Crimson Blaze

A friend from the past

Bird song, soft cool morning breeze, this what greeted Crimson as she woke up in the middle of a forest. She slowly cracked her eyes open. Trees, more and more trees were all she could see as her eyes slowly scanned the surroundings. Lazy even to lift her head off from the ground where she lay on her belly.

'No more jump into random portals. On the other hoof I did avoid the cultist magic missile. Heh, once I get back, I so gonna buck them to the afterlife.'

Crimson got up on all four, and looked around properly, and she saw even more trees in every direction.

'At least it's shady, under the canopy and I'm not reduced to a blind mole.'

Crimson stretched out her legs, back, neck and her brand new mechanical wings, popping her stiff joints. She quickly made an inspection of her metal blade like wings for any damage or issues, she extended it, flexed it, everything was in working order. With a nod she clear things good to go, and pick a direction at random to begin her march in search for an exit of this seemingly endless forest she just ended up in.

Crimson got bored quite quickly, no wonder as there was nothing exciting, or anything to break the monotone and quiet scenery. To make time go faster she recall some of the melodies Octavia played for the gang, quietly hummed to the relaxing tunes. Then she remembered how Vinyl pranked her on the very same day. Crimson chuckled at the memories, though if anypony would see her then, they could question her sanity, not that this would stop her. Especially after a year she regain her freedom, and most importantly, her spirits, surrounded by friends, supported by allies, accepted by ponies all across Equestria. She has grown truly strong, not just body, but in mind and heart.

'I hope the others fine. Heh, I'm sure Midnight mop them all up and demands more cultist to reduce to a pulp.'

Crimson suddenly stopped in her tracks, with her own kind of 6th sense pick up something interesting, another pony. Now she focused her ears, and she could hear a cart being pulled in the distance. Without a second though she began canter towards the source at a leisures tempo. She kept her ears peaked, and could hear the pony in question quite exhausted from pulling the cart, heart pumping quick and labored breathing.

After a few minutes she got close to her new found goal, she could spot the cart in the distance. She felt this cart look familiar, but couldn't put her hoof on it, just yet. She needed some directions towards civilization, and might as well give a hoof to the struggling soul. Crimson just broke through the last of the bush that was in her way and she froze.

'What in the bloody hay'

The cart stopped before her, and Crimson eyes meet with the unicorn mare who pull the cart, wearing a magician cape and hat, azure fur coat, almost white, ice blue mane and tail, a magic ward with a wave of magical energy as cutie mark.

“Tri..Trixie?!”

Trixie looked surprised, but confused. They looked eye to eye for long seconds, quite awkward silence ensured until Trixie broke it. Lift her nose high and swing her head to the side a little.

“Trixie surprised to meet with a fan in the middle of a forest, it's shows how magnificent Trixie is.”

Crimson could only nod, she blinked a few times and composed herself quickly. Her mind raced million miles a minute, and for a very good reason. Trixie, the mare she knew, was long dead, she was a cultist, but she left them once they attack innocents, foals, who have nothing to do with the age old conflict, and she died in her hooves, drown in her own blood after an assassin cultist slit her throat. And yet, she stood before her, it was her, every little movement, muscle tones, her voice, the sound of her heart as now Crimson pay a closer attention and being so close to her. Even the smell, her mane, fur coat, choose of perfume, and the very smell of her blood. It was bizarre to say the least.

“Hey, are you there?!?”

Snapped Trixie, Crimson gave a sheepish smile in return and quickly catching on of what to do, she played her part, for now.

“Sorry, I was a little zoned out hehe. Not every day you meet with somepony as Great and Powerful as you Trixie.”

“Hmm.”

The azure mare snorted and lift her nose high, Crimson frown inwardly while force to keep her smile.

'Yep, the same arrogance, well, will tone it down later on.'

“Say, do you need help with the cart? I'm kind of lost and don't mind helping with it.”

Trixie gave more of her arrogant self, Crimson was itching under her skin to size down her ego, but she decided against it. She figured this portal sent her somewhere else entirely, a different time line, or another reality, but if so, this would make things far more tricky, and soon she would be even deeper trouble, she began to feel hunger, it's has been two days she haven't drunk blood, but there was no avoiding this, she had to get some blood, preferably with out hurting anypony in the process. For now she cantered beside the magician and let her place the helm on her.

“Trixie appreciate the help.”

“No problem Great and Powerful Trixie, it's my pleasure.”

Crimson forced her smile, even more when the bragger mare sat on the cart comfortable, sure she didn't though would go down this way, but might as well roll with it. She knew Trixie, and that she have a ton of armor on her heart, but if one did reach it, gained a life long loyal friend.

The trip was uneventful, and boring. Trixie fall asleep, not that without reason, she pulled the cart alone for quite a while, and even her thanks to her ego she did not show it or would admit it, she was exhausted. The view of the sleeping mare brought a smile on Crimson face. Non less, as time and quiet were ample she run through her options.

'Well, I wonder where we will end up, but if it's a larger village or city I might be lucky, if I can sneak into a hospital and liberate some blood bags. Also better not bite Trixie or anyone else if I can help it, not just yet. Could spell my doom. Oh mare, I’m starving.'

The vampony stomach rumbles loudly to signify it's agreement with her thoughts. She sighed, she still hate the red liquid of life, more so the way to obtain it, but there was no avoiding it. Her thoughts now returned to Trixie, and possibly other ponies she might meet up.

'It's nice to see she is alive here, and hay, it's feeling a bit nostalgic, but I’m sure I will correct miss little bragger here. If Twilight could do it, I can do it too, I just hope I can do it with out give her a black eye. On the other hoof I wonder about Octavia and Vinyl, and matter of fact, my own self, if there is a me in this world, now that gonna be a truly awkward occurrence. Twilight and the gang will be interesting too if things alike as back home, I’m sure I will freak them out if I know everything with out meet them before ever, well with their counterparts of this world. Oh dear Lauren, two Pinkies, as two real Pinkies, the universe could not take that, and Rainbow Dash, I’d fear for the world end in sonic rainbooms.'

Crimson just shook her head to these thoughts, it was entertaining, yet scary. Her hooves carried her and the cart slowly but steadily to the unknown destination. She noticed the canopy less and less thick and more and more sunlight pierced through it. It was a good sign, but also an uncomfortable one, with the lack of her shades, which she lost in the fight back in the Crystal palace, left her vision vulnerable to sunlight, and by judging by the angle of the light it was still early, and if it would be possible she would avoid walking blind in the sunlight. That, and wake up Trixie, she would never hear the end of it.

It didn't take to long indeed, and she reached the edge of the forest. It was a true challenge to make things out as she had her eyes near closed. It was just to bright for her, with a heavy, reluctant sigh she stop, turn her head around and call for Trixie.

“Trixie! Wake up, we are almost there.”

The azure mare turned around, she tried to tune out the annoying voice which dared to interrupt her beauty sleep. Crimson called out again, not harshly, but sure to be persistent to wake up the boasty magician.

“Trixie, time to wake up, we are at the edge of the forest, and the town isn't far off.”

“mmm..wha..mm...mmm..sle..mm”

“Great and Powerful, the sun is up high, wakey wakey wakey.”

“mmm.. Trixie wants to sleep more.. mmm.”

Crimson sat down on her haunches, she been patient mare, and kept calling her.

“Trixie, wake up please, we almost arrived to the settlement.”

Trixie turned towards Crimson, she guessed she send daggers at her with her magenta eyes.

“Why had to force Trixie up?! And why are your eyes closed?!”

'Well, here we go...'

“Trixie, I'm a batpony and my eyes are very sensitive to strong light, like sunlight, and... you know I can't see a thing if this bright and sunny.”

She didn't hear any reply from her right away.

“So you wanna sleep and Trixie pull the cart?”

Her words had some venom in them. Well one all mighty buck in the flanks was on the to do list of the vampony now.

“No, that’s not needed Trixie, but if you could lead me that would help a lot. As I suppose you wouldn't want the cart end up in a lake or any other place. Unless don't mind to wait until night to continue.”

“Trixie supposes she could give a hoof.”

'Oh. It. Is. On.'

“And to be truthful, you did help Trixie a lot. You may rest in my cabin once we reach the town center.”

'Alright, I didn't expect that, there may be still hope for her, in regard of today, that is.'

“That's sounds perfect. I'd love to help more, but really would need shades for my eyes.”

“Hmmmm”

Crimson could hear the azure mare deep in thoughts.

“Trixie won't promise anything, but if the show pays well, might consider it to get you one. If you stay and help Trixie, and be her assistant.”

“That's sounds awesome!”

Crimson gave her happiest smirk, and she like this idea, of course not that enthusiastic about it as she showed to the unicorn, but this was better than totally alone, sleeping under the sky. Shortly after she could hear the boasty mare hop off from the back, stretch out, with loud pops in her joints, then trot next to her.

“Follow Trixies lead.”

She pressed slightly to Crimson then began trotting forward, she followed suit, keep close to the mare ahead. Her inner sonar was even more useful now to follow the mare. Crimson closed her eyes as much as she could, still it was uncomfortable, Celestia's sun stung even more then she remember it.

“Here, this should help, but take good care of it.”

The vampony was stunned, Trixie just placed her own, priced magician hat on her. This was a true relief from the constant assault of the sun on her eyes.

“Thank you very much Trixie!”

She could just open her eyes a little, but did catch the azure mare give her trademark smirk. No matter what, under that very thick, stone cold exterior the mare had a good heart, but that outer shell needs to be melt away, hammered down. All that built up around her heart was due her not so easy, nor happy past.

“So, tell Trixie, where are you from?”

“I born and grew up in Manehatten. I had a family, but... they passed on.”

Crimson had a fair guess this Trixie was, like the one in her world, an orphan, and the sudden change in her heart beat did confirm this, but truly, these been the cards what life deal to them, they had to make most of it the way it was possible.

“Trixie.. sorry to hear that.”

Her voice was neutral, but the hints of sadness were there, even for the best efforts to hide it, after all this was a sore spot for both of them.

“That's quite alright, It happened a long time ago and I come to accept it.”

“Trixie sees, hope though haven't steered... your feelings up.”

“Crimson, Crimson Blaze, and no worries Trixie.”

There was silence, awkward silence, she knew her new boss was ashamed of herself, not asking for her name before, but she didn't hold it for Trixie this short coming, she wasn't the most sociable ponies in her world, and this seemed to be perfectly true to this worlds Trixie.

“Honestly it is fine Trixie.”

Crimson gave her a sincere smile, and with a hoof adjust the big hat on top of her head, and so to break the ice, she shot back her own question.

“And what would be the story of the Great and Powerful Trixie, if I may ask?”

“Trixie doesn't mind, born in Trottingham, in a poor family. They gave all they could to Trixie, but once Trixie grown old enough she set out to find her own fortune and freedom, and so became the Great and Powerful Trixie, most magical unicorn alive.”

The end was quite theatrical, the vampony didn't expect any less from the azure unicorn and her ego, sure of it she had her trademark smirk. But she knew already what lay beneath the surface, under the mask Trixie wore to hide her true, fragmented self from the world. She gave a reassuring marvel, feeding said ego, though feel a little guilty doing so.

“Trixie had many adventures since then, she even vanquished magical beast of great power.”

Trixie was careful about this titbit part, this only reinforced Crimson of her theory so far, likely she had a run in Ponyville already with the ursa minor, and Twilight Sparkle, but to be sure of it, she will have to ask later, and just smartly, but she gamble a little and push on this front.

“Whoooaa, and what kind of beasts did you best?”

“Hmmmp, Trixie best almost all kind of dangerous beast that out there. Tamed cockatrices, diamond dogs, even the vicious manticores...”

There was no waver in her tone, nor her pulse change, indicating this all was true, Crimson become more interested, as this seam to show Trixie was a brilliant combatant in this world, not just a mere bragger.

“-even gone up agents monsters such as a hydra, and a ursa minor.”

At this part her voice wavered a little, it was true to an extent, but the vampony was sure it wasn't much of a toe to toe like fight, more like an desperate escape from said monsters, using her tricks and spells to avoid being killed.

“Thats just awesome!”

'Sorry Dashy, I had to borrow this reaction from you, but hey I gave credits haven't I?'

She show the hotshot pegasie expression to Trixie while chuckle internally, right now stroking the ego of boasty mare was fun, even if was a bit of wrong. She was sure a little guilty pleasure like this is fine once in a while. Trixie gave snort, she was very smart, no less she did enjoy the admiration.

As the two mare made their way into the town, Crimson began sense familiar presences. Ponies she knew from her own world, one such pony, Nurse Redheart. She knew at this point the town is no other then Ponyville.

'This place is truly strange, it's like a magnet drawing in all the action, bizarre, a true cross road of life and fate.'

Mused quietly the white mare, and she was more then sure, she would not get bored in this town, especially with Trixie on her side now, though she did hope things wouldn't take a turn to bad, just once for a change really. She guesses they almost reach the town center as she found herself in the midst of a loud cascade of heart beats, chatters, and smell. It was, in fact electrifying her, and she bite her lower lips. Soon after hope no-one noticed it, she was starving, and morbid as it was, it was almost like stand in a candy shop with empty stomack, all and every candy tempting her will and resolve.

'I gotta hold out, darn it. At least till night time. Urgh, it's hard as it is, but I also have to play my act for the time being before Trixie.'

“Trixie sees you troubled, are you feeling alright?”

'Yup, just the thing I needed'

“I'm alright, more or less. Just going blindly so long made me dizzy a little, some rest would help until the sun goes down.”

“That is alright, you can have a rest in my cart, Trixie have to run some errands anyway.”

The mare had her usual, emotionless voice she reserves to mask her feelings, but was more than clear she had her doubts. The vampony was sure her act really fail once she entered the town and surrounded by so many ponies, and the best she could do, to try and blame it on something believable, though will Trixie buy it, was a different story altogether. Suddenly Crimson felt herself engulfed in telekinesis field which tried to lift her up.

“Crimson Blaze, how in Equestria are you such heavy?”

Complained Trixie, now clear she tried to lift her up, her best guess was to put her down inside the carts cabin. Crimson gave a sheepish smile toward Trixie, based on the direction of her sound. Moments later she could feel wooden flooring under her hooves.

“I'm not that fat Trixie.”

“Har har, now rest. Trixie must do her rounds, and maybe able to get a performance arranged tonight.”

“Thank you Trixie.”

“Don't mention it.”

With this the azure mare made her leave, Crimson smile in her direction a little longer the feel around with her hoof and made her way inside the cabin, closing the door behind her. She now opened her eyes a little to see how bright or dim was inside. It was a relief it was relatively dim inside. Now more comfortable she wasn't a blind mole, she sat down at the middle and assume a meditation pose and began slow down her breath. Her 6th sense was still swirling from hunger and the busting amount of ponies outside. Her heart rate slow down soon enough, clearing her mind with meditation.