First Light Shines

Chapters

Chapter 1: Dawn of a New Day
Chapter 2: Rolling Along
Chapter 3: The Show Must Go On
Chapter 4: Show Biz
Chapter 5: When The Lights Go Down
Chapter 6: Stars and Stones
Chapter 7: I Got A Name
Chapter 8: Small Town, Small Talk
Chapter 9: Coming Home
Chapter 10: Come To The Show
Chapter 11: First Light Shines
Chapter 12: There Came A Knock
Chapter 13: Old Friends and New Friends

Chapter 1: Dawn of a New Day

The train rolled out of Ponyville station as First Light, a pink Alicorn with a rainbow mane stared back at the ponies she called friends now. Only two weeks before, she had been born. That's right, she is an OC, and only one week ago, she had been what is known as a Mary Sue. Her bio, the idea that had spawned her in the land of Equestria, had made her believe that she was perfect, and had used that 'fact' to effectively annoy every pony in Ponyville. Having been shown the error of her ways by her new found friends, she decided that she would have to go on a journey to find what she was meant to do. She needed to find what her special talent, her entire reason to be, was. She wanted to get her cutie mark, but she had nowhere to start from. Her bio had said she was good at everything; that she could do anything. Now she had no idea what she could and could not do, but needed to find out. It was now the duty of First Light to try as many things as possible to find her cutie mark.

The train car was almost empty, only a few ponies scattered about. One sat quietly in a corner with a trunk held tightly to him, obviously important. He wore a straw hat and a nice suit, First Light assumed he was a travelling salespony. The only other ponies were a mare and a stallion sitting closely together, obviously lovers. First Light wondered if she would ever find a special somepony. Someone she could confide in, someone who would love an OC.

First Light looked down to her ticket, but quickly snapped her eyes away, remembering that she wanted the destination to be a surprise, even to her. She had told the Ticket Master to surprise her when she had bought it, and had only read the station identifier, which meant nothing to her.

The train rattled along the tracks, making loud cracking noises at crossroads. First Light peered out through the window to see the green countryside roll by. Green was replaced shortly wit rows of wheat, and returned to green soon after. The lush green fields were slowly overcome by trees and shade fell over the train.

While it was overcast, the pink Alicorn with the rainbow mane laid her head against the window and closed her eyes to get some rest. The glass was cooler than the air within the train car, like a hard pillow. She hadn't slept well the night before she had left, and the fatigue set in, whisking her away to darkness.

She found herself in a familiar setting, the Ponyville Library. Around her stood Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Their mouths moved, but no words were coming out of the flapping lips. First Light looked around, confused at first, but felt calm and happy for some reason. Suddenly, she found herself shouting facts from her bio at the six mares around her. For some reason, she did not care.

The mane six were frantically trying to get First Light's attention, to no avail. First Light continues spewing facts at them. Suddenly, she fell silent as the grave, leaving the room in utter silence. Two words began in a low buzz, but quickly grew to an unbearable volume.

“Best Pony.”

First Light disregarded the words, as if they had no meaning to her. The room fell black, the only illumination seeming to come from the six ponies around her. She looked at them all and shrugged off the two simple words. In an instant, she had flown higher than ever before, and was diving quickly towards the earth. Pulling up at the last second, she created a Sonic Rainboom, and immediately found herself in the dark room again, surrounded by only five ponies, lacking Rainbow Dash. First Light found herself in the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, with an amazing party she had put together herself, and apples she had bucked in baskets all around the room. It was like a flash, and she was back in the Library, but now Pinkie Pie and Applejack were gone. Rarity was wearing a beautiful dress now. She posed, and the dress fell to pieces, the pattern still attached, and she faded from view. Now only Twilight and Fluttershy remained with First Light. Fluttershy was talking with a squirrel and First Light shouted something at the animal, she did not know what. The squirrel barrelled into the darkness, and Fluttershy faded, following after it.

First Light looked to Twilight. She suddenly felt very cold. She felt alone. The darkness scared her. The loneliness scared her. She had driven away the ponies she had decided were her friends. It dawned on her. The truth. Her pride had gotten the best of her. She did not want to lose Twilight, so she hid her head in her hooves and did not move. Suddenly, she felt a hoof on her head, patting it like a young filly. First Light raised her head to see Twilight smiling down at her, as if to tell her it was all okay.

“It's all okay now.” Twilight said. “You just need to see the light.”

First Light looked up and wiped a tear from her eye as Twilight reached a hoof down to her in help. She nodded and reached to take the hoof that had been offered as light enveloped them both.

First Light took a deep breath as she stared back out through the window, finding her view obstructed by her rainbow coloured mane that had flopped down over her eyes. Quickly brushing it away, she straightened her back, which now felt like she had been carrying a ton of bricks. Her back cracked a few times, sending a gratifying feeling through First Light's body. Looking about, she found that the happy couple had departed from the train, apparently they had stopped at some point while she had been asleep. A new stallion sat alone on the other side of the train car, and the salespony was still clutching his trunk.

“Best Pony.” That's what she had been called. Her bio had decided that she was the best pony in the entire land of Equestria and beyond, and had caused her to be the most condescending pony there could be.

Suddenly, First Light caught sight of a mare in a clearing, struggling with a broken wheel on her trailer. Pity overcame the Alicorn as she looked for a way off of the train, so she could help her. She was not disappointed as she charged out of the back door of the caboose and jumped off of the train. Her wings took hold as she fluttered away from the speeding mass of the train.

Gracefully touching down, First Light charged off in the direction of the clearing, hoping she could find the mare who had been struggling. She stared back at the locomotive which moved away from her, and mulled over her decision. Sh shrugged her shoulders and continued her search for the clearing.

It was only a few minutes before she found the place she had been looking for, and the mare was still struggling with her load. Apparently, one of the wheels of the trailer had broken while it was rolling.

“Hello?” First Light called over to her as she stepped over rocks and tall grass to reach the mare. Now that she could see her clearly, First Light noted the cloak an witch's hat the mare wore, which was covered in an intricate pattern of stars. The cloak was tattered and mud stained at the bottom, and the hat was misshapen with stains covering the rim from sweat and rain.

Upon hearing the voice, the mare turned around. Her fur was a light sky blue, almost matching her mane. She looked angry, her eyes half closed but outlined with a thin watery layer of tears. She quickly turned away and wiped her eyes before turning back to the pink Alicorn with an attempted look of dignity on her face.

“Yes?” The blue mare asked in a slightly shaky voice.

“What seems to be the problem?” First Light asked, offering a polite smile, acting as if she hadn't seen the teary eyes of the mare and the broken wheel. She hoped it would help the mare feel more secure that her cover up had worked, and might make her feel better.

“Nothing.” The blue mare shook her head. “Just a quick break before getting back on the road.”

“Want some help?” First Light asked, peering over at the broken wheel as if she had just noticed it. “I think I might be able to fix that.”

“There's no point.” The blue mare shook her head faster. “It'll just end up breaking again. You just can't get quality these days.”

“Well, I think there's a town just a few miles that-a-way.” First Light nodded in the direction the train had come from. She was sure there had been a stop just a while before they had stopped. “If I can get your wheel rolling, we could get you a good one in town.”

“No!” The mare stepped back and stomped a hoof on the ground. “I-I mean... There's no shop in town. But there might be in the next one over.”

“Can I at least help you get there?” First Light began to survey the broken wheel.

“That is very kind of you.” The blue mare smiled weakly. “B-but there's no need. It' just a few miles.”

“I'd be happy to help.” First Light said. “It's no problem at all.”

“You don't even know who I am.” The blue mare frowned. “It would be better if you didn't. But it is very kind of you to help. What's your name?”

“Best...” First Light had to think for a moment. “Sorry, my name is First Light, and what's yours?”

“I,” the blue mare stood up on her hind legs and let the tattered cape flow behind her, “am the great and powerful Trixie!”

Chapter 2: Rolling Along

“So, what is it you do?” First Light asked as she was using her magic to Jerry rig the wheel on the trailer so her and Trixie could move on.

“I suppose since you'll be with me a while, I could tell you...” Trixie was unsure of whether to share at first, but she suddenly got a look of confidence in her face. “I am the most amazing sorceress in Equestria.” Trixie hopped up on her hind legs again. She suddenly became very embarrassed and put all four hooves back on the ground, almost stumbling. “At least... I was.”

“What happened?” First Light asked, half paying attention while spinning the fixed wheel.

“It's a long story.” Trixie shook her head. “Let's just say I let my ego get the best of me.”

“Really?” First Light perked up. “That happened to me once too.”

“I hardly think it ended the same way.” Trixie muttered, hooking up to her trailer.

“All done!” First Light smiled, not hearing what Trixie had said. She kicked the wheel to make sure it could hold weight. “Let's go!”

Trixie adjusted her cloak to get comfortable and started pulling on the old trailer. First Light took a good look at the side of the trailer as it passed her. She saw the faded outline of writing on the weathered side of the trailer. She attempted to read the letters, but it was difficult. She got the basic idea that it was a showpony trailer from the extravagant details that had been painted on.

“So, you said you're a magician?” First Light tried to make conversation with Trixie.

“Sorceress.” Trixie corrected, almost coldly. Then she thought for a moment, and bit her lip as if it had hurt to say the words. “I'm a sorceress.”

“But what do you do?” First Light asked. “Sorceress is a pretty vague job.”

“I tell stories about amazing adventures.” Trixie stated.

“Yours?” First Light was interested, she sped up to get up next to Trixie.

“Well...” Trixie slowed down. “I guess they are my stories...”

“Like what?” First Light kept in step with Trixie, but Trixie did not make eye contact.

“Well, there was this one time I-” Trixie stopped herself and the trailer altogether. She stared directly at the ground.

“Is it heavy?” First Light asked, looking Trixie over for signs of fatigue. “I could take it for you. I was raised on a farm... Well... Not really, I guess...”

The two of them sat very still for a moment, thinking over their different lives. Suddenly, Trixie looked up and nodded to First Light. She unhooked from the trailer and helped the other mare into the harness. First Light struggled at first, but soon got a good pace going and kept it.

“What about you?” Trixie asked, catching up with First Light. “What do you do?”

“I'm going on an adventure.” First Light said excitedly. “I'm going to find out what I'm meant to do. What my special talent is.”

“Well,” Trixie looked down at First Light's flank, “it's obviously not fixing waggon wheels. If only we didn't need wheels...” Trixie thought for a moment. “Aren't you a little old not to have a cutie mark?”

“Not really.” First Light shook her head, feeling her mane brush against her ear, and she realized something. “Oh no! I forgot my hat on the train... It was a gift...”

Trixie put a hoof on her hat, as if protecting it. “We'll just have to get you one in town.” She quickly reverted to the original question. “What do you mean you're not too old not to have a cutie mark?”

“I was only born a couple weeks ago.” First Light smiled.

“A couple weeks ago?” Trixie was confused. “How is that even possible? You're fully grown. Unless...”

“Yeah.” First Light giggled. “Most ponies get it in the first four sentences.”

“You're a crazy mare.” Trixie noted hastening her steps. “I should have known. Nopony just offers help for no reason. You're a serial killer. You're going to take me deep into the woods, chop me up into little pieces and then move on to the next town, where you'll find another unsuspecting mare and drag her into the woods, on and on until somepony has the willpower to stop you!” She started to panic herself, causing little sparks of magic to bounce out of her horn.

“No, no, no.” First Light soothed. “Never chopped anyone up before.”

“Oh.” Trixie calmed down instantly. “So you're not a crazy mare?”

“Nope.” First Light shook her head.

“If you were, would you tell me?” Trixie asked. “You would tell me if you were a serial killer?”

“Well...” First Light thought it over. “Probably not. But I can assure you that I'm not a serial killer. I Best Pony Promise.”

“You what?” Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“I Bes-” First Light caught herself. “Oh, um... I promise.”

“You know,” Trixie noted, “that's actually a pretty good story, I think I will use it in my next performance. How The Great and Powerful Trixie Slayed The Wandering Crazy Mare!”

“That sounds like a good one!” First Light nodded. “Wait... You just make up your stories? You don't base them on your own adventures.”

“I-” Trixie stammered. “What I mean is...” Trixie couldn't think of what to say in response. She didn't want to flatly say that she just made up her entire story.

The two of them walked for a stretch, just admiring the scenery and keeping conversation to a minimum. The only time they spoke was when one would trip on a rock or step in a rabbit hole and the other would ask if they were alright. The silence was pretty awkward for Trixie, but First Light smiled the whole time and kept her eyes on the surroundings. Trixie had a few questions for the other mare, whom she had noticed was an Alicorn, her curiosity eventually got the best of her.

“So, um...” Trixie looked for a way to say it. “You're an Alicorn.”

“Yup!” First Light beamed, looking Trixie dead in the eye.

“And you say you're two weeks old.” Trixie stated.

“Yup!” First Light giggled.

“So, how does that work?” Trixie asked, a little condescendingly.

“Oh, yeah!” First Light stopped for a second, causing the trailer to lurch to a stop, pushing First Light a few inches forward and making grooves in the ground. “I'm an OC.”

“A what?” Trixie had no clue what the pink Alicorn with the rainbow mane was talking about.

“An OC.” First Light explained, starting the trailer rolling again. “A pony that wasn't a pony until one day it was a pony and that pony knew what it was based on a story that somepony thought up.”

“So then your a...” Trixie tried to comprehend what First Light had just said. “A-um... A... Who now?”

“My birth name was...” First Light took a deep breath, and Trixie looked around to see if something was coming to get them. First Light held her breath for a second before unleashing a string of names. “ Pinkamena Diane Rainbow Jack Twilight Sunset Shy Responsibility Family Pie Friendship Is Magic Original Character, or Best Pony for short.”

Trixie cocked her head. “And now it's-”

“First Light.” She beamed at her new name. “It's the name I chose after I realized I couldn't live based on my bio, and I needed to find out what I was meant to be.”

“Huh.” Trixie bit her tongue. “That actually kind of makes sense.”

“Don't it just?” First Light smiled, then looked directly ahead. “Boy does time fly! Looks like we're in town!”

“Already?” Trixie asked, looking worried for a moment, then putting on a facade of cool. “Let's stop for some food and a wheel, then we can go get some food.”

“Yay! I need me some fuds.” First Light beamed as she took off down the hill into town, the trailer bouncing behind her.

“Now I know for sure.” Trixie nodded. “She is a crazy mare.”

Author's Note

Here goes Best Pony, runnin' head first into things again! What will become of her?

Chapter 3: The Show Must Go On

The two mares trekked on the dirt road leading into the small town, their hooves dusty and grass stained from their travel. Only now did it occur First Light to wonder why they had taken a path through the woods instead of going by the usual roads. Both her and Trixie were tired from the long walk, so she didn't bother to ask. As the two mares padded their way down the road, they passed an old, weathered sign that read 'Mareford'. First Light was the current barer of the trailer, Trixie had been pulling it for a while before.

“We'll stop up there.” Trixie stated as she motioned to the town square. “We'll put the breaks on and get some lunch.”

“Lunch?” First Light looked up at the sky. “It's almost dinner.”

“No it's not.” Trixie shook her head. “First you have breakfast, then lunch, then dinner. Trixie did not have lunch, therefore Trixie will have lunch now.”

“When will you have dinner?” First Light asked.

“When I can afford it.” Trixie grumbled and pushed on.

First Light let the conversation die and proceeded as Trixie had instructed, stopping in the town square. They put some wooden blocks under the wheels to keep it from rolling away and took a moment to catch their breath. First Light unhooked from the trailer and fixed her mane, using a shop window as a mirror. Trixie fished through her hat to find some bits to pay for lunch. Satisfied that she could afford it, but unsatisfied that lunch was all she could afford, Trixie slipped the bits back into her hat and called the pink Alicorn over.

“I can afford lunch for us both.” Trixie noted. “But if you could contribute a little to the fund, it would help.”

“I spent everything I had on a train ticket.” First Light stated, embarrassed.

“Well...” Trixie looked back into her hat and did a recount. Popping it back on, she continued. “I can pay for us both, I suppose. But you'll need to work it off!” Trixie smiled. “How about you help set up and tear down my next show?”

“I can do that.” First Light nodded. “Maybe I'll get my cutie mark as a stage hand!”

“You remind me of some fillies I met once...” Trixie recalled a bittersweet memory of Ponyville and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “They really wanted their cutie marks.”

“Of course they did.” First Light began bouncing up and down. “Who wouldn't want a cutie mark? It's so cool! So personal! So unique!”

“It is , isn't it?” Trixie looked down at her own cutie mark and shook her flank as if her mark was a cape and would flow in the tiny breeze.

“Definitely!” First Light nodded furiously. “I knew this one pony who had a cutie mark with a lightning bolt rainbow on it, it looked so cool! Maybe mine'll be a lightning bolt too!”

“Rainbow lightning bolt?” Trixie sounded suspicious. “That sounds familiar.”

“Does it?” First Light thought aloud. “Maybe you met her too! Her name was-”

“Do you smell that?” Trixie sniffed the air.

“Smell what?” First Light asked, then quickly covered her nostrils. “Is it gross? Is it a nasty smell? If it is, I don't want to smell it.”

“No...” Trixie took a deep breath of air. “It's... It's... Intoxicating.”

First Light removed her hooves and took a whiff. “Mmm... What is that?”

“I don't know...” Trixie sighed. “But it had better be cheap.”

The two of them followed their senses to where the odour originated. It was a little mom-and-pop pizza shop. The smell from it was incredible to the two mares who hadn't eaten for hours. Trixie walked dreamily into the restaurant, while First Light fluttered in, caught up in the moment.

“How can we help you?” The stallion behind the counter asked, looking up from the register as a mare, presumably his wife, stepped out from the back room.

“Oh my!” She gasped as she noticed First Light and fell to a bow, motioning for her husband to do the same. “Princess! What can we do for you?”

“Princess?” First Light asked, looking over her shoulder.

“What are you talkin' about, eh?” The stallion cocked an eyebrow at his wife. “Princess?”

“Can't you see?” The mare growled. “That's Princess Cadance!”

“Cadance!” The stallion fell to a bow.

“Cadance?” First Light looked over at Trixie. “My old foal-sitter?”

“Pardon?” The mare asked sweetly.

“No, no, no.” First Light shook her head. “I'm not Cadance. I'm just another Alicorn.”

“Just another...” The mare was a little confused. The only Alicorns she had ever heard of were royalty. “Alicorn?”

“There you go again!” The stallion stood up angrily. “Makin' me look silly in front of paying customers.”

“Well!” His wife hissed. “You don't need me to make you look silly, you do that yourself!”

“Ah!” The stallion shook his head. “Get outa my face!”

“Bah!” The mare walked back to the kitchen. “I don't wanna look at your ugly mug anyway!”

The stallion stared angrily in awkward silence. Finally realizing that there were customers in the shop still, he faked a grin and turned back to them.

“So.” He coughed. “How can I help you tonight?”

The two mares stepped out of the restaurant after their wonderful meal and looked up to the sky. The sun was setting and it was almost time for the show to commence. First Light couldn't remember the last time she had had such a good pizza. In fact, she couldn't remember ever having a pizza. Suddenly, Trixie looked at her a little angrily.

“You could have played along.” Trixie frowned.

“What?” First Light was confused.

“You could have played along back there.” Trixie repeated. “When they thought you were Cadance.”

“I look nothing like my old foal-sitter.” First Light shook her head. Then she remembered that the fact that Cadance had been her foal-sitter was in her bio, and not a legitimate fact.

“I know that.” Trixie hissed. “And you know that. But they were completely sure you were Cadance. We could have gotten a free meal or ten out of them.”

“That wouldn't be right.” First Light shook her head. “That would be lying and wouldn't be fair to them.”

“Fair?” Trixie grumbled. “What has fair got to do with it? Was it fair that I was booed out of one show, and never lived it down? Is it fair that I go to bed hungry? First Light.” She turned to look First Light dead in the eye. “A fair is where you go to eat cotton candy and throw up on rides. There is nothing fair about life. The sooner you learn that, the better.” Trixie trotted off to her trailer to get cleaned up for the show. First Light sat in silence for a moment, thinking over what she had just heard.

“The show must go on, I guess...” She shook her head and headed back to set up with Trixie.

The two of them got to work immediately, rolling out the stage attached to the trailer and raising the huge bar for the curtains. They worked in awkward silence, performing their tasks without a word to each other. First Light felt as if she had done something wrong, as did Trixie, but neither one wanted to start the conversation. As they worked, Trixie tried to convince herself that what she had said was correct, and it would have been better if they had lied. But, for some reason she couldn't force herself to think it. In the past, she had easily been able to lie to herself and make herself seem like the victim in any given circumstance, but now it was hard. Ever since her trip to Ponyville, she had a difficult time convincing herself that she was perfect. Now, something about the pink Alicorn with the rainbow mane reminded her of Ponyville, and she was having an even harder time lying to herself.

Trixie bit her lip as the two of them worked to hang the massive curtain with magic. “Look.” She sighed. “What I said earlier. It was wrong. I shouldn't... I shouldn't have been so callous. It would have been wrong to lie to that couple. I'm s... I'm... So-” Trixie was having a little trouble with the last part. “I'm... I regret what I said earlier.” Trixie thought that was about the same thing as saying sorry. She looked over to where First Light had been, but she was nowhere to be found. “First Light?” Trixie finished with the curtain and looked around. “Hello?”

Suddenly, she was tackled to the ground and found herself in the most uncomfortable position ever. She couldn't move at all, she felt another pony's forelegs wrapped around her midsection in the tightest hold she had ever felt, and it knocked the wind out of her. She struggled against it, but it only got tighter. Like a python, it held on tight.

“Apology accepted!” First Light squealed as she held Trixie in the back-shattering hug.

“Need... Air!” Trixie gasped as she pushed against the overly-affectionate Alicorn wrapped around her.

First Light let her go and Trixie dusted herself off. She adjusted the hat on her head and checked for any more dirt on her clothes or body. She suddenly realized that a crowd had gathered, either because of the large stage that had been set up, or the commotion from the hug.

“The show must go on.” First Light smiled at Trixie.

“Curtain up in five minutes.” Trixie nodded and ran backstage. She hoped that the night would not be a total waste of her time as she prepared to give another stellar performance.

Chapter 4: Show Biz

“Welcome, one and all!” First Light cheered from the stage to the crowd gathered around. “To the most amazing, incredible, spectacular show you will ever see! Gather 'round and hear tales of glamour!” First Light struck a pose. “Adventure!” She flew a circle overhead. “And magic!” She sent multicoloured sparks from her horn into the air like fireworks. The crowd cheered at the display. “Please welcome... The Great and Powerful TRIXIE!” At the final word, the crowd erupted further into cheers. First Light ran behind the curtain and pulled the cord, unveiling Trixie standing on her back hooves, with lights and sparks flying around her.

Trixie called for silence and stepped forward onto the stage, First Light used her magic to put a spotlight on Trixie's face. She began her routine as she often had before, using her magic to form shapes of animals and monsters, which she would destroy just as easily. First Light looked at the crowd to see their reactions. They all seemed to be enjoying it a lot, save for a few hecklers.

Throughout the show, First Light noted that Trixie was very passionate about her act, believing every story she heard. The crowd gaped in awe at the spectacle before them, taking in all of the sights.

Suddenly, a unicorn from the crowd called up at the stage. “Come on! This is just a bunch of cheap tricks!”

“Who said that?” Trixie called out, her current display vanishing. “Who dares mock the Great and Powerful Trixie?”

“Me!” The unicorn came forward. She was white with an orange mane which had been curled. “Even I can do those, and I'm no great sorceress.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie does not have to prove herself to you.” Trixie sneered. “Trixie puts on this show out of her own time and will for you ponies to enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, you don't have to be so rude about it, you could just leave.”

Trixie's horn was enveloped with magic as she lifted the rude unicorn off the ground and drifted her out of the crowd. She dropped the unicorn forcefully in an alleyway. She immediately returned to the act, as if nothing had happened.

Even with the heckler, the act went over smoothly, and Trixie had gotten some fairly good reception from the crowd. After returning the trailer to its normal state, Trixie and First Light sat inside. Trixie counted up the money they had made from impressed ponies while First Light relaxed after the long work day.

“I had to try really hard.” Trixie frowned, looking down at the cash. “I had to try really hard not to throw that unicorn across the town.”

“Why?” First Light was surprised. “She was only heckling.”

“She reminded me of another time I had some troubles.” Trixie shook her head. “They were only heckling then too. They thought I was just doing cheap tricks too.”

“What happened?” First Light leaned in, as if Trixie was getting quieter.

“Her and her friends decided to teach me a lesson.” Trixie looked increasingly sadder. “At first, they tried showing me up.” She chuckled. “But I got the best of them. Then they told their smart friend. And then these two little tools woke up an Ursa Minor and let it loose on the town. The smart one took care of it, and I skipped town.” She slouched, a little embarrassed. “I came back later with a vengeance, and kicked the smart one out. I thought I was so clever. But she came back and showed me that power isn't all it's cracked up to be.” Trixie avoided making eye contact with the pink Alicorn that reminded her so much of the town. “I put on a tough-mare act and pretended like they had shown me the light. But from then on I was so confused. I went back to the only thing I knew; show business.” She paused. “Crap. I was gushing, wasn't I?”

“It's okay.” First Light shrugged. “Everypony needs to vent at some point. I remember when I first came to town, I started telling everypony who I was and what it should mean to them. I was a real jerk.”

“Did they laugh at you?” Trixie cocked her head.

“No.” First Light shook her head. “They all didn't really like me, but they still tried to help me get over my ego.”

“That must have been nice.” Trixie sighed, a little bitterly.

“I'm sure the ponies who didn't like you would have done the same.” First Light noted, soothing the blue mare.

“Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?” Trixie attempted to change the subject, looking up from her loot.

First Light looked up. She hadn't considered that. She needed somewhere to sleep, and she could get on with her adventure in the morning.

“I guess I could rent a room.” First Light nodded.

“Well...” Trixie looked for words. “I suppose... You did work very hard today, so...” She looked down. “I suppose you could stay the night here, I have a sleeping bag you could use.”

“Thank you!” First Light squealed as she enveloped Trixie in a hug, restraining herself from making it a back-snapper. “You're the best!”

“Yes, yes.” Trixie nodded, pushing First Light off of her politely and flipping her own mane with a hoof. “I know I am.” She thought for a moment. “What happens tomorrow?”

“I guess we head our separate ways.” First Light bit her lip. This was the first real acquaintance she had made since Ponyville, and she didn't want to just abandon her.

First Light took out the sleeping bag and rolled it out on the floor of the small trailer. There was just enough room for one mare in the bed and one on the floor with a little bit of organization. The rest of the trailer was taken up by props for the show and other such objects. First Light curled up in a ball on the floor and almost immediately fell asleep, not realizing how tired she was until her head hit her forelegs.

The next morning, First Light woke up a little unnerved. She knew she had just had a nightmare, but it was the kind that erases itself from your memory just after you wake up. Shaking her head to clear her mind of the after effects of the dream. The sun had risen outside, and First Light yawned as she pulled herself out of the sleeping bag.

“I might as well get up.” First Light told herself. Looking around the trailer, Trixie was nowhere in sight.

She headed outside where she found it was fairly early in the morning. The sun had only just come up, and the town looked barren. First Light looked around to gain her bearings, and hopefully find Trixie. There was nopony anywhere to be seen, so First Light decided to take a quick stroll around the block and see if she could find her. She walked between houses, making sure she could find her way back to the trailer. She did not want to get lost.

Suddenly, she saw a bright flash from just beyond one of the houses near the edge of the town. More out of curiosity than urgency, First Light rushed out to find out what had made the sound. She found the source in a clearing just outside of town. When she arrived, she stopped dead in her tracks. Standing in the clearing was Trixie, but that was not what frightened her. There was a massive dragon. Teeth like razors, claws like knives, its scales shone in the sun like ruby, and its eyes were like fire. Trixie looked like a mouse in comparison to the gargantuan beast.

The dragon raised its head and an orange glow came from its throat as it opened its mouth.

“It's gonna barbeque her!” First Light gasped as she barrelled in to push Trixie out of the way.

Trixie had enough time to look over her shoulder to see the pink and rainbow blur screeching towards her before it connected with her and both of them skidded across the clearing into the bushes. As soon as Trixie was hit, the dragon stopped moving, then turned into a big red balloon and deflated by spinning and sputtering all around the area before exploding like a firework.

“They don't make dragons like they used to, eh?” First Light was confused more by the exploding dragon balloon than anything else.

“What was that for?” Trixie grumbled, dusting herself off after the tumble.

“Uh, duh?” First Light stated in a matter-of-fact way. “You were just about to be made into some spicy meatball by the most ridiculous dragon ever.”

“I was not.” Trixie shook her head. “I had everything under control.”

“That's not how it looked to me.” First Light replied. “From where I was, you were just standing there. Perfectly still. Doing nothing but waiting to become mare meat.”

“No.” Trixie groaned. “The dragon was my creation. It was just a projection. Not real.” First Light looked confused. Trixie took off her hat to reveal her horn. It started glowing, and within a few seconds a tiny version of the dragon appeared out of thin air. “I was working on it for an upcoming show.”

“So...” First Light wrapped her head around the situation. “You made the dragon.” Trixie nodded. “And it wasn't about to cook your goose? Roast your rump? Toast your tootsies? Burn you to a little itsy bitsy crispy Trixie bit and eat you all up like popcorn?”

“No.” Trixie said flatly.

“Good!” First Light bounced up and down. “Can you do it again?”

“Again?” Trixie asked.

“Everything is better when you see it two or three times.” First Light shrugged. “Like a good movie! Or a book! Or almost getting eaten by a dragon!”

Chapter 5: When The Lights Go Down

“Well...” Trixie shifted slightly, pawing at the ground. “I guess it's time.”

It was about midday, and her cart was all packed and set to travel to a new town. She had bought a new wheel, but kept the old on just in case. The wind was softly blowing through the town square, making the heat of the day much more bearable. Trixie had her hat off as if on ceremony, and had a hard time making eye contact with First Light. First Light in kind did the same thing, almost matching Trixie's mannerisms.

“I guess it is.” She replied, searching for words and trying not to make the silence that followed more awkward. As the silence continued, she slowly built up the will to turn and begin walking away towards new adventures.

“But...” Trixie croaked as First Light began to turn away. “I don't suppose you have to go.”

“Eh?” First Light turned back around to face Trixie.

“Did you enjoy the show?” Trixie asked.

“I really did.” First Light nodded.

“Would you want to...” Trixie bobbed her head from side to side, trying to imply what she meant.

“What?” First Light became excited, but she didn't want to say what she thought out of fear of being told she was wrong.

“You know...” Trixie pawed nervously at the ground. She was doing this more out of pride. The Great and Powerful Trixie asks no pony for help, even if she wants it.

“Yes?” First Light was almost ready to explode from excitement.

“Nevermind...” Trixie shook her head.

“What?!” First Light screamed. “Nevermind?! How can you say never mind now?! I'm on the edge of my seat, waiting for you to ask me something that could change my life! What do you need to say?!”

“Do you want to stay with me!” Trixie was surprised at her own sudden outburst. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she stopped and thought about what she had said. “I mean... Work with me on the show?”

“YES!” First Light squealed as she barrelled into Trixie and enveloped her in a back-snapper. “I had so much fun with the first show! I can't wait to do it again!”

Trixie pushed away from the hug. “Why didn't you ask, then?”

“I thought it would make for a touching moment if you asked.” First Light shrugged. “So, where do we go from here?”

Trixie floundered for a moment, opening and closing her mouth while both trying to comprehend what First Light had said, and how to respond. She looked around, and when she turned back to the pink Alicorn, she was gone. Whipping around to a rattling sound, she saw First Light hooking up to the trailer.

“Next town?” First Light smiled broadly.

Trixie was still confused, looking around to see if anypony else saw or heard what had just happened. Contented that no one saw the exchange, and more importantly Trixie asking for help, Trixie nodded and put her hat on. She walked alongside of First Light as she headed towards the town limits.

“Where do you ant your next show to be?” First Light asked.

“Well, normally, I just head in a line until I find a town.” Trixie shrugged. “It usually works out.”

“Oh!” First Light bounced, causing the trailer to lurch. “Can we go to Ponyville?”

“W-What?” Trixie took a double take. “Ponyville?”

“Yeah!” First Light closed her eyes and giggled at her memory. “It's where I learned to get over myself.”

“Ponyville.” Trixie said flatly.

“Yeah.” First Light nodded, still happy. “Ponyville. There, I met Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rarity. We're like, best friends now.”

“Best friends...” Trixie ground her teeth together. “With them...”

“Well...” First Light paused. “Kinda. It's not like when I decided they were my best friends based on my bio, because now they can actually stand being around me without banging their heads against a wall after I leave.” Trixie stopped, causing First Light to slow the cart to a halt. “What's the matter?”

Trixie stared at her angrily. “I will not go back to Ponyville.”

“You've been there before?” First Light cocked her head.

“Twice.” Trixie shook her head. “You've heard about them.”

“So, that was...” Suddenly, it dawned on First Light. “Oh...”

“Yes.” Trixie nodded.

“I'm sure they'll give you another chance.” First Light offered.

“I don't want another chance.” Trixie grumbled. “I'll just get outshone by that Twilight Sparkle.”

“Princess.” First Light added.

“What?” Trixie frowned.

“She's a princess.” First Light noted. “Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Trixie let out a loud groan. “She's a princess now?”

“I just told you that.” First Light frowned.

“No one would even pay attention to me there.” Trixie shook her head. “All they'd remember is what I did last time and the time before that.”

First Light looked down. She didn't want to argue with Trixie. Trixie may be the first friend she had made on her own, and she didn't want to make things difficult between them.

“Okay.” First Light said calmly. “We don't have to go to Ponyville if you don't want to.”

Trixie nodded slowly. “Good.”

The two of them walked slowly out of town, not saying another word. First Light looked over, hoping to see Trixie smile as if it was all okay. But Trixie kept her eyes fixed on the horizon. First Light couldn't tell if she was hurt, angry, confused, all or none of the above. First Light wanted to say something to make the silence less awkward, or at least start a different conversation.

“So.” First Light nodded, looking over at Trixie. “How about that weather, eh?” Nailed it, First Light thought.

Trixie grumbled. “Sunny.”

“Oh, I know!” First Light bounced as she thought of a better conversation starter. “How'd you get your cutie mark?”

“Doing stuff.” Trixie sighed. “First light. We don't need to talk right now.”

“Oh.” First Light deflated. “Okay.”

The two continued in silence until the sun set and it was time to set up camp. They stopped in a slight clearing in the woods, where trees did not hinder their view of the risen moon. The stars were barely visible by the light of the recently set sun still peeking out across the sky, but the moon was bold in the almost purple sky. Trixie started to secure the trailer to the ground to keep it from rolling while First Light went away to collect firewood. The two had not said much since leaving town, other than when they switched positions.

The ground was riddled with twigs and fallen branches of trees. First Light looked up to the trees above, noting how the fallen appendages were fair distance from their trunks. She assumed that meant there had been a strong wind storm of some sort. Regardless, she collected enough wood for a good fire, laying it across her spread wings so she could carry more, though a fair amount of balance was required. Keeping her eyes fixed on the ground, First Light did her best to dodge potholes left by animals, and rocks which would easily send her head over hooves with a cord of wood on top. As she came into the camp area, she saw Trixie tying a wire from one corner of her trailer to a tree a short distance away. First Light lay the wood neatly on the ground as Trixie flung her cloak and hat over the wire to hang. She peered over her shoulder and stepped over to greet First Light.

“Will this be enough?” First Light asked, nervously.

“More than enough.” Trixie nodded. “We could keep it going all night if we wanted.”

“Cool!” First Light smiled at Trixie. “This is the first time I've ever been camping!”

Trixie politely smiled back. “Well then.” She started kicking at the ground to make a clear spot for a fire pit. “Let's light this candle.”

“I've never seen a campfire before.” First Light looked at Trixie with wide eyes. “What's it like?”

Trixie gave First Light a look. “Like a fire.” She shrugged.

“Cool!” First Light bounced. “The only fire I've ever seen is a little candle, is it like that?”

Trixie groaned. “Yes.” Then she looked First Light in the eye as she got to work putting the fire together. “So, you're an OC. What's that like?”

“What do you mean?” First Light cocked her head.

“Well, I have memories of my childhood, I know where I was three weeks ago.” Trixie thought for a moment, shuddering at the memory of where she was three weeks ago. She had been laughed out of a town after one of her tricks went wrong and had knocked her flat on her face in a mud puddle. She quickly returned to the question. “Did you just wake up somewhere? Was it just, Poof, and you were there?”

“I guess.” It was more of a question than an answer. First Light thought back a few weeks. “I just kind of appeared in a town one day. I didn't really think about where I came from, I was just there. Back then it seemed perfectly natural, and I didn't question it. I had all my memories, and I had my bio, so I knew who I was. Well... Kind of.”

Trixie looked up from the fire pit as the stack of wood began to take shape. “So, that's it? You were just there. No rhyme or reason?”

“Oh, I had lots of rhymes. Wanna hear one?” First Light bounced happily. It had been a while since she had had a song number.

“Maybe a little later.” Trixie smiled. “Once we get settled in.”

Chapter 6: Stars and Stones

The two mares sat around the campfire, the sun had finally taken its leave, and the moon was in full command of the sky. The light of the fire was pleasant, and First Light felt strangely drawn to it. She scooted closer to the pile of burning coals and wood. Now that they were in such a secluded and relaxed environment, Trixie let the troubles and worries of the day go. The two of them sat next to each other on one side of the fire, staring intently into it.

“Do you know the constellations?” Trixie asked, her head turning skyward.

“When I was Celestia's personal student,” First Light looked over to Trixie, “she taught me all of them.”

“What?” Trixie raised an eyebrow.

“When I was Celestia's...” First Light stuttered and stopped mid-sentence. Slamming her front hooves against her forehead repeatedly, more for effect than anything, she clenched her teeth and began grumbling to herself.

“What's the matter?” Trixie put a concerned hoof on First Light's back.

“I keep making these little mistakes.” First Light pouted. “I keep forgetting where my bio ends, and real life begins. It's really hard. You know?”

“No...” Trixie sadly shook her head. “I really don't.”

“Right.” First Light nodded. “You're not...”

“Yeah...” Trixie looked over to First Light.

An awkward silence fell over them, Trixie and First Light began to look around for something to change the subject.

“So, what are they?” First Light asked, looking up to Trixie.

“What are what?” Trixie cocked her head. First Light tossed her head back and stared at the sky. “Oh, the constellations?”

First Light nodded in response.

“Well.” Trixie smiled. This was something she knew all too well. “See those three stars over there?” Trixie motioned to the sky. “Left side of the moon. Right there.” First Light nodded. “Okay. Now, see the two above and two below it in an hourglass shape? That one's called Orion, the hunter.”

“Orion...” First Light smiled.

“Okay, now that one over there.” Trixie helped First Light to see what she was talking about. “That one is Andromeda.”

“Lulimu.” First Light noted.

“Yes?” Trixie looked over at her.

“It's also called Lulimu.” First Light restated.

“Oh. Yeah.” Trixie Lulamoon nodded. “I thought you said something else.”

“What?” First Light asked.

“Nevermind.” Trixie shook her head. “Anyway, do you know the story?” First Light shook her head. “Well.” Trixie lowered her voice. “Andromeda's mother boasted that her daughter was the most beautiful in the universe. The gods were angry, and sent down a monster to eat her. But! She was saved by a demi-god, and she married him. As a testament to the event, the gods put the whole family in the stars as a constellation.”

“That's a very nice story.” First Light smiled broader. “Hey there little Lulimu.” First Light waved at the stars. “What else is up there?” First Light knew most of the constellations, but even she could tell that Trixie liked telling her about them.

Each time, Trixie would make sure that First Light could see what she was talking about before explaining the significance of each constellation. Trixie would use her acting prowess to make each story seem mysterious and magical. For her first time having a real camp-out, First Light was enjoying herself. She looked over at Trixie, taking in the sparkle of wonder in her eyes as she told the tales of the stars. First Light lay back on the ground and took in the sky as a whole, as if it were a portrait. All of the constellations Trixie had described each seemed to have a part to play in the grand picture of the sky. First Light continued to listen to the descriptions and tales of the mythical figures as Trixie lay back as well.

Soon, the world became hazy, and Trixie's voice became distant. First Light's eyelids slowly fluttered down over her bright eyes as the dark sky was replaced with black.

First Light found herself onstage. A crowd of ponies she did not recognize gathered close to the edge, tightly packed together for a chance to see. The area did not seem strange to her, and instead of questioning why she was there, she immediately got to work. She reached up to her top hat and pulled her flight goggles over her eyes. With a flourish, she stood back on her hind legs and fired sparks high into the air, forming constellations above the gathering. It was more fun than she had thought it would be. The sky was black, most likely overcast, and the crowd stared in awe as the fake stars shot up and faded into nothingness.

Suddenly, the unicorn from Trixie's performance was the only one in the audience. She stared up into the sky, completely bored.

“Yeah.” She muttered. “Okay. So you can make sparks. When do you start doing some real magic?”

First Light did not reply, instead she just began summoning more power to make some better illusions. Her horn sputtered and sparked, but nothing came from her efforts. She kept trying to force something, anything to show the unicorn that she could do some incredible magic. The stage behind her exploded and sent her flying into the dark void where the crowd had been. Her top hat fell to the ground, and she pushed her goggled off of her eyes and back onto her forehead.

“You know...” The unicorn sighed, pacing around First Light. “Maybe you would be able to do some magic if you had some training.”

First Light looked up but said nothing.

“Or maybe...” The unicorn stopped. “Maybe if you had some actual talent.”

First Light scowled at the unicorn.

“Oh, I'm sorry.” The unicorn mocked. “Did I hurt your feeling?” She lay down, using the fallen over First Light as a pillow. “See... Trixie. She's talentless. She's got some cheap parlour tricks that she learned from a bit-store book. You, well, you're a different story. You're less than talentless. You can't even do parlour tricks.”

First Light tried to push the rude unicorn off of her, but she was either too heavy, or First Light was too weak.

“Alright.” The unicorn didn't seem to notice the futile attempt to push her over. “So, let's pretend for a moment that you actually have a special talent. What then?” She looked down at the confused face of First Light. “Oh. I get it. You still think you might have one. Let me put it in a way you might understand.” She stood up, and music began to play in the background.
“Born to this world a Mary Sue,
It's all you are, it's all you knew,
Though some said you have a talent,
I'm afraid that's not quite what they meant,
As an OC you have to see,
There's nothing that you're meant to be.”

The unicorn laughed like a maniac before looking First Light straight in the eye. “See. Most OC's are made with a talent in mind. They already have their cutie marks when they wake up. Looks to me like your special talent is not having a cutie mark.”

Suddenly, a blast of blue magic launched the unicorn into the dark abyss surrounding them. First Light looked up to see Trixie galloping towards her.

“Are you okay?” Trixie asked, her voice racked with concern.

First Light nodded.

Trixie picked up the top hat and placed it gently on First Light's head. “It's all okay now.” She smiled gently.

First Light looked around at the darkness.

“You do have a special talent.” Trixie assured her. “You just need to find it. I'm sure you're not the only OC born without a mark. Just keep searching.”

First Light opened her eyes, her neck sore from the way she had been sleeping. She was on her side, and her head had flopped over to the hard ground. Her mouth was as dry as cotton from her mouth hanging open as she slept, and one wing was completely numb. She realized she was still sleeping on the ground, and the dawn was just peeking through the trees. Deciding she couldn't maintain her position any longer, First Light rolled over and came face to face with Trixie, who was calmly and quietly sleeping. She was so close, if she had rolled over just an inch further, she would have jabbed Trixie in the eye with her horn. First Light held her breath, not wanting to disturb the other mare.

Trixie must have fallen asleep right after I did, First Light thought. She peered down at the fire pit, where only smouldering coals of the fire cracked and smoked. The scene of her dream was still vivid in her head, and she rolled onto her hooves. Standing over the fire pit, she focused on the coals and her horn was enveloped in a pink glow. She wanted to do something different. She had levitated things before, and she had made sparks, but she wanted to do something new.

Magically, she brought the coals up around her and began spinning them like orbiting planets around herself.

“I know.” She whispered to herself. “I'll work on my aim.”

Chapter 7: I Got A Name

In the past, First Light had had some trouble with throwing things. She was always able to get speed, but she could never get things where she wanted them to go. Sure, she could pick things up with pinpoint precision, but it was knowing when to let go that eluded her. In her bio, it had stated that she had been taught magic by Princess Celestia herself. Obviously this was not the case, seeing as she only understood the basics of magic.

With the coals held tight in her magical grip, she found a rock at the edge of the clearing. It had a flat surface on a steep incline towards the ground, and was at least as big as First Light was. She placed her hooves firmly on the dirt, so as to make a firm base for herself. She wanted to master throwing things, mostly because it looked so fun whenever somepony else did it. She licked her lips because it made it look like she was concentrating, but she was really thinking about how awesome she would look when she could throw the coals at the rock and watch them explode. Holding back a squeal, First Light began spinning the coals around her quickly, causing them to glow a bright red as the picked up speed.

Unleashing the first coal, First Light dropped the others to the ground as it sailed through the air. She could only focus on one thing at a time, most likely because of her lack of practise and acquired skill. The burning coal came up short and far to the left of the rock. It plunked to the ground, not even exploding in the grass.

“Bummer.” First Light muttered as she looked to where it had fallen, her ears drooping slightly.

Quickly letting go of her first failure, First Light took up the other coals again and began spinning them as she had before. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain on the back of her head. The coals fell to the ground, as did First Light, scratching at the back of her head to get rid of the now searing pain. She brought her blackened fore-hooves to her face as she inspected the remainders of the coal that had struck her.

“Maybe burning coals wasn't such a hot idea.” First Light thought aloud. “Maybe I should try something a little less dangerous.”

First Light quietly moved back over to where she had been sleeping. She sat back down on the grass next to Trixie, who was still quietly sleeping. First Light thought over what she could do to train in magic. She could try throwing things again, but then she would need to go out and find something a little more safe to train with, and then she'd be tired and sore before she even started.

“Too hard...” Trixie started massaging her hooves which felt sore just thinking about all that walking. She whispered more to herself than anyone else. “Maybe I could just wait until Trixie wakes up, and then I could ask her to teach me.” She decided that waiting sounded like the safest plan.

“Sounds good...” Trixie whispered, taking a deep breath as she awoke, her eyes still closed.

“I'm sorry.” First Light cowered. “I didn't mean to wake you up.”

“Don't worry about it.” Trixie said, still sounding dreamy. “Were you having a nightmare last night?”

First Light blushed. “Yeah.”

“After you fell asleep, you were kicking your hooves and panting a little bit.” Trixie slowly opened her eyes.

“Was I?” First Light giggled slightly, imagining herself looking really silly. “Well, it was a weird dream. I was doing a show, and that one jerk from your last show came up and started making fun of me.” First Light explained the dream in great detail, focusing on how she felt physically and emotionally throughout. “... Then, out of nowhere, you came in and saved me! You blasted her with your blue magic and she went goodbye!”

“Blue?” Trixie asked, still a little drowsy. “My magic isn't blue.”

“Isn't it?” First Light cocked her head.

Trixie shook her head. “No, it's pink.” She levitated a coal from the fireplace to prove her point. “See?”

“But...” First Light was confused. She gave her head a shake and changed the subject. “Did you have any dreams last night?”

“Um... No.” Trixie shook her head.

“Why not?” First Light asked as Trixie slowly pulled herself off of the ground.

“I... I don't...” Trixie understood the question, but it was so strange she did not know how to answer. “I just didn't, I guess.”

Trixie stood up on her hind legs and cracked her back, which was sore from sleeping on the ground. The loud crack made First Light cringe.

“Hungry?” Trixie asked, still a little hazy.

First Light looked down at her tummy and rubbed it softly, causing it to grumble.

“I'll take that as a yes.” Trixie chuckled as she moved over to her trailer and stepped inside, the door slamming shut behind her.

“What makes you do that?” First Light asked her stomach, tenderly poking it to try and make the noise again. “And why do you do that when I'm hungry?” To any other pony, the question would sound silly, but to First Light, her stomach growling was an entire unknown phenomenon, and most ponies would not know for sure anyway.

“Breakfast!” Trixie called from inside the Trailer as she pushed her way through the door. “Is served!” She levitated before her a plate of various odds and ends of food she had inside. All semi-fresh and nutritious, it was all Trixie had to offer, and she made a show of it like everything else.

They ate the small rations and First Light hooked up to the trailer as Trixie pulled down the clothesline, throwing her hat back on her head and draping the cape over herself. She gave the trailer a firm push from behind to help First Light get rolling. First Light smiled over her shoulder to the blue mare helping her along as she started to bounce along the uneven turf.

The sun was peaking through the trees at the two mares who marched down the dirt path. It was the road less travelled, but it had been travelled. The two mares made small talk, a welcome change from the near silence of the day before. They paid more attention to each other than the road, the day or their own fatigue. The sun seemed to move quickly across the sky and the road seemed to shorten as the two continued their long hike.

With a long trip behind them, the two mares stopped chatting just long enough to read a sign announcing an upcoming town. It was a town with a low population and a name that was easily forgotten, more a collection of farms around a few houses and shops than a town.

“Looks like we found our next gig.” First Light smiled as they passed the sign.

“There won't be much of a turnout.” Trixie shook her head. “But it could mean a warm meal or two.” Trixie heard her stomach growl.

“Do you normally miss lunch?” First Light asked. “You seem to do that a lot.”

“More often than I would like to.” Trixie sighed. “Food can be too expensive to have three meals sometimes.”

“Have no fear!” First Light stood proudly, halting their movements. “Once we get this show on the road...” First Light looked down at the beaten path. “Once we get this show off the road...” First Light thought for a moment. “Once this show really takes off, you won't ever have to worry about the inflated food prices ever again!”

“You think so?” Trixie asked, her unsure side being brought out by her memories of past failures.

“I know so!” First Light beamed. “As sure as my name is Pinkamena Diane Rainbow Jack Twilight Sunset Shy Responsibility Family Pie Friendship Is Magic Original Character, your show is really gonna bring the top down!”

“As sure as your name is what?” Trixie cleaned her ears as if she had misheard.

“My name is...” First Light thought over her words. She cringed when she realised she had used her old name. “First Light. That's what I meant.”

“How sure are you of that?” Trixie asked, absent mindedly.

“I'm not sure...” First Light frowned, her ears wilting like flowers as Trixie began walking again, leaving her trailing behind.

Chapter 8: Small Town, Small Talk

The two mares stopped the cart in the square of the small cluster. First Light didn't expect that they would get many ponies to attend, but a show was a show, and money was money. They needed to eat something, and food requires money as Trixie frequently reminded First Light. The two of them had quite a bit of money from the last show, so as soon as they put the chocks under the wheels of the trailer, they immediately began to search for a restaurant of some sort.

“There's one!” First Light beamed as she bounced towards a little building with the word 'Cafe' on the front. The letters were faded, but still apparent, as First Light noticed. The little building had been painted white, but had become stained and dulled over the years. There were a few chairs and tables on the patio, all in sub-par conditions. The whole place looked sketchy, but it promised a meal, and neither First Light nor Trixie could complain about such a promise.

A little bell jingled as the door to the cafe was jostled open. There was a mare behind the counter at the other end of the small room who seemed to be the opposite of her surroundings. The restaurant was dull and depressing, but the mare behind the counter seemed all too happy to see two new faces. She was a plump mare with a pink mane and blue fur, with dimples in her cheeks from constantly smiling. Before Trixie and First Light were even through the door, they were hit with the aroma of hot soup and fresh bread, causing their stomachs to growl in unison.

“Well, what can I get you?” The happy mare smiled wider, if possible, as if she heard the hungry tummies of the two mares.

“Whatever smells so good.” Trixie moaned, taking deep breaths through her snout to absorb as much of the odour as possible.

“I second that...” First Light nodded, almost drooling at the smell.

“Sure thing.” The mare turned away from them for a moment and stepped over to the stove behind her. She masterfully poured two bowls of piping-hot soup and slid them onto the counter before heading back to retrieve a basket of bread.

“How much will this all be?” Trixie asked, staring down at the food which looked like a gourmet meal after a long day of walking.

“Well, normally...” The jolly mare looked down at the counter where she had a list of prices scratched onto a piece of paper. “It would all be about fifteen bits.”

First Light's stomach growled louder than before.

“But...” The mare bobbed her head from side to side. “You two seem like you've had one hay of a day, so how's an even ten bits sound?”

“That sounds awsome!” First Light smiled back.

“It smells even better...” Trixie mumbled as she magically fished the bits out of her hat and dropped them onto the counter next to the soup.

Their horns lighting up, Trixie and First Light took up their bowls and bread and headed for the nearest table. Instead of being proper or polite and using the spoon awaiting her, Trixie dropped her head into the bowl and began lapping up the soup. First Light followed suit, pausing for breath only when she really needed to.

“My, you must have been hungry.” The mare at the counter noted.

“Very.” First Light nodded, her bowl empty and her stomach mildly contented.

“When was the last time you ate?” The mare joked. “You look like you haven't had a good meal in days.”

“Not since yesterday morning.” Trixie shook her head, completely ignoring the joking tone of the chef's voice.

“Oh my!” She blinked, her smile almost becoming a mere grin. “Would you care for some more?”

“I would care very much.” Trixie nodded, levitating her bowl and First Light's over to the counter along with ten more bits.

“Thank you!” First Light called back into the restaurant as the two mares headed back to the trailer to prepare for the show. Their stomachs were full, and now they could focus on the task at hand.

First Light began helping in every way she could. Since she was still new to the show, she still just did as she was told; moving things, putting things up, taking things down, not putting things there, learning what could and could not be licked. All in all the operation was a little bumpy, but the show was set up, and that was all that mattered at that point. As they put the final touches on the set up, a group of ponies had begun to gather around them, wondering what all the noise was about.
“I'll go get ready backstage.” Trixie whispered into First Light's ear. “You keep the crowd entertained while I prepare.”

“Sure thing.” First Light nodded, turning to Trixie and looking her in the eye. “Break a leg.”

Trixie smiled and hurried into the trailer which was serving as backstage. The sun had set and the lamps around the square were lit, but the light they provided paled in comparison to the white-hot spotlights Trixie and First Light had set up.

First Light cleared her throat. “She-ponies and He-ponies! Creatures of all shapes and sizes, lend me your ears!” She shot a rainbow of sparks into the air.

“Why would we want to do that?” A pony in the back called out. Either his or her voice was assaulted by an odd accent, or he had no idea how to speak plain English. “I need my ears.”

First Light internally sighed, pretending to ignore the comment. “Tonight may very well be the best night of your young lives! Tonight, you will be witness to some of the most spectacular tricks ever performed on stage anywhere in Equestria! You will hear tales of bravery and terror, of love and loss, of creatures you may never have seen before!” First Light jumped into the air and spread her wings in a flourish of colour and light, causing the audience to gasp in awe.

First Light was now out of filler and needed a sign that she could introduce Trixie. She stepped back and looked to see if Trixie would give her the go ahead. Unfortunately, she saw nothing, and needed to continue with filler somehow.

First Light looked around nervously. “Please, folks, put your hooves together for the fantastic, stupendous,super, cool, awesome, epic, totally not bogus, incredible, indispensable, irreplaceable, insurmountable, inedible-”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie!” Trixie burst forth from the trailer, prompting cheers out of the crowd. She side stepped over to First Light while the applause were still raining down. “Laid it on a teensy bit thick there, eh?”

“Sorry.” First Light blushed. She walked off stage to where she could magically control the lights for a dramatic effect throughout the show. As Trixie began to spin her tale before the crowd, First Light studied how Trixie drew the observers in with a mastery of showmanship and dramatic effects. Although all of her stories were made up, she managed to paint a realistic enough picture for her audience, inciting gasps and cheers.

When the show was said and done, Trixie and First Light sat comfortably in the trailer which was now a trailer again. Trixie sat counting the money they had been graced with, and First Light calmly lay on the floor, resting after a long walk and a short show.

“That was a pretty good turnout for a small town.” Trixie smiled at the bits that were now arranged neatly.

“I thought so.” First Light nodded, ushering in a silence which made Trixie uneasy.

In her unease, she had time for a memory to rush into her mind. “Are you alright?”

First Light rolled her head back to make eye contact with Trixie. “What do you mean?”

“After what I said earlier...” Trixie bit her lip. “I realize that it wasn't in very good taste.”

“What do you mean?” First Light was obviously confused.

“Well, you know...” Trixie nodded, as if it would throw a switch in First Light's head.

“No, I really don't.” First Light frowned.

“When you had the slip with your name.” Trixie forced the words out. “You slipped back to your old name. You were trying to make me feel more positive, and I just kind of shot you down.”

“It's 'kay.” First Light shrugged.

Trixie scowled. “No. No it really isn't.”

“What's wrong?” First Light cocked her head, startled by the sudden anger in Trixie's voice.

“Way too often, ponies say that everything is okay when it's not.” Trixie shook her head. “They treat it like a cure-all for the situation, like just because they say everything is okay, it is.”

“Trixie...” First Light rolled over to look Trixie in the eye from the right side. “I'm not saying it's okay just to shut you up or anything. What I mean is that you don't need to worry about it. I didn't take it personally. But...” First Light stood up and stepped slowly over to where Trixie sat. She put a hoof over Trixie's shoulder and pulled her in for a gentle hug. “I accept your apology.”

With her head over First Light's shoulder, the cog-wheels in Trixie's head began to spin, concocting a way she could possibly show her new friend what she meant to her. To Trixie, First Light was not just a friend, she was her closest friend. Sure, she had fans, but that was not the same. First Light meant something more than just blind compliments, she had been kind to her without even knowing who she was. It may have been a small gesture, but she wanted to do something big for First Light. If only she could think of something.

The hug broke as First Light pulled her hoof back. She paced back over to where she had lay before, and flopped back down on the floor. Her eyes almost instantly grew heavy. Her limbs felt numb as her vision blurred and she could feel a sinking sensation as the world grew dark around her.

Author's Note

-I'm glad the two of them are starting to come together. What could Trixie be planning? Stay tuned and find out!
-Cog Out.

Chapter 9: Coming Home

For weeks now, Trixie and First Light had been doing the same routine. They would go from town to town, putting on shows with great artistic flare. The two mares would take days in between for travel and rest as they saw fit, getting their meals when they arrived in towns. Though food was not abundant with them, Trixie and First Light were happy. The applause Trixie received at the end of every show was well worth the long days of walk and effort to put up and take down the lights and stage. Everywhere they went brought new challenges, but also fun. Hecklers were dealt with simply and effectively, and the show was fairly popular with the crowds.

Now, the two of them were headed in another direction. They had been travelling for two days, and it seemed only Trixie knew where it was they were going. She had determination in her strides, noted First Light. For some reason, she had a look of absolute determination in her eyes as well, coupled with a hint of disdain, or was it sorrow? Regardless, First Light followed her friend with total trust, knowing that in the time that First Light had known her, Trixie always knew where to go for a good show.

Suddenly, First Light felt an odd sense in her head. For some reason, the surroundings began to feel familiar. She couldn't put her hoof on where she was, but she knew she had been there before. The trees had receded into the landscape upon the horizon, and the area was now blanketed in fields of fresh green. The town could be seen from far down the road, so First Light began to pick out different shapes. The town was not huge, it wasn't even very big, but it apparently housed a multitude of ponies, because it seemed to be teeming with activity.

“Is that where we're headed.” First Light asked, pulling the trailer.

“Yes.” Trixie said flatly and solemnly.

“Is something wrong?” First Light asked, concern evident in her voice. “You haven't talked much in a while.”

“No.” Trixie said just as flatly. “I'm okay.”

“Trixie.” First Light stopped. “You said you hate it when ponies say everything is okay when it isn't. I know something is wrong. So tell me what the matter is, or I'm not moving another step.”

Trixie sighed. “I really mean it. Everything is fine. I'm just nervous about this next show.”

“Why?” First Light cocked her head. “What makes this one different?”

Trixie grinned, looking fondly over at First Light. “You'll see. Just wait.”

Not waiting for First Light to start moving again, Trixie started on down the road. First Light knew she would not get another word out of Trixie, so she gave the trailer a tug and followed the blue mare.

Something definitely felt familiar, but what could it be? As the two mares neared the town, First Light seemed to become hypersensitive to detail. Every blade of grass seemed to be screaming with familiarity. The entire landscape seemed as if it had come straight out of a dream, hazy in memory, but so strangely real.

“First Light.” Trixie squinted into the distance. “I can't seem to make out the sign up there, can you?”

“Sure...” First Light looked in the direction Trixie was fixated on. “It says...” First Light squinted harder to make out the words. “Welcome to...” She paused, reread the sign, and gasped loudly. “Omigoshomigoshomigosh! Really?! Seriously!?” She looked over to Trixie who offered a smile in response. “PONYVILLE!” First Light squealed. Forgetting how tired she was, First Light burned rubber-or wood to get to Ponyville on the horizon. Trixie giggled a little at the silly young mare, though a feeling of unease still lingered on her mind.

The run quickly became a race as Trixie caught up to First Light and First Light gave her a coy smile. They maintained a neck in neck pace, even though First Light had the load of the trailer. She barely felt it, whether because of her excitement, or the fact that a certain blue mare was giving her a magical push.

By the time they reached the edge of town, both mares were panting and tired. Without saying a thing, they knew what the other was thinking. The run had been a bad idea. But who cared? Neither of them, they were in town, and couldn't wait to get a hot meal and put on a good show.

“I... Win!” First Light managed in between pants.

“Nah...” Trixie shook her head. “No one... Can best... The Great and... The Great and Pow... Trixie!” She almost fell over. Balancing herself against the trailer, she began to look for a way into town that would not attract attention. Main street was out of the question. She looked towards some old houses with alley ways running next to them and decided that they were the best choice. She guided First Light towards the alley and kept her quietly on the path to a place she knew no one would see them until they wanted to be seen.

“Isn't this Sweet Apple Acres?” First Light asked as they stopped behind an old barn.

“Yes.” Trixie nodded.

“How are we hidden here?” First Light looked around. Nopony was there, but that didn't mean on of the Apples wouldn't come looking for something and find them.

“Well, the only reason they would come out is for equipment, right?” Trixie began. “The way I see it, bucking is done for the day, so we should be fine until tomorrow.”

“I getcha.” First Light nodded.

“So, I'll hold down the fort if...” Trixie paused. “Y'know, if there's anyone you want to visit before the show tonight.”

First Light thought to herself. She would love to go screaming into the library, or pull Rainbow Dash through a cloud, or hide in Pinkie Pie's hair and jump out at her. But she decided she had a better idea.

“Let them come to the show.” First Light grinned. “Let them be surprised.

“Oh!” Trixie slapped her forehead. “That reminds me of part two of your present.”

“Present?” First Light cocked her head. “You mean you did all of this just for me.” She then remembered what Trixie had said about her last time in Ponyville. “You did!”

“Yup, and there's a part two!” Trixie nodded.

“What is it?” First Light asked intently.

“I'm going...” Trixie almost whispered, building suspense like a true showpony. “To let...”

“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?!” First Light squealed, unable to contain her excitement.

“I'm going to let you star in the show tonight!” Trixie shot sparks into the air with a dramatic flare.

First Light nearly fell over. She pawed at her mane in excitement, making it look almost as frizzie as Pinkie Pie's.

“Really?” First Light asked, her eyes looking frenzied.

“Yes.” Trixie nodded kindly.

“Really-really?”

“Yes. Really-Really.”

“Really-really-really?”

“How many times are you going to ask?” Trixie rolled her eyes.

After asking about eight more times, First Light resorted to saying “Omigoshomigoshomigosh.” Over and over again.

“I didn't think you would get that excited about it.” Trixie noted as First Light rolled around on the ground chanting to herself.

“I'm gonna be a star!” First Light continued to paw at her mane, the rainbow colours melding together.

“I'm glad that your happy.” Trixie patted the pitiful looking First Light who was giggling on the head. “But we need to get ready for the show.”

“What am I gonna do?!” First Light suddenly roared, pounding her hooves on the ground. “I don't know what I'm gonna do!”

“Well...” Trixie noted. “Who not your bio?”

“My what?” First Light stopped pounding.

“Your bio.” Trixie smiled. “All my stories are stories, and it's nice for me to dream. I thought you would like to do a show about your bio.”

First Light's mouth hung open and she stared blankly at Trixie. At first, Trixie thought she would be mad, after all, she had just confronted the fact that First Light's life story was fake. Then she did something unexpected. She stood up and wrapped Trixie in a hug, as she had done many times before. But this time it was not a formality, or to comfort her, it was more out of thanks and gratitude.

“Thank you so much...” First Light managed. “This... This will be... You won't regret this...”

“I'm sure I won't.” Trixie hugged back. As the embrace broke, First Light wiped her eyes. “Now, only one question remains...”

“Yeah?” First Light asked. “What's that?”

Trixie smiled. “What are you gonna wear?”

Author's Note

Welcome home, First Light!
-Cog Out.

Chapter 10: Come To The Show

As soon as the sun began to set upon the horizon, the two mares set out to set up for the show in the middle of town. First Light knew the ponies of Ponyville would recognize her immediately, so she decided to wear a dark cloak while she did her work. Trixie did the same, knowing ponies would recognize her as well. It was good for First Light to be back. Looking around at the small town she had called home for part of her short life, she felt nostalgia grip her heart. It was as if each little detail of the town carried some sort of memory with it. The main street where she had made her grand entrance, the orchards in the distance where she had waited in anticipation of 'cousin Applejack', and all of the various outlets the Ponyvillains were always going in and out of. The town seemed to almost be falling asleep as hoof traffic slowed and fewer ponies roamed the streets.

“So long as we keep my sign out of sight, we should be fine.” Trixie noted. It almost pained her not to have the sign out and be the centre of attention, but she knew it was for a good reason, and kept her gripes to herself.

“I really can't thank you enough.” First Light smiled over at Trixie, though it was hard to tell under the dark hood of the cloak.

“You don't need to.” Trixie laughed. “This is me saying thank you.”

“Well, thank you for the thank you!” First Light giggled.

“Oh!” Trixie's eyes went wide.

“What did I do?” First Light looked around to see if something had fallen over.

“I just realized that you could use a stage name!” Trixie looked excited.

“What do you mean?” First Light cocked her head. “What's wrong with First Light?”

“Nothing is wrong with it.” Trixie shook her head. “But you need something to grab ponies' attention. Like 'The Great and Powerful First Light! But not that. That's my thing. Patent-pending as a matter of fact!”

“Hmm...” First Light thought aloud. “I'll get back to you on that.”

“Don't take too long.” Trixie warned.

The two continued to work, chattering as they went, until the whole stage was set up. First Light had seen the stage set up before, but now it was in a new light for her. It all seemed so much bigger now, as if it would swallow her up. Trixie walked over and affectionately draped a hoof over First Light's shoulder.

“You'll be great.” Trixie assured. “I know it.”

“I really hope so.” First Light smiled as the two unicorns got back to work.

First Light sat in the darkened trailer dressed in a top hat with goggles wrapped around the base, as well as a dark coloured cape. Her heart was racing as she thought of what she was about to do. She had told many ponies about her bio before, but never like this.

“Why am I so nervous now?” First Light asked herself. “I've done musical numbers, random outbursts, told my story hundreds of times. So, why is it affecting me now?”

She sat on the bench and swung her rear hooves back and forth under her, the tips of them just grazing the wooden floor. Outside, she could hear Trixie putting the final touches on the stage as ponies began to curiously gather around. Hoof-steps came near as First Light looked up.

“Are you ready for this?” Trixie asked, coming into the trailer and taking off her cloak.

“I think so.” First Light managed a smile even though her stomach felt like a butterfly sanctuary.

“It'll be fine, Best Pony.” Trixie winked. First Light had decided on that name because it reflected the persona she would be performing. “I'll see you on stage.”

“Wait.” First Light called out.

“What's the matter?” Trixie cocked her head as she turned back.

“What do I do when I'm out there.” First Light asked. “I've never had a captive audience before.”

“Just pretend that you're having a conversation, and the other pony can't talk back.” Trixie shrugged.

“That's it?” First Light asked. “No imagining them in underwear? No pretending they're all my grandmother? No pretending that it's just one person?”

“No. Just talk like you normally do, just more dramatic.” Trixie stated as she began to leave again. “You're on in five. Break a leg.”

“Why would I want to do that?” First Light cocked her head and inspected her four legs. “I need ALL OF THEM!”

First Light was left in silence as Trixie trotted out onto the stage. She went back to swinging her hooves back and forth as she waited for the show to begin. Never having performed before, First Light found that the excitement she was feeling came not from actually having to go out on stage, but the mere thought of having to put herself out there again. The last time she had done a performance of any kind in front of other ponies, she had just come to town, and was still being called Best Pony. Now, she was going by that name again, not because she thought she was, but because it gave her persona more of a set up.

Meanwhile, out on stage, Trixie used her magic to dim the stage lights as she set a mysterious scene. Her cloak was draped over her face, only the glow of her horn cast light upon it. By now, a herd of curious ponies of all shapes and sizes had come to see what all the excitement was about.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts...” Trixie began, her voice like thunder. “Welcome one and all, to an evening of incredible feats and trickery.” Trixie got up on her rear hooves and stood dramatically, allowing the slight breeze to stir her cloak. “Tonight you will hear a tale like no other. One of incredible courage, fear, joy and sorrow.” She tossed her head back to add to the drama, only to have the hood slide off her head and reveal her identity to the crowd.

“Hey!” A pony shouted. “Isn't that Trixie?” The stallion trotted closer to the stage. “Hey! Yeah, it is! It's that crazy mare who tried to take over the town!”

A few grumbles and boos were heard as some ponies turned for home. Trixie looked longingly over the crowd. For the first time, she hoped she would see a familiar face. Someone who would give her a chance. Most of all, she needed to go on with the show. Another first for Trixie came immediately after. She thought of how she needed to get on with the show for First Light. Her thoughts were for somepony else. Trixie had put so much effort into making this happen, and she would not let it be ruined because of her. It was a selfless thought, but Trixie did not dwell on it at that time.

“Will everyone please put their hooves together,” Trixie stammered, “for the one, the only, The Incredible Best Pony!”

At that, she sent a flurry of sparks into the air and blew open the curtains, revealing a pink Alicorn with a rainbow mane standing behind it. The Alicorn wore a top hat with motorcycle goggles on the band, and a dark cape.

A few heads turned towards the newcomer. A few chuckled, recognizing her, while others groaned at the Alicorn.

“Not another one.” A loud pony groaned out above the others.

“Shh.” The pony next to it hushed. “This could be fun.”

Chapter 11: First Light Shines

Music began building in the background, causing the audience to look around for a source. When none was found, they turned their attention to the stage and let the music rise. First Light came forward, dropping her cloak behind her and taking centre stage.
She took a deep breath. “W-When...” She coughed nervously. “When I wake up in the mornin', the sun rises up with me!” She shook slightly. There was no sound from the audience. Her heart sank, and she was overcome with an awkward feeling. Last time she had been in Ponyville, she had been so confident, and it was as if the music flowed from the very ground beneath her. The music was still there, but it seemed as if there was no spirit to it anymore.

Taking a deep breath, First Light was determined to continue with the act, no matter what. “When I'm walkin' down the street, everypony turns to see!” There was still no sound from the crowd. Her breath became heavy, and her heart beat heavy and fast in her little chest. First Light's eyes began to dart back and forth over the audience, looking for somepony, anypony who showed any sign of interest in her act. Her bottom lip began to quiver, as she almost panicked right then and there.

She thought to herself, I can't give up now. She did her best to steady her lip and continued almost immediately. “As problems come to town, I'm the best that there can be!”

The same, awkward silence fell over the crowd. As First Light's voice trailed off, the music which hung in the air seemed to falter slightly. First Light's cheeks flushed red as she looked hopelessly over the crowd. The silence was almost deafening. Suddenly, a few ponies remembered where they had heard this before, and joined in. “Best Pony, Best Pony! Best Pony, Best Pony!” The few who joined were enough to encourage First Light.

“In the evenin's when I sleep, when the night begins to creep. I see my bestie Luna, and help her raise the moon-a! 'Cause I'm-”

“Best Pony, Best Pony! Best Pony, Best Pony!” The ponies who had joined in were now smiling and getting into the song. A couple more joined in, while others were still sceptical. The music slowly died away and the crowd clapped. Some clapped politely, others were excitedly clapping and cheering.

First Light's face lit up like a candle. Her quivering lip turned into a wide grin from ear to ear as she took a quick bow to the audience. With not a second to spare, First Light adjusted her hat and quickly prepared herself for her next song.

She went on to near-expertly tell her bio to the crowd. First Light started with when she was born, the first Alicorn to be born in two thousand years. More amazingly, she was the link between the Pie's and the Apple's of Ponyville. She was raised at Sweet Apple Acres, becoming the best Apple-Bucker in the land. Best Pony had frequent play dates with Applejack and Pinkie Pie. While she was still young, she was quickly found by Celestia and taken in as her secret star pupil, before even Twilight Sparkle. Once she took on Twilight as her new student, Celestia discovered that there was no more for her to be taught, so Best Pony was sent out to learn all about everything in Equestria.

At that point, First Light sent sparks into the air in the shape of a map of Equestria.

While she was learning all about Equestria, she went to Cloudsdale, where she attended a camp for junior fliers. There, she met a young filly who she was able to teach her favourite aerobatic move to. The Sonic Rainboom.

First Light created a rainbow of sparks above the crowd as she let her words echo.

On the day of the big race, Best Pony went down to earth with Fluttershy, showing her how to expertly talk to animals.

Using magic, First Light made a flurry of butterflies spin around her.

After her stint with the animals, Best Pony took her time going around Equestria fighting evil dragons and helping ponies far and wide. Her reputation was legendary as the best sorceress in the country. That was where she met Trixie, somewhere along the road to victory, and the two of them became the best magical duo in the world!

As her story wound to a close, the crowd erupted into cheers. First Light blushed brightly, and took deep bows as her smile spread from ear to ear. The crowd slowly began to dissipate while First Light disappeared behind the curtains.

“That was AWESOME!” First Light squealed as she bounced around in the trailer after the show.

“You did great out there.” Trixie smiled as she watched First Light dancing around happily.

“Do you think so?” First Light asked, taking off her top hat. “Do you think they liked it?”

“No.” Trixie looked sternly at her. After a second, she cracked up. “I think they loved it!”

First Light squealed as she dropped onto the floor, rolling excitedly back and forth like a cat. She puffed her wings out, using them to cushion her as she lay on the hardwood floor. She stared at the ceiling, her eyes practically as starry as the sky itself.

“Hey...” First Light thought aloud. “Did you see... You know... Any of them out there?”

“Them who?” Trixie cocked her head, thinking for a moment. A look of realization crossed her face. “Oh... No, I didn't see any of them.”

“Oh.” First Light moped. “I wonder why not.”

“I dunno.” Trixie shrugged. “But did you see all of the ponies who were there? I haven't seen that many since... Well, since my first time here.”

First Light rolled her head back until her horn almost touched the ground so she could get a look at Trixie's face. Her face was a mixture of joy and sorrowful remembrance. First Light used her wing to roll herself over onto her belly and stood up.

“Something wrong?” Trixie asked as First Light pushed her hat back onto her head.

“I'm gonna go see where everpony is.” First Light replied, her mind still focused on where in the world the mane six could be. For some reason, it really bothered her, and she needed to know for sure why they had not been at the show. Sure, they had no idea that she was in town, but she had thought that all of the commotion would have attracted at least one of them.

As her hooves hit the cool ground of Ponyville, First Light felt the nostalgia as if for the first time again. The evening air was so familiar, and she took a deep breath of it before moving on to where she hoped she would find her friends.

Her first stop was at the Ponyville Library. She assumed that her best bet at finding answers quick would be the Library. All of the lights were off, and the sign on the door said 'closed'. Her ears drooped as her disappointment set in. Just as First Light was about to turn around and look for further answers, she noticed a piece of paper tacked to the door. Upon further inspection, First Light noticed that it read, “Out in Canterlot. Official business. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

First Light turned over the page and read six signatures on the back. A flowery signature was obviously Rarity's, a small one was definitely Fluttershy's, one was written very sharply, probably Rainbow Dash, a chicken-scratch was most likely Applejack's, Twilight's was most likely the one with a very official style, and one which stretched from one end of the page to the other and shakier than a camera held by a two-year old was definitely Pinkie Pie's.

Nodding slightly, First Light turned back to the trailer.

Chapter 12: There Came A Knock

“So, what now?” First Light asked as she lay out the sleeping bag, back in the trailer.

“What do you mean?” Trixie asked, tallying up the few bits ponies had donated after the show.

“Can we stay for a couple more days?” First Light asked, making puppy dog eyes. “I really want to see them again!”

“Them who?” Trixie cocked her head.

“Twilight and them.” First Light pointed in the general direction of the library.

“I-I...” Trixie began uneasily. “I guess... That would be alright... But just for a few more days. We should really keep moving. It is a travelling show after all.”

“Just until they get back.” First Light nodded, hoping her friends would return sooner rather than later. There was something about not knowing that just tugged in the back of First Light's mind. It was a feeling she could not describe, a mixture of fear and dread, not strong enough to make her panic, but just enough to make her uncomfortable.

The fact that her emotions were so odd made it hard for First Light to think straight. Her usually talkative personality seemed to fade as she quietly crawled into her sleeping bag.

Trixie turned to First Light with a look of concern on her face. She knew that something was bothering her pink Alicorn friend. She sighed slightly, took off her hat and blew out the candle which had illuminated the trailer. “Good night, First Light.”

“Yeah.” First Light nodded, having not really heard what Trixie had said. She rolled over in her sleeping bag and stared at the wall. Her mind began to spin about what her friends could possibly have been doing. She hoped it wouldn't keep them. But what if they were having fun? She shouldn't hope for them to stop having fun. That wouldn't be very nice. All of the possibilities and other thoughts rolled into her mind, making it impossible for her to sleep.

Eventually, though, the thoughts became hard to discern between as her fatigue took its hold. Thoughts became just collections of meaningless words, the words became gibberish, and the gibberish became white noise in the back of her mind. Though her mind was still racing, First Light lost her will to stay awake, and the darkness that surrounded her came together as her eyes shut, her breathing slowed, and her nervous heart beat steadily in her little pink chest.

There came a knock.

Then another.

Then three more.

The eyes of the pink Alicorn fluttered open as she realized the knocks were not from a dream. In fact, she had not dreamed at all that night. But she could not linger upon that thought, as the knocking became unbearable.

Knock.

“Ugh...” Trixie groaned from her bed. “Someone kill it...”

“Don't worry...” First Light rolled onto her stomach and kicked her way across the wooden floor, almost like swimming. “I got this...” Her eyes were still closed, but she could sort of, kind of guess where she may or may not be maybe going.

Knock.

When her horn hit the door with a hard tick, First Light peeled her face off of the floor to look up at the handle. Reaching with a hoof, she realized that the handle was too far away for her. First Light groaned. Instead of getting up, she wiggled her whole leg to try and stretch it towards the door, only to get a tired hoof. Like a cat batting at a toy, she made two or three more swipes at the handle. In defeat, she let her leg drop, slapping against the door. She bobbed her head back and forth off the door, hitting her horn off the wood in defeat.

Knock.

Then an idea occurred to her. She had a horn. Sighing loudly and rolling away from the door, First Light used her magic to pull the door open. As a cool morning breeze wafted into the room, First Light turned her head to see who had been knocking.

“GOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING!” An excited pink pony squealed, causing Trixie to moan loudly and cover her ears, and First Light to smile broadly.

“P-Pinkie Pie!” First Light felt like she would burst, her voice was overcome with laughter and her eyes began to water.

“We told her to wait until the sun was up, but she couldn't wait.” A purple Alicorn blushed as she peered into the small trailer.

“Twilight!” First Light laughed, her grin as big as could be. She stood up quickly and hopped out the door, enveloping Pinkie Pie in a back-shattering hug. She noticed all of the others were gathered just outside of the trailer as well; Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash. “How did you-”

“It's all anypony's been talking about today.” Rarity stated, a smile on her face. “They kept asking if we had seen the show last night.”

“An' we asked, what show?” Applejack added.

A streak of rainbow coloured light surged forward, coming to rest at the door. “They all just told us to look over here.”

“Rainbow!” First Light giggled uncontrollably, dropping Pinkie Pie. By now, Trixie sat uneasily on the other side of the trailer. She recognized the ponies too, but did not connect them with fond memories.

“Sorry we didn't see the show.” Fluttershy whispered, smiling.

“It's alright by me!” First Light giggled, wiping tears from her eyes. “I'm just happy to see you guys.”

“Really?” Pinkie cocked her head so much that her neck made a cracking noise. “Normally, when I cry, it's because something awful happened!”

“Like a forest fire, or a Hurricane, or a basket of kittens got a little damp in the rain?” First Light added, still laughing.

“YES!” Pinkie Pie nodded to the point where it looked like her head was vibrating.

“So, where were you girls yesterday?” First Light asked, concern mixed into her recovering laughter. When Twilight opened her mouth to answer, though, First Light slapped a hoof over her friend's muzzle. “Y'know what? It doesn't matter. What matters is you guys are here, and I'm the happiest mare alive. Except probably Celestia, seeing as she is a princess, and ruler of Equestria. Which begs the question, will she ever find a prince and become queen of Equestria? And what about Luna? Will she ever find true love? What about-”

“Easy, there.” Applejack interrupted. “We've got plenty of time to ask all the questions in the world. How about your show?”

“Oh, yes!” Rarity nodded. “I'm sure we all would love to see it.”

“I do have just one little question.” Rainbow Dash began, halting the idea of the show for a moment. “Where did you get this trailer?”

“Oh, it's not mine.” First Light shook her head. “Didn't anypony tell you?”

“Tell us what?” Applejack looked over at the faded letters on the trailer.

Stepping back into the trailer, First Light looked over to Trixie, who was sitting in the corner, a hoof covering her mouth nervously. When she saw First Light, and realized what was happening, she made a slashing motion across her throat.

“Oh, Trixie, you so cray-cray.” First Light giggled again. At that, Trixie pulled her hat down over her eyes in frustration, audibly groaning.

“Trixie?” Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity all asked in unison.

“Trixie.” First Light nodded.

“Trixie.” Trixie muttered.

Chapter 13: Old Friends and New Friends

“So...” Twilight began uneasily, “How's life been?”

The eight of them sat around a table in the library, awkwardly sipping drinks while their eyed darted from pony to pony around the table. Trixie stared down at her drink intently, trying not to make any eye contact.

“It's been great!” First Light squealed. “Me and Trixie have been going around the country performing her incredible show!”

“That sounds marvellous, dear.” Rarity smiled weakly. “And what have you been doing in the show?”

“I don't do much, normally. But last night-wow!-I got to be the centre of attention! I was on stage, showing everybody what I can do! It was so cool!” First Light picked up her cup and downed the contents. “The Incredible Best Pony!”

“Best Pony?” The six others gasped.

First Light giggled, “Not actually! It's my stage name. Trixie says it's how to capture and audience! I even have a top hat. Isn't that right, Trixie?”

“Hmm.” Trixie mumbled while her mouth was sipping her drink, an easy way to keep herself from talking.

“First Light.” Twilight looked over at her. “Have the shows been going well?”

“Pretty well.” First Light nodded. “They've been super fun! What's with everyone?”

“Beg pardon?” Applejack asked.

“You all used to be really fun,” First Light looked around, “did something happen when I was gone? You all seem really nervous. Do I have something in my teeth? Trixie! Do I have something in my teeth? Ooooh!” First Light oohed. “Trixie!”

Trixie coughed and sputtered as she breathed in her drink. The others at the table exchanged worried glances.

“Will someone please explain to me what happened between you all?” First Light leaned on the table.

“Okay.” Twilight sighed. “Let me explain. A while back, Trixie came to Ponyville. She was really full of herself, and got a lot of ponies mad at her. She went too far, and ponies almost got really hurt. After that, she left. Then, later, she came back. She decided that she would take over the town and throw me out. Then she put Ponyville in a bubble. I finally got back in town and beat Trixie in a duel, then she promised to leave, and turn her life around.”

“And I did!” Trixie stated. “I moved on!”

“Are you still doing shows?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Because it seems like you're still doing the same thing.”

“It's different now.” Trixie mutters. “It's not about me being better than everyone else. It's just about sharing stories!”

“Do you still take out anger on hecklers?” Rarity asked. “Like when you dyed my mane?”

“N-no!” Trixie shook her head. “Not since...”

The silence resumed over the group. First Light finally had the whole story, but it didn't make her feel accomplished. It made her a little sad for Trixie. The only reason she was here was because she wanted to do something nice, and now she was being reminded of something she did not like. First Light was torn between two sides, and both were her friends.

First Light could see from the look in Trixie's eyes that she felt completely alone in the argument. She was all alone against six. Almost out of reflex, First Light reached over to Trixie and wrapped her in a consolatory hug, resting her head on Trixie's shoulder. She closed her eyes, wishing her friends would stop arguing.

Trixie returned the embrace, pressing her head on top of First Light's. She looked down with a mixture of regret, sorrow, and thankfulness to First Light. The rest of the ponies looked around at each other.

“Obviously,” Twilight Sparkle began, causing First Light to slowly break the hug with Trixie, “First Light cares about you, Trixie. I think that warrants you a third chance with us.”

Trixie smiled at the notion, the idea of wrecking the last two chances caused her smile to falter for a moment.

“But I just don't know if this is best for First Light.” Twilight continued. “I don't really fancy the idea of First Light living in a trailer, having only hopes that she will eat that night. It's really no way for a young filly, especially one like her, to live.”

“Wait...” First Light's eyes widened. “Trailer? Hopes for food...” Her head turned to Trixie with a horrified expression. “We're HOBOS!?”

“We're not hobos!” Trixie shouted. “We're just... Travellers.”

“Without a home.” Rainbow Dash added.

“I have the trailer.” Trixie pointed a hoof over her shoulder. “That's a home.”

“It's like camping, I think.” First Light put a hoof to her mouth. “This is the first time I've ever actually been camping, so... Hm...”

“The point is,” Twilight said, “if she's going to be living with you for a while, I just want to know that she's being taken care of.”

“I don't think she needs me to take care of her.” Trixie shook her head. “In fact, “ she sighed, “she's practically taking care of me. My shows are a lot more fun now, and afterwards, I'm not just left alone in a dark trailer.”

“Trixie.” First Light smiled lovingly. “Thank you. That must have been hard for you to say.”

“Actually...” Trixie shook her head. “For the first time in a long time, it was easy for me to say it. You have helped me. You've been a real friend.”

“That's the first time I've heard you say that anyone was a friend.” Twilight smiled. “So you've obviously made some progress since the last time you were here. I'm really happy for you. But,” Twilight looked serious again, “It's not that I have anything against you, Trixie, and even if I did, it has nothing to do with this. Before First Light got here, she was a Mary Sue, completely reliant on her bio. It has to be hard for her to differentiate some times. Am I right?” Twilight looked over at First Light.

The pink alicorn lowered her head. “Yes. I've been slipping up.”

“But what does that have to do with us travelling?” Trixie asked.

“Well, the way I see it,” Twilight began, “First Light needs something to ground her in this reality while she develops her identity.” She paused to think for a moment. “Which is why I think... I think that you and First Light need to stick together.”

The others at the table stared at Twilight.

“Are you sure?” Rarity asked.

“Positive.” Twilight nodded. “Trixie is the first pony that First Light has befriended outside of Ponyville, and the first friend she has made with her new identity. Who then could be better to keep her mind in her new life, than someone who has only known her as First Light?”

“Ah think you have a point there.” Applejack nodded.

“But it's all up to First Light.” Twilight stated. “I want her to make the decision.'

First Light looked back over at Trixie. Twilight was right; Trixie was the first friend that First Light had made. In her mind, it was a no-brainer. She smiled broadly and wrapped her hooves back around Trixie, knocking Trixie's hat off. After the initial surprise, Trixie let her face slip into a comfortable smile. When Trixie realized what it all meant, her smile broadened, and she wrapped her hooves firmly around First Light's neck.

As soon as the hug broke, First Light held her forelegs out for everyone to come over for a hug as well. They were more than happy to join in.

“Mphn mphe mphe mph mph hmm?” A high pitched voice called from the tangle of legs and bodies.

“What's that, Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash asked, fishing through the group for the pink mare.

Pinkie opened her mouth wide to take a deep, gasping breath before speaking. “Can we see the show now!?”

“Oh!” First Light turned her head to Trixie. “Can we have a private show!?”

“I can't see why not.” Trixie grinned.

“You guys,” First Light giggled, “are in for a treat.”

Author's Note

AND I'M BACK, BABY!
I love the little moments they share, it's so cute, don't you think?