"As the reflection's echo dances, the mare that stares back is someone I have not met before, for she stares at me like I'm a monster. A monster that only I can see..."
The climb back from the darkest side of the world to the light of fame and glory has been a constant struggle for Luna. After her Nightmare Moon days have shattered, no pony seems to give her the respect she once had, a thousand years ago. The mare no longer stands beside her sister, ruling the kingdom of Equestria as she decides to concede from the land of rule entirely. As Luna breaks away from her Princess roots, the alicorn feels mistreated and broken down deep inside.
But there is somepony who feels the same way...
Trixie is no longer the magnificent, glorified pony she used to be. She lost all of her fame, titles, riches... She's nothing now. Living in the Everfree forest as a homeless mare who longs for a new opportunity to start over again, Trixie stumbles upon Luna, both outcasts in the society they now live in. They feel the same way, and all they wish for is a second chance.
But the mistakes you have made are all ripples in the past...
The midnight sparkle of stars gleam efficiently, evidence of the hard work brought by the raising of the night. The young mare stares up, water glimmering in her eyes as the twinkling stars whisper in her ear, words not ever to be said. The hole at the top of the weakly tent rustles as string of wind brought from the East strokes it.
A small tear strokes down her cheek, encrusting into her white and blue mane. She pulls her cape over her body, as it now stands as a blanket; the only blanket she owned. The meager tent shakes as a whirl of wind blasts by, and the mare shivers.
The moon glows bright under the cape of stars as makes a lasting impression before the mare closes her eyes. She turns to her side, opening her eyes once more looking at the few items she owned, ignoring her grumbling stomach, she stares at the image of her and her family, the edges burnt from the "incident" that began a line of ripples in her past. Her hat that once stood on her head, sits on the ground of the Everfree forest.
And soon... a montage of minutes flip by, her magenta eyes flutter shut, and she dreams of a life better... better than she'd ever had before...
"Alright, if Trixie is going to get some dinner," Trixie begins as she uses her magic to pick up a stick, "maybe she could catch some fish in the pond or maybe she could find some fruits or berries." she trots along the path of the pond's reflection, she huffs and once Trixie arrives at the pond, she notices a small shadow and she stabs her stick, yanking it out in a overly forceful matter.
"Aha! The Great and Powerful Trixie--" she stares at her catch "has caught a leaf?!". The fresh, green, Spring leaf stands of the end of her so-called "spear", it's middle crest stabbed through the fork of the stick. Trixie groans, throwing the stick as far as she could master, giving a small scream of anger.
A rustle of leaves awake Trixie, she darts her head back, appalled in shock, jumping aback. Walking slowly towards the herd of bushes, she pushes aside of blanket of leaf and twig. She closes her eyes, opening one at a time as each leaf crunches.
The final image appears and she stares in wonderment and awe. Trixie bows her head slowly as she brings herself to her knees.
And she can only stutter the words, "P-P-Princess..." shakily.
The taller mare stares down at the younger mare, noticing that she looks fragile. She bends down to the smaller mares level, lifting the younger mare's head up so she can she her eyes.
In a sigh, the Princess begins. "You don't have to bow at my arrival any longer."
"W-what do you mean?" Trixie asks in a way that makes her sound freezing.
"I'm no longer Princess, my fair subject. Former subject..." she corrects herself.
Trixie stands up in a single jerk. "Are you-- were you watching me?"
Luna makes her eyes glow bright, aiming her eyes high, reading Trixie's expression.
"It just so happens I was taking stroll in the Everfree Forest myself when I saw you struggling--"
"Struggling? Struggling?! Trixie was not struggling, she was--"
"Belligerent? Pugnacious? Careworn?" The older mare stands up, showing her full height and causing a more dramatic scene of her vivacious, flowing mane.
"No! She was--"
"Besieged?
Trixie lets out a puff of anger and Luna gives a small, chuckle as Trixie begins to blush glowing red.
"It is not funny! Trixie is capable on doing things on her own. And she was not struggling, Trixie was just tired of fishing in that pond. You try catching fish there!" she pouts.
"Well, alright."
Luna trots over and selects a branch from a tree, forking it into the pond, scooping up the spear in one wave, a fish wriggles from the end. Luna slaps the spear and catchment to Trixie, walking away in a huff.
The fire burns screechingly bright as Trixie roasts the fish over it. Her mouth waters as the aroma catches her nose. Her last meal was half an apple she'd found a few nights ago on a tree stump, seemingly eaten by a parasite or something else. But not considering any factors of how old the fleshy apple was Trixie made a quick grab for it, munching it down in a quick (almost choking) fashion.
And ever since she's only have drinks for water as "meals" and she'd sometimes munch of a single peppermint leaf then spitting it out, saving it for later days when she was desperate for flavor in her mouth. So to her, this fish was a major jackpot, even though she'd prefer a basket of apples. But fish was good for now.
'For now' meaning until she breaks away from this current life.
