Prologue

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Cozy, warm, and safely tucked inside the House of Lulamoon were a pair of student unicorns. The cold windows on the small house were hazed over with a pounding rain that thundered in the black night. A tiny fire burned quietly in the corner fireplace as loud, continuous snoring echoed throughout the blue bedroom within the manor. One student was hard at work, finishing her homework for the school day while the source of the snoring was coming from the other. Twilight was a perfect student; she did her work at the earliest possible time.

Her sleeping adoptive sister, however, didn’t have the same interest in doing homework like she did. Twilight had a great work ethic and went the extra mile for everything. Trixie, the azure mare snoring on a desk, had dozed off having just opened up her textbook for the first time in weeks. Twilight’s homework had been done hours ago and was stacked neatly inside her saddle bag while Trixie slightly drooled on her own.

The studious mare lay on her belly, reading her usual nighttime story and listening to the pouring rain combined with the obnoxious snores of her sister. For the first time in months the terrible snoring was enough to tear away the Twilight's immersion in her book as she stole a look at her sister. A light giggle at her sister's laziness escaped as she got up from the cushion she sat on.

“Oh Trixie, you never change, do you?” chuckled Twilight. She lazily walked to her sleeping sister with nothing but amusement. She had gotten used to Trixie’s snoring ever since the first night they had slept together, or rather, she usually just used soundproofing spells.

Trixie was fast asleep on her textbook. Scrolls were piled high on the desk with late dates all imprinted on them. The lavender unicorn quietly came up behind Trixie, using her magic to levitate a warm blanket from the bed as well as a soft pillow. Whether or not Trixie had disliked sleeping on the hard surface of a textbook, she didn’t seem to notice when Twilight replaced it. The warm covers hung loosely on Trixie as her sister gently pulled away the unattempted homework.

Twilight made a sour face as she looked at the blank parchment with nothing scribbled on it but her sister’s name and the date it was due. Examining the document more closely, she noticed it was assigned several months ago and had attached to it a threatening note from the teacher that Trixie was going to fail her class. Twilight let out a frustrated sigh for her sister’s procrastination at everything related to school.

“What am I going to do with you, Trixie? You either don’t do your homework on time or you just don’t do it at all,” scowled Twilight. Her sister continued to ignore the complaint and slept without bother. A flicker of magic and a magenta aura grabbed the dusty textbook her sister was previously sleeping on.

Signs of exhaustion showed on the sleep-deprived Twilight as the wee hours of the night drew into the wee hours of the morning. Luckily for the bookworm, the schoolwork was easily doable with her superb intellect. Unluckily, sleep was going to have to wait for Twilight as she stuffed the finished scroll into her sister’s saddle bag. A giant, unorganized pile of late work assigned to Trixie from months past was littered and packed loosely inside. The violet sister facehoofed, leaving a giant red mark left on her forehead. If it was possible, she would have facehoofed mentally as well.

“I value sleep as much as you, Trixie, but it seems I don’t have much of a choice. How you are doing in class appalls me. You sleep while doing homework, then you sleep during class. Just once I want to sleep when I’m supposed to, Trixie,” ranted the tired mare. Her eyes drooped as more hours continued to pass. Twilight had gotten used to sleepless nights doing her lazy sister’s work for her as well as studying herself.

If there was one word to describe how Twilight felt when the homework was complete, it was enervated. Doing a single assignment wasn’t too tasking, but doing a month’s worth of it when you’re sleep deprived was a bit much. It was a neat trick Twilight had mastered, but she regretted ever learning the skill.

At last, there were several dozen scrolls wasted, over twenty pieces of parchment still wet with ink, and one tired Twilight. It was a normal sight within Lulamoon manor, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. For the first time in hours, Twilight tore her bloodshot eyes away from her work and shot a grim stare at her sister.

Trixie was still happily sound asleep, wrapped warmly in a blanket and pillow. If Twilight was ever given the chance, she would gladly trade her intellect for a chance to sleep as much as Trixie did. “I... am so... going to... get...you back... for this...” she grumbled. Her hooves ached terribly as well as her mind. Twilight could easily shut her eyes, but if she could do the same with her mind it would save a lot of trouble.

The exhausted mare sluggishly walked to her sleeping sister with an annoyed expression on her face. She magicked the blanket off roughly along with the pillow. Trixie’s head thumped onto the hard oakwood desk, but still she barely stirred. Twilight facehoofed again as she remembered how her lazy sister could practically sleep through a stampede and still not budge an inch.

She levitated her sleeping sister towards the nearby bed. Twilight felt like she was walking on puffy clouds as her hooves lazily spread themselves on the warm sheets. It smelled immaculately clean and fresh, and it felt comforting to know that sleep wouldn’t be far behind. Trixie continued to snooze as Twilight magicked the blanket back onto them. Both mares were happily in bed as the thunderstorm continued on. It was a cold night even with the fireplace still burning in the room. The only other thing Twilight could use to warm herself up was her sister - which wasn’t a bad idea at the moment. The fatigued mare moved closer, pulling Trixie into a tight snuggle to share their body heat. She shifted herself continuously as she got into a more comfortable position for both mares. The movement was just enough to partially wake her sister, who moaned groggily.

“Twilight... stop moving... can’t you see I’m trying to sleep here?” groaned the half-asleep mare as she relented and finally accepted her sister’s snuggling. Trixie was as warm as always when Twilight crept closer to her. She finally felt heat enter her body again as she refuted her sister’s complaints.

“A ‘thanks for doing all my homework, Twilight’ would be appreciated, Sis,” retorted Twilight. She playfully hoofed her sister, which Trixie was too asleep to return. A deep fuchsia aura grabbed the cool blanket and covered both mares: Twilight completely, Trixie to her chest. The lavender mare rested peacefully in her sister’s embrace gaining the warmth she sought desperately.

“I could have finished my work...” Trixie argued weakly. All she got in return was a coughed ‘yea right’ from her loving sister. Trixie just smiled at her sister’s playful nature. “Alright, maybe not. Thank you, Twilight. There, now may I get some sleep?” she asked. All she got in response was a snore. Twilight had dozed off mid-sentence of the gratitude the azure mare offered. She couldn’t help but feel bad for making her sister stay up all night and finish the late work that she forgot to do. “Don’t worry, Twi I’ll make it up to you,” promised Trixie.

She looked to the nearby clock; it was well past one. Another look to the calendar and she saw a special date circled madly on it. Twilight’s birthday was in a week and Trixie had completely forgotten about it. ‘Some sister you are, forgetting about the birthday of the mare who does your homework for you every night,’ she thought, scowling to herself. ‘Oh wait, tomorrow is a Saturday, I can look for a gift while Twilight goes to the library like usual.’

An idea blossomed in her mind as sleep gave way again. At the earliest possible time, Trixie was going to take her sister to a bar for Twilight’s first drink. Both mares were on winter break, so why not live a little? If it would finally mean showing her smart sister the world, Trixie was going to have fun with it. An excuse to get drunk and spend time with her sister would be a double win - all she had to do was surprise the perfect student.

“Maybe I’ll buy her a book instead. Twi does read more than she goes outside,” mumbled Trixie quietly. She facehoofed for even thinking about taking Twilight to a bar. ‘Of course she wants a book! What else could Twi possibly want?’ she pondered. ‘Ugg, I’ll think about this more in the morning.’

~~~

Streaks of sunshine and cheerful light shone brightly into Trixie’s shared room. She moaned helplessly as the sun woke her from a late sleep and silently cursed the Sun Goddess for raising her celestial body so early in the day. She rustled the bed sheets frantically, noticing something was missing. She pawed the left side of the bed, searching for her absent sister. It was barely six in the morning - way too early to get out of the comforting confines of the warm bed - but if the lavender mare had already awoken then Trixie might as well. It took more effort than usual as she reluctantly left the bed and headed to the bathroom.

Twilight had taken the shower first, leaving the latecomer to brush her teeth and mane. It didn’t take long for a devious plan to form inside Trixie’s mind. Igniting her horn in a magenta aura, she turned all the faucets within the house to hot, diverting the flow of warm water from the shower Twilight had been using. It only took a second for her to notice her sister’s prank.

“AHHH! TRIXIE!” screamed Twilight as she ran out of the cold shower and gave her sister the evil eye. She burned with anger on the inside but was shivering cold on the outside. “Don’t you dare run! Come back here!”

Ignoring the distressed unicorn, Trixie flashed herself into the kitchen. She casually went to the pantry and took out two dishes and laid them on the table. Not a second later, an enraged Twilight, still cold and soaking wet, stared down her sister. Trixie continued to do her morning schedule of starting breakfast as her sister continued to drip. “I suggest you dry yourself, Twi, you might catch a cold.” said Trixie casually as she levitated a towel over to her sister.

Twilight gladly accepted it as her anger died down. It was just another typical morning for both students. The studious mare sometimes cursed her good habit of waking up early for a shower as it usually gave Trixie too many chances to play pranks on her. “I can’t believe you did that to me. Again!” said Twilight playfully.

“It’s not my fault you let me do it to you. Again. If you would just let me have the shower first every morning, I wouldn’t have to. You always take half an hour with your showers and it’s cutting into my me time. Now what would you like to have: a daisy sandwich or some eggs and toast?” asked Trixie. She finished setting up the tables and headed towards the fridge and got everything she needed.

Twilight finished her drying and threw the towel to the dirty hamper with her telekinesis as she took a seat at the table. As much as it hurt for her to admit it, Twilight was horrible at cooking. If she ever laid hooves on anything edible, it would either soon be lethally poisonous or turned to charcoal. “I’ll just have a daisy sandwich. I have a busy schedule today, so I won’t be home for a while. The library opens in about twenty minutes,” answered the lavender mare as she pulled a checklist out of thin air.

“Daisy sandwich it is. You really need to pull your head out of those books one of these day, Twi,” retorted Trixie. Her horn lit as two slices of bread were laid out. A few ingredients flew in the air as she continued on, “Your birthday is in a week; do you know what you want?”

Twilight just continued to add to her checklist of things to do, somewhat ignoring the question. “Sure... Trixie...” she answered, completely unaware of the date of her birth.

“Twilight, are you even listening to me? Twi?!” shouted Trixie. Still nothing from her distracted sister. The inattentive mare just continued to read her checklist as Trixie completed the daisy sandwich. She just sighed at Twilight’s ability to just lose her thoughts in everything else. Her magic wrapped around two glasses from the pantry as the refrigerator opened for a bottle of orange juice.

“Yea Trixie, my birthday is in a week. I heard you, no need to shout. And I don’t know what I want. Maybe a book?” answered Twilight. She rolled the checklist back up and in a puff it was gone again. Her eyes rolled down to the daisy sandwich that Trixie had made for her and took a bite. Even with something so simple, it tasted delicious in Twilight's mouth.

Trixie just sighed on the inside again and looked at her sister worriedly. “Alright, Twi, I’ll see what I can do. Just, stop reading for once in awhile and have a little fun. You only live once, you know. Moondancer would agree with me.” retorted Trixie. The studious unicorn was very much like Twilight, just with a white coat, but at least she got out once in awhile.

“Yea, yea, yea. Get out of the books and meet new ponies, I know,” mocked Twilight sarcastically. “I just think it’s more important to be studying than to meet unknown ponies. I could learn so much more if you didn’t always drag me to your parties, Trixie.” She magicked the other half of the sandwich into her mouth and washed it down with the glass of orange juice that Trixie had poured for her. Now that breakfast was off the list of things she had to get done, she could finally start her day of studying.

“Just remember, your birthday is in a week! I’ll be getting you a gift, book or not!” shouted Trixie as her sister left the dining table. “I’ll see you tonight then; I still have biology homework to do.”

The perfect student just looked back at her sister as Twilight neared the door. Trixie would never do her homework unless she made her do it. Hearing that her sister would do her schoolwork willingly was surprising. “I already did it for you, and next month’s homework as well,” she called back into the kitchens. “Do your homework on time, Trixie. You have to learn some of this stuff if you’re gonna pass the exams.”

Twilight was gone before Trixie could answer back. No doubt the she was hopping happily to the royal library and was going to spend the entire day there. Even if she didn’t like her sister shutting herself off from the world, it sometimes gave Trixie some alone time to do things for her. Right now, it was finding the right gift. Even if all she wanted was a book, Trixie was sure her sister had a surplus of those already. Over a hundred volumes of Starswirl the Bearded novels were stacked neatly on a bookshelf next to the bed, already read over a dozen times each, never gathering dust.

“Come on Trixie, this is your own sister here! You gotta know what she wants besides a stack of books. Well...” Her sister would always get uncomfortably close to seek warmth during the winter seasons. Usually it didn’t bother Trixie, but when in the middle of the night your sister snuggles up to you freezing cold and wakes you from your much needed sleep, it gets tiresome. Then the idea popped instantly into her mind. “I got it! I’ll get Twilight some socks and a sweater!” cheered Trixie triumphantly. The only problem: she didn’t know where to buy special wool for socks and a sweater.

Her magenta aura wrapped the newspaper and looked through, searching for an ad. She didn’t have to look long as the second page had a private story about a rising fashionista. “... youngest fashion designer and seamstress to come out of a little town known as Ponyville...” read Trixie. “Well that solves one of my problems, just where is this Ponyville exactly?” She put down the papers and opened her textbooks to an atlas. It seemed that the talented unicorn must be great at what she does to be recognized at the capital from such a small town. The little village was over several hundred miles away and in country land. It would mean taking several hours just riding the Pony Express to get there and several days wait for the socks and sweaters to be made. It was time Trixie didn’t want to waste. “Guess I’ll just have to learn how to knit when I get there,” she said. It was for her sister after all, so why not learn to do the task herself?

She put down her textbook and looked at the finished homework piled neatly beside the table. She unrolled each work and reviewed what her sister had done for her. Each parchment was written in the same style she used, completely different from Twilight’s own homework, but still reached the points the teachers assigned. “Great Twi, you just had to go and make me feel guilty, didn’t you?” cursed Trixie. She had the perfect sister. Twilight did everything for her, from household chores to school work and tests.

Now that Trixie thought back, if it weren’t for her sister, she wouldn’t even be in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Originally, only one of them was accepted into the world-renowned academy. It was a day Trixie would never forget as they were only fillies when it happened. Twilight had declined the offer from Princess Celestia, herself, just because only one of them was accepted.

Trixie was just throwing away the gift her sister had provided, never taking any classes seriously. It was a waste, but that didn’t stop the lavender mare. She did everything to make sure her sister passed every test, exam, grade, and class with above proficient levels. On occasion, Twilight would even lock the two of them inside their bedroom and wouldn’t let her out until she could recite all facts needed for their test. It was annoying, but it was just a way that her sister was showing she cared. It just made Trixie feel terrible - her sister got Trixie into the best school in Equestria and all she could do was give Twilight a pair of socks.

“I have got to be the worst sister ever,” announced the azure mare to the world. Then her thoughts wandered back to the Dark Ages of Equestria. The Sun Princess banished her own sister to the moon for a thousand years over sibling rivalry. “Ok, maybe I’m not the worst sister ever, but I’m so ungrateful to Twi. I hope she likes socks,” grumbled Trixie as she got out her personal piggy bank. She had managed to keep the thing from Twilight for quite awhile, saving it for a rainy day or special occasion.

The clay jar broke easily and spewed out its golden guts. Over a thousand bits were saved inside and Trixie was going to need a small amount to get herself to Ponyville. She stuffed all the bits into her saddlebags and cleaned the mess away with her magic. She walked to the front door, and took one last look at the small house she and her sister shared. It wasn’t much, but it was home. So many memories over the years, both good and ugly. Not everything in life was sunshine with the two mares, but that was just part of being sisters. At the end of the day, they could count on each other to be there.

“Well, I hope Twilight likes knee socks,” muttered Trixie to herself again. It was a bad habit both sisters shared growing up. If they weren’t with each other, they would just talk out loud instead of just thinking it.

Once she was outside, Trixie instantly regretted getting out of the soft bed that morning. The sun shined deathly bright today, sparkling off the rainwater and reflecting the light in every direction. She stumbled outside as her stormy violet eyes dilated to adjust to the brightness.

Her pace quickened as the cold got to her. The rain not only dampened the mood but chilled the surroundings. She could see her own breath as she walked the white streets of Canterlot. The old buildings glistened and stood tall with their marble foundation; one of the few facts that the lavender mare had drilled into Trixie’s head for a quiz was the composition of each of the foundation levels of Canterlot. “Twilight is right. I really should study more,” she mused. She continued to recite the facts that her sister had rammed into her head as she neared the train station. A loud whistle roared in the background as herds of ponies boarded. Having woken up so late, Trixie had only just made it. The train was five minutes from departure and thankfully the lines to buy tickets had shortened. She crept to the end of the waiting line as the pony in front of her finished the exchange.

“Hello, where would you like to go today: one way trip or round?” asked the nice desk mare.

“There and back for Ponyville. One ticket,” she answered. She magicked four bits out to pay the desk mare - who sounded surprised to hear such a rare request.

“Enjoy your time in Ponyville; I hear it’s nice and quiet,” commented the desk mare as she passed Trixie her ticket. “Don’t lose that - another train back to Canterlot won’t leave for two days.”

Trixie gave her thanks and boarded the old train leading away from her hometown. She searched for an open seat on the train and found one left. It was unfortunately already occupied by a white-coated unicorn. Her mane and tail were curled beautifully and glistened with specks of sparkles magicked onto them. The natural color of her mane was unbelievable as it almost glowed with a persian indigo and her flank showed three diamonds. The seat was filled with bags and pouches of fabric and silk, expensive and eye-catching yarn, all hanging opening as the material overflowed from each bag. If there was one word to describe the mare, it was fabulous. Not only did she look beautiful, but she did it naturally. Trixie snapped out of her trance as she was reminded of manners.

“It’s rude to stare at someone and not pay them a compliment, darling,” spoke the white mare. She had a voice like she had been born into the higher class and specially bred from the best. Her horn lit a cornflower blue and lifted the huge bags from the other cushion, giving Trixie room to sit.

Trixie tore away her unwanted stare and took the seat across from the well-appointed traveler. A closer look at the bags revealed that not only was the mare into fashion, but she was also evidently good with sewing as well. “My apologies, Miss...”

“Rarity, and no need for formalities. As much of a lady as I am, a ‘Miss’ just makes me feel older than I actually am. I believe I didn’t have the pleasure of catching your name...?” answered the other unicorn.

“Trixie. Just what is with all the...” she looked around the compartment, eyeing the different fabrics and jewels, “...shopping?” asked Trixie.

“Oh, this isn’t my shopping. I just came back from restocking, and as you can clearly see, I had to get my hooves on every fabric I could get. You never know when someone will walk into your boutique and ask for a custom-made diamond dress laced with gold silk and a pearl studded collar. Believe me, I had the same look you have on your face right now,” Rarity answered. She was shocked and jaw-dropped the first time someone requested something so random and expensive she had to catch the midnight train just to complete it within the week. She looked through several of her bags to make sure everything that was bought that day was on board with her.

“You own a shop? Is it anywhere near Ponyville? I was hoping I could find some special fabric for a pair of socks I’m knitting,” Trixie admitted. She heard a distant whistle outside as the train surged and screeched out of the station. Her gaze shot to the window as the city of Canterlot grew smaller and smaller.

“Why, yes, my shop is in Ponyville, and it’s called Carousel Boutique if you want to drop by. And if it’s socks you are knitting, I suggest wool, preferably from alpacas. Their coats are durable and silky smooth - guaranteed to keep anyone warm during the winter season. May I ask whom they are for?” asked Rarity with devious curiosity in her eyes.

Trixie tore her stare away from the shrinking city and looked to the elegant mare. It seemed that along with sewing, she knew a thing or two about knitting. “It’s for my sister. Her birthday is next week and I was hoping to learn when I got there. I was hoping to also make her a sweater as well. Twilight always shivers in the middle of night and I don’t want her getting cold anymore. By any chance are you the same fashionista that today’s news talked about?” asked Trixie. It could still just be a coincidence that she had met a seamstress with great taste in fashion and a shop at her destination.

“The one and only. Although, I’m not quite sure what they made me out to be was exactly accurate. If you want to learn how to knit, I can teach you. These train rides are always so boring. Oh! Where are my manners? I have been blabbing just about myself, so what about you, darling? You must be a good sister to this Twilight, to go all the way from Canterlot to Ponyville just to find the right fabric for a pair of socks. Not to mention you haven’t the slightest idea how to knit! You must love your sister very much,” noticed Rarity. Her horn lit up and levitated a pair of dull needles out of a saddle bag next to her. Several balls of yarn followed suit as well as another pair of needles for the new student.

The auras switched from a cornflower to magenta as Trixie took control and positioned the needles like Rarity showed her. “Yes, I do. I’m a student at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have gotten into the school, and I have been kind of ungrateful to her lately. I just wish I could do more for her. Twilight rarely goes outside and sticks her head in books most of the time. I worry about her constantly, but Twi is just being Twi, a bookworm and a perfect student,” explained Trixie, a touch of envy creeping into her voice.

“Well, it is a rather long way until we arrive at Ponyville. Your parents must be proud to have two of their own children attend such a private school. How about a fair trade: I teach you how to knit, and you tell me your story?” offered the fashionista.

Her gaze returned back outside to the background. The bright city had just barely disappeared from view. It was indeed going to be a long trip, and the only one interested in the lazy student was willing to teach her to knit in exchange for a story. “Well, first of all, my sister and I aren’t blood related,” she began.

“But you still love her like one, nonetheless,” deduced the white unicorn. Her new acquaintance did not have to say it, but her actions did enough. “Would you mind if I ask what your sister’s favorite color is?”

“She likes astronomy so her favorite colors are an imperial blue, combined with an air superiority, bleu de france, and persian,” Trixie rattled off easily. Even if the colors barely had any difference between them, she respected her sister’s ideals in detail.

“My, my. Your sister sure does have an exacting color specification. I am glad I had decided to restock on every color of blue known to ponykind, you know, to celebrate the millennium anniversary of Nightmare Moon’s banishment. I know it’s just an old pony’s tale but I just have a strange feeling this year is going to be different,” said the fashionista as she carefully picked the right shades of blue for the socks. After three bags were shuffled through, a silver silk yarn ball combined with three other shades of blue and gently floated over to the azure mare.

“Her name is Princess Luna; she wasn’t always Nightmare Moon. The real history of how the banishment went is far worse than the public knows. Another story for a different time. Anyways, I met Twilight when I was around four years old. I had just gotten my cutie mark, my parents were happy for me, but I didn’t have anyone to share it with. Like a few families left, I am from a private family line directly connected with Princess Luna’s own court. We of the Lulamoon had been one of the highest ranking advisers that the Moon Princess had trusted. After her banishment, my family was one of three still kept in power by her sister, Princess Celestia. Long story short, my family has been very important in the making of nocturnal Equestria,” Trixie explained as she wrapped the string of yarn around the pair of needles, following Rarity’s example closely.

“As I was saying, I was secluded from other ponies. I was home schooled by scholars all across Equestria and around the world, but being an only foal, I got lonely. I asked my parents for a brother or sister and they said the Lulamoon line was only allowed to birth one child per family, to keep the bloodline pure. At first, I was devastated to grow up without another foal my own age to make friends with. Either fate interfered or my parents got tired of my begging, but they decided to adopt a child. Being the parents they were, they dropped me off at an orphanage in the lower parts of Canterlot. They told me that they would pick me up at the end of the day and to choose my new sibling.”

Rarity just raised an eyebrow at the story. It was already shocking to hear parents treat their foal without any love and care, but to just drop off their only child and tell them to pick out their sibling was really rather unorthodox. “So they just left you at the orphanage?!” she exclaimed. “They just left you and said to pick out your new sibling?”

“Yup,” answered Trixie casually. She said it like it was an everyday normal for their parents to leave them at a strange place for hours on end and return later. Those were the kind of parents Trixie had: loving her not for being their daughter, but for her accomplishments.

A food cart loudly passed by pushed by an earth pony with a worn-out attire. She spoke with a hoarse voice and a Trottingham accent, “Would you two like anything?”

“Give me a bottle of Gold Symphony, extra strong, ninety-five percent. Would you like anything Rarity? It’s on me,” offered Trixie as she magicked a few bits out from her saddle bag. She just got a “No, thank you,” from the the other mare and paid the earth pony. The drink wasn’t cheap as it cost her nearly twenty bits, but it was worth it.

Nearly a third of the bottle was drained in one gulp and Rarity voiced her concern. “Darling, please, it’s too early in the morning to be drinking something so thick in alcohol. How will you learn to knit if your mind is half gone, as well as your liver?” She forced the bottle away and set it off to a corner hidden from the azure mare’s view.

“Sorry, but I kind of need to dull my mind right now. This story doesn’t exactly start out that happily, you see. When I first arrived at the orphanage, I saw three older ponies bullying a young filly with a lavender coat and a blank flank. They were throwing around her doll and calling her names. I couldn’t help but feel my blood boil at seeing another pony overpowered and outnumbered like that. So I did what I did best, and that was illusion magic. The look on the colt’s face when a giant manticore appeared out of nowhere and attacked him!” laughed the magician. It was one of the funniest moments she had dealt with after discovering her mastery in the hallucination magics.

“I say, those ruffians got what was coming to them, even if they were scared witless. What exactly happened next?” interrupted Rarity.

“Well first, I recovered her doll. It was ripped on one of the arms and slightly burned, so I repaired it for her, but that isn’t the sad part. When I faced her, all I saw was a broken mare. Everything about her just shouted unloved and unwanted. She was bruised pretty badly as well as crying when I approached her. I gave her back the doll and smiled, and all I got was a frightened scream when she grabbed her doll back and cried into a corner. I followed her, asked if she was ok and for her name,” continued Trixie. If telling the story was bothering the mare, she was trying her best not to show it. She just continued to knit with the needles and develop a new addiction to staring at the ground.

“That sounds just horrible! Didn’t the caretakers do anything?!” asked the worried white unicorn, breaking her usual manner of calmness.

“Like I said, she was unwanted. The orphanage was overcrowded and not enough adults ran the place,” answered Trixie as she continue to stare at the ground. Her gaze returned back to the mare in front of her, who was dying to know what happened next.

“When I caught up to her, I asked for her name, she said she didn’t know. She just kept crying and pushing me away. It was like she never thought anyone would be nice to her. Her body was shaking, and she held onto her doll for dear life. I didn’t learn until years later that the doll was one of the only things Twilight had left from her old family. When I tried to comfort her and ask what was wrong, she just kept screaming for me to go away and she kept begging me not to hurt her. The worst part was when she answered my question. She didn’t even know her own name...”

Author’s note: Well, my second fanfiction, not half bad if I say so myself. I want to start off by personally dedicating this to my editor. Thanks for stickin’ with me, through the thick and thin, bad with the ugly, and laughs and cries. Now, for the new note, I give my thanks to my uhh.... 3rd? 4th editor? I lost count. Oh well, I’ll just let her tell you about it. DerpyMuffins signing off.

Editor’s note: That was so sweet, Derpy, thank you. I hope all of you liked this and continue to read it and Has Anyone Ever Loved Me. That’s pretty much all I have to say, soooo... bye. TwiLunaLover out.

Second Editor’s note: Hoorah! The editing has been doubled!! We hope you enjoy the newly-revised version of “It’s the Thought That Counts” and stick with us for more exciting chapters! Celelorien, saying TTFN! Ta ta for now!

Goodbye

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Trixie just gawked at how frightened the lavender filly in front of her was. Her body shook uncontrollably and she stuttered, pleading for Trixie to not hurt her. Livid black and blue bruises stood out even against her purple coat, as well as a bright red cut on her upper lip leaking some blood onto her unkempt mane. If anything, the little filly was at the worst moment of her life: she was the lowest of the low, facing challenges someone her age shouldn’t have to even think about. The young filly spilled tears she didn’t know she even had left, and it felt like the most terrible thing ever. She was everything Trixie was and wasn’t at the same time. The filly didn’t have anyone to love her or protect her, and she didn’t even have a warm and safe home to live in. Not even the other orphans seemed to like her.

Trixie’s eyes studied the distressed filly’s features more intensely. The unknown orphan was a unicorn, but there were some slight cracks in her horn, meaning she was experiencing immense pain throughout her mind and body. What drew the most attention from Trixie was the way the filly held onto the doll she had just fixed. At first, she thought the lavender filly would thank her for taking the bullies away and sewing back up what seemed to be her only toy, but that wasn’t the case here. It was the exact opposite - the filly just ran away screaming in fear and in a fit of tears.

She had run into a small storage closet, leaving behind a trail of salty droplets which Trixie easily followed. The room shook with the ruckus the lavender filly was making. It hadn’t occurred to the little orphan that she was being followed. All that was on her mind was to get away before she was hurt again. The dark storage room had mops and buckets, teetering on edge for anything to tip them over and fall on an unsuspecting head. She kept repeating in her head over and over again, ‘...this isn’t, this isn’t real, it just can’t be. I’ll wake up any minute now...’

A loud scream escaped her again as light poured through the dark room quickly, burning her sensitive eyes that just adjusted to the darkness. It was the same filly she had met earlier, the same one that had given her back her Smartypants doll. On any normal day, she would have thanked the other filly, but the last couple of days made her think otherwise. Everyone at the orphanage didn’t want her there or just used her. Fights and teasing were a daily schedule for her now, as well as starvation when the older colts stole her food - not that it tasted that good.

“Are you alright?” asked the concerned azure filly. It was rare to see anyone so scared. It was almost like the orphan unicorn had grown an expectation that everyone she met wanted to hurt her. Trixie knew better than to approach her immediately, so she stood a respectable distance away.

“Pl-please... don’t hurt me. Just go away... please...” begged the lavender filly. She continued to cry and staggered backwards into a mop. Her flank hit the unstable cleaning utensil and fell into a nearby metal bucket hanging dangerously overhead. Another second and the bucket toppled over, falling directly downward towards the distressed filly. All she could do was ignite her magic in a failed attempt to save herself. A cracked horn wouldn’t allow her to do any magic, not even to save herself from a bloody head or possibly a concussion.

The orphan just closed her eyes. She shut her eyes and waited for the heavy bucket to fall on her and hurt her even more - it wasn’t like anyone cared. Something was off: she didn’t feel pain or even hear the metal clang the bucket would have made if it missed her. She dared a peek up and saw it had been caught in a magenta aura, levitating safely away from her. The orphan had been saved twice by the new filly she met today. Maybe not everyone in the cruel world was out to get her.

“Th-thank you... for saving me... again,” mumbled the lavender filly. Her little body stopped trembling somewhat as she weakly got back on her hooves. Her Smartypants doll had disappeared from the deadly grip she had on it and now lay on the ground with stuffing strewn about. Another arm had ripped during her frightened flinching and sewing back the severed limb was going to be nigh impossible for Twilight. She was horrible at it even when she could still use her magic.

“Why did you run away earlier? I just wanted to know your name,” asked the other filly. She gingerly stepped closer to the orphan, who just flinched back again in fright. “It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you, alright? I’m just gonna repair the doll for you again, okay?” spoke Trixie softly. Her magic aura wrapped the damaged doll once more and gathered the fallen stuffing. Another flicker of magic and the worn out silk holding the thing together was back on.

Her Smartypants doll was repaired and returned to her again. For the first time since she arrived at the orphanage, the lavender filly smiled, or tried to smile with some blood still dripping on her lip. It wasn’t a pretty sight, the young orphan cuddling her doll lovingly and ignoring her bruises. “My name’s Twilight. I... can’t remember what my last name is...” she answered. She stumbled out of the dark storage room and met her savior face to face.

“Nice to meet you Twilight, my name’s Trixie. Why were those colts picking on you earlier? You don’t seem to be the troublemaking type,” asked Trixie delicately. She magicked a cloth blanket from the storage room and covered the lavender filly, seeing as she needed it.

“I-I-I... don’t really... know why... Ever since I got here... they’ve just been picking on me. I never did anything to them before, but it doesn’t exactly stop them very well. I... wish I could get away from here... I don’t think I can go on much longer,” answered Twilight. She was on the verge of tears again, thinking about the hellhole she had come to just a few weeks ago. She wasn’t sure why since she couldn’t quite remember, but when she concentrated very hard all her mind would allow her were vague memories of a fire.

Trixie gave a sympathetic look to the orphaned filly. Life had taken a sour turn for the most innocent of ponies, one that didn’t deserve anything bad happening to her at all. “Why don’t we go to the nurse’s office? We need to get those bruises checked out. When was the last time you ate something? You look kind of pale,” said Trixie as she noticed Twilight’s ribs sticking out. It was a wonder how the filly could even stand, let alone walk and run like the way she did. But fear had a certain way of making desperate ponies do things.

Twilight’s stomach answered the azure filly’s question for her as it rumbled loudly, like she hadn’t had a proper meal in days. Now that the fear-induced adrenaline was out of her system, the orphan unicorn stumbled every step until her new friend helped stabilize her. “I ate dinner last night, if you could call it dinner. I don’t really remember what anything else besides alfalfa tastes like. Are you new here? I’ve never seen you before,” asked Twilight.

“Actually, I’m just here for the day. My parents dropped me off here a while ago and said they would be back later,” answered Trixie confidently. She returned the lavender orphan’s stare and got confusion. “Don’t worry, it’s not what you think it is. Even if I ran away from here, they would still come and pick me up.”

Both fillies continued their steady pace towards the clinic, chatting away like they were the best of friends. They soon discovered that they both liked the same subjects, astronomy, history, chemistry, and magic. Trixie didn’t know where it came from, but the orphan had a surprisingly large amount of knowledge on every subject her parents were grooming her to master. The orphanage didn’t offer many books to read and she was too young to have started learning from school. The filly just seemed to know everything about everything. While Trixie disliked learning from a secluded location, the other filly beamed delightedly at any opportunity to learn something new.

Once they were in the clinic a mellow, grey earth pony walked towards them. She was one of two ponies who donated their time willingly. It wasn’t that the work was hard, but the nurse just had a sense of responsibility for each foal, whether they were forgotten or abandoned. A certain violet unicorn in particular caught her attention the first day she arrived. She had only known Twilight for a short time, but it didn’t alter the fact that she had grown an attachment to the orphan. She didn’t know what it was - the filly’s kindness or insecurity - but Nurse Bluecross just felt a connection. Seeing the young unicorn hurt only deepened the anger she had for whoever had taken advantage of her. “My goodness Twilight! What happened this time? Oh, no time for that! Get over here, I need to swab those bruises for you. This may hurt for a bit, but hold still,” fussed the grey earth pony.

“It’s nothing too serious, Nurse Bluecross. I just got into a fight again,” answered Twilight as she let the concerned earth pony swab her bruises with some medicine. It burned lightly on her sensitive skin, but it helped to soothe the pain.

“When you say fight, you mean you were ganged up on and bullied? I know you, Twilight, you wouldn’t start a fight even if your life depended on it. Now, tell me, who did this to you?” asked Nurse Bluecross. She finished swabbing and wrapped the bruises in bandages. She turned to the new filly, whom she had never seen before. “Who’s your new friend, Twilight?”

The lavender filly’s mood brightened up immediately at the prospect of having someone say she had a friend. At once she beamed with a smile and answered, “That’s Trixie, my new best friend. She saved me from the other colts and fixed Smartypants. See?!” She held up her old doll excitedly to show the kindness of the azure filly.

The sight was endearing for the nurse, seeing how the loner had made a friend in such a short time. The young orphan wasn’t very popular with the other foals, and to hear she had finally made a friend gave Nurse Bluecross hope. “That’s very sweet of Trixie to do something like that for you, Twilight. I’m glad to see you making friends,” said the grey earth pony kindly. “Umm, are you new here Trixie?”

It was a strange feeling to be asked the same question. Trixie didn’t know why everyone kept asking her that, but it must be important to be asked the same thing twice. “No, Miss Bluecross, I’m not. My parents dropped me off about an hour ago. They said they be back a little bit later to pick me up. Why?” she asked.

She got the weirdest look from the nurse, as her face was a mixture of horror and sympathy. To hear that a couple would drop off their foal like that to an orphanage and have the nerve to say they would be back; it was horrible. Anger swelled within her, but she hid it for the sake of the fillies. She knew the orphanage was full of foals without parents, left alone on the doorsteps or just abandoned, but to hear that her parents would just tell their child to walk into an orphanage was disturbing.

‘They don’t deserve to be parents, to just do something like this to their own filly, and one so sweet, too,’ mused the grey nurse. She swallowed the petty anger and answered the unknowing filly, “Oh, nothing important dear. I’m just glad to hear that Twilight is making friends, and with someone as kind as you. Now, why don’t you two run along, I’m sure you will have great fun with each other.”

The freshly-bandaged filly smiled widely and dashed out of the room with her new friend. It was a sight enough to give the grey nurse a smile for herself now that Twilight wouldn’t be bullied as much. But that still didn’t change the fact that the new filly’s parents had just dropped off their kid at an orphanage. “Honestly, if you’re gonna have a foal, at least have the decency to die before you send them to an orphanage,” grumbled Nurse Bluecross under her breath. “Parents these days.”

The two fillies were long gone, away from the fuming nurse and running through the old building. Any signs that the lavender orphan was unhappy were never shown as the two spent the rest of the day playing games that normal foals would. Tag was on the list, but not before Twilight had read a book on how to play it. They ate lunch in the common area, which didn’t exactly taste or look like lunch. It was alfalfa and water, with what was maybe an apple, but they didn’t care. It was each other’s company that made their mood bright.

Afterwards, they trotted to Twilight’s room discussing their futures and dreams, though mainly it was just the lavender filly rambling on about how she would get into magic kindergarten. Oh the things the orphan unicorn knew, from basic facts on astronomy to the chemical composition of phencyclidine and its systematic name. It seemed she had an IQ above super genius and a magic capability that would rival Trixie’s own. Twilight was a master at every subject they discussed and pretty much everything else. How she could know such things at her young age was the biggest mystery Trixie had ever encountered. Either she was born with it or someone had previously tutored her.

“Twilight, how do you know so much? You’re still just a filly, same as me,” she asked curiously. She turned to her new friend who just sat lazily on the musty makeshift bed. A wooden nightstand was next to it that was filled to the brink with books and a chemistry set.

“I don’t really know... I guess I just know it? I can’t remember how or where I learned this from, but it just comes naturally to me. Like when unicorns do magic, we don’t really know how we do it, we just do it, like it’s instinctive. Like magic is natural to all unicorns, this just comes easily to me. You know what I mean?” asked the lavender filly in response. She stared at Trixie and for once didn’t get a look of confusion in return from whomever she was trying to explain something to.

“Yea, I do. Like magic comes easy for all unicorns, or how flying is with pegasi, you just know these things because you know them. The question is, where did you learn it from? We’re both too young to start magic kindergarten and this place doesn’t look like it has a library where you could learn from,” noticed Trixie. She levitated a book from the nightstand and looked at the aged cover. It was a first edition History of Equestria by Starswirl the Bearded. Trixie recognized the title right away, as she had the only other copy in existence at home.

Twilight took notice of the book and grabbed it out of sight without a second to spare. She squeezed it tightly next to her body to protect it from other’s eyes. All she got in return was a stare from her new friend like they had never met before. “Sorry...” apologized Twilight. “It’s just... this and Smartypants were the only really important things with me when I first came here. I can’t remember anything else besides coming to this awful place. I wish I could just get away from it all.”

She reluctantly let go of the precious book and laid it out on the bed. The brown pages stank of age and a hint of decay. The words were written in another language and with special ink, and the cover had Princess Luna’s official emblem and regalia emblazoned on it along with her signature on the inside cover next to Starswirl’s. Only the royal family or the highest nobility would have been lucky enough to even know about the book, so an unknown orphan owning it was very strange indeed. Trixie double-checked that the book and signatures were real, confirming them both times.

“No wonder you’re so smart! This book was written by Starswirl himself,” Trixie complimented Twilight. Before she could say another word the book was drawn away again, safely pressed against the orphan’s chest. Then an idea bloomed inside Trixie’s head: why not show Twilight her own library back home? It would certainly make the lavender filly’s day, particularly seeing how roughly it started. “Hey Twilight, you want to come back to my house? I have a library full of books like this,” she offered.

“I would love to, Trixie. It’s just that... I’m an orphan... I can’t leave this place without first being adopted or someone filling out the necessary paperwork first. And... I don’t think your parents will just adopt me like that... It’s not like anyone wants me around anyway...” sighed Twilight. She was trying really hard not to cry, but tears still threatened to pour down her face. It wasn’t healthy for someone as young as her to be so upset all the time.

“Twilight, trust me. If you want to see my library at home, I can make it happen. I didn’t just come here today to play with you,” Trixie reassured her. “I came here today to pick out my new sister.”

The words echoed in Twilight’s head. They rang over and over until she finally understood them. She was going to be adopted. She could finally get away from this awful orphanage and best of all, she was going to have someone like Trixie as a sister. Twilight cried, for once not from sadness, not because of what life threw at her, not because the other foals hated her, but because someone was willing to give her a new family. “Re-really?!” she asked, stumbling over her words in her eagerness.

“Ye-”

Before she could complete the answer, Trixie was tackle-hugged wildly. Her tears overflowed and soaked the azure filly’s coat as Twilight increased her grip on her, nearly choking her. She could hardly breathe, but she was glad to see the orphan filly so happy. “Twi-- do you mi-- I ca-- brea--” she managed to choke out.

“Oh, no, I’m so sorry... it’s just that... I’m so happy... thank you...” Twilight replied, still crying joyfully. She loosened her deadly hug, but just slightly. If the somewhat-victim was still uncomfortable, she didn’t voice it but just continued to let Twilight squeeze her tightly.

“Well, if you don’t mind, my parents are coming soon, so if you want, we can start packing,” she squeaked. She waited silently for a reply, but got nothing. Twilight just remained silent, still wrapping herself around Trixie in an embrace. “What’s wrong? I thought you wanted to leave this place?”

Her happy tears were now tinged with a bit of sadness at the prospect of leaving somepony behind that had been looking out for her since she arrived at the orphanage. “No Trixie... I’m really happy to know I can leave this place and start a new life... it’s just that... I’ll have to say goodbye to Nurse Bluecross. She’s been so nice to me ever since I got here... I kind of don’t want to see her go,” Twilight answered slowly. She didn’t have to say that the grey nurse had been like a surrogate mother to her when she first arrived. It was evident from the way she spoke so casually with the earth pony earlier that day that they were more than just friends - Nurse Bluecross was the only one who cared for Twilight here at the orphanage. It seemed terrible to rip them apart - somehow akin to when the bullies had taken her Smartypants doll from her.

“Don’t worry Twilight, if it means that much to you, I can probably convince my parents to get Miss Bluecross a job at our mansion,” reassured Trixie. She nearly lost her breath again as the lavender filly nigh on squeezed her guts out.

“Thank you Trixie! You have no idea how much that means to me!” gushed Twilight. She reluctantly let go of the young filly she was hugging to see red marks all over Trixie’s body. “Sorry,” she apologized sheepishly. She rushed under her little bed and got out a small suitcase. It popped open with two clicks as Twilight rushed to pack books and personal belongings into it.

It surprised Trixie to see the way the items were being packed - they were stacked neatly inside, color coded, and all in alphabetical order. Within five minutes the young orphan was ready, prepared for a new life with her Smartypants doll sitting lazily on her back. “Let’s get going!” cheered Twilight excitedly.

Trixie just beamed at her new sister with a loving smile. It was nearly five, which would mean it was one hour until dinner at Lulamoon Manor. “Alright, let’s go tell Miss Bluecross the good news then. I’m sure she will be excited to hear about her new job offer,” answered the azure mare. Before her eyes could see what was happening, her new sister had already snagged her silvery-white tail in her mouth and was dragging her roughly throughout the hallways on their way towards the clinic.

“Twi- slow dow-- you-- give me bru--” she gasped out as her face and body were ragdolled across the dirty floors of the orphanage. By the time they got to the grey earth pony’s office, Trixie had just as many bruises as Twilight had.

The lavender filly released her new sister at the door and rushed to Bluecross’s side, surprising her. It was almost like the young filly was running on cosmic energy, completely devoid of sorrow, like it was her coronation. “Nurse Bluecross, you’ll never guess what happened to me!” she squealed excitedly. Her new sister weakly limped into the room, interrupting the exchange.

“My goodness, Trixie what happened?!” asked the grey nurse, appalled. “You look like you just got into the worst fight of your life!” She rushed to the hurt filly and examined her new bruises. It wasn’t as bad as she had initially assumed, but better safe than sorry.

“It’s nothing Miss Bluecross. Twilight just wanted to drag me along so she can tell you the good news,” said Trixie wryly. Nurse Bluecross ushered Trixie along and brought her to a nearby bed. She winced, but didn’t complain. She had seen what her new sister had gone through on a daily basis, and complaining now would have been rather rude.

“Just let me fix you up, then we can hear the exciting news Twilight keeps jumping up and down about,” replied the grey earth pony. She did the same procedure she had that morning: swabbing the painful bruises delicately and then covering them with bandages. “Now Twilight, what is this exciting news you wanted to tell me?”

The lavender filly stopped her jumping for just a second and beamed at the nurse with a smile that told her she was the happiest foal in the world. “I’m being adopted!” proclaimed Twilight at the top of her lungs. “And Trixie is going to be my new sister!”

Nurse Bluecross’s stare went from Trixie to Twilight and back again. Trixie had a smile on her face that confirmed it as truth. Nurse Bluecross wiped her eyes of tears and smiled to hear that such a sweet filly like Twilight was going to have a warm and loving home, along with a new family.

“And guess what? You can come with me! Trixie said there was enough room at her mansion for you too!” shouted Twilight. Before her little mind could register what happened, the grey nurse wrapped her and her new sister in a hug. Now Twilight knew firsthoof what it was like to be crushed to death by an embrace. Barely any air got to her lungs, but it was worth it.

It was Trixie who first broke the silence - not because she wanted to, but because she needed to breathe. “Miss d-- you mi-- I ca-- bre--” coughed the azure filly again. Being crushed to death twice in one day wasn’t exactly on her agenda, but it was somehow a nice feeling all the same. Unlike Twilight, the grey nurse was capable of letting her grip slip for the sake of both fillies.

“Sorry about that. I’m just so happy to hear that Twilight is getting adopted, and with a new sister as sweet as you. Thank you,” mumbled Nurse Bluecross. “Wait... did you say mansion?”

Finally catching her breath, Trixie shook her head to collect her thoughts. A royal air surrounded her, giving her words and voice a nobility like her ancestors before her. “My full name is Trixie Bellatas Speca Curator Celebra Callidi Lepidi Patroni Idonia Angela Astrum Stabilia Sollerīs Decora Victoria Vespera Lulamoon, filia of Moonlight and Starshine, second house of the Lunar courts, third legion in the Solar Empire, heir of Her Highness Princess Luna’s official ambassador, minister of the Lunar ecclesia, next in line for lead councillor, episcopas, and chancellor of Her Majesty’s side, future Dux Ducī of the Lunar Equis, and last of the Lulamoon,” intoned Trixie dramatically. Her eyes almost seemed like they were glowing with past ancestral knowledge and wisdom. The image was ruined when the last of the Lulamoon was tackled again by her future sister.

“You mean your library has books not just from centuries past but with almost a direct connection to the royal archives?!” asked Twilight excitedly. Leave it to her to turn something like a royal announcement into something educational.

“Ye--” choked Trixie again. Her new sister was on top of her ribcage, and Twilight’s weight was once again slowly asphyxiating her. Trixie’s face seemed to turn an even deeper shade of blue, which was thankfully noticed by the surprised nurse.

“Twilight, let your new sister breathe. I’m sure you won’t be able to see the library if Trixie passes out. Now, why don’t you two go to the front desk and wait for Trixie’s parents to come?” suggested Nurse Bluecross. She gently lifted the excited filly off to save her new sister from trauma, which Trixie was immensely grateful for.

“You should start packing too, Nurse Bluecross, since Trixie said you can stay at the mansion with me!” said Twilight. She looked back to the grey earth pony to find a sad look that told her more than she let on. “You’re... not coming... are you?” she asked slowly.

The caring nurse had choked back another sob, one not on her behalf but for Twilight. Nurse Bluecross returned the stare, tears streaming down. “I’m sorry Twilight, but I can’t. The other children need me here. Who’s going to be bandaging hurt fillies and colts if I go? Besides, you have a better future now, Twilight, don’t bring someone like me into it - I’ll only hold you back. Now don’t cry, I’m afraid it’s all for the best. You know I love you like you were my own, but... my place is here, at the orphanage, but I can visit you any time. I’m sorry, but I can’t go with you Twilight, please understand...” pleaded the grey earth pony.

It was to be expected, but the lavender filly started pushing her surrogate mother away. The joyful mood was gone, replaced by a wave of anger. The anger was quickly overcome by sadness when she realized the grey nurse was only trying to do what was best for her. It hurt, but the nurse acted like it was just another part of moving on, leaving behind the bad and ugly along with all the good and happy. Twilight made up her mind - if having a better future meant leaving behind the only pony that had ever loved her, she wasn’t going to go. “No! You can’t stay! Please! You have to come with me! Please,” she sobbed softly into Nurse Bluecross’s coat.

The grey nurse hugged the lavender filly all the harder, trying to squeeze all the sadness and tears out. It didn’t work - Twilight just continued to cry and push at her lightly with her hooves. “Twilight please, understand...”

“NO! I-I-I.... I hate you! Let go of me! I want to hate you!” screamed the distressed filly, her words betraying her true feelings. No matter how hard she tried to push the grey nurse away, a part of her didn’t want to let go.

“Twilight... I want to... I really do... but... I just can’t...” Nurse Bluecross explained softly.

“Th-then I won’t go! I won’t leave you!” argued Twilight. Nurse Bluecross frowned - if there was anything Twilight wasn’t allowed to say, it was announcing that she was going to throw away her future for the grey nurse. She looked at Twilight with stern but loving eyes.

“Don’t do that Twilight. Please, do not throw away a chance for a family and a future for my sake. I’m not worth it, trust me. You don’t want to grow up around here - it’ll only hold you back. You are a beautiful and brilliant filly, so please... This is the perfect opportunity for you. If you don’t go, I’ll be very disappointed in you...” she said firmly. She hated herself for using the filly’s emotions and good habits against her, but it was needed. To hear someone be disappointed in her would shock Twilight enough to get her back into a logical sense of mind. After all, the last time Nurse Bluecross had used the dreaded D-word was to jokingly tell Twilight she was disappointed in her for not finishing her alfalfa. The poor filly had been dragged to her office later with a stomachache, she’d eaten so much of it.

Twilight’s face fell at the prospect of disappointing her surrogate mother and the only pony in the whole orphanage whose opinion she cared about. At the same time, her heart still warred with the logical decision of leaving. “But... I’ll miss you if you don’t come with me... What if you forget about me?” she mumbled, tapping her forehooves together slowly.

Now all the nurse felt was guilt, guilt for ever letting Twilight think she could forget such a kind young filly. Nurse Bluecross could only think of one thing to further reassure the distressed filly. “Twilight, think of this as a science experiment, alright? I want you to see how many more books you can read and new things you can learn. Promise me that you’ll go with Trixie and I’ll visit as much as I can, alright?” bargained Nurse Bluecross. Thankfully, it worked. Twilight stopped her fidgeting and controlled her sobs enough to look back into the grey earth pony’s eyes. “Now, go with Trixie to the front desk, I’m sure your new parents are waiting there.” She gently planted a kiss on the lavender filly’s forehead.

Twilight still had tears running down her cheeks, but her mind was calmed. Her new sister waited patiently and silently at the door with a hug ready to go. They quietly trotted out of the clinic, one of them in tears, but still somewhat happy. Nurse Bluecross couldn’t help but sigh and blame herself for everything. If it weren’t for her, Twilight could move on without having to think about her constantly. She almost wished the little filly would completely forget about her. If Twilight would just forget about her, it would bring joy to her, though also sadness. Sadness to see a part of herself walk out the door, joy to know it was going to a better place. Yet no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t bring herself to completely wish the filly would forget about her.

“I love you Twilight, and I hope your future is as bright as you are.”

Author’s Note: I gotta say, this story made the feature box in less than two hours, surprisingly. Well, thanks to everyone that enjoyed the story, and to everyone trolling my editor, knock it off. Seriously. It’s not that funny. Anyways, DerpyMuffins signing off.

Editor’s note: Seriously, I had ONE bad day! You people really need to embrace the whole ‘love and tolerate’ thing. Anyway, I hope all of you enjoyed this as much as I did, and believe me, I did. Oh, and we did end up getting a second editor, although not for spelling, but I’ll let her introduce herself. TwiLunaLover out!

Second editor’s note: The second (re)installment is ready for your viewing pleasure! We hope you enjoy it and look forward to the next! :3

Rags To Riches

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Two fillies once more roamed the shadow-filled hallways of the orphanage. Supportive words were offered up by her new sister - some seemed to be working, whereas others were completely forgotten or just didn’t have enough impact. Twilight’s heart stopped every time her mind wandered to the pony she was forsaking. Although the orphanage was the worst place for any foal to grow up, the only memories she had had been made here. Physical evidence of scrapes, bruises, and scars were seen on the crying filly easily, while other wounds were hidden by layers of emotions and trauma.

‘Life away from the orphanage...’

It was a thought that had never wandered into her mind prior. Not once did it ever cross her mind that someone would adopt a filly like her. Who would ever want a foal that couldn’t even defend herself, cried day and night, and hadn’t made a single friend in her life? No one.

They continued to walk together, silence growing between them. Words no longer worked, not that they had particularly well in the first place. Tears were reduced to a quiet sniffle, bloodshot eyes glimpsing the last looks and the silent goodbyes. Smiles and frowns alike shot her way. Most of the other foals had envy on their faces.

No one bothered them, not even the bullies they had run into earlier. Every abandoned foal followed a strict code, even the ones likely to defy the law until the end. No words were spoken, sent, or heard. They all had either hated or simply ignored the violet filly, but it was now her time. Imaginary salutes were waved to their sister, for this was the last time they would likely see her.

Aisles of foals lined the hallways, each one giving nods of approval or just staying still. They each took one last look, hoping desperately it would be them that left next. It was a ceremony sacred to and only for the orphans. None of the adults knew the reasons behind the line-up, but they did all know its meaning. Somepony was being adopted.

Nurse Bluecross had been right - Trixie’s parents, Twilight’s new ones, were waiting patiently at the front desk. Even at first glance, the two of them seemed to be exact opposites of each other in every way: mother and father, cold and welcoming, Moonlight and Starshine. Yet they were both quintessential nobility at heart: concerned about their family line first and their riches second. Nothing else mattered to them besides their flesh and blood walking silently with her new sibling.

They both had a royal aspect, passed down ancestrally, easily seen on their only daughter. The mare’s features were a studied blank, completely cold and silent. The stallion was warm and welcoming, with a gentle smile to brighten any gloomy mood. Moonlight’s dress spelled “RICH” with neon letters capable of being seen from the moon. Diamonds, pearls, sapphires, gold, any precious and expensive gem or mineral were gracefully and effortlessly sewn onto the fabric. Though only a simple pink bow tie and white vest accompanied the clean white suit the stallion wore, it was still clear from the cut and fabric quality that the suit was equally pricey.

The couple were opposites in almost every way possible. Moonlight was the high society diva, her face carefully smoothed and polished, whereas Starshine was laid back, his stress lines clearly seen. If anything could be said, they only had one thing in common: they cared for their daughter as best they knew how, giving her everything she could ever ask for but never what she needed.

Stares were shot as both fillies walked in silently, one still in tears, the other with a sympathetic look and shoulder to cry on. The looks and features from both parents told Trixie they were disappointed in her choice; one more than the other. They didn’t have to say or do much, but the royal daughter knew exactly what was going through their minds.

Her mother, Moonlight, mentally scolded her for choosing a pathetic cry baby while her kinder father attempted a supporting smile. In plain sight, it was one big mess: disgusted mother, trying father, spoiled daughter, and adopted sister.

Luckily for Trixie, it was her father who spoke first, “Nice to see you not too banged up, Trixie. Did you have fun with your new sister?”

Moonlight stared daggers at her husband and shot disapproving looks toward the crying filly. She was a proper lady, never showing her real emotions in public unless it was advantageous, and being a proper lady, she’d never undermine her husband openly. “I’ll wait for you in the carriage, dear,” whispered Moonlight. Her voice was stone cold, filled with disgust.

“What seems to be wrong with your new sister, Trixie?” asked Starshine as his gaze left his angry wife. He magicked away a clipboard of paperwork already filled out and smiled, somewhat glad to have another filly make his life more interesting.

“Twilight has been saying her goodbyes, sir,” answered the royal daughter properly.

He gave a sigh at being called sir - as ever - and turned to his new daughter, “Glad to make your acquaintance Twilight, I’m Starshine, your new father,” reassured the beaming unicorn. A closer inspection showed his violet daughter was malnourished and covered in carefully bandaged bruises. Twilight didn’t say it, but he knew exactly what went on inside the orphanage.

His wife would most likely be nagging him about it later but it was morality and a clean conscience he strove for. A tranquil cyan aura wrapped around the checkbook safely tucked inside his suit. He gave a gentle look towards his true daughter, one that told her to take the crying sibling to the carriage.

Starshine eyed the desk ponies, one chattering profusely to her inattentive friend. He was a wise investor with bits to burn, but charities were always his top priorities. The checkbook was magicked out, pen following, and a devious smile on his face. “How many zeros would you like me to write?” asked Starshine. He was already up to a fifth before the two mares noticed what he was talking about.

The orphanage would no doubt be seeing renovations soon, with improvement on the conditions of books, beds, and food. Twilight would have smiled delightfully knowing her forsaken home would be better than ever, but seeing it go still left a hole in her heart. Just by listening to the exchange her new parents had had, they weren’t exactly happy with her first impression on them.

They walked slowly out the front door, while Twilight stole one last glance at her temporary home. Cracked floors, a leaky roof, and peeling paint were the best traits the terrible building had to offer. Memories of the other foals still haunted her, in mind and body. A part of her never wanted to see the place ever again, even as another screamed for her to stay.

In just a second the hesitation and stare were gone as Trixie and Twilight continued their venture out to the luxurious white carriage waiting outside. Double side-doors were swung open, revealing the impatient mare waiting inside. A steel blue aura ripped away Twilight’s luggage and stuffed it into the compartment under the seats.

Moonlight’s glare was once again on her new daughter, and in the privacy of the carriage her disappointment was written clearly on her face. Her storming grey magenta eyes glittered like her expensive spider-silk dress. If Twilight had to guess, her new mother rarely smiled or showed any affection at all.

Trixie had warned her beforehand that their mother wasn’t exactly the best in the world, but at least she would try to try once in awhile, maybe - she wasn’t a monster after all. It still wasn’t comforting to know she had just lost the closest thing she had to a mother and gained a disciplinarian. An uncaring adoptive mother was the last thing the violet filly needed.

Moonlight had a shimmering misty blue mane striped like her daughter that was excellently curled and conditioned without a single stray hair in sight, complemented by her near-black oxford blue coat that might have been as dark as her heart for all Twilight could tell. The first impression Twilight got from meeting her mother’s eyes for the first time was glacial ice. Trixie’s birth mother was stern as well as fierce. Her better judgment told her to run back into the orphanage and forget all about being adopted. She didn’t like her new mother, but Twilight had to at least try first. If her sister could live this long with Moonlight, so could she.

Twilight had gotten the hint that she wasn’t going to be accepted into the family easily, but making an effort wouldn’t kill her. Her tears were gone, dried up by self control. She forced a smile onto her face and gave a timid, “Hello.” She got the silent treatment in return, which Twilight was half grateful for.

“Don’t worry, Twilight,” reassured the azure sister, “Mother will warm up to you in no time. She may not seem to care much about you now, but it’ll change, I promise.” Trixie gave a forced smile, or tried to, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the obvious truth.

“...M-mother?” asked Twilight gingerly. A cold stare that in return told her she had overstepped her bounds. Trixie sat closer, ready to defend her new sister should Moonlight lose her temper.

“Do not address me as your mother, nor shall you until I deem your worth more than a common house pet,” sneered Moonlight. She was cold and calculating, with every one of her words spoken true and blunt. “Understood?”

Twilight shrank back, feeling like she had just made the worst decision in her life so far. Instead of a loving mother she had ended up with Moonlight. She tried to hide her dismay, features drooping back into sadness as her sister grew angry.

“Mother, please. Twilight is my new sister, and right now she doesn’t need any of your harassment. Don’t make me tell Starshine,” blackmailed Trixie. Everyone in the family feared her father - all but the royal daughter. Her father’s word was law, be it wrong or right.

The threat was enough to make Moonlight back off of Twilight, but not before she gave a grim glare to her birth daughter. Trixie was no doubt going to be punished later, but right now her sister was in a worse state: rejected by her new mother and caught between the two of them having a glare-off. If Twilight had a disappearing spell she would have used it right there.

“Know your place, my daughter, I brought you into this world and I can also easily undo that regrettable deed,” hissed Moonlight. The distressed filly didn’t know whether her adoptive mother was joking or was really intending to do it.

“Go ahead Mom, give me your best shot. Without me, you’re nothing. No one to continue to bloodline - if I die, so do the Lulamoon,” threatened Trixie back. She and her mother were at a stalemate. If death threats were common in this family, Twilight didn’t know how long she would last. If life in the orphanage was barely livable, then living with her new mother would drive the adopted daughter to insanity.

“Trixie, please stop. Don’t fight anymore, she is your mom after all. I don’t want things to go sour between you and her just because of something like me,” pleaded Twilight. She forced her sadness away and attempted to smile to show she was fine.

Trixie tore her gaze away from her adversary, returning it to the other filly. She had been arguing with the vicious pony that was her mother and had completely forgotten about Twilight. “Sorry, Sis,” said Trixie, using the emphasis to annoy her mother even more.

Moonlight would have loved to strangle her daughter and wash her disrespectful mouth - something that she felt like she had wanted to do ever since the day her ungrateful daughter was brought into the world. “Talk back to me again and the orphan stays an orphan,” she sneered.

It was a double sided sword. Trixie on one hoof had somepony to support her now, but at the cost of protecting that somepony. Her mother had won, for now. If keeping her new sister was the price, then the azure filly was willing to shut her trap for once. Trixie’s cheeks brightened with anger and frustration, while Twilight sank lower and lower into her seat.

Nothing could have ruined Moonlight’s mood. For once she had gotten her obnoxious daughter to shut up and admit defeat. Unbeknownst to her, Starshine had listened to the whole exchange before he entered the expensive carriage. The unicorn still had a smile on his face, though whether it was faked or genuine only his birth daughter could tell.

Without tears clouding her eyes, Twilight saw her new father more clearly. Starshine had a coat that was a deep onyx turquoise, which contrasted sharply with his silvery-white mane and the white tuxedo he wore. Starshine had a laid back attitude, which was strange for a successful businesspony. His calm mood and gentle smile were enough to defuse some of the tension of the mother-daughter conflict. “I see you all have been getting along,” said Starshine cheerfully, with only a hint of knowing sarcasm. His wife rolled her eyes and huffed with annoyance.

“...Umm... Mr. Lulamoon, do I call you by your first name?” asked Twilight politely. She had already gotten in trouble with one parent, and didn’t want to upset another.

“Dad will do just fine,” answered Starshine. He shot a disapproving look towards his wife, which she just ignored. Moonlight was used to grave looks from her husband, and with a heart consisting mostly of ice, she couldn’t care less about it.

To Twilight, it meant the world to be able to call someone her father, even if he wasn’t technically her birth parent. “Alright... Dad,” answered the adopted daughter for the first time. It sounded strange, almost foreign to her, but with a warm feeling inside to know that she could call someone that.

Awkward quiet ensued as they began the long ride towards Lulamoon manor. The mother and daughter continued their glare war with each other while Twilight looked to the new view. The great city glowed with lights as ponies everywhere were busy walking home after a hard day’s work.

Twilight tried to quiet the grumbles her stomach issued forth. The fact that the coffee stores, fruit stands, pastry shops, and diners along the road all showcased their products in their windows didn’t help the violet filly’s hunger.

“What would you like to eat tonight, Twilight?” asked Starshine, breaking the silence as they passed the third muffin shop.

The hungry filly’s mouth watered. She could have anything she ever wanted: chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate sundae, chocolate pie, chocolate chocolate chocolate. If Twilight had one problem it was her addiction to the delectable treat. But she knew she had to mind her manners; wanting dessert before dinner would likely only further upset her adoptive mother.

“I’ll just have a salad, Dad,” answered Twilight. The word still almost felt wrong in her mouth.

“Really?” retorted Starshine. He had to admit, the little filly had self control. “Are you sure you don’t want anything else?” His daughter was hiding her hunger well, but not well enough to fool the businesspony. Lies were an everyday occurrence in his line of work, and Twilight wasn’t exactly a master.

“No, thank you. Umm, where will I sleep tonight?” asked Twilight back.

“The dungeon. No common house pet should be allowed within my house without being properly trained first,” muttered Moonlight. Her husband sighed, Trixie scowled, and Twilight’s eyes grew huge as she reflected that she would almost rather have the bullies than such a mother. At least with them it was just physical torture, but with Moonlight, it was much worse. She feared the cruel unicorn might actually lock her in a cage in a dark cave underneath the house. It was hard to tell, since Moonlight’s tone never changed. Twilight began to hyperventilate, eyes darting back and forth between Trixie, Moonlight, and Starshine.

“Twilight, calm down. She didn’t mean it. You can bunk with me tonight - no sister of mine is sleeping in the dungeon,” reassured Trixie. The words somewhat calmed the filly’s mind, though her hyperventilating continued.

“I don’t -haah- think she -haah- meant -haah- it either,” said Twilight bravely. She unfortunately let her mind wander again to what dark depths Trixie’s birth mother might put her in. “You -haah- were kidding, -haah- r-right?”

“Yes, she was,” interrupted Starshine. His normal smile was replaced by a thin frown as he gave Moonlight another look, warning her with his gaze to stop frightening the filly. The family sat again in uncomfortable silence after that, the carriage winding along the long road to the Lulamoon mansion. Trixie soon nodded off, leaned up against her new sibling as Twilight watched ever more shops and streets pass by outside the window. As they approached what was to be her new home, her eyes widened in disbelief.

When the Lulamoons said mansion, they meant castle and nothing less. It seemed to Twilight as if the structure had been built and specially designed for a princess. In fact, it was - in bright glowing silver letters, the Lunar Princess’s own signature was inscribed upon the front gate. The alicorn’s regalia and emblems were imprinted all over the black marble, enchanted by protection spells numbering in the thousands.

Cold shivers ran up violet filly’s spine, sending chills to every part of her body. The unholy sight that was the black castle spawned a hopelessness inside her quivering heart. Something told her to run away, as far as she could and as fast as she could. Twilight had to get away from the frightful home, and she had to do it now. She might have screamed if fear hadn’t gripped her mind and body, choking off any cry. She felt foreign, like she was treading on sacred ground and that she didn’t belong there, not at all.

As soon as the carriage stopped and the footponies opened the doors, Moonlight breezed out past the others, stalking up to the castle doors with somewhat evident displeasure. Starshine smiled down at the paralyzed filly reassuringly. “Trixie fell asleep, huh? Don’t worry; I’ll take her,” he said, lifting Trixie out with his magic and draping her across his back. “Come along, Twilight. Let’s get you two inside.”

It was already too late to turn around; Starshine had already opened the front door and walked inside. Twilight closed her eyes, fearful of the dangerous things inside giving her those strange feelings. She dared a peek, only to find it was as normal as any other household. The front living room was like any regular living room, it had a couch, sofas, and glass tables with magazines littered on them. The house was... homey.... but something nagged at her, to get away, while she still could.

Twilight’s eyes scanned her new home endlessly, searching for anything that could possibly give her these dreadful feelings. Nothing was out of place, everything fit into place, even the dust was in the right place.

“It’s... so....”

“Normal?” answered Starshine. He wasn’t surprised - most would think with his kind of money and governmental connections he could have a mini-pool in the living room and still have space for a home-theater.

“No... it’s just... different...” mumbled the scared filly.

‘She just needs some time, Starshine, anyone in her hooves would need it,’ mused the tired unicorn. “Why don’t I show you to the bathroom? That way you can get freshened up for dinner,” offered Starshine. “Still, I’m not going to relish all those stairs with this dead weight on my back.” He smiled at Twilight to show he was teasing.

“Hey! Who’s dead weight?” asked Trixie indignantly.

“Were you awake the whole time? Why didn’t you get up when we got to the house?” Starshine asked.

“Well, it’s just been so long since you’ve given me a pony-back ride, and... I kind of missed it,” Trixie admitted, grinning sheepishly.

Her father managed a chuckle before he lifted the lazy filly from his back. “Run along before your mother finds out, alright? Take Twilight with you, Trixie. Show her around and I’ll think of something to excuse you from dinner, if you like,” said Starshine. He knew Trixie disliked formal dinners with her mother, and considering how poorly Moonlight had gotten on with Twilight on the way home, it might be best if they didn’t subject the new addition to such stress. He’d just have the servants bring something up for them in a little bit.

“Thanks... er... Dad,” answered Twilight. She still felt like she shouldn’t be calling him that.

“Come on, Twilight,” said Trixie, snapping her back to the real world, “I can show you our library after we get cleaned up.”

The studious filly brightened up immediately at the reminder of a library and before long, she grabbed her sister by the tail again, dragging her upstairs and dashing through each room. It was horrible to go through the same thing twice, but Trixie’s face was already numb from being dragged earlier. Unfortunately, there were several hundred rooms still unchecked and sooner or later, Trixie would suffer from concussions or major head trauma. “Twi- we-west wi-wing, two-oh-eight,” stuttered Trixie.

She didn’t know how it was possible, but Twilight’s cracked horn was already fully healed. A fuchsia aura began to surround the violet filly as well her sister. Equations she didn’t know she knew tumbled over themselves inside her head as she ran towards a nearby wall.

‘Distance equals y-delta over x-delta, with y being wall thickness and x speed of acceleration... Arrival time two-point-three seconds... Speed: point five kilometers, probability and possibility of making perfect teleport, indefinite,’ calculated Twilight, eyes glazed over as she ran. Her speed increased, as did Trixie’s fear, hurtling towards the end of the hallway.

“TWILIGHT! THAT’S A WALL!” screeched the bouncing filly. Her eyes bulged, dilated with fear. She squeezed them shut and screamed at the top of her little lungs. Then, with a sickening lurch of vertigo, she felt everything turn upside down. Her mind, stomach, and lunch all tumbled around as her molecules scrambled and reformed one by one.

She tasted drywall, old bricks, and dust - lots and lots of dust. She nearly choked on the extremely dry and dusty air. Trixie never saw the teleport coming, especially not from her sister. They were gone and back in flash, from east to west, the rapid distortion of space and time an unexpected shock.

“Aha!” cheered Twilight as they flashed into existence again, triumphant. “Here we are.” She looked back to her scared sister, curled up in a ball and shivering. Trixie had a terrified look, spooked out of her mind. “...Trixie?”

She was lost in another world, scared out of reality and into her happy place. Her dilated eyes darted back and forth wildly, like she was going crazy. All she felt was fear. Fear of something, she wasn’t sure what - just a terrible, inexplicable fear. Vaguely, as if from a distance, she heard shouting and somepony’s panicked voice.

Icy water splashed over her trembling body, snapping Trixie out of her frozen state. No longer did her eyes wander, body twitch, or mind fog. She was back, and she shook her head to clear it, seeing her new sister on the verge of tears again.

“Twi-Twilight? Wh-what happened?” shivered the wet filly. Her teeth chattered as she looked up at her hyperventilating sister.

“I-I-I don’t know,” stuttered Twilight. “I teleported us through the wall and...and... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you like... I just... wanted us to get here faster...”

Trixie’s jaw dropped, and she found herself actually afraid of her new sister. Her obvious fear only made the situation worse for herself and violet filly. “You... teleported us in? But... you’re only a foal... Why? Or better yet, how? How is that even possible? Who taught you?”

“I can’t remember Trixie... I’m sorry... It just came naturally... like I had known how to do it ever since I was born. I just... know how to do it. I don’t remember where or how I learned to, I just do it,” answered Twilight.

“But... what happened? What happened to me?”

Twilight bit her lower lip, drawing blood. Anxiety swelled and sweat dropped. “I... I think the sudden displacement... put you into... shock...” murmured the guilty filly. “I’m sorry.” The blank look on the distressed sister’s face told it all. She was fearful of Twilight, and it was being poorly hidden.

“But... the teleporting... how?”

“I told you Trixie... I don’t remember. I just can’t. No matter how hard I try to, the results are the same every time: a pounding headache along with screams of somepony I don’t even know. I don’t know. Please Trixie, can we just drop this?” pleaded Twilight.

“But-” Trixie started, her frazzled state leading her to push where she shouldn’t.

“I told you! I don’t remember! I-I-I can’t remember, and I don’t think I want to either!” shouted the angry filly.

At last it began to reach her still confused mind. Trixie stared at her unraveling sister with discomfort. It was exactly what the other filly didn’t need at the moment. Instead of the loving family Trixie had promised, they were each one by one causing her more anguish than ever before.

There was a quiet, dead silence for a moment, with not a peep from either foal. The only sounds were their racing heartbeats. Twilight still pouted and Trixie at last cleared her head enough to realize the grief she had caused her new sister.

“Twi-”

“I told you I can’t remember!”

“I know... and I’m sorry. I got so excited about getting a new sister that... I forgot you have feelings and memories that you might not want to share. I’ll wait until you can remember, okay? I won’t ask anymore. I’m sorry I didn’t see that before. I believe you, Twilight. We’re sisters now, and sisters don’t keep secrets from each other, right?”

Twilight might have been angry, but she was never one to hold grudges. “Thanks for understanding... Sis,” said the beaming filly.

~~~

“Did Twilight ever remember why she couldn’t remember?” interrupted Rarity. Dozens of fabulously knitted socks were scattered around the carriage. The white unicorn had already finished several pairs while her storyteller was still struggling with her first.

“Not on her own, no, but I’ll get to that later....Am I doing this right?” asked Trixie. The learning mare had managed to create a terrible monstrosity that insulted everything the elegant unicorn believed in.

“It’s a start... darling,” answered Rarity weakly. Every fiber of her being told her to burn the abomination before it ever saw the light of day again. “Let’s try again - this time, I’ll go through all the steps thrice.”

“Thanks,” said Trixie sheepishly. She looked down and saw that the badly knit stocking had holes in the pattern and the stitching was completely off. “It’s a good thing I’ve still got time to learn,” she sighed. She gently set down the ‘sock’ and started on a new one, following the fashionista’s instructions closely.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself - you’re learning, that’s what matters,” reassured Rarity. “Now where were we?”

“I believe I’m at the part where Twi and I had our first bath together.”

“How was it?”

“The most fun I’d had since the day I was born yet, but...”

“But?”

“Mom walked in.”

Author’s note: I’m tired, my editors are tired, like a lot. The short chapter should tell you enough. I adore how Moonlight turned out, little sketchy on Starshine. Maybe now we’ll see how Trixie got that ego of hers. Who knows? Well, I’m going to bed, DerpyMuffins signing off.

New Lulamoon

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From the outside, black Stygian obsidian covered everything visible - inside Lulamoon manor, from the exquisite decor of the overly stocked kitchens to the alicorn sized bathtubs, they were crafted with the finest carrara and skyros marble plated with Imperial platinum for foundation; at least that’s what Twilight observed them to be. Built like a fortified monument; meant to last for centuries before any hint of age start to show, yet was cozy and warm enough to live in.

One bathtub was occupied as two sisters playfully wasted time with their first bath together. Fun: it was a word that Twilight only knew because she read it in a dictionary; now she knew exactly what it meant to have fun.

Steaming water, naturally heated by the ametrine underneath, splashed and spilled because of the bellyflop done by the an excited filly for her first dive. The scented candles that had been used to dimly light the room were extinguished, leaving only a black sapphire glowing with the crystalloluminescence that Twilight easily recognized as she writhed in pain from her burning underside. Laughs were shot at her along with a valuable lesson.

“How was the belly flop Twilight?” giggled Trixie, as she watched the other filly from a safe distance away. She only got bubbles in return as her sister resurfaced, face reddened with pain and embarrassment.

The hurt filly frowned and scowled at her sister. “Remind me never to try that again.” She delicately rubbed her belly to force away the pain, wincing and bit back the tears.

A bar of soap that had fallen from a shelf above gently floated by as Twilight remembered her responsibilities and the reason why she was there in the first place. She quickly stepped out, dripping with water and cold, her horn the only other light source to illuminate her way. A fuchsia aura grabbed the roaming soap and her sister, who flailed instinctively to free herself.

The entrapped filly struggled mildly in the air as she was levitated to the center of the tub. “Twilight?! What are you doing?!” asked Trixie as she drew nearer.

“Giving you a cleaning. I almost forgot that the faster we clean ourselves, the sooner I can get my hooves on the Daring Do books one through seven and maybe catch some Lord of the Horseshoes later.” Said Twilight excitedly, clapping her hooves together.

Twilight stopped in her tracks as she glanced over to the door that was ajar - and immediately considered herself the unluckiest pony that ever lived. The only entrance to the bathhouse swung open with the silhouette of a unicorn clearly behind it. The pony stepped forth as the filly nearly set the record for youngest foal to have a stroke.

Twilight considered it the worst situation to be in: she was standing on the edge of the bathtub, with her magic closely holding her sister and hovering her above steaming water. The telekinesis dissipated - Twilight hid herself by running into a pile of fallen towels, as Moonlight slowly approached. Trixie splashed down, face first, mimicking the same mistake Twilight had made earlier.

“Don’t even think about it, Mother!” spluttered Trixie before Moonlight could take any harmful actions towards her innocent sister. The mare stopped and stood there, unamused and an impassive look on her face. Her head turned slightly to adjust her vision to the shivering filly on the floor, sinking lower and lower to hide herself.

“If you’re going to drown my daughter, at least have the decency to invite me first,” said Moonlight. Whether it was the seriousness in her voice or the fact that she remained emotionally constant Twilight couldn’t help but actually believe her.

“Y-you’re joking, right?” asked Twilight sheepishly.

“Ha ha, very funny, Mother. What you do want?” laughed Trixie sarcastically. The filly managed to get herself out of the tub quickly in case Moonlight really did intend to drown her. She returned her birth daughter’s disrespect with a cold glare, the first reaction Twilight had seen her mother shown since she walked in.

“Dry yourselves and get ready for dinner, the both of you. This is family time and I expect happy faces on you when it starts. Understood?” ordered Moonlight. Twilight followed her mother’s orders to the letter, quickly drying herself with the towels comfortably shielding her as Trixie rebelled.

“Make me,” the birth daughter said.

Twilight staggered back in fright as Moonlight did exactly that. It was tough love at best and, at worst, soft hate. She hid under a mountain of towels again - this time only a pair of amethyst eyes can be seen like she was a monster lurking in the shadows - watching closely as Moonlight nearly strangled her daughter with a clean rag, cleaning behind the ears and hindquarters. No matter how much Trixie struggled, her mother’s magic grip held on. Friction burns were harshly enforced upon Trixie’s coat as her normal skin color turned a bright pink, with the assault continuing.

“Let go! That hurts!” whined Trixie. Her wish was a delayed one, but was eventually granted as she was released with a fuzzy coat and mane, static electricity puffing them out. Twilight burst into laughter, unraveling her fortress of softness, seeing her sister as a soft fluffy thing. The filly’s giggles died as Moonlight shot her a glare that could kill.

“Trixie, your father wants to see you, now. I want a few words alone with Twilight before we have dinner as a family,” said Moonlight.

“If you think-”

“I’m afraid you don’t have much choice in this matter, daughter,” smirked Moonlight. A misty aura consumed the air and wrapped itself tightly around Trixie, who was flailing wildly to free herself. A tiny Poof and her birth daughter was gone - Moonlight’s vision returned to the lone filly, who shrunk to nothing more than a puddle of sweat and fear. “And don’t think I forgot about you.”

Twilight’s eyes frantically darted to the closing door, pushed silently shut by Moonlight’s telekinesis, watching helplessly as her only chance of escape disappeared. The locks clicked together and the drowned candles reignited. The blue flames shone on a darker side of Moonlight, one that Twilight quickly wished she had never seen.

The filly found her voice, though it was barely above a whisper and stuttering, “Y-you w-wanted to t-talk to me?”

“Twilight, what you do next will determine your worth in this family, got it? I want honesty from you, not fear. Do we understand each other?” questioned Moonlight.

Twilight gulped and gave a weak nod in return. Her entire future was going to be tested whether she was prepared for it or not. ‘Fail this test Twilight, fail it! She’ll kick you out if you fail it!’ mused the shaking filly.

“Walk with me, I have several hundred years of family history to teach you and then some,” ordered Moonlight. Her magic lit again, unlocking the door and cleaned the terrible mess both fillies caused.

She obediently followed her mother and stepped out into the hallways. The older unicorn effortlessly walked with a confident and steady step, back poised and straight, head held high, while Twilight struggled behind trying to match her pace and look of elegance.

For once her in life she didn’t want to learn something new - especially if it meant learning it from Moonlight. Her wild imagination was her worst enemy as it ran immediately to a worst case scenario: the scary unicorn would lock her in the dungeon like she said she would.

Moonlight looked back at the filly closely following and wobbling with uneasy steps, “Stop your shaking, foal. In this family, fear and hesitation are not options, nor are they tolerated. As your matriarch, it is my duty to secure the bloodline’s continuation, meaning you’ll have to be groomed into a proper noble.”

“But... isn’t that Trixie’s role?” questioned Twilight, a single eyebrow raising and confused.

“Indeed it is, sadly, no matter how much I try to force it upon that stubborn foal. Hmph, she clearly doesn’t want her fortune.”

“Wait, Trixie doesn’t want any of this?” asked Twilight. She looked around at the diamond and sapphire embedded hallway, with inscriptions and paintings of what she assumed to be past Lulamoons.

“I have yet to find a proper successor for the family’s fortune and treasures with the necessary level of intelligence and magic capability to inherit our most protected heirloom.”

Curiosity sparked as Twilight eyed the unicorn in a new light, “and you are telling me this, why?”

“Do you honestly think anything goes on inside this house without me knowing about it? Playing dumb will get you nowhere, either, nor does it suit you. Don’t act like there wasn’t a fluctuation of magic recently.”

Twilight bit her lip again, knowing exactly what her mother was referring to. “I’m sorry,” the filly mumbled.

“No need to apologize, Twilight. Trixie got what was coming to her,” snickered Moonlight as she reached a pair of onyx doors. They creeped open without any screech of old age. With another flicker of telekinesis, Twilight was gently forced inside, screaming and wailing as she struggled in vain.

“Let me go! Please!” begged Twilight, body on edge and eyes twitching from the unicorn to the room.

Moonlight simply ignored her pleas and continued on, a fighting Twilight still in her grasp. The elegant dress left her piece by piece and was moved to a large nightstand, revealing her luxurious and stunning oxford coat. Hidden closely and securely around her neck was a sparkling silver crescent moon locket.

There was not a single trace of age or rust, as it was quickly ripped from her and given to the frightened filly. The magic dissipated on Twilight as she was dropped, thankfully on her hooves. The precious item was gently lowered around the filly’s neck as the gleaming noose magically sealed itself.

“Guard this amulet with your life, my daughter. I am entrusting you with the very nature of the Lulamoons. Do not disappoint me like Trixie has,” grieved Moonlight.

Once more, a disappointed look was on the elder unicorn’s face, but not because of Twilight. The filly’s eyes widened at the shiny celestial charm, as did her mind as to why it was so important like her mother said. ‘Did she call me her daughter?’ mused the filly.

“But... why me?” questioned Twilight.

“You have potential, a lot of potential. You’re barely, what? Three? Four years old? I sensed a teleport made within this castle and the only one capable of it was you. Raw magic talent isn’t a bad thing to have when you claim the heritage of the Lulamoon.”

Praise: it was the last thing that Twilight thought the unicorn would ever give her in a million years. “Does that mean I can call you M-mom?”

She waited patiently for the anger to come, watching Moonlight’s features closely and attentively for any signs that she might show more resentment towards the filly. It was the scariest thing Twilight ever saw. The monster she thought she knew smiled. A rare occasion would never describe how often she thought the her mother really showed any real affection.

A soft giggle escaped Moonlight, leaving Twilight more fearful than ever. The only reason she would ever laugh was because someone was suffering. It was the only way the filly thought anyone could get any emotion out of the mean unicorn.

Moonlight’s voice calmed to a gentle whisper, “Yes you may. But do not get any ideas, for the comforts of the home shall be the few you shall know. Tomorrow your studies will begin.”

“Studies?” asked Twilight excited.

“Yes,” said Moonlight levitating the filly’s luggage out from beside her nightstand. Locks were easily unsealed and opened as Twilight’s heart skipped a beat, then stopped entirely. Her other most beloved possession was at the mercy of her mother. Moonlight eyed the book close, returning it to the small filly, untouched and unharmed.

“Thanks...” mumbled Twilight as she pressed the hard cover against her bare chest, sniffing its age-scented pages and ink. She felt safe again knowing her most precious and only book was nearby.

“At the crack of dawn tomorrow, report to the library, decently presentable. You will need to be tutored in the ways of magic and etiquette. We have years of subjects to catch up on since we didn’t start at your birth. Tardiness will result in punishment, as in no supper, understood?” asked Moonlight, regaining her seriousness.

Twilight swallowed the lump that unknowingly formed in her dry throat. Losing food for tardiness wasn’t going to be problem for her, but just the prospect left her shaking again. She had always wanted to be learning advanced subjects like the rich and noble foals did, but not under these circumstances.

“W-who’s going to be my teacher?” asked Twilight. She couldn’t hold it anymore, she had to know before the suspicion killed her.

“Me, of course,” the smirking unicorn answered. Moonlight watched her daughter drop back into sadness, ears down, features clearly showing her woe, eyes watering, and mouth gaping open. Her telekinesis almost choked the air out of the distressed filly, as she once again held her in a deathly grasp, offsetting Twilight’s balance and turning her topsy turvy.

“Come, you need a proper cleaning. I do not trust yourself with who knows how long you spent at that filthy rat’s nest,” said Moonlight, walking into her personal washroom. Several dozen faucets turned and filled the olympic sized bathtub inside the expensive washhouse.

Another belly flop, her face burned deeply as did her anger towards her mother for throwing her into the bathtub. Resurfacing for air was met with an assault of shampoo, brushes, conditioners, and rough handling. Her eyes teared from the cleaning liquids that were forced onto her without mercy. A cry of helplessness escaped her, as did terrified screams with the start of more intense scrubbing from her mother looming above.

Twilight could have sworn her very back was being peeled away slowly, inch by inch, each stroke of the brush ripping her fur from her coat like she was being skinned. Her mane, in a calamitous mess, felt like it was being ripped strand for strand from her scalp. With just a single swipe of the brush, strands of tangled mane were pulled off, messily clinging to it. No area on her was left unchecked, unscrubbed, and unabused.

“AHHH! Stop please! You’re gonna rip my coat off!”

“No,” answered Moonlight bluntly. She strictly followed a pattern of scrubbing and rinsing, nearly drowning her daughter every time. Screams and wails lasted an eternity for the bruising filly. Struggles and resistance were met with hurtful tugs by the brush and punishment from the downlooking unicorn. Twilight’s yelps were taken pity upon as her mother was on the last cleaning cycle before she was held up into the air, gasping for breath.

Without any hesitation, Twilight was tossed across the room into a rack of towels - she was lucky to have her impact cushioned. Her back acked miserably and she was beaten black and blue, with searing, crimson swollen cheeks. Her hooves fumbled erratically to get herself back up and away from Moonlight. The ruthless unicorn continued her steady pace towards the tortured filly and did what she always did, frown with disappointment. She shook her head and gave a Tsk Tsk noise to her new daughter.

The elder unicorn’s cold voice was barely a mumble in Twilight’s pounding head, “Get up.” Her mind barely functioned, the rest of her body responded with searing pain but she ignored it and struggled to get back on her hooves.

“If you wish to lay there, then think again. Dinner is within the hour and I expect not a second of tardiness from anyone in this family, including you,” scowled Moonlight, voice coated in the same venom that ran in her veins, “I will not hesitate to beat you like the animal you are.”

“W-why are you doing this to me?” whimpered Twilight as she wince at the words.

“You wanted to be my daughter didn’t you? You have done nothing more than just gain a title, trust and kindness from me must be earned through actions. Show me that you are worth the trouble of going all the way to that filthy, rundown orphanage to adopt. Show me that you aren’t just a waste of space. Heck, just for my entertainment show me that you can even stand. Stand up and face me, now!”

Twilight didn’t care what the terrible unicorn said to her, all she wanted now was to disappear. Just to get away from it all. Life wasn’t worth living if she had to deal with the monster she call her mother. Her body was already shutting itself down, so why not just let her mind as well? It would be as simple as falling asleep and never waking up again.

Consciousness was on the brink of vanishing, the filly’s eyes looked to her mother, the monster that would no doubt beat her awake if she passed out. Her life had barely begun and it was already a personal hell, so why should she live it?

Her blood red eyes, in near black vision, had tears pouring out of them. To have it all end, the torture and the beating, she would have done anything for that. All she could do now was struggle and whimper helplessly as Moonlight continued her assault.

‘So is this how it ends? Beaten by my new mom? Do I even get to see my next birthday? Will I ever see Bluecross again? Will I even read another book again? Do I even get to play with my sister?’

“That’s right, lay there and die for all I care,” said Moonlight staring down her trembling daughter, “that’s all you will ever amount to anyways. You are a useless, pathetic, and undeserving cur. Lay down and die quietly, that’s the best you could ever do for this family. You’re a worthless piece of trash, nothing more, so die quietly for me won’t you? Be the good little bastard you are and-”

“S-shut up! Shut that pompous mouth of yours!” screamed Twilight, she was overflowing with confidence, “If you want to kill me, fine! Go ahead, death would be better than spending even another minute with you! You are not my mother, you don’t act like a mother and you will never know what love from a daughter means!” yelled Twilight straight into Moonlight’s unchanging face.

The injured filly stood on shaky legs, threatening to topple over at any second. Twilight had manage to stabilize herself though, with anger and hatred fueling her need to stand up against the terrible mother she never asked for. Her rebellion barely managed to catch the looming unicorn off guard, but she was gaining ground, and Twilight wasn’t going to let Moonlight punish her again.

“You don’t deserve to be my mother! You're a-a meanie! You wouldn’t know what love and care is if it smacked you right in the face! You’re supposed to be my mother, not some disciplinary that beats a foal just for being adopted! Your love and care was supposed to be unconditional the moment I stepped out the doors of the orphanage! I abandoned the closest pony I had to a mother and for whom?! YOU?!

The filly took a step forward, nearly falling over, but she managed to catch herself. Freezing water dripped from her freshly scrubbed coat, but it didn’t deter the hatred that boiled inside. Twilight made the biggest frown she could and returned a deadly glare, perfectly identical to Moonlight’s own.

“You’re a monster. You take no shame in beating me and instead take pleasure in it. It’s sickening when a foal is a afraid of their own mother. From the first moment I met you till now, I have tried. I tried everything, I obeyed you and even tried changing myself so you would give me a chance. One chance! That’s all I ever wanted from you when I saw that disappointing look on your face,” Twilight hesitantly downcast her eyes and continued, “I tried to please you, my mother. The same mother who punished and beat me just because she didn’t like me.”

The anger within the small filly died, no matter how much she hated her new mother, there wasn’t a single thing she could do about it. Moonlight was a monster who beats her own foals, there were no possible way of changing that fact. Twilight’s eyes met Moonlight’s downcast ones, and for a moment she thought she saw herself, just older and looking straight back at her.

“Trixie is your birth daughter, and yet, you treat her like you do me. If it weren’t for the fact that Dad looked out for her, you would beat her unconscious every night. You talk like family is important to you, but it’s just finding someone to pass it to after you’re gone. Trixie may seem like a failure in your blind eyes, but she is doing everything a normal foal would if she had a mother like you. She will grow up to resent you for the rest of her life.”

Twilight could have happily died knowing she got her final words across to her mother, to know that she would be the one to wipe that smug look from Moonlights unchanging face. She got the exact opposite in return.

Slow and light applause came from the beaming unicorn above as she politely approached her daughter. “Good work, Twilight, you pass,” said Moonlight, still with a wild smirk on her face. “The test was to see if you would stand up for yourself, and you did. It would have been quite disappointing to see you lay there and die. Congratulations, you pass with flying colors and exceed all my expectations for you!”

The filly’s nostrils flared, with short breaths coming and going, “What?!”

“You may keep the necklace, though I doubt you will be able to take it off now,” said Moonlight. Her misty magic wrapped around the injured filly as she backed away, fearful of the unicorn’s intentions.

Wound by wound, from light bruises to blackened ones, they healed themselves and disappeared from sight. “Why are you healing me? So the others won’t see that you beat me?”

“Yes,” answered Moonlight, “and I can’t have my daughter running around beaten.”

“You don’t have the right to call yourself my mother!”

“No I do not, but as long as you live under my roof, you will follow my rules. Address me properly, my daughter,” ordered Moonlight.

Twilight grinded her teeth and took shallow breaths, she was tired and frustrated. Twilight talked with her mouth nearly clamped shut and with clear malice in her voice, “Yes, mom.”

“Good, now what is your name?”

“Twilight...” a stern look from the unicorn told the filly to continue, “...Lulamoon.” She took one look at the evil unicorn before complete blackness consumed her vision. Everything about Moonlight filled Twilight with disgust and anguish. The last thing she saw was her mother’s cutie mark, a diadem and peacock feather.

“Welcome to the family.”

~~~

Starshine patiently waited on his rocking chair, reading the newspaper, listening attentively to the screams and wails of a frightened foal. His ears twitched and folded down as his suspicions were confirmed and daughter came running straight at him.

“Starshine, you have to come quick! Mom took Twilight and-”

“I know Trixie. Calm down and don’t worry. I told her to.”

A frown formed on top of Trixie’s horror filled eyes, “You told her to?!”

“Yes, I did. They needed to sort some things out. It took quite a convincing and talking to for your mother to agree.”

Trixie eyed the pony that looked identical to her father. The pony she knew would never set someone as terrible as Moonlight on anyone, especially not a filly. “Starshine, why?! Mom will kill her!”

“No she won’t,” said the calm unicorn, “I took precautions to ensure that Twilight will live to see the morrow’s light.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Starshine?!” The filly backed away from the mysterious stranger impersonating her father.

“Trixie calm down,” said the unicorn putting his newspaper down, “Don’t worry, I made your mother make an unbreakable vow that she won’t kill Twilight. They just needed time with each other, and that’s all I allowed her, time with Twilight.”

“Why?! Mom lies and knowing her, Twilight is probably drowning right now!”

Starshine’s voice took a stern locking and serious manner, “Give your mother some credit, Trixie. I did not marry a liar and have her bear my foal. Just hear me out alright?” asked the tired unicorn. His gentle magic lit and telekinesis took his frightened daughter onto his armchair. “Getting a little bit big there, Trixie.”

“But-”

“Let me explain first will you?” interrupted Starshine and his daughter gave a subtle nod, “I know, Moonlight can be harsh sometimes, but she is only doing what is best for the family. Trust me on this, alright? She knows what she is doing and I trust her absolutely and completely with both our lives.”

“You’re avoiding my question,” noticed Trixie.

“I know, now let me finish. Twilight needs a responsible adult figure in her life right now, and Moonlight is the only one willing to push her in the right direction-”

“Push her down a cliff is more like it,” snickered Trixie.

“As I was saying, your mother knows what she’s doing. She’s likely grooming Twilight into a proper noble-”

“What if Twilight doesn’t want to be one?”

“I’m afraid I don’t have much of a say in this matter, Trixie, for it is the responsibility of the matriarch of each family to properly groom their successor-”

“Wait... successor?” interrupted Trixie again.

“Yes, successor, as in you won’t have to be tutored everyday now. All lessons planned for you will be canceled and given to Twilight for the time being as we decide what to do with her.”

“So, mom choose to have Twilight be the successor? Can she do that?”

“Yes she can, I’m afraid. It is the mares in this family that chooses who the successor is, so that siblings don’t get privileges just because they were born first. It’s an old law and tradition that has been passed down every generation, commanded by Her Majesty. Do you understand me so far?”

“Yea, I just lost my fortune and future.”

Starshine’s gentle smile turned sour and then a slight scowl, “Don’t think like that Trixie. Moonlight is likely forcing this upon poor Twilight, who I believe wants nothing more than a warm home and family. I cannot do anything about this, but I can tell you that the fortune is shared between the two of you. Even if it is rightfully passed onto your adopted sister, only the family’s heirloom will be given to Twilight alone, everything else you two will share.”

“But... why did mom have to choose Twilight?”

Starshine’s frown turned into a forced smile, as he avoided his daughter’s gaze, and looked to an interesting speck of dust. Trixie never saw it before, but her father’s stress lines were now clearly showing, even with his silver hair, grey was starting to appear.

“I don’t know Trixie. I honestly don’t know,” answered the wary father, as he delicately rubbing his temples and gave a gentle tossle of his daughter’s beautifully groomed mane. “Who your mother chooses to be the success is her business and her decision alone. Just get ready for dinner alright?” He gave her a forced smile and returned to her pleading eyes, “They should be down shortly, and she’ll explain better than I can.”

The upset filly let her head drop and avoided the gaze of the pony that used to be her father. She reluctantly let out a sigh and got off his reading chair, eyes glued to the floor and walking pace slow. All her possessions would soon either be given to or shared with her new sister. A tiny spark of jealousy burned inside, to know that her birth mother would rather choose an orphan than her own daughter.

‘I couldn’t care less about who mom picks as a successor,’ attempted Trixie. ‘Besides, now that mom is off my back, Twilight is gonna get the brunt of the punishments and lessons.’

The envy turned to pity, with the prospect of learning from the crack of dawn to the darkened dusk. She would never be able to sit in a chair for half that long, let alone learn and do magic at the same time.

Trixie remembered the rigorous first week she had with Moonlight as a teacher. Nothing was learned with each lesson ending in fights and tantrums. Books were ripped, burned and thrown throughout the manor and windows. She refused to learn as long as Moonlight was the one teaching. Several dozen scholars from, beyond, and around Equestria was written to and paid soon after.

Thud

The filly walked straight into a wall, deep in thought. Her face brightened with pain as her nose wrinkled and twitched. “Alfred!” the filly shouted.

A stoic grey earth pony with a near balding mane popped his head from a set of swinging doors. He had a black and white suit specially tailored, well kept and ironed on as he closed the distance between the kitchen doors and wall where Trixie had bumped into. “Yes, Miss Lulamoon? Are you alright Miss Lulamoon?” answered the butler.

“Yea, just peachy, help me into the kitchen, will ya?” answered the filly.

“Of course Miss Lulamoon. What would you like tonight Miss Lulamoon?” asked ‘Alfred’. His mood and features were exactly like Moonlight’s, passive, since he would never show any emotion whatsoever, but at least with him, the butler only talked when addressed.

“Give me my usual,” said Trixie. She was gently lead into a huge kitchen, where several dozen chefs and assistants were at work. The filly learned more from her own staff than she did from all the lessons her mother had previously taught combined.

“I’m sorry Miss Lulamoon, but I am under strict orders from your mother not to spoil your appetite before dinner. My apologies.” said ‘Alfred’. Even with a loud kitchen staff, his voice could still be easily recognized.

“Who are you going to listen to, me or my mother?”

“I listen to the one who signs my paychecks, Miss Lulamoon,” said ‘Alfred’. “Now, would you like anything else besides a chocolate pie?”

Trixie sighed in frustration. “Fine, give me a celery soup then, light on the garlic.”

“Very good, Miss Lulamoon. Your father shall be joining you shortly,” said the butler.

He gently pushed open two doors into a large dining room, decorated with moonbeams shining delicately onto the velvet blue cloth that covered a small rectangular table. Four chairs were securely pushed into the table as well as another plate ready for the new house guest.

Midnight blue curtains hung loose around massive glass windows, decorated with the Lunar Princess’s most stunning achievements, perfectly captured and along with her stunning beauty, with each wall containing five of them. Snowflake obsidian and celestites crystal dimly lit themselves on the large amethyst chandelier hanging securely above, complementing the transparent ceiling as it gently let in the moon’s light.

The scent of freshly steamed vegetables and cooked stew loomed in the air: fresh steaming tomatoes, sweet potatoes, diced lettuce, with a hint of cream spinach and mushroom soup. A lousy lunch caused the filly’s stomach to rumble loudly as her butler left the room and returned to the kitchens.

Even with hunger clouding her thoughts, it couldn’t draw her attention away from the cold truth. Her mother chose an orphan over her own birth daughter as the successor of the family. She couldn’t say it hurt because she didn’t care, right? A hint of jealousy loomed overhead as her mind became corrupted by the being she swore never to become. ‘Come on Trixie, why would you even care?’

“Miss Lulamoon,” addressed ‘Alfred’ drawing her attention away, “your celery soup.” It was steaming hot, smelling delightful as always, and mouth wateringly tasty. Somehow, not even that was not enough to take her mind from the choice her mother had made.

“Something wrong, Miss Lulamoon?” asked the attentive butler.

The filly tore her gaze from the needed soup to her listening servant, face still of a monotone. A depressed sigh left as did the frustration she tried to hide, “I don’t know Alfred, it’s this whole getting a new sister thing. I guess it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. And it looks like I just lost my fortune and heirloom, since it’s up to my mom to decide whom the family successor is.”

“I am sorry to hear that Miss Lulamoon. I did not know that.”

“Yea, well neither did I. So guess who’s second rate? I just got outdone by a filly whose barely younger than me as well as an orphan. Twilight has knowledge I wish I had, magic more powerful than Starshine, and is as sweet and innocent as anyone can get,” said Trixie, never thinking she would get caught in sibling rivalry.

“Your new sister sounds like what every parents wishes from their child.”

“Your point, Alfred?” returned the filly, fully frowning at his attempt at encouraging words.

“No point, Miss Lulamoon, just an observation. With the way you describe her, Miss Twilight doesn’t sound like she is the type to even want the riches you possess.”

The filly eyed the confusing earth pony curiously and voiced her turmoil, “What are you talking about Alfred? I mean, who doesn’t want to be rich enough to buy Equestria?”

“If I may be so bold, Miss Twilight is one of the few left in this world who value something more than money. From what I have heard, she has suffered through a rough ordeal and wants nothing more than what would have rightfully been given to her.”

“Mind elaborating?”

“Permission to speak freely then, Miss Lulamoon?”

“Granted.”

“Thank you, Miss Lulamoon. Have you stopped to think that maybe it’s just a simple life that Miss Twilight seeks?”

“Sure, maybe all she wants is to read a few books, go to school, and spend some time with a family, but how can she not want my fortune?”

“Because she doesn’t need it. If knowledge and a loving family is all she seeks, I doubt your fortune was ever at risk in the first place. I believe this is one of the exceptions where money cannot buy happiness. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?” ‘Alfred’ asked, still seeing the frustration on the filly’s features.

“I guess maybe that’s not what’s entirely bother me. It’s the fact that my own birth mother chose Twilight over me. I usually would never care about what she does, but... I guess I’m just a little bit jealous?”

“Well, I cannot say I wouldn’t feel the same way you do if I were in your position, but consider this from your sister’s point of view. What do you think Miss Twilight will do with all the privileges she had been granted?”

“I don’t know, buy a scroll? Book? Library? Archive? A private study? Treasury of books? Something smart related.”

“Do you see the point I am trying to make yet?”

The filly spent her entire life with the butler and for the first time, she detected a subtle change in his ever monotone voice. His face might have been able to hide it, but the butler’s own emotions betrayed him.

“Do I detect envy, Alfred?” questioned Trixie. If the earth pony noticed his change, he didn’t show it.

“I do not think I may be so bold as to envy someone as high status as you Miss Lulamoon. But might I ask that you talk to Miss Twilight about this? Seek her thoughts on this matter before you rush to a hasty decision. After all, you’re not just gonna drop her back at the orphanage and think it would solve your problems. That’s something Madam Lulamoon would do.”

“Thanks for the talk Alfred, kinda wish I listened to Starshine the first time he told me,” admitted the filly.

“Do you require anything else this fine evening, Miss Lulamoon?”

“No thanks, Alfred. I’ll call if I need ya. Do you really think Twilight is feeling the same about this whole thing?” asked Trixie.

“I wouldn’t know, I’m not her sister. Just something to think about, Miss Lulamoon,” said the earth pony. He quietly took his leave, returning behind the kitchen doors, with Trixie contemplating his words.

‘Guess I’ll just have to talk to Twilight tonight,’ thought Trixie. She quickly ate her soup, slurping it to the last drop with her spoon, and wiped away any messiness that it could have caused.

On cue, the stroke of six, the filly’s other family members walked into the large dining area. Her father arrived first, in a casual t-shirt. His wrinkle lines were gone, as well as the grey hair she thought she had seen earlier.

Moonlight quietly crept in without any of her usual high class attire, surprisingly, and was followed closely by her violet filly - Twilight had a grimace on her face, an obvious limp she was trying to hide, while her back was perfectly straight, her eyes were stuck to the uninteresting floor.

The unexpected part was that she now looked well cleaned, groomed, and styled. The rat’s nest that was Twilight’s mane curled around her neck and hung loosely down on her left side, tied down with a silky blue bow - while her tail was done in a similar manner. The healthy coating of earth that used to cover her from top to bottom was exterminated. The natural violet color of her coat now sparkled with tiny stars, no doubt enhanced by Moonlight, as the old hue brightened to an orchid lavender.

From the looks of it, Twilight was a natural born noble, with the exact same stride that Moonlight walked with as well as the confidence and arrogance that the older mare had. The filly had been well assimilated into high class society, imprinted and branded by her new mother.

Twilight had mastered elegance in a single afternoon with Moonlight, the drawback - she was stripped of herself in the process. Her new sister was void of all her energetic personality she had seen earlier and the feeling of desolation dripping off her unsteady body.

Uncomfortable silence was in the air as well as tension, as each one took their appropriate seats. Twilight sat on the opposite side of her sister, closely next to Moonlight. Trixie frowned and cautioned herself for the truth.

“What happened to Twilight?” demanded Trixie. “What did you do to her?” She got the answers she expected to have, it just came from the wrong pony.

“Mom didn’t do anything, we just had a talk,” murmured Twilight, as if she was in a daze. Her mood was still in the gutters, gloomy as she kept her vision glued to the ground like she was stuck in limbo.

“That’s my Twilight,” purred Moonlight as she gently folded the filly into a loving caress, smiling like a foal on Hearth's Warming Day.

“Y-you crucified Twilight?!”

Author's Notes:

Author’s note: Loving Moonlight so far! Don’t you guys? Anyways, I forgot to ask this the first chapter, but better late than never. How was the writing? As in sentence structure, dialog, and descriptions. You know the works. Well, that will be all from me, DerpyMuffins signing off.
P.S. Props if you can guess what Moonlight’s cutie mark means, honestly, my editor was confused by it.

Editor’s Note: First off, I would personally like to apologise for this being so late, I feel as though it is partially my fault. Second, I was close at least with my guess of her cutie mark! Third, if you say anything bad about his sentence structure then I will be personally offended, I’m the one that fixes it for him most of the time. And finally fourth, I just started on my very first MLP fanfic called ‘The Nightmares Knight’! If you wouldn’t mind giving it a read I’d be grateful! That’s all I have to say for now, so TwiLunaLover out.

A Day To Remember

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“Your mother sounds absolutely dreadful!” exclaimed Rarity. She frowned slightly, but not enough to lose the high class vibe she wore. She looked to the mountain of knitted socks beside her, slowly but surely growing. They took up a wide amount of space on her cushion, and have started to take up space on Trixie’s empty seat. ‘Well... socks are in style...’ She sighed.

The amused mare sitting opposite gave a subtle giggle and a mild grin in return. “What’s so funny?”

“Would you believe me if I told you, to this day my Mom and I are the closest a mother and daughter can possible get?” asked Trixie back. Not a single trace of sarcasm was apparent in the mare’s tone.

“I’d call you a liar if you did, darling.” The alabaster unicorn’s gentle magic dispersed, setting down another fabulously knitted pair of wool socks, different in pattern and color scheme from the last ones, but still as eye catching.

“Well, Starshine was right, she only had my best interest at heart, and I was pushing her farther away each time we fought.”

Trixie looked down on her second attempt on the socks — they were still pretty horrid and should be condemned if the fashionista had any say in the matter. To the trying mare, they seemed to be better than the previous ones, but then again she hadn’t always had a good eye when it came to being fashionable — another thing she picked up from Twilight. The stocking was gently put aside as the mare started on a new one, pulling out more yarn from the shrinking ball of silk.

“To think if I just listened to her, maybe Starshine will still be with me today,” whispered Trixie. Her eyes drooped to almost half closed as her shoulders slumped. The mare’s vision was again glued to the ground, while she expelled a heavy sigh.

“My condolences.” A white bottle, one-third gone, was levitated from it’s hidden area along with two diamonds. With not even a sweat, Rarity reshaped the gems into drinking glasses. She easily pulled off the cap, and poured the potent alcoholic liquid. “It’s five o’clock somewhere, darling,” said Rarity as she offered the other glass to the slumping mare, “Cheers.”

“Thanks.” Trixie downed the shot without any hesitation, “I see Mom every Thursdays now, for our usual lunch date. We’d catch up on unimportant things, gossip about how stuck up some of the nobles can be, or just simply enjoying the other’s company.” Her glass was quickly refilled, and held steady, “Even Twilight tags along every now and then.”

“Then I take that things were settled between her and your mother?”

“Yea....” answered Trixie weakly, “I just wish Starshine could see us now; one big happy family.” She took another shot.

|~|~|~|~|~|

The dysfunctional family quietly sat together at the diner table, one pair of unicorns not moving a muscle while the other fidgeted around. Each one with a different set of expressions on their faces about the sudden turn of events.

The patriarch still had a warm, but wearing out smile as his daughter sat lifelessly next to him. Moonlight closely embraced her adopted daughter, the both clearly enjoying the warmth it brought.

Trixie slowly had her colours drained away as the filly’s heart stood frozen. “T-Twilight? W-what are you doing?” asked Trixie bewildered. The words seemed nigh impossible, as Trixie had to audibly gulp the knot in her dry throat. From her twitching eyes and panting, a relapse into shock was just an ‘I love you Mom’ away.

“She’s simply hugging her mother, something you’ve never done before,” answered Moonlight, batting her eyelashes and pouted foalish innocence on her face.

“What did you do to her?! You HATED Twilight the moment you saw her and now you’re acting like she’s your own BIRTH daughter!” yelled Trixie, jumping onto the table. Her dinner plate along with forks and spoons clattered on each other, and shattered onto the hard floor.

“I don’t know what you are talking about honey, it was honestly just a misunderstanding. Twilight and I reached an agreement is all,” spoke Moonlight calmly. She gently sedating the huffing filly with a flicker of magic back into her seat.

Trixie tore away the hated stare aimed at her mother and looked closely to her sister, the only being to ever be warmly hugged around Moonlight’s hooves. Twilight’s eyes returned her glare — the narrowing amethyst orbs barely had the familiar glow she knew the filly to shine with. Gone was the nomadic Twilight, replaced by a scandalous stuck up noble. The wrapped filly nervously pawed at her seat, quickly avoiding her sister’s inspection.

In a fraction of a second Twilight shifted her body uncomfortably, allowing Trixie to take notice of the necklace she adorned, the same one that Moonlight would consider more important than her own foal. It now hung securely around the filly’s neck, the Imperial sapphires inside giving off a faint light of it’s own.

It was the final blow needed to topple Trixie’s world. Her mother had given away the most precious thing Trixie had known Moonlight to possess to an orphan she barely knew.

“Y-you gave her the a-amulet?” stuttered Trixie, unsure of what to do next.

Moonlight could not have been happier in her life. The hysteria on her true daughter’s face told it all, she had finally won the war. “I hope you don’t mind, Trixie. Twilight has proven more than enough of herself, with how smart and capable she is.” Complemented Moonlight, watching Twilight blush slightly. “After giving it a serious thought, I decided to give her what your foremothers passed down to me. She does deserve it after all. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Defeat: Trixie didn’t want to ever face it, especially to someone like Moonlight. Not only that, but she was robbed of a sister by the monster she called her mother. She slumped lower into her chair, quietly sulking as she waved an imaginary white flag.

“Can you leave Trixie alone, please?” pleaded Twilight. She poked her head out as Moonlight loosen her grasp. Twilight looked to her mother with the biggest set of watering eyes possible, quivered her lower lip unsteadily, finishing off with a gentle nuzzle on the mare’s warm chest.

Moonlight happily returned the nuzzle with a gentle caress of her own, completely surprising everyone. “Of course, anything for my special little filly,” she answered as she squeezed the life out of her daughter. Twilight was close enough to hear a gentle thud inside the mare, confirming that she did in fact have a heart.

Trixie stared at her mother, instantly realizing she had just traded places with the ex-orphan. The shocked filly sat plaintively in her seat, eyes big and bulging, with hot short breaths taken, cold sweat pouring down. ‘D-did I just lose Mom to Twilight?’

“You look pale honey, something wrong?” asked Moonlight, a tinge of concern in her voice, whether faked or real it wasn’t clear.

“Just peachy, Mother,” grumbled Trixie. She turned to her silent father, hoping maybe he could make something of the grave she dug for herself. He still had a worn out smile on his face; this time it was fake.

“W-where is Twilight going to sleep tonight?” asked Trixie, hoping for some alone time with her sister for a better explanation.

Grinning with amusement, Moonlight pondered the thought carefully in her head. “No daughter of mine is going to sleep in the dungeon, that’s for sure.” She gave Twilight a penitent look. “How about the Lunar suite?”

The filly in question managed to get herself out of her depressed slump and grew with curiosity, a good sign she was still herself, “The Lunar suite? Where’s that? Am I still allowed to bunk with Trixie?”

It was unexpected, but the last question gave the forgotten filly new hope, taking down her white flag and brought a cheery smile to counter Moonlight’s own. Trixie looked to her father to see a genuine smile this time, but things turn opposite. There wasn’t just a frown on Starshine’s face, but actual anger.

‘Starshine’s... angry?’ The ever apparent ‘never’ was missing.

Trixie not once in her life seen her father angry with anyone, or even been able to show that emotion whatsoever, but this was different. Since her birth she’d always look to her father for protection. Now Trixie feared Starshine more than she did her mother, and almost considered running and confining herself within Moonlight for reassurance. She looked to her still mother, even the collected mare was starting to show signs of disconcertion as well.

“No one has entered Her Majesty’s room since her banishment,” stated Starshine darkly. Whatever left of the mood died and it wasn’t killed by Moonlight’s harsh nature. Everyone’s attention was locked on the stallion, who was giving his wife a death stare and sentence should she continue.

Moonlight hid her fears and nervousness well, as she composed what was left of her confidence and once again did the impossible, “I’m sorry, darling.” She released the choking hold she didn’t know she had on the gasping filly. Moonlight quickly looked away towards Trixie, who slightly trembled in her seat.

“Starshine... are you... okay?” asked Trixie patiently, worried her father really had been replaced. His anger completely vanished as he turned towards his troubled daughter, who he gave a dreary look to. Trixie saw her father’s kind eyes and knew right away he was back, though for how long, she didn’t want to know.

“I’ll be fine Trixie,” said Starshine, a gentle but clear change back into his calmer demeanor. “Would you mind taking Twilight up to your rooms? I need to have a few words with your mother. I want the both of you in bed, so no books tonight, alright Twilight?” bade Starshine, sending her an apologetic look.

Try as she might, Twilight couldn’t hide the mild disappointment on her face, but reluctantly agreed. See broke the hug, gave her mother a worried frown and paced to door, opening it and quietly closing after she left. She was soon hurriedly joined by Trixie who had a beaming smirk on her face. They slowly paced in the dim hallways, the azure sister leading, “What’s so funny?” Twilight asked.

“Mom’s gonna get it!” said Trixie excitedly. She returned her sister’s gaze, waiting for a smile to given back at her; she didn’t get one.

“I hope Mom will be alright,” answered Twilight back. If the she had been a master at lying, Trixie couldn’t tell. All Trixie detected was concern in her sister’s voice, which was cause for further concern for Twilight herself.

“You aren’t serious are you? After what she did to you, you still care about her?” snickered Trixie. She gave a hearty giggle at the frivolous thought, ‘I mean, who honestly cares about Moonlight?’

“And what exactly did she do to me?” snapped Twilight. She now donned her newfound elegance flawlessly, intoning the words while she remained passive. A leer was given to her sibling as she precisely executed Moonlight’s personal glacial scowl.

Trixie stared at Twilight and saw the second most frightening thing in her life — she saw the spitting image of their mother in the filly she thought to be her sister. “Twilight, take that necklace off, now,” pleaded Trixie, fearing the worst.

Surprise took her first as she stared down at her new amulet and then to her sister with a quizzical look. The necklace didn’t feel out of place or wrong, unlike the huge castle. It was always warm to the touch, like there was pulsing energy within it. “What’s wrong with it?” asked Twilight back.

“Mom gave you that necklace,” stated Trixie bluntly.

“Yea, so?” asked the filly more confused.

“You don’t get it Twilight, she gave you the necklace. That amulet has to be earned — passed down when the mother deems her daughter worthy and able enough to protect it.” Explained Trixie. A mysterious but chilly gust blew past, almost extinguishing the torches. The closest window was just a few meters away, closed and locked.

With her agitation growing, Twilight eyed her sister with a frown and raised eyebrow, more questions wandering in her head than she had before. “And this is a bad thing because?”

“The necklace kills you if it doesn’t think you are worthy,” answered Trixie darkly. The final words spoken, all the dim torches died. Within the shadows, she looked creepy, almost psychotic, as the words struck a new meaning of fear.

Both fillies stopped in their tracks as Twilight lost her look of elegance and confidence. Instinctively, her fast reactions ignited all the torches within seconds, all several hundreds of them. She stared to her sister to see if it was simply another joke, only to be met with the same serious face that Moonlight always wore.

“B-but I’m still alive... Aren't I?” asked Twilight sheepishly, gulping with difficulty. ‘I am still considered to be alive, right?’ the filly pondered. She meticulously checked her vitals, her right hoof rushing to hey jugular to confirm a pulse, then breathed a sigh of relief when she detected one.

“Oh! Then everything should be fine then,” answered Trixie cheerfully. With a hop in her steps she continued on down the hallways and turned a corner. “You coming Twilight?!” called her excited sister from another hallway.

Twilight seemed spooked out of her mind as she looked down to the amulet that could choke the life out of her any second it choose to. A gentle, but noticeable sparkle shimmered on the tiny sapphires. Narrowing her eyes, she expelled some mana for a microscope spell, intensify her already abnormal vision.

Inspecting the gems on a mesoscopic view, she saw stars. Not the ones you get when you’re dizzy, but trillions of ~~giant~~ tiny ball of gas. They were all swirling together in the formation of a single nebula. In the center, a small quizar pulsed thousandfold mana on both of its poles, enough to even make any power hungry alicorn appeased.

Startled, Twilight dispersed the spell and backed away. She was forcefully stopped as her rump met obsidian. Nowhere else to go, her legs wobbled and toppled her unsteady body. Grace was out the door as fumbled not to fall on her face. Twilight regained whatever left elegance she had and lay on her rumbling tummy.

She shushed the annoying slave driver and contemplated all that Moonlight had previously told her. “Protect this amulet with your life, Twilight.” The request reverberated in mind, as she made absolutely sure it was a request from a desperate mother and not a demand from an upstart noble.

‘What have I got myself into?’ she thought. It was the million bit question that she would gladly pay to know beforehand. Unsure, she opened the window with her telekinesis, letting in some fresh air to clear her troubling thoughts. Twilight looked from the black floor to the holy moonlight escaping in.

She stared at Luna, and she stared back. The silhouette of an imprisoned goddess imprinted on the barren surface. Nothing but chalky white or black craters was on the seeable side of celestial body, the darkside completely unknown. Trembling hooves raised themselves, walking diligently to the window to get a better view.

Basking in the ex-Princess essence, she let the night’s warmth smoothe away her nerves as Twilight breathed a long fresh breath. The amulet glowed lummanestant, Twilight ignoring it for the non-duplicatable beams that Luna shone.

‘Follow your heart,’ she said.

Twilight didn’t know who said it, just that someone said it. The angelic voice spoke soundless words that translated to nothing more than a gentle thought. ‘Follow my heart?’ Twilight asked back. She didn’t get a reply, but she knew exactly what was expected of her.

“Wait up!” called Twilight as she ran to catch up to her sister. The heavily breathing filly was luckily enough to catch her in time before Trixie turned a corner onto a spiral staircase leading upward. Twilight closely trotted next to her sister, clinging to her as the shadows grew and lights dim even more so.

The stone hallways as well the walls and floors were warm to the touch; something strange for a structure mainly consisting of obsidian noted the smart filly. “Hey, Trixie?” asked Twilight, carefully re-examining the strange unorthodox building material.

“Yea?”

“How is it possible that a castle as big as this feel so warm? I mean, there’s certainly ventilation systems that circulate warm air throughout it, but with something this big and scale, I doubt you can possibly build a furnace or heating structure with enough energy hourly produced to heat the castle.”

Trixie blankly stared back with a dumbfounded look like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. “The castle was built on a volcano, duh,” answered Trixie as they slowly trotted to their bedrooms.

“S-so you have a dungeon in the basement which was built on top of a volcano?!” asked Twilight in shock. ‘With a family like this, I thought I’d be used to something like this by now.’

“Yea, why?” Trixie stared at her sister as the filly’s jaw dropped to the ground with complete terror. “Close your mouth Twilight, you’ll catch flies,” warned Trixie, clamping shut the gaping hole. “We’re here.”

Twilight snapped out of her confound state of mind, looking to a medium size iron door, while painted on it was a stunning mural of Trixie’s cutie mark, a fluid wand and moon, decorated accordingly with tiny sparkling stars. The heavy door lit a magenta hue as did Trixie's own horn; after a few seconds, the magic dissipated and mechanical locks clicked and grinded, the door gently pushing itself inward, inviting the fillies inside.

Trixie took lead, taking the first steps into their now shared rooms. Spacious was the only word fit to describe their sleeping quarters. Within the right side of the room, massive cyan covers laid peacefully on an equally large bed, supported by mahogany stands, with transparent veils tied around each of the four corner. The bed was snugly shifted against a single wall, above it a window, the only one within the room, bleakly letting in moonlight. To the left of the bed, a short distance away was a nightstand with a circular mirror sitting on top. A small dresser was placed next to nightstand, with an empty suitcase on it as well an old chemistry set.

The opposite side of the room sat a large nylon couch safely set next to an extinct fireplace, while large blocks of firewood was in it waiting to be used. On the mantel decorated a bouquet of freshly cut Lunar Lilywhites settled in a glass vase with distilled water. An old medieval grandmother clock ticked and chimed next to the couch joined by a fully shelved bookcase.

‘Simple, yet cozy. Guess Trixie picked it up from Dad,’ thought Twilight, comforting herself with the new surroundings. “There’s only one bed,” noticed the filly looking to her single luggage that had been moved into room. On the bed rested unharmed was her only book, torn away from her from before.

“I said you can bunk with me didn’t I? I call the inner half!” shouted Trixie, too excitedly, jumping into mid air and landed with a loud thud head first into a wall. “Ow.....” mumbled Trixie, delicately rubbing the reddening bulge on her forehead.

In yoctoseconds, the First Edition book was swiped away, safely tucked into Twilight’s hooves. Worries sedated, the filly hurriedly trotted to the large bed. “Here,” said Twilight gently setting aside her book with telekinesis and pushed away Trixie’s hooves, “Let’s take a look at th- Woah.....” mumbled the examining filly.

“Is it bad?” asked Trixie trying to look up at the bruise on her forehead.

“Ehh..... I think I can fix it?” answered Twilight lighting her horn in healing magic. “Hold still. I can probably heal it, or I can make your head pop off.”

Trixie stared at her sister like she was a lioness waiting to pounce. Her hooves went straight to flailing, as she tried not to have another relapse into shock. “Twi, don’t!” begged the scared filly. “I like my head the way it is, honest! This isn’t anything too serious!”

“I was joking, Trixie.” Jested Twilight, smiling and adding a point for herself on an imaginary scoreboard. ‘That’s one for one, Trixie.’

“Really Twilight, you don’t need to heal it! I’ll just have Alfred bandage it.” Begged Trixie, gently pushing her sister down to the soft covers and yelled, “Alfred!”

“Who’s Alfred?” asked Twilight, curiosity sparking in the filly. “Kind of a strange name don’t you think?”

“I am sorry if I have a strange name Miss Twilight.” Answered the butler, who magically seemed to have showed up out of nowhere.

Twilight broke the record for highest a filly unicorn could jump up into the air as her mane gently bumped itself against the twenty-meter tall ceiling. Her descent down was just as quick as she landed with a soft thud on the safe mattress.

“That’s Alfred,” explained Trixie, rubbing her injured scalp and winced at the touch. “Can you get-” she stared at the silver plate on one of his hooves, which coincidentally had a few bandages and wraps, “Always prepared I see.”

Regaining her footing, Twilight stared at the butler with disbelief. She hadn’t heard him come through the door, and pondered how it was remotely possible he could have a dish with the needed items asked for already. “How did you....”

“Butler’s intuition,” answered the grey earth pony.

“But t-that’s not possible!” argued Twilight weakly.

“Twilight, if there is one thing you don’t question, it’s Alfred’s ability to do the impossible.” Returned Trixie gladly accepting the bandages. The filly’s hooves flinch every time they made contact with the injury, but she manage to get the wrap around the bulge and secure it.

All logical sense of physics out the door, Twilight took the injured sister’s advice and stared at the butler with clear interest. “You sound kinda funny Alfred.” She noticed.

“That’s because he has an accent Twi.”

“Oh,” realized Twilight. “Well, I hope you get better from your accident, Mister. Would you like a cough drop?”

“No thank you, Miss Twilight.” The butler gave an amused chuckled. “Do you require anything?

“May I have a daisy sandwich, please? I kind of skipped out on din- Oh, you already have a daisy sandwich...” mumble Twilight. The kind butler had prepared a snack, as there were several dozen sandwiches cut into halves neatly stacked on the silver platter he was caring.

“Are you secretly a unicorn?” asked Twilight, still confused on the stallion’s ability to be prepared for anything.

“I do not believe I can pull a fast one on someone as capable as you Miss Twilight. Do you require anything else this evening?” asked the butler back.

The filly thought of asking for the ridiculous and impossible; the strange look from her sister told Twilight that Trixie had already attempted it. “No thank you, Mister. Sorry I said your name sounded goofy back there.” Said Twilight with a hint of guilt.

“Apology accepted, Miss Twilight. I hope you both have a wonderful evening and a restful night’s sleep.” Said ‘Alfred’ quietly taking his leave behind a widely opened iron door. It silently swung shut leaving the two fillies alone again.

“So...” said Trixie drawing her sister’s attention back, “What do you want to do now?”

Twilight shrugged. “I don’t know. What do want to do?”

“Hmm....” mused Trixie tapping her chin, “Wanna build a book fort?”

The violet filly smile widely and leaped into the air again. “I call being the Princess!”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“You had a butler named Alfred?” asked Rarity. Her magic still tightly wrapped around the single shot she never drank and watched attentively as her student finished another third of the vodka.

“He was from Trottingham and brought his baby sister when he came here.” Explained Trixie.

“Did you really mean it when you said the necklace would kill Twilight if it didn’t think she was worthy?” interrupted the curious mare. She looked to be quite worked up over the prospect and teasing was all over Trixie’s own thoughts.

“Well, yes and no,” answered Trixie, pouring herself another shot of vodka, “You see, I have the necklace with me right here.” Trixie’s magenta magic opened her saddle bags, lifting into the open a crescent moon amulet, still sapphire studded and shined it’s own personal glow. “It belongs to me now.” The charm gently levitated to the Lulamoon, the noose ripping apart and magically sealed itself with a bright blue glow.

The necklace not only looked perfect for the azure mare, but complement everything that was her. The gems sparkled the same along with her cutie mark as the deep blue on the sapphires stood out and gave her coat a jet like gloss. The silver was a perfect mirror, as it reflected a stormy tinge like the mare’s eyes. It was as if the amulet was specially made for Trixie herself.

Rarity pouted as she had never once seen a more precious and stunning design of jewelry in her life. “Quite honestly, darling, I’m jealous. It looks fabulous on you,” admitted the fashionista.

“Thanks,” said Trixie, slightly blushing at the complement. “Mom gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. Wish I could make up all those years I hated her, but I was young and foolish. We wasted so much time fighting with each other that she barely got the chance to see me grow up.” Trixie took another shot. “For a while, I lost Mom to Twilight, but I was just too stubborn to realize it was my own fault. You know the old proverb, ‘You don't know what you have until it’s gone.’”

“You’re making up with her now,” reassured Rarity, “That’s what counts. You were able to put aside your differences and get along as mother and daughter; that’s what mattered in the end isn’t it?”

“I guess so. I have been meaning to buy her something nice for a while now. A ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m sorry’ for all those years she stuck with me,” said Trixie.

“Perhaps, but may I suggest you get something from the heart? I’m sure she’ll love it more if was made by you, and not in a factory somewhere on some different continent. You’re already traveling such a far distance anyways so, why don’t I get you some more material for another pair of socks?”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I already got the perfect gift in mind, and you were right, it should be from the heart.”

“Well, I’m glad I helped you in some way. Now about your sister, where is she now?” asked Rarity.

“She’s probably at the Royal Archives or Library, most likely sticking her head in some ancient tomb or scroll about some dead unicorn from hundreds of years ago who invented a spell that ‘helped formed modern Equestria, but one seems to care about’.”

“You said you left this morning right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Won’t Twilight come home to an empty house and to find her sister is to be nowhere in sight?”

The loud facehoof echoed in the small compartment, dead point in the middle of her face was a swelling mark in the shape of a horse print. “I can’t believe I forgot to leave her a note!” remembered the lazy mare. She hastily opened her saddle bags again, magicking out a quill, parchment and ink bottle.

“Darling, Ponyville won’t be here for another several hours,” reminded Rarity. “Even if the Cloudsdale mail service delivered that letter, it won’t arrive until at least tomorrow morning.”

“I know,” answered Trixie, finishing up her letter as she got to the apology part of it. With a whiff of magic, it rolled itself up and the quill and bottle were put away. “Alfred!”

“Yes Miss Lulamoon?” answered the butler pony, who stood heartedly at the doors of the coach.

“AHH!” screamed Rarity, jumping into the air.

“I need you to deliver this letter to Twi for me,” said Trixie gently levitating the parchment to him. “Thanks!”

“As you wish, Miss Lulamoon. My apologies to your friend for scaring her.” The butler quietly took his leave and disappeared from sight within seconds.

“H-how is that possible?!” exclaimed the distress mare.

“Like I said, never underestimate Alfred’s ability to do the impossible.”

“B-but we’re on a train!” argued Rarity.

“So?” asked Trixie back, the hint of knowing a secret apparent.

“I need to get myself a butler like Alfred one of these days. Work around the shop would be so much easier if I had one.”

“Sorry Rarity, but he’s one of a kind.”

“That’s quite a shame. I was looking forward to someone bringing me tea every time I faint or something. Oh well, let’s get back into things then shall we? Those socks aren’t going to knit themselves.”

“Of course, anyways, Twi and I built our first book fort together. She was Princess Eos and I was her most faithful student, Sunny Skies. We started on a fort... But things took a sour turn.” Trixie downed the rest of the vodka. “My relationship with Mom wasn’t always the best, and adding someone like Twi into the mix just ignited the long fuse. I hated myself for what could have happened......”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Princess?”

“Yeessh Shunnie?”

“We don’t have enough books to make a fort.”

“Toh theh Librehry mai student!”

“Starshine said to stay in our room, though.”

“Ahh.....” sighed Twilight disappointedly. She finished chewing her daisy sandwiched and swallowed the delicious snack. ‘I need to thank Alfred later for these!’

The sisters took a step back and observed the half completed palatial and looked to the only remaining book left in the room. They both stared at Twilight’s history book, as Trixie slowly approached it.

“Please don’t!” pleaded her sister. Twilight quickly outmatched her Trixie’s pace and grabbed her only book, drawing it close and used her own body as a shield.

“Twilight... what are you doing?” asked Trixie bewildered. The other filly was nearly cuddling her book as her sister gave a weirded out look. “It’s just a book.”

The words left a hurting impact on the protective filly. Her most precious belonging wasn’t just only a book to her, it was more than that. It was her entire life. It was the only thing that could possible connect her past and present. “Sorry Trixie.” She mumbled. “I just don’t like it when this book is used by anyone else besides me.”

Her sister wanted to press for more info, but decided against it after the teleporting incident. “Alright, Twi. I understand.” Comforted Trixie. “You want a cookie?”

The upset filly shook her head, “Thanks, but no thank you Trixie. We aren’t supposed to have any sugar before bed.” Twilight hesitated, but reluctantly set down her book, hiding it under her pillow and set her Smartypants doll on top to stand guard.

Now something was definitely wrong. No foal was ever able to resist chocolate, let alone say no to it. “Twilight, what happened? If you don’t want to talk about it I understand, but... What did you and Mom do together?” Trixie received a dry smile in return, the same one that Starshine always gave her whenever he tried to say no to her.

“Honestly Trixie...” mumbled Twilight - she turned her head to look out into the window, gazing directly at Luna. “We just had a talk. She said a few things and I said a few things. Mom healed me and sat me down for an important talk about my future.” She gave the blunt of the exchange as to not upset her sister and cause further hardship between the mother and daughter.

Attentive ears twitched and listened carefully for any detail or change within the filly’s voice. Twilight had been well trained to separate her emotions from speech, as her tone never hinted at malice or joy. Trixie’s new sister was getting more and more like Moonlight every second, and she feared when Twilight would be fully corrupted and changed.

“Twi...” sniveled Trixie, trying to sound as sincere as she could, and looked to Twilight with watering eyes, “... we’re sisters aren’t we?”

The stargazing filly tore her distracted eyes to a startled Trixie closely setting next to her. Trixie’s body was stiff and rigid, with troubled hooves drawing small circles on their blanket. The filly was anxiously biting her lower lip and looked insecure, complete gone was her royal aura.

“Of course, there’s no doubt about it,” answered Twilight. She wiped away a stray tear that threatened to pour, and startled her sister with a needed hug. “I’ll be here if you want to talk Trixie, and I hope that the vica versa can be true.”

Trixie returned the gesture after a few seconds to allow to it to sink in. The violet filly’s body was bitter cold, yet she didn’t mind. The only thing warm to the touch was moon amulet she wore. “H-hey Twi?” asked Trixie starting to feel the after effects of her sister’s touch.

Twilight felt the shiver that ran up the Trixie’s spine - and instantly magicking the soft blanket under them and laid her sister to sleep. “Don’t worry Trixie. Rest for a while and I’ll come back with some hot coco alright?”

Trixie gave a subtle nod of yes, as Twilight elegantly stepped down from the bed. Her fuchsia magic lit the door as it opened and she stepped out. The lone filly looked around the room and found herself staring at Twilight’s Smartypants doll.

The black buttons for eyes, although had no distinction of which direction they were facing, stared at her with devious notations, daring her to go against her sister’s pleas and wishes. Trixie hated herself, but curiosity won out. The doll and pillow were gently levitated away, revealing the secret hiding place of Twilight’s book.

Steady hooves diligently reached for the age-ridden hard cover of the book and flipped it opened. The Lunar Princess’s signature was gently inscribe in special ink, the kind that never fades away - done in the same fashion was Starswirl’s right below the Alicorn’s.

She carefully turned the page, taking extra precautions as to not tear the old paper. The second inside cover had a written note, at the bottom was Twilight’s name.

To Twilight, the smartest little filly we ever had the honor of raising. We wish you the happiest of birthdays and fun each time you read this book. We love you as much as any parents could their special little filly, and sincerely hope you know what it means for us to have you as a daughter. You’re our world, don’t forget that, not even for a second. Your special day only comes once a year, but don’t let that be an excuse for you to stay up all night reading this!

With love, your parents,

N-******* a*d T-*****

The rest of the note was scorched and burned, the most important part gone. Trixie couldn’t believe Twilight’s luck; even if it meant losing her sister, Trixie would have gladly done anything to recover the rest of the note. She looked to the date that was next to their names - it was barely readable but show an exact day. Twilight’s birthday was-

Thud, Thud,Thud

Trixie’s attuned ears perked at the sounds of coming hoovesteps, as the spooked filly quickly, but gently closed the book and covered it with a pillow again. The old doll was again sitting on top of Twilight’s pillow as Trixie tried to look inconspicuous as the spying filly could.

Twilight had returned with two cups of hot coco in her telekinesis, but she wasn’t alone, Moonlight was with her. Both mother and daughter were happily beaming, the filly especially as Twilight lovingly nudged on Moonlight’s leg. The real daughter didn’t know whether to be jealous or frightened. No one ever got close enough to know about an affectionate side of Moonlight let alone actually feel it.

The pair of unicorns stepped into the bedroom, Twilight with a lively skip to her steps, as Moonlight delightfully watched her excited daughter. ‘The world must be ending....’ mused Trixie looking to the disturbing sight.

One of the steaming mugs was levitated to Trixie as the magic switched from Twilight’s to a magenta. “Hope you enjoy it Trixie. Twilight and I made it ourselves,” trifled Moonlight. She continued to beam pridefully at her blushing filly, showcasing her rare but genuine smile of joy.

Whether it the jealousy or the hatred she had for her mother, she didn’t know - Trixie threw the hot chocolate at her mother’s face. She had no doubt expected it to be deflected by Moonlight, to protect herself from the burns. The elder unicorn’s magic never lit.

|~|~|~|~|~|

Rip

Rarity looked with attentive eyes from the storyteller to the stocking she was knitting. The fabric was forcefully torn in half, pulled apart by the two dull needles. The gentle magenta that held them together dissipated, as Trixie held her empty bottle of vodka. Trixie gave a disappointed sigh, limply hanging her hooves down and dropped the bottle onto the floor.

“Things couldn’t have gotten that bad, did it?” asked Rarity.

Trixie gave a labored chuckle and magicked more bits from her saddle bags. “Makes you wonder what kind of mother Moonlight was, doesn’t it?” The mare took her money and walked out the coach, leaving Rarity alone.

“You don’t mean that.... Do you?” asked Rarity to herself.

Trixie returned shortly, five bottles of vodka in her magic.

|~|~|~|~|~|

Twilight caught the chocolate.

In mid air was burning hot coco limbly floating about in a fuchsia hold. Moonlight’s magic ignited afterwards, the shattered mug on the floor was repaired, shard for shard, as it was levitated upward and again used to store the steaming chocolate. Moonlight looked passive as ever, her joy for Twilight’s accomplishment gone. “I’m very disappointed in you Trixie.” It was all her mother said.

She avoid the gaze of both family members, waiting patiently for Moonlight to slap her any second now. When it didn’t come, she turned to Twilight, anger and jealousy beyond recognizable. The violet sister had pleading eyes on, but they were aimed at their mother.

Moonlight sighed and set the two mugs onto the nightstand beside the dresser. Her magic sparked and a dim blue flame consumed the fireplace, burning the fresh wood. Moonlight’s favored daughter delicately stepped onto the bed, mouthing ‘I’m so sorry.’ Trixie let her head drop and hung her vision on the cyan covers.

The oxford unicorn settled down, slowly pacing to her obedient filly as Twilight wrapped the soft blanket onto herself and took off her silk bow. “Goodnight Twilight, sweet dreams.” Said Moonlight, tucking her daughter in and kissing her forehead. The filly already had her eyes closed a second too early as Moonlight smirked wickedly at Trixie, and gave a gentle huggle to Twilight.

The frown shot to her mother said, ‘You planned this didn’t you?!’

Moonlight’s joyful smiles told her, ‘What were you expecting?’

Trixie angrily tucked herself into bed, ‘I hate you Mother.’

Moonlight tugged on the blanket towards her sleeping filly, ‘Kai su, teknon? Do you hate me as well?’

She levitated Smartypants to her adorable daughter, who pawed at an empty space until the rugged toy was in her grasp, which Twilight instinctive took without hesitation. ‘Guess not.’ She looked down to her daughter’s delighted smile.

‘Goodnight Mother.’ Trixie blew a raspberry.

‘You always have the option of seppuku.’

‘In your dreams.’ She felt no contrite for her Mother.

“I love you Twilight, my daughter.” Spoke Moonlight calmly and true. She walked to the door, and shot a victory glare at Trixie. ‘Goodnight Trixie, sleep well tonight.’ Her smirk told. The door swung shut, cutting off all light source but the fireplace.

Trixie stared at the bland obsidian wall, nothing keeping her mind occupied but what had transcended. Twilight instinctively protected the ruthless unicorn they both had the displeasure of calling mom. Why her sister did it, she didn’t know. Twilight feared Moonlight the moment they met - now they enjoy spending time with each other like they really were blood related.

“I’m sorry.”

Upset as she was, Trixie heard the apology and turned to her still quite awake sister. Twilight had pleading eyes, and was snuggly cuddling her Smartypants poll. She stared at back at Trixie and apologized again, “I’m sorry if I did anything to make you angry Trixie. I honestly didn’t know.” Twilight lifted her head and gently pulled out her sacred book. She handed it to Trixie and turned towards the fire, completely shutting her eyes and went back to sleep.

The possession now in her control Trixie stared at it with interest. “Keep it safe for me.” They were the last words said before Twilight fell into slumber. Trixie’s eyes went from the fireplace to the book - back and forth. The book was gripped in a magenta glow, levitated high and aimed into the burning firewood. All it took was a thought and it would burn to a crisp within seconds.

Her eyes now wandered from Twilight, to the fire, and back to the book. The old memento was already poised and ready, waiting for Trixie to give the order. She hated Twilight; the filly had stolen her mother. It would have been so easy to even the score, all it took was crossing a sacred line.

Twilight openly shared her old book and gave it to Trixie for safekeeping, knowing the filly’s hatred and anger. Trixie looked at her sister one last time. ‘Are we even sisters anymore?’ Trixie wondered.

The slumbering filly was completely still, sound asleep, as Trixie looked at her still form. Strangely Twilight slightly bobbed her head, in a gesture of agreement. Trixie took notice, and pondered what her next move was to be. Her eyes wandered from the old book, to the glistening necklace that glowed in the darkness. ‘Your book for the amulet Twilight? Are you sure?’

The sleeping filly slightly nodded again, like she could read thoughts. Her old possession descended and lay peacefully on the covers. Trixie grabbed it with her own hooves and gently pushed it under Twilight’s pillow, tucking herself back in.

“Night, Twi.” Her sister rolled over and glomped Trixie with freezing hooves. The touch sent shivers up her spine as Twilight pulled Trixie closer and embraced her. Trixie learned immediately that Twilight was a cuddler, as the cold filly nestled her head up and down Trixie’s bare chest, until she finally found a comfortable spot to rest it on.

The freezing filly yanked on the warm covers, completely immersing herself and laid still. “Night, Sis.” Returned Twilight groggily. She stiffed an oncoming yawn and closed her eyes for the last time that night.

Trixie wasn’t far behind, as her eyelids became harder to keep open and heavier by the second. A small fire quietly crackled from a distance while the grandmother clock next to it chimed nine in its small corner. Next to the bed stood a nightstand, reflecting the orange-yellow glow across the room, contrasting with the single beam of moonlight that shone in. Magically sealed shut was the only entrance to the room, as two mugs of cocoa steamed against the night’s cold air. All was quiet and peaceful - Luna still shined and her stars the same.

“Happy Birthday Twilight.” Trixie fell asleep.

Two of A Kind

View Online

One Year Later...

Boing, Boing, Boing

Twilight excitedly tramplended on a firm mattress, beaming as wide as her puffy cheeks would allow without strain, and showcased two perfect rows of pearly whites. The silk bow in her mane bounced in the same motion, as her coat shone with an extra sparkle just for this momentous day.

Boing, Boing, Boing

She ran through her mental checklist of things needed to be accomplished, thinking over each chore with care and made sure they were executed with precision. ‘Wake up: check! Eat breakfast: check! Brush mane and teeth: check! Pack saddle bag: check! Bring a pear for the teacher: check! Wake up mom: in process!’

Boing, Boing, Boing

Dancing her happy little jig, she rustled the neat mystique bed sheets overlaying the bed, gaining a slight stir from the unicorn she was jumping on. Moonlight had been awake for quite some time — from the moment she entered the room to when Twilight tried her best to stick to the shadows and stay hidden, Moonlight knew her daughter’s presence was apparent. She lied still, enjoying the cushiness of a warm bed in the morning.

Boing, Boing, Boing

The vigorous bouncing persisted, but Moonlight didn’t mind. Her eager filly was always the early bird of the early birds, a great and reliable trait she was glad Twilight had. In the first year of private tutelage, Twilight already mastered advance mathematics, five different analogies of chemistry, and capable leadership skills — not that the subject needed much work. Magic however, was discussed and dropped. The end results were... more than unexpected.

Boing, Boing, Boing

‘Huh,’ Moonlight sighed. She kept her eyes closed, but slowly uncurled the comforting warm covers with a flicker of telekinesis, revealing her tidy fur coat, which was somehow unaffected by bed hair. Her mane was still magically conditioned, resting peacefully on her alicorn feathered pillows. Moonlight in troubled thoughts, had turned to her right side and now had a sore in her neck. Progressively, Twilight’s bouncing came to a standstill, the wait for the best day of her life nearly here and all that was required was to wake her mother from slumber.

“Come on Mom! Wake up! Pretty pwease!” begged Twilight. She crept closer to her seemingly still asleep mother and used her tiny hooves to gently give Moonlight a shove. Finding her endeavors fruitless, Twilight tried another approach. Crawling under Moonlight’s front hooves, Twilight nuzzled her mother’s bare chest and half succeeded in wrapping her into an embrace. Instead, Twilight hugged her Moonlight’s rigid neck as it was all her tiny hooves were capable of reaching.

Noticing the subtle gesture, the urge to resist Twilight grew unbearable. A sigh of defeat escaping, Moonlight returned the embrace, enfolding Twilight closely with her hooves. The passivity she wore melted away for a delighted smile, as she brought the small filly closer to her for a gentle caress. She slowly ran a hoof through Twilight’s mane, feeling its delicate textures until she reached the filly’s back, which Moonlight continued a gentle rubbing motion on. She never trusted any clock but her own, and her internal clock said it was too early to leave bed with something so nice and warm cuddling to you.

She levitated the covers back on, sweeping the hyperactive lassie into complete darkness. “Twilight,” she calmly spoke, “What time is it?” Moonlight already knew, but used the occasion to test one of Twilight’s new developing skills.

“Ninth hour after the night meridian, thirty-four minutes past, and twenty-six seconds.” Twilight answered.

“Well done,” Moonlight complemented proudly. ‘Only a few microseconds off this time. You’re getting there Twilight.’

“Come-on-Mom-it’s-the-first-day-of-school! Get-up!” begged Twilight again.

“Twilight, school won’t start for another seven hours. For once, I think you’ve earned yourself the right to sleep in past sunrise. You’re still a filly, and to be up this early is bad for your health. Don’t you think I deserve sleep as well?” asked Moonlight.

“...Hehehe...” giggled Twilight sheepishly. “Sorry Mom...”

“It’s alright. I can understand that you must be excited for your first day of school, but don’t get too hyped up over something you’ll likely forget by the time you’re my age,” reminisced Moonlight. She breathed a dull sigh and hugged Twilight twice as hard.

“You’re not old, Mom. You have the figure of a supermodel! And you’re not as stuck up and snooty. I can barely understand what they say most of the time with how thick some of their accents can be. Her high pitch voice rang of joy and silliness, with Moonlight joining her.

Twilight’s petite hooves began loosening its filial grip on Moonlight as drowsiness caved in. The sugar rush-like energy the excited filly had been running on drifted away, the fluffiness of the bed and her mother, soothing her young mind. Twilight gave a groggy shake of her head to stiff away the need for sleep, only to have brush against Moonlight comforting coat. Her effort to keep droopy eyes from sealing shut was a losing battle, one she didn’t mind losing.

“...I love you Mum...*Yawn*” murmured the sleepy filly. Her resistance to slumber grew more sluggish as Moonlight continued to nestle her. The wanting instinct to go to school at three in the morning melted away, forming the lucid plains of the dreamscape.

“...Can you... can you walk with me to school?...Please?” asked Twilight. The little request turned into a plea, as her mind wrapped around the new ponies she had to face and possible make ‘friends’ with.

“I can’t always be there to hold your hoof, Twilight. There are things you’ll have to face on your own — things where I can only point you in the right direction-” Her speech of encouragement was interrupted as Twilight did what she did best when begging just wasn’t enough. Using the drowsy of sleep to an advantage, she retreated her hooves and curled to a small ball. She nuzzled against the unicorn’s abdomen, burrowing against the radiant fur.

“Plwasssse?” begged Twilight. The effects of sleep hindering her speech only stretched on the torture that was begging from a daughter. Twilight could easily manipulate ethos within ponies for her own wants and gains, the only problem: she could never best her teacher.

A youthless foalhood ripped away any kind of emotions for Moonlight, the strands of her psyche barely hung onto. Seeing Twilight attempt it added to the growing pride she had for the filly. Yes, she was a heartless wretch, but it didn’t hurt to play along. “Twilight, I’ll walk you the distance to the outer grounds and you’ll walk the rest to the school. Deal?”

A quiet snore erupted from Twilight, which Moonlight took as a yes to the contention. The elder unicorn arched her larger body, wrapping around the little bundle. She nuzzled Twilight’s puffy cheeks, and planted sweet gentle kisses on her forehead. The sleepy gaze the filly wore was accompanied by her adoring smile, one that told Moonlight her daughter was having pleasant dreams.

Unfortunately, Moonlight lost the need to sleep many moons ago, yet the hinderance in the enjoyment of her daughter’s company was never evident. Hours on ends, she would lay awake, listening. To what, she didn’t know, just that she had to be aware. It was during night that she found her personal heaven, an exact time under Luna’s shine that everything stood still — a literal moment of silence.

|~|~|~|~|~|

All that could be heard was her own rapid pants and quiet snivels. Surrounding her was midnight’s calm air, and a flushing blood red crimson shine from Luna. The cloudless sky allowed the imprisoned goddess to hold her children close and far, the twinkling beauties connected with one another to form astro constellations of different meaning in all directions.

Her dark coat easily covered any very real evidence of blackened bruises, as her quivers were matched in intensity with her hatred; hatred for her governess; governess and mother, one in the same. The filly’s trembling hooves reached to wipe away her stray tears, only to bump into her swollen cheeks and rekindle the burning pain. Running on sheer self-control, she willed the pain away and dried the droplets that ran from her bloodshot eyes.

The victimized filly held the harsh voice that ridiculed her high and true, her mother’s actions justified. But this wasn’t like last time; last time she was only beaten till she couldn’t stand; this time it was until she started wheezing. Next time, it might end when her mother drew blood or she died, whichever came first.

Swift with his movement, a colt dressed in a well pressed suit offered a blue handkerchief to the weeping filly. He stood tall and protective, hovering above her with worried eyes and a silver platter of bandages and rubbing alcohol. He sat quietly on his haunches, and softly pressed the cloth on the filly’s runny nose. She blew loudly into it, and when done, the gentlecolt wiped away her tears with a new cloth.

“Th-thanks Alfred...” stuttered filly-Moonlight. She tried for a dry smile, only to wince from the pain it caused. She was absolutely sure her cries were limited to only her balcony, but the attentive steward always seem to know more than he let on. “C-can you be gentle with the bandages? P-please? It still hurts...”

“Of course, Miss Lulamoon. I am sorry for any discomfort this may bring, but I need to make sure your bruises heal properly. Would you like some chocolate?” offered ‘Alfred’. His seemingly magical intuition had prepared a large bar of deliciousness, knowing well the results of the poor filly’s sessions with her mother.

“B-but Mother won’t let me have any candy...” protested Moonlight as she continue to tremble.

“Then how about we keep this little secret between us?” asked ‘Alfred’. He cleared his tray of reliable conquincidence and gave the bar of chocolate to his employer's daughter. She hesitantly took it, but gladly accepted the treat. On the first nib, black coco swept her taste buds, filling her with warmth.

The large dose of artificial sugar and flavoring replaced her rapid heart rate of adrenaline with a calming sense of simple foalish pleasure. She never had a sweet tooth, but relished every moment when she could get the contraband.

Instead of a hungry devour, Moonlight ate the chocolate bit by bit, taking crumb size bites to ensure the treat last as long as it could. The likelihood of getting something as precious and delicious as chocolate ever again was zero to none.

“We can always get you more chocolate, Miss Lulamoon; no need to take tiny bites out of it,” spoke the calm butler, gathering away the first aid. He set aside the platter and produced another bar of candy from his suit, giving it to Moonlight.

She gladly accepted the chocolate this time, but noticed a lack of pain. Her eyes wandered to her now fully bandaged body, and looked back to her trusty servant. “You gave me the chocolate so that I wouldn’t notice the pain,” she deduced. The passive earth pony gave a sturdy nod before quietly taking his leave.

“Wait, Alfred,” called Moonlight, “Thanks... For being there, and for the chocolate.”

The moving statue cracked a mild grin, threw a slight nod and checked his pocket watch. He studied the historical clock before clicking it back into his vest. “Miss Lulamoon, if you would like to accompany me, I have an appoint to keep to.”

“Where are we going?” asked Moonlight. She got back on her hooves, which with the butler’s help no longer shook and took a steady stance. She trotted closely to ‘Alfred’, letting him lead the way.

“Just a nice little getaway I found while working here. Come now, we mustn’t be late,” answered ‘Alfred’.

|~|~|~|~|~|

The goddess of the sun arose her celestial body slowly, the blazing star inching its way across the horizontal skyline, painting away for a golden dawn. Luna disappeared into the distant horizon, her children following suit, awaiting for their time.

Bleak sunbeams shrone past the city, casting long shadows of the morn. However, Celestia’s warmth never reached the black castle of the night mistress. Light got as far as to reach the blooming gardens, but stop dead at the front doors. It was indeed, always nighttime eternal at Lulamoon manor.

Moonlight lay awake, snuggling warmly around Twilight’s sleeping form. Her filly not once stirred during slumber, which she tried her best not to disturb with her insomnia. For the past few hours, she thought of her foalhood — if one could call it that — and the trusty butler she still had to this day.

He never once aged a single day in appearance, nor questioned her motives and orders. Even behind her back, she knew ‘Alfred’ would follow her instructions to the letter.

Twelve seconds from now her obnoxious grandmother clock will chime, and she’ll have to get to the day’s work. Another day of looking pretty and backstabbing; not that it wasn’t fun.

Being the lead council-pony had it’s perks — seeing your fellow workers plot behind each other’s backs and bribing you for recognition was a fun pastime. She would often ask ‘Alfred’ to bring her a bucket of popcorn and watch the fireworks — it’s not like politicians get anything done.

As her internal clock would have it, the chimes of gears and bells rang loudly within the dark bedroom. Moonlight’s gentle magic lighted, suppressing all sounds and muffled Twilight’s folded ears. Twilight stirred with little movements, the bells dying in volume as Moonlight’s aura lifted.

The warm covers unfurled themselves with Moonlight’s telekinesis, her magic taking hold of Twilight and lifting her into the air. Moonlight slowly got herself out of her mattress and kept Twilight airborne next to her.

Walking in silence, she approached her nightstand and dresser. There stood and looked back was her reflection, mimicking her mask of impassation. Where morning hair was supposed to be was a lavishly streaked mane, with batting eyelashes that complemented her daunting magenta eyes. It was a blessing, doubling as a curse. She could look like a flawless beauty, while in reality she felt like drop dead — gorgeous and doing.

Breathing a low exhausted sigh, she donned her effects and dispelled the levitating aura surround Twilight. The sleeping filly lowered onto Moonlight’s back, barely noticing the change of scenery.

Her hooves hung limply around Moonlight, as she was balanced perfectly without the need of magic to be held steady. Walking as diligent as possible, she took the long way leading to a private dining hall.

Each step she took, Twilight’s stirring increased till she finally woke. Away from dreamland, Twilight gave a groggy yawn and blinked repeatedly to get her bearings. Shaking off any drowsiness that resided, Twilight rolled to her side to get back onto her hooves.

Finding herself filled with tire, she tried to rub the rest of the sleepiness out of her eyes. As her persistence to stay awake be commended, her wobbly footing gave, causing her to crash into the nearby unicorn. Twilight sat up on her haunches, fighting off slumber with will and determination. Her schedule to be kept on time, Moonlight whispered assistance.

On que, a grizzling earth pony showed without any indication he was in the vicinity. Giving a silent request with just a nod, Moonlight expelled vast mana from her horn, beaming herself to a distant room within the castle.

“Good morning Miss Twilight. Rough night?” asked ‘Alfred’. He gently walked to the sluggish filly, with his usual silver platter of mystery.

“Nice to see you too, Alfred. Do you have anything strong?” inquired Twilight. She could just see the outline of the butler, but know his presence anywhere.

“I am sorry Miss Twilight, but you are too young for coffee,” answered ‘Alfred’. “Would you like to join me for tea, instead?”

“Thanks for the offer, Alfred, I’d love to. Do you have anything for me now? I won’t make it past these halls if I don’t get something into me,” yawned Twilight.

“Would you like some words of advice?” offered ‘Alfred’.

“How will that help me stay awake?” asked Twilight. Before her foggy mind can concentrate, the kind steward lifted her onto his back and began a slow walk to the small dining room.

“Do you believe in fate Miss Twilight?”

“By fate, you mean a series of coincidence that seem to happen in chronological order, where said recipient cannot change the outcome to a more desirable one?” restated Twilight.

Not surprised by her answer, he responded, “There are things that logic will not help you in, Miss Twilight. Reason shall only get you so far before you must rely on another source for making decisions.”

“You’re talking about making friends, aren’t you?” concluded Twilight. She felt the subtle nod that ‘Alfred’ gave and thought further why he would do such a thing. “You want me to go to school today and make friends?”

“Indeed, and I must request that you keep Miss Lulamoon from making bad decisions. She isn’t the best with her choice of friends, and I fear it might come back and bite her if something isn’t done. May I be so bold as to ask of that from you, Miss Twilight?”

“Don’t worry Alfred, I’ll look after Trixie. You can count on me!” cheered Twilight. Refilled with her usual high tempo spunk, Twilight hopped off the earth pony’s back and sprinted ahead. She bustled through a set of swing doors, but found herself the second runner. She looked to the nearest table and saw ‘Alfred’ sitting calmly on his chair.

“Care for a spot of tea, Miss Twilight?” asked the Trottingham. He gracefully poured steaming Jasmine into two chinas and set down the kettle.

“H-how did you...” stuttered the second-comer. The non-magical magician remained in his reserved mood and offered the other cup to Twilight as she took the opposing seat. Wrapping a butter knife in her telekinesis, Twilight took a freshly baked scone and covered it with mulberry jam. Sprinkling dashes of powdered sugar onto it, she took her first bite of pure bliss.

The moist fluffy dough smothered in the sweet paste appeased all of Twilight’s watering taste buds, even her contained sweet tooth took a moment to enjoy itself. Slowly finishing the rest of the pastry, ‘Alfred’ left the table and returned back with two bowl and a box of cereal. He gave Twilight the box to let herself pour how much she wanted to eat and left again for a carton of milk.

“Are you going to eat as well, Alfred?” asked Twilight. She carefully measured the correct ratio of cereal to milk — a good portion of five to eight. As the sounds of oats clang against the alablaster china, the double doors swung open.

In walked a yawning filly with a rumbling belly that could shake mountains. Her rustled mane was a rat’s nest and had crusted eyes that drooped like her mood. Trixie strided along with a limp like her legs were still asleep, while avoiding any source of light that came in contact. She looked like a hangover and being sober wasn’t her forte.

She groaned and took her seat next to Twilight. The butler was quickly at work preparing her breakfast: coconut oats with toast points and freshly squeezed orange juice. Topping the drink off with a tiny umbrella and sliced lemon, he returned to the table and served the the sleepy filly her morning wakeup call.

“You look terrible.” It was the biggest understatement of Twilight’s life so far, and tipping the iceberg was Trixie’s foul mood.

“Huuuuuh....” Trixie frowned and took a spoon in her magic. Whisking the sugary flakes into in her mouth, she chewed as obnoxiously as possible and left table manners in whatever hellhole she forgot them in.

“Come on, I’ll help you get ready. When was the last time you brushed your mane?” questioned Twilight. The grunt she got in response meant somewhere between last month or last year, the latter most accurate. “Well, we have just under an hour and a half before school starts. Have you packed your saddle bags yet?”

“Huh...” She barely groaned.

“Ok, have you bathed yet?”

“Huh...” She gave a delayed shrug.

“Have you done anything on the morning checklist I gave you?”

“Huh...” She raised her spoon and took another bite.

“Brush your teeth?”

“Huh...” She munched slowly on her cereal.

“Wash your mane?”

“Huh...” She took a sip of her orange juice.

“Did you sleep?”

“Huh...” She took a bite on her toast points.

“You want to skip school today?”

“Huh...” She finished her cereal before it got soggy and drank the last of the juice.

“Alfred, I think Trixie’s broken, again.”

“I’m not broken. And keep the noise down... You’re giving me a headache...”

“What happened? Did you drink too much kewl-aid?”

“No, I found Starshine’s whiskey cabinet.”

“Oh...Uh...”

“I didn’t drink any if that’s what you’re thinking. I needed an alcohol basis to extract the deoxyribonucleic acid from the kidneys and then convert it into simple amino-proteins. Fifty year old scotch, what a shame.” Trixie said, shaking her head. She nervously turned to Twilight and smiled weakly, “I did spill some on my workbook, so I just copied yours-”

“Hey!”

“You would’ve let me copied it anyways, permission or not. I had to stay up all night finishing my lab-”

“You mean copying mine?”

“No, I actually did the project... I just compared our work when I was done, not technically copying-”

“Yea, it’s cheating now.”

“So what?! Can’t I just eat my toast points in peace?” shouted Trixie defensively. She quietly grumbled under her breath and ate the rest the triangular bread. Her acussive sister backed away from the argument before anything heated and returned to her plain cereal. “What kind of school gives homework before the first day anyways?!”

“A private school, Trixie,” reminded Twilight. She dantly slurped the rest of the milk and wiped away any mess she caused. ‘Alfred’ cleaned the table and chinas as both fillies finish, quietly taking leave afterwards.

“Yes, now I remember. I’m going to be locked inside a large calcium carbonate building for six hours with rich snooty foals that haven’t worked a single day in their lives and doesn’t know the the meaning of a bit. I am so glad to be forced into this school.”

“No need for the sarcasm, I get it; you don’t want to go to private school. But just think of all the science we’ll get to learn! And math, magic, history, chemistry, astrophysics-”

“You’re not really helping your case. I lost you at school. Name one thing fun about learning and I’ll go upstairs and get ready right now. Teachers: boring. Books: boring. Learning: boring. I’ll die of boredom before Mom gets me.”

“She isn’t out to get you, you know. Give her some credit at least.”

“You ever ask her for a pet Twilight?”

“No. I’ll probably forget to feed it right after I get one.”

“Well, lucky you. Do you know what she got me when I asked for a goldfish?”

“A ponyo?”

“Ha! I wish. She got me a Sea Pony that sang show tunes.”

“A Sea... Pony? That’s... umm...”

“Yea, guess what she got me when I asked for a puppy.”

“A puppy?

“Nope!” Trixie snapped. “A Diamond Dog, although Rover did know how to play fetch, so I guess it wasn’t totally bad. I asked for a stuff teddy bear, you know what I got instead?”

“An Ursa Minor?”

“An Ursa Mi- Wait, how did you know?

“Hehe... Lucky guess?”

“I asked for a potted plant.”

“You got a Timberwolf.”

“I asked for an iguana.”

“You got a draken.”

“You get the idea. Never ask Mom for anything and not expect repercussions. I’m afraid of what she’ll get me if I ask for something as simple as a cupcake.”

“Come on Trixie, it isn’t that bad. I would love to have a dragon as a pet. It’d certainly make life more interesting, that’s for sure.”

“You couldn’t get your head out of the books long enough to feed one. It’ll likely starve to death while you read away.”

“Care to make a wager?”

“Name the terms then, guv'na.”

“What’s with the Trottingham accent?”

“I don’t know. It just sounded more official.”

“Well,” said Twilight. She magicked parchment and a quill from thin air, along with a silver bottle ink. Twilight dipped the quill into the special ink and wrote the outline of the contract. Written in arcandian runes, the binding magic glowed the forgotten language, threatening to burn the entire page. Surrounding candles were levitated to the old paper, as Twilight drew in wax a reddish pentagram. Placing each candle on the vertices of the star, she placed the parchment into the center.

“Is the pentagram really necessary? I mean, this isn’t exactly dark magic.”

“Shhh! You’re ruining my mojo. The usual agreement?”

“Let’s make things more things more interesting. Loser has to be the other’s slave for... hmm... three months. And there is no renegotiating the contract or backing out. If you fail to keep said dragon in perfect health of body and mind, I get the dragon.”

“How about we stop treating the dragon like an object and like a living being. We have to keep him happy, and we let him decide who’s the victor.”

“Eh, fine. This should be interesting enough.” Trixie’s aura wrapped around the quill and signed on the dotted lines. On the bottom, she stamped her hoofprint and levitated the contract to Twilight.

“I’ll ask Mom tonight for a dragon,” said Twilight, signing the parchment herself. She cast a duplication spell and gave Trixie the other copy. “Come on, let’s untangle that mane of yours and we can get ready for school. I don’t want to be late.”

“Mind carrying me? My legs are sore and I’m feeling kinda lazy right now,” asked Trixie sheepishly.

“How tense are they?”

“Tensor than a linear relation between vectors.”

“Geez! You are tense! Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Alright, I’ll help,” agreed Twilight. She hopped her chair and trotted to Trixie, helping her out the cushion and walked her to their room instead of the usual teleport.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“We’re-late, we’re-late, we’re-late! Why-did-I-let-you-talk-me-into-getting-some-donuts?!” shouted Twilight hurriedly. She rushed through a spiraled hallways, paintings of headmasters and mistress every-corner, while her chompers were tightly holding onto Trixie’s tail.

“Twi- I ca- wal- on my ow- STOP!” bellowed Trixie, the pony ragdoll. Only after teleporting herself free, and onto Twilight squishing her did Trixie get her impatient sister to stop. Underneath a squirming filly tried to fiddle her way out and failed miserably as Trixie used Twilight’s weakness against her: anything involving physical exertion.

“Trixie! Get off! We’re going to be LATE!!!” yelled Twilight angrily, flailing her hooves wildly like a rabid beast and almost growling her words.

“Yes, because an hour early is ‘late’. I completely understand how time works like that; early means late and late means early. I just love your way of telling time Twilight, it’s so accurate!”

“You can cut the sarcasm anytime now, I get it. Now get off! You’re crush my costae fluitantis and middle vertebrates. Layoff the donuts, please!” pleaded Twilight as she suffocated.

“Hmm, almost forgot about the donuts. Want one Twi?” asked Trixie, opening up a brown bag her magic was wrapped on. Looking inside, she had a little more than a baker’s dozen, enough to be evenly split.

“Chocolate sprinkles please...” She admitted sheepishly. A chocolate smothered donut with flaky rainbow sprinkles was levitated to Twilight before she greedily devoured it a matter of seconds. Calming down, Trixie eventually got off the huffing squirm below her, which Twilight expelled a breath of relief for.

“Well, since you dragged me here an hour early, what do you want to do?” asked Trixie, storing the diabeetus treats into microspace.

“We could visit the professor; he should be here by now even if we are early.”

“Just because we’re here early doesn’t mean I’ll turn into a teacher’s pet like you.”

“Alright. I can always pass the time with a lecture about the second law of thermodynamics.”

“Wait! I change my mind—”

“Which states that entropy of an isolated system never decreases because isolated systems spontaneously evolve towards thermodynamic equilibrium — you know, the state of maximum entropy. And let’s not forget that a change in the entropy of a system is the infinitesimal transfer of heat to a closed system driving a reversible process, that is then divided by the equilibrium temperature of the system.”

“Twi... please don’t do that EVER again. My head hurts now...” ‘And the scary part is that I understood all that...’ moaned Trixie, rubbing her temples. The urge to bang her head against the wall soon became a good idea, but she refrained.

“Shall we visit the professor then? Or would you like another lecture on the zeroth law of thermodynamics. Perhaps my theories on the antisymmetric matrix?”

“Please, don’t... Let’s just go... Before I decided I rather be stupid like a barbarian boor,” begged Trixie desperately. The wicked smile Twilight wore almost reminded her of Moonlight’s satisfaction, the same crazed victory grin that drove her nuts to ever witness. “Stop that! Y-you’re giving me the creeps...”

“Come on, I’m sure a few other classmates will be there as well,” said Twilight taking lead. Trixie sluggishly followed behind, trying to shake off the information overload that flowed through her cerebral-cortex. They trotted in idle chat, Twilight quizzing Trixie on preliminary trivia about the Roaman Era. They stop at an old-style door that rounded the end of the hallway. On the stained window, written in bold letters was the current professor.

“Doctor Whooves, Head Professor of Everything,” read Twilight. She stared with mild confusion while Trixie complained.

“That is the most redundant title I have ever heard.”

“Yea? Wait until he makes you write out your name.”

“What about my name?”

“Your full name,” snickered Twilight.

“...I hate you so much right now...” grumbled Trixie.

“Love you too, Sis,” returned Twilight.

She opened the door with telekinesis and walked inside, followed closely by Trixie. As their eyes adjusted to the dusty room, the first impression was a homage look of old-school. The classical feel of the oakwood gave Twilight a comforting vibe, as she observed the lined formation of single row student desks that all faced an aged chalkboard.

Trixie gagged on the floating dust mites, causing her to sneezed a cloud storm. Unaffected, Twilight sniffed for that familiar scent of forgotten textbook musk combined with dried up ink stains. Breathing a long sigh of dreaminess, Twilight looked to the pony closest to them. A dark caramel earth pony quietly scribed a quick history of Starswirl’s accomplishments, taking point from a brown tome.

He had a timeturner cutie mark that match identical to his double helix sand timer sitting on his desk. The tiny grains seemed to have been in stasis — seemingly floating in a spacial void — as if time were at a standstill. Set closely next to the sandrunner was a strange blue apparition in the shape of a small rectangle, on it bold illegible letters were printed.

All was silent, except for the clicks of newton balls and chalk on a hard surface, the two approached the strange teacher. “Rather early, is it not?” he asked, keeping his focus on the chalkboard.

“Told you,” mumbled Trixie hoofing Twilight in the ribs.

Ignoring her sister Twilight retorted, “I’m not a timewalker.” The tapping on the chalkboard stopped as the professor turned to face his new student.

“Clever girl,” complemented the Doctor. “Why don’t you two introduce yourselves to your new classmate in the back?” He returned to his scribing as the the two looked towards the back of the room.

“I can’t believe there’s actually someone earlier than you,” whispered Trixie. She looked to her record-holding sister, and met Twilight’s first struggle to keep her emotions in check. “Are you... jealous?”

“No,” answered Twilight blandly, “Just curious.” Both set of eyes locked to a magic held tome, obscuring their view of the reader. They walked to the mysterious student, who never paid heed as they approach. They both stopped short of their possible new friend, Trixie in a daze and Twilight impatient.

Meticulously inspecting, Twilight noted that her competition was a studious filly, with dead-point focus that rivaled her own. Trained to detail natural from tryhard, she jotted down another quality that could best hers, a high frequency leyline and spiritual matrix that equally matched.

She could literally feel the essence of another, their actual soul, and Twilight got the hint that the opposing filly could easily sense her protrusion. Both of their magics novaed with other, expelling vast celestial amounts of mana, fighting for dominance. The eventually build up of cosmic auras bashing caused a literal jolt of electricity to bounce between them.

While Twilight inspected the newcomer magically, Trixie looked at her regal appearance. From top to bottom, the arcadian shone like a crystal pearl, a ghostly white that wasn’t bland enough to be pale, yet gleamed with mystical stardust that floated into non-existence once separated from its host.

Braided into her mane and tail were pointed stars that were colour coded with her fur, making it extremely difficult to distinguish them besides their basic outlines. Her mane looked of pure silk, sparkling like the night’s canvas. Long and combed to hang at her side, it shrouded half of her face, the tip nearly touching the ground.

The strangest part were her eyes, a tranquil lustrous turquoise. As if she couldn’t make up her mind, the color shifted constantly from light to dark, keeping the true color a mystery. She had a special glisten in those glossy gems that Trixie recognized as practiced exquision and poise. Astonishing as an alicorn, her cutie mark itself stood above all else.

Across her body, she was spotted with tiny specks of starlets that contrasted against her curving spirals. The silver swirls encircled all her hooves and reached as far as her neck and eyes. Atop, her ignited horn glowed like her turquoise gems, until Trixie recognize something out of place. She had a silver horn that looked sharp enough to be used as a spear with magic just as lethal.

Rolling up her manuscript, she began her own inspection of her classmates. Trixie was barely given a glance, but she kept her divine attention on the violet counterpart. Twilight returned the glare, looking profusely into the filly’s deep ores, focusing on her and nothing else.

“Hai, my name is Silver Swirl, although ponies call me Achlys.”

Classmates

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“Hey Silver, my name’s Trixie. The dork next to me is my sister Twilight,” Trixie replied, breaking the ice. It was enough to get an elbow to the rib from a violet alumna and a soft giggle from her alabaster equivalent.

“Nice to meet you Trixie, Twilight. What are you two doing here so early?” Silver asked with a voice as sweet as cotton candy, and returned them a delighted beam. She gracefully got out of the tiny desk and met the other fillies on ground level. Even then, she still measured an entire foot taller than both ponies.

Reaching a hoof, she pushed back her mane to behind her pinkish ears, revealing her other eye. Like her first one, this gem constantly shifted colours between different reds and went as dark as a midnight black. Twilight took another mental note of it and lightened her somewhat somber mood. “I dragged Trixie here so we could check out the classroom and teachers,” Twilight answered. “What are you doing here so early?”

Silver continued to smile and turned her attention towards her interrogator, “My mom had to work this morning so she dropped me off at the crack of dawn. Had to wait outside the doors for about half an hour before anypony came to unlock the school,” she joked. “But now that I think about it, my mom works about every morning.”

“Maybe we can start a horrible mother’s club!” cheered Trixie, gaining the same response she did before by Twilight.

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly describe my mom as a horrible mother. She’s just really busy most of the day with politics and I never really get to see her during the night either.”

“What I’d give to see less of my mother...” sighed Trixie.

“Trixie really doesn’t mean that,” Twilight interrupted.

“Yea, I do--”

“They just disagree on a lot things most of the time.”

“Says the favorite.”

“You know that’s not true.”

“Excuse me?” Both sisters stopped their bickering and looked to Silver. “You two seem really tense from something,” she said, trying not to pry. “How about we introduce ourselves better over a book and some hot chocolate? My treat.”

“Sure!” Trixie agreed, almost drooling. Twilight opened her mouth to protest before it got stuffed with an azure hoof. “Where are we going?”

“There’s a café connected to the library, and the walk there takes us through the Royal gardens. I hope you two don’t mind the detour, but the fire lilies only bloom during the morning.” Silver flipped out a saddle bag under her desk and magicked out a tiny purse.

“We don’t mind at all,” Twilight answered, spitting out Trixie’s hoof. She set down her own saddle bag as well Trixie, putting them behind the two free desks next to Silver’s.

“I call a coconut latte!” said Trixie, holding up her bag of donuts. She leaped onto Twilight’s back for a pony-back ride, only to squash the mathlete. “Twi, you need to lift.” Getting an angry stare from Twilight, she jumped off again.

Dusting herself off, she gently rubbed her slightly bruised mid section. “Ever heard of walking? I hear it’s good for your health.”

“Nah...” Trixie said, shaking her head. “Why do something when there’s someone else that can do it for you? Isn’t that why you’re here?”

“Hahaha, that was so funny. Don’t come crawling to me when you forget to do the book reports or math homework. I’m sure you’ve already got the fifty pages of trigonometry done, that by the way is due hmm... tomorrow? Guess I forgot to remind you.”

“You’re bluffing...”

“Try me.” Twilight took a step forward and smiled wickedly while Trixie tried to read through her poker face. “You feeling lucky?”

Trixie grinded her teeth, huffing out a heavy breath and brightened on her cheeks. “I’ll take my chances... What’s the worst that could happen?”

“The teachers could... I don’t know... Maybe feed you to the dragon in the basement...”

“Yo-you’re a bad liar T-Twi...” stuttered Trixie. She backed away from her somewhat frightening sister.

“Am I? Have you read any of the brochures? There’s a lava dragon that keeps the furnace going, and rumor has it, a basilisk that slithers in the pipes and eat fillies and colt when they’re out wandering.” Twilight said with amusement, almost cracking a thin grin. “Still like your odds?”

“Never tell me the odds!” shouted Trixie, now frustrated with the lying game. She lit her horn in a bright magenta, fueling it with mana for a sealing spell.

“So...” Twilight said, flaring her horn for battle, “magic duel?” She paced backwards as to give Trixie space. Better not make this too hard for her. Concentrating all her magic into the tip of her horn, Twilight shot first.

Trixie kept absolutely still, not even making an attempt to evade the closing projectile, keeping all her focus on one single spell. Narrowly missing her by a hair the shot created a blacken crater on the walls behind. Trixie aimed for the tiles Twilight stood on, firing her first shot. It hit dead point, in between the magic virtuoso’s fore legs. Instantly magenta flames spread in a circle, engulfing Twilight in a bind.

“Is it hot enough for you Twilight?” she snickered. Her giggles ended abruptly as she began feeling the aftereffects of the spell. The battle stance she took destabilized as her knees buckled and she collapsed onto the floor.

Twilight however didn’t even flinch. She kept her horn flared brightly as the flames begun torching the desks and the white marble walls. In a burst of sparks, Twilight levitated off the ground and fell upwards. She was turned rightside down as she stuck herself onto the ceiling. Looking down she stared as Trixie struggle to get herself back up.

“I can handle the heat just fine, thank you very much.” Twilight chuckled, “What’s the matter? Are you done already?”

The downed magician growled to life as she willed herself back up. Trixie’s horn flashed a blinding glow, as an invisible force cracked the tiles she stood on and gravitated small chunks of marble around her. “I’ll show you who’s great and powerful!” A supercharged proton beam shot from Trixie’s burning white horn, hitting accurately on Twilight chest.

The critical hit shattered all light screens Twilight had on, vaporizing her as it passed through her heart and continued on. Piece by piece, Twilight’s body begun to degenerate. Her skin and flesh burned off slowly, as her internal organs turn to dust. Finally, all the ashes fell onto the ground, sparkles of lavender floating in the air.

Trixie never got a chance to celebrate her victory as lightheadedness began fogging her mind. Her vision blacked out, as she collapsed permanently onto the floor. The exhausted filly’s chest raised and fell rapidly with her breathing, as Trixie started to tremble.

Silver gasped in horror at the end-scene. She looked to Twilight remains, a small pile of ashes while Trixie laid on the floor gasping for more air. Slowly, she shook herself out of the frozen state and reluctantly walked to the remaining filly. Stopping before her, Silver stuck a hoof next to Trixie’s rosy cheeks and felt a scorching heat.

“You’re burning up...” Looking from Trixie to her sister, Silver reconsidered. “Hold still, I’ll see if I can bring that fever down.” The elder enchantress focused her mana through her horn, working with the natural magic around her for a healing spell. Lowering the silver tip, she dispersed her mana, letting the turquoise aura encase Trixie’s body.

As she worked, violet dust swirled around behind them. Remnants floating about condensed into bigger particles; the particles then into matter; the matter into tissue. The air began to hum with power, as the pile of ashes took life.

Silver inched her head sideways, watching with her peripheral the impossible sight. The ashes took the form of a chubby filly, turning from grey-black to a light amethyst. The surrounding tissues attached to the deformed body, forming muscles and arteries as internal organs regenerated. An endoskeleton formed next, encasing the new organs and recompiled her nervous system.

Twilight’s lifeless body was fully healed, floating in mid air as a bald rat. Her fur and mane formed last, as her cutie mark reappeared on her flank. She slowly descended onto the ground, taking her first steps in a new body. Strangely, she was covered in an organic veil, which burned off as she tested her motor functions.

Her neck vertebrates cracked, along with her shoulder blades and hind legs as she moved them. Finally taking her first breath of clean air, Twilight opened her empty eye sockets, which quickly refilled with white pupils. Her irises returned to its natural colours, completing the healing spell.

“You’re alive?” Silver asked.

“Reassembling myself was the first trick I learned.” Twilight teleported across the room, still somewhat glowing with power. She blasted away Silver’s aura with her own, yet continued the spell. Poor thing, trying to take me on like that, but at least she’s keeping up with her studies.

“You know the life-after-death spell? I thought the last user was banished to the north pole?”

“The last known user,” Twilight corrected. “Besides, this is an incomplete version. I’ve had to recalibrate the entire spell before it was even field testable. But I’m glad the first run was a successful one.”

Silver stared at the daring filly, taking a seat and extinguishing the flames with her magic. “You won’t always be right you know.” Her magic expanded from the doused fires to cleaning the soot and replacing the cracked ceiling.

“If death cannot hold me, what will?”

“I see you’re not lacking in the ego department.”

“At least I have the magic to back it up.”

“There’s a difference between having powers and knowing how to use them. What if you lose control?”

Twilight turned her back on Silver, looking towards a blank wall. “You’ve read my file.” She finished the spell Silver started, levitated Trixie’s sleeping body onto a nearby desk.

“Call it wishful thinking. I’ve never seen you before this day, so how could I’ve read your file?”

“You’ve never seen me, but you knew of me.”

“There’s that ego going off again. You’re a rational filly Twilight, you should know better than that.”

“What gives you the right to tell me what to do, or judge me for that matter? You’re not my equal or superior.”

“Maybe not.” Silver raised from her seat and loomed over Twilight. “But there is a difference between being smart and being wise. You have so much potential for both, if only you didn’t follow the path of logic.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Twilight slowly backed away as Silver encroached her. Her flanked backed up against a desk that Trixie rested on causing her to stop.

“How long do you plan on living Twilight? An eternity is quite a long time, longer than you may believe it to be. “

“How am I gonna live forever exactly?”

Silver cracked a sly grin, patting Twilight lightly on her shoulder. “You’re a bright filly, Twilight, you’ll figure it out. Besides,” she said, breathing out a heavy sigh. “It’s not if you live forever, but how you live with yourself. Immortality is a life of solitude, and a path walked most often alone.”

“What’s your genealogy?” Twilight snapped, swatting Silver’s hoof away.

“Twilight, don’t push it.”

Shouting instead this time, Twilight stepped closer to the dwarfing unicorn, keeping her glare locked with Silver’s eyes. “What’s your genealogy?!” She demanded.

“Twilight-”

“What’s your genealogy?!” Twilight growled. She pointed her flared horn towards Silver, encasing it with mana incase she didn’t like her next answer.

“Why don’t you ask yourself that.”

“W-what?” Twilight stepped back, disarming her horn and returned it to normal. “Y-you read my file!”

“I don’t need to read what I can see with my own two eyes. You were an orphan Twilight, a naive one at that.” Silver said pointing a hoof at the trembling filly. “Then you changed. You got adopted, a new chance, a new life and family.”

“S-stop it!” shouted Twilight, almost pleading her words.

Instead, Silver shook her head no and walked closer . “Let’s face it, Twilight, you’re overcompensating.”

“W-what?”

“Trixie was the golden child until you came along, but you just had to show off. Then you replaced her. You thought that if you could somehow make Trixie’s parents proud of you, they’d forget about their own birth daughter and treat her differently.”

“What?!” Shouted Twilight, only allowing an inch to be between their faces. “I’d never do that to Trixie! She gave me everything I could have asked for! And now you’re accusing me of using her?!”

“I know it Twilight. The way you walk, talk, and act, it all shouts orphan. You try to spite her any way you can, from making her look foolish in public to insulting her abilities. Don’t lie, you know you’re better than Trixie, and you treat her as such.”

“Liar!” She screamed this time. The magenta aura she used to have flared to a crimson red, causing the room to creak with solarwinds. Surrounding papers flew from desks, the non-bolted tables screeching against the floor as they are pushed around.

Silver backed away, but was stopped abruptly as she meet the dead end wall. Nowhere else to go, she ignited her own horn, readying her mana shields. Her eyes darted around for an escape route, only to see Twilight blocking her path.

“Don’t do something you’ll regret Twilight.”

The approaching filly blasted away nearby desk with an invisible force, paving the titles away to its basic state. Each step she took, hoofprints were scorched into the marble, as Twilight lit up like the rising sun. Her mane burst into red hot flames, turning into a deep violet soon after. The well groomed fur she had burned off for a pearl white coat. Marble turned black as tables and books burn to ashes the closer Twilight walked to Silver.

“I’ve had it with you Silver!” Twilight channeled all her magic into a single focus point of her horn, and fired the lethal spell. The recoil sent her spiraling backwards, bumping into Trixie along the way. The beam flew from where Twilight stood, warping space and reality as it sped its way towards Silver. All sound was drowned out as it went super sonic, cracking the windows.

“Enough of this.” A blinding light shrouded Silver, encasing her in a golden aura. Alabaster wings spreaded themselves from empty space, acting as personal shields. Silver stared at the supercharged beam closing in on her, not once noticing the alicorn that flashed into existence from nowhere.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Hold on a minute, now.” Rarity said.

“What is it?” Trixie asked, putting down her knitting needles.

“If you’re knocked out cold from using too much magic, then how do you remember all this?” She inquired. Rarity slightly pouted, continuing her concentration on her umpteeth pair of stockings. During some time ago, she had ran out of wool, and had substituted gold laces instead.

“I came to after Silver and Twi had their deathmatch together. I got the rough sketch of things from Silver, but Twilight explained the full scene later. Those two really hated each other back then, which is quite ironic considering their relationship now.”

“They’re dating?” Rarity asked.

“Twi calls it ‘socially expanding’.” Trixie giggled. “You’ll never believe how their first date ended! Ha, Twilight smelt like swamp gas for a month after that hydra crashed their picnic.”

The two mares joined in on mild giggles, laughing away before Trixie spewed wine through her nostrils. “Is there anything your sister isn’t good at?” Rarity asked, calming down a bit.

“Emotions for one,” Trixie sighed, wiping a tear away. “Apologizing another.”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Detention on the first day?!” Moonlight yelled. She quickly paced to and fro between her bandaged daughters, while Silver sat nearby untouched.

“You gotta admit though, this is a personal best for Trixie. School won’t start for another twenty minutes and she’s already got three referrals. Not bad in my book.”

Moonlight stared daggers at her husband, growling in her voice tone and grinned her teeth to the point of cracking. “They won’t see the light of day when I’ve gotten through with them.”

“Come now, it isn’t that bad. The damages were paid for, and they both lived didn’t they? Things could have gone a whole lot worse.”

“Really?” asked Moonlight, rolling her eyes and scoffing. “How do you suppose?”

“Well for one, we didn’t get a lawsuit this time. Remember Monte Carlo?” Trixie burst in laughter at being reminded of the place, which she soon regretted doing as she winced from the pain it caused.

“How could I forget if you constantly remind me of it. Our second honeymoon ruined because Trixie had to touch everything she saw.”

“Cut her some slack. She was young-er than she is now. She was only trying to have some fun, and being stuck in a hotel room the entire time, Trixie was probably bored out of her mind.”

“She’s out of her mind alright.”

“HEY!” shouted Trixie. Next to her, Twilight flared her horn and magicked an extra large bandage over her mouth. “Mmmph! Mmmph mmph mmfff!”

“Now isn’t the time Trixie,” Twilight whispered. She undid the spell soon after, as Trixie shot her an angry stare.

“Ahem.” The leader headmistress coughed, “May I please have your attentions?” All heads turned to her, allowing her to continue. “Although I am happy with the generous donation you have given us, it doesn’t excuse the behavior of both your daughters. Trixie is prone to...” She adjust her reading glasses as she squinted at a large portfolio.

“Life risking spells and likes showing off, along with an above average ego and boasts often.” She read out loud. Looking to the guilty party, Trixie grinned sheepishly while turning away towards a wall. “Twilight on the other hoof...”She closed the large folder containing Trixie’s file and pushed it aside. Turning to an abnormally large cabinet, she opened the top drawer, revealing stacks upon stacks of paperwork.

“How are you going to find my file in all of that?” Twilight asked, pointing to it.

“The cabinet is your file, Miss Twilight.” The mistress pulled out the biggest folder with telekinesis, but had trouble as it wobbled in mid air and slammed it onto the desk. “Twilight has performed highly on all her written exams, scoring perfects on all of them. During the magic portion, she aced it with flying colors, demonstrating unparalleled prowess in all categories. However...”

Flipping through several pages, she found a personal report by one of the physicians, “Twilight excels in everything she does, but lacks self-control. Often, is easily agitated and likes to feed her ego. Approved for advance studies of amniomorphicology and Star Swirl’s research, but precautions are recommended.” Twilight frowned at the ground, kicking her hind legs back and forth on her chair.

“As for Miss Silver Swirl over here...” She levitated a key from around her neck, using it to open a drawer. Pulling out a musty petite folder, she gently set it down on her desk.

The door to the office soon opened, Princess Celestia walking through it. She approached the desk with perfect stealth, no one noticing her until she made herself present. Slapping a bejeweled hoof onto the folder, she got a collective stare from everyone. “I’m afraid Silver’s file is classified.”

Her horn ignited a soft gold and the papers lit ablaze, scorching the documents and turning them to ashes. “I’m sure you’ll understand my decision on this matter.”

“Pardon me, Princess, but what relations do you have to Miss Silver?” Moonlight asked.

“Let’s say we’re related and keep it that. No need for anyone to lose their head over something so trivial. Now,” Celestia turned towards the fillies, “I believe classes are about to start. No need to sit around here anymore you three. Your records shall still be clean, but consider this a warning. Now off to class, all of you.”

The students simply nodded their heads in unison, the sisters limping out the office as Silver walked normally behind them. “Have a wonderful day, Silver. Do keep your guard up. Twilight isn’t the kind to underestimate.” Celestia warned. Silver nodded, closing the door quietly behind her.

“A personal protégé of yours Princess?” Moonlight asked.

“One could call her that,” Celestia answered, pulling a seat next to the parents. “Now, about Twilight.”

“What about her?” Starshine asked this time.

“My records have her listed as deceased and her body burned beyond recognition within a fire down at the morgue. But I have her listed under as Twilight Sparkle. Rather unorthodox, isn’t it? The daughter of my most prized vizier dies and suddenly you have an adopted daughter that looks exactly like their filly.”

“Your point, Princess?” Moonlight snapped.

“No point,” Celestia answered. “Just an observation. Have a nice day Mr. and Mrs. Lulamoon. I’ll be looking forward as to how Twilight advances in her studies.” She got up to leave, opening the door and met her personal body guards. “Do watch your backs though. My niece isn’t the forgiving type when it comes to those who hurt her loved ones in any way.”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Welp, that could have gone better.” Said Trixie, limping her way back to their classroom.

“Yea, it could have.” Twilight agreed, trying to support herself and the weight of Trixie. They tripped every now and again, but kept a steady pace. Silver walked a comfortable distance behind, watching as the two sisters struggle to keep their footing.

“What did you get?” Trixie asked.

“No reading for enjoyment for a month, you?”

“Really? Just that? I’m not allowed to use Alfred for a whole month! Who’s gonna make my toast points?! I can’t live without my toast points!”

“Hold your horses, Trixie.” Twilight said, giving her sister a usually roll of the eyes. “You don’t need to be a drama queen about everything. Besides, it’s just a month. In that time, maybe you can learn to do things for your own.”

“Pff! Rich ponies don’t do things for themselves! They get others to do it for them. Now, carry me to class peasant!”

“Whatever you wish for oh Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“Heh, I like it. Great and powerful, sounds fitting for one such as I.”

“Yea, well don’t let that ego go unchecked. Come on class starts in five minutes and I’m too tired to teleport us there. I’d appreciate it if you put some effort into helping me.”

“Only this once! But only because you’re the Great and Powerful Trixie’s sister!”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Did you really call yourself that your entire foalhood?” Rarity asked.

“Yea,” laughed Trixie, “but luckily I grew out of that phase. Can you possibly imagine me going around as - I don’t know... a showmare - doing magic for entertainment and boasting every other minute? I really gotta thank Twi for getting me out of that. And all that third person talk really got me into trouble with my english teacher.”

“Haha, well I’m glad you turned out the way you did then, although with mild foalhood trauma.”

“I really could have turned out a lot worse couldn’t I?” Trixie grinned and picked up her pair of needles again, starting once again on her now hundredth sock.

“Just image it this way, darling. Yours and Twilight’s role could have been switched! Just imagine how that would have played out. Being all alone and then raised by ponies you don’t exactly know, but are loved anyways because they feel sorry for you?”

“Yea,” Trixie quietly chuckled. “I can’t imagine how that could’ve turned out.”

“You okay, Trixie? Was it something I said?” Rarity asked, looking to Trixie’s once again slum figure.

“No, no... Just got this feeling that you’re probably right.”

“About?”

“Me and Twi.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Fancypants?” Dr. Whooves called.

“Here.” A white colt answered.

“Blue Blood?”

“That’s Prince Blue Blood to you!” The blonde pony shouted from this chair.

“Right, Blue Blood?”

“Hmmp! Here you twat!”

“Ain’t he a charmer, ladies? Be sure to share your rotten tomatoes with him during lunch.”

“What?!”

“Diamond Mint?”

“Here!” An excited teal filly answered.

“Fleur de Lis?”

“Oui.” The exchange student looked around the room, keeping her vision on a certain colt.

“Holly Dash?”

“Here.” A semi-rainbowed mane pony answered.

“Graphite?”

“Here, sir.” The spiky mane colt called, looking around to see if anyone else had a coat as black as his.

“Lyra Heartstrings?”

“Here!” The excited minty unicorn answered.

“Minuette?”

“Just call me Colgate, Dr. Whooves.” Her cutie mark matched with the professor, whom she beamed her cheerful grin at.

“Colgate it is. Neon Lights?”

“Yo.” A masculine young colt answered. He leaned back on his chair while wearing an old pair of shades.

“Sea Swirl?”

“Glad to be here!” A pinkish aqua cutie marked filly called.

“Brilliant. Twinkleshine?”

“Eager to learn, sir!”

“Vinyl Scratch?” Everypony looked around, but all eyes eventually turned to an empty table next to Trixie.

“Not here, then.” Dr. Whooves said, jotting it down on his attendance sheet. “Silver Swirl?”

“Here.”

“Ah, the young prodigy in the flesh. Nice to have finally made your acquaintance.”

“Pleasure’s all mine.”

“Top of the morning to you then.” He said, smiling. “Now, the Lulamoons....”

All their classmates glared towards their direction. While most had a gentle smile to offer, some regarded them with calculating eyes. “Here,” the sisters said in unision.

“Yes, I know that. Infact, the entire school knows that, thanks to your little display of magic earlier. Please, everyone be sure to thank them for burning all the homework I was to assign you this week.”

Everypony began to cheer, while Twilight quietly sulked over the prospect. They continued their woohoos and yays before stopping as the door banged opened. The doorknob bashed against the hardened walls, almost cracking the tinted window.

Walked in a groggy filly in worse condition than Trixie the morning. The white coated filly had a quarter note for a cutie mark, along with alternating electric blue colours for her rowdy mane. She wore roundish violet glasses, opaquing her eye colour.

“Vinyl Scratch, I presume?” Dr. Whooves asked.

“Wad up, doc’?” She answered. Vinyl lugged behind a messy saddle bag, throwing it to her seat with magic.

“Oh, you’re quite the fun one aren’t you?”

“You bet your doctrines, I am.”

“Well Miss Scratch, I hope you have fun in detention. Looks like I found some company for you Lulamoons.” Vinyl rolled her eyes and quietly walked to her seat. “Now that introductions are out of the way, let’s begin shall we?”

“Umm, Dr. Whooves? Can I ask you a question?”

“Do you know how many paradoxes you’ve created with that question alone? Just ask me the question instead of asking to ask me.”

“Well, sir, umm if all the textbooks were burned, what do we have exactly to learn?”

“We always have old fashioned way, of course.”

“There’s an older way than textbooks?” Blue Blood scoffed.

“Yes, indeed. They’re called scrolls, you know that nifty little thing way back when? I’m sure someone of your status quo must know about them.”

“Of course I know about them!”

“Oh good, I was starting to doubt your mental capability. Now everyone, would you all kindly take out a piece of parchment? We have some writing assignments to do.” The class began filling with the sound of groaning, except for an excited Twilight.

“Now class, it’s time to talk about the birds and the bees.”

Too Long Ago

View Online

“You wanted to see me Princess? Am I in trouble?” Twilight asked. She limped through the door into a small office, after being asked to report to her. It was in a private wing, which she got lost several times just to find. Struggling to maintain her collectiveness, Twilight tripped twice before reaching her seat.

“Yes Twilight, you are in trouble.” Celestia calmly answered. “Consider yourself expelled from this school. I no longer want to see you anywhere near the school’s premises.”

“W-w-what?” Twilight flailed out of her chair and onto ground. Her heart raced around the prospect, hyperventilation soon following afterwards. As Twilight gasped for more air, Celestia let out a soft giggle from behind her desk.

“Calm down, Twilight. Twas just a jest. Unless you do want me to expel you?”

“Oh, n-no thanks, Princess. I think I’d prefer to stay a student.” Twilight gasped. She got herself back up on the seat and looked Celestia in the eyes.

“I’m glad to hear that Twilight. Do you know why you’re here?”

“N-no, Princess. Did I do something wrong?”

“You mean besides trying to kill Silver?” Celestia asked back. Twilight looked away, turning towards a wall and kept quiet. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of Twilight, well besides failing.” Twilight returned to staring at the playful alicorn, finding Celestia to be grinning with amusement.

“Excuse me, Princess? Were you expecting me to try to kill Silver?”

“No, I expected you to fail and try again.” While Twilight stared at her with a confused look, Celestia ignited her horn in gold, whisking out a musty folder. She then levitated it to Twilight, undoing the seals as the auras switched from hers to Twilight’s.

Opening the front cover, Twilight read the name inside. “Silver Swirl, born on the eve of the last Lunar year. Parents: unknown. Place of birth: unknown. Status quo: Princess. Magic: alicorn equivalent. Race: unicorn.” Twilight kept reading until most of the info was just common knowledge. “I don’t understand Princess. Why did you give me Silver’s file?”

“Read the analysis on her genetic structure.” Celestia gestured.

Twilight kept her skeptical look up, but didn’t question the all knowing promethean. “DNA results returned contain subject’s blood shows...” Trailing off, Twilight started to pale as she saw what it said next.

“Subject shows clear signs of having... pure alicorn genes, as well as matching chromosomes, but seems to have a recessive gene that suppress the formation of wings. However, magic capabilities do not show any hinderage from these recessive genes.”

Beginning to shake, Twilight closed the folder and set it back onto the desk. “Is Silver your daughter?” Looking Celestia directly in the eyes, Twilight began sweating as the princess let out a giggle.

“I’m surprised in you, Twilight. What gave you the idea that she was my daughter?”

“Well... who’s else could she? You’re the only alicorn alive, right? I mean...” Twilight began brightening on the cheeks as she turned away, “you’re not exactly a virgin goddess.”

While Twilight remained antsy, Celestia giggled at the deduction. “No I am not. But I can tell you with certainty that Silver is not my daughter. The report however, is true though.”

“Why... why are you telling me this? You said Silver’s file was... classified.” Twilight’s eyes then bulged as she realized the outcome of reading restricted information. “Oh, wow, will you look at the time? I think my sister’s calling me. Goodbye Princess, nice meeting ya.” Rushing to the door, she found it locked with magic, delaying her escape.

“Twilight,” called Celestia, rising from her seat. She walked to the desperate filly and watched as Twilight begun using her chompers to forcefully open the door. Using a wing, she swept the filly away from the door, and back into the seat. “You don’t fear death, Twilight. So what do you have to worry about me?”

“Hehehe...” laughed Twilight nervously, “oh just never being able to see my family again is all.”

“Do you really see me as someone who would do that, Twilight?” Celestia lost her cheerful tone and asked in a more serious manner. In her efforts to try to calm her, Celestia only made things worse as Twilight began hyperventilating again.

“Pardon-me-Princess-but-I’m-quite-sure-there-were-two-princesses-that-ruled-Equestria. Please-don’t-banish-me!” Twilight flinched and closed her eyes, waving her hooves around to whack the alicorn away.

“You’re right, there were two Princess.” Celestia turned her back, facing the wall and unlocking the door with her magic. “But you have yet to give me a reason to banish you. You may return to your class Twilight, our talk is over.”

“O-okay, Princess. It was nice to meet you in person.” Calming down, Twilight limped to the door and magicked it open.

“Twilight,” called Celestia, stopping the filly at the door. “Do keep this between us. It wasn’t I that made her file classified. There are secrets worth dying for, and you now know one of them. Good luck in your studies, and staying alive.”

Twilight didn’t bother staying in the office to hear Celestia’s warning, dashing out and halfway through a corridor before she even stopped to catch her breath. Note to self: never ask Silver for a favour.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Please excuse my skepticism here, Trixie, but now I just know you’re making things up. If you weren’t even there to witness Twilight and Princess Celestia talk with each other, how do you know about it? If the Princess didn’t want Twilight telling anyone about it, how you possibly know about it? I’m sorry but you’re starting to lose me here.”

“Well...”

“And all three of you being so casual about killing each other? It doesn’t matter if you can magically heal your organs, I’m pretty sure at least one of you would be traumatized by it. And all this conspiracy with the Princess and this mysterious relative of her? I hope you can see why I’m skeptical.”

“I might have made up a few things here and there... But only not to bore you!”

“Believe me darling, I’m pretty sure I’d be more interested in hearing about your real life than some made up story just for entertainment. Now if you don’t mind? Could you give the real version? I know your sister is talented, you speak highly of her already, but I’m quite certain only alicorns have the ability to come back life.”

“Do you honestly want to hear a boring version of it? I mean, a battle to the death? Are you sure?”

“The truth, if you don’t mind. I really won’t think less of you. Sure life can be boring when you first think about it, but after you look back on it, you tend to laugh at how silly it was. What really happened?”

“Alright there really wasn’t a battle to the death...”

“Go on,” Rarity gestured with a hoof.

“We went to the library instead...”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“How’s your latte Trixie?” Silver asked.

“Great! Thanks Silver. What did you get?”

“Oh, just some hot chocolate.” She answered. She beamed at the filly and turned to Twilight cautiously. “Twilight, are you sure you can handle an espresso? I don’t think you’re old enough to be anywhere near that stuff.”

“I’ll be fine,” she reassured, waving a hoof to ward away Silver’s worries. “Besides, I could use something this strong on long study nights. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Just be careful Twilight, it’s hot.” Silver answered. She sipped from her cup, levitating a book from her saddle bags onto the table. Inside she had a page marked with a silk ribbon, and a picture of what looked like her family.

“Who’s in the picture?” Trixie asked. She got a hoof to the rib from Twilight, and a stare saying it’s not their business. Looking closer, the photo was brown with age, cracking at the edges and the colour a monotone.

“Oh just me and my friends.” Silver grinned. She stared blankly at it, eventually showing the sisters the photo. They saw Silver pose with her friends, all of them laughing and giggling with one another.

“What were their names?” Twilight asked, examining the photo with care.

“The top right was Morning Glory. She always thought of ways to help her friends even when she was overworked herself.” Said Silver, pointing to a pinkish pony. “Bottom left was Ivy. If you ever committed a fashion crime, she was always the first to know.” Silver moved her hoof to the other side, pointing to a violet pony. “Crystal was always the brainy one. She’d look at the stars most of the time and had a knack for seeing the future.”

She moved her hoof diagonally, to another pink pony. “She was Twinkle Star. Twinkle had the power to grant any wish, but never her own.” Her hoof then moved to the last pony besides herself. “That’s Trixiebelle. She’d always try to get us to laugh, especially on a rainy day. And there’s me,” said Silver, pointing to the white pony in the center.

“Hey Silver?” asked Trixie. “What’s your special talent? Your cutie mark doesn’t really say much about it.” She got another elbow from Twilight, which Trixie knew was starting to bruise.

“Well, if you were wondering, it was being a guardian. I protected my friends with my magic and what not, and my mana shields always took the shape of swirls, hence the silver swirls.”

“Ahh, I wish my cutie mark was just as interesting! All I can do is illusion magic.” Whined Trixie.

“Everypony has a special talent that only they can do, Trixie. Not many ponies can do illusion magic that you probably can do in your sleep.” Said Silver, getting the picture back and putting into her book.

“Yea, because illusion magic is gonna get me far in life. Just imagine how many ponies I could entertain with a magic show.” Trixie said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey at least you know what your cutie mark means. I still don’t know what mine's supposed to be or what it does for that matter. Just a huge star surrounded by more stars,” said Twilight, pointing to it.

“Yea, because the the unknown is better than trickery. I totally see that being true, Twilight,” Trixie scoffed.

“Come on you two,” interrupted Silver. “Class is about is start. We’d better get going before we get detention for being late. Thanks again for the donuts Trixie.”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Now that sounds much better, darling.” Rarity smiled.

“Sure,” said Trixie. “If you want a totally boring version.”

“I don’t mind it, Trixie. Honestly, I’d rather be bored out of mind and hear a truthful part of your lives than some pizazz version with nothing but explosions every five minutes.”

“If you say so,” Trixie scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, I know so. Besides, just because you don’t think it’s interesting doesn’t mean it’s not interesting for someone else. Sometimes it’s the quiet and easy life that’s most would prefer listening to. Now this Silver, she sounds rather intriguing, is she not?”

“Now that part however, I didn’t lie about.” Said Trixie, her eyes sparkling with a sense of mystery.

“What?”

“Silver really was immortal, almost as old as Princess Celestia if not more.”

“How’s that even possible? I thought only alicorns were immortal.” Rarity asked, a skeptical eyebrow raised.

“Now that’s a million bit question.” Grinned Trixie. She opened her saddlebags and magicked out a book with a golden unicorn on the covers. “Have you ever of the Elements of Harmony?”

“I think I’ve heard of it...” said Rarity thinking through her memory. “It certainly sounds familiar though.”

“Well, isn’t it strange how we’ve all heard about it, but don’t exactly know what it is? Just like one of those déjà vu moment? After doing some research on them, I found something rather interesting about the Elements and Silver.”

“Now, how do I know this is true?”

“Truthfully, it’s mostly rumors and speculations, with a bit of guessing...” Trixie said, mumbling as her last words.

“So it’s not true? That it’s just possibly possible?” Rarity asked, hearing Trixie’s mumbled words.

“Ehh, right now it’s leaning towards legends.” Answered Trixie, flipping through the pages. “Two sisters blah blah blah... Night and day blah blah blah... more mumbo jumbo about harmony... Banished to the moon yada yada yada...” Flipping through more pages, she finally found it.

“Here it is, Elements of Harmony. Greatest source of magic known to Equestria, but lost through time. Some speculate they lock themselves away, only revealing their true nature to those that have proven themselves worthy of their power.” Trixie flipped again to a picture of six glowing gems, each of them a different color.

“And how does this relate to Silver again?” Rarity asked, glancing over the picture with her glasses.

“Well, this is just a speculation right now, but I think she’s a bearer of the Elements.” Trixie whispers.

“Aheh...” Rarity said. “Remind me again how this makes her immortal?”

“Because of her cutie mark of course!” Trixie said, excitement in her eyes.

“You’ve lost me, and that is quite hard to do.”

“Her special talent was being a guardian right? Well, you put two and two together and you get this! Silver was granted immortality as the Elements saw her fit to protect them, but this isn’t alicorn type immortality. No, this is you can’t kill me kind of immortality.”

More like putting sweaters and ties together. “And you figured this all out how?” Rarity interrupted.

“With science of course! And a really big hydra.”

“W-what?”

“Anyways...” coughed Trixie. “Back to the story.”

Fighting for the Users

View Online

“A field trip to the Everfree forest?” Moonlight asked worriedly. She flashed her horn for an identification spell and found that the parent signature sheet was legitimate. Checking it twice, to see if it could somehow been forged, Moonlight discovered the same results.

“It’ll be fun!” cheered Twilight. She quickly packed her saddle bags, going down a mental checklist as she went. Bug spray, check! Bear spray, check! Manticore spray, check! Dragon spray, check! Hmm... What am I forgetting... of course! Holy Water!

“Yea!” Trixie agreed. Instead of neatly stacking essentials, the rowdy filly packed everything she could possibly need for a good time. Fireworks, check! Manticore pheromone, check! Mom’s secret spell book, check! Trixie giggled deviously as she hid the magical journal under mountains of paper and ink wells. “I promise I’ll behave,” Trixie said politely.

Moonlight raised a skeptical brow and looked her birth daughter from top to bottom for any contraband the sneaky filly could have hidden. “Give me a better reason and I might think about it,” she answered staring at Trixie in particular.

Trixie gave a hurt look to her mother for the actuation, which wasn’t that far off, but Twilight vouched for her. “Don’t worry Mom, I’ll watch out for Trixie,” Twilight reassured. Next the extra-organized pupil stacked a set of aerophysics textbooks into the stuffed bags for some light reading later.

Moonlight was reluctant against signing the sheet, even with her favored daughter’s testimony. Twilight’s sheet was already signed and neatly folded into her saddle bag, but the mother let her quill float aimless over Trixie’s. Sighing, she gave in and inscribed her signature onto what would be a death warrant. May Faust have mercy on my soul, she prayed.

The paper was neatly folded before Trixie stuffed it into a random place in her saddle bags, using whatever system she had for important homework. Beside her, Twilight tried on her saddlebags to check for an equal distribution of weight. Perfect on the dot, she thought, trotting around to see if anything loose would shuffle around during their trip.

Trixie struggled to close her bags, but clasped them shut with a forceful push of magic. She breathed a sigh of relief and threw her heavy bags next to the door. “All set,” Trixie declared, triumphantly.

Twilight stared at her sister’s disarranged bag; her left eye nervously twitching at the lack of organization. She carefully set down her saddle bags neatly next to their dresser and levitated Trixie’s to be repacked. While Trixie lounged on their beds reading a book, Twilight shook all the stuffed items out in the open and color-coded them.

Moonlight sighed at her daughter’s laziness and walked out the door, mauling over the decision. Trixie watched with caution as the door closed, allowing her to drop the act. She ripped the bag from Twilight’s grip with magic and received a stare from her sister.

“You go do something else, Twilight, I can reorganize this bag by myself.” Giving an extra-large smile, Trixie tried to casually hide the forbidden contents in her bag.

Twilight stared with a confused eyebrow raised at Trixie. While she admitted it was nice to see her sister take initiative, there had to be a logical reason behind it. “Are you alright, Trixie? Feeling lightheaded lately?” She asked, inspecting her sister for signs of madness.

“No...Why do you ask?” Trixie returned, looking just as dumbfound. She latched the bag and hid it under a pillow just as Twilight jumped on their beds for a better look.

“Are you sure you’re ok? Didn’t hit your head or anything that would cause trauma to the head and memory loss?” Twilight asked again, poking and prodding the strange creature that looked like her sister.

“Wh- ar- yo- doin-STOP!” screamed Trixie as she pushed her prying sister away.

Undiscouraged, Twilight yanked off a strand of hair as she fell onto the soft mattress. Her horn brightened and the single hair burned from one end without the obnoxious smell. Yup it really is Trixie, Twilight concluded as the Call to Arms spell was completed. “Then again, you could just be a clone,” she said out loud, wondering it as she tapped her chin.

“Hey! Is it so hard to believe that I want to do something for myself?” Trixie asked defensively. Twilight nodded her head yes, prompting Trixie to shot her an angry glare.

“Are you sure you’re okay Trixie?” Twilight asked for the last time. She looked at Trixie with a worried stare, watching as her sister sighed and took out the hidden saddle bags.

“Yea I’m fine,” Trixie answered. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to redo my bags for tomorrow.”

Twilight offered. “I could help-”

“No, really, I can do this on my own,” Trixie insisted, with a tentative smile. “You go do something else, Twilight. I appreciate it, but just let me do this myself for once, okay?”

“A-alright...,” agreed Twilight reluctantly. She stared at her now independent sister and felt an unknown feeling swell inside her. Pride, Twilight concluded after some thought. Her confused frown grew into a bright smile as she hopped off the bed. “I’ll catch you later then,” she said, exiting through the doors.

Trixie exhaled a heavy breath she didn’t know she had been holding and dumped out everything left in her bag. On top of the pile was her mother’s private magic journal, a book of arcane spells that she was told never to read or touch.

She flipped to the first page, finding the names of all her past relatives inscribed, or as many as she could remember. Seeing that the list continued on for the next five pages, she decided to skip to the good stuff. Quickly however, she stumbled onto her first problem.

Trixie triggered the first defense mechanism the book had, a literal firewall. Sapphire flames engulfed the book, causing Trixie to panic and throw the book into the safest place she could think of, the fireplace. Soon, the wooden logs in the hearth burned as hot as the book, disintegrating in a matter of seconds.

Trixie didn’t realize it, but she was on the brink of hyperventilating and felt her heart trying to thump out of her chest as it raced beyond abnormal. A trickle of sweat streamed down her left forehead, which she wiped away with a hoof and began to utilize breathing exercises in an effort to regain control. Her pulse slowly returned to a calmer beat, letting her analyze the situation.

Gathering up enough courage, she carefully approached the book. As a precaution she grabbed the canteen of water the lilies were held in and tossed it into the fire. The liquid turned to steam instantly, as Trixie backed away from the sound of it sizzling.

That could have gone better. She approached the book again and noticed a lack of something important. There’s no... heat. Trixie thought about her available options and found she only had one left. She covered her eyes with one hoof and reached with the other, blindly sticking her hoof into the fire. All she felt was empty space until she felt the rough leather cover.

Peaking one eye open, she saw that her hoof was unharmed and breathed another sigh of relief. She quickly grabbed the book and blew out the flames. That wasn’t so hard. Again she opened the book to the first page of spells, and found it filled to the brink. Duplication spells! Gravity and Space charms! Oh Mom, you really have been hiding all the fun stuff. Oooo!

She flipped through the pages and found a spell she liked more than the rest, the power to invade dreams. Trixie smiled wickedly and stared at her grandmother’s clock. It was only ten minutes until supper and bedtime was soon after.

“You always were a dreamer, Twilight.” Trixie laughed like a mad scientist in her lab, booming her wild chuckles through their tiny bedroom before she choked on her own spit. “A-chh...”

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Please tell me you aren’t going to do what I think you are going to do.” Rarity asked, with a growing frown. Her needles stop in mid knit as she stared attentively at her storyteller.

“What do you mean?” Trixie asked back, confused.

“Invading Twilight’s dreams?” Rarity cleared. “That’s downright evil, if not an invasion of privacy. I mean, this is your own sister here!”

“Adopted sister,” Trixie returned. Rarity gave her a funny look, almost disappointed. “Besides, I didn’t use the Dream Wandering spell on Twilight.”

“Then who did you use it on?” Rarity asked again.

“Well...” Trixie answered nervously. “It turned out that I wasn’t the only one that knew the spell. Not to mention being a first time user, I got lost pretty fast.” Trixie ceased the motion of her needles and took several shots of scotch. “The Dreamscape is one messed up place, especially for fillies.”

“Did something happen?” Rarity gasped.

“Yea,” Trixie grimaced, “and I ended up having to be saved.”

“Did anything happen to Twilight when she tried to save you?”

“I’m afraid Twi is gonna have to sit this one out.”

“Then...who saved you?” Rarity asked, rather intrigued.

Trixie began grinning at first, breaking into a full ensemble of uncontrollable laughter. Rarity stared at her like she had gone insane and shifted nervously in her seat. Her eyes bounced around the room, looking for a quick exit strategy in case thing got too heated for the fashionista.

The lightning fast yank startled Rarity into the corner of her seat. She felt her nerves stand on edge as Trixie stared at the broken chain connected to her amulet. Her heart thumped abnormally in her chest but was drowned out as the window opened slightly; the sound of deafening air speeds then whooshed through the room.

“What are you doing?!” Rarity screamed at the top of her lungs, getting up on her hooves and tried to close the window. Before she saw it, Trixie threw her heirloom out the window and locked it shut again. “Why did you do that?!” Rarity asked in shock, falling back onto her seat. “I thought it was a priceless amulet passed down in your family!” Rarity gasped.

“You mean this amulet?” Trixie flashed a shiny crescent moon necklace in front of the stunned mare.“It’s charmed so that it always returns to the most current generation of Lulamoon no matter what.” She laughed. Rarity nervously gave a few giggles of her own but kept up her defenses.

“What do you mean by most current?” Rarity cautiously asked.

Trixie’s chuckles died with a sigh, as she looked attentively into the gems and rubbed a hoof against the ever-glossy metal. “Most current as in: still alive and kickin’.” Trixie explained.

“Y-you’re joking, r-right...?” Rarity stuttered. She watched as the mare opposite her stuffed the heirloom back into her saddle bags and returned her a plaintive smile.

“It’s a vicious cycle, but yea...it’s true. Lulamoon mares have the tendency of having untimely deaths. Don’t you just love family traditions?” Trixie tried to giggle, but it came out more of a sigh.

“What exactly is the family tradition?” Rarity asked. She braced herself for the worst, but kept her optimism high.

“Well, as you know, the way all traditions go.” She said waving a hoof in the air. “You may not like it, but it’s tradition. What can you do?” She tried to joke. “Grandmother died of a heart attack at the age of thirty, quite tragic.” Trying to make a face of grievance, Trixie failed and giggled instead. “S-sorry-hahaha!” Rarity sheepishly smiled at her, joining her with weak chuckles of her own.

“A-Anyways...,” Trixie continued as she collected herself. “Great-grandmother was mauled by a bear, her mother disintegrated, and her mother froze to death. It goes on and on but you get the point, Lulamoon mares don’t live past their thirties. Forties if we’re lucky and forty-five if you lived a life of solitude.” Trixie tried to laugh at the silliness, but instead glued her vision to the ground.

“I’m deeply sorry,” Rarity tried. She reached to hoof and gently pat Trixie’s shoulder. “How much time does your mother have?” She softly asked.

Trixie raised her head and met Rarity’s understanding eyes. She pondered for a while and decided it was probably for the best. They might have just met, but the patient mare had already shown she could be trusted. “If anyone can break the cycle, its Mom,” Trixie cheered. “She’s already living past the average Lulamoon age, and she’d be damned if she let something like an old curse get her.”

Rarity stared at Trixie’s mocking smile, one she knew all too well. Being a mare of higher class, she has seen the same smug grin all Canterlotians wore. It was a sign of victory, and that whoever the look was aimed at was bound to lose one way or another. “Curse?” Rarity asked with interest. “What curse?”

Trixie sighed and looked to the table attached to the window. On top were several bottles of various alcohols from various origins. She stared at each bottle with detail to attention. She locked her eyes with one in particular, a musty bottle of scotch her father had been saving for quite some time. Her magic wrapped the glass sealant, tipping the jar and pouring the contents into an iced glass.

She daintily sipped on the cool, well-aged scotch. Swirling the glass around, she took another nip and pondered what to say next. “All Lulamoon die young. No matter what we try or do, it will always be in vain. We can’t escape fate... only prolong the inevitable. Luckily I won’t have to worry about it too much.” She sighed.

“Y-you’re not g-gonna do what I t-think you are going to do... Are you?” Rarity hastily asked. She made sure to dull all sharp objects in the compartment and securely lock the window.

Trixie giggled as she heard the clicking of the window. “That’s not what I meant.” She sipped from the scotch and stared out the clear glass. “I am the first Lulamoon to not have the curse,” Trixie smiled. Out of her peripheral, she saw Rarity brighten up. “But...,” Trixie closed her drowsy eyes and sipped from her cup again “Mom was the last to be cursed... and spent most of life trying to find a way to protect me from it.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Rarity, trying to console the other mare. Trixie kept staring aimlessly out the window, which Rarity gave a respectable silence for her. She sighed and shifted through her saddlebags. She pulled out a handkerchief and gave it Trixie.

“Life’s just a bitch like that...”Trixie sniffed. “Sorry,” she apologized for the foul language. Rarity left the soft cloth next to her, and returned to giving silence. “Don’t worry about it too much. Like I’ve said, Mom’s a fighter. If anything, Death will eventually come to her, but it’ll have to be on her terms.” She stiffed a dry giggle, refilling her now empty cup.

“H-how’d she do it?” Rarity asked, breaking her silence. “I mean, if this curse is as old as you say it is how come it took so long for someone to finally end it?”

“I’d be lying if I said my Mom wasn’t a strategist, a long-term one at that. She’ll wait till the end of her days just to see a plan come to fruiting and longer if it’s necessary. All that bad blood between her and me, it was meant to distance us so I’d never end up with the amulet in the first place. She thought that if she could die with it, she’d at least spare me before the time came. Starting to get the picture yet?” Trixie asked amused.

“It certainly explains a lot, but I thought she had given it to your sister?” Rarity reminded.

“Yea...,” Trixie dryly giggled. “Twilight was the incoherent variable in our linear equation of a family.” Rarity raised a confused brow, telling Trixie not everyone spoke geek. “Just think of her as the wildcard in a fixed deck,” she smirked.

“Oh! Why didn’t you just say that earlier?” Rarity exclaimed. She then gestured for Trixie to continue.

“Sorry,” Trixie said, rubbing the back of her neck. “Just another thing I picked up from Twi, how to speak dweeb or nerd if you’re unfamiliar.”

“No harm done, dearie.” She dashed her eyes to a pair of newly knitted socks next to Trixie. Even by her standards they weren’t half bad; a little practice and the novice might even be good. “Just how old is Twilight gonna be this year?” Rarity inquired.

“Twenty-three in a week,” Trixie clarified. “Money is of no concern as you can see, hehe.” She giggled. “Nothing but the best for good ol’ Twilight.”

“So, why did Twilight get the special treatment?” Rarity wondered out loud.

‘More like cattle waiting to be slaughtered...’ Trixie mouthed inaudibly.

“What?!” Rarity gasped, reading Trixie’s lips.

“Oh... you heard that...? Err, I mean... W-what?!” Trixie tried to act. She grinned sheepishly, then turned and whistled inconspicuously, looking around the room to avoid eye contact.

Rarity shifted uncomfortably, looking in the opposite direction everywhere Trixie looked. “I-I’m sorry... I just thought you said something about a slaughterhouse,” Rarity said. She gave a positive, weak smile and chuckled dryly.

“So... you did hear it...” Trixie mumbled to the side. She bit her lower lip nervously, almost tasting blood.

“T-then what’s this about your sister and a... s-slaughterhouse?” Rarity hesitantly asked.

“No... I compared her to cattle,” Trixie corrected. Her mind quickly wandered back a few moments ago, double checking if she had mistakenly spoken the words out loud.

“Pardon my choice of words, but... do you mean she’s husky, then?” Rarity politely inquired.

“Well... sort of I guess,” Trixie answered, shrugging it off.

“Then, can you answer my question earlier? Why does Twilight get the special treatment all of a sudden?” Rarity asked again.

“Well... what you’d consider as a kind stepmother taking favor over her own blood daughter, I consider a long chess game of sorts,” Trixie truthfully answered. Rarity arced another brow, telling her to elaborate. “Please,” Trixie pleaded, in a softer tone. “Don’t judge my Mom too much. She was only doing what she thought best for her family and only daughter.”

Rarity gave a reluctant nod, picking up her needles once again and soundproofing the train cart with a flash of blue light. Trixie hung her head low, downing an entire shot of scotch before refilling. “From the start of my birth, Mom knew it was only a matter of time before the curse got to her, and eventually make its way to me, a Faust given birthright, but twisted by Death.

“A few months after my birth, Star Shine said that Mom went crazy; she locked herself in our studies with no outside contact for days on end. She kept scouring through books, scrolls, and ancient tombs, anything she could get her hoof on about our family line and origins. So, six months in, she finally got something; something unbelievable I remember Star Shine saying,” Trixie emphasized.

“Then... she changed... everything just stopped... everything she used to do with me; it just ceased. I was moved from my crib in their room to the opposite wing of the mansion. When I finally grew out of diapers, Mom put as much distance as she could between the two of us; ignoring me as much as she could and… she just stopped being a mother, I guess.”

Rarity pursed her lips into a frown, tempted to say something about Moonlight’s parenting’s skills, but reluctantly stayed silent. “Then came the whole brouhaha of Twilight.” Trixie hesitated with her words, slightly trembling with her scotch. She steadied herself and gulped the shot, setting aside the glass altogether and took the whole bottle of brownish delight.

“Your mom didn’t exactly like Twilight at first; I get that. What does this have to do with giving your sister the special treatment?” Rarity asked.

“One: to spite me and make me not want to have anything to do with the family. Maybe she even wanted me to run away from home. Two: to give the curse to... someone else,” Trixie mumbled. She glued her vision to the ground, unable to meet Rarity’s judgmental eyes and face the truth.

“Y-you mean...?” Rarity left the sentence unanswered. Trixie slowly bobbed her head, which Rarity took as a yes. Alright Rarity, just be level headed about this. Take deep breaths and let Trixie continue. “So that’s why she gave the special treatment to Twilight; just to spite you?”

“More out of pity than anything,” Trixie sighed. “Please understand... if my Mom had to choose any foal to die, it would always be anyone else’s but her own. So why not one whose parents are dead?”

Rarity gritted her teeth, trying her best to stay bias. “That’s rather...” She talked through her clenched teeth, thinking of the right words to describe Trixie’s mom.

“Shallow and cold?” Trixie answered for her, staring directly at the composed mare. Rarity barely nodded, but Trixie noted the tiny gesture. “I mean, why not her? It’s not like anyone’s gonna remember or care if a single orphan dies let alone miss her,” Trixie grumbled.

Rarity’s frown came as quick as lightning, which her student ignored as she down the bottle of scotch. Out of anger, her alabaster hoof smacked the glass out of Trixie’s hoof. The expensive scotch bottle shattered against the window, splattering the brownish liquid on the clear glass. Trixie stared blankly at the empty space where her scotch used to be, looking up to meet Rarity’s glare.

“T-this isn’t just s-some unknown orphan we are talking about!” Rarity lectured. “Twilight is your own sister!”

“Adop-”

“No, don’t give me that.” Rarity exclaimed “You tell me this whole time how ungrateful you are for making her do all this burden and now she’s just another means to end? Is this why you’ve asked me to teach you to knit? So that you can please your dying sister?” She tried her best to keep a calm tone, gently putting down her needles.

“So, is that how you think of me? Well... no point in beating a dead horse.” Trixie outstretched a hoof and grabbed another bottle. She pulled the cap off with her teeth and began downing more wine. She was regarded with a deathly glare from Rarity as she sighed.

“P-please...tell me you’re joking...” Rarity briskly asked.

“Don’t worry about it too much.” Trixie dismissed with a wave of a hoof. “Twilight will probably live longer than I will anyways,” she giggled with a wave from her wine bottle.

“So this is how you treat your mother’s gift to you? By wasting away while your sister pays the price for it?”

“Is that what you think?” Trixie giggled. “I’m sorry but that’s not at all what I meant to get across.” Rarity breathed a sigh of relief on the inside, but kept her look of anger aloft. “Don’t worry about Twilight; she doesn’t have the curse anymore.”

“Anymore? How did she manage that?” Rarity questioned.

“Well... you could say that wishful thinking that did most of the work.” Trixie snickered.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little inside joke between Silver, Twi, and I,” said the fain mare. She emptied the rest of the wine bottle in a swig and tossed the glass to a gathering pile of trash. “We would always get into the best kinds of troubles; us three amigas.”

“There’s a good kind of trouble?”

“Not exactly for Twilight, but it was fun for me,” Trixie dreamily sighed. “You’d be surprised at how well manticore pheromone works.”

“Just where did you get these pheromones?” Rarity stressed.

“Black market, grey market, white market: anywhere that doesn’t require a real ID,” Trixie specified.

“H-how young were you again?” Rarity hesitantly asked.

Trixie lightly tapped her chin, trying her best to remember the dates. “About eight or nine; you’d be surprised at how easy it is to fake an ID at that age,” Trixie beamed.

“Ehuh...” Rarity nodded.

“Anyways, back to the field trip,” Trixie began again. Opening up a bottle of champagne, she poured the bubbly drink into two dining glasses, passing the other to Rarity. “Might as well have a drink; this is a rather long story.” Rarity stared at the glass, but reluctantly took it with her magic.

“Cheers!” Trixie yelled, clanging her glass against Rarity’s.

“Cheers...”Rarity weakly sighed as she took a sip. Hmm... Trixie’s got good taste in champagne... I’ll give her that... Rarity thought as she took another sip.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Alright class, single file now,” Dr. Whooves asked politely.

“You can’t tell me what to do!” Blueblood objected. “I’m a-”

“Prince; yada yada yada. We GET IT you dweeb. If anything you’re a royal pain in the butt.” Vinyl hollered for the class to hear. Everypony began to snicker at the prince’s expense, murmuring as Blueblood grew red with anger.

“I’ll have your family dungeoned for that you loud mouth!” The uptight heir threatened. The pony with the electric blue mane pony gritted her teeth, but restrained herself as much as she could. She turned her back on him and grumbled to the pony next to her, Neon Lights.

“Now, now class we didn’t come here to start a fight. We can all do that later in detention if any of you want to continue this behavior,” the teacher calmly spoke. Everypony quieted themselves, as Dr. Whooves shot Blueblood an I-dare-you kid glance. “Does everyone have their partners?” He asked out loud. His students all gladly nodded, even the obnoxious prince, all but Silver.

The snow white epona stood hidden out of view atop a hillside, staring starkly into the creeping shadows. Looking through her peripherals, she saw a duo of sisters packing their stuff; one neatly organized as the other tipped over with an unbalanced bag. Silver flared her horn with turquoise mana, distorting the space in front of her and walked through it.

“Ahhh!” Trixie squealed in ear bleeding decibels as an unsuspected unicorn appeared from behind. Twilight remained calm and collected at the sudden teleport, but giggled at Trixie’s expense upon looking at her frozen expression.

“Nice of you to join us, Miss Swirl,” Dr. Whooves said, nodding to her. “I hope you don’t mind but I’m gonna have to assign you to the Lulamoons. I’m not stupid enough to trust those two and let them wander into something as dangerous as the Everfree Forest unsupervised.”

“Hey!” The sisters protested in unison.

“It’s no problem,” Silver replied to their teacher, smiling to new partners.

“I certainly hope not,” Dr. Whooves said in a strict tone, staring at Trixie in particular. He then returned his attention to the class and finished checking his attendance sheet. “Alright class, does everyone know what they’re doing?”

The younger learners all nodded and spread out, the different pairs tackling the eerie forest from separate points. The cautious stallion kept his vision aligned with the trio as they disappeared into the treeline and proceeded to follow Blueblood’s group of rowdy colts.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Trixie look at this! These vermillion stones can only be normally found in cinnabar, but are here as a natural appearing rock!” Twilight excitedly recited. Her magic took the form of a small pickax as she hacked away at the tony rocks for samples.

“Be there in a minute, Twi,” Trixie called back, a short distance away. The non-attentive filly had her eyes glued on the musty pages of the book she had borrowed last night. She flipped through another dozen pages before coming across the next chapter. “It’s blank...” She quietly mumbled, flipping through the rest of the book.

“What’s blank?” Twilight asked out of nowhere and suddenly in front of her.

“Ahh!” Trixie screamed, jumping back out of fear and hiding the book behind her.

“What’cha reading?” Twilight asked, walking around and behind Trixie to get a look at the covering.

“Oh... nothing really...” Trixie answered through clenched teeth. As Twilight swerved behind, she would switch the book to the other side.

“Well, don’t take too long then. We have a project to do and we can’t idly sit and read all day,” Twilight mildly scolded. She walked away with a clipboard in her aura, writing down the composition of the special mineral she just found.

“Twi! Wait...” Trixie called. Bringing the book into the light, Trixie showed her bookworm sister the leather covering. “You can try reading it, but it’s mostly blank besides the first chapter,” Trixie said, turning to the last visible page.

“That’s because you haven’t unlocked the book yet,” Twilight answered with a moment’s glance at the magical layer shielding the book.

“Unlock?” Trixie asked back, a brow raised.

Twilight softly snatched the book with her aura and swept through the pages; her eyes scanning each of them for traces of other magic. “Unlock as in: you haven’t unsealed all of the protective spells. From the looks of it...” She trailed off, sparking the tip of her horn.

“What from the looks of it? Trixie asked anxiously, dancing on her tippy toes.

“Where did you get this book?” Twilight asked. She clasped the book shut and waited for her sister’s answer.

“Umm.. Mom gave it to me...” she lied with an innocent smile.

“Really? Mom gave you this book?” Twilight asked in with skepticism laced in her tone.

“Yea... She said to err... St-... Umm...” Trixie mumbled, trying to think of a worthy excuse.

“Study?” Twilight substituted.

“Yea! She said to study the book and... err... Oh! Mom told me to give you the book and tell you to unlock it with me!” Trixie thought of in that moment.

“Wouldn’t she just unlock it herself?” Twilight asked again.

“Err... Yes... but, umm... She told me that... that she wanted us to, err, do... teamwork! Yes! She wanted us to be a team and work together to unlock this book!” Trixie explained with a sweet smile beamed at her sister. Foolproof! She complemented to herself.

“Oh! Why didn’t you say so earlier? I love magical puzzles!” Twilight cheered, clapping her hooves together.

“Wait...,” Trixie interrupted looking to her blank worksheet. She let her eyes wander to her sister’s completed work and glance at Twilight with interested eyes. She gestured a hoof to the clipboard, which Twilight sighed and levitated it over.

“Fine...,” Twilight reluctantly caved. “But only this once! You need to do some of the work for yourself!” Twilight scolded. She reopened the book and flared her horn brightly. The adaptive filly then scanned the book further for hidden traps. “Are you sure we’re allowed to read this book?” She asked again.

“Of course, I’m as positive as a proton!” Trixie exclaimed.

|~|~|~|~|~|

Moonlight was bored out of her mind and it was barely ten before noon. Ten agonizing minutes before lunch break and more paperwork. Even though she had barely gotten through the first set of laws waiting for her approval seal and merely scratched the Mount Everest size tax appeals.

She duly sighed and rested her head on an arched hoof. Blinking her drowsy eyes, she let out a yawn before sweeping all the paperwork aside to be done later. Her calm aura wrapped the handle of small cabinet on her work desk and pulled it out. The mare stoically stared into a blank space inside the cabinet, looking at a dust-free spot where a personal book would have been.

At first she repeatedly opened and closed the drawer, hoping each time that she was just hallucinating, but after the handle came off, she became trapped in a fit of hysterical laughter. Her mad chuckles bound around the abnormally large office, as she waved the broken handle in the air.

She threw the knob towards a trash bin and walked to a side desk against a wall. Her magic wrapped the unopened cork of whisky bottle and yanked it open. She shakily poured herself several shot glasses and downed each one as quickly as she filled them.

“I’m going to kill Trixie when she gets home today,” she said with a smile and twitching eye.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Come on, Twilight! Shouldn’t you be done by now? You’re supposed to be the smart one!” Trixie whined as she paced back and forth impatiently.

“It’s a lot harder than it looks, Trixie,” Twilight answered back in a tired tone. “Mom has more experience with magic than I do,” she said for Trixie’s sake as well as her own. “When she wiped this book, she wanted to make sure no one would be able to read it again but her.”

“Well... Do something!” Trixie shouted. Twilight lowered the book and stared at her with a mild frown, looking exhausted and to the point of breaking a sweat. “I mean, you can do it Twi! I know you can!” She cheered.

“Yea... well don’t hold your breath. Mom made sure to wipe all traces of the spells she used on the book and if I try to piggyback on her magical signature, it scatters the trail and encrypts it in a different pattern each time. On top of that, if I try to decrypt the encryption, the spell goes into a lockdown and just replaces it with my own so I can’t trace the source. There’s a backup plan for every backup plan and failsafes for the failsafes.”

“But you can unlock it... right?” Trixie pleaded. “I mean, you don’t want to disappoint Mom do you?” Trixie said in a solemn tone.

Twilight kept her vision glued on the book, but noted her sister’s words. She channeled more magic into her horn, flaring it to a dangerous molten white. “Well, seals are just like locks; if you don’t have the key, you’re just gonna have to smash the lock.” Twilight said in an exasperated tone.

Trixie slowly backed up and hid herself behind a tree, as Twilight pulsed more and more magic into her horn. Trixie turned herself away from the blinding light her sister’s magic produced, sealing her eyelids tight. She clasped her hooves over her ears as crackling began behind her and continued waiting.

One lavender flash later, Trixie began opening her eyes. She blinked them several times to adjust to the brightness and stumbled back to where Twilight stood. Her sister lay next to the book, gasping heavily for breaths of air to satisfy her burning airways.

“You still alive, right Twilight?” Trixie asked, curiously poking Twilight’s shaking body with a stick.

“Just peachy,” Twilight grumbled. “Can-you-stop-poking-me-now?” She gasped quickly, trying to get back on her hooves.

Trixie shrugged her shoulders and threw the stick behind a bush. She magicked the book up and looked to pages. “It’s still blank,” Trixie said in a whiny tone. She continued to flip through more pages, and only found a single new page unlocked.

“It’s partly my fault on this one,” Twilight said, dejectedly staring at the ground. “I didn’t realize Mom would put a contingency spell on the book. When I tried to overload the seal, it only allows me to unlock a single page before all the excess mana is shot back at me.” She explained, rubbing the back of her bruised head.

“So we’ll just try again,” Trixie thought. “Simple as that.”

“No it’s not as simple as that,” Twilight retorted with an angry frown. “If we i.e. me, keep trying to unlock pages one at a time, I’ll literally burn myself up. It’s obvious Mom wants us to try another approach.”

“Yea... That’s what Mom wants...” Trixie hesitantly answered, trying to remember all her lies.

“She did give you the book right?” Twilight questioned again.

“Of course!” Trixie said defensively. She hastily looked around them and tried her best to look inconspicuous with a calm whistle tune.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Are you alright, Madam? Your blood pressure is awfully high today.” Alfred asked, carefully checking Moonlight’s pulse.

“Just keep the drinks coming Alfred...” Moonlight mumbled. She was face down on her desk with a shot glass in her magic.

“I thought you had quit drinking, Madam,” he noted, refilling her glass with whiskey.

“And I thought Trixie was going to grow up a sensible, wise girl. Not all plans work out, Alfred,” she glumly sighed.

“Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree does it?” He remarked.

“I pay for service, not sass.” She grumbled, lifting her head just high enough to take a sip of the whiskey.

“It’s a full package, Madam,” said the snarky butler.

“Your employment is on thin ice, Alfred,” Moonlight’s muffled voice said.

“Sorry, Madam. Just trying to lighten the mood,” he answered. In his hoof, he shook an enclosed silver container and opened the cap. “Your martini; shaken, not stirred.” Alfred said, mixing the drink with her whiskey.

“Faust, I hope Trixie doesn’t become a drinker.” Moonlight sighed. She gulped the concoction in one go and poured herself more.

“Shall I get the book back, Madam?” Alfred offered.

Moonlight stayed silent, keeping her head glued on her desk. She moved her head slightly, staring with apathy into the opaque ice cubes within her glass. “No. Not this time Alfred.”

“Madam?” He asked with actual surprise on his face.

“If she wants to play with fire, who am I to stop her?” Moonlight asked in a sultry tone. “You don’t respect fire by learning about it; you respect it when you fear it.”

“As you wish Madam. What shall I do once I pick her up?”

“Take a breather today, Alfred,” Moonlight smirked. “Send... Nighting Gale instead.”

Vacation All I Ever Wanted

View Online

“Aunt Nightie!” The sisterly duo cheered as they rushed alongside the courtyard to greet their relative. The pair dropped their school bags off with the chauffeur standing nearby and surprised the waiting mare with a jumping hug, rustling against her warm coat.

“Heya kiddos!” The cream colored pegasus chirped in a soothing voice as she prepared for the assault. Her natural mane had streaks of sky blue running all the way to her tail, which she left uncut until necessary.

She towered above both fillies and hunched over to give them both noogies as she entrapped them in her agile wings. Her cutie mark displaying a golden lightning bolt that daggered across an ace of spades. “Long time no see you two!”

“What are you doing here, Aunt Nightie? We haven’t seen you since last year!” Twilight grinned as she tried to struggle out of the vice grip the wings had on her. “How have you been?”

“Just dandy, Twilight, thanks for asking.” She smiles, squeezing the polite filly with her wing. “Have you been staying out of trouble, Trixie?” Nighting asked with a cocked grin.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Trixie asked back, shyly staring at her Aunt.

“Oh nothing,” she giggled, Twilight accompanying her. Trixie grew red with anger and crossed her front hooves as their Auntie tried to reconcile. Nighting softly nudged her upset niece with a hoof, waiting to see the filly smile again.

“How about you spend the weekend with me in Cloudsdale?” Nighting offered with a wide smile. “Just you two, myself, and the poker gals; it’ll be fun. What do ya say?”

Twilight started politely excusing herself, remembering her schedule. “Sorry Auntie, but we kinda have a book report due Mon-”

“We’re in!” Trixie answered for them, completely forgetting that she was angry. While she ignored the annoyed stare Twilight shot her way, Trixie flashed herself out of the vice grip.

“But the book report!” Twilight protested as she teleported free herself. She unlatched her bags and magicked out two cinder block-size books. “We have to finish reading, “War and Peace,” by Saturday and the reading assignments are due on Monday! We can’t spend the entire weekend goofing off!”

“Didn’t you already read that book?” Trixie answered back, dismissing the matter altogether.

Twilight stopped in her tracks as her cheeks turn into a lighter mulberry. “So what if I have?” She answered, looking straight at Trixie.

“Problem solved then! You can do the book reports and I’ll go have fun with Aunt Nightie,” Trixie nonchalantly answered back. “It’s not like you’ve got plans for the weekend; we both know that Twi.”

Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but let it hang as nothing came out but stuttering. “...I-I... I’ll get right on it...” Twilight easily agreed, hanging her head low. She quietly walked into the carriage with their saddle bags; magicking out parchment and a quill as she entered.

“Thanks!” Trixie cheered, walking back to their watching aunt. “So, what do you want to do first Aunt Nightie?” Trixie squealed in excitement. “Jet ski? Climb a mountain? Yachting?”

The still pegasus stared at her niece in shock as the filly’s cheery smile turned into confusion. “Trixie... That was rather mean of you...” She managed to get out.

“What...?” Trixie answered. Her expression scrunched into a worried frown, frightened that she may have done something wrong.

“Don’t you think that was a little bit mean of you; what you said to Twilight just now?” Nighting said in a raised voice, scolding her a bit.

“... No...” Trixie answered honestly, but hesitated. She looked at the ground and inched backwards. “D-did I say something wrong?”

“It’s not if you did or not, but...” Nighting stopped to choose her words carefully, thinking of a nice way to teach Trixie a lesson. “You were very mean to Twilight when you said that and it hurt her to hear those words from her sister of all ponies.”

“But you always told me to tell the truth...” Trixie quickly added to remind her angry aunt, as she nearly teared up. She distanced herself from her conflicted aunt and glued her eyes to the asphalt ground.

“I know what I said,” Nighting said, cursing herself for not choosing better words with a lawyer’s daughter. “However there’s a difference between being honest and being mean, and there’s a time when you have to decide for yourself which is which. I know you're better than this, Trixie.”

“I-I’m sorry if I did anything wrong...” Trixie mumbled. She stopped her backward pacing and sat on her haunches with head hung miserably low.

“Hey, cheer up, kiddo,” Nighting assured, closing the distance easily and draping a wing over her niece. “Look, I don’t want to be tough on you, but what you said to Twilight was really mean. It’s not me you should be apologizing to,” Nighting said in a softer tone. She lifted up Trixie’s chin and directed her vision to the carriage.

“I’ll go apologize to Twilight now,” Trixie agreed immediately.

“Good,” Nighting smiled, releasing her niece from her wing. “I’ll meet you two back at your Mom’s place. Forgive me if I don’t ride with you two, but I’m gonna need to stretch my wings for a bit; be a good girl now, Trixie.”

Nighting backtracked from her niece and spread her wings to full expansion, leaping into the air before flapping the trained symmetrical appendages with powerful shoulder muscles.

Trixie watched as her aunt disappeared within seconds of taking off, creating an updraft that pushed her back enough to topple her. Moments later she heard a familiar boom, which she knew was the breaking of the sound barrier. Trixie wasted no time hopping into the carriage and shutting the door behind her as it began to take off towards home.

She looked to her right and saw Twilight patiently sitting alone, her head inches from a book and an enchanted quill automatically writing on several floating parchments. “Hey Twilight!” Trixie said heartedly, breaking the dead silence. She hopped onto the seat next to Twilight, trying to get her attention. “What you doing there Twi?” Trixie asked, waving a hoof in front of her sister’s face.

“Our homework, remember,” Twilight quickly remarked. She never lifted her eyes off the pages, using the hardcover book to cover her facade.

“T-thanks,” Trixie nervously replied. She rubbed the back of her mane, thinking of the best way to apologize to a bookworm. “Umm... Sorry, Twi...” She mumbled quickly. “You know... For that thing, at that place, with that pony, etc.”

Twilight quickly lowered her book, raising a brow of confusion. She clasped the covers of the book shut with a poof and stared at Trixie in bewilderment. “Was that an apology?” Trixie slightly nodded as she backed away uncomfortably. “Thanks... I guess?” Twilight replied. She reopened the oversized book and stuck her head into it again.

“Wait... That’s it?” Trixie asked, “No shouting or yelling at me for being mean to you?”

“There’s no point really,” Twilight half sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “You’re just being you; not much I can do about that.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Trixie asked defensively, growing red.

“You’re illogical, emotions are illogical; therefore there is no point in arguing with the illogical,” Twilight recited. She flashed out more parchment from her saddle bag, along with several more quills and ink wells, dipped each feather into the black ink, and began more scribing.

“What do you mean I’m illogical?!” Trixie shouted right into Twilight’s ear.

Twilight winced from the sudden increase in volume and pulled back, gently rubbing her sensitive ear. “You base your actions on emotions from past experiences and think that because someone doesn’t react to it in a certain way, it’s they who are strange.”

“English, Doc, English!” Trixie yelled, as she gripped both of Twilight’s cheeks and puffed them. “I can’t feel insulted if I can’t understand you!”

“Ugg, fine...” Twilight grunted, she set down the book and gently pushed Trixie down. “Simply put, you’re just not worth the troubles and headaches, Trixie,” she answered. “You’re rich, spoiled, and always get what you want. It’s just easier if I just go with it instead of against, since you’re the golden one here.”

“I’m... I’m not the golden one...” Trixie mumbled. She turned away from Twilight and looked at her unruly, stuffed saddle bags.

“Don’t worry about it; you’re just going through the five stages of grief. Everypony goes through each one at different rates so don’t get your hopes up so quickly. Others go through it slowly, taking months at a time, while others take quicker roads. First is denial.”

“I’m not the golden one.” Trixie scoffed, laughing it off.

“Then anger.”

“HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY THINK I’M THE GOLDEN ONE?!” Trixie exclaimed into Twilight’s ear again.

The deaf filly rubbed her ears to muffle out more shouting, but heard nothing but a continuous beep. She sighed, magicking out a pair of earmuffs and put them on for her own safety. “Then bargaining.”

“Please Twilight, I’ll do anything!” Trixie gasped as sweat began beading down. “Just don’t say I’m the golden one! How about we trade places? Haha? You and me, you can be the golden one from now on!” Trixie whined, tearing up and hugging her sister’s waist.

“Depression.” Twilight continued, prying Trixie off to get circulation going again.

“Why bother anymore...? It’s not worth it... Why even bother with anything that doesn’t matter anymore...?” Trixie sighed, looking adamantly up into Twilight’s eyes. Resting her head inside Twilight’s lap — arms limply hanging — Twilight returned her a weirded out stare.

“And... Hopefully acceptance,” Twilight nervously muttered. She gently patted, Trixie’s mane, hoping her sister would get to the next stage and soon.

“Well... It’s can’t exactly be helped can it?” Trixie sighed, laughing a bit to herself. “It’s my fault that I allowed myself to become spoiled anyways... Sorry if I did anything mean to you in the first place, Twi.”

“Like I’ve said, don’t worry about it,” Twilight smiled. Her magic wrapped around the thick-layered book, levitating it over Trixie’s bare chest.

“Umm, Twi... N-no hard f-feelings? R-right...?” Trixie worriedly huffed, bringing her fore hooves up to protect herself.

“Yes, hard feelings and LOTS of them,” Twilight laughed, disconnecting her magic flow. The book stopped glowing in her aura, hanging in suspension before falling directly onto Trixie. She heard a loud thud, followed by Trixie’s forced breath out. What came next was something she hadn’t calculated. She heard a loud crack and screaming. Lots and lots of screaming.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Three broken ribs and twelve fractured,” a doctor pony intoned. He attentively rubbed his chin and had a spectroscopy hanging limply around his neck. He stared at a lighted x-rays of Trixie’s ribcage with mild interest and turned to the filly. “Now, tell me again, what exactly happened?”

“Reading,” Trixie answered, sitting straight up on a medical bed. She winced from trying to breathing, taking fast and shallow breaths to cause as little pain as possible.

“Unless there is some extreme sport concerning reading that you young ponies have just created, I’m having a hard time believing you here.” He replied, unpacking a roll of bandages with his magic.

“I told you reading was dangerous.” Trixie mumbled to Twilight, who was nervously creating a rut in the floor. “But nooooo, ‘reading gets you far in life,’” Trixie quoted. “What do you have to say now, Twilight?! Ow, ow, okay it hurts too much to talk... Ow, ow, ow...”

“I’m sorry, Trixie...” She sighed. Letting her head drop to inches from the ground, Twilight returned to her pacing.

“I told you so! Ow, ow, ow... Okay... Gotta stop talking...” Trixie cringed, delicately rubbing her chest.

“Well, if you two fillies are done,” he gestured, magicking a clipboard out. “Since both of you are minors, I’m gonna have to get a signature for this release from a parent or legal guardian.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got Mom’s signature memorized,” Trixie said, taking hold of the clipboard with her magic.

“That’s highly illegal, Trixie,” Twilight complained, fighting Trixie’s hold with her own magic.

“Well, unless you want to be stuck here and not spend the weekend with Aunt Nightie, this is gonna be necessary Twilight,” Trixie retorted, yanking the clipboard towards her direction.

“I don’t want twenty-five to life in prison!” Twilight yelled, yanking the clipboard back.

“Just trust me for once!” Trixie angrily mumbled through clenched teeth.

“I trust you to make a mess of things that I’ll have to clean up later and take the blame for!” Twilight screamed, yanking the clipboard even harder. She heard a snapping noise of flat wood and saw that the clipboard was snapped in two. Her aura held one half as Trixie’s held the other, papers flying everywhere around them.

“This is all your fault!” Trixie yelled directly into Twilight’s face.

“MY fault?! How is this possibly MY fault?!” Twilight yelled back.

“If you had just done my homework like you always did, we wouldn’t be inside an ER with both of us arguing with each other!” Trixie shouted back.

“Oh so it’s my fault that you’re too lazy to do your own work?!” Twilight screamed, poking Trixie in the chest.

Trixie ignored the pain that came up and returned to their shouting contest. “I’m NOT LAZY!” She shouted, giving Twilight a shove back. “And it’s what sister’s do for each other! If I can’t rely on someone to help me once in a while, then what’s the point of having a sister at all?!”

“Really?!” Twilight asked, rolling her eyes. “When was the last time you did anything for me?! Last I checked if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be in this school in the first place!”

“And if I hadn’t come along, you would be dead Twilight, probably in some gutter somewhere crying your eyes out! Heck if I hadn’t come along you wouldn’t even have a chance to go to this school in the first place!” Trixie rebutted.

“Now what’s THAT supposed to mean?” Twilight angrily asked.

“You... You...” Trixie huffed, trying to contain her frustration and anger as best she could. “You can be ungrateful sometimes, Twilight.” She said through clenched teeth, taking long breaths to ease the pain growing in her chest.

“YOU are calling ME ungrateful?!” Twilight repeated. “ME, your sister, who does all your homework, allows you copy during school assignments and cheat with tests. How is that ungrateful of me?! I risked being kicked out and YOU’RE the one calling me ungrateful?!”

“Now, fillies, if you two don’t stop this shouting match, I’m afraid I’m gonna have to call security and the both of you will be down at the police station. If you two don’t mind, I just need a signature, not necessarily a parent or legal guardian, just someone who isn’t a minor.” The doctor intervenes, cleaning up papers around the room with his magic.

“Pfft,” Trixie puffed at an out of line hair, “now what are we gonna do?”

“I don’t know...” Twilight sighed. “We’re underage and the last thing we want is for Mom to find out.”

“While you two sort this all out, I’m gonna have a nurse wrap some bandages on you. It’ll take a few months before those bones heal properly,” said the doctor pony as he exited.

“C’mon Twilly, you can do it! Use that big brain of yours,” Trixie cheered, hugging Twilight’s face.

She softly shoved Trixie away, minding her broken ribs. “Don’t call me Twilly. I hate that,” she grumbled.

“Sure thing, Twilly,” Trixie spited.

“Fine, whatever,” Twilight sighed, rubbing her temples. “Our biggest problem is getting someone’s signature that’s over eighteen.”

“No, our biggest problem is figuring out how to keep this from Mom,” Trixie reminded.

“That too,” Twilight sighed, adding another problem to her mental checklist. She hopped off the medical bed and began to pace again, starting a new rut in the ground. “You can always call Alfred.” She voiced with optimism.

“Are you crazy Twi?!” Trixie exclaimed. “He’ll tell Mom for sure! I’m having him spy on Mom while she has him spying on me!”

“How does that work?” Twilight asked with part confusion and part interest.

“While Mom has Alfred spying on me, I have Alfred spying on her. He’s like one of those double agents,” Trixie explained. “If Alfred finds out about this, he’ll tell Mom for sure. Not even a Hearth’s Warming Eve bonus will get his loyalty that easily,” she sighed.

“Not everyone can be bought with money,” Twilight scolded, returning to her pacing.

“How else are you gonna bribe someone except with money?” Trixie scoffed.

“I’ve heard trust and friendship works pretty well,” Twilight suggested.

Trixie tapped her chin curiously, considering her sister’s words. “Nah...” Trixie said, shaking her head. “The quickest way to a pony’s heart is through their greed.”

“I’m sure that’s not the way the quote goes,” Twilight argued.

“Potato, tomato.” Trixie dismissed.

“I’m sure that’s not the way that quote goes either,” Twilight corrected again.

“Twilly, focus! We have bigger problems than if my quotes are right or not!” Trixie shouted.

“I know, I know, and stop calling me Twilly!” Twilight grumbled.

“Hello everypony. I’ve heard you needed bandages?” The greeting came from a snowy unicorn. She quietly walked in, reading from Trixie’s medical papers that were inside an aged folder covering her face.

“Yea, my sister Trixie over there,” Twilight answered, pointing a hoof in the injured filly’s general diction. “She has three broken ribs, twelve fractured, no internal bleeding thankfully, but mild bruising around and mostly in her mid-torso.” Twilight informed, getting the nurse up to date.

“Oh, this is quite a pleasant surprise.” She giggled, lowering the folder.

“Sil-” Trixie gasped, before an alabaster hoof was used to muffle the rest of the name. The unexpected nurse raised a hoof to her lips. Making a shush gesture, she pointed to Twilight who stared attentively against an opal wall.

“Please raise your hooves up, Miss Lulamoon. These bandages may hurt you for some time, but they will keep the ribs in line while you heal.” Silver informed in a higher voice. Trixie did her best not to giggle, raising her arms for Silver to bandage.

‘What are you doing here?’ Trixie mouthed to Silver.

‘My mom works here as a doctor and I sometimes help with the patients,’ Silver mouthed back. ‘What happened to you Trixie? You look terrible.’ She began unrolling the cloth-like bandage and softly wrapped Trixie’s chest.

‘I tried doing my homework for the first time. Twilight keeps saying it’ll help me in life but it nearly ended mine today. I keep telling her reading is dangerous, but noooo.’ Trixie said, rolling her eyes.

‘Reading got you three broken ribs and twelve more fractured?’ Silver asked, curious about the details.

‘Have you ever read War and Peace?’ Trixie asked.

‘Yea, it’s about the Neighpoleonic era, describing in detail the impact of Neighpoleon’s invasion of Russia through the eyes of five wealthy Russian families. The reading is due Money. Did you do it already?’ Silver asked back. ‘It’s barely Friday weekend.’

‘Well, Twi and I were sitting in our carriage, her doing her stuff and me beginning the reading so I don’t have to do it later; you know like the good student I am. Long story short, I was laying on my back reading and the book dropped on me.’ Trixie explained.

‘Why would you do that? Those books are as thick as a cinderblock.’ Silver cautioned. ‘And probably weigh just as much. You should count this as a lucky day, Trixie; nothing more than a few broken ribs and no internal bleeding.’

‘Believe me, Silver, I will. That’s why I will never read another book ever again as long as I’m still alive.’ Trixie promised with a beam.

‘Not exactly what I meant Trixie...’ Silver nervously grinned. She finished wrapping the bandages, tucking the open end into the bandages. ‘What’s Twilight doing?’ She asked worriedly as she looked to the other filly.

‘She’s thinking about whether or not I should forge our Mom’s signature so that we can get out of here.’ Trixie dismissed. ‘So, what does your mom do here anyways, Silver?’

‘Oh, she’s the head nero-doctor,’ Silver answered, surprised someone so young could already forge signatures.

‘When you say doctor, do you mean everything about neurology?’ Trixie asked to clarify.

‘That’s what her masters and PhDs say,’ Silver replied pridefully.

Trixie found herself posing a face with a mixture of impressed and skeptical at the same time. ‘That’s kinda impossible...’ She said.

‘I don’t see why,’ Silver retorted back.

‘Well, a normal neuro-physician has to spend at least thirteen years in medical school, another fifteen in order to be a neurosurgeon, and another decade to be a neuropsychologist. The earliest she could have started college would have been at age ten. If you add all that up, she should be at retirement age.’

‘Our family doesn’t let something like time slow us down, Trixie,’ Silver snickered with a hoof raised to cover her giggles.

“I’ll do it.” Twilight said after her long silence, drawing the attention of both ponies beside her. She continued her adamant stare at the wall, like it was the only thing she was interested in.

“Do what exactly, Twilly?” Trixie asked. She hopped off the medical bed and leisured towards Twilight whose forehead was leaned lazily against the wall.

“Stop calling me Twilly, and I’m just gonna have to tell the truth to Mom. There’s no way of us getting out of this without her knowing and it is my fault you’re even here in the first place,” Twilight sighed. “If you want to come visit me, I’ll be back at the orphanage,” muttered Twilight, trying to keep tears back.

“Back at the orphanage? What are you saying Twi? Why would I visit you there?” Trixie comforted, gently patting her on the back.

“Trixie... We’re in the ER. You have three broken ribs, twelve more fractured, and unless we get a signature for the release forms, the doctors are gonna call security and have us sent to a police station where they’ll detain us and then call Mom. She’ll kill both of us, ground us, and I still haven’t even read all the Daring Doo books yet...” Twilight sniffed, wiping a tear away.

“So what?” Trixie giggled. “Que sera, sera, amIrite?”

“You don’t even know what that means do you?” Twilight questioned.

“Nope, not at all,” she grinned. “We’ve been through worse Twi and we’ll get through this. The worse thing that could happen is we both share a grave.” Trixie joked, trying to laugh it off.

“This is serious Trixie... Either one of us goes down or both of us go down. Since I know you didn’t read the Titanic, only one of us can possibly get out alive.” Twilight moped.

“A captain goes down with her ship!” Trixie countered, nudging Twilight with her shoulder. “And things can only go up when you hit rock bottom.”

“Look... Trixie... I know you mean well, but there’s no getting out of this... It’s no longer we anymore... Just you,” she sniffed.

“And what if I said I have a way for the both of us to get out of this scratch free without Mom knowing? Come on Twi! It’s the weekend! We’re spending it with Aunt Nightie! That Never happens! Cheer up!” Trixie tried to cajoled.

“We need a literal act of Faust for that to happen, Trixie...” Twilight doubted, covering her face with both hooves. “And no one’s willing to just sign two fillies’ release form without asking questions or calling Mom first,’ Twilight mumbled as she laid face down on the unsanitized floors.

“Well, I may not be Faust,” Silver greeted, surprising Twilight into jumping out of her skin and instantly turning around, “but some ponies do call me a miracle worker.” She grinned.

“S-Silver?” Twilight gasped, trying to contain her heart rate. “What are you doing here?”

“Helping out a friend,” she smiled. “You’re a good sister, Twilight, taking the blame for everything. That’s quite mature of you.”

“T-thanks...” Twilight sniffed, beaming again.

“Told you I can get us out of this,” Trixie grinned, lightly elbowing her relieved sister. “You should never doubt the Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie cheered in her monologue.

“Alright, I won’t doubt you again,” Twilight smiled, giggled at the silliness.

“Now, just because I’m bailing you two out this time doesn’t mean you should go out and seek more trouble,” Silver warned, looking at Trixie in particular. She magicked the release form from a messy pile of gathered papers. Another flash from her horn and a quill puffed out.

“Thanks, Silver!” Trixie grinned, helping Twilight up. “See ya Monday!”

“Hopefully,” Twilight added, making Silver snicker.

“Just give the form to the mare sitting at the front desk and say you’re parents are waiting outside for you,” Silver directed, levitating the papers to Twilight. “If anyone stops you or starts asking you question, just say I sent you to get more IVs. Be careful you two.”

“We will, and thanks again, Silver,” Twilight returned.

The sisters walked to the doorway, looking both ways and journeyed down a straight hallway, filled with rushing ponies needing to get somewhere urgent. Silver stayed behind, watching as both fillies, turn a corner and disappeared.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“Trixie... What happened to you?” Their opal aunt asked. “I was apart from you for just thirty minutes...” Nighting sighed. “And why do you have bandages?” The athletic racer asked, recognizing the types of injuries that would need bandages in the first place.

“I was reading,” Trixie answered, stepping down from her aunt’s back. She took her first steps into the blissful clouds, feeling the soft textures under her hooves. She felt like taking a nap and anywhere would be a great place to. Before she knew it, a yawn had escaped her mouth.

“Reading got you bandages for your chest?” Nighting asked, skeptical of her niece’s story. “Unless there’s some extreme sport where reading requires you to bash each other with crystal hard books, the worse you’ll get is a paper cut.”

The patient pegasus gently lowered Twilight to the clouds from her back, nudging both drowsy fillies towards a separate cloud-home far from the norm of the central city of Cloudsdale. Finally at the wooden door, Nighting picked a pair of house keys from the fold of her right wing.

Once inside, Nighting softly pushed both her nieces into the living room and her wings and lit a candle for light. She sat the fillies onto her couch and began the troublesome work of interrogation. “Do any of you two want to tell me something before I start asking what happened?”

“Can we...” Twilight stopped mid-sentence, letting out a yawn and rubbing her drooping eyes, “Can we do this tomorrow, Aunt Nightie? Trixie and I are kinda beat after a whole week of school.” Twilight yawned again, softly falling into the puffy pillows of the couch and rolling into a ball. Trixie soon joined her, utilizing Twilight’s body as a pillow.

“Alright, fine, but first thing tomorrow we’re all sitting down and talking about what happened.” Nighting conceded, picking up both fillies with her strong wings. She hopped up a set of stairways, taking care as to not disturb the fillies. Making her way past her bedroom door, she laid both onto her only bed.

“Goodnite,” Nighting cooed, laying each one on either side. “Sleep tight,” she continued, tucking both of them in with a warm blanket, “And don’t let Nightmare Moon bite.”

She blew gentle kisses on their foreheads, walking towards the door and blowing out all but one of the room’s candles. Nighting took the remaining candle in a holster that gripped to her hoof, trying not to spill any wax.

She gently closed the door, leaving just a crack open to let in a streak of light. Taking a quick peek back, Nighting saw both Twilight’s and Trixie’s already slowed breathing. She proceeded downstairs, pulling out an extra blanket from a nearby table with her mouth and headed to the couch.

Nighting gently placed the candle holster onto a table, making sure not to spill any hot wax. Nose-diving onto the makeshift bed, Nighting hoofed her pillow for more fluff.

The tiring mare shoved her hoof into the cushions, pulling out a deck of cards and shuffled the pile. Making sure it was well mixed; she cut the deck and shuffled again. She pulled the first four cards, all of them aces of each house.

Sighing, she set aside the cards and pulled more. All face cards, she drew. Looking at her lightning bolted cutie mark on her flank, she sighed at the dumbfounded luck her special talent endlessly provided. “Luck of the draw as always,” Nighting said to herself.

She added the cards back into the deck and shuffled again. Nighting drew, getting the same cards as always, aces first, face cards next. “Maybe I should try the lottery next,” she sighed as a tired yawn came out. Nighting set the deck down and rested on her side, using a wing as covering.

Pulling the blanket over herself, she blew out the candle and watched the grey puffs of smoke slither from the dying ember. Rustling until she got into a more comfortable position, she felt like she was sleeping on Lincoln logs. A few moments of sleepless rustling later, Nighting gave up on natural methods of sleeping.

She kicked off the blankets and walked behind the couch to the kitchen counter. Nighting might not have a home as big or mighty as her sister-in-law, but one that kept you dry and warm was more than enough in her book. Half-limping to the medicine cabinet, she reached for the top shelf, picking up a bottle of sleeping pills.

“Some sleeping pills and then off to bed,” she groaned. Slumping away, Nighting remembered she didn’t have anything to down the medicine with. “Okay, some sleeping pills, whisky, and then off to bed,” she groaned as she made the round trip.

Grabbing a half-emptied bottle of whiskey, she uncapped the sleeping medicine and took a hoof-full. She gulped the pills and finished the rest of the whiskey. Walking back to the couch, she crashed into the soft landing pad before snores erupted from her.

Half her body covered with a blanket and leaning on the edge of falling off, Nighting was unaware of two fillies watching behind a corner. Both had the top of their heads sticking out, watching their aunt’s actions.

“Alright, Aunt Nightie’s out cold,” Trixie whispered to her partner in crime.

“I-I’m not sure this is such a good idea...” Twilight doubted.

“Come on, Twi! Just think of all the spells Mom put into this book!” Trixie cajoled. “Don’t you want to be able to read in the dark?”

“Well...” Twilight thought, “It does sound pretty cool. I won’t be alerting anyone and I can stay up as long as I want without needing a candle.”

“Exactly!” Trixie shouted, unexpectedly.

“Shhh!” Twilight hushed, putting her entire hoof into Trixie’s loud mouth. They stood on edge as both sisters turned to the source of oncoming rustling. Nighting moved around on the couch before more soft snores erupted again. “That was close,” Twilight said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Trixie spat out her sister’s hoof and headed back up to their rooms, followed closely by Twilight. Once in, they softly closed the door and cast several dozen soundproofing spells each. Twilight cast an alarm spell in case their aunt awoke and Trixie put up illusion spells to make it look like they were both asleep.

“Alright, that should be enough,” Twilight huffed, wiping a drip of sweat from her brow. She followed Trixie onto their beds as she took out the mysterious book. Thinking she heard a voice, Twilight spoke her concerns again, “I still don’t think we should be doing this.”

“We won’t get caught, Twi,” Trixie whispered. “Trust me and besides, we’ve put enough spells to fool a unicorn.”

“I don’t know...” Twilight hesitated, watching the door. She shifted her hooves nervously, making enough noise to wake somepony were it not for their spells.

“Just calm down, Twilly,” the jejune filly assured. “Have I ever steered us wrong before?”

“Yes!” Twilight answered immediately, “Several dozen times! A day! And stop calling me Twilly!”

“Shhh!” Trixie hushed, just as loud. “Alright, alright, but this plan is foolproof!” Trixie tried to reassure her.

“How?” Twilight asked, skeptic.

“Since we can only unlock one page at time, that’s exactly what we’ll do,” Trixie explained.

“THAT’S your master plan?!” Twilight angrily shouted.

“Shhh!” Trixie exclaimed. “This is the only plan we’ve got so unless you have better idea, this is the best shot we’ve got.”

“It’ll take all night though!” Twilight warned.

“I know, that’s why we’ll take turns,” Trixie continued. “Since you did the first page, I’ll do the next and vice versa. Presto, after a few hours, we’ve got ourselves a completed spell book.”

Twilight let out an exhausted sigh, still feeling the effects of her previous endeavors. “What if Aunt Nightie wakes up?”

“We’ll burn that bridge when we get there,” Trixie dismissed.

“It’s ‘We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,’” Twilight corrected. “Why would you burn a perfectly good bridge?” She questioned.

“Same difference,” Trixie argued. Getting an angry glare from Twilight, Trixie forced a smile and tried to appease her tired sister. “Why don’t you get some Z’s Twi? I’ll take first watch and try to unlock as many pages as I can.”

“Alright, but don’t stay up too late,” Twilight cautioned. She stiffed another yarn and inched her way to the fluffy pillows. She curled around them, creating a cocoon for herself from two pillows and two layers of blankets.

“I know, Twilly,” Trixie dismissed again, flipping through the pages of the spell-bound book. “Don’t call me Twilly,” comes the muffled response she heard come from the bulged pile. “I don’t get why you hate that name so much.”

“I just don’t like it, okay?” Twilight answered under the covers.

“Whatever floats your boat, Twi,” Trixie agreed. She directed her attention to the book, studying the invisible runes tucked between the seams of the pages. Flipping through more pages, she found all of them to be enchanted in the same way, but with different spells each time.

Paranoid much, Mom? Trixie cursed to herself. Channeling more mana into her horn, the magic conductor glowed like the sun, enlightening the entire room. Half her focus then directed for several dozen more illusion spells, dispersing the light as quickly as it came.

Half exhausted from the mirage spells alone, Trixie decided to take a breather. Hiding the book under the cushions Twilight was using, Trixie exited their rooms for some fresh air. She tiptoed down the stairs, thanking Faust they did not creak like wooden ones.

Her shadow rounded the corner just as she did and Trixie peered through the living room and saw her Aunt was still knocked out cold. Like a serpent, Trixie slithered across the puffy cloud floors towards a stocked fridge. Making a small noise as she opened it, Trixie peered back at the couch.

Nighting was sound asleep, dreaming of heart’s desire. “Phew,” Trixie breathed as her cover was not yet blown. She gently cracked the fridge door wider, letting the yellow light shine through the opening.

Trixie scanned through the contents of the fridge, finding it stocked with her wildest dreams. It was filled to the brink with c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e, chocolate. Her second favorite thing in the world if she had to narrow it down. Carefully levitating a black-forest cake out, she set it on the counter.

Unable to reach the towering shelf, Trixie blinked herself on the countertop. Next to her cake rested a container of jellybeans, or what seemed to have been candy in the form of pills. Unable to read the label in the dark, Trixie silently opened the canister.

Try as she might, no matter how hard she twisted the cap, it wouldn’t come off. More exhausted than she was before, Trixie forwent the magical attempt and settled for her teeth. She clamped her entire maw on the cap, twisting with all her might. It wasn’t long until she felt her teeth start to ache, letting go of the pressure before she hurt herself.

Trixie would have even resorted to banging the cap on the counter if it wouldn’t have awoken her Aunt the moment she did. She was far from a quitter (if her persistence to defy her mother at all costs said anything on the matter) and jelly beans or no jelly beans she was going to get the cap opened.

Trixie lit the tip of horn, barely enough light for view, but enough to read the labels. The tiresome filly facehoofed as she saw the warning on the cap. According to the labels, the bottle was foalproofed. Extinguishing her light, Trixie pressed down on the cap and twist, this time it came opened easily.

Finally! Trixie triumphantly cheered. She gulped down the entire bottle, which didn’t have much more than a few jelly beans left. Trixie chewed on the tiny pills, expecting a burst of fruits, but instead she tasted something bitter enough to make her tongue fall out.

She quickly coughed the horrible tasting jelly beans out into the sink, trying her best to forget the horrible, lasting aftertaste. Several minutes of silently couching the disgusting treat out, Trixie felt her head go woozy. She began swaying back and forth before her knees buckled and she fell onto the thankfully soft, cloud floor.

With her vision rapidly growing foggy, Trixie tried to fight against the drug’s effect, but to no avail. She drifted in and out of consciousness, desperate trying to get back into the bedroom, lest she be discovered. Come on body! Work with me here! Trixie screamed in her head.

Before long, Trixie couldn’t even keep her eyelids open. Finally succumbing to the drug’s effects, Trixie fell asleep instantly, but not before she saw a pony’s shadow from around the corner. Trixie closed her eyes for the final time, falling into slumber altogether.

|~|~|~|~|~|

Beep…

There it was again, that insistent sound that kept going no matter how hard she tried to zone it out. Trixie didn’t know where it came from, but she had been listening to it for the last hour or so.

Beep…

Trixie couldn’t quite put her hoof on it, but she was sure she had heard the annoying beep somewhere before, somewhere recent. Unable to do anything else but think, she set her mind trying to remember the events that led her here.

Beep…

After concentrating for what seemed like forever, Trixie remembered she had to do something, something important and that she couldn’t be discovered or else. No matter how much she tried, however, her mind was still too foggy to remember properly.

Beep…

Now it was just annoying. She didn’t care how tired she was or how numb her everything was, Trixie had a new mission: to find out what that sound was and stop it from ever beeping again.

Beep…

Trixie groggily opened her eyes, blinded by the sudden rush of light. Her eyes hurt to keep opened, so she squinted until they adjusted. Correcting herself, there was no light at all, just a headlight just above her head. Next to her were several dozen machines, all of their strange lights blinking.

Beep…

Trixie tried to move her arms, only to find that a small tube was attached to it. Barely able to move anything, she twisted her head for a better view. Apparently, she had been stabbed with a sharp needle and was now being fed some kind of strange looking water from a bag.

Beep…

She tried to groan, but found her throat to be desert dry. Trying to lick her chapped lips, she found even her tongue was dry. How that was possible she didn’t know.

Beep…

She heard the annoying beep continue and if it happened again, she swore she would rip her ears off just so it would stop. Twisting her head to the other side, Trixie found where the sound originated. It was from a machine that was playing a racing game. Across the screen, a single line would dash across before it hit a bump and returned to going straight.

Beep…

She had had it. Trixie looked to where the machine was hooked to and found a wire directly connected to her hoof. Trixie ignited her magic, but only found dead sparks to come out. She would have screamed from the splitting headache the attempt caused her if not for her bare throat.

Beep…

It was now down to her headache and the machine as to which would drive her more insane. Trixie decided it would be the machine. No matter how much her body screamed, Trixie tore off the machine’s clamp from her hoof.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep…

Somehow she had made it worse for herself. Instead of a beep every few seconds, the sound was now constant. On the bright side, she heard the hurrying clatter of hoofsteps coming her way. The first face she saw was Twilight’s, eyes bloodshot and lines beneath like she had been pouring her eyes out and hadn’t slept in days.

“Trixie!” Comes Twilight’s muffled voice.

The numbed filly stared at her sister, only able to hear a few of the words being shouted her way. She heard her name being shouted again, wondering if it came from the same pony.

Trixie saw a white hoof near Twilight, calming pushing her sister back. She heard her name again, this time by a different voice that mentioned Twilight’s name as well.

Wherever she was, she hoped it had food. Right now she was starving, like she hadn’t eaten in a day. She dumbly lowered her head to see where Twilight had gone, watching as her familiar friend grabbed hold of Twilight. Trixie couldn’t remember more after that. Her consciousness was blinking again, and she drifted off.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“So let me guess,” Rarity questioned, “Those weren’t jelly beans you were eating?”

“Wish they were though,” Trixie innocently giggled. “I was feeling really hungry that night and had a strange craving for sweets. Turns out I was shoving down my Aunt’s sleeping medicine.”

Rarity stayed quiet for a bit, trying to hold back a goofy face. Restricting herself even more, Rarity held up a hoof to muffle laughter that tried to burst through. “So, you mistook your Aunt’s sleeping pills for jelly beans?” Rarity questioned, trying to keep a straight face.

“I-I’ll admit it... It wasn’t my best moment,” Trixie mumbled, trying to hide the embarrassing shade of red on her cheeks.

“N-no problems, darling,” Rarity reassured, stilling keeping her giggles in. “W-would you like some jelly beans?” She offered, taking a small plastic bag from one of her shopping bags out. “I can promise you won’t fall into a coma from these...” Rarity giggled.

“I would love one, thank you very much,” Trixie scoffed, snatching the bag.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Trixie,” Rarity reassured, finally controlling all her giggles. “We all have our faults during life, and it was quite mature of you to share such an embarrassing story with some pony you’ve never met before.”

“Thanks,” Trixie returned, gobbling a blue jelly bean.

“Oh and Trixie?” Rarity smiled.

“Yea?” Trixie asked, chewing the soft candy.

“Twilight is a really good sister to you,” Rarity admitted. “Taking full blame for everything, especially during the hospital, that’s quite brave of her.”

“I know,” Trixie grinned. “That’s just how she is.” Trixie raised her champagne glass as Rarity raised hers.

“So what happened exactly when you came to?” Rarity questioned after a small sip of her white wine.

“As usual Twi was crying her eyes out and Aunt Nightie was trying to calm her,” Trixie recalled. Trying to pour herself more wine, she found that the bottle was emptied quicker than she thought.

“And the whole Twilly thing?” Rarity asked intrigued. “Why does she hate the name so much?”

“Now that is a long story,” Trixie exclaimed. “But maybe for another time...”

New Beginings

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“You’ve arrived at Ponyville Station!” shouted a male pony in a tailor suit as he strolled the outside aisles of the train, “All that’s coming aboard, get aboard and all that’s leaving, enjoy your stay in Ponyville.”

Two unicorns were the last to exit the train charts with each of them carrying several large shopping bags with their magic. They both carried an air of superiority compared to the surrounding country folk, whom the fashionista seem to know and greet as her new friend continued to sight see along the way.

The Canterlot city gal seemed intrigued in the simplest of things the countryside offered including the clean fresh air and scenery. One thing Trixie seemed to be dumbfounded about was how nice and welcoming everypony was compared to the rich folk she grew up with. Not just the pretend kindness one uses to put up with one another, but ponies here seem to genuinely like each other.

Ponies greeted everyone they saw on a first name basis, never shying away and giving a delighted smile. Trixie even considered buying a summer home here just to get away when she couldn’t stand the snobs anymore.

“It’s really nice here...” Trixie mumbled to Rarity on their walk.

“That’s a strange thing to hear considering where you grew up,” Rarity replied back to her dazed friend.

“Well, it’s no Royal palace but it’s still really nice,” Trixie debunked, “And everypony here is just so...”

“Ordinary?” Rarity filled in for her with a small grin painted on her face.

“Well yes, but when you live with extraordinary ponies all your life, it gets quite boring. The norm is what’s strange to me nowadays,” Trixie answered back, “Not to mention when you’ve been to all the private schools Canterlot has to offer, a routine eventually sets in: make a name for yourself the first day or become one with the background.”

“I’m guessing you didn’t always get yourself in trouble just to spite a certain mother and sister?” Rarity asked with joking delight.
“Maybe once or twice,” Trixie openly admitted with guilt plastered on her features, “Just for the heck of it.”

“Surely your mother must have run out of private schools to put you in?” Rarity inquired, remembering only a handful of schools in Canterlot off the top of her head.

“As a matter of fact she did,” Trixie answered like it was her greatest life achievement, “Kinda dug myself into a bigger hole since the last resort was homeschooling again. I really didn’t think it through that well.”

“And Twilight, she got kicked out of all the schools as well?” Rarity questioned further, “With the pattern that’s forming it’s safe to guess all your schemes got her into just as much trouble as you did?”

“Someone seems to be a Sherclop Homes around here,” Trixie retorted back as Rarity hit a nerve, but masked her anger with cheerful smile, “It wasn’t as bad now, but back then she got herself into as much trouble if not more just to get me out of the frying pan.”

“Hmm, do tell,” Rarity requested as they pressed on towards her boutique.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“What do you mean we’re going to boarding school?!” Trixie shouted towards Twilight’s turned back. The angered filly watched as her sister levitated several stacks of books into an enchanted suitcase that seemed to be bottomless as she laid upside down on their bed.

“It’s not a boarding school,” Twilight tiredly sighed as she continued their packing, “It’s a private school for gifted unicorns.”

“Same difference Twi!” Trixie exclaimed, “It’s just another school where rich ponies pay to have their fillies and colts locked up and demoralized.”

“I wish you kept an open mind about this,” Twilight tried to argue, “This school is different though. There’s an entrance exam that every student has to take in order to actually be accepted into the school.”

“An entrance exam?” Trixie asked back, slightly worried now. She rolled on the bed to meet Twilight’s eye level, and asked with rapt attention, “What kind of exam pray tell?”

The other filly stopped for a second in sheer shock, holding the books aloof in the air. “I don’t really know yet. According to the brochures, the exam is different for each student as the proctors test for different kinds of talent in each of their students.”

“Huh,” Trixie sighed. “So if one of us doesn’t make it...”

“Then this is goodbye,” Twilight said, as she closed their suitcase with magic. “I really want to get into this school Trixie. I can study the same magic that Starswirl once did, and maybe even meet Princess Celestia,” Twilight said in a daze like she was a some kind of fan.

“How can you say that so easily?!” Trixie shouted as she jumped from their bed. “After all we’ve been through, you’re just gonna say goodbye?!”

“More like what you’ve put me through,” Twilight corrected. She had been prepared for this kind of reaction, but that did not make it easier to calm Trixie down. “It’s not like I am saying goodbye Trixie, I’m just saying that it might be goodbye if you don’t study and prepare for this exam.”

Trixie watched as Twilight levitated a shelf full of books to now in front of her. “What is this for?”

“We are gonna stay up all night, for all the nights, studying until I am sure that you and I can pass this exam with flying colors!” Twilight said back with a smile and cheery tone.

Trixie weighed her options heavily. On one hoof, several dozen nights without sleep could mean another dozen years with Twilight doing her homework. On the other hoof, it would mean she could sleep for several dozen nights. “I’m gonna hate myself...” Trixie sighed as she nodded her head yes.

“Good, because I was gonna make you do it anyways,” Twilight cheered as she leaped atop their bed to join Trixie. “Alright, first subject: recognizing different types of magic and how different colors of magic affect it,” Twilight explained, opening the first of a series of books.

Trixie wanted to bury herself underneath pillows and blankets. She was in for a long night.

|~|~|~|~|~|

“You mean THE School for Gifted Unicorns? Ran by Princess Celestia herself?” Rarity exclaimed, trying to keep her voice from going into a shrill. They had reached the fashionista’s home and workplace, entering in softly as they had arrived very late at night.

“The very one,” Trixie quietly confirmed, feeling a bit of pride in herself. She dimly lit her horn, lighting their way and casting long shadows of the sewing machines. “This is quite a nice setup you’ve got here.”

“Thank you,” Rarity replied, as she magicked the the light switch on. “This is my humble abode; nothing too fancy, but still up to par with those Canterlot workshops I ho-” Rarity was cut short as a sporadic little object collided with chest first, knocking her back as well as making Trixie jump back in surprise.

“What did you get me?! What did you get me?! What did you get me?!” Shrieked a tiny little white coated filly, no older than primary school Trixie guessed.

“Please,” Rarity exclaimed as she magicked the filly off of her chest, “Sweetie Belle, we have a guest. Introduce yourself before you start asking for souvenirs,” Rarity reminded.

“Hello! I’m Sweetie Belle!” the little filly introduced, running around Trixie and examining her. “I’m currently attending Miss Cheerilee’s school and work part time for Rarity, although she works me like a mule and doesn’t pay me,” Sweetie Belle said out loud.

Rarity quickly pulled the little filly back, stuffing a hoof into Sweetie Belle’s mouth to keep her from spewing more things. “Hehehe...” Rarity laughed awkwardly, “Fillies, they say the darnedest things...”

“Sister?” Trixie asked with an understanding look.

“Sister...” Rarity mumbled quietly.

“Hello there Sweetie Belle, I’m Trixie. I’m currently attending Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns and my sister works me to death too,” Trixie smiled back, extending a hoof out.

Sweetie Belle spat Rarity’s hoof out, dislodging herself and accepted the hoofshake Trixie offered. “Nice to meet you Trixie! I haven’t seen you before. Are you not from around here?” She asked politely like Rarity taught her.

“I’m visiting from Canterlot and wanted to have your sister make something for me. It’s for someone special to me. Would you mind helping your sister out?” Trixie asked calmly.

“Can I really?!” Sweetie asked excitedly, jumping up and down and rushing to Rarity.

“You can, but we’ll have to be up early tomorrow, Sweetie Belle. Get to bed or else you won’t get to help me,” Rarity replied, shooting a thankful look to Trixie.

“Alright!” echoed Sweetie Belle as she zoomed upstairs, leaving nothing but a smoke trail.

Rarity sighed, dropping down like she had just had the weight of a mountain atop of her. “I could never get her to do something like that so easily. Thank you for that.”

“No problem about it,” Trixie replied, levitated all their bags to a nearby couch. “I’m minoring in psychology. It’s quite easy to appease a child when you know the works,” Trixie explained as she helped the tired out Rarity into her kitchen.

“That Canterlot school must do wonders then,” Rarity said, retiring to one of the stools around their kitchen table. “Listening is like pulling teeth with her. I always get caught up looking after her and making my deadlines.

“What are sisters for?” Trixie joked, filling a glass of water from the sink. “You can’t live with them and you can’t live without them.”

“Still, with what you and your sister went through, I guess I really shouldn’t be complaining,” Rarity said in modesty. “You two seem so close to one another and put up a lot to be with each other.”

“I guess so,” Trixie replied, shying away and rubbing the back of her head. “I’ve lost a lot of sleep because of her, but I don’t blame her for it.”

“You two passed the exam, correct?” Rarity asked to clarify.

“Of course, with how much sleep I lost?” Trixie replied, “The exam was a breeze, although Twilight did have some trouble at first. She nearly failed and panicked during most of it.”

“Was she nervous?” Rarity asked, taking a sip of water.

“More like she was having a mental breakdown,” Trixie chuckled.

“That bad?”

“Yea, that bad.”

Vis-à-Vis

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A purple scaled dragon scurried along a library corridor as fast as his little hind legs could carry him. His upper half was covered behind a wall of books that stacked well above the scales that adorned his head. For such a small creature, the assistant without breaking a sweat bought all the books request by Twilight.

Spike knew Twilight all his life, but then again his life was barely that of a decade. He worked hard to ensure that the bookworm he calls family was well stocked with everything a student would need. “I got all the books you request from the Canterlot archives, Twilight,” announced Spike as he set the musty books onto an already strained table that threatened to topple should more weight be added.

“Thanks a lot Spike!” answered cheerful Twilight. She magicked a stack of books she was done reading and note taking on to Spike, who took the books without showing any signs of straining. “Once we’re done here, I’ll take you to the gem store and buy you some as a treat,” Twilight cajoled. She knew the young dragon’s sweet tooth for gems well and had a few bits to spare to show her appreciation.

“Really?!” an excited Spike asked, doubling his efforts to complete the work as quick as possible. He got a nod and smile from the kind mare, whom he has grown up to see as both a mother/sister. Of course he sees Trixie as a close family member as well, but the magician had a scaly assistant of her own like Twilight did.

“Anything for my number one assistant,” replied Twilight. She opened the stack of books Spike brought and jotted down the knowledge she hungrily devoured from the books. Both she and the trusting assistant had been at the Canterlot library all morning and midday was creeping to them quickly. Sunlight that shone through the stained glass was enough indication of how late it was and since Twilight used endlessly lit candles of her own creation, time really did slip from her now and again.

Racing back and forth from the library shelf and the creaking desk, Spike took towering heaps of books one at a time and returning them to their proper homes. Spike sometimes found Twilight’s attention to detail and organization tiresome, but nonetheless also appreciated the respect she had for books. The fortress of both new and old pages fell one wall at a time as Spike returned them as subtly as he could as to not disturb Twilight.

By the time he was down to the last stack, Twilight was already done and helped him return the final books to their respective spaces. “You’re the best Spike!” Twilight complemented, books wrapped in magic by her horn and Spike wrapped in a hug with her foreleg.

Spike blushed and returned the hug. He was glad to have Twilight in his life. She was kind, fair, and always treated him to a bowl of sapphires. Admittedly, his stomach probably appreciated Twilight just as much as he did. “I know,” thanked Spike. The purple duo exited the front entrance of the library, both of them waving goodbye to the greying librarian that gave them a warm smile in return. The frosty air hit gently, brushing against her fur and making her cheeks and ears rosey from the temperature drop.

Spike was well equipped for heat or cold. His scales would not let anything penetrate the harden membrane. Albeit young, his scales protected him well, which with age would make it nigh impossible to pierce. A fact that Twilight once read to him when she was studying dragon biology. However, before they could head anywhere from the library doorsteps, a smiling earth pony in a butler suit awaited them patiently.

Twilight and Spike gave a warm welcome and exchanged pleasantries once the trio met up. From the overcoat of his butler vest he produced a fresh scroll, which he delivered to Twilight. Having completed his task, the butler took his leave. Both Twilight and Spike eyed the letter as magic unwrapped it. Spike’s eyes went from the scroll to where the earth pony once stood, but got nothing but a crowd of ponies that pranced in their respective lanes. The butler had the best disappearing and reappearing trick Spike had ever seen, which he was curious to learn since day one of meeting him.

“Is it from Trixie?” Spike asked as his attention returned to the letter. He was awakened this morning well before the sun had even risen, since Twilight’s schedule was also his own. Trixie would always sleep in, which Spike envied a little bit.

Twilight’s eyes moved like a typewriter, left then right and left again. She mouthed the words silently as she read, and relayed the contents back to Spike. “It’s from her,” Twilight answered, magicking the parchment to Spike to read, “She’s going to a seamstress to buy some winter clothes for us.”

“Already?” Spike asked. The autumn air was certainly cold in Canterlot, but not enough to warrant buying new clothes. “Won’t it be expensive buying from the local stores?” His concerns were met equally by Twilight. The both of them remember indefinitely the week that the entire Lulamoon household had to ration food supplies because a certain Trixie had spent their monthly allowance without as much a look at their budget.

Spike’s stomach grumbled at the remembrance. His secret stash of gems was down to their last leg during that week. Twilight noted her assistant's troubles, and reassured him with a gentle pat on the back, "Don’t worry Spike. I’ve been in strict control of our finances for a while now. I always have a plan.”

Worries abated, Spike stored the scroll into the saddlebags on Twilight. “Are you sure? We don’t have to go the gem store. I’m sure there are some leftover gems still in the house.”

Twilight gave slight frown at Spike’s worrying nature, but it just meant he cared. Giving a small sigh and relaxing her shoulders that she had tensed, Twilight could not help but shoot a sorry smile to Spike. Pulling him close, she felt that welcoming warmth the dragon always offered her as she hugged Spike. “It’s fine Spike. When I said that I would get you gems I meant it as a promise.”

Although she got pleading eyes from Spike that reminded her of his worries, she cooed the dragon in relaxing. She felt as much indebted to Spike as he was to her. The least she could do for the little dragon was show him there was nothing to worry about.

“Really though, Twilight, we don’t have to go. I can just make us some sandwiches are home,” protested the dragon. His stomach betrayed his words as it growled a second time.

Just like how a yawn spreads from person to person, Twilight’s own stomach grumbled its emptiness. “Then how about we just get one gem and make some sandwiches at home after?” compromised Twilight. She took the response she got from Spike’s stomach as yes.

“I guess one gem wouldn’t hurt...” Spike admitted. He did not want to spend any extra bits if they could, but he really wanted to taste sapphires again.

“Don’t worry so much Spike,” Twilight said as she lead the way to their local jeweler, “We’ll make it through this month somehow. We both still have our own piggy banks if worse comes to worse.” Both of them grimaced of the prospect of having to open their last reserves of bits.

Now Spike really did not want to go get the gem. However, his protest was met calmly by Twilight’s smile, which did somewhat reassure him that she had a plan. He sighed and gave in, hoping that future Spike would be in a better situation than present Spike was in. “Did Trixie say anything else?”

“Just that she would be back in a couple of days,” Twilight answered.

The door handle was pulled open by a magenta aura as she and Spike both entered. The jeweler had known the two that entered his store the moment the bell on the door rang. Often the duo were regular customers, odd customers in that most ponies bought gems to wear, but these two bought gems as a snack.

The jeweler had an ocular in one, examining the quality of a polished ruby, but gently set the gem down to greet the two. “Hello Twilight, Spike. What is the young student up to today?” asked the young unicorn.

“Just finishing some studying at the library,” Twilight answered with a friendly smile. “Spike here,” she ushered to the young dragon, “wants a gem today.”

The jeweler smiled, and turned to Spike, “What are you having today, Spike? Your usual?” He magicked out a bag of sapphires which he always had stashed for the duo.

Spike’s mouth watered as the pouch of gems was levitated in the air. His reptilian eyes narrowed onto the bag like it was a prey he had stalked for a duration of no less than a month. Reluctantly, Spike declined much to the jeweler’s surprise. “No thanks Crystal Clear. I’ll have that one,” the dragon answered, pointing to a hexagonal amethyst.

The mineral was then levitated and wrapped in some lining and tied together with a ribbon by Crystal. The aura around the gem turned from an orange hue to a mulberry, the amethyst flying one direction and a pocket of bits flying in the opposite. “Please come again!” smiled Crystal as both Twilight and Spike left his store.

Once again, Twilight and Spike braved the weather, walking the sidewalk towards their small, but comforting home. Their pace was slower than the ponies around them, choosing a nonchalant speed that eventually returned them to their dwelling. A key magicked out of her saddle bags which Twilight used to unlock the door.

Inside the cooling house, Twilight quickly shut the door behind them as to not let the cold in. Spike lit the fireplace inside the living room with his fire breath, which came alive with a shot of emerald flame. Warmth once again spread throughout the room with the soft crackling of the wood. “Do you want a daisy sandwich Twilight?” called Spike as he entered the kitchen, “or maybe some pea soup?”

“A sandwich is fine Spike!” shouted Twilight across the living room into the kitchen. Her saddlebags were teleported upstairs and next to a desk within her shared room. “What are you hungry for?” she asked, trotting into the kitchen.

“I’m just gonna make a sandwich for myself,” answered the hatchling chef. He donned a daisy apron and placed the completed sandwich on a plate for Twilight. He took off his effects and took a seat beside Twilight at the kitchen table. He made himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Even though he was certainly not a student, he was definitely living the life of one.

Twilight’s sandwich had the crest cut off for her while Spike’s was lightly toasted due to his dragon breath. The unlikely duo munched on their lunch respectively enjoying the warmth of the house and each other’s presence. No words were exchanged until Spike spoke first, “So it’s just us for the next couple of days?”

“Seems like it, Spike,” gulped Twilight as she swallowed the rest of her sandwich. Two cups were levitated from the cabinet which were then filled with tap from the sink. She drank form one and the other was given to Spike. “Which probably means she isn’t buying winter clothes in Canterlot.” As quickly as she said it, her little assistant breathed out deeply, as did she just to reassure herself.

“Boy am I glad to hear that,” smiled Spike, finishing his sandwich. Before him a checklist was manifested out of thin air as well as quill and ink well. “What’s up next on the list?”

“Nothing that requires us to go outside anymore Spike,” Twilight replied. She flashed her horn and both of their plates floated towards the sink with their glasses of water. Dish soap and a green scrubby began washing the dish and rinsed themselves afterwards. “Just some reading for the rest of the day.”

Spike smiled at their agenda. As much as he liked spending his time in a library, quality time at home and some light reading were very much in order. He followed Twilight upstairs into her room. The door had a hanging wooden star with both Trixie’s and Twilight’s name on it. Spike pushed open the door for his mentor like the gentle-dragon he was.

“What are you reading today Twilight?” inquired Spike. He settled onto the basket that Twilight had provided for him as sleeping accommodation. “More astrology books?”

“Actually it’s a book from Princess Celestia herself!” exclaimed Twilight clapping her forehooves together. “I just received it today in the mail with this letter,” explained Twilight further. She unsheathed a single parchment from her saddlebags, walking slowing to her bed with Spike’s undivided attention on the ancient piece of mail. She invited the young draco onto her side of the bed with a small pat from her hoof.

Spike eagerly climbed the soft mattress and joined Twilight where she layed. “Princess Celestia sent you another letter?” He asked. The dragon gingerly spread his forearms and hind legs over the small space that Twilight had allowed him. It was as soft and comfy as the last time he was allowed on her bed. It was probably due to magic that the mattress never lost its texture he guessed.

Twilight was as curious as her dragon was as to why she was receiving so many letters as of late, especially from the sole duchess herself. “This one makes five this week,” noted Twilight, unfurling the letter, “She has been asking how my studies are going and what my independent research has me doing.”

The draco chuckled at how casually Twilight talked about Princess Celestia now. He distinctly remembered when they first received a letter from the solar patrician. Twilight would not stop hyperventilating for at least an hour by his count and would then test the legitimacy of the letter with every spell she knew for the rest of the day. “What book did she send you?”

A thin sheet of brown wrapping covered the book, which was tied neatly with a single strand of string. Spike picked up the book and with an approving nod from Twilight began undoing the bow. His claws gently ripped the cover, which loudly wrinkled as he folded it neatly and set it down to the floor.

The cover was very worn and even to Spike’s untrained eye the pages within has seen its fair share of use. He was afraid the binding would come undone if he applied anymore pressure. However, that did not deter him from admiring the depiction on it. A unicorn was dead center of the old page and was clad in golden armor with a single turquoise eye. “Seems kind of old doesn’t it?”

Twilight’s attention switched from her mentor’s letter to Spike and then to the book. He was spot on about the age, but it raised another question in her after her own examination of the it. “I’ve never seen a book like this before,” Twilight commented, “I wonder why the Princess would send me something like this?”

“Maybe a reading assignment or book report?” Spike suggested with a shrug of his shoulders, “although I guess the reading won’t be as long this time around,” noted Spike. “Could be one of those read between the lines book.”

“Only one way to find out!” smiled Twilight.

The cover gently flew open with a portrait of two sisters standing side by sister followed.

It's The Thought That Counts

by DerpyMuffins15

Prologue

Goodbye

Rags To Riches

New Lulamoon

A Day To Remember

Two of A Kind

Classmates

Too Long Ago

Fighting for the Users

Vacation All I Ever Wanted

New Beginings

Vis-à-Vis