Rise of the Red Spirit

Chapter three: meeting the elements

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    That week went by way too slow for Trinity; she felt like she was stuck in some weird Twilight Zone, where everything was so strange and weird to her. She had, although, gotten used to picking up several common items with her hooves. Spike visited her regularly as he assisted her; they learned to cope with one another, given that her survival was much more needed then pointless arguments. Twilight as well, came by to check on her from time to time, asking her how she was feeling. She was grateful for the small-talk.

       Another plus: reading took up most of her time, to which the library had an endless supply of novels and documentaries. She learned so much about the history of Ponyville, and was surprised to see that her saviors were a big chunk of it. The events of a trouble maker named Discord, Nightmare Moon, and some weird evil Queen of the changelings –or whatever they were called- named Chrystalis were all connected to the Elements of Harmony, which Twilights and her friends bestowed. It was all very fascinating.

    “Morning,” The friendly dragon greeted, and Trinity replied with a small smile. She had just finished breakfast. “How do you feel about going for a walk around town? Twilight wants to introduce you to our friends. Maybe you can even earn a job.”

   Trinity blinked, lulling her head against the pillow. “Wait, are you saying I can get out of this bed for reals?”

     Spike grinned. “Eeyup,”

  “Fucking finally,” She cussed, and stretched her wings. She let him carefully take her hoof into his hand to help her out. He slowly eased away from her, allowing her to maneuver on all four of her hooves. “God, this is so weird.”

     Spike laughed at her reactions but stayed close by her side, beaming a confident smile. “Wait till you learn how to fly.”

   “I’d probably break a few things… or myself. No wait, I already did that.” She responded slyly, grinning at him. She waited for a snarky remark but her acquaintance said nothing as he led her downstairs.  Twilight smiled kindly at the two when they successfully walked into the living room.

    “Whenever you feel tired, Trinity, we can always teleport back to here.” She paused for a second. “Oh, and do you remember your backstory?”

    Trinity sighed, rolling her eyes a bit. “I’m just your average traveling pony who’s looking for a place to settle down—I can’t remember my hometown since it was so long ago. My name is Starlet Dawn.” She frowned and shook her head. “How the hell did you even come up with this?”

        “To be honest, I don’t know. It just… seemed to fit you. Or, do you want to make any changes?” She asked, “That’s alright with me.”

   Trinity frowned and didn’t respond to her, stumbling on her hooves as she walked towards the door. Spike shared a knowing look with his mother-figure before following her, and the three walked out into burning daylight. She breathed in the fresh morning air as they strolled farther down the road. She became a little wary however when she thought other ponyfolk was staring, but soon relieved when they didn’t even bother to take a second’s glance. Twilight giggled and gave her a gentle nudge with her wing.

       “Ponyville is the crown jewel for new creatures. Somepony like you won’t even perturb them.”

  “My wounds aren’t surprising?”

       “Trust me, we’ve experienced much... stranger things.” Spike chimed. Trinity just stared at him with a dubious look as she tried to take this new information in. She idly stared at the shops around them, most of the owners passing a wave or a curious smile. She shrugged it all off however, her mind convincing her that they didn’t want anything to do with her.

      They had finally reached the boutique that belonged to Twilight’s dear friend, and the Element of Generosity, as Trinity remembered from the books, Rarity Belle. Trinity stared at the store with a grim look on her face, getting a vibe that she wouldn’t enjoy herself here. Or even the pony that resided, for that matter.

     She couldn’t make a comment about it however, for the door swung open revealing the unicorn. She smiled warmly at all three of them, especially at Trinity, who had begun to crouch in fear.

    “Hey Rarity,” Spike said in a suave tone, waving his claw. “’Sup?”

      Twilight rolled her eyes as Rarity giggled, kissing her coltfriend’s cheek. “Good morning. Oh! And hello, Trinity. –Or aaah, I should probably call you Starlet, now- It’s good to see you up and about finally.”

    Trinity could only mumble something in return, as she shyly averted her gaze. “Yeah I… I guess it’s a relief to be able to walk again.” Barely,

      “I can imagine,” Rarity smiled, and opened the door wider to let them in. “What are you standing out here for? Come in, come in!” When Trinity wouldn’t move, Twilight nudged her to get her moving. She groaned softly and made her way into the spacious studio, gazing at the unique designs in the room.

      “I guess I should’ve known she would pull a Fluttershy,” Rarity mumbled towards the princess, shaking her head sadly. “Okay, well I’ll see what I can do.”

        “You’ll like her, Rare.” Twilight assured her.

  “Yes. Um,” Rarity cleared her throat and nodded to the wondering Pegasus, who snapped her head up to listen. “Now darling, I’ve been working on an outfit that’ll be just perfect for you. Twilight here ordered me to make it.”

        Trinity eyed Twilight with a frown. “Why would I need to wear a frilly dress?”

  “New life, a new outfit,” She suggested, shrugging. Rarity nodded in approval.

       “It’s just a simple vest, dear. I figured that purple would look absolutely stunning with your dark brown coat. What do you think?” An easel floated nearby them, and Trinity peered up to get a better look. She fought a smile at the detailed work of art; it indeed was a vest, with purple colored denim for the material and darker color gems on the brim of it. Trinity had to admit the outfit suited her fancy.

  “Fine,” She muttered, fighting a smile. “Do I have to pay or anything?”

       Rarity laughed and shook her head, “N-no dear, not at all. Think of this as a ‘welcome to Ponyville’ gift. Besides, you fought off that timberwolf like he was just a silly night mare—you deserve a thank you of some kind.”

     “Oh… that, w-wasn’t me.” Trinity tried to sound to sound convincing, but the fashonista wouldn’t hear any of it.

  “Now, now, forget the modesty,” She assured her, and nodded over to her a stage that rose a few feet above the floor.

      “Climb up there for a moment dear. I have to start measuring you.”

     Trinity did what she was told without question. Spike nodded to urge her on as well, trying to make her feel welcome in the boutique. He swore he would do whatever it took to have her warm up to them. Twilight gave her son an affectionate nudge, letting him know that she would help out.

     “Oh yes. Now that I look at this closer it will suit you, very much.” Rarity giggled, taking out some measuring tape from the closet nearby. She then jotted down notes onto her scrapbook she levitated towards her, and began looking for strings that she could work with for the outfit. She sighed in content.

      Trinity on the other hoof, didn’t take too kindly at the wait. She could remember back when she was younger going shopping with a group of girlfriends, and just resented waiting for her turn to try on stuff. She always had a bad experience whenever she went to a mall, or any shopping center, and never regretted listening to her mother’s reassuring tone that everything would be alright. It never was.

      After an hour of fidgeting, and glancing over helplessly to Twilight, Trinity’s designer finally took two steps back. She radiated a smile that could only mean pride. “I knew you would look wonderful. See, what did I tell you? That vest is simply gorgeous.”

      Trinity gasped as she stared at her new outfit in the mirror. She felt a slimy, hot liquid suddenly cascade down her cheeks that caused her to blink a few times in confusion. “O-oh… oh shit,” She rubbed her hoof on her muzzle. “Damn it all. Rarity, this is amazing. Thank you.”

      “Aw. Why thank you darling, there’s no need to cry over this. I’m just performing a friendly gesture.” She sighed and nuzzled her. Twilight and Spike glanced at each other warily, fearing the worst.

     “I-I know you guys are really concerned ab-about me, but I’m not up for talking out it. I… don’t think I’ll ever be.” Trinity sighed, pawing at the floor.

     “Whenever you want to talk, Trinity, we’re here, okay? Whoever harmed you in your past… forget about it for now. On behalf of the town of Ponyville, I can assure you we’re different than that.”

        She nodded and smiled at her new friends before turning back to Rarity. “Really, thanks for this. It looks great.”

    “Anytime darling; oh it was such a pleasure meeting you. Surely you’ll stop by again?” Rarity asked hopefully and they all walked towards the door. Trinity said nothing and she just nodded, giving her a small smile.

     “Thanks Rarity. You've helped a great deal.” Twilight spoke, nodding towards the dragon and Pegasus to keep going. They grinned, idly breaking into conversation as they walked out the door.

      Spike chuckled and put his hands behind his back in a comfortable position. He looked at his acquaintance, who glared. “Don’t say ‘I told you so’ because I won’t regard your existence.”

   “Geez,” He mumbled, “Somepony has a rain cloud over their head.”

         “Fine; keep it there.”

  “You just regarded my existence.”

      “Well you didn’t say I told you so!” She exclaimed, pointing an exasperated hoof at him. He doubled over in laughter as she looked at him frantically, her eyes going almost crazed again. God, she was getting so depressed.

      “Will you quit yelling at me?”

   “…Sorry…” She finally sighed, hanging her head low.  “Forget it.”

      Spike mentally facepalmed and shook his head at her before turning his gaze towards the sky. Rainbow Dash should be on her break now from the Weather Patrol Team, so she could be anywhere. He wanted to see if the cyan daredevil could get her to crack. That, in all probability, would he a welcoming sight.

    “Anyway, I want to see where Rainbow Dash is. You know, the Pegasus I’ve been telling you about? I swear she’ll make you feel 20% cooler.”

    “Whoo-hoo,” She said sarcastically, giving him a flat look.

          “You know, your attitude is really starting to—“

    “Hey mah ponies! What goes on?” A figure swooped down, landing in front of Trinity and Spike. Rainbow Dash gave her a friendly smile.  “I was just practicing for the Wonderbolts competition next month. Sorry if I’m late to meet you.”

       “Oh, it’s not a problem, Dash.” Spike waved a claw, letting a sigh of relief escape his lips. He nodded over to Trinity. “So Trinity, meet Rainbow Dash. She’s one of the most awesome flyers –and my best friend- in Ponyville.”

    “Aw, quit it with the flattery. Only I can boast, remember?” She playfully chastised, slapping her hoof on Spike’s shoulder. He laughed and levitated a off the ground to be next to her. “And hey,” She turned to face Trinity. “Glad to finally meet you—Twilight’s been telling us some pretty promising things. I think it was something about taking on a timberwolf?”

      Trinity rolled her eyes as she blushed, “What’s it to you?”

   Rainbow eyed her carefully and glanced over at Spike, who facepalmed. “I like the attitude ya got. But what I really want to judge is how well you can fly. You’re getting those stitches off in a week or so, right?” Trinity nodded, “You. Me. Downtown. Race. Are you up for it?”

     “S-so,” She gulped, pawing at the ground nervously, “Will this be a yes or no question?”

     “Actually I was aiming it to be a rhetorical one. ‘Cause from what I can tell, you need some roughing up… uh, everywhere.”  Rainbow Dash grinned, and she made a circle around Trinity’s figure for emphasis. “C’mon, it’ll be fun. I swear.”

     “Sure, okay.” She muttered with a sigh, not really up for it. She just wanted to get the Pegasus off her back for the time being. It wasn’t like she had someplace to be, but… you know.  She just had issues.

        “Aaaalright then. See ya on Weather Patrol, Spike-dude?” Rainbow finally spoke, turning to her long term friend. He grinned and nodded. “Cool; and look out for me Trin, I’ll be up in the clouds somewhere if you wanna stop by.” With that, she took off, leaving the duo in a smoke of dust.

    Twilight’s right, Rainbow thought as she made a loop in the air. There IS  something off about her. But I just can’t put my hoof on WHAT. She frowned, staring curiously at Trinity and Spike as they strolled over to Applejack’s barn. She then shook her head and sighed, deciding to fly in the opposite direction for the rest of the day. Sorry, Twilight, I couldn’t do it. It’s either up to Applejack or Flutters now…

      A certain, pink colored earth pony was bouncing through the streets of Ponyville, her muzzle tilted downwards in a curious gaze. Her eyebrows were furrowed in thought as she searched for a mysterious Pegasus. She too, had felt the same, odd sensation about the issue when Twilight pointed it out the other day, but she never had the chance to discuss it with any of her friends.

    “Uh, Pinks, what are you doing?” Lyra Heartstrings asked, looking up from her lyre. She would always set up by the Florist in the morning, playing for her own entertainment. Ponies would stop by from time to time and give her bits, even though she refused. The only odd thing about her situation was Pinkie Pie hiding within one of the haystacks. That, she knew, wouldn’t have a simple answer.

     “Where is the chosen one…” was her only response. The unicorn just rolled her eyes as she sighed, and began to play her lyre again. Its best not to over think things when it came to Pinkie Pie.

     “…So then she’s like, ‘Oatmeal, are you crazy—ooof!” Spike landed on the ground with a thud, knocked down by the said pony. Pinkie Pie grinned widely at Trinity, making her feel a little uncomfortable. She took a couple steps back.

      “Why is she smiling at me?” She warily asked Spike, only to get a shaking head for an answer. He held up his claw, breaking into a grin as recent memories came back to his mind. To break the oncoming silence, Pinkie let out a large, excited gasp that alerted everypony around them, including the Princesses far away in Canterlot. And after sharing a beaming smile with the terrified victim, she dashed off towards Sugar Cube corner only a few seconds later.

      Trinity slowly turned to Spike, her eyes bulging out of her head. “That was… considered normal, right? There’s nothing out of the ordinary here?”

    “Expect a party in the center of town by the end of the week. I think that was her original motive.” Spike simply replied to her, hiding a grin that tugged at the edges of his lips.