Do you draw anything else?"
"I'm afraid I don't see artwork as much of a hobby, it is mostly for the stars." Sam nodded and motioned to the books on the floor.
"I take it reading is your hobby. What kind of books are you interested in?" Sam walked over to the books and picked one of them up. It seemed to be a book on practical magic. Basic diagrams of several symbolic structures, magic squares, and seals were inscribed with what he recognized as arcane words from the time he spent studying with Twilight. Suddenly the book glowed pink and floated up to a space in the bookshelf. Several other books also started floating upwards and settled in their own places. Sam tried to read the title of the book in the low light before turning to see Trixie's horn glowing.
"I was the one reading those books agent Doodles. You see the concept of a disgruntled pony did not escape my mind either. Those books are filled with counter-spells and charms that I initially hoped would help the princess, but as you can see I only met with disappointment so far."
"Trixie, was it? Can you tell me how long ago it was that you were appointed Princess Luna's assistant?"
"Apprentice, and I have been serving my princess for the past year. I do believe I will regret asking this but why do you ask?" Sam glanced over to Dean who gave him a quick shake with his head, Sam understood and took a different course in his questioning.
"No reason."
"I thought as much." Trixie said as Luna put her hoof to her head. "Now if you'll excuse us the princess's migraines are starting up again, when she gets like this she experiences some rather lucid hallucinations."
"Just one last question before we leave. Since we're working with practically nothing here. Princess, where were you exactly when you felt that cold spot?"
"I was out, hnng, in the courtyard."
"No more questions you'll have to leave now."
…...
Back in ponyville Spike was busy arranging books helter skelter in the living room when a knock came at the door. Spike had just picked up a pile of books and made his way over to the door.
"The library's closed come back tomorrow!" He said through the door. "Don't know why you're coming to the library in the first place." He mumbled.
"Spike it's me open up!" Scootaloo shouted. Spike put down the books and opened the door.
"Hey, Scootaloo. What's up?"
"Applebloom, Sweetie Bell, and I are going to go visit Zecora in the Everfree forest. I just stopped by to see if you wanted to come, you must be pretty bored without Twilight around."
"Actually I was kind of busy."
"Busy doing what?" Spike stepped out of the way and showed Scootaloo his book fort complete with watchtowers, a moat, and even a little purple and green flag with his face on it.
"I just finished up the game and was getting to work on a secret passage to the bathroom."
"You did all this in one morning?"
"Actually I've been awake all night! I tried some of that coffee stuff Twilight made for Chevy and Doodles. It tastes gross but it gives you so much energy! I only had to sleep once today, for two minutes!"
"Spike that's crazy. Can I have some?"
"Sorry I finished it all. So why are you going to visit Zecora?"
"All the adults in town have been acting weird ever since yesterday morning. So we called an emergency meeting of the Cutiemark Crusaders and decided that the only one who could help us was Zecora. I thought you might want to come with since Twilight is out of town."
"Why me?"
"You work with Twilight all the time. I'm sure some of her ideas must've rubbed off on you."
"Gee, I don't know the Everfree forest is pretty dangerous."
"Oh, come on. We go into the forest all the time it's no problem."
"Still it's pretty scary. Maybe I should just stay here and finish up my fort."
"Hey are you a baby or are you a dragon?"
"What? I'm both, I'm a baby dragon."
"So aren't dragons supposed to be scary and dangerous?"
"Uhh, well.."
…...
Sam and Dean stepped out into the courtyard with determination, their eyes sifting through the scene trying to lift clues from wherever they could. Several trees lined the walkways, and the walls on either side were topped with towers set half-way down the length of the yard. There were birds chirping in the afternoon sun as a large fountain gurgled at the end of the walkway. The Winchesters set out slowly, looking at every detail as they went along.
"We didn't ask the princess exactly where she was standing did we?"
"Nope. We're gonna to have to find this thing ourselves."
"What are you guys looking for?" Rainbow Dash flew in above them.
"We're looking for anything that doesn't fit. There probably isn't anything left though."
"You need any help?" She flew upside down as she talked to Dean. Dean was about to tell her to buzz off before it hit him.
"Actually, yeah. Yeah, fly up there and get us a bird's eye view of the courtyard." Rainbow saluted and flew off.
"Looks like we got our own air support Sammy." He said as he watched her fly this way and that looking at the towers, and the walls, and everywhere.
"Yeah. Hey Twilight what can you tell me about the history of this castle?"
Twilight came around to them and started her lecture. "This castle was founded around one thousand years ago. Just around the time princess Luna became imprisoned in the moon. It's almost an exact replica of the original castle which was and is still in the Everfree forest. Princess Celestia had it built a few hundred years after Discord's first fall, because until then the Everfree forest wasn't as dark and mysterious as we know it today. It was Discord's curse which forced her to move here to the mountain. A little known fact is that the princess actually commissioned for pieces of the castle to be torn down and moved here brick by brick. The gates we walked through were originally made of silver but have been replaced by pearl about two hundred years ago when..." Dean stopped her.
"Hold on, you said parts of the original castle were moved here?"
"Uh-huh."
"Is this courtyard one of those parts?"
"Yes, it is. Actually just those two towers. But seeds from the grass that was in the original castle were used to create this fertile grass. Oh, and I almost forgot the fountain."
"Alright bro, I'll check the fountain you check the towers."
"Why do I have check the towers?"
"Because I called the fountain." Dean smiled and started walking down the path. Sam sighed and shook his head.
"I can help you check the towers if you want."
"Thanks."
"Well, now hold on just a gosh darned second did y'all happen to forget about us?" Applejack crossed her legs.
"Yeah, we wanna help too."
"Alright, I guess. Um, Applejack? You and Pinkie Pie search the grounds, look for anything that seems suspicious or out of place. Shutterfly?"
"Fluttershy." Twilight whispered.
"Sorry, Fluttershy, fly up there with Rainbow and see if she misses anything. Rarity..."
"No, no that's alright. I'll help your brother search the fountain." Rarity trotted away happily. "Oh, Chevy, wait for me-e."
Sam chuckled a bit before Applejack called his attention.
"Y'know sugar cube it sure would be nice to know what we're looking."
Uhh, yes it would be. To be truthful we won't know until we find it, but until then just look for anything that looks like maybe a small cloth bag, or maybe a doll with pins sticking out, just anything weird like that." Applejack looked surprised but nodded anyway and said 'Got it' before moving out.
"Alright, Twilight you take the left tower I take the right?"
"Oh, I thought we would be searching them together." Twilight pawed at the ground before quickly saying, "But you're right. It would be more efficient to search the towers separately." Twilight trotted away leaving him alone with his thoughts which seemed to only consist of two words, 'Damn' and 'It'.
…...
While the girls were searching they let their minds wander. Fluttershy was busy worrying about all the little animals that lived in the courtyard who left their nests empty. Rarity couldn't help but lose herself watching Chevy dive in and out of the water searching for who knows what while she pretended to look for hidden switches in the inlay of the fountain. Applejack wondered about how many little fillies would wander into this particular courtyard and lose their dollies before remembering about Applebloom and hoping Big Mac was enough to keep her in line. Twilight kept beating herself up as she climbed the steps in the tower for jumping the gun like she did, she was honestly just trying to tag along to learn what he had to teach, so why did she feel so embarrassed? There was no telling what went through Pinkie's mind, and Rainbow Dash was finding it difficult to resist plunging headfirst into the big bull's eye in the middle of the courtyard.
"Hey are we done here Chevy? This is starting to get boring."
"Did you find anything!?"
"Nothing but a big bull's eye."
"Then keep looking!" Rainbow Dash flew in hot and landed next to Dean in the fountain splashing water his way.
"We've been searching this place for a half hour and we haven't found diddly squat. What use is there in us looking anymore."
"You might've missed something."
"I didn't miss anything, I told you all I found was a circle in the grass."
"A what?"
"Hey Chevy!" Sam shouted from the tower.
"What!"
"We got a fairy ring!"
Moments later everyone had assembled in the middle of the courtyard. Sure enough there was a large circular ring of new grass growing around and under the walkway. Applejack walked up to it but Dean stopped her from stepping into it.
"And just what the hay is wrong with a circle in the ground? It ain't like it's going to jump up and bite anypony."
"This isn't just some circle in the ground, it's a fairy ring."
"Beg pardon?"
"Fairy rings are made when sprites, or fairies, or what have you start dancing around in celebration of a full moon, and sometimes they leave behind a magical residue in their rings. Anyone who comes in contact with these things while they're still fresh have all kinds of crazy crap happen to them."
"You and Rarity walked over it and nothing happened."
"Good point. Doodles help me lift this thing." Dean stepped into the ring with no incident and stepped on one side of the cement square covering the middle of the ring and stuck his hooves under it. When Sam was ready they heaved together. Their straining seemed to be in vain as the block refused to budge. Dean urged his brother on and soon they managed to lift the block off the ground far enough to destroy the bond of mud that kept the cement glued to ground. Sam and Dean continued to struggle with the block, the muscles in the legs and chests bulged from the strain. Finally they succeeded and dropped the block onto the walkway and started catching their breath.
"My, is it just me or has it gotten warmer here?" Rarity said as she fanned herself rapidly.
"It's just you." Rainbow Dash teased before heading over to the brothers along with everyone else. Sam and Dean had apparently uncovered a strange glyph carved underneath the block. It was a strange combination between a T and a J surrounded by circle inscribed with several other strange words written in pony. At either side of the glyph there was also a picture of two unicorn heads facing inward with bridles having only one word carved into them.
"So what do you make of this?"
"Doesn't look like any seal I've ever seen. Twilight?"
"Whatever it is I'm not familiar with it. I haven't studied this type of magic, it seems really old and cryptic. I might be able to make it out but I need a reference." Sam thought about the book Trixie tried to hide from him.
"Twilight, does this castle have a library?"
"Of course it does."
"Would it happen to contain a book called um, Sunbomb's atlas of magic?"
"You mean Sunburst's Magical Atlas of hexes and hoaxes? I'm sure it does."
"Good, because that was the same book Trixie was reading for the princess."
"You saying she's in on it?"
"Wouldn't be the first time."
"Alright, so we just need to ask her what kind of spell this is when we find it right?"
"No, we don't need her. I can decipher this myself."
"I'm sure you can Twilight, but if Trixie already knows what this is we're going to save a lot of time."
"You don't know Trixie like I do. If you thought she was rude before you haven't seen anything yet. She'll probably send us on a wild goose chase just so she can show me up."
"Listen Twi, if you don't trust her then fine. I get it. But we're going to need her help if she knows what this is."
"I just don't believe she can be trusted." Pinkie popped up next to her and ruffled her mane.
"Oh, Twilight. You can be so silly sometimes."
"What?"
"Don't you get it? If she were your friend you would trust her no matter what."
"But she's not my friend."
"But you can make her a friend. Ponies make friends everyday." A reprise started up out of thin air and slowly grew louder.
"Where the hell's that music coming from?" Dean asked as Pinkie started singing her song.
You know the world is big and wide,
and you wont make friends unless you try.
Our friendship's true, you bet.
But a stranger's just a friend you haven't made yet.
New friends to make.
So many new friends to make.
New friends to ma-a-ake.
So many new friends to make.
A new chum you met in school,
Or an amigo to help you look cool.
A gal pal for a rainy day,
Or just a friend to tell you its okay.
New friends to make.
So many new friends to make.
New friends to ma-a-ake.
So many new friends to make.
A companion for a walk.
A bud to just sit and talk.
A bump with an unexpected fellow,
Could lead to a pal to help keep it mellow.
New friends to make.
So many new friends to make.
New friends to ma-a-ake.
So many new friends to make.
A sidekick for a prank,
a partner to wash off the stank.
A mate to share your thoughts
A comrade to help you in a precarious situation
An ally that arrives in the nick of time
They may not rhyme but they're quite possibly...
Newest friends to make.
Newest friends to make,
Newest friends to ma-a-ake.
So many new,
So many new friends to make.
Always be Friendly
A message from Pinkie Pie
The girls ended the song by falling into each others arms and giggling together as they lay on the grass. Not that far away however Sam and Dean were looking ghastly. Their stomachs churned at the cuteness and they felt bloated and disoriented.
"Dean, I don't think we belong here."
"Yeah. I'm going to puke." Dean walked away to a nearby bush and waited. Sam just kept staring at the little ponies smiling and laughing together before he turned around himself.
"Mind if I join you?"