//------------------------------// // Five: Redeeming Conditions // Story: Celestia's New Student // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// The room’s theme color was purple, but of a more radiant tint than Twilight had ever seen. Already, decorations had been put in place for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala. Among all the times Twilight had been here, never had it been this heavily cared for before, but then, it’s always gotten better and better with every passing year. This made the change less stunning to her, but the same could not be said for Trixie. The lamps that hung from high above found directly side by side next to the main chandelier had been altered in glass, swirling upwards and downwards in the most oddest, spiky shapes and sizes. As if just to show off, the light coming from within each one was hardly a single hue, but instead, many that clashed with magical properties. With the rays bouncing off the centerpiece found in the middle, the room was lit aglow with patterns of dancing ponies on every wall, the ceiling, the floor, and even the ceramic windows that depicted many of Equestria’s iconic tales in the back. Even the red carpet lying on the stairs seemed to pop with severely irregular, vibrant colors. Along the walls next to the upcoming stairway held pictures of the two palace dwelling princesses, but not even they could hardly be seen due to the stallions and mares leaping by their faces. Trixie could only stare at her surroundings. Not a single city in all her life could compare to the well prepared greeting room she now found herself in. Las Pegasus had its moments, but this was just too much. She watched the refracting duets dance around and around the room, only to become slightly dizzy. She hardly noticed Twilight headed up the stairs, that is until she began calling out, “Princess Celestia! Sorry for my abrupt appearance...” She came to the top, only to stop and look more closely down the shadowed hall. Beyond the darkness, she could definitely make out what looked like Celestia’s mane and key features, but it just wasn’t her. “Close,” the mare in blue said while approaching, leaving the sanctity of the shadows and into Trixie’s own line of vision. “But not so.” Before Twilight was Luna, just waking up from her long sleep. “Oh, sorry about that. For a minute, you looked just like her.” Luna heeded her little surprise. “It happens often, actually. I can’t tell you how many times a guard or two has mistaken me for my very own sister. What brings you here, Princess Twilight Sparkle?” She bowed before saying her fellow alicorn’s name, and as she did, Twilight did the same. “I was actually on my way here to pick up a few alchemical components,” she told truthfully while returning to her corrective posture. “I was right at the outskirts of town when I noticed who was directly below me.” She looked down at the base of the stairs where Trixie stood. Luna blinked at the young unicorn. “I see…” “Is it true?” Twilight brought Luna’s attention wavering back to who she was originally speaking to. “I don’t suppose you know of Celestia’s offer.” Luna nodded, but with closed eyes. “I have, and suppose I should be the first to say, it didn’t happen as I originally thought it might.” She opened her eyes, but with a stern look about them. “My sister’s behavior was indifferent, and lacked understanding of how to handle such a pony like… what’s her name again? Starts with a T...” Twilight watched as Luna once again looked at the mare below, and simply said, “Trixie.” Luna gave no response to this, and instead, began trotting down the steep steps, her direction aimed right for the stage performer. The closer she got, the more Trixie felt obligated to run. Not only was this yet another alicorn, but one from the worst of nightmare inducing stories she’d been told of as a childish filly. She’d heard plenty about Nightmare Moon, and thus had already developed a thorough distaste for Luna’s counterpart, but still was vaguely informed of the changes this Mistress of the Night had gone through. All that and more raced through her head while Luna came closer and closer to ground level. Finally, she reached the bottom, and merely stood there a little ways away from Trixie, staring. She seemed emotionless at the time, willing to observe for a bit, and didn’t even budge despite Twilight passing right by her. In due time, the silence was broken by her asking, “I am Princess Luna, and you must be the one Celestia’s conversed with me about?” She blinked as though the question was impossible for her to respond to adequately. “Y-yes, Your Highness.” Luna kept her frown. “Nightmare Moon is gone. I feel the need to inform you of this, seeing as how your wildest of dreams often represents me to be something profoundly terrorizing even to myself. I am not that mare any longer.” Trixie nodded, but looked away. “So, it’s true then. Trixie means, she’s heard the rumors that you and Princess Celestia had made peace… But, what of my dreams? What do you mean by that?” Luna began circling Trixie slowly. “Like I keep telling many others like you these days, I have the ability to venture into your deadliest of nightmares, and your most majestic of dreams, but I only intervene when necessary. Your dreams, though… I must say, they interest me a great deal.” Trixie tried to watch Luna’s round, but stopped after Her Highness went fairly beyond view. Trixie knew the princess well enough to comprehend that she was merely taking in her features. “What makes Trixie’s dreams different from anypony else’s?” Luna was now at her backside, observing the wand and star cutie mark with attentiveness. “Usually, a dream shows what a pony wants. It’s often fame, glory, and riches. Well, to be blunt, it’s more than often mostly riches. Your dreams are the same, somewhat, but still different in specific aspects. It shows you on the road of what leads to all those things, but never the aftermath. You’re on stage for the most part, ponies either adoring you or shunning you for your mishaps. However, you rarely experience what comes next.” Trixie watched Luna return to her former spot. “What of it?” “Last night, while I was busy caring for the castle whilst my sister slept soundly, you had the most peculiar remembrance. In fact, I wouldn’t even have the gall to call it a fallacy in the slightest. This is where I found out about Celestia’s brusque behavior, so let me be the first to apologize for her upfront, rash choice of wording. She merely meant to encourage you the way she thought might work best. Because of this, you ran away, didn’t you?” Trixie huffed, unable to hide the truth. “Well, you see… if it wasn’t for Twilight, actually, Trixie would be a quarter of the way to Las Pegasus by now. You see, Princess Luna, since Twilight’s suspicions are now being proven relatively true by you… It won’t be like in my dreams, will it?” The concern in Trixie’s voice rose. “Trixie won’t be forced to stay in these walls forever, will she?” Luna looked away, and seemed to think on that question for a while longer than Trixie would’ve liked. She looked back, and said, “Not precisely like in the dream, no. However, I don’t know my own sister’s training tracks that well. I won’t lie to you. I don’t know what your training with her is going to be like. I don’t want to fill your head with possibilities, just so you’ll be let down later on.” At this time, Twilight interrupted the two’s conversation. “Why don’t we go find out?” Luna looked down at Twilight, and began smiling. “You know where she might be, right? Because otherwise, Trixie and I would just wander around here aimlessly. I mean, sure, I’d find her eventually, but around this time, with the Gala going on and all, it’s hard to say where she’d be right about now.” Luna turned around, and walked up the stairs while instructing the two to follow along. “If anything, she’s in her room studying on Trixie’s personal history to figure out a better approach next time. Yes, she knows you were running away, and is preparing to chase after you.” Trixie asked with a surprised tone, “She is? Really?” Luna turned her head, and nodded before reaching the first flight’s top, and rounded to the right. “She must see something truly special within you, as do I. You should consider this an opportunity rather than a sentencing, but I’m sure Twilight’s already told you this.” Twilight glanced at Trixie with a smirk, but things fell rather silent after that. There were many corners to take, and many more winding stairs to conquer before they finally reached Celestia’s private, and incredibly distant quarters. The whole way there, Trixie couldn’t concentrate on much more than looking around, gazing at all the royal accessories this palace contained, and these were just the roundabout corridors, too. Along every wall was a stack of heavy, though a bit frilly looking weaponry. Trixie could tell that those were mostly for show, and not actual combat. Under the racks of swords, spears and shields were exceedingly elegant tables, and commonly resting on top of those were tablecloths decorated in traditional white and purple. On top of those were vases filled to the brim with all sorts of flowers, usually. Some were empty. Every once in a while the trio would spot a dresser, or some fancy silverware found behind expensive glass cabinets. The red rug that stretched from the very entrance seemed to coat all of the palace as well, and finally, there was the high reaching ceiling. With the roof almost being lost by Trixie’s sight, she concluded that any such pegasus would simply love to fly around in that endless abyss all night long. “See those lanterns?” Twilight asked, noticing just where Trixie’s attention had gone off to. “Yes, what about them? Trixie can just barely see the chains keeping them afloat!” As they followed Luna closely behind, Twilight shared a story. “When Rainbow first visited here, just her and me, she refused to have a room. She literally brought in a cloud from one of my open windows, and stayed up there the whole time!” “Yes, the pegasus…” Trixie thought aloud, “She’d probably be distasteful if she ever found out about Trixie becoming Celestia’s student.” Twilight giggled at that. “Yeah, maybe. In time, though, I’m sure you’ll be forgiven by everypony. I mean, it was fairly easy for me, so how hard could it be for them? Right?” “Don’t flatter me that much, Twilight,” Trixie requested jokingly. “Trixie will do her very best to have her past deeds excused, but still. Let’s be real for a moment. She’ll forever have rather low expectations when it comes to your friends’ forgiveness.” “Here we are,” Luna said, coming up to the door and cutting the conversation off. “Finally… You know, it wasn’t always like this, our rooms being so, very separated from one another. In the castle found in the Everfree Forest for instance, my room was directly beside Celestia’s own. My sister decided to make a  room for me here in Canterlot as well, but kept it far away from her own, on the left wing. She tells me she didn’t want to get her hopes up, in case I returned and refused to change. She tells me that someday, we’ll have to remodel the place to sate current dissatisfaction. Trixie looked down the halls they were just traveling on, and noted, “It sure wasn’t easy getting here. Trixie’s hooves hurt! She bets that’s just another ploy to get her to stay, being too tired now to walk much longer!” Luna and Twilight laughed, and entered as they did. Behind the two in front, Trixie could see the beginnings of an unexpectedly humbling environment. She figured there would be nothing less than the utmost opulence for a princess’s personal chambers, but what she took in was more appropriate overall. Not too flashy, but not too civilian either. While sitting down on the decisively designed, plantlike seat located directly next to the door, she observed the flowing blue flag depicting a blazing azure star hanging on the wall from her right side. Behind that was a curving cloud structure lathering the round room’s background. From her perspective, it almost seemed farther away than in actuality. The fury of the fireplace caused this eerie, unnatural warmth to surround the entirety of the atmosphere, and helped the interior bedding made of the softest, purple fabrics glisten with every jolt coming off the incandescent wood. More pillows of varying patterns nestled all along the rimming, where the main, golden cussion could be easily spotted, if only smushed and weighed down by the others. It was still the largest, though, and must’ve been professionally made for alicorn use only. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been made to be so big. Others would simply sink down, and get stuck for sure. Looking up and over the low leveled mattress, Trixie could see the glass exit leading to the outside balcony, and next to that was yet another yellow and purple door. It appeared that this whole wing’s entrances save for the exceptionally hefty ones maintained the same complexion while everything else questionably changed throughout. Beyond the wall to the furthest right, they could hear the sound of running water, and what must’ve been gargling. Luna knocked first, and then asked loudly so that Celestia might hear her, “Sis? Are you in there? We have guests...” The door cracked, but didn’t open up all the way. By that time, Trixie had stood back up, and was headed to the other side of Luna to peer in. She could make out what was overtly a bathroom, and the princess brushing her teeth. To trixie’s astonishment, a familiar pamphlet was being firmly held by the princess’s aura. It was the original Ponyville attraction she’d hung all over the quaint town. A blast from the past. Celestia spat into the sink, not knowing of Trixie’s or even Twilight’s presence, and turned around. “Yes, what is it Luna?” She soon enough spotted the two others, and gasped. “Oh… Twilight, and Trixie, too. This is a pleasant surprise.” As she left, and stood rather awkwardly amongst them all, her eyes wandered from Luna. She stared at her for the longest time, and then to the guests, and eventually, she addressed Luna with curiosity. “Well then, how did this come to be?” “It’s Twilight’s doing,” the sister replied forwardly. “Flying over Solitude Trot, she apparently spotted Trixie, and convinced her that the choice she was acting upon should hardly be made in such a swift manner.” Twilight took it from there. “I was just coming up here to get a few supplies. That’s why you didn’t get a note... Sorry about that, but getting back on track, one thing lead to another, and then I found out about how you offered studenthood to Trixie.” She gazed up at Celestia critically. “You didn’t seriously tell her what she tells me you told her, did you? It doesn’t sound like you at all!” Celestia focused in on Trixie, but huffed with a bowed head. “I only meant to… I don’t know what had gotten into me, now that I’m trying to explain it. Reverse psychology?” She looked back up, almost appearing worried. “All I did was hurt you. All those words instilled was fear, not ambition or a desire to be something more. After doing my research, as you can see…” She waved the ad to signify what she meant. “I know that now, and Trixie? If you’ll accept it, I’d like to extend an apology for being so rude.” Trixie merely nodded at that. “Trixie supposes she accepts, Your Highness, but there’s still the matter of how Trixie’s training will play out. Before she can make any such decision, Trixie must know more.” Celestia nodded in return, and began with no strings attached. “Come to the balcony. For now, Twilight, Luna… please leave us. This has little concern for you. Although, Twilight?” The former student stopped herself from turning around with Luna, and gave Celestia her undivided attention. “I’m sure you have more words for me. We’ll talk afterwards in the library. Okay?” Without much more to say, she nodded as well, and they parted ways. Twilight fondly visited the library to wait, and as for Luna, she had her own duties to carry out, like lifting the moon. Meanwhile, Trixie and Celestia sat together amongst the stars. The silence of the night retained itself until the door closed behind them, and that’s when Celestia spoke. “Look all around you.” Her hoof swung slowly to show Trixie exactly where she was to be looking. To Celestia, that was the whole, wide castle stretching out before the two. “All this land shall be free roam to you. What I intend on doing is simple. You don’t wish to be taught like Twilight, I get that; sanctioned to the palace alone, that is...” Trixie remarked, “Yes, this was the first of Trixie’s worries.” “Rest assured,” Celestia proceeded to comfort, “I want nothing but your happiness while under my wing. So, as you already know, I’ve learned a thing or two about yourself to help smooth things along. So far, I can tell that you don’t just enjoy, but adore to perform in front of countless audience members. I believe that these methods I’ve arranged for will help in not only your enjoyment, but your teachings, too.” “Arrangements, Princess Celestia?” “Yes.” Her horn shined a rather blinding, golden saturation, and just like that, a map spread itself out in the form of a triangle. It ultimately turned out to be translucent, but showed the city’s fundamental features such as the starting three gates, the entrance to the palace located to the farthest back, and five, spiraling dots. One shined to the left, another to the right. Another was a ways away from the northern gates at the top, where she parked her caravan on her first day in Canterlot. Lastly, the other two were on the wayward path down the middle, and then in the clearing. If Trixie looked directly down below from the rails, she’d see precisely where that final point was. “This is Canterlot, but I’m sure you can deduce that without many complications. What I want you to heed the most, are these small land marks I’ve circled just for you. They’re your stages, and much like your caravan, they shall contain everything and anything you’d need to put on a spectacular show. I’d be teaching you past tricks that use little magic, a challenge for both you and I, and you’d execute them on stage, live. Of course, performing in front of tens of hundreds of ponies all accross this domain of mine would be too easy. That would merely act as your practices. For a couple presentation here and there, I’ll be watching. That’s when you’ll be tested.” With the map disappearing, Celestia surveyed Trixie’s reception. “Well then! That’s more like it! You mean… Trixie would only be allowed inside the castle, and not outside of its walls?” Celestia shook her head. “No, no, my little pony. You’re allowed to go where you want! Just don’t go too far away from here, and you’ll be just fine. There will be times when you’ll travel elsewhere, too. Keep in mind, also…” She bit her bottom lip at this, but resumed, “You may quit this exercise at anytime. As I said before, you wouldn’t be a prisoner, nor a commoner, and if after awhile you feel the pressure is too great to muster, you’d still be granted access to the inner palace. Just as long as you don’t break any serious rules, you’ll always be welcomed of course.” The expression Trixie now had could best be described as somewhat questionable. Even Celestia had some difficulty reading her body language. She just kept looking out at the horizon, where the moon rose slowly over the mountains, and back at the buildings below. Finally, she looked at Celestia, and sighed. She didn’t say a word, though. Instead, Trixie simply began backtracking towards the room. Celestia’s eyes watched closely, concern washing over her. The farther and farther Trixie got, the more Her Highness wanted to lock up the way in, but she stood her ground, if only raising her hoof in Trixie’s direction. In the glass’s reflection, Trixie could plainly see Celestia’s disheartened condition, but that didn’t stop her from placing her hoof on the handle. At that point, Celestia’s head bowed in sheer dismay. “Trixie will need her belongings.” Hearing this, the alicorn blinked, looked up, and shook a little. “Oh… yes, absolutely. I’ll send my guards for them.” She couldn’t quite catch her breath, what with her new student’s robust antics catching her off guard. “I, umm… suppose I’ll show you to your room?” Trixie looked back to tease, “Trixie got you. Don’t try and hide it!” Their chortles became laughter, and in due time, Trixie was shown to her new room. Despite it only being a very short walk away, she didn’t have much energy left to look around. The darkness didn’t help either, but still, she was able to find her way to the bed. This time around, Trixie would sleep a lot more peacefully, and without much worry appointed to being a student of the princess herself. Unlike last night, these dreams were the same as ever, if not a bit more sensational. Celestia closed the door for the mare, and left quickly thereafter only to come across Twilight in the library. She sat amongst the beginning shelves, perusing the elder knowledge like it were fiction. “Now that Trixie has accepted, I have a bit of explaining to do.” Twilight didn’t look away from the many titles, but still spoke up so that Celestia would hear her. “I’m not being replaced, am I?” There was another stern silence, much like the type Celestia and Trixie had just sat through a few minutes ago while out on the balcony. Just like last time, it was broken by the library doors shutting, but much more loudly. “I won’t say so, but it’s how you angle things. What of Sunset Shimmer? How is she doing?” Twilight steered her line of sight towards Celestia, her tone shallow. “Don’t change the subject.” Celestia’s eyes widened. “What does she have to do with all of this?” “Twilight…” She breathed, glancing down, but returned to Celestia promptly. “I’m sorry… You have to remember, I was your student for a long time. It was so hard to keep these emotions bottled up while right in front of Trixie. I wanted the best for her, but at the same time, I have to know… Have I been replaced?” Celestia came closer, and held Twilight close to say, “No, you haven’t. I’d never replace you, but as for Sunset Shimmer… my much more erstwhile student…” Twilight nodded, her cheeks rubbing against Celestia’s hoof. “Oh, so it’s her that’s being replaced. Not me? I guess that makes sense, now that I think about it...” The embrace Celestia gave Twilight deepened. “That’s why I ask how she’s been doing as of late. It’s crucial to both me, and Trixie’s distant future training.” Being released, but still holding onto one of the princess’s hooves, Twilight began, “She’s making a speedy recovery. In fact, if it wasn’t for her, the sirens would’ve been unstoppable. While there, I watched her derail an actual argument my Canterlot High friends were having. To be honest with you, I didn’t sense a single ounce of distaste for her, unlike last time around. It’s my honest opinion, Your Highness, that Sunset Shimmer has done a complete one-eighty.” She averted her eyes. “Well, almost.” “Almost?” Celestia investigated. “Well, I can’t be one hundred percent sure just yet, because… Well, look at what happened between Discord and Tirek! We don’t know how Sunset Shimmer would take action if offered such an opportunity. What if a dark influence was to come along and tempt her? How would things play out? Once again, to be completely honest with you, I fear she might not be able to resist for long.” Celestia stayed quiet, but Twilight guessed she was thinking. Then, Princess Celestia gave her acknowledgement. “I’ll have to sleep on this, but I believe I already know of the perfect test for not only Trixie, but Sunset Shimmer as well. It’ll be Sunset’s final test from me, though. You’ve assisted me quite enough for today, Twilight. How about those ingredients?” Naturally, Celestia followed through with helping Twilight out in return by magically conjuring up anything she needed, and doubled the package as well. Twilight was welcomed to stay in the palace for the night, but she’d be gone by early morning the very next day. As for Trixie, she slept contently for hours, and hours. It wouldn’t be until well into the near afternoon when she’d inescapably be awoken by a somewhat familiar face. Her training would begin tomorrow.