The Ticket Master 2.0

by CinnabarPony

Rating: everyone
Tags: Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 6541

A little jealousy gets the better of all of us sometimes.

The Grand Galloping Gala. A night of magic, joviality, and class. Truly an event every last pony in Equestria would do just about anything to attend.

But what if, Celestia forbid, your best friend gets an invitation, and you don't?

For two particular unicorns, the outcome isn't going to be pretty.

Gala Ticket source: https://www.deviantart.com/noxwyll/art/Grand-Galloping-Gala-Ticket-258779962

Published 2018-09-11 04:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-09-11 04:00:01 UTC

The Ends Justify the Means

Yawning and dragging her cynderblock hooves into the kitchen, coffee mug held protectively by her side as a mother might a foal, Starlight Glimmer was entirely convinced today was going to be a perfect, unexciting, and entirely uneventful day.

But after opening the door only to find a giant teacup where the dining table once sat, she could only sigh when forced to accept the reason that it most certainly wouldn’t be.

“Why hellooo Starlight! Trixie has arrived bright and early to ensure her best friend maximum amounts of best friend time today! So, how do you like your surprise?”

And there was the reason.

Starlight rubbed her baggy eyes with a hoof, somehow hoping the blame for the mess in front of her could be placed on some sort of hallucination, or that she could perhaps still be dreaming. But the giant pink teacup remained, pale blue pony inside, arms outstretched and wearing her signature smile. And while she knew this would only mean more trouble on her part, she couldn’t help but crack a smile at her best friend’s antics.

“It’s great, Trixie. Really.”

“Great and powerful, you mean?” Trixie’s smirked over top of the massive rim.

“Yeah, great and powerful. It’s just-” Starlight took another long swig from her mug. Celestia knows she would need it. “I don’t exactly know how Twilight’ll feel about you transfiguring her furniture.”

“Pfft, please.” Trixie leaped down from her position inside the massive teacup. “If anything, Princess Twilight will be impressed by such advanced and friendship-oriented magic." She patted her colossal creation, contently. "And you should be too, Starlight!” She gave the unicorn a bright and expectant smile. “Only… you don’t seem quite as impressed as Trixie thought you would be! Why is this? Usually ponies can’t help but marvel at the magical capabilities of the Grrreat and Powerful Trixie!” She the set off one of her famous smoke bombs for added dramatic effect. Lots of eye watering and coughing ensued from the both of them. But if the magician’s face was anything to go by, it was worth it.

“And plus, well... you’re the one who taught me the spell in the first place!” Trixie said once the smoke cleared. “Aren’t you glad of how much Trixie’s been practicing?”

“Of course I am, Trix,” she placed her mug down and immediately began blasting the impressively large teacup with her own magic, slowly but surely morphing it into an everyday dining table once again. “It’s just... transfiguration is meant to be used in light amounts for more... practical purposes. Maybe you should keep it smaller, for now.”

“Excuse Trixie!” The self-proclaimed unicorn wore an expression as if she had just been insulted to the high levels of Tartarus. “You seem to have forgotten just who you’re talking to, Starlight!” The mentioned pony put a hoof to her forehead, knowing all too well what was coming. “Trixie understands. It’s early. Allow her to jog your memory for you!” A hoof reached into the pocket of her cape which held several loaded smoke bombs.

There was no stopping her now.

“Woah. What happened in here?” said a familiar voice, save for the coughing, who was revealed to be none other than Spike. He looked on in what could only have been described as horror at the mess of a kitchen before him.

“Believe me, I wish I knew.” Starlight was beginning to wonder if a second cup of coffee was in order.

“Trixie was just getting some very important magic practice taken care of,” Trixie said with all the pride in the world, chest puffed out and a smug smile plastered onto her muzzle. “What brings you down here so early, Spike?”

“Um… the explosion I heard from upstairs? You know, Twilight has a very important royal summit tonight, and she really needs her rest. So do you think you could… you could… you…”

Without warning Spike began gagging and sputtering, only to eventually belch out a plume of sparkling green flames, which stalled for a few second before transforming into a large, rolled up piece of parchment.

The letter, far larger than should’ve been necessary and adorned with several elegant-looking ribbons, managed to land itself perfectly by Starlight’s feet. She looked to Trixie, the both of them obviously too surprised for words.

“How gross.” a wrinkle-nosed magician finally spoke up. “Have you guys honestly never thought of a mailbox?”

“Wow, Starlight, this must be pretty important! The only letters usually sent this way are from Princess Celestia herself!”

“Princess Celestia? You’re sure this isn’t for Twilight, then?” Starlight picked up the rolled parchment delicately and examined. A royal seal. Sure enough, it was the real deal.

“Nonsense. The letter arrived when you were here, Starlight, so the message inside is clearly for you. Isn’t that how it works, Spike?”

“Actually, I don’t know if…” Trixie failed to wait another second for an answer and immediately tore up the priceless-looking ribbons the message was wrapped in. Starlight felt nothing but gratitude that her mentor was still fast asleep, and was already planning out a sincere apology in her head. Who knows if it would be enough.

“Hah! See right here: To. Starlight. Glimmer. Now, was Trixie right or was Trixie right?”

“You told us, Trixie. You were right.” Starlight figured any other answer would likely lead to even more permanent lung damage. “Now, can I see the…”

Trixie levitated the parchment ever higher when Starlight reached out a hoof, and squinted in an attempt to read at such a high angle, “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna do cordially invite a Miss Starlight Glimmer to the Grand Galloping Gala…”

“The what?” Starlight immediately tore the parchment out of Trixie’s grasp, her aura quickly giving way to such a fully-charged, frantic outburst of magic. “No, it can’t be… I…”

“Hey! Give that back! Trixie wasn’t done reading!”

But Starlight had had just about enough at this point. Celestia knows she had enough on her mind with this letter. Without thinking she lifted Trixie up by the cape until she was dangling among the rafters, intending on keeping her there until she finished reading.

For several moments Trixie thrashed and kicked, yelping about nothing Starlight cared to hear. Starlight did her best to ignore her and continued to mumble the letter to myself, each word harder to believe than the last.

“...as a replacement guest to her Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Wow, if this news wasn’t so jarring, I might’ve even been offended by that. “Miss Glimmer is asked to arrive promptly at seven tonight to the Canterlot Castle gates, or six-thirty if she is willing to attend the optional musical number taking place before the festivities.”

“So... maybe I should get going now…” Spike retreated a few steps towards the door, obviously not sure how to handle all that was going on in front of him.

“No, Spike! It’s okay, I need you to tell me…” Her stomach turned upon unfolding the last line. We do greatly look forward to seeing you there. Hidden in the paper was a small golden ticket, which slowly drifted to the ground below.

“Trixie demands to be put down! Trixie does not approve of this! Trixie will have her-”

“Oh! Sorry Trix, hang on…” she carefully levitated her friend back down to her hooves, and was met by a terrible scoul. “I said I was sorry, alright? This letter is an invitation to the Grand Galloping Gala! I just... panicked, is all."

"Trixie'll say!"

"Spike.” The purple unicorn turned her attention behind her. “There has to have been some kind of mix up here. Why would I be invited to the Gala?”

“What are you talking about?" Spike cocked his head. "You saved everypony from Queen Chrysalis! You’re Twilights’ pupil! I mean, if the Princesses had to choose anypony…”

“But what about everything else i’ve done!” the words came out far louder than intended, and after meekly clearing her throat, she started again: “I mean, I know all the Princesses might have forgiven me for everything in my past, but… i’ve never gotten an invitation to something on this level! Of course, it isn’t like i’ve ever complained or anything, but, why would they just send me an invitation like this... the day of? Isn’t the Gala something you’re supposed to prepare for!?” Starlight had already begun shaking on her hooves, and could feel the sweat rolling down the back of her neck.

“Well, Twilight’s gonna be over at that summit, she won’t be able to make it this year. Apparently, somepony just has to go in the Princess's place. It's not that big of a deal."

“Well, can’t she just come back?!”

“Wait, Starlight, you’re not saying that you don’t wanna go, are you?” Spike asked. “I mean, this is the Grand Galloping Gala we’re talking here!”

“Nonsense, Spike. Don’t be so rude!” Trixie began. “Starlight here is only informing us that she had no friends before The Great and Powerful Trixie came along, and therefore was never invited to any parties! She’s just nervous, can’t you tell?”

A growl escaped Starlight’s lips, “I’m not nervous, Trixie. I’m just... a little unsure of what’s gonna happen. And i’m confused as to why i’d even get an invitation to go in replacement of a princess. And worst of all, i’m…” She looked down at the mug beside her with longing eyes, then back up again “...i’m out of coffee.”

“Well... Trixie can fix at least two of those problems for you, not-nervous Starlight, right here and now.” She lifted the mug out of Starlight’s grasp, and whisked it away towards the coffee pot to refill. “There we go. Wouldn’t want a cranky all-powerful unicorn on our hands, now would we?” Starlight opened my mouth to respond, but was promptly silenced. “And Trixie can also put an end to that confusion or yours. You’re a friendly and talented pony. Almost on the same level as Trixie, as a matter of fact!”

“Also,” Spike cut in. “Nopony’s gonna know Princess Twilight like her very own protégé! Now that I think about it, you’re the perfect stand-in for her! And as a bonus, I mean, you’ve single-handedly saved Equestria and all the princesses’ hides. If that doesn’t earn you one of these,” he picked up the gilded ticket and waved it in front of her. “I don’t know what does.”

“Oh, that too!” said Trixie. “But there’s no reason to fret, Starlight. After all, you’ll have your bestest friend by your side to help you! Right, Spike? Where’s my invitation?”

“Your… what?” Spike seemed genuinely confused at this, but Starlight, knowing Trixie and knowing where the situation was likely going, was already contemplating teleporting out of existence right then and there.

“Why, the invitation! The little golden ticket like the one Starlight got!” She plucked it out of his claws and levitated it into the air to prove her point. “Surely after being the saving grace of Equestria in more ways than one, and being so close to Starlight, the Princesses would have sent Trixie an invitation of her own!”

“I… well… I’m not sure if…” If one thing was certain, Starlight wasn’t the only one wishing to disappear in that moment. Trixie glared at the dragon with expectant eyes. “I- I guess you… didn’t get one?” the little dragon looked so mortified, you would’ve thought that he was in the clutches of a hungry manticore.

“Hm!” Trixie raised her muzzle into the air defiantly. “Clearly not! Well, Trixie will not let this decision affect her in any way, she can tell you that much, Spike! She is very humble, as you both know, and not getting invited to the most high-end and prestigious event in Canterlot after she has clearly deserved such an honor will not damage her self-esteem one bit.” Trixie’s voice cracked near the end of her soliloquy, and the disappointment bordering her words was clear as day.

“Gosh, Trixie, i’m sorry. I really would've wanted to go with you.” Starlight put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. Spike started to back away once more, clearly trying to avoid more questioning. “I’m sure it’s nothing personal. I’d gladly give you mine if I could, really.” Trixie only continued to pout. “But hey, at least I won’t be alone, right Spike? You and the girls always attend the Gala, don’t you?”

“Uh... actually, not this year. Everypony’s just too busy. I mean, somepony’s gotta keep the School of Friendship running. And what if the map calls one of us while we’re away? Or something goes wrong here in Ponyville again? It’d be too risky.”

Starlight’s expression dropped. “That’s- that’s terrible! They really don’t have the time? Won’t they miss going?”

Spike shrugged, “Getting invited to the Gala may be big deal, but it’s really not all it’s cracked up to be, trust me. I don’t think anypony will miss it this year, if i’m telling the truth.”

“I can’t believe this!” Starlight plopped herself down on the floor, now looking just as pouty as the unicorn beside her. “So everypony else gets a free ticket out, but since somepony has to be there in replacement for the Princess, i’ve got no choice? Do I understand this right?” She sighed and then gave a dry chuckle. “You know, it’s funny. I was once such a danger to Twilight, and the Princesses, and now they’re entrusting me with something as big as this! I just…" She looked up at the others, then down to her hooves. "I just don’t want to mess everything up like I always do, you know? I mean, who even knows what these important, high-end ponies will think of me!”

Seeing Starlight's state, Trixie shook herself out of of her own frown and pulled the unicorn to her feet. “Starlight, listen. It's true that there's... really nothing you can do about the past. You and I know that pretty well. However, the Great and Powerful Trixie has always believed that there’s plenty you can do for the future!” She swept a steaming mug over from the counter and into Starlight’s grasp once more. "Honestly, I thought you’d gotten that into that big head of yours by now. And you know as well as I that the only danger you pose Twilight is the total destruction of her caffeine supply. You’re a changed pony, Starlight. It’s time to start really living like it.”

“Hey, thanks Trix.” Starlight looked up with a smile. “That was actually really sweet.”

“Trixie has always been known for being the caring and sentimental type. Just don’t let it all go to your head, now.”

“So, what do you think?”

“What do I think? Right now, that is? Well, Trixie is currently thinking of how exactly the Royal Sisters will pay for not giving Trixie an invitation to the Gala, and how in the name of all that is magic such a miscalculation could have been made!” Trixie ended her sentiment by crossing her hooves and plopping down angrily on Starlight’s mattress.

Starlight sighed. “Of the dress, Trixie. I was asking what you thought of the dress.”

“Oh!” The blue mare perked up at this, and then carefully examined what Starlight was wearing with a hoof to her chin. “It looks very nice. However i’m certain you don’t need the Great and Powerful Trixie to tell you that, Starlight.”

“It’s always nice to have a little assurance.” Starlight turned to her mirror and stared back at a pony who appeared as if she was caught in the clutches of, rather than wearing, a very elegant teal dress.

“Did Rarity make it?”

Starlight nodded, eyes still staring into her own. “Really a shame i’ve never even gotten to wear it until now.”

“Trixie assumed so. Such a beautiful garment could only be created by somepony with Rarity's level of talent. Trixie wonders what kind of ball gown she’d get tailored for such an occasion.” She looked up at the ceiling mournfully, “Something with stars on it, plenty of room for scarves and playing cards, maybe a rabbit or two…”

“Trixie, are you alright?” a worried Starlight turned around and shook the unicorn out of her daydream. “It seems like you’re really caught up about this. You know I can always just ask the Princesses for another invitation, right? To be honest, I really don’t want to go all-”

“No no!” Trixie hopped onto her hooves and regained a proud stature. “Trixie got the message quite clearly; by not getting any sort of message at all…. that is. Certainly not one with fancy ribbons and once-in-a-lifetime promises! Trixie’s charm and performance expertise is apparently not required at one of the most high-class events in all of Equestria. Trixie could not care less. This will be those Canterlotians’ loss through and through, not hers.”

“And you’re sure about that?”

“Mm-hm.” Trixie crossed her hooves and stuck her muzzle into the air.

“Alright…” Starlight pulled at some of the itching frills on her dress and played idly with her mane, choosing to focus on anything but the clock ticking away above her. It was then that she contemplated telling Trixie just how worried and unprepared she felt, no matter how foolish that might sound out loud. But she was also concerned about the disappointment and anger her best friend was quite unaffectedly hiding. In her head, it all worked out nicely. She could’ve given Trixie the ticket and the perfect night she wanted so desperately, and then spend the rest of the evening with Spike, some tea, and a few ancient spell books. Deep down, though, she knew such a plan would never work. She was the one invited in Twilight’s place. And even while she’d never been to a party this big or important, and even though she’d never been all the way to Canterlot on her own, it was her responsibility. That’s what mattered.

BUM-BADA-DUM-BUUUR!

It was then that both contemplating mares nearly leaped out of their skin at a blasting trumpet call that seemed to radiate off the very walls.

“What in Equestria was that?” Trixie asked, a disheveled mess at the foot of Starlight’s bed.

“Hey Starlight!” A tiny knock came from the other side of the door, and Spike’s voice soon followed. “Your ride’s here!”

It was possibly the most elegant thing she had laid eyes on, sparkling white crystal with a delicate frame and gorgeously simple yet sophisticated design. So massive that it was incredible only one pony was meant to ride in it, although it appeared light as a feather. Try as she might, Starlight just couldn’t take her eyes off it.

“Why- why would they send a carriage? I mean, I could just teleport to...”

“Hey, us world savers deserve the lux, don’t we? Spike elbowed the mare’s side. "And besides, it’s the Gala! And if you want any attention there, you’ve gotta arrive in style.”

“Who says I wanted any of that?”

“Miss Starlight Glimmer!”

“Huh?” Starlight jolted to attention, meeting the gaze of a well-dressed stallion coachpony.

“Miss Starlight Glimmer, I have been informed that since the Princess is unavailable this evening, that you, her protégé, will be taking her place in the royal carriage. Is this correct?”

Starlight turned to a grinning Spike, then to the faintly smiling Trixie behind her. “That is correct. To the Gala, please.”

The coachpony readily opened the carriage door for her, “Great then, come along miss. We’ve a long ways to travel.” She waved goodbye and stepped inside, and the stallion immediately looked around in worry, “Now where did my two carriage-pullers run off to? I swear to Celestia, somepony's going to be out of a job if-”

Starlight chuckled, “Oh, please, there won’t be any need for that.” Her horn lit up a brilliant pale blue, and the carriage became animated, locomoting along on nothing but Starlight’s own will. The coachman was picked up and placed at the dash.

“I, um… thank you, miss Glimmer! Now, off to have the night of your life!”

After what seemed like an eternity of scenic views and intensifying dread, Starlight led the carriage to a halt in front of the castle, seven o’clock sharp. She wasn’t much in the mood for a musical number, thank you very much.

Spike sure wasn’t lying about her method of travel, that was for sure. As her magnificent royal carriage came to a stop at the open gates, plenty of well-dressed and very important-looking ponies turned their attentions and conversations towards her arrival immediately.

Okay, Starlight. You’ve got this. Just because none of your friends are around, doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time with these ponies. You’re doing this for Twilight, remember? What do you think all those friendship lessons were for? Just be friendly, act natural, and make sure not to do anything-

After trying and failing to exit the carriage tactfully and with a pleasant smile, Starlight tripped over her own hooves and collapsed to the ground.

It was going to be quite the evening.

The sun was just beginning to set, and the sky was glowing, melting over the horizon. The Friendship castle stood like a beacon, each and every one of its crystalline surfaces reflecting the light of Celestia’s sleepy sun. It was a lovely, tranquil evening, and something to be reflected on.

Trixie Lulamoon, however, could not have cared less if Equestria depended on it.

Upon Starlight’s departure by carriage and Spike’s departure to handle more paperwork, she had been left with no choice but to sulk her way back to her wagon, which was stationed nearby and looked so pathetic, lonely, and forgotten, it was hard to even tell the two apart. She climbed in and collapsed on her disorganized mountain of clutter, feeling so many feelings it was hard to even know what she should be feeling. There was no doubt in her mind she felt lonely, under-appreciated, and straight up abandoned by everypony she held dear. But the worst punishment of all? Trixie was bored.

But what the unicorn realized, after several minutes of sulking accompanied by deep thought, was that she was in fact angry as well. At the princesses for their terrible judgement on who should be invited to their parties, mostly. But also at the ponies of Equestria for not thinking her worthy and Starlight’s friends for obviously not considering that Trixie might possibly care to attend such an event. She did feel something towards her best friend as well, something familiar, although no way in Equestria could it have been anger.

Jealousy? Out of the question. A pony on Trixie’s level of greatness, maturity, and humility was simply beyond such things. But it was definitely... something like that.

But then Trixie realized, attending the Grand Galloping Gala had never even been a desire of hers until tonight. In fact, up until Starlight got that ticket, the mere subject of that asinine little get-together had never even dared to cross her mind. Every year they came and went, all without thought from Trixie. It was then that she realized that Starlight was the reason she was getting so flustered about this whole situation. That ticket was the only reason Trixie had been considering any of this. And that consideration got the unicorn to realize something.

That it wasn’t fair. Her feelings of anger and insignificance and… some other unmentionable third thing were completely validated in the fact that it just wasn’t fair. Everypony else had so much to do. Princess Twilight had her summit, Starlight had her fancy-schmancy gala where she was probably meeting other potential fancy-schmancy best friends, and Spike and the others had that school of theirs to keep up. Trixie rolled onto her side and stared out the window, watching the sun disappear below the horizon.

Why doesn’t anypony think Trixie is capable of anything herself, hm?

Trixie didn’t know. But one thing was for sure, their feelings were about to change.

It was strange that even with so many ponies around, Starlight could feel so alone.

Tapestries were strung around on every wall, beautiful yet unidentifiable food items were spread across every last table, and chandeliers dotted the ceilings, so far away it seemed they could have been stars.

The ballroom floor, however, was quite crowded and bustled with the snooty laughter, ecstatic conversations, and warm introductions of Equestria's very, very important ponies. They came in almost every color and wore just about every remaining shade. There had to be hundreds, no, thousands. Starlight had no way to tell. It was all so much to take in, she didn’t even know where to-

“Why, hello!” A stallion in a lovely navy suit and tie beat her to it. She guessed this was where she starting.

“Oh, hi there! I’m Starlight-”

“Glimmer! It’s a pleasure, really!”

“Uh… yes! That’s me. I’m actually here in replacement for-”

“Her Highness Twilight Sparkle!” A lavender mare appeared beside him in a flash, in a dress white as snow, so quickly Starlight could’ve sworn she’d teleported. “We’ve heard all about you. Come, come, let us introduce you!”

“Intro… duce me? To whom, exactly?” Starlight figured if she couldn't act the part of these high-class ponies, she could at least try to talk it.

“Why, everypony! Let’s go!” And like that, Starlight was grabbed by two simultaneous hooves and whisked into the fray of the party.

For hours Starlight talked up the ranks, there was nothing much else ponies seemed to do here, after all. She even found herself conversing with the Wonderbolts at one point, minus of course the one she actually knew. Nopony seemed to resent her for anything she’d done in her past, which was a welcome relief. But after a while, even blather about ‘the unicorn who saved Equestria’ and 'the Princess's pupil' was something she'd come to resent. She was grateful for the appreciation, sure, but it did get old fast. And it was all too clear that these ponies only liked the idea of Starlight, rather than the actual pony they were talking to.

First it was the citizens, then officials, then dignitaires, and finally the royalty. The unicorn’s jaw and ears alike were sore by the end of it all. Princess Celestia was a welcome and familiar face, but an intimidating one nonetheless. Still, Starlight did her best to hold it all together.

“Pleasure to see you, Starlight. You’re enjoying the Gala, I hope?”

“I, um…” Starlight’s false smile was fading. Where were those lying skills when she needed them? “Of-of course I am! I, it’s…”

The Princess burst out chuckling, finally turning to the confused and possibly mortified unicorn beside her.

“Oh Starlight, you don’t have to pretend with me. Twilight and the girls were never too fond of it themselves. I do still think it’s a shame, though, they were all too busy to make it this year.”

“Really?” Starlight couldn’t help but blurt out. “From what i’ve heard it sounds like, well... the Galas they attended never exactly went too smoothly, from what they told me.”

Celestia laughed again, “Oh dearest, that would be a grand understatement. Still, they managed liven up the event quite nicely. Dinner and a show, I’d always say. Got several good friendship lessons out of it, as well.” she gave Starlight a small wink.

Starlight smiled at the Princess, a real one this time, grateful for how genuine and playful she was being towards her. It was a welcome change. Still, she found herself staring down at her hooves before long, wearing anything but a smile.

Celestia took notice immediately. Starlight didn’t think that alicorns had telepathy in their roster, but at that moment she was beginning to consider the possibility.

“It must be hard for you to be the only one able to attend this year’s Gala,” Celestia spoke softly, knowingly. Starlight just nodded. “I assumed the task would be a hard one, since you were never too fond of these kinds of things, but I knew nopony better to come in place of Princess Twilight. However I made such a last-minute decision without knowing that none of the others would be able to make it either. So I do apologize, Starlight, if I at all put a damper on what was going to be a relaxing evening for you. I always want to do what’s best for my subjects, of course, but I never intended one of Equestria’s most talented unicorns to have to brave such an evening all alone.”

Starlight blushed a little at Celestia’s last statement, but then glanced up and cocked her head. “Best for… your subjects? Excuse me, Princess, but how would inviting me be the best for your subjects?”

“Please, Starlight. These ponies adore you, and you know as well as I. So many of them came from far and wide to meet the Elements of Harmony and Princess Twilight, and I was afraid to disappoint. I don't want to call you a picture-perfect copy, Starlight. You are your own pony, after all. But for all these guests, you're just as much a pleasure to be meeting."

Starlight didn't even know what to say at this point. She hadn't really thought about it that way. Still, something didn't feel right about the whole situation. She had practice being a leader, albeit not the best practice, but never a celebrity. This was really never the kind of life she thought she'd have to deal with.

“Well, I must be off to check how dear Luna is holding up. Thank you again for coming on such short notice, Starlight. You may gladly be going, if you wish. My Gala has been a success, and i'm certain you have the rest of a lovely evening to get back to."

And like that, the mare spread a beautiful, massive pair of wings and soared out the nearest grand window, towards the tower where Luna must’ve been staying. Starlight was alone. Better yet, Starlight was alone with a free ticket out of the Gala from none other than the Princess herself. Had she wanted to, she could bolt out the door right then and there, or even save the trouble and teleport right back to her doorstep.

Except Starlight couldn’t do that. Not after all this talk about ‘the wonderful, amazing, world-saving Starlight’, not after Celestia made it so clear how happy everypony was to have her. Whether it was true or not, these ponies were convinced she was some talented and brave hero. Essentially as good as the Princess of Friendship herself.

Starlight needed to prove that conviction. Not just to these ponies, but to herself. She was going to impress them like they’d never been impressed before. She was going to make her absent mentor and everypony else proud.

Her Majesty wanted dinner and a show? Well, she'd better be hungry.

Ponyville was blanketed in darkness now, and Twilight’s castle stood still. Unguarded. Unaware.

Only the most perfect conditions for a certain magician’s plan to unfold.

Creeping out of the brush and up the long flight of stairs to the front door, the powder blue unicorn focused on a spell Starlight had practiced with her countless times before.

Just think of where exactly you’re going… where you are… how exactly you’re going to get there...

Pop! She'd made it! A mischievous grin found its way to Trixie’s face as she found herself right on the opposite side of the door, a completely empty castle foyer before her. So far, everything was going just as planned.

The castle was incredibly dark this time of night, and a pony of a particularly light-hearted nature might have even considered it scary. But not Trixie. Such a brave and experienced magician would not let the eerie-looking shadows and the creaking in the walls affect her in the slightest. She was on a mission, after all, and that meant nothing, not a thing in Equestria, would stand in her way of-

“Eek!”

Distracted by her own musings, Trixie failed to notice the outline of a large, spiny, terrifying creature until it was too late. Its enormous, grotesque shadow drew closer and closer, its eyes glowing big and bright, leaving the brave and experienced Trixie no choice but to hide under a nearby table. She began to shudder, hooves clamped over her head, trying with all her might to re-create the teleportation spell from earlier…

“Trixie?”

The creature finally rounded the corner, its shadow shrinking to the height of a little dragon. It was none other than Spike, holding a blanket under one arm and a comically large flashlight in the other. With it he revealed the castle's periwinkle intruder, rubbing his eyes in shock and exhaustion. But mostly just exhaustion.

“S-Spike? What are you doing here?” Trixie wasn’t startled to see Spike, that certainly wasn’t it. She'd known it was him all along. Obviously. It never hurt to be cautious, however, especially while executing a plan as vital as this one. And that was what she was doing down here. Being cautious.

“What am I… Trixie, I live here. What are you doing walking around down here in the middle of the night?”

“I… Trixie was just.. enjoying the scenery!” She hopped up from her position under the table, hitting her head and causing a flower pot to fall behind her. But if it had hurt, nopony would've been able to tell. “What, is Trixie not welcome to visit the castle all of a sudden?”

“What? No, of course you’re…” a sigh. “Alright Trixie, i’m going back to bed. Just, try not to break anything, alright?”

“Hmph! Trixie would never break anything!” with her back leg, she discreetly pushed the remains of a flower pot under the table. “...else.”

Spike let out a loud yawn and started walking back in the direction of his room. “Okay, well, goodnight Trixie. See ya tomorrow.”

With the infiltration going just as inconspicuous as planned (minus a few minor slip-ups), Trixie started to make her way towards the location of the library.

The road was treacherous, and there were more than a few obstacles the famed magician had to evade in order to avoid detection along the way. At one point, a vicious owl threatened to tear Trixie’s throat out with its razor-sharp talons (at least that was the vibe he was giving), but the acclaimed Magician’s Hoof trick as a diversion combined with a timely smoke bomb made quick work of the situation. With both of the castle’s remaining inhabitants taken care of, Trixie made a beeline to the library. Finding it unlocked, she crept inside and closed the oversized crystal door with a click. She was in.

Trixie trotted around the partially-lit library, searching for a certain object Starlight had told her about that she was certain would do the trick. She was feeling possibly the proudest of herself she’d ever been, not counting the times she’d saved all of Equestria, of course, and made a giant map-table disappear like it was nothing, and... you know what? Trixie really did have so many moments to be proud of throughout her life. Such a shame, she reminded herself as her trotting died down to a meager walk, that nopony else seemed to think that. Starlight might’ve, but then again, Starlight wasn’t the one anypony was trying to convince here.

All the more reason to find this book and be done with it. After a fair bit of searching, Trixie accidentally leaned her side onto a shelf, which flipped down like a lever and caused the unicorn to leap into the air like a startled cat. She suppressed a shriek in fear of her cover being blown, hearing the sound of unlocking and watching the bookshelf creak open ever so ominously, leading to some sort of secret passage on the other side.

The hidden room, what Trixie could only assume was some sort of vault the Princess had for her extra-important, extra-secure, extra-magical books she didn’t want anypony else to find, had only one thing inside of it. Illuminated by one small, cinematically placed strobe light, was a single shelf of books. Indeed these were no ordinary library books. Trixie’s stomach fluttered with uneasiness and exhilaration. After having a silent debate with herself for a few minutes, she willed herself into stepping inside and getting a closer look.

She noticed several odd titles, hard to read at such an angle, things like Necromancy and Comradery, How to Make Friends with the Dead, and The As, Bs, and Cs of Dark Prophecies. Words like ‘dangerous’ and ‘restricted’ seemed to appear an excessive number of times as well. One book had an odd, smoky black substance seeping out of it, another emitted faint and indecipherable screams. Still, not what Trixie was looking for. She frowned when she noticed just one empty space on the self, and assumed what she was looking for had probably been removed at some point. Grumbling to herself, she walked out of the room and pushed back the lever, sealing everything up once again.

She was just about to give up and try finding something else when she noticed Starlight’s chair in a comfy corner of the library, where she knew the unicorn would often stay and read into the nights. And there, accompanied by a pillow, quilt, and cold cup of tea, was a book. The book.

Scurrying over to get a closer look, Trixie had no doubt in her mind this was it. The black dragon-leather binding, the menacing gold spikes lining the spine, and some indecipherable words etched onto a gold plate on the cover. “Oh, well duh... Starlight must just be re-reading this one again…” She wasted no time skimming through the pages. Everything was exactly how Starlight had described it so long ago, and it was truly the perfect catalyst for her little cause. The Let’s-remind-everypony-how-great-and-powerful-Trixie-is-so-that-they-respect-her-again-and-will-invite-her-to-more-parties-with-Starlight cause. A working title, but it would do for now.

Starlight had told Trixie a lot about this particular book. She was the kind of pony to drone on and on about fancy spells and studying and the like, and Trixie was the kind of caring and sentimental friend who didn’t mind listening. But what Starlight had made clear, beyond all else, was that this book, while informative and helpful in dire circumstances, could be very dangerous if it got into the wrong hooves. It held a lot of knowledge, but also a lot of raw power to complement that knowledge, and that power could be dangerous if not handled responsibly.

Trixie wasn’t sure what exactly Miss Responsibility meant by the whole ‘raw power’ thing, but she had not forgotten the advice and was obviously planning on upholding it.

Trixie pranced into town early that morning, not too well-rested and but looking ready to take on the day regardless. Today was the day she’d get the attention and adoration she deserved. Today was her day. And she could hardly even wait until the sun was over the horizon to begin.