Trixie's Guard

II: A Row of Tables

The wagon door clicked shut behind Starlight. She moved carefully down the steps, before taking off at a fast canter towards Twilight’s castle. Her mind was a mess of nervous thoughts, deeply confused. Thoughts bounced around her head as she desperately tried to work out what could be done. Trixie had proven to the ponies of Ponyville she was a changed mare; there were no misconceptions to rid of. Ironically, all of the misconceptions rested with Trixie herself, not those around her. There had to be some way to convince Trixie that ponies cared about her. Starlight racked her brains, but couldn’t help but come up short. Still, it didn’t matter if she wasn’t an expert in friendship. That was what Twilight was for.

Starlight had arrived at the oversized castle. She concentrated her magic on the door and flung it open as she approached. She still found herself getting lost in the ridiculous spaghetti junction of hallways and corridors throughout the castle, but eventually she found herself stumbling into the map room. Twilight was sat on her throne with Spike, carefully reading through an especially thick tome of some description. She glanced up and smiled as she saw her newest friend walk in.

“Starlight! How are you? Studying hard I hope? Good work defeating Chrysalis! Celestia is so proud of you, as am I of course! You, Trixie & Discord working together to do good? Whoever would have thought it? I mean, just a few months ago you wouldn’t of dreamed of working with others-”

Starlight remained quiet, staring absently towards her friend. How many times was she going to inadvertently mention that whole oppressing a township thing? It had stopped being funny very, very quickly.

Twilight caught herself and apologized. “No offence Starlight…”

“None taken,” she grinned reassuringly, “It’s funny you mention Trixie, though, because that’s actually who I’m here to talk about. You see, that mare’s not been feeling herself as of late. No maniacal laughter, no smoke bombs, not even a single mention of her magic tricks!”

Twilgith and Spike both gasped.

“No talk of her magic!?”

Twilight had immediately set her book down, and was staring across the room at Starlight. All focus was on her now.

“Sit down. This is an emergency.”

Starlight moved towards the table, sidling round one of the thrones before sitting down. She was worried, but if anyone would be able to help it would be Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. She seemed very concerned as the questions started.

“Now, Trixie and I may not of seen eye to eye on some things in the past-“

“Or any…”

“Quiet Spike. Now as I was saying, we may not of seen eye to eye on some things in the past but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t help her in her hour of need. A friendship problem is a friendship problem. Now Starlight, I want you to list the events from the very beginning…”

Starlight slowly and meticulously explained each point of the story so far, no detail too small or minor. Twilight furiously scribbled notes and occasionally gestured for Spike to fetch a specific book or tome from the library. No sooner had he ran back into the map room with the book and caught his breath he was sent straight back out to fetch more. By the time the instructions stopped his brow was damp with sweat and the tower of books teetered precariously.

Twilight too looked strained, as all of her theories and suggestions were coming up short. The issue was that everyone was friends here. Everyone did like Trixie, even if she refused to accept it. Spike had suggested some sort of party or celebration to remind Trixie that the friendship was genuine, but Twilight was quick to disagree with the situation.

“Trixie may be many good things, but when bad thing she is, is stubborn. If she thinks ponies dislike her, a party isn’t going to change her mind. Especially if it is a party entirely of ponies we all know from Ponyville. That way she’ll smell a setup. We need her to befriend somepony else, somepony new. That way she’ll have an opportunity to start fresh. Perhaps then she’ll see she isn’t as unpopular as she thinks she is.”
Twilight nodded to herself, confident in her answer.

“Yeah, that’s it. Getting one brand new friend would be the best option.”

Spike and Starlight were both quiet, listening it to Twilight’s suggestion. Looking between each other and back at Twilight they nodded. Starlight spoke up.

“You’re speaking sense, Twilight. But where do we send her? And what do I do to help?”

Twilight rubbed her chin with her hoof. “Well now, we need to send her somewhere she hasn’t got any friends. The Crystal Empire would probably be as good a bet as any. If you go there you can work with Sunburst, and you’ll have Cadance there to assist you too. Who knows, perhaps Trixie needs the Princess of Love more than the Princess of Friendship right now? But we can’t just send her on her own. That way she’ll become suspicious, she’ll think we have planned all this. So you need to go with her, Starlight. Tell her you are going on a relaxing trip to The Crystal Empire and it’s nothing more.”

She reached over the edge of the table and cheekily nudged Starlight in the side with her elbow.

“Of course, we both know this whole trip is one big friend finding mission. And I guess you could consider this all one big friendship lesson too, Starlight. Do your teacher proud.”

Starlight clambered down from the throne and began to head for the door. She thanked Twilight for her advice, promising to do her proud. As she clicked the door shut behind her Twilight leant down to Spike’s side, who rested against the edge of the map. He jumped when Twilight began to loudly whisper into his ear.

“Spike, I want you to go after them. Watch them, take notes, keep me informed. I want to know how my student does on her second friendship mission to The Crystal Empire! This is going to be so exciting!”

Spike rolled his eyes and walked towards the doors Starlight had taken. His ears pricked as Twilight spoke up again.

“Oh, and Spike? Don’t get spotted again. Get yourself a better disguise, please.”

The vast, ornate double doors slammed loudly shut.

***

“Why did I have to pack all these winter clothes? It’s the height of Summer! And why have you dragged me out of my wagon, for that matter? I was comfy.”

Trixie was grumbling to herself as she shifted a saddlebag on her back. It was weighing down against her very uncomfortably, what with the sheer number of scarves, hats and pairs of boots she was carrying. Starlight also looked uncomfortable under her luggage, but she tried to remain composed.

“You see, Trixie, I thought it would be nice to spend a week or so in the Crystal Empire to relax and get away from all of this. The Crystal Empire is lovely this time of year. But nonetheless, it has been known to get more than a little cold if and when the Crystal Heart gets smashed. I’m not taking any chances, and I don’t want you to either.”

The shrill whistle of the train interrupted Starlight’s warning. It loped down the rails towards Ponyville Station, before grinding to a slow halt at the platform edge. Starlight stepped onto the train with her reluctant friend in tow. As they settled in their seats they gazed out the window at the general hubbub of Ponyville life. As Starlight watched, Trixie leant back against the plush chair and rested her eyes. If she had to go on this relaxation mission the relaxing may as well begin early.

“Wake me up when we get there, Starlight. I’m going to catch some shut-eye that I COULD HAVE BEEN getting in the comfort of my own wagon, but here we are.”

Starlight Glimmer smiled sweetly at her friend as her eyes crept shut. She had to admit, she felt incredibly nervous about this whole mission. What if she failed in helping her friend, and Trixie ended up even more miserable than she had been beforehand? Twilight would be so disappointed in her!

“Come on, Starlight, calm down,” she thought to herself. “You’re made of tougher stuff than this, don’t start panicking now. This is supposed to be a relaxing trip, not a freak-out trip. Just worry about Trixie discovering the truth when it happens. She’ll appreciate it in the long run.”

Trixie’s loud snores interrupted Starlight’s thoughts, snapping her back to reality. Trixie had the right idea, so Starlight decided to get some sleep under her belt too.

One of the luggage compartments creaked open as Starlight drifted off. Spike’s head appeared from under the compartment door, a quill and parchment in his claws. He began to write his first message to Twilight, still frustrated that he had to waste his time doing this idle work.

Spike’s Super-Secret Notations – ONE

They are sat on the train. Starlight didn’t offer Trixie the window seat. Very rude of her. Other than that, they still look friendly. I am sure Starlight will complete her friendship mission with ease. Hopefully these are all the details you need. Now, I’m going to go have a fun week with my Crystal Empire fans who all love me so super-duper much.

- Spike the Brave & Glorious

As he finished penning the note he engulfed the parchment in flames, quickly sending it to Twilight. Or did he just send it to Celestia? Whoops.

***

The ponies waiting at the platform were engulfed in steam as the train pulled into the Crystal Empire Station. Starlight Glimmer emerged from the cloud, Trixie following suit as they trotted along the platform into the city itself. Starlight always found herself in awe of this strange place, the piercing sunlight glinting off of ponies and buildings alike. Starlight smiled to herself as she stared at the twinkling world around her. She span round – a wide grin across her face – and looked for Trixie’s expression of excitement.

The mare actually looked rather disinterested, still trotting along a short distance behind Starlight. She gazed forwards at nothing in particular, occasionally kicking her hoof idly at the dirt.

“Hey, Trixie! Whatever is the matter, don’t you find this place amazing? Look at everything sparkle!”

“I know, it’s something, I guess. Can we get to our hotel, I want to have a relaxing week to my own thoughts.”

"Trixie, come on! How can you not be excited to be here? I’m still in awe of this place, and this is my fourth or fifth visit!”

Trixie responded, not looking up from the floor she now stared down at.

“Oh, I’ve seen all this before. This isn’t my first time here.”

Starlight was surprised. She was learning new things about her friend every day.

“I didn’t know you’d been here before! When were you going to tell me?”

“I didn’t plan on telling you at all. It didn’t exactly go well. But that’s all you need to know, so leave it. Now, could you kindly point me in the direction of our hotel?”

Starlight nodded her head, acceptant of her friends wishes. She pointed towards a tall tower in the distance, the tallest structure around by a long way.

“We’re staying there, at the Crystal Castle. We are distinguished guests of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.”

Trixie’s jaw lolled slightly as she stared up at the tower. Now that was exciting.

***

Trixie and Starlight found themselves being guided around the castle by two sturdy looking guards. They wore the full attire, looking incredibly serious and stoic. They walked in perfect timing as they marched the mares down a large hallway. The mares aimed several questions at the guards, but got no response. They resigned themselves to the awkward silence, before eventually arriving at a large set of double doors. One of the guards grandly thrust the door open with a hoof, and motioned for the two mares to enter. Inside Princess Cadance was tending to her foal. Shining Armor and Sunburst were also there, both looking incredibly tired. Sunburst was the first to notice the doors open, and he smiled joyfully as he saw his friend arrive.

“Starlight! How are you, it’s been a while!”

Glimmer ran forwards and wrapped herself around Sunburst in a tight hug. Sunburst groaned as he felt the air being crushed from him.
“I’m glad you’re happy to see me too…” he managed to wheeze out.

Cadance and Shining smiled down at the two as they embraced, before looking up to Starlight's friend. They saw Trixie stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure of what to do with herself. Cadance grinned over at her, before beckoning her into the room. Trixie awkwardly trotted over, her saddlebags still weighing her down. Cadance spoke up as the mare approached.

“Trixie, how are you? Starlight wrote ahead, told me you haven’t been feeling yourself. That is perfectly understandable, it happens to the best of us! Life can throw up some stressful challenges sometimes.”

She looked down at Flurry Heart, sleeping in her hooves. She lifted her to her face and nuzzled against her, waking the foal from her rest.
“But good things can come of stress, so let’s not get caught up in the difficult things. Shining dear, can you look after Flurry while these two mares and I go for a talk?”

She levitated the baby across the room, resting her down in Shining’s hooves. Cadance, Trixie and Starlight headed for the door as Flurry Heart immediately burst into tears. The last thing they heard was Shining panicking as the baby flew from his arms and started crashing around the room.

The alicorn directed the two down a string of hallways, until they eventually arrived at a large drawing room. Walking inside a large table rested in the center, several plush topped chairs surrounding it. She motioned towards the chairs as she locked the door behind her. She didn’t want anyone getting distracted. And from the sounds of burbled giggles and crashes outside, Flurry Heart had escaped from her room. Cadance sat at the head of the table as Shining and Sunburst scrabbled around outside in chase.

“So, Trixie. Starlight and Twilight have kept me pretty up to date on what’s been eating away at you. But I would love to hear it from you yourself, so please, what do you feel is the issue?”

Trixie shuffled in her seat, clearly reluctant to discuss her faults with anyone other than her best friend. She squirmed from left to right as Starlight encouraged her, until she eventually snapped and let it all slide out.

“I’ve been feeling really lonely and isolated and I think that nopony really likes me! Alright? I said it. Now why are we here, Starlight told me this was just going to be a relaxing weeks’ vacation.”

Cadance looked over at Starlight, her face a mixture of concern and disappointment. Starlight shrugged uncertainly. Lying was the only way she could’ve convinced Trixie to come in the first place.

“No, Trixie.” Cadance’s voice was stern, yet warming. “This is pretty much an intervention. Starlight brought you here so we could help you feel better about yourself. She went to Twilight for help, and she deemed it best that you two came to me. You see Trixie, I think you see the world wrong. Ponies do like you. You assume that just because you’ve had a rough history with some folk, that you’ll never be seen well by anypony else. Well that is not true. You need a companion, somepony that can stand by your side through the tough times, and prove to you that you are not a bad pony. You shouldn’t be chasing after the approval of a crowd in an effort to feel loved. That is why I have deliberated the best course of action for you, and I feel it best that you attend a blind date meeting here in the Crystal Empire.”

Trixie’s jaw was practically on the floor. She didn’t know where to look, what to say. She was stunned. On the one hoof she’d been tricked into coming here by her friend, and on the other she was now being told she had to attend a blind date meeting!

“Ridiculous! The Great and Powerful Trixie would never stoop to something as totally pointless as a blind date! Why would someone as magnificent as I leave my future to something as petty as chance?”

Cadance bowed her head, acknowledging Trixie’s expected frustration.

“You may feel it beneath you. But I still deem it the best course of action for yourself, if you want to feel better about the way the world sees you.”

Trixie crossed her hooves firmly across her chest in defiance.

“Nope. Trixie will not stoop to something so potentially humiliating.”

“…Well now I never. I didn’t expect the Great and Powerful Trixie to be a chicken.”

Trixie stopped. She turned to face Starlight and struggled to withhold her malice.

“Y-You?! Trixie’s best friend, calling her out? What a low blow. Trixie will have you know she can do ANYTHING one throws at her. I’m just avoiding this, because, well, I don’t feel like it.”

“Oh really now? Well, if you want everypony back home to know you weren’t up to the challenge, I’d be more than happy to let them know.”

With that Starlight clambered down from her chair and began to saunter slowly towards the door. She was clearly feeling cocky, moving with an overtly confident sway. A cloud of energy wrapped around her body as she felt herself being dragged backwards towards the table again. She came to rest beside her friend, who stared directly at her, refusing to break eye contact.

“Trixie will NEVER step back from a gauntlet. Give her the time and place, and she’ll be there for this blind date.”

With that she turned and – holding her head aloft – trotted out the door. Starlight looked across to the Princess, smiling proudly. The Princess smiled back.

“Starlight Glimmer, this is the information you need to give her. Let’s hope she does well in her mission.”

THE FROSTED QUARTZ BAKERY – THAT EVENING AT SUNDOWN

Trixie coughed quietly to herself as she sat at her table. There was a row of about ten desks set up in the bakery foyer, at each sat a different crystal mare. Trixie was convinced she was the only non-Crystal pony there. She could feel sweat beading on her forehead as she sensed eyes digging into her, all around her. Trixie couldn’t bring herself to lift her eyes from the desk. She just wanted to get this over with. It was all so embarrassing.

“Okay ladies, here come the stallions!”

A flamboyant mare – as cheery as she was chunky – squealed across the room, the bell over the door chiming as it swung open. In from the cold air wandered about twelve stallions of a variety of ages and builds. Trixie could hear all the other mares murmuring to each other as their interests were peaked. Trixie grit her teeth.

“Let’s get this done.”

Trixie’s eyes still dug into the table. The sound of chair legs scraping along the floor. She looked up.

“Hi, I’m Crystal Arrow!”

Trixie nodded before going back to gazing at the table. She drew circles on the desk with her hoof.

“…Hi, Crystal. Trixie. Why not. Come on then, do you wanna tell me about yourself?”

Arrow was quick to pipe up.

“Well, I see you’re not a Crystal Pony like us, so you might not know a lot about just the kind of crazy stuff that happens here. Like, I used to be a slave of King Sombra! It was tough work, but it was only our love and resilience that broke us free! Cool, huh?”

Trixie let her head fall backwards, staring up at the ceiling. She telekinetically caught her hat as it fell to the floor. She let loose a long, deep sigh.

“Enslaved, huh? I once fought for control of a town using a magic amulet and trapped the citizens inside once I took over. Don’t try to make yourself seem like some kind of superstar.”

Crystal Arrow gawked across the desk at the unicorn sat opposite him. Clearly taken aback by her tone, he pushed his chair back and stood up. He looked around for the mare running the event, before finally setting his eyes on her.

“Hey, are we ready to move on? I think I know what I need to with this mare.”

The owner looked over at him, nervously nodding.

“Okay everypony, time to change over! Move up to the next desk please!”

Trixie closed her eyes as the next stallion shuffled down onto the seat. She arched the chair onto it’s back legs, resting her hooves on the desk.

She didn’t look over to acknowledge him.

“Hey, so, uh, hi there. Trixie. Your name and personal information, please?”

The confused stallion began to speak, his stride obviously thrown by Trixie’s abrasive behavior.

“Well, um, Hi! I’m Gallic. This is awkward… Er, I was at the Crystalling just a few weeks ago. That was pretty exciting! To see the Royal baby right up close was an incredible moment, I felt so lucky to witness something so important! W-What about you? Have you ever seen something amazing?”

Trixie had begun to obnoxiously whistle through her teeth.

“Seen anything amazing? Check. Done anything amazing? Check. How about saving the free world from a changeling invasion by infiltrating their hive and taking the fight to them? Please don’t try and show off to the likes of me. You’ll find it an emasculating experience.”

The stallion glared over at the ever-flustered host, who clapped her hooves together to signal the next move.

Trixie closed her eyes again. The scraping of chairs. Hooves dragging on the floor as someone new shifted into place.

“Hi there, Ms. Flash Sentry’s my name. I just wanted to say - before anything else - you look very pretty…”

Trixie lifted her hooves from the desk, allowing her chair to fall forwards. She came to rest sat upright, gazing over at the orange Pegasus before her. She eyed him up and down.

“…Thanks for the compliment, I guess. Though that was a pretty dorky opening line, buddy. You ought to try harder.”

She was surprised to hear Flash Sentry begin lightly chuckling to himself, the occasional flash of his teeth as his lips formed a smile.

“Haha, you don’t need to remind me! I know, pretty corny. Honestly, I can be a kind of corny guy sometimes. Some ponies don’t like it, but I’m not out to impress them. You’ve got to be happy with yourself before anypony else will be, wouldn’t you agree?”

Trixie could feel those words echoing around her head. Though he hadn’t said much, Trixie could sense that this pony was genuine. She could feel herself easing as she responded, leaving much of her tension behind her.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I mean, I’ve had my troubles, but you can’t let them beat you. I guess… So, what do you do when you’re not awkwardly sat at a desk interviewing somepony you’ve never met?”

Flash grinned softly. “Well, I’m actually one of the Royal Guards here, posted up in the Crystal Castle. It can be stressful some days, but for the most part it’s pretty laid back.” He leant across the desk, holding out a hoof to shield his mouth. “Of course, don’t tell Cadance her guards are laid back, she’d be so mad…” He whispered playfully. Trixie smiled dumbly at him, still lost in the sentence he’d uttered before.

“Did you say you’re working in the Castle? That’s crazy… My friend and I are actually staying there as the Princess’ guests.”

Flash beamed at this news, only for that familiar call of the hostess to force him to stand up. As he prepared to move to the next table, he leant down towards her.

“That is amazing to hear! What a coincidence! Say - this place is so stuffy - would you like to go catch some dinner somewhere tomorrow night? I'll be busy on my shift all day, so I'll come straight from work. Perhaps then we can talk a little more freely? What do you say?”

Trixie found herself slowly nodding. As she did Flash pulled a small piece of paper and a quill from a tray at the desk’s edge and wrote out a time and address. He pushed it across the table towards her.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you then.” And with that, he backed out of the line of desks and left the building, without even stopping at any of the other tables. Trixie took this as an opportunity to make a hurried exit, leaving the latest stallion confused and lonely as he had begun to sit at her desk.