//------------------------------// // Light at the End of the Tunnel // Story: Life, Death, and Ponies // by thunderclap //------------------------------// “Trixie, can I please help now? I’m so boooored!” You groaned, sprawling out on Trixie’s bed. “You just fought a group of Diamond Dogs and you’re complaining about being bored? You have to be the craziest pony I have ever met.” “I could’ve told you that.” You replied with a roll of your eyes. “So can I help or not?” “No!” Trixie snapped. “You’re in no condition to be up and about right now. Besides, you need to save your energy in case those Diamond Dogs come after us again.” “They shouldn’t be a problem,” You said, “especially since I took their leader’s magicite necklace.” “Since you bought it up, what do you plan on doing with that thing?” “Isn’t it obvious?” You asked with a maniacal edge in your voice. “I’m going to Canterlot and taking over Equestria! With this stone not even Celestia or Luna could stand before me!” “Really?” Trixie asked nervously. “Of course not,” you replied with a chuckle. “Even though this stone protects the one holding it from projectile spells, levitation, unwanted teleportation, and illusions. Somepony could still use a physical augmentation spell on themselves and fight me that way. Besides, ruling Equestria with an iron hoof doesn’t really appeal to me. I’ll just give the magicite to Celestia and Luna and let them decide what to do with it.” “That makes sense.” Trixie said with a sigh of relief. But how do you plan on meeting with them. Not just anypony can waltz right into Canterlot Castle and meet the Princesses unannounced.” “Don’t worry about that. I’m friends with a Royal Guard, he’ll let me in.” “You’re just full of surprises.” Trixie said with a giggle. The two of you continued on in companionable silence for a while until Trixie broke it. “Say, now that we’re supposed to be friends, could you tell me a bit about yourself?” “Sure, but you have to return the favor.” “Okay, sounds like a deal to me.” Trixie replied. “What was growing up in Canterlot like?” “I wouldn’t know.” You answered. “I’m from a small town called Hoofington. But, I did study magic there. And from what I’ve seen, it’s nice. Some places are a bit too high-brow for my taste, but such is the nature of the capital of Equestria. What about you? Where are you from?” “I’m from Boltimare. My father performed as a magician in a pretty big theater, while my mother was your typical stay at home mom.” “Well, would you look at that,” You said with a chuckle. “We actually have something in common.” “What do you mean?” “My mother was a violinist and performed at local town theaters. She helped inspire me to learn how to play the violin.” “You’re right, that is something we have in common. My father is a big reason why I wanted to be a travelling magician. Okay, so why were you all the way out here when you found me?” “I was just visiting my family and friends back home. Don’t you ever visit your family?” “No, my parents split up a few years ago. I know where they are, but the last time we saw each other, we all said some terrible things. That’s why I travel and perform. I just don’t think I could stand to be around them anymore.” “Trixie,” You said, your voicing taking a serious tone, “you have to make up with them.” “Who are you to tell me what to do?!” Trixie snapped. “I appreciate what you’ve done for me. But you don’t know what I’ve been through, so shut up!” “You’re right,” You admitted, “I don’t know exactly what you’re going through. But, I do know what it’s like to have things hanging over you, and I know how it feels to not deal with those things. If you don’t deal with whatever is going on between you and your folks, it’ll tear you up inside.” “You might have a point.” Trixie said with an exhausted sigh. “I’m sorry I flew off on you like that. When we get out of here, I’m gonna try and find my parents and see if I can patch things up. Thanks, I don’t know how you do it, but you keep helping me with my problems. I might have to keep you around in case something else pops up.” “Don’t worry about it. It’s what I do. And if you ever need me then you can always swing by Ponyville and ask for it. Or you can just visit me for no reason, like a friend would.” “I guess I could bring myself to go back to Ponyville. By the way, if you were raised in Hoofington, and learned magic in Canterlot, then why did you move to Ponyville?” “While I was learning magic I heard about Twilight Sparkle and the fact that she’s the apprentice to Princess Celestia. So, being the magic obsessed nut-ball I am, I had to see what kind of magic I could learn from her.” “Sounds like somepony has a little crush on the Princess’s apprentice.” Trixie said with a giggle. “Wha… no,” You stammered, flustered. “Twilight and I are just friends. I mean there’s nothing wrong with her. I just don’t want to jeopardize our friendship!” “Relax, Blackstar, I was only kidding. Looks like I struck a nerve.” “Sorry, I’m not very good when it comes to my romantic life.” “Why’s that?” “Because I’ve never actually had a romantic life. Between learning magic and learning how to play the violin. I never found the time to nurture a love life.” “That sounds like an excuse to me.” “It might be, but it’s my excuse.” “So, do you have any idea what you’re looking for in a mare?” “Not really. I should just be able to get along with them, and it can hopefully work itself out from there.” “Really, you don’t have any preferences? Are you more attracted to Pegasi, Unicorns, or Earth-ponies? What about personality? Do you like a girly-girl, what about the shy and reserved type?” “I don’t know. I’ve never really given it that much thought.” “You really are a strange pony.” After that the conversation between you and Trixie died down to little more than chatter. Trixie continued to use her magic to read the direction of the wind. After another hour or so, the two of you found the source of the airflow. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what you were hoping for. At first, you thought you had hit a dead end. However, further inspection of the rock-face revealed a small crack-like opening, with only the tiniest sliver of light to show that it led to the outside world. You climbed out of the caravan and inspected the rock-face to the best of your ability. “Well, what do you think?” Trixie asked, obviously on edge. “Should we turn back and try to find another exit?” “No,” You answered calmly, “if we do that we might run into those Diamond Dogs again. Not to mention we have no idea how long finding another exit could take.” “Then what do you suggest?” “We need to find a way to use this exit.” “Hey, maybe you could use that spell you used to shrink me on the two of us.” Trixie suggested. “I don’t think I could safely make both of us small enough to fit through a hole that small. And then I’d have to return us to normal. But, maybe we don’t have to make ourselves smaller. We should try to make the hole bigger.” “How do you plan on doing that?” “I have a spell that should act like a drill. Hopefully that will let us get through the rock. I could teach it to you if you want to help me.” “If it helps us get back to civilization, I’ll gladly get my hooves dirty.” Trixie picked up how to do the spell rather quickly and the two of you got to work on digging through the wall. The task was slow going, made all the slower by Trixie insisting that you take breaks constantly. You constantly told her that you’d be fine, but she wouldn’t hear any of it. In the end, you finished digging in about three hours. When you finally made it through the rock, you were greeted by the sight of the setting sun and the outline of Canterlot above you. “Oh fresh air, how I’ve missed you!” You exclaimed dramatically, letting yourself flop to the ground. “I hate to interrupt your little moment, but we need to get you to a doctor. Those wounds could get infected if you’re not careful.” Trixie said. “You don’t have to do that.” You said, picking yourself up off the ground. “I can teleport to Canterlot from here. Like I said before, I have some business to take care of with the Princesses.” “Are you sure? I’d feel terrible if something happened to you.” “I’ll be fine. Just meet me in Ponyville whenever you get the chance.” “Okay, I think… I’m gonna go see my parents, and hopefully fix things between us.” “Take care, Trixie, and good luck with your family.” “You take care too, and try not to push yourself too hard.” “What?!” You shouted, starting the teleportation spell. “I can’t hear you, this spell is really loud.” And with that you vanished in a flash of light. A few moments later you appeared at the gates of Canterlot. Your face brightened up when you saw a familiar guard tending the gate. However, when you started to walk forward, you realized that a lot of your wounds had reopened. All of a sudden you started to feel woozy and your vision started to blur. Before you knew it the guards at the gate were rushing towards you. Although, you were barely aware of this as you started to slip into unconsciousness. When you finally returned to consciousness you were greeted by the sight of a worried looking Celestia and Luna. That quickly changed once they saw you were okay. In an instant their faces contorted into deep scowls. “Would you mind explaining to us why in Equestria two of our guards found you covered in what the doctors described as Diamond Dog wounds?” Luna growled. ‘I have the oddest sense of déja vu right now.’ You thought to yourself. “Would you believe I got them trying to help somepony in need?” At that, both Celestia and Luna let out a long exasperated groan. “Why do you hold your own safety in such little regard?” Celestia asked. “It’s not that I hold my own safety in little regard.” You explained. “It’s just that I hold the safety and concerns of others on much higher regard.” “Blackstar, you need to take better care of yourself.” Luna said with a sigh. “We worry about you. Now please, start your story from the beginning.” You told Celestia and Luna about finding Blackstar’s parents and telling them about who you really were. You then explained that on your way back to Ponyville you found Trixie collapsed in the middle of a dirt road. Then, you told them about fighting the Diamond Dog leader and the rest of his gang, and about finding the magicite necklace. You finally finished with digging your way to the surface and teleporting to Canterlot. For a while, Celestia and Luna just looked at you with sympathetic looks in their eyes. Eventually though, they found the nerve to speak. “So, you really are in the body of one of our former subjects.” Luna stated. “How are you feeling?” “I’m not gonna lie. I feel a little guilty. I mean, I essentially stole someone’s life.” “You didn’t steal anything.” Luna stated firmly. “The original Blackstar was already dead. Anyway, I’m proud of you for telling his family the truth.” She finished with a smile. “Me too,” Celestia continued. “Although, I will miss being the only ones to know the truth about who you really are.” The three of you shared a quick laugh and continued to talk for a while. “Hey, why aren’t you yelling at me for the stupid stunt I pulled? Normally you two would be all over me for something like this.” “Oh, we sent a letter to Twilight and her friends telling them about your condition. We figured they’d yell at you enough for the two of us. In fact, they should be here any minute.” Celestia explained with a wicked grin. “WHAT IN THE HAY WERE YA THINKIN’?!” A familiar voice shouted at you. “Oh no.”