//------------------------------// // More Questions... very few answers // Story: The Fabled Adventures of Trixie Lulamoon // by Lastofakind //------------------------------// Their heads pounded as they picked themselves off the ground. Trixie's breath was heavy from exhaustion as she made sure her book and gem was still with her. “That sucked!” Gilda screamed as she held her side and head. “Well we escaped at least.” Octavia added as she looked herself over. Dirk went over to help Trixie up. As he nudged her she started to blush before stepping away. “Trixie does not need or asked for your help!” “Great... she's back to the third person again...” Gilda grumbled as she rested against a tree. Dirk only huffed as he limped over to Gilda for a rest. “We camp for a night... just catch our breath...” He started to take off his armor starting with his chest plate and shoulders. “We're in the middle of the Everfree Forest with no supplies and you want to sleep here?” Octavia screamed. “My leg is killing me...” “I'm with him. I think my stitches on my side have reopened.” Gilda looked down as the bandage was light red in blood where she was holding it. “This is bloody insane! I was meant to play for royal guest. Now I'm running from guards a-” Octavia started only to be interrupted by Gilda. “Shut up! You might as well hold up an 'eat me' sign.” “If anything we should start a fire to help keep the animals and the night’s cold away.” Trixie said to help get their minds off fighting and back to the situation. “With two injured and the fact I'm weak from that last spell a moments to rest is needed.” Octavia gritted her teeth as she took a few deep breaths to clam herself down. Loosening her pink bow tie she started over to Trixie. “Right... we rest and get to the bottom of this like you said. Just need to relax.” Trixie raised a brow at this. “You... want to stay here. I can go get the wood myself if you need some sleep.” “No I'll be fine... besides it's dangerous to go alone out here.” “Nonsense! I The Great and Powerful Trixie has braved these woods alone more than once.” “Yeah well those times there wasn't something dangerous enough for the princesses to cover up.” Gilda added in a matter of fact tone. “Going alone is a stupid idea. Don't you watch horror movies?” “I have to agree with her. Those timber wolves might be nearby as well.” Dirk added. Trixie sighed as she shifted her bag around on her back. “I don't want to leave two injured alone. Octavia can stay and help set up a watch. I can handle myself if I get attacked.” Giving a painful grunt Dirk got back on his hooves as he went over to Trixie. “Thanks for the concern but putting yourself at risk like that isn't necessary. It shouldn't take long to gather a few sticks right? Gilda rest up while Octavia stand guard then later tonight we change shift. Simple as that...” He then noticed how Trixie was looking as his bandage. Like Gilda's he had blood leaking though. “It's nothing... Octavia should take a look at Gilda's wound.” “Fine... we only need enough wood for the night.” Trixie waited as Dirk put his armor back on before following her. Taking a seat next to Gilda she let out a sigh as she watched the two walk off into the tree line. “I'm with you on how wack all of this is. I-I'm... umm.... I-I'm...” Gilda looked away as she rubbed the back of her head. “What is it?” “It's just that I feel like it's my fault for getting you and Trixie into this. Now we have this Dirk guy too. I-I should have came to the castle alone.” Octavia only chuckled. “No love it's not your fault at all. One way or another it would have gotten back to us too. Trixie because she still found you in the woods and me for eavesdropping.” She then looked to the tree line to try and find any stars though it. “I was just upset because... I know we have no control over anything that’s happening. We're all in for this little ride...” This time Gilda chuckled. “Looks that way...” Letting out a small grunt she moved herself to get the weight off her aching side. “You’re not too bad for a band geek.” “I'll try and take that as a complement.” Laughed Octavia, the two sat in silents, both failing to notices the two strangers creeping up on them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “This would be easier if you let me use a light spell.” “You’re weak from that last one so just rest up. Besides I can see in the dark.” He then pointed a hoof to his eyes. Trixie huffed as she cast a spell that made the tip of her horn glow. “This is a spell even a magic kindergartner can cast.” She scolded as she levitated a stick and placed it with the others on her saddlebag. Dirk chuckled. “Magic Kindergarten?” “Yes well... I never went myself but it's where unicorn fillies go to learn the basics of magic.” “So it’s like flight camp for pegasi?” “I guess so...” She then looked at his bat like wings. “I'm guessing you went to one yourself.” “Not a normal one. Mine was kind of an early military exam for my kind.” He looked over to see Trixie raise a brow at this. With a sigh he continued. “Bat pegasi like me have sworn our loyalty to Princess Luna even after her banishment to the moon. Though Luna herself can cast a spell to turn a normal Pegasus into one of us there are few like me that are blood born. When it comes to learning to fly for a blood born bat pegasi we also go through a kind of boot camp to prepare for service to Princess Luna.” “So from birth you’re to serve her Highness?” “Well we don't have to, but...” Again he sighed. before taking a stick and adding it to the bundle on Trixies back. “She can be so lonely... it's her biggest fear. I think knowing she will always have our loyalty helps in that. It feels good to be a part of that too.” Trixie smiled a bit as she looked into his green cat like eyes. Her cheeks felt hot as she noticed his cocky grin and raised brow. “What?” “N-nothing! We have enough for the night. Let’s get a fire started and get some rest.” “Yeah let’s head back.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coming back to the camp they found Gilda and Octavia still by the tree. Both sitting back to back and they watched the two. “Sorry we took so long.” Dirk said as Trixie used her magic to start stacking the wood. Dirk began to undo the armor on his hooves when he noticed the two were still not moving or talking. This caught Trixies attention as well. “What’s wrong?” “Just stay calm... we just wanna talk.” From the other side of the tree came a griffin wearing a brown duster. He oddly walked very well on his hind legs as he held up his upper arms. They were shocked as his right arm was mechanical, made from a brass looking metal. “You're the one that attacked me and the other griffin over there?” Dirk asked as he started to shield Trixie. “No that would be me.” A darker Griffin holding a strange weapon said from behind them. The weapon was a long metal barrel that fit into a wooden stock. It had mechanical parts to it that neither of them seen before. “Get over by your friends, no sudden moves!” he then pointed the weapon at them. Both ponies back over to Gilda and Octavia. “How many other guards did you bring with you?” Asked the one in the duster. “Also how did you show up out of thin air?” “I remember the guard and the griffin.” The darker one said. “They're the ones I shot down some nights back. So you two start talking.” “I-I'm a musician...” Octavia answered in a shaken voice. “I am... was a traveling show mare. I found Gilda in the woods after she was attacked.” Trixie said. The darker one started to chuckle as he lowered his weapon. “A Nightmare Moon guard, two show ponies and a random griffin, you’ve got to be kidding me?” “How about you explain why your here!” Gilda exclaimed as she tried to get up only to have the weapon aimed at her. “Are you from the Griffin Kingdom, trying to mount some attack?” Dirk asked as his eye's narrowed. “NO! No no... Look we didn't wanna come here in the first place. In fact we're working on a way home now. My trigger happy friend here though you were some kind of guard searching for us.” “I was sent to look for missing animals but I saw their fates...” “We got hungry...” The darker one explained as both Trixie and Octavia gagged. “You've yet to explain why your here in Equestria.” Trixie then started. “If you’re not here for some kind of attack and you that you’re not here by choice then why?” The two griffins looked to each other. “We really can't say. Look its best if you all go home an-” “We can't because thanks to you the Princesses are trying to lock us up so what happen here doesn’t get out.” Gilda screamed. This time the one in the duster cursed as he started to pace. “Damn Harpy you should have just listened to me!” “For all I knew she could have been a Specter that followed us and the guard could have found us. I did what I thought was needed to buy you some time. It's your fault for jumping here in the first place and breaking th-” “Don't you put the blame on me, don’t you dare...” Trixie felt Dirk nudge her. Looking over he was motioning his head to the weapon in Harpy's claws. He wasn't paying attention as he fought with his friend. Trixie took a deep breath as her horn glowed. “I swear Lore I'm going t-” Harpy only caught the glow on his barrel before it forced itself up as it knocked his beak. Dirk lunged at him, knocking him on his back, knocking his weapon to the side. Lore started to his aid only to be bucked by Octavia. Stumbling he was then tackled by Gilda who started punching him. Harpy was able to block Dirks hoof from hitting his face as started to overpower him and reverse it so he was now on top. Raising a fist he yelped in pain as Trixie shot a spell into his back. Falling over Dirk moved his hoof to part of his armor as a blade attached to his hoof. He held it to Harpy's neck as Trixie ready another spell. Gilda grabbed Lore's under shirt as she kept punching him. She screeched as Lore punched her wound. Doing it a second time Lore kicked her off as he stood back up. “I hear something over here!” A voice called out. “Don't let them get away this time!” “Damn... Harpy we need to go!” Lore exclaimed as he pulled out a silver orb from his coat. Twisting the top, it open to show a dark blue crystal held inside. “You're not going anywhere!” Trixie yelled as she fired her spell. “Wai-” A blinding white light flashed as Princess Celestia's guards started into the clearing. The earth around the site was burnt yet cold as ice to the touch. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trixie could hear music and cheering as she started to come around. It sounded like it was coming from outside. She could feel that she was in a bed. The room smelled of spices and fruits. “This is the second time I've been knocked out like this...” “I think she's coming to!” “Octavia? Thank goodness she's okay. I hope everyone else is too.” “Between her, Lore and Gilda they took the most of that blast. I'll check on Gilda and see if she's recovered.” Dirk said as his hooves clopped on the hardwood floor. A door shut as Octavia lay a cool, wet cloth on Trixies head. She slowly opened her eyes to be greeted by a smirk. “Welcome back to the land of the living.” “What happen?” Trixie then started to panic as she looked for her bag. “Where is my gem and book?” “Relax; it's setting right behind me. We are trying to piece together information. Those two griffins brought us to a camp. They said they'll be back with answers after they report in with someone.” Trixie started to get up with Octavia's help. She could tell she was in a wagon after looking around. It was filled with barrels and different herbs hug from the ceiling by strings to dry. Unmarked Bottles filled with red and clear liquids sat on shelves along one of the walls. For some odd reason Trixie felt at home. “You seem to be taking this quite well.” “Oh you missed my mental break down. I think you might have gotten a laugh or two from it.” Putting on her bag the two headed outside. Trixie gasped as ponies of all types, griffins, even diamond dogs laughed and sang around fires as the band played. Wagons formed a circle around the camp as they danced and drank. They all wore colorful garments and jewelry. The band played a mix of string instruments, drums, and tambourines. “A gypsy camp?” “You know them?” “No... My mother talked about them all the time. Growing up she told tails of travailing with large camps like this.” The gypsy's cheered as a pony bough out another barrel. A Griffin opened the top as everyone took their cups and filled them to the brims. “They seem like a... colorful bunch.” “Ah! You’re awake at last!” A unicorn said as he stumbled over to them. He was using his magic to carry a large mug. “Here drink in good health. Wine is good for soul and mind.” He levitated the mug over the mares only to have both of them turned their noises to it. “No? Ah more for me!” He brought it to his lips as he gulped it down. Finishing with a sigh he then started to stumble. “Your friends are waiting for you up the hill.” He then pointed a hoof at a wagon parked just above the tree line. “Now if you excuse me I'm going to have myself a good time.” He then started after an earth mare as he put a hoof around her, making her giggle as he started flirting with her. “Let's hurry and find the others...” Octavia said in a dead pan tone. “I don't think I can hold myself back if I get pawed on like that.” “Yes... let's get going.” The two mares’s walked side by side up the hill. None of the gypsy's seemed to take mind to them as they kept partying. Once at the wagon Trixie felt a small bit of relief as the elder mare stepped out. “Greetings heroes... well from the looks of it I have a lot of explaining to do. Octavia I hope you can keep from another panic attack.” “How... do you know my name? For that matter who are you?” The elder mare only chuckled as she turn and headed into the wagon. “Your friends Gilda and Dirk are waiting for you inside. Harpy and Lore should be back in the morning. Till then I need to inform you on this world and your roll in it.” As the elder mare went inside, Octavia started to take deep breaths. “T-Trixie... what's going on?” “We'll find out...” Trixie said with a sigh.