"Ahhhh!!" Starlight screamed as she woke from her slumber, looking around to find she was in her bedroom and apperantly was sleeping soundly in her bed. She felt a slight tug and saw that Trixie was sleeping soundly next to her. She paused for a moment as the memories of what had transpired came rushing back. Starlight did her best to hold back her tears. It just couldn't be true, surely the entire thing had been a bad dream, there's know way Trixie, the pony she considered to be one of her best and closest friends would have done such a thing to her. Starlight grabbed her stomach, she felt sick, she needed some fresh air or water or something. Starlight slowly got out of bed, doing her best to not wake up Trixie, so went over to her dresser and stared into the mirror, what she saw made her heart sink. It hadn't been a dream. The magic limiter was still on her horn and the three ear-rings in her left ear. She winced as she slowly went to touch her back, a steering pain still present whenever she tried to touch the spot where the shock rod had made contact.

Starlight bit her lip and did her best to resist the urge to break down and sob. She slowly opened the middle dresser door and removed a soft teal robe that she wrapped around her body. After doing so she slowly walked out of the room and began to wander the castle halls.

"What do I do?" Starlight sobbed as her situation truly began to sink in. "This can't be real, it has to be a trick or something!" She rasped trying to convince herself. "Maybe when I signed that contract it trapped me in some weird nightmare or something and Trixie is trying to teach me some weird warped lesson or something." She chuckled. Though in her heart she knew that wasn't true. Starlight merely sighed as she continued to pace through the castle.

Starlight let out a calm breath as she finished up her tea, set the cup in the sink and began to leave the kitchen only to feel herself bump into something. Thankfully starlight maintained her balance and didn't fall on her flank for the umpteenth time. She looked forward and saw a very familiar drake attempting to enter the kitchen.

"Spike! Where in Celestia's name have you been!?" Starlight asked in surprise.

"Oh you know, just out....hanging out with Smolder" Spike blushed as he rubbed his neck obviously trying to hide a very apparent bite mark.

"Oh, getting a little fiery with your girlfriend over the weekend!?" Starlight teased.

"Pfft, like you're one to talk" Spike huffed pointing to the magical limiter on Starlight's horn.

"Hehe, fair enough" Starlight blushed. "I guess we all had a crazy weekend she chuckled.

"Yea, I'm wiped" Spike yawned as he stretched his arms his wings expanding as if by instinct. "Just gonna get me some cauliflower bites for a midnight snack and head to bed he chuckled.

Starlight just gave the drake a soft smile and looked over at a nearby clock, already three in the morning. "No wonder spike's exhausted" she thought.

"Well I guess I'll let you head back to your room" Spike stated. "We should probably get a bit of sleep at least so we won't be completely wiped when Twilight returns in the morning." He explained. "Or later in the morning" he yawned with a chuckle.

"Yea, you're right. Night big bro" Starlight teased referencing their conversation from the other day.

"Haha, night lil sia Spike teased back giving Star a wink as the two went their separate ways. Starlight let out a relieved sigh. That was right, Twilight would be back tommorow. The thought filled Starlight with hope as she returned to her room. Trixie as before was sleeping soundly in her bed. But not even that would ruin her calm at the moment and she knew that she would set everything right.

Twilight Sparkle yawned as the train pulled into the station. The morning sun shining through the windows. The princess had thoroughly enjoyed her trip to the Crystal Empire. Seeing her big brother and Cadence was always a treat. Not to mention Flurryheart, while a handful was always a delight. But like all vacations this one had come to an end and she had to return to Ponyville as her duties as a Princess and Head Mare did demand. "Well it was fun while it lasted" she chuckled. "I wonder what everyone has been up to while I'm away?" She asked as she looked out the window one last time as she picked up her luggage and left the train.

Trixie pushed Starlight against the dresser. "You're going to be good, got it" Trixie growled. "Got it" Starlight just angrily glaring at the mare she once called friend. "I'll take the magic limiter off but you better not try anything funny." Trixie hissed as she pressed up against Starlight's still sore back.

"A-and the ear-rings?" Starlight huffed.

"You're a grown mare if you decided to get your ears pierced who is Sparkle to judge" Trixie chuckled. "Besides they look good on you."

"I'll just be glad when she's back" Starlight huffed.

"Perhaps but you'll still have a bit of waiting I imagine" Trixie cackled.

"What do you mean by that!?" Starlight angrily huffed.

"Oh nothing" Trixie cooed. "I just made a spell phone call to Tempest informing her Twilight would be returning soon, and I'm sure the Princess will want to catch up with her dear friend." Trixie cackled yet again. "But hey, at least that gives us time to get you cleaned up." Trixie teased. Starlight just lowering her ears in disappointment.

Twilight blinked to make sure she wasn't seeing things but there at the Ponyville Train Station waiting for her in all her intimidating glory was Tempest Shadow.

"Hello princess, how are you?" She asked the beautiful purple maiden. "I know you're a busy mare....but care to join me for breakfast?" She asked with a wink. Twilight still blinking in disbelief.

Author's Note

Short chap but gotta set things up, sorry. Thanks for reading!