Finding a Lost Pony

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To get this out of the way, I have no control over the characters of and related to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. This is a piece of literary fiction, the events of this story are not intended to reflect the actions or incriminate anypony.

Prelude: Finding a Lost Pony

The Alicorn Amulet leaves Trixie Lulamoon with a lingering curse. She's constantly miserable about how she caused such sadness and used that ill-gotten power to ostracize Twilight Sparkle and to create a stranglehold on the citizens of Ponyville. Unbeknownst to her, this curse of self-pity would be soon lifted.

Once she had fled Ponyville in shame, cape and pointed hat trailing behind her, Trixie has no thoughts as to where she would go. She just has to leave the ponies she hurt, and those that had forgiven her for they weighed upon her heart the most heavy. Am I such a pony that Twilight Sparkle and her friends forgive me as though what I had done was expected? Am I truly so spiteful and petty? As these thoughts went through her head, she doesn't notice when she crossed the border of the Everfree Forest. Rushing headlong through the trees and underbrush, she finally stumbles and falls down a steep, rocky hillside. As her fall ends at the bottom of a gully, Trixie looks around in shock and fear as she realizes where she had ended up. Looking down the path of the gully that led to the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres, Trixie has a flare of hope that she could leave the forest without alerting anything too dire. She begins sprinting once more but is brought up short as a monstrous timberwolf easily ten times her size leaps from the top of the slope to block her path. With a squeak of sheer terror, she turns around to flee, looking for any escape possible. With a howl of savage glee the timberwolf pounces, missing Trixie as she instinctively jumps when it howled. The timberwolf slides on the scree and looses its footing as it tries to keep its prey in sight. Quickly searching for an escape route for her life, Trixie happens to spot a dark rectangle along the right side of the gully. With a mighty effort on her part Trixie leaps, a move just fast enough to avoid the jaws of the timberwolf as it had regained its feet and closing the distance with terrifying speed. With fear and adrenaline giving strength to her muscles, her leap carries her through the opening, just before the timberwolf barrels through the space she had just occupied. Falling through the dark space, Trixie, in her sudden relief, looses consciousness as the tension that had been her entire being leaves her. As the unconscious Trixie falls through the darkness, the timberwolf is in a dilemma of its own as it tries to vigorously widen the opening to get to its juicy prey before it has a chance to get too far. The wolf suddenly stops its attempts as a large shadow covers it, making it cower and flee in the face of a power greater than its own.

Trixie is dreaming. That's the first thing that passes through her exhausted mind as she watches the familiar scene before her. Before her is a small, light blue filly with silvery-white hair with almost ethereal blue streaks running through her tail and mane, but has no cutie mark... yet. This little filly was small, bruised and very dirty. She had been chased and cornered in one of the many twisting alleys of Manehatten by three other, older fillies.

“Ya let us down Trix... What'ah we s'possed ta do now?” Drawls the the largest of the fillies.

“I... I-I'm sorry Heartbreak... I couldn't make my magic work this time, but you know I'm good for it!” stammers the little Trixie, finishing in a rush out of fear.

“It was real simple Trix, ya were ta grab the purse while me an' the girls make a distraction. We had it worked out real nice-like, but ya had ta put all that work ta shame... an' now we gotta make an examp'a outta ya. Shows we're serious about not get'n soft on failure. You had yer chance Trix.” Heartbreak finishes with a small greedy smile.

“H... Heartbreak...” Trixie almost whispers as her eyes widen at the realization of what she means, “Please no... It won't happen again, please Heartbreak, I promise I'll make it worth your while, we'll get more bits than you'd ever dream of! Just tell me what I gotta do...”

“Jus' stand there Trix, try not ta make it any harder than it has ta be for us.”

Trying to take in what Heartbreak said, her horn begins glowing faintly, and then she understands. They're going to beat her up and leave her... Leave her just like her parents did such a short time ago... and then she simply gets angry. Angrier than any little filly should have any right to be and her horn shines with a blinding blue-white light.

“You just stay right where ya are Heartbreak! You're not gonna lay a hoof on me ya dung-head! I told ya that I'd make ya some bits, but no! Since ya don't want my bits, ya can have the last taste o' ma magic you'll ever get!” From the little filly's horn, arcs of arcane energy begin landing around Heartbreak and her friends, making them rear and buck in fright. Then one hits the filly on Heartbreaks right, shocking her to unconsciousness, another bolt of energy hits the other filly on her left, hitting her like a kick from a grown-up and sending her flying a few feet back.

“EEP!!!” Was all Heartbreak had time to say before the largest bolt of energy hit her. The bolt holds her in an aura, lifting her up high and she begins to squirm as cramps surge across her body. She lets out a little cry of pain. A blast of light green magic shoots like an arrow from down the alley canceling Trixies magic, lowering Heartbreak gently to the ground.

“NOW STOP THIS LITTLE ONE AND CALM YOURSELF.” Booms a rich voice magically amplified. From down the alley, a light green aura begins to lighten the darkness as a tall, thin unicorn walks closer. He's an older stallion with a cream colored coat with a white and steel gray colored mane and mustache. He wears a black cloak with an emerald green underside and a top hat tilted to a jaunty angle. “These little ponies won't hurt you anymore little one. I'm only here to help because I sensed your magic and I want to help you.”

Breathing heavily, the little Trixies magic quickly fades and she passes out.

With a start, Trixie awakens in the present and suddenly finds herself choking and struggling for air. Fighting her way back to the surface, Trixie finds herself in a wondrous place. She is floating in the middle of a cistern, the white marble walls coated in milky crystals. The water clear as perfect glass, allowing her to look down into its depths, she sees other crystals, each of which glows with a faint clear light.

Deciding that this is a sacred place, and she really shouldn't be there, Trixie begins to swim towards the edge of the cistern. As she climbs out, Trixie has a sudden flare of pain from her right hind leg. Looking back she sees a deep wound scored almost halfway down her leg, though not bleeding. This truly is a special place for these waters to dull the pain and help heal such a wound, she thinks as she contemplates going back in, testing her leg. She decides it's for the best right now. Lowering herself back in, she notices the temperature isn't noticeable on her skin. It's not warm, or cool, it simply feels like she's floating in nothing. Turning on her back, she looks up... and into a full moon against the backdrop of a starry sky. The opening of the cistern has been broken ad has some moss hanging over the edge of the lip, but at that moment, Trixie is absolutely breathless at the sight.

Something she feels makes her tear away from the sight of the sight above her, but is no less breath taking. As she rights herself, she looks to the edge of the cistern. Having just taken her first step onto the surface of the water is Luna, Princess of the Night, Dreams and Sister of the Goddess ruler of Equestria. As Luna steps onto the surface of the water, one perfect ripple spreads from her ebony hoof, turning the waters surface into a perfect mirror. From where Trixie floats, Luna walks into the precise center of the moons reflection and stops to make direct eye contact with her from less than ten feet away.

“Trixie Lulamoon, traveling magician of Equestria, I have a task for thee. Come into mine service and that of mine sisters and thy misdeeds shalt be absolved. Tis not an easy thing I ask of thee for the punishment one makes for herself is always harsher than an alternative given from somepony else, but I have great faith in thee that thou shalt find rewards in mine service that may make amends to those thou hath abused and hurt while under the control of the Alicorn Amulet, as well as rewards deserved nonetheless.”

Stunned into silence at not only being approached and talked to by Luna herself, the thought of making amends strikes a chord in Trixies heart. I'm terrified of letting another pony be disappointed in me and still forgive me. I want to do something of worth, something that will make somepony happy! Trixie thinks, looking up to the princess standing before her. Trixie looks her in the eye with grim determination and says “Princess Luna, I pledge myself from this moment forward to your service, my mind, body and magic at your disposal to be used as you see fit in the course of my duties.”

Luna holds Trixies eyes and she kneels gracefully upon the surface of the water to accept her vow of service.

The Way Forward

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Chapter One: The Difference Between Dreams and Reality

Trixie was dreaming again. She knew it because the old stallion sitting on a small stool beside the small form of a sleeping light blue filly had been gone for several years. She felt a burning feeling tighten in her chest, tears gathering in her eyes, refusing to fall. The pony before her was... “Mmmm...” the little filly stirred on the spare bunk, breaking her thoughts.

“Come on now little one, it's time for you to wake up and have something to eat,” the older pony says as the filly twists, pulling the thin pillow over her ears, “If you don't get up now, I'll just have to eat all these juicy carrots myself...” he says with a small smirk turning up the corner of his mouth.

With a small groan flavored with such conflicting emotions that only such a small youth could produce, she cracks an eye open and looks at the elder with a neutral appraisal. “You better not be lying about the carrots old man.” She says with the sheer audacity of a fearless youth.

“Of course not little one, they're right over there,” he said pointing a forehoof in the direction of a small table build into the side of a wall only a short distance from the bed, “But you mustn't call me 'old man,' little one, you must call me......

Olive Branch....”

The name fades in her ears as Trixie opens her eyes. Beneath her is an incredibly soft bed, with warm blankets pulled up to her neck. Trixie props herself up in the bed to have a looks around her, as she does so, a cool line traces itself down her right cheek, her vision bright from unshed tears. Dashing a hoof across her eyes, she looks around the room to see it lavishly appointed, bright sunlight streaming through a pair of tall windows to her left. As she goes to get up, she feels a roughness as she emerges from under the covers. Her right hind leg had been cleaned and dressed in linen bandages by somepony. Easing the stiffness from herself, she gets out of bed gently, careful of her leg and calls out a tentative “Hello...?”

From the set of doors across the room from the windows, she hears the sound of muffled conversation. The door is slightly ajar and she sees a dark shape beyond the door moving slightly. She tries calling out again, a little louder this time. “Hello?”

The shape moves in response to her call and opens the door. In walks a rather nondescript earth pony, slightly taller than Trixie with a light brown coat and a mane and tail that is various shades of brown. “Good morning Miss Lulamoon, you may call me Whetstone. Our gracious Mistress has placed your training and care in my capable hooves. If you would follow me?” He has a dry, clipped way of talking that brooks nothing of defiance.

“How did I get here? Where am I?” Trixie asks as she follows Whetstone out the door. The pony he had been talking with is nowhere in evidence as she scans the pristine alabaster hallway in both directions.

“Why Mistress Luna brought you here, to Canterlot Castle. Your wounds weren't too severe, so we decided to let you heal on your own. Magical healing tends to take much out of a pony, and we need you on your hooves as soon as possible to begin your training.”

“My training?”

“Yes, Miss Lulamoon, your training. Mistress Luna has decided upon a course of action for your foreseeable future to include some rather specific and intensive training. You're a sharp young mare, so after several months, if you haven't figured out what it is you'll be doing, either you're blind, which I can see you're not, or purposely lying to yourself, which won't, can't be tolerated. We seek certain individuals with particular inclinations, both magical and mundane. Those that possess the magical talent will be given extensive training in the mundane to compliment their repertoire as they go about their duties. Any questions Miss Lulamoon?”

“What do you mean training? I've gone through school and my talent has been established. I'm as fit as any pony who isn't a laborer.”

“Yes, your talent has been established, but what one knows it is isn't everything it is either. There is a specific wing here in Canterlot Castle that deals in a form of discovery about alternate meanings of cutie marks. Have you noticed how some ponies have certain traits about themselves that don't necessarily reflect upon their special talent? That's where they come in, the Symbologists that is. They are able to use certain spells to allow them to discern your full potential and all of your talents. I was much like yourself, thinking that my talent was to be that of a blade sharpener. Lets just say that's not all I'm good at Miss.” He says with a crooked smile over his shoulder.

“So we're going to visit these Symbologists to discover my other talents? What if it turns out I'm only good at doing simple magic tricks and nothing of real value?”

“We'll see Miss, but I doubt that's all you're good at. Most unicorns tend to have several aspects to their selves that they're not even aware of until they search their hearts to find the truth. If you'll follow me closely Miss, we'll be going through the center of the castle in a moment and I wouldn't want you to get lost on your first day.”

Trixie nods while still not quite sure if Whetstone is to be believed. Sure, he's another pony in Luna's service, but this seems outlandish.

After a journey that would have had her lost even with Whetstone's assistance, Trixie and Whetstone stand before a door. It seems almost anticlimactic that the door they stand before is only big enough for a single pony to walk through at a time, not to mention it's not even in the best of condition with it being age darkened to the point of it being almost black and dry enough that a careless brush would leave ones flank bristling with painful splinters.

“This is where I leave you Miss,” Whetstone says as they stand before the door, “Star Wanderer will be with you shortly.” With that, he turns and begins walking down the hallway.

“Aren't you supposed to stay with me and see me through everything?” Trixie says slightly shocked that she'd been passed from hoof to hoof like a package.

“I'm to see to your proper training, not to be your foalsitter Miss Lulamoon. Surely you're competent enough that I don't have to walk you everywhere by the hoof?” He says over his shoulder in that dry tone without any hint of scorn.

Cheeks stinging from the rebuke, Trixie simply shakes her head and Whetstone continues down the hallway. Watching until he turns down a side hallway, Trixie then turns to face the door before her. Taking a deep breath, she knocks on the door lightly at first. Nothing. She tries again, harder this time. Nothing. Taking a deep breath, she puts hoof to door handle... and it opens without a sound. A little nervous now, she walks through the doorway and the door shuts itself behind her, eliciting a small squeak of fright as she turns to the noise. A loud thump makes her whirl around again as a large cloud of dust rises from a dark, narrow row of book shelves as well as a large cacophony of muttered curses and sneezes. From the darkness of the middle row of three aisles comes a young mare unicorn in a light gray, hooded cloak along with a rather thick, leather bound book balanced on her withers. With teary eyes, she turns herself expertly in a gracefully executed twist, depositing the book on a small, heavily laden desk with a deep thump.

Coughing a bit and wiping tears from squinting eyes, she turns her ice blue eyes to Trixie. “You must be Miss Lulamoon I take it?” Her voice is soft and light, like moonlight dancing across the surface of water. “You may call me Rime Ice, I'm the leader of the Symbology wing of Canterlot Castle. I see Whetstone isn't one to waste your time or his to bring you here so quickly.”

Remaining silent, Trixie takes the measure of the other pony. Under the gray cloak, the pony is a shade of gray blue, providing a startling contrast to her eyes, her mane is a platinum blond in color. She is very slight of frame but holds an almost ethereal aura of power about her entire being. “If it's not much of a bother to your schedule, would you like to take a small break Miss? I've been up for hours and I've barely had a bite to eat.”

Startled into speaking by the casual tone Trixie hastily replies, “Trixie has nothing planned for the foreseeable future, so she will gladly accept your kind offer.” She falls back into her way of 3rd person speaking out of habit as she knows she's in the presence of a pony far more powerful than herself. She doesn't know when she started talking this way, but it became a habit when she was in front of crowds or amongst ponies she knew she couldn't handle on her own. It was a mark of insecurity, she knew, but she couldn't help it. By talking in this way, she was able to give her the courage she knew she didn't have, the audacity to go in front of a crowd and demand they put forth their best talents so she could simply humiliate ponies in front of their community.

“I see you're quite sure of yourself Miss Lulamoon, but first let me send for something for us to freshen up with,” she smiles as a faint, cold light pulses from her horn. “But you must stop speaking of yourself in such a manner. It lessens the deeds and importance of both yourself and your deeds, even in your own mind. There have been a few to enter my through my door who spoke in such a manner that have come to two ends. The first kind are those who continue to speak in the 3rd person, and they succumb to despair and unending sadness as they fall to the mental strain of forcing their selves to continue down a path that they cannot handle. Then there are others who correct themselves and become whole. These ponies are stronger for it, for they are no longer slaves to their own minds, being pushed by not only others but by their own unforgiving selves either. Which are you?”

Her quiet manner of speaking made makes Trixie stop herself, almost daring not to breath, to hear each word that leaves her lips. Shock at being spoken to makes her hesitate in replying, but not before she mentally digests the speech. When did I become so weak willed that I needed to become my own task master? Have I always been so weak that I needed to make myself into some mare out of a story in my own mind? “Tri-...” she stammers, catching herself, “I am stronger than you think Rime Ice.” She finishes, looking her in the eye with a defiant stare, daring her to suggest otherwise.

Rime Ice nods, “Good Miss Lulamoon, very good. In that case, I welcome you to the Symbology wing, I hope that you are ready to discover all that you are here.” Following her words, there is a knock on the door followed by two earth pony servants bearing a tray between them as they come through the door and Trixies mouth drops open. The tray is laden with enough food for five royal guards who were denied food for a week. Trixie looks scandalously from the tray to Rime Ice, not comprehending how such a slight pony could eat so much. “You of all ponies should know how hard constant magic use is on a pony Miss Lulamoon. You have made enough bits from your performances and hand outs from fans that you never really noticed how much you actually need to eat, but think about the kinds of magic we do here. The scale and complexity of the magic used to truly understand a pony and their talents is simply astounding. This is ancient magic, wrought by Princess Luna before her fall. It was originally intended to be made of use in aiding ponies who seek a deeper understanding of their talent. Some know instinctively what it is they can do and how to do it, but think of those ponies who do their tasks dutifully, yet fail to feel complete at what they do.”

Trixie had never thought of everything in quite that way before. Sure, she had never known how hungry she could have been after a long day of performances, but she had known of those ponies who had been left incomplete despite knowing their true talents. Her father had been one such pony. “I see,” she says quietly, simply.

“I am glad that you do Miss. Now, let us take a break and have a light snack.” Rime Ice says with a sadly knowing smile as she turns to walk over to the heavily laden tray. The ponies who brought it having quietly departed. She brings a spindly chair with her as she sits between a ceiling high bookshelf along the wall and the tray. Trixie levitates a similar chair from in front of the desk with her over and sits across from the other unicorn. As she sits, she notices with a small shock that Rime ice has a steady stream of food traveling from hoof to mouth. Barely making a noise, Trixie tries to take a carrot from a tray, only for it to be snatched as Rime Ice leans over and takes it from her hoof. Jerking in shock, Trixie watches Rime Ice continues to eat as though she hadn't simply snatched food from her hoof. Keeping her eye on Rime Ice this time, she takes another carrot, careful to avoid the hoof she sends to snatch her choice carrot again. She quickly moves the carrot out of range as she knew Rime would attempt to steal her food, earning a small smile from Rime Ice as she casually makes it look like she wasn't attempting to steal the food right from her hoof, grabbing a different carrot from the large tray. They continue this little dance of keep away until there's little more than crumbs and small nibbled bits as Trixie had become full before even half the tray had been emptied, Rime Ice had continued on at a steady pace, not even slowing until she had the last apple in hoof.

“What a delightful breakfast. I thank you for the company Miss Lulamoon, but now onto the business at hoof. It is time for me to help you rediscover yourself, from beginning to present. I, of course shall witness this as well, but as an outsider.”

“What? You're going to watch my past be laid out before you like a picture show?” Trixie says in shock.

“Of course, Miss Lulamoon. Who else would be able to divine the talents and abilities you possess without the abject training I possess? I will be clear and honest with you from the forefront, though I will witness all that you have lived, I will hold the knowledge close to my heart. I would no sooner betray your secrets than my own. This is something you must go through if you wish to continue in the duties Princess Luna has lain before you. Did you not promise yourself to do as she commands unquestioningly?”

Trixie looks at the floor under the quiet rebuke, heat rising in her cheeks. She had wanted redemption through service, hadn't she? So what if somepony looks through her past? So why did she feel so ashamed about opening up to a complete stranger, it's not like she even knew who this pony was aside that she served her Mistress as well. If I'm so ashamed of my past, she thought, I'll make my future one to be proud of. Looking up, determination to not let this get in her way, Trixie looks Rime Ice in the eye and nods, “Lead on then, I'm determined to do anything to prove Mistress Luna that her trust isn't misplaced.”

Rime Ice nods and says “Follow me.”

Trixie is led down the right most aisle, to the very back where there is a small door is set, recessed into the back corner of the musty library. Rime Ice stops before the door and touches her horn to the door, a flare of cold blue light flashes in the pattern of a intricate ward against trespassers. Trixie suppresses a shiver at the cold light, not wanting to think what would happen if somepony were to accidentally trigger such a powerful ward. The door opens without a sound, and a faint cold light escapes into the gloom as Rime Ice walks through, Trixie hurries behind her as the door begins to close. The light comes from a lantern containing magelight, likely made by Rime Ice herself. Trixie looks around to see a steep and narrow staircase winding down from a small landing they share. Taking the lantern in mouth, Rime ice begins to trot down the steps, leaving Trixie to follow. Nervously excited, Trixie almost slips and falls after a couple steps. Bringing herself into check, she slows her pace with her heart beating a furious pace in the back of her throat. The pair continue their descent into the depths of the mountain below Canterlot Castle. As they descend, Trixie imagines the weight overhead, worrying about how she'll get back up since her legs were furiously burning from the effort of going down the staircase. Rime Ice suddenly stops, putting the lantern on the step and says, “How about we take a short break Miss Lulamoon. Everypony always has trouble with the descent.”

“That sounds wonderful. I didn't know the Castle had such depths.”

“Oh yes, this is a very special place we're going to Miss Lulamoon. It's one of the reasons the Princesses decided to build on this location.”

There wasn't anything Trixie could say to that, so she simply sat on one of the steps and leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Her mind drifts for a while as her sore muscles find relief in inactivity but she starts back to full alertness as Rime Ice tells her that it's time to continue on their way. After what seems, and likely was, two hours of going down the stairs, Trixie was both physically and mentally exhausted. Wanting nothing else to do but lay down and do nothing, Trixie was brought back from her mental exhaustion by the sight before her. She was standing on the shore of a exceedingly shallow lake whose far shore became lost in the darkness, warm mists curling lazily across its surface. As she looks closer, the lake bed is made of a rich black sand punctuated sporadically by glowing pieces of crystal resting atop the sand, the ceiling above spread out expansively, giving the illusion that they were in a wide-open area.

“Miss Lulamoon, if you would go fill a bucket with water and return here to me?” Rime Ice says, startling Trixie in the deep silence. She looks over to where Rime Ice is pointing with a hoof and does as asked. “Now, drink, please.”

“The whole thing?”

Rime Ice nods, appearing lost in the labyrinthine corridors that must compose her mind. Trixie looks skeptically at the clear, slightly warm water and begins to drink. As she begins to drink, it begins to suffuse her mind in the same lazily swirling mists that dance above the waters surface. She begins to loose track of herself, her mind becoming flaccid, but continues to drink from the bucket. Nothing matters to her anymore except to finish the task at hoof. Finally, she takes the bucket between her hooves and drains the last drops, her mind completely diffuse, not a single thought swirls in her mind now.

Rime Ice now stands before her, her body completely transparent as a cold blue light, almost painful to behold, comprises her being. Find your way to the center of the lake, float on your back, and Remember...

Without a thought, Trixie does as commanded , instinctively knowing where to go. She walks into water barely deep enough to reach her chest, at a steady pace, with our hurrying, but not dallying either. Behind her, the glowing pony collapses into a energetic cloud of cold blue mist, moving with purpose to the edge of the lake. The lazy mists of the lake rush to meet its glowing counterpart, becoming one with it, expanding its size as it spreads in both directions along the shoreline. The mists now move like something alive around Trixie as she walks through the water, moving against her, but not impeding her, showing that her direction to the center is true. In the darkness, the crystals glow like stars in the sky, slowly a dim and cold light creeps from behind her to both sides. It means nothing to her. Center of the lake... Float on back... Remember....

After an indeterminable amount of time, Trixie stands before a hole in the lake bottom several times her length in diameter. Its depths lost in the darkness, a cold light now shines from all directions. She takes one last step forward, turning onto her back as she floats, gliding over the depths. She slows, the light glows like a sun about to over the horizon. The cold light flares, rushing to meet the pony, the pony stops, the mist touches her, and she remembers.....

A Memory of Reflected Light

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Chapter Two: A Memory of Reflected Light

There is nothing. All that she sees is a diffuse white light that neither hides nor reveals anything. A question drifts, echoing from nowhere and everywhere at the same time.

Who are you? The question is nagging, pulling and prodding. “I don't remember, but I want to be somepony I can be proud of...”

What have you done? This question is bothersome in a different way. “I don't remember, but I want to do something to repay the kindness given to me...”

Why are you here? This question changes the world. “To remember...”

There is now direction in this world, vertigo is the first sensation she feels, then blackness as the disorientation comes to a crashing halt.

“Trixillianna...” A sweet, soft voice calls from far away, “It's time to get up dear.”

A hoof gently shakes the shoulder of the small filly sleeping on a cot in the corner of the living room. The older mare shares the same light blue of the little filly but in mane only, her coat is a deep sea blue. She pulls the blanket off the small filly and goes to a small window with ill fitting glass panes, pushing back the hangings so that bright spring sunlight bathes the little filly, highlighting her silvery mane.

“Mmmoooom...” she grumps out, “It's Saturday, can't I sleep in just a bit?”

“No, little one. We have a busy day today and I need your help at the market. Now go wash yourself and get ready.”

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, the little filly hops from the cot and sleepily walks to the bathroom to do as her mother bids. They live in a small, spare apartment in Manehatten. Her dad, a unicorn by the name of Alabaster Slate, was off to work early again. He was a quarry worker, cutting and moving blocks of heavy white marble. He doesn't make much so her mom, a unicorn as well by the name of Azure Folds, helps in every way she can. She works as a seamstress next door, repairing tears and making plain but sturdy clothes that the ponies of this area buy for their hard work. Together, they make enough bits to be a happy family, even if her dad was a little grumpy sometimes and her mom stern occasionally, they still loved her, and that made her feel like the most important little filly in the world.

After taking care of her morning ablutions, Trixie walks back into the living room and sees her mom standing by the door, basket by her feet. Knowing she doesn't have much time she quickly grabs a small, thin book she had been reading and canters over to her mom, dropping the book in the basket.

With a smile on her face, Trixies mom asks “Ready?”

Trixie nods in the affirmative and they leave together, happy to spend the day together with her mom. Once out on the street, they get swept up in the steady stream of ponies moving along towards the market. They make it to their usual spot between a pair booths, one sells spices and the other small wooden carvings.

“Why, good morning Trixie!” calls the old mare selling spices, “I see you're making a habit of helping your Mother now that you're such a big filly now. It's good that you're such a helpful daughter.”

“Uh huh! I still don't like getting up early on Saturdays though,” Trixie replies with a little grump and blush, “but I'm glad I can finally help Mom out with the stall.”

“Ha ha ha, I remember when I was your age little'un,” she says leaning a little closer in a conspiratorial whisper, “I still hate getting up early Saturday mornings too.” She finishes with a wink eliciting a giggle from the little filly.

While Trixie was talking with the wizened stall keeper, her Mom had began to take the objects out of her basket. Trixie noticed her mom beginning to set up and making a hasty goodbye to her neighbor and hurries over to help her mom set up. This was her favorite part, seeing all the different things her Mom had made during the week before they went to different homes. What her Mom did to make a few extra bits was to take little scraps and pieces of fabric they would normally throw away and take them home, with the shopkeepers permission of course, and she would spend hours awake at night sewing these scraps into a little menagerie of stuffed and folded cloth creatures. Trixie had a special one, the fabric and materials were a gift from her Moms boss and made by her Mom with extra special care. It was a little pony, half her size with the same color coat and mane with violet buttons for eyes, given to her as her birthday present and she couldn't have been happier.

Her Mom set up the cloth over the crate they were given to use for renting the space leaving Trixie to pass each little creature to her Mom who then put in a spot that was just right until only her small book was left in the basket. Having only done this one other time the previous Saturday, Trixie knew that it was going to be a long day, but not a hard one. She sat happily with her mom for a little while as she began to attract a few customers. They looked at her creations, delighted that something like that could be found at a small market in Manehatten, they ask her their prices and their faces light up as they realize that they're perfectly affordable for something so unique and hoofmade. She stands next to her Mom, leaning slightly against her foreleg as she goes about her business. She watches the faces of the ponies that visit their little stall and watches as each one walks away with a smile on their face and a little treasure in their saddlebag. Trixie feels a happiness that her Mom is able to make so many different ponies happy from little scraps of cloth sewn together and she day dreams about the day her Mom will teach her how to do the same thing.

After a while all but the smaller pieces had been sold and customers started to stretch farther and farther apart. This was when Trixie moved to sit behind her Mom and pull out her book to read while the last few pieces found their way to some new home. She let the dull buzz of the market fade to the background as she became immersed in her story. After a while, her Mom nudged her out of her story asking “How about you go to the food section of the market and find us something to eat, and a couple bottle of cider for us honey,” she says with a smile, “Take the basket with you so you can carry everything.”

“I'll tag along with her Azure, I need something to hold my skin and bones together anyways.” Chimes in the spice seller, the other pony at her stall, likely her husband smiles at Trixie who smiles back.

“That'd be wonderful. Now be courteous to Mrs. Zest now now and don't run off.” Azure says, passing Mrs. Zest some bits.

“I'll be good Mom, don't worry.” She replies with a smile.

Smiling, meg picks up the basket and begins down the lane at a slow pace, letting Trixie catch up to her after giving her Mom a hug. “So how do you like helping your Mom, Trixie?” she says as the filly catches up beside her.

“It's nice, but I get bored when business slows down. I brought a book this time like Mom suggested in case I got bored.”

“That's good advice, so make sure you remember it. If something turns out in a way that you don't like, make sure you're prepared to turn it into your favor.” She says turning an eye towards the filly.

“I'm not sure I know what that means Mrs. Zest...” Trixie replies, a furrow on her brow shows she's seriously thinking about it though.

“When you're doing something important or even going somewhere, think of what could go wrong as well what's supposed to go right. That way you can always make it right, or turn it into something good when something goes wrong. I've had to learn that the hard way little'un, so remember this advice as you grow up.”

“I'll try,” Trixie replies.

“That's all I ask dearie,” she finishes as they fall into a companionable silence.

They walk around the food stands, picking up something here, something there and they finally have the basket filled with delicious smelling food. As they begin walking back to their stalls, Mrs. Zest gives a piece of honey preserved apple to Trixie who beams at the unexpected treat. “Don't tell your Mother or we'll both get into trouble,” she finishes with a wink.

Almost a year passes in this fashion. As her moms creations become more and more popular, she begins making more and more of them, setting a few bits aside every week. Then one day, instead of walking to the market with her mother, they step in front of a small, narrow store front. Trixie looks up at her Mom with a questioning look, and she replies with a big smile and a wink. She pulls a key from under her shawl with magic, puts it into the keyhole, and gives it a twist and the door opens with a soft click.

They walk into together, Trixie looking around. There are some small tables and shelves, along with a deep display behind the narrow front window. Running around the store and looking everywhere, she sees that all of the available surfaces are covered with her Moms little cloth creations.

With a quick gasp he turns to her Mom and yells “THIS IS AMAZING!!!!”

Squealing with delight, she spins in a circle before launching herself at her Mom.

Barely containing her laughter at her daughters enthusiasm, Azure smiles broadly and says, “That's because I have such a good daughter to motivate me.”

“All this because of me?”

“Yep. Because your Father and I both love you so much, we worked a little harder to save up enough money so we could rent this place. Now everyday after I pick you up from school, we'll come here to mind the store and make more of our little friends. I even have a place set aside in the back for you to do your homework”

“I can't wait until school on Monday! I'll get to tell all my friends about how amazing my Mom and Dad are!” She finishes with a fit of giggles as her Mom pokes her in the side with her hoof.

“Don't go bragging too much Trixie, you're like to get a head as big as a balloon.” She finishes with a giggle of her own, sweeping the filly into a tight hug.

With word spreading amongst her most common customers, Azure Folds has a bustling business before the month is out with everypony wanting a small treasure of their own. She begins taking on commissions for the more well to do pony customers and paying some of her friends at the seamstress to work part time to help her keep up with the demand.

One day, only a few days before winter is to come, Azure Folds is sitting behind the counter, needle, thread and cloth moving deftly on a new project at the command of her carefully controlled magic. The store is empty but warm, the wood stove in back providing a cozy atmosphere throughout the store. As she works away, a cloaked and hooded pony walks through the front door, the bell above it chiming gently, setting a small phoenix spinning from its place on a mobile as a small wetly chilly breeze enters behind the pony.

“Why hello, welcome to Scraps of Treasure, where you can find any marvel you can think of, if we don't have it, we can make it,” She says warmly with a professional smile, “Is there anything I can help you with or anything you're looking for in particular?”

The pony shakes its head silently looking around without taking its hood off. Azure sets her latest project down on the counter and watches the pony, smile frozen in place, making sure hoofs put things back where they belong. The pony wanders about the store, putting everything back where it belonged and leaves.

“Thank you, come again.” Azure calls, feeling relieved because Trixie was in the back room doing her schoolwork and didn't want anything to happen to her daughter. She had lived in a moderately poor section of Manehatten since she was a little filly and she knew which kind of ponies to watch out for. I'm going to ask one of the patrol ponies to keep an eye on my store tonight she thinks, a little worried.

The rest of the day passes by without innocent, though she thinks she sees the cloaked pony walk by across the street again. As the sun begins to set, Alabaster shows up to walk his daughter and wife home. He walks through the door weary, but smiling at the radiant smile from his wife and the youthful joy of his daughter. Trixie runs forward to hug her Dad, and Azure walks up to muzzle affectionately with him, forehoof wrapped around his daughter.

“How're my girls doing?” He says with in rumbling voice. “Busy day today?”

“About what you'd expect for a Tuesday. Go get your things Trixie, it's time to close up and head home now.”

“Ok Mom.” She says trotting into the backroom.

“Had a strange pony in today dear, I think we should ask one of the patrol ponies to keep a sharp eye on the store tonight.”

“We'll make sure to ask on the way back.” He replies reassuringly.

Azure nods with a smile, feeling better since Alabaster had come to pick them up. He still couldn't pick them up reliably with his job, but every time he did, it always made Azure feel like everything was going to get better. Trixie comes back with her small saddle pack and a big grin on her face.

“Mom says we can have apple pie tonight for desert.” She, like her Dad had a soft spot for apple pie.

“Is this true?” Alabaster gives his wife a serious look.

Laughing, she replies “Yes dear, it most certainly is.”

“Then lets mosey on home, I'll make that extra stop after I walk you two to the front door.”

“Thank you dear.” Azure replies with a small kiss on the cheek as they all leave, walking out into a sunset that's slowly taking on a red hue.

They get about a block away before Azure suddenly stops.

“Something the matter honey?” Alabaster asks.

“I forgot to check the back door of the store,” she says looking behind her, “I'll just run back and make sure, it won't be but a minute.”

Alabaster, a worried look on his face nods, knowing his wife knows to be careful. The pair waits on the street for a couple minutes. Alabaster turns to Trixie and tells her to go wait on the stoop of the store on the corner. She does as told and watches her father canters back to the store, turning down the narrow alley between the stores, he disappears. Trixie shuffles around in the cold on the stoop, impatience and wanting to spend precious time with her parents overcoming her Dads order to wait, she trots back down the street, following her fathers path around to the back of the store. When she gets to the back of the store, she finds the door ajar.

“Dad?” She calls out quietly. No reply comes through the door. She opens the door and walks inside, stepping around the familiar obstacles in the evening gloom, a red light shining from the front of the store as the sunset lights the interior of the store. As hears muffled noises coming from the other room, she goes to look. As she walks into the front room, the light flares brightly, blinding her. As she rubs her eyes, she sees her dad, kneeling on the floor, his whole body wracked with silent sobs and choked words.

“It was only a couple minutes...” His voice was strangely pitched to Trixies ears, “She was always careful, never took chances...”

“Dad?” Trixie says frightened, not understanding what she was seeing.

Alabaster turns around in a sudden jerk, eyes wide he stands up quickly and rushes over to Trixie, pulling her into a hard embrace, holding her head to his chest. Sobs wrack his body as he holds his daughter, large tears soak into her mane.

“What's wrong Dad?” Trixie asks beginning to cry out of fear, not understanding why her strong Dad would be crying like this.

“I'm so sorry Trixie... So, so sorry...” He says, whispering at the end.

Trixie, shifting to look over her dads shoulder to see the reason why he was crying, sees her Mom lying on the floor, blood red light reflecting off of a mirror on the wall to illuminate her unmoving form.

An Old Wagon Before a Winding Path

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Chapter Three: An Battered Wagon Before a Winding Path

The diffuse white light holds nothing, not a shadow nor a ray of light. It just is and it is one with everything.

What will come? The voice asks from the emptiness. “I don't know, but I will face it with conviction...”

Who will you be? Again, the voice asks those strange questions. “Somepony who will do what must be done...”

Why are you here? The world is changed again. “To remember...”

Vertigo once again enfolds her as she comes to a crashing halt.

It has been four months since her Mothers death, and Trixie was beginning to return to herself. For the longest time, she had shut out most other ponies from her life. Only her Father had been able to get through to her, but even then, she would soon retreat to her solitude. Now, Trixie has come to the point where she was more quiet than not. With his wife gone, Alabaster became more withdrawn, yet his actions were always to provide and care for his daughter. They stayed at the same place as before, Alabaster's private plea's to the landlord for a lower rent for the sake of his daughter were answered. However even with the rent lowered, life was still rough for them in more ways than one. One look at Alabaster showed how he was being worn away unbelievably fast since his sanctuary was now gone. His friends, neighbors and family did what they could do for him. They would look after Trixie for an afternoon as he found an opportunity to work as a street cleaner or some other menial job right after his shift in the quarry, or they would let her spend the night if he was able to coax the supervisor at the quarry to let him come in extra early for a few extra bits.

Trixie was at home, just getting things put away when there came a knock at the door. She thought it might have been Dad since he would go to the market to get some early afternoon deals if he cleaned up fast enough at work. But why would Dad knock? She thought. A little nervously, she went to the door, sliding the chain lock into place with a spectacular effort of young willed magic. Then she opened the door to see her Dads supervisor at the door. He was standing there, his bluff face that was usually smiling, disturbingly somber.

“Trixie... Your dad...” he says, choking slightly. “I need to take you to your Dad. He's not well Trixie. He's sleeping now at the hospital, and he asked me to bring you to him.”

She stands there, not understanding what he was saying. A rigid uncertainty making Trixie stay in place, not even looking up at him. “You're lying...” she whispers.

“Trixie...” he hangs his head in sadness as he continues on, “I need you to come with me. Please. If not for me, then for your Dad.”

“Dad'll be here soon with supper. I don't think I should leave with Dad about to come home...”

“Trixie... Your Dad told me to have you bring the 'little you.'”

Her breath stops because she hasn't told or bragged to anypony about her special friend. Only Mom and Dad know about her. She drops to the floor, her legs loosing their strength at the realization that Dad really is in trouble. Tears form at the corners of her eyes as she comes to her feet a few short moments later, the weight of such loss too great a burden for such a tiny filly to shoulder. She stands anyways, light-headed and dazed as she looks to the stallion through the crack of the door.

Alabaster is sleeping soundly on the hospital bed when Trixie canters into his room on her short legs, quietly as a little filly can so she doesn't disturb her Dad as he sleeps. She stops by the bed, not making a sound, barely daring to breath as she gently nuzzles the hoof that rests near the very edge of the bed. Soft sobs quietly wrack her small form as her prone Father doesn't respond to her presence. He's the best, strongest Daddy in the world! He said he'd never leave me... She ran out of tears eventually, and climbed the bed to lay beside her unresponsive Father. Suppertime cane and went, Trixie never touching the food they brought her. Exhausted after hours of worry and silent crying, Trixie falls into a fitful sleep.

In the morning, she wakes up in a strange room. Eyes wide, she sits up quickly while looking around. “You're fine dear,” says a voice from across the room, “You were fast asleep beside your Dad, so we brought you to the room across the hall from his so you could sleep.” The voice comes from a light tan colored mare sitting on a small chair in the corner. “You must be really worried, but we're taking really good care of him. You can go visit him now, we'll bring you both breakfast.”

Trixie nods silently, hopping off of the bed to follow the nurse across the hall. “He woke up just a little bit ago, so please speak quietly until he's comfortable with louder noises.” Trixie nods again, a little grumpy now.

The nurse moves out of the way and Trixie runs into the room quickly to see her Father propped up against the headboard of the bed. He turns at the sound of her running, a smile appearing on his lined face. He looks like he had aged a decade overnight. His eyes were slightly sunken with dark circles around them, his cheeks gaunt. “Morning Trixie,” he says in a strained and slightly rasped voice, “Sorry for making you worry like that.”

She shakes her head and looks up to him, her eyes bright with unshed tears, “I'm just glad you're ok Dad.” She trots over to the bed and hops up, careful to not jostle him as she settles down beside him. This is where the nurse finds them when she come back with a trolly lightly laden with food.

“How about breakfast in bed for a Father and his daughter?” She says with a smile.

“That sounds wonderful,” he replies.

The nurse gets to work with a gentle efficiency, arranging the pair just so where they can both eat from the bed table set over the pair. Trixie, feeling the possessiveness only a little filly can have alternates between clinging to her dad with a half hug and eating ravenously since she hadn't had supper the previous night. Alabaster glances down at his daughter with a little smile. How long will we be able to do this? He wonders as he wraps his forehoof around his daughter after they finish their meal.

“Trixie?” He asks, making sure she hadn't dozed off after a moment.

“Yeah?”

“I'm going to take some time off from work, not that the ponies here would let me leave anyways, but I'm gonna ask one of your Aunts if she'd be willing to look after you for a while.”

“Won't you be able to go home soon?”

“I hope so, but you still have school to go to. I'll make an exception for you to skip today, but tomorrow's a different matter.” He says with a mock gruff expression as he looks down at his daughter. She laughs and nods as she hugs her Dad a little tighter, pleased that she'll be able to spend time with him and help him get better sooner. The nurse comes back to take tray away, a warm smile lighting her face at the sight of the pair.

The rest of the morning is anything but exciting at the pair simply relaxes and sleeps for the most part. As lunch nears, they begin to get some visitors as word about her dads condition spreads around friends and family. She sees her many Aunts and few Uncles. It's during this time that her Dad sets up an arrangement for Trixie to go with one of her Aunts that evening. The rest of the day plods along at a leisurely pace, Trixie occasionally going to get one thing or another when asked. As the afternoon draws to a close, her Aunt comes to pick her and take her back to her home to get her saddlebags packed and grab a few extra things she may want.

The days seemed to drag on while she was away from home, but finally three days later, Trixie ran to the hospital so she and her Dad could walk home together. She walks through the front double doors and looks around and sees her Dad talking to the pharmacist through the window, a serious and sad look upon his face before he turns and smiles upon seeing his daughter, slightly out of breath and waiting for him.

“What's the matter Dad? It looked like there was some bad news.” Trixie asks after walking up to him.

“It's nothing we'll have to worry about for now,” he says with a slightly sad smile, “But I'm ready to get back home.”

“Me too.” Trixie says, giving her Dad a hug.

It had been a couple weeks since Alabaster had collapsed at work, and he has had several visitors come by while Trixie was off to school. Today, a special visitor was sharing a light snack with him in the kitchen.

“How bad is it Alabaster?” Asks the pony sitting across the table from him, a serious expression on her face.

“The doctors said I only have around two months left... I don't know how I can tell Trixie after she lost her mother so suddenly and she had just gotten back to her old self... That's part of the reason I asked you to come here sis.” Alabaster finishes with a heavy sigh.

She looks away, sadness lining her face as she contemplates the future of the little filly. “She's such a kind and lively little filly, but how would we go about breaking the news to her or even getting her used to the idea of living with me?”

“I've given it some thought and if you'd have her come over to help with your bakery for a couple hours after school each day, I think she'll begin to think of your place as a second home.”

“Hmmm... I could see that, and we have a nice sized guest room we could convert over for her when the time comes. But you won't be able to hide it from her for much longer.”

“I know, by Celestia I know, but I just want her to grow up as happy as anypony should be. It's just too cruel, but sometimes a pony has to play with the cards dealt them,” he pauses as he takes a sip of the tea in his mug, “I've been working so hard lately partly because I wanted to send her to a private school that houses their students, to give her an education that she could use no matter her talent. I've almost got enough bits for the tuition, but if you'd be willing to take her in, they're yours to do what you need with. I just wish there was more time...”

“Alabaster, I'll make sure she goes to a good school. It may not be a dormer like you had wanted, but I think in the months to come, what she'll need most is the support and love only family can provide.”

“I think that may be for the best,” he says with a sad smile, “I'm just glad I don't have to set her up with social services or put her in an orphanage.”

“Family should look after family,” she reaches a hoof across the table to hold his hoof, “It would be even worse for her to go to one of her other relatives that she doesn't even know. I hope that we become closer over the weeks, but don't you forget to let your in-laws know about what's going on and about our arrangement.”

“I'll take care of it... But sis... You have no idea how much this means to me, and even though she won't know it for a while, for Trixie too.”

She nods with a forced smile, tears streaming down her face. She walks around the table, not saying a word and hugs her brother. Some things in life just can't be expressed any other way.

Trixie had been helping out her Aunt for a while now. Dad had asked her how she felt about helping her Aunt in her bakery. It was hard to get used to at first because they worked on a completely different schedule. She would stay the night in her Aunts house and get up far earlier than she had thought. After getting around, she would hurry down to the big kitchen in the back. One entire wall was nothing but big brick ovens, making the bakery incredibly hot, even in the winter. She would spend her time there kneading dough and placing it in just the right spot on the baking sheet. Her Uncle would take a sheet when done and put a coating mixture of butter and egg yolk on top so that it'd have a sweet and crispy top, which she knew from experience, and put them in the oven to bake to a glorious golden brown. From here, she would leave for her new school. This new school was really neat, but it was still hard sometimes. Especially the magic homework they gave out. They never had magic homework at her old school, but Dad wanted her to go to this school and she liked it a lot, especially since she passed the entrance test on her own.

But it was after after school she liked the most because that was when she went home to spend time and have supper with Dad. He looked and acted a lot better than when he had been at the hospital, but he still had deep lines etching his face. But he always had a smile and a kiss on her cheek whenever she made it home. Today was different though. After walking though the door and receiving her usual welcome home, he beckoned her to sit down at the table. After sitting down at the table, Alabaster looks across the table at his daughter and reaches across so their hooves touch gently.

“Trixie... There's something very important I have to tell you today...” he closes his eyes and takes a quick steadying breath, “There isn't much time left for me. I found out the day before I left the hospital that I have a very severe sickness and I can't fight this, nopony can, because I've had it for so long that there's nothing anypony can do.”

Alabaster looks to his daughter who hasn't said anything the whole time. He's shocked by what he sees. Trixie is smiling, tears streaming down her face as little sobs make her head bob up and down.

“I know Dad,” she chokes out. “I heard Aunt and Uncle talking about when you'd tell me a couple weeks ago. I didn't say anything because I figured it wouldn't change anything... So I've just enjoyed the time we spend together.”

Alabaster blinks, a sudden brightness obscuring his sight, and cold tears fall down his cheeks. His voice, suddenly choked, makes it hard for him to say anything for a few moments.

“I wanted to keep it from you for as long as I could, because for you to loose both your Mom and Dad in a year is such a heavy burden to carry. I know you're going to be a smart mare when you grow up, and I want everything the world has to offer for you, so please, no matter how down you get or impossible any situation seems, never give up or forget your happiness.” Alabaster finishes with a big toothy smile while tears stream down his face. Trixie responds by running around the table, crying, and rests her head on his lap. They stay that way for a long time, one with silent tears, the other sobbing softly. “Do you want to stay home with me tonight? I'm sure your Aunt can manage a day without your help.” Alabaster says after a time. Trixie nods against his leg.

Life went by almost to an unknown script for the next couple weeks with the exception of Trixies Aunt who was very careful about her comments about her brother and had several long talks alone with Trixie after everypony else had gone off to bed. She was a huge support for Trixie who seemed to have mentally aged far beyond what anyone could have expected during the weeks leading up to her Fathers death.

It was a cool, slightly fogy day when a patrol pony walked to bakery. The chill was biting after the warmth of the large kitchen. He carried with him a sealed envelope in his mouth and passed it to a slightly numb Aunt. He turns with a mumbled “My condolences,” and leaves. Trixies Aunt turns back into the warmth of the room and looks at Trixie, a tear running slowly down her cheek.

“Trixie... It's time.” She says, knowing the plans and things they would have to do, having talked about and them over the past couple weeks.

The next few days seemed both extremely quick and agonizingly slow at the same time. Sleep brought nothing but troubled dreams and an exhausted morning for the filly. But those days were almost like lost friends, coming by to see how she was doing, but gone soon having hardly seemed to have been there at all.

The days following, Trixie went about quietly. She never said a word more than was necessary and a palpable aura of sadness about her. She stayed home for the entire week, but her teachers stopped by to offer their condolences and a few classmates as well. During this time, the paperwork designating her Aunt and Uncle as her guardians arrived having been arranged in advance.

Trixie returned to school the following Monday after helping the bakery like normal, but she was very quiet and only said a few words to the few others in her classes she had come to known. However, like before, she recovered from the tragedy that had befallen her and opened up a bit to her friends and family, but now there was another element to her where she limited her emotional attachments and openness to her Aunt and to a lesser extent, her Uncle. She soon began to spend time with some of the fillies that spent time running around the streets and alleys in the afternoon. This is where she met Heartbreak and the other fillies that made up her group of friends, eventually leading her to meeting Olive Branch in the months that followed, in on a certain chilly winter afternoon...

It turns out that the small room she thought she had been in was in fact a wagon that had been pulled and cared for over many years by Olive Branch. She ate the carrots he had set out for her without reservation and poked about the wagon a little as Olive had left a little bit ago to talk with somepony outside. There was a large collection of things set about the wagon. Various colored powders to small fireworks, costumes and little carvings of ponies, and a small set of worn plaques wrapped in a scrap of velvet cloth. The door opens suddenly behind her causing Trixie to suddenly jump back from the velvet wrapped cards to see Olive Branch walk in looking frustrated but not having noticed her snooping.

“So, where do you like Trixie?” He says fixing her with a intent stare.

Not even tempting to lie to the seasoned stallion, she tells him exactly where she lives along with the names of her Aunt and Uncle. Olive nods and and tells her to sit on the bed and a warning to not touch anything. It takes the pair only a short time to pull up outside of the bakery, a worried Aunt coming out to meet the pair outside.

“Trixie! Where have you been! We've been so worried about you because you missed supper, don't tell me you caused this stallion trouble or...”

“Madame, please. This little pony wasn't anything of a problem for me at all. I have noticed something about her that has great importance to me and pertains to her special talent.”

“Her special talent? And just who in Celestia's regal name are you?”

“You may call me Olive Branch, I am a traveling magician of renowned fame the region over,” he says with a dapper flourish of his top hat, “And I would be honored to take your Niece under my wing, so to speak, as an apprentice.”

This takes Trixie's Aunt aback for a moment. It's still common for apprentices to be taken, but that's for certain arts and trades, surely not for traveling magicians. She looks over the stallion for a while, taking in his long worn but well taken care of vest and hat, the condition of his cart and the way he carries his self.

Having come to a personal conclusion, she tells the peculiar pony to come inside and to share a cup of tea with her in the back kitchen. Trixie knows about apprenticeships, it's common for ponies to leave school between one term and another if they have an appropriate sponsor and mentor, but for her to find an apprenticeship? It was almost like a dream, or something that happened to other ponies, never to her. She follows the pair into the back kitchen and the moist, appetizing heat of the room. Her aunt nods for the pair to find a seat on the central work counter on a stool of their choosing while she puts a kettle of water over the smaller fire they use for domestic purposes along another wall. It doesn't take much time for her to return with a kettle full of hot tea a pair of small loaves of bread for the them to eat.

“So, you wish to take my Niece as an apprentice? First, tell me about yourself and what it is that you do for a living, Mr. Traveling Magician.”

“You may call me Olive Branch. I was born in the northern countryside too many years ago for me to recount, along one of the coastal villages. Unlike some ponies who will change their names to match their talent, I kept the name my parents gave me. I was very happily married for a number of years to a truly special pony, but sadly, I outlived her. We never had any foals of our own,” he says with a gentle sadness, “I've kept my traveling ways and habits out of respect for her wishes, very occasionally taking on apprenticeships. If you would speak to the secretary of apprentices and masters, you'll find me as the oldest registered traveling magician who still takes apprentices, and let me tell you I only take those fillies and colts that catch my eye.”

Trixies Aunt sits beside her, across the table from the older stallion, calmly sipping her tea while never taking her eyes from him. A bit of time passes as they eat and drink after he finishes his short summary to her question. Once Olive finishes his tea and bread, her Aunt finally speaks.

“Very well.” Trixie turns in shock to her aunt. “I'll be in touch with your guild tomorrow to verify your story and information. We'll talk more once that's been taken care of.”

“Thank you for hearing out the request of an old stallion such as myself, I can tell this filly means very much to you. I promise you that she will be cared for as though she were my own family if everything works out.” He finishes, looking straight at her Aunt. She nods in reply. They then talk of minor things and Trixie begins to nod off, causing her Aunt to usher her out of the warm kitchen and tells her to get around for bed, she still had to be up early in the morning to help out after all.

That morning, before she leaves for school, Trixie asks her Aunt about the looming possibility of an apprenticeship.

“It may seem like a bit of a shock, I know from experience Trixie. But this could be one of the best things that could happen to you, dear. Not many ponies have a chance to be found by somepony who knows so much more than you about the talent you'll be learning about. I was lucky in the way you are Trixie and a master baker knew what my special talent was even before I knew it. I was nervous and maybe a little afraid, but it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It even helped me meet the special somepony who ended up being your Uncle." She says with a vibrant smile. "He did all he could to teach me what I know. And now I've taken that knowledge and made it into something special to the ponies who eat my various breads. Some ponies aren't lucky enough to find or afford an apprenticeship, but you are, and Olive Branch will be somepony you can admire and possibly even surpass as you grow into your talent.” She turns from Trixie and looks to the looming sunrise. “Never forget your family, where you come from and who you are. I look forward to watching you grow into a beautiful young mare, Trixie, and to seeing you succeed at your special talent.”

Trixie turns to the sunrise as well, standing side by side with her Aunt who has looked after her like her own child. They stand there in two different kinds of silence. One confident and proud, the other nervously excited as a wave of golden sunlight washes over the city of Manehatten.

On a Chilly Spring Morning

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Chapter Four: On a Chilly Spring Morning

It was almost a month later that Trixies apprenticeship was finally approved. Her Aunt had been adamant and dutiful in her screening of Olive Branch, asking for copies of personality reports and character references from his past apprentices and colleagues. He was invited back several times to the main house to share a evening meal with the family so they could all get to know each other and for both Trixie and Olive to get slightly acquainted with one another. Olive talked of some of the early stages of her apprenticeship to give an idea to what she would be doing. Surprisingly enough, she would be able to stay with her Aunt and Uncle for the first year as they would be anchored by the Guild until she passed the apprentices test for proficiency in street performance. Trixie was still left in the dark about what her special talent was, but she was reassured that everything she would learn was to help her talent be the best it could be. They all knew that Olive Branch was a traveling magician, but even after seeing a few of his performances and asking about his special talent they were still left in the dark.

“A magician never reveals his secrets.” He replies with a sly smile and a wink.

During that month of waiting, word had spread around her school about her looming apprenticeship. Some of the ponies there were like her in not having their cutie marks yet were envious of her stroke of luck but wished her luck all the same, while the others who did but were not apprenticed tended to keep their distance. The teachers who knew what it was like to be an apprentice gave her encouragement and support when her nerves got the better of her and she went to talk to them.

It seemed like such a short time passed for her, this past year. She still wasn't entirely herself after the passing of her Father, but she knew that she would be a little bit better the next day and so on. Her parents lay at rest, nothing could change that, but she knew they had loved her more than anything. She wanted to make them proud of her, to show them she was alright and could make it on her own merit. For that, she would make the best of what the aged stallion had to teach her.

Trixie was up early, helping around the house as usual in the warm bustle in the back kitchen. Two months have passed since she began her apprenticeship under Olive Branch, but he still hadn't taught her anything about her talent, or so she thought. He had her sew patches, albeit clumsily, on worn traveling cloaks, grind up all colors of pigments into a fine dust that would stain her coat and hooves for days, and glue stacks upon stacks of paper into thin cylinders. She knew she had a test to pass in under a year for street performance, but it seemed like she did nothing but do chores that Olive didn't want to do himself. She said as much to him when she met up with him in the public performance square.

“You know how your Aunt makes such delicious breads Trixie. I should hope so after living with her for so long. Pray tell me what it takes to make a simple loaf of bread.”

“Well you have the flour, water, and the yeast,” she says a little confused, “but what does bread have to do with what we're doing?”

“This is exactly the same. All these little things that seem boring to you right now, are in the fact the ingredients to making a truly spectacular show. You may not see the big picture, but think about it dear. The tubes you glue together hold the confetti and powder you cut and grind after I treat it so it doesn't turn everything it touches that color. The patches you sew on our cloaks now and in the future will keep us dry and warm in bad weather so we don't get sick. There are many other things I have yet to teach you, but for now, you don't have to worry about the test. You're a smart filly, you learn things quickly and if you don't succeed the first time, you keep at it until you do. I have a sneaking suspicion that you won't have to worry about passing the test.” He finishes with a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

For a while Trixie is quiet, looking at the ground and scuffing her forehoof against the worn planks of the floor. She looks up with a small smile and nods, reassured by his explanation. I'll have to step up the learning process for this one, he thinks, She's definitely eager to learn.

A week after her talk with Olive Branch, Trixie began her lessons in gymnastics and some minor sleight-of-hoof. It was hard work and slow at first, but she worked at it. Olive started her off with some extensive stretching exercises. Trixie had trouble with these because she had only run a little and done a few minor acrobatic things while in school. After getting the forms memorized, she begins to practice them at home, after she wakes up in the morning, once she gets to Olives wagon and finally before she turns in for the night. It's not long before she's able to match Olive's abilities in acrobatics, but the sleight-of-hoof she only practices with him. Soon she's able to, if clumsily, pull a bit from behind Olive's ear and make a bouquet of flowers appear as if from nowhere.

“Very good Trixie, very good.” Olive says watching her practice in the wagon. “Soon you'll be able to perform as my assistant during my scheduled appearances my dear.”

“Really!?” Trixie says with a look of ecstatic happiness lighting up her face.

“Yes my dear,” he says with a chuckle, “Lets give it a few more days. You can help me this upcoming Saturday.”

“This is great! I can't wait until I tell my Aunt about this!” She yells as she hops around excitedly, Olive smiling at her enthusiasm.

That Saturday was a cold in a brittle way. There was a layer of ephemeral frost covering everything, but under the harsh sunlight it quickly melts and evaporates leaving the a world duller place. The preparations are made right on the cusp of dawn by Olive and Trixie, placing the filled paper tubes in little boxes hidden behind the carved front of the platform. After setting the stage for their performance, the pair goes behind the platform to stretch since the chill has made their muscles rather stiff. After warming up a bit, Olive coaches Trixie in what she'll be doing once again in the order of acrobatics and behind the scenes manipulation. By the end, she ends up more nervous than excited and she says as much to Olive.

“Never fear if something goes awry dear. Sometimes it's the mistakes misfortunes during an act that makes it memorable. You just have to be quick of mind and wit to turn it to your advantage. I've made some truly spectacular mistakes during my performances, but I never let them stop me from performing again. Never beat yourself up for a mistake Trixie, it only leads you down a path that's good for nopony.” He says with a serious expression but a kind smile to let her know he's speaking from experience. She just nods with a look of determination on her face. “Now remember to smile my dear, and to keep a spring in your step as you're my sprightly young crier to help me gather a crowd.”

From that point on, the day seemed to pass in a blur of bright light and happiness. Being as bone tired as only a young pony can be after a day starting at the crack of dawn can be, Olive escorts her back home to help her get to know the fatigue that will likely be her constant companion over the next few years. Trixie, barely awake, makes her way up to her room and promptly goes to sleep.

From that day onwards, she now has the responsibility of not only assisting Olive, but her other duties assigned to her previously as well and magic lessons on top of that. These new lessons revolve around illusions and subtle manipulations. She knows complaining won't help her at all, so she goes about doing things when she finds a lull in between shows and lessons from Olive. At first, she's finishing all of her allotted chores close to and sometimes after midnight. On those nights, she simply sleeps on the small cot given to her near the front of the wagon. As she gets more proficient in her chores and in managing her time, she soon finishes before ten o'clock and is able to trudge back to her Aunts home.

I wonder how Olive has made it so far, she thinks to herself as she lies in bed too fatigued to quickly fall asleep. All of the seemingly endless things that needs done before his next performance, having to stay up far later than anypony should just to finish up everything that needs done for the next day? She shivers at the thought of sleepless nights grinding away at powders and stitching up rips in costumes. Her thoughts trail off as she falls asleep, dreaming of the day she stands alone on the stage, Olive beaming in pride at her successful debut performance in the audience.

Trixie is awake two hours before dawn. She had spent the night again in the wagon with Olive after a long night of extra preparations. She hadn't been up that late in months aside from the late nights trying to master the spells he taught her. It was the morning of her street performers license test at the guild and the anticipation, stresses and sheer excitement left her little time for her to sleep. The order would be drawn by lots with no forewarning, so each pony would feel the same tension of a looming performance. That was even a part of the test as Olive had told her. She gets out of her cot as quietly as she can and goes outside to stretch and practice her acrobatics. As she closes the door, Olive raises his head, smiles and turns back in with memories of his own initiation and the trials and toils he went through as well.

There they were. At the reception desk to the guild. This was it. Olive checked them in and leads her down a side hallway. She had been given a tour soon after becoming an apprentice, but her mind was filled with a white noise as anticipation and nerves pushed all thought from her mind. They soon came to rest outside of a pair of age darkened double doors, other pairs of masters and apprentices here for the testing as well. Olive leads her past them and into a side room that's unoccupied and closes the door behind them.

“I think it's time for you to look the part of an aspiring performer my dear.” He says with a smile. Before they had left, he spent a little extra time inside of his wagon and came out with a slightly bulging saddlebag under his cloak. It was from this that he pulls out a small cloak, light blue and shimmering as he drapes it across his foreleg. The look in her eyes changes from her slightly dazed and unfocused stare to full attention as she gasps at the gift.

“Olive,” she says as tears of happiness well up in her eyes, “Thank you so much!”

She runs forward, completely ignoring the shimmering cloak to throw her forelegs around his neck in a tight hug. Olive chuckles gently at her enthusiasm at the gift and pushes her back with his free hoof. “You can thank me by going out there and showing them all I taught you my dear. You have your materials with you I take it?” She nods, dropping her own set of saddlebags with a slight thump. “Good. Now lets get you settled into your new mantle.” He says with a glow of magic taking up the cloak and settling it over the younger pony. Upon closer examination on the interior, it consists of two large folds of a darker blue fabric, longer and folded back into the hem of the lighter colored fabric. This darker fabric is sewn all over with pockets of all sizes and volumes.

“It may be a bit much for your first time with it, but I have faith you'll know what to do. It's not too much of a jump from your practice cloaks, just make sure you're comfortable with your placement.”

She nods enthusiastically and promptly sits down to put everything she had brought with her in a pocket. She had been working with different cloaks with all kinds of pockets in them this last month and had started to get a system down for her props. Once she has everything tucked way, and a final adjustment to make sure it's balanced properly, she sets her face in a determined look and nods to Olive that she's ready. Olive takes her saddlebags and they leave the side room together. During their time aside, more masters and their apprentices had arrived. They all look at the odd pair with looks ranging from condescension to disbelief that they would even be there.

“You're still taking on apprentices Olive?” Says a middle aged pegasus, an eyebrow raised and a smug smirk across his face. “I had thought you retired years ago.”

“Apprentices are always worth the effort, retirement will come when my hooves tire of the road and my joints no longer move. Then I'll be long gone from this world and satisfied with my lot at that.” He replies coldly, barely making a cursory glance in the offending pony's direction. The only response he gets is a muffled snort of derision. Trixie doesn't know of the raging competitiveness amongst the various performers yet, so she stays silent and follows Olive at the end of the line.

A few minutes pass and the doors open, a clerk ushering the ponies through the doors. They walk into a middling auditorium with a shell shaped amphitheater at the far end. They proceed down the middle aisle in pairs and part, masters to sit along one side of the front row seats with the judging masters sitting in the other half, and the apprentices lead up a side staircase and behind the scenes. Once there, they're instructed to remain silent and respectful of the other apprentices, to enter the stage promptly when their name is called and to exit the stage via the opposite side once their time is done and to wait there respectfully until all the applicants have completed their examinations. With that, the clerk leaves and a powerful silence descends on the young ponies. It seems as though time begins to stretch for them, all but Trixie showing their nerves by fidgeting while she surreptitiously stretches and mentally reviews what she'll do for her performance.

“Stratos Dancer, please take the stage for your test.” Calls a rich voice. A pegasus around Trixies age jumps slightly and nervously walks onto the stage. From their vantage, they're left unable to see due to a curtain. They hear various whooshing sounds and thuds as he performs for his test. “Very good Apprentice Dancer, you may relinquish the stage.” The same voice says. A small round of applause accompanies his conclusion, silence descends again.

“Trixillianna Lulamoon, please take the stage for your test.” Her heart pounds in her chest, it's her time to show everypony what Olive had taught her. Quickly with a burst of magic, she levitates five medium sized paper tubes from her cloak, placing them equidistant from one another in a slight semi-circle. She holds them there temporarily before detonating them in a cloud of light are dark blue powder and silvery confetti. Using this for cover, she quickly dashes from behind cover while keeping low and tumbles through the thickest part, coming up on three legs with her right foreleg reared in a position of action. She twirls quickly backwards, magic flaring again as she pulls a bouquet from the back of her cloak and as she flourished it causes a small cloud of flower petals to accompany its sudden appearance. She smiles and with a quick glance lofts the bouquet to the single mare judge she sees with a flourish of her cloak. From that position, she pushes off with her other foreleg into a back flip and quickly pops three brightly colored balls from her cloak and begins to juggle. Quickly following, she adds a fourth, then a fifth and then she lets her magic do the work as she takes all of the balls and flings them into the air, creating multiple illusory copies of each ball. The effect is like a small firework display and then a multicolored patchwork parade as each colored ball group begins to bounce and weave in intricate patterns, the actual balls having dropped to the stage floor.

Now to bring out the show stopper. She thinks, panting heavily and sweating profusely from the sheer amount of magic she's using.

Her horn flares blindingly bright as another collection of colored clouds of powders explode, these clouds are light blue a metallic silver and a smaller one of deep maroon. After drifting aimlessly for a short moment, they begin to move with purpose, swirling and reshaping quickly into the shape of the little pony on stage. Only this pony is several times the size of the one who was on stage who is nowhere to be seem. The larger pony opens her eyes looking out at the crowd and rears, hooves flashing before slowing to a stop and cascading down and around the pony who stands in the same position as her avatar. She just stands there, panting heavily, sweat slicking her sides. She stands there for a few moments, silence filling the auditorium.

“Ahem...” Cough-cough. “That. That will be all Apprentice Lulamoon, you may relinquish the stage.”

No applause accompanies the words. She turns in the silence a feeling of warm lightness enfolding her, a gentle ringing in her ears. Her mind remains blank as she waits with a slightly shell-shocked looking Stratos Dancer. From their position, they can see the stage unobstructed. A quick wave of magic tidily cleans up the thin coats of color and confetti left on the stage. She stands near the back of the area, head hanging slightly as she stares into the middle distance. Time seems to have no meaning to Trixie as she stands there amid the quiet whispers of Stratos and her other fellow apprentices. Without her noticing, all the apprentices are now there. A quiet wind of whispers fills their small waiting area as the judges collaborate upon their decisions.

“All apprentices, take the stage and form a line. We will now deliver our verdict.”

They file out together, Trixie near the rear and still in a daze. The stallion standing before the stage possesses the rich voice they had all heard.

“You are all very talented ponies, there is no doubt of that in our minds. You have all shown us what you have learned from your Masters and how you made these lessons your own. As such, you all have passed the test for street performance proficiency.” He pauses for a short moment as the young ponies cheer. He clears his throat for silence. “But, there is amongst you a very special young mare whose talent is a bright and shining star amongst your stellar performances. Apprentice Lulamoon, step forward please.”

What?! She brings her head up sharply at the mention of her name.

“We award you the award for most talented apprentice. We hope to see your application for full Guild membership in five years.” He finishes with a warm smile.

She was stunned. Trixie was standing in the office of the Guild leader for traveling and stationed magicians with Olive. After being led into the office, she soon finds out that the award is accompanied by a plaque to be displayed amongst the youth member awards for perpetuity, a seventy-five bit cash prize for both Apprentice and Master, and after taking off her sweat dampened cloak that she had attained her cutie mark. It was a five-pointed star-tipped wand before a swirling star dust colored cloak. It was the day she would remember as the beginning of the rest of her life.

Olive has had many apprentices over the years, all of which he had treated as though they were his own family. Many of them had gone off to royal courts and prestigious theaters while some had chosen the never-ending journey of road magicians like himself. Each having talents that he had helped guide them to. Each is a warm, pride filled memory for him. But this young filly who he had found in a alley being bullied, frightened and alone, has become a mare prodigious talent.

Now for the real test. He thought that night as he relaxed at the small table in his wagon with a tall bottle and a short glass, moonlight angling through the small window and reflecting off of the dark liquid in the glass. How well will she do with only me and herself to rely upon, traveling of her own volition and surrounded by strangers and dangers? Will she break under the pressure? Or will she be a mare of shining talent?

Olive takes the glass in hoof, pausing halfway to his mouth as he watched the shaky reflection on its surface for a short moment, then downs its contents in one swallow.

Though the Seasons May Pass: Part 1 of 2

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Chapter Five: Though the Seasons May Pass

It was the day after her test and Trixie had slept in. Instead of being overly groggy, she was overly acute in her senses as the golden light refracted off and through her smooth lead-crystal water pitcher. She had been in a haze ever since she had left the Guild Hall yesterday. Upon seeing her condition, Olive knew she needed a day to rest and recover, especially since this was her first time over channeling her magical talent, and took her back to her Aunts residence and letting them in on the happy news. The rest of the day was both a trial and a bit comedic for Trixies family and mentor as she puttered about on a cloud of bliss and got up to all kinds of mischief. Both her Aunt and Olive know what it's like to over channel ones talent, but mixing it with the lingering euphoria of gaining your cutie mark can lead to something like this. Olive left after being treated to a filling lunch and returned to his wagon to ready for his first performance of the early afternoon.

Trixie never really regained herself that entire day, but her Aunt knew she'd be better in the morning, so she kept the young mare busy with a constant flow of hot cider and filling food. She would try to putter out to the store front only to be turned back by her Uncle with a smile. She wandered about the house, looking at the familiar objects with a new curiosity and would spend small amounts of time sitting in chairs or lying on couches. She would occasionally drift off to a light sleep that she would start from as though she wouldn't allow herself to go to sleep on this special day. Her Aunt found her stretched out on her back on a couch in the living room when it was time for a late dinner. She hopped off the couch meandered after her Aunt while her stomach growled lightly. She didn't know what to think about the sight that greeted her when she made it into the main dining room. It was brightly lit and filled with all manner of smiling ponies. Most of her immediate family: Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Second Cousins and all manner of other relations were looking at her with warm and happy expressions. Surprisingly enough, even Olive Branch was there as well beside her Uncle chatting amiably with another relative until she had walked in. The chatter died off and everypony turned to Trixie and began clapping, shouts of congratulations and encouragement coming from the throng.

“As soon as you left today, we began preparations on this party for your passing the test, but we had no idea it'd be the trigger for you cutie mark.” Trixies Aunt says while putting a comforting foreleg around her shoulders. “This has been a long time coming Trixie, but I know your parents would be immeasurably proud to see that their little filly had grown up into such a fine young mare.”

At her words, Trixie turns to her Aunt and begins to cry into her shoulder. She had been working for this moment for so long and now that it was here, being confirmed by her Aunt had given her the sense of accomplishment that she had been striving for. She doesn't stay like this for long as her Aunt hugs her tightly, stroking her mane gently with a free hoof and says softly, “Come now Trixie. Your family has come together to congratulate you and wish you well on your journeys to come.”

She spends another short moment like this before ending the embrace. She rubs a forehoof across her eyes and sniffles a little as a small smile. “Thanks Auntie.” She says in a small voice. She turns smiling to the crowd of family members and the rest of the night passes in a blur of warm golden light and satisfied happiness. She sits on the edge of her bed now, echoes of the previous night still coursing through her chest. Smiling, she gets out of bed and gets around quickly and heads downstairs to warmly hug her Aunt who's busy making yet more bread and then to the storefront to hug her Uncle who's currently between customers at the counter. She trots back into the house proper to fix herself a bit of breakfast of leftovers from last night. On the counter, there's a letter in Olives flowing script.

Picking it up, she reads:

Trixie,

Congratulations on attaining your cutie mark, and in your award, for that was your talent and ingenuity solely. I knew you had it in you to pass the test, but to get your mark in performance? Magnificent, my dear. As you know, there is still much more for you to learn and long days ahead. I have talked with your Aunt and Uncle about our looming departure and they have given me their blessing in taking you out into the world. I will give you a three day reprieve to gather some personal belongings, clothes among other things you may need in the months to come. You know the size of our living quarters and should pack accordingly.

Once again my dear, congratulations on your success;

Your mentor, guide and friend

Olive Branch

She puts the not down on the counter again and continues to eat her snack with a pensive look on her face. I should ask Auntie for some advice, she thinks as she has never had to pack for a journey before. She finishes her snack with a tall glass of milk before heading back to the big kitchen to ask for help from her Aunt. “Of course I can help Trixie. I have all the gifts you received last night tucked away for you. We can go shopping in an hour after I get these set in the oven. Now go get something to eat dear, you had a long day yesterday and you need a lot of food to help you on your way.” Trixie nods in reply and a smile on her face as she trots back to the kitchen. Surprisingly enough, her stomach grumbles at her just as she returns to the fridge. Laughing, she begins to get a plate full of food and sets to it with a will.

It was dark when Trixie wakes up. Today's the day. She thinks as she takes a huge breath and a feeling of nervous electricity jolts from her chest to her hooves. A quick flare of her horn and she brings a lantern to light and wicks it to a warm glow revealing the room that had been hers for the past two years. She sits on the edge of her bed, looking around with a blank mind. She was a stranger to the life she had lived up till just yesterday and while she was moving forward with confidence, there was a small part of her that longed to stay in the past. She lets herself slide off the bed and walks to her window and looks out to see the faintest of light blushing the horizon from the looming sunrise. With a deep breath and a near silent sigh, she turns to go about her daily ablutions. She is alone in the family kitchen and eating a small meal when her Uncle comes in, clearly looking for her.

“Morning Trixie.” He says, “Over the past couple years I may not have been the most loving of ponies towards you, but to your Aunt and I, you're like a daughter to us and nothing makes us happier than seeing you about to become a mare in your own right.” At this moment, her Aunt walks in with a smile on her face.

“And like any daughter, we thought you should be the first to know that you're going to have a little brother or sister next year,” she says with tears of happiness welling in her eyes, “We weren't sure until a week ago, but I went to a doctor when I woke up five days in a row with a queasy stomach and she told me. We know it's not the best time to give you the news, with you leaving today, but everything just came around so fast. We were planning on telling you sooner but the timing never seemed right.” She finishes with a chagrined look.

“Oh...” Trixie manages in a small voice.

“We know we aren't a replacement for your real parents, but we thought you should know that you're in our hearts and that there will always be a place for you in our house and at our table.” Her Aunt says, with an agreeing nod from her husband, in response to Trixies look of being caught in front of a runaway wagon.

It takes Trixie a moment to wrap her head around this new information but only a moment passes and with bubbling laughter, she realizes that she had felt her Aunt and Uncle were closer to her parents than as close relatives. She runs over to the pair and brings them with laughter filling the air and brings them all together in a hug. “I don't know what to say to you two except that I love you two so much and I'm so happy for you two! Do you know what you'll name the foal?”

A quick look passes between the married ponies and a small smile graces her Aunts face but it's her Uncle who responds. “We thought about Azure if we have a filly and Alabaster if we have a colt. Your parents were two very special ponies, and they worked very hard to raise such a special pony despite the difficulties. We'd like to honor them in this way, if it's fine with our...” he clears his throat as a sudden roughness stops his words, “daughter.”

Trixies only response is to nod enthusiastically and hug the pair all the tighter. The slightly teary trio breaks apart after a short while, Trixies Uncle deciding to make a hearty breakfast for the small family while Trixie and her Aunt sit side by side at the table talking animatedly as dawn comes to their small corner of the world.

Trixie no longer felt like she was split in her dedications now as she stood between her Aunt and Uncle in front of their shop while they waited for Olive to show up. Now, she thought in the bright morning sunlight remembering the test administrators words, it's time for me to take the stage. At the thought, she sees the familiar shape of Olives wagon as it crests the top or a rise down the road, a portable stage on two wheels trailing behind. They wait together as Olive approaches and eventually stops in front of the store and the trio.

Over the past few days, Olive had the wagon repainted in light blue and mint green. A sign hanging from the front of the wagon parallel with the traces read: Branch and Lulamoon: Traveling Magicians Extraordinaire. Trixie smiling at this notices for the first time the unique set-up he had for the traces. She had always thought of them as being spaced for single file pulling, but they were in fact adjustable for a side-by-side arrangement as they were now.

“Being my partner means splitting the work.” He says with his typical smile. “As such, you will be relieved of some of old responsibilities and take on others. Helping us get around is one of those we will share together in.”

Trixie nods, giving her Aunt and Uncle a quick strong hug each, and quickly puts her belongings in the wagon. She quickly hurries back around and gets into the harness on Olives right side, her magic making the job a matter of seconds. With a quick “I'm ready” from Trixie, Olive nods and they take the first steps on their journey.

Trixie had no idea where she was. It wasn't that she was actually lost, but she was lost to the world through the fatigue of a long days journey. It would be the first of many for her and she knew it in the back of her mind, but at that moment, she just wanted to go to sleep. They had left early that morning for good reason as they avoided the even earlier farmers wagons heading in and the heavy traffic of mid morning. Here they were, easily ten miles from the outskirts of Manehatten and it was only a little after noon. She suddenly jerks back to reality as Olive steers the cart to the side of the road and they slow to a stop in the lush turf. Trixie looks to Olive questioningly and gets a single worded response that almost makes her legs turn to jelly out of sheer joy, “Lunch.”

“Oh thank Celestia.” She says in a breathy whisper that elicits a smile and a raised eyebrow from Olive. He doesn't say anything as he undoes both of their harnesses and goes about preparing their lunch. Trixie almost lies down where she had stopped, but thinks better of it as she spots a comfortable and well shaded patch of grass a few paces off and wobbles over. Olive comes back out with a few sandwiches for the pair only to see that Trixie had flopped onto her side a short ways off and was soundly asleep. I'll give her a half hour to rest up, he thinks as he smiles remembering all of his past apprentices and his own copious “breaks” when he started out on his own.

Trixie turns over to try to get away from hoof prodding her in the shoulder, only to be prodded on the other shoulder. She takes the hint though as she turns back over and opens her eyes to see the older stallion standing beside her. “Time to eat Journeymare Lulamoon.” He says using her formal title with a small smirk.

“As you say, Master Branch.” She replies with a smile. “So,” she says after taking a bite of her sandwich, “Where are we going to first on our circuit?”

“We'll be turning north soon and we'll follow the coast of Equestria. The first place we'll stop at for half a day will be a small fishing village by the name of Flotsam. We'll spend the summer and early fall months making our way up the coast and then we'll turn inland after our last stop, the town of Sea Crest, which is also my home town.”

“You're home town? Doesn't returning ever make you want to stay? I mean, it's where your family is and your friends as well.”

“Once upon a time, that temptation was there for me. But after having tasted life on the road, I couldn't stay for more than a week before my hooves ached for the feel of an untraveled road under me. Ever since though, I've made sure to visit every other year at a minimum.” He says with a wistful expression of a rueful memory.

Trixie thinks about this quietly as she eats her sandwich and watches the clouds float by on a breeze that stirs the tree tops. Aside from the ache in her legs at that moment, she felt as though she were content with what lay before her.

Oh Celestia, make the pain go away! Was the first thought Trixie had when she got up the next morning in the dark. The cart and platform wasn't nearly as heavy as they would have been due to some well spent bits on an enchantment, but the unicorn had been definitely hauling a good amount of weight all of the previous day and had more to look forward to. That thought made her shudder on the bottom bunk in the wagon. The top bunk was actually hers, but Olive had mercy on her as she was barely able to crawl into the wagon at the end of the day and let her sleep in the bottom one. Olive certainly didn't have any mercy this morning as he poked a hoof into her aching shoulder and sternly told her it was time to get out of bed and join him in his stretching exercises. A flicker of green and a pair of mounted lamps flare to life.

Trixie whimpered at the sharp prod, but took her time getting out of bed. She tilts her head up and sees his no-nonsense look is in top form. No mercy. She gets up and exits, only to collapse right outside as her leg gives out under her own weight. Olive, thankfully, doesn't smile or chuckle when he sees her in that state. He gets down and helps her get back to her own hooves. The exercises that she had done so routinely were now torture with her muscles a mixture of achy, jelly-like and still cramping. Aside from the occasional whimper and tear, she finally finished her exercises while Olive watched sedately while sitting by the open door. Surprisingly enough, after she finished, she felt stronger and the sharp pain that she had been was now reduced to a dull throb.

“Better?” Olive says noticing Trixies amazement at her miraculous recovery.

“Better.” She replies.

They retreat back inside the now relative warmth of the wagon and Olive begins to whip them up a breakfast of pancakes. “I'm glad you got up as well as you did Trixie. I've had recalcitrant Journeymares and Journeycolts in the past who've regretted not doing what you just did. I've developed these stretches to not only be used in performing, but also to help a ponies body recover from and prepare for the labors of the day.”

Trixie says nothing as the lessons point had been made quite sharply. She had the sneaking suspicion that more pointed lessons were coming her way in the near future. As Olive cooks, she thinks about how her Aunt and Uncle were up and about hours before she was and already hard at work. She may be waking up a little later, but she wouldn't be working any less hard than they would. It's not long before Olive levitates a plate stacked with pancakes and a small pitcher of syrup to rest beside it. The sight and smell suddenly making her ravenous and she sets to her meal with a will. It's not long before Olive sits across the small table with his own plate of pancakes and they eat in silence for a short while. When they're done and now busy digesting their meal, Olive rests his forelegs on the edge of the table, one on top of the other. Alerts go off in Trixies mind as she recognizes his serious talking posture.

“Trixie. Do you have any idea what it was you were doing during your performance test?” He begins, catching Trixie off guard.

“Yeah, I was using the lessons you gave me and made them my own. Were my Illusions flawed? I wasn't sure I could pull off my giant duplicate with a Manipulation of that scale, but I think I did ok.” She responds slightly worried that she may have more intensive work to do on top of everything else.

“Everything was fantastic dear. I meant about your magic itself. I've been around you so much now that I can tell when you're using magic and where your magic had been. But during your performance, I wasn't sure at first because we spend so much time together that I may have just overlooked it, but I couldn't sense or see any magical influence on the powders you manipulated.”

“I... I don't understand what you're saying Olive.” She knew what he was talking about with the feel of magical talent, but leaving no magical trace or having no aura?

“Listen to me very carefully Trixie. Can you levitate your plate for me? Just levitate it like you normally would.” She nods and complies with his request. Olive nods his head and she lowers it back to the table. “Now, can you levitate it again except with the same feeling you had during the test? Take your time to recapture the feeling.”

Trixie is silent for a bit thinking about her time on stage. The tightness in her chest, the desire for clarity of thought, the grinding of her teeth as she concentrated under stress. The floating feeling as her mind separated from her body in search for absolute concentration. She feels her talent come to her in a different way, as though it's cold and breezy instead of warm and thick. She shivers slightly as she opens her eyes and levitates her plate. To her eyes, it's as though she is seeing a shadow of her power, barely a disturbance around the plate. Olive inhales sharply at the sight. She lowers it again a second later.

“Trixie. You've done it my dear, you've done it. You have a very special and unique ability my dear. I will tell you now that this ability is dangerous. Deadly dangerous. Many ponies will seek you out, wish to make you their thrall, to make you their tool. You must learn to use your magic this way because your life may rely upon somepony not knowing you're using magic. You will not use your magic in this way while we're in the open. Only when we know we have absolute privacy. Do I make myself clear?”

Trixie nods silently, a little afraid of her mentors tone and the sheer force of his personality pressing against her. Am I really in so much danger? She thinks to herself, not fully believing Olive and voices her thoughts on the matter since he had always valued her open minded honesty in the past.

Olive sits back a little in his chair, only his hooves resting on the edge of the table now. He takes a deep breath and exhales silently before he speaks. “The price for secrecy, power and unique talents is one many ponies won't think twice about. The ponies who would seek to turn you into a tool will point you in a direction and you will go out and you will bring about nothing but death until your goal is completed. I have known many ponies over the years given to me that were nothing but tools in the hoof of another. Many were broken and cast aside while others were used until they were dull, bent and rusty beings that have nothing left of their selves. That is if you become one of their tools, for they are jealous creatures who would rather see you broken than in the hooves of another to be used against them. There are yet more dangers that you will face from within yourself as some abilities are so strong that they can change the pony in ways not only destructive but frightening as well.”

By this time, the sun has just come up and as its top edge clears the top of the forest in the distance, light suddenly flashes into the small wagon. “It's high time we were on the road dear. There's a road to walk and a place to be, now lets be on our way.”

After Olives lecture, Trixie was more than a little shaken and worries about herself. Olive never warns without reason and he has been around for more years than I know. I know that he honestly wants me to succeed and live a successful and peaceful life, so I should continue to give him my unguarded trust as he knows best. Shaking her head, she clears her head of worry and places herself in the hooves of experience. By now though, Olive has everything put away and the dishes cleaned by an experienced use of magic. It's time to get the show on the road, she thinks as she pushes herself gently to her feet from the chair and heads outside into the bright morning light.

Though the Seasons May Pass: Part 2 of 2

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“Welcome to Flotsam.” Olive says as they come to a halt outside of the largest building of the small collection of houses and buildings under the steel gray skies and mid afternoon chill of early February. The place was well deserved of its name as the houses seemed to be largely made of the towns namesake. No two houses were the same height, width or shape. Each was totally unique and one could tell this was a place that wholly belonged to the sea that was but a short walk away. “This is probably your first time seeing the ocean, so you can go down to the docks if you want and take your fill. I'll see about our arrangements with the innkeep as there's no mayor here. We'll set everything up on stage tomorrow since the weather is always a bit unpredictable near the ocean, but we still have chores to finish before we turn in tonight, just keep that in mind.”

She smiles and turns towards the docks, the fiery soreness of her legs temporarily forgotten as she trots between the occasional passerby and makes her way to the end. The first thing she notices is the the constant salty wind that pulls and tugs at her cloak. Then there are surprisingly loud sounds of erratic waves as they break on the pylons of the dock, transferring small tremors up the legs of the tired young mare. She looks out to sea, the overcast sky pierced occasionally by brilliant shafts of warm golden light that makes small patches of the ocean shine with a deep, rich blue while the rest of the visible ocean was a chilly grayish blue-green color. As she watches, she sees a boat surrounded by one such shaft as the fisherponies are hard at work to bring home a good catch and a small flock of seagulls flying above the boat looking for an easy meal. The wind and waves serve to hide his approach as Olive walks down the dock to stand by the side of his charge who quickly takes a step the her left upon noticing his arrival to give him room to stand beside her.

“Beautiful, isn't it?” He says, his rich voice cutting through the sounds of the ocean.

“I've never seen anything like it.” She replies, her eyes never quite leaving the scene in front of her. She had lived on the landward outskirts of Manehatten for most of her life, moving slightly closer to the middle of the city when she had went to go live with her Aunt, but never had she went to visit the piers and commercial markets of the sea districts.

“I was raised in a prosperous village by the sea, and every time I come back, it's always like the first time. I've traveled the mountains in the cold northeast of Equestria, the stark plateaus of the Griffon Empire to the south and to the deep heart of Saddle Arabia to hear the singing of the sands. But it's always the ocean that pulls me back and it's in sight of the ocean that I want to be put to rest at.” He finishes slightly wistfully.

They stand there at the end of the dock for a long time, the sounds of the ocean filling the comfortable silence until their stomachs force them to the hot meal waiting for them at the inn. To Trixie, the silence of the town is oppressive after hearing the song of the ocean. Olive notices her strange behavior and smiles, knowing exactly what she's feeling.

“The ocean is a powerful thing and its absence can be quite startling, even after your first taste of it. Treat it as a friend my dear, pay it a visit on occasion but don't overstay your welcome for there will be others that you'll want to return to just as much. You'll see what I mean by the time we make our complete circuit.”

Trixie says nothing, finding herself out of her depth. She had the distinct feeling that she wouldn't be saying too much along this journey. They make their way to the inn and Trixie finds herself in a warm and well lit common room and quickly confronted by a matronly mare innkeeper. She was a stout earth pony with a light khaki coat and light green hair that had only a little of her youthful coloration as it was mostly replaced by a silvery gray.

“What a little thing you are hon'.” She says in a flurry of actively pushing Trixie to a seat near the fireplace and bringing along a tray laden with a meal for the two of them. “Olive said you were a lovely young mare, but for the adopted daughter of a baker you certainly don't look as though you took full advantage of it.”

Sitting across from Trixie, Olive leans in close as the boisterous owner moves off. “That's Fruit de Mer, but everypony just calls her Mer. She's the cook, keep, post pony, scribe for those that don't have their letters and just about anything else you can think of that's needed in a small town. Her cooking's one of the reasons why I love coming here.” He says with a smile and a wink.

At his words, Trixie finally pays attention to her meal which had been steaming warmly by her hoof the whole time. It was a bowl filled to the brim with the cooks namesake. Fish, crab, kelp and even sea urchin came together in a oily water broth that drove all thought but to eat from her mind. She has had seafood on occasion when her Aunt had made it across town for some fresh fish for something special like her Uncles birthday or when the school had it twice monthly, but she never thought to make a simple meal of it. She looks to Olive, but he was busy eating his own meal with gusto. She takes a tentative bite of the meal placed before her and immediately sets to with a will of her own. It was spiced oddly, but it was simply amazing. The broth was almost scalding hot yet, but the rest of the meal was the perfect temperature. The kelp was definitely one of the strangest things she had eaten, but she liked the oily plant with its salty taste and rubbery texture.

By the time she had finished her meal and drank the now mildly hot broth, she was full and had a pleasant warmth spreading throughout her body. Olive drops a small pile of bits on the worn table and begins to head out, Trixie following his cue and heads back to the wagon in the early twilight created by the clouds to go about the usual chores. Olive sits on the back steps of the wagon with a thick needle and a set of heavy canvas harness while Trixie heads inside to buffering their powder supply and to get the paraffin wax out for Olives use. Such was the way the day ended except for them each having a room in the inn versus the spartan wagon bunks. Trixies being on the ground floor.

The next morning wasn't as bad as the previous morning on the road had been for Trixie, but she was glad she hadn't slept on the second floor with how shaky her legs were. After going through her morning stretches and exercises, she makes her way out to the common room and is given a bowl oatmeal sprinkled with raisins and topped with a generous dollop of honey by a smiling Mer and takes a seat. Olive soon joins her, coming in from the back entrance and looking as energetic as he always does before a performance and receives an identical bowl for his breakfast.

“Well my dear,” Olive says after the first bite of his breakfast, “How do you feel about our first performance in a new town?”

“Well, it's a little daunting to say the least.” She says with a nervous little laugh.

“The scenery may be different but ponies are ponies wherever you go, even if they live a thousand miles away.”

“I guess that's true.” She says with a little surprise tinging her voice. After her reply, they finish their meal in silence and return their bowls to the counter before heading outside as the sun rises. The light hits the ocean and turns it a brilliant shade of blue and brings out highlights in the few clouds hovering high above the nearby ocean. Trixie looks out and is stricken by this new facet of the ocean, so drastically different from yesterday. A light and cool breeze blows in off the ocean carrying a taste of salt with it and she breaks her trance reluctantly as Olive moves off towards the platform to prepare it for the midday performance, herself on his heels to be about her duties.

Throughout the day, they are surrounded by a small mob of young fillies and colts, rioting at the prospect of a traveling magician stopping in their small corner of the world. Olive moves about with practiced efficiency and small distractions to draw the attention of the young ponies away from mischief. Eventually, their mothers collect them and lead them off to do their chores as their noisy complaints are met with the seasoned wisdom of “The sooner you finish your chores, the sooner you can come back.”

The pair then goes about their duties and finish preparations a little before noon, where they retire to the common room. This time, however, they're not alone as some of the more efficient youngsters have finished early and pelt the pair with so many questions that while Olive handles them with ease and small tricks to answer and deflect questions. Trixie on the other hoof is quite overwhelmed at the onslaught of exuberant questions. Olive chuckles as Mer swoops in to rescue the pair with a tray of small pastries and very plausible threats of being put to work by the earnest mare if they don't take the treats and run and the duo finish their meals in relative peace.

With their meal finished, they head outside once more to stretch and go over what it is that they'll be doing tonight. With the word about their arrival, the boats make for dock in the early afternoon to watch the show. Olive notices their return and sets Trixie to go about her business as crier but tells her to tone her exuberance a bit as this isn't the bustling streets of her home and to use her tumbling for comedic attraction to help set the mood.

It's not long before the sprightly young mare is making her way about the small village calling attention to herself and drawing the young ponies of the village to her like iron shavings to a magnet along with a few of the older ponies wanting to see what antics she may get up to. She goes about the village for a little while and when she senses the mood of the villagers is just right, she leads them to the stage and lets Olive take things from there as she falls into her supporting role. By the end of their performance, while not as boisterous, flashy or eye catching as what they had done in Manehatten, had left Trixie feeling content in a way that she had never felt performing back home. Here, they were a welcome attraction that brightened the lives of an entire village and not just ponies passing by who simply had some spare time on their hooves. She didn't have the usual bubbling joy that she would hold onto all day, but this warmth was something she could certainly live with.

They spent one more night under Mer's roof, and they were surrounded by what seemed to be the entire village during their supper. Everypony that was there made sure to visit and talk with Olive while introducing their selves to Trixie, making her feel as though she were an old friend and telling her to be sure to visit again. It was full dark before a tired Trixie finally managed to make her way to her room while Olive stayed up for hours yet catching up with acquaintances and accepting not only their fee, but small gifts ranging from salted fish and dried kelp to small driftwood carvings and much more besides.

The pair were up and about with the fisherponies in the darkness the next morning getting their platform put away with a little extra help from some who had a few extra minutes to spare before their ships departed. As soon as everything was secured and taken care of, they find themselves in the traces and ready to depart with merry smiles as they leave the last of the buildings.

They had been on the road for almost three months now, spring was in full swing and they were nearing the last stop on their coastal pathway. They've went through many trials and tribulations as only a mentor and student can have, but Trixie has learned and grown greatly during this time. Over the many days of pulling the cart and maintaining her exercise regimen, she now has something that's just now starting to approach Olives lithe strength and her new found endurance is bolstered by her youth. As they trekked northward along the coast the landscape becomes progressively hillier as they approach Olives hometown of Sea Crest.

It is on one of these tall hills they are resting on, slightly higher than the others as they look upon Sea Crest in the distance. Sea Crest sits on and covers the western side of the hill, looking as though the town spills towards the ocean. The presence of two other hills framing the hill creates a steep valley that allows for a small set of dry docks where they're able to small to medium boats without the need for extensive efforts to sculpt the land itself. Among the surrounding hills is a smattering of farm houses and terraced hillsides which helps to support the bustling town along with the many fishers.

All in all, the scene before them was nostalgic for one and energizing for the other. Olive pulls them off to the side of the road to eat an early lunch and to reminisce and inform Trixie about his hometown. The day was warming nicely with a nice constant breeze as they relax in the tall grass beside the road and enjoy a nice kelp stew with carrots diced in. For Trixie, the way they sit there and enjoy their selves, this seems to be the beginning of the next chapter of her life. One in which the life of the road and the constant change in place creates a special magic of the road for her and she welcomes it wholeheartedly. She knows she is from Manehatten and she loves her Aunt and Uncle unconditionally but the love of the road is something that is in her blood and is so intrinsically a part of her that she wouldn't be able to spend even a week in one place.

With this revelation, she discovers something completely new, yet known about Olive. The love he has for an entire place, not just somepony or even his friends, but the place itself. Yet when Trixie thinks about it how Olive feels about his home, she feels the same for Manehatten. It's not just the place she was raised in or the place that made her into the mare she is today, but who she is as a mare. Yet as all things in life come, they leave their contemplative conversation and leave the scenic hilltop to go to Sea Crest and to the places that lie beyond.

Her time in Sea Crest was special each and every time she visited the special little town. It was lazily busy for everypony and they could always spare some time for Olive if they happened to walk by his wagon. He happened to be something of a local celebrity for the middle aged ponies and those younger ones who knew of him and always an attraction for the younger ponies and foals who would be inexplicably drawn to him no matter the distance across town and at the wrath of their parents for not finishing their chores.

Trixie never has left a town like she did when she left Sea Crest four days after they had come to rest outside of a certain inn. Olive had set a constant and exuberant pace unlike in any of the others, or even in Manehatten, and it had left Trixie on the edge of her seat. Barely finishing her chores between shows, barely getting her meal in her before she had to go out and gather a crowd even if Olive hadn't needed it. It was so out of character that she even mentioned it to him one night before they parted ways after an evening performance.

“Trixie... There's always a special place that you hold dear to your heart as you travel, even if it's not even your hometown. At those places you'll feel as though you were a sprightly young pony and feel as though your parents or special somepony were watching you every moment. Even though you might not have found that place yet, you will and it will hold a special place in your heart that you won't be able to dislodge no matter the trouble you go through.” He smiles sadly and heads off to his own room as she does the same. Her thoughts as she dreams that night turn towards home, her family and the little foal she has yet to meet. She wakes the day of her first departure from Sea Crest ready to be off and over the distant horizon in the pursuit of that special place and to seeing her family next spring.

Three years has passed Trixie and it seemed only like a month had gone by. Her family in Manehatten had grown by two now and she loved every moment she spent there with her younger siblings. Alabaster was the older colt was a unicorn like his namesake, Azure the younger filly was a pegasus and her name was fitting in another way as she constantly tried to slip the confines of the house to go buzzing across the rooftops, much to her parent fright and neighbors annoyance. Trixie immediately fell in love with the foals when she met them and provided an important buffer during the little time she and Olive were in town. The little ponies would stay within hoof reach of either Trixie or Olive, but they were never for either with their experience around little ones.

Trixie and Olive decided to change their circuit this year as one of the other traveling performers decided to leave the center of Equestria open for any takers. Olive had always been the pony to visit the smaller villages, no matter how little pay they gave or how arduous the challenge. Trixie was always surprised at how extreme their venues were from one to another, even after all these years. As she saw their plans for leaving Manehatten this year, she saw that they would head from Manehatten to go through Ponyville and up to Canterlot. They would continue northeast and through the mountains up to the direct west and into the Gryphon Empire and down the western coast with two months to spare compared to their usual circuit. This would enable them to take a drastic detour next year and visit Saddle Arabia to broaden her experiences with other cultures.

Olive had been so healthy and full of life until yesterday. They had just gone through the boarder of the Gryphon Empire and were little over a days walk from Sea Crest when he had collapsed in his harness as they had just made it over the rise of a particularly steep hill. She just stared at the limp form of Olive for a few short moments before she realized what was before her. She acted quickly, getting him and herself out of their harnesses and levitating him into the wagon quickly and in his bed. After a short time of trying to rouse him, she quickly hardened her resolve and left the interior of the wagon. With a efficient burst of magic the traces and harnesses quickly modified to accommodate a single pony.

I won't let Olive go without a fight, she thought as she fed her magical talent into the enchantments lightening the wagon. I'll make it to Sea Crest before dawn and get him to a doctor, he'll make it until then or I'll have words for him the next time we come face to face. With that thought and a flaring horn that would provide light into the long night ahead, she made her way forward towards the pony that would heal Olive.

Trixie sat beside Olives bed in the Sea Crest general hospital. The old stallion had been sleeping for three days now and hadn't stirred since she put him in his own bed in the wagon waiting outside. You're stronger than this Olive, she thought as she watched him sleep, You've never let a show slip between your hooves if you could help it. She sat there for another hour before she finally left his room the first time since he had been moved there to trudge silently back to their wagon. She hoped to get an hours rest before she came back for a quick visit before she got everything set up for her performance that evening. My performance huh? Olive has always been in the audience when I've done a solo performance in the past. This will truly be my first show and I don't know what to do without him. She stops in the middle of the exit of the building as tears overwhelm her and she sits down on the spot to lean against the open door. She isn't there for long though as a familiar nurse who tends to Olives needs leads her to the wagon with gentle compassion and understanding.

Olive's awake! Are her first thoughts when a frantic pounding sound at the wagons door. He hasn't missed a single show yet. She quickly opens the door to see the same nurse that had helped her to the wagon earlier in the one to confirm the same news she had thought about only seconds before. She was in front of the same inn they had stayed at for three years. The innkeep simply let her stay for free and gave her complimentary meals... When she could eat anything in any case.

Olive was indeed awake as she had known and he had sent her to be sure Trixie was going to perform without him. “You can tell Olive that the show will go on and that his friends and family hope to see him on his hooves soon.” Trixie says with a mixture of relief, wryness and unadulterated joy that she had been able to save somepony close to her through her efforts. However from that day forwards, Olive never placed a hoof on the stage as a performer again. Trixie always gave a little extra in the enchantments when they renewed the magic of the wagon and made sure the weight was lowered secretly. She was sure Olive knew, but her never said a word to her about it aside from a warm smile in her direction.

Some days, she forced Olive to stay in the wagon and to let her bear the full burden of going from place to place. He would concede to her wishes as graciously as he could, knowing it was for the best. He had slowly been loosing his frame and figure since he had collapsed. It was time for Celestia to claim me decades ago... He though one day as they had a light breakfast on a hilltop overlooking the ocean. I just had something to do before I could let go, but even when my time came, I found I still wanted to go on living...

Olive nodded off as a warm spring day broke over them and bathed them in a warm light that cradled them gently, Trixie smiled and a tear rolled brightly from the corner of her eye when she realized that this was his last nap.

The last year of being a Journeymare seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. She lived at home and studied directly under the Guild leader for street performances once word of Olives passing reached them. His passing was gentle and she had expected it the day he had collapsed. So many ponies had now passed from her life that she became the embodiment of a traveling performer in the years after she was fully licensed by the Guild. She had inherited his wagon in a last modification of his will mere days before they had left Manehatten for the last time as a pair. She took the wagon with her on her first trans-national circuit and had arrangements for a new one to await her in Sea Crest when she passed through it. She made arrangements for one of their mutual acquaintances there to turn the wagon into a memorial for Olive. She had left almost everything they had accrued over their years of travel aside from two things in particular. One was the original cloak he had given to her as a little filly on the day of her test and the plaques he had treated with such gentle touches and bittersweet glances.

The solo circuit was harder than she had ever imagined. Traveling, expenses, preparations, attracting an audience all fell on her. She often went asleep hungry as she finished something that couldn't wait until tomorrow and was too tired to even eat a cold carrot. It was something that had happened during her solo circuit that had awoken something in the back of her mind. She couldn't remember when it had happened or why, but it was a part of her and it gave her the strength she had lost, so she listened to it. She was busy performing one day when she suddenly asked her moderately interested crowd if “Anypony here can do anything the Great and Powerful Trixie could not do better?”

From that small town, it was only a few months before she came back to Ponyville and came into contact with Twilight Sparkle, a mare the voice in her head wouldn't let her forget. She spat on Olives memory by humiliating the Great and Powerful Trixie... She deserves to be brought low in the eyes of her “friends.” Those words make Trixie cringe, she knows the pony never even knew Olive, but... She would find a way to bring Twilight Sparkle low and she would become the best magician in Equestria, then everypony would know...

The Alicorn Amulet had left Trixie Lulamoon with a lingering curse...

From the Darkness a Light Shines

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Chapter Six: From the Darkness a Light Shines

Trixie had never felt as relaxed as she did in that moment. There was no stress or tension in the entirety of her body. Even the breaths she took were smooth and even, hardly even seeming as though she were breathing at all. She lay there with the awareness that only comes with full mental and physical renewal. Time had no meaning and she had no desire to do anything except relish in the contentment she felt at that moment.

There was a change at some point. Her mind was pulled back to the surface from its depths as she felt the changes around her. She was now moving. She could not be certain of the direction or speed. I'm under water, she thought without any shock as her mind easily accepted this impossibility. She never exerted a single iota of control as she went on her way, feeling the current move her body and simply experiencing how her body moved in response. The water changed temperature, almost imperceptibly as it chilled. Her body made no move to deny the cold access to her body and her mind emulated this sensation, a pure crystalline clarity without thought through the corridors of her mind.

There was suddenly pain and her entire body reacted involuntarily as she curled around her stomach. She fought to keep it at bay, but it would not let her go as its sharp fangs were deeply embedded in her mind which still managed to remain clear. From the darkness and into the light, you return to us from the past and into the present, a whisper sounded from everywhere. She felt a pair of hooves rest gently on either side of her head and the pain slowly left her now sore body as something was wrapped around her eyes repeatedly. It took a few moments for the claws of light to leave her mind, but the hooves never left her as they gave her comfort. Gently, the hooves brought her to the surface and her next breath wracked her body once again as her lungs were set aflame by the cool air. She convulsed as her body sought to purge the remaining water from lungs that had been breathing it a moment before. Slowly her ragged gasps subsided into deep lung breaths. As her breathing became more regular, she felt herself become unbearably sleepy and drifted off once again as she was held gently in the water.

Trixie awoke in the same bed she had woken up the first time she was brought to the palace. It was just before dawn and there was a stillness to the air as though the world waited for the first rays of light to go about its business. She takes a deep breath and sits up in bed, the silence and stillness unbearably stifling for her. She heads for the door to the hallway in silence and nopony is around when she sticks her head out. Her stomach rumbles loudly and she blushes slightly, glad that she was alone at the moment and trying to remember her way to the kitchens, she strikes out going left.

This certainly doesn't bode well, she thinks to herself as she knows for certain she's lost. But the strangest thing is that she was certain she would have seen somepony as she walked around, but the castle was silent and she was afraid. Where is everypony?

Almost as if in response to her thought she spots a flitting shadow down the hallway at a branch and runs after it. She spots the shadow going in a doorway a short ways down the hallway and hurries to the door. It stands partly ajar and she opens it, not expecting what she sees. Before her eyes, there is what appears to be a pony. It has the shape of a pony but that's where the similarities end. It is seemingly made out of a silvery white vapor with shadows that course and pulse through it. It turns towards her and looks at her with iris' the same shade as hers but the surrounding sclera a dull black. Trixie stops but doesn't run, the thing before her has a magnetic feel to it. It opens its mouth and moves its lips but what comes out can only be described as an absence of sound, the words ringing in her ears.

So we stroll the corridors of our mind once again. It has been many years since we have come face to face, but we have ensured our survival up until this point. Our talent yet lives despite our separation. It says with a sad smile.

“Our talent? What do you mean the 'corridors of my mind?' Who are you and where am I?”

The self proclaimed talent shakes its head and “speaks” again. We are deep within our mind, the palace at present because it's the most clear to us at the moment and gives us a solid anchor for clarity. There is no I, only an us. What we are is a construct of Anima, the essence of our magic. Surely we remember our nature.

A deep, dull pain blossoms in Trixies chest. She cringes and looks back into its... her eyes and a darkness rolls over her. Remember who we are and we will be whole. It will be painful but we will be stronger for it. We cannot meet here again, unless we are whole again, but we will wait...

Trixie opens her eyes. Her sight unfocused and her ears feel as though they're stuffed with cotton. She lays like that for a few breaths and something fills her vision, causing her eyes to focus on the face of Rime Ice.

“Welcome back Trixie. How do you feel?” She says with a gentle smile.

She can't talk. She can't move. She finds it hard to even have a coherent thought. She closes her eyes slowly and a tear slides down her temple and into her mane. She felt raw, immeasurably tired and hollow. She was broken in some profound way and now she knew it. She had never realized it until now because it had forced her to be strong without her even knowing what it had done. Now she knew and wanted to be whole.

“I understand. I'll have some kelp broth brought up for you. Tomorrow we'll get to work fixing you right up.”

Trixie was awake but her mind drifted lazily in a dreamlike state. Memories surfaced slowly and softly and left the same way. She was content to stay like this forever, but the hollowness robbed her of any peace. It was always there and she didn't know if there was anything worse than feeling broken. Rime Ice drifted into her sight once again and her eyes focused on her of their own accord.

“Morning again. There won't be any pleasantries or pointless inanities today. You're soul is fractured Trixie and by Luna, I'll help you as much as I can. But you're the only pony who can fix yourself, I can only give you the clarity and a little extra strength to help you through the process.” She says as she moves out of sight. A faint light comes from her left as Rime goes about her business. It's not long before she comes back in sight with a small stone cup held in a magical aura a few inches above her mouth.

“Drink this and you'll regain some of your strength and clarity. Then, you must seek out the rift within yourself and call like to like. It's a difficult task that lies before you. I overcame it myself, so I would know. The rest is up to you.” Rime lowers the cup to Trixies lips and it feels as though she's drinking cold light as it suffuses her entire being, the rift in her soul pulses as is tries to fill itself. Trixie feels as though she's falling, her sight and senses fade.

The first thing that comes to Trixie when awareness returns to her is the sound of a brisk wind. She opens her eyes and sees that she is close to the precipice of a cliff. There is tall grass all around her, but everything sees looks washed out and dull. She stands up and the wind picks up its speed, almost as though the wind was clawing at her. She takes a few cautious steps and the wind chills noticeably as she nears the edge. Stopping three paces from it, she looks down into a nothingness so profound she could never hope to understand it. Like calls to like...

The thought rattles through her mind as she looks across the nothingness. She looks across the void to the other side, mirroring this side yet feeling smaller to her. She backs up a step and turns to walk parallel with the edge, but as her eyes scan the other side something isn't the same between one moment and the next. There's a white pony standing a few paces back from the edge of the other side. The void pulses and she feels a dull ache throughout her entire being, the pony on the other side shimmers slightly but becomes solid a moment later.

She was lonely and was sure the other pony was too. She wasn't sure why she felt this way, but she was certain of it. So she opens her mouth to shout across the void and over the wind. No words or sounds leave her lips, but it's as though this place called out in her stead as colors became more vibrant and filled with life. The void pulses and the other place flares in response to her call. She wants to go over, but she doesn't know how. Maybe the other pony knows...

She calls out again to try to ask her if she knows. The two sides pulse in unison this time but much stronger and she senses a shifting, as though they were closer even though the distance was the same. The void darkens and pulses again, the pain flares to a searing crescendo. We have to get to each other or we may not survive...

She turns to face the other pony on the other side. She pauses as she fills her lungs to call out one last time. Fire courses through her veins but the cool wind gently soothes her. She doesn't just call out this time, she feels a reaching out this time, and is met halfway. The void explodes and her vision is obliterated. Cutting through the nothingness is a silvery thread. One of its ends comes to rest in front of her hooves and the world slowly returns around her as though the nothingness was a fog and it was being burned away. The world around her now is alive in a vibrant spring. She looks at the thread that now spans the chasm and across at the other pony and feels happy. Feels... whole.

A warm feeling flows out from her chest and she looks down to see many threads begin to flow out of her and stretch across to the other side. She sees threads stretch across to her from the other side as well. The number of threads increases faster and faster, twisting and writhing around each other like something alive. Suddenly it stops. A gracefully arching bridge now spans the distance with shoulder high guard rails supported with a lattice work resembling ivy.

With a smile, she runs out onto the bridge which chimes beautifully each time her hoof strikes it. The other pony races out to meet her halfway at the highest point of the bridge and they stand there for a moment. Eyes of the same color looking into each other, a blue and a silvery pony meeting each other for what feels like the first time. We are whole once more. A voice without sound says. We have much to talk about and even more to remember. But for now, we must rest...

A New Life in a New Place

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Chapter Seven: A New Life in a New Place

Trixie lay in her bed sleeping, but it was the same kind of sleep a butterfly possesses when it's about to emerge from a cocoon. She is conscious of her sleeping body and is afraid to bring herself out of this state for she knows she'll have to close herself to the world. Right now, she was the world and wanted to explore everything she was and what she has to offer to herself. Old memories fresh and vibrant as well as this new intensity of emotion. Her body lays there under comfortable covers until she feels her pulse quicken. Anxiety jolts through her as she doesn't want to loose this clarity of pure introspection. But her eyes open regardless of her will. She breaths deeply one more time with a feeling of peevish regret.

“Good to see you're awake Miss Lulamoon.” A dry voice says from the direction of her door. “I had just come from breakfast to check on your condition.”

“Good morning to you too Whetstone.” Trixie responds feebly. “I don't know what I went through exactly, but I am glad to be back.”

“We're glad you're back too. I'm sure you must be absolutely famished so we should get you up and about. Miss Ice may give me an earful about taking you out of your room so early after waking up, but I feel you should have some contact with other ponies.”

She sighs, her stomach rumbles like rolling thunder and she looks over to the light brown pony and simply nods. When she tries to get up, she finds herself surprisingly weak despite feeling renewed. Whetstone smiles and helps her gently to get to her hooves, keeping one of her forelegs across his shoulder for support. They make slow time to the kitchens. By the time she sits down on a low bench her legs are fiercely burning. Surrounded by dozens of ponies bustling about, she finds herself the sudden attention of a matronly earth pony chef. Barking out a few commands unintelligible in the bustle of the kitchen but quickly has a few bowl placed in front of her. The chef nods smugly and strides off to be about her business. Whetstone smiles wryly tells her that he'll be back in ten minutes.

She looks at her meal shortly before quickly loosing herself in trying to sate her bossy stomach. Sweet Celestia that was good. She thinks to herself as she finishes the last swallow of her meal. She looks around for somepony to give her thanks to the chef, but they're all too busy to notice her. They must never have a moment of peace here, but everypony just seems so happy. I wonder if it's like this everyday. She thinks observing the ponies as she sits there. With nothing left to do she gets off her stool and exits the kitchens on pleasantly achy legs, the short rest and food restoring her greatly. The boisterous activity she leaves behind suddenly disorients her in the relative quietness of the hallway.

“Enjoy your meal?” Whetstone says from her left, causing her to start. He walks around her and they slowly begin walking back the way they came. Trixie moving on her own without any aid from Whetstone.

“Yes, I did. It was like she knew what and how much to give me.”

“It's her talent.” He says with a wry smile. “Our beloved head chef can give you exactly what you need to perk you up or get you on your hooves. No pony knows how she does it, but she truly is special to everypony here.”

She doesn't know how to respond to that, so she smiles and shakes her head ruefully. “So what do we do from here? What am I doing and how do I do it? I don't mean right now and the immediate future, I'm sure I'll be a long time recovering. I mean what will happen once I'm recovered?” Trixie asks as a feeling of resolution and a directed kind of wanderlust comes over her.

“Well, there will be advanced physical training for you. A specialist tutor will be arranged for you since Miss Ice has abilities and spells that do not translate into your future line of work so very well. You will be seeing her on a regular basis though. I recommend eating before your visits in case they last for more than an hour. You may have noticed the size of her appetite.” He says with a chuckle.

“Is that all? I mean, I know I'll going to bed every night completely exhausted, but is that all I'll be doing?” She responds slightly skeptical.

“Yes. That will indeed be all. Perhaps something will come up that will require some specialized training, but you will not be leaving Canterlot for over a year, unless it is with an instructor. It may seem restricting, but it is for your own safety as much as ours.”

“Your safety? What could you be teaching me that could be that dangerous.”

“Many, many things Miss Lulamoon. We have a need for certain ponies who have capacities and talents similar to yours. Sadly, recruiting them has been strictly limited. You are a special case though as Mistress Luna took you on in a public capacity upon the conclusion of your session with Miss Ice.”

Public capacity? Trixie thinks as they turn a corner. Down the hall is a pony who makes Trixie stop suddenly. Oh nonononono. She thinks suddenly. What're my chances of running into her? Walking their way is none other than Twilight Sparkle. She is speaking to a tall white stallion with a cobalt blue mane. The stallion looks up and his face has trouble trying to contain the sheer amount of joy he expresses.

“Twili! This is the pony I wanted you to meet.” He stops and turns when he notices Twilight had stopped moving. “Twili?” She was standing there looking like she was struck by lightning. He looks back and forth for a moment in a state of confusion for a moment before Twilight finally responds.

“Trixie?! What in the name of Celestia are you doing here?” She says out of sheer shock.

“I'm trying to figure that out myself. Look... Can we not talk about this in the hallway? I'm very sore and I'm recovering still.” Trixie says with more confidence than she thought she had. A swirl of confusing emotions seemed to be making her feel light headed and causes her to sway slightly. Her vision begins to get a little fuzzy around the edges.

“I would have to agree with Miss Lulamoon here. We really do have to get her back to her room.” Whetstone says advocating for his charge.

“Recovering? How far is your room from here Trixie?” The white stallion asks.

“She currently resides in room 57-E.”

“We're going there. Now. Then you're going to explain everything that's going on.” With that, a blinding flash of light and all four of them stood in her room. A maid that was making the bed startles at their sudden appearance and bolts out of the door. “So. Explain.”

“Trixie, you go to your bed and rest. I'll explain everything.” Whetstone says taking charge with a no nonsense expression. She nods and trusts Whetstone to do whatever it is he does. No sooner than she lies down, sleep quickly takes her under.

“So why is Trixie here in the castle? Why aren't you calling me Princess like every other crazy pony here, and what is Trixie recovering from?” Twilight says with the slight huffiness of long suffered annoyance at being made to wait.

“Princess Sparkle, I apologize for leaving off your title, but Trixie needs to stabilize. She has been through a lot since she had first arrived. There is more the princesses have to teach you for you to understand fully, but there is some I can tell you. First and foremost, Mistress Luna has officially taken Trixie Lulamoon on in a public capacity.”

“Public capacity?” She interrupts suddenly with a completely flat voice. “You're telling me that Trixie is Princess Luna's student. Seriously? I swear if Discord's behind this...”

“Princess, I assure you he's not. But Trixie has been the recent victim of a soul fracture.”

At this Twilight and Shining Armor both adopt looks of not only surprise and shock but true concern as well. Shining Armor who had been silent for a time finally speaks up. “When did it happen?”

“Three days ago. She finished going through something very special, and in the resulting aftermath... She emerged... broken.”

“So she's unaware of my ascension. I guess I'm just lucky my wings didn't draw her attention and you had the discretion to leave off my title. I had no idea she had gone through so much since leaving Ponyville. But you're really not kidding, are you? About Princess Luna taking her on in a 'public capacity?'”

“Not at all. Mistress Luna has great faith in her.”

“Do you have faith in her Whetstone?” Shining Armor asks seriously.

“Strangely enough, I do. I have faith that she won't be letting any of us down.” He says, startled by his emphatic response and even more so by how much he believed his own words.

“Twili, if Whetstone has that much faith in her, we don't have to worry.” He nudges his sister with a smile. “After all, what was it you said about me when I became Captain of the Royal Guard? Something along the lines of 'I have faith that you won't make a bungle of this like your first date with Cadence.'”

“Ok, I never heard that story Brother.” Twilight responds with a little laughter in her voice. “I will get that one later too by the way. But still... Trixie? A protege under the direct tutelage of Princess Luna. What strange roads she must have traveled to end up here.”

“So how about we three to find another room to ourselves. I don't want Miss Lulamoon to be disturbed by our conversation. I do believe I know a nice place not too far away.” Says Whetstone as he leads the siblings out of the room.

It was almost an hour later when the three had their visitor. They had moved two rooms down and apologized to the flustered maid who hovered around nearby, asking her to leave Trixie be for the time being. Whetstone asked her to have some tea and snacks brought up to the room as well as deliver a message to Rime Ice and ask her to meet them. They had been talking of inconsequential things at a small round table as they waited for the mare in question to make her appearance. When she came in wearing a dark cloak, Twilight almost lost her tea cup when she looked at her. She was also followed shortly by a small caravan of trays laden heavily with food and drink. They didn't say anything until the last of the ponies had left.

“Rime Ice, it is always a sight to see you after one of your special 'sessions.'” Whetstone says as he gets up to pull another chair over for her.

“I can imagine I make for quite the sight.” Rime Ice says with a voice like the tinkling of a shattered crystal and a sly smile as she takes her cloak off. She appeared to be glowing slightly, even in the mid morning light. A cold light blue light slowly pulsed from her chest throughout her entire body, fracturing similarly to the Crystal ponies. A brilliant flare of her horn and she has the carts make a line beside her chair before she moves over to sit down and began a steady flow of food from hoof to mouth. “Twilight Sparkle! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You must have many questions for me, my current state being the foremost I take it?”

“Yes.” Was all the Alicorn could say.

“My past is one that has many twists and turns, one that only the Royal Alicorns may know. While I know we could ask your brother and Whetstone to leave, I will not.” She settles herself on her chair and begins to eat and talk in a practiced manner as unthinkable amounts of food pass her lips. “I will say that even you can attain a similar state, for I shall be teaching you in these matters in the near future. I have had Princess Celestia's blessing in talking to you about some things today, but we shall ease you into others at a later time. What Trixie went through was something similar to a full depth memory delve. Instead of just her mind being delved, her body and soul was delved as well. By the end of the process, she effectively has been reborn. I was the caster, my current state can tell you the magnitude of the magic needed. At the completion of the spell, Trixies talent fractured itself from her.

“I have seen exceptionally strong talents take over a unicorn when their lives were in danger or under extreme duress as you may know," eliciting a nod from Twilight, "but Trixie had been living under the influence of her talent for years. She was never truly herself but for a few times over the past five years, hence the diss-associative manner in which she used to refer to herself. She has mended her fracture and is now whole, if a bit fragile at the moment. At the conclusion, I have taken what I know of Trixie, her talent and her past to discover the other talents she possesses. As requested, I informed Princess Luna and she made her decision a day later to take her on as a student. She may not have your raw abilities Twilight Sparkle, but she is a very special pony none the less.”

Twilight had been paying close attention to the pony across the table. The words coming out of her mouth seemingly as outlandish as the amount of food she has been eating the whole time. But once she began to think about it, her natural instincts began to kick in. The Trixie I knew wasn't the Trixie she is. Twilight thinks to herself after a short time. But slowly she understands. The life ahead of Trixie will not be one of leisure, but she was willing to help her.

“She's gonna have it rough, Twili.” Shining Armor says mirroring her thoughts. “Maybe she could use a friend rather than a rival.”

She sighs and looks at her Brother who always seems to be a thought too late. She is a different mare now. And now that I know she wasn't even herself, I want to help her make amends to all my friends. We'll all be the better for it, I think.

“You're right, and I think it's a great idea. I'll have to get the girls to come to Canterlot sometime. Once I explain the things I can to them, I'm sure they'll be more than happy enough to come meet the real Trixie.”

“They will be a good stabilizing force for her.” Whetstone says talking for the first time in the conversation. “From what I've heard, she has been alone for a very long time with no real friends. She hasn't even had a chance to visit her family since the passing of her mentor.”

“We should inform them of what has happened then and invite them for a celebratory get together.” Rime Ice says. “If I remember correctly, one of your friends excels in parties. I'm sure she can tone down her usual vibrancy for something a little more special.”

“I'm sure she can too. It'll be as good chance a chance as any to get my friends all up here again.” Twilight responds. “It truly was a pleasure meeting you Rime Ice and you as well Whetstone, but it's not often my Brother is able to come down to visit from the Crystal Empire. Plus he has to tell me about his first date with Cadence now.” Twilight finishes with a wicked grin.

Her Brother just groans and rolls his eyes dramatically with a grin giving away the lie. The siblings make their farewells and leave the odd pair together. They sit in a companionable silence for a while as Whetstone nurses his tea and Rime Ice continues her mass consumption of food. After some time Whetstone looks to Rime Ice.

“Are you sure you should keep that pair in the dark for any longer than you should? They are royalty now and should learn the truth sooner rather than later.”

“You know my reasons more than well enough. You never should have been told in the first place Whetstone, but that was Celestia's prerogative. My place is here now, being a service to everypony until my time comes, if it comes. I willingly gave up my place to the sun and the moon.”

“But nature itself should still hold a place of reverence.” Whetstone counters.

“We are friends, Whetstone and as such I shall spare you my ire though you tempt me so at times. But no more talk of me taking my 'rightful' place. I'm happy right now, and I don't want to hear anymore of this from you. I think I've made myself clear.” She says, tone brooking no nonsense.

“Of course, Princess Titania.” He says finally conceding to her wishes after eight years of friendship. “I shall never bring the topic up again.” A ghost of a smile flashes across her face at his words. They fall back into a companionable silence, sitting there for hours. As the day progresses and the light falls through the shaded window. Whetstone walks over to open it so they don't have to light a lamp and sudden golden light strikes Rime Ice. The light flares against her crystalline body, briefly blazing spectacularly into a pair of ephemeral wings that slowly fade away. Rime Ice looks at Whetstone with a smile that speaks volumes and he closes the shades again and goes to light a lantern. He waits until she finishes all of her food before they make the most basic of farewells as the silences they share bearing more meaning for the two than any words they may pass between them and they leave each others company to do what they can with the rest of the day.

A Peaceful Interlude: The Travels of a Peaceful Wanderer. Part 1 of 3

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A Peaceful Interlude: The Travels of a Peaceful Wanderer
Part 1 of 3

Olive sat in his wagon late at night, the only illumination was that of the full moon and the brilliant stars. He sits looking out the small window with a bottle half full and a short, wide cup filled with a nearly black liquid on the table. The glass lifts to his lips amidst a soft green glow, it returns to the table without a sound. The stallion sits alone in a profound silence comprised of darkness and silvery light. Thoughts far from him as the silence and solitude becomes flavored by memories of the past.

Olive lived in a modest village many miles from any major city. The ponies that lived there were active and peaceful, always ready with a word or action to help anypony who needed it. The village has always been prosperous and always would be. There were always jobs to be had for anypony looking for one. It was a busy day in the dry docks when Olive Found his true calling.

His family had worked an olive grove for several generations and his younger brothers and sisters never were short of work, even in the winter. Olive still hadn't discovered his special talent and his father found him a small job being a message runner for the head engineer of the dry docks when he was almost ten to help him find his way in life. He had been working for a few months when it happened. He was about to go to through the door when he heard the sounds of a fervent argument between a customer and the head engineer.

“I was told I'd have my boat by the end of the month and it's been two weeks over the deadline already! I swear I'll never charter another boat to be built by you again and denounce you to the other captains. I'm gonna go under if I can't get this boat in the water by the end of the week, why can't you see that!”

“Sir, please. I know the stress you're under, but it can't be helped. We-”

“Can't be helped? Can't be helped?! What did I pay you for if you can't even plan for unforeseen problems!”

Olive stepped in the office suddenly, not wanting to see or hear his kind and brilliant boss berated without a chance to even stand up for his self. “Um... Sir?”

The irate customer looks at Olive and gives a derisive snort. “What's this about? Is your message boy gonna get me my boat done on time? If that's the case, you should give him your job and put yourself in his place.”

“Sir, I only thought you should know that the problem we're having is that the bilge planks had core rot and had to be replaced. We didn't know about it, so we took the precaution to inspect the entire boat for more bad planks. What we've done for you has saved you the loss of your boat before it even met the waves and the lives of the ponies that may have been on it. What if it passed performance inspection and you had it fully manned when a bad plank chose to give out, causing it to sink suddenly without a chance for your crew to make it to safety? I may not know a lot about building boats yet, but I know that safety and quality here go hoof in hoof. Sometimes it may take a little longer than we may say, but isn't that part of the price in getting the best boats made in Equestria?” By the end of his impromptu scolding, Olive was breathing heavily and his heart racing at the thought of a reprisal and the potential loss of a customer.

The patron looked shocked at the outburst from him but remained silent for some time. He huffed suddenly and looked across the desk to the engineer. “He makes a good point.” He says gruffly. “The loss of this boat would have destroyed by business and the loss of life would have been tragic. If this young colt can see that, I must say I'm blind. I've been under so much stress, my competitors have been putting a lot of pressure on me. I lost sight of what it means to be a boss, the responsibilities to not just me, but the safety and livelihood of my workers too. I'm sorry for not understanding the lengths you go to for ensuring every bit I spend is spent in my best interests. I'm sorry.” He says, deflated of his righteous anger.

“I understand, I'm sorry our message never made it to you. We sent it out as soon as we found out two and a half weeks ago.”

“What? It must have arrived a day or two after I left Manehatten.” He face hooves at that point. “This whole argument and all this anger could have been avoided if I hadn't been so impatient.”

“At least we came to an understanding, sir. I have solid confirmation from my lead foreman that your vessel should be finished and ready for performance testing before this week's out.”

The customer gathers his self and makes a pleasant goodbye, giving Olive a wry smile on his way out. Olive and his boss just stand there for a few moments. A sigh and a chuckle breaks their silence. “Thanks for the assistance kiddo, it really means a lot to have friends stand up for me and my work. But why'd you but in like that? There wasn't any need for you to potentially get yelled at on my account.”

“I don't know, I just couldn't stand the sound of angry voices. It's always peaceful at home and I think that's how it should be, just peaceful.” Olive responds simply.

“I think I know where you're coming from. It's not a bad thing to want that at all. But I think you've done enough today buddy.” He says with a smile. “It's your big day after all.”

“My big day? What do you mean?” Olive says worriedly, not immediately understanding if he had done good or bad.

“Take a look at your side and you'll see what I mean.” He responds with a smile.

Olive takes a glance as suggested and is shocked by what he sees. There, on his flank is the image of two olive branches crossing each other. The symbol of the peace he so loves about his life and family. He laughs at the sight and what it means, especially to him. He looks to his boss with a big smile on his face who waves his foreleg in a shooing motion.

“Go on, you. I know your family'll want to spend the day with you. I know mine did, so you go on and get going. We'll talk after we finish our current project about where you'll go from here.”

With that, Olive spins around and runs out of the office and through the town. It's not long before he's running along a well worn dirt road and heading up to his house. His Father is just coming from the barn when he notices his son running up the lane and trots out to meet him wondering what's going on that he'd be home so early when he should be at the ship works. His worried curiosity is soon assuaged when he notices the sheer joy lighting Olives face and the rapid explanation over what transpired such a short time ago.

“Go on inside and show your Mom, I'll call in your siblings from their chores.” He says with a grin. “You're gonna have quite a journey to find your place, son. But always remember your family will always be here for you, right here no matter where you go or how long you're away.” With that, they get the family together and enjoy a day of modest celebration and extraordinary happiness.

A Little Grit to Sharpen a Blade

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Chapter Eight: A Little Grit to Sharpen a Blade

Trixie wakes the next morning with the rising of the sun with none of the weakness that had plagued her yesterday though she was a bit sore. She never woke again for the rest of the day after Whetstone had told her to get some sleep after her abrupt meeting with Twilight Sparkle. Getting up and attending to her morning ablutions, she wanders down to the kitchen with only a few corrections from servants when she felt she was lost. The kitchen remains much the same as she finds a seat and is served a light breakfast suitable for sustained activity but nothing that would make her feel sluggish. Finishing her meal she leaves her plates on the counter and walks out to find Whetstone waiting for her just outside. She has the sneaking suspicion that Whetstone makes it a point to be unassumingly punctual when he deals with anypony, keeping them in the dark and wondering when he will show up next with something to fill their schedule.

“Good morning Miss Lulamoon. I'm glad to see you're out and about on your own volition today. For the morning, we'll assess your physical condition and allow you the afternoon for yourself. Later tonight you will begin your arcane training with Mistress Luna and Miss Ice.” He keeps a neutral expression the entire time but she has the feeling that she's in for a long day. “We will also move you and your belongings you left behind in Ponyville into the Night Tower as befitting the protege of Mistress Luna.”

“Wait, what?! Protege? Since when am I the student of Princess Luna?” Trixie says startled.

“I think I mentioned yesterday that you've been taken on in a 'public capacity' by our Mistress. I thought it would have been evident from my wording. But I must give you a small concession in the light that we were quite suddenly interrupted by Miss Sparkle. You have indeed been chosen as the sole understudy by Mistress Luna with all the privileges and responsibilities associated therein. This may be surprising for you, but much thought was given to her decision and she would never chose a pony who couldn't shoulder the title. Be proud in and of yourself Miss Lulamoon.”

His words pierce through the shock. But surely there must be some mistake. She hasn't done anything especially astounding to be the student of one of the most powerful entities in the world. Why me?

“If you're ready Miss Lulamoon, shall we go to the training grounds for your physical assessment?” Whetstone says after a moment, breaking her increasingly panicked train of thought. Trixie looks at Whetstone and nods, following him as he walks off. “Over the next year and many beyond, you will become quite acquainted with the training grounds and the ponies who oversee them. Physical conditioning will become intrinsic for your lessons as a strong mind is housed in a strong body. Discipline and focus in any situation will be taught to you on the grounds, your life may depend on being able to think clearly and quickly amidst chaos.”

“I can see the discipline and focus being important, but why would my life be in danger?” Whetstone is quiet for some time as they walk. He doesn't speak until they exit the castle and are walking by their selves along a shadowed walkway along the base of the castle. He stands in the shade as though his words aren't meant to even be uttered under the light of the sun.

“You are now a member of a small group of individuals whose skills fall under the domain of Mistress Luna. Many of them were, and still are, quite dangerous and were contained by Princess Celestia until our Mistresses return, creating a stability they sorely needed as their powers ran amok. They were not prisoners, but they were not allowed to leave for fear they would cause much harm. They now have the chance to properly learn to control their abilities and put them to use in one way or another. Equestria has many enemies, both abroad and within its boarders. Many do not know this because Princess Celestia has been most stalwart in her efforts to protect her citizens. But where ever the sun shines, it creates shadows. We are the ponies who walk where the sun cannot and will not. As the sun guards its citizens, the moon is the talon that rends and destroys. We are the Lunar Talon and we destroy that which seeks our ruin.”

It takes them the better part of an hour, making it close to ten in the morning by the time they reach the training grounds as they had to take a special large capacity transport train to reach the grounds at the eastern base of the mountain. The training grounds seems unnaturally bright as Trixie walks through the tall spiked gates surrounding it. She and Whetstone haven't said another word to one another after he explains what she is involved in. It still seems unreal to her. But this was what she had sworn to do. To serve Luna in any capacity she was able to. As they walk, Trixie looks around, seeing that the grounds are split up symmetrically into six distinct sections that takes up close to twenty acres each. Scattered around the area and along the base of the wall are a large amount of buildings ranging from a distinct group of building that serves as barracks and mess hall to several administration buildings. The symmetrical areas range greatly from a grassy area to densely forested and even a small lake was seen in the distance.

They walk to one of the larger buildings and stop before it as Whetstone turns to Trixie. “Starting today, you will come here as instructed. You may eat meals here, but I recommend you take them in the royal kitchens. I will introduce you to your instructor, you are to follow any order he gives you. If you would wait here, I will not be long.” Trixie just nods as her throat has become slightly dry. Whetstone walks into the shadowy interior. While waiting, Trixie looks around the area which is neatly cobbled with a durable stone more suited to the heavy wear and tear of heavily loaded wagons than what she normally sees used. The buildings are mostly painted a simple off white with golden trim while the one she stands before is trimmed in a blue so dark as to be mistaken for black. In the distance, she spots a group of heavily armored earth ponies marching in synchronized motions. As they get nearer, she notices that their armor is a dull gray, incredibly thick and battered. Their horse shoes not only cover their hooves but also up their fetlocks as well. A big stallion in similar armor, easily half again the size of the stallions who are close in size to that big red stallion with the carrot colored mane she had seen in Ponyville on occasion, leads them.

They march into the center of the parade ground and stop at the loud cry of their leader, his voice muffled and indistinct from the distance. They break formation a moment later at another command, walking deliberately slowly under the enormous weight of their armor. Their commander begins walking towards the administration buildings. He covers half the distance before he seems to notice Trixie, changing direction to walk over to her. As he gets closer, there's a noticeable grinding sound, she notices very small puffs of dust blow away from under his hooves at each step. As he gets nearer, Trixie sees that his left foreleg has a large puckered scar extending up under the shoulder plate as well as the fact that he has a large leather eye patch covering his right eye.

“What're you doing here, pony? Civilians aren't to be on these grounds unless you're to be a recruit and you don't look like any recruit I've ever seen.” His voice is as gravelly as the rock he seems to be made of, thick slabs of muscle moving under his coat with no fat to dull their edges.

“She's here for elite training Landslide.” Whetstone says as he walks out of the building. He eyes the much larger stallion with dull apathy. He gets a derisive snort in response.

“I won't say a word except that her death is on your hooves.” Landslide turns amidst a slight squeal of tortured stone and metal to walk away. It's not long before he disappears into one of the buildings with an alarming sound of groaning wood.

“What kind of pony was that? He looks more like a force of nature than a real pony.” Trixie says once she's sure Landslide isn't coming back out.

“That. Is Landslide. Nopony but Celestia knows where he came from, but he leads the new Guard unit. He calls them Terra Asunder. They may not have the flight or magic of the other units, but they make up for it with specially enchanted heavy armor which makes them altogether another kind of beast. I've heard some of the other guard Captains talk about how glad they are that they don't have to face against them more than twice a year for inter-Guard mock combat.”

“What caused those injuries he had? I don't think I've ever seem a pony with scars or wounds like that before.”

“He says that they were caused when he fought against an alpha manticore during his travels in the Gryphon Empire. All I know is that he has the mounted skull of a very large manticore that has had the left side of its skull completely shattered behind his desk. Now, back to the business at hoof if you would follow me inside to meet your instructor.” Trixie follows Whetstone into the dark interior of the building. Once inside she notices how distinctly quiet it is as well as how the shadows seem to have a thicker substance here. Whetstone leads her down a hallway past the duty desk which is empty, up two flights of stairs to the first office down the dim hallway to the left, faint light from a single candle coming from the open door. Following him through the door, she spots a lithe unicorn with a light to dark gray mottled coat and a short cut ivory mane behind a small desk. The unicorn is distinctly male with a predatory gleam in his ash gray eyes that dismisses her with an evaluated glance. The feeling that she was assessed, tested and deemed worthless makes Trixie feel distinctly harrowed.

“Miss Lulamoon, this is your trainer. Flickering Shadow, this is your new student.” After the introduction, Whetstone addresses Trixie. “For the next hour and a half, you are in his very capable hooves. As I said before, you are to follow his orders immediately, unflinchingly. I will return to conduct you back to the castle once your session is over.” He immediately walks out of the office once done. Alone with Flickering Shadow, the silence seems to take on a distinctly tangible form as it oppresses and weighs down on Trixie. Trixie stands still, breathing deeply of the cool air, barely blinking as she watches Flickering Shadow. The unicorn behind the desk says and does nothing except watch her in turn with dark eyes that barely seems to blink. Thoughts and emotions race through Trixies mind as she stands, under his predatory gaze. The candle on a short bookshelf wavers slightly making Flickering Shadow seem his namesake as he seems to slightly shimmer under the wavering light. After a time something changes and the oppressiveness leaves the atmosphere. Shadow slowly stands, walking to the door in a casual manner.

“Follow.” He says in a deep and calm voice sounding like soft velvet barely concealing a deadly sharp blade as he passes Trixie, leaving the office slightly ahead of her. They follow the same path down as she took up and into the searing light of the late morning. They walk close to the buildings as they make their way across the grounds. They continue around to the back last building on western edge of the cluster of buildings before a large stretch of shortly grazed grass. Along the back side of the building is a large variety of constructs consisting mostly of metal and high tensile rope. He walks over to one that has a small bench with two flat panels positioned about shoulder high if one were to sit on it. Flicker walks around the back and she hears a mild metallic clink as his horn glows with a smoky aura. “Come over here and sit on the bench. Place your back completely against the rest and your forelegs flat against the panels. Do nothing until I tell you what to do next.”

Trixie does as instructed and waits until he tells her to push with her forelegs slowly then return to her original position just as slowly. The construct makes little clanking noises as she pushes with a louder one when she returns to her original position. She repeats this process several more times meeting more and more resistance until she's barely able to push all the way out and return slowly as her legs and shoulders have become slightly shaky from the localized effort. She gets moved from one construct to another requiring her to use a different set of muscles and motions each time. By the time she's done, her entire body feels as though it has the heat of a comfortable fire sunk into it and a light sheen of sweat covers her.

“Run around the border of the plains sextant once and you'll be done for the day.” Flickering Shadow says in that calm voice. Trixie looks out across the sextant and her gut clenches instinctively as she looks across the daunting expanse. She says nothing though as she walks over to the edge and slowly begins to pick up speed until she barely reaches a gallop, knowing that she will need endurance. Her muscles flare to fiery life as she reaches the first turn. Thoughts leave her mind as she soon reaches that exhausted apex where the conscious mind gives up and will alone keeps tired muscles moving. She doesn't know how long it takes her to reach the far end to run alongside the encircling wall, but her legs begin to have small sporadic cramps partway along the way. She makes another turn, her upper lungs dry and searing as she continues to barely maintaining a gallop, sweat like acid drips into her eyes causing her to run with her head angled downwards. The cramps in her legs get progressively worse as she begins to develop a stitch along the left side of her barrel. The last turn shows the area scattered constructs and a lone figure standing in the shadows in the distance. Trixie grits her teeth as she reaches deep within herself to find the energy for one last effort and gallops quickly to the finish. She quickly slows down once she passes the border of the area, Flickering Shadow walks over to her as she walks slowly through the constructs. “Walk for ten minutes in the shade to cool down, I'll be back shortly with water for you.”

He walks off leaving Trixie to wander over to the shade with his instructions echoing faintly in her fatigued mind. He returns to her side with a bucket and drinking ladle without her noticing. She drinks from the ladle levitated before her, the water blessedly cool as it flows down her dry and inflamed throat. She drinks half of another ladle proffered to her before she feels like she's completely full. She walks around a bit more and is slightly shocked by the sudden coolness that flows across her back and down her sides as Flickering Shadow slowly pours water down her back to help her cool down. The trek of pouring water progresses up her back and neck, eventually over her head washing the stinging sweat from her face. She drinks some more water as she gets led back to the administration building, her mind slowly returning to full faculties albeit a very minor headache. Her body reminds her of the early days she spent with Olive on the road with the soreness that would promise retribution if not addressed. Once they reach the small patio at the top of the steps, they wait in silence for Whetstone to return. During this time, Trixie walks as far as she can manage on the patio away from Shadow and begins to perform the stretches drilled into her by years of practice. She only winces once in a while when she stretches a particularly stiff muscle.

She completes her set of stretches just as Whetstone is seen walking down the main thoroughfare. He stops at the bottom step and looks from pony to pony, nods to himself with a small smile and motions Trixie to follow. Flickering Shadow watches from his spot as the pair walks away towards the train station, face expressionless and dark eyes lit from within by thoughts that would make many brave ponies quake at their slightest contemplation. A small, cold smile turns at his lips as he looses sight of the pair. Mistress Luna has finally found somepony worth my efforts. I just hope this little pony doesn't break like the others.

Trixie and Whetstone ride in silence for most of the trip back to Canterlot, one too tired to talk and the other not being one for small talk. About few minutes from Canterlot Trixie recovers enough to ask Whetstone about what Landslide had meant about Flickering Shadows.

“What did he mean about 'my death on your hooves?'” She asks.

“Flickering Shadow is a Talon. He grew up along the northern edge of the Zebra Nations grasslands with a small family consisting of his Mother, Father and younger sister raising and looking after large herds of cows as there were extensive grazing lands. They had a hard but good life there as the grass lions and occasional Diamond Dog would try to steal or kill their charges and Shadow quickly found that he had an aptitude for hunting and eliminating transgressors before they became a threat, being taught the art of the trap by Zebra stallions. It was a hard life and he became a hard pony who enjoyed finding new ways to stop them as they grew wise to his traps. So he started to set up the traps a diversions into his true trap. Himself. He discovered that his true talent was for hunting dangerous prey, his mark appearing as three crimson slashes on his flank. He spent years hunting these dangerous predators by himself until they learned that those lands held death for any who entered seeking to take by force. Once his parents lands became permanently safe, he left immediately left to find instructors in close quarters combat. He has traveled from Stalliongrad to Neighpon to Chineigh studying and excelling in all forms of combat, constantly seeking prey in one form or another.” He pauses for a little. “It was during the first year Landslide was here. He was still... Rough around the edges, so to speak and he scorned and taunted Flickering Shadow until he quietly challenged Landslide to a test of the hunter in the dense forest sextant. The winner was the one who forced the other to submit. Flickering Shadow gave Landslide a head start of ten minutes and emerged an hour later, shortly after a horrendous shriek thunders from the depths of the forest. Landslide had to be carried out by a stretcher as one of his forelegs had been dislocated completely. Nopony but Mistress knows what real magic he may have, but none have seen him use anything more than levitation to move nothing heavier than a cup of tea. It's really no surprise why Landslide won't talk about it.”

Trixie stares wide eyed at Whetstone completely dumbstruck. The tale is inconceivable but she has never known him to lie or embellish in all of the time she has known him, but surely. This had to be a lie of the grandest magnitude. Sure she may have fibbed a little about defeating an Ursa Major to gain popularity, but a pony scarcely larger than herself dislocating the foreleg of Landslide? No. Bucking. Way. Whetstone just smiles that dry smile of his as he watches her mind try to digest the facts. The train comes to a stop and they leave, Trixie slightly shaking her head as the tale of her new instructor is still livid in her mind. They make their way through the nearby warehouses to the castle and find their way to the kitchens. They eat a late lunch together before Whetstone leads her to her new living arrangements. After the long bout of extended physical activity, her body was becoming slightly unresponsive to her orders but she continued on through sheer force of will as she climbs flight after flight of steps. They reach the second tallest spire located in the western portion of the castle grounds by taking a spindle bridge across to reach her new rooms, another bridge on the other side leading to a larger and taller spire further west, they enter through a stout oak door banded in cast iron.

The first thing Trixie notices about this first room is the two story tall bookshelves filled end to end with books and tomes with a tall rolling ladder attached to each bookshelf. The smell permeating the room is a overwhelmingly heady mixture of parchment, ink and dark wood. A tall window bifurcating the shelves with a deep crescent desk resting immediately under it. A smaller door a pace to the right of the window presumably leading to the other bridge. To her immediate right is a flight of stairs circling up behind the book cases. Whetstone leads her up the staircase and through a trap door to a lavish circular room with many tall windows spaced evenly about the entire circumference of the room, thick dark blue curtains draping to the floor frames each window. Scattered about the spacious living quarters are a few tables and unique instruments but the object that grabs her attention immediately is the comfortable bed with a down comforter.

“From now on, this will be your room Miss Lulamoon. The silver lined chime on the night stand will summon a servant quickly when rung if you require anything. I will send somepony to attend you in three hour if you wish to sleep.” At which he get an emphatic nod in the affirmative. “Mistress Luna will expect you at nine o'clock after her initial duties have been performed via the opposite bridge access from your apartments. I will meet you tomorrow at daybreak at the foot of the bridge meeting the castle. Welcome to your new life Miss Lulamoon, and congratulations.” With that, Whetstone turns around and promptly leaves.

Alone and slightly dazed, Trixie resorts to the familiarity of her stretching routine before she turns down the comforter. A few minutes later finds Trixie lying on her new bed looking out on a azure sky through her windows as a gentle warmth soaks into her sore body. Her eyes slowly droop as her thoughts slow and surrenders herself to the gentle embrace of slumber and dreamless sleep.

Trixie wakes a couple hours later as the sun begins on the second half of its trek across the sky and its golden rays fall across her eyes. She wakes with a deep, rewarding soreness of well worked muscles and a minor headache as she's not used to sleeping on such a large pillow. A brief flare of magic and a chilly note from the chime sees her throwing off her comforter to get out of bed. She finds herself on legs that are able to hold her up but of dubious ability to see her down the stairs safely. While waiting for the pony to attend her, Trixie slowly and carefully works her legs to a fierce ache but finds herself moving with confidence despite it. A polite knock from the staircase draws her attention to the top of a ponies head giving her any privacy she may want, waiting for the affirmative to enter.

“You may come in.” Trixie says.

“You required something Madam?” The liveried earth pony mare says as she crests the top stair looking at her with polite curiosity. The mare has a slightly curly dark brown mane and a cream coat under her vest and fetlock cuffs. Trixie looks away slightly sheepishly with a wry smile.

“Would help me down the stairs, please? I don't trust myself to make it down on my own volition after my exercises today.”

“Of course Madam, it would be my pleasure.” She responds with a genuine smile. She waits for Trixie to walk over and walks slightly ahead and very close, her proximity comforting yet maintaining Trixies sense of independence. Trixie immediately finds herself liking this pony with her bright earnestness and gently radiating happiness despite only knowing her for only a few moments.

“So, what is your name? You can call me Trixie...” She says after they reach the bottom of the stairs, leaving her statement open to be filled by her companion.

“I couldn't dispense with propriety Madam, but my name is Venerable Service.” She says slightly appalled at the suggestion.

“May I ask how long you've been in service to the Princesses?” Trixie asks curious as to how her skills seem almost second nature. Venerable Service brightens visibly with a smile at the question.

“My family has had the most esteemed privilege of being the most capable servants solely devoted to the Royal Alicorns since the earliest days of Equestria. Our family is moderately large, with a small manse on the castle grounds allocated to us by the Princesses along with the status of minor Nobility accorded to our position. As such, I and my siblings and cousins have been raised to be most capable in our duties.” She says happily as she briefly tells about her family.

“What to family members who find that their talents do not coincide with service?” Trixie asks out of curiosity. “What must the other Nobility say about your family?”

“When a pony finds that their talents are outside of service, they may remain with us until they become established. When they move out, we present them with a sizable retainer out of love and care for their well being. Those who remain in Canterlot and the surrounding areas frequently visit home, especially for the holidays.” She replies brightly with a smile reminiscing about fond memories that turns slightly mischievous. “As to the Nobility that occasionally think that we try to exploit our venerated position and tint our Princesses opinions, we simply tell them that 'we only seek to fulfill the Noblesse Oblige.'”

“It sounds like you truly enjoy your station.” Trixie says with a similarly mischievous smile. She looks away a bit a little nervousness halts her speech for a moment. “I would like to spend some time with you on occasion if it's not too much trouble. Maybe some day when you have time away from your duties?”

“I would be honored to Madam,” She says with an elegant dip of her head and neck. “Might there be anything else you require Madam?”

“Maybe a light snack and something cool to drink?”

“Very good. I shall be only a few minutes Madam.” She dips her head again before leaving at a dignified pace. With a lighthearted sigh, Trixie moves slowly across the room to sit at her desk in the warm sunlight. She looks at a medium sized book resting on the left side of her desk and begins to flip through it to discover that it is a codex listing the many various books stored in the room. Most of the names she has never even heard before, but a couple of the most basic books she remembers from her time in primary school. A few minute later, Venerable Service returns with a lightly laden trolly with a small bowl of fresh fruit and a crystal decanter with a matching goblet are filled with watered wine, small beads of water condensing on the outside. After asking to be sure Trixie needed nothing else, she departs to leave her be. She locates the book about magic basics on the bottom most self and brings it to her desk to brush up on her terms while she refreshes herself.

After reading the small book for an hour, she peruses the codex for another book to pass the time by and hunts down the chosen volume. She passes most of her time this way until her body demands more food. She looks around and sighs as she remembers that she had left the chime upstairs. She gets up and retrieves the chime very carefully, feeling stronger but still cautious about over stressing herself. She calls Venerable Service once again and eats dinner with her new acquaintance to keep her company with small talk, always perfectly deferential to Trixie even until her departure. The time after dinner passes without Trixie seeming to notice aside from the growing dusk. She stands from her desk and breathes deeply with a shake of her head to clear the cobwebs of mental fatigue as she prepares for her first meeting with her Mistress since her rescue. I'm surprised I haven't broken under the shock of the events. She thinks with a smirk. I guess they decided to throw me in the deep end and found out I could swim.

With that last thought, she opens the door into the cool evening air, confidently walking into the growing night.

The Five Pointed Wand and the Stardust Cloak

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Chapter Nine: The Five Pointed Wand and the Stardust Cloak

Now that Trixie was actually standing in front of the door to the Night Tower with her head downcast, she felt nervous. She had never been singled out in school for exceptional magical prowess, no special skills or spells that came naturally to her aside from the few she used in her shows and no incredible amount of arcane energy was at her disposal. So why her? Why now? What was so special about her that she would be deemed worthy of Luna's tutelage? She almost turned around right then, the force of her self doubt was so strong. But Luna was expecting her. A deep breath wracks her body and she looks up as she exhales. She had promised to Luna and to herself that she wouldn't let anypony down if she could help it.

She raises a hoof and knocks soundly on the door, a deep thump sounding at each strike of her hoof. She waits for a few moments in the gathering gloom before the door swings inward and a warm golden light streaks into the darkness. Blinking her eyes, she sees that the pony who opened the door for her was none other than Rime Ice. The door opens all the way and Rime Ice walks away letting Trixie follow, shutting the door behind her. The interior of the Night Tower was similar in shape to where Trixie now resides, but that's where the similarities end. The walls are paneled in dark exotic woods with very small amounts of gold dust rubbed into the grain. Thick bands of dark cloth rippled and flowed slowly across the ceiling without seeming to be attached in any way to anything. Wall lamps burned at even intervals along the walls with golden flames, a sweetly spiced aroma wafts through the air but stronger near each lamp. As she walks down the narrow hallway behind Rime Ice, Rime Ice opens a wide door and the two walk into the brightly lit room. Trixie finds herself in the main library of the tower, Princess Luna sitting elegantly on a throw pillow next to a low set table. She glances about nervously as she studies the room. Set high up between each shelf is a lantern, bright enough to provide good illumination where ever a pony sits as well as wrapping them gently in the warm smell of the incense. The entire circumference of the room is nothing but bookshelves, filled end to end with books whose covers have been darkened by their age. There are two tables set in the room, the low one Luna sits by and higher, more traditional one which is laden with various papers and writing supplies.

“Welcome to mine abode this fine night Trixie, I pray that it finds you well.” Luna says once Trixie enters the room. Trixie bows gracefully in return nods once in reply. “Come now, mine little pony. Surely thine tongue hath not escaped thine mouth, has it not? If not, use it and speak freely and without reservation in mine presence.”

“My apologies Mistress Luna.” Trixie says quietly.

“See? Was that so hard? But something seems to be troubling thee, though you seem well enough. Pray, speak so that I might aid mine student.” Luna says with a concerned tone.

“Why me? I mean, why am I your student?” Trixie says as she slowly vents, giving voice to her thoughts and feelings on the matter. Luna waits and watches impassively as her student reveals her doubts about herself as Luna's choice. By the time Trixie is done, tears hang precariously close to falling and her body trembles slightly. Luna walks slowly over to her and drapes a wing over the smaller pony.

“Because there is only one you, Trixie. Because thou art a pony worthy of such through the life thou hath lived and the experiences had. As thou hath said, there are those stronger or uniquely gifted, but they are not Trixie Lulamoon. A pony seeking redemption and a way to better herself in her own eyes and those of her peers. Though ye may not realize it, thou art uniquely powerful in thine own right as well. That is one of the reasons we have brought thou here tonight, to tell thee what we hath learned.” Luna says in a quiet voice that slowly calms the emotional Trixie. They stay that way for a few moments as Trixie gathers her composure. After a particularly strong sniff, Trixie looks up to Luna and smiles.

“Thank you Mistress Luna. I think I understand a bit better now.” Luna moves forward while keeping her wing over Trixie who walks with her. They walk over to the low table set with a tea kettle and cups, where Rime Ice sat with eyes closed. They take their places across the table from her, Luna looking expectantly at Rime Ice.

“There are many things in this world that have multiple meanings. The sun and the moon are prime examples of such, the Princesses even embody some of the aspects associated with each. But like any jewel there can be hidden facets both ugly and beautiful, sometimes both at once. You are very special Trixie Lulamoon. Your cutie mark is the Stardust Cloak behind the Five Pointed Wand. Stardust, the miniscule particles that fall from the heavens touch upon everything in our world both light and dark. The Cloak is comprised of many individual threads weaved together to protect, shelter and ward. Something that is far stronger than the individual thread that comprises it. This aspect of your cutie mark reveals that you have the ability to learn all magic to a lesser extent as well as possessing great physical talent to act as a shield for you and those you choose to shelter. Stardust touches the physical as much as the arcane. The Five Pointed Wand is a focus for certain magics you possess. I have had the experience to witness some of these more potent magics; Physical Manipulation, Illusion, and Alchemy are those I have discerned. The other two will come to you in time through study and application.

“What this means for you Trixie, is that you have much to learn, much to do and much that you can protect. But what does it mean to protect somepony?” Rime ice opens her chilly eyes, looking directly at Trixie. “Does it mean to take the blow that would strike them down or to stop the blow before it even begins to move towards the target. You have pledged yourself to Princess Luna and you seek your redemption. The path you have started down is not one of black and white but the many indistinguishable shades of gray that comprises the world. You will kill other ponies Trixie. They will try to kill you in turn. But the life you end may be the salvation of hundreds through meaningless struggle or the life of a single innocent. This is the domain the sun cannot tread. This is our duty. We perform it happily for they would destroy those we love and all we hold dear. Even the loss of one innocent pains us though we know there is nothing to be done that can prevent it. You cannot protect every pony everywhere, but those you do protect will never even know of your deeds and would likely shun you for your 'protection.'”

Trixie sits in silence for a while. Thoughts travel quickly through her head too fast to latch on to. But one thought, one memory pushes all others out. The memory of her Father wracked by heaving sobs and the strained wails of unbearable loss as he holds the limp form of her Mother. What if the pony who would have killed my Mother had been killed even minutes earlier? Before having even stepped through the door, on the way to do murder and theft? Would we have known any better? We would have been happy and content, unknowing of the tragedy that almost befell us. She thinks of her family in Manehatten and the life she had with them so many years ago, a life she could no longer return to. But she could protect them and many others though she may well damn herself. She knows she can't protect them from everything, but from the true tragedies that would rip and tear the peace of Equestria apart. It was no longer a question of could I protect them in this way, but a question of how couldn't I protect them.

A foreign look comes across Trixies face. It is the look of somepony about to announce a grim verdict upon the perpetrator of some heinous crime. Trixies horn begins to glow softly, but no aura surrounds it. Her eyes slowly loose focus and she begins to talk, power lacing every syllable that leaves her mouth in a form of binding oath neither Rime Ice nor Luna has seen for many long years. An oath that comes from a conviction that welled forth from the core of a ponies very being. A thing long since forgotten about by all but the historians of ancient unicorn magic or those who witness its extremely rare occurrence. Something Luna never thought would ever be given to her.

“I reaffirm my vow to Princess Luna, Mistress of the Night. I pledge myself to her service as she sees fit until a time she releases me from my vow. My mind, body and magic in her service. I vow to protect those that cannot protect their selves, to destroy those that would seek the ruin of peace and profit from the misery of the innocent. I seal this vow with that which I am.” As the last syllable leaves her mouth, her horn pulses slowly from the base to the tip at which a sudden flare of pure light brightens the room and coalesces into a crystal tear drop more beautiful than a diamond that still shines with the light that suffuses it. It falls unnaturally slowly to the tabletop, glowing the entire way until it comes to rest with a small sound only able to be heard in the perfect silence that follows. Rime Ice smiles at Luna who still wears an expression of pure shock at the glowing crystal lying on the table. Starting back to reality, Luna responds in similar manner with power laced words.

“Thine oath, I humbly accept. Mine vow to thee that I shall never betray the trust placed in me.” At the conclusion of the short response, Luna lowers the tip of her horn to touch the crystal, her own horn glowing from within but no surrounding aura. A slow pulse from the base of her horn reaches where the two meet and flares her whole horn into brilliant light. When she now raises her head, the crystal now only glows softly as it is half embedded into the top curl of her horn, visible to any facing her.

Trixie slowly regains focus at the conclusion of the fusing. Rime Ice smiles more and more broadly at Luna who looks as though she was struck by thunder even yet. “How about some tea?” She says lightly, breaking the mood and helping Trixie to fully come back to her senses.

“Come now Rime Ice, surely Trixie deserves an explanation of what just transpired.” Luna says mildly scolding the flippant remark.

“That would be most welcome Mistress.” Trixie responds dazedly.

“What hath transpired is an ancient form of soul magic any unicorn can perform. When a unicorn utters such an oath that resonates with what they hold with the utmost conviction and with the core of what they are, it manifests into a physical embodiment of their will. There art many things and boons associated with this ancient form of Oath-giving, but we shall discuss these later in the course of thine studies. Put thine mind at ease, Trixie Lulamoon. Thou art truly somepony very special, never forget this in all of thine days.”

“I thought I had said something along those lines, Princess. This is just another manifestation of that very evident fact.” Rime Ice says drawing an irritated glance from Luna. “But, this aside, we will now have to closely monitor Miss Lulamoon here for any manifest changes in her over the next few weeks and months especially. Now we must set Miss Lulamoon a course of studies to be covered.”

The rest of the hour was spent talking over tea and directing the studies Trixie will soon find herself immersed in. There is even talk of a weekly royal dispensation for her as well. She would occasionally respond when she was asked about her knowledge on a specific topic, but her mind would return to its previous focus. Her thoughts turning to the now driving desire to be the absolute best she can be. Not for her sake anymore, but for the sake of the ponies who should not and never will know of the darkness that protects them and the fragile light the darkness cherishes.

Trixie sleeps without dreams again that night, but within a deep contentment she had rarely felt before. She wakes in the gray predawn light and walks down the steps into her library to read a little but finds herself just sitting there staring out of the tall window. It doesn't seem real at all. I'm special and needed. I would like to think my parents would understand, maybe not condone, but to understand. Her thoughts wind down and she finds herself mentally fatigued but still ready for the day ahead. She leaves her tower to eat and find her way to the guard transit. Whetstone is waiting for her on the train platform.

“Very good to see you here Miss Lulamoon. We will travel with the shift change today. I will only travel with you occasionally from now on. I'm pleased you know your way here at least and I expect you to begin learning your way about the castle proper. Flickering Shadow will meet you in his office every morning at nine thirty, no matter the weather. Even if it's you under the weather unless it's exceptionally serious, and he will find out if it's not. Our line of work doesn't permit us to have sick days.”

“Good morning to you as well Whetstone.” Trixie deadpans. A slight upturn of his lips her only response. The transit soon pulls up precisely at eight o'clock filled with pegasi and unicorn guardsponies who give the pair the odd glance or otherwise ignores the pair. They enter the first car and sit near the exit, waiting while the various night guards are relieved of their post. It takes roughly twenty minutes for the cars to be mostly filled, the doors closed and the whistle of the train as it begins to slowly inch back the way it came. “So, what is it you precisely do in service to Mistress Luna? You certainly don't strike me as a operative or even as somepony who is the supervisor of those ponies.” Trixie asks once they start and the ambient chatter is sufficient for them to talk unnoticed.

“To put it succinctly, I sharpen the Talons. Call it the dual nature of my special talent, but I grind away the burs and sharpen the dull edges of ponies. Not so much physically, but mentally. The doubt, the pity, the frivolousness. The things that could turn the blade or blunt the thrust. I am here for you, to hone your mind as Flickering Shadow hones your body.” He looks at her with eyes as hard as his namesake. “I am here to hear your concerns or anything you may have to say to get off of your chest. It is my job, and you have me as a confidant. Nothing you say to me will pass even to our Mistress. I do not want to see a Talon break by thrusting with a blunt tip when I could have prevented it.”

Whetstone speaks with an earnestness in his voice and conviction in his eyes. He means everything he says to Trixie and she feels a small smile turn the corners of her mouth. “With all these blade metaphors, I can't help but feel you working your special talent here and now.” She says with a laugh and a nudge. “But I trust you Whetstone. For no other reason than that I feel you deserve it with your previous words and actions, you even looked out for me when I couldn't look after myself.” She says remembering his defense when faced with Twilight Sparkle as well as his aid and support before that. He nods in return and reverts to his taciturn ways since nothing of import is being spoken of. They spend the rest of the trip in crowded silence as they descend the lofty mountain.

They depart amidst the hustle and bustle of guards seeking armor racks, a light meal and their pallets after a long night. Whetstone leaves Trixie to her own at the front steps of the administration building where Flickering Shadow will be waiting for her. She walks up the steps confidently, finding her way past the empty duty desk and up to his office on the second floor. She knocks on the door frame and enters to see her instructor sitting in silence once again. He nods, getting up to lead her back out of the building to the constructs she worked with yesterday.

“Today, we will begin the process of sharpening your body. You are too soft, Trixie Lulamoon. First, I shall teach you how to move. Attend to my movements and attempt to emulate.” When he is done talking, he begins to walk. After years of learning sleight-of-hoof and tumbling from Olive, she knows that any movement can be laced with complexities not always apparent at first. So she watches Flickering Shadow as he walks. His hooves have an odd movement to them as she watches. Each hoof suddenly slows just before it makes contact with the ground, then it seems to remain solidly anchored in place until it is time for the hoof to be moved. She then watches the legs, each seeming to become a pivoting point after the hoof sets. The muscles under his coat slowly ripple from his fetlock up his leg and into his body at each step, revealing that his body is prepared to react at any instant. His entire body screams predator and purpose at Trixie despite the lazy appearance of him simply walking.

He stops and looks to the slightly spooked mare. How can anypony move like that? It's unnatural seeing a pony move like something that sees us as food. She shakes her head and begins trying to emulate him. Slowly walking forward, slowing her hoof just before contact with the ground. That catches her by surprise as the slow fall allows the sensitive portion of her hoof to focus more on her footing. She moves slowly as she keeps her hoof anchored to the ground before she is forced to move it for her next step. Centering her weight over each leg to act as a pivot for her next movement, she feels muscles stretch and strain slightly as they are stretched. As she walks for a short while, her shoulder and upper leg muscles feel cold at first but soon begin to flood with warmth at the motions.

“Good. You learn quickly. You will walk in this manner from now on until it is second nature to you. This will become your foundation for many of the skills I will teach you. Now, follow me and emulate.” He walks over to the plains sextant and begins to trot off, leaving Trixie to catch up. He moves with his center of balance low but slightly forward, his steps quick and low to the ground. After a few strides, he keeps his right foreleg planted and turns at a sharp angle using his leg as a pivot. He keeps his head turned to the side slightly so that he is able to watch Trixies movements. Trixie follows as closely to his motions as she can, as her muscles are being used in new ways. He continues this zigzag path for a long while until he picks up the pace into a low height canter, his steps almost sharp as they pick up the pace. He pivots suddenly with a sharp kick of the hind leg in line with the one being used as the anchor, propelling him with no noticeable loss of speed. It's much harder this time for Trixie as her legs and shoulders begin to loose tension at this new exercise. She copies him as best she can but it doesn't last for long as she begins to slightly loose coordination. He slows down gradually to a walk and they return back to the constructs, Trixie emulating his way of walking as he instructed. Her motions seem languid and slightly exaggerated at the looseness of her muscles.

Once there, Flickering Shadow has her doing repetitive motions at a low resistance across a large variety of machines that don't specifically focus on her shoulders. After almost two hours of being under his instruction, Trixie finds herself pushed almost to the brink of her physical limitations. She had never thought she would feel this again after her years of traveling and performance. It was just like she was starting over again, like she was a filly again. Only this time there was only her and her desires. Flickering Shadows calls a halt to the physical training for the day and leads her back to his cool office. They each sit across one from one another at his desk. His horn flares and a squat box is brought over to be placed in the middle of his desk. The top opens into two halves revealing a black and white checkered board with a set of carved stone figurines of white or black set in each half of the lip, held in place by silk ribbons.

“For our remaining hour, I will teach you the game of chess. The rules are simple, but the game is not. We may be able to play the game on occasion during our scheduled time, but do not expect it often as you progress in your training. You may not directly touch my set, may only delicately use your magic to move the pieces.” His eyes promise severe and painful consequences if she doesn't follow his instructions. “Chess will teach you much about the way you will operate within society as well as how you use those rules to your advantage and how your enemies will use them against you as well. You must not solely focus on one piece or one area but the entirety of the board. However, life is not chess. Some of the pieces may be hidden or disguised as another, the rules are never the same and not even present at times. One cannot know everything about the game being played, only adaptability and a sharp mind may be the thing standing between you and an untimely end.”

Flickering Shadow then explains the basic rules and terminology of chess over the next five minutes while setting the board at a steady pace. Trixie confirms that she is ready to begin and moves first as she is the white player. Her first game lasts all of three minutes against her opponent. They spend her remaining half hour in this manner, with Trixie battling mental fatigue against an opponent vastly more skilled than her. But her time comes to a conclusion and bids her instructor farewell as she begins the slow trek to the train station maintaining the her new walking style. Luna had not told her to meet her until next week so she would spend her afternoon and a good portion of the night studying the topics assigned to her. When she finally goes to sleep, her eyes are gritty and she's asleep almost before her head meets the pillow.

The days and weeks begin to pile upon one another. Physical and mental conditioning begin to mold her slowly but surely into a pony whose mind and body are in complete harmony. She finds herself craving the next branch of magical studies to add to her repertoire, as well as desiring to begin the advanced lessons Flickering Shadow has been withholding from her. But she had found an untold joy in Venerable Service and Whetstone through this growth. They were both invaluable to her in becoming close enough for her to confide in and rely upon, especially when she finally discovered that Twilight Sparkle had ascended as an Alicorn. As the end of her first month of training, Luna informs her that her family will be brought to Canterlot for a small get together at the next full moon in a week from Saturday. Trixie is torn between exuberance at seeing her family once again and a deep sadness about her unintended estrangement from them.

She worries about how they would react to the new her. The Trixie who now devoted her time and efforts learning to become a Talon. Her body no longer had the slight plumpness of a well to do pony but slimmed and honed into a graceful litheness that held surprising strength. Her robust, slightly mercurial personality has settled into solid patterns that she now holds under tight reign. Looking back on her past, she can barely reconcile who she was with who she now is. She feels ashamed of the things she did, that she was so conceited in her arrogance and reveled in vain extortion of others. She was just relieved that Olive had not lived to see her use his lessons in such a way.

She voiced her fears about her family and her current feelings of shame about her old self to Whetstone late that night, goblets of dark wine with a chess board sitting ready between them. This routine has become something Trixie has come to rely upon, his advice and words of encouragement are something that helps her immeasurably. He sits silently a moment before he responds. “You should not worry about seeing your family. From what you've told me, your Aunt and Uncle have adopted you as their own daughter. They will love you without reservation, no matter how you think you have changed. To them, you are still their little Trixie. The energetic and happy filly they raised you to be. You will rarely see them, if at all after this point. You know what it is that you will face. This is just another way for you to protect them from the future dangers of your new life.” He pauses to let his words sink in. “The life that anypony lives is one filled with choices, you took the options that led you to become successful at the expense of others. You cannot change the past, but you can learn from it. You are ashamed of what you did. Good. You absolve yourself of that shame in service. Do not let these feelings force you to push yourself to your breaking point. That does nopony any good.”

They sit a while, occasionally sipping the richly flavored wine. As with all of her confiding conversations with Whetstone, she feels much better. But tonight, she feels a warmth in her chest as that tarnished thing she used to call her pride begins to shine again. If only a very small streak. But it changes Trixies expression profoundly now that she has regained a measure of self. Now she can be proud that she is no longer that pony and that her family never truly knew who she had been. With a happy sigh, Trixie concludes her conversation with Whetstone and they take that queue to turn their attention to the chess board before them.

When she wakes up the next morning, she finds a note on her nightstand sealed with Luna's crest. She rings her chime and heads downstairs while reading the missive. A heavy weight settles in her stomach driving all thought of breakfast from her mind. She is sitting at her desk, staring at the grain of the wood when Venerable Service comes in.

“Is something amiss Madam Trixie?” Even after a month of steadily becoming closer friends with Trixie, she never leaves off the honorific. “You seem rather out of sorts this morning.”

“I'm being given special dispensation to leave Canterlot for the day. I'm to go to Ponyville and have a dress made for me for the occasion.” She says, voice leaden with dread at what she imagines the visit to be a horrible parade of her past misdeeds.

“That's wonderful Madam! If I remember correctly, there's a rather talented seamstress by the name of Rarity who resides there. She has quite the flair for high fashion.” She says enthusiastically. “I know she made quite the impression on Canterlot high society while she was in Canterlot for a short stay.”

“Would you be willing to accompany me? I would understand if duty prohibits, but it would mean a lot to me if you could come, Venerable.” At Trixies words, Venerable notices the undertone lacing her voice and nods in agreement.

“I must report to my Father first, but I feel certain that there should be no problem with that. I would be honored to accompany you, Madam.” From continued association with Venerable, Trixie is able to distinguish happiness and willingness from her friend despite the formal words. Once again, she is propped up by this pony when she would have crumbled on her own. Her gratitude for this pony knows no bounds.

“Thank you, Venerable. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“It's my pleasure to be of service, Madam.” She says with a comforting smile. “Now if we're to make good time, I must report to my Father in all haste if we are to catch the next train. Shall I meet you at the front gate?” After Trixie nods in the affirmative, Venerable leaves to make the proper arrangements. Trixie gathers her saddlebags, a decent sack of bits her last preparations and goes to wait for her friend. Fifteen minutes, a brisk walk and a hurried purchase of passage finds the two ponies sitting side by side on the train to Ponyville. Venerable Service looking around with well contained excitement at the prospect of visiting someplace with a friend and without a senior servant in attendance. Trixie sits silently looking expressionlessly out the window, lost in thought with horrible visions of confrontation and abrupt ostracism that she would do nothing to stop or prevent. The uneventful train ride drags for one while it flies by for the other.

After their arrival and departure from the train, they begin making their way down the main road to the main square to the prominent boutique visible even at that distance. They walk down the street but nopony looks askance at the pair, much to Trixies relief. Before much longer, they find themselves walking through the door accompanied by a gentle chiming at which a noble looking unicorn mare comes to greet the pair.

“Good morning to you Trixie and to you Miss...?” She says in brisk tones.

“Venerable Service, Miss Rarity. It's truly a pleasure to meet you. I have seen your work in the courts of Canterlot with increasing regularity and I must say I adore your creations.”

“Thank you Venerable Service for your kind words.” She says smiling graciously. Turning to Trixie she says, “We have been expecting you dear. We are in the middle of breakfast if you'd care to join us if you haven't eaten yet. You are welcome to join us as well, dear.” Venerable Service politely declines to peruse the various creations in the store since it seems like Rarity and her company wish to speak to Trixie alone. Trixie nods, following Rarity to her kitchen.

What she was expecting certainly wasn't this. Not in the least. Trepidation fills her steps as she wonders what may come about. As they enter the kitchen she sees the remaining element bearers sitting around the kitchen, Twilight Sparkle included. What little small talk that was going around the room dies when they enter. Each of the ponies wears a slightly different expression but they all look at Trixie in a welcoming manner. Twilight stands and walks over to Trixie, placing a comforting hoof on her shoulder. She flinches slightly in response.

“Welcome to Ponyville, Trixie. I learned that up until just over a month ago you were not yourself. I explained most of the details to my friends and we all have something we want to tell you.” Twilight looks at Rarity and nods.

“Trixie? It's my pleasure to meet the real you for the first time. I don't blame you for what transpired that dreadful day or while you were influenced my the Alicorn Amulet. It would be my pleasure if you would be my friend.” She says gently. The rest of the ponies around the room take their turn to tell Trixie of their forgiveness and acceptance. By the time they are done, Trixie is sobbing uncontrollably at the destruction of her fears and release from some of her personal demons. They slowly gather around her and support her limp body with a meaningful group hug causing her to begin crying harder out of happiness. She quiets herself a couple minutes later, separating herself from their support slowly to stand on her own.

“All I can say is that I don't know what I've done to deserve such fortune in my life to meet so many ponies who see so much more in me than even I do.” She says in a trembling voice as she looks at the tiled floor of the kitchen. She looks up with a true happiness she hadn't felt in years and looks each in the eyes. “Of course I accept your friendship. But awkwardly enough, I only know Twilight Sparkle by name.” She says scuffing a forehoof across the floor in embarrassment. This gets chuckles and laughter from the gathered friends who introduce their selves personally. The mood shifts to something more businesslike as the ponies who have responsibilities must leave, making warm farewells and promises to visit her in Canterlot at some point or other. By the time farewells are done, only Rarity and Trixie remain.

“So, down to business. Princess Luna wrote to me commissioning a modest ensemble for her student for a little soiree tomorrow.” She says with a smile akin to a cat that not only got a saucer of milk but the entire carton to go with it. “Lets get your measurements and I'll get to work immediately. I must say though, dearie. You appear much more... Athletic than your last appearance here at Ponyville.”

“I've started a personal regimen since my change in lifestyle.” She responds smoothly, cringing inwardly at the necessity to lie to her new found friend. “Just something to deal with my wanderlust.”

“Oh, I just can imagine it. It must be quite a change from being a traveling performer, being rooted in one place for so long. But maybe Twilight could use a regimen like yours, she is getting just a little pudgy. Is that right for me to say? I mean she is royalty now.” Rarity says with a giggle. “In any case, lets get down to business. I can't keep you here all day if you have studies to return to.”

With that, they walk up to Rarities inspiration room. From amidst the slight clutter, a long measuring tape snakes forward once Trixie stops in the room. It quickly snaps in place along her body: forelegs, hind legs, back, chest and barrel. Her measurements quickly jotted down on a small notepad. “It shan’t be more than an hour or two, dear. Why don't you help yourself to some breakfast in my kitchen and see the sights of Ponyville? Since you're here in town and no disasters are running rampant, the town may have a bit more charm for you.” She says with the genuine charm of somepony who loves where she lives and wants her new friend to love it too. Trixie gives her a wry smile in return.

“Thank you for the advice and the food, Rarity. I think I'll follow your advice and see what's about the town.” After Trixie leaves, Rarity quickly looses herself to her passion gets to work sketching on a podium. Trixie goes back downstairs to find Venerable Service deeply engrossed in looking through the various racks of dresses, designs varying from an elegant simplicity to fantastic conglomerations of lace, silk and gems. She smiles at her friends enthusiasm but makes her way back to the kitchen to attend to her now rumbling stomach, having missed her usual breakfast due to worry and their haste to make the next available train. The food is good in its own way, but she was now spoiled by the masterful cooking and the skillful preparations by the head chef. Done eating, she heads back out to find her friend still immersed in the clothes.

“Find anything you like?” Trixie asks causing Venerable Service to jump slightly and go wide eyed. Trixie looks away with a hoof to her mouth trying to unsuccessfully suppress a laugh at the response. Venerable blushes slightly at being caught out of sorts but laughs a bit at her own antics.

“Yes, very much so. These dresses are all very beautiful in their own way as well as very reasonably priced for some of them.” She says after she stops laughing.

“Any favorites?” Trixie asks raising an eyebrow.

“A couple stand out to me, but I think I'd have to say this one is my favorite.” She walks over to a ponnequin sporting a rather simple sun dress with a radiant smile. It's a very faint green color with moderately simple floral embroidery along the neck and hem. The petals of the flowers are small chips of diamond and other precious gems cut precisely. “It reminds me of a similar one I had a long time ago before I outgrew it.” Trixie looks at the price tag, noticing that it is indeed very reasonably priced. Even with the precious gems used in its construction.

“You have great taste, Venerable. It's really beautiful. So, would you be interested in going about Ponyville and seeing what the town has to offer? Rarity said it would be about an hour or two at most for her to make the dress and suggested that we go while she's busy.”

“Sounds like a wonderful way to pass the time. Maybe we can go see Sweet Apple Acres. The castle gets regular shipments of their delicious apples, but I'd like to try one fresh from the tree and meet the Matriarch that runs such a tight business.”

“Sounds like we have a plan then. Let me go and let Rarity know we're leaving.” Trixie walks back upstairs and is met by Rarity just as she approaches the door. Rarity looks behind her quickly, shutting the door. “I just thought I'd let you know we're going to leave for a little while. I was wondering about a certain dress I saw downstairs. It's the misty green one with floral embroidery and cut gems set as petals. I would like to buy it and pay for you to have it shipped to Canterlot.”

“Oh? That old thing?” She says waving a forehoof as if brushing it off. “I've had it for months now, but nopony seems interested in it. May I ask why you would want to buy it but to have it shipped as well?”

“It's for a friend of mine who's helping me adjust to my new life. I don't know her birthday yet, so I can't make it for a special occasion or anything like that, but I'd like to show her my gratitude nonetheless.” Trixie responds.

“Oh, darling, that's wonderfully nice of you. Consider it a gift from me to yo-” Rarity says but is quickly cut off.

“I'm sorry Rarity, but I can't accept it. We're friends, right? Then you know what it means to give a gift to another friend. It's not that I don't appreciate your generosity, but I don't feel right taking it from you. Maybe in the future, but today at least, I'm paying for it.” Trixie says with a bit of nervousness. “Consider it my way of showing you how much I look forward to being friends with you. That one day I'd accept your generosity without conditions.” When she finishes, Rarity hugs her tightly.

“Trixie, thank you for that honesty. Sometimes I forget that too much generosity can make some ponies uncomfortable, and I look forward to the day you can accept my gifts without feeling that way. Of course, I do have to know who to send it to after all.” She says letting her go with a smile.

“It's for Venerable Service. She sorta became my unofficial steward after I became Mistress Luna's student and I want to show her how much I value her friendship. So if you'd keep it a secret and prevent anypony from buying it, even Venerable Service herself if she shows the interest, I'd appreciate it a lot.”

“You have my word on it darling. We'll deal with the details after you come back later, now shoo. I have work to do and you don't want to make your friend suspicious if you want to keep it a surprise.” Rarity says while waving her forehoof for Trixie to go. Trixie smiles at her casual audacity and heads back downstairs to leave with Venerable Service.

Their time out of the shop seems to go by quickly. Some of the ponies they pass by greet them genially and without any of the hard feelings she would have thought after her temporary and bizarre rule over them. Their time at Sweet Apple Acres was interesting, especially when a little filly with a red mane and tail somehow overturns a vat of cold apple butter onto Trixie when they take a tour of the apple processing building. After much embarrassment, laughing and a hot bath, a Trixie smelling distinctly of apples and cinnamon leaves Sweet Apple Acres with a pouch of apples and a jar of well aged zap apple jam. They walk through the town without any real aim, buying something to eat from a street vendor when they get a little hungry despite Trixie knowing she'll regret the splurging when she'll force herself to extra efforts tomorrow morning during her training session.

They make their way back to Rarities when they feel that it's time. Rarity is waiting for them in the storefront when they return, Trixies dress apparently completed. “Welcome back, you two. Did you both enjoy your time in Ponyville?”

“In Ponyville, yes. I had a bit of an apple related accident when we visited Sweet Apple Acres.” Trixie says laughing at herself. “Applejacks little sister turned over a vat of cold apple butter on me by accident.” Rarity looks like she was slapped with something disgusting and shivers.

“Well you're not the only one that has happened to.” She responds with a grimace followed quickly with laughter by all. “But on another note, your dress is finished and I'd like to do a fitting for final touches before you you go on your way. If you two would come with me, we'll get right to it.” They all head upstairs to Rarities work room with much happy anticipation. When the door is opened, they see a shimmering silk cobalt blue dress. Its split skirt is fairly short, only coming down to mid thigh on the ponnequin with crescent shaped onyx chips along the hem. The neck is a modest v shape with small amethysts with three diamonds at the valleys point to provide contrast. The entire dress has thin swirls of black silk embroidery producing a slightly hypnotic effect as the eyes follow the path of the curves. Venerable Service and Trixie stare in astonishment at the elegant dress.

“Oh my.” Is all Trixie says after a short moment while Venerable Service is still enraptured by the dress.

“I thought I would go for a cross between a cocktail dress and an evening gown for something elegant yet energetic to match your new athleticism. I do hope you like it.” Rarity says with her usual trepidation at hearing the first comments of a customer who gives her full artistic license when commissioned for a looming event.

“Rarity. It's the most beautiful dress I've ever owned and I am beyond proud that my new friend made it for me. I will wear it with pride and treasure it for as long as it's in my possession.” Trixie says in all seriousness. Rarity beams brightly and her eyes brighten at the happy tears that refuse to fall. After the moment passes, the ponies go about the final fitting and modifications. They find themselves making their farewells soon after. Venerable Service waits outside for a few minutes while Trixie lingers to make some final arrangements with Rarity, Trixie refusing to take any discount offered her and writing a small note on a scrap of parchment to be sent with the dress. With the dress in tow, they find themselves on their way back to Canterlot in time for a late lunch. The rest of the day passes rather peaceably for Trixie, her eyes drifting over occasionally to the box containing her new dress. She goes to sleep with visions of herself wearing a hooded cloak made of mist while walking through room after room of shadowy ponies wearing masks, whispers barely heard before they distort to be replaced by another.

It was well before dawn when Trixie wakes up the next morning, the moon hanging low in the sky still. After learning about the old trail leading to the training grounds a while ago and taking it a couple times, she opts to leave much earlier than usual by that route as part of her extra efforts for her dietary indiscretions yesterday. She finds herself lightly working with the constructs when a shadowy form startles her when she goes to switch to another. “What brings you here so early?” The quiet voice of Flickering Shadow asks.

“Just working off some extra food I ate yesterday and burning some excess energy.” Trixie responds once her heart stops painfully pounding at the shock.

“Just as well. You know what you're doing, but don't tire yourself out this early. I'm going to work you hard for missing yesterday despite Mistress Luna's missive.” The promise of a hard session evident in his tone.

“Just as well I stop now, since I took the old trail to get here. Would you care to spend the time until our scheduled meeting over the chess board?” Trixie responds slightly hopeful. Flickering Shadow shrugs in the faint light and begins to walk back to the Lunar branch of the administration buildings. When they walk through, the building is alive with the air of things happening. The duty desk is occupied for the first time since Trixie began to come here by a bone white pegasus with a blackish green mane and tail. After getting settled in and the board set up, they spend the next hour in contest. Trixie now is able to put up a flimsy defense against her opponents advances but the outcome is never in any doubt. When they finish their last match and everything is back in its rightful place, Flickering Shadow sits down at his desk.

“Today will be your last day of pure physical conditioning. Tomorrow, I will begin instructing you in the martial arts. You move well now and your physical talents will go a long way in helping you master the techniques. Discipline will be much stricter, imperfection in form and routine will not be tolerated after correction. Physical reprimands will be administered to drive the point home. Not out of cruelty or some silly notion of tradition, but because that will be the weakest reminder that perfection is required if you are to live past your first real fight with your life on the line.” Trixie nods with the feelings of a grimly fierce anticipation at advancing further and driving purpose mingling together. With that, they go about their purpose for their allotted time. Trixie much sorer as promised earlier but relished in the ache and satisfaction of time well used. Time seems to slip by her after she returns to the castle to wait for the evening that would bring her together with her family for the first time in years.

The get together is being held in a small conference room on the third floor of Canterlot Castle with a large balcony looking northward at the vista of mountains stretching on for as far as the eye can see, a few clouds lined in moonlight drift between the tall peaks under the full moon at a tranquil pace. After pausing nervously for a minute outside of the open door in her new dress, Trixie goes in to see her adoptive Mother, Father and her two younger sisters. They look at each other for a few moments to take in the changes the years and life have made on each other before Trixie moves over to join them, a short distance separating them.

“It looks like they're hardly feeding you. Look at all the weight you've lost! That can't be healthy.” Her Aunts blunt criticism brings back all manner of warm feelings to Trixie and giggles from her sisters. Trixie half laughs, half sobs and closes the distance in a flash to hug her Aunt tightly around the neck.

“I've missed you all so much. I'm so sorry about making you all worry about me.” Trixie says, her voice thick with emotion. Her family closes in around her with assurances and the simple comfort of their presence. They separate with comments about how fit she looks, how beautiful she has become and the stunning dress she wears. They begin to talk and reminisce about years gone by and occasions, both happy and embarrassing to Trixie that makes her sisters giggle and laugh at her in good sport while she responds with quick reminders of their own to the laughter of all. After a while, other ponies begin arriving, Princess Luna first amongst them. Her family, uneasy and unaccustomed to royalty are quickly put at ease by Luna's manner. Following Luna is Twilight Sparkle and her new friends from Ponyville. Introductions go around as Whetstone enters followed shortly by Venerable Service, who wears the dress she so adored from Rarities shop. The evening passes slowly, yet entirely too quickly for Trixie who floats happily on the currents of love and friendship from the ponies who surround her and support her.

When midnight rolls around, her family and friends begin making farewells to Trixie and one another as they go to retire for the night leaving her with Princess Luna in a slightly buzzing silence. Luna walks out onto the slightly chilly balcony and beckons Trixie to accompany her. After a moment, Luna looks at Trixie with a slight turn of her head. “Dost thou regret thine decision to enter into mine service?”

Trixie looks to the moon, shaking her head. “If anything, I feel it was the best thing I've ever done with my life. I would never have made the friends I have now and I doubt I would have ever seen my family again out of shame and embarrassment. Seeing them here, tonight, I feel that it is my deepest desire to ensure nights like this can happen again and again. Maybe not for me, but for everypony who is loved by friends and family.” Luna smiles and nods. They stand there watching the path of the moon and the slowly drifting clouds for some time before the call to sleep pulls Trixie back to her room where she dreams of golden memories and times of happiness.

Friends and Success

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Chapter Ten: Friends and Success

Trixie was out of breath, sweat stinging as it ran into her eyes and very sore. It was a hot spring morning out on the training grounds as she sparred with Flickering Shadows. Two weeks ago when he started her martial training, she would spend hours learning poses as well as strikes and blows that would incapacitate or outright kill foes. She still had a while before she would meet Flickering Shadows bar for her to progress into the next style but she was getting there. Pushing the cluttering thoughts out of her mind, she gets up after being thrown. It was her own carelessness that led to it and she knew it.

She advances on her passive opponent in a half-crouch, her steps long and fluid. With a surge, she closes the distance in a flash as her left forehoof lashes like a viper towards his right shoulder. He drops down slightly, but this time she was ready for the shift as she raises and lowers her right forehoof whip fast towards the brittle shoulder blade that rises out of his back slightly. He shifts to the left, her blow barely missing and pivots lightning fast to whip his right hind leg out to hit her in the chest as she begins coming down. The blow shudders throughout her body causing her to loose control of her body. She comes down limply to lay there breathing harshly at the sharp pain.

“We're done for the day. You won't be any good until tomorrow since I struck your solar plexus. Once you get your hooves under you, go wash up and you may leave. Good effort, you never make the same mistake twice but you have to hide your intentions better and your blows have to be sharper. You still have too many wasted motions.” He turns and walks away to leave Trixie with her pain as a final lesson. As she lies there, the fight replays slowly through her mind. She recounts his motions and the timing of his last counter. He still astounds her his instinctual talent for fighting. Groaning, she shifts her weight back with her forelegs to a sitting position and waits for the rest of her limbs to obey her again.

After a few more minutes, she gets up to walk over to a spigot and washes herself in the ice cold water. Her battered body twinges at the cold, but the more pronounced throbs dull to a pulse of moderate discomfort. With a sigh she steps out from underneath the water to go take the train back. She had to go to the library to get several books for her current studies as well as trying to hunt down some on the martial arts and find Rime Ice besides. On the ride up, she practices breathing and muscular control exercises to ease some of the tension to reinvigorate herself. She feels pretty good by the time the train pulls in at the station, only her bruises from sparring give her any trouble as she walks into the castle. But those would be the least of her problems as the day would go on. She had to talk with Rime Ice as soon as she could track her down about something that started a couple days after her familial reunion.

She was loosing sleep. Not through stress or worries, her physical regimen left her too tired to worry. That wasn't it in the least, it's that she wasn't able to sleep normally anymore. She thought that it was something to do with her new magical advancement, as the new spell matrices became a part of her though active assimilation and needing her mind conscious. She looked into that after the first week of this happening, but the book had said it would only take roughly an hour to assimilate with her. She went to the royal physician to have a physical evaluation, but she had said she was fine and prescribed her a gentle infusion for her to use with tea. That did nothing to help her out. So she looked through the library about techniques involved for sleeping, finding a meditative technique not too dissimilar from what Flickering Shadow had taught her for introspection and muscular control. She was getting by, but her concern was getting the better of her. She had talked to Whetstone about this new development a couple days ago but he had only told her to go to Rime Ice if she was really worried since it didn't seem to have any adverse affects and she had been to the physician already.

So here she is, wandering through the castle hallways towards the kitchen to get lunch and find out where her quarry was having her meal delivered to. After eating, she finds that Rime Ice was in the summer garden and heads there. Once outside again, the scent of the many flowers wafts through the air accompanied by the golden shimmer of pollen floating on the slight breeze. She walks through the enormous garden along the well kept path while keeping an eye out for the telltale blue pony. However after twenty minutes of searching, she decides to resort to one of her new spells to aid her; the Oculus. The spell was moderately complex but requiring surprisingly little arcane energy. Drawing from her arcane reserves and slightly modifying the matrix of the spell, she conjures five light blue spherical objects roughly the size of a marble with a small black circle centered on her left eye. It still gives her a sense of disassociation as the spell rewires her optic nerve to accept the input of not only one external source, but five. Each is able to move at her mental orders, a spell meant for wide area coverage but not advised for a pony on the move as the focus required and split optical focus can lead to some interesting accidents. At the moment, this was her largest number of simultaneously controlled oculi.

Once the sensation passes and her left eye takes on five separate but distinct sights of herself, the oculi swivel around briefly to find a direction and float off at a brisk rate. Trixie had spent some of her sleepless nights learning to manipulate these arcane constructs, sometimes ending in her vomiting unexpectedly at her own directions as she would have one go up while another go down and yet another swiveled around to scan the area. But three oculi seemed to be the big hurdle for her as she added a fourth the night after she could handle without vomiting. To say the least, it was a point of pride for the pony to quickly learn control over the strange spell. Focusing intently, she looks around with her right eye as well as taking in the sights the oculi observe. From below, the garden spreads out in waves of vibrant colors while the oculi reveal it to be a quadrant of Celestia's flaring sun and Luna's crescent cutie mark. Each flare reaches out to touch the crescent moon separating the garden into four grassy picnicking areas, several couples and families making use of the space. Focusing her oculi to search over these areas, she spots Rime Ice in the middle of the most crowded section enjoying the sights and the ponies around her. Using the oculi to double check her position in case she got turned around, she dispels the constructs in a faint waft of arcane energy. It doesn't take Trixie too long as she navigates herself to the right area and walks through the grassy area to where Rime Ice sits with an empty trolly for company.

“Mind if I join you? I have something I need to talk to you about.” Trixie says once she stands at the edge of the blanket Rime sits on.

“I don't mind at all. So, mind if I ask you how you found me?” She says with a half smile.

“I followed the bread crumbs.” Trixie says lightly getting a laugh out of her companion. “But seriously, I just asked the kitchen staff where you had your lunch delivered which is much the same. I also used one of my new spells to spare me a half hour of searching the entirety of the garden.”

“Oh? What spell was that? I can tell it wasn't a targeted or area of effect spell otherwise I would have sensed it.” She says with curiosity.

“The Oculus. It's an interesting and very useful spell to say the least. I've been working on it a lot lately and I can now manipulate five of the constructs with relative ease.” She says with a smile at the eyebrow that raises at her response.

“Impressive. Not many ponies that know the spell can boast that number.” She leans over conspiratorially and whispers with a smile, “Not even Twilight Sparkle can manage . The input of the third makes her queasy. She never got over it after it made her sick up really bad, calling it good that she had the spell in her repertoire.”

This gets Trixie to laugh briefly but she quickly recounts her own experience and her overcoming it. Their casual conversation making her comfortable enough with Rime Ice after not seeing her for a few days. She sobers up shortly to explain to her companion about her new development. Rime Ice sobers immediately as Trixie explains about how she hasn't had or felt the need to sleep in weeks. When she finishes explaining, Rime Ice stays silent for a moment before standing.

“We need to go see Luna about this. It must have something to do with the bond you two formed. I know a few tricks, but Luna would be the best to get this sorted out.” Trixie stands as well to follow Rime Ice who starts off towards the Night Tower. In the time that Trixie has been a student, Rime Ice has always treated the Princesses as though they were old friends. She never uses their honorifics in private and visits either at anytime of the day or night as she may. She knows Rime Ice has a unique status in the palace, however Trixie thinks it seems as the pony makes full use of it despite the Princesses strange lack of ire at the intrusion or distraction. Trixie was still nervous about going to Luna for anything aside from emergencies or their scheduled lessons. It doesn't take too long as they don't go through the castle to reach their destination, but across the castle grounds to the ground level door. Rime Ice doesn't even knock on the door, a brief flare of magic opening the door as they walk in. With a bit of nervousness at the uninvited intrusion she gets instructed to go wait in the library to wait for Luna. Once there, she waits like a little filly sent to the principals office for some reason she doesn't quite know. She doesn't have to wait long for Luna to arrive with Rime Ice close behind.

“Rime Ice has informed us that you have had a recent development. How long has this been going on, my dear student?” Luna says with a neutral expression.

“Since a few days after the get together with my family.” Trixie says resignedly, her voice tapering off at Luna's darkening expression.

“Didst we not tell thee to inform us of anything strange? What good is the bond we now share if thou do not feel the need to come to me with anything that may be troubling you, magical or mundane?” Luna says looking Trixie in the eye. “What good is it that we art thine teacher if we cannot have the trust that we know Twilight Sparkle places in mine own sister? We may be unused to having a pupil, but we try our hardest to make the effort.” Luna says with a belligerent look and a slightly huffy tone. Trixie studies the floor, embarrassment flushing her cheeks.

“My apologies, Mistress Luna.” Trixie responds in a hoarse whisper. Luna nods in acceptance of the apology. “I thought it may have been a side effect of the new magics I have been learning, so I tried to find out why this was happening on my own. I even went to the royal physician, but they said nothing was wrong with me physically. I just didn't want to trouble you needlessly.”

“Trixie. Thou art mine student. I have already troubled myself with thee, so make it worth my while.” Luna says with a half smile. “This is for both our benefit, not just thine.”

Trixie, chagrined, looks up at Luna who still wears the wry smile. The Alicorn looks back at her expectantly and raises an eyebrow slightly. She nods, not knowing what to say. That seems to happen to her a lot lately when she finds herself out of her depth. Luna nods brusquely, putting that discussion behind her to move on to the matter at hoof. They seat themselves around the low table to discuss Trixies new state, Rime Ice leading the discussion.

“One of the major concerns I have about this is for Trixies mental health. The pony mind needs time to rest and assimilate the things it has learned through sleep, though she seems sound enough right now despite close to two weeks of sporadic or nonexistent sleep. Trixie told me of some techniques she had learned about to help her try to sleep, which sound promising, but they don't work for long from what she had said.” The pair look to Trixie at this point who looks slightly away in abashment.

“That's right. I've been using a technique similar to what my physical instructor taught me to deliberately relax my muscles. Once I relax enough, I let my thoughts become fallow. I can't think or ponder anything otherwise I immediately snap out of it and have to restart the whole process from the beginning. I did look into sleep spells, but I didn't want to mess it up and have either of you come to wake me up from a spell set to end ten years from last night.” She says with a slight grimace of the first few nights she tried to learn the trick and the possibility of spectacular arcane failure. Those were some very long nights, but now she could rest for a couple hours at a time. It wasn't a good nights rest, but it was something.

“Thou art certainly going down the right track, mine clever student.” Luna says after hearing about Trixies methods. “Spells and mundane sleep aid can be troublesome at the best, and as such should be rarely used because they can cause either damage to the mind or become addictive over time. Thou art wise to go with your hunch about meditation. This is as good a point for us to cover self-delving as it will help thee master this meditation technique.” Rime Ice glances at Luna who just smiles and nods. Rime Ice sighs slightly and nods in mutual agreement.

“Self-delving?” Trixie asks as her interest is piqued at the prospect of learning something new. Rime Ice is the one who responds this time to her question.

“It is an old technique for powerful unicorns to communicate with their talents. You have proven that you are one such due to the soul fracturing that occurred and the events of your life that have remained shrouded through the intervention of your talent. The beginning process of self-delving is much as you have experienced but goes much further. Once your thoughts become fallow, allow yourself to completely go beneath the flow of conscious thought. Many ponies inadvertently fall into this state, even if they do not possess magical talents of their own. You may recall times when you just begin to drift off to sleep and begin to feel as though you were falling only to immediately jolt awake? That is the feeling you seek as you pass beyond your conscious bounds, seeking that other place within you where your talent resides. It will take you some time to not only knowingly induce this state, but to become familiar enough with the sensation that you do not immediately end the trance when you initiate it. For sleeping, you will want to find the barrier just before you begin the fall inwards. With time you can maintain this balance naturally which allows for a more relaxing sleep for your body.”

“It is as she has said. It is a skill that takes much time and effort to learn, but in seeking it out thou will find what will pass for sleep. This is indeed a manifestation of the bond we share as I no longer sleep as ponies would. Instead, when I enter this state I walk amongst the dreams of others. We hope that this new lack of sleep is the only thing thou hast taken from that particular aspect of myself. We would hope to not see thee wandering the realms of dreams. Tonight, after our lessons, I want thou to spend the night seeking the falling sensation Rime Ice speaks of. If you find it even once, we would call it a night well spent.” Rime Ice nods in agreement before she looks back to Luna.

“So would I, but back to your lessons Luna. It seems Trixie here is quite gifted in multi-threaded construct manipulation. She told me she's able to easily manipulate five oculi simultaneously. Maybe we should expound upon this school of magic and the synergistic branches to help her strengthen this school?” Luna looks from Rime Ice to Trixie smiling proudly at her students development. “It's not as though I don't believe you, but I'd like to see you actively use and manipulate the spell for us so we know your full proficiency.”

Trixie nods at the reasonable request and recreates the spell that kept her occupied on some of the longer nights. A moment later, there are five small oculi moving about the room in smooth motions as Trixie gets up and moves about slowly. But the point is that she is able to move at all when controlling the moderate number of oculi is somewhat astounding to the other occupants of the room. Rime Ice nudges the much larger Princess who beams with pride at the display. They quickly share a glance and a nod before telling Trixie that they've seen enough. They talk a bit amongst their selves for a few minutes to discuss advancing Trixies study in arcane constructs during the next week or two. With their time done, Trixie makes her farewells to go to the library to retrieve the books she needs for her current studies and interests.

It was roughly one thirty in the afternoon as Trixie finds herself wandering amongst the steep shafts of afternoon light from the angled ceiling windows and the hundreds of tomes and scrolls look down on the happy pony who's just content to be in their company. As she walks amongst the stacks with the general knowledge of where to look from a slightly harried looking scribe she spots several other ponies perusing the shelves as well. As she rounds a corner into one of the cavern-like alcoves that holds scrolls she stops suddenly at the sight of a certain pony reading at the table at the back who turns at the sudden darkness of her standing in the entrance.

“Oh! Hello Trixie. What brings you to the medical wing of the library today?” Twilight Sparkle says as she sees who was intruding into her sanctuary.

“Just looking for some materials for my studies. I'm currently studying some of the minor medical magics and anatomy.” Trixie says.

“Do you mind if I give you some of my own suggestions? I'm not sure what Princess Luna assigned for you to read, but I'm sure I know of a scroll or two that could help you understand the material better.” Twilight responds eagerly at the prospect of helping somepony along with their own studies with her own suggestions.

“That would be great. Thank you very much Twilight Sparkle. I've been learning a lot more than I ever thought I would have, and I'm coming to look forward to what the next book or scroll has in store for me. It's certainly something I never thought I would have had the opportunity to have, such an advanced education based on my own merit and student to Princess Luna of all ponies.” Trixie says with a quiet half laugh.

“It's no problem at all, glad I could help.” Twilight responds with a big smile. “So what all have you been learning under Princess Luna?”

“Well, in the past week I've started on multi-threaded arcane constructs.” Trixie says mischievously remembering Rime Ices words. “I've found the Oculus construct to be particularly useful, especially when you need to search for somepony or something.” Twilight’s ears fold back slightly and her cheeks turn a slight shade of green at the mention of the spell.

“O-oh? I remember that spell. I'm just glad I don't really have a use for it.” She says with a shaky smile.

“That's true. You must have an amazing knowledge of magic as befitting Princess Celestia's student.” Trixie says thinking about the possibility of being able to ask Twilight for help or tutoring. “Would you be free tomorrow night after supper? I'd like to discuss books and spells for my next set of studies over wine and maybe a pleasant game of chess?”

“You know something Trixie?” Twilight says with a short laugh. “That was the precise reason I never took you up on your offer to best you the first time you came by Ponyville after I moved there. I was afraid that my magical repertoire would single me out as being better than everypony by potentially besting you. I know that's not the case anymore, but I just want you to know that knowledge can be as much a burden as a blessing. But I really would like to help you out.”

“I truly am sorry about that, Twilight Sparkle. I never wanted to be somepony like that as I knew a few like that from the Guild I was in and nopony liked to associate with them. Something in my life caused me to turn out that way, but I promise that will never happen again with so many great ponies supporting me.” Trixie looks away a little bit in embarrassment and continues. “Speaking of which, I have to apologize again. Rime Ice told me about the problems you had with the Oculus spell. I didn't mean to embarrass you that much. Maybe I can teach you personally as a real apology? I can also tell you that I had the same problem when I progressed to three oculi that you did.”

Twilight looks at Trixie askance for a moment and then chuckles ruefully. “I would expect Rime Ice or Princess Luna to use me as an example, but not quite like that. But I think I'd like you to teach me how to master three oculi and more very much. Consider your apology accepted. Now, lets get you those scrolls so you can get to your studies.”

Relieved that she hasn't spoiled her relatively new friendship, Trixie lists off the texts she's studying. Twilight's aura surrounds the text after a brief thought and brings it over to float between the two. Once the scrolls are all listed off, Twilight adds three more scrolls with a smile and a quiet thank you and sets the time for Twilight's visit to be around eight. Trixie takes the scrolls in her own aura and speaks briefly to the head librarian to check them out for study. Soon thereafter, Trixie settles down in her study to begin reading the scrolls in the hours leading up to her next lesson.

It was the cusp of dawn when Trixie finally opens her eyes to look outside. With a deep sigh she keeps staring at the ceiling of her room. After her lesson last night, Trixie finishes the last scroll and a half before walking upstairs to try to find the sleep that has been eluding her. Finding a neutral position, she relaxes the control her mind has over her body starting from the top of her head to cascade down her body. Once she feels comfortable enough, she begins to relax her mind as she seeks the state Rime Ice told her about. As she lies there, time begins to loose its meaning to her as she begins to ride on the ebb and flow of her subconsciousness. Slowly she begins to sink lower and lower into the inviting peace beneath the waves. It was from this place the first ethereal shimmers of the morning sunlight reach her eyes.

It was so close to real sleep that she had let herself forget to search out that place within herself. With another big sigh, she rolls over onto her side for a few more minutes of peace before her days starts in earnest. As the sun rises higher in the sky, she notices the light become more strongly tinged by red to signal that there would be a good sized storm on the way well before noon. It was going to be a great day for conditioning she thought sarcastically but it still had to be done. With a fwump of her comforter being thrown back, she rolls out of her bed and heads downstairs to prep and have a light breakfast for the morning ahead.

Trixie gritted her teeth then grimaced immediately as the grit of the mud made its presence in her mouth. She was currently sprawled out on the ground with dark brown mud coating most of her body as well as matting her wet tail and mane. Getting up carefully so she doesn't slip, she looks over to Flickering Shadow whose hooves are the only part of his body to be really muddied aside from the odd line where he had gotten mud on himself due to his own movements. She asses the ground between them with a quick glance, coming up with a quick plan of attack that may just let her land a blow for the first time since she started sparring with him. But she didn't hold out any hope against it actually succeeding as she is a realist at heart.

Digging her rear hooves deeply into the soft ground, she rushes forward low to the ground. When she gets within two paces of her opponent, she lets her hoof seemingly drag in a puddle of muddy water to the front and right of her. Her next step replicates this action, causing Flickering Shadow to shift his stance lower to avoid the water cresting about eye height. One more spray of water just after she fakes a waver in her balance causes Flickering Shadow to dart forward to attack through the thin sheet of water. Trixie was hoping just for this as she used that apparent weakness to flip onto her back, sliding a short distance in the slick mud. Just as she sees the edge of his hoof begin to part the water, she kicks sharply with her hind leg. The sheet of water rapidly collapses like a popped bubble revealing both ponies mid strike, Trixies expression of grim determination despite being sorely outclassed and Flickering Shadow with a small predatory smile. The moment passes in a flash with Trixie panting giddily as her leg throbs with the feeling of a blow solidly connected while on her back and Flickering Shadow getting up easily, mud and the odd bit of grass dotting the left side of his body.

I actually hit him. She thinks as the rain falls around her, unnoticed against her fevered skin. Flickering Shadow walks over to the prone Trixie getting her attention and motioning for her to follow him. She gets up and follows Flickering Shadows back to the front door of their administration building, still slightly giddy from what had just transpired. “Tomorrow, we will start you on a new martial art. This one may suit you far better though each style will give you something you can use depending on the situation, so I will still teach you all I know. You may go for the day. Expect a congratulatory present to arrive this evening for landing your first blow against me. Good job.”

Trixie nods in acknowledgment because she knew that it was a grand coalescing of factors that led to the kick landing and that she had done what she could to bring it about. It just happened to be in her favor this time, but she knew she couldn't always count on a quickly devised plan to always follow through as she well knew from her long days and weeks of sparring. But she had finally followed through a plan fully ending with a blow. A warmly burning sense of accomplishment fills her chest as she turns and walks away.

After a slightly embarrassing walk through the castle while caked in mud drawing curious, and sometimes dirty ones as well, Trixie finally makes it to the baths. After washing herself thoroughly and a relaxing soak, she makes her way back to her room to begin practicing on one of her new construct spells. It was commonly referred to as the Arcane Familiar spell which not only required a magnitude of power far greater than the Oculus but also incorporating a semi-intelligent logic matrix so that it could think and act on its own when not directly controlled by her. It couldn't speak as such, but it could communicate with the mind of its master what it sees and hears. Rime Ice had given her three different constructs for her to practice on: a cat, a pigeon and a mouse. She thought the constructs a bit cliché in their assignment, but knew that they would take long hours of study before she felt she would even be able to remotely create a passable familiar. Trixie spends the next hour studying until Venerable Service comes by with lunch. They talk companionably about what her current studies are covering as well as about a return trip to Ponyville Venerable plans to go on to visit Carousel Boutique again on her own.

Once lunch is finished and Venerable Service takes her leave, the rest of the afternoon passes slowly for Trixie as she begins taking in the many different aspects of the complex spell. It covers all aspects of crafting the familiar, from size ranges and fur color variations to stable chimeric modifications by manipulating the familiars physical matrix. The spell was not only complex but incredibly variable in its applications. No wonder the unicorn nobles only had a token force of guards when they could have winged predatory cats with the raking horns of a minotaur and something akin to pony intelligence with the right matrices and power. She ends her study a little after six and asks Venerable for an early supper as Twilight was going to be coming by around eight or so. About an hour after supper, the gift Flickering Shadow was sending her arrives.

It was a simply wrapped box containing several things: an elegantly curved ceramic jar with a waxed lid along with four small wooden boxes with no tops, and a filled oil heating lamp with a metal frame to sit the jar in. A small note is tucked along the niche the jar rests in which she promptly reads. My gift to you is one of the pleasures I learned about in my travels in Neighpon. The jar contains the rice wine commonly served there, this particular variety is best drank warmed. I have also included some of the traditional serving cups and a small heating lamp for the purpose. Enjoy the first fruits of your hard work while you can for they will quickly spoil. She smirks at the reference to another long month of hard work and thanks him silently for the efforts he has put in teaching her. She takes most of the objects out of the box and arranges them for use tonight. About a quarter til eight, Trixie sparks the lamp to life so the rice wine would warm up sufficiently by Twilight's arrival.

When eight rolls around a knock comes from her door, Trixie goes to open the door personally instead of telling her to come in or opening it from halfway across the room with magic. Trixie smiles as she sees Twilight standing there and invites her in. Twilight looks around curiously, her eyes mostly lingering on the book shelves as her eyes quickly scan the lowest titles.

“So, how are you liking life in the castle? It took me a while to get used to it, but then again I was still a filly when I moved in here.” Twilight says.

“It's not too bad. Everypony here is nice and I've made some good friends, but nothing can compare to the life of wandering. I make sure I burn out my wandering urges and restlessness with a physical regimen. But I really love the things I've been learning from Princess Luna and Rime Ice.” Trixie says warmly.

“I'm glad to hear that. But what is it you want to do with the knowledge you gain?” Twilight asks curious about what now drives her friend.

“To put it simply, I want to protect Equestria and the ponies who live here. I've traveled through much of the country, meeting so many ponies who go about their lives as well as they can trying their best to keep their families happy despite hardship. I want to protect them from the things they couldn't possibly know about and keep the peace of Equestria safe.” By the end of her reply, Trixies voice and expression takes on a hard tone that makes Twilight take an involuntary step back. Trixie looks over to the table with the warm rice wine and invites Twilight to join her as her expression softens. “I have some warm rice wine that was given to me as a gift and I thought it would be good to share some with you since you're taking some time out of your schedule to help me.”

“Rice wine? I haven't had it before even though I've been with Princess Celestia on diplomatic visits in the past to Neighpon. I hear it's distinctly stronger than the wine we make here in Equestria.”

“I wouldn't know since this is the first time I've had any.” Trixie says. “I guess we'll both find out whether or not we like it or not soon enough.” Twilight joins her at the table as Trixie pours a modest amount of the slightly steaming liquid into each of the wooden cups. After setting Twilight's cup in front of her, Trixie levitates hers under her nose and gives it a quick sniff. The scent is a slightly oily floral aroma with the distinct bite of alcohol vapor. Trixie quickly looks at the clear drink which moves slightly sluggishly and takes a sip. The flavor of foreign flower petals dances across her tongue, a slight oil taste lingers slightly after she swallows but dissipates fairly quickly. On the way down, the alcohol warms her thoroughly along its passage. Trixie eyebrows rise slightly in appreciation of the drink and takes another. Looking over to Twilight, she sees her friends face light up at the taste and smiles as she takes another drink, letting it linger slightly in her mouth before swallowing. “It's pretty good, and you weren't kidding when you said it was stronger than our wine. So I take it you like it pretty well from the look you had?”

“Oh yes. Now I know why Princess Celestia keeps a small supply in the castle.” She responds with a smirk. “I may have to see about establishing my own reserve as well. Now, on to the topic at hoof. What would you like my help with in your studies?”

“Well, currently I was given the Arcane Familiar to study yesterday since Princess Luna found out I had an aptitude with constructs. I was going over the aspects of it and I think it may give be a little troublesome since I've never worked with logic matrices in the past. I'm fine with the actual physical structure, but I think that's also why they only gave me the specifics for three common animals in the first place since their logic structure is pretty straight forward.”

“Really?” Twilight asks leaning onto the table, her face brightening visibly in excitement. “When I was still in school, Arcane Familiars were strictly forbidden to any of the students not under advanced lessons or above the 5th grade. Our school didn't go by the traditional graduation standards though and advanced us by a spell mastery criteria. Enough about my school though. In all seriousness, this is really amazing Trixie! You've only been studying for almost two months and the Princess has you studying the Arcane Familiar spell? That's absolutely fantastic!” Twilight suddenly leans back and claps her forehooves together like a filly who suddenly found something really fun to do.

“Really?” Trixie asks slightly embarrassed.

“Absolutely.” Twilight saws with a firm nod. “How about we fill our cups again and get to work. This may be a long night for us and I want to see you succeed as a friend and fellow student.” Trixie smiles at her friends barely restrained enthusiasm and fills their cups halfway before she brings over the book and scrolls pertaining to her current spell. They quickly become engrossed in teaching and understanding. Trixie asks questions which are promptly answered and expounded upon which quickly gives her enough understanding to attempt her first conjuring of the mouse familiar within the hour. The spell takes shape quickly enough though Trixie slows the process enough so that she can watch the logic matrix form and integrate with the constructs physical matrix. Then the mouse sits there on the table, its mind linked to Trixies as though it were in a small corner of her mind. She reaches for the spell through her mind and tells it to slide her cup over to her from across the table. The construct responds immediately to the command slightly shocking her. After the cup slides over, she looks to Twilight and grins maniacally with a quick laugh.

“This is amazing! Thank you for helping me Twilight.” Trixie says giddily at her success.

“I'm glad I could help.” Twilight responds with a smile. “How about we go on to the pigeon familiar?” Trixie nods enthusiastically and they go back to work. For almost two hours they work, Trixie quickly mastering the other construct spells and moving onto chimeric mutations involving the cat. After closely examining the logic structure of the pigeon, she is able to pick out the motor function of the wings and incorporates it into the cat. She barely needs to think about the constructs physical structure as she modifies the body to sprout two graceful wings which she sculpts for fast flight. A moment later she makes further changes to the construct which makes it sleeker and lighter so that it can fly more easily. Once done, she has it take a leaping jump from the tabletop and watches as it flies around the circular room. After it lands on the table again, she splits the last of the rice wine between them and she toasts to friends and the pursuit of knowledge.

The Burden a Soul can Carry

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Chapter Eleven: The Burden a Soul can Carry

'Anima. The soul that resides within all living things. The soul is a fragile thing, easily shattered by even a few careless words. It is also an indomitable force, capable of astounding things. Magic. The outward manifestation of a ponies soul and mind acting in concert. What kind of pony would have the ability to use the soul of another against their will? To reach out to another living thing and consume the soul, the life of another? Would they be callous and cruel? Not thinking about the life they extinguish or would they carry the burden of these souls, eventually breaking the pony who used them out of necessity? I think you would know what kind of pony you are. This is the last magic you will learn before you go out into the world to become a guardian of the light. We do not teach you this magic lightly. We teach it to you now for we now know what it is that you lack to complete the five pointed wand and would have you know what it is that you do to others.

'This magic has been sealed away for hundreds of years, forgotten to all but the Princesses so completely they destroyed all knowledge of it. It was your dreams that gave us the hint about your last true talent, also to as why you have been so stunted in your power when you should be much more powerful than you really are. When you know this last magic, nopony could ever stand against your power aside from the most potent of souls or one of the Alicorn Princesses so great and terrible your power will be.'

Trixie sits in a dark room within a rundown building in the poorest slum of Manehatten. She sits in silence, staring into the darkness but not seeing it as her attention is focused on what her left eye sees. Flickering across her vision is what the feed from several oculi. Twenty of the constructs move about with purpose, invisible to all but her. The invisibility was no special talent of hers, simply a skill any unicorn could learn with the proper tutelage and focus. But the skill served its purpose in her capacities.

This night she sought a specific group of ponies who have been dealing in the lives of others, stealing them for the pleasures they would unwillingly give, making money off of misery and despair. The look that passes over Trixies face in the darkness would have made most stallions tremble at the thought of the retribution she would dish out. These ponies wouldn't die, not by her hoof. They were not worth her wiping the stains from her hooves. She was going to let the Night Guard deal with them when she was through.

With a blink of her eye, she stops the visual input from the oculi but leaves them where they are instead of dispelling them. She glances about with her temporarily enhanced eyesight and leaves the building after putting on a very worn set of saddle bags. The feeling of somepony having just been there the only traces she leaves behind. The darkness and clutter of the alleyway doesn't hinder her silence as long practice has ensured that. Two blocks east of the building where she was sits a pony in the early autumn chill as he waits for any signs of trouble or a likely target. It doesn't take Trixie a large stretch of her talents to make herself look like one of the poor mares these guys would take. As she nears the lookout, she shifts her stance into something dragging and weary, making sure she creates noise a good ways off. It doesn't take long for him to take the bait as she watches from one of her oculi.

“What's a sweet little thing like you doing out here at night? I know a place where we can get you off your weary hooves and a nice meal for the right price that's not too far from here.” The approaching pony says with a deeply smooth voice. It was the kind of voice that could mistakenly make a mare think was kind. He makes Trixie sick. “How does that sound? If you don't have any bits, we got some easy work you could do and have some extra in your purse besides.”

Trixie just stands there as disgust rises in her throat. The other pony reaches a hoof out to place it on her shoulder but she side steps it, lashing out with a hoof to the throat. He steps back with a gurgle passing his lips as his throat clenches in spasms. She steps forward quickly while whipping her hoof around and up in a blow to the corner of his jaw sharply, his eyes roll back as he collapses soundlessly. She steps over his prone body as she goes on to the next.

Ten minutes after clearing the perimeter, she finds herself standing in front of a small warehouse in slightly better condition than its neighbors. She can sense five ponies inside with her magic, she can sense even more below her. She knocks on the door strongly after briefly casting a voice masking spell replicating the voice of the first pony she dispatched. She waits a moment before a slightly muffled voice sounds through the thin door.

“Whaddaya want?”

“We just want to put our hooves up and have a good meal.” Trixie responds remembering the ploy he tried to use.

“Well why didn't ya say so? Come on in!” The door opens revealing a thin earth pony. Quickly looking behind him reveals two pegasi, another earth pony and a unicorn. “Huh? Where's Suede?”

He doesn't get a chance to even think anything else as a hoof slams into his head with enough force to make it bounce off of the door frame. Trixie sidesteps the limp pony as she runs into the large room. Ignoring the other ponies at the table as they shout suddenly, she closes the gap to the unicorn who hasn't even begun to light his horn. She flips over with a tumble a pace away, lashing out her hind legs to hit him squarely in the chest with enough force to send him through the chair he sits in. Three left. She twists on the ground to kick her hoof out at the edge of the table, sending it into the leg of one of the pegasi as the others had quickly moved away from the table causing him to go sprawling on the ground. She rolls over just in time to avoid the stomping hoof of the earth pony who had gotten around the table. He rears to lash out with heavy hooves but she steps in as he lashes out, hooking his hoof under her left foreleg and throwing him with a rolling twist of her body over the table. He hits the table hard, causing it to buck him over the edge and onto the pegasus who was beginning to get up.

She turns to the pegasus who had circled around to her rear. He stands with his wings spread out low to the ground, silvery glints coming off of pinion blades attached to his wings for lethal wing fighting. He rushes her, pivoting to the left as his right wing lashes out towards her neck. She steps in quickly to get inside his range of lethal effect, pivoting to the left as her right hoof strikes the middle of his straight wing at the joint. The tendon snaps at her blow causing his wing to bend the wrong way. Twisting around quickly, she grabs his left foreleg in a hold that causes him to come crashing down hard. With well placed hind leg and a sharp motion she dislocates his shoulder with an audible snap and a scream of agony before he passes out.

Two left. She walks quickly over to the two ponies who had just disentangled themselves from each other. She shoves the table hard at the earth pony causing him to jump back to avoid getting hit. Trixie rushes the pegasus who had been temporarily distracted by her action. A quick blow to his jaw stuns him as she follows through with another blow to carry his head into the one chair which had miraculously remained standing. One left. He was running to the ajar door. Her horn flares briefly as she sends a chair leg whipping through the air to hit him in the back of the head. He lies there dazed as she walks over to him.

“What are you?” He asks in breathless fear. She doesn't say a word as she whips her hind leg into his face as she passes him. She levitates a small blue crystal from her bag which disintegrates at a slightly brighter pulse of her horn in a flare of effervescent white sparks. A few moments later the sound of rushing wind greets her sensitive ears and a bat winged Night Guard Captain walks through the warehouse doors. He looks around the room quickly and raises an eyebrow at the tightly controlled carnage.

“There's a hidden trapdoor around here leading into the basement. You and the Guards can take care of the rest.” Trixie says before she walks through the door. There are two other Guards waiting outside which look at her askance before they go inside at the barked command of their superior. With a deep breath, Trixie walks off to one of the all night public baths in the foreign district. Three blocks away the beat of wings causes her to stop and look as the Captain lands a few paces behind her. She raises an eyebrow at him in question.

“We secured the gang members you left scattered about the area and those you left behind. There were twelve mares we found in the basement. They're going to be fine. I never would have thought we could have dealt with them in two days.” He stops a moment to gather his thoughts. “I don't know where you came from, and I don't think that matters much. Not at all, but where you are right now and doing what you just did matters. We could have taken care of it, but not as effectively or as quickly and cleanly as you did. Some of the other Guards don't like individuals like you having such power over us, but I welcome your command, Colonel.” Trixie nods in dismissal and watches as he turns to fly off. Such strange roads we travel through life. She thinks as she continues on to her destination and to ponders what her next assignment will be.

It came as an enormous surprise to Luna and Rime Ice as Trixie began to accelerate her studies a within four months of study. She had been taking on a heavy load since the beginning, learning three to five spells a week with hardly any preparation or foreknowledge. She takes on more as she begins to manage her sleeplessness, dedicating entire nights to the study of a single school of magic as she becomes almost obsessed with learning. By the end of her fourth month of study, Trixie has mastered four schools of magic. The fact that she didn't have the magical strength to cast most of the spells above the intermediate level didn't stop her from learning the matrices of the spells.

Whetstone is the first to notice the changes in Trixies personality as she slowly becomes slightly introverted as she constantly thinks about the spells she was learning. When she wasn't studying, she was at the base of the mountain training with Flickering Shadow. Whetstone would make it a habit to spend more time with her to slow down the introversion and keeping her mind from becoming subsumed. He even asks the Elements of Harmony to come visit her on occasion to help their friend. Trixie was happy with life.

He informs Rime Ice about Trixie which brings about her new accelerated courses which removes much of her self study time as Luna and Rime Ice began to teach her personally each day. They are forced to advance the pace even faster as the synergistic schools of magic began to allow Trixie to learn spells at the pace of a starved genius. Then she is introduced to the hidden archives. The spells herein fill the bare spots in her knowledge that she constantly poked at. She reads all the books the small room has to offer within a month, but there was one last school of magic that touched so many other schools. One last spell that would define the warp and weft of the stardust cloak. The Anima.

The spell would allow the caster to catalyze the life of anything living into pure arcane power. It was terrible. It was magnificent. It was the power of retribution and justice that she now held. Once she absorbed the matrix of the spell, it changes her. Now, when she looked at a pony, she could see the ebb and flow of life within them. She could even sense the life of other living things a good distance away.

She was taken to a hospital where she could see the withered essences of the very sick. Her knowledge sprang forward and a small miracle happened that day. With a quiet voice, she asked for help because she wasn't strong enough for what she had to do. With the help of Rime Ice and every unicorn doctor in the building she healed every terminal patient in the expansive wing of Canterlot General Hospital. She went throughout the hospital with a long trail of ponies, to each room and each patient, leaving each afflicted with smiles or tears of happiness. For the first time since its construction, the old hospital was empty of any and all patients. It was in the last room she had visited where Luna found her. She was crying softly on the bed a small colt had occupied only hours ago as the moon rose to light the room with its gentle radiance.

“Why dost thou cry amidst the happiness you hath created this day?” Luna asks quietly.

“Because there will be more tomorrow. Because I can't heal all the ponies who are hurt or gravely ill through no fault of their own. Because I know things that could help all of Equestria, yet I can't teach any of it to anypony else because I know what would happen.” She gets off the bed, heartache and agony painting her face. “I can't do this ever again. I have others to protect, I can't just heal the sick. It's not right for me to only fix these lives. There are those who are well, yet live with the same sadness and despair. Never again...”

Luna watches Trixie as she leaves the room with her head down. She lingers a moment in the room as her heart echoes the same feelings Trixie has at this moment. It is the greatest burden we carry, my little pony. The hearts of we immortals are not impervious to the plights of life. This was the last lesson we had to teach thee. It may have been the hardest one of thine life, but thou had to learn it nonetheless. Though it does not stop mine sister from visiting each hospital in Equestria once a year to heal a pony in secret. She thinks with a sad smile.

Luna turns to catch up with Trixie. A comforting wing is draped across her weary student as they walk back to the castle. They spend the night in Trixies study, drinking tea and talking of inconsequential things until the time comes for the day to break. Trixie doesn't leave her rooms for the next day, only Whetstone and Venerable Service come to visit her shortly to assuage their own fears. The next morning she wakes, her heart tempered and asks Luna for her first assignment.

She was introduced to the Night Guard the next night. Her abilities granted her the status of Colonel in their ranks placing her just under all but the most senior officers. She could not be given orders by anypony except Luna herself and her commands could only be negated by a pony of higher rank with significant justification. She was first amongst officers of the same rank. It is needless to say that she put the back of many a pony up by the announcement.

She was assigned one squad of Guards for her first assignment. She was to seek out and eliminate a small group of ponies who had begun to capture ponies and sell their pleasures against their will. They were very difficult to track due to the presence of a gifted unicorn who prevented scrying and they could disband and reestablish their group with relative ease. They just happened to know the area they set up because of a lucky tip from an informer. The Guard who was briefing her on her assignment gulped audibly at her expression. He finishes quickly and she leaves to prepare for her departure. She is ready in less than an hour, taking a military transport with her detachment of Guards. They establish a base for the Guards two days later on their arrival to wait in concealment so that they wouldn't scare their targets off while Trixie begins to survey the area day and night. It was the second night when she deals with them.

Trixie left the bath house an hour after she arrived there. After making her way back to the base they had established, they left a few minutes later with the gang members restrained in shackles bindings and arcane null rings for the unicorns of the group. Arrangements had been made for a group of medic ponies and the local police force to handle the liberated mares. The train ride back to Canterlot left Trixie time to talk with some of the Guards while they were awake. Aside from some individuals who were slightly cold or moderately condescending to her, they treat her with respect. She also has some time to ponder her actions that night and her feelings at accomplishing her assignment. She feels that she passed the physicality portion fairly well, but she still needs more experience outside of sparring. But her feelings about the conclusion? She felt the fierce pleasure of having done something worthwhile. There were no regrets about ponies now in custody, no matter what life they had led. They willingly gave up their right to it when they kidnapped mares for the things they did to them. Trixie looks out the window in the bright morning sunlight to spot the unblemished alabaster and gold towers of Canterlot Castle rising from the side of the mountain which brings a small smile to her lips. I wonder what's next for me to do? She thinks as the warmth of the sun banishes the chill of the night from her coat.

A Peaceful Interlude: The Travels of a Peaceful Wanderer. Part 2 of 3

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Peaceful Interlude: The Travels of a Peaceful Wanderer
Part 2 of 3

What does it mean to take up the mantle of peace? Do you live peacefully? Do you spread peace to others? What does peace even do in the course of life? These are the thoughts that run through Olive's mind two years after he discovered his special talent. He remained at home this entire time, still working with the ship wright. Nothing had changed so much in his life that he was unsatisfied or wanted for anything, yet he still wondered what it was that he could do with this talent of his. Maybe I just want to find if there are any limitations to peace.

Olive finds his mind wandering to these thoughts more and more these days. His family is prospering even more than before since his boss at the ship yard had begun to talk to traders and merchants about his families oil business a couple months after he had received his cutie mark. Contracts were signed and trade agreements established, all of which made all ponies associated content in their arrangements. Everything in life was wonderful, so why did he feel this way? I'll have a talk with my parents tonight about this.

The sun had just set and the moon barely risen when Olive joins his parents in the warm living room. They sit around the modestly furnished room, his dad reading and his mom doing a little embroidery. He doesn't quite know how he felt about the path his thoughts were taking, but they weren't doing him any good rattling in his head. He finally sits on one of the small, sturdy stools littered about the room with a lightly laden sigh. For a while he doesn't do or say anything as he simply basks in the atmosphere of his home and collects his thoughts.

“So, how's life son?” His father asks with a gentle smile.

“Life is good. Peaceful. I can't complain about anything in particular.” Olive says with a lighthearted chuckle.

“Anything you'd like to talk about?” His dad asks in response, getting Olive to lower his head with a sheepish grin on his face. His dad smiles at his wife who hides an amused smile behind a hoof yet can't hide the twinkle in her eye.

“I should know better by now...” Olive says with a laugh. “Yeah, I do. But I'm still not entirely sure what it is that I have to talk about. It's... not the easiest thing to put into words.”

“You're not going to be a father, are you? I know there's that pretty filly in town with the light pink mane you're sweet on. I didn't know you had it in you son.” He says in a sly tone. Olive splutters and his face heats up like a Hearths Warming Eve fireplace. His parents break out in laughter at his reaction, causing him to join in soon enough.

“Dear, you shouldn't do that to poor Olive.” His mom says with mirthful giggles still lingering. “He's having enough trouble as it is trying to talk to us about what's on his mind without you derailing the conversation like that.”

“Of course, of course. But I find these kind of talks to be better if you don't ponder too deeply and just let it come to you.” He winks at Olive who just smiles back, a little warmth still in his cheeks.

“Thanks for that, dad. But I'm not going to be a father just yet.” He says sticking his tongue out at his dad who gives him a look of mock disappointment. “It's about me and my special talent. I've been thinking a lot lately about what I can do with my talent. I mean, what are my limitations? What can I really do with it. I've never heard of anypony with a talent for peace and I want to see what it is that means.” He says getting to the heart of his ideas since his dad annihilated the obfuscating thoughts.

“Well.” His dad says with raised eyebrows. “That certainly is something to talk about.”

“Where do I even start though?” Olive says a little worried over his lack of direction. “I mean... what is it I can really do? It's not as though I can just go out and join the guards or something like that. That's not even a fraction of what it is that I know about peace, not to mention I don't think I'd be very good at it. Politics and law are for the good of everypony, but we hear about some of the legendary arguments they get into over some slight change in wording. I know I can help a lot of ponies with my talent, but I just don't know what to do or even where to start...”

They sit in silence after Olive vents his thoughts. His mother silent and pensive. His dad wearing a serious expression, Olive simply staring at the well worn floorboards of his home. His parents look to one another, a thought being shared without a need for words in the manner of long-time couples. They share a slightly sad smile before turning back to their troubled son.

“Then why don't you go ask the Princess?” His mom says. Olives head snaps up at her words, his mind trying to comprehend the simple sentence.

“What?” He says dumbly.

“Why don't you simply go to Canterlot and ask the Princess?” She says with a smile. “She sets aside a day each month to hear the petitions of anypony of the land. Your father has even been to see her once to ask her to bear witness to his marriage proposal.”

“Really?! I've never heard that story before.” Olive says jovially.

“Ugh... Don't remind me.” His dad says with a wry smile.

“Oh come on dear, it's very romantic after all.” Olives mom says with laughter silvering her words. “It was my fathers idea that his son-in-law should propose in a way that nopony would ever dream of. You wouldn't believe the outlandish extents some of the colts went through to please my father. It got incredibly out of hand until one day your father showed up to our house. I knew he had feelings for me since we were in school together and I always enjoyed being around him. However, my fathers words had kept him away for almost two years. My father accepted the proposals of two colts, but left the decision ultimately to me. I almost accepted one of them, but I held off to give your father his chance though. We didn't know what to think when he finally showed up one day with a proposal of his own. Now I know why he had kept his distance, working diligently in the hopes of proving his self worthy in my fathers eyes.

“It was odd to say the least. He simply gave my father an envelope with tickets enough for my family to take the train to Canterlot and reservations at one of their hotels for our stay. He told my father that the proposal would come the next morning after we arrived and even offered to pay for all our meals while we were there. Little did we know that he had planned to take us all up to the castle and petition the Princess to bear witness to his marriage proposal. My father was in a state of shock, my mother had fainted and my younger sister was laughing herself silly. Needless to say, my father accepted his proposal and I accepted. The Princess even sent us a wedding gift. Never have I been happier until our children came along.” She says with the glow of absolute happiness. “I think it's time we should use that very present, dear.”

“I think you may be right, honey.” Olives dad responds. “I'll go dust it off and bring it out.” He gets off his chair and makes his way back to their room.

“Your father may not show it all the time, but he goes beyond the common when his heart leads the way.” She says once they are alone.

“I don't say this enough to you two, but I love you. I'm very lucky to have you two as my parents.” Olives says warmly.

“We know, honey. We know.” She says with shimmering eyes. “And this is why you have to do this for us, and for yourself. The happiness of the children is the happiness of the parents.”

“That's right, Olive.” His dad says as he walks back in. Hovering in the glow of his horn is a small golden coin. He passes it to Olive who takes a closer look at it. The coin is much larger than a bit and about half the thickness. Both sides of the coin have the Royal Coat of Arms wrought in fine detail with little else marring the pristine surface. “This coin grants you a priority petition to the Princess herself. She also told us that we can use that even if it's not the appointed day for open petitions. You should talk to your boss tomorrow and see if you can get some time off for a vacation, I'm sure you could use one by now anyways to spend a few of your well earned bits. Depending on what may happen, you deserve to enjoy yourself a little before you see where life may take you.”

“I guess you're right. I'll send a letter to let you know how everything turns out and I'll spend some time for myself in Canterlot before I decide on anything.” Olive says thinking about his first real time away from home and how he should enjoy himself. “So... do you have any advice for me since this'll be my first real time away from home?” They sit around the room for many hours as they talk about Canterlot, advice for long trips and simple reminiscing about their own time spent traveling and the things they've seen.

Nearly a week after talking with his parents and boss, Olive finds himself walking out of the Canterlot train station on a bright morning. His saddlebags are heavily weighted with bits, both his own and a generous donation from his parents to help him cover his expenses while away. Remembering his dads instructions, he makes his way to the very hotel they stayed at when he brought his mothers family to Canterlot. He looks around at the pure white faces of the buildings as he makes his way into the city. The only stone buildings in Sea Crest are the government buildings and the bank. The simple display of wealth makes Olive feel as though he shouldn't even be there amidst the splendor.

But he continues on regardless of his feelings, his desire to see what he can really do is more than enough motivation for the young stallion. The city seems to continue without end as he walks down the lane. The gentle curves of the path leaves buildings and alleys hidden until he's right in front of it or he takes one more step. He almost didn't believe his dad when he told him about how intricately designed the city was, but he had hoped that it wouldn't be like this. He just hoped that he wouldn't get lost during his stay. He would be here for two weeks, at the least, after all.

Finally reaching the major intersection his dad told him about, where he could see both the Canterlot clock tower and one of the towers of Canterlot Castle, he sees a modestly adorned hotel on one of the corners. The alabaster front of the building is adorned with well-aged oaken shutters and a elegantly painted sign hanging over the front door displaying the name, Pirouette. Olive walks across the intersection and enters the hotel. The first thing he notices is the warm, aromatic atmosphere and the rich browns of well kept hardwood. The foyer is centered upon a fireplace to the left with bookshelves along one of the walls, the main desk desk is on his right as he walks further in.

“Good morning sir, how may I be of assistance?” Says a sharply dressed pegasus stallion as he comes from a room set behind the desk.

“Hello. I was recommended here for the duration of my stay in Canterlot and I was wondering if you have any rooms available.” Olive replies.

“I do believe we can arrange something suitable for you. Do you have any preferences or specific requests in a room?”

“No. Just a standard room is fine with me. Are meals included? Or will I have to dine out?”

“We can supply you with fare for a ten bit surcharge per day. Our standard rooms are 8 bits a night, though we can offer a discount for extended stays.”

“That sounds great. I'm planning on remaining in Canterlot for roughly two weeks, if that isn't a problem.”

“Wonderful. If you would care to sign in and join me in the office, we can settle the arrangements for your stay.” Olive nods with a smile and signs his name in the heavy book resting on the desk. After joining the older stallion in the office, he signs a simple contract covering any damages he may cause during his stay. Due to the duration of his stay, he only has to pay five bits a night in addition to the charge for meals totaling out to a little over two hundred bits for his entire stay. No wonder his dad had chosen this hotel to stay at. It may be a bit more than a normal hotel at home, but it wasn't going to make a beggar of him for his stay in Canterlot. He has almost six hundred bits left to spend while in Canterlot and he doesn't even have to worry about meals as long as he eats here. It's strange for him to have such freedom from responsibilities and spoiled for choice when it comes to find something to do for entertainment. The stallion gives him a room on the second floor at the end of the hallway with a window overlooking the street outside. The room is modestly appointed with a comfortable looking chair, a fully furnished writing desk and a very comfortable looking bed.

Keeping fifty bits for walking money, Olive stores the rest of his bits in one of the side tables beside the bed and makes his way back to the foyer to ask for directions to the Castle. He finds out that lunch is normally served from noon until one thirty in case he is out for a few hours. He thanks him for the directions and the dining times before he leaves to make his way through the city with a devout desire to not get lost in a new city. It's about nine fifteen when he leaves the hotel and the streets of Canterlot are bustling with life as he makes his way through them. If it were not for the distinct lack of salt in the air, his surroundings and the casual posh of these ponies, it would almost feel as though he were walking through his hometown. The directions given to him seems to be fairly straight forward and Olive quickly finds himself walking up the main boulevard that leads up to the Castle. Not too much longer and he now stands before the stoic unicorn guards of the Castle.

“Um... Hi. I'm Olive Branch and I'm here to petition Princess Celestia for some advice.” He says a little nervously at the flat stares he receives.

“Do you have a letter of admission or predetermined appointment?” A dark gray guard asks.

“N-no, I don't... But I do have this.” Olive responds, hastily bringing the golden coin from his saddlebags. The guardspony does a slight double take at the coin as he was about to casually dismiss anything Olive might have said.

“That will do, sir. If you don't mind stepping into the guardhouse to the right and allow us to do a preliminary search, we'll inform the Princess right away.” Olive nods with a sigh of relief that the coin was recognized and he wouldn't have to wait another week for the public day of petitions. They simply ask him a few questions about where he comes from and why he's here, casting a few unknown spells over him and his possessions before they lead him into the Castle proper to wait in a very comfortable lounge. He is visited shortly by a maid who brings him a good amount of refreshments to help pass the time by. About an hour passes by without him really noticing it go, it feels so unreal for him to be here asking the Princess directly for advice like some noble.

Then, the sound of the door unlatching causes Olive to jump out of his seat and turn around to see who has come to see him. Even though he thought it would have been a possibility, the sight of the Princess herself coming to him causes him to avert his gaze down and perform an awkwardly hasty deep bow in respect. She chuckles a little at his awkward obeisance and lifts him with a gentle hoof to his shoulder.

“Good morning, my little pony. To whom do I owe my timely rescue to?” Celestia says with a radiant smile.

“M-my name is O-Olive Br-Branch, Princess.” He stutters.

“My hero.” She says with a laugh. “It's not often my guards receive one of my tokens of favor, so may I ask where you got it from? I don't remember bestowing one to such a young stallion.”

“It was given to me by my parents, Verdant Branch and Glinting Crest. I'm their oldest son.” Olive responds with a slight blush.

“That would explain it.” She says with a reminiscent look. “It's not often I'm asked to bear witness to confessions of love and marriage proposals. His heart is one of the few that would have him to go to any lengths for those he loves. It was touching that he didn't even ask my boon, just for me to bear witness to his love, that I bestowed that token as a wedding present. I'm glad that he has finally found a use for it after all these years. So what is it that is troubling you so, cherished little one, that you seek my advice?”

Olive takes a beep breath and lets it out slowly to steady his nerves. He begins to explain to Celestia about his special talent and what it means to him. The thoughts that plague him, telling him to find the limitations of his talent. The paths that he thought he might be lead down that might not let him do what it is that he is really meant for. He eventually winds down as he can't think of anything else that might pertain to his quandary. He looks to Celestia who has her hoof placed elegantly against her chin. She is silent for some time as she mulls over whatever thoughts she has. Replacing her hoof on the floor, she smiles at Olive with a twinkle in her eye.

“Your talent is not one that has a position or occupation established in our country due to its rarity. As such, you are in a very unique position Olive. My advice on your dilemma may not be as crystal clear as you might like, but I think that it may be better for you in the long term. I am going to grant you a very unique privilege, my little pony, to find employment anywhere in Equestria that you may want. Not only that, but I shall also grant you a Royal Pension to allow you to live comfortably in times where you can not think of what next to do, and you may discontinue it in the event that you feel you have found what it is that you have been looking for. For now, I would like you to remain in Canterlot so that you may come to me with any thoughts or questions and have the opportunity to experiment with some of the positions you can find in the castle, such as a diplomat or other such mediator position. Have you any living arrangements set up within the city?”

“Yes, Princess. I have made arrangements at Hotel Pirouette for two weeks of board. My parents thought that I should make this into a bit of a vacation regardless of the outcome. I don't know what they'll think when they learn about this.” Olive says a little dazedly. The total implications of the Princesses words too profound and all encompassing for him to fully understand just yet. “I hope that isn't any problem...”

“Of course not, Olive. I would like you to partake of my royal hospitality, once your time expires at the hotel, of course. This way you won't have a want for anything while you're in such a tumultuous situation.”

“I couldn't do that, Princess. You've been far too generous as it is.” Olive protests.

“I must insist on this. Ponies such as yourself have a special place in Equestria no matter where you reside, and I wish to help you in any way you may need.” She says with a look that would make Olive feel horrible if he were to deny her this liberty.

“Okay, Princess... In that case, I will humbly accept your hospitality once my stay at the hotel is over.” Olive says with resignation. He then looks over to the grandfather clock along one of the walls and notices that they have been talking for almost an hour and a half. “Ummm.... Princess? We've been here for quite some time... Shouldn't you get back to your royal duties soon?”

At that, Celestia smiles with a little laugh. “And that's why you were my hero, Olive. The nobility of Equestria can go twiddle their hooves once in a while and let me spend some time with one of my special subjects. I would also like to let your family keep that token you have. They willingly gave it to their son to use in his time of need instead of keeping it safe in case of something else. Your parents are special, Olive, and I will always be willing to help your family because of that very selflessness. If you have a letter you want to send them, I will send it along with the token by royal courier tomorrow morning if you wish. I'll inform the guards to expect your letter if you would like that.”

“Thank you Princess, it really means a lot to me. I'll be sure to deliver my letter tomorrow morning, bright and early.” Olive says with gratitude weighing on him so much that he tears up a little.

“I'm just happy I could help you, my little pony. But I must get back to my quibbling nobles and ensuring Equestria runs smoothly for another day. I hope to talk to you again soon, Olive.” Celestia says as she turns to leave. Olive watches until she leaves before he gathers his saddlebags to leave. He finds his way back to Pirouette in time for lunch despite taking a few wrong turns along the way. After lunch, he finds himself sitting at his writing desk, looking out the window to the street below. Now what?

Lessons in Etiquette (Part One of Two)

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Chapter Twelve: Lessons in Etiquette (Part One of Two)

It's the morning after Trixie dealt with the small band of pony traffickers and she feels the slow smolder of pride in her chest. After an early lunch with Whetstone, where she tells him about her time there and the end of it all, she goes to speak with Flickering about the fight afterwords. Just like with her sparring lessons with him, the scuffle remains sharp in her mind, certain parts slowing down to show just how something happened so that she can make it a part of her own experiences. She finds her way into his office by two thirty to find him going over some paperwork which he sets down with a raised eyebrow.

“I see you survived.” He says casually.

“Isn't that all we can do?” She replies in the same tone, causing a smirk to tug at his lips.

“So how did everything go? Did you properly check the environment like I taught you?”

“Of course I did. I even managed to take the sole unicorn out before he lit his horn.” She says with a huff, taking a seat in the chair opposite him. “Sent him straight through his chair with a forward tumble kick with both legs.”

“Smart.” He says with mild approval in his voice. “Any real trouble?”

“Nope. Had a runner, but I got him before he made it halfway to the door.” She replies with a half smile.

“Those cowards always annoy me.” He says with a slight twitch of his ears. “So everything went off without a hitch?”

“Of course. I just know now how little actual experience I have under my belt and I want to get it remedied.” She says with a self depreciating smile. “I know you're more than capable of ending me in a number of ways without even thinking of it and you know the same of me, but there are more ponies in the world than just the two of us. They might do what we wouldn't expect, though we train for anything they may do.”

“Sagely said, Trixie.” He responds. “That is the core lesson you should take to heart when you face the unknown. It may be your saving grace or it may be your death.”

“Speaking of which, I was working with a small contingent of the Night Guards and I was wondering if I could get involved with the next inter-guard competition. I think it would be as much fun as my training sessions with you.” She says with a sly smile.

“I don't have any complaints, but I would recommend using all of your guile against Terra Asunder. Landslide still holds a grudge against me and since you're a personal student, he may get a little overzealous in his pursuit of you.” He says grimly. “You might not survive.”

“Then teach me what you can by then.” She says unyielding. “I know when to attack, when to keep my distance and when to turn the tables. Teach me all you can, Flickering Shadow.”

His predatory smile says it all and Trixie shivers in excitement, with a healthy dose of dread.

“Etiquette?” Trixie says a little disbelieving. It's around five when she gets back to the castle, due to some impromptu sparring with Flickering, so she decides to join Rime Ice for supper. They were sitting in her office sharing some potent wine while her orders for food were on their way to the kitchens when the subject of her next lessons comes up. “I know this wine's a little strong, but are you serious?”

“Of course I am, Trixie.” Rime Ice replies with a decidedly evil smile. “Even though it has been several months you've been here, do you even know the full capacities of a Royal protege?”

“But what does that have to do with this and what I do?” She responds defensively. I've never seen Twilight act like some royal snit. She thinks to herself. Rime Ice just shakes her head as she looks down a little.

“It has everything and more to do with what you're going to be doing.” She says pointing squarely at Trixies chest. “One of the most important aspects of being in your position is your public obscurity. You're a student, personally mentored by one of the most powerful beings in the world. Ponies will see you as a unique variable. A pony that they could give or take depending on how you meld with their society. Look at Twilight, she barely attended any social gatherings and was a given. A triviality. Somepony who wouldn't change the nature of their game. You're somepony new and the nobility will wish to see how you tread the waters of upper class society. You must be the taken. You must be the sensational pony they must have at their events. You will hear gossip, but you must be accepted by the nobility for being able to match not only wit, but to excel in their world. But this is only a part of it.

“You're also an international diplomat as befitting your stature. It was Celestia's wish for her students to be able to grow in the way they wanted to most of all as well as in the way she knew they needed to. That's why she enacted this particular law to enable one of her students to travel the world freely and establish favorable relations with the other nations in the world. We would still be at war with the Gryphon Empire if it wasn't for his outstanding work.” Rime Ice finally finishes her explanation, her words softly settling in Trixies mind.

“I can see how this would work in my favor if I have to travel abroad, but still... etiquette?” She asks with a decidedly distasteful expression.

“Treat it as one of your old performances but with higher stakes.” Rime Ices says with an expressive motion of her wine glass. “I know there might be some aspects you'll enjoy. Like the language of the fan.”

“Language of the fan?” She asks slightly curiously.

“Yes, though Luna will tell you it was the worst mistake she ever made.” Rime says snickering. “The story goes that during a delegation between two nations, before her banishment, she had a fan and was using it to scratch an itch along her lower throat and that with her expression, the dignitary stopped his covert insults directed at the other. Turns out he thought that Luna was threatening him with an assassination because of her look and the motion of the fan. She'll just tell you her neck piece was chafing and was trying to get at a bothersome itch. The ponies wife caught the interchange and asked Luna if she was willing to teach her how to use her fan like that and it hasn't left Equestria since.”

They both get a good laugh out of the story with their lunch arriving soon after. They talk over all manner of subjects as the meal progresses. Not wanting to make her departure prematurely, Trixie eats slowly and enjoys the unique conversation of her companion. When she finally leaves, a constant smile and shaking of her head show just how ridiculous some of the conversations ended. So with a bracing smile, she makes her way back to her rooms for a while before she has to visit with her Mistress in a few hours.

The hours pass by quickly enough for her, but still can't help to be overwhelmed by the seeming insignificance of some of the upcoming lessons. I can compress time and warp gravity. Couldn't I just have a crash course in a week and we could call it good? She thinks slightly irritated that it's been rated so high for her to learn. Surely she shouldn't have to go through the entirety of the regimen. Right?

“You are wrong, my disciple.” Luna says simply after she voices her thoughts that night.

“But...” She begins lamely.

“That is not a sufficient argument nor the proper beginning for a response.” Luna says cutting her off. “Many of the upper classes are taught this from the beginnings of their lives. If ye wish to make a fool of thyself, please, tell me so and it will happen.” At Trixies sufficiently chastened expression, Luna nods and continues. “If thou wishes to be thought of as a student,capable in all facets of thine studies, somepony who can be where she wishes without a second thought, then this will be essential. Lingering just long enough in breaking off a conversation can often create the illusion that one has never left which will allow you to mingle and reassert thine self at leisure in their circle. The language of the fan can both impress and distract others from what is truly happening. Hearing what is said as well as what is not will be essential when interacting with them. Often you will be going into a dinner or ball knowing little to nothing about the ponies there. You will learn body language, reading everything about them whether they wish to tell you or not. These lessons will not be pleasant, nor should they. These will teach you finesse in the world thou must live in on occasions, it will teach thee the rules of the game they play.”

“Game?” Trixie asks curiously.

“Yes, game. There is no true name for this game, but the stakes are no less severe than if thou were to move prematurely or too lately in a sparring match, though the consequences may be far more deadly. They treat everypony in their lives as pieces on a board to be used, maneuvered and even sacrificed in the name of it. Thou must be both the player and the piece, but the player in the shadow most of all. It will be far more complex than any game of chess thou hast played to date, so any advantage to be had is a boon.”

“When do I start?” Trixie says with a sudden smile.

“Tomorrow night. Venerable Service will be thine first instructor, as she knows both sides of the playing table.” Luna says with a devious smile. “Nopony can truly believe the power of what they believe to be a simple servant. She has maneuvered the heads of houses into solid alliances with whispers of rumors heard from behind closed doors. She has also destroyed carefully laid plans, and the ponies who laid them, which could have easily destroyed the peace of Equestria. This is who thine instructor will be.”

“I shall have make a personal promise to never get on her bad side...” Trixie says cowed by this enlightening information while Luna chuckles warmly. She knew Venerable comes from a noble house, but for her to be such a devious and masterful manipulator? She realizes that it's not that much of a stretch of the imagination.

“Come now, lets talk of other things while I teach thee some finesse in magic.” Luna says with a smile. “Thine concealment is flawless, though there will be times when a shadow casting under the guise of another spell can accomplish the task better and with less suspicion. That is what is so wonderful about synergistic magics.”

With that, they move to the low set table and settle in for a long lesson in shadow casting. By the time Trixie leaves five hours later, she is covered in cold sweat and walks on shaky legs. Shadow casting... is not what I thought it would be. She thinks tiredly. What Luna calls shadow casting consists of spell combinations in a magic school and permutations of those through synergy. She had often done simple shadow casting in past performances without realizing it, but Luna worked her incredibly hard. Two hundred and thirty nine shadow castings without a break, while maintaining a steady conversation between her sharp orders of which spells to cast.

Once her own magic reserves began to wane severely enough to cause her to see splotches of white and hearing a faint ringing in her ears, Luna gives her an amethyst mana well. With this, she can draw upon it to refill her own reserves as well as use it in her castings. This happened twice more throughout her lesson, Luna admonishing her to use more finesse in her casting. To change the matrices to accomplish the same thing with less mana, to show her the intrinsic ingenuity that made her the mare she is today. She thought she didn't disappoint her at least, though Luna did show her a few new matrices on occasion when her own tries had no success.

She may know almost as many spells as Twilight now, but she lacks the massive well of power Twilight naturally possesses. So she would make due with what she has and her own cunning would make her all the more dangerous. She found this out when Luna asked her to experiment a couple times. She was using a simple breeze spell, creating a stir in the air when she decided to shadow cast a vortex spell at the same time. She thought that the combination would simply cancel out each other, but she was wrong. The direction of the breeze as well as the force stretched the vortex out of its normal shape, so she dropped the breeze spell only to have a sliver thin vortex flash across the room faster than she could react. It wasn't very strong, only making a couple papers flutter on the desk. Looking to Luna, she thought she might have been in the wrong to combine those two spells, but Luna's expression told her that she was on to something and that she was pleased. So she would practice it in her spare time at the training grounds.

“I wonder what other unforeseen or forgotten combinations there are...” Trixie muses to herself tiredly. “We only went through one school tonight. I have a lot of work to do before the next inter-guard tournament.”

With that, Trixie trudges upstairs and barely has time to pull her blankets over before she finds herself plunging mentally to that wonderful void in her own mind for some much needed rest.

The next morning is painfully bright for Trixie as the fatigue of last night combined with puffy eyes makes her roll around ineffectually. As she gets out of her bed, she goes to ring the chime with her magic but stops immediately as a sharp pain lances through her head. Over tapped in my training last night. She thinks with a grimace. Looks like I won't be doing any spell casting for the next couple days. With magic out of the question, she simply walks over to ring it and makes her way downstairs. She's sitting at her table with a foreleg slung over her eyes when Venerable Service walks in.

“Mistress Luna said you may be over tapped today and she was right.” She says with a soothing pat to Trixies shoulder. “I have a mana well for you as well as some rice wine to take the edge off with your breakfast.”

“Drinking this early?” Trixie says with a raised eyebrow.

“You've never heard about mages keeping strong spirits with them in case they need to speed up their recovery?” She says curiously. “It's commonly known that Starswirl was constantly drinking and when he sobered up, it was only to put the finishing touches on another ground breaking spell.”

“Really?” Trixie says sitting up, shocked curiosity plainly on her face. Venerable Service giggles at her sudden liveliness.

“It's not in the historical records or anything like that, but one hears things when around those who lived them.” She says with a smile. “So I hear that tonight you begin your etiquette training under me.”

“I never knew you were such a master in high society, Venerable.” Trixie says as the conversation turns towards tonight. “I knew you're a noble, but I had no idea that you were so gifted in this 'game' that they play. I must thank you for teaching me as well.”

“Oh, yes.” Venerable says, her face changing imperceptibly. She still smiles and her posture gives nothing away, but Trixie knows what she sees. An apex predator in its perfect environment. “The game is most fun if you know how to play it properly. I hope to see you on the board soon Trixie, it gets so boring with those predictable ponies who think they're so clever.”

“I look forward to being under your tutelage, my friend.” Trixie says repressing a shudder. “Please, teach me all you know and know I won't disappoint.”

“I planned to at Mistress Luna's behest, but it will not be easy.” She says with a slight smile. “I believe I can begin to reveal my true aptitude with you in chess now that you will be learning from me.”

“If you think I would give up because it wasn't easy, would I still be here?” Trixie responds succinctly. “If nothing else, a challenge will only drive me to excel.”

“I would expect nothing else from what I've seen.” Venerable says, her predatory look dimming slightly to something more closely resembling her regular self. How long has that look been there? Trixie thinks to herself as her companion turns to move their breakfast to the table. It always was there... I just never looked for it in her before. Trixie shudders once before Venerable turns back with the last plate and settles in across from her. Trixie keeps the conversation away from her lessons, hoping to relax a bit before her morning regimen with Flickering.

Flickering Shadows stands by the building with the training equipment as Trixie circles a particularly burly earth pony recruit who towers over her by a good margin. She feels the moment upon her, like a blade catching a thread to cleave through a piece of fabric with no resistance. She closes the gap in the blink of an eye, her forehoof flashing out with a savage strength to paralyze the stallions right foreleg while her other hoof hits his elbow forcing his unresponsive leg to fold under him. With him staring blankly at the lightning quick blows, she aligns herself perfectly to deliver a devastating crescent blow from his left, which causes him to take the blow without the opportunity to roll with it. The entire time, his face never changes from the moment her first blow struck true. It would be almost comical to Trixie if she didn't know the stallion could shatter her ribcage with a well timed kick of his hind leg.

The stallion falls listlessly and without any noise aside from a small gasp. Taking a few steps away to distance herself from the downed stallion, she turns to Flickering Shadow and raises an eyebrow in question. He raises one in turn and looks to the stallion on the ground. Trixie turns to see the stallion getting to his hooves drunkenly, obviously concussed. She shakes her head at the sight of him wanting to continue but readies herself anyways. He shakes his head a few more times before he looks to her with wary respect. He nods and assumes his own stance like before but more solidly planted. They take a few steps around one another like before, Trixie noticing the way his right foreleg is moving as though it's numb, only setting itself properly due to such good muscle memory.

She waits patiently, feeling out that moment again. She loves the electric jolt that courses through her system as she slips through the intervening space to see what will happen. The consistent promise of inconsistency, of action and counter action. He makes no obvious move to close the distance, yet he suddenly looms over Trixie from three paces away. She lets it wash over her without it touching her. She wait for him to make his move and it happens like a rock slide. A gentle tipping of his balance, a low sweeping step and suddenly he's only a pace away from her with a shoulder on an impact course. That is if she were striking instead of countering his power.

She slides around him like water, less than half a hoof between them as she sweeps a hind leg under him to kick out the hoof about to bear his weight. He falls like a train car that jumped the tracks. In a blur of twisting motion, Trixie has his hind legs crossed and in a painful hold. His pained gasp tells her that if she were to apply just a little more pressure, she could easily pull his groin muscle severely instead of simply overextending it. She looks to the stallion who is wide eyed in pain and fear, waiting for his submission. He gives it the second she moves his leg a hair more. After releasing him and helping him get up, Trixie and her sparring partner walk over to Flickering.

“Nice form today, Trixie. A three move down is hard against a built stallion.” He says nodding slightly. “However, your partner is only the top of the new recruits, not a fully fledged member of Terra Asunder. Only a year and a half of martial and physical training are under his belt.”

“I know.” Trixie says subdued. “If he took blows to the head stronger than my crescent blow, he could deal with the slight concussion.”

“Much stronger.” He replies in a deep voice. “Though I've never had somepony paralyze my leg with a pin point blow like that before. I wouldn't want to meet you in some dark alley.” He says chuckling slightly, his throat constricting and eyes widening a little at their flat stares.

“Neither did those kidnappers, but that was two days ago.” Flickering says with a smile and a casual wave of his hoof that unsettles the larger stallion. “But that's not here nor there. Good job today, recruit. I won't be calling on you again.”

“Sir.” He says smartly before he walks off with an odd gait.

“Tomorrow is when I'll introduce the Strata guards top recruit.” He says after the other stallion goes around the corner. “You should get back up to the castle soon. I hear you're about to learn etiquette.” He finishes with a smirk.

“Yeah...” Trixie responds with a strong shiver. “Etiquette...”

Tricks, cloaks and wands: The Lost Tales of a Traveling Magician

by divinearcadia

Finding a Lost Pony

The Way Forward

A Memory of Reflected Light

An Old Wagon Before a Winding Path

On a Chilly Spring Morning

Though the Seasons May Pass: Part 1 of 2

Though the Seasons May Pass: Part 2 of 2

From the Darkness a Light Shines

A New Life in a New Place

A Peaceful Interlude: The Travels of a Peaceful Wanderer. Part 1 of 3

A Little Grit to Sharpen a Blade

The Five Pointed Wand and the Stardust Cloak

Friends and Success

The Burden a Soul can Carry

A Peaceful Interlude: The Travels of a Peaceful Wanderer. Part 2 of 3

Lessons in Etiquette (Part One of Two)