//------------------------------// // A Meeting with 'The Evil One' // Story: Why Did I Choose to be Trixie? // by Mike the Red //------------------------------// The pony behind the ticket counter was probably more confused than just about anypony else. Two Trixies, two Twilights, Diane and Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy -- nine tickets for Canterlot, and me with no money to pay for them. "Um, I don't have any money to pay for nine tickets to Canterlot," I said glumly. "Let me take care of this," Rarity offered. "Put it on my tab, I'll take care of it when we get back," she told the ticket agent. "Your credit's good with us, Miss Rarity. You're on our frequent rider program, so we can offer you a group discount." The ticket agent cut nine tickets for us and we didn't have to wait long as the next train for the capital was due in any minute. "Thank you, kind sir!" Rarity smiled as she took the tickets, distributing them to each of us. "Trixie, I hope you behave yourself in Canterlot," she chided. "Trixie would appreciate it if you would give her more credit than that," she retorted, her voice tinged with frustration. "We need to make a good presentation before the Princess," Twilight stated. "I hope the other Twilight and Diane will help us make a good case. If what you say about that other universe is true, Twilight, then I believe we may be able to help you over there." "Thank you for allowing me to meet myself," the other Twilight addressed me. "Pleasure's all mine," I smiled. I witnessed Diane and Pinkie having a very animated discussion with each other, the two of them chirping excitedly, grinning ear to ear. I half-way wondered if Diane might actually be willing to accept her nickname. Diane then came over to Rarity and hugged her as well. "Rarity, it's been so long! I didn't wanna believe what had been said about ya and I'm glad to meet ya again, even if it ain't my world's Rarity!" Diane grinned. "Diane, is it? Darling, it pains me to hear about what happened to me in that other universe. I would like to show the ruffian the error of her ways!" We boarded the train and found a large enough area for all of us to sit and talk with each other. My goal of claiming more sleep was going to have to wait awhile longer, but at least my horn had stopped aching. I had no idea of how long the train ride was, but our conversations regarding plans and activities were enough to last almost the entire way there. Trixie expressed some trepidation but was willing to stay brave. I found her willingness to help surprising -- I was pleased to be learning more about the show-mare than I had ever known before. I decided I wanted to have a private conversation with her. She was having a good time talking about her exploits, at least the better ones anyway. Whenever a question brought up painful memories for her, she would brush it aside or change the subject. I was developing a new appreciation for her. "Trixie wants to know if you were serious about divorcing your wife," she mused as we talked. "You weren't at the party I was at last night -- so you have no idea of what my marriage has been like. I've been with that woman for more than 20 years and frankly, I don't think I can stand her any more. I made a promise to myself that when this is over, I will take Pinkie's suggestion of being my own pony seriously and I will return here to make a new life for myself as a unicorn stallion. I believe I may take a new wife, but I will need some time to myself to decompress from 20 years of marriage." "Trixie hopes you might consider her as a possible choice, Michael," she offered, smiling at me. "As I said before, Trixie, I will need some time to myself before making another choice of that magnitude." She appeared to deflate somewhat -- she pouted and gave me her best sad puppy dog eye look. "You look really cute when you do that, Trixie, but please remember -- I'm actually 49 years old, and I don't want to rush things." "Trixie says you lie! You can't be that old!" she shouted loud enough for every pony else to hear. "How old did ya say ya are?" asked Diane. "Forty-nine years, Diane. If I were to return to my human form, you'd see just how much grey I have in my hair." "I would like to see what you look like as a human," Twilight mused. The others also expressed similar opinions. "Perhaps I will later on, when I get the car back to the Library -- I'll have TS transform me back into a human so you can see what I'm talking about." "Michael, you scared lots of ponies by having that vehicle transport us from my house to the station," Twilight stated flatly. "I'm going to have to apologize to every pony I scared as well as the mayor. I hope no pony vandalizes my vehicle or tries to -- it has a self-defense system active on it." "As long as no pony gets hurt by it, it should be okay," Twilight said in an attempt to reassure me. The train pulled up to the grand capital central station and we all got off the train. The other Twilight and Diane marveled at the scale of the station as they had never seen such a massive structure, but they were floored when they saw just how large the castle was. "Behold our destination, ladies -- Canterlot Royal Castle!" I shouted with enthusiasm. "Trixie hopes your confidence is as strong as your exuberance," she grinned. "You forget that at one time, I was in Twilight's body. Self-confidence is my middle name," I chuckled. "Trixie wants you to tell her about your time as Sparkle," she mused. "Later, I promise," I chuckled. Diane and the other Twilight gave me curious glances, as if to ask the same of me. "Care to regale every pony about that bad dream you had last night?" Rarity chortled. "Oh, you mean the one where you had strapped me to a metal table and proceeded to cut off my ears and conduct a vivisection on me?" I retorted. This drew sharp gasps from everypony present. "Uh, what's a vivisection?" asked Applejack. Both Twilights grimaced. "That's where the internal organs are cut out of a live pony," this Twilight answered. "Oh. Ya mean ... as if Rarity really was a murderer?" Applejack asked sullenly. "It seemed a bit too lucid for my taste. Really scared me. I've had bad dreams before, but never one that seemed so realistic," I replied, trying to shake off a fresh chill. "Can we catch a ride to the front gate of the Castle?" "Michael, darling, was the dream that bad? I had no idea. I'm terribly sorry for bringing it up," Rarity said, offering a genuine apology. "I accept your apology, Rarity. If you would like, I will tell you later in full detail about that dream," I offered. "Might turn you green, though..." "Michael, save the discussions for later. We have an appointment to keep!" Twilight admonished. We trotted our way to the Castle, making our way to the main gate. We were allowed entry, but drew gasps of astonishment from every pony who saw us. The sight of all nine of us was quite remarkable as a path was made for us. I continued to chuckle at the sight of shocked ponies, finding it quite amusing. What was not so amusing was the reaction of the Royal Guards who eyed us with suspicion. Both Twilights were able to smooth things over as we made our way through the Castle to meet up with Princess Celestia. "I wonder what Diane's and the other Twilight's reaction will be to seeing HER," I thought. We filed three by three along the wide hallway, the red carpet providing a bit of a path for us. Since Twilight was the most familiar with the Castle, she took the point position with the other Twilight to her right and Rarity to her left. The second row was Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Trixie, Diane and I trailed them. Behind us were a small contingent of Royal Guard, making sure we behaved ourselves. Presently, we reached the Royal Throne Room. Diane commented on the size of the place and was amazed by the stained glass windows depicting the defeat of Discord, the defeat of Nightmare Moon (which drew a gasp from the other Twilight and Diane), the defeat of the Changeling Queen, a fresh window depicting the fall of Sombra, and a few blank ones yet to be filled in. A pair of Royal Guard stood watch at the entry to the throne room. "We seek an audience with Princess Celestia, may we enter?" asked this Twilight. The other Twilight flinched a bit as did Diane. I saw Diane's expression turn from apprehension to outright fear as the door was opened and the regal white Alicorn came into view. "Diane, it's okay. She's the protector here," I whispered to her. My attempt to comfort her failed. I had to push her into the throne room. "Twilight, my faithful student! It is a pleasure to meet ... both of you? Interesting," the Sun Goddess mused. A serene smile graced her features as she took stock of all nine of us. "I see you have brought all of the Element Bearers as well. Who is this pink pegasus who looks like Pinkie Pie?" The pink pegasus in question very meekly made her way towards the Princess, bowing and scraping before her. "Yer Majesty, I am Pinkamena Diane Pie, Element of Loyalty in my universe." She continued to remain in a deeply bowed position before the Alicorn. Pinkie Pie giggled at the formality. "You may rise, Pinkamena," she smiled. "By what name do they call you in your universe? I am quite surprised to see a different version of Pinkie Pie, and another Twilight as well. You, the one with the white box around your neck, please come to me." "Yer Majesty, I prefer to be called Diane," she offered softly, then made her way back to my side. "Your Majesty, it is with great trepidation I do so, as in my universe, you were described as being 'The Evil One'," the other Twilight said meekly, her legs trembling in fear. It was all she could do to concentrate on standing, lest she fall to the floor in a heap. "Twilight, my little pony, there is no need to fear me. If you have the same dedication to your studies in the other universe, I believe you and my Twilight will become the best of friends. Perhaps you and her have more in common with each other than the last time somepony came here as Twilight," she chuckled. "And what is with the white box you wear?" "Your Majesty, this device allows me to talk. Without it," she said, removing it telekinetically, she mouthed the words "I can't talk at all." She returned the box to her neck, positioning it correctly. "How may I ask did that happen?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. "And what are the three black knobs on it for?" "If you'll allow me to demonstrate, your Majesty," she said, adjusting the knobs, taking a deep breath and setting her feet again, "THOU HAST DISPLEASED ME FOR THE LAST BUCKING TIME!! I SHALL SILENCE THEE FOREVER!!!" she shouted in her fake RCV. Everypony present stood shocked by the language and word choice. I decided to speak up at this point. "Twilight, does that mean that the dark Princess in your world chose to silence you? Would you care to explain not only to Princess Celestia but all of us as well what happened in your universe regarding Nightmare Moon?" The other Twilight broke down, sobbing loudly. The Sun Goddess came over to her and wrapped a wing around her, doing her best to comfort her student's counterpart. The warmth was reassuring and Twilight emerged, a somewhat stoic expression on her face. "Princess Celestia, if I may call you that, this is a long story. Five years ago, Nightmare Moon made her return to our world, after having been banished for a thousand years. We were in the service of Princess Celestia and were regarded quite highly as Element bearers ourselves -- but in our haste to try to defeat the evil Princess, she engaged in mind control, hypnotizing as many of us as she could. She warped our minds into thinking that SHE was the good one, and that YOU were the Evil One! So instead of banishing Nightmare, we banished YOU instead! I am so sorry! Please forgive me!" she wailed, sobbing loudly. A tear trickled down the Sun Goddess' muzzle. She turned to me. "Michael, I would be tempted to admonish you for having traveled to that other universe, but it appears that your suspicions have proven correct. I believe I may have erred in advising you to leave them to their fate. It pains me greatly to see Twilight in such a state, and I give you my blessing to take whatever steps you need in order to restore order and harmony to that universe. If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask as I shall be happy to provide it for you." "Thank you, Princess Celestia. I request some time to sleep, as my slumber last night was disturbed by a most unsettling dream. I will also need some time to plan a strategy. If I can think of anything else that may aid me, I will request it later. I deeply appreciate your generosity, your Majesty." "It is my sincere hope that you succeed in this mission, Michael. I would like to accompany you as well to that other universe so that I might be able to meet myself upon the defeat of Nightmare Moon."