//------------------------------// // A Day To Remember // Story: It's The Thought That Counts // by DerpyMuffins15 //------------------------------// “Your mother sounds absolutely dreadful!” exclaimed Rarity. She frowned slightly, but not enough to lose the high class vibe she wore. She looked to the mountain of knitted socks beside her, slowly but surely growing. They took up a wide amount of space on her cushion, and have started to take up space on Trixie’s empty seat. ‘Well... socks are in style...’ She sighed. The amused mare sitting opposite gave a subtle giggle and a mild grin in return. “What’s so funny?” “Would you believe me if I told you, to this day my Mom and I are the closest a mother and daughter can possible get?” asked Trixie back. Not a single trace of sarcasm was apparent in the mare’s tone. “I’d call you a liar if you did, darling.” The alabaster unicorn’s gentle magic dispersed, setting down another fabulously knitted pair of wool socks, different in pattern and color scheme from the last ones, but still as eye catching. “Well, Starshine was right, she only had my best interest at heart, and I was pushing her farther away each time we fought.” Trixie looked down on her second attempt on the socks — they were still pretty horrid and should be condemned if the fashionista had any say in the matter. To the trying mare, they seemed to be better than the previous ones, but then again she hadn’t always had a good eye when it came to being fashionable — another thing she picked up from Twilight. The stocking was gently put aside as the mare started on a new one, pulling out more yarn from the shrinking ball of silk. “To think if I just listened to her, maybe Starshine will still be with me today,” whispered Trixie. Her eyes drooped to almost half closed as her shoulders slumped. The mare’s vision was again glued to the ground, while she expelled a heavy sigh. “My condolences.” A white bottle, one-third gone, was levitated from it’s hidden area along with two diamonds. With not even a sweat, Rarity reshaped the gems into drinking glasses. She easily pulled off the cap, and poured the potent alcoholic liquid. “It’s five o’clock somewhere, darling,” said Rarity as she offered the other glass to the slumping mare, “Cheers.” “Thanks.” Trixie downed the shot without any hesitation, “I see Mom every Thursdays now, for our usual lunch date. We’d catch up on unimportant things, gossip about how stuck up some of the nobles can be, or just simply enjoying the other’s company.” Her glass was quickly refilled, and held steady, “Even Twilight tags along every now and then.” “Then I take that things were settled between her and your mother?” “Yea....” answered Trixie weakly, “I just wish Starshine could see us now; one big happy family.” She took another shot. |~|~|~|~|~| The dysfunctional family quietly sat together at the diner table, one pair of unicorns not moving a muscle while the other fidgeted around. Each one with a different set of expressions on their faces about the sudden turn of events. The patriarch still had a warm, but wearing out smile as his daughter sat lifelessly next to him. Moonlight closely embraced her adopted daughter, the both clearly enjoying the warmth it brought. Trixie slowly had her colours drained away as the filly’s heart stood frozen. “T-Twilight? W-what are you doing?” asked Trixie bewildered. The words seemed nigh impossible, as Trixie had to audibly gulp the knot in her dry throat. From her twitching eyes and panting, a relapse into shock was just an ‘I love you Mom’ away. “She’s simply hugging her mother, something you’ve never done before,” answered Moonlight, batting her eyelashes and pouted foalish innocence on her face. “What did you do to her?! You HATED Twilight the moment you saw her and now you’re acting like she’s your own BIRTH daughter!” yelled Trixie, jumping onto the table. Her dinner plate along with forks and spoons clattered on each other, and shattered onto the hard floor. “I don’t know what you are talking about honey, it was honestly just a misunderstanding. Twilight and I reached an agreement is all,” spoke Moonlight calmly. She gently sedating the huffing filly with a flicker of magic back into her seat. Trixie tore away the hated stare aimed at her mother and looked closely to her sister, the only being to ever be warmly hugged around Moonlight’s hooves. Twilight’s eyes returned her glare — the narrowing amethyst orbs barely had the familiar glow she knew the filly to shine with. Gone was the nomadic Twilight, replaced by a scandalous stuck up noble. The wrapped filly nervously pawed at her seat, quickly avoiding her sister’s inspection. In a fraction of a second Twilight shifted her body uncomfortably, allowing Trixie to take notice of the necklace she adorned, the same one that Moonlight would consider more important than her own foal. It now hung securely around the filly’s neck, the Imperial sapphires inside giving off a faint light of it’s own. It was the final blow needed to topple Trixie’s world. Her mother had given away the most precious thing Trixie had known Moonlight to possess to an orphan she barely knew. “Y-you gave her the a-amulet?” stuttered Trixie, unsure of what to do next. Moonlight could not have been happier in her life. The hysteria on her true daughter’s face told it all, she had finally won the war. “I hope you don’t mind, Trixie. Twilight has proven more than enough of herself, with how smart and capable she is.” Complemented Moonlight, watching Twilight blush slightly. “After giving it a serious thought, I decided to give her what your foremothers passed down to me. She does deserve it after all. Wouldn’t you agree?” Defeat: Trixie didn’t want to ever face it, especially to someone like Moonlight. Not only that, but she was robbed of a sister by the monster she called her mother. She slumped lower into her chair, quietly sulking as she waved an imaginary white flag. “Can you leave Trixie alone, please?” pleaded Twilight. She poked her head out as Moonlight loosen her grasp. Twilight looked to her mother with the biggest set of watering eyes possible, quivered her lower lip unsteadily, finishing off with a gentle nuzzle on the mare’s warm chest. Moonlight happily returned the nuzzle with a gentle caress of her own, completely surprising everyone. “Of course, anything for my special little filly,” she answered as she squeezed the life out of her daughter. Twilight was close enough to hear a gentle thud inside the mare, confirming that she did in fact have a heart. Trixie stared at her mother, instantly realizing she had just traded places with the ex-orphan. The shocked filly sat plaintively in her seat, eyes big and bulging, with hot short breaths taken, cold sweat pouring down. ‘D-did I just lose Mom to Twilight?’ “You look pale honey, something wrong?” asked Moonlight, a tinge of concern in her voice, whether faked or real it wasn’t clear. “Just peachy, Mother,” grumbled Trixie. She turned to her silent father, hoping maybe he could make something of the grave she dug for herself. He still had a worn out smile on his face; this time it was fake. “W-where is Twilight going to sleep tonight?” asked Trixie, hoping for some alone time with her sister for a better explanation. Grinning with amusement, Moonlight pondered the thought carefully in her head. “No daughter of mine is going to sleep in the dungeon, that’s for sure.” She gave Twilight a penitent look. “How about the Lunar suite?” The filly in question managed to get herself out of her depressed slump and grew with curiosity, a good sign she was still herself, “The Lunar suite? Where’s that? Am I still allowed to bunk with Trixie?” It was unexpected, but the last question gave the forgotten filly new hope, taking down her white flag and brought a cheery smile to counter Moonlight’s own. Trixie looked to her father to see a genuine smile this time, but things turn opposite. There wasn’t just a frown on Starshine’s face, but actual anger. ‘Starshine’s... angry?’ The ever apparent ‘never’ was missing. Trixie not once in her life seen her father angry with anyone, or even been able to show that emotion whatsoever, but this was different. Since her birth she’d always look to her father for protection. Now Trixie feared Starshine more than she did her mother, and almost considered running and confining herself within Moonlight for reassurance. She looked to her still mother, even the collected mare was starting to show signs of disconcertion as well. “No one has entered Her Majesty’s room since her banishment,” stated Starshine darkly. Whatever left of the mood died and it wasn’t killed by Moonlight’s harsh nature. Everyone’s attention was locked on the stallion, who was giving his wife a death stare and sentence should she continue. Moonlight hid her fears and nervousness well, as she composed what was left of her confidence and once again did the impossible, “I’m sorry, darling.” She released the choking hold she didn’t know she had on the gasping filly. Moonlight quickly looked away towards Trixie, who slightly trembled in her seat. “Starshine... are you... okay?” asked Trixie patiently, worried her father really had been replaced. His anger completely vanished as he turned towards his troubled daughter, who he gave a dreary look to. Trixie saw her father’s kind eyes and knew right away he was back, though for how long, she didn’t want to know. “I’ll be fine Trixie,” said Starshine, a gentle but clear change back into his calmer demeanor. “Would you mind taking Twilight up to your rooms? I need to have a few words with your mother. I want the both of you in bed, so no books tonight, alright Twilight?” bade Starshine, sending her an apologetic look. Try as she might, Twilight couldn’t hide the mild disappointment on her face, but reluctantly agreed. See broke the hug, gave her mother a worried frown and paced to door, opening it and quietly closing after she left. She was soon hurriedly joined by Trixie who had a beaming smirk on her face. They slowly paced in the dim hallways, the azure sister leading, “What’s so funny?” Twilight asked. “Mom’s gonna get it!” said Trixie excitedly. She returned her sister’s gaze, waiting for a smile to given back at her; she didn’t get one. “I hope Mom will be alright,” answered Twilight back. If the she had been a master at lying, Trixie couldn’t tell. All Trixie detected was concern in her sister’s voice, which was cause for further concern for Twilight herself. “You aren’t serious are you? After what she did to you, you still care about her?” snickered Trixie. She gave a hearty giggle at the frivolous thought, ‘I mean, who honestly cares about Moonlight?’ “And what exactly did she do to me?” snapped Twilight. She now donned her newfound elegance flawlessly, intoning the words while she remained passive. A leer was given to her sibling as she precisely executed Moonlight’s personal glacial scowl. Trixie stared at Twilight and saw the second most frightening thing in her life — she saw the spitting image of their mother in the filly she thought to be her sister. “Twilight, take that necklace off, now,” pleaded Trixie, fearing the worst. Surprise took her first as she stared down at her new amulet and then to her sister with a quizzical look. The necklace didn’t feel out of place or wrong, unlike the huge castle. It was always warm to the touch, like there was pulsing energy within it. “What’s wrong with it?” asked Twilight back. “Mom gave you that necklace,” stated Trixie bluntly. “Yea, so?” asked the filly more confused. “You don’t get it Twilight, she gave you the necklace. That amulet has to be earned — passed down when the mother deems her daughter worthy and able enough to protect it.” Explained Trixie. A mysterious but chilly gust blew past, almost extinguishing the torches. The closest window was just a few meters away, closed and locked. With her agitation growing, Twilight eyed her sister with a frown and raised eyebrow, more questions wandering in her head than she had before. “And this is a bad thing because?” “The necklace kills you if it doesn’t think you are worthy,” answered Trixie darkly. The final words spoken, all the dim torches died. Within the shadows, she looked creepy, almost psychotic, as the words struck a new meaning of fear. Both fillies stopped in their tracks as Twilight lost her look of elegance and confidence. Instinctively, her fast reactions ignited all the torches within seconds, all several hundreds of them. She stared to her sister to see if it was simply another joke, only to be met with the same serious face that Moonlight always wore. “B-but I’m still alive... Aren't I?” asked Twilight sheepishly, gulping with difficulty. ‘I am still considered to be alive, right?’ the filly pondered. She meticulously checked her vitals, her right hoof rushing to hey jugular to confirm a pulse, then breathed a sigh of relief when she detected one. “Oh! Then everything should be fine then,” answered Trixie cheerfully. With a hop in her steps she continued on down the hallways and turned a corner. “You coming Twilight?!” called her excited sister from another hallway. Twilight seemed spooked out of her mind as she looked down to the amulet that could choke the life out of her any second it choose to. A gentle, but noticeable sparkle shimmered on the tiny sapphires. Narrowing her eyes, she expelled some mana for a microscope spell, intensify her already abnormal vision. Inspecting the gems on a mesoscopic view, she saw stars. Not the ones you get when you’re dizzy, but trillions of giant tiny ball of gas. They were all swirling together in the formation of a single nebula. In the center, a small quizar pulsed thousandfold mana on both of its poles, enough to even make any power hungry alicorn appeased. Startled, Twilight dispersed the spell and backed away. She was forcefully stopped as her rump met obsidian. Nowhere else to go, her legs wobbled and toppled her unsteady body. Grace was out the door as fumbled not to fall on her face. Twilight regained whatever left elegance she had and lay on her rumbling tummy. She shushed the annoying slave driver and contemplated all that Moonlight had previously told her. “Protect this amulet with your life, Twilight.” The request reverberated in mind, as she made absolutely sure it was a request from a desperate mother and not a demand from an upstart noble. ‘What have I got myself into?’ she thought. It was the million bit question that she would gladly pay to know beforehand. Unsure, she opened the window with her telekinesis, letting in some fresh air to clear her troubling thoughts. Twilight looked from the black floor to the holy moonlight escaping in. She stared at Luna, and she stared back. The silhouette of an imprisoned goddess imprinted on the barren surface. Nothing but chalky white or black craters was on the seeable side of celestial body, the darkside completely unknown. Trembling hooves raised themselves, walking diligently to the window to get a better view. Basking in the ex-Princess essence, she let the night’s warmth smoothe away her nerves as Twilight breathed a long fresh breath. The amulet glowed lummanestant, Twilight ignoring it for the non-duplicatable beams that Luna shone. ‘Follow your heart,’ she said. Twilight didn’t know who said it, just that someone said it. The angelic voice spoke soundless words that translated to nothing more than a gentle thought. ‘Follow my heart?’ Twilight asked back. She didn’t get a reply, but she knew exactly what was expected of her. “Wait up!” called Twilight as she ran to catch up to her sister. The heavily breathing filly was luckily enough to catch her in time before Trixie turned a corner onto a spiral staircase leading upward. Twilight closely trotted next to her sister, clinging to her as the shadows grew and lights dim even more so. The stone hallways as well the walls and floors were warm to the touch; something strange for a structure mainly consisting of obsidian noted the smart filly. “Hey, Trixie?” asked Twilight, carefully re-examining the strange unorthodox building material. “Yea?” “How is it possible that a castle as big as this feel so warm? I mean, there’s certainly ventilation systems that circulate warm air throughout it, but with something this big and scale, I doubt you can possibly build a furnace or heating structure with enough energy hourly produced to heat the castle.” Trixie blankly stared back with a dumbfounded look like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. “The castle was built on a volcano, duh,” answered Trixie as they slowly trotted to their bedrooms. “S-so you have a dungeon in the basement which was built on top of a volcano?!” asked Twilight in shock. ‘With a family like this, I thought I’d be used to something like this by now.’ “Yea, why?” Trixie stared at her sister as the filly’s jaw dropped to the ground with complete terror. “Close your mouth Twilight, you’ll catch flies,” warned Trixie, clamping shut the gaping hole. “We’re here.” Twilight snapped out of her confound state of mind, looking to a medium size iron door, while painted on it was a stunning mural of Trixie’s cutie mark, a fluid wand and moon, decorated accordingly with tiny sparkling stars. The heavy door lit a magenta hue as did Trixie's own horn; after a few seconds, the magic dissipated and mechanical locks clicked and grinded, the door gently pushing itself inward, inviting the fillies inside. Trixie took lead, taking the first steps into their now shared rooms. Spacious was the only word fit to describe their sleeping quarters. Within the right side of the room, massive cyan covers laid peacefully on an equally large bed, supported by mahogany stands, with transparent veils tied around each of the four corner. The bed was snugly shifted against a single wall, above it a window, the only one within the room, bleakly letting in moonlight. To the left of the bed, a short distance away was a nightstand with a circular mirror sitting on top. A small dresser was placed next to nightstand, with an empty suitcase on it as well an old chemistry set. The opposite side of the room sat a large nylon couch safely set next to an extinct fireplace, while large blocks of firewood was in it waiting to be used. On the mantel decorated a bouquet of freshly cut Lunar Lilywhites settled in a glass vase with distilled water. An old medieval grandmother clock ticked and chimed next to the couch joined by a fully shelved bookcase. ‘Simple, yet cozy. Guess Trixie picked it up from Dad,’ thought Twilight, comforting herself with the new surroundings. “There’s only one bed,” noticed the filly looking to her single luggage that had been moved into room. On the bed rested unharmed was her only book, torn away from her from before. “I said you can bunk with me didn’t I? I call the inner half!” shouted Trixie, too excitedly, jumping into mid air and landed with a loud thud head first into a wall. “Ow.....” mumbled Trixie, delicately rubbing the reddening bulge on her forehead. In yoctoseconds, the First Edition book was swiped away, safely tucked into Twilight’s hooves. Worries sedated, the filly hurriedly trotted to the large bed. “Here,” said Twilight gently setting aside her book with telekinesis and pushed away Trixie’s hooves, “Let’s take a look at th- Woah.....” mumbled the examining filly. “Is it bad?” asked Trixie trying to look up at the bruise on her forehead. “Ehh..... I think I can fix it?” answered Twilight lighting her horn in healing magic. “Hold still. I can probably heal it, or I can make your head pop off.” Trixie stared at her sister like she was a lioness waiting to pounce. Her hooves went straight to flailing, as she tried not to have another relapse into shock. “Twi, don’t!” begged the scared filly. “I like my head the way it is, honest! This isn’t anything too serious!” “I was joking, Trixie.” Jested Twilight, smiling and adding a point for herself on an imaginary scoreboard. ‘That’s one for one, Trixie.’ “Really Twilight, you don’t need to heal it! I’ll just have Alfred bandage it.” Begged Trixie, gently pushing her sister down to the soft covers and yelled, “Alfred!” “Who’s Alfred?” asked Twilight, curiosity sparking in the filly. “Kind of a strange name don’t you think?” “I am sorry if I have a strange name Miss Twilight.” Answered the butler, who magically seemed to have showed up out of nowhere. Twilight broke the record for highest a filly unicorn could jump up into the air as her mane gently bumped itself against the twenty-meter tall ceiling. Her descent down was just as quick as she landed with a soft thud on the safe mattress. “That’s Alfred,” explained Trixie, rubbing her injured scalp and winced at the touch. “Can you get-” she stared at the silver plate on one of his hooves, which coincidentally had a few bandages and wraps, “Always prepared I see.” Regaining her footing, Twilight stared at the butler with disbelief. She hadn’t heard him come through the door, and pondered how it was remotely possible he could have a dish with the needed items asked for already. “How did you....” “Butler’s intuition,” answered the grey earth pony. “But t-that’s not possible!” argued Twilight weakly. “Twilight, if there is one thing you don’t question, it’s Alfred’s ability to do the impossible.” Returned Trixie gladly accepting the bandages. The filly’s hooves flinch every time they made contact with the injury, but she manage to get the wrap around the bulge and secure it. All logical sense of physics out the door, Twilight took the injured sister’s advice and stared at the butler with clear interest. “You sound kinda funny Alfred.” She noticed. “That’s because he has an accent Twi.” “Oh,” realized Twilight. “Well, I hope you get better from your accident, Mister. Would you like a cough drop?” “No thank you, Miss Twilight.” The butler gave an amused chuckled. “Do you require anything? “May I have a daisy sandwich, please? I kind of skipped out on din- Oh, you already have a daisy sandwich...” mumble Twilight. The kind butler had prepared a snack, as there were several dozen sandwiches cut into halves neatly stacked on the silver platter he was caring. “Are you secretly a unicorn?” asked Twilight, still confused on the stallion’s ability to be prepared for anything. “I do not believe I can pull a fast one on someone as capable as you Miss Twilight. Do you require anything else this evening?” asked the butler back. The filly thought of asking for the ridiculous and impossible; the strange look from her sister told Twilight that Trixie had already attempted it. “No thank you, Mister. Sorry I said your name sounded goofy back there.” Said Twilight with a hint of guilt. “Apology accepted, Miss Twilight. I hope you both have a wonderful evening and a restful night’s sleep.” Said ‘Alfred’ quietly taking his leave behind a widely opened iron door. It silently swung shut leaving the two fillies alone again. “So...” said Trixie drawing her sister’s attention back, “What do you want to do now?” Twilight shrugged. “I don’t know. What do want to do?” “Hmm....” mused Trixie tapping her chin, “Wanna build a book fort?” The violet filly smile widely and leaped into the air again. “I call being the Princess!” |~|~|~|~|~| “You had a butler named Alfred?” asked Rarity. Her magic still tightly wrapped around the single shot she never drank and watched attentively as her student finished another third of the vodka. “He was from Trottingham and brought his baby sister when he came here.” Explained Trixie. “Did you really mean it when you said the necklace would kill Twilight if it didn’t think she was worthy?” interrupted the curious mare. She looked to be quite worked up over the prospect and teasing was all over Trixie’s own thoughts. “Well, yes and no,” answered Trixie, pouring herself another shot of vodka, “You see, I have the necklace with me right here.” Trixie’s magenta magic opened her saddle bags, lifting into the open a crescent moon amulet, still sapphire studded and shined it’s own personal glow. “It belongs to me now.” The charm gently levitated to the Lulamoon, the noose ripping apart and magically sealed itself with a bright blue glow. The necklace not only looked perfect for the azure mare, but complement everything that was her. The gems sparkled the same along with her cutie mark as the deep blue on the sapphires stood out and gave her coat a jet like gloss. The silver was a perfect mirror, as it reflected a stormy tinge like the mare’s eyes. It was as if the amulet was specially made for Trixie herself. Rarity pouted as she had never once seen a more precious and stunning design of jewelry in her life. “Quite honestly, darling, I’m jealous. It looks fabulous on you,” admitted the fashionista. “Thanks,” said Trixie, slightly blushing at the complement. “Mom gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. Wish I could make up all those years I hated her, but I was young and foolish. We wasted so much time fighting with each other that she barely got the chance to see me grow up.” Trixie took another shot. “For a while, I lost Mom to Twilight, but I was just too stubborn to realize it was my own fault. You know the old proverb, ‘You don't know what you have until it’s gone.’” “You’re making up with her now,” reassured Rarity, “That’s what counts. You were able to put aside your differences and get along as mother and daughter; that’s what mattered in the end isn’t it?” “I guess so. I have been meaning to buy her something nice for a while now. A ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry’ for all those years she stuck with me,” said Trixie. “Perhaps, but may I suggest you get something from the heart? I’m sure she’ll love it more if was made by you, and not in a factory somewhere on some different continent. You’re already traveling such a far distance anyways so, why don’t I get you some more material for another pair of socks?” “Thanks, but no thanks. I already got the perfect gift in mind, and you were right, it should be from the heart.” “Well, I’m glad I helped you in some way. Now about your sister, where is she now?” asked Rarity. “She’s probably at the Royal Archives or Library, most likely sticking her head in some ancient tomb or scroll about some dead unicorn from hundreds of years ago who invented a spell that ‘helped formed modern Equestria, but one seems to care about’.” “You said you left this morning right?” “Yeah, why?” “Won’t Twilight come home to an empty house and to find her sister is to be nowhere in sight?” The loud facehoof echoed in the small compartment, dead point in the middle of her face was a swelling mark in the shape of a horse print. “I can’t believe I forgot to leave her a note!” remembered the lazy mare. She hastily opened her saddle bags again, magicking out a quill, parchment and ink bottle. “Darling, Ponyville won’t be here for another several hours,” reminded Rarity. “Even if the Cloudsdale mail service delivered that letter, it won’t arrive until at least tomorrow morning.” “I know,” answered Trixie, finishing up her letter as she got to the apology part of it. With a whiff of magic, it rolled itself up and the quill and bottle were put away. “Alfred!” “Yes Miss Lulamoon?” answered the butler pony, who stood heartedly at the doors of the coach. “AHH!” screamed Rarity, jumping into the air. “I need you to deliver this letter to Twi for me,” said Trixie gently levitating the parchment to him. “Thanks!” “As you wish, Miss Lulamoon. My apologies to your friend for scaring her.” The butler quietly took his leave and disappeared from sight within seconds. “H-how is that possible?!” exclaimed the distress mare. “Like I said, never underestimate Alfred’s ability to do the impossible.” “B-but we’re on a train!” argued Rarity. “So?” asked Trixie back, the hint of knowing a secret apparent. “I need to get myself a butler like Alfred one of these days. Work around the shop would be so much easier if I had one.” “Sorry Rarity, but he’s one of a kind.” “That’s quite a shame. I was looking forward to someone bringing me tea every time I faint or something. Oh well, let’s get back into things then shall we? Those socks aren’t going to knit themselves.” “Of course, anyways, Twi and I built our first book fort together. She was Princess Eos and I was her most faithful student, Sunny Skies. We started on a fort... But things took a sour turn.” Trixie downed the rest of the vodka. “My relationship with Mom wasn’t always the best, and adding someone like Twi into the mix just ignited the long fuse. I hated myself for what could have happened......” |~|~|~|~|~| “Princess?” “Yeessh Shunnie?” “We don’t have enough books to make a fort.” “Toh theh Librehry mai student!” “Starshine said to stay in our room, though.” “Ahh.....” sighed Twilight disappointedly. She finished chewing her daisy sandwiched and swallowed the delicious snack. ‘I need to thank Alfred later for these!’ The sisters took a step back and observed the half completed palatial and looked to the only remaining book left in the room. They both stared at Twilight’s history book, as Trixie slowly approached it. “Please don’t!” pleaded her sister. Twilight quickly outmatched her Trixie’s pace and grabbed her only book, drawing it close and used her own body as a shield. “Twilight... what are you doing?” asked Trixie bewildered. The other filly was nearly cuddling her book as her sister gave a weirded out look. “It’s just a book.” The words left a hurting impact on the protective filly. Her most precious belonging wasn’t just only a book to her, it was more than that. It was her entire life. It was the only thing that could possible connect her past and present. “Sorry Trixie.” She mumbled. “I just don’t like it when this book is used by anyone else besides me.” Her sister wanted to press for more info, but decided against it after the teleporting incident. “Alright, Twi. I understand.” Comforted Trixie. “You want a cookie?” The upset filly shook her head, “Thanks, but no thank you Trixie. We aren’t supposed to have any sugar before bed.” Twilight hesitated, but reluctantly set down her book, hiding it under her pillow and set her Smartypants doll on top to stand guard. Now something was definitely wrong. No foal was ever able to resist chocolate, let alone say no to it. “Twilight, what happened? If you don’t want to talk about it I understand, but... What did you and Mom do together?” Trixie received a dry smile in return, the same one that Starshine always gave her whenever he tried to say no to her. “Honestly Trixie...” mumbled Twilight - she turned her head to look out into the window, gazing directly at Luna. “We just had a talk. She said a few things and I said a few things. Mom healed me and sat me down for an important talk about my future.” She gave the blunt of the exchange as to not upset her sister and cause further hardship between the mother and daughter. Attentive ears twitched and listened carefully for any detail or change within the filly’s voice. Twilight had been well trained to separate her emotions from speech, as her tone never hinted at malice or joy. Trixie’s new sister was getting more and more like Moonlight every second, and she feared when Twilight would be fully corrupted and changed. “Twi...” sniveled Trixie, trying to sound as sincere as she could, and looked to Twilight with watering eyes, “... we’re sisters aren’t we?” The stargazing filly tore her distracted eyes to a startled Trixie closely setting next to her. Trixie’s body was stiff and rigid, with troubled hooves drawing small circles on their blanket. The filly was anxiously biting her lower lip and looked insecure, complete gone was her royal aura. “Of course, there’s no doubt about it,” answered Twilight. She wiped away a stray tear that threatened to pour, and startled her sister with a needed hug. “I’ll be here if you want to talk Trixie, and I hope that the vica versa can be true.” Trixie returned the gesture after a few seconds to allow to it to sink in. The violet filly’s body was bitter cold, yet she didn’t mind. The only thing warm to the touch was moon amulet she wore. “H-hey Twi?” asked Trixie starting to feel the after effects of her sister’s touch. Twilight felt the shiver that ran up the Trixie’s spine - and instantly magicking the soft blanket under them and laid her sister to sleep. “Don’t worry Trixie. Rest for a while and I’ll come back with some hot coco alright?” Trixie gave a subtle nod of yes, as Twilight elegantly stepped down from the bed. Her fuchsia magic lit the door as it opened and she stepped out. The lone filly looked around the room and found herself staring at Twilight’s Smartypants doll. The black buttons for eyes, although had no distinction of which direction they were facing, stared at her with devious notations, daring her to go against her sister’s pleas and wishes. Trixie hated herself, but curiosity won out. The doll and pillow were gently levitated away, revealing the secret hiding place of Twilight’s book. Steady hooves diligently reached for the age-ridden hard cover of the book and flipped it opened. The Lunar Princess’s signature was gently inscribe in special ink, the kind that never fades away - done in the same fashion was Starswirl’s right below the Alicorn’s. She carefully turned the page, taking extra precautions as to not tear the old paper. The second inside cover had a written note, at the bottom was Twilight’s name. To Twilight, the smartest little filly we ever had the honor of raising. We wish you the happiest of birthdays and fun each time you read this book. We love you as much as any parents could their special little filly, and sincerely hope you know what it means for us to have you as a daughter. You’re our world, don’t forget that, not even for a second. Your special day only comes once a year, but don’t let that be an excuse for you to stay up all night reading this! With love, your parents, N-******* a*d T-***** The rest of the note was scorched and burned, the most important part gone. Trixie couldn’t believe Twilight’s luck; even if it meant losing her sister, Trixie would have gladly done anything to recover the rest of the note. She looked to the date that was next to their names - it was barely readable but show an exact day. Twilight’s birthday was- Thud, Thud,Thud Trixie’s attuned ears perked at the sounds of coming hoovesteps, as the spooked filly quickly, but gently closed the book and covered it with a pillow again. The old doll was again sitting on top of Twilight’s pillow as Trixie tried to look inconspicuous as the spying filly could. Twilight had returned with two cups of hot coco in her telekinesis, but she wasn’t alone, Moonlight was with her. Both mother and daughter were happily beaming, the filly especially as Twilight lovingly nudged on Moonlight’s leg. The real daughter didn’t know whether to be jealous or frightened. No one ever got close enough to know about an affectionate side of Moonlight let alone actually feel it. The pair of unicorns stepped into the bedroom, Twilight with a lively skip to her steps, as Moonlight delightfully watched her excited daughter. ‘The world must be ending....’ mused Trixie looking to the disturbing sight. One of the steaming mugs was levitated to Trixie as the magic switched from Twilight’s to a magenta. “Hope you enjoy it Trixie. Twilight and I made it ourselves,” trifled Moonlight. She continued to beam pridefully at her blushing filly, showcasing her rare but genuine smile of joy. Whether it the jealousy or the hatred she had for her mother, she didn’t know - Trixie threw the hot chocolate at her mother’s face. She had no doubt expected it to be deflected by Moonlight, to protect herself from the burns. The elder unicorn’s magic never lit. |~|~|~|~|~| Rip Rarity looked with attentive eyes from the storyteller to the stocking she was knitting. The fabric was forcefully torn in half, pulled apart by the two dull needles. The gentle magenta that held them together dissipated, as Trixie held her empty bottle of vodka. Trixie gave a disappointed sigh, limply hanging her hooves down and dropped the bottle onto the floor. “Things couldn’t have gotten that bad, did it?” asked Rarity. Trixie gave a labored chuckle and magicked more bits from her saddle bags. “Makes you wonder what kind of mother Moonlight was, doesn’t it?” The mare took her money and walked out the coach, leaving Rarity alone. “You don’t mean that.... Do you?” asked Rarity to herself. Trixie returned shortly, five bottles of vodka in her magic. |~|~|~|~|~| Twilight caught the chocolate. In mid air was burning hot coco limbly floating about in a fuchsia hold. Moonlight’s magic ignited afterwards, the shattered mug on the floor was repaired, shard for shard, as it was levitated upward and again used to store the steaming chocolate. Moonlight looked passive as ever, her joy for Twilight’s accomplishment gone. “I’m very disappointed in you Trixie.” It was all her mother said. She avoid the gaze of both family members, waiting patiently for Moonlight to slap her any second now. When it didn’t come, she turned to Twilight, anger and jealousy beyond recognizable. The violet sister had pleading eyes on, but they were aimed at their mother. Moonlight sighed and set the two mugs onto the nightstand beside the dresser. Her magic sparked and a dim blue flame consumed the fireplace, burning the fresh wood. Moonlight’s favored daughter delicately stepped onto the bed, mouthing ‘I’m so sorry.’ Trixie let her head drop and hung her vision on the cyan covers. The oxford unicorn settled down, slowly pacing to her obedient filly as Twilight wrapped the soft blanket onto herself and took off her silk bow. “Goodnight Twilight, sweet dreams.” Said Moonlight, tucking her daughter in and kissing her forehead. The filly already had her eyes closed a second too early as Moonlight smirked wickedly at Trixie, and gave a gentle huggle to Twilight. The frown shot to her mother said, ‘You planned this didn’t you?!’ Moonlight’s joyful smiles told her, ‘What were you expecting?’ Trixie angrily tucked herself into bed, ‘I hate you Mother.’ Moonlight tugged on the blanket towards her sleeping filly, ‘Kai su, teknon? Do you hate me as well?’ She levitated Smartypants to her adorable daughter, who pawed at an empty space until the rugged toy was in her grasp, which Twilight instinctive took without hesitation. ‘Guess not.’ She looked down to her daughter’s delighted smile. ‘Goodnight Mother.’ Trixie blew a raspberry. ‘You always have the option of seppuku.’ ‘In your dreams.’ She felt no contrite for her Mother. “I love you Twilight, my daughter.” Spoke Moonlight calmly and true. She walked to the door, and shot a victory glare at Trixie. ‘Goodnight Trixie, sleep well tonight.’ Her smirk told. The door swung shut, cutting off all light source but the fireplace. Trixie stared at the bland obsidian wall, nothing keeping her mind occupied but what had transcended. Twilight instinctively protected the ruthless unicorn they both had the displeasure of calling mom. Why her sister did it, she didn’t know. Twilight feared Moonlight the moment they met - now they enjoy spending time with each other like they really were blood related. “I’m sorry.” Upset as she was, Trixie heard the apology and turned to her still quite awake sister. Twilight had pleading eyes, and was snuggly cuddling her Smartypants poll. She stared at back at Trixie and apologized again, “I’m sorry if I did anything to make you angry Trixie. I honestly didn’t know.” Twilight lifted her head and gently pulled out her sacred book. She handed it to Trixie and turned towards the fire, completely shutting her eyes and went back to sleep. The possession now in her control Trixie stared at it with interest. “Keep it safe for me.” They were the last words said before Twilight fell into slumber. Trixie’s eyes went from the fireplace to the book - back and forth. The book was gripped in a magenta glow, levitated high and aimed into the burning firewood. All it took was a thought and it would burn to a crisp within seconds. Her eyes now wandered from Twilight, to the fire, and back to the book. The old memento was already poised and ready, waiting for Trixie to give the order. She hated Twilight; the filly had stolen her mother. It would have been so easy to even the score, all it took was crossing a sacred line. Twilight openly shared her old book and gave it to Trixie for safekeeping, knowing the filly’s hatred and anger. Trixie looked at her sister one last time. ‘Are we even sisters anymore?’ Trixie wondered. The slumbering filly was completely still, sound asleep, as Trixie looked at her still form. Strangely Twilight slightly bobbed her head, in a gesture of agreement. Trixie took notice, and pondered what her next move was to be. Her eyes wandered from the old book, to the glistening necklace that glowed in the darkness. ‘Your book for the amulet Twilight? Are you sure?’ The sleeping filly slightly nodded again, like she could read thoughts. Her old possession descended and lay peacefully on the covers. Trixie grabbed it with her own hooves and gently pushed it under Twilight’s pillow, tucking herself back in. “Night, Twi.” Her sister rolled over and glomped Trixie with freezing hooves. The touch sent shivers up her spine as Twilight pulled Trixie closer and embraced her. Trixie learned immediately that Twilight was a cuddler, as the cold filly nestled her head up and down Trixie’s bare chest, until she finally found a comfortable spot to rest it on. The freezing filly yanked on the warm covers, completely immersing herself and laid still. “Night, Sis.” Returned Twilight groggily. She stiffed an oncoming yawn and closed her eyes for the last time that night. Trixie wasn’t far behind, as her eyelids became harder to keep open and heavier by the second. A small fire quietly crackled from a distance while the grandmother clock next to it chimed nine in its small corner. Next to the bed stood a nightstand, reflecting the orange-yellow glow across the room, contrasting with the single beam of moonlight that shone in. Magically sealed shut was the only entrance to the room, as two mugs of cocoa steamed against the night’s cold air. All was quiet and peaceful - Luna still shined and her stars the same. “Happy Birthday Twilight.” Trixie fell asleep.