Chapter 3: A Star is Born
After spending the past three days trudging along beneath the wretched ball of fire they call the sun, I have decided I do not care for the surface very much. I have had a constant headache the entirety of my time here, and it only eases at night when the cursed thing sets. The cloak Trixie gifted me helps, but not enough for my tastes.
Then there is the other source of my headache. Trixie and Tak. The pair seem to delight in tormenting one another. At every opportunity they snipe back and forth. Little comments and one particularly memorable morning little bursts of magic. It wasn’t until an errant spark caught me in the backside and I threatened to buck their heads from their bodies that the fight abated.
I find myself missing the scouts I had previously commanded. While I allowed them more freedoms than I likely should have, they still respected me. Followed my orders to the letter. They were professional. Now I command a troupe consisting of an obnoxious changeling and a possible more obnoxious unicorn. Not for the first time I question the intelligence of bringing her along.
Of course there are times like this evening. Tak is already snoring (oh how I miss the silence of home when I slept), and Trixie is sitting awake gazing up at the sky. I settle next to her quietly so as not to disturb Tak’s sleep. Not so much that I care if he gets woken up, more that while he is asleep his mouth is silent. …relatively speaking.
“What occupies you this evening?”
She looks at me a moment before returning her eyes to the stars. “Trixie has been considering your plight and believes she has a method with which to make your daytime travels more hospitable.”
This is news to me. I had thought she had forgotten about her promise to do just that. “Truly?”
“But of course. There is no feat of magic beyond the great and powerful Tr-r-rixie!” Her eyes widen in alarm at the hateful glare I am directing her way. She glances Tak’s way fearful she has awoken him, and thus awoken my wrath. He simply rolls over and resumes snoring. “Ahem. Yes. The blindness spell I use creates a shroud over the victims’ eyes to put it simply. I believe I can modify the shroud to block out the brightest of the sunlight. In a small area mind you.”
“This is excellent news Trixie. I will be pleased with you if it functions as you describe.” Back home such words would swell the hearts of my scouts with pride. It is not often one of their princesses’ offers praise. Trixie seems…less than enthused.
“Well I live for nothing more than to please YOU of course.”
I frown at her confusing reaction but assume it is another pony eccentricity. Or perhaps it is a Trixie eccentricity? I have come to wonder if she suffers from some derangement or another. “What of our other problem?”
“You mean the night black unicorn in the horrifying spider armor travelling with one of Equestria’s most wanted fugitives going into a town? Tak claims he has a spell that will see to that.”
I nod slowly. “Very well. Are we near our destination? You said you left your wagon where?”
“Minneighsota. And yes we’re near. In fact we should arrive tomorrow afternoon. So whatever your pet insect has to get us into town had best be ready.”
With another curt nod I move away and settle back down by the fire. I find the surface world unpleasantly frigid. And while the open plain we are on is not quite as unpleasant as the valley of howling winds and snow almost up to my chest, it is still colder than home. I have been having difficulty sleeping. At home I slept when I tired, and rose when I was rested. Now I sleep to the remorseless schedule of the sun and moon.
Blocking out Trixie’s complaints of another day spent on the ground I slowly drift asleep.
I am dreaming. I assume. I am lying where I took my rest the previous night, but the landscape is hazy and indistinct. Tak and Trixie are nowhere to be seen. Looking upward I do not see the terrible empty sky, but a comforting ceiling of stone. It is an unusual picture my mind has painted this evening. More unusual of how lucid I appear to be.
I see a little light glimmer in the distance and my curiosity compels me to follow. Mother once told me our dreams are a way of our subconscious mind trying to tell us something in one of her more whimsical moments. I do not know if I believe that but seeing as there is little else to do I approach the light.
It is a sickly greenish color I see as I get closer. There are a pair of dark silhouettes standing before what reveals itself to be a massive fire climbing high into the sky, twisting and churning as if alive. I am close enough now to make out the figures, Tak’s carapace reflecting the eerie light unpleasantly and Trixie’s hat and cape style of dress I pray is unique to her. I open my mouth to call out to them before the fire lurches downward and engulfs my friends.
I recoil from the stench of rotting flesh as the flames peel back. They slowly turn to face me and my stomach turns. Tak’s carapace is cracked and missing in places, green ichor oozing from the wounds. One wing burned away and the other twitching feebly at his side. Trixie looks worse if that were possible. Her pale blue coat worn, ragged, and large patches of not only fur but flesh missing. Her lower jaw is simply…gone, her tongue lolling about grotesquely. Worst of all are their eyes. Their eyes are dead, the eyes of a corpse. But they are walking. Shambling toward me.
Then I hear it. It is like nothing I have ever heard before a voice but so…cold. It makes me wish I had died with them. “Ah…I was beginning to think you had been swallowed up by one of my overzealous children after all, little heiress to the night.”
He stepped from the flames calmly. He resembled a pony, or what I assumed our skeletons would look like if they were walking about on their own. Bits of flesh and stubborn patches of fur clung here and there. His empty eye sockets blazed with a hellish red light. He bore a bony horn atop his brow, and featherless wings twitched now and again at his shoulders. He followed my gaze to his back and chuckled a dry raspy laugh. “Do you admire my wings little heiress? They are not real of course, oh no. Only you perfect, mighty alicorns are allowed to possess a horn and wings. I found a…donor willing to offer me her wings in one of my early experiments with immortality.”
I want to turn. I want to run. But I cannot. I am trapped by his gaze. Unable to look away from those burning red eyes I have seen in my dreams since I was a tiny hatchling. The creature laughs again. “Ah! I was beginning to worry you did not recognize me. It has been many years since we met of course. You were such a tiny little thing. Come now…introduce yourself little heiress. I have waited so long to meet you properly.”
My lips tremble and my voice is shaky as I speak. “I-I am Umbra…p-princess of th-“
His eyes blaze in fury and the green fire behind him leaps into the air burning all the hotter. “You are princess of NOTHING little Umbra! Nothing! Your mother abandoned you to those worthless ponies in that worthless nowhere town! You were cast aside like so much refuse!” Calm returned as quickly as rage had formed. “But I would never do that, oh no.”
I try to tear my gaze away but still I cannot. I cannot move as he approaches. “And you know who I am of course, don’t you little Umbra?”
My lips are numb, I barely managed a whisper. “Lich.”
A horrid smile forms on the skull that is his face. “Ah! You DO remember me! How delightful. If I had it heart I’m sure it’d be warmed by the sentiment.” He began to pace around me casually. “Now that the pleasantries are out of the way I believe it’s time we moved onto business hm? You must be curious. Why I slaughtered the village of Colton, why I was seeking you?”
I do not nod, or speak but he does not need me to. “I want you. Your essence Umbra. The essence of an alicorn, while she is young and weak and oh so easy to take for my own. But do not fear little Umbra. You’ll live on. As a part of me. Won’t that be glorious?”
In vain I struggle to run, to fight, to do anything but I am anchored in place. “Now now, none of that. This won’t hurt.” He smiles again. “Much.”
I brace myself for the inevitable, but it seems my time has not yet come. The stony ceiling above begins to crack, violently exploding inwards and showering the dreamscape with dust and bits of debris. A brilliant shaft of silver light punches through the new hole in the ceiling. As it sweeps across the lich and the undead abominations they howl though in fury or pain I do not know. Then they are gone, and it is quiet.
My body is my own again and I collapse breathing heavily. I sense her presence before I see her. Just as powerful if not more so than the one she banished. “Are you well my little pony?”
Her voice is gentle and melodious. I find my frayed nerves calming almost instantly. I slowly open my eyes and first see her hooves adorned in glittering silver shoes. Her coat a deep blue, almost the shade of the night sky. Her mane and tail glitter as if they contained the stars themselves and flowed constantly. Cool blue eyes gazed down at my own. In them I saw immeasurable concern and care. “I…” I swallow. “I believe so.”
Gently she extends a hoof, helping me to my own. I note her horn, far longer than my own. More surprising to me are the wings folded gently at her back. “This was no ordinary nightmare. That creature’s presence was all too real. I had hoped in vain it seems, that he was destroyed.” She looks me over closely now. “Your armor is impressive young one. I have never seen the like before. Who are you?”
I swallow heavily and consider my response. Referring to myself by my proper title seems…not right in the presence of this majestic pony. “I am Umbra.”
“Umbra. An interesting name, though I believe it suits you. Do you know why the lich seeks you?”
“He said something about…wanting my essence. Though I do not know what he meant precisely.” I stare at her for a time. “Who are you?”
For a brief moment a twinge of irritation flashes across her face, but it passes quickly. “I suppose my return may not have been heard in some of the more rural areas of Equestria. I am Princess Luna, sovereign of the night.”
She seems taken aback by the abrupt change in my demeanor. I feel my fury rising unrestrained as I look upon the pony I felt such awe and reverence for a moment ago. “Luna. You are one of those I seek on this sun blasted surface realm. You have quite the nerve to so brazenly let yourself into my mind after what you did to me!”
Judging by the look on her face I doubt it has been some time since anyone has spoken to her as I have. “Umbra I do not know what slight you believe I have committed against you but I have been away for a very long time. Far longer than you have been alive. We have not met.”
The world around us is beginning to shake as my fury builds. She does not recognize me! She does not remember me! “Begone so called Princess! Pray my mood has cooled when we meet in person or I shall show you how a Princess of the spiderkin deals with those who have wronged her!”
My rarely used magic is flaring wildly from my horn, and were my wings not hampered by my armor I am sure they would be flaring as well. Crimson lances of magical light ripped through Luna’s representation in my dreamscape. And then she was gone.
I sit up with a grunt. The fire is all but embers now. Tak and Trixie are both snoring contentedly. Alas, sleep will not return to me this night I am sure. I pace away from our campsite glaring hotly up at the moon. Tak told me that Luna used to reside within the great silvery orb. That she was trapped. Yet she escaped long enough to deliver me to Colton.
“Look like you’re about to pop there Umbra.”
Tak’s voice causes me to start in surprise. I do not turn to face him as he approaches sitting next to me uninvited.
“Unpleasant dreams.” I glance at him from the corner of my eye to reassure myself he is whole and healthy. He is of course. To my surprise he’s the larger more elegant Tak from the battle in my mother’s chambers. His cool red eyes meet mine for a moment and I look away.
“I heard you talking in your sleep. I’ve heard rumors that Princess Luna guards her subjects from particularly heinous nightmares. You met her didn’t you?”
The grinding of my teeth is my answer and he chuckles. “Not a cheery family reunion?”
I turn to face him, emotion warring across my face. Anger and sadness more prominently. “I had so many questions Tak. There she was descending from the sky and saving me from the creature lurking in my dreams. But all I felt was…rage. She abandoned me. Just left me in the care of strangers.”
To my surprise he moves closer, his flanks resting against mine. His shell is surprisingly warm. “I’m sure she had her reasons Umbra. I’m not saying that she was right to leave you like she did, but Luna’s…old. OLD old. She doesn’t do anything without good reason. And at the time she might not’ve been in her right mind.”
“Elaborate.” Part of me says to push him away; he is being far too familiar! Another quieter voice is saying to pull him closer. I take the middle ground and do neither.
“Well. I wasn’t there of course but from what I’ve gathered she and her sister Celestia had something of a falling out over…something stupid I’m sure. I dunno what. Luna became Nightmare Moon, and swore to bring about eternal night.”
I shrug. “I suddenly like this Nightmare Moon.”
Tak laughs. “Well without the sunlight the food the surface ponies need to eat would shrivel and die. The land would be shrouded in perpetual winter. Snow all year round.” He pokes at me when he says that.
My grimace returns. Despite the initial novelty of walking in the snow I have found it cold, wet, and annoying to travel through.
“Anyway. Celestia had to seal her in the moon. She was there for a thousand years, but apparently she could still pop out for a visit? I dunno the deal with that. Anyway Nightmare Moon was what kind ponies would call ‘unbalanced’. Less than kind would call her a loon. So if Luna was still all Nightmare Moony when she had you…who knows? Maybe some part of Luna that was in the nightmare thought you’d be better off with not-crazy ponies.”
I grunt softly as he finishes. “Perhaps. When next she and I meet I will endeavor to keep my temper under control and offer her the opportunity to explain herself. This is all assuming she IS in fact my birth mother. I could be angry at her for no reason.”
A heavy groan comes from the evidently awake Trixie. “If you two insist on running Trixie’s sleep she suggests we get back on the road. A real bed is sounding better and better. …plus her wagon is still parked in Minneighsota. She would like to ensure it has not been robbed or stripped for parts.”
Tak shrugs and kicks some dirt on the fire pit. “Well you heard the great and powerful one. Shall we?”
I shrug. I certainly am not getting more sleep this night and the more distance we can go before the hated sun rises the better. I pick up the sounds of Tak and Trixie starting in on one another already and with a roll of my eyes I trot forward a bit quicker. I wonder what Bleeding Heart would think of our companion. Would she find her insufferable as I do, or do unicorns share some sort of bond with one another?
Suddenly I realize she is looking at me. “What?”
“Do either of you have any bits?”
I raise a brow. “Bits of what?”
With a disgusted groan she looks to Tak who shrugs. “Nope. Don’t got any use fer money m’self.” He is small again, and using his irksome accent again.
Trixie frowns now. “Well we need money for supplies. If we’re going to be travelling to Ponyville than on to Canterlot we’ll need food at the very least. Normally that’s not a concern but during winter it’s harder to forage.”
I shrug. “Did you not say you earned these…bits from your performing? Perform for the money we require.”
“I…” She looks down letting the brim of her hat fall over her eyes. “I can’t. You KNOW I can’t.”
Tak decided to speak up. “Aaaactually! I think I gotta way around that. If y’can manage t’keep yer big trap from givin’ away who ya are I got a disguise spell that’d stand up t’a princess eyeballin’ ya.”
I see a faint glimmer of hope light in the disgraced show mare’s eyes as she looks at Tak. “That COULD work! I could adopt a stage name like my grandfather.” She was grinning now. “YOU two could be in the show as well! I have a large box I use to make ponies disappear but we can do one better and make a pony transform into somepony or something else!”
Tak’s looked intrigued. “That ain’t a terrible idea kid! Always wanted t’be on stage m’self.”
I flinch back as she whirls at me. “And Umbra is monstrously strong physically! We can pass her off as…as…Equestria’s strongest unicorn! Oh I like that.”
I scowl. “I am not going to…life heavy objects for the amusement of the locals.”
Tak smirked. “So yer fine freeloadin’ offa our work? Tsk tsk Umbra. What would Heart say if she were here?”
My eyes narrow dangerously. “Do not invoke her name so flippantly Tak. But…you are right. Very well, I will bow to your expertise in this matter Trixie.”
I flip the hood of my cloak over my eyes as the sun begins to crest the horizon. In the distance a faint blot mars the landscape. Trixie declares it to be the city. The road has changed from packed dirt to cobblestone. Tak pulls us off the road soon.
“Right then girls!” His horn flares and with a flare of green flame he appears as the dark grey coated pegasus stallion he seems to favor. “Now for Trixie.”
I watch curiously as he leans toward her, touching his horn to her side gently. Green flame engulfs her and she rears back with a yowl of alarm. When her forehooves next touch the ground she looks nearly nothing like she did before. Her icy blue coat is a crimson red color now. Her silvery mane black with streaks of red. Even her eyes have changed, dazzling green orbs blink out beneath the brim of her star covered hat. “Well that didn’t hurt at all.”
“Right! Now fer Umbra.” I remain still as he approaches. The rush of green flame feels warm but not unpleasantly so. When it fades I lift a hoof to push back the golden blonde locks of my mane. My coat is a pale pink color like the rising sun. I cannot see my armor though I still feel it.
“You have done well Tak. I believe Trixie will not be recognized…though I am curious why you felt the need to change my coloration.”
The changeling shrugs with a grin. “Artistic license a'course!”
I grunt but do not protest over much as we return to the road. Soon more ponies are walking it alongside us. Despite myself I pull closer to Tak, feeling uncomfortable among so many of the colorful and evidently very cheerful creatures. Trixie walks confidently as if she knows the streets well so I follow.
Once through the city gates however I have to stop. There are buildings. Homes, shops, and eateries. Many have signs over the doors proclaiming what services they offer. Lining the streets are smaller stalls where merchants hawk their wares to passerby’s. Every few steps I stop to take in another sight, finally earning a glare from our guide. Sheepishly I lower my eyes and work to keep up with her.
Tak chuckles and brushes against me gently. “Relax kid, mebbe when we find her wagon an git ourselves a few bits she’ll let us see the sights.”
I nod. While I wish to confront Luna and retrieve Bleeding Heart’s sword, I am also here to learn about my kind. A city seems a fine place to start my education, but duty takes first precedent. Trixie leads us through a narrow alley way between two large buildings. Suddenly she shouts in excitement and there parked behind the largest is what I assume to be the wagon she’s been going on about. It seems plain enough but her smile says it has meaning to her.
She removes a key from inside her hat and opens the door, looking around carefully. “Everything’s still here! Oh that’s lucky. I feel like such an idiot for just abandoning it for so long. Alright! I’m sure you’re excited to see the city Umbra, but we need some bits first. There’s a park nearby we can set up there and get started! Umbra would you mind pulling the wagon?”
I shrug and allow her to fasten the harness around my back. “Lead on.” She does, practically prancing she is so pleased.
Tak chuckles as he walks next to me. “Y’know y’don’t gotta pull her wagon for her.”
Another shrug. “It weighs little enough to me. And she is aiding us while asking for nothing in return. I do not mind…pitching in as you say.”
He smiles and trots ahead to speak with Trixie in a low voice. I find I do not like the looks they keep throwing my way. It is slow going through the streets with the large wagon trailing behind me but soon we are in the ‘park’.
Trixie unhitches me from the wagon and ducks inside. Tak begins to fly overhead bellowing as loud as he can. “Fillies and gentlecolts may I have your attention please!” To my surprise his calls are attracting a small crowd of curious ponies. “Hello hello! Welcome one and all! It is my pleasure to announce our little performing troupe is preparing for our first show right here in your grand city of Minneighsota! And might I add it’s certainly the finest city I’ve had the honor of performing in!”
This brought a round of cheering and stomping from the steadily growing crowd of ponies. He is still extolling the virtues of the city as I enter the wagon to find Trixie pacing nervously. “What am I expected to do?”
The unicorn starts at my interruption. “O-oh! You! You’ll be the intermission event. Between acts you’ll take the stage. We’ll set up a table and challenge other ponies to test their strength against you. So…don’t lose.”
I frown. “You wish me to battle the spectators?”
Her eyes widen. “No of course not! You’ll hoof wrestle them or see who can lift more weight, that sort of thing. No combat!”
I nod slowly. “Yes I see. Very well I will…wait until I am called?”
“Yes! Good now out you go, Tak’s about to announce me.”
I step back out in time to hear Tak’s next announcement. “And now allow me to present the finest magician in Equestria! The Magnificent Magica!”
A loud fanfare plays from…somewhere and I jump back as Trixie’s wagon unfolds. The walls fall aside and settle in a new configuration forming a large stage I jump again as brightly colored smoke and large bursts of light flare above the wagon. There in center stage stands the disguised Trixie.
The crowd is watching expectantly but she seems…frozen to the spot. A look of panic forming in her eye before Tak lands and whispers in her ear. Slowly she relaxes and stands proudly. “Greeting Minneighsota and welcome to my show! Prepare to be amazed by feats of magic unseen by ponykind for years! Prepare to be amazed by…the Magificent Magica!”
An exciting round of cheering goes up from the crowd. I admit I find myself somewhat interested in the show as well. She uses very little actual spell work in her show as I observe, though it is still impressive and the crowd seems to agree. She pulls all manner of objects from within her hat. Transmutes an egg into a living bird. The crowd roars after every trick.
After sometime she raises her hooves. “And now good ponies my assistant and I will need a few moments to set up our next trick! In the interim we wish to present our very good friend…the strongest pony to walk our beautiful land…Sunny Days!”
Tak is grinning ear to ear when Trixie announced what I am assuming to be my stage moniker. I slowly ascend the steps to the stage, the expression on my face quite at odds with the image the false name would expect one to have.
“This is no illusion fillies and gentlecolts. Before you sits a unicorn with more physical strength than any earth pony! While using absolutely no magic at all I guarantee she can out muscle anypony in the audience here! And to show how much faith I have in her ability, I am willing to wager ten bits to anypony who feels they can best her in a hoof wrestle! Of course in the essence of fairness we ask you to match the wager.”
Tak gently tugs my cloak off and I grimace at the brightness of the sky. Seeing my discomfort Trixie acts quickly, and she’s soon formed a cloud cover over head. Her hat concealing her quick magic use.
I relax as the clouds provide some relief, but find my irritation growing at the crowd’s laughter. Trixie ducks backstage to prepare her finale while Tak sets a small jar at my side. It is not long before our first competitor trots on stage. A stallion, certainly larger than myself. With a grin he places a small stack of golden coins near the jar.
“Don’t worry little lady, I’ll be gentle.”
“Indeed.” He puts a foreleg on the table between us hoof up; at Tak’s gentle nod I do the same.
“And go!”
As soon as Tak says go the stallion begins to push. He takes me by surprise at first and my hoof nearly touches the table. I gently begin to apply pressure back and am rewarded by his eyes widening as his hoof is suddenly back in the air, and lazily descending to his side of the table. I tap it against the table and he rears back. “Y-you musta used your magic!”
The crowd began to boo him. “Git off the stage y’bum her horn didn’t glow once!”
Tak gave him a smile and a shrug scooping the coins into the jar. Soon enough there was a small line to challenge me. A few mares but most were stallions. Each trotted from the stage ten bits poorer. The final challenger strode up. It was another mare, and earth pony. An orange coat and yellow mane not unlike my own disguised one. Though she had a large hat atop her head, one I found far less obnoxious than Trixie’s.
“Figger Ah’ll give it a shot partner!” She cheerfully tossed her ten bits next to the jar. I was surprised to find the crowd had grown rather still, watching intently. I idly wondered if this pony was someone of import. She seemed ordinary enough to me. I rested my hoof against hers and prepared for another easy victory.
I was disappointed.
She had my hoof against the table almost instantly. Eyes wide I heaved back only barely managing to force her up to an even position where we remained locked. Tak was staring in surprise but I was too focused to pay him much mind. A little smile found its way to my face, one mirrored by my opponent. A worthy challenge at last.
I do not know how long we remained locked in combat. Certainly longer than Trixie expected as she was already back on stage watching me with an unreadable expression. At times I would falter, at times the earth pony across from me would. Sweat was breaking out on both our coats and I could see she was beginning to tire. Unfortunately so was I.
Salvation came from an unexpected source, as a bright pink mare suddenly began to shriek. “Hey Applejack what’re you doin up there?!”
My foe…Applejack against her will glanced to her side. “Pinkie whu-“ WHAM. I seized the opportunity to pin her hoof. The crowd seemed to collectively gasp and the mare I bested through admittedly dishonest means fixed me with a glare. Then she chuckled. “Reckon we woulda been here all afternoon at the rate we were goin huh?”
Seeing her anger was short lived I relaxed. “Indeed. You were a worthy foe Applejack.”
She tipped her hat to me. “Heh, well thank ya kindly pardner. Never thought Ah’d see a unicorn that could match up t’me.”
I left the stage soon after reclaiming my cloak and pulling the hood back over my eyes. Trixie begins her rigamarole again helping Tak into the box. I chuckle as I am sure the transforming changeling will sufficiently dazzle the crowd. My focus is drawn from the show as the mare, Applejack approaches.
“Interestin’ show y’got here.” She was eyeing Trixie intently. “Yer friend up there’s mighty familiar. Reminds of a’somepony else Ah know.”
I feign disinterest. “Oh? I am told shows like ours are not too uncommon. Perhaps a different performer?”
“Reckon it must be. Surely didn’ look nothin’ like yer friend an Miss Magica up there likes th’sound a’her own voice but she don’t seem t’wanna make everypony here look bad.” She sits with surprisingly familiarity next to me. “Reall Ah’m just here on business an wandered over t’see what all the hullabaloo was.”
I am not sure how I feel about this strange mare simply…talking to me as if she knows me. Of course perhaps this is how a typical pony is around her fellows? Any excuse to talk to someone new and they will take it. I will have to experiment on others. “Oh? What business are you in?”
She brightens. “Well apples a’course! Best business there is.”
I nod slowly. “And what are apples?”
Applejack chuckles gently and looks at me with a smile, until she sees my face. “Y’ain’t jokin’ are ya? Where in th’hay are y’all from y’never heard’a apples?”
I seem to have made a fool of myself and I curse silently. “Ah…very far away. We have travelled from quite a distant land.”
“Well shoot sugarcube! Sounds like y’all gotcherself quite a story an Ah surely do wish Ah could hear it. Don’t suppose y’all’re headin’ t’Ponyville on yer little tour are ya?”
I suck in my breath gently. Ponyville! That is where Trixie believes I will find the thief I seek. I nearly ask Applejack about the thief than I pause. Such an exotic being would surely be well known in the settlement, but given how friendly these ponies seem with their fellows what if she is an ally to the thief and warns her of my coming? “As a matter of fact we DO plan to visit Ponyville. That is your home?”
“Sure as shootin’!” I assume this means yes. “M’family runs th’finest apple orchard in all equestria, Sweet Apple Acres! Ah tell ya what Miss Sunny Days.” Pain will be inficlted on Tak for that, I know that much. “When y’all roll inta town y’come look me up. Ah’ll gitcha an old fashioned Apple Family dinner. Y’all’ll know what the hay an apple is then THAT Ah promise.”
Despite the situation I find myself somewhat taken aback. This pony has known me for all of fifteen minutes, and half of that I humiliated her on stage. Now she is inviting me to her home to share a meal with her family. “I…would like that Applejack. I will be sure to find you when we arrive.”
“Great! Ah’ll make sure t’look for y’all! S’pose Ah best get t’moseyin’ though. Ain’t a good idea t’leave Pinkie Pie unattended fer long. Good luck with yer show now!” She waves and I…wave back. It is a strange gesture but a pleasant one.
Judging by the thunderous applause coming from the crowd I assume Trixie’s finale was met with success. I actually laugh aloud when I see that it is not a stallion, but a mare standing with Trixie on stage in Tak’s place. The stage is being showered in coin but Trixie seems not to notice. She simply bows low and I see faint tears glimmering in her eyes.
Soon the crowd thins and disperse leaving us to collect our profit. Tak seems in high spirits as she fills the jar almost to over flowing. “We made a killin’ out there!”
I smirk. “I think this rather suits you Tak.”
She sticks her tongue out at me, and as Trixie closes the wagon Tak assumes his masculine form. Before either of us can speak again Trixie throws her forelegs around us, pulling both of us in tight against herself. “Thank you…thank you for this. For getting me on stage again. I had forgotten what it felt like to perform, to REALLY perform and not just…make myself look good.”
We gently disengage from the embrace. “It was…interesting.” I almost say fun.
Tak is grinning of course. “It was great! We gotta do this again! We c’n stop in every town an city from here t’Canterlot! An we made a killin’! Lookit this haul!”
The two of them excitedly begin to count their coin. I will not forget my mission. Luna, the thief…and now a new threat. The lich is out there hunting me. No, I will not forget my reason for coming to the surface. But in the interim…I imagine there are worse ways to spend my time.