//------------------------------// // Chapter 36 // Story: The Adventures of Trixie if Her Father Was a Badass Alien // by totallynotabrony //------------------------------// As always, homecoming was pleasant for Trixie. She smiled as the train pulled into the Ponyville station. Disembarking with her friends, they spent a few minutes talking before going their separate ways. Iron Will was headed for the hotel, where he would have a seminar. Fluttershy was going to check on her animals and perhaps avoid Pinkie. Trixie headed for the library. She was slightly surprised to see smoke coming from the chimney and lights on inside. Opening the door, Trixie saw that everything had been cleaned and was looking more like an operating library again. She closed the door and a voice called, “Just a minute!” Spike appeared from around a stack of shelves. “Oh hey, Trixie. Good to see you again.” Trixie gave him a hoof bump. “So are you and Twilight moving back here?” Spike shrugged. “I’m not really sure, although Twilight sent me to Ponyville to get the place cleaned up. She’s been working with Sunset Shimmer back in Canterlot, and I think she wanted to try moving Sunset here to see if the small town atmosphere would help rehabilitate her.” Trixie thought for a moment. She was initially not agreeable to the idea considering what Sunset had done, but then she remembered that a second chance in Ponyville was exactly how her own life had been turned around. “So after getting her calmed down from taking over Equestria, you’re giving Sunset a chance to start over?” “I guess so. I don’t really know much about it.” Spike glanced around as if the two of them were not alone and lowered his voice. “Although, I’ve heard a few strange things about the program. Twilight doesn’t talk much about it, but I think they did some pretty serious stuff to Sunset to change her.” “Hmm.” Trixie thought about that for a moment, but then shrugged. It wasn’t her problem, and Sunset probably deserved it before earning her second chance. “Anyway, is it okay if I continue to stay here?” “Sure.” Spike grinned. “Rarity has been taking care of me until Twilight gets here. I’m sure that when Twilight hears that you’re with me, she’ll trust me to have a little more freedom.” “I thought you liked Rarity?” Trixie asked. Spike grinned wider. “Freedom with Rarity.” Trixie didn’t judge. As the day went on, Trixie unpacked and slowly reacclimated herself to the slow pace of life in a sleepy little town. After traveling so much, it was nice. She went out to look for a place to have a late lunch. Touring the town leisurely, she spotted Guinness and his griffon buddy working on a building. Trixie remembered that they were opening some sort of pub. As Trixie walked by, Rainbow Dash appeared, apparently to see Guinness. She looked quite pregnant, and as Trixie mentally calculated how far along she must be, the numbers didn’t add up. Oh well. That certainly was not her problem. Trixie continued down the street, stopping by the coffee shop. They had a few pastries and sandwiches available for lunch. She watched the house band for a little while, glad that none of them were even attempting jazz. A few ponies recognized her and urged Trixie to show off her skills at drumming, but she politely declined. Even for a mare like her, there was only so much showing off that could be done. After her extended trip, Trixie had experienced about enough of that. After eating, she headed back towards the library. A small object flew over Trixie’s head and landed in the street in front of her, popping open to release a cloud of smoke. Trixie stopped short and glanced around to see who had thrown the smoke bomb, however, a cackling laugh brought her attention back to front and center. Starburst appeared through the cloud, looking healthier and more menacing than Trixie remembered. Taking a defensive stance, Trixie lowered her head and prepared to charge a spell if necessary. “What are you doing here?” “I’ve come to see you, Trixie.” Starburst ruffled her cape and her grin got a little wider. “You see, I’ve done some thinking and decided that I should be a little more direct. Your father’s meteor-iron knife is a great prize, but honestly after all the trouble you’ve caused me, I made the decision that I should just get rid of you once and for all. Then, I can have the knife and anything else in Equestria that I want. I’m challenging you to a duel.” “Sure.” Trixie gritted her teeth. “I’d be happy to kill you. How do you want it – magic, bullets, or blades?” “You know those things won’t harm me.” Starburst smirked. “Surely you’ve noticed that despite whatever punishment you threw at me, I’ve only come back stronger. I am not of this planet.” A little of Trixie’s confidence faltered, but she didn’t let herself show it. What could she do to defeat Starburst? The Elements of Harmony seemed like a good bet. Trixie made a show of shrugging. “You might think you’re invulnerable, but you haven’t seen everything yet.” “Oh, I haven’t?” Starburst actually sounded interested. “Well, stars and supernovas put on some of the best shows in the universe. I seriously doubt you can top that.” Trixie forced herself to grin confidently. “Want to bet?” “Oh, absolutely. But there’s no way you could ever put on a better spectacle than me. I mean, showing off is the source of my power after all.” Oh really? Trixie attempted to keep the revelation off her face. It did explain why she had previously beatdown Starburst so easily, because she had always interrupted the crazed mare before she could show her stuff. Surviving the airship explosion was apparently because the blast had been so extreme: basically, a huge show. “So all I have to do to defeat you is put on a better show?” Trixie asked for confirmation. “It’s not like you will actually be able to,” Starburst scoffed. “Even if I give you a day to prepare there’s no way you could outdo me.” “Be here tomorrow and we’ll see,” Trixie told her. Starburst nodded in agreement. She grinned and vanished in a puff of smoke. With no time to waste, Trixie sprinted for the library.