Locked

by Phantom Dragon

Rating: teen
Tags: Horror, Other, Iron Will, Tragedy, Dark, Alternate Universe, Sad, Trixie, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 9284

Trixie is trapped

Trixie winds up in a jail cell, she is trapped in this place.

Why is she here?

Will she be stuck here for life?

Read to find out

Based on the game Presentable Liberty

Special Thanks to The Fan without a Face and PixelFluttershy for editing it

Check an awesome dub of the game here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiQsa5ocXOM&index=1&list=PLwr4APntuEQvf4II7px4WTo0H16pz2Wni

Published 2015-06-10 20:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-04-29 22:47:57 UTC

Day 1

Day 1

Trixie opened her eyes, she found herself lying on a hard bed. She was in a place she didn’t recognize. As she attempted to move around, she found her mind was in a kind of stupor, she felt a slight pain like something pricked the back of her neck.

‘What?... Where?’ Trixie somehow managed to think as she examined the place…

Of course the Great and Powerful Trixie managed it in this state of mind, was there any doubt?

She got off the bed and looked around. Trixie used her intelligence to deduce that she was… in a room and it was practically barren. There was of course, a bed, and it was pushed against a nearby wall, there was a cuckoo clock resting on the wall not far from the bed. There was also a toilet situated in the corner and a tiny window near the ceiling. To add to the bare bones esthetic of the room, it was completely grey, making Trixie question whether she was back on the rock farm.

The metal door was gray…. Wait metal door?!

Sure enough Trixie found herself staring at a metal door with small window near the top full of metal bars, on the bottom was an opening large enough to put a hoof in but not all the way through.Next to the door was couple of odd wires of some sort.

‘How did Trixie miss that door? … Trixie did not miss the door, the door was so… insufficient it was not worth looking at, yes that was it’ Trixie thought to herself.

A cell, Trixie was inside a jail cell.

It was different than most jail doors she seen, it was made of solid metal with no key hole or handle on it. Not that Trixie saw many cells; ‘

‘It’s not as if Trixie has been accused of trespassing and then she would be thrown into the prisons of other creatures or anything.’

Whatever trance Trixie was in, disappeared and was replaced by pure adrenaline and pani...moxie “Hello!” she called, hearing nothing she let out a laugh and said “if you think you could trap the Great and Powerful Trixie, you’re foolishly mistaken.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie is the best escape artist in Equestria!” Trixie announced.

Trixie looked through the barred window in the cell door. Although her view was limited, as far she could tell there was a hallway outside. Trixie could see a part of another cell door on the left her, and a baby blue painted wall in front of the cell. On the wall was a candle which was attached to it, it was burning and lighting up the hall.

“This is almost too easy” Trixie said brimming with confidence. With that she concentrated on teleporting in into the hallway.

However, as soon she tried summoning her magic it quickly dissipated, as if it was being sealed. Trixie looked at her horn, to see if there would be some kind of device suppressing her magic, only to find nothing was there.

Thus she attempted to use her magic again, with a similar result.

Wait, she knew what this was.

Trixie flashed back to when she was in a café in some town she could not remember the name of, she was eating a baked potato at the time.

Trixie was not a huge fan of baked potatoes but it was the only food she could afford … Trixie loved baked potatoes especially with no toppings just salt and pepper, who needed the extra toppings; Trixie will have a slimmer figure, unlike that Porky Purple Princess. Who is probably stuffing herself with royal food. Food that was rich, amazing… fattening and full of calories.

‘When that Princess sees how trim and not fat Trixie is, the Princess will embarrassed and ashamed’ Trixie thought as she gabbled down the potato.

She overheard the conversion of two ponies near to her were having, one a unicorn mare and the other a stallion pegasus.

“...And then guards are like…” The unicorn said

Then in a mock deep tone said “Miss you have step through this gate, so we can seal your magic,it’s to prevent cheating in the Equestria Games.”

“The nerve of them like I would ever cheat, I am just glad to have my magic back”

“Oh I’m so sorry that happened to you” told the pegasus sympathetically

“But I am curious what did the spell felt like dear?” The pegasus asked.

“Kind of like there were a seal on my horn, like every time I tried to use my magic it felt like my magic was on a lease, trying to do things with my hooves was such a pain…no offense sweetie”

“None taken sugar bear, I imagine it would be like if somepony wrapped my wings in something”

“Sort of… anyways, did you see how fast that baby dragon melted that ice cloud, it was amazing!”

It was at that point that Trixie decided to tune them out, having lost interest in their conversation.

Originally, Trixie wanted to attend the Equestria Games,but she opted against it. Of course, not helping was the notion that a hick town like Ponyville could actually win the medal count. So it was for the best that she chose not to attend the games at all…Right?

Trixie, quickly shook her head of the memory, returning to the task at hoof, namely getting out of the cell. “If my regular magic won’t work, then I guess I’ll have to switch back to the classics to make my escape.”

Trixie sat on the hard floor

Which she was sure was not a good idea. Who knows how long it had been since it was clean; but then again, she had been in worse hotels than this place.

Trixie made sure nopony was watching, she was about to reveal one of her biggest secrets.

She used one of her hoofs to lift up the top layer of her hair; under that layer was a row of five bobby pins and star shaped bobby pin. Trixie always hid them so she could use them to pick locks in her escape tricks.

Trixie was kind of surprised they were not taken; whoever put Trixie in here was careful enough to seal her magic and even bothered to take her signature hat and cloak.Yet they didn’t conduct a full body search.

She would question why her captors would overlook that, but pushed it to the back of her mind; needing to concentrate on the task at hoof. While holding a layer of hair in one hoof, she used the edge of other hoof and pushed the pin out of her hair. At that moment she sat in a full in an upright position, she only struggled little bit to stay that position as she took the pin.

Success, it fell to the floor and Trixie pushed the pin against one of her other hoofs and then put the hairpin in her mouth.

Trixie put the hoof holding her hair down hiding the row of pins under hair once again.

“Mares and Gentle Stallions and Fouls of all ages, watch as The Great and Powerful Trixie gets out of this cell without her magic!” Trixie boisterously proclaimed with the hairpin still in her mouth.

Trixie paused for minute, as if she expecting to hear applause of some kind, but only heard the ticking of the cuckoo clock on the wall. Trixie let out a disappointed sigh, “Silence, Trixie is used to that by now.”

Trixie put the bobby pin partly sticking out of her lips, now she had to think of something to do with it. Then she remembered there was no keyhole or handle on the door, something she did notice when she exclaimed the door the first time.

So now she was out of ideas and it caused her to put the hairpin on the edge of the bed. Then she used her superior strength to slam it into metal door but it did not budge.

She was trapped…She was trapped for real this time.

“Ddo... don’t you think you have won yet, The Great and Powerful Trixie will get out!” Trixie said not sounding worried …not in the slightness.

Thankfully, the sound of flapping outside the jail cell, brought some hope to the showmare. Could that have been a pegasus?

“Hello is anypony there” Trixie said surveying the hallway from the cell but she saw nopony.

It was then when a letter quickly slipped under the slit of the door, though the letter was too blurry to identify the sender.

As a force of habit she tried to levitate the letter, but the letter laid there on the floor not moving.

"Oh right no magic" Trixie grumbled

Ok how would an earth pony do this?’ Trixie thought.

‘They would use their mouth … but ...how?’

‘If only Trixie had a letter opener…”

An idea then came to her wonderful head so then she picked up her trusty bobby pin from the bed and put it back in her mouth again.

She tasted metal as she used one of her hooves to hold the letter still and careful tore it from one end to the other.

When she was done with the hairpin she figured she would probably need it later, so she put it on the edge of the bed again.

Trixie unfolded the blueish gray paper with her hooves. Then she muttered the letter out loud as she read.

Dear Trixie,

So you’re in jail again huh? You can’t seem to stay out of trouble can you. Oh wait, Iron Will is being stupid, this is probably the first letter, you ever gotten from Iron Will. Every time Iron Will has written you, it had been when he had heard you were in jail, and by the time they get to you, you break out. You’re probably wondering why Iron Will only writes when you are in jail, Iron Will can tell you in some other letter. One of these days Iron will write to you when you are not imprisoned. After all Iron Will has heard the jail you are now is the hardest to escape from. Not that Iron Will doubts you, but it sounds like the odds are not in your favor. So you will need something to read while you’re there so Iron Will, will write letters while you’re in there. As for Iron Will, Iron Will need to start another journey to other town for another presentation.

Will write later
Iron Will

“Iron Will…” Trixie said

Somewhere in deep in her mind there was a small chord of recognition. Iron Will …that name sounded familiar. Trixie was trying to remember but the memory was faint.

Trixie came back again to her senses and stared long and hard at her opponent the metal door.

Trixie turned around and raised her head in a snotty matter and then let out a “humph”

Her ears picked up the sound of flapping and then the sound of something sliding under the door.

She quickly turned around and shouted “Wait, come back!”

Then Trixie noticed another bluish gray envelope.

She shoved the other letter against the wall opposite of the bed.

Trixie used the same trick she used on the last letter to open this letter.

Trixie

Iron Will hopes you aren’t feeling too lonely in that dark cell. Just in case Iron Will has put a little bug friend for you. You see on way to town, Iron Will almost crushed the poor thing, and well it forgave me, when Iron Will told it about you, he (Iron Will thinks it’s a he) insisted that he wanted to go to you. So he’s in the envelope alongside this letter wanting to meet you.

I.W.

Trixie blinked processing what she just read, ‘a bug? ...he sent a bug to me?’ Trixie thought to herself.

“How?” She asked.

Trixie then saw that the envelope had tiny holes all over it “ah, of course” Trixie said answering her own question.

Trixie didn’t mind bugs after all traveling outdoors means, one is bound to meet some whether they liked it or not. As long they were not….

A small spider crawled out the envelope, it seemed as if it was smiling at her, the disgusting thing looked at Trixie then created a ball of web. The spider then made a tiny rose out of the web and offered to Trixie.

“SPIDER!” Trixie shouted.

Seeing the horrid beast Trixie had to valiantly slay it. She reared and tried to kill it with her front hoofs.

“DIE! SPIDER DIE!” Trixie screamed chasing the evil spider all over the cell.

The spider darted under her bed out of her reach.

“Thanks Iron Will, Trixie really appreciates this gift” Trixie said angrily through her teeth.

Flapping was heard and another letter went under the door.

Trixie backed up a little from the letter not wanting another gift from Iron Will.

Trixie realized this letter was different, the envelope was white and there was a stamp in red letters.

Trixie figured maybe Iron Will ran out of color paper and was now using white paper.

There was only one way to find out.

Trixie quickly opened up the envelope, picking the letter with her mouth and shook it violently.

A white piece of paper fell out causing Trixie to leap backward ready for action.

Trixie then grabbed it quickly glanced at it, after reading Iron Will’s neat hoofwriting, this was less… organic, this letter was printed with a typewriter and for some reason every letter was capital and not only that but the sentences were structured in either short sentences, or run on sentences. It was actually kind of annoying.

Trixie had a little knowledge about typewriters because she used her wonderful painting skills to make signs as opposed to typing it. As far she was aware somepony would hold down one key to capitalize it. Which in case meant this pony held that key down while writing this letter.

Trixie thoroughly read the letter this time.

GOOD DAY. WE ARE HAPPY TO INFORM YOU THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY ME. DOCTOR GOLDIE BITS TO JOIN AN EXCLUSIVE PROGRAM FOR INMATES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

DR. BITS

Trixie blinked confused “I was selected for some kind program, When? Why? ...hold on inmate?”

“Trixie demands to know why she is an inmate?! Trixie has not done anything wrong!” Trixie commanded.

As if to answer her another letter slid under the door.

DEAR_________

DUE TO THE RECENT OUTBREAK OF TERRIBLE VIRUS THE POPULATION OF ALL OVER EQUESTRIA AND BEYOND HAS STARTED DWINDLING. BUT THERE IS STILL HOPE: THIS PROGRAM.

‘A virus? When did that happen? Trixie knows she has been on road for a while, but the last town she was in everything was fine’

It all hit Trixie and images of ponies suffering and dying came to her head, causing Trixie to just stand there in shock.

Trixie shivered in fear, saying the word “No” over and over again.

Another letter appeared; Trixie quickly jumped and grabbed the letter as if she expected it to disappear at any moment.

YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING, WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM? WE PICK ALL KINDS OF PONIES OR ANY OTHER KINDS OF CREATURES. MAINLY THOSE WHO HAVE DONE SOME SORT OF CRIME WE BELIEVE THAT YOU ALL HOLD A CURE TO THIS VIRUS. STUDIES SHOWN THAT ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF ALL POPULATIONS ARE BEING KILLED. SOME OF THE REMAINING ARE HERE. THINK OF IT AS ONE LAST SELFLESS ACT TO REDEEM YOURSELF AND SAVE MANY LIVES, YOUR NAME WILL PROBABLY GO DOWN IN HISTORY. SO STAY HEALTHY IT IS IMPERATIVE.

DR. BITS

Trixie put her hoof on the back of her neck and felt a small indentation, something she could manage because she very flexible. At that moment Trixie tried to think about what was the last thing she remembered before coming to this place.

Trixie memories flooded back as she tried to remember... She was walking… from a remote town she just finished performing in. Trixie recalled the road being empty She was alone… of course she was alone, Trixie always traveled alone. Then suddenly there was a sound of a whoosh and the feeling of something sharp stinging the back of her neck, then blackness.

Trixie deduced that it was a tranquilizer dart that hit her. That is why she felt so sluggish when she first awoke here.

“You bastard! You don’t select me, you kidnapped me! I never did anything wrong, you let me out this instant!” Trixie billowed.

Another white letter slipped in causing Trixie to roll her eyes “Why don’t you come down here and talk to me muzzle to muzzle, you damn coward!”

Hearing nothing Trixie groaned and opened it.

DEAR_________________

“Trixie has a name you know” Trixie mumbled angrily.

DEAR_________________

IF YOU STILL THINK YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE HERE, HERE’S A LIST OF YOUR CRIMES:

PLAYING WITH DARK MAGIC

TAKING OVER PONYVILE

MAKING EVERY PONY IN THAT TOWN YOUR SLAVE.

SHOULD I GO ON?

ALSO I DID NOT KIDNAP YOU, IT WAS AGREED BY THE PRINCESS HERSELF THIS VIRUS WILL NEED SUBJECTS FOR A CURE. SO SHE AGREED TO TAKE CRIMINALS THAT GOTTEN AWAY WITH MAJOR CRIMES AND THROW THEM IN JAIL WITHOUT DUE PROCESS. DON’T BELIEVE ME HERE’S HER SIGNATURE.

Sure enough there was Celestia’s signature on a copy of a document attached to the letter she just read. Mostly everypony knew what Princess Celestia’s signature looked like; she is the one that signs things to made some laws official. Trixie carefully studied and found the signature was authentic, so she skimmed read it; the document stated what had just Doctor Bits said in his letter. It decreed that, since the hit of a virus was unwarned, and times were rough, there was a desperate need for a cure. So an agreement was taken, the first taken were those who did commit enough crimes to get away for a long time.

When Trixie was finished reading the document, a new letter laid on the floor. Trixie tried to look under the slit of the door. Trixie guessed whatever or whoever was delivering those letters to her, had a lot mail this time and they were waiting for her to read them all.

Trixie knew why was she here now.

“But I…apologized… she forgave me…what else do you want? I mean she’s a princess now isn’t that enough punishment.” Trixie said sounding as if she was about to cry.

Silence

Trixie held back her tears, she will not cry, she will not be defeated. Trixie had to survive. She was the Great and Powerful! Trixie she will find a way to get out of this place, just …not now.

Trixie begrudgingly opened the new letter as much as she hated to open them now, they were the only things to inform of anything.

HEY, IT’S NOT THAT BAD IN THERE, TELL YOU WHAT. IN ORDER TO AVOID BAD THOUGHTS THAT CAN LEAD TO SUICIDE OR DEPRESSION. I WILL ASSIGN TO YOU YOUR OWN FRIEND HIS NAME IS SLAP HAPPY WHO SAYS I CAN’T BE GRACIOUS. ENJOY!

DR. BITS

‘He’s going to what?’

A yellow envelope slipped in which was a welcome relief from those white envelopes, so it meant it was from somepony new, or Trixie assumed it was a pony. She shoved the old letters in the corner.

Trixie was actually excited to open it. The letter had an odd background that was different from the other letters she got. The border of the letter had leaves that were in fallish colors.

’Fall leaves but wasn’t it summer now... weird’

Hello, Hello, Hello!!! I am your assigned friend and to make us good friends. I have a present for you!!! FIVE CONFETTI POPPERS!!! HAVE FUN!!

Slap happy

'Oh joy another present’ Trixie thought sarcastically ‘and poppers this time good…with Trixie’s luck those poppers secretly have spiders in them’

She deeply sighed “Might as well get this over with”

Trixie held the popper in her hoof and hit the end of against a wall, it let a noise that sounded like a party noisemaker, then a blast of colored confetti launched in the air and then it drifted down like snowflakes.

“Wow, thanks so much Slap Happy, it’s not like Trixie could do better than this in her sleep.” Trixie said keeping her sarcastic tone.

Trixie gave a bored “Yay” when she set off another confetti popper.

HELLO, My buddy, my friend, my pal! Did you enjoy the confetti??? If so, I have another present for you!!!

Then a flash of golden magic transported a wooden toy inside her cell. The toy was wooden shaped cup with a handle attached it. Tied around the handle was a string with a small red ball on the end of it.

Trixie recognized it; she saw foals play with this toy before.

‘What was this thing called again? A Ball in a Cup or a Cup-and-Ball?’

“You have got to be kidding Trixie, Really! A toy meant for foals” Trixie said with a sour look on her face.

Do you remember those? I used play with this all the time, I was little.
Now I can give you a piece of nostalgia, for you to play with. Aren’t you lucky?

Slap Happy
P.S have fun BFF ;)

A sound of something flapping away was heard.

‘What was that anyway?..anyway there was no way Trixie playing with a foals’ toy’

So she took the time to clean the cell a bit, put all old letters neatly in a pile.

Trixie considered cleaning the confetti off the floor, but it gave the room a bit of color.

Trixie looked the cuckoo clock, its ticking and hourly cuckoos were the only sound in this place.

Seconds passed, and then minutes, no new letters and nothing to keep Trixie occupied.

After having a steady flow of letters and now nobody or pony was sending them it made Trixie worry , did something happen?

Did the virus already get them?

Trixie grasped the handle of the wooden toy in between her teeth, she was anxious, she had to do something to keep mind busy otherwise she would just think about the fate of all the letter senders.

“I guess I have to do this the earth pony way”

Trixie started swaying her head back forth to give the small red ball the momentum to swing into the cup.

She sighed and sarcastically said “Yeah, this isn’t humiliating in any way”

And to add a cherry to this shame sundae the ball was not going in the cup.

She growled in frustration “Why in the name of Celestia isn’t damn ball going in the cup!”

Trixie trying to figure out why, but then it hit her it was because when she stopped when her head was parallel to ground.

So all Trixie had to do was angle the toy upwards in the right angle and the ball would go in.

Trixie tried it and it bounced off rim of the cup.

“Damn it!”

She again this time adjusting the angle and…

Nope not time.

After a few tries and curses were uttered Trixie heard sound of flapping, Trixie dropped the toy dashed to the door expectantly.

‘Who was this time?’

“Please don’t be Dr. Bits, please don’t be Dr. Bits” Trixie chanted.

A grayish blue envelope slipped under and a sigh relief was let out.

“Iron Will he’s okay” Trixie said relieved

Hello my friend,

Sorry it took so long to write back you, but, after Iron Will send you that bug friend, Iron Will’s journey was pretty uneventful. How is he by the way? Anyway Iron Will doubts you would like to hear about every rock and tree Iron Will went pass. Iron Will almost made it to the town but then could not go in. The only bridge leading into it was flooded and Iron Will has no wings. So Iron Will had to turn back, although the trip wasn’t a total waste. You see on the way back, Iron Will saw two sibling sale ponies. They were weird though they always finished each others sentences. What were their names again Flan and Fam? Ah Iron Will is not very good with names. So Iron Will warned them about the path ahead as thanks they give Iron Will directions to a nice natural hot spring that they found on the way. That sounds lovely right now; maybe a soak would do Iron Will good.

I.W.

“Lucky bastard rub it in why don’t you” Trixie grumbled.

Trixie sat and waited for another letter immediately staring into the slot under the door expectantly.

In one moment Trixie saw a side view of a pair of small bird claws appear then there was the sound of a creature flapping away.

‘So a bird of some kind was delivering mail, weird, but it made sense. Maybe parrot or a canary … The Great Trixie is not an animal expert, nor does she need to be’.

Trixie sat there waiting for a while; the cuckooing of the cuckoo clock mocked her as she waited.

“Mail bird come back, there’s got to be another letter” said Trixie as she whimpered a little

“Trixie’s sorry she complained about the letter, please Trixie needs to know what is happening out there”

And then she went back to her toy and played with it this time almost getting it in the cup.

Trixie tried again and…Yes it landed in the cup.

“Ha!…Yes The Great and Powerful Trixie has got it!”

Trixie leaped in joy around her cell and then ended up slamming into a corner of the bed and landing hard on her knees then her face collided with the floor.

Trixie yelped in pain and screamed a string of curse words that would make even the most foul mouthed pony blush.

Trixie examined herself and the only thing wrong was slightly bruised knees, she had worse.

Trixie then thought up an idea.

“OW, Trixie’s hurt!” She shouted dramatically “Somepony call the hospital Trixie needs help”

“Oh Celestia! I’m bleeding everywhere what a world!”

Trixie waited proud of her performance, it was worthy of a rating of two hoofs up for sure.

The spider came out its hiding placing it was trembled as it looked at her, Trixie looked at it she hated spiders.

However this one was worried about her.

'You’re not that bad for a spider, you live ...for now’.

There was a sound of hoofsteps, Trixie tried to look down the hallway from the barred window on her cell door. However her view was limited. She could only see the tip of a dark orange horn.

The pony outside stopped and Trixie heard the sound of a spell being cast was heard. She saw part of a golden glow surrounding it,that horn belonged to an unicorn.
Trixie realized it was the same glow that she saw when the toy was teleported inside the cell.

For a unicorn, teleporting an object is not as hard of a task as teleport oneself or somepony else is, mostly likely this pony was a nurse, and they learned that spell and used it to help the doctor’ Trixie reflected.

“Hey why you don’t come closer so Trixie can see you” Trixie called out

Then a golden ring that was made out of magic appeared around Trixie. Trixie facehoofed herself.

Oh right unicorn doctors know examination spells, this is one of them.’

This must have been Doctor Bits.

She watched as the ring went up and then down, then disappeared.

Then Trixie could hear Doctor Bits chuckle a little by the deep sound of the pony’s voice, Trixie guessed the pony was a stallion. He put a note through the slot without being seen.

Trixie looked at the note it said ‘Nice try’ in the worst hoofwriting she had ever seen, ‘no wonder he types everything.’

Trixie went back to playing with her toy, there was really nothing else to do; the next step would be to aim for the ball to go into the cup hundred times. Make to hundred in a row and you master the game, it was foal logic and she did not question it.

Trixie started the challenge and made it up to four times when the mail bird slipped a letter.

Blueish gray.

Hey Trixie,

This hot spring is amazing, it was pain to find but it was worth it. The area the spring is in is isolated, so Iron Will had this space all to Iron Will’s self. It’s so peaceful and quiet here, it gives Iron Will time to think. Trixie have you ever been so alone, that you cannot convince yourself of the fact that other living beings exist anymore. Sometimes it’s easy for Iron Will feel that way. Especially when Iron Will been away from his wife for a long time. However it is the sacrifice, we as travelers make to be alone, on road because it’s our job and passion to do so.

Iron Will

Trixie sighed a few tears fell from her muzzle, Trixie then looked around her cell again. “Iron Will you have no idea.”

Trixie went back to doing the challenge again

Trixie made it to fifty this time when another grayish blue envelope was pushed in.

Trixie opened it

Dear friend,

Iron Will has find a cave to stay in for the night. The town that Iron Will was previously in was way too far away, and it’s already getting dark, and Iron Will is way too tired to try to fight anything on the way. Oh and guess what Iron Will has another present for you…

Trixie’s eye twitched as she looked at the spider who was now crawling all over the place, Trixie was tolerating its existence …presently.

“Please, no more spiders” Trixie begged as she read on.

Iron Will was holding off on this for a while, Iron Will knows how drab and boring a cell is. Especially when the walls is the only you look all the time So Iron Will got a painting for you something brighten up the room. Iron Will got it from a traveling painter on way, may it evoke the spirit of travel.

I.W

Trixie looked around,and without warning somehow a painting proofed right on the wall space above her bed.

Trixie thoroughly examined the painting; the painting was simple, it was just brushstrokes of different colors going in many different directions.

It reminded her of some of the paintings Trixie had seen before in museums. Whenever museums had any art openings with free food, Trixie sneaked in and grabbed the food and… and…

’It was free food, okay what wrong with just going to a place for free food.’

Trixie had to dress fancy to pretend she had class

These ponies would always say the same thing to her

“Who are you?”

and then there was always “You look familiar”

Then Trixie heard laughter and voices continuing saying “Who are you?”

Trixie stood there hyperventilating in fear.

“NO!” Trixie said as she stock herself back to reality.

Trixie then smiled as this was a gift that she actually liked, and Iron Will was right it did make the room, a little better.

The mail bird put another letter under the door and this time it was yellow. Trixie frowned a little that time, Slap Happy had to give her a letter. Trixie stared at to her toy, What was it this time?

HEY BUDDY!!! How are you doing?? If you’re feeling down in dumps. Maybe a song will cheer you! Lalala happy lala glad to lalala be alive lala!

‘Okay, that was … interesting’ Trixie started playing with the cup and ball game when again a yellow envelope slid in.

Trixie a little hesitant about opening it, but she was compelled by this point.

Hahahahahaha that was fun wasn’t it? I hope you keep a song in your heart always, for you are smart, great and wonderful in every way.

“Well of course Trixie is, Slap Happy I’m glad you appreciate me, the Powerful and Great…”

Trixie stopped as she looked at the locked door.

Trixie looked away in sadness and sighed.

Another letter, white from Doctor Bits no doubt, Trixie gave a huge groan when she saw the letter. ‘Great more letters from him, no doubt they will make Trixie’s eyes and brain hurt from all the grammatical errors.’

GOOD DAY MR. SLAP HAPPY,

WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE PRISONERS YOU ARE IN CHARGE ARE NOT HAPPY , THE SUICIDE RATE IS STILL THE SAME YOU NEED TO FILL YOUR HAPPINESS QUOTA . NOW. REMEMBER YOU WILL ONLY SEE YOUR CHILDREN AGAIN AFTER YOU KEEP THE PRISONERS ALIVE SO GET TO IT.

Trixie gasped in shock as a “no” came out of her mouth.

The mail bird flew away and come back in a few minutes with, another letter came through

DEAR _____

I MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY SENT YOU A LETTER ADDRESSED TO MR. SLAP HAPPY. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS MISTAKE HAS BEEN RECTIFIED AND THAT SLAP HAPPY DOES REALLY LIKE YOU, AND YOUR BEST FRIEND PURELY BECAUSE YOU’RE AWESOME.

A yellow letter came instantly after

“Please don’t tell me it’s true.”

Hahahahahahahahhahahahghahahahahahahahhahahahaha! How are you doing?

Another yellow letter

I’m feeling Sooo great!!!!!!!!! You are my bestest friendliest happy friend in the whole Wide world!!!!!!

“But you don’t mean that do you?” Trixie said as she sniffed sadly.

Trixie sat there a few moments depressed.

Trixie then noticed that the light was drifting down it was becoming night, ‘maybe Trixie should go to bed and thinks things out tomorrow.’

Another letter was delivered by the mail bird Trixie knew it was the last one for today Iron Will this time.

Friend.

If Iron Will's calculations are correct then this letter will arrive at your cell right around bedtime. Iron Will himself is going to rest now as well, he needs to go early, early morning travel is the best. Iron Will hopes those prison beds are comfortable. They weren’t last time Iron Will was in jail but that was a long time ago, maybe policy was changed.

I.W.

Trixie cried while looking at the painting Iron Will gave her.

“Iron Will ...are you...are you faking too...is Dr Bits putting you up to this as well?” Trixie sorrowfully asked.

Trixie leaped into the bed going under the only bedsheet Dr. Bits must have left for her.The bed was hard but it was not as hard the back of her wagon was.

Trixie continued to stare at the painting “Is this a genuine gift?” she asked

“Goodnight Iron Will, I hope you’re not a fake friend” Trixie whispered then she drifted off in deep sleep.

Day 2

Author's Note

I'm not comfortable cursing, so the words will be sort of censored.
I apologize in advance.

Day 2

The blue unicorn filly was surrounded by darkness. In the distance, she saw a light and under that light was a bed. She slowly trotted toward it. All the sudden she heard a beep.

Then another beep.

She instantly knew what it was, it was a heart monitor.

The filly gasped in terror then started to run away.

Even as the filly ran as far from the bed as possible, it seemed as if the sound of the monitor was following her .

Faceless ponies with white lab coats looked at her then she ran past them.

"It will be fine, he'll get better you'll see" said one of the faceless ponies

"You're lying!" the filly angrily shouted

"He'll be back to his old self in no time." another one said

"You're lying... every one of you" the filly cried

The faceless ponies with lab coats surrounded her and she was trapped in a circle.

"He'll be fine you'll see" one of them stated

"We are trying the best we can" another one said

Then all of them spoke at the same time.

"Stop Lying to me!" said the filly now crying hysterically

"I can't trust any of you"

All the sudden a giant painting came out of nowhere.

Trixie awoke, she was gasping for breath. Trixie calmed herself then got off the bed.

"I haven't thought about that for a long time"

As soon as she got up, she didn't feel fully awake.

"Coffee...need coffee." Trixie said in a monotone voice.

Trixie spotted a tray with food and a steaming mug right next to the door. A yellow letter was right next to it, there was something about that, that was...um..

Trixie's movements were more like a machine than ponylike. She tried to move the mug with her magic.

Inside that mug was the liquid she needed to function. Trixie sniffed to tell what the quality of the coffee was. It was the lowest grade ever.

It made her groan, but she needed it.

The fact her magic was not working didn't concern her as it should have, she just figured she had an off day.

Trixie grabbed the inside edge of the mug, with her teeth. Something was wrong with that, whatever it was It had to wait.

Trixie put the mug down and stared at the...gray fog? Trixie shifted her head sideways. Well whatever,Trixie was not going to miss her favorite part of her daily routine.

Be up before the crack of dawn with a cup of joe and drink it while watching the sunrise. Slowly becoming awake along with the sun to greet the day with gusto.

Trixie sipped her awful coffee and waited. The more she waited the more the relentless fog turning into an empty ... gray ...wal...

"Sh*T"

Trixie uttered the curse word twice then looked around her.

All the experience she had yesterday came back to her. The letters, the toy, and the confetti poppers.

Trixie turned and looked where she got her coffee. She saw a yellow envelope along with a blue envelope then another yellow one with a wrapped present next it.

"Slap Happy" she said

She then saw the familiar grayish blue envelope no doubt it was from Iron Will.

Trixie did consider it strange though that each person or pony or whatever, who sent her a letter so far. The envelopes and paper were different. Iron Will's letters were sent in a blueish gray envelope along with the same color paper, Slap Happy yellow envelope, with a fall leaf background letter. Doctor Bits white envelope with white paper.

What was up with that?

She picked one of Slap Happy's letters with her hooves, she debated whether or not she would even bother opening any them at all.

'If he's doing this because he is being blackmailed, why should I care about what he says?'

Trixie took a good long look at the cube shaped wrapped present, then she looked at the other gifts Slap Happy gave her as well.

'Even if he is forced to do this, he is trying his damnest'

"He is doing this for his children'

But what about Iron Will, what if he is working for Doctor Bits?

'If I just ignore Slap happy's letters, What will happen to him and his children?'

'But why should I care if something happens to him?'

Trixie then looked at the painting that Iron Will gifted her.

The same painting she saw in her dream.

Since that incident happened I can't trust anyone

"I need no one"

If that's true why did that painting appear?

Iron Will wrote to her like she was a long-lost friend, Didn't he also address her as a friend?

But was that just a ruse ?

Trixie looked at the pile of the previous letters from Iron Will. It wasn't hard to find Iron Will's letter since his letters were always in a grayish blue envelope.

"Where was it?" Trixie murmured to herself "Ah here is is"

Hello my friend,
Sorry, it took so long to write back to you, but, after Iron Will send you that bug friend....

When Trixie first got his letter, his name did sound familiar, but she could not for the life of her remember where she heard it.

However, that seed of doubt was planted. Maybe Bits messed with her mind, maybe it was a psychological trigger that made that name, seem familiar to her.

Trixie's ear perked as she heard the mail bird come and deliver another letter to her.

Iron Will wrote another letter.

It came and crawled from under her bed.

Bug friend.

'Of course that spider' Thinking wording spider in a disgusted tone.

She had made a sort of truce with... it. Even though she still could not think of it as anything but disgusting.

"Spider" she called under the bed.

It came and crawled to her. She tried her best to not stomp it to death.

The spider looked up at Trixie, it was shaking.

Trixie let a sigh she could not believe she was going to do this.

Trixie had to ask it a few questions.

The prospect of questioning a spider would have been something that is completely absurd. If it didn't show Trixie it's talent of making a rose out of its silk.

"Spider, can you understand me?"

It just stared at her.

"You met Iron Will, it says so in the letter, is that the truth?

Again nothing

Trixie reared up and stomp both her hooves down.

"TELL ME IF IRON WILL IS WORKING FOR DOCTOR BITS!"

Her voice boomed throughout the cell.

The spider shook in fear and scampered under the bed.

Trixie stood there shaking with tears flowing down her cheeks.

Trixie then bit her lip.

"Okay Trixie calm down, think about this rationally" She told herself

"To do that kind of manipulation, Bits would have to be a high-level psychologist with no morals standards"

"If he is a psychologist, he won't know that examination spell he cast on me"

She then heard her stomach growl, she remembered there was a tray of food on it.

She went to where the tray was, on the tray was a salad made out grass.

She lowered her head down to try to take a bite.

Then the sound of foals mockingly laughing was heard.

That was when that wretched song played.

NO! NO!

"I won't eat it, I'd rather starve!"

She picked one of the letters with her hooves

'I have survived own my own for a long time'

'Ever since....since'

Trixie stopped herself from thinking about that again

'But, am I willing to carry their blood on my hooves?'

Then she sighed and walked to the bed to try to get the hairpin she left there.

Trixie searched the whole bed but couldn't find it.

"Damn"

'Guess I have to found some other way to open these letters'

Trixie held down one of the letters with one of her hooves, she grasped a part of the top flip of the envelope with her teeth. The adhesive that held the top flip was not letting go without a fight. Trixie pulled and managed to rip a small section of it.

She then spits it out, doing this suddenly reminded her of goats. Trixie was not a goat!

She pulled another hairpin from her hair.

She had to come up with a way to put her hairpin away, and still find it when she needed it.

Trixie looked around the room and found nothing.

Then she noticed the one bedsheet she was given.

'If I tear the end of it I can make a small rope necklance'

But first, she wanted to open the letters from Slap happy .

Trixie opened one of them.

To celebrate the occasion of you getting up, I have sent a present...That's right it's a Rubix cube.

"Oh" Trixie said she looked at the small cube shaped box.

"Slap Happy, what is up with these small cheap toys. I am a grown mare."

Trixie rolled her eyes as she opened Slap happy's other mail.

Rise and Shine sleepyhead!!!!! I hope you had a good night’s sleep. I sure did !!!Hooray!!!here's some coffee and breakfast I made just for you, I wish I got some better money to get to you better coffee, but I have to save what I can, so you have something to do.

"Trixie guesses she opened the letters in the wrong order"

Trixie gasped 'Wait ...I.. Trixie hasn't been speaking like she normally does for some time'

'Has this place broken Trixie already? It's only been a day!'

"I...Trixie has been alone for longer than this."

"I am the great and Powerful Trixie. I need to hold myself together"

The wonderous Trixie tore through Iron Will Letter's with a mix of determination and anger.

Good morning friend!
The sun has barely risen and Iron Will feels refreshed, sure minotaurs are known for living in mazes but maybe we should live in caves from now on. Then again I'm not sure the Mrs. would approve. Anyways, Iron Will headed north. Which is as you know is my favorite cardinal direction to head. On the way, Iron Will passed by a very pretty river. I made a new friend, he says hello, he's a sea serpent Iron Will didn't know they existed! His name is Steve.. something arg! I'm so bad with names

Ironwill was a minotaur?

Something about that was familiar, Trixie closed her eyes tried to concentrate hard.

A huge blueish gray blur came to mind.

She dug deep but when she came against a mental wall she stopped herself.

She knew what was behind it, memories that she didn't want to trigger.

However, she knew the memories of Iron Will was behind it.

However, she wanted those awful memories to stay there and never be brought up again.

It was akin to the story of a pony named Pandora opening her box.

Trixie then saw Iron Will's newest letter sighed 'well I might as well keep doing this'

Fastinating, wouldn’t you say friend? Meeting new friends, finding vast landscapes and new locations to explore. Sometimes in life one must appreciate the little things. I.W.

"Yes, Iron Will it's so fascinating, I mean look at the wonderous location I am in now. Why there are grays walls everywhere, a bed, and a toilet. What a truly amazing place this is." Trixie said with a mix of anger and sarcasm.

Flap.

Letter

sigh

Rinse and repeat

HAHAHAHAHAH I have another present for you! It’s a poster to remind you to always keep a smile on your face!

"Well at lease it's not a toy, so what is this a poster of ?"

Trixie saw a flash of golden colored magic in the corner of her eyes.

She turned around quickly and saw it.

"Holy catchphrase Batmare !"

The poster was a creepy smile painted with red paint. From what Trixie could tell by looking at it, who ever painted it just did it for the sake of doing it.

Most likely Slappy did it,

Ho HO HA HA HE Do you like it? I painted myself, it's just like the ones I used to do with my... HO HO nevermind that I hope when you see it, it will renew you

Was that cynicism in that letter?

'With your children? You were going to say that right, my guess that Bits does not want you to tell the inmates about your blackmail'

Flap.

Letter, this time a green colored envelope

sigh

Rinse and...

Hold on! This envelope was a different color, IT WAS A DIFFERENT WRITER.

The glorious Trixie has gotten someone new.

What a welcome this was!

But what if this was another Slap Happy? Or somepony else forced to be her friend.

Trixie wasn't afraid of that possibility, it was why she was shaking thinking about it.

She thought of just leaving it there, then going to play with her new toy, and just ignore it for awhile.

But is was like the letter beckoned her to open it.

It was the drive to find out what was really going on out there.

Trixie scoffed and open the letter.

She then stared at it without actually reading it, she was a not hoofwriting analysis but she could tell the hoofwriting was neither masculine or feminine. So it could have written by either gender.

Good day! I don’t think you know me but from what I’ve heard, it seems to me you and I are the last ponies in this town who are not infected by the virus.

The only P..p

Trixie found herself hyperventilating

"It can't be, the virus is that bad?, W

hat's going on out there?"

Suddenly an image of a pony lying on the bed coughing blood came into Trixie's mind.

"Celestia damn it, don't start thinking about that!

"Doctor Bits what's going on?! Are you working on a cure? WHERE IS IT!!"

Another green envelope delivered by the mail bird.

This time, there was no hesitation in opening it.

I am the owner of a bakery shop next door to your prison. That's what I get for wanting cheap real estate. I see some sort of bird getting the mail from the mailbox, some of the time different birds come to get it. I got curious so I opened the mailbox. I saw a letter and opened it, it was from Iron Will. I think I remember him he came here to teach a 'just say no' class. I think I might get in trouble for opening the letter, but since everypony is dying, it can't be that bad of a crime. So on a whim, I decided to send you this letter. However, I don’t want to get infected so I will go out for these letters only. What my store is mainly known for is Cloud Candy. Yes, I make candy out of clouds. Most Pegasi used to think that was gross, since Pegasi use them to lay on, or build stuff with. However, I usually get the purest clouds directly from the cloud factory, and in return give them a huge discount. I also make cloud frosting. Mmm So light and fluffy. But I can't sell it anypony anymore because they are getting bad, and it would mean letting infected ponies came here. Well, maybe you can come over, I would really appreciate it if you could come visit me some time, maybe we could have a cup of tea with cupcakes topped with cloud frosting.

Trixie blissful sighed "Yeah that does sound nice"

Oh listen to me yammer on. Oh, how rude me my name is Sweet Treat. Nice to meet you

Named Sweet Treat, works in bakery, They are most definitely a pony

Another letter came almost instantly.

I’m very sorry if I came off as too eager in my last letter to you. The fact is, I haven’t really had much contact with anyone anymore lately , you know the whole everypony dying. I can't leave here, I am a coward. Please forgive me if I made you feel uncomfortable.

Trixie awkwardly rubbed her hoof on the back of her head.

"You were not too eager, your letter was a breath of fresh air"

Trixie went to start her project with her bedsheet.

She took out her star-shaped hairpin and tilted it.

The Star on the hair opened and inside was a small razor blade.

Trixie then tried to figure out how to use it without magic.

She was great beyond measure, so this should be a simple task.

She considered uses her hooves, but she knew she could cut herself. So her teeth were the only thing she could think of.

'That would take forever, but I do have a lot of time on my hooves'

So Trixie stuck the razor blade between her teeth, careful to let her tongue go nowhere near the blade. She then started cutting the sheet.

After sometime Trixie managed to cut a small section. she then took a break.

She was concentrating on the task so much that she missed the sound of the mail bird dropping off new two letters.

'Was that why the ticking from the cuckoo clock did not bother me?'

"What is it now Slap Happy?"

Hello hello hello I hope you’re enjoying your two toys. They were expensive you know

"Expensive? These are expensive? These are toys for foals!"

hahahahahahahhahahahahaha Please don’t be sad!

I know it must be hard all alone in a prison cell, but you must remain happy!!!

"Look, Slap Happy I know you are trying but I don't need any toys"

Trixie went back to her project, after some time a white envelope appeared. It was Doctor Bits.

"Am I going to get some answers doctor?"

Dear_____
IT HAS COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT YOUR BUDDY HAS SHOWN SIGNS OF NOT BEHAVING IN AN EXCITED MATTER SO YOUR BUDDY CAN BE REPLACED , PLEASE JUST SEND US A LETTER AND WE WILL GET RID OF HIM.

"A chance to get rid of Slap Happy? what's the point if somepony is forced to be my friend."

A yellow envelope came through instantly after Bit's letter

Hello hahaha I heard that some people are reporting their buddies to doctor money hahahahahahahahaha

'Buddies as more than one? Just how many ponies or other races are being blackmailed'

You know what happens to them right?? Do you?? You wouldn’t do that to me would you? Hahahaha

'No, I don't know what happens?'

They die, they cease to be. If I'm dead who's going take care of ... No I can't tell you if I do they die. Look I’m sorry I haven’t gotten you something else to entertain you I just don’t have the money for it at the moment, alright!

I’m so sorry

I’m very sorry, please spare me!

As she was reading the letter, the paper felt wet, was it tears?

"Okay Slap Happy I won't report you"

A new Iron Will letter came next.

Along with a long wooden block.

Did you know that I just learned wood carving? Well, actually Iron Will picked it up as something for Iron Will to do on long train rides. As I look all these places Iron Will kept thinking of you in the cell. So Iron Will thought to himself why doesn't Iron Will make you something? It’s the leg of a table I'm making for you! I know that might not be the most extravagant project, but I hope you like it anyways.

Trixie was stunned no one ever made anything for her.

She grasped the 'leg' with her hoof and had tears of appreciation come down her face

"Thanks, Iron Will" Sounding as if she was genuinely touched by the gesture.

Trixie went back to cutting, even after all this time she only made a small rip in the sheet.

When she took a break she found another green envelope.

Sweet Treat.

Trixie eagerly tore through the envelope.

It’s a nice evening, isn’t it? I hope you have a nice sleep.

Was it evening already?

Trixie looked out the window near the top of the cell and saw the night sky.

Whoa, where did the time go?

Trixie decided not to go to bed she decided to at lease try to get the bed sheet torn half.

She let out a yawn and went back to work.