“Are ya sure ya wanna go in alone Twi?” Applejack voiced her concern to her friend as they stood outside the Golden Oak Library. “I don’t like it. It ain’t safe. You saw how hard she fought when we tried to bring her in.”

Twilight shook her head, placing a hoof on the orange mare’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Applejack. I have to do this alone. I can’t take the chance that she will get in your head again. She’s much more powerful than the last time we saw her. And if she is responsible for …” Twilight trailed off for a moment, thoughts lingering on their loss.

Snapping back to reality, she shook her head again. “It's just safer if I go in alone.”

“... Well, alright Twi. I’ll be right outside. You just give a holler if you need me and I’ll come a runnin.”

Twilight’s smile was strained but genuine. She turned to the guards and ordered them to remain outside before approaching the door. Steeling herself, Twilight walked alone into the library.

“Well well, if it isn’t everypony's favorite Princess.” Venom dripped from the bound mare’s words as she glared at Twilight from across the room.

Still wrapped in the purple bands of Twilight’s spell, the blue mare was propped on one of the library’s chairs and sat at the table. Her continued efforts to free herself were interrupted only when she stopped to give a scathing look in the Princess’s direction.

Walking up to the table in the center of the room, Twilight addressed the bound unicorn. “You’re not going anywhere, Trixie. Not until you answer some questions.”

“You’re not going anywhere, Trixie. Not until you answer some questions.” Twilight was taken aback as she heard her own voice coming from Trixie’s mouth. Looking up, she saw the blue aura as it faded from her horn. This unicorn had definitely learned some new and dangerous tricks.

Twilight reached over to the case on the table and lifted its lid, revealing the fire ruby. The hatred in Trixie’s eyes mingled with academic curiosity at the uncovered treasure. Of course a unicorn of her power would be able to sense that it was an arcane artifact, but Twilight was willing to bet that she would not be able to deduce its purpose immediately. Taking a seat across from her old rival, Twilight considered for a moment on how to begin the questioning.

“What are you doing back in Ponyville, Trixie?”

“Trixie was not in Ponyville! Trixie was doing her best to skirt around this forsaken town when she was assaulted by your brutes!”

Twilight shook her head. “That's not what I heard. I’ve heard that you’ve been in and out of town a few times in the past month. I had the Captain do some checking around; Jitterbug and Roseluck say you’ve been stopping by their stalls once a week.”

Trixie's eyes hardened. “Yes well, a Pony’s gotta eat.”

“Why have you been camping outside town for the past month?”

“What Trixie does is none of your business!”

Twilight sat back, frustrated. This was going nowhere. She decided to attempt a more direct line of questioning.

“In the last month there have been thirteen murders in Ponyville.” Twilight threw the sentence out casually, watching Trixie for her reaction. She was disappointed; Trixie's face betrayed nothing.

A moment of silence passed before Trixie spoke. When she did her voice was as cold and hard as her eyes. “The ponies in this blasted town deserve everything they get.”

Twilight covertly glanced at the fire ruby. It remained unlit. Twilight felt a burning anger take hold of her. Trixie wasn't lying; she had meant what she said.

“How dare you!” Twilight stood and she shouted, eyes flashing white. “After everything you did to this town, all the damage you caused and all the ponies you hurt, they still forgave you!”

“Forgave Trixie? Forgiveness is cheap Your Highness. This town ruined Trixie. It robbed Trixie of her livelihood, her reputation, everything! Trixie couldn’t settle down anywhere without being run out by angry mobs as soon as they learned about her past. Trixie is happy that Ponyville is finally getting what's coming to it!”

Twilight’s anger exploded within her. Screaming, she swept the table aside with a blast of magic. She felt herself tighten the bonds holding Trixie, forcing her to struggle for breath.

Twilight stalked forward till their faces were inches apart. “Ponies. Have. DIED!” Twilight raged in the other unicorn's face.

“.. Ha .. Ha … Maybe you ... should have … done a better job … taking care of them ... Princess,” Trixie wheezed as she spoke.

“I will do whatever is necessary to protect the ponies of this town, Trixie. You hear me! Anything!” Twilight squeezed the bonds tighter.

“Well then ... Trixie suggests you stop wasting … her time and let her go… because she didn’t do it!” Trixie punctuated her sentence by spitting defiantly in Twilight's face.

Twilight wiped the spittle away with a wing as she channeled more magic to her horn. She was about to squeeze the bonds even tighter when something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Looking down, she saw the fire ruby laying on the ground, glowing with a brilliant red light. Trixie followed the alicorn’s gaze in confusion.

“What … is that?” Trixie gasped as her bonds loosened to their original shape.

Twilight looked back at her with a grim, humorless smile on her lips. “Oh, that little thing? That little thing is telling me you're a liar, Trixie.” Twilight backed away and headed for the door. Turning her head, she called back to the bound mare. “Looks like you're going away for a long long time Trixie. You’re never going to hurt anyone ever again”

Outrage flashed across the blue mare’s face. “No, you can’t do this!” Twilight continued toward the door without responding.

“This isn’t over, Twilight Sparkle. No prison can hold the Great and Powerful Trixie! And when she gets out, she is coming after you!” Trixie’s voice died away as Twilight shut the door behind her.

Twilight approached the Captain who was waiting outside with Applejack and the rest of the guard. “Prepare a prison car, Captain. The criminal will be transported to the Canterlot dungeons first thing in the morning.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am glad to finally write you with good news, Your Highness. With the assistance of my friends, as well as your own royal guard, we have finally captured the murderer, Trixie Lulamoon. I have confined her to a prison car; she will be arriving under guard on the first train to Canterlot tomorrow morning.

If you would allow it your highness, I will be retaining the services of the royal guard for a time. The people of Ponyville have suffered much and I feel that having a garrison stationed here for a short while will provide the peace of mind they will need to put this disaster behind them.

Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S.
I would highly suggest that you yourself attend the guard detail sent to receive the prisoner, your highness. Trixie has become a very powerful illusionist since we last met. The guard may not be able to shield themselves from her magic without your aid.

Twilight, sitting comfortably behind the familiar desk of the Golden Oak Library, breathed a long awaited sigh of relief she as she magically sent the letter to Princess Celestia. It was over. Ponyville was finally safe. She had kept her promise; nopony else was going to be hurt. Now the nightmares would stop and everypony can finally go back to their lives without fear. After a moment of thought, she sent a quick summons to her friends, asking them to join her at the library tomorrow morning for breakfast. Now that the crisis was over, they all deserved some time to mourn their loss together, as family.

Twilight summoned the Captain to her side, giving orders for the guard stationed throughout Ponyville to remain at their posts and continue nightly patrols for the time being, until a sense of order had returned to the beleaguered town. Saluting sharply, he left to his assigned task. Twilight considered ordering the four remaining guards away as well but decided against it as she looked out the window with a yawn. The sun had sunk below the horizon while she was composing the letter to the Princess, once again cloaking the land in a heavy blanket of darkness.

Twilight walked over to the stoic white ponies, who snapped to attention immediately; their already impossibly straight posture somehow becoming even taller under the eyes of their Princess. Twilight looked each of them over before she spoke, looking every bit the imperious commander.

“No doubt you have been informed by the Captain that you are to remain diligently at your post despite the time of danger being past. Is this correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness!” they barked in unison.

“Well, you have new orders now. Orders more befitting of your performance of late.”

The four guards exchanged worried looks.

Twilight allowed a small smile as her horn flared, conjuring up a spread of refreshments and several packs of playing cards onto the table behind her. “You are ordered to stand down and enjoy yourselves for the night. I’m sure the Captain won't mind.”

Relief flooded the guards faces as they returned the Princess’s warm smile with one of thanks. “Yes, your highness!”

Satisfied, Twilight Sparkle made her way up the winding stairs and collapsed heavily onto her old bed. The oppressive weight on her mind from the last few weeks had finally crushed her last reserves of strength, but she didn’t mind a single bit. Eyelids growing heavy, Twilight’s last thoughts were those of relief to finally be free of the nightmares, both in the waking world and in the coming bliss of sleep.

Twilight jerked violently as she snapped to awareness; the memory of her horrid nightmare melting from her panicked mind. Wiping at the sweat that was pouring down her face, Twilight attempted to arrest her heavy breathing as she looked about the room. Seeing Spike sleeping soundly across the room, Twilight was able to force herself into calm. She supposed it was foolish to think that the dreams would stop at once. Some things took a long time to heal. Some scars never completely fade.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the warm sounds of celebration drifting up into the sleeping area from the guards below. The sounds did much to bring peace back to her clenched heart. Looking out the window and seeing night still shrouding the land, Twilight guessed that the guards were intending on making the most of their leave and would likely continue the revelries until morning light.

She decided that she was unlikely to return to sleep despite the late, or early she supposed, hour. Twilight took a few moments to make herself presentable and descended the stairs, moving to join in with the celebrating guards. Seeing their Princess as she entered the main floor of the library, the guard ponies attempted to stand at attention. Twilight found the sight rather comical as they had obviously partaken in the libations she had provided for them. Motioning for the unsteady stallions to return to their game, Twilight took a seat along with them at the table.

Twilight usually made a habit of befriending ponies who had served under her, but had not had the opportunity for such activities in the last several months. It had seemed as though one disaster freely flowed into the next of late. It pleased her that she could now take the time for the simple pleasures of comradery that she had nearly forgotten. But as she watched the guards return to their game, Twilight found something bothering her. Something her subconscious mind had noticed set her on edge.

Her curiosity sparked as she realized what had set her off. There were six guards sitting at the table. She could have sworn there were only four before she had fallen asleep. Thinking that perhaps the Rainbow Dash had dismissed some of the pegasus guard sent to assist with her patrol, Twilight looked over to one of the newcomers.

“Excuse me guard, but are you part of the nightly patrol?” She asked.

“No, Your Majesty. My partner and I were stationed at the Carousel Boutique.” he said, a slight slur to his words.

Twilight started at the unexpected answer. Abandoning one’s post was a serious offence in the royal guard.

“And why are you no longer at the Boutique? There has been no order to rescind the guard.”
Twilight asked, authority edging into her voice.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the guard snapped to attention, but the confusion never left his face. “I'm sorry your majesty, but we did receive written orders to stand down.” The guard spoke sharply, alcohol induced slur quashed by superior discipline.

“Who sent such orders?” Twilight said, anger colouring her words.

“Your Majesty, forgive me but, you did. The orders bore your royal seal.”

“What?! I sent no such … Trixie!” Twilight’s heart dropped into her stomach as the realization hit her.

“Your Majesty?”

“All of you! Get to the prison car immediately! The prisoner has escaped, and the guard posted there may be hurt! And send someone to inform the Captain!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Twilight didn’t hear his response. She had bolted out the door as soon as the words left her mouth. Taking flight, she rushed off in the direction of the Carousel Boutique, a familiar terror growing once again in her chest.

Author's Note

Chapter 4. Please let me know what you think in the comments!