A few minutes of fame was said to lead to happiness; infamy or causing all sorts of trouble guaranteed the opposite.
Much to Trixie's dismay, she was an example of the latter category.
It wasn't that she brewed nothing but trouble wherever she went; it was the exact opposite ever since the Alicorn Amulet drove her closer to madness. For once, Trixie knew right from wrong, helping others always bringing a smile to her face and grand achievements warming her heart. Messing with ponies wasn't bringing joy again.
She hoped that her latest decision wasn't the wrong one.
Shuddering, Trixie blinked and snapped out of her train of thought, feeling as though she woke up from a dream.
A vast range of mountains loomed above her, some peeking above the clouds and partly covered with a powdery snow. The occasional breeze swirled about as Trixie's cape and the sack she held flapped about like flags. Chills coursed through her spine as she resumed trotting forward. And as she lowered the map and compass hovering before her, a bluish aura surrounding both, Trixie noticed what looked like a large nest off in the distance.
A bright smile adorned her visage. She adjusted her hat and scraped her boots against the terrain.
"Trixie is almost there," Trixie muttered. In a flash, she lifted the map up once more, the crest depicting Griffonstone inches away from a red circle. Somewhere around that marking, a treasure of exquisite beauty awaited her according to what she read. It was the first time Trixie spent some time studying something outside of tricks and illusions; studying was almost like watching paint dry. "The temple should be at the bottom of that cliff. And inside the lone chamber, there's the Talon's Crown."
Trixie nodded, taking a deep breath.
Everything was in place; things couldn't have been more perfect.
Whipping her tail about, Trixie trotted with a bounce in her step. She brought her bronze compass closer to her and squinted at the needle. Yet no matter how many times Trixie shook the object, the needle never budged an inch. Perhaps agreeing to purchase the compass when its previous owner supposedly hadn't used it for decades was a terrible idea.
With a deep sigh, Trixie rolled her eyes and tossed the compass over her shoulder without sparing another glance. It bounced from rock to rock and came to a rest seconds later, springs and metallic bits sprawled across the ground. Such a useless contraption wasn't worth the Great and Powerful Trixie's time.
"At least I have the map to help me," said Trixie. She bit her lip and surveyed the environment once more. A herd of rams hopped from rock to rock, their beady eyes staring right at Trixie for a moment. The mare shuddered and stepped back. "But Trixie mustn't bother the animals. I don't need a repeat of what happened with the Ursa Minor." Trixie glanced over toward Griffonstone and then tapped the ground. "I should be okay. Trixie is almost there. And maybe I'll—"
Rustling sounds echoed in the air. Trixie's ears twitched.
Pursing her lips, Trixie's head swiveled about. It was as though crickets were swarming around her. Yet no matter where Trixie looked, nothing made itself known.
"Come out!" shouted Trixie, ruffling her brow. "Trixie isn't in the mood for pranks!"
Trixie clenched her teeth as she resumed trotting forward. With each step she took, the sounds intensified, murmurs now reaching her ears as well. Her heart skipped a beat as the words became clearer, Trixie's muscles tightening to the point where trotting an inch became an ordeal.
"So we're stealin' it, right?" a gruff voice whispered.
"That's why we're here, ya goldfish," another voice hissed. "So are we gonna do it or not?"
Without a second thought, Trixie's horn lit up. "Don't even think of messing with the Great and Powerful Trixie!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. "If you dare hurt Trixie, I'll have no choice but to strike back!"
"Don't hurt us!" a voice shrieked. A brown, silver-maned earth pony crawled away from a pile of stones, eyes glued to Trixie. He rubbed his beard and pushed himself upright, the stallion's pale and puffy cheeks commanding attention. "We're talkin' 'bout somehtin' else! Look, we might be the most famous bandits who're all 'bout stealin' and gettin' rich, but we'd never steal from a fine lass like you."
Trixie arched an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to mean anything?" She trudged toward the bandit. "Are you saying that Trixie is not good enough?"
The stallion quickly shook his head, cheeks tautened. "N-not at all, miss! I'm just sayin' that you's as beautiful as the setting sun! Takin' everything ya own would make us look like monsters. We've got a code to abide by." Trembling, the stallion nudged closer to Trixie and winked. "I'm assumin' that ya heard 'bout the Golden Guild, right?"
Trixie shook her head.
The stallion gasped, nearly falling over whilst backing away. "Have you been livin' under a rock the past century? The Golden Guild is only the most famous group in all of Equestria! Don't listen to them idiots sayin' that it's some music group. How's 'bout I tell ya who we are." The stallion cleared his throat, glancing behind his shoulder and waving at the pile of stones from whence he came. "Come on out, fillies and colts! This here lass ain't gonna hurt us."
Four ponies covered in grime crawled away from their hiding spots; two mares and two stallions of an older age approached Trixie. Their eyes were somewhat glassy compared to ponies Trixie usually saw, the emotionless expressions adorning their faces almost as frightening as a ghost's visage. All four of them wore vests with a hexagonal-shaped badge pinned on it. Two of the ponies in question carried a saddlebag much like Trixie's, sharp tools poking out of the cloth and twinkling under the sunlight. And while Trixie couldn't help herself from inching away at first, something about them piqued her curiosity.
"Where was I?" the stallion muttered.
"Telling me about the Golden Guild," said Trixie, taking a deep breath. "What's its purpose? Who are you? And what business do you have with the Great and Powerful Trixie?" She placed a hoof to her chest and raised her head. "I'm a busy mare, and as you should be aware, time is always of the essence. Make it quick so that I can return to my quest."
"You got it, lass." The stallion rolled his shoulders. "I'm Tumbleweed, head of the Golden Guild. We're a team of the finest bandits lookin' for the greatest treasures, though we're more than willin' to steal from unsavory and angry folks lookin' for a fight." Tumbleweed pointed at Trixie's chest, the latter flinching and stepping away. "There's somethin' nice 'bout ya that's hard to explain. Some might call ya a rose with thorns."
"Oh, dear," muttered Trixie. She cocked her head, assuming a bemused expression. "And why are you here?"
'We're lookin' for the Talon's Crown, a treasure fit for the best bandits!"
"You're also looking for the Talon's Crown?" Trixie nudged closer to the group of ponies. "Trixie isn't sure if she can trust your claims of playing by the rules. When you say that you're bandits, I immediately assume that you'll lie, cheat, and steal to get your way." Trixie wiped her forehead. She recognized the irony in her words; a pony who once performed those same things wasn't exactly in the position for calling thugs out. She forced a chuckle from her lips. "Trixie needs her fame and happiness, so take something else instead."
"Happiness, eh?" Tumbleweed chuckled, feigning a smile. "So you've heard 'bout how much ponies are willin' to pay for the crown?"
Trixie nodded, exhaling. "That's why I'm here."
"Y'know, we could always use a helpin' hoof." Tumbleweed extended his foreleg, Trixie recoiling almost instantly as a nauseous odor tickled her nostrils. It was as if he rubbed rotting cheese all over himself, and the flies circling his partners weren't helping matters, either. "And don't worry 'bout us, we'll help ya get the treasure and split the profit."
"Split it evenly, right?" Trixie pressed her hoof against her nose, cringing. "And Trixie demands nothing sneaky from any of you."
"You's got it!"
Trixie placed her hooves back on the ground. Peeking at the ponies behind Tumbleweed, she focused on the variety of sharp tools on them, each tool as effective as the other at skewering any living being. And if the bloodshot eyes each of the ponies wore suggested anything, it was that messing with them would've ended with one of those blades stuck in her shoulder at best.
However, there was no doubt in Trixie's mind that she could escape. As far as she was concerned, only Twilight Sparkle and the other princesses outranked Trixie when it came to magical abilities, though whether that was true or not never crossed her mind. However, while her safety was guaranteed, acquiring the treasure was a wild card.
Leaving them would've surrendered the treasure to the bandits.
Joining them meant a smaller reward, maybe worse if they actually had something nefarious planned.
Neither possibility was to Trixie's benefit; both would've sent chills across her spine.
Trixie sighed and adjusted her hat. A faint smirk ran across her visage. "Okay, Trixie will tag along," she said. "I'll lead the way while the rest of you stay behind." Pausing, her muzzle scrunched up once more as she rubbed her nose. "And try not tagging too close behind. Trixie can only smell—" she froze in place, blushing "—forget about it."
"It sounds kinda important to me," Tumbleweed retorted.
"It's honestly nothing to worry about." Trixie shook her head, giggling and rubbing the back of her neck a moment later. "Trixie is just thinking out loud about what she needs to do later today." She exhaled, tongue sticking out. "Well, a wizard such as myself can only climb a mountainside for so long, you know."
"I guess so." Tumbleweed turned around and waved at the four behind him. "Don't just stand there, you foals! Get movin' and don't get lost like last time!"
Trixie swiftly brought her map closer to her, scanning the array of winding roads and rugged terrain she'd have to cross in order to reach the temple. Other than the issue of having to cross a river, none of it seemed too challenging. If no wild animals or thieves with much less honor than the Golden Guild showed up, however, Trixie knew it'd be over for her. Tumbleweed's plump form wasn't adept for fighting. The mere thought of such danger tightened Trixie's throat.
A sigh escaped her mouth.
"This had better be quick," Trixie murmured to herself.
Trixie lifted her foreleg up and trotted forward. But as she glanced back at the ponies following her, a tingling sensation in her stomach told her that she made one of the greatest mistakes anypony could've made. Besides, partnering with Twilight, an explorer, or even a Wonderbolt would've made more sense.
Yet there she was.
Trixie's shuddered as though a blizzard rushed past her.
Regardless of the sights and perils awaiting Trixie, she knew that a long journey was ahead of her.
It wasn't the miles of trotting that Trixie loathed, but the hollering and singing that got under her coat.
Making the issue worse, however, was the possibility of bothering some griffons scouting the land. Trixie knew a bit about Griffonstone from her travels. While she recalled hearing about a recent exploit there, Trixie's throat tightened nonetheless. Anypony in the group coming off as arrogant or threatening would've spelt doom for them.
She just hoped her allies also knew this. Grabbing their attention was nigh impossible with their cacophonous tunes.
Huffing and puffing, her tongue sticking out as sweat dripped down her brow, Trixie glanced back at the five ponies following her. Each plump, unwashed pony meandered back and forth like a drunkard, muttering puns and jokes Trixie would've cringed at if she wasn't so exhausted. How none of them were struggling with the winding roads was beyond her.
"Just shut up for a minute," Trixie whispered to herself. "T-Trixie needs peace and quiet this instant."
As Trixie brought her attention back to the road ahead, she spotted a steep incline. A soft groan left her lips as she swiftly pressed her weight against a boulder. The tension crushing her limbs slowly loosened by the second, everything around Trixie blurry and tilted for a brief moment. It was as if she was preparing to descend into the abyss, only for the world to regain clarity in a flash.
"Ya can't be this tired already," Tumbleweed teased. He cracked a slight smile and chuckled. "Is goin' a little faster too much? I was expectin' ya to be this amazin' wizard who could've done anythin', but you's just a weaklin'." Trotting forward, Tumbleweed's muzzle scrunched up whilst Trixie nudged away. "To be honest, leavin' ya behind ain't anything I'd regret. You's still a lass, but not one good enough for the Golden Guild."
Trixie lowered her head and wiped her forehead. Panting, she quickly peeked at Tumbleweed and company. "I thought you—you bandits said you were honorable," she murmured. "And you said that I was good enough for you." Pausing, she took a deep breath. "Abandonment? We've been trudging through these roads for about half an hour, yet you're already planning on ditching Trixie? Just what kind of absurd standards do you have?" Groans left her lips. Trixie tugged her cape and straightened her posture. "Treating the Great and Powerful Trixie poorly won't win you any favors."
"And stopping to rest ain't gonna get us our treasure any faster!" a raspy voice shouted. It belonged to one of the mares, her name not known to Trixie since Tumbleweed never bothered introducing his partners. Yet if the white spot standing out among her gray coat was anything to go by, Trixie figured that 'Spotty' was a suitable name. "Hurry up! There's treasure waitin' for us! We're gonna clear that hill hours before ya!"
Trixie exhaled once more and rolled her shoulders. "Fine," she grumbled. With short, heavy steps, Trixie slowly made her way up the hill while her partners trailed her as before. Her legs wobbled as searing aches ran through them once more. Trixie clenched her teeth, hoping the brutally demanding parts of the journey were reaching their conclusion.
Perhaps this wasn't such a wise plan; turning around and searching for something else might've been the better option.
A thud echoed into Trixie's ears. Shuddering, she quickly turned around, spotting Tumbleweed and his fellow bandits at the bottom of the hill, their bodies sprawled out as all signs pointed to them rolling back to the hill's bottom. Groans left their lips whilst Tumbleweed crawled his way back toward the incline. And as Trixie managed to reach the top, she merely arched an eyebrow and pursed her lips. But Tumbleweed rolling down the hill and shrieking like a filly tickled her funny bone.
Schadenfreude was something Trixie always found amusement in. No amount of friendship lessons from Twilight would've fixed that.
"What was this about clearing the hill before me?" asked Trixie. She rubbed her forelegs and turned away from her partners. "It sounds as though Trixie was more adept at clearing hills all along." Chuckles escaped her mouth, Trixie's cheeks flushing a little. "Anyway, Trixie thinks she has earned an apology."
"Y'all aren't gettin' an apology!" shouted Spotty, brow sagging. "We're just a little clumsy is all!"
"Do you want Trixie's help or not?" Groaning, Trixie knelt down and glared into the ragged mare's eyes. "Maybe Trixie would be better off without you naysayers criticizing everything I do! There's not enjoying Trixie's attitude and then there's blaming me for things out of my control!" Her muzzle scrunched up. "As I said, do you want help?"
Tumbleweed bobbed his head in an instant. "Of course we do!" he blurted out. Standing upright once more, he raised his head and gazed into Trixie's eyes. "We're sorry 'bout messin' with ya like that." Tumbleweed's expression was oddly static. Trixie couldn't help herself from noticing a lingering sensation in her chest. "You's just a lot more different from us, lass! And we'll keep our mouths shut! Ain't that right?"
The five bandits nodded in unison.
With a deep breath, Trixie nudged closer to where the five ponies were. "Trixie accepts your apology," she said. While ditching them would've been the best option, one Trixie was more than content with, being the better pony and actually expressing empathy akin to how Twilight helped her opened up better opportunities. "However, don't think that Trixie is so forgiving. Consider this a second chance, but third chances are definitely out of the question."
Tumbleweed charged up the hill alongside his allies. All five of them winced as they trudged forward. And as Trixie gently stepped out of the way, the group arrived at the top at last, Tumbleweed and two of his partners out of breath while the other two merely scowled. Regardless, Trixie took solace in knowing that they wouldn't be stuck forever.
A shuffling sound reached Trixie's ears. She pursed her lips, another instance of getting stuck with an unsavory group among the last things Trixie desired.
"Hey!" a gruff voice orated from afar. "Don't move an inch! You're those dweebs calling yourselves the Golden Guild!"
Trixie's throat tightened, her head swiveling toward the voice's source.
Approaching her and the others was a griffon, her wings folded up and light-purple feathers surrounding her eyes. Her tail whipped about as she glared at Tumbleweed. The griffon flashed a crooked smile. Something about the griffon seemed familiar to Trixie, but she couldn't quite put her tongue on it.
"Well, it's 'bout time someone recognized us," said Tumbleweed, shivering in place.
"Everyone in Griffonstone knows about you," the griffon replied. "The name's Gilda. As one of the leaders for Griffonstone's reconstruction project, I'm gonna have to ask you weirdos to take a hike and not mess with our town again." She glanced over to Trixie, the latter stepping back. "But you totally look familiar. I could've sworn I heard something about a pony who looks just like you."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie knows how to make a lasting impression," said Trixie, cracking a smile. "It's a job requirement for mares like Trixie, you know."
Gilda rubbed the back of her neck. "Now I kinda remember ya. Rainbow Dash once told me about you, something about how you made her look humble." She snickered, Trixie blushing in response. "She says you've grown, so if you're not here to bump into vases and make a mess out of everything like those dweebs, I'll let ya stay."
"She said that I've grown?" Trixie's eyes widened.
Gilda nodded. "Totally. Ever since we became friends again, we've written back and forth to each other." A soft chuckle escaped her beak. "But now's not the time for chatting." Scowling once more, she brought her attention back to Tumbleweed. "As for you idiots, none of the griffons have forgotten about how you tried stealing the Idol of Boreas, only to ignore what everyone said about its disappearance and whine when you didn't get anything. And when we asked the Royal Guard about you, they first thought we were referring to some disbanded pop group."
Tumbleweed whinnied, his veins bulging as though they'd burst at any moment.
"Look, we don't know why you're always on about being the most famous group in all of Equestria." Gilda shrugged, wings twitching somewhat. "I'm pretty sure Princess Celestia would burst laughing the moment she heard about how stupid you weirdos are." She crossed her forelegs and her talons dug into the earth. "So how about you stop being such dweebs and do something harmless for once? Or is that too noble for you?"
"Screw you!" shrieked Tumbleweed. Steam burst out of his nostrils like a geyser, cheeks flushed. "Do you wanna mess with me or not?"
Gilda flapped her wings and hovered an inch above the ground. "Did I touch a nerve?" Clasping her talons together, she squinted at Tumbleweed and his followers. "I'm not here just to mess with ya." She feigned a snicker. "But if it's a fight you're looking for, I can totally give ya something you'll never forget." She paused, exhaling. "But do you seriously think you morons can stop a griffon?"
Shuddering, Tumbleweed gulped. "Maybe?"
"Either way, I'll give ya a chance to scram."
As Tumbleweed crept back, pupils shrunk, he glanced over to Trixie and gazed at her map. Trixie shuffled away from the stallion, her chest tightening as she knew exactly what was flowing through his mind. The devilish smirk Tumbleweed wore was undoubtedly one that suggested theft.
That map was what separated Trixie from being lost for hours. Shooting a signal in the hopes of somepony helping her was something to avoid, if only to avoid the embarrassment of having to explain she was mugged by a fat stallion who hadn't groomed in years. And if by some sheer coincidence that Twilight was the one who would've noticed the signal, she would've found out the truth eventually.
It was both something Trixie admired and detested at the same time.
"Where do ya think you's goin'?" asked Tumbleweed, brow ruffled. "Weren't ya hopin' we wouldn't betray ya not that long ago?"
"It's not about that," said Trixie. Shivering, she bit her lip and tugged at her cape. "It's about not getting robbed by you lot. Trixie knows you have a 'code' to abide by, but that face is one I've seen too often." Pausing, she glared at Tumbleweed. "Trixie may be boastful, but she's nowhere near as dumb as you may think. That face suggests you're going to steal my map."
Tumbleweed shivered and his cheeks turned pale. He merely pursed his lips.
"Isn't that right?"
Despite nodding almost immediately, no words left Tumbleweeds mouth.
Trixie stepped farther away from Tumbleweed. She clenched the map, her heart skipping a beat as the Golden Guild's members crawled toward her. And being outnumbered only sent chills down Trixie's spine; even her wondrous magic wouldn't save her this time. However, noticing Gilda at the corner of her eye, some of the tension dissipated.
There was still a way out.
"Trixie will need some backup for this," she whispered to Gilda. The griffon nudged an inch closer to Trixie. "If we can outrun them to the treasure they're looking for, the Talon's Crown, they'll most likely give up and leave." She paused for a brief moment. "I'm not as strong physically as you are, but Trixie will try helping with her wondrous magic as much as she can. Sound fair?"
"I'm totally up for it," Gilda murmured.
With a deep breath, Trixie's horn was then enveloped by a blue aura, a surge of magic firing from it and striking an inch away from Tumbleweed. As she noticed a thick blanket of smoke rising into the air, Trixie galloped forward with Gilda flying alongside her. Any exhaustion that Trixie once endured vanished, pure adrenaline coursing through her veins as her heart pounded.
"I'll keep looking out for those dweebs," said Gilda, peeking behind her shoulder. "You just focus on escaping and finding somewhere safe to rest, okay?"
Trixie bobbed her head. "Of course."
Sweat poured down Trixie's forehead. Briefly looking at the world behind her, she noticed Spotty charging right at the pair with a fierce scowl. The mare sprang into the air and growled like a bulldog. Yet before she even got close to Trixie, Gilda curled her talon into a fist and swiftly smacked Spotty across the cheek.
A snapping sound reached Trixie's ears. She couldn't help herself from cringing.
"Let's go!" Gilda shouted at the top of her lungs.
With another deep breath, Trixie noticed one of the goons trailing right behind her, nowhere close to catching up.
She fired another spell at a henchpony. The blast struck his chest and sent him flying. Landing with a loud thud, his body rolled across the rugged pathway before coming to a halt. Two of the other goons hopped over him as the stallion groaned and winced, Tumbleweed merely lumbering around him.
As Trixie brought her focus back on the road before her, she noticed a narrow cavern off in the distance. It seemed just wide enough to accommodate both her and Gilda, though cramped to where plump ponies like Tumbleweed and company couldn't squeeze through. It was perfect as far as she knew.
Trixie licked her lips.
Another popping sound polluted the air. Glancing back, she spotted Gilda slapping one of the bandits trailing her. The griffon picked up the plump stallion and grunted, her limbs shaking. Gilda tossed the stallion toward his partner, the two ponies crashing into each other and curling up into a ball. Neither of them moved around much, though moans escaped their mouths.
The cavern's entrance was a short hop away.
Trixie licked her lips. With every ounce of strength she had left, she charged through the passageway, Gilda following close behind as she folded her wings upon entering. As Trixie peeked over to where Tumbleweed was once more, she spotted the stallion struggling to make his way through the entrance, his forelegs flailing violently.
Both Trixie and Gilda slowed to a crawl as they noticed Tumbleweed's waist being pinned by the entrance. Panting, the two cracked a smile and edged away from the stallion, the latter's brow furrowed as he mumbled inaudible phrases. And as Tumbleweed stepped back and broke free from the cave's grip, he snarled and stomped the earth.
"Get back here, ya brat!" Tumbleweed roared, scrunching his muzzle like an accordion. "The Golden Guild don't take kindly to traitors!" He poked his head through the passageway, eyes bloodshot. "Don't ya hear me?"
"Loud and clear, dweeb!" Gilda responded, voice echoing throughout the cave. "And if you even think about hurting Trixie or me, you'll be the one regretting it." Cracking a smile, she crossed her forelegs and chuckled. "Besides, why would we stop fleeing if you dweebs just admitted that you'd be the ones betraying Trixie, not the other way around?"
"And don't think you're any match for the Great and Powerful Trixie!" yelled Trixie, chest puffed out. She adjusted her hat, donning a slight grin. "Even if you outnumber us, we'll always have the upper hoof." Trotting toward where Tumbleweed stood, Trixie glared into the stallion's eyes. "Besides, Trixie bets the Golden Guild isn't as amazing as you say it is."
Blushing, Tumbleweed glanced to his left. Without muttering another peep, he turned around and lumbered away from the cavern. His toxic odor dissipated the farther he was from Trixie, the latter breathing a sigh of relief as a waft of fresh air tickled her nostrils. Once the bandit was out of sight, she slowly nodded and brought her attention back to Gilda.
"Let's hope that's the last of them," said Trixie. She took a deep breath, bowing to Gilda for a moment. "Trixie thanks you for your assistance. Even with my magic, I don't know if I'd ever escape their clutches without your timely arrival. They probably would've tried forcing Trixie into their club once everything was taken care of."
Gilda rubbed the back of her neck, smiling sheepishly. "Well, I was there and saw you with those morons," she muttered. "And remembering what Rainbow told me about ya, I knew I couldn't leave ya behind. Those of us who aren't jerks anymore and are trying to improve gotta stick together, even if things get really lame."
"I've always felt the same way." Trixie sat down on one of the larger rocks, placing her back against the inner wall. Gilda approached Trixie and followed suit, sitting right next to her. "Anyway, before our escape, you told Trixie that the Golden Guild wasn't what they said they were." She cocked her head. "Having done so myself, Trixie knows how ponies can make themselves seem greater than they actually are. But in what world do those jerks live in? Surely they're not the most famous group in all of Equestria."
"They're just weird like that." Gilda paused for a moment, assuming eye contact with Trixie. "Besides, I can name a ton of groups more widely known than them."
"Trixie is not surprised." With a wider smile, Trixie raised her head and placed a hoof to her chest. "As I was going to say earlier, Trixie has been searching for the Talon's Crown, a treasure rumored to—"
"Ya don't have to tell me about it." Gilda crossed her hind legs. "Everyone in Griffonstone knows about the treasures left behind by King Grover." Pausing, she tapped the rock beneath her with one of her talons. "Come to think of it, since you're from Equestria and all, do ya mind if I ask ya a quick question?"
Trixie nodded. "Trixie doesn't mind at all."
"Griffonstone has been improving ever since Rainbow and Pinkie came by to visit. While we've rebuilt most of the town and are working together as though we've always had this cool bond, I'm kinda unsure of whether it'll be enough to rebuild Griffonstone." A sigh escaped Gilda's beak. "I mean, as awesome as making new friends is, I'm not sure it's enough. And—" Gilda clasped her talons together "—and with rumors about me becoming the town's leader, I'm nervous about what the future will hold."
"Trixie worries about the future, too." Stretching a foreleg out, Trixie wrapped it around Gilda's shoulder like a scarf, the pair nudging closer to each other. "I've been searching for the treasure because it might give me happiness. Life has been smoother for Trixie, yet even I must admit that I feel—that something's missing. It's hard to shake off."
"No kidding." Gilda feigned a chuckle. "I had to learn that the lame, hard way."
"Same here."
Gilda glanced at the cavern's entrance, noticing none of the Golden Guild approaching or leaving new marks across the ground. "Maybe we should find that treasure and get back home before sunset." She stood up and dusted herself off, Trixie following suit. "I'll help ya find the treasure and keep ya company."
"Trixie would be glad to have your support."
Poking her head out of the cavern's entrance, Gilda scanned the environment, squinting at every last detail. Trixie stood beside her and followed suit, gazing at the occasional tree and the numerous rock formations. A minute of pure silence passed. None of the Golden Guild stuck around and waited for them to get moving again, let alone huddled up in any possible hiding places from what Trixie noticed. Those bandits were either too out of shape or too stupid to utilize such hiding spots.
Nodding quickly, Gilda crawled out of the cave whilst Trixie followed close behind. The latter couldn't help herself from cracking a slight smile, warmth bundling within her heart. Something about meandering along the rugged road and taking in the sights tickled Trixie's coat; perhaps it was not worrying about a bunch of bandits or what she'd do next.
However, as Trixie fumbled with the map and made sure she was analyzing it correctly, she knew what brightened her mood.
Trixie had company.
Furthermore, Trixie had a possible friend.
Much to Trixie's relief, the journey toward her supposed destination hadn't worn her stamina down.
For what must've been the first time in ages, she was content with strolling at her own pace, Gilda never speeding up to where Trixie couldn't keep up. Whether it was out of compassion was beyond Trixie, though if their discussions ranging from how Gilda had left Rainbow Dash and later made amends with her to Trixie's first performances and the mistakes she'd learned from them were anything to go by, the griffon's attention was glued to her. Gilda glanced over to Trixie every other second at times.
Trixie couldn't help herself from grinning brightly.
Maybe this was what the magic of friendship felt like; a tingling sensation where happiness was one of the ingredients.
"Looks like we're here," said Gilda. Pausing, she pointed at a carving of a griffon's head onto the mountainside, a narrow passageway flanked by two unlit torches and some pots shrouded in dust. "Don't worry about those lame pots over there. They're worth practically nothing, especially since you can get something like it for cheap."
Trixie gawked at the temple, shuffling toward it with widened eyes and a gaping mouth. "How was this place hidden so easily?" she blurted out. In a flash, Trixie turned toward Gilda and made eye contact. "Trixie knows that most temples aren't exactly humble, but somepony surely should've swiped the treasure years ago!"
Chuckles left Gilda's beak. "Well, finding the temple is the easy part." She approached the passageway and placed a talon on the carved stone. "Griffons have known about the temple for centuries, some even visiting it just to brag about having been there. But whether you're radical or lame, no one has been able to figure out how to get to the Talon's Crown. Even the nerdiest griffons out there have struggled."
"Is that so?" Trixie bit her lip. With a deep breath, she hopped over the steps and stood next to Gilda, staring down at the temple's interior. "Well, a locked door is nothing to the Great and Powerful Trixie." She placed a hoof to her chest and smirked. "Trixie will just use a spell to undo the lock and trot on in, taking the—"
"I think we've already tried that with some visitors once."
Trixie swallowed a lump. "But that can't be right." She swiveled her head toward Gilda, the former's cheeks turning pale upon noticing her partner's tautened expression. "If magic isn't breaking the lock, then what will? Does Trixie have to find some kind of key? Perhaps I'll have to find a password."
"None of those things." Gilda sighed, pressing her weight against the temple's wall. "I think I remember Grandpa Gruff blathering on about the temple once, though he's kooky and usually hard to follow." She rubbed the top of her head. "I think it has to do with something sappy, but don't quote me on it."
"Trixie will just quote Grandpa Gruff, then."
Gilda released a soft chuckle. "Yeah, sure. Anyway, I don't know if those dweebs from before are inside." With short steps, she made her way into the temple. "Stay close and I'll make sure ya don't get hurt." Gilda peeked behind her shoulder and stared into Trixie's eyes. "Just do me a solid and don't do anything stupid, okay?"
With a sheepish smile, Trixie blushed and bobbed her head in return. "You have Trixie's word."
The two made their way down the unlit corridor, its entirety shrouded by a blanket of darkness as all that echoed throughout the room were some droplets of water. Trixie shivered as she progressed through the temple. It was as if she was blindfolded; Trixie occasionally stretched a foreleg out and tapped the nearby wall. The texture was silky smooth, Trixie wondering if she made any progress upon poking it every other minute.
A flickering light appeared before the two.
Trixie's heart skipped a beat. However, before she even had a chance of storming toward the light, Trixie bumped into a stretched wing. Its feathers tickled her cheeks, Trixie squirming briefly as she stepped back.
"Don't go charging into danger like an idiot," Gilda muttered. She folded her wings once more and resumed making her way through the temple. "I've done it before and so has Rainbow, but I can tell ya right now that recklessness is pretty much a guarantee for something lame to happen. Rainbow told you about her rival, Lightning Dust, right?"
Trixie shook her head. "I haven't seen Rainbow in ages."
"Don't worry about that mare, then." Gilda's steps became shorter and shorter as the group approached the light. "Just know that being reckless can make ya screw up, which then gets ya into huge trouble. Lightning learned her lesson once she had to clean bathrooms with a toothbrush as part of her punishment. Heck, she almost got kicked out of the academy she enrolled in, Rainbow telling me that she was only allowed back in once she agreed to have constant supervision."
"It must've been serious."
Gilda nodded. "It was, but if ya wanna know more about it, you'll have to ask Rainbow. She knows about the story better than I do."
Trixie exhaled and adjusted her hat. As much as she loathed to admit, Gilda had a point. Even if just getting a problem over with and bragging about it brought a smile to Trixie's face, jumping without a plan often resulted in embarrassment, the incident with the Alicorn Amulet ringing in her head once again. Cringing, Trixie clenched her teeth. Anything to avoid such a catastrophe again was good enough for her.
The light became dimmer as Trixie approached it. Tilting her head, she quickly turned toward Gilda and shrugged. "Excuse me, but is there something—suspicious about the light?" she asked. Trixie rubbed her muzzle and hummed briefly. "Trixie was certain it'd get brighter the closer we got."
"Maybe someone's inside," said Gilda. "I don't know if it's those dweebs up ahead, but we—"
In the blink of an eye, the light up ahead vanished, shrouding the entirety of the temple in a blanket of darkness once more. Trixie's heart skipped a beat. Stepping back, Trixie turned toward the temple's exit, Gilda and a faint, distant glow the only entities she noticed whilst surveying the temple. She gulped and turned back to where the flickering light once was.
Silence lingered throughout the temple.
Trixie exhaled, legs wobbling as she resumed trotting forward. "M-maybe it's just an illusion," she muttered, shivering violently. "Either that or it was a torch losing its flame." She exhaled, heartbeats reaching Trixie's ears. "It's probably nothing to worry about. The Great and Powerful Trixie has handled much worse than some darkness."
The earth shook without warning. Dust kicked up into the air. Trixie slipped and crashed into one of the walls with a sickening thud, a loud grunt escaping her mouth. Indistinct murmurs echoed throughout the hallway. She blinked, her eyes slowly closing as she plummeted closer to unconsciousness.
Passing out in such a horrid place was something Trixie couldn't allow.
Without warning, something lifted her up. Trixie twisted her head to the right and noticed Gilda holding onto her waist. The former couldn't help herself from cracking the faintest of smiles as she stared at the griffon, her ally responding in kind as the dizziness faded away. And before either of them uttered another peep, they instinctively hugged each other.
"Are you okay?" asked Gilda, her voice softer than ever.
Trixie nodded. "A bit sore, but I'll be fine," she said. "Um, thanks for helping me."
The two released each other from their warm embrace, Gilda nodding. "No problem. Anything to help out a friend of mine." Gently tapping Trixie's shoulder, Gilda turned back toward where the Talon's Crown presumably was. "We've got two options, but both might be lame. One is to keep going and get the Talon's Crown, but the other is just getting out of here and returning home with nothing."
Trixie adjusted her hat, lips pursed. "Trixie has no preference."
Gilda nudged forward. "We go for the Talon's Crown, but we'd better get ready to scram if those tremors happen again."
Trixie nodded, her legs quivering somewhat. Both she and Gilda charged forward alongside each other. Chills coursed through Trixie's spine, the hairs of her coat standing up as she trotted farther. But after a minute of making their way through the temple's hallway, the room brightened up ever so slightly, Trixie noticing a pile of rocks blocking the hallway's exit. She froze in an instant, exhaling as she stared at the ruins.
Trixie placed a hoof on the pile of rubble, the texture rough and somewhat warm. "Is this new?" she asked herself. "Perhaps those tremors from earlier caused this part of the temple to cave in." Her muzzle scrunched up, sighs escaping her lips. "Trixie hopes they didn't destroy the treasure. We were so close, too."
"There ain't no treasure, anyway!" Tumbleweed's voice shrieked. "I bet somepony took it while I wasn't lookin', 'cause it should've been there! And then I punched the wall with all my might, only to trap ourselves in this dump!" A cracking sound echoed into Trixie's ears, both she and Gilda arching an eyebrow. "We'd bumped into some of them ol' pots, breakin' 'em as we tried gettin' out!"
Gilda nudged closer to the rubble. "So none of you are hurt, right?"
"We're all fine, but I's gettin' sick of sittin' here."
"Look, this is what Griffonstone was trying to tell you idiots." Gilda paused for a moment and ruffled her wings. "We'll get you out of here, but can ya promise not to make a mess out of everything? Heck, can ya also stop messing around with ponies, griffons, treasures, and anything that might hurt others?"
"And can Trixie have an apology for all of the things you've put me through?" asked Trixie.
"Of course!" Tumbleweed took a deep breath. "Just get us out of here!"
Trixie placed a hoof to her chest, cracking a slight smirk as she studied the rubble. "The Great and Powerful Trixie can get all of you out without breaking a sweat!" Exhaling, she stepped back and squinted at her target. Electricity crackled around her horn as a bright aura enveloped it. "Just step back from the rubble!"
The aura quickly surrounded some of the smaller stones, gently pushing them back. Trixie licked her lips. And as just after a dozen stones had been pushed away, there was a hole just wide enough for anypony to squeeze through the rubble. Trixie wiped her forehead, the bright aura from before vanishing.
Tumbleweed poked his head through the gap. With clenched teeth, he crawled through the debris, nearly wedging himself once again before meandering his way back onto the floor. His partners followed shortly after, all four of them covered from head to hoof in dust. Trixie's nostrils twitched at the sight, the horrible odors returning.
"Okay, so ya taught us a lesson," said Tumbleweed. A sigh left his lips. "With this and all the other stuff we've put ya through, maybe treasure huntin' the way we do ain't cut out for us."
"You can still search for antiques, but Trixie asks that you show some respect," said Trixie. Blinking, she rubbed the back of her neck, donning a sheepish smile. "Okay, so maybe I'm still trying to get used to things like that, but Trixie has made some progress. Just don't expect everything to turn out better right away."
"I know that!" Tumbleweed retorted. "And don't think I's gonna change the Golden Guild that much! Even if we don't mess with ponies again, we'll still be the best treasure hunters in Equestria for sure! C'mon, gang! We've got some treasures to search for, but don't do anythin' stupid!"
Tumbleweed's fellow bandits nodded in unison, trotting away from the debris and toward the exit with their heads hung low. Before Trixie or Gilda even had a chance or responding, they were out of sight.
With a slight smile, Trixie turned toward Gilda and assumed eye contact. "Again, thank you for helping Trixie," she said, extending a hoof. "Shall we spend some time with each other before Trixie returns home?"
Gilda shook Trixie's hoof, eyes sparkling. "Sounds radical to me," she replied.
As both Trixie and Gilda made their way toward the exit, the former couldn't help herself from thinking that the expedition was more than worth it in the end. While the journey was tough and her body was often put to the limit, she came out feeling brighter and happier than before. And in the process, Trixie knew she found a treasure much more important than a crown.
Trixie found friendship.
