A Trail Leading Home

by Hades Shadow 92

Ch. 25 - The Past can Hurt

Chapter 25

– The Past Can Hurt –

“Zecora, you are such a joy to be around.” Zala said, chuckling as she sat at Zecora’s table.

“You are too kind Zala my friend, our time together is always good to spend.” Zecora said, chuckling along with her.

“What am I, chopped liver?” Trail asked, giving a fake hurt look.

All three laughed at the joke and took a sip from their tea. They had just got back from another session of studying the basilisk. The venom from the beast was still potent, and very dangerous. But also very rare. Not only does it fetch a pretty price on the market but it’s also invaluable to any alchemist.

“So Zecora, we’ll leave the venom with you for study. Remember to be very careful with it.” Trail said.

“Not to worry my friend, I am not ready to meet my end.” Zecora laughed.

“I’d love to assist your research Zecora. Would you mind if I came by tomorrow? I can bring lunch as well.” Zala said, smiling at the mare.

Zecora looked surprised but quickly composed herself, “Your offer is most welcome, visitors I get only seldom.”

Zala smiled and Trail couldn’t help but chuckle at her.

“I’m afraid we must be heading home, Zecora. Comet should have finished her magic lesson by now and will be begging for dinner.” Trail said.

“Yes, I promised her I would make asparagus tonight.” Zala said.

Trail gave her a look, “You know, you are the only being in all of Equestria that can make asparagus worth looking forward to. What’s your secret?”

“Now dear brother, why would I tell you that? You know that curiosity killed the cat?” Zala said.

Zecora then broke out into laughter at the rhyme she heard, while Trail looked stunned. Zala simply walked out the door, her snout raised up in her triumph.

When Trail recovered, he followed his sister out into the forest, closing Zecora’s door for her as she was still laughing on the floor.

“I thought you hated rhyming?” Trail asked.

“It was one time, and I simply couldn’t resist.” Zala smirked.

“Oh? Is that so? Maybe you’ll start doing it all the time like our friend back there?” Trail said, giving his own smirk.

“Not on your life brother.” Zala said, smacking his face with her tail.

Trail scrunched his nose at the swipe, and they continued down the path towards home. The sun was getting lower on the horizon. Comet must be starving by now. Maybe she could have a cookie before dinner to tide her over?

---

Trail and Zala reached the door of their home and opened the door.

“Comet, we’re home.” Trail said, walking inside the living room.

What he saw made his smile go away almost immediately.

Comet was lying on the couch, curled up next to Trixie, her eyes bloodshot like she had been crying for hours. Trail dropped everything and immediately ran over to his little girl. Zala was not that far behind, both of them huddling around Comet.

“Comet, sweetie what’s wrong?” Trail asked.

Comet didn’t say anything. She just looked up at her father and aunt, not knowing what to say and looking away slightly.

“Dearest Niece, tell us what is wrong.” Zala said, stroking her mane.

Comet took a minute to take a deep breath, “I think I did something bad.”

Trail looked at her in confusion, “What do you mean sweetie? What did you do?”

Comet squeezed her eyes shut, “I don’t know, but it must have been bad.”

Trail was about to say something before Trixie jumped in, “Comet. You didn’t do anything wrong. Trixie knows you didn’t.”

Trail looked at the older mare, “What happened?”

Trixie looked at him, “Trixie doesn’t truly understand it herself. We were enjoying a nice talk after the lesson, and suddenly Starlight grew upset and teleported away. Trixie does not know what got into her.”

Trail looked back to Comet, “So you think you did or said something to upset Starlight?”

Comet whimpered a little but nodded her head.

“Oh sweetie.” Trail said, picking Comet up and holding her against his chest.

Comet immediately clung to Trail, burying her head in his chest and letting a few more tears fall. Zala came up behind her and stroked her mane, trying to help her calm down.

“Comet, you would never do anything to hurt anyone. Especially Starlight. We’ll get to the bottom of this.” Trail said.

“But… but… What if it is my fault?” Comet said, sobs racking her body.

“It surely can’t be. Not my Comet. Not my precious little filly.” Trail said, his voice soothing and calming to Comet.

Comet took a minute to calm down, but she never left the comfort of her father’s chest. She even cooed at the feeling of Zala stroking her mane.

She looked up at her dad, “So what do I do?”

Trail chuckled, “Let’s find Starlight and ask her side of this story.”

Zala smiled, “You two go and find Miss Starlight. I have dinner to prepare.”

Zala went into the kitchen to prepare for dinner while Trail and Comet turned to Trixie.

“Trixie, any idea where Starlight would go if she was upset?” Trail asked.

Trixie pondered that question for a moment, “Well normally Trixie would think Starlight would come to her. If it is not Trixie, then she would go to her next friend.”

“And who would that be?” Trail asked.

“A friend who lives close by. Her home is out of the way but she is a good listener. Come, Trixie will take you there. We will sort this whole thing out.” Trixie said, getting up and moving to the door.

Trail and Comet followed her out the door and into the unknown. Who was this friend that Trixie was talking about?

---

“Trixie, where are we going?” Trail asked.

They had been following Trixie for a good long while, the path leading them outside Ponyville and away from the usual housing.

“Patience Trail. We are almost there. Trixie knows the way.” Trixie said, holding her head up high.

Trail gave her a confused look but went along with it. Comet had gotten tired and was riding on his back the rest of the way. He didn’t mind.

Trixie then stopped and turned to face them.

“We have arrived. Trixie told you she knew where she was going.” Trixie said, holding out her foreleg showing… a hole in the ground?

“Um, Miss Trixie? That’s a hole.” Comet said.

“Trixie knows. One moment please.” Trixie said, walking closer to the hole.

Trail didn’t notice at first, but there was a mailbox stuck into the ground just in front of the hole. What was going on?

Trixie then moved to a rope that hung over the hole. She pulled it and from the hole came the sound of a gong. It was very loud.

Trixie then stepped away from it and looked at the hole, seeming to wait for something. Was that some kind of doorbell? Who lived here?

Slowly, a mare’s head came up out of the hole. She was an earth pony with a gray coat and purple mane. Her eyes were light teal. And the expression she had was almost lifeless, like she was bored or had no feeling.

“Hi Maud.” Trixie said.

“Hello Trixie. What brings you here?” Maud said, her voice dull and monotone.

“Trixie was wondering if Starlight had come here recently?” Trixie said.

Maud just stared at her for a moment before answering, “No.”

“Oh well, sorry for disturbing your evening. Trixie will leave you be.” Trixie said.

Maud then looked over to Trail and Comet, staring at them with that same dull expression. It was honestly creeping Comet out a little bit.

“Are they the new ponies in town?” Maud asked.

“Oh yes. This is Trail Blazer and his daughter Comet.” Trixie said.

Comet jumped off her father’s back, moving a bit closer to get a better look at the mare and the entrance to her home. She tilted her head a little. What kind of home did she have?

Maud got out of the hole and stood in front of the filly now, looking down at her with the same expression.

“Um, hi I’m Comet.” Comet said, extending a friendly hoof.

Maud shook her hoof slowly, “Maud. Nice to meet you.”

Maud then looked over to Trail Blazer, “Are you really Trail Blazer?”

“Uh, yes Miss. It’s good to meet you.” Trail said awkwardly, tipping his hat to be polite.

“Wait here please.” Maud said, turning to walk back into her home.

She was gone for a good five minutes before she came back up with a book in her mouth. She moved in front of Trail and sat the book down at his hooves. She then pulled a pen out from dress collar.

“Could you sign this for me?” Maud said, still in that same tone.

Trail raised an eyebrow and picked up the book in his magic. His eyes widened when he saw that the book was one of his! Specifically the volume he wrote during his adventures in the Ghastly Gorge. That place was not the most pleasant, especially with all the Quarry eels.

“Oh, sure. I think this is the first time somepony has asked for an autograph. Why this book in particular if I may ask?” Trail asked.

“I go into the Ghastly Gorge a lot. Lots of rocks for my research.” Maud said.

“Oh? Well there are a lot of interesting specimens. If you can avoid the eels. Nasty critters.” Trail said.

Maud smiled, no words, just a smile.

“Would you like to come in?” Maud asked.

“Oh, that’s very kind of you Miss Maud, but we’re looking for Starlight.” Trail said.

“She’s coming down the path right now.” Maud said, pointing behind him.

Trail and everypony turned around to see that Starlight was indeed running down the path behind them. Her horn was lit and her mane looked like a mess. When she finally caught up to them, she slid to a halt right in front of Trail.

She panted and caught her breath for a moment before speaking, “Trail… I found you.”

“Starlight, are you alright?” Trail asked with concern in his voice.

“I’m fine. I’ve just been trying to find you. When Zala told me you left with Trixie to find another friend of mine, I guessed it would be Maud.” Starlight said, looking around Trail to see Maud and waving her hoof.

Maud smiled and turned once again to her home entrance, “Let’s all go inside to talk. It’s getting late.”

Everypony agreed and followed the monotone mare into the hole. Trail and Comet were shocked to see a beautiful cavern. An underground reservoir ran down the slopes of the cave, creating a beautiful waterfall. Crystals and gem formations lined the ceiling and the floor, so many colors filled the room with light. A single tent with a bed and paper lanterns were the only things that looked unusual in this wonderful place.

“Maud, this place is incredible. You live here?” Trail asked.

“Yes. It’s nice isn’t it?” Maud said, walking towards her makeshift kitchen to the side.

Starlight then looked to Trail and when his gaze met hers, she lowered her head. Trail grew more concerned. Starlight wasn’t acting like her usual self.

Starlight turned to Maud and Trixie, “Girls, can I talk to Trail and Comet, privately?”

Trixie smiled, “Come on Starlight, whatever needs to be said, can be said with your best friend Trixie pres- HEY!”

Trixie felt a pony bite down on her tail and drag her away. Everypony watched as Maud took her into a side passage of the cavern, Trixie kicking and screaming for her to let go. The scene made Trail and Starlight chuckle a little bit.

Starlight then turned back to Trail and Comet, the latter was looking down at her hooves, ears down.

“Comet, sweetie.” Starlight started.

“I’m sorry.” Comet said.

Starlight was stunned by the apology, and before she could respond, Comet latched onto her foreleg, shocking Starlight once again.

“Whatever I did, I’m really sorry. Please don’t go. I want you to be my magic teacher.” Comet said, hugging Starlight’s leg.

This sight shook Starlight to her core, and she couldn’t help but embrace the filly in the tightest hug she had ever given anypony. She held Comet close to her chest and shed a tear.

“Oh sweetie. You did nothing wrong. You don’t have to apologize.” Starlight said, her voice shaky.

“”But I made you leave…” Comet said softly.

“No you didn’t. I ran away because I was scared.” Starlight said.

Comet looked up at her, “Scared? Of what?”

Starlight stroked Comet’s mane softly and tried to give a little smile, “Scared of what you would think of me if you knew my past.”

“Your past?” Comet asked.

Trail was getting curious himself, what did her past have to do with anything?

“Do you remember when you said you wanted to be like me? A mare who always uses magic to help others. Protecting ponies and never using magic for anything other than good intentions.” Starlight asked.

Comet nodded.

“The truth is Comet… I wasn’t always like this.” Starlight said.

“What do you mean?” Comet asked.

Starlight sat down on her rump and held Comet close before sighing and doing what she needed to do. Trail sat down next to them as well and listened to the story that Starlight told.

She told them everything. About how losing her friend Sunburst when he got his cutiemark gave her a hatred for them. How she enslaved her hometown and stole cutiemarks so that everypony would be equal. How she nearly destroyed the timeline when she tried to destroy Princess Twilight’s friendship with her friends. How Princess Twilight showed her a better way and gave her a second chance.

Trail and Comet were shocked to hear Starlight’s story. Comet just couldn’t picture her teacher portrayed in such a manner. It didn’t sound like her teacher at all.

“And that’s my story.” Starlight finished.

The room grew quiet and no pony said anything for a while. This caused Starlight to grimace and she started to put Comet down.

“I’ll understand if you want to stay away from me now…” Starlight said sadly.

But before she could put Comet back on the ground, the filly threw her forelegs around the mare’s neck and gave her a tight hug.

“No.” Comet said.

Starlight looked at her in surprise, “No?”

“I don’t want you to leave. I want to keep learning from you. You’re the best magic teacher ever. Please don’t go.” Comet said, tears falling down into Starlight’s neck.

Starlight was so stunned, she couldn’t move. She couldn’t speak. She just supported her student and held her to her neck.

“Starlight.” Trail said.

This caused Starlight to look at him for the first time since she started telling her story. And the look on his face wasn’t anger, or hate, or disgust. It was that same smile he always gave her.

“Did you really think we would hate you for something you did so long ago?” Trail asked.

Starlight bit her lip and tears started to form in her eyes as she looked at Trail. He moved closer to her, and before she could protest, he hugged her. This made her cheeks go red.

“Starlight, you’re our friend. Comet adores you, and I wouldn’t trade you for anypony in Equestria. You’re a good mare, and I’m so happy I met you.” Trail said.

And that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Starlight broke into sobs and buried her muzzle in his chest. She squeezed Comet tight in their embrace and cried so hard into Trail. She hadn’t cried like this in so long. They all stood there for several minutes, letting Starlight release all her pent up emotions.

When the tears and sobs started to subside, Starlight looked up at Trail and saw his smile. It made her feel warm and safe in his embrace.

“Thank you.” Starlight said, resting her head against the crook of his neck.

“You’re welcome Starlight.” Trail said, hugging the mare.

When they separated, Comet chimed in, “Does this mean you’ll still be my teacher?”

Starlight giggled and hugged the filly tighter, “Of course I will, you silly filly.”

Comet giggled and even Trail joined in on the laughter. They all looked so happy together.

From the other passage of the cavern, Trixie and Maud had been watching the whole display. Trixie had a tear in her eye while Maud still had that same expression she always had.

“That was the most beautiful thing Trixie has ever seen.” Trixie said, wiping a tear from her eye.

“It truly was magical.” Maud said.

“How can you not be crying after seeing that?” Trixie asked the monotone mare.

“I did cry. On the inside.” Maud said, looking at her friend.

She pulled out her pet Boulder, "Even Boulder was crying."

Author's Note:

And here is a new chapter. I know, it's been forever!

But I back, and ready to give you all the feels!

See y'all next time!

Comments

[SUPERETHAN2]

“How can you not be crying after seeing that?” Trixie asked the monotone mare.

“I did cry. On the inside.” Maud said, looking at her friend.

She pulled out her pet Boulder, "Even Boulder was crying."

Maud is so monotone that a fricking rock sheds an actual tear before she would. Go figure Nice chapter.

[Da Fennec]

Anything that would actually get Maud to show an emotion anyone can see beyond Pinkie worries me. Odds are it would be something that either pissed her off or made her mad and that's one person IOI doubt I want o see so mad its visible to the world

[Asolem2]

“I did cry. On the inside.” Maud said, looking at her friend.

She pulled out her pet Boulder, "Even Boulder was crying."

*sagely nod*

[Isenlyn]

Maud is here ?
Yay, one step closer to have Limestone !
What, I'm a Limestone simp, give me a break. ^^

Seriously, nice little chapter. It's nice to have new one.
I think Maud is nicely written here, I could read her line with her voice and it fit.
The plot takes a backseat, but the shipping is going full throttle. ^^

[Truthseeker]

Thank you for including Maud. I really like her as a character.