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.